A/N: It's been a while since I uploaded, I know but moving house and upheaval does that! Anyway here is the tenth chapter in what is supposed to only be a short story! Please enjoy and do not take literally! It is AU. I own nothing! Reviews always welcome!

Captive

Hermione had not faced real danger for nearly four years. She was scared yes, anyone would be, but she knew humanity too well. She knew every evil thing had humanity in it somewhere, no matter how immersed in evil it was. Her strength was bringing that out of a person, that's why she was assigned to Lucius. She had failed in her duties, failed the minister. No, she reprimanded herself; don't think like that, it's the spells around this place! Snap out of it! As she thought that her vision cleared, as if a fog had been lifted. There was no self doubt, no pity. At the same moment, a small voice piqued inside her… Come into my parlour…'Said the spider to the fly,' she finished aloud.

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As he sank deeper into meditation, the fire eased and flickered out. He was careful not to make a conscious deal of it. Lucius could work dream magic and subconscious magic, he had learned at his old master's hand. Useful trick, he thought. Immediately he felt the warmth at his back and shut everything down. From another perspective he looked unconscious, his conscious mind was asleep, but his subconscious was not so restful. As he mentally picked the locks of the shackles, he tried to feel the energy of his wand. This magic was exhausting but necessary at this point in time.

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As Hermione walked the cobbled streets and suffocated in the oppressive air, she felt a stir, a magical one. She knew this wasn't a wizard's village or town. He was here, she could feel his energy. The map had disappeared but had been replaced with what seemed to her, a beacon; a radar in the night. She followed it as if her life depended on it. Soon she would see, soon she would know. She came to a close she'd only ever seen in dreams. It was Spinner's End. It was Snape who held Lucius captive. With a stark and painful realisation, she knew that she, Harry and Ron had not saved him, or killed him.

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As he sat in his powerful meditative state he sensed her approach. Shield yourself, he thought. Wizards and witches could not communicate through telekinesis but a second after he thought it her essence had blinked out. He knew she was smart and fast, he had only doubted her reliance and sensibility in battle; in fear and in panic. She was stronger than he gave her credit for.

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As she cloaked herself she felt the atmosphere lift considerably. She had all she needed, she only needed her wits and her magic, this, she knew she could rely on. She muttered incantations, moved her wand hand, recited runes; everything she could to stay protected, invisible and powerful. She approached the door with caution and noted no charm to keep unwelcome visitors out. No runes or dark magic, nothing. She slid into the hall, silent as the night, whispered her protection and traced her runes. I knew they'd come in useful, she thought. Then she saw and felt it, the fire, burning blue. She stopped thinking consciously, only traced and mouthed word without thinking of them. At the end of the hall there were three doors. She couldn't use magic, she had to use instinct. On the right she felt threat and disorder, in front she saw light and felt happy, to her left, nothing. She took the left door.

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Lucius was tiring. The shackles were undone and the oppressive air didn't surround him anymore. All he had to do was get out unconsciously. That would be a true task. As he came to himself he didn't feel the fire anymore, didn't see it. He hazarded a quick thought of his wand and still no fire came. His wand was in the room with him, he sensed it. He summoned it and it came to him. No fire, no fuss. Something's wrong, he thought ominously. He didn't care to wait around and find out what. It was dark now, he vanished the glass and climbed into the night, not waiting to see if Hermione was in the house, or anywhere around.

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Hermione stood in the kitchen; it was dark and gloomy with dusty jars lining the walls. As she turned the corner there he was, Snape stared straight at her. She calmed herself and was about to non-verbally curse him into oblivion. She didn't get the chance; he was gone in a whirl of robes. She was standing alone in the kitchen. There was no one in the house anymore. She searched every room, every cupboard, every nook a cranny in the house but to no avail. He wasn't here. She left the house untouched and arranged in the way it was when she arrived.

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Lucius had taken his chance and apparated out of the small village, he was now at the gates to his house. There was a heavy feeling in the back of his throat and the pit of his stomach. Was this guilt he felt? As he rearranged his features and his poise he pushed the strange feelings away. I'm free from her now, no need to worry or feel bad. She's a big girl and can take care of herself. He swiped his right palm past the intertwined serpents and the gate disappeared. He stepped over the threshold and felt, at last he could relax. Then he appeared, red eyed and dead looking. His old friend and ally Severus Snape. He muttered a curse to stop him from stepping over the threshold, it held him. Snape opened his mouth, about to speak, instead of words, there came a half formed human, neither liquid nor gas. It made Lucius' blood run cold. He understood this gesture more than he had ever understood anything. Then he was gone, Snape had disappeared with the wind. As he turned his back and began to walk up the curved driveway he heard a pop, a whimper then a blood curdling scream.

A/N: I own nothing! Reviews welcome as always!