Severus waited for Hermione in his rooms. It was now approaching six in the evening and getting dark. There was no way she was taking this long to decorate the house. He hadn't even heard from Miles and no matter how many times he sent his Patronus there was never an answer. Unable to wait any longer Severus left Hogwarts and apparated to their home. The house was quiet not a sole in sight.
"Homonum Revelio." He whispered but he was alone. He went back out the front and looked around where he spotted the depression in the grass. Had it been breezy out the spot would have blown out of recognition. Severus looked around the spot and found Hermione's wand laying a foot away. Something was a foot. On full alert Severus sent a Patronus each to Minerva and Kingsley. A few minutes later both showed up with a team of aurors who kept their distance from the now clearly fuming wizard.
"What happened?" asked Kingsley.
"My fiancé was supposed to be here helping Miles Trankenberg decorate our home. Everything within is in order but there has been no contact with either for hours. I came and found a body sized depression in the grass as well as Hermione's wand." The aurors were on guard. For all they knew Severus did something to Hermione. Kingsley and Minerva were fully trusting in Severus.
"Hawkins and Meereen go to Miles Trankenberg's place of business and home to look for clues. Womack and Bonham I need you to find magical signatures relating to both Ms. Granger and Mr. Trankenberg." The aurors disappeared at Kingsley's orders with the last two casing the house and going from there.
"Do you have any idea Severus?" asked Minerva.
"Plenty but the few that come to mind at the moment are the Death Eaters that haven't been captured and the Weasley's. Merlin knows what they would do to Hermione." He bit out. Minerva nodded. She didn't want to think ill of the Weasley clan but at this point in time anything was possible especially after their abhorrent behavior towards Hermione's coming nuptials.
Kingsley left Severus and Minerva in the clearing in front of the house. Minerva was worried. She could tell that Severus and Hermione cared for each other. And as she watched her colleague she could see the anger and fear in him. She walked over to him and wordlessly placed a hand on his shoulder in reassurance. She hoped Hermione was found alive and in one piece. Merlin only knew the rampage Severus would go on if Hermione were killed.
Lucius took the box over to a separate room in the derelict house and placed it on the floor. With a wave of his wand Hermione was removed from the box and resized.
"Enervate." Hermione opened her eyes and at the sight of the death eater she scrambled for her wand. On realization hat she didn't have it she back away until she hit the back wall of the room.
"Good evening mudblood." Drawled Lucius.
"What do you want?" she went from terrified to livid in point five seconds.
"Severus, and you're my way of getting him." With a flick of his wand shackles appeared and strung Hermione up with her hands above her head and her toes just barely touching the stone floor. "For now I'm going to have some fun with you." Memories of torture by Bellatrix flashed through Hermione's mind and she began to shake and struggle against her reins. This only caused joy in Lucius. The first thing he did was undress Hermione then stood back.
"Cruciatus!" he yelled. Hermione shook and screamed uncontrollably. This was not her first bought of the unforgivable. She tried to fight it but it was no use. Lucius watched as her skin rippled from the curse as the nerves fired uncontrollably. To her horror Hermione lost control of her bowels. Lucius stopped and scrunched his nose. "Scourgify." He wanted Hermione to suffer but he didn't want to be near filth. "I'll be back for more later.
Severus paced in the living room of his and Hermione's home when his concentration as broken by the sound of something tapping on the windows. With lightening speed his wand was up and ready for battle until he realized it was an owl. Quickly he took the note from the owl before it flew away.
I know you want nothing to do with us Severus, but Lucius has gone over the edge. Draco and I have left him and are safe in hiding out of the country for now. Malfoy manor has fallen to ruin with Lucuis' rages. I think he may come after you in some way. Be safe.
-Narcissa
Severus crushed the missive in his hand before setting the wards on the house again and heading for the ministry to talk to Kingsley.
Kingsley sat in his office going over possible leads that were coming to him. At this point he was surprised by the lack of action by the other two thirds of the Golden Trio. Though, he knew why and was disappointed by the two young men.
"Sir?" A tall thin Auror by the name of Andrew Camberlot opened his door and stood at attention.
"Yes, Camberlot."
"We found Trankenberg." Kingsley stood from his chair and walked around his desk. "Take me to him." Camberlot had a grim look on his face signaling to Kingsley that the man was probably no longer amongst the living. A few seconds later they walked down a dark side alley in Knockturn Alley. Aurors surrounded the scene making sure no passing wix saw the carnage. Kingsley walked by a wizard retching from the sight. To his horror, Kingsley looked upon the dismembered and disfigured body of one Miles Trankenberg. His limbs were removed and cut open, his head where is crotch had been flayed and his organs strewn about his body. Kingsley held his arm to his face to block the smell.
"Clean this up and inform his next of kin please." He immediately apparated to the nearest flue and arrived at his office only to empty the contents of his stomach in the trashcan. A quick Evanesco and mouth refresher made him feel comfortable again. Just then Severus walked into his office only to pause at the mans sickly look.
"What's happened?"
"We found Miles." Kingsley looked and felt ready to retch again but it never came and he sat down and took a few breaths. Severus grabbed a glass from the sideboard in the office and filled it with water and gave it to Kingsley. "Thank you." He croaked after he took the last mouthful.
"He was dismembered and just all around disrespected, then thrown amongst the trash in a small alley off Knockturn Alley." Severus closed his eyes. His suspicions were becoming facts all to quickly.
"By the details you've just told me and this missive I've received from Narcissa I know who had Hermione." Severus handed the note to Kingsley who read it.
"The Wizengamot should have sentenced this man to Azkaban but majority rules." Kingsley slammed down the note and rubbed his head. "Do you know of any places where he may be hiding out if not at Malfoy manor?"
"Yes." And with that a list was compiled of potential hiding spots.
