Sadly I own nothing, all rights go to our Queen JKR.

19th September 1984

"He isss coming little one, be prepared." With that Hermione woke with a bolt and screamed until Narcissa ran in.

"Hermione dear what is the matter?" Narcissa pulled her into a hug and checked her vitals.

Nothing was amiss, her temperature was that of a normal range for her age, she did not seem ill, only a clammy feeling around her head and neck.

"Did you have a bad dream sweetheart?"

Hermione only nodded leaning into her Aunty Cissy.

"Mummy? Is Hermione ok?" A sleepy-eyed Draco walked into the room, dragging a green Dragon by its tail.

"She is fine my little Dragon, Hermione just had a bad dream."

"Would you like to talk about it Hermione?" Draco asked jumping on her bed to give her a hug.

Hermione moves from Narcissa to hug Draco back.

"I dreamt of a snake." She whispered to him.

"Snakes are not all bad." Draco he tried reassured her.

"This one was really big, bigger than your broom Draco." Hermione cast her eyes down.

Narcissa glowered at her son, he knew he had said something wrong. He sat and thought and almost like a lightbulb had lit up he re-hugged Hermione.

"Ok, some bit snakes are really scary, like Uncle Severus, he can be scary but not always."

Draco always knew how to make her smile. He just knew.


"You're saying she had a nightmare over a snake?" Bellatrix asked the next morning as she came over to help decorate for Hermione's party this afternoon.

"Yes, however that is all we know, maybe she will confide in Draco." Narcissa wondered aloud.

"Any news on Lucius?" Bellatrix asked. It had been over a fortnight since Lucius, Severus, Cylis Parkinson and Antonin Dolohov had made travels to the mysterious Albanian forest.

"Only that they will be here by lunch, Tink will notify me of their arrival and I have not to tell the children until they have had time to freshen up or seek them themselves."

"One only knows if that is good news or not." Bellatrix frowned over preparing napkins.

"Good Morning Narcissa, Bellatrix." Pandorea said to them as she let herself out of the fireplace.

"Good Morning Madam Black, Madam Malfoy." Pansy Curtsey to the two older Witches.

"Good Morning Pansy, Draco and Hermione are in the Playroom, Tink will take you." Narcissa greeted.

"Tink." She called for the elf.

"Madam called." The elf bowed low.

"Hello Tink, how are the elves in the Kitchen?"

"Splendid, everything is cooking and preparing to schedule."

"Fantastic, please escort Pansy to the play room."

The elf merely nodded as she escorted Pansy from the room.

"Would you like to stay or do you have preparations for Cylis's return?"

"Unfortunately I do have plans that I must adhere to. Goodbye ladies, floo Pansy over when she is becoming a handful."

With that Pandorea left. Bellatrix laughed and smiled at her sister.

"We can keep Pansy then?"

"Keep?"

"Pandorea said 'floo Pansy over when she is becoming a handful.' Pansy is never a handful for us. Pandorea needs a good..."

"Do not finish that sentence dear sister." Narcissa smirked knowing full well Bellatrix's thoughts on the Parkinson parents.


Narcissa paced the rug in her Husband's study, he was due back any moment now and she was anxious to see him and hear of the travel. Severus was the first to apparate, a birthday present in hand he looked as cheerful as always.

"Cissy, Bella, where are the little...ones." Severus thought his words wisely. Last time he called them heathens or cretins, Bellatrix hexed him before he blinked. No wonder she is the only female Death Eater in the inner circle.

"Playroom."

As Severus opened the door, Ginny and Luna ran past him, shouting their apologies as they entered the party.

Antonin was the next one out, he wore such a huge grin, he loved birthday parties, especially Hermione and Draco's, they were always so very grateful for whatever present he brought over. Having heard the children were already in the playroom, he bowed to the women and practically jumped and skipped from the room, Bellatrix cast a questioning glare but shook her head as the floo roared. Out stepped Lucius holding onto him a younger looking Lord Voldemort, or maybe the woman had just forgotten how young he naturally looked.[1]

"My Lord." They both bowed.

"Rise Ladies, you have done well on instructing my only true followers to my aide."

"My Lo..."

"Lucius has managed to give me the names of the few others who have helped aid your success, do not worry Bellatrix."

"My Lord, I was merely going to suggest you sit whilst we talk about a few matters, however, I am glad Lucius has helped you understand those most loyal to you."

"Matters?"

"It has been exactly 6 years since your departure. Many things have changed My Lord."

"Such as."

Bellatrix did not know how to tell her 'boss' his wife had died, she looked at Lucius for help.

"What Bellatrix is trying to say is your Wife died in childbirth."

Tom Riddle looked shocked and composed himself, not allowing the three in the room to give any ammunition over him later.

'Nagini, come, what news do you have.' He spoke to the snake.

'Your child and Heir is well.'

"Lucius, I wish to see my Heir."

"My Lord, maybe when you have freshened up.."

"Are you trying to say I need a wash, Lucius?" He pulled his wand before he had a chance to curse him Bellatrix interrupted.

"It is your child's birthday today, I am sure my Brother in Law was only meaning for you to look your best My Lord."

"Very Well, Where has my child resided?"

"With us, My Lord, we have a son, Draco, only a matter of months younger." Narcissa spoke facing the brunette man in front of her.

"Very good." With that, he apparated to Riddle Manor.


Hermione was sat in a chair facing the guest opening presents, her dress she had designed was green with silver peacocks coming up each side of her. Looking at the pile in front of she had yet again been spoilt. Pansy bought her a ginger Kneazle; much to Narcissa and Lucius annoyance, Ginny and Luna had handmade her several dream catchers, hoping to keep the snakes away. Severus had bought her a green cauldron and new potions set filled with basic ingredients for her. Draco had bought her a talk write quill, which wrote what she spoke to it. Narcissa and Lucius had bought her new ball gowns, shoes and accessories whereas Bellatrix bought her general day robes.

"S Dnem Rozhdeniya k vam, nash samyy dragotsennyy Dark Princess." Antonin spoke as he gave Hermione her gift. [1]

"Spasibo Dyadya" Hermione smiled as she took the present gently from him. [2]

"Ahh, you have been practising." He gave her a genuine smile.

Hermione as always carefully tore the paper and saw her own 'build your own mini magical garden' set., she stared at it with such awe.

"This has come all the way from Russia, I had the instruction manual translated for you."

"Thank you, Uncle Antonin, this is one of the best presents ever."

"There was me thinking I would be the best present." Tom walked from behind the adults whilst taking in the young girl.

"That, that SNAKE...!" Hermione shouted running to her Uncle Severus who she knew to be the biggest snake, or so Draco said.

"Sev, Sev, save me." Hermione shrieked as she jumped up into Severus's arms, shocking everyone, even Severus.

Narcissa looked around and spotted Nagini.

"Hermione, is this the snake from your dream?"

Hermione took one last look and nodded as she snuggled into Severus. Over the years he had learned to accept hugs, especially from Hermione as she gave him a minimum of two at least two every time she saw him.

"Nagini, go and find a mouse or two, you are scaring her away, for now, keep your distance."

The snake merely nodded and slithered away in the other direction.

"Dear child, do you know who I am?" Tom asked the little girl.

"No Sir."

"Such good manners. I am Tom Riddle, I am your.."

"You are my Father. I told Aunt Bella you would come home for my birthday." Hermione beamed with pride as she jumped down and cuddled her Father.

Tom stiffened in her embrace but remembered how much her Mother loved to cuddle. He picked her up and stroked her brown curly hair. Yes, he was glad to be back home.

A/N [1] I know when Voldy comes back, he isn't Human, well this is an AU and I decided he comes back looking much like Scabior but with shorter hair, skinnier slightly and a more pointed face.

[1] Google Translates Happy Birthday to you, our most precious Dark Princess.

[2] Google Translates Thank You Uncle.