Fiercely Stubborn Hearts

Chapter 17

Hermione held her breath and remained crouched where she was, hidden by a tree that was barely large enough to conceal her. 

"I can smell you, girl," the voice growled from somewhere behind her tree. "Where are you?"

Hermione's brain raced. Not many ways to escape this. Not many ways at all. One, really. Escaping a werewolf by running was nearly impossible and attacking one near the Death Eater's base was a death wish. But the only plan that Hermione had in her mind was a death wish as it was. She made sure the map was tucked away in a safe location on her person where it wouldn't be felt by any prodding hands and moved her knife so it sat alongside her breast in her bra. Wizards were prudes, she had discovered early on during her time at Hogwarts- unless they were alone and the girl was defenseless- and they wouldn't be feeling her up anytime soon to see if she carried any weapons. This, of course, was simply a precaution. Wizards also rarely carried weapons when they had their wands with them. To most purebloods, it was strange to use anything as a weapon except a wand. 

So, she stepped out from behind the tree and put a frightened expression on her face, holding her hands up, "I-I'm sorry. I w-wandered into the forest and g-got lost. P-please don't hurt me."

The werewolf's eyes flicked to her wand, "Give me your wand, girl, and I'll take you to the boss to see what to do with you."

She blubbered, "Please, don't take my wand. I-I need it."

"Give it here!"

She dropped it, feigning fear and jumped back. He reached forward and grabbed both of her hands and held them behind her back. Another wonderfully pathetic thing about wizards- their lack of handcuffs or at least rope to tie her hands together. This wolf was stupid if he didn't know that she was Hermione Granger. Perhaps he was partially blind and didn't know her scent. 

"I-" she began.

"Shut up, girl."

He led her straight into the base and through the front gates and into the house where he presented her to the boss like she was a prize. She didn't recognize the boss- he must have been fairly low in the Death Eaters' ranks when Voldemort was still around.

He peered at her and gave a sneer, "Why, Hermione Granger, how strange to find you here."

The werewolf looked down at her in shock, "Oh my gods, it's Hermione Granger."

Hermione carefully examined her situation. There weren't too many Death Eaters there- enough that it would be a challenge, but small enough numbers that she was almost sure she could take them all out... if she was careful.

She cocked her head and looked up at the boss, "Funny that you know my name. I've not the foggiest what yours is. You must've been low on the recruiting list for Voldemort."

Gods, Draco was rubbing off on her- that was not something she would have said a year ago.

He seemed to scowl a little, "I am Olister Sterin."

Her brows shot up a little in amusement and she shook her head and breathed, "You wizards and your names- I swear."

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing," she said sweetly, tilting her head.

"Well, Iren?" Olister said, looking to the werewolf. "Take her to the dungeons."

Hermione sighed, "Well, I suppose you ought to, then, Iren."

Just before he was about to turn to lead her there, Olister called, "Wait! Give me her wand!"

Hermione breathed out a sigh of annoyance as Iren tossed her wand to the other man. That complicated things a little bit.

They reached an empty hallway quickly and Hermione paused and sighed, "I believe this is my stop, Iren."