Chapter 11
"Hermione?"
"Yes, Severus?"
"I want this to be over as quickly as possible for you. But in order for that to happen, I need you to trust me. Can you do that for me, Hermione?"
The young witch was hesitant. Why should she trust him? He'd been nothing but cruel to her for the past six years. Not to mention that he was a Death Eater. Never mind the fact that Dumbledore trusted him, he still bore the mark of the Dark Lord.
Then again, if she chose not to trust him, there was the possibility of being raped by the other Death Eaters, possibly by even Voldemort himself.
She shuddered.
"I trust you, Severus."
Smart girl.
"Very well. I will do everything in my power not to hurt you anymore than I absolutely have to, but the Dark Lord expects nothing other than my best performance while we're among them. Therefore-"
"-You have no other choice than to hurt me," she finished for him.
He nodded.
"I understand, Severus."
Severus gasped in pain.
"What is it, Severus?" she cried out.
"He's summoning me, Hermione. I have to go. I suggest that you don't leave this room."
She nodded. He disapparated.
She put her head in her hands. She didn't know how long she stayed that way, but she screamed when Severus appeared beside her.
"Calm down, Hermione. It's only me."
She took a deep breath.
"What did he want, Severus?"
"There's been a change of plans. The Dark Lord has requested that we carry out our business in another room."
She was silent.
"I'm going to cast a contraceptive spell on you now, Hermione."
She nodded her approval.
When he'd finished, he hooked his finger under her chin, tilting her face up toward his. He leaned in and gently kissed her. When their need for air became too great, they drew away from each other. He rested his chin on the top of her head.
"It will be over soon, dear."
And with that, he led her to where Voldemort waited.
