A/N: I don't own Harry Potter or anything associated with it.

This is another unbeated chapter, but as always, I reread it myself to catch possible errors, although I'm sure I didn't get them all. A couple of chapters ago, I said there'd probably be some action by now, but I decided I needed to clear up some possible confusion about where Hermione stands on several topics. There will be action, and it will be coming up soon, as I'm sure you realize because of Voldemort's "plan". Happy reading!


The day following my slight discovery upon hearing Malfoy and Lucius talk was no better than the previous. My life was once again becoming routine, and instead of relishing in it as I might have done a few years…or months really…ago, I was frustrated. The only thing that kept me silent was the knowledge of Voldemort's return and subsequent plans. I was excited and apprehensive all at once, but I had to stay focused, so like always, I was forced to push most everything that needed my attention out of the forefront of my mind. I decided that it was unhealthy to compartmentalize different thoughts and emotions, but that was unfortunately the only way I knew how to operate. I could feel the tension building in my shoulders before I even started my daily training.

Bellatrix decided it would be my last day of training with her, as we made no real progress together. She gave me a few tips and pointers, but nothing I wouldn't have figured out on my own with a little experience. Regardless, I was thankful for her help. At the end of the session, which was considerably shorter than the other two had been, I thanked her and was on my way. I wanted to practice a little wandless magic before Voldemort arrived at the Manor, but it was difficult to find the time. Returning to my room, I started attempting to do small and insignificant spells to rebuild my familiarity, as I hadn't practiced in quite some time. Unfortunately, I was already quite frustrated and unfocused, and my thoughts refused to be silenced. Giving in, I threw myself face down on my duvet to think. I had a few things I needed to work through.

What were my actual feelings towards the Death Eaters? The Order? What would I do if Voldemort's beliefs were actually what the Order had fed me? I was supposed to talk to him about it, but what if he believed in the death and enslavement of muggle-borns? What if he asked me to kill another innocent? What was I going to do about Malfoy? What was my plan if I ever got my hands on Ronald?

After a few moments of thought, I decided that the Death Eaters were my family…both literally and figuratively, although some were much closer to me than others. Cissa was like a second mother, Lucius was the closest confident I'd probably ever have, not to mention a second father, Bellatrix was like that crazy but loveable aunt, and Voldemort was like that uncle you hardly ever saw, although I had a feeling that was going to be changing quite soon. I knew that I could also consider Blaise a friend, and Malfoy an…acquaintance. I couldn't say that I didn't miss some of my "friends" from the Order, particularly Harry. I didn't actually think he'd desert me, but rather that he'd stick with me through almost anything. I just couldn't believe that he had given up on finding me so soon, or that he never noticed anything off with Ron. My new status made us natural enemies, and I knew it was almost inevitable that either he or Voldemort would die at the end of the war. I didn't know which would be worse, but I knew I'd be destroyed either way. If Harry died, I'd lose someone I once considered my friend for most of my life, and if Voldemort died, everyone close to me now would be persecuted to the full extent, including myself.

I sincerely hoped that Voldemort didn't actually want to kill everyone who had muggle blood, or even enslave them. I knew what it was like to feel constant danger and the threat of death simply because of who your parents were, and I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. I highly doubted he actually thought that way, considering he was a half-blood himself, but I supposed anything was possible. If he really did believe in those things, I'd try to get him to see things from my point of view, but my success was highly doubtable. I decided not to stress myself out about it anymore than was necessary until I heard his arguments. I would not kill another innocent person unless my life or the life of someone I loved depended on it. It simply wasn't in me. I would fight in battles like any other Death Eater, but I wouldn't aim at someone who couldn't defend themselves. Any possibility of that faded after I was forced to torture Abbots family during my initiation. I would never forget that, and I would take it as a personal lesson on my limitations.

As far as the situation with Malfoy went, I was quite stumped. I hadn't had time to do any research, and even if I had, I had no idea what I'd look for. I didn't know all the effects of the supposed spell he'd cast on me. I just knew that our emotions were connected somehow, as that was the only explanation I could think of for his comment on my pain and his stress, and the extreme stress I felt for no apparent reason. If that stress was any indication, he really didn't want me to know what he'd done, even if he hadn't done it on purpose. I was insanely curious, but I was also terrified. Did I really want to know? I had the feeling I'd find out eventually on my own, but I knew it was futile to try to stop my curiosity. I'd ask Voldemort, and then decide where to go with the information I gained. I just knew that I missed his company since our flying lessons ended a few days ago, and yesterday when our eyes met, I had the strangest reaction I'd ever had to anyone. It almost physically hurt to admit the connection to myself, but as long as I didn't know about what he'd done, I would blame it completely on the spell.

When it came to Ronald, I knew exactly what I was going to do. He will pay, I thought, feeling a dark smirk flit across my face.

Taking a deep breath, I was able to clear my thoughts once again. I was still overly stressed (of my own making), but I at least had a slight handle on what was going on around me. I missed Cissa and Lucius, so I would go to dinner tonight. With a final sigh, I sat up in my bed, and returned my attention to my wandless magic. Closing my eyes, I focused on lighting the room. When I opened them again, the room was exactly how I'd envisioned. Through my practice, I realized it was harder to complete a silent wandless spell by speaking words inside of my mind than just focusing on my goal. With that in mind, I pushed myself harder than ever before where wandless magic was concerned. By the time I had to start getting ready for dinner, I was covered in sweat and completely exhausted. I could feel my magic buzzing and crackling around the room (and probably down the halls) from the sheer amount of magic I'd released and because of the numerous spells I'd attempted. I dragged my tired body to the shower, and dressed quickly, making it to dinner in almost record time. I sat down to a rare dinner with the two people I felt closest to in Malfoy Manor. Malfoy was conspicuously absent, and when I curiously inquired about his absence, Lucius laughed slightly, claiming that Malfoy was sleeping. I shrugged, wondering why I even cared in the first place. I could hardly focus on the matters at hand, and I was getting more excited by the minute about Voldemort's imminent arrival, and then the battle that he'd supposedly been planning. I could hardly wait for him to see how far along I'd come with my wandless magic, and my training in general. Although it was an odd feeling, I wanted him to be proud of me.


A/N: I'd like to thank Ann, PlaysWithScissors, BrightestWitchOfHerAge16, Twizard2013, and Mrs. Burns for reviewing. Also a huge thanks to everyone who followed/favorited.

To Ann (anonymous reviewer): I'd love to write longer updates, but I simply don't have very much time. I promise that when I have breaks from school, my chapters will be longer. :)

Please leave me your thoughts/questions/comments/predictions/anything else in a review? Thank you for reading!