Disclaimer: If you don't know, I strongly recommend a professional help. (Its all JK Rowling people)
A/N: Okay, I was a bit nervous writing this chapter, the plot kind of starts to develop here (though there will be tons more depth) so let me know what you think please, I need comfort! Anyways, onwards!
Chapter Four: A Decision
Many uneventful days passed; and the gash in Hermione's chest seemed to be taking its toll on her. Despite the few meager meals a day, and Fred's sacrificed sharing, she found herself growing weaker by the day.
Ron had not made another appearance; they could only hope that he had made his way to freedom, though the security seemed to increase. Death Eaters patrolled the corridors in two's, the nightly guard had doubled, and prisoners had witnessed more spells being preformed on the great fortress; or the prisoners who were lucky enough to have windows saw it anyways.
"Mione', do you know what day it is?" Fred asked, the intense look of fear in his eyes alerted Hermione.
"Why?" Her voice cracked. Weak. She hated it.
Fred's look, if anything, seemed to intensify. "Didn't Malfoy say something about—" He was cut off by a gasp from Hermione.
"A week!" This time her voice didn't dare crack. Instead of the familiar feeling of fear, boldness seemed to engulf her entire body. She would not bow down to a-a snake and his pet ferret! She didn't know how long it had been since Malfoy had paid her that fateful visit, but it seemed like ages; nearly long enough to be a week.
A voice broke into her thoughts, and she couldn't be happier. "Hermione!" she looked over at Ron's grinning face.
"Ron!" She squealed quietly; not for fear of Death Eaters, but the fact that her body would not permit her to speak above a whisper. Her chest heaved. "What are you doing here?"
He grinned. "Came to see you all 'course." His grin widened. "I've found Seamus! And Justin Finch-Fletchey!" She smiled.
"That's wonderful!" This exclamation burst out of Hermione's mouth a bit louder than she anticipated.
"Hardly." An icy voice came from behind Ron. Malfoy stood, trademark smirk snidely in place, arms crossed, malice seeping from him. How had she not seen him?
"Do us all a favor Malfoy, and go to hell." Hermione rasped. His icy glare turned to her, and she flashed him a grin.
"Maybe your mark wants a twin?" Sarcasm oozed from his voice, as he fingered something oddly silver . . . oddly sharp. Her stomach turned. But that had been enough, Ron was gone, and now it was Hermione who was smirking grandly.
"Tut tut. What kind of a Death Eater is distracted by a prisoner?" Her smirk faded as his grew.
"Oh but Granger, I am very distracted by you." He advanced towards her, until there was nothing but the iron bars that kept her from her freedom separating them. She hurried to pull her white stained blouse together, hiding the long gash. Malfoy smirked, taking a long pale finger and running it the length of the cut. Hermione shivered. She was yanked back by a force that revealed itself to be Fred Weasley.
"Leave her alone Malfoy." His voice was strong, and Hermione found her own strength in it.
Malfoy laughed and waved his wand, the cell door flew open and he stepped inside grabbing Hermione's arm and pulling her back out of the cell.
Hermione stumbled out of the cell, falling to the ground. 'Freedom.' She thought, looking around, before she was yanked down the stone passages. Hermione couldn't bear to look into the cells lining them, the distorted faces in which you could see the suffering.
After ten minutes of twists and turns, of Malfoy's smug comments, and being dragged along stone floors they reached a large wood and iron door. Malfoy pushed through it and led her into a grand hall. Tapestries and lanterns lined the walls, black seemed the theme, and a long table the center of the room.
"Ah, our guest has arrived." A cold mocking voice rang throughout the hall. Malfoy kneeled and bowed his head; while Hermione looked around, meeting red slits-of-eyes that belonged to an unmistakable snake. Her blood froze as she looked into those slits, she wondered how Harry could ever survive this man- no this beast.
"Miss Granger, how kind of you to join us." He spoke, voice chilled as ice. Malfoy pushed her to her knees. Laughter sounded around her, and for the first time Hermione observed the Death Eaters lining the hall.
"Believe me," It took all her courage to string these words together. "It is no pleasure of mine." She nearly laughed at the look on the Death Eaters faces around her; but Voldemort merely looked amused.
"It takes courage to speak to one so powerful, especially when they have your life in their hands." Hermione snorted, that seemed to have more of an effect. "Miss Granger I suggest you keep your mouth shut lest you find yourself unable to use it." Irritation was evident in his voice.
"Why am I here?" Hermione demanded, decided to confine herself to demands, rather than having her mouth sealed unwillingly. His laugh was not comforting.
"We have a task for you." Simple enough.
"No."
He ignored her. "We need a, spy if you will, someone who can give us inside information, someone who knows the enemy." He paused to test her reaction.
"No way in hell." Simple answer.
He smiled, well, if you could call it that. "Your only chance of freedom." Hermione paused at that. Freedom. Fresh air and sunshine. Rain, snow . . .wait, what was she thinking? She could never . . .
Freedom. Her freedom. Maybe . . .
Voldemort's thin lips curled up, knowing her answer already. He waved his wand.
"The deal is sealed, no going back on your word now, and no telling." He smirked.
"No." She said. "No, I will not, ever."
Freedom.
A/N: Okay, how do you like it? What should Hermione do? This is a democracy people, most votes win, vote by reviewing! I love you all!