Eee! Thank you for such lovely reviews. Definitely helped me get the writing bug back. I've started another story called 'Til I hear you sing and I have one about the Founders in the works so do keep your eyes peeled!

Nagi92 – Thank you for sticking with this story for so long! Out of curiousity, why do you see Voldemort as having more chances of winning? I only because I change my mind constantly over which way the scales tip! So it would be great to hear your thoughts 3

Katrina Diaz – Thank you so much for a lovely review! Your English is wonderful 3 Yeah despite everything Hermione has gone through I just don't feel like killing off such an evil villain!

Alexxis T. Swan – Ooh thank you for such a kind compliment about defying expectations! I agree, I don't want a happy ending but I feel bad making Hermione continue to suffer and think Voldie needs a turn, haha. Thank you for sticking with this story for so long!

Sab81790 – Such a long review, I love it! Yes, Rose being a horcrux is definitely a conundrum! After your review and all these other lovely ones I am pretty much persuaded to continue with this story ;)

In the meantime do check out some of my others 3 That would be awesome! Also, I saw your review on Remembering the Darkness and THANK YOU SO MUCH! 3 Give yourself a hug from me right now.

Soletta – Awh thank you! That is dedication! I read my second one the other day and really didn't like it so it may be getting a rewrite! Definitely know what you mean about a sinister side when it comes to Voldemort!

"Where did it go wrong?"

Kingsley held out a scroll of parchment. When Hermione unrolled it she saw it was a portrait. A broad chested man with thick black hair flowing past his shoulders, a wide smiling mouth and piercing blue eyes. His blue ornate robes, she guessed, put him in the 10th century. The portrait was not enchanted to move as she was used to with wizard portraits, perhaps it was a copy of one, but his very being seemed to glow. Looking into his eyes she felt oddly comforted.

"This is Richard Ravenclaw." She could tell Kingsley was watching her for any signs of recognition.

"And one stormy night he tucked his baby grandchild away in the muggle world after Salazar Slytherin made a prophecy. Tribusanguis comes from the name of three bloods, though I highly doubt any of Voldemort's followers looked into the meaning of such a name."

Hermione frowned. "I still can't believe I'd never heard of Merlin being the Wizard King. I thought he was just a myth."

"All myths have basis in truth. But for such a crucial piece of our history I suppose the Ministry do always like to brush it under the carpet. It was his death that resulted in the Ministry. Before then the Wizard King had always been the most powerful wizard. None could match him in any duel. Such power is magnificent, but also destructive." Kingsley looked at her mournfully, she felt she saw him age a hundred years in his sad brown eyes. "Now do you see why you can never give him a son?" It was a quiet whisper and he gently took her hand, but it still felt like a knife in her heart. "He would steal the power from your child. He could conquer the world. Merlin's father stole the magic from his son in a bid to stay immortal, until he was defeated by his children."

"His children?"

"Merlin's brothers had all died when their father stole the magic from him. When it came to be Merlin's turn his sister Morgana fought alongside him. Merlin was devastated when she too became wicked.

So you see, Voldemort would have a wealth of power at his disposal. And we could be sure he would not use it for any good. I was so relieved when you came to the camp and you were not pregnant."

Hermione forced herself not to look away.

She'd cut the heel of her foot when her course was due and let the blood drip on her sheets and in her underwear. It hurt like hell when she walked on it and every step reminded her of her lie.

When the Healer had visited with a cheery voice and too wide smile to ask for a urine sample for a general health check, Hermione wasn't fooled. She'd taken the time to potty train Ivy instead.

A coldness washed over her. She didn't want to speak, but the words tumbled out of her like vomit.

"And if I had been?"

Kingsley hesitated. "We would have terminated the pregnancy." He had the grace to look embarrassed. "Praise be you were not."

Hermione gave him a weak smile. "Praise be."

...

Voldemort

She knew. He could feel it. A shift in power. When a curse becomes broken there is always a shuddering throughout the world. He wondered if his followers could feel it? Most likely no. Nothing about their demeanor tonight suggested anything other than men getting ready to meet their maker.

He'd called for a banquet as a gracious way of thanking them for laying their lives down for him. No expense was spared. The hall was swathed in rich black velvet encrusted with diamonds to look like the night sky. Above them entertainers danced on silver hoops and silks, knowing a fall would kill them only made their dance the more delicious. Music played, food was to be gorged on and the wine was always pouring.

But few held real merriment in their eyes. Only those incredibly drunk or stupid looked happy to be there. The rest held thin smiles and narrowed eyes, their minds elsewhere. Probably at home with their families. Voldemort had never quite understood the desire to spend your final hours with family.

His daughters were charming enough. Ivy had that shy smile and enormous eyes that broke even his strongest Death Eaters hearts. Her first signs of magic had been subtler than her sisters; a scraped knee would heal before anyone could see it, flowers would perk up as she walked past, anyone who made her cross would feel a stabbing pain in their heart. Not enough to require a Healer, but enough to hurt.

It brought a smile to his lips to think others believed Ivy was still without her magic. That could be convenient.

Rose's magic was strong. In his lessons he'd pushed her until she cried, always wanting her to get to the next level. Her magic fascinated him. Was it that way because she was a horcrux? Or was it just her blood alone. He supposed he'd have to wait to compare it to Ivy's.

They'd all be reunited soon, he was sure of it. Then he would meet his son. And he would have his magic.

"My followers." His voice rang through the hall and a hundred faces turned towards him.

With a smirk, he observed how many flitted their gaze between his face and their toes as if they were naughty schoolchildren. It stirred a memory within, of the other orphans hissing as he walked past, "Careful! He can read your thoughts!"

It was all too easy to steal into their minds and read them like a book. Most of it was boringly predictable. Fear. A chill in the air. Goosebumps. A shiver down the spine. Perhaps he was the cold. The Lord who would not let them leave. Why should he? They'd celebrated his work for years, reaping the rewards as if they deserved it. Their time was come to pay him back.

"This recent change will soon be undone." He paused. "The rebellion is greater than ever before, but am I not your most powerful Lord? Am I weak?"

Voldemort waited as they called out protestations. Soon he would have them eating out his palm.

"For years we have held a steady peace. Our victory has been celebrated. In a few days we will be celebrating another victory. They have been as rats in a sewer and when we attack they will panic and run wild. The blood of the pure will always win. We are better than their ideas of nobility and truth. We know the real meaning of those words. We know power. We are not too weak to seek it and for that they resent us.

So let them come. Let them charge at us with their new armies. We will crush them. We will see the fields run red with their blood. With their defeat, we will send a message to the world that we are the greater glory. And that we will soon conquer it all."

Voldemort closed his eyes as they cheered for him. Who needed love when he was able to manipulate the minds of so many?

A shorter chapter but I just wanted to get in published! In the meantime, please do start looking and reviewing some of my other stories! (: Happy New Year! (: