DISCLAIMER. None of the characters used are a creation of mine. They belong solely to JK Rowling.

Hermione thumbed through the notebook Harry had handed over to her. She tried looking at the data objectively to find out if there was something he might have missed but she came up with nothing.

She knew the impending night would haunt her forever. She wondered if Reggie even knew what he was goving up.

'Mione, you can take a breather,' Harry suggested. 'I know you're worried sick for Regulus. He's made his choice. You did the best you could.'

Hermione echoed, 'I'm quite alright the way I am.'

'You have to leave in only a few minutes.' He brought her a glass of water, 'Here, drink.' He held her shoulders, staring deep into her eyes, 'Breathe. You did everything you could. We know he's a good man. We won't let anything happen to him. He will survive. The cave will never swallow him whole.'

'You think we can still save him?', she mumbled.

'Yes, we can still save him,' Harry reaffirmed.

'Rab will meet me over at the manor. They're meeting with the centaurs today. Voldemort has personally set out along with Rab, Rodolphus and Lucius.'

'Yes.. it's time to go, Mione. Be brave.'

Nodding her goodbye to Harry, she turned on the spot and vanished into thin air.

Landing back on her feet in front of the Malfoy Manor she trudged up along the long path. Entering inside the mansion she walked up to the living room. Finding it empty she turned around to find a tiny house elf staring at her.

The elf bowed low, 'May Dinky call upon the Mistress Malfoy for kind Lady Lestrange?'

Hermione smiled gently and nodded her approval.

She stood herself by the large French windows overlooking the fountains and waited for Narcissa to appear.

Narcissa greeted her jovially, 'Ah, Hermione, dear. I must say we haven't gotten a chance to properly reacquaint ourselves.'

'Am I early, Mrs Malfoy?', she asked kindly, reminiscent of her older version who had become something akin to a mother to her long ago. 'Pardon me for intruding.'

Narcissa replied, 'Barely. Fret not. It seems as if the .. mission didn't go as well. My husband informed me the men might be delayed. I'm certain your brothers will be returning shortly with him.'

'And what of your sister, may I ask?'

'She's escorting our dearest cousin,' she said, tight lipped. 'It is certainly a great honour for the Blacks to finally provide to the Dark Lord a direct link to the family. Regulus is a most talented young man.'

Hermione could see the anxiety hidden behind Narcissa's nonchalant ways.

Narcissa motioned for her to follow her outside into the sprawling grounds, 'You may accompany me to the gardens while we await the men's arrival.'

Hermione stayed close to the older woman, the sun beating warmly down their backs. The stone path was punctuated by soft tendrils, flanked on either side by vibrantly coloured flowers. She could see the majestic peacocks prancing around in the far distance.

'How do you truly feel about your cousin joining us this evening?'

'He brings honour to his family,' she said absently. 'I am certain Aunt Walburga would be the happiest woman come morrow.'

'He's just a child,' she pointed out.

'So are you, Hermione, and yet you've achieved a reputation for yourself.'

'I am of age. Regulus isn't.'

'I can understand how you want to shelter your friend,' Narcissa said politely, 'but it is not up to you. You should forgo such hopes. It is his duty.'

Narcissa led her deeper into the iridescent blues and greens and under the shade of an ancient willow. Hermione could smell the wisteria in the air.

Her eye caught sight of many a peculiar herbs.

Thistle. Clover blossoms. Motherwort.

'I noticed you have planted various fertility herbs,' she commented.

Narcissa had a deeply sated look of grief on her face as she said, 'It's a sad fate indeed for a woman to remain childless. The generations of inbreeding among the Blacks is finally catching up, I suppose.'

Hermione reached out her hand to the beautiful woman, squeezing hers tightly. 'Is this, however, the right time to bring a child into this world?'

Narcissa frowned, looking affronted, 'Excuse me, my dear, I don't understand.'

Hermione treaded carefully. 'I only meant how it wouldn't seem like the best nurturing for the child if he or she was to grow up sharing the same roof as the most feared Dark Lord there was. I say this only out of my concern for you as another woman. It remains a desperate worry for you to consider such a thing.'

Narcissa shook her head, at a loss for words.

'A supple and impressionable mind shaped by such delicate views at an extremely tender age.. I could never imagine what it would do to the child.'

Narcissa touched the clematis vines onto the side with her gentle fingers, mulling over Hermione's words. She, too, had had the same thoughts but what could she do about it? She couldn't very well approach her husband and ask him to refute his master.

'I see you,' Hermione whispered, casting a sly glance around them. 'I can see how you disagree. You have a kind heart. You hate to see innocents punished for a crime they never commited.'

Narcissa looked at her sharply, glaring, 'Are you threatening me in my very own home?'

Hermione backtracked, 'No. I'm trying to tell you that I understand your predicament.'

Narcissa settled herself gracefully into an ornately designed bench of stone placed right before a tiny sundial.

Hermione mumbled, 'You can still choose differently. Your husband hasn't yet been incriminated. You could both choose to leave his ranks.'

'You speak of treason. Your loyalty seems questionable.'

'I am faithful to my master but I am also anxious for you,' Hermione claimed. 'We may never have been close but I can see how you feel clustered among these walls.'

'You have doubts,' Narcissa raised her brow. 'What makes you think I won't use this information against you?'

Hermione smiled ruefully, 'Because every woman aches for someone to understand her and from where I stand you look quite lonely to me. Locked up in a manor with a husband falling slowly deeper into a precarious web and a sister who finds pleasure in the most atrocious deeds.'

Narcissa considered her words carefully. 'Everything has a price in this world. Even free will.'

'What's the price for your freedom, then?'

'My husband's life. A wife does as she is told. My fate is sealed.'

'Surely you don't believe that.'

'You, too, may be used as a fanciful bride to lure some reluctant heir one day,' Narcissa explained, her voice tinged with sympathy.

Hermione ignored the jibe. 'You too have the Black madness within you, Narcissa. Let it run amok. Submit to no one and it will lead you to freedom.'

Narcissa stood up on her feet, huffing, 'These are treacherous thoughts, Hermione. I suggest you choose your audience very carefully.'

Hermione shrugged her shoulders, 'Like I said, I am faithful to my master. I fear no retribution when my heart is honest to our cause.'

Narcissa frowned as the light breeze blew her blond strands into her face, 'And who, may I ask, is your master?'

Hermione chuckled, 'You know who.'

The ladies were startled when they heard a series of cracks reverberate through the air. They nodded at each other in understanding and set onto their way back inside the Manor.

Stepping inside the dimly lit living room, resting right above the dungeons where another poor soul was howling in pain that evening, caused Hermione's stomach to churn. She could see Rab from the corner of her eye. He stood beside Rodolphus, both of their figures imposing and the perfect image of pureblood heirs.

Lucius remained smirking beside the Dark Lord. She wondered what he could be so happy about if their little mission had gone awry.

Her eye also caught the sight of the immaculate American man she had spotted so long ago on the day of her own initiation. He looked the same as before. His wild curls hanging loosely against his forehead and his lazy smile resting upon his face. He still looked like a chiseled Admiral plucked out from a Muggle army.

She wondered who the strange man was. She had never come across him in her previous life.

Perhaps he hadn't made it past the first war.

Hermione and Narcissa bowed swiftly, murmuring in reverance, 'My Lord.'

Voldemort sneered at the two, motioning for them to step away.

Hermione could see the older woman's lips set in a thin line, clearly intent on shielding her mind against the monster.

'Every path remains blocked,' Voldemort mumbled to himself. 'Infuriating. Worthless.'

Suddenly the doors to the chambers sprung apart as Bellatrix marched inside with her head held high, her vexing smirk in place as her hooded eyes sought out her master.

Hermione felt an icy chill as she saw Reggie walk in close behind. His face was the perfect picture of calm but she could see the raging storm inside his grey eyes. His steps were small and calculated. He'd known the people in this room for years and yet he'd never truly been considered an equal.

Bellatrix threw herself at Voldemort's feet. He growled and pushed her away, 'Enough of that, Bella. Let's get on with this.'

Bellatrix looked slightly hurt. She curtsied and said, 'My Lord, my cousin Regulus Black. He's ready to finally join us tonight. He will bring us great..'

Voldemort waved a hand, wandlessly silencing the woman and casting a Cruciatus on her. She fell to the floor writhing, her screams muffled.

Rodolphus tensed.

Voldemort seemed truly furious at the turn of the events from earlier that evening. 'Let the boy speak for himself. He has a tongue on him, doesn't he? You insolent woman. Crucio!'

Hermione saw the Admiral's lips twitch in amusement. She bristled at seeing the jubilant glee in his amber eyes at seeing Bellatrix being unceremoniously tortured. She may be one vile woman but another's pain brought Hermione no happiness.

Voldemort's eyes flashed as he stepped closer to Reggie. His fingers trailed the boy's face as he mumbled, 'Say now, Regulus, your brother has brought such shame upon your family.'

'He's no brother of mine, My Lord,' Reggie said coldly. 'A true Black is never a traitor.'

Hermione's brows shot up into her forehead. Reggie knew the game well. Walburga had certainly been handing out fine lessons to him.

'Ah, when the final battle arrives, my boy, you shall be granted the opportunity to end his sickly existence.'

'My Lord is most generous,' he said, his eyes downcast.

'Tell me, what is it you wish to achieve by joining my ranks?'

Reggie dropped onto his knees, his eyes never wavering from the rug below, 'I wish to achieve nothing but lay down my life in service to the greatest wizard in the history of mankind. My honour demands it.'

Voldemort smirked, 'Very well, very well. Your courage is most commendable. But do you have enough guts to tide you over the intricacies of the nature of your work with my men?'

Reggie nodded tightly, 'This servant shall do whatever is asked of him, My Lord. You shall not regret your faith in me.'

Voldemort rested his fingers against his chin, 'Lucius. Bring our lovely guest to me.'

Lucius murmured, 'Whatever you desire, My Lord.' He hurried down the steps leading to the dungeons, coming back up with a woman being levitated into the air. Her body looked battered with all her clothes torn away and her hair falling in lumps. Her limbs were plastered with blood as her mouth formed incoherent words but there was never a sound escaping them. Hermione could almost see the vestiges of her ribs poking out her chest. She was so unnaturally thin. Starved.

Releasing the woman of the full body bind curse on her, Voldemort summoned a gratifying dish of roast potatoes, dropping it in front of the her.

The woman's eyes brimmed with tears as the aroma reached her nostrils. Sniffing, she hesitated.

Voldemort cooed, 'Oh, please go on, my darling. You've been such a complacent, docile little pet. This is your reward.'

That was all it took for the woman to pounce. She lay down on all fours,licking away every little bit of the potatoes. The room was filled with her cries and moans.

Before she could have even savoured the first of her bites, Voldemort emitted a cold, ruthless laugh, sending away the cutlery smashing onto the walls, the curries dripping down into the carpeted floor.

The woman whimpered as she crawled over to the first bit of food she could spot on the rug. She licked away every last remnant before moving forward.

Hermione felt bile rise up her throat. She could see how Narcissa was pointedly ignoring everything around her. Rab held onto his resilience as Rodolphus and Lucius laughed bitterly at the woman. Bellatrix had somehow regained enough of her bearings to prop herself on her feet, her eyes lit up with mirth.

Reggie merely stood unmoving seeing the utter desperation in the tortured woman's eyes. He couldn't drag his gaze away from her wraith like gait, his heart tearing open. Hearing about the atrocities of the Dark Lord had been one thing but witnessing him in the act was another.

He gulped audibly.

Voldemort circled the young boy, regarding him, 'I shall be your Lord and Master. Your life belongs to me. Your mind is mine to bend. Do you accept?'

'Yes, My Lord,' he gritted out.

'Very pleasing.' He sneered at the hapless woman still wheezing. 'As a little.. ah, test, you might call it, I'd like you to take care of this filthy,' he pointed at the prisoner, 'pest.'

Reggie found no words. He merely looked on as the woman pushed herself forward, the tantalising sight of the food calling her further.

Voldemort began losing his patience. He snarled, 'Quick now, boy, or have you no spine?'

Hermione had to intervene.

She barked out, 'Come, Regulus, surely this isn't a big deal. Her screeches are rather pathetic and hurting my ears. Finish her. She's dead already. I don't want to muddy my hands with the muggle's blood right before I leave for dinner.'

Voldemort chuckled darkly, holding Hermione's chin tenderly, 'The fesity little snake. Your fire never fails to amuse me, love.'

Reggie looked at Hermione. She nodded saldy, the gesture almost imperceptible. She begged him to understand with her eyes.

She dies tonight either at your hand or his. She's dead already. She's dead already. She's dead already.

Rodolphus had had enough. He cursed and kicked the woman in her gut, twisting his hands in her hair and dragging her in front of Reggie. He kicked her again for good measure, tilting her head upwards as she screamed in pain.

He tugged harshly on her hair, 'Quiet, you bitch!' He stared down at Reggie, 'Do it, kid. Do it and enter our ranks. The sweet taste of glory awaits you.'

Reggie forced down the feelings of ravaging guilt as he raised his wand, his fingers clammy. He looked into the woman's eyes, pleading with his.

'Please.. please, let me go.. I didn't do anything.. I swear.. please, just let me go.. please, son.. please..'

Son.

Hermione sidled up next to him, whispering in his ear, 'Do it. She's dead already.'

Voldemort growled, 'My patience runs thin tonight, Regulus.'

'No, please.. I didn't do anything.. I'll, I'll run away.. never look back.. leave the country.. I will never tell anyone .. about magic.. please.. just let me go.. please, son.. I did nothing.. please..'

Son.

Reggie braced himself. Steeling his nerves and closing his eyes shut, he whispered, the most pathetic and broken cry for help, 'Avada Kedavra!'

The woman's body dropped into a weightless heap, her eyes still burning a hole into his face, now drained of all colour.

Murderer. Monster. Maniac.

What family did he want to save? The one who had turned away their own son? What family was it he had wanted to keep safe?

He had just killed a helpless woman. The first of many. What had he done? Oh, dear Merlin, what had he done?

Voldemort grinned in victory, 'Excellent. Most excellent. Come closer,' he beckoned.

Reggie's feet moved of their own accord, a mechanical threat pulling him forward. He bent down on one knee, his head dipping in shame and not servitude. He presented his arm to him.

Voldemort cackled in glee as he brought down the tip of his wand on his creamy skin, relishing in the pain he could see pulse in his flexing muscles despite no sound ever leaving his mouth.

Voldemort blasted away the woman's body, splintering it into pieces before walking out the room, Rodolphus and Lucius hot on his heels.

Hermione saw Narcissa release the breath she had been holding. She saw her struggle against herself and make her way towards her cousin. But before she could even reach him Bellatrix had already pulled him to his feet, dragging him away outside towards the gate, undoubtedly leading him back to Grimmauld Place to celebrate the birth of another Death Eater.

Hermione saw nothing.

She didn't see the Admiral's eyes drop in disappointment or Rab's disheveled face. She ran out into the gardens, her disgruntled feet dragging her outside and onto the cobblestone.

'Ah, my cousin, my handsome cousin! Auntie Walburga shall be so pleased! She will be overcome with joy! You have restored the name of our Noble House, cousin Regulus!'

Hermione suddenly felt white hot rage boil her blood. She stunned the woman, blasting her away.

Reggie turned around, startled, his own wand pointing at her, stark terror in his eyes. Hermione threaded her fingers with his and Apparated him away to the first place that came to her mind.

Reggie let go of her hold on him and recthed into the bushes. Hermione thanked the stars for the summer breeze. The Forest of Dean would have frozen them to their cores had it been mid winter.

She rubbed soothing circles on his back as he emptied the contents of his stomach, soft wheezing sounds squandering the eerie silence.

She could see the trails left behind by the tears running down his cheeks as he whimpered, 'I failed you.. you kept telling me. You kept telling me I was wrong.. what have I done, Mi? I killed her. I killed her in cold blood. Son.. she kept calling me son.. her kids will .. her kids will never see their mother again because,' he yelled, 'I KILLED HER!'

Hermione mumbled, 'It's done now, Reggie's. It's done. He would have killed her no matter what. It doesn't sound any good but you probably did her a favour by granting she a swift death. He wouldn't have stopped. He would have played with her for a long time before he'd relent.'

'I made the wrong choice.. so foolish.. so stupid.. Sirius.. Sirius was right.. how will I ever face him, Mi? Oh, god, what have I done.. what have I done? I never even thought.. plunged right into it.. never even spared it a thought..'

Hermione pulled him into her embrace, 'Self professed regret will not help you, Reggie. You have sinned. Seek redemption. Seek forgiveness. Fight the war but on the right side.' She took the risk, 'Help me bring him down.'

He pulled back from her as if shocked, 'What? Are you crazy? He will know.'

She shook her head adamantly, 'Reggie, help me.. your heart will never be in it. You will never truly submit yourself to him. Not even a day and you're overcome with remorse. Help me.'

He looked at her quizzically, tiny slivers of hope sparking their way through him, 'What do you mean?'

Hermione nodded her head resolutely, 'Will you agree to bind yourself to me? Will you help me bring him down for once and for all?'

His brows shot up in his hair, 'Hermione! Are you out of your mind? Do you know how dangerous it could be?'

'Reggie, I'm already doing it. Are you with me or not? But be very sure. If you say yes to me tonight there won't be a chance for you to back out. I will use something far more anicent and stronger than a simple Oath to bind you to myself.'

Reggie gulped, a mixture of fear and determination flooding him. 'I will .. I will help you.'

'It will involve various life threatening tasks. You will have to very carefully mask your actions while in battle so as to fool the other Death Eaters into thinking you're causing havoc when you're actually trying to help. You will be putting yourself under a direct radar of danger.'

'I will do whatever you ask of me as long as it helps restore the goodness in the world but only.. only if my family remains safe.'

'Your initiation with the Death Eaters will ensure that.'

'But, Mi, he's the most powerful Legilimens there is. How do you expect me to keep him away? How have you been hiding yourself?'

'I have managed to trick him so far. Years and years of practice. But you're correct into thinking I won't blindly put my faith in luck to tide us over. I have access to knowledge from very old texts. I will perform a short ritual for you to swear your allegiance to me. It will help protect our bond and our secrecy. Betrayal on either of our side will result in death, do you understand?'

He nodded, conviction in his eyes.

Hermione waved her wand, drawing a circle around themselves. She flicked her wrist to cause a shimmering golden light emit from the tip of her wand. The thin thread bound Reggie to her magic core.

She chanted under her breath, 'Mihi pignus fidei vinculum erit. Juret mihi anima corpori. Promitto tibi certa fides. Cedere vestra fiducia mihi. Mecum ubique vado. Da mihi fidem servans.'

As the thread enveloped the two, the light glowed brightly, binding them under its halo. It swivelled away as it reached the boundary of the circle they sat in, ebbing away entirely as Hermione opened her eyes.

Reggie squeaked, 'Why.. why does it feel like I'm.. connected to you?'

'Because you are,' she replied, cryptically. 'You will come to my rescue whenever I call for it through this connection. I will remain in conscious control of it. Don't worry. I will never misuse it.'

'This will shelter my mind, you say?'

'Undoubtedly.'

Reggie let go of her hand, wiping away the remaining tears in his eyes as he stood up, offering her his help in getting up.

He had to admire her for her stubborn heart. Sacrificing herself for a world that currently hated her very being.

'Why.. why join in the first place at all?', he asked.

'We do terrifying things for love,' she answered.'There may not be a tomorrow for us, Reggie,' she warned.

He looked away, defeated, 'I'm certain we dont deserve it.'