~Prologue
I was sitting in Ginny's room at the Burrow. Looking out the window, I could only see a sea of golden brown wheat growing as far ahead as I could see. I took a glance over my shoulder to see if Ginny was still asleep, before I made my attempt to leave this bloody place, Ron and Harry call home. I knew I didn't fit in with my Muggle-born blood, in a house filled with purebloods. I knew they didn't show how the loathed my presence here, putting their whole family in danger, no matter they were grateful the boy who lived was their youngest boy's best friend.
Looking around the grim bedroom once more, I slipped my untied shoes on, picking up my beaded bag, which held everything that I either needed or wanted. I would start ahead of the boys, looking for the rest of the horcruxes. Knowing harry, he would rather rage into battle, wand at hand, shouting every spell and curse at the bastard.
Which fills my mind with wonder on how he could live, knowing that the bastard had him wrapped around his finger. My stomach turned at the thought of him, the thought of Lord Voldemort. I felt myself wanting to gag; I tied my grip on my bag, as I carefully stepped over Ginny's soundlessly sleeping body on the wooden floor, with her wand at her side.
I felt my eyes burn from unshed tears, as I open the door, only to look back to see the room, which held memories of my friends; laughter, hatred and pain. I shook my head, 'Come on Hermione, get a grip on yourself. You're one step closer protecting this family,' a little voice in my head told me, but my heart was refusing to agree with it.
A few minutes later, after walking over more sleeping bodies, I never knew that could fit in one single room, I got outside and was now standing in front of the Burrow. When I heard soft popping noises behind me, I turned around, only to see men dressed in black, each of them covering their faces with a mask. A mask that I would recognize anywhere. Death Eaters.
"Good evening, Miss Granger" one of the Death Eaters said, as he stepped closer to me as I tried not to back away and run into the Burrow, waking up everyone to kill those asses who worked for the Dark Lord.
"What do you want?" I said, trying to keep my voice from cracking with fear.
"You, the Dark Lord…" the Death Eater paused, trying to think of a word that would fit, "has some plans that will require your presence."
I could tell I didn't have a choice in the matter. To go with them, willingly, or not to and cause hell for the sleeping people, who will only wake up seeing old family members that have moved on from this lifetime. I could not take the guilt it would bring. Looking down, I slowly walked over to where the Death Eater stood, handing him my wand, showing them that I would go willingly.
I looked back for a second only to see the face of my best friend at the window, his face emotionless, as he was joined by the others in the Burrow, as they watched me go willingly with a bunch of Death Eaters. I was wondering if they thought I was betraying them, or saving them for the time being. Most likely the former.
Closing my eyes tightly, I heard the harsh laughter of the bastard Lord himself, welcoming back his followers. I turned off all of my senses, not wanting to hear, smell or even feel this… inhumane touching me, talking about me and smelling my hair, which smelled of sweet green apples, mixed with a hint scent of wild cherry blossoms.
Without knowing what was going on around me, I didn't expect this: I felt a sharp pain enter my body through my spine, which caused me to fall forward onto my knees, screaming and writhing in pain. I knew in the back of my mind that he had casted the Cruciatus Curse on me. I opened my eyes only to see his piercing red eyes look down at me. He smirked as he once again cursed me with the cruciatus.
My body went numb. My screams grew every time he cast the bloody curse on me.
"Welcome Home, Miss Granger." He smiled as he walked away, leaving me on the floor with a few Death Eaters, who took pleasure in finishing what their Lord started.