Hermione was still shaken; it had been days since tea with Ginny ended in disaster.
She was upset; her most intimate thoughts were viewed without permission and her emotions for Lucius hadn't been addressed. Instead, she shoved the longing for him down deep choosing her marriage opting to focus on what was in front of her and not the fantasy.
Her mind worked itself into a frenzy and her hands started to shake.
Absentmindedly, she rubbed her lower stomach she should have conceived by now. It certainly wasn't for a lack of effort on her part.
That's how he found her. Lost in her thoughts hand on her lower mid section. It unnerved him but he knew to say nothing.
Voldemort paused several feet away afraid to venture further for fear of setting her off.
The change in her mood since her return was of note.
If she wasn't riding him muttering something intangible, she was screaming at him or someone; and the pacing would go on all night. The episodes were infrequent but often enough for him to take precautions. He had instructed for a house elf to always remain present when she was with their daughter.
She had shown no signs of violence nor posed a threat to Michela but given her detorating mental state he would take no chances. He recognized the signs as he witnessed Bellatrix's slow trek into madness and as he observed his wife he hoped he would not have to bear witness to hers.
The Dark Lord cleared his throat and approached.
It had been over two months and tonight would mark the first time he would address his followers with his wife by his side. She would serve as a beacon a remainder to all present that their marriage was as strong as ever. He was still lord and ruler that he, Lord Voldemort, was and has always been in control so he needed Hermione in all of her glory.
He needed her sane or at least giving the appearance of a woman that had come back from the brink of death intact. A worthy Dark Lady. Her robes had been prepared and were ready in the next room.
She didn't move her eyes set toward the far wall.
He cleared his throat a second time. The sound causing her to snap out of the trance that held her and finally acknowledge his presence.
Hermione beamed up at him her smile was as radiate as ever but her eyes lacked the light that despite all of the darkness he had brought to her life once held. They were vacate, distant. She had the beginning of dark circles under her eyes, and he would be sure to have Nemsy glamour those away.
"It's almost time." He whispered watching her carefully.
Hermione stood her hand falling to her side the smile never once faltering.
"I'll get ready but I have something to tell you first," she closed the distance between them. The young woman reached out and gently took his hand placing it on her lower abdomen.
"I'm with child again."
Voldemort could only look down at her delicate hand.
He knew she wasn't the damage Bellatrix had dealt was great and the chances were extremely low. They had been through this only two weeks before.
She had believed and naively, so had he. That evening he called a healer and they both waited in anticipation, hopeful, as Dr. Kolps waved her wand in an intricate pattern above Hermione's belly. Several minutes passed as they waited for the color change.
The healer continued far longer than necessary until it was clear that his wife wasn't pregnant. Their would be no news of a spare. That night she had sobbed in the shower for half an hour before the sobs turned into wails then to full on screams. He was at a loss for what to do so he simply retreated to his study far away from her pain.
He wondered if Hermione could endure a second disappointment. He decided to side step the news and remind her of the meeting in an hour.
"You're right, we will call for a healer in the morning." Her smile widened before it fell, "but not the one from last time." Before he could respond she turned on her heels and left him alone.
Blaise entered the former dinning hall of Hogwarts to a nearly packed house. Many present had formed several small groups muttering their fears and doubts underneath their breaths. They looked over their shoulders as he made his way through the crowd.
The level of paranoia was higher than normal.
Tonight was to be like none other and the Dark Lord had several tables of liqueor and food. Delectable delicacies that remained largely untouched. He hadn't eaten since breakfast and made his way over to the large table to the left of the entrance. His mind wondered briefly to the evening's previous activities and Neville.
They were falling apart, him included.
He was lost in thoughts and looked up when he heard someone clear their throat.
It was Lucius Malfoy.
He swallowed the last morsal of food before he spoke.
"Good evening Lucius."
"Blaise," he looked around at the crowd, "lively bunch isn't."
"Given the last few meetings, the uptick in violence from the Resistance and Talbot's outburst everyone is on edge. No one wants to be seen as a traitor especially tonight given what was said about the Dark Lady. I have it on good word she will be here."
Lucius paused his mind racing.
He calmed his nerves by taking a sip wine, "as they should be. It will be good to know the Dark Lady is well. I am sure her presence will quell some of the rumors."
A long silence followed.
Blaise edged closer, "how's he?"
Lucius stared into the dark liquid his lips downturned. He knew the lad was asking about his son he had been the first to do so. Draco had been written off by his cohorts of darkness after his failed attempt of ridding them of Dumbledore.
Lucius decided to be honest the energy to lie and keep up appearances had faded in the recent months. Draco was at a mental facility in Scotland further detioriating into madness.
"He's not well."
Blaise opened his mouth to speak to try and offer some form of support but was cut off.
"Well, enough with the misery," he quickly downed the remaining fluid and placed his glass on the table, "we have enough of that here."
The older wizard turned on his heels leaving the young man alone.
His body tingled and Lucius slowly made his way toward the wall. Even her name stirred up emotions in him that had he stayed in Blaise's presence might have revealed themselves.
The mark burned on his arm in an irritating way that signaled their master was present several others hissed as well in collective annoyance. An eerie hush fell over the hall as the large doors opened revealing the pair.
His eyes fell on her and they would not move.
There were several gasps and the whispering of his love's name. Everyone bowed showing their respect.
The two deviated from their path heading in his direction.
Lucius' heart began to beat faster.
Once they were in front of him he bowed deep before standing his head slightly down cast in submission.
A feminine voice brought his gaze up to rest on hers and he refused to blink afraid she would vanish and prove to only be a phantom of his imagination.
Her head was high; arrogance reeked from her and this woman was a stranger to him. Those chocolate orbs he had fallen into were blank. The thinly veiled defiance was gone.
"I was told you removed me from harm's way all those nights ago. I want to extend my thanks for your swift rescue as well as your kindness during my stay in your home, Mr. Malfoy."
He was speechless and could only bow standing quickly as he held her gaze once again.
She gave him a soft smile.
His eyes shifted to dark grey becoming stormy. Hermione's belly flipped and for a second she thought she would faint.
"In twenty years, I don't believe you've been at a loss for words." The Dark Lord stated through bared teeth others in the crowd laughed.
Lucius' sight shifted to his master, "my apologies my Lord but it is rare that a man stands before such beauty and grace," he remembered himself, his features becoming hard, indifferent, "I will always come to the aid of our Lady."
It was daring but he reached for her free hand and lent down placing a kiss on the back of her palm. Hermione's eyes went wide for a moment before she schooled her features.
He stood up releasing her hand.
"Ah, so chivalrous; careful Lucius, she's a married woman." The Dark Lord chuckled darkly several others did the same as he guided his wife toward the two high chairs on the platform.
The crowd slowly followed several feet behind, Lucius remained still his bare flesh tingling where he had touched her.
He turned when he felt another's presence over his shoulder. It was Severus.
Lucius rolled his eyes he didn't need to be chastised. The move he pulled was stupid but he didn't care he needed to touch her.
He sighed, "what?"
Severus remained silent his eyebrow cocked. His associate didn't miss much which explained why rumors persisted that he had been a double agent playing both sides.
"Move along, Severus." He hissed harshly.
The man stayed still staring at Lucius.
Lucius rolled his eyes and moved toward his brethren. Once he had joined the others he turned a sharp retort on his lips. He found the former Potion's Master on the other side of the hall near the front stair hands behind his back shrouded by heavy black robes and dark hair.
Hermione and the Dark Lord sat as a second wave of silence came over the hall.
"It has been brought to my attention that as of late there have been doubts, rumors concerning my greatness and our union," he paused to lightly stroke Hermione's cheek several whispers broke out at the rare public display of affection from their lord.
The Dark Lord continued standing his wand dangling limply from his left hand. The man was nothing if not predictable so began his legendary theatrics. He stalked the raised platform as if starved for blood and per usual he would have it.
Lucius locked eyes with Hermione he could see the pooling of tears in them. He was tempted but afraid to reach out to her via occulumancy for fear they would be intercepted but he wouldn't be deterred and began the first nudging.
Hermione.
She felt the whsiper long before she heard it in her mind.
Lucius felt himself being allowed in but he remained at the peripherial he wouldn't venture further unless she called to him.
My love.
He was there with her it was becoming too much and Hermione closed him from her before she broke down. She wouldn't do that here not in front of them.
The removal was harsh and Lucius rocked slightly to the side a migraine now forming. He quickly steadied himself not wanting to draw any attention to himself.
Blaise watched Hermione as she seemed fixated on something or rather someone. His lips parted when he noted it was Lucius. He had watched in fascination as the two wrapped in one another remained forgotten by all present.
His eyes rapidly moved between the pair and Voldemort; and the young man begin to form his own conclusions regarding their dark lady and the former right hand.
Voldemort paused mid sentence his eyes searching the crowd for he thought he heard a faint whisper.
He turned finding his wife fixated on him the slight smile on her lips the reassurance he needed that she was well enough to pretend for the final half of the hour. He quickly glanced the clock not wanting to keep her among his followers longer than necessary.
He began again this time pointing his wand into the throes of black robes and calling forth James, the Scot that had spoke out during the aftermath of Bellatrix's misdeed.
The silence was deafening and many of the others moved back forming a large semi circle around him. They knew what would come next.
Hermione watched her palms began to sweat. She wanted to search out Lucius to seek his comfort but didn't dare, she wouldn't make it back if she did.
"Talbot!" The Dark Lord's shout echoed off the stone causing Hermione to jump slightly along with a few others.
"Here, my Lord." The old man made his way forward his body coiled with defiance.
"Yes?" he asked staring at the dark wizard above the small circle glasses the ancient wizard not bothering to bow.
"Why are you sowing seeds of dissent among your brethren?" Voldemort's eyes darkened further a weaker man would have recoiled under the intense gaze but Talbot remained unfazed.
"I can't plant what is already rooted. I merely made several observations and stated sentiments that are shared by more than a few."
"What sentiments?"
"Our sister in arms Bellatrix. In which the handling of her...actions," his gaze shifted to Hermione before being brought back to Voldemort, "was something that in the past you have not only condoned but encouraged. If you weren't presently occupying the bed of a mudblood you would have let her action pass like you have done in the past."
Voldemort was further enraged.
"Watch your language," he hissed.
"Bellarix knew better. That was my son she murdered. Her instructions had been clear and she disobeyed therefore her life was forfeit. She went too far."
"Indeed, giving that she," he inclined his head toward the woman sitting in the chair, "is now barren with no hopes of replacing the anticipated male heir that many including yourself no doubt hoped she would bare."
Voldemort's nostrils flared.
The gaze of the crowd shifted to Hermione as she came to stand next to the Dark Lord.
"I don't know where you have gotten this faulty information but Bellatrix did not succeed as you say. I am not barren," Hermione stated harshly her chest rising and falling.
"I am with child again and I will have my son. We will have a son." She placed her hand on her lower abdomen.
The Dark Lord stared at her in horror. The beginning of applause caused him to forget his wife's outburst as he turned back toward the crowd his usual mask firmly in place. James slowly moved into the crowd joining the others in applause and cheers.
It ended abruptly as it began.
Voldemort brought his gaze to rest on Talbot his eyes tinted a deep red, "Does that please you?"
"My pleasure is of no consequence my Lord," he faced Hermione, "it seems congratulations are in order if what you speak is true." Talbot stared innocently a small smirk on his face.
"It is." Hermione stated expressing more confidence than she felt.
Lucius stood horrified not at the pregnancy announcement what he had said all those months ago still stood. He would love her children as if they were his own, but she had made a grave error. The Dark Lord didn't tolerate outbursts and now he feared for her safety.
Severus watched.
He was curious unlike the others he did not miss the look of absolute horror on the wizard's face.
The Dark Lord always liked to put on a show. Although mundane and repetitious they were always well orchestrated. This wasn't part of the plan and he wondered whether his former student's status as the man's wife would shield her from the Dark Lord's wrath.
The Dark Lord and Hermione left just as they came. A display of power, an intact and fruitful union. Everyone made way as they passed whispers of 'congratulations my Lord and Lady' some bolder said her name referring to her as Lady Hermione.
He was seething as the two made their way up the grand staircase.
His plans to dispense with the old fool Talbot and the Scot had been forgotten there were now more pressing matters to attend. The wheels spun wildly in his head. They could only fake a pregnancy for so long before it became evident she wasn't carrying and he both would lose face with his followers.