Hermione sipped at her wine as Narcissa calmed down. Neither she nor Tom was prepared for the sheer anger that came from the woman. Still, after a few placations and reassurances, Narcissa had made peace with what they did. Tom seemed lighter the more she looked at him, and Hermione guessed it had something to do with the fact he didn't carry the weight of the War on his shoulders anymore.
"How could you do something so ridiculous without informing us? What if you had died? What if- oh God, what if you lost your magic?" Narcissa exclaimed.
Hermione sighed. She guessed Narcissa wasn't as over it as she thought. With her brain still being fuddled, she mindlessly said, "You are being ridiculous."
"Watch your tongue," Narcissa warned.
"I apologize. I spoke out of exhaustion, not malice," she said wearily.
Narcissa nodded and sat primly on the couch. Lucius squeezed her shoulder, and Draco patted her knee.
"I am curious about the mark," Severus said. "Why did it not transfer to me or Lucius?"
"Because you are not my followers. You did not swear to serve me. Not that I desire you to." Hermione held it up in the light and studied it. "I do like it, though. But to the point, why this particular design? And how in the world do I get it to stop itching?"
"As with any tattoo, Hermione, it must heal as it settles," Luna said from the floor. "As for the other question, it is a product of your subconscious. What were you thinking of during the ritual?"
Hermione laid her head on the back of the couch as she looked at the ceiling. "Pain. Emptiness. Rage. Guilt. Killing Dumbledore. Burning down the Order of the Flaming Chicken. Bellatrix. More pain. More rage. More guilt. Bellatrix leaving with Rodolphus and Rabastan. Bellatrix. Bellatrix. Then, nothing."
Hermione stopped and sat up straight. The entire room, minus Luna and Draco, looked at her in shock.
"What?" she asked.
"I do not recall you being there when Bellatrix left with the Lestrange brothers," Narcissa said slowly.
"Neither do I," Lucius said.
"What do you mean? We had an argument before she left. Well, technically, I threw a tantrum, but I turned my back on her before she left. Then I ran to the window in the living room and watched them leave."
"How is it possible none of you remember Hermione being there?" Tom asked.
"Memory charm?" Draco suggested.
"But who would cast it?" Tom asked.
"Obviously, it was not Hermione or anyone here. That leaves three options," Luna said. "Rodolphus, Rabastan, and Bellatrix."
"The Lestrange brothers can only cast lethal curses," Tom said in annoyance.
"So that would leave-
"Bellatrix," Hermione said.
The group fell into silence.
"Why would she wipe our memories?" Lucius asked.
Because I knew it was a trap.
"You what?" Hermione seethed.
"Uh, Calli?" Luna whispered. "We can't all hear her."
Hermione twitched and held up a finger. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Like before, she wrapped her magic around her body, and soon, the comfort of the Malfoy study became the harshness of Azkaban. Hermione opened her eyes and stared at the woman sitting in front of her. For a moment, she was distracted by the color of Bellatrix's cheeks. She seemed to be filling out, but her curiosity gave way to anger.
"What do you mean you knew it was a trap?" she hissed.
"He was going to kill you," Bellatrix said.
"Who?"
"Rodolphus. He used you as leverage."
"He knew about the prophecy?"
"No. He knew I cared about you."
"How would your husband have gotten his hands on me? I had bodyguards at all times."
"Some of those guards would have done anything to get rid of you for the right price," Bellatrix said.
"Who?" she asked.
"Anyone who wasn't in the inner circle," she muttered. "They all hated you."
"I would ask why but I do not care."
"Calli, there was a contingency plan in place. If I killed him, you would die. If I said no, you would die. If I told Lucius or Cissy, or anyone else, the outcome would be the same. I wasn't going to risk it. I would rather spend two lifetimes in here than ever put you in harm's way."
"That was not your decision to make."
"You were four," Bellatrix said, exasperated.
"So?"
"I would have never left if I felt there were options. I wasn't going to risk being wrong."
"So you got yourself arrested? What if you never made it to the goddamn prison!" she shouted.
Bellatrix stayed quiet. Hermione felt that familiar anger and longing in her chest bubble to an uncomfortable level.
"Do not speak to me until I can hear your voice without wanting to wrap my hands around your throat."
Bellatrix bowed her head, and Hermione released the magic. She opened her eyes and found herself in the study. Without another word, Hermione got to her feet and left the room. She slammed the door behind her and apparated to her bedroom. She warded the door and screamed into the empty space.
The next morning, Hermione rubbed her eyes as she sat up in bed. She spotted the figure in the shadows and groaned. "I thought I got rid of you ages ago," she said.
"Not quite."
"What do you want?"
"You tell me. You are the one who summoned me."
"I did not."
The tattoo on her arm suddenly burned, and Hermione hissed as she grabbed it. "That was not a summoning," she snapped.
"It was."
"There is nothing I want from you."
"Oh, but it is." Hermione scowled and looked away. It laughed. "You miss it."
"I do not," she said.
"Yes, you do. But you are afraid you will jump headfirst into the bloodlust and never come up for air. Do you trust yourself so little?" The figure slid across the wall until it was right by her ear. "Why do you continue to hesitate?" it whispered.
Hermione glared. The figure, a manifestation of her anger and pain, smiled triumphantly. Its teeth are jagged and sharp. Hermione held out her arm, her mark facing the ceiling, and she felt the figure grab hold of her wrist. She felt the cold shadow seep into her skin and arched off the bed. All the anger and rage and pain she bottled in the back of her mind exploded into her senses, and she bit through her lip to keep from screaming. Every emotion she ever ignored flared in her chest, and she fought the urge to call out for help. Her anger at Bellatrix was the most prominent, and tears flowed down her cheeks.
And suddenly, it all stopped. Hermione threw off the covers and vomited into a trash can. Someone pulled back her hair, and she knew instinctively it was Luna. Groaning, Hermione turned to the side and said, "I do not miss this."
"Would you consider a therapist?"
"Fuck off."
Luna chuckled and said, "There is nothing wrong with getting help."
"Did you?"
"No, but I am not you."
"Yet I feel the same."
Hermione gently pushed Luna to the side and rolled back on the bed. She took deep breaths and said, "I do not want to talk about what happened last night."
"I did not come up here for that."
Hermione stared at the ceiling and asked, "Why do I fear a projection of myself?"
"Because we all are afraid of our demons. Yet people like us are born of magic, not love. That is not to say your parents did not love one another, but their magic and their Darkness took control the moment you were conceived. It was inevitable."
Hermione clicked her teeth and sat up against the headboard. She squinted and asked, "Why are you in my room?"
"I came to get you for breakfast."
"Do I have time for a bath?"
"Of course."
After her bath, Hermione stood in front of her armoire in a red bra and matching panties. She'd finally washed and combed out her hair. For some reason, her curls were darker, thicker, but still easier to tame than her Granger hair.
"If I were remotely interested in you," Luna began, a teasing hilt to her voice. "I would find this sight pleasing."
"You find it pleasing regardless."
"I think you should pick the emerald one with the lace neck and thigh slit."
"A bit risqué for brunch, no?"
"Not if you are making your debut as the new Dark Lord."
"That is a thing now?" Hermione asked.
"It is."
"Guess I should call a formal meeting at some point with the Death Eaters. Maybe throw a ball."
"That would be the tactical move."
Hermione glanced at Luna through the mirror as she pulled out the dress and asked, "Is there another move you suggest?"
"Only a handful have reached out to your father to ask about the missing Dark Mark. The others have not. So, you should kill the ones who have not reached out. The smaller group will allow for easier strategy regardless, and we can control who we keep in the know. Add in the ones in Azkaban-
"Minus the men who will a slow and painful death," Hermione interrupted, sliding the dress over her hips.
"Obviously. Now, there will be many angry students at Hogwarts, but if you play this right, you can blame their death on the Order. All we have to organize it in a way where it will be an accident to the Order but blatant in the eyes of the public."
Hermione smoothed the wrinkles from her dress. "Explosion?" she asked.
"Maybe. I do know my Mother created a type of gas that explodes once a stunner is introduced to it?"
"We all know how much the Order loves their non-lethal spells," Hermione said. She gestured to the zipper and added, "Remind me to kiss your mother once I meet her in the afterlife."
Luna hopped off her perch and crossed the room. She zipped up the dress and kissed Hermione on the cheek before she said, "If you ever get there."
"We all die, Selene. It is only a matter of when and how."
Luna rolled her eyes and made her way to the door. "After the meeting, I'll grab the ingredients needed for the gas."
Hermione hesitated before she snagged her ring off the vanity and followed Luna into the hallway. She closed and locked her door before she slipped on the ring. The snake curled comfortably around her finger. Her heart clenched for a moment.
"Are you alright, cousin?"
Hermione turned to find Draco waiting outside of his room, in his usual shirt and slacks, and she smiled tightly. "I am well, cousin," she said.
Draco bowed and fell into to step with them. "That dress is a bit risqué for brunch, no?" he asked.
"I was told this was my Dark Lord introduction."
"That's a thing now?" he asked.
"It is."
"As you wish, milady."
"My Lord," Luna and Hermione corrected.
"Also, we are killing some of the Death Eaters," Luna added, sliding down the rail of the stairs.
"There will be a lot of sad Slytherins. Merlin, I hope they keep their crying to their rooms."
Draco followed his girlfriend while Hermione took the normal way down. Once at the bottom, she flicked Luna on the nose for the behavior. Luna giggled and joined Draco as they opened the doors for Hermione. The trio entered the dining room, where the rest of the family waited. Tom stood and pulled out the chair at the head of the table. Hermione kissed his cheek before she sat down. Draco took the seat next to Luna on Hermione's left. As usual, the right side was left open. Hermione glanced at the chair with both annoyance and longing.
"That's a bit risqué for brunch, don't you think?" Tonks asked.
"It's her first appearance as the new Dark Lord," Draco said as he dumped eggs on his plate.
"Oh, that's an official thing now?" she asked.
"It is," Luna said.
"Cool. Well, it's a pleasure to serve, milady."
"My lord,'" Draco and Luna said.
Tonks shrugged and stole a piece of bacon off her mom's plate. Andromeda smacked her hand in response.
"Bellatrix knew it was a trap," Hermione announced, cutting through the conversation.
"I beg your pardon?" Narcissa said.
"She knew it was a trap. Rodolphus threatened my life, and she did not want to take a risk he was bluffing."
"You were the most guarded child in all of England," Lucius argued.
"But the most hated. Apparently, there were Death Eaters who hated me and would have no issue in getting rid of me for the right price."
"So she got herself sent to Azkaban?" Andromeda exclaimed.
"Indeed."
"That was why you were so upset last night," Tom guessed. "She told you what she did."
"Yes. I may have overreacted, but I will apologize once I get a handle on things here."
"Even more reason to kill the Death Eaters," Luna said. "Clearly, there is not an overall sense of loyalty."
"They are a little unreliable. She should not have to fight with them behind her," Draco pointed out.
Lucius and Severus cleared their throats.
"You know you two are not included," Hermione said, exasperated.
"One can never assume," Severus drawled.
"Need I add many of them have yet to check and see if their Lord is well. The mark has been gone for at least a week, and only five stopped by the manor to ask why," Luna said pointedly.
"You know, this reminds me. We need to discuss who we have on retainer," Hermione said.
"On what?" Draco asked.
"People are on our side," Luna said.
"Oh."
Hermione held up ten fingers and said, "I need ten reliable people. If they are adults, make sure you can account for their children."
"Greengrass," Lucius said immediately. "Neutral, but if persuaded, he can come to our side. Plus, he has political sway, and his family is known for their negotiating abilities."
"Daphne and Astoria will follow if he deems you worthy of the alliance," Draco said.
"And his wife?"
"She will do as her daughters do," Narcissa said. "She does not care much for her husband, but her children come first."
Hermione put down four fingers. "Lucius, set up a meeting with the entire family by the end of the week," she ordered.
"Yes, my Lord."
"I love the sound of that," Hermione said. "Okay, who is next?"
"Augusta," Luna said. "She blames Dumbledore for what happened to her son and daughter-in-law. She is secretly neutral in the War but needs a good reason to join the Dark side."
"If we can find a mind healer, we can get her," Andromeda said. "Dumbledore refuses to take the risk of having an expert go inside of Frank and Alice's mind to pull them out. I think there's something they know he's trying to hide."
"And if we get Augusta, we get Neville," Luna added.
Hermione put down two fingers and said, "I like Neville. Next?"
"Fred and George."
The entire group looked at Severus in disbelief and confusion. He placed his fork and knife down on the table and stapled his fingers under his chin. "They are the black sheep of the family. They hate being poor and hate how smothering their Mother is. They feel as if their father is weak. Their brothers bullied them growing up, and they despise the special treatment their younger siblings receive. They are extremely smart and can be quite dangerous when they put their minds to it. I have seen some of their work. They can cause do many things for the movement," he said.
Hermione rolled her neck around. She hated that family, but the twins never gave her a reason to think anything negative. "Put them down as a maybe. I want to meet them away from their family."
Severus nodded and went back to eating.
"Remus," Narcissa said.
"I already have him on retainer."
"Really? Since when?" Tonks exclaimed.
"Since he first showed up at Hogwarts. He knew who I was because, you know, he could smell it. He kept my secret. I approached him after hours. He said he hates Dumbledore for suppressing his wolf instead of teaching him how to live with it."
"Hence why you got rid of Greyback," Tom said.
"I needed a wolf I could trust leading that pack. Who else?"
"Zabini," Draco said, shrugging. "I know him well. He's silent, but he has his moments. I've seen what he does when he thinks no one's looking. He craves control and wants to feel like he is contributing to something. He is also an expert at Runes."
"Is he really?"
"The boy is smarter than he lets people believe," Severus said.
"Honestly, ten people is hard to think of at this point," Tom sighed.
"Let's start with the ones we have and go from there."
Andromeda and Tonks shared a look before Andromeda cleared her throat and said, "Sirius ambushed us this morning. When Nym and I arrived at Grimmauld Place, Dumbledore was there. Remus seemed as shocked as we were. Dumbledore has discovered the reconnection we've made with Narcissa. He arranged the meeting to discover the extent."
Hermione tapped her nails on the table. "He wants you to spy," she said.
"Yes. He went as far as to place several tracking charms on us before we left. A listening charm as well."
"Of course, he did."
"Unfortunately, Tonks and I had to make a quick stop at the bank before I came here. Those pesky charms fell right off the moment I walked through the door," Andromeda said. "You know those goblins hate any type of spying."
"I think Narcissa should join you two for a family outing today. Grab Ted as well. Make sure people see you all together."
"I could use a new book or two," Andromeda said.
"We should stop by the apothecary at some point," Narcissa added.
"Shall we be on our way then?"
The three nodded and stood. Before they walked out of the door, Andromeda turned back and said, "Oh, by the way, Sirius mentioned escorting Harry to your house later this afternoon? Somewhere around four p.m.."
"What day is it?"
"The eighteenth."
"Shit. I forgot about that fucking play date. Thank you."
Andromeda waved and left. Once they were gone, Hermione turned to Lucius. She said, "After you set up the meeting with Greengrass, please monitor the other Death Eaters. I need to know if their absence is out of stupidity or duplicity."
"Yes, of course. I do believe that is my cue to owl a few colleagues of mine," Lucius said.
"Draco, can you owl Zabini? I would like to meet with him outside of Hogwarts. Do not give him any indication as to what the meeting will be like."
"Sure."
Hermione turned to Severus as the Malfoy men excused himself from the table.
"I have something I need you to report to your Master," she said. "I need you to tell him Voldemort is severely injured and considering a successor. Tell him he has narrowed down his choice, but no more than that. Give him enough of the truth we can spin this next part in our favor."
"Very well." Severus wiped his mouth and stood from the table. "I must take my leave. Albus keeps tabs on me when I'm gone for longer than two hours," he said.
"Keep me updated, please."
"Of course."
Severus bowed and left the room. Luna made an off-handed remark about getting the ingredients they needed for the gas before she was gone. Soon, it was only Tom and Hermione. Tom turned to her and smiled.
"Your eyes look better that color," he said.
"They are different. I feel like a Christmas tree thought when I wear green."
"You look beautiful."
Hermione snorted and propped her head on the table. She said, "I had a nightmare at some point while I was asleep."
"Oh?"
"The first was you during the ritual. Your skin melted off your bones, and you turned to dust."
"Morbid, even for you," he said.
"I know. The second one, however, is where things get weird. As I stand in front of the Forbidden Forest, ahead of me, there is a battle. Most of the family is there, fighting members of the Order and others, but everything is moving so fast. As soon as I step out onto the field, the battle stops. Everyone freezes mid-motion, and a raven lands on my shoulder. Then nothing. It felt like a premonition more than a dream," she said.
"Maybe you have another prophecy."
"I hope not."
"Let me speak with Lucius while you go to the Granger house." Tom kissed her forehead. "I will have answers for you tomorrow, hopefully," he said.
Hermione nodded, and her father walked out of the room. She rubbed her temples before she stood and apparated directly into the upstairs hallway at the Granger's. Yawning, Hermione made her way downstairs, her heels echoing in the space, and Dan came around the corner with a gun.
"Hello," she greeted.
Dan huffed and lowered the gun once he saw her. "Jesus, Hermione. We talked about this," he scolded.
"I forgot."
"Not that I'm not happy to see you, but why are you here?"
"I have visitors coming at some point. Felt like maybe I should stop in before they get here."
"Aw, man. I wanted to watch the game today."
Hermione poked his cheek before she entered the kitchen to find Jean leaning against the counter.
"You look nice."
"Thank you."
"What's the occasion?"
Hermione just smirked and sat down. She stiffened when she saw an owl coming toward the house and waved a hand over her face. She shivered at the magic just as the bird crashed into the window. "Well. There is no questioning whose bird that is," she muttered.
Jean opened the window, and Ron's owl stumbled its way into the kitchen. Hermione snatched the letter from it and shooed it out of the window. It hit the windowpane before getting its bearings and flying back to where it came from.
"That bird is not normal," Jean said.
"Neither is the owner," Hermione said distractedly, tearing open the letter.
"Who is it from?"
"Ronald. He is inviting me to a birthday party for Harry and Neville."
"I thought you said they were born in July."
"This is for July."
"Why are they sending it so early?" Dan asked.
Hermione set the letter on fire and said, "I told them we might be going out of the country at the end of the month. I think this is their way of telling me in advance."
"We're going out of the country?" Jean asked.
"I was planning on a trip to Morocco for two weeks."
"Sounds fun! I've never been to Africa before!"
Dan was about to leave the kitchen when Hermione stopped him. She said, "I need to talk to you about something tactical."
