Both Hermione and the man froze. It was like a slow motion horror scene where everything took forever simply because there was a shock to it. Hermione didn't expect the rat and the man didn't expect to jump back and feel hands on his head… it was the shock of the moment and both were left temporarily paralyzed.

Two heartbeats could be heard through out the room. The loud thuds were the only noises that were around the room as two pairs of eyes met each other. Abby was still and silent, unsure of what was to happen as the man and Hermione circled each other, sizing up the competition.

"So you's thought you could be sneaky did ye?" the man snarled, "I should have know you'd be one to try somethin."

Hermione didn't reply but simply continued to circle him, analyzing his weak spots and looking for the quickest way to take him down. She noticed that his right leg was about an inch shorter than the left. His left shoulder seemed to be a little stiffer than the other and his neck seemed to have a little less muscle control than the normal person… he had his weak spots and she had her targets.

"So tell me –" Hermione started, trying to get her distraction in to the scheme of things, "Why a child? Why an innocent that hasn't done anything?"

Hermione let out a small chuckle, as the man seemed to think about what she was saying. He wasn't changing his mind, just simply trying to work it out.

"Does it make you feel good? Does it make you feel like a man to torture someone who has done nothing to you? What if she was your daughter or your grand daughter…. Would you still feel right about treating her this way?"

"The child is no' my concern, her own mother is the one who came up with this plan years ago… the child was bred for this purpose."

"For what though? To bring back something that causes pain to everyone… including his followers? Or to create a new one that will do the same?" Hermione laughed, "I never understand you purebloods and your idiotic ideas… wanting something that will harm you in the name of racial purity."

"Is no' like that… we have standards, and half bloods and Mudbloods have no business having power.. Even if it is less than ours."

Hermione didn't flinch at what he was saying, she was too far gone to let the words like Mudblood have any meaning to her.

"Is that really the case? Or are you worried that a mudblood could be stronger than you? Or smarter?"

"t'will never happen… they are freaks, they are barely witches or wizards and have no idea of what it means to have such powers. Purebloods are raised to understand what kind of gift they have… Mudbloods just walk into it blind with no idea of what powers they are lucky to have."

"What if they embrace it? Love the wizarding world and try their best to be part of it?

The man was growing irritated with her now. She was talking and asking too many questions.. she just needed to shut up and get back to tending the child.

"Enough of this!" he shouted, "You'll not convince me that the little monster should live… we have years of planning this."

Hermione nodded slightly, "Then you must understand that I will fight for her. I will not let an innocent pay the price for a bunch of self absorbed pricks like you."

The man started to chuckle and didn't notice as Hermione pulled her arm back. He never took his eyes away from hers, not even enough to see the tiny fist come to front, not until it landed soundly in his left eye.

"You'll pay for that bitch!" he shouted as he covered the injured eye. He reached out and tried to catch her by the hair, but with the one punch she had already gained advantage over him and was able to easily slip out of his reach.

Hermione quickly ducked behind him, having both training and agility on her side. She didn't give him time to respond, after all, he did have a wand and she didn't. She quickly raised her leg and spin kicked him in his shorter leg, causing him to stumble a little.

"You know?" she stated, "I wasn't always this rough."

She landed a few punches in quick succession to the back and side of his head.

"I once loved our world.. I once wanted to be a part of it more than anything… but I was turned against"

The man raised his wand and tried to defend himself, but he had no idea that the girl who seemed so quiet had such a mean streak to her… she wasn't the normal girl.

"And I changed. I once would never have harmed someone unless it was absolutely needed." She shouted as she kicked the wand from his hand and punched him in the cheek once again, "But now… my life means nothing. Your life means nothing and I don't have a single qualm about what I'm about to do to you."

The man tried to back away. The girl was obviously short fused and full of anger.. not to mention much younger and full of spunk.

"What you planning on doing?" the man asked as he tried to gain his bearings so he could move away from her.

Hermione smiled, "I'm going to do my job, even if its not really my job anymore."

The man looked confused and stared blankly at her.

"I'm going to kill you." She said in a sing song voice, "Only I will have mercy and kill you physically, I wont kill you the same way I was."

The man eyes went wide for a split second, but that was all he had because before he could reply, a set of small, strong hands gripped the sides of his head and with a quick firm twist, his neck was broken and he was on the floor.

Hermione didn't pause to look at him. She knew he was dead so there was no need. She had to get Abby and get out quickly before they were discovered. She turned to the bath and spotted a visibly shaking little girl. A little girl who had seen too much at her young age, a little girl who had just watched a life be taken right before her eyes.

A small pang of sympathy rang through her as she looked into the face of the frightened girl. It would take everything Draco had to erase the bad memories from her… she was just glad it wasn't her responsibility.

Hermione walked to the tub and scooped the still shaking child from the water. They didn't have much time to get away, especially since she didn't know the layout of the manor. She didn't speak to Abby and Abby didn't say anything either… there was no need.