Chapter 1

They were surrounded. Twelve hooded figures in skeletal masks stood around them, wands drawn. Hermione wasn't sure who fired first, but in the blink of an eye the five of them were battling for their lives. Harry and Ginny had lined up back to back and were moving in a circular motion as they fired spell after spell at the Death Eaters closing in. She saw Neville duck and roll quickly to avoid the jet of green aimed at his chest. Ron's face showed a single-minded fury as he focused on a huge man in front of him. Jumping to the side, she managed to prevent a nasty looking purple flash from making contact with her head. She sent a stunner in the direction the curse had come from and felt a moment of satisfaction when she heard the thud of a body hitting the ground – her spell had hit its mark.

From her left a jet red light sped toward her. Time seemed to slow as she saw it coming and knew that she would not be able to dodge it. The spell hit her like a freight train, knocking the wind out of her as intense pain such as she had never experienced gripped her body. She hit the ground as a scream wrenched itself from her throat. As suddenly as it had come, the pain cut off. The haze seemed to clear slowly, though she was sure it wasn't more than a second or two. She sprang to her feet, wincing at the lingering ache in her bones. Her friends were shooting her concerned looks and Ron looked murderous but they were all caught up in their own battles. The caster of the cruciatus lay on the ground behind her, bleeding out from a deep wound in his chest.

Deciding to puzzle it out later, she took a step forward toward her party before dropping to the ground unconscious as a stunner hit her square in the back.

oOo

Severus saw her fall and cursed under his breath. Making a split decision, he jogged to her prone form and planted his feet on either side of her body. His gut clenched instinctively as the remaining four fighters turned their focus collectively onto him. Meeting Potter's gaze through his mask, he pushed his way into the boy's mind – thank Merlin he never learned Occlumency – and firmly planted the words, "Go, now, boy. I've got her. This is not a fight you can win." He applauded the boy for his brains in covering them as he threw a stunner that Severus easily swatted aside.

"Back off," Potter instructed the rest of his minions. Severus was surprised when there was only a slight hesitation from the group before following orders and turning on their heels with a pop.

There was an intense silence for a moment, broken only by the heaving of chests as adrenaline coursed through the veins of ten Death Eaters. Then all hell broke loose. Wands were pointed at the body beneath him and everyone was speaking so that no one could be understood.

"Silence," he hissed. His command was immediately obeyed. "The Dark Lord will want the girl alive. I intend to present her to him. Should he choose otherwise, then he can have the privilege of killing the Mudblood himself." He stepped to the side of her and leveled his wand at her form. "Ennervate." She was on her feet in an instant, wand in hand. Lazily, he plucked it from her fingers and pocketed it. Using his other hand to grab her arm, he twisted it behind her and pulled her back close against his body, intending to use himself as a shield against overeager Death Eaters if need be. He felt her body shift and steeled himself for the kick that he knew was coming. She did not disappoint, her boot connecting firmly with his ankle. He increased his grip on her arm and shook her hard. "Behave, Mudblood," he growled, "or I may just change my mind about keeping you alive." She stiffened but stilled and he nodded to his fellows over her head. Almost as one, the group turned and disappeared.

oOo

Terror gripped Hermione as they reappeared in a large, dimly lit ballroom. Snape's presence did little to temper her fear, for she could make out a form rising from what appeared to be a throne at the opposite end of the room. She knew that he would do his best to protect her – she had no doubt of his loyalty to the Order – but there was only so much he could do without showing his hand. She tipped her chin upward in defiance as she was marched forward toward the thing that had once been a man.

A smile broke over his lips as his gaze came to rest on her. "Well, what do we have here?" His voice sent a shiver of fear down her spine.

"My Lord," Severus intoned, forcing the girl to her knees, "I have brought the Mudblood Granger to you to do with what you will."

Voldemort stepped down from his elevated dais and circled the two of them. "Yessss," he nearly hissed. "You have done well, Severus." Hermione kept her eyes on the floor but Severus could feel her body trembling at his feet. "Dolohov," snapped Voldemort suddenly.

The man in question stepped forward and fell to his knees. "My Lord."

"I understand that you have a particular… attachment to the Mudblood."

He growled low in his throat. "Yes, my Lord."

"Perhaps I should give her to you. Would you like that?"

"Yes, my Lord," Dolohov agreed huskily.

"Severus," Voldemort barked, "you also have an attachment to the girl." Severus said nothing but inclined his head to his master. "To which of you should I give her?"

Dolohov spoke first. "My Lord, I will make the Mudblood bleed. I will make her burn. I will make her beg for death before, finally, I give it to her."

Severus felt the girl twitch but she made no sound or gave any other indication of fear at the man's words. Good girl.

"Very good," Voldemort purred. "Severus?"

"I know the girl well, my Lord. If I may suggest another plan?" He looked to his master for approval before continuing. "I know her weaknesses. I know how to break the girl. Give her to me. I can destroy her, body and mind, in the most efficient ways possible. Return her to Potter weak and broken."

Voldemort resumed his circling. "Severus, you have been a good and faithful servant for many years. Your plan has merit. Shall we ask the Mudblood what she wishes?" She remained silent, then jumped as he roared, "Speak!"

She raised her head to gaze levelly at the mad man before her. "I wish to see you and all your followers burn in hell."

His face contorted but a laugh, high and cold, filled the hall. "Take her, Severus. Break her down. Destroy that defiant little spirit and give her back to Potter a husk."

He bowed his head obediently. "My Lord."