Thank you for the reviews! I was quick to update just for you readers! Even for those of you who read but do not review. ;D

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, etc. If I did, I assure you Snape would not have died.

"I must take you to Him," Severus began slowly. "I do not know what I will say to him yet, but I promise I will find away to return you safely." Hermione looked into his eyes for the first time. She couldn't help but find comfort in his words. She believed him.

Severus sighed. He looked her over. She was bruised and looked terrified, but somehow still defiantly proud. He shook his head. Stupid Gryffindor.

"Are you ok?" he asked quietly.

Not breaking eye contact, she nodded.

"So tell me, to sate my curiosity, how did Lucius Malfoy manage to capture you? I heard the panicked version from Potter and Lupin. Why were you separated from them?" he asked, as he finished healing the serious wounds, but left scratches and bruises. It wouldn't please the Dark Lord to see her in perfect condition.

She was quiet a moment. "I was going to my parent's house to say good-bye. But I asked them to wait outside so I could…deal with my parents," she said softly.

Snape raised an eyebrow, urging her to continue. He was still wondering what Lupin had meant earlier in saying when Hermione was 'dealing with' with her parents.

Hermione took a deep breath as if it pained her to think about. She wondered if she should even tell Snape. How did she know he was on her side, with the Order? But somehow she felt she should trust him.

"With the way things have been going, with Vold- er, I mean, You-Know-Who and the War…it's just too dangerous for my parents. I would never forgive myself if they were hurt or killed because of my involvement with the Order. And there have been a couple of close calls so, well...I went there to modify their memories. So they would forget me. So they don't know they have a daughter." Hermione's voice began to quiver. "They'll be leaving for their new home in Australia soon. They'll-they'll be happy. And safe," Hermione finished weakly.

Severus didn't say anything. He was, to be honest, surprised. He looked at the young witch in front of him. She gave up her family, her loved ones to keep them safe. Severus shook any sympathetic thoughts from his mind. He needed to focus. He simply nodded in acknowledgement that he had heard her and stood her up.

"Now listen, I need to take you to Him now. I don't know if I'll be able to talk to you again before the Dark Lord does. Whatever he asks you, play along. I'll do my best to guide you."

"With what?" she asked nervously.

He sighed again, pinching the bridge of his noise in annoyance.

"I told you I don't know. But I will think of something to keep you safe," he said shortly, trying to dissuade any further questions. She wasn't reassured and looked like she was about to ask another questions, but she instead bit her lip and looked down.

"I am taking you to His headquarters. I will have to leave you shortly-" Hermione's head snapped back up as she was again filled with panic "-but I will make it very clear no one is to touch you. I need to talk to the Dark Lord before He talks to you. Remember, be calm and go along with what He asks. And being disrespectful or defiant will gain you nothing but a world of hurt with which you are not yet familiar."

His words were like ice as she took them in. His voice was as cold as ever, but she could detect a somewhat worried tone in his voice. That did not comfort her. Again she only nodded.

Without another word, he grabbed her arm and Apparated them to outside a small metal building in a forest she did not recognize. It looked like the entrance to an old military bunker.

Severus stepped forward, dragging Hermione by her arm. She felt her heart jump as with a loud 'GRUNGE' the heavy metal door opened. They stepped inside a cold hallway that did not look like the inside of a bunker; it looked like the inside of a large, grand mansion.

It was then Hermione realized how deep she was in. She was seeing their headquarters. There was no way they would just let her walk away. She would have to trust whatever Severus Snape had planned in his mind. Or rather what he didn't. Did he still not know what he was going to do?

They passed through a room which had several Death Eaters standing around. Their heads all snapped in her direction as they walked through and she heard many angry and excited whispers.

"Oooooh!" Hermione heard a cold voice sneer. "So it's true! Little baby Potter lost his little baby Mudblood!"

Hermione turned around sharply to face Bellatrix Lestrange. Hermione's stomach clenched along with her teeth. At the Ministry of Magic only a little over a year earlier she had seen this monster torture and curse her friends and almost kill Sirius. She had tried to push him through the Curtain, but at the last second Remus cast a spell to pull him back. Where the curtain had briefly touched his back, there was a dark scar.

Hermione felt sad thinking of Sirius and Remus because she was beginning to think she would never see them again. They were the only ones to treat her like she was woman, not a child to be left in the dark. And Remus was the one to comfort her after she had made up her mind about modifying her parents' memories.

Hermione had to employ all of her self-control to not respond in any way. Bellatrix merely smirked and turned to Severus.

"The Dark Lord is very happy indeed about this little gift," Bellatrix smirked again as she mockingly ran a finger down Hermione's cheek, following the trail of a dried tear.

Severus ignored her, and pulled Hermione roughly into another hallway, stopping at a black door. He muttered something Hermione couldn't understand and pulled her through as the door opened. She found herself in a round room that appeared to be an entryway into another room. And she could guess who would be in that other room. Severus let go of her arm but gave her a look that said not to speak. He left her alone in the small room and disappeared through another black door. She heard cold laughter as the door closed.

Left alone with her thoughts for the first time, her mind raced. What was going to happen? Would He interrogate her? Torture her? Was she going to die? Was Severus going to be found out? What was going to happen?

She snapped back to reality when the door to the Voldemort's chambers opened. She looked up expectantly, assuming it was Severus. Her heart paused when she saw the familiar platinum-blond long hair. And that sneer.

"Ah, Ms. Granger, it seems fortune is smiling on us. We are alone yet again while the Dark Lord and Severus speak," he drawled with mock formality.

She staggered backwards into the wall, her eyes wide open. He was tauntingly twirling her wand in his hand. Hermione had wondered where her wand was.

"Now don't get too excited, Mudblood. I have been ordered not to lay a hand or spell upon you until the Lord is done with you. But after that-" he paused as he let his eyes rove over her body. He smirked and left, walking back into the hallway, again leaving her alone in the room.

She thought about trying to run away, but it couldn't be that easy. She would surely be caught, and without Snape's protection the Death Eaters would show no mercy or hesitation…

She was torn from her thoughts as the door to Voldemort's room opened.

"Come in," a cold, unnatural voice commanded. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her uncontrolled heart beat, but to no avail.

She clenched her fists and made herself walk slowly with dignity into the dark chamber.

Harry was sitting in the kitchen with Sirius and Remus and all of the Weasleys (except Percy who was still pompously loyal to the Ministry of Magic). Ron was sitting next to Harry, but no one said anything. They had been informed of what had happened. None of them had anything to say. None of them knew what to say. The minutes ticked on as the tension grew with the silence.

The door opened and Dumbledore, McGonagall, Moody, and Kingsley entered. Everyone looked at them expectantly.

Dumbledore cleared his throat as said, "We have no news; Severus has not contacted us yet."

If possible, the mood in the room grew even more tense. Harry hung his head. He couldn't believe they were having to trust Hermione's well-being to Snape of all people.

Dumbledore spoke in a gentle, comforting tone. "Please, I have all the faith in the world in Severus. He will find a way."

With that he left followed by all the Order Members. Sirius patted Harry on the back before following as well.

Harry looked at Ron, Ginny, the twins, Bill and Charlie. None of them could find any words worth saying.

At that moment, Crookshanks slinked into the kitchen, just another painful reminder of Hermione's absence.

Hermione faced Voldemort, who was sitting behind a large wooden desk. Severus was standing at His side, staring intently at Hermione, willing her to remain calm.

"Ms. Hermione Granger," Voldemort said slowly, letting her name roll of his tongue like poisoned honey. She said nothing.

"The brightest witch of you age, I hear." She said nothing.

"A Muggle-born, no less." She said nothing.

"Close friend of Harry Potter?" Hermione flinched at the mention of her best friend.

"No to the last then?" he asked, misinterpreting her reaction as one of disagreement. She almost said something when Severus caught her eye. He shook his head minisculely.

"No," she choked out.

Voldemort turned and looked at Severus with mock surprise.

"Do you hear that, my dear friend? No. So, the 'Golden Trio' as I have heard it called has been broken."

This was a statement, but she was sure he expected an answer. She looked at Snape and he nodded again, the smallest of movements. This must be part of his plan.

"Yes," Hermione said, not sure where this was going.

Voldemort was on his feet and in front of Hermione so quickly she gasped.

"Then why did Lucius claim he saw Potter and the werewolf running to your aid?" he said so quietly she could hardly hear him. It was a very dangerous whisper, one full of threat. How was she supposed to answer that?

"It's okay, my dear, tell him why you were there at your parents'," Severus said softly. Did he just call her 'My Dear?' She was sure she heard him wrong. But she heard him slightly emphasize 'parents' so she took what she guessed was his hint. She felt extremely hesitant about revealing anything about her parents to Voldemort, but Severus nodded at her again.

"I-I modified their memory to not remember me at all. It's too dangerous for them-" Hermione began.

Severus was glad she was quick to follow his lead.

"And why is that?" Voldemort demanded, pacing in a circle around Hermione. She felt like she couldn't breathe.

"Please, it is painful for the girl," Severus said in a mock-sympathetic voice. "The Order went so far as to allow her parents to be used as bait when they noticed that Death Eaters were keeping tabs on her parents. The Order is becoming quite desperate, like I told you. She decided they would be safe if she sent them away," Severus said.

"Yes," Hermione quickly agreed, "It was the only way to keep them safe."

She gasped as Voldemort's hand grasped her face.

"I believe I asked you why dear Potter and the werewolf were there," he said softy and dangerously, squeezing her chin.

"Please, my Lord. They found out she was going to move her parents before the Order could get their use out of them. They were trying to stop her," Severus cut in.

"Is this true?" Voldemort asked turning back to Hermione. Severus again made the smallest of nods.

"Y-Yes."

"So the Order was gambling your parents' safety and Potter did nothing to help; this is why you found yourself running to Severus' arms these last months?" he asked slyly, obviously gauging her reaction. Her heart stopped, but she did not let it show. Another minute nod from Severus.

"Yes." Severus plan was to say they had been together?

"You realize the information you have been giving him has ended up with me?"

"Yes." This could not be going anywhere good.

"You realize you have been directly betraying the Order?"

"Yes."

"Directly helping me?"

"Y-Yes."

"A Muggle-born such as yourself supplying me with information?"

"Yes." She thought a moment. "Severus was not lying when he said they have become desperate. I cannot support their activities anymore. I didn't know what to do, but Severus found me and showed me I was on the wrong side, that I was simply brain-washed by Dumbledore. Even though I am just a Muggle-born, I wanted to help. Severus said he would keep me safe if I would be loyal to him. And You. So I did as he asked and I have continued my friendship with Harry in order to get as much information as possible." She was sure to use Snape's first name (as she was apparently falling in his arms as of late). She hoped it wasn't too much and she hoped she was reading correctly what Severus' plan was.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught an approving nod from Severus.

"Well!" Voldemort released her face and clapped his hands together. "Severus, you choose your women well," Voldemort's eyes moved up and down Hermione's body. "Well, other than their blood. The same as last time. Such a shame… and I'm sure Lucius will be most disappointed," he added amusedly. He then rounded on Snape.

"I can see your hesitation to bring her to me. You told me you wished to be sure of her loyalty first. However, the next time you find such as asset you will tell me immediately. No more of these-" he waved a hand at Hermione- "secrets."

"Yes, of course, I am sorry My Lord," Snape said, almost pleading. Hermione had never heard Severus Snape apologize, let alone plead.

Voldemort turned once again to Hermione, making her stomach twist.

"How can I be assured Harry Potter does not suspect your loyalties?"

"They- they think I'm having trouble dealing with the war. But they have been trying to gain my favor back by keeping me more included in their plans," Hermione felt the lies tumbling out of her mouth with more confidence than she knew she had.

Voldemort stared at her a moment, considering her words. Then a most unnatural smile spread over his face.

"I am only glad to have you," Voldemort stepped forward. He was very close to her face; she could feel his shallow breath on her face. "As long as you remain loyal to me, I will take care of you. And I will see to it that none of my men attempt to find your parents- that is, unless you displease me." Hermione swallowed nervously.

"But I'm sure that will not be a problem."

"No," she breathed.

Voldemort leaned in and pushed a kiss onto Hermione's unsuspecting lips. She knew she should not, could not pull away even though every fiber in her being was telling her to shove him away. Thankfully it was over as quickly as it started. Her analytical mind raced to figure out why he would kiss a 'lowly' Muggle-born. She decided it was a power play.

Voldemort smiled most unnaturally again and then turned to Severus.

"I shall leave you to comfort Ms. Granger," Voldemort said and walked quietly out of the room.

There was dead silence until they heard the second door leading to the hallway close. Severus gave her another look that said to remain silent as he walked to her. She felt apprehensive; Voldemort left Severus to 'comfort' her?

She almost choked when Severus lowered his head to her neck and ran his lips over her jaw line. He then whispered so softly she almost couldn't hear him over her panicking pulse rate.

"He is still watching. He expects proof that I have seduced you."

She froze as she fully realized what he meant.