After her private lessons with Professor Snape Hermione spent the rest of
the afternoon in Diagon Alley. She opened her own account at Gringotts,
bought herself some great new clothes, stocked up on nearly a dozen books
about the Dark Arts from Flourish and Blotts, and even bought Snape a
present. It was a small silver medallion with the words "Quasi Caligo Tibi
Reperire Amare" written across it. It was Latin for "In Darkness You Find
Love".
She had felt the urge to get him something sentimental since he was the one who introduced her to this new world where she belonged.
Now it was nearly six and Hermione was to meet him in front of Ollivanders. She had wrapped his medallion in a neat sparkling box and changed into a dark blue dress she had purchased earlier.
"I see you've spent some of the money you were given last night." The icy voice came from behind her. She smiled and turned around.
"Well of course my parents would never give me any money to blow on Diagon Alley."
"Very well. We must be going, I would hate to keep Lucius and Narcissa waiting." Snape started off down the street.
"Professor, wait." She called, catching up to him. "I've got something for you."
"Why on earth would you have anything for me?" he seemed taken back.
"Because if it weren't for you I would probably be dead or on Voldemort's list to kill at this point. This is my way of thanking you." She handed him the sparkling silver box.
He opened it and a tiny smile spread across his hawk like features. "Miss Granger.." He held the medallion by its black suede string up in the air. "I don't know what to say."
"You can try thank you." She smiled.
"Thank you. Its exquisite." He slipped it on over his oily head and it rested softly against his black shirt.
"Well lets get going." Hermione smiled again and lead the way to La Maison en Magique. She had to admit, she was excited about having dinner with the Malfoys and Lestranges.
"Severus! Hermione! So glad you could make it." Lucius smiled walking over to the pair. Narcissa and Draco followed closely.
"Good to see you Hermione." Narcissa smiled politely.
"Hey, Mudblood." Draco smirked. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Yes well, Prof - Severus invited me. I hope that's alright." She looked at Lucius.
"Of course!" he said happily. "Well be seated as soon as Bella and Rodolph arrive. My Severus that's an interesting medallion." Lucius eyed it and looked up at Snape.
"It was a gift." Snape said, a blush creeping across his sallow skin. "From Granger."
"How very thoughtful Hermione." Lucius gave another grin.
"Hermione, dear. We weren't expecting to see you here." Bellatrix's voice came loud and clear from behind them.
"She's Snape's guest tonight, Bella." Draco spoke before anyone else could.
"How cute. Well I'm starving, shall we go in?" she walked through the doors with her husband in tow.
Dinner went very smoothly. She was feeling more accepted into their circle every moment she spent with them.
Draco sat to her right and spent a good portion of the evening whispering insults about the other patrons in her ear.
"How do you imagine she fits in that chair with all that fat?"
"Look at that guy. Do you suppose he's heard of a dentist?"
"Some people need to realize that size four robes do not fit all."
Hermione laughed at all of his insults, she had never imagined she could be so petty, but it was fun.
"Well I always knew I would get out one day." Bellatrix's voice pierced her thoughts. She was referring to the time she spent in Azkaban last year before the Dementors left their posts. "It was just a matter of time."
"Right, not like it was that dreadful anyway." Lucius agreed. "The Ministry knew they couldn't keep me there for long, gave me a suite instead of a cell. Fudge would never allow me of all people to sleep in a concrete prison cell."
Hermione looked up past Lucius' shoulder and what she saw nearly made her heart stop beating. Remus Lupin had just entered the restaurant with Arthur and Molly Weasley.
Hermione gasped and turned white. Lucius caught her action and turned over his shoulder. A grin spread across his handsome features.
Hermione looked from Draco to Snape in Panic and without further hesitation she dove under the table, causing some glasses to clank. From beneath the white table clothe she could see three pairs of feet walking towards the table.
"Why what a surprise it is to see you all here." Lupin's soft voice said. "Tell me, how was life in Azkaban?"
"Absolutely splendid." Lucius drawled. "Tell me would you three like to sit down?"
"It looks like your table is already full." Lupin pointed towards Hermione's empty chair. "Who is joining you lovely bunch this evening?"
"Pansy Parkinson." Draco spoke quickly. "She would be in the powder room."
"Ah such a lovely girl." Remus spoke like she was a vague memory. "I do think Ill join you for a bit."
"Well go to our table." Molly said, not pretending to be polite. "You can join us there, Remus."
"Excellent, Molly." Remus sat in the empty chair at the end next to Snape and Hermione's empty seat. Hermione scattered to the side and she was positive she was sitting on Draco's feet. She looked at Lupin's worn brown shoes and was suddenly reminded of two summers ago, spending those months at twelve Grimmauld Place.
"So tell me, Remus." Bellatrix hissed. "When is the next full moon?"
"A week from Tuesday." He said jovially. "Coming to join me, Bella?" he smiled. "Heaven only knows what kind of creature you actually are."
Bella growled. Lucius smiled. Draco snickered.
"I just want to make sure I keep clear of you on those days. We all know a Werewolf on the day of a full moon is worse than a teenage girl with PMS." Bella replied, her eyes boring into his head.
Hermione sighed, this could take awhile. She absently leaned her head on Draco's knee and he responded by cradling her head in his hand.
After nearly half an hour Lupin finally pushed his chair out and stood up. "Well Draco, it looks like Pansy might be having a bit of a problem in the powder room. You may want to go check that out." He smiled.
"Yea right." Draco said blandly.
Lupin walked away and joined the Weasleys across the crowded restaurant.
"Really, Miss Granger, do come out from hiding." Lucius said quietly.
Hermione poked her head out from beneath the table clothe and climbed back up to her chair.
Everyone was staring at her.
"Its just that, well if anyone were to find out..." Hermione lowered her head.
"Really, Granger, we understand." Snape looked around the restaurant.
"Yes of course you would need to hide your involvement with us from Remus Lupin." Lucius smirked.
"Bloody fool would have gone right to Dumbledore anyway." Draco rolled his eyes.
After exiting the restaurant there was of course the question of 'what to do now' lingering in the air.
"How about everyone comes back to our house." Bellatrix smiled. "For tea?"
"Sounds lovely." Narcissa said quietly.
"I've got some stuff to buy." Draco mumbled. "You all go on with out me."
Hermione realized that she too didn't want tea at Bella's. Even though she was now a Death Eater, she still loathed that woman.
"Ill stay behind also." She muttered. "Thank you so much for dinner, Lucius."
"Anytime, my dear."
With a chorus of cracking, Hermione and Draco were left alone on the corner of Diagon and Parish Alleys.
"Come on, Mudblood, Ill show you the cool store." Draco smirked happily and lead her down the street.
After several twists and ducking down dodgy alleyways, Hermione found herself in Knockturn Alley. She had once seen the sign for it on Diagon Alley but never wandered down here.
The stores were all painted dark colors, the glass cracked in the windows. Several nasty looking people looked hungrily at the teenagers as they walked past.
"In here." Draco grinned. He lead her into a dusty store full of magical items. "These are replicas of Pandora's Box. And this is The Cloak of Darkness." He prodded a shining black cape hanging on a coat rack. "Putting it on will make you a servant of Satan himself."
Hermione had indeed read about all these objects in books of course, but she never imagined that such evil objects could be bought. Apparently everything had its price.
"Young Malfoy." A jagged voice called from near the front counter. "What can I interest you in today?" the owner of the shop was a short man that resembled Argus Filch. Long straggly hair, and yellow teeth.
"Something for your lady friend perhaps?" he croaked.
Draco looked at Hermione for a moment. "Perhaps a golden peach of Erised."
"Yes of course." The shop owner have a smile that showed his gaps in his teeth and disappeared behind a black veil.
Peach of Erised? Hermione had never heard of such a thing.
The owner came back a moment later with a piece of fruit in his hand. It was a light rosy color and have off a golden glow. "Ten Galleons, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco threw the coins on the counter and handed the fruit to Hermione. It was cold to the touch and the skin felt eerily like people skin. They left the shop and headed back towards Diagon Alley.
"What is it?" Hermione asked turning the peach over to examine every angle.
"Peach of Erised? When you eat it, it gives you a bit of a high. And you end up telling your deepest desires." Draco said, focusing on the street ahead of him.
"And why did you give me such a thing?" Hermione smiled.
"I thought you'd like it." Draco blushed a little.
"I do. Thank you." She gave him another faint smile.
"Right, well Ill see you at school, Mudblood." He grinned and disapparated in front of her.
_________ __________
I know I know. You're all upset because the story is kind of SS/HG and kind of DM/HG and you don't know which way its head. Don't worry I've made up my mind. I want Hermione portrayed as this new self confident person. And yes I know you're all waiting for some more Death Eater action. I'm working on it. Anyways I hope you are all enjoying the story.
She had felt the urge to get him something sentimental since he was the one who introduced her to this new world where she belonged.
Now it was nearly six and Hermione was to meet him in front of Ollivanders. She had wrapped his medallion in a neat sparkling box and changed into a dark blue dress she had purchased earlier.
"I see you've spent some of the money you were given last night." The icy voice came from behind her. She smiled and turned around.
"Well of course my parents would never give me any money to blow on Diagon Alley."
"Very well. We must be going, I would hate to keep Lucius and Narcissa waiting." Snape started off down the street.
"Professor, wait." She called, catching up to him. "I've got something for you."
"Why on earth would you have anything for me?" he seemed taken back.
"Because if it weren't for you I would probably be dead or on Voldemort's list to kill at this point. This is my way of thanking you." She handed him the sparkling silver box.
He opened it and a tiny smile spread across his hawk like features. "Miss Granger.." He held the medallion by its black suede string up in the air. "I don't know what to say."
"You can try thank you." She smiled.
"Thank you. Its exquisite." He slipped it on over his oily head and it rested softly against his black shirt.
"Well lets get going." Hermione smiled again and lead the way to La Maison en Magique. She had to admit, she was excited about having dinner with the Malfoys and Lestranges.
"Severus! Hermione! So glad you could make it." Lucius smiled walking over to the pair. Narcissa and Draco followed closely.
"Good to see you Hermione." Narcissa smiled politely.
"Hey, Mudblood." Draco smirked. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Yes well, Prof - Severus invited me. I hope that's alright." She looked at Lucius.
"Of course!" he said happily. "Well be seated as soon as Bella and Rodolph arrive. My Severus that's an interesting medallion." Lucius eyed it and looked up at Snape.
"It was a gift." Snape said, a blush creeping across his sallow skin. "From Granger."
"How very thoughtful Hermione." Lucius gave another grin.
"Hermione, dear. We weren't expecting to see you here." Bellatrix's voice came loud and clear from behind them.
"She's Snape's guest tonight, Bella." Draco spoke before anyone else could.
"How cute. Well I'm starving, shall we go in?" she walked through the doors with her husband in tow.
Dinner went very smoothly. She was feeling more accepted into their circle every moment she spent with them.
Draco sat to her right and spent a good portion of the evening whispering insults about the other patrons in her ear.
"How do you imagine she fits in that chair with all that fat?"
"Look at that guy. Do you suppose he's heard of a dentist?"
"Some people need to realize that size four robes do not fit all."
Hermione laughed at all of his insults, she had never imagined she could be so petty, but it was fun.
"Well I always knew I would get out one day." Bellatrix's voice pierced her thoughts. She was referring to the time she spent in Azkaban last year before the Dementors left their posts. "It was just a matter of time."
"Right, not like it was that dreadful anyway." Lucius agreed. "The Ministry knew they couldn't keep me there for long, gave me a suite instead of a cell. Fudge would never allow me of all people to sleep in a concrete prison cell."
Hermione looked up past Lucius' shoulder and what she saw nearly made her heart stop beating. Remus Lupin had just entered the restaurant with Arthur and Molly Weasley.
Hermione gasped and turned white. Lucius caught her action and turned over his shoulder. A grin spread across his handsome features.
Hermione looked from Draco to Snape in Panic and without further hesitation she dove under the table, causing some glasses to clank. From beneath the white table clothe she could see three pairs of feet walking towards the table.
"Why what a surprise it is to see you all here." Lupin's soft voice said. "Tell me, how was life in Azkaban?"
"Absolutely splendid." Lucius drawled. "Tell me would you three like to sit down?"
"It looks like your table is already full." Lupin pointed towards Hermione's empty chair. "Who is joining you lovely bunch this evening?"
"Pansy Parkinson." Draco spoke quickly. "She would be in the powder room."
"Ah such a lovely girl." Remus spoke like she was a vague memory. "I do think Ill join you for a bit."
"Well go to our table." Molly said, not pretending to be polite. "You can join us there, Remus."
"Excellent, Molly." Remus sat in the empty chair at the end next to Snape and Hermione's empty seat. Hermione scattered to the side and she was positive she was sitting on Draco's feet. She looked at Lupin's worn brown shoes and was suddenly reminded of two summers ago, spending those months at twelve Grimmauld Place.
"So tell me, Remus." Bellatrix hissed. "When is the next full moon?"
"A week from Tuesday." He said jovially. "Coming to join me, Bella?" he smiled. "Heaven only knows what kind of creature you actually are."
Bella growled. Lucius smiled. Draco snickered.
"I just want to make sure I keep clear of you on those days. We all know a Werewolf on the day of a full moon is worse than a teenage girl with PMS." Bella replied, her eyes boring into his head.
Hermione sighed, this could take awhile. She absently leaned her head on Draco's knee and he responded by cradling her head in his hand.
After nearly half an hour Lupin finally pushed his chair out and stood up. "Well Draco, it looks like Pansy might be having a bit of a problem in the powder room. You may want to go check that out." He smiled.
"Yea right." Draco said blandly.
Lupin walked away and joined the Weasleys across the crowded restaurant.
"Really, Miss Granger, do come out from hiding." Lucius said quietly.
Hermione poked her head out from beneath the table clothe and climbed back up to her chair.
Everyone was staring at her.
"Its just that, well if anyone were to find out..." Hermione lowered her head.
"Really, Granger, we understand." Snape looked around the restaurant.
"Yes of course you would need to hide your involvement with us from Remus Lupin." Lucius smirked.
"Bloody fool would have gone right to Dumbledore anyway." Draco rolled his eyes.
After exiting the restaurant there was of course the question of 'what to do now' lingering in the air.
"How about everyone comes back to our house." Bellatrix smiled. "For tea?"
"Sounds lovely." Narcissa said quietly.
"I've got some stuff to buy." Draco mumbled. "You all go on with out me."
Hermione realized that she too didn't want tea at Bella's. Even though she was now a Death Eater, she still loathed that woman.
"Ill stay behind also." She muttered. "Thank you so much for dinner, Lucius."
"Anytime, my dear."
With a chorus of cracking, Hermione and Draco were left alone on the corner of Diagon and Parish Alleys.
"Come on, Mudblood, Ill show you the cool store." Draco smirked happily and lead her down the street.
After several twists and ducking down dodgy alleyways, Hermione found herself in Knockturn Alley. She had once seen the sign for it on Diagon Alley but never wandered down here.
The stores were all painted dark colors, the glass cracked in the windows. Several nasty looking people looked hungrily at the teenagers as they walked past.
"In here." Draco grinned. He lead her into a dusty store full of magical items. "These are replicas of Pandora's Box. And this is The Cloak of Darkness." He prodded a shining black cape hanging on a coat rack. "Putting it on will make you a servant of Satan himself."
Hermione had indeed read about all these objects in books of course, but she never imagined that such evil objects could be bought. Apparently everything had its price.
"Young Malfoy." A jagged voice called from near the front counter. "What can I interest you in today?" the owner of the shop was a short man that resembled Argus Filch. Long straggly hair, and yellow teeth.
"Something for your lady friend perhaps?" he croaked.
Draco looked at Hermione for a moment. "Perhaps a golden peach of Erised."
"Yes of course." The shop owner have a smile that showed his gaps in his teeth and disappeared behind a black veil.
Peach of Erised? Hermione had never heard of such a thing.
The owner came back a moment later with a piece of fruit in his hand. It was a light rosy color and have off a golden glow. "Ten Galleons, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco threw the coins on the counter and handed the fruit to Hermione. It was cold to the touch and the skin felt eerily like people skin. They left the shop and headed back towards Diagon Alley.
"What is it?" Hermione asked turning the peach over to examine every angle.
"Peach of Erised? When you eat it, it gives you a bit of a high. And you end up telling your deepest desires." Draco said, focusing on the street ahead of him.
"And why did you give me such a thing?" Hermione smiled.
"I thought you'd like it." Draco blushed a little.
"I do. Thank you." She gave him another faint smile.
"Right, well Ill see you at school, Mudblood." He grinned and disapparated in front of her.
_________ __________
I know I know. You're all upset because the story is kind of SS/HG and kind of DM/HG and you don't know which way its head. Don't worry I've made up my mind. I want Hermione portrayed as this new self confident person. And yes I know you're all waiting for some more Death Eater action. I'm working on it. Anyways I hope you are all enjoying the story.