Love and Betrayal
A/N: Ok, I rewrote this chapter and I think it's a bit better but a little funny. And the revelation will be in the next chapter. I hope you like it. I was going to redo the story like Amy Lee suggested but I decided not to. The next chapter will be Hermione/Ebony talking and it will also be Hermione's friends talking. A lot will be revealed next chapter or do you thinkI should wait? Please tell!
From Previous Chapter…
Voldermort smiled and leaned his arms on either side of her. "What do you feel for me?" he asked…
Hermione gaped up at Voldermort, not believing what she was hearing. However, flashes of her dreams went across her mind. Voldermort stared into her eyes and saw that and smirked.
Hermione swallowed and looked up at Voldermort. He was very attractive and the scent of him was making her dizzy. Voldermort leaned closer and Hermione closed her eyes. She could feel him so close. So very close to her body and then there was a knock on the door. Hermione opened her eyes to see Voldermort pulling away.
He walked to the door and was whispering to whoever was outside. Hermione breathed out a breath she didn't know she was holding and sat down on the settee in front of the fireplace.
Hermione looked up as she heard footsteps. Voldermort was walking towards her with a woman in his wake. She was fairly tall and beautiful or maybe more striking. She had beautiful blonde hair that had been pulled in a French twist and was wearing elegant powder blue robes.
Voldermort stopped in front of Hermione and lifted her hand. He placed a kiss on it and whispered, "I will see you at dinner." Hermione watched him leave, her hand tingling from the sensation of his mouth on her hand.
The woman took a seat in a chair by the fireplace. She smiled kindly before saying, "You must be Hermione. Tom mentioned you before. I'm Narcissa Bla- I mean Malfoy," Narcissa said, adding distaste to Malfoy.
Hermione knitted her eyebrows in confusion. She had always heard that Narcissa was like the rest of them, stuck up and cruel. But meeting her made her rethink that. Narcissa seemed sincere.
"I don't understand. Why did you say the Malfoy name with distaste?" Hermione asked.
Narcissa laughed. "I say it with distaste because they say one thing but do another. I absolutely loathe Lucius for being a cruel and bloodthirsty man. Tom lets me live here most of the year and I've been waiting to meet you," Narcissa replied.
"Oh, you dislike Lucius too. I will always hold animosity for him. For what he did to my friends and I in the Department of Mysteries. But weren't you involved?" Hermione said.
Narcissa cast her eyes down. "Lucius had me under the imperius. After Lucius was put in Azkaban, I came here to live and I only live at Malfoy Manor for about three months out of the year," she replied.
"Oh. Well, I don't have a dislike for your son, Draco. He was Head Boy with me last year. He's really intelligent," Hermione replied.
Narcissa smiled. "Yes, but if he were so intelligent, he wouldn't..." Narcissa trailed off, "But, come you need to get dressed in better clothes and after that we will go and meet some of the other ladies."
Hermione was suspicious by Narcissa's abrupt change of subject and wondered how Draco had failed in his intelligence. She was however scared to ask. She wondered what would happen if she did and she didn't believe Narcissa at all when she said she was under the imperius.
Narcissa stood up and took Hermione's arm. Dread filled Hermione's stomach but then she was in a room full of dresses. Narcissa found a pair of violet robes and told Hermione to change into them. Hermione nodded blankly, going along with it so she might not get punishment. She was scared that at any moment she would be tortured. Narcissa nodded when Hermione had changed and took her arm once more.
Narcissa led her out into the hall when she stopped. "We are going to meet some of the women who live here," was all she said.
Narcissa opened a door on the third floor and Hermione saw many women but one woman came forward to greet Narcissa. She had shiny and beautiful black hair and from her face you could say she was once beautiful but it was sunken as if she had sent many years in Azkaban. Hermione recognized her immediately. She was Bellatrix Lestrange, the one who had made Neville's parents go insane.
"Hello Narcissa, my sister and you must be Hermione," Bellatrix said.
Hermione was scared now because she knew what Bellatrix could do.
"Yes, I am Bellatrix," Hermione said, standing straighter.
Bellatrix stared at her. "How do you know my name?" she asked finally and a hush fell over the room
"I met you in the Department of Mysteries. You tried to kill my friends and me," Hermione said.
Bellatrix continued to stare at her. "I'm sorry but I don't know you. Maybe you were mistaken," she said lightly.
Hermione looked into her eyes however and saw that she was lying and hatred was pouring forth from the depths towards Hermione.
Narcissa cleared her throat and took Hermione's arm. She led her to the other women and introduced them until there was one left.
"Hermione, this is Ebony Slithinm," Narcissa said.
The woman smiled and extended her hand in greeting. "I'm very pleased to meet you Hermione. And it's Granger is it not?" she asked.
Hermione stood there for a few seconds trying to comprehend. This was the very first woman besides Narcissa who said they were pleased to meet her. She smiled at the woman finally and took her hand.
"Yes, it is Hermione. Hermione Granger," she replied.
Ebony gestured for her to sit and Hermione did. For some reason she trusted Ebony. She couldn't understand why but she did. The other women frightened her and she hated Bellatrix and would never trust her. Narcissa was still, well open to debate.
When she sat down, Hermione surveyed the woman. She was quite beautiful with long, deep black hair like the color of a raven and pale skin like porcelain. And her eyes were deep pools of purple.
Hermione wanted to ask the woman many things but she wasn't expected for the first thing out of her mouth, "Are you a death eater?"
Ebony smiled, "No I'm not nor will I ever be. My father will never be either. We are only supporters. I have no wish to partake in such bloodshed. But I love living here."
Hermione relaxed a bit but was still on edge. She didn't understand why she trusted this woman but she did but she would be on her guard.
Several hours passed as Hermione and Ebony talked. They told each other about themselves mostly. Hermione learned that Ebony's mother had died at the hands of an auror. The auror had assumed that Ebony's mother, whose name was Alena, was a death eater and in those times everything was uncertain.
Ebony's father had raised her and she always wondered who that man was who killed her mother.
"I'm so sorry for you," Hermione said.
"Don't be. It's been 19 years since then. I was only 7 when it happened," Ebony replied.
"You're 26! That's close to my age," Hermione said.
"Yes, I am close to your age and quite young. Most of the women here are 30 or older. Most late 30's," Ebony replied.
Narcissa came over. "Hermione, it's time to go dress for dinner. The Dark Lord will be expecting you," she said.
Ebony nodded at Narcissa and turned to Hermione. "We will see each other at dinner. Most of the Dark Lord's death eaters and followers eat with him. And so I will be there."
Hermione nodded and followed Narcissa. They went to Hermione's rooms and Narcissa gave her a pair of blood red robes. They had a crimson silk under robe with a blood red velvet over robe.
Hermione took them and changed. Narcissa smiled and took out her wand but Hermione was scared to death. Narcissa saw her look and laughed.
"I'm going to do your hair," she said and flicked her wand, making Hermione's hair go up.
"Oh and here, this is a gift from the Dark Lord," Narcissa said, handing Hermione a black box.
Hermione opened it to reveal a bracelet that was silver with blood red rubies and the clasp was an H for Hermione.
"Oh, that is beautiful. Here let me put it on you," Narcissa said.
Hermione bit her lip and shook her head. The bracelet could be poisoned or it could be some sort of chain type thing. She wasn't going to take chances.
"Why ever not?" Narcissa asked.
Hermione continued to shake her head and Narcissa sighed. "Well, here, we'll put the box on the vanity," she said.
Hermione sighed in relief. At least Narcissa didn't force her to wear the bracelet.
Narcissa took her arm and pushed her in front of the mirror. Hermione stared at herself. The crimson under robe was low cut enough so that you saw a faint swell of her breasts. The blood red over robe was cut in a V and came to rest under her breasts. Her hair had been pulled up and her slender neck was shown off.
Narcissa came behind her. She had changed and wore midnight blue robes. They set off her deep blue eyes and she had left her hair down but put a diamond clip in it.
Narcissa took Hermione's arm as the clock began to chime. "It is time for dinner," she said.
Hermione was led down stairs and into a large room. Men dressed opulently were on the right side. Some of them had women on their arms that were dressed just as well but some had women who were dressed more scantily. The men on the left were dressed well and there were fewer women. Hermione saw Ebony on the left with a man who was obviously her father. She wore deep purple robes and her hair had been pulled over and pinned to the side of her head. Everyone stopped speaking when Narcissa and Hermione entered.
Footsteps echoed off the walls and Hermione looked up. Voldermort was coming towards her. He wore black robes but the inside was shown as red silk.
Voldermort stopped before Hermione and Narcissa bowed before she walked to Lucius on the right side of the room. Voldermort looked at her and Hermione glared. Voldermort merely took hold of her arm and threaded it through his own. Hermione glared at the side of his face as the doors ahead of them opened to reveal a large dining hall.
"Why did you not wear the gift I left you?" Voldermort asked as he seated her to the right of him at the mahogany table.
Hermione's red lips thinned. "Ah, so you have no reason or perhaps you do but you're not going to tell me," Voldermort said.
Hermione merely turned her head to greet the person next to her. Voldermort smiled as he imagined Hermione's shock.
And she was shocked when she saw Ebony beside her. "I thought that the people on the right side were sitting at the head of the table?" Hermione asked.
"They do but the Dark Lord asked me to sit next to you. He said that he knows of your distaste for most of his followers," Ebony replied.
Hermione nodded, glad that she had a friend in a sea of people she despised. House elves entered and served the food. But as one elf went to fill Hermione's goblet, Voldermort gestured for another elf. The elf came forward and filled Hermione's goblet instead.
Hermione didn't notice as she was involved in conversation with Ebony but Ebony noticed and shot Voldermort a look. He just glared at her in response as if challenging her. Ebony just turned her head and answered Hermione.
Hermione picked at her food wondering if it was poisoned. But she drank from her goblet more and talked to Ebony mostly and because of this, missed the smirk gracing Voldermort's lips.
"Are you alright?" Ebony asked as she saw Hermione looking dizzy.
Hermione only giggled but then said, "Yes, but you know the room is really swirly."
Ebony stared at Hermione before taking her goblet away. "Hey, gimme me that back!" Hermione yelled indigently.
Voldermort cleared the table and leaned over. "I would suggest Miss Slithinm that you give Hermione her goblet back."
Hermione giggled as Ebony relinquished the goblet as she glared. Hermione yawned. "I'm tired," Hermione looked at Voldermort, "will you take me?"
Voldermort stood up and grabbed Hermione's arm but Ebony stood up also. She knew enough to know that Hermione was drunk and on purpose. Lucius took his wand out however and pointed it at her. "Sit down Slithinm," he hissed.
Tears fogged Ebony's eyes but she took a seat. Her father was glaring at her and she turned away from him.
Back with Hermione>
Hermione clung to Voldermort as he walked her to her bedroom. When she was tired, she became very clingy but now she was also very drunk.
Voldermort opened Hermione's bedroom door then closed it behind him. He led Hermione to her bed and put her in the bed. She clung to him tightly.
"Don't leave, please," she said.
Voldermort climbed into the bed next to her and she settled against him. Soon both were asleep.
Dream:
Hermione stepped into her nightgown. It was green silk and had lacy straps. She pulled her robe around her and exited her bathroom. Voldermort sat on the bed, his white skin gleaming in the candlelight.
"My Hermione," he said.
Hermione smiled as he came forward and embraced her, smelling her scent of violets. Hermione pulled away and walked backwards towards the bed. She crawled back and Voldermort began to crawl up. And as he went, he lifted her nightgown until her skin was illuminated by the soft light of the candle by the bedside.
Hermione reached over and pulled Voldermort towards her, kissing him passionately. Voldermort pulled back and began to remove his clothes. Hermione ran her hands over his back and Voldermort…
--------------------------------->
Hermione opened her eyes. It was still dark but her head pounded horribly. She groaned and snuggled closer to her source of warmth. It was satiny smooth, like skin. She jolted awake and sat up. The sudden movement however, made her head pound horribly. She carefully got up and went into the bathroom.
She threw up in the toilet and afterwards drew herself a bath. She soaked in the warmth of it. She loved the smell of violet; it helped to clear her head. She smiled to herself before she got out of the bath. She drew a towel about herself and walked back into her room. The lights were on and she almost screamed when she saw Voldermort sitting on her bed. But she did jump in the air and the towel slipped off.
Voldermort froze when this happened but his eyes roamed up her body. Hermione blushed crimson as she thought of her dream. She didn't pick up the towel but ran into the clothing room. She found a pair of lavender robes and pulled them on.
She walked back out into her room and glared at Voldermort. He merely raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. Hermione sat down at the vanity and her eyes widened at the sight. The robes she had chosen were low cut and showed the tops of her breasts. Voldermort came behind her. "Lovely robes, Hermione," he said.
Hermione glared at him in the mirror before pushing past him. She went back into the clothing room and found a green dress. It had quarter length bell sleeves and it fell about her ankles. She walked back into her room and saw Voldermort still by her vanity.
"Why don't you wear the bracelet?" he asked.
Before Hermione could stop herself, she said, "It could be cursed."
Voldermort laughed and turned around. "If I was going to curse you, I would have and not have given you a gift," he said.
Hermione thought about it. He was right, Voldermort would have cursed her, not have gone to the point of giving her a gift.
"Wear the bracelet," he said.
"I still don't trust you," she said.
Voldermort turned and walked out of the room. Hermione closed her eyes and smiled. She sat down at the vanity and brushed her hair. She wished she had something to do. When she had finished brushing her hair, she admired the bracelet.
As she was doing that, Voldermort came back. Hermione spun around, the bracelet in her hand.
"I see you like it but you don't trust me," he said.
"What do you have behind your back?" Hermione asked of his left arm.
Voldermort pulled it into view and revealed a book. Hermione inched closer, curious.
It was a book on Ancient Runes. "I know that you like Ancient Runes and I own many books on the subject because it always was one of my favorites in school," he said.
Hermione stared at him and then the book. "You took Ancient Rune?" she muttered weakly.
"Yes, I did. Why do you find that hard to believe? I was once at Hogwarts and I did take some of the subjects you took," he said.
Hermione nodded. Harry had mentioned that Voldermort had been at Hogwarts but Harry had also said that he had had another name. That Voldermort was not his true name.
Hermione shook her head and took the book. "Thank you," she said.
"You're welcome," Voldermort replied. It was faint but Hermione still heard it.
Voldermort turned and left the room with Hermione staring after him. Hermione shook her head and lay down on the bed to read the book...