When Harry opened his eyes again he was back in the Weasley's fireplace. Fortunately everyone had gone to bed. Harry opened the kitchen door and stepped out into the garden. Soft sprinkle of snow littered his shoulders as he walked down to the river. Tears formed in his eyes, but he willed them not to fall. He could not believe what he saw. Hermione and Snape together. She had played him for a fool, all this time she had accused him of seeing Cho. Harry wished Cho was right there at that moment so he could have revenge. Sadly he knew this was not going to happen.
"Hermione!" Harry shouted trying to clear the anger out of his system.
* * * * * * * * *
"What, what is it Hermione?" said Severus afraid that he had her hurt her. He looked up at her face that was frozen in fear. Snape swung his head around to realise they were surrounded with deatheaters and Lucius was standing at the foot of the bed.
"Oh Severus, don't let us interrupt you, please continue," Lucius spat. Snape quickly moved off Hermione and covered her while he reached for his pants on the floor.
He was prevented from doing so from the large boot of Goyle.
"Looking for these?" asked Lucius holding up their wands. Hermione gasped. She hadn't even realised hers was missing. The deatheaters all laughed wickedly.
"Ah the little mudblood, come here," said Lucius his eyes now focusing on her. Hermione shrunk back against the headboard. Severus was looking from Hermione to Lucius, unsure what to do.
"Come here!" he demanded. Hermione slowly stood up, trying to wrap the sheet around her body. One of the deatheaters pulled it away from her. She tried to hide herself but Lucius pulled her hands away. He took hold her left hand, and then grabbed her middle finger. Hermione realised he was after her ring. She was about to summon help when Lucius took out a sharp knife. Before she could do anything, he sliced off her finger. Immediately the ring appeared to those who could not see it before. Hermione screamed in agony, as one of the deatheaters used the sheet to wrap around her hand. Goyle was holding Severus back as he tried to get to Hermione's side. Lucius slipped the ring off, putting into his pocket and held up Hermione's finger.
"Would you like this back?" he asked plainly. Hermione nodded through her tears. The bloodstained sheet was yanked off her hand and Lucius performed a spell to rejoin her severed finger.
"I have been told not to spoil the goods, as for you however," Lucius paused as he looked at Snape, and then continued.
"Never will you get away with this but for now you will only suffer," He then performed the Cruciatus spell. Snape reeled in agony as his body was tormented. Hermione was begging for Lucius to stop but he ignored her. He was enjoying every moment of watching Severus suffer.
* * * * * * * * *
By the time early light appeared the Burrow was full of activity. Mr Weasley was awoken in the early hours of the morning to be informed about Dumbledore. Also that there had been three muggle attacks. It was then that Professor McGonagall apperated into the Weasley's kitchen that everyone became alarmed.
"Professor McGonagall!" George cried, when he saw her. She gave him a stern look and then searched the room with her eyes for Harry. Sitting at the kitchen table, was the boy who lived but he looked terrible. Dark circles had developed beneath his red eyes, his skin was pale and discoloured, but what she noted was the he was gripping the table as to stop himself from shaking.
"I am afraid that I come with more bad news," she quickly said to her audience.
Ron swallowed hard, he could not think of more terrifying news that Dumbledore was on his deathbed.
"What is it?" It was Mrs Weasley who finally interrupted everyone's thoughts.
"Hermione has been taken to Voldemort, and Professor Snape is battling for his life," she answered no longer able to hold back the tears.
Ron's face crumbled but then leapt out his chair and around to Harry, pointing to his ring that had started to glow.
Minevera McGonagall nodded at both of them.
"You are both wanted there, you better go now," she told them. Harry had not reacted at all to the news but rubbed his ring like Ron as they disappeared simultaneously.
"The war has started," Mr Weasley echoed as silence throughout the Wizarding world prevailed. Voldemort had returned.