Chapter 11

In the days leading up to the Quidditch World Cup, the activity around the Manor turned to a hectic pace. Every aspect of the Dark Lord's announcement of return had to be carefully planned out, from beginning to end. Hermione knew that the Dark Lord was still deciding whether or not he wanted to make an appearance at the Cup, in order to extinguish all doubts, or if he wanted just general chaos with the idea of his return. Personally, Hermione thought that they really only needed Potter to see the Dark Lord, and the rumors would spread from there.

"Hear me out," Hermione said to her father, who was focusing on his mission of making unregistered Port-Keys to get the Death Eaters in and out of the campgrounds. They were the only two sitting in the library, "I know that your plan is to raid the campgrounds after the match—it's a good idea. Especially since I know that Lucius got his hands on the seating chart in the Top Box, and Potter and the Weasleys will be there. But, I did some research of my own, and I know what site the Weasleys' tent is in. If you start the raid from this end," she pointed at a spot on the edge of the map, "they'll be forced to evacuate this way toward the forest," she traced her finger along the map, not realizing that her father was no longer looking at her, but at the person standing behind her. "That way, while you're attacking the Muggleborns and whatever else you have planned, the Dark Lord can show up in the forest—where Potter and the rest of the Weasley children will be. Can you imagine that? Because the way I see it, there's a fair few people in the Wizarding World who aren't going to want to believe the Dark Lord is back without seeing Him with their own eyes—the Minister of Magic, included. He'll get the Daily Prophet to discredit Potter so fast, and probably Dumbledore too."

Her father opened his mouth to speak, but Hermione cut him off, "It's just something I've been thinking about. The rumors will pull the Wizarding World apart. It will alienate Potter, make him more vulnerable in general, which is bound to be helpful."

She looked up at him, waiting for his reaction, and finally realized his attention was elsewhere. Turning around quickly, she saw the Dark Lord standing behind her. She vaguely noticed her father getting to his feet to bow, but she didn't move. Hermione really hadn't wanted the Dark Lord to hear her idea until her father had given his opinion of it. She knew that the Dark Lord liked her speaking her mind, but wasn't sure if he would appreciate major ideas in raids. I guess I'm about to find out. Her father pulled her to her feet, and she bowed quickly, finally coming out of her reflections.

"Well, my Lord, do you have any thoughts?" Hermione asked, smiling. She felt a slight pressure in her head, and realized that the Dark Lord was trying to use Legilimency on her. His eyes were teasing though, and she knew that he was just testing her. She pushed him out of her mind, and her grin widened. He mimed the grin, before gesturing for her to sit back down.

"The idea has promise," he said, "though I had misgivings that we'll be able to predict exactly where Potter and his friends will end up."

"Well that's where I come in. I've changed the location of our tent, so that we're in sight of theirs. I'll be able to follow them, with Draco, Blaise and Pansy, into the forest."

"That doesn't quite solve the problem, my dear," the Dark Lord said, "I won't be able to predict where you'll be either."

"You would," she said, carefully, "if I had the Dark Mark."

"Well that went well," Hermione muttered to herself sarcastically as she headed out of the library. Although she knew it was a long shot, she had really hoped to get the Dark Mark out of that plan. Fourteen year old Death Eater, she thought to herself, I guess I was being a little naïve. But if not now, when? When am I going to be an official Death Eater? She shook her head and went outside. If she was being optimistic, she knew that the Dark Lord really did like her plan, and her father had suggested a viable alternative for finding her in the forest. The Dark Lord would place a linking spell on her, which would help him Apparate close by. He would then have to use Legilimency to find her. It was a good plan, her plan, and she was glad about that. Sighing, she dropped down onto the grass, looking out onto the Malfoy's gardens. Why did I think that would work? The Dark Lord isn't interested in what a fourteen year old has to offer, even if I'm smarter than a fair few of the Death Eaters. She thought of Crabbe and Goyle, knowing that their parents weren't much smarter. Yes, definitely a fair few. Rubbing her aching head, she laid back into the grass.

"Don't doubt your abilities," a voice said from behind her. Hermione knew who it was without opening her eyes, so she didn't bother moving.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say you were following me."

"I should be upset about your lack of respect."

She opened her eyes, squinting against the light. Oh Merlin, she thought, I've gotten so comfortable with him, I didn't even bow. I suppose it's too late now, might as well see what happens

"My Lord," she said respectfully, but her tone turned somewhat bitter, "I would get up, but since I don't have a Dark Mark, I feel no obligation to."

I did not just say that.

"You're lucky I've been in your head since the beginning of this conversation."

"Am I?" She said mildly. You are making this worse by the second, Granger, show some respect.

"I would torture anyone else for this," he told her. At that, she sat up, turning to face him.

"Do what you've got to do," she said. His wand hand twitched toward his pocket. She was obviously making him angry but for some reason, she couldn't stop.

He sat down beside her without saying anything else. What have I gotten myself into now?

When she finally looked at him, he was twirling his wand between his fingers, looking thoughtful.

"Are you going to torture me, or not?" She asked.

He didn't look at her.

"Do you want me to?" He replied, his fingers halting on his wand.

"Maybe it will make me feel like a real Death Eater," she said, lying back down with a sigh. She closed her eyes, deciding she really shouldn't say anything else.

"Crucio."

Hermione cried out in distress, arching back uncontrollably as the pain struck her. All the breath left her chest, but the curse stopped as suddenly as it had started. She gasped in a breath of air, but didn't move to look at the man who had cast the curse.

"That's what you want, is it, Hermione? You're fourteen years old. Granted you are wise beyond your years; you give me advice some of my Death Eaters wouldn't even think of and I value you more than most—but you are still fourteen. I'm not going to give you a Dark Mark and missions like you're anything other than what you are. It's too dangerous, first of all, and secondly you're still in school. You are already doing more than enough for me—you're helping me to determine if one of my followers, who I respected greatly, is still loyal. Do you understand how important that is? You don't need a Dark Mark in order to contribute, you should know that better than anyone."

Still gasping in air, she finally opened her eyes to look at Him. He had put his wand away and was staring at her intensely, obviously waiting for her to say something.

"Okay," she said, softly, "You're right. I'm sorry, my Lord."

She tried to sit up, but immediately dizziness overcame her. As she was about to lie back down onto the grass, the Dark Lord put an arm around her to steady her.

"The weakness will pass," he told her, waiting a moment to make sure she was stable before he moved away.

"I'm fine," she muttered, embarrassed that she even needed help to begin with, "Did you need me for something, my Lord?"

"Yes, we need to go through this plan. I know that my linking spell will get me close enough to you to find you by Legilimency, but I'll need you all to distract him for a very specific amount of time. You need to make sure he doesn't leave before I find them, but you can't be there when I arrive."

"Why not?"

"He can't know that you're already associated with me. One could only guess what Dumbledore would do with that knowledge—how he would try to get information out of you. People look at him and think that he is good, but I know that he will do anything to try to defeat me after he hears of my return."

"I don't care what he tries to do, I want them to know my loyalties." Hermione said, determinedly. He shot her a look.

"You should care. You're at Hogwarts for most of the year, under his roof. If he knows you're involved, he'll stop at nothing to find out what you know."

"If that's really the case, maybe I shouldn't know anything." Hermione suggested, however she dreaded the thought. The Dark Lord shook his head,

"No, I don't want that. We'll just have to make sure your Occlumency is up to par before you leave. The way you're progressing, I don't see that being a problem."

Hermione nodded her agreement.

"My Lord, there is something I've been wondering," she said, carefully. He gestured for her to continue, "After the raid, what will that mean for the other Death Eaters? The ones who didn't know you're back?"

"After we all return here, I'll be calling them through the Dark Mark. It's time for the rest of our friends to join us. Whoever doesn't come will go the way of Igor Karkaoff."

Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I experienced some major writer's block, and didn't really know how I wanted this chapter to go, but actually ending up really liking how it turned out. I hope you did too, so please leave me some reviews (especially since I just finished the first week of my LAST YEAR IN COLLEGE and am stressed and would love some reviews because you all make me so happy!)

Thanks to Romioneisboring, britstar4, , CassieRenee333, fandomless, AmayaBlack, BooksAndOreeeooo, LoonyGleek, Ramyfan, Carlaisabel, Narnia and Harry Potter 4 EVER, Pank98, faye, KylieeJuliet1993, princess-alice-malfoy-granger, LadiePhoenix007, atlas-graceland, Aghaliam (twice haha), and three guests for reviewing. That seems like an all-time high on the number of reviews (I'm not sure, it just seemed like a lot when I was typing it out!), so let's keep that up! See you next chapter and have a great weekend! :)