Hermione blew a strand of her hair from her eyes her arms filled with the new books she had picked up from the local library. While she would have much preferred having been able to travel to Diagon Alley to pick up some new reading material it wouldn't be possible until at least mid-July when her parents returned from the dental convention they were attending.

She frowned at her front door as she carefully balanced the stack of books in one arm and her raised knee while fishing in her pocket for her house key. Finally, she was able to unlock the door slamming it shut behind her she turned to stop in her steps.

Sitting in her Father's chair was a being she had prayed to never be directly faced with. She swallowed hard as Lord Voldemort cocked his head at her a smile seemed to be tugging at his lips. Hermione's eyes darted around searching for a way out. She spotted Wormtail standing far to the left side of his master.

"Miss. Granger, how lovely you were able to join us. Wormtail go relieve Miss. Granger of all those books." Voldemort stated keeping his red eyes locked on Hermione's own brown.

Hermione refused to blink or look away once the monster had spoken to her. She felt rather than saw Wormtail remove the stack of books setting them on the floor. She barely breathed as Voldemort played with his wand running it between his fingertips.

"Sit down Miss. Granger, join me." Voldemort spread his arm at the couch where Hermione often relaxed on her Summer holidays. Upon noticing that Hermione wasn't moving he gestured again with his wand "That was not a suggestion Miss. Granger now sit!

Without much choice Hermione slowly walked to the couch refusing to turn her back she moved backwards and sat her back ramrod straight. Her thoughts focused heavily on her best friend and new boyfriend. Harry…

"It seems Wormtail was correct about you Miss. Granger. So many witches and wizards brag that they have true courage. Bravery yet when faced with their inevitable demise they become so very weak… But, not you Miss. Granger. A true Gryffindor as one would say." Voldemort chuckled causing Hermione's blood to freeze. "Much like your beloved aren't you? Oh, do not deny it, Miss. Granger. I am quite aware that you and Potter have… Hooked up as the kids now call it."

"Is that why you are here then? To kill me? Hoping to drive Harry mad with grief? It won't work you know? All that killing me will do is make Harry want you dead so much more." Hermione swallowed before she nodded firmly. "So if you mean to kill me just do it already. I'm not going to beg you for anything!"

"Now, now Miss. Granger, you misunderstand. I'm not here to kill you. Oh my no… If I wanted you dead I would have sent one of my followers." Voldemort shook his head before tapping a long tapered finger against his chin. "No, you see Miss. Granger, I came because I just had to meet you. Tell me, has dear Potter told you the contents of our full prophecy?" Upon seeing the puzzled look flash in her eyes for a moment he laughed. "No? Well, I suppose I can understand. It seems Potter didn't take it well at all when Dumbledore told him at the end of the year."

"I don't care what it says. If it's important Harry will…" She trailed off realizing the longer that Voldemort was there the more likely it was that she wouldn't be leaving except in a body bag.

"Oh, no you see I personally think it is very important for you to hear Miss. Granger. I mean if I was a young Witch I'd want to know that my love." He sneered as the word hissed from his lips "Was either going to be murdered or have to become a murderer himself." Voldemort smiled as Hermione's eyes grew wide at that. "Yes. It seems that either I will kill him or he will kill me. With A power I know not. The old man seems to believe this to be love. Love for his family? I very much doubt it. I've heard the stories of his Aunt and Uncle. Love for his friends? Possible I do suppose although I do not believe myself mistaken in understanding that his so-called first and best mate completely abandoned him in the fourth year. Friendships are so… fragile. No, no not for the love of his friends then."

Voldemort got to his feet and walked the few steps to where Hermione was sitting on the couch and took her chin roughly in his hand turning her head this way and that. "Smartest in your year. Brightest witch of your generation, I've heard tell. And a stunning beauty if you took the time. I would even say that you remind me greatly of dear Mudblood Lily Potter. So tell me, Miss. Granger? Will you and Potter repeat that scene? Will you die for some as of yet unborn child? Will I be stymied by yet another Potter brat?"

Hermione forced the tears from filling her eyes as she felt the bruises from his fingers forming on her chin. She refused to back down from him to even turn her eyes from his. "I'd die for Harry. Any day, any time. If it meant that he would live I would die."

Voldemort laughed it was a bitter horrible sound that made chills run down her spine. "Oh yes, I do realize that Miss. Granger. And that is why I'm here. I'm afraid I can't let the chance that Potter could receive another protection." He smiled before roughly kissing Hermione's lips bruising them from the pressure.

Hermione swallowed the horror and sick that threatened to escape, her body trembling.

"No, no I can't let that happen. If in fact, you are the power that I do not know I have to be rid of you. But I can't kill you. I could destroy your core. Make you a powerless muggle. But, Potter wouldn't abandon you. In fact, it would just make him more protective of you. No, no I need him revolted, I need him to turn you away on his own. To make you leave… To destroy this great love he has." Voldemort jerked his hand away causing Hermione to wince as her neck snapped back.

"Wormtail restrain Miss. Granger. I have a potion to brew."

Hello! This is an idea I got last night that refused to leave my mind! My husband and Beta said this was the best place to stop. However, you can expect the next chapter sometime tomorrow! Read and review please. Reviews make me write faster!