A Cold Night in Hell

Mum always said I was smart. Dad always said I was too smart for my own good. I guess Dad was right, he always is. It's my intelligence that got me here, in more ways than one. I stood out at Hogwarts, the smartest witch since Ravenclaw herself. I was too smart by half for a Mudblood. At least, that's how Lucius Malfoy and his dragon of a son saw it. I never should have gone to see Severus Snape that day. Never should have opened that door. But I had to: I was a Gryffindor, after all. But there he was, dressed to the hilt in Death Eater finest, complete with mask. I think what got him was the fact that I wasn't surprised. I didn't scream, didn't gasp, just stood there.

"Leave, now." I couldn't see his face, but his eyes were cold.

I shook my head, feet planted firmly. "No."

"Idiot girl! Go back to Potter and Weasley!" He drew his wand, ordering me with those eyes that were filled with hate.

"I'll stay, thank you." I drew my own wand with the practised ease of years of duelling.

"I don't have time for your Gryffindor morals, Granger! Leave no-,"he stopped speaking abruptly, hissing in pain when he grabbed his arm.

"Go. I will be here when you return." I walk in until we were but a few inches from each other.

Let it be said I died with no regrets. A second passes and his lips cover mine. I leave the cold dungeon behind, knowing only the taste of Severus Snape as his tongue plunders my mouth. A moment more and it is over, our lips swollen.

"You will be the death of me, girl..." He gave me a final look before leaving the room. No regrets.

Now I sit, cold and alone, in the dungeons of the school ; as I have for the past two weeks. The night he left was the last. He died the same night. The night the Dark Lord attacked Hogwarts. A house elf brings me food twice a day. And there's a cot in the corner of the cell. They took my wand; I expected that at least.

I can hear voices near here; one, I know, is Lucius. The other is new. I shiver slightly, hugging my sweater closer. The voices grow louder, moving towards my cell. The voices stop as Malfoy opens the door. I shield my eyes, the light from outside is harsh; I had been living in darkness for weeks. Lucius laughs, dragging my arms from my face roughly. I blink several times, almost smiling when I see his companion. It is a friend, a friend I have not seen in so long.

"Hermione, how nice to see you again." His voice...it's so different. And his eyes, they no longer are filled with the horrors of years surrounded by Dementors; instead, they look at me with cold humour.

"Sirius, I see you overcame your hate of Slytherins." I surprise myself; my voice does not shake.

"Oh Miss Granger, you seem to have forgotten your manners. Speak with respect when you address superiors." Malfoy smirks at his companion's comment, twisting my arm harder.

"You're right, Sirius, I should speak with respect when addressing my superiors, unfortunately, I don't see any of them around." Childish, I know, but I am too far gone to come up with an adequate retort.

"You little bitch, you should be honoured to look such a man in the eye!" Lucius snarls, yanking me to the ground. I can't see it to be sure, but I hear one of the men draw his wand.

I shiver once more; my stay in hell is almost over.

"Avada Kadavra!" It is Sirius who speaks. Sirius's wand that kills me. I must remember to thank him later...