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Hermione's eyes were too heavy to open from her short sleep. Her body protested, refusing to leave the comfort the soft bed provided. She felt a weight next to her, pushing down into the soft mattress, causing her to stir from her cozy position. "What time is it," she thought as wakefulness started to reach her senses. She could feel a light brush on her forehead, the irritating sensation, causing her to finally open her eyes in a huff. As her eyes opened, she noticed the spot where Voldemort should be sleeping was now empty; however, the tickling on her temple did not cease. Hermione slowly turned to her other side, the view causing her mouth to go dry. Next to her, Nagini's thick long body laid on top of the blankets as her massive head, with its large yellow eyes, stared directly into hers. "Fuck me," Hermione breathed. The memory of her last encounter with the serpent sprang to the forefront of her brain. Not that it was that long ago. She had only hit the snake with a curse earlier that morning as it attacked her and Harry in Bathilda Bagshot's old house. Hermione started to breathe quickly as the heat from the room and the large snake surrounded her body. She had no idea what to do. Her wand was gone and Nagini was too fast for her to simply jump out of the bed. Hermione very steadily moved her body up against the headboard, allowing her back to press against the firm wood for support.
"H-hello, Nagini," she said, pulling the sheets further up her body to cover her bare chest. Nagini continued to stare at the witch, only moving her head to the side as though questioning why this bushy haired creature was in her master's bed.
"Ah. It seems an introduction isn't necessary." Without moving her head, Hermione's eyes moved to where the familiar voice came from. Voldemort was seated at the end of the bed with his back leaning against the post of the bed. He was dressed in a dark grey dressing gown, that fit loosely around his cadaverous body. One long leg fell to the side of the bed, while the other was lifted at the knee, his hand dangling casually from it. Hermione was a bit taken aback from his demeanor. He looked so...relaxed, despite his dangly-bits on display.
"Yes, I am quite familiar with your...friend," she said, moving her eyes back to the large snake. I had the honor of almost being killed by her." Voldemort laughed at the witch's sarcastic comment, causing Hermione to roll her eyes at his reaction. Yes, being murdered by a snake is truly amusing. A moment later Voldemort said something in Parseltongue and Nagini moved to the floor, then slithered to her master. Her large head now rested on his thigh as he gently stroked her head with his skeletal hand.
"Her orders were simply to capture Potter. She would not have killed either of you," he said calmly while he continued to pet the snake. Hermione watched as Voldemort regarded his familiar. The look in his scarlet eyes displaying his deep affection for the creature. "Come here, Hermione." The sound of her name drawing her attention back to the reality of her situation. Naked and in Voldemort's bed.
"I think I'm fine right here, thank you," she replied in a whisper.
"Come here," he said again, this time his eyes locked on her own. Hermione wasn't sure how to make the short journey across the bed. Do I get out of bed? Do I crawl over the damn bed? "Do you have to make my requests, so completed?" Hermione raised an eyebrow at his response. "Simply come here, Hermione. There is no need to plan out a strategy to bring yourself closer!"
"I'm sorry, alright!" Hermione made her way across the bed dragging the sheets with her to cover her body. "Forgive me for being a bit bewildered by an enormous snake! Thanks to you, I can't say I hold the creatures dear to my heart," she said in a huff. Voldemort's stare was unrelenting as she made her way to sit next to him. As she settled in her spot, she turned to stare back at him. "What?" Voldemort moved his hand behind her neck and pulled her face forward. His lips found hers and she accepted his kiss without protest. Hermione's eyes were still closed as the pressure from his mouth disappeared from her own.
"I find it most astonishing that I don't wish to kill you," said Voldemort, tracing his thumb across her bottom lip. She opened her eyes and shook her head. What the fuck am I doing? "Exactly, what you promised, dear."
"How many times I have asked you not to do that?"
"You can continue to tell me...and I'll continue to ignore your request." Hermione couldn't resist a small smile from forming on her lips.
"Your honesty is disgusting."
"Indeed. Now, give me your hand," asked Voldemort, extending out his own.
"Why?" He tilted his head at her response. Hermione took a deep breath and placed her delicate hand into his palm. His hand moved up and Hermione watched as his long fingers enclosed around her wrist. Voldemort moved her hand, placing it on top of Nagini's head while he hissed something to his familiar. Nagini opened her eyes, then pressed her head firmer against Hermione's hand. She didn't notice when he had let go of her wrist as she grazed her fingers across the dark green scales of the serpent's head. As she pulled away, Nagini bumped her hand as though asking her to keep petting. The action reminded Hermione of her own familiar and hoped wherever Crookshanks was, he was safe. Tears started to flow down Hermione's cheeks as the imagine of her tubby orange cat came to mind. To her surprise, it was Nagini who lifted her body and licked the tears from Hermione's cheeks. "Thank you, girl," said Hermione as the large snake lowered its head and left the room. "She is very...unique."
"Yes," replied Voldemort. "She is special."
"You mentioned she wouldn't have killed me or Harry? What orders did you give her?"
Voldemort smiled at the young witch as he twisted his finger into one of her brown locks. "I told her to keep hold of Potter. You were not supposed to be there, so it was possible she could have killed you."
"Do you mean?"
"Yes." Hermione turned her body to completely face the dark wizard. A mischievous smirk appeared across his face.
"Harry. He wouldn't have died from her bite."
"No. Nagini is well aware of her strength and the amount of venom she releases."
"But...but he was sick. He was out cold and had a fever."
"Her venom is toxic, Hermione. He would have been fine within a few days time."
"You lied!"
"I did no such thing, dearest. As I recall, you came to me and I provided."
"You tricked me. Manipulated me into thinking the antidote was the only way to save him."
"Perhaps."
"Perhaps? That's all there is to say? This is my life!"
"Hermione, please stop with the dramatics. It is dreadfully irritating and I require nourishment. Now, come bathe with me. We have a long day ahead of us." Hermione could feel the anger rise to her chest.
"Fuck you! And don't touch my bloody hair!" she shouted as she yanked his hand out from her curls and moved to the edge of the bed. As her feet hit the floor, Voldemort's arm snaked around her waist and pulled her into his chest.
"Are you done with this pathetic tantrum?"
"I think it's best you go and bathe without me. I might be too tempted to drown you."
"Excellent, come now."
"Did you not hear me?"
"On the contrary, I heard you quite clearly, Hermione. I just chose not to listen to you." Voldemort released her and stood from the bed. Once again extended his hand to her, which Hermione accepted.
"What do you have planned for me?"
"For today...a Christmas present," said Voldemort, pulling Hermione with him.
"The way you said that does not sound pleasant at all."
"Don't you trust me, Hermione?"
"No."
"Good, girl. Now." Voldemort extended his other hand, his palm open to Hermione. "Your wand, dearest." She looked at his empty hand, then lifted her eyes to meet his.
"I don't have a wand," she replied.
"I don't like dishonesty, Hermione." Look who's talking.
"I am not being dishonest. I left it behind." Hermione instantly felt the invasion of her mind, the image of her writing a letter and leaving her wand next to it pained in her head. "Stop!" she cried, trying to push him out, but to no avail. A second later, his abrupt exit left her with a headache.
"How did you manage to Apparate without your wand?" He questioned with a hiss. Hermione rubbed her temples with her hands trying to soothe the pain.
"You and I both know it is possible to Apparate without a wand, Voldemort!"
"Yes, and only a select few are skilled enough to accomplish this feat. And one of them is dead." Hermione stared at the questioning red eyes in front of her. She didn't have an answer for him and she didn't want to think of Dumbledore either. She knew he was the wizard he was referring to.
"Lucky you. It seems you've acquired a skilled witch," she said, with an intense emphasis on the last word. Like night and day, the expression on his face changed and his voice calmed.
"I suppose we shall see. Come, we need to ready ourselves for the day." Voldemort motioned his arm for her to follow. "We have a guest waiting for us."
"Guest? Who?"
"Now, now. Be patient, my dear. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise." Hermione took a deep breath and followed Voldemort to the bathroom.
"What did I get myself into?" she thought, watching as he disrobed.