A/N: Hello! :* I love you all although I hoped for wee bit more reviews, but whoever did review thank you so much.

Let's just get on with it –smiles-

REALLY IMPORTANT NOTE: Okay so for this story Fred, Tonks and Remus aren't dead. They won't appear in the story, but if Fred was dead Ron's behavior would change and if Remus and Tonks died Harry's would and also Teddy would be a major factor as Harry is the Godfather. That's about it.

In this chapter pause where I have put a pause. Stop and take it in. Imagine it.

Chapter ten: The Darkness Within.

Hermione's hand brushed against the brilliant white marble wall as she walked. A screeching sound followed her footsteps as she dragged the sleek Gryffindor sword after her across the floor. Her bare feet scraped the floor as her wild hair hung loose around her face.

A dark, shadowed door put an end to her steps. She opened it slowly –it creaked loudly. She entered and regret filled her.

"Where… Where did you get that…?" A raspy voice whispered from the darkness. "Where…"

Hermione looked down at the gleaming sword in her hands. Harry's brilliant eyes reflected from the shining metal and she looked into the darkness. "I do not know." But she knew.

Cackling laughter echoed through the room.

Steps sounded as the figure stepped out of the dark. Her wild hair, dark black eyes and her wand were all familiar to Hermione. She came towards Hermione.

"Crucio." Bellatrix whispered her black eyes gleaming.

Pain. Excruciating. Bone crushing. Blood curling. Agonizing.

She could hear her screams. She could feel the pain. She could feel her life seeping.

Then, it was gone.

"Where… Where…" Bellatrix whispered. Hermione could feel her nails digging into her arm, her voice scraping against her ears. She could hear her own gasps for help. She could feel the cool marble against her cheek where she had fallen.

"I… don't…"

"Liar!" Bellatrix yelled. Hermione winced then felt a cold metal against her skin. The knife dug into her arm and she saw the blood dripping. She screamed.

"Please." She begged. "Please."

Her eyes saw a shock of white in the darkness. Her eyes recognised the wide grey ones.

"Please." She pleaded in a hoarse whisper.

His eyes turned steel and then black, his face moulded into a smirk. His mouth moved to form words. It sounded like the cruel, raspy voice whispering, "Crucio." against her ear.

There was pain; unbearable, soul wrenching, intolerable. But she had made out the word that kept echoing through her mind.

Haunting her.

"Mudblood."

Hermione woke up screaming. Her breath was short and she was gasping. Her fingers dug into her sheets almost desperately.

"It was just a dream. Just a dream." She whispered to herself. Her fingers moved to hold her head and she found her cheeks wet. She wiped them angrily. "A dream, Hermione." She told herself firmly getting off the bed and walking to the window. Pulling away the curtains she looked out to the forest lit by the silvery moon.

'Hermione.' A voice echoed through her mind. She looked up startled.

'Forgive me. Please.'

A/N: I don't know why I'm crying. Draco made me cry. I'm ending this chapter here. I can't continue. Oh God.

Alexia.

(Beta: You have permanently scarred me by this, Alexia. *sobs in a corner* )