A/N: Aren't cliff hangers just the best? Lol. I seriously love you guys. You totally keep me writing, and give me hope that maybe one day I can publish my own story (I do have 3 books I've written I'm totally rewriting 1, 1 is lost, and the other is also semi lost). But anyway, I've found my spirit lately, and writing is definitely helping my spirit. So here's to a new chapter. Hermione face her punishment for taking off. I'll have you know, you almost had a cliff hanger again. But I decided to be merciful. I also have to say, I'm proud of myself for all the updates lately.

WARNING: This chapter does involve some violence. Bellatrix is involved and we all know that she is not nice. This warning might also be on the next chapter.

Chapter 27

"Look, Severuss, it appears that your bride was with her friends. You really ought to keep a better eye on her," Voldemort hissed as he took Hermione by the hand form her captors.

"Yes, my Lord," Severus replied holding out a hand expecting his student to be handed over, "I shall make sure she does not stray again."

"Oh no, Severus, I don't think she should go home with you just yet. She needs to be monitored, and the baby should be checked. You wouldn't want her to have harmed your child and have it go unchecked would you, Severus?"

"Of course, you are right, my Lord."

Hermione didn't say anything, she didn't plead for Severus to take her home. She didn't have a home. Instead she held back her tears as she was handed back to her captors.

"Take her to Narcissa. She'll set up a room and an appointment with a healer. And tell Narcissa to have her ready for our celebration tonight."

And her captors did just that, dragging her away into Malfoy manor. She didn't bother to look forward or behind her. She only looked down at her feet but she was exhausted and blacked out.

She woke up in a plush bed. It sent her back to the first time she woke up at Severus' house on Spinner's end. She was alone and confused. The only difference between now and then was the queasy stomach she had from morning sickness. She didn't even know what time it was now. But when she lifted the covers, to prepare to look for something to get sick in, she saw an open door that led to a levorotary, and she ran in, vomiting into the toilet.

"Hermione?"

She knew the voice; it was of course, Narcissa's. And frankly, Hermione didn't feel up to dealing with her just right now, but knew she didn't have a choice.

"You okay sweetie? I know-"

"Just leave me alone please. I have been betrayed. He could have told me. He had time."

"Hermione, why would he? You might have gotten a more severe punishment, because we all know you would have put a stop to it. He didn't tell you because he wanted to protect you. Isn't that why you chose him? You knew he had to protect you, as your professor."

"It doesn't matter. I don't call being knocked up and locked away with death-eaters being protected."

"Really? Because last I checked, if he didn't do exactly what he was told, you'd be locked up in the basement on the cold hard floor. And there wouldn't be a healer waiting outside to check that you didn't do something that caused harm to your child."

Hermione looked away. She wasn't about to admit that she knew Narcissa was right. Instead she got up, and washed the vomit taste from her mouth.

"Well then, let them in, because they have other people to go look after too."

Narcissa ignored the cold treatment that Hermione gave her. She knew the girl wasn't used to this. And she knew that she needed to just get through this with as little stress as possible. So she opened the bedroom door as Hermione took a seat on the edge of the bed. An elderly woman, with silvery hair braided down her back walked in.

"Hello, Mrs. Snape."

"Hello."

The healer looked to Narcissa, as if to ask her to leave, and Narcissa responded immediately, "I cannot, and will not leave."

The healer turned back to Hermione, and spoke in an almost condescending tone, "I heard that you might have made a small mistake and need to make sure everything is a-ok."

Hermione bit her tongue, not wanting to insult this woman, and instead responded plainly, "I disaparated in a moment of panic. I know that it's early enough that it is still technically safe, but I wanted to make sure."

"Alrightie then, we'll just do an ultrasound just to see that everything is alright."

She waved pulled out her wand and waved it in front of Hermione's abdomen. A black and white image appeared and a heartbeat filled the room. That was her child's heartbeat. It was strong and loud and made her own heart skip a beat. She didn't hear that with…she shook the thought from her head and instead focused on the healer.

"Well, everything appears to be perfectly safe. And there is definitely a strong heartbeat. But so far as I can tell, your child is perfectly healthy."

"Thank you, I was sure it would be fine-"

"That's my job, Dearie. Don't worry; just make sure you are much more careful."

Hermione nodded, thankful, that this meant the condescending older woman would now be leaving. And then she remembered it also meant that she would be left alone again with Narcissa.

"Hermione, have you been-"

"Taking my prenatals? Yes. I'm not stupid, you might not know this, but I am often referred to as 'the brightest witch of her age,' so remembering to take my prenatals is the least of your worries."

"Cissy, our Lord has commanded I bring the mudblood to interrogation," Bellatrix's voice cut through the room like a sword.

"In her current condi-"

"ARE YOU QUESTIONING HIS WORD?"

"No I ju-"

"It sure sounds like you are, Cissy, and His word is law."

"Of course, Bella, but she's pregnant."

"He wants her in interrogation. She was with Harry Potter."

And with that Narcissa stayed silent. Bellatrix laughed her wicked laugh as she cast a binding spell on Hermione and levitating her along behind them as they walked down the hall. Hermione could do nothing but watch the ceiling go by above her as she tried to fight back the tears. At this moment, she was terrified. More terrified than when she was first kidnapped. More terrified than when she had to marry Snape. And more terrified than she found out she had to terminate her pregnancy to survive and even stand a chance at having children ever again. Interrogation with Bellatrix Lestrange and Voldemort meant torture. And even though she couldn't miscarry, that kind of thing could harm her child.

"Thank you, my dear Bella. Now, I know you've been waiting, so you may interrogate her as you please. Narcissa, your presence is no longer required."

Narcissa looked to Hermione with a sorrowful look.

Hermione swallowed her tears as Bellatrix laid her down on the floor, "Where is Potter?"

Hermione refused to answer, instead she glared at Bellatrix.

Luna, never, ever tell me where you are. And PLEASE block me out. Ignore anything I say for the next…I don't know how long. But under no circumstances should you tell me anything about where you guys are.

Hermione, what's wrong? Luna was panicked, that much was obvious. Hermione, just tell me what's wrong.

"Tell me where Potter is now you filthy little mudblood."

"Bite me."

Hermione regretted it the moment she said it. As Bellatrix got down on her knees and grabbed Hermione's hand and bit down. She was afraid that Belletrix would rip off her skin, but she only broke it.

"Any other clever ideas, mudblood? Just tell me where Potter and your friends are."

"I couldn't, even if I wanted to. They took off when I was grabbed."

"Harry Potter left behind a friend? I don't think so. Tell me where he is!"

"I. Don't. Know." Hermione said as she spat in Bellatrix's face.

Bellatrix let out a screech and pulled out a jagged knife. "You little Bitch!" Hermione's arm was forced out, lying wrist up as Bellatrix took the knife and pressed it to her flesh. "Tell us where Potter is."

"I don't know!"

Hermione let out a scream as the knife pierced her flesh and Bellatrix dragged the knife. "I don't believe you, Mudblood."

Hermione looked over at her arm, and saw the 'm' in her flesh. And she screamed as Bellatrix brought the knife down again.

"I swear, I don't know where they are!"

Hermione! What is going on? Hermione, speak to me!

"TELL ME THE TRUTH!" Bellatrix screeched.

Hermione bit her lip, to hold back the screams as Bellatrix carved the word mudblood into her wrist.

"I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY ARE!"

A door slammed open.

"Stop this!"

It was Severus, standing in the doorway, with a look like he would kill everyone in the room.

"Severusss," Voldemort hissed, "Do you dare question me?"

"My lord, Narcissa ran to me when she was told to leave. And she was right to. If you intend for her to bear my heir, you cannot treat her like this while she is carrying my child. Besides, I heard the screams, she said she doesn't know."

"You don't think she would lie to protect her friends?"

"When her child's life is at risk, no. And besides, all you have to do is use legimancy to look for the answer my lord, you know that."

"Correct you are, Severus. Shall we?"

Hermione felt someone enter her memories. Searching for Harry's whereabouts. But they couldn't find anything. She didn't want to know where her friends were. She wanted them safe.

"It would appear that you were correct Severus. She was telling the truth," Voldemort spoke, "Take her back to her room, Then get Narcissa to address the wounds."

"Yes my lord," Severus responded as he walked over to Hermione. He knelt down and picked her up in his arms and began to walk away.

"Oh and Severus."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Make sure she is prepared for tonight's party. A little wound like that will not excuse her from missing the festivites."

"Of course."

Severus walked out of the room, holding Hermione close to him, "Put your arm on my shoulder."

"No."

"Do it, now. It will help slow the bleeding."

"Oh."

And so Hermione did as she was told and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I'm sorry that I didn't protect you from this."