The story of the Dark Lord's daughter.

Hello everyone, this is the reworked/ edited version of the story that was called: 'Hermione, the dark lords daughter.'
As stated in the last chapter posted of that story, this will become the new version and only version of the story to be updated.
With help from my amazing new beta: Ydanae, this story has now been completely edited and is being rewritten chapter by chapter,
to hopefully make it the best it can be.

I own nothing, maybe a few plot points. Everything recognized belongs to J. K. Rowling and her universe.

Chapter 5

Severus woke me up, Merlin knows how long later. He looked at me and I felt slightly uncomfortable. The pain was still underlying but ultimately less severe than the previous evening, for which I was grateful.

"Are you feeling better now Cali?" he asked.

"What does it look like?" I said, sarcastically.

He passed me a plate providing me with my favourite dinner of a chicken roast and frowned as he did so.

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you. You need to eat something." He replied.

I slowly started to eat, allowing the succulent chicken to wander across my taste buds, really enjoying every bite as I shot him a dark look for his reprimand. He looked slightly bemused.

"Thanks. How did you get Dumbledore to let you skip dinner? I know that he expects you to be there." I asked, having been wondering since I woke.

"I told him I was looking after one of my students; he was delighted that I was finally caring for someone other than Draco, although he doesn't know it's you." He replied, a twitch of his lips betraying that he was amused.

"He doesn't like me much now does he?" I asked, feeling miserable.

"Why would you think that?" he asked carefully, sitting.

"When I was Hermione Granger, I was the brightest witch of my age and it made it better that everyone thought I was a Muggleborn. I was one of the golden trio. I was Harry potter's best friend. I was a Gryffindor. Everything was perfect!" I say my real fears are starting to slowly come to the surface. "Now I'm Cali Lestrange, still the brightest witch of my age but I'm a pure blood, I'm related to the most evil wizard in history and his best Death Eater. I hang round with Draco and the Malfoys are my next of kin. I imagine in his mind, I've gone from an asset to a risk. As who I was, he knew how to control me, now he can't do that anymore. We're all pawns in his game. He doesn't care. It kills me inside to know I don't have a stable family anymore." I said bitterly, feeling salty tears threatening to spill down my cheeks.

Severus took my hand in his. His hold strong but soft all at once. Holding me like this felt like such a comfort to me.

"This won't be easy to hear." He warned. "Even when you were Hermione, Dumbledore was wary of you. He's using Harry as a pawn, he was using you. Can't you see that. He used you to control Harry. He never fully trusted you because you were too powerful. However, you do have a stable family. Cissa loves you, she has had the manor ready for your arrival ever since the day you were taken. She never gave up hope that you would be returned to her, to all of us. She and Lucius care about you as if you were their own. Would he have come here, dropping everything, the second that Cissa finished reading the letter you sent if he didn't care?" He said sternly.

"But-" I started.

"Shut up and listen to me." He snapped, not appreciating my interruption. "Lucius and Narcissa love you. Bella and the Dark Lord will love you. Drake loves you. You have a family, you just need to get used to it. It's different from what you are used to I know, but once you get settled you will fit right in." He said, "Lucius is like my brother, trust me when I say that his family is welcoming you in with open arms."

"What about you?" I asked and my stomach churned. I shouldn't be asking this, and although his actions spoke for him, I was so very afraid I was imagining him starting to like this new me.

I looked into his black eyes and instead of seeing the hatred I was still kind of expecting I saw something different. "Do you welcome me into your life? Or am I still that little Mudblood know-it-all in your mind?" I asked, trying not to look like I was hanging onto his every word. I had always craved his acceptance, even when he did not like me before.

He smirked. "No, you aren't that little Mudblood know-it-all in my mind anymore. You are so much more. You need to stop thinking so negatively." He replied carefully.

I heard a tap at the window and turned. I saw an owl I recognized tapping at the panes with a talon. I let it in and unrolled the parchment. It was from the Malfoys, I mean, my family.

Cali,

I've sent a letter to your mother, I didn't think to tell her sooner about your return. I fear it was due to my own excitement of your appearance in our life again. I'm sorry. She's returned my letter and I've attached it for you. If this owl is on time the only person with you should be Severus.
It's up to you if you let him read it with you. We can't wait to see you at Christmas.

Love,

Aunt Cissa.

I opened the one from my mother with trembling fingers. Even though she might be my mother I knew of her reputation. Severus, picking up on my nerves, put a hand on my shoulder.

Caitlyn,

I was so happy when my sister sent me an owl saying that you were in fact alive. It's unfortunate that I'm where I am right now, but one day if I get out, I hope you could talk to me and that we could be like a real mother and daughter. I want to talk to you, I want to know you. If my reckoning is right, your father still isn't fully back. Lucius and Cissa will be looking after you, I hope they are treating you well. Especially Draco, that boy can be unpredictable sometimes my sister told me.

Remember that no matter how people treat you, you are who you want to be, whether that means you are my pureblood daughter or the Muggleborn Gryffindor. I really hope you will embrace being your true self, but I will accept whatever decision you make. I just want a chance. I hope you can follow your heart and be who you were born to be.

Please write back to me. Send the letter to Cissa and she can send it to me.

Your mother,

Bella.

I looked at Severus and passed him the letter. "It's from my mother." I told him as I gave him a few moments to read it.

"Are you going to write back?" He asked when he'd finished.

"Yes. Could you pass me some parchment so I can write back my response right now?" I asked him.

Severus handed me a piece of parchment and a quill and read along as I began to write.

Bella,

I don't know what to say, because I have so many thoughts in my head now. I'll try and make the letter readable.

First of all, I am so happy to hear from you. And I have so many questions. I think that when you get out we can try for a normal relationship. I really do want to get to know you.

Firstly it's wonderful with Aunt Cissa and Uncle Lucius. They are incredibly sweet and really helping me. Draco is being himself. In a good way, I really like him. He is nothing like I thought he was. Severus is really great at helping me as well.

I have already had to put up with people judging me because of my sudden change in heritage. Dumbledore being one. Severus and Uncle Lucius are sorting it for me and I'm grateful. I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not. I'm not going to change. This is who I am, it's who I always have been with just a little extra.

As to Lord Voldemort, he hasn't risen fully yet. Severus says that he is growing stronger though and it won't be long. I am slightly fearful of his rising though. Everything I know about him is bad. Bella, please explain to me how you could be with such an evil man? How will he react to my presence? How will I cope with having a birth father that knows no love?

I am anxiously awaiting your reply.

Love,

Cali

I passed it to Severus. "Does that sound alright?" I asked, wanting it to be perfect. It was after all the first thing I said to my birth mother.

He nodded. 'Anything you write to your mother is fine, she will be happy to hear from you no matter what. But please do not be afraid of your father, I am sure your mother will explain everything to you. He is not as bad as Dumbledore would like you to believe.

As I handed him the letter to be posted he asked me if I felt any better now.

"I feel like I belong somewhere now. Like I said in the letter to Bella, this is who I am." I said forcefully.

"Good girl." He said softly. We talked for a little while longer before he departed a short time later as I was getting tired again.

The next morning

Severus allowed me to go to the great hall for breakfast. I took my place next to Draco with pride.

"Are you alright?" Severus asked through Legilimency.

I looked up at him on reflex but hurriedly ducked my head.

"Yeah. For once I'm ready to face the day." I replied.

"What subjects have you got today?" He asked.

"Defense, Potions, Charms and Muggle studies." I told him while going over my schedule in my mind..

"Very well. I'll see you later." He finished.

"That you will." I said, breaking the connection.

"Hurry up Cali, We are going to be late for Defense. We are facing Boggarts today." Draco said excitedly.

We ran to Defense and got there with just moments to spare.

Professor Lupin pointed to the wardrobe which was rattling. "Does anyone know what's in here?" He asked the class.

"It's a Boggart sir." Some Gryffindor shouted out.

"Correct. Five points to Gryffindor. Now can anyone tell me what a Boggart looks like?" I raised my hand in true Hermione fashion. I could not believe the Gryffindor beat me to answering the previous question.

"Miss Lestrange." Professor Lupin addressed me.

"That's a trick question sir. Boggarts take the appearance of what frightens us most." I replied.

"Correct. Five points to Slytherin. It takes the shape of what we fear the most, but there is an incantation that changes the Boggart. The best way to defeat them is with laughter. We say the incantation first. Now, repeat after me: 'Riddikulus'."

The class dutifully parroted the spell back to him and he looked satisfied after a few tries. He clapped his hands.

"Alright, I think you've got that down. Now, who is up first? Mr. Weasley if you please?"

As I predicted Ron's turned into an Acromantula. After he used the charm the spider suddenly had ice skates on, so of course everyone started laughing. I didn't really see what was so hilarious but giggled anyway. After a few more people it was my turn. I didn't know what I feared the most and I wasn't sure I wanted to find out. I was curious, but I felt like a bug under a microscope in the classroom. I walked to the front of the classroom and the Boggart - which had been a vampire with its hair in pigtails – began to shift.

I almost dropped my wand. It was a perfect replica of Aunt Cissa. But it was wrong. She was sneering at me, a sneer she usually reserved only for Weasleys. She started to speak and I flinched. She hated me.

"R-Riddikulus." I stuttered and hating showing any weakness. The image changed and Uncle Lucius stood in her place, his eyes were cold and his chin jutted aggressively. He spoke hateful words as well and my hand trembled.

I said the spell again with more force and the creature morphed into two people I recognized. They were my Muggle parents. My mother looked at me sadly and with disappointment and as for my father, he shook his head before turning away, unable to look at me.

"Riddikulus!" I almost shouted, and quieted when I heard how loud my voice was. My parents disappeared and I felt like sighing with relief, until the Boggart formed a woman with long dark hair and a pretty figure. Her features were blurred and when she spoke, her voice was nondescript and distorted. It was clear she hated me. I was a disappointment to her, nothing but a filthy Mudblood. I realized who she was. She was my mother, but I didn't know her face.

I choked and felt my knees give way. Landing harshly on the cold tiles of the classroom floor, Professor Lupin hurriedly stepped in front of me and the creature faded into a small white orb. I didn't know what it was and right then, I didn't care much. He ushered the class, who were looking at me interestedly, out of the door. He walked over to me and squatted, putting his hand on my shoulder.

"Miss Lestrange? Are you alright?" he asked gently, rubbing my shoulder softly

I let out a strangled sort of sob and he sighed.

"From what I heard of your prowess in magic, you shouldn't have any trouble with a Boggart." He said, "Would you mind telling me why you had such a hard time with it?"

I noticed that a few tears had leaked from my eyes. He fished a clean tissue from a box on the desk and passed it to me. I dabbed at my eyes.

"I always keep a box when I teach about Boggarts." He admitted. "You are not the first to be upset by what they've seen and I'm sure you won't be the last."

I found it odd that that made me feel a little better.

"I-I-" I started. "It was my family. They didn't want me anymore. I was alone." I said my voice small and meek. "My new family rejected me and my old family not wanting me back." I whispered. "I'd be heartbroken if that happened. There's no way to find that funny."

"That'll be why the Boggart picked that." He explained. "I can help you, if you like." He offered and I looked at him questioningly.

"You would do that?" I asked.

"Of course. You are my student." He said as if that made everything make sense. And in a way, it did.

"How? When?" I asked shortly. I was eager to be rid of these fears.

"Lunches, after classes, I don't mind. It's up to you." He shrugged and took his hand of my shoulder. He helped me up. "When would you like to start?"

"After dinner tonight?" I said hopefully. He nodded and I smiled.

"Very well. I'll see you later Miss. Lestrange."

I smiled at him. Maybe Professor Lupin wasn't that bad. Maybe I'd made another friend. It couldn't hurt to have a popular teacher on my side. Merlin knows I need it.

After thanking him, I ran towards the Potions classroom. Hopefully Draco would have told Severus why I was late. I walked in, quickly spotting the only open seat next to Ron and Harry, studiously not looking at them.

Harry looked indecisive, as though he wanted to say something. He bit his lip, but before he could speak Severus was in front of me.

"Cali, go sit next to Draco. Crabbe move next to Potter." He ordered Vincent. I saw Harry deflate and felt a twinge of guilt. Maybe he really had wanted to talk.

The lesson passed without incident, as did the rest of the day. Dinner came and went and I found myself incapable of consuming any form of food and all too soon, dinner was over and I was walking with heavy steps to Professor Lupin's classroom. I felt sick and weak. But I wanted this. I needed this. I opened the door after knocking and strode in.

The wardrobe standing innocently in the middle of the room sent chills down my spine.