Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related things are not mine. They are owned by the wonderful J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. I make no money whatsoever out of this. It is simply to have some fun with the characters we all love and hopefully improve my writing.

And a big thank you toWhiteDragonHawke and the heart may freeze for reviewing.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Hermione paced nervously around the room. Snape had left her at dawn and still hadn't come back. Not that she really cared for him but if something did happen to him, how will she leave? She wondered whether Voldemort had done something to him. Snape had told her after all that Voldemort was getting sick of waiting for Snape to bring Hermione to him. The plan was for Hermione to act afraid, let Voldemort hit her with a few Crucios and then beg for him to let her join.

Her bravery however was wavering bit by bit. The thought of standing before Voldemort sent shivers down her spine. He wouldn't kill me, he needs me. But then again, what about the Death Eaters? They were as deadly as him. And Malfoy; will he be there? There were so many questions running through her mind but every time she asked, Snape never answered her.

It had been three painful, tiring months. But it was really worth it, thought Hermione. Spending days and nights learning Occlumency and fighting back the Imperius Curse weren't in vain. Hermione was so good at Occlumency now that Snape even almost complimented her.

Snape never really spoke much. Hermione could not believe someone would be capable of not talking for so many days. She of course would speak to him but he'd never reply. Even though she sensed his hate for her grow, she couldn't help but talk. She'd burst if she didn't speak for a whole week. But there was nothing really to talk about. Hermione spent most of her time reading books and occasionally helping Snape with his potions. She did wonder who he made the potions for but Hermione guessed it was for Voldemort.

Not one book off Snape's bookshelf had information about enchanted rings, which frustrated Hermione greatly. There were times where she would just sit and stare at the ring, trying to figure it out.

Hermione walked to the bathroom and splashed some water onto her face.

"Calm down, he'll be here."

She stared at herself in the mirror. Hermione could not believe how much she could change in three lousy months. She didn't really care about her appearance but she couldn't help but notice the bags under eyes, the face that got paler each day and even her hair seemed to be drooping. But the most noticeable about her appearance was her weight. The person who looked back at her was a completely different person. Gone was the pink in her cheeks, the excitement, the confidence. I guess this will satisfy Voldemort though. Even Snape had changed, he was so pale that his eyes and hair stood out so freakishly and he too had lost a lot of weight. Not that Hermione never cooked but they never really ate. She had also accomplished the skill of cooking decent food but it always went to waste.

There was a crack outside and Hermione hurried out of the bathroom.

"Where the hell were you?" she demanded as Snape took the mask off his face.

"Here," he said and threw her a package. Hermione opened it to find black robes. She wore them over her clothes and stared at herself in the mirror of the wardrobe.

"I look like a ghost," she whispered.

"There is no time for you to admire yourself, we need to leave now."

Hermione swung around and faced Snape.

"Now -- we're going now," she choked.

"Yes," said Snape and he took out his wand. He pointed it towards her and Hermione felt something cold slip down her cheeks. She rubbed a finger on her cheek and nearly screamed when she saw was on it. Blood. She had thought he hurt her but she realized she was feeling no pain. Snape aimed his wand at her clothes and she felt them rip apart. She looked back again at herself in the mirror and almost cried. She looked as though she had come from the grave.

Hermione glanced back at Snape. He too looked quite anxious. She managed to smile.

"I won't mess it up," said Hermione softly.

Snape gazed at her for a moment then turned his back on her. "We will not be coming back here; I will destroy this place once we leave."

"Where are we anyway?" asked Hermione, still having no idea where they were.

"I cannot tell you, Miss Granger."

Hermione sighed. She hated all this secrecy. A few minutes later, Snape walked towards her. He seemed as though he was fighting something.

"You have done well, Miss Granger, so there is nothing to fear," he finally said. Hermione's eye went wide and she gaped at him but before she could say anything, the sensation of Apparition took over.

They were standing in front of a huge manor. It looked very dark, there was no light inside. Hermione shook all over as she stared at the place.

"I -- I can't. I'm sorry--"

Snape gripped her arms. "Yes, you can. Just do everything I have told you." He let go of her and Hermione soon felt chains curling around her. Snape saw the fear lurking behind the determination in Hermione's eyes. He suppressed a sigh and pushed her forward.

And before Hermione had the chance to ready herself, she was on her knees in a dark, cold room.

"My Lord," she heard Snape say in a steady voice, "I have the girl."

All was quiet and Hermione managed to look up. She shuddered at what she was gazing at. Hermione had never actually seen Voldemort face-to-face before but there was nothing really to see. It was as though she was staring at a snake in human form. His red eyes were glinting maliciously.

"You have done well, Severus," he said. His voice was so emotionless and cold that Hermione felt as though a bucket of ice fell over her. She closed her eyes and rose to her feet.

"What do you want from me?" she demanded.

She felt the eyes of each Death Eater upon her. Voldemort's thin lips curved into a smirk.

"I have been looking for you for a long time, Mudblood," he hissed.

"Oh really," she said sarcastically, "should I feel privileged because the mighty Dark Lord has been looking for me or should I be quivering in fear?"

The Death Eaters shifted around her, ready to attack but Voldemort put up a hand. Hermione wondered where Snape was as she set herself for a Crucio. But it didn't come.

"Quite a tongue you have there, Mudblood. Tell me, has Dumbledore been teaching you this?"

"Dumbledore," sneered Hermione, "What can a pathetic old man teach?" Hermione knew she had lost it. How the hell could she be talking to Voldemort like this?

"Ah, so you have not been in contact with him?"

Hermione stared at Voldemort and pictured herself hurting Dumbledore. It wasn't very hard because something inside her really did want to hurt him. She knew Voldemort was using Legilimency on her so she managed to keep eye contact.

"And here I thought, Lord Voldemort, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, was all-knowing." Hermione let out a laugh.

Again, she felt the Death Eaters around her fidget.

And then it came. "Crucio!"

Hermione screamed and fell to the floor. She had only once felt the wrath of the Cruciatus Curse but it wasn't as painful as this. The Death Eaters around her laughed. Voldemort raised his wand and Hermione lay panting on the floor.

"No one ever dares to speak to Lord Voldemort like that, Mudblood," hissed Voldemort. Hermione felt every part of her body shriek in pain but she again rose to her feet and smiled.

"Really? Well that's obviously because they're too busy kissing your arse."

"Crucio!" And again Hermione fell to the floor, screaming in pain. This time Voldemort didn't raise his wand.

"Please," she panted after a whole ten minutes.

Voldemort rose to his feet, his wand still aiming at Hermione. He stood over her and laughed.

"Please, stop!" she managed in a whisper.

"Please, what?" he asked.

Hermione could feel her energy draining, she would be unconcious at any minute. She tried to look up at Voldemort but her eyes were burning. And finally the pain stopped.

"My Lord," she heard someone say, "The Mudblood deserves more; she is simply acting weak."

"Quiet, Draco," said Voldemort.

Hermione was on all fours and she managed to stand. She knew her legs would give in at any second, they felt like jelly and she was shaking all over.

"Please, I'll help you get rid of Dumbledore and lead you to Harry Potter," said Hermione.

Voldemort smiled evilly. "Oh, but there is more than that."

"Anything," said Hermione, "I'll do anything for you."

Voldemort walked back to his seat and studied Hermione. Someone stepped out of the tight circle.

"My Lord, you can't possibly be thinking of letting this filth become one of us. She was after all a friend of Potter and had helped him--"

"That is enough, Lucius," warned Voldemort.

Malfoy bowed and stepped back.

"What do you think, Severus?" asked Voldemort suddenly.

And Hermione at last knew where he was standing, right behind her. He stepped forward.

"The girl is of course a tool, My Lord. She will be a nuisance to us all but why deny her? She claims she can lead us to to the fools and there is of course..." Snape trailed off.

Voldemort nodded. "Yes, indeed."

Hermione had the energy to look around and she was quite surprised to see confusion in most of the Death Eaters' eyes. So many of them did not know of Voldmort wanting to use her?

The room fell silent. "Come, Miss Granger."

Hermione walked towards him.

"Your left hand," he said, taking his wand out.

Hermione's eyes went wide. This is it. She pulled back her sleeve and stuck out her hand. Hermione suppressed a moan of pain as she felt her hand burn as though stuck in a fire. Voldemort's wand was pressed onto her hand, his hands curled around it. His touch was cold and Hermione had a difficult time not pulling back. But at last he lifted his wand and sneered as Hermione stared at her hand in horror. The Dark Mark was burning red. It stood quite clearly from Hermione's pale hand.

"You shall come here every week," he said softly so only Hermione could here. She nodded and stepped back.

"Everyone leave, except Severus," said Voldemort in a bitter voice. Hermione looked back at Snape in alarm but he simply ignored her. How was she going to leave without him? She walked slowly out of the room, her muscles still in pain.

Some Death Eaters smirked at her while some glared and flexed their fingers, itching for their wands.

"Why hello, Hermione," said a voice behind her.

Hermione turned around and faced Draco Malfoy. He walked towards her. She had an urge to slap him on the face but kept her distance.

"I wonder, why did you run away?" he asked.

"I realized that staying with you was a waste of time," she replied.

"Did you now? And what suddenly made you think that?"

Hermione leaned on the wall for support and breathed heavily.

"Draco!" said Lucius sharply.

"Yes, father?"

Lucius Malfoy walked towards them. "Ah, Miss Granger, I never thought this day would come," smirked Lucius.

Hermione glared at him. "Neither did I. But hey, I'm glad I wasn't one of the others that unfortunately had to bear the touch of a Malfoy."

Draco took out his wand but Lucius laughed, not a humerous one but a bitter.

"You will need to learn to hold that tongue or else--"

"And that will be a job I will have to endure," said Snape as he headed towards the three.

Lucius raised an eyebrow.

"The Dark Lord has put her under my care," said Snape, answering Lucius' questioning gaze.

"Oh, but I thought I could have a little fun with her," said Draco, licking his lips.

"I would gladly hand her to you," said Snape, "but I must leave." He grabbed Hermione's hand roughly, nodded at the two and Apparated. Hermione fell to the floor once they reached their destination. She simply could not hold herself.

Hermione closed her eyes. She could almost hear every part of her body scream.

"Drink this, Miss Granger," said Snape as he put something to her lips.

Hermione didn't bother to ask what it was and drank it. It had a bitter taste but it made the pain vanish in an instant. She tried to open her eyes but exhaustion fell over and the potion was soon pulling her into a deep sleep

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Well, I won't start begging but please leave a comment telling me what you think :)