Battered, bruised, bloody , and left with Bellatrix three wands pointed at her, Hermione prayed like she never prayed before if only god would allow her to be spared from Bellatrix's wrath , having escaped the psychotic witch once before. Harry had failed fallen to a trap laid by the evil snake faced Lord, Harry had fallen prisoner just like her to be tormented and used by one of Voldermort's followers Harry had been carted off god knows where she, Luna, and Neville where with the other POW's but were brought before the Dark Lord she assumed to await his judgement.
"Ahh our new guest's to bad you three are all that's left of Potter's little friends. To bad your leader failed to save you from your new position's ." The snake nosed man smiled gleefully. " Now I have to do something with you lot you should live to see the new Britian but you should not be held in the same way as your other's no no I have something better in mind. Bella bring me the Lovegood child."
"Yes Lord." Bellatrix smiled proudly peeling the pitite blond from the floor by her hair and dragging her to the Dark Lords feet his hand reached for Luna's chin and forceing her to look him in the eyes He dropped her face almost as quickly as he grabbed her.
"Well well well, Who knew little Blond is a Oracle, Greengrass take her to your estate and lock her away until I have need of her you are to feed her well and only your wife and Daughter's are allowed to speak to her you will leve her care to them." Voldermort seethed latching a thin silver coller around Luna's neck and waveing her away . Luna was dragged out of the Hall by a robed figure and was gone from her sight. The Wizard sat back as if bored with the procedings and waved Neville forward to repet the same process that Luna went through.
"Hmmm indeed, Bella I had thought to give you the mudblood but on further reflection I think the Longbottom Boy belongs with you as your new toy, You are not to do anything permanate to him let him live with the knowlage that you are responsible for his care." A evil grin spread over the deformed face as he handed bella the thin circle she latched it on Neville. Hermione shuddered at the laugh that was comeing from the woman who tourtured the Longbottom's as she pulled the last Longbottom from the room . Red eyes turned on her finally she was dragged to sit kneeling infront of the creture that claimed Wizard Britian. She glared daring the Dark Lord challenging him with her brilliant mind.
"Dear little Mudblood so fearce and spirited you should be thanking me for not handing you to Bella, she would have killed you she may yet try hmmm need to place you with someone who will keep you safe from her wand unfortunatly the only wand better then Belltrix is almost as bad as she is. Rowle come get your new Mudblood toy." She tried to squirm away as Voldermort Handed Rowle the thin silver circle to wrap around her neck as the tall robed man bent over to do so she saw the runes etched around it. A subjigation band it would block her from useing magic and would feed it to the Man now gathering her to him, she hardly reflected at the gentile treatment struggleing with the notion of not only being magicless but essentially Married to a Death Eater. Before she was wisked out of the room she heard the evil meglamaniac dissmiss his remaining bunch. Stunned and hardly cohearent the last thing she heard before she passed out was a deep voice say the name of a place.
"Rowle Family Manse." Green flames tickled her ankles as she passed out on a broad shoulder.
Thorfinn Rowle was confused at why his Lord would allow him such a prize as the muggleborn brains behind Harry Potter, An honor and a curse he was quite sure he didn't want . The man had one point he was the only wand that could keep Bellatrix from killing the sweet prize, Dolohov might have done but he wanted the witch tortured almost as much as Bellatrix did. He was the only sane one among his brethren who could keep the girl alive and away from the crazy. He would have to keep the girl close to him until he could trust she wasn't trying to escape.
" kærr mögr, What has the dark one brought upon this family now." He turned and found his mother in the sitting room off of the entry way fire place she raised a single eyebrow at the prone witch in his arms. ( Beloved son)
"This mother is a spoil of war one he wants kept alive and well The muggleborn best friend of Harry Potter. She has been held captive since Hogwarts fell a week ago she is to remain in our care until the Dark Lord says otherwise. " Thorfinn shrugged and watched his Mother's face change to one of sadness and pain. His mother had always wanted more children but after her Husband had taken the mark and promised Thorfinn to mark once of age . She closed herself off from her husband for good she never spoke to him again other then to voice her outrage on his activity's as a death eater and forcing their only son to do the same. As a Half-blood herself she hated blood prejudice and raised her son to understand his heritage. The Rowle's were of old Norse Viking lineage they had never worried about blood purity until his Father had gone to Hogwarts with the Dark Lord himself and was lured in the Dark. His Grandfather had arranged his parents to wed because of her pure blood line from her Father's side it was a match of loathing and hatred before Thorfinn's birth it had only gotten worse.
" Poor Girl looks as if she's not had a proper meal nor a good washing in days. Let me get her cleaned up and properly dressed We will meet you for dinner . Take that thing off we will protect this girl as long as we draw breath." His mother pulled her wand from her sleeve waved it lifted the small form his arms and directed her up the stairs following close leaving Thorfinn alone. He watched his mother glide away from him leaving him alone with his thoughts he walked through the halls of his home. Stowing his Death Eater cloak in his Grandfather's old office in the panel under the desk where it was safe from prying eyes not staying long he waved his hand over the door fixing the wards back in place. He didn't waste time trudging towards his room he allowed himself to shower in his private Bathroom he hoped the girl would not freak out to much.
She woke smelling lavender and felt as if she was laying on something soft a warm feminine voice was singing in the background opening her eyes she sat up slightly and saw steam rolling out of a bathroom. A tall sandy blond woman flitted about pouring salts and bubble bath into a giant tub she spotted Hermione staring at her and smiled warmly at the girl.
"Hello dear girl please don't be afraid you are safe here. What do you remember?"The woman walked slowly out of the Bathroom trying not to scare the girl she sat lightly at the end of the bed trying to ease the girl."
"The battle at Hogwarts being hit in the head with something woke up in a cell somewhere , then brought to You-know-who and given to a Death Eater as a toy. Where am I? " Hermione shivered blinking horrified at what she survived she had lived after seeing Voldermort.
"Yes dear wonderful looks like you haven't suffered a concussion I am guessing you just passed out under duress. You are safe please understand we have appearances to keep up, You are in the ancestral home of my family the Ylva clan. This home is only known to me and my son we are the last of our Family no one not even the Dark lord can find you here. My name is Astrid Ylva- Rowle please understand one thing you will never receive hate nor prejudice for your blood in this house." Astrid said softly hoping the girl was as intelligent as she was rumored to be.
"So I'm assuming that makes you Thorfinn's mother, if you are not prejudice then How did your son end up a Death Eater?" Hermione raised a eyebrow questioning the blond woman.
"Smart, Pretty, and insightful. That my dear is a long story why don't we get you in that nice warm bath first and I'll tell you all about my horrendous husband." Astrid grabbed the girls hand and pulled her into the giant bathroom of marble the Bathtub was enormous almost as big as the prefect Bathroom tub in Hogwarts. Astrid had Hermione in before she could blink twice, the water was blissful it smelled like lavender and honeysuckle. Hermione couldn't resit the luxury of the wizarding world she couldn't deny wizards were about comfort and luxury compared to their muggle counterparts wanting efficiency and quick showers.
"There now dear isn't that better?" Astrid asked she ran her fingers through Hermione's wild mane Hermione relaxed in the witches hands feeling as if it was her own mother tending to her, Astrid began explaining her heritage and how she was raised how her Marriage was a sham arranged with an evil man 5 years older then herself she had graduated in 1950 five years after her husband and the Dark Lord . She explained how her Husband had been in the same year as Voldermort and how his brain had been washed towards hatred of Muggles, even she as a half-blood had faced his hate and wrath he had only allowed her to raise Thorfinn as she saw fit because he was too concerned with following Voldermort and had even promised Thorfinn to the ranks the boy had been Marked with initiation before he was five. The story tore at Hermione's heart, Thorfinn had no choice but to take the full make once of age upon his graduation in 78 or face death . Luckily after 81 His Father dissipated with the Dark Lord He and his mother had went into hiding Keeping the Rowle Family Manse in repair with most of the house elves and make it appear to be lived in and laid trails to appear to be looking for the dark lord . They had faked Astrid's Death a year before the full return of the evil Lord to ensure her safety and Thorfinn remained in his employ as the dangerous and Mysterious enforcer. Astrid helped her wash and clean up the scrapes and bruises from captivity and pulled a clean tee shirt, jeans , and a night dress from the depths of Astrid's wardrobe .
"They are a bit old dear but they are clean and soft, We'll have to see If Thorfinn can recover your personal effects or if that's to dangerous get you some new clothing tomorrow these will do for now. I know you'll not like having to sleep in Thorfinn's room but If the dark Lord thought he was not keeping you close He would be in terrible danger we will help you and show you what we need to do to keep up the charade for the Dark Lord. But you will never face the pain he expect you to receive here Thorfinn will keep us safe dear." Astrid shook her head as she spoke helping Hermione adjust the length of the bell-bottom Jeans .
" Thank you Mrs. Rowle I was so scared but this far from what I expected I must admit you have calmed many of my fears. What is Thorfinn really like all I have heard are the bad rumors of the things he has done." Hermione hesitated Astrid smiled softly but her eyes were sad.
" Please call me Astrid dear, Thorfinn was a happy boy, he was adventurous as a teen, but has become a brooding closed off man, the deeds he has had to commit to keep me safe and himself alive has affected him deeply he won't speak of them but I can tell they tare at his soul." Astrid said helping Hermione sit at the dressing table and untangle her curls brushing them as Astrid used her wand to dry Her hair . Hermione let go of the tears they fell silent down her cheeks Astrid wiped them as she worked and tamed Hermione's hair in a beautiful Fishtail braid.
"Don't cry love your safe ." Astrid smiled at her softly.
"It's not that its just that you doing my hair like this reminds me of my mum, It makes me miss her all the more her and Dad." Hermione smiled at the older witch.
"Oh dear are they dead?" Astrid asked softly.
"They may as well be when I realized that they would be a target once I left to help Harry bring down the Snake man, I Obliviated them I had shared so much of my life as a witch with them they would have been tortured. I erased all memory of having me from them and sent them to Australia. I don't even know what happened to them after I left the house . So they could be dead for all I know." Hermione blinked as the witch gathered her in a warm embrace and held her like a mother would muttering soft loving words. And for the first time Hermione was allowed to mourn her lost family. They spent a long while just comforting each other hugging and feeling each other's pain they had solace in knowing they had someone who understood.
"Now come now lets clean up Thorfinn is probably waiting for us to come down he'll have food for us." Astrid laughed at their silliness Hermione laughed a bit to they dried their tears and made ready for dinner Astrid led her through the giant home . Hermione became nervous once she spotted the tall straight body wide set shoulders waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. He turned hearing their whispers and watched his mother lead a small petite witch by the hand honey brown hair pulled into a lovely braid dressed in jeans and tee shirt she was clean and looked at ease . Thorfinn let out a small breath of relief his mother had gotten through to the girl but the worse was yet to come and he would have to have her trust. The witches descended and met him at the landing the girl was much smaller then he first thought her to be but she had curves for days bright chocolate eyes blinked up at him in amazement.
"Miss Granger Welcome I am Thorfinn Rowle please let me know if i can make your stay here more bearable." He bowed to the girl she squeaked with surprise as he kissed her hand, Her cheeks where pink when he drew himself up to his fill height.
"T thank you Mr. Rowle your mother has been quite the balm to my scattered nerves. I would be remiss in my manners to ask for anything more then you have both already provided . I am safe, warm, dressed, and am to join you for dinner. How can I be anything more then grateful to you to ask more is selfish." Hermione smiled lightly at the tall blond man remembering her manners she felt she'd be safe being overly polite to him. She was pleased to see she was correct when Thorfinn broke out in a lovely smile it transformed his face, Handsome high cheekbones under deep set blue eyes with thick sandy blond hair , and strong chiseled jaw set on wide set shoulders and large muscular arms made Hermione shudder. She had been under the impression she was used to large Wizards being acquainted with the Weasley boys, They had nothing on the god like appearance of the Viking before her she was almost pulled into her wildest fantasy's of Pillaging Viking Berserkers.
"Not at all Please call me Thorfinn the circlet on your neck makes you far more then a guest in this house. Do you know what it is?" He smiled and led the women into the smaller dinning room it was more comfortable. He guided the girl to sit at his right hand the position of honor his mother to his left.
"Yes I was fortunate enough to have free roam over one of the oldest Library's in existence established in the early 1500's . The existence of the subjugation bands were seen as early as 1490 the exact date is unclear as records were spotty at that time. Subjugation bands were originally used as a binding tool to take a witches magic and grant it to her betrothed or Husband. In the late 1500's they were used in forced weddings when the witch was against marrying , they were banned during the witch hunts of the 1690's at the time they were considered unsafe due to the trials because they cut of a witches access to magic . After the turn of the century they were deemed a dark artifact and banned due to their nature of rendering witches powerless and tying their magic to the wizard who place them on them. In short I am considered your wife under the outdated law while technically banned they are not controlled as they are deemed a family artifact." Hermione recited to the Rowle's and was a bit embarrassed to find two gobsmacked blonds staring at her.
"Goodness Hermione how can you remember all then that? Even I cant remember all of that." Astrid smiled fondly.
"Oh Sorry I do carry on. I have what muggles call a photographic memory, I have not found the wizard equivalent in any of my readings." Hermione blushed ducking her head.
"That is a rare even among the muggles Wizards have had only a handful of Photographic Memory, Merlin, the Founders, and Dumbledore were rumored to have it as well . It's not a common gift." Astrid smiled brighter then before.
"The muggles have found it is paired with intellect and IQ level normal IQ ranges 90 to 108 on the scale over 140 genius level intellect. My mother had me take the test when i was much younger I honestly don't know what my score was mother never let me see it." Hermione blushed as she admitted this. She was saved further when food was brought to the table by the house elves. A beautiful roast with potatoes carrots and a lovely loaf of fresh bread was spread before the three seated.
"What shall I bring to drink Mistress wine the 84 would be good." The elf bowed to Astrid .
" Actually Grun I think something lighter Water for me and Thorfinn, and for Hermione, Water, Milk, or Juice dear one?" Astrid smiled at the girl.
"I would adore some apple juice if possible please Grun." She hesitantly asked the elf who turned to her and bowed so low his nose almost touched the floor.
"As Mistress Rowle desires." Grun snapped his fingers and glasses of Ice water placed itself in front of all three of them along with a tall goblet of golden juice in front of Hermione. She took a sip happily the liquid cold and smooth and fresh as in her childhood she smiled fondly eyes danceing with enjoyment.
"This is amazing Grun the best I have had since I was a little girl. " The elf bowed once more and snapped his fingers again a large decanter of the liquid settled in front of her and the elf had dissipated with its appearance. Remembering that as the youngest present she was expected to wait until the head of the family took a bite she blushed and set her goblet down. She blushed and bowed her head waiting for Thorfinn to begin when he did not she raised her head to look at him His cool icy blue eyes looked back at her and gently he smiled at her.
"When we sit at this table smár lēnu you will always eat first you are no guest as you beautifully put you are my wife from this day on as such you have everything that is mine everything within this home is yours. You shall want for nothing so long as I draw breath . " Thorfinn laid his hand softly on top of Hermione's for only a moment then motioned for her to take her fill. Pausing for a moment to look at him she nodded once then turned to the food and began to dish herself a portion of food. It was quite apparent to the other two that the girl didn't take as much as she normally would have but she tucked into her food with a gusto that the Rowle's could not help but join her enjoyment of the simple filling meal . (Small Lion)
"Until you are well enough Hermione I do hope you will take advantage of extra meals build your body back up to weight." Astrid commented between bites of her food.
"If I do that Astrid I fear I will over do it and become to fat if everything is as delicious as this lovely roast is. And to be fair to myself I was a little overweight before I began my journey with Harry." She laughed lightly.
"Nonsense dear you are positively skin and bone can't have a tiny thing like you not eating you'll float away with a strong wind. Thorfinn tell her she needs to eat more even if its just to survive sleeping in a bed with you ." Astrid looked to her son quizzically Thorfinn looked Hermione over with a calculating eye.
" Mother does have a point Hermione I am not a small man as my wife we are expected to share a bed and while I know it's not ideal as we are strangers I'd rather not accidentally roll over and crush you . You are so small and fine wheres I am a giant comparatively, Please do not deny yourself the luxury of a little extra meat because you believe yourself to be over weight." Thorfinn teased lightly then became serious Hermione could only nod.
"On that wonderful agreement Hermione is in need of clothing I don't have much in the way of her size I was lucky I had that out fit and a night dress for her do you think you can manage some shopping for her if we provide the sizes?" Astrid asked Thorfinn Hermione tried to protest.
" No Mother is again right Hermione you came to us in filthy rags after you were taken your small bag was destroyed by Bellatrix so I cannot recover that. Let me replace your clothing I will go to London In the morning confer with mother on what you need for day to day and write me a list with sizes and I will make it happen. It would do to leave some clothing in my room at the Manse to so if the Dark one checks you appear to live there." Thorfinn was a man that seemed to not take no for an answer and also seemed to be generous. The rest of the meal passed silently desert that followed was a simple chocolate pudding, Astrid bid them goodnight before they finished assured Hermione that the night gown would be waiting in Thorfinn's room and swept out of the room. The silence she left was telling the two remaining were nervous about their first night together. Thorfinn offered her his hand to lead her from the dinning room and to their new shared space.
" Despite our status as man and wife I want to put your mind at ease, I will never force myself on you or take pleasure with you if you do not allow me to do so. As we are expected to at least share a bed and a space I want you to also put anything that might bring you comfort on the list you make with mother. As you are to remain here at all times I want you to at least consider this place your home . I wish there was a way I could free you with the charms He placed on it he would know and if I did Me and Mother would be killed." Thorfinn babbled a bit as he opened a large door to reveal a large room with a giant bend in the middle it looked so inviting and soft A white night dress lay on the corner.
"I understand and I would not ask you to lay down your life or your mother's life you are just as trapped by this as I more so because of him. I do have a question what is it that you called me earlier it was Norse wasn't it?" She tired to soothe him with a question it was quite nice to see the real man not the Death Eater.
"Ah yes you'll have not heard Norse spoken before I take, smár lēnu it means Small lion, I beg your forgiveness for indulging in a pet name when all I know about you is that you are a Gryffindore." Thorfinn led her to sit on the bed as they spoke.
"No its quite all right Thorfinn I prefer if we could be honest with each other and come to work together. Once I'm sure I can trust you I will tell you everything about me and I expect you shall do the same." Hermione said diplomatically Thorfinn nodded with a small smile.
"I like that why don't we rest now its been quite the day . I shall have my Grandmother's dressing table brought in for you to use along with her grooming set. I want you to be comfortable in this space make it as much of yours as you'd like, It's a very Masculine room needs some brightness. If you would prefer a tee shirt to sleep in you are welcome to mine anytime you desire. " He motioned to the flimsy night gown on the bed.
" Thank you for your thoughtfulness as I said you have allowed me to live without fear and in Luxury compared to some I am lucky I was given to you and will do everything I can to continue your charade . Please excuse me I wish to change in the bathroom ." She smiled brightly at him not knowing how it sent a pang of desire through him He nodded and motioned to a room behind her. Once she escaped behind the door he got to his feet and flicked his wand and turned down the sheets he removed his pants and tee shirt he left on his boxers not wanting to scare the poor thing with his preferred method of sleeping nude. He settled into the bed stowing his wand in the bedside table, he waited until Hermione fluttered out of the bathroom and stepped lightly to the bed. She only hesitated a moment before climbing in next to him he motioned her to lean in a bit and loosens the silver circlet around her pretty neck.
"There that should be loose enough to sleep in." Thorfinn went to move away from her but her small hand caught his and she gave his a small sweet kiss and a beautiful smile in thanks. He just blinked at her as she lay down obviously exhausted he waved his hand to dim the lights so she could find her way in the dark. Before long Hermione's breath evened out and she was asleep curled towards him. This girl was so strong and resilient she didn't throw a tantrum when faced with a forced Marriage to a stranger no she handled it gracefully and saw the situation for what it was and treated his mother as a confidant and himself with gratefulness and warmth. He turned towards the small form laid his hand protectively on her slim shoulder and allowed himself to fall asleep.
Hermione blinked when a large hand laid softly on her shoulder she had always been a light sleeper she smiled softly feeling wretched for the Man who had been dealt such a hand. Forced to serve a madman who had horrid ideals, on enslavement and blood purity, Thorfinn felt the weight of every act he was forced to do for Voldermort even when interacting with his mother his manner was while warm was short and curt not wanting to speak more then necessary. He was honorable and held his mothers life in his hands and now he had the added stress of her life in his hands. She felt so guilty about being forced on him she told herself shoe would do everything she could to help ease the strain on his shoulders. And once she was sure she could completely trust the Rowle's she would divulge Voldermorts secret she Knew Harry was still alive and in that snakes hands probably forced into the same arrangement as she had been . Voldermort probably figured out Harry was a Horcrux and would tie her best friend to him in the most horrid way. She had gotten extremely lucky to have been given to Thorfinn she was safe and cared for given food and clothing even an enormous bed to sleep in true she had to share it but considering the wizard she had to share it with was extremely handsome and well built she always did love fit men. She slowly shifted closer to fit herself to him using his arm as a pillow and snuggling into his chest. She let herself drift back to sleep warm and content for the first time since sharing Harry's Bunk after Ron had turned on them.