A/N: I'm so sorry for the wait, guys. My family has honestly taken over my life! It's been crazy around here. Please be patient with me and I promise that once they leave I will be back to my old schedule.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER!

Chapter Five - The Malfoy's

"Get Draco," I ordered Severus, barely giving him a glance as he finished getting Lucius and Narcissa comfortable in the bed.

I had decided to move them to the Ravenclaw room for now. It would be dangerous moving Lucius anywhere farther than that now. The wizard was badly injured, and wouldn't have survived an Apparition. He would have to stay at the Manor for now under my care. Generally I wouldn't have thought this wise, due to my fathers rage. But if I stayed close by I could easily counter it and protect the Malfoy's. The Malfoy's were an important part of the work here and were predictable. If father killed them there was no telling who would replace them, and then I wouled have to build trust all over. It was just easier to keep them alive. It made my life simpler, and to be honest I wished no harm upon them, no matter their alliance.

Severus shot me a look and disappeared, closing the door behind him. I turned back to Narcissa, my eyes colder than I would have liked to admit. She was trembling, her eyes wide with terror. I reached out to touch her and she flinched away from me. I sighed inwardly and withdrew my hand slowly so as not to startle her again.

"Relax, Narcissa, I will not hurt you," I said, trying to not seem overly worried or warm, thought I had a feeling I was failing. "I will let Severus tend you when he returns while I treat your husband."

"Please, my Lady, please..." she begged, choking and gasping.

I only gazed disinterestedly into her pleading eyes, trying to ignore her pain. I was Lady Riddle. The Dark Lord's daughter. I had to show now mercy. No sympathy. I only waved my wand and checked Lucius and Narcissa's vitals, trying to ignore the quiet whimpering from Lucius and the not so subtle weeping of Narcissa.

The door banged open a few seconds later, Draco and Severus came rushing in. Draco's eyes were wide with shock as they fell on his parents.

"Mother!" Draco's cried. "Father!"

"Draco, don't touch her," Severus growled pulling the younger man back by the scruff of the neck and jerking him back. "Wait."

"Severus, tend to Narcissa if you please," I said, brushing past the two men and going to Lucius' side. "Draco, stay out of Severus's way while I revive you father."

"My Lady-"

"Narcissa, for the last time, I am here to help you and your husband. Now if you could please be silent," I snapped, throwing a silencio at the older witch. "Let's see what we can do, shall we."

I looked down at the man that I had tortured. Blood was dripping down his chin, and oozing from his nose and hairline. I could tell that he had a few broken ribs from his shallow breathing and there were red and purple marks blossoming around his throat and jaw line. It made me sick. I had done this to a human being. Bile began to rise in my throat but I suppressed it, swallowing it down hard. I had to keep myself together or risk breaking my cover, and we couldn't have that.

"What happened?" Draco asked in a hushed voice, the panic evident in his pale features. "Severus, why are they like this?"

"Draco, I asked Severus to summon you, I can have him throw you out just as easily. Now please, do us a favor and shut it," I snapped again, pulling out my wand and waving it over Lucius in large strokes. "Just sit." I pointed to an armchair without even looking and heard the wizard sit without complaint.

I opened one of Lucius's eye and watched the pupil closely. Good, it adjusted to the light quite nicely. Turning my focus to his mouth and opening it, I quickly draining the blood that pooled inside, making it easier for him to breathe. Then I quickly healing his nose and cleaning the blood from his face. Placing my wand on the bedside table I placed one hand underneath his neck and with the other pulled back his hair, checking to see if any damage and been done to his skull. My hand came away bloody.

"Damn."

"My Lady!" Severus cried harshly.

I looked down. Lucius was seizing before me, his eyes rolling in the back of his head.

"Severus!"

Severus was next to me in a flash, his wand pressed against Lucius' chest, my fingers pressed against his temples.

"Uh-uh," I growled. "You're not going just yet, my friend."

I closed my eyes, focusing on the mind before me, trying to calm it, to heal it. I gritted my teeth as he struggled beneath my touch.

Lucius, I said to his mind. Don't slip from me now, I promise I will help you return my father's favor for you. Come now, damn it!

If I could just repair his mind enough to get him stable. Memories swam before me in a blur. Chaotic, and jumbled. The colors were vivid and blinding, the noise was deafening. It felt as if my head would be split in two from all the new information that coursed through me.

I gasped, being thrust backward out of Lucius' mind by some other force. It was rough but not unkind. It took a moment for me to focus on the blue room before me, and the black eyes that surveyed me with honest worry.

"What the fuck?!"

"Hermione!" Severus hissed in my ear so the others couldn't hear. "His mind is unstable, it wasn't safe to leave you there."

"Right. Yeah, unsafe." I looked down. "Oh, Merlin."

Lucius' pulse was through the roof, his breathing short.

"Shit!"

I grabbed my wand again and pressed my hand against his bare chest. Waving my wand, muttering an ancient language under my breath, I closed my eyes. I would not lose him. I would do anything in my power. A man would not die because of me. This magic might be a little drastic than the circumstances aloud, but I was will to do everything I could. A blinding silver flash past between us. I wasn't expecting something as dramatic, but I supposed it would do. The next thing I knew I was falling backward into Severus, who caught me easily.

"Forgive me, Severus," I murmured hoarsely, feeling the fatigue already beginning to set in from copious use of magic I had just used. I had forgotten how much energy it took to use ancient magic.

"No problem, my Lady," Severus said softy, standing me back on my feet and helping me steady myself. He had grabbed my upper arms tightly, and didn't relinquish them until he knew I wouldn't fall. I waved him away but I could still feel him hovering behind me.

I grunted, trying to focus my swimming vision on the blond wizard before me. Lucius's eyes were open, clear and alert, looking at me with a mixture of fear and concern.

"Ah, Lucius, I see you survived that little ordeal as well. Very good," I said my words soft as I blinked back the urge to lean back into the man behind me and fall asleep. "Severus, if you please."

I waved a hand to the two Malfoy's, Severus nodded.

Severus healed the rest of Lucius and Narcissa's wounds with my "direction" and quickly went back to help me as I began to sway in place.

"I'm sure you have guessed by the injuries that your parents were disobedient, Draco," I said cooly, as Severus sat me down in a stuffed blue armchair, and moved to stand behind me, draping his arm across the back lazily. Draco nodded, the chair her occupied sat directly across from me, so I watched at the blond practically vibrated with fear in his seat. "Do you know why?"

Draco shook his head. "I am afraid I do not, my Lady," he said truthfully. "Why?"

"Your mother, at a dinner party our dear Minister was holding, decided to tell a certain, Rita Skeeter, of my existence." Draco sucked in a shuddering breath. "You can see why my father and I were not pleased, Draco." I paused. "Normally I wouldn't say this, due to my own position, Draco, however... I think I will make you and your family an exception."

I saw Severus shift out of the corner of my eye. He had gone subtly more rigid than normal. I could practically feel the waves of warning crashing into me from the man.

"Severus, would you happen to have a pepper-up on you?" I asked trying to turn his attention off his panic and onto something helpful. This time I heard him grind his teeth.

"Of course, my Lady," Severus pulled out a small vial from the depths of his robes, uncorked it and handed it over to me.

I swallowed it down in one gulp, and handed Severus back the vial, warmth flooding my limbs and the fog around my vision dissipating. I sighed inwardly as my legs quit shaking. It was a relief. I hated to seem vulnerable in front of anyone especially here. I straightened, lifting my chin as I looked at Draco again.

"As I was saying," I continued. "Your family is one of my father and I's favorites, and I would like to keep it that way. I want to see you all stay in your rank, and I will do all in my power to do so. Despite the fact your parents have displeased my father and I, I have not lost sight of your importance. As a matter of fact I have taken a liking to you Draco. This is why I stepped in and punished your father myself. The Dark Lord would have given Lucius, and Narcissa much harsher punishments if I hadn't have taken his place. Would you agree?"

"Yes, my Lady," they said in unison.

"So, tread lightly now, but know I have your backs," I said feeling much better. "Severus, I need to speak with my father alone, stay here and continue to watch Lucius and Narcissa, I will send for you later."

"Yes, my lady," Severus said bowing.

And with that, I swept out of the room.

Following Father's aura, I walked through the balmy garden, enjoying the night air. The garden was beautiful at night, the soft scent of roses, iris's and other flowers and herbs filled the air, the plants casting patchy shadows along the path, making it a perfect place to go and not be seen. I smiled at the sound of bull frogs croaking in the nearby pound.

I found him pacing ahead of me, he seemed agitated. However, he always seemed agitated when he was thinking.

"Daughter," Lord Voldemort greeted as I came even with him, acknowledging me at last. "Did you handle Lucius and Narcissa?"

"Yes, I did. I left Severus to tend them."

"You did well with them, daughter," he said. I could tell there was a flicker of pride in his eye. Yes, I wanted to please my father but not like this. It disgusted me that this is what I had to do to make him proud.

"Did I father?" I asked, letting a small smile cross my face. "I'm glad to have pleased you."

"Did you think I wouldn't be pleased?"

"Not at all, father."

There was a pause.

"You were wondering how to deal with my name being known to the Ministry," I stated after watching him for some time.

"Aye," he said.

"What will we do?" I asked. Father looked down at me, his eyes clouded. "The Headmaster will know by now, of course." His eyes flashed, father looked away.

Another long pause descended upon father and daughter. I sat down on a stone bench, watching him pace, but not really.

"Father?" Father grunted, continuing to pace. "May I make a suggestion?" Father waved his hand signaling for me to go on. "Could I go to the Ministry and introduce myself?" Father spun around, looking at me with alarm. "Not without guards of course."

"Go on."

I explained to him my plan. It was quick, simple, and to the point, but potentially very dangerous. The point of it was that I was to prove I was almost if not as powerful as my father. Father smiled when I had finished, nodding in approval.

"I like this plan of yours, daughter," he said, looking up at the stars, stroking his chin. "In fact, I will agree to it. Will you go tomorrow?"

"If you wish it, father," I said. I was alarmed at his haste. I must inform the Order before the plan took place. They needed to be prepared if anything went wrong.

"Very well, tomorrow, then. Around five when all the worker's are getting off work. What say you?"

I smiled, standing. "Aye."

He nodded approvingly. "Who will you take with you?"

"How many do you require me to bring?"

"Four, I think," he replied, pacing again. "Not too many. To many will overwhelm Fudge's miniscule brain."

I thought a moment, coming to my conclusion quickly. "Severus, Draco, Lucius and Pansy. They're identities hidden of course."

"Of course."

I waited for him to say more, but when he didn't I started to make my way back to the manor, leaving him to think.

"Hermione."

I turned. "Yes, father?"

"As you know, I have my companions," he began.

"Lucius, Bella and Wormtail." He nodded.

"It is only right that you choose your own. Especially since you are Lady Riddle." he said, looking at me with his usual intense gaze.

I paused. "May I lay on it, father? Give it some thought?" I asked.

"Of course."

I smiled, coming up to him and kissing his cheek. "Thank you, father."

With a puff of smoke, I was gone.

A/N: A short one, I know. I'm sorry! This is basically a filler chapter, but things get interesting in the next one, I promise. :)

If you like AAO go check out my other fic: When Darkness Consumes. If you haven't already.