AN: Spotlights:
prin69: Thank you so much for being my first review. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story as much as I enjoyed laying it out for you.
blondearianne: I am also overjoyed that most Sevvy fans welcome the HGSS pairing, though my friend is constantly trying to logic me out of it. (sigh) You're in denial? About what?
saz293: Sure will. Thanks for the review.
phantominhell: I'm glad it sounds like a good story…I hope it is a good story. Read on, read on.
MidnightDreams261: Did I update soon enough for you? I hope so. Review again.
DragonChaos: Glad you like it. I love it when Sevvy saves Mione, it's so romantic.
coldqueen: I know, it's hard to believe that anyone would be safe with Sevvy. Anyway, about your very long review about the rape and stuff, I also do not like it when it's all "Boo hoo, I got raped, now I think I'll go shag Severus Snape." Really ticks me off. Anyway, several good writers became victims of their own mistakes I can only hope I do not. Anyway, thanks for the great reviews and the warning. And yes, Harry is a smart little boy…though he (especially) technically is an adult. Hope you review again.
Artemis Virgin Goddess: Short, sweet and to the point with your review. Okay, is this soon enough?
PhantomPirate: Oh, you're so nice…thank you. And when you said you thought it said two chapters when there was only one…well, I could have just updated and it takes a little while for the update to really be there…and I think is having issues right now. There was this story I was reading that only has 19 chapters, but it says it has 23. Glad to find another Rickman fan since there aren't so many out there and I don't plan to discontinue it. I might delay it sometimes, but never discontinue it…well, unless I die of course.
Professor Jaida: I hope it is good. I'll update soon, just for you.
bootyful77: You won't believe how much I hate it when I do that. You know, but she where there's supposed to be a he or vice versa! I do it all the time and I hate it! I do re-read over my stories, but my mind is on like…auto-correct and so I don't see the errors. I'll try and be more careful though it will happen at least once in every chapter. And when you asked me why Dumbledore is alive…I don't get that. Does he like die in the sixth book or something? If I said he was dead in first few chapters, I didn't mean to but yes, he is alive in my fic.
MyEmeraldEyes: I hope you learned everything you wanted to know but there are still many more secrets to be discovered in my story. Read on!
Natalie Skywalker: Good, someone who doesn't mind dark fics. This actually might turn out okay, but I was in a dark mood when I started it. Who knows when that strange mood will strike again?
SilverAngel99: (blush) Oh wow, gee thanks. So nice. I hope you like it. Review again please!
SilentWriter32: I know, rape is a very touchy subject but it is now a part of modern life. Most people don't like to talk about it but it is very real and I did say this was going to be kind of a dark story. Besides, the rape was crucial to the plot. You'll see soon.
DudetRin101: I like how you spell cool. Kewl. I like that.
acdecnerd: Okie dokie, smoky!
m4srat: Yes, I love Snape being in the Order. Gives me more ideas…and what about Dumbledore being alive? Does he die in the sixth book?
There you go. Review, review, review! IWUS!
VM13
PS I am very grateful for all of your reviews.
If the End Comes
By: VeilMistress13
•Chapter Three•
Hermione followed Ginny, who was nipping on the heels of her brother, who was walking in-stride with Harry. They were walking swiftly down a long corridor, the walls, ceiling, and floor all made of a dark gray stone with torches decorating the walls and lanterns covering the ceiling. Harry, Ron, and Ginny were each pointing here and there, announcing what was behind each door and sometimes allowing a glance inside.
"These are our rooms, in the way back of the shelter," Harry said, pushing the door open and allowing all four of them to enter into the large room. It had two dressers, two wardrobes, two, seemingly empty, bookshelves, and two large red and gold four-poster beds that nearly mimicked Hermione, if it wasn't for the fact that they were messy and unmade.
"I'm guessing there aren't any house-elves?" questioned Hermione, glaring disapprovingly at the messy beds.
"You'll be happy to know that there aren't," Ron replied, smirking. "So how is spew?"
"It's S.P.E.W., Ronald!" snapped Hermione. "And you'll be happy to know that I've disbanded it."
"Aww, really?" asked Ron in mock-sadness. "I was sorta starting to see your point. That really is too—" WHAP! A crisp, silky pillow came flying into his face and caught him off guard. The pillow slid off his face to show a rather surprised expression but also gave him full view of the playful glower on Hermione's face.
"That's enough," she scoffed, heading for the door. "There's still more you need to show me. You aren't finished yet." Ron sighed and followed his three friends out of the room.
They continued down the hall, pointing out doors and such along the way as they had before. Hermione was allowed to see the inside of the Intelligence Depart, which was mostly filled with aurors that had survived the attack on the Ministry and several members of the Order. Hermione returned a waved to Lupin and Tonks, and flashed a toothy smile at Kingsley before backing out of the room.
"Those are McGonagall's chambers, right across from Dumbledore's and next to Tonks'," Harry explained pointing out the doors. "This leads to the library but you can't get in there without permission from Dumbledore. I know what you're thinking but he's super warded it so, unless you'd prefer to be turned into a gelatin dessert, I'd advise against attempting to go in." Harry stared pointedly at the door at the very end, almost glaring at it before turning around. "Well, that's it."
"No it isn't," Hermione chimed, pointing at the door. "What's in there, Harry?" Harry and Ron grimaced.
"That's Snape's quarters and the Potions lab. If you do go in there, knock first," Harry warned. "I went in to get him for a meeting with Dumbledore and he hexed me so many times I lost count…before I was even in the door. He's rather…defensive lately. Doesn't trust anyone."
"Well that's understandable," Hermione replied. "I mean, he is a spy after all. He has to be on his toes at all times, doesn't he?" Harry grunted in agreement and then started down the corridor, everyone behind him. Ginny snickered.
"What's so funny?" whispered Hermione, lagging behind with Ginny at her side.
"Oh, it was when Harry came back from that little incident with Snape," Ginny laughed quietly. "Dumbledore did his best to remove all of the hexes but…oddly enough, he couldn't get rid of the really embarrassing one. Harry walked into the dinning hall for dinner with brilliant pink hair and puffy red lips. I've never seen Harry look so…feminine."
Hermione couldn't hold it in and let out a loud laugh, getting the attention of the two boys in front of them. Ginny clapped a hand over her friend's mouth to silence her, giving her brother and the Boy-Who-Lived nervous smiles and pushing through them to get ahead with her hand still on Hermione's mouth.
The group of friend's made their way to the dinning hall for lunch, sitting at the end of the table closest to the large double doors. Hermione found that she wasn't very hungry, for some odd reason. She had a nagging feeling that something wasn't quite as it should be. She had ever since they'd begun the tour of the bomb shelter that had become the head quarters for much of the aurors and the Order of the Phoenix. She sighed and took a sip of pumpkin juice while glaring at the egg salad sandwich sitting on her plate before her.
"You 'kay, 'Mione?" asked Ron, through a mouthful of grilled ham and cheese. He gulped it down. "You look like you've been stung by a blast-ended skrewt."
"I'm just not that hungry," she replied, pushing the plate away. Ron shrugged and continued to eat, chatting with Harry about quidditch in between or through bite of food or mouthful's of juice.
Hermione let out a sigh and took to looking up and down the large table, taking in several unfamiliar faces. She was going to inquire who they were then the double doors opened and her attention was turned to the entering person. What she saw made her jump to her feet. Draco Malfoy was strolling in as if it were something he did everyday. For a moment, their eyes locked and he made to back out of the room.
"You!" she hissed, fumbling around her chairs and snatching up Harry's wand, which had been sitting next to his plate absently, she pointed it at the retreating blonde. All of her fury and hatred for Malfoy Senior was suddenly conjured up with the sight of his son.
"Hermione, wait!" cried Ginny, trying to stop her friend. "You don't understand!"
Hermione was hearing none of it, however, and stormed out of the dinning hall after Draco. She stumbled here and there on the stone floor as she struggled to catch up with him, as he had turned and started running. She was screaming curses, though missed by either a few inches or several feet. She raised the wand and opened her mouth, ready to shriek an Unforgivable, when a hand snatched the wand from her and pulled her back away from the flustered, frightened Draco Malfoy, who had tripped and lay sprawled on the floor.
Feeling the arm around her shoulders, holding her back thousands of images flashed into her mind. Pale, icy hands…bereft of any mercy, kneading into her skin, scratching at her body in unbridled lust, causing pain and agony and sorrow. Being intruded, intimately intruded by a man who had killed many and had captured her only for the use of her body. She began to tremble, her body becoming limp for a moment before she screamed and thrashed around, desperate to get out of the clutches of whoever was restraining.
"No! Don't touch me! Let go! I said LET GO, you bastard!" she cried, pushing against the arm on her shoulders. She dropped to her knees, blinking her eyes.
"Miss Granger!" snapped an all too familiar voice as she clutched her head and tried to rid herself of the images that kept coming back. She opened her eyes and looked behind her, up into the black eyes of Snape. He was giving her thoroughly disturbed look.
"Oh, dear!" gasped Poppy, coming in and finding two of her old students on the floor and very white Snape standing above Hermione. "What has happened here? Severus, what did you do?"
"What did I do?" repeated the Potions Master snappishly. "All I did was stop Miss Granger from hexing Mr. Malfoy into a million pieces, Poppy!"
"No one's explained his presence to Hermione?" questioned Poppy, placing her hands on her hips and glaring at Harry, Ron, and Ginny who were all standing in the doorway of the dinning hall.
"Er—" murmured Ginny.
"It kind of slipped our mind, Madam Pomfrey," replied Harry, scratching his scalp and giving the best innocent look he could. Poppy did not seem reassured and strode over to Hermione who was still crumpled on the floor whimpering.
"Hermione…" she coaxed. "Come; let's go to your room. You need to talk about this with someone or else it will eat you alive. Come, I'll tell all about why Mr. Malfoy and other's are here."
"Others…?" whispered Hermione, looking up and letting her hands drop from her head. Poppy knelt down and enveloped the girl in a hug.
"Let's go talk about it in your room," the medi-witch whispered, pulling the brunette to her feet and taking her toward a nearby corridor.
"Mr. Malfoy," said Snape, turning to look at the young man on his back on the floor, his platinum blonde hair mussed all over his head and he robes a mess around him. "Coming with me. There are things we need to discuss." Draco nodded and got to his feet, dusting off his Slytherin green robes before following his old Head of House down a different corridor.
McGonagall had been summoned to Hermione's room, with a request from the young girl herself. The elderly Transfiguration teacher had arrived in little under five minutes and joined Hermione, sitting beside the girl on her bed and patting her back. Hermione's stomach churned uncomfortably as she thought about what she was going to have to relive through words in just a few minutes.
"Hermione, I know that this must be hard to talk about," McGonagall comforted in her thick Scottish accent. "But you need to get this off your chest before you have another horrible break down."
"I know," whispered Hermione, feeling the elderly woman rubbing her back while Poppy discussed something with someone on the other side of the door. Soon, Poppy was presented with tea and tea service and she approached the other two witches, setting the tray down on the bedside table.
"Let's have some tea and then we can talk about it," Poppy murmured, pouring tea into three cups and handing one to McGonagall and Hermione before picking up her own and conjuring a chair to sit on.
Hermione took a sip of her tea and sighed at the feeling of warmth that washed over her. She knew she was trembling and she set her cup and saucer down on the bedside table beside the tea service.
"I don't know where to start…" she breathed, looking down at her lap where she clasped her hands together.
"They say the beginning is always the best place," McGonagall offered. "How did you come to be at Malfoy Manor?"
Hermione shuddered. "I was at the ministry, the day after graduation. Dumbledore had Hagrid escort me so that I could get my apparation license and register for animagus training…I don't know quite what happened. It was just flashed by in a blur. I remember there was a lot of screaming and people showing hexes and Unforgivables. Hagrid passed me off to Meredith Kelsey and told her to get me out of there. We were going to leave out of an emergency exit when someone shot Miss Kelsey down. They stunned me…I fell, hit my head on the corner of the fountain, and passed out." Hermione paused and took a deep breath. McGonagall had also set her tea down and had returned to rubbing Hermione's back.
"I woke up and at first…I couldn't see anything. The room was dark and cold and smelled like rotting flesh, I was afraid to look around when my eyes adjusted to the lack of light. I looked up, and I saw Lucius Malfoy standing over me. He looked like a maniac. He was breathing hard and his eyes were large with dilated pupils. Then…he did things…he did things to me. Touched me…he…he…" Hermione stopped and bowed her head, shaking it as if to say she couldn't go further. Tears she had been holding back began to drip from her eyes and fall onto the soft fabric of her skirt.
"That man is an utter bastard…" breathed Poppy, shaking her head. "Not just once did I think about hexing him…that man is pure evil, the devil's advocate." Hermione nodded.
Elsewhere in the head quarters, in a dark stone room with six cauldrons lining the walls, two other figures were speaking. One with dark raven hair and the other with bright, silvery-blond hair.
"Mr. Malfoy, I don't think I need to tell you that Miss Granger is in a state," Snape stated, leaning against the desk at the front of the room that was scattered with papers. "Are you aware of where she was before she came here?"
Draco stared up at his old Potions professor. "I do believe Lucius may have mentioned something about it, but I thought he was bluffing. Bragging to the rest of the inner circle. Is it true, then?"
"Quite," Snape replied. "She's lucky to be alive right now, let alone performing any type of magic. Your father is a vicious man, I'm sure you know. I think it is best, with her current…emotional condition that you stay a good space away from her while she recovers. No doubt most of this will be a shock to her." Draco nodded. "You are dismissed. I have things I must attend to…"
Draco exited the potion lab and was met by a flash of long, plaited red hair. He looked down and saw that Ginny Weasley was standing in front of him.
"Hi," she said, opening her arms. Draco chuckled and obliged the hug, dropping his arm over her shoulder as they began to walk down the hall.
"Hello," he replied, smirking. "Just can't get enough of me, huh?"
"What did Snape want?" asked Ginny, pretending not to have heard him.
"Just warning me that I should stay away from Granger for a little while," he answered. "Has she talked to you about where she disappeared to?"
"Not yet. She's not ready but I get the feeling she's probably talking about it now with Madam Pomfrey, only because the old woman is dragging it out of her," she said and sighed, looking down at her feet. Draco squeezed her shoulder.
"Don't look so down, love," he said. "I don't think it would be wise to tell her about 'us' any time soon, either. It might be…too much for her." Ginny nodded, still looking down.
The two of them went on to the dinning hall, while Hermione remained in her room, drowning in her own tears.
AN: Bleh. This chapter didn't turn out so well. Oh well. Review please!