"": dreams.

Italics: thinking.

Bold: Letters and notes.

-/-: time lapse.

Chapter one- Information Gathering.

It had been a week since Hermione had been confronted by the Malfoy family. She had used that week to gather as much information as she could about the subject of ageing. Draco had been giving her silent pleas all week, which was starting to annoy her. She could only do some much on a topic she had never thought of researching about before. She currently sat in the library, with at least seven books scattered across the desk. An already half-filled book sat on the desk in front of her. She sighed and looked around, stretching her arms above her head and yarning, she had already been at this for five hours, she needed to take a break. Standing up, she closed all of the books and held them in the air, watching as they flew from her hand and back onto the shelf she had got them from. Packing up her notebook and quills, she threw her bag onto her shoulder and walked away from the table, however before should could reach the door a someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her into one of the empty book corridors. It was none other than Draco Malfoy.

"What do you want Malfoy, I'm very busy?" Hermione watched as he twiddled his thumbs, as though embarrassed that he was talking to her. Bloody ponce, he thought. Before could say anything else though, he handed her a letter.

"This is for you." She took the letter from him and noted that it was the same as the one she had receive a week ago.

"If this is just another summoning so your parents can ridicule me for not having them turned old yet, then you can have it back." She stated simply, watching as he rolled his eyes.

"Don't be so full of yourself Granger, it's not from my parents it's from…..umm, it's from my aunt." Hermione could have sworn she heard wrong but with the look on Malfoy's face she know she didn't.

"Why would Bellatrix send me a letter? To torture me with words?" Malfoy shrugged and then looked around. Probably to make sure no one catches us talking, bloody snake. Hermione sighed and took the letter, already walking away.

"Aren't you even going to say thank you?" Malfoy dared to ask. She smiled wickedly to herself, and turned around seeing the smug look on his face.

"Oh of course, how could I forget?" *Smack* Malfoy, not have preparing to get hit, fell back due to the force and could only stare up at Hermione who just shrugged and walked away again. She walked straight to the common room, dumping her stuff onto one of the tables beside the couch. She curled up on the couch and held the letter in front of her. Sighing she opened it carefully. If it was from Bellatrix, it was probably cursed. Taking the piece of parchment out she again unfolded it carefully. When nothing happened, she started to read the rather long letter that Bellatrix had written her.

Mudblood,

Don't expect this ever again, but thank you for what you're doing for my sister and her husband. Although you may not see it, it pains me to see them like this. Although I don't give a shit about myself, since I look freaking amazing at this age, get them back to normal. I've heard you are the smartest witch of your age so you should be able to do this. If not, I will punish you, and yes that it is threat. Granger I expect weekly updates until you have sorted this out. If I do not get weekly updates I will come and find you and I will make you pay. My owl, who you have already met, will come every week to collect the letter you will have written, detailing all the progress you have made. Take the time you need but I expect a letter, even if it is small. Anything to help Cissa and Blondie. I also wish to meet and discuss the aging process with you. Don't expect me to be in any way shape or form formal with you. Oh yes, and we have not told our Lord that you are helping us, so take that as another incentive. Fix this or we shall hand you over to our Lord, and trust me I will. It would be so glorious to see you writhing on the floor in agony. I'm sure if I asked, My Lord would even let me torture you, and wouldn't that be fun? Now I expect you to meet me where we did a week ago, tomorrow at 7o'clock. If you want to bring Draco, I always love to see my darling nephew.

Come Mudblood or else.

Bellatrix Lestrange

Sighing again, Hermione put down the letter and placed a hand over her eyes. Of all the people, it had to be me, why didn't they just tell Voldemort and get him to help them? He's supposed to be their freaking Lord right? Bring Draco? Yeah right! She crumpled the letter and tucked it into her pocket. Hermione, for the first time, looked around the common room, seeing Harry and Ron in the corner once again playing a game of wizard chess, Neville was sitting by himself reading another herbology textbook. Luna was also in the common room, which didn't surprise anyone. Since she had started dating Neville, the two seemed to be joined at the hip. It was cute though. She was happy that someone had finally seen Luna for something other than an air-head.

Being in seventh year meant a lot of her cohort were getting into relationships. Hermione was not interested in that though, which she made pretty clear to Dean's nose when he tried to feel her up, as a last ditch attempt to 'get some'. She was happy to be alone, it gave her more time to focus on her studies. Hermione sighed and rested her head against the arm of the chair and closed her eyes. Instantly a pair of big brown eyes flashed in her mind. She shook her head. Why am thinking about her? She asked herself, disgusted that she even had to ask herself that. What is wrong with me? She sat up straight and grabbed one of her textbooks. Opening it, she started to read the information on the page. Since she had opened to a random page it took a while for her to catch up on what was being talked about. But that wasn't really the point of reading, what she was really doing was trying to keep her mind off of Bellatrix. Which she succeeded in doing for the rest of the night. But that all changed when the morning mail came.

Hello everyone! Now I know it has been a while since I've updated, but that is because this was my last week at uni, so yay! Just means that now I have more time to write which means more updates! Again this story is made out to my amazing partner, who as i write this is sitting at the other end of the couch playing, Playstation and talking herself, she's lucky i love her. I really hope you guys are liking this story. Please follow, favourite, view, and review!

Soul