DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER!

The Serpents' Child

Chapter 35

June 1997

Hermione was lamenting, though the exact reason wasn't that clear to even her. Was it perhaps that her relatives had yet to put the Blaise business behind them? Even though she and Blaise were still carrying on their romance in secret, but no-one needed to know that, not even Harry, Ron or Ginny. Whenever Bellatrix wrote to Hermione – an occurrence which had dwindled noticeably since Christmas – there was always at least one derogatory comment about Blaise, without fail. Rodolphus, Narcissa and Lucius never actually mentioned Blaise by name, but there could sometimes be a thinly veiled insult about her romantic history and how they hoped the future would turn out better, for everyone involved.

Perhaps it was because she had had to endure another session with Voldemort and Nagini when she had gone home for the weekend. Bellatrix had wrote to her explaining – in a tone that told Hermione that she should be proud of such a thing – that Voldemort wanted to see her again, to discuss the future of Hogwarts. Apparently she had had some good ideas. Also, it seemed that Nagini also 'wanted to see Hermione'. As she had read the letter, she had felt more and more nauseated with every word. She would have to spend more time with Voldemort, and His deadly Familiar who appeared to have taken an interest in her, though she had no idea why. Bellatrix didn't either, stating that the large snake had never liked anyone other than her Master. The meeting would also involve discussing a future she hoped never came into play. For Voldemort to gain control of Hogwarts, a certain kindly Headmaster would have to be gotten rid of. The thought filled Hermione's heart with worry for her professor.

So, as bid by her fanatical mother, Hermione had returned home for the dreaded meeting – but not before she told Dumbledore. The growing concern on the old man's face was visible to anyone. Voldemort's increasing interest in Hermione could very quickly pose a huge problem, and threat. She had Flooed to Lestrange manor, her mother greeting her on the other side of the grate. She carefully examined her daughter's appearance – immaculate hair and make-up thanks to Tippy and dressed in far too expensive dress, robes and shoes – and then walked with her to the library, visibly happy that Hermione was spending time with Voldemort. The meeting had been a review of Voldemort's plans for the school, even new uniform ideas. Nagini had been present, sitting next to Voldemort in the alcove that Hermione had once thought of as hers. But as she had sat down next to Voldemort – He changed into the younger face that Hermione had come to expect – Nagini had wrapped herself around the student the same way she had during the first meeting.

Voldemort had smirked again as He saw it. "It gladdens me to see you two getting on." He smiled, stroking Nagini's head as it rested on Hermione's shoulder and then smoothly gliding His hand down Hermione's arm. She fought to repress the shudder that nearly racked her body. He seriously thought that she 'got on' with the snake?

"Can I ask why Nagini likes me? Bellatrix told me that this," She gestured to the content Nagini wrapped around her, "Has never happened before, with anyone."

"By now you must know that Familiars are quite attuned to magical essences. The same can be said for Nagini. Most people's magical essence annoys her – to her, a Wizard's magical essence is like a scent; not everyone 'smells' pleasant. But your magic…" He trailed off with a leer.

"So I 'smell'…Nice to her?" She asked uncertainly, eyeing the snake that was now slithering down her torso, hissing as she went.

Voldemort smirked, taking a lock of Hermione's hair and rubbing it between His fingertips. "There isn't an exact translation for how she says you smell. The closest would be 'pure'."

"Well we both know she doesn't mean physically." She mumbled nervously. She winced as Nagini gave her a bit of a squeeze and a disapproving hiss; a warning?

Voldemort Himself seemed displeased too. "I suppose not." He dropped the lock of her hair. "Shall we begin with the teaching hours? I think lessons should go until six in the evening."

She was brought out of her thoughts by a voice behind her. "Miss Lestrange?"

Hermione spun around in alarm, her wand already out and aimed. She lowered it immediately. "Sorry, Headmaster."

"Not a problem, my dear." He smiled, the usual twinkle in his eye wasn't as bright as it usually was. "What brings you to the Astronomy tower?"

She shrugged. "It's a quiet place to think."

He hummed. "Anything I could help you think through?"

She smiled sadly. "There's too much, even for the both of us." His raised eyebrow was an invitation for her to continue. She sighed and sat down on a step. "My parents and everything that they come with; the upcoming war that I feel totally unprepared for; the Dark Lord and His twisted obsession with me; His deadly Familiar and why she likes me when she's never liked anyone else but Him; my relationship with Blaise that has to stay secret for fear of his life…Then there's Draco…"

Dumbledore sat down next to her. He looked quite novel, her elderly Headmaster sitting on a stone step with one of his students. "Yes…How is young master Malfoy? Is he recovering?"

"Madame Pomfrey thinks he should be okay. She says the spell that Professor Snape used definitely saved his life, otherwise he would have bled to death in a matter of minutes." She shuddered at the thought. As annoying as he was, she was warming up to Cousin Draco, even if Slytherin Draco was still a twat.

"The Dark Lord and His obsession…" Dumbledore paused in thought.

"Bellatrix is ecstatic over it. Couldn't stop smiling when I Flooed over there last weekend. It's what she wants, though I don't know why."

"Really, Miss Lestrange?" He sounded surprised and sceptical.

Hermione sighed. "Well I can guess why. But I don't like the conclusion I always reach."

"Which is?"

"She wants me to be close to Him, that much is certain. She probably thinks our family will get some sort of reputation or favouritism. She might even hope that one day I'll have some influence over Him, which just sounds ridiculous. I doubt anyone or anything could influence Him." Dumbledore said nothing, but nodded in agreement. The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes. "What are you doing up here, Professor?"

"Oh me? This is one of my favourite places to think, too." Hermione frowned at his tone and scrutinised him. He was hiding something… "Yes, Miss Lestrange, I am." He smiled. "But only because I have to." He winked.

Footsteps coming up the stairs stopped their conversation. Snape arrived at the top of the staircase, pausing when he saw them. "Headmaster. Miss Lestrange." He nodded sullenly to both of them.

She nodded back respectfully to her Head of House. "Professor." She stood up. "I'll leave you two alone." She got a few steps away before Dumbledore called after her.

"Miss Lestrange." She turned. "What you said about being unprepared. You're more prepared than you know." His eyes twinkled and shone with a meaning that Hermione would need to mull over. How was she more prepared than she thought?

She nodded distractedly, then left. Glancing at her wristwatch, she saw that she still had an hour or so before curfew, but didn't have to be anywhere until then. The walk back to the Slytherin common-room from the Astronomy Tower would probably take her about thirty minutes at her usual brisk pace. With the clear sky and pleasant temperature, Hermione fancied turning the march into a leisurely stroll. She'd still get back in time. With a carefree pace and relaxed body, Hermione started her amble back to the dungeons of Hogwarts, looking out any windows she passed on her way. As it was a Saturday, there were plenty of students milling around the corridors, laughing and talking in their social groups. Whenever she passed by some Slytherin students who were younger than her, they always looked up at her with fear and respect, even when she tried to offset that by giving them a friendly smile. She passed the fourth cluster of First years who had darted to the side of the corridor as not to step in her way, she sighed to herself. Would things ever change?

She came across Pansy, Millicent Bulstrode and the Greengrass sisters in one of the more spacious and open corridors on the sixth floor. Sitting with them, they all chatted for a little while, mainly about their upcoming exams, or the class tests that they had already done. When the curfew drew nearer, they all stood up and started heading back to their common-room. They crossed the Grand Staircase on the fifth floor, and Hermione paused.

"Draco?" The blonde jumped when she called his name, looking very much like a rabbit in headlights as she approached him with a smile. The other Slytherin girls commented on how well he looked, then carried on towards the common-room when Hermione said she wanted to talk to her cousin. "How are you feeling?" She hugged him gently, knowing his chest must still be sore.

He patted her back in a cack-handed and clumsy way. "Uh, good…Thanks."

"Has Madame Pomfrey released you already? She said yesterday you'd need another week's rest."

"No, I'm fine now. I'm…" He looked around nervously, then cleared his throat loudly. "I'm just taking a walk around, stretch my legs."

Hermione eyed him closely. He was pale, clammy and was clenching his fists in a way that she knew was a nervous habit of his. "Draco, are you alright?" She asked seriously.

"I'm fine, just leave me alone!" He barked. "Just get back to the common-room, it's nearly curfew!"

"Yes it is…Are you sure you have time for a walk? I could come with you." She offered with a placating smile.

"Just leave me be!" He gave her a shove towards the dungeons, and then stalked off down a corridor.

Hermione had a bad feeling about this…Heading up the staircase, she ran as fast as she could back to the Astronomy Tower. With a bit of luck, Dumbledore and Snape might still be there. Ripping open the door at the bottom of the long and winding tower, she climbed the stairs hastily, stumbling over the hem of her robes a few times. When she reached the top, she nearly screamed in frustration. The room was totally empty. No Dumbledore, no Snape. Bending over double and trying to catch her breath, Hermione wobbled into the storage room directly below, hoping that there'd be something she could sit on while she recovered from her workout. Sitting down for about ten minutes helped her get her breath back. As she stood to head back down, a loud crack of Apparation in the room above startled her. Looking through the hole in the floor where there was an iron representation of the solar system, Hermione saw Dumbledore and Harry stumble as they righted themselves. When Hermione looked closer, she saw that Dumbledore looked ill and faint, and Harry was supporting most of his weight.

"We need to get you to the Hospital Wing, sir!" Harry urged, trying to carry the old man towards the door.

Dumbledore resisted. "No, Harry. Severus. It's Severus I need now." He slumped onto the same step on which he had sat with Hermione earlier. "Get him." He commanded gently. Harry nodded frantically and ran towards the door, but the sound of the door right at the bottom of the tower rang up to them. Harry paused, looking to his teacher nervously. Dumbledore staggered to his feet. "Below, Harry. Hide yourself!"

Hermione jumped up from the chair she'd been resting in, standing to the side of the archway. Harry ran through it, jumping when he saw Hermione. "What are you doing here?" He hissed in a whisper, clutching his heart in surprise.

"I came looking for Dumbledore." She whispered back, pressing herself against the wall as the footsteps heading up the tower got closer. Harry copied her, taking hold of her hand. Whoever it was ran past the room, up into the open area above them. What Dumbledore said next froze both of them.

"Good evening Draco."