A/N: My apologies for the delay dear readers, I had hoped to get this out on Friday but had a rather busy week at work and a full weekend. Anyways, as always thank you for you continued support and enjoy.

Hermione huffed softly as she descended the staircase. Her husband was engaged in a private discussion with Voldemort over pre-dinner cocktails and she was left to attend to the details herself. It was five minutes to seven when dinner was to be promptly served, and Hermione wished not for the first time that evening that she could have a drink herself. Blast the pregnancy for killing her chance at that. Arriving at the closed double doors to the formal dining room they almost never used, she found Ginny and Luna already waiting outside.

"The elves don't appear to let anybody in until all guests are ready to be seated," Ginny muttered. Hermione shrugged in reply. She was impressed that both of her friends dressed up slightly. Neither witch went out of their way but they both looked put together in wizarding robes over a skirt and blouse. Hermione had selected a casual gold colored dress and had donned an elegant black wizarding robe over it.

"You look beautiful Hermione," Luna complimented. "And look, you're showing in that."

"Indeed I am," Hermione responded purposefully having selected the gown to show her baby bump. She had a nagging thought that The dark lord would want to see it and she refused to lift up her dress to show him. "Thank you, Luna. You both look quite nice as well." It was now two minutes until dinner and the door to Rabastan's study still had not opened.

"Bippy," Hermione called one of the kitchen elves.

"Yes Mistress," he asked popping in with a crack.

"Is dinner still on schedule?"

"It is Mistress, all finished and ready for serving."

"Thank you," Hermione replied. "Please go and inform my husband that it is time to move into the dining room." Bippy nodded and popped out without reply. Moments later the door opened and Rabastan emerged followed by Hermione' worst enemy.

"Ah, Madame Lestrange," he hissed, "I hope I've not put you to too much trouble for dinner this evening." It was an insincere comment that she wisely chose to ignore.

"No trouble at all my Lord. Shall we go through?" As she asked the doors opened of their own accord and she gestured for the monster to go ahead. Rabastan took Hermione's arm and led her in next and Ginny and Luna followed. As she approached the chair Rabastan walked her to it moved out for her to sit easily. Once she settled it pushed back in and the others sat also.

"It seems Madame Lestrange is the only one who is deigned the courtesy of having the chair's move out for her of their own accord," Voldemort spoke from across the table. Since it was a relatively small gathering he had opted to sit at the head of the table with Rabastan and Hermione on his right and Ginny and Luna on his left.

"It is because she is pregnant, My Lord," her husband explained. "The house elves take extra care where she is concerned as they always have for the mistress of the house when with child."

Hermione knew the elves would not show themselves when a formal dinner was taking place, so she was unsurprised when the wine goblets automatically filled with a vintage red, except for her's of course. Her's was filled with an apple cidar she seemed to favor lately. Only moments later platters of meats, potatoes, vegetables and desserts appeared before them all.

"You honor us with your presence in our home this evening, My Lord," Hermione said forcing herself to hold back the sarcastic tone and to keep a straight face.

"Ah, Rabastan, I see you found a moment to chastise your dear wife for her antics earlier," the snake faced wizard replied ignoring her completely. "As now she seems so cordial and hospitable."

"Indeed, my Lord. We had a discussion about her unbecoming behavior." Rabastan said as he piled his and Hermione's plates full of food. Hermione caught Ginny's look at his action and frowned in response. "Of course, nothing was done that would harm my child."

"Indeed I would hope not," the other wizard commented. "I see your other prizes you've acquired are in fair condition. Do they no longer please you? Should I award them to someone else?"

"I find that my little wife attends to all my needs and I do not require their services, My Lord. However, I won them from a lucky hand in poker and the fool that would bet his war prizes on a game of cards now realizes what a loser he is indeed. I do keep them around because they appease my wife. I find that so long as she looks after them and behaves herself that their presence does not disturb me."

"Is this true, Madame?" Voldemort inquired, addressing Hermione for the first time since the sat at the table. "Do these pets amuse you?" Hermione bit her tongue to keep from spitting out a retort. He knew full well that they were friends, but she didn't want to risk having them removed from her care."

"It is nice to have them to keep me occupied when my husband is working. The days can be long here in the manor when left alone. in my condition I can't tour the grounds or gardens without aide and while it's my favorite pastime, reading does not provide the benefits of conversation, My Lord." He laughed coldly at her statement.

"No, I don't suppose it does," He replied eventually. "Very well Madame, Rabastan, I shall allow you to keep your pets. It is unfortunate that my other followers see fit to gamble away my gifts to them." Hermione breathed a soft sigh of relief and felt Rabastan's thigh brush against her own in an effort to reassure her.

"You should eat Madame," scolded Voldemort, "you are after all eating for two now."

"Thank you, My Lord," Rabastan replied as Hermione lifted a fork to her mouth. "Your concern for my child and my wife's health is appreciated."

"Which brings me to the nature of my visit," remarked the other wizard. "I'm sure your bright mind has already figured out there was a reason for my being here."

"Of course, I knew there was a reason," Hermione retorted calmly. "I just couldn't figure out what it might be."

"I require Your child as my heir," Voldemort stated nonchalantly and Hermione's blood ran cold at his words. She wondered in that moment where the line in the sand was drawn for her ability to maintain her composure. She had a nagging suspicion that it had been crossed now.