WARNING! This chapter might contain some graphic violence so I suggest if you don't like that type of stuff then don't read it. Oh, and I hope you remember some of the information given about C.R. in Hermione's Peter Pettigrew.
The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.
Joseph Conrad
"Wake up, Hermione…"
Whispering. No… it wasn't whispering. It was too loud. Too demanding. Too needy. It surrounded her as she faded in and out of consciousness.
"Wake up, my little flower…"
Make it stop, her mind begged as the sounds grew louder and the light grew brighter. She could feel it now. The sticky sweetness roll over her hanging body.
"Wake up you ungrateful whore!"
Pain. Undeniable pain!
"AHHHH!"
Opening her eyes to the horrifying reality that was her life was not the only thing that caused her to scream. She knew where she was and she knew that voice.
"SHUT UP!"
More pain. Either that or she was just imagining it. No matter. It went away quite fast along with her voice. Shadows danced off the walls as someone circled her, holding a wand in one and something unidentifiable in the other. She didn't want to know what it was but judging by the way it was glinting in the overbearing light below her, she guessed it was sharp.
"I've healed certain injuries you've sustained during your stay here, but don't expect all of them to be gone," he whispered.
Hermione was still getting over the pain.
"Do you know how long I've been waiting to be alone with you again?" he asked.
"No, but I can estimate," she replied in a ragged breath.
More pain.
"Don't you dare talk back to me. This is my moment and if you start, I'll just kill you right now," he growled.
Hermione glared as he walked by.
"Now… I'm sure you know why you're here," he whispered.
She didn't answer. He smiled.
"You learn fast. I'm ashamed though. All of this could have been avoided with one simple change of heart."
"You're an obsessed, crazy son of a bitch," Hermione spat.
The sharp object made contact with her broken leg and was pulled down just slightly. Enough to make her scream and for the light to go out. There was a moment's pause then the light came on again. The man grabbed her face and pulled it close to his.
"You're pushing it," he growled.
"Isn't that what life's about? Pushing it?" she shot back.
"Not when your life's the one that's about to go overboard," he growled, releasing her face.
"Now… Hermione, Hermione, Hermione…. Like I said before. This is all your fault. For not telling Ron. For not telling Harry. For not telling me. You shouldn't have done what you did…"
"I did the right thing."
"NO! You did the wrong thing, you filthy whore! You chose the wrong thing and now… you're going to pay."
"Go to hell!" Hermione screamed.
Ian smiled. "You first."
He flicked his wand at her and suddenly every wound opened up. Ian disappeared and mirrors appeared around her, showing her every angle over her body. Blood spluttered out from every pierced gash and pored down her legs as she screamed. She closed her eyes, trying not to see. Trying to remove the images but that's when it happened. Every mirror exploded and shards upon shards of glass shot towards her and embedded themselves into her skin, conveniently missing her vital organs and veins and putting her under the most excruciating pain imaginable. She twisted around, pulling at the bonds that kept her hanging from the ceiling but they too tightened and ropes shot up from the ground grabbing her legs and pulling them down in one swift movement.
Her broken leg was pulled apart and the bone separated instantly and one part went out of the skin, dripping in blood. Her screams echoed in the small factory and her blood splattered all over the floor.
"How was it?"
Hermione opened her eyes, glaring up at him as crouched down beside her, observing her with lustful eyes as his hands gently went over her body.
"I remember when you broke me, Hermione. Do you remember that?"
She remained silent.
His hands stopped over her leg and took hold of the bone that was jutting out.
"AHHHHH!!!"
Tears mixed with blood as she tried to pull away, only adding to the pain. Rolling over, she grabbed his leg, pleading with him to let go. He just glared at her.
"Remember! I want you to remember the pain I went through!"
"STOP IT! PLEASE!" she screamed, pulling her arms over her head as he continued to twist.
"REMEMBER!" He ordered.
"When do they come back, Remus?" she asked again.
Remus sighed and looked across the room. "They're alive. He's alive," he said. "Be thankful for that."
"Why can't I just send him a letter?" she asked.
"Because we don't know if it could be traced or not. Look, Hermione. Everyone's going through a hard time right now, you especially. With Ron and Harry gone, you don't have much here to hold on to, but you have to believe Moody and I when we tell you that they're safe," he whispered.
Hermione bit her lip and nodded. Remus gave her a small hug before leaving and Hermione returned to her office.
"You ok?"
Hermione started and clutched her chest, whirling around and gasping. "Ian! Ian, don't do that, you scared me," she scolded, trying to steady her breathing.
The man smiled and moved away from the wall.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he whispered.
Hermione smiled and sighed. "It's ok. I've just been on the edge lately with all this news coming out about all these Death Eater attacks. I'm just scared Harry and Ron might be…" She stopped and bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I'm just ranting on. Did you need something?" she asked as she turned to her desk and started shifting through papers.
Ian shook his head, watching her with his dark brown eyes. "No. Not really."
Hermione looked up and caught him staring at her. She tilted her head to the side. "You sure?"
He nodded.
Hermione nodded as well and then picked up a file and made her way to pass him. She stopped at him and gave him a small peck on the cheek. "Thanks for stopping by," she said before moving to the door.
Ian grabbed her arm and twirled her around, pressing his lips to hers heatedly. Hermione gasped, her whole body tensing in alarm at this very uncomfortable situation. He continued to hold her until she broke away and stumbled back, off balanced. She stared at him for a moment before her mind and her mouth started working together again.
"What... Ian…. We've talked about this… I don't like you that way…" she whispered, touching her slightly bruised lips. That's when she got slightly mad. "Ron and I are together and just because he's gone, that doesn't mean I'm available. Now, I hope this is the last time we have to go through this. I like you as a friend and if you insist on doing this, I'm just going to have to tell someone, ok? Now if you'll excuse me, I'm late for a meeting," she snapped before turning on her heel and going for the door.
At first Ian just stood there, then his eyes grew darker and he moved to her, grabbing her and pulling her to him.
"Now, you see. This is that moment where you're faced with a simple choice. Throughout history, man has been forced to choose the lesser of two evils. Now it's either Ron or me. I suggest you pick wisely," he growled into her ear.
Hermione's eyes grew wide as she started to wiggle around.
"Let me go, now. Ian, let me go!" she screamed.
"Decide, Hermione!"
Hermione brought her foot down on to his shoe and then bit his arm, causing him to release her instantly. She whipped out her wand and pointed it at her.
"You're an ass and I suggest you never do that again," she hissed before moving to the door. Right before she exited, she turned around and glared at him. "Oh and by the way. I've chosen Ron."
The door slammed and Ian looked up.
"Wrong answer!"
"You remember, don't you," Ian whispered into her ear.
"You're a bastard," she growled as she lay on the floor.
"You've picked up nasty language from Weasley, haven't you? What does that man have to offer anyway? He's loud. Obnoxious. An idiot. Insensitive. And all he wants from you is sex," he growled into her ear.
"You're wrong," she whispered.
Ian smiled.
"Well then. I'm just going to have to prove you wrong," he whispered before getting up and moving away.
Hermione watched him leave before closing her eyes in pain.
Hello, Hermione. I'm back
Hermione opened her eyes and felt the chill run down her spine. Suddenly it appeared, coming out of the walls and coming to the ground. Only this time, it was in the shape of something horrible. Something with a long hooked tail that whipped out and snagged Hermione by the arm.
Her screams filled the hall as her blood stained the floor as the thing plunged its tail in and out of her back. Blood gushed from every wound and covered her as the thing turned her over and the needle point teeth appeared, gnashing at her skin and torturing her mind with the sounds of breaking bone.
The thing pulled away for a moment and Hermione started for the door, dragging herself to it but to no avail. The tail sank into her broken leg and twisted.
"AHHHH!"
Hermione kicked out with her other leg with was snagged and nasty little winged things began to chew on it and before her very eyes she watched the flesh disappear, leaving blood and muscle. Pulsing muscle that contracted and twitched as the creature went further up her leg.
"LET ME GO!" Hermione screamed before tugging at her leg. The creatures then dove for her head, ripping at her ears and hair and feasting upon her neck as the world grew darker.
"How was your sleep? Refreshing I hope. I enjoyed watching those little rascals nip at your neck. It was such a turn on."
Hermione opened her eyes and once again she was hanging from the wall.
"What are you trying to prove? That you can torture someone?" she asked.
Ian smiled and went over to her. "No… No, Hermione. I'm trying to teach you what happens when you choose the worse of two evils… Ron…"
"Ron's not evil. You are," she shot back.
Ian smiled. "Am I? I'm not the one who killed countless men," he replied.
"Ron had a job to do," Hermione growled.
"And so did I, yet I'm the one who was punished. I never hurt you, Hermione. I've never made you cry. But Ron… How many sleepless nights have you spent torturing yourself over that redheaded freak show? How many times has he ripped your heart out and danced on it without mercy, Hermione?"
Hermione spit in his face.
Ian wiped it off and then looked up at her through haunting eyes. Now you see, Hermione. That… wasn't nice." He spit on her and smiled. "An eye for an eye, Hermione. I'm here to make you feel all the hurt I've felt for the past years ever since you walked out that door. I'm going to make you pay and by doing so… I'm going to make him pay," he whispered before taking out a knife and placing it over her neck.
Hermione glared at him. "What are you going to do? Kill me?"
"No… But once I'm done with you, I will… and you'll welcome it with open arms," he whispered.
"I doubt it," she whispered.
Ian smiled. "Oh, trust me. You will." He circled her, caressing every curve and dip of her bleeding, bruised body. "You will die here and this place will be the graveyard for your rotting corpse."
Lying her on the floor, Ian took out four large nails and a hammer. Hermione watched him, tears falling as he took each nail and placed it beside her arms and legs before waving his wand at her and binding her down. Crouching down beside her, he ran his hands down her neck and stopped at her breast.
"Oh, Hermione… all of this could have been stopped if you had just stopped seeing him."
"Bite me," Hermione snapped before spitting in his face again.
Ian took the hammer and swung it at her face, breaking her jaw. Hermione started making gurgling sounds as the side of her head bled. Tears were mixing with blood as they pooled below her head as she continued to make noises. Ian smiled and leaned down, kissing her face as she cried. He then reached up and took her jaw and squeezed. Hermione started making louder sobbing noises as he kissed her lips before dropping her head.
"Don't worry. I'll be gentle," he whispered. "And just so you know, I'll let you watch."
Hermione's eyes grew wide in horror as he turned her head. She struggled to turn it the other way but once he grabbed hold of her jaw, she let him do what he wanted. She watched as he took the first nail and placed it over the palm of her hand. Raising his hammer, he looked at her.
"I'm sorry," he whispered before bringing it down.
More sobs escaped Hermione's throat as blood poured from the hand. Ian moved her head again so that she could see her other hand get nailed. He then nailed both of her legs to the ground. Her sobbing echoed all over the factory and Ian was getting fed up with it. He got up and went out of her sight before coming back with a link of chains.
"SHUT UP!" he screamed, bringing the chains down over her stomach. Hermione screeched in pain as huge gashes appeared as he brought it down again.
"I said shut up!" he yelled.
"Stop it!"
Hermione continued to sob as she watched Ian turn to see an old man watching them. The man came over and looked down at her with a uncaring eye.
"You keep doing that, you'll kill her," he growled.
"I've been doing lots of things that could kill her, she's not about to die yet," Ian growled back.
The old man looked down at Hermione again and held out his hand. "Give me the hammer."
Hermione's eyes grew big and her chest started to heave again and she continued to wriggle around. The old man smiled down at her and brought the hammer down on her two shoulders, shattering them instantly. Hermione wanted to die just then. She wanted to die and she didn't care how.
Waking up, Hermione felt something moving around on her legs. Opening her eyes, she looked around and screamed. Her legs were covered in rats. She began picking them up and flinging them across the room then started dragging her self across the room. The thing was, her hands were still wounded from the nails and were leaving more fresh blood all over the floor.
"The rats are the least of your problems," Ian said as he circled her.
Hermione continued to move, occasionally stopping to kick the rats off her bleeding legs. Ian stopped and brought his foot down on her broken leg. Hermione screamed and twisted around, grabbing his leg and pulling him. Losing his balance he fell. Hermione dove onto him, biting and scratching with all of her might. Ian threw her off and she hit the railing to the second floor, which broke under her weight. Hermione screamed as she grabbed onto the railing as it dangled from the second floor. Ian appeared at the edge and smiled.
"You were always a tough pain in the ass," he muttered as he took out his wand and flicked it at her.
Hermione screamed in pain and fell, crashing into some crates.
Ian smiled and walked down the steps as Hermione withered around in the debris, splinters penetrating her back and a large wooden plank protruding from her shoulder. She should be dead. She wanted to be dead. Hearing the sound of his footsteps, she rallied the last of her strength and tried to crawl out of the mess of crates. She didn't have to. Ian dragged her out and threw her to the floor. Placing a foot on her broken ribs, he yanked out the plank of wood and tossed it to the side. He leaned over to look at her face when she whipped out her hand and drove a large piece of wood right into his eye. Blood gushed everywhere and Hermione began to drag her body to the main entrance. She had lost all feeling in her legs and assumed that the fall had caused that. Not matter. She was going to die any way. She looked back to see Ian pulling the wooden piece out of her eye and the smear of blood that trailed behind her. Ignoring the excruciating pain that pulsed through her entire upper body, she continued to try to make her way to the entrance.
Ian stumbled over to her with his small knife and stabbed her leg. Hermione just continued to move. Ian ignored the pain in his eye and reached for a large metal object and brought it down to her back. Hermione gasped and collapsed, her breathing haggard and her body struggling to stay alive. In the corner of her eye she could see the old man watching them from a chair.
"What do you want?" she asked rudely.
Ian hit her in the head with the back of his knife. The old man smiled.
"Why, Hermione? You don't recognise me. Well, it has been a long time. Even Constantine Raden grows older," the man said distastefully.
Hermione's eyes opened in horror, the stories they told of the little girls. The poor little girls that didn't have a chance. This was her end...
Ian smiled. "I told you, you'd die here."
Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head. Ian smile broadened.
"No? You think you'll actually survive after this? There have been ten search parties through this place Hermione. Not one has found a clue of you being here. You're going to die here… And I'll be right here to watch…"
"Ron, why are we here again? I've told you. We're searched this place at least twenty times. She's not here," Harry said, sighing as he watched Ron look around the entrance to the place.
"Where else could she be?" he asked.
"Anywhere, Ron!" Ginny yelled. "She could be anywhere and your not doing her any good by checking a place we've already looked!"
Ron rounded on her, glaring at her. "Don't you dare start with me, Ginny."
"What? Ever since Hermione's been gone, you've been such an ass! Why don't you actually do some work instead of following the ideas of crazy people!"
"That lady was right!"
"That doesn't mean she's here!" Ginny screamed.
Ron was about to say something when they all heard a crash. They all went quiet and Harry went to the window and gasped.
"Oh no…"
A/N: This was a very interesting chapter.
mione-ron-4ever: If that's the only word that comes to mind for that chapther, I'd hate to see what you have to say about this one.
MrsDiggs: Yes, well, I'm supposed to be doing homework. ;-)
paulalou: Well, this chapter isn't as psychological but it is violent.
GTKari-123: This is addictive. At least it's not drugs!
LitaFanForLife: Thank you!
Idunn: Yes, this thing actually exist in real life folktales. My mum told me about it and I decided that it would be cool to use in a story. If you remind me later, I'll tell you the name, but I wont tell you now or ever in the story actually... I'll probably just leave that one as a mystery.
sballLuvr5: I think a lot of this story is confusing until I start explaining certian things.
NairobiDawn: Not really. Just bad memories for Ian and Hermione
LunaSky: Hope I answered your question.
Wesker888: Well, I don't know. Living in Sin was a creature violence thing. This is different, so maybe that was a bad comparison. Maybe worse than Falling to Pieces when Oliver tortures Hermione. Though that chapter was pretty graphic. Maybe it can be a tie? You can judge.
cheeky splash: Well, thank you! For that chapter I really wanted to create an atmosphre of tension and slight confusion.
Chapter Tease: "ARE YOU KIDDING?" I'm not doing a chapter tease! I just spoiled all of you rotten! ROTTEN! NINE WHOLE PAGES ON WORD!
I feel better now.
Enjoy!