"I have been loyal to Dumbledore and the Order since before Lily Potter died." Hermione scoffed, and the two men glared. "Lily Evans grew up close to me. I knew she was a witch before she did. I had a pretty isolated childhood, and Lily was my first friend. The only real friend I have ever had, if I am honest. It was a given I would be placed in Slytherin, and I was devastated that she became a Gryffindor. We were still friends in the first few years, and I grew to love her. But Lily saw the darkness in me and ended up with James Potter. He and I loathed each other. We were cruel to each other, but at least he had friends and, eventually, Lily. I sought out the Dark Arts in my loneliness and was very good at them. When I joined Voldemort, I felt I had finally found a place I could be accepted for who I was."Hermione leapt to her feet as Snape used the taboo, heart thundering. The last time she had been outside Wentworth and the name had been said, it had led to her being tortured in this very house. Snape waved at her to sit. 