Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Plenitude	By : HeavyMist Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Hermione/Voldemort Views: 60689 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: The characters and canon situations in Harry Potter belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I make no profit or money from this submission. I only own the plot.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Disclaimer : The characters and canon situations in Harry Potter belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I make no profit or money from this submission. I only own the plot, a pc, a cat, and of course all the typos and other errors. (hits head against the wall)

A/N: Time to put some meat on the skeleton. This is an indispensable chapter where we finally get to know what this New Regime is all about, and how it works, through Hermione’s friends. I avoided narration and description , and inserted what I needed to explain through dialogues. It is less boring…. I suppose! I am flying blind here, so please review and let me know if I succeeded in reducing the tediousness?? What you think? Hope you will like it.

Please Read, Review and Rate? Enjoy :]

HM

PS. Thank you dear Hubby for proofreading, Beta’ing, and your support :] xoxoxo

“Conversation”

‘Thoughts’

‘Flashbacks’

Chapter 17: The Gryffindor, The Dark Lord, and …where’s the Wardrobe?

Hermione couldn’t believe her eyes! Standing on a lush taupe gray carpet covering the floor, or sitting on teal blue suede couches and armchairs, in the waiting room, rather spacious reception area, her friends were talking and laughing with one another, golden sunshine bathing them, pouring in from the scenic windows. Green plants, and blossoming flowers, positioned strategically here and there, in corners and near the windows, adding to the beauty of the whole painting in front of her eyes. Side tables situated deliberately between armchairs and couches gave a cozy and welcoming atmosphere to the whole milieu, where they were waiting to meet her, her Hogwarts friends!!

She felt The Dark Lord pull her gently with him, walking to the group of wizards and witches, and then leaving her in front of them, he withdrew and stood out-of-the-way, to give them more space, all heads turned to look at them with big happy smiles shining in their eyes, mouths almost clown wide, those who were sitting stood up and prepared to launch themselves at her for hugs and kisses and the whole “welcome back” galore!

‘Hannah Abbott, Colin and Dennis Creevey, Penelope Clearwater?! Penny! Ex girlfriend of Percy Weasley? The girl who was petrified with her in second year? Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Parvati and Padma Patil, Lavender Brown, Ernest Macmillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley …Susan Bones! But …but her Aunt Amelia was killed by Voldemort in 1996 !! Her Grandparents and some of her relatives as well, in the first Wizarding war! Terry Boot, Michael Corner, one of Ginny’s “boyfriends”, he dated Cho Chang in 7^th year… Anthony Goldstein! Oh my! They are almost all DA members and alive!!’

Hermione was unaware she was crying, and one by one they came and hugged her, and welcomed her, in a subdued and restrained way considering the Dark Lord was standing to the side watching with a satisfied grin on his face. All of them stopped to face him bowed their head while mumbling enthralled, “My Lord”.

He approached the group, standing behind Hermione, and holding her by her upper arms, he gave the impression of almost a hugging her, his imposing and tall stature, was nearly engulfing her petite physique. Saluting the group with a nod of his head, which he tilted to whisper in her ear, his baritone silkily stroking her whole being “I will leave you with your friends for a couple of hours, then will be back to continue with our tour. There are others who would like to see you as well”

Hermione noticing her friends looking at them both, surprised at first, then keenly dissecting his possessive gesture, plus the intimate way he was claiming his ‘property’ rights on her, not caring for subtlety, he was marking her in front of them all as his! The insufferable git! Well, she should be grateful, she supposed, he hasn’t put a collar on her neck, and walked her, or made her crawl around with a leash …yet! Thank Merlin for small favors!

She blushed beet red, she knew and would bet on it, that once the mundane “How are you feeling, we missed you, etc…” and similar enquiries were out of the way, the girls were going to grill her for answers, if not the boys as well.

She cursed him for putting her in this position, and then leaving her to face it all alone. Jerk! He, although aware of her flustered state, ignored her while addressing the lot of them.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Granger will be with you for a couple of hours, for today at least, so make the best of it. For those who work in this Department, if you like, you could explain to your friend what you do, around here, and what your job entails. For those who don’t work here, you have 120 minutes, and then back to your respective departments pronto. Understood?”

While speaking, to add to her frustration and embarrassment he wrapped his arms around her chest, forearms under her breasts, and caressed her sides, she tried to pull away but she was shackled her back to his thorax, additionally, definitely to punish her for trying to move away, he nestled his pelvis in the concave dip between the lowest part of her back and the curving swell start of her buttocks. She didn’t want to know how red her face must have flushed at that precise moment. Pervert!

A brouhaha of “Yes my Lord…Thank you my Lord” was heard while he again murmured in her ear, chuckling “I’ll be back to pick you at one o’clock” he kissed her cheek sniggering some more at her, when she looked angrily at him, telling him with her eyes that she is catching onto his irritating tactics, deliberately winking at her, he left from where they entered, with a big wide impish grin on his face, she almost didn’t hear his chuckling.

Hermione mouth agape, eyes as bulbous as Sybill Trelawney’s Crystal ball, followed his departure, dumbstruck. Did she see straight just now or was she hallucinating? He winked at her? He, the Dark Lord winked…at her? No! This couldn’t be! Shaking her head as if to clear it, she replayed it all in her head again, he winked at her! Lord Voldemort WINKED! He knows how to wink?!

‘So unladylike of you! Close your mouth, or have you already forgotten what happened last time?’ her doppelganger had her hands on her hips, with a right foot tapping the floor.

Snapping her mouth shut, she felt arms from all sides around her hugging her, while an up-roar of voices filled her ears.

The hubbub of squeals and yells and screams of joy intermingled with group hugs. The “welcome” galore exploded after he left, clashing all the more with their prior subdued reception. She let herself go then, laughing smiling and crying and hugging, at the same time, basking in their familiar presence and warmth and friendship.

Although not all of them were close friends, but right about now she would accept any one from Hogwarts, who could make her feel normal again, alive, anchor her in familiar “reality” which seems to be slipping through her mind, like water through a colander. She needed to fill the gap in her heart, making her forget, even for a second that her best friends are dead!

Hannah Abbott shushed everyone while grinning big, “Guys… girls let Hermione breathe, and sit down, will you? Could someone please ask the kitchens to send us Pumpkin juice jugs?” Lavender moved aside to carry Hannah’s orders, on her thin and small mirror like device, while Hermione was made to sit in the middle of a couch, flanked by Padma Patil and Susan Bones.

While she was still wiping her eyes, the questions’ torrent started, even faster than she could shoot out.

Parvati came to squat in front of her gave her a handkerchief to dry her face, and then asked “ Hermione oh my! you look gorgeous! So what ‘s with the holding, whispering, and winking hottie Voldy?” All the girls giggled and the guys rolled their eyes and began sniggering and commenting on how the witches lost their minds because if someone doesn’t stop them, they would be starting a Lord Voldemort fan club soon!

She pushed aside the irritation she felt, after hearing this tidbit about the girls liking him, and pining after him. Besides, since when snake faced, vampire like red eyes, nose less, sans eyebrows, and bald men were considered ‘hottie’? And ‘Voldy’?! No! She is not jealous! Of course she’s not! She huffed mentally. She is only annoyed because the girls apparently haven’t changed their “romantic idiotic pursuits” to more relevant priorities, after all that happened. That is all, nothing to do with that arrogant smart-ass snake face Voldy!

‘Nah Ah! Denial, you know is not same as the river in Egypt Missy!’. The scoffing copy of herself was holding Africa’s map, with a big red X where the river Nile meandered.

Ignoring the map the river and the denial, smiling at Parvati, she denied vehemently, -maybe too much…. vehemently?- any involvement on her part with Lord I-know-how-to-sexily-wink ‘Voldy’ . She snickered inwardly. ’Ha! If only he knew what they call him’

‘You think he doesn’t?’ the know-it-all snort, head shake and derisive roll of the eyes made Hermione stop to think, and though she was loathe to agree with her watchdog, she admitted that it was absolutely impossible for him to be unaware to the girls’ antics.

‘Whatever! Pfftt!’

Not wanting to open the can of worms, trying to change the subject she asked, “ So…who works here??”

Hannah Abbott Longbottom, being the Chief General Manager, took it upon herself to begin the explanations, “Penelope is Senior Undersecretary at the Ministry of Magic, So she works at the Ministry not here in the Center, but she came to see you, Colin and Dennis work at The Daily Prophet as a photographer and journalist, respectively, but usually they work as a team”

Hannah carried on, ”Padma Patil, work in the Law Enforcement Cabinet with Draco Malfoy and Blaize Zabini. Ernest Macmillan, Terry Boot, Anthony Goldstein and Michael Corner all work in what is commonly referred to as the PHACS, instead of ‘Magical Research Laboratories’ Cabinet”

After naming each one and their jobs, Hermione noticed their happy smile and satisfied and proud looks, while the nearest friend to the mentioned person would give them a pat on the shoulder, in a gesture of encouragement, congratulations or simply of cheerful camaraderie.

Hannah continued, “This clown you see facing you, Dean Thomas, and his bozo accomplice Seamus Finnigan? I have to deal with them on a daily basis ” everyone laughed, she resumed smiling “ Also Suzan Bones, Parvati Patil, Lavender Brown, and Justin Finch-Fletchley, we all work here together. There are others who work in different departments or cabinets as well, who you will be meeting today, as we were informed.”

Hermione noticed that most of who worked in the “Foreign” Affairs are either muggle-borns, or half-bloods. Obviously, they need people who have got first hand knowledge of the Muggle world’s intricacies and enough know-how to deal with it.

Smiling awkwardly, and feeling a bit estranged, she tried to forget that the majority of these “friends” were in Dumbledore’s Army, and many had literally bloody issues with Voldemort, how in Godric’s name they are working here now for him? And seemingly they are in high spirits and content?? Each and every one of them? She must be missing lots of details, and she needs them to fill in her blanks.

She Looked at Hannah and asked “ Y…you married Neville?” The woman smiled big and nodded before extrapolating “this coming September would be our 2^nd year anniversary”

Hermione smiled back happy to know that Neville is also alive; there were lots of people she wanted to ask about like the rest of the Weasleys but one person’s name in specific came to her mind, she cleared her throat and inquired “ What about Luna Lovegood? Is she all right?”

Uproar of laughter came after she mentioned the girl, from their reaction she gathered the witch was not only alive, but also her very well peculiar self, she breathed deeply in relief, and Seamus said between bouts of guffaws, “Are you kidding me Hermione? The ‘Crumple-Horned Snorkacks’ themselves are afraid of the witch! Nothing less than the Dark Lord giving her a ‘Blibbering Humdinger’ as a gift might have an effect on her whatsoever! Let Ernie… here tell you…”

Ernie laughed explaining “ Once, Lord Voldemort came to ask about a potion’s experiment results, after delivering her report, she kept him for half an hour…just talking about those blasted Snorkacks…trying to be polite he listened…for a while ..until he got fed up and transfigured one for her…and she was so dumbstruck she couldn’t speak, he left her standing there with her mouth open… So yeah she’s good do not worry, she got engaged to Zabini, and she works …in the PHACS as well. Potions’ Labs sector, I work in the Charms Labs sector”

“She wanted to come but couldn’t leave some potions she’s brewing, but since you will be going down to see her soon it is all right, Neville will be with her, after he comes back. He went to Brazil for a specific root that grows once a year at this precise time …Merlin he repeated the name like 100 times and I still forget it! Ermmm Limicas Trinpeo…brraghhh…whatever the blasted root is “ Ernie explained the absentees’ reasons for not showing.

Hermione smiled and said “ Limiucus Trunpocus it is a flower’s seed not a root“

“Huh?” Dean asked and got a smack upside the head from his colleague, telling him it was the name of the root, everyone laughed when Justin corrected him saying it is flower seed not a root.

A big smile crept over the witch’s lips, ‘Luna is alive as well.’ Who would have thought she would be seeing all of them, like the old days!! Apart from an ache, which was growing in the pit of her stomach, she was really elated; this was so dreamlike! She was looking at all of them not believing her eyes. She almost felt like Harry and Ron were about to just pop in, any minute now… Precisely at this moment in time, she knew why the ache was there, gnawing at her insides. Everyone was here, including her, except them.

She cleared the lump that started to attack her throat and asked “ What about The Weasley Twins? Bill ? Charley ? Percy?”

Dean and Seamus started to answer simultaneously, then Dean stopped to let his friend continue “ …All of them are good and well, do not worry Hermione, The Twins are doing great actually. They expanded their business to the Muggle world. They are famous, everyone wants their products for parties, weddings, anniversaries you know the list …"

He paused for a second then continued "...Bill still works at Gringott as a 1^st class Curse Breaker. Charlie is the principal Dragon cross breeder and Dragonhide provider in the Wizarding world. Almost 90% of factories for furniture, clothes, shoes, bags and accessories, buy from his Dragonhide stock. He’s nicknamed the Dragonman, because the Dragonhide quality he produces, through crossbreeding dragons, is unmatched, his dreagons’chattel and farms in Romania are known worldwide.”

Tears flooded her eyes again; she was so relieved. They are not only alive but doing well for themselves, oh thank you Merlin! Suzan Bones near her simply hugged her shushing her ”It is all right Hermione, everything is going to be fine…. No one at first believed what was happening. We had doubts and we were afraid, but Lord Voldemort did his best to straighten the whole thing out for everyone, we were all wrong for thinking and believing only what we saw, rather than seeking the truth, and delve beyond appearances. The Dark Lord was right, we were on the wrong side, all of us…”

Hermione pulled herself away forcibly and looked at Suzan with teary yet fiery eyes, she asked angrily ”How can you say such a thing? Harry, Ginny, Ron and their parents are dead! Dumbledore, McGonagall as well, and you say that this murderer is right?”

A snort from Terry Boot made her scowl and glare at him, while Justin Finch-Fletchley shook his head at him then addressed Hermione “Hey easy headgirl…” He smiled at her and resumed “Do not Avada Suzan. It is just …there’s a lot of things that you do not know…”

The angry witch cut in saying, ”Then enlighten me Justin! What did I miss in my 2 years coma?”

A sigh left Parma’s lips and she answered “ Hermione, listen… not everything you lived and saw during our Hogwarts years was the truth. Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix were not honest, not what they were cracked up to be. They were leading us astray. They were working against the Wizarding world emancipation on various levels, that we nowadays, take for granted under the Dark Lord rule.”

“Such as?” Hermione snarled.

Hannah supplied “You need to know some historical facts first Hermione. The events that took place while you were recovering from your torture, then you will see everything from a different perspective, enabling you to comprehend how everyone readily accepted Lord Voldemort as Supreme Ruler. He involved them in the process, they had their parts to achieve as well. All Wizarding countries pledged Allegiance to him, when they saw he was not a bloodthirsty tyrant or what Albus Dumbledore rumors lead people to believe he was. One after another, a mere couple of months after the Final Battle, starting with the whole European Continent, the rest of the world followed."

“It goes without saying the Muggle world tagged along, thus ‘The International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy’ to protect the Wizarding community, and conceal our presence from them, was not necessary anymore, it was abolished; given that wizards now regulate both worlds, under Lord Voldemort Supreme Leadership. The Dark Lord also disbanded the ‘International Confederation of Wizards’. Now There’s The Wizarding World Union.”

“At the time, the Dark Lord decided that sending simultaneously, committees of High Ranking Officials from each Ministry of Magic, to meet with their respective Muggle analogs of their muggle countries and ‘Negotiate’ with the leaderships existing at the time, would reap benefits, and it did.”

Terry boot added “They accepted the new ‘Regime’ reluctantly at first. However, they are now thankful and grateful. Since many problems have been taken care of, via joint efforts, as well as research for renewable energy resources, water and waste management, and recycling processes, which were most advantageous for both parties.”

Penelope explained the details since she worked at the Ministry” Science and other discoveries were made in leaps and bounds, considering that no Muggle country is allowed the possession and usage of WMDs of any kind; anymore. Hot spots with political issues and armed conflicts were resolved generally through consensus and peace treaties, refereed and mediated by neutral wizards and sometimes the Dark Lord himself well his way… ‘Accept his stand or be at his Wand end.”

Seamus took over and explained “…As a result, all the financing that was spent on weapons and military armament went to resolve other Muggle worldwide shared problems, i.e. alleviate famine, enhance schooling standards and improve health, treatments and hospitalization, Senior citizens welfare, just to name a few projects…we worked on.”

Justin extrapolated “New studies in all scientific fields were therefore flourishing, and Muggles’ quality of life and well being in general became as superior as they could get. Their armies or what they kept as armies, work with the police force, and not for waging wars against each other.

Hermione couldn’t believe her ears! She must have leapt into a parallel Wizarding world, or she’s still in coma for sure! Somehow all of this is a side effect of her coma, yes! she is still in a coma!!

Padma Patil burst her bubble when she said “The United States gave the Dark Lord a run for his money, for a short time, but all it took is one visit from his Lordship personally, to the American Ministry of Magic, to put them on the right track. The Minister there was shocked at how easily the Dark Lord and only 12 of his men breached all the ‘complex, and state of the arts tight security wards’ apparating directly inside his office. I was with them, along with Zabini and Malfoy we laughed our ass off. He gave his vis-à-vis, the presiding Minister of Magic at that time, Mr.Gooseclang, a pleasant speech about all the advantages of joining the United Wizarding World….and evidently the disadvantages… otherwise.”

“They finally came around and understood that it was more beneficial for their nation’s security, stability and prosperity to be in the United Wizarding World. The Muggle US was not easier to deal with, but as usual, the Dark Lord got his way, by keeping this nation in the leader’s position as far as the Muggles’ global political map was concerned. It was a wise decision, since they knew their business, and the savoir-faire to deal with the bulk of problems. In extreme irresolvable cases, they asked for his help.” She snorted.

Colin and Dennis Creevey were impatient to add their two Knuts” Oh! Hermione, you won’t believe how fast China, Japan and India accepted him! A totally different story! There, Wizarding and Muggle worlds alike received him with open arms!” Colin said, smiling while Dennis added” Some considered him the reincarnation of the enlightened Buddha! In Japan they created this Manga / Animee thingy representing him as The Demon Lord of all demon Lords, while in India Brahma was added to the mix, they made movies about him in Bollywood could you imagine that?? Don’t even get me started on Hollywood!!”

Colin laughed then clarified “Some Muggles believed he is The Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ coming for the last Judgment Day, while other different religious group thought he was the Prophet Muhammad, some the prophet Zoroaster or Zarathustra. I tell you Hermione the man is AWESOME! Come to think of it, the Wizard is not only immortal but also invincible! He can do magic with wand, wandless and nonverbal like nobody’s business! He’s an animagus, can change his appearance; he can fly, well…not like a bird, but still fly for Merlin’s sake!”

By now the witch was looking from one person to the other like seeing them for the first time in her life. She got furious “What the hell is going on around here? What is wrong with you people? You are acting like brainwashed adoring slaves, Merlin’s head! All you need now is an altar with his statue on top, to prostrate yourselves in front of your new deity!“

Shaking her Head Hannah Longbottom tried to calm the angry witch “We did not forget Harry, Hermione. Believe us we did not. Harry was a victim of Albus Dumbledore, like the rest of us. We were misinformed, and mislead by him to believe lots of things that weren’t Lord Voldemort’s doing”

“How can you believe this conniving Slytherin snake? He’s Salazar’s Heir for goodness’ sake!”

“We will leave this to Luna and Neville to explain Hermione, but do not think that Ron and Ginny were on our side at that time …neither their Parents, or Shacklebolt and Moody, or most of the damn Order” Anthony Goldstein snapped angry himself.

Michael Corner Who was listening without any comment until this moment, shook his head at Anthony then calmly explained, “ Hermione, you were in a coma, many things happened during your absence, To be brief, everyone worships the Dark Lord yes, including us, not in the way of a God, no, but as a wizard who fought for all wizards, in the world, ALL of them, not only purebloods! Unlike what Dumbledore used to tell us about his bigotry.”

Justin a bit peeved by Hermione tried to reign in his impatience and said, “I as a muggle-born worship him. You want to know why Hermione? Because he deserves being worshipped. He freed me from prejudice and bigotry, gave me a chance to work, and flourish. To be promoted in the hierarchy, to not be treated as a 2^nd class citizen, I know without him this Wizarding world would have stayed in the middle ages, and we would have been treated like squibs….”

Taking a deep breath he continued “The Wizarding world loves him, half-bloods, purebloods but especially the muggle-borns. I am bringing ‘blood status’, which under his rule is obsolete, so that you could grab the difference. Nowadays, no one cares about such trivialities anymore, no one is allowed to. A wizard or witch are assessed by their skills and knowledge and given fair chance to prove themselves productive in the community.”

Michael took over again unyielding on his point “So Understandably, both Magical folks and Muggles would be taken by this charismatic, powerful and unstoppable man who came out of nowhere to make their life easier. For sure they would worship him! We all do, and respect him, but everyone absolutely everyone fears him! Not because he’s a blood thirsty serial killer and psychopath, warmonger, like Albus proclaimed, but because he rewards and chastises with the same passion and justice.”

Terry Boot smiled at her and calmly tackled another angle of the argument, “Hermione, I will try to give you an idea of the immense progress made in the last two years. Maybe shedding light on this angle of the debate, will help you understand, since you appreciate books and Knowledge. We made qualitative advancement by leaps and bounds, dispatching fifty years and more of stagnation because of Albus and his cronies. Listen to this, It will boggle your mind!"

"More than 10,000 Hermione, Ten Thousand discoveries, innovations, and developments in all fields, potions, spells, charms, runes and arithmancy theories, some of which were either brought to light from the Ministry of magic’s dustbins, or created in these past couple of years.”

“I know what I am talking about because I work in the PHACS. We tested many old creations that were deemed Dark or Dangerous by the Wizengamot, and who was the Leader of this bunch of senile narrow-minded breathing fossils??? Albus Dumbledore!”

Penelope nodded and then started to give more details “Those self-serving bastards wanted to keep the Wizarding world in the Homo-Magicus period, or the medieval era, at best, hindering any new discoveries even in the healing studies, Hermione! Refusing any improvement of the old and already existing healing or any other kind of spells, Not   authorizing new discoveries, dubbing most of those dangerous and closest to the Dark Arts than at first glance.”

Elaborating further Penelope continued her discourse. “After the war, and while we were overhauling the Ministry of Magic, and going through the Ministry’s departments, files and classified documents, we came upon treasures, but what was more significant were the unearthing of research, experiments and tests buried there, which we excavated from under years of dust, and guess what my friend, they were all Classified under Rejected and categorized under Dark Arts or Very Dangerous”.

“We spent four months owl-mailing archive files to the appropriate labs, to make sure they were valid and safe, and guess again Hermione? Each and every one of those spells, -for healing or other-, charms, potions were tested, and the result was positive, as in safe and useful! Have they been approved, they would have helped many. They permitted beauty enhancing charms and house cleaning spells, and some plain daily chores spells, but nothing else.”

Hermione was listening, yet her mind was unable to wrap around all of these “ten thousand facts” her “friends” were shooting at her, with conviction. How in the world this Utopia was possible, and under the Dark Lord’s reign no less?!

They are talking about him, while compiling and analyzing all of these ‘historical facts’ as thesis; at the same time, her brain was in a quagmire, unable to engender a logical, reasonable, and above all believable synthesis.

The given antithesis being, the Lord Voldemort is a bigot who wants to rule the Wizarding world, purify it from mudbloods, and destroy and wipe out the muggles, couldn’t be associated in anyway, shape or form, with the information describing what looked like ‘Alexander the Great’ of the Wizarding World! Should have named the ‘Center’ Voldermotia!

Retreating from her silly and straying ideas, she drew blanks on how to resolve this Riddle, scoffing at the unintentional pun, in her mind!

The sheer improbability of what she’s witnessing presently, add to it all the barrage of praise, admiration, and tribute to him, was becoming a massive non sequitur swelling in her head, maybe she needs a couple of more years in coma, to make all of this plausible somehow, there must be a catch somewhere!

‘Or a Twin! Maybe the Dark Lord that she knew was the ‘evil twin’, of this Voldemort 2.0 version! Comparable to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!! Or maybe he’s got this Dissociative identity disorder or Multiple Personality disorder.’ scolding herself inwardly for her ridiculous thoughts, albeit nothing is impossible in the Wizarding world, all the same this is taking it a bit too far.

Be that as it may, she just cannot believe that her “friends” are talking about the same Dark Lord she knows!

Maybe these people are polyjuiced Death Eaters!! Great! Now she’s Paranoid!

IF their Dark Lord and hers are one and the same, then a stray Confundus charm must have struck him.

All sorts of incongruous ideas were whirling in her head while the group continued in their unrelenting defense of the Dark Lord!

Parvati with her mild attitude tried to ease the blow “ Hey do not trouble yourself, some things might seem suspicious, fabricated, and exaggerated for the time being, but once you see the proofs, and you see how everything is working for the better, you will be as convinced as us.”

Lavender smiled at her and gave her a pumpkin juice goblet, then served the others and sat facing her, while Seamus explained “ Hermione, Presently and thanks to Him, the ‘United Wizarding World’, which replaced the pathetic and apathic ‘International Confederation of Wizards’, is like a big country, where confederate ‘Nations’ rule themselves, independently, but under the same standardized laws, nonetheless they all ultimately answer to the Dark Lord.”

“There is a Hierarchy established, all the Ministries contact the main Ministry in Britain, on top of which the Supreme Leader aka The Dark Lord Voldemort rules.

‘The Center’, where we are meeting now, is the Heart of this big well-oiled machine. We know -as per the Minister of Magic- this circular structure and all its existing departments, system, organization and coordination were started 15 years before the Battle of Hogwarts, and absolutely everything, Muggle or Magic filters through it. It was The Dark Lord’s plan, and idea, an investment in time that grew to its full power, as if he knew beforehand the outcome of the whole challenge from the start..."

He stopped breathing deeply to contain his ire...then continued "... While Dumbledore was busy holding us back in the dark ages, to be able to lord over us, and lead us like sheep, Lord Voldemort was working to free everyone, purebloods, half bloods and mostly the Muggle-borns. You will understand once all the specifics are clear to you.”

Huffing Hermione, irritated that she did not know all the ‘specifics’ and couldn’t argue with 15 very convinced people against her, decided on an indirect approach “ you all sound to me like a well greased propaganda machine. Is he running for elections or something? Honestly, all I am waiting for now is you telling me that Lord Voldemort is performing miracles, turning water into wine and he is the new Messiah!”

Penelope laughed “ well in a way he is for some Hermione. Suffice it to say no one before him bothered to think of what he started planning years ago.”

Though she was sure she won’t be liking the answers, if it was of the same incensing variety of ‘Oh! Ye praise Lord Voldemort this’, and ‘Bow down to thy Dark-brainwasher -Lord that’, Hermione’s inquisitive mind pushed her to question the woman, regardless.

“Aside from his megalomanical tyrannical policy, what was he planning?”

Sighing and shaking her head Penelope replied, “ Hermione there are 15 people in this room explaining to you his work and the New Regime, and you still don’t believe any of us? All right let me tell you about one of his permanent projects, which this Department is also involved in, if you don’t mind Hannah ?” Penelope resumed, after receiving the go-ahead from the CGM Hannah Longbottom,

“If this Center is the ‘heart’ of the established New Regime, The ‘Data Maxima’ is its ‘Brain’. Thousands of parchments, documents, books Hermione, in an inconceivable colossal library, could be found, all available on ‘magically computerized’ devices. What’s more, every hour of every day that passes adds to it. And I am not speaking of all the confiscated or rather stolen Magical Artifacts, and other magical materials and objects, by the old Ministry which was keeping them in their vaults under the Unspeakables’ jurisdiction!”

“More than 7000 years of Wizarding and Muggle records are kept safely archived. Every single datum, from the simplest demographic count, to the most complex genetic sequencing, alongside the newest discoveries, research, and inventions conducted in every field known to Muggles and Wizards alike, is organized chronologically, referenced, categorized, documented, archived, in what is known as the ‘Data Maxima’.

=Some even say that Salazar Slytherin’s Library, and the other three founders’ personal libraries are preserved there as well, both on devices that imitate the Muggles’ computers, along with the original books.”

Hermione was flabbergasted, ‘Data Maxima? For Muggles as well? Who is this imposter Dark Lord and what had he done to the authentic one? Something is not computing in her mind. But…but …The Founders’ personal libraries? He found the others’ libraries, aside from Salazar’s? Where? How? When?’

Her headache would be starting again soon, if they kept tossing such mind-boggling accounts at her. It‘s like listening to the Chronicles of the New Regime: The Gryffindor, the Dark Lord, and … where is this damn Wardrobe so that she can get the hell out of here?! Narnia looks tame in comparison! Damn! “The last battle” already took place and they lost. Rubbing her temples, closing her eyes shut, she breathed deeply then enquired “So where is this Data Maxima?”

Padma provided the answer “the ‘Data Maxima’, underground locale, beneath “The Center” structure itself, only Lord Voldemort and the operational staff are allowed there. They have special passes on their Distributors, connected with their own blood, allowing them entrance into ‘Data Maxima’. No one but the employees enter this highly secured location, that ironically enough has no security staff at all!”

“Similar to this, each Wizarding society or nation has their ‘center minor’ and ‘Data Minora’, which functions the same as our Center Major, we call it Center for short. They only manage their own nation database, unlike this ‘Center’, which supervises and includes all the other ‘centers’ database.”

“What’s the purpose behind this Data Maxima?” Hermione asked irritated with herself, since she was starting to drool, her curiosity craving to visit this ‘Gringott of Knowledge’.

Hannah replied this time “ Have you ever thought what might happen to the human race, in the aftermath of technological or human hazards? Imagine the consequences of Man-made disasters, or Natural Disaster of unparalleled proportions. Everything could be destroyed, all civilizations, around the world. How could we retrieve what we need to restructure and save our world? We would be starting from scratch, needing another 2000 years if not more to do it! This way whatever happens, everything is safe and accessible.”

Hermione had to admit that she never thought of this, or even looked at the whole equation:

Epic Disaster x (life + knowledge destruction) = humans back to cavemen.

History rewind! Back to square one! Yet he did! He’s not only thinking of the now, or millennia from now, but way far ahead…just thinking about it makes her head spin.

Putting her head between her hands and rubbing her temples, eyes closed to try and fend off a bourgeoning headache, the sounds of shuffling feet, standing up movements, and a collective “My Lord” informed her that “ World Idol” graced his fan-club with his presence, all he needs now is to sign autographs and take photos with his groupies!

She did not want to open her eyes and look up, she did not want to move, her head felt   heavy as if hit by a Duro charm, hardening it into a stone!

His hand on her head and his fingers massaging her scalp and combing through her hair, petting her, like she was a kitten, forced her finally to look up and try to surreptitiously move away from his probing limb, especially that he was embarrassing her again, while in her friends’ presence, and giving the wrong impression of intimate familiarity, which is absolutely not the case!

‘Hmm… I thought performing fellatio was intimate enough…but maybe your standards for intimacy start with Intercourse…not the foreplay.’ An arced eyebrow, à la Severus Snape formed itself on her alter ego’s face.

Great! She is not going to hear the end of that! His voice brought her out of her frustrated thoughts, “Miss Granger…Say goodbye to your friends, we have places to be, and after we will have lunch with some friends and some people I would like you to meet today.”

Saying goodbye, following his orders like a good girl, though fuming, she chose to not antagonize the wise guy, for now! She hugged, kissed and smiled, while fully aware of the group’s knowing smiles, and the girls hushed squeals and giggles, especially when he graced them with one of his rare, stunningly charming and syrupy sweet ad nauseum smiles, all of it attached to a nod of the head, and a deep velvety “Ladies…. Gentlemen”.

After his alluring and Oscar deserving performance, following on the same Modus Operandi, he clasped her hand between his fingers, and sauntered casually out, a smirk of the feral sultry type etched on his face. The sneaky swellhead!

LV++HG++LV++HG++LV++HG++LV++HG++LV++HG++LV++HG++LV++HG++
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Plenitude