Gone and Back Again

Chapter Six

They had just made it to the edge of the forest, Hermione had a feeling danger was closing in. Choosing to ignore it, as she needed to get as close as possible to these young men, she allowed Lucius to hand her off to Severus. His hands had become like ice, despite the steeled look and hard obsidian eyes she had become accustomed to during her school days. He was afraid, but determined not to let her know, causing her slight panic to ripple that much farther.

"Please take her to the clearing with the rest of the girls, I need to go gather the cretins before we start." Lucius clipped his cloak around his shoulders and disappeared in a few long strides.

Severus lead Hermione into shadows just behind a large pile of brush, obscuring them from the view of anyone that may happen by. "Give me your wand."

The shock must have been evident on her face since he wasted no time explaining "The game we are about to play is dangerous for all involved. There will be injuries, you will hear screaming, cries for help, and all sorts of disgusting activities. If you are caught by the leader of the hunt, it will be worse for you than any of the others, especially if you have your wand. I need you to trust me."

Her eyes never left his face as she removed her wand from her skirts, and he slipped it into his boot. Severus looked almost like the formidable potions master she had grown to care for. Black button down shirt, black breeches, and black leather hunting boots that stopped below his knees. His cloak was clipped at his shoulders. The Phantom of the Opera came to mind the longer she stared at him.

"Hermione!" He gripped her face between his large palms "pay attention! We will all be wearing masks. The leaders is made of gold. If you are caught by anyone other than myself, you are to fight, and get away until I can find you. "

"What if you can't? What then?"

He swallowed the fear in his throat, pulling her into his arms and pressing his lips to her forehead. He said something she couldn't quite make out before reassuring her "I will find you."

Hermione felt a brief sense of calm before he pulled away. Severus took her hand and lead her to a clearing in the middle of the forest. Several young women stood in a circle, backs to the center, all silent. Hermione, however, was the only one dressed entirely in black. The others all seemed to be wearing some form of everyday clothes in various colors.

What was Lucius playing at? He was specific with her, what of these others?

Severus placed her in her spot of the circle before retreating into the shadows.

The trembling in her hands returned. She squeezed her eyes closed, and began whispering protection and silencing charms, praying to whoever would listen that one of them would stick with her. She removed her shoes, hoping that helped silence her movement.

"Good evening. Ladies, you will have exactly three seconds head start."

That voice. Who's was that voice?

She could barely see the silhouettes of the young men that surrounded them. She had to squint her eyes to even see that properly in the darkness of the wood.

"Now. GO!"

At the resounding shout, Hermione felt as if she had jumped from her skin before taking off in a sprint in the opposite direction of the voice.

Three.

The images of the snatchers chasing them through the woods flooded her. The same panic forcing her to senses into overdrive.

Two.

A flurry of blonde hair in front of her tried to climb a tree before being violently thrown to the ground. Hermione gripped the girl by her arm and jerked her to her feet. "Get the fuck off of me!"