Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
A/N:
I AM SO SO SORRY about the mix up. Yes the fourth chapter was up before, but then I found some mistakes and decided to redo some of it before posting it up again. So again, I apologize to all those people that wanted to read it but didn't get to. PLEASE IF YOU HAVE ALREADY READ THIS CHAPTER, YOU MIGHT WANT TO READ IT AGAIN. I have included some detail that I haven't written before. I apologize again for the inconvenience.
RESPONSE TO FLAME: I would like to say that I am extremely grateful for your review. I was laughing so hard while reading it that I almost choked on my own tears. I had hoped that you at least left your email address so I can write my response to you there, but since you didn't have the guts to, I have no choice but to post up my response at the beginning of this chapter.
I can not believe you had the courage to flame me when you can't even spell simple words properly. The button on your Microsoft Word that has a check mark and the letters "ABC" on it is used for checking your spelling and grammar. That is, if you don't have problems with pressing buttons too. "Ops" is actually spelled "o-o-p-s", ops stands for Office Price Stabilization, unless that's what you actually meant, and "threating" is not a word.
What I write in my author's notes has nothing to do whatsoever with the progress of my story, I suggest you do not go calling people names and insulting their stories (because that's just childish) just based on what they write in their A/N.
I hope that the next time you flame someone, you have some decent points to back it up. Calling me "tacky" for no reason is completely dumb and useless. If you call my story crappy, then please state why, I do not appreciate flames that don't offer any constructive criticism.
I was wondering if you always called the authors of fanfics unfavorable names, because if you do, then I can honestly say that I have finally met someone who'd stoop that low.
I am beginning to question whether you actually read it or not. Or it could be that you just go around leaving ignorant reviews for fun.
Saying things like "Okay I'm not reviewing your crappy story (ops I just did)" is completely stupid and (if I may use your word) tacky. Or maybe you have some brain problems where you don't realize what you are doing until five seconds later. Is that a problem for you? Maybe you should go to a doctor.
Anyways, I just hope that next time you flame me, please at least have the courage to leave your name. It's not like I'm going to track you down and beat the shit out of you. Anyways…nice knowing you. Ciao!
Chapter Four
His eyes were like dark endless tunnels, drawing her in. Sharp black pupils seem to penetrate right through her, peeking into her soul. Hermione felt bare and naked, she couldn't run and there was nowhere to hide. Slowly, her eyelids began to drop until darkness took over. There was something; a white cloud floating before her. She quickly reached out to grasp it, but it was so far away, she couldn't reach. Suddenly, the airy light expanded, chasing away the blackness that once surrounded her. Scenes from her blurry childhood began flashing before her, one after another.
- Harry helping her climb her first tree –
- Remus hugging her closely as she cried –
Then, the beginning of another memory slowly materialized before her.
A little boy, about the age of three stared down lovingly at her. Hermione blinked and the boy smiled, "I'm glad you're awake Hermione." –
Confused, she tried hard to remember more, and cried in frustration as the image slipped away. A shiver went coursing down the length of her spine as an eerie feeling of something; an invisible hand of some sorts shuffled through her mind, seeking answers. Still dazed, she offered no resistance as the hand drew something still freshly embedded in her mind.
– She was back in the gloomy forest. Deatheaters surrounded her from all directions. McGonagall's limp body was lying on the ground, and the sound of Hannah's distressful cries were still vigorously clear. She saw herself jump in front of the countess and pushed her out of the way as the glistening spells came speeding towards her…–
As quickly as it came, the vision ended. Hermione was staring again into those hard cold eyes. 'What just happened?' Her mind was a muddle, everything seemed so confusing. Suddenly, something dawned to her. He had used Occlumency to look inside her memories!
"So nice of you to join us," drawled the owner of those mysterious eyes, as he stood up from his kneeling position and sat down on the chair next to the bed. He was a handsome looking man, she had to admit. His dark black hair was tied back with a blue elastic, with some loose strands escaping the ponytail, falling across his pale and well defined cheeks bones. His thin lips were pursed into a tight line as he stared down disapprovingly at her. Sitting up with energy she thought she never had, Hermione growled and looked threateningly at him.
"Where is the Countess!" she demanded.
"I do not see where that should concern you." He replied casually with a glance in her direction. His eyes focused on the far right corner of the wall where there was a closed window, partially hidden by dusty old curtains.
Still glaring at him with full strength, Hermione suddenly grabbed her head in pain. It felt like herds of elephants were stampeding over her head, tramping it into pulp.
"I suggest you lay back down." He said, his face remaining impassive.
"I do not see where that should concern you!" She snapped, spitting his aggravating reply back at him. Still not taking her eyes away from his face, she slowly laid back down, surprised at the huge decrease in the number of elephants stomping on her brain.
His eyes narrowed into slits as he leaned in close to her ear. Hermione's heart started beating rapidly as she felt his breath brush against her cheeks.
"You are in no position to shout at me, servant!" He hissed, venom oozing out of his voice. Hermione felt like she had been slapped.
"How dare you! HOW DARE YOU!" she shrieked.
His thin lips molded themselves into a smirk, "trust me, I dare."
"YOU FILTHY DEATHEATER, YOU ARE IN NO POSITION TO CALL ME ANYTHING! ATLEAST I DON'T HAVE TO KISS MY MASTER'S ASS!" One hand gripped the sheet as the other clutched her chest. She heaved deeply before looking up at him again. Instead of fuming with anger, he was gazing down at her in astonishment and shock.
Standing up, he smirked at her slightly before striding out of the room casually. Hermione stared at his retreating back in surprise. What ever it was she was expecting from him, it certainly wasn't this. Wincing as the door closed with a loud bang, she lifted her head slowly and tried to prop herself up on her elbows.
A roaring fire lid the room, making it seem extremely cozy and warm. Shadows danced in the corners where the light from the blaze couldn't reach. Two cushioned seats facing each other sat directly in front of the crackling flames. Next to her bed stood a handsome mahogany desk with a simple embroidered comb and mirror on the surface. Speaking of her bed, it actually had silky red drapes hanging off the high canopy. Hermione gawked; do they usually treat their prisoners like this? What happened to all the torture and beatings? This room didn't seem like a dungeon, it looked as if it belonged to a Lady.
Pushing that thought away, she sat up and slowly placed one foot then the other on the soft carpeted floor. Standing up, she glanced down and realized that someone had changed her clothes while she was unconscious! Gasping, she wrapped her arms around her tightly and looked frantically around. That Man! It must have been him that did this! Glancing down, she let her arms slowly drop to her sides. Raising a finger, she gently stroked the edge of the soft fabric. It was a beautiful cream nightgown, trimmed elegantly with a lacy cuff. Hermione had never worn anything like this. Only nobles could have ever been able to afford that amount of money.
Hearing a soft knock on the door, she rushed back into the bed gripped the covers close to her chest, making sure not to reveal anything. Slowly, the door was pushed opened and a woman in her mid-twenties stepped in with a buddle of clothing draped over her arms. She was slightly shorter than average, with light golden hair and deep sea blue eyes. Her clothing was simple, but the silver lines on her sleeves showed that she was a personal servant, probably for someone of high nobility.
"Master requested your presence downstairs as soon as you are dressed and ready." She said, giving Hermione a reassuring smile. Placing the clothing down neatly on the bed, she began shuffling through the materials.
"I don't know which dress you would like better, so I brought you everything I could find in your size. I managed to measure you a bit before I took off your other clothes." Whew, at least, He didn't see her naked. "Don't worry, you'll get them back as soon as Mandy's done with them." The older girl sniffed indignantly. "Not that she'll ever be done with them, or return them in one piece that is. I have never known a clumsier girl. That Mandy Brocklehurst is nothing but trouble. Oh by the way, I'm Susan Bones." She said carelessly, as if talking like this to strangers was normal everyday occurrence. Hermione stared at her with wide eyes. What was going on here! Has everyone gone insane!
Ignoring the horrified look on Hermione's face, the girl continued to ramble on and on, complaining about this 'Mandy'. Finally, she stopped for two seconds and then began another rave about all the clothes she brought. Occasionally, she would drape a dress on Hermione to see if it complimented her. If not, then it was thrown haphazardly onto the cushioned chair that she somehow managed to drag across the room. "I think this red one will look the best on you, let's try it. You have a pretty good figure," She said while eyeing Hermione, "Your hips could be a little more…" she gestured with her hands. "But, let's try it on and see." She said finally.
Hermione obeyed immediately. At least when she was dressed properly, she could give that man a piece of her mind, and fist, she added as an afterthought. She carefully slipped out of the nightgown and stood silently as the other girl, Susan, helped her into the new dress, first tying up the corset and then the various bows and ribbons.
After she was done, she led Hermione into a chair in front of the mirror and sat her down. Brushing her tangled brown hair out with a comb, Susan started talking mindlessly again while doing her work.
"You are exceedingly pretty, but then again, I'm not surprised. Lots of pretty girls hang around master all day to try and get on his good side. But master wouldn't even spare them a second glance," Hermione could see Susan shaking her head through the mirror disapprovingly, "Poor master, always alone, never wants any company. The girls try so hard, but they are practically invisible to him. 'Mindless giggling fools' he calls them. At this rate, I will never have a mistress to serve." She sighed sadly.
Okay, that's it. The whole world has gone crazy. Am I the only sane person left?
Hermione winced as Susan pulled hard on her hair and tied it back tightly. She began curling the ends into soft ringlets "You didn't tell me your name yet." inquired the girl, trying to strike up a conversation.
Hermione hesitated before replying, "Hermione, my name is Hermione."
"Hmm, a peculiar name…What about your last name?"
"Lupin, Hermione Lupin." Susan nodded, satisfied with the answer.
"There, all done! Follow me please." Hermione, not even bothered to see how she looked, stood up from the chair and followed the other girl out of the room. Walking down the dimly candle lid hallway, she listened hard for any sounds of the Countess and Hannah. Where are they? The wooden floor creaked beneath her feet, pronouncing every step she made. Distracted, she almost missed the top of the stairs if Susan hadn't turned to check on her.
Feeling like a klutz, she continued the rest of the way with her mind and eyes alert, making sure not to miss anything else. They stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned left, walking into a large spacious room. A long rectangular table sat in the middle with about a dozen chairs placed on the sides. And on two of those chairs, sat the Countess and the Deatheater! Quite close together, They were conversing as if they've known each other for years! At the sound of Susan's polite cough, they both looked up.
"Hermione! There you are!" The Countess exclaimed, with a huge smile, "I've been informed that you have already met Duke Severus Snape of KingValley." She said, with a gesture towards the man sitting beside her. Hermione stared at the smirking man, dumbfounded.
A/N: YES! I FINALLY GOT THAT DONE! I'm sorry about taking so long, I really didn't mean to, but I have so much homework and tests coming up. I'll try to post up the next chapter as soon as I can! Oh and I would like to really, really, really thank my editor Nimalka! She has been a great help Love you lots Nimo! Please review!
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