Chapter Seven

After Lucius left, Draco flopped down on his bed with an attitude.

"What's wrong with you?" She pried.

"Nothing," he said.

"Tell me."

"It's nothing, really. I'm just going to go out for a walk. I'll be back later."

The days began to run together in Hermione's mind. She knew that days turned into weeks and eventually, three weeks had passed with little to report. She was going out of her mind. Worst of all, Draco was being a perfect gentleman. No baiting, name calling or anything of the sort. She was actually beginning to miss the old git that she'd once known. And just as the first day she'd been here, every day Draco would leave her alone for hours at a time doing god knows what. It was infuriating!

Just when Hermione thought that her whole assignment was pointless, Voldemort came back.

She had been the first person to see him back after literally running him over that morning.

Flashback

"Who are you?" Voldemort had rumbled in his deep voice. "I know everyone who works for me and I sure as hell don't remember you."

Stay calm, Hermione thought. Just stay cool. "My name is Kylie and I am here by the request of Draco Malfoy." She said with as much dignity as she could muster.

"He brought you here without consulting me?" But Voldemort didn't seem too furious. Well I guess I couldn't expect him to become a eunuch." He mused more to himself than to Hermione. He looked back down on her. "I didn't know he had a girlfriend."

"I'm not his girlfriend," she blurted before she could stop herself.

Voldemort's eyes travelled down her body. "No, I don't suppose you are. So, are you a witch?" He continued casually.

Hermione remembered what Draco had told his father. "I'm a squib." She said.

Voldemort seemed satisfied with her answer. "Well, Kylie I'd advise you not to run around here unprotected. You don't want to come to a sticky end."

End of Flashback

It was well after noon before Lucius had a chance to welcome the Dark Lord home. When they finally reunited, they embraced as brothers.

"It has been too long my friend, too long." Voldemort thumped Lucius' back.

"That it has." The Dark Lord had been abroad trying to win of the giants as of late. His travels had kept him away for more than six months.

"So how goes it at the homestead? Any new developments?" Voldemort asked.

"None good, none bad." Lucius had been in charge during Voldemort's absence.

Voldemort nodded slowly. "And how's that delightful son of your's?"

"He is as well as he can be at age 21 my lord."

"I met one of his groupies today, Kaylie or Katie, something like that."

Lucius seemed more alert at the mention of Kylie's name. "My lord, her name is Kylie."

"Ah yes, Kylie. Delightful girl from what I gather. Doesn't seem to scare easy."

The blond man nodded in assent.

"It's a pity she's a squib. She would've had a lot of potential."

Here, Lucius jumped in. "To tell you the truth, I'm not all together sure she is a squib. I sensed power from her on the day she arrived."

Voldemort raised an eyebrow. "Well my friend, you do have uncanny instincts. It would be foolish of me not to trust them. Keep an eye on her." The Dark Lord smirked. "Though I doubt you'll have trouble with that."

Once again, Lucius looked up in surprise. "What do you mean, my Lord."

He chuckled. "You can lie to yourself, but not to me. I know you have feelings for her. We are not good men. Lust is what we do best. Among other things." His expression turned serious. "But don't let your infatuation blind you. If she has power, it needs to be aligned with our's. If she doesn't comply, kill her."

Lucius' head whipped to the side.

"What is it?" Voldemort asked.

"Nothing my lord, I thought I heard something. Forgive me, go on."