A/N: Amortentia in my Veins did an awesome beta job. Thank you, readers, for sticking with this story.

Chapter 20

Hermione grasped Severus' hand and looked into his eyes. She hoped he couldn't see the worry she felt in her gaze.

"We can forget about the whole thing if you'd like. I can make excuses," Severus told her.

She frowned that he'd been so perceptive. "No, my love. I won't have you hurt because I'm frightened."

Severus pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "I would gladly take anything he threw at me to keep you safe."

She moved back and caressed his face. "I'm ready to go. I will be fine, and we will be stronger together."

He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it reverently. "You are amazing."

Releasing her hand, he wrapped his arm around her waist and Side-Apparated them to the location of the meeting. Several others had already arrived. Everyone except Hermione wore Death Eater robes, but none had their masks tonight. There were no plans for attacks, so they were allowed to come without full Death Eater garb. Lucius Malfoy approached them.

"Severus, Maia, I'm glad you could both make it. The Dark Lord will be very pleased."

Severus bowed his head slightly in agreement.

She nodded as well. Internally she stilled her desire to sneer at him. Even though they had spent some time with Malfoy, he still made her uneasy. She knew he hadn't taken her captive in this timeline, but knowing what he was capable of, she kept her guard up.

Regulus Black meandered over to them, and Severus introduced Hermione. Regulus shook her hand before turning to Severus.

"May I speak with you privately?" Regulus asked.

Severus looked at Regulus. "Of course. Let's head over there." He motioned to a small grove of trees, and the two men headed towards it.

"What do you suppose they're up to?" Lucius asked.

Hermione watched her husband disappear with Black and shrugged. "I'm not sure. Severus has mentioned they've built up a good friendship lately." She leaned in towards Lucius and whispered, "Perhaps he's having girl trouble."

Lucius chuckled. "Perhaps." He extended his arm. "Let me introduce you to the rest of us," he offered.

Hermione put on a fake smile and took Lucius' arm. She was led around and introduced to the older members and acknowledged those she had shared classes with. Soon, Severus had come up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. She leaned back into him.

"I trust Lucius was on his best behavior."

"Of course I was," Lucius drawled.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "He was fine," she admitted.

At that point, Voldemort made his appearance. Hermione mused that he wasn't as foul looking as he'd been in her time. She could recognize aspects of the handsome man he'd been in his past. He still had his black wavy hair, his eyes were only tinged blood red, and although his nose looked a little odd… somewhat flatter than most… it hadn't mutated into the two-slitted version of his future. Hermione assumed that each new Horcrux must take a little of his humanity, and then the act of being resurrected from the spell must have created the strange man who had been Voldemort in her future. Her musings were cut short as everyone formed a circle around him. He regarded his followers.

"Welcome, my Death Eaters. I see you have all arrived safely."

His eyes settled on Hermione. "And who have we here? Maia Snape. I have heard much about you, Mrs. Snape."

Hermione had put up her Occlumency walls the second they had Apparated into the clearing. She kept her revulsion in check and acknowledged Voldemort. "I am pleased to finally meet you, my Lord."

He grinned hungrily at her. "You will make a fine addition to us, Maia Snape."

Bellatrix Lestrange meandered up and linked her arm covetously with his. "My Lord, we are almost ready to start."

"Yes, yes, Bella. I will be right there. I am welcoming our guest!" He turned back to Hermione, extending his hand to her. "Come."

Hermione extended her hand and took his. Voldemort caught her gaze, and she braced herself for him to read her mind, but he didn't. Raising her hand up slightly, he led her to the center of the circle.

"Maia Snape has petitioned to join our society. Does anyone have any objections to her becoming one of us?"

He searched his followers, who all studied the ground.

"Excellent. Maia, please look at me."

Hermione turned towards Voldemort and made eye contact with him. She felt him enter her mind. It was subtle. If she hadn't studied the art of Legilimency, she would never have noticed. She felt him withdraw from her mind.

"Why do you choose to join us?" he demanded.

"I seek what you seek," she cried. "Power and dominion over Muggles so we can take our rightful place over the Wizarding world!"

Voldemort grinned evilly. "Well said, Maia Snape. Give me your arm."

She held her arm out, and Voldemort grasped it. He touched his wand to her arm and excruciating pain shot through her entire body. She sunk to her knees as she watched the red marks form the skull and snake of the Mark. Hermione struggled not to show any weakness, but as the Mark sealed itself into her skin, she screamed.

As soon as Voldemort withdrew his wand and released her arm, Severus was by her side, easing her to the ground. Voldemort sneered at both of them.

"You may go," he directed.

Hermione was in so much pain she couldn't reply. Severus answered for both of them.

"Thank you, my Lord." He lifted Hermione up and Disapparated away. Appearing in their home, he hurried to their bedroom and placed her on the bed. He moved quickly to the bathroom and returned with a potion. Lifting her head gently, he helped her take the pain potion. He gingerly laid her head back onto the pillow.

The potion began to work, and Hermione felt she could start breathing again. She opened her eyes and looked to Severus as tears streamed onto her pillow.

"Do you need another dose?" Severus asked softly.

She mouthed the word no, as speech was beyond her at this point. Severus rose and moved over her so that he was lying on the bed. He pulled her into his embrace and held her as she moaned.

"You were magnificent, Maia," he said shakily.

She moaned again. Pulling back, she looked at Severus. She was amazed to see tears forming in his eyes. Struggling to speak through the pain, she was finally able to ground out, "I'm okay."

He pulled her closer and held her tightly. "I wish I could make the pain go away."

Tears were still streaming down her own face. He kissed them off. Slowly her tears subsided as the pain slowed down to an intense ache. Severus cradled her to him, and she felt safe in his arms as exhaustion filled her, and she drifted off to sleep.

Several hours later, Hermione awoke to find Severus still there with his arms around her. He'd fallen asleep also, and she enjoyed looking at his relaxed face as he slept. She lifted up her arm and looked at the Mark. The pain was down to a dull roar finally. She grimaced at the snake and skull. She took her other hand and gingerly touched the Mark. Pain shot through her, and she cried out.

Severus opened his eyes and looked at her with concern. Looking to Severus, she grimaced.

"I touched it."

Severus pulled her arm to him and examined the Mark. "Best not do that again for at least twenty-four hours," he advised.

"Oh, Severus, what have I done?"

"What you had to, love."

"My life has just gotten infinitely harder," she confessed.

"I am here with you forever," he said softly.

Hermione snuggled back into him, turning her back to spoon against him. "I know, and I love you for it."

She stroked his arm lightly. "What did Regulus want?" she asked.

"More of the same. He's concerned with how the Dark Lord seems to become more and more unhinged. He's also worried about his brother. I tried to be as sympathetic as I could be, but you know how I feel about Black."

Hermione snorted. "Yes, I do. You hate him so much you can't even refer to him by his first name."

"Right in one," Severus said smugly. "In any case, I advised Regulus to be careful with whom he speaks about this. He says he knows who he can be open with. I advised him to be doubly careful because there are those who are close to Bellatrix, and she is always looking for something nefarious to report to the Dark Lord."

Hermione nodded. "I hope he's careful."

"He will be."

They laid there together, Severus holding her as she cuddled into him. After a while, he reached around and placed his marked arm next to hers.

"Now we match," he said drolly.

Hermione giggled. "Severus Snape, you're mental."

He grinned as he kissed her neck. "You make me mental being so close to me."

Hermione turned so she could face him. "Do I, now?" she asked saucily.

"Mmmhmm" He kissed her quickly. "And I would have it no other way."