The Fall of Hermione

For full disclaimer see chapter one.

Author\'s Notes-Only one more chapter to go before the posting will change from every day to as fast as I can type. I think it\'s also fair to warn you that I am writing two stories simultaneously and I am currently writing the next chapter for the other fic, which will be finished tomorrow. So, Friday I will start on chapter seven of this story. Depending on what life is like, I will hopefully have it finished in a week.

******

The Fall of Hermione

Chapter Five

The Order is Given

Hermione was still trying to catch her breath when the luxurious feeling of the satin sheets pressed against her skin sunk in, and she opened her eyes to truly take in her surroundings, something which she had been prevented from doing when she first entered Severus\' bedroom. Of course, through the memories she had stolen from Bellatrix before she had killed her, Hermione new every detail of her environment as if she had been coming here herself for years. However, she had discovered that living vicariously through someone else\'s recollections was nothing like experiencing it for yourself. Indeed, she had very quickly noticed that Bellatrix\' perceptions of the everyday did not match her own, and it was with a slight feeling of déjà vu that Hermione made her inspection, fusing her examinations with those she already carried in her mind.

The bed upon which she lay, held disgustingly close in the arms of her future victim, was so large as to almost be an ostentatious display of wealth; it\'s intricately carved four posters nearly touching the ceiling. From these, black velvet curtains hung to the floor. The bedding was a deep, rich blue, matching the color of the walls exactly. Looking around the room and noticing for the first time the vastness of it, Hermione decided that the bed was not pretentious, but rather built to be proportional with the chamber.

In fact, all the furniture she could see, the ebony wardrobe standing against the wall before her, the matching desk near the door, all seemed to have been enlarged so as not to look out of place. Still, that did not prevent every article in the room from screaming that they were the proud possessions of someone with an immense fortune, determined to put the dwellings of the world\'s monarchs to shame. It all seemed a bit much to someone who had been raised in a small, muggle house by two dentists, but to Bellatrix, this had been the standard to which purebloods were expected to live.

Relaxing slightly, Hermione had almost forgotten about the man curled against her until she felt Severus\' finger slide underneath her necklace, pulling lightly against it. Her mouth suddenly felt very dry, and she swallowed involuntarily.

Having never been one for religion, her logical mind just could not see the way to believing that such things as deities existed, she nonetheless said a small prayer.

Please, don\'t let this have all been for nothing.

\"Odd,\" Snape purred in her ear. \"I never thought I would see the day when you were reduced to wearing Gryffindor colors, Bellatrix. It seems that The Pride of Slytherin has fallen greatly.\"

\"On the contrary, Severus, The Pride of Slytherin has not fallen, I merely thought it fitting to design the piece in these atrocious colors, since the necklace is indeed a Gryffindor.\" Hermione twisted in his arms until she was facing him, taking in the questioning look on his face. \"Would you like me to show you?\"

\"I must admit that I am most curious,\" Severus smiled the first smile Hermione had ever personally witnessed him make, and although inwardly unsettled by the fact that he could do so without straining all the muscles in his face through the effort, she remained expressionless as she removed herself from his embrace. Leaving the bed, she took the necklace from around her neck and placed it upon the floor, returning it to its true form.

\"This is impossible!\" Severus exclaimed, jumping to his feet and retrieving his robe. \"I placed her in Hogwarts myself.\"

Hermione remained silent, watching worry etch his face, another first for her to witness. Severus seemed to be lost in thought as he gazed upon the body, his breathing shallow. Finally, he tore his eyes away from the corpse and looked to Hermione.

\"Am I to be killed for this?\" His question was barely a whisper.

Somewhere in the back of her mind, Hermione screamed an answer. Yes! For this and so much more, you will die!

Outwardly, however, she smiled reassuringly as she replied, \"Of course not! You did what you were supposed to. By the time all the filth had been sent to you, they should have been unarmed. However, the twits that caught her had a problem keeping their lust from clouding their judgment. Our Lord has graciously agreed to rectify that problem at my behest.\"

Severus had once again put on the calm, unfeeling façade that he normally wore, and Hermione was never more relieved to see the arched eyebrow and familiar sneer turned towards her.

\"You have always been very adept at causing others physical pain, Bellatrix,\" Snape spoke, taking his wand from the bedside table and reverting the body to a necklace. \"Clearly, the talent extends to inflicting emotional and mental suffering as well.\"

He bent to retrieve the necklace from the floor, holding it up and admiring it before moving to stand behind Hermione. As he placed the choker around her neck, he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

\"And clearly, you have exquisite taste in jewelry.\"

Hermione knew what he wanted; she could hear it in the tone of his voice and feel it pressed against her backside. She held in the exasperated sigh that she longed to release, prevented her eyes from rolling, and firmly squashed the thought of killing him right then and there with the image of Ginny Weasley and Rabastan Lestrange reenacting Hermione and Severus\' earlier deed. Instead, she turned in his arms, lust blazing in her eyes, and pressed herself firmly against him. Opening her mouth to speak, the words turned into a hiss as a burning pain tore through her arm.

Snape released her quickly, muttering something she did not hear, but felt as his spell caused her clothes to change into her Death Eater robes. By the time the pain had abated enough for Hermione to move, Severus had removed her wand from the pocket of her traveling cloak and transfigured the garment into a Death Eater\'s mask. He offered them to her wordlessly and she accepted them, placing the mask on her face.

\"Go,\" Snape whispered. \"They must not find you here.\"

Hermione placed the tip of her wand to her Dark Mark, and with one last look at Snape, spoke the incantation and was gone.

******

Severus was quite still for some time after Bellatrix had disappeared, staring pensively at the spot she had last been. He allowed a small smile to cross his face. Finally, after twenty-five years of being used, he was free to do what he wanted, and to hell with the consequences.

******

Hermione had been the second to arrive in the Meeting Chamber. She had knelt immediately, been given permission to rise, and taken her place in The Inner Circle to await the others. She was eternally grateful that Bellatrix was not particularly close to Antonin Dolohov, the only other Death Eater in the room; otherwise she may have been expected to have a conversation with him instead of being left to her thoughts.

This morning had been a complete waste of time. Not only was she no closer to getting the information she required from Snape, but she had slept with him, it seemed, for no other reason than the carnal pleasure of the act.

Oh Gods! I enjoyed it! I enjoyed sleeping with Snape! She thought she might be sick, and began to swallow convulsively. I had to do it! He would have been suspicious if I hadn\'t liked it!

Her desperate reasoning and attempted justification of what she had done did not wash away the nausea that was about to overwhelm her, nor did it stop a single, lascivious thought from making itself known.

Yes, fucking Severus is rather delicious, isn\'t it?

Where the hell did that come from! The shock of what had just gone through her mind succeeded where she had failed, and the contents of her stomach settled down. Further examination into the origins of that revolting thought were immediately put on hold as the last member of The Inner Circle arrived and took his place.

\"My most loyal servants,\" The Dark Lord began, addressing them from his throne. \"I hope that each of you enjoyed last nights festivities.\"

After a short pause in which murmurs of, \"Yes, My Lord,\" filled the chamber, Voldemort continued.

\"Unfortunately, our work is not done; we have much business to attend to in order to insure that our hard won way of life is not taken from us. Immediate action is required. But first, I believe that we are one member short of a complete Inner Circle. Bella, come forward and give me your arm.\"

Hermione complied at once, bowing before extending her Dark Mark. His cold, scaly hand wrapped gently around her wrist as he placed his wand against her arm.

\"Nott.\"

Almost immediately, Theodus Nott appeared in the chamber, kneeling before Lord Voldemort.

\"My Lord,\" he spoke.

\"Rise, Theodus,\" The Dark Lord answered, addressing Nott by his first name, a privilege extended only to those of The Inner Circle. \" And present your Dark Mark. Bella, retake your place.\"

Hermione retreated as Theodus moved to take her place beside Lord Voldemort. The room was completely silent as The Dark Lord passed his wand over Nott\'s brand, causing it to blacken and grow slightly, so that all who looked upon it would know that he was answerable to only Voldemort and Bellatrix.

\"Take your place between Bella and Walden, Theodus, as my new Head of Training.\"

\"Yes, My Lord,\" Theodus replied, bowing as he moved to stand with the rest of The Inner Circle.

\"Now, Walden,\" Voldemort continued. \"I believe your station as Liaison in The Ministry is now quite useless. I have therefore decided to name you the Head of Espionage, as we will need to have people strategically placed within the governments of the other wizarding nations. We must be prepared once they are ready to make a move against us. You will report to Bella in two days with a list of the countries which pose the greatest threat to us and your recommendations of whom to send in.\"

\"Yes, My Lord.\"

\"Antonin,\" The Dark Lord turned his attention to the left of Macnair. \"In two days you will also report to Bella with a complete list of casualties so that we may know the number we must replace.\"

\"Yes, My Lord,\"

\"The rest of you will also meet with Bella in two days so that she may report to me the state of each department.\"

Murmurs of assention were heard throughout the room.

\"Bella, you will meet me at six that evening so that I may hear your report.\" Voldemort turned his cold, red eyes upon Hermione.

\"Yes, Master,\" she replied.

\"Now, onto other matters,\" The Dark Lord continued. \"Regardless of how many of the fallen that we must replace, we need to increase our numbers in order to expand our empire. Have any of you possible solutions to bring forth?\"

\"My Lord, if I may?\" The drawl of Lucius Malfoy echoed slightly off the walls, all eyes turning toward him in expectant silence.

\"Speak, Lucius,\"

\"Master, I am sure that each of us has family in other countries who would readily flock to your banner should you issue the call. I myself have at least two cousins who only await word that you would welcome them. I suggest we look to our own blood to gather strength and better enable us to rid the world of the filth that plagues it.\"

\"An excellent suggestion, Lucius,\" Lord Voldemort smiled with his lipless mouth. \"Are any here opposed to this?\"

\"My Lord,\" Dolohov spoke. \"Lucius idea is indeed a good one. However, I would advise caution and a thorough screening process for each new recruit. We cannot afford spies in our midst.\"

The Dark Lord nodded thoughtfully. \"A fair point, Antonin. How would you suggest we test each new member?\"

\"Veritaserum, Master,\" Antonin replied. \"I am sure that Augustus can provide enough of the potion for our needs.\"

\"Augustus?\" Voldemort looked toward the man standing at the far right of The Inner Circle.

\"My Lord, Veritaserum takes a week to brew and can only be done in small amounts, large batches can become volatile about the third day into brewing,\" Augustus began. \"We do have a small supply on hand, but dependant upon the number of people that are expected to be tested, I may need time to have more of the potion made. I can have the process begun immediately, My Lord, if that is your wish.\"

Hermione watched as The Dark Lord considered everything carefully before replying. \"I believe that Lucius idea has merit, but Antonin also has a valid point. Therefore, all of you, with the exception of Bella, will go to each Death Eater in your department and compile a list of names for recruitment. I want those lists turned in to Antonin by tomorrow morning so that he may present them to Bella when he meets with her. Bella, once you have the number of people we will need to test with Veritaserum, you will inform Augustus so that he may began brewing the correct amount of the potion.\"

\"Yes, My Lord,\" The Death Eaters replied as one.

\"Now, are there any other suggestions on increasing our numbers?\"

\"My Lord,\" Rabastan Lestrange spoke from beside Hermione.

\"Speak, Rabastan,\" The Dark Lord turned his attention to his Head of Muggle Raids.

\"We have only spoken of rectifying the immediate problem; but what of our future, My Lord?\" Rabastan asked, and Hermione noticed he cast a glance in her direction as he spoke. \"Certainly we must also take into consideration that we all have been so occupied in seeing our way to victory that we have done little else. What of the next generation of Purebloods? There has not been a single child born to us in nearly seven years. I propose that we also see to it that we have a strong group of children to carry on when we are gone.\"

Hermione watched as a wicked grin spread across Voldemort\'s face, no doubt envisioning the gaggle of innocent children that he could corrupt and set upon the world to do his bidding, as his eyes fell upon her.

\"Bella,\" he hissed, his excitement evident in his voice. \"Rabastan has put forth a most valid point. As the only woman in my Inner Circle, what do you think of this idea?\"

Hermione, forever a feminist, wanted to scream about the rights of women and how sexually discriminate it was to expect them to breed just because a man said it should be so. But, the reality of the situation sunk in, and she merely began chanting, I am Bellatrix Lestrange, over and over in her mind as she replied.

\"My Lord, Rabastan does have a very valid point,\" Hermione spoke. \"And I cannot think of a single Pureblooded woman who not gladly do her part in bringing the next generation of your loyal Death Eaters into the world.\"

\"Even you, Bella?\"

Again, Rabastan was eyeing her, and Hermione began to wonder about his intentions of proposing this idea to Voldemort. Pushing that thought aside to mull over at a more convenient time, she formed her response into something Bellatrix would say.

\"Of course, Master. I am your servant and live to do as you wish. If I still had a husband, I would give you as many new Purebloods as you liked.\"

\"Perhaps the solution, then, is to find you a husband,\" Voldemort whispered, the pleased expression on his face turning into something sick and twisted, causing Hermione to hold her breath in apprehension over what was to come next. \"I have often wished that you would bear children, Bella; they would undoubtedly be strong. Therefore, in one week, we will all meet again. At that time, you will name for me your choice for a new husband and father to your future children.\"

\"Yes, My Lord.\" Hermione tasted bile as she replied.

\"As each of you go about gathering your lists of recruits today,\" The Dark Lord addressed the rest of The Inner Circle. \"You will pass along the decree that each married woman is to conceive within the next two months. Rabastan, I also include your redheaded gift in this as well. Augustus, you will also begin the brewing of fertility potions, should any of our married couples have trouble.\"

\"Yes, My Lord,\" The Death Eaters again responded in unison.

\"I believe that will do, for now,\" Voldemort hissed, his face still contorted in glee. \"Go, and begin the tasks which you have been assigned.\"

With that, The Dark Lord was gone. Hermione had time to see Rabastan Lestrange glaring at her through his mask before she disapparated to The Lestrange Estate.

******

She made it to the study before she let loose the primal scream that had been threatening to break forth since Lord Voldemort had given the order. Removing her wand, she began to hex everything in sight, and soon, the room was completely destroyed, leaving Hermione standing in the midst of piles of rubble that had once been furniture and adornments, her hair flowing wildly in the wind that now blew through the broken windows.

She had to get out of there, now! She would simply go to Snape\'s, kill him quickly, go to Rabastan\'s and hex him into pieces, grab Ginny, and leave. If she were caught, she would make sure that she and Ginny did not survive. Nothing was worth either of them being forced to bear the children of Death Eaters. If she did not rescue Ginny now, before either of them conceived, escaping would be much more difficult. Apparition could be deadly to a pregnant woman, the fetus would not survive, not to mention you were almost certain of splinching yourself. She could not wait any longer.

Hermione marched determinedly towards the door, wand drawn and ready to make quick work of Snape, regretting only that she would not have the time to enjoy his demise, when a house-elf appeared before her, blocking her way.

\"What?\" she snapped irritably.

The elf cringed at her tone, its ears drooping; no doubt it would be punishing itself later for disturbing its mistress. \"Begging your pardon, Mistress, but your sister is waiting in the parlor.\"

Hermione was about to respond that she did not have a sister, shove the house-elf aside, and continue with her mission, when she remembered that while she had no siblings, Bellatrix did. She knew instantly that Narcissa Malfoy was waiting to see her. She also realized with blinding clarity that she had to see her, a suspicious Narcissa meant a suspicious Lucius, and Hermione could afford neither.

Grinding her teeth in frustration, Hermione stormed past the elf, causing it to jump to the side as she went.

\"Clean up this mess,\" she threw back over her shoulder before she exited the room. Crossing the hall, she took a deep, calming breath, plastered a fake smile upon her face, and entered the parlor.

\"Hello, Narcissa.\"