Author Notes: Everyone mad at me yet? Worried? Concerned? I promise this will give you a bit more relief. I promise nothing is ever entirely as it seems when captivity is involved! Hope you enjoy it!
They arrived at the front doors of a large stone castle, and Remus smelt the number of werewolves in this location straight away. Zacharias walked up to the door and huffed as he shifted his pack on his back. He opened up the barrier and glanced around inside before waving them inside. "If anyone asks, you didn't get led here by me," Zach whispered and walked off swiftly.
The trio glanced at each other with surprise, and Sirius leaned to Remus. "I'm going to go sniff her out, why don't you and Draco retrace Scorpius's steps?" He breathed and turned into a mangy dog again.
Draco waved and watched the canine wander off down the entry hall. Remus pointed at the small staircase with a motion of agreement. The probably would have continued on if a little boy didn't run in from one of the hallways nearby. "Hello?" he questioned with a tilt of his head.
Draco blinked a few times and mimicked the boy's gesture. "What's your name?"
"Damien. Mother told me not to talk to strangers," he responded and turned to leave.
"Where are you going?" Remus asked.
"To the garden. Alpha is drawing the girl with pretty curly hair," Damien declared and left down the hallway.
Draco snorted and waved. "Well, looks like we know where she is."
"I hope Sirius doesn't run into trouble," Remus mumbled with a head shake. "Let's be methodical about this, alright? The possibility of the whole bunch being out there is great."
The two werewolves followed the trail of the boy and found that they were quarters. At the end of the corridor was a large door, likely leading to the outside. Remus put a finger to his lips as they paced quietly and exited. It was a high hedged path that would lead them to the central portion of the garden, but the smell of multiple wolves was evident — five or six different scents. Draco felt the small tug of a familiar consciousness near his, and his heart swelled.
Draco gestured toward the bushes, and they strolled around to hide amongst them as they ducked down and walked. It was sparse but just condensed enough to see through and not be seen. A laughing was heard over the space, and they saw her.
Hermione was sitting on the freezing stone wolf and making faces down at the man drawing. "Hermione, are you going to take this seriously or not?" Vincent groaned with a smile.
"You have me sitting on a giant wolf, what do you want me to do? Cuddle it?" She snickered with another stream of laughter at his pout.
"Printsessa, just like that," Vincent murmured as she leaned back on her arm.
Hermione was dressed in a wispy dress, nearly translucent in the afternoon light, but the heated charm around her kept the cold away. The animagus sighed and raised her face to the sky. There was a particular twinge to her feelings that created a tint of longing. She was missing them.
"Where are you, goddess of wolves and man?" Vincent questioned as his hand was working on the pad.
When she glanced back down, she saw it. A dog was prowling on the edge of the planter nearby. She nearly had time to raise her hand and shout as the hidden werewolves stalked toward him. "Wait, don't!" she hollered and bound off the wolf statue.
They stopped moving, and the dog frolicked over to the animagus. "You're here!" she cried. He jumped into her and knocked her against the wall gently as his tongue lavished her face in slobbery kisses.
"Get off of her," Vincent's voice was stern.
Hermione jerked as the skin on her neck grew taut. "Vincent," she started as the dog sat on the ground.
The alpha werewolf sneered as he took out his wand. "That isn't a dog," he hissed.
"Vincent, he," she paused when he raised his other hand.
"Enough, she-wolf. Go inside, and I will speak to him myself," He ordered sharply.
Sirius appeared on the spot and rose his wand, drawing out the other werewolves from their secluded positions. "She's staying in my sight," he told the werewolf with a nod.
"And then we are taking her home," Remus's voice sounded from the right.
Draco and Remus walked around a planter, and their wands were out.
"You came," Hermione murmured before covering her mouth.
Vincent arched an eyebrow and glanced between the three intruders. "Well, unexpected guests, printsessa?" He questioned with a cool expression. "Sessles, Theo, come on out and greet our dinner guests," Vincent called out loudly.
Now there were eight of them.
"Dinner, Vincent?" Hermione questioned as she took a step toward him.
He smirked at her and rocked his head. "Oh, yes. I can't very well invite your friends to join us here without serving them dinner. Zacharias did very well and will be commended on his superb acting."
'The tiger and the lion may be more powerful, but the wolf doesn't perform in the circus.' That saying sprung into her mind as she glanced over at Draco and Remus. There was no sign that they were surprised.
Hermione directed her attention back at Vincent and smiled. "How generous of you," she responded with a smirk.
"Yes, of course. I heard from the Ambassador that they were in town and felt it was my duty to lead them to our cozy den. None would follow without a good chase, right, Hermione?" Vincent asked with an arched eyebrow.
'Draco, if you can hear me, please play along. He isn't without his temper. I have seen it,' she mentally said, hoping if magic will it that he would hear it.
No, not outbursts or even fits of rage. This man was methodical on his punishments, and she had been subject of a few of them. The last thing she could ever want was to see any of them hurt or worse in front of her eyes for him to make a point. As relieving as it was to see them, it was disheartening. She couldn't protect them from his wrath, now that they were in grasp.
"Well, I suppose some tea would be lovely," Remus said with pinched lips; his posture read defiant.
Vincent's expression turned asymmetrical. "So, you're the alpha? Remus Lupin. I almost wondered if you were some idea that a poor writer drew up. Even your name declared that you would be of a lupine influence, does it not?"
The outsiders approached closer, and Hermione took two steps toward Vincent. "Of course, some tea would be lovely, wouldn't it? I'm absolutely freezing in this now," she tried for a neutral expression, but her heart raced in her chest.
She couldn't play the game if she were worried. Vincent could smell it, and his eyes glinted as he smiled. "Most certainly, why don't you run up to our room and get changed. We shall meet in the drawing room for tea after our guests freshen up."
Hermione just motioned agreement before glancing back at her companions. She hoped they would at least hold off until she could speak alone with them. They had been to the village nearby. They knew how to get out of Russia with clarity. Now, she just needed to convey her plan to sneak out of the castle, and all would be well.
Weeks of squaring off a proper plan were difficult. However, Damien had not been without his uses. He was taught all of the passages in the castle and with the building of trust and playing along… she was able to learn the one that avoided the wards to get to and from the forest. That particular one was built just in case a werewolf with an improper dose got into the castle. It was his getaway tunnel as he called it. It was only a matter of debating on which direction to run, but with the Marauders and Draco here, that plan changed dramatically.
Now, they would be able to sneak off and possibly get further away faster. Anything to get out of this place. This confusing center of dizzying fantasy.
She had thrown on something simple and left the bedroom with a near frantic accord. The drawing room was one of Vincent's favorites. He loved to sit there and listen to the piano play or even just the fire crackle as he was drawing. Hermione spent a great deal of time with him in there and found out about the secret room next door where his betas would be relaxing and listening. This would be no exception.
When she entered, she saw the Marauders sitting together on the sofa, Draco in an armchair and Vincent waiting in the loveseat. He gestured her over with a quick flick of his finger and Hermione complied. "There's my printsessa. Are you warm now? Your body won't run hot for the next two weeks I'm afraid. After the moon, the cold won't affect you as greatly," Vincent murmured and kissed her temple.
Remus's nose flared and Draco's cheeks had tinted, but neither said anything.
"So, you're the prince that kidnapped our girl?" Sirius questioned as he reached for a teacup on the table. "Not as handsome as you were described."
Vincent's lip twitched as he stroked Hermione's hair. "Well, looks aren't everything, Sirius Black," he retorted with an arched eyebrow.
"You know why we're here," Draco said as he crossed his arms. "And you know you owe a debt to me."
"Debt? What debt?" Vincent questioned as he turned toward Hermione. "Do I owe Mr. Malfoy anything?"
"His son was scared," Hermione offered with a pout.
Vincent raised his finger and hemmed. "Ah, yes. Your son. I will have you know that the perpetrator was indeed punished for such a malicious act," he paused and leaned in Draco's direction. "I dare say he won't look at banana slugs the same," the dark-haired werewolf murmured with an impish smirk.
'Don't have an outburst, please trust me,' Hermione implored in her mind.
He had to have heard her. Draco dropped his posture and cleared his throat. "Then might we talk about your prisoner?"
"Prisoner? Hermione, my darling, are you held captive? Can you not run when you see fit? Do you desire anything I'm not giving you?" Vincent baited; what a wanker of a man.
"No, nothing. I want for nothing. I'm in need of nothing," Hermione affirmed with a nod.
Remus's scowl grew, and Sirius turned a hint of magenta. "What did he give you? A potion? Obliviate you? Love, you were abducted and forced to remain here. What do you mean you're not being held captive?" Sirius questioned as his brow skewed.
"My friends, loyal companions. Vincent opened my eyes to my true calling. Without him helping identify why I always felt the need to have werewolves in my life, I would still be lost," Hermione declared as she reached for a cup.
"A true alpha female. A leader. A magnificent wolf to walk in step with me throughout my pack and forests," Vincent sighed, and the smell of smugness filled the air around him.
Remus huffed and ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't want to make that decision for you, Hermione. You have to know that," he confessed.
"I know, Moony. I understand. 'The art of love is largely the art of persistence,'" She said with a nod before turning to Vincent. "Why don't I catch them up and you go handle the estate business. That way it frees up our evening. You can even post Theo outside the door if you're worried they will try to abduct me," Hermione voiced as she nuzzled his neck.
"Abduct you?" Sirius hissed.
The trio across from her burned with envy, and you could smell it thick in the room. The prince chuckled and stroked her hair as he kissed her with a possessive gesture. His thumb had run over her throat and up to the tip of her chin. "Theo will protect you. The others will be listening in to make sure all is well. I shall clear my evening schedule and that way our dinner and our alone time shall remain unaltered," He confirmed as his cheek ran against hers.
"I will be waiting with bated breath," she sighed.
Vincent stood up and nodded at the others in the room. "I shall handle my business so we can enjoy each others' company before I send you off tomorrow. I'm sure my she-wolf will explain everything in proper measure."
No one spoke, and the prince smirked before waving and leaving the room. Hermione held her finger to her lips and tiptoed toward the desk. She heard Vincent talking to Theo outside the door, giving him instructions, but she wasn't too concerned as she pulled out some parchment and grabbed a piece of his charcoal.
"So, are you going to explain to us how you just decided you were going to stay?" Remus asked.
Hermione exhaled as she sat down and wrote on the paper as she spoke. "It's simple really. Vincent takes excellent care of me, and I can see the potential now."
When she rose the page up, it read, 'Disregard everything I'm saying. I have a plan, and they're listening in.'
"This is about power?" Sirius inquired as he nodded.
Hermione put the sheet down and started to write again. "Well, not so much power as it is Vincent. He opened my eyes to a better life than I previously had offered."
'We can sneak out undetected, but I haven't been able to find my wand.' She scribbled.
"What about our son?" Draco hissed as he nodded at the sentence.
"I'm sorry Draco, I am. I have to worry about myself and my new pack now. I wasn't sure until today. I think I'm falling in love with Vincent." Hermione voiced as she wrote swiftly this time.
'I have nosed about, and I think I know where it is, but I have been trying to convince him I won't go anywhere when I have it. I'm not even certain he will give it to me.'
"We're sorry we worried about you, selfish witch," Sirius snapped but shrugged with a smile.
"Remus says to figure out a way to find it tonight and give him a few drops from this vial. It will knock him out before he even knows what hit the wanker," Draco's voice entered her mind as Remus held out a potion bottle.
"I really am sorry, Sirius. I hope that when everything is said and done, we can still be friends. I respect you all immensely," Hermione sighed and tucked the bottle away in her boot.
She was scribbling on the sheet as the men feigned such perfect chaos. All were throwing in passions and hurt in their comments, which were smelt on the air. It was so excellent and authentic.
'Tonight. He won't lock you in for fear of setting off negative events. Meet me at the entrance near the small staircase. We'll escape then. I'll tell Draco when I'm free from the bedroom.' Hermione's writing was sharp and swiftly written.
"I suppose there's nothing else to say but to see where you've been living," Draco grumbled with a motion of agreement.
Hermione stood up and tossed the sheet in the fire. "I suppose so. The pack is lovely; I can't wait for you to meet them."