Please forgive me for the extremely long time without a chapter. I have not given up on this story I have just been extremely busy with college work. The good news is I will be done for the term on Tuesday so you will all start getting frequent updates again. I hope this chapter makes up for the long wait. I must say it's my favorite. Read and Review!
-SilverSlytherinWitch
Hermione woke early the next morning to find herself snuggled up to Draco on the couch in the living room. She remembered the pain potion making her sleepy and the other teens laughing and taking shots as she leaned on Draco half asleep. Hermione groaned as she realized that everyone had probably witnessed her snuggling up to him the night before. Ugh, and how was she supposed to explain herself? They weren't dating. They weren't even really friends, but the pain potion had made her drowsy and she had felt so safe being back with the Death Eaters. Hermione knew that nobody would hurt her here. Her arm burned and she shifted trying to get it comfortable.
Draco yawned as he sat up giving Hermione more room to maneuver her arm, "How is it feeling?"
"Better, still burns but I know it's healing." Hermione answered looking up at him.
She smiled at Draco and giggled slightly as she noticed his mussed hair and lines from the couch cushion on his cheek. Despite his appearance his eyes showed how alert he was and Hermione realized how lethal he could be. He was always aware of his surroundings. Heck, Hermione guessed that he probably woke up as soon as she groaned.
"What are you laughing about?" Draco asked running his hand through his hair and rubbing his face.
"You."
Draco's eyebrows rose at her answer, "What about me?"
Hermione shrugged, "You look so normal. All disheveled from sleeping."
"I would hope so." Draco chuckled, "Malfoys may be rich but we are human."
"Really, I had no idea." Hermione smirked, "I thought you were all soulless."
"Nah, if we were soulless we wouldn't be so good in bed. Malfoys were born and bred to be the best warriors and the fiercest lovers. Not that you would know, yet." Draco countered rubbing his thumb across her cheek.
Hermione sighed and leaned towards him letting her eyelids flutter closed. She really could get used to this boy. Draco smirked before bending his head down to capture her lips with his. She kissed him back eagerly and ran her fingers through his hair. He growled pulling Hermione closer and leaning back against the couch. Just as Draco went to deepen the kiss she pulled away.
"Draco….how do you see me?" Hermione asked suddenly sitting up and scooting away from him.
Draco froze and took a moment to figure out how to answer her question. "Well I thought it was obvious, I like you. You're my best friend." Draco finally answered studying her reaction, "and from what I hear we are betrothed so our opinions don't even matter."
Hermione's eyes blazed, "I can assure you that if such a match isn't to your liking that my father will break the betrothal. He lets me have anything I want, and if you don't want me I definitely don't want you. I'm not the type of person to force someone to love me." Hermione stood at the end of her rant and exited the room.
Blaise's head shot up at the sound of the door slamming, "What the hell did you do to piss her off?" He groaned holding his head and looking over to Draco.
"I was just joking around with her." Draco defended holding his hands up.
"Obviously she didn't think so," Ginny interrupted sitting up next to Blaise.
Draco's eyebrows rose at how close the two were, "What did you two do last night?"
Blaise grinned as Ginny blushed, "Nothing," she snapped, "Had a nice time together."
"I'll bet," Draco snickered leaning back against the couch again, "Do the carpets match the drapes Blaise?"
"MALFOY!" Ginny yelled launching herself at him.
"Bloody hell!" Draco growled after Ginny landed a solid punch to his jaw, "Blaise get your wildcat before I have her skinned!"
"By who Malfoy?" Ginny countered crossing her arms and looking smug, "I'd bet ten to one that Hermione would side with me at the moment. And if you hurt me you deal with her."
"I fucking hate women," Draco snapped getting up and storming out of the room.
Hermione fumed as she stomped through Malfoy Manor heading to her father's office. How dare Draco insinuate that she didn't have a choice in her own marriage! She would show him. Her father would let her have anything she wanted…and anything that she didn't want. Hermione growled as she turned the corner to find her father's office empty and immediately headed down the hall to the meeting room. At the double doors she stopped and shoved them open stepping into the room. Voldemort looked up as his daughter entered the room and frowned at her obviously anger and distress.
"Father," Hermione started, "Draco has just informed me that we are to marry and that he doesn't want the match. I demand that you break this betrothal and allow me to choose someone worthy of me."
"Hermione, calm down. I will speak to Lucius on the matter as soon as I am done here. You have nothing to worry about. I don't know what Draco said to you but I'm sure he didn't mean it." Voldemort answered dismissing his death eaters and walking over to his daughter.
"Oh he meant it all right!" Hermione fumed crossing her arms, "And I want out!"
Voldemort studied his daughter as she began rambling about Malfoys and traitorous best friends while rubbing her injured arm and staring the Dark Mark embezzled across the meeting room table. "What's really wrong?"
Hermione stopped and looked up at her father, "What do you mean?"
"You've always fought with Draco. That's nothing new. What is really bothering you that has you so upset." Voldemort questioned leading her to a chair and calling an elf for some tea.
"I- It's just," Hermione sighed, "My whole life has changed practically overnight and I feel like I'm changing as a person. I know that I'm different from how I used to be but I don't want to be different from who I am. Does that make any sense? I know I'm your daughter and I can accept that. But marrying a Malfoy. Becoming a Death Eater. That's not Hermione Granger. That's not me Dad. I can't torture people."
Voldemort laughed, "My dear, nobody ever said that you had to take the Mark. I don't want you to. You are not my servant, you are my heir. You're above such things."
"What about Draco?" Hermione asked.
"Hermione you are free to choose your husband. I trust your judgment. However I must say with Astoria and Theo paired up already and Blaise and Ms. Weasley growing attached to each other you will have slim pickings in your current group of friends. As for you changing who you are…you will always be Hermione Granger, but you must understand that life changes people. I'm sure you never thought that Harry and Ron would ever be capable of such torture. Especially to someone who was their friend for so long. However, they were. I think you will be surprised at what you are capable of as well." Voldemort explained.
Hermione nodded showing that she understood, "You're right. I don't know why I'm so worried. Thanks Dad."
"Your welcome." Voldemort sat back in his chair and took a deep breath. Parenting was definitely something that he wasn't used to, and Hermione being a girl didn't help matters. If only her mother were still alive to help guide her. Voldemort smiled as he formed an idea, "I would recommend that you speak to Narcissa about some of your concerns. She went through a similar situation when she married Lucius."
"Really?" Hermione asked setting down her empty tea cup.
"Oh yes," Voldemort confirmed, "She was always outspoken and headstrong. But Malfoy women are supposed to keep quiet. She had a horrible time adjusting to Abraxas Malfoy's expectations of her. That lessened after he passed since Lucius loved her high spirited nature, but I'm told the first few years after Draco was born were hell for her."
Hermione frowned. That did sound similar to her situation. However, she was expected to go from being quiet and studious to someone outspoken and forceful. Hermione knew that she had a temper, but she was very hesitant to let herself be ruled by it. She would talk to Narcissa. After all, she could use some womanly advice.
Hermione found Narcissa in the rose gardens trimming some of the overgrown bushes. Narcissa smiled as Hermione approached and set down her sheers to greet the girl.
"Ah Hermione, how are you?" Narcissa asked pulling the girl into a strong hug before stepping back to look her over, "I heard that you had quite a bit of fun last night. I hope Draco kept you away from the alcohol."
"He did, and yes I did. I was around family and safe. That's something that I haven't felt in a long time. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about something." Hermione answered pulling Narcissa over to a small bench a few feet away.
Narcissa nodded sensing her serious tone, "Ask away my dear."
Hermione took a deep breath, "What was it like when you first became a Malfoy? Father said that you had an awful time and would be able to understand what I am feeling. Not about becoming a Malfoy but about changing the person you are."
"I see," Narcissa sighed taking Hermione's hand, "The Dark Lord is correct in what he said. When I first became a Malfoy I had to deal with a lot of changes. Lucius' father Abraxas wanted me to be a typical Malfoy wife. Soft-spoken, pretty, and agreeable. Malfoy women are not supposed to have an opinion and they certainly aren't supposed to voice it. I fought with that man constantly. I didn't want to be a typical Malfoy wife. I wanted to be me. However, I realized that I was fighting a losing battle. Abraxas still controlled Lucius' inheritance and refused to give it to him until I toed the line. I had to hold my tongue for my husband. I hated every minute of it but I did it for quite a while.
"It wasn't until I found out that I was pregnant with Draco that I began to speak my mind again. Abraxas wanted him trained in the Dark Arts when he turned seven. I didn't want my child taught something like that at such a young age. I refused to let Lucius give in and eventually Abraxas gave up the issue. He died not long after and Lucius has encouraged me ever since to get back to the sassy young girl that I used to be. I will say this. I may have hated keeping my mouth quiet but I wouldn't change my family. Draco may have his faults but Lucius raised him to be a strong man. He'll be able to take care of his family in the future, and I couldn't be more proud of either of them."
Hermione frowned, "But didn't you feel like you lost a part of yourself?"
"I did. But after a while I realized that I wouldn't have stayed the same person in the long run anyway. You give up small things in order to gain something much better. You just have to decide if it's worth it or not."
"Do you think that it is?" Hermione asked quietly rubbing her injured arm again.
"That's something you must decide dear," Narcissa answered putting her hand over Hermione's, "I will say this. Your mother did not like all of the things that your father did, but she still loved him. And she still chose him over everyone else. She changed everything for him. He didn't ask her too, but she did anyway. She never regretted her decision. I don't think you will either."
Hermione smiled, "Thank you. I appreciate all of the help."
"No problem dear," Narcissa replied moving on to lighter topics, "How is your arm doing? I noticed you rubbing it. Are you still in pain?"
"Oh no," Hermione denied immediately taking her hand off of her arm, "It doesn't hurt. I was just thinking about Harry and Ron. I seem to touch my arm every time they come across my mind. I've been rolling around an idea in my head and I'm not sure whether I want to go through with it."
"Think it over and then make your decision. Just know that your family will support you." Narcissa reassured her.
Hermione smiled, "Thank you. I think I'll go find Draco now."
"Father I have a problem." Draco said as he stepped into Lucius' study and sat in the chair opposite of the desk.
Lucius looked up at his son and laughed, "I'll say. Your jaw is pretty swollen, did Hermione hit you again? What did you do this time?"
"What?" Draco asked touching his jaw, "Oh, no not that. That is from the redhead."
"And what did you do to deserve it?" Lucius countered shuffling some papers.
"Father!" Draco snapped, "I don't want to talk about my jaw. I want to talk about Hermione. I was being stupid and teasing her. Now she thinks that I don't want to marry her and has threatened to have her father call off the engagement. What should I do?"
Lucius shook his head, "I'm afraid there's not much to do. She has already sought out her father, and the Dark Lord has informed me that he has decided to let Hermione choose her own husband. There is no betrothal anymore Draco."
"But Father," Draco answered desperately, "I was just kidding. Can't you do something? What am I supposed to do now?"
"The Dark Lord has decided Draco." Lucius said shrugging his shoulders, "If you really want to marry her then my advice to you is to woo her. Otherwise you will have to watch her marry someone else."
"Like hell," Draco snarled jumping up from the chair, "I'll kill any man that thinks about touching her. She's been my betrothed since we were seven. I refuse to give her up."
Lucius smiled, "Then be the one she chooses Son."
"No problem," Draco growled stomping out of the room.
Hermione wondered through Malfoy Manor rubbing her scarred arm as she went. Harry and Ron had betrayed her. She knew that such a betrayal had changed her forever. But she couldn't decide if she liked that change. She didn't trust anyone anymore and she certainly didn't care about the pain of others. Being tortured by her best friend had taken the pity out of her heart. On the other hand, her pain tolerance was much higher and she didn't worry about the little things in life anymore. Hermione loved that she wasn't in a constant state of worry over some trivial part of her day. She loved that she stood up for herself and had a newfound confidence. Everyone respected her. Hermione grinned evilly planning how she was going to get back at the Order for what they did to her. Glancing around she realized she was in Draco's wing of the manor. She turned the corner to go find him and slammed right into him.
"Hermione are you okay?" Draco asked steadying her with a firm grip on her arm.
"I'm fine, but Draco I have to talk to you about something." Hermione answered removing her arm from his grasp.
Draco nodded swallowing the lump in his throat, "Go ahead."
"Father said that I am to pick my own husband. Isn't that great? We won't be forced into anything." Hermione grinned happily.
"Yeah," Draco agreed quietly, "That's awesome."
"That's not what I want to talk to you about though." Hermione continued as if she hadn't heard him, "I don't plan to marry anytime soon anyway. I want to talk to you about a different plan. Something that I need your help with."
Draco cocked his head to the side and smirked, "This sounds interesting."
Hermione laughed, "Just wait. It's going to be amazing. Let's go to your study to talk about it."
"Sure, lead the way my lady," Draco said motioning for Hermione to proceed him.
"Why thank you kind sir," Hermione giggled walking in front of him down the hall.
A few minutes passed in silence as they walked towards Draco's study, "Draco stop looking at my butt."
"I'm not." Draco denied sounding offended.
"Liar," Hermione snickered opening the door to the study.
"I can't help it. It's right in front of me." Draco defended sitting down in the chair behind his desk, "Anyway, what's up?"
Hermione took a deep breath before continuing, "I want you to help me lead a group of Death Eaters."
Draco's eyebrows shot up, "Really?"
"Yes, but they won't be called Death Eaters. They would be called Dark Bloods. My followers, not my father's. They would have a separate initiation and a completely different mark." Hermione continued pacing excitedly, "We lead them as kind of a sub group or special task force. They would be trained to be the most lethal and unforgiving of the Death Eaters. Only the best and brightest of the Death Eater trainees would be offered a spot in the Dark Bloods and only if every member agrees to have them join the family. I want to build my own family, one that would rather die than betray me."
Draco met Hermione's determined stare and nodded, "Okay, I like the sound of this, but Hermione how are you going to keep someone from infiltrating? You could still have someone betray you."
"Not if they take the Unbreakable Vow in their initiation and swear that they will never reveal any information about the Dark Bloods to anyone other than my father. They will have a grueling initiation that only the most dedicated will survive. Anyone who quits halfway through will have their memory wiped and will not be allowed in." Hermione explained, "It ensures that nobody in the family can ever betray anyone else. They would die as soon as they spoke the first sentence."
"Wow," Draco whistled sitting back in his chair, "that's intense. How will you keep the members from being known by the rest of the Death Eaters?"
Hermione grinned, "Every Dark Blood member will still go through Death Eater initiation. If they can't pass my father's test I don't want them. Father has begun casting the Dark Mark onto each member's arm so that it only appears when he wants it too. Father will simply cast a temporary Dark Mark instead of a permanent one. Then the member would go through my initiation and get their real mark, which will only appear when I want it too."
"You've really thought this through haven't you?" Draco said sounding slightly stunned.
"Ever since Harry carved your surname into my arm." Hermione answered honestly sitting in the chair across from him.
"Ok, where do I fit into this?" Draco asked.
"You're my second in command," Hermione smiled, "I don't know tactical stuff. You would be the primary leader in any mission. Obviously we would both plan them but I need someone that I trust completely to help me. And before you ask I love Ginny to death but she has turned her back on me once. I believe she will again when she realizes that I plan on torturing her entire family and slaughtering them. Any member of the Order that stood by and let Harry hurt me will answer for their inactivity. You are my best friend. If the Order hadn't messed with my life I would have had you by my side through our entire schooling at Hogwarts. You won't betray me and I know that."
Draco smiled, "Alright, so have you talked to your father about this yet?"
Hermione shook her head, "You're the first one I told. I wanted to make sure you would be on board before I talked to my father. He has always believed that any good leader has to have a solid second in command. Your father is his; it seems fitting that you should be mine. After all, Malfoys are born and bred to be the best most lethal warriors."
"And the fiercest lovers." Draco added with a smirk.
"Yeah yeah," Hermione acknowledged rolling her eyes, "So do you want to come with me to explain everything to my father?"
"Definitely," Draco answered standing from his chair, "The sooner we get everything started the better."
Draco and Hermione hurried to the meeting room to find her father. He was sitting in the room alone going over some papers from the rescue raid when the two teens entered the room and closed the door behind them. Hermione sat down beside her father and very excitedly explained her plan for the Dark Bloods. Voldemort called Lucius in to here the ideas about initiation and Draco being second in command. The younger two explained in great detail everything that they wanted to do and each person's part in it. Finally after over an hour of Voldemort asking questions and Hermione having immediate detailed answers he turned to Lucius.
"What do you think my friend?" Voldemort asked, "It sounds like they have really thought this through."
Lucius nodded, "Yes, but with all due respect. Hermione, do you really think that you will be able to follow through with what you are saying? Be honest with yourself could you really torture and kill Order members? These are people that you have spent six years around. Could you do it without feeling guilty?"
"That's why I kept my scars," Hermione answered with blazing eyes, "They sat back and let Harry carved into my skin. Nobody in the Order deserves to live after letting him do that to me."
"Yes but as Death Eaters many of us have done the same thing to others. How do you justify condemning them without condemning us?" Lucius asked.
"Very wise Lucius," Voldemort commented turning to his daughter, "I am intrigued to hear your response my dear."
Hermione smiled, "It's simple. They did it to someone they consider family. My father would never torture me or you for information. Like how you and I would never torture Draco. The Order condemned you but then used your practices when it was convenient. They tell everyone that Death Eaters are pure evil. If I've learned anything in all of this it's that life is never black and white. Yes Death Eaters torture, but they also love. They protect each other and avenge their family members. That is the kind of person that I want to be. Not someone who turns on family that I've known for years because of a prophecy. We make our own destiny, and I'm making mine."
"Well said Hermione," Lucius praised with a bow of his head.
Voldemort smiled, "I think we have come to an agreement. Hermione, begin recruitment and planning for your Dark Bloods. Lucius will work with Draco on training so that you really are the best of the Death Eaters. We will make sure that everyone fears the Dark Bloods as my most lethal and unforgiving followers. And everyone will know that my daughter leads them."
Hermione grinned and hugged him, "Yes father. Thank you."