Azael's Chains

Countermoves

He'd become comfortable with her relative safety in the library, though he still opted to stay with her more often than not. Whenever Snape sent for Antonin he would include a guard to watch her and ensure no one did whatever the Death Eaters feared. The boy from the last time had not returned, but it was mostly lower order individuals over all. She had little opportunity for divisive action, especially when Death Eaters she knew would occasionally peek in to watch the tamed lioness organize books.

That was, until the evening Dolohov hissed and grasped at his forearm. "Shit." The dark man rose like a shadow and stormed to the door. "You! Fetch Severus. Tell him my pet requires a guard." After a pregnant pause he demanded, "Well?"

It was much too soon when Snape entered the stacks, obsidian eyes cutting through her. "I take it you received the Dark Lord's summons? I had hoped he'd give me a moment to warn you."

"Yes, I--"

"I'll stay with Miss Granger, go on then."

Tension strummed between them before Dolohov nodded and disapparated to wherever his master was. She loathed that, the new permission for Death Eaters to apparate in Hogwarts. It was tied to the Dark Mark, surely, as those without it came via other means (usually the front gate).

Hermione was too aware under her former professor's eyes, each movement of her muscles a conscious choice as she wiped away dust and inspected tomes. He was lasered on her and she knew something was finally going to happen.

"Miss Granger." Her skeleton attempted to flee her flesh at the nearness of his low voice. How she had not noticed the long shade of his body fall over her she did not know. One black brow rose inquiringly as he stared down his long nose at her.

"You startled me. Sorry."

The brow lowered, corner of his lip twitching. "You recall our former conversation?"

His tone conveyed the truth of his meaning and she nodded slowly, the memory of her one night of freedom rising through the tide of her thoughts.

"I have a task for you." His coal black eyes burned into her. "It is distasteful, but critical."

Her throat was tight with unspoken hope. "I understand."

"You must not allow any suspicion to be cast upon your actions, do you understand? No one can think you were complicit, or you may endanger your position." She nodded again. "You will distract Dolohov tomorrow night. You will delay his sleep, weather him down, ensure he does not want to leave you for anything short of a summons from the Dark Lord himself."

"Why?" was out before she could help herself, ever the curious Gryffindor even in Hell.

His lips pursed as he rolled his jaw in irritation. "The less you know, the better. As it is, your rudimentary Occlumency is enough of a risk. You will practice further compartmentalizing these thoughts and placing those related to our discussions in memories you do not wish others to share. By doing so, you may fool those who delve into your mind that those are the memories you are protecting and nothing more. The deeper you hide these moments, the better. Understood?"

She stared up at him with umber eyes flickering in the candlelight. "But how am I supposed to distract him like that? That's... that's impossible."

A long-suffering sigh stirred around the man and he rubbed at his temples. "You are the only one capable of such a feat." Snape's hand lowered and his gaze whipped down her form before meeting her eyes again. "You have everything you need at your disposal. Use it. "

"You want me to--" Disgust rose through her throat and leeched into her voice. "That's-- that is--"

He silenced her with cold, cutting eyes. "We do what we must, Miss Granger. If we wish to see a new day, sacrifices must be made." He turned in a flourish of black robes, long strides taking him to the doors before she could manifest a response. A young Death Eater popped in at his behest and took up her guardianship.