A Strange Love

Disclaimer: Not mine! Jo's fault. She created these gorgeous characters.

cateye: Yep, naughty Luscious... hmm, I want to be Hermione in that chapter.

ccrawley: I agree, she's one lucky chick. I hope that this chapter is just as good as the others.

lisa: Well, this is day one, in this chapter...

Avanell: Intellectual? Hmm, possibly... but hey, you might be surprised.

angel: So would I, but you don't know what the muse wants and sometimes the muse can be very naughty indeed.

strangerdanger89: Hee hee, I hope that this continues to reel you in.

Dee Dee: Well, as for Hermione's and Rodolphus's chances - I agree they might be pretty slim. You are almost reading my mind.

Lexy Malfoy: I hope that you continue to stay hooked.

mary: Muses do what muses do, mine are very difficult to control but then my muses are Death Eaters.

Anna: Luscious is horrible but hey, he's a man with needs that his wife isn't attending to... why else do you think he acts the way he does?

JW: Not me. Its far to much fun to keep Luscious alive for the moment... as for Lord Voldemort, well I've got to give him some fun as well. It can't be easy being born not being able to love.

SmileZ: Then get down on your knees and bow before me, if you worship me... (only kidding!) Once you've read this chapter I hope to see the one-shot ASAP. That should give you a clue. I have emailed the links to you. As for Harry he will appear in the story. And as for Ron, as much as I despise him I'm sorry but he isn't dead.

ShadowandFlamePanther: That's all right, as long as you still review after this. Yes Moldywart is mean, but he's sexy.

sbrande: Thanks, yes I am a SS/HG shipper myself. I love SS/HG but I think the other Death Eaters should have their chance with her occasionally.

The Devils Snare

Hermione woke up the next morning feeling positively ill. Rodolphus had made love to her during the night but neither could put their whole selves into it. The knowledge that she had to be delivered to the Dark Lord as early as possible sickened her; Hermione woke up her head in a fuzz, she groaned as the sun peeped into the bedroom. It was not as effervescent as it was the previous morning; this morning’s sunshine was mocking her.

She tumbled out of bed and decided to have a shower. Clunky had packed her robes for her the day before. Three days! She was screaming, how could this happen? In less than two weeks! Two weeks ago she was dating Ronald Weasley. A fortnight ago she was gossiping with Ginny, and talking about their dream marriages. Ginny’s loyalty to Harry was sometimes a little bit scary. Hermione had to admit to liking other boys, but Ginny said that no other male could tempt her down the aisle.

In less than a fortnight she had fallen in love with the least likely person, and it seemed he returned her feelings. And it seemed that it wasn’t just Rodolphus Lestrange that had feelings for her either amongst the Death Eater Corps. She showered and stepped out of the bath, dripping wet. She decided to wear some yellow robes. She did look good in yellow. She had to make a good impression or else. But then what exactly did she have to do to make a good impression on Lord Voldemort. It seemed that he was fickle. She sighed as she walked out of the bathroom. Rodolphus was out of bed; he was standing at the window holding a cup of tea. He held one out to her.

“We cannot linger long,” he sighed regretfully taking in her dripping wet body. He averted his gaze; he felt that his heart would burst if he looked into those wonderful doe brown eyes of hers.

She took the cup and sipped the tea gratefully. She sat down on the bed and looked at the packing case in the corner of the room. He tried to ignore her but a soft sound escaped her. He turned around and saw her trying not to sob. She had her head in her hands and her shoulders were shaking. He set his tea down and strode up to her and bent down on one knee.

“I’m scared, Rudi,” she said. “I mean when I found out it was you that rescued me I was scared then, but I came to accept it. But you’re no Dark Lord, despite rumour. He is a Dark Lord. And – and I am not as brave or as powerful as Lily Potter, or Harry… I can’t stay in the same house as the Dark Lord on my own for three minutes let alone three days.”

Rodolphus stroked her hair and smoothed her. He comforted her in his arms and rocked her back and forth.

“I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be brave,” he murmured in her hair.

“The true meaning of courage is to confront your fears,” she hiccoughed, “but there are some fears that should never be faced. And this is one of them.”
“Just be your charming self,” Rodolphus advised. “Don’t speak unless your spoken too, and don’t do anything without his permission.”

“This sucks, Rudi, I – I,” she was about to confess her growing feelings for him when Rabastan burst in.

“He’s here!” he exclaimed, Hermione noted with certain satisfaction that Rabastan’s cocky smile was wiped clean of his face and it was replaced with fear.

“WHAT!” Rodolphus roared. “But it’s not even 8am.”

“Don’t yell at me, brother dear,” Rabastan sulked. “It’s not my fault he has his own schedule.”

Rodolphus was beginning to get really angry with him. Why oh why can’t he just keep to his word for once. It isn’t as if Rodolphus has ever given him a reason to distrust him. But, no, it seemed that the Dark Lord was becoming more neurotic with each passing day. He was on the edges of insanity.

“I best get dressed then,” Hermione said. “This is certainly not a way to make a good impression on him by keeping him waiting.”

“She learns fast,” Rabastan said; his cocky smile back on his face. Rodolphus just scowled at his brother. Rabastan slunk out of the room humming merrily to himself. He was so distracted that he bumped into Severus.

“Severus,” he said in a cheerful tone.

“What are you up to?” Severus asked his old school friend. “I haven’t seen you this happy since you succeeded in actually seducing Lily Evans.”

“Something that irked you considerably if I remember rightly,” Rabastan replied. “She got hers though when she dumped me for Potty sr.”

Severus kept his anger in check. He was more than considerably irked at Rabastan’s successful seduction of Lily. The girl that he, Severus, had been secretly in love with since he first laid eyes on her. It hurt him deeply that she ignored him. Although, he reminisced bitterly, he didn’t exactly make his feelings obvious… he was always afraid of being laughed at.

“Okay,” Rabastan said. “I must get back down to our Master, he doesn’t like being left on his own.”

“He’s here?” Severus asked.

“Yes,” Rabastan said. “That girl should think it a privilege that he has come here personally to collect her. He doesn’t normally put himself out for other people.”

“He’s here to collect Hermione?” Severus asked with a growing fear. He had hoped that he could persuade the girl to run and go into hiding. He’d tell Rodolphus of course, but that couldn’t happen now. She could not be saved now. His plan was then to get to Potter and tell him. He gulped at the implications of his actions, Potter might just get lucky and cast a correct unforgivable on HIM, he felt though that he’d rather Potter kill him than the Dark Lord. At least he’ll feel a little remorse, Severus thought, hopefully.

He liked her. Oh stop it Severus. You more than like the woman, you should have taken her the night she offered herself to you. But you had to go and do the right thing, the thing he’d been doing all his rotten miserable life. And that was giving others the woman he loved. He was soon getting to the age that no woman would go near him. He could only imagine what he would look like as an old man, anything but distinguished. He might as well just die!

He walked down the stairs. Perhaps there was some way he could salvage something from this mess. He had to do some damage control. He brushed past Rabastan and walked down the library. He knocked at the door and then entered.

“Severus?” Lord Voldemort asked. “Is she nearly ready?”

“I do not know, my Lord,” Severus answered. “I believe she’s getting ready though. She will not keep you waiting for long.”

“Good,” the Lord hissed, as he sat down in a chair.

“My Lord,” Severus said. “May I make a suggestion?”

“You may,” the Lord answered. “Whether your suggestion will be accepted is another matter.”

“My Lord,” Severus bowed. “Are you so determined to kill Miss Granger if she displeases you?”

“I am,” he replied. “Why?” The Lords eyes narrowed shrewdly. He looked at him and smirked. “You want her for yourself, don’t you?”

“I was going to suggest that if she displeases you then instead of killing her, which would only have her hailed as a martyr and heroine amongst the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix, it would be more of a punishment for her to be forced to marry someone she despises. I know of her hatred of me. I am also no Rodolphus Lestrange in the looks, charm or even the bed department. I could weaken her, and turn her into nothing more than a slave!”

Lord Voldemort sucked in his breath over his teeth. “You know I can not do that, I was prepared to let you have another muggleborn before remember. But that blew up in my face, literally.”

“Yes, but Miss Granger has no child to protect. And she hates me.”

“That is besides the point, Severus.”

“Master,” he said, he started to panic but let no signs show on his face. “She is the left hand girl of Potter. She knows his weaknesses. It would be more beneficial to keep her alive than dead.”

The Dark Lord pondered over that one for a minute. “You might have a point there, Severus,” he hissed.

Severus sighed with blessed relief. His gamble was paying off. He was secretly hoping that she did impress him. It didn’t do too well to trust the Dark Lords promises. He could still go back on his word and kill her if she displeased him highly.

The library door opened and Rodolphus walked in. He nodded to Severus. He then turned to the Dark Lord.

“She is ready, my Lord,” he said, he bowed low on the floor. Hermione walked in carrying her packing case. She walked up to Rodolphus who had by now straightened up. She stayed behind him; keeping her gaze on his profile.

The Dark Lord appraised her for a minute before he spoke. He liked the creamy yellow robes that she was wearing. It suited her olive skin complexion beautifully. It also highlighted the gold in her hair. He was slightly offended that her gaze was so intently fixed on Rodolphus Lestrange.

“Miss Granger!” the Dark Lord commanded. “It might be possible that you are in love with Rodolphus, but there are times when other men wish to gaze into the eyes of an enchanting woman.”

Hermione turned her head slowly and reluctantly. She looked into the red eyes of the Dark Lord. He extended his arm.

“Time to go,” he said coldly. Hermione patted Rodolphus arm; she considered something for a minute.

“Your Lordship,” Hermione said, curtseying gracefully. “May I be permitted to give my fiancée a goodbye kiss?”

“You may,” he answered.

Hermione turned around and flung her arms around Rodolphus neck, she sucked on his lower lip to open his mouth. She slipped her sweet, beautiful tongue inside his mouth and ravaged his mouth with a heart stopping passionate kiss that Rodolphus returned in equal measurements of passion. She broke the kiss her eyes shining, and then she turned around and took the Dark Lord’s arm. He apparated them both out of the library.

“Rodolphus,” Severus said. “If you love her that much why don’t you fight for her?”

“She told me not to,” Rodolphus replied sheepishly. “She said the minute I turn bloody noble she’d teach me a lesson.”

Severus raised both his eyebrows in surprise. What a woman! He mentally kicked himself in the balls for his refusal of her sexual advances.

~*~*~

The Dark Lord smoothly apparated them inside a big hallway of a big house, Hermione noticed that it was almost threadbare of décor and furniture. He was obviously in no need of furniture, and no need of colour. Well, what did she expect? He was a Dark Lord. He let his arm drop and she was pleased that she was clear of physical contact with him. She looked around. She was waiting for him to give her an order.

“PETTIGREW!” The Dark Lord yelled.

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the mention of that rat. She was not surprised he was still alive and still a snivelling coward. He had the nerve to call Severus, Snivellus! She thought to herself. They all did!

She smirked a little at the rats drooping shoulders. Peter’s watery eyes widened in fear as he looked at Hermione Granger, he flickered his gaze back towards his Master.

“What is she doing here, my Lord?” he asked in his wheezing voice.

“She is here as my guest,” the Dark Lord replied. “Your fear of her is unfounded.” He turned to the woman. “Why is he afraid of you?”

“Your Lordship,” she replied with respect. “My cat almost killed and eaten him when he was a rat.”

The Dark Lord smiled cruelly down at his flunkey, and then he turned back to the woman. “Maybe it is not so unfounded after all.” He walked up to Pettigrew, “please take Miss Granger’s things up to a room you see fit.”

“Perhaps the library might suit her, my Lord.”

He yelped with pain as a lazy Crucio was sent the rat’s way. Hermione was as compassionate and empathic as they came, but she felt little pity and concern for Pettigrew. She smiled a little smugly at the pain the rat was undergoing. The Dark Lord narrowed his eyes and smirked at her. He had thought that this might make her react but she didn’t even bat an eyelid. It seemed she hated this creature as much as he did. If she was capable of hatred and coldness perhaps she could be useful.

“A proper bedchamber with a bookshelf and writing desk would be more appropriate, Pettigrew, with bath facilities attached.”

She looked at Pettigrew. “My favourite colour is blue.”

He squeaked as he picked up the case and scampered up the stairs.

“Blue?” The Dark Lord asked. “I’d have thought it might be red.”

Hermione blushed. “Actually my favourite colour is purple. But I would only have that colour in a house I was living in.”

“Do you have other colours that you so love?” He asked her.

“Yes,” she replied looking down on the floor. “I have never admitted this before but I have always preferred green and silver to red and gold. I guess if I were purity I’d be in Slytherin just because of the tasteful colour combination. I’ve always felt that red and gold are brash and a little over the top. Besides there is more beauty in a serpentine silver river nestled in a valley of green hills than there is in the autumnal red and gold colours.”

The Dark Lord was actually impressed. Here was a muggleborn Gryffindor who had admitted that if she weren’t what she was she’d probably be a Slytherin. He didn’t blink, but he did gaze at her with a penetrating stare. This was going to prove to be an interesting three days indeed. He might even sample her sexuality himself, if she was that good then he should partake of it. If she pleased him in that area then no one but him would have her.

~*~*~

The first day went by slowly. Hermione was bored here. She didn’t want to open her mouth and cause him to be angry. He didn’t know what to say to her. She ate the food that was prepared for her and read the books that he offered her to. In fact Hermione had rather be doing something else with a certain someone. She sighed as she placed a bookmark in her book. The Dark Lord had not let her out of his sight for the entire day. He even flirted with her on occasion, which made Hermione more than uncomfortable.

There were times when she felt his eyes on her back, and then there were times when she turned around and almost bumped into his chest. Once she felt her hair being stroked softly. She refused to give into him. She didn’t care who he was. She’d rather die than have him slithering all over her.

She rose up suddenly and began walking around the room.

“Are you all right?” The Dark Lord asked.

“Yes, just feeling a little stiff.”

“Indeed,” he replied. “I suppose you are also feeling a little tired?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“Let me show you to your room,” he said. “I do have manners.”

Hermione smiled. She had hoped that she would be able to find her rooms by herself. But the Dark Lord didn’t want to let her out of his sight. She was proving to be a quiet girl despite what many people have said about her. He supposed she was trying to be polite and speak when she was spoken to. Rodolphus had obviously given her some tips. He set his book aside and slunk to her gracefully. He offered her his arm.

He opened the door and led her out of the door. They were walking up the stairs in the glowing candlelight. They passed a full-length mirror as they turned a corner. He turned to look at them together. She held herself well, and she had a presence about her. One could hardly ignore her. She was pleasant to be near, and she smelt lovely. She also had inquisitive eyes, and a sense of loyalty about her. He could sense that. Such a woman was rare amongst his ranks. He stopped by the mirror as an idea occurred to him.

“Look in the mirror, Miss Granger,” he hissed sibilantly. She turned to look in the mirror. She was mildly surprised that she could see his reflection.

“I somehow thought that you didn’t have a reflection,” she said.

“Hmm, yes I do,” he said. He turned around so that he was looking into it fully. “Stand in front of me, witch.”

He called me a witch? She thought, does that mean that he accepts me? She took a tentative step forward, and then turned so that she was in front of him. He took a step forward so that she could feel his chest with her back. He placed his chin on top of her head and enveloped his arms around her. She had no choice but to settle in his sensual embrace.

“What is it I am supposed to be looking at?” she asked with a hint of innocence in her voice. He liked innocence; it meant that this young woman was a blank canvass for him to corrupt.

“Us,” he hissed.

She gulped as she turned her head back to look in the mirror. She looked into his red eyes. He rubbed her stomach with his hands. She gazed at them with a bit of fear in her eyes. He bent his head down and whispered in her ear:

“You are the most beautiful woman I have laid eyes on in my lifetime,” Hermione did not like the hungry tone in the Dark Lords voice. “Definitely the most beautiful woman. I saw the way the fire reflected in your eyes, the flames danced in the very centre of them; luring my attention from my book.”

Hermione blinked. Surely not! Lucius Malfoy she could understand. Rodolphus Lestrange, definitely, and Severus… oh yes, noble and courageous Severus, her black knight. But the Dark Lord murmuring hungrily in her ear was the last straw on her raw nerves. If she was emotionally weak then she would have cried in his arms, but she preferred to cry on her own. She had to make do with shivering in his arms.

“I am cold,” she said.

The Dark Lord wrapped her in his robes. “We look good together, don’t we?” he asked. “Regal.”

Hermione turned her face to look into his eyes. “I am tired.”

“Of course,” he replied. He let her go but kept an arm about her waist forcing her to stay in contact with him. Her heart was fluttering in her chest. She was uncomfortable being this close to him. She felt that he would turn against her the moment he realised what he was. He led her to a door. “Your chambers, my Lady.”

He opened the door and led her inside. He looked around and Pettigrew did a good job. He obviously valued his skin too much, unfortunately. He would prefer this young woman to that thing. At least she didn’t cower. He was actually strongly reminded of Bellatrix Lestrange before she went mad. He tilted his head; she could almost be a daughter of Rodolphus and Bellatrix. She had certain qualities about her, her proud stance was the same as Bellatrix, and the way her eyes lit up at the mild torture of Pettigrew was definitely Bellatrix. He could harness that and turn her into one of his best fighters. She’d have to prove her worth with him first as a lover.

Hermione walked into the room and she smiled and clapped her hands merrily. This was the sort of room she had always wanted. The four-poster bed was in the centre of the room, there was a writing desk set against a wide mullioned window; the top half was decorated with a stained glass Lily. The covers were the colour of midnight blue and the sheets were made of satin. Adjacent to the writing desk were book filled shelves that went around the room. She had everything she needed in this room. Which could only mean one thing… the horror of that thought almost made her laugh. But even Fred and George Weasley could not find anything funny about this.

Lord Voldemort slunk around the room and nodded his approval. He was pleased with Pettigrew. Unfortunately. She didn’t know what to do; it was obvious that he was not going to give her solitude in this room either. He sat down in a chair situated at the writing desk. She walked up to the bookshelves to try and ignore him.

“I am going to test you, Miss Granger,” he said eventually after looking over her body several times.

“Oh, okay,” she said in a slight tremulous voice. What sort of orders would he want her to follow?

“First,” he purred. “I wish you to remove your robes.”

Hermione’s eyes widened. She put the book down and unclasped the yellow outer cloak she had worn all day to keep her warm. Lord Voldemort’s eyes widened with delight as she revealed a figure hugging creamy yellow dress. She flung the robe on the floor. She reached round the back and pulled the ribbon at the back that shaped the dress to her body. She shook it loose, and pulled it up over her head. She was wearing matching corset and knickers set. She unclasped the strapless corset and let it fall off her body. She then rolled the knickers down and kicked them off. She bent down and unbuckled her yellow sandals. Once she was naked the Dark Lords eyes glowed crimson with lust.

“Now what?” she asked in a small voice.

“Crawl to me on all fours my little pussy cat!” he purred.

Hermione closed her eyes and lowered herself on all fours and began crawling to the seated Dark Lord. He watched her with delight and amusement. She felt degraded; yet his voice could command her to do anything he wanted. She stopped when she reached him. Looking up at him with wide questioning eyes.

“Crawl up my lap, and curl yourself up,” he said. She did as he commanded. He stroked her hair. “Good little puss cat.”

He picked her up and laid her on the bed and looked down into her brown eyes.

“What now?” she asked.

“Now I’ll possess you,” he whispered in her ear as he stroked down her stomach. “I’ll possess you body and soul.”

Hermione thought that she’d die. She’d rather death than this. But then she felt the same about Rodolphus. She shook her head; in no way whatsoever would she ever love this creature. He stood up and took his robes off. Hermione could see that he had become hard. She thought also that he was asexual. She had even put forth that argument to Harry. It had assured him that Ginny would be safe from that from him at least. She should have thought more about herself. But then she didn’t think she would ever be in this predicament. She should have paid more attention to her grandmother’s war stories.

He placed his hands either side of her head. “But why, your Lordship?” she asked as he raked his eyes down her body.

“I think now you can call me, MY Lord. For I am willing to let you serve me.”

Hermione was trembling beneath him. Her fear turned him on. He could smell it and he licked his lips. Every woman that he made love to trembled beneath him, but they were trembling with anticipation. Only one woman did not tremble, and that was Shola. But then Miss Grey was a whore. She viewed sex as others would view the scenery.

He gripped hold of her waist and breathed on her stomach. Her muscles clenched and she sighed as his hands crept up her body. He decided to cup her breasts in his cold hands. He smirked at the sigh the woman beneath him gave. He decided to kiss her. He let go off her breasts and straddled her. He picked her up and he murmured:

“Know this, Hermione, the Dark Lord does not give himself freely to ungrateful whores. Every woman he wants will get satisfaction. Before we continue I must ask you one question, do you want me?”

He rubbed up and down her back he laid one hand on the nape of her neck and began massaging a muscle there. It relaxed her completely.

“Yes,” she murmured.

“Then you will become my possession to do with as I will,” he whispered as he licked her neck.

Hermione hung her head over his shoulder as his mouth continued seeking the sensitive areas on her flesh.

“I want to be possessed,” Hermione moaned.

That was what he wanted to hear. He laid her back down on the bed and smirked playfully down at her.

“You are mine!”

A/N - I am sorry this took a little while. Anyway I have done a wallpaper for this fic, if anyone is interested feel free to email me, and I'll send you the link. I have got lots of sketches as well of Snape/Hermione and Lucius/Hermione... I am going to do more once I get my own printer and scanner... I just want some opinions on sketches.