Author's Note: I only claim any original plot and original characters :) I hope you enjoy it!


Her hair was singed and smoking, debris from the recent explosion falling all around her. She moved with a purpose, amber eyes squinted against the onslaught of dust. Moans and groans of the maimed and injured could barely be heard over the din of the large fire which crackled to the far left of the now flattened field.

He had come for her in the middle of the night. He hadn't said why and he didn't have to.

Malicious red eyes had peered down at her from their place above the high, defined cheeks of the man looming over her.

He had been most displeased.

He hadn't bothered with pleasantries or introductions. His softly muttered Crucio had been all the greeting she'd needed to know that he meant business.

He'd been unrelenting in his assault; she adamant in her silence, her bleeding lip evidenced her struggle. She hadn't wanted to wake the others who slept peacefully in the adjoining room.

He'd never lifted his eyes from the agony that had played out on her face. Instead, he'd cocked his head to the side, his glinting ruby gems revelling in the pain he'd inflicted.

He lowered his wand after a few more moments although he kept his gaze squarely on her face. She'd sat up from her convulsing, wiping the beads of sweat from her freckled face, pushing the tendrils of riotous curls that had come free while she thrashed away from her face.

"Get dressed."

"Fuck – you – Eli."

His smile was anything but warm; it was an evil show of teeth, perfectly straight and clean.

He didn't bother to repeat himself; the crack of his hand across her face was speech enough.

The harsh stomping of feet towards her room spoke volumes. They'd awoken the others.

"Hermione are you-"

The man's question died on his lips, the green light hitting him squarely in the forehead, his body crumpling to the floor. Eli had yet to look away from her on the bed, his wand hand slowly lowering from the doorway.

The dead man's wife barrelled through the door a few seconds later, fear in her voice and dread on her face.

He smiled at her now, the wife, eyes slowly roving over her nightie-clad form.

"My, my, my, mommy muggle here to save her baby?"

His white teeth glinted dangerously in the moonlight, body predatory as he stalked away from the bed and towards the now trembling woman.

"Her-Hermione, what is going on?"

The fear stricken woman stared hopefully at the dishevelled girl. She was magical and good, her own daughter, surely she would stop this deranged man? Wouldn't she?

But the girl didn't respond, she merely stood from the bed on shaky legs and began to change. Long woollen black clothing replacing the thin garb she'd worn to bed; she stored her long thin wand between her sock and boot.

"Hermione?" she asked confused.

The girl continued in her preparation, Crookshanks was unceremoniously awoken and tucked into his travel crate, the few possessions which she wanted she shrunk and placed in her bag. When all was finally done she turned to the shaking woman on the floor, Eli now circling her like a hungry vulture.

"It's time for me to leave," was all she said, Crookshanks in hand she began to leave the room when a hand from the floor snagged her leg.

"Hermione, please. Please tell me what's going on. This monster he killed your father he-"

"Avada Kedavra," Hermione intoned.

She uttered no more pleas, her body now lay still on the cold wooden floor, lifeless eyes capturing her last moments of horror.

"It's about time; I was beginning to think that you'd gone soft."

"Fuck off Eli." Was her only response, heavy black boots clicking a tune as she made her way down the stairs and from the house.

"Oh, we fancy ourselves a potty mouth now do we? What would Desdemona think of this?" he asked as he stopped and turned to face her.

Her amber eyes narrowed on the tall dark skinned boy who was now before her, a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes as she considered him. He'd lost a considerable amount of weight since last she'd seen him, his cheekbones were sharp, ruby red eyes prominent on his handsome face, his lips a natural pout.

"Not gonna answer me? Oh just as well," he said, raising his wand and lighting the building they had abandoned on fire.

Three loud pops sounded themselves in the otherwise quiet neighbourhood. The Aurors had finally made an appearance.

"Oi you there, stop what you're fucking doing!"

Eli smiled genuinely now, a deep throaty laugh erupting from his chest.

"Oh you're here to stop me is that it?"

The Aurors didn't respond, twin jets of white light and one of scarlet raced for the young man in question; an unexpected shield charm enveloped him. His head turned briefly to look at the one who had saved him, a crooked smile transforming his face.

"Miss Granger, please step away from him, we're here to protect you and your parents."

Hermione stepped forward now, the long braids she'd fastened her hair in swaying with the motion.

"I suggest you protect yourself," she said before she started a brutal assault.

Spells whipped between the two parties, the bright flames from the Grangers' burning house painting the night sky. More Aurors poured onto the scene; the girl and Eli duelling ardently in their attempts to stay alive.

"You just had to rush didn't you?"she asked sharply.

He wasn't smiling in response anymore, his face was serious and blood leaked from a gash above his brow. He snarled at her.

"Expulso!" the girl cried, creating a large explosion in the middle of the fracas before her, the Aurors being thrown violently from the source.

She surveyed the scene around her, the bloodied and bruised Aurors scattered hither and yon; some missing limbs, others pin cushions for the shrapnel of the explosion. The surrounding fields all but destroyed.

They walked in silence to the other end of the field, she arrived annoyed, dirty and bruised her companion equally as foul in disposition.

"Don't you say a fucking word," he snapped.

"Oh dearest Eli, why would I ever do that?"

"FUCK, Hermione! Can't we just get home and leave this shitty night as is?"

She smiled now, a blood red tint overwhelming her once amber eyes.

"Temper dearest brother, what will mommy and daddy say when they hear that you crucioed me?"

They shared a malicious smile, red eyes locking as they neared the apparition point.

"It's good to have you back Hermione."

A loud crack echoing through the destruction that they left in their wake.