AN: Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed, I try to respond to everyone so sorry if I miss you.
Also, apologies if the layout is a bit off, when I uploaded the document the lines between scene changes didn't copy across.
Chapter 7
Hermione awoke with a start; she had been having a nightmare that had started off so well. She had dreamed about going to the Bon Jovi concert, and then the dream had turned sour. Death Eaters had attacked, and she and Ginny had been nearly killed if it hadn't been for Severus Snape. What a strange dream, she thought to herself. Sitting up, she realised that she wasn't in the hotel room in Dublin, nor was she in her room at home.
The room felt familiar, though, but she couldn't place her finger on why. The walls were a light purple, and there were cream drapes around her bed, which had four posters. Perhaps this was the safe house Professor Snape had mentioned, though it was a bit lavish for a safe house.
"Where am I?" she asked herself, "And where is Ginny?"
Moving herself off the bed, she decided to check out the surroundings. The room was suitable for a teenage girl, and even more so, set up for her as she admired the bookshelf in the corner of the room. Moving to the window, she opened the curtain to see a balcony that overlooked a rather large garden. Turning around, she decided that she needed to explore the house, but as she attempted to open the door, she realised it was locked.
"Not a safe house then," Hermione muttered, "Where on earth am I?"
Reaching into her pocket hoping to find her wand, she realised it wasn't on her person.
"Shit!" she cursed, "Perhaps I was wrong to trust Professor Snape."
Ginny gradually opened her eyes and blinked in surprise at the colour scheme of the room, instead of the Gryffindor colours of her bedroom at home and the school dorms; the room was a light purple colour. Where was she, she pondered. She knew she wasn't at Hermione's house as her bedroom didn't look like the room she was in. Attempting to backtrack, Ginny went over the events of the evening before and remembered Death Eater's showing up after the concert had finished. She also remembered Professor Snape saving them from a Death Eater and telling her and Hermione he was going to take them to a safe house. Was this the safe house, she questioned. Whoever the Order member was that owned this house, they were clearly wealthy, if she and Hermione had been given separate rooms. Not wanting to move from the comfy bed, Ginny decided to go back to sleep.
Tom sat in his armchair by the fire in his study; his eyes were on the portrait of him and his wife that sat above the fireplace.
"They are back," he whispered, "Our girls are home."
"Master," a voice called from behind him, and Tom turned around to see Firefly standing before him, a handprint on the elf's face.
"Firefly, what happened to your face?" Tom queried, wanting to know who had dared raise a hand to his elf.
"A man is here to see you," Firefly muttered, "Firefly told him you be busy, Master, but man said that you'd want to hear what he has to say."
"What man Firefly?" he asked.
"He called himself Tobias Higgs, Master," Firefly answered, "I'm sorry, Master."
"No matter Firefly," Tom responded, "I will go see what he wants, and do not worry he will be punished for laying a hand on you."
"Master?" Firefly stared at him, her eyes wide.
"You were dear to my wife, Firefly," Tom replied, "She considered you part of the family and therefore she would have skinned a man alive for touching you and so would I."
"Thank you, Master," Firefly replied.
"Now go get yourself cleaned up, I would like you to deliver breakfast to my girls," Tom spoke, "But please remain unseen, I don't want them to know too much just yet."
"Of course, Master," Firefly nodded, and with a pop, she vanished to the kitchens.
"What do you want Higgs," Tom muttered to himself as he applied the glamour and apparated to the entrance of the manor.
"Milord," Tobias Higgs greeted him, "I come bearing ..."
"CRUCIO," Tom cursed the man, holding the unforgivable for just over a minute, "What made you think you had the right to boss my house elf around, ordering her to interrupt important business for some nonsense."
"It's not nonsense milord," Tobias whimpered, "I have news..."
But Tom cut him off again, this time casting the expulso curse which sent Tobias flying into the wall, "DO NOT CONTRADICT ME!"
"Sorry milord," Tobias sniffed, his plan wasn't well going according to plan, "I just thought you'd like to know that reason last night's mission wasn't a success was..."
"What do you mean last night's missions wasn't a success?" Tom queried, "Severus arrived with the girls."
Tobias was confused; he swore he heard Severus tell the girls he was there on Order business, "Milord, I heard Severus tell the Mudblood and the blood traitor that he was there on behalf of Dumbledore..."
"Are you naturally stupid?" Tom questioned.
"Milord?" Tobias responded, he was even more confused, the Dark Lord looked angry at him and not at Severus. He hoped that by exposing Severus, he could achieve a position inside the Dark Lord's inner circle.
"Severus used his position as a teacher at Hogwarts, to manipulate the girls into trusting him and ensuring they followed him," Tom sneered at the fool before him, "Why do you think he was tasked with capturing the girls and not you!"
"Milord, I am sorry I thought..." Tobias attempted to backtrack but was cut off by the killing curse being thrown in his direction.
"That's for Firefly," he muttered, he then cast a spell banishing the body to the swamps that surrounded Viper Hall.
The sudden appearance of food on the desk in the room reminded Hermione that she was hungry, having not eaten much for dinner the day before having been too excited to meet Bon Jovi.
The food appeared to be a light breakfast consisting of two slices of wholemeal toast, with a small pot a jam enough for the slices of toast, a Satsuma and a glass of pumpkin juice. Despite being hungry, Hermione decided to forgo eating the food before her; after all, she still wasn't sure if she was a prisoner or a guest.
Deciding to head out onto the balcony to see if she could find another means of escape if she was only one story up, she might be able to escape by jumping from the balcony. Opening the door, a warm breeze brushed against her skin. The view was glorious, but unfortunately, she wasn't one floor up but three.
"Merlin," Hermione breathed, whoever owned this house, was obviously wealthy. A sudden thought crossed her mind; perhaps she was in Malfoy Manor. She had heard Malfoy bragging about his large house and having a beautiful garden, and this garden certainly was beautiful, and the place certainly seemed quite big. But one thing didn't make sense, if she was in Malfoy Manor then why was she given a bedroom and not placed in the dungeon. Historically prisoners were housed according to rank. In the muggle world, a noble lord would be given chambers, and a peasant would have been thrown in the dungeon, she had assumed that as a muggle-born she would have been considered a peasant and left in the dungeon. In contrast, Ginny would have perhaps been given a small room, but nothing as luxurious as this.
A low rumble sounded from her stomach, and Hermione sighed, she was feeling rather hungry and was starting to get very tempted to go and eat the breakfast that was put aside for her, despite the possibility that it was poisoned.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE GIRLS ARE MISSING?" Molly Weasley shouted from her position at the end of the table.
"Exactly that," Severus sneered, "You can hardly blame me for the girls' disappearance, I informed you of the plot to kidnap them, I even made sure I was there if you..."
"Yes we all know of the part you play, Snivellus the Spy," Sirius hissed, "I still don't trust you, I bet you let your Death Eater buddies take the girls back to Voldemort, those poor girls are probably being tortured and who knows what else."
"Do we have any idea where they might be?" Arthur asked.
"No," Severus replied tightly.
"The home of one of his Death Eaters perhaps?" Kingsley Shacklebolt asked.
"Per-haps," Severus drawled out, "Which one I do not know, or they could be somewhere else entirely, but I will do my best to find them and ensure they return to safety."
"You best!" Molly growled glaring at Severus not that he was fazed; Mrs Weasley had nothing on an angry Adria Noc.
"I have the utmost faith in Severus, Molly," Dumbledore spoke, "He knows that those girls are safer with us than with their father."
Severus mentally shook his head; those girls were safer with their father you meddling fool. I know why you want them.
Ginny awoke to the smell of toast, eggs and bacon and Merlin didn't it make her tummy rumble. Throwing her covers back and leaping from her bed, Ginny quickly made her way over to where the warm meal was placed. Merlin wasn't she hungry. Eyeing the half English breakfast before her, she couldn't decide where to start. Judging that the best thing to do was to put a bit of everything on her fork Ginny eats her breakfast in a way that would make her brother Ron proud and in a very unladylike manner.
As she cleans her plate, something dawns on Ginny. She had just eaten food that she had no idea where it came from in a place; she had no idea where she was. Sure, Professor Snape had said that he was sent by their parents and he was taken them to the Order but what if he was lying and he had actually taken them to Malfoy Manor. I mean the beds were nice enough, though admittedly her and Hermione would be locked in a dungeon and not given such beautiful rooms. Perhaps Hermione was in the dungeon as she was a muggle-born, and she had been given a lovely room due to her blood status. Why did she eat the food! She cursed herself; they could have poisoned it.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Ginny muttered to herself, well she would just have to hope that her meal hadn't been tampered with.
Hunger won in the end, and Hermione decided to go and devour the toast that had been left out for her, she just preyed that Ginny and herself where in safe hands. After finishing, Hermione started to ponder about the events that lead up to the capture including the several hushed conversations between her parents and more importantly the one that had happened between her parents and Arthur days before. Whatever was going on certainly concerned her and Ginny. Hermione shook her head; they were probably discussing the safe house that Dumbledore and Sirius were going to use to store Harry until he went to Hogwarts and she supposed that Arthur had asked her parents if Hermione could join them after the weekend. Though that did not explain the looks, her parents gave each other whenever Ginny or herself mentioned being as close as sisters. There was something she was missing, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
Tom sat by the fireplace in his solar. He desperately wanted to go upstairs and greet his girls, but he knew they wouldn't trust him and be very wary, so he was waiting for Severus to return from the Order meeting so that Severus could introduce the girls to him and explain everything. He hoped they would accept him, but he knew it would take its time. After all, they had been around Dumbledore too long. Sipping his cup of tea, he called for Firefly to ask for an update on his girls.
"Master," Firefly spoke as she appeared before him, "The girls have eaten though Miss Adanya refused to eat, to begin with, Firefly thinks miss thought it was poisoned."
Tom nodded, his eldest was quite smart, if, in fact, he had been the enemy it could have been poisoned, "and Leilah?"
"Miss Leilah ate hers like a savage Master," Firefly shook her head in disgust, "those blood traitors who raised her hadn't teached young miss table manners."
"Perhaps she was hungry and assumed she was alone?" Tom asked.
"Young Misses should always eat proper," Firefly stated, "Miss Adria always did."
Tom just nodded, not wanting to argue with his elf.
Suddenly the fireplace roared to life and out stepped the very man Tom had been waiting for.
"Afternoon, Tom," Severus spoke, his voice stressed.
"Severus," Tom greeted, "Is everything alright?"
"Molly Weasley is the most complete and utter belligerent bitch that I have ever met!" Severus sneered.
"Let me guess; you can't be trusted?" Tom asked a light smile on his face.
"Apparently it is my entire fault the girls have gone missing," Severus snarled.
"It is," Tom smirked at his friend.
Severus shook his head.
"I have something that might cheer you up," Tom grinned.
Severus raised an eyebrow at his friend before sitting in the chair opposite, "do tell."
"I had a visit from a Tobias Higgs this morning," Tom stated.
"What did he want?" Severus asked.
"To inform me that you couldn't be trusted and it was your fault that the girls were back with the Order," Tom spoke lightly, "He told me all about how he had overheard what you had told the girls."
Severus watched the amusement dance in his friend's eyes, "Then what?"
"Well, I informed him he was an idiot," Tom sniggered, "I mean, did he expect the girls to just go with a random adult and not a teacher."
"So how does this cheer me up?" Severus asked.
"Well he turned up here demanding to see me," Tom spoke, "Firefly told him I was busy and then Higgs hit the poor elf."
"He hit Adria's elf?" Severus asked.
"He did, so after he babbled on about whatever I killed him and banished his body to the swamps," Tom's voice was laced with ecstasy, "He is currently dinner for whatever resides in those swamps."
"A death well deserved," Severus nodded.
"Care to introduce me to my daughters?" Tom asked after a few moments of silence.
"Certainly," Severus nodded, "Though I do not expect there to be a positive reaction."
"I don't either," Tom stated, "What is the best way to do this?"
"I can collect the girls from their rooms and bring them to the library?" Severus suggested.
"Works for me," Tom stood, "I will see you there shortly."
Severus made his way to the girl's bedrooms, hoping that this meeting went well.
Stopping in front of Adanya's door, Severus knocked heavily on the door.
"Who is it?" the voice called from the other side, "I can't open the door to let you in. I'm afraid."
"It is Professor Snape, Miss Granger," Severus responded, "If you are decent, I can let myself in."
"I'm dressed Professor," Miss Granger or Adanya answered.
"I am coming in then Miss Granger," Severus stated as he opened the door.
"Prof-," the girl started.
"Now I am sure you have lots of questions, but I will answer them when Miss Weasley is with us," Severus cut the girl off.
"Ok," Adanya replied, "I was only going to ask if you knew where she was."
"Next door I believe," Severus stated, and he quickly moved to the next room and knocked again.
"Miss Weasley," he called out, "It is Professor Snape, may I come in?"
"Just let me open the door sir," Leilah or Miss Weasley for the time being shouted.
"Miss Weasley, you cannot open the door, allow me," Severus spoke with authority, and he opened the door from his side.
"Profess-," Miss Weasley attempted to query her Professor.
"Miss Granger is right here, Miss Weasley, "Severus stated calmly, "Now you can hug and get reunited quickly we have an important meeting to attend."
"Hermione!" Miss Weasley squealed and launched herself at the girl, "I'm so glad you are alright."
"I'm glad you are ok too Ginny," Miss Granger return the hug.
"Girls, I have something important I must discuss with you, and it is imperative that you listen to me fully before jumping to any conclusions," Severus spoke with authority, "Understood?"
Both the girls nodded.
"Welcome to Viper's Hall," Severus spoke, "If you follow me, I will lead you to our host."
Severus guided the girls through the maze of the mansion before they arrived in front of the door that led to the library.
"I warn you, girls, that despite the fact that the identity of the host will shock you, neither of you will come to any harm and you are both perfectly safe here," Severus pre-warned the girls before he opened the entrance to the library.
As she followed Professor Snape into the library her mind racing at all the possible her host, but none of her guesses were correct, and nothing could have prepared her for the handsome man who sat before her. She'd seen pictures of him in yearbooks at Hogwarts, and she knew who he was, but he didn't look as Harry had described him a few weeks ago. In fact, he looked more human. Taking a step in front of Ginny, Hermione prepared herself for whatever curse came their way.
"I don't mean you or your sis-friend any harm," the man before them spoke softly, "I trust Severus, has already informed that neither of you will come to any harm in my home."
"I have Tom," Severus nodded.
"Sorry, if we don't believe you, Riddle," Ginny shouted from beside her, "After all, I have already been hurt once because of you."
"Severus explain now!" the man demanded.
"In Miss Weasley's first year she was given your diary," Professor Snape replied, "It decided it was going to use Miss Weasley as a host for your return."
"She shouldn't have been affected!" the man sneered.
"Interference" was all Professor Snape stated.
"Cut the act," Hermione spat out, "I know who you are Lord Voldemort, and I know that Professor Snape is a follower of yours, there is no way we are safe."
"Severus is more than a follower," Lord Voldemort smiled at the girl, "He is a dear friend to both my late wife and me."
"You were married?" Ginny asked.
"I was, my darling wife, she died on the birthing bed, bringing my youngest daughter into the world," he sighed sadly.
"I'm sorry," Ginny muttered.
"It's not your fault," he replied.
"If you aren't going to hurt us, then why are we here?" Hermione asked, "We are bait, aren't we?"
"No, you are not bait Miss Granger," Professor Snape answered, spitting out the word bait as if the idea disgusted him, "Sit down, and we will explain everything."
Neither girl moved at first, but after the glare sent to them by their Potions Professor, they reluctantly sat down in the chairs opposite from Lord Voldemort and their Professor sat down next to him.
"Perhaps I can have some refreshments brought up?" the handsome Dark Lord asked.
"Some water will be fine," Hermione commented, and Ginny nodded in agreement.
"Certainly," he smiled in a friendly manner, before summoning his elf "Firefly."
"Master," an elf popped into the room, a bruise on her face.
Hermione growled, "You abuse your elves?"
"No-" their host spluttered but was cut off by the elf in question.
"Master, would never hit Firefly," the elf turned to face Hermione, an angry look on her face "Nasty man hit Firefly, not Master."
Hermione was gobsmacked, here she was with a man that was considered evil, but he had more respect for House Elves than most people she met.
"Firefly," Voldemort addressed the elf, "My- Miss Granger meant no offence; she doesn't know me."
Now he was defending her, and she noticed that slip, he almost called her something else.
"Sorry, Mistr-miss," the elf bowed, "Firefly didn't mean to get mad."
"I'm sorry I accused your Master of hitting you," Hermione responded, "I don't like people who are cruel to House Elves."
"Like Mistr..." Firefly began but was cut off by her Master.
"Firefly," he addressed the elf, "Can you please bring a jug of water, with two glasses, a pot of tea and two mugs."
"Of course, Master," Firefly nodded before popping away.
"Now let's discuss," Voldemort stated.
What did you all think?
Hope you all enjoyed it.
Thanks to everyone on The Death Eater Express Facebook page who expressed their excitement about this chapter.
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