Hello and thank you for all the reviews. Since it took so long to update I decided to add more than one chapter. Well here's the disclaimer thing, I own nothing of this story. Well enjoy.

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Hermione was numb the next morning. How could she send that letter? Did she truly mean what she had said? She had to refuse and send another letter saying that she didn't want to return.

She was in Snape's office once again asking him to help write a letter saying she changed her mind.

"You foolish girl. If I remember correctly you came to me last night and begged me for some advice and I gave it to you. I first tried to change your mind but you insisted. You wanted to keep in the game and fight so I directed you in a manner that is the most beneficial to not only you but the Order. Now don't come to me and say that you want to back out this easily. People would most likely have died because of the letter you sent and more will end up dead if you back out."

There was something to the tone of his voice in the last sentence. "Who died because of my letter? Who?"

"Miss Weasley. He wanted you to trade your life for hers. Your letter didn't mention her so he would have most likely killed her."

She screamed and started to hit Snape and tear at his robes. "You liar, how could you do that!? You said she was already dead. How could you do this you cruel hearted bastard." She screamed that over and over again until he caught her hands and wrestled her to a chair.

"You asked for this Miss Granger. You came to me and asked what it would take to be a spy and I gave you the answer. You have to make sacrifices and Miss Weasley was one of them. Would you rather Mr. Potter die? Who is most important to save?" His words were spoken in a deep slow voice making sure she heard every word that he was saying.

"I killed her then."

"No, the Dark Lord did. Always remember that."

Hermione wasn't hearing any of it and ran from Snape's office. He heard her footsteps grow weaker until all he could hear was his own breathing. His worries now where weather she was strong enough to play this game through. No doubt his manipulations will cut the young woman deeply forcing her to grow in a direction she may not yet be strong enough for.

He turned to see Dumbledore in the doorway. "Severus, I see you didn't take my advice in this matter."

"Would you have her shattered? I am doing the best I can for Herm…for Ms. Granger under the circumstances. She has precious few choices."

"Yes but she now must follow everything in the letter in order for her to survive. Voldemort will push her further."

Snape wasn't looking at Dumbledore. He didn't want to look into those eyes and see the awful truth that he was refusing to acknowledge. "He intends to shatter her anyway."

"You understand what must be done if that happens. Miss Granger is too knowledgeable a witch to be shattered and be disposed of." There was deepness to the old man's eyes that Snape has only seen once or twice in his life. A long term plan was being made and Hermione was part of it.

He looked into those aged eyes wanting to find something in them. "She'll be shattered and she'll need to be joined with someone in order for her to survive or function in wizarding society."

"It must not be Voldemort. Do you understand me Severus he must not claim her if that happens." That was the last thing he said before leaving Snape to his papers and lesson plans. He hit his fist against a table hard enough to allow the skin to break slightly. He healed the skin then returned to the stack of student papers that awaited him.

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His head hit the floor with such force he threw up the little remaining contents he held in his stomach. Most of it was blood. Harry turned and looked up at the face of his tormentor.

"I enjoy this as much as you groveling before me Harry. It is fascinating watching how magic can manipulate the human body. My thoughts form then become focused, strengthened by use of a wand then directed towards something altering the natural flow of the objects natural state."

Harry's body wanted to give up. It was begging him to give in and allow some time to heal. Harry watched as Voldemort slowed down and began to clean him up a little. "I have some news for you. Miss Weasley is dead. I killed her seeing no more use for her and Hermione is returning to me. Here's the letter. Oh, where are my manners. Here are your glasses so you can read."

He took the letter from his captor and read it quickly then once again very slowly to make sure he read correctly. "Will you honor this?"

Voldemort looked down at Harry as if he greatly insulted him. "Of course. Question is Harry what will you do to make sure that she remains unshattered? I can make life very easy for you in return for a little servitude."

"You will shatter her anyway if it suits your purpose. Keeping me here won't change what you already have planned."

The older wizard had to smile in spite of himself. The boy had become rather insightful in a short period of time. "I'll take the unbreakable vow as not to shatter her while you willingly serve me. You'll never have to worry about torture from me or my followers again."

Harry held his eyes shut not wanting this creature to enter him, see through him with those red eyes. This was always the lure and Harry rejected it every time. To turn away would be harder and as Voldemort knew there would be consequences for not following. "You always try to lure me in and each time I refuse you. Only difference this time you didn't offer me power. I won't change. Hermione is coming back of her own free will."

"I'll be sure to tell her you said that."

"I'm sure you will. Now if you don't have anymore to say to me either let my bones knit or continue your entertainment."

Voldemort gripped Harry's neck and looked at the boy in the face. "I'll let you go Harry free of all restraints I've placed on you. Next time we meet you will be broken and bound to me."

Harry let out a breath of air that he was holding after Voldemort left him. He knew that if he didn't defeat Voldemort he would be owned or chased after until caught. Dumbledore explained to him about Voldemort's possessiveness of things and of people. Harry had to fight and win or else be devoured by Voldemort and watch all those he cared about be trampled on by the machine that Voldemort created.

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Hermione decided not to pack a thing to take with her. What ever she brought with her outside a few books and her wand would be thrown away or destroyed. Thoughts of her parents came to her mind and of what they went through when they found out she was taken then returned. They would never understand her decision or the reasons why she was going back to such a situation. She had to leave them for good. There was a barrier of understanding that her parents would never be able to cross and would in the end cause them harm if they tried to contact her.

She took out paper form her desk and began to write her parents a letter.

Dear Mother and Father,

This letter is one of the most painful things I will ever have to write. These words you are about to read will hurt you but please continue for they will allow us to move on.

Since you found out I was a witch you have nurtured that part of me and understood I could not be raised as a muggle. I remember the first time I showed the potential for magic. You two saved the pair of socks that I had shrunk because I didn't want to wear them. I still think of that and smile.

As the years went on my muggle school friends and I drifted apart mostly because I was no longer part of their world. It became alien to me as my world was to them. Now I am fully drawn into this one and there are dangers like your own that I have to be taught how to handle and if possible avoid.

I need to say good bye to you both and to thank-you for all that you have done for me. This world is too dangerous for you two and because of who I am now I will only cause you danger. By the time you read this letter all connections you had with this world would have been severed. It is much better this way.

Please forgive me. I love you two more than these words can say. Don't try to contact me or others of the wizarding world. If you do this I will know that you are safe and I can be content in knowing I did something that kept you from harm.

Love,

Hermione

Tears where pouring from her face by the time she was finished. She placed it in an envelope sealed it and went to the owlry as fast as she could. The letter was sent and she knew with in a short time all ties will be cut off. She knew that when she left school any connection between it and her parent's house will be cut off and she would have to register her parent's house to be connected to floo or other forms of connection to the wizarding world.

She saw the owl fly away and almost called the bird back but decided against it. As she was walking away from the owlry she received a letter. It was delivered by a dark raven type bird but far too large to be a real one. There was no doubt as to who sent her the letter. She took the letter from the bird and it flew away.

The envelope was a deep green with black lettering. She opened it and read the cultured writing.

Miss Granger,

I am pleased that you have made the wise decision to join my ranks to become one of my loyal followers. Let there be an understanding that you are joining out of your own free will and I expect no less diligence in your studies and loyalties than that of any other Death Eater.

Mr. Potter will be released in return for you. I will expect you to return in two night's time. I will have an escort bring you to Malfoy manor. Then you will arrive the next day at the Hall. Dress well for the occasion as it will be one of celebration.

Concerning your studies you will show as much discipline as you had during your years at Hogwarts. As tradition requires you are to be given a new name when you are taken as an apprentice.

Lord Voldemort.

The letter held a strange tone to it, formal and yet there was a message there telling her there was more planned for her. She was aware of the naming ceremony for apprentices and the strict rules regarding her duties. What surprised her was why she was going to be so formally trained. Any other time this would be seen as a huge honor but this offer frightened her to chills.

From what she learned of Voldemort he was not a man to make rash decisions nor was he one to waste time teaching those he thought unworthy of his knowledge. She needed to speak with Snape to get some clarification on a few matters that she would most likely face.

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Snape was busy with inventory and logging the dates they were purchased. This was already done two weeks ago when he needed an excuse to clear his mind.

Hermione saw Snape shelving bottles and was about to turn back until she heard her name being called. "Miss Granger, do me the honor of telling me what you want. I am rather busy at the moment."

She held out the letter she received earlier that day. "Tell me what is going on and please spare me the barbs of sarcasm along the way."

He turned to her and took the letter, read it and gave it back to her. "You are reading too much in it."

"Why would he…?"

"What Miss Granger? Why would he want to control and train one of the famous trio? Why would he want to direct your talents to suit his wishes? Don't seek anything further as you'll find you are nothing more than a tool he wishes to use."

Part of her was crestfallen to hear that she was used once again. But she was sure that there was more to it than that. On a very selfish level she wanted to be seen as worthy and be accredited for her talents and intelligence. Though terrible as Voldemort is she felt a little pride that he sought to train her.

Snape saw the emotions pass in her face and he wasn't going to back down. "Don't tell me, you thought he saw you as worthy as someone. Don't fall into such illusions for they're a trap. He will never see you as worthy for anything other and some common mudblood whore to be used by his true followers. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were proud of that letter. Is that it Miss Granger? You enjoy being toys for powerful arrogant men who use and manipulate you? Is that the reason you wrote that letter to return? It wasn't as if I didn't try to change your mind."

Her hand was caught before it got near his face. Instead of going into a tirade like before, she pulled away only to be pulled back towards him. He held his wand to her head. "Don't believe you have any real protection any more. You are very much alone and it is your doing. The rules of the game are no longer in your favor. Your actions caused quite a ripple amongst the Death Eaters and now Lucius and Narcissa need to show they are indeed dominant over you."

"I knew it would be dangerous. I am not some child.

"Yes and now you will not be treated or punished like one. You outed yourself as a powerful calculating witch and you will be treated with the same cruelty that was and is used to break countless strong witches like yourself. No child but that doesn't make you grown up enough. An adult would not have entertained the thoughts of being trained by the Dark Lord."

"Who has the strength to resist him?"

He pulled her close enough to whisper in her ear. "Harry Potter. Who is at this moment being tortured by said Dark Lord." He let her go and walked into his office slamming the door behind him.

Hermione was numb. During the year she felt humiliated, embarrassed and felt pain in areas of her body and mind she never knew she could feel pain. This shame was worse. It was deep and splintered like glass cutting her open from the inside out. What was happening to her? How did this happen? The pain of it all is unbearable but she knew that she earned every ounce of it. In the end Harry needed to be the one who is saved. Her life didn't truly matter either way. All around her would ask her to sacrifice her self eventually.

"So I will."

As long as she and Harry were friends Harry will always try to rescue her at the risk of himself and even the Order. She returned to Griffindor tower and started the process of saying goodbye.

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Ron watched as Hermione walked down to the common room. They spoke only a handful of words since she came back and he hated how everything had changed between them in so short a time.

"Oi! Hermione, wait! I want to talk to you."

She didn't want to knowing what was going to be said. "Alright."

He grimaced at her cool tone. "I know we're past the point of being friend's anymore. I also know that the next time we meet we'll be in opposite sides with wands pointed at each other. I overheard some talk from Snape and Dumbledore and put together what is going on. You're doing back to get Harry's freedom."

"You would do the same Ron."

"No, I'd be the stupid git that would get caught because I rushed in there not thinking." He stood a foot away from her. "I love you." His lips locked with hers and his arms held her tight as tears rolled down his face.

Hermione let him. She wanted this. To be held by someone who truly loved her. She began to kiss back with as mush passion as Ron. They broke apart and Hermione ran out of Griffinor tower and composed herself in the girl's bathroom.

She saw herself in the mirror. "Who am I now?"

An hour later her escort brought her back to Malfoy manner.

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Alright, that took time to write. Please review. Onto the next chapter. But a warning. It contains graphic sexual content. If you are offended please skip it.