Well I guess the number 13 is really an unlucky number. -_- Thanks for the reviews on my last chapter, it really makes me feel better when I get the total of two for something I really worked hard on. I know it was a confusing chapter, but I'd rather you ask me questions and tell me WHY you are confused than leave me with nothing at all. Sorry if it was crappy, sorry if it was strange, but I appreciate feedback, that is what makes me see why I'm writing this, because it's having an effect on someone somewhere. I'm not demanding your love, hell I'd give for some flames, but at least I would have something to go by! Now I have no clue if anyone has understood the last chapter or not.

I'd like to request a review after this chapter, please, just tell me why I've failed or confused you?

Thank you.

Hermione woke to the sunlight shining through her hotel window. She smiled slightly as the warmth touched her face before sighing and rolling out of bed and stumbling sleepily over to the bath room. She barely paid any attention to herself as she slowly brushed her teeth and splashed her face with cool water. After wake up a little she removed her bandage from her hand and slipped into a hot shower. She felt the weight of the world, lift slightly as the hot water relaxed her muscles and refreshed her mind.

"It's just the Order Hermione." She muttered to herself when she remembered where she would be going, later today. "Maybe it won't be so bad." She scowled and shook her head 'stop talking to yourself'

She turned off the water and grabbed a towel and quickly dried herself before getting dressed once more and redoing the bandage on her hand. Everything was so much more difficult with her injury; it made her appreciate full access to all limbs. Hermione quickly ran a brush through her hair, which was near impossible but because it was wet her hair was straight and almost reached the small of her back. She hadn't realized how long it had grown. Muttering to herself she pulled it into a bun and left the bathroom, pausing a second as the door to the hotel room shut with a bang. She didn't move until she heard the rustle of shopping bags, Deatheaters would not be bringing shopping.

She chucked her towel on her bed and went into the main living room where she saw Remus getting out breakfast from the bags, when he looked up and saw her he froze. Hermione frowned when she saw him chewing on something. She looked at him with an amused gaze and put her hands of her hips.

"What have you got there Remus?" she nodded towards him and the man across from her shuffled slightly before trying to reply through a mouthful of food,

"Nu-nuffin." He said and swallowed loudly. He wiped his hand across his mouth and looked at her with a blush. Hermione just watched him with her eye brows raised.

"Fine! I bought some chocolate; it's not a crime is it?" Hermione laughed at him, the sight was extremely amusing. Her old professor was flushed and vainly trying to explain his self to his former student. It was very surreal and very funny.

"I'm- I'm only-teasing Remus!" she manage to say through her laughter. Lupin looked at her, grinned and laughed with her.

"Caught me in the act you did." He said jokingly, Hermione nodded at him and pointed at him with a stern gaze.

"I find you, Remus Lupin, guilty of chocolate hording without sharing! How do you plead?" Lupin looked around on the counter of the kitchen and picked up the remains of the chocolate bar,

"Not guilty! I saved some for you!" he said quickly and chucked it across the room to her. Hermione caught it one handed and stifled a giggle.

"Well, after sufficient evidence-" Lupin snorted at her, "I believe the defendant to be not guilty. You are free to go." Lupin grinned at her and held out his hand,

"Good, can I finish it now?" Hermione gasped dramatically and replied,

"Certainly not!" And with that she popped the chocolate in her mouth and turned to go to her room.

"Awhhh! Hermione!" Lupin whined after her as she closed her door. Once alone she smiled to herself before sighing. She went across the room and started to pack her things together. They would be moving on soon and she needed to make sure she had everything together.

Her clothes were stuffed into a rucksack and her money was checked over and placed in the side pocket. Ever since Lupin had joined her, Hermione had been able to leave her money as an emergency fund, if there was ever a time where they were split up. They had both already decided that if they were ever separated they would automatically reroute back to the Order. Hermione had agreed begrudgingly, but had seen the sense in it.

Her photo of her parents went on top of the pile, but she paused, her eyes lingering on her parents. Finally she decided to keep it on her, in one of her jean pockets. Sipping up the rucksack, she stood and picked up the same newspaper that she kept with her at all times, there had to be some clue in the article, something that would give her a lead on where they were. Dull brown eyes watched quietly as newspaper Harry flinched and struggled in the grip of Voldemort.

"Snake faced bastard." She said bitterly as she stared at the man himself. His face was gaunt, eyes red and flashing and he gazed around at the crowd with a smug look, for a brief second it even seemed like he was looking right at her. Hermione scowled and shoved the paper under arm, thinking about suffocating the real deal whenever she got the chance.

To say that Ron Weasley was a little stressed out was a major understatement. In fact ever since the meeting he'd had with Voldemort, Ron had been under so much pressure that he had been barely aware of what was going on around him. His current predicament meant that he could do nothing to control this beast that was occupying his own body.

You know who I am Ronald. A voice whispered to him in the back of his mind. Ron scowled and tried to ignore the large pair of black eyes that seemed to watch his every move. Ron couldn't really describe where he was. It was a strange place, enveloped in white apart from a few shadows here and there. From what he could tell, he had some sort of body, but it was like a representation, not flesh and bone. He couldn't feel the ground underneath him and he didn't feel any aches and pains that should have come to him by now. Ron was utterly bemused.

For the most time, he glared at a huge black stone wall in front of him. If one glanced at it they would think it nothing but swirling smoke, but Ron knew, he knew how trapped he was here, in the back of his own mind. Being possessed isn't what most people would think, it's not like looking through your own eyes and watching what is going on around you. No, in fact it's much worse than that. Ron could hear what was going on but he remained in his confined prison, with only the 'Dark eyes' to keep him company. The black eyes sometimes liked to taunt Ron, on many occasions he would be allowed to catch a glimpse of the outside world, but powerless to change it. The worst time had been when Harry had seen him after his possession. The look on his face had been gut wrenching and Ron had cursed Voldemort for what he was doing to him. Ron had heard the fight Harry was putting up, but Ron gathered from the groans of pain that Voldemort was not relenting. Ron's rage towards the dark wizard had been building each day and he knew if he ever escaped from here, that there would be nothing left of the wizard.

Each day Ron would test the wall in front of him, he knew it was the only way he would ever gain control. How he knew? Ron had no clue, but somewhere deep inside his internal existence, Ron knew what he had to do. More recently he had been able to open up a gateway, where he could start to hear what the 'Dark eyes' was thinking as it was posed as him. The gateway enabled him to store the plans of Voldemort to mind, so that if he ever escaped he could hinder Voldemort in any way possible. Unfortunately the gateway had a downside. The more he kept it open, the less energy he had to break away at the wall, it also brought the 'Dark eyes' back more frequently and with each visit, Ron was thrown into his most shameful memories, where he wished that someone, anyone would come and release him, but no-one came.

Ron hated the fact that he was the one mentally torturing his best mate. He hated the looks Harry gave him as he realized that the person before him was indeed Ron. He had screamed and yelled and banged his fists with all his might on the day Voldemort introduced him. He tried everything within his power to conceal the memories the 'Dark eyes' needed to ensure Harry believed him, but he had failed, like the many other times he had failed to be a friend to Harry. It had been so horrible to hear the betrayal in Harry's voice as he had finally accepted that this was his best mate, turning his back towards him and becoming allies with his enemy.

"Ron-" he had said quietly, "What have you done?"

Ron forced away the memory and he recoiled as he heard the distant echo of the 'Dark eyes' laughing at him, but something made him stop and still so he could hear properly. There was another voice. His body was with the snake, and he was planning something terrible.

" How had he taken to the room Weasley" there was a shift and Ron realised that his possessor seemed amused. Ron scowled, what had he missed?

"He seems to have already tested its abilities." Ron heard a dark chuckle as Voldemort replied,

" And has be...- how to put it-.. settled in?" Ron waited for the reply, wondering what Voldemort was getting at.

"He has- taken to the sofa- it seems, he is too stubborn to settle in properly my Lord." Voldemort chuckled again and said to himself,

"I didn't expect anything less from the boy." There was a long pause where Ron held his breath, waiting for something, anything that he could remember and use against him.

"Leave him for a time; he must gather his strength for the day after next." Gasping, Ron felt like he was on the edge of his seat, what was he planning for then?

"My Lord?" the possession question, sounding uncertain. Voldemort ignored him but instead gave him a task.

"Retrieve all my books on Blood rites, have them on my desk by tomorrow at 9 AM and not a minute later, understood?" Ron could hear the threat in Voldemort's voice and shivered involuntarily.

"Yes my Lord." The 'Dark eyes' replied meekly. Ron let out a huff of annoyance and prepared to fling himself at the walk once more, but he was stopped when Voldemort spoke again.

"His blood is gold for now Weasley, not a drop shall be spilt until I desire." Ron gulped and recoiled as the 'Dark eyes' sent the image of Voldemort staring at him, as if it were him he was addressing instead of the darkness that kept him a prisoner in his own mind.

Severus Snape was not a happy man; in fact he was more of a irritated one. The Dark Lord had finally given him leeway and allowed him to resume 'spying' on the Order as he attended another meeting. At the moment he was standing in the door way of the run down kitchen inside headquarters, with the entire Order staring at him with questioning eyes. He sighed; tonight was going to be long.

"Ah- Severus," Dumbledore greeted, "Please, join us." He continued as he offered him a seat to his left. Snape rolled at the irony of the situation. This was exactly the same greeting he would receive from the Dark Lord every time his dark mark burned. Snape wondered if Dumbledore realised what he was doing. Taking his seat, he was bombarded with questions.

"Where's Harry-?"

"-Is he alright?-"

"-Can you reach him?-"

"Is Ron with him?-"

"Have- have you talked to him?-"

Snape glared at the Order and watched carefully as Mrs. Weasley tried to keep her emotions in check. Of course she would respond like this, her motherly instincts wouldn't let her do anything but worry for the Potter boy. Snape sighed in annoyance, this was getting tiresome. He also realized with surprise that the Werewolf Lupin was not occupying his usual seat. Dumbledore halted the questions by raising his hand sharply and waiting until everyone died down.

"I received your letter Severus, can you elaborate on anything that Voldemort has planned?" Snape ignored the people as they flinched at the Dark Lord's name and replied,

"I'm afraid that nobody had been informed of the fate of Potter." Dumbledore frowned at little and looked lost in thought. The silence was broken when Mrs. Weasley leant forward and asked,

"How is he, Severus? Is he in- in good condition?" Snape picked up on the tremors in her voice and watched as her upper lip wobbled a little. He looked at her in scorn and spat back,

"Yes Mrs. Weasley," he started sarcastically, "the Dark Lord has provided him with a room of luxuries and given him a kiss goodnight each evening." Snape watched as the red headed woman sat back with a shocked look across her plump face. Mr. Weasley looked at him in disgust and rubbed his Wife's arm to comfort her. He ignored them both; it was stupid of the woman to even think that Potter was in a good condition. Had Dumbledore not read out his letter aloud?

He gave Dumbledore a questioning glare and was pleased to find that the elder man looked a little uncomfortable.

"Severus- please, is that really necessary? Molly was only worrying for Harry's safety." He paused and looked over at the pair and added "As we all are." Snape sighed and sat back in his chair, waiting for Dumbledore to start his interrogation once more.

"Have you seen him since you healed him Severus?" Dumbledore continued, ignoring the shocked looks of the other members of the order. Snape raised his brow; he had come to the right conclusion.

"No I have not, not many of us have, in fact it seems like Potter is being left alone for the time being." Mrs. Weasley let out a breath and tried to smile a little. Snape resisted the urge to roll his eyes again. "But as I said in my letter, Potter will be used for something soon, I can feel it. He has been in his study for a while now and has not called any meetings. Headmaster, I assure you by the end of this week he will have completed his task." He paused and looked around at the Order. "We must get him out of there as soon as we can."

There was a long pause where everyone looked towards Dumbledore, expecting him to burst out suddenly with an elaborate plan to get in and out of Riddle Manor with ease. Dumbledore remained silent, his eyes unfocused and fixed on something everyone else could not see.

"And what of my son?" Arthur asked quietly, watching Snape carefully. Snape turned to face him and wondered how he would approach this.

"He is- unharmed-" the couple let out a sigh and waited for more. "But I fear his loyalties have swayed, he is now spotted around the Manor wearing Deatheater robes and following the orders of the Dark Lord." They did not take the news too well.

"WHAT?" Mrs. Weasley shrieked as she jumped to her feet. "You must be wrong! Ron would never- he wouldn't dream of- he couldn't join him! I don't believe you!" The whole of the Order was in disarray, the only one who hadn't reacted was Dumbledore himself. Arthur Weasley watched him carefully and asked him in a deadly voice.

"Explain this Albus, now." Mrs. Weasley had slumped back down into her seat but she was still muttering to herself,

"No, no, it's impossible. Please, no, it can't be, I don't understand." Dumbledore looked at her with pity in his eyes before facing her husband.

"It is possible Mr. Weasley, that young Ronald is under the imperious curse and has no idea of what he is doing." The man from across the table nodded curtly and tried to console his wife before talking once more,

"Why hasn't he been- I mean- Why would he do this?" Snape had thought about this himself, he was still unsure why the Weasley boy hadn't been killed, but he had grasped the meaning of his importance when he had seen the look on the Dark Lord's face. Weasley was a tool, surely they must realize this?

"I know Tom very well, and if my assumptions are correct, he is being used to make Harry feel as if he has been betrayed. Tom knows that Harry friends mean a lot to him and so he has used that aspect of Harry's personality against him." Most of the Order gasped and Snape closed his eyes, irritated that he would have more of this to come.

"I hope you've had the sense to protect Granger Headmaster." Snape said suddenly, forgetting about the brainy know-it-all, surely she would be in danger is what Dumbledore had said about Weasley was true. Dumbledore paused and looked sideways at him; Snape detected a glimmer of uncertainty behind his blue eyes. Snape groaned inwardly. The rest of the Order were looking at the Headmaster expectantly, trusting that he would reassure them and reveal that Hermione was indeed safe and out of harm's way.

"Regrettably Severus, I had intended to visit her soon after your letter, but upon arrival I found two very distressed parents that proclaimed that their daughter had gone missing in the night." The room was silent and there was a heavy feeling above them all, surely they hadn't failed another child?

"But upon further inspection I discovered that young Hermione seemed to have packed for her disappearance-" he paused and smiled, "And I assure you that Deatheaters leave no time for packing." Snape scowled at the older man, that fact did not mean she was safe.

"But wherever could she of gone Albus?" Mrs. Weasley asked worriedly, "Her parents must be extremely upset!" Dumbledore nodded at her and answered,

"We all know Miss Granger has a sharp mind, I'm sure she saw Harry's appearance in the papers and thought that she would be targeted, she moved on so that her parents were out of danger. Mrs. Weasley smiled a little but her eyes were still questioning.

"Do you have any clue where she has gone Headmaster?" Snape asked evenly while watching the other wizard carefully. Dumbledore gave nothing away but answered his question.

"I do not know of her whereabouts, but I'm sure our trusted Order member has caught up with her somewhere and is now keeping her safe." Dumbledore looked at the empty seat where Lupin would usually sit; Snape understood now why he was missing. The Werewolf was with Granger, Snape let his mind at easy, he was thankful that he wouldn't have to watch over another child while with the Dark Lord, his job was already too testing.

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~JadedHowl