Hermione Potter

Hermione had never attended a wedding before, at least, none that she remembered. It was as boring as she thought. She watched, along with all the other guests, while Bill and Fleur said their vows. Hermione also watched, in disgust, Ginny throwing herself all over Jake in the front row. It was ridiculous for her to feel such anger watching the display, after all, she told Jake to come to the wedding with Ginny. That she didn't care either way, it was his choice. She wasn't his girlfriend, she had no say in the matter. Harry grabbed her hand, bringing her back to the wedding. "The ceremony is complete, may I pronounce Mr. and Mrs. William Weasley." Hermione sighed, gratefully. She stood up and clapped with everyone else. Harry led her towards the huge tent the Weasleys put up for the reception. Hermione glanced back at Ginny and Jake, he glanced up and met her eyes. She glowered at him before turning around and walked faster to catch up with Harry. "Hermione!" Jake called after her. Hermione ignored him and fell into step beside Harry who had a smirk on his face. She glared at her brother before telling him she was going home. She couldn't handle all this right now. Harry tried to convince her to stay but it was fruitless, Hermione said goodbye and made her way to the Burrow's fireplace. Hermione felt foolish as soon as she got home. She collapsed on the sofa, mentally chiding herself. Why was she acting like a lovesick teenager? Sure, she was a teenager, but she was not some foolish girl with the sad hope of love. Hermione sighed and made her way to her room, Voldemort's initiation was tomorrow night, would Jake even show up now?

Harry Potter

Hey, Harry!" Harry turned around to notice Jake running to catch up with him.

"Jake." Harry acknowledged, nodding his head stiffly.

"Do you know where Hermione went? I have been looking for her everywhere."

"She went home," He replied sourly. Hermione promised to be his date, and decided seeing Ginny hit on Jake was too much. She left, and left him all alone at a party he didn't really want to attend.

"Why?" Harry rose a brow at Jake and he blushed, "The thing with Ginny means nothing. She invited me to the wedding before I even met Hermione."

"Going to a wedding as someone else's date, doesn't really seem like the best idea when you are trying to woo some other woman." Harry replied wisely.

"Hermione said she didn't care." Jake defended.

"And you believed that?"

"Well from the look you're giving me right now, I probably shouldn't have."

"Probably not,' Harry agreed.

"What should I do?"

Harry shrugged, suddenly bored of the conversation. "That's for you to decide, I am no miracle worker." He walked away, leaving a stunned Jake behind. He made his way to the bar, hopefully they wouldn't check to make sure he was legal to drink.

Hermione Potter

The next morning, Hermione awoke before the sun. She felt exhausted as if she never slept for the past twelve hours. She suddenly ached for Severus, he would have been able to squash the butterflies in her stomach. She was nervous about tonight, she had no idea how to prepare for it, and that made her more terrified than the actual initiation.

She sighed and got out of bed. No point in worrying about it right now, she still had hours to prepare for the worst. She had a hurried shower and dressed in a light floral print dress, throwing her hair up into a high ponytail she finally made her way downstairs.

Sirius was already at the table, munching on a piece of bacon. She noticed he was still wearing his clothes he had adorned for the wedding. Sirius smiled as she walked into the kitchen, then went back to eating.

"Did you just get home?" Hermione asked, sitting down and waiting for her food. She had discovered the house elves actually like cooking, and they broke down crying when she made her own meal one night.

Sirius looked up at her, she could practically hear the wheels turning inside his head as he tried to figure out what to tell her. "In a manner of speaking."

"So you left the wedding last night… but came home this morning?" Hermione clarified, and at his sheepish nod, she glared at her godfather. "You shouldn't be running off to random witches' homes, Sirius."

Sirius gave a sarcastic snort, "Last time I checked, Hermione, I was an adult and you are the child."

"So being an adult gives you the right to jump into any bed?"

Sirius narrowed his eyes at her, "Don't be talking about something you don't know, Hermione."

"So tell me."

"It's really none of your business, but if you really want to know… we will have to compromise." Sirius grinned cheekily.

"Compromise how?" Hermione asked warily.

"You tell me about Jake and I will tell you about my date."

"There is nothing to tell about Jake." Hermione huffed angrily, "He went to the wedding with Ginny."

"Why would he do that if he's trying to date you?" Sirius asked, clearly confused.

"I told him I was okay with it."

"And he believed you?" Sirius shook his head, laughing. "What a git. He must really be out of practice when it comes to the opposite sex."

"Have you seen Harry yet?" Hermione asked quickly, wanting to change the subject.

"No, I think he is still sleeping." Sirius frowned. "Come to think of it, he was still at the party when I left."

"Which was when?"

Sirius shrugged, "Around 2 a.m. maybe."

Hermione sighed, she should have known better than to leave him on his own. Harry reminded her of a puppy: adorable but always needing to be watched. "I guess I should go check on him."

Sirius grinned, transfiguring his empty plate into a very large pot. "How much do you want to bet the little pup is going to be hungover?"

Hermione chuckled, mulling it over. "No bets for me," She decided. "I am pretty sure he is hungover."

The duo made their way up to Harry's room, Hermione had to stifle the urge to laugh. Harry was sprawled out on his bed, wearing the clothes from the night before. Sleeping deeply, his mouth hanging open and soft snores could be heard. Sirius tiptoed quietly to Harry's bedside, he shot a cheeky grin at Hermione and then banged on his transfigured pot as loudly as he could.

Harry sprang up quickly, his eyes wide, looking around for a threat. He finally noticed the pair of them as they began to laugh loudly. "Bloody hell!" Harry groaned, "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Hermione sat beside Harry, her nose wrinkling at the smell, "You need a shower, you smell like a pub."

"I wouldn't of had to drink if you didn't leave me alone last night." Harry defended angrily.

"You are going to blame me?" Hermione asked, outraged. "You chose to drink Harry. How dare you try to blame me for your stupid choices."

Harry glared at her defiantly, "What was the point of agreeing to go with me if you were just going to ditch as soon as you could?"

Hermione sighed, knowing he had a point. "It wasn't my intention to leave, Harry. I just couldn't handle Jake."

"You could have ignored him and had a good time with your brother," Harry argued, making yet another good point.

"I'm sorry." Hermione apologized. "You're right, I shouldn't have let one stupid guy get in the way of our night." Hermione looked at Harry pleadingly, "Forgive me?"

Harry ran a hand through his natural messy black hair and sighed. "Of course I forgive you."

Hermione beamed at her brother, "Good, now I can worry about other things."

"Like what?" Sirius and Harry both asked in unison.

"There is a meeting tonight with Him." Hermione shuddered at the thought. "It will be my first time going to one of these things without Severus."

"Selfish git," Sirius muttered angrily. "I don't know why he would leave you here to face that monster alone."

Hermione sighed, "He didn't do it just for himself."

Sirius rose a brow, clear disbelief on his face. "Snape has always been a cold-hearted soul. He just ups and disappears, leaving you defenseless. One wrong move and you could be seeing the end of his wand."

"Voldemort won't kill me, Sirius. I am too valuable for that." Hermione smirked, "I am even more valuable than the Malfoys."

Harry snorted, "You are only valuable to him because he thinks you are spying on me."

"That is not the only reason, you know. I am quite powerful as well." Hermione argued.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready for this meeting?" Sirius questioned.

"I suppose I should." Hermione sighed wearily.

An hour later Hermione was ready for the meeting, wearing the usual Death Eater cloak, underneath she was wearing emerald green, skin-tight dress with black high heels. She threw her hair into a high ponytail and made her way down the stairs, Sirius and Harry were waiting for her at the bottom of the long staircase.

"I honestly don't understand the point of all the stairs," Hermione grumbled as she hit the bottom stair. "Haven't purebloods ever heard of elevators?"

Harry chuckled, "No one said purebloods were smart, Hermione."

Sirius smirked at his godson, "Not all purebloods are morons, Harry."

Harry rolled his eyes at Hermione when Sirius wasn't looking, and Hermione chuckled. "How are you getting to the manor?" Sirius asked.

Hermione bit her lip, hesitant to answer. "Since I am still underage and Severus is no longer around, Mr. Malfoy graciously offered to pick me up."

Sirius growled, "Absurd! I do not want that git anywhere near you!"

Hermione rolled her eyes in agitation, "He is pretty much second-in-command since Severus left, Sirius. I will always be around him."

"I still don't like it." Sirius grumbled, "I still can't believe that greasy git just left you to fend for yourself."

"We have been over this, Sirius. I am not mad that Severus left, he had his own reasons for leaving and I don't hate him for that."

"Pretty sure I have enough hate for the both of us," Harry grumbled.

Hermione sighed, knowing it was a lost cause to argue with them. "I have to go, I will see you in a few hours." Hermione didn't wait for their reply and jumped into the fireplace. "Spinner's End!" Hermione disappeared in a flash of green.

Hermione tumbled out of the fireplace, reminding herself that she didn't have to yell so loud to a fire that literally shoots people out of it. Brushing herself off she sat on the couch and waited for the knock signaling Mr. Malfoy's arrival. Maybe arriving so early was not the best idea, Hermione thought sourly. Sitting in Severus' living room brought up way too many memories and she had to blink hard to stop the tears that threatened to fall.

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut tightly, forcing unwanted memories back to where they belong. An hour later, the fireplace lit up and out walked Malfoy Malfoy. Hermione never liked the man, but he was well connected in the wizarding world and would open a lot of doors for her when the time came.

"Miss. Potter," Malfoy greeted. "I trust you are well."

Hermione plastered on a fake smile, "Of course, thank you, Mr. Malfoy."

Malfoy offered his hand out to her and she took it quickly, "Shall we then? The Dark Lord has been looking forward to this meeting."

"Why?"

"You will officially become a part of his ranks, and you are the youngest general we have ever had," Malfoy said general like he ate something sour.

"I see, well I hope I will not disappoint our Lord," Hermione replied.

Malfoy just smirked, pulling her towards the fireplace. He grabbed some Floo powder and practically whispered the location so Hermione couldn't catch it. She was surprised when they landed in an unfamiliar room, glancing around quickly, she noticed the room was covered in a thick layer of dust and seemed to be some kind of living room.

"Where are we?" Hermione asked.

"Do not concern yourself with our location Miss. Potter. Maybe you should be more concerned whether your vampire will come tonight." Malfoy sneered.

Hermione was tempted to stick her tongue out at the snarky lord but thought better of it. Instead, she let Malfoy lead her out of the dusty room and into a dusty hallway. A narrow, long and very dusty hallway. Hermione tried not to breathe too deeply and distracted herself by trying to figure out who the people were on the walls. Most of the portraits were all covered in dust, except for one portrait of a man, no older than 16, with shaggy black hair and a smile that could charm the pants off any women who happened to glance his way.

Malfoy abruptly stopped, and Hermione tried hard not to ram into him. Hermione heard him grunt and then opened a door, Hermione stepped inside at once, not wanting to anger the man any further. Unlike the rest of the house, this room was not coated in the dust; but very well cleaned that everything sparkled. Hermione had entered a huge ballroom that could easily hold a thousand people comfortably. Paintings of people dancing and have a great time lined the walls as a large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling. Wall torches were the only source of light, making Hermione feel as if she stepped into another time.

"Miss. Potter," A gravelly voice greeted her. "So glad you could join us this evening."

Hermione glanced to her left and noticed the new Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, standing beside her. "Good evening, Minister. I am so glad you could make it tonight. All are well within the ministry, I trust?"

He nodded, "Everything is going as planned, Miss. Potter. I look forward to you joining my ranks in the future."

"As do I." Hermione smiled but was mentally cringing at the thought of working with such a vile man. He nodded and walked away, Malfoy motioned me towards the make-shift stage. Voldemort was nowhere to be seen on the stage, Hermione imagined he wanted to make a grand entrance. She made her way onto the stage, giving Malfoy a puzzled look when he told her to sit in a chair beside the make-shift throne.

"The Dark Lord wants you sitting up here," Malfoy explained impatiently. "He never told me why. Seems since Severus disappeared, he has become more closed off and unwilling to share."

Hermione nodded in understanding, ignoring the pang that went through her at the mention of Severus. "Do you know how long this will take?"

"Places to be Miss. Potter?" Malfoy sneered and Hermione shrugged, "It shouldn't be longer than a couple hours if all goes according to plan. That includes if your vampire will show up or not."

Before Hermione could reply, she noticed Draco Malfoy entering the room, along with his two pudgy sidekicks. Behind the trio, there were several other teenagers that entered, Hermione recognized a few from school but the rest was a mystery. Malfoy sneered at her and walked off towards Draco and his little entourage.

"We are about to begin," Bellatrix hissed, throwing Hermione a glare before addressing the room again. "Find your seats." There was shuffling as everyone found their way to a seat. Hermione noticed with a start that they were seated by ranks. Malfoy and Bellatrix were practically seated on the stage while the teenagers sat in the very back. Hermione had to squint to make them out.

Suddenly a black cloud descended the stage and Hermione covered her mouth quickly to stop herself from coughing. Voldemort appeared before her eyes, wearing his usual black robes, with Nagini wrapped around his head. "Welcome my loyal followers to-"

A loud bang cut Voldemort's speech short as all eyes turned towards the main doors. Hermione's eyes widened in horror as she seen who had interrupted Voldemort. Jake strode towards the stage, not noticing the murderous intent Voldemort glared at him. "I am sorry for the interruption, my Lord. It was not easy finding this place, Hermione did not mention that it was going to be held at a different location."

Voldemort glared at him, "That is not the fault of Miss. Potter, you should have been with her when she was escorted here."

"I apologize, by the time I got there, she was already gone."

Voldemort's nostrils flared slightly, and Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat. "Perhaps next time, wear a watch." Voldemort hissed and then pointed to the group of teenagers in the back. "Go sit over there, and no more interruptions."

Jake nodded and winked at Hermione before taking his seat in the back. Hermione shook her head, he was going to them killed. "I welcome you once again," Voldemort continued. "Tonight is a special night, we are initiating new death eaters." Cheers could be heard from the crowd. "The last war was lost, but with our new general we will be able to win this time." Voldemort motioned for her to get up, she instantly stood. "Hermione Potter was trained by Severus Snape, she is the brightest witch in decades-not including me- she will bring down our enemies and win this war."

At this decrement, there were not as many cheers, which was to be expected. Hermione was only sixteen years old, how did Voldemort expect her to win a war she had no idea was even going on? Voldemort glared at his loyal death eaters, daring anyone to disagree.

"This is absurd, my Lord." Bellatrix screeched. " She is still a child, how do you expect her to win this war? A Potter of all people!"

"Crucio!" Voldemort raised his wand so fast, Hermione missed the motion and watched half fascinated and half horrified at the writhing body of Bellatrix. "You dare to question me?" He bellowed.

"For...give m...e." Bellatrix panted. "I did not mean... any disrespect, my Lord."

Voldemort ignored her and grabbed Hermione's hand, pulling her closer to him. He then ripped a hole in her dress, exposing her shoulder. Hermione gasped in shock but didn't pull away. "Tonight, Hermione will receive her mark. Unfortunately, since her cover cannot be blown, her mark will have to be placed somewhere else." He raised his wand and pushed it into Hermione's flesh. He muttered an incantation and a blinding white flash erupted from the tip. Hermione bit her lip from crying out in pain, the burning she felt was horrible. It felt like it was tearing at her skin.

As soon as it started, the pain stopped abruptly, Hermione looked over at her shoulder and noticed a miniature version of the dark mark. She let out a breath, thanking God it wasn't huge. The Order would be able to get rid of this easy when the time came. "Next," Voldemort ordered. The teenagers in the back and Jake all made their way to the front, each gaining the dark mark from Voldemort.

Hermione sat in her chair and watched as every single person got their mark. They all screamed in pain, and she figured that the bigger mark was more painful than her smaller one. At last Voldemort got to Jake. As she assumed, the dark mark would not stay permanently on his skin, so Voldemort produced a ring, saying it was the same principal. It would burn when he was being summoned. After the initiations were done, Voldemort let us get back to the party. Food was eaten, people danced and had a great time. Hermione chose to stay seated beside Voldemort, watching her future rookies she was going to be responsible for.

Slowly, people started leaving the party. Hermione guessed it was around 2 a.m., no wonder she felt so exhausted. She didn't want to leave yet, she would have to report all of this back to the Order as soon as she got back, and she wasn't exactly looking forward to it. She also wanted to speak to Voldemort about a few things, but every time she tried to talk to him, someone would drag her away.

"My Lord, I wish to speak to you before you retire for the night," Hermione replied rather breathless. She had noticed he was leaving and had ran to catch up to him.

"Can it not wait?" He asked, rather irritated.

"If that is what you wish," Hermione replied through gritted teeth.

"Come see me tomorrow afternoon. I will hear you out then." He didn't wait for her to answer and simply vanished.

Hermione blew out a frustrated breath. Tomorrow then. She left the party after that, no reason for her to stay any longer. She made her way back to the fireplace they had arrived in. Malfoy is going to be furious she left without telling him, but she couldn't seem to care. Let him get in trouble, it would be his fault for not paying better attention. Hermione shook the dark thought out of her head, she must be tired. She flooed to Spinner's End.

Hermione stumbled into the tiny living room and screamed in surprise when she noticed a male sitting on the couch. "Who are you?" She demanded. The man looked up and she gasped. He was so old, with his snow-white hair, brown spots covering the body parts she could see, the defeated look in his eyes.

"Hermione..." The man replied, his voice quiet and wispy. "It failed. I failed."

The man started to cry and Hermione rushed over to him. "What failed? Who are you?"

The man stared at her with his watery eyes. "Severus Snape..."

A/N: I am finally done this chapter. I am so sorry about the long wait. It has been a crazy year for me. Hope you enjoy and I hope I didn't lose any avid readers. Until next time...

xoxstorii-gurrlxox