When Hermione woke up that morning, she felt better than she had in days. After she showered, she wrapped herself in a towel and padded across the bedroom to her closet. What does one wear to tea with Narcissa Malfoy? After looking through the options, she decided on a casual black cotton dress that went down to her knees and a pair of black and beige platform sandals. Heading back to the bathroom, she twisted her hair back into a low-lying bun and took out a few tendrils of hair to frame the front of her face. Giving herself a once-over, she decided this was as good of a look as she could get without the use of her wand.
Looking at the clock, she noticed she still had about forty-five minutes until tea time. Walking into the sitting room, she curled up into a chair closest to the fireplace and opened her book to read—well, attempt to read. All she could think about was what Malfoy had said yesterday afternoon.
She was still quite skeptical about it because he had always been her biggest bully—and that was hard to forget, but she was also trying to see his side of things. She was a muggleborn and part of The Golden Trio; of course he couldn't pursue her then, but now she was a soon-to-be Death Eater, although still muggleborn. Maybe most people could gloss over the fact of her blood status if she was fighting on the same side as they were.
Pulling herself from her thoughts, she saw it was five minutes until ten, and she needed to get a move on so she wouldn't be late to meeting Mrs. Malfoy.
"Dinky," Hermione called softly.
The little elf popped into the room and asked, "Is you needing something, Ms. Hermy?"
"I have tea with Mrs. Malfoy at 10 a.m., and I was wondering if you could lead the way; you see, I'm not quite sure where to go yet," Hermione said with a small smile.
Dinky smiled and nodded her head so hard her little ears were flapping. "Yes, of course, Ms. Hermy! Dinky would be so honored to show Ms. Hermy where to go!" Dinky squeaked out.
Grabbing Hermione's hand, Dinky led her to a small sitting room off the west wing of the manor.
When they got to the room, Narcissa was already waiting. Hermione thanked Dinky, and with a small pop, she was gone. Before Hermione could say anything to Mrs. Malfoy, the door shut and silencing charms were placed on the room.
In a move that shocked Hermione, Narcissa came up to her and wrapped her in a tight embrace.
"My dear, I am so sorry for the things that happened to you in my house. You must understand that I do not agree with what my sister did to you in the slightest. Bella can be a bit…barbaric these days." She sniffled, but didn't let up on the hug.
Hermione broke the hug and looked directly into Narcissa's eyes. "Mrs. Malfoy, in no way am I holding you accountable for what happened to me the other day, or any of the days for that matter. This may be your house, but you were not the one to curse me or carve me up like a turkey on Christmas. You have nothing to apologize for."
Patting her eyes dry, Narcissa looked at Hermione. "You have no idea how thankful I am to hear you say that. I was worried you would hold me accountable for her actions just because I'm her sister." She took a moment to compose herself. "Now that the hard things are out of the way, I wanted to talk to you about—"
Before she could finish her sentence, the door slammed open.
"CISSY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ALONE WITH THIS FILTHY CREATURE?" Bellatrix screeched with a look of disgust.
"Bella, please do not talk to my houseguest that way. Hermione is no longer a prisoner and will not be treated as such; she has met with the Dark Lord and has switched over to the right side." She pinned her sister with a deadly glare.
"I am well aware she decided to change sides, Cissy, but she is still a mudblood. Just because she is on the right side of the war now doesn't mean we can just take tea with her." She looked at Hermione with pure hatred radiating from her.
"You know what? I am sick of you throwing that word around. Just because I'm not a pureblood does not mean that you are better than me. My blood is not 'muddy' as you purebloods like to think, just because I'm a fucking muggleborn, and I'm not a 'filthy creature' as you so eloquently put it," Hermione screamed, scowling at Bellatrix.
Hermione turned to Narcissa and said, "I'm so sorry for losing my temper, Mrs. Malfoy. Would you please excuse me?" She turned and walked out the door.
She was so distraught she forgot to summon Dinky and didn't know which way to go, but she was confident she would eventually find her room. Trying not to cry from frustration until she made it to her room, she turned a corner too fast and collided into someone.
"Granger, this is the second time you've thrown yourself at me in less than twenty-four hours." He grinned. Noticing the tears in her eyes, he dropped the grin. "Hey, Hermione, what's wrong? Who upset you?" He said softly, voice full of concern.
"I was going to have tea with your mum, until your psychotic aunt barged in and ruined everything." She sniffled.
He grabbed her hand, and with a soft smile, said, "Come on, let's get you up to your room, and we can have some lunch and talk some more."
When they made it to her room, Draco called for Dinky to bring them something to eat. While eating, she recounted the events of her disastrous morning.
"I can't believe you actually put Aunt Bella in her place; most people are absolutely terrified of her and immediately back down when she spouts her nonsense." He chuckled.
"I'm just so tired of it. I'm tired of everyone looking down upon me because I'm a Muggleborn," she huffed.
"Hey now, Granger, not all of us look down on you for it. I hope you'll forgive me and understand I was truly just acting the part. I don't honestly think of you that way," he said softly.
"Hermione," she said softly. "You called me Hermione in the hallway, and I quite liked the way it sounded coming from you, so don't go back to calling me Granger."
"Okay, Hermione, it is." He paused, looking into her eyes. "If that's how it's going to be, you can start calling me Draco."
"Okay, Draco," she said, keeping her eyes on him.
Before either could say another word and ruin the moment, Draco leaned in and softly kissed her on the lips.
Even though it was just one single kiss, Draco looked at her with a smile. "I have been waiting seven years for that kiss, and it definitely was worth the wait."
Hermione smiled nervously back at him, hoping he didn't notice how red she was. Her mind was running a million miles a minute; she so badly wanted to kiss him again. Instead, she took a deep breath. "I may have not been waiting seven years to kiss you, but it was perfect for a first kiss."
"Your first kiss? Granger, had I known it was your first kiss, I would've tried to make it more romantic than sitting on a couch, talking about our first names," he said, looking astonished.
"Draco, it was perfect for a first kiss. I would rather something normal than it being overly romanticized." She smiled at him.
Looking at the time, she sighed, "I suppose I should go to meet your father and give him everything I know of the Order. Would you mind walking me to where I need to be?"
"Of course, Granger. I would love to escort you to Father's study, but we can't act any differently in his presence. I will get through to him eventually, but I don't want him treating you any worse than I'm sure he will because he is pissed off that his only heir has feelings for a muggleborn." He grimaced.
"I understand…that's fine," she said with a tight smile. Obviously, this is all a joke, and he's ashamed to be seen with me , she thought to herself.
As they walked the halls, heading to Lucius' study, she couldn't help but notice how the portraits lining the halls were all sneering at her or whispering slurs under their breaths.
Draco stopped abruptly. "Not one more word against Hermione, or I swear I will burn all of you to the ground." His tone was lethal, leaving no room for argument.
The portraits, and Hermione stared at him wide-eyed. Acting like he didn't notice, he pulled her along and continued the trek to Lucius' study.
Once they got to the study, Draco dropped her hand and knocked on the door.
"You may enter." Lucius spoke from inside the study, with a hint of annoyance to his tone.
Walking in the study, Draco looked to Lucius. "Father, I've come to drop off Granger for your little session. Have Dinky grab me when you're done, so I can escort her back to her wing of the manor." With that, he walked out of the study, the door closing behind him in his wake.
"So, Ms Granger, is it? The Dark Lord tells me you've decided to switch sides to make things better for yourself." He tutted. "Not to question my lord's judgment, but I wonder how much we can trust someone who is willing to turn on people they've known for years," he said, studying her.
"I thought we were here to talk about order secrets? I didn't know this would be a meeting where you sit and question why I'm doing what I'm doing. I wonder what The Dark Lord would think about how you're starting this conversation, Lucius," she said with a raised brow.
"Why, you insolent little chit. I've been loyal to The Dark Lord for over twenty-five years. I was simply asking a question. How dare you accuse me of such a thing, you filthy little mudblood," he said angrily.
"Now, if you're done throwing a tantrum like a child, can we get down to business? I would rather not spend any more time with you than I already have to," she said with a sweet smile.
He stared at her for a second. "I suppose," he said with a smirk. "I'm going to give you a piece of parchment, and I need you to write down everything you know that can help us. Names, safehouse locations, spies, and any conversations that could be of help to the cause."
After about twenty minutes of furious scribbling on the parchment, she put the quill down. "I'm done; I put everything I know on there. If the Dark Lord wants my memories of how the safe houses are set up, I can give those as well."
"I will go over this with the Dark Lord, and he will get ahold of you if the need arises; you're dismissed," he said arrogantly. "Dinky!"
The little elf popped into the room. "Yes, master?"
Lucius sneered at her. "Let Draco know Ms. Granger will be in the hallway, so he can take her back to her room."
Hermione got up and walked out of the room without saying a word. While waiting for Draco, the weight of what she just did was starting to hit her. Taking a deep breath, she decided she wasn't going to be caught crying in the hallway. She would wait until she got to her room. Hearing footsteps coming up behind her, she straightened herself up and turned to Draco with a smile, hoping he wouldn't notice she was on the verge of breaking.
When he finally looked at her, his smile immediately dropped. "Hermione, are you okay? Did my father do something?" He looked her over to make sure.
All she could do was shake her head; she knew if she tried to talk, her voice would betray her and the tears she was so desperately trying to hold back would finally fall. He grabbed her hand and practically dragged her back to her room.
Once they were in the safety of her room, Draco wrapped her in a hug, and she broke. Heaving sobs wracked her body as she cried into his chest.
"Hermione, love, what is wrong? I can't help you if you won't tell me," he pleaded.
"They're going to hate me," she cried. "I just sold out everyone I know and handed it over to your father. To make matters worse, he threw it in my face that I was turning my back on everyone just to make things better for myself. I'm just as bad as that fucking rat."
"I'm so sorry, love. I know this is hard right now; it'll get easier," he said softly. "Most of those people would do the exact same thing if they were in your shoes, and if they say otherwise, they're bloody liars. Boy Wonder and Weaslebee left you here knowing what had already happened to you and what would continue to happen, and they still left. Those aren't friends, love; please don't stress over what their opinions might be."
He placed a kiss on the top of her head and broke the hug. Using his sleeve to wipe the tears from her eyes, he said, "Even like this, you're so beautiful, Hermione. I'm so thankful you switched sides. If you hadn't, I wouldn't get to be the one to comfort you when you needed it. And I quite enjoy having you in my arms." He leaned down to place a kiss on her lips.
Dinky popped into her room, interrupting the moment. "Ms. Hermy, the Dark Master wants me to brings you to him," she said while twisting her bony little fingers in her tea towel.
Draco looked at her and cast a refreshing charm over her face, making all the evidence that she had been crying disappear. "I'll be here when you get back." He gave her a small smile.
Nodding her head and squaring her shoulders, she looked down at Dinky. "Okay, let's go get this over with."
When she entered the room, she immediately walked over to the Dark Lord and bowed down.
"You may rise, Ms. Granger," he chuckled. "You learn quickly; I admire that in a person."
She nodded. "Yes, my Lord. I don't want to disappoint you."
"Well, you certainly haven't. I looked over everything you gave Lucius and checked it with one of our spies within the order, and everything you wrote checked out. So, I've decided you will be marked…tonight. I will give you two days to recover, then you will go on your first raid with Draco so he can assess your fighting capabilities. Narcissa should be coming to collect you to get you ready for your marking ceremony. Usually I have all of the Death Eaters come, but tonight it will only be the Malfoys and Severus Snape," he said with a hint of excitement in his voice.
She gave him a nervous smile. "Yes, my Lord. Whatever you wish for me to do, I will do."
There was a knock on the door, and Narcissa glided into the room. "You wished to see me, my Lord?" She smiled.
"Ah, yes, Narcissa. Would you take dear Ms. Granger and get her ready for her marking ceremony? I assume Lucius informed you that would be happening tonight?" He asked with a grin.
"Yes, my Lord, he did. It would be an honor to prepare Ms. Granger," she said as she looped her arm through Hermiones and walked her out of the room.
The walk to Narcissa's beauty room was a silent one. Hermione was terrified, but was trying not to show it. Narcissa gave her arm a comforting squeeze and smiled.
Once they made it to the room, Narcissa led Hermione to a vanity, having her sit down so she could start to work on her hair.
Hermione met Narcissa's eyes in the mirror. "I just want to apologize for how I acted this morning as well as for running away from our tea time. It was rude of me to make a scene and then leave you to deal with the aftermath," she whispered.
"Oh, nonsense, dear, sometimes Bella needs to be put in her place. After you left, I had a long talk with her about treating you with some level of respect under my roof." She gave an evil smile. "If she knows what is good for her she will heed my warning."
"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," she said softly.
"I think it's about time you started calling me Cissy." She took a pause before continuing, "You mean so much to my sweet dragon, so that means you mean a lot to me, and I protect mine." She finished with a firm voice.
After she tamed Hermione's hair, putting it into a sleek low bun, she went to her closet and came out carrying a garment bag. "Put these on; they will be your Death Eater robes. They have protection, tracking, and featherlight charms woven into the fabric. I also bought a pair of dragonhide boots custom made for you with cushioning charms." She smiled.
"Thank you, Cissy. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done since I've been here," she said with a genuine smile.
Once she was dressed, she looked at herself in the mirror. "Wow," she gasped. "I look so powerful like this; I don't look like the scrawny little bookworm that everyone would make fun of."
"You look amazing, love." She turned around to look at Draco, who was standing in the doorway. He walked up to her and kissed her forehead. "Are you ready for this?" He asked quietly.
"As ready as I can be. Will it hurt…the marking?" She asked nervously.
"It won't be pleasant, but I will be there for you afterwards," he said softly.
"Let's go, children. I'm sure the men are getting impatient." Narcissa smiled brightly at both of them.
Draco took a hold of her hand, and they walked silently behind his mother. Knowing she was nervous due to her squeezing his hand so tightly, Draco leaned over to whisper calming reassurances to her while they walked.
Once they made it to the drawing room— of course, it had to be this fucking room , she thought to herself—Draco untangled her hand from his. "I'm going to go inside, wait out here with Mother for a second, and then come in."
As he walked away, she frowned and turned to Narcissa. "Is it always going to be like this? Him hiding the fact that he likes me from Mr. Malfoy? I don't know how I'm supposed to fully trust him if he's going to keep his feelings for me hidden like a dirty little secret," she said dejectedly.
Narcissa gave her a soft smile. "Lucius already knows how he feels, dearest. Draco isn't as good at hiding things as he likes to think he is. Yes, Lucius was angry at first, but now that you're on our side and taking the mark, he is slowly coming to terms with it. He finds your temper to be quite amusing, and he's just waiting for Draco to come to him about it. He may seem like a bad father, but he just wants what's best for his son."
After being reassured, Hermione took a calming breath and nodded her head to let Narcissa know she was ready.
Entering the drawing room, the first person she looked for was the Dark Lord, once she was in front of him, she dropped to a low bow.
"You may rise, Ms. Granger." He paused, waiting for her to stand. "Are you ready to take the dark mark and to pledge your life to helping the Death Eaters?" He questioned.
"Yes, my Lord, I am ready to serve you," she said with a determined look.
"Severus, Lucius, hold her up while I complete the marking."
She couldn't see them, but from behind her, she heard 'Yes, my Lord' said at the same time. When they grabbed hold of her, she noticed Lucius was on her left and Severus on her right. She nodded that she was ready, and held out her left arm.
" Morsmordre." The Dark Lord chanted over and over as he dug his wand into Hermione's left forearm.
Pain— so much fucking pain. She could feel tears running down her face, but she bit her lip and stayed silent. When she looked down, she could see the inky-black snake and skull forming.
When The Dark Lord finished, he looked at Hermione. "Welcome to the dark side, my dear girl." Smirking as he said it.
"It is an honor, my Lord." She smiled.
After marking her, the Dark Lord retired to his room so he could make plans for the raid she would be attending in the next two days.
Severus and Lucius stayed to explain to her how to summon her Death Eater regalia, call the Dark Lord, and how to shoot the dark mark into the sky.
After thanking both of them for the help, Hermione looked to Draco to let him know that she was ready to be taken back to her bedroom.
As she walked to the hallway, Narcissa stopped her and wrapped her in a light hug. "I am so proud of you, my sweet girl." Breaking the hug, Narcissa smiled at her and walked over to join her husband and Severus.
Once they made it to the hall, she was shaking from the pain as the adrenaline started to wear off. Feeling herself being lifted, she realized Draco had picked her up and was carrying her bridal style to her bedroom. When they made it to what she assumed was her room, he placed her on the bed, vanished her outer robes, and tucked her in.
"Rest now, my love, I'm so proud of you for being strong. I promise I will take care of you." She heard him whisper to her as she finally let the darkness take over.