MUDBLOOD
(a drabble of sorts)
It is 2005. Auror Hermione has a job to do, but it requires returning to the place in which she was tortured by sadist Bellatrix Lestrange, the woman she sees all-too-often... in her nightmares.
MUDBLOOD
It was raining.
She was getting wet.
There was no reason to get wet.
She was perfectly capable of performing a simply charm to keep herself dry.
But the incantation escaped her.
-0-0-0-
It was raining.
The manor in the distance was dark gray against a light gray background.
The fog was thick, obscuring the top levels, the tall turrets.
She had to keep walking.
Had to knock on the door.
-0-0-0-
It was raining.
Her face was wet.
The water tasted of salt.
Those weren't raindrops.
The rain was cold, her tears were hot.
-0-0-0-
It was raining.
She wanted to return home.
But she had a job to do.
He was wanted for questioning.
Again.
-0-0-0-
It was raining.
It had not been raining the day Snatchers brought them here.
The day she sent a stinging hex to hide Harry's more identifying features.
The day breaking the taboo got them caught.
The day she got this scar.
-0-0-0-
Scars outside and scars inside.
Pain inflicted upon her body.
Pain carved into her heart.
Muscle memory.
She could still feel the blade.
-0-0-0-
Scars outside and scars inside.
The woman was terrifying, relentless.
She forced her down on the floor.
She used the Cruciatus curse.
She lowered herself over her trembling body.
-0-0-0-
Scars outside and scars inside.
She touched her face gently.
Caressed her cheek.
Ran her fingers along the jaw line.
Leaned close, almost as if to kiss her.
-0-0-0-
Scars outside and scars inside.
The woman whispered her next words.
Whispered them directly into her ear.
"You're going to die today."
And then, at top volume... "CRUCIO."
-0-0-0-
Scars outside and scars inside.
She was seeking information.
She was seeking reassurance.
She wanted to save her own skin.
She wanted to cause pain.
-0-0-0-
Scars outside and scars inside.
Unbearable pain.
Burning from the inside out.
And then, the knife.
One letter at a time.
-0-0-0-
M
U
D
B
L
O
O
D
-0-0-0-
It was raining.
She had a job to do.
He was wanted for questioning.
But she couldn't bring herself to move forward.
Couldn't stomach the thought of being back in that house.
-0-0-0-
Scars outside and scars inside.
The nightmares started a few months after the Final Battle.
The danger was gone, but the memories weren't.
She caught herself tracing over the scar with her wand.
Burning the word into her skin.
-0-0-0-
It was raining. She was scarred.
But she had a job to do.
Putting one foot in front of the other, she pressed on.
And, just like it had been that day,
It was Narcissa who answered the door.