An Omega's Plight

Summary ~ Hermione Granger, Brightest witch of her age as she was had never been this terrified as they were led up the path towards Malfoy Manor. Her boys either side of her.

Bound and helpless, handed over to Bellatrix Black and The Malfoys Hermione is certain of her own imminent demise. Her only priority is getting her brother in all but blood – Harry James Potter – out of the Manor and to safety. But what happens when the impossible happens and she suddenly finds herself in a world of uncertainty, forced to rely on those she considered enemies as truths are revealed that will shock the entirety of the wizarding world.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, any of the characters or work recognisable as belonging to the wizarding world are the property of JKR.

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March 31st 1998 ~ Malfoy Manor, Wiltshire England
~ Hermione's POV ~
Fear,
It was the only accurate description that the young Gryffindor witch could think of to describe what she was currently feeling as her and her two best friends were led, bound and tied together, up the long pathway toward Malfoy Manor. The pale grey building standing ominously in the near distance.
It was a deep seated, cloying sort of fear that had the usually strong willed and opinionated girl struck mute. A blessing really for Merlin knew if it hadn't, she'd only have earned herself the ire of her captors. Betas they may be but the stench of decay and stale alcohol painted a picture of violence she would wholeheartedly rather not see now or ever.
Addled by sleep deprivation, malnourishment and hunger, though she was, her deteriorated physical state had seemingly done nothing to impair her far too intelligent mind, as it processed every detail in front of her. Analysing every possible escape route, every possible way she could attempt to throw the death eaters of finding out they had unknowingly captured both undesirable number 1 and two plus a third wanted undesirable.
Harry James Potter was undesirable number one. Naturally. The boy who lived was ultimately the only one prophesied to hold the power to destroy the tyrant who called himself the Dark Lord. It made him the most wanted wizard alive in a world under the control of said dark lord.
She was undesirable number two surprisingly, though she assumed it was because of her blood and not her title as the brightest witch of her age. She was to them a mudblood. A lesser being, a threat to their existence. Having muggle parents rather than magical ones meant she was viewed as less than human and she knew that if the dark lord won this war she would lose her life.
Ronald Weasley on the other hand was currently undesirable number 23. As a pureblood he wasn't necessarily vermin and she of all people knew he wasn't exactly the most powerful, intelligent or gifted wizard to exist. He was rather average in that regard and therefore the death eaters obviously viewed him as less of a threat.
And that wasn't even taking into consideration their dynamics. No one knew what they were but the three of them. Having made the strategic decision to have the boys take suppressants to stop them presenting come their seventeenth birthday. It meant they didn't have to deal with Alpha, Beta or Omega specific issues while they were on the run looking for horcruxes. She as a muggle born needn't take them, a flaw of some sort in her genetic make up meant that as a muggle-born she couldn't present. She'd never be classified as an Omega nor an Alpha or even a Beta and there in lay the reasons she was seen as less than.
Purebloods believed that because her kind didn't present and therefore did not have a true mate then any relationship or child they had with another magical person was tainted, denying the population of true witches and wizards. It was a flawed logic, one she didn't quite understand but it was enough for a tyrant and his followers to wage a war on mases of people and sanction the execution and torture of countless more.
So yes, Hermione was afraid. She recognised the Manor they approached from history books, knew with certainty that this was most likely his layer and it would be riddled with death eaters. If they were identified then she knew the war was over. They would lose and she and her best friend, the boy who was more like a brother to her than anything would ultimately meet an untimely demise.
"Hermione please tell me you have a plan" the panic in Ron's voice was the only thing that kept her from snapping a sarcastic response back at the dunderhead of a boy who had only ever been somewhat of a decent friend over the years. Even if he had always wanted more from her. Not that she would ever consider it, even if they did wind up winning. He was no where near intellectually her equal, his table manors were atrocious and his archaic and oppressive views on woman were disgusting. There was also the issue that she was entirely convinced he was the complete wrong gender for her. She had always preferred the fairer sex. Women held her interest more than any man or boy ever had. Not that she had told him that. Harry knew. He had known nearly as long as she had, perceptive and caring as he was. He had reassured her when he asked her about it, telling her that no matter what she would always be his sister.
It had touched her then, just as much as it did now as she thought back on it. Harry was the reason she had gone on this awful horcrux hunt, why she had agreed to fight a war at the tender age of seventeen. It was why she had obliviated her parents, sending them to Australia, losing them as she knew they would most likely be a target to get information about her otherwise. But Merlin, Harry was worth it, keeping him alive, championing him, loving him, her brother in all but blood, was worth it because she would do absolutely anything for the messy haired boy.
It was why, as they were led up the steps and through the front entrance of the Manor, she was glad she had thought to throw a few different spells his way, altering his appearance, swelling his face up to the point he was unrecognisable, especially coupled with the blonde hair and pale blue eyes he now sported. She had thrown a spell at Ron, only managing to change his hair colour to a dark brown before she had been forced to defend herself against the snatchers who had turned up. Harry had accidently said Voldemort's name in a fit of frustration. The taboo word triggering numerous locator spells strong enough to shatter her wards and she could only assume it was the tyrant himself who had cast the spells on his own name to aid their search for all those deemed his enemy.
They were led along a long entrance hallway, decked in white and silver. Portraits of long dead Malfoy family members lining the walls. Looking upon them, as they were dragged forward, with disdain. It made her feel inferior. Dread settling deep within her bones.
She felt helpless as they finally arrived in what appeared to be a ball room. The ceiling was high, arched columns lined the outer edges of the room, lit candles were the only source of light and the dark tiled floor made the room look lavish but intimidating.
They were pulled to a halt in the centre of the room and forced down on their knees.
A click of one of the snatchers fingers and "Elf, fetch your masters quickly, best bring Black too" the man that had been holding her barked out rudely. Pushing her head forward towards the floor when she tried to get a glimpse of what elf he had been speaking too.
The waiting was killing her, her fear and anxiety swirling in her stomach nauseatingly. She could feel how desperate the boys were becoming for some sort of escape. Could feel their fear as palpably as her own. Harry was kneeling beside her, Ron on his other side. Though her biggest concern was figuring out how to get Harry out of here. If he wasn't rescued, if she couldn't help him escape then she knew they would be discovered. Her magic was strong, strong enough to hold up the glamour's she had placed on the boys for a while but she wouldn't be able to do so indefinitely. Not with her body so exhausted and malnourished. Maintaining the spells would requite energy and each second they were here she knew a little more of what little energy she had left would slip away from her.
Clicking heels drew her attention from her inner panic, multiple feet striding closer to their room. Each click, click, click felt like a countdown to her own inevitable demise. Each pace they drew closer solidifying her resolve that no matter what she had to get Harry out of here. Regardless to the cost on her own life.
"Well well well, what do we have here. A mudblood and her friends" the voice of Lucius Malfoy hissed as he, his wife, his son and to Hermione's horror Bellatrix Black strode into the room. Four sets of eyes zeroing in on her. Recognition in their eyes and if Hermione wasn't so fearful she would have noticed the way Bellatrix stilled and tensed at her brother in laws words, eyes not leaving Hermione's face for a second as they approached.
She remained silent, not willing to show any sort of reaction as she forced her face to go blank. Making her look impassive and unbothered. A practiced look from years of dealing with prejudice and Ron's stupidity.
"We found them out in the forests of Galloway. Looked all cosy with their tents" the man Hermione had placed as Fenrir Greyback spoke, his voice a gleeful whisper as he watched them.
"Recon it might be Potter, though he looks different"
"You may leave them here. We shall decide whether or not you've got the right boy Fenrir" Lucius hissed as he dismissed the snatchers. Waving them off as if they were irrelevant.
"We can't touch the boys, not until we know who they are. If we harm Potter the Dark Lord will surely kill us all" the man spoke again as if thinking out loud. His wording made the brunette curious, unsure as to why the dark lord would care if Harry was hurt at all. The man had spent the past seventeen years trying to kill Harry. It made no sense that he'd be upset if her best friend was harmed.
She shifted slightly sensing out her magic to make sure it was still holding strong around the boys. It would do them no good for her magic to fail them now. She wasn't the brightest witch of her age for no reason. Her ability and intelligence was far ahead of even those whom had been years ahead of her. McGonagall had told her she believed Hermione would have been able to pass the seventh year classes in her third. Her power had grown over the past seven months of them being on the run, the continued use of her magic to cast wards, fighting for her life and the life of her boys along with her reaching the age of magical maturity had meant she had strengthened her magical core more than she had ever thought possible. She could feel its strength even now with her body so weak. Her magic still pulsed strong. It was steady and clung tightly to both boys, blanketing them in her glamour's. Though she knew the pompous ass that was Lucius Malfoy was far too arrogant to look past his own shiny buttons and pointy nose long enough to see the boys were glamoured. Lady Malfoy and Lady Black however, she knew they were intelligent. Black was the one that held the title of brightest witch of the age long before Hermione had been declared the same. Lady Malfoy was much more subtle in her intelligence and the brunette was willing to bet she was severely underestimated by those around them but whenever Hermione had interacted with the woman she had sensed her intelligence, seen it glint in her eyes behind the icy demeanour.
Draco Malfoy however, wouldn't notice and not because of his arrogance like his father but because she could sense the fear coming from the boy, he had obviously presented as an Omega in the past several months judging by the fearful Omega pheromones he was filling the air with. His mother's pheromones growing stronger by the second to soothe him. Though Hermione knew she wasn't supposed to be able to smell pheromones. She didn't have a dynamic being a muggle-born so the fact she could pick out an individuals dynamic and felt her body relax slightly in response to Narcissa's should have been an impossibility. Not that she was going to draw attention to that fact at all.
She glanced down, breathing in deeply as she let the Malfoy Matriarchs pheromones fill her lungs and calm her fear. Praying that it soothed her enough to get through this and keep the boys safe. Merlin knew she needed them to survive this.
~Bellatrix's POV ~
Bellatrix had been curious if not slightly annoyed at the disturbance of her well earned rest. She had been out on raids, searching for the 'golden trio' almost every day for months now. At her Lords insistence she had taken a week off. Loathe to do so in the middle of a war but ultimately knew he was right. It wouldn't do for his most powerful and most loyal lieutenant to burn herself out before the war was won.
So grudgingly she had taken the week off to rest up and spend some time with her family. Though her rest was certainly disturbed by her sisters house elf appearing in her rooms.
Mipey... misty. . Milley or whatever its name was telling her she was needed in the drawing room immediately to help deal with prisoners. An unamused grunt of acknowledgement was all she deemed the elf worthy off as she reluctantly dragged herself out of bed. Using a nonverbal and wandless spell she dressed herself appropriately, making sure her boots and corset were laced tightly before she stormed her way throughout the Manor. Meeting her sister Narcissa, Cissy's fool of an Alpha Lucius and her sisters Omega brat on the way.
She had once had high hopes for her nephew. But after he presented as an Omega he had let his cowardly fathers influence rule him. Turning the boy into a bigger coward than the man who had sired him. It disgusted her. As an Alpha herself she knew Lucius was a disgusting example of what an Alpha should be. He was cowardly but cruel. Even to his wife and child. If it weren't for the fact the man had his uses still she would have ended him long ago.
A fact she was certain he knew as he sent her a snide smirk, looking away before she could respond. She ignored him. Directing her attention to her sister whom she had always adored. Greeting her warmly. She'd always had a soft spot for her sisters.
Something that no one really knew outside her Lord and sisters. Bellatrix Black was a softy at heart when it came to those she cared for. Though that list was very small. Her sisters, her Lord and despite her dislike off his behaviour, her nephew.
Entering the drawing room she was met by the vile scent of a group of Beta snatchers. Each man was disgustingly barbaric, holding a penchant for violence and cruelty unmatched by even her Dark Lord and she despised that they were needed. She couldn't wait for the day to come when the war was over and the poor excuse for wizards could be annihilated.
Her Lord had explained that they were only recruited to round up those that needed dealt with. They were Canon fodder. Disposable fools. A means to an end. She sighed. So much waste already and the war was far from over.
"Well well well, what have we here? A mudblood and her friends" her brother in laws snide voice pulled her attention from the filth that stood arrogantly in front of her, too the three kneeling prisoners bound together where they sat. Though the two boys were of little importance compared to the girl that was with them.
The boys, one blonde with blue eyes, the other brown haired with murky brown eyes sat either side of her. Unmistakably the girl was none other than Potters mudblood. Hermione Granger, golden girl, brightest witch of her age and the girl who had caused Bellatrix more sleepless nights than she had ever admitted. Even to herself.
Ever since the battle of the Ministry, the dark witch had felt a strange draw to the girl. Something about her pulling Bellatrix to her. Wanting to get closer. She had never understood it. Until now. Subtly sniffing the air the answer laying itself clear for her to see.
Where the boys held no scent whatsoever. A fact she'd have to look closer at in a moment. The girl Unmistakably held the scent of an Omega. It was barely there. As if she hadn't fully presented yet but there all the same. It shouldn't be possible. She was a mudblood. She wasn't meant to hold a dynamic.
She watched the girl curiously as Lucius dismissed the snatchers after they told them their suspicions about who the three were. She watched as the girls face went blank. Her occlumency shields rising to a strength Bellatrix had never seen before and she watched as the girl subtly glanced around. Her eyes tracking even the slightest movements around her. Flickering back to the boys beside her. Especially the blonde boy every few seconds.
Bellatrix willed her mind to empty as she closed her eyes and let her magic reach out to all three, trying to deduce what was going on with the three. She could feel their magic's. All three having very different magical signatures. Though she frowned sensing the girls magical signature around both the boys. Blanketing them in magic. The girls magic was powerful. More powerful than it should be.
Letting her senses expand she scented the air around her again. Now that the snatchers had left it was easier to distinguish who each scent belonged too.
Cissy's honeycomb and freesia, Draco's honeycomb and wood. Lucius' burnt wood and orange. All familiar too her. But underneath them all she smelt the girl.
A distressed Omega girl, parchment, books and spiced ginger. A scent that appealed to the dark witch greatly. Giving her pause. She grinned. She could work with that.
She sent out a wave of her pheromones, filling the air with her dominance, something that most could not resist. Most Alpha's paling in comparison to her own strength. She locked eyes with the girl, smirking triumphantly when she saw the bead of sweat roll down a clammy forehead as the girl battled against the pheromones urging her to submit.
"Drop the glamour's girl" she demanded. Having come to the conclusion that the mudblood was glamouring the boys, it was the only explanation as to why her magic covered them so completely. The girl shuddered, but her eyes hardened and her shoulders squared. Causing Bellatrix to growl and stalk forward. Grasping the girls chin tightly as she repeated the demand.
"DROP THE GLAMOURS" she screeched, playing to the public perception of her madness. They didn't need to know it was all an act.
Though she didn't get the chance to demand a third time when the girl refused. The girls fear, breaking through the surface of the girls blank facade sent an almost overpowering wall of pheromones at Bellatrix. Sending the Alpha stumbling backwards, eyes screwed shut as the girls scent overwhelmed her. Even as the girl on the floor curled into herself. Her face twisted in silent agony as she clutched at her own skin.
Bellatrix forced herself to breathe deeply, shaking off the over powering feelings of fear coming from the girl, her eyes snapping open in shock as she realised what it was she was smelling. Her Alpha side rejoicing even as she rebelled at the notion.
It couldn't be. Shouldn't be possible.
"What's happening Bella?" Her sisters tone held curiosity and a little fear, despite the fact that the woman kept pumping soothing pheromones out in her fearful sons directions.
"It can't be" she whispered. Shaking her head, stalking forward. Wordlessly waving her wand. Unbinding the girl, keeping the other two tied together. "It can't be" she repeated again. Getting closer. Her steps taking her to stop right in front of the mudblood.
Mudblood, mudblood, mudblood. She reminded herself. A vile stain on the wizarding world. Diluting the bloodlines. She repeated her mantra, trying to work up her usual disdain for one such as the girl.
But it wouldn't come, all she could see was what she could sense. A powerful mudblood, an Omega mudblood.
HER Omega mudblood.