Playing with Fire

Chapter 1 - Abducted

It was a tough last week at home for Hermione. She knew that she had to leave her home and her parents in a week. She also knew that she had to wipe her parents' memories. There was just no other option. If there was, she would have taken it gladly. The only thought that brought her a little consolation was that she would return to her parents as soon as possible and give them back their memories. As soon as Voldemort was destroyed.

Around her parents, Hermione tried to act as normally as possible. But of course they had the feeling that something was wrong with her. And that didn't really contribute to the ambience in the living room. Needing some time for her own, Hermione went back to her own room, just to distract herself from what she had to do in the very near future. It had to be done, destroying the Horcruxes, together with Harry and Ron.

But when she entered her room, she found that someone was already there. Someone with a mask, so she couldn't tell who it was. But Hermione had seen those masks before, and it didn't promise anything good. It was a Death Eater. She quickly looked around, desperately trying to find her wand, and she saw it lying next to her bed, out of reach.

"Stay away from me," Hermione warned, trying to stand her ground, but she did feel nervous. She was unarmed in the presence of one of the helpers of Voldemort. She should never have left her wand behind.

"You will come with me," a gruff voice sounded from beneath the mask, telling Hermione that it was a man.

"They know where I am, you can't take me away from here," Hermione tried, but she knew that it was useless.

"They won't be able to find you, miss," the man sneered, and he took a step closer, grabbing Hermione's arm.

"No! Let me go!" she cried in vain. She would only draw her parents' attention, something she didn't want. She would only bring them in danger.

The next thing she felt, was a strange feeling in her stomach, the feeling of an apparition. For a moment she couldn't breathe, until she suddenly stood in a big hall. When she looked around, she saw that the hall was rather dark and very expensive. The floor was made of marble and there was a prestigious fireplace in the centre. It was no doubt meant to impress important visitors, and there was certainly no doubt that the hall belonged to someone with a lot of money. Hermione didn't need to think for long about who could possibly own an expensive manor like this, because she recognised the voice of a second man who had entered the hall immediately.

"Thank you, Nott. The Dark Lord will be most pleased," the silky voice of Lucius Malfoy sounded.

"You..." Hermione said angrily. "Why am I here?"

Lucius sneered at that. "I am surprised you haven't figured that out yet. I was always under the impression that you were one of the brightest witches of your age."

"How am I supposed to figure out why I am here?" Hermione retorted.

"Thank you, Nott, you may leave," Lucius said coldly before explaining anything to Hermione. "You don't seem to be nervous at all..."

"Why would I be? If Voldemort wanted me dead then that Death Eater would already have killed me. I don't fear you, if that is what you think."

"My, my, a true Gryffindor, aren't you?" Lucius sneered.

"Why am I here?" Hermione tried again.

"Because, you silly girl, the Dark Lord wants you to stay here. With us. So that we can keep an eye on you. We know about you, we know that you are part of the so-called 'Golden Trio'. And we also know that both Potter and Weasley are nothing without you. And trust me, we keep a close eye on the rest of your... people. The Order, it is called, I believe. With a bit of luck, Potter will even come and look for you, reckless as he is," Lucius said calmly.