Chapter 10
A/N: Here's part two of his weekend's update. I hope you like it. Until next weekend dear readers. Thanks for the reviews! Read, follow, fav, review, enjoy!
Tonks was glaring at the files in front of her, almost a week ago she and Estelle had defeated a group of wizards who had been involved in the mass abductions. She was surprised that none of them bore The Mark and that they came from small families on both sides of the war. She was certain that they weren't the masterminds behind the curtain, but she couldn't figure out who was. There were abductions from small and large families on both sides, and her stomach dropped at the thought of another player coming into the pending war. Her musings were interrupted by a voice, "You know, those files could possibly catch fire from the intensity of your stare." She looked up and was shocked to see Lilith standing there. She hadn't spoken to the woman since their confrontation at Hammerstone, but the corporate head had also made no attempts to contact her. Until now. "What are you doing here?" The young Auror asked, with a wave of her hand the files closed. Lilith looked impressed for a moment before responding, "I came to invite you to lunch. I was hoping you had also inherited my appetite." Lilith made no attempt to lower her voice, letting the whole department know that Tonks was indeed her child. The bubblegum haired Auror was tempted to decline, but her stomach growled loudly, she blushed and cursed herself for not making breakfast. Lilith chuckled, and offered her arm, Tonks walked around her desk but made no moves to take the offered limb. The blue haired woman looked at her daughter and shrugged goodnaturedly, before leading the way to their destination. Tonks spared a glance over her shoulder to see the reactions of her coworkers. They varied between, anger, disgust, smugness, and curiosity. She hoped that she would be able to gather some information on what Voldemort and his men were up to, it would probably be the only way to placate their anger.
The restaurant was fancy and secluded, Tonks wanted to comment about Lilith keeping her a secret, but with the statement she made at the Auror's office she knew that wasn't the case. "Why did you bring me here?" Tonks questioned. Lilith sat back, "Straight to business then, I was hoping you'd at least wait until the appetizers had arrived. Very well, I invited you here because I would like to see what kind of woman my daughter has become." Tonks bristled, "No, I am not your daughter, you did not raise me." "I may not have raised you, but I have kept you out of danger since you were conceived." the older witch retorted. Tonks looked at her confused, "What do you mean?" The conversation was paused as their waiter arrived with the appetizers. When he was out of earshot Lilith answered, "Do you honestly think that they would have let you live if they knew you were my daughter from the start? You are the child of both a Bolton and a Black, two of the darkest families in wizarding history. They are against your very existence." Tonks wanted to argue, but she had been to plenty of Order meetings, she knew their fear of such things. "And what of your Master, he doesn't fear such a child? He was defeated by one!" Lilith glared at her, "He was not defeated. Mind your tongue on matters you know nothing about. But to answer your question no, he does not fear power, he encourages it." Tonks had nothing to say, so she sampled the stuffed mushrooms. She barely stopped herself from groaning. 'Damn, those things are heaven.' She looked across the table to see Lilith in a similar state. "How did I end up being sorted into Hufflepuff? If I'm supposed to be some sort of magical powerhouse, why there?" Lilith chewed for a few moments and swallowed before answering, "I couldn't risk them finding out. If you had been sorted into Slytherin or Ravenclaw you might have stood out, while it's not unheard of for half-bloods to be sorted into those houses, I couldn't risk anyone being suspicious of your parentage. And I'd be thrice damned if I let any child of mine wear red and gold. Hufflepuff would keep you safe, so even when you started coming into your own, they would only ever equate you to an above average Hufflepuff."
Hermione had yet to read the letter Bellatrix had sent her, or the journal, both facts were driving her mad. A few days after she had received the letter, things between herself and the boys had gone back to normal, almost. She had heard that the boys had been called into the Headmaster's office, and while she was glad his talk with them had brought them to their senses, she was also saddened by the fact that the man had to intervene to get them to start talking to her again. The thing was, now they rarely left her side, they were always hovering over her and when she went up to her rooms, her dormmates bothered her to no end. She managed to give her friends the slip while they were changing classes, and was now seated in one of the windows f the astronomy tower. She only had ten minutes before lunch started, and as much as she wanted to read the journal she knew she wouldn't be able to put it down once she started. So she opened up her Potions textbook and pulled out the still unread letter. She broke the seal and hesitantly opened the letter. She read the contents and gasped. She quickly reread it to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.
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I haven't been able to keep my mind off of you since the other day.
The way you were able to look me in the eye and not flinch or look away.
There was more than just a spark, my ears were graced with the roar of a crackling flame.
A roar couldn't be more accurate, so little brave and brash Gryffindor, do you want to play this game?
You're scared, but all too curious to let this go.
But I am a simple woman, all I need is an answer, a yes, or a no.
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The letter was simple, and all too telling, her attraction to the dark witch was insane and dangerous. But she had drempt of charcoal eyes and vicious smiles countless times the past few nights. She wasn't stupid, she knew seduction was a well used tactic to entice people to switch sides, but if the attraction went both ways then the seductress could also become the seduced. Not to mention that Hermione was sure Bellatrix's allegiance was a packaged deal. It wouldn't be a leap to suspect that wherever the crazed witch went Lilith, and perhaps even Narcissa followed. She knew for a fact the Nacrissa was also part of a set. In all The Dark Lord was gambling most of his funds, and five of his followers on this one move. It seemed absolutely reckless, but no one makes a bet like that without betting against something. She had to wonder what the man was thinking. On her way down from the astronomy tower she thought about consulting with the boys, or maybe even Dumbledore himself, but decided against it. She couldn't tell Harry because of his connection with Voldemort, and Ron seemed to be getting less rational with each passing day. She doubted Dumbledore or McGonagall would be in favor of taking such a risk; but there was one other person she could ask.
After lunch Severus was looking forward to his quiet planning period, he was hoping to get a chance to make his midterm as difficult as possible, but as the door to his classroom was opened he sighed. He was surprised to see Hermione closing his classroom door after her. "What is it Miss Granger? I have duties of higher significance than answering a homework question." he stated dismissively. "This isn't about homework professor. I need advice." He looked to her blankly so she continued, her tone hushed, "I have the opportunity to bring others over to our side, but it's risky. Very risky." "Explain." After a quick retelling of recent events she waited for the dour man to respond. "You are right, it is quite a risk, for both sides. If the Dark Lord loses this gambit he loses some of his strongest supporters, if The Headmaster loses, he essentially loses Potter's ability to survive. The outcome of the war could very well be decided by this power play." The bookworm rolled her eyes, "Yes, I know all of that, which is why I am here asking for advice." The professor sneered at the girl's snarky tone. "This comes done to little more than a bet of loyalty. Do you think that your will to protect Harry is stronger than hers to serve her Lord? If so then the answer is simple, take the bet. If you aren't sure, then you have no choice but to let this opportunity pass. There may be other moments in the future, but they may not be as defining as this one." Hermione nodded, "Thank you Professor." With that, she turned and exited the class room. Severus sighed and wished he had a window to gaze out of, he had set things into motion, where they would go was another subject entirely. He rubbed his left forearm, he would need to report to The Dark Lord soon.