Chapter 12

They were silently gazing at the rolling hills that sat beyond the vast garden, wrapped in each other's arms. Bellatrix, however, suddenly tensed at feeling the sharp burn in her forearm. Hermione immediately looked to her love in concern. However, before she could speak, Bellatrix spoke up first. "It seems, little dove, that our peaceful morning must come to an end, the Dark Lord is calling." Hermione nodded before the dark witch wrapped her arms around the smaller frame before disapparating with a pop.

Immediately, the two found themselves right outside the open doors of the meeting room that was connected to the Dark Lord's study. Hermione noticed that they were the last to arrive. She took her place at one end of the table that could appropriately fit twelve people. The Dark Lord insisted that she take the other head of the table due to her royal status. Bellatrix sat to her right whereas Harry sat to her left. Sirius sat on the other side of Harry. Lucius sat to the right of the Dark Lord while Narcissa sat to his right, and Draco sat between his mother and Sirius. Severus sat to the left of the Dark Lord with…Hermione immediately froze upon seeing who sat to the left of the potions master. She didn't realize that her bubblegum haired auror and friend, Tonks was a part of all of this. But, however, she shouldn't really be surprised since she is technically a Black, but still, she was for remembering the splintering of her mother's relationship from her sisters when she ran away with Edward Tonks.

Upon noticing the teen's gaze stopping upon herself, Tonks gave her friend a small smile, understanding why the girl paused. Hermione continued her long stare for another minute before turning her head to the Dark Lord. "Tom, why is it that we are here?" She had spoken with a gentle tone, but they were laced with a certain tone of annoyance and authoritarian—annoyance due to the disruption of an amazing morning with her Bella. Tom simply smiled at the question, with the daily lessons that he has had with the teen since he ordered the extensive lessons for the teens, including Draco. He was pleased with Hermione's progress in becoming the assertive and formidable Romanov ruler that she was destined to be. Hermione, and eventually Bellatrix, will be the only ones that will be able to speak to him in such a tone.

"Ah yes, seeing as though you are already acquainted with our Nymphadora, here, we will immediately get down to business." Hermione simply nodded at the statement. "Well everyone, it seems as though Severus and Nymphadora have some important news they need to share. But first, I believe that it would be prudent for the pair to explain why they have been sitting on such news for four days." The serpentine wizard hissed as he looked sharply at the dungeon bat and metamorphmagus.

Both Severus and Tonks wanted to flinch at their Lord's clipped tone, but they knew that that behavior would get nowhere. In fact, it would more than likely get them a harsher punishment for showing weakness. The Dark Lord was lenient on several things, especially in concerns to the Black family and the boy now man that he practically raised since he graduated from Hogwarts. However, tardiness on relaying such vital information is grounds for punishment, and weakness was highly discouraged. Both wizard and witch steeled their nerves before Tonks decided to be the one to speak up. "My Lord, we apologize for our failure to relay our findings. After Sunday night's unexpected Order meeting that only certain members were invited, neither of us nor mother could get away until now to speak with you. As I was not present for the actual meeting, mother gave me her memories so I could pass them along to you with Severus here."

"And why couldn't Andromeda pass them along herself, Nymphadora?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"She had been holed up with Order business and appearances with other Order members, that she hasn't been able to step away. For instance, she has been needed to assist Molly and Arthur with preparing her two youngest for life of royalty and fame. That is actually the reason why we are here and part of the reason we couldn't come any earlier." Hermione immediately tensed at the notion, whereas Bellatrix seethed at the information.

If the Dark Lord had a nose, his nostrils would have been flaring. Calmly, he addressed his potions master, "Severus, would you care to elaborate on what Nymphadora had just told us." One could take this a question, but everyone at the table understood it to be a command.

Subtly nodding his in consent, "of course, my Lord. There are a select number of Order members that are aware of the true purpose of the organization." Going to continue, Severus, however, was interrupted.

"Who exactly…are these…select members?" came the deathly grave voice of Bellatrix.

Severus looked around the table at each of the faces as he spoke, "Well, besides myself, Andy, and Dumbledore, the others that were presents were Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Molly and Arthur Weasley, Dedalus Diggle, and Elphias Doge."

The table heard an unlady like snort come from one end of the table and immediately snapped their attention to the teen witch with incredulous stares—aside from Sirius, Harry, Severus, and Tonks. "I'm not bloody surprised to hear those names, though, I'm not fully acquainted with Diggle or Doge, but everyone else…"

"What makes you say that, Hermione?" Narcissa asked while Bella cocked her head to the side, very curious.

Sighing, "There was just something off about the lot of them. Moody was a bit overly paranoid, but I just chalked it up to his former auror profession. However, Kingsley was just strange, he acted strange. I don't know any better way to describe it. He was very quiet and always seemed on edge, especially around myself and Harry. And Molly and Arthur, their just plain predictable. Ever since I met her, Molly has always seeked attention, always wanted more, and when her little babies are able to accomplish both and gain on top of that; it's not surprising that she would jump on this opportunity. And Arthur, he just follows her around like a whipped puppy." The Malfoys, Bella, and Tom were thoughtful, digesting the girl's words. It was a very astute observation. "Now Professor, as Tom has asked, what exactly was said at the meeting?"

Nodding, everyone turned their head back to the dark wizard. "Right, we already know that they have knowledge of Lady Romanov and her prophecy, but they did not know what exactly the prophecy said. But now, they know that you will have a pivotal role in Mr. Potter's 'mission', as well as they know about your connection with Bella. Or at least they believe that it is Bella who was mentioned in your prophecy." He flickered his eyes between both of the witches, "they know that it is a Black witch, but they couldn't figure out who the Amazon Star was."

Hermione and Bellatrix rolled their eyes at the last bit, neither the least bit of surprised. "If they were not competent enough to figure out that it is me, then how do they know?" Bellatrix asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Apparently, Moody noticed that you two had a conversation during that skirmish at the Ministry." Both witches nodded their heads in accepting the answer, so the professor continued on. "And due to that, now they will try to block any form of communication that the two of you may or may not have. They don't want you to bond since they know of what would happen when your…union…is completed," the professor seemed to be uncomfortable at speaking of this part. Hermione blushed brightly like a tomato at the insinuation, while Bellatrix smirked knowing full well of what he was talking about. "And for that, they are stressing at making that they two of you," he gestured to Hermione and Harry, "remain on the 'light' side. Which is why I have been unable to come sooner."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked with a tilt of her head.

"They believe that in order for you two to stay with her cause, you need to have roots with them." Bellatrix seemed to tense as she secretly grabbed Hermione's hand under the table; it seemed as though she knew where this was leading to. "And in order to procure that, they felt it best for me to assist them in ensuring the two of you falling in love with Mr. and Ms. Weasley. I am to teach and assist them in making their first batch of love potions."

Both Hermione and Harry froze at the mention of love potions, and then on top of that, with Ronald and Ginny being the two that they would be connected to. They didn't pay any mind to the others at the table, instead, they looked to one another in trying to fully understand the full implications of the news. They were like for a few more moments before Hermione felt a squeeze of her hand and the both of them heard someone clearing their throat. It was Sirius who spoke up, "what are we going to do to prevent this? I am not going let this happen to my godson and daughter—for all intents and purposes."

"Like hell, they'll get their dirty hands on Hermione," Bellatrix said as she glared at the wizard who relayed the news. "And Mr. Potter of course," she added as an afterthought after she received a painful squeeze from her dove.

"Yes, Sirius, you are right. We need to figure out how to prevent this. However, we need to ensure that Severus and Andromeda are not exposed." He looked expectantly at the adults at the table.

"My Lord, I have any idea, but I'm not sure that it would work," Lucius spoke up for the first time.

The Dark Lord raised his eyebrow, "what is this idea of yours, Lucius?"

He was hesitant, and looked over to the two teens, "there is this special type of magic that can be infused into a piece of jewelry—the caster's choice—that would protect the person who bares the jewelry."

Sirius frowned in confusion, "how does this seem like it won't work? It's an optimal solution, what's the problem?"

"Well for Hermione it wouldn't be an issue, however, for Mr. Potter, it would." He was met with more confused than when he first spoke up. "You see, the only one who can make this special piece of jewelry has to be their soulmate. And seeing as Mr. Potter has yet to find his or even in a relationship, it would be impossible for him to have one." The understanding dawned on everyone at the table, except for said wizard and a certain blonde wizard. For those two looked to be a bit awkward. Being the very observant person that she is, Hermione noticed this behavior.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, moving her head, seeking out her best friend's eyes.

Quietly clearing his throat, he looked up to meet her eyes, "yes?"

"What's wrong?" She asked, trying to coax an answer out of the boy.

"Oh, umm, nothing. Everything is fine, considering the circumstances." Hermione may have accepted this answer if she wasn't observant. She also saw the quick flicker of his eyes over to the other teen at the table.

It seems as Bellatrix caught this as well when she turned her attention to her nephew, "Draco?"

"Yes," the now blushing blonde squeaked out.

"What's going on?" she asked, however, she received no reply.

"Dragon?" his mother asked.

"Harry?" Sirius asked his now blushing godson.

Both boys looked at each other again, while both Severus and Tonks look on, amused, knowing what was going on. Again, the adults and Hermione caught the act.

Putting all the pieces together, Hermione finally figured out what was going on. Hermione leaned over to her friend and patted his hand, "It's okay Harry, I understand. You don't need to say anything." Both Harry and Draco looked relieved at Hermione's words. Looking up to Lucius and the Dark Lord, she spoke up again, "I don't believe this spell would be a problem any further." Sirius, Narcissa, and Lucius seemed to want to ask what she meant, but Hermione cut them off before they could voice their questions. "I believe you know what I am talking about, so there is no need to press this matter even further, out of respect for the two of them." She spoke with a tone of finality. Sighing that three adults nodded their heads, but clearly, they all made silent promises to question the boys at a later date.

The Dark Lord was amused, "splendid, we will need to get to working on that soon. And I trust you will give me consistent updates on your progress." Everyone nodded, "excellent, Severus, Nymphadora, I want to assume that there is more?"

"Yes, my Lord. They also know about Lady Romanov's—"

"Really Professor, call me Hermione, I'm still adjusting to the whole Romanov heir thing." She pleaded.

"Of course, Hermione. they know about your brother. However, they do not know his identity. Dumbledore assumes that he must be in this time along with Hermione, however since they do not know who he is, they want to find him with the intent to use him as leverage for ensuring Hermione compliance with the Order." All of the adults let out a sigh of relief, however, Hermione looked to be in deep thought.

"Umm, okay, since they do not know that it is Neville, what are we going to do to protect him and make sure that once they do find out who he is, that he is safe. When are we going to talk to him, by the way? When are we going to bring him here, with us?" She looked at each of the adults, square in the eye with a questioning gaze.

"That won't be an issue, Mione, because I am already here." Hermione immediately snapped up and turned around at the very familiar of her very dear and close friend.

"Neville," as happy as she was happy to see him, she froze.