He was sitting on the high throne, his head held up arrogantly, his eyes cast over the bowing figure in front of him, a pleased look on his face.
"You have done well, the inconvenient old fool is finally done with."
A spattering of laughter rose from the Inner Circle, then died out as quickly as it came.
"However, I do remember telling young Malfoy to finish him."
"My Lord, time was running out, I had to kill him quickly, the order would not have believed me to have stayed up there longer, they would have begun to speculate."
"I see…you will be rewarded of course, but considering the good mood I'm in, I think some sort of entertainment should be arranged…and what better victim of it is there when one is lying so…shall we say close at hand?"
The crouched figure face contorted as he realized what the hissing figure meant."Who do you mean, my Lord?"
Leaning slightly forward, "Oh don't play dumb, after all, you are one of the greatest potion master the world has seen. But to humor you, who slightly disobey my orders? I rather think he would deserve the punishment I am about to give, besides, I haven't seen him in pain for the longest time." He said this last part as if he missed a long lost friend. "Crucio!"
A jet of light shot out of the wand and hit its mark, the figure no longer crouched, but writhed on the floor, inexpressible pain seized the convulsing body.
"Proceed Inner Circle." The hooded circle moved in, each individual reached into their own robes and in turn drew out their wands, and joined in the torture.
She was looking out the window, her eyes reflecting the beautiful scenery, and yet her eyes remained unseeing. She was in deep thought about the last days of sixth year. Harry had said that Snape killed Dumbledore, no Professor Snape killed Professor Dumbledore…what was wrong with her, thinking about respectability at a time like this? There was no way Snape killed Dumbledore on his own resolve. Dumbledore must have wanted it. But if Dumbledore wanted it… that would mean Snape isn't evil, which means that Snape is still on our side. She unconsciously nodded her head fervently. That must be why, she reasoned, Snape killed Dumbledore, but why would Dumbledore want to be killed? Wouldn't he have served the world better if he was alive? As her thirst for knowledge drove her to cross the expectations of her year, her curiosity, will, and hate of mystery drove her to a new resolve…all she had to do is hope her two best friends was to accept her decision.
The next morning dawned, and the bushy headed genius woke sleepily, her mind in a blur, then she suddenly remembered what she had to do. She quickly ran her fingers through her hair and put on some clothes and rushed down the stairs.
She reached the kitchen in one piece and greeted the table surrounded by redheads and Harry.
"Morning everyone!" Hermione said. They greeted her around the food in their mouths. She sat down between Ron and Ginny.
Tentatively, she brought up what was on her mind. "Hey guys?" Harry and Ron looked up.
"I…I was thinking last night and there's something I need to do…" Harry and Ron gave her a questioning look.
"It's got something to do with researching about the R.A.B. I was wondering if you guys go ahead and I research about Horcruxes and stuff, I'll meet up you guys later, if I go with you and we keep on moving, I'm not sure I can do as much research as I want to if I stayed put."
"We'll go with you," Ron said
"I'm not sure, there's a lot of research to be done and it might delay going to Godric's Hollow, and searching for the Horcruxes."
Harry looked deep in thought, "ummm…Harry?"
Harry said slowly, "I think that might work, and after you research about who R.A.B. was and about Voldemort, we can meet up and discuss things a bit."
"Hey!" Ginny said indignantly, "How come Hermione gets to go with you guys, and I have to stay home?"
"Because," said Harry anxiously, "Hermione…knows how to…she can take…she wants…I…its her own choice, Mrs. Weasly wouldn't want you to go. Besides, I told you before, Voldemort's gonna use you to get to me and I can't let that happen."
Ginny grumble indistinctly, she was fighting a losing battle and she knew it.
Hermione pushed her chair back and started to climb the long stairs back up again. "Well, if I want to get as much research done as possible, I'll have to go this afternoon,."
"Wait! Where are you going to stay, Hermione?"
Over her shoulder she shouted one word. "Hogwarts"
That afternoon, the Weaslys waved goodbye to the trio, Ginny gave Harry a last kiss, Mrs. Weasly gave Ron, Hermione and Harry a last squeeze and the parted. When the trio arrived at the street, they turned inward for a three-way hug. Harry and Ron then stepped back.
"Good luck Hermione." Ron said
"See you later 'mione." Harry said
"See you later guys. Be Careful," said Hermione.
Then Harry and Ron disapparated to Godric's Hollow with a loud crack. Hermione gave a last glance at the Burrow and disapparated to Hogsmeade.
When she arrived at Hogsmeade, Hermione went to the Three Broomsticks to check on Rosmerta and get a butterbeer. The bell tinkled as she pushed the door open and she saw Rosmerta bustling noisily with drinks for customers.
"Hello Rosmerta. How are you feeling?"
"Oh, hello, one moment please." She poured some drinks to some rowdy looking men and then returned to sit with Hermione.
"I'm all right, the ministry's keeping me under surveillance, y'know but sometimes I wonder if they're here to make sure I don't get tampered with or here to drain my supplt of firewhiskey." She sighed, "How 'bout you dear?"
"Oh, I'm all right."
"Where's Ron and Harry?"
"Dunno, I came here to buy a few things and I'm going on my way."
"To where may I ask?"
"Oi! Bartender! Can I get a firewhiskey here?"
"Oh! Just a moment m'dear I have to take his order."
"mhmmm" nodded Hermione. What if Rosmerta is still controlled by Voldemort? Her escorts aren't doing much of a job of making sure she doesn't get hurt, getting drunk and all on the job. It'd be best not to tell her too much.
"Busy day eh? Rosemerta."
"Yeah, I didn't expect so many to come now, what with recent events…so tell me dear, where do you plan to go?"
"Probably to…I dunno…I'll be applying to another wizarding school I guess."
"I see…"
Hermione checked her magicked watch…"Sorry Rosemerta I have to go. Bye."
"Bye. Hmmmm…" Rosemerta turned away and slammed into the same person who wanted firewhiskey.
"So…what did she want?"
"She came to chat." He raised and eyebrow.
"She said she might be applying to another wizarding school."
"Is that possible or even probable?"
"Well, you never know, I mean she was one of the smartest students Hogwarts has seen."
"Yes, but wouldn't she be going to where Potter and Weasly are?"
Rosemerta suddenly whispered harshly, "Don't you dare! No, I won't help you destroy her, I won't help you kill any of them. Get. Away. From. Me. Now."
"Rosemerta dear, I think your fighting the curse too much, it'll take your strength away. Come here, in the back, now I want you to listen carefully now, you are already helping me destroy them…you know them, and they trust you." Rosmerta's eyes widened.
"Imperio"
Hermione went to muggle London to shop for some new clothes and on the way she spotted an exotic necklace that seemed oddly slytherinish, though red and gold. She bought it. Later, she went to Diagon Alley to buy some potion ingredients, some books, a new robe, and exchanged some muggle money at Gringotts for wizard money. She then went back to her house and quickly packed some stuff into a suitcase, shrunk it so it fit in her pocket and quickly left the house, promising to never come back to it unless it was absolutely necessary.
She arrived at the front entrance of Hogwarts and pounded at the door, a very irritated and cautious Filch opened the door, poked her and her belongings with a scanner and pulled her inside.
"Go up to Professor McGonagall, she's waiting for you at her office."
"Do you mean the headmistress's office or her old one?"
"What!" snapped Filch, "Oh no, no, the one she had as a professor, she refuses to take the headmaster's quarters." Filch muttered a strangled cry and he half hopped and half ran away, Mrs. Norris at his heels.
Hermione slowly ascended the stairs and walked to Professor McGonagall's room,knocking on the door when she reached it.
"Come in." came a crisp voice.
"Good afternoon, Professor."
"Miss Granger! What are you doing here?"
"Didn't you receive my owl? I wrote to you to tell you I had a request to make. Filch certainly seemed to know I was coming."
"Did he now? I'll have to ask him about it later. Now, what is your request?"
"I would like to stay here at Hogwarts to research on some subjects."
"Of course dear, but what about Potter and Weasly?"
"They know where to find me."
McGonagall have her a weird look, "All right, but for meals, you'll be served in your room, and don't go wandering off on your own without telling any of the professors, now that you are at Hogwarts, you are under my care and I am responsible for you."
"Yes, ma'm…ummm, where will I be staying?"
"You can have your Head Girl room for now, if you want to change any of the rooms, you can tell me, after all, the school will be pretty empty now…oh the password is 'bauble head'."
"Thank you, good day."
Hermione arrived at her Head Girl room and mumbled the password and stepped inside. She unpacked her things and summoned a house elf to bring her something to eat, she was famished.
Afterwards, she went to the library where a book in the Restricted Section caught her eyes, it was about the Cruciatus Curse, its affects and other useful hexes. She took that book and plopped down to read.
A sallow gaunt man lay on the dungeon floor in chains. Once in a while a little moan of pain escaped his lips. Evidently the Dark Lord was having particular enjoyment in torturing him. A heavy set man came down the stairs, swinging the key.
"Hello Snape," he said cheerfully, "He's in a playful mood today."
"That's wonderful Amycus, just wonderful." The man half groaned, half muttered
Amycus unlocked the door, unchained the man and led him to where the Inner Circle was congregating.
"Don't worry Snape, your last moments of torment will be over soon, for a long time anyway, after today, of course,…I rather like it when they squeal." Amycus then pushed him into the middle of the circle, and the screaming began.