Disclaimer: Anything you recognize doesn't belong to me.

A.N.- This chapter is essential because otherwise the rest of the story wouldn't make sense, but it's not very interesting. There was something that needed to be taken out , so it's a little bit different than it used to be.

Chapter 2

I woke up to the sound of two crisp knocks on the door. I almost flipped over and went back to sleep, but I realized I had an appointment with the Dark Lord.

"One second," I called out.

"My Lady, its Narcissa," said Narcissa.

"Come in!" I called out. Narcissa walked in; she looked much better than she had last night.

"I think that we'll dress you some nice robes…," said Narcissa.

"No," I interrupted. "I'd prefer Muggle clothes. I think a dark green blouse and a black knee length skirt with some heels will do just fine."

"As you wish," said Narcissa. "Are these suitable?"

"I think so," I said, before pulling them on. Narcissa cajoled my hair into a braid and applied a little makeup. "Thank you." I left the room.

"Hermione, I was just about to come and get you," said Voldemort. "Now, I believe we have business to speak of." He walked me to his office and offered me coffee, which I respectfully declined.

"I think the first thing we should talk about is my job at Hogwarts," I said. "I refuse to leave."

"Actually, I was going to encourage you to stay. You would be safe there," said Voldemort to my surprise. "What I wanted to talk to you about was Draco Malfoy. You are aware that he asked me for permission to court you?" I nodded. "I agreed. An alliance between the Riddles and the Malfoys is desirable."

"Malfoy is despicable!" I exclaimed. His eyes narrowed. "But if it is your wish, I shall tolerate his courting, as long as I have the final decision."

"Very well. Do you wish to become a Death Eater?" he asked.

"I'm afraid not. The wards at Hogwarts have been adjusted so that no one bearing the Dark Mark can enter," I said. I didn't mention my allegiance to the Order of the Phoenix.

"I suppose you would not find Azkaban pleasant. No, you won't become a Death Eater. You will be like Zabini and Malfoy, both are loyal to me, but neither wears the Mark," said Voldemort. I was shocked because I had been certain that Malfoy had been marked before sixth year. "No, Malfoy is not marked. I would be a fool to mark all my death eaters. None have been marked since my return. I find that the Ministry is hard pressed to incarcerate my followers if they don't have that distinct piece of undeniable proof. I reserve it for punishment now." Harry's job would be so much easier if he knew that. He's brought several Death Eaters before the Wizengamot, but they refuse to believe that anyone not bearing the Mark is a Death Eater.

"Father, McGonagall has always cared for me, ever since I was a young girl first entering Hogwarts. She'll sense something is up if I don't return to Hogwarts soon," I said tentatively, desperate to return to my home.

"You won't be returning alone. Draco will go with you, since he is the newest Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. You can apparate to the Leaky Cauldron after this meeting. I believe Draco is staying there," replied Voldemort. I had been afraid that he would make me stay until the new term began. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Voldemort laughed. "We have one thing in common at least, our love for Hogwarts." With those last words, he dismissed me. I left with a smile on my face and dread in my heart. A Death Eater was coming to Hogwarts. At least the Basilisk was dead.

"Father, I have one last question," I said with my hand on the doorknob. "Why did the Basilisk attack me in my second year?"

"I didn't know you were my Hermione at that point in time," shrugged Voldemort. I twisted the doorknob and left the room. Narcissa walked me to the entrance of the manor.

"Will you please give this to Draco? Active owl correspondence is dangerous these days, especially as Draco is suspected," said Narcissa. I feigned a look of disbelief. "That's why Draco got the post of Defense against the Dark Arts this year at Hogwarts. They want to keep an eye on him, and the Dark Lord needs a spy."

"Doesn't my father trust me?" I asked, even though Voldemort hadn't asked me anything of the sort out loud. He did imply it tacitly though.

"He does, but you are friends with Harry Potter. Please don't tell him about Draco," pleaded Narcissa.

"Narcissa," I said firmly. "If I see Draco endangering students, I will tell the Headmistress. My job would be at stake if I didn't, and Hogwarts is safe." Narcissa nodded and opened the door for me. She waved me goodbye and returned to her duties inside the manor. Narcissa was a high-ranking woman, but she was treated like a servant, or worse.

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"Hello Tom, how are you?" I asked the old barkeeper soon after I walked into the Leaky Cauldron.

"Professor Granger! You said one hour, it's been a day," exclaimed Tom.

"I apologize, I was unexpectedly delayed," I replied. "Do you have a room I can stay in for the next week? I'm escorting Muggleborn families through Diagon Alley in four days, and I have some other business to attend to before then."

"Of course Professor, how does room 11 sound to you?" asked Tom.

"Tom, you know the rooms better than I do. I trust your judgement," I smiled at the old man. "And I'll have a butterbeer before I go upstairs." Tom smiled at me and handed me a bottle.

"It's on the house for guests," he said as he waved away my money. "Besides, my old father would never forgive me if I took money from a Hogwarts teacher. Here, let me take your bags up to your room." I was left sitting by myself at the bar.

"Hello Professor," said a man to my right. My hand darted towards my wand. Draco Malfoy stepped into my view. I pulled out the letter Narcissa had given me for her son.

"It's from your mother," I said.

"You haven't read it, have you?" he asked.

"No, it's your personal mail," I replied, shaking my head. "I wouldn't read a colleague's mail."

"So, he told you about my appointment? I'm hoping to stay for more than 1 year," he said, raising the corner of his lip at me, the closest thing to a smile I've ever seen on his face.

"He couldn't really send me unprepared to Hogwarts. I am his daughter after all," I said, before yawning. "I should probably go to bed. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Hermione," he called out over me. "Hello, Tom…" I was shocked to find a smile on my face when I closed the door.

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I woke up the next morning to the sound of owls' hooting and clawing at the window. I recognized one as Hedwig. The other one was carrying the Daily Prophet. I opened the window and let them both in. I scanned the front page of the newspaper while opening the letter from Harry.

"Dear Hermione,

Are you okay? When Tom said you hadn't showed up for the butterbeer, I began to worry. When you never came to dinner, I began to freak out. What happened? It's not like you to skip dinner with me, especially after I've just gotten back from an assignment.

Love, Harry"

After replying to Harry with a promise that I'd meet him later with an explanation, I headed downstairs to get some breakfast. I sat down by Draco Malfoy, since he was the only person there.

"Good morning," I said cheerily. Malfoy gave me a look, and I could tell that he hadn't sleep at all the previous night. "Was it father?"

"McGonagall actually. When she found out that we were both at the Leaky Cauldron, she requested that I assist you with some school task tomorrow," he replied with no sign that he was asking a question in his words. His eyes told me differently.

"Oh yes, I'm escorting the Muggleborn first years to Diagon Alley. I'd almost forgotten. We could use extra protection from Death Eaters," I said. Malfoy's eyes widened, as if he had just remembered something. We continued conversing during breakfast.

After I had brushed my teeth, I apparated directly from my room to Sirius' old house. As I had expected, Harry and Ron were there.

"Summon McGonagall. I have important news," I said, then my voice softened. "You guys will always love me right? No matter what I have to do, or who I have to become?"

Both boys looked shocked at how earnestly I said that, but nodded. I burst into tears. Even though I couldn't see through my watery eyes, I could feel their arms wrapping around me.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" said Professor McGonagall.

"Two days ago, I was kidnapped by Snape at Gringotts. I was taken to Voldemort, who is living under the delusion that I'm his daughter," I said, giving McGonagall a significant look. She nodded, and I continued. "I spent the night there, which is under a Fidelius. That's why I wasn't at dinner, Harry. Anyway, I thought I'd volunteer to spy on him. By the by, he isn't marking Death Eaters anymore."

"That explains," started Harry. "I have to get to the office." He rushed out of the room. Ron soon followed.

"Headmistress, it's true. I am his daughter. When I'm with him, I can't help but love him. But when I'm away from him, I view him as a cruel monster," said Hermione. "I had a dream of my mother. He said she was the smartest Gryffindor of their time. Would you know who she was?"

"I do know," sighed McGonagall. "Hermione, I hope you won't hate me, but I've known about this for years, and about your true parentage. I graduated from Hogwarts 2 years before Voldemort did. My younger sister developed a close friendship with him. She was a Gryffindor and only a little less bright than you are. Hermione, you are my niece. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." Suddenly Hermione noticed that the years were weighing heavily on her favorite teacher. Her hair seemed grayer, her wrinkles deeper. Her eyes were haunted by sadness and there were bags under them caused by lack of sleep. Her insomnia was caused by the threat that Voldemort posed to the Wizarding World.

"One last thing Professor, I think that the Death Eaters were planning an attack on the first year group. But I think that Draco and I can handle it, by our combined value to the Dark Lord."

"Draco Malfoy is a Death Eater?" asked McGonagall.

"Yes, but I don't think he means any harm to Hogwarts," I answered. "He isn't marked, but none of the second generation followers are. Besides, he only accepted the position to be able to court me and possibly to spy on you. Voldemort must think you are the Head of the Order of the Pheonix."

"I don't like the idea of you going in as an agent. As we both know, I am not the Head, you are," said McGonagall. "You know every secret of the Order, and to be in close contact with the enemy…"

"Professor, trust me. Trust my occulmency," Hermione said. "I swear on my magic, that Voldemort will not enter my mind."

"Very well, if you wish to take this risk, so be it," said McGonagall, effectively giving me permission to proceed but telling me that she would never truly approve.

TBC

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