Chapter 5
Disclaimer: No, not mine.
A/N: After this chapter I will have to take a break in writing because of my final exam that is causing me headache :) Many thank to Thegraylady and to Lisa, Amberlynn, shelly and Natalie.
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Hermione sat on at the table looking blankly at the wine glasses while Pinky putting plate after plate on the table. When the elf finished, it bowed and vanished with a grin.
Hermione eyed the food undecidedly; true, she was hungry but could she trust him enough to eat the food he provided? As if sensing her uneasiness, Voldemort said gently, which startled Hermione, "Don't worry I have no reason to poison you," he pushed, Hermione looked up to see him serving himself a mouthful of roasted-beacon making her stomach churned; he swallowed before adding wryly, "And I assure you if I want information from you I don't need to use Veritasirum and waste my time asking questions, I have my own way." He directly looked into her eyes as if to confirm what he had just said.
Hermione blushed, averting his eyes; she looked at her hands that folded neatly on her laps. She believed him, of course she did. She knew about Harry's extra lesson with Snape in her fifth year and had learnt that Voldemort is a master of Legilimens so there is no reason for him to bother with the truth potion when he could easily break into her mind and find out whatever he wanted, her knowledge in Occlumency (the theory, that is) was of no use and he was aware of this fact she was sure.
The more she thought, the more her fear increased, what if he used Legillimency on her? Oh god no, she was not a member of the Order but thank for the invention of the Weasley twins she, Harry and Ron had learnt a great deal of the Order's secrets.
Her face must had shown her emotion, for Voldemort had laughed and said, "You are quite a serious person for your age, child," he put another piece of beacon into his mouth and went on, "don't be afraid, you are not here because of that damn Order's information or your bloody friends Potter or Weasley."
Hermione was both angry and curious, "what for than?" She blurted out as anger swept aside-letting curiosity got over her. "Not now, as I said," he looked pointedly at her full plate, "finish your food and we will talk." Then he went back to his plate leaving a very annoyed Hermione staring after him stubbornly, not touching her food. Voldemort smirked when he heard her stomach growled; she blushed yet again and grudgingly picked up her knife and fork.
Voldemort put down his wine glass and stood up, his face grim. "Since you are dying to know, please follow me." He headed to a smaller door with silver, snake doorknob without glancing back to Hermione who was glaring after him. She abruptly got up and followed him nearly tripping over her robe.
She tried to keep up with his long strides yet maintained the distance from him as much as possible. As she had just eaten and was walking so fast that when Voldemort finally stopped, Hermione was out of breath and her sides ached. She bent down, putting one hand on her side and other on her chest to steady her breathing. When she looked up, Voldemort was standing just a foot far from her with a nasty smile on his face, which was replaced by the same grim expression once Hermione's eyes met his.
Hermione straightened up and gazed around the room. It was a library! A very big one, that is. She fascinatingly examined the titles on the books in first row but didn't dare to move. Voldemort cleared his throat, which made Hermione jump; she swiftly turned to face him.
"Please sit down." He gestured to a comfortable looked armchair near a big fireplace Hermione was sure she did not notice was there before. Hermione nodded and settled herself down; Voldemort did the same.
"This talk may take some time, what about some tea?" Said Voldemort.
"Thank you I would love some." Replied Hermione, giving him a thoughtful look. She again was confused by Voldemort's behavior. He didn't even try to humiliate or intimidated her. Why was he trying to be civil to her? What was he planning? He always looked deadly serious with a hint of sadness when their eyes met.
At the same time, Voldemort conjured a pot of tea and two cups along with a plate of chocolate biscuits. He poured some tea in a cup and handed it to Hermione, which she accepted and took a sip glad that the hot liquid help shooting her side ach.
Finally, she could bear no longer, "Don't put off any longer tell me what you want." Her words came out harsher than she intended but she wouldn't show her concern.
Voldemort sighed he looked old and weary. He tore his gaze from the cracking fire to meet two brown eyes full of confusion staring back at him.
"Hermione..." he started but was cut by the sound came from Hermione, she was choking on her tea appointed hearing her name. Hermione stared sheepishly at Voldemort wondering what on earth made him call her by her given name? She quickly muttered an apology blushing crimson.
"Hermione, I don't know what your mother and the Muggle had told you but I'm sure you didn't know who you truly are." Said Voldemort, "You must believe me, child, you are not Granger, your true name should be Hermione Riddle or Voldemort, but..."
Hermione, shocked and outraged, didn't wait for him to finish; she bolted up right, her teacup crashing to the floor, and abruptly pulled out her wand pointing firmly at Voldemort.
"You are mad! Completely crazy bastard!" She stepped forward, "don't ever talk of this ridiculous nonsense again." Her breaths became rage; "Don't ever think you could trick me in such way! You... you bloody evil bastard! Do you think I would fall for such rubbish? No way! I will never ever believe you and don't think you can use that ridiculous story to your advantage with Harry; he won't believe you! No one will believe you!" She swirled around to the door she was shocking with rage, face flushed, and hair falling unruly over her face.
Voldemort remained quiet at her outburst, merely waiting for her to finish her tirade and when she did quiet down he stood up walking in circle to face her and said smoothly, "You are right, no one would buy it if it were a rubbish but I assure you it is definitely true." he pushed letting his words sank in, as he saw her eyes reddened and tears dampened in her eyes he knew he had hit her nerve. He went on, "I also have way to prove it if you want to." He took another step close to Hermione.
Lowering her wand, she closed her eyes; tears finally flowed down her checks. She took a deep breath and said, her voice just above whisper, "Why are you telling me this?" Staring back at Voldemort she added, "why now?"xxxxXxxxxxHow is this chapter?
Thank you for reading.