Hermione thought she should feel guilty about the act of murder she had just committed, yet the only emotion bubbling to the surface was happiness. She was happy she was finally accepted into the Death Eaters. Her life would be spared, her only enemy now the bumbling morons at the Ministry of Magic.

She now stood in the same living room where moments ago she had taken one of her best friend's siblings life. Voldemort was by her side, smiling through his lipless mouth. Hermione figured being accepted into his inner circle was not an easy task, seeing as Draco was the only member who was new since he had returned and Draco most likely only got in because of his father.

"It's not everyday that we accept new members. You all should know how hard it is to prove yourselves to me. Yet today we do have a new member, and although she might be a Mudblood, I want you all to accept her as one of my most loyal servants." Voldemort hissed. He grabbed Hermione's left arm and pulled up the loose sleeve.

"How very proud I am to have such a cunning witch on our side, Miss Granger." He suddenly grabbed her left forearm tightly and she felt a burning. Hermione felt the urge to scream out in pain, but fought it and she felt tears streaming down her cheeks. Looking down she saw smoke coming from beneath his hand. When he finally removed it, a deep red mark was imprinted on her arm. The dark mark. It was just like the one she had seen on Snape's arm. She was now officially a Death Eater.

The other Death Eaters cheered when the saw the mark on her arm.

"Let us celebrate our newest ally." Lucius stepped forward. "Initiate her the Death Eater way. Celebration at Malfoy manner."

Everyone cheered again and the room was filled with sounds of disapparating.

Hermione looked around and saw only she, Snape, Voldemort, and Peter remained.

"I don't know how to apparate yet." She said modestly.

Voldemort looked suspiciously at her.

"Uh, lord Voldemort. At Hogwarts they don't learn that until the end of their sixth year, which is still two months away for Miss Granger." Snape spoke up. "The only reason young Malfoy is able to because his father showed him how."

"Very well. You'll find Floo Powder on the mantle. I trust you know how to travel by The Floo Network." Voldemort turned to walk away. "I wont be joining you, I am still weak. Please Miss Granger have a wonderful time. The celebration is in your honor." And he retreated up the stairs with Peter in tow.

"Don't worry." Snape said as they walked towards the fireplace. "Ill show you how to apparate.

Hermione took a handful of powder as she stepped into the flames. "Malfoy Manor!" she shouted. When the green flames around her died away she realized she was looking into The Malfoy's parlor. She stepped out into the party that was already in full swing.

When people called Draco Malfoy rich, they weren't kidding. Hermione couldn't ever remember being in such a lavish home. The fireplace was made of glossy sand colored marble and the walls from a rich cherry wood. The floors were made of the same marble as the fireplace and the sofas were velvety black and dark blue. The ceiling was enchanted and looked just like a night sky, unlike the Great Hall, it was always the same. Deep blue with glittering stars.

She walked out of the parlor mesmerized by the immensity of the Malfoy's home. A grand marble stair case wrapped around the foyer three timed indicated there were four floors. There were people everywhere, most of them she didn't recognize as Death Eaters.

Narcissa Malfoy was chatting amicably with Cornelius Fudge not very far from where Hermione stood. Her slender figure silhouetted in her shapely black robes. Hermione noticed sparkling clear gemstones around her neck and dangling from her ears that gave off a soft blue glow every once in a while.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Lucius said from behind her, making her jump a little.

"Yes! You have a beautiful home, Lucius." Hermione tried to sound as grown up as she could.

"Why thank you, dear. All the marble was carved by Italian House Elves four generations ago. At least they were able to do something right, eh?" he insulted the house elves as Hermione cringed. She gave a fake smile and agreed.

"Unlike that treacherous Dobby?"

Lucius suddenly looked angry for a moment before he smiled again. "Yes. That was indeed a horrible elf."

Hermione looked down and noticed that Lucius had traded his black Death Eater robes for a classy suit that buttoned all the way up the front.

"I see you're still in your robes." He frowned a bit and waved his hand. Hermione felt his clothing become lighter and she looked down to see she was wearing a crimson robe over a black dress.

"A gift, Miss Granger." Lucius smiled. "For becoming one of us."

Hermione smiled gratefully. She was indeed happy to be on the winning side. She also thought people had the Malfoys figured all wrong. Aside from that remark about House Elves, Hermione thought Lucius was quite charming and friendly.

"I was wondering who all these people were." She asked. "I know they aren't Death Eaters." She said quietly.

"Right you are. They aren't supporters of Voldemort per say." Lucius smiled at Cornelius Fudge who waved over Narcissa's shoulder. "They know who we are and who we work for but because of public opinion and such they don't openly admit they are the Dark Lords followers."

Yes it all made sense now. Nearly everyone who was here were people she never really trusted. Cornelius Fudge, Dolores Umbridge, Ludo Bagman, Madam Malkin who was owner of the robe shop on Diagon alley, and Pansy Parkinson with what Hermione assumed to be her parents.

"Congratulations, Miss Granger, on your recent promotion." Cornelius Fudge bounced over.

"Errr thank you sir."

"Here is something to help get you started as a member, mmkay?" he slipped her a bond for two thousand galleons. Her jaw dropped.

"Sir I couldn't accept this." Hermione tried to hand it back.

"Don't be ridiculous. Doesn't come from my pocket, it's the ministries." He laughed. "Besides you cant be serving one of the most powerful wizards in just Hogwart's uniforms can you?"

Before Hermione could protest anymore he left to mingle with other guests.

"How much did he give you?" Draco stomped down the marble stair case towards her.

"Two thousand galleons." Hermione whispered.

"Oh really? He gave me thirty five hundred. Probably because of my father and all. Still a decent amount though."

"Is this normal?" Hermione asked, putting the check away.

"Of course. Its their way of making sure you don't tell they know about Voldemort. You see every check is hexed so if you cash it and tell someone you will instantly find yourself in Azkaban Prison for life." Draco smiled smugly. "So you don't want to go telling the wrong person."

"I see." Hermione said understanding. "Well I had better spend the money on something good then, if I have a curse over my head for it." She smiled at the blonde boy.

Draco gave a tiny laugh. "Yea that's right. You're not so bad, Mudblood."

For the first time Hermione saw Draco in a different light. Instead of being a snobby jerk, he was a well off, self confident guy. After a moment of looking into his crystal like eyes a shrill voice broke the silence.

"Draco! There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you!" Pansy skipped over. "What is she doing here?"

"She's the reason for the party." Draco said dryly, looking around.

"Her? She's the new member? I don't believe it."

"Believe it. She's quite good too."

"For a Mudblood. Well I've got to go. Congrats Granger." Pansy snipped and stalked off.

Hermione looked back to Draco unsure of what just happened.

"Oh she's just upset because Voldemort wont accept her and her father as Death Eaters. Her mum is brilliant though. She's right over there." He pointed to a pretty blonde woman who looked like she should have been pansy's sister instead of mother.

It was close to midnight when almost all the guests left. Between the random Ministry leaders who congratulated her, Hermione had a total of six thousand galleons in her pocket.

Now she sat happily on the deep blue couch. Snape sat to her left, Draco to her right and Lucius in a black chair sipping brandy.

"Did you enjoy yourself, Miss Granger?" he asked looking up at her.

"Yes. Thank you."

"You know, Hermione you don't have to be so polite." Narcissa strolled in, smiling.

"Sorry it's a bit of a habit." She smiled back

"Yes, Hermione, relax. We wont bite you. Much." Draco smirked.

"Hermione really should be going back to Hogwart's before her absence is noticed." Snape said suddenly. "As should Draco."

"Yes of course Severus. All in good time. The night is still young. Lighten up a bit." Lucius grinned. "Hermione I've been meaning to ask you something."

"Sure, anything." She offered. What did he want?

"Why did you decided to join us? While the benefits are wonderful, what were your true intentions?"

"Oh well, I made a decision. I was at Hogwarts up on the Astronomy Tower. Thinking things through and I decided that Harry Potter was no one to rely on. I wanted to be on the winning side."

"Interesting. How very glad I am that you've made the wise choice." Lucius almost purred.

They talked for awhile and when Snape lead Hermione and Draco into the fireplace to Floo to his office it was nearly four in the morning. Hermione couldn't help but feel foolish for thinking such horrible things of the Malfoys all these years. They were smart friendly wonderful people. Even Draco in his own way.

Snape slammed the door shut after they left his office, making it quite clear he was exhausted.

"So, Ill see you tomorrow sometime." Hermione turned to walk upstairs.

"Well the castle is quite scary at this hour. Perhaps you'd like me to walk you upstairs?" Draco offered, his voice squeaking a little.

"Sure."

They walked up to the Fat Lady's portrait in silence, not wanting to discuss the nights events with each other for fear of who may be listening in.

"So Ill see you around then." Draco looked down, blushing a little.

"Right." Hermione offered her hand and he shook it awkwardly.

"Okay see you around." He smiled and walked down the hallway. "Mudblood."

She rolled her eyes and told the Fat Lady "Pumpkin Blossoms." And walked inside the Gryffindor Common room.

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Well do you like it so far? It only seemed right that the Death Eaters bad guys accept her. I hate too much conflict in stories. Its bad enough that she's betraying people and all. At least the Death Eaters can accept her for who she is. Don't you agree? Hermione's next betrayal is coming soon I promise.