Ginny sat still on the bed that had been assigned to her. The rest of the household were busily preparing for the induction to the Death Eater ranks. She was sure that this was what she wanted. She had seen a great deal of both sides.
The Light came off as kind hearted people wanting to do the best. To her they seemed like a lousy lot, all wanting self-pride and following one of the most egotistical brats that she had ever met. The Dark Side were always seen by others to be cold, uncaring villains who wanted their pride and hated all others. But in all reality, to her they were a fun-loving lot that merely believed in 'racial' purity. They were gentle and most certainly did not follow a mere boy who had been chosen by chance but a strong willed, determined mastermind.
It was simple what she would choose but her family's reaction worried her. No doubt, Herione and her wouldn't go to them and say outright that they were a part of the Dark League but if they were to find out, by chance, by say Molly, would she betray her pride and joy, her only daughter? It was a question that could only be answered if the situation was to occur but the questions plagued the young girl.
"Ginevra! We are to be off in an hour. You are to look your best! That goes for you other three too!" Selene's voice rang out through the manor. As if on queue, Hermione dashed into the room.
"Oh Ginny, there is nothing to worry about. We shall not allow any of them to find out. And do you really think they would believe us? They'd brush it off as if it were a mere phase. Now come on, Mother bought us our dress robes. They're absolutely stunning and that's coming from me!"
With that, Hermione dragged Ginny into the adjoining dressing room. The petite girl couldn't help but gasp in surprise. "Hermione, they're gorgeous!"
Three quarters of an hour later, they were finally ready. Hermione stood in front of the mirror and grinned. It was true that their robes were plain black but the exquisite clothes were made of silk and was donned with soft black fur. Their hair was pulled back in an elegant twist and their lips held a subtle pink tone.
"Hermione! Ginevra! We must go now!" They quickly slipping on their black flats and ran down the stairs to the hallway of the house. They smiled softly as the two boys, who wore expensive black robes, their white shirt collars peeking out at the top. They all grasped the Port-Key and spun into a different world.
"Are my children ready?" A strong voice boomed across the hall that they had stumbled into. The six heads shot up and bowed back down. "Good evening, My Lord." They said in a united murmur.
"Rise my followers. Children, you must stay behind. The induction shall begin soon. You shall listen to my instructions after the doors open." With that he disappeared, the Malfoy and Zambini Seniors vanishing with him, leaving four nervous seventh years behind.
The doors suddenly burst open as had been told. A smoky mist seemed to flood their sight, all other colour and image gone. "Enter to your future, my faithful." Nervously and still blindly, they inched forward feeling their way forward with the tips of their shoes.
Both Hermione and Ginny had to suppress a scream with all their might as the floor seemed to suddenly vanish from underneath them and the mist evaporated, leaving a spinning room in their sights. The spinning stopped as a sick feeling erupted in their stomachs. "Enter, followers." The command rang out in a clear rich voice. Black wisps seemed to race around them as one by one, Death Eaters appeared, "Dearly beloved, you are to witness the dawn of a new force, as we gain power beyond all." The image and body of Lord Voldemort appeared a few metres in front of the four. In an instant, the whole room was bowing low to their master. A soft whisper rang through the crowd, "My Lord."
A soft pleased smile flickered on his face as he observed the four young that were to be inducted. Finally the prophecy he had lived to fulfil was going to come true. "Rise and be silent." In an eerie silence, the occupants of the room obeyed. "As I have said, blessed followers, we are to gain in our ranks a power that will prove to bring us to a sweet victory. Four young have readily accepted an offer of induction to our prestigious group. These four may seem unknown to some by sight but let me assure you when I say that they are all well-known amongst us all. At this early hour, we welcome to their induction the sons of our own, Draco Nicolò Malfoy and Blaise Darien Zambini." A loud cheer burst momentarily through the crowd before they were silenced by the Dark Lord's hand. "And now for two young girls who may come as a surprise to most of you, Hermione Selene Zambini, formerly known as Hermione Annabelle Granger, and last but not least, Ginevra Marie Weasley." Gasps of shocked echoed the preceding one as Death Eater turned to Death Eater.
"But surely Master!" A brave yet quivering voice called out among the seniors.
"Silence Plato!" The Dark Lord's voice called out, ringing out commandingly. "You shall not question their loyalty! Misses Zambini and Weasley are quite trustful. They were unknowingly placed under my constant observation and I am aware of the harsh treatment of Miss Hermione that is a large factor of her hatred of Potter and his blind followers. Do not question my judgment, fool. With that out of the way, the induction may commence. Step forward my young."
Draco noticed a faint shiver in Hermione's body and smiled softly. She was a truly amazing girl, he reasoned. Most pureblooded girls weren't thick but with their immense vanity, they might as well be. Those who weren't as self conscious weren't smart enough or weren't pureblooded. Hermione was a living contradiction to his long-term theory on girls in general. Not only was she the smartest of their time, she had an undying passion for all that she did and was the most beautiful, yet considerate pureblooded girl he had ever heard of. But he realised, there wasn't enough time for musing at the moment.
Voldemort allowed a faint smile to grace his lips as he saw the absorbed gaze directed at Hermione from the direction of a certain Draco Malfoy. "Come now children. Place your left hands together in the middle of you all and repeat after me."
"Depths of Darkness,
Seas of Storm,
As young together,
We doth form.
Shrouded in Power,
Bound till Death,
Our fight will last,
Till the last breath.
Love for our Master,
Loyal to thee,
Faithful Death Eaters,
Forever will be."
Hermione couldn't help but smile when she thought back to the events of the morn of the thirteenth. It had in all honesty one of the most wonderful days of her life. The ceremony had ended shortly after they had recited the oath and Voldemort had ended with a final statement. Hermione had been filled with pride as he had ended, not uplifting himself but their cause.
'It's not exactly that touches people. It's what I represent; the possibility that dreams from long ago may still come true even if they look lost forever.'
The followers had gone insane at that. He still retained that fear and superiority that had always been associated with him but he had showed that he wasn't as egotistic as Potter was.
The infliction of the Dark Mark had hurt quite a bit, she had to admit, and every now and then it had pulsed painfully, but in all reality it was nothing to the rumours that had surrounded it. The spell had caused a burning sensation to ring throughout her body, her arm feeling as if it were on fire but that had been only for a mere few moments and then it had gone. The snake wove in and out of the skull in an almost beautiful manner, she thought. It was quite a wonderful experience for all four of them, a once in a lifetime chance that they had never regretted.
To add to the excitement of the induction, her father had been able to convince the School Board that Ginny was smart enough and old enough to become a seventh year, skipping her sixth year. She had supported him by adding that she would make sure to catch up with the help of Hermione.
With great remorse, she placed a strong concealment charm on her arm, the black mark ebbing away. They were going to Hogsmeade today and they most definitely couldn't risk being found out by any there. She grinned as Ginny re-entered the room. "I still can't get over your new look, Gin." She commented.
Ginny grinned, throwing her hair over her shoulder. "Thanks, Mya. We should leave now. Come on." And with that, they left their room to their first venture to Hogsmeade since their new loyalties.
The fact that the area was far from crowded caused a mixture of satisfaction and frustration in him. The lack of shoppers so close to the start of school meant only one thing. They were afraid. Civilian wizards were afraid of the power and supposed wrath of the great Tom Marvolo Riddle. But the crowd would have also given them a reason to be seen in the same area as each other. No one apart from themselves knew that they were close to each other but that was only a minor problem.
Blaise glanced over at his sister's closest friend. She was a true beauty, and very intelligent for a Weasley. She interested him to all the corners of his mind. He would certainly try to get to know her better. "Oi Blaise. Flying Fine is open!" Draco called, indicating to the new yet established Quidditch store.
Blaise grinned and raced in, eliciting a groan from both Hermione and Ginny who were far more concerned with getting their school supplies.
Harry smirked as he saw the group of girls that were giggling at him through the café window. "See that Ron?" He asked, cockily. "That, my friend, is the sign of supreme popularity, not to mention dashing looks. They cannot help but keep their eyes on me."
Ron rolled his eyes. Harry's constant bragging could get tiring but it was all reasonable he guessed. "They're staring at your stupidity" He muttered under his breath.
Harry stopped and stared at him. "What'd you say?" He asked, a daring look on his face. The 'nothing' he got as an answer seemed to satisfy him as he resumed strutting down the paved road. There weren't many people out and about at the moment. The continuous attacks by the Dark Side had ceased since their last loss but the ongoing threat of uncertainty hadn't left with it.
The duo whopped with glee when they saw the word 'open' racing around the front of the Quidditch store. With a pleased glance at each other, they raced into the store.
"Ugh. Look what the damned cat dragged in." Harry whispered, indicating to the counter. Ron groaned as he saw a certain blonde and his raven haired friend at the counter, chatting with the clerk. "Leave them, Harry." He reasoned. "Or we're not going to get anything worthwhile from here."
But Harry's attention was already diverted somewhere else. Two girls were perched on the edge of one of the desks, one leg over the other. Their robes had been pulled on hastily, their legs visible. Both wore high black boots that had stiletto heels. His eyes travelled up to their faces. The girl on the left had raven hair that fell to the small of her back in small waves. Her face had delicately, pleasant features, her sapphire eyes shining brightly. The other girl was clearly younger. She had dark black curls and a pair of stunning emerald green eyes. The only thing that presented a problem to Ron was that she bore a stunning resemblance to his only sister.
He was brought out of his stare by Harry's once again cocky voice. "Hello there ladies. Care to join us for some…lunch?" He asked, suggestively. The girls merely broke into strong laughter as the two boys at the counter finished their purchases and joined in the merry laughter.
Harry spun, glaring heavily at them. "Malfoy. Zambini." HE said, acknowledging them.
"Potter." Harry was taken by surprise when three voices answered him. The two girls hopped off the desk and walked over to him and Ron. The older girl smiled innocently. "Surely I didn't forget to mention that I'm a Zambini, did I?" She asked, a familiar touch to her voice.
Blaise Zambini sauntered forward, mirth ringing in his eyes. "Mother will be expecting us, Hermione, and we haven't gotten our school supplies. Ginny, Drake? We'd better be off." He stated, pushing the doors open.
"G-Ginny? Mi-Mione?" Harry stuttered, his 'cool' demeanour slipping away from him.
"Guilty." They both stated, gleefully, before leaving the two boys behind in shock.
Hermione and Ginny sat comfortably in the compartment that they had to themselves. "You think they're scared of us?" Hermione questioned, noticing the alarmed glances of the passing students who scurried by.
Ginny grinned. "Damn right they are!" Hermione laughed appreciatively, watching as Draco and Blaise sauntered past, sending the girls furtive smiles.
"You know, Ginny, I can't explain how grateful I am that you've stuck by me. I mean, if I had told anybody else they would've flipped. And you even went against your family and brother for me to begin with. You've been a great friend."
Ginny smiled softly. "Hermione, you don't need to worry. And besides, the Dark Side is so-"
"What's the Dark Side?" The girls twisted in their seats to see Harry and Ron lugging their trunks in.
"Um. They're seriously, er, overrated." Harry grinned and muttered his agreement. Hermione sent a grin to Ginny who smirked back, rubbing her arm lightly as the pain throbbed yet again.
Harry and Ron pushed their bags into the overhead compartments and sat back down, glancing at each of the girls quickly. "What's wrong with your arm, Gin?" Ginny's head shot up at Ron who had asked the question.
"M-my arm? Oh. Um there's nothing wrong. I, er, just knocked it on my, um, trunk." She stuttered, at a loss of what to say. Hermione winced, silently praying that the two boys wouldn't pick it up. Hermione and Ginny waited with baited breath as Harry and Ron thought over her answer.
"That's got to hurt, beautiful." Harry said, sending a wink in her direction. Hermione grinned, making a gagging noise as Ginny rolled her eyes. Harry opened his mouth to retort with indignation but was cut off when the compartment door slid open.
"Hello dears." Hermione spun around to see Draco and Blaise grinning maliciously. She suppressed a smirk as she glanced at Ginny who nodded. They had planned a short argument to convince Potter and Weasley that they weren't at all bad.
"What do you two dolts want?" Harry growled, angrily. He and Ron stood up, whipping out their wands.
"Oh no, Potter, you're mistaken. We weren't talking to you. We don't go that way. We meant Hermione and Gin." Draco said, in a calm yet patronising voice. Blaise smirked, letting out a short bark of laughter.
"Piss off Malfoy. You too, Blaise. We may have had a truce but now, we're at school so you would do well to get out." Hermione spat, also pulling out her wand, followed by Ginny.
Draco and Blaise put their hands up in a feigned surrender. "Aw come on, sis. What happened to the brother/sister love, hey? I thought we were the bestest of buddies." He said in a mocking voice.
"Get out, the both of you." With a sigh of defeat and a courteous nod, they left he compartment. Hermione spared a glance at Ginny who gave her a faint smile. They had done as the Dark Lord had asked of them.
Harry grinned, slinging his arms around the girls' shoulders. "Ah, it's good to have you back!" He exclaimed proudly, as Hermione and Ginny glared angrily.
"Get off us."
Hermione and Ginny walked through the front doors into the Entrance Hall with the other students, who looked at them with surprise and realisation at their identities. "Ah Miss Hermione, Professor Dumbledore Sir is wanting a word with you, please? Miss Ginevra, you is wanted to come too."
They left the crowd to be greeted by Albus Dumbledore. Hermione looked at the ageing man with ire but put on a kind smile. "Oh Professor, it is Miss Zambini."
Dumbledore looked at her and smiled. "Ah so you've been told? I was going to inform you myself if you hadn't already known. In this case, it is mandatory that I ask you if you would like to be resorted."
Hermione smiled softly, resisting the temptation to agree. "No thank you, sir. As much as I respect that all Zambinis have been Slytherins, my beliefs don't fit in with theirs. I grew up a Muggle. How am I supposed to become one of those who taunted me for so long? I'd rather remain a Gryffindor."
Dumbledore smiled and sighed, relief flooding his face. "A wise and noble choice, Miss Zambini. And you Miss Weasley? Is there anything you would like to tell me?"
Ginny smiled gently. "No, sir. Everything is fine with me."
Dumbledore nodded ignorantly. "Well then, let us go to begin the feast. Follow me!" He exclaimed cheerfully. Hermione and Ginny shared a victorious smile. Apparently the old fool didn't know everything.
Hermione forced a smile in Neville's direction as she took her seat between him and Ginny. When she thought about it, he was a rather pathetic and idiotic disgrace to the wizarding race. He was a complete failure in all he did and she was rather glad that his parents were as good as dead. If they weren't, they would have been horribly disgraced.
She leaned over and whispered her thoughts to Ginny who mumbled her agreement. Dumbledore stood up and opened the feast. Many were surprised to see that she had turned a deaf ear upon his speech and was chatting softly with Ginny. They stopped abruptly when they heard the mention that the Headmaster declared that he would announce the Head Boy and Girl for the year.
"This year has brought a rather interesting pair of Heads but please don't let your surprise hold back your applause. The Head Boy is Blaise Zambini from Slytherin!" Cheering and applause exploded from the Slytherin table as Blaise walked to the front winking at them cheekily.
"And our Head Girl to join Blaise is," the Hall fell silent as Dumbledore paused. "Hermione Zambini of Gryffindor!" Hermione grinned as Ginny, Draco and Blaise shouted with pride, Harry and Ron clapping politely, her heritage coming back to them. The noise covered the sea of whispers, the other students slowly breaking out in applause.
"May the Zambini twins head our school well. Congratulations to you both!" Dumbledore finished as they collected their badges and returned to their seats. "And with that done, Enjoy!" He exclaimed, food appearing at the tables.
Hermione groaned heavily as the questions flooded in.
Hermione sent a furtive smirk at Blaise as Dumbledore informed them on their duties. "And as of this year we have decided that with the inevitable upcoming war, it would be good to take some of the responsibility off your shoulders. Therefore, you will each be able to choose a subordinate to assist you.
"I'll choose Ginny." Dumbledore smiled and nodded, his smile ebbing away slightly when Blaise chose Draco. "What! I do not want to live with Malfoy! I had enough of him in the holidays!"
Blaise merely sneered. "Looks like the truce will be back again." Hermione glared before Dumbledore left the quarters to inform the house-elves to fetch Ginny and Draco.
As soon as the old man had left Hermione grinned and flopped onto the couch, sighing contently. "Can you believe it! He's giving us all we need on a silver bloody platter!" Blaise merely smirked in understanding.
"Contact will be simple." He said. "We get our own private fireplace that's hooked up with the Floo-Network. And our quarters a close to Snape's."
"Snape is a good guy." Ginny's voice supplied from behind them. Draco came through the door after her, an amused expression playing amongst his features.
"Don't be daft, Ginny. Didn't you see him at the induction? If he was on the Light Side, Dumbledore wouldn't have given Hermione and Blaise the spots as Heads and most definitely given us this opportunity."
Ginny stood in shock as a knock as the door ended their conversation. Hermione jumped up and opened the door. "Come in, Professor. We were just discussing you." Snape walked through the open portrait.
"Shut the door, Hermione." As soon as she did so, he placed a strong locking and silencing charm around the room. "That old fool has unknowingly given you all a good stance. I urge you to change the password on this door so no-one may enter. The Dark Lord will contact you through your marks. They are a link from you to him and will give you five minutes warning before you will be taken to him. Be careful."
As he left, they all murmured their goodnights and left to unpack their trunks. She whispered a charm, the Dark Mark slowly appearing. The snake was slithering through the skull. The Dark Lord was please with their progress.
Dumbledore hummed the school song as he made his way to the Heads Quarters. He stopped at the portrait of the lioness and the serpent. It was an unpleasant surprise for him when he realised that the serpent was contently slithering around the body of the lioness that was preening herself as if it didn't bother her. "Lemon Drops." He muttered softly. It came as an even bigger surprise when he, the Headmaster, was denied access into the room. "I shall inform them of your presence," the lioness said, the serpent gliding off it, before disappearing leaving him with a viciously hissing snake.
"Oh professor! I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were here. We had to change the password because Malfoy 'accidentally' blurted it out to the Slytherins. Please come in now." Hermione rambled, throwing the portrait open ceasing the hissing of the serpent.
Dumbledore smiled. "It is quite alright, Hermione. What may the password be now?" He asked once he was happily inside the room. Hermione opened her mouth, trying to come up with an excuse.
"If you don't mind, sir," A rich drawl interrupted, a mocking emphasis on sir. "It's better if only the four of us know the password. Some of us may not be able to trust some of the staff completely."
"Of course, Mr Malfoy." Dumbledore replied, his annoyance evident in his eyes. "If you may, Hermione and Ginevra please come with me. There is something of the utmost importance that I must discuss with you."
The girls nodded and followed him silently to his office, worrying that they had been found out. Once they were inside, Dumbledore began. "Girls, it has come to my attention that the Order are in need of fresh talent. Two nights ago there was a surprise attack at Grimmauld Place. It seems that we have been found out. There is no need to worry as your family is still safe, Ginevra, but a few fighters including Oliver Wood and Mughorn Sternsty have been killed."
"Now usually we would prefer to keep the female students out of the war but it is necessary that we recruit new fighters. Harry and Ron became members during the holidays and are keen that the pair of you join as soon as possible. Will you?"
Hermione and Ginny grinned. "Oh of course, sir! You needn't have asked us! You should know where you loyalties lie!" They exclaimed, Dumbledore smiling happily.
"Take these two badges. We formulated the idea from your fifth year, Hermione, when you used the coins as indicators. These rings will warm and glow slightly when a meeting is called. Then you will come to my office and we will hold our meeting. We are currently looking for somewhere to hold our meetings as we can't have it at Sirius' home anymore. I will inform you when changes have occurred. You may leave now."
Hermione and Ginny exited contentedly. They had done their first task for the Dark Lord within the first few days at school and had already been given a great position to become a spy for the Dark Side. They made their way back to their quarters and told the boys all that had happened.
Draco and Blaise smirked as Draco slung his arm over Hermione's shoulder. "You both did fabulously. Activate your Mark and we can inform the Dark Lord. The old coot is getting desperate."
Voldemort smiled as he received the news. His rival was getting desperate because of the information that Hermione and Ginny were able to give him. He was already prepared for the war and his enemy were far from it. It was true that Wormtail had been killed but he had been useful when still around. It was a good bonus to have Hermione and Ginny on his side. They would prove to have great power.
This war belonged to the Dark Side, to his side.
Hermione and Ginny were once again in Dumbledore's office that day as he explained their tasks in the company of Harry, Ron and the other professors. Snape had been quite pleasantly shocked when he had entered the office and Dumbledore had announced that Hermione and Ginny were a part of the Order. "It has come to my attention that we need more members and the only way to do this is to convert students. Hermione and Ginny have been given the task of breaking the two of our hardest options. Hermione and Ginny, you have to 'seduce' and 'date' Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zambini respectively."
"WHAT!" Harry yelled, jumping to his feet.
"Tut, tut Potter. You really should learn to control yourself." The sneering drawl of Snape came from the corner of the room. Hermione and Ginny giggled but were quickly silenced at the glare sent to them by the fool-who-lived.
"HERMIONE IS MY GIRLFRIEND! SHE CAN'T FLIRT WITH HIM!" Harry screamed, ignoring Snape's comment.
Hermione stood up angrily. "I am not your girlfriend! I haven't been since the day you started hurting me! I just became your damn dummy who you took you damned anger out on! And I can flirt with just whoever I like!"
Harry huffed. "Aw come on, sweetheart. You know that you've forgiven me, you know it. You still want to be with me."
Hermione barked with laughter. "Right, I don't think so. And besides, if you can flirt with whoever you want, so can I, not that it matters. I am not your girlfriend."
Harry looked downtrodden. "Ginny?" He asked hopefully.
She scoffed at him. "I don't think so. I'm loyal to Hermione, not the boy who beat her. I mightn't like you all that very much but I still agree with what you're fighting for but don't you even try getting me. Professor Dumbledore, Hermione and I will do as you ask."
Dumbledore nodded happily and dismissed them. As Hermione and Ginny were leaving they spared a glace at Snape who nodded once and smiled proudly. Hermione and Ginny quickly made their way back to the Heads Quarters.
"Well?" Greeted Blaise the moment they had entered. Draco and Blaise were seated on the couch, impatiently passing the wait with a heated match of Wizarding Chess.
"Oh gee. Hello to you too." Hermione stated sarcastically before telling them their task.
"Whoa wait." Draco interrupted her. "You have to seduce us! Wo-ow!" Blaise roared with laughter as Hermione and Ginny rolled their eyes.
"Oh grow up. It'll be better for us if they actually believe that you both have converted but we'll need to make it gradual. Just make it easy for us, alright?" Hermione asked, frustrated.
Draco smiled suggestively, enveloping her in an embrace. "Whoever said I'd make it hard? I never objected." Hermione gaped, but quickly stopped when a thud made Draco let go of her.
Blaise had fallen of the couch and was now gasping for air. "C-can't b-breath!" He stuttered between laughter.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't make it too easy, Draco. They'll suspect something."
Blaise calmed down, managing to speak. "Mhmm and I'll try to do the same for you, Gin."
Draco grinned mischievously. "Well, how about making a start, Mya?"