Chapter Five
Hermione was awoken by the sound of the door slamming open. She sat up groggily, her muscles sore from the stone floor.
Draco was standing above her, with chains in his hands. "Stand up." He said, motioning.
Hermione shook her head and scurried backwards until she hit a wall. She scrambled to her feet, almost slipping, but got up and made a run for the door.
Draco raced after her and swung the chains, catching the side of her head and face. She screamed and fell, not moving. Draco went over to her and turned her over. He put the chains on her wrists and stood her up. He swayed a lot, but managed to stay upright.
"Next time I tell you to do something, you had better do it." He growled, crossing the room to the door. "Now follow me." Hermione nodded dumbly, she didn't feel like resisting anymore.
Draco led them down a maze of hallways, all of them lit by torches, until they reached a set of dark wooden doors. The doorknobs were silver coiled snakes, a glimmering emerald for each eye.
He opened them and motioned for her to go through. Hermione hesitated, but remembering earlier, went through quickly.
It was a large square room, with stone walls. Directly in front of them was a large stage, with an ornately decorated throne at the center. But this wasn't what got Hermione's attention. It was the hordes of Death Eaters that filled the room, standing to either side of the door, all the way to the stage, making a kind of aisle for them.
Draco grabbed her arm and started towards the stage. Once up there, Hermione turned around. Her heart was beating mercilessly fast, and her breathing was quick and shallow. She looked at all the Death Eaters, their masks covering their identities, talking to one another, eyeing her.
Suddenly a door slammed open to her right, causing her head to whip around. This brought about a dizzy spell and she swayed a little. She saw that all the Death Eaters were bowing, Draco included, foreheads touching the floor.
Hermione froze as the realization of who must have come through the door kicked in. She slowly turned around and got her first look at him. Lord Voldemort.
He was every bit as snakelike as Harry had said. Bald, red eyes flashing anger, slits for nostrils, but no nose that could be seen. Long cruel fingers extended from hands that disappeared into the black robes he was wearing. Thankfully the rest of him was covered up.
Voldemort started towards Hermione, who was now shaking in fear. But she would not back down. Oh no, if she was going to die, it would be on her feet fighting and not on her knees begging.
"So this is the Mudblood that managed to get herself caught. Who here can take that honor?" Voldemort asked.
Draco lifted his head a little. "I did, my Lord." He said, and bowed again.
"Very well Draco. You have done very well." Voldemort turned to Hermione, who gasped and took a step back. "Do you know why I wanted you? Do you? Because you were a close friend of that stupid boy, Potter. But t has recently come to my knowledge that you might not be so useful as I first thought." With this he took out his wand and pointed it at her. "I guess I shall have to find out myself. Legilimens!" He shouted.
Hermione suddenly felt as though time had ceased to exist and she was just watching a movie of her life at Hogwarts.
First year and Hermione had no friends at all. But even when she befriended Ron and Harry, it felt like something was missing.
Third year, and Hermione and Ron were in a fight over their pets, of all things. Harry had taken Ron's side, which still hurt Hermione.
Fourth year, and now Harry and Ron were fighting. Even then, Ron still wouldn't really talk to her, unless it was to complain about Harry.
Fifth year, with Harry getting more distant than ever.
Sixth year, and Hermione was now at her loneliest. She felt as if the only reason Harry and Ron would talk to her was for help with their homework.
She resented them for it, and worse, resented herself for giving in each time they asked for something. Had she no backbone?
Voldemort withdrew his wand, ending the spell. Hermione staggered backwards, gasping, and almost fell.
"Well now, that certainly was interesting." Voldemort said, and walked towards the throne, sitting in it.
Hermione felt her face go red with shame and guilt for letting him into her mind so easily. Nobody had the right to invade her mind and see her most private thoughts! Thoughts she wished she could suppress, but they just wouldn't go away.
"Ahh my little Mudblood." Voldemort said from his throne. "Who knew that one of the best friends of Potter was having such traitorous thoughts about him?"
At this, whispers broke out among the Death Eaters. Hermione looked out at them all, and then at Draco, who had a look of surprise on his face as he stared at her. Hermione felt tears in her eyes, and then on her face. She stood her ground though, as she turned back to Voldemort.
"You lie. I was younger then, I didn't know any better-" She started.
Voldemort laughed. "You knew exactly what you were doing." He accused. "I can see your thoughts. It seems to me that you're wanting to separate yourself from your friends."
Hermione paled. "No…that's not…I wouldn't…" She stammered.
Voldemort stood up and stalked over to her. He pointed his wand at her. "Don't contradict me girl. You may be able to lie to yourself-" at this point he leaned in and whispered, "-but I know the truth. Crucio!" He yelled.
Hermione fell to the floor, screaming in pain. Voldemort paced the floor, his wand aimed at her. Finally, he let up.
"Admit it, Mudblood. And I shall spare you from more pain." He said.
Hermione was gasping, trying to speak. "I'll never betray my friends." She finally spat out.
Voldemort put the curse back on her. "You will have to learn!" He shouted over her screams. "Who your friends really are. I'm only trying to help you here." He stopped the curse.
Hermione was crying now, laying on the floor. "Please…no more. I can't take it, there's too much pressure on me. Too much…too much." She whispered before drifting into unconsciousness.
Voldemort lowered his wand and turned to Draco. "Take her back to her room." He ordered.
Draco nodded numbly, he was still trying to take in all of the information he had just seen and heard. He walked over to Hermione and said "Locomotor" and she rose and floated after him out of the room, through all the hallways, and into her room.
Draco dropped her down to the ground and turned to leave. He turned back to look at her and for just a second, there was a look of confusion on his face, before his usual mask covered it again. And then he left, leaving Hermione to lay unconscious, once again, for the night.