Snape stormed through the Ministry for Magic, almost frantic with worry for
Hermione. He'd seen Draco follow Hermione from the room, realising at once
that Narcissa's tears were a ploy. However, the woman had clung to him,
forcing him to remain. As soon as he'd heard the unmistakable 'pop' of
Apparation, he'd wrenched his arm from her, hurrying out into the corridor
to locate Hermione. She hadn't been outside, and he knew she would not have
gone far away from him unless she was forced. Turning back to the door, he
had been confronted with Narcissa, all tears gone, smirking triumphantly at
him.
'You'll never find her, Severus,' she had gloated. 'My son will have command of her, and he will lead her father's army as the new Dark Lord. The next time you see her, she should be carrying my grandchild.'
It had taken all of his self-control not to draw on her, his blood boiling with anger at their deviousness and his stupidity in letting her out of his sight. He knew she shouldn't have come here today.
At a loss for anything else to do, he Apparated to Hogsmeade, startling many of the students who were enjoying a few hours' freedom from the castle. One look at his thunderous expression was enough to send them all hurrying for the shelter of the nearby shops as he stalked away to the castle.
He burst in on Dumbledore having tea with Lupin, blurting out the whole story before pacing the floor in front of the hearth. The werewolf exchanged a glance with the Headmaster.
'I'll get Rhys and Black,' he offered, excusing himself hurriedly.
Dumbledore opened his mouth to offer some comfort, but Snape rounded on him.
'Don't say a word, Albus,' he snapped. 'The lesser of the two evils, you said. Malfoy has his hands on her right this moment, all because you insisted that Hermione attending the execution was the lesser of two evils. I've lost her again, and this time it's all down to you!'
He resumed his pacing, slightly guilty for the look of stricken guilt that consumed the old wizard's features on hearing this. The room fell silent, a silence edged with resentment and sorrow.
'I am heartily sorry, Severus,' Dumbledore said quietly, all trace of his twinkle gone. 'It would appear that I am the cause of Hermione's downfall.'
Snape slowed, coming to a halt in a dilemma of guilt, shame and worry. He turned to the heart-broken wizard sitting before him.
'Albus, none of this is your fault,' he said gently. 'Ultimately, I was the one who was supposed to be looking out for her, and I lost her. Any blame in this should fall on me. My words were hasty, and I apologise.'
Before Dumbledore could reply, the door burst open, and Lupin stumbled inside, followed by Rhys Mulqueen and Sirius Black.
'What's this about Hermione being kidnapped again?'
Snape nodded miserably.
'Malfoy,' he muttered, turning away from the outraged Animagus.
Sirius grasped his lapels and pulled him back, his face millimetres from Snape's.
'What do you mean, Malfoy?' he snarled. 'You were supposed to be protecting her, you incompetent ball of grease!'
Snape's gaze hardened, and he glared at Sirius, daring the other man to repeat himself. Slowly the shocked silence in the room got through to the furious Sirius, who shoved Snape away violently.
'Thank you for making me aware of the blatantly obvious facts, Black,' he ground out from between clenched teeth.
Rhys' hand shot out, slamming against Sirius' chest as he moved towards Snape again. Pushing hard, she forced him to sit down, placing herself between the furious men.
'What's going on?' she demanded.
*~*~*
Hermione tugged on the neckline of the gown she'd been forced into, pulling it up. There were bruises on her fair skin from where the women had resorted to violence to dress her up for Draco. Her hair had been brushed painfully, and drawn up into a cascade of curls that tumbled over her shoulders.
The door opened, and the swish of robes announced her captor's entrance. She refused to turn and greet him, jumping as his hand snaked around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. His breath was hot on her bare shoulder as he traced his fingers lightly up her arm. She tensed, hating every second of his ministrations.
'You look beautiful, my lady,' he murmured into her ear, planting a kiss on the tender skin at her nape.
Unable to stand his closeness any longer, Hermione pushed away, turning to face him with a defiant expression. He chuckled, amused by her empty show of rebellion, but prepared to tolerate it for a while.
'You should dress up more often, Hermione,' he suggested. 'I never would have guessed that you had grown into such a lovely example of the feminine sex.'
His eyes raked her defenceless body. She stiffened, determined not to rise to the bait, her skin flushing in anger at his smug expression. He extended a hand towards her.
'Have you let them go?' she blurted out, not moving from the window.
He frowned, obviously confused by her question.
'The Muggles,' she explained. 'Have you let them go?'
Draco smiled, inclining his head to her.
'There were no Muggles, my dear Hermione. I just wanted to make sure you would obey me.'
Fury flashed across her face as he stepped closer, pinning her against the wall.
'I think we should forego dinner,' he murmured, leaning down to crush her lips with his own.
*~*~*
Snape sat by the window, fuming silently, as plans were discussed around him. His mind kept wandering to Hermione, and the threat Narcissa had made.
The next time you see her, she should be carrying my grandchild.
Suddenly it all clicked into place. Abruptly he stood, silencing the conversation in the room.
'I believe I know what Malfoy's plans are,' he told them, noticing that even Black was listening to him. 'Narcissa told me that the next time I saw Hermione, she should be carrying Draco's child. He plans to use Hermione to secure his position at the head of Voldemort's army.'
'Who better to ally yourself with than the Dark Lord's daughter?' Sirius agreed, horrified. 'Hermione would never agree to it.'
'Do you seriously think that would stop him?'
Lupin shook his head, seeing another danger.
'If Hermione is a virgin, once he has had her, she'll be powerless to resist his will,' he added. 'Her power will be used against us, and believe me, she is among the most powerful witches I've ever met.'
Snape felt his heart clench in fear for her. No one had dared use the old ways to bind lovers together for centuries, but he knew that Malfoy would stop at nothing to gain control of Voldemort's army. If he took Hermione's virginity, her soul would be bound to his for all eternity, forced to capitulate to his will. She would be powerless to prevent her own strength being raised against her former friends, and she would be the figurehead for the Death-Eaters. It was almost too terrible to contemplate.
Dumbledore nodded, wearily seeing the true import of the plan.
'Hermione will fight him, though,' Rhys said quietly. 'And she knows how to fight without resorting to magic, something I doubt Malfoy has ever had to learn.'
Snape thumped the desk suddenly, the only outward sign of his rising anger.
'But we can't do anything without knowing where she is!'
Ignoring the surprised shock on their faces, he turned away to gaze out at the moonlight.
Please, Hermione, he thought pleadingly. Please, give me a sign, a hint. Anything to show me where you are, and I'll come for you, I swear.
Dumbledore rose stiffly, looking around at his gathered Order.
'I believe I can find her for you,' he said softly, and four pairs of hopeful eyes turned on him. 'We will need to go into the Forbidden Forest.'
Hagrid was duly summoned, and together the six wizards walked down to where the trees loomed dark and forbidding at the edge of the grounds. Dumbledore led the way, picking a path between the trees so convoluted that Snape felt certain he would never find his way out of there alone. He was aware of eyes watching them in the darkness, of inhuman voices marking their passage with comments and questions. In front of him, Rhys glanced tensely about her, obviously uncomfortable with their surroundings.
Suddenly the trees thinned out, revealing a clearing in which there seemed to be a gathering of centaurs. Their chatter stopped abruptly as the wizards entered, hostile stares aimed in their direction, from every face but one. An aged centaur trotted out from the trees, a smile on his wrinkled face.
'Dumbledore, my old friend!' he cried, taking the Headmaster's hand. 'To what do we owe this pleasure?'
Dumbledore smiled up at him.
'Good evening, Philippe,' he said warmly. 'I'm afraid I have need of your skills with the stars.'
Philippe frowned.
'Afraid? This cannot be good. Never before have you asked me for a prediction.'
'Not a prediction, my friend, but a location.'
The centaur looked confused, but another voice spoke from behind him.
'The daughter of darkness lies in danger, Philippe, or had you not noticed?'
A younger centaur moved into the light, his brown coat shining in the moonlight. Philippe snorted derisively.
'I have no patience for such legends, Raoul.'
Raoul smiled gently at his friend's ignorance.
'She is no legend.'
He turned to the wizards, his gaze sweeping over them to rest briefly on Snape. The Potions Master fancied he saw sympathy and compassion in those eyes before they moved onwards.
'The daughter of darkness fights for her soul in the home of her father,' he told them, watching as the import of what he said sank in.
'The Tower,' breathed Lupin, eyes wide in anger.
Raoul nodded.
'One thing can I do for you,' he offered. 'I can send one of your number to her side, to save her soul from torment.'
They all looked at Snape, fully aware of his feelings for Hermione. He nodded, stepping forward.
'I would ask one thing,' he said quietly, his mind on what he might find. 'Are Voldemort's wards still active?'
Raoul gazed heavenward for a moment, before bringing his kohl-rimmed eyes back to Snape's face.
'The answer you seek is yes, but you may Apparate away once the daughter of darkness is safe.'
Snape nodded again, glancing at his companions. Then he set his jaw and turned to face Raoul.
'I will go,' he told the centaur, bracing himself for movement.
'So be it.'
*~*~*
Draco staggered backwards under the force of Hermione's blow. Astonished, he raised a hand to his cheek, where her handprint was a glowing red against the pearlescent white of his skin. She watched him warily, pressed back against the bookshelves. Her palm stung from the slap, but she was hardly going to admit it to him. For the first time since she'd met Rhys Mulqueen, she was grateful for the self-defence classes the Welsh witch had given them.
Draco snarled at her, furious that she should try to resist him. He rushed her, grabbing her wrist as she slipped to one side, his fingers biting painfully into her soft skin. He pulled her back to him, seeking her lips once more and capturing them in a kiss that was nothing short of brutal. Hermione whimpered against his mouth, both hands in his grip. He pressed himself against her, forcing his tongue into her mouth. She did the only thing she could think of.
Draco howled in pain and fury, throwing her to one side as blood welled up from his tongue.
'You bit me!' he hissed incredulously, one hand pressed to his mouth.
Hermione wiped his blood from her chin, struggling to her feet. The dress was torn, barely covering her torso, the evidence of Draco's struggles to touch her. Her mouth and neck ached horribly from his ministrations. Seeing the pure hatred in his eyes, she began to back away, wondering if the door was unlocked.
She glanced to her right, looking back in time to receive a fist in her face. Blood trickled down her lip. Dazed, she stumbled back, surprised that Draco, the consummate gentleman, would strike her. Moving almost faster than she could follow, Draco grasped her about the waist, lifting her up and throwing her onto the bed.
Hermione's head swam, her eyes unfocused. She was vaguely aware of someone lifting her skirts, of strong hands on her thighs. Abruptly, she came back to herself. She kicked out with a yell, catching Draco a thump on the side of the head. As he blinked past the dizziness, she rolled away from him, scrambling upright and across the bed.
He climbed over the rumpled sheets to reach her, blocking her only means of escape. Draco slammed her backwards into the bookcase, no longer caring if he hurt her or not. His hand roughly kneaded her breast, ripping the material of her gown further. Hermione pushed at him weakly, realising with a terrible sinking feeling that she didn't have the strength to fight him. Seeing her despair, he grinned maliciously, bruising her already sore lips with yet another violent kiss.
Suddenly a hand grasped his shoulder. Turning in shock, Draco had just enough time to see Severus Snape's furious face before the Potions Master's fist smashed into his nose with a sickening crack. Draco howled in pain, falling backwards as his former professor advanced on him. He lashed out, catching Snape's shoulder a glancing blow, but it wasn't enough to stop him. Another heavy punch threw the arrogant young man against the door. His head slammed back against the ancient wood, and he slid to the ground, unconscious. Snape snarled down at him, fully prepared to kick the defenceless youth to death.
'Severus?'
He turned quickly at Hermione's voice. Her knees buckled and she slid down the bookcase, landing in a heap on the floor. Snape hurried to her side, lifting her head to look into her eyes. Blood ran from her nose, her lips were swollen, and bruises marred her fair skin. Seeing the destruction Malfoy's lustful advances had wrought on her gown, Snape slipped his coat off, wrapping it around her. Hermione gazed up into his eyes, tears beginning to leak from her own.
'You came,' she whispered disbelievingly. 'I kept hoping you'd come, but -'
Sobs wracked her ravaged form. Snape held her close, rocking her gently.
'Shhh,' he murmured, 'I'm here now. I won't let him hurt you again.'
He lifted her into his arms, standing carefully. Hermione's arms tightened on him as she buried her head in his shoulder. Sparing a contemptuous glance for Malfoy's crumpled form, Snape Apparated away, Hermione cradled tenderly against him.
*~*~*
You know, I'm getting the distinct impression that no one cares whether I re-write this or not. I've had two - TWO - reviews since I started, and am seriously considering giving up and letting you stew for a bit. Come on, guys, I need to feel loved, or they might never get together at all!
'You'll never find her, Severus,' she had gloated. 'My son will have command of her, and he will lead her father's army as the new Dark Lord. The next time you see her, she should be carrying my grandchild.'
It had taken all of his self-control not to draw on her, his blood boiling with anger at their deviousness and his stupidity in letting her out of his sight. He knew she shouldn't have come here today.
At a loss for anything else to do, he Apparated to Hogsmeade, startling many of the students who were enjoying a few hours' freedom from the castle. One look at his thunderous expression was enough to send them all hurrying for the shelter of the nearby shops as he stalked away to the castle.
He burst in on Dumbledore having tea with Lupin, blurting out the whole story before pacing the floor in front of the hearth. The werewolf exchanged a glance with the Headmaster.
'I'll get Rhys and Black,' he offered, excusing himself hurriedly.
Dumbledore opened his mouth to offer some comfort, but Snape rounded on him.
'Don't say a word, Albus,' he snapped. 'The lesser of the two evils, you said. Malfoy has his hands on her right this moment, all because you insisted that Hermione attending the execution was the lesser of two evils. I've lost her again, and this time it's all down to you!'
He resumed his pacing, slightly guilty for the look of stricken guilt that consumed the old wizard's features on hearing this. The room fell silent, a silence edged with resentment and sorrow.
'I am heartily sorry, Severus,' Dumbledore said quietly, all trace of his twinkle gone. 'It would appear that I am the cause of Hermione's downfall.'
Snape slowed, coming to a halt in a dilemma of guilt, shame and worry. He turned to the heart-broken wizard sitting before him.
'Albus, none of this is your fault,' he said gently. 'Ultimately, I was the one who was supposed to be looking out for her, and I lost her. Any blame in this should fall on me. My words were hasty, and I apologise.'
Before Dumbledore could reply, the door burst open, and Lupin stumbled inside, followed by Rhys Mulqueen and Sirius Black.
'What's this about Hermione being kidnapped again?'
Snape nodded miserably.
'Malfoy,' he muttered, turning away from the outraged Animagus.
Sirius grasped his lapels and pulled him back, his face millimetres from Snape's.
'What do you mean, Malfoy?' he snarled. 'You were supposed to be protecting her, you incompetent ball of grease!'
Snape's gaze hardened, and he glared at Sirius, daring the other man to repeat himself. Slowly the shocked silence in the room got through to the furious Sirius, who shoved Snape away violently.
'Thank you for making me aware of the blatantly obvious facts, Black,' he ground out from between clenched teeth.
Rhys' hand shot out, slamming against Sirius' chest as he moved towards Snape again. Pushing hard, she forced him to sit down, placing herself between the furious men.
'What's going on?' she demanded.
*~*~*
Hermione tugged on the neckline of the gown she'd been forced into, pulling it up. There were bruises on her fair skin from where the women had resorted to violence to dress her up for Draco. Her hair had been brushed painfully, and drawn up into a cascade of curls that tumbled over her shoulders.
The door opened, and the swish of robes announced her captor's entrance. She refused to turn and greet him, jumping as his hand snaked around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. His breath was hot on her bare shoulder as he traced his fingers lightly up her arm. She tensed, hating every second of his ministrations.
'You look beautiful, my lady,' he murmured into her ear, planting a kiss on the tender skin at her nape.
Unable to stand his closeness any longer, Hermione pushed away, turning to face him with a defiant expression. He chuckled, amused by her empty show of rebellion, but prepared to tolerate it for a while.
'You should dress up more often, Hermione,' he suggested. 'I never would have guessed that you had grown into such a lovely example of the feminine sex.'
His eyes raked her defenceless body. She stiffened, determined not to rise to the bait, her skin flushing in anger at his smug expression. He extended a hand towards her.
'Have you let them go?' she blurted out, not moving from the window.
He frowned, obviously confused by her question.
'The Muggles,' she explained. 'Have you let them go?'
Draco smiled, inclining his head to her.
'There were no Muggles, my dear Hermione. I just wanted to make sure you would obey me.'
Fury flashed across her face as he stepped closer, pinning her against the wall.
'I think we should forego dinner,' he murmured, leaning down to crush her lips with his own.
*~*~*
Snape sat by the window, fuming silently, as plans were discussed around him. His mind kept wandering to Hermione, and the threat Narcissa had made.
The next time you see her, she should be carrying my grandchild.
Suddenly it all clicked into place. Abruptly he stood, silencing the conversation in the room.
'I believe I know what Malfoy's plans are,' he told them, noticing that even Black was listening to him. 'Narcissa told me that the next time I saw Hermione, she should be carrying Draco's child. He plans to use Hermione to secure his position at the head of Voldemort's army.'
'Who better to ally yourself with than the Dark Lord's daughter?' Sirius agreed, horrified. 'Hermione would never agree to it.'
'Do you seriously think that would stop him?'
Lupin shook his head, seeing another danger.
'If Hermione is a virgin, once he has had her, she'll be powerless to resist his will,' he added. 'Her power will be used against us, and believe me, she is among the most powerful witches I've ever met.'
Snape felt his heart clench in fear for her. No one had dared use the old ways to bind lovers together for centuries, but he knew that Malfoy would stop at nothing to gain control of Voldemort's army. If he took Hermione's virginity, her soul would be bound to his for all eternity, forced to capitulate to his will. She would be powerless to prevent her own strength being raised against her former friends, and she would be the figurehead for the Death-Eaters. It was almost too terrible to contemplate.
Dumbledore nodded, wearily seeing the true import of the plan.
'Hermione will fight him, though,' Rhys said quietly. 'And she knows how to fight without resorting to magic, something I doubt Malfoy has ever had to learn.'
Snape thumped the desk suddenly, the only outward sign of his rising anger.
'But we can't do anything without knowing where she is!'
Ignoring the surprised shock on their faces, he turned away to gaze out at the moonlight.
Please, Hermione, he thought pleadingly. Please, give me a sign, a hint. Anything to show me where you are, and I'll come for you, I swear.
Dumbledore rose stiffly, looking around at his gathered Order.
'I believe I can find her for you,' he said softly, and four pairs of hopeful eyes turned on him. 'We will need to go into the Forbidden Forest.'
Hagrid was duly summoned, and together the six wizards walked down to where the trees loomed dark and forbidding at the edge of the grounds. Dumbledore led the way, picking a path between the trees so convoluted that Snape felt certain he would never find his way out of there alone. He was aware of eyes watching them in the darkness, of inhuman voices marking their passage with comments and questions. In front of him, Rhys glanced tensely about her, obviously uncomfortable with their surroundings.
Suddenly the trees thinned out, revealing a clearing in which there seemed to be a gathering of centaurs. Their chatter stopped abruptly as the wizards entered, hostile stares aimed in their direction, from every face but one. An aged centaur trotted out from the trees, a smile on his wrinkled face.
'Dumbledore, my old friend!' he cried, taking the Headmaster's hand. 'To what do we owe this pleasure?'
Dumbledore smiled up at him.
'Good evening, Philippe,' he said warmly. 'I'm afraid I have need of your skills with the stars.'
Philippe frowned.
'Afraid? This cannot be good. Never before have you asked me for a prediction.'
'Not a prediction, my friend, but a location.'
The centaur looked confused, but another voice spoke from behind him.
'The daughter of darkness lies in danger, Philippe, or had you not noticed?'
A younger centaur moved into the light, his brown coat shining in the moonlight. Philippe snorted derisively.
'I have no patience for such legends, Raoul.'
Raoul smiled gently at his friend's ignorance.
'She is no legend.'
He turned to the wizards, his gaze sweeping over them to rest briefly on Snape. The Potions Master fancied he saw sympathy and compassion in those eyes before they moved onwards.
'The daughter of darkness fights for her soul in the home of her father,' he told them, watching as the import of what he said sank in.
'The Tower,' breathed Lupin, eyes wide in anger.
Raoul nodded.
'One thing can I do for you,' he offered. 'I can send one of your number to her side, to save her soul from torment.'
They all looked at Snape, fully aware of his feelings for Hermione. He nodded, stepping forward.
'I would ask one thing,' he said quietly, his mind on what he might find. 'Are Voldemort's wards still active?'
Raoul gazed heavenward for a moment, before bringing his kohl-rimmed eyes back to Snape's face.
'The answer you seek is yes, but you may Apparate away once the daughter of darkness is safe.'
Snape nodded again, glancing at his companions. Then he set his jaw and turned to face Raoul.
'I will go,' he told the centaur, bracing himself for movement.
'So be it.'
*~*~*
Draco staggered backwards under the force of Hermione's blow. Astonished, he raised a hand to his cheek, where her handprint was a glowing red against the pearlescent white of his skin. She watched him warily, pressed back against the bookshelves. Her palm stung from the slap, but she was hardly going to admit it to him. For the first time since she'd met Rhys Mulqueen, she was grateful for the self-defence classes the Welsh witch had given them.
Draco snarled at her, furious that she should try to resist him. He rushed her, grabbing her wrist as she slipped to one side, his fingers biting painfully into her soft skin. He pulled her back to him, seeking her lips once more and capturing them in a kiss that was nothing short of brutal. Hermione whimpered against his mouth, both hands in his grip. He pressed himself against her, forcing his tongue into her mouth. She did the only thing she could think of.
Draco howled in pain and fury, throwing her to one side as blood welled up from his tongue.
'You bit me!' he hissed incredulously, one hand pressed to his mouth.
Hermione wiped his blood from her chin, struggling to her feet. The dress was torn, barely covering her torso, the evidence of Draco's struggles to touch her. Her mouth and neck ached horribly from his ministrations. Seeing the pure hatred in his eyes, she began to back away, wondering if the door was unlocked.
She glanced to her right, looking back in time to receive a fist in her face. Blood trickled down her lip. Dazed, she stumbled back, surprised that Draco, the consummate gentleman, would strike her. Moving almost faster than she could follow, Draco grasped her about the waist, lifting her up and throwing her onto the bed.
Hermione's head swam, her eyes unfocused. She was vaguely aware of someone lifting her skirts, of strong hands on her thighs. Abruptly, she came back to herself. She kicked out with a yell, catching Draco a thump on the side of the head. As he blinked past the dizziness, she rolled away from him, scrambling upright and across the bed.
He climbed over the rumpled sheets to reach her, blocking her only means of escape. Draco slammed her backwards into the bookcase, no longer caring if he hurt her or not. His hand roughly kneaded her breast, ripping the material of her gown further. Hermione pushed at him weakly, realising with a terrible sinking feeling that she didn't have the strength to fight him. Seeing her despair, he grinned maliciously, bruising her already sore lips with yet another violent kiss.
Suddenly a hand grasped his shoulder. Turning in shock, Draco had just enough time to see Severus Snape's furious face before the Potions Master's fist smashed into his nose with a sickening crack. Draco howled in pain, falling backwards as his former professor advanced on him. He lashed out, catching Snape's shoulder a glancing blow, but it wasn't enough to stop him. Another heavy punch threw the arrogant young man against the door. His head slammed back against the ancient wood, and he slid to the ground, unconscious. Snape snarled down at him, fully prepared to kick the defenceless youth to death.
'Severus?'
He turned quickly at Hermione's voice. Her knees buckled and she slid down the bookcase, landing in a heap on the floor. Snape hurried to her side, lifting her head to look into her eyes. Blood ran from her nose, her lips were swollen, and bruises marred her fair skin. Seeing the destruction Malfoy's lustful advances had wrought on her gown, Snape slipped his coat off, wrapping it around her. Hermione gazed up into his eyes, tears beginning to leak from her own.
'You came,' she whispered disbelievingly. 'I kept hoping you'd come, but -'
Sobs wracked her ravaged form. Snape held her close, rocking her gently.
'Shhh,' he murmured, 'I'm here now. I won't let him hurt you again.'
He lifted her into his arms, standing carefully. Hermione's arms tightened on him as she buried her head in his shoulder. Sparing a contemptuous glance for Malfoy's crumpled form, Snape Apparated away, Hermione cradled tenderly against him.
*~*~*
You know, I'm getting the distinct impression that no one cares whether I re-write this or not. I've had two - TWO - reviews since I started, and am seriously considering giving up and letting you stew for a bit. Come on, guys, I need to feel loved, or they might never get together at all!