Hermione finds it impossible to sleep through Bellatrix's "waking dreams". The screaming is too loud and haunting to ignore. She can only imagine what's actually happening behind her captor's closed eyes as her body twists and contorts on the large, comfortable-looking bed. Hermione's mind wanders.
She hasn't been let her out of the crawlspace since that first time. Bellatrix, on the other hand, seems to spend a lot of her time outside of her room, only coming back late in the evening to mutter to herself in front of the fireplace for a while before falling asleep. Hermione's entire life (or what's left of it) is scheduled around the comings and goings of this woman. She sleeps (tries to, at least) in the morning, after Bellatrix has gone.
If she'd been kept in that dark cell she'd have lost her mind. She realizes it now and it leaves her feeling torn between thankful and disgusted. Hermione thinks back to the conversation she'd overheard from before. Had Bellatrix "saved" her from Voldemort's wrath? Bellatrix was clever, Hermione thought, to realize that Harry and Ron might come back for her. She half hoped they wouldn't; there were more important tasks at hand. Perhaps they'd find the other horcruxes and kill Voldemort instead. The war would be over, and then she'd be free. A fairy tale ending like that didn't seem likely anymore.
Whenever Hermione feels herself falling into despair she gets up to look out of the hole in the wall. She realizes as she peers out that the screaming has stopped. Bellatrix sits up in bed. She hunches over, rocking back and forth. Her thin arms cradle what seems to be a small, ornately dressed doll in a red dress with blonde curls. Bellatrix is whispering to it. Hermione stills her breath.
"We're fine now. No need to worry." Bellatrix says in a voice softer than Hermione thought possible for the older woman.
"We'll take care of each other, just like we've always done." Bellatrix's hand, the one that jabbed Hermione's neck with the wand and caused her such horrible pain, now strokes the doll's fake curls and straightens her bonnet. Hermione's gut twists with something like warmth.
The sun is rising. The light behind the window is a desaturated red-grey venturing towards orange. Bellatrix sets the doll beside her on the bed and stands up, heading straight for the closet door. Hermione throws herself onto the dusty floor and slams her eyes shut.
The closet door slides open. Hermione jumps and sits up, despite being prepared she's still startled to see the older woman standing in the doorway… and holding up a wand.
"Dragon heartstring."
After Bellatrix speaks there's a long silence. Hermione feels like she's just woken from a dream. After spying on Bellatrix for so long, it's strange to actually be interacting with her.
"W-what..?"
"Your wand. Your wand! Don't be dull!." Bellatrix says hurriedly as she steps closer, holding the wand up now so that Hermione can see. Hermione's eyes widen. It's her wand! Had Bellatrix stolen it back from the Snatchers?
"Y-yes. Dragon heartstring. Vine. Ten and three quarters." She says quickly. It feels so strange to finally speak, but her voice sounds no different save for being a tiny bit hoarse.
Bellatrix stands like a black and silent tower for a few moments more. Then, she tucks the wand away.
"Indeed."
Bellatrix turns and slams the closet door. The lock clicks. Hermione frowns, not quite sure what to make of it. Bellatrix leaves her room immediately.
Hermione sighs. She doesn't like being alone. Not since the time in the cellar dungeon. Where was Bellatrix going, and why did she have to leave her for so long?
Hermione stops herself mid-thought. Is she really wishing for Bellatrix to return?
She shakes her head tries to find solace in sleep.