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The Bittersweet Taste of Victory	By : Nerys Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Hermione/Voldemort Views: 37648 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
The Bittersweet Taste of Victory

Did I disappoint you?

Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?

You act like you never had love

And you want me to go without

Well it's too late

Tonight

To drag the past out

Into the light

We're one

But we're not the same

We get to carry each other

Carry each other

One

U2, One

Chapter fourteen

This day is getting more and more ridiculous by the minute. I can't help to think that as I see Voldemort lose it completely, when the bitch from Azkaban goes into labour. And I watch in astonishment as the most feared wizard of all time swirls out of is own study chamber due to Lestrange's inconvenient timing. I have to bite my lip real hard to prevent myself from laughing out loud again. And so I stand there, doing nothing besides trying to keep my composure, while Bella huffs and puffs on the floor. She is quick. I gotta hand her that. Though I don't think right now that is a plus. It may have been wiser for her to get up and deliver this baby anywhere else, because somehow I find it hard to believe Voldemort is a baby person.

I have to admit it's one of the scariest things I can ever imagine: Bellatrix Lestrange raising children. Ugh. I am kind of wondering why though. She never struck me as the maternal type. Maybe she did it, because Voldemort ordered her and Rodolphus to have children. Yuck. I won't put it past him. And she is blinded and devoted enough to follow his commands wherever he leads her; nutcase. But I find it more likely that she is having children in order to get on Voldemort's good side by showing him, she is adding members into his precious pureblood society. If that is the reason, may I recommend to anyone, who feels the desire to follow her lead, not to actually perform the task in front of him; I sincerely doubt she scored bonus points here.

The door flies open and an utterly white faced Rodolphus Lestrange enters quickly. What is it with men and labour? But upon seeing him clutch onto his back rather painfully, I consider he may be pale for another reason. It looks like he just got Crucio-ed by the Dark Lord, because his wife had the gall to give birth in front of him. He runs to Bella and tries to hoist her up. I wrinkle my forehead at this display of foolishness, because I doubt that is going to work. Why doesn't he use magic?

'Get your hands of me, Rodolphus,' Bella hisses.

'We've got to go, Bella. The Dark Lord is furious,' says Rodolphus desperate after he has let go of his attempts to lift his wife, because she struck him in his loin.

I see his hands swing back to his spine, like he is pregnant himself. I have vivid memories how my back felt after Voldemort was done with exhibiting his expertise at the Cruciatus Curse and it is not a pleasant feeling; not pleasant at all. He is bending over Bellatrix again and this time she tries to get up also and they stagger upwards. My eyes widen when I notice the disaster occurring. They lose their footing and fall straight toward me. I catch them more on reflex than anything else. Besides, it's not the child's fault, it has horrible parents. And I can't let a pregnant woman fall, can I?

'Get your filthy paws of me, Mudblood.'

Hmm… perhaps I can. And I throw my arms in the air and step backwards to watch them plummet to the ground, but just before they are about to hit the floor, they hover in midair.

'What are you two doing?' sneers Lucius Malfoy. His wand is pointing firmly to the two Lestranges.

'The Dark Lord wants her out of here,' replies Rodolphus hasty as Lucius lowers them onto the ground.

'That still doesn't explain what you two were doing. Why are you trying to hoist your wife the muggle way, Rodolphus? Don't tell me that Mudblood is rubbing of on you.'

'The Dark Lord has broken my wand,' replies Rodolphus, obviously annoyed that he has to share that information with Lucius in front of me.

I snort loudly, because one can take that statement in so many ways, and all of them are rather entertaining. The three of them glare at me, so I just have to say something, don't I?

'Wand or no wand, I doubt it matters,' I sneer. 'You would have to resort to muggle methods anyway. I've seen you try to levitate stuff before. It was a rather amusing sight.'

Rodolphus turns red with fury and steps in my direction, but Malfoy halts him. 'Just ignore her, she is a mere Mudblood, not worthy of existence,' he snarls.

'Oh, such witty repartee,' I say back sarcastically, 'and such a true testament to the originality of your cognitive skills. Surely, Lucius, by now that one brain cell of yours must be able to come up with other far more creative and insulting words.'

'Hold your tongue or I'll cut it out,' Bella hisses furious in between contractions.

Now, we're getting somewhere. My eyes dart to the door. Voldemort is still gone; maybe I can aggravate these idiots enough to do me a huge favour and help me test my theory.

'You think you can reach it over that humongous belly?' I ask snorting. 'Too bad your kid will share your genetic disposition. Otherwise you may finally get someone in the house who can actually make two viable thoughts in a row.'

'Why you,' hisses Rodolphus and he steps forward menacingly, but gets blasted back by Lucius.

For a moment I am disappointed, because Malfoy seems to keep his common sense by not allowing the others to attack me, but when he opens his mouth I practically want to jump in triumph.

'I got this one, Rodolphus,' Lucius says and he points his wand at me. 'The Dark Lord won't mind, if I teach her to respect her superiors.'

I mockingly look around the room. 'See any?' I ask tauntingly.

'Crucio!' shouts Lucius.

I see the jet of light fly towards me and brace myself for the inevitable impact. Lucius' curse hits me dead on, and oh … my … god, my theory is proven right. I don't feel a single thing. Oh, they are in deep shit now. They have no idea how much, but Lucius is so dead. His wand lowers and he is watching me confused, while Bella snorts. 'You always were lousy at it, Malfoy. The girl is used to a bit more force behind that spell. Why don't you allow us to take it from here? Let my husband show you how it's done.'

Oh, I can't possibly be this lucky. I am, because Rodolphus snatches Lucius' wand away from him and is now approaching me with a vile smile on his face. I merely stare at him with what must be an annoyingly, irritating smug expression. Well, I wouldn't want him to hold back now, would I?

'Crucio!' he whispers.

And as he keeps the curse on me, I give him a joyous, triumphant wink. Rodolphus' eyes narrow in fury and he puts all the force he has into the curse. I can tell because I can feel the magic flow past me and head towards the actual target he is hitting at the moment. Too bad for them they have no idea.

'Is that all you purebloods can do?' I say smug. 'I guess they weren't wrong when they said magical genes were deteriorating among you lot.'

'It must be the wand,' Rodolphus says, watching it disgusted, before he tosses it back to Malfoy, 'hand me yours, Bella.'

Oh goody, he is going to try again. I wonder if I can get them to perform the Killing Curse. That will solve all my problems in a blink of an eye.

'I doubt it's the wand, Lestrange,' I say, watching him point Bella's at me, 'I don't think you can make anyone scream.'

'Crucio!' he casts again; the fool.

'Nope, nadda, nothing,' I say smiling.

Rodolphus' head is red and he is pumped up in fury. He flashes his wife's wand around and I can't believe my luck, when I hear him speak: 'Avada Ke…'

But I close my eyes in utter disappointment when Rodolphus gets hit by something a lot more powerful than his own spell and the sheer force of that curse blasts him right through the outer wall and he plummets to his death. The two remaining Death Eaters become fearfully silent, when they see their Master standing in the doorway eyeing them absolutely ferocious. His cloak is bellowing around him and his snakelike features are gazing intensely at the two others in the room.

'Which part of my previous lesson did you all miss?' he says softly.

I recognise that tone. He is at his most dangerous when he speaks in that calm, collective and quiet manner, but then again, he just got Crucio-ed by his dim-witted followers. I've got to hand it to him; he is not showing any outward signs of it. It's quite astonishing that he isn't, actually, because Rodolphus placed pretty much all his considerable skills and power in that curse. The curse that Voldemort himself made the Lestranges experts in. I grin, briefly, at the irony, but I don't move. No need to draw attention to myself when he is aggravated with them.

'That Mudblood said,' Bellatrix says, screwing up my invisibility routine, but she halts when Voldemort holds up his hand.

His red eyes dart toward me for a moment, but then his pitiless stare returns to monitor Malfoy and Lestrange. And he starts to advance on them in a slow, threatening, yet graceful manner. Am I mistaken? Did that curse hit him or what? He really doesn't seem to have any of the normal physical discomforting after-effects.

'Why are you still here, Bella? I told your husband to go and collect you, but instead, he decides to curse my property? After my explicit orders to leave the girl alone?' Voldemort says menacingly and he turns his attention to Malfoy. 'Care to explain yourself, Lucius?'

'It was all Rodolphus, Master. We tried to stop him.'

'Don't lie to me, Malfoy. You'll only embarrass yourself with your pathetic skills at Occlumency.' And Voldemort takes a step into the direction of the last Malfoy still alive. 'Did you try to curse the girl, Lucius?' he enquires ever so quietly.

'Master, please forgive me … please, she… AAHHHH!' And Lucius plummets to the ground twitching and writhing in a manner that isn't supposed to be possible.

'Did you too feel the need to disobey me? To disrespect my orders?'

No, no, Master, please… the girl tricked… AHHHH!'

'Get out, the both of you!'

Lucius wants to race for the door again, but it slams shut before he is through it and I see the utmost fear in Malfoy's grey eyes as he turns around to face Voldemort.

'Take her with you, Malfoy,' Voldemort says and he points at Bella dismissively, 'and when you're done, go downstairs and escort our guest in.'

The guest. I totally forgot about the elf being here due to the stupid Death Eaters. I wonder what Maglor wants. The Amulet of Aine strikes me as a valid possibility, since it is their property, but I don't dare to get my hope up. Even though Voldemort's fury at hearing the identity of the guest makes me believe he is thinking the same thing. After all, he can't possibly afford to start a conflict with Everon. At least not with idiot followers like these, because I can assure you, they are no match for the elves.

'Yes Master, thank you Master.'

'And Malfoy…'

'Yes, my Lord,' Malfoy says bowing once more.

'No more of these screw ups. I won't be so forgiving next time around.'

'Yes, my Lord. I won't disappoint you again. Thank you for showing me the right path, Master,' Lucius says grovelling on the floor.

'Oh the joy of being a Death Eater,' I can't help but think sarcastically. 'There really should be a health warning label on that job.

And Voldemort watches Lucius levitate Bellatrix Lestrange out of his quarters. A quick cleansing charm clears up any of the labour mess she left behind and he swirls around to undo the damage to the outer wall he just blasted Rodolphus through.

'You're going to run out of purebloods, if you keep this up,' I say smirking.

For a split-second, Voldemort interrupts his casting at the wall, but he continues without acknowledging my remark. Now, that won't do. I know I am being reckless, especially if he had just gotten Crucio-ed, but I can't tell whether he has or not. So I need him to confirm my bloody suspicions. I have to be certain I am right. If he didn't get hit by Lestrange's curse, then all my theories are wrong and I have to start from scratch, but I remember Merlin's text and Voldemort's words and there is something else. Something Yoda told me a long time ago. I am sure Voldemort is unaware off that or has deemed it to be rubbish. I can't let it slip to him or he will take so many precautions that I'll never be able to use it to my advantage, but I need to know the truth. And the only way for me to get him to inform me about what happened, is to get him into a reckless, talkative mood. In those moments, he lets things slip he shouldn't. Unfortunately, that means he has to get pissed off first, but that I can do; easily.

'Just how many of them have you killed, since you gained power? Because from where I am standing, there seem to be less and less of them around, instead of those you deem are unworthy of existence. What are you going to do, once you've killed them all for upsetting your feeble constitution? Fake some new bloodlines? Pretend halfbloods are purebloods? Oh no… my mistake, that's not a new strategy. You're already doing that, aren't you Riddle?'

With a blinding flash the rest of the wall reappears in place and I see Voldemort's knuckles turn white around his wand. It's only a matter of seconds now. Just one little push and he goes over the edge; one little push. Come on, I must be able to think of something to aggravate him with.

'So you think Maglor Silimaurë is here to claim the Amulet of Aine?' I state triumphant, thinking I've found the right button to push.

He swirls around and looks at me calculatedly. Wrong expression. Damn. Slowly, he moves toward me and my breath hitches in my throat. This isn't going to work. He is angry, but not angry enough to lose it completely. A smirk graces his marble white features and his crimson eyes sparkle with something I can't quite identify. Oh bugger; me and my big mouth. However, it's too late to back down now, so I fold my arms over each other and smirk back with what I hope to be a hugely annoying smug expression.

'Are you truly so naïve to think you've got something to gain from a conflict between Everon and myself, dearest?' Voldemort asks sweetly, completely ignoring my bloodline-taunts.

I raise my eyebrows in response and keep up the hopefully irritating smile, even though it is beginning to hurt my jaw.

'Any conflict that involves you is something I gain by,' I respond in an equally sweet tone of voice. Come on man, get pissed and talkative. Crucio me, and starts chatting as you always do.

'You seem to fail to realise that I now have you on my side. It will be advisable for the elves to remain on their normal and neutral ground or they will leave me with no other choice, but to use our combined force to obliterate them all. How are you going to feel, Hermione, knowing your magic will become responsible for the annihilation of an entire species?'

I narrow my eyes at him, but that taunting voice tells me I still have a shot to obtain the info I need. I decide to keep him talking by responding to that question. 'I will feel horrific, but I will know it was your doing, and your doing alone. There really is no point in trying to make me feel guilty over the atrocities you commit.'

'My doing alone, when a third party can easily establish your magic present at the scene?' Voldemort drawls softly. 'But I guess you really have nothing to worry about, I think they will see to reason, don't you?' he adds smiling, halting before me and caressing my cheek. 'Elves are after all known for their intelligence or so I am told.'

'Yes, elves are the smartest creatures I ever met. Other people, on the other hand, are getting granted for abilities, which they did not earn,' I say mocking, but he merely laughs at me and pulls me toward him around my waist.

This is so not going as I expected. Lord Voldemort is reacting totally different as I was counting on him to react. Why does he feel the need to become unpredictable all of the sudden? Normally, it only took me a few taunts to get him to curse me. What is holding him back now?

'You can be really entertaining to have around, Hermione,' he says, holding me close with one arm, while his other is moving upwards to stroke my hair. 'Really entertaining.'

'I am not here for your pleasure,' I snarl.

He tilts his head. 'No, you being here is so much more than mere pleasure,' he replies softly and he grabs a hold of my head and crushes his lips on mine.

I am never going to get to the bottom of what happened is all I can think, when his tongue enters my mouth and devours me. I can't help but respond to that all consuming kiss of his. He may be an evil, overbearing, nutjob of a total fruitcake in the making, but he sure knows how to kiss someone. It's not just our compatible magic here, because really, even without it, wow. And I am so not thinking that. I practically want to hit myself in the head for thinking that. God, now I am going bonkers as well. It must be contagious. I have contracted Bellaritis.

Sparks are flashing before my eyes, while we kiss, and…

…I drop Bellatrix and Rodolphus…

…I am taunting them and Lucius performs the Cruciatus Curse…

…Rodolphus snatches Lucius' wand away and Crucios me too, while I wink at him…

…Rodolphus is watching the wand in his hand in disgust and demands Bella's, but I tell him it is pointless, because I doubt he can make anyone scream…

And rather abruptly, Voldemort is out of my mind and I can feel his smile inside my mouth. I am breathless and I can feel I am perspiring severely. I so did not see that one coming, that devious, no good, rotten snake. I gasp as he pulls my head backward roughly.

'So you want someone to make you scream, darling,' Voldemort says triumphant, 'I think, I may be able to accommodate you there.'

A knock on the door interrupts him and he coaxes me back onto the couch. 'Behave dearest,' he says softly as he drops the book back in my lap, 'or I will feel obliged to kill several eleven year olds at the sorting ceremony tonight. And you will get the pleasure of choosing the unlucky ones, because you will be there. You may even say you are the guest of honour.'

And he laughs loudly at my confusion, while he tells the parties outside to enter. He turns away from the door and for a brief moment he watches me victorious and leans forward to whisper something in my ear. 'By the way, you're quite right; Rodolphus never was any good at making someone scream. You should have gotten Bella to administer the Cruciatus Curse; hers I might actually have had a problem with in blocking.'

A vile smile is cast in my direction, before he stalks back to his desk leaving me absolutely mystified. He just answered my question, when I no longer expected him too. I am so going to make him regret underestimating me in that manner. So the curse did hit him. And I am right; he is making a huge mistake by continuously drawing on my magic. I can't believe he is just casting away the event like it means nothing. The only reason he got hit, instead of me, is because he insists on using our compatible magic as a one-way-street. It forms and enables the direct pathway to him to remain there; meaning right now, no one beside Voldemort can actually curse me. Any other can try, but the only one they are going to hit is him. Too bad I am surrounded by weaklings and muttering magical idiots who can barely cast a decent spell. It's probably why he isn't concerned in the slightest, but still… it's something that I hold over him. It's not much, but it is a start.

Maglor Silimaurë enters the room behind Lucius, but he is a far more impressive personality to enter, so I notice that he captures Voldemort's attention easily and Lucius is quickly discarded, after he has introduced the elf to Lord Voldemort and vice versa. Though, I don't think Malfoy is insulted or sorry to be excused. He seems rather relieved to me, while he is hurrying out of the study; probably trying to get as much distance between himself and the Dark Lord after everything that transpired today.

Maglor, on the other hand, stands tall in the centre of the room, like the universe revolves around him. His long dark hair falls charmingly across his delicate features and he is wearing the robes of an elf on a diplomatic mission. The colours are indescribably beautiful and they bring out his emerald green eyes, which are shining brightly. The light fabric flows across him like nature itself and it makes him seem more regal than any royalty I have ever seen on television.

'Miss Hermione, good to see you again,' he says ever so calm and he gives me a courteous nod.

'Hello, Maglor,' I respond briefly.

I can see Voldemort monitoring the exchange with suspicion and I wouldn't have chosen to divulge the fact that I knew Maglor to him out of fear for the elf's safety. However, Maglor seems to not care in the slightest and starts of by dropping the bomb.

'It has to come to the attention of the elves that the Amulet of Aine is currently located in the United Kingdom,' Silimaurë says in a high-and-mighty attitude. 'We would like to inform his lordship that the Amulet is and always will be the property of the elves and as such we do not relinquish our claim on said item.'

Oh boy. This is not going to be pretty.

'I see,' Voldemort responds quietly and he folds his arms over each other. 'And?' he adds sweetly, but I already feel him beginning to drain more of my magic.

'However, we feel that it will be in the best interest of all parties concerned, if we can come to an understanding that the item in question will be returned to us after its use. We've heard you have been looking for the Amulet in person and we are not intolerably blind to the need you may have for the powers inside of it.'

He must be joking. This is an elf's pun. It has to be. However, Voldemort stops his drain on my magical powers and is watching Maglor Silimaurë with considerable interest.

'And what will this understanding entail according to Everon?' Voldemort asks, slightly more at ease with the situation, and he sits down in his chair behind the desk. Having obviously decided there is no more need for immediate alarm.

'The Elves are willing to lend the Amulet of Aine to you, Lord Voldemort, if you grant us your word to return it to our care once it is of no more use to you,' Maglor says smug.

The corner of Voldemort's mouth twitches upwards. He definitely has no problems with this arrangement. I can see why. Gosh, I have never heard such a foolish phrasing before. Once it is of no more use to you? Please, couldn't they have at least stipulated a term more concrete? In this manner he can hold on to the damn Amulet indefinite. It's a good thing he doesn't have it though. It's also what Voldemort decides to bring to the table. And it is when I practically choke on hearing Maglor response.

'We can locate it for you easily, if you agree to our terms,' Maglor says calm.

'You are willing and able to find the Amulet for me?' Voldemort replies and he is no longer able to hide his greed.

I can see the sheer glee on Voldemort's features as I watch them both in utter shock. Maglor better be kidding me. Don't these elves have any idea to what lengths I went to keep this item away from Voldemort? He will be able to heal his soul, but he only wants to do that in order to tear it apart again, so he can regain his precious immortality. The man needs some serious mental health care, not help in recreating his Horcruxes.

'Yes, I am and I can. Any elf on the planet can scry for an item made by us. It will only be a matter of days, before I find it. If the Amulet truly is present within the confinement of this nation,' Maglor states rather haughty.

Gosh, those elves are bloody enablers. I can't believe Maglor of all elves is here helping Lord Voldemort in his immortality quest. With the Amulet that itchy, bitty, tiny piece of his soul that is left…

'Wait a second,' I think, as a sentence Voldemort made me speak this morning comes back into my mind.

I, Hermione Jean Granger, will relinquish the body of Tom Marvolo Riddle back to his own mind and soul.

Just exactly how does that work when there isn't much soul to relinquish it back to? I can't believe I had not considered this before. He made seven Horcruxes. Seven! That means splitting his soul in half for number one. Then, splitting that half again, making only twenty-five percent of his soul remain inside of him for number two. Three makes twelve-and-a-half percent; four makes around six percent; five leaves him with three percent; the sixth Horcrux with one-and-a-half percent; the seventh and last one with less than one percent.

There is less than one percent of his soul present inside his body at the moment! There is just no way that the chant worked properly under those circumstances! No way! I have to refrain myself from jumping up and down on the couch in sheer excitement. Fortunately, Voldemort is far to engaged with Maglor to notice my sudden change in demeanour. One percent of a soul holds on to his body … I must be able to snatch the control over it back from such an instable and feeble origin. I need to find a way to do this secretively and fast, before Maglor hands him the damn Amulet and his soul starts to regain its original form. Why haven't I thought of this sooner? Somehow, I have to find a way to not fall asleep before he does tonight. I may be able to do something unnoticed then.

I sit deeply contemplating on this, when a hand comes to rest on my shoulder. I jerk in fright and a satisfied smile is Voldemort's only answer. He moves my legs on the couch with a fluent move of his hand and sits down next to them, facing me. I notice Maglor has left already. I haven't even observed him leaving! I really need to pay attention to my surroundings. Voldemort's hand is now resting on my thigh and I've seen that glint in those slit-pupil eyes before. It's predatory and greedy, like he wants to swallow me whole. His left hand cups my cheek around my jaw line and he caresses my face gently, while staring at me with such intensity that it unnerves me greatly. Still, he does not speak. And I have nothing I want to share with him in particular, so it remains silent. It's a tense silence, not a comfortable one. At least to me it isn't. He rubs his thumb across my lips, while his other hand squeezes my thigh.

'Now, I recall you complaining to Rodolphus that he wasn't able to make you scream, Hermione,' he says smirking.

I glare back, but I won't satisfy him by answering and by doing so playing along with whatever despicable game he is trying to engage me in at the moment. He takes the book out of my hands and starts to click disapprovingly with his tongue upon seeing it's still on page one.

'You will read it eventually, Hermione. Why continue this foolish resistance?' he says ever so smoothly. 'I have seen your eyes investigate the other titles on the shelves. You've been curious about the knowledge inside. Yet, you hold yourself back from obtaining it. And while you've been reading those spines, you could have read this fine book in your lap. A book I generously allowed you to get acquainted with.'

The snort escapes me. And he places the book on the coffee table and takes a hold of me with both hands. 'I always get what I want, Hermione, one way or the other. Surely you must realise that by now. The Amulet, you.'

'I am not yours,' I interrupt him, breaking my own resolution not to play his game, but I feel I can't just let this pass.

'Not yet, but you will be. It's only a matter of time. Tonight is the sorting ceremony and you will join me there, so I can show the Wizarding World who you belong to.'

'You mean so you can lie to everyone.'

'It doesn't have to be a lie, Hermione. Join me.'

'You're delusional.'

'And you're delusional if you think this resistance will get you anywhere. I am offering you the world. Isn't that good enough for you?'

'If you leave it first,' I reply cheeky.

A pitying glance and a condescending smile is the response he gives me. 'Soon the Amulet of Aine will be in my possession, dearest, and once I am immortal again I will be invincible.'

'And then what?' I sneer. 'You're already bored out of your mind in this mortal life you now lead. What will you do with all that extra time? When every question, every mystery is answered? When there are no more challenges left to face?'

'The biggest challenge in life is to conquer death,' Voldemort says and the passion shines through his entire demeanour on stating his lifelong ambition.

'And what after you've dealt with this silly challenge? After you've conquered the one thing that can alleviate your life when there isn't anything interesting in it anymore? Because without any challenges left one is better of dead,' I say thoughtful.

'I will never be bored, Hermione, but I don't expect you to understand a quest for …'

'Really? So these pathetic games you try to play with me are not a clear sign of boredom already?'

'You think that I am indulging you out of sport? I want something a lot more tangible from you, my darling. And mark my words, I never quit until I obtain what I want.'

'So you want someone who could be your granddaughter,' I say mocking.

Voldemort smirks and leans in towards me. I suddenly feel the couch in my back and realise I am pressing myself against it in a, no doubt, futile attempt to get away from him. We are so close now, I can feel his breath on my skin and he pulls his arms around me. Oh no, not again. He moves his head to my ear and kisses me beneath it softly.

'But you aren't,' he whispers. 'Beside you will be bored yourself with someone your own age, Hermione. Admit it.'

I will do no such thing. 'You killed everyone in my age that I knew and cared about. I would never have been bored with Ron,' I say certain, trying hard not to respond to his assaults on my throat.

He snickers against my skin. 'Oh please, who are you kidding? I can just see you two as a married couple,' he says between kisses. 'After some, no doubt, extremely short time of marriage, Weasley would have been driven you up the walls screaming, because all he would talk about is the next Quidditch try-out match you needed to go see.'

'That remark only shows me how little you knew of Ron,' I reply disdainful.

'I've seen everything that was inside that small mind of his,' he responds vicious. 'Trust me, Hermione, there wasn't much more in it than Quidditch. You can thank me for saving you from a lifetime of boredom.'

'I wouldn't expect you to understand friendship, kindness or love.'

'Still in denial, are you? Perhaps …' and he stops talking and watches me smilingly. 'Perhaps I shall show you your little Ron error?' he asks lightly as his hands take a hold of my head again.

And the next second images are flashing through my mind. Memories, that clearly aren't mine and sometimes are, but now I see them from a different angle. And I realise it is Ron's view on the world I am watching. Everything Lord Voldemort retrieved from his mind while he was using Leglimency on him. And it is a lot to witness and most of it contains me, while the rest is Harry and his family. I have never before seen myself so many times. I had never realised how many glances Ron threw in my direction. And I am certain I never looked that good in reality. My hair is much scruffier looking and I definitely know that I am not wearing a halo for certain. I am also pretty sure Viktor Krum was never this ugly for real and I watch Ron destroy the locket Horcrux with the images neither he nor Harry has ever told me about. I had no idea he was this uncertain about himself, that he even considered Harry to be a threat?

Harry and I were so totally never going to happen. He drove me up the wall with his constant complete ignoring of my warnings, always running of without even so much as a single argument in advance. I could never debate anything with Harry. Ron at least knew how to argue, but Harry? He would go all silent and moody and not respond to my thoroughly well-thought reservations. I really hated that character flaw in Harry. He would listen and pretend to hear me and I would walk away, glad that he saw the light, to find out he went ahead to do some foolish heroic thing on his own, anyway. However, the last heroic thing I get to witness is Ron pushing me into the fireplace and tossing the Floo Powder at me. It's the first time I see the tears I felt falling down my cheeks so long ago. It's also the first time I feel the tremendous relieve that Ron felt, when he witnessed me Floo-ing away. All I ever felt about that moment is deep sadness. I never experienced it with joy in my heart as Ron did.

It's when Voldemort's stops his complete disregard of Ron's privacy by showing it all to me. And I suddenly feel the real tears that are falling down my face. I close my eyes and turn away from the monster that sits across from me on the couch. That has the nerve to compare himself to Ron and think he will come out on top? Never in a million years will he even begin to measure up to Ron's bravery, kindness, loyalty, friendship, love and his good heart, his beautiful, wonderful good heart.

So what if he liked Quidditch and had a completely orange room to prove it. So what if he didn't know the first laws of Arithmancy. So what if I could never get him to read a single page of Hogwarts A History. So what if he could be a tad bit tactless and blunt. So what if he needed a silly book calledTwelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches in order to learn that a compliment every now and then might be appreciated. At least he read a book whole. And I know he loved me and I loved him and that means everything.

I feel someone wiping and kissing my tears away and I turn my head even further away in disgust. Voldemort takes a hold of my head and turns me to face him, but he misinterprets my tears. 'The truth is hard to face, isn't it? Now, you see how silly the boy was.'

And he moves to kiss me on the mouth again. I close my eyes and try to get away, but he has me in a very tight grip. 'Please, don't…,' I beg him, while my tears are flowing down uncontrollably.

I can't stand the fact that my body will soon betray me by reacting to him after those images, but to my utter surprise he halts upon hearing my plea and caresses my hair. 'Perhaps I overdid it, but you needed to see what a silly emotion love is,' he says softly. 'And I can be a merciful Lord to those I find worthy. I will leave you to consider your options and once you see your folly you can begin by reading this book.'

He plants the Dark Arts Volume back in my lap and leaves his study. It isn't until the door is thoroughly shut behind him that I begin to cry out loud. I never before missed or felt Ron's absence as intensely as now. Before I could hardly remember, but now it all comes rushing back to me. And it shows me that I have to stop that murdering lunatic, before he destroys any more good and decent people. Before there is nothing left to fight for and he drags nothing but darkness across this planet. He can not achieve immortality. I have to find a way to use his own eagerness in destroying his soul against him. There has to be a method and I need to find it, before Maglor brings him the Amulet.
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The Bittersweet Taste of Victory