"What are you doing here?" Draco asked.

"I'm here to see you of course," Ithaca beamed. "I've missed you…"

Draco said nothing as she continued to peruse him. "Besides I couldn't let Isaac have all the fun at Malfoy Manor without me," she said.

So Isaac's here again, Draco thought, becoming instantly irritated

"They're becoming more familiar with each other it seems- him and Luxurien. I mean, he was here just yesterday was he not? I'm still not sure how I feel about it, although it would be an amazing match for my family. Wouldn't you agree?"

Taking it to be a rhetorical question, Draco didn't humor her with an answer. He watched her as she stood up from her position in front of him and traipsed around the sofa, moving completely out of his peripheral vision. He could no longer feel her intimate presence around him, though he knew that didn't mean anything. If there was one thing Ithaca was good at it was being stealthy. She was like a cat: quiet and able to pounce on you before you knew she was there.

"Our union would be just as amazing though."

Exactly like a cat, Draco thought. He had managed not to flinch as Ithaca whispered into his ear, her hot breath tickling the little hairs. Her hands soon met his shoulders and she began to slowly massage them. He couldn't deny that the action felt good. He may not love her, but he was still a male.

"You're still convinced of that I see," Draco said.

"Of course I am," she sighed. "You used to love me Draco, what happened?"

"You went away…" he drawled, getting lost in her touch. "You never contacted me,"

"You never did either. It's a two way street, love," she said, her mouth back at his ear. He felt her tongue graze its edge, sending a pleasant shiver through him. He closed his eyes when she began to trail kisses down his neck. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew he should've been stopping her, but bringing it to the forefront was proving difficult.

"I grew up," he added as an answer.

"We've both grown up, but that doesn't mean our feelings have changed. Mine haven't at least,"

"It's been too long Ithaca, I'm not exactly the boy you once knew,"

"Of course you're not. You're a man now, and a sexy one if I do say so myself," she said, continuing to massage his shoulders. "How does that feel?" she asked.

"Great…" Draco murmured.

"Listen, how about we just forget the past, and move on to the future. You and me, Draco, together like we're supposed to be,"

Yes, Draco thought, enjoying the ministrations of Ithaca's hands. You and me, together like we're supposed to be…

Draco was brought out of his minor stupor by the sound of cheerful laughter traveling through the window.

"Ugh, have you ever heard anything so annoying?" Ithaca sneered.

On the contrary, Draco had never heard anything as beautiful as Hermione's laugh, for he had recognized it immediately as belonging to her. He hadn't heard her laugh in a while, and he wondered what it could have been to cause her to do so. He frowned when he finally remembered. Isaac Peren was with her.

Draco wished it was him.

In that moment of clarity, Draco realized that he would've rather been outside sitting and doing nothing with Hermione, than inside, being sensuously massaged by Ithaca.

"Stop." He commanded her, removing her hands from his shoulders. "I'm sorry, Ith, but you and I aren't going to be together,"

Ithaca let out a laugh, and then began running her hands through his hair. "Oh Draco, you silly boy. You think some blood traitor that just came into her inheritance is going to keep me from getting what I want?"

"This isn't about her, and don't call her that," Draco retorted.

A second later and he felt his head being forcefully pulled back so that it was resting on the top of the couch. Both sides of it were being held firmly by Ithaca's hands so that he couldn't move it and had no choice but to look solely at her.

"Don't you try and tell me this isn't about Hermione Luxurien," she seethed. "I saw the way you looked at her at the party Draco. So attentive to her you were! And those glares you kept shooting at Isaac might've burned the entire manor down." She laughed at this for a second, but then her face once again became stern. "No one else may notice, darling, but I do. Your feelings for her are going beyond what they have a right to, and I won't stand for it. You and I are the endgame Draco, it's time you accept that and start living the life with me you're supposed to."

"And what if I refuse?" Draco spat. Ithaca released Draco from her grasp, but left her right hand on his shoulder, allowing it to graze across the blades of his back as she made her way around the couch so that she was in front of him again. Leaning into him, she looked him straight in the eyes and spoke quietly.

"Then my lovely godmother is going to get an earful," she smirked. "And it will only be a millisecond before she shares it with him. Who knows what he'll do to make sure you're not in the way?"

"Get out," Draco hissed as he registered what she said.

"I'm the path you have to take Draco, start walking it now before it's too late," Ithaca continued, ignoring his request.

"I said, get out, or I will make you get out."

Ithaca glared at him before straightening herself up. "Have it your way then love, but don't say I didn't warn you. You'll see I was right in the end." With a huff she left the room, her annoying heels clacking under her.

Draco buried his head in his hands and groaned. He was beyond frustrated with the way things were going, and he'd had enough. He wanted the Peren's gone, and he wanted Hermione back now, and he didn't care what he had to do to make it happen.


"Sorry about Ithaca. She found out I was coming and insisted that she come along- and I don't exactly have the power over her to tell her no," Isaac said, knowing that having two guests was not what Hermione had been expecting. When she had come outside to meet him, Ithaca was already up and walking towards her, and she knew it wasn't to say hi. The two girls exchanged greetings as they passed each other by merely saying each other's names, and then Ithaca disappeared into the manor, while Hermione took a seat next to Isaac.

"It's alright," Hermione said, though it was a lie. She hated that Ithaca was here to see Draco even though she had no right to. She knew she was being a complete hypocrite. If Isaac could come visit her, why shouldn't his sister be able to visit Draco?

"So how are you enjoying life at the manor?" Isaac said, moving the conversation away from Ithaca.

"It's not terrible," Hermione answered truthfully this time. "I have my own room, my own things, and I can almost go where I please,"

"You like it then?"

"I suppose…" she said thoughtfully. "I mean, Narcissa and Draco make me feel welcome here. But in the end…I'm still a prisoner, albeit a glorified one, and it's not-"

"Home?" Isaac finished for her.

"Yeah," Hermione smiled. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering," he answered with a shrug of his shoulders. "I'm sorry you're not allowed to go where you please. If you could we would be able to do something other than sit on this fountain and roam this garden, as beautiful as it may be,"

"You've only been here twice, you can't possibly be bored of it already," Hermione said with amusement.

"That may be so, but I do plan on coming here more often- if that's alright with you of course,"

Hermione was suddenly aware that Isaac had somehow bridged the foot wide gap she had put between them when they first sat down, and was now so near to her side their thighs were practically touching.

"I haven't said no yet," she said, and a moment later she felt his hand wrap around hers. She looked up at him and saw that he was grinning, obviously pleased that she wasn't shying away this time. At least that's what appeared to him. Inside, Hermione's stomach was plummeting faster than a roller coaster, and steadily filling with butterflies.

What are you doing Hermione? The voice inside her head was shouting.

I don't know, she replied.

Do you even like him? It asked.

Maybe…possibly…I don't know…

What about Draco?

Yes, what about Draco? She knew he wouldn't be happy if she were to embark on a relationship with Isaac. It'd probably deepen the chasm that was put into their friendship even further, and this time it would be done by her. And then there was Ron…But even with that final thought, Hermione didn't release her hand from Isaac's.

"Tell me about how you and Potter became friends," he asked.

"That's a great story," Hermione said, rolling her eyes in sarcasm. "I guess you can say it started on our first ride on the Hogwarts Express…"

It didn't take long for her to tell the tale of her, Harry, and Ron's first meeting all the way up to the night of the Halloween feast and the escaped troll. She had just started telling him the reason why there was a troll in the castle when they noticed Ithaca making her way toward them.

"Miss Luxurien," she said with no expression.

"Miss Peren," Hermione replied just as flatly.

Ithaca turned to Isaac, no longer looking at Hermione. "I think it's time for us to leave brother,"

"You can leave, but I think I'll spend some more time with the lovely Hermione if you don't mind." Isaac said, making no indication that he intended to leave from his seat.

"No, you're both leaving."

All three heads turned to see Draco standing about five feet away from them, his face stern and authoritative.

"I do believe it's up to Miss Luxurien whether I get to stay or not," Isaac answered just as fiercely, choosing that moment to stand.

"You'd think so, but it's really not. So now, I want both of you gone. You have two minutes to exit the gates before I hex you and turn you in for trespassing."

"Draco!" Hermione shouted, her head turned toward him in surprise at his boldness.

Draco chose to ignore her protest, his eyes fixed on the pair in front of him. "Clock's ticking Peren," he said when only Ithaca had made a move, while Isaac was still standing in front of him. "Do you really want to find out whether I'll make good on my word?" he challenged.

Hermione could tell by Isaac's stance that he didn't want to give in, and she hoped that he wouldn't. He and Draco stood for a few moments in a silent duel where their eyes were the only weapons, and then he huffed in defeat.

"It was a pleasure getting to spend part of my day with you Hermione, no matter how short," he said, bending over to give her a kiss on the cheek. "I hope we see each other again." Isaac began to walk away but not before sending Draco a hard glare.

Hermione and Draco said nothing to each other as the two siblings walked away. She watched as their figures turned the corner leading towards the front path and out of her sight. The moment she was sure they wouldn't be heard, she snapped. "You had no right to do that!"

"Actually, I had every right," Draco responded coolly, though it probably wasn't the best approach. His pride was at its high however and wouldn't let him change it. "This is my manor, not yours, and I determine who gets to be on its premises,"

Hermione's chest heaved with words she wanted to throw at him, but she kept them in. She knew there was nothing she could say that he wouldn't have a retort for; it was one his many annoying talents. Without another word she shoved passed him and back into the manor.

"And where do you think you're going?" Draco yelled.

"Away from you!" Hermione seethed.

"Are you and Peren an item now then?" he asked, ignoring that she probably wanted him far away from her.

"Why do you care?"

"I don't," he said a little too quickly. They were back in the house at this point, and already ascending the stairs.

"Then why bother asking? If you don't care then it shouldn't matter who I choose to spend my time with, forge a relationship with, allow to hold my hand, kiss me-"

"He kissed you?"

"No, but I've decided I won't stop him if he does." They were now at her bedroom and she was wrenching the door open. "But like I said, it shouldn't matter to you because, like you said, you don't care."

And her door was promptly slammed in Draco's face.


The tension was high between the two on Saturday, and it was a miracle that no one questioned them about it when they showed up to breakfast separately and with no words shared between them at all. Although Narcissa could tell once again that something was amiss, she let her eyes do the talking this time as they flickered between Hermione and her son. She tried to make pleasant conversation, but all their speech was directed solely at her, and not once did they even glance at each other.

After breakfast, Hermione hurried to her room, not sure what to do with her day. She knew there would be no contact with Isaac after yesterday. Draco would see to that.

Groaning in frustration, she burrowed her head into her pillow, lifting it into her face and squeezing the sides with her hands. As she did this, they came into contact with something hard that had been underneath. Hermione pulled out the offending object, which was her mother's diary. She had forgotten that she had placed it there after reading it one night.

Hermione jumped when she heard the pop of apparition sound through her room, and turned to find her little house elf standing right next to her bed.

"I'm sorry to startle you miss," Izzie said, "Miss Parkinson is here to see you."

"Pansy?" Hermione said in surprise.

"Yes, me!" Pansy said as she stepped into Hermione's room and threw her hands up in the air like a diva. "Hurry and get ready, we're going out."

Hermione groaned as she stretched herself out before getting up and heading to her closet.

"What should I wear?" she asked.

"Something cute and comfortable. Wear one of those sun dresses you seem to have a never ending supply of," Pansy instructed her. "We're going to Diagon Alley, so it doesn't have to be too flashy. I have lots planned for us today. We have appointments at Madame Astana's Nail Salon, and then Madame Asmara's Hair Salon- they're sister's if you were wondering. And then we're going to that new boutique ARGYLE, which I found out doesn't just sell things with argyle on them, thank goodness."

"How's this?" Hermione said, stepping out from behind her dressing screen. She had on a pearl colored fitted blouse that had a wide neckline, and it was tucked into a black circle skirt that went to her mid-thigh. On her feet she donned black sandals with thin straps that had a small black bow in the middle.

"Perfect," Pansy smiled. "Now don't forget this," she said, handing Hermione the purple wristlet she had gotten her for her birthday. Hermione opened it and saw that Pansy had already packed it with the essentials: lip gloss, a mirror, a hair brush, and Draco's Gringotts account information.

"Okay, all I have to do is change your appearance , bind you to me, and we're golden," Pansy said, and with a flick of her wand Hermione looked like the younger version of Narcissa.

"Does Draco know I have this?" Hermione asked.

"Of course he does," Pansy said as she began to flit her wand around Hermione. "I'm sure you're used to these precaution charms by now,"

Hermione felt her face contort into a different countenance while at the same time a tingle went through her body, signaling that the binding charm had been placed. "They still don't trust me to not escape,"

"Would you?" Pansy asked.

"Wouldn't you?"

It was quiet between them, neither knowing what to say, before Pansy spoke again. "Let's head out, we don't want to be late."

"I thought I heard your voice," they both heard Draco say the minute they were in the hall. He was leaning against his doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest- the usual Draco Malfoy I-caught-you stance. "Thought you could leave without saying hi to me Pans?"

"Well I wasn't sure where you'd be," Pansy said with a smile, making up an excuse. "Besides, my business today is with Hermione, not you."

Pansy took that moment to notice that Hermione and Draco weren't looking at each other. In fact, Hermione had gone ahead to the foot of the stairs and was waiting for Pansy there.

"In case you forgot, Miss Luxurien's business is my business. I am her-"

"Yes, you're her keeper, blah, blah blah, blah blah," Hermione heard Pansy cut him off, and she smirked. She loved how Pansy and Blaise could get away with talking to him as if they were equal, even though they knew they weren't. They just had that type of relationship. "Are you really going to stop me Draco?"

There was silence for a few moments, and Hermione knew without looking at him that Draco's face was probably taut with annoyance. She heard Pansy whisper something she didn't catch to him, and then the sound of his door being shut closed.

"Alright, we can go now," Pansy said, joining Hermione at the stairs.


"Don't worry Draco," Pansy had said. "I won't lose her,"

Draco had simply nodded in response before retreating back into his room. He knew he could trust Pansy, but it didn't stop him from wishing he was out there with him. Unfortunately, he had two meetings to attend to today: One with his Aunt Bellatrix, and the other with Lord Voldemort himself.

He waited silently to be called to the Dark Lord's presence, mentally preparing himself for the meeting. He wasn't sure what the subject of his visit with his Master was going to pertain to this time, but as far as he knew he hadn't done anything to upset him.

Draco knew exactly what he'd be doing with his aunt- more occlumency lessons. After the Peren's had left she had come by to continue his training from that morning. He was already close to matering it, but he had much more training to do. So far he hadn't been able to fully close his mind to Bellatrix, but he had been successful in keeping some things from her. Hopefully a few more practice sessions he'd get it completely right. His aunt wasn't really one for patience and she was already getting weary of his learning speed.

Five minutes later Wren popped before him, alerting him of the dark Lord's arrival. He stood up heavily from where he had perched himself on his bed and fixed his suit jacket before walking out to whatever fate awaited him in the dining room.

"Relax my boy," Lord Voldemort greeted him with an off putting smile. "I only requested to see you to find out how Miss Luxurien is doing, you are her keeper after all." He was sitting his usual seat at the head of the table; Draco took the one at the opposite end.

"She is doing fine my Lord," Draco said as confidently as he coud.

"I sense trouble in your ind regarding her,"

"we have had our scruples," Draco answered honestly. Luckily his occlumency was strong enough to block the exact reasons why. "Nothing out of the ordinary,"

"Is there anything I should be aware of?" Voldemort asked with a hiss. "Anything that could possibly get in the way of my… intentions for her?"

Draco didn't even have to think hard for a response. "Isaac Peren, my Lord."

"Ahh… Amett's boy. I take it he has been expressing an interest in Miss Luxurien?"

"Yes, my Lord. He has come to see her at the manor twice now,"

"I see…" Voldemort said with a contemplative tone. "I suppose there isn't anything wrong with that,"

What?! Draco's thoughts shouted loudly.

"You obviously don't feel the same," Voldemort smirked. "I am only using Miss Luxurien as a host for my heir Young Mr. Malfoy. I have no interest in making her a romantic attachment; you are already aware of this. If there is someone worthy of her who wants to claim her as his own I have no objection, as long as he does so after she has served her duty to me. Isaac is a fine young man who comes from a notable family. He would suit Miss Luxurien just fine in my opinion. Wormtail!"

There was a pop of apparition as Voldemort's pathetic crony appeared in the room. "Yes, my honorable Master?" he said while bowing so low his nose was practically touching the cold tile flooring.

"I need you to contact Amett Peren straightaway. Tell him, to tell his boy that he is not to lay a hand on Miss Luxurien in any way that could result in procreation, unless he wants to meet a painful and untimely death. Do you understand Wormtail?"

"Ye- ye my Lord," Wormtail stammered before disappearing.

"That is all," Voldemort said, returning his attention to Draco. "Bellatrix is waiting for you in the Shifting Room."

"Thank you my Lord." Draco gave a polite curt of his head before swiftly turning around and leaving.

He grumbled angrily as he made his way to the third floor of the manor to meet his aunt. Voldemort had not seen Peren as much of a threat as Draco thought he would. He had practically encouraged it!

Pfft, Draco scoffed. The day Peren suits Granger is the day Weasley owns this manor.


"Man, I am tired," Pansy groaned as she sat down in the chair across from Hermione. They were at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream parlour, taking a greatly needed break after running around half of Diagon Alley. They ordered two hot fudge sundaes and then began to look at the purchases they had accumulated so far.

"Thanks for taking me out Pans," Hermione said. "I really needed to get out of the manor,"

"Forgive him," Pansy said straightforwardly and completely out of nowhere.

"What?" Hermione said, her eyes shooting up to meet Pansy's

"Whatever Draco has done, forgive him."

"How do you-"

"Hermione, this is me you're talking to. I could sense something was wrong the moment I stepped onto the grounds. Draco has done something to upset you, and I'm telling you to forgive him."

"You don't even know what he did,"

"Then enlighten me because I'd really like to know what has torn the two of you apart. Is it the Peren's?"

"They're part of it I suppose. But they're not where it started…" Hermione gave a sigh before continuing, telling Pansy all about Harry and Ron's letters, Draco's slip of the tongue, and his rude dismissal of the Peren's the day before.

"Oh Draco, Draco, Draco," Pansy muttered into her hands when Hermione had finished. "That boy really let's his pride get the best of him sometimes,"

"You're telling me," Hermione agreed.

"I'm sorry he did what he did Hermione, but you need to forgive him. You said so yourself that you understood his reasons. By not forgiving him you are letting your pride control you just as much as his does. You know Draco, Hermione, you know who he is, and he's not that boy from Hogwarts anymore. Forgive him."

Hermione thought about what Pansy had said for the rest of the night. She knew Pansy was right, but getting over your pride was really easier said than done.

Saturday unfortunately started off the same as the last few days had: Painfully quiet.

Hermione had claimed the library as her place of refuge while Draco had another meeting with his Aunt Bellatrix in the Shifting room. She had needed a place ot get her thoughts in order before he finished though, and the library had always been helpful in that aspect.

Today was the day she was going to forgive Draco. She had decided this the night before, when all she could think about was how much she missed spending the day with him. That, and two entries from her mother's journal had helped her realize how ridiculous she was being by dragging it out.

Jerrick's not talking to me, the first one had started out. See, I never actually told him and Chris that I was seeing Andrew, or anyone at all for that matter. It's just that, if I had, I knew they'd both have a heart attack considering how we all had loathed him at one point or another. Chris isn't upset, thank goodness. He said he somehow already knew, and that it's going to take some time getting used to, but he understands my reasons for keeping it to myself for a little bit. At least he's speaking to me. Jerrick isn't saying a word. In fact, he hasn't made eye contact with me since I told them, which is… three days ago this exact minute. I can see how he would be angry, seeing as how close we were to a relationship. But he didn't make his move, and someone else did. I'm not sure what to do. I care about Andrew a lot, and I don't want to stop seeing him. I think… I think I'm in love with him. As much as I love Jerrick, I just can't give up Andrew now. To do so would be too painful. I still have Chris by my side, hopefully Jerrick will come around soon.

As Hermione was prone to do, she had analyzed the situation and come to the conclusion that Jerrick just needed to grow up, and forgive Delia for doing what she had thought was best at the time. It was then that she realized her situation with Draco wasn't too much different from her mother's. In essence, Hermione was being Jerrick to delia's Draco.

After reading the following entry, Hermione knew it was time to clear the air with her friend.

Today was one of the best days of my life. Andrew told me that he loves me! HE LOVES ME! I'm so high off it right now I can't even think straight. We were just sitting by the lake and he said something funny that I can't even right now, and I couldn't stop laughing, and then he started laughing because I was laughing, and then he said, "I love when you laugh, I love your laugh, hell I just love you," and then he kissed me! I said it back of course.

And another great thing happened today: Jerrick forgave me! He said he was sorry, and that he knows I had my reasons for not telling them, and that if Andrew makes me happy then he's not going to get in the way. Now I have both my friends back, and a boyfriend that loves me. Definitely a red letter day.

If Jerrick could forgive Delia for doing what she thought was right, no matter how upset it made him, then she could forgive Draco for doing what he thought was right.

Now, if only Draco would finish with this lesson so she could tell him.

To her disappointment the rest of the day passed without a glimpse of Draco. Hermione had read book after book nervously waiting for him to appear, but he never did.

Maybe he just went back to his room. It's not like you've given him any reasons to seek you out, Hermione reminded herself. Sighing, she decided to go check the shifting room and see if he and Bellatrix were still inside there.

Hermione cautiously pressed her ear up against the door of the room, listening for any noise. It soon became apparent that they were still in there, and she jumped back from the volume of Bellatrix's shrill voice.

"HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO PRACTICE THIS BEFORE YOU GET IT RIGHT?" Hermione heard her yell. "YOUR INCOMPETENCE WILL NOT PLEASE THE DARK LORD, DRACO! NOW, WHAT DO YOU SEE?"

Hermione backed away from the door, curious as to what Draco was practicing, but knowing that eavesdropping probably wouldn't go over so well if she was caught.

Choosing not to return to the library, she went back upstairs and towards her room, even though she knew there would be nothing there to entertain her.

She noticed how the rest of the manor was quiet Narcissa probably wasn't back yet from whatever she was doing, Lucius was most likely in his study, and the house elves were to be unseen unless called. A sly grin overtook her face as she realized she could probably walk anywhere she wanted and not be bothered, and she knew just where she wanted to go.

Draco had told her not to give any thought to what was behind those three doors on the first floor, or the one door that led to that set of stairs, but of course she was going to do just the opposite of that. Harry and Ron had completely ruined her need to obey the rules when her curiosity was involved. She carefully followed the staircase down to the second floor and was a few yards away from the steps leading to the first level when Izzie appeared with a crack.

"OH!" Hermione shrieked, jumping backwards and falling gracefully on her back, he head hitting the floor with a thump.

"Oh my! Izzie is so sorry Miss! Is my mistress hurt?"

"No, I think I'm alright," Hermione said, but she winced when she tried to get up.

"Izzie was bidden to inform Miss that it's time for dinner," Izzie said, about to help Hermione on her feet, but another hand found its way around Hermione's.

"I got you," Draco said, bending over to put one arm around her back while his other hand continued to hold onto her. In one movement he had her up.

"Are you alright?" he asked flatly.

"Yes, thank you," Hermione replied in a soft tone. If Draco noticed the change in how she was speaking to him he wasn't letting on, because he simply nodded and continued his way to the dining hall, Hermione trailing behind him.

She immediately stopped when she stepped inside the grand room. There seated at the head of the table was Voldemort, and the rest of the table was filled with his band of death eaters. Once again, it was an evil dinner party at the Malfoy's.

"Welcome, Miss Luxurien," Voldemort greeted her. "I have your seat prepared for you," he said, motioning to her usual place next to him. Without making eye contact with anyone else in the room she stepped over to the spot and sat down.

"Let's eat," Voldemort proclaimed, gesturing for Hermione to take her share first before the flourish of food being disposed began.

Hermione expected everyone to leave once they were done dining, but with a flick of his wand, Lucius had the table cleared, and Voldemort stood, quieting everyone down.

"Now that everyone had satisfied their appetites, let's get on to the real reason I have invited you all her this night," he said, casually striding around the left side of the table. "The potion I have commissioned that will impregnate Miss Hermione Luxurien with my heir has been successfully completed,"

Hermione let in a sharp intake of breath as minimal applause broke out around the table. No. Not today. Not now, Hermione thought with dread. She had known this day was coming, but she wasn't any prepared for it nonetheless.

"She will now consume it, and in nine months time Daemon Abaddon will be born to continue the legacy of Lord Voldemort. Wormtail!"

Wormtail hurriedly entered the room, carrying an ornate silver tray with a single vial sitting on it. He brought it to his master who then picked it up in his hands and uncorked it.

"Take it," he instructed Hermione, holding it in front of her.

Her hands, which had been in her lap clasped together in a death grip, quivered as she uncontrollably brought them up to take hold of the vial. It was crystal, and the liquid inside was a vibrant cerulean blue, one of Hermione's favorite colors. She didn't have time to admire its beauty though.

"Drink." Voldemort commanded, and in action that wasn't her own she brought the vial to her lips, tilted it back, and drank.