Angry and disappointed Hermione confined herself to her room for nearly two days she was left alone to mull over her troubled thoughts. Alternating between sitting up against the headboard of the bed and slouching on the window seat by the balcony.
On the third day as the sun was breaking through the clouds a sharp knock on the door wrenched Hermione from her sleep rolling on to her stomach and burying her head under the pillow to block the continuous knocking out.
The door creaked out and the clicking of heels sounded on the stone floor much to her chagrin the curtains were swiftly opened allowing the weak sun to stream in.
The pillow was suddenly removed from Hermione's head. Squealing she buried her face in her arms.
"Good gracious Miss Granger when was the last time you saw the sun?" came the disapproving click of the tongue from Narcissa.
"Don't you ever sleep?" Hermione childishly grumbled in to the silk sheets.
"I assure you I sleep when I need to. Now unless you wish for me to treat you like a child to match your childish behaviour I suggest you get up" Narcissa chided.
Hermione squinted her right eye just as the sun hit her face turning to face the emotionless mask of her hostess "when did you become my mother?". The next moment Hermione ended up sprawled on the ground in an undignified heap.
"Hey you can't go around abusing your guests" rubbing her hand over her bruised backside glaring at the blonde who was crouching down on the balls of her feet.
Narcissa cupped Hermione's chin with a perfectly manicured hand forcing their eyes to meet. "A guest is only temporary as we have previously discussed you are unable to leave therefore making you a resident of this land and not a guest. Now get up we have chores to do".
Guest not resident more like prisoner. I certainly won't be calling this place home anytime soon. The gull of this woman and who said I would agree to do chores what am I a bleeding house elf. Yes ma'am no ma'am three bloody bags full ma'am. Her internal monologue rambling as she once again followed the countess through the halls and back down on the ground floor.
"Gentlemen, Draco" Narcissa greeted them warmly her gaze lingering on Draco far longer than her other friends.
Hermione gasped in realisation. "You're screwing him he's young enough to be your son good Godric woman".
Narcissa's nose wrinkled in disgust. "I take it from Miss Granger's extremely big leap you failed to mention who I am and who you really are son". Draco's shifty look was all he needed to say.
"Didn't realise you were so kinky countess who would of thought you a uptight weirdo would fuck a man and have the audacity to call him son" Hermione hysterically shrieked.
Harry gasped in horror and Neville paled stepping back from the brunette.
Narcissa abruptly swung her lithe body towards Hermione, fury shining through her blue eyes as she stalked like a predator upon her prey. "How dare you speak to me like that in my own home! You are an undisciplined and rude little girl who needs to be punished".
Hermione stumbled back in fear, tripping over her feet in a desperate attempt to flee from the furious woman advancing towards her ending up falling backwards into a warm body.
"I obviously made it in time to see you murder a little girl sister" Hermione froze, strong arms circling her waist keeping her from escaping. The same wild black curls of the countess sister fell over her shoulders. "My you have been a very naughty girl" the dark haired sister harshly whispered.
"This is our fault we never told Hermione why we planned for years to come here" Harry uncomfortably spoke up, turning a sad smile on Hermione "I am sorry Hermione we misled you we wanted no we needed you to come because you were the key to getting on the island".
Hermione gritted her teeth, doubling her efforts in struggling against the secure embrace of the older woman. "What on earth are you talking about?".
"She is my birth mother" Draco pointed in Narcissa's direction.
"Bullshit that woman claims we can't leave the island so how the hell did you end up as an orphan in the magical world?".
"Maybe this is best discussed somewhere more comfortable Narcissa".
Narcissa nodded, swirling in a fluffy of robes and disappearing into the parlour. Hermione was forced through the door and dropped unmercifully on the couch the dark haired sister flopping inelegantly beside her. The boys loitering in the background as Narcissa sat on one of the armchairs.
"Draco is my son and when he was born I believed it best for him to be brought up with humans having a normal upbringing. None of you were supposed to come here but as Harry has kindly informed you Miss Granger you were the key for them to be able to access this land without you they would of perished". Narcissa sighed, tiredly rubbing her aching temples. "Only a new born baby can leave this land, this is after all a prison one not designed for the young and innocent. I am glad my son has returned home to me but in doing so none of you are able to leave".
"We knew that would happen" Neville spoke up unable to meet her eye.
Hermione's head was spinning all her friends had lied to her and for what to be trapped on this god forsaken island. "You lied to me and you used me just so you can run off and visit your bloody mother".
"I have every right to meet my mother Hermione" Draco sneered.
Hermione shoved away from the couch advancing on the boys "what about me? I know what it is like to have no family but at least you had the Potters not stuck in some orphanage where you had no one to protect you, no one to hold you when you had nightmares, no one to say it's okay I'm here". Dropping her head to hide her tears. "I do. I was only four when I was marched through the doors and stripped from my belongings and become just another burden". Looking the blonde boy in the eye "I for one understand how you feel I just wished you gave me a choice to decide in the matter but I hope it was worth everything".
Hermione stiffly returned to her seat, her eyes resting on the marble fireplace.
"Draco why don't you take Harry and Neville back to the cottage and make some progress with the cleaning". Narcissa quietly ordered.
"And here I thought having brats in the house would be dull".
"If you don't have anything productive to say don't say anything at all" Narcissa coldly warned her sister.
"Miss Granger.." Hermione rose from the couch interrupting the woman with a glare of her own. "I'd rather die than stay here with any of you". With that Hermione bolted out the castle, stumbling over the debris as she haphazardly raced down the jagged path, the plants scratching at her bare skin causing them to bleed.
She didn't stop running even as she crossed the boundary of the castle, she didn't stop as her legs protested their treatment, she didn't stop when her name was shouted over and over again, she didn't stop till she crashed face first in the wet sand of the beach.
Hermione screamed and screamed pounding the sandy surface with her fists, tears of hopelessness cascaded down her cheeks.
The sea was calling for her, whispering the promise of her freedom in a trance like state Hermione stripped her top and wriggled out of her trousers kicking off her shoes as she walked in to the freezing sea, the water creeping up to her neck she kicked out. Her body going under she suddenly felt at peace as her head went under the churning murky waters.
"Hermione! No" Harry screamed.
This time as her lungs burned she didn't fight to breathe she allowed her lungs to expand as the sea rushed in suffocating her. When she felt the pull of her feet she didn't push back instead she relaxed her body slowly descending to the bottom of the sea bed. Her mind her most treasured belonging was the last thing to go as the darkness seeped into her very being.
"..can't be serious".
"Absolutely...".
A short shuffle later ".. wake.. dead". Hermione could feel herself weighed down and try as she might she couldn't find the energy to open her eyelids. The darkness reclaiming her as the voices faded away.
The next time she woke her eyes drifted open on their own accord the room was blissfully empty. Hermione struggled to sit herself up she was groggy and her throat was parched. Definitely need a drink.
Fumbling along the wall for support Hermione made it to the stairs for some reason she couldn't understand why the stairs was going up instead of down but in her foggy induced mind she shrugged it off and continued up hoping to reach the kitchen soon.
The stairs ended much to her aching muscles relief, standing in a pitch black circular hall where the foyer was supposed to be. Hermione swayed unsteadily on her feet pitching forward she tumbled in to an open doorway sprawling on the ground unaware her night gown was exposing her lower waist to the world.
"What do we have here then a sacrificial lamb come to play with the wicked queen. My oh my what a lovely backside" a dark purr caught Hermione off guard, her mind clearing, she jumped up frantically smoothing down the nightwear. This certainly isn't mine. Hey who stripped me. A faint blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Who.. who are you?" she fearfully asked, her gaze drifting around the darkness unable to make out anyone hiding.
A slight chuckle "not so brave are we, a mere mouse playing pussy cat in the dark unable to see the snake before it strikes". A dark velvety voice cocooned in her ear.
Hermione shivered, her fists clutching the hem of the nightie unconsciously licking her lips. "I.. I'm not sure how I came to be here".
"Did mommy and daddy not tell you how babies are made?" a manic cackle followed "do you need a demonstration little lamb?".
A loud commotion from the stairs brought an abrupt end to the strange and frightening conversation. Two sets of hurried feet echoed across the hall.
"I warned you not to come up here" Narcissa snarled grabbing Hermione roughly into her arms, dragging her painfully to the stairs.
"I am sure the girl meant no harm she is still in one piece" the for now purposely left off.
"I just wanted water and I must of gotten confused I don't remember much since I ran to the beach" her voice wobbled.
Narcissa's face softened pulling Hermione in to her embrace, hands stroking her curls lovingly. "It's okay I got you darling". She didn't know why but those few words made her sob against the blondes neck.