Rebirth

Chapter 7

Draco and Severus arrived at the current hide out of the death eaters who were still avoiding capture, they only came out at Bellatrix's insistence. Knowing that she wanted them here for a reason, and it was just easier to come on their own free will rather than be dragged here by Bellatrix herself.

The two of them entered the house quietly and waited for the violet eyed witch to appear and explain why it was nessecary for them to be here. They didn't have to wait long, when Bellatrix first came into view she was nearly skipping.

That wasn't a good sign, Bellatrix stopped a few feet away from the two of them. Her violet eyes were sparkling with some unholy glee, what had her so happy?

"Draco! Severus! So nice of the two of you to stop by and see me!" Bellatrix exclaimed gleefully.

"You did send for us after all Bellatrix-" Severus began before he was interrupted by the witch.

"Bella, Severus, call me Bella. And you are correct, I did call the two of you here. I have a surprise waiting for you two in the basement," She said while her eyes sparkled with childlike joy and the same unholy glee that was present before she spoke.

The two of them had to supress shivers and and the feeling of dread that her words invoked. The two of them were thankfully able to keep their composures, and Severus arched a brow.

"You have a surprise for us?" He asked.

Bellatrix nodded happily but didn't say anything.

"May we see the surprise?" Severus asked.

"Yes, go right ahead. I hope it's to your liking," She said.

Draco and Severus made for the basement, trying not to run while dread knotted their stomachs. They feared what they would find, the two of them reached the basement door and opened it only to bet met with blinding darkness.

Severus held his wand aloft and lit the tip of it, he saw Draco do the same from the corner of his eye. Caustiously they both descended the stairs, when they reached the bottom of the stairs they held their wands higher and scanned the room.

Draco seemed to have found what it was, he stumbled back nearly losing his grip on his wand as he let out a quiet choked out cry.

"What is it?" Severus demanded looking at Draco. "I can't see a thing in this acursed darkness!" He exclaimed.

Draco seemed to be shaken up to speak and shook his head. Angrily Severus turned away from him and looked for whatever this suprise was, he walked forward and held his wand a little higher as he began to search once more.

Severus nearly dropped his wand at the sight that met his eyes, Hermione was chained to the wall of the basement. But it wasn't Hermione; this Hermione's skin was covered with filth and soaked in blood; various bruises all in different stages colored her skin; her skin had deep, angry gouges that had crusted over; harsh words such as mudblood and filth had been carved onto her face; her beautiful chestnut mane was matted to her scalp with grime and blood; her warm chocolate eyes were wide and glassy and seemed to through him rather than at him; her entire form shook from shivers that rattled the chains that attached her to the wall.

Severus was vaugely aware of Draco joining him and standing at his side.

"Granger!" He snapped.

Hermione's glassy eyes seemed to focus slightly as they looked him. Sweat beadded on her forehead and rolled down her face, cleaning off some of the blood and grime cleaning her face; but dirtying the water. She continued to shake, causing the chains to rattle and release a clinking noise.

"Granger?" He barked. "Can you hear me?" he barked, fearing for the young witch.

Severus received no answer as he continued staring at her, Hermione remained silent her eyes seemingly fixed on a point beyond him.