Chapter One – Six Months Earlier

I kneeled before the man who would soon take over my life. 'I only wish to serve you my lord.' I said quietly with my head bowed. 'Why should I believe that you would not turn back to Dumbledore if things start to against you, mudblood?' He hissed quietly, watching my every move with those evil, red eyes of his.

'Dumbledore is a fool. He doesn't realize that if we don't strike against the muggles, magic die out. I only wish to join you and your cause my lord.' I said. He remained silent for a few moments before speaking. 'Rise, my child. I cannot use you as a death eater, but you might be useful as a spy within Dumbledore's castle. But what to do with you…?' He said as his eyes perused my body at his leisure. I fought to keep still under his glare. His stare made my skin crawl.

I threw up a mental barrier as he attempted to enter my mind, and projected innocence and a sense of not belonging and wanting to. 'Bellarix!' He called. I felt my blood run cold as Bellatrix Lestrange entered the room dressed in a long green silk dress, similar to the black one she wore during the day.

'What do you think, my dear Bellatrix?' He asked, while still staring at me. I stood quietly as she circled me, I tried not to cringe when she lifted a curl from my neck and allowed it to fall back into place. 'She's a mudblood, my lord. Why are we even entertaining the idea of allowing her to join us?' She said staring me down. I lifted my chin in defiance. I knew I was in for one hell of a time with her and I knew that I would have to work to gain the trust of the Dark Lord. 'I know she's a mudblood, my darling. But what do you think about her?' He said, his tone telling the both of us that he would get very angry if she stated I was a muggleborn again.

'She's acceptable, my lord. She's shorter than the others were but she should do. But the choice is yours as always, my Lord.' Bellatrix said begrudgingly as she curtsied before the Dark Lord in submission. I smirked to myself even though I knew they were talking about making me one of his mistresses. I tried to not to allow myself to think about that. I stood still as the Dark Lord approached. His voice hissed as he spoke, 'Come here, my pet' beckoning me towards him I raised my eyes to his and did as he commanded. Voldemort circled me then came to stand behind me. His hand dropped to the small of my back and I flinched at the contact. 'Welcome to my service, mudblood' he hissed and I screamed in pain as I felt white hot agony sear though my spine.

I felt my body begin slacken as darkness began to appear at the edges of my vision. 'Take her home. When I want her, I'll summon her.' He hissed as the darkness completely enclosed my vision and I surrendered to it.

The Next Morning

I'm not entirely sure what woke me early that morning but I rolled over and yawned loudly. I would be leaving this morning to spend the last of the holidays at the Burrow with Ron, Ginny and the rest of their family. I flipped my covers back, stretched, scratched my lower back, and gasped aloud when I felt raised skin near the base of my spine. I scrambled out of bed and went straight for the mirror on my dresser.

I grabbed the mirror and went to my bathroom where I could get a better look at my lower back. I tore off my tank top and looked at my lower back. 'Bloody hell.' I groaned when I saw the dark mark on my back. It was the size of my hand and stood out against my pale skin. A million and a half things were going through my head as I grabbed my tank top and threw it back on before I grabbed my jeans and went to my room intent now on making sure that my parents stayed safe through the end of the war.

I picked my wand up off my nightstand and waved it, watching as all my possessions flew into my school trunk. I looked at the pictures around my room, pictures from primary school, family gatherings, and other events. I debated bringing them with me. It might be years before I would be able to see my parents again without fear. In the end, I left them where they hung on the walls or sat on the dresser and nightstand.

I looked around the room one last time before I shrunk my trunk and placed it my purse before creeping downstairs to see my parents sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast. I sighed quietly. I knew what I was about to do was for their own good, but it didn't make it any easier. I entered the room and sat down at the table. I quietly ate my breakfast as I waited until mum and dad began dishes before I eased my wand out of my purse and pointed it at them. 'I love you. Please forgive me.' I said quietly before I cast the 'Obliviate' charm.

Both of them went rigid for a moment before returning to washing the dishes. I turned and left the room without looking at the pictures from which I was now missing. I shed only a few tears as I softly closed the door behind me and walked down the path of my childhood home. I crossed the street to the apparation point and stared at my home, with its white walls and dark roof, bright pink and yellow roses grew beneath the windows, a dark green swing hung from a tall oak tree in the front yard. I had lived in that house for my entire life. Who knew when I would be able to look upon it again? I looked up as thunder sounded overhead.

'This is a fitting goodbye.' I thought as I turned on the spot and disappeared as thunder sounded again.

Seconds later, I reappeared in front of the Burrow where it appeared to have rained only minutes before. I walked slowly up to the door and before I knocked, I cast a spell to remove the red and puffiness from my eyes and make my nose stop running.

I knocked with my normal cheerfulness and smiled when Ginny opened the door. 'Hermione! Come in.' She said ushering me in before giving me a big hug. I smiled and hugged her back. 'How was your summer? Thank Merlin you missed the rain we just had.' She said as she led me into the living room. 'It was great. Mum, Dad and I went to France to visit my grandmother. She's doing very well for a woman her age.' I said.

'How are your mum and dad?' She asked. I was saved from answering by the sounds of thundering steps coming down the stairs. 'Hermione!' They cried as they launched themselves at me. I cried out as they landed on top of me in a tangle of limbs. 'Ron! Harry!' I cried. 'We've missed you!' Harry said as Ron placed a kiss on my cheek. I felt a small stab of guilty when he gave me a huge smile. He had no way of knowing that I had betrayed them, even if it was to help Harry bring down the Dark Lord.

'Did you have a good summer?' Harry asked. 'Of course. How was your summer with your Aunt and Uncle?' I said even though I already knew the answer. 'It was just as bad as it was last year. I was glad when Kingsley and Tonks came to collect me from there. Dudley nearly wet himself with Tonks turned her face into a pig.' Harry said with a chuckle.

I laughed as Mrs. Weasley came into the room and put her hands on her hips. 'Now boys get off of her and let her come a give me a hug.' She said with a smile on her face. I untangled myself from the boys and made sure my t-shirt was covering my lower back before I stood and gave Mrs. Weasley a hug. It took everything I had not to dissolve into tears. Molly Weasley's hugs were to the most comforting hugs you would ever receive in your life.

'Welcome home my dear.' She said giving a tight hug. I bit my lower lip and blinked hard. Even here I wouldn't be able to run to while in the service of Voldemort. I wouldn't be safe anywhere, not even at Hogwarts. 'Thank you Mrs. Weasley. It's good to be home.' I said quietly as she pulled back to look at me. 'You look a bit peckish; let me fix you something to eat.' She said when she was finished looking me over.

'That would be lovely.' I said not bothering to tell her that I'd already had breakfast. She swept from the room and I again turned to Ginny. She smiled and beckoned me to follow her to her room so I could unpack.

As I climbed the stairs and followed the familiar route to Ginny's room, I allowed myself to wonder. When would I be able to return to the Burrow? Would I survive the war? Would any of us survive the war?