dancing in rain - Thanks again for the review. I'm glad you are enjoying this at the beginning of your days. heh I think you may like this chapter.
For anyone else that is reading this and haven't reviewed, I hope you are enjoying it and for all future readers, don't hesitate to review. I enjoy reading them all greatly.
All the same legal disclaimers are the same so on with the story.
Hermione leaned against the wall of her cell as she sat on her bed. Boredom was a terrible thing that led only to thinking about the things that you didn't necessarily want to dwell on. In fact the thoughts that were in Hermione's mind were those that made her happy and yet sad at the same time.
Her friends and how she missed them so. Would she ever get to see them again? Did they even miss her at all? It was moments like these that you wondered just how much you meant in someone's life. She was even questioning hers and Harry's relationship, but eventually gave her head a shake and gave herself a stern talking to.
"Of course Harry would be looking for you." She growled to herself.
Harry was so much to her and it had often led to many breakups between herself and her boyfriends. Draco and herself came to the realization that he needed someone that needed him most in the world, and even though Harry and him were on fairly good terms these days it still rankled him that Harry and her were closer than they would ever have been.
One of the only people in her life that somewhat understood their connection was Sirius Black, Harry's Godfather. They had all thought he had been lost forever in the veil, but knowing how important Sirius was to Harry made Hermione all the more determined to solve it. She would have worked on it anyways because she just hated not knowing everything there was to know about something.
It turned out that the veil became an adventure of its own, putting herself, Ron and Harry in just as much danger as they had been fighting Voldemort. Through their adventure though Sirius and herself had become close friends. Hermione in fact had somewhat of a crush on her best friend's Godfather. He was spontaneous, fearless and bold yet quiet and loving. His countenance had changed drastically from her third year. He no longer looked ragged, thin and haggard. Instead he had gotten some meat onto his bones again and there was a sparkle of happiness that was non-existent since she had known him.
What would Harry say though if he knew about her crush on his Godfather? What would Sirius think? Hermione rubbed her face and blushed into her hands. He would think her a silly little chit, but would probably puff out his chest with arrogance. Hermione giggled softly. His pride and arrogance could even rival Draco's at times. Witches were fawning all over him, but yet he never really seemed interested in any of them. Was it only herself that saw reluctance in his eyes when it came to woman? Maybe he was gay and didn't want anyone to know.
Hermione sighed to herself. It would figure if he was gay. All the really good guys were gay. Well except for Harry, Ron, Remus, Dumbledore…Ok maybe all the good guys weren't gay, but the ones that Hermione normally fancied always seemed to be.
Movement down the aisle caught her attention and she looked around to see the woman striding along while Draco was being dragged by the guards. He looked like he had been put through a wringer and Hermione tried not to jump to her feet and pound on the walls of her cell. Instead she pulled her knees up and rested her chin on them while she glared at the woman standing impatiently by the door of Draco's cell.
The guards dragged the barely conscious form into the cell and threw him down onto the bed. He had rolled over in what looked like agony and Hermione wished she could spell away all of his pain. Instead she kept glaring at the woman who turned to her and gave her an evil smile. She couldn't help but frown when the woman winked and made a kissing motion with her lips at her before she turned around and left without a backwards glance.
When the guards locked up the cell and left Hermione moved closer to the glass to look at her friend. His head shifted and his body followed so that he was on his side facing her. His hand started to move, slowly but definitely forming the movements she had taught him earlier.
"I'm ok. Just need rest." He let his hand flop down and his eyes drifted shut.
Hermione watched him for a bit, her face filled with concern. What did they do to him to cause him so much pain? He must have fought the collar. Each question led up to the ultimate one. Why were they here and what did this Crane Industries want with them?
Movement caught her attention again, and this time it was two men coming down the aisle. One of them looked vaguely familiar to Hermione while the other was a complete stranger. They stopped at the cell directly beside Draco's and the strange man had one of the guards open the door. The two of them walked into the cell and the man inside of it jumped up and there was no question of the look of relief and happiness on his face.
What was going on down there she wondered to herself. The three men talked for a few minutes while Hermione tried to examine them all more carefully. The one that she did not recognize was rubbing a silver bracelet on his wrist anxiously while the other two seemed to carry themselves with a bold attitude. Funny how the prisoner seemed almost like the jailer at that moment she thought to herself. Finally after a few minutes of chatting the silver collar around the prisoner's neck sprang free and fell to the floor.
The man rubbed his neck with a blissful look and circled his head on his shoulders as if a two ton weight had been lifted off of him. The man that looked familiar handed the prisoner a wand and it seemed like slow motion for her as she watched the former prisoner point it at his capture. The man crumpled to the floor and Hermione knew without a doubt that the killing curse had been cast on him.
The two men spoke with each other for a minute and the former prisoner left happily while the other turned to face her cell. It took him a moment it seemed to recognize her and he gave her an evil grin. She watched as he exited the cell and called out to his friend, probably to say that he would follow soon. As he got closer to her cell Hermione suddenly registered who it was that was walking towards her. He called the guards and they opened the door to her cell allowing him to walk in.
Closing the door behind him he leaned back against it and crossed his arms over his chest. "Why if it isn't Hermione Granger. How lovely to see you here poppet."
"Not so lovely for me to see you Flint." Hermione growled. Marcus Flint was the most wanted Deatheater these days and Hermione and Harry had been searching for his whereabouts for years after Voldemort's demise. This was not really the position she wished to be in when she finally found the man.
"Well who would have thought you had a hot little body under all those clothes and robes you wear all the time Granger." Flint said gruffly as his eyes slid up and down her body. Hermione stood stiffly watching him with an angry look in her eyes. He moved a few steps towards her.
"So how do you like your new home?" He asked with a dark smirk.
Hermione raised an eyebrow and didn't say a word.
Flint chuckled. "Silence. I suppose it is the safe way to deal with your anger."
"So where is your collar Flint?" Hermione growled.
Marcus barked with laughter. "Oh that is rich. How do you think the stupid little muggles came up with this little piece here?" His fingers reached between her breasts and they slid under the chain that hung down from her neck. He let his fingers slide down the chain, dragging the back of his fingers down the front of her chest down to the top of her belly button.
"Huh..interesting. More of a rebel that we think as well it seems." His finger traced over the little hoop that was pierced through her bellybutton.
"So you helped to make the collar did you?" She asked trying to ignore his greasy fingers on her belly.
"My brilliant mind and their cute little invention was a perfect combination to help me fulfill my plans." He rubbed his hands down her sides as he spoke with her and Hermione suppressed the urge to vomit.
"And what about when they put that collar on you?" She inquired tartly.
"You think I haven't thought of that already? I may have had to repeat a year at Hogwarts Granger, but I'm not dumb when it comes to being a true Slytherin. My plans are moving along so wonderfully. First Draco and now you…soon you will all be out of my way. The funniest part about it is that it will be the very muggles you all wish to protect that will destroy you in the end." His voice was soft and smug as he talked to her.
"You may have us, but the other will be on to you by now. Good luck getting more." She growled in defiance.
"Oh I wouldn't speak so quickly if I were you." She watched as his eyes flicked past her and she turned around to look at the aisle behind her cell. There were two guards dragging an unconscious woman down to the empty cell directly behind her. When they tossed her on the bed she was able to see the pretty young face of one of her best friends.
Hermione gasped and turned around, placing her hands on the glass. She felt utterly helpless. "Ginny…" She whispered.
"You see, they will take you out one at a time and soon Dumbledore will have no one to fight for him. Then when he comes out of hiding we will be ready to destroy him and all that he stands for." Marcus said as he pressed himself against her back and spoke beside her ear.
Hermione whirled about and took 2 steps towards the door of her cell to get away from him when she saw Mr. Brad Pitt wannabe standing in the doorway.
"Hello Malcolm. I trust you are enjoying Miss Hermione Granger so far." She felt Flint press up against her back and his hand slid around her body so that his palm rubbed up her belly. He slid his hand high enough that his fingertips all pressed into the base of her left breast while his other hand slide around her left hip and down the front of her thigh.
"She does seem a tasty little piece. Perhaps I'll have to steal her from you at some point." Flint licked her ear and Hermione tried to pull away but he held her tightly.
"Yes, well until then Hermione and I have some training we have to do." Malcolm said with a tight voice.
"Hmmm shame that. I was just starting to enjoy my time with her here." He slithered around her and his hand reached up and grabbed her chin tightly. "Until we meet again." His fingers hurt as they dug into her face and pulled her towards him. He kissed her roughly and then pushed her away as he turned to leave. His shoulder knocked into Malcolm's and the muggle apologized and stepped out of his way.
The two of them watched as Marcus left the cell area and Hermione sighed with relief. "Thank you.." She started until Malcolm backhanded her in the face. Hermione was totally thrown off balance and she couldn't help it when she stumbled sideways a few steps and cracked her head against the wall of her cell. Her forehead split slightly and blood trickled down from the gash. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth as she righted herself and her fingers touched the side of her face.
"What the fuck was that for?" She yelled at him.
"That was for leading him on." Hermione watched as he rubbed his arms in frustration and it was then that she noticed the silver band around his wrist. Suddenly he took a step forward and grabbed the bottom of her leash and pressed one of the buttons. She screamed loudly as pain wracked through her body. When it all stopped there were tears streaming down her cheeks and her body twitched violently.
"And that was for embarrassing me. Now get up. You are coming with me." He yanked viciously on the chain. "Don't make me zap you again Hermione." He growled.
Fearing the pain again she tried to get up as quick as her body would allow. When she stood she followed behind him with her body slouched over and her mind raced about what would happen next to her.