"You made it!" Harry watched Neville, Luna, and Ginny step through the secured floo. Both he and Ron had been beside themselves waiting for them to get there. The other order members were discussing tactics in a heavily warded room just off of the kitchen. They'd received intelligence that had them all beyond worried but none of them had shared a piece of it with either of them.

"Yeah, sorry we're running a little behind. Ginny had a little too much fun with her diversion." Neville grinned slightly as the aforementioned redhead rushed forward to wrap her arms around Harry.

"It's alright you're here now, we haven't used the mirror all day so we're hoping we can get a good view of Hermione in it before we make our plan." Ron lifted the mirror up showing it off. It had taken every ounce of willpower he had not to take even a brief look.

"Are you all still thinking it's Malfoy's Manor?" Neville took a seat, moving with the others who had also moved to sit at the table.

"Yes, but we're not sure exactly what her words mean." Harry pulled the paper over from where they'd been bouncing dead-end ideas back and forth all day. "'I'm a trap.' Why not 'it's a trap' or something like that?"

Luna pursed her lips slightly, she too had been wondering but when they'd discovered the other half of the puzzle her brain had been ticking away, "Didn't Hermione send you another message... one from the start of the break?"

"She did..." Ron pulled the bag they'd restocked and made ready in the off chance they'd need to take running again. He dug through the top for a moment before pulling out the paper. "She'd hidden a message inside that one too..." Ron set the paper down on the table for all to see. "She hid another message under her instructions, here. Lumos." Ron held the paper up and illuminated it from behind. "'Don't come for me.'" Ron canceled the spell and set the paper down. Placing them beside the other it was a startling difference.

The first note had clear and precise handwriting that Hermione was well known for and the other looked shakey like she could no longer properly hold a pencil. Everyone around looked down at the two notes with a heavy heart and an even heavier silence fell over the room.

oOo

"Interesting spell, is it not?"

Snape swallowed the bile that was rising up the back of his throat. His eyes never leaving the girl who struggled for air in front of them. "Indeed...My Lord." The words burned even as they left his throat. His jaw and temple pulsed with his heavily thumping heart.

Hermione had been chained to a steel cross of sorts. She sagged against its rough surface, the pole that was looped through her biceps kept her from going too far down. A large steel chain pressed against her stomach, attached to her free wrists that struggled to keep her from falling any further. Her feet were completely free but they were of no help at present.

Voldemort had transfigured her previous attire of borrowed shirt and slacks to something out of a history book. A long white robe from Roman times. It hung off her frame exposing her shoulders, a large V over her chest and thanks to a long split up the side, almost all of her legs. The rope around the middle looked painfully tight around her already small waist. It was not lost on Snape that it would have been something a Roman slave would have been seen wearing.

"What happens when the number reaches zero?"

"She will die." Snape's eyes hadn't wandered far from the number that was shining red against the white stone that hung around her neck. He had managed the switch, but only just. It had taken some very creative words and very well placed hands but he had done what he had meant to do. He could feel the real stone's mate burning against his skin around his neck, begging him, urging him to take action. Presently, the number read 30. 30 Minutes before true death.

Voldemort tilted his head adjusting his spell just a bit more. He had been playing really, discussing idle things as the time passed. Keeping her in a state of perpetual drowning before giving her just enough air to keep her conscious. He was sure to use her terrified look later when the time was right.

"What about the killing curse?" His voice sounded bored, as though he were discussing the weather and nothing more. He turned his wand just little bit farther, watching with an impassive eye as her struggles to breathe were dying out.

"There...is a safeguard for that, but it can only be used once. I wouldn't recommend trying it now. It would leave the stone useless after it is used." Snape caught her eyes for a fraction of a second and he felt a torrent of fear wash over him so strong that it nearly buckled his knees. A harsh blink cleared his mind and he shifted just a little closer to where the Dark Lord had taken center stage for his little, test.

"Pity." His wand cut sharply to the left and a harsh choking cough filled the room. Water and her meager dinner fell down to the floor as her body attempted to expel the water that had taken residence in her lungs. Voldemort sneered and came closer, banishing away the mess she'd made with an absent wave of his fingers.

Her head had fallen down now, shallow gurgled breaths leaving her rapidly moving chest. Voldemort's hand moved with a mockery of care over her cheek, pushing back the hair that had fallen from her braid and over her shoulder. His head tilted down to the mark on her neck, his eyes narrowing slightly. Then with a sharp snap, he took hold of her chin tightly in his palm, raising her head to meet his own.

Her eyes were barely open and twitched to the adjustment but didn't widen. Her lips, still blue from lack of oxygen, shivered between bids for air. Snape held his breath pleading to the heavens that his shield still held through everything she'd been through. When he tried to reach out towards her, he felt a void, an emptiness that came with unconsciousness.

"Ennervate." Voldemort sneered when her body gave a sharp jolt but her eyes still didn't open.

"Ennervate!" Another harshly spoken spell jolted her frame but still, she did not look at him. He snarled and released her head, turning away with a harsh snap as it fell down to her chest. Snape moved out of the man's path but didn't dare to think he was finished.

"Crucio!"

The spell shot from the tip of his wand with such force Snape could actually feel it as it burned past him. His eyes snapped to the left when her body tried to curl in on itself, twisting in unnatural ways against the binds that held her.

"Crucio!" A second spell hit before the first had gone out and her body arched up. Her eyes snapped open wide and her scream filled the grand space.

oOo

"Ah!" Harry jolted in his chair, his hand going to his scar, a tortured scream filled his ears well before the image started to form and he blindly reached out with his hand, "The mirror! Use the mirror!"

Harry hissed as the world around him faded in and out. He could make out something forming in the center of his mind's eye, the scream started anew and the image finally took full form. A smooth voice that he knew all too well overshadowed the tortured cry.

Relinquish the Horcrux or watch your friend die.

"Don't hurt her!" Harry's voice made all of them jump.

Ron grabbed hold of the mirror as quickly as he could, casting the spell so that the image formed all around them. Everyone in the room pressed themselves back to the walls aside from Harry who was still tightly holding his scar.

The image came in clearer than before as if someone or something was calling out for it to be seen. Luna took Neville's hand tightly as another light shot forward.

Hermione's body shook violently and her eyes bled red with tears that couldn't be stopped. Her mouth opened in a silent scream that only Harry could hear.

"Is he...is he really torturing her...?" Harry had to be sure before he sent them all with him.

"Yes, yes he is..." Ginny's voice wavered but she couldn't look away.

"He...he wants the Horcrux..."

Hermione's body suddenly went limp when the curse was ended. Her body sagging near boneless against the cross. Slowly, a black vine rose up from the floor dragging it's deep red thorns around her legs.

It wound way up slowly, running its razor-sharp thorns under the split in her robe. Everyone in the room was able to follow the deep red that painted its slow ascent. The vine cut through the robe over her stomach, pulling her tighter against her cross, deep red bubbled up before rolling down in a thick cascade. Her body jerked as it tried to get away, but there was simply nowhere to go. It wound itself up through the center of her chest only adding to the crimson rain that was starting to puddle on the floor.

Tick-tock.

The vine wrapped itself under her chin raising her head for all to see. Her eyes were open but it was clear to everyone present that there wasn't anything left of the Hermione they once knew.

Please...

Harry panted hard as the pain increased.

Please...kill me...

We'll be waiting.

The image from the mirror and inside Harry's mind instantly went out. Harry panted hard holding his nose that had started to bleed. A choked sob broke through the back of his throat as he tried to bring himself back around.

"To hell if it's a trap..." His words were hard, his voice that of a man instead of the boy he still was, "Let's go."

oOo

"I want to thank you, for this," Voldemort whispered, leaning in just a bit before pulling the stone from her neck sharply. A bright white light ran over her body as the protection the stone had provided was broken. He turned it in his palm before rising it up for her to see, "You've just guaranteed my victory." He smiled wider as her eyes lost focus.

"Take your prize, Severus." Voldemort turned away, a slow grin forming on his lips. He didn't even notice the stone that he'd slipped into his robe being replaced with a silent charm on his way out.

"You are most gracious..."

Snape didn't dare move until the man was safely beyond the doors. As soon as they'd closed, he approached with trepidation. His own hand shook with his restraint as he vanished away the devil's vine and took her heavy head into his hands. Her body was shaking from the blood loss. Her eyes were dark, rimmed with the blood that had fallen down. His thumb brushed along her cheek staining it further. It was then that the wall he'd placed around her mind gave way.

He was left with a mixture of awe and raw pain as he realized what she'd done. The words she had spoken to end her torture. "You...truly are, the brightest witch of your age..."

A deep choked laugh mixed with a sob and thick blood bubbled pass her purple lips. Hermione pressed her face into his hand unable to do anything else. Everything hurt to the point where she could no longer feel it at all. Her eyes closed as a weak sob tore through the back of her throat, filled with ambivalence.

Snape took as much care as he possible calling back as much blood as he could before lifting her up into his arms. She had gone quiet now, only the weak rattle of shallow breaths left her quivering lips. She was barely hanging onto reality, fighting against her body to stay with him. He knew his part in the plan was far from over and that he needed to put her in a secure place.

His mind drifted to the cellar as he walked towards the doors. He rationalized it at the safest place to keep her until it was over. He wasn't so sure what the outcome of the Dark Lord's plan would be. It very well could be the end of everything everyone had been working towards. His only hope was that she would be found after his death.

He'd already given everything his worthless life had to offer. He had made his peace with the grim reaper. He wasn't afraid to die. He only hoped he could make everything right before the end.

As he took the steps down, he felt a new air filling the entire Manor. Strong wards were being lifted and dark magic was filling the space. He had noticed the lack of guards on the first floor and wondered just what exactly Voldemort's strategy was. He hadn't been able to glean any information from simply being in his presence and as his focus had been solely on the trembling girl he now carried. He was just as in the dark as she was. It wasn't the best position to be in for sure, but he had confidence that he would be able to do what needed to be done.

His eyes narrowed at Wormtail who was magically cleaning out one the numerous empty cages, "Get out."

The man tilted his head daring to leer at him but a sharp snarl sent the coward running for the exit. Snape turned his eyes forward again, moving down the small turn that led to where he'd gone before. The small rooms behind the stable-like doors with names printed on the top were all silent.

As he passed, he chanced a glance inside one only to find it curiously empty, a quick look up told him it was Malfoy's. The next three were just the same all with Bellatrix's name over top. The last one, the one bearing his name was also empty but he had expected that.

He moved to the far wall kneeling down into the corner. Her body had grown heavier now, her chest slowing. He laid her down inside the corner using the stone wall to keep her sitting up. The dress she was wearing was stained and torn but her modesty was the least of his concerns at present. He pulled open the top three buttons of his coat before reaching into the pocket inside pulling out his field kit.

He sat it down in her lap between her lax upturned hands. She didn't react at all to his touch and her mind was nothing but a low murmur of swirling thoughts. He flipped open the top, noticing her stomach twitch when the leather touched the long arching cut along her stomach.

He'd closed the wounds but they were still scabbed and raw. She would need dittany to make them go away completely. He didn't have the time to administer it, however as he knew he had only a few precious minutes to make sure she would be alive to find.

He pulled out a blood replenishing potion first and cradled the back of her head. Her eyes fluttered open but they were blurry with blood-stained tears. He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip relieved that she was conscious enough to understand his unspoken command.

When her warm breath wafted over his thumb he pressed the small tube to her lips and tipped it back slowly. When it was finished he slipped the empty vial back into its place before pulling up a different one.

"Another, that's it, slowly..." A loud explosion from off in the distance raised his head and he knew his time was up. He pulled the half-finished vial away from her lips and pushed it back into the bag in a hurry. He closed the flap and pulled the small strap from its hidden catch.

"Miss Granger?" His voice was more urgent now. He gave her head a small shake forcing her to look at him, "Miss Granger, can you hear me?"

"Mmm..." Her head turned slowly, she could tell by the look in his eyes something was very wrong.

"I need you to do something for me. Are you capable?" He paused long enough for her to nod slightly, "I need you to hold onto this bag," He looked down putting her trembling hands around the kit, "Do you feel it? Yes?" He squeezed her hands tightly, "Do not let this go. Do you understand?"

"Yes..." Her head slowly turned into the side of the wall when his hand pulled away, her eyes rolling down to look at the bag in her hands. With all the strength inside her, she curled her fingers around the leather. She faintly felt something being wound around her wrist before she felt him move away. Three slow blinks and he'd virtually vanished before her.

oOo

Harry and Ron kept to the front. They'd not done very well at remaining stealthy as they had all but destroyed the front gates leading to the manor in a rather magnificent explosion. Everyone's hearts were in their throats as they approached the front doors with great caution.

Moving in a diamond formation with Harry beneath his cloak in the center Ron had taken point. Everything was so silent, and dark. Every little shadow raised the hairs on the back of his neck and sped up his already pounding heart. They had to get there they had to save her. It was all his fault.

Luna was keeping her eyes turned into anything that may be lying in wait for them. Any unseen force that may bar their way. She hadn't been able to see any of the wards that had previously been in place over the manor and that only made her stomach grow uneasy. Everything about what they were doing seemed too easy. Like Voldemort had virtually rolled out the red carpet for them.

A loud scream echoed through the entire entrance way from the left and Ron kicked off. Everyone scrambled to try and keep formation but it was nearly impossible with the speed in which he'd taken off.

"Hermione!" Completely forgetting that there was a high possibility that everything around them was a potential trap. Ron cried out before his sister cast a silencing charm on him. Ginny ran harder trying to catch up to him while Neville and Luna stayed close to Harry.

Ginny grabbed Ron right before he kicked open the doors to the drawing room. She could have punched him square in the face if they didn't need his help. She snarled and held her finger in his face giving him a very intimidating impression of their mother before she turned her head to cover the others who were still catching up.

Harry pulled the cloak off his head and gave Ron a small glare before sighing heavily. "I can't feel him, anywhere..." Another scream came from the inside of the room and Ron jolted but Ginny held him tightly in place with a wand to his chin.

"Give me the cup, and get back under the cloak Harry. Just because you can't feel him doesn't mean he's not here..." Ginny released Ron who was cowed substantially for now.

"Alright..." Harry reluctantly pulled the hood back over himself and handed over the fake cup that Neville had made. It was a rather remarkable replica of the real Horcrux. They had all agreed that it was too dangerous to actually give back the real one but, in their youthful naivety, they believed that they could trick the dangerous wizard long enough to at least get Hermione out safely.

Ginny clutched the cup tightly to her chest looking up at Ron for a brief moment, "Don't do anything stupid." She released the silencing spell she'd placed over him before looking back to Neville and Luna, "Everyone ready?"

"Let's bring her home." Neville puffed up his chest nodding to Ron whose jaw was set.