DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. I ONLY OWN THE PLOT.

A/N: THERE HAVEN'T BEEN A LOT OF HERMIONE/RABASTAN STORIES AND I HAVE A FASINACTION WITH DIFFERENT CHARACTER PARINGS. RABASTAN STRIKES ME AS A DARK NIGHT AND SHINNING ARMOR. SO JUST READ AND TELL ME WHAT YOU ALL THINK.

One

There are times in people's lives when they wished they could take back their last step or there last foolish act. Of course, once it's done, it's done. There's no going back. Not even magic could fix it. If magic could fix everything, life would be so simple.

That was exactly what Hermione's problem was right now. If magic could fix her current problem she wouldn't be running through a dark forest with her lungs crying for air and tears burning her eyes. Her legs hurt and they wanted her to give up and just stop. However, if Hermione gave up then it meant defeat and defeat meant death and she would not allow herself to be killed by death eaters.

Voices sounded behind her and Hermione sped up. Don't stop! No matter what, KEEP GING! a voice in her head told her. There was no need for that because Hermione had two options; either run or die. None of the option was good but she couldn't fight off a group of seven or eight death eaters by herself. Sweat poured down her forehead and back and her breath came in short bursts. The fire in her lungs increased as though someone had poured gasoline on the fire which was there. The ache in her body increased too and Hermione nearly sobbed out loud.

God why couldn't they just go? Hermione was near collapsing when her foot suddenly caught in an over grown root and then Hermione went down, hard.

Gasping Hermione had no other option other than to fall on her hands and knees. Keeping her screams to herself, Hermione began to roll down a hill the twigs and branches scratching her face and hands. Keeping her tears at bay, Hermione slowed down until her body fell into a deep ditch. Oh fuck, how do I end up in these types if situations? Hermione wondered, biting her tongue from letting the cry of pain escape her.

The death eaters appeared a good ten feet away from the ditch where Hermione was watching them. They looked pretty pissed and Hermione prayed that they didn't catch her. She didn't want to endure the special torture Bellatrix saved just for her. A shiver went down her spine just imaging what had happened in her fifth year. Hermione bit on her lib to keep her breathing from being heard and focused on keeping herself alive. Her head hurt and her body hurt even more. That damn root had saved her life but it still had hurt! Her libs felt lifeless and the coppery taste in her mouth made Hermione want to gag.

"Come on out mud blood! You can't hide from us!" a shrill voice cried and Hermione's blood froze. Bellatrix. God the woman was insane! She could still make the hairs on Hermione's body stand still in fear. Bile flooded her throat but Hermione resisted the urge to spit. When no one answered, Bellatrix screamed in anger.

"WHERE ARE YOU MUD BLODD?" she shouted causing Hermione to shrink into the ditch.

"Calm yourself Bella!" a male voice ordered harshly. Hermione gulped her throat dry. She didn't know who that was and she didn't care. All she knew was that man was a very angry death eater. They all stood motionless as if Hermione might show herself out of sheer fright.

"She's gone." The deep voice came out of nowhere standing almost four feet away from Hermione's hiding place. Hermione's eyes widened and she shrunk down further. If the man noticed any movement he didn't show it. His voice sent shivers of fear down Hermione's spine. Let them go! Please let them go!

"Gone? How the hell do you know?" Bellatrix cried aloud. Everyone could tell she was not happy to hear that news. She was going insane with every passing second. More insane than she already is!

"Now, dear Bella, I know you want to get your hands on that mud blood, but she isn't here," the man cooed. Before Bellatrix could go on, the man continued. "Can you see her anywhere? Can you hear her breathing? Can you smell her fear?" Everyone reluctantly agreed with him. They knew the Dark Lord would not be pleased, at all. Hermione Granger was becoming a bigger priority on his list of people he wanted. She fell under Harry Potter and above Albus Dumbledore and that was a surprise for everyone.

"How are we going to face the Dark Lord? He's going to murder us!" That was also true. Voldemort had sent out eight death eaters to look for a little slip of a girl and if none of them could find her then that was a problem.

"That will be determined. It isn't like this is the first failed mission. It's better you all go back now." Bellatrix's eyes narrowed.

"You want to find that whore and claim all the credit!" someone called out. Hermione bit back a resort which had come to her lips. She had a bit of a habit of putting men back in their place when they used that term on women. However the next words out of the man's mouth shut her right up.

"Believe me if I find her, I'll share her with you and the credit. And I'll convince the Dark Lord to let you all have some fun with her." Hermione's eyes widened in shock. That sounded like a promise and she knew exactly what would be done with her if she fell into their hands.

"Oh I do hope you find her." With several loud pops, the death eaters disappeared and the forest was once again quiet except for Hermione's wild heartbeat. Get up and run! What are you waiting for?

Someone could still be there!

You heard them! They left now move your arse! That sounded like Ron for a second but Hermione was quickly disrupted by the footsteps behind her.

"I thought you were supposed to be smart little one."