New story :)
"Release me!" She snarled, straining against the chains that held her to the floor. She had been here for days, held down to the floor, alone. She felt as though she was starting to go mad. "I have nothing for you! I'll never give you information and you'll never accept a Mudblood!"
"But you wanted this," The Dark Lord hissed, "You wanted to know you would always have a place in the magical world…"
"I will always have a place in this world! But not because you chose to give it to me. I don't need you, my magic is my own, Muggleborn or not!"
"Foolish girl… One isn't simply born with the kind of power you possess. I've been watching you from your birth… you have no idea who you truly are."
"You…you're lying!" She stammered, tears forming in her eyes. She had always felt watched, like she was never alone. Lately, she had been wishing for some kind of reassurance as the war began, but no one had been able to give it to her.
"You know it's true. I can tell you, for a price. I can tell you so many things about yourself, things you have always wondered about." He was baiting her, she knew. What she didn't know was that if his plan was to succeed, he needed her. He nodded at the two Death Eaters that stood by the door. They turned and left.
"Where are they going? What are you going to do with me? Damn it let me out of these things!" She yanked on the chains again, causing the metal to dig in to her already raw wrists.
"So you can attempt to kill me? I think not. You know I would only rise again, at the expense of your precious Potter."
"I'm not even armed! Just let me go! Please!"
"I have a surprise for you. Would you like to see it?" He asked, as the two Death eaters reentered, dragging someone between them.
"Mum?" She whispered, eyes going wide at the state her mother was in. She immediately began to struggle, gasping and screaming. "Let her go! I'll stay, please just let her go! Don't hurt her, please!"
"But my dear Hermione, she's not even your mother."
Hermione sat on her bed, hugging her knees. It had been over two months since she was kidnapped and tortured by Voldemort. She had made a full recovery, according to the staff at St. Mungos and Madam Pomfrey. Her body had recovered, but in her mind she was still shaken. She was due to leave for the Hogwart's Express in ten minutes. Her friends and teachers' assurance that she could start her Seventh Year late, but she hated the idea of spending another day in this house, staring at the wall. She couldn't stand her parents' strange behavior, or the way her friends were constantly trying to cheer her up. She didn't need to be cheered up, she needed time to heal. And she needed to know that her future was secure and that meant finishing her Hogwart's career at the top of her class.
She slowly stood and collected her trunk, satchel, and the cat carrier. Crookshanks was already inside it, splayed out on his side, sound asleep. Holding tightly to all her things, she closed her eyes and focused. Seconds later, she appeared on Platform 9 and ¾'s.
"Hermione!" Her name was immediately called and she turned to see Harry and Ron headed towards her, wide grins on both of their faces.
"Harry, Ron!" She gave them both hugs, smiling brightly. She did love her boys, despite their overbearing tendencies. "It's so good to see you!"
"How have you been?" Harry asked, looking her over carefully. He had been quite worried about her after everything that had happened.
"I've been good, Harry, really. It hasn't been easy, but I'm stronger than he thinks."
"And… your memories? Have they been returning?"
She sighed; she really didn't want to have to think about this. "Not really, occasionally I'll get a flash of something, but it never makes sense."
"Tell me what you remember; we might be able to piece something together." He insisted. Lately, he'd been obsessed. He was just ready to end this. Their lives had been turned upside down by Voldemort and everyone could feel the end coming. It was just a matter of months before things exploded.
"Mate, we can piece her memories together later. We're here, we're alive, let's go grab a compartment, raid the Trolley, and enjoy the peace while it lasts." Ron said, leading the way towards the train. Hermione being kidnapped had really changed his perspective on things, especially when she told him that for the time being, she didn't want to be with him. Now he was hell-bent on enjoying what they had because he knew soon it would all be gone.
"Later then…" Harry muttered. In no time they were laughing and joking just like old times. Eventually, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Dean joined them and the train ride was a blur of laughter and candy, though most of the candy was eaten by Ron. That is, until it was time for her to go to the Heads' Compartment. Even with missing the last few weeks of school, she had still made Head Girl.
"I have to go to the Heads' Compartment…" She announced, "Any chance one of you lot wants to announce you made Head Boy?"
"Nope." Ron said, opening another chocolate frog.
"Sorry, Hermione. I didn't." Harry told her, and he really did look sorry. Probably wished he had so he could keep a closer eye on her during the year. She felt a brief flash of irritation, but pushed it back. Harry was just being a good friend, of course.
"Me neither…" Ginny sighed, causing Hermione to giggle. "How about you Neville?"
"Ha! Not likely," Neville grinned, taking the joke in good humor.
"Right. Well, I have to go then. I'll see you all at the feast?" She said, when they all agreed and wished her luck, she left and weaved her way in and out of the students packing the train corridor, stopping occasionally to say hello to a person or two. When at last she did arrive, the compartment was empty. She let herself in and took a seat, taking a moment to breathe and enjoy the scenery flying by. She had her eyes closed and was slowly winding her necklace around her fingers when she heard the door slide open.
"Sorry I'm late, Pro-Ahhh Granger, so good to see you made Head Girl. But then again, who else would?"
Hermione looked up to see Blaise Zabini standing in the doorway, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Oh yes, this would be a very interesting year.
"Zabini." She stated, nodding politely before turning to stare out the window.
"Oh, don't be so formal with me! We've known each other since we were kids. In fact, we should catch up. How was your summer?" He sat across from her and leaned over, elbows resting on his knees. He was still grinning.
"Oh, I think you know exactly how my summer went," She said coolly, looking him directly in the eye.
"Oh! So I do. Not exactly my preferred choice of venue, but whatever works for you I suppose…"
Hot fury coursed through her. "You know damn well I didn't choose to be there. I was a prisoner."
"Right you are, Granger. Still… It wasn't as bad as it could have been, don't you think?" He was still smiling, but she could see a hint of seriousness in his eyes.
"I'm still alive, I suppose." She so was not in the mood to argue with the Slytherin Prat.
"And why do you think that is, I wonder?" He cocked his head to the side and stared at her. It was almost as though he was testing her…
"What are you on about?" She nearly whispered, she couldn't believe how casually he was referring to the whole situation.
"Oh,-"He stopped abruptly as Professor McGonagall rapped on the door and began to let herself in. "Another time then."
"Good evening, Mister Zabini, Miss Granger. I am here to inform you of your yearly duties. Many of them remain the same as always, assist students, watch for hooligans, etc. However, with the current… circumstances, we have added several new duties. Heads will each choose one person to assist them. Every night, you will be required to lockdown the Dormitories. Mr. Zabini, you will be in charge of locking down Slytherin and Hufflepuff. Miss Granger you will be locking down Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Lockdowns will be performed every night at eleven, to ensure that all students are safe in their Common Rooms or beds. The spells will automatically lift at six thirty every morning unless otherwise specified. Now, I assume you both know that you get a separate dormitory to yourself. Whether or not you choose to lock it at night is entirely up to you. And of course, Congratulations to both of you. And good luck."
With that, she left them alone once and again. Hermione immediately wanted to question Zabini again, but was interrupted.
By the arrival of one Draco Malfoy.
"Blaise, hurry the fuck up. We'll be there in two minutes." He growled, before noticing her. His trademark smirk instantly appeared on his smug face, but he said nothing
"Been a pleasure, Granger." Zabini winked at her and stood. He immediately walked out, but Malfoy remained in the doorway, staring.
"Can I help you?"
"Not right now… see you later, Granger." He said, almost playfully, before leaving. She stared after him in shock.
"Damn Slytherins." She moaned, rubbing her forehead.
Right well, my first attempt at writing anything in months. How do you think I did? Thanks for reading!