A couple of days after hearing about the breakout from Azkaban, Hermione got a message from her father detailing the next meeting. Ever since reading about the breakout Hermione had been expecting the meeting to be scheduled and she was thrilled when it was. Obviously Hermione had never met any of the Death Eaters who'd been in Azkaban, but she was eager to see what they were like.
Hermione was especially keen to meet Bellatrix. A lot of the focus in the papers was on her and Hermione had heard numerous stories about the witch spreading around the school. Most people seemed to consider her the highest ranking female Death Eater and she'd even heard a few rumours about a potential romantic entanglement with her father. Hermione did not like the implications in the second batch of rumours and she also wasn't impressed that people considered Bellatrix the top female Death Eater. While technically not a Death Eater herself, Hermione was more important that Bellatrix and in all likelihood even her mother could claim to be higher up the ranks than Bellatrix.
Since the meeting fell on a Sunday evening, Hermione decided to leave early and hopefully speak to her mother before they left for the Manor. With Harry and Ron still worrying about the breakout and constantly talking about ways to help the Order, the pair barely responded when Hermione announced she was off to the library. Knowing she wouldn't be missed Hermione left Gryffindor Tower and headed for the same deserted classroom she liked to use as a base for coming and going.
When she arrived home Hermione was unsurprised to find her father's study empty. The meeting wasn't for another hour and she didn't normally come home so early for meetings so there was no reason why her father would be waiting for her. Leaving the empty study Hermione wandered off to find her mother. Kathleen was in the front room when Hermione found her.
"Hermione, you're early." Her mother greeted, jumping up and giving her daughter a hug. "I hope you're not taking unnecessary risks by coming so early."
"It's fine." Hermione reassured her mother. "No-one will miss me."
"As long as you're sure." Kathleen sighed, looking slightly worried.
"I am." Hermione stated confidently.
"So why are you so early?" Kathleen asked as the two witches settled on the sofa. She knew her daughter and she could tell there was something on her mind.
"I was hoping to talk to you." Hermione replied. "About Bellatrix."
"Why do you want to talk about her?" Kathleen asked. "You're not worried about meeting her, are you?"
"Of course not." Hermione snorted. While Bellatrix had a fierce reputation it didn't bother Hermione in the slightest and she certainly wasn't worried about the older witch.
"Then what do you want to talk about?" Kathleen questioned.
"I want to ask you about a few rumours I've heard." Hermione answered quietly. She didn't want to upset her mother, but she needed to know the truth about Bellatrix and her father. "About her and father."
"Let's guess, the rumours are saying her and your father have some sort of relationship going on." Kathleen chuckled bitterly, she'd heard all the rumours about her husband many times before.
Hermione nodded. "Are they true?" She whispered.
"Of course not." Kathleen said fiercely, turning Hermione so they were looking directly at each other. "It's all lies Hermione, you father and I are very happy together. He's not involved with Bellatrix in any way."
Hermione let out a relieved breath. She hadn't really thought her father would betray her mother, but she still had to be certain.
"How did the rumours start?" Hermione asked.
"Most likely from Bella herself." Kathleen snorted. "As you'll soon witness for yourself Bellatrix has a high opinion of herself and she has a thing for your father. Since she held a position of power she used to brag about being his top female Death Eater and she wasn't above implying she slept her way to the top."
"Why have you never challenged her for the top position?" Hermione asked her mother. "You're a high ranking Death Eater, I can't imagine father would place her above you."
"There's a reason I've never challenged Bella or pushed myself to the top of the pile. The same reason your father and I have never made it public knowledge we're married." Kathleen answered. "In the position I'm in, the other Death Eaters feel secure enough to talk to me or talk freely when I'm around. I hear a lot of stuff your father doesn't, even Lucius doesn't hear as much as everyone knows how close he is to your father."
Hermione nodded, seeing what a valuable role her mother played in proceedings. If you looked at what she did, you could easily say she was one of her father's most important Death Eaters. There was no doubt in Hermione's mind that her mother was far more valuable to the cause than Bellatrix would ever be.
"Is there anything else you want to know?" Kathleen asked her daughter.
"Just one thing. Is Bellatrix really as mad as people say she is?"
"I'm not sure, I haven't seen her in years." Kathleen shrugged. "Before she went to Azkaban she was always a bit strange and I don't think years in isolation would have done her any favours."
"So chances are she's as mad as a hatter." Hermione said. "She's not going to like me is she?"
Kathleen chuckled as shook her head. "No sweetheart, she won't like you. She won't like the fact you're The Dark Lord's daughter, and she certainly won't like the fact you've taken her position at his side."
"Why was she so high up?" Hermione frowned at the mention that Bellatrix had once held the position she now occupied.
"She never had as much power as she liked to pretend to have, but she made waves in the wizarding world and was constantly reminding people the Death Eaters were a force to be reckoned with. Your father let her have her inflated opinion of her own importance, but everyone who mattered knew Lucius was your father's most trusted Death Eater and he had more power than Bellatrix could ever hope to have." Kathleen explained. "I'm not sure where she'll fit into things now, but I can guarantee you that she won't usurp either you or Lucius."
After speaking with her mother, Hermione felt more at ease about meeting Bellatrix. Now she knew most of the rumours were false she knew she had nothing to worry about with the older witch. Leaving her mother to get ready for the meeting Hermione headed back to her father's study.
By the time Voldemort appeared in his study Hermione had already slipped on her ring and made sure her nails were the usual dark, dramatic colour. She also had her cloak on and was just waiting for her father so they could go.
"I wasn't expecting you as early." Voldemort commented after greeting his daughter.
"I'm just eager to meet the newcomers." Hermione grinned. She was guessing her mother would mention their chat with her father, but she saw no reason to tell him she'd been at home for nearly an hour.
"Let's get going then." Voldemort said. "I have a few things to discuss with Lucius before the meeting so when we arrive you can head to the dining room and get settled."
Following her father's instructions, Hermione headed off to the dining room at Malfoy Manor after briefly greeting Lucius. When she arrived at the dining room the Death Eaters were just starting to pile into the room. Hermione was surprised by how many greeted her with a hello or even a respectful nod. Normally her presence was very much ignored at meetings unless she spoke, but it would seem the mingling at the masquerade ball had helped integrate her into her father's circle of follower's.
As she made her way to her seat Hermione spotted her mother watching her interactions with the Death Eaters with a small smile on her face. Even though she knew her mother couldn't see her face because of the cloak she was wearing, Hermione still gave her a smile as she passed by her. Hermione was still smiling as she settled into her seat, for the first time since she'd started attending meetings Hermione felt as though she was truly accepted by the Death Eaters.
Hermione's smile faltered a few seconds later when there was a commotion in the doorway. Just as Hermione was going to go and see if there was a problem she heard a mad cackle, followed by the sight of a black-haired witch sauntering into the room. Hermione instantly recognised the witch as Bellatrix Lestrange. While Bellatrix wasn't as dishevelled as her Azkaban pictures that had been splashed all over the papers, she still looked slightly messy. Hermione also thought she looked slightly unhinged, there was a dangerous glint in her eye and Hermione got the impression she could snap at any moment.
As the witch started to approach her, Hermione sat up straighter and waited for the inevitable confrontation. If she'd been anyone else she might have been intimidated by the witch but she was The Dark Lord's daughter and no-one scared her.
"Hello, Bellatrix." Hermione said when Bellatrix came to a standstill in front of her.
"I don't think we've been introduced." Bellatrix replied tightly. "But I'm Bellatrix Lestrange and you're sitting in my seat."
"I don't think so." Hermione replied coolly, very aware that the rest of the room was watching the confrontation with interest. "This is my seat."
"Listen hear you, that's my seat." Bellatrix hissed.
"Not anymore." Hermione said. "There's a seat at the bottom of the table, or you can stand."
"Stand?" Bellatrix spluttered, her face turning red with anger. "I don't stand."
"Well as I said, there's a seat at the far end of the table." Hermione repeated, gesturing to the empty seat that was as far away from her father as you could get.
"I don't know who you are, but you're messing with the wrong witch." Bellatrix started, but Hermione cut her off as she stood up.
"No, you're the one messing with the wrong witch." Hermione seethed. "You can either sit down, stand at the side or get the hell out of here."
"How dare you?" Bellatrix shouted. "You jumped up little tart."
"Bella, that's enough." Voldemort's angry voice reverberated around the room.
Bellatrix turned to find Voldemort and Lucius standing in the doorway of the dining room. As they started to walk towards the head of the table she shot a smug smirk at Hermione, clearly thinking The Dark Lord was going to side with her.
"What is going on?" Voldemort asked as he reached the two witches.
"I'm sorry My Lord, I was just putting this girl in her place." Bellatrix said.
"She is in her place." Voldemort responded. "And she told you where your place is. I suggest you follow her instructions and either sit, stand or leave."
"But…" Bellatrix looked between Voldemort and Hermione in confusion. "I don't understand, that's my seat."
"Not anymore." Voldemort shrugged. "This seat belongs to my daughter, The Dark Lady."
Hermione smiled at her father using the Death Eaters new moniker for her. However her smile grew a bit wider at the look of absolute shock and horror that was etched on Bellatrix's face.
"Make a decision, Bella. I haven't got all day." Voldemort snapped. "Are you staying or going?"
"I'm staying." Bellatrix muttered, before turning around and flouncing off to the bottom of the table.
As her father started the meeting Hermione watched Bellatrix shooting her dirty looks. She was fairly sure the only reason the witch hadn't left was because she knew her father didn't allow Death Eaters to walk away from him. If Bellatrix had chosen to leave she would have effectively been committing suicide as before long Voldemort would have ended her life for abandoning them.
The meeting was a relatively quick one, with the main objective being the newly released Death Eaters meeting Hermione and learning that she was every bit in charge as her father. Voldemort also expressed his wish for more Death Eaters and encouraged everyone to be on the lookout for new supporters. For the time being he was happy to remain low key in his activities but the time would come when he wanted to make his presence known and when that time came he wanted as many supporters as he could get.