Chapter Three
Captured
Scabior had been sitting high amongst the branches of a strong and sturdy tree. It was his favourite place to sit and think, looking out at the forest around him, watching the birds in nearby trees.
He had been slouched on a thick branch, his back against the trunk as he drowsily considered his job. He needed a catch. As much as he loved his job- having been prepared for it for most of his life- the pay wasn't guaranteed. If he didn't find another Mudblood soon, he was going to go hungry for the next month.
Something else was bothering him.
There had been a distinct lack of women wandering around recently.
The Mudbloods he caught were always far too keen to exchange sex for their freedom. Back home even the under-age witches had thrown themselves to his attentions. But recently it had only been men. Not the feisty witches he'd caught for months at the beginning. They had been all too eager to please him in exchange for their release… and it meant he got his too.
He wasn't like some of the others. He wanted them to want it too. And usually they did. Since he had come of age a large percentage of women had flocked to him, finding something attractive within his cheeky and mischievous personality. Mostly, around him, women just wanted to have fun.
And he wasn't about to complain.
It was as he considered his next pay and how many weeks he'd have to make do without if a Mudblood didn't show, that a rustling below him made him open his eyes.
He held onto the branch above him, leaning round to see someone clambering noisily through the undergrowth. He almost chuckled, seeing that the person was making so much noise.
He watched as they slipped slightly, the blanket falling back slightly, revealing long hair.
A woman. She looked to be of age as well.
Perfect.
And so he had waited, watched from the safety and unseen hiding place he had chosen just for this reason. He climbed down slowly, keeping his eyes on her as much as possible. And he was wild, a perfect creature of the forest. And he had been playing in it since he could walk. He'd always returned home with broken limbs from climbing trees and cuts from falling down holes and running through mud.
Yes, he had been born to be a Snatcher. To live hunting.
And his pray looked delectable as she crouched down and splashed water across her face and neck. He watched, entranced as the beads of water slipped under her collar. Oh yes. It had been a very long time- the hitch of his groin reminded him.
As he settled on the lower branch, letting go of the one above, it sprang up, almost hitting a bird and making it take flight.
He turned, eyes on the girl through the leaves. Yes, she was definitely of age. He stayed back, hidden in the shadows, protected by the mass of leaves. He looked at her, into those wide, panicked eyes and licked his lips.
Merlin he loved the thrill of hunting. It was especially more fun when it was women, when he could hunt them, charm them… fuck them. Yes, this one looked particularly delicious. Her wild, brown hair was tussled, bed head hair. And it made him want to tangle his hands in it.
Yes, this one was his.
And he saw how startled she was as she moved to hurry back in the direction she'd come from. Merlin, what the girl was doing in the middle of the forest on her own was beyond him. But at that moment all he cared, was that she was his. She had appeared at just the right moment, like fate had granted her to him.
He smiled darkly. He was going to enjoy this.
When he approached her, teasing, he saw the delicious fear in her eyes. Yes. They were always scared at first, unsure and afraid of where he'd take her. That was normal. But then he's approach them, tease them, whisper things in their ear. Sometimes he didn't even need to make suggestions. Mostly they just caught on.
But this one was different. With this one he was going to have to tease it out of her, work it out of her. And with her, he really didn't mind at all.
He ripped the blanket from her; saw the shape of her figure beneath her night clothes.
No… He didn't mind at all.
He chuckled as she crossed her arms, but didn't miss the reason why. And her breath was rising in a mist before, quick and panicky. Like a frightened rabbit cornered by a fox. He smiled.
He teased her face with his wand, taking her in. She really was beautiful, delicate… delicious. He couldn't wait to devour her. He took in her ripe, rosy lips, her flushed cheeks. Her skin was pale from the cold but it was creamy and smooth.
His eyes travelled down that expanse of neck, wanting to bite down on it. But he would wait. He would work on her, tease her. It was no fun if they didn't participate. If they didn't want it back. He'd seen enough Snatchers doing that, enough Death Eaters doing it. It just didn't look as fun as having a willing woman beneath him, before him, on her knees, on her back, on her front. No. He would work this one up to it. No matter how reluctant she seemed, he knew she'd want it. They always did.
A threat of Greyback here and there, who would any normal person choose?
She fought him as he pulled her arm away from her chest. She was a feisty one, this one.
"Don't!" She repeated, sounding scared, pleading him.
"Shhhhh…" He reached out, soothing her hair with his hands. "You don't know what I'm gonna do yet…" He sniggered slightly. "You might enjoy it."
And that was the point they usually understood. As he reassured her he fully expected her to accept his attentions, his silent proposal. But to his surprise she called out.
"No."
iNo?/i
"No… I won't!" She froze as his body pressed against hers. His smile broadened, not missing her gasp. That was better. He pressed his body flush against hers and felt her knees buckle slightly as he leant into her hair. That was better.
He inhaled, taking a deep breath into her hair.
iWhat?/i
He pulled back immediately, staring at her, searching her eyes. It was her. That smell! It had been haunting him when he caught the scent weeks ago. He had been sure something was there in the forest, he was sure he had smelt something.
Something floral and sweet and something he would contribute to the idea of innocence. Pure. She smelt pure… with a hint of vanilla.
"It's you." The words slipped out, smooth as he found the idea of taking her uncontrollable. He was hungry for her, starving almost. He was desperate to take her, to have her. She was his. He had caught her, he had smelt her all those weeks ago. He was meant to have her.
"It's you…" he said again. "That smell… It's been driving me crazy for weeks."
He barely took in the panic and confusion in her eyes. It was all too delicious. Too mouthwatering.
His lips crashed onto hers. Her cry made it even delightful as he slipped his tongue into her mouth. And she tasted like everything he thought she would. Innocent, sweet, like honey. Merlin. She was so sweet, tasted like pureness mixed with sugar. Fuck.
He couldn't help himself. He ignored the fists at his chest. She wasn't hurting him. She struggled against him, making his arousal worse. He couldn't help the groan that escaped his throat only to be captured by her mouth. Merlin. She tasted so good, made him want more. His hand reached up, tangling in her wild, tussled hair.
When he bit her it surprised him. It was the first time anyone had done that aiming to hurt him. It intrigued him. This one was wild, feisty… unable to give in to her own desires. It must have been all that pureness clogging up her veins.
Another threat of taking her to the Werewolf. But he never had any intention of that. He wanted her. He wanted her to himself.
He teased her, taunted her, the whole time trying to get her to submit to him. Her breath hitched when his slid his hand down her chest, his thumb flicking across her nipple. He knew it. He knew she wanted it. Whether she knew it or not, her body definitely did.
But then she completely caught him by surprise. She didn't hit him that hard, but caught the edge of his nose, painful enough to make him groan and swear. He kept his grip on her, fuming. He hadn't hurt her the whole time he'd had her in his grasp. And he could have done! He could have handed her over to Greyback, to the other Snatchers who weren't as polite as he was.
He climbed over her, turning her over to shout at her. How dare she hit him! How dare she! Because no woman had ever done that after he'd shown her his attentions. It just didn't happen!
"I was trying to be nice…" He spoke through gritted teeth, holding her in a bruising grip on her upper arms. He shook her. "If you wanted a monster, I could have turned you over to Greyback. I just wanted a bit of fun… I wouldn't have hurt you… you would have enjoyed it."
And it was true. That was his only intention. To have some fun with her, she'd have enjoyed it too, he'd have made sure of that. Especially this one. But now… Now he didn't know. Mostly he just wanted to shout at her for hitting him.
"If you don't shut up, Greyback will be the one you're answering to." He warned her, still fighting against her struggles. Because if she didn't shut up someone was bound to hear her, and he really didn't want that monster getting his hands on this one.
But then it happened.
"Fine! Fine! I'll answer to him! But please! Please don't do this!"
Her cry, her sob struck him, hard.
He froze, staring down at her in shock and confusion.
iWhat had she just said? She would rather answer to Greyback than have some fun with him? What? What was with this girl?/i
And then he saw the tears, realised she was shaking, and not from anticipation. She was afraid of him. That was when he realised what she was thinking. She thought he was going to rape her!
Shit.
He stepped away from her hurriedly, straightening his jacket. Normally the women were so consensual. He'd never had one refuse him before. Never had a woman fear him like she appeared to be doing.
Shit.
He felt quite sick all of a sudden. Because he just wasn't like that.
He looked down at the delicious girl, full of the scent of pureness. Tears were wet on her face as she looked fearfully up at him.
He turned and walked away, dropping her wand behind him. No matter what he was, how much of a monster he may be. There were some things he just didn't do.
Hermione was grateful that neither Harry nor Ron questioned her lie. She picked up her sodden blanket and took Ron's hand as he helped her up the slope. But as he pulled her in, moving to put his arm around her, she pulled away.
It was all too much. Her skin was crawling. The Snatcher's scent was still around her, that smell of earth, of the forest.
She pulled away from Ron, wrapping her arms around herself.
"'Mione?" Ron began to question, but then she snapped out of it.
"Sorry Ron… Sorry… Harry, we have to go. We have to move the camp!" She managed to stammer, looking about, in the shadows of the trees. The fog didn't seem so safe, so protective any more. She felt as though the Snatcher and his friends would burst through it at any time.
"What?" Harry began.
"I think I saw someone…" She lied. Because she most definitely ihad/i seen someone, up close and far too personal. "I… I think they saw me." She explained, spinning to face both the boys.
For a second their mouths hung open, processing her words, before they hurried to pack up the camp.
Hermione swore to herself, ignoring the boy's questioning.
Was she alright? Was she?
No. No of course she wasn't! And she was still shaking.
Her heart was still beating all too quickly, trying to calm itself after their hurried escape from Xenophilius Lovegood's house. She was pacing behind them, erecting protection barriers.
"Protego totalum… Salvio hexia…"
But the boys were walking off.
"That treacherous old bleeder!" Ron panted, as he stormed ahead of them.
"You can hardly blame him Ron." Harry interjected.
She turned, sure that the sound of a twig snapping had sounded from behind her. But the boys were stomping ahead, the forest floor crunching loudly beneath their feet.
"They've kidnapped Luna because her father supported Harry." Hermione explained, cutting in now, but Ron was still storming ahead.
She turned again, unable to shake the uneasy feeling that had fallen on her since their apparition from the 'Treacherous Old Bleeder's.'
Something wasn't right.
And then she heard Ron still.
Following him expectantly, awaiting another comment about the Lovegood's, Hermione froze on the spot when she realised why he'd stopped. Her heart rose from the pit of her stomach, to the top of her throat. Her eyes widened slightly as they fell on the man, standing metres away from her.
There, leaning languidly against a tree, eyes piercing hers- was her Snatcher. The one that had haunted her dreams for weeks. The one who's touch still crept beneath her skin, reminding her repeatedly of what had almost happened.
He smiled as she clambered after the redhead, eyes down on the ground at first before they looked up and rested on his. And that look, that look was just a delicious as he remembered. That frightened shimmer in her eyes as she took him in, fear thrumming through her body. And he could practically taste it. Practically taster iher/i already.
His dark-rimmed eyes took her in lazily, toying with something that lay at his neck. But she could look no where else but those eyes for that terrifying moment. She couldn't even tear them away to silently question Harry and Ron.
"Hello Beautiful."
His voice broke the silence, her heart pounding inside her chest. And it was as though no one else existed, like there was no one else in that forest but them. He was staring at her with those hungry eyes. The eyes that told her, he was looking forward to the chase.
And he was. He couldn't wait for her to run. To be able to chase her down.
iRun./i
The voice in the back of her head scolded her.
iRun!/i
Because her feet felt like lead. Her eyes wouldn't tear themselves away. The figure from her nightmares was there, real and more than eager to hunt her down.
He couldn't wait to catch her, to see that fear in her eyes up close, smell that scent in her hair once again… and taste her. Merlin he still wanted to taste her damnit.
iRun! Think of Harry! Think of Ron!/i
iRUN!/i
And finally her feet obeyed her, a step backwards at first. And it occurred to her that it had been a matter of seconds, but coming face to face with him again, it had felt like it lasted hours.
She tore herself away, pelting after Ron. Eternally grateful that he had acquired a wand for Harry.
His eyes followed her as he smiled after her, giving her a head start. Because this was his favourite game. He loved to chase them down. And he was more than eager to hand her over for what she had thought of him the last time they'd met. He was eager to get the sack full of galleons a beauty like her would fetch. It would serve her right. It would serve her right for denying him. Because if she hadn't then he'd have let her go… possibly.
Because he had to confess as he pelted after her, she had been haunting his dreams of late. He imagined that he could smell her in the air around him. It was stuck to him, distracting him. And he found himself hoping to come across her. And thank Merlin he had.
He just wished that maybe they'd had the opportunity to be alone again.
Damn it.
iStick to the plan Scabior. You need this money. You saw the look she gave you. A mix of fear and disgust. Just use her for the money and be done with her. /i
He scolded himself, and a scolding was what he needed. Because he had followed her scent when he had last come across it and the disappointment he felt to find that it was just her scarf, had struck him by surprise.
He was lusting after a Mudblood. After his pay-check. That girl was worth galleons and he was lusting after her… He just had no idea why.
They tore into the forest, jumping, stumbling and running so that their legs burned. She fired back at the Snatchers behind them, tried to hinder them. But there were more of them. And so few of her.
She ran, legs moving until they screamed from the effort of it. Her eyes caught a flash of him and her heart pounded against her ribcage.
iRun. Don't let him catch you!/i
Because she was so terrified of what would happen if she stopped, if she was caught. And for once it wasn't just the fear of Death Eaters capturing her… it was the fear of ihim/i capturing her… and the things he would do.
She'd woken a lot the past few nights, too hot after nightmares concerning what had happened with the Snatcher. Only in her dreams, he didn't leave. And she always woke with a jolt, sweating and scared but mostly of herself. Because surely that was sick and twisted?
She blamed it on her lack of sleep. Told herself there was no way she could control her own dreams. But all the same it frightened her. And she most definitely did inot/i want to be caught by him again.
She scrambled over a fallen tree, jumping a large rock as she began to run down a slope. Merlin they were everywhere. It was barely a comfort when she couldn't see her Snatcher amidst the ones running close by. But her heart was in her throat. If they didn't hurry they were going to get caught.
And that's when she stopped, the Snatchers behind her were still too far off. But there, before her were more of them, popping out from behind the trees. They had hurried round, cornered them.
iShit./i
She turned and apologised, aimed a stinging spell at Harry's face and watched as he fell. She was grabbed violently from behind, strong, thick arms wrapped themselves around her.
iNo!/i
Her heart was in her throat, pounding there just as hard as it had against her chest. She panted, trying to catch her breath but struggling at the same time. She wasn't going to make this easy on them.
"Don't you touch her!" Ron shouted but her shriek caught in her stunned throat as he was punched in the stomach.
And he saw it as he strode over. He saw the ginger's valiant effort to protect the girl and sneered. She hadn't spotted him yet. He enjoyed seeing her struggle, but was eager to be close to her again, to remind her that she'd missed her chance for freedom.
Merlin, he just couldn't help but want to tease her.
"Get off me!" She demanded forcefully. But as she struggled in the grip of the Snatcher, she heard a smooth voice as more footsteps approached.
"Your boyfriend'll get much worse than that- if he doesn't - learn- to behave himself."
He spoke slowly, purposefully staring at her as her eyes looked up, realising it was him from the sound of his voice.
The light of his wand hit her face, highlighting those deep, frightened eyes.
And as far as he was concerned, the red head ishould/i have gotten much worse than the punch to the stomach. He should have protected her. Something delicate like that needed saving, rescuing. And the red head had done a piss-poor job.
He smirked at her as he finished, she didn't miss the comment, her head flashing back to their last encounter. She remembered his warnings to behave and then she saw Fenrir Greyback, holding onto Harry.
Oh no.
Oh God. Oh Merlin. Oh shit!
Reluctantly he moved his wand away from her, following her gaze to the werewolf. He cast the light of his wand onto the dark haired guy they'd caught. As the light hit him, it revealed a swollen, disfigured face.
"What happened to you, ugly?" Scabior grimaced at the dark haired guy that had accompanied her. What the hell was she doing with these two losers?
Fenrir turned, his teeth bared.
"Not you… 'im." Scabior pointed at the black haired one and stepped closer.
When he didn't reply, Scabior continued.
"What's your name?"
"Dudley. Vernon Dudley."
Hermione almost let out a sigh of relief. He had said the name as though it was his own. Hopefully they'd buy it.
iPlease let them buy it!/i
"Check the list." Scabior instructed Greyback. "And you, ginger?"
"Stan Shunpike" Ron groaned, evidently still in pain. And suddenly the Snatcher's boot was at Ron's neck as he struggled on the floor. Hermione wanted to cry out but her words felt stuck inside her throat.
"Like 'ell you are. We know skinny Stan. Try again." He was relishing causing the red head pain as he pressed harder. He wasn't sadistic by nature, but when idiots did come wandering into his presence he couldn't help it. Besides… this guy had been with her… and part of him wanted to know why? He'd seen his valiant act, too little too late. Not enough to save her.
"Barney Weasley!" Ron rasped and Hermione wanted to sob in relief. At least it was believable.
"Weasley eh? Wouldn't be related to that blood traitor Arthur Weasley would you?" The Snatcher questioned.
iOh no./i
"Piss off!" He received a kick in the stomach from the Snatcher. Her breaths came out too quick, her heart was pounding. She was struggling to get free but nothing would help. "Arthur Weasley's ten times the wizard you are!" Ron continued and she wanted to scream at him. To tell him not to argue. But the Snatcher had looked up at her again. And his eyes were warning her not to say a word, before they slid over and fell on Greyback.
She closed her mouth as the Snatcher returned to Ron.
"Wasn't you that tipped him off was it?" Scabior questioned. But he was no longer interested in the red head. Looking up at that pretty little thing had reminded him of what he could be doing. Taunting her was going to be much more fun.
He couldn't help himself. He couldn't give a shit about the two fellas that had been caught alongside her. He just wanted to be near her again.
Hermione couldn't help herself. That mix of fear and… well… something else she couldn't possibly name or consider, had her staring at that man. She was vaguely aware that Ron was being questioned by Greyback.
She tore her eyes from his at the last minute, his smirk unnerving her.
"A Weasley?" rasped Greyback. "So you're related to blood traitors even if you're not a Mudblood…"
iOh God! Of course! Think Hermione! You have to lie!/i
Greyback turned; approaching her, another Snatcher or two must have been holding Harry now. But she froze, her heart pounding in fear. She'd been wrong. This was much worse. Much much worse. Being in the presence of Fenrir Greyback was far more terrifying than the Snatcher she had encountered.
The stench reached her nose, making her want to gag as he stood before her, too close again. It was the stench of rotting meat and wet dog hair. Merlin. She felt so sick.
He smiled darkly at her, his teeth yellow and dripping with saliva as he licked his lips.
"…And what about your pretty little friend…" She couldn't help the tiny whimper that left her lips.
The relish in Greyback's voice made Scabior's skin crawl. No. No, not her. Not her.
And before he had noticed what he was doing he had stepped over to them both, hand on Greyback's shoulder as the other Snatcher's jeered.
"Easy, Greyback."
And it didn't sound like a warning. But it was. She was his. She was his perfect, delicate little Mudblood. His paycheck. His way of life for the next month. He needed the money, and no way was this mut taking that away from him.
"Oh, I'm not going to bite just yet. We'll see if she's a bit quicker at remembering her name than Barny." Scabior motioned for Greyback to move by nodding his head. Fenrir moved, advancing on the dark haired guy they'd caught.
He smirked down as her fear-filled eyes followed Greyback at first before looking up at his, a flash of thanks in them. He wanted to chuckle at her, but smiled instead. Because once that flash had gone, she seemed to realise that she'd gone from one serious situation to another.
"And… what's your name beautiful?
And that question ihad/i bothered him since he'd last seen her.
"Pe-Penelope Clearwater… Half-blood." She replied. And he was too close. So close he was almost touching. Her skin was on fire again and she was trembling, frozen.
She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe.
He was sure that she was lying. He saw the flicker in her eyes as she said the name. He knew a lie when he heard one. But he let it slide. In front of all these monsters he'd let it slide. It didn't really matter iwhat/i her name was. As long as he got his money for her.
He leant in, stroking her hair before inhaling its scent. Merlin, she was mouthwatering.
"You smell like vanilla Penelope… I think you're going to be my favourite."
Her breath had caught in her throat, almost feeling the skin of his cheek against hers, he was so close. His lips were moments away. Her heart was pounding so hard, so fast that she was sure he must be able to hear it!
"There's no Vernon Dudley on 'ere."
And then he turned, a smirk on his face as he turned his back to her.
Reluctantly he turned away. At least that would serve her right. He'd just reminded her how easily it could have been, if she'd just given herself into him the last time they'd met.
"Hear that, ugly? The list says you're lying." Greyback growled at the dark haired fella. "How come you don't want us to know who you are? Hm?"
"The list is wrong. I told you who I am." But Scabior moved in front of him, putting a finger to his lips.
His wand probed his face more closely.
It was as he studied him, squinting at the swollen, disfigured face that he noticed the mark on his head. The dark hair, the scar. Fucking hell! They'd found Potter!
"Change of plan boys!" Scabior grinned, mentally counting the stack of galleons he was bound to acquire for this. As the group jeered, realising where they were going, Scabior turned as saw her stumbling, struggling.
Shit.
So he would have to take the others with him as well wouldn't he? His delicate little prey would have to come too. He had no idea why it bothered him. He had no idea, for that matter, why the hell he was playing with his paycheck. As long as he still got his money worth for her then it should be okay, right? They didn't need her. She wasn't important. He'd merely drop off the lad and be on his way with the other two, surely?
Shit.
He was counting the falling galleons in his head. They'd caught Potter. They'd get reward money for him and then she'd fetch a lovely little price, as lovely as she was. And then it clicked in his head.
Shit.
She'd been wandering around in the forest, with a red head and Potter.
Shit.
She was that Mudblood. The Mudblood that had been accompanying him. The Granger girl wasn't it?
Shit!
And it was too late now. He'd already given the orders. The group was already heading to Malfoy Manor. And he was the reason she was about to be dragged in front of a lot of crazy-arse Death Eaters. Death Eaters who liked to torture and kill Mudbloods!
Shit!
He walked beside her and her captive, catching sidelong glances at her. She was struggling, fighting the whole time. He noticed she didn't give up the fight, not once. She really was a fiery little thing. He kept his eyes on her, considering what could happen once they arrived.
But he felt a tight knot in the pit of his stomach. He knew those witches and wizards. And he knew what they did. He was about to take this innocent little bundle, and drop her off in the hands of the Dark Lord's inner-circle.
She was going to die.
A/N: You can find further chapters to this fic on adultfanfiction . net My penname is Vixen. You can either search for my pen name, or use the search tab to search for this fic under Hunted. _
Thanks so much for all the encouraging messages. J Hope you're enjoying it!
Vixen