Beauty and the Beast
Chapter 3 – The Professor and the Manor

Inside the Vanishing Cabinet, Hermione felt the ground move beneath her feet as she was whisked away. In no time, it stopped and she tried to recall the knocking method her grandfather had taught her. Three sharp knocks, then three harder ones, and then three sharp ones again. She could hear someone on the outside moving around and a clear voice said, "Declare yourself."

"Hermione Granger," she replied. "Potions Mistress, daughter of Jean and Michael Granger, and Granddaughter of Hector Dagworth Granger. Please, Death Eaters attacked my home, I don't know if they will try to follow me."

"You are alone?"

"Yes," Hermione insisted.

Suddenly there was a tap from the other side of the door, "Homium Revelio." She patiently waited for the spell to do its job and prove she was by herself. A moment later the cabinet was opened and in front of her stood a man with a long silver beard and rich purple robes. He wore half-moon spectacles on his crooked nose, the spectacles glinted as he tilted his head looking at her. Hermione's jaw dropped, she knew him already of course in fact everyone did. No matter what side of the war they were on, everyone knew Albus Dumbledore.

The famed wizard extended his hand to her and she tentatively took it, helping her get out of the cabinet. As soon as she was out, Dumbledore waved his wand in his other hand and the door shut again. A flick and it burst into flames causing her to jump. "My apologies Ms. Granger," Albus said calmly as he tucked his wand away. "But we couldn't risk any Death Eaters coming through. I'm told I'm rather valuable cargo as are you I assume."

"I can't imagine being nearly as valuable as you," Hermione commented still very awestruck at this unexpected meeting.

Dumbledore chuckled, "Never underestimate yourself Ms. Granger, you're worth more than you think. Come along, I need to hear about this Death Eater attack."

Hermione nodded mutely, not sure what else to say. There weren't so much rumours as there were legends about this man and all that he'd done to fight Voldemort. She longed to ask him if they were true. Did he really encase the Dark Lord in an orb of water during an epic battle? Did he really conjure an inferno that held back a hoard of Inferi from attacking a village? Did he know her parents? So many things rested on the tip of her tongue but she voiced none, allowing herself to be led up a staircase. That was when she noticed her surroundings. They were in a stone room, like a dungeon but smaller. Lining the walls were Vanishing Cabinets spaced at regular intervals. There might have been about two dozen at one time but piles of ashes had clearly replaced some. The last thing she looked at was the still-smouldering remains of her own Cabinet. Sighing she turned, continuing to follow Dumbledore upstairs and into a dim hallway. Dumbledore magically concealed and set up wards over the entrance to the Cabinet room before proceeding down the hall to a door at the opposite end. He held it open for her and she went inside with him right behind her. It was just a tiny study, majority of the space was taken up by a desk with papers covering every inch of its surface. Albus sat down behind the desk and offered Hermione the chair facing him. Hermione took a seat and waited for the questioning to begin.

Dumbledore reached into his robes and pulled out a vial of clear liquid. He set it in front of her, "You understand of course…"

Hermione nodded and picked it up but before she drank a single drop, she checked it. Veritaserum may look and taste like water but there were still some key aspects that master potioneers learned to look for. "You understand of course," Hermione said while she inspected it.

"Indeed," Albus replied and though she couldn't be sure, it rather sounded like he approved of her actions.

Satisfied that it was indeed Veritaserum, Hermione drank the vial down without hesitation and placed the empty glass container back on the desk. "Have I passed your test?"

"It wasn't a test Ms. Granger, merely a precaution. Now, tell me every detail of this Death Eater attack." Dumbledore listened intently as Hermione recapped everything that had happened including what she had said to that female Death Eater. Albus pressed her to give as many details as she could, sometimes the questions felt very repetitive and nonsensical and with a truth serum in her, she wasn't about to hide her displeasure.

"I keep telling you I didn't see any of them other than the woman," Hermione said sharply. "You know you could've just asked me if I was a Polyjuiced Death Eater considering I can't lie right now instead of going in circles for over an hour."

"I know it sounds like I'm harping but there is much left unknown about this attack and that worries me," Dumbledore said gravely. "From what you say, it would seem like your kidnapping was meant to send a message to your grandfather but that could easily be accomplished with you dead. Death Eaters rarely take anyone alive."

"What could they want with me?" Hermione shivered thinking about the possibilities.

"I cannot say but there has to be a reason Voldemort wants you alive and until we know what it is, we must take as many precautions as possible." Albus rose led Hermione out of the study. "I will send some men to find your grandfather and see to it that he is placed somewhere safe. For the time being, you too must go into hiding, for your own protection."

"Will grandfather join me?"

"I'm afraid not. It would be for the best that you two are kept separate until we unravel this mystery. Let us apparate," Dumbledore offered Hermione his arm and she took it, bracing for the extremely tight and suffocating sensation of Apparition. Seconds later they were outside, in the woods from the look of it, standing in front of high black iron gates attached to a thick stone wall. Beyond the gates was a massive building, slightly too small to really be a castle but still far too large for a house. The exterior was made out of dull black stones and a sort of gothic design for the façade with its intricately crafted arches and mix of squared towers and pointed rooftops. It was as beautiful as it was foreboding to Hermione, was she supposed to stay here? As if he had read her mind Albus said, "Welcome to your temporary home Ms. Granger, this is Black Manor."

A/N: Hey guys, hope you're having fun. Sirius is just one chapter away so ENJOY! R&R PLZ!