"DISCLAIMER: HP belongs to JKR. The story line and all new characters, new character development, new developments are my intellectual property.
a/n There are about three to four chapters left, and the story will come to an end, with possibilities. I need to complete the open stories and this was an experiment. I see there is some interest but not enough. I am trying to figure out you all like, so enjoy what is left. I have another Voldemort around 20,000 words, a drama. Black Banshee was right on the money, Tom hasn't changed, it was the next sentence. He is softening but only for the two witches, he knows he has to walk the straight and the narrow to win their affection. +
Fathers and Children
No, Tom Riddle, hadn't changed one iota, he was his normal self. He was behaving because he wanted his daughter and his Jean, his two loves, back. He was still dark and evil, but the permafrost around him was melting. Two good witches could do just that.
Lucius took this chance to remind everyone, "He is more powerful than ever, beyond anything you ever thought possible; furthermore, watch your thoughts around him, we are open books to him." He heard the gasps and saw some unbelievers' looks.
"Better believe me, you just witnessed a small display of his new powers. You heed my advice and remember that we have one main job, to protect his precious witches. The reason is simple, he will wipe out our entire world if something should happen to either of his Granger witches."
He looked at the younger Death Eaters, their eyes already calculating their next move, Hermione. Lucius shook his head in exasperation, "Watch your step. Pay attention, don't believe for a minute that you can court her to win his favor. Don't even try to approach her without his permission; those chances are long gone."
Draco was peeved with his father, "Why didn't you tell him why I treated her bad. You egged me since you first saw her. I saw how he looked at me, it wasn't my fault." He challenged his father in public, leaving Lucius little choice.
Lucius' eyes turned ice cold. "Your memories are faulty. When you were fourteen or so, I told you to leave her alone; when she was younger I told you that she would be perfect if it were not for her blood, and to remember that times could change."
Lucius paused, remembering the day when he'd recognized her mother on her and immediately warned his son. Of course, he was never too sure if Tom wanted them dead or not. Damn Bellatrix, she used his fear to be discovered by Tom, she did it till the end. He even believed her when the order to kill the Granger was issued. He was also at fault. His voice had a cold edge.
"Since then, I have repeatedly encouraged you to befriend her and to court her; but, instead, you chose to listen to your mother and that mad witch, your aunt." He knew that he needed to disclose some of his sins if he were to avoid future blackmails.
"We, to include me, are responsible for our actions. I chose to believe Bellatrix's order to kill the Grangers. So, yes, we are all at fault." He needed to be patient with his son, but Draco needed to heed the warnings and quit listening to Narcissa's machinations.
"Son, I told Tom that you just followed his doctrine whenever you acted against Miss Riddle. It was a wasted effort because he is deaf and closed minded when it concerns his witches. To quote his words, "You baboons, couldn't you see her greatness? You chose to be blind." Indeed, I think that we all were blind, mostly by choice, ergo, we all are guilty."
Many heads nodded, knowing that their prejudice blinders had no allowed them to see. Many already regretted their missed past opportunities. They could imagine where they would be, had they befriended Hermione at the very least. Not Draco, he crossed his arms and looked sullen and defiant.
Lucius was afraid of any attempts on the two witches, so he looked around and called Rabastan, "Starting today, everyone makes an unbreakable. Total secrecy with any matters related to the witches; loyalty is a must. Also notice that effective today all Dark Marks will be modified, Miss Riddle demands it. The magic is being worked, we expect to start later today. Any problems?"
Not a word. "Good, Rabastan, you and Dolohov take care of the unbreakable. If you detect a problem with the results of any the Veritaserum call me. Compile all the results using the self recording and permanent scrolls to brief our Lord. Francois you reviewed them all for accuracy. Three of you need to be present in all the interviews to make sure that no one tampers with the results. Pucey come with me after I am done."
Draco asked, "Why Veritaserum? We are not the enemy." He looked nervous and shifted his weight from foot to foot.
Lucius turned, his face hard, "WHY? Because I say so. Only a few relevant questions will be asked. Furthermore, I will take it myself. So, if any of you want to remain as part of the top echelon, you must take the Veritaserum. Now, if you have something to hide, or if anyone of you think you might, come and see me before taking the Veritaserum." He was now directing his words to his son.
"If you wait until the Veritaserum reveals your secrets, it will be too late. Even for you Draco, I will not allow any results to be modified. This won't be the only time the Veritaserum will be administered, it will happen again when I deem it necessary. I have an offer, if you chose not to take the Veritaserum, you can always leave after you are Obliviated back to a time to be decided."
With that, he left. Rabastan's eyes fixed on his nephew by marriage. He didn't trust Draco. Better, he didn't trust Narcissa, and she manipulated her son. He suspected that Narcissa had something up her sleeve. After all, she'd loved Bellatrix in their twisted ways, not a normal sisterly love. He should know, his brother and he were often their victims. They were mean, twisted and cruel; those were dark times. Besides, he had seen how Narcissa had looked at the two Granger witches, it didn't bode well.
Lucius needed to watch out, or she would get him killed, Tom would not be forgiving if anything happened to his daughter, heaven helped them all if it did. Jean was special, but Hermione was sacred, and that was a fact.
"Son," Rabastan looked at Draco, "listen to your father, he loves you. But do remember that he won't cross Tom, not even for you; nobody in their right mind would dare to do so."
Greg Goyle lowered his head and smiled. Francois had been correct; phew, he was glad that he had listened. It had been easy since he had admired Miss Riddle's beauty for years, and he wasn't alone. His older brother had it right, "We Goyle have survived because our allegiance is to those at the top, we are chameleons."
Draco was saying something, let him talk. Francois Goyle stood by Rabastan. When Greg looked at him, he winked.
"Vince, we need to listen. Tell Lucius that you just followed orders, we can go together, right Draco?" Greg looked at Draco, looking dumb. That was expected of him, but it was only a facade.
"Whatever, at least I can depend on you." He looked at his goons, too bad he always missed the sparkle on Greg's eyes. Greg whose beautiful Mom, Irina, was Dolohov's half sister, looked more like his mother each passing day, but Draco had neither noticed nor he knew about Greg's family.
He would also have known that Dolohov was a Russian prince and much more. If Draco were less self-centered, he would have known.
"Indeed, you back me up, right?" Draco remarked, his attention already busy elsewhere.
Greg didn't answer, but Draco wasn't listening, why should he? He was their leader, thus, his word was the law.
The Suitor and Father
Tom came straight into the room where Jean sat. She was reading, while Hermione was in the terrace.
Jean looked up, and her heart did a flip-flop. It was her Tom. He looked at her and was afraid of rejection, love had turned him into a coward.
He could barely walk loaded with presents, even with a levitation spell; to make it worse one of the boxes was whining, growling, and shaking. That had been Mipzy's bad idea, an old romantic elf, "The young Missis be loving the surprise," it would seem the contents of the box didn't agree whatsoever.
Jean covered her mouth to stiffle bubbling laughter. He looks so adorable, she thought. It was love, who would call Voldemort adorable but a witch in love. What he looked, was overwhelmed and frazzled.
He stood looking at her. He drank her with his eyes. She looked beautiful with her hair on a braid, wearing lederhosen below her knee and a man's white shirt, as she often did at home. She didn't have any shoes, and he could see her painted toes. He remember seeing her naked that first time with her scarlet tiny toes. It took him right back to Nurenberg. "You look lovely." He managed to say. The images of her naked were going around his head making it difficult to think.
He noticed that she wore a brooch that looked familiar, and started to ask when all the packages started falling. Not all, because a box seemed to float in the air, and next, it fell on top of a couch. The aforementioned box was yipping, barking and whining, creating great ruckus. Jean lost it, and couldn't control the laughter. Tom seemed at a lost on what to do, although his finger itched to control the noisemakers.
The loud noises brought Hermione and Brutus in, and made the Kneazles run for cover. Brutus was already barely civil with the felines, and they knew better; after all, the box sounded like eager canine reinforcements had arrived, and that was never a good thing.
Hermione was so excited about the yipping that she just glanced at the stranger, "Who is making such mighty and fierce noise?" The noise came from a gift wrapped box with a large glowing label, 'For Hermione.' Thus, she pointed a finger to open the box. To her delight, two puppies came out, and upon seeing her, they ran to jump on her.
The pups, a magical breed of Apso, already knew that she was their witch. She sat on the ground to play and let them be crazy, jumping on her, licking her face, pulling her long curls and chewing her shoelaces.
"So, do you like them, my darling child?" Her head recoiled. The handsome stranger was Tom Riddle, she recognized the voice and now the face. He looked surprisingly good and elegant.
She was going to be nasty but couldn't. His face looked so hopeful, "Yes, I do, a lot," and giggled when one jumped and licked her face. "Not inside the mouth, yuck."
Tom was grinning, looking at her with fatherly pride. Anyone who knew him, would had not believed their eyes. He was mesmerized. He tapped his lips while watching the ongoing games, it was the best feeling, she was his, his child. A child made out of love, an unique mighty gift he treasured and would till the end of his days.
Rabastan had been right, Jean was his beloved, but it was easy to see, Riddle's eyes were changed. They reflected the fierce love for Hermione; it had no equal; only a fool would ignore that.
"Darling, the scamps are yours, male and a female, not related, they were a present from an old acquaintance. I don't think they are from this world. I am sure that you will find out. Don't let their size fool you, I learned first hand."
He chuckled knowingly, Hermione looked at him waiting to hear what he had learned, but he made a face and smiled enigmatically. "Inside the box there is scroll that talks about them. I advice you to read it. Remember they are pups, ten weeks old. And here," he gave her one of the bears, and two wrapped boxes.
Again, the bear caught her attention. "Mama, look he is just like Baba, but bigger." She hugged it and kissed it, "He was a handsome bear, my mother brought him from Germany; I miss him." He followed each of her actions with great interest, although his eyes closed for a minute and smiled.
She opened one of the boxes, inside she found a bracelet made out a fossilized rare wood, along with a pendant. It hung from an intricate rope made out of unknown leather pieces. They were exquisite. She would look at them later.
"Those are not from me, they are from the Shaman, he said to wear them at all times; and that their meaning will become clearer with time. They are charged with magic or powers unknown to me."
She nodded and put them on, "Thanks, Baba will be loved, I do miss his brother." She looked wistful, her eyes shone with tears, but quickly composed herself.
Jean looked at her. "I never told you that Baba was also your father's gift. It was meant for my first child. I shrunk all the gifts." She said the last upon seeing Voldemort's face. He was wondering how did she have the bears since she had been abducted.
"I have a wand, always had. I still had some magic, and was taught how to do simple spells. All my shopping was in the belt around my waist. Same with everything else, no suitcases but a couple of small handbags. Sadly we had a fire, a couple years back and Hermione's room, and its contents were all burnt."
She didn't add that Death Eaters had done it when Hermione was at home, but had fallen asleep in the couch by the telly. Apparently, its was caused by a hex she had brought from Hogwarts in her suitcase, which activated in the early morning hours.
They all heard the explosion, strangely, only the room contents were reduced to ashes in minutes. Jean said nothing not wanting more deaths. Hermione had seen Draco near her luggage so it was best to keep quiet. A nearly imperceptible look passed between mother and daughter, Voldemort saw it.
"Ah," he said. He'd tried but couldn't see inside either of the witches' minds, amazing they were blocking him. Nevertheless, he suspected both were hiding something. Indeed, both were avoiding eye contact. No matter, he would look into it. He asked casually, "And when was the fire?"
No answer because they ignored him, and right away Hermione said,"Thank you, I love my babies, the bear, everything." Hermione looked away, "I must leave. Remus is coming in a few minutes, he is tutoring my friends and I."
The pups and Brutus followed her, while Tom stood looking upset. He had hoped for a real hug, or a touch. She sure had kissed the pups and the bear, not once but several times; he actually counted how many times. He knew that it was childish and petty but he had zero pride when his daughter was involved.
He sighed, at least she hadn't detected the small temporary charm he had put in the bear, he wasn't perfect. It had lasted less than a couple of minutes, allowing him to feel the hugs and kisses when she first saw the bear. He would take any bread crumbs she threw his way, voluntarily or not.
He looked forlorn and disappointed.
Jean felt sorry for him, "She is hurt, but she took the presents, and she liked them a lot; it is a first step. Listen."
He heard Hermione giggling while talking to the pups, and Brutus barking. They heard her, "You two are the best present in a while, you and Baba. Quit chewing on my heels..."
"A beginning, do you really think so?" He sounded hopeful, smiled tentatively, and moved closer to her. "A start for all of us, I hope." He didn't miss any opportunities, never. He hoped the mother was warmer than the daughter. His body did too.
A/N- what do you all think? Don't be hard, Hermione grew up hating her father who murdered, or had someone murder many of her friends' relatives. He also issued the order to take her parents; so, of course, she is reluctant. As for Lucius and Draco, he is now the right hand of the most powerful wizard, ever; and, he wants Draco to get in with the program. Allegiances are being made, chains of command are being established; many are jockeying for positions within the group; nothing new, they are mostly Slytherins.
MadisonTheRed 's comment of thinking of Voldemort with the giant bears, was exactly my motivation behind that scene. He is getting humanized and behaving like a normal parent or lover, well as normal as he can.