"My Lord," Severus bowed before Voldemort, kissing his feet.
"You're late." The reptilian voice hissed at him. "Crucio."
Severus writhed beneath the incredible pain but did not make a sound. When it was finished he dragged himself back to Voldemort's throne where he cowered appropriately, "It will not happen again my Lord."
"Rise." The Dark Lord commanded. "What news did you bring to spare your life?"
Severus did not speak instead he removed an object from the folds of his robe and offered it up to Voldemort of inspection.
"Most interesting," the Dark Lord fingered the wand. "Most interesting indeed."
Dinner in the Great hall was quieter than usual. The Gryffindors, usually the loudest, sat silently huddled together. The mysterious loss of two of their own had them all on edge. Hermione positioned herself between Parvati and Lavender. She received sympathetic smiles as she sat.
"You don't think it got him to do you?" Parvati asked.
"Got who?" Hermione looked puzzled.
"Snape! He hasn't been to breakfast in days."
Hermione stole a nervous glance at the head table and was met by the icy eyes of Albus Dumbledore. She swallowed nervously. He knew. She didn't know how, but he knew.
Suddenly Voldemort's eyes turned suspicious. "Explain yourself!"
Severus swallowed once, then twice and managed to find his voice. "Potter disappeared from the school Dumbledore - fool that he is - entrusted me to find him, he was being held outside of Hogsmeade, he tried to attack me when the wards were dropped and he could use his wand again I defeated him." Severus explained in one breath.
Voldemort's eyes smoldered with ill suppressed anger.
Severus closed his eyes, knowing what was to come. Hermione what have you done? He thought as the first waves of pain ripped through his body.
Owls flooded the great hall, parcels clenched in their talons. Hermione watched their progression with immense satisfaction. It would be good to see Severus before she disappeared. She regretted his role in her scheme. But it wouldn't do for sentimentality to stand in her way. She her eyes flicked nervously towards the head table. Albus had risen - his eyes glued on hers – and walked quickly towards her. She glanced desperately at the swooping owls. Suddenly a package dropped into her waiting lap and she felt the familiar tug about her navel as a firm hand closed around her wrist.