A/N – I'm so pleased people are enjoying this story and I want to thank you all for the reviews/follows/favourites.
I've currently written about half of the second part (Which will be at least double the length of this part) and since it's going so well I'm going to be adding a day to my updates. So from now on I think I'll be updating on a Wednesday as well as a Monday and Friday.
Enjoy the update!
Hermione stood in front of her floor length mirror as she tried to compose herself and steady her nerves. She was about to attend her first Death Eater meeting and she was both excited and nervous at the same time. She'd always hoped that she'd get to attend meetings when her father regained his power, but she'd never expected the opportunity to come when she was still only fifteen.
Hermione had been totally blown away when her parents had approached her with the idea of attending meetings at her father's side the night she returned home from school. Hermione hadn't expected the offer so early, and she certainly hadn't expected to be allowed to attend the meetings as his daughter. Hermione had thought that when she was allowed to attend meetings it would be in a capacity like her mother. Hermione's mother was a high ranking Death Eater in her own right and she attended the meetings without anyone knowing of her relationship with Voldemort.
Taking a deep breath Hermione steadied her nerves and checked she was ready. She was wearing a long, deep red cloak with a concealment charm woven into the material. Once she had the hood of the cloak up, her face would be hidden from view and if by any chance someone managed to glimpse her face they wouldn't see what she really looked like. Her hand would be the only part of her visible so in honour of her dark heritage Hermione had painted her nails black and slipped on a ring that was shaped like her father's dark mark.
Satisfied she was ready, Hermione stored her wand inside her cloak and headed down to her father's study. Her mother had gone ahead to attend the meeting like any other Death Eater, so there was only Voldemort waiting for her when she entered the room.
"Are you ready, princess?" Voldemort asked.
Hermione pushed her nerves aside as she nodded at her father. "I'm ready."
"Good." Voldemort nodded. He knew Hermione had to be nervous about the night's events, but she hid it very well and he was very proud of her. "Let's go."
The floo network in Voldemort's study was set up and Voldemort handed Hermione a pot containing floo powder. Grabbing a handful of powder Hermione stepped into the fire and disappeared into the emerald flames. When she emerged from the fire at the other end of the journey she found herself in what she presumed to be Lucius's study.
Lucius had been waiting beside the fire for Hermione's arrival and he immediately helped the young witch into the room. As he brushed off the soot on her robes, he gave her a friendly welcome to his family home. Seconds later Voldemort emerged from the fire and the two wizards shook hands.
"Is everyone here?" Voldemort asked.
"Yes, we're using the large dining room." Lucius replied.
Voldemort nodded at Lucius, before turning to his daughter. "Are you ready?"
Hermione nodded before raising the hood on her cloak. The hood fell completely over her head and Hermione literally had to move her whole head to see the surrounding area. After Voldemort had checked the cloak sufficiently hid Hermione's identity, he gestured for Lucius to lead the way to the meeting.
Hermione walked next to her father as Lucius led them through the marble corridors of his family home. As they walked along Hermione wished she could get a better look at her surroundings. For years she'd heard Draco Malfoy bragging about his massive Manor house and how luxurious it was and she was keen to know if the blond Slytherin had been exaggerating. From the small bits she could see she thought, rather surprisingly, that it appeared as though he was actually being modest about his house and it was much larger and luxurious then even he boasted.
When Lucius stopped outside a pair of ornate double doors, Voldemort gave Hermione a moment to collect herself before giving permission for Lucius to enter the room. Lucius pushed open the doors and stepped aside to allow Voldemort and Hermione entry to the room. As they entered the room Hermione noticed that all the Death Eaters bowed their heads in respect for her father.
Once Voldemort was standing at the head of the table, he called for his followers to sit. Lucius took the seat on Voldemort's right hand side, while Hermione sat on his left. The rest of the table was comprised on Voldemort's top followers, the closer you sat to The Dark Lord the higher up in the pecking order you were, although their positions changed depending on his mood. The rest of his followers stood around the table, jostling for position.
"It's so very good to see so many of you." Voldemort greeted the group. "Obviously we are missing a few people, but I hope to rectify that situation as soon as possible. Today's meeting will just be a quick one, but we'll be very busy in the coming months."
Hermione watched from her seat as a buzz of excitement penetrated the air. It was fairly clear that without her father to guide them a lot of his Death Eaters had been bored and unfulfilled as they waited for him to return. Hopefully they wouldn't be bored any longer as she knew her father had a lot planned as he aimed to take over the wizarding world.
"First things first, I want to announce a new change to things." Voldemort said. "I want to introduce my daughter."
With a nod from her father, Hermione stood up and inclined her head at the gathered Death Eaters. Shock was reverberating around the room and she could hear the puzzled muttering that were taking place
"My daughter will be attending most meetings and her word is to be obeyed." Voldemort announced, his voice leaving no room for arguing. "She is just as much your leader as I am, and I expect you to respect her like you respect me."
Hermione waited for people to protest, but even though she could see several unhappy faces in the crowd no-one spoke up.
"On to other business." Voldemort said as Hermione retook her seat beside him. "As I've already mentioned we will be arranging for those in Azkaban to get an early release. I also want information on a prophecy I was told of years ago. I need to know if there's more to it than I heard."
Voldemort then spent a few minutes explaining about the prophecy that had ultimately led to his downfall. He was now convinced there was more to it than Severus told him, and he was determined not to make the mistake of rushing blindly in again.
"All prophecies are stored at the Ministry." Lucius told Voldemort. "They're kept in the Department of Mysteries, so they'll be hard to get to."
"Plus only a person who the prophecy is about can remove it from the vault." A Death Eater who worked at the Ministry informed Voldemort.
"I can't risk entering the Ministry." Voldemort mused. "I'll have to think of another way."
"You could get the other person the prophecy is about to get it for you." Hermione suggested.
"How are you going to get Potter to get the prophecy for you?" Lucius questioned.
"I have my ways." Voldemort smirked. He would inform Lucius of his plan when they were alone, but for now he was remaining quiet.
Hermione had told him about how Harry had dreamt about him at the beginning of fourth year and how his scar responded to his presence. Voldemort was planning on exploiting the connection and with Hermione's help he could manipulate Potter into doing exactly as he wanted.
Voldemort brought up a couple more things and asked a few more questions before announcing the meeting was over. However before he dismissed the group he made it clear that if Hermione's existence was leaked he would personally ensure that whoever betrayed him would never get the opportunity again. Hermione smirked at the terrified faces that accompanied her father's words and she wondered if she would ever exert that sort of fear over his followers.
Once the room was empty Voldemort and Hermione left with Lucius. This time they headed in another direction and Hermione was surprised to find they entered a living room where Narcissa and Draco were sitting. Hermione threw a worried look at her father, but he merely smiled at her and turned his attention to the Malfoy's.
"Narcissa, how lovely to see you again." He greeted Lucius's wife.
"You too, My Lord." Narcissa smiled. "We've missed you."
"Thank you." Voldemort smiled at Narcissa before turning to Draco. "And this must be Draco. You've grown since last time I saw you."
"My Lord." Draco dipped his head and shook Voldemort's hand when offered.
"So very respectful. I approve." Voldemort said to Lucius, who beamed proudly. Turning to Hermione, Voldemort ushered her forward "I should introduce my daughter. Narcissa, this is my daughter."
"It's very nice to meet you Miss Riddle." Narcissa smiled. She knew Voldemort was just being protective of his daughter and once he was sure her and Draco could be trusted they would find out her real name.
Hermione nodded her head at Narcissa and shook her hand, before her father was turning her to face Draco. At the sight of the blond Slytherin, Hermione couldn't help but smirk. She'd had a thing for Draco for as long as she could remember, but since she was posing as a muggleborn he quite rightly didn't look in her direction. In the last few years whenever Voldemort had told Hermione she could have whatever her hearts desires once he had power her mind automatically turned to Draco and now it looked like she could get what she wanted. As the Dark Lord's daughter he wouldn't dare turn her down if she wanted him, and that was something she intended to take advantage of at a later date.
"My Lady." Draco once again dipped his head in a show of respect, earning himself yet another approving look from Voldemort.
Hermione smiled at Draco, even though she knew he couldn't see her face. He seemed to be going all out to impress her father and she would place good money on his joining her father's ranks sooner rather than later.
"We must be going." Voldemort said, taking hold of Hermione's arm. "I'm sure we'll see you soon, Narcissa. Draco."
Voldemort inclined his head at the two Malfoy's and said goodbye before him and Hermione headed back to Lucius's study. Once there they flooed back home, where they found Hermione's mother waiting for them in Voldemort's study.
"So, what's the news?" Voldemort asked his wife.
As an ordinary Death Eater Kathleen was privy to the gossip that flowed through her husband's followers and she used her position to keep her husband abreast of what was going on. That way Voldemort always knew what his Death Eaters were up to and if he had any trouble makers in his midst.
"They're nervous." Kathleen replied. "The fact Hermione was hidden the entire time gave them cause for concern. But ultimately they trust you, therefore they'll learn to trust Hermione."
"Yes, I'm sure they will." Voldemort nodded. "They just need time to adjust."
"I'll keep my ears open for trouble." Kathleen said. "Now it's nearly dinner time so Hermione, will you go and change please."
Hermione went off to her bedroom and removed her cloak. Hanging it in her wardrobe she removed her ring and placed it in a secure jewellery box, before changing into more casual clothes. She then headed back downstairs where dinner was almost ready to be served.
"What do you know about Draco?" Voldemort asked his daughter as they began to eat.
"Not a lot." Hermione shrugged. "He doesn't like me because I'm a pretend muggle, a Gryffindor and friends with Harry."
"That's three plusses to his name." Voldemort chuckled. "Do you think he would make a good Death Eater?"
"Definitely." Hermione responded instantly. "He despises mudbloods and hates Harry. He's the coldest person I've ever met and when he wants something he's pretty ruthless."
"Surely you're not thinking of initiating him?" Kathleen questioned her husband. "He's only fifteen."
"As is Hermione, and she's going to be running things shortly." Voldemort pointed out.
"That's different, she's our daughter." Kathleen argued. "She's following her destiny as The Dark Lord's daughter."
"Relax, I'm not talking about giving him the mark now." Voldemort said. "I just see a lot of potential in him. I think he's going to be a valuable asset to us in the future."
Hermione nodded in agreement with her father. Putting aside the fact she fancied the blond Slytherin, she reckoned he would be a great asset to the Death Eaters and she hoped that one day soon he was able to gain his rightful place as a follower of her father.