4. Home for the summer?
Hermione got off the train at King's Cross Station, gave a last hug of goodbye to Harry and Ron, and walked out. Of course they all felt a little sad at leaving Hogwarts and going their different ways, but it had been a great effort to hide there was so much more that made her cry. At least he'd waited until after her exams to tell her, and she'd received top grades. Of course.
Her parents were waiting outside the station in their large station car.
"Hi mom, hi dad," she said, trying hard to sound cheerful.
Her dad came around to help lift her trunk into the car, and she looked at him quizzically. He hadn't been able to do any heavy lifting for the past three years, ever since the car accident. "Dad, I can get it. Is your back that much better?"
Strangely enough, he blinked and hesitated before he answered. "Okay, I know you can. Yes, I'm feeling much better."
"Glad to hear that," she smiled. Maybe she shouldn't have stopped him, if he was feeling better he'd probably feel put down when she insisted on handling her luggage herself.
She took a seat in the back of the car, her father got in the driver's seat, and drove off.
"How was school, dear?" her mother asked.
"Fine," Hermione said, trying hard not to think of all she'd left behind. Something was nagging at the back of her mind, but she was too distracted to pay it too much attention. Trying to sound casual, she added, "I'll miss my friends."
"Of course, dear."
There it was again. Something about her mom didn't sound right. Was something bothering them, too? If so, should she ask? They probably had their reasons not to tell her, and she didn't want them to pry and ask her what was wrong. They had no idea she'd been involved with Severus and she was pretty sure they wouldn't approve. He was her teacher, much older, and she didn't even want to think what they'd say about his past. She smiled ruefully as she realised she had, at least, found one minor advantage of their break-up. She wouldn't have to introduce him to her parents.
Something was wrong. She loved her mom, but her mom wasn't someone to remain quiet this long. A car horn startled her and she noticed to her astonishment her dad had just cut someone off. He'd always been a careful driver and even more so since the accident. What could have happened to distract him so?
"Mum, what's wrong?" she asked.
As an answer, her mom turned around. At the moment Hermione saw the wand pointed at her, she just had time to realise what had bothered her. Mum never called her 'dear'. Polyjuice Potion! She didn't get any further, nor did she have time to pull her own wand, even though she carried it in her waistband now she had graduated and could do all the magic she wanted. The Stupefy spell hit her and she passed out.
She woke up laying on the floor in a large room. The floor was hardwood and she could see the legs of ornate furniture. And the coiled-up snake in front of the fireplace. Her heart sank as she realised what that meant, but once again, she didn't have time to give it much thought. Rough hands pulled her up onto her knees and she saw Voldemort sitting in a stuffed chair. She'd never seen him this close and the pale skin and red eyes looked even more repulsive than they did from afar.
"What have you done to my parents?" she demanded, uncaring she wasn't really in a situation to ask the questions.
She was slammed forward into the ground, so hard she could not keep from hitting her face on the wooden floor. She refused to cry out.
"You will not speak to our Lord like that, Mudblood," hissed a voice she recognised as Malfoy's.
"Go easy on her, Lucius," she heard Voldemort say to her surprise and dismay. "Damaged goods are no use for trading."
"Of course, my Lord," came the smooth reply. The pressure on her arms lessened and she could once again look up.
"What did you do to my parents?" she repeated, eyes blazing anger more than fear as she struggled against Malfoy.
Voldemort shrugged. "They were only Muggles."
Hermione gritted her teeth and blinked, trying not to give him the satisfaction to see her cry. "Bastard," she snarled. Regardless of her intentions, she could feel tears running down her cheeks.
She felt Malfoy's hands tense, but he did not try to hurt her again.
"What do you want?" she demanded next.
"Such a forceful woman. I can understand what he sees in you, even if you are a Mudblood," Voldemort said calmly as he studied her.
Hermione shook her head as she felt dread inside her. "What do you mean, I don't know what you're talking about."
"You know very well what I am talking about," Voldemort replied.
"If you think Harry will come looking for me, you're mistaken. And if he did, you'd better watch out, he's beaten you four times now."
Malfoy held her so tightly now she thought he was going to break the bones in her wrist, but he still didn't hit her or curse her. He wouldn't, not against the direct orders of Voldemort.
Voldemort took his time looking her over. "You're going to help me catch a traitor," he finally said.
So he did know. She felt her stomach clench. "How do you know?" she asked, barely loud enough to be heard. "We were so careful to keep our affair hidden."
As a reply, Voldemort smiled at Malfoy.
"Until the end," she heard the smooth drawl from behind her. "It was quite a surprise for Draco, too. How ironic he broke up with you to protect you. Touching, really."
She struggled again, as helpless rage flooded her. "He won't come either. He won't." She only wished she could make herself believe it.
"I think he will," Voldemort replied calmly. Then he waved a hand at Malfoy. "Take her to the cells."
Monday morning around eleven, Mrs. Carpenter was puzzled to find the door to the dentist's office locked. An irate man who looked like he'd been waiting for some time threw her an angry glance.
"It's closed?" she asked, puzzled.
"Don't know what happened, but they didn't even call to cancel. I've been waiting for half an hour, I'm giving up," he said, and walked off.
Mrs. Carpenter frowned. She'd been a patient of Dr. Granger for almost fifteen years, and this wasn't like her. Or her husband. They had never cancelled an appointment on her, and she didn't believe they'd just forget. She took her cell phone out of her purse and dialled the police, asking for a welfare check on the Grangers.
