Snippet was meant to be a one shot, but it just kept going on long after I'd posted it, so here's part two. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who reviewed Eighteen Months, and I'm sorry I made everyone cry. I hope you like this, tell me what you think. Istalindar

Ginny was chafing at her confinement, in one of the lesser guest rooms, which had been double-locked and warded to ensure her extended stay. She had hurt the pride and privates of several deatheaters, and she was currently being punished by the absence of food. Not that it mattered, she refused to touch it anyway.

"Hello Ginny." Hermione let herself into the room, followed as usual by Draco.

"You bitch." Ginny said, launching herself at Hermione. Draco was in front of Hermione instantly, holding off Ginny's attack. "And you!"

"Be quiet, Ginny." Hermione said, moving from behind Draco and sitting down in one of the armchairs by the fire. Draco was at her side instantly, murmuring quiet inquiries to her health. She waved him away and Ginny sneered.

"You really are the little imperious queen, aren't you? Are you aware of what he's doing for you?"

"I always have been, Ginny." Hermione said tiredly. "He's kept me alive for the last seven years, just with the knowledge that he's still alive. But now…" she shook her head. "Are they keeping you well?"

"If you can be kept well?"

"I will arrange for you to see the others, if I can. They're well enough, Ron's been moved out of Lupin's cell so when the moon rises he'll be safe. Other than that, there's very little I can do for them."

"Charlie said that you got him out." Ginny murmured, so softly that Hermione barely heard her.

"I did, at a cost I didn't realise that nearly took his life. I'm not going to kill the rest of them too."

"They'll die if you don't." Ginny said pointedly.

"You don't know what you're asking me to do." Hermione said, looking up and meeting Ginny's eyes for the first time since she walked into the room. "I have AIDs, Ginny. The terms for release is that I have sex with them, they get me pregnant, they go 'free', with a maximum of three years left. It's a fairly acute strain of AIDs."

"And you gave that to Charlie." Ginny said, her voice dripping disgust.

"She didn't know." Draco said quietly as Hermione looked away. "She only found out yesterday that she has a month to live, and what she had done. She may be queen here, Ginny, but she has it harder than any of us."

"It can't be easy, being the most powerful woman in the world."

"Power?" Hermione laughed, and Ginny and Draco both stared at the harsh sound. "Power. What is power in a fucking gilded cage, huh? I have the power to wear pretty dresses, to flirt with a man I despise, to be subject to his S&M fantasies, but not the power to kiss the man I love without guilt, without knowing that when I am dead, he'll follow shortly after. That he's going to die because he loved me enough to risk everything, and it's my fault." Hermione looked at Ginny. "I have the power to save my friends from Voldemort's dungeons, but the cost is that I spread my disease around, and give Voldemort my children, their children, to raise as his own little deatheaters. Think about it – Harry Potter's only son, a fanatical deatheater. Yes, Ginny. I have power. But not the power to save anyone. And at this point, that's the only kind of power that matters."

"Hermione-"

"My lady, the Dark Lord wishes your presence." The servant stepped into the room, his little blue eyes calculating. He had heard every word. Hermione nodded and rose, taking Draco's proferred arm.

"I will save you if I can, Ginny. In the meantime, keep yourself alive." Hermione gave a bleak smile and allowed Draco to guide her out of the room, glancing over her shoulder as the door shut behind her, and saw Ginny watching her go.

&

"Well, Hermione?" Hermione stood in front of Voldemort in the empty hall. Everyone, including Draco, had been sent away. "Will you save your friends?"

"You know it's no rescue." Hermione said evenly. Voldemort struck out and she hit the floor, cracking her head painfully against the marble floor.

"Will you do it?" he hissed.

"No."

"What do you mean, no?" Voldemort demanded furiously, rising. Hermione glared up at him from the floor.

"I mean I'm dying. My friends will die regardless. I have nothing to lose at all, now. I don't care what you do!"

"Oh really?" Voldemort said silkily. "Bring him in." he addressed a servant. Hermione watched the servant go to a side door, and return with a two year old boy with flaming red hair and blue eyes.

"James, say hello to your mummy." Voldemort said gently. The little boy, James, looked at Hermione.

"Mummy!" he cried out, and ran to her. Hermione levered herself into a sitting position in time to catch the boy in her arms. He hugged her tight, and she closed her eyes tightly against the tears as she pressed her lips to her son's infamous red hair.

All the Weasleys had that colour hair. Even their two-year old sons.

"The carers said you were busy, mummy, that's why you don't come see us. Why are you so busy? We miss you mummy. Every night we say prayers that you'll be a good person mummy, and I always pray you'll come see us. Will you, mummy? We all miss you."

Hermione was sobbing, tears streaming down her face. Little James leaned back in her arms, and wiped her tears away with his small hands, and kissed her cheek.

"Don't cry mummy. I didn't mean to make you cry." He looked ready to cry himself. Hermione sniffed and smiled.

"Oh, don't worry, my love. I'm sorry I didn't come see you…I'm crying because I'm very happy. I've missed you too, darling." She hugged him close again. "I'm so sorry, my darling. I'm so, so sorry." She looked up at Voldemort, who looked on with an amused expression. "Are they sick too?" she demanded. "Are they?"

"Of course not. They're perfectly healthy. But they miss you, mummy." He said in a sickly sweet voice. "They don't want you to be naughty, because if you're naughty, it makes them look bad, and then the carers might think they're being naughty. What happens if you're naughty, James?"

"We get punished." James looked up. "The carer says crucio, and it hurts for a few seconds." He shook his head vehemently. Hermione inhaled sharply, and, gathering him in her arms, stood up.

"You do crucio on children?" She demanded in a harsh whisper. "How could you? You monster!"

"Don't say naughty words, mummy." Voldemort chided. He descended his dais, and took James from her unwilling arms. He looked at James. "Mummy's been very naughty, James. What happens to naughty people?" James shook his head. "Come now, James, tell daddy. What happens if you're naughty?"

"You're not his father." Hermione hissed. "Don't you dare call yourself that?"

"James?"

"Crucio happens if you're naughty." James whispered.

"That's very true." Voldemort withdrew his wand and Hermione swallowed, determined not to scream in front of his son. Voldemort raised his wand.

"I'll do it." She said quickly. Voldemort smiled.

"What else do naughty children say?" He asked her sweetly. Hermione swallowed again.

"I'm sorry." She choked out. Voldemort smiled.

"That's a good girl. Now say goodbye to James, and maybe you'll see him later." Hermione took James from his arms, and took a few steps away.

"I love you." She whispered fiercely. "I love you all! Don't forget that. Promise mummy. No matter what happens, I'll always love you. Promise mummy you'll remember."

"I promise mummy." James kissed the tip of her nose, then leaned forward and brushed his eyelashes against her cheek. "Butterfly kisses!" Hermione gasped a sob, and returned the gesture.

"Butterfly kisses." She whispered raggedly. "I love you, be good." She kissed him, and then reluctantly set him down beside the servant. When she turned back to Voldemort, he was watching her.

"May I go?" She whispered, "Please?"

"Since you're so polite about it, you may. What do you say?"

"Thank you, my lord," Hermione said, sinking to her knees and bowing her head.

"Good girl. Off you go."

Hermione stood up and fled the hall.

&

Draco found her in her room, curled up on the bed and crushing the scarlet dress. A pillow was over her head and her entire body was shaking violently. He quickly shut the door and climbed onto the bed, scooping her up and out from under the pillow into his arms. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest as she sobbed.

"Hush darling, it's alright. It's alright my love." He whispered, her tears drawing his own to the surface.

Everything was so fucking hopeless!

Keep it together, she needs you.

"What is it?" he asked. She pulled away, sniffing and scrubbing at her tears.

"I told him I wouldn't sleep with them." She said softly.

"What?" Draco demanded. "But they'll die! You're sentencing them to torture and execution!"

"Thanks, like I didn't know that already." Hermione glared. "Don't worry, he made me agree in the end. He always does." She leaned back against his chest and said no more, though one of her hands snagged his and held on tight.

"What did he do?"

"Show me my son." She whispered.

"What? What son?" he sounded hurt, and Hermione drew back.

"How could you not know? I ranted about them to Ginny just this morning! It's common knowledge."

"I've been away." Draco pointed out.

"So you have." She agreed, leaning back in. "I have eight kids, courtesy of all the Order members that I 'saved'. Gave AIDs too, actually, but you wonder if there's a difference. One of them is James Weasley, Charlie's kid. He's adorable beyond measure, and looks just like his dad. But he loved me, Draco! He said he missed me and prayed I'd be a good person and that I'd go see them. He said they all prayed for that! They've never even met me, and they miss me." Tears sprang from her eyes again, and she swallowed. "Voldemort threatened him. Said if I didn't agree he'd use crucio. Apparently that's what happens when they're naughty. I can't believe he'd be such a monster!"

"It's believable. Hell, its one of the more normal things he's done. Most of the Slytherin parents used it when we were little to discipline us. My parents, Pansy's, Blaise's. It's usual in our house."

"It happened to you?" She asked softly, and caressed his cheek with her hand. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault." He shrugged. "It's almost an advantage in a way. Crucio for a certain length of time wouldn't affect me in nearly the same way it would, say, Potter. Or Weasley."

"Or me." Hermione whispered.

"Or you." Draco confirmed. She swallowed hard, burying her face in his neck again.

"I don't want to do this." She whispered. "I can't!"

"Let me do it." Draco said. She knew back, frowning deeply.

"What? You're joking." He shook his head.

"Polyjuice."

"That's…obscene." She shook her head.

"Not as obscene as what he does to you." Draco said, stroking her hair. "Believe me, I have never had a thing for Potter or his cronies in any way, ever. But I will do this for you, Hermione." She shook her head.

"And after an hour? You've been away, Draco, you don't understand. It's one after the other. One night, one bed, longer than one hour. When the hour wore off they'd see you. You'd be dead quicker than than you could see the shock in their eyes."

"So you're saying you'll do it?" Draco asked, pulling back gently and meeting her gaze. "Hermione, besides the ethics of it, I don't even think you're strong enough!"

"Trust me, I don't do much. Whoever is supervising performs a spell that makes them desperate. They barely see me. All they see is somewhere to stick it. It's afterwards when they've released that it gets messy. Because then they recognise me and it goes pear shaped. All I have to do is lie there." Draco just stared at her in horror and she smiled, one hand caressing his cheek. "It's alright, Draco."

"It's mass rape!" He hissed, the horror in his eyes turning quickly to rage. She met his eyes.

"Do you think any one of my sexual encounters since Voldemort's rise has been anything but? My body and mind are jaded to it, Draco. That's one small blessing." Draco didn't answer, though he clearly disagreed.

"I can't let you do it." He said flatly. She raised her eyebrows.

"So your plan is?"

"To get out." She snorted.

"You think I haven't tried, Draco?" She asked. "The only way out of here is…" she stopped. "No. I won't let you." He shrugged.

"I'm dead anyway." He said. "And so are you. So what difference does it make? At least it's on our terms." She stared. "It's only a suggestion, Hermione. A contingency plan."

"It's brilliant." Hermione said. "We'll give them what they need to leave, and then we'll also go. They'll get out, so will we, all's well." He smiled.

"Alright then."

&

Draco visited the cells of his once-enemies and stood out of harms way as Ron launched himself at the bars, swearing up a storm. Once he had subsided, Harry stepped forward.

"Malfoy."

"Potter. The Lady Consort told me to give this to you." He stepped forward and handed a small paper packet through the bars. "It has to be done exactly as it says. There is no other way." Harry stared at Draco.

"We're not leaving her."

"I've got her taken care of, Potter. She won't take the fall for this. Not for anything ever again." Harry nodded, the stony look in Malfoy's eyes enough to make him accept what the other man said. After all, Draco had risked everything to contact the Light side to help her.

"Good luck." Draco said, backing away and heading for the stairs. Harry nodded.

"You too."

Draco quickly made his way up the stairs and into the main entrance hall, where Hermione waited with attendants and a few guards.

"You ready?" He asked. She nodded with a smile.

"Lord Malfoy." Everyone in the room fell to their knees, head bowed, as the Dark Lord appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "Where are you taking my consort?"

"To the cliffs, my lord." Draco said, eyes on the ground, guarding his mind fiercely. "For the afternoon."

"With guards." Voldemort said flatly.

"Of course, my lord." Draco said. Voldemort nodded.

"Hermione."

"Yes, my lord?" Her voice wavered, but Draco didn't dare look at her.

"Will you do your duty by me?" He asked. There was a pause. "Will you?" Draco heard Hermione's sigh.

"Yes, my lord." She whispered. Voldemort chuckled.

"As I expected. Well, then. Hermione, dear, enjoy yourself." Voldemort vanished and Draco stood.

"Are preparations complete?" He demanded coldly. The servants nodded. "Then we wish to depart. Now." The servants ushered Hermione and Draco to the door, outside which the carriage waited. They climbed in, settling themselves on the velvet seats, and looked at each other. Hermione managed a weak smile and crossed her fingers. Draco smiled back.

&

The cliffs were towering stacks of limestone overhanging sharp wave-beaten rocks below. The place commanded an astounding view of the surrounding land and sea, being the highest point around for many miles. It had been a favourite place of Hermione's when she had first become Consort, and she had come here often.

In the 3 years since she had been here, it hadn't changed. The grass was still speckled with daisies and buttercups, cut short by wandering sheep. To the west the sea stretched as far as the eye could see, and behind her were rolling hills of grass and crops. It was up here, with the wind whipping her hair against her face and tugging at her dress, that Hermione had felt free from the restraints of her role as Voldemort's queen.

"Are you alright?" Draco joined her on the edge of the cliffs, on hand resting on the small of her back, unseen by the servants. She nodded with a smile.

"I'm feeling the best I've felt in years." He smirked. "Isn't that ironic?"

"What you're feeling, beloved, is escape." Draco said softly, the wind whipping his words away so Hermione had to lipread. She nodded and returned to where the servants were laying out the picnic.

"Enough, thank you." She smiled as she waved them away. She settled herself on the blanket, taking her pick of the food spread before her. Draco joined her. "So? Do you think our lord has further cause to send you away again?" she asked, the small talk setting the servants at ease. Their mistress had been distressed lately, and more prone to breakdowns than she usually was. Draco shrugged.

"No way of knowing. Only Lord Voldemort knows the true extent of his plans."

"Wise." Hermione commented, lifting a glass of wine to her lips. Draco nodded.

"Of course. There are spies among us, after all." She nodded, wishing this whole pretense was over.

&

The skies were darkening, rain coming in from the sea. The wind had picked up, and Draco went to where Hermione stood facing the water. Behind him he could hear the servants packing up.

"Love? Are you alright?" She glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled, and he was suddenly reminded of the girl from Hogwarts who drove him mad.

"I'm wonderful." She said softly. "Strong and free and smart and –"

"The most beautiful and utterly captivating creature I've ever laid eyes on." He said with a smile. He could feel the time drawing near, feel it pulsing in his veins. When he laid his hand on her shoulder, turning her to face him as he stepped closer to the edge, he could feel it in her, too. She smiled.

"You never thought so at school."

"I was an idiot at school, wasn't I? This wasn't what I had in mind at all."

"No? You're rich, powerful…what were you hoping for?"

"I wasn't expecting to fall in love with Lord Voldemort's Consort. Wasn't expecting to have to watch her die."

"You won't." Hermione promised, pressing her hand to his cheek as she stepped closer to him. He smiled, in part because she was indeed the most beautiful and captivating creature he had ever seen, but also because he heard the soft chatter of the servants stop as they suddenly noticed what their Mistress and their Lord's servant were doing. "And neither will I."

"Small mercies."

"Great ones." She corrected, stepping into his arms and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I love you, you know. More than anything." He smiled.

"Good." He paused. "I love you." She smiled, and he dipped his head to kiss her, his lips brushing against hers softly, barely a whisper of contact. Then again, stronger, and deeper as she pulled his head down to hers, slanting their mouths together.

"Hey there!" The guards stepped forward, and Draco raised his head long enough for both him and Hermione to stare straight into the eyes of the guards and the servants, burning the image of the two lovers into the minds of the others like two heroes out of a tragic romance, before they suddenly disappeared, plummeting over the edge without a sound.

Sweet, dark oblivion.

Finis