Two weeks had passed and people were starting to lose hope in finding Hermione. It wasn't that they had found evidence that she was dead, it was the fact they couldn't find anything. The only reason people were still looking was because both the Headmistress and her sister told them to, or in Maleficents case, threatened them to keep looking until told otherwise. Unknown to everyone, was the fact that each night when the sisters went to sleep, they saw her. They weren't dreaming of her safe in the castle, but rather locked up in a small cell being tortured mercilessly by the deranged witch, Bellatrix. They knew, without even having to think about it, that what they saw each night was what was happening to the girl, wherever she was, and it tore them apart. But alas, the Headmistress had an image that needed to be protected, so she was just as aloof as she was before, however her sister was not bound by the same rules.

No, Maleficent was not one to hide how she was feeling, as some moronic seventh year Slytherins found out one Transfiguration lesson. From what she had heard the following days, none of them had misbehaved since. It was almost worth it, if it hadn't of been for the lecture she had been given by her sister that night.

"You cannot go around transfiguring students into those creatures you like to boss around and use them as targeting practise Maleficent!" Minerva shouted, her accent shining through in her anger.

"Oh," Maleficent sighed, rolling her yellow eyes, "I didn't actually hit any of them."

"That is beside the point!"

"What is the point Minerva?" She yelled back, standing up, "Those children," She sneered, "Were out of line and needed to be taught a lesson."

"The point is that you cannot transfigure a student as punishment. You know that. That specific rule was put in place because of you Maleficent!"

"Yes, but unlike Professor Higgins, I know how to do transfiguration!"

Minerva threw her hands up in exasperation. For a moment neither of them spoke. "You cannot use transfigure the students nor can you practice your aim on them." Minerva said, turning back around to face her sister. "The parents of each student entrust me with the lives of their children, and I entrusted you with them. Maleficent, I cannot and will not accept this kind of behaviour. I need to be able to trust you while I look for Her-Hermione."

Frowning at the crack in her sister's usually strong voice, she reached out for her. "Minerva, are you feeling alright?"

"I am perfectly fine Maleficent." She snapped.

Glaring, she stepped in front of her, crossing her arms. "Minerva."

Pursing her lips, Minerva avoided her sisters penetrating gaze. "I see her in my dreams."

Since then, Maleficent had worked on controlling her anger and knee jerk reactions to situations that raised her ire, but she wasn't a saint, so a few students still got used as targets, though none of them were actually hit. As the days passed, Maleficent watched the stern Headmistress that was her sister. Each morning she looked less like herself and more like a shell. Her once proud cheek bones showed more prominently from the hollowness of her cheeks and sunken lifeless eyes. Her pale skin, tinged grey from restless nights of tossing and turning from watching her favourite student being tortured. In short, her sister looked like the living dead, barely making it through the day before collapsing back into bed to start the cycle all over again.

Not being able to watch her anymore, Maleficent turned around and went up to the Astronomy Tower. There she sat where Hermione's wand had been found and mediated for the first time since leaving Hogwarts.

Lying curled up in the center of the room, Hermione sobbed silently into her knees. Each night, Bellatrix would come to see her and have her fun with her, before leaving her alone until some servant left her some bread and water for her in the morning. She didn't understand why the deranged witch just didn't kill her, extract her revenge on her for killing her husband, but she was glad for it. She had hope that her friends would find her soon. She just had to wait it out.

The door above the stairs opened slowly with a long creak.

Freezing, Hermione held her breath as the sound of rushed footsteps grew closer.

"Hermione?"

Looking up, she let out a relieved laugh. "Harry!" Jumping up, she hugged the man in front of her, ignoring the throbbing pain of her arms and legs.

"'Fraid not Mudblood."

Hurdling herself backwards, Hermione screamed as the person she thought was Harry slowly turned back into Bellatrix. Crying, she slid down the wall as the older witch walked closer, casually rolling her wand around in her hand.

"Did you enjoy that dearie? Seeing your friend?" She laughed, "Itty bitty Potter isn't coming for you love, neither is your darling Professor."

"M-My Professor?" Hermione gasped, looking up from her knees.

"Oh, don't you remember?" She asked softly, crouching down in front of her, "Each night you call out for her, to help you." She explained, a wide smile forming, "Minerva! Minerva please help me!" She cackled, "But she won't."

Hermione stared at her, her eyes wide as they followed the mad woman around the cell.

"Maybe," She said slowly, turning to look at the huddled girl, "Maybe I'll bring her here and have some fun with her too."

"No!" Hermione cried.

"What? Don't you like the idea of seeing her again? I'm sure she would love to see you."

Standing up, Hermione glared at the witch. "Don't you touch her!"

"Why not Mudblood? How are you going to stop me?" She hissed, standing nose to nose with the girl.

Acting without thought, Hermione swung out and hit her, her fist connecting squarely with the round jaw, sending the surprised witch flying backwards. Panting, Hermione watched as the other witch quickly stood up and pointed her wand at her.

"You insolent child! Cruci-"

"Incendio!"