How To Disappear Completely

How To Disappear Completely by Kerry Muggle



Disclaimer: I am but a poor student. Please don’t sue.





“Mistakes & Regrets” from the album “Madonna” by ...and you will know us by the Trail Of Dead







Chapter 5: Mistakes & Regrets





“Because every inch of hope becomes a world of shame.”







Draco Malfoy continued in a pace laced with frenzy which came from excitement at the prospect of finding something significant mixed with sleepiness.



“I tried to fall asleep, but couldn’t, so I figured that I would try and look into more of father’s personal journals. To be honest, I’m surprised he didn’t have protection spells on them. But, the ‘K’ and ‘Karn’ sounded a bit familiar. I think I know who it is.”



“Please do tell.” Dumbledore insisted as he directed the former student into a chair.



“What are you doing here at this hour Severus?” Draco asked out of curiosity.



“He may have a bit of information which may help us also. It appears he’s seen Miss Granger in his dreams.”



“For Merlins sake, you make it sound as if it were some sort of teenage fantasy! I’m more interested in what Draco has come up with.”



“I found this journal entry in which father talks about someone by the name of Indra Karnstein. I did a bit more digging and found some pretty interesting information about her. For the basic bio, she was born in India in 1977 to Tobias and Irina Karnstein.



The Karnstein’s were originally from Russia, but were well respected in the magical world and were known world travelers. There isn’t much information about them, but both Tobias and Irina died in 1986 while traveling in Nova Scotia. Apparently, Indra wasn’t there with them and she resided from then on at a wizarding school in Poland.”





“But there’s no wizarding school in Poland.” Severus said.



“I wish I could explain it better than that, but that’s what father wrote. He stopped there when it came to her education. He was just as baffled about a school in Poland. I’ll be willing to bet that it deflated his ego a bit to think that he didn’t know of all of Voldemort’s plans.

There is a theory that Voldemort was interested in her because of her psychic abilities and he ‘persuaded’ her to join him in order to find out what really happened to her parents. That was the only thing she never could get over from father’s interpretation.

The thing is, I’ve met her. I remember a dinner party father hosted two years ago. She was attending it with someone by the name of Christopher Carvin.”



“So you think Indra Karnstein is responsible for Miss Granger’s disappearance?” Albus asked.



“I think it’s the only solid lead we have to go on. The note. ‘Karn-age.’” Draco repeated to no one in particular. His lack of rest was quickly catching up with him.



“What kind of person are we going to be dealing with?” Severus asked.



“She was very quiet at dinner. Very polite. Very beautiful indeed. I think every man in the room fancied her, but there was just something about her that made me uncomfortable. I overheard father saying that Carvin and her ‘worked’ in Russia. Something about muggle studies, I don’t remember much. She just had something in her presence that put me off. She barely said a word, but I would catch her staring at me at the dinner table. I now know that she was reading me.”



“Ah yes, her psychic ability.” Dumbledore interjected.



“Before she and Carvin left, she touched my shoulder and whispered something into my ear...............’why do you choose to ignore the path that was paved for you?’ I was worried that Severus and I were discovered, but didn’t know how.”



“What about Carvin?” Severus asked.



“I don’t know. Father didn’t write too much about her after the death of her parents and Voldemorts advancements on her. Carvin doesn’t get much space in the journal besides what I’ve already mentioned. I remember reading something about how she inherited her parents home outside of Moscow.”



“Have you ever been summoned there?” Severus asked.



“Yes. I was given the grand tour in fact. I thought it odd, but now that I think about it, she wasn’t there. Voldemort had her sent to some city in the United States for research purposes. I have yet to hear what you saw in your dream.”



“There was a hallway that appeared to follow the pattern of a circle. The walls were red and there was a black carpet for the floor...” Severus started.



“With a group of doors, 15 of them that all looked exactly alike and faced one side of the wall.” Draco interrupted in shock.



“I only thought I saw 10. What are the rooms for?”



“Torture rooms. Voldemort mentioned that they were built specifically for that purpose. That’s Indra Karnstein’s home. She would often let Voldemort use the house for meetings and such. I was told that she had a particular fondness for room 9.”



Severus nearly fell out of his chair when he heard Draco’s statement.



“Did you say room 9?” Severus asked.



“Yes.”



“What was the significance of it?” Dumbledore asked.



“It was just the fact that Indra was 9 when her parents were killed. What’s wrong Severus?” Draco asked, concern playing on his face.



“Hermione Granger was pointing towards the ninth room in my dream.”



“Hermione Granger was in your dream?” Draco questioned, forgetting that Dumbledore mentioned it already.



“Here we go again! Believe you me, I wish it were Potter giving you this information rather than I!” Severus nearly shouted.



“Well, from what you’re saying Mr. Malfoy, it appears that we’re gonna have a handful with Miss Karnstein.” Albus stated solemnly.



“Wait a minute. If she has such a high ranking, by your father’s comments and your own memories, she should have been on the front line with the war. And why I was never informed of such a person baffles me.” Severus stated with anger. “One doesn’t just work with Voldemort for a day and become his second in command. And how could anyone not know of a rogue group with all of the meetings at the Karnstein’s?”



“Suppose the Death Eaters were told that they would be in the battle, but Voldemort intended on hiding them all along? Voldemort could have left her in charge if he didn’t succeed. He did have trust issues and could be a bit fickle when it came to strategy.” Dumbledore added.





“I swear, just when I think I understand the madness and mind of Voldemort, he does something which throws me for a loop.” Severus acknowledged in confusion.



“But most of the Death Eaters didn’t know of a so called rogue group. I mean, I think some of the Death Eaters bought into that rumor too. I’m led to believe that father didn’t know either and he was high in Voldemort’s command chain. Do you think that Voldemort kept this group to himself?”



“That’s the only logical conclusion for now I’m afraid. Well, we know where to look now. She wants to be found and I think she has some unfinished business, especially with you Mr. Malfoy.” Dumbledore said.



“Should we summon Harry?” Draco said regarding the man who he now regarded as a friend.



“The sun will be rising soon. I think the best course of action is to get whatever information we can about Miss Karnstein and her home. Plus, we need to catch some rest, which Mr. Malfoy is in dire need of.” Dumbledore said.



“Well, who shall we assemble in case of a possible attack. I doubt if they will let us just walk in and take Miss Granger.” Severus said.



“I’ll contact the Ministry and round up some aurors. Minerva will want to be on the front line, along with the Weasley’s I’m sure. Draco.....Severus....I’m sure I can rely on you two.” Dumbledore started, his mind composing a list of those who would be helpful in finding Hermione Granger.



“We don’t even know if we can apparate there! I’d say, lets turn to the Ministry, but if they wouldn’t have ignored the hidden threats, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” Severus said.



“Where else are we going to turn? The Ministry has to have some source we can rely on. We used a portkey to get there though if memory serves me correct.”



“What was the portkey?” Dumbledore asked.



“A book of poetry by some muggle - Sylvia Plath I think.” Draco answered. “It was sent to us and we were instructed to open it up to a certain poem.”



“Is it possible that it is still active?” Severus asked, his interest piqued.



“She wants us to find her. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was still working. I can apparate home to search for it. I’m sure it’s in the library somewhere. I don’t know if she is incredibly stupid or a genius?” Draco stated.



“She’s ready and waiting it appears. I shudder to think of what they have, or may be doing to Miss Granger. We must hope for the best.” Dumbledore said.



“I’ll apparate home and search for the book.” Draco said as he got up from the chair.



“You need to rest. I’ll go.” Severus offered.



“No. I’ll just take a pepper up potion or something. Besides, we still need to contact Harry and the Weasley’s. We don’t even know if the portkey still works.” Draco said as he prepared to floo back to his chambers. “I suggest we take whatever time we can get to rest up and prepare.”







...........................................................................................................................................





She was alone. If it were broad daylight outside, she wouldn’t know. They hadn’t touched her for a few hours. The only thing she could focus on was the coldness in the room.



Indra would come to “visit” every now and then. She would talk about her past, but Hermione couldn’t pay attention to much of it. She still felt the pain. She was surprised that she was still alive with all of the blood she lost. Racking her brain for something to focus on besides the cold, she reflected back on Indra’s story.



“My parents were so lovely. They were purebloods, but they held a fascination with the muggle world. They traveled all over the world. We blended well with muggles apparently.

My mum gave birth to me in India and she named me after a god from the muggle religion called Hinduism. Indra, was the god of rain and thunder, but my mum thought it perfect for a girl.

They were killed while traveling in Nova Scotia. Some drunk muggle hit them head on while they were driving and they were killed instantly. At least, that was what I was told. I was nine. My whole world was destroyed in an instant. But Voldemort came and saw the potential in me. He told me we would together find the person responsible........and we did” she whispered.



Then Indra withdrew from the subject, changing it totally.



“I’m surprised that you’re still alive. What is it that’s keeping you here? Friends? I’d say family, but we took care of that. Are you in love? Is there someone whose image remains in that head of yours?” Indra said as she closed her eyes. A second later she opened them and smiled.



“Oh you naughty girl. You’ve got a bit of a fascination don’t you? What is it? His redeemable nature? The fact that behind that cool veneer lies someone who is just as vulnerable as anyone else? They’re on their way. I can feel it. I’ll try not to kill him in front of you.” Indra said as she bent down and kissed Hermione’s forehead.



She walked out of the room and shut the door. Hermione tried to distract herself from Indra’s words and tried to think of something to occupy her mind. She began humming the first thing that came to her head. She strained her vocal chords and started a slow tempo of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” as she closed her eyes.



...........................................................................................................................................





Severus Snape shot back his second glass of firewhiskey. It was a bit too early, but he figured he’d go with the muggle saying of it being “five o’clock somewhere.” He needed to relax. He charmed a music box to start playing tunes that always calmed him.

As he paced around the room, he could only hope that Draco would be able to find the portkey. He feared a bit of Indra’s particular grudge with Draco and figured she may try to target him in particular. And what of Miss Granger? Lucius and Draco didn’t paint a pretty picture in regards to Miss Karnstein and if she was under Voldemort’s tutelage for a while, she would be as ruthless and heartless as any other Death Eater. Voldemort always did underestimate the female species as cunning and violent. The wizarding school in Poland still baffled him.



He didn’t have time to analyze all of his thoughts as he tried to rest up before the possible confrontation. He drifted off into a soft nap as Beethoven began to play.



...........................................................................................................................................







Severus had drifted off into sleep when he was awoken suddenly by a knock on his door. He quickly got up and saw the sun was bright and awakening the rest of the world. He opened his door chamber door to find Harry Potter there.



“Professor, Draco was able to find the portkey. He asked me to come and get you.” Harry said solemnly.



“Who, may I ask, is going?” Severus asked out of curiosity.

“Draco, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Fred Weasley also volunteered. Of course, you and I will be there. The Ministry has also provided us with a group of aurors. They’re waiting in Dumbledore’s office. Madame Pomfrey will be waiting, along with Ginny Weasley. She’s been considering going into medi-witching studies after graduation and she offered her assistance.” Harry said without really knowing why he offered Snape that information.



“Alright then. I hope you’re well rested up. Draco didn’t sugar coat Indra Karnstein.”



Before they walked out of his chambers, Harry quietly spoke, “Look, I’m sorry about what I said to you the other day. It was uncalled for. I don’t think I could bear to lose her is all.”



“It’s understandable Potter. Let’s not shit ourselves, we’ve got a job to do.” Severus replied with a hint of softness as they walked towards Dumbledore’s office.





...........................................................................................................................................





“Alright. The way this works is, you have to read the poem and then you’ll be transported to the location. It works if a number of people read it at the same time just as well. I advise you have your wands ready. It wouldn’t surprise me if they’re waiting.” Draco advised as he opened the book and found the particular poem, “Lady Lazarus.”



Draco had all of those who were going to attempt Hermione’s rescue huddle around a large table to read the words. He performed a charm to make the words larger just in case anyone would have problems reading them.



“Here goes....” Draco said before they all read the poem simultaneously. Most of them could keep the pace up with the rest of them, but if the poem was read, the portkey would work.



Seconds later they were in a large empty sitting room. The last ones to arrive were a few aurors.



“Damn, that was long piece of work!” one auror complained.



“Sshhh!” Minerva scolded them. “Are you sure we’re at the right place?” she asked no one in particular.



“Yes. This is it. I could never forget this place.”



“Alright then. Do we break up and search for Hermione or just wait for someone to catch us?” one auror asked.

“Where are the torture chambers Mr. Malfoy?” Dumbledore asked.



“That corridor over there will lead to a set of stairs on the left. They should take you to them. I hope she hasn’t rearranged them.” Draco responded.



“Severus, you and Mr. Greenwood will go find Miss Granger.” Dumbledore commanded.



Severus was a bit annoyed at the fact that he was issued a search and rescue command rather than stand on the front line and fight. He was worried about the auror that was being sent with him also. The man looked a bit nervous at the prospect.



“We must not be at the right place. Come on! I was expecting them to be here waiting!” another auror started griping.



“She’s very subtle in her actions. She likes to see what she’s going to be up against before she jumps in the water. Believe me, she wants a fight.” Draco started before he saw Indra walk into the room.



“He’s right.” Indra said. “And my oh my, am I looking forward to it! BOYS! WE’VE GOT COMPANY!” she shouted as a group of Death Eaters apparated into the room.



Severus counted around thirty, but there could still be more in the lurks for all they knew.



“Normally, I’d say that it was rude of you not to knock or let us know that you would be coming over. We didn’t have any time to clean up for Merlin’s sake! But, Mr. Malfoy.........” Indra said as she slowly approached him, “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long long time. You too Mr. Snape!” she said without even looking at him.



“Shall we all have a drink before we get our little orgy of execution started?” Indra asked, turning around to walk away from the group towards a liquor cabinet. “Oh fuck that! I’m in the mood to start now!” Indra said as she crucioed one of the aurors. As he fell onto the floor, writhing in pain.



Before they all knew it, the battle began. No one was really paying attention to each others own personal duels. It was a cut and run situation which pumped up adrenaline and reinforced the human instincts to kill or be killed.



Severus performed avada kadavra’s a few times before reaching the corridor with Mr. Greenwood. He took charge of the situation with the auror trailing behind him. The rogue group was smaller than he thought it would be as he quickly paced down the corridor, wand drawn and ready to attack anyone who might get in their way. He heard the battle in the sitting room and tried to think about his “mission” was to find Miss Granger in search of the steps and found them, just where Draco said they would be.

The two lit their wands as they began to quickly go down the stairs. A few more Death Eaters lunged at them, but Severus and Mr. Greenwood were quick to knock them out temporarily. As soon as they were taken care of, another three posed to attack, but this time the two found themselves punching their ways out of the situation. Severus knocked two of them out cold before moving on down the stairs. Mr. Greenwood thought he did a sufficient job, and as soon as he started following Snape, one cast an avada kadavra and he was dead.



Before he could cast it, Severus cast the same spell and he now realized that it was up to him alone to find Miss Granger. After a few more minutes down the dark stairs, he came walked into a doorway which lead to the hallway.



Severus suffered from deja vu as he realized that he was tracing the same steps he did in his dream. Not realizing it, he looked down at the floor and noticed the black carpeting. He looked at the doors, they were all the same. He knew that he should have quickened his steps, but he couldn’t. It was just too weird, even for him. He looked to his right and counted the doors. He was now at five.



Shaking himself out of his daze, he looked around him to make sure no one would trouble his attempt, and to his surprise, the coast was clear. Was the rogue group really that small he pondered as he walked towards the door. He touched the handle, and tried opening it the old fashioned way. It worked.



His heartbeat quickened as he slowly opened the door. The room was lit with a few candles and was empty except for one body. He walked further into the room and saw a calf hanging limply over a stone slab. Slowly approaching her, he once again felt deja vu come over him as he saw the same dress in his dream, only this time if it wasn’t just stained red, it was yellow from the spots where the blood had dried.



She didn’t move. For a second he thought she was dead. He slowly approached her motionless form, her face, not in his direction. He whispered softly, afraid to touch her, “Miss Granger. Miss Granger. Hermione,” a part of him liking the way it slid off his tongue.



It was then that she turned her head slowly to look at him. He always considered himself a man who could hold his stomach, but the image that followed made him heavily reconsider that assumption. Never in his years as a Death Eater did he and Lucius, for that matter, inflict this amount of damage.



Her face was bloodied and bruised. Her face was swollen from the punches which left a huge black eye on her face. Her bottom lip was split and a bruise had developed on her jaw. He moved his vision down and saw what made him cover his mouth with his hand - there was a cut straight across her throat in which the blood had coagulated, even though a charm was used to close it up. He was afraid to see what else they had done to her body.



She smiled slightly, pain evident in her attempt, as she whispered, “I knew you wouldn’t forget me.”



Her words snapped him out of his spell, outrage pouring from his expression. He didn’t know what to do while he let his vision graze the rest of her body. There was dry blood on her legs and the part of her dress that rested around her stomach on down was soaked with blood.



He looked at what appeared to be burn scars on her wrist and tried to think of a way to pick her up that wouldn’t hurt her even more. He then considered that maybe she would welcome the possible pain rather than spend one more minute in that room.



It was then that she began to shiver and she tried to tell him something, but he couldn’t understand her.



Severus lowered his ears to her lips, trying hard not to search for new injuries. “What is it Hermione?” he asked as softly as possible.



“I’m....................cold.” she whispered back.



“I’m going to get you out of here and it may hurt. I can only ask that you trust me.” he said as he removed his robes and draped them over her body. He then picked her up, and froze as she winced a bit but tightened his grip on her. He knew that she hadn’t been fed since she got here. He covered her as much as he could with his robes as he began to run down the hall and up the stairs, refusing to look back. She rested her head on his chest.



Meanwhile, everyone else had taken care of most of the Death Eaters. Some had put up a strong fight, while others were easily taken care of. Harry had the particular pleasure of taking out a Death Eater by the name of Mr. Derevko. Some instances involved getting to the regular fist fight.



Draco was doing a pretty good job of holding off Indra, but his resolve was beginning to fade from his lack of sleep. The pepper up potion was beginning to fade. She kept on spitting out how he betrayed Voldemort and his own blood. He didn’t understand why she showed more hatred for him than for Harry who took down her beloved leader. In the end, he supposed that she felt betrayal was the worst crime.



Some of the Death Eaters had managed to escape and apparate out of the Karnstein manor. Indra spent many words on how pathetic they were and swore revenge on them too. Her dementia reached fever pitch when Draco’s wand was knocked out of his hand. She lowered hers too and started walking towards him before she threw herself on him and grabbed his neck, attempting to strangle him.



They both fell to the floor as Draco tried just about anything to pull her off of him. As Harry finished off one of the Death Eaters, he saw the fight and stupified Indra. It didn’t work for but a few seconds before she was clawing at Draco again. Minerva saw the fight and ran up to Indra from behind and swung a heavy book at her head, knocking her out.



As she dropped the book on the floor, her hair a mess, she looked down at her and muttered, “Stupid bitch!” Everyone one else didn’t know whether to look at her in shock with her language or applaud her words.



“Man, that woman’s a piece of work!” Fred muttered, a few cuts apparent on his face. “Those Death Eaters had it all wrong in their leadership if you ask me!” he said, trying to salvage some humor that he felt died with his twin as he bent down to regain his composure.



“How many have gotten away?” Harry asked as he saw Dumbledore approach them.



“A few, but the remaining aurors will round up those still here. I hope Severus has found Miss Granger.” Dumbledore said.



Just as soon as those words were muttered, Severus ran into the sitting room, robeless, with a bundle that everyone assumed was Hermione Granger. He didn’t stop to see if anyone survived or to even give anyone a glance at her.



“We need to go.......NOW!!!!! She needs to be looked at immediately. I don’t think she’ll survive much longer. Draco!” Severus shouted, “how do we get out of this bloody house! I have to apparate Miss Granger back to Poppy.”



“I’ll go with you!” Harry screamed out of desperation, running behind his former professor.



Draco gave Severus the instructions, opting to stay behind to make sure all the remaining Death Eaters were taken into custody. The only ones who followed Snape outside of the manor were Harry and Minerva.



...........................................................................................................................................



As soon as they were at Hogwart’s, Severus ran straight to the infirmary with the other two trailing behind him, but losing pace.



“What’s wrong with her? What did they do to her?” Harry screamed out of desperation, even though he knew what the answer was. Severus never answered him.



“POPPY! POPPY!” Severus shouted until she walked into the infirmary and ran up to her fellow employee.



“What’s going on for bloody sake!” she shouted as she looked at what Snape was holding.

“It’s Miss Granger. We’ve got her.” Severus said as he lay her down on an infirmary bed. Hermione didn’t flinch this time - she was unconscious. It didn’t take but a moment before the sheets were turning red in a few spots.



“She’s lost a lot of blood.” he started before he saw the medi-witch gasp at what she saw. She turned her head around and then saw Harry and Minerva catch up to them in the room.



Harry rushed to the bedside and started in a fury that easily rivaled the one he gave the night he found out his friend was missing.



“WHAT DID THOSE BASTARDS DO TO HER???? WHY HER???” Harry kept screaming over and over, ignoring the tears that were now streaming down his face.



Ginny Weasley then ran into the infirmary after hearing all of the ruckus. She didn’t get a look at here dear friend; she didn’t want to see the damage.



Minerva tried her best to hold him back, and succeeded when he gave up and fell to the floor. She tried to comfort him as much as she could before Poppy caught up with her senses and asked them all to leave the room, except for Severus.



“I thought you wanted Miss Weasley to help you with injuries?”



“She can deal with the rest of them when they decide to return. I didn’t expect it to be this bad. I’m not going to let her help me fix someone who she deems a sister.”



“Hopefully the rest of them will be arriving shortly. I didn’t see anyone have anything terribly significant. Mostly scratches and bruises.” Severus added.



“I.......I don’t even know where to begin.” Poppy said as she took out her wand and noticed the blood that was staining the bed sheets. She lifted Hermione’s dress and flinched at all of the blood she saw. No one would see Severus do the same thing.

Poppy waved her wand over the area and the bleeding appeared to have stopped.



Severus began to take in her injuries now that the room was fully lighted. He started at her feet which had what appeared to be burn marks on one of them. He recognized the mark immediately and searched until he found the familiar marks on the inside of her wrist.



Poppy removed the tarnished dress without taking into consideration that someone else was in the room, but with the pace of someone trying to heal as much as she could before it was too late. She didn’t think her former student would mind a few moments in the nude to tend to the injuries.



She didn’t even have to ask Severus to fetch her some water and towels to clean the girl off. He tried to keep a face of stoicism in front of Poppy, but there were moments he couldn’t look. He felt as if he were somehow violating her again just by looking at her nude form.



“I’m afraid she won’t be able to have children. Whoever did this to her did a number. Her reproductive system is all but useless to her now.” Poppy said to no one in particular.

Thirty minutes later, Poppy tended to most of the inner damages, doing what she could to heal Hermione’s broken ribs and fractured jaw. There were going to be some scars, but Severus was oddly concerned about the stories that Miss Granger would associate with them. Why her well being suddenly afflicted him, he didn’t truly know. He scolded himself for even showing a shard of emotion, but anyone who wasn’t repulsed by what was done to her deserved to be branded heartless.



He went to his chamber in desperate need for sleep, not knowing just where everyone else was. He didn’t even know if Indra Karnstein was still alive. As he prepared himself for a short nap, he ran to his bathroom and threw up.



Trying to keep his mind off of the recent events, he closed his eyes, but could only see the image of her going through those tortures and the scream reverberated itself onto him as he knew that it was now a part of his memory.