The True Heir of Dark

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything you recognize. I’m just having fun with Harry Potter and his friends. (Enemies too) Please don’t sue!

Summary: Hermione discovers the truth about the war and her heritage. How will this affect her friends and the love of her life? R/R

The True Heir of Dark

Chapter 8

“Good morning Draco. How are you feeling?” Hermione inquired as she sat at the edge of the bed.

“I feel better with Harry here,” he answered as he held Harry’s hand.

“Well, get used to it, cause you’re stuck with me,” Harry smiled.

Hermione just smiled. Draco was sitting up eating a bowl of porridge. She didn’t know if Harry had told him about Narcissa or not. “How’s father? I mean with mother and all,” Draco asked.

“He’s doing all right. He said he would come and see you in a little bit. He’s helping Remus and Bella get things ready for the revel tonight,” Hermione answered.

“In the morning, you’ll tell me and Harry all about the revel, won’t you?” Draco questioned as he and Harry both gave her big puppy dog eyes.

Hermione began laughing. She realized then that Harry and Draco were a dangerous duo. The three friends sat and talked for nearly an hour before Hermione left to try and find something to wear for the revel.

“Harry, I think you should go to the revel tonight,” Draco said.

“What about you? I don’t want to leave you,” Harry asked.

“I’ll be fine Harry. Besides, the revel doesn’t start until nine anyway, and I’ll probably be asleep by then,” Draco said.

“What happens at these revels? I mean, isn’t that where the Death Eaters rape and murder muggles?” Harry questioned.

“What?! Where the hell did you hear that bullshit?” Draco exclaimed.

“Sirius,” Harry stated.

“Figures. The revels are nothing more than parties. A few times a year, the formal settings are dropped and the revels are turned into raves. The muggle women are brought here to dance and have a good time. After the revel, their memories of the revel are erased and they are sent home,” Draco explained.

“So, no rapes or anything like that?” Harry asked.

“No. Of course sometimes one of the Death Eaters and one of the women will have sex, but with permission. Actually, a few years ago, one of the Death Eaters, Andrew Durham, married one of the women. They’re still happily married and had their first child last year,” Draco answered.

“Wow. All this time we’ve been lied to,” Harry sighed.

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The rest of the day, the house elves, and Death Eaters alike were running around getting the mansion ready. Hermione was helping Bella and Violet decorate the ballroom. As they decorated, Bella told Hermione the same thing Draco had told Harry about the revels.

“I’m looking forward to tonight, but also nervous as well,” Hermione said.

“Don’t worry. Everyone is excited to meet you,” Bella smiled.

“Oh mistress, I’s forgets. Yous have a package from yours father,” Violet replied.

“Oh. I’ll go look at it once we’re done here. Thank you Violet,” Hermione said brightly.

“Hey, have you seen your father today? I mean, besides at breakfast,” Bella asked.

“Now that you mention it…no. The same goes for Severus,” Hermione replied thoughtfully.

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At six, the mansion was ready and Tom, Hermione, Severus, Remus, Bella, and Lucius sat down together for a light dinner. “Where is Harry?” Bella questioned.

“With Draco. I stopped by to check on him on my way down. He said he would eat dinner with Draco,” Lucius answered.

“By the way, where were you and dad all day?” Hermione fired at Severus.

“We were discussing something important honey. And don’t go worrying too much about it, you’ll find out soon enough,” Tom smirked.

After dinner, everyone headed upstairs to get dressed. Severus and Hermione stopped outside her bedroom and shared a tender kiss. “So, you want to come in?” she asked.

“I would, but then we’d miss the revel. I’ll come back and pick you up at ten till nine. Is that enough time?” he replied.

“I’ll be ready,” she smiled.

They shared another kiss and Severus headed for his room. Hermione closed her door and faced her bed. On it was a large box wrapped in gold and silver paper. She walked over and removed the card that was tucked under the ribbon and opened it.

Hermione,

Please wear this tonight. I had it ordered the morning after Severus brought you here. I hope you like it.

Father

Hermione smiled as she sat the card aside and began opening the box. As she removed the tissue paper, she gasped. Inside was the most beautiful gown she had ever seen. She held the gown gingerly and admired it.

It was a spaghetti strapped gown that would cris-cross against her back. It looked as if it would hug her every curve. The most striking feature of the gown was the color and the material. The gown felt as if it were made of liquid. The color was unusual. It looked like one large moving rainbow.

She gently laid the gown on her bed and inspected the box again. Inside was two more boxes. One contained matching two-inch heeled sandals. The other held a necklace, earring, and bracelet set. The stones were sapphire, her birthstone, set in platinum.

“I owe dad a big hug and kiss for this,” she said out loud.

Hermione went to her dresser and grabbed a pastel pink thong and entered her bathroom. As she started the shower, she looked under the sink for her favorite scented body wash and lotion, Jasmine. She striped off her clothes and climbed under the hot jets of pulsing water.
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Severus put the final touches on his appearance. He was wearing a black Armani suit with an emerald green silk shirt. His hair was pulled into a low ponytail. He patted his breast jacket pocket and took a deep breath.

“Don’t screw this up,” he whispered to himself.

With one last look at the mirror, he turned and exited his room. He walked down the hall and stopped at Hermione’s door. A second later he knocked. “Come in!” Hermione called out.

Severus opened one of the doors and entered the room. After he closed the door, he turned and faced Hermione. His breath died in his lungs for a second when he saw her. Hermione was standing in front of her full length mirror putting on the teardrop earrings and necklace that Tom had given her. She turned and smiled at him. She walked over to him and did a little twirl, the skirt of the gown flaring slightly.

“What do you think?” she asked.

“Uh…I…I…wow,” he bumbled like an amateur third year.

Hermione giggled as she moved closer. With the heels, she was able to kiss him without standing on her tiptoes. When their lips met, Severus pulled her flush against him and quickly deepened the kiss. They came apart gasping for air a few minutes later.

“You look ravishing. I’m very tempted to say, ‘Screw the revel, let’s stay here,’ but I don’t want to disappoint Tom. He really wants to show you off,” Severus said.

“Well, maybe we could retire early. I could always fake being tired. I am pregnant after all and they say at the beginning a woman is usually tired,” Hermione replied with a wicked smile.

“You really should have been in Slytherin. Come on, everyone will be arriving soon,” Severus chuckled.

Arm-in-arm, the couple left the room and headed for the ballroom. They entered and found a few people had arrived early. Severus steered her over to where Tom was sitting in a large, high backed chair.

“Evening Tom,” Severus greeted.

“Good evening,” Tom replied as he faced them.

Tom froze the second he saw his daughter. In the dress, with the jewelry, and her hair piled in curls atop her head, she was the spitting image of his late wife. He felt tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

“Dad? You all right?” Hermione asked in a concerned voice.

“Y…yes my dear. Tonight you look so like your mother. I thought for a moment she had returned. I’ll be fine,” Tom reassured her.

Hermione and Severus sat in the two chairs to his right. Slowly, the Death Eaters began arriving. Bella, Lucius, and Harry soon joined Hermione, Severus, and Tom. By nine, everyone was present and accounted for. Tom rose to his feet and the room fell silent.

“Welcome, welcome. Tonight we have a great cause to celebrate. Two months ago, Severus came to me and asked for the protection of a young woman with whom he had fallen in love with. I asked that she be brought here so I could meet her and tell her the truth about this war,

“The young woman was Hermione Granger. As you all know, eighteen years ago, Dumbledore killed my wife, Jezebel, and kidnapped my daughter. Unknowingly, Severus had reunited us. Hermione Granger is in fact my long lost daughter, Hermione Riddle. Tonight, we welcome her home,” Tom addressed the crowd.

The Death Eaters began clapping and cheering. Hermione and Severus stood up and nodded to everyone. Just then, Crabbe and Goyle Sr. entered the room, levitating a group of about fifteen women behind them. Hermione looked over just in time to see her father freeze. Crabbe removed the spell and the women began to look around in confusion.

“Uh oh. I’m going to die,” Tom said fearfully as he quickly jumped behind Severus and Lucius.

T.B.C