"I have a secret Ms. Granger, would care to hear it?" His voice in her ear made her stomach curl and she instinctively pulled against the hold he had on her arm.

"You were supposed to stay in a coma forever, but no, the bloody Healer I had in my pocket got sacked and replaced with a competent healer. Oh, yes, I know all about your little rendezvous with him, your 'secret' healing following the aftermath of your triumphant return."

"What did you do to him?!"

"Oh, you'll never see him again and once you're out of the way, I'm going to go after your 'savior'"

"You'll never find him!" Hermione's voice rose and died out against the dark stone hallway. She had tried to remember what turns they had made, but it was all indistinguishable from the next. Her heart ached for Healer Darling. Everything that he had done, out of the goodness of his heart held against him. She could only hope this man wasn't crazy enough to have killed him, he didn't deserve to die for all he'd done to help her.

Two turns, a long hallway and a small flight of stairs leading to another narrow and seemingly endless hall of doors. Her eyes took immediate notice of the blood red stone at the very end, a dark black door standing out from the stone that surrounded it.

"I don't have to, the way I saw it from that healer's weak mind, he'll come after me, and I'll be ready." Frollos grip tightened and he gave her a sharp pull when she started to drag her feet, his wand pressing tighter into her side so much that he could feel her breath hitch down his palm, "They were meant to be my ticket to eternal glory. I was going to be the one to end the second great wizarding war. I was going to live in the lap of fame and fortune!"

Frollo pulled harder on the chains that bound Hermione making her whimper and miss a step. He adjusted the hold on her arm with bruising force and yanked her back to her feet,"Then it all went wrong, the creatures, they didn't kill him, they didn't even see him. Voldemort was completely invisible to their power!" He turned her suddenly, pressing her center to one of the black doors. He pulled his wand from her ribs and tapped the door sliding open the small window.

Hermione tried to follow along with the man's ramblings but even she found him to be pretty far off the rails. When the window opened her stomach lurched with bile at the sight inside. The white rounded room was covered in blood from ceiling to base. A metal pole that had been mounted in the center bent at an odd angle with a chain still attached to its base. She closed her eyes and turned her head away from the mangled remains of the body at the other end. His breath was hot against her ear, making the bile rise even higher burning the back of her throat.

"They ravaged the dead before we could capture them all, their bloodlust insatiable. Then the one, the leader, it came forth with such power and who but the little sidekick of Harry bloody Potter would be attacked?!" Frollo pulled her sharply away from the door half dragging her behind his more rushed steps towards the red framed door.

"Do you know what happens to the Jinshinkin without their leader?"

Hermione tried her best to put her feet down or even pull free from his hold, but a sharp jolt from the shackles made one of her knees collapse down to the hard stone and her arms twist at an odd angle. Frollo gave her no reprieve, nearly taking her arm out of socket as he pushed her ahead of him again, releasing her arm for the back of her hair. Hermione let out a strangled noise and tried to pull against her chains but found the odd angle that he held her head at only made walking a barely manageable feat.

"You didn't want to tell me what I wanted to know before, how about now?"

Frollo pushed open the heavy black steel door inside the bloodstone frame. The room inside was grey, just like the one he had forced her to look inside. With only a steel T-shaped pole with a loop embedded in the center. He pulled Hermione closer using his wand to connect her shackles to the base.

"I thought it was over when they said you were in a coma, I thought it was a perfect time to implement our back up strategy. We would use the monsters to punish all those responsible for the deaths that night." He forced her elbows back behind her, looping one then the other around the T-shaped pole at the top, the chain that connected her wrists pulled tight keeping her in place. Her head had to lower down to keep the pressure from cutting off the blood that was racing through the vein in her neck.

Once he finished securing the chain at her ankles to the bottom loop, he came to stand center of her vision, "We were able to contain them, and even harness their power, but you survived. I know you were coming for me, coming for revenge against all that had befallen you."

Hermione could only swallow down the fear in her throat shaking her head, "I was just happy to be alive...I had no idea...I didn't..."

"But you would have," His accusation was punctuated by his finger pointing directly between her eyes, "You see, I did a little research myself. About you, and your legendary mind." He nodded and took a small step back, "I knew you'd figure it out one day. You were on the run, searching for someone. Someone like me."

Hermione shook her head again pulling weakly at the chains that held her trying to see what possible connection this delusional man was making. "I wasn't looking for you, I don't even know you...I just want to live..."

"No, I can't...I can't let you live, you know too much, you've seen what these creatures can do, no. Your time on this Earth is over... What a tragedy it will be when they bury you. If there are enough pieces, that is." He took hold of the end of her hair lopping off a small handful at the tip. Hermione turned her head to the sound her eyes widening.

"Please don't do this! Please, I won't say anything! Please!"

"No enough! I won't let my brilliant plan go down in flames because of a child who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I will have my glory and you, Ms. Granger, shall light the flame."

Frollo flicked his wand tightening the shackles to the steel loop. Hermione trembled, her knees nearly giving out. He moved out of her field of vision then, into a hidden seamless door. She heard a small window near the very top of the dome-shaped room open, then the door they'd passed through started the process of locking itself.

Hermione pulled harder on her chains, trying to focus enough to use her wandless magic to try and release the locks. Her body entering full fight or flight mode as the room sealed shut like a vacuum. She had no idea what the insane man's plan was, only that she didn't want to find out.

A soft popping noise echoed through the room and Frollo's voice resounded from above. "I've learned quite a few things about these creatures myself Ms. Granger. For instance, did you know if you remove a pack leader from the rest, the remaining creatures of the pack will ravenously feed on anything it can find until it's reunited with a leader?"

Hermione let out a choked sob and let her head hang down, her entire body trembling, rattling her restrains.

Severus, I'm so sorry...

Hermione where are you!? Shackbolt has released the lockdown. They're coming for Frollo now.

His voice came through clearly now, though it brought only a deep sadness to the deepest part of her soul.

I don't know...but I'm... I'm not coming home...

Hermione?!

I'm so sorry...

Show me where you are! Hermione?!

I love you, I love so much...

Hermione?!

Silent tears ran down her face, her body frozen, frozen with a fear one only felt when they faced death directly in the eyes. Her lungs too tight to even scream. Her eyes closed and her heart skipped at least three beats. The sound of another wall being shifted out of place rose her head marginally, her eyes rising to meet the sound, only to go stock-still.

The Jinshinkin was smaller than the artist depictions would have led one to believe. Its body no larger than her own should it stand on its grotesque back legs. Its skin was darker too, more of an ashen silver than light grey. Its teeth and claws, however, were just as long.

"Leaders are made from powerful sacrifices, made to the cause. Your death shall bring a new power to the pack, a new leader. Your unstoppable power mine alone to command. An assurance of compliance in the order."

Hermione barely heard his words, her entire focus on the creature that moved slowly back and forth in front of her. Pacing, as if deciding on just how exactly it wanted to kill her.

oOOo

Severus lowered himself down slowly, the elevator shaft was pitch dark, but a small spell to his eyes had lit his way. He had lingered long enough for the lockdown to be lifted, and the doors to be released. He'd managed as far as he had because he'd taken service exits not included in the main wards. Old hidden passages that must have been simply overlooked. Though now, with Hermione's words echoing in his mind, he found that he couldn't wait for whatever Shacklebolt and Potter had cooked up. Hermione's fear ran through him like a hot knife, cutting straight through his heart like warm butter, leaving behind a burning rage like he'd never felt before. He was quite sure that by the time the Aurors actually found Frollo's body, he'd be nearly unrecognizable by anything more than his wand.

Severus' feet finally touched a solid surface and he canceled his spell, putting his full weight on the car. The metal gave a small groan from the adjustment but he paid it no mind, he lit the tip of his wand and searched for the emergency hatch. Pulling it open, he peered down into the darkness inside. The sound of two men idly making conversation gave him pause before he decided that a good defense was a good offense. He leaned back on his heels and cracked his neck. He'd never attempted his transformation while polyjuiced but there was a first time for everything. His bones snapped and popped bending to his will, his low scream turning to a deep shattering roar as his body conformed to its new shape. With a shake of his much heavier head, Severus slipped through the hatch landing heavily at the bottom. His eyes glowed in the dim light of the two wands pointed through the opened gates in his direction. He gave neither one of them the chance to fully comprehend what they were seeing before he lunged forward.

oOOo

"How much farther down is it?"

"Not much farther."

"Do you think she's really down here?"

"I hope so."

Shacklebolt and Harry jogged down another flight of stairs. Shacklebolt had sent those he trusted on the search for Frollo. The man they had seen in the courtroom had been nothing but a polyjuiced imposter held prisoner under the imperious curse. He had no more been able to tell them what he'd had for breakfast let alone where Frollo may have gone. Kingsley was sure that Severus was having much better luck than they were now that the lockdown was lifted. He only hoped that he'd made the right call.

Harry burst through an old steel door out into a darkly lit black hallway, the air was so cold that it nearly stole the breath from his rapidly moving lungs. His eyes turned left, right and center before stepping out fully to allow Shacklebolt to pass.

"There are so many paths. Which one should we take?"

Before the elder could answer, a deep scream of anguish came from straight ahead, dying out against the stones. "That way."

Harry didn't need any further direction and took off in a run down the long hallway. Shacklebolt was right on his heels but both of them came skidding to a stop when a large black lion rounded the corner. Its head bent down smelling the stones. Shacklebolt raised his wand in defense but didn't make a move against it. Harry too, raised his wand but when the lion's head turned towards them he felt a sort of familiarity inside the eyes that narrowed at his presence. The lion licked its nose before lowing its head back down, letting out a low growl before turning to the left, in the opposite direction of where they were and started to trot.

"Do you think that's a guard?"

"No...I think that's Snape."

"What?"

"Come on!" Harry jogged after the lion, keeping his wand at the ready. He chanced a glance down the hallway the lion had come from and grimaced at the two bodies that lay motionless near the lift. He had no doubt who was responsible but he didn't feel the need to worry about it at present. The lion slowed its steps at another junction sniffing along the corners before taking off again.

Severus kept his pace, following the trail. It was fresh and strong. Even against stone the smell of Hermione's fear left behind a distinct path. He turned another corner barely paying attention to the feet that thudded behind him. The smell grew stronger and something warm brushed against his nose as he came closer to one of the doors. He licked his nose snarled at the coppery taste lifting his head to the door.

The smell cut off at the door, but another small drop of blood was further off to his right, with a snarl he came away from it and followed the scent of blood further down the hall. He wished he could call out to her in his lion form but it was impossible. His animal form held his magic core tightly inside preventing him from reaching out just as it had in the forest.

Harry and Shacklebolt were gaining ground and were able to follow Snape around the next turn. The lion increased his speed only dipping down its head every few moments to confirm its path.

Two turns and a small flight of stairs brought all of them to a dark hallway with a red wall at the far end. Severus paused at the bottom of the steps as more scents mixed into what was already present. His head swept back and forth along the ground coming closer to the far end.

Harry and Shacklebolt were tall enough to see one of the doors that had an open window. Harry rushed over with hope on his face that quickly turned to disgust.

"Think I know what happened to Snape's present Minister."

Shacklebolt made a face but didn't approach his eyes following Snape as he did a small circle before continuing on. His low growl chilled even his blood as Snape trotted further ahead. With a motion to Harry, they followed Snape to the large black door inside the red stone.

This was it, Severus was sure of it, her trail ended there. He turned his large head back to the two who had followed him and moved aside from the door. He gave a deep roar as he forced his body back into its human form. The polyjuice that he had taken only a small drink of had thankfully worn off making the transition much easier this time around. Even still, his body ached from having forced it through a most unnatural transition.

"She's in here."

"How do we get it open?"

"There's no lock."

"There must be another way in..." Severus ran his hand down the seam before reaching out desperately for Hermione.

Hermione? We're here, I've found you.

Snape listened intently, blocking out the other two's discussion on how to open the door. There was a long moment where he thought he may have been too late. Then, Hermione's soft voice, like a flickering candle, brushed against his mind.

Don't open the door...!

Severus tried to reach her again but her mind was too disorganized. He had to pull out just enough to keep himself from losing focus. When he noticed Shacklebolt reaching to cast a spell on the door he held out his hand.

"Don't, we must find another way in." Severus turned away from the door then and ran his hands along the wall casting silent detection charms in his wake. Harry and Shacklebolt took to the other side each one doing the same.

Hermione? Hermione hold on, can you hear me? I'm right here...

Severus...

Hermione? Is there another room inside there? Observation, anything?

Yes, at the top... He's here... watching...

What did he put inside there with you?

More chaotic memories pushed him out again and Severus turned away from the wall looking for a set of stairs instead. Down at the far end, he could see a barely lit staircase and hastily made his way to it.

Harry and Kingsley shared a look before following after him. When they made it to the landing Severus was counting steps judging the distance of probability. There was only one door on the right side of the hall and spatial reason dictated its high probability. There was no handle just like the rest of them but there was a small rectangular window.

Severus looked inside, "Here." Severus tried his usual unlocking spells to no avail. He stepped back and raised a white heat to the tip of his wand, he drew a large oval in the space in front of him and slowly pushed it forward with a loud hiss of screaming metal being burned away. The light burned brighter than the sun before disappearing into the door. It was enough time for Harry and Shacklebolt to come to his side, a large hole having melted into form inside the door.

"Secptumsempra!"

Frollo gave a sharp cry from the sudden spell. His hand pulling down a lever that had been under his palm when it hit. He let out a low groan as the pain of a thousand deep cuts ran throughout his body. His blood seeped slowly into his suit and onto the grey stone beneath. When his eyes opened he found himself staring into the bottomless pit of eternal hatred.

"Game over." Severus snarled and grabbed him by his shirt ready to finish the deed Potter had started when the boy called out sharply.

"Hermione! Oh, Merlin!"

Harry had come to the console but his hands were pressed against the thick glass, his fist pounding against it in vain. The lever that had been pulled had released three more creatures inside the room, making four total vying for space around Hermione's still form.

Her body was sagging against her own arms that held her aloft on the pole behind her. Her head was down to her chest and her hair covered her face leaving Harry unable to tell for sure whether she was alive or dead.

One of the creatures stood before her, its tongue stretched out, the tip of which was buried inside her chest, a dim light passing down from her body along its tongue and into its mouth. He watched with stilled heart as the new creatures came from their cells working their jaws as if smelling through their mouths like a snake.

"Snape...Snape, what do we do?"

Severus pulled away from Frollo, having ransacked his mind in the seconds between. He let the man fall to the floor to bleed out looking through the window for himself.

"We put them back in their cells." His voice was dangerous, more dangerous than Harry had ever heard before. Snape's fingers ran over the top cycling through his stolen information. Three switch flips and a button press later and lassos made of purple fire shot out from the open doors taking hold of each creature, in turn, dragging each roaring beast back into the rooms inside. When the purple fire had taken hold of the creature whose tongue had taken hold of Hermione, it struggled. Clawing at the floor to try and keep hold of its kill before its tongue snapped back into its mouth with a loud human-like scream. Hermione's body sagged even farther, a small stream of blood coming down from behind her hair. Severus pushed the lever up closing all of the doors.

"Hermione!" Harry pushed away from the wall hurrying after Shacklebolt who had beaten both of them to the small staircase that led down into the room.

Severus pushed both of them aside covering the distance between in a few long strides, his hands immediately taking hold of her face, lifting it towards the light of the room.

"Hermione?" His voice cracked with unhidden emotion as he waited for her to answer his pleading call. Dark blood stained her beautiful face as it ran from one side of her nose over her parted lips. Every breath he took felt like an eternity until her beautiful honey golden eyes fluttered open to meet his.

"Severus..."

He could have cried at the sound of his name passing her lips. She sounded tired, but nothing more. He shifted his hold as Harry and Shacklebolt released her binds and picked her up carefully under her arms pulling her up against his chest. His face pressed into her neck, his hand holding the back of her head over his shoulder. He lowered down to one knee to get a better hold of her. He felt and heard her left shoulder pop back into place and grimaced.

Hermione didn't mind the pain lifting her arm to wrap it tightly around his neck trying to keep herself up. Severus adjusted the best he could, taking the hand down from her head to loop behind her knees, his other arm wrapping around her waist. The stress of the entire day sapping away what was left of his strength.

Harry came closer moving around his shoulder to see into Hermione's face missing the sneer over his former professor as he got closer. He pushed some hair from her face and smiled softly when she turned her tired eyes to his face. She gave him a small smile in return before letting her eyes close again.

"We need to get out of here..."

Harry nodded his head to Kingsley but he wasn't sure if either of the two could move. Just when he was about to offer to help, the doors on the walls of the room started to slide open.

Shacklebolt moved quickly shooting out his wand to heed their progress before turning his head up to the window.

"Frollo!"

Harry wasted no time pushing off of Snape's shoulder towards the stairs. He took three at a time before rounding the landing. His curse shot out at lightning speed sending the barely conscious man back to the floor bound in tight ropes.

"Harry!" Kingsley shouted in urgency as his spell started to slip, one of the creatures long arms catching him by the back of his robes from under the small space.

Harry rushed toward the console and pushed the lever back into place hearing all the doors slam tight save for the one behind Kingsley. The creature's arm flailed from under the weight of heavy stone before a sickening crunch could be heard and the limb went still, severed by the door.

It was the burst of adrenaline Snape needed to pull himself back to his feet. Internally, his muscles trembled but his will to carry on overrode the fatigue. He nodded his head to Kingsley before taking a step towards the staircase. The man helped him along with a firm arm around his shoulder and together, with Hermione, they made it to the second level.

Harry let out a slow breath and pushed the button sealing off the bottom floor before running a hand through his hair, some of Frollo's blood staining his temple. "Let's go."