Chapter 3

Hermione felt fear strangle her. She was afraid to take another step. Her best friend's murderer was just beyond this door. She was angry and grief ridden and confused. Loopy and Nacrissa had dolled her up again, but she knew her face was anything but pretty. Her rage and sadness were clear on her face.

Nacrissa assured her that all wands were locked away, but Hermione knew that he would find a way. She was not Harry. She couldn't face him like this. She was a warrior. She was a witch, who never got to finish her schooling, who had dumb, lucky friends that went on deadly adventures. She was the brains, not the brawn. Sure, she could handle her own in a duel, but against Voldemort himself? She may as well have signed her death wish.

The rational part of her reminded herself that it was just a dinner, not a duel. The half of her that was in fight mode reminded her that it was a battle of wits this time, that she was in control.

Hermione was brought out of her thoughts by Draco. He had stood by her this whole time, making sure she was okay before taking another step. They stopped quite a few times. She looked at him desperately and he squeezed her hand gently.

"C'mon, love. We have a guest. It's rude to make them wait." He pulled her forward and through the doors leading into the dinning hall.

All eyes were on here and her breath hitched in nervousness. She gripped Draco's hand like it was the rope saving her from drowning. She looked at him. His posture was straight and his head held high. His shoulders were broad. He was the pure blood heir the expected him to be.

"And so the Slytherin prince and the Gryffindor princess arrive."

The cold, high voice resounded through the room. Hermione felt her anger surge and she glared at the shadowy figure. He stepped out of the shadows and took a seat at the head of the table.

"Pardon our lateness, my lord. We were… attending to some things and lost track of time." He looked back at Hermione and gave her a smile so full of adoration. His affection softened up her icy glare and made the warmth he so loved reappear on her features. Draco pulled forward a chair for Hermione before sitting to her left and the right of the Dark Lord. Nacrissa sat next to Hermione, squeezing her hand under the table. Across from them sat Theodore Nott, Gregory Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson.

Hermione almost groaned. She felt crushed at the sight of these faces. She knew she shouldn't be expecting her friends, but she wasn't truly expecting Draco's either. She returned the glaring daggers she received from Pansy.

"Shall we eat then?" Voldemort spoke suddenly, ending the glaring contest between the two young women.

In moments, the food before them, reminded her of the feasts at Hogwarts. She felt her eyes well up with tears at the happy, innocent days of the past.

Unfortunate for her, Voldemort took notice of this.

"Tell me girl, why do you weep so easily? Were you not a warrior for Dumbledore's cause just a day ago? Has the fight truly left you?"

Hermione's head snapped up and she glared at him, looking him in the eye. "I didn't fight for Dumbledore's cause. I don't fight to bring justice to the world, I fought to protect my friends, most of which are dead thanks to you! When I found I had magic, I wanted to protect the people I care about! I studied hard. I practiced twice as much, but I failed them!"

Voldemort cut into her speech. "That's right you failed them. And you will keep failing them."

She smirked at him. "No. I won't. I will protect the rest of them this time. I'm going to play my part in this stupid plan that my stupid foolish Harry thought of. You know, Harry Potter, the seventeen year old boy you murdered and paraded around as if he were a trophy. He had a fail safe in place. I'm going to marry Draco Malfoy and I'm going to get my friends out of those bloody camps. And we're going to put things back to how they were."

"And how do you expect to do that?" His voice was amused, but underneath it all she thought she heard a twinge of intrigue.

"Well, I would like for everyone to finish school. After graduation I wanted to work for the Ministry. I want to have the life I wanted and I will have it, regardless of who's in charge."

The other occupants of the room stared between the two. No one dared to speak to the Dark Lord in such a manner.

Voldemort let out a small chuckle of amusement. "Very well, this September all students will return to Hogwarts."

Her eyes lit up like fireworks, then narrowed in suspicion. She wasn't going to fall for his deceit.

"I am not lying, girl. You have no desire to rebel against me, if you can control the survivors of the light side, you may do as you wish. For now." He paused. "However, there are things that you must convince them of. No more children will die. If the newly of age wizards still wish to fight, they will. You are there master now girl. If you do not wish for any harm, I recommend you quell their rebellion now."

Hermione nodded meekly.

Voldemort turned to Nacrissa. "I will take my leave now, Nacrissa. My wand please."

They watched the two leave the room leaving the five children sitting in shock. They were all silent, taking in the conversation.

Pansy was the first to break the silence. "You are not marrying Draco."

Draco snapped his head up. "Stay out of it, Parkinson."

"No! It's you and Astoria. That's how your father always wanted it. He would want you to keep the line pure. She's just a filthy-"

"You dare finish that sentence, and I will personally have you punished. Do not disrespect Hermione in front of me. It will not end well. My father is dead. His wishes are no longer law in this house. I am the Head of the Malfoy family. Stay out of my affairs."

Hermione stared at him. She was surprised by the way he spoke to Pansy. He defended her. "Draco…"

He squeezed her hand and gave her a small smile.

Theodore gave Hermione a cheeky grin. "So, whenever you get bored with him, my door is always open."

Draco shot him a glare.

"I joke, mate." Theodore laughed.

Got left was the only one still silent before he looked up at Hermione. "He found you amusing."

Silence came over them again.

"That's a good thing. He doesn't see you as a threat." Theodore added.

"I think you reminded him of Aunt Bella, before she went mad." Draco mumbled. "You wouldn't know this, but he loved her, at least as much as he could. She loved him too but with Rohdolphus…"

Hermione shivered and clutched her forearm. She couldn't take being compared to a witch like Bellatrix.

Nacrissa entered the room once more and gave a smile to Hermione. "He would like a word with you, dear. Alone." She stressed the last word as Draco moved to get up.

Hermione squeezed his hand and got up from her seat. Walking as elegantly as she could, she followed Nacrissa out of the room.

Draco had worry written all over his face. She still had her wand. She refused to give it up. He understood why. She was technically in enemy territory. Her wand made her feel safe. And based off her conversation with the Dark Lord, she knew better than to use it against him.

Theodore leaned over the table. "She'll be fine, mate. That's Granger we're talking about. She's formidable."

"I hope you're right."

She held her head up high as she walked with Nacrissa to the main entrance.

There he stood, hunched slightly. "Take a walk with me, girl."

She followed him out of the house and into the front gardens. They were beautiful. The roses, hydrangeas and peonies were in full bloom.

"Your name, girl."

"Hermione Granger."

"The very same girl who seemed to outwit and surpass Draco in every subject. I see. It seems the boy knew you would be useful."

She remained silent.

"You're so amusing, Hermione. I hadn't laughed in ages. You are so much like your mother."

Hermione furrowed her brow. "My parents are muggles."

"I see."

After a few more steps, he stopped walking. "You were raised with love at home, correct?"

"Yes." She said hesitantly, not sure where he was going with this.

"Then that satisfies my inquiry for now. Go on back. It will be nightfall soon. Young girls should refrain from being in the dark." Without another word, he was gone.

She walked back to the house briskly. Her mind was blown. He seemed so… sad. She walked into the house only to be grabbed into Draco's embrace. He hugged her tightly. He searched her for wounds. "Are you alright?"

"Confused." She answered. She wanted a bath and to think. "Can we just go to bed?"

"Of course." They walked hand in had to their room. He told her to sit as he drew her a bath. Loopy added some lavender scented bubble bath and rose petals.

"Draco." Her voice startled him.

"Yeah?" He turned to find her in the bathrobe Loopy set out for her.

She was biting her lip and refusing to look at him. "I don't know how to ask this nicely, but did Bellatrix ever have a child?

"Uh… yeah I think. Right around I was born I think. But it died shortly after birth. We didn't talk about it much."

"I see."

"So why'd you ask?"

"No reason. Just trying to get an understanding." She smiled at him.

Deciding to let whatever was on her mind go, he turned to her. "Alright, bath is ready. I'm going to say good night to my mother." He smiled at her. "Relax, love. Everything will be okay."

She held her breath as he exited the bathroom. She ran her fingers across the water. It was quite warm and smelled wonderful. She disrobed and quickly dipped herself into the warm water as the cold air hit her skin. She had her hair tied up and she leaned her head against the back of the tub. Closing her eyes, she thought over the Dark Lord's words again. "You are so much like your mother…" she whispered.

She had spent over an hour relaxing in the tub before Draco knocked and opened the door slightly. "Are you read to get out? Loopy can bring you a set of clothes."

Remembering about what Draco said last night about uninterrupted sleep, she decided to be courteous and get out of her relaxing bath. "I'm getting out." She smelled more wonderful than she had in a year. Being on the run meant she had to give up on most personal hygiene things.

Dressing in a red tank top and gold shorts, she smiled at the thought the elf put into her clothes. She missed her house colours. She missed her house and her friends.

She wondered how they were doing.

Not as well as you are.

She opened the door and frowned. She walked to the bed where Draco was laying, reading a book. She wormed her way between his arms. Laying her head on his chest, she sought his comfort. She didn't want want to talk anymore. She just wanted to lay there.

He seemed to know this. He kissed the top of her head and continued to read, slowly rubbing her back until she fell asleep.

To him, she looked her most peaceful asleep. He thought she would be plagued by nightmares, but none ever came. No, her fears came out whilst awake. She felt guilty, he knew. She was going to have a nice life here. She wouldn't have to work if she didn't want to. She wouldn't have to worry about feeding herself or paying bills. He would make sure she would never have to worry about those things. But he also knew she didn't know the exact fate of her friends. She didn't know what conditions they were in.

He did though. They were all in dungeons. They were given food and water, but hygiene wasn't what it should be.

He hugged her to him. He wanted to protect her from knowing, but he knew that wouldn't happen.

He would tell her in the morning.