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

I'm sorry again, guys. I promise that I'll continue this...I just had a little writers block and a busy schedule. Your guys' continued support is really encouraging, so thank you. Happy reading!


-Hermione/Scarlet-

When we got back to the Manor there was a light in Draco's eyes. He looked dangerous, but I felt no fear. I was on top of the world, and when he approached me without warning the thought of backing away never crossed my mind. His lips met mine violently and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I could taste blood on my lips. It could have been mine or his, but the odds were that it belonged to the Weasel, which prompted me to pull away immediately and gag.

"What's wrong?" He asked slightly out of breath and deeply offended. I couldn't hold back the loud laugh that burst from my lips.

"It's not—ha, ha—you. The bloo—ha—the blood. Ha, ha. Nasty. It's probably—ha, ha—his blood," I finally got out as I calmed down. He looked relived and I started laughing again. He didn't look pleased at my amusement but waited for me to calm down again.

"You're done, then?" He asked playfully.

"Yeah, but I definitely need a shower," I giggled as I pecked him on the cheek and danced away. My euphoric mood would scare anyone but him, I thought. I literally just finished brutally murdering my ex and delivering his bones to his family and all Draco wanted to do was kiss me.

I peeled off my clothes as soon as I heard the bathroom door click shut. The really were covered in blood. I just burned them instead of trying to salvage them. The taint from his blood would never leave them anyways. At the thought of him, I remembered Pansy's involvement in this whole damn debacle. She had been helping Ron, even going so far as to free him from his restraints, which resulted in further abuse from him. With that in mind, I sent Voldemort a message mentally. It was useless to interrupt whatever he was doing and whatever I was doing with a visit when this was just as easy and more convenient. Rather than words, I just sent him the memory of Ron confessing Pansy's involvement and the consequences it wrought. That would be sufficient. I could feel that Voldemort received my message, so I again focused on showering.

I watched the tinted water disappear down the drain as I considered what I'd do next. My reason for existing for the past year was my revenge on Ronald, but he was dead. Of course I'd help Voldemort defeat the Order and get rid of the Weasleys, but what happened once that was finished? Would I want to work? I surely didn't need to with my vaults at Gringotts, but it held promise. My boredom would cause the universe to combust if I was left alone too long though.

I needed to find out what was going on with Harry, and decide what to do about Draco. I liked him…too much for it to be normal. Maybe I loved him, but I'd give the idea time to stew before I said anything about it. It would probably freak him out if I said it, so I'd have to make sure I really meant it first. I quickly toweled off and put on some comfortable pajamas before leaving my bathroom.

Draco was lying on my bed, staring at my ceiling pensively with his arms behind his head. I couldn't help the thoughts that swarmed to the front of my mind as he lightly stretched, too absorbed in his own thoughts to notice my entrance. Bad Hermione, I chastised myself. When did physical attraction lead to anything good? I demanded of myself. But Draco is different. He wouldn't hurt me. I argued with myself mentally. But how can I be sure? I thought Ron would never hurt me when we were still at Hogwarts, I wondered as my argument continued.

My thoughts were momentarily silenced when he glanced over at me, finally noticing that I'd entered the room. He didn't move, but he did send me one of his signature smirks. The melting sensation it caused was worrisome, prompting my internal argument to pick up right where it left off.

But Draco isn't Ron. Draco would stop if I said no, I thought with a reasonable amount of certainty. I was warring with myself over the physical attraction that I couldn't ignore anymore. I knew that if I was having doubts then I obviously shouldn't act on it, but my body demanded closeness. I would let it alone to develop at its own rate, I finally decided. What happened happened, and if he betrayed my tentative trust when it came to physical love, then he'd feel my wrath.

I quietly crawled in next to him, snuggling up to his side. It seemed to be the most natural thing to do to me at that point in time, but he seemed to think it was odd. Probably because I'd never put myself this close to anyone willingly in recent history. Especially anyone male.

"What?" I asked at his curious look, despite knowing exactly why he wore it.

"I'm just surprised, I guess," he answered.

"About what?"

"Several things actually," he admitted. He didn't seem like he was planning to continue, but my gaze told him he should if he wanted to keep his pretty face unscathed.

"I'm surprised that you're this calm and put together after killing the Weasel. I'm surprised that you wanted to leave his bones with his family. I'm surprised that your personality seems to have returned to a happy normal. And lastly I'm surprised that you just snuggled into my side as if you've done it hundreds of times." At my look of protest, he clarified, "Not that I'm complaining," he said with a grin.

"It seems that I'm able to clear up some of your confusion. I hate Ron and having him gone is like being free. Free from his influence, free from what he did. I no longer have to live with the fact that his deeds went unpunished. Secondly, the Weaselys will all pay in due time because of the role they played. They may not have been directly involved, but they were enablers. I'm 'normal' again because I can be. Ron is gone, and what he did is securely in the past now. He can never touch me again, which leads to your last surprise. I suppose I just trust you. You wouldn't hurt me," I finished confidently as I curled into his side more securely, burying my head in his chest. I could feel him nod his understanding.

I waved my hand, effectively turning off the lights and putting the blankets on top of us. I realized he was still in his street clothes, so I waved my hand again, instantly putting him in his pajamas. He seemed stunned for a moment and I silently thanked my wandless magic. It really was a fantastic thing to have.

I could feel myself drifting off to sleep as Draco ran his fingers through my still damp hair. The motion was far more intimate than even the close sleeping position to me, but I had no desire to deny his touch at that moment. It was like a balm to my restless soul, and the calm he felt washed over me through our connection.

"Goodnight, Scarlet," he whispered as everything went blank.

-Voldemort-

I was researching a bit of ancient magic when I felt Hermione trying to send me something mentally. I accepted her intrusion with a grin. That girl would be great one day. I was suddenly drawn into the memory she displayed.

He had her chained to the wall where he was supposed to be, touching her, taunting her. He made it clear that he planned to rape her, but she swiftly gained control of the situation. She quickly searched his mind for his "friend", finding it to be Pansy Parkinson.

"Interesting," I mumbled to myself as I decided on her fate. She clearly had to go, but how? I sat pensively for a moment before an idea came to me. Crucio until she goes mad, then Avada. It was classic, but highly effective and I wasn't feeling very creative…or merciful. If Hermione would have been raped, I may have torn her to shreds with my bare hands, but as it stood, Hermione was able to take back control with ease once she realized what was going on. I pulled myself out of my chair, determined to go ahead and serve the punishment. No reason to let her muss up other things when it can be prevented, I thought with a sort of glee. Calling her to me with her mark, she was forced to appear before me. She was clearly frightened and nervous as she bowed before me. I circled her casually as I talked.

"You may not have caught wind yet, but Ronald Weasley is dead." She seemed to be shocked by this as her eyes darted up for a fraction of a second. She remained silent.

"Hermione Granger, who you now know is my niece and actually Scarlet Gaunt, has done away with him. But not before a brief struggle. It seems that he was out of his shackles," I said threateningly. She still opted for silence, but I could see her start to shake as sweat began forming at her temples.

"He claimed that he had a friend that helped him out. Imagine Hermione's surprise when she invaded his mind. She is quite excellent at that, you know. His friend turned out to be a certain witch who knows better than to work against me," I hissed as tears fell down her cheeks. She still said nothing.

"You know that you're going to be punished. Even if it wasn't my niece that suffered from your stupidity, you would still have to be dealt with. What you did was treachery, and I feel no sympathy toward traitors," I stated with malice. She was sobbing by this point.

"I'm sorry, my Lord," she begged as I silenced the room.

"Sorry doesn't cut it you wench. Crucio!" I watched as she struggled against the curse, screaming and writhing uncontrollably on the floor at my feet.

-Harry-

Voldemort had contacted me while Hermione was with Ron. He wanted me to show up the following day, effectively surprising Hermione. I couldn't wait. I'd been patiently waiting for Voldemort to signal it was okay to let Hermione know what was going on and to meet up wither her, and the day was finally close at hand. I missed her fiercely, like the sister I never had. I knew putting up with some of the Death Eaters was going to be a challenge, but I also knew that it would all be worth it to know that she was safe and happy again…that I could hear her laugh and listen to her spout useless facts again. Knowing Ron was suffering terribly and that she was finally getting her revenge was also a major mood booster.

Soon, Hermione, I thought with an uncontrollable smile. I would bring Ginny with me tomorrow. I had an excellent idea to pass on to Voldemort for her. It was definitely a little crazed, but the details weren't my job. None of them—barring Hermione perhaps—would have thought of this punishment, but something Jack the Ripper like wouldn't be amiss in my opinion. He might have been a muggle, but he was a brilliant muggle. It would force her suffer some of what Hermione suffered because of her silence. The more I thought about it the more it seemed fitting, poetic even. I'm sure Voldemort wouldn't disagree, and Hermione needn't know. I would tell her that Ginny was taken care of, but not how. Despite how she was wronged, I was certain she would disagree with the punishment because of what she went through herself. I just needed Voldemort to find a willing participant and direct that person to the proper information sources for the methods that should be applied.

It would almost be too easy. I already knew how I'd get her to come with me without the use of force. I would tell her I found Ron and he was fine, but demanded that she come and pick him up. While it would seem odd to most people, Ron was one to have strange whims. She might hesitate, but she would come with me nonetheless because I'm the bloody Golden-boy. I wouldn't ever cause her harm.


A/N: Thanks to shaymars, madisonwaaalsh, kelliewhitlocktownsend23, DarkFairy8605, Guest, Embers and Flame, anidot90, Chester99, LadyofMalfoyManor, nathaliie, Snapesbloodredneko, DollyJani, justme596, the-hooded-figure2, , and LillianMarie2 for reviewing. Also a huge thanks to every one who followed/favorited.

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