ONE: RED

The night was chilly, nipping at the nose with enough cold to feel but not enough to penetrate warmth. The trees moaned as the wind rushed through and around them, making the cold less as it assaulted the forms walking across the moist ground.

"Do you really think that if we hide in the forest we'll have an advantage over the Death Eaters, Hermione?"

"Most likely, Harry. Ron, did you bring the blanket?"

"Yes, why do you think I'm the last one in line? Why are we doing this again?" He hitched the package he held onto his shoulder, almost falling to the ground.

"Professor Snape said that the group of Death Eaters would be coming from the right side of the forest. Professor Dumbledore said someone needed to keep watch for them and Harry volunteered. I thought that if we watched from two standpoints then we would have the advantage. Harry is going to be outside in this wind, you will be ready to tell the school, and I'll be checking the forest for anyone. Understand?"

"Doesn't mean I have to like it Hermione, but why am I the one going to tell the Order?"

"Because you didn't volunteer for anything, you get to be errand-boy." She looked back at him, as if daring Ron to argue. Harry began to go to his post, leaving the two of them at the forest's edge.

"Now I know why we never dated…" His voice didn't seem to carry with the wind, but Hermione heard him anyway.

"What was that Ronald Weasley?" She spun around to face him, her eyes on fire.

"Nothing Hermione, sorry."

"You had better do your job right, or we might be in grave danger if you don't." She handed him a globe that had a picture of Hogwarts one side, the school crest on the other. "This is how you'll tell the Order. Just tap the crest and say who you want, it will tell you when to talk, and then tell them what's going on. If you hear a whistle, we've caught sight of them, okay?" He nodded.

"Hermione, Be careful." They hugged one another tightly, letting go after a minute.

Hermione left Ron at his post, moving into the trees and becoming a part of the darkness. She cast spell after spell, making it possible for her to detect when someone she didn't know came near her, into or out of the forest. No one. She also set a spell that would tell her if someone was invisible, but she felt nothing. As the cold began to make her sleepy, someone's arms encircled her neck and a hand covered her mouth. The right arm began putting pressure in the crook her neck, pushing inward, and it knocked her out.

The room was dark, save for the moonlight that streamed in through the high window. Even though it appeared as a perfectly normal bedroom, there were chains on the wall and the windows were too high for escape. The smell of sex and tears was in the air, causing his stomach to turn at the thought. Her body lay in a ball, heaving with cries that could no longer be heard. He never realized that this would happen, and that Albus of all people would tell him to do whatever was expected as long as he got her out. The girl was already broken, so what did it matter if she got out? And now she was being given to him for services rendered. How could he have let it slip? Why did he say anything at all? At least the Dark Lord knew nothing about Potter being nearby, or else he wouldn't be standing at the moment. He did it to save himself and he sacrificed her, of all people. At that moment Severus Snape thought himself a coward.

Hermione woke to having a damp cloth dabbed on her forehead, a dark figure looming over her. She didn't know what to think, but decided not to panic. After all she had been through, she found this care to be from someone she knew, someone who cared if she was okay, or at least that she would be one day. A vial was put to her lips and she drank, smelling the foul drink and placing its properties in her head. An afterward-contraceptive potion. That told her who this person was, but why he was soothing her she knew not. But she would soon. As he began to put away the first-aid kit, someone entered the room. She recognized the man's smell, he was the one who kidnapped her, but she couldn't see his face. It wasn't until she heard his voice that she knew his identity. She pretended to sleep.

"So Severus, are you going to take her at all or give her to someone as a present?"

"No Lucius, I am not giving her to anyone. I am not like the rest of you. I prefer my women somewhat clean, willing if only for less torture, and above all healthy. She smelled of every man that has had her, as well as sickly. I do not want to have anything that she may have gotten if I can prevent it." He stood, taking Hermione with him. He laid her upon the bed and covered her, all the while hiding her nude body from the other man. He knew she was awake, but hoped Lucius didn't.

"Come now Severus, I captured her, did I not?" Lucius walked over to the bed, taking a lock of her hair and spinning it around his finger.

"That may be, but Our Lord has given her to me. Therefore I may do as I like with her. If I wish to wait for her health to recover, I may. If I wish to have her to myself, I may." Lucius didn't like that answer and his expression became angry.

"You will find yourself at a hard place soon Snape, be warned. I don't have proof yet, but I will soon, traitor. And then you will be sorry." The door slammed shut behind him. A heavy sigh escaped the potions master. He sat beside Hermione on the bed and placed a hand on her shoulder as she had her back to him now.

"Miss Granger, I am so sorry about what has happened to you. I am not allowed to take you back to Hogwarts until you are pregnant with my child. The Dark Lord believes that I will never produce an heir, so he has chosen my 'bride' for me. I am sorry it is you Miss Granger." He watched her a moment more, he wasn't surprised she didn't say anything to him.

"Hermione." Her voice was barely heard. His hand reacted for him.

"What did you say?" He placed his hand back where it was, hoping she would repeat herself. Her body began to move, and she lay facing him. Her eyes appeared hollow.

"My name is Hermione. Please call me Hermione." She looked at him for a moment, trying to tell him something more, something important.

"Hermione, do you want to go back to Hogwarts?" His voice was soft.

"Yes, please, I would do anything to leave here." His eyes would not meet hers.

"There is only one way you understand. Are you sure you want to, with me?"

"If it means you and I leave here alive, yes. I have nothing else to lose but my life now. I would like to keep it, please?" His eyes snapped up.

"Where are your belongings?" She pointed to the dresser in the corner. "How are you feeling?" He took off his overcoat, hanging it on the back of a chair at the desk.

"No need for formalities Professor, just do what must be done." She sounded forlorn, as if she were already dead. It hurt him to think he had been responsible for this.

"From now on, as long as we are not in a school environment or we are alone, you may call me Severus, is that all right Hermione?" Her gaze met his.

"That is fine Severus. I did always like your first name." She smiled. It was weak, but a smile nonetheless. That smile gave him hope. As she was wearing nothing, he stripped as well, thanking her silently for not looking. It made his task less stressful than it already was. Before he did anything however, he gave her a potion to ensure she would conceive. At least they would be able to leave once she was found with child. Hopefully she would still have the same brilliant mind as she had before.

Hermione moved over to allow him into the bed, noticing how he was not like how she would have pictured him. His chest was an expanse of muscle, shoulders not as broad as she believed by his daily outfit. They faced one another, her hands clutched in front of her chest. Severus couldn't help but notice her lithe figure, her subtle curves and how her hair weaved this way and that around her face. She really was beautiful, but he never before noticed as he was not inclined to see students as amiable. But now he was faced with one of his students in a situation that was less than normal, even for their world.

"Hermione, I am going to try and make this as easy for you as possible. Please understand how much I wish this didn't have to happen." He ran his hands down her sides and began his ministrations upon her body. She tried not to make eye contact, remembering her past experiences with doing so resulted in punishment. He noticed this and the list of people he knew had taken her came to mind. Many hated being looked at while they took, but he wanted her to feel safe as much as possible. So he kissed her. Not a passionate kiss, not even a loving one, but one of understanding, one that he hoped told her how much he wished he wasn't about to do what he had to do. At last his ministrations began bearing fruit, he too was beginning to become affected. When he felt she was ready, he laid himself atop her and pushed open her legs and settling between them. All the while she laid still, not daring to move, hoping that if she gave in she might forget the others, forget their rough touches and biting remarks. And somewhere, deep inside, she knew that these touches were sincere and she was not scared. She realized that he was a victim in this just the same, he would never have done this to her unless otherwise forced yet her body was enjoying his soft caresses. She never registered her release if there was nor his, until his voice came back.

"Hermione, are you alright?" His voice seemed unsure, his arms protectively around her.

"I'm fine Professor… Just numb…" Her voice quivered slightly, her eyes fluttering. Before long she was asleep, Severus having cleaned her wounds and reporting to the Dark Lord of his conquest.

"I am proud of you Severus. You have done well. Now that I am sure she is ready, you may return her to Hogwarts. But remember, I wish to see her once every month to ensure her pregnancy progresses."

"Yes my Lord."

"You are dismissed." Severus kissed the hem of Voldemort's robes and left the room, moving swiftly to the room where Hermione lay, waiting to leave. He had told her they would be going, and hoped he was right. As always, his assessment of the Dark Lord was true. He entered the room silently, having knocked on the door twice, as he told her he would if they were leaving. Taking her into his arms as if he were hugging her, they Apparated to Hogsmeade, and from there walked to Hogwarts. Neither knew where they would go from there, but hoped that Albus had a plan.