After an hour long, hot shower, Hermione was feeling like her old self again. She felt refreshed and ready to take on the world, which was exactly what she planned on doing.

She sat down with Draco and Blaise in the Zabini living room planning their next steps.

"I just can't believe the mudblood we made fun of all these years was really the dark lord's daughter,"

"You're forgiven… but try it again and I won't be so kind,"

"You better watch her… she'll do damage,"

"I believe it, you duelled Potter. He's not easy to beat,"

"Don't remind me," Hermione hissed.

"So, what's our next step? You're out… now what?"

"Revenge… not mine, Draco's,"

"Mine?"

"Yea yours, Weasley tried to kill you… get your revenge,"

"How?"

"Death Eaters… they all, besides Zabini, believe you to be dead. Let's use that. Have them rampage in Diagon Alley. Mudbloods, half bloods and blood traitors alike… not killed but tortured. On you're behalf,"

"How will that help us?"

"They'll do it under my orders, and your mother and father. We're the new leaders,"

"When did you want them here?" Blaise asked.

"Tomorrow evening for an hour. Send word and don't let the owls get intercepted,"

"I'll do what I can,"

"No, you'll do it now," Hermione said, "and do it right,"

"Alright, yea, of course," Blaise said getting up and rushing out of the room.

"He's scared shitless of you," Draco said nonchalantly.

"As he should be,"

"Derek is better then he, Derek will be proud to serve the Dark lord's daughter,"

"Where is this Derek?"

"Visiting friends at Durmstrang, he'll be back tonight,"

Hermione nodded, "You realize you can't be anywhere near the meeting when it occurs. If any of them catch sight of you… they may think you're an imposter, try to kill you,"

"I'm smarter then that,"

"For your sake, you better hope so," Hermione said getting up and walking to her room. She had decorated her room in a blood red color, nothing close to the crimson red of Gryffindor. She had black and silver accents as well.

She sat on her bed and pulled out her copy of the prophet, which she had stuck in her pocket without even glancing at it. Now that she had a chance to look at it, she saw the front page article.

Possible break out in Azkaban?

Yesterday two highly watched prisoners were escorted from their cells by Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt. Auror guards questioned the Minister where he informed them he was taking them to the Ministry for questioning. Word at the Ministry was that neither Kingsley nor the prisoners entered the building. Aurors were sent to the Ministers residence where he refused to acknowledge or say anything on the topic.

Some suspect the Minister may have had a hand in the possibility of a break out, others such as Hero and Auror Harry Potter believe Kingsley would never do such a thing and must have been tricked by the prisoners.

'I've known Kingsley for a few years. He'd never do such a thing, especially for those worthless criminals,' Potter spat at the reporter, 'Kingsley's the nest Minister I've ever known. He's a well trusted member of the Order and helped put both criminals in Azkaban to begin with. Never say such a thing.' Potter, an old friend of Hermione 'Granger' Riddle and enemy of Lucius Malfoy responded.

Further investigation is being made concerning the possible break out. More on the criminal's crimes on pages seven and ten.

On page seven was a short description on Lucius's crimes and on page ten was a much longer and more detailed one on Hermione's.

A knock on her door interrupted her and she opened it with a flick of her wand.

"You see this?" Lucius asked. Hermione held up the paper in her hand, "We've warned Narcissa. She'll be on the alert for the Ministry. We have to stay in the basement of the Manor for the time being. It is undetectable to anyone unless told directly by a Zabini how to get down,"

Hermione nodded and grabbed the book off her night stand and followed Lucius down to the basement. Draco was already waiting for them.

"We should be safe down here," he said.

"Just so you know Uncle Lucius, I have Death Eaters coming tomorrow evening. I'm planning destruction as vengeance for Draco's death. Yes I understand he's not dead but the Death Eaters don't know that. It's all part of a plan to get Potter."

"very Well," Lucius said.

Hermione took a seat on an elegant looking couch and opened her book. It was the one Lucius and Narcissa had given her for her birthday. As she read upon dark curses and spells, Draco and Lucius discussed matter that didn't interest her.

After an hour of sitting, a figure came down. He had dark brown hair, dark green eyes, was tall and muscular and very handsome. Hermione hadn't noticed him yet, but Draco and Lucius had.

"Derek, good to see you again," Lucius said.

"Likewise Mr. Malfoy," Derek replied shaking hands, "Draco, how's death treating you?" he joked.

"Good as always," Draco smirked.

"And where is the dark lord's daughter?"

Hermione, who had finally noticed the man, snapped her book shut and stood up. She walked towards him, eyes fixed on him, and walked confidently up to him, and stood about a foot apart.

"That would be me," she said, "Hermione Jane Riddle,"

"Pleasure to meet you," Derek said taking her hand and kissing it.

"Can't say the same," Hermione responded.

"Hermione," Lucius said.

"It's not that I don't want to meet you, I can't take pleasure in meeting someone I don't know,"

"Makes perfect sense," Derek said, "Let's sit and get to know each other then,"

Hermione agreed and took a seat on the couch she had been previously seated on. Derek took a seat next to her.

"Let me start off by saying my name is Derek Zabini, twenty two years old, attended Durmstrang. I've always believed in the dark lord's ways but never received the mark on account of school matters.

"Explain what you mean by school matters," Hermione said somewhat coldly.

"At Durmstrang we believe in the dark arts but everyone is screened up to the age of eighteen, even though seventeen is legal age,"

"That makes no sense,"

"I know, before Karkaroff left, there was no screening but our new headmaster changed things. He told us to take up the dark arts advanced class, only available in seventh year, before deciding weather or not you wanted the mark."

"And I take it you took the class but chickened out and never accepted the mark?"

"Of course not, I took the class and would've been first in line for the mark but everything was hectic and I was never able to get it."

"Would you still be interested in getting it?"

"Without a doubt,"

"Can perform the ritual Uncle Lucius?"

"Only the dark lord himself knew how to do it. Of course, being his daughter, you'd probably understand the writing of his secret spell book. It is written in parseltongue,"

"I haven't tried snake language yet," Hermione said.

"I have a pet snake," Derek said, "Rattle snake, care for me to get it?"

Lucius and Draco looked at Hermione, "Do," she said.

Derek nodded and exited the room. Lucius and Draco were still looking at Hermione. "Have you been able to listen to them before?" Lucius finally said.

"No," Hermione admitted, "But that was before my mind was unhinged,"

"I still don't understand it," Draco said, "How can you go from sweet, innocent book worm to this evil dark woman?"

"It's a simple explanation really. It all started from when I was born. My father placed a dark and powerful charm upon me so I'd be sure to join him when I was older. The charm sunk into my brain, giving me dark thoughts to rely on. When Dumbledore stole me from my parents, the charm, upon which he had no idea lay on me, was blocked. Dumbledore also placed a charm on me, but it was on the other me, when my appearance had been changed, so it didn't stick. His charm wouldn't let any dark thoughts in.

"When the charm broke and I found out who I really was, all of Dumbledore's work was erased. Dumbledore was hoping that by placing that charm on me my mind wouldn't wander to the dark side when I was older. But with the dark charm my father placed upon me taking effect again, Dumbledore's was lost."

"So the only reason you're dark and evil is because of a charm your father placed on you?" Draco asked.

"In a matter of speaking, yes,"

"Doesn't that make you angry? Knowing your father manipulated you?"

"No, I'm glad he did because this is where I'm supposed to be… who I really am,"

"And we wouldn't want you any other way," Draco said. He rose from his chair, "Are you sure there's no way I can watch the meeting?"

"Perhaps there may be a place you can hide… secret passage way of some sort,"

"There's only one room with a secret passage," Derek said returning, "The drawing room on the second floor,"

"Then I need it for tomorrow evening… an hour,"

"Alright," Derek said, "And by the way, meet knocker, my rattle snake." Derek held out a small cage with a bright red and orange rattle snake in it. Hermione slowly walked up to it.

"Knocker… welcome the dark lord's daughter to our home," Derek said.

Hermione stared at the snake, straight in the eyes, as Knocker slowly rose from the position he was in. He also stared at Hermione and slowly hissed out, Welcome Mistress Darkness.

The three guys started at Hermione as she responded Pleasure Knocker. They looked at her with admiration and slight fear.

"I guess that answers that question," Lucius said clearing his throat. "Derek, said word to Narcissa and have her bring the Dark Lord's private spell book… located in the room he had at the manor." Derek nodded and turned with Knocker to leave.

"Derek," Hermione said, he looked at her, "It was a pleasure meeting you," he nodded and turned but Hermione saw the grin in his eyes.

"How many Death Eaters did you invite anyways?" Draco asked.

"All of them… they all must participate in this,"

"Are Narcissa and I expected as well?" Hermione nodded.

"Wouldn't you like to see the first acts and orders given by the Mistress of Darkness?" she smirked.

A/N: Well another chapter up. For those of you who have been asking about Hermione's transformation I really hope this explained it for you… I tried my best to make it make sense... sorry if it doesn't. I hope you liked it… I've been trying to make them longer for you… trust me I really have lol! And I'm sorry it's been a long wait but better late then never right?

Just wondering what you think of the title I came up with… Mistress Darkness?? And please check out my profile for the poll I've posted concerning this story… Should Hermione remain Dark or go back to the light side… please vote on it or you can let me know in a review!

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