A/N - I don't know if this needs a warning, but what's ahead is (hopefully) intense and may not be enjoyed by all, which is why I agonised over it for weeks on end!
Screams filled the air around her as Hermione trembled alone in the dungeon, she hadn't moved from her spot on her bed since Draco's departure, his worried gaze imprinted in front of her eyes.
Hermione rubbed her hands across her arms, hoping to inject some warmth into her cold bones but to no avail. Breathing in deeply Hermione noticed the screaming from above had stopped, hearing Draco's earlier words repeat in her head she stayed quiet and still as footsteps approached her lonely cell.
The dungeon door creaked open as a weak rat like face peered into the room, Hermione knew he had come for her and she met his gaze with defiance even though her heart pounded with fear. Wormtail stepped fully into the room and Hermione repressed the sudden urge to throttle him - the man responsible for the Potter's deaths and Voldemort's rebirth - as he drew closer.
Wormtail bound Hermione's hands in front of her with rope conjured from his wand and pulled her harshly to her feet. Hermione stumbled on the uneven floor as he pulled her towards the staircase, her heart pounding as the very air around her crackled menacingly.
As they reached the top of the staircase Hermione froze, listening to the voices echoing down the hall from the only other room she had seen since her arrival. Pushing back the memories of that awful day Hermione straightened her spine and held her head high as Wormtail pushed open the heavy door.
Hermione repressed the urge to vomit as the stench of blood assaulted her senses, looking slowly around the room a sense of claustrophobia overwhelmed her as the true meaning of Draco's earlier words sunk in, Death Eaters crowded every corner of the room all watching expectantly. Wormtail pulled harshly on the restraints binding Hermione's wrists and she let out a slight whimper as they moved forwards, earning a laugh from the assembled group.
Reaching the center of the room Wormtail released the bind on Hermione's wrists and retreated into the darkness, looking around the room rubbing her now sore wrists Hermione watched as the Death Eaters moved as one to block the exit. Turning full circle Hermione found the terrified gaze of Draco's stormy grey eyes, time seemed to pass slowly as she stared into his eyes but their connection was broken when a small voice muttered her name.
Turning away Hermione looked for the source of the noise - her heart stopping as a scream clawed its way from her throat - without any hesitation Hermione threw herself towards the figures on the floor, "Mum! Dad!" Hermione sobbed as the assembled crowd laughed freely.
Draco watched as Hermione pulled her parents into a bone crushing embrace and showered them with kisses, knowing their happiness would be short lived. Gripping his Mothers hand Draco watched as Lucius walked towards the Grangers, a maniac smile distorting his once handsome features.
"Filthy muggle family," Lucius drawled as Hermione whipped her head around to stare at his arrogant face "Little Miss Granger here sent dear Mum and Dad away from the nasty Death Eaters - such a pity it didn't work."
Hermione drew in a shaky breath, wiping the tears from her face as she turned and using her body to shield her parents from the cold face of Lucius Malfoy, Hermione spat on his shiny pointed shoes as rage coursed through her blood.
"You FILTHY little MUDBLOOD," Lucius roared as he whipped out his wand "Crucio!" he cried causing Hermione's body to crumple to the floor and contort grotesquely as she screamed in agony.
Flinching away from the sound of Hermione's screams, Draco closed his eyes and counted to ten, trying to keep his composure as her screams rattled against the walls and tore at his battered psyche.
Sensing her sons distress Narcissa released the hand she was holding and wrapped her arm around Draco's waist, giving him a slight squeeze of reassurance. Draco looked at his Mother - his vision distorted by the mask on his face - and wished they could just disappear.
Lucius lifted the curse with a snap of his wrist and smirked as Hermione crawled back to her parents, her arms giving out under her slight weight as her muscles spasmed with aftershocks.
Reaching out Mr Granger gently pulled his daughter into his embrace, cringing at the feel of her bones beneath her skin. Upon feeling her Father's familiar warmth coupled with the smell of her Mother's perfume, as she too joined the embrace, Hermione wept on his shoulder. Opening her eyes Hermione found herself looking into the comforting brown eyes of her Mother, placing a hand upon her cheek Hermione stared at her wishing they could have been reunited any way but this.
"How touching," Lucius sneered down at them as the Death Eaters drew in closer, now forming a tight circle around the Grangers huddled on the floor, "Such a shame we're going to kill you."
"NO!" Hermione screamed rising shakily to her feet, standing in front of her parents she looked into Lucius Malfoy's cold grey eyes "Kill me - not them - let them go!"
Draco watched transfixed as Lucius stepped forward, towering over Hermione as he spoke "You will die - with your worthless parents - and we, we will enjoy it! Your filthy blood will pour from your veins and I will watch as the lights leave your eyes."
Draco couldn't stop his groan as it passed his lips, the energy in the room was teetering on the brink of chaos, the cacophony of voices and laughter testing his ability to maintain his shield. Draco knew he was in trouble when his Father turned to face him, the manic glint in his eye reminding Draco of the night Lucius told him he was to be the greatest Death Eater.
"Draco!" Lucius barked "Come here." This was it - Lucius thought - his moment to prove to the Dark Lord that he and his family were worthy of being in the inner circle, his moment of redemption and Draco would be by his side.
Draco stood still - his muscles locked in place by fear as he looked at his Father - his mind working feverishly to think of a way not to obey. The choice was taken away from him as Lucius clicked his fingers and the closest Death Eaters grabbed Draco and forced him forwards, the surprise causing Draco to stumble over his own feet.
"Draco," Lucius spoke sternly grabbing his sons chin forcing him to make eye contact, "You are not going to fail me again - now - kill the Mudblood and her family."
"N...no," Draco mumbled trying to take a step away from his Father, whose nails were now digging into his face.
Rage flashed in Lucius' eyes, releasing Draco he reached for his wand once again and howled "Crucio!" watching with satisfaction as Draco crashed to the floor "You will not disobey me!"
Draco screamed as the curse assaulted his body, every fiber of his being was on fire as his Father's hatred fuelled the flame. As his limbs began to bend into unnatural shapes Draco heard his Mother wail over the noise of the Death Eaters laughter "Lucius! Stop! Please!" Narcissa begged between her tears.
"Your coddling has made him insolent!" Lucius shouted as he lifted the curse "I will not be disobeyed! Now Draco," he said dangerously quiet, watching as Draco rolled on the floor and violently coughed, splattering the floor with blood "Stand up and kill them."
Hermione watched as Draco slowly shook his head earning a gasp of shock from the assembled crowd. Draco turned to face Hermione and mouthed the words "I won't hurt you." to which she numbly nodded before turning back to her parents.
Narcissa slowly stepped forward, inching her way towards Lucius who was trembling with rage. Reaching out hesitantly Narcissa gripped his forearm, turning his attention to her she begged again, "Please Lucius, don't make our son do this."
"I am in charge of this family! He will do as I say!" Before Narcissa could move to defend herself Lucius raised his hand, slapping her so hard her head rocked back and she stumbled on her feet, without a look back Lucius turned his attention back to his son "Draco. Stand. Now."
Stumbling to his feet Draco stood, looking at his Mother as tears ran down her cheeks, his body still trembling with the aftereffects of the curse - his thoughts chaotic with his fear - Draco stood silently waiting.
"If you won't obey me willingly, I will have your obedience by force. Imperio." Lucius smirked triumphantly as Draco's gaze went blank and his body stilled. In the background Lucius heard Narcissa gasp in shock "Bella," he commanded "Don't let her interfere." Bellatrix crackled madly as she walked over to restrain Narcissa, pulling her arms behind her Bellatrix angled them to ensure Narcissa would see everything.
A cold voice penetrated Draco's now empty mind commanding him to move forward, Draco's feet moved instantly, not hearing the laughter around him.
The voice spoke again, commanding him to Crucio the petty muggles on the floor - Draco's arm rose automatically as he looked down through clouded eyes - when a smaller voice echoed in the far back of his mind saying no.
Hermione watched as Draco's arm dropped suddenly, his eyebrows drawing together in confusion, she could feel her parents trembling either side of her.
Magic tingled at Draco's fingertips but he no longer felt compelled to cast the curse but was unable to move away, as Draco's mind snarled again - Crucio! - the curse exploded from his mouth bathing the room in red light as Mr Granger writhed beneath him in pain.
"Daddy!" Hermione screamed cradling his head in her lap, she turned and looked at Draco - noticing how distant his eyes had become - "Stop!" she cried desperately as her Father began to convulse.
The shrill cry pierces through the cold voice commanding Draco's mind and for a split second Draco can see clearly, horror pierces his heart and he hastily stops the curse before the cold voice took back control and commands again - Crucio.
Once again the small voice resists the command of Crucio and Draco realises the small voice is his voice - his subconscious he ignored for years - he clings to it desperately as the cold voice barrages his mind. Feeling control of his mind sway back towards the cold voice - which he now realises belongs to his Father - Draco once again feels magic tingle at his fingertips as they grip his wand, raising his arm to cast the curse his voice halts him mid movement.
Hermione watches carefully - not daring to breathe - Draco vibrates with energy causing his iris' to spark with electricity, shifting the colour between molten grey and pure startling white.
Sweat beads from his brow as Draco continues to struggle internally, the voice of his Father overpowering him again forcing him to turn his attention to Mrs Granger, laughing wickedly as the helpless muggle screams under him.
"Mum," Hermione sobs over and over as she tries to keep her Mother's head from crashing against the stone beneath them, Mr Granger joins Hermione slowly and replaces her hands with his to tenderly cradle his wife's head.
Hermione watches as her Father whispers words of comfort into her Mother's ear, even though she won't be able to hear them over her screams, he continues as her body spasms harder. Turning, Hermione looks again at Draco - his eyes completely white and his skin almost translucent - and stands to face him. Gripping his rigid arms Hermione shakes him hard "Draco!" she commands ignoring the laughter around her "Draco! Stop this!" Hermione pleads as tears run down her face again, lifting herself onto her tiptoes Hermione looks into his empty white eyes "Draco, you said you wouldn't hurt me." she says softly.
Draco blinks slowly as his vision comes back into focus, his wand arm dropping to his side as he regains a slight bit of control over his own body. Lucius' voice is still fighting for control of his mind but his focus is drawn into the pools of Hermione's eyes, so deep Draco feels himself becoming lost.
Feeling his control waver Lucius snaps his fingers and points to Hermione, Yaxley springs forward at his command and drags Hermione away from her parents as Lucius begins speaking again. "I believe it is now time…..we watch the Muggles die."
"NOOOO!" Hermione screams, desperately trying to free herself from Yaxleys restraint as her eyes lock with her parents who sit together quietly on the floor. "Draco! You can't do this! You don't want to do this! Hermione cries desperately watching as his face briefly contorts with horror before his eyes switch back to their eerie whiteness.
"Luckily for us," Lucius begins sarcastically strutting to place his hand on Draco's shoulder "It's not up to you what Draco does, that is up to me." Leaning forward Lucius hisses into Draco's ear "Kill them," before stepping away.
Draco is frozen as his Father's command echoes forcefully in his mind, again he can feel his arm rising as magic and adrenaline course through his system, his subconscious slowing his movements but not strong enough to halt them all together. Although Draco can't see her through the haze, he recognises Hermione's screams, trying desperately to use her screams to drown out the controlling voice of his Father.
Minutes pass as Draco fights for control of his mind but he can feel himself waning, sweat covers his body and his muscles tremble with exertion, unsure of how much longer he can keep his Father out he looks for another source of strength.
Mr Granger looks up at Draco, then to his wife beside him, giving her a small kiss on the cheek he holds her tighter turning to find his daughter "We love you Hermione, don't you ever forget it." he says softly as Hermione cries "I love you too."
Looking back to Draco, Mr Granger can see how much the young man is struggling, a far cry from the boy who used to torment his daughter, "Draco," he commands trying to ensure he will be heard "We forgive you - just don't let them hurt our baby." Holding his wife tighter Mr Granger closed his eyes and rested his face against the scattered mess of his wife's hair, inhaling her comforting scent.
Draco shakes his head furiously as magic builds at his fingertips as he pushes the darkness into his wand, feeling his wand resist the dark curse Draco focussing his attention on pulling the magic back, away from his wand, away from the innocent people cuddling on the floor.
As the two conflicting forces battle on, Draco begins drawing in short sharp breaths as his head pounds and his knees give way beneath him. Hitting the floor hard his resistance is broken and his mind is swamped with the over excited voice of his Father "Kill them! Do it now! Kill!"
Without hesitation Draco's monotone voice croaks out those fateful words "Avada Kedavra" followed swiftly by his own howl of "Nooooooo!" as deathly green light fills the room.
Draco collapses to the floor as a dark swirling mass erupts from his body, clutching madly at his chest Draco feels his magical core shattering as the curse meets its target and Mr & Mrs Granger tumble lifelessly to the floor.