Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Septima but she won't be making many, if any appearances.

A/N: Thanks for the awesome reviews everyone!

For several weeks following what Hermione called 'the idiot's stupidity', she did not speak to Severus. She spoke to Dumbledore and he transferred her apprenticeship from Potions to Transfiguration. For a few days, Severus had attempted to speak to her, to apologize – anything just so he could see her. She avoided him, and when that would not work, a simple Body-Bind kept him away.

He was crazy for her. He had never ever felt as sorrowful and lonely as he did now. Not even when he had caught Septima with Malfoy.

When the break for Christmas finally rolled around, Hermione left for the full week. She could not bear to be in the same building as that man, so she went straight to where she knew she would feel loved – the Burrow. Seeing the familiar faces of Harry, Ron and the entire Weasely clan, Hermione felt more at home and at ease than she had in the two months since...that happened. She recounted her first term at Hogwarts, and finally, with tears pouring freely, she told her two best friends everything about what had happened with Severus, both the good and the bad. The boys reacted perfectly – sympathetic to her, angry with him, and completely on her side.

Hermione was out shopping alone for presents for her parents, the boys and the Weasely's in Diagon Alley, when she noted a hooded figure behind her. A small bit of nervousness played in the back of her mind, but Hermione continued down the relatively uncrowded street. She turned around again to see the same person right behind her. She quickened her pace, hoping to reach the Leaky Cauldron sooner rather than later. Before she approached the door, a strong hand grabbed her robes and hauled her into a dark alley. Hermione tried to scream, but the person cast a silencing charm on her.

"Listen up Mudblood, you make one move and I promise it will be your last," the seemingly familiar man's voice hissed. Hermione ran through a mental list of voices in her head, but she could not place the voice with an identity. She heard him mutter a spell and everything went black...

"Ron, do you know where Hermione is?" A puzzled young man with black hair and striking green eyes asked his red-headed best friend.

"No, Harry, can't say I've seen her. I was expecting her back about an hour ago though," Ron replied happily. "Then again, you know how girls are with shopping, she could be all day!"

"Too true mate!" With that, Harry and Ron continued on with their very intense Quidditch discussion. Until, almost three hours later, nobody had seen or heard from Hermione.

"This is very unlike her," Molly Weasely commented. "If Hermione was going to be late, she would have owled us or something. I'm getting worried boys, will you please go look for her?" Harry and Ron agreed, since they were also puzzled by the whereabouts of their other best friend.

After nearly an hour of fruitless searching and asking, they came up empty-handed. "She wouldn't have gone back to Hogwarts...would she?" Ron asked, his brow furrowing in frustration.

"I doubt it, but it couldn't hurt to check the map." Harry took out the blank parchment and his wand, muttering "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." There were the names of many students, all of the professors and Dumbledore, but no Hermione. "This is getting really weird Ron, and I have a terrible suspicion that whatever has happened to her is not good. I think we should see Dumbledore," Harry said, worry showing in his face. Ron nodded in agreement.

"...so you see Headmaster, we can't find her anywhere. You should know that this is not like Hermione at all," Ron completed the story of his and Harry's search for their missing friend. They were in the Headmaster's office, sitting in extremely soft and squishy chairs.

The old wizard's eyes sparkled pensively. "There is to be a Death Eater's meeting tonight. I heard that their...lady helper recently passed away–"

Harry interrupted, jumping up from his heavily cushioned chair. "Surely you can't be saying that Voldemort wants Hermione to be a whore for his groupies?"

"What I am saying is that it is a strong possibility. Hermione is a very pretty young woman, and her intelligence coupled with the fact that she is on our side is a great threat against the Dark Lord. It would take most certainly take time, but if he broke her spirit, she would not be a worry to him." At this moment, a black-clad professor entered the office.

Severus saw that Albus had...company, if that is what you can call two-thirds of the Golden Trio. "Sorry, I'll come back later," he muttered, and turned to leave.

Albus said, "No Severus, stay, I believe this matter could be of concern to you." He proceeded to explain Hermione's mysterious disappearance, and what may have happened to her.

Severus mused over what he had heard. It was true, the Death Eater's whore had died just a few days ago, and Merlin knew Voldemort and the others could not go long without a shag. He sighed heavily, knowing what he had to do. "I am going to the meeting tonight. I will do my best to try to find out what happened to her, and if need be, rescue her. I can not make any promises though." The four men knew it was the best chance they would have at finding Hermione, and the plan was quickly made. When Voldemort offered the new whore and if she was Hermione, Severus would make sure he got her first, so he could find some way to sneak her out of the cave where the Death Eaters were meeting.

He reached the huge cave, lit by torches, just as Voldemort was beginning to speak. The Dark Lord was standing upon a platform of boulders, stationed in front of the large group of hooded and cloaked individuals.

"So, as most of you knew, our beloved Meredith," The ghastly white skinned, red-eyed Voldemort snickered, "Left us the other day. Now I know most of you can't wait too long for another go at someone, so I have a most treasured prize for you. A virgin she is too! May I present to you, my good fellows, Miss Hermione Granger!" An ashen-faced Hermione was pulled out of the shadows by the Dark Lord himself, sobbing in fear. He grabbed her face and twisted her neck so that she was facing the crowd of over a hundred men. "Not a bad catch, eh?" His hands slithered down her body, and she cringed at the feel of his deathly cold hands around her waist. "Who wants to deflower the pride and glory of Hogwarts?"

That roused shouts and cheers from all of the hooded men, including Lucius Malfoy, the proud captor. Voldemort surveyed the crowd, looking for who deserved Hermione the most. "Ah, Severus, it's been a long time since you had a good shag I would say. Plus, you and this Mudblood have a little history don't you? Here," the Dark Lord hissed, shoving Hermione to where Severus was standing, near the front of the group. "She's yours for tonight. Have fun." With that, he vanished.

A/N: I shall leave you all here, pondering what will happen while Severus and Hermione are alone together for the first time in two months. Will she forgive him? Will he save her? (No lemons though...please remember I am only 14!)