Helllllo my awesome readers! How are you guys?
First, I want to say that all of your reviews were AMAZING! I LOVED THEM!
So, I was going to make this one a little shorter, but because your reviews were amazing, I decided to give you all a little present and make this chapter longer =)
More amazing reviews are welcome!
Read and enjoy!
She had been spending the day in the library, furiously working on assignments that weren't due until after Christmas break. Ron and Harry had stopped in to talk to her, but were quickly thrown out because they were being too loud. It was at some point during sunset that Hermione realized no one was with her. Snape's words echoed in her mind, and she quickly grabbed all of her belongings and began heading from the library. Her thoughts were on Ginny, who had promised to join her in the library after dinner to finish her work.
Hermione was anxiously shifting through her papers, trying to organize them, when they suddenly flew from her hands and scattered across the hallway. Before she could draw her wand, she was roughly grabbed and shoved against the stone wall causing the air to whoosh from her lungs.
"Hey Mudblood, long time no see, eh?" a voice snarled at her.
Oh, God, no. Malfoy. Hermione scrambled for her wand, but his hand found it first. Once he wrestled the wand away from her he tossed it over his shoulder. Hermione listened as her wand clattered to the floor, leaving her defenseless. She opened her mouth to scream, but his hand closed over her lips. His face was so close to hers, making her stomach churn. His eyes held a slightly wild look to them, causing fear to wash over her like a tidal wave. He smashed his arm into her throat, further preventing her from screaming.
"You've been avoiding me."
She went to shove him off of her, but he only shoved her back against the wall harder than before. The only thing she could do was cry, letting the tears flow over his restraining hand which was still pressed over her mouth.
"We both know what's going to happen, Mudblood, so why not come quietly? I won't have to kill your parents then, and I won't have to hurt you. We both know how much that would bother me." he sneered. "Stay away from Snape, I'm warning you now, or I'm going to do something you'll both regret, do you understand? I know he's been hiding you in his little office for hours a day and I know he's trying to keep you from me, but I'm going to win in the end, and I'm going to make sure you suffer every step of the way."
Hermione was about to be sick, she felt her throat and mouth go dry as he pressed himself against her.
"Hey!" a voice shouted.
Hermione turned her eyes and found a seventh year Ravenclaw student who had just entered the corridor.
Malfoy glimpsed at the boy, and seemed unfazed by his presence. Turning back to her, his eyes roamed over her face quickly before he smirked.
"You won't be so lucky the next time."
He pulled his hand from her mouth to gently stroke her cheek before stepping away from her completely. Hermione couldn't move away from the wall, even after he had sauntered away. The Ravenclaw boy came over and began scooping up her things, and Hermione instantly dropped to the floor grasping for any bit of parchment she could find, not caring that the sheets were being crushed in her grip.
"Are you alright?" the boy asked.
"Yes, I'm fine." she answered shakily.
"I'm going to report him, he's been stalking around the hallways for the past two weeks, and he just stepped over the line."
"Thank you." she stammered, standing and taking her things from him.
She offered him a tearful smile before darting down the hallway, anxious to be alone. Hermione didn't know where she was going while clutching her wand so forcefully in her hand it was giving her cramps. Left, right, left again, ducking behind a tapestry, walking down a staircase, pushing a door open that was pretending to be a wall, turning right, walking a little, turning around, trying to find the staircase, but winding up in the courtyard.
What if he was there? What if he was lurking in the shadows?
The thought made her tears flow again, and she began blindly trying to find her way…somewhere. She was so scared; she didn't know what to do. Should she say anything? Should she keep everything to herself? Should she-
Hermione crashed into a wall as she darted around the corner. Her things fell from her arms and she screamed as fingers wrapped around her arms. She was going to die, he was going to take her, and she'd never see any of her friends again. What would become of her parents?
"No! Don't touch me!" she nearly wailed as she pulled herself from the attacker's hands, and found herself backed into a corner. It was then she realized she had dropped her wand when she dropped her other things and was once more defenseless.
"What on Earth are you going on about?"
The voice made her look up, through her tears. Snape's face swam in front of her, and her relief made her feeble.
"It's you." she sighed slumping against the wall.
"Of course, who else would it bloody be? What the hell happened?" he barked upon seeing her face.
Hermione shook her head; she didn't want to tell him, she didn't want him to see. Instead, she dropped to the ground and began scooping up her things for the second time that night. Hermione just wanted to go back to her room and sleep…but Snape wasn't having any of that. He reached out, and took her cold hands between his warm ones, waiting for her to look up. Hermione felt oddly comforted by his touch, so much so that the tears stopped flowing down her cheeks. She knew what was going to happen the moment she looked into his eyes, but she knew it would be easier than trying to tell him what had happened.
Hermione took a deep breath, and then raised her eyes, telling him silently that he could look, and he did. She instantly calmed as she felt his presence inside her mind, but this time he wasn't viciously attacking her defenses, so she gently fed him the memory of what had just happened. Near the end, he was gripping her hands tightly while pure rage filled his eyes.
"I'm sorry; I didn't listen to what you said. I was alone, and Ginny was supposed to meet me at the library, and she didn't come so I was trying to get back to-"
"Miss Weasley?" he asked standing quickly.
She began scooping up her things again, shaking from his anger even though Hermione knew it wasn't directed at her.
"Yes, she said she'd meet me after dinner to work."
"Miss Weasley was found hexed in the hallway after dinner."
Hermione raised her eyes to his pacing figure as she stood with her things, once again clutching her wand.
"You don't think-"
"What else could it be?" he barked. "Just like his father…just like his bloody father." he growled.
Hermione didn't know what to say, but she felt like the danger Draco presented was more pronounced than ever, and the thought scared her.
"Well, good night, Professor." she mumbled going to turn away, but he caught her arm.
"Come with me, you have some bruising on your neck."
"Oh." she said reaching up and touching her neck.
Hermione followed him down to the room she was in the night he had brewed the potion for Dumbledore. Snape walked into the room dedicated solely to ingredients and dug around for a few minutes, and her curiosity led her over to the room. He pulled out a black container that looked as if it had seen better days.
"Sit." he commanded pointing to the stool beside the table.
Hermione placed her things down and sat where he had indicated. He walked over to her and twisted the lid off of the container and Hermione recoiled from the smell.
"It has a foul odor, but it disburses after a few minutes. I have to apply it for you, if it's not done right, there are rather…harsh side effects." he warned.
She nodded, thankful that she had put her hair up that morning. Hermione watched as he pulled his sleeves from his wrists and took a small amount of crème onto one of his pale fingers. She could see how uncomfortable he was with the task, but Hermione made sure to relay with her eyes the trust she had in him.
He placed his free hand on the back of her neck to make sure she remained still before gently lifting her chin to reveal the slender column of her neck. Snape then set to applying the substance to her skin. Hermione focused on how the pad of his finger made gentle movements against her throat. She saw the crease in his brow as he rubbed the concoction into her skin with pressured circular patterns. When Snape was done, he turned her chin side to side, viewing her neck to make sure she had no more bruises. Silently, he withdrew his hand from the nape of her neck and closed the container before putting it back in the storage room.
"Don't touch it yet."
Hermione had to keep her hands locked between her knees to keep herself from touching her skin. Snape returned a moment later, pulling a time piece from his robes. Seemingly pleased with the amount of time, he approached her again, and pulled her chin up gently. Anyone who had walked in on the scene would have thought he was getting ready to kiss her and the thought made her flush slightly.
"I suggest you exercise extra caution when near Draco." he advised in a low, rough voice.
"I…I tried."
"I do not believe his threats to be empty." he added as he began running his fingers over the skin he had rubbed the foul smelling crème on, looking for spots that he missed.
"But…what about my parents?" she couldn't help the tone of her voice.
He raised his eyes to hers, freezing his hands on her neck.
"I will inform Professor Dumbledore of what has happened, insist nearly constant security on your parents, if not," he lowered his eyes and began his search again. "I'll have to ask Lupin."
"Professor Lupin?" she asked.
"Of course he won't do me any favors, but when he knows it's for you, he'll be more inclined." he replied drawing his hands away from her skin, pleased with his work. "The bruises are gone, and any future bruising will not take place."
Hermione reached up and touched her neck which still slightly tingled from his touch. Feeling relived, she retrieved her belongings and stood awkwardly.
"Thank you, again." she said quietly.
Hermione raised her eyes to his face, and found him staring intensely at her. Flashing him a quick smile, she made her way from the room and began heading towards the stairs. Hermione made it to the top of the stairs before footsteps came up behind her. She whirled around to find Professor Snape striding meaningfully towards her.
"You're not to walk alone, remember?" he scolded her slightly before walking ahead of her.
She followed him, noticing that this was becoming a habit of theirs; he nearly always walked her back to Gryffindor Tower. This time, however, he kept his wand drawn, making sure to stay slightly ahead of her at all times. When they reached the Fat Lady, he immediately turned his back and disappeared into the darkness. Hermione didn't know how long she stood there, staring after him.
Slughorn's party quickly snuck up on them after that, and Hermione found herself rushing around that night with her hair half done.
"Ginny! Where are my shoes?" she cried throwing things around.
"Here," she answered shoving aside a trunk and pulling out two black heels that weren't monstrously high.
"Thanks." Hermione muttered slipping the shoes on.
"Let me finish your hair." Ginny insisted waving her wand across Hermione's hair.
Hermione's hair fell in gentle waves around her shoulders and she was wearing a turquoise dress ending gracefully at her knees. Sighing, she looked at her watch, noticing how much time they had lost.
"Oh no!" she groaned darting to the door with Ginny.
She was already late; no doubt Cormac would be waiting for her in the Entrance Hall. Ginny was wearing a green dress which contrasted nicely with her blazing hair. The two darted down the stairs and made it to the hall. Hermione wasn't too pleased with her choice, she disliked Cormac on the best of days and he tended to be the hands-on type, which she was already dreading.
"Shall we go?" Hermione asked, instantly heading towards Slughorn's chambers.
She made sure to engage Ginny in a rather pointless exchange to make sure that she didn't have to talk to Cormac too much. But Ginny had to meet up with Dean in the hallway, leaving Hermione alone with him. But the time they had reached the party, Hermione knew more about him than she ever wanted to know.
Before they entered the room, Hermione spotted the mistletoe, and immediately pulled to a stop.
"Go on ahead, I have to go to the bathroom." she announced.
He paused to look at her oddly for a moment.
"I could wait…"
"No, no, you go on ahead." she insisted turning and leaving.
She paused in front of the bathroom, making sure he walked into the room before slowly following. All down the hallway was decorated; making a sort of grand entrance to Slughorn's lavishly decorated quarters. Hermione slipped in quietly and instantly found Harry speaking to Luna.
"Hey." she said keeping her eyes peeled for Cormac.
"Hello, Hermione." Luna dreamily stated.
Hermione looked at Luna's dress and was taken aback by the outrageous design.
"Er…what a lovely dress." Hermione stammered.
"Oh, thank you, I made it myself."
Harry seemed embarrassed, so Hermione didn't say anything else. She kept pushing conversation, hoping to keep off Cormac for as long as possible. Slughorn kept dragging Harry away, and he always managed to grab Luna before being yanked into the crowd. Hermione eventually was caught by Cormac, who insisted on giving her a blow by blow description of his childhood, which turned out to be all about Quidditch and how he was a natural born player. While he droned on, Hermione found herself searching for a dark figure, who would most likely be sulking in a corner of the room.
"…and that's when I knew that I'd be a world renowned flyer…but I haven't gotten my break yet, you know. Harry won't let me on the team, even though I tell him all the time-"
"But Harry is the captain, so technically you shouldn't be telling him anything." she commented.
"But there are so many areas that need improving on." Cormac pushed.
"I don't think so, I mean, he always seems to win." Hermione argued.
"You wouldn't understand."
"Because I'm a girl?" she snapped at his dismissive tone.
Cormac didn't say anything, so Hermione stormed away and decided to spend the rest of the night hidden from Cormac, even though he seemed set on finding her. She ducked behind a crowd of people, and pressed herself against the cool stone wall, heaving a sigh of relief at the shroud of darkness she hid herself in.
"Looking rather flushed, Miss Granger." a voice drawled from beside her.
"Oh!" she gasped, turning to the brooding figure beside her. "I didn't see you there." she stated relaxing back against the wall.
"I gathered as much." he responded still staring out at the people bustling around.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" she asked in a tone that suggested she was too busy to listen to the answer.
"Not particularly. But watching your feeble attempts to avoid Mr. McLaggen definitely has its high points."
"It's not funny!" she snapped at him, still looking around the room for Cormac.
"Severus, come now! No sulking today!" Slughorn boomed strolling over. "Miss Granger! Why aren't you with Cormac? He's been looking for you."
"Oh…er…well, I actually needed to talk to Professor Snape about something rather important." Hermione instantly lied.
"No, no, no! We're celebrating tonight! Nothing serious!" he exclaimed wrapping an arm around each of them and dragging them from the shadows.
"Cormac! Where are you m'boy? I've found Miss Granger for you!"
"Oh, Professor, there's no need for that, I'm sure we'll run into each other eventually." Hermione immediately began to protest.
"Here he is!" Slughorn slurred when Cormac began making his way through the crowd.
Hermione cringed slightly as Cormac reached them.
"There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere." he grinned wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her away.
She risked a glance at Snape, who looked less than happy at the arrangements, but she was quickly swept away and lost sight of him. Hermione was subjected to another hour of Cormac's torture, and she was ready to yell at him to shut up. There was sudden gasping around the room, and they all turned as Malfoy was suddenly yanked into the center of the room.
"Found him outside, lurking around the bathroom, sir." Filch growled.
"Come now, it's the holidays! Let the boy stay!" Slughorn cried, his face red because of how warm the room had gotten.
Malfoy's eyes found her in an instant, and the smirk he flashed her made her skin crawl. Filch unhanded him, and she took a few steps back so she could slip into the crowd. Pressing a hand to her chest, Hermione could feel her heart beating frantically beneath her fingers. Everyone began returning to their conversations as her eyes flashed quickly over the faces that surrounded her. Hermione's eyes landed on the prying dark orbs she had grown so accustomed to over the past few months. Panic filled her, between Malfoy there, and Snape in the same room practically reading the thoughts from her mind, she felt desperately cornered. Taking a few steps backward, she turned on her heel and began heading for the door. Hermione needed to get away from Malfoy, more than anything, she wanted to get away.
Rudely she made her way toward the door and finally reached the deserted corridor, sighing deeply at the vastness. Now that Hermione was free from the repressing crowds, she stood there, looking down each of the corridors she was faced with. Maybe she could go to the library? Maybe back to the common room?
Hermione turned left and began striding towards the common room, hearing the click of her heels echo around the corridor.
"What are you doing?"
She whirled around to find Snape's eyes scanning the darkness, apparently making sure that they were alone.
"I can't be in there, not with him." she instantly explained to him.
"And do you think that he didn't see you leave?"
Before she could reply, a bright light came from behind her, and Hermione instantly turned and backed up, nearly bumping into Snape. But a moment later, she could see what the light was. A phoenix. The bird paused for a moment before speaking.
"It is best to move them tonight. It will ensure they are safe. Send one to my office, I will take them. Send the other to Minerva. She has already taken Mr. Weasley. Make sure Miss Granger is carefully watched."
Dumbledore's voice vanished along with the phoenix and Hermione was rooted on the spot.
"Potter and Miss Weasley must be found. Immediately." Snape's cold voice cut into the darkness.
Hermione was already running back to the brightly lit room.
"Harry?" she called repeatedly, hearing no answer.
Hermione couldn't seem to find them anywhere, but then she looked for Slughorn and sure enough, both Harry and Ginny were there, trying to act interested in what he was saying. She darted over to them, and grabbed their arms.
"Come with me, it's important, please." she begged taking Harry's hand and pulling.
"Miss Granger, surely you can spare your friend for one night?" Slughorn protested, determined not to give up such a treasure.
"I'm sorry, Professor, but this is important."
"Horace, Professor Dumbledore requests a meeting with Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and Miss Weasley immediately." a cold drawl came from behind them.
Harry gave Hermione a questioning look, but she just gave his hand a squeeze.
"Now, Severus, can't this wait until morning?"
"No, it cannot. Goodnight, I will be taking these three with me."
Without another word, Hermione pulled Harry along behind her, and Ginny was behind him. They pushed their way through the crowd and eventually made their way into the deserted corridor. Even when they had made it, they were still clutching each other's hands in fear.
"Professor Dumbledore suggests that you be moved to Headquarters immediately. There is reason to believe that the Dark Lord is going to have you followed tomorrow, and perhaps attacked away from school. It cannot be risked. Potter, go to Professor Dumbledore's office. Miss Weasley, go to Professor McGonagall's office. Granger, you'll be with me. First, return to your rooms to get your travelling cloaks. Take nothing else, and speak to no one. Mr. Weasley has already been moved. Keep your wands out and stay together. Now go."
Harry released Hermione's hand and began to lead Ginny down the hallway, but she stopped to take her shoes off so she could maneuver faster. Hermione remained frozen, staring at Snape, who was staring calmly back.
"Be in the Entrance Hall in no more than five minutes." he said quietly.
"Hermione, come on!" Harry called, now standing with a shoeless Ginny.
"You'll be alright?" she asked without thinking.
"I'm not the one in danger here, and stop worrying about me." he snapped. "Now go, you are wasting time."
Hermione pulled off her shoes, glanced once into his face, and then ran down the hallway, the others running with her. They all seemed to feel the urgency in the air, because no one spoke as they darted up the stairs, relying on Harry's wand because both Hermione and Ginny had left theirs in their rooms.
They reached the portrait and ran through stumbling across a crowd of Gryffindor's who were anxiously awaiting the next day because it was the first day of their holiday. Met with strange glances, the three ran to their rooms and put on their cloaks before darting back down the stairs.
"Why should we trust him?" Harry asked as they clamored out of the portrait hold and back into the deserted staircase.
"Harry, I heard Dumbledore's Patronus tell Snape what he just told us." Hermione told him, slightly breathless while clutching her shoes and her wand.
"Well, this is the way to Dumbledore's office, I'll see you guys later." Harry said, exiting through a door.
The girls quickly scrambled down the stairs, still quiet.
"You don't think that You-Know-Who was going to try and kill Harry then, do you?" Ginny asked finally.
"No, I-I don't think so. I…well, I think he's more interested in me for the time being."
"What?"
"I can't tell you now Ginny, just…hurry and get to McGonagall's office. Keep your guard up, okay? Don't stop to talk to anyone." Hermione emphasized as she left Ginny standing on the landing.
Hermione quickened her pace, feeling her breath coming in harsh gasps. She paused a moment, near the end of the staircase to slip her shoes back on, before reaching the final landing. Hermione saw Snape pacing around, clutching his wand in the same manner she was, and he seemed to have a deeper scowl on his face than he normally did. As she began nearly running down the stairs, he whirled on her, raising his wand before quickly lowering it.
"Well you took your time didn't you?" he snapped sarcastically.
"I had to run halfway around the school!" she retorted breathlessly.
"Come on, we're going to miss our Portkey if we wait any longer."
"We're taking a Portkey?" she asked as he waved his wand at the doors.
"Yes, but it must be outside school bounds."
They stumbled out into the cold, crisp night air before he shut and locked the doors.
"Any trouble?" he asked striding quickly down the walkway.
"No, why?" she replied tripping behind him.
"I suspect Mr. Malfoy noticed your absence."
"Well, Malfoy can just-"
She tripped and he instantly caught her arm to prevent her from falling. Before Hermione could express her thanks, he took her hand in his, and began pulling her along with him. She didn't say anything more, but focused on the feel of his finger intertwining with hers. The only sound that could be heard was his billowing cloak punctuated with their footsteps. Hermione stuck close to him, fearing the darkness that seemed to be pressing in on them from all sides. She was shivering due to the cold air rushing around them and Hermione wished that she changed into something more sensible before heading out.
They reached the gates, and Snape undid the wards for a moment and replaced them once they stepped outside the grounds.
"How did Dumbledore know what was going to happen tomorrow?" she asked quietly.
"He's been predicting the move for quite some time now."
"Using the information you gave him, right?"
"That is not of importance."
"It could get you killed!"
He paused suddenly, looking around for something that apparently was supposed to be on the gravel.
"What?" she asked.
"The Portkey…it's gone."
"Gone? What do you mean, gone?"
He pulled his time piece out without dropping her hand and looked at the time.
"It should still be here." he murmured.
"Are you sure it's supposed to be in this exact spot?"
"Yes! I put it here myself."
"Well, where could it have-"
"Looking for something?" a cold voice interjected from the shadows.
Hermione instantly tightened her hand around Snape's as he raised his wand. A dark figure tossed an object on the floor in front of them, an old tin can that looked as if someone had dropped it from a considerable height.
"Who are you?" Snape demanded in a clear voice.
"Just someone who's doing the Dark Lord's bidding." the voice answered as three other figures emerged from the shadows.
"Under whose orders?"
"Malfoy's."
"Lucius?"
"No, his brat."
The silence hung in the air for a moment, making Hermione stiffen.
"Draco does not call the shots."
"He summoned us, told us what to do." the man said.
The Portkey began to glow blue before vanishing before their eyes. Hermione dug her nails into his skin as she watched their only means of escape vanish.
"So you are doing Draco's bidding, not the Dark Lord's?"
"He explained to us the Dark Lord instructed him to keep the students from leaving the school."
"The Dark Lord gave no such order." Snape said firmly.
"Still," the man responded lighting the tip of his wand and pointing it at Hermione's face. "I heard he's been thinking about taking the Mudblood."
She felt Snape tense at the word.
"But he has not given the direct orders to take her yet, nothing has been decided!"
"We're not leaving without her."
In a flash, spells darted at them, causing Hermione and Snape to release their hold on each other and jump out of the way. Hermione instantly jumped up and sent a spell flying in the opposite direction. She couldn't tell where Snape had ended up or if he was hurt.
Darting from behind a tree, she fired off every spell that came to her head, but she was too slow to duck again because something hit her left arm. She cried out and sunk to the ground as her arm began to burn. A spell flew by her, and grazed her cheek, surely leaving a burn behind. The dark figures seemed to be laughing now, suspecting that they had indeed won the battle. Hermione's anger burned then, and she jumped out, waving her wand and watching the sparks dart every which way.
They were taken off guard, and she hadn't noticed that Snape was already at her side, casting viciously against them. Hermione waved her wrist and sent a Stunning Spell sailing back at one of the figures, causing them to fly back and land with a thud on the ground.
"Take that!" a voice cried, firing a bright blue spell at Hermione.
She waved her wrist to block it, but the power that the caster put behind it caused the spell to blast through her shield and send her hurtling off her feet. The minute she hit the ground, she screamed, feeling as if someone was digging at her skin.
"What did you do to her?!" Snape roared still fighting desperately with the remaining three.
"Just a little Gouging Charm." the person sneered with a smile in their voice.
The pain lessened, but she could still feel the blood seeping from somewhere below her collar bone. She staggered to her feet, conjuring birds, more than she ever had before, and sent them sailing at the attackers in the dark. They all screamed out, and that gave Hermione and Snape an opening. Casting Stunning spells left and right, the drive was suddenly lit up bright red before going completely black.
Hermione could hear her breathing, mixed with Professor Snape's.
"Are you hurt?"
"Let's go." she deflected quickly.
She walked forward, prompting him to follow which he did. He snatched her arm in the darkness, causing her to hiss in pain. When he took her hand in his tightly, she knew that they would be Apparating, and she took a deep breath, feeling the slight weightlessness, before feeling a hand lock onto her ankle.
Hermione tried to shake him off, but she felt her hand slipping from Professor Snape's. The only thing she could think of doing was to Apparate herself, so she did. She could only hope that Snape came along for the ride because if the person tagging along saw 12 Grimmauld Place, Headquarters would be discovered.
Her hand slipped from Snape's just before she came crashing down to Earth. The hand on her leg strengthened as she tried to kick them off. Her foot connected with the person's face, causing a groan of pain, allowing Hermione a moment to scramble to her feet, but the hand caught her wrist, twisting it until a sickening crunch sounded, causing Hermione to scream and fall to the ground. Her wrist was broken, she could feel it. The pain was crippling, and her attacker knew that.
"Not so quick now, eh?" the voice hissed with a slightly stuffy nose, probably because she had broken it.
Hermione could do nothing but moan in pain as she curled her arm to her chest to prevent further injury to her wrist.
"I'm going to be welcomed as a hero when I bring you in." he gloated reaching down for her wand.
"Stupefy!" she screeched at the top of her lungs.
A large red jet of sparks erupted from her wand, and the ugly man went sailing backward, and when he hit the ground he began rolling down the hill before coming to a slow stop. Hermione stood, blinking away the stars of pain. She was standing on top of a steep hill. She recognized it as a place her parents had brought her once when she was little. There was a small town nearby, but she had to find Professor Snape first.
"Professor!" she yelled across the hill, and down into the dense woods that surrounded her.
Her body ached, but she found her way down the hill, still shouting as loud as she could. Finally, she fell to her knees, breathing heavily, the pain taking her over. Conjuring a Patronus, she spoke to it, realizing that she had no idea where she was at the moment.
"I…I don't know where I am. Please, help." she ended before sending the Patronus on its way.
She watched the otter dance through the trees, heading in the direction she had been heading in. Hermione, still on the ground, leaned her body on a nearby tree, and curled up under her traveling cloak, praying that someone would find her soon. Every small shift in her body caused her wrist to move, causing her head to spin. As Hermione sat there, she decided to look over her injuries. There was a rather nasty burn on her arm, the same arm as her broken wrist. The Gouging Spell had taken an immense chunk of flesh out on her right side, just below her collar bone, causing blood to ooze from the wound, no doubt ruining her dress.
After what seemed like hours, she heard footsteps. Raising her head from the tree, she saw a light ahead.
"Professor?" she called rather weakly.
"Hermione?!"
"I'm over here!" she cried just as she shifted her wrist again.
Hermione looked up and saw him stumbling over logs to reach her. When he finally managed to make it through the brush, he fell down beside her with wide eyes and a pale face.
"Are you hurt?" he asked in a strained voice.
"He broke my wrist." she barely whispered to him.
"Let me see."
Slowly, she unwound herself from her position and whimpered in pain as she cradled her wrist for him to see. Hermione didn't dare look at it.
"I can fix it here, if you want, but it's going to hurt."
She looked into his eyes, fully trusting him, and nodded. Snape swallowed, and pointed his wand at her wrist. Looking away, she felt her wrist suddenly crack back into place, and Hermione cried out before biting her lip to keep herself quiet. She leaned back against the tree breathing heavily as the pain left her body.
"Thanks." she muttered feeling a light sheen of sweat on her forehead.
He stood and conjured a Patronus.
"I have Hermione, we were attacked. She's safe. We'll arrive in ten minutes."
The Patronus shot away into the distance.
"Come, we must move before we're followed, and then Apparate from there."
He helped her to her feet, and kept her hand firmly locked in his as they moved away. Snape questioned her about what had happened, and she told him everything.
"He couldn't see Headquarters...and this was the first place I thought of." she muttered.
"I was rather unceremoniously dropped on the ground far from here. I saw your Patronus come from this direction."
"I couldn't hang on while trying to kick him off." she explained as they reached a dirt road.
"I think this will do," he said looking around for a moment. "Assuming we weren't followed."
Hermione looked around before she felt his hand tighten on hers. She automatically braced herself as he turned on the spot. The familiar crushing feeling overtook her as they whipped through space. Their feet hit the ground, and Hermione looked down the familiar road and sighed.
"You're burned." he muttered, looking at her arm whose hand was locked in his own.
"It's not bad." she said nearly instantly.
"And a Gouging Charm?" he asked looking at the nasty injury that was still oozing blood.
"I'll survive."
When she went to walk, he pulled her back and Hermione looked up into his eyes, but he wasn't looking at her, he was staring at the wound.
"Gouging Charms are not usually designed for combat…and if they ever were used, they wouldn't leave damage this severe. The caster must have altered the spell and specifically designed it for combative use." he muttered still looking at the wound.
She went to touch it, but he instantly stopped her.
"Don't touch it yet." he warned before pulling her along.
They walked silently down the middle of the road, until they paused between the numbers eleven and thirteen. Hermione watched as number 12 Grimmauld Place materialized suddenly, without the Muggles realizing it.
Snape pulled her up the stairs, and waved his wand across the door, unlocking the various locks and cancelling the wards. When the door swung open, Snape pushed her inside the dark hallway. Remus Lupin was already rushing towards her.
"Hermione! Are you alright?" he asked pulling her in for a friendly hug.
"I'm fine, Professor, where is everyone else?"
"They're in the kitchen, and there's no need to address me as professor when I no longer teach you." he said smiling at her.
At that moment, Harry and Ron appeared and she ran towards them and the three embraced. Hermione noted that even Mrs. Weasley was there.
"Oh dear, we knew that something dreadful had happened, you're nearly an hour late!" she cried.
Nearly the entire Order was present, and once they were all seated in the kitchen, Hermione began telling the story of what had happened, allowing Snape to add what she had missed. As she was talking, Mrs. Weasley insisted on healing her injuries.
"I'll do it, Molly. I have reason to believe these were dark curses." Snape insisted from the shadows.
Snape made smooth and gentle motions back and forth over her arm, slowly healing her burns. Molly healed her collar bone, and began bustling around the kitchen as people began to discuss what happened that night.
"How bad is it?" Hermione asked looking at her arm which he was nearly done healing.
"Looks worse than it is." He responded without looking at her.
"Well, that's-"
But the burning had returned to her collar bone, worse than before. Hermione instantly pressed her hand to the new flow of blood, raising her fear filled eyes to Snape's. He stared at her for a moment before instantly addressing her wounds, looking slightly distressed. Once he was done, Hermione stood, and he made a move to stop her.
"I'm exhausted, I think I'll turn in." she told him before making her way across the kitchen and to the stairs.
She found Ginny in the room they had shared the last time looking slightly pale.
"Hermione! You're alright! I was so worried that something horrible happened to you. Harry told me, I'm just glad that you got out alright."
"What about you all? Did you have problems?"
"No, Harry Apparated with Professor Dumbledore, and I flooed with McGonagall. Your Portkey showed up in the basement, and no one knew what to do. We started thinking that Snape took you away and went to the Dark Lord, but Dumbledore said that he'd turn up with you, and then he left."
The two girls sat and talked for a few more minutes, and Hermione felt things slowly going back to normal while talking about innocent things like Christmas.
Suddenly, Hermione couldn't breathe, and it felt as someone had suddenly pressed a white hot poker against her skin. At first she thought she had been burned, but that was before the blood began flowing quickly over her front.
"Get Professor Snape!" she managed to grit out through the pain.
Her wounds seemingly had opened back up, and had come back worse than before. Hermione pressed her hand against the numerous gouges in her flesh while she grasped onto the bedpost for support. Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and Ginny came rushing back in, with Snape on her heels.
Snape seemed to have already known this was going to happen, because he instantly strode over to her, and yanked her travel cloak off and tossed it to the side.
"Sit." he insisted while pulling out his wand.
Once she was situated on the bed, he began muttering in another language under his breath, sweeping his wand across her wounds. She felt her skin mending, repressing the urge to be sick. Even after her skin was healed, he continued to mutter quietly as she was breathing quickly and still grasping the bedpost. He pulled away, seeming more tired than ever before.
"You need rest, and if a blood replenisher is on hand, I suggest you take that." he suggested gently.
Hermione wasted no time stretching out across the bed, feeling as if she was just hit by a truck. Everyone began heading from the room, and Hermione closed her eyes, but no sooner had the door closed, that the pain came back, causing her to give a strangled cry. Before anyone could come back into the room, she could feel the fresh flow of blood drenching her.
Snape burst back into the room and darted over to her. Hermione was clenching her teeth trying to hold back the pain, but Snape noticed.
"Holding it back isn't going to help anything." he muttered sitting beside her on the bed trying to heal her again.
"This isn't working," he hissed, pressing his hands down on the wounds. "Someone get Dumbledore. Now!"
People were running back and forth, and Hermione felt herself slipping.
"Look at me." a voice snapped.
Hermione opened her eyes and focused on his dark eyes. He was gazing fiercely at her, and if she wasn't in her current situation, his gaze would turn her stomach into knots.
"You need to stay with me, for a little while longer, okay?"
Hermione placed her hands over his, feeling her own blood slick on his skin, in a silent communication to him. She would stay with him.
A swishing of a cloak told them that Dumbledore had arrived. He immediately walked over and took in the scene.
"Severus?" he asked in a deadly serious voice, the usual twinkle in his eye was missing.
"She was hit by a Gouging Spell, and I'm assuming that it was altered for combat, but every time it's healed, the curse comes back worse than before." he explained, still applying pressure to the gushing wounds.
"Back away." Dumbledore ordered.
Snape pulled his hands out from under Hermione's and pulled away from her. Dumbledore hovered over her, and allowed his hands to hover above the wounds. He looked ancient as he concentrated on whatever incantation he was saying in his head. Hermione felt her chest tighten to a nearly unbearable degree. Dumbledore didn't seem to notice her distress, but the air was buzzing with magic.
Dumbledore lowered his arms to his sides and waited, they all waited. After nearly twenty minutes, nothing happened, and they seemed to be in the clear.
"What was it?" Snape finally asked.
"An interesting piece of magic. Voldemort's, I think. It allows a curse to exist even after it is seemingly stopped. Only the more one tries to heal the curse, the worse it becomes."
"Is it gone?" Snape asked.
"Yes, there was an ancient spell that's rarely used any longer. Mostly forgotten, I dare say. But it does come in handy."
All eyes turned to Hermione now. She could only imagine what she looked like, covered in her own blood.
"Severus, watch over her tonight, if anything arises, you know where to find me. Rest, Miss Granger."
He swept from the room, and some followed him out.
"I'm sure there's a blood replenisher around her somewhere, I'll go look for it," Mrs. Weasley said leaving the room.
Snape and Hermione were alone. She didn't look at him, finding she barely had the strength to stay awake at the moment. Before she knew what had happened, she was asleep.