The Congregation

'Come here girl' Severus found her thin wrist beneath the folds of black material he had wrapped around her shivering form, prying the stiffened fingers until they involuntarily entwined with his, meeting the vacant gaze with a renewed sharpness. Slowly, he drew her as close as she would allow -

so close that he could feel her shallow breath on his neck -

His face was a mask of dull pain, stark white - thin slits teasing her a glimpse of his hidden eyes beneath. She scrunched the collar of his robes, steadying herself -

Concentrating on the clearest picture of the congregation his mind could conjure, he ignored the slight tingle in the pit of his stomach as he felt her leg touch against his -

A heavy weight changed in the air around, her scream almost inaudible over the sound of rushing wind, his robes rippling in the harsh breeze -

Colours. So many colours, promising to merge together, pressing her down, threatening to consume her…

Then she was doused in total darkness…

… A cave dwelling…

… the torches that lined the tall, uneven stone surroundings barely spreading any light through the thick, swirling fog -

She flinched away as the sensation of his knee pushing against her thighs grew clearer, blinking back the clouding disorientation, her vision taking time to adjust as he led her slowly through the mist -

But then… as the haze lessened, sharp outlines grew clearer -

Hooded figures -

An army of hooded figures -

She cowered behind her former Potions Master even as his grasp hardened painfully around her wrist, peering over his shoulder at the circle of onlookers. They parted to let him through, a few cursory greetings from some, others casually nodding -

Hands caught her, bearing down upon her and forcing her roughly to her knees..

She choked on dust and dirt that had risen around her, sharp rock shredding the taut skin over her knees, her eyes watering with the sudden pain -

She forced herself to focus on the tall shadow that approached, breaking the barricade of misted light ahead with a swish of robes -

Thin and graceful, his scarlet gaze falling on her with great distaste, shrouded in the metallic ambience and awe…

'My Lord… I believe her to be… ready…' Snape's voice resonated somewhere near her, muffled slightly by his mask.

Pure terror pulsed through her in waves, each more brutal than the last, she pressed the tip of her thumb against a sharpened stone hidden in the asphalt to distract herself -

'Dare you meet the eyes of your new master..?' Dimly, she forced herself to think of something else… convinced he could hear the hammering of her heart. Harry. Just think of Harry.

'Your… not… my…master' she uttered the words defiantly through gritted teeth, finally meeting the scarlet gaze with determined nerve.

'Ahh… the Gryffindor courage shines through. Well, well… you seem to want to take a leaf out of Potter's book I presume. I guess he forgot to mention the consequences of those actions' The world fell away as his wand rose, his serpent-like, impassive face twisting hungrily -

Without warning, something white-hot whipped sharply across her face, jerking her head backwards. Searing pain burned, intensifying as the blatant shock subsided… she closed her eyes, breathing hard -

'Now then… As you well know, the search for the Potter boy has become increasingly hard… shame, isn't it Miss Granger. If Potter had been a good little boy… perhaps a few lives might've been spared - your family, for instance'

Burning hatred erupted in her small frame but she held it, letting it smoulder. Raucous laughter echoed around her, forcing her to relive images of that fateful night that seemed so long ago in this ongoing nightmare. 'But, these things happen… now, I've heard many stories about you Miss Granger. I must admit I have become most curious about your abilities. It is certainly no easy feat to remain in the clutches of a certain Severus Snape and live to tell the tale' More laughter… Hermione let her eyes slide around the onlookers within her line of vision. Where was Snape? Here somewhere…

Hot blood spattered the gritty asphalt, the crimson rivulets trickling over her lips… she could taste it on the edge of her tongue. 'You are going to join us Miss Granger…' she shook her head slowly, pressing the sharp stone harder into the soft skin of her thumb. 'Potter will seek you out… I don't doubt that the remnants of Dumbledore's Order are searching high and low for you… pity… You see, Potter will go to any lengths to be a hero…' Hermione tried to wrench herself free off the hands that restrained her, dumbstruck horror washing over her, sickness surging like acid in her stomach and burning upwards in her throat -

'Uh, uh, uh… Play nicely Miss Granger. Do not make things worse for yourself' Voldemort flicked his wand. Thin, razor wire twisted around her wrists, binding them together… 'Now, as I said before. I have heard of your supposed brilliance many a time. It would be a shame to waste such talent…'

'There was me thinking Mudblood's weren't allowed in your kind' she spat back at him, heat rising in her face.

'Yes… that is true…' Voldemort mused for a moment or two '-but who could refuse Potters' closest ally… the girl who is so very reminiscent of his own mother - she could never learn to keep her mouth shut either. Perhaps a reminder of what happens when people answer me back Miss Granger' She knew what he was going to do and welcomed it, squaring her shoulders and closing her eyes 'Crucio'.

Agony.

Blinding, excruciating agony that stung every inch of skin, every nerve-ending…

Then the Dark Lord deterred his wand ever so slightly, and the curse lifted. She curled up, caked in blood and dirt once again…

'Have you had enough..?'

'Y-yes. Maybe I… I can prove myself to you. My Lord' Hermione resorted to the only thing left. She shuffled forward with great difficulty, every movement causing spasms of pain. Finding the hem of his robes, she pressed her lips to the material, shuddering slightly.

A pale, spindly hand caressed her head, followed by silken words. 'Then rise up…' she did so, somehow managing to find her footing and raising herself.

Her bruised fingers fumbled against the fastening of the robe, which fell easily off her shoulders, revealing the velvet dress, torn and ripped and soaked in blood… The Dark Lord motioned for her to come forward, she did so…

The thin, twisted wire smouldered, red-hot and gleaming in its skull-like form. The scorched flesh hissed as the brand pressed against her exposed upper arm. Hermione bit down hard on her lip, the burning sensation scarcely bearable, even after the effects of the Cruciatus curse.

Then it was over… jeers and excited hisses broke out around the circle…

'Take you place…' The Dark Lord gestured to a parting between two hooded onlookers. Smoke still drifted from the branded skin as she joined the circle, numbness washing over her -

'The Ministry has fallen… Dumbledore lies below the grounds of Hogwarts… it is time to take what is rightfully ours - go about your ways until I call upon you again'

In a whirl of robes, someone considerably taller and stronger bore down upon her, arms encircled her waist and lifting her…

Ok, feeling very apprehensive as to the reaction to this chapter… please bear with me, I have much more to give you yet…