chapter 9 GAMES

Sleep drifted away from Hermione, and for long moments she just layed in between the worlds of sleep and consciousness. But when she realized that she wasn't laying on the cold ground, she quickly opened her eyes.

Darkness.

For a moment Hermione had forgotten about her inability to see. Then all her attention was turned to the softness beneath her. She realized that she was laying on a bed.

What happened? Where am I?

She tried to move, but she felt so exhausted. What she wanted the most was to go back to sleep, but she knew that wasn't an option. First she had to discover why was she on the bed and what had happened.

When she moved her head, she felt a slight pain on her cheeks. That caused the memories to came back to her and she remembered every slap and every punch she had recieved from Lucius the previous day.

Or maybe it's still the same day?

She took a deep breath and made a move to get up, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. It was completely unexpected and it caused Hermione to wince in shock. She had been certain she was alone in the room. Hermione didn't even need to hear his voice to know who it was. She recognized his hand. His strong grip forced her to lay back down and Hermione knew better than to struggle.

"Stay still," he ordered emotionless.

His voice made her heart beat fasten. It was ridiculous what kind of effect only his voice had.

He released Hermione's shoulder, but his hand didn't go away. It travelled up to her neck and it stayed there, brushing slightly against her skin.

"You should try to calm down or your heart will jump out of your ribcage. We wouldn't want that, would we?" his silky voice cut through the silence.

Hermione froze under his touch. She almost forgot to breath as she felt his skin on hers, his hand on her neck. The hands that killed innocent people, hands that killed Ron. Hermione almost pushed him away at the memory of what Ginny had told her, but she stopped herself in time.

What bothered her the most was the way he was touching her. She would rather have him strangling her, than caressing her skin that way.

"You already caused me enough trouble," he added quietly.

"What trouble?" Hermione asked, hoping he wouldn't get angry at her because of it.

His hand disappeared from her neck instantly, allowing Hermione to breath again.

"You got stabbed with a mirror shard. The mirror which you broke and for which you will pay, I assure you."

Hermione couldn't believe his words. He was the one who threw her across the room and if someone was responsible for the broken mirror it was him. He really had a problem with admitting guilt.

"Stabbed?" she asked sceptically, wondering why she didn't feel any pain.

"Your neck. I had to heal it," then his voice got a tone of arrogance, "I can't let you take the easy way out, can I? You will die when I say so. No sooner, no later."

Hermione stayed quiet at that, realizing that he was right. She was completely under his control. Her life was now his, no matter how much she tried to deny it.

Then she remembered that she was on a bed, but she stopped herself in time before she could ask the reason for it. She concentrated on a slight dip in the mattress by her hips, realizing he was sitting really close to her body.

"Now, as the generous Master that I am, I will allow you to chose punishment for your disobedience," he drawled calmly.

"Punishment for what?"

Lucius let out a short laugh, but it sent shivers down Hermione's body. There was nothing funny or warm in his laugh. Hermione could almost feel the coldness and evilness from it.

"Now I am seriously questioning your memory, Mudblood."

"I dont..." Hermione stopped to take a deep breath, then she continued with stronger voice:"I don't understand."

"I can't say that surprises me. I always knew your intelligence quotient isn't above your body temperature," he insulted her. But what bothered Hermione the most was the way he was speaking. His voice had a trace of sarcasm and it was obvious he was mocking her as if he was interested in seeing her reaction to his cruel remarks.

"Stop it," she said quietly, gritting her teeth together.

"Why would I do that? Maybe it escaped your notice, but I can do what I please. Especially with my possessions."

"I'm not your possesion!" Hermione shot back angrily, making a move to get up from the bed.

Not even a second later she was stopped by a hand on her shoulder, holding her back down. But this time she struggled, trying to push his hand away. Her hopeless struggles only caused Lucius to smirk at her:"Do stop entertaining me, Mudblood."

"Let go of me!"

"Where is that you wish to go?" he asked, amused.

"Anywhere is better than here with you!" she barked at him, not thinking about the consequences.

"Is that so?"

Without a warning he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the bed. Hermione shrieked and tried to get away from him, but then he roughly pushed her onto the floor. Before Hermione had a chance to escape, he felt him climb on top of her.

"Never, and I mean never, shout at me again, understood?" he growled fiercely, grabbing her hands and pinning them above her head.

Hermione felt tears build in her eyes at being humiliated again.

"I will not repeat myself, Mudblood."

Hermione pressed her lips together and nodded:"I understand," she forced the words through her teeth.

"Good, now that we've found an understanding," he paused to emphasize his point, "I will continue where I've stopped."

Hermione listened and wondered why was he still on top of her. Just his touch made her sick and she wanted to crawl away from him, to burn her skin where he touched her.

"I presume you are smart enough to realize you have to be punished for your actions," Lucius said to her, gripping her wrists more tightly.

Hermione ignored her reflex to spit at him, realizing it was not a smart thing to anger him while in that position. She stayed quiet and waited for him to continue.

"Breaking my wife's mirror and almost destroying her dressing table deserves a proper punishment. But as I said before, I will give you a choice."

"W-what choice?" Hermione asked shakily, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.

"You are allowed to choose between two punishments. Who would you rather to be tortured by? My fellow Death Eaters, who you know really well by now," he then leaned to whisper in her ear, "Or me?"

Hermione's world was spinning around her. She could actually feel floor moving underneath her shaking body.

He's just playing a mind game with me. I won't chose...I won't..

Shaking her head, she struggled with all her strength, trying to push him away, but he ignored her.

"Choose, Mudblood," Lucius ordered coldly.

"I won't."

"You will," he said without any doubt, "You will do as I say."

Hermione then did the only thing that she could. She smiled. It was a bitter smile and she knew she would pay for it, but she didn't care. He thought he had taken all the choices away from her. That all she was allowed to choose from were possibilities he had chosen for her.

If I choose his friends, Lucius would win. If I choose Lucius, again he would win.

But if she decided not to choose, then he would lose. And that small feeling of power over him, caused a small smile to appear on her face. A victory smile.

"Care to enlighten me what do you find so funny?" he asked, amused at her reaction.

"I won't choose," Hermione repeated, stronger this time.

"You do realize that that was not an option?"

"I don't care. I choose what my options are. Not you, Lucius," she said his name on purpose, feeling that would give her a bit of control over him.

And it seemed to anger him, because he pressed his body onto hers harder, making Hermione feel even more uncomfortable. He knew his closeness was a pure torture for her and he enjoyed every second of it.

"I wonder," he said calmly, "how would you scream my name while being taken by me?"

That sentence pushed all air from Hermione's lungs. Never before had he shown the interest in taking her, hurting her in that way and Hermione was glad she was at least safe from that kind of torture. Now she realized that she could never be completely certain about anything. Lucius' mind was a complicated thing and Hermione didn't know what sick things were hidden there.

"You wouldn't..." she started, panic over taking her.

Lucius cut her off:"You're a Mudblood, not even a human being, a mere possession. You have no rights whatsoever and I have every right to do with you whatever I please."

"But you said...my first night here...you said..." Hermione babbled, not knowing what to say to him.

"No need to remind me of my words. True, I said I would never touch you because you disgust me. But seeing how disobedient you are, I might sacrifice myself to teach you a lesson," he explained, his tone light with a trace of excitement, "I'll teach you submissiveness, even if it's the last thing I do."

When Hermione said nothing, he continued:"Now, will you choose? I'm loosing my patience."

Hermione knew the moment had came when she had to chose between what was right and what was easy. It would be easier if she just obeyed him and chose, but that would mean giving him the power to control her. He had taken everything from her already, she wouldn't give him the last thing she still had.

After a few moments, she just shook her head:"I won't choose. Do with me what you want."

Lucius didn't react the way Hermione expected him to. When the words left her mouth, she prepared herself for his slap and his anger. But nothing came. He was silent and that silence was even more horrible for Hermione. Lucius wasn't a predictable man and Hermione couldn't even imagine what was going on inside his head.

When he finally spoke, his voice was completely calm and controled:"You will choose. But I think you just need a bit more persuasion."

Hermione tensed at that, noticing how convinced he was in his victory over her. His confidence almost made her doubt in herself. If his voice was so confident, Hermione could only imagine what his face looked like. He was probably smirking at her, a cruel smile written on that arrogant pureblood face of his.

Lucius's false innocent voice filled the room:"How horrible it would be if someone else had to pay for you attitude, Mudblood. Don't you agree?"

"What do you mean by that?" Hermione asked, sensing something in his words.

"How would you feel if your friend had to pay for your unwillingness to do as you're told? Hm?"

I have no friends left. What is he talking about? He's bluffing. It's just his trick, but I won't fall for it.

Lucius sighed:"Severus would be more than glad to help me."

In a second Hermione understood what Lucius' plan was and it made her blood run cold.

"Don't you dare do something to her!" she screamed at him, fear taking over her.

Lucius just chuckled:"Do not worry. The Weasley girl in not in my possession. I will not do anything to her. But I can't say the same for Severus."

At that moment everything became clear to Hermione. She closed her eyes for a second, trying to pull herself together, trying to keep herself from breaking down completely. She never had a chance in winning in an argument with Lucius, it was just an illusion. At the end it would always be him who will win.

Hesitantly she opened her eyes again, whispering:"Alright."

Lucius spoke with arrogance:"Good girl. Now tell me - what do you choose?"

Hermione sensed the confidence in his voice. He was acting as if he knew exactly what would happen. And Hermione had to admit that he probably did. He knew what her decision will be. He knew what she'd choose the moment he had asked her.

She didn't even need the time to think about it. Being tortured by a group of his friends or by him himself? There was no doubt what she would choose. Hermione could hardly even call it a choice.

"I choose you," she whispered, barely hearing herself.

But Lucius heard her and in a fast movement he was kneeling between her legs, spreading them, leaning closely over her. Hermione gasped in shock, the full weight of her decision finally hitting her.

"Be careful what you wish for," he muttered quietly, "Is that your final answer?" he was mocking her, making her question in herself, playing with her.

"Y-yes."

"I feel the need to remind you of the severity of your decision."

To emphasize his statement he pressed one of his knees slightly between her legs.

Hermione wanted to scream from the sheer horror that filled her at his action but only a single sob escaped her lips.

"There will be no turning back, Mudblood."

At that moment Hermione was fighting tears, but she still managed to repeat:"I choose you."

For a moment there was a complete silence in the room. Hermione waited in fear for Lucius' next actions, but there was nothing. He was completely still and she knew he was observing her, his grey eyes piercing her. How she wanted to know his motives, his thoughts.

And the position they were in was making her more and more uncomfortable. She felt so exposed and hummilitated. Never in her life had she been so close to someone before. He was too close for her liking, invading her personal space. She resisted the urge to just push him away, to close her legs and crawl into a corner and die. But that wasn't an option.

Finally he spoke. His voice was low and threatening:"I should take you right here, on the floor, to show you your place, Mudblood."

At that statement Hermione felt sick to her stomach. If she had eaten anything in the last couple of days, she would without doubt throw up.

Her lower lip started to quiver from fear, but she said nothing. She would accept the punishment. It was the only way. Lucius had made it clear to her that Ginny would pay if she didn't do as he said. Maybe he was just saying that to make her afraid? Even if that was the case, Hermione didn't want to take chances.

Then suddenly he laughed and it caused Hermione to wince in surprise. Whenever he laughed, it wasn't a good thing.

"You are almost beautiful when you are afraid. Almost," he said cruelly, "Too bad I find dirty blood disgusting."

His words confused her. Where was he going with that?

In an instant his weight was lifted off of her and Hermione immediately hugged herself with her hands, once they were free. He had held her wrists so tightly, there would without doubt be bruises.

"Have you thought for a second that I would actually touch trash like you?" he asked, amused, "You still have a lot to learn about me. And I learned something about you today."

Hermione was relieved that all his previous words were just a lie, but that didn't make the humiliation go away. She had given everything to him, her soul, her freedom, her right to choose and she had just offered him her body. And he laughed in her face. Hermione didn't think there was a way for him to humiliate her even more.

"Well, Mudblood? Aren't you curious what I have learned?"

Hermione bit her tongue in all her unexpressed anger and just shook her head.

With false disappointment in his voice he continued:"And I was told you were thirsty for knowledge," he sighed, before speaking again:"I learned that I have not been strict enough with you. The fact that you would rather be tortured by me than my friends, really puts some things in perspective. I have a feeling you aren't afraid of me- enough."

Hermione just wanted to close her eyes and go to sleep. She was sick of hearing him talk, sick of all his mind games.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Mudblood?"

Hermione didn't know why, maybe because she simply didn't care anymore, but she just ignored his question.

"I will not be ignored by you. You are truly naive, if you think that's even an option, you silly child."

Silly child? So there was some part in him that still knew what she was. A young girl, a child when compared to him. But why couldn't he realize the inhumanity of his actions? Why was he completely ignoring how wrong was everything he was doing to her?

There had to be some small part in him that knew she wasn't responsible for what happened to his son.

Hermione felt him watching her from above, but she still refused to answer his questions. At the end he would always win, Hermione accepted that. But the least she could do to feel some kind of control, was refusing to do as he asked at first. She knew she would eventually give in and obey him, but there was still a trace of pride in her, that wouldn't let her take the easy way out. The only thing she could do was to annoy him and show him that she wasn't his puppet- yet.

"I won't ask twice. Your last chance. Why did you choose me?" he asked, his tone darker now.

Hermione knew not to push him any further. She succeeded in annoying him and that was enough for her, at least for now.

She hesitantly licked her dry lips, before answering:"I am afraid of you."

"More than my colleagues?"

Colleagues? What an interesting word for his partners in crime.

"I..." Hermione didn't know what to say. She was afraid of them as well, maybe even more than she was of Luicus, but there was still something inside of her that would rather choose Lucius over the other Death Eaters. Maybe it was the fact that she knew him now. She somehow knew what she could expect from him. They were connected in a way. He had seen a side of her that no one had ever seen before. He had made her do all the things she never would have done before. He had robbed her of everything and that made her somehow dependent on him. Her whole life was depending on him.

Hermione couldn't believe her own thoughts. What had that man changed her into in just a couple of days?

When she finally found words, her voice was barely a whisper:"I am afraid of you. But they would hurt me in a way you wouldn't. At least you said you wouldn't."

Lucius' silence surprised her, but then he sneered at her answer:"You really are foolish. Is that all you are worried about? Being used for someone's pleasure? You really have a lot to learn."

He paused for a moment, then continued in a low tone:"There are much worse things. Mental pain is more devestating. I intend to present all those things to you."

When Hermione opened her mouth to speak, she was stopped by a quiet hiss from Lucius. It sounded as if he was somehow in pain, but he was controlling it well.

"It appears that our conversation will have to wait until I get back," he informed her emotionless and without another word he left the room.

Hermione curled into a ball and let out a breath she'd been holding. Lucius didn't tell her where he was headed, but Hermione wasn't stupid. She recognized the signs. His Dark Mark was probably burning, which meant that Voldemort was calling him.

How pathetic. He acted tough with her, but the moment his Master called him, he ran to him like a puppy.

Hermione shook her head, realizing how wrong she was. Lucius was everything but a puppy. But it made her feel better to think of him that way. To know there was someone above him, someone Lucius feared as much as she feared him.

She stayed on the floor and ignored the complains of her stomach as she let dark thoughts overtake her mind.

*

Hermione didn't fall asleep after Lucius left. Her mind was constantly working, thinking, remembering. At least she had calmed down. When she was talking to Lucius, she feared she might have a nervous breakdown. She felt like that every time she talked to him.

But when she heard the doors fly open, her heart beat accelerated again. She could actually hear her heart beating in her head. She could only imagine how frightened she looked to Lucius.

He didn't waste any time with small talk. He just walked over to her, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her up from the floor. By his breathing, Hermione knew he was upset. How she wished to see his face, his eyes, to know what was happening. Without her sight she felt completely lost, helpless.

She didn't even try to struggle against him, but his attitude was scaring her. He seemed nervous, as if he was rushing.

"I am leaving for a few days," he informed her professionally.

Hermione couldn't prevent a weak smile to appear on her face at that statement. It meant that she would be alone for a few days, without him. That opened up a lot of new possibilities...

"Don't get your hopes up, Mudblood. You are very wrong if you think I am stupid enough to leave you alone in the house, without my supervision."

Again all her hopes were shattered. But then worry awakened in her. What was he trying to say? Would he take her with him?

"I have arranged everything so that one of my friends will take you to his house, watching over you until I return."

No, no, no... This can't be happening. But maybe...

"And do not think you will be sent to Severus. He has more than enough trouble with that Weasley girl."

Again her hopes were destroyed in a second.

"We should hurry. Antonin is expecting us."

Hermione's eyes widened in shock as she started panicking:"Dolohov? No, not him. I can stay here. I won't do anything, I promise...."

Lucius' grip on her arm only tightened:"Shut your mouth and stop wasting my time. I have already decided."

There was something in his tone that warned Hermione to stop arguing with him. She had never before heard him talk so serious. And was there worry in his voice also?

She couldn't help but wonder what had happened. What had he found out at the Death Eater's meeting? Where was he going for a few days? Why?
But she knew her questions will never be answered, so she stayed silent. Only quiet sobs escaped her closed mouth. Sobs of pure fear.

He said nothing to her, but she felt him hesitating for a second, before he wrapped one of his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She could tell by his body language that it disgusted him. Before she had a chance to struggle or say something, all air was pushed out of her lungs as the unpleasant feeling of apparition took over her.

The next moment she realized she was standing on the floor again, but she knew she was in a different place. It smelled different and it was a bit colder than it was in Lucius' bedroom.

Hermione was feeling dizzy and she had to take a few deep breaths to calm herself. When she was positive her legs would not betray her, she gathered all her strength and pushed Lucius away from her. He didn't fight her, he was glad to not having to have her so close to him anymore.

"Lucius, I didn't expect to see you so soon," a voice said.

It was Dolohov, Hermione just knew it. She could tell he was on the other end of the room, but then she heard his boots click underneath him as he approached them.

Hermione's heart was threatening to explode, but she tried to keep her face calm.

"Well, Antonin, you know I don't like to keep the Dark Lord waiting," Lucius answered politely, "Do you still wish to watch over my award?"

Antonin laughed:"It will be my pleasure."

The last word sent shivers down Hermione's body and it made her stomach sick. Suddenly she felt the need to just grab Lucius' arm and beg him to take her home. Home? Is that what she called the Malfoy Manor now?

Still, she would much rather be with Lucius until the rest of her life than a few days with Dolohov. She couldn't understand what was happening to her. Had she gone completely mad?

Then she felt Lucius' hand go around her waist possessively:"Hands off, Antonin. There will be no pleasure. At least not the pleasure you have in mind. You do remember what I told you?"

And the first time since she was captured, she did not wish to push Lucius away. With his hand around her waist, she felt safe. As safe as she could be.

"Of course, I remember. Don't take everything so serious, my friend. I was only joking," Antonin replied, laughing.

When Lucius' hand left Hermione's waist, she felt exposed again. With no protection, without a protector. She mentally slapped herself at the thought of it.

Now I see him as my protector? Something is seriously wrong with me.

She had seen him in that role before. That night when his friends were having fun with her, her mind slipped for a moment and for a second she saw him as her protector. She knew it was stupid, but her mind couldn't be controlled.

"I want to find her alive when I return, is that understood, Antonin?" Lucius asked, a warning in his voice.

"Completely," he replied.

Hermione couldn't believe what was happening. She had a feeling like it was all a dream and she would wake up from it. She couldn't believe she was handed to Dolohov.

The next moment she heard the sound of Apparition and it caused her throat to close completely. She knew she should be screaming, crying, kicking, running away, but she just stood there, frozen. She couldn't see anything and what was point in running? She could only injure herself.

She snapped from her trans, when she heard Dolohov sneer:"Alive you will be, but... he said nothing regarding the state he wishes to find you in."

And Hermione knew that was the end. Everything that had happened to her when she was with Lucius was nothing compared to what Dolohov will make her go through. Death was a better option. But she didn't have the right to choose her option. She had nothing.

I hope you are not disappointed with this chapter. Thanks to all of you who read and review. Please, tell me what you think of this chapter. :) :)