Harry Potter

"Harry, would you stop pacing?" Ron grumbled from his spot on Harry's bed. "You're making me dizzy."

"Then stop watching me." Harry snapped.

"She's only been gone two days, mate." Ron tried to console him. "Dumbledore promised she would be safe."

He glared at the red head on his bed. "Dumbledore is the reason why she is there, to begin with." He growled.

"You can't blame Dumbledore for Snape's mistake Harry." Ginny retorted, she was leaning against Harry's desk, her arms folded across her chest. She was getting tired of Harry's attention is only on the girl.

"She's right." Ron stated, "Snape was the one who made you-know-who aware of Hermione. Why do you suppose he was thinking about her anyway?"

Harry shuddered, he had an idea, but he wasn't going to dwell on it. He wanted his theory to be wrong. "I don't know, why don't you ask him?"

Sirius poked his head into the room. "Dinner is ready pups." He announced cheerily, not noticing the tension in the room.

"Coming." All three replied in unison.

"She will be fine Harry. You will see her in a week." Ginny comforted him, grabbing his hand.

Harry grimaced and removed his hand from Ginny's. "Thanks, Gin." He mumbled.

They made their way downstairs, Harry placing himself beside Sirius as usual while the youngest Weasley's sat beside their dad. "Eat up, dears," Molly ordered. "You need your strength."

Harry stifled the urge to roll his eyes. "Thanks, Mrs. Weasley, this looks great."

The kitchen was silent except for the scraping of silverware on plates. The silence was stifling, but no one knew what to say to break it. Harry moved his food from one end of his plate to the other, not really hungry. "Should we go work on our project when we are done?" Sirius asked, looking pointedly at Harry.

Harry shrugged. "Sure." He pushed his plate away. "I'll meet you in your room. Thank you for the meal, excuse me." He pushed away from the table and made his way back upstairs.

"What's wrong with him?" Mr. Weasley asked his son.

Ron shrugged. "He's worried about Hermione."

"She's only been gone two days." Mr. Weasley stated.

"She is his sister," Sirius replied, rolling his eyes. "If it was one of your family, you would be acting the same way."

"Dumbledore promised she would be safe." Mr. Weasley said. "Dumbledore has never been wrong before."

Sirius rose a brow in disbelief. "Really? Never?" Sirius shook his head. "Pathetic. Excuse me." Sirius huffed and made his way upstairs.

Severus Snape

Hermione gave a wobbly curtsy to the Dark Lord. "Good evening my Lord, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Voldemort smirked, looking over at me. "Caught yourself a polite little pet, haven't you."

"Of course my Lord," I replied through clenched teeth.

"Do you mind if I take your pet for awhile?" Voldemort asked.

"You may, my Lord." Hermione gave me a petrified glance before taking Voldemort's arm, letting him lead her away. I made my way to Malfoy, dragging him out of the room.

"What the hell?" I growled. "I thought you said he wasn't coming."

Malfoy shrugged. "He said he was not attending. I guess he changed his mind."

"I have had no time to prep Hermione." I seethed.

"She will be fine. You said she was a smart girl, she will mind her manners." Malfoy replied.

"If he looks into her mind, everything will be over." I glared at Malfoy, trying to make him understand.

Malfoy instantly paled. "You mean, she knows?"

She didn't actually know about Malfoy, but he didn't need to know that. "Of course."

Malfoy swallowed the lump in his throat, then pulled something out of his pocket. He handed it over to me and I noticed it was a plain silver ring. I looked over at him curiously. "For the girl. I was going to use it on Draco, but I believe she needs it more. It will temporarily get rid of all her memories concerning anything that would make as suspicious to him."

I nodded. "Thanks." I went back into the hall and noticed Hermione still hanging off of Voldemort, surrounded by plenty of people. How was I going to slip this onto her hand?

Hermione

"No need to be nervous, we are all friends here." Voldemort smiled as he led me towards a group of men.

"I am not nervous my Lord." I lied and he looked at me before chuckling. "OK, I am nervous, but I think you revel in my fear."

He stopped abruptly, making me trip over my feet. "You better watch that tongue of yours." He hissed in my ear, making a shiver run down my spine.

"I am merely being honest, my Lord," I replied with a smile on my face. "I mean no disrespect, but I do not see the point in hiding behind false words."

He glared at me for a moment, before grinning widely. I fought hard to keep the bile from rising, he looked ever more grotesque than before. Noses definitely come a long way of making up one's face. "I think I'm going to like you around Miss. Hermione."

"I'm glad, my Lord. May I ask why?" I asked as we started moving again.

"You're terrified of me… don't deny it, I can see it in your eyes." I had opened my mouth to protest, but he silenced me with a look. "You're terrified of me but yet you still speak your mind regardless of the consequences. Many of my followers are the opposite, they fear me and they grovel at my feet hoping I won't punish them." He gave an evil chuckle, we finally made it to the group of men. "Gentlemen." He greeted.

"My Lord." They all replied, but their eyes were focused on me.

"This is Miss. Hermione, she is a student at Hogwarts." Voldemort introduced me.

"Oh?" Asked a gentleman who was a few inches taller than the rest, with black hair, a large bulbous nose, thin lips and brown eyes that seemed to squint constantly. "I don't remember ever seeing you before."

"Uh… I transferred just this year." I supplied.

"Which house were you sorted into?"

I rose a brow at the man, was he stupid or something? "Slytherin sir," I replied. "Obviously," I muttered so he wouldn't hear me but Voldemort did and he chuckled.

"Mr. Goyle." Ah, that explained so much. "She wouldn't be here if she was sorted into another house, I assure you."

Mr. Goyle's face turned red. "Of course."

Another man stepped closer to me, he was quite the stereotype for tall, dark, and handsome, he reminded me of Sirius if Sirius acted like a Pureblood supremacist. "Nice to meet you, I am Mr. Rolfe." He grabbed my hand and I flinched. He ignored my discomfort and kissed me softly on my hand.

I pulled my hand away and discreetly wiped it on my gown. "Nice to meet you." He smiled, his eyes roaming hungrily over me and I stifled the urge to shiver.

Before anyone else could introduce themselves Snape showed up. "My Lord, if you don't mind if I still Hermione away for a dance?"

"If the lady so wishes." Voldemort redirected the question to me.

I stared at Voldemort for a minute, trying to decipher if he really wanted me to leave or not. When he nodded slightly I turned back towards Snape and smiled. "That sounds lovely." I grabbed his hand then looked back towards Voldemort. "I will save a dance for you, my Lord."

He didn't say anything and Snape led me to the dance floor. "Are you OK?" He asked quietly.

"Yes, I'm fine," I replied just as quietly. "I thought I would have more time to prepare."

"So did I," Snape muttered angrily. "He does what he pleases though. Did he say anything to you? Did he try to read your mind?"

My eyes widened in horror as I looked at him. "Read my mind? I wasn't aware that was a thing."

Snape sighed. "Of course nobody told you." He showed me the ring in his hand and I gasped. "Oh relax, I am not proposing. Malfoy charmed this ring for Draco, but we need it more for you."

"What does it do?"

"It erases your memory of anything that would incriminate us in any way." He slid it onto my middle finger. "Once it is removed you will remember everything again."

"I can't wear this all the time." I pointed out.

"No, you can't." Snape agreed. "It's just until you learn Occlumency."

"Right, of course," I muttered. Snape twirled me out, and the klutz I am, I slipped out of his grasp and tumbled right into Voldemort. My cheeks reddened when I felt his arms encircle me. "S..sorry."

Voldemort grinned, amusement dancing in his red eyes. "If you wanted to dance with me, all you had to do was ask."

I rolled my eyes and tried to escape his grasp but he held on tightly, bringing me closer. I could feel eyes burning into my skull. "My Lord, I would love to dance with you." I murmured.

He led me to the dance floor, holding my waist tightly. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Voldemort may be the vilest creature on Earth, but he would not try anything inappropriate with so many people watching. I found Snape in the crowd, my eyes pleading with his, but I knew he couldn't do anything. Voldemort pulled me closer, I could feel his body vibrating with contained laughter and I looked up at him curiously.

"Someone seems to be jealous of our closeness." He stated.

"What? Who?" I asked, not daring to look around again.

"I must say, Miss. Hermione, you are the Belle of this ball." Voldemort purred and I stifled the urge to gag.

"Thank you, My Lord." After the song was finished Voldemort left me standing the middle of the dance floor, Snape taking his place instantly. "I need a drink."

He nodded and led us towards a table in the back of the room, grabbing two flutes of champagne. "Don't tell your brother." He muttered. I chuckled as I took a large swallow of the creamy, delicious drink. "Oh no." Snape suddenly groaned.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Trouble." I had no time to reply as suddenly as a psychotic looking woman was in my face.

"You better watch yourself, girl!" The woman growled, backing away slightly. I looked up at the woman, she looked to be the same height I was, but that was the only similarity. Her black curls seemed to have exploded on her head, moving in every direction, she was rather pale and skinny and her brown eyes were wide and crazy with a hint of fear. "The Dark Lord is mine!"

I blinked up at the woman in confusion. "Umm… what?"

"Bellatrix, it is time for you to go," Snape demanded angrily.

"You do not get to order me Halfblood." She snarled, then turned back to me. "I am the Dark Lord's favorite and you are nothing but the scum he steps on."

"Bella.." The cold angry voice of Voldemort appeared behind her and I watched in morbid fascination as she went from crazy psycho to terrified in a matter of seconds.

"My Lord." Bellatrix groveled, bowing so low I thought her face was going to go through the floor.

"I do not appreciate you insulting my guests, Bella," Voldemort warned.

"I am sorry my Lord, I just wanted her to know her place," Bellatrix whined.

"Do I have to remind you of yours?" He snarled angrily. "Her place is where I say it is."

"Of course, I'm sorry my Lord." Bellatrix smashed her face harder into the ground.

"My apologies Miss. Hermione." It took me a second to realize he was talking to me and I had to drag my eyes away from the pathetic woman on the floor and look up at Voldemort.

"No reason to apologize, my Lord." I smiled at him. "Would it be alright for Snape and I leave? I am rather tired."

Voldemort nodded his head slightly. "You may. I would like to see you tomorrow if it is not too much trouble."

"Of course, my Lord. Until tomorrow then." I grabbed Snape's hand and we walked briskly out of the room, once in the hall we made a run for the room we arrived in. Once there, Snape pulled off the ring and put it on the mantel before joining me in the fire place. "Spinner's End!" He yelled and we disappeared in a whoosh of green smoke.

We both tumbled out of the fireplace, me landing on Snape as he landed on his back. We stared at each other before we let out nervous giggles, happy to be away from him. A loud noise startled us and we looked up to see Dumbledore and Harry sitting on the floor. Dumbledore was smiling with that stupid knowing twinkle while Harry just looked pissed off.

"I love what you have done with the place, Severus." Dumbledore waved a hand, indicating the house.

"What are you doing here?" He snarled, pushing me off him and standing up, then grabbed my hand pulling me to my feet.

"Mr. Potter was worried about his sister."

"So you brought him to my house?" Snape snapped. "How foolish are you old man?"

"Don't be mad at him Professor. I begged for him to bring me here." Harry stood up and made his way over to me, looking me up and down. "What in the world are you wearing?"

"Apparently, a dinner invitation to the Malfoy's means a full on ball." I glanced over at Snape horrified. "We left before we even had dinner."

"The Dark Lord permitted us to leave." Snape waved my comment away. "I will talk to Lucius later and explain what happened."

Harry's eyes widened. "You met him already?"

I shrugged. "Couldn't be helped."

"Did he penetrate your mind?" Dumbledore asked.

I scowled at the headmaster. "You make it sound so dirty. No, he didn't look inside my head."

Dumbledore looked at Snape. "Why wouldn't he?"

"Maybe he found her interesting?" Snape suggested. "He wants to speak to her tomorrow."

"To join?" Harry asked.

"I won't know until tomorrow." Snape sneered at the boy.

Dumbledore rubbed his beard thoughtfully, sitting back down on the hard floor. "That is not a sufficent time for her to learn Occlumency."

I tuned him and Snape out, turning my attention back to Harry. "I was worried about you." He confessed.

"I've only been gone two days Harry." I pointed out.

He sighed, "Fifteen years we have been apart Hermione. I barely see you at school and now you're joining the Death Eater ranks. You're my sister, I am supposed to be protecting you."

I gave him a small smile. "Have you been able to master you animagus form?"

He glared at my abrupt change of subject but let it slide. "Yes. Did you?"

I shrugged. "Haven't really had time to practice lately." I waved my hand around the room. "I've been busy."

"I can't believe Snape let you do this to his house."

"I can be rather persuasive." I grinned up at him.

"Come, Harry, I must get you back now," Dumbledore announced.

"Yes, sir." He wrapped his arms around me and I winced slightly at his touch. "Be careful."

"Of course." I walked out of his grasp and pushed him towards Dumbledore. "Safe travels. Give my love to Sirius."

They both entered the fire place and disappeared in a flash of green fire. Snape sighed and made his way up to the second floor when he realized I wasn't following he turned around and stared at me. "Are you coming?"

I shook my head in the negative. "No, I am going to get out of this dress and I think I am going to finish the living room and kitchen."

"Don't stay up too late."

"Yes, sir!" I saluted, earning a glare from him. He continued up the stairs and disappeared from sight. I slipped out of the dress, relieved to finally be out of it and back into my Muggle clothes. I convinced Mrs. Malfoy to let me keep them on. I pulled my hair into a pony and got down to work.

Voldemort

"Did you enjoy yourself, my Lord?" Lucius Malfoy and Voldemort sat in the former's office, each holding a tumbler of fire whiskey.

"Indeed I did." Voldemort acknowledged. "Miss. Hermione is quite intriguing."

"What do you mean?"

"She fears me but she still bold and honest." Voldemort glanced over at Lucius. "I could not enter her mind at all."

Lucius' mouth fell open in surprise. "Really? How is that possible?"

"I am not sure, but I intend to find out," Voldemort replied, and Lucius stared at him in shock. The Dark Lord sounded… excited. "Your son wanted to join my ranks as well, right?"

Lucius nodded. "Yes, my Lord. Only if you find him worthy of joining your cause."

Voldemort rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I would like to speak to him, if I may."

"Of course." Lucius got up and stalked towards the door. Opening it, he revealed a very red faced Draco. "Were you listening?"

"No Father." Draco lied. "I had too much to drink and I was on my way to my room."

Lucius looked skeptical but let it slide. "The Dark Lord would like a word with you."

Draco swallowed fearfully as Lucius pushed him into the room, leaving Draco and Voldemort alone. "My Lord." Draco bowed timidly.

"Sit down Draco and let us have a chat." Voldemort smiled, making Draco inwardly cringe. He obeyed and sat in the chair he Father just left. "I hear you want to join the Death Eaters." Draco nodded. "Is this because your Father has pushed it on you, or do you actually support my cause?"

"I respect my Father and his decisions, but I also support your cause, my Lord," Draco answered stiffly.

"Excellent." Voldemort took a swig from his glass. "You are in the same year as Miss. Hermione, correct?" Draco nodded again, unsure of where he was going with this. "Do you think she would be a good addition to my ranks?"

Draco bit his lower lip thoughtfully, cursing Hermione as realized he picked up the habit from her. "I believe she would serve you well my Lord. She is intelligent and I believe she would offer alternate perspectives."

"Would you care to tell me why no one has told me her last name?"

Draco paled, why was he placed with the responsibility of telling him that? "She is Harry Potter's cousin my Lord."

"She is a Potter and no one thought to tell me this?" Voldemort shrieked angrily, making Draco shrink back in his chair.

"She is a Slytherin my Lord and she doesn't seem to be all that close to Potter."

"You are dismissed." Voldemort hissed. Draco jumped up and quickly left the room. Voldemort stared at the fire thoughtfully. "This could work in my favor." He smirked cruelly.

A/N: Here is chapter 14. I am sorry if Voldemort seems a little out of character, but I promise he is still evil and what not. Before he ripped his soul into seven tiny pieces, his younger self-was pretty charming. Anyway, I decided to put the secret room in the next chapter. Hope you enjoy, this is a long one. Read and Review, I always appreciate your input. Until next time…

xoxstorii-gurrlxox