JK Rowling created and owns Harry Potter. I make no profit from this work of fiction based upon her wonderful creation.
Chapter 37
With Abraxas's subtle persuasion, the Dark Lord had waited longer than any would have expected to summon Hera to his side once more. Three weeks after the loss of her child, and with Halloween fast approaching, Hermione and Abraxas found themselves seated in the study at Malfoy Manor, in which the Dark Lord had deemed appropriate to hold their next meeting.
They both quickly stood as a Malfoy elf led the Dark Lord into the room, bending at the waist politely.
"My Lord," they intoned.
The Dark Lord nodded in response, and they straightened. Abraxas moved to sit next to Hera on the small couch as opposed to keeping the Master's chair behind the desk. On his way to his honorary seat, the Dark Lord stopped, looking closely at Hera.
"Hera, my most able helper, how are you coping with the loss of your child?"
Hermione felt her eyes tickle as tears threatened to form but quickly locked those thoughts away. She cleared her throat and looked up at Lord Voldemort. "My pain is still quite real, and I am sure it will remain so. I am pushing onward, though. Thank you for your concern."
"Of course. Now," he said, as he walked around the desk and took Abraxas's seat. "I wanted to clear the air, so to speak. When Bellatrix came to me, I was understandably very angry, and I did not think about your own righteous drive for vengeance against her. While her death was completely justified, I am sorry I took away the opportunity for you to dole out the punishment."
Hermione remained silent for a beat, thoughts twisting in her head. Was it just the act of disobedience that had driven him to kill Bellatrix, or did part of him care specifically about her? She also was quite sure that she had never heard of Lord Voldemort apologizing to anyone… ever. Still didn't mean she wasn't going to kill the psychopath.
"If I didn't understand you to be a very talented occlumens, I would tell you to not wear your heart on your sleeve. I think I have shown quite clearly that I favor you, and in fact if I had ever had the experience of having a family, I believe how I feel about you would be the closest to it. I mourn the loss of your daughter and the pain that you and your husband must be feeling. As well as his family," the Dark Lord finished, throwing a courteous nod at Abraxas.
Abraxas was still next to her, listening stoically.
"Now, my point in this small meeting is this- I require a vow, and someone to be our bonder."
Hermione's eyes widened. "We never… talked about something like that."
"Yes. I am aware. When our alliance began, you were very skeptical of me and what my expectations would be for you. With time, especially throughout the death of Nott, I believed you to be coming around to the reality that society is changing and that you must change with it. After all of this recent unpleasantness against you by an ardent supporter of me, I question your dedication and trustworthiness. I require a vow of loyalty."
Hermione balked, but Abraxas put a hand on her shoulder. "You are Hera Malfoy, are you not? I expect you to honor your commitment to our cause as a member of my family. You must do this, Hera."
She caught a look of approval given to Abraxas by Voldemort, and took a moment to think. Abraxas was insane. A vow of commitment by her… by her name! She swallowed once before nodding.
"I won't lie. I was displeased that you killed her, but I understand it as well. I will make my vow formal… I intend to keep my word. I humbly request that you keep the part of our arrangement that is in place on your part though. You must acknowledge that you have made my hands unnecessarily dirty. Lucius… You will vow to leave Lucius alone. If I am alive, you will keep your interaction with him to an absolute minimum."
She felt Abraxas stiffen, but Lord Voldemort chuckled.
"My dear, I promised I would not attempt to recruit him."
"Yes, but I want more than that. I am trustworthy, and I will vow to support your cause in whatever way you see fit. In return, you will promise to do what is in your power to keep Lucius safe from harm, away from the ramifications of being associated with you."
"Done," the Dark Lord said, eyes greedy. Her promise to support him as he saw fit… that was something to be had.
"Go ahead, Abraxas… Father," Hermione said, solemnly. She stood and Voldemort moved around the desk to take her hands. They were cold, dry, and thin… holding hands with the most evil man she had ever met felt strange. Intimate and repugnant. But ultimately wonderful.
"Do you, Hera Malfoy nee Elias, swear fealty to our Lord Voldemort. You will do whatever he requires of you to further his cause?"
"I, Hera Malfoy, do so swear," she said, confidently.
"Do you, Lord Voldemort, swear to keep your interactions with Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, to a minimum? You will not purposefully cause him harm, directly or indirectly?" Hermione and Abraxas both ignored the stinging pain they felt from the Dark Lord's self-stylized name being spoken.
"I, Lord Voldemort, do so swear," he said, seeming as eager for something as she had ever heard from the unusually calm, if horrible, man.
As they separated, the Dark Lord rubbed his hands together, warming them from the unnatural magical cold that hand enraptured them as he made his vow. Watching him, Hermione did the same. She felt triumphant and warm, both inside and out. Lucius was, undoubtedly, safe from the man before her. And she, Hermione Malfoy nee Granger, did not owe the man a damned thing for it.
The Dark Lord nodded his head, "Very well. Now that our business is done, shall we call the others here for our meeting?"
Hermione sat to one side of the Dark Lord with Abraxas across from her at the large dining room table. Sterling Parkinson was next to Abraxas, looking decidedly pleased with himself. Sterling was seated where Cygnus would have been at any other time, but Cygnus had not come to this meeting. According to Abraxas, he had figured out how important he was to his Lord. Hermione saw that Antonin and Vaughn didn't seem very confused either with the placement of their comrade.
"Death Eaters, I have good news to bear!" Lord Voldemort said, smiling in his shark-like way. "Minister Jenkins, after conversations with and notes sent by many of you, has finally decided to step down from her position after the most terrible loss of her husband."
Scattered applause went about as people had their interest piqued by the news.
"The most thanks in this can only go to Mr. Parkinson. Mr. Parkinson has been campaigning for a replacement with the Minister. He has been selected to become interim Minister in the stead of his direct superior, Bartemius Crouch. While Crouch chose to allow this to happen, in order to plan his run for the permanent position to be voted on two months hence, Mr. Parkinson will be making every effort to put my name in the running. Your financial aide and endorsements will be much appreciated as we make the final push to be able to make our values into law!"
Hermione was surprised to hear the news. It must have come down fast. Of course, there would be more competition for the spot, but Hermione was sure that Crouch would not be hard to beat. Dumbledore wouldn't want someone so… zealous… in the position, and he would propose a third contender. Perhaps Roland? Even so, Crouch would be much better than Voldemort.
It was in that moment that a wave of accomplishment moved through her. While she knew violence was occurring, the Dark Lord had obviously decided that brute force was not the way to go if there were other options. That was most certainly not something he had followed up on in her original timeline. He definitely still had to die, but perhaps the loss of civilian life wouldn't be so high.
The meeting was rather dry considering the lack of blood and violent plans, but Hermione made the time to catch Rodolphus's eye down the table. After a moment of locked gazes, Hermione was sure her message got across.
After the meeting was over, everyone went their separate ways, including the Dark Lord. As planned, Rodolphus lingered.
When it was just him, Hermione, and Abraxas still there, they went to the family living room. "I don't see the point in waiting any longer… Abraxas?"
Abraxas nodded his head once. "It is time. We have everything as prepared as it can be."
Hermione looked at Rodolphus, "When can you get us the diary He left with you?"
Rodolphus shrugged, causing Abraxas to sneer slightly. "I have to go to Gringotts. Can you come to my house tonight?"
Hermione frowned. "It seems stupid to put this off, you know, but… could you get it to me tomorrow instead? I'll be in Hogsmeade with Severus and his friends to chaperone the weekend. I am very behind and Albus has time to help me catch up on grading tonight. Albus and Abraxas haven't set up the rune warding yet, either. It's safe enough where it is for the night."
"Adeline and I are going to have dinner with Lucius and Hera tomorrow evening. I am working at home and have business at the ministry, but Adeline has a free day. Can she get it from you tomorrow on her way to Hogsmeade?" Abraxas offered. "I can work on the warding after dinner tomorrow night while I am at Hogwarts, too."
Rodolphus nodded. "That works. So, when am I going to be told exactly why this thing is so important?"
Hermione smiled. "A few days from now… when it isn't important anymore. Be prepared for a fight, okay? You'll know when."
Adeline Malfoy was very excited about the day. She was going to pick up the package to take to Hera and Lucius, and then she was going to spend the evening doing the last bit of strategizing before making the move to make her life the peaceful, utopian existence that she showed the outside world she already had.
As such, she had a warm smile on her face as Rodolphus stood from the couch to greet her when she came out of his fireplace. "Rodolphus!" she said, kissing him on both cheeks.
"Mrs. Malfoy. It is a pleasure to see you as always," Rodolphus said. He'd always liked Adeline. While his relationship with his mother was not necessarily negative, she lacked a lot of the warmth that radiated from Adeline. He was more of an heir than a son to the Lestrange Family.
"The pleasure is mine. I wish I could stay and chat, but I am quite eager to get our business here done with," she said, requesting leniency and expedience.
Rodolphus nodded, taking her arm as he led her through the house he used to share with his bitch of a wife. They walked into the library, and he didn't waste time in leading her to the bookcase that the book was perched on.
"I'll be just a moment," he said, pulling out his wand. He set about removing the safeguards he and Bellatrix had placed around the diary. Being the son of a smuggler, he knew quite a lot about keeping things out of the notice of people who might mess with something they shouldn't.
After ten minutes, he finally reached out, plucking the book from its spot between two books of similar size. He winced upon holding it. "Just be aware. It absolutely drips of his magic. Revolting, honestly. I'm happy to be rid of…. Whatever it is."
Adeline nodded as she accepted the diary. "Thank you, Rodolphus. You have no idea yet what you have done, but I assure you that it is most necessary. You know to expect to hear from someone soon?"
Rodolphus nodded. "I've cleared my calendar as much as possible. Take care, Adeline."
"Goodbye!" she said, a bounce in her step as she walked through the house back toward the floo, despite the disgusting piece of magic she held. When she was only a few steps from the fire, the flames lit up green. A moment later, Lord Voldemort stood before her, eyes quickly spying the book in her hand.
"Adeline! What a surprise," he drawled, wand already drawn and aimed at her. "I must say I am quite thankful I placed a charm to let me know if anyone other than Bellatrix or Rodolphus touched the book. I can't help but be shocked you know enough to be taking it, though… especially considering your husband shouldn't even know it exists."
Adeline's eyes widened in horror before she screamed, "RODOLPHUS!"
She was silenced and thrown against the desk, grasping desperately at the book to keep it in her possession. A moment later, Rodolphus appeared with his wand in the doorway, eyes wide as he saw his Lord with a wand aimed at Adeline as she tried to pick herself up from the floor.
"Rodolphus… put down your wand and explain yourself, or I will make her death very painful indeed."
Rodolphus looked at Adeline, and he saw the flicker of resolve in her eyes before he saw the book come sailing to him. He caught it as she screamed, "RUN!" And, knowing that it had to be more, he apparated quickly away, leaving Adeline Malfoy at the mercy of Lord Voldemort.
Author's Note: We are rapidly approaching the end of this story, and I hope you've been enjoying yourself. Please send a review! They make me smile.