Chapter 20:
A few days had passed, in which Hermione was warming up to the group slightly. Christmas Eve had arrived and they had all the Death Eaters over for drinks. Everyone enjoyed themselves, even Hermione. She talked to Zeek who agreed to keep everything quiet from Ginny.
Hermione had come up with a plan on how to deal with the whole mission thing. She'd take up the work but take the suspicion off those who really were part of the organization. It would work, she was confident in that.
She went to bed that night, happy. They really weren't that bad of people. She had even had a very nice conversation with Draco Malfoy about Potions. They were the two top students in the class and they discussed their favorite potions and methods. Hermione admitted that Snape was a wonderful teacher and that she had forgiven him for any mean thing he'd said to her. She didn't explain why but… it didn't matter since Draco never questioned.
The next morning she was awoken with a kiss on her cheek.
"Up sleepy head," a voice whispered in her ear. Hermione opened her eyes to see Richard sitting on the edge of her bed.
"What time is it?"
"Time for your present," he said handing her a box.
"Oh, Happy Christmas Richard," she said realizing what today was.
"Happy Christmas honey, now open it up," Hermione took the box and ripped off the wrapping paper, then lifted the lid. Inside was a scarlet snake necklace.
"Oh Richard," she said looking at it.
"The scarlet is to keep your Gryffindor pride, the snake is to represent us," he said. "Since I know you aren't read for the mark or anything."
Hermione looked at him. She had been thinking about it over the past few days, ever since Cassie got hers. She wanted to make Richard happy and, seeing the works in motion, she realized the group wasn't what it used to be. She hadn't had time to buy Richard anything so she had come up with an alternative.
"Richard… I… I…" she took a deep breath, "I'm ready for the mark." Richard stared at her expressionless. "For the past few days I've observed you guys. I've come to the conclusion that it's not the same as it was… the group has changed… and I want to be a part of it… be connected to you."
"Are you sure," he asked.
"Yes, I want the mark. If Cassie was able to get it… I think I can manage it as well."
"I need to know that you are absolutely sure about this,"
"I am Richard," she said, "Happy Christmas,"
"Thank you Hermione… it means a lot to me that you've given us a chance," Hermione smiled and kissed him, longly, and then she put on the necklace.
"I love it," she said.
"I was hoping you would," then Richard took her hand and they went down for a Christmas Breakfast.
During breakfast, Hermione and Richard made the announcement.
"Father, mother… Hermione and I have an announcement to make." His parents stopped eating and looked at them.
"Go on," Cecilia said.
"Well, it's more Hermione than I," Richard said.
"What is it Hermione?" Rick asked.
"Well," Hermione said taking a breath, "I want to get the mark,"
"Are you sure?" Rick asked.
"Yes… I've accepted this group… I feel as if I'm already part of it and I want it to be official."
"That's wonderful dear," Cecilia said.
"Yes Hermione, it means a lot to us," Rick said, "When were you thinking would be a good time?"
"I would like Cassie, Draco, Damien here… along with Zeek." Hermione said. "Cecilia and Cassie will be my supporters… I want Richard to do the branding… if that's alright. You can over look it… but… it would mean a lot to me if Richard was the one to actually do it."
"Think you can handle it son?" Rick asked Richard.
"If it's what Hermione wants… yes, I think I can."
"Is tonight acceptable?" Hermione asked.
"I'll contact the others and see if they're available." Hermione nodded and took another bite of her eggs.
That night, everyone was able to come so Hermione braced herself for the process.
"There'll be nothing to worry about Hermione," Richard said as they walked down to the room. "Everything will be fine. You'll see how good it is… after the pain goes… it really is better."
"I trust you," she said. "And I love you,"
"I love you to Hermione," Richard said as he set her on the table. Cecilia and Cassie both went on either side of her, Cassie on her right, Cecilia on her left. Richard stood on her left side while Damien, Zeek and Draco stood on her right; all had their wands pointed at her left arm. Rick stood beside Richard giving him advice.
"And remember, I'll be right here if you feel you can't continue. It takes a lot of strength to do this."
"I know," Richard said preparing himself. "Ready?" He asked the other three. They nodded, never keeping their eyes off her arm and Richard started the process. Hermione hissed in pain as she felt the sensation on her arm. Zeek was putting it on her arm. The burning sensation increased as Draco made the mark burn onto her skin. Finally her arm felt as if it were on fire as Damien made it permanently stick and stay on her arm. Hermione couldn't help but scream out in pain. Cassie and Cecilia both squeezed her hands in support and reassurance.
She looked down at her arms, tears in her eyes, vision blurred, to see it fade from the burning red to the dark black. Cassie and Cecilia were still holding on to her hands and helped Hermione sit up when she tried to.
"It's… it's alright… you… you can let go… now," she gasped out through the pain. Richard was by her side and Rick was handling her left arm very carefully to make sure it had worked.
"Congratulations Hermione," Rick said with a grin, "You are now one of us," Hermione smiled back despite the pain. Richard hugged her softly.
"I know it hurts honey, but it will feel like nothing in an hour's time." Hermione nodded. "Come on, I want to show you something," Rick gave Hermione some ice he had summoned from the kitchen, not thinking Hermione would be able to make it up the stairs, and Richard led Hermione down a hall in the basement, the other four kids, Damien, Cassie, Zeek and Draco, following.
"There was one room I couldn't show you in the house because you have to have the mark to get in. Cassie only got to see it last night when Damien led her to it. We keep everything we'll need in here," He opened the door and led Hermione in. What she saw scared her… but also fascinated her.
Inside was a room full of dark objects, and not just any dark objects but… ones that could kill a person just by touching it… or poison them… torture them. The others were smiling in glee. They obviously loved the room.
"What is this?"
"These are the objects we use when someone is… against us." Zeek said.
"You mean… like the Order…"
"No Hermione, of course not," Draco said, "The order just gets a duel… these are for more… how can I put this nicely…" He thought for a moment, "for those who are out to kill us… not just stop us."
"Like who?"
"I can think of one," Damien muttered.
"We've never used them Hermione," Richard said, "And we don't plan to… it's just in case we ever have to."
"Who are you talking about Damien?" Hermione asked.
"No one, he just has a vengeance problem and would love to get some…" Richard said but Damien interrupted him.
"Well… who has always wanted to kill those involved in the dark side and kill their leader?"
"You're talking about Harry?" Hermione asked, "He didn't want to kill Voldemort… he had to or else he would've died. Harry never used Avada Kedavra unless he had to."
"I don't believe it," Damien said.
"You're not going to use it on Harry… I won't let you,"
"He never was," Richard said glaring at Damien. "Come on… tonight… we'll take you out and show you what we do for fun,"
"Alright," Hermione said.
So that night they went out. It was the first time she had been out of the house since arriving there. It was true the pain in her arm had dulled finally and hadn't really hurt unless she banged it off something, which she had, twice.
"Where are we?" Hermione asked as they landed.
"A small muggle town…" Richard said taking her hand.
"Why?"
"I told you, we're going to show you what we do for fun,"
"Over there," Damien said pointing. A small muggle woman, probably in her twenties, was walking alone. She was short and skinny and was carrying packages.
"Probably just came from some family thing," Cassie said.
"Let's do it," Richard said pulling out his wand.
"What are you going to do?" Hermione asked as they walked towards the woman.
"Just watch… it's really fun," Zeek said taking out his own wand.
Hermione watched slightly scared. She didn't know why but she had a bad feeling about this. The guys walked up to the woman and Cassie and Hermione trailed behind, but still with the group.
"Hey," Zeek said.
"Hello," the woman said attentively.
"What you got there?" Damien asked.
"Oh… uh… gifts from my parents and siblings," she said.
"Let us help you with those," Richard said. This made Hermione smile until she saw what he did. Richard raised his wand and flicked it, causing her packages to float out of hand and drop to the ground. The other laughed, even Cassie.
"What… who…what… are you?" the woman asked scared.
"We're no one you need to worry about… well… you do… but you need not know our names," Richard said and the other's laughed. He raised his wand. "So… what did you want for Christmas?" He asked.
The woman stared to sob a little, which made the others laugh. Draco was enjoying himself. "Come on, let's do something… fun," he said and waved his wand making boils appear on her face. "You're not so pretty anymore are you?" he sneered.
"C'mon," Richard said to Hermione, "Have a little fun,"
"I thought you said you don't torture muggles," she said ashamed for believing him.
"Oh come on Granger," Draco said, "This is hardly torture… just a little fun,"
"It's still wrong,"
"Do it," Richard said, "You're part of this now…" Hermione shook her head. "Damn it Hermione!" He said, "I thought you wanted to be part of this… part of us…part of me!"
"I do… but not this way," she said.
"Hermione, we aren't doing anything wrong here," Cassie said, "It's just a little fun,"
"Incase you've all forgotten, my parents are muggles… it would feel weird," This got Richard angry. He couldn't understand why Hermione was doing this.
"I thought you loved me Hermione," he said to her.
"And I thought you loved me," she shot back.
"I do," he said. He was so frustrated he couldn't think straight. And the woman was still sobbing. "Oh shut up," he yelled. "Avada Kedavra!"
Everyone stared at him. They had never done that before. "Richard," Cassie said.
"We have to get out of here," he said quickly. Everyone immediately apparted away.
"Please Hermione," Richard said. Hermione, shocked from what happened, grabbed his hand subconsciously. He apparted them back to his house, where Hermione went to her room and cried. What had she gotten herself into?
A/N: I bet you weren't expecting that huh. I mean I'm sure you saw Hermione and the mark coming (obviously from the intro lol) but not that whole thing lol. I hope you liked it and please review!! Intro scene coming up next!!