A/n – now, this is going to read weird, but its the start of something that I have started, and part way towards finishing. It is also part of Hermione's Harmony's Miserable Melody competition.
I do not own any of the Harry Potter universe or characters, if I did, Hermione would not have ended up with Ron, but with Harry.
Darkness and cold. That is what Hermione had become used to in the past couple of years after she had left Hogwarts. There was nothing for her to do but sit in silence as she waited for the sound of heavy boots to cross her path. She didn't even have her wand any more. Not that she would have been able to use it, every last ounce of her strength had been taken from her. She could barely lift her arms to eat most days, almost force fed by the man she had once loved. She knew he loved her, under the alcohol that constantly flowed through his blood system. But the love wasn't enough to stop her from flinching each time he raised his voice at everything that dared get in his way. She hadn't been in the outside world in months, only having the same view through the only window in the room she was confined to.
She never thought she would end up like this, not after Hogwarts and how strong she had been while there. She was trapped in the relationship and she couldn't breathe. She could feel the anger bubbling in her blood as his heavy footsteps became louder on the stone floor, her breath quickening as the door opened. He said nothing as he came up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder, yet she still flinched and tried to move away. His grip tightened on her shoulder, causing her to bite on her tongue to stop herself from making a noise. Hermione could tell he was smirking, just by the way his other hand caressed her cheek before a resounding slap echoed around the room.
Still no words were spoken towards her, her cheek stinging where a red marking was surely making an appearance. A hiss ripped through her throat, pain shooting through her strained neck as he pressed her head back to admire the red mark. Pure hate swam in both their eyes, while adrenaline pumped through Hermione's body. If he wanted a fight, she would give him one. She was done with being his punching bag, with being someone to use as a toy. Mustering up all the bravery she had, Hermione pulled out of his grasp and turned to face him. Words were not needed to convey how she felt, it was plain on her face. Her body shook as she took in his murderous look, a brief moment of panic gripping her.
He stalked towards her as she backed away, looking around for anything that would help defend her. She refused to back down, blindly reaching behind her and grabbing the first thing that came to hand. She felt a wave of magic hit her and glanced down at what she was holding. Seeing that she was holding her wand, Hermione felt a slight bit better holding it as he came closer. Pointing the wand at him she cast the first spell that came to her, channelling all her feelings into it.
"Stupify!"
The bolt of red light shot out from the tip of her wand, hitting him straight in the chest and knocking him off his feet. Hermione looked down at him, debating over what to do. Hermione crept around him and fled the house, the weight of the relationship lifting from her shoulders with each breath she took. Collapsing against a wall, Hermione finally let her tears fall. Thankful to be out of there, she had nowhere to go. Turning on the spot she Disapparated, hoping to get as far away from the life she led as was possible.