Hermione's recovery was surprisingly quick. Her father had visited her often and they'd discussed many issues, but the one that did not get addressed was whether or not Hermione's heritage would become more widely known. Several weeks had gone by and September first was fast approaching. Narcissa had made arrangements to have all of Hermione's books and school supplies delivered to the Manor. She'd had one of the elves take her measurements and several days later, an entire new wardrobe was delivered. New school robes, skirts, shirts, dresses, shoes and lingerie in the latest styles. Hermione was so overwhelmed by Lady Malfoy's generosity that she had insisted that it was all too much.
"Nonsense my dear, you more than anyone deserve to be spoiled, and your Father insisted you have the best of everything." Narcissa, Hermione discovered, was a force of nature and used to getting her own way. She had her husband's complete devotion and it was easy to see that Draco worshipped the ground his mother walked on. Narcissa made sure that Hermione spent time each day learning high Pureblood society etiquette, rules and social customs. Hermione had always prided herself on being a quick study, but even she had to admit, there was so much she'd need to learn to fit into the new world she'd been thrust into.
Dancing lessons with Draco was an obvious perk however, and Hermione enjoyed the time they got to spend together. Draco was an excellent dancer, and it was easy to get caught up in the romance of it all. He loved tearing the mickey however, and Hermione often found herself blushing at the heated suggestions he'd often whisper into her ear. He would then smirk in satisfaction at her discomfort, watching her cheeks darken entincingly.
The Saturday before school was set to resume, Hermione's father had told her that there would be a meeting that night in the Malfoy's drawing room, and her attendance was required. From the look on his face, Hermione knew this was of importance so she took extra care after dinner to make herself presentable. She chose to wear her best dark emerald green dress robes, and Trixie, the house elf that Narcissa had assigned to take care of her this summer, was excellent with hair spells. Her curls were loose, shiny and layered down her back in thick waves. She applied minimal make-up and was just putting on a pair of earrings when someone knocked on her door.
Trixie answered it promptly and in walked her father who was stunned at how beautiful his daughter looked. The Dark Lord still found it disconcerting at times that he had a daughter. Even now, looking at Hermione there was little physical resemblance that would recommend her as his child. Her eyes and hair were her mother's, as was her physical build. Tom Riddle had always been a complex wizard, and had never been capable of loving anyone or anything. Looking at his daughter now, he could feel pride in her brilliance and beauty, he was in awe of her resilience and keen logical mind. She exuded raw power, very much like his own. But affection, love? It was hard to fathom ever being capable of feeling such emotions, but he did feel a deep responsibility for her. She was his heir after all. She had returned two pieces of his soul to him and as such he was able to retain more control over his baser emotions. For the first time in his long life, he felt a twinge of regret. He hadn't been there to watch his daughter grow up into the beautiful young woman before him. But then he wondered if she would've become the person she was today without those experiences? Would she have been use to him had she not had the trials and rose above all expectations? It was an interesting thought, but one Voldemort didn't dwell on for very long.
"You look lovely Hermione. I know you are wondering why I have asked you to come to this meeting, and I am here to explain. Tonight you will be introduced to a few of my most trusted followers. Many of them have children who are in school with you. I have not told any of my followers, outside of Lucius and Severus your true identity, although some know that I have sired an heir. This meeting is to formally introduce you. You need not worry about anyone revealing your identity, for if any dared to defy me, they would be dealt with most harshly."
Hermione nodded, lowering her head and nervously biting her lip while her hands twisted together. Her father, seeing her distress, walked to her and placed a finger under her chin, raising her face to his. Amber eyes met dark green and for a moment Hermione saw red flash through his gaze. "You must not allow any weakness to show, child. I know you have the ability to control yourself, and that is what I expect of you this evening. These men you will be meeting tonight are amongst my most loyal Death Eaters. They will show you the respect you are owed as my heir, but it is up to you to prove that you belong by my side. You have proven your worth to me, now you must prove it to my followers. Come."
The Dark Lord escorted Hermione down to the main floor and up a secondary staircase which opened into a large room. There was a long table in front of the fireplace and a huge chandelier handling from the ceiling. A fire was roaring and Hermione could see Nagini curled up on the floor by the head of the table on the far side.
There were several men standing and talking amongst themselves. Hermione recognized Lucius and Severus, but she had never seen any of the other men before. One man had dark blonde hair that was tied back into a long braid and was ruggedly handsome in his own way. Another man looked a bit older than the first with darker brown hair and blue eyes. He was quite tall and was conversing with Lucius. There were two other men watching from across the room. One had hideous teeth and could only be Marcus Flint's father, the other man had salt and pepper hair and was shorter than the other men in the room.
When the Dark Lord gestured for Hermione to enter the room with him, the six men present came over and formed a semi-circle in welcome. Her father moved forward while Hermione waited a few feet behind and as he greeted his followers and they bowed in deference. Voldemort then turned and gestured for Hermione to come to his side, which she did with her head held high and no outward sign of nervousness or fear. Her father gave her a small nod, and then addressed his followers.
"My friends, it is good to be here with you again after so many years. Much time has passed, yet it seems that much unfortunately, remains the same in our world. However, I would like to acknowledge one change for the better. Allow me to formally introduce you to my daughter and heir, Hermione Granger. It was unknown to myself at the time of my disappearance that her mother had given birth. Concerned for her safety, she hid Hermione in the Muggle world. It was made known to me in Hermione's second year that she was mine. I have invited her here tonight to acknowledge her as my heir amongst my most loyal followers. Lucius and Severus can give testimony of her brilliance and cunning."
Lucius walked over and took Hermione's hand bending over her hand in greeting before he turned to the other men. "I am sure you are all aware that Miss Granger is the top of her class at Hogwarts and a member of Slytherin House. It has been most unfortunate that she was not as welcomed into her own house as is her birthright. She has proven to both Severus and I that she is a force to be reckoned with. I believe given the chance you will all find her to be a formidable ally."
Hermione smiled politely at a Lord Malfoy's kind words. "Thank you Lord Malfoy, I will strive to live up to such lofty praise." Lucius nodded and stepped back to his place. The Dark Lord made formal introductions and then gestured for everyone to take their seats. Voldemort led Hermione to the head of the table where he sat and gestured for her to sit on his right. Severus came over and held out her chair, which she thanked him graciously. Lucius sat on her father's left and Severus sat on her left. The other men seemed to have set positions at the table and each nodded towards her father as they sat.
When everyone was settled Voldemort started the meeting. "I have invited you here today to discuss what my plans are going forward. First, as you are aware the Potter boy still lives and this was done purposely on my part. It was suggested that far more damage might be done to Dumbledore's reputation if Potter were to return alive and obliviated. The death of the Diggory boy was unfortunate, but will play into my hands going forward. Second, we will need to organize a break-out of Azkaban for those of my followers who were wrongly incarcerated. Lastly, there is a prophecy of some concern hidden within the Department of Mysteries that will need to be acquired if our plans to take over the Wizarding world are to be successful."
As the men discussed the issues at hand, Hermione sat back and listened to their suggestions. She decided to wait until her father addressed her directly before giving an opinion. It wasn't long before he turned to his daughter and inquired after her thoughts.
"What do you make of these situations, daughter?" Voldemort smirked and all eyes fell on the young witch simultaneously.
Hermione looked at her father earnestly. "The way I see it, it's impractical to kill Potter or Dumbledore. It would make one or both a martyr that the masses could rally around. Dumbledore has many skeletons in his closet, and I think it's time that we bring those skeletons out to face the light of day."
The blonde-haired man with the deep throaty voice gazed at Hermione with an expression that was dismissive. "And how do you suggest we do that?"
Hermione turned to her father who nodded in encouragement and then proceeded to sit back and watch his brilliant daughter dazzle his followers.
Making direct eye contact with Corban Yaxley, Hermione smiled genuinely. "Over the last two summers I've had an opportunity to visit Godric's Hollow, and I am sure many of you are familiar with Bathilda Bagshot, the noted magical historian." At this several of the men nodded, but all with confusion. "She is the Great-Aunt of Gellert Grindelwald. It would seem in his early life, Dumbledore and Gellart were very good friends." Letting the implication sit there momentarily, Hermione noticed a few of the men sitting at the table smirk at her implication. "They corresponded to each other frequently and surprisingly, Dumbledore was not the Muggle-loving wizard he tries to make himself out to be."
"And how do you know this?" Asked Lucius.
Hermione took out her beaded bag and opened it. She then reached her arm up to her elbow, into the bag missing the looks of appreciation on several of the Wizard's faces. She took out a stack of letters and passed them around the table. As the wizards read through Dumbledore's private correspondence to Grindewald she could see many shocked faces. Voldemort just sat back with his hands steepled watching his loyal followers with glee.
"How did you get these?" Inquired Archibald Flint, Marcus Flint's Father.
"Bathilda was most helpful. She had saved these letters for many years. When Gellert was sent to Nurmengard after dueling Dumbledore, Bathilda blamed him for the loss of her only family. She was more than happy to turn them over to me, when I told her how mistreated I'd been at Hogwarts under Dumbledore's care." Hermione smirked evilly at Mr. Flint who flinched at her insinuation.
"It would seem that the famous duel in 1945 was not the first that the two men had. Some years prior, another duel had broken out between the two wizards, and Dumbledore's sister Ariana was killed in the crossfire. It was never proven who sent the killing curse that killed poor Ariana, but Bathilda said it was that incident that permanently severed their relationship."
"I'm still unclear how you plan to use this information to take down Dumbledore." Questioned Thoros Nott, Theodore Nott's Father.
"It's a simple case of hitting the wizard with attack's from multiple fronts. First we start a smear campaign against Dumbledore due to the death of Cedric Diggory and the fact that the Boy-Who-wouldn't-Die was severely injured and obliviated during the final task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Dumbledore used the excuse that since Potter's name was drawn from the Goblet it constituted a binding magical contract...and since the man is the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation Of Wizards and the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, no one would dare challenge him on an assertion based in magical law. Except he violated several statues by allowing Potter to compete. The most important is that the Potter boy was not of legal age and therefore couldn't willingly enter into a binding magical contract of any kind, much less one that forced him to compete in a tournament that killed an older classmate of much greater experience. I would argue for a case of gross negligence. How do you think the public at large is going to feel about Dumbledore once they learn that he allowed the supposed Savior of the Wizarding world to compete in a tournament and almost get killed? I doubt too many people would be sympathetic to him. Especially when it becomes public knowledge that the facade he puts on isn't indicative of his true affiliations."
"You mean to use the letters as a means to discredit him further?" Smirked Lucius, in awe of Hermione's ingenuity.
"Yes, Rita Skeeter is a reporter for the Daily Prophet. I believe I can utilize her as a ally."
"That witch is highly unpredictable, how do you think you'll be able to get her to comply?" Asked Yaxley.
Hermione smiled wickedly, "The witch is an unregistered animagus. She turns into a beetle, and that is how she was getting all those behind the scenes scoops this past school year. I took notice of her after the Yule Ball when she started asking for an exclusive interview with Viktor and I. Later in the year when he and I were talking quietly by ourselves in the library I noticed a beetle sitting on the windowsill near where we were sitting. The next mornings edition of the Prophet had published an embellishment of our conversation, but it made me suspicious. I saw her on two other occasions so I captured her in an unbreakable mason jar and held her prisoner for a few weeks. I doubt I'll have any problem convincing the witch to help."
At this confession every single man in the room blinked at Hermione in stunned disbelief until her father actually laughed at the nerve of his daughter. The other Death Eaters were even more shocked at their Lord's outburst.
Voldemort shook his head in amusement. "Your penchant for blackmail daughter, knows no bounds. First Severus, then Lucius and now a reporter for the Daily Prophet. Should I be concerned?"
"Of course not, my Lord. I would never do something so plebeian as to try and blackmail you."
Voldemort chuckled, "I should hope not, my dear. Please continue, I think you'll find your audience most intrigued."
Hermione nodded. "I hoped that adequately answered your question Lord Yaxley?" At the man's nod and smirk, Hermione continued. "Lord Malfoy, as you are Head of the Board of Governors I believe it might be prudent to send a ministry official to oversee Dumbledore this year at Hogwarts. Perhaps you might put the suggestion into the Minister's ear? Creating friction between the Minister and Dumbledore might be wise...you might even subtly infer that Dumbledore is after his job. The man looks to be easily manipulated, yes?" Lucius smiled and nodded. "I'm sure you could suggest some Ministry toad, who is a Slytherin and has a close relationship with the Minister?"
Shaking his head in amusement Lucius smiled, "You plan to take out both Dumbledore and the Minister at the same time, don't you Hermione?"
"Well, it would be the most expedient thing to do, don't you agree?" She stated innocently.
Lucius just chuckled knowingly and gave his Lord a look that spoke volumes. "I'd imagine that isn't the end of the plan though?"
Hermione shook her head. "Lord Malfoy are you familiar with the term, 'gaslighting?'
"No, I don't believe I've ever heard of the concept."
"It is a form of manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual. The process is designed to make the person question their own memory, perception and eventually their very sanity. If done correctly it will eventually destabilize the target and delegitimize their own belief. My intention over the course of the next year is to hit Dumbledore on every front where he holds power and sway. Show his complete lack of rule following by manipulating others, show his true character by driving him to the point where he ends up attacking a Muggle-born."
The Dark Lord looked at Hermione closely, "And how will you do that?"
Hermione took her wand and silently evoked an incantation causing an apparition to appear before the men. They all gasped as they watched the specter float from the top of the table, staring down on them. Voldemort looked at the girl floating above him, and grinned at the deviousness of his daughter. "I am to assume Daughter, that this is Dumbledore's dead sister?"
"Yes my Lord! It is, and I intend to use this little illusion to drive Dumbledore round the twist as it were. He will begin to think he's hallucinating, then become paranoid that someone is trying to trick him. Eventually it will lead him in attacking me at the end of the school year. He will be charged with attacking a Muggle-born, which will cement all the propaganda that will be written about him and his relationship with Grindewald, in the time preceding the attack. That combined with discrediting his role in the Wizengamot will eventually be his ruin."
"Why not just kill the old fool?" Chimed in Walden McNair.
"Because you make the fool a martyr. And why should that man be exalted? Better to make him suffer."
Yaxley smiled at his Lord. "Remind me not to get your daughter angry at me, my Lord. Something tells me she can be quite inventive with punishment." All the men chuckled while the Dark Lord looked on in amusement.
Severus sat back pondering what he was learning, not realizing Hermione was watching him closely. "Professor Snape, I know you work closely with Dumbledore and have for years. But in all my research into the man, I've come to realize he never does anything without having some benefit for himself. Hopefully by the end of the night you will realize just how much that man has allowed those around him that were loyal to him to suffer for his 'greater good."
Severus raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Indeed." Was his snarky reply.