Marlene shares her backstory with her daughter and the Dark Lord, while Mother and Daughter plot how to deal with Dolohov.

Hermione stared agape at her mother, who was smiling softly at her beautiful daughter with happiness and love shining from her eyes. The Dark Lord cleared his throat softly, and the spell broke between the two witches. Hermione then gestured for her parents to come into her suite, and together they sat out on the veranda, where dinner had been prepared by the Malfoy House elves.

After the food was served, and the elves dismissed, Marlene decided it was best if she took charge of the conversation.

“I know we have much to catch up on, Hermione and I’m sure you have a million questions for me. But if it’s alright,I’d like to explain what happened before you were born and why I placed you with the Grangers. Would that be alright?”

Hermione nodded slowly, trying to keep her emotions in check. Watching her parent’s sitting across from her together, she could see there was genuine respect there, but there wasn’t the open affection that she noticed with Lucius and Narcissa.

That thought gave her pause.

Marlene cleared her throat delicately and wiped the corner of her mouth daintily with her napkin before she spoke.

“I met your Father when I was fourteen. Things in the magical world were quite unsettled when I was in school. My Father worked for the Ministry, in the Department of International Magical Cooperation and had been sorted into Gryffindor at Hogwarts. My mother’s name was Sybil and she was a Ravenclaw in school. She was also Xenophilius Lovegood’s aunt. My parents weren’t huge supporters of Dumbledore’s, even though he actively tried to recruit them into the Order of the Phoenix. I’d heard my parents arguing one night the summer before my fourth year. Dumbledore had been relentlessly trying to recruit my Father, and my Mother didn’t want any part of joining either side. My younger sister and I, were quite surprised by our parent’s argument, and it confused and scared me, some of the things they were discussing. Wizards and witches being threatened, tortured and dying. When they’d mentioned the Dark Lord’s name, I became angry, feeling that he was responsible for my parent’s fighting, so when I saw him later that summer in Flourish and Blott’s, I accosted him quite vehemently. Surprisingly, he listened to the rantings of a fourteen-year-old witch. Later, I’d realized he must’ve silenced the part of the bookstore we were in, but he did offer to take me to ice cream and we spent two hours discussing magical theory, politics and his ideology. It was the first time someone had treated me not as a child, but as a witch with ideas and opinions of her own. We then began writing whilst I was in school, and Tom was kind and thoughtful with me. As the war started taking a darker turn, I’d realized I needed to make a choice and I did. I offered to join the Order, much to my parents consternation, as a spy. Somehow Dumbledore found out, and I sent my parents and sister into hiding—but he found them and killed them. By that time, I had given birth to you and you were well over a year old when my family was killed. Everyone assumed I had died in the attack, but Dumbledore knew differently. Scared of Dumbledore finding you, I cast a protection spell on you, and gave you to the Grangers, then I hid for a while. When I’d heard Tom had been defeated by Harry Potter and Dumbledore and his Order had won? I knew I couldn’t re-claim you. But I also knew that Tom had taken measures to protect himself should the worst happen, so I watched and waited until such time as Dumbledore was no longer a threat. When Tom found me, I was ecstatic to learn of what you’d done, Hermione. You are so much more brilliant, cunning and resilient that I could ever be, and I’m so proud of you.”

Marlene had tears running down her cheeks, which were mirrored by her daughter’s. “How do you know it was Dumbledore that killed your family?” Hermione quietly asked.

“My house elf, Missy, was there hiding. She disillusioned herself and saw the whole thing. When I came back to check on my family, I found her hiding in the attic sobbing that she had failed to protect our family. I took her with me, and she has been with me ever since. She checks in on you occasionally, and I was distressed to learn how difficult things had been for you at Hogwarts those first few years. I had Missy find Nagini in your second year, and I sent her to you.”

Hermione gasped.

She had always wondered how Nagini had ended up at Hogwarts that day.

“Nagini didn’t believe Missy at first, but she was curious and went to see for herself. I also knew at that point Tom was still alive, after what’d happened with the Potter boy the end of your first year. I knew Nagini would tell him of your existence. Missy never mentioned to Nagini that I was still alive. I was too afraid of Dumbledore finding out, or worse, finding out whom you really were. Missy was also able to get some of the Hogwarts House elves to take care of you during your fourth year in the Room of Requirement. She wanted to make sure you’d had what you needed.”

Hermione wiped away her tears quickly.

Her mother had watched out for her and had never stopped caring for her.

Bolting from her chair she threw herself into Marlene’s arms, causing the older witch to clutch her closely as they both sobbed openly at all the time they’d been denied. Marlene whispered softly into her daughter’s ear, telling her how proud she was of her, how much she’d missed her, loved her, and how she was never going to be separated from her again.

Hermione just nodded, holding on fiercely as she cried for all the pain and hurt she’d gone through over these past few years. All the anger, frustration, fear, anger and uncertainty was let loose in a tidal wave of emotion.

Tom looked at his daughter as she clung to her mother and smirked to himself.

His daughter had done so much for him, he was pleased he could return the favor.

After the two witches had calmed sufficiently, Tom sat back and addressed his daughter.

“I know there is still much you both need to discuss, but your mother has made a formal appeal to the Minister in regards to her family being killed by Dumbledore. The memories from the elf were taken and shown to the Wizengamot in a private session today. Dumbledore will be receiving the Dementor’s kiss, and the news of your mother’s return and your identity as her daughter and heir to the House of McKinnon will be in all the Wizarding publications come morning, Hermione. We still have a few things to do before I can claim you as my heir, but my inner circle have told their children who are in Hogwarts of your true identity. So, I’d imagine school will be most interesting come September First.”

Hermione nodded and smiled relieved. “Will Severus be the new Headmaster?”

Voldemort smirked. “Lucius is working on that, but I’m confident all will be in place come September. We do need to discuss what occurred today, however.”

Hermione blushed, while Marlene glowered in anger.

It would seem her Father had informed her Mother of Dolohov’s actions and intentions.

“You were to work with Antonin come the morrow, but I’m afraid he won’t be up to much for the next week or so.” Voldemort smiled evilly, causing Hermione to giggle. “You will need to decide if his life should be spared or not.”

Hermione sighed unhappily. “If you kill him, Father, the other Death Eaters will need to know why, and that will only serve to make me look weak. A fact I’m sure Dolohov took into consideration when he decided to pull the stunt he did. I’m going to have to tell Draco the truth, which will infuriate him and most likely cause him to confront Dolohov and demand recompense for my honor. Draco is barely sixteen, Father. And despite the fact that we are young, I have come to realize that I can’t lose him. Not over this. I love him, Father, and I know if I keep this from him he will never forgive me. But if I tell him, I could lose him anyway.”

Tom considered this thoughtfully. Hermione had indeed thought of this logically, which didn’t surprise him at all. She was supremely intelligent and understood better than most all possible ramifications of her actions. Pinching his nose and sighing unhappily, it took him a moment to realize that his daughter had just admitted that she was in love with a wizard. When he glanced over at Marlene, she had that knowing gleam in her eye...the one that told him she knew exactly what he’d been thinking.

“Draco is not yet of age, Daughter, and as such can’t openly challenge Dolohov to a duel no matter how much he may wish to.” Voldemort offered sternly.

Marlene however, smirked widely. “Perhaps, my Lord, there is another avenue we might consider? You did mention to me earlier that Antonin did offer to take an unbreakable vow, to show sincerity in his desire to formally court Hermione?”

“What did you have in mind, my dear?” Tom considered his witch warily, knowing very well how her mind worked, and how vindictive she could be when she put her mind to it.

“Well—I think Hermione should tell Draco the truth. However...” she began when Hermione gasped at her mother incredulously, “If you were to tell Draco and get him to promise not to retaliate, at least not immediately, he could train in dueling with Severus at school and Lucius at home. Hone his skills as it were. Hermione could extract an unbreakable vow from Antonin that he will not speak of what happened today to anyone. If he is sincere, he will do it. When it comes out that he has violated you, he will not be able to speak up in his defense as to when it occurred.”

Voldemort smirked at Marlene, while Hermione pondered over what her mother was suggesting. “I would also need him to take a vow that he is to leave me alone. Father, I have reason to believe Dolohov somehow entered my dreams last night as well.”

Voldemort’s face darkened ominously. “Did he do something similar as he did today?”

Hermione blushed, realizing her Father must’ve used Legilimency on Dolohov and viewed his memories of this afternoon. When she nodded reluctantly, Voldemort sat back and averted his gaze, which had flashed red, from his daughter in contemplation.

“Antonin is a skilled duelist, and an even more inventive curse-breaker. Wards are of little consequence to him either. My hands are tied in that he is a free man and no one outside my inner circle knows I’m alive, and that you’re my daughter. As he is Lord of his own House, I cannot formally challenge him. I would be happy to kill him but if I intervene, I will have to give my Death Eaters a reason. I know how you feel about showing weakness, Daughter.”

Hermione nodded. “What if I dueled him, Father?”

Voldemort eyed his daughter in shock, while Marlene paled considerably.

“Absolutely not!” Marlene yelled. “Hermione, you have no idea what that man is capable of! And besides? You’re forgetting you’re still under age too.”

Hermione, folded her arms across her chest and pouted. “I do have some idea.”

Marlene looked over to Tom. “What about Lucius? He is still officially her magical guardian?”

Voldemort nodded. “Until we complete the paperwork at the Ministry, yes.”

Sitting up quickly, Hermione considered this. “Could Lucius beat Dolohov in a duel?”

“They are evenly matched. I’m not sure who would come out victorious. If it were to spare his son, Lucius would not hesitate to avenge your honor. But Narcissa has already lost a sister, Hermione. How would you feel if she lost her husband, too? Or her son?”

Hermione growled angrily. “That bastard knew what he was doing when he came in here. He obviously thought this through from every angle, knowing that I would have no one to avenge me. The only way I can make myself not look weak is by dueling him myself, which I can’t, and I can’t keep this from Draco either. And Draco will tell Lucius.”

Shaking her head in frustration, Hermione glared out into the night thinking.

Hermione then smirked evilly. “Is it required to use a wand in a duel?”

Voldemort sat up straight, giving his daughter a calculating look. “No, it is not. What are you thinking?”

“I’m quite proficient at wandless magic Father. Would you say Dolohov is equally as proficient?”

“That is an elegant run around. The trace would not apply as it tracks wand magic. I would imagine Antonin is quite proficient at wandless magic, but I would caution you. You have shown your hand to my Death Eaters, they know of your skill. Do you honestly think Antonin hasn’t considered that possibility?”

Hermione shrugged. “Perhaps. But what I’ve shown is minuscule in comparison to what I can actually do.”

Marlene looked at Tom, who just stared at his daughter. “You and I will practice tomorrow. If I feel your skills are sufficient, you will have your duel. However, if they are not, we will have to come to some other concession.”

Hermione nodded and smiled gratefully, not missing the unhappy scowl on her mother’s face. Marlene eventually sighed in resignation however, as she knew a lost battle when she saw one.

“When the paper comes out tomorrow, I will be petitioning the Wizengamot for immediate custody of you, Hermione. I’ll be going back to McKinnon Manor and getting it ready for your homecoming. I hope that’s alright with you?”

“I would like that very much, Mother.”

“Good. I think you’ll be very happy there. The library may not be of the size and quality of Malfoy Manor, but it is impressive nonetheless.”

Looking over at her father, Hermione couldn’t help but inquire softly. “Will you be coming too, Father?”

Voldemort nodded once. “We have discussed it, and I believe it would be best for all concerned if I went with the both of you. Once the Ministry has had their say, I’d imagine they will leave you both in peace for a bit.”

“Father, I would like to speak with Draco this evening. I don’t want him to find out about this some other way. Would it be alright if I have some time alone with him. You have my word my virtue will remain intact. I just need to explain this to him.”

By the expression on the Dark Lord’s face, it was clear he was unhappy with the request, but Marlene gently placed her hand on his arm and gave him a look he knew all too well.

“Very well. I will give you some time and Nagini will stay directly outside your room.”

Hermione bowed her head in supplication. “Thank you Father, Mother.”

Both parents stood up to make their way out of the room, when Marlene came over and hugged her daughter.

“I’m so very proud of you, Hermione. I will come see you in the morning for breakfast.”

Smiling and nodding, Hermione walked her parents to the door, not missing the looks that passed between them. Blushing and closing the door, she went and sat on the end of her bed and waited for Draco to arrive.