A/N: I think I'm going to rate this M, just cause of the language and possible paths this fic could wander down...
Horror stricken, the Golden Trio exchanged quick glances.
"Oh god." Hermione breathed as a tear ran down her cheek. Greyback turned to her and stepped forward.
"Don't cry, sweetheart," He crooned, brushing the tear away with a yellow claw, he leaned closer, "I think I'll keep you."
Hermione turned away and let out a choked sob.
Greyback stepped back again, "Well come on then!" He shouted.
They all disapparated in a series of cracks and thunder claps. When they reached Malfoy Manor it was raining as if the heavens had opened. Hermione ducked her head against the harsh downpour and unconsciously stepped closer to her captor, relishing in his unusual warmth.
They were dragged across to the huge wrought iron gate which stretched up far beyond their heads. Greyback tapped his wand against part of an engraved rose and the gate swung open, scraping across the wet concrete.
Inside the mansion it was as cold as outside, if not colder, except there was no rain. Harry shivered, his mind racing. They needed a plan, and fast.
Greyback strode forward across the dark red carpet which covered a thin sliver of the grey flagstone flooring, gesturing for his men to follow. They entered the main hall through a set of double oak doors which stretched even taller than the gate had. Bellatrix lead them into the centre of the room and pointed to the side. Ike and Finn yanked Hermione and Ron off to the side of the hall whilst Charlie held Harry tight, dragging him into the centre of the room. Charlie pushed his hands down on Harry's shoulders, forcing him to kneel before the mad witch.
Bellatrix leant forward, cackling under her foul breath which fanned out across Harry's sweat sheened face. His breathing had become far heavier and was coming out in short, quick gasps. Bellatrix lifted her wand and pushed back his fringe to show his scar. The grin on her face spread her lips wide in hideous glee.
"It's him." She breathed.
"No!" Ron suddenly shouted from the side, hoping to distract them. Greyback summoned two thick black gags from his wand and proceeded to tie one around the ginger's mouth, muffling his cries. He walked over to Hermione and tied hers much more slowly, pausing to lean in and sniff her hair. She whimpered as he trailed a clawed finger across her throat. Grinning, he stepped back and watched whatever the insane bitch would do next.
"Draco, what do you think?" Lucius stepped forward out of the shadows, looking over at his son who was sitting rather stiffly in a red leather arm chair.
Draco looked at him uncertainly before standing up slowly and walking over to where Bellatrix hung over Harry.
"Erm, I...yeah, I suppose." He muttered.
Bellatrix stepped back and yanked up her sleeve to reveal the dark mark which was branded into the pale flesh of her arm. She raised her arm and it hovered over the mark precariously. A couple of inches and Voldemort would be standing in the same room. Greyback suddenly bounded towards her.
"What?" Bellatrix hissed at him. Greyback gripped her hand and moved it away from her arm.
"Can I keep the girl?" He asked lowly, his eyes wide with the possibilities.
Bellatrix tugged her arm from his grip and spat, "Do whatever you want, the Dark Lord only wants the boy."
Greyback smiled maliciously.
"But you should probably wait until he arrives, just to make sure she isn't any of his interest." And with this she pushed her index finger into the skull of her Dark Mark.
An inhumane shriek of agony left Harry as his scar burnt into his forehead. The scalding pain drove into his mind and clouded his vision. Bellatrix cackled in glee, her rising to the ceiling. They stayed fixed on the huge chandelier above her head, her expression slowly turning sour.
"This is for Harry Potter!" A high-pitched wail resounded from above the chandelier, right before it collapsed on top of Bellatrix.
Harry gasped and stepped backwards, out of range from the shattered glass. He ran over to Greyback and jumped on the momentarily disoriented werewolf, retrieving their wands and trying to jump off again. Greyback roared and spun around, arms extended, trying to get that little shit off his back. Harry raised his free hand and slammed it down on the back of his head with all the strength he had. The werewolf swayed slightly as his arms fell to his sides.
Harry hopped off, pushing the beast forward with both hands, whilst grabbing hold of both Ron and Hermione with his right arm. They pushed away from their captors and gripped their wands firmly. All hell then broke out as people darted left and right, Lucius and Greyback trying to get back the Golden Trio before the Dark Lord arrived. But when a thick black smoke erupted from one end of the hall along with a magnificent crack, everyone froze.
Voldemort's pale head came out of the fog first, followed by his robe covered body. Ron and Hermione pulled off their gags and slowly retreated.
"Get them!" He screamed, his ice-cold voice echoing throughout the hall.
Harry clutched the pair tightly and disapparated, quickly enough to escape a furious curse from Voldemort. Hermione instantly thought of the Forest of Dean, the getaway that she used to visit with her parents in the summer. But as soon as her legs buckled on the cold forest floor, they were being sucked back through the air again, somewhere else entirely.
The trio collapsed in a heap upon the wet surface of a beach.
Harry rolled over onto his back and sighed, looking up into the starry sky. Hermione shifted slightly and knelt up beside the pair.
"Where are we?" She asked.
"Shell Cottage." Harry breathed, relaxing slightly.
"What was wrong with the Forest of Dean?" She asked indignantly, crossing her arms.
"Yeah, what was wrong with the woods?" Ron said from the right, defending Hermione.
Harry rolled onto his side and then sat up, "We need to apparate twice in a row now so people can't cross over our void that we leave behind."
Hermione shook her head and stood up, the heels of her trainers sinking into the sand. She wrapped her arms around her sides and shivered, still feeling Greyback's filthy claw on her skin and smelling the scent of blood and sweat that hung in the air.
Ron's arm came out of nowhere and landed on her shoulders, snapping her out of the daze she fell into. He pulled her close, planted a kiss on her forehead and they both started to walk along to the shore. Harry followed closely behind, his heart still beating wildly against his rib cage from his close shave. By the time they reached the front door of Shell Cottage they were cold, wet and hungry. Harry knocked on the door and seconds later Fleur appeared, a golden ray of sun, with blonde hair, bright blue eyes and tanned skin. Her beautiful face curled with shock, her mouth going slack.
"Come in! Come in!" She ushered them in, gesturing for them to remove their shoes. She guided them through to the living room through around the kitchen to the left. Harry, Ron and Hermione were instantly drawn to the fireplace which was blazing merrily, throwing the light blue and teak room into a warm glow. When their jackets were hung up and the rest of their clothes dry, Fleur handed them each a cup of hot chocolate each and sat them down onto the stylish yet comfy sofas.
"What on earth 'appened?" She asked softly, sipping at her tea.
"We got captured by Greyback and taken to Malfoy Manor." Harry explained.
Ron grumbled to himself, shuddering slightly. Hermione took another sip of her hot chocolate as a tear ran down her cheek. She brushed it away before the others noticed.
Fleur gasped and pressed a hand to her mouth, "But 'ow did you escape?"
Hermione set her mug down and cleared her throat, "Dobby unscrewed a chandelier which crushed Bellatrix." She smiled in spite of herself.
"I hope that bitch died." Ron muttered, taking a long gulp which finished his hot drink.
"Bill...'eez away for work, I'm sure you can stay 'ere." Fleur told them.
The three smiled in unison.
A/N: Please review!