"I thought you loved Severus. At least that's what you told me when I asked what you were doing with him." Remus sounded pained.
"Things change Remus, you should know that. Some things are just beyond our control."
"Did you have to take up with Lucius Malfoy? The man is evil Hermione he can have no good intent."
"Who says I'm taking up with him? Maybe it's he who is taking up with me. Have you ever considered I might be the bad influence?"
Remus' eyes widened in comprehension, "Hermione you can't mean..."
"Oh, but I can." She smirked, "Obliviate."
"Obliviate"
Lupin blinked and looked about confused. "Hermione?"
Hermione quickly lowered her wand, "Hello Remus," she said putting a sad look on her face. "I suppose you've heard."
He reached for her and gave her a comforting hug. "I'm sure Severus will do all that he can to find them."
She laughed mirthlessly, "That's what I'm afraid of. What if he doesn't come back Remus?"
"He will. He loves you Hermione. He wouldn't dare disappoint you."
"I hope you're right. I guess we should get back before someone thinks they've kidnapped me too."
"It will be alight Hermione," Lupin promised.
"Snape."
"Potter." Severus entered the room. "I've brought you some company."
"Ron!" Harry pulled his best friend into a tight embrace. "What are you doing here?"
"That's what I'd like to know." Ron scowled fiercely.
Severus held up his hand for silence. "I know you both despise me as much as I despise you, but you have to trust me."
Harry let out a snort of derisive laughter. "We're going to trust an ex Death Eater whose former master would love nothing more than to have us killed? Right." His voice dripped sarcasm.
Severus sighed. "You have no other choice."
"Let me get this straight," Harry said, pacing furiously around the small dark room, "You expect us to believe that Hermione put, or attempted to put, the Imperious curse on you in order to have us kidnapped?"
"Yes."
"That's ridiculous," Ron snapped. "She's our best friend!"
"Which makes it a rather brilliant plot if you think about it." Severus smirked cruelly at the shocked look on the boy's faces. "Think about it objectively."
Harry was the first to catch on. He nodded slowly, his face a mask of pain. "No one will suspect her will they? They would blame you."