A/N: So I pretty much update/post while I'm at work in my 8-5 job, so there will be few weekend updates. Sorry.
I came to with a jolt, realizing the effects of the rennervate charm. I was sitting on a bench outside of the Ballroom. Narcissa's eyes held worry and sorrow. We survived, why is she upset?
The baritone pitch of Snape cut through the air. "She overtaxed herself and her magical ability. She will need rest, unfortunately The Dark Lord will not permit this at present. Might I suggest..."
Narcissa's sharp voice cut him off. "Of course, dose her! Hermione, we're okay. Just trust me and we'll get through this..." My eyes were still unfocused, but the cerulean blue of Narcissa's eyes were unmistakable.
"What's going on? We got out of the Bank..." My thoughts felt muddled as I took the proffered potion. I couldn't recognize it by sight or smell. A unique potion by Snape? Can I trust him? My throat hurt and my mouth was parched, so much so that I needed to put my trust in Narcissa.
"Our subtle mission got a lot of attention. Bad Attention. I'm so sorry my wife." She apologized profusely as I recognized her fear and took the potion. She's not about to poison me.
"Mister Ronald Weasley was recognized escaping Gringott's after having stolen the Goblin's dragon. The Dark Lord believes you failed to capture your little friend and demands to know what they are up to."
"It was a coincidence he was there..." I objected weakly, now realizing what the potion was. My nerves were getting numb as my memory got cloudy. I was going to be interrogated and tortured by Voldemort. Small mercy if I die at the madman's hands.
Narcissa's lips brushed mine gently. "I know, but remember whatever happens in there, do not take it personally. It is not your fault. I understand."
Not take it personally? How can I NOT take this personally?
Yaxley was at the doorway, leering at me. "Bring in the Mudblood."
I am shoved to my knees in front of Voldemort, the acrid smell of piss and death reeking the air. Ropes are conjured to restrain me harshly by the wrists, ensuring me to be defenseless. I gag at the smell, raising my eyes to see a pile of broken bodies stacked before me in a pile. They were all wearing the security robes from Gringotts, interspersed with a few goblins as well.
"Mudblood, I have their statements about what happened. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" His red slits were shining in blood-drenched fury. He wants me to confess... he has nothing?
"No, my Lord. My wife and I were getting our financial affairs in order when the mayhem broke out." I had met his eyes and was ready for his mental ransack.
It never came.
Merlin, he's too mad with rage to read my mind!
"Your little friend Ronald Weasley was seen there after his polyjuice wore off. Are you telling me you didn't know of any plan to raid the bank? Is this the Order's new way to pay for their resistance against my regime?! Bring in Narcissa!" Why does he think she would know?
Tears welled up as I understood what was about to happen. "NO! I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING! NOOO!" My voice felt hoarse as my wife as forced to kneel directly in front of me, her eyes wide in mine. Her breath was short and panicked, and her fear was thick and palpable. She knew what she was there for, and was trying to be brave for me.
"It's okay, Hermione. We didn't do anything wrong. We didn't even know they were there. This isn't your fault. This isn't your fault." Narcissa rambled quickly, assuaging me of my guilt. Her words ran together as a mantra, and she was already trying to disassociate her mind from the torture she was about to undergo.
Panic made my heart beat faster, the ropes feeling even tighter as my arms were pulled taut. Don't hurt her please don't hurt her don't hurt her don't hurt her...
"Bella, I know how much you wish to do the Mudblood harm, but you failed me. CRUCIO!" Voldemort's wand sparked and the demented woman screamed in agony. The look on Narcissa's face sank deep into my heart. I may hate her, but it's still her sister...
He relented on Bellatrix and pointed his want to Narcissa. My god, he's drawing it out for show.
"Mudblood, I'm giving you a chance to confess. What were Harry and Ron doing?" I can't tell him, I won't break... I put up my occlumency shields, and tried to float away from consciousness.
Voldemort seemed poised to torture Narcissa, but put his wand down. He seemed at peace, and it vaguely reminded me of Umbridge. He's scarier when he's calm.
"Draco... crucio your mother. Now." His quiet voice chilled me to the bone. That bastard is going to pit all of us against each other!
Draco's wand was raised, though shaky. He seemed reticent, but after he was hit with some sort of hex, Draco croaked out the incantation. His face showed how squeamish he was about this, and how he was slowly breaking here.
Narcissa trembled in pain as tears trailed down her face. Her shriek was punctuated by the soulful whimpering that came after, and I felt the Compulsion urge me to do something, anything, to make this stop. Lie to him! Make something up! Hell, how many horcruxes could be left now?
"Now, do not make me ask again, Mudblood..." Voldemort cooed. His voice could have at one time been seductive.
"She didn't know a thing about this!" Narcissa snapped, adding a quick 'my lord' afterwards.
"Such conviction and obstinance... I see your new husband is rubbing off on you. I suppose I'll have to break her myself." His voice was almost seductively soft, and my body shivered in anticipation for the pain.
"NO! PLEASE!" Narcissa plead went unnoticed as hot knives sliced into me, through me, between my joints as if separating my bones...
My vision blanked out a bit as sweet unconsciousness threatened to come but was pulled back. Please, let me feel nothing! Warmth pooled in my pants and ran down my face, and I couldn't care less. Narcissa was no longer being tortured by her own son, and that was the only solace as the knives dug deeper and found new places to find pain within me. This was much worse than Bella was; how will I ever defeat a man this powerful?
If this keeps up, I knew my very sanity could be lost. The sharp, bitter cold that felt like heat seared in every crevice carved by the imaginary knives, causing a pain be so sharp it felt like crushing blows. The pain was a paradox in every way and all I could do was kneel in pain as red tinted my vision and the tell tale taste of copper trailed over my lips. I had no idea where I was bleeding and was hoping to pass out from blood loss.
I lost track of how long I was there, my eyes seeking refuge in the quivering blue orbs of Narcissa. Solace could be mine if only I could escape my mortal coil, to welcome the darkness of eternal rest. Instead, I had to endure the torment. I was condemned to survive.