Chapter 33: Tenebrae Odiosus Inextricabilis – Entangled in Blind Hate

            Sirius Black and Neville Longbottom made their way towards Hogwarts. They had good news for Dumbledore- apparently, Grawp had informed his brother Hagrid that giants had been spotted making for a mountain near the Bulgarin border with Romania. The location of Voldemort's stronghold had been pinpointed at that mountain which was known to bear the ruins of an old castle sitting atop a complicated network of Trakian tombs.

            Sirius and Neville had hurried in their journey back to Hogwarts, hardly wasting time for resting or eating. They had even taken a muggle aeroplane at one point, when their Thestrals had tired.

            "Albus, extremely good news. We are all ready to go. When I left Harry, he had taught the fireballs to accept human riders, moving them should be possible soon. Same news from Elphias Doge about the Ridgebacks."

            Albus Dumbledore welcomed the two Aurors into his study.

            "Good. Good. I also feel we should not waste time. I have a feeling that all is not right. Severus Snape has never been gone this long before. I am beginning to worry."

            Neville spoke, "I think Hermione's fine, Professor. Sirius and I popped in to see her yesterday. Sirius insisted on coming even though I told him you said she should not have so much contact with the wizarding world. Anyway, she seems fine. She misses Draco a lot and Noel but really coping quite well. She said that if we were planning anything major soon to let her know because she's worried half to death."

            Sirius smiled grimly, "Yes Albus, remember how you kept me under house arrest three years ago? I remember that feeling well- you wouldn't let me even go out of my house and it drove me crazy. That's why I feel Hermione should be let in more on things- before she starts getting rash."

            Dumbledore eyed Sirius sadly, "Alas, Sirius, I am well aware of the parallels between your situation and Hermione's. And I too am afraid of keeping Miss Granger too much in the dark. After all, her powers may come in useful- though not an auror, she is one of the most powerful students ever to graduate from Hogwarts."

            "That's what I don't understand" said Neville, "I don't know why she wasn't picked for Auror training- she's easily the most powerful of us."

            Sirius nodded. He too had often wondered about that.

            "Because- Neville- one does not get picked for Auror training. One chooses to be an Auror."

            "And Hermione never wanted to be an Auror?"

            "Yes she did."

            "Then why isn't she one?" asked Sirius curiously.

            "I didn't allow her to be. Not everyone who wants to be an auror gets to be one, you know. They are screened for certain qualities first."

            "Why not?" Sirius said, surprised. "I mean, Hermione's perfect!"

            Dumbledore smiled, looking at the names of the Head Boys and Girls of Hogwarts on a plaque opposite him. Draco Malfoy's and Hermione Granger's appeared side by side.

            "Aurors are tough: fighting the Dark Arts is the most important thing in their lives. Think about it- you Sirius, fought for the sake of your dead brother who was corrupted by Voldemort and for your niece Nymphadora… Luna for her mother, Colin for his brother Dennis killed last year, Ginny over the Tom Riddle incident, Harry for his parents, Neville you for yours… all Aurors have this one vital incident within them that will push them at the crucial moment. Hermione has never faced loss, her time has not come. At the vital moment, I do not know which way she will swing and we cannot take chances with Aurors."

            Sirius exploded in laughter. "Hermione? Hermione would stand with us till death! What's all this about vital moments? We know our Hermione."

            Neville nodded.

            Albus Dumbledore cleared his throat. "All I can say is what I have done, I have done. If your belief in Miss Granger is correct, then I think that very soon we will have need of such strength from her- and I pray that you are correct. I have been troubled by evil dreams lately, Draco's mind seems closed off to me as does Snape's. I cannot seem to contact them. I have written to Harry Potter to hurry, and I have just sent a letter to the Ministry asking Percy to give me the names of the Five Aurors promised. We must move soon."

            Dumbledore put took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.

            Neville Longbottom stared at the Headmaster in surprise. For the first time in all the years he had known the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore finally looked…worried. Sirius Black must have noticed too for he said nothing.

            "Professor Dumbledore…should I let Hermione know about this? Maybe it's time for her to come back."

            Dumbledore suddenly regained his composure.

            "Once I have received the names from the Ministry Neville, I will contact you. We should let her know only when all plans are in place. I don't think waiting a couple of days will be of any difference. In the mean time, I shall keep trying to contact Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy."

            Albus Dumbledore showed his guests out and picked up a map. How many miles away was Harry? Had he gotten the owl? The headmaster remembered the interview he had had with Harry in this very office three years ago. Harry shouting at him "He might have chosen wrong! He might have chosen the wrong person!" Dumbledore hoped not. He sincerely hoped not.

            Back in the burrow, Nicholas Weasley wouldn't stop crying.

Penelope had tried soothing him, then leaving him alone for ten minutes, then soothing him again.

            "You try," said Penelope to Percy in frustration.

            Percy Weasley took the baby from his wife. He still wasn't very good at handling the child, expecially since he hadn't found it so easy to accept the child as their own as his wife had.

            "Hush hush, Nicky. Shush."

            Nicholas screamed even louder.

            "If he doesn't stop soon, he'll do himself some damage" said Penelope worriedly. "I wish your mother was home, she'd be able to manage him. I don't know what's wrong- he's never been like this before."

            Ron barged into the room. "Hey, what's all the noise! He hasn't kept it up this long before."

            Penelope wiped the sweat off her brow.

            "Maybe he's sick" said Percy, looking at his foster son carefully. "Or he ate something bad."

            "My goodness, what's all this noise?"

            With a crack, Molly Weasley apparated in the kitchen with her husband seconds after her.

            "Mum! Thank heavens, we're at our wits end!" said Percy handing the distressed child over to Molly. Molly Weasley took over the baby and carried him over to the cot.

Percy, Penelope and Ron followed closely behind her. "He won't stop crying…I think he's sick" said Penelope worriedly.

            Molly patted the fretting baby and checked him quickly. He seemed all right. Then she had an idea.

            "Where's his lucky charm?"

            "What?" asked Penelope and Percy in unison.

            "You know, the charm he used to wear for the first few months before we took it off- the little silver dragon with the ruby eyes, the one enchanted to move sometimes for no reason. It always seemed to help him stop crying when he was younger."

            "Oh!" Penelope remembered it. They had taken it off eventually for safekeeping as it looked too valuable for a young child to wear. "Do you think it might work? I'll get it."

            "No, I'll get it," said Percy getting up and returning a few moments later with the pendant.

            They slipped it over the baby's head. Almost immediately, the little dragon began to move. It yawned and stretched and flapped its wings. The Weasleys watched in amazement as the baby stopped crying and began trying to touch the pendant with his hands.

            "I can't believe it!" said Ron. "Finally, I can get on with my letter to Parvati." Ron turned and left the room.

            "Good thinking mum" said Percy.

            Molly beamed. "It seemed to give him comfort when he was younger. Where did you say you bought it from again?"

            "Er…a gift from a friend," said Penelope quickly.

            "Well, it's certainly useful." Said Molly. "Wish I had something like that when Fred and George were babies…noisy, fretful kids they were."

            "I wonder what makes it move?" said Percy, as the little dragon snuggled into the baby's palm.

            "Shush Nicky, go to sleep." Said Penelope, smoothing down the baby's blonde hair. The baby had just learned to smile and he did so tentatively before closing his golden eyes softly.

            The little dragon nuzzled its head against the baby's finger.

            Strange, thought Penelope, that pendant doesn't move unless it touches the Nicky. I wonder what makes it do that?

            The baby had woken up crying from a nightmare about a hooded man scratching him with sharp nails attached to red hands. There was a tall blonde man who the baby remembered standing by his side trying to save him. The baby wanted to go to the blonde man…he knew he would protect him…somehow, the baby remembered him. Then he had woken up crying.

Smiling at Penelope, the baby focused his tiny baby mind on thoughts of the blonde man. There was a woman with brown hair and golden eyes by his side. She smelt like sweet milk. Who were they? As he thought of them, the dragon pendant moved. Slowly, he returned to pleasant dreams of the man with silver-blonde hair swinging him around. The brown-haired lady who he knew loved him a lot watched and laughed. As if from far away, he heard the man say "I love you, Hermione."

            He didn't know what the words meant, but he knew that at some time in the past, it had happened. Everything had been all right.

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            Hermione walked up the driveway to her house feeling quite happy. She saw her parent's cars in the driveway and felt glad that her dad was not working late again. She had heard from Neville and Sirius the week before and felt much more reassured that all was well. Neville had even told her that Dumbledore planned an assault soon but could not give her any details. It was enough to make Hermione happy for the whole week. The only thing that kept bothering her was the strange behaviour Ralph Bowman.

            He had been chasing her for ages and she had definitively rejected him countless times. However, he suddenly seemed to be under the crazy impression that she had agreed to marry him! Sure she had been out with him a few times but only because she needed a lift to London with Cathy. Finally, it had gotten so bad that her father had changed their phone number and told Ralph to stay off their property. The last two days had been relatively peaceful without him.

            The lock on her door was unsually stiff. As she stood unlocking her door, she had the strangest sensation. It felt as if she were suddenly standing in a light snowfall. She looked up but saw nothing.

            "Strange" she muttered. Her skin tingled strangely and she felt momentarily lightheaded. Probably the wind she thought to herself, letting herself in.

            The moment Hermione entered her house, she knew something was wrong.

            "Mum? Are you home? Dad?"

            She knew what was wrong. The house was completely silent. If her parent's cars were in the driveway they should be making some noise. She had a fleeting fear that Ralph had somehow snuck in and murdered them but she told herself that whatever else he was, Ralph was not a psychotic murderer. Don't be ridiculous, they are probably taking a nap.

            "Tenebrarum Finite..." whispered a figure under an invisibility cloak as he watched her unlock her door. Everything was just as planned. She was wandless, she was alone, she was going to be stuck in one place for a while. It was a very long counter-charm and he finished it just in time. "…Emergere Consummo!"

The dust he had scattered fell over the doorstep and he watched as she shivered for a second. He saw her tilt her head up for a second, as if aware of the dust falling around her. But after a moment she muttered something and entered the house and he heard the lock click into place. A few seconds later, the figure walked up to her door.

            "Alohamora" he whispered and the lock clicked open. He heard her calling her parents.

            Hermione started up the stairs to her parents' bedroom to see if they were all right. Before she had reached the third step she heard somebody yell something behind her. Her arms snapped to her sides and he legs locked together. Oh no she thought. This is really…she never had time to finish her thought because as the Petrificus Totalus took over, her mind went blank.

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            The first thing Hermione noticed when she floated back to consciousness was that she was cold. Her eyes were still closed but she could feel her body shivering from the cold. Slowly, she opened her eyes and got a shock when she realized that it was so dark, she wasn't sure if her eyes were opened or closed again. To make sure, she blinked furiously a few times. Apparently, the room she was in was pitch dark. She was lying down on what she assumed was the floor, only she couldn't be quite sure because it was completely dark. She felt something skitter over her toes and she drew her feet in quickly.

            Slowly, she sat up.

            Where was this place? What had happened? Someone had petrified her and brought her here. It was a familiar voice. She knew it from somewhere, but as she had only heard it yell out the hex, she couldn't be quite sure who it was. It was the deep male voice of an older man…where had she heard it before? Which wizard could have found her? Not a Malfoy…

            What time was it? She tried to look at the watch she still felt on her wrist but she couldn't see its face in the dark. She knew she was still wearing her white nurses' uniform because she could feel the buttons and material but her hair had come out from its tight bun. She could feel some pins in her hair and thought of searching on the floor for the remaining pins but somehow, the thought of what might be on that floor soon made her change her mind.

            She sat for a while in total silence. She could hear creaks and bumps from somewhere in the distance and more than once, she felt something skitter over her arms or feet. Just as she was gathering courage to stand up and explore the pitch-black room with her hands, she heard footsteps approach.

            She heard a key being turned in a lock and the sound of a heavy door being opened. A crack of light appeared in what she knew must be the doorway and she watched as the outline of a man came into view.

            "Lumos" said a cold voice.

            She gasped as the room lit up with a faint glow and the image of a tall blonde man swam into view in front of her. Their eyes locked. For a moment, she thought she was looking into the eyes of Lucius Malfoy, then relief flooded her as she realized that the person was not Lucius, but Draco.

            "Draco?" she said curiously. There was a coldness in his gray eyes that frightened her, his face was set in a proud way like Lucius'. God she thought he looks just like his father! Why do I feel so scared?

            "Draco," she repeated, getting to her feet in front of him. "Where am I? What's happened? Is it Noel? Are you all right?"

            He stood there staring at her, in the way he had when he had first called her a mudblood in their second year.

            "Draco, say something. What's wrong?" Hermione was really scared now. She was shivering from the cold but also shivering because she felt sick. Like something bad was going to happen. Draco unsheathed his wand.

            "Silencio" said Draco, pointing his wand at her throat.

            Hermione opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Her eyes widened in shock. She stood before Draco opening and closing her mouth but could make no sound.

            "You said you never wished to speak to me again, Granger. Enjoying it?" he drawled as he leaned against the wall of the small, stone room they were in.

            Tears sprung into her eyes. What was going on? Was this some sick joke? Was she dreaming?

            Draco smirked as she began to cry.

            "I'm going to leave you here for a while to think about what a cruel, lying, bitch you have been…then I'm going to come back here and see if you have learnt how to behave. You were right you know, I really can't be trusted. " Draco sighed elaborately as Hermione choked silently on tears. "Oh dear, you really look bad when you cry. Don't know what could have made me fall for you, although I must say you were a pretty good lay."

            Hermione shouted at him silently but he simply laughed and closed the heavy door behind him. Hermione felt like her heart had been ripped apart. What on earth had happened to Draco? Why hadn't anybody warned her? She felt such rage against Sirius, Neville, Dumbledore…even McGonagall. They should have warned her! Were they trying to protect her all along? No wonder Neville never wanted to give her any news of him!

She felt a blind panic and need to escape. She wanted to hit Draco, to shake him. To her dismay, Hermione realized that she did not have her wand. She was trapped. Remembering the approximate dimensions of the room, she wandered around feeling the walls with her hands. She came to the oak door and hammered on it. It was useless.

Hermione felt faint. What on earth had happened to Draco? How could he stand there talking to her like she was lower than dirt! What had happened? She dropped to her knees in front of the oak door and the tears she had been holding back spilled out uncontrollably. As Silencio wore off, Hermione gave a low moan of pain as she slid onto the floor and cried against the cold stone.

She must have cried herself into sleep or unconsciousness because the next thing she knew, she was being carried by somebody and eventually, placed roughly into a chair.

"Bring her to her senses" said a voice.

Somebody slapped her face. Two men stood before her- Lucius and Draco Malfoy. While in a relationship with Draco, she had forgotten how intimidating his presence was to the rest of the school. He radiated pride and control, but also an aura of powerful darkness. Now she knew where he had gotten it, Lucius Malfoy also had the same aura of powerful darkness, but with it something worse…something like cruelty.

            Draco reached out and slapped her again, hard. Her lip was cut against her teeth and she tasted blood.

            "That's enough" said Lucius calmly.

            Hermione struggled in the chair.

            "It's no use, you're bound there by a powerful charm" said Lucius as he turned to fill a small cup with a clear liquid.

            "What are you doing? Draco, how can you be a part of this?"

            Draco Malfoy sneered. "Found your voice, mudblood? Well, I don't want to hear too much of it so you can shut up now."

            "Be nice, Draco." Said his father, turning round with the liquid. "Now, won't you be a good girl and drink this up for me."

            Hermione spat in Lucius face and his face turned red.

            To her shock, Draco pointed his wand at her and said softly, "Convomere" Hermione felt her stomach lurching and she threw up all over her front. She gagged on vomit stuck in her throat.

            "Thought I'd help you spit up something more worthwhile" said Draco, pulling her hair back roughly.

            The sour taste of vomit in her mouth, Hermione glared at him.

            "I don't know what's going on here Draco, but you're wrong. I don't know what's made you turn against me…I believed in you."

            "Convomere" Hermione gagged up bile this time, the yellow-green liquid spilling down her chin. "I don't want to hear your lies, everything that comes from your mouth might as well be vomit."

            Hermione was past crying. Her senses were all on alert, her only thought was to escape this place in one piece. She didn't know what had happened to Draco, was he under an Imperius or something?

            Lucius Malfoy still held the cup of clear fluid. He looked impatient.

            "Draco has told us everything, you little piece of filth. We know all about your bastard child and the Fidelius. The Dark Lord knows that the child's blood can perfect the stone."

            Hermione stared at Lucius, her eyes wide in horror. She turned to Draco.

            "Why?...why?"

            "I figured out my priorities at last. You know Hermione, you were my one chance at turning my life around…pity you betrayed me, gave up on me. I warned you that I wasn't all good. Well, you want to see my true colours? Here they are."

            Draco pointed the wand at her again. "Vomica"

            Boils appeared on Hermione's legs and erupted. She screamed and Draco flinched slightly.

            "I never betrayed you! What are you talking about? It's you who went crazy!"

            "Just shut up," said Draco shortly.

            "Draco, please listen to me…I don't know what you are talking about, or what happened. It's Lucius isn't it? He's done something to you…are you under an Imperius? Draco, for the sake of our child…I beg you…"

            "Much as I hate to interrupt this touching scene," said Lucius coldly. He pinched Hermione's nose and poured the clear liquid into her mouth. Hermione felt the veritaserum swirling over her tongue but immediately spat it out.

            "Put her under the Imperius" said Lucius to Draco.

            "Please, Draco…please don't do this. There is some mistake." Hermione whispered. Draco pointed his wand at her.

            "Imperio" Hermione felt her body absorb the curse. She reeled slightly from the shock as the curse traveled through her body.

            "Drink the Veritaserum" said Lucius commandingly, handing her a new cup.

            Hermione's hand reached out for it. She felt like she was in a trance. Somewhere at the back of her mind, a voice shouted no no No! She heard Remus Lupin's voice calmly explaining the Imperio to her in her final year Defence Against the Dark Arts Class. "Think about something else. Concentrate on anything else. Don't concentrate on fighting it." Hermione thought of Noel as she had last seen him. She focused on his golden eyes and soft silver-blonde hair. How many white jumpers did she knit for him? Purl one..cast one…purl two…

            Her hand poured the veritaserum onto the floor.

            "Dammit!" shouted Lucius. Draco watched as Hermione's face took on a far away expression. "I've never seen anyone resist this curse like that!"

            Draco thought wryly that Lucius had never really known what a powerful witch Hermione was.

            "It won't work father. I know this mudblood, she would rather die than drink that thing."

            "She can't resist it for much longer!"

            Draco snorted. "It's Hermione Granger…the cleverest witch in Hogwarts. She will resist it."

            "Drink the Veritaserum" said Lucius handing her a third cup.

            Noel looked up at her as she kissed him. She loved him so much. She fastened the chain with the dragon pendant around his neck. "Don't forget us" she whispered. "Think of us and the dragon will know."

            "Fuck" said Lucius rudely as she emptied the Veritaserum onto her own clothes. He took out his wand, "Crucio!" Hermione screamed in pain.

            "Tell me the name of the Seceret Keeper!" Lucius shouted at her.

            She shook her head. The Imperius controlled actions, not words. The Cruciatus curse left her twitching and moaning. Draco turned away from the sight.

            "Tell me the name of the Secret Keeper!"

            "No…"

            "Draco, perform the Cruciatus on her."

            Draco met his father's gray eyes. He lifted his wand. Hermione began to whimper. "Draco…don't…please…"

            "Crucio"

Hermione screamed again. Lucius had a crazed gleam in his eye. He seemed to enjoy watching his son inflict pain on her.

            "Father," Draco spoke up, "This is going no where. We might kill her before she gives us the name. I have a better idea."

            Lucius slapped the still-twitching Hermione. Her eyes had rolled up into her head.

            "What is it?"

            Draco smiled. "If we cannot force it out of her, we must trick it out of her."

            "Trick?" Lucius gave the girl a final cuff on the ear.

            "Yes…that is what the Dark Arts are for, aren't they? You taught me that in the powers of deception and lies, the Dark Arts are most powerful."

            "Yes…yes I did…what do you propose?"

            Draco stroked the soft hair of the now unconscious Hermione Granger.

            "Leave it to me. You will have the name of the Secret Keeper by tomorrow."

A/N: THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS and thanks for letting me know about the little Noel-Neville typo in this chapter- have corrected it! And this story is finishing soon...I promise to post the remaining chapters real soon. They are very difficult and painful to write. Now I know how JKR felt when ending Book 5! Oh yes, for those confused about the the Nicky-Noel thing, read Chapter 29 more carefully! Cheers!