A/N: I'm not sure how my stories got mixed up and a Dean/Seamus ended up in the original story's place. But it's fixed now. Sorry for the confusion.
"Crucio!" She still hears the cold voice sometimes, the sadistic cackle. Her body still writhes and blossoms with white hot pain, and her screams still fall upon deaf, merciless ears.
Bellatrix Lestrange, long since dead, is still very much alive in the darkest corners of Hermione's mind. Behind her eyelids, when Hermione should be lost in peaceful sleep, Bellatrix still haunts her, tormenting her beyond the veil.
And Hermione wakes screaming, pushing in vain at an invisible attacker, her throat tender and raw. Her breathing is unsteady, and her body is still tender, as though the curses had been freshly inflicted. Arms wrap around her, wiry but strong, warm and familiar. Ron's voice is soft as he whispers in her ear. "It's just a nightmare, Mione. You're safe now."
With difficulty, Hermione relaxes against him, curling into him, her head resting upon his bare chest. Only a nightmare, but still so real. Still enough to leave her shaken afraid.
But Ron is there, as he's always been. And, in his arms, she's never felt safer.
