Wow new readers!! I love new readers just as much as I love my old readers!!
PadfootsLuvr – Awww Mrs. Black I'm so thrilled that you love my story!! Sounds like you are a Serious Sirius fan and I'm glad to know that I'm not offending anyone! :)
Mai Gamit – Thank you so much Mai. I agree with you, it is hard to read a story when there is sooooo much angst it depresses you to no end. You have to have a glimmer of light every so often, and I believe that Hermione and the gang wouldn't wallow but instead pull from their inner reserves.
xxx-kisses-xxx – I'm so pleased that my story has made people think! I love fluff every now and then, but I really do love a good action that has you guessing what the heck is going to happen next. That is really what I'm trying to do with this story and I hope I'm somewhat succeeding.
dancing in rain – lol the last chapter snuck up on me as well! I thought for sure I wasn't going to have it posted until tonight because I didn't know where it was going to come from next. Suddenly though Draco called out to me and he can be a persistent one when he wants something!
Sirius lifted his head when he heard the cell door being opened and in turn the motion seemed to have awoken Hermione from her slumber. He watched as Hermione yawned and gave the door of her cell a groggy look. Glancing back at the door he recognized the guard that Hermione seemed to have taken some interest in. He didn't know what the guard had exactly conveyed to her, but for some reason she thought he might just be one to trust.
Personally Sirius was having a hard time trying to think of any of their captures as someone to trust. None of them had exactly proven that they were actively trying to help them out. Instead Sirius contemplated if this was just a ploy to gain the young witches trust.
"Miss Granger, I'm sorry but Malcolm has asked that I bring you to him. He has requested that your dog stay here." The guard said.
Sirius growled and the hackles rose on his back. The guard gave him a surprised look. "Its like he understands or something." The guard said pointing to Sirius.
Hermione laughed softly. "He is just very in tune with emotions. He just feels my apprehension as to what I will encounter today is all."
Colin seemed satisfied with the answer and held the door open for her to walk through. When she reached the door she turned and bent down, calling him over softly.
"I'll be ok Snuffles. You behave yourself alright? I don't want to come back to find one of my best friends has been shot." She had grabbed the fur on either side of his neck and made him look into her eyes. He could get lost in the eyes and die a happy man. He chuffed softly and butted her gently with his forehead, earning him a kiss between his eyes.
She gave him a sad look before standing up and walking through the door. Colin locked the cell and the two of them started down the aisle, leaving the cell block behind.
Hermione walked close to Colin, hoping that he would throw out some quiet conversation as they walked to wherever they were going. Finally not able to take it any longer she mumbled softly.
"How have your studies been going?" She asked.
He looked down at her quizzically. "Ah on the company policies. Yes indeed, my studies have come along well in fact. Doors have opened that I never expected would, but I have taken advantage and created a layout of all the important features that I need to know. There have been some issues along the way, but soon I will have my own team to help me unlock the doors that won't open."
"I see. Well I hope they will unlock for you soon." She replied.
He looked down at her and smiled reassuringly which bolstered her confidence. She was unsure of what this next meeting with Malcolm would bring, but her thoughts of freedom had been renewed.
Merlin watched the man through the glass with slitted eyes. There was no question Malcolm wanted to improve his standing within the company and he had the ability to do so, but Merlin had a feeling that the man's cock did more thinking than his head. He had learned of the second training session early in the morning and decided to watch how things went. This woman, Hermione, she could be such an asset to the company and the last thing they needed was Malcolm fucking it up.
The door to the room opened and a guard stepped through with the young witch following shortly behind. Merlin turned his gaze to Malcolm and saw the lust fill the man's eyes.
"Hermione, so lovely to see you this morning. I trust you slept well last night and thought about your options available. Today's session will be simple really, please have a seat will you?" Malcolm indicated the empty chair that sat beside a table.
Merlin moved his eyes over to Hermione and saw the reaction on the witch's face as she realized what sat on the table top. "How?" She whispered.
"We retrieved your dog Hermione, you don't think that we wouldn't retrieve your most precious commodity as well do you?" The man said with a smirk.
Merlin saw the temptation for her to grab the straight and seemingly harmless stick that sat upon the table, but she denied herself and instead sat down and turned her attention away from it.
"Marcus Flint gave us some knowledge of the power of witches and wizards and we know that you derive a lot of your strength from your wands. What would the sense be of keeping you lot without having you be able to cast spells? I was rather surprised though when you tried to cast one on me without your wand though." He purred.
Hermione's gaze flickered from the mirror in front of her to the man talking for a moment and then back to the mirror. Merlin furrowed his brow and wondered if she could see him, it was as if her gaze was boring directly into his own.
"Tell me more of your wandless magic will you?" Malcolm inquired.
Hermione sat silent.
"Please my dear, do we really have to go through this process again? You know that you will tell me eventually, so why go through the pain?" Malcolm said with a voice that was silky and dark and Merlin saw the shudder run through the witch's body.
Still silence reigned in the room and Malcolm sighed deeply. "You leave me no choice then." He leaned forward and grabbed the leash that hung down the front of the woman and pushed the button on it's handle.
The reaction was instant and Merlin couldn't help but step forward and place his hand upon the glass. The pain was etched in the woman's face as she screamed loudly and then collapsed onto the ground into a shuddering ball. It lasted about thirty seconds but when it was done Merlin could see the after shocks of pain rippling through her muscles.
She was so toned and when her body tensed from the pain each muscle could be seen. It was almost erotic to him to see her body writhe and shudder. To make her react like that in a bed would be an interesting endeavor and Merlin could suddenly understand the trainer's fascination with the witch. She didn't deserve what Malcolm thought of her though. Merlin could see so much more. Power, cunning, strength were just a few points. All Malcolm saw was a body to fuck.
Merlin sneered as he looked at the trainer. He was walking a thin line with the second in command. Merlin was almost praying that he would fuck up so he could step in and try his hand at taming the witch.
Malcolm knelt down and picked up Hermione, placing her back in the chair. His hand stroked her cheek softly as he asked again. "Tell me more about your wandless magic."
She glared up at him and he smudged his thumb across the corner of her mouth, wiping away a thin trail of blood from her skin from when she had bit her lip through the pain. Merlin wanted to laugh out loud at what she did next and the look on Malcolm's face as blood and spit hit him in the face.
Malcolm's shock turned to anger and once again he pushed the button and Hermione was screaming loudly on the floor. Her body was rigid, like that of an epileptic during a seizure until the pain subsided once more. Merlin admired her strength and resolve. Any other person would be whimpering and begging for the man to stop. Instead she shrugged off Malcolm's hand as he tried to help her again and forced herself to get back up into her chair.
Malcolm took the leash into his hand and asked her again. "Tell me about wandless magic."
She watched him for a moment before her voice spoke out. It was heavy with pain, but she did not waver one bit as she spoke. "Not everyone can do wandless magic. Only those that have been taught. I was one of those that have been taught."
"Can you do all spells without a wand?" Malcolm inquired.
"No." Was all she said.
"Care to clarify your answer?" Malcolm purred, happy with her acquiescence.
"No." She stated and once again she fell to the floor, but this time Merlin noted she fought the screams. It was as if every time she was knocked down she came back up twice as strong.
Because of her lack of screaming Malcolm extended the time that she remained under the torture. Merlin was pretty sure that the route the man was taking would only set the witch more against them. She needed to be wooed not tortured. Power sought power and did not take lightly to degradation.
Merlin regarded Hermione again as she lay panting on the floor after the pain once again had stopped. He had considered taking Draco's bracelet now that it was available, but seeing this woman and her strength. It flowed from her like lava, burning him in the process and he knew she had a grand destiny. He also knew at that moment that he wanted to be a part of that destiny, controlling it and molding it to suit himself. Yes this had indeed gone on long enough.
He walked over to the control panel on the side of the room and pushed a button. "Malcolm, I need to see you in the observation room immediately." When he released the button he watched the man inside the room as he turned to face the mirrored wall. The scowl of anger on his face was obvious and Merlin couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'm busy at the moment, can this not wait?" Malcolm growled.
"No, it cannot. Now get your ass in here before I fire it." Merlin growled back.
"Watch her." Malcolm said with a sneer towards the guard at the door. The guard nodded silently and moved aside so Malcolm could leave the room.
Merlin meanwhile kept his piercing gaze on Hermione as she lifted her head and gave the mirror an assessing look. He could almost read the thoughts in her mind at that moment and knew that she was wondering just what she was in for next.