Day 3

I wonder if he ever sleeps. I have never seen him sleep. It is me who falls asleep first every night and the last to wake up every morning. He simply sits or stands in the corner, lost into his thoughts. I hope he doesn't notice I'm observing him. He seems...tired. His face is not as smooth as before, obviously, he hasn't shaved in three days. How do wizards shave anyway? Do they have some kind of magical foam? Or do they use a spell? Is there a spell for that kind of thing? Perhaps they do it the Muggle way?

I suddenly realize how foolish my thoughts are. Being locked in a dungeon for three days is starting to get to me.

It is still early in the morning. And it's raining outside. I can hear it. I have always liked the sound of rain.

I look at Professor Snape again, feeling the need to talk to someone. But what can I say? He doesn't seem to be in the mood for conversations. He is never in the mood for conversations.

I take a deep breath and force myself to speak.

"Sir?"

His eyes land on me and he waits for me to continue.

"D-Don't you think it's strange we haven't been taken to Vold-...You-know-who? It's been three days already."

He takes a deep breath.

"I do not know what their plans are," he says, "Nothing is up to us anymore."

"All we can do is wait?" I ask and he nods.

End of conversation.

ooo

I can't take it anymore. The silence. The coldness. The feeling of despair. Fear. The waiting.

Before I even realize what I'm doing, I am punching the dungeon doors with all my force and yelling at the top of my lungs.

"What do you want from us? Let us go!" I scream, barely recognizing my own voice.

Nothing.

"Do you hear me?"

I kick the doors and yelp at the pain that shoots through me. But that doesn't stop me.

"What do you want?"

Suddenly I am being grabbed from behind and dragged away from the doors.

"Enough," he says calmly, not letting go of me.

I struggle hard, kicking and screaming, trying to break free. It's useless.

"Professor, let me go!" I demand, struggling even more.

"Stop this nonsense at once, Miss Granger!"

I recognize the authority in his voice and I feel like I'm in school again. But...I'm not in school. I am in the dungeon, trapped, waiting in fear, while I should be helping Harry and doing something useful.

"No! I want to know why we're here!" I yell, still struggling against Professor Snape. He's much stronger though and he is not letting go of me.

"Do you actually believe they will tell you anything?"

I don't answer him as I struggle harder, my whole body shaking with emotions. I have to do something. I can't simply sit and wait.

But I'm trapped. Professor Snape has his arms around my waist and he's not letting me go. After a few minutes I can feel all energy leave my body and I slowly calm down.

"I have to do something," I admit quietly.

"You need to calm yourself down."

He leads me to my mattress and I slide down, curling myself into a ball. I know I should be ashamed of my behavior. I never wanted Professor Snape of all people to see me like this, to see my breakdown. But I can't help myself. The isolation is driving me mad.

I close my eyes and try to relax.

ooo

I slowly come back to reality, blinking a few times. Nothing has changed. I am still in the dungeon. A feeling of despair creeps into me, but I try to ignore it.

I notice Professor Snape sitting on the chair in the corner. He barely throws a glance at me. I can feel my cheeks blush with embarrassment as I remember how I've behaved. He probably thinks I'm immature and weak.

"Sir," I begin, "I apologize for my behavior earlier. I-I don't know what else to say."

"No need to apologize, Miss Granger," he replies, "It is perfectly understandable."

I look at him, a bit relived:"Really?"

He simply nods, "Yes," then adds, "But I would appreciate it if you could refrain from acting like that again."

"Of course, sir."

Silence.

I look around and then notice a small platter on the floor.

"Have they brought the food while I was asleep?" I ask.

He looks down at the platter, then back at me:"Obviously."

I blush at my own stupid question.

The meal is the same as the last two days. Water and bread. I just drink the water and return to my mattress.

"I advise you to eat, Miss Granger. It would do us no good if you starve yourself."

"I'm not hungry," I reply weakly.

He raises his eyebrow in disbelief.

I correct myself, "I am hungry, but I can't eat...that. Bread is all I've eaten in the last few days. I can't anymore..." I trail off and I think he understands because he doesn't say anything else.

ooo

"I know the Muggles started it all," I start the conversation, not able to hold the thoughts to myself anymore.

He sighs in annoyance, "Would you at least try to make your sentences seem like they have a beginning, a middle and an end?"

I try again, "I mean, I know the Muggles are also responsible for everything that is happening in the Wizarding World."

"Explain."

"The racism and the belief that Muggleborns are not worthy of the magic. Muggles started it all. In the past many alleged witches were persecuted and burnt at the stake. Witch-hunts claimed thousands of lives every year."

"No history lesson needed, Miss Granger. I am aware of those facts."

"I don't doubt that, sir," I quickly say. I never meant to insult his intelligence.

I continue, "They believed that witches were in league with the Devil and used their powers to harm people and property. I can't even imagine how many innocent people died."

"The ones who died were mostly non-magical," he added.

"I know and it doesn't make it any less horrible."

Silence.

"The Death Eaters, the Pureblood's beliefs, it's simply a revenge for how we've treated them in the past."

"It does play an important part."

"I always said how all the Pureblood supremacy is old-fashioned in something like that could never happen in a modern society."

Professor Snape looks at me as if he knows I will continue.

"But I'm wrong," I say quietly, "Muggles don't believe in witches anymore. But if they did...I have no doubt there would be witch hunts again."

"It's understandable. People are afraid of the things they do not know."

I nod and lose myself in my thoughts again. Many wizards hate muggles and muggles hate wizards. Is peace ever even possible?

ooo

I am brought back into the dungeon and the guard leaves and slams the doors behind me. I wrap my arms around myself and lean against the wall, taking a deep breath.

"He wouldn't even talk to me," I admit.

Professor Snape looks at me, surprised and a bit amused, "You have tried to get information from guards again?"

"Y-Yes."

"Even after what happened last time?"

"Yes."

He sighs, "Miss Granger, do not annoy them. What happened last time, when you were pushed to the ground, that is nothing in comparison to what they can do."

"Tell me."

"What do you want me to tell you?"

I take a deep breath, preparing myself, "Tell me what can we expect from them. I know you know a lot about them, sir."

"It wouldn't be wise to-"

"Please," I cut him off.

"Some things are very unpleasant. Not for your ears, Miss Granger."

"Professor," I start slowly, "We are in a dungeon, captured by the Death Eaters. The chances that we will be saved are...minimal," my voice breaks a bit, but I continue, "I want to know what to expect. You don't have to protect me anymore, sir."

I look at him and notice he's staring at me, a hard look in his eyes. I can tell he's arguing with himself whether to tell me or not. It takes a lot of will power, but I hold the eye contact with him and after a few long moments he sighs and nods.

"You are aware of my history with the Death Eaters, am I correct?"

I quickly nod.

"The methods they use are...harsh. They have no respect for a human life. No conscience."

I don't even know why I'm listening to him. All I want is to cover my ears and pretend everything is alright. But for some strange reason I keep listening to him.

"Unforgivable Curses, mental torture, murder, rape, anything. You name it, they did it."

I shiver uncontrollably.

He continues, "They are willing to do anything to get what they want. And sometimes they do it simply out of boredom."

"My god," I whisper quietly to myself.

"There are no boundaries for them. It doesn't matter if you are 100 years old or 11 years old. They have killed infants," then he says in a low voice, "I have seen it."

I feel sick. My hand covers my mouth as I wait for the sickness to pass. Everything he has told me, only caused horrible images to form inside my mind.

Then a question pops into my mind. Has he-?

"S-Sir, everything you have told me...have you ever-?" I don't finish the question, but he knows what I was about to ask and he tenses, his eyes suddenly very hard.

"Do you truly want to know, Miss Granger?" he asks.

I look at him and then quickly shake my head,"N-No."

"Smart decision."

ooo

It's dark already. I am alone in the dungeon. The guard came and took Snape with him. It was his visit to the bathroom. I try to make a use of the time while I'm alone and I quickly move the chair under the small window. I want to see where we are and I don't understand why Snape doesn't seem interested in that. Without thinking I stand on the chair and realize the small window is still too high for me to reach. Groaning in annoyance, I shakily stand on the chair's top rail, supporting myself on the wall.

I'm so close to the window. Just a bit more...

The dungeon doors open and I flinch in shock, losing my balance and falling unceremoniously to the floor.

The guard laughs at me, "You girl ought to be more careful with your stunts."

With those words he leaves the dungeon, still laughing, leaving me alone with Professor Snape again.

He makes his way to me angrily, grabs my arm and pulls me up from the floor.

"What were you thinking?" he barks at me.

"I-I was simply trying to see through the window," I defend myself.

He lets go of my arm,"You could have hurt yourself. Use your brain for once, you foolish girl!"

"I am using my brain!" I raise my voice a bit, "At least I am trying to do something, while all you do is sit around and feel sorry for yourself."

Rage flashes in his eyes and he moves closer to me, his voice low and controlled, "Watch your tongue, Granger. We might not be at Hogwarts at the moment, but I am still your teacher and you will show respect towards me. Is that understood?"

I open my mouth to argue, but something in his eyes stops me. He is right. I shouldn't forget what he is to me. I have overstepped the line.

"I apologize, Professor," I force the words out.

He simply nods.

I drop myself to my mattress and turn around from him, closing my eyes, feeling the tears form slowly. I must not let him see me like this. Within a few minutes I fall asleep.

A/N: 27 more days to go! :) Your reviews really mean a lot to me. Tell me your opinion or suggestions for this story. What would you like to see happen in the next 27 days? I would also like to tell you that things are not as they seem at first sight. ;) You will see soon. Thanks for reading and please leave a review! :)