AN: Trigger warnings to many things are present in this story. Don't like, don't read.

I don't own Harry Potter.

All spelling mistakes are my own. There are my own Original Characters in this at times.

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Narcissa's fists rested on top of the dining room table as everyone took their seats. The inner circle having been called by Voldemort at Narcissa's request. She had returned the evening before after visiting with Hermione and Draco, needing to sleep before she met with Voldemort the next morning. The moment she mentioned that Hermione had a request Voldemort had called for the meeting to commence. Now she was slightly nervous about what Hermione was wanting, whether or not Voldemort would be receptive or not.

She had also called for Andromeda. She was curious about Hermione's test results, if the girl was healed or if there was a reason to be concerned. The night before Hermione had admitted she still had some pain, right before the girl told her what Umbridge had said to Andromeda. While she was angry, she was more concerned that Hermione would be in pain without any help now that Umbridge was trying to hurt Hermione.

Bellatrix sat beside her with a frown, "You didn't tell me when you got home."

Narcissa smiled apologetically at her oldest sister, "I'm sorry. It was late and you were asleep. You still haven't opened this." She handed the envelope to Bellatrix, smiling at the look of excitement on her eldest sister's face as she grinned at the seal.

It wasn't as if she wanted to ignore the girl, but the past month had been busy, and she was still trying to figure out how to protect her mate when she couldn't be near her. Bellatrix opened her mouth to speak but closed it quickly as the members of the inner circle began to file in. She slipped the envelope into her corseted dress, tucking in against her breast out of sight. She wanted to read it in private. To have a moment with her mate that was hers, even if she couldn't be with the girl. It meant more than she thought it would to receive the letter, to know that Hermione wasn't afraid to write her. Had she over thought everything when she wrote to the girl in anger? Had she upset her mate by sending what she had? Her mind raced and she fell silent as her mind quickly circled uncontrollably.

Once everyone was seated Voldemort turned to Narcissa, having noticed the tense set to the woman's posture grow as they waited for the inner circle to show, "Hermione has a request for me."

Narcissa nodded, her throat suddenly thick. A nervousness began to circle through her body, and she glanced at Andromeda, who sat across the table from her next to Alecto. Andromeda nodded, clearing her throat as she prepared to give her little sister a reprieve to gather her thoughts, "Umbridge has made a threat not only against our family but to Hermione herself."

Voldemort's anger flared but was nothing compared to Bellatrix's outburst, "She lays a finger on my Mate, and I'll do the same to her as I did to the Longbottom's before I kill her."

Voldemort frowned at Andromeda, "How is Hermione doing?"

Andromeda suddenly became nervous but pushed herself to talk, "When I ran her diagnostic yesterday, she was definitely much better than when I first got to her. However, when I ran the first diagnostic on her a month ago, I found an anomaly in her system. There was residue of a potion that is unknown to me and my team."

Alecto's eyes narrowed at the woman beside her, "What sort of potion?"

Andromeda shook her head, "I have been testing it as much as possible. the chemical makeup of this potion I have only seen once before and even then, it was in such a low dose that I wasn't able to do much with it. Hermione had five times as much in her system so I'm able to test it more. I'm trying to deconstruct the ingredients, trying to figure out exactly what is in it. If I can recreate it, I may be able to figure out what it does specifically."

Narcissa frowned at her, "You said you've seen this specific potion once before. Where?"

Andromeda glanced nervously at the table full of people, "I didn't think anything of it at the time but…. Back in Hermione's second year Gilderoy Lockhart came to St. Mungo's, completely out of his mind and having lost all his memories. I was told that it was the Obliviate spell that backfired but that should have been easily reversable. His diagnostic revealed this same compound in his system. The combination of the Obliviate spell and this potion have prevented me from figuring out a way to reverse it."

Voldemort taped his fingers on the table, "If you could recreate this potion, would you be able to reverse what was done to him?"

Andromeda thought for a moment. If she knew what this potion was, what it did, it may help in coming up with an antidote, "Possibly. I won't know until I can determine the specific ingredients used."

Narcissa's eyes widened slightly, "When Umbridge was demanding Hermione be disciplined, Dumbledore said he had some of his own rare plants growing in the greenhouses for Herbology."

Bellatrix frowned at her sister, "You think Dumbledore is dosing Hermione? How? Through the food?"

Andromeda nodded, "That would make sense. This last month I've had her eating with me. Providing her meals three times a day. Her diagnostic came up clean yesterday. The mystery potion was out of her system completely. I also ran a diagnostic on Draco when I first received the results on Hermione. His came up clean, no sign of anything in his system."

Alecto placed her hand on the table, palm flat, "So it's just Hermione that's being targeted? Have you noticed anything different about Hermione, Narcissa?"

While Narcissa was relieved her son was fine, she thought back to Hermione's behavior yesterday and over the last few years, "Yes. Yesterday she seemed like the old Hermione. Calm and at ease. The last few years I thought it was the stress of school and everything she had been through causing her to pull away from me, causing her to become more anxious and slightly paranoid."

Andromeda's head snapped up, "Paranoia was the number one symptom that Lockhart exhibited when he was brought to St. Mungo's, but he couldn't explain why. Losing his memories might explain that part but the potion could explain his paranoia."

Voldemort took all the information in, anger increasing at the thought that Dumbledore or someone at the school may be trying to turn Hermione against them, "Alright. Andromeda, I want you to look deeper at Lockhart, his medical history and anything else you can find. Narcissa keep in contact with Hermione-"

Narcissa frowned, "That's not going to be easy, if impossible."

Bellatrix's eyes narrowed at her sister, "Why?"

Narcissa swallowed thickly, "It's one of the reason's Hermione wants me to ask this favor." She took a deep breath before looking directly at Voldemort, "Hermione and Potter have come to an understanding. This new entity that Umbridge is working for is making a move. Potter and Hermione want you and Dumbledore to meet in a neutral place with heavy wards preventing all types of magic. They want to come up with a truce of sorts for the time being while this third party is dealt with. Hermione thinks having the combined power of you and Dumbledore will force this person or persons into the open and allow us to get the upper hand."

Fenrir's eyebrow rose across the table, "Hermione? Our Hermione wants to work with Dumbledore?"

Narcissa nodded before frowning at Voldemort, "Before we parted ways last night she told me to tell you, 'it's the Devil we know'. She said you would know what it means."

Voldemort sat back in his chair, knowing exactly what the girl meant. He had said the same thing to her once before. Though he never thought she would throw his own words back at him, he could only chuckle at her cunning arrogance. She knew he wouldn't be able to refuse her when she used his own words, not wanting to look like a hypocrite. He shook his head as he rubbed his temples. The girl was a genius, no doubt about that, but could he really work with the man that had taken everything from him? Could he work with the man that had twisted things so harshly that people honestly believed that he hated Mudbloods? Could he work with a man that allowed a murderer and wife abuser to go without punishment until it was too late?

The doors opened and Severus Snape entered the room, his head bowed slightly, "Apologies my Lord. I was required to attend a staff meeting this morning and couldn't get away sooner."

Voldemort smile at his old friend, "I understand. Have a seat. There is much to discuss." He watched Snape take a seat at the far end of the table, his eyes scanning the faces around the table, pausing on Alecto. He raised an eyebrow at the way Snape and Alecto were staring at each other but decided there was more important things to deal with.

While everyone filled Snape in Voldemort ran his hand gently over Nagini's head, his mind full of questions. Could he work with Dumbledore, even if just for a little while? Was Hermione asking too much of him for the first time or did she know he could do this? Would she ask so boldly if she knew the full story of what happened all those years ago? Was it time he told her the truth and not just half, the things he thought she needed to know at the time?

He trusted Hermione, and if the girl thought this was the way to go, that this Ministry Entity was worse than Dumbledore, then he would gladly follow what she wished. But was it that simple? All the years of lies and denial, could they be overcome in such a short time? Could it be so easily forgiven or swept under the rug even for a short time?

He knew if Hermione knew the truth, she would want justice. She wouldn't allow it to be glossed over and ignored. She would put everything out in the open and then decide how best to deal with Dumbledore. How could he tell her without anyone else finding out before this supposed meeting she wanted them to have? It was bound to come up, considering both he and Dumbledore had never been able to keep level heads around each other for more than two seconds. He shook his head, knowing that he could and would do this for Hermione. Only for her. She could make him see reason like no other, not even Bellatrix. Though he knew that there was going to be a lot of hostility during this meeting so he would need to keep it a small affair.

"My Lord?" Alecto asked softly, a look of concern on her face.

He glanced around the table, finding everyone watching him with mixtures of worry and confusion. He frowned, "My apologies, I was lost in thought."

Alecto shared a look with the three Black sisters before turning back to him, "We were wondering how you wanted to proceed my Lord?"

He sat up straight, Nagini slithering up to the back of his chair as her tongue flicked quickly, "Have we gained anything more on the Prophecy?"

Lucius shook his head, "No my Lord. In fact, the Ministry has completely shut down the Department of Mysteries. Fudge isn't allowing anyone in or out."

Voldemort frowned, "Do they know we are looking?"

Yaxley shook his head, "As far as we've heard Fudge is still denying that you have returned. He's claiming the mass break out to be the work of Sirius Black."

Bellatrix scoffed, "As if our idiot cousin could be that powerful." She detested the man. He knew what he was fighting for and yet he still chose the side of Dumbledore, something she would never forgive after everything they had been through as kids.

Antonin Dolohov frowned, "Forgive me for asking but why are we so concerned about this girl?"

Bellatrix's eyes snapped to the man she shared a cell block with. She could still remember his pathetic screams when the Dementors would pass through the halls or around their wing. Her eyes narrowed at him, "That girl is my Mate."

Dolohov's eyes widened slightly, "So that makes her more important than anything else?"

Bellatrix stood slowly, twisted wand gripped tightly in her hand, "That makes her everything you coward."

Dolohov glared at the woman, "You really want to go there Black? You haven't even met this girl. She was raised by your sister."

Bellatrix felt her anger spinning out of control and knew she wouldn't be able to hold back much longer. Yes, she may not have met Hermione yet but that didn't mean anything. The girl was hers and judging by the anger she could see rising on everyone's faces, the others were ready to kill Dolohov if she didn't. She raised her wand at him, causing the man to stand unarmed, fear rolling from him in waves.

Bellatrix was slightly shocked when Fenrir appeared behind the man, a snarl on his lips as they pressed close to Dolohov's ear, "If I were you, I would tread very carefully with your next statement."

Voldemort's dark crimson eyes landed on Dolohov, watching the man's fear of Bellatrix nearly double at the look of pure rage on Voldemort's face, "It would be wise to listen to Fenrir right now."

Bellatrix snorted, "Not like that's a statement you'll ever hear again." Dolohov swallowed thickly as Fenrir growled angrily at Bellatrix right beside his ear.

Dolohov nodded, "Yes my Lord. I was just curious. Being in Azkaban for so long, you have to admit we're a little out of the loop."

"Then get in the loop," Voldemort snapped, not in the mood to deal with insubordination amongst his ranks. He shook his head, "Fenrir will teach you to respect the girl as she is a higher rank than you will ever be."

Fenrir grinned widely, his white teeth glistening in the light, his canines long, sharp and pointed, "Gladly my Lord." He clamped his hand on Dolohov's shoulder before shoving him back into his seat, "Sit."

Bellatrix smirked at Fenrir, "Good boy."

Fenrir glared at her, "We'll see what Hermione has to say about it."

Bellatrix would never admit to the falter her heart gave at his words. Would Hermione side with her? Or would Hermione side with a man she's known longer? It hurt nonetheless as she glared at him, her wand hand twitching. She wanted to hurt him, but she was afraid of what Hermione would say if she did and the girl found out. Instead, she collapsed in her chair, her mind bathed in questions that pertained to her mate. Unconsciously her fingers danced along the outline of the envelope as she contemplated whether or not to open it and read it right there.

Voldemort sighed heavily. It was like dealing with a room full of children fighting over a single toy. He shook his head, "Back to the Prophecy."

Lucius cleared his throat, "We've narrowed down where it is. Row ninety-seven. Other than that, we can't get any closer. They are very particular about who can get to the prophecies. But now that Fudge has closed that department down, there's no more information we can get."

Goyle frowned as he cleared his throat, not sure he should speak but needing to, "We could always try to contact Professor Trelawney. I mean she was the one that originally foretold it."

Voldemort raised an eyebrow at the usually quiet man, "How?"

Goyle glanced at Snape for a moment, "My son sent a letter saying that Trelawney and Umbridge are… Less than acquaintances. Umbridge is advocating for Trelawny to be removed from Hogwarts, but Dumbledore won't allow it."

Snape nodded, his shock slightly present on his face, "While it's slightly disturbing that a student has gotten wind of this information, it's true. Dumbledore is being blocked at every turn, but he refuses to let Umbridge remove anyone from Hogwarts grounds if they are Professor's."

Voldemort frowned at the man, "Blocked how?"

Snape turned to the man, staring into his crimson eyes, "Dumbledore is trying to prevent Umbridge from gaining more power at Hogwarts, but she keeps coming back with Ministry Decree's. His hands are more tied than they've ever been. It's putting a strain on everyone. Minerva McGonagall is also in the crosshairs."

Narcissa nodded, "Potter overheard Umbridge threatening McGonagall. Hermione said the woman is trying to protect them all, but Umbridge has the Ministry backing, or at least someone high up."

Snape frowned, "If McGonagall is attacked in anyway this could get ugly. Everyone would defend that woman to the death."

Voldemort nodded, "As would all of us."

Bellatrix nodded, pulling her attention away from the waiting letter, "McGonagall is the one person no one messes with. Everyone knows that."

Voldemort frowned at the thoughtful look on his best friend's face, "What are you thinking Bellatrix?"

Bellatrix glanced up at him, shaking her head, "McGonagall could literally run everything. No one would stand against her because she was the one person that everyone turned to the moment she entered Hogwarts, even as a student. Dumbledore even concedes, even you would concede to her."

Voldemort couldn't deny the woman's words, though he hated that everyone knew that. Instead, he motioned for her to continue.

Bellatrix frowned, "Yet she chooses not to. She's happy being a teacher, being there for her students. Maybe she's a distraction. A way for everyone to look at one hand while the other is dismantling the entire Hogwarts system."

Snape frowned, "Why though?"

Alecto finally spoke, "Power. Controlling Hogwarts is half the power in the wizarding world. It's why Dumbledore is considered more of a leader than the Ministry. He alone holds half the power. Voldemort is the other half because we were gaining more of the Ministry until recently."

Voldemort nodded, "If we had the Ministry, we would hold the other half."

Lucius nodded, his eyes sparkling brightly, "Except if we can't get a foot in there then we have no power. What's to keep Dumbledore from working with this Ministry person?"

Narcissa sat back, a crease forming between her brows, "Because Umbridge came in to take over. They don't want to work with him. They want him out. Right now, there is three powers. Dumbledore, Voldemort, and this Ministry entity. If they control both the Ministry and Hogwarts, they have more power than we ever will."

Voldemort raised an eyebrow, his eyes darting back and forth to each person talking. He felt a little awkward being discussed as if he wasn't sitting right next to them but shook the thought from his head, "If we work with Dumbledore, we will hold two thirds of the power. We would have more of a chance of getting into the Ministry and to the Prophecy."

Narcissa glanced over at him, her worry eased quickly, "Does this mean you accept Hermione's request?"

He studied Narcissa for a moment before nodding, "I do. But if we do this, she is to accompany me. However, I think it's best if," he frowned at Bellatrix, a hint of worry pulling at his mind, "Bellatrix stay away from this."

Bellatrix frowned, anger surging through her body, "What the fuck for?"

Narcissa quickly gripped Bellatrix's arm, "The Longbottom's meant a lot to their side. If you were there it could be disastrous from the get-go. They would never agree if you were in the room Bella."

Voldemort's heart ached for his friend as she crossed her arms over her chest and sat back in her chair. "I know it's not what you wanted to hear, especially since Hermione will be with me." Protests began to echo around the room, but he held his hands up, waiting until silence fell before continuing, "Hermione and Potter seem to have an arrangement already in place and it would do well to keep that going. There must be some trust between both sides if this is going to work and the teens seem to already have some between them. Dumbledore listens to his Boy Wonder the same as we listen to Hermione. If there is to be a sort of truce or peace between us for the time being these two teens are going to be the start of it."

Bellatrix grimaced, "Doesn't mean we like it. Hermione's safety is number one to me and Cissa."

Voldemort nodded, "Of course it is Bellatrix. Send word to Hermione that her and two others of my choosing will accompany me. Dumbledore can have Potter and two others as well. That way we'll be evenly matched if a fight does occur. Andromeda have you heard from Nymphadora lately?"

Andromeda nodded, "I just heard from her last night. The Ministry is becoming even more closed off and she's not sure how much longer she will have access to information."

Voldemort nodded, his mind quickly forming a plan, "Could she get into Hogwarts? Could she be our contact in the Ministry?"

Andromeda shifted nervously, "She's my daughter my Lord…"

Voldemort nodded, "I understand that but we need all hands on deck. If she can get us information or possibly be the one to pass information to Hermione-"

Andromeda nodded, "Yes my Lord. I'll contact her as soon as we're done here. I'm afraid in order to keep her cover she may have to do something we may not like."

Bellatrix frowned at her sister, "Like what exactly?"

Andromeda couldn't look at her sister, "She needs to gain Umbridge's trust. To prove that she isn't there as a friend to Hermione."

Bellatrix's heart skipped a beat before the anger flared in her chest, "You want her to hurt Hermione?"

Narcissa quickly gripped Bellatrix's arm, "Bella please calm down."

Bellatrix shook her head, her chest heaving with the force of her breathes, "She wants our niece to hurt my mate Cissa. You of all people can't be okay with this."

Narcissa shook her head, "Of course I'm not but if it means having contact with Hermione and a way to know that she's okay, then we'll manage. Hermione will accept without a second thought."

Bellatrix didn't like the idea of this let alone what that could possibly mean for her mate. She shook her head, "I'm not okay with this but if Hermione goes with it… Then I guess we do it."

Voldemort nodded, "Contact Nymphadora and tell her the plan."

Bellatrix shook her head, "How is Hermione's Occlumency?"

Narcissa smirked at her sister as Voldemort grimaced, "Even I couldn't break through her walls. She rivals you and your sisters with that little gift."

Narcissa snorted and Bellatrix smiled smugly, "Alright then, but I swear if Tonks goes too hard…" She narrowed her eyes at Andromeda, a note of anger passing between them.

Andromeda nodded, "I'll let you know the moment I get word from Nymphadora."

Voldemort nodded, taking a deep breath, "In the meantime let's begin looking for a neutral location. Severus, I don't want the kids out of the loop. Please inform them that we will keep them appraised as much as possible."

Snape nodded, "I'll keep them after Potion's class tomorrow and warn them. Umbridge is making a Decree tonight at dinner that teachers cannot interact with students unless it's about their subjects. She's trying to cut off all support for the students."

Alecto shook her head, "If Hermione receives more of this potion," she turned to Andromeda, "what is going to happen to her?"

Andromeda frowned, "I don't know. As I said I don't know anything about this potion, nor what's in it. I'm working on it as fast and as much as I can but there's been a few Ministry goons roaming the halls of St. Mungo. My team are keeping an eye on them but so far they haven't interacted with any of us or the patients."

Bellatrix felt her anxiety rising along with the worry for her mate and she couldn't help but want to escape this meeting, to read the letter that was safely tucked against her skin. She didn't want the girl to be hurt, willingly or otherwise but she couldn't think of another way around it. She couldn't wait for the day she got her hands on this Umbridge woman, to make the woman pay for ever daring touch what belonged to her.

Voldemort's voice pulled her from her thoughts, "Alright, we all have work to do. Let's get to it. Andromeda, I want to know Tonks's answer as soon as you have one." At Andromeda's nod he dismissed everyone, sitting back in his seat tiredly, the day taking a toll on him.

Bellatrix hurried from the dining room, pulling the letter from her against her chest once she was in Hermione's room. She had been sleeping in the girl's room for the past few days, needing to be closer to her. She sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard and stared at the letter. Did she want to hear the anger that could be directed at her? Could she handle the answers to the questions she asked if they were what she didn't want to hear?

She couldn't help but smirk at the name on the front of the envelope, 'Trixie', a name she had never been called before, a name she would only allow her mate to call her. A name she couldn't wait to hear fall from her mate's lips. She took a deep breath and press her lips to the S.W.A.K. seal. Feeling the pressure of her mate's lips against her own sent a pleasant shiver down her spine, bringing a smile to her face. She hurriedly unfolded the parchment and began to read, her heart swelling with the very first few words she took in.

MY ONE AND ONLY.

The thought alone sent Bellatrix into a place she hadn't been in since she had arrived at Azkaban. A place with bright hazel eyes and wide smile given only to her. She couldn't stop the laugh that escaped her lips. While she desperately wanted to 'shag' her mate, she was more interested in the young woman personally. Sex was something she enjoyed, yes, but once she learned that she would have a mate, it became second to her. Knowing who Hermione was as a person was more important than jumping into bed with the girl. They had plenty of time for that after they got to know each other.

However, she would go as slow or fast as her mate wanted without question.

To know how much she already meant to her mate… It was a feeling she couldn't even put into words. It was overwhelming and as much as she didn't want to admit it, terrifying. To know that she meant so much to someone that wasn't her sisters, it was heartwarming among other things. She had always been reckless in her life, not caring if she ever returned from the raids she would lead, but now, now she had a reason to survive. A reason to live more than she ever thought when she was in Azkaban. She knew she wasn't an easy person to get along with, to live with but she had hope that Hermione wouldn't mind. Would enjoy the challenge and not judge her too harshly.

She closed her eyes and pictured Hermione's dream, one that she wanted to fulfill for the girl someday. For it to be just them alone, talking about anything and everything. She wanted to know the girl so much it hurt, but she would. Someday she would know everything about her mate and Hermione would be the only one to know everything about her. Every hidden secret, every hidden piece of her that even her sisters didn't know about would be Hermione's whenever the girl was ready.

Unease gripped her chest about the rumors she would be hearing. Something in her heart told her it would be hard at first, and that her mind would instantly jump to the wrong conclusion. But she had this letter to refer to, to make her trust her mate was doing this for a reason and not to hurt her. She had to give her mate the same trust that Hermione was giving her. To not listen to the rumors and trust that her mate would explain everything the first chance they got.

Arousal shot straight down her spine to her core at the anger her mate displayed at just the mention of what she was portrayed to be. She herself was very possessive when it came to what she considered hers, and she considered Hermione hers one hundred percent. To know that Hermione was already claiming to be hers, that Hermione had no doubt that she belonged to Bellatrix… It made her heart flutter wildly, her core clenching in desire to claim her mate fully. The fact that her mate could spike her arousal with just the words in a letter was intriguing, if not a little frightening to Bellatrix. She had never been so turned on in her life and she could already feel that this girl would have her wrapped around her finger in no time at all.

A smirk pulled at her lips, especially if the teasing continued in their communication. If her little mate wanted to torment her with words, she would do the same, if not a little more. She sat at Hermione's desk and began to respond, not knowing if the girl would even receive this while still at school but needing to respond in any case. The sound of a quill scratching across parchment was the only sound that filled the room.