"Get your hands off me!" screamed Hermione. Her eyes were wide with terror, as the cold hands ran over her body. Voldemort smiled at her. He ignored her request and continued to touch ever inch of her shaking body. Hermione closed her eyes praying for a miracle she knew was not going to happen. He had her again and this time she knew that he would not let go. Her finger still throbbed and she thought of her lost ring. If only she had had a chance to call for help. She also wondered if Severus was still alive.
"Hermione, tomorrow you will become a deatheater, there is no hope for rescue, no salvation so you might as well accept it," said the cold uncaring voice. Despite herself, Hermione could not help but believe him. There was no hope; Harry would never save her now after what he had seen and Severus, who knew if he was even alive?
* * * * * * *
The entire wizarding world good and evil was preparing for war. Daily numbers came in of families been killed whilst in their sleep. Harry had spent the last day gathering as many loyal Hogwarts students as possible. Now seated in the Gryffindor common room he looked around at their eager faces. Ron was among them and so were George and Fred. Mark Ridgers had also just sat down opposite to Harry. Harry smiled at him but only received a nod in return. Harry dismissed it as nerves and began the meeting.
* * * * * * * *
Ginny could not believe her eyes that night. She had awoken to a knocking noise at her window. Sleepily she had gotten up thinking it was an owl trying to deliver a letter. To her surprise it had been Draco Malfoy on his broom, smiling wickedly at her as she opened her window.
"What are you doing here?" she asked surprised and a little scared.
"Come on Ginny, there is a lot to do, get dressed we must leave," Draco said quickly.
Ginny nodded and quickly did as she was told. Draco watched her quietly.
'Stupid little girl,' he thought to himself. Ginny had seemed to forget that he was there as she stripped off her nightie, and pulled on some jeans and a sweater. She glanced around the room and grabbed her robe which had her wand tucked in a pocket.
"Ready," she said softly. Draco rolled his eyes.
"Your broom Ginny," he said in a cold voice. Ginny's ears and faced turned pink as she mumbled sorry. Without further thought they left, flying to houses all over the English country side looking for followers.
* * * * * * *
Severus groaned as Madame Promfrey doctored his wounds. He could not remember feeling worse in his life, knowing that Voldemort now had Hermione. How could he have been so stupid? He had known it was only a matter of time when Lucius would figure out that he was not loyal to Voldemort. Snape glanced over at the bed next him where Dumbledore lay gravely ill. How had Voldemort gotten to Dumbledore? How did this all happen?
* * * * * * *
Sirius sighed heavily as they left the ruins of another destroyed home. It had been the third attack that night already.
'At least Harry is safe,' he thought to himself. Memories of the night Harry's parents were killed still haunted him and now were so close to reality again. Harry had written to him of Hermione's capture. He had sounded upset, but decidedly distant. Sirius could only wonder what had happened to their friendship that would make Harry turn his back. The fact is if Sirius had known what Severus Snape had done he would have probably killed him. Harry had kept to himself not even telling Ron what had happened. It was Lupin that brought Sirius back into what is happening around.
"Sirius lets go here comes the muggle police," he said quickly. They had just missed the deatheaters who were now probably on their way to attack another innocent family.
With that they both dissipated to the hide out hoping that next time they would be in time.
* * * * * * *
The meeting in the common room had just finished. Everyone would go through a training program the following morning before they headed out in groups. Harry hurried towards the infirmary to go see Dumbledore. On his way he saw Professor McGonagall.
"Oh Harry, how are things?" she asked not her usual firm self.
"All arranged Professor; I was just going to see Dumbledore. She nodded at Harry astounded that he was handling things so well. She watched open the infirmary doors before heading off to her other duties.
Madame Promfrey greeted Harry as he entered the room. Harry nodded at her sombrely as he walked over to Dumbledore's side as the old man called Harry to him.
"You must not let Hermione die," the old wizard whispered, he then closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Harry's eyes filled with tears. He sat next to the bed for awhile, thinking what Dumbledore said.
"Now Severus I have to do this," the nurse said forcefully. Harry's head shot up.
He had an idea and Snape was going to help him no matter what. Hermione had chosen Snape over him, but she had been his loyal friend for years. Harry decided he would not let her down no matter what.