Chapter 4

Disclaimer: All the Harry Potter world are JKR's!

A/N: Thanks to Thegraylady and lovely Lis, my beta, and all of you who read and review!

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She stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom looking at her reflection. In blue satin robe with her hair tied loosely to the back of her head letting some of her locks freely framed her face, she looked almost beautiful. The robe seemed to fit her perfectly, she wondered whether the dressmaker had attempted to make it for her or just put a spell to fit whoever wore it. Hermione glanced one last time at the mirror before stepping out of the bathroom; suddenly feeling unsettling, she fished in her pocket than glance around the room searching for her wand but find nothing. "Where is my wand?" She asked to no one in particular. Rushing out of the bathroom, she searched her pajamas than in every drawers of the wardrobe and every single inch of the room still she can't even find a trace of her wand.

Panic, fear than anger flowed in her vein caused her to shake with anger, "how dare he?" she muttered again and again as she rushed to the door, but as soon as her small hand touching the black handle, coldness of the metal cold her down. She let out a deep, sallow breath. 'Why rush? If they wanted you to die that easily than you won't be standing here now.' The part of reason that had been shut down when distraction took over her was working again. She calmed herself, 'yes that is what you need right now.' "Yes, you are right." She told herself pulling open the door, surprise as it opened easily.

Outside the room was a dark hallway with high ceiling; the only lights were from the touches burning brightly red showing plain walls made of the same stone in her room. Hermione's room was at the end of the hallway, so there is only one way for her now. She put one hand on her chest and walk slowly along the corridor, turned left and then right for several times but still cannot find anything new she was still in the same corridor, suddenly Pinky emerged from thin air making Hermione jumped.

"Pinky is sorry miss," the house elf said looking guilty, "she has no meant to startled miss".

"It is okay, Pinky," Hermione said warmly, "I'm so glad you've come, I'm about to lost too."

Pinky brightened up, it beamed at Hermione and said softly yet excitedly. "Master is awaiting miss," the elf took Hermione's hand, "let Pinky escorts miss to master's great dinning room."

Hermione allowed Pinky leading her along the way without protesting. She explored the hall closely, trying to remember all the ways she turned. About thirty minutes afterward, the elf and the witch were standing in front of a huge black oak door with silver serpent entangled around the doorknob.

The door opened slowly without pushing and Hermione was stunned upon seeing a giant dinning room furnished with old fashion furniture lit by a hundred candlelights. In the middle of the room was a huge rectangular dining table covered with green velvet cloth; its rim was decorated with little silver snakes entwined in each other. She darted her eyes around the room in awe except when her eyes rest on a man dressed in richly black expensive robe sitting at the end of the table that she feel her knees trembled and color drawn from her face than realization dawned on her, she had not been dreaming of Voldemort but she had met him and was in his clutch, to be exact.

Soon Hermione recovered from her shock, she felt ashamed of herself for being such a coward. She scowled at herself. Hermione straightened her back, held her head high and staring at the dark lord who was also a little surprised seeing the determined look on Hermione's face. He stared back with a smug smile, enjoying irritating the little girl.

Hermione's eyes caught sight of a wand lying on the table near a row of glasses, anger raised up inside her as she recognized it was hers. She strode forward; fury made her face the shade of crimson. She pointed her finger at Voldemort accusingly, "you evil coward! How dare you keep my wand? Hand it back and we'll duel!"

To Hermione's surprise, Voldemort chuckled heartily. "You do remind me of your mother child, both in appearance and in your stupid bravery." His stressed on the word "bravery" made Hermione shivered and even more surprise as he spoke of her mother. Hermione continued staring at him both her hands now folded on her chest like a spoiled child demanding chocolate. Voldemort laughed out right at her behavior, startling Hermione, she moved swiftly snatching her wand but a dead grip close around her wrist stopping her, while the other drew her wand out of her reach. Voldemort continued laughing as Hermione tried to free herself from his grip.

"Leave me alone! You evil!" Hermione yelled and struggled free. Anger on her face hatred in her eyes, Voldemort loosened his grip, Hermione step back, massaged her right wrist that display blue fingers printed. He held out her wand to her, she eyed him suspiciously refusing to take the wand.

Voldemort sighed, "take it and do what ever you want on me, I won't fight back, I promise."

"As if such a person like you would keep a promise." The words slipped out before she could even bite her tongue. She stared at the dark lord expecting him to attack her once her words reached his ear, but he merely stood still, blank face.

Hermione regarded him closely, catching his eyes and saw what she has never expected to see in the two red eyes of the most evil dark wizard in century – sadness. Her heart softened.

Voldemort walked close to her and thrusted the wand in her hand. He walked back waiting for her put her wand in to use. Hermoine instinctively pointed her wand at him he didn't flint or make any movement in defence. The two regarded each other, lost in one own thought. Slowly Hermione put her wand down shocking her head, "I can't kill you," she closed her eyes willing her mind to clear away all the confusion, "tell me why do you do this."

Voldemort searched her face and saw only tiredness was left. He gestured to the table, "let's have some food than we'll talk, I won't harm a single hair on your head." Hermione looked in his eyes tried very hard to see what he was playing at. Her instinct told her to believe him, but her knowledge and conscience were screaming a very different thing. Decidedly, she followed her instinct. Well her body did need some food, besides she had her wand back so all she needed was her strength sothat she can face whatever the dark lord has in store for her.

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