Chapter 3

A/N: I'd like to give a huge thanks to Krissy and Muggle Jane. You both are such great helps! Thanks for all the sweet reviews everyone!

Disclaimer: JKR owns the world and characters of Harry Potter, not me. I also don't own Beauty and the Beast, which serves as the inspiration for this story. I am not making any money from the posting of this story.

Chapter 3

Hermione groaned. She sat up suddenly and looked around. She was in a bedroom, but not one she had ever seen before. Silently, she mentally checked herself. She had a pounding migraine and her limbs ached, but other than that, she felt fine. Quietly, she lifted the covers and moved to get off the bed. She lifted herself up but immediately sat back down. It seemed she didn't have her strength back yet.

Her heart was pounding. She had no idea where she was or who she was with. Remembering what had happened, her hand went up and gently touched her neck. It was sore and felt like it was bruised. Did Dolohov capture her? Is that where she was now?

Her wand! Where was her wand? Feeling frantic, she looked around, spotting it on the table beside the bed. Her insides jumped with joy, and she quickly bent over and grabbed it. She tried to conjure a glass of water, but nothing happened.

Hermione scrunched up her eyebrows in confusion. Why wasn't it working? She tried it again, but nothing. Starting to feel worried, she closed her eyes and thought of the happiest moment of her life: the moment she found out she was a witch. "Expecto Patronum," she whispered. Opening her eyes, she was once again met with disappointment. Nothing. No fun little otter, no shield, not even a mist.

Hermione then did something she hadn't done in ages: lost control. She immediately burst into tears, throwing her wand across the room. It clattered to the floor. Her magic wasn't working! Why wasn't it working?

Suddenly, there was a small pop. Hermione looked up and saw a small house-elf near the edge of the bed.

"Where am I?" Hermione immediately cried out.

The house-elf held her hands up in defense. "My name is Pipsy, Miss. You're safe here, not to worry. The master will be up shortly."

"The Master? Who is your master, Pipsy?" Hermione asked, getting her emotions under control.

Pipsy shook her head. "Sorry, Miss, I can't say. Don't worry, though." And with that, the small elf disappeared.

Hermione let out a cry of frustration, falling back onto the bed. The tears poured freely. She thought of the others and hoped they were all right. She hoped Harry and Ron got out all right.

Suddenly, the door burst open and someone came in.

Hermione sat up immediately but relaxed as she saw him. "Remus," she sighed, leaning back against the headboard.

"Hermione," he said, moving closer and taking a seat on the edge of her bed. "How are you feeling?"

Hermione frowned. "It feels like my head is splitting open, my throat is killing me, and my body aches."

Remus sighed. "Good."

"But, Remus, my magic is gone." A tear slid down her cheek.

He inhaled deeply, running his hand through his hair. "I know, Hermione. Dolohov invented the spell himself. I've tried to find some information on it, but I've been coming up empty handed." Remus frowned, looking down at the small witch.

She nodded, tears running down her face. "So it's permanent?"

"For now."

Hermione nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "How are the others? Is everything okay?"

Remus nodded. "As far as I know, yes. I don't know what will happen to the school since Dumbledore's dead. He's left Harry something to do to help end the war, but I'm not sure what it is. He isn't sharing any of the details."

Hermione sighed. "Well, where is he? I need to meet up with him to help him."

Remus silently got off the bed, moving towards the window. He gazed out over what appeared to be the garden.

Hermione immediately sensed something wasn't right. "Remus?" she asked timidly, but he didn't respond. "Remus, please, tell me what's wrong."

"You're not well enough to leave," he stated. His voice was flat, absolutely no emotion in it.

Hermione smiled. "Oh, well, once I've healed, I'll join Harry."

"No."

Hermione was startled. "No?"

"No," he repeated more firmly.

"What in Merlin's name do you mean no?" Hermione said, a little louder than she usually would have.

"Exactly what I said," he said. "You're not leaving this house."

"Why?" she angrily shouted at him.

"It's too dangerous out there. The Ministry is rounding up Muggleborns. Hermione, I can't let anything happen to you."

She was touched that he cared so much, but couldn't realize it over her anger. "You can't keep me here!" she argued.

"I can, and I will. Hermione, you're not leaving this house, and I mean it."

"Like hell you won't!" she argued. "Who do you think you are?"

Remus growled loudly, his eyes flashing dangerously. "No!" he roared. He quickly exited the room, locking her in.

Hermione remained frozen on the bed. She sometimes forgot that Remus was a werewolf. Hearing him growl in anger that was directed at her made her heart stop. She was frightened of him. He had a side that he kept buried deep, one that she never saw, and that scared her. Lost in her tears, she quickly pulled the covers over her head and disappeared from the world.