Chapter 4:
The room looked very similar to her previous room in Gryffindor. The only difference seemed to be its size. While the dimensions of the room were the same, the number of beds was not and it therefore made the room seem much larger. Hermione had expected the room to hold two beds, this room, however, only held one. She was surprised that she would not be rooming with anyone; it might have been nice to have Ginny or Luna as a roommate. As she was the only girl who should have already graduated and was therefore a year older than most of her housemates, she suspected Professor McGonagall had purposely assigned her a single room.
She walked further into her room and collapsed onto her bed. She placed her hands across her stomach, took a deep breath and stared up at the ceiling. It had been a long day. There had been so many people who wanted to congratulate and thank her for her efforts in the war. So many people who wanted to hear more, in detail. So many people who just wouldn't leave her alone. That part of her life was over and all she wanted to do now was move on, she just wished everyone else would let her.
As she continued to lie on the bed, her eyelids grew heavy. She had yet to change out of her school things, much less brush her teeth, but she couldn't seem to will herself to get up. She closed her eyes and let her arms fall to her sides. Her day had been long and it took mere moments for sleep to overtake her.
Her mind was groggy, slightly clouded. Where was she? Her eyes darted around the large room…dark purple walls lined with portraits, marble fireplace…her eyes grew wide with panic and she held her breath, looking towards the ceiling…crystal chandelier. No. This couldn't be. She closed her eyes and shook her head willing the movement to erase the room around her.
Her breath caught in her throat the moment she opened her eyes. The once empty room was now filled with people. She nervously looked at each one, Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, Fenrir Greyback, Scabior and Draco Malfoy.
"It's her isn't it? The Mudblood?"
Her hearing was distorted, as though she was under water, but there was no mistaking the drawling voice of Lucius Malfoy.
"Draco, come here, have a look."
Her eyes moved away from Lucius to the young boy in the far corner of the room. He didn't appear to have moved.
"Now Draco," Lucius shouted impatiently.
She watched as Draco slowly made his way over to her. Although her vision was distorted, he was close enough for her to make out his features. He seemed nervous and afraid, she watched as his eyes traveled over her, not once meeting her own.
"Well?" Lucius said anxiously.
"I, I don't…maybe." His gaze moved from her face and up to his father who gave him a pointed angry glare.
"I think," he started, "yeah, okay, y-y-yeah, that's her."
She watched as he stumbled and made his way to the back corner of the room. Seconds later a door opened and her eyes darted to it. Her fear swelled to the highest degree as Bellatrix Lastrange came into view. She automatically stepped back, trying to create as much distance between Bellatrix and herself as possible, but instantly felt her back pressed against the wall. Her eyes darted around looking for an escape route that did not exist; she was surrounded. It was only then that she realized her friends were nowhere to be seen. Her mouth went dry and her limbs began to shake, but she was relieved at their absence. They weren't there…they were safe.
She heard muffled voices. Vaguely aware that her captors were in a hurried discussion, she tried to focus on what they were saying but her mind was too preoccupied with what would come next to make out their words. The discussion stopped abruptly and all eyes were suddenly on her. Her breath hitched and she was frozen with fear as a deranged smiling Bellatrix Lestrange stepped towards her, wand in hand.
She stayed perfectly still, not breathing, hoping in vain that she would simply disappear. The woman in front of her let out a high pitched cackle before tilting her head to one side and raising her wand.
"Crucio," the Death Eater bellowed.
Her knees went weak from the pain and she nearly fell to the ground, but Bellatrix forced her into the air. She was floating a couple feet off the ground, her eyes rolled back into her head. Every part of her felt like it was on fire, like her blood was boiling beneath her skin. She couldn't see. She couldn't hear. There was nothing but pain. A constant stream of high-pitched screaming exploded from her mouth involuntarily.
She didn't know how long this lasted; it could have been minutes or even hours for all she knew. The pain continued, but her screaming finally stopped. Her throat was raw, her mouth was open as if she was still screaming but no sound was coming out. Her face was hot and wet, covered with tears she hadn't realized were falling. The room was silent and everything was black. Suddenly, from a distance, she heard a muffled voice. She struggled to concentrate through the constant pain. She heard the voice again. She tried once more to focus on the voice; it was quiet, barely louder than a whisper.
"Hermione."
She continued to listen.
"Hermione."
There it was again, this time louder. Her name was being called over and over again, each cry louder than the next. She knew that voice. No, it couldn't be. They weren't there; she was alone.
"Hermione."
She whimpered, there was no doubt it her mind…Ron. He was in the cellar, just like before, she was sure of it. When it was just her it was okay, at least then they were safe. But now…
She struggled through the pain to open her eyes. She looked from face to face searching for someone to help her. Finally, her focus turned to the boy in the corner of the room. Their eyes locked.
"Please," she croaked, speaking directly to him. "Please."
"HERMIONE!"
She jerked up in bed, her breathing shallow and her heartbeat fast. Her body was damp, a mixture of sweat and tears.
"Hermione," her head turned to the voice instantly.
Professor McGonagall.
Her eyes darted quickly around the room, taking in every surface. She was at school, in her room. It was a dream…just a dream. Her breathing began to steady as she turned her gaze back to the older woman.
"Headmistress," she tried to say, but the word came out in barely a whisper. Her voice was rough and her throat was sore.
She brought her hand up to her throat and swallowed. The action caused pain and she winced. Her eyes grew wide with realization. The screaming hadn't only been in her dream.
McGonagall's expression showed a mixture of concern and fear.
"Hermione, dear," the professor started, but seemed to be at a loss for words.
"It's alright, I'm alright," she responded, her voice rough, but steady. "It was just a bad dream."
The elderly woman raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Your friends heard you screaming, they tried to get it, but without your password they couldn't, so they came to get me. They thought you were being attacked."
"Really Professor, everything is fine," Hermione said, forcing herself to smile.
"That may be so Miss Granger, but you don't have to go through this alone. I can't be positive as to what you were dreaming about, but I have a pretty good idea," she said softly, pausing for a moment. "The war was hard on all of us, but I can't begin to imagine what you went through. It would be perfectly understandable, expected even, if you were having difficultly…adjusting."
"I appreciate your concern Professor, I really do. But I'm…adjusting just fine. You don't have to worry about me."
The Headmistress continued to look at her softly before hesitantly straightening herself out.
"Alright dear, well you try to get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow. If there's anything you need just come and wake me."
"Thank you, Professor."
She watched the Headmistress leave before collapsing back onto her bed.
There was so much screaming. Even now, lying awake in bed, he could hear it as clear as the day it had happened. The picture in his mind was so vivid: Hermione Granger, raised in the air in the drawing room at Malfoy Manor, writhing in pain. He shuddered at the memory and sat up checking over his shoulder for the time. 5:45am. His alarm wasn't set to go off for another hour, but he was sure there was no chance of falling back asleep, so he quietly gathered his things and made his way to the washroom.
He took a moment to splash cold water over his face before preparing himself for the day. When he returned to his room Neville was just getting up. The boy looked up at him from his position on the bed and gave him a slight nod. Draco returned it, put his things away and left once more.
It was still rather early, not even seven yet, but he decided to make his way to the Great Hall slowly, hoping to arrive just as breakfast was starting.
He emerged from the portrait hole cautiously. Although he had walked this particular corridor many times before, the previous night's encounter had reminded him that he needed to be on guard at all times. He scanned the length of the hall and found that it was completely empty.
He arrived at the Great Hall just in time to see the first round of food appearing on the tables. Taking the same seat he had held the night before, he placed a couple of pieces of toast and a few sausages onto his plate. The room was fairly empty, the table he was at only held three other people and by glancing around he was able to determine that the entire room held a mere fifteen students and only one teacher.
His gaze turned to the entrance of the Great Hall as Hermione Granger walked in. He watched her feet as she walked towards the seventh year table; slowly he allowed his eyes to make their way up to her face. She looked tired, but not excessively so, her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, held up by ribbon and she was carrying numerous books.
She hadn't seemed to notice his presence and for that he was grateful, but as he continued his assessment of her, her eyes suddenly met his and he was unable to turn away.
Her strangled, desperate whisper from his dream rang out in his mind.
"Please."
He tried hopelessly to avert his gaze, but he was completely frozen and she appeared to be as well.
"Please," her voice rang out again.
She looked terrified, and he wished that their eye contact would cease, but neither seemed capable of looking away.
The sounds of the Great Hall had long disappeared and it was almost as though they were back in the drawing room at his home. She began to tremble before his eyes, as she had that night and just as he had then, he did nothing to help her.
Suddenly, he was snapped out of his trance as Headmaster McGonagall reached Hermione and quickly ushered out of the room. He stared at the spot where she had been standing, wondering if she would return, before standing up and making his way back to the dormitories.
A/N: Oooooooo…intrigue! Lol. Thank you so much to all of you who have been reading and a special thanks to everyone who has been reviewing! Seriously, you're reviews are really appreciated. I hope you liked this chapter and be sure to let me know what you thought! Thanks.