Doppelganger

Hermione faces her death as Voldemort expresses interest in doppelgangers. Please review if you are inclined and tell me what you think.

Chpt 2 The Death of Hermione Granger

Hermione laid on pitiful excuse of a bed waiting for the time that she would be presented to Voldemort and her death. She found as she dwelled upon the thought she became angry. How dare he take her life? All she had ever wanted to do was to succeed at school and help her friends defeat the foul wizard and be able to live her own life. She had read about the Veil and all the books mentioned it was all in how you lived and how you faced your death.

To die well. Could she do it?

She fell asleep dreaming of Hogwarts and her past.

&&&&&&&

Professor Snape was teaching his last class of the day when he suddenly felt strange. He staggered back to his desk and fell down into his chair as he looked to his class and snarled. "You will give me a two foot parchment on the properties of the Essence of Murtlap tomorrow. Class dismissed and get out of my sight!" Snarling out to the students.

The 3rd year Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students scrambled and left the room quickly happy to be cut loose early. They were confused though as the Potion Master was not teaching about the Essence of Murtlap but of Calming Draughts.

Quickly entering his study, he fell down onto the large couch and closed his eyes and felt himself fall in back into his mind as he watched the Golden Trio talking, watching as Hermione handed Mr. Potter a bowl filed with Murtlap to soak his hand.

Severus realized that he was seeing the girl's dreams. Or was she reflecting on her life preparing herself for inevitable death? What the hell?

It was stranger seeing himself in his classroom as he lectured feeling her excitement as she made her notes. He had never noticed it before and felt guilty for not taking her away from her cell.

Severus noticed that her memories stopped and she was looking directly at him as she walked up and grasped his hand with both of hers. "Do not blame yourself for this. This is a war that we are in and cannot control fate. I know that you are a good man Severus Snape. Bringing me my favorite foods and cleaning an old blanket and allowing me to cover myself prove that you do have a heart. I only wish I could be there when you are free of Voldemort."

Hermione reached up and gently pulled him down, feeling her lips brush across his check as she began to whisper into his ear. "Severus I …." Pulling away from him suddenly as she fearfully looked over her shoulder. She looked to him for a moment. "Be well Severus Snape."

She faded away as he snapped open his eyes feeling disoriented as he realized the surroundings of his study. Standing up he pulled out his timepiece and looked to it realizing that it would be the time that she would be fetched from her cell. And it was also time for dinner in the Great Hall. He exited his study and made his way through the castle knowing that the Headmaster would not forgive his absence if he did not attend.

&&&&&&&&

Hermione felt the blanket yanked away from her body while the bed toppled over spilling her onto the dank moldy floor. She stood up and glared at the two Deatheaters not caring that she was naked.

"Mudblood you will not resist." Said one as he pointed his wand to her as the other placed a metal collar with a heavy chain connected to it around her neck.

"I don't think I am appropriately dressed." She told them. "After all I was told I was going to be the guest of honor at this little fete of yours."

"Shut it Mudblood. Believe me you are properly dressed." The Deatheater spat out as he yanked the chain causing Hermione to fall on the floor.

As she picked herself off the floor she felt a thrum of magic surge through her. What in Merlin? She grinned for a moment. She had studied wandless magic and recognized it.

She was dragged through the door as the other fell behind her, wand in hand as the door slammed shut in front of the Deatheater.

She laughed out loud as the Deatheater pulling her chain cursed as he pulled a key out and unlocked the door to let his comrade out.

"Gods I feel like I'm living a comedy." She chortled. "Obviously you two are not very bright." Pleased that the door slammed in the man's face as she willed it to happen.

The Deatheater holding the chain went to strike her with his fist as the other stepped in front of her. "Bring her up damaged and we'll both be punished. She's not worth it."

"Oh yes we must not let that happen. Merlin forbids that I am damaged before my time. Really like a fine wine. It will not be opened before its time." She quipped out.

She felt the tug of the chain and quietly followed. She had magic but it would do her no good if she attacked Voldemort right away as it would anger him and extend her torture.

They entered the throne room of Voldemort and her escorts threw her down before him as they dropped down and bowed.

"Raise faithful ones." The Dark Lord intoned.

Hermione stood up at the same time and looked defiantly into the red eyes of Voldemort.

"No manners Mudblood? What makes you think that you are faithful?"

"I was promised a party Voldemort and I admit I am disappointed. Good thing I did not dress up. Whoever planned this should be Avada'ed. As to being faithful I am. To Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Your minion's lackluster attempts of torture did not get anything out of me. Really what kind of outfit are you running "My Lord"?" She asked.

The assembled muttered out at the disrespect and the mention of their lord's name.

Voldemort looked at her and chuckled. "So the Mudblood is disappointed. I must rectify that." Pointing his wand at her and stated "Crucio"

Hermione fell onto the floor writhing in pain as she heard the laughter around her.

Voldemort released it after a few moments. "What do you think of my party now?" He leaned forward in his chair and asked with interest.

She panted out as she shakily stood up. "It's rather disappointing. You cast your spells like a squib. I could enroll you in a Kwickspells course you know." She sweetly told him.

Voldemort stood up enraged at the words of the witch and began to address her and noticed that she had turned her back on him as she looked out to the Outer Circle. The audacity!

"I'm looking for a ferret as I know that he would be the only one to bring me to you. I see him now."

Voldemort watched as one of his Deatheaters threw down his mask, huge boils erupting on his face as he screeched out in pain.

"Draco your looks have improved. You look like your father now." She called out as she laughed at him.

Voldemort glanced to Lord Malfoy standing next to him noticing that he had removed his mask as well huge boils showing on his face. So the mudblood could do wandless magic.

He waved his hand at her and she looked to the copper band that appeared on her wrist, realizing that it contained her magic to herself. She shivered slightly as Voldemort chuckled noticing her discomfort.

She watched as the boils disappeared from father and son and sighed. "It really was an improvement "My Lord". After all they could go back to their hags and blend in. I could do a make-over for you as well. Believe me you need it. Just give me my wand and consider it done"

Voldemort looked to her in anger. "Whips for you filth and I will enjoy watching you bleed."

She suddenly kicked her foot directly into the bullocks of the one standing in front of her and watched as he went down moaning in pain as the other grabbed her and held her in place.

Lord Malfoy stepped up in front of her and flicked the whip that he held in his hand. "Shall we begin?"

Hermione found herself frozen in place as her guard stepped away as she felt the sting of the lash. She forced herself not to scream out as they continued.

In the haze of pain she noticed that her whipping stopped, feeling the spell that was keeping her in place release as she fell to the floor.

"Now Mudblood tell me how you feel." He sneered to her.

She slowly picked herself up and looked to the evil wizard in disbelief. "This is it?! Your showing of power?" She cackled out a laugh that resounded throughout the room. "Merlin I was in fear of you for seven years. Malfoy whips like a witch. Please tell me that he is the strongest of your group. If he is you will surely be defeated. The Order should have attacked you years ago!"

Hermione looked and saw Voldemort point his wand to her. She closed her eyes and softly spoke out the incantation that Snape taught her as her body was incased in a green light.

Voldemort glared down at the still form. She dared to mock him in his own house. The nerve of the girl! He watched his Outer Circle nervously shuffle about. "Leave my presence all of you. Lucius take her body back to Hogwarts to teach the old goat a lesson."

"As you wish My Lord." Picking up the body and walking out of the throne room.

Lord Malfoy dumped her body outside the gates and Apparated back to the Dark Lord and knelt down.

"Rise Lucius. One down and two to go on the Golden Trio. It was rumored that she was the brains behind Potter. Let's see how he operates without her."

"Why kill her My Lord? I thought you wanted her as bait." Asked Lucius.

"No one disrespects me in my house and lives. Her death will draw Potter out of his hiding place and he will act rashly as he has done before. Then I will kill him and push my plans forward."

&&&&&&&&&&&

Severus watched the gates as Lucius appeared and dumped the body onto the ground in front of the gates and disappeared.

He approached her battered naked body and knelt down as he pointed his wand to her and casted a diagnostic spell. The colors flared yellow

"Good girl." He whispered to her as he removed a large bone from his pocket and transfigured it into the body of Hermione Granger.

He wrapped up the still form of Hermione Granger with his clock and carried her into the castle.

&&&&&&&&&&&

Headmaster Dumbledore listened to the shouting of Miss. Granger's father as he grabbed the Headmaster's robes. "She said she would be safe here!" He shouted out feeling his wife pull him back.

"You are making a scene Henry." Henry felt his wife pull him into her arms as he sobbed. His kitten had died. His little girl. All because of this magical world.

The Headmaster nodded to the darkened corner of his office.

A wand pointed to the couple. "Obliviate." A silky voice was heard as the couple slumped down onto the floor.

Severus, Kingsley and Remus appeared from the shadows and looked to the couple.

"A tragic accident Headmaster. Miss. Granger was taking horse riding lessons at her boarding school and the mare that she was riding suddenly bucked, tossing her off and Miss. Granger died instantly from head injuries. May I be excused Headmaster? I'm sure that you can the werewolf will assist you."

Albus nodded as he began to plan the cover up of her death to the muggle world.

&&&&&&

Severus entered his chambers and pointed his wand at a wall revealing the hidden door. He walked up and stood at the foot of the bed for a moment looking at it.

"Come back soon Hermione." He whispered to unmoving form as he sat down and held the hand of the motionless form. He wondered what she wanted to whisper to him before she was pulled away silent tears running down over his hooked nose and splashing onto the floor.

&&&&&&

Two weeks later Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stood before the Headmaster in his office.

"Headmaster, why have you called us here? I thought it was dangerous for us to be here." Harry asked.

"There is no easy way for me to tell you this Harry. Miss. Granger was kidnapped by Mr. Malfoy and Voldemort has killed her."

Harry looked to the Headmaster in disbelief. "She is gone?"

Ron sank down on his knees and began to cry.

Albus walked over to the ginger haired wizard and pulled him up. "She managed to get a message out to both of you before she passed to the Veil." Pointing to the penseive filled with the memory that Severus had given him.

Harry stared at the bowl. "Headmaster will you accompany us?"

"I am sure that she wanted you both to view it alone." He replied as he looked sadly to the young wizards.

Harry and Ron viewed her message and came out of the penseive. Harry looked to the Headmaster with tears in his eyes. "She wanted us to carry on without her saying her death would be useless if we did not."

Ron looked to the Headmaster as well. He could not believe that the greasy git could show compassion. Everyone knows that he was a heartless bastard. "Where is Hermione buried at?"

"Her father did not take her death well. We had to Obliviate them of all of their knowledge of the Wizarding world and changed their memory that she was at a boarding school where she had an accident. She is buried in her family plot in the Muggle world." He sadly replied.

Harry looked to the Headmaster. He still did not trust Professor Snape no matter what the penseive said. "She requested that you view this Headmaster along with Professor Snape."

He joined Ron. "We have located the cup of Hufflepuff and destroyed it. We will continue on without her and when I stand in front of that bastard I will kill him not only because I am destined but it will be for Hermione as well. She will be avenged."

Albus motioned to Kingsley and Remus. "Take them back to where they were before." Watching the four wizards leave.

Albus called through the floo and Severus joined the Headmaster and looked to the penseive. He did not want to do this. "Headmaster I wish to be excused from this."

"Nonsense Severus. I know Miss Granger's death pains you but we have to view it in respect for her. Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley would not have said anything if she did not want us to view it."

They dipped their head into the penseive and stood in front of Miss. Granger in her cell.

"Professor Dumbledore and Professor Snape. If you see me then it means that Harry and Ron told you that I wanted you to view this message."

They watched as she sat down. "I told Harry and Ron about the kindness that Professor Snape has shown me in my last hours and that they needed to carry on without me. They will do what they need to do and the Light will prevail in the end as it eventually does. History is full of that and I know it will happen as the world is not in darkness all of the time. I think that Darkness and Light need one another as one waxes and wanes just as the moon does." She sat in silence for a moment thoughtful.

Severus thought to himself. This is not the message she gave to her friends. She performed an overlapping memory which is difficult to do in the best environment. He was impressed on that and her words about Darkness and Light. Not many understood the relationship.

"Headmaster the Order is going to be angry with Professor Snape. You must impress upon them that my death is not his fault as it strengthens his standing with Voldemort which is an advantage to the Order. Harry and Ron understand that. Make sure the rest do. Show them the memory that follows if you must."

She smiled. "I'll greet you in the Veil when you eventually arrive Professor Snape. It's the least I can do for the kindness you have shown me."

They watched as the witch faded and the memory of Severus entering her cell until the moment he pulled her memory played out in front on them.

They found themselves in front of Hermione once again. "Be well Professor Snape." The memory faded and they were once again in the office of the Headmaster.

Albus looked to his spy. "She pushes favor to you with the Order."

"As any typical Gryffindor would do considering the circumstances." The Potion Master snarled as he left the office without comment. She won't be greeting him in the Veil. He was sure that the Veil held other plans for him.

He made his way to his rooms and went the room containing the still form of Miss. Granger. He picked up her limp hand and kissed it. "Thank you Hermione." He sat down and continued to hold her hand into the early hours of the morning despite the fact that he had classes in the morning.

&&&&&&&

The next day Professor Snape watched the backsides of the last students of the day leave his classroom. He sat down at his desk to get a head start on grading when the Headmaster entered along with the Board of Governors.

Severus glanced up. He did not need this.

"The Board is touring the school and determining next year's expenditures. You are the last stop of the tour." Albus told him. "Esteemed guest please make your way up to the Great Hall and dine with us when you are finished with Professor Snape."

Severus stood up and crossed his arms. "Well you are wasting my time as I have essays to grade. I assure you I have not changed my curriculum since I began teaching here. As a matter of fact I have taught most of you here and my teaching styles have not changed as well. Bevins you were fat here at school fifteen years ago. However do you get around now with all that weight now?"

Lord Malfoy chuckled at the silence. "I told you there was no need to see Potions. Nothing has changed. Why don't you make your way to the Great Hall? I'll join you after I have a few words with Professor Snape and remind him about etiquette towards the Board that pays his salary."

Severus walked over to the door leading to his chambers. "After you old friend." Opening the door and allowing the wizard to enter before him. He followed behind him closing the door and placing strong warding and silencing charms on his chambers and poured two glasses of Firewhiskey.

He sat down and handed the glass to Lucuis. "I am sure you are not here on Board business specifically. I have not been called since I healed the Know It All. Tell me how did everything go?"

Lucius accepted the drink. "Not well my friend. She mocked the Dark Lord to the point that he killed her before turning her over to the Outer Circle. I was disappointed as I was assigned to rape her. I wonder where she got her resolve?" Eying Severus.

Severus sipped his drink. "Remarkable as she was always cowed in my class and weak. Well, she was a Gryffindor and they do foolish things such as that." Secretly pleased that his advice achieved what he hoped for the young witch.

Severus chuckled. "You should have seen the Mudblood's father when the old goat informed him of her death. He actually had me Obliviate the parents and alter their memories that her death was caused by falling off a horse. They have no memory of their daughter being a witch or of the Wizarding world."

He pointed his wand at the top of his head and pulled out a silvery tendril and placed it into a phial capping it as he handed it to Lucius. "I'm sure our Lord will enjoy it."

Lucius accepted the phial and placed it into his pocket. "The Dark Lord has a mission for you my friend. You are to research doppelgangers and find the incantation and potion involved with them."

Severus looked to him. "Any more information other than that?"

Lucius placed his empty glass down indicating that the meeting was at a close. "None other than he is sure that the answer resides in the library at Hogwarts and not to bother with any Dark books. Shall we go up to the Great Hall and dine?"

Severus lowered his wards and escorted him up to the Great Hall where Lucius left him and took his place with his fellow Governors as he sat down at his normal place.

Soon the meal was finished and Lucius approached the Headmaster. "Headmaster, may I have a word with my son before I leave?"

"By all means Lord Malfoy. I hope the Board's visit was beneficial." Albus replied.

"It was Headmaster. I am sure they have everything they need." He nodded to the old goat and walked over to where Draco waited for him.

Severus met up with the Headmaster much later. "I have been commanded to look for a potion and incantation involving doppelgangers. Do you know anything of it?"

Albus stroked his beard in thought. "I must admit that I am confused as you are. Look for it and let me know if you find anything."

Five years pass.