Chapter 6: In which Hermione finds hope in letters
'Granger,' Hermione lifted her head warily to see a House-Elf standing not five feet away from her.
She was feeling lost for days since seeing Malfoy again. She clutched the corners of the white linen in anguish, remembering what had occurred that day.
She had refused to help Malfoy formulate a spell that enabled him to use another wand in secret. Her teeth gritted as she recalled his tolerant smile.
'That is disappointing.' Pointing to Beni, he had gestured for Crabbe to grab him and wring his arm. Beni had yelled in pain.
'Brute strength can be very efficient. There's a certain satisfaction in it as well,' Malfoy had said as Hermione watched in horror how Crabbe threw Beni against the wall with a dull thud. Beni had slumped to the floor, moaning.
'Come, come Granger. You are undeniably the best Charms researcher around. It is easy for you to comply with my request.' Malfoy had paused when Beni screamed again when Goyle started trotting him.
'Stop it! And don't you dare threaten me!' Hermione wished she could pounce on Malfoy and wring his neck.
'It is merely a form of persuasion Granger. What will it be? Killing your friend, or an Obliviate spell from one of my men sending you back to the world with no knowledge of where your colleagues are, or to do a simple thing for me?'
Hermione had hesitated, 'You must give me time. I can't just come up with a spell as powerful as what you want right on the spot.'
Malfoy had nodded sagely, 'See how smoothly the plans go, once done carefully. The House-Elf will show you your working place. It's in excellent condition. As for your friend, you will see him once you've accomplished your task.'
It was a guestroom she had been staying. It was luxurious, but a prison all the same.
It was here where she had been cooped up, wrecking about the problem Malfoy had posed to her. She was torn between giving the solution to save her friend and withholding her right to reject him.
Now, looking at the unfriendly House-Elf, she wondered if Malfoy was finally tired of waiting.
The House-Elf tossed a letter to her side. 'Master is says to gives you this Miss.' He disappeared on that curt note. Hermione frowned at the cream envelope. Picking it up gingerly, she opened it. Her heart leapt forward when she saw the sheet of paper with the familiar scrawl of one Potions Master.
[Miss Granger,
I'm writing this as fast as I can with the courtesy of Draco. Never mind about myself. I'm fine.
I've added a Charm in order to disguise what I'm writing for anyone reading this except for you, so he won't know. Don't fret. Stay calm and alert. There will be help soon. I truly hope we will find you safe.
Severus Snape.]
'I truly hope we will find you safe.' A lump came to her throat. He cared for her after all. Never mind about how he came here. He had assured her he was safe.
The selfish sod cared for her. He was going to save them. He was coming for her.
After days of tension and worry, Hermione felt relief wash over her. She broke down into hapless tears.
Taking a while to recover herself, she mulled over her options. Now that someone knew where they were held captive, she decided to show Malfoy how to use his recently acquired wand. Ringing a bell in the room, she called for a House-Elf to bring her to Malfoy.
She spent the next hour explaining to him how the wand was to function. Malfoy was evidently pleased when he summoned a, of all things, a book on Hogwarts' history, and no Auror showed up.
'Wonderful. Really Granger, I haven't admired you enough when we were schoolmates. But alas, what is there to praise about a Mudblood?'
'Apparently, it is a Mudblood who helped you gain the usage of your power back,' Hermione could not resist retaliating.
Malfoy sighed and said regretfully, 'True.' His face lit up. 'To reward you, see what surprise I have in store. Balabus, come forth. Your esteemed colleague's reputation is well deserved.'
Hermione gasped in utter disbelief when Beni walked in dressed in a full array of splendid robes. He looked positively refreshed. Even the stubble he usually had on his chin was cleaned up and his wild curls of hair combed meticulously and straightened.
'You see, your friend is well attended to,' Malfoy's voice was distant.
'Beni?' Hermione squeaked.
'Dear, dear. Our lovely Mudblood's still a little confused, isn't she?' Beni smirked. Shaking his head in contempt, 'And to think I had to work with you for more than a year.'
The blood rushed back throughout Hermione's body. Her eyes narrowed, 'What's your game Balabus?'
'The Ministry's an idiotic system filled with ignorance. I merely wish to clear it. We, Malfoy and I, belong to a new generation, stepping out of our predecessors' shadow. We shall conquer where they have failed.'
'Are you out of your mind?'
'On the contrary. I've never been more lucid.'
Pieces of information clicked in Hermione's head, 'Your brother-in-law's Nott. But you spent most of your life studying abroad. No one thought much of your relationship. Voldemort's been asking him to train you to be Death- Eater too.'
'You are very astute.'
There was something sickeningly hilarious about this whole charade. Hermione laughed bitterly. 'I'm never going to trust stuttering men again.'
Balabus smiled, with a distinct lack of warmth, 'Pity.'
'Am I supposed to curtsey and compliment you on your acting?'
Balabus performed a theatrical bow.
'Was your zeal in Charms an act too?'
'You wound me Granger. Charms is my forte. I happen to enjoy it immensely.'
Hermione drove home, 'You may have an aptitude for it but you can never beat me. How else does it explain that you need me?'
Balabus scowled, 'I concede that you are better than I am. But you'll always be another Mudblood.'
Hermione's face darkened, 'What do you intend to do to me now that I am of no use to you?'
Malfoy took charge of the meeting once more. 'As we do with the other researchers. You'll return to your room. When we move to our new territory, we will take you with us. Then, you shall discover what we have in stall for you. Consider it a privilege to be working for us.'
'As your slaves you mean.' Hermione's eyes swiftly met those of Malfoy's in a staring contest. Each was stubborn in his or her own nature. Hermione reminded herself that she was still the prisoner and wisely turned away. The flare of challenge in Malfoy's cold eyes told her she was prudent.
'A lesson should be taught to you to remind you of your place Granger. I was thinking of more physical. . . means but they will ruin the carpet. Not to mention that the sight of blood puts me off my lunch.' Malfoy deliberately picked his wand up and twirled it slowly. Hermione pictured it being snapped into two.
'As such,' Malfoy's voice suddenly boomed with full force in order to intimidate her. He raised his wand in her direction. Hermione's eyes shut in reflex. She knew the futility of divine intervention.
'Crucio.'
During the war, Hermione had been subjected to numerous painful and heart- wrenching incidents. She had been injured and healed in her fight against the Dark Lord. Miraculously, she had not experienced Crucio, as had many others. She often wondered how it felt. Harry consistently shut his mouth up when they happened to broach the topic. She was too sensitive to ask Neville for fear of paining him. And Snape, she supposed he was hardy enough to talk about it despite the harrowing experience he went through under the curse frequently. More than that, she hated the clinical tone he used whenever he tried to detach himself from his emotion so as to show no one his vulnerability. It made her yearn to reach out and take his hand to comfort him, and he would probably chop her hand off if she ever collected enough courage to do it.
It did not hurt in the beginning. She simply felt her spinning out of control. She was no longer in charge of her body. Then, the undiluted pain struck. She could only concentrate on it, and there was no way out. She must have screamed and those two monsters must have laughed, but she found herself drowning in this unprecedented suffering.
"Snape, you better fulfil your promise and get us out fast," Hermione pressed her lips tightly to prevent tears from rolling down her cheeks, "Because I'm getting scared that I'll never see you again."
'Granger,' Hermione lifted her head warily to see a House-Elf standing not five feet away from her.
She was feeling lost for days since seeing Malfoy again. She clutched the corners of the white linen in anguish, remembering what had occurred that day.
She had refused to help Malfoy formulate a spell that enabled him to use another wand in secret. Her teeth gritted as she recalled his tolerant smile.
'That is disappointing.' Pointing to Beni, he had gestured for Crabbe to grab him and wring his arm. Beni had yelled in pain.
'Brute strength can be very efficient. There's a certain satisfaction in it as well,' Malfoy had said as Hermione watched in horror how Crabbe threw Beni against the wall with a dull thud. Beni had slumped to the floor, moaning.
'Come, come Granger. You are undeniably the best Charms researcher around. It is easy for you to comply with my request.' Malfoy had paused when Beni screamed again when Goyle started trotting him.
'Stop it! And don't you dare threaten me!' Hermione wished she could pounce on Malfoy and wring his neck.
'It is merely a form of persuasion Granger. What will it be? Killing your friend, or an Obliviate spell from one of my men sending you back to the world with no knowledge of where your colleagues are, or to do a simple thing for me?'
Hermione had hesitated, 'You must give me time. I can't just come up with a spell as powerful as what you want right on the spot.'
Malfoy had nodded sagely, 'See how smoothly the plans go, once done carefully. The House-Elf will show you your working place. It's in excellent condition. As for your friend, you will see him once you've accomplished your task.'
It was a guestroom she had been staying. It was luxurious, but a prison all the same.
It was here where she had been cooped up, wrecking about the problem Malfoy had posed to her. She was torn between giving the solution to save her friend and withholding her right to reject him.
Now, looking at the unfriendly House-Elf, she wondered if Malfoy was finally tired of waiting.
The House-Elf tossed a letter to her side. 'Master is says to gives you this Miss.' He disappeared on that curt note. Hermione frowned at the cream envelope. Picking it up gingerly, she opened it. Her heart leapt forward when she saw the sheet of paper with the familiar scrawl of one Potions Master.
[Miss Granger,
I'm writing this as fast as I can with the courtesy of Draco. Never mind about myself. I'm fine.
I've added a Charm in order to disguise what I'm writing for anyone reading this except for you, so he won't know. Don't fret. Stay calm and alert. There will be help soon. I truly hope we will find you safe.
Severus Snape.]
'I truly hope we will find you safe.' A lump came to her throat. He cared for her after all. Never mind about how he came here. He had assured her he was safe.
The selfish sod cared for her. He was going to save them. He was coming for her.
After days of tension and worry, Hermione felt relief wash over her. She broke down into hapless tears.
Taking a while to recover herself, she mulled over her options. Now that someone knew where they were held captive, she decided to show Malfoy how to use his recently acquired wand. Ringing a bell in the room, she called for a House-Elf to bring her to Malfoy.
She spent the next hour explaining to him how the wand was to function. Malfoy was evidently pleased when he summoned a, of all things, a book on Hogwarts' history, and no Auror showed up.
'Wonderful. Really Granger, I haven't admired you enough when we were schoolmates. But alas, what is there to praise about a Mudblood?'
'Apparently, it is a Mudblood who helped you gain the usage of your power back,' Hermione could not resist retaliating.
Malfoy sighed and said regretfully, 'True.' His face lit up. 'To reward you, see what surprise I have in store. Balabus, come forth. Your esteemed colleague's reputation is well deserved.'
Hermione gasped in utter disbelief when Beni walked in dressed in a full array of splendid robes. He looked positively refreshed. Even the stubble he usually had on his chin was cleaned up and his wild curls of hair combed meticulously and straightened.
'You see, your friend is well attended to,' Malfoy's voice was distant.
'Beni?' Hermione squeaked.
'Dear, dear. Our lovely Mudblood's still a little confused, isn't she?' Beni smirked. Shaking his head in contempt, 'And to think I had to work with you for more than a year.'
The blood rushed back throughout Hermione's body. Her eyes narrowed, 'What's your game Balabus?'
'The Ministry's an idiotic system filled with ignorance. I merely wish to clear it. We, Malfoy and I, belong to a new generation, stepping out of our predecessors' shadow. We shall conquer where they have failed.'
'Are you out of your mind?'
'On the contrary. I've never been more lucid.'
Pieces of information clicked in Hermione's head, 'Your brother-in-law's Nott. But you spent most of your life studying abroad. No one thought much of your relationship. Voldemort's been asking him to train you to be Death- Eater too.'
'You are very astute.'
There was something sickeningly hilarious about this whole charade. Hermione laughed bitterly. 'I'm never going to trust stuttering men again.'
Balabus smiled, with a distinct lack of warmth, 'Pity.'
'Am I supposed to curtsey and compliment you on your acting?'
Balabus performed a theatrical bow.
'Was your zeal in Charms an act too?'
'You wound me Granger. Charms is my forte. I happen to enjoy it immensely.'
Hermione drove home, 'You may have an aptitude for it but you can never beat me. How else does it explain that you need me?'
Balabus scowled, 'I concede that you are better than I am. But you'll always be another Mudblood.'
Hermione's face darkened, 'What do you intend to do to me now that I am of no use to you?'
Malfoy took charge of the meeting once more. 'As we do with the other researchers. You'll return to your room. When we move to our new territory, we will take you with us. Then, you shall discover what we have in stall for you. Consider it a privilege to be working for us.'
'As your slaves you mean.' Hermione's eyes swiftly met those of Malfoy's in a staring contest. Each was stubborn in his or her own nature. Hermione reminded herself that she was still the prisoner and wisely turned away. The flare of challenge in Malfoy's cold eyes told her she was prudent.
'A lesson should be taught to you to remind you of your place Granger. I was thinking of more physical. . . means but they will ruin the carpet. Not to mention that the sight of blood puts me off my lunch.' Malfoy deliberately picked his wand up and twirled it slowly. Hermione pictured it being snapped into two.
'As such,' Malfoy's voice suddenly boomed with full force in order to intimidate her. He raised his wand in her direction. Hermione's eyes shut in reflex. She knew the futility of divine intervention.
'Crucio.'
During the war, Hermione had been subjected to numerous painful and heart- wrenching incidents. She had been injured and healed in her fight against the Dark Lord. Miraculously, she had not experienced Crucio, as had many others. She often wondered how it felt. Harry consistently shut his mouth up when they happened to broach the topic. She was too sensitive to ask Neville for fear of paining him. And Snape, she supposed he was hardy enough to talk about it despite the harrowing experience he went through under the curse frequently. More than that, she hated the clinical tone he used whenever he tried to detach himself from his emotion so as to show no one his vulnerability. It made her yearn to reach out and take his hand to comfort him, and he would probably chop her hand off if she ever collected enough courage to do it.
It did not hurt in the beginning. She simply felt her spinning out of control. She was no longer in charge of her body. Then, the undiluted pain struck. She could only concentrate on it, and there was no way out. She must have screamed and those two monsters must have laughed, but she found herself drowning in this unprecedented suffering.
"Snape, you better fulfil your promise and get us out fast," Hermione pressed her lips tightly to prevent tears from rolling down her cheeks, "Because I'm getting scared that I'll never see you again."