Thank you so much for all your support and patience with my updates!

Hermione looked around the house she entered, Bellatrix gracefully escorted her to her new estate. The house was really not the appropriate word for it, it was bloody mansion with large gardens and high stone walls surrounding it. She gulped at first when the entrance of the estate opened up for her as she approached it. Bellatrix shortly said she couldn't apparate them inside because strong protection spells were placed upon the mansion. Mansion was decorated in Victorian style, but was in light colours; from what she gathered about noble families in Wizarding world and their usual taste for darker side, she expected to find the same dark colours in here. She was pleasantly surprised when she found walls were white or pale beige, she also spotted flawless dark wooden floor that remained her of her house in Muggle London. If her mother had any say in decorations of this house, Hermione was sure she would find rooms that were completely decorated with wood and lots of book.

Hermione was startled and jumped at crack beside her. Turning around she found house elf standing few steps away with its head bowed

''Madame Meracus''

''Hello'' Hermione said, her voice cracking a bit which earned laugh from Bellatrix

''How can I serve you, Madame?'' elf asked, its head still bowed

''I do not need anything at the moment.'' Hermione said, calmer this time and elf dissapparated

''Thank you Madame Black'' said Hermione turning to Bellatrix who stood few feets behind her ''For kindly bringing me back to my home.''

''Do I get reward?'' asked Bellatrix grinning and moving towards Hermione

''I'm afraid that the reward you're asking for is not available for you.'' said Hermione swallowing hard ''However, if I can repay you with gold, it'll be done.''

Bellatrix stopped dead in her tracks and sent murderous look to Hermione ''I don't want your gold.''she hissed '' I want you.''

''That is something not even you can get, Madame Black.'' Hermione smiled sweetly

''Because someone else already had you?'' growled Bellatrix ''I'm in charge of this bloody world! If I want you, I will have you!''

''I'm sure you know the rules, Madame Black.'' stated Hermione calmly, moving towards the small round table in the middle of entrance hall and then turning to Bellatrix, facing her again ''I'm not quite sure what you want of your life, but I wish to be a decent woman without stains on my name.''

''Is that so?'' asked Bellatrix ''I'm pretty sure, you were thinking differently few months ago.''

''I was confused.'' Hermione replied calmly ''Since, I'm sure you're not offering me a marriage proposal, I'd like to retire for the evening.''

''You'll cave in.'' Bellatrix smiled predatory, moving towards Hermione swiftly and whispering against her ear ''Everybody always does. And when I finish with you, you'll beg me for more.'' she pulled back and winked at Hermione, then turned around and left the manor

Hermione waked up very early and made her way to the kitchen. She didn't explore the mansion previous night so she spent 15 minutes in search of her destination. When she finally did enter the kitchen she noticed the elf who bowed immediately

''Look at me.'' commanded Hermione and elf hesitantly did so

''What is your name?'' Hermione questioned

''My name is Ris, Madame''

''Well Ris, I'm not quite sure what were the rules of my ancestors, but here are mine. You will call me Hermione when we're alone and Madame when we have company. I am not here to be your owner, but more like your companion, which means I will not punish you. You'll be spared from pain and suffering and I expect you to be loyal friend of mine. Do we have an agreement?''

Elf stood still and watched Hermione in deep shock, so Hermione repeat her question ''Do we have an agreement?''

''Yes, Madame.'' elf nodded quickly and at Hermione's glace quickly said ''Yes, Hermione.''

''Good.'' smiled Hermione ''Now, let's talk about this house and my family.''

''Narcissa'' yelled Bellatrix as she stomped into the Malfoy manor

''What's with the racket?'' questioned Narcissa with disapproving glance

''I need to talk to you.'' Bellatrix growled, trying to keep her voice down but failing in the process

''Fine, c'mon.'' Narcissa replied felling just how angry her sister was

They walked into the study room and Narcissa took the liberty of putting the silencing charm.

''She's here.'' stated Bellatrix ''I've been searching for her for months! Months of going into that bloody club and looking if she'll show up.''

''What the hell are you talking about?!'' yelled Narcissa looking at her older sister pacing and growling about whoever that woman was

''Few months ago, almost half year ago, I met this girl at the club.'' said Bellatrix as she slumped down in the armchair

''I presume in that muggle club filled of filthy mudblood whores?''

''Yes, that one.'' said Bellatrix ''So, I scattered some boy she danced away and danced with her. I never felt that much desire to conquer, to take someone for myself and only myself for eternity.''she paused ''But somehow the fight broke between two idiots...''

''What a surprise for mad dogs in heat.'' Narcissa commented dryly

''Anyway'' Bellatrix rolled her eyes ''we were separated and I haven't found her since then.''

''That is what your tantrum is about?'' Narcissa asked in shock ''Some mudblood whore? Haven't you had plenty of women since then?''

''That's not the point, I want her not them.'' she huffed ''She's not mudblood whore, apparently, she is the heir of Meracus family.''

''What?'' asked Narcissa in utter surprise ''But...''she stuttered ''along with ours, that is the purest family there is.''

''I know that Narcissa.''

''Then what the hell you are playing at?'' yelled Narcissa surprising Bellatrix

''I beg your pardon?''

''She's not some common whore Bellatrix, someone you can play with and then toss away.'' huffed Narcissa ''Don't you dare try to do that! It would be very bad for our family.''

''We'll live.''

''I'm warning you Bellatrix, our families were in great relations and I'm sure Miss Meracus knows this. We always supported each others buissness' and Meracus family always guaranteed safe passage through the laws for our family. Our welth is based on that, as well as at least half of theirs, don't you dare screw up our golden ticket.''

''Bella'' Voldemort called as he entered the rulers official chambers

''Does this means I'm free to go?'' asked Bellatrix looking up from papers hoping he came back to be in charge for some time.

''No.'' he said smiling ''I have to talk to you.''

''Well, talk.'' she said looking at him

''I've noticed the way you were looking at Miss Meracus.'' he stated

''And?'' she questioned

''I'm sure you have heard of the golden rule.'' he said ''Especially since you're coming from such noble and wealthy family.''

''Of course I heard of it.'' Bellatrix nodded ''Nothing goes pass the golden families and they get away with almost everything.''

''Yes, well I'm sure you know how important Meracus family is to us.'' he said ''We can't kill her, everybody knows she showed up and not to mention that all people adored Meracus family members.I'm sure she won't be exception.''

''The reason you're telling me this?'' Bellatrix questioned raising her eyebrow

''I'm not telling you, I'm warning you not to screw things up.'' said Voldemort

Bellatrix recognised the tone of voice and knowing what he's capable of doing she nodded ''You don't have to worry.''

''How the mighty have fallen'' Bill smiled as he looked into the cell

''I may not be free at the moment, but at least I have my honor and dignity preserved. You, free or not, will always be a bastard and a coward.''

''One day Dumbledore will give up on defending you and then I'll have my fun.'' he finished and walked away form the dungeons

Minerva sat back on cold stone and sighed looking through the small bar window at the bright stars.

''Morning Hermione'' Tonks greeted as still half asleep Hermione walked into the kitchen

''Why are you here so early?'' asked Hermione sitting down

''Well, I decided to see if our little floo network is working.''

''Okay...''Hermione said rubbing her face

Ris placed hot cup of coffee in front of Hermione

''Thank you'' Hermione smiled and then looked at Tonks ''Have you heard from Minerva? How is she?''

''She's fine'' Tonks lied ''We haven't been in contact with her much, but she managed to inform us that she is well.''

Hermione was relieved, but she felt something was out of the place, she wanted to trust Tonks, but as Minerva once told her 'Never trust someone completly'

''We need to show you off.'' Tonks said

''What?''

''You received this'' Tonks pointed at the envelope on the counter in front of them ''while I was waiting. I believe it is the invitation for the ball on Sunday.''

''That's perfect way for me to be presented to the public.'' nodded Hermione

''Exactly, we're in the game.'' Tonks smiled from ear to ear

Well that would be all for this chapter, I hope I'll be able to write new one soon. R&R :)