It had been six months since the the Dark Lord won the final battle. Six months since Harry Potter fell, and for six months all Hermione Granger could think about was how many ways she could kill that snake faced fuck. Most muggle borns had been placed into slavery, some were killed by their masters shortly after. Voldemort never actually killed anyone outright, he had people do his dirty work for him. Hermione hated to admit it, but for the time being she was assigned to the Malfoy household as Lucius Malfoy's personal assistant. He treated her with indifference, simply as an employee. As hard headed as Hermione was she knew better then to say or do something that could get her punished, the Malfoys still answered directly to Voldemort and she didn't want to be around him any more than necessary. Today was apparently not going to be one of those days. As she walked in to sit at her desk in a small office off of Lucius's larger one, Voldemort was sitting in front of him with Snape to his right.
"Good morning gentleman." She said with a polite nod after she fought back the anger and urge to gag. She made to walk past them to her desk before she was frozen by Voldemort's chilling voice.
"Miss Granger, come here a moment my dear." He said simply while beckoning her with a long pale digit. She swallowed thickly before waking to his side.
"What can I do for you, my lord? " she asked with a tight smile.
"Oh I'm simply wondering how you are finding your accommodations, has Lucius been treating you well?" She knew damn well that he didn't give a shit about how she felt. The knot in her stomach tightened knowing he was up to something.
"Mr. Malfoy has been nothing but hospitable my lord." She replied, at least she could answer that honestly. Voldemort hummed slightly before turning back to Lucius.
"And Lucius, are you pleased with Grangers work for you this far?" He asked in a sweet time that made everyone want to vomit.
"Yes sir, she is efficient and quick, I haven't had to tell her anything more than once." Lucius replied nonchalantly. Voldemort laced his fingers together and appraised her for a moment, Hermione had to fight from fidgeting under his intense gaze.
"Wonderful," he flashed a set of uneven sharp teeth that sent a shiver down her spine. "It would be a shame if things weren't working out, I have such big plans for her." He added darkly. Hermione nearly collapsed on the spot in fear, luckily Malfoy seemed to notice and dismissed her saying there were tasks that required her immediate attention. As soon as she closed the door to her adjoining office she slipped to the floor let out a small sob running her shaking had through her hair. A few minutes later she heard the door knob turning and jumped up to take her place at her desk.
"He's gone." Lucius said taking in her red nose and tear stained eyes as he leaned on the edge of the desk. Draco and Narcissa had been killed in the war, after being placed with Lucius it didn't take Hermione very long to figure out that he despised the snake faced tyrant as much as she did. Over the past few months they developed a shaky friendship and had been trying to figure out how to end him once and for all. They had settled on both staying in his good graces for the time being.
"Did he say anything about his plans for me?" Her eyes large and pleading. Lucius shook his head and sighed.
" No, which means I'm not part of whatever he has planned". At his words the knot in her stomach returned and she grasped his hand.
"Lucius, he can't put me with anyone else, who knows what will be come of me" her grip on him tightened and it became harder to breathe. He quickly pulled her out of her seat and put his hands gently on her face.
"Hermione, look at me," he waited for her eyes to meet his and saw her start to calm before he continued, " you have done very well gaining his favor. For the time being we know he thinks you are important so he won't want any harm to come to you. "
She nodded and took a deep breath, he was right, but it only slightly calmed her nerves, someone could do serious damage to her before the Dark Lord got wind of it and punished them.
"He liked the outfit by the way, said you looked delectable" Hermione choked slightly before laughing slightly and swatting him away so she could get her work done. One of the stranger rules Voldemort had put in place was a dress code for the younger muggle born women, they were required to wear darker tones such as burgandy, emerald, or navy, and black obviously. They also were to dress, enticing, was the word he had used. They could wear as little as they wanted but for those who wanted to dress more conservatively either leg or cleavage must be visible. Today she had opted for black jeans, a lace bustier, and a flowing leopard print dress shirt that she tucked in but left open.
Later that day as she laid in her room she thought back to that morning and seeing Snape there. It was the first time she had seen him since the battle and it took her by surprise. Lucius had told her that shortly after they left him in the Shrieking Shack, Voldemort had discovered that Draco was the one who had control of the elder wand and killed him on the spot. He had then sent Bellatrix to retrieve Snape and get him healed, he had been by his side ever since as his right hand. Which meant that Snape didn't know that she knew he was on their side, Harry had told only her about the memories he had shared. She wanted to discuss it with Lucius, but knew that the less people that knew the better.
The next few weeks were rather uneventful, but on this morning Hermione awoke with a sense of dress that she just couldn't shake. She showered and dressed for the day, today going with an oversized black sweater that had a high neck but came down to mid thigh, and a pair of black suede thigh high boots with a generous chunky heel. She was making her way down the stairs to the kitchen when she froze at the sight of Lucius standing at the front door with the Dark Lord. Voldemort looked unervingly pleased and Lucius shot her a look of pity before his mask of indifference slid back into place.
"Ah there she is," Voldemort clapped his hands together gleefully as she came to stand before him "the lady of the hour." She giggled politely.
"To what do I owe the pleasure my Lord" she said forcing a sweet smile. He put his arm around her and it took all of her control not to move away.
"My dear, I have decided to reward one of my most loyal supporters, he has voiced interest in you so you will be relocating today." She swallowed thickly glancing at Lucius.
"That's an honor sir, might I ask what the nature of my work will be?" She asked, her stomach dropped at the grin he gave her.
"You won't be working Miss Granger, your employment remains the same" she almost let out a sigh of relief, almost. "You are to be his wife." Suddenly her head felt as if it was in a vice and her vision went white as she was suddenly aware of the floor getting closer. Her eyes opened to Lucius and Voldemort leaning over her, a long pale had was held out and she took it as the Dark Lord helped her to her feet.
"My apologies, that was quite the news to take in" she tried to appear calm as her heart continued to beat a mile a minute.
"It's quite alright, now we must be going, he is expecting you." Voldemort stated handing out his hand to her, clearly wishing to go now, also wanting to deliver her himself.
"N-now" she stammered " What about my things and my work today? " she asked quietly.
"I have arranged for your things to be delivered tomorrow and as for your work there really isn't anything pressing to have done this week that I can't do myself." Lucius drawled, his eyes however, were worried.
Hermione took Voldemort's outstretched hand hoping he wouldn't notice her shaking and closed her eyes as she felt the familiar pull in her stomach of apperation. They landed and when she opened her eyes she felt something she hadn't in a long time. Hope. Big brown eyes met the inky black eyes of Severus Snape.