Discalimer:I do not own anything Harry Potter.

A/N: Well here we go again, another chapter for you guys! I hope you all enjoy! Don't forget to leave a review ;)

The next couple of months went by slowly. By day she completed her lessons with Narcissa and Bellatrix and every night she met up with Draco in the library where he helped her with her non-verbal magic. Although she was slightly jealous that it came more naturally to him she was starting to progress. She had been allowed her wand back now that they thought she wasn't a flight risk anymore. She was now able to throw up a shield and preform a few other defense spells non-verbally, it was the offensive spells that she was having trouble with.

"Come on Riddle focus! It's just a stunner!"

Hermione waived her wand towards Draco trying to control her magic through thought. But all that came out was a pathetic red mist that floated for a moment and then dissipated.

"Damn it! Why can't I do this?" She flopped down on the couch, running her hand through her hair in frustration.

"You have to mean it Hermione. You're trying to let your wand do all the work. You have to will the spell into existence. For a moment just forget everything you know about magic. Before you had your wand, before Hogwarts did you not preform magic? It is the most primal form of magic. It comes easily to us when we are young. Those who fully master it don't even need a wand, all a wand is, is something to channel the magic through. The magic isn't in the wand it's in you."

Hermione had never thought of it that way. He was right, the magic was in her. She stood and nodded that she was ready to try it again. She closed her eyes for a moment and felt for her magic. It was humming all around her, Hermione pointed her wand at Draco and told her magic what she wanted it to do, she wanted him stunned. She focused on pushing her magic outward to do her will.

She was surprised when the red light burst out stronger than she had ever cast the spell verbally. Even though Draco had quickly thrown up a shield, the sheer force of the spell knocked him off his feet.

"That was brilliant Hermione!" Draco stood up and gave her a congratulatory pat on the back. Although they had developed a friendship of sorts they were not quite comfortable hugging or anything so it was always a pat on the back or a high five between them.

Hermione was all smiles feeling rather smug with herself. The whole thing had felt so exhilarating.

"I say we call it a night then, we'll pick it up again tomorrow yeah?" Hermione nodded and followed him out of the library. On their way upstairs Lucius stepped out of his office.

"Draco, I need to speak with you privately."

Draco and Hermione exchanged glances before Draco nodded and followed his father into the study and Hermione continued up to her room.

Hermione sat out on her balcony, she had realized that it had been a long time since she had thought of her friends, but now they invaded her mind again. What would they think of her now? Would they understand that she did what she must to survive?

She felt guilty though, she had befriended someone who they had all unanimously hated for years, she couldn't help that she was Voldemort's daughter but her friendship with Draco had been her choice. They would be leaving for Hogwarts in just one week. How was she going to be able to face them, to lie to them every day?

She hated this, although she hadn't learned much of Voldemort's plans she felt she knew enough to help the Order but she couldn't risk revealing herself. If she didn't it wouldn't just be her father she would have to worry about. Just how far would Dumbledore go for the greater good? Would he lock her up in a cell somewhere or use her as a spy?

The Order had already used her once; it wouldn't be difficult to use her again. She had so many conflicting emotions running through her. One part of her was outraged that they killed her mother and took her away. The other part wanted to believe that they did it to protect her. But protect her from what? A loving family?

The photographs that she had were proof that at one point Voldemort loved. He loved her mother and he loved her. It seems that only after they had been taken away from him that he became the man he was today, cold, distant, and uncaring about anyone but himself. Although since her arrival she seemed to be catching glances of the man he used to be, of Tom Riddle.

She thought back to her meeting with him just a week ago.

"Take a seat Hermione, I wish to discuss your progress." Hermione sat down on the chair facing the desk that Voldemort sat behind. Her ankles neatly crossed like Narcissa had taught her. Her face was impassive but her heart was racing, was she in trouble for something?

"Narcissa speaks very highly of you; it seems you have been learning quite rapidly about our customs and culture."

"Yes father, I have found the whole thing very interesting."

This seemed to amuse Voldemort and he leaned back in his chair observing her. "Bellatrix also says you are coming along nicely although you are still struggling with non-verbal casting?"

Hermione hung her head she knew this was going to come up.

"I have been trying; Draco says I'm almost there."

"Ah, yes the Malfoy boy, I had heard that he was giving you extra instruction, without permission I might add."

Hermione's heart dropped, she hadn't wanted to get Draco in any trouble, he was the only one besides her uncle who really treated her with kindness.

"Please, sir we didn't mean to…" Voldemort raised his hand to stop her.

"There will be no repercussions. You may continue as it seems the boy is actually helping. He is treating you well, yes?"

Hermione was taken aback by the question, it was the first time he had actually asked about her well-being.

"Yes sir, he isn't exactly who I had thought he was." She surprised herself with this confession. Although it was true, she had been seeing a different side of Draco that she hadn't even known was there but why she had just admitted this to her father she had no idea.

"I'm sure you will be finding that the case with many of us. We have an image that we must all uphold but you more than anyone should know to never judge a book by its cover."

Hermione thought about this for a moment and found he was right. Narcissa wasn't the cold uncaring face that she gave to the public. She was in fact a kind woman; maybe a bit mislead but not what Hermione would call a bad person. Bellatrix, although not completely sane was not what Hermione would have guessed she would be. She had found that after hearing her side of the story her madness was more understandable.

Even Voldemort himself was not who she had thought him to be. He hadn't always been cruel and unforgiving and she believed that in his own way he did care for her.

"I want to give you something Hermione, something that I haven't shown anyone." He opened up a desk drawer and pulled out a small box which he then handed to Hermione.

She opened the lid carefully and found a stack of letters. As she shifted through them she realized that they were letters between him and her mother. She looked up at him quickly and then back down to the letters.

"I don't know what to say, except thank you."

"Your mother was cruelly ripped away from you and it is one of my deepest regrets that you were not able to know her. I hope that through these letters that you could get to see who she was and who I am."

He stood to lead her out of the office but stopped as he reached the door.

"Hermione, I have no real experience being a father. You were taken from me when you were so young. I do want you to know that I am trying. It is difficult to separate myself from the Voldemort persona that I have created. But I do hope that one day you and I could have a somewhat normal relationship."

At that he opened the door but Hermione was so stunned that she was rooted to the spot. Maybe it was because she had never seen him this human before or maybe it was because she felt pity for him but Hermione couldn't help herself as she stepped up to him and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. Seeing the stunned expression on his face Hermione quickly left the office.

She hadn't seen Voldemort since that meeting and had been so busy that she hadn't had a chance to go through any of the letters. She moved over to her bed and pulled the box out of her night stand and sitting in the middle of the covers she pulled out the first letter.

May 1, 1969

Dearest Tom,

I did so enjoy your last letter; I hope you and my brother aren't getting in too much trouble. I was so excited to hear of his betrothal to Bella; she's been my sister in all but name since we were toddlers! Will you be attending the wedding?

I am so glad that you will be here for our graduation; it has been much too long since we last saw each other. I am not yet sure of what I will do after graduation, since our father passed away and Rudolphous took the position of head of the house there haven't been any suitor's asking for me. Honestly I think They're all just too intimidated by him.

So my future seems uncertain, I have been thinking of becoming a mediwitch, perhaps I'll pursue that.

Well I best be going Bella has been trying to drag me out to the lake all day.

Your friend,

Mira Lestrange

The letter didn't really tell her much new information other than right before graduation they were still only friends but with Voldemort being almost 25 years her senior it did seem to be an odd friendship. Obviously they knew one another through Rudolphous. She wondered when exactly they had fallen in love. She thought of opening another letter but decided she wanted to cherish these so she would only read one at a time.

Hermione carefully folded the letter and placed it back in the box before replacing the box in the nightstand. She slid underneath her covers and fell soundly asleep.

….

The next day at breakfast something felt off, everyone was oddly quiet and no one would make eye contact with her. Not even Draco would glance her way. Hermione worried her bottom lip wondering what was going on.

Narcissa had her eyes glue to her plate and Lucius, well Lucius never paid much attention to her anyway but he at least usually made small talk with his wife but instead today his eyes were glued to the paper.

Hermione fidgeted in her seat, pushing her food around on her plate. When she had just about had enough of the silence Voldemort entered the room.

"Daughter, I need to speak with you privately." He then turned on his heel and left the room. Everyone at the table turned to look at Hermione who carefully put her fork on her plate and stood to follow.

When Hermione entered the office Voldemort was already sitting behind his desk quill in hand as he finished writing a letter which he then folded carefully and set to the side motioning for her to take a seat. She did so and waited for him to speak.

He sat there looking at her for a few minutes before he began.

"You're returning to Hogwarts at the weeks end and I thought we should be on the same page as far as your rules go."

Hermione felt the instant urge to protest but thought better of it, simply pursing her lips as he continued.

"Of course you are not to tell anyone of your identity, I want you to be able to finish your education and I know it is important to you as well. If the Order knew, your safety would be compromised and I would be forced to withdraw you."

Hermione was shocked that he would have thought of her feeling on the matter, school really was one of her top priorities in her life and she would hate to not graduate.

"As your father I expect a weekly letter to keep me updated on your schooling, you may send it with Draco, he has done the same for his father for years, that way there will be no suspicion placed on you. Keep in mind you and he will need to keep up appearances, it may raise suspicion if you are friends upon arrival."

Hermione nodded her understanding, her and Draco were to return to being enemies at the very least in the public eye.

"Now, there is the matter of your mark, we don't want to risk it being exposed on accident. I am sure you can perform a suitable concealment charm?" She nodded. "Good do not forget to cast it every day one slip could cost us everything."

A thought came to Hermione's mind and she couldn't stop herself from blurting it out. "Am I to spy on the Order?"

Voldemort chuckled, something Hermione had never heard but was surprised to find that it was almost enjoyable.

"No Hermione, I do not expect you to spy, I expect you to survive. As cruel a man I may be, you are the last of my flesh and blood, should I fall you shall take my place. I would not let you do such a lowly job as a spy. Do not mistake me in thinking that I do not appreciate my spies, they are some of my most valuable men and women, but you are above such positions. Speaking of spies, Severus will be in charge of your protection detail. Draco, Blaise Zambini and Pansy Parkinson will keep eyes on you throughout the school and report back to him who will report back to me."

"But Professor Snape…" Hermione began.

"I am well aware that you believe he is truly on the side of the light but I have my own reasons to trust him."

Hermione decided that it was best not to press the issue.

" One last thing Hermione, I have received a petition for your hand in marriage."

Hermione was floored. "Excuse me?"

"As I am sure you are aware from your reading, marriage contracts are a part of our world and as your father all proposals go through me. I have accepted the proposal, however I will insist that the marriage does not take place until after you graduate from Hogwarts."

Hermione was outraged on the inside but seemed unable to physically show the emotion. She knew this was a possibility but she hadn't thought that it would happen so soon.

"And who am I to marry?" She managed to grit the words out without yelling which was a miracle.

"Draco Malfoy."

Her heart stopped.