October 24th

Walking away from Antonin the next morning was harder than Hermione expected it to be. She'd been able to forget about the rest of the world when they were alone. Maybe it was all just an illusion that she was allowing herself to use to pretend her world wasn't complete shite, but it was effective. She could almost imagine when she was lying next to Antonin that there was a future to be had that was worth having. Delusions that perhaps there would come a day when the power struggle would end and she could walk away relatively unscathed seemed possible when she wasn't alone. Whether it was the fact that Antonin was who he was or if it was just the general feeling of not being alone that gave her courage she wasn't sure. All she knew was that when she kissed her husband goodbye and stepped out into the early morning sun, she felt a profound sense of anxiety, fear that nothing good was ever going to happen to her again.

By the time her feet landed in front of The Three Broomsticks she'd managed to almost convince herself that she was being foolish. Hadn't she spent the last twenty years figuring out moment to moment how to keep surviving? This was nothing new. In fact, it was longer than twenty years. Ever since she'd been rescued from the mountain troll in the girls' lavatory and made two new friends when she was twelve years old, she'd had to adapt. Either she would find her footing or she wouldn't. Perhaps it was the wrong attitude to have, but when the worse fate she had to look forward to was death, her situation really wasn't that dire. How many days had she already wished to be snuffed out of existence? Those who died got off easy compared to the ones that had to keep on living.

Madam Rosmerta wasn't pleased to see her cross the threshold of her establishment. Sure, she would've preferred to have been paid than not, but it was evident to anyone with eyes that the aging innkeeper and barmaid had no use for the younger witch. It almost made Hermione laugh. She was used to being around those who did their upmost to hide their disdain for her. It was refreshing to see someone who wasn't afraid.

"I apologize for disappearing, Rosmerta. Unexpected circumstances, you understand."

The witch probably thought Hermione was nothing more than a traitor. Most of those who fought with the Order in the final battle, even if they weren't official members themselves felt the same way. Rosmerta joined many of the other Hogsmeade shopkeepers to fight against the Dark Lord twenty years earlier. While Hermione didn't know all of the details of what happened to the witch when the war ended, she knew that it was only as a result of having some well-connected Death Eater friendships that she was able to return to her tavern. A cousin of Felix Travers, she had to prove that she would be loyal to the Dark Lord repeatedly over the years in order to stay in business. It hadn't been easy.

"Are you planning to stay another night?"

"Yes, I am."

Hermione paid for the nights she'd already had the room and added enough to pay for several more days in advance. She didn't have many options of other places to stay. Remaining with Antonin had been tempting, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was ready for her to leave. While he might have claimed that he was no longer interested in being with Ginny, she couldn't shake the suspicions that were common in wives. Something was off about her husband. One moment he would be right there with her in the present and in the next he was far away in his thoughts. A lot evidently had happened to both of them since the night in Hogwarts when he declared she didn't have a family any longer in the heat of the moment. Part of her worried that she wouldn't ever learn the full truth.

Deciding that she wanted nothing more than a long, hot bath and then an even longer nap, Hermione went straight to the bathroom connected to her room. As she slipped under the steaming water, she closed her eyes. She couldn't get her brain to shut off no matter what she tried. Sitting still and idle wasn't an attractive prospect. After her discussion with Antonin the night before, she wasn't sure who on her list was legitimately working for Rodolphus or who might have been a double agent. If she started taking out the people on the list as she desired, she might inadvertently hurt some of the very people trying to undermine Rodolphus. Until she had more information, she had to be very careful who she attacked. Once again, the secret alliances threatened to do her head in.

Settling her head back on the edge of the bathtub, Hermione closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. The sound of the door to her room opening and closing was hard to miss. Whoever it was didn't bother to be quiet about it. Preparing to leap out of the tub naked to defend herself if necessary, when she heard the squeak of her mattress springs, she relaxed. Rolling her eyes, she settled back down. She should've known it would only be matter of time before Draco came for a visit. Somehow the wizard always had the most impeccable timing. He must've had a sixth sense to tell him whenever she was naked and bathing.

"I know you're there, Draco. May as well come in here to tell me what it is you want to tell me."

Moments later the door opened to reveal her unexpected guest. Expecting to see Draco, Hermione gasped when Rodolphus stepped through instead. He was across the small space in a heartbeat to loom over the tub. Pleased to see her naked, he didn't even make it a secret he was openly admiring her.

"So sorry to disappoint you, love. I know how fond of my nephew you've become."

Hermione was terrified. What was it with being caught unaware in the bathtub by her enemies? It was enough to make her consider giving up bathing altogether. Following her incident with Aubin, she made certain that always brought her wand with her into the bathroom, but even then, she knew she was still not safe. She couldn't imagine that anything Rodolphus wanted from her would be good. He sat on the edge of the tub, acting as if he had every right to be there with her. Even though he'd seen her naked countless times, she'd never felt more exposed.

"What are you doing here, Rodolphus?"

"Heard you were staying here. Why?"

Whether she was more frightened or more annoyed with his visit was uncertain. Both emotions went to battle with each other. Finally deciding that it wasn't important, she took a deep breath and tried to forget how terrified she was.

"Couldn't exactly go home, now could I? Not since it was blown up by you and your mates."

His laughter used to make her smile. In that moment, however, it filled her with dread.

"It's been a long time since you were even there last. Where have you been hiding?"

She didn't know what to tell him in response. Draco never told her what he told his uncle. Any time she was brave enough to ask, he would shut down. She couldn't mention how long she was at Augustus' home. That would put him in more danger than he already was. All she could really admit to was the cottage that belonged to her wretched brother-in-law. When she mentioned it, she could see Rodolphus relax slightly.

"But, I can't really go back there, can I? Not when my brother-in-law wants to murder me."

Rodolphus' eyes narrowed at the reminder of the attack. He was still furious that anyone dared to harm the witch. While that might have brought some sense of comfort to Hermione in another lifetime, she was disturbed by the passion she could see in his eyes. What was he capable of? She only thought she knew the man once upon a time. She didn't.

"I've been unable to find them, but we're still looking. You were gone for the past two nights. Where were you?"

"That's none of your business, Rodolphus. I think you should leave."

She moved to stand up to get out of the bathtub, but a firm hand on her shoulder kept her from getting up. Rodolphus held her in place, only just barely allowing her head to be above the water. The look in his eyes proved that he would hurt her if he deemed it necessary. Many times in the past she had been afraid of that man. She knew what he was capable of. Feeling her wand next to her fingers, she tried to reach for it slowly without him noticing. If he thought she was a threat, he was unpredictable.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Hermione, that everything about you is my concern?"

Her wand slipped underneath her smallest finger and he still didn't notice. His eyes stared into hers, unable to see anything but the fear she was trying and failing to hide there. She had to be careful about cursing the man. If she wasn't successful in putting him down on the first try, she would regret it.

"Were you alone with Antonin?"

"You know very well my husband doesn't want to see me again thanks to your brother telling him my secret."

Some of Rodolphus' anger melted away with his laughter. He still didn't seem convinced.

"And yet he visited you in St. Mungo's twice?"

"Purely out of obligation. Couldn't wait to get rid of me and return to his whore."

Rodolphus smiled and the rest of his anger dissipated. Releasing his grip on her shoulder, he stood. Hermione grabbed her wand, squeezed it tightly in preparation for needing it. When he saw the wand, he wasn't afraid. Just looked around the room.

"This place is hardly nice enough for animals. Why don't you return to the Dower House with me? I'm sure I could find a warm bed for you. One you wouldn't have to be worried you'll be hurt in. Unless, of course, you ask for it."

The churning in Hermione's guts returned at his less-than-subtle offer. She never wanted to return to that horrible house again and she certainly had no desire to ever find herself alone in the man's bed with him again. How was it possible that she used to seek him out? Used to crave his touch? As much as she wanted to blame her actions on her potions, it was only after she started a sexual relationship with the cretin that his brother first introduced her to the illicit concoctions. No, she went to Rodolphus' bed the first several times willingly and happily. Even after the potions, she never did anything she didn't want to do. Further research on the lust potion that was added to the mix only proved it was a mild aphrodisiac. Never was her will or her consent taken from her. She'd wanted him.

"If you insist in remaining in such flea-infested squalor, do be sure your wards are more effective. It's almost like you wanted me to catch you in the bath."

Rodolphus took one last lingering look at her naked body before he walked out. Terrified to even breathe, Hermione waited until she heard the sound of the door opening and closing in the next room before she moved again. Fear like she'd rarely experienced coursed through her veins. She didn't have the first clue what had just happened or why. She wasn't sure how much more of the uncertainty of her life she could handle. Something in her was going to snap soon.