Hey - this chapter fought me as i tried to write how they suffered without going into too much details to stay within the rating. There are warnings but if you don't want to read it then skip - it won't effect the story for you that much.
The usual disclaimer - i don't own Harry Potter, J K Rowling does, neither do i own Eragon, that belongs to Christopher Paolini.
Chapter 6 – Malfoy Manor
Harry stared at the roof of his cell, his arm at an awkward position to hold onto Hermione's hand. They had small comfort in that their cells were next to each other, but had no idea where Ron was. A jingling sound cause them to turn to the doors, where both opened to reveal the snatchers. "Up – nice and easy"
Wands to the back of their necks, they were lead to the main hall, finding themselves in the same room as Bellatrix. "Itty bitty Potter – so nice of you to join us. Tie them up, and leave them on the ground" she barked, the snatchers running so as to avoid her wrath. Once they were tied, she came over and crouched, putting a knife at his throat.
"I'll admit, you've done well to hide from us so far, Potter. But that ends today" "Your lord been hurting you guys for losing me? That sucks" Harry sniggered, stopping when she backhanded him. He could taste copper. "DON'T YOU DARE MENTION HIM! HE IS THE MOST POWERFUL WIZARD TO EVER WALK AMONG YOU FILTHY CREATURES!" Bellatrix was suddenly pulled away, Lucius Malfoy moving in her place.
"You really are disappointing Potter." Lucius looked down disdainfully. Harry just glared up, spitting out blood. "Now, the Dark Lord will be summoned, don't you worry. However, I don't think we need to summon him …. Immediately" he sneered, as Bellatrix started to cackle in the background. Something about the way he said that caused Harry to look at Hermione in fear. Lucius chuckled softly.
"My god, you actually care for this creature. Pathetic" he smiled, slapping her across the face. Harry grunted, unable to say or do anything to help Hermione. "None of that, Potter, or I'll unleash Bellatrix on her. You know that when she's done, you won't be able to play with what's left" The cold feeling of fear filled Harry, his eyes again catching Hermione's, stopping his struggles.
"Good. Now, I'm sure you want to know how we found you. It's funny really, I never thought we would. Goes to show that even I am wrong sometimes." Lucius pulled the gag out, while Bellatrix did the same to Hermione. "Well, come on in, don't be shy. They deserve to know."
Harry could hear footsteps, but the look of utter betrayal and defeat that crossed Hermione's face told him exactly who it was walking in. The steps were slow, hesitant, but that didn't matter to him. The person moved into his field of vision, and Harry looked at the face of Ron. Tears leaked out of his eyes as he looked at his friend. "Why?" moaned Hermione.
"I've lost so much of my family. When they contacted me when I was away, they said they had Ginny here. I was told that if I delivered you two to them, they would release Ginny, and the rest of my family would be left alone." The laughter filled the room, as Lucius knelt down next to Harry. "You see? Amazing what people will do for their family. The promise's they will give." Harry just stared at Ron, his face hardening. "I swear, I will get revenge on you, Ronald Weasley. No matter where you are, I will find you and get revenge" Ron backed away, swallowing as he was jeered. "Ooh, Potty can play hahahaha" Bellatrix moaned out. "Hmm, quite. Take Potter back to his cell. Bellatrix …. You can play with the mudblood. Don't kill her or mutilate her too much. The Dark Lord will not be pleased with you if you do" Bellatrix pouted, but nodded and gave Hermione a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Looks like we have a bit of girly fun ahead of us mudblood"
Strong hands picked up Harry, dragging him out of the room struggling. He was dragged down the corridor and to the cells, thrown in roughly into his cell, hitting his head. Getting out of his daze, he ran to the door and tried to open it – freezing when he heard the first scream. "Hermione! Hermione! HERMIONE!" Harry bellowed over and over, slamming his fists against the door, drawing blood but not stopping.
***WARNING – SCENE AHEAD***
Hermione looked up in fear at the crazy witch above her. Bellatrix had sent out most of the people in the room bar one – saying "well I can't allow for you to escape, now can I?" She pulled a trolley across that seemed to hold all kinds of equipment, and Hermione couldn't hold the tears in as she saw what was coming. 'Harry, I love you. I know you can't hear me, but I love you so much. I hope I can stay strong for you – just so I can see you again'
Bellatrix straddled her, stroking her face. "Shh, shh, it's ok. It's fine to be scared. I'd expect you to be." She grinned, and slowly unsheathed a nasty looking dagger. "Don't worry – it's not poisoned" She pressed the tip against her face, smiling at the involuntary gasp that escaped. "I don't know what he sees in you. You're nothing but an ugly mudblood. Well, don't you worry. When I'm done with you, he won't want to be with you. Not that it will matter; you'll both be dead soon after"
With that, Bellatrix grabbed her left arm, and pulled it out, placing the dagger against the skin. She could feel the cold of the dagger clearly against her hot skin. With a cackle, Bellatrix carved down the first stroke. At first, Hermione could only feel the coldness from the blade, and the warmth of her blood which made her skin feel cold. Suddenly, it was like a severe burning feeling that spread through her arm, and she couldn't help but scream. Bellatrix laughed, and sung a song while she carved, listening to the screams.
After what seemed forever, Bellatrix sat back up. "Well, that's an improvement" Hermione only whimpered, and cried out when Bellatrix lifted her arm. "LOOK AT IT!" rough hands grabbed Hermione's head, turning it towards her arm, showing the 'MUDBLOOD' carved in, with rivers of blood flowing off her arm. Bellatrix threw her arm down, causing Hermione to cry out again, and got up, leaving Hermione sobbing on the ground.
The whole time, all that went through her head was "I love you Harry" over and over again.
Bellatrix came back, and leaned over her. "Can you hear that?" In the distance, Hermione could hear her name being yelled. "Sounds like little Potty is falling apart listening to you scream. He sounds lonely. You what would make it better though? If the screams were a duet. CRUCIO!"
Hermione screamed even louder than before, her whole body on fire. She thrashed about, no longer thinking of anything but the pain that was ripping through her nerves, tearing her muscles, straining her vocal cords. After what seemed like forever, the curse ended, but the pain lingered, causing her to whimper when she involuntarily moved. She didn't even hear Bellatrix say it again, her screams filling the room, along with Bellatrix's laughter.
When the pain stopped, Hermione just lay on the floor shuddering. She was very dimly aware that she had peed herself, but at the moment all that mattered was that she was in pain. Every fibre of her felt like it was on fire. Her brain wasn't responding that much; the only thought going through her head was 'I love you Harry'. Bellatrix stood above her panting, laughing softly. "You know, the only thing you mudbloods are good for is that you scream so beautifully. You have such pretty legs. Credo confractus!"
Hermione screamed as her left leg snapped. "Diffindo!" a slash appeared on her chest, drawing blood which trickled out. "Can't have you bleeding out too much on me sweetie" Bellatrix crooned. "Though, the blood does enhance your beauty." A gong sound came from the other side of the door, and Bellatrix frowned. She didn't notice Bellatrix leave the room, leaving her with only the guard.
The guard slowly moved towards her, crouching down on the floor. His hand touched her arm, causing her to cry in pain. He responded with a punch to the face, breaking her nose (not that she noticed it). "Keep your mouth shut bitch. You should feel honoured that a man would touch you." She shuddered, not able to get her body to stop the man from sliding his hand up to her shoulder, and down her chest, coming to rest on her breast.
"While she's away, I'm going to have some fun with you. At the end of it, you're going to wish you had never been born" He laughed, causing Hermione to shudder even more. His hand travelled down her stomach, and slid down into her trackpants. Tears left her eyes as her mind was slowly waking up. At that very moment, she knew she was going to die. She had wanted to lose her virginity to Harry, but she was now scared it was never going to happen.
"Crucio!" screamed a voice, and the curse hit the man on her, making him fall off and thrash next to her. "How dare you! She is mine to play with!" screamed Bellatrix, keeping the man under the curse. She didn't lift it for 10 minutes, which at the end of it the man was nothing more than a vegetable. Hermione was still curled up, and heard the doors open. "Take her back down. I'm done with her – for now"
***SCENE OVER***
Harry was still thumping on the door; his hands now slick with blood. He heard a jangling in the door to Hermione's cell, and moved to the barred wall separating them. He watched as Hermione was thrown in, causing her to cry out in pain. The men left, letting them have some peace. Harry just looked at Hermione, still curled in a ball and twitching. "Hermione?" he softly whispered.
Slowly, agonisingly slowly, Hermione rolled over, crawling close enough to hold her hand out. She had blood running down her face and chest, and he could see the 'tattoo' that Bellatrix left. "Harry?" was the very faint reply he got back. Harry shoved his arm through the wall, not noticing the discomfort in his arm, because the only thing that mattered to him was Hermione.
"I'm here, I'm here. I've got you, I'm not leaving you" Harry said, holding her hand. He knew how painful your body was after exposure to the Cruciatus, but he needed to hold Hermione – even if this was the last time. "Harry" Hermione almost breathed it out, it was so soft he couldn't hear it. "I love you. I love you so much" Harry broke down at what Hermione said, wanting nothing more than to take the pain away. Jangling in his door made Hermione gasp, tightening her grip.
Harry struggled to get out of the grip of the men, ultimately failing and losing his grip on Hermione. "NO! Hermione!" Hermione's door opened, and Harry watched as one of the guards walked in and stomped on her leg, causing her to screech and fall unconscious. Harry struggled, but was dragged off towards Bellatrix.
***WARNING: SCENE AHEAD***
Three days later
Hermione sat slumped against the wall, holding onto Harry's hand. It was the only comfort that they had, and they cherished every second they still had together. In the three days, they had been cut up, stabbed, tortured with the cruciatus, burned and various other methods of torture. Both had tried to think of ways to escape, but it had eluded them.
The only saving grace they had was that Bellatrix and Lucius had no immediate desire to call Voldemort. Harry figured that he had to be out the country, on some important mission. He closed his eyes at the sound of the keys coming down the hallway, but looked up in surprise when both his and Hermione's door opened. "Out you come, Potter. You can still walk unlike your pet." Rough laughter filled the dungeon.
Dragged upstairs, both Harry and Hermione were chained up, given a small degree of movement. Hermione was held up more than Harry due to them not bothering to heal her leg. "So, how are you kiddies liking my playroom?" Bellatrix tittered, sat on the table between them. She picked up her dagger, which she had used to carve them up. She had tattooed Harry with "FILTH" the day before, and the wounds were still healing.
"Today in our lesson, we are going to be working together! Yay! Doesn't that sound like fun?" She smiled, getting up and walking to Harry. "We are going to make some hard decisions. You're going to have to choose between yourself, or your pet." Harry looked up at her, loathing the sight of her. His gaze drifted to Hermione, who shook her head knowing what he was going to choose. "Me. Torture me."
Bellatrix smiled, nodding. "Ok. I will torture you. Crucio!" She chanted, pointing her wand at Hermione. The screams that filled the room sounded raw, and Harry yanked at his chains to get to Hermione, who was thrashing on the wall. "I said me!" Bellatrix didn't turn, but Harry could hear the amusement in her voice. "And I am. I'm torturing you by torturing her. I could make you watch as she descends into insanity."
She lifted the curse, leaving Hermione panting on the floor, barely holding herself up. Bellatrix turned around. "The only reason she's not a vegetable is because the Dark Lord wants to kill you both himself, and wants to see the light leave your eyes. That can't happen if you're a vegetable" she whispered, almost lovingly. She brought the knife up and nicked his neck, causing a trickle of blood to run down. "Now, what could I do? Oh, I know" She pulled a needle out, and grabbed his hand, and slowly pushed the needle under his nail, causing Harry to scream as well.
Bellatrix laughed, and moved towards Hermione. She pulled her wand out, and tapped them on the chains, releasing her. "Imperio" Hermione's eyes glazed over, and got awkwardly onto her feet. "Good" Bellatrix crooned, and handed her the knife. "Now, I want you to go to Potter and stab him. Preferably somewhere that doesn't cause him to die." Hermione slowly walked forward, but Harry didn't move.
"Hermione. Fight it. You can do it" he whispered, watching as she got closer and closer. She stopped around one feet away from him, but didn't move. "What are you doing? Stab him" Hermione swayed, but didn't move. Bellatrix stalked across the room, and backhanded Hermione, pushing her back to the chains. "Hmm. Mudbloods must be made of sterner stuff. Oh well" she grinned, and pushed the knife into Hermione's arm. She whipped around and stabbed Harry's other arm. He groaned in pain as the wound started to burn.
"Well, I think that's enough for today. Tomorrow, we'll call the Dark Lord, and that will be the end of you Potter"
***SCENE OVER***
It had been a couple of hours since they had come back, and Harry had improvised bandages for both himself and Hermione from what was left of his top. She was crying, and Harry had a suspicion as to why. "Hermione why you crying?" he reached in and grabbed her hand, stroking her thumb. "I could have killed you Harry. She could have made me hurt and kill you" She sobbed quietly.
"Hey – you fought it, remember? She told you to stab me, and you didn't. You fought it – which means they could never control you." Harry cupped her face, watching as Hermione nuzzled into his hand. "I love you so much Hermione". Hermione grinned shyly at Harry "I love you too."
Harry heard the keys coming down the corridor, and turned towards Hermione. "Do you trust me?" She nodded. "Stay quiet." Holding a groan, Harry stood behind the door, just before it opened. Peter walked in, moving forward when he couldn't find Harry. He soon was investigating the floor, due to Harry punching him with as much power as possible in the back of his head. He picked up the keys and the knife in his pocket, and moved to Hermione's door.
Harry crossed the floor and picked Hermione up, leaning him against his body. Quietly, they moved down the corridor, Harry holding Peter's wand. They turned the corner when they heard a quiet voice. "Harry? Is that you?" Harry twisted towards the voice, causing Hermione to gasp in pain. "Ginny? We found you! Harry, we got to get her out of there" Harry leaned her against the wall, and pointed the wand at the lock. "Alohomora"
The lock remained stubbornly locked. Hermione grabbed the wand out of his hand, and waved it in a complicated pattern. However, the door refused to open. "You guys need to go. It won't be long before they realise you're not in your cells" Harry shook his head "No we're not leaving you." He stopped when a small hand grabbed his wrist gently. "You guys aren't here on a rescue mission are you? How did you get here?" Harry's face hardened, and he looked her in the eye. "Ron betrayed us"
Ginny's lips straightened, becoming so thin that Minerva McGonagall would be proud. Her eyes ran down Harry's body, settling on the knife he was holding. "Give me that" Hermione gasped, her hands covering her mouth as tears appeared in her eyes. "No, we can get you out. Just let us work it out."
Ginny laughed. "Harry, we don't have the time. You can escape, but you have to leave now. I've never been more ashamed to be related to that creature I call a brother. He said he did it for me?" They nodded, not trusting their voices. Harry handed the knife to Ginny, who stepped back into the cell. "Well, I'm going to take his reward away. Harry, Hermione, I love you both so much, and I'm so sorry."
Ginny closed her eyes, and plunged the knife into the side of her neck. Hermione turned into Harry's chest, unable to watch one of her closest friends die. Harry watched through tears as Ginny choked on her own blood. Spurting out, Ginny fell to her knees clutching her throat, blood seeping through her hands. Her eyes glazed over, she slumped to the floor, blood slowly pooling below her.
They stood there for a few seconds, before Harry turned towards Hermione. "We need to move now" he whispered, pulling Hermione along with her. The rest of the walk, other than being slow, was uneventful, and eventually they reached the cellar door to the outside. Breathing fresh air, they hobbled away from the manor, reaching the edge of the property and apparating away.