A/N There is a general upward trend for chapter length. Obviously some are shorter than others but for the most part, chapters will be longer than previous chapters.

There are some things that haven't been addressed yet, like what happened between Tonks and Sirius or the fact that Neville's parents were reportedly tortured by Bellatrix. Explanations are coming. I haven't forgotten about it. Things may not be clear now but that's kind of the point. For the most part, we discover information as Hermione does and she hasn't gotten to those yet but she will. In due time, readers.

If you're new to this story, welcome! If you've been here since the beginning, I'm glad you're still here. Thank you all so much for your support and advice. Just your daily dose of appreciation. You guys are amazing. Feel like it.

Enjoy!

Hogsmeade weekend. The Shrieking Shack.

Hermione could barely contain the bounce in her step. She didn't know what Bella wanted to talk about but she knew she would get to see her. She hadn't realized the foul mood she had been in since the Order meeting until she had gotten Bella's letter yesterday. Even though it had been just over a month since she had last seen her, Hermione missed her Death Eater dearly.

"Someone is in a good mood," Ginny teased.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Ginny. I'm as sullen as ever," Hermione joked. Ginny laughed and bumped Hermione's shoulder with her own. She didn't know what had the older witch so happy but she suspected it had something to do with Bellatrix. The Death Eater was the only one that made Hermione whole. Ginny did her best, but she could tell Hermione needed the older witch.

"Hermione! Do you have plans? I wanted to talk to you," Harry said as he caught up to the two witches. He felt bad for dismissing Hermione so quickly when she had told them she was the le Fay heir. He had been thinking hard about his reaction and concluded that he should apologize for his behavior as of late. Hermione was his friend and he should have listened to the whole story before walking away. He realized that now and only hoped she would forgive him.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I do. We can talk over lunch? The Three Broomsticks?" Hermione suggested. Harry nodded a bit sullenly. He thought Hermione would be willing to talk right then, but he supposed that was his typical behavior. He needed Hermione on his side if Voldemort was to be defeated. He needed to be a better friend. Harry watched as Hermione walked down the path with Ginny. He would talk with Hermione after lunch. He only hoped it wasn't too late. He had no idea she had already chosen a side.

Splitting from Ginny, Hermione made her way to the Shrieking Shack. She was able to refrain from outright running but her pace notably quickened. Throwing open the door, Hermione entered and closed the door behind her. Looking around, she couldn't see Bella but she knew she was there. She could feel her magic.

"Hello, lion. Glad you could make it," Bella whispered in the young witch's ear as she wrapped her arms around the lithe waist and pulled the young witch close.

"Bella," Hermione breathed, her heart skipping and magic thrumming.

"Yes, Hermione?"

"I missed you," the younger witch said, turning in the dark witch's arms and claiming her lips with her own. She couldn't help the slight moan that passed her lips when Bellatrix reciprocated. After playfully biting Hermione's lower lip and giving it a gentle tug, Bella pulled back.

"I missed you, too. And as much as I'd love to continue, there's something important we have to talk about. Something the Dark Lord requires your help with."

"What is it?" Hermione asked, pulling Bella to sit with her on the couch.

"There is something the Dark Lord needs. He cannot retrieve it because it is not his. Potter is the only one who can retrieve it. The Dark Lord has been cluing him in through their connection, and a plan is in place. He does not trust Potter not to be foolish, though. The Prophecy is too important to risk. He asks that you help ensure its safety. In return, the Dark Lord will grant you your Mark. The Prophecy must be retrieved, lion. I will be there, as will a few other Death Eaters, but no true harm shall come to any of you. Our goal is the Prophecy, not eliminating anyone. We cannot go too easy, but no lethal spells will be cast. If you cannot get the Prophecy to me, get it to another Death Eater. I'll do what I can to ensure you have the opportunity, but if it doesn't present itself, keep it and get a message to me or Narcissa when you can. Do you understand?"

"Yes. But I have some questions."

"I thought you might. Go ahead little lion."

"When is this happening? How am I to get the Prophecy to you without having a decoy for Harry? He'll likely smash it just to keep it from you if he thinks he can't get it out safely."

"All I know is that it will be soon. As for a decoy, well, there will be plenty of things to switch it out with, you just have to find the right one."

"I'll do it. I'll do whatever needs to be done. Harry wants to talk to me today, I told him over lunch we could. I wonder if it will be about the same thing. I will do everything I can to get that prophecy to you. Do whatever is necessary to get me the opportunity."

"Of course, Hermione. I look forward to seeing you in action. Severus told me about your run-in with my deranged cousin. I was quite amused to hear you knocked him on his arse without saying a word or using your wand."

"I think I have so much more to look forward to. You are, after all, the most feared Death Eater."

"Indeed I am. For good reason, too," Bellatrix husked, leaning forward and nipping Hermione's bottom lip. She smirked at the girl's needy whimper before kissing her thoroughly. Hermione tasted heavenly, like walnuts and rain, and Bellatrix couldn't help the sense of freedom she felt when she was with the girl. Sliding her tongue along Hermione's, Bellatrix swallowed the moan from the younger witch. She would never tire of that sound. Pulling away, she noticed her own pants mingling with Hermione's and the normally hazel eyes were darker than they usually were.

"I'll miss you, Bella," Hermione whispered, placing a kiss on her cheek and leaving the Shrieking Shack. She would do anything to ensure her Death Eater stayed alive. If that meant betraying the Order, she would do it. They never seemed to like her anyway. She had her allies, and the time was coming to tell them of her decision. First, she had to have a conversation with Harry.

The Three Broomsticks was relatively quiet for being the lunch hour. Hermione suspected the weather had something to do with it. Most students were enjoying the early February air, especially after Umbridge had taken control. She had become even stricter than before and the students were barely allowed to do anything.

"Hello, Harry. What did you want to talk about?" Hermione asked, sliding into the seat across from him.

"I wanted to apologize. I know I haven't been a great friend. I shouldn't have been so harsh on you for defending yourself against Sirius, but you shouldn't have intervened. Dumbledore would have stepped in, you don't even know what happened. And I shouldn't have been so cold to you after you told us who you were. I'm sure it was hard for you to deal with, but I do wish you had confided in us sooner. I don't really know much about what it all means but you're my friend, Hermione. We're supposed to help each other out."

"I understand where you're coming from, Harry. But it was a lot to comprehend and I wasn't ready to accept it myself, let alone ask you and Ron to accept it. I wasn't sure what your reaction would and Ron meant a lot to me. As for Sirius, no one was telling me what happened so I did what I thought was right." Hermione would not let Harry guilt her into feeling in the wrong about Sirius. And she knew for a fact Dumbledore wouldn't have stepped in. She heard his thoughts that day. He had thought Sirius was justified in his actions. She hadn't been able to dig deep enough to see what had happened, but she didn't need to. Andromeda was Bellatrix's sister, which made Tonks family and that was all that mattered. Hermione didn't understand how she hadn't seen it before. Even Ron and Harry were not as good as they thought they were. Hermione had no illusions about who she was. She knew she had a dark side, but she wouldn't hide it like the Order did.

"I know that now, Hermione. I guess it's just because he's all I've got left of my parents and you took him down so easily. How did you do it? You didn't say a spell or raise your wand."

"I came across a book on wandless and wordless magic. It took a lot of practice and I can really only cast basic spells, like Protego, but it comes in handy."

"That's really awesome, Hermione. You really are amazing."

"Thank you, Harry. I'm sure you could learn it if you tried. You just need to find a book on it."

"Oh, I don't think it's really my style. It works for you, though, 'Mione."

"Thanks, Harry." Hermione knew Harry was trying to get back in her good graces. He wasn't out of them, exactly, but he had been distancing himself from her because of the Sirius incident and she had let him. She hadn't expected his reaction, but it wasn't something she couldn't handle. If anything, it helped make her decision easier. If Harry could shun her for a month over something so minor, what would happen if he found out Hermione intended to appoint the Malfoys as her guardian? Or that she had been exchanging letters with the most feared Death Eater? No, Harry was predictable sometimes, but his emotions were unstable and she needed him to think she was on his side if she wanted to be certain she would have a chance to get the Prophecy.

"There's something else. I'm not exactly sure what to make of it, but I was hoping you might could." Harry fidgeted nervously, pushing up his glasses and drumming his fingers on the table.

"I'll give it a shot, Harry."

"In my dreams, I keep seeing the same thing over and over again. I don't know what it is, but I know it's important. I know it's some sort of prophecy about me, but I've no idea why I keep dreaming about walking down rows of these things and then just standing in front of it. I'm close enough to grab it but I never do."

"When you wake up from your dreams, does your scar bother you?"

"No more than usual, why?"

"Well, I thought that it could be Voldemort, but if your scar doesn't feel any different then I don't think that's it. Maybe you have to actually take the prophecy in real life. Maybe you can't touch it in dreams. Maybe when it comes time for a witch or wizard to claim their prophecy they start to dream about it," Hermione thought out loud, trying not to cringe at using the Dark Lord's name. She knew he was responsible for Harry's dreams, but he didn't and that suited her just fine.

"That makes sense, I suppose. It just feels so real, like I'm actually standing in front of it, trying to grab it but I can't."

"Dreams are strange, Harry. So is magic. If you combine the two it's a recipe for strangeness."

"You're probably right. Thanks, Hermione. I don't know what any of us would do without you."

"There you are, mate. I've been looking all over for you," a slightly whiny voice said.

"Hey, Ron. I was just talking to Hermione. Wanna join us?"

"Harry, she's descended from the evilest witch in history. How do we know she isn't evil, too?"

"Ron, it's Hermione."

"It's alright Harry, you don't need to defend me." Hermione put a hand on his arm as she stood. "Ron, I had hoped you would see past my heritage considering all I've done to keep you and Harry alive and passing school. Since you can't, I'll take my leave. I think Harry and I were done talking anyway."

"Good riddance," Ron muttered as she was walking out the door. She wanted so badly to turn around and hex him but held her temper. Twisting her ring, Hermione resisted the urge to go back and give Ron a reason to think she was evil. It wouldn't accomplish anything aside from making her feel a little better but Ron was still Harry's friend and she needed him to think she was, too. For a little while longer, anyway. Hermione suddenly couldn't wait to leave Hogwarts for the summer.

Harry wanted to say more in Hermione's defense but couldn't find the words. He was glad Hermione had just walked away rather than arguing with Ron, but he wished Ron was more accepting of Hermione's heritage. They needed Hermione if they wanted to live through the war and Ron was pushing her away faster than he could bring her back. They hadn't been great friends to her even last year and Harry was surprised she still hung out with them. Not that he minded, Hermione kept him alive through their adventures so he could fight Voldemort when the time came.

"Ron, we need Hermione. Can't you at least just pretend to be nice to her?"

"Harry, how do we know she hasn't turned on us?"

"It's Hermione. She'd need a reason to and you're not helping. You're pushing her away, Ron. I wasn't even sure she would still talk to me, but she did. It's not too late yet but if you keep on it will be."