Hi all. So, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to get done for the rest of the week. I may have to slow down with this because I work and have a couple projects for school that I have to get done. But I'll work on posting something at least every other day. I promise, I won't let this go until I deem the story complete. However, I have no idea for an ending yet (which is really a bad technique for writing, I know) but I promise this story will not go unfinished. And I may have another one up after that, too (since this keeps my creative side flowing while I write other less creative stuff).

So, without further ado, here's Chapter Four!

Chapter Four

Severus Snape's dark eyes followed Bellatrix as she sauntered into the shack, but fell quickly to the young witch trailing behind her. Immediately recognizing Hogwarts' finest student, his eyes widened in shock and worry, but he quickly masked any sign of emotion—however, not before Bellatrix caught the look.

"What, Severus, are you worried about the little mudblood? Or are you jealous she's mine?" Bellatrix circled around Hermione and wrapped her arms around the girl's waist. Hermione refused to raise her eyes, worried not just of what Bellatrix may do, but feared Snape's gaze.

"I fear for the girl's sanity, actually," he said, one thin brow raising at Bellat's wild eyes and childish grin. "Let us get to business, Bella, I have much to do."

"Oh, really, Snivelous? What, has the Dark Lord got you on laundry duty?"

"Not now, Bellatrix," he said, turning his back to the two women. "Not in front of the girl."

"She's harmless. Like a little mouse in the wall. Just a cute, little pest, only good for catching smaller vermin." Bellatrix released Hermione, and walked around her, eyeing her to be sure she hadn't looked up. Satisfied, she made her way to Snape, who was standing in front of a large bookcase. She pulled the leash and Hermione followed.

"You have something for me?" Bella held out her free hand and looked at him expectantly. Snape looked at her hand, then sighed, plopping a small, tan bag into her palm. Hermione listened for a jingle, or anything, but it was silent.

"You know where to put it?"

"Duh," Bellatrix said, snorting and rolled her eyes, tying the rope to her dress at the hip. "I suppose he didn't tell you."

"In fact, no. I'll assume this is of importance."

"Of course." She puffed her chest out proudly, her chin lifted even higher than usual. "Anything else, Severus, or are you simply stalling me to stare?"

"Out, Bella. You're finished here."

"Oooo. Snape has gotten feisty. Here that, Granger? Don't double-cross your professor. Not that you'll ever have the privilege to return to Hogwarts. Or the freedom." She chuckled and stalked out the door, back into the alleyway, where the two witches were met by a chilling drizzle. Bellatrix pulled her cloak hood up, then turned to Hermione.

"Oh. I suppose you're cold, eh? Well. One more stop. Come, girl." And the two walked deeper into the darkness, even further into Knockturn Alley.

As they walked, Hermione's head spun. Snape is one of us. He'll tell Harry and Ronald I'm alive and they'll come find me. Perhaps as early as tomorrow and I'll be able to tell them what I know. This will be conventional, afterall.

"You're an idiot for thinking so, muddy, but if that hope will keep you obedient and useful, please, by all means, continue your delusions."

"Please keep out of my head…"

Before Hermione could tack on the rest of her request, Bellatrix had her by the neck, pinned against a brick wall. Her lips pulled back in a hungry snarl, resembling one of a wolf just before the kill, and she huffed through her teeth, hissing.

"You, little mudblood, are in no place to make requests. Do you understand me? You do not make wishes, or attempt to exact a deal with me. You do not tell me what to do." Her grip tightened on Hermione's neck, the collar pinching her skin as her windpipe was clenched. "I could kill you with a twitch of my hand and lose nothing. But you, my pretty little mud-mouse, hold the title of 'brightest witch.' As a mudblood who never even heard of Hogwarts before the age of eleven, you must have some ability. Therefore, I have some hope that you will prove to be useful. But, expendable. Do not tempt me."

Hermione coughed and spluttered once Bellatrix released her, but was given no time to catch her breath and was practically dragged the rest of the way.

###

Back at the Lestrange Manor, Hermione was tossed into her room, but it was no longer empty. A bed had been placed by the window, which was decorated with black, sheer curtains. She looked over and found a little table and a few shelves along the wall, opposite of the closet she'd slept in during her first week of captivity.

"This will be your permanent room, girl. Don't muck it up. I had the closet turned into a washroom. I expect you to be clean each day. Our fun begins tomorrow, my mudblood. Don't forget who you belong to in the meantime," Bellatrix said, glancing at Hermione's arm, eyeing the 'mudblood' carving, still beating bright red on her pale skin. She looked back into Hermione's eyes and spun around, walking to the door. "Oh. And don't try to escape. It will only result in your death. And I'd hate to see a pretty little pet like yourself go to waste."

Hermione watched as Bellatrix exited the room and locked the door. She then looked around her new quarters and sighed. At least I have a bed, she thought, and hopped under the covers, exhausted from the day. But as she closed her eyes, all she could see was Bellatrix. And a little throb began, aching at her core. She tried ignoring it, but no thoughts could deter her mind from the twitches at her clit. She opened her eyes and slid her hand down, resting her fingers against the nub through her dress. Biting her lip, she pulled up the dress and began rubbing herself, moaning softly, bucking her hips against her fingers. Her other hand slid down and she slipped a finger into her panties and felt the slick heat radiating from her core.

Slowly, she pushed a finger inside, moaning. After thrusting for a minute, her other hand working her clit, she added two more fingers into her tight core. She moaned Bella's name, a breathy sound escaping her lips. She cried out as her body began to tighten. Her hands picked up the pace, moving furiously inside herself, rubbing the tiny bundle of nerves. Finally, she stiffened and cried out as her body filled with ecstasy, her core tightening around her fingers as her orgasm shuddered through her body. Coming down, she opened her eyes, trying to catch her breath.

"Dear God," she said, her voice hoarse. She pulled her fingers out, but immediately began rubbing the bundle of nerves, mewing, writhing. She had no idea that Bellatrix was doing the same thing five floors below her.