A/N: I'm baaaack! After such a long time without updating! Oh I am sorry! This chapter is rather brilliant though, if I do say so myself:grins: Hope you enjoy! Remember, the trick to a quick update is…REVIEWS! Hehe.

Chapter Twenty-Two: the Pleasures of Hate

My Dear Friend,

I must make a confession to you, my dear friend, because it seems too much to bear it alone anymore. So I confide in you, Remus, and hope that you may give an old man a bit of cherished advice. I seem to remember announcing to the Order that Hermione Granger had perished at the hands of Death Eaters…untrue.

You see, an odd thing, hate. After a while, it seems to become more than just a simple emotion. It becomes an obsession. When you truly- truly hate someone, it takes every bone in your body, every drop of your blood…it utterly consumes you. So when I say that Hermione Granger hates Draco Malfoy, you have no other choice than to believe that he exists in her every waking thought. And when I say Draco Malfoy hates Hermione Granger, you must understand that it is more than just an obsession, it's a passion. Though this does not mean there is any sort of compassion, or caring between the two because obviously and rather simply put they hate each other. What it does mean, is that they both are present in the others waking thoughts constantly, they will forever be going out of their way just to speak to the other, to hurt one an other, to bring the other down as far as they possibly can. Can you remember, in early school days, going out of your way on the walk to school just so you'd be sauntering along the same route that the person you had a 'crush' on would be? It is thus with Draco and Hermione, if that helps in the least bit. In a way, it is a lot like love, though completely different in all aspects possible. The point of the rambling, is to bring attention the point that…

They are lost to us. Completely and utterly devoted to the other…in hate.

It is my greatest hope that you receive this, and take it in good heart. Keep your chin up, as they say, until I arrive. I do wish you the best.

With Care,

Albus

Dumbledore folded the parchment and tied it to a snowy owl. He had tried his best to keep the intense subject in the letter on a rather light note, for Remus would need it. The fact that the Order had lost a top agent and loyal friend to Draco Malfoy could in fact inspire a variety of emotions within him, anger being the solution.

Shaking his head, Dumbledore sighed. It didn't matter if Lupin, or anyone for that matter, would get angry. The fact of the matter was that he had to know. For if Hermione ever came back one day…he shuddered at the thought. She was lost. It wouldn't matter.

He had a feeling that he might be of the few who thought so.

It wouldn't matter. She was lost.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Voldemort was impatient. If he were a normal human being he would be tapping his foot and scowling. Of course, being nowhere near 'human', he was simply glaring at everything and everyone in themainthrone room.

Where in Merlin's name was that dratted Malfoy boy? He was delivering a most precious jewel to him, one Hermione Granger to be exact.

He was just about to start shouting jinxes, when the overbearing oak doors creaked open and in walked Draco Malfoy looking a bit on the flushed side, his hair slightly askew. After him stumbled the Granger girl looking crimson in the face, her robes a bit off center. Both persons looked extremely satisfied and yet disgusted and furiousall at once. An unbelievable smirk crept onto the Dark Lords face. Could it be? The young and formidable master Malfoy and the revenge-seeking Miss Granger? If so…this could play toan enormous advantage. Think of the possibilities those two could bestow? With her intelligence and Draco's knowledge in manipulation and brute force and power…the possibilities are endless.

The two stopped at the foot of his thrown and Draco stooped into a bow. Hermione looked awfully confused and managed a sort of awkward curtsey. This surprised both Voldemort and Draco; Mudblood Granger showing the Dark Lord respect? This was unheard of…

"Malfoy I congratulate you on the work you've accomplished these past months. It has proved most rewarding, I see endless doors of opportunity before you and Miss Granger…" A puzzled look crossed the young pairs face. "But let us not be bothered with those now. I have a most intriguing proposition for you, Miss Granger."

"And what, pray tell, would that be?" her voice sounded shaky, as if she'd recently been through an emotionally disturbing experience. If his suspicions were correct, she very well may have been…Voldemort chuckled.

"My dear I admire your pluck, for ordinarily,one who is in my service does not speak to me thus." He waited for her to catch it.

"I-in your services?" There it was. The Hermione he had despised a month ago would have valiantly stuck her nose in the air and refused to even say the words 'in your service'. She had undergone changes since their last meeting weeks and weeks ago, and Voldemort was most interested in what those changes were, and what brought them round.

"Yes, my dear." She cringed; he could tell she detested him calling her that. "I have decided to induct you into my services. You will not receive the Dark Mark quite yet, but until then you and Master Malfoy will make an excellent team."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

"…you and Master Malfoy will make and excellent team." Hermione gaped at these words. Questions flew through her mind and a mixture of objection and pleasure crossed her mind. Work for the Dark Lord? Work as Malfoy's partner? This would increase the opportunity to rip him to shreds, as well as perhaps gain his trust…no, whatwas she thinking, he would never trust her…

As she was pondering this, she was subconsciously rubbing the insides of her thighs, where the muscles were unbearably sore and over-worked. Draco smirked triumphantly as he watched her…

He would rather enjoy working with her, getting opportunity after opportunity to tear her emotions to shreds, as well as ravish her body on a semi-regular basis. He would absolutely destroy her.

Voldemort watched as these two thought. He could see equal thoughts of opportunity cross both faces. Then he watched as they made their decision, and each face reflected the same positive answer.

"I accept these terms," Hermione stated, her hand returning from her thighs. "But only on the condition that I get quality living arrangements and no contact from many despicable Death Eaters." Again, if Voldemort were human he would have gaped. However, being who he was he only laughed uproariously.

"My dear," he started after a few moments, still chuckling. "You are in no position to demand the conditions. Though you will receive your own quarters her and headquarters, and as far as contact from Death Eaters…" He smiled; a nasty, hideous, heart stopping smile. "There will be plenty of that for you."

For a moment it looked as if objection would pass through her lips, but she held it in.

"Very well then." Voldemort concluded. "Malfoy, show her to Conference room 2, which is now a deliciously decorated bedroom and quarters."

And bowing yet again Draco backed out of the room, Hermione following with another clumsy curtsey.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

After traveling through many tapestries, and up numerous flights of stairs, they came to a small and rather crooked wooden door. They had not spoken to one another since the eventful time in the front hall, where Hermione had acquired the many bites and bruises, and Draco had acquired the deep fingernail gouges in his back. And they didn't speak now they had reached her bedroom; Draco shoved the door open, shoving her inside. Darkness clouded about the room and Hermione couldn't see a thing. Only when Draco (who had followed her into the room) flicked his wand, did light flood about the chambers.

Voldemort had been right, it was deliciously decorated. Green seemed to be the theme as everywhere in the castle. The hangings on the plush king-sized bed were green, as were the armchairs in her little study in the far corner. She had a dresser and a rather large walk in closet already equipped with the women Death Eater necessity's, and a magnificent green tiled bathroom, with a bathtub that could have been somebody's pool. But Hermione never saw any of this, for the moment the door closed Draco grabbed her by the hair and threw her (quite literally) onto the bed.

Pinning her beneath him, he kissed her roughly, biting her lip until she screamed. Licking up the blood, he then tore her robes off for the second time that night.

Oh, the pleasures of Hate.

A/N: Again, its been so long since I've updated and you have my sincerest apologies, but I hope this chapter is enough to make up for it! So, what do you think? I rather enjoyed this chappie quite a bit. Please, do review! Let me know if your enjoying it.

Hermione: sobs pleasures! PLEASURES! I don't think so! No, please do make it stop!

Draco: Well, I think their pleasures.

Harry: eats macaroni and cheese