Author's Note: Sorry for not putting this up last week like I promised some of you. New Jersey as some of you may have heard had some flooded towns. My town was flooded seeing as we live right by a river. It happens often and the project to stop this from happening will not be done until 2008, or was rather supposed to be finished in 2008 but since the war in Iraq begun this was set back and work stopped.
Anyhow my town was flooded. I own two houses. One of them was flooded. The entire basement was flooded and while we didn't loose a lot seeing as we got most of the stuff out of the basement in time we had no electricity, water, or gas. It was a complete mess but after four days of working and working and working we got every thing back to normal. We were lucky in a way to have so many people helping out. Many of the houses and shops in the town have yet to go back to normal.
I was at a friend's house when I couldn't live in my house for the week after the flood. I didn't get back home until last Monday and my house was a mess with cleaning supplies, stuff from the basement, and such.
The flood happened Sunday/Monday following the Friday when I first put up chapter one.
Anyhow…thanks to everyone that reviewed…love you guys…thanks also to the offers I got for being my beta and thank you to Ammie who is my beta.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, I wish I did, but I don't. I am also not making any money from this fan fiction.
Chapter Two
Beginnings of Change
The moonlight shone through the window casting light over three empty beds. It was well past midnight and yet the dorm room was empty. The door opened suddenly and light shone into the room. Hermione Granger entered the room looking at the empty beds she frowned. Lavender and Parvati were normally in bed by this time. It was strange to not see them there and Hermione began to wonder where the two boisterous girls had gotten to.
It was a week since she and Draco had talked out by the lake and now she was still awaiting a letter or something from Lucius. She and the younger Malfoy had not met again and still acted just as they had for the past six years and a few months.
Hermione walked towards her bed and laid on it. She thought again of Lucius Malfoy. She couldn't get him out of her mind lately. It was as she turned over to go to sleep that she heard the slight tap on her window. Looking up she saw the large brown eagle owl. Groaning tiredly—she was rather sleepy—Hermione walked towards the window and allowed the bird inside.
"Hello" Hermione said and then took the letter it had and gave it some treats. "Are you going to wait for a reply?" Hermione questioned. The owl hooted in response and Hermione knew that it meant yes.
Nervously Hermione fingered the letter. She noticed the owl, its big yellow eyes staring at her. "It's just a letter, right? I shouldn't worry about it!" she looked down at the envelope.
The owl still watched her while she opened it and took out a piece of folded parchment from inside it. Taking a deep breath Hermione unfolded it and then began to read it.
Dear Ms Hermione Granger,
As I said in our meeting I would give you time to think over my proposal. I will like to meet you again this coming Friday. We can then discuss whatever it is that your choice is then. This letter is brief but it goes without saying why that is.
The letter was not signed and Hermione knew perfectly well why. It was from Lucius Malfoy and if anyone saw it, it would be chaos. Hermione sighed. "So he wants a response?" she questioned the owl. It hooted. Getting a piece of parchment she began to write a short note.
I will be there at midnight on Friday. I have made my decision!
- Hermione
Hermione nodded to herself. It was simple and to the point. She did not truly need to give him a long letter after all. Giving it to the owl she led it to the window. "Have a nice flight" she said and then stood by the window watching it go as far as she could see.
After a few minutes Hermione shivered closing the window. It was now December and Hermione thought about the holidays coming up. She still did not know what she was going to be doing during them. Her parents had told her they wanted her home for once but Ron had also asked her and Harry to go home with him to the burrow for Christmas but there was the fact of her choice. Would that somehow change everything? Would it make it so that everything from now on reflected on her choice?
As she walked away from the window she heard voices and footsteps. Her roommates were coming up. Not wanting to deal with them at the moment she ran quickly towards the bed but as she almost made it she tripped and fell flat on the ground with a thump and then the door opened.
"Hermione, is that you?" Parvati Patil asked, "What did you..." she stopped at seeing Hermione on the ground "Are you okay?"
Hermione stood up. "Yes. I tripped nothing too bad I think I didn't see where I was going" she smiled at the other girls before asking, "Where have you two been anyway?"
Lavender blushed and then mumbled something incoherent while Parvati went to her trunk and began fussing with something not saying a word. Hermione eyed them.
"What was that, Lavender?" she questioned.
"I was with Draco Malfoy" she said in a whisper. Parvati giggled but stopped once Lavender threw something her way.
Hermione gasped. "Malfoy?" she said "I cannot believe you! How about you, Parvati?" Hermione turned to the other girl who blushed furiously.
"I was with Blaise Zabini" she said reddening—if possible—even more and then heading towards her bed.
Hermione chuckled and without another comment pulled the hangings around her bed and lay on top of the covers thinking. When she had heard that Lavender was with Draco she had felt something but she couldn't figure out what. It was the same feeling she had gotten the previous year when seeing Lavender with Ron but it couldn't be jealously, could it? But what she found a little interesting was that it was Lavender once more she was jealous of.
"He was dreamy, the perfect gentleman" Lavender's voice drifted towards her.
"Really? I always thought he was sort of prejudiced and well, a conceited git" Parvati then said.
Hermione cringed. He had always acted like that towards her except for the one day when he asked her to join Lord Voldemort. Yes, he had been a gentleman then.
"He is rather mean" Hermione spoke up now "I mean look at all he's done to Harry and Ron. Not including all the taunting he's put me through over the years. He'll break your heart that one. I'd watch out if I were you! Bloody Malfoy! Oh and there was also the whole thing with trying to kill Dumbledore last year! You can't forget he is a death eater!"
Parvati laughed lightly "He has been pretty bad towards you" she said with a nod "but he is a sexy little beast" Hermione couldn't help but agree but she did not voice it.
Lavender hit her on the arm "Not as sexy as Ronnie! You know I'm only dating him to get Ron jealous" she informed Hermione.
"Oh, well good luck with that!" she gave the two girls a smile and then went back into the confines of her bed.
Hermione knew for a fact that Ron would not glance at Lavender. He had never truly liked her and even now his attention was once more on his first crush. Hermione had liked him it was true for a time. But that changed once Hermione saw how out of she had been the moment she got jealous of Lavender and Ron the previous year.
Turning on her side trying not to think about the meeting on Friday or the flip floppy feeling she had when Draco Malfoy was mentioned she closed her eyes.
The next day was Wednesday which meant lessons. Hermione got up at her usual time, 6 am. After her morning routine Hermione packed the books she would need for the day and then walked to the common room.
"Coming to breakfast, Hermione?" Harry asked. He was sitting in front of the fire with a book.
"Yeah, I'll come" she said "Where's Ron?"
"Ginny and he were called to the headmistress office a few minutes ago. I did wonder why. We'll see Ron in Potions later, we can ask then. I was actually waiting for you to come down" He stood up closing the book and slipping it into his bag.
Harry had become a little more studious for the past year. He wanted to become an auror, and even though Voldemort was still out there and he would face near death in the future, he was trying to get the most he could out of his studying and reading.
Harry and Hermione entered the great hall and took their usual seats near the middle of the table. Hermione was facing the Slytherins. "Did you do your homework for Binns yet, Harry?"
"I have half the essay done. You know an essay a week isn't all that fun, stupid ghost!" he continued grumbling about it and Hermione laughed.
She had finished the essay the day it was assigned. The bell rang as few minutes after she had finished her breakfast. "Come on, Potions" Hermione said standing up.
Harry sighed "I hate Potions" he said grumbling. The half blood prince may have helped him the previous year but this year he wasn't doing so. Professor Slughorn had gotten rather annoyed with him at times for not getting things right. In the meanwhile it was only Hermione who even managed to get anywhere in the class.
"How do you expect to become an Auror, you are getting nowhere with this! And this is even with Slughorn liking you so much."
Harry laughed "True. He does seem to give me good marks but I'll fail the Potion N.E.W.T.s."
Professor Slughorn was already inside the classroom when they entered. Harry noticed that Ron was already there along with some Slytherins and Dean.
Sitting next to Ron Hermione poked him. "Hey" she said "So what happened?"
Ron did not speak for a minute and then when he spoke. It was unlike himself "I couldn't believe it" he said "I mean I never truly got along with him but well…"
"What Ron?" Harry asked from his other side.
"Percy" Ron said "He's a death eater" Ron was shaking Hermione realized. "He betrayed his family and went over to You-know-who's side. What kind of coward is he?"
Hermione bit her lip. Harry and Ron would be doing the exact same thing when they found out she betrayed them. But she truly did not care, did she? The pain it brought them would be what she craved at that point, would it?
"How did you find out about it?" Harry was asking Ron at that point.
"He was at the Burrow and apparently Tonks fell—you know how clumsy she is—he was nearby and to stop herself she grabbed onto his arm. His sleeve ripped and mum saw the dark mark. He apparated before anyone could do anything" Ron ran a hand through his hair exasperated.
Hermione bit her lip "He was in the order though, right?" she asked
"Oh, no, that's the good thing. He was well not trusted enough because of the ministry but I reckon he did give you-know-who information, at least a bit." Ron shrugged.
"Say the name, Ron" Harry said "Hermione does it"
Ron shook his head. He unlike his two friends could not say his name. He had grown up being afraid of Voldemort unlike Hermione and Harry.
"Harry, just leave him be. He's in shock. I mean the Weasleys were never like the other purebloods, were they and to have one become a death eater it's kind of wrong in a way." Hermione turned her attention to Slughorn then. He was talking about a potion they were to be making that day.
Ron spent the rest of the day sulking still in shock that his brother—though ambitious and rather power hungry—would become a death eater. Harry was also in a slight bit of shock but he like Hermione had somehow expected it.
All throughout dinner Hermione noticed that people shot sympathetic looks Ron's way. Most of them knew Percy after all as a head-boy and prefect. He had also showed up the year after he graduated to judge the Triwizard Tournament.
The next day went by in the same manner. Hermione found herself on Thursday night at the library. She had been very careful so that no one noticed to give Draco a note during Herbology earlier.
"Lady Sombroy?" he questioned walking towards where she sat.
"I am here, Draco" Hermione replied "I have news for you. Your father wants to meet with me tomorrow. I'll tell him I will become a death eater and who I am then. I want you to come along" she waited for him to speak.
"I don't know, Lady Sombroy" Draco said "My father would find it rather odd, don't you think?"
"It will not matter. Just come. Meet me at the great hall. Use a disillusionment charm." Hermione told him and then stood up "I'll see you, oh and just so you know Lavender thinks you are quite the gentleman"
Draco grinned and walked after her. "Is that jealousy I hear?" he asked
Hermione chuckled "No, I don't think so. It's just she would never be your kind. You aren't her type either. Then again she is just using you"
"You are jealous" Draco said "Yes, I can see it" he smiled at her "I am quite handsome after all, why would you like me, eh, Lady Sombroy"
Hermione scoffed "I won't settle for someone like you. Just come on Friday"
She walked towards a bookshelf and Draco followed behind her. Hermione reached towards a book at a higher shelf. Draco chuckled seeing as she was a slightest bit short. He reached upwards being nearly a foot taller than she was "this one" he said and took a book out.
Hermione reached for the book to take it from him but he held it beyond her reach "admit it, you like me" he said
Hermione shook her head trying to reach for the book. She figured the best way was to making him put his hands down but as she reached upwards she leaned a bit and soon she was in Draco's arms.
He chuckled "see, I couldn't keep you out of my arms" he said into her ear. Hermione reached for the book that he held behind him now and took it from him.
"Yeah, I couldn't stay away" she said and then went to pick up her things. She walked out of the library leaving Draco to stare after her.
The next day flew by like the days before. Hermione found herself sitting on her bed waiting for it to be eleven thirty. When it finally came she put the nearest cloak on—just happening to be Draco's—and then went into the common room.
Not many people were still there. Walking quickly out of the common room she took a deep breath hoping that Draco was coming with her. When she saw him she smiled "Draco" she called to him "Come on!"
Grinning slightly he shook his head "I couldn't stay away" he said and then looked down at her cloak and smirked "Come on, my father wouldn't like us to keep him waiting"
Nodding she began walking towards the doors that would lead outside. They walked in silence to the forest. When they were at the edge of it Hermione stopped. She then turned to Draco "Wait close by. I want to talk to him alone"
Hermione walked towards where she knew Lucius would be. Draco was waiting a few trees away and would probably hear everything they talked about. She waited for Lucius. It was then he took her by the waist. "So what is your choice, little mudblood?" he questioned
"I am no mudblood" Hermione said "I am purer than you actually. My name is Hermione Sombroy" the reaction he had could have made Hermione laugh. After he went a few different shades of red Lucius let her go.
"You are Hermione Sombroy?" he said looking over her. "Yes, I can see your mother and father in you in the smallest of ways, I wonder why I never noticed it before. And your choice, what is it?" he seemed excited now.
"I want to be a death eater. I'll join your side" she smiled at him. "My parents will have to agree with this" she said "I always though that they would want that side for me. My father was always interested in power"
Lucius smirked at her "Ah but Mythir has not changed one bit"
Hermione nodded softly.
"You will go home for Christmas. It will be the best time for the dark lord and yourself to get acquainted. I have a Christmas Dinner every year on Christmas Eve. You and your parents shall be invited. Lord Voldemort will be there, it will be a perfect time for you to meet him."
"Alright, I believe" Hermione said "I better get back Harry and Ron, I believe are up and they might wonder where I am" she was about to go but he grabbed her hand. She looked up at him. "What?"
"Don't worry so much about this. You'll be great, he'll love you and it isn't only because of your name" he said softly "you'll be a great asset to our forces"
"I have to go" Hermione said. He nodded kissed the top of her hand and then let it drop.
"Till we meet again, Lady Sombroy" he said and watched her go.
Hermione looked up at Draco. He was looking at the moon and had not seemed to notice her. Hermione found that she did not want to bother him but slowly she reached up and tapped his shoulder.
"Hey" he said softly.
"He invited my family and I to your Christmas Dinner. I'm meeting the dark lord then seeing as he will be there."
"You'll do great, you always make a great impression" Draco said "Come on, we should go back to our common rooms or we'll be missed" he pulled her along.
Hermione thought of Lucius and then of Draco. They were different. While Draco was rather spoiled and could act like a brat Lucius was not and then there was the fact that Draco cared much more about blood. Lucius had accepted her before he knew she was pureblood. Draco had taunted her and called her names. Lucius was much more clever and cunning. And there was so much more that she could compare between the father and son. But if she had to pick between the two of them it would be
"I'll see tomorrow, Lady Sombroy" Draco said softly to her and nodded before walking away. They walked different, Hermione noticed.
Lucius held power, poise, and pride. Draco though proud and well brought up to have all traits of being aristocratic he did not have his father's way of showing superiority. He didn't have his father's stalk.
Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room. She had done it. Told Lucius she was joining the death eaters. In less than a week she would be going home for Christmas and then meeting the dark lord. Exited about the night's events Hermione sat down and thought over what her parents would say once she told them. She was nervous about it all but at the same time she wanted to be at the Malfoy's Christmas dinner back where she belonged. With the people she belonged.
"Mione, is that you?" the groggy voice of Ginny Weasley came down from the stairs to the girl's dorms.
"Yes what is it, Gin?" Hermione looked up as the red head entered the common room.
"I was just looking for you. I was doing my transfiguration homework. Animagi, you know, and I was wondering about what could happen if it went wrong?" she stared at Hermione and raised an eyebrow. "Where have you been?"
Hermione did not blush. Even though she was wearing very un-Hermione like clothes she did not truly care because she had worn things like that once and she would continue to. The changes would begin with this.
"Never you mind, as for things that could go wrong. Well many things could. You could mess up the spell or when you transform with the spell right you could stay as an animal and never turn back. You can also only change parts and not the whole but the worst mistake would be to make yourself a permanent human with the brains of the animal that fits you" Hermione nodded to herself "Yeah, that's it"
Ginny smiled "Thanks, and I do like the clothes you know. I just never knew you wore them"
Hermione laughed "I don't like to. I decided to try it and see if it worked for me. I think it does." She shrugged "I'm going to stay here a while more" she turned back to the fire.
Ginny was very perceptive, would she notice first? Hermione didn't know if the younger girl would but then again Harry and Ron hung around her more than Ginny did. They wouldn't notice all that much, would they?
Hermione shrugged to herself and stood up. She began pacing thinking it over. Ron was always watching her after all he still had that crush on her; he would have to be dealt with. Harry on the other hand while he was her best friend would not truly notice. He had bigger things in his mind. But what about McGonagall, and other Gryffindors and then again what if the Slytherins that went to the ball accidentally let it spill.
Hermione knew of the complications and, well, she couldn't help but want to do it more. She was set to do it. What did it matter anymore anyway? She was the Lady Sombroy and she would take this on. It was her life. After all, she had made her decision already hadn't she?
Smiling to herself she went up to the dorm she shared with the other seventh year girls. Sometimes things were truly perfect. Her life, at the current moment was that but she didn't know for how much longer.
Author's Note: Please review…it makes the updates come faster. Chapter three to be up in a week's time; check out my profile where you will find a few pictures for this fic as well as my other fics.
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