Giving Up Isn't An Option

Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I only own the plot and characters that obviously don't belong to the books. 'Uncle Snape' is Slytherin Girl's idea and I have permission to use it,

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Previously:

The guy looked like a mix between Draco and Andrieos. Blond hair that had gone shaggy but had the warm honey coloured eyes that Andrieos was blessed with. He was dress in black jeans and a dress top with the first three buttons undone.

"Hermione, let me introduce you to my sister Ava and her fiancé, Dallis."

"Pleased to meet you both" Hermione reached out and shook both their hands.

"Pleasure is all mine" Dallis answered politely.

They all entered the restaurant and it took Hermione's breath away. She hadn't been in a restaurant like think since seventh year when Justin, Blaise and Draco treated the three girls all to a special dinner at the end of the year.

No. No memories now. I just need to have fun, Hermione thought to herself.

And so it went on. For the three months Draco focused on finding and gaining the trust of a recruit while trying to think of a way to win Hermione back.

Hermione continued to go out with Andrieos, Ava and Dallis, letting her guard down a little more each time. A trust was building between them. A strong bond, and Hermione felt at home with them. That's why she didn't see it coming…

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"Hermione?" Andrieos's voice echoed through her uncle's manor.

"I'll be right down" Hermione glanced in the mirror one last time. They were going out for dinner yet again. She loved this, she hadn't had this much fun in years.

She walked gracefully down the winding staircase, a smile on her face. She had been so surprised when she realized that she was smiling on a regular bases again.

"You look absolutely stunning" Andrieos breathed. "Come on, their waiting for us"

He took her extended hand and apparated them to the restaurant. She had no idea where she was, but she really didn't care. She just didn't want this to ever end. This being able to feel happy.

They met up with Ava and Dallis and entered. She had spent the last two months helping Ava with wedding plans, and just things that she used to do with Ginny and Padma. It hurt sometimes when they would do something that used to be reserved especially as outings for the three girls, but she would quickly forget it.

Dinner passed with much talk and finally they got up to leave.

"Come on Hermione, we have someone that wishes to meet you" Andrieos reached for her hand yet again.

Hermione gave him a strange look, but gave him her hand anyway. She had no idea what any of this was about, but she wasn't about to complain. She trusted that they wouldn't hurt her.

She opened her eyes a moment later, only to wonder if they were even open. It was so dark and cold. Oh my god! a million thoughts about what might've happened went through her head.

Suddenly, a light flickered on and she was able to see. But what she saw certainly wasn't what she expected. She was surrounded by people in black robes. Lots of people in black robes, but their faces were covered, heads dipped.

Her eyes widen in horror. She knew exactly what this was. It was a death eaters meeting. It's your own fault you idiot, you shouldn't have trusted them so fast she scolded herself.

She heard an audible gasp come from the crowd and reflexively turned to see who it was. She had an amazing ear, and was able to pin point exactly where it came from.

Three standing in a row, heads raised, and though you couldn't see their faces, she was positive who they were. A shiver ran up and down her spine right at that moment and she turned back to see Him enter.

Every person was down on one knee, waiting for him to sit in the chair at the head of the room.

Her face went instantly emotionless, knowing that showing fear or any emotion whatsoever would get her killed in here. She was pretty sure on what they wanted. Her. They wanted her.

It was just the why that was bugging her. She had an idea but wasn't quite sure. But she pushed those thoughts away, and got down on one knee with the rest of them, not wanting to cause trouble.

"Stand" was the only word spoken, and every person did exactly that. Hermione looked into his eyes, not willing to show any fear towards this thing. She had never truly feared him. But when you had all the best friends that she did, you couldn't fear him. It would just make life way to hard.

"Lock, Fellows, Ms. Lock, step forward" he ordered and three figures came up from just behind her.

"Lord, we have brought you what you asked for" one said, and she knew it was Andrieos.

"Excellent"

"Girl, come here. Now"

Hermione stepped towards him. She now had an inkling of how Draco, Justin, and Blaise felt everyday. She was also pretty sure that this was somewhat of how Harry must've felt whenever he faced this evil.

"Girl, do you know why you're here?"

"Yes, I believe so" she answered, her voice clear and calm. She challenged his gaze.

"Care to enlighten?"

"I believe that I'm either here because you believe I can aid you in some way or I'm here to be killed. I'm sure it's the first one, and if I don't comply I will be put to death anyway" her remained perfectly calm and steady, not the slightest waver.

"You're a smart one aren't you?" he raised an eye brow in amusement. "And daring too. Not many dare to meet my gaze, let alone keep it for the period that you have. Most of my followers wont even do that"

"I have nothing to fear" she stated rather bluntly.

"No, I would say you don't, as long as you are willing to work with us here. And agree to everything" he locked her gaze again, having broken it for a moment.

She simply shrugged, "guess that depends on what you want me to agree to" she said, seemingly careless. And at that moment, she was. Someone else had betrayed her, and that wall was up again.

He looked rather amused by her carefree behaviour. He had never had this before; he had also never had anyone come to him where he couldn't enter their mind. (a/n: only reason the guys are safe was that they've blocked all memories that contain emotion other than pure hate)

"Miss Granger, would you consider joining us? Joining me? Becoming part of the glorious life style that is the Dark side. You could have everything; all I would want is your help in the upcoming war"

Hermione stood there for a moment going over her options, but this seemed to stand out most in her mind. It would suit her fine, dark, cold, everything she was and everything else she wanted would all be packed into one.

"What else would come of this? What other privileges would I get? And if I agree, I want immediate initiation into the inner circle" she stated

Several gasps came from the circle. Whether from surprise that she would be so demanding or fro horror that she would dare to speak like this, she didn't know.

"Silence," Voldemort's voice rang through the room. He looked at Hermione, but she looked totally sincere. He couldn't find anything in her gaze that would hint that she wouldn't be loyal.

"Anything and everything my dear girl. What you want you may have. If that means you want into my circle, then done"

Hermione was slightly surprised that she had gotten away with that, but yet she wasn't. She had always had a way of getting what she wanted, if she really wanted it.

She broke the gaze, going to pulled up her sleeve, her forearm exposed. She looked back up and saw a look of utter surprise on Voldemort's face. "I have one more request; that I never have to call you Master. I will call you something else, but I refuse to ever call anyone master" she took a deep breath, "not ever again". The last part was said so quiet, that she and those who knew her past in detail were the only ones to hear it.

"That's fair" he then stepped forward, his wand extended already reciting the charm.

The pain didn't even affect her. It literally felt like someone was tickling her. She had thought it would hurt like all hell. Then as quickly as it came, it was over. She noticed that she hadn't been asked to recite an oath. She new that that was part of the initiation, but yet it hadn't been asked of her.

"Milord" she nodded her head, got down on one knee for a moment, then stood and took a spot in the circle. She gained eye contact with him again, as she refused to bow her head.

"Bow your head, now!" he ordered, but she challenged him yet again. Not making a move.

His eyes lit with amusement at her strength. He wouldn't force her to do anything, not yet anyway…

"You he pointed to someone in the circle, go to Miss Grangers and collect her belongings, she will take up residence here"

A small noise of protest was heard. "Do you have a problem with this Lucius?" he demanded.

"No Lord, I don't" a figure answered, before getting down on his knees, as if asking for forgiveness.

Voldemort simply waved his hand and Lucius stood again. Eventually, the meeting ended. Everyone that remained removed their hood and she saw Andrieos standing off to the side, speaking with Ava.

She walked up to him and slapped him. "How dare you, you son of a bitch. You had no right to trick me into coming here. Everyone that knows me knows that if you want something you ask unless you want to be on my bad side. And guess what, you just screwed up. To bad I don't believe in forgiveness."

"She's telling the truth you know" Hermione looked behind her to see Blaise standing there, looking kind of confused.

"How do you know her?" Andrieos asked

"Andrieos, I told you, they used to be best friends" Ava muttered to him.

"How would you know that bitch?" Blaise wheeled on her. "It was you, wasn't it? Its you that's been following us for all these years"

"So what if it was. And I wasn't following you, I was following her" she said pointing to Hermione.

Hermione glared at her. "That's why I felt like I knew you from somewhere"

"You think?" Ava exclaimed rather sarcastically, "I thought I was weird when you didn't show any recognition"

"Watch it" Hermione said.

"Someone's here that really wants to say hi Granger" Blaise quickly changed the subject before Hermione did something she would later regret.

Hermione let herself get pulled away from the other two. She was kind of glad to be rid of them. She found herself coming up on Justin, who had the same look of confusion on his face that Blaise had. Then she saw Draco, playing with something around his neck.

Oh shit, she thought, Exactly who I wanted to see

Draco looked up to see Hermione coming towards he and Justin. He had been so surprised when she appeared in the middle of the circle. Yet, what surprised him the most was her perfect willingness to join the Dark Side.

He figured that she had been pushed to far or she had another plan in mind. He wasn't sure what it was, but he was hoping that it was the second. Just he had no clue what that plan could be.

Blaise looked at Justin and knew that each had the same thing running through their minds. Lets leave these two alone.

They could catch up with Hermione later, but Draco had a few more pressing matters with her.

Draco shot them both a look, telling them not to leave, but Blaise smirked and he and Justin both apparated out of there.

His gaze turned back to Hermione. "Granger. . ."

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Hey all. So what did you think? I'm gonna say right now, that while my beta has read this and I have re-read it several times, there still may be mistakes. I wrote it and read it several times \, but this all took place at like 2AM, not a good time for it. Most of my wrinting is done around this time, but this time, I've only slept like 7 hours over 2 days compared to like 8 a night. I'm just a little tired.

Anyway, let me know what yall think and check out Crimson Rain Drops my newest fic that's in no way connected to this series.

Thanks to all loyal readers and reviewers and my betas, mIsSyBiRd12 and GemGemJoo (only some chapters)

Pure Mudblood