Severus Snape was pacing in his office waiting for his
charges.
How was he supposed to bring five people back on broomstick without muggles noticing? And what of his original mission? Well, at least for flying they would have the cover of darkness and they could just fly a little higher over some of the muggle towns. They would have to be prepared for Death Eaters, he knew them all too well and this would be the perfect time for vengeance. Severus glanced at the clock, Nine o' five. They're late. Just then the door to the dungeon opened slowly. Harry and Hermione walked in.
"Potter, Granger, you have your wands I trust?" He asked looking at them both with a very sour expression, and they both nodded. "Good. We will be flying to Diagon Alley," He looked at Hermione and notice that she was looking a bit scared. "Do you have a problem with that Miss Granger?" And he gave her a wicked smile.
"No Professor," she said in a small voice. Hermione had only been flying during class and didn't have as much practice as Harry did.
"Why are we going to Diagon Alley?" It was the first thing Harry had said since he heard about their little trip.
" It's none of your concern Potter. Put on your traveling cloaks, we should have been gone by now!" Snape picked up a small bag from his desk and stormed out of the room. Harry and Hermione followed not far behind, but they still kept their distance. Hermione and Harry both had to take two steps to keep up with Snape as he stormed out of the room.
"I know one of the reasons to why we're going to London." Hermione whispered to Harry.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"We have to get Mrs. Figg and her Niece from the Leaky Caldron, but I don't know why Snape is going there or why he needs us. Maybe it has something to do with that bag." She said quietly.
"M-M-Mrs. Figg?" Harry stuttered, "That old lady with the photos and cats on end. She's a witch?"
"Of course she is, how else would see find the Leaky Cauldron and know how to reach Dumbledore? Honestly Harry you have a way with over looking the obvious."
[pic]
They walked through the castle in silence stopping every now and again to avoid Peeves. No one was to know that they left that night. They went past the great hall and out of the castle doors into the cool night. They crossed the grass and passed the black lake over to the Quidditch field. Snape opened the broom shed and retrieved three brooms, one of them being Harry's Firebolt that he had received in his third year from Sirius. The other two were Nimbus Two Thousand and One's from the Slytherin Quidditch team.
"No fooling around Potter or I'll make sure your expelled." Snape said as he threw Harry his broom.
Hermione was looking quite ill at the thought of flying all that way. Harry wanted to say something to sooth her worries, but he didn't dare in front of Snape, because he knew that would be just another thing to taunt her about. Harry looked back at Snape who had a cruel smile upon his face.
"Are you afraid you'll fail Miss Granger," He said with a sneer, "or perhaps you just intend to make us later than we already are?"
Snape was already hovering at least twenty feet above her and Hermione had a very defiant expression on her face.
"Accio Broom!" She said with a smile when she saw that Professor Snape wasn't expecting her to do that and that he almost fell from the violent jerk the broom gave in his hand. It spun downward right into Hermiones' hand. She looked at Harry who was grinning at her brightly.
"I believe we can leave now Professor." Hermione said as she and Harry kicked off from the ground.
[pic]
The night was cold and dark, just the way Severus liked it. He preferred darkness, it was a place you could stay in if you didn't want to be found, but for some reason he had the feeling he wasn't the one hiding tonight. Severus turned on his broom to look behind him. Granger and Potter were side-by-side talking. He frowned.
It is strange how time can change you. Not only physically, but mentally as well. A few years ago Hermione was a little pudgy girl and now she was tall, almost as tall as himself and she looked somewhat like someone he used to know many years ago. She had also changed much when it came to authority. Thinking that she were invincible like Potter did. Snapes' frown deepened. It would be a pity if Voldemort found an interest in killing her; she would act stubborn and get herself more pain than she'd care for. For a moment Severus thought back to the short time he was apart of Voldemorts' loyal Death Eaters. He wasn't as submissive as the others were and was punished more times than he would like to remember.
But his train of thought had been severed, something had just moved he had seen it out of the corner of his eye. It was Granger and she seemed much more relaxed than when she was on the ground. Harry was behind weaving back and forth, no doubt imagining he was playing Quidditch.
"What is it Miss Granger?!" He snarled.
"I just wanted to know why you became a Death Eater?" She said it with a look of determination and of pity.
A couple of seconds of silence hung in the air, for that was the last thing he was expecting. Then noticing that his pain showed on his face Severus turned very angry.
"IT IS NONE OF YOUR CONCERN!" He bellowed, but Hermione stayed her ground (or air as it were).
"Well, then how can we fully trust you? Even if you are a teacher at Hogwarts." She said firmly.
Then Hermione realized she should have been quiet because she already knew Dumbledore trusted Snape and that should have been good enough for her, but it wasn't for some reason. Instead of becoming enraged his face turned dark and cool and that made Hermione more uneasy than if Snape had been shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Miss Granger, I advise you to keep to your own affairs." His voice was barely above a whisper, yet Hermione heard every hint of a word. His eyes were like black daggers taking aim at her, so Hermione didn't say another word to him, but went back next to Harry. Hermione's hair whipped around her face and she tucked it behind her ears. She noticed that Snape had looked back at her again and she turned to Harry, whose eyes looked very distant as if he was in deep thought, but he seemed to be looking for something.
Harry's mind was racing. He was in the middle of a Quidditch match against Slytherin. Malfoy was on the other side of the field looking for the tiny golden snitch. Then he saw it just above the ground. A burning pain shout through his mind. Hermione was next to him now, talking to him, but he couldn't hear her.
"Hermione what are you doing on the field?" He asked keeping an eye on the snitch that was still hovering.
"What are you talking about Harry? You're not playing Quidditch! We're no where near Hogwarts!"
Harry saw Malfoy begin to dive for the snitch. Harry was right behind him gaining speed. Just a little bit farther and he would have it.
"HARRY!" Hermione yelled after him.
Snape turned just in time to see the blur that was Harry Potter. Snape went after him shouting all the way down. Red sparks zoomed by both of them. Severus caught Harry by the robes stopping them both in mid-dive and watched as the sparks hit Hermione in the back. Her back arched and she screamed out in pain.
Hermione's mind was filled with the pain that was running through her body. She shuddered and felt her hands release the broomstick. Hermione fell from her broom and started to spiral downwards. The wind whipped fiercely at her robes and face. Hermione screamed again and then she was in an icy darkness no longer aware of the pain or anything else.
Severus went into another dive after Hermione, her screaming had ceased. I won't make it, Severus thought. He watched her figure fall towards a shadow on the ground. The shadow caught her limp body before it hit the earth. It was someone or something robed in black, its face was covered by a hood, but they had a small framed body that gave away that it was a female. Harry stopped not too far above the shadow as Snape landed softly on the ground and pulled his wand out of his sleeve.
"Thank you Severus, for bringing me Hogwarts prized Mudblood." The voice was cold and heartless. " Oh, and here is young Harry Potter. Your time will come soon," the shadow laughed. There was a flash of smoke and another shadow appeared next to the first. This one you could tell was definitely a man from his muscular body that filled out his black robes. He pulled out his wand. "Right now in fact!" The woman said merrily.
Harry managed a glimpse at his face before he dodged a streak of red sparks. It was someone Harry had never seen before. He had blue-black hair that was shoulder length and his eyes were pale blue. His features were chiseled and strong.
"And Severus, if you would be so kind as to giving me that bag?" The shadow stretched out its hand to receive the small bag Severus had tied to his belt.
Severus watched as the shadow released Hermione and she floated slightly above his shoulders. Her head fell down to her chest and a single sparkling tear fell from her cheek. A pang of anger filled his entire being. Severus took a step forward, holding his wand high above his head, as though he were a cobra ready to strike.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Severus. It would be a shame if I had to explain to Lord Voldemort why I brought the mudblood back dead instead of alive." Severus froze in his tracks and lowered his wand. "That's better. Now, give me the bag!"
He quickly untied it with his free hand and tossed it towards the woman. A small pale hand caught it with its slender fingers.
"Once again I thank you Severus." She said bowing her head. She extended her arm above Hermione, but stopped and said, "Do try and stay out of Bram's way. We're already running late and Potter seems to be unwilling to cooperate." And then she sprinkled a fine gold dust over Hermione and herself, disappearing into the darkness of the cold night.
Severus stood there for a moment trying to take in everything that just happened when he caught a glimpse of Potter rising higher to avoid Bram's attacks. Severus spun on his heel and watched as Bram sent another streak of red after Harry. He was getting tired and nearly didn't dodge in time. Severus raised his arm once more and pointed his wand straight at Bram.
"Dispareo!" He shouted.
Bram's huge body disappeared and Harry fell lightly to the ground.
[pic]
A dull throbbing pain flowed into Hermione's mind. What happened? She thought to herself. Everything is so fuzzy. Why was Harry diving towards the ground, like he was in a Quidditch match? Harry! Did he pull out of the dive? Hermione felt the fear run the pain from her body. She moved her hand to feel around her, expecting to feel cold grass, but it was a soft fabric.
"Harry!" She called. No one answered.
Hermione opened her eyes, but Harry wasn't there; No one was. When she looked around she noticed she was lying on a four poster bed much like the ones at Hogwarts except the curtains were torn and were decaying. She could make out the shape of a seemingly ancient fireplace. There was a dark wooden frame hanging above the mantel with the canvas ripped to shreds. It was so desecrated she couldn't even make out what it once was. Her eyes fell to the top of the mantelpiece and saw an engraving across the edge but the words were unclear. She sat up to investigate and realized she wasn't as alone as she thought.
"Did we sleep well?" A high cold laugh pierced the darkness. A tall, slender shadow with blazing red eyes emerged from the darkness. Hermione recoiled from the shock which the figure instilled upon her heart. She scrambled to the edge of the bed until she collided with the frame. Another laugh broke the stillness of the air. Hermione's heart sank as the red eyes held her gaze, revealing her very being. She knew her fears were exposed and she felt utterly helpless.
"A little frightened?" The cold voice taunted. The shadow took a confident step forward and Hermione instinctively reached for her wand but found that her sleeve was empty. "Your wand can't help you now, Mudblood. Some of the greatest wizards fell before they could even draw." It once again took a step forward into a beam of light which filtered through a broken pane of glass.
Hermione gasped with the sudden realization of who stood before her. He had a long, pale face with two slits for nostrils which made him look remarkably like a snake. His eyes glowed from the lipless smile that darkened his face. Hermione again tried to back away as his slender hand reached ominously towards her. His hands stopped barely inches away from her face and they lingered there, as if mocking her. He smiled again at her fear and he ran his finger slowly down her cheek. She jumped at his deathly cold touch.
"Ah, so you also cower at my touch. Like so many others." He rested one hand on Hermione's neck as he continued to stroked her cheek, " Do you know who I am, girl?" Hermione shuddered beneath his hands and nodded weakly. She wondered if this was the way Harry had felt when he had touched him.
"You're Lord Voldemort," she paused for a moment before saying, " and a murderer." His hand tightened around her small neck. Hermione's muscles constricted and she reached for his hand in an attempt to ward off his attack.
"Who's to say that I'm a murderer, if all those who think of me so are dead?" His grip tightened yet again and his eyes held a dangerous gleam. "Remember, your life is in my hands." Hermione held on to his hand, but she didn't try to pull it away.
If I must die I would rather it be like this then that curse. She thought to herself. She would not drop her eyes from Voldemort's. Her fears were gone, but she felt an overpowering hate. Hermione knew that it must have shone in her eyes because Voldemort studied her face for a moment. He smiled and released his hold on her. Hermione let go of his wrist and grasped her neck, rubbing it gently. Voldemort brought his slender hands once more to her face and held it, as his thumbs lightly caressed her cheeks.
"Your eyes betray you mudblood." He spoke softly, his face so near Hermione's now that she could feel the heat of his breath on her skin. "I can see the hate enclosed in your heart," Hermione struggled against him trying to break free. She had no where to go, Voldemort had her pinned against the headboard and was a lot stronger than he appeared. He put his cheek upon hers; Hermione closed her eyes in fear, "and I revel in it!" He moved away from her ear and looked intently into her eyes. The fire within burned out and was replaced by her fears once more.
"If one only knows hate, they will only see hate." Hermione said in a very shaky voice as his hand slipped to the marks on her neck. She winced at the feel of his lips upon her skin. They were so cold that it burned. His right hand fell to his side letting go of her face.
" You are a very foolish girl." A small dagger fell to his hand from his sleeve. In one swift blur Voldemort had slashed Hermione's left shoulder. "Such remarks shall only bring you more pain." She cried out from the new ache that found its way through her body and to her mind. The dagger disappeared as suddenly as it had emerged. His hand moved to her shoulder and pressed brutally on her recent wound. Hermione threw her head back and screamed as his fingers dug into her flesh. He released her and her head fell to her chest. Tears ran down Hermione's face.
"Now, I expect you to behave yourself." Voldemort said icily withdrawing his wand from a secret pocket somewhere in his black robes. He pointed it at her shoulder. It began emitting a green ray of sparks, slowly repairing her cut. "I am quite capable of far worse than this."
I don't doubt that. I've heard of your muggle torture sessions and I bet Lucius Malfoy would be right next to you the entire time. Hermione thought to herself. The pain from her shoulder was receding and her mind was becoming clearer. She touched her shoulder and felt there was no blood at all. Her robes were torn, hanging slightly off exposing her bare skin. She became aware of movement near her. Voldemort was standing next to her hissing at something on the floor. Hermione recognized it as parseltongue. She looked over the side of the bed and saw a gleaming green snake lying there. Hermione cringed when she could see it was licking a small pool of her blood.
"Nagini has just informed me that Harry Potter is your friend. How unfortunate. I'll have to make special plans for you...Hermione." He looked away from her and Hermione took this chance to stand up. She wasn't too far from Lord Voldemort, but she was out of hands reach. Nagini moved her head towards Hermione and Voldemort looked up. Anger filled his eyes. Voldemort raised his wand.
"Imperio!"
Hermione was in a sense of bliss. Nothing. That's what she felt, nothing, and it was wonderful.
On your knees. A small voice in her head hissed.
Why? She thought.
Down on your knees! It said more harshly.
Hermione started to fall to the ground, when she saw an image of a boy with untidy black hair and sparkling green eyes. Harry? Harry please help me. I'm not strong enough on my own. He smiled at her and waved goodbye. His face left and Hermione found herself on the ground with Nagini starting to slither up her legs. She jumped up and Nagini fell with a thud. Voldemort took two steps and had her by the arm. Hermione gasped at his touch.
"You are proving to be just as stubborn as Harry. I believe it's time for you to meet my followers."
He dragged Hermione from the dark room and into a long hallway. She could see a door at the end lit by torches that led outside. When they had reached the door Hermione saw a circle of dark robed figures in the middle of a garden that hadn't been tended to in many years. One of them stepped out from the circle and met them at the door.
"My Lord," the figure dropped to its knees before them and it was a she from the sound of it, " What is your bidding?"
"Take this girl and restrain her from interrupting." A cruel grin made his darkened face light up. "She will be staying for awhile." The women stood up and pulled her hood off of her head. She was quite beautiful, with long silver-white hair, her pale skin had the softest hint of pink on her cheeks, and her eyes were as black as coals. She's a banshee!
The Banshee gently took Hermione by the arms and moved her closer to the circle. They stopped right outside where there was an opening in between two others and they soon filled it. Lord Voldemort entered the circle and everyone fell to their knees. The Banshee pushed down on Hermione making her legs collapse beneath her.
Voldemort was walking around looking at each person, who would tremble under his eyes. He stopped in front of a well-muscled Death Eater and it bent down to kiss the hem of his robes. Hermione's face contorted into a look of disgust. Voldemort was saying something but she couldn't hear what it was.
"It would be wiser to stay submissive this night. Or you my not live to see the morrow." The banshee whispered to Hermione. Her voice was sweet and calm, but she sounded cold, colder than Voldemort's touch. The Death Eaters around them began to stand. "Stay on your knees and do not move for any reason." The banshee stood up as well and as Voldemort stared at the three empty spaces. You could see the rage build inside of him.
From some unknown origin Hermione made a slight giggle. She couldn't explain why she was silently laughing, because she was terrified or she thought she was. Hermione dropped her head down so no one would see the smile that played across her face. She then put her hands behind her back and twisted her fingers so she would stop this fit of lunacy.
How was he supposed to bring five people back on broomstick without muggles noticing? And what of his original mission? Well, at least for flying they would have the cover of darkness and they could just fly a little higher over some of the muggle towns. They would have to be prepared for Death Eaters, he knew them all too well and this would be the perfect time for vengeance. Severus glanced at the clock, Nine o' five. They're late. Just then the door to the dungeon opened slowly. Harry and Hermione walked in.
"Potter, Granger, you have your wands I trust?" He asked looking at them both with a very sour expression, and they both nodded. "Good. We will be flying to Diagon Alley," He looked at Hermione and notice that she was looking a bit scared. "Do you have a problem with that Miss Granger?" And he gave her a wicked smile.
"No Professor," she said in a small voice. Hermione had only been flying during class and didn't have as much practice as Harry did.
"Why are we going to Diagon Alley?" It was the first thing Harry had said since he heard about their little trip.
" It's none of your concern Potter. Put on your traveling cloaks, we should have been gone by now!" Snape picked up a small bag from his desk and stormed out of the room. Harry and Hermione followed not far behind, but they still kept their distance. Hermione and Harry both had to take two steps to keep up with Snape as he stormed out of the room.
"I know one of the reasons to why we're going to London." Hermione whispered to Harry.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"We have to get Mrs. Figg and her Niece from the Leaky Caldron, but I don't know why Snape is going there or why he needs us. Maybe it has something to do with that bag." She said quietly.
"M-M-Mrs. Figg?" Harry stuttered, "That old lady with the photos and cats on end. She's a witch?"
"Of course she is, how else would see find the Leaky Cauldron and know how to reach Dumbledore? Honestly Harry you have a way with over looking the obvious."
[pic]
They walked through the castle in silence stopping every now and again to avoid Peeves. No one was to know that they left that night. They went past the great hall and out of the castle doors into the cool night. They crossed the grass and passed the black lake over to the Quidditch field. Snape opened the broom shed and retrieved three brooms, one of them being Harry's Firebolt that he had received in his third year from Sirius. The other two were Nimbus Two Thousand and One's from the Slytherin Quidditch team.
"No fooling around Potter or I'll make sure your expelled." Snape said as he threw Harry his broom.
Hermione was looking quite ill at the thought of flying all that way. Harry wanted to say something to sooth her worries, but he didn't dare in front of Snape, because he knew that would be just another thing to taunt her about. Harry looked back at Snape who had a cruel smile upon his face.
"Are you afraid you'll fail Miss Granger," He said with a sneer, "or perhaps you just intend to make us later than we already are?"
Snape was already hovering at least twenty feet above her and Hermione had a very defiant expression on her face.
"Accio Broom!" She said with a smile when she saw that Professor Snape wasn't expecting her to do that and that he almost fell from the violent jerk the broom gave in his hand. It spun downward right into Hermiones' hand. She looked at Harry who was grinning at her brightly.
"I believe we can leave now Professor." Hermione said as she and Harry kicked off from the ground.
[pic]
The night was cold and dark, just the way Severus liked it. He preferred darkness, it was a place you could stay in if you didn't want to be found, but for some reason he had the feeling he wasn't the one hiding tonight. Severus turned on his broom to look behind him. Granger and Potter were side-by-side talking. He frowned.
It is strange how time can change you. Not only physically, but mentally as well. A few years ago Hermione was a little pudgy girl and now she was tall, almost as tall as himself and she looked somewhat like someone he used to know many years ago. She had also changed much when it came to authority. Thinking that she were invincible like Potter did. Snapes' frown deepened. It would be a pity if Voldemort found an interest in killing her; she would act stubborn and get herself more pain than she'd care for. For a moment Severus thought back to the short time he was apart of Voldemorts' loyal Death Eaters. He wasn't as submissive as the others were and was punished more times than he would like to remember.
But his train of thought had been severed, something had just moved he had seen it out of the corner of his eye. It was Granger and she seemed much more relaxed than when she was on the ground. Harry was behind weaving back and forth, no doubt imagining he was playing Quidditch.
"What is it Miss Granger?!" He snarled.
"I just wanted to know why you became a Death Eater?" She said it with a look of determination and of pity.
A couple of seconds of silence hung in the air, for that was the last thing he was expecting. Then noticing that his pain showed on his face Severus turned very angry.
"IT IS NONE OF YOUR CONCERN!" He bellowed, but Hermione stayed her ground (or air as it were).
"Well, then how can we fully trust you? Even if you are a teacher at Hogwarts." She said firmly.
Then Hermione realized she should have been quiet because she already knew Dumbledore trusted Snape and that should have been good enough for her, but it wasn't for some reason. Instead of becoming enraged his face turned dark and cool and that made Hermione more uneasy than if Snape had been shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Miss Granger, I advise you to keep to your own affairs." His voice was barely above a whisper, yet Hermione heard every hint of a word. His eyes were like black daggers taking aim at her, so Hermione didn't say another word to him, but went back next to Harry. Hermione's hair whipped around her face and she tucked it behind her ears. She noticed that Snape had looked back at her again and she turned to Harry, whose eyes looked very distant as if he was in deep thought, but he seemed to be looking for something.
Harry's mind was racing. He was in the middle of a Quidditch match against Slytherin. Malfoy was on the other side of the field looking for the tiny golden snitch. Then he saw it just above the ground. A burning pain shout through his mind. Hermione was next to him now, talking to him, but he couldn't hear her.
"Hermione what are you doing on the field?" He asked keeping an eye on the snitch that was still hovering.
"What are you talking about Harry? You're not playing Quidditch! We're no where near Hogwarts!"
Harry saw Malfoy begin to dive for the snitch. Harry was right behind him gaining speed. Just a little bit farther and he would have it.
"HARRY!" Hermione yelled after him.
Snape turned just in time to see the blur that was Harry Potter. Snape went after him shouting all the way down. Red sparks zoomed by both of them. Severus caught Harry by the robes stopping them both in mid-dive and watched as the sparks hit Hermione in the back. Her back arched and she screamed out in pain.
Hermione's mind was filled with the pain that was running through her body. She shuddered and felt her hands release the broomstick. Hermione fell from her broom and started to spiral downwards. The wind whipped fiercely at her robes and face. Hermione screamed again and then she was in an icy darkness no longer aware of the pain or anything else.
Severus went into another dive after Hermione, her screaming had ceased. I won't make it, Severus thought. He watched her figure fall towards a shadow on the ground. The shadow caught her limp body before it hit the earth. It was someone or something robed in black, its face was covered by a hood, but they had a small framed body that gave away that it was a female. Harry stopped not too far above the shadow as Snape landed softly on the ground and pulled his wand out of his sleeve.
"Thank you Severus, for bringing me Hogwarts prized Mudblood." The voice was cold and heartless. " Oh, and here is young Harry Potter. Your time will come soon," the shadow laughed. There was a flash of smoke and another shadow appeared next to the first. This one you could tell was definitely a man from his muscular body that filled out his black robes. He pulled out his wand. "Right now in fact!" The woman said merrily.
Harry managed a glimpse at his face before he dodged a streak of red sparks. It was someone Harry had never seen before. He had blue-black hair that was shoulder length and his eyes were pale blue. His features were chiseled and strong.
"And Severus, if you would be so kind as to giving me that bag?" The shadow stretched out its hand to receive the small bag Severus had tied to his belt.
Severus watched as the shadow released Hermione and she floated slightly above his shoulders. Her head fell down to her chest and a single sparkling tear fell from her cheek. A pang of anger filled his entire being. Severus took a step forward, holding his wand high above his head, as though he were a cobra ready to strike.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Severus. It would be a shame if I had to explain to Lord Voldemort why I brought the mudblood back dead instead of alive." Severus froze in his tracks and lowered his wand. "That's better. Now, give me the bag!"
He quickly untied it with his free hand and tossed it towards the woman. A small pale hand caught it with its slender fingers.
"Once again I thank you Severus." She said bowing her head. She extended her arm above Hermione, but stopped and said, "Do try and stay out of Bram's way. We're already running late and Potter seems to be unwilling to cooperate." And then she sprinkled a fine gold dust over Hermione and herself, disappearing into the darkness of the cold night.
Severus stood there for a moment trying to take in everything that just happened when he caught a glimpse of Potter rising higher to avoid Bram's attacks. Severus spun on his heel and watched as Bram sent another streak of red after Harry. He was getting tired and nearly didn't dodge in time. Severus raised his arm once more and pointed his wand straight at Bram.
"Dispareo!" He shouted.
Bram's huge body disappeared and Harry fell lightly to the ground.
[pic]
A dull throbbing pain flowed into Hermione's mind. What happened? She thought to herself. Everything is so fuzzy. Why was Harry diving towards the ground, like he was in a Quidditch match? Harry! Did he pull out of the dive? Hermione felt the fear run the pain from her body. She moved her hand to feel around her, expecting to feel cold grass, but it was a soft fabric.
"Harry!" She called. No one answered.
Hermione opened her eyes, but Harry wasn't there; No one was. When she looked around she noticed she was lying on a four poster bed much like the ones at Hogwarts except the curtains were torn and were decaying. She could make out the shape of a seemingly ancient fireplace. There was a dark wooden frame hanging above the mantel with the canvas ripped to shreds. It was so desecrated she couldn't even make out what it once was. Her eyes fell to the top of the mantelpiece and saw an engraving across the edge but the words were unclear. She sat up to investigate and realized she wasn't as alone as she thought.
"Did we sleep well?" A high cold laugh pierced the darkness. A tall, slender shadow with blazing red eyes emerged from the darkness. Hermione recoiled from the shock which the figure instilled upon her heart. She scrambled to the edge of the bed until she collided with the frame. Another laugh broke the stillness of the air. Hermione's heart sank as the red eyes held her gaze, revealing her very being. She knew her fears were exposed and she felt utterly helpless.
"A little frightened?" The cold voice taunted. The shadow took a confident step forward and Hermione instinctively reached for her wand but found that her sleeve was empty. "Your wand can't help you now, Mudblood. Some of the greatest wizards fell before they could even draw." It once again took a step forward into a beam of light which filtered through a broken pane of glass.
Hermione gasped with the sudden realization of who stood before her. He had a long, pale face with two slits for nostrils which made him look remarkably like a snake. His eyes glowed from the lipless smile that darkened his face. Hermione again tried to back away as his slender hand reached ominously towards her. His hands stopped barely inches away from her face and they lingered there, as if mocking her. He smiled again at her fear and he ran his finger slowly down her cheek. She jumped at his deathly cold touch.
"Ah, so you also cower at my touch. Like so many others." He rested one hand on Hermione's neck as he continued to stroked her cheek, " Do you know who I am, girl?" Hermione shuddered beneath his hands and nodded weakly. She wondered if this was the way Harry had felt when he had touched him.
"You're Lord Voldemort," she paused for a moment before saying, " and a murderer." His hand tightened around her small neck. Hermione's muscles constricted and she reached for his hand in an attempt to ward off his attack.
"Who's to say that I'm a murderer, if all those who think of me so are dead?" His grip tightened yet again and his eyes held a dangerous gleam. "Remember, your life is in my hands." Hermione held on to his hand, but she didn't try to pull it away.
If I must die I would rather it be like this then that curse. She thought to herself. She would not drop her eyes from Voldemort's. Her fears were gone, but she felt an overpowering hate. Hermione knew that it must have shone in her eyes because Voldemort studied her face for a moment. He smiled and released his hold on her. Hermione let go of his wrist and grasped her neck, rubbing it gently. Voldemort brought his slender hands once more to her face and held it, as his thumbs lightly caressed her cheeks.
"Your eyes betray you mudblood." He spoke softly, his face so near Hermione's now that she could feel the heat of his breath on her skin. "I can see the hate enclosed in your heart," Hermione struggled against him trying to break free. She had no where to go, Voldemort had her pinned against the headboard and was a lot stronger than he appeared. He put his cheek upon hers; Hermione closed her eyes in fear, "and I revel in it!" He moved away from her ear and looked intently into her eyes. The fire within burned out and was replaced by her fears once more.
"If one only knows hate, they will only see hate." Hermione said in a very shaky voice as his hand slipped to the marks on her neck. She winced at the feel of his lips upon her skin. They were so cold that it burned. His right hand fell to his side letting go of her face.
" You are a very foolish girl." A small dagger fell to his hand from his sleeve. In one swift blur Voldemort had slashed Hermione's left shoulder. "Such remarks shall only bring you more pain." She cried out from the new ache that found its way through her body and to her mind. The dagger disappeared as suddenly as it had emerged. His hand moved to her shoulder and pressed brutally on her recent wound. Hermione threw her head back and screamed as his fingers dug into her flesh. He released her and her head fell to her chest. Tears ran down Hermione's face.
"Now, I expect you to behave yourself." Voldemort said icily withdrawing his wand from a secret pocket somewhere in his black robes. He pointed it at her shoulder. It began emitting a green ray of sparks, slowly repairing her cut. "I am quite capable of far worse than this."
I don't doubt that. I've heard of your muggle torture sessions and I bet Lucius Malfoy would be right next to you the entire time. Hermione thought to herself. The pain from her shoulder was receding and her mind was becoming clearer. She touched her shoulder and felt there was no blood at all. Her robes were torn, hanging slightly off exposing her bare skin. She became aware of movement near her. Voldemort was standing next to her hissing at something on the floor. Hermione recognized it as parseltongue. She looked over the side of the bed and saw a gleaming green snake lying there. Hermione cringed when she could see it was licking a small pool of her blood.
"Nagini has just informed me that Harry Potter is your friend. How unfortunate. I'll have to make special plans for you...Hermione." He looked away from her and Hermione took this chance to stand up. She wasn't too far from Lord Voldemort, but she was out of hands reach. Nagini moved her head towards Hermione and Voldemort looked up. Anger filled his eyes. Voldemort raised his wand.
"Imperio!"
Hermione was in a sense of bliss. Nothing. That's what she felt, nothing, and it was wonderful.
On your knees. A small voice in her head hissed.
Why? She thought.
Down on your knees! It said more harshly.
Hermione started to fall to the ground, when she saw an image of a boy with untidy black hair and sparkling green eyes. Harry? Harry please help me. I'm not strong enough on my own. He smiled at her and waved goodbye. His face left and Hermione found herself on the ground with Nagini starting to slither up her legs. She jumped up and Nagini fell with a thud. Voldemort took two steps and had her by the arm. Hermione gasped at his touch.
"You are proving to be just as stubborn as Harry. I believe it's time for you to meet my followers."
He dragged Hermione from the dark room and into a long hallway. She could see a door at the end lit by torches that led outside. When they had reached the door Hermione saw a circle of dark robed figures in the middle of a garden that hadn't been tended to in many years. One of them stepped out from the circle and met them at the door.
"My Lord," the figure dropped to its knees before them and it was a she from the sound of it, " What is your bidding?"
"Take this girl and restrain her from interrupting." A cruel grin made his darkened face light up. "She will be staying for awhile." The women stood up and pulled her hood off of her head. She was quite beautiful, with long silver-white hair, her pale skin had the softest hint of pink on her cheeks, and her eyes were as black as coals. She's a banshee!
The Banshee gently took Hermione by the arms and moved her closer to the circle. They stopped right outside where there was an opening in between two others and they soon filled it. Lord Voldemort entered the circle and everyone fell to their knees. The Banshee pushed down on Hermione making her legs collapse beneath her.
Voldemort was walking around looking at each person, who would tremble under his eyes. He stopped in front of a well-muscled Death Eater and it bent down to kiss the hem of his robes. Hermione's face contorted into a look of disgust. Voldemort was saying something but she couldn't hear what it was.
"It would be wiser to stay submissive this night. Or you my not live to see the morrow." The banshee whispered to Hermione. Her voice was sweet and calm, but she sounded cold, colder than Voldemort's touch. The Death Eaters around them began to stand. "Stay on your knees and do not move for any reason." The banshee stood up as well and as Voldemort stared at the three empty spaces. You could see the rage build inside of him.
From some unknown origin Hermione made a slight giggle. She couldn't explain why she was silently laughing, because she was terrified or she thought she was. Hermione dropped her head down so no one would see the smile that played across her face. She then put her hands behind her back and twisted her fingers so she would stop this fit of lunacy.