Hermione glanced between the occupants of the room, silently accepting the tea Bellatrix poured for her. After Voldemort had informed her they had much to discuss, he'd gestured for everyone to take a cup of tea. Nothing else had been said since that moment.

It was quite strange sitting so cordially around a table with Voldemort and two of his followers, one of which who had tortured her friend's parents into insanity. She never expected any of this to be a situation she'd have to deal with. Then again, when had any situation she'd been in these past few years been ideal?

"So, Hermione," the Dark Lord began again, setting his tea down and turning his attention to the younger witch, "There is quite a lot we need to discuss. You have many questions, I'm sure."

Hermione nodded. There was so much she needed to know – to understand.

"Well, you obviously know who I am, but there's so much you don't know about me. You were raised by muggles, correct?" he inquired, clearly knowing the answer already.

"Yes. My parents are dentists."

"Ah, dentists. How quaint." Hermione bristled at his comment, but he continued on. "You're one of the most brilliant witches of your age and to come from muggles? That's quite impressive." He leaned forward and Hermione subconsciously twitched closer to Bellatrix. "But you've never felt like one of them, have you? You've never really bonded with your parents – with the muggles. You rarely have anything to say to them; they just don't understand you, do they?"

Hermione went to argue, but knew there was no point. Legilimency was one of Snape and Voldemort's strengths, especially when someone had practically no way of defending themselves fromtheir probing. He knew what was in her mind. And he was right.

Ever since she was a young child she'd felt out of place. Her parents were dentists and though they showed her a great deal of love, they weren't around often and Hermione had to force herself to bond with them when they were. She wasn't connected in a familial way. There always seemed like there was something missing.

When she received her letter, it started making sense but it also created a wedge between her and her parents. They didn't understand. So, now there were just awkward chats and distant owls sent back and forth. Over the winter holidays she would be staying with the Weasleys, for Merlin's sake. She wasn't even planning to go home.

Voldemort took her silence as admittance and continued on. "There's a reason you felt that way – a reason you couldn't bond with your family. That's because they aren't your real parents. Hermione, you are my daughter, not the Grangers'."

Hermione's eyes widened in disbelief. "No… You're lying! My parents are the Grangers. I've been

with them my entire life."

"No, my child, that's a lie. You were with your mother for a little over two years of your life, before the Aurors murdered her and swept you away. They locked away your true memories and charmed the Grangers' memories and your own, which is why you believe they've raised you since birth." Seeing Hermione so distraught bothered Voldemort. He couldn't really feel emotion anymore, but he had some memory of it and knowing his flesh and blood was so upset struck a nerve.

Bellatrix, at a loss for what to do, reached and took one of Hermione's shaking hands in her own. She hated seeing the younger witch so distressed. If Hermione had been anyone else, she probably would have laughed but Hermione was someone important to her.

"I know it's hard to believe, Hermione, but I can prove it to you." Voldemort extended his arm. "If you will allow Severus to draw some of your blood, I will allow him to do the same to me. He can perform a simple spell and it will tell us if I'm your paternal parent."

Fighting back tears, Hermione nodded and raised her arm. She kept a tight grip on Bellatrix's hand, finding solace in the contact. She was furious Bellatrix had kept this information from her, but in the back of her mind she knew if Bellatrix had tried to tell her she was the daughter of him, she would have never believed her.

Severus swiftly moved about the room. He took out a small knife and pricked the tip of Hermione's finger, gathering some blood onto the tip of it. He repeated the process with the Dark Lord and set the two knives on the table. He muttered an old enchantment under his breath before addressing the room.

"I will finish the spell. If the smoke that rises from the knives is blue, then the Dark Lord is your father, Hermione. If it's green, then he is not, understand?"

Hermione gave a nod of acknowledgement. Her blood roared in her ears, muffling whatever spell Snape performed. Her eyes stay glued to the knives until smoke began to plume from the blood. It mixed and mingled before it started glowing bright blue. Hermione's heart plummeted into her stomach. It's true…

Voldemort waited patiently for it to settle in. "Hermione, this must be a lot to take in, but you are my child – my daughter. I have obtained the unaltered certificate of your birth and a picture of you as a child with your mother." Slipping his hand into his robes, he tugged out the photo and certificate. He handed them to Hermione and sat back to watch her reaction.

Shakily, Hermione held up her birth certificate.

Hermione J. Riddle. Birthday – 19 September, 1979. Mother - Kathryn Elise Cooper. Father - Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Hermione swallowed hard and dropped the document onto the table. She felt nauseated. She reached for the picture and examined it carefully, her tears blurring her vision slightly.

In the photo was a lanky woman with brown hair and bright green eyes. She was holding a giggling baby girl who was repeatedly reaching up to touch her mother's pale face. The loving gaze the woman offered in return to the touch made Hermione's tears fall rapidly. She hurriedly stood from the table and dashed out of the room with Bellatrix not too far behind her. Besides wanting to help the younger girl, she knew that Hermione being loose in a house full of Death Eaters would be a terrible idea.

Hermione ran outside of the mansion and into its gardens. She ignored the stares from the Death Eaters as she shoved past them and attempted to hide away. Sliding down against a tree, she sobbed into her knees.

Bellatrix glared at the Death Eaters, daring them to say anything as she passed. She stopped a few feet from the sobbing girl, the sight breaking her heart. Seeing her bond mate so broken was like swallowing a hot poker. "Hermione…" She slowly walked over to her and sat beside her, not caring that her corset was getting dirty. Hermione was her priority in that moment.

Hermione twisted and buried her face into Bellatrix's next, her sobs turning into gasps. She couldn't breathe. Her world was falling apart and the only thing she had to hold on to was the older woman.

"Let it out, love," Bellatrix whispered, petting the girl's head comfortingly. She had two younger sisters; she knew how to comfort a sobbing teenager. Yes, Hermione's problems were more severe than anything her sisters had experienced, but it was the same process.

Eventually Hermione's sobs quieted to soft whimpers. She inhaled deeply, taking in Bellatrix's full scent. She smelled sweet and dark; it was such a rich aroma. Hermione loved it.

"We should probably get back inside. There's more to discuss before you go back to Hogwarts."

Hermione gasped and jerked away, her eyes wild and concerned. "Hogwarts! Shit, what am I going to do? Dumbledore's sure to know I left Hogsmeade by now."

"I'm sure the Dark Lord will have a plan, Hermione. Calm down. We'll go talk it over with Him and Severus." Standing, Bellatrix offered her hand to the nervous Gryffindor and helped her up. She couldn't help but to kiss the younger girl briefly. It helped calm both their worries and they headed back inside quickly.

(Bellamione)

Voldemort was in the library with Severus when they returned, hands still clasped together.

"My Lord." Bellatrix bowed. She had left his sight without his explicit "okay" and she was fearful she would be punished. The punishment itself wasn't uncommon; she just didn't want to be punished in front of Hermione.

The Dark Lord turned around and stared at his daughter and his loyal Death Eater. "Are you alright, Hermione?"

Hermione struggled for a moment, "As okay as I can be in this moment."

Nodding, the Dark Lord moved his attention to Bellatrix. "Have you informed her of the rest of this situation?"

"No, my lord."

Hermione glanced between her – she swallowed hard – father and Bella. "There's more?"

"Yes. As you already know, you and Bella have a connection – a bond, if you will – correct?" The Dark Lord didn't wait for a response. Instead he retrieved her prophecy and passed it to Bellatrix. She held it in one hand while Hermione touched the top of it.

Born to the Lord of the Dark,

Raised in mud.

Hidden by the light,

The Daughter of Darkness will rise.

The noble house of Black,

Once tarnished,

Will be restored by Darkness,

And brought to power again.

The daughter of Darkness,

And the eldest of Black,

To form the most unholy union,

Most unholy bond,

That shall bring about a new life

And a new age.

Brought and bond by magic,

And created in love,

The children of new shall rule at the Daughter's side,

In a world controlled by neither darkness nor light.

Bellatrix swiftly glanced at her lord in confusion. "My lord, that last part…"

The Dark Lord smiled faintly and clapped his hands together. "It seems that the prophecy needed both of you to be completed. However," his smile disappeared, "I am unsure of what this means."

"Will someone please tell me what the hell is going on?" Hermione snapped, cutting off any further discussions between Bellatrix and Voldemort.

Bellatrix exhaled heavily. "This prophecy is referring to us, Hermione. Only the people the prophecy talks about can reveal what the prophecy says. We're bonded together. We're soulmates."

Barking laughter erupted from Hermione as she shook her head in disbelief. "No, absolutely not. You can't just spring all of this on me! I'm a fifth year. Not the "Daughter of Darkness". I'm Hermione Granger! Nothing more."

"Hermione," Bellatrix reached out for the girl, but she flinched away. "This isn't something you can run from. Destiny has a way of prevailing. Look at Potter."

Hermione's knees gave way and she collapsed to the floor, her mind racing. She'd gone from being Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's best friend to Hermione Riddle, a girl with a prophecy. Her entire world was falling apart. "What does all this mean?" Hermione whispered.

"You can either embrace this or run from it," Severus said, finally adding to the conversation. "But understand: if you run, you have no control of what's going to happen. If you embrace it, you can get to know your real family and begin bonding with Bellatrix properly. Running will only cause you problems."

Hermione sniffled and stared blankly at her hands. "Dumbledore knew about this?"

Voldemort nodded. "But he was so worried about using the Potter boy that he never looked into your prophecy. You were just an inconvenience. That's why your mother was killed and hidden away. If you didn't know your potential, you could be a pawn in the old man's game."

Bellatrix kneeled next to Hermione, who inched closer and rested her head on Bellatrix's arm. The older woman had known all this time – but she never pushed.

But she knew.

"I know you're angry with me," Bellatrix murmured, "I can feel it."

Hermione sighed. "What exactly does us being soulmates entail?"

"According to the book I've been reading, our bond will grow our magic, make it where we can feel what the other feels, feed off the other's energy… Things of that nature."

"Much isn't known about true soulmates," Severus added, "It's very rare that someone has a soulmate, so your magic may grow and change differently than others. Everyone who has had a

soulmate has been different. You will find out over time what possibilities and limits you two will have."

"How can we do that if I can't see Bella?" Hermione asked, her question being on the forefront of everyone's thoughts.

Severus cleared his throat. "My Lord, I have a suggestion." With Voldemort's approval, he continued, "Since the Dark Lord is your father and you know this, maybe you should tell Dumbledore that you are aware of who your father is and that you wish get to know him. If you make an Unbreakable Vow making him promise to let you go home to your real father over the breaks and that he cannot ask you to reveal information on anything you learn here, he will have to let you. But, let him believe he can use you as a double agent against your father by allowing you to come here and learn things. I will personally bring this up to him when I escort you back to Hogwarts, if the Dark Lord permits."

"That sounds like a brilliant plan, Severus," The Dark Lord praised, "But you mustn't let him know of the prophecy and your bond with Bellatrix. He will try to use that against you."

Hermione was conflicted. Did she really want to know her father? Did she want to grow closer to Bellatrix? The part of her that felt like an outsider in her own life said yes, but the part of her that was trained to be good and Harry Potter's friend screamed how terrible of an idea this was.

She stared at her potential soulmate and warmth filled her entire being. She wanted to know this woman. And to an extent, she desperately wanted to know where she came from. It was eating her insides to not know…

"Fine," Hermione whispered. "I will do as you suggest, Professor."

The Dark Lord clapped his hands and smiled at his daughter. "Excellent. I shall give you and Bellatrix a few moments before Severus escorts you back to Hogwarts." He and Snape disappeared from the room, leaving the two women to themselves. He had some things to discuss with the professor before he was allowed to leave. He needed the man to watch out for Hermione - to be a mentor of sorts. Once Dumbledore found out about Hermione knowing of her heritage, he would be watching the girl closely. Snape was to teach Hermione Occlumency to help fend off the man's probing. It was vital.

"Hermione, I'm…" Bellatrix started only to be halted with a solid slap. Her head jerked in surprise and she could feel blood droplets on her lip, but what surprised her more were the soft lips that covered her own. Angry nips and clicking teeth followed, but Bellatrix responded eagerly, bringing the girl as close as possible. She knew the Gryffindor was hurt and angry. She also knew Hermione needed an outlet and she was more than willing to help her 'vent'.

Weaving her fingers tightly through Hermione's locks, she yanked her head back sharply before attacking her neck with bites and marks. She'd heal them before Hermione returned to school, but she liked knowing she'd marked that beautiful expansion of skin. Hermione's low moan echoed throughout the otherwise silent library.

Hermione broke from Bellatrix's grip and returned the favor, biting the darker witch's neck hard enough to break the skin slightly. Bellatrix grasped the younger witch's hips hard, causing her to hiss before nipping the defined collarbone barely covered by the black corset.

A clearing throat broke the soulmates apart and they turned to look at whoever had dared to interrupt them. Severus was mumbling to himself, looking anywhere but at them while the Dark Lord seemed amused.

"It's time for you and Severus to return to Hogwarts," Voldemort said. "Bella, if you will…"

Bellatrix nodded and brought forth her wand, quickly healing Hermione's love bites. She went to heal her own, only for Hermione's hand to stop her.

"Leave them." The dark witch raised an eyebrow but as Hermione asked. She was quite fond of the marks already.

Bellatrix helped her up from the floor and pecked her lips affectionately. The girl was in a tailspin, but she smiled weakly back at her…soulmate. Merlin, what an odd thought.

Severus allowed Hermione to take his arm before they disappeared into nothingness. Hermione's world was falling apart, but with the information she'd gained, she hoped she could rebuild it. Hopefully.