I know I take forever to update. I'm sorry! I have an excuse this time! I was in New Jersey for my grandfather's 80th birthday. Cut me some slack and please review!

Disclaimer: Hah.

Hermione opened her eyes. The room was dark and only a small amount of moon light was able to reach her from the high windows in what she now thought of as her room. She had been with Lucas's possession for a week now. He fed her and let her bath under constant supervision.

The amulet caused her world to blur in and out of focus. Even if she had wanted to escape, she could be helpless. She was still in her cage and she was still fuzzy and she was still trying to figure a way out. Hermione was beginning to lose faith in miracles. It would seem as though she needed one.

A slight movement in the shadowed edges of the room caught Hermione's attention. A flash of a cloak caught her eye as the swish reached her ears. She wished for a moment the lightweight necklace was off of her. A blurred world was a comfort while in a vile man's company but right now, she wished more then ever she could concentrate. All she could visualize was a pile of leaves and a broken gravestone.

Hermione's eyes focused lightly on the shined boots that stepped into the pale light. Slowly , the figure advanced forward towards her cage. The soft tapping of his feet, quick but steady, was the only indication of his nervousness.

The masked figure, one of Lucas's own, stood next to her for a second. The haunted black eyes peered down at her through a white mask. Hermione stared back.

The masked man knelt down next to her. "Hermione…"

The slow baritone of his voice made her shiver with fear. "Yes?" The amulet fuzzed her over more. She slumped hazily forward, her energy drained by the trinket.

A quiet string of curses came from behind the mask. "I wish I could take it back off. No one deserves this."

"Lecoeur."

Lecoeur sat still for a moment. "Even with that damned necklace on, you're still quick as a whip. Yes, well, Hermione, you must listen to me. Do not forget what I am about to tell you." She nodded weakly. "Lucas isn't trying to rid the world of muggles and muggleborns. He wants to purify bloodlines and be king over all of wizarding kind. He uses muggle and wizard techniques to guard this fortress. He has mines and guns and shields. His followers are all armed with wands as well as muggle weapons. You must tell your friends."

"Why?"

"I told you! Explosives can break through most magic shields. Everyone will die!"

"No." Her eyes dazed out but Hermione shoo her head. "Why are you helping me?"

Lecoeur turned his head, uncomfortable. He sat silent for a few moments. As he turned back to answer, there was sudden shouting from the hallway.

The large doors burst open. Jumping back from her cage, Lecoeur pointed his wand at her. "Angelus! Who were you speaking to?!"

The witch who entered stared at them for a moment before she took her mask off. Her blond curls and upturned nose looked vaguely familiar. "Was another one in here?"

"He escaped!" The older man send Hermione a quick, pleading glance. "Quickly, Penelope, get Lucas!"

She made no move to tell their master. "It was you, wasn't it?"

Lecoeur gasped. "Never!"

Penelope approached, looking from Hermione to her older companion. "You are a liar." She pulled her wand out, aiming it at the elderly male. "You've been selling out our Master! His secrets… It's been you!"

"No! Never, Penelope, never!" Hermione sensed the panic in his voice.

The small witch stopped and yelled the killing curse. It hit its mark dead on. Lecoeur slumped over Hermione's cage, his lifeless eyes looking at her. Penelope stalked over, spat at his feet and scoffed at Hermione.

"He was Lucas's father's lover, the damned half-blood. He was never one of us." She glared. "I'm Penelope Parkinson. You know my darling little bitch of a sister, Pansy. She's been feeding me information about you. You're quite an easy target, you know." She slid down the cage to look Hermione in the eye. Without looking away, she reached forward and held up Hermione's necklace. "Only Angelus can't touch these… damn you." She looked angrier. "I don't care who your mate and guardian are, I'll kill them. Just try to get out of this, mudblood."

As the amulet hit Hermione's bare skin, she shivered. "But…" Her mind could not form her thought.

Penelope stood up and gave a cold laugh. "Imagine what Lucas will do when I tell him you killed the love of his father's life, someone who he considered a father." Her eyes flashed red.

Hermione gasped. "Your eyes… they're red!"

The oldest Parkinson daughter turned away. "We will get your power." She stalked to the door and turned back one more time, her eyes back to their original blue. "I dare you to try and stop me."

A loud explosion shook the room. Putting on her mask, Penelope opened the large doors once more. She slipped out quickly… But not before Hermione caught a glimpse of blond and black hair. Draco. Blaise. They were finally here.

Hermione sighed deeply. She had never felt more relieved in her life. There was another explosion.

Maybe she had.

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