The chatter in the classroom began to decrease as everyone watched me sit with the Slytherins, as they had not yet treated me like dirt, even if the only reason for that was by Barty's influence. I felt much safer, more guarded with the manipulative bunch than with my own House. It almost felt as if I was in an alternative universe, with the difference in my feelings and the 'crowd' that I was hanging out with. The glares that I received from the Gryffindor side of the room weren't lost on me, just ignored.
"Look at her, all high and mighty with the fucking Head Boy. She's probably slept with all of the teachers already to get good marks." I felt tears sting in my eyelids, but bit them back. I smiled when Barty grasped my hand tightly.
"Thank you." I whispered softly. He smirked and I straightened up in my seat as McGonagall walked into the room, her head held high as always. She saw me sitting with the Slytherins, and her eyes narrowed with obvious disdain.
"Miss Granger, wouldn't you feel more comfortable sitting with your own House?" She remarked, her gaze lingering on Barty for far too long. It was clear that she disapproved, but right now, her approval didn't count for much as her entire House had ostracized me from their company, so I had no choice but to turn to Barty and his friends.
"I'm afraid that the majority of my House are being rather pigheaded. I did nothing to offend them, yet I hear them talking about me like dirt. I wouldn't put myself through that unless I leaned towards Sadism, Professor. I'm quite fine where I am right now." The majority of the House had enough morals to looked chastised, but most of the girls simply laughed at me.
"See? I rest my case." I remarked triumphantly. Barty chuckled and stroked the back of my hand sensuously. I flushed and crossed my legs almost protectively. I saw Barty lick his lips eagerly, his eyes darkening with apparent desire. McGonagall cleared her throat rather sharply, pulling me out of my daze.
"I repeat, Miss Granger, it would be wiser for you to sit with the Gryffindors." She almost growled.
"As I said before, Professor, I'm quite content with where I am right now." I said as calmly as possible, ignoring the rising heat of my temper. She huffed indignantly and proceeded with the class.
All throughout the class, I got a range of mixed glances. The ones of lust came from Barty's direction, disinterest from the majority of the Slytherins, mixed in with curiosity, while the majority of the Gryffindors flaunted their blatant hate for my existence. They were being so stereotypical, even more so than my generation, that it made me sick to my stomach.
"Hermione?" I sat up, surprised. Barty normally addressed me with annoying pet names, ones that I had grown accustomed to. So when he addressed me by my proper name, I was a little shocked. He laughed at my shocked expression and I frowned, concentrating on my school work once again. I was almost finished. No matter what I felt, or how high the intensity of my feelings got for the boy beside me, my education always took priority.
"Is it so surprising that I addressed you by your true name?" I gave him a slight smile.
"Do I really have to answer that?" I remarked dryly, a small smile on my lips. He laughed and nodded.
"Please do." It struck me that he was trying to attempt small talk. And failing miserably.
"You've never had to wait for anything, have you?" I asked, referring to us. He smirked and shook his head.
"Am I that transparent?" If he was anyone else, I would've said that he looked sheepish. But, it was still him. A conniving, manipulative Slytherin student, no matter how much he sugar coated it.
"No, I'm just good at reading people." I replied, turning my concentration back to the textbook, whilst stealing occasional glances at him. It was these glances that gave me the chance to see him being summoned by Voldemort. I could see the badly concealed pain written on his face as he attempted to finish the lesson without any distractions. I had heard that to ignore a summons from Voldemort was about as painful as receiving a Cruciatius Curse, at times, even more painful. I had experience with the Cruciatius, so I had an inkling of just how painful it was for Barty to ignore his summons. He saw me staring at him intently and he gave me a heartwarming smile, trying to sooth my suspicions. It did the exact opposite to what he had hoped. As the bell chimed and we made our way back to the Common Room, I saw several Slytherins make their way out of the classroom as quickly as possible, obviously rushing for Hogsmeade so that they could pass the non-apparation fields and answer their Master's summons. Barty's eyes narrowed as he saw me analyzing the Slytherins. He grabbed my arm and pulled me along. I could feel the cold sweat emanating off his trembling fingers as he practically dragged me to our dorms. I wrenched my arm out of his grip and stared at him. I couldn't help but feel pain squeezing at my heart. I had begun to let him in, and he had wormed his way in, unwilling to leave it.
"Just go."
"Hermione?" I averted my gaze and picked up my book bag, refusing to turn around and stare at him. I knew that if I did, I would forgive him in a shot. But he had chosen this life before I turned up, it wasn't my responsibility to set him on the right track when he had already taken the Mark. I jumped slightly as he pulled me back into his chest, his lithe form pressed against my curves caused me to blush fiercely. I shivered softly as he ran the tip of his tongue along the expanse of my neck.
"You're still mine, goddess. Don't forget that. No matter how different we are, you belong to me. And nothing you do can change that, as we both know that we're both as stubborn as each other, Hermione. While I'm gone, do me a favour and check up on your Family name. both that of your Father's, and your Mother's." He rasped throatily, sucking gently. I shuddered softly as he cupped my breast with one hand, a low growl echoing from his chest.
"Barty, why are you so obsessed with my family?" I hissed at him as he let me go. A sinister smirk curved his lips upwards. I gulped. He made evil look handsome. He cupped my chin and chuckled darkly.
"Not all is as it appears to be, Goddess. The lines of morality and insanity are often blurred. Appearances are often deceptive." He spun me around before kissing me languidly. I felt his body wrack with pain as his kiss melted my defenses. He pulled back sharply, gasping for air. I cupped his cheek, stroking it softly as he tried to ignore the pain.
"Come with me." He hissed. I shook my head softly. He growled angrily before pushing me back.
"I disobeyed my Master for a useless girl!" I was hurt by his words. I stepped back. My walls were back up at full strength. I spun around, heading back to the Head's Dorm, burying myself in work, trying to ignore the pain in my heart. I refused to cry, as it would make me feel weak. I heard a timid knock on the door. Who would want to speak to me? The rest of the school absolutely hated me. I ignored the knocking, laying down on the couch, letting all my worries and fears float away.
When I woke up in the middle of the night, I was surprised to see that I had been covered with a blanket. I sat up, curious to see if Barty had gotten back yet. I opened the door to his room, my curiosity appeased when I saw him lying in his bed, flinching. I exhaled deeply and sat down by his side, smoothing back his brown hair.
"Barty? Wake up." I whispered softly. Barty opened his eyes wearily, fear evident in his eyes.
"Hermione." He whispered back. A small smile graced my lips. I pressed a kiss to his forehead and laughed awkwardly.
"What's wrong?" I shook my head and smiled lovingly. I was in love with a Death Eater. I knew that it wasn't just lust anymore. It had matured past that. I climbed over Bart and slid into his bed. I wrapped my arms around his body, tracing the light snail trail that led into his boxer shorts.
"I'm sorry." I smiled against his warm skin and nodded
"Just go back to sleep, Barty." He wrapped a possessive arm around me and we both drifted off to sleep.