With the battle approaching, Hermione is put into a very difficult position that will decide the outcome of the war. But what role does Severus Snape play in her fate?
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter—JK Rowling is the brilliant one deserving all credit.
Chapter 1: The Fight
The training and planning was becoming more extensive every day, for they knew the battle would be approaching soon. The spells were becoming more aggressive and it became more frequent that a duel would come to a halt because someone needed a blood replenishing potion or their broken bones mended.
Hermione Granger dodged a nasty slicing spell, rolled gracefully to the ground, and found protection behind a cluster of trees all in a matter of seconds. When it came to dueling, Granger was the one everyone sought to beat, although, that rarely ever happened. She had trained with more passion and eagerness than anyone in the group and developed a skill for dueling that impressed even the best.
Staying behind the trees, Hermione assessed her situation: 5 down, 2 injured, and 3 on the prowl, looking for their chance to best her. She obviously would not let that happen. After all, she was Hermione Granger.
Hearing the snap of a tree branch, a Stupefy was wordless sent in that direction and hit it's mark.
Two hunters left now.
Quickly, she shot out from behind the trees and ran into the field, knowing she could draw them out without any danger to herself. She had reached the middle of the field, closed her eyes, and brought up her invisible barriers, a rather clever spell she has invented herself—undetectable and unbreakable with the exception of an Unforgivable Curse thrown at it. The two men left in the duel laughed as she ran out, apparently defenseless. Mistake Number 1: Do not doubt Hermione Granger's abilities. A Stupefy and a Petrificus Totalus shot out of her wand and, with that, the duel was over.
Applause broke out on the opposite side of the field. Of course he had been watching her, Hermione thought, as she walked toward the man in the shadows. He was always watching carefully for her strengths and weaknesses, pointing out even the slightest flaw, though he said he only wanted her to be the best. But she was not afraid of him.
"He wants to see you Miss Granger. Don't bothering cleaning up, just head straight to His chambers. There is a special project He wants you to be a part of," the man hissed smoothly.
Hermione's eyes shot up in surprise at the emphasis on "special," and without a word, briskly marched off to find out what her new job was.
She walked through the beautiful halls of the mansion, replaying the duel in her head. The key to success was to memorize her opponent's weaknesses and turn use them to draw her enemies out so that she could squish them like flies. It was fun, Hermione thought, and although many could call Hermione somewhat uptight and serious, she truly found fighting most enjoyable; most likely because she always won. She reached the towering set of black doors and, after a deep breath, Hermione knocked and, hearing the command to enter, slowly opened the doors and approached the center of the room.
A black chair sat precisely in the middle of the luxurious room, facing Hermione. She dropped to her knees; bowing so low that her nose touched the cool title, and whispered, "My Lord, my services are yours. What do you require me to do?"
She looked up into the cold, cruel eyes of Lord Voldemort and waited for instructions.