Hi guys! I am very, very sorry for not updating in such a long time but Ange kind of gave up on the story and I had an extremely busy summer. Anyway the next chapter is half written so it will be posted really soon.

Thank you very much to all of you who reviewed or read the story it really means a lot to us.

Anyway here's a new chapter, enjoy and please review.

As an answer to one of your reviews we haven't planned any romance between Hermione and Severus but just so you know Ange is a huge fan girl of Severus(don't tell her I've told you that:)

Ange: Hey I saw that! Baka Jane! Anyway my interest has been sparkling again for this story so I may try and give Jane a hand in continuing it. Sorry for the very late update although.

"Oh God!" she gasped "Oh no, no, no, no, no, no! This can't be!" Hermione tried to sound brave, but her words were dripping with fear. "It's just a dream… no, a nightmare."

Voldemort was watching her with curiosity and amusement. For the first time in his life a true grin was plastered on his face.

"That's right." Hermione continued her monologue. "I'll pinch myself and wake up." She acted upon her word, but nothing happened

"Or, not…?"

Chapter III

"Ok", her mind raced madly "so it's not a dream, it's definitely real but how can…"

"Hello Miss Granger" the Dark Lord spoke softly eyeing her with great interest. "Why would you say such a thing? Am I your nightmare?"

He scanned her in silence. Her chestnut hair was falling in waves on her shoulders… her hazel eyes were sparkling with intelligence and defiance like the last time they had met. Voldemort nodded a little to himself… he had chosen well.

"You do not have that pleasure", she tried to stand up to him again but as she continued to speak panic and confusion were visible in her eyes and voice.

"I…, I what am I doing here? Where am I?", she asked.

She couldn't understand what was happening. A moment ago she had been made Head Girl and was in the Great Hall at Hogwarts and now she was in this unknown place with Him. Suddenly the diploma she was still holding in her hands caught her eye and understanding daunted her it had been a - .

"A portkey", he interrupted her thoughts. "You are perceptive as usual Miss Granger."

She stared back at him even more disconcerted she hadn't even felt his presence in her mind. It appeared that the praises that he was one of the most skilled Legillimens the Wizarding world had ever known were not in vain.

"And to answer your second question you are at my headquarters and personal residence", Voldemort continued not once breaking the eye contact.

"What do you want from me? If you plan on torturing me in order to obtain the coordinates of the escaped members of The Order of the Phoenix you are wasting my time. Just kill me and get it over." , she uttered bravely "I'd rather die than betray them to a scumbag like you."

He could barely suppress a laugh at the way he insulted him in a foolish attempt at bravery. He was aware that she had had no contact whatsoever with her former peer. The ones that managed to elude capture made their trace lost fleeing in who knows what remote place.

"I have no intention of killing you. Nor of hurting you as a matter of fact." , he replied softly ignoring for the moment her lack of respect. He was definitely going to address that issue later.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Then what am I doing here?" she asked shakily fidgeting slightly on the bed.

The Dark Lord seemed to consider her question as he approached the bed and sat himself on the leather green armchair next to it.

"Well let's just say that I recently realized that I lack something." he said in a thoughtful tone.

"Really?" , she bit back mockingly, "like a heart and a soul?"

"My, my we seem to be getting our temper back. No Miss Granger I do not bother myself which such trifles. Only the weak ones like –" but he refrained from mentioning Potter and that old man because he didn't want to argue with her from the beginning so he just contained himself to add "and those with lesser minds care about these things."

"That's not -" she started to retort but was cut off.

"Enough", he silenced her. "I have not had you brought here to discuss upon the nature of human feelings."

His voice was little above a whisper but she didn't miss a word.

"As I said I do not have something. Or, better yet someone."

"What do you mean? You couldn't possibly want to make me a Death Eater- I would never accept to be one of your minions." she stated firmly.

"No this is not what I have in mind for you", Voldemort replied with composure.

"Although it wouldn't be a bad idea considering your magical abilities and if I were to offer you such a position I guarantee you that you wouldn't have a choice."

"As I said earlier I would rather die than help or serve you in any way." Hermione added with contempt.

She looked around the room trying to find a way of escaping but the bed was positioned in such a way that she had to pass by Voldemort in order to get to the door or even to the window. She felt her wand in her pocket pressing against her abdomen but she wouldn't make a try to use it. The girl was perfectly aware that she wouldn't win a fight with him one on one no matter what spells she tried to use.

"That remains to be seen." he whispered dangerously recapturing her full, undivided attention. "And that was a smart assessment you just made."

Again he had read her thoughts without her feeling it.

She ignored his last words and said: "Will you just tell why I'm here and get over with this charade?!"

"But I thought you enjoyed to discover the answer of every question.", he hissed feigning disappointment.

"I could never enjoy anything in your company."

Fear was starting to release its grip on Hermione as she was getting more and more annoyed with this situation. Was she there only as an amusement for him to torment and then be disposed of?

"I wouldn't be so sure of that." he smirked with a strange glint in his crimson eyes that sent her chills down her spine.

He leaned forward in the armchair he was sitting in towards her.

"I have decided to take a wife who will eventually bear my child.", he spoke in a mere whisper carefully observing her reaction.

For the first couple of moments Hermione couldn't register what the words she had just heard meant.

"So?" she retorted. "What should I care about your personal life? You-" but she froze upon noticing his expression.

"You don't mean…I...you…' the girl tried to speak but she the words just wouldn't come out.

"That is exactly what I mean." replied Voldemort with a hint of irony.

She felt the world spinning around her as though she was falling in a dark, endless abyss. She had always associated marriage with happiness, white and most of all love. It seemed impossible to fit Voldemort and marriage in the same sentence.

"You're crazy!" she managed to stammer.

"Am I, Hermione?"

"But I am everything you hate a Mudblood, a-a Gryffindor and not to mention that I was –" she couldn't bring herself to say his name, not in front of him.

"Yes?" he questioned.

"I was Harry potter's best friend!" she yelled with fear mixed with hatred. " How can you possibly think of such a thing!? I would never stay within a ten miles radius from you let alone marry you!" she continued screaming.

"My dear - he stressed those two words - you are right but you also have qualities which cannot be so lightly overlooked. You are after all the brightest witch of your age and as you know I have always valued wit and courage very much."

"Also - the Dark Lord added threateningly - this was not a request or a proposal. I can and will have you as my wife with or without your consent."

"Oh God!" she murmured chewing her bottom lip in anguish "this can't be happening to me!"

Voldemort paused to look at her. She definitely was very beautiful and although she looked innocent and scared there was still something brave about her, something Gryffindorish. Slowly he entered her mind and saw her greatest fears as her imagination ran wild after his announcement. He couldn't help but smile to himself. For a person invoking such noble things as her former friendship with Potter her momentary concerns were of a very earthly nature.

She suddenly glanced at him probably guessing what he was doing. "Oh…" she whispered hoping he hadn't seen what she had been thinking about.

"We shall get to that too my dear…soon…" he spoke in a silky hiss.

Hermione's eyes widened once more in shock and as he rose from his armchair she jumped from the bed trying to get away from him. However, he stopped in front of her towering menacingly so she started stepping backwards. He was near her in just a few steps.

He roughly grabbed her shoulders and pushed her against the wall. The girl tried to wriggle free but to no avail he kept her firmly in place. His eyes bore a dangerous look. He released his hold on one of her shoulders and slowly traced his fingers along her neck and jaw line pausing near her rosy lips. She moved her face but he cupped her chin and held her steady.

"You will obey me" whispered The Dark Lord threateningly with that strange glint in his cold, red eyes that Hermione wasn't able to define. Could it be lust?

She opened her mouth trying to say something but all she could see was Voldemort's snake-like face drawing nearer to hers.The last thing she felt before darkness enveloped her were his lips capturing her own in an all consuming kiss.