His Alone

"Is there a reason why you made me look bad in front of Madam Hilda?"

"I-no sir. I shouldn't have made a sound. I-I'm sorry." I should have been quiet like a mouse.

"No. You shouldn't have. Do you think your trespass is worthy of confinement again?"

At this, I look up at him. My eyes filling with dread. I do not want to be locked in that room again for a long time. I just got out. Released of the small cage only to be allowed out into a bigger one-but to me, this bigger cage was better than that small one any day. "I-I think what you think." At my response he just looked at me, his eyebrow cocked. Motioning me towards the dining room he allows me to sit to his right. Not responding to me yet I start to fidget, he is upset, I will be locked up again. I don't want to be. Please don't. "Sir…?"

"You speak without permission?"

I look down. I did speak without permission. "I-I'm sorry. I wanted to explain. I should not have made a sound."

"No. You shouldn't have. That is twice today you have done so."

I just nod my head in agreement and look down. I hear rustling but I dare not look up. Suddenly, his hand comes into my vision and is upon my chin raising it up until I am looking directly into his cold eyes. I try to avert my gaze but he only grips my chin tighter and grunts his displeasure at my avoidance.

"Poppet… Why Sonia?"

"I-I it was the first name I could think of. It was my dogs name when I was a little girl."

"You named her after a dog? You named my newest girl after a dog?"

"I-I think it's a pretty name sir."

"Pretty name…Hm."

"Yes sir. I-I'm sorry." He just looked at me. I looked at him. His hand still upon my chin, the silence was startled into noise by the sound of my stomach growling.

"You are hungry, do you wish to eat Poppet?"

"I-If you wish it, yes."

"Where did my little Gryffindor princess go?"

"I-She is still here. I just wish you to be pleased with me."

"If she is still there, then why does she not reappear?"

"I-I do not want to make you upset with me and-and be locked back up. More than anything sir, I do not want to be locked away again. So I-I am trying to be good. I'm sorry for not pleasing you."

"Interesting. You may eat." Food appeared on the table in front of us and I looked at him. Waited for him to begin, but he didn't. He just looked at me. "You are not hungry?"

"I-I am sir. I am just waiting for you to begin. That-that is how it has always been."

"So it is. I am not hungry. You are to eat and are free to wander until I come fetch you for bed."

"Yes sir. Thank you."

"Yes. And in your wanderings you are to stay away from the lower levels. No matter what am I understood?"

"Yes sir I understand." How could I not? He was going to begin breaking Sonia. The girl I damned. I understood completely. I only hoped that he would be kind to her, unlike he was with some other girls.

"Very well. Good evening Poppet."

"Good evening sir. And thank you for the books."

"Yes. Now you cannot say that I never gave you anything."

"No sir. Thank you for your kindness." And then he was gone and I was left to eat all alone. And the thought crossed my mind that perhaps he won't focus his anger on me. Not while he had Sonia. Such a cruel thought it was that I felt horrid for thinking it but how could I not. While I to am a prisoner, I still wish to be his favorite so that I may be treated better than the others. What happened to the old Hermione that would fight for the weak and defenseless? I know that she is still there but she is caged out of fear. Because no matter what I do. No matter the course I take, the books I read, the dreams of escape that I have every night. I always came back to the reality that I would always be his. His alone.