Dearie me, I never meant for such a delay. I completely lost all inspiration during and after exam period. Also! I found that I have a social life and have ventured outside on multiple occasions – it's all very exciting indeed xD This isn't the usual 3-4000w chapters you're used to but I hope that this short excerpt will wet my creative palette for the next update.

All my love to those in Japan who were hit by an earthquake and tsunami yesterday – as well as to those who suffered from Hurricane Sandy a few weeks ago. Stay cool this summer (and to those in the Northern hemisphere, go play in the snow! Embrace iiiiittt :D)

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support. It is you who inspires me to update.

Chapter Ten

A shove down stairs.

A collision with stone floors.

A pulling of chestnut hair.

A whimper.

A manic cackle.

A slap against cheek bones.

A tearing of cloth.

An unforgiving curse.

A scream.

Laughter.

A sharpened blade.

Screams.

O~O~O

Let it be over.

Her world was spinning. Hermione clung to the icy ground, spreadeagle, as if her life depended on it. Her broken fingernails dug into the cracks between each stone and she gnashed her molars together to be certain that the gag had been removed. Each new breath awakened the ache of bruised lungs. Lungs that had been used to beg for mercy – lungs that were constricted for the Death Eater's amusement.

With both eyes shut, she listened to her surroundings. For a while all Hermione could hear was the sound of her heart beating against her ribcage and her bones shivering on the cellar floor. It took time to realise that her body was numb because her back was naked. She groaned as she attempted to recollect the torturous encounter.

Bellatrix had not stripped her.

A foreign noise sounded at the furthest end of Hermione's prison. Her body became ridged as she held her breath. Opening her eyes, Hermione could see nothing. There were no windows and no light source. Again – she heard the sound. The hairs on her body stood on end and her heart hammered in her chest – there was someone else in the dark with her.

The noise was sickening – like wet rags beaten on stone. Once, twice, thrice the pattern repeated. Hermione shut her eyes. She didn't dare imagine who else or what else shared her quarters. A squelching sound indicated that the material was being wrung and footsteps soon followed. Whatever was in here, it was coming towards her.

"Miss Granger is awake?"

Hermione screamed. It was one that released built-up tension and made way for relief. Lutin's voice filled her with loneliness as she heaved mouthfuls of phlegm.

"Shh Miss Granger, shh. Miss Granger must dress or else she will catch a cold. Lutin has her shirt."

Hermione opened her eyes and reached out to the house elf's voice in the darkness and took the damp shirt from his fingers. Sitting up instantly made her light headed and she clutched at her upset stomach as she slipped it on. Although wet, it was warmer than the ground she had been laying on.

"Lutin, why are you…?"

"Shh. Mistress must not hear."

Hermione shivered as she lowered her voice.

"I can't see a thing. Do you have a light?" She whispered.

"Miss Granger will not wish to see," Lutin's words trembled as he spoke "Miss Granger must rest."

"Lutin, please. A lamp, a candle…anything."

"Miss Granger must rest." Desperate for Hermione to comply.

"Lutin!"

The house elf jumped at the ferocity coming from the witch. Not wanting to attract the attention of the women upstairs, he clicked his fingers and a dim flame emitted from the tips.

Hermione squinted her eyes as they adjusted to the light. She couldn't see beyond the solemn face of Lutin however was relieved to be able to see at all.

"Now, Miss Granger must rest." The elf pleaded.

Hermione nodded and looked down at her herself and gasped. Lutin snapped his fingers and the light extinguished instantly but he knew it was too late. She had seen it. He put his hand in hers and stayed there until she stopped hyperventilating.

"Lutin is sorry. Lutin tried but Lutin could not clean Miss Granger's clothes properly without Mistress knowing."

Hermione grasped her body as if to avoid her insides spilling out. She could feel her world spinning once again.

"It's alright, Miss Granger." The elf reassured "Lutin healed Miss Granger's deepest wound."

"Lutin…my shirt was white." Hermione sobbed. Her knees were up against her chest in a ball as she shook. "It was white."

O~O~O

The cries from the dungeon two floors below were now few and far between. Bellatrix obviously had her fun with the Mudblood, perhaps a little too much Narcissa thought. She sat at her vanity table, silken robes draping off her shoulders. She observed the reddened marks on her body where she had scrubbed Japanese ink from her skin. They were ugly. Bruised and blotchy against pureblood flesh – the finest material as far as Narcissa was concerned. With wandless magic, the blemishes disappeared.

"There's a reason you're named 'Narcissa'" Bellatrix chimed. The dark witch had been resting against the doorframe, observing her sister silently as the blonde examined herself.

Narcissa rolled her eyes at Bellatrix's reflection in the mirror and adjusted her dressing gown. She had heard it all before. The one-liner was overused and played on her nerves. Picking up Hermione's wand, Narcissa twirled it in her fingers for the umpteenth time – vine wood, ten and three quarter inches. There was a familiarity to it, something that bemused her.

"Are we going to discuss the arrangements?" She said, ignoring Bellatrix's stare.

The Death Eater, still high after her torturous escapade, paid little attention to her sister's irritation. She skulked towards the dresser and picked up a comb, not taking her eyes off Narcissa.

"You've always been the pretty one" she whispered, running metallic teeth through honeyed hair.

"I know what you want and the answer is 'no', Bella." She was well acquainted with this faux tenderness.

"I don't need your permission," she hissed, pulling golden threads until Narcissa showed weakness. "I love it when you scream, Cissy." Bellatrix purred. "Now say my name."

"I'm sure the Mudblood did that enough." Ice found hollow orbs. Narcissa wasn't about to succumb to her sister's drunken desires.

Bellatrix grinned down at the blonde. Wrapping her hand over Narcissa's mouth, she traced full lips with her thumb

"Oh she did more than scream, Cissy. She begged. Begged and wept and fought and howled and bled."

"Enough, Bella."

"Enough?" Bellatrix grinned, dangerously bringing her wand up to Narcissa's neck - watching her pulse quicken as electricity emanated from its tip. "We're only just getting started."

Narcissa froze. She looked down at the wand in her hand and back at her sister.

Bellatrix looked on with curiosity at Narcissa who was rattling off names under her breath – the sadist standing in the background totally forgotten.

"Dragon heartstring" she whispered.

"What?"

"I knew the girl's wand felt familiar. Touch it." The blonde stood up and thrust the wand into her sister's hands.

Bellatrix examined it closely, testing its pliability and strength – aiming the wand at an antique vase and shattering it.

"Well?"

"Well nothing." The raven haired witch threw the wand back to Narcissa. She cocked an eyebrow as the younger continued to examine it. "Don't be a fool Cissy. If you are right it is merely a coincidence. She is a Mudblood."

"And if it's not a coincidence?"

"Why does it matter? It changes nothing."

"But the Dark Lord, he would show mercy. Draco would be out of harm's way."

"The Dark Lord would do no such thing, not even for you. You are blinded by lost hope, Cissy. Draco stands no chance unless the girl kills the old coot herself!"

"You will teach her, won't you Bella?"

"Why should I? You think I want to spend my time playing school with that brat?"

Narcissa rubbed her temples in frustration.

"I don't see the problem, Bella. You don't appear to be fazed by toying with mudbloods."

Bellatrix shot her a dark look.

"You will do this for me because I asked – because you promised you'd help Draco. I couldn't care less what you do with her. Just teach her the spells she needs to know."

"And what about you, Cissy? What are you to do while I do your dirty work? Are the cards still on the table? Will the Mudblood get what she wants?"

Narcissa's expression was cold. Every time she felt a pulse run through her arm she was reminded why she couldn't strike the Mudblood dead.

"These things take time."

"You've made men and women fall in love with you before. A horny pubescent should be a piece of cake."

"I don't need your advice, Bella. I have this under control. You just worry about yourself and what you have to do. Everything else will fall into place."

"Touch-y," Bellatrix sang, removing her corset that sat over her dress "I suppose you've given no thought to what you will do with the girl when the Dark Lord frequents the Manor?"

"On the contrary, dear sister. The letter you so kindly spoiled this evening was addressed to the Dark Lord himself. I anticipate his arrival. If the girl is to work closely with Death Eaters, their company must feel second nature."

"Well, well. You've just thought of everything haven't you." She spat, clearly vexed.

Narcissa gave Bellatrix an amused smile and handed her Hermione's wand.

"If you have plans tomorrow, cancel them. I'll leave the teaching methods up to you."

Bellatrix caught Narcissa's hand and dug her nails into her skin.

"And where are you going?"

Narcissa kissed the dark witch with painted lips and released herself from her grasp.

"I don't sleep with people who play with dirty toys."

Next update: duelling, a temptress, Voldemort