THANK YOU ALL for reviewing! Heehee, i feel like such a loser but i get all giddy whenever i get reviews...so, make me GIDDY! i hope u like this new chappie, i wrote it in social studies cuz my sub was REALLY boring.
Hermione retained her composure, knowing better than to betray her befuddlement to the evilest wizard alive. Voldemort smirked malevolently, instantly knowing what young Draco saw in such a young, beauteous creature.
She was different than all the other girls, she had a mind and used it, and she was no coward. She knew how to condeal fear and anxiety, knowing that bringing these weaknesses to light would do nothing to help her in such a situation.
"You are stronger than one would assume, Mudblood." Voldemort sneered as Hermione began to inch backwards, hoping to reach an area where she could apparate. No such luck befell her.
"Avada Kedavra!" She screamed out suddenly, waving her wand lightly, though such a notion was unnecessary. She wanted to make sure that he stayed dead.
Voldemort smiled as he deflected her attack. "Clever little witch, I heard that you can perform wandless magic. Let us see some." He was playing with her and she refused to be the pawn of such a game.
"I'd rather not," She drawled out, mimicking Malfoy's tone. Voldemort concealed his surprise at how gutsy she was by releasing a hollow laugh.
Hermione knew that the only person who could kill him was Harry, or he would kill Harry. She knew better than to bother with a futile attack. She needed to conserve her energy for more prominent causes.
"I don't get why you just don't kill me. I refuse to help you in any way and if Harry was going to 'rescue' me he would have done so by now. I refuse to comply with any of your needs and if you touch me...I'll turn this wand on myself." She pressed Percy's wand to her chest threateningly, smiling contentedly as Voldemort attempted to disarm her, but was unable.
"Nice try." The fact that she was using herself as a hostage was nearly laughable but she did not dare to. Walking backwards she nearly stumbled over a rock but continued backing up, relishing in the look of hopelessness on Voldemort's face.
Willing to risk her death instead of allowing her escape, he quickly shot out two stunning spells to stop her, one narrowly hitting her shoulder. She froze instantly, her body tightening as her arm dropped, her wand no longer pointing to her chest. Cursing she scanned her surroundings, fighting to regain control of her muscles.
Voldemort released a mirthless laugh, slowly sauntering up to Hermione and snatching her wand out of her clenched fist. The Dark Lord leaned his mouth up to her ear, feeling her recoil.
"You're no use to us dead, Mudblood." Voldemort hissed before hissing a curse under his breath. "Crucio" The stupefying spell had worn off and she was already writhing in pain on the forest floor, though she tried her best not to make any noise. That would only encourage him.
"Release her," The familiar drawl commanded, the reluctant Dark Lord placing his wand back inside his robes, eying Hermione angrily.
She panted anxiously, concentrating on apparating...but she was too weak. It did not matter how hard she tried, her body remained firmly planted and corporeal.
"Help me bring her back to the castle, my Lord," Malfoy kissed the hems of Voldemort's robes, a grunt of disgust escaping Hermione's mouth. Neither of them seemed to notice.
Taking advantage of this she climbed to her feet and began to limp further into the woods, praying that her strength would return in time...it did not. Malfoy had caught up with her in time, though he did not stop her with spells, but with a steady arm.
"Hermione," His voice was dripping with sickening compassion. She just shuddered in return.
"Let me go," Her voice was weaker than she would have liked. She enjoyed being strong and resolute, but she sounded like a meek, simpering child. The very thought of this disgusted her beyond belief. The darkness concealed most of his face, but she could see the rage and sorrow in his eyes.
"No, you will be mine again." He replied, his lips stiff and his eyes cold and unfeeling once more. She would not allow that to be his excuse.
"What am I? Some damned prize to be won? I chose. I chose good, I chose the morals that I knew, and I kept my loyalties. I do not wander where the power is, like you. I reply on what is right." These words stung worse than any curse could ever have. Only she could affect him in such an undesirable way, she was the only one with such power.
"You do not know this world anymore. Evil crawls in every crevice, your beloved friends are hiding out, away from the Dark Lord." He watched as a passionate flash of worry filled her eyes.
"My parents?" She croaked, barely able to speak those words. They had helped keep her alive in that dreadful prison, along with Ron and Harry...and even Malfoy, though she would never admit to it.
His hesitance worried her, but at last he answered. "Your mother went quick, she was in a group of other Mud...Muggles, and all of them were disposed of." He tried to keep his voice dismissive, but it did not quite work.
"And father?" The compassion in her voice dug deep into him. He hated knowing how horribly she felt, but he dismissed these feelings. Such emotions would be considered weaknesses in the eyes of his Dark Lord.
"He is not dead. I am unaware of where he is." He betrayed the fact that he had been keeping tabs on her family, but she was too disgruntled to notice. Biting back tears she nodded, longing to apparate. But she could not.
"Don't even try, lover." His voice was back to mocking, but she ignored it. Hermione forced her mind to repeat the fact that she did not love him...anymore.
"You'll never have me. You can possess me, use the Imperious Curse on me, but you will never have me again. I don't want you." She lied, though her cold words sounded like truth. He ignored her.
"You don't know what you want." He responded with equal aloofness, grabbing her shoulder and jerking her forward with surprising strength.
"Unhand me, you fool!" She cried out with indignance, a look of amusement flitting across Malfoy's face. He did not release her, but continued pulling her forward. The affects of the Cruciatus Curse still lingered, and she was no longer as strong as she used to be. Struggling seemed futile.
"I want to find Harry, help him! He still has a chance of surviving..." She stopped speaking the instant her gaze met Malfoy's. There was something of smugness in his glistening gray eyes.
"Not as long as we have you," A cold voice replied. She knew it was Voldemort and she shuddered, hating the thought of him being within an arm's reach of her, hell, she hated knowing that he was even alive.
"According to the prophecy, as long as we have you, he cannot win."
Heehee, i love a good cliffie! Next chappie'll be more about the prophecy, but reviews quicken this process...catch my hint? c'mon, click the lil review button and write what u think...hate it? love it? suggestions?
