A/N: I woke up to a lovely group of chapter-by-chapter reviews from a guest by the name of tryph! I thought I'd update early, because she/he put me in such a nice mood!
"Come on, boys- we'll be late if you don't hurry."
"Sorry, mum!" The twins chorus, Orion running a brush through his tangled black hair and Arcturus trying to tie his shoe and walk at the same time. They're dressed as sharply as always, Orion in an orange suit and Arcturus in cerulean.
They both pause when they see Hermione.
She's dressed in silver dressrobe that moves like water, with wide sleeves and emerald green embroideries of thorns coming from her left sleeve and ending on her right breast. Her lips are painted green, and her eyes are accented with streaks of black and emerald.
"Geez, Hermione, where do you keep finding this stuff?" Orion asks.
"You look beautiful," Arcturus adds.
She smiles.
"It's not too much?" She asks Bellatrix, twirling once to reveal a slight train to her robe, also patterned in thorns.
"Of course not," the older woman says briskly. "Though this isn't an introduction, this will be the first time you meet most of the Inner Circle. You ought to look your best."
"Besides, our Lord will probably want to move quickly if you and the boys are to join us," Rodolphus adds, tugging at the sleeves at his own black robe. "The summer is nearly ended, and the chance to plant another spy in Hogwarts is not something he'll pass up."
"Do you think he'd mind taking me?"
The group goes quiet at the soft question, and they look up to see Sirius in his favorite pinstripe suit and wingtips.
He looks oddly... Timid.
Bellatrix's smile is blinding as she moves forward to take her cousin's hand.
"I think he wouldn't mind a bit more Black in his organization," she tells him brightly. "Who would, after all?"
"Mum, we're going to be late!"
Hermione takes Sirius' other hand, reassuring and calm.
"Everything will work out," she promises. "It always does."
"That sounds like something Luna'd say," Sirius says softly. "Did she know I'd choose you?" His eyes find Bellatrix, who smiles.
"We knew without her ever telling us," she tells him. "You're a Black. Family always comes first."
Sirius lets out a long breath.
"I... I think you're right," he agrees. "Though... I think you're lucky Harry turned out to be more of a prat than his father."
"I think you're right," Bellatrix agrees. "Now, come. We'll be late."
And with a crack, they're off.
-SOH-
The meeting is made up mostly of people in the Inner Circle and their children. The Malfoys are seated with Snape, who looks crossed between annoyed and surprised at their presence. Then there's Luna, Greyback, Macnair, Rabastan, Rookwood... And two women Hermione doesn't know. They're both beautiful, like china dolls where they sit on either side of Luna. The younger one is about Hermione's age, with long red hair that spirals past her shoulders and electric blue eyes that seem to know a bit too much. The older one has the same pale blonde as a Malfoy, with the almond eyes of an Oriental. As Hermione watches, she lights a cigarette with the tip of her wand and takes a long drag, eyes on the book in her hand rather than the newcomers.
"My, my, Hermione, you look simply beautiful."
Marcius enters from a door just behind the throne-like chair at the end of the table, a smile on his glamourless face.
She smiles and curtsies.
"Thank you... Marcius?"
"You may call me what you like in such a setting, my dear. It is only my most trusted followers that you see before you." He gestures at the empty seats at the table. "All of you, please, have a seat. We have many matters to discuss."
The group obeys, and Hermione finds herself between Snape and Orion.
"What are you doing here, Granger?" Snape's lips barely move.
She smiles sweetly.
"It's Prewett, now, Professor," she tells him. "And I'm here for the meeting."
"And, I'm assuming, initiation." The voice belongs to Rookwood, who seems to be sizing her up like meat on a hook.
"Naturally." She gestures at the twins and Sirius. "And them too, of course."
"Nothing says family bonding like an initiation into a secret society of troublemakers," Rabastan says cheerfully, reaching over the table to shake Hermione's hand. "Rabastan Lestrange, at your service."
"It's good to meet you," she replies. "I've heard a lot about you from Bella and Rodolphus."
"Only the good parts, I hope."
"That depends on your point of view."
"Oh, dear, that sounds ominous."
"Rabastan, stop flirting," Bellatrix admonishes, but she's grinning at her brother-in-law's antics. "She's not even legal."
Macnair snorts.
"Since when is anything we do legal?" He inquires, and Hermione's quite surprised to find his voice quite pleasant to hear.
Marcius clears his throat pointedly and they all quiet.
"As you've all noticed, we have a few new faces with us tonight," he says softly, his voice like honey. "They will be, in a few moments, one of you."
"Put your left hands on the table," Bellatrix instructs quietly, sounding a bit surprised. She wasn't expecting an immediate initiation, after all.
Her sons, cousin, and Hermione obey.
"I wish for nothing more than to serve the Dark Lord," Hermione says clearly, reciting the words Luna had given her and the twins to memorize days before, 'just in case'. "I will follow him to the ends of earth and sky, and give him all my strength for his cause." She repeats herself, over and over, feeling magic slide under her skin to settle in the flesh of her forearm.
Down the row, the twins, Luna, and Sirius are reciting the words in unison, and the unknown redhead seated across from her adds her voice to the chant. It sounds almost like a song, magic pulsing along with the words as it marks her as one of them, as one belonging to the Dark Lord, to Voldemort.
It makes her shiver with excitement.
Too soon it's over, and Snape is pushing her back into a seat she wasn't aware she vacated, panting with exertion and adrenaline. The girl across from her looks no better, and the twins might have actually collapsed back into their seats.
"Wow," Hermione whispers. "Can I do that again?"
Marcius chuckles, and she turns he arm to look over her new mark.
"The rush is something you will grow used to as you use your power more and more," he tells her. "But, I often forget the effect such workings have on young people. Cecilia, Orion, Arcturus, Sirius, how are you?"
"Haven't felt something like that for a few years," Sirius admits, smiling weakly as he settles himself more comfortably in his chair. "It's..."
"Refreshing," Orion says.
"Rejuvenating," Arcturus agrees.
"Awesome." Cecilia smiles brightly at Marcius. "I want to do more like that."
"All in good time, my dear. First, however, we must talk of yours and Hermione's first mission."
Hermione straightens. "Yes?"
Marcius' lips quirk at her attentiveness, and Draco holds back a snort at the pose he'd dubbed 'the teacher's pet' in first year.
"You, Miss Lovegood, and Cecilia will be helping dear Draco with the murder of Albus Dumbledore."
There's a sharp intake of breath from Bellatrix and a small noise of shock from Sirius.
"You... You really think we can do this, my Lord?" Cecilia asks, eyes wide with surprise. "We're ready?"
"Of course you are. Albus has a way of... Underestimating those under his watch."
Hermione hides a smile. She knows Marcius is talking about himself.
"Will my request to be Re-Sorted have to be postponed?" She inquires instead. "I fear I've already sent the letter."
"With a mind like yours, I'm certain you will find a way around it." Marcius nods to Cecilia.
"Cecilia will be transferring into Hogwarts for her sixth year, having been homeschooled most of her life. She will also be tutoring you and Draco in advanced Dark Arts during the year." He glances at Hermione. "Narcissa mentioned you were looking for a tutor. Cecilia is more than adept enough to help you with the basics."
"It'll be a pleasure to work with you," the girl says to Hermione. "Draco's told me you're quite the clever clogs. I like people like that."
"Hopefully I'll grasp the Dark Arts as easily as everything else," Hermione replies with a sheepish smile. "I fear I'm severely lacking in that department."
"No worries, child," says the asian woman on Luna's other side, speaking with a purposeful, hissing drawl. "I can taste your magic from here; I haven't been in contact with such a Dark core since my lord, here."
"Leonora, my dear, get your feet off the table," Marcius admonishes lightly. "It's unladylike, and your brother's getting that look again."
"Is it of resignation?" Lucius inquires dryly. "Because believe me when I say, I've had years to get used to her."
Leonora lets out a bark of laughter and reaches out to ruffle Lucius' hair.
"Big brother, you spoil me," she tells him, taking down her feet. "I knew there was a reason I still talked to you."
Lucius sighs and Hermione hides a smile. From what she can tell, this woman is the rebellious Miss Malfoy that was the fruit of Abraxas' second marriage. From what Hermione managed to dig up on her, this is the woman who ran off to learn the art of Muggle explosives- a big name in the Muggle military for her innovative and 'green' warfare.
"Draco, why don't you take the girls to the library and begin working on tactics?" Voldemort says. "We have no need for you for now."
Draco stands, bowing slightly.
"My Lord."
The girls follow suit, curtsying and bidding everyone else goodbye.
The door barely closes behind them before Cecilia starts talking.
"So, did anyone else see the way Fenrir was staring at Orion?" She asks excitedly. "By Merlin, I think he's found a mate!"
Hermione blinks. "What?"
"Pay her no attention," Draco advises, leading them down a long hall toward large red doors. "The Moody family and the Greybacks are linked, and Celia's been trying to get her Uncle Fenrir a mate since we were six."
"So, you two have always known each other, then?" Hermione asks, and Cecilia nods.
"We used to have playdates together," she says brightly, eyes bright with mischief. "I was his first kiss."
"Worst decision I ever made," Draco says blandly, pushing open the door and waving in the three girls. "You weren't even any good."
"And you tasted of your mum's lipstick," she retorts. "Shut it, Mama's Boy."
Draco doesn't even get angry. He just sighs, much like his father at Leonora's antics, and shuts the door behind them.
"You know, you're much more civil now that I've joined the Dark," Hermione remarks to Draco as she settles into an armchair beside Luna.
"Now you're not backing a prat," Draco shoots back, taking a seat across from her. "Nothing I ever said was personal, mind. I've really got no issues with mudbloods- not like my father, at least- and most of what I said was only ever meant to rile up Potter."
"I did notice you only ever bothered me when I was with my friends," she admits. "So, it was an act?"
Draco nods. "We've been working on this for years- though we were expecting not to put the plan into action for another year, at least," he tells her. "It was all so that I'm underestimated when the time comes to put my position as a student into play. The teachers think me a spoiled pureblood boy with average intelligence and a cowardly disposition. They won't suspect me when I start putting my plans into action."
"Except for Harry," Hermione informs him. "He's very paranoid about you."
"Another piece of the plan," the blond boy says with a smirk. "What is his mental health going to be like when everyone brushes off his suspicions, when he realizes he's utterly alone in his belief and completely correct?"
Hermione's impressed.
"You have thought this through," she says.
"Not me. Mother and Renata- Celia's mother," Draco tells her. "As I said before- this has all been planned for years."
"I was homeschooled for this purpose," Cecilia adds, reaching forward to pour everyone tea from a tea set that wasn't by her elbow moments before. "My first five years of schooling were spent learning heavy duty Dark Arts, just so I could give Draco a crash course when I transferred into Hogwarts, when people would stop monitoring his power so much-"
"Then, after I've been deemed ready, I would put myself in a position where I could kill," he continues. "If I thought I could manage it, I'd fulfill my task. If not, I'd beg to be saved and have some sort of sob story. They'd accept me as a defector, and I'd find an opportune moment from that point."
"But with Hermione it's different," Luna pipes up. "Because if Draco has to go with Plan B, he has someone besides Professor Snape to watch his back in the Order."
Draco smiles. "The risk will be minimal."
"So... I suppose it would be best if I tried to maintain some sort of relationship with Harry and- no, Ron will be dead by then," Hermione says thoughtfully. "But still. I need to play nice."
"Complain about the Slytherins a lot," Cecilia advises. "But mention that Draco's taken a liking to you, now that you're the Lady of a House, and is being good to you. Tell him everything's politics. Show sympathy to Draco's 'situation', but not his beliefs."
"What about you, Celia?" The green-eyed girl asks. "What house will you be in?"
"I'm trying for Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw," she admits. "I'm clever enough for Ravenclaw, and no one suspects a Hufflepuff, either- everyone is too fixed on Gryffindor and Slytherin. Besides, as part of the potential 'save me' plea, Draco should make it seem like he's not so bad- he'll have to start branching out into other houses."
"You can use me for that, as well," Luna offers. "Since Hermione will be in Slytherin."
"Of course I will," Hermione says with a sigh. "Thank God Ron won't be there. He'd pitch a fit."
"Tell me, are his tantrums real?" Draco asks. "Because he's always struck me as a whiny prat."
Hermione darkens.
"They're real, all right," she says. "And I probably would have hexed him for most of them for how pointless they all were. You know he got angry and stopped talking to Harry until after the first task during the Triwizard Tournament, just because he was jealous? And in third year he wouldn't talk to me just because Crookshanks kept trying to kill that damn rat-" she pauses. "Well, shit."
"What?"
"I haven't seen my parents in a week and a half," Hermione says. "I'd almost forgotten, I've been so busy with everything in the Magical World. I have to pick up Crookshanks, and explain a few things so they don't try contacting anyone troublesome before I'm ready. I'll have to visit tomorrow, I suppose."
"I've been planning to go into Muggle London with Leonora to pick up a few things, anyway," Cecilia tells her. "We can drop you off, if you like."
"That would be lovely." Hermione smiles.
"This is probably going to end very well," Luna says absently, reaching forward to take a teacup.
Draco snorts.
"We've just gotten the smartest girl of our year to help us with the murder of Albus Dumbledore," he says. "Damn right it's going to end well."
Hermione just blushes delicately at the compliment and adds some sugar to her tea.
-SOH-
"The time to make our first move has come," Voldemort tells those remaining in the meeting room. "I believe we should hit somewhere close to home."
"What do you mean by that, My Lord?" Severus asks, and the handsome man smiles.
"Well, Dumbledore has doled out a grievous punishment to our dear Bella," he says, eyes on the twins. "Taking her children and leaving them with a family of blood traitors? Framing her for the torture of the Longbottoms? That simply isn't... Light."
The twins wince at the reminder- their mother had explained about the Longbottoms and their places as double agents for the Dark. They cringe to think that their mother was put in Azkaban on false charges, magically compelled to confess to a crime she hadn't committed.
"Now, I understand that the boys would like certain family members to be spared," Voldemort continues. "It will be your jobs to make sure your brother and his wife are clear of the house when we get there."
Orion nods.
"We'll handle it," he promises.
"But what next?" Arcturus asks.
"Next, Bella will pay Molly and Arthur Weasley a visit," Voldemort says. "And they will have a friendly, motherly chat while Rodolphus and Fenrir handle the rest."
"With pleasure, my lord," Fenrir says with a feral grin, eyes never leaving the twin across from him's face.
Orion shivers when he meets the wolf's eyes and is certain not meet them again.
This doesn't escape their Lord's notice, though he does hide his glee at the look in Fenrir's eyes.
"Marcius," Arcturus starts slowly. "Can we get in on it? The killing and the maiming and the making them pay?"
"Just so they know exactly why," Orion adds.
"Oh, I'm certain your mother will make certain of that," Rodolphus tells them. "She'll carve it into their skin."
"And as for the killing and maiming," Voldemort adds. "You haven't been trained yet, to handle that sort of Darkness."
Orion blinks.
"Didn't you just assign a couple of fifteen and sixteen year olds-"
"To the task of killing Dumbledore?" Finishes Arcturus.
"Draco and Celia have been training for years in the Dark Arts," Narcissa explains, leaning forward slightly. "Their hearts have been conditioned for it- besides, you were raised alongside these people as family. While I'm certain you won't feel bad for them, a moral argument might not be the best thing for a raid."
"What about Luna and Hermione?"
"Luna is of a Dark family," Bella says gently. "And as for Hermione- can't you feel it, when you're near her?"
"Her core is very mature for a girl who're spent her like without proper training," Leonora agrees. "A few weeks of training with Celia and she'll be on par with the rest of the children her age."
"She's always been restrained," Sirius says thoughtfully. "Could it have perhaps been that her magic was trying to make itself known for years, and she was subconsciously teaching herself to balance it out through the use of mental exercises, such as studying or logic puzzles?"
"Most children in situations like hers develop criminal records," Leonora points out. "They're arsonists, or thieves-"
"Troublemakers, bullies," Sirius adds, nodding. "But she's none of those things."
"You might be onto something, Sirius," Rodolphus says after a moment. "She spends an enormous amount of time reading- I've even seen her translating texts from Ancient Greek and Latin into English, on occasion."
"We'll have to look into this," Voldemort says thoughtfully. "It could be of use to us in the future. But for now..." He looks back at the twins. "Are you clear on your duties?"
They nod in unison.
"I'm certain Fleur's parents have been dying for a visit from their daughter and future son-in-law," Orion says thoughtfully.
"We should surprise them," Arcturus agrees.
Voldemort smiles slightly.
Everything seems to be falling into place even earlier than he imagined.
-SOH-
As it turns out, Hermione's mother is quite understanding, and, with the promise to write, the Lady of the Prewett family gets into Leonora's battered pick-up truck and leaves her house for the last time, Crookshanks curled up in her lap.
Her heart is so light she wonders if she has one at all.