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Chapter 33 Peace Talks
"Talk to Voldemort," Hermione told him.
"You make it sounds so easy." Harry huffed
She nodded, "I'll let him know you want to talk."
"Thanks." Harry turned his attention to the television. "So what are we watching?"
"Old cartoons on Cartoon Network. Want to join us?" she offered.
"Yes, please."
They settled in and continued the marathon in easy camaraderie. When Hermione ran to get Chinese for dinner, the conversation diverted to quidditch. She returned to a dissection of Marcus, Adrian, and Graham's chances to make the national team. "We'll know for sure next week." Marcus came up behind her as she emptied the bags. He put his hands on her hips, "Are you coming to the announcement ceremony?"
"Do you want me to?" she asked.
"If you're available," he knew he was hedging.
"Yes or no, Marcus?"
"Yes," he admitted.
"Then I will be there." She turned her head and kissed him. "When you want something, ask for it." She caressed his cheek. Harry snickered. She turned to glare at him. "You can hush."
"Nice to see you haven't changed, you're still bossy."
"Get over here and get a plate before I decide not to feed you," she retorted. The Slytherins laughed at the Gryffindors' antics as they filled plates with food.
That evening before bed, Hermione owled Voldemort to notify him Harry wished to speak. He answered immediately, arranging breakfast at Lestrange Hall the next morning. After sending the last message agreeing, Hermione slipped into bed next to Marcus. He pulled her to him and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Are you okay with all this?" he asked quietly.
"All of what?" she asked back.
"Potter being potioned and wanting to make peace. I know he apologized, but that was a quick exchange of words before everything really sunk in. I know you're still hurt about what happened."
She kissed his bare chest, "I love you."
"I love you, too. Stop evading the question."
She sighed, "It depends on what Harry decides. He might call a truce, take his inheritance, and move to another country. He might call a truce and disappear into the countryside. With those options I probably never see him again, only receiving and sending messages during the holidays. Why have a screaming row about how I was treated over the years if this is the last time we spend together? If he stays and wants to keep in touch, or highly unlikely, join my helpful neutrality, that will be another matter. However, if we have the 'you hurt my feelings and I need a real apology' talk it will be far, far away from all of you."
"What?" Marcus asked confused.
Hermione sat up and looked down at him, "If I have a go at Harry I do not want or need, the overprotective men in my life jumping in. It will be handled privately."
"I can accept that if you will let me give him the overprotective boyfriend speech."
"What is that?"
"Similar to the protective friend speech, if he hurts you again, I will end him."
"Fair enough, you have my permission."
"Thank you. I was going to either way, but I feel better with your blessing." She laughed and swatted him. He caught her hand and put it on his chest. "Sleep now, big day tomorrow."
Bright and early, Hermione woke Harry and dismissed the guards. Either Harry would be unable to hurt Voldemort through a vow or stay somewhere less pleasant, regardless they wouldn't be needing guards at her house anymore. She collected Harry and returned home. "Why are we having breakfast?"
"As a sign of trust. Once you break bread together you can't attack one another for twenty-four hours."
"Good to know. I feel better about this. I might be able to eat, now."
Rodolphus, Bellatrix, and Voldemort waited for them. "Good morning, pet," Rodolphus greeted her with a kiss on the cheek. "Mr. Potter," he nodded.
"Good morning," Harry replied, sliding into the chair next to Hermione. Maisie popped in with two plates. "Oh, thank you."
"Yes, thank you, Maisie," Hermione added.
Harry ate in silence and observed Hermione's interactions with her new family. Rabastan joined them with a joke about new jewelry. She teased Rodolphus by mentioning new rings, just none from Marcus. Mostly, though he observed Lord Voldemort. He noted the fondness the older man displayed while watching the family antics. Gone were the angry red eyes, the manic dark energy, in fact, he looked normal. A good looking, but ordinary, man in his 30s. He looked like his father had in the last memory had seen Riddle Sr in. He could almost forget the suffering this man caused in his life. Almost. He had questions. He cleared his plate and waited.
Seeing he had finished, Voldemort asked in a casual voice, "Would you like Hermione to join us?"
"If you don't mind, please. She can clarify misunderstandings," answered Harry. "And if she's willing, of course."
Voldemort nodded, "She may also possess answers I do not have." He turned to Hermione, "Would you mind joining us, my dear?"
"Not at all."
Bellatrix stood, "Why don't the three of us give you the room?" Her husband and brother-in-law nodded and rose from their seats.
Voldemort regarded Harry from across the table, "I expect you have questions."
"Did you have to try and kill me and my parents?"
"Honestly? No, It was short-sighted and ill-advised of me to validate the prophecy. I acknowledge my complete irrationality at the time."
Harry nodded, "I agree it was dumb. You were winning. All you had to do was ignore the distractions and cross the finish line."
Voldemort grimaced, "You are correct. The destruction of three of my horcruxes returned my sanity and power. I will not be repeating those mistakes." He glanced at Hermione.
"Is Hermione really safe from you?"
"And my followers, at the risk of losing my magic. She closed all the loopholes. And even if she hadn't she's made herself invaluable to me. Refuses to join, and keeps inserting her agenda into my plans, but her new perceptions of issues and suggestions make her a priceless addition." Voldemort grinned fondly at her.
"You don't want her to take the Mark?"
"She does not want it, and I will not force her."
"Would you make me?" Harry asked.
"Salazar, no! Who knows what would happen."
Hermione patted Harry's hand, "The marking you as an equal part made you a horcrux."
"Which is why neither of us dies without the other," Harry reasoned out slowly. He ran his hand through his hair, "Fuck."
"Indeed, Mr. Potter, indeed. I suggest a truce between us. We both vow not to kill one another unless the other asks Hermione to request we do so."
"So like in 200 years?" questioned Harry.
"Something like that."
"What do you want?"
"Power and immortality, Hermione knows well enough, she would have told you. I have achieved the second, and nearly have the first."
"And you stopped the violence because Mione wanted you to?"
"Her and others. She made some good points about building a longer lasting empire. Not that I have plans past the British Isles anymore."
"How will your ministry work?" asked Harry
"Like it has been. Though moving forward I hope to work with a less controlled minister." Voldemort's eyes shift to Hermione.
"Keep your looks to yourself. I'll take the Lestrange seat, and maybe the Black one depending on Sirius's will. I have no interest in the exhaustion of governing anymore."
He chuckled at her, "We'll see, you're young yet."
A ghost of a smile graced Harry's face. "So, we call a truce and make vows, then what?"
"Without you, the war will crawl to an end. Some members will refuse to let it end, there will be some violence, I expect. But you are free to pursue any career you wish or none at all. The Potter fortune is yours. The goblins reported Dumbledore was quite put out that your parents sealed their vaults from anyone but you. Not even allowing access to pay for your childhood care."
A light bulb went off for Hermione, "Oh, we'll have to block muggleborns from attempting litigation to claim existing fortunes."
Harry looked confused, but Voldemort agreed, "Only from extinct lines."
"And only a fraction, no one person should be claiming it."
"Hypocrite," Voldemort smirked, "you inherited two vaults."
"I am pointing out possible issues with our larger plans. Also, the money is awarded at the age of twenty. That will keep it out of their parents' pockets."
Harry shook his head, "So jaded."
"And practical," she chirped.
He returned his attention to the older wizard, "No parading me about? No forcing me to give speeches?"
"We make oaths of nonaggression then to ease into things you come into the ministry for questioning about Dumbledore's death, which is what you are official wanted for, but that's a formality. We all know what happened that night. Then you're free to live your life."
"I would need assurances this isn't a trap," Harry daringly said making eye contact.
"Certainly, rather shrewd of you. Though, if I double-cross you, I would lose Hermione."
"Damn straight," she replied.
"If I decided to I wanted revenge on the people who helped mistreat me?"
"Then I assist you as I can. Don't feel obligated to answer right away, take your time, think it over."
"Okay."
"Let Hermione know what you decide," Voldemort told him.
"No, I mean, okay, let's do this."
"Seriously?" asked Hermione. "Just like that?"
"Hermione, for the first time in my life someone gave me a choice. And anytime it was life or death you were right. Even the one time you were wrong, there was no real evidence, just my suspicions I know this means walking away from the Weasleys, but I can't even with them right now."
"Not all the Weasleys," Hermione remarked.
"Huh?" Harry said confused.
"I'll invite the members of the truce over for dinner. You can meet everyone again then."
"Sounds good."
Voldemort clapped his hands, "Shall we make our vow with Hermione as our bonder then?"
"Yes," Harry responded.
They grabbed hands and Hermione pointed her wand at their joined hands. "Do you, Tom Marvolo Riddle, Lord Voldemort, swear not to harm, kill, or maim Harry James Potter directly or indirectly unless he asks of his own violation?"
"I do." A gold ribbon of light encircled their hands.
"Do you, Harry James Potter, swear not to harm, kill, or maim Tom Marvolo Riddle, Lord Voldemort, directly or indirectly unless he asks of his own violation?"
"I do." Another gold ribbon of light joined the first.
"So mote it be." The golden light sank into their hands.
"Now, Mr. Potter, let's go oversee your "interrogation," shall we?"
"Might as well," Harry looked at Hermione.
"I'll arrange dinner and collect you."
"It might be best if Mr. Potter stayed at the safe house for the time being without the guards."
"By myself?" Harry looked uncomfortable.
"No, I'm sure if you stay Hermione will stay. And if she stays, Marcus will stay."
"Won't the home owner mind?" asked Harry.
"The owner has offered the house as long as needed. They have other homes." Voldemort assured him.
"I agreed then. So, onto the ministry then, I suppose."
"Yes, we'll make a show of questioning you then the auror department will release a statement clearing you of any thought of wrongdoing. How involved you become after that is up to you. Hermione only assists with matters that further her agendas. Her friend, Miss Lovegood only assists Hermione. Your other friends are a mixed bag. This should give Hermione enough time to lay the groundwork for your dinner." He winked at her.
"Just for that, you aren't invited. She told him smugly.
Harry found Hermione in the study, papers spread across the desk, "Always researching," he joked. "At least not it's all for you."
"The irony is I would have helped you without the orders if he had just left things alone."
"I know," Harry sat near the desk. "I still feel bad." They sat in silence.
"The worst part of all of this has been that discovering you made me doubt the last seven years. I kept wondering if you were ever as much my friend as I was yours? Did I just see what I wanted to? Were you laughing at me behind my back? Did anyone ever like me?"
"You were and are my best friend. The one I should have supported better. Ron was my first friend, and I always feared losing him. It felt like if I lost him I would be friendless. And I took advantage of the fact that you would always forgive me. Then once we were together I wanted to make him happy, even if I didn't like it."
"Something Dumbledore ensured with his charms," she growled.
"Yes, and I think he made sure I put more trust in Ron for some reason."
"Control. Who knows what we might have done without the leashes?"
"Ended this war years ago," Harry shrugged.
"Entirely possible," Hermione agreed. She paused, "Why were the two of you on my bed? Why not use one of your own? It just feels like a slap in the face, you know?"
"It just kind of happened. We didn't plan it. More often than not we used mine. But the longer we were on the run the worse Ron got about you. He's the one that kept saying that he needed a girlfriend to help cover up our relationship. That's why he dated Lavender that year."
"Luna told me Lavender told her they were still together or at least sleeping together right up until we left," Hermione told him.
"Yeah, he's become even more of git," Harry admitted.
"I refuse to ever let anyone treat me that way again," she told him in a hard voice. "I am giving you a second chance because of the charms and potions. But there will be no third. Ask around about Parkinson and Higgs."
He swallowed hard, "I understand. I don't even know if I deserve the second chance."
"Then earn it. Be the kind of friend you think you should have been. Be the kind of friend you want to be. But be aware, I am not going to coddle your feelings. No more moping then exploding in anger. Learn to control yourself or go away."
"I'll work on it," he promised. The conversation drifted to an end. "What are you working on?"
"The power Dumbledore tried to keep from me included inheriting two estates, one in Greece and one in Italy. I am going through the inventories to decide which to visit first."
"When are you going?"
"The last two weeks of January, then focusing on Luna's wedding. After that, I'll head to the second one for two weeks. Once I've
looked over things, I'll begin reviewing research proposals and conducting interviews. Just because there is an owner again doesn't mean just anyone is getting in."
"Sounds fair to me." Harry played with a paperclip. "So, who's coming tonight?"
"Luna, Neville, the Lupins, Bill, Fleur, Fred and George. The older Longbottoms and the Tonks declined. They have plans with the Malfoys." She smirked at his flash of surprise.
"Will Marcus be there?"
"No, he and Graham decided to have a boys' night elsewhere to give us room for a proper reunion."
"Hermione?" Harry asked hesitantly. "Can I ask you something?"
"You know you can, anything."
"Would I be betraying my parents if I decided to be active in Voldemort's regime?"
"No. You are your own person. You need to make the choice that is right for you."
"I want to change the Wizarding World. It needs to change."
"I agree."
He gave her a sad smile, "What was done to us is not okay. A lot of magic is not okay. Who gets to decide what is dark and what is not?" Harry's rant began to pick up speed, "There needs to be a balance of power. No one should wield as much as Dumbledore did, not even Voldemort." He looked evenly at her, daring her to protest.
"I have similar thoughts, but you swore an Unbreakable Vow, so let's not start down that path." She gave him a pointed look.
"Probably a good idea."
"Talk to Frank Longbottom or Rodolphus about your Wizenmagot seat and such. They can help you with that."
Definitely a good idea. Thanks, Mione."
"You're welcome, Harry."
He stood and walked towards the door. He stopped and turned back, "And Hermione?"
"Yeah?"
"When you get revenge on those Weasleys I want in."
She caught his eye and studied his face, "Okay," she nodded once. Harry left her to her work.
Once she determined to start with the Isle of Ponza she an invitation to join her with her inspection of the site to Peregrine, Rowle, and Orene MacGregor. She penned a note for Yaxley explaining her plan to allow Peregrine to provide approved updates. She notified Remus and Narcissa of her plans to go for the last two weeks of January.
Around four, Varl presented her with a slice of his finished product. "Excellent pizza, Varl. Thank you."
"Varl likes learnings new dishes. Next on the list be Mistress's beloved dim sum and egg rolls."
"You don't have to do that."
"Varl knows. Varl wants to," his ears wiggled happily.
"Alright then, carry on." She made a mental note to purchase cookbooks for the elf.