AN: Since so many of the people who read my stories messaged me and asked why there was such a delay I thought I would save time and just tell you all at once ha, ha. I was in hospital for about a month and after I left I had a lot of school to catch up on. As such I found myself too swamped to write any more chapters.

But now I am getting a little better and can write at my usual pace. Thank you everyone who messaged me for your concern, it was very touching.

Thanks to the reviewers as well, my favorite people ha, ha. As always ENJOY!!

Chapter 14

As the eagle revolved around and the open office door shrunk out of sight, a friendly, amused voice followed him down.

"When you want to tell the truth you know where to find me,"

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Hermione groaned in agony and curled up to the couch cushions for any kind of comfort. Even the soft material of the pillows gently brushing Hermione's sensitive skin caused her to tense up. Not to mention the agonizing slices on her ankle where the chain rubbed. Her breath was coming out short and sharp, as though someone had been repeatedly stomping on her lungs. With every rise and fall of her chest, Hermione fought back tears as her muscles pleaded for mercy. Everything, including her hair, seemed to ache. She did not move for fear of a new experience in pain. Hermione barely clung to consciousness, fuelled only by the refusal to leave herself vulnerable in the presence of Lord Voldemort.

The Dark Lord watched as Hermione clutched, frozen to the back of the settee. Her pale hands were shaking, along with the rest of her body and her breathing was excruciatingly rapid. His own breathing was as calm as always and the only evidence that Hermione had fought back was the stabbing pains in his hand. Lord Voldemort was no stranger to pain, but this was something else. It was not merely physical, but it attacked his mind. The pure white light had blasted into his eyes and as it did every murder, attack and violent act he had ever imposed came flooding back. Every fault of his being was thrown back at him in a rush of white light and the mental force of this defense had caused him to physically stagger.

Even after a few healing spells the sting in Voldemort's hand did not go away. He watched Hermione for another moment or two before he realized that as she was the one who inflicted it, she would have to be the one to take it away. But first he would have to do her the same courtesy.

With a quick flick of his robes, Voldemort paced over to Hermione who was too busy holding on to her consciousness to notice his approach. He sat down on the edge of the couch and placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder. She took a sharp breath in through her teeth and a few tears freed themselves. Voldemort leant in closer to Hermione's neck, his breath delicately brushing across her skin. Hermione shivered and tried to hide a sob. Lord Voldemort blew gently on Hermione's neck and, despite the disgusted shivers it sent throughout her body, the throbbing overtaking her entire being slowly dissipated.

"What did you do?" She breathed.

"The Dark Lord giveth and the Dark Lord taketh away," Voldemort whispered, still with his lips just centimeters from Hermione's skin.

"The Dark Lord needs to moveth away," Hermione tried to shirk him off, but Voldemort wanted the ache in his hand removed. Unfortunately that meant telling Hermione she had managed to hurt him.

"I need you to undo this," He held up his other hand and Hermione looked at the bright pink burn across his palm.

"That was me?" She uncurled and sat up, examining his hand. Her natural curiosity took over and she raised one delicate finger and traced it down the injury. "Does it hurt?"

"It is less than pleasurable," Voldemort said, studying Hermione's expression and movements.

"I do not know how to undo it," Hermione said lightly. "I don't even know how I did it,"

"It is a burn from your emotions Hermione, you can heal it in the same way," Voldemort surprised Hermione by clamping his fingers down on hers, holding them firmly through the pain.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Hermione asked, sounding a little nervous. Voldemort just stared at the young girl with a completely veiled appearance. His long fingers were unnaturally strong and Hermione felt as though she had been trapped in an iron vice.

"What do I need to do?"

"Think of something that induces positive emotions," Voldemort ordered calmly.

"So anything other than you?" Hermione quipped.

"If need be," Voldemort's ominous tone told Hermione he was not in a joking mood. She tried to ignore the fact she was now holding hands with Lord Voldemort and searched for a happy memory. Images of playing dolls with her mother when she was a child flashed around, followed by the memory of singing at the piano with her father. "A powerful one," Hermione opened her eyes and realized Voldemort had been watching her search for a memory.

"Stay out of my mind or deal with pain," she said calmly, but firmly. Voldemort said nothing, but nodded stiffly. Hermione watched the Dark Lord for a few seconds before she felt safe enough to close her eyes once more and search through an arsenal of happy moments.

One suddenly jumped out at her, filling her mind and senses. She was sitting next to the lake at Hogwarts, her feet swirling teasingly out of reach for the hungry creatures lurking within its depths. The warm afternoon sun was beaming down on the back of her neck as her hair rippled gently in the breeze over her shoulder. After months of being holed up in the Gryffindor common room study for exams, the fresh air and cooling water felt like heaven on Earth. Hermione was relaxing after her NEWTS and knew that only one thing could make the moment any better. And it came and sat down beside her.

His arm wrapped around Hermione's waist and she snuggled closer to his muscular chest. Warm, soft lips brushed Hermione's forehead as a gentle hand tipped her face up to look into loving eyes. They were a beautiful, soft brown and shone with nothing but compassion. There was something about this particular boy that made Hermione feel so safe and protected and yet at the same time completely free.

Just like the rage, Hermione pushed the fond memory through the imaginary door connecting her body to Lord Voldemort's. A warm wave transported through both beings and in a matter of seconds the white light reappeared between them.

Hermione stared at it deftly and jumped slightly as it was sucked back into her body abruptly. Voldemort let go and flexed his hand with a slight smirk.

"Interesting," he said silently.

"It worked?" Hermione asked, catching a glimpse of Voldemort's now clean palm. "How?"

"The very same way your hate can injure, your love can cure," He said simply. Hermione just shook her head and motioned to her ankle.

"You've tortured me, made me undo the only damage I have managed to inflict on you now the least you can do is unchain me," Hermione said coolly, rattling the bonds.

"Sounds justified, however I want something in return," Hermione's heart froze, but her physical composure remained.

"Because I have taken so much from you," she snapped snidely. Voldemort sneered at Hermione and slowly leant back. He traced his long fingers down the smooth skin of Hermione's chained leg. She shrunk back in abhorrence but the tension held her in place. His hand wrapped around her dainty ankle, but his eyes never left hers.

"I will unchain you if you stand still while I cast the killing curse," Hermione had to pause a second and actually go over what just came out of his mouth.

"You are insane, right?" Hermione asked with wide eyes.

"Popular opinion would leave you to believe so but in this case no, I am perfectly sane,"

"You do not ask someone's permission to murder them and then claim to be of right mind," she protested with a disbelieving laugh.

"I was not asking permission to murder you," Lord Voldemort corrected smoothly.

"Oh my mistake I just assumed the Killing Curse was something bad,"

"For a regular witch it most certainly would be," The same dark amusement was flashing in Voldemort's eyes once more. The enjoyment he derived from making Hermione anxious, miserable, perplexed or frightened was evident in his livid red eyes.

"Wh-what are you saying?" Hermione stuttered. "Avada Kedavra will not work on me?"

"I do not believe it will,"

"I think I want a little more reassurance than your beliefs that I am not about to die alone trapped in your bedroom," she said with a raised eyebrow.

"I can offer no more," Voldemort constricted his grip slightly.

"Then find yourself a different guinea pig,"

"Ah, but you present such convenience," Voldemort grinned.

"I still want a little more rationalization other than your deductions and the fact I am the closest living thing," Hermione's eyes were lit up and Lord Voldemort felt a familiar stirring. Something he felt every time Hermione posed a challenge.

"I see no need to justify myself any further," he said arrogantly.

"Then I will stick with the chains thank you," Hermione said flatly. Voldemort's thin lips curled slightly in the corners and he leant down a little.

"It was not an alternative option," he whispered. Hermione's breath caught in her throat and she failed to keep the fear out of her cinnamon eyes. "Brace yourself," Hermione closed her eyes tightly and prayed to see her parents again should the worst happen. "Avada Kedavra," The green light shone through her eyelids and Hermione held her breath.

While everything was still black, Hermione could hear her heart beat and feel the chilling grip of Lord Voldemort's fingers on her soft flesh. Although it took a few moments to register she realized her senses were working.

"I'm not dead," Hermione breathed. "I-It's not possible,"

"Disappointed?"

"Disillusioned," she corrected, curiosity once again taking over. "I can not still be alive after that,"

"It would appear you can," Voldemort said, rubbing his thumb gently on the young girls' milky white skin. Hermione's eyes widened and she tried to kick free of his grasp.

"Time to hold up your end of the deal," she said with a slight quake.

"Unless there is something amiss with my memory our deal was if you stood in place while I cast the curse I would remove your binds,"

"I am not interested in semantics," Hermione said heatedly. "Just untie me,"

"Touched by an Angel it would seem," Voldemort pressed his wand to the chains and the dissolved before Hermione's eyes. "I need you unbound to walk anyway,"

"Walk?" Hermione narrowed her eyes and tugged her legs up to her body. "Walk where?"

"You have been held in this room for the past two nights, I assumed you would like something to eat, my dearest," Shivers chilled Hermione's spine.

"How many times do you need me to say it?" she seethed. "I want to hear no endearments from your lips," Voldemorts eyes sparked precariously, yet his features remained collected.

"There are worse fates when in my charge,"

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Sirius had let Remus go and help the boys pack, but there was no chance he would forget their conversation. He knew that mentally Remus was the far more mature of the two and yet he still felt like the big brother.

Even when they were at Hogwarts together Sirius felt the overwhelming urge to protect Remus if ever someone decided to pick a fight with him. The feeling was of course unnecessary as Lupin could handle himself just fine, but it was not something Sirius could just shake off.

"Stupid wolf," he seethed to himself. "If he wants to give himself a mental breakdown why should I care?"

"Because he is your brother," Sirius looked up to see Phillegnus Black staring back. "Ease up on him,"

"What are talking about Phillegnus?" Sirius sighed.

"If he were a pureblood, I would gladly accept Remus into our family, but I believe you already have," Phillegnus said simply.

"Of course I have,"

"The least you can do is give him some space," Phillegnus said a little heatedly. "You have rejected most of this family and therefore you cling to Remus as your last remaining chance to have a brother you love,"

"It isn't a secret I love Moony like a brother," Sirius frowned. "It doesn't have to mean I am putting all my family hopes on him,"

"But it does," Phillegnus said a little softer.

'How?"

"Who else are you going to put them on?"

"I have real family already," Sirius reminded the portrait. "Harry is my godson,"

"Right, meaning you have to look after him and take care of him while he gives you nothing but trouble," Phillegnus nodded. "Remus is someone who more or less looks after you, makes sure you don't make any stupid mistakes and in return you do all you can to protect him,"

"Make your point,"

"That's what family does Sirius!" P Phillegnus cried. "It is a give and take relationship and right now you are just taking,"

"I am not!" Sirius hissed indignantly.

"If Remus is not telling you something then for all of our sakes just leave him be. He will tell you in his own time,"

"You don't know Remus like I do," Sirius corrected. "He won't say anything unless I make him and it isn't healthy to hold it all in,"

"That is for him to decide," Phillegnus said calmly. "I know you worry Sirius, but if you are not careful you will push away the only real family you still have,"

"I am not trying to push Remus away,"

"I never said you were trying to," he straightened up in the painting. "But if you keep this up you will nevertheless,"

"I won't lose him," Sirius said firmly.

"Then give him room to breathe,"

"Fine,"

"Good, I have to go now," Phillegnus' figure partially disappeared behind the frame. "This stays between you and me,"

"One question before you go," Sirius called out.

"What is it?"

"How did you know about the conversation between Remus and me?"

"I heard him muttering about it in the Headmaster's office a few minutes ago," Phillegnus said tilting his head in the direction he had appeared from. Sirius frowned for a few seconds, digesting what his ancestor had just said.

"Remus isn't in Dumbledore's office, he is helping Ron and Harry pack," he said slowly.

"Unless Remus has a twin brother, he is in the Headmaster's office,"

"What the hell is he doing there?" Sirius cried.

"I suggest you ask him when he returns,"

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Snape fumed the whole way down to the dungeons, snarling at a group of unfortunate giggling Ravenclaw girls. The rest of the students gave him a wide birth as he threw open the door to his office and slammed it shut with a rattling force. He animatedly poured a glass of Fire whiskey and sipped it whilst pacing around the stone floor.

"Foolish old man," He murmured grumpily. "Thinks he understands everything about everyone," Snape gulped down the amber contents of his glass and tossed it against the cold wall with an aggravated yell.

"I think you'll find a tennis ball works better if you want it to come back," Snape rounded to see Remus closing the office door behind him.

"What are you doing here?" he snapped.

"I just came to see Albus, but he is not in his office, I thought you might know where he is," Remus said approaching carefully.

"Well I don't, he was there ten minutes ago," Snape turned is back on Remus to pour another glass of whiskey.

"In that case could you give him a message for me?" Remus took Snape's glass from him. "Maybe you should use a plastic cup,"

"Don't start Remus," Snape warned. "I am not in the mood,"

"What happened?" Remus grimaced, sipping the alcohol.

"Nothing just had a fight with Albus," Snape rested his head against the wall while Remus took a seat in Snape's desk chair.

"What was it about this time?"

"It doesn't matter," Snape sighed, narrowing his eyes at Remus before pulling up a separate chair.

"Oh c'mon Severus, if you don't tell me who can you tell?" as much as he hated to admit it, Snape knew Remus was right.

"It was about Miss Granger,"

"Hermione?" Remus coughed. "What about her?" Snape just gave Lupin a you-know-damn-well-what look. "Ah, what about it?"

"Albus thinks that is the only reason I am worried about her," Snape said with an underlying tone of disgust.

"It's not is it?"

"No!"

"Okay, okay just checking," Remus held up his hands. "Just tell Albus that,"

"I've tried," Snape took the glass from Remus and sipped it before handing it back. "I sometimes wished I had never told him about it,"

"You had to tell someone," Remus reassured him softly.

"But that's where you're wrong, I could have just kept it to myself and no one would have been any the wiser," Snape said desperately as if wishing hard enough could undo it.

"Severus...It is not a bad thing if you are missing Hermione because you---,"

"I'm not missing Miss Granger!" Snape cut him off heatedly. Remus handed his ashen friend the glass of Fire whiskey.

"Just call her Hermione," Remus rolled his eyes.

"Remus...What if that is the only reason I noticed she was gone?" Snape avoided Remus' eyes, as though afraid of his judgment. Remus could see his friends discomfort clearly and decided to choose his words very carefully.

"As I said Severus, there is nothing wrong with that," he said gently. "It just means you're a normal human,"

"Then I am not sure being a normal human is a good thing,"

"If you didn't miss her I would be worried about you," Remus was suddenly serious. "You can be a cold man Severus, but this just proves you are still attached to your emotions,"

"It certainly does not feel like a good thing," Snape muttered.

"You can't sulk just because losing someone you care about affected you," Remus sighed, slumping back.

"I tried not to let it have any effect on me, no more than was necessary,"

"You love Hermione, of course that is going to have an effect on you," Snape jumped and looked around once again, trying to see if there was anyone around.

"Not so loud Remus, someone could be listening and get the wrong idea," he hissed.

"It's true though," Remus shrugged. "And it is not a bad thing,"

"It isn't exactly something I wish to celebrate,"

"And now we are back to the cold man part of your personality," he groaned.

"Is it such a bad thing to want to hide my own personal secrets?" Snape asked a little defensively.

"Is it such a good thing to deny you love someone when, god forbid, you may not see them again?" Remus countered sternly.

"Don't say that,"

"Face up to reality Severus," he leant a little forward. "Hermione has been taken by Lord Voldemort and even though Dumbledore believes he will not kill her, I am not so certain,"

"Enough Remus,"

"Please just humor me and be realistic for a second," Remus said with a hint of pleading. "If something should happen to Hermione, do you really want your last memory concerning her being your denial of your feelings for her?"

"I--I...No," Severus slouched a little, looking defeated.

"No one can blame you for loving the girl,"

"I don't want to love her, it only makes things more complicated," Snape grumbled, rubbing his temples tiredly.

"It's not like you have a choice," Remus smiled faintly. "She's your niece,"