Chapter 51
They didn't have time to plan. The snatchers had ambushed them and knocked them out. How they knew that they were there, Hermione nor Harry could tell. Scabior later related that he had smelt her perfume before in the Alley and knew it when he again smelled it a couple times as they were now obviously escaping.
Being young and beautiful drew his attraction, her flesh and natural scent was drawing in Greyback. "You're in heat. You would make a good bitch, give me strong pups." He growls in a semi purr. A shiver of revulsion skates down her spine as she finally looks at her surroundings. ' Things have gone down in quality since the Malfoys defected, huh?'
They seem to be in a warehouse in the wharf district. She really doesn't want to go for a swim in the Thames. Why would they want to use a muggle establishment for anything.
Harry comes to and hears the cackle of Bellatrix Lestrange coming from the other room followed by the anguished screams of Hermione. It sounded like she was under the throes of the cruciatus curse. He needed to get in there, quickly. Who knows how long she had been under it while he was unconscious.
"What have you done to my master, you freak?" Bella screeches, as she casts the curse again. Hermione's back bends and she screams until her throat tears.
Harry looks around, seeing that all the others are not watching him, gets up and disillusions himself. He sneaks into the room and soon realizes that he needs to get her out quick. These crackpots are about to call for Riddle.
He backs out of the room and calls for Dobby and Kreacher. The elves had been told to make silent pops if called on by either of the two of them, because they would be in a dangerous situation.
The two elves pop in and hear Hermione's screaming. "I need you to get us both out. Hermione needs it the most, but Bella and Greyback are right on top of her."
Kreacher tells Dobby to vanish and get next to Miss Hermione, as close as he can. "They seem to be doing this in doses. When they let up even for a second, take her. I'll take Master Harry." With that Kreacher pops away with Harry. He takes him to the Shell Cottage's beach.
Harry sends his patronus to Bill, who he can see in the kitchen window. "Get ready for incoming. Hermione has been under Bellatrix's wand and needs Poppy. Get her parents and George here pronto. I don't want this swept under rug." With that, Harry starts running up the dunes to the cottage. He gets to the door as Fleur opens it and tells him that Dobby and Hermione have arrived.
Bill arrives soon after with the twins, Angie, Dan and Janet and tell him that Poppy will be there soon. She and Susan walk through the floo a moment later. Sue runs to Harry who hugs her hard.
"Sue, Love we have to wait. Hermione has been under the torture curse for more than ten minutes. I say that because I was knocked out and she was already screaming when I came to. It took me ten minutes to get everything lined up to get out of there. I would imagine that Bellatrix and Greyback are very upset right now." George pulls him into a hug and thanks Harry for getting her out of there.
"Are you home now, Son?" Dan asks, while keeping an ear out for his daughter to wake.
"Dad, I can't take her back out there. We have them all. Bellatrix knows something is up. All the time she was zapping Hermione she was asking what we did to her master. I didn't stick around, because I knew they had called for him to come, if they had caught me. He has this weird thing where he has ordered all his lackeys to contact him if they get me."
"Alright, Janet and I will be on the next plane out after Hermione has healed."
"Dan, hold that thought. I have to clear it with my girl, but I want you to give her away, so would you mind if we got married here, if she agrees."
Hermione comes to an hour later.