Thanks for the reviews and follows, hope you enjoy the story! My chapters may be short but I'll be updating often to make up for it!
Also throwing in a few OC background characters~
Ouch.
Parting her lips, Hermione let out a soft moan. Her back felt like it was one fire. What kind of spell gave you burns..No she knew the answer, her real question was what kind of person would burn you and then leave those burns unattended too.
She knew the answer to that too. Dreadful, dark and pure evil people.
She wanted to move so badly but she had to be smart now. Her thoughts had flooded back to her, what she had done, how stupid she had been. Ron and Harry, hopefully they were around, on second thoughts hopefully they were far away. She mentally cursed herself, she would never live this down, when asked how she failed Harry and Ron her reply would be 'Oh I, attacked a man for touching me.' And though justified, it seems a might stupid reason to fail your best friends. No, now is the time to listen, her surroundings were quiet, but not silent. There was some snoring going on. So it was night then. Night and she was lying down so a bedroom then? Her ears perking a little, Hermione's breath hitches a little, that snoring was awfully close. Oh Merlin they didn't..while she was asleep? That so disgusting.
Feeling the familiar bitter tears from earlier re-grace themselves back in her eyes, she pushes that thought aside. She needed to have a look-see at what was going on, maybe just maybe then she could see a opportunity to escape. It was a small hope.
fluttering her eyelids open, Hermione notes the room. It was a stoned room, with walls crawling up to meet a high ceiling. One small window, barred. So it was a prison then? The floor in the dim light seemed cobbled, and in the center of the small-ish circular room was an oval-shaped rug. The only furniture in the room seemed to be a bookcase and a double bed, a bed in which she was in. Much to her horror, not alone.
Hermione startled, who was this? why where they in bed? Was this the ministry? Had they touched her? Oh fuck. Her thoughts were in a whirlpool and she couldn't do anything, she was helpless. No wand, although she had noticed her clothes were all one except her jacket. Surly that was a good sign.
She had to find out who this person was, but she can't help fearing , what would they do to her if she woke them up, and they discovered she was now awake? Her eyes took in the figure laying with its back to her, it was tall and slim, and that was about all she could make out of the body. Great. This dim light was doing nothing to help her, and the fact that they had the covers wrapped up to their neck was making it impossible to note who they were. The hair spilling onto the pillow beside her was dark, but what shade was impossible to tell. Maybe it was that man from earlier, the one she attacked? The man with the eyes..those eyes.
Hermione almost shook herself. What was she thinking? Eyes! He probably abused her and here she was thinking about the bastard's eyes. She was a foolish teenager.
Well what is she supposed to do? Just sit here and play guess who? No that's not what Gryffindors do. That's not what one the golden trio does. That's not what she does.
Painfully pushing against the mattress beneath her she props her self on her elbows and then with as much stealth as she can, manages a look over the figure, holding her breath she put her face forward, so it was hovering over the face of the person.
She was surprised to say the least. A woman. Well that settled her fear somewhat. Although waking up with a woman only added other strange and worried thoughts. Her golden orbs scan over the face with curiosity. The woman who lay beside her was, mid twenties. Her skin in the dim light appeared to be pale and her lips a deep blood-red. No one Hermione had ever seen before. This woman seemed somewhat gentle even though she had strong features and a square jaw, she was definitely beautiful, at least in Hermione's opinion. Had she been an envious woman she may have been jealous of this woman, but now her curiosity sated she had a new goal.
investigate the room for possible escape routes.
Well, that was the plan untill eyelids bellow her flashed open revealing eyes as dark and stormy as grey sea staring up at her. Hermione felt her pulse quicken and her breath catch in her throat. Now what? could she really not catch a break? After everything she's done, everything she's doing, for the greater good. Its one event after another.
'Fuck sake, do you know how creepy it is, watching people sleepin'?' The sound stirred Hermione from her thoughts. The woman's voice was a low sultry Scottish tone.
'I apologize..' Hermione, mumbles her face turning to a blush. Why was she saying sorry? She didn't know this woman, nor trust her. All she knew was that apologizing seemed like the smart thing to do.
The other woman groaned and got up, she was clothed, thankfully. Dipping a slender hand into a waistband the woman produced a pale white wooded wand. With a flick the room's candles light up and the woman turned back to face Hermione. With a better look Hermione realized the woman was very tall and curvy, her hair was also a dark red, not Weasley red. This was a unnatural mahogany bloody red, and it dripped like a wound down her shoulders in long curls.
'Well, I imagine you have questions, huh?' She asked with a smirk.
Hermione nodded, this however was not what she expected. 'Where am I?,Who are you and whats to become of me?" Those were the important ones, also they didn't give many details about herself.
The woman laughed, it was a dry chuckle. 'Well, Penelope, you are at Snatcher's base, I'm Elnis and you are here to wait until the next ministry drop off.' The woman grinned as if that was all she needed to say on the subject.
'I..I'm sorry, but I thought snatchers took witches and wizards to the ministry straight away..' She was unsure why was she was being so nervous, this woman was just so unnerving, plus she'd never seen a female snatcher before.
'Well, deary.' She retorted strolling to a chest at the bottom of the bed, Hermione hadn't noticed before. ' The ministry has become a strict and tiring place, and well honestly this group isn't a fan of going there often, so we wait until there's a handful of people before making drop offs.' Merlin knew how long she had until the next drop off but, time no matter how short was still time to plan. 'Why, you in a hurry to the ministry, love?'
Hermione shook her head at the latter comment, all she knew was she had time. 'Am I the only one you have..am I the only one here?' it was the only way to ask about Harry and Ron without asking.
'Nah we have a guy, he's sleepin' with the guys though.' Oh god, was it one of her boys? The fear must have been evident on her face because that Elnis woman continued, 'Some, blonde guy, mud-blood..any thoughts?'
. Not them. Thank god. They were safe, the snatchers must have assumed her alone. They were safe. Safe.
The woman appeared to still be talking, and Hermione decided for her own safety to listen. '..and so Scruffy thought we should just tie you up with the blond, but Greyback kept leering on you, and that cunt is dangerous at the best of times, if we gave him a toy he might get too excited, and with Scabior unconscious at the time, I decided to take you here."
Of course, this woman didn't care about her. She cared about keeping her pet in control. Did no one have compassion anymore? Still, at least this woman had the brains to keep her away from that monster.
'S-Scabior?' Hermione asked curiously, though she knew to well that this was the man she cursed. She let the Gryffindor pride show a little at the idea of knocking him unconscious.
"Yeah, He wasn't too happy when he woke up,' The woman laughed darkly, and having produced a small key from the chest she headed to the door. 'Which reminds me, I've got breakfast to make and I told Scabior I'd tell him when ye woke up.' And with that the Elnis character unlocked the door and left.
Breakfast? The small window showed a still dark sky..Although those winter mornings where dark, it must be around six am. The woman, seemed nice enough..no nice wasn't the word. She seemed civil and sarcastic. Not a friend. Not someone who ever would be. Although she had saved her from Greyback, even if it was for the wrong reason.
Hermione kicked the bed with frustration. Here she was in pain alone, scared and she had no idea about Harry or Ron. Were they looking for her? She almost smiled the thought. No, they had decided unless its Harry, anyone who leaves or goes missing, can not be searched for. They had too much to do. Deep down though, she hoped they were looking for her.
Burying her face in her sleeves she let out a much-needed sob. 'I'm such an idiot.'
'No no,' a familiar cockney accent rang out in the room, giving Hermione a start, she hadn't even heard the door open. 'Attacking a Snatcher, while several others had their wands pointed at you..that was utter genius, love."
Her eyes looked up to met with a toothy grin and jeering eyes, he was mocking her. She almost growled, how dare he. It was bad enough she was beating herself up, but him. That smug, cocky arse of a man!
Sticking her chin up and pursing her lips, she stated firmly in reply, 'I was provoked.'
To her surprise she was met with laughter, this only infuriated her more. She was trying to be serious.
'Provoked eh?" Scabior started in closer to her grabbing her wrist, without a second thought.
She gasped watching him in his strides and then panicked at the feel of his hands on her, oh god. What was he going to do.
'Get off!' She snapped, that Gryffindor bravery seeping through as she struggled against the firm hold.
'Not so tough without the wand, are you beautiful?' Her smirked cruelly as a callous hand was planted on her hip and the grip on her wrist tightened. 'I think being nice is the least you could do after cursing me, don't you?'
Hermione's eyes widened at the tightening of the grip and when the hand reached her hip, she stopped still completely. She felt many mixed feelings at the touch, the main being fear. Her Gryffindor spirit was failing her.
'I-I..no please, stop don't' The panic in her voice was clear. 'Not that!'
Scabior growled and pushed her backwards onto the bed, his eyes were flashing dangerously, and he looked like he was capable of anything. On hitting the bed She shut her eyes not being able to watch him and what he was going to do.
But nothing happened.
Shaking she peered open her eyes, he was standing there watching her with an amused expression. What was he doing? What was he waiting for? Bringing up a trembling hand to wipe her tears, she asked cautiously. 'What are you doing?'
'Standing.' He looked remarkably calm considering the anger in him moments ago. 'I'm a snatcher, not a rapist, beautiful.'
Hermione's seemed to go still in shock. Had she really been so crazy to jump to that conclusion? Well now she felt sick, especially since he seemed so angry about the accusation. Or was he hurt?
'I'm sorry.' She replied genuinely from her frightened huddle on the bed, again she was angry at herself for apologizing to the people who had every intention of handing her over to the Ministry where she would no doubt be killed..but they were still people.
He watched her for a while from where he was standing, she couldn't make out the expression on his face. Perhaps because it was cold, and almost expressionless. Except for those eyes. The icy orbs of a man who had seen things. Dark things. Eyes so full of emotion, none in particular just pure emotion. They were mesmerizing. Beautiful even. She found herself captivated in them. Those perfect pools that seemed so dark with the anger of her suggestion. Suddenly cooled. Cold. Frozen. She couldn't help wondering if they could ever be gentle. God girl what are you thinking? staring into the eyes of a man who would no doubt gladly sell his own mother for a well filled vault at Gringrotts. Well it's not like she was attracted to him. He just had nice eyes. Eyes she now realised were staring at her. How long had they been like that? Silently staring into each others eyes, searching each other out. It felt intense, as if his eyes were devouring hers, but she couldn't tear away. Instead she stared back and allowed a blush to creep up her face, to which he seemed very amused with.
Oh no, she was not blushing at a man because he was looking at her? That's ridiculous, she was terrified of him raping her moments ago, begging him not to touch her, and suddenly she was blushing? Must be a fever from the burns. Yep. That's the logical explanation.
'Like I said, beautiful,' He chuckled allowing her to pull her gaze away, 'If I wanted you, I wouldn't need to force it..If I wanted you, as it is, I'm more interested in how much the ministry will pay, Miss Clearwater.'
He savoured her offended and scared and blushing expression before giving her a half-hearted mocking bow and heading out the door. Outside in the stone corridor he grinned to himself.
Playing hard to get has never failed him yet, and this Penelope was clearly interested, scared yes, disgusted maybe, but the way she looked at him was a subtle 'come hither look' if ever he saw it. Perhaps he should make her short time here enjoyable, after all, they would be taking her and the other kid to the ministry in a week.
