Part Two

Enemy, Friend or Lover

..Forever and Always..

…………………………

Dictionary is at the bottom.

……………………….

Hermione sat at her desk and looked around for a writing implement. She was an author for the newspaper for the muggles and a teacher for the wizard world. Hermione loved to be in both world even though she was pure witch. She had grown up in the muggle world and wanted to stay in it.

At the age of twenty three, Hermione had just begun her life. She had a nice small house, a new car and a dog to keep her company. A boyfriend kept her safe and on her toes so there was no need to worry about her life.

But lately she had felt lonely and detached. She thought of the ring Mark had got her, the big diamond sparkling in the light. That was all a girl could wish for. A great lover who adored her with a great life he could offer her. He was eager to start a knew life but Hermione was hesitant. First of all, the ring was gorgeous but not her. The ring Draco got her was a magnificent lapis diamond with a small silver band. The lapis was for her birthday, a brilliant blue with violent or greenish tints. The ring his way of showing his love but-

The phone rang and Hermione was jerked from her thoughts.

She reached for it and answered with a tired, "hello."

"Hey, chérie. How are you?"

Hermione inwardly sighed but answered with a sweet, "Good. How are you Mark?"

"I'm okay. I was just wondering if you wanted to go out tonight. We could go get some food and then go back to my place."

Another night that would have sounded good but not tonight. Hermione was too distressing to go with him. "I'd love to, Mark, but I can't tonight. I'm exhausted and I just want to go home."

"Oh," Hermione could hear Marks disappointment but he forced his tone to a lighter mood. "I could come by your place and give you a backrub?" he suggested. But the suggestion wasn't only about the backrub. Mark wanted some and Hermione knew it.

Hermione sighed. "That's nice of you, Mark, but all I want to do is sleep."

"Anytime, my love. I guess I'll talk at you later, Hermione."

"Okay." Hermione silently sighed as he gave up.

"I love you."

Hermione almost cringed. Why was she being so rude to him? He only wanted to help.

"Bye, Mark," Hermione whispered and put the phone in the cradle. She sniffed as a sharp tight pain came across her chest and tears started to flood her eyes.

"Stop it, Hermione," she commanded herself. She got up from her solid wood desk and reached for her coat.

Slipping the coat on, Hermione went down the stairs to the parking garage. Hermione refused the tears to come and for an odd reason she just wanted to lay down in the fatal position and die.

She got to her car and drove the distance to her tiny home.

She pulled up and ran for the door of the house. She smiled slightly thankful for the porch and the roof because she had forgot to take her keys out.

Hermione dug into her purse and fetched out her key. She opened the door and watched as a one hundred and thirty-three pound black dog came charging at her.

Cujo eagerly licked her hand, his tail waging back and forth. He knew not to jump up on people. He nudged her hip with his immense nuzzle.

"Hey, baby." Hermione breathed in deep as she bent down and hugged the huge massive dog. Cujo licked her cheek as if he could feel her anguish. "Mama, needs a drink."

Hermione kissed her mutt and let him follow her to the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of wine and went to the bedroom.

She stripped her clothes off and let the tub fill up with hot water and soon after that sunk into it, sipping her wine. The hot water was soothing but even though relaxed, Hermione was rigid inside. Her insides were tied in knots and her head pounded.

Giving into her sorrow and pain, Hermione put her wine down and wept. She cried for the first time in over five years and let all over her emotions spill out.

Cujo came into the bathroom and put his head on the side of the tub, his nose rubbing her face.

Hermione stopped and leaned over to stroke his head. "Yeah, I love you, too, boy." Hermione rubbed her face with her hands and took in a deep breath. "Okay, I'm done now. No need to worry." Cujo knew that wasn't true because he let out a small whimper.

"No, I'm done, Cujo." She smiled reassuringly at the dog and pulled the plug from the tub.

Hermione got out and went straight to her bed, the towel wrapped around her.

Hermione dried off and then pulled the covers back to her bed. She crawled in and Cujo licked her hand. Hermione smiled at him and rubbed his head. "Night, boy."

Cujo gave a nod as if he understood and went to the living room.

Hermione closed her eyes and listened to the rain. The rain soon became faster and so did Hermione's thoughts. Her mind was on overload and she was having trouble keeping up.

The rain turned into hail and the next thing Hermione knew, Cujo shot up onto Hermione's bed and sniffed her face. A small whimper came out and Hermione rolled over. Sitting up, Hermione rubbed her eyes and stared at the dog.

A crack of thunder split through the night, sending Cujo into a frenzy and yelping as if someone was trying to murder him. Newfoundland dogs almost never barked but Cujo could never stand a thunderstorm.

"Cujo, baby, what's wrong. You still can't be scared of storms!"

He let out another whimper and then barked and jumped a mile as a crack of thunder came again. Hermione grunted as Cujo jumped on her and so she pushed him off.

"Lay down, Cujo," Hermione commanded.

He did as he was told. Hermione rolled back over and threw her arms over his massive body. His body shook and his tail thumped on the bed. Hermione snuggled right up to the dog and laid her head on his back.

"It's okay, baby. No need to worry. I'll talk care of you."

Cujo stopped wining and his body soon relaxed and fell into sleep. Hermione lay there, her mind too occupied to even go to sleep.

Today was her and Draco's sixth wedding anniversary. Not that anyone cared but her. Her heart felt empty and her chest felt tight with emotions.

She pressed her face into Cujo furry coat and stroked his back. She shouldn't be thinking of him when she had a new boyfriend that loved her. Draco had walked out on her and had never even looked back. He couldn't have loved her. Never did, never would.

Hermione stepped out of the rain and into the tiny house. She was so sick of the rain.

"Cujo, baby? I'm home, come say hi to mommy," Hermione called out from the entrance of the house. Cujo didn't come running like he always did, making Hermione frown. "Cujo? Cujo, baby, where are you?"

Hermione reached for the light switch in the kitchen but no light came on.

"Great," she muttered under her breath. "Just what I need." She stalked back to the entrance and got a candle from the top cupboard and lit it.

Setting the candle on the table, Hermione went to the fridge and pulled out an apple. Hermione bit into the apple and went looking for her dog. Cujo was no where to be seen. Hermione called out but it was rare that he ever barked so she wasn't expecting an answer. There was no sound in the house. Hermione walked through the house calling for Cujo but he never came to her.

Hermione started to worry and soon went running around in the dark house.

"Cujo, you stupid mutt! Where are you?"

Cujo sat in the door of the small sitting room. He sat straight, rigid, his eyes alert and his small ears perked up.

"Cujo, there you are!" Hermione gasped with relief. But Cujo didn't move, didn't come towards her.

Hermione moved forwards but Cujo growled. "Cujo? What is wrong with you?"

Hermione came towards him and stroked a hand down his stiff back. He didn't growled but he didn't turn to her touch.

Hermione moved in front of him to look his in the eyes but he shot forwards and stood once again in front of her.

His eyes were sharp and on full attention. His eyes bore into hers and had a dangerous tint.

"Cujo?" Hermione whispered. The dog did not move so Hermione stood up and called him to follow. He had always listened to her. Always.

Hermione grabbed his collar and tried to drag him from the room but his one hundred and thirty-three pounds was not match to Hermione's one hundred and twenty-three.

"Cujo, come here now!"

He didn't even give her a glance. His gaze was straight forward.

Hermione left the room and went to the kitchen and into the pantry. She dropped a pan and screamed.

Sure enough, Cujo came running to her rescue. She patted his head and shut the door on his face.

"I'm sorry, baby. But you're scaring me. You stay in the pantry for a little while and I'll come get you soon," she promised

Regretfully, Hermione left the kitchen and went to the sitting room to check things out.

She glanced around and found nothing out of the ordinary. She turned to leave when she heard, "Hello, Hermione."

Hermione screamed and jerked around. The apple fell to the floor with a thud and Hermione clutched her racing heart. Her eyes were wide and her chest was heaving.

"W-who's there?" she asked, her voice trembling as she reached behind her for the bat that was always there.

"I knew you'd go for the bat," the voice swept through the room, a chill following it. "Always were a violent one."

"W-what do you want?" she asked, her back straight.

"Nothing, but thanks for offering."

"Then get out of my house," Hermione commanded.

A chuckle filled the room. "You've always amused me so. Why can't I stay? After all you do let other men into your house."

"Yeah, men I know! Who the hell are you?"

"Do you not remember me, Hermione?"

"No, I don't. Please just get out of my house."

There was no voice that came back and after a few minutes, Hermione sagged against the wall and sighed out deeply.

"I've decided like your house," the man replied.

A closed her eyes and held her breath. Letting it out, and back in. "This is just a dream, this is just a dream," she chanted to herself.

"I'm afraid not, my dear. But you might what to watch what you do more often. You're leaving a trail of bodies where you go."

"B-bodies? What do you mean?"

"Dead bodies, my love."

Hermione gasped at him and sidestepped towards the door.

A snap of thunder echoed throughout the room followed by a flash of lightening.

The man was large. His clothes in rages and his face in shadow but Hermione could tell he had at least a month worth of beard on his face.

"Who are you?" Hermione whispered, horror in her voice.

"You tell me, Ms. Lanna." Shivers went up her spine and the man took a step closer, his body towering over her.

"How do you know my name?" Hermione squeaked out.

"I've been watching you, Hermione. You sure do like your men."

Anger soon replaced fear and Hermione snapped up straight. "You exactly are you suggesting?"

"Nothing, my dear, just you like the company of men."

"You're calling me a whore!" Hermione shot out.

"Are you not?" The man asked calmly.

"No! I am not a whore! If you must know most of me friends are guys. That doesn't mean I sleep with them all!"

"I said no such thing." Again his voice was cold but still hushed, no anger visible.

"Oh, but you indicated it!"

Slowly, he was advancing towards her. Hermione didn't notice until he was a meter and a half away. Hermione inched along the wall until her hand touched the doorknob to the other side of the study.

"Do not move, Hermione."

"This is my house! You broke in here so don't you dare tell me where to go in my own goddamn house!"

"I'm warning you, Hermione," his voice faintly held the threat.

Hermione shot the man a glare and opened the door. Another streak of lightening came and Hermione saw the blood first.

"What the hell?"

She started for the left side of the study and broke into screams as a dead man lay at her feet. Footsteps came behind her and Hermione raced for the kitchen, her creams carried through the house.

The man was behind her and Hermione screamed again.

A hand grasped her wrist as he yelped and tried to jerk it back. But the grip was so intense, Hermione couldn't even move her fingers.

Hermione swing her arm out and hit the man in the side of his face. He grunted but pulled Hermione down to the floor. She kicked, punched, bit, and even spat but not of that stopped the man from getting her flat on her back.

"Help me!" Hermione screeched.

"For gods sake, woman! Just the fuck up!"

His large hand clamped down on her mouth, his body pressing her down on the hard wood floor.

Hermione bit his hand so hard she tasted the blood. She kicked her legs wild but the man clamped them scissor style in his.

"They've come to kill you, Hermione."

Hermione froze in her frantic fight for freedom, letting tears fall from her eyes.

The house was almost silent except for Cujo trapped in the pantry. He was barking and growling. He was as ready to kill.

"You killed the man in my office."

"Either you or him."

Hermione lay so still, she forgot to breathe.

"Breathe, Hermione."

She did. "Are you gonna kill me, too?"

A set of electrifying blue eyes met hers and Hermione flinched her head to the side. The sound for the doorknob to the front door jiggled.

"No; there are people here to do that. Do you want to live, Hermione?"

Hermione whimpered and nodded.

"Then shut up and do as your told."

Hermione nodded again and squeezed her eyes shut.

The next time he spoke, his lips brushed against her ear. "In three, you'll get up and as quietly as you can, you will go to the study."

Hermione shook her head franticly. The body was in there. There was no way that she was going to go in there.

"You don't go in there, Hermione, you will die. Have you changes your mind yet?"

Hermione whimpered. "Yes."

"Good. One . . . Two . . . Three!"

Hermione was lifted from the floor and she tried to step forward. Her legs gave out and the man grabbed her hand, pulling her along with him.

They stepped into the study and the smell hit Hermione so hard she gagged. The front door opened and the man clamped his hard hand over her mouth, just as the scream came out. The sound was smothered but Hermione was so scared she couldn't move.

She fell to her knees as the man pulled at her again. She was then picked up and carried around to the sleek desk.

Hermione was put on the floor and the man crawled over top of her, both under the hug desk. She was about to protest when she remember the others in her house as well.

The man was heavy as he lay across her but he tried to keep most of his weight off of her. She struggled not to make a sound as she cried but she wasn't doing a very good job.

The man cupped the back of her head with his one hand and lifted her face to the crook of his neck. Hermione tried to stop but the tears kept on coming.

Footsteps came across the hall and Cujo was barking so much and trying to break through the glass on the pantry door.

"I found Fredrick," a man called. "But there's no sign of the girl. There are struggle marks in the front yard and skid marks from a car. A shoe as well."

He whimpered and the man stroked her neck with his other hand. "Shh, now. You're okay. Shh."

"She's gone then," another voice called, "I have no sigh of her but a half eaten apple that isn't even brown yet."

"Then Peter must have her. She'll be taken to the place. Let's go. It'll take us a good two days to get there free style."

The front door slammed closed and Hermione then let out a sob.

"Please, don't cry, Hermione."

"I-I'm so s-scared."

"I know. I've come to save you. You have no need to fear me."

"P-promise?"

"Forever and always."

All Hermione could do was gasp. A second later colours flew around her world. They became brighter and brighter until there was no more colour at all.

…………………………

Hey there. Here's part two! How did ya like it? I hope it was alright. I had so much fun writing this! I so hope I get good reviews so I can keep up the interest and we shall both have fun! Well, submit me a review and tell me what you thought. Thanks... And be nice.

Chebetta