Welcome to Chapter 6. Once again, I ask you to read and review this work in which I own nothing but the plot. Thanks!

sharight.

When Severus returned to the yard in front of 12 Grimmauld Place, he found the battle quite finished. Fred and George Weasley's bodies were still lying where they had fallen. Not far from them, McNair lay on the ground as well. Lucius and the other Death Eaters stood in a group, apparently deep in conversation. His approached went unnoticed.

"How in hell did she escape?" Lucius was ranting. He had noticed Hermione Granger's absence. "She can't Apparate, she's not old enough. And none of them took her!" He swung around and pointed at Fred and George. "They can't have taken her."

"Lucius," said Severus in his lowest voice, "she may have Apparated."

"How, dear friend? Unless you are keeping something from the Dark Lord…" An evil smile spread across Lucius's face. "You know how the Dark Lord treats those who withhold information from him."

"The Dark Lord, Lucius, already knows this bit of information," said Severus with obvious malice in his voice. "Perhaps the Dark Lord did not care to share this information with you because you are not held in his good graces." Lucius's face fell. Severus had always enjoyed putting Lucius down. "For your information," Severus continued, "Ms. Granger spent her second year with a Time-Turner. Therefore she would be of age and easily could have Apparated."

"Very well then, Severus," said Lucius, regaining his composure, "to where would she have Apparated?"

"That I do not know."

"Why exactly are we after this Mudblood anyway?" asked one of the Death Eaters assembled. "What about Harry Potter?" asked another of the masked figures, "Shouldn't we go after him?"

Whispers went through the circle of Death Eaters.

"Forget the Mudblood! Let's go after Potter instead. Surely Potter would more than make up for the girl."

A cry of approval sounded across the yard. Chants of "Get Potter" broke out. Lucius drew his wand and pointed it at the hooded man who had started the riot. Severus knew all too well what was coming.

"Avada Kedavra!"

The man fell to the ground, dead. The Death Eaters grew silent.

"The Dark Lord would not appreciate a mutiny," he growled. With that, the Death Eaters fell back into their ranks. "Now," he continued, "we must find Granger. She returns to school tomorrow. Our next opportunity to abduct her would be during the Christmas holidays. The Dark Lord is not foolish enough to attack the school…yet." He smiled. "The Dark Lord will not wait until Christmas. We will split into groups and search for her."

Severus ignored the directions Lucius Malfoy was giving his fellow Death Eaters. Hermione Granger was in his home. How in hell would he get her out of there to school? Surely she would not be safe traveling, particularly with him, a high-ranking Death Eater. Someone would be bound to notice and inform the Dark Lord.

"Lucius," said Severus, interrupting his directions to the other Death Eaters, "why is it so prudent that Ms. Granger be given to the Dark Lord now? Why not wait until Christmas? A wonderful gift no doubt. After all, you have yet to tell us why she is so important. It seems to us that she holds no more importance to him than Harry Potter. How could a Mudblood hold more importance than the boy that could be the salvation or downfall of the Dark Lord?"

The group turned to look at Severus. He was a high-ranking Death Eater. To hear him question the Dark Lord's orders was something unheard of.

"The Dark Lord has his reasons," replied Malfoy, "even if he chooses not to reveal them. Let us just say that Christmas may be too late. Now, split into the groups which I have already assigned. Severus, if you would accompany me."

The Death Eaters separated into their groups and waited for the signed to Apparate. Severus made his was toward Malfoy.

"Lucius, dear friend, surely the Dark Lord would trust such information to others besides yourself…" Severus was going to find out was Ms. Granger's use was, at all costs.

"Our Lord does not trust many with vital information. You know this. However," he said grudgingly, "you must be informed because of your position at the school. The Dark Lord fears that Dumbledore and his Order will strike soon, despite out discovery of their hide out." He grinned and glanced at Fred and George's lifeless bodies. "Therefore, the Dark Lord desire that Ms. Granger…"

"Malfoy!" A hooded figure was running across the lawn. "Malfoy, we have the Mudblood! The stupid girl tried to Floo out."

Severus inwardly kicked himself. "I put her into a room with a fireplace and Floo powder! Of course she would try to get out. Damn Gryffindor pride!"

"Ha ha ha!" laughed Malfoy, "so she can't Apparate and she attempted to Floo away!" He turned to the expectant Death Eaters. "Friends, the Dark Lord will be pleased. Ms. Granger decided to be brave and Floo out. We will Apparate to Malfoy Mansion and check on the well being of our guest."

A cheer arose amongst the gathered Death Eaters.

Lucius turned and lowered his voice so that only Severus would hear.

"Let us be off," he said with a smile, "the Dark Lord's bride waits."