Sugar and Spice
Chapter Six
(Disclaimer: I own no Harry Potter titles.)
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Hermione took one last deep breath, exhaled, and followed Snape into the Forbidden Forest.
"We'll enter through gates between two trees that stand out only to Death Eaters. If the Dark Lord accepts you, then they will also stand out to you, also. From there we'll go down a hallway and into the main chamber where he is." Snape explained.
Hermione merely nodded, wishing she had someone other than Snape with her. She wanted someone who would comfort her right now and give her a hug and say that things will be fine. She guessed that Snape was only preparing her for what was yet to come.
Snape made a sudden halt, looking directly ahead. At first Hermione thought that something was wrong, but then realized he was staring between the two trees he'd spoken of. He turned around suddenly and looked Hermione in the eyes seriously.
"Miss Granger, I have a plan that might work better." He said. "Instead of you 'offering' yourself to Voldemort, you're going to play along like I dragged you down here. I'll explain how much of an advantage you'd be on our side, and he won't resist having you on his side. It's not that difficult. Just play along. I'm sure even you could do that."
Hermione sent a fierce glare towards her professor. "Fine." Was all she said in reply.
"Yadseut redfol." Snape said, and a hole opened between the two trees with stairs leading downward.
Hermione followed the potions master down the steep steps, trying to keep herself breathing and calm. That was a tough thing to do when she was about to face someone who attempted to kill her best friend and despises her 'kind.' Her hands were shaking and her palms were sweaty, but she hid it expertly.
Miss Granger, I'm not sure what I'll have to do to convince the Dark Lord to accept you, but you know that-
Hermione was somewhat used to Snape speaking in her mind. None of this is actually true. I understand, Professor.
They'd reached a set of large wooden doors with violent carvings in them, showing epic, gruesome battles with much bloodshed, even though wands were used. The door handles were bronze snakes with emeralds as eyes, glinting evilly. Snape wrapped his hand firmly around Hermione's forearm and opened the door, striding in briskly.
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"I hope she's doing okay." Harry said, running his hand through his hair.
"I'm sure she's fine." Ron said in a comforting manner. "You know how tough our Hermione is. She's faced him plenty of times before."
"But she won't have her wand. Voldemort will totally have the advantage over her." Harry said. For some reason, he couldn't sit still and sat fidgeting throughout all of his first period class.
"Just trust her."
"I trust her, yeah. But Snape… he's pretty unpredictable."
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"Ah, hello Severus." Voldemort said as Snape strode in, almost dragging Hermione in behind him.
"Good morning, my Lord." Snape replied, bowing and tugging Hermione along with him. She let out a little sound of resistance, but went along unhappily.
"What have you brought me?"
Voldemort's voice was deep and slightly raspy. Apparently, he had found a new human body, but this one suited him a lot better. He looked more mortal and… lively. All of his robes were black, including the hair hanging upon his shoulders, but his eyes shown red in the torches lit about the room.
"Hermione Granger, my Lord. Friend of-"
"Potter. Yes, I see. Why have you brought her to me?"
Hermione's heart was thundering in her chest.
"Would Granger not be an advantage on our part? She could leak information from Potter himself to you and I. And she is quite attractive, is she not?" Snape's voice didn't hold a tone of best regards…
"Indeed she is. I suppose you're right, Severus. And what does the mudblood think of it?" The Dark Lord questioned with a smirk upon his face.
Snape's head turned towards Hermione, who silently panicked at how to handle the situation.
"I'd rather burn in hell than help scum like you!" She blurted out. Hermione cursed herself inside, but still held the burning gaze of Voldemort.
Hermione could tell that he was trying to break into her mind, but she held up her guard strongly.
"Crucio!" Voldemort said, aiming his wand at her.
Instantly pain shot through her. Every inch of her body ached and was weakened. She fell to her knees with a cry of pain and closed her eyes shut, knowing that this was the wrong way to be doing things. She shouldn't be showing weakness to someone who eats it for breakfast.
"I accept your offer, Severus." Voldemort announced, lifting the curse. "But you must break her Gryffindor spirit. I will not tolerate defiance towards me at all. Do whatever you think is necessary. Consider her virginity yours."
Hermione felt like gagging as she slowly stood, covering up all pain she felt.
"Thank you, Master." Snape replied.
"Now, let me mark her, and then you may have your fun."
Mark her? Was he talking about giving Hermione the dark mark? She knew that concealer wouldn't cover up something like that.
"Yes, my Lord."
Snape pushed Hermione towards Voldemort, who readied his wand. Hermione squirmed madly, but couldn't escape her professor's firm grip.
She couldn't remember what spell the Dark Lord had said, but she would never forget the pain she suffered when the dark mark was forced upon her. White, searing pain shot through her arm, making her let out a scream. It lessened when the mark was fully on.
"Did you hear her scream, Severus? You'll get used to it, I'm sure. Enjoy your new toy." Voldemort said.
"I won't let him touch me, you bastard!" Hermione yelled.
Snape raised his hand and before Hermione could scream, he'd slapped her roughly across the face, sending her to the stone ground once again. Voldemort went on as if nothing had happened.
"I'll expect you both to return to me when I call for you. If she doesn't come, you'll be the one to pay."
"Of course, my Lord. We will see you soon."
And with that, the Snape exited the main chamber, dragging a weak Hermione along behind him.
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"It's been hours, Ron." Harry said, looking at his lunch uselessly. His appetite was nonexistent.
"I'm sure she's fine, Harry." Ron replied, shoving food into his mouth hungrily. Ginny watched him in disgust.
"I'm going to run down Snape's office and see if they're back yet."
"Have fun, mate."
Harry got up from the table and exited the Great Hall, walking briskly down the hallways of Hogwarts. The worry he felt for his friend at the moment was extremely vast, and Hermione was the only thing that was on his mind.
He reached the office quickly, and was surprised to find the door open. He walked quietly inside and glanced around, finding everything dark. Harry was about to turn and leave, but out of the corner of his eye he caught a glance of a sliver of light. Walking towards it, he found it to be a door. He knocked lightly.
"Potter. May I help you?" Snape asked, his voice low. He didn't look too happy.
"Where's Hermione?"
"Inside with me." He replied. "Now go away."
"Professor, let me see her." Harry demanded.
"No, Potter, now go back to your class-"
"I insist on seeing her!"
Without warning, Harry pushed the door open and rushed inside, searching the room for Hermione. Snape took a step back, surprised and defeated. Harry's eyes widened when they reached Hermione's sleeping figure. Her face was pale and her breathing looked painful. The knees in her jeans were torn and a bright red hand print shown on her left cheek.
"What the hell happened to her?" Harry yelled.
"Potter, shut your mouth!" Snape said in a low voice, which still held it's same ferocity. "You'll wake her!"
"What did he do to her?" He demanded again, his voice quieter this time.
"Nothing of your concern, Potter. Miss Granger will be in fine health in time to go to her classes tomorrow morning." Snape replied.
"I think it is my concern, actually." Harry retorted. "Either you tell me or I stay here until she wakes up so that she can."
Snape pondered this for a moment. If Potter stayed with her, he could go and converse with Dumbledore about further plans. But if he stayed with her, Snape would be leaving Potter alone in his private chamber.
"Very well. Carry her up to your dormitory and take care of her." Snape thrust a large leather pouch towards Harry. "Have her take these potions when she wakes up to lessen the pain."
"Yes, professor." Harry replied, exiting his professor's office with Hermione floating behind him and a bag hanging from his elbow.
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Oh, this chapter was so exciting to write! I never wanted it to end. How do yall think I'm doing with keeping the characters in character? Oh, and if anyone's willing to beta for me, my e-mail is on my profile. Thanks for reading, please review!