1I was afraid when I started this I wouldn't get much response, but I am, and it's great! I'd love to respond to all of you, but it would take too much room. Also, if there's anything you want to contact me immediately about, my AIM screenname is SoSueMe9008. I'm happy to everyone who reviewed!

MOI - I'll try not to rush it, and thanks for giving it a chance!

OLIVIA STEVENSON - Thanks, I'll keep writing!

FIREANDDARKNESS - I'm glad you do...please keeping reading!

BRAMBLEROSE4 - I thought that Hermione becoming a Death Eater would be a good twist. Sorry, no fanart, I just thought it would be a pretty dress!

ASHLEY - Sorry if I'm not being clear!

1. She doesn't really want to talk to him, so she doesn't start another argument.

2. I thought I had explained this, but I guess I left it out. Lucius took her to clean the hallway to Draco could "meet" her there. It was basically so Draco didn't have to go to the dungeons. I'd love to help you with story ideas! My AIM sn is SoSueMe9008. I'm having trouble finding you're story by search, so do you think you could send me a link of it? Thanks!

SHARN - I'm glad you love it! I think they make a good pair, too.

ZAN189 - I guess we'll soon see, won't we? J/k. I don't know if that's quite how it'll work out yet. Please keep reading, and if you want to give me any story ideas, you seem to have good plot twists!

XXCOTTONCANDYXX - I don't really like the ones where Draco changes, either!

SARAH - There just might be...read and find out. :)

KESLER - I'm going to try to update regularly!

MISS KAY-CHAN - Hope I get those twelve lollipops soon:-D

And now back to my story!

Chapter 5: When the Worlds Collide

'Who the hell does he think he is, calling Crookshanks an nightmare?' Hermione was thinking in a rage. If she had her wand, both the roses and Malfoy's note would be in flames. Who did he think he was, anyway? Did he really think that Hermione would automatically warm up to him, after hating him for seven years? No way in hell! Hermione's rage, however, was just a cover so she wouldn't break down and sob again.

As this torrent of emotions flowed through her, a graceful tawny owl soared through her bedroom door. She put up her arm for the owl to land on, but it chose the desk. Scowling, she walked over and unrolled the note from it's leg. As soon as the note was gone, the owl left.

Hermione Granger,

It is an unparallel delight to be able to have you amongst our ranks. You're ceremony will be held on the 24th of December, or Christmas Eve. No better present than to join the ranks of the most powerful wizard of all time, correct? If you should ever need me, than just call out my name. I shall be where ever you are in an instant.

Until such a lovely time as we can meet again,

Lord Voldemort

Once she was done reading it, she shuddered. How could a man so evil be so...polite?She decided to explore her room and ignore the fact that two of the men she hated most gave her notes.

She went to a tall mahogany door. As soon as she opened it, a streak of red went sailing past her. Turning around, she noticed the streak was Crookshanks. It appeared the he had been trapped in the bathroom (A/N Is Crookshanks a girl or boy? I can't remember!). Hermione cooed a little bit at him, then went to explore the bathroom herself. The tub was freestanding and marble, with golden claws. There was also a hot tub, which was about the size of a small pool. She thought she could use a little relaxation, so she took off her clothes and dipped into the hot water. Instantly relaxed, she continued to gaze around. However, nothing was as truly remarkable as the ceiling.

It was a painting of what she could only assume was Heaven. There were golden cherubs and white puffs of clouds everywhere. She could stare at it for hours.

"It's hard to believe Lord Voldemort lives in a place like this." Hermione sighed aloud. Instantly, there was a loud pop. Lord Voldemort had apparated into her bathroom.

"Did you call?" He hissed. Hermione had forgotten the note - if she said his name aloud, he would "be where ever you are in an instant." She couldn't believe she had made such a stupid mistake. "Ah, I see you have discovered the hot tub." She shrank under the jets. With all the bubbles they were making, they covered her chest. "Not to worry, Miss Granger. I shall let you get dressed and meet you back in your bedroom." He turned and left. Crookshanks came running back into the bathroom as soon as Voldemort was in the bedroom.

Just as she was the most relaxed she had been in awhile, the source of all her problems came through her door. And not just any door, but her bathroom door. 'Bloody terrific.'

Quickly, she put on her dress. It didn't matter that she was soaking wet, as long as she was covered. Giving Crookshanks a quick squeeze, she walked tentatively into her bedroom.

Voldemort was relaxed comfortably on her bed. When she walked in the room, he smiled his leer of a smile at her.

"Miss Granger, this is an honor. Do you mind if I call you Hermione?"

She scowled at him.

"Excellent, Hermione it is. For what reason did you call?"

"I didn't."

"When you address me, Hermione, it will be as master or sir from now on. Did you get my owl?"

"Yes." Then, as an afterthought, "Master."

"Good, good." Hermione thought that she had never hated anyone so much as the man who wasn't quite a man before her. " Now, I know, Hermione, that I am not your favorite person."

'That's the understatement of the year.' Thought Hermione venomously.

"You will watch what you think around me as I am the greatest Leglimens of all time." He was losing his temper for the first time. "I am trying to extend you every courtesy here."

"No offense, sir, but the every courtesy you speak of is lost on me, as I am miserable when anywhere near you or your followers. And furthermore, I cannot truly believe that I am going to become one of the people I've hated all my life. A Death Eater."

Just as he had when Hermione had criticized him about the Order of the Phoenix, Voldemort smiled.

"It is lovely to finally have someone in our rankswho will speak their mind to me, rather than me having to interpret it." Voldemort mused. With a pop, he was gone.

Hermione sank against the wall. She put her head in her hands, and her hands on her knees.

'This isn't happening. This isn't happening. This isn't happening. This isn't-'

"I'm afraid it is, Granger."

It seemed that Malfoy was back for more.

"What do you want? I thought I told you to go away!" Hermione hissed. She had had as much as she was going to take from anyone. Her life was ruined and now they were rubbing salt in her open wound. "What the hell do you want with me? Congratulations, your side won and my life is ruined! Now leave me alone!"

"I came to take you somewhere that I thought you would appreciate." He sneered. "But since it seems that you are too busy being stuck up and prideful, I guess I was mistaken!"

They had gotten into another argument.

"Yes, you were mistaken! And, while we're talking about your mistakes, how about you take back the roses you left me, I don't want them!"

He looked taken aback. He had never done anything as nice for a girl as he had done for the Mudblood standing in front of him, and here she was, throwing it in his face!

"How dare you? You dare to throw back every courtesy bestowed upon you? Well, fine!" He picked up the roses and threw them at the wall. He started to come dangerously close to Hermione. "You have been nothing but rude to us, Granger."

"What did you expect? You took everything from me!" Hermione cried.

"Well, we didn't take everything. For instance, you still have your cat."

She snapped. With one fluid move, she walked up to him and smacked him right across the face.

"If I had my wand right now, Malfoy, rest assured that I would hex you into oblivion! But, as your kind are such cowards, I have no wand and therefore can't do a damned thing!"

"Cowards? We are no cowards! We are simply smart enough to understand that when one of the most powerful witches of all time is pissed at you, you do NOT give her back her wand!"

A red hand print was blazing across his face, but he didn't seem to care.

"And another thing, Granger, what makes you think that a petite thing such as yourself could ever stand up to someone as strong as me? If I saw fit, I could snap your pretty little neck!"

Was he really threatening and complimenting her at the same time?

"Oh! Then why don't you?"

He paused for a moment.

"I should leave. Take care, Granger, to not insult everyone who clothes and feeds you."

He left the room in a huff.