Severus paced around the headmasters office, fear growing inside of him every second. He felt for some reason that time was running out for Hermione, that the dream had been her last desperate cry for help. He didn't know how she could have gotten through to him like that, or how he was having visions of her but he was grateful all the same. Without them Hermione might not be able to be saved, and no matter how much he hated to admit it to himself, he desperately needed her.
Dumbledore was busy gathering up the people he needed for their mission. Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Tonks. Dumbledore had told all three of them to meet him outside of the gates in front of Hogwarts as quickly as they could (since they couldn't apparate inside of the grounds).
"Well Severus I believe they are all here" Said Dumbledore. "I do hope it is not too late for Hermione"
Severus gave a short nod of his head to show that understood and him and Dumbledore quickly departed for the gates of Hogwarts.
As they approached the gates, Severus saw the dark forms of the other three wizards in the distance. He didn't like to admit it but he was glad they were coming. He would hate to take any chances with Lucius in rescuing Hermione.
When they finally met up with the three from the Order, Severus was immediately besieged by questions from them.
Severus was less than happy that Black was there.
"What happened? Where is Hermione? What are we going to do?" Said Sirius.
Severus rolled his eyes. He could see that Black had not changed a bit. He was still the immature boy that he remembered.
"We are going to get Hermione back." Said Dumbledore. "Severus here had a vision in his dreams of where Hermione is being kept. She has been taken as prisoner by Lucius Malfoy. We must hurry as we do not know what kind of condition she is int. She needs medical attention immediately."
Lupin looked calm and controlled like always, his dark eyes never leaving Dumbledore's face.
"Well let's go then!" Said Tonks excitedly, tripping over thin air in her haste to leave.
Severus, Sirius, Tonks, Remus and Dumbledore apparated to Malfoy Manor. Because of the wards Lucius had placed on his Manor they were only able to reach the front gates that led to winding path up to his Manor. Dumbledore looked worriedly at the gates.
"I do not know what kind of protection he has placed over this Manor, I am afraid he will be alerted of our presence if we just start disabling all of his wards left and right."
"Ah, but Dumbledore you have forgotten that I used to be a Deatheater" Said Severus with remorse written all over his face. "Lucius taught me all of his little tricks."
His black eyes glittering with savage intensity Severus whispered "EGO servo obscurum intus. Solvo vestri specialis." There was immediately a green shock of electricity that surrounded the castle, the air felt thick with the magic resonating around them. The green slowly faded and they were able to open the castle gates easily.
"What did you do Severus?" Asked Remus softly.
It is an old Latin phrase that I used. It means "I serve darkness within. Loosen your secrets."
Sirius snorted "How predictable our old Lucy is. Well he will never predict this one coming."
Dumbledore muttered a quick spell to put out the everlasting lights that were out in the garden. He had to admit the house was beautiful. It had a dark elegance to it; the entrance was flanked by large black marble dragons. They seemed almost real in the night air, there eyes seeming to gleam with intelligence. The bushes in the garden had been trimmed to resemble dark creatures. Dumbledore didn't like to think of the kind of plants that Lucius would have liked to plant in his garden.
"Walk very quietly." Dumbledore whispered. "I do not believe we have disabled all of Lucius' many wards. He may have something else lurking unseen."
As they walked upon the front steps, Severus could have sworn he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Next second he knew he had. The black marble dragons that seemed too real to be true, were indeed coming to life. It seemed Lucius had placed a charm upon then that enabled them to move when intruders stepped upon the threshold of his house.
The "dragons" roared with an intense ferocity as they leapt at Severus. It had caught him off guard and he was thrown to the ground, the "dragons" crushing weight knocking all the air out of him. He couldn't think for a moment. Then he heard someone shout.
Tonks had seen Severus struggling and quickly shouted "Diffindo!"
The "dragon" was rent in half and left lifeless, now nothing more than the cold black marble that it was before.
Severus leapt up and saw that Dumbledore and Remus had easily managed to overthrow the second dragon. It was lying on the ground in smoldering pieces.
"If that is all Lucius can do, I believe he has rather lost his touch." Said Dumbledore, smartly dusting off his robes as if he had done nothing more than go for a stroll.
"Well, we all know Lucius considers himself and his own cleverness to be above all others." Said Severus ironically. "He probably never expected anyone to get past his first defenses much less his second. It was always his downfall, underestimating people. It gets him in trouble, but he never learns his lesson"
Everyone's face was set and grim, but none showed as much hatred and malevolence as Severus did. He looked as if he would kill anyone that came near him with just one look from his black eyes. His skin was pale and clammy and his breathing was coming in short gasps. He was ready.
They suddenly burst through the front door just as Lucius was coming down the sweeping staircase of his home. He looked immaculate as always. His white blond hair was thick and shiny hanging down to his shoulders; he was wearing crisp white robes that looked as they cost more than all of their robes put together.
"Who dares enter my house?!" He screamed in rage as he galloped down his steps. When he saw who it was, his face paled considerably. His grey eyes widened in shock and he opened and closed his mouth incoherently.
"Hello Lucius, been having a nice time here with Hermione?" Severus asked. Hatred emanating so strongly from him that it seemed to be leaving Lucius speechless.
Lucius seemed to come to his senses and realize that he was no match for any of them and tried to scramble his way back up the staircase, all the while sending a stream of hexes behind him.
"Expelliarmus!" Remus shouted at Lucius.
Caught off guard his wand went soaring out his hand.
Dumbledore lifted his wand and seemed to pull Lucius down the steps, as if a string was connecting his wand to Lucius' body.
"Incarcerous." Said Dumbledore calmly. Lucius' body was immediately bound by ropes; he could not move an inch. Dumbledore also muttered a charm that would not allow Lucius to apparate.
"Do not even try to escape now Lucius" Said Dumbledore. Anger glowing in his piercing blue eyes. "You have wiggled your way out of far too many tight spots. Using your money and affluence to make sure that you wouldn't get caught. But not this time Lucius, even you, snake that you are, cannot squirm your way out of this one. You will be sent to Azkaban where you belong."
Severus' face had vindictive glory written all over it. "You are a sick bastard you know that?" He said cruelly. "I hope you rot in hell for what you have done to Hermione!"
"Let's go!" Said Severus. "I know where Hermione is and it is time we saved her"
"Tonks, would you please watch over Lucius while we are gone." Said Dumbledore.
"Oh yes" Said Tonks sweetly. "Me and Lucius here are going to have a nice little chat on how you treat women. Aren't we Lucius?"
Lucius muttered something incoherent and sent Tonks a dagger like glare.
Severus quickly led the way into the dining room where he knew the hidden door in the wall to be. Remus, Dumbledore and Sirius almost running behind him to keep up with his rampant pace.
He reached the spot in the wall where he knew the trapdoor and to be and looked at it blankly. He muttered things under his breath and ran his hands all along the length of the wall. He then pulled away, a puzzled expression on his face.
"In my dream, it just opened immediately for me." He said quietly. "The wall just seemed to melt and flow together into a door."
"I think I know how to open it" Said a strange voice from behind them.
They all jumped and pointed there wands at the figure of Draco Malfoy.
"YOU!" Severus shouted immediately shooting a hex at him. Dumbledore however grabbed his arm and averted it.
"Calm down Severus and listen to what the boy has to say!" Said Dumbledore.
Severus stopped and glared at Draco, his breathing coming in ragged gasp.
Draco steadied himself for a moment and then walked up to the door. "As you know, my father is fond of dark Latin phrases. He made the mistake of telling me how to open this one day. He was in a drunken rage and boasting of his latest endeavor with Hermione."
Draco leaned against the wall and softly whispered "Ineo super is carcer quod adfero tantum vulnero. EGO vadum exsisto of succurro ut flith intus in ullus via. Ostendo mihi vestri ianua."
"What does it mean?" Severus asked shortly.
"I am not sure exactly." Draco said with a sick look on his face. "Something about only causing harm to the victims within…" His voice trailed off at the vicious look on Severus' face.
Like in his dream, a portion of the wall seemed to turn to liquid and flow perfectly into a large wooden door. Severus quickly pushed it open and sprinted to the cell he knew Hermione to be in. He was greatly relieved to see that the keys were hanging on the wall; he grabbed them and found the one to her cell. He felt a shock of fear as he looked upon her pale form. She seemed to be sleeping.
"Hermione, are you awake?" He called out as he quickly opened the door.
Another shock wave of fear tore his body in half as she didn't answer him. He ran to her side and gently shook her. Still, she did not wake. Anguish gripped his body as he desperately felt for a pulse. He felt her wrist and waited. When he finally felt her weak heartbeat, relief such as he had never known seemed to seep through him. He wanted to weep in joy at finding her.
Dumbledore, Draco, Remus and Sirius quickly arrived behind him a few seconds later. Fear shone on all their faces as they saw the true nature of Hermione's condition. She seemed to be in even worse shape then she was in Severus' dream. Her frail body was covered in multiple bruises and cuts, some looking as early as a day old. Long thin scars spanned across her back and thighs. The full extent of her injuries was not even known, as she was still wearing her pitiful white gown.
Severus gently picked her up in his arms. Her body seemed to be almost feather light. Her back was nothing but ribs razor sharp against his arms.
"We must get her to the hospital wing" Said Dumbledore gravely. "You take her Severus, and Remus would you go with him please. Me, Sirius and Tonks will deal with Lucius and young Mr. Malfoy here."
Dumbledore looked sadly upon Draco who looked ashamed of himself.
Remus and Severus immediately nodded and apparated back to Hogwarts with Hermione's dying body.
Author Notes: Please don't forget to review! This is my first attempt at fan fiction and I want to know what you guys think. -