Hey everyone! I know that in the previous chapter I said that this chapter would be 2,000 words, but I didn't want to make you guys wait, so I published this instead, it may not be as many words, but I really do hope that you enjoy! I also wanted to thank those for the wonderful reviews, they are so nice and motivating! I am glad that so many of you are enjoying this and these chapters! I will eventually get up to 2,000 words soon, but for now, please enjoy and feel free to either message me with your thoughts or review! As always, thanks for reading!
-Ari
There was a Halloween party at full swing in the dining hall of Hogwarts, one that she helped develop through subtle hints and ideas. If Dumbledore had not allowed such a party, then the chances of her sneaking away unnoticed for the rest of the night would have been slim to none.
Looking back at the castle alight with the Halloween festivities, she let a smirk flash across her lips. As soon as she passed the non apparation wards, she glanced around, then with a 'crack!' found herself standing in front of Malfoy Manor's black wrought iron gates and Lucius standing behind them, impending her arrival.
As he quickly opened the gates, she stepped through and walked beside him up the winding stone pathway that led to the imposing manor.
He was dressed in fine silk black robes, expensive as always, while she wore a black silk shirt, black jeans tucked into her heeled combat boots, and a black velvet cape that fluttered behind her with every step, giving her a dark, regal air.
Once they reached the door, it opened as if on cue, the same house elf from last time and three others greeted her warmly. She smiled as she passed them, noticing that they weren't scared or crowding in fear from Lucius, confirming that he really had gotten their loyalty.
Impressed, she waited until they were out of earshot, "Well, it looks like last time wasn't just a fluke." she mused.
Confused, Lucius frowned, and seeing his expression, she explained, "I had doubts of how the house elves would so willingly become loyal after all that they had been through, but now I have no doubts," she paused, "good work."
She saw him smile and then it was replaced by a serious look, "Everyone is gathered in the meeting room."
Hermione nodded and followed him to the dark double doors and waited.
Lucius pulled out his mask and put in on, obscuring his face, placed both his hands flat, one on each of the double doors, and with one push, they flew open.
Taking that as her cue, Hermione flipped the velvet black hood over her head.
As they walked in, her following Lucius, she felt rather than saw all the death eaters' stares, curious as to who was behind Lucius. They were standing along both sides, creating an aisle.
She didn't look at anyone; instead she just stared straight forward and walked, until Lucius reached his position, and stepped into it.
Hermione continued walking down the long aisle of the meeting room, her heeled boots clicking against the dark grey slate. She approached the very end, where there wasn't a throne like she had imagined, but instead it was more of a stone platform, with three wide steps leading up to it.
She continued, and walked up the steps, taking a deep breath before she slid her hood down, turned around, and faced the room.
For a moment, all she did was look around, and from her standpoint on the platform, it finally occurred to her that the entire meeting room was constructed of stone. She noticed that when she first turned around, all the death eaters turned to Lucius as if looking for an answer as to who she was and what she was doing, standing in the place of their lord, but he just kept his eyes clear of any emotion.
Their masked faces were directed to where she stood. 'Masked', she thought, as words immediately echoed in her mind.
'Do not make the same mistakes as I have in years past.'
Deciding that it was time, she addressed the room, "Take off your masks."
When no one moved to do so, Lucius took the lead and slipped off his mask, and soon, one by one, everyone else followed.
Hermione looked; they weren't faceless soldiers anymore, and would never be again.
She looked around at them, catching all their gazes, and spoke again, in a neutral tone, "You're all probably wondering who I am, why I'm standing in your lord's place, and well, why you're here."
Seeing their nods of confirmation, she continued, "I am Hermione Granger." she stopped and held up her hand as they started to protest, obviously having heard her name before.
"Your lord has passed, and chosen me as his successor."
Proving her words, she slid the ebony wand out of her sleeve and into her hand, waving it in front of her face. Suddenly, her eyes were a deep, burning crimson color.
The death eaters froze, they knew that even if she was lying, there was no way she could fake the eye color.
"And lastly, you're all here because a new initiation has to be done tonight, on Samhain."
With a softer tone, she looked at the questioning eyes, "Your previous lord knew he made mistakes, but he realized too late." Hermione paused, sweeping her eyes through the room, "I won't make the same mistakes as he did. I promise."
"Doubt me if you will, but my goal is not to have an army of mindless, expendable soldiers, instead, it is to have an army of strong leaders who will finally have rewards for their hard work."
She took a breath, "I know that your previous lord exploited your weaknesses, humiliated the lot of you with them until you quivered in fear at the very thought of him, but I will never be like that, as I am not calling you my soldiers, but I am calling you, asking you, to be my allies."
Taking another breath, she pushed on with a determined tone, "If you accept, drop your masks, drop your fear of weakness, and join me."
They looked at one another, apprehensive, and then, dropped their masks to the floor simultaneously.
Some breathed sighs of relief, others remained stoic.
Hermione smiled, "Thank you." she whispered to them.
She looked at Lucius and saw a genuine smile stretch across his lips and grinned in response.
As she scanned the room with the grin still firmly in place, it was like it was contagious; it spread until everyone was grinning, their faces brightening with new hope of what was to come for the future.
This was it, and Hermione felt more at home than ever before, she had found family aside from just her parents.
She was definitely, definitely not making the same mistake, her allies' genuine grins were confirmation of that enough.
