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Chapter 6 – Confinement

When Zoey left Hermione to sleep she instead found herself lying in the dark, eyes wide open. She couldn't sleep now. Too many thoughts were racing around her head. She still hadn't got rid of the adrenaline that the fight had installed in her. She wanted to get up and move about. When the feeling got unbearable she pulled off the covers and pulled on a pair of shoes and her coat. She might as well go out for a walk. No one would stop her, especially at this time of night. She was aware of the slight creaking the stairs made as she tip-toed down them but the house remained silent, apart from the very gentle breathing of the few Order members still being looked after and sleeping in the many spare rooms. She had just put her hand on the door when she noticed a light still on in the meeting room. Riddled with a sense of curiosity she made her way towards it. There was no sound from indoors but a quick peek into the room revealed Harry and Remus in a heated discussion, but minus the volume. As she watched Remus made a point and Harry's response was to swipe his arm across a table furiously and send a glass vase smashing into the wall where one of the terrified viewers quickly fixed it with a flick of their wand. Then he levitated it across the room to sit beside another identical one and a blue fruit bowl. She had never seen Harry so angry before and it scared her. What had happened? What had gone wrong? She wanted to go and intervene before someone got hurt but before she did one of the spectators met her gaze from across the arguing pair. It was Tom, his eyes flickered, implying that she should leave and she for once she obliged.

The night was colder than she had expected and she had to pull her long grey coat closer to cover her freezing body. As she walked along a familiar and fairly short path she looked up towards the sky, disappointed at the lack of stars. Back when she had lived with her parents and then later at Hogwarts she had loved just staring up and watching them glitter temptingly.

Now that she was outside she heard the gentle rhythm of the outskirts of London night noise. When she felt her eyes beginning to get heavy she turned back. Feeling every step was a trial. She couldn't even be bothered to take her wand out to apparate. This time when she walked into the house the door was closed and the light was off, but this drew extra attention to the kitchen light once again being on. Annoyed at her nosiness today she crept forward till she reached the door. This time she knocked gently, but there was no answer. So she slowly opened the door. Harry was sat with his back facing her. His head fallen into his hands and his body shaking slightly. She reached out a hand to reassure him but stopped mid way. He hadn't seen her yet and no matter how mad at him she was (her angry lay slightly dormant at this moment) she wouldn't let him know she had seen him like this. She wouldn't be able to help him and knowing he had been observed in his weakness would only damage him further. He needed people to think he was strong, she knew that. So she slowly retreated, shutting the door very softly behind her. Then went to check on the people she had helped earlier just for something to do, but soon the weight of her eyes became too much for her so she collapsed into bed only just managing to pull her new pjs on.

The light was shining through the gap in the curtains when Hermione opened her eyes the next morning, and she immediately wondered what she was going to do with her day. She considered staying in her room but dismissed it straight away, she would have to come out at some point or someone would come looking for her. She also considered pretending nothing was wrong and hanging around headquarters but then the memory of all those eyes burning into her accusingly put her off. That meant she only had one option. Go out, but do what? She sighed and pulled the pillow over her face to muffle her

"Aaaaarrrrggh". She wished that she could get things sorted with Snape. The sooner everything was sorted the sooner everything could begin, and when it began…she would make her life worth living. Or lose it. Either way was better than what she had to deal with now. At least now she had her alibi sorted thanks to Zoey. She was one step closer, and the potion would be done soon…she was startled out of her thoughts by a knocking on the door.

"Who is it" she called, her voice still muffled by the pillow.

"It's me Charlie. Can I come in?" Hermione paused, pulling the pillow off her head. Finally stating "Depends on what you want"

His reply was instantaneous, like he'd known she was going to ask him something like that.

"To see you of course 'mione…I'm sorry about being the Order's messenger boy. It didn't know they were going to do that to you…"There was silence as Hermione mulled it over. She slipped out of bed and stood in the middle of the floor arms crossed. Once she felt he had waited long enough she called come in and the door opened to reveal a smiling Charlie, dressed to impress. Seeing him look so gorgeous made her consider her own appearance for the first time in a few days and she didn't like what she was seeing. She blushed and attempted to tidy her hair quickly and straighten her clothes, forgetting that she was being watched by a pair of amused blue eyes. She finally looked up to see a smiling Charlie. "You're so cute" he said as he took her in his arms. Once again Hermione enjoyed the familiar comfort his embrace brought to her then reluctantly pulled away

"Why are you dressed so smart then?" she looked questioningly deliberately and obviously checking him out, before turning her gaze on herself. "I feel so underdressed" his eyes followed her gesture; drinking in her small shorts and top (she had stopped wearing Ron's shirt when she found out about him and hadn't remembered her new pj's until just now) just like she had admired his outfit a few seconds ago.

Then he cleared his throat. "Well I was going to take you out but…" he seemed uncomfortable "…something came up with the… um… Order so now I'll have to postpone…" Hermione who had started to smile at the kind gesture felt her face fall slightly. Charlie reached down and stroked her hair. "…till this evening" at that Hermione perked up. Her mind instantly filled with what to do today. It seemed childish to be in the middle of life changing events and to think about simply going shopping. But when would she have the chance to for a while? It was a pretty mindless task and Harry couldn't stop or forbid her from going shopping. That was just plain pointless. "Meet here at eight o clock then?" he asked. Hermione nodded.

"Cant wait" she whispered as she ghosted her lips over his.

It took her about fifteen minutes to get ready and five of those were spent staring at the Polyjuice potion. She didn't want to change today. It wasn't like she was going to do anything dangerous, only going to a crowded muggle shopping centre. And she was perfectly capable of protecting herself. Screw what Harry had said. She would only be out for an hour…two at most. Was there really any point? Eventually she decided to take it but not drink it immediately. If she got suspicious or worried she could take it when she was out. That decided she proceeded with getting ready. For the first time in a while caring what she looked like with no polyjuice potion. She pulled her old favourite jeans on and a green strappy top. She left her hair down for once, confident that it looked fairly decent in all its wavy glory, then with a last glance in her mirror headed down the stairs, picking up her wand and purse and shoving them in her pocket. Harry came out of a doorway just as she was reaching the bottom of the stairs and as she walked past him she caught his eyes and held them defiantly. He kept the contact for a few seconds but then she brushed past him, he didn't say a word about her appearance but as she placed her hand on the door he did ask her where she was going. Her grip on the handle tightened slightly.

"Shopping" she said bluntly. Not bothering to say any more or wait for his reply as she exited the house. She didn't trust the next words that could come out of her mouth. Not any more, it was best to get out as soon as possible. When the door had closed however she could have sworn she heard him say "have fun" softly. She must have misheard.

The morning went quite pleasantly. As she was shopping in a muggle area no one recognised her and she had no confrontations of any sort. For which she was grateful for. She also got some new clothes which strangely made her feel slightly better. As did the strawberry and vanilla ice-cream she had while tying to elongate the time she spent away from the house. She had a fair few hours before she had to meet Charlie and the weather was half decent for once. Once she finished her ice-cream down to the last chocolate sprinkle she stepped out of the sun for two seconds to shrink her bags so she could go for a walk without them weighing her down. She had just shrunk the last one, placed her wand back in her pocket and was about to step back into the sunshine when she felt a wand at her back. She froze, analysing the possibilities of being able to grab her wand without being noticed. But its positioning made her incapable of reaching it. She considered trying but before she could even move the person behind her whispered

"Don't even think about it" and the hand not holding the wand snaked round her waist, making her breath hitch slightly in fear but the hand just removed her wand from her pocked and out of her sight.

Then the voice spoke again "We're going to apparate now" she could hear the smirk in his voice "Hold on" and before she had a chance to make a run for it the arm was back around her waist and restraining her. He was stronger than her so she had no hope but she struggled anyway. But then they were apparating. And once again she stumbled on the landing and was supported by the apparator before they moved away. She spun around to face her attacker but there was no one there. Carefully she looked around the surroundings until she realised where she was. She sighed, straightened up then crossed her arms angrily.

"Ha ha" she called and Snape appeared in front of her holding her wand in between his fingers tauntingly.

"Miss Granger that was so easy it was hardly any fun at all. You are out of practice aren't you?"

"I could have attacked you!"

"But you didn't, you reacted the way I would expect for someone… out of practice"

She glared at him "Stop saying that! I'm not used to being ambushed when I'm out shopping, especially in a muggle area. Now hand me my wand"

"Why don't you attempt to take it from me Miss Granger? It might help me get over the disappointing display of defence you just displayed and make me remember why your a good fighter to depend on"

Hermione blanked. He wasn't serious was he? He didn't actually want her to go over there and take it from him? She took a cautionary step forward but Snape raised his wand immediately and Hermione froze.

"Not another step Miss Granger or I'll curse you" something in the gleam of his eye told her he wasn't lying. But how else could she get her wand?

"I…I don't understand" Hermione stuttered, she didn't know what else to do. He wasn't suggesting she use wandless magic was he? In response Snape lowered his wand.

"Once again I'm disappointed. Now come along before I change my mind." The shame burned through her. This wasn't like in school where Snape had open contempt for all students, this was proper disappointment and she was ashamed at her lack of knowledge. Seeing that he was already a way ahead of her, she quickly started after him, unwilling to get caught in the wards when they reactivated themselves.

By the time she got to the door they used to get into the lab he had already undone the wards and was waiting by the potion, stirring it diligently. Her wand lay on the closest desk to her and moving quietly so she wouldn't disturb him she quickly slipped it in her pocket. She obviously wasn't quiet enough as he looked up before then looked back at the potion dismissively.

"I just need a few more moments" he muttered and she guessed he was talking to her so she nodded and hovered a little away from him and the potion. To scared to interrupt or get herself a seat. Eventually the smoke above the potion turned a sickly green and Snape allowed himself a smile. Hermione's heart skipped a beat in excitement and she found herself walking forward swiftly, her eyes frozen on the potion and the man hovering over it. Respect filling her anew for the man that had seemed to make her life a misery for her first few school years. Snapes black eyes rose to meet hers before pulling out his wand and transferring some of the potion to a vial he had made appear out of nowhere. Then he sealed it and placed it on the table next to him and proceeded to repeat the process. His ignorance of her confused her. What was she supposed to do? Instead she stood on the spot, occasionally looking around or at her watch. When about five vials of the green liquid had been placed on the table, Snapes eyes rose once again to her hovering figure which was once again looking at her watch.

"Would you like to help Miss Granger? Or am I boring you?"

Hermione blushed and hurried forward copying Snapes movements in silence. The job took about ten minutes but every one felt like so much longer, probably because she couldn't help but sense the dissatisfaction surrounding him, she guessed she was the cause of it.

She placed the last vial on the table and then looked up at her professor expectantly. He seemed lost in thought for a minute then, as if he had made a decision, started towards the door. Now she was really confused. "Umm aren't I going to-"

"Not tonight I think Miss Granger. You need to develop your talents first. I will not have this being found on you and being used for the Dark side. I would like to see a new level of defence on you before you touch it. Is that understandable?" Hermione nodded, slightly gobsmacked. He turned to continue walking then turned back when he realised she wasn't following him."Would you like to stand there all night or would you prefer to get started?" her response was to follow him. She tied her hair up as she hurried forward, followed the figure in front of her. He led her down what seemed to be one dark corridor after another until finally the confined space opened up.

It seemed like some kind of hall, the roof looked a lot like the Hogwarts great hall, the starry night shone down on her but she knew that it was too early to be night. The walls surrounding them were the same dark panelling as the corridors they had just walked through, every now and again the wood gave way to a dark, Slytherin green patch, there were no paintings and no books, the floor was cold marble and their footsteps echoed slightly, their difference paces making it seem like they were not alone in the room. This was where he stopped and turned towards her, raising his wand. Hermione looked around the room nervously. She remembered the last time she had duelled her potion master. She had been kidding herself when she thought she was prepared. What chance did a sixteen year old have against a double spy who had been fighting for the majority of his life? But she sighed and pulled out her wand anyway at the look he was throwing her way. It was challenging her, mocking her. Slightly uncertain, she raised her wand in defence. He wouldn't hurt her too badly.

What did she have to lose?

It turned out, she did have something to lose, even more of her dignity. She had taken a battering from Snape, he hadn't been lying. She was out of practice, it seemed when they were practicing at school he had been taking it easy on her. Again and again they had fought and she had lost within minutes of each fight, with him barely taking a hit. He had searched her memories as well. That had been demeaning, especially the part about her old crushes, one of which was Harry. That had been embarrassing but she thanked god that he hadn't looked at the more recent stuff like her feelings of admiration for him, or her other emotions of desperation. She really didn't need someone else thinking she was unstable. As she trudged down the path towards the apparition point her mind filled with all the things she had been taught she decided to finally confront the thing that had been bothering her. She stopped and turned to the silent and dark shadow of a figure next to her.

"You can't apparate from here"

"I know but I wanted to talk to you about something"

"It's rather late, why must you stop to talk? Are you incapable of multi-tasking? I thought your gender was marked by their ability to do so" And he started walking. Hermione hurried after him.

"I know you're annoyed but can you just deal with it silently, I'm going to work on it. I want to talk about Ron"

There was no reply.

"I know you know Severus and I'm asking you to tell me. No one else can"

"We've reached the apparartion point"

"I don't care" She folded her arms. She heard him sigh.

"Miss Granger, I do not know what happened with your…red haired boyfriend. All I know is that he was brought in by one of the Death Eaters a few weeks ago, held in a cell somewhere, then he started behaving like a Death Eater and was captured almost immediately after." He paused, as if deliberating. "But set your mind at rest Miss Granger, I do not think it was of his free will". Hermione felt tears of relief and sadness come to her eyes at the reassurance. But then she cleared her throat.

"Well at least finally someone is being honest. Goodnight…and thank you" she turned to apparate then paused. "And next time you wish to meet me, an owl would be quite sufficient" Then she was gone, leaving a small smile on the cloaked figure behind.

When her feet hit the ground again she reached into her pocket to provide proof for her being out should Harry see her. She un-shrunk the first bag and took a quick peek inside to see what she had bought. The glimpse of a dark red gown peered at her though the darkness. She hoped Charlie would like it. The bag dropped to the floor and she swore. Charlie! She had completely forgotten. She picked her bag up then headed in doors, noticing that it was just gone ten. She hurried through the door and started towards the stairs when she saw a figure sitting on them. He stood when he saw her approaching. His top button was undone and he looked more ragged than this morning.

"Hermione, where have you been? I've been so worried"

"I'm so sorry I was out…shopping" She saw his eyes glance down to the one back she was holding.

"I can see that" He stated, his voice slightly colder. Hermione realised how bad it looked then.

"Like I said I'm really sorry-"

"Yeah you have said that"

Hermione continued only slightly fazed, making up her story on the spot.

"I just um…ran into an old friend and we went for dinner. I lost track of the time and-" At that point Charlie got to his feet and walked past her. Stopping to kiss her lightly and stare at her searchingly.

"Its ok I understand" then he headed into the kitchen and shut the door behind him. Hermione stood there, clutching the only shopping bag she had thought she needed as proof, for a few seconds before snapping out of her daze and starting up the stairs. She just couldn't please anyone today, and the day had started so well. As she reached the third step another door opened and Hermione prayed it wasn't Harry, she couldn't take another one tonight. But it wasn't the light from the doorway illuminated a different figure and squinting her eyes slightly she realised it was Tom, the auror.

"Hermione?" he said softly and she paused.

"Yeah"

"I just wanted to say…thanks for looking out for my sister yesterday. I know you shouldn't have been there but…" he paused seeming quite uncomfortable. "She means a lot to me…and I didn't want her to go anyway…but anyway I'm rambling. I just wanted to say thanks, and if you need a favour in return just let me know" and he closed the door again, leaving the hallway in the dark again. As Hermione continued up the stairs she thought at least the day hadn't been all bad. And as she closed her eyes she realised, she had recognised Zoey the other day and a soft smile found itself on her lips when she drifted off. She had another ally…and she needed all the help she could get.

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