A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this up..I had camp at BGSU and then of
course I had to finish the OOTP before I started this again. That
book...woah. Some of it sorta confused me. Lol. But now I'm back!! : D
Ginny watched Hermione during dinner. Her best friend didn't seem to be acting like herself. The chipperness that Hermione had acquired during the last few weeks, the sort of happy lovesickness she had had was gone temporarily from her eyes.
"Hermione, what's wrong? You seem a little down." Ginny looked at her from across the table. Harry glanced up from beside her, his hand momentarily letting go of hers so that he could sip his drink before he spoke.
"Ginny's right, 'Mione, you look as if you'd seen a ghost!" It took Harry a moment before he realized that the phrase he'd just used hadn't made much sense to a few of the witches and wizards sitting around him. A few Muggle- borns laughed. Hermione however, did not. Ron was looking at Harry as if he'd just grown a second, evil head off of his shoulder and it was now singing Italian opera.
"Harry what the bloody hell are you saying?! Hermione sees ghosts everyday!! Sometimes they fly right through 'er!" Ron shook his head, and Hermione managed the smallest of smiles.
"Sorry, Muggle phrase." That seemed to put everyone right. Ron 'ooh'ed, and Ginny's expression changed from perplexed to concerned. Hermione looked up from the food she had been playing with, but not really eating, for the last five minutes. No less than three people down to the left of her Emily Samantha sat, her full lips in a smile. Her eyes darted to Hermione's and she raised an eyebrow, indication that although she was carrying on a conversation with her friends she had heard every word.
"I do hope that you're alright, Hermione." Emily's soprano voice quipped in. "We wouldn't want you to get sick and miss that History of Magic 'pop' quiz tomorrow!" Emily gave a silky smile. Hermione cringed inwardly. In her mind she was planning on how to make an exit without looking suspicious. Hermione leaned over the table to whisper to Ginny.
"Can you cover for me tonight?" Hermione asked, a pleading look in her eyes. "Tell them I'm sick or something."
Ginny smiled. It appeared that Hermione would get out of her slump soon. Seeing Professor Snape always cheered her up. "Sure, Hermione! You just have a good time tonight." Emily caught Hermione's eye as she resumed her seat at the table.
"Would you like to go for a walk, Hermione? You look like you could use some fresh air." Emily's voice was sugary sweet, and Hermione sighed.
"Sure, Emily." There was a slight edge to her voice that only Emily heard. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Well then let's go!" Pushing in their chairs, Emily gave the table a bright smile before she practically tugged Hermione out of the Great Hall. Ginny smiled.
"Nice to know someone's looking out for 'Mione." The three remaining friends all nodded, and went back to finishing their meals.
As soon as the two girls had gotten out of view, Emily grabbed Hermione roughly by the shoulders, stopping her.
"You are to go down by the lake. Walk around it so that you are on the opposite side of the one by the castle. There is a large tree that has blue leaves? You know the one? Good. I want you to sit down under it, making sure that no one can see you. Wait there until I return. I need to go to my room for a moment, but I expect to find you exactly where I told you to stay or you'll regret the day you crossed me, Granger. That I swear." And in a black sweep of robes Emily was gone, her cloak sort of billowing out after her. Hermione forced back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes and headed to the lake.
*******************************************
It was almost eight when Hermione reached the spot she had been instructed to find. The sky was overcast and gray, and dark clouds loomed ominously high overhead. A slow, cold drizzle started as Hermione sat down. She was thankful for it though, and unless one knew her well enough to notice the darkening of her eyes, the drops running down her face could be from the rain, just as the redness of her cheeks cold be from the cold. The same thought kept running through her head, much as she tried to push it away. 'Sit where they can't see you? What the hell is she going to do to me?!'
Absentmindedly brushing her hair (which was now turning frizzy) out of her eyes, Hermione began to take on the appearance she had had during her previous years at Hogwarts. Her hair doubled in size as the humidity from the rain destroyed her every attempt to smooth it down. The rain washed any trace of makeup she had off, leaving her looking younger. Hermione sighed. She looked much smaller than normal under the huge tree. Shivering a bit, she turned her head. A small rustling was coming from the other side of the enchanted maple.
Emily arrived, looking smug. In her hands she held two long pieces of cloth, a roll of duct tape, and her wand. It took a moment for Hermione to realize what the girl was going to do to her. A moment was too long. Emily broke out her wand, yelling.
"Expelliarmus!" Hermione's head flew back into the tree as her wand was pulled from her hand, deftly caught by the girl in front of her. The spell hit her with such force that the slamming of her head on the trunk knocked her out. She didn't even feel the blindfold and gag as Emily opened her mouth and stuffed the cloth in, putting a long strip of duct tape to hold it in place.
"Only good thing those damn Muggles ever made." Emily spoke, her grin broadening. Quietly she muttered another charm, and Hermione rose, still unconscious. Emily began down the path leading to the gates of Hogwarts with Hermione floating eerily behind her, her head lolling to the sides as her feet hovered off the ground.
When she reached the gates Emily saw a small group of men. Three of them stood, silent and clad in black cloaks and masks. Death Eater masks.
"Hey Daddy!" Emily shouted as she spoke the spell that would unlock the gates from the inside only. Using Hermione as a door jam, she ran to her father and put her arms around him.
"Hey there, sweetie." The man spoke through the black and white mask on his face. The other men remained quiet, peering at the girl on the ground.
"Here she is, the stupid Mudblood. Wasn't hard at all to get her to comply." An evil grin flowed over Emily's lips. Had she been able to see her father's face, she would've seen that one intrinsically similar crept on to his face at the same moment.
"Good girl." He nodded his head towards Hermione, and the two men picked her up. "You'll have a reward for this Emily, a great reward." He hugged his daughter, the malicious smile still on his face. His acts of affection were the only signs betraying the evil inside of him. Emily waved as she re-closed the gates. She knew her father had been trained well. He could come home, acting as the wonderful father who took his daughter to plays and brought his wife flowers. The next minute he would be with Voldemort, towering over some scared little girl who he would take into a room, alone. These Death Eaters were dangerous, perhaps mostly in their ability to have almost split personalities...guarding them from suspicion. The smart ones were anyway, Emily mused. Lucius Malfoy practically wore a sign taped to his back that screamed in neon letters 'I'm on the Dark Side.' The redhead chuckled, a mental picture forming in her mind. Four plops were heard, and when Emily looked back to where her father had been standing, just beyond the school's boundaries, they were all gone. ***************************************************
When Hermione came to she tried to open her eyes. A blindfold was covering her face, and she could only make out shadows through the thin material. Something was stuck in her mouth, and she was unable to speak. Recognizing the smooth and sticky feel of duct tape Hermione's eyes widened. She would've laughed had it been a less dangerous situation. It was very, very cold, and she seemed to be outside as a wind touched her body. Feeling the wind whip over her, it sunk in...she was naked. Her hands were tied behind her back and a rope was pulled taut around her waist and bound to the chair she was sitting on.
Hermione listened. Around her a low rumble of male voices could be heard. Straining to remember what exactly had happened to her the last words she had heard flooded back into her memory: Expelliarmus. 'Damn.' She deduced that Emily had given her over to people...but who? Clearly she had underestimated her classmate. 'And I thought I would end up doing her homework for the rest of the year. DAMN!! I should've known...I should've listened when everyone else claimed that she had no right to be in Gryffindor!' Rubbing her hands against her back, Hermione found that her wrists were bound by magic. Her legs were wrapped in a leglocker curse.
'I bet the only reason they used ropes was to make me more uncomfortable.' A high-pitched voice stood out from the low drone around her. Could it be??? 'The Death Eaters. That bitch Emily must've given me over to them!!' Hermione's eyes widened, and she gasped aloud. 'SEVERUS! If he's here, maybe there's hope.' Shutting her eyes tightly the Head Girl concentrated. Her lover's voice was not in the mix. Tears brewed from her eyelids as one man's voice drowned out the rest of them.
"Master...she is awake." Hermione struggled in her memory. She had heard that voice before...the low drawl, the elongated S's... 'MALFOY!' And indeed it was.
"Thank you, Malfoy." The high voice said. Hermione cringed. The voice was devoid of any feeling, cold and heartless. 'If the Death Eaters are calling their Master, then it could only be...' Hermione shook her head the small amount it would move. She would not let herself believe she was in the hands of Voldemort. She *couldn't* be! A moment later her blindfold was ripped off. Hermione blinked, the horrific scene unfolding before her eyes. Four men clad in black, hooded cloaks stood in front of her, watching her with eager eyes. Hermione sneered, noticing Lucious Malfoy's erection even in her fear. Turning her gaze to the left, she saw the man who had just spoken. That was, if he could even be called a man at all.
Lord Voldemort stood before her, his red eyes blazing. Hermione tried to scream, but choked immediately on the gag in her mouth. Voldemort cast his glowing eyes upon her, and Hermione could feel them like a rough hand as he scrutinized her body. A half smile crept upon his lips, and Hermione scowled.
"Good evening...Miss Granger." Voldemort's voice was cold, calm. Hermione shivered. "Or Hermione, as I should say. I have a feeling we're going to get to know each other a little...better tonight." His smile made Hermione want to throw up. The other men stepped behind him, their masks off. Hermione gave a questioning look through her anger. Voldemort looked behind him, as if to see what she was looking at.
"Ah, Miss Granger...you wonder why my men show their true identities. Let me just say that lips of dead men tell no tales. Or, should I say...girls?" He smiled. Hermione had to force back the bile rising in her throat.
" Besides, I think for your situation we should let you get a good look at Malfoy here. He's told me quite a bit about your mutual loathing with his son. I want you to be able to see his face when he rams his cock into you...who better than to fuck you like a piece of meat than the father of your most hated classmate?" Voldemort let out a laugh, and Hermione had to use all of her strength not to vomit. She knew that if she did she would surely choke on it, as her mouth was taped shut. 'I am *not* going to die tonight. I'm not!! Severus will come for me. I'm not going to die!' Her mind raced with her own thoughts as she tried to convince herself that the inevitable wasn't going to come. When she lifted her head to return a steely glare back at her kidnappers, Hermione saw Lucius taking off his pants. Her glare of steel melted, and Hermione quickly shut her eyes, hoping that if she squeezed them hard enough the whole scene before her would melt away, spinning until she was suddenly in her cozy bed, suffering from a horrible dream. Voldemort let out his horrible laugh again. Hermione lifted one eye slowly. It didn't work.
Malfoy stood before her, his naked erection blatantly noticeable under his cloak, which hung open. He did not move to take it off, as the February air was cold against their skin. Hermione shifted wildly under her bonds, trying to squirm away from him as he put a hand to her face.
"Hmm.." Malfoy said as he stared at her, his eyes moving up and down her body hungrily. "Ordinarily I'd feel dirty fucking a Mudblood...but I think I'll make an exception for you. Snape did anyway, and gods I can't wait to see his face when he finds out." Malfoy lowered his face to Hermione's, his stale breath filling her nose as she writhed underneath him. Breaking out his wand, Malfoy cast a silencing spell over the area before ripping the tape off of her face in one quick swipe. He meant business, and he did not want to be heard, deserted though the area was. Hermione squinted, not wanting to give in and scream, even though it had hurt dearly. Malfoy sneered at her.
"Oh dear, we've left a red mark on her pretty little face." His voice was mockingly high. The next second it changed into a loud roar. "WELL THERE'LL BE MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM!" His hand struck her hard across the face. Hermione gasped, tears welling in her eyes. Soon a stinging sensation was taking over her, rising on her skin where his flesh had met hers. Malfoy magically untied her from the chair, but struck Hermione again, this time as hard as he could across the front of a breast. She fell to the ground, the searing pain causing everything else to turn to black around her. Malfoy had experience with this. He knew where to hit and how hard enough to be able to shock her for as long as he needed. When the world came into focus again, Hermione was on the ground, and ropes bound her there, one going magically into the ground and wrapping around each ankle, wrist, her neck and her waist. They were snug, and as she thrashed under them, they cut into her skin with tiny sharp edges. She began to bleed, and Malfoy looked more aroused than ever.
The Death Eaters, now standing around her in a looming circle, laughed. Voldemort reached a hand down to stroke himself, clearly enjoying Hermione's pain. Stopping momentarily, he spoke.
"Macnair, Samantha...I'm going to call upon our belated Snape. You will take care of him when he arrives. I don't want him getting in the way!!" And with that Voldemort touched his wand to the location of where the Dark Mark would be on his left forearm, shut his eyes in concentration, and spoke the spell.
Ginny watched Hermione during dinner. Her best friend didn't seem to be acting like herself. The chipperness that Hermione had acquired during the last few weeks, the sort of happy lovesickness she had had was gone temporarily from her eyes.
"Hermione, what's wrong? You seem a little down." Ginny looked at her from across the table. Harry glanced up from beside her, his hand momentarily letting go of hers so that he could sip his drink before he spoke.
"Ginny's right, 'Mione, you look as if you'd seen a ghost!" It took Harry a moment before he realized that the phrase he'd just used hadn't made much sense to a few of the witches and wizards sitting around him. A few Muggle- borns laughed. Hermione however, did not. Ron was looking at Harry as if he'd just grown a second, evil head off of his shoulder and it was now singing Italian opera.
"Harry what the bloody hell are you saying?! Hermione sees ghosts everyday!! Sometimes they fly right through 'er!" Ron shook his head, and Hermione managed the smallest of smiles.
"Sorry, Muggle phrase." That seemed to put everyone right. Ron 'ooh'ed, and Ginny's expression changed from perplexed to concerned. Hermione looked up from the food she had been playing with, but not really eating, for the last five minutes. No less than three people down to the left of her Emily Samantha sat, her full lips in a smile. Her eyes darted to Hermione's and she raised an eyebrow, indication that although she was carrying on a conversation with her friends she had heard every word.
"I do hope that you're alright, Hermione." Emily's soprano voice quipped in. "We wouldn't want you to get sick and miss that History of Magic 'pop' quiz tomorrow!" Emily gave a silky smile. Hermione cringed inwardly. In her mind she was planning on how to make an exit without looking suspicious. Hermione leaned over the table to whisper to Ginny.
"Can you cover for me tonight?" Hermione asked, a pleading look in her eyes. "Tell them I'm sick or something."
Ginny smiled. It appeared that Hermione would get out of her slump soon. Seeing Professor Snape always cheered her up. "Sure, Hermione! You just have a good time tonight." Emily caught Hermione's eye as she resumed her seat at the table.
"Would you like to go for a walk, Hermione? You look like you could use some fresh air." Emily's voice was sugary sweet, and Hermione sighed.
"Sure, Emily." There was a slight edge to her voice that only Emily heard. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Well then let's go!" Pushing in their chairs, Emily gave the table a bright smile before she practically tugged Hermione out of the Great Hall. Ginny smiled.
"Nice to know someone's looking out for 'Mione." The three remaining friends all nodded, and went back to finishing their meals.
As soon as the two girls had gotten out of view, Emily grabbed Hermione roughly by the shoulders, stopping her.
"You are to go down by the lake. Walk around it so that you are on the opposite side of the one by the castle. There is a large tree that has blue leaves? You know the one? Good. I want you to sit down under it, making sure that no one can see you. Wait there until I return. I need to go to my room for a moment, but I expect to find you exactly where I told you to stay or you'll regret the day you crossed me, Granger. That I swear." And in a black sweep of robes Emily was gone, her cloak sort of billowing out after her. Hermione forced back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes and headed to the lake.
*******************************************
It was almost eight when Hermione reached the spot she had been instructed to find. The sky was overcast and gray, and dark clouds loomed ominously high overhead. A slow, cold drizzle started as Hermione sat down. She was thankful for it though, and unless one knew her well enough to notice the darkening of her eyes, the drops running down her face could be from the rain, just as the redness of her cheeks cold be from the cold. The same thought kept running through her head, much as she tried to push it away. 'Sit where they can't see you? What the hell is she going to do to me?!'
Absentmindedly brushing her hair (which was now turning frizzy) out of her eyes, Hermione began to take on the appearance she had had during her previous years at Hogwarts. Her hair doubled in size as the humidity from the rain destroyed her every attempt to smooth it down. The rain washed any trace of makeup she had off, leaving her looking younger. Hermione sighed. She looked much smaller than normal under the huge tree. Shivering a bit, she turned her head. A small rustling was coming from the other side of the enchanted maple.
Emily arrived, looking smug. In her hands she held two long pieces of cloth, a roll of duct tape, and her wand. It took a moment for Hermione to realize what the girl was going to do to her. A moment was too long. Emily broke out her wand, yelling.
"Expelliarmus!" Hermione's head flew back into the tree as her wand was pulled from her hand, deftly caught by the girl in front of her. The spell hit her with such force that the slamming of her head on the trunk knocked her out. She didn't even feel the blindfold and gag as Emily opened her mouth and stuffed the cloth in, putting a long strip of duct tape to hold it in place.
"Only good thing those damn Muggles ever made." Emily spoke, her grin broadening. Quietly she muttered another charm, and Hermione rose, still unconscious. Emily began down the path leading to the gates of Hogwarts with Hermione floating eerily behind her, her head lolling to the sides as her feet hovered off the ground.
When she reached the gates Emily saw a small group of men. Three of them stood, silent and clad in black cloaks and masks. Death Eater masks.
"Hey Daddy!" Emily shouted as she spoke the spell that would unlock the gates from the inside only. Using Hermione as a door jam, she ran to her father and put her arms around him.
"Hey there, sweetie." The man spoke through the black and white mask on his face. The other men remained quiet, peering at the girl on the ground.
"Here she is, the stupid Mudblood. Wasn't hard at all to get her to comply." An evil grin flowed over Emily's lips. Had she been able to see her father's face, she would've seen that one intrinsically similar crept on to his face at the same moment.
"Good girl." He nodded his head towards Hermione, and the two men picked her up. "You'll have a reward for this Emily, a great reward." He hugged his daughter, the malicious smile still on his face. His acts of affection were the only signs betraying the evil inside of him. Emily waved as she re-closed the gates. She knew her father had been trained well. He could come home, acting as the wonderful father who took his daughter to plays and brought his wife flowers. The next minute he would be with Voldemort, towering over some scared little girl who he would take into a room, alone. These Death Eaters were dangerous, perhaps mostly in their ability to have almost split personalities...guarding them from suspicion. The smart ones were anyway, Emily mused. Lucius Malfoy practically wore a sign taped to his back that screamed in neon letters 'I'm on the Dark Side.' The redhead chuckled, a mental picture forming in her mind. Four plops were heard, and when Emily looked back to where her father had been standing, just beyond the school's boundaries, they were all gone. ***************************************************
When Hermione came to she tried to open her eyes. A blindfold was covering her face, and she could only make out shadows through the thin material. Something was stuck in her mouth, and she was unable to speak. Recognizing the smooth and sticky feel of duct tape Hermione's eyes widened. She would've laughed had it been a less dangerous situation. It was very, very cold, and she seemed to be outside as a wind touched her body. Feeling the wind whip over her, it sunk in...she was naked. Her hands were tied behind her back and a rope was pulled taut around her waist and bound to the chair she was sitting on.
Hermione listened. Around her a low rumble of male voices could be heard. Straining to remember what exactly had happened to her the last words she had heard flooded back into her memory: Expelliarmus. 'Damn.' She deduced that Emily had given her over to people...but who? Clearly she had underestimated her classmate. 'And I thought I would end up doing her homework for the rest of the year. DAMN!! I should've known...I should've listened when everyone else claimed that she had no right to be in Gryffindor!' Rubbing her hands against her back, Hermione found that her wrists were bound by magic. Her legs were wrapped in a leglocker curse.
'I bet the only reason they used ropes was to make me more uncomfortable.' A high-pitched voice stood out from the low drone around her. Could it be??? 'The Death Eaters. That bitch Emily must've given me over to them!!' Hermione's eyes widened, and she gasped aloud. 'SEVERUS! If he's here, maybe there's hope.' Shutting her eyes tightly the Head Girl concentrated. Her lover's voice was not in the mix. Tears brewed from her eyelids as one man's voice drowned out the rest of them.
"Master...she is awake." Hermione struggled in her memory. She had heard that voice before...the low drawl, the elongated S's... 'MALFOY!' And indeed it was.
"Thank you, Malfoy." The high voice said. Hermione cringed. The voice was devoid of any feeling, cold and heartless. 'If the Death Eaters are calling their Master, then it could only be...' Hermione shook her head the small amount it would move. She would not let herself believe she was in the hands of Voldemort. She *couldn't* be! A moment later her blindfold was ripped off. Hermione blinked, the horrific scene unfolding before her eyes. Four men clad in black, hooded cloaks stood in front of her, watching her with eager eyes. Hermione sneered, noticing Lucious Malfoy's erection even in her fear. Turning her gaze to the left, she saw the man who had just spoken. That was, if he could even be called a man at all.
Lord Voldemort stood before her, his red eyes blazing. Hermione tried to scream, but choked immediately on the gag in her mouth. Voldemort cast his glowing eyes upon her, and Hermione could feel them like a rough hand as he scrutinized her body. A half smile crept upon his lips, and Hermione scowled.
"Good evening...Miss Granger." Voldemort's voice was cold, calm. Hermione shivered. "Or Hermione, as I should say. I have a feeling we're going to get to know each other a little...better tonight." His smile made Hermione want to throw up. The other men stepped behind him, their masks off. Hermione gave a questioning look through her anger. Voldemort looked behind him, as if to see what she was looking at.
"Ah, Miss Granger...you wonder why my men show their true identities. Let me just say that lips of dead men tell no tales. Or, should I say...girls?" He smiled. Hermione had to force back the bile rising in her throat.
" Besides, I think for your situation we should let you get a good look at Malfoy here. He's told me quite a bit about your mutual loathing with his son. I want you to be able to see his face when he rams his cock into you...who better than to fuck you like a piece of meat than the father of your most hated classmate?" Voldemort let out a laugh, and Hermione had to use all of her strength not to vomit. She knew that if she did she would surely choke on it, as her mouth was taped shut. 'I am *not* going to die tonight. I'm not!! Severus will come for me. I'm not going to die!' Her mind raced with her own thoughts as she tried to convince herself that the inevitable wasn't going to come. When she lifted her head to return a steely glare back at her kidnappers, Hermione saw Lucius taking off his pants. Her glare of steel melted, and Hermione quickly shut her eyes, hoping that if she squeezed them hard enough the whole scene before her would melt away, spinning until she was suddenly in her cozy bed, suffering from a horrible dream. Voldemort let out his horrible laugh again. Hermione lifted one eye slowly. It didn't work.
Malfoy stood before her, his naked erection blatantly noticeable under his cloak, which hung open. He did not move to take it off, as the February air was cold against their skin. Hermione shifted wildly under her bonds, trying to squirm away from him as he put a hand to her face.
"Hmm.." Malfoy said as he stared at her, his eyes moving up and down her body hungrily. "Ordinarily I'd feel dirty fucking a Mudblood...but I think I'll make an exception for you. Snape did anyway, and gods I can't wait to see his face when he finds out." Malfoy lowered his face to Hermione's, his stale breath filling her nose as she writhed underneath him. Breaking out his wand, Malfoy cast a silencing spell over the area before ripping the tape off of her face in one quick swipe. He meant business, and he did not want to be heard, deserted though the area was. Hermione squinted, not wanting to give in and scream, even though it had hurt dearly. Malfoy sneered at her.
"Oh dear, we've left a red mark on her pretty little face." His voice was mockingly high. The next second it changed into a loud roar. "WELL THERE'LL BE MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM!" His hand struck her hard across the face. Hermione gasped, tears welling in her eyes. Soon a stinging sensation was taking over her, rising on her skin where his flesh had met hers. Malfoy magically untied her from the chair, but struck Hermione again, this time as hard as he could across the front of a breast. She fell to the ground, the searing pain causing everything else to turn to black around her. Malfoy had experience with this. He knew where to hit and how hard enough to be able to shock her for as long as he needed. When the world came into focus again, Hermione was on the ground, and ropes bound her there, one going magically into the ground and wrapping around each ankle, wrist, her neck and her waist. They were snug, and as she thrashed under them, they cut into her skin with tiny sharp edges. She began to bleed, and Malfoy looked more aroused than ever.
The Death Eaters, now standing around her in a looming circle, laughed. Voldemort reached a hand down to stroke himself, clearly enjoying Hermione's pain. Stopping momentarily, he spoke.
"Macnair, Samantha...I'm going to call upon our belated Snape. You will take care of him when he arrives. I don't want him getting in the way!!" And with that Voldemort touched his wand to the location of where the Dark Mark would be on his left forearm, shut his eyes in concentration, and spoke the spell.