Glamours and Lies
by sick-atxxheart
Chapter Five

Severus had never liked waiting, not at all. But here he was now, standing in the main parlor of Malfoy Manor, waiting to meet the Dark Lord. If he had to be honest, it wasn't a great feeling.

He had told the stuttering Peter Pettigrew what to the Dark Lord. How the uncapable rat had become Voldemort's messenger, Severus wasn't quite sure; the man shook so much that his brain should have rattled out of his skull by now. It was a shame it hadn't, considered Severus, as he watched Hermione next to him.

She looked remarkably calm. As soon as they had entered the hallway, she had immediately been on her guard, but she was still eagerly taking in her surroundings. The antique decorations, elaborate portraits, and intricate furnishings all fascinated her; Severus wasn't really surprised. She had grown up with Muggles, after all.

He tried not to think about the fact that it could have been different.

Trying very hard to keep his fear for himself and the girl at bay, Severus amused himself by wondering exactly how much Hermione knew about spells, both defensive and offensive. She had already proved to be quite the little scholar; but did she knew spells beyond the theory? Had she read enough books, studied enough before coming to Hogwarts, that she would be able to hold her own, at least defensively?

The question puzzled Severus. She was a first year; she hadn't even had a day of lessons; and yet she was rather knowledgeable about the history of the Wizarding World. She had known what glamours were. Could it be that Hermione was stronger than he anticipated?

At that thought Severus nearly snorted out loud, but stopped himself just in time. Some might have said his thought was arrogant, but it in itself was the truth. Of course Hermione would be strong, given who her parents were. Regardless of where their loyalties were placed, both he and Bellatrix were powerful in their own right. It only made sense that their daughter would inherit those same qualities.

Severus nearly jumped at a strange sound, but it was merely someone pounding in another room. Hermione was looking at him strangely, questioning, and he granted her a small, rare smile to try and comfort her. She didn't really look all that scared.

Severus took the time to question her quietly. "Do you know the simple shield spell?" he said softly, eager to hear her answer.

Her nod affirmed his suspicions. "Yes," she said. "I know some stronger shield spells, too-" She proceeded to name them, and Severus was astounded and couldn't help but voice his curiosity.

"Where did you learn those?" He said, looking at her carefully.

Her response was slow and hesitant, but proud all the same. "I live in London," she said. "Very close to Diagon Alley... and we- well, my family, we aren't poor. I bought not only my first year books, but also some of the second, third, and fourth year books."

Severus almost accepted the answer, but saw the hole in it. "Those spells aren't in those books," he hissed, not sounding accusatory but simply still curious.

Hermione nodded again, looking sheepish and smiling shyly. "Yes, I know. I... I bought some books on defensive and offensive magic. Higher-level stuff."

Severus nodded, accepting that answer. "And do you just know the theory? Or have you experimented with the practical side of the spells as well?"

Hermione hesitated. "I read somewhere that students, before they come to Hogwarts, can't use their wand to practice magic... but for some reason, I could." She seemed almost afraid of his reaction, and Severus carefully arranged his features in a non-judgmental way.

"That's strange, but not un-heard of," Severus said, looking away from her. In all reality, it really was unheard of; but Severus was rather uninterested in telling that to Hermione, who was rather fearful in the first place.

Content with the knowledge that Hermione knew perhaps enough to defend herself from a mild curse, and perhaps even severe curses from the sound of the shields she knew, Severus sat in silence with her for the remaining waiting time, until Lucius Malfoy came to personally greet them.

"Severus," The blonde man sneered scornfully, looking from the man to Hermione sitting next to him. "And who might this be? She looks exactly like you-"

"I'm quite sure that is none of your business, Lucius," Severus responded smoothly, looking the other man directly in the eye. "Now, if you please, I believe I have a meeting with the Dark Lord."

"A-And you're bringing her?" Lucius said doubtfully, giving a pointed look at the girl. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" Although Lucius wouldn't be considered by anyone to be a kind man, he had seen Draco nearly pass out in fear by the Dark Lord. He had no desire to wish that fate on anyone's child.

He could see Severus falter, but the man quickly resumed his look of bitter indifference, saying, "It will be fine, thank you, Lucius. Now, if you please?"

Nodding curtly, Lucius turned and led the two down the hall.

--

The room was deathly silent when Severus and Hermione entered it; Lucius stopped at the entranceway, and closed the heavy door after them. Severus had taken the long walk down the hallway as an excuse to whisper a few quiet instructions to Hermione- "Don't speak unless spoken to. Be on your guard. Be brave and stand tall, but above all be immensely respectful." She had taken his instructions to heart, apparently, and he marveled at her bravery; she was walking behind him quietly, head held high and back straight. Her face was one of quiet strength and respect. It was exactly what he had asked her to do, and Severus couldn't help but be pleased that Hermione had listened to him.

Bellatrix was waiting inside, and Severus carefully avoided her eye, instead bowing to the Dark Lord, seated in his chair. "My Lord," he whispered quietly, not looking up. Behind him, Hermione's head was bowed down in a simple show of respect. Bella still hadn't looked at them; as usual, she was staring in rapture at Voldemort. If he could have, Severus would have laughed; she always looked so ridiculous when she was in his presence.

"Severus," Voldemort said. "What is so important that you requested a meeting with me, here?" His voice was quietly threatening, but still as low and calm as ever. He had no doubt that Severus truly was loyal to his cause, and for that reason he was often more lenient with him.

He had noticed, of course, the child following Severus; the resemblance between the two was slightly uncanny. Voldemort didn't mention it yet, however. He wanted Severus to explain it himself; but regardless of who the child was, the Dark Lord was quite surprised at how well the girl was faring. When Severus had rose out of his bow to speak, she had lifted her head to directly meet his eyes. While in most cases Voldemort would have considered that act to be insolent, this girl intrigued him. He could practically feel the power radiating off of her.

"I have-" Severus had just began to speak, when Voldemort noticed Bellatrix standing in the corner, her eyes wild and her mouth open in shock. He quickly held up a hand to stop Severus, and turned to her.

"Really, Bellatrix, what is it?" He said impatiently. As powerful and as undoubtedly loyal she was, Bellatrix really could be quite annoying sometimes. Voldemort figured it probably had something to do with the whole she-went-insane-in-Azkaban thing, but he preferred not to think about it.

She turned slowly to face him, her hand rising to point at the girl standing behind Severus. "M-My L-Lord-" she said, her voice shaking. "T-That's-"

Her face was one of complete shock, and she was apparently unable to voice her thoughts at the present moment. Voldemort sighed, and turned to Severus once again.

"It seems that the girl you have brought with you is causing Bellatrix quite a shock," Voldemort said to Severus. "Why don't you just tell us who she is?"

Severus swallowed quickly, reaching back to grasp Hermione's arm. He pulled her up next to him, chancing a glance at her; her face was settled into one of quiet acceptance, and she still looked respectful.

"This is Hermione," Severus began, looking at the Dark Lord once again. "She's-"

"She's my daughter!" Bellatrix exclaimed, stepping backwards abruptly only to run into the wall. Her face was still one of shock, and her hand was pressed against her chest, as if to see if her heart was still beating.

Severus rolled his eyes, still looking carefully at Voldemort, waiting for his reaction. "She's my daughter too," he said curtly, finishing the statement. Leave it to Bellatrix to interrupt a perfectly planned moment.

The Dark Lord was silent for a few long moments, his face expressionless, in which both Severus and Bella were waiting anxiously for his reaction. When he did in fact speak, his voice was calm. "When was this discovered?" he said quietly, looking at Bella.

"S-She was born eleven years ago, m-my Lord," Bella squeaked. "They took her away from me in Azkaban- I didn't think it was important-"

"It is indeed important," Severus sneered, forgetting the Dark Lord momentarily. "I, on the other hand, just found out yesterday," he said, turning back to the man sitting on the throne-like chair. "The glamour they placed on her at birth just wore off-"

Voldemort put up his hand again, and Severus stopped short. He turned to the girl slowly, watching her reaction. She just looked at him levelly and respectfully, waiting for him to speak. He couldn't deny she interested him.

"And what do you think about all of this?" He asked her, shooting a warning look at both Severus and Bellatrix; he wanted them to be quiet. He didn't know much about parenting, but he had no doubt that despite the fact that they had just met the girl, both would have strong parental instincts of protection towards her.

Hermione's voice was strong but quiet when she answered. "I- I'm not quite sure what to think, sir," she said honestly. "This is all really very strange to me."

Voldemort was rather pleased with her answer, and couldn't resist posing a tougher question. "And what do you think of me?" He could see out of the corner of his eye Severus' face growing fearful, and he smirked almost invisibly.

"I don't know much about you, sir," Hermione responded, "but it is quite obvious you're very powerful."

"And is that a good thing?" Voldemort prompted. He really couldn't help but question the girl; it was obvious that she was intelligent, also. Interseting.

"Of course it's a good thing, sir!" Hermione exclaimed, her voice still carefully controlled. "Power is always a good thing if one is ambitious."

Voldemort smirked again. "Very well," he said, turning again to Bellatrix and Severus. "I'm sure you will both be willing to tell me exactly hwo this happened," he began, seeing their embarrassed faces, "but for the most part, I am quite pleased."

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Please review! Did you like this chapter? How were Voldemort's and Bella's reactions?