Hermione And The Coven

Who is the New Dark Lord?

By

Strat0071964

davepyl01@gmail.com

“Doing a little light reading?” The brunette quipped as Hermione passed by. The young witches’ arms full of books as usual.

   Hermione glanced at the other young woman, trim, pretty, dark hair in crumpled waves. Big deep brown eyes.

   “Yes.” Hermione said. She had heard about this one, Ashley Snailtongue. New to Slytherin house, after Voldemort’s defeat.

   “Keep up the good work,” Ashley said. Then she walked on.

   Hermione was uncertain what to make of this encounter. She had returned to Hogwarts to make up the good educational time she had lost during the recent war. Harry was still alive. Ron Weasley confessed his love, a thing with which Hermione felt uneasy.

   The young witch would also be a teacher’s assistant this year. So much to do. She scurried down the hall.

   The Slytherin girl’s watch Hermione move along.

   “Mud Blood,” Hisses Priscilla Young. Her face casting a look of bitter disapproval. “A shame she’s considered a hero. So many make her out to be a hero.”

   “Ashley, why are you so nice to the mud blood?” Cynthia asked. Her blonde hair hung in pig tails. Though she looked like Heidi, she could be quite the vicious witch.

   ‘That’s Hermione Granger,” Natalie Grimoire whispered. She echoed her friends’ complaints. “Know it all little mud blood, always has to have the answer.” She bitterly shook her head. “I hate her.”

   “Such a strong word. Hate takes far too much energy,” Ashley said. She smiled, “Maybe we could try making her our friend.”

   “Friend?” Priscilla in horror. “She’s impure blood.”

“Oh fiddle-faddle,” Ashley said. “Such antiquated ideas. “You people here simply do not understand true power.”

   “Care to teach us?” the other challenged.

   “Power my dears,” Ashley said. “One must recognize true power.” She and her friends settled at a table in the cafeteria. “Hermione Granger is very powerful. Perhaps even more than she realizes.”

   “Well,” Cynthia said bedgrudging. “I must admit, Hermione is the powerhouse. What she sees in that Weasley boy, I’ve no idea.”

   “Weasley?” Ashley questioned.    

    “Ron Weasley,” Priscilla said. “His family breeds like rats.” She shook her head. “Beneath even a mud blood like Hermione.”

   “Yes,” Cynthia threw in. “Why she isn’t with Harry Potter.” She smiled. “The chosen one. He is kind’a cute.” She looked around the other faces for support.

    “Ah, yes, the boy who lived,” said Ashley.

“The one who defeated Lord Voldemort.” Her eyes batted, the pupils rolled. “Exactly what was he Lord of?”

   “The dark arts?” Priscilla offered in a weak voice.

  “Tish-tosh,” Ashley dismissed the idea. “He was a coward, splitting his soul into parts and hiding pieces assorted places. What a dumb plan.”

   “It could have worked, if not for Potter and Granger,”

   “You want to invite her to join our coven?” Natalie’s voice was low.

   “Yes.” Ashley affirmed. “Hermione Granger would be a valuable asset.” She smiled. “We can direct her to better decisions.”

   “She never would,” Priscilla said.

   “Oh, she will,” Ashley spoke with full confidence. “She is a powerful witch, my coven sisters. We need to make full use of such power.”

   Over the table, the three clutched hands. “Agreed.” They said in unison.

  Looking up from a book Hermione Granger noticed the three young ladies enter the Hogwarts cafeteria. The center one, an attractive auburn haired woman with sea-blue eyes and a pretty and friendly face. “Who’s that?”

    “Ashley Snailtongue,” Ron snapped. “She just transferred, her family’s supposedly rich and powerful.” He shook his head. “She’s in one of my classes.” It was plain he didn’t recall which one.

   Ashley admired Hermione’s curly hair.

   “Oh fiddle-faddle,” Ashley said. “Such antiquated ideas. “You people here simply do not understand true power.”

    “Hmpf,” one sounded. “Okay, Potter’s cute.”

    Ashley walked from her two companions to Hermione’s table, “Hermione Granger,” she said merrily. “I’ve heard lots about you.” She beamed a friendly smile.

    “Nice to meet you as well,” Hermione cautiously responded.

    “Ashley Snailtongue,” the girl said. “I understand we have some things in common.”

    “Oh?” Hermione replied, curious.

    “Yes, the pursuit of knowledge and power,” Ashley replied. “Aside from our terrific looks.” She laughed.

    “I’m not interested in power,” Hermione said.

    Ron grumbled something. Ashley and Hermione both ignored him.

   Ashley invited Hermione to join her for a cup of tea. Ron urged against the idea, Harry didn’t think it was such a bad thing, but Granger had already decided to accept Ashley’s invitation.

    Later Hermione joined Ashley for tea and a chat. The tea was quite good, and the young witch was quite curious about her new friend. Slytherins had seldom shown any friendship to her or her close pals, the big three as they were called.

    “Anything between you and Potter?” Ashley asked.

    “No,” Hermione replied. “Just friends.

    Ashley then asked of Ron Weasley. Hermione just shook her head. “He’s not mature enough.”

    Ashley laughed. “I can tell.”

    Looking around the room, Ashley said she was sorry for the obvious mess, the maid hadn’t shown up yet. She phrased it to sound as if a joke. Hermione laughed.

    “You have lovely hair,” Ashley said in a low tone and began stroking Hermione’s mane.

   “Thanks,” an uncomfortable Hermione said. “So do you.” She tried to move away from Ashley. “Would you please stop that?”

   “No,” Ashley snapped. Hermione froze. Her eyes widened. “And never tell me what to do.”

   “Sorry,” Hermione gasped, her heart racing. She realized the tea had been drugged, that somehow she was now under Ashley’s control.

   “You will address me as ma’am, or mistress.” Ashley ordered. She held out the back of her hand.

   “Yes mistress, ma’am,” Hermione replied kissing the outstretched hand. “I will obey you.”

    Smiling, Ashley patted the girl’s head. “Very good. Now, I have a class to go to, straighten things up in here.”

   “Yes ma’am,” Hermione replied. “I shall obey you.”

    “Good girl,” Ashley said, kissed her forehead and left the room.

   Later Ashley returned with her friends, she looked around the now clean room. “Very good Granger, very good.”

   “Thank you ma’am,” Hermione replied.

   The other girls were astounded.

   “Mistress,” Hermione cautiously started. “I have a class, my favorite one.”

    “I thought they were all your favorite Granger,” one of the girls joked.

   “You may go,” Ashley said. “Finish your school day and come right back here.” She paused as Hermione bowed. “And don’t answer to many questions, don’t go showing off. Only one or two per class and when a Slytherin speaks remain silent.”

   “Yes ma’am,” Hermione replied. She hurried from the room.

   Smugly Ashley smiled and looked to her friends, “That lady’s is true power.”

   “You’re going to be a new Dark Lord,” one gasped.

   “Going to?” Ashley laughed. “Oh, and until I command her to do so, Granger won’t listen to any of you.”

Chapter Two

   In the cafeteria, Hermoine got lunch for Ashley and her friends. A confused Ron approached her.

    “Hermione, what are you doing?” He questioned. “You’ve spent an awful lot of time with those Slytherins lately, now you’re getting them lunch?”

    “Mistress Ashley told me to Ron. “Hermione informed him, levitating three trays and walking with them to the table.

   “Mistress Ashley?” He repeated incredulously. “What is wrong with you?”

    “Honestly Ron,” Hermione replied. “You can be so dim. She put something in my tea, and now I’m under her control.”

    A smug Ashley nodded her head. “Yes, Weasley.” She looked to Hermione, “Very good Granger. Now fetch your own meal.”

    “Yes Mistress.”

    “What have you done to her?” Ron demanded turning to Ashley.

   Ashley blew an irritated huff of air, “I believe she’s already told you genius, go play with your rat.”

   The other two laughed, Penelope spoke, “I thought your snake ate it.”

    “Oh yeah,” Ashley said. She then spoke in parsel tongue and laughed.

   “Look at the Weasel’s face,” Penelope said. She pointed and laughed.

   “You speak Parsel Tongue?” Ron gasped. He turned and walked away.

   Hermione returned with her tray. Ashley patted the girl’s hair. “We’ll find you a good Slytherin boy.”

   “Thank you ma’am,” Hermione replied, all she could say.

   Draco, Crabbe and Goyle approached the table, “Ha,” Snapped the Malfoy boy as Ashley and the girls looked at him dismissively and Hermione ignored him.

   “She should be on her knees before her betters,” Draco said.

   Hermione looked to Ashley who just smiled and shook her head, “You may ignore them.”

   Hermione smiled and went back to eating.

   “So, somebodies finally put you in your place Granger,” Draco continued, and bopped her head with his hand, then laughed.

   “Leave my pet alone,” Ashley said. “She obeys me only.”

   “Fine, parsel tongue,” Draco said.

   “That’s right,” the other Slytherin girl, Ridgeway, said. “She is, so maybe you should be more respectful to the only remaining Slytherin.”

    “I think Voldemort’s coming back,” Draco said.

    “Oh, I don’t,” Ashley smiled as if she knew something.

   Draco looked at her, skeptical. “I suppose you could be Lord Voldemort.” He laughed.

    “No, I’m that stupid,” Ashley said.

    “She’s too smart and powerful to be Voldemort,” Hermione said.

    “Thank you,” Ashley said and gently patted Hermione’s head.

   “Oh what do you know about it mud blood?” Goyle snapped.

   “Probably more than you,” Ashley replied. “Do you have any idea why non-magic borns like Granger have magic?”

   “What does it matter?” Draco asked.

    “All the difference in the world,” Ashley said. “Your lack of curiosity is ill-advised.”

   Draco looked to the other girls, “Why do you follow her? What do you even know about this girl?”

   “She’s a powerful witch and she’s going to be the new Dark Lord,” Penelope said.

    “Family comes from the U.S.,” Ridgeway added. “She’s already enchanted Granger with her potions.”

    “Isn’t it clumsy to be talking like this in front of her?” Draco asked. “To let her repeat things to others?”

    “Maybe I want others to know,” Ashley said. “Unlike cousin Riddle, “I want my name on everyone’s lips.” She smiled.

Cousin Riddle? Eyes lit in shocked surprise.

    Draco shook his head, “Come on guys.” The three walked away.

   “He does have kind of a point in some respects,” Hermione said. “Unusual for Draco, but he does.”

   “She’s even helping us?” Penelope asked.

    “Very well,” Ashley said. “Hermione, do not repeat our secrets to anyone else.” She smiled.

   “Yes ma’am,” Hermione said.

   “It is peculiar,” Ashley said, staring at Hermione. “Interesting, deserves more investigation. This could be most useful in my plans.”

    A cold chill swept through Hermione. Her intelligence would be made to serve this woman’s needs, not that Ashley needed it.

   “So, what’s the next step?” Penelope asked.

    “Harry Potter,” Ashley replied.

Chapter Three

   Ashley settled into her chair. Her serpent rested its head in her lap as she gently stroked its top. A nervous Hermione entered the room and walked forward holding her cat.

   “You wanted me mistress?” Hermione cautiously asked.

    “Yes,” Ashley said. “I need reassured that you are my servant.”

   “Mistress, you know I have no choice,” Hermione said.

   “Still, some small demonstration would help, especially as you do have a tendency to talk too much, as with Weasley earlier.”

   “S-sorry,” Hermione croaked. “What is it you want me to do?”

    “Feed your cat to my snake, Sam.” Ashley ordered and her snake raised its head and glanced to the fat cat.

    “Oh, no, please,” Hermione cried and fell to her knees. “Please mistress.”

   “Hmm,” Ashley raised a finger to her lips. “Well, perhaps there is something else.”

   “Anything,” Hermione begged.

    “See that Harry Potter drinks my special potions,” Ashley commanded.

    Hermione nodded her head. “Yes Mistress.”

   Ashley studied her slave for a moment. She smiled cruelly, “Now,” She took a breath, “Feed your cat to my snake.”

    Hermione’s eyes widened, her mouth opened and she hoarsely replied. “Yes mistress.”

“Over here, Hermione, Sweetie,” Ashley called, snapping her fingers. Granger joined her dark mistress, and fgriends in the circle around something that looked like an Ouija board.

    “What’s this?”

    “A forecaster,” Nyra answered. She was a dark skinned woman with a serpent like figure. “It will tell us who the next dark lord will be.”

   With the others, Hermione watvched as the needle spun around and around. Her heart nearly stopped when it came to a halrt.

    “No!” The scream sounded. Both Ron and Harry were startled by the sound.

   “They’re torturing her!” Ron screamed. Before he could surge forward, Harry grabbed his arm.

    “Wait,” Potter said. Their small army was with them. “We need some stealth.”

   “The Hell with stealth, they’re torturing her.” As Ron raced on, Harry and the others followed.

   Bursting into the small home. The girls sat ain a circle. Ashley held Hermione as she sobbed.

    “What’s going on here?” Harry demanded.

    “the next Dark Lord,” Ashley sounded hoarse.

   Somehow, the scene chilled even Harry Potter.

   “It’s me,” Hermione cried. “I’m the next Dark Lord!”

    “Impossible,” Ron screamed.

   “the forecaster I never wrong,” a young woman said.

“No!” Hermione screamed as she spun around.

   “Sister!” Ashley called. “The coven stands ready to serve you.”

   “I thought you viewed her as a slave.” Potter snipped.

   “Hermione!” Ron called. “You can’t believe them! It’s got to be a lie. You can’t be the nest dark lord.” He looked to the still reeling women. “I know you must have made this up. She lost so much fighting the last dark lord.” His voice weakened.

   “Hermione, Dark Lord.” Ashley said. “Remember all you have lost, your family, your parents wander the Austrian outback, unaware they ever had a daughter. Why?” She drew a breath. “Because of archaic laws enforced by a ministry, and dullards like Voldemort. Created in part by those laws.”

   A pained shriek boomed from Hermione. “My parents!” Tears flowed from her eyes.

   “Hermione,” Harry called. “I lost my parents, friends, so many have died because of this war.”

   “Because of the ministry and Voldemort.” Ashley said. “Many will die in the future. More may die because of the course you take, but you may also bring a peace between us and the normal human world.”

   “But that can never exist!” Ron called.

   “Why not?” Ashley asked. “Would you prefer war after war?”

   Hermione stopped, fell to her knees. Her chest pounded as she cried.

   Ron approached. “I know you’re upset Hermione, but her way is the wrong way.” He moved to hug her.”

   “Stay back.” Hermione called in a voice so sharp it gave Weasley pause.

   Then she disappeared.

   Ashley wore a proud smile. “Ladies, we must prepare for the dark lord’s return.” Pride swelled in Ashley. “We shall be there to aid, guide and inspire our dark mistress.” They cheered. Then were gone.

   “Harry, she can’t be the next dark lord.” Ron cried.

   Inside, Harry Potter did not feel so sure.

    Screaming, balled fists at the sides of his head, Ronald Weasley fell to his knees. Harry just stood there, his mind reeling.

    In the Slytherin girls room, the coven assembled.

    “Can we be sure Hermione will return as our friend?” Gretchen Theobald questioned. “We did torture her a bit. Ashley made her feed her cat to the snake.”

   “I think she will forgive us that.” Ashley said. “For our loyalty.”