I overhear them discussing the Resistance in the next room. He's with Lucius Malfoy. Both are unaware that I can hear them. I can hear everything.

"It appears the Resistance is gaining strength, my Lo-," Lucius' statement was cut short and I hear a loud thud followed by groans of agony.

I stilled muffling a gasp with both hands. Quickly, I hurry down the hall. The screams intensify and I hurriedly round the corner. I wouldn't do myself any favors to be found lurking outside the door. I don't think he would buy the story that I was simply walking by a second time. I enter Michela's room to find her napping on her play mat. It warmed my heart to see her, to see her innocence. Shamefully, I admit it had taken a while to accept her but overtime I had come to realize she was more like me than I had previous thought and I worked overtime to ensure she was nothing like him. I sat next to her and replayed that statement over. I was grateful to whatever deity listening that the Resistance was gaining strength. Maybe they could do what the Order couldn't.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear him enter but felt his presence. I turned looking up at him. "Come," was all he said before leaving in a swish of silk I rolled my eyes annoyed. I kissed her on the head and quickly followed him. I could sense his temper and didn't want to suffer his wrath. The Dark Lord has never mistreated me, but I have on more than one occasion been on the receiving end of his wand. I have made it my mission not to repeat any of those experiences.

With daily reports of the Resistance's increasing momentum and uptick in numbers, his mood has become even more unpredictable. My husband has proven more difficult than usual to please. He is short tempered with Michela snapping at her for the littlest of things. I do my best to stay out of his way when he's like this, I have gone as far as to avoid our bedchamber on those nights we he is more volatile. He seems calmer tonight as he stands in front of the window. I stopped a few feet behind not sure of what role I must play. Whether I am to be wife, confidant or provide reassurance remains to be determined.

"The...Resistance, as they have named themselves apparently, are growing in number and strength. Yesterday, an attack was orchestrated on the ministry and several high ranking officials along with several death eaters were killed; the depot of confiscated wands were raided."

I remained silent; his tone left no question he did not expect a response. He turned running his eyes over my body, his features darkened; I suppressed a shudder. I knew what he wanted, what he needed. Slowly, I began to take off my clothes, letting the dress pool at my feet. I slowly trailed the black sheer thong down my long, lean legs, followed by my bra which I dangled before letting it fall to the floor. I turned heading toward the bedroom; I hovered in the doorway looking over my shoulder, "are you going to join me, my Lord?"

The look he gave me was animalistic and arousal flared within me.. The sudden pool of wetness at my core caught me off guard causing me to gasp. I didn't wait for him to follow.

There was no passion as he plunged into me from behind chestnut curls wrapped firmly in his hand as the other cupped and squeezed my breast, the act felt very transactional and I felt ashamed at how my body responded to him so willing. Each time his hips connected with my backside another surge of wetness coated my upper thigh as my walls quivered. He chuckled and gave my left cheek a firm slap. His smugness angered me and I wanted to scream in frustration, he came with a loud grunt and stilled the grip on my hair becoming tighter causing me to hiss. My inner walls clenched and I followed with a shudder as I collapsed into the damp silk sheets.

He rose and headed toward the bathroom, I laid there thinking about who the other woman was and did her body respond to him they way mine did? The discolored marks on his neck didn't go unnoticed. He doesn't seem to care and assumes I shouldn't mind. He hasn't been here not mentally, the Resistance occupying his thoughts, most times he's not physically here either. Or he would notice the small weight gain, the roundness of my lower belly maybe he doesn't care. Maybe he's found someone else to give his full presence to, probably Bellatrix, the marks would be her subtle way of staking claim to what's hers. One night he came home the scent of expensive perfume enveloped me as he passed by without so much as a glance in my direction. I searched his robes while he showered and I found a pair of emerald lace La Perla panties. I wanted to storm the bathroom and demand answers. I stopped outside the door, did I have a right? I didn't love nor care about this man. Maybe some part of me did or maybe it was my pride either way I was unnerved as I replaced the underwear in the pocket where they were discovered.

I went to the library, I needed to find solace around something familiar as I wrestled with conflicting emotions.

Many death eaters come to the castle but I am not sorry to say only a few of them actually leave.

I gathered as much information as possible when ministry officials arrive bringing updates and more grim news. I waited in anticipation for the days Ginny and I could meet. Our meetings were carried out under the guise of play dates and shopping trips to buy baby clothes but those were infrequent and any new developments would have to wait until we could meet again. Because of Resistance activity the Dark Lord has limited my and Michela's movements. I am once again a prisoner.

I can tell he is losing it. He's losing control and what lingering bits of sanity he has left. I can tell by the pacing at night. All night; sometimes he paces holding our daughter whispering to her as she sleeps her head resting on his shoulder.

"I am doing this for you. So that you can have a better world than was left to me," he repeats over and over.

It is during those moments that I am aware that he is referring to Tom Riddle the little boy alone in the orphanage not Lord Voldemort.

He is mad enough to honestly believe that he is killing to make a better world for her. His words sicken me, and I return to bed with a heaviness in my chest clutching my stomach.

I spend most of my nights reassuring him of his greatness, his power and of my loyalty.

Tom sat looking over some papers that were delivered by Lucius Malfoy. I could tell from the way his hands shook that the after effects of the cruciartus curse had not fully worn off. He nodded his head to me before leaving and I sat observing the man who had destroyed everything that I once held dear. The man who's second child I was now carrying. I could no longer hide it.

"Is there something you wish to say, Hermione?" he asked still studying the papers in his hand not bothering to look up at me.

I cleared my throat; we had not discussed having a second child but we had not discussed having Michela neither so I went for it, "I am pregnant."

He looked up placing his papers on the table, "well, I do believe a celebration is in order. I am sure Michela will be glad to hear that she is to become a big sister. Come," I hated when he ordered me like a small puppy but I stood slowly making my way around the table. He placed his hand on my stomach, "I am going to be a father again," he said more to himself than to me.

"I don't want you or Michela to leave the castle, especially now given your condition. If Mrs. Snape wants to see you she will have to come here," he roughly grabbed my chin, "do you understand?"

"Of course," I said bringing my hand to the side of his face. He stood, taking my hand, "let's go and tell Michela the good news."

I have been reduced to snooping about the study looking for any papers or plans that might reveal his next move. I don't know if he is on to me or paranoia is getting the best of me. He has started placing guards outside the door during meetings. But I will continue to help in anyway I can. I have to do this for Michela and the baby that I am carrying. I have to do this for Harry, for all of them.