Satin by Viriditas

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.

Summary: Post-HBP The Golden Trio. Split up. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Gaining power. How can the Light side save wizards and muggles alike when they need saving themselves?

Chapter 3: Pimsy

The door opened, revealing the silhouette of an odd looking creature. The small figure stalked through the dark room, looking for something. Large eyes darted to and fro and upon finding what it was looking for, seemed to light up with glee. It quickly skittered to its destination and—

"Rise and SHINE, Miss Hermione Granger!"

With that, the house elf pulled the large curtains apart. Sunlight flooded in, hitting "Miss Hermione Granger" full on the face. She made a small noise of annoyance and burrowed her head in her pillow.

The house elf could not be deterred, however. It climbed onto the bed and started to jump, all the while repeating "Pimsy is to wake Miss Hermione Granger!"

Mumbling something like "Alright, mum. I'm up, I'm up…", Hermione sat up and stretched before groggily opening her eyes.

She stared at the creature that was now sitting at the foot of the bed and looking at her intently. It had large, bat-like ears, huge green eyes, and a small, pointy nose. It was dressed in a tea towel with an elaborate "M" printed on it. Then—

"AAAAAAHHHHH!"

Pimsy jumped up, startled. Hermione's hand reached out for her wand, which she usually puts on her nightstand at home. Unfortunately for her, she instead threw herself off balance and fell on the cold stone floor.

"WHO ARE YOU?"

"I is—"

"WHERE AM I?"

"Miss Her—"

"WHAT IS GO—"

Pimsy snapped her fingers and silenced the hysterical girl. She jumped off of the bed and planted herself right in front of Hermione. "Now Miss Hermione Granger is calm, Pimsy answer questions. I is Pimsy. Miss Hermione Granger is in Malfoy Manor. Pimsy is to get Miss Hermione Granger ready."

With a smug smile on her face, the house elf snapped her fingers again, removing the silencing charm. Hermione was now speechless. Her still-sluggish brain tried to process the information.

I'm in…Malfoy Manor! How did I get here? What happened? I remember I was with Harry… and then I heard Voldemort and Malferret talking… Or was that a dream?

Pimsy tapped her foot impatiently as she watched Hermione's facial expressions change with each new thought. Sighing with exasperation, she took Hermione's hand and pulled her to her feet. Pimsy dragged the catatonic girl over to the wardrobe. She opened the large mahogany doors and began to look for an appropriate set of robes for Hermione, all the while chatting away about nothing.

What were Voldemort and Malfoy talking about? Something about a plan…

She turned her blank stare upon Pimsy, who was picking out a set of garish pink dress robes edged with yards and yards of lace. The house elf was talking as animatedly as ever, but none of it registered in Hermione's mind.

Suddenly, Pimsy froze, seeing someone behind Hermione. She scrambled to her knees and bowed with the horrendous dress robes still in her hands. Hermione turned around to see what had startled the elf.

"Pimsy, not those robes! They're ghastly! Ah, Miss Granger. I see you're awake at last…"

..:To be continued:..

A/N: Who could that be: o

Explanation for late update: Debate tournament two weekends ago. Teachers piling on lots of work before spring break. Writer's block.

Once again, I am very sorry for this. I will try to update more often. I'll try to get another 2 chapters in this week because I actually have time! Fancy that!

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