Disclaimer: I don't own anything at all in the Harry Potter universe.
Items in *** are flashbacks either from the canon or from earlier in this
fanfic.
Courage to Find the Strength
Chapter 26
Hermione screamed as Voldemort invaded and violated her mind. She could feel the cold tendrils of his power searching for the darkest secrets she held. Where he encountered happiness, he ripped through it like a jagged rusty blade, but where he encountered hate, or jealousy, or rage, he caressed and fondled those experiences, feeding off them like a monstrous leech. His purpose was simple. He wanted to break her. He wanted to strip away all of her integrity, her righteousness, and her virtue and leave behind nothing but a dirty shell, nurtured solely by shame and evil. In short, he wanted to make her just like himself. But, Hermione was strong. As he tore threw her mind, she threw up mental defenses. For every horrible memory he brought to the surface, she focused on an equally happy and pure one.
"Hmm, what have we here?" Voldemort snarled.
It was Ron and Harry during their first year together. It was after Professor Flitwick's class the day she'd been the first one to levitate the feather with the 'wingardium leviosa' spell. Ron and Harry were just in front of her talking, and she couldn't help but listen when she heard her name.
*** 'It's no wonder no one can stand her,' [Ron] said to Harry as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor, 'she's a nightmare, honestly.' ***
The pain and humiliation once again washed over Hermione. Her friends, her two best friends in the world thought so ill of her. She had been so lonely then, so desperate for friendship. They'd broken her heart that day. The isolation flooded her mind, the fact that she was different from all the rest. In the muggle world, she was regarded as a freak and had no friends. In the witch world, she remained a freak because she outperformed all of them. It seemed she would never fit in. She would remain forever alone, an outcast.
NO! They'd gotten past all that! Harry and Ron came to understand her and to love her. Hermione recalled a later moment that very same school year when they'd defeated the troll together, and she realized for the first time she had friends who would love her and protect her always. And later still when Ron had sacrificed himself on the giant wizard chessboard for them all, but she'd proven herself to them as well when the trial of Snape's potions meant only one of them could continue on.
*** 'Hermione's lip trembled, and she suddenly dashed at Harry and threw her arms around him. 'Hermione!' 'Harry - you're a great wizard, you know.' 'I'm not as good as you,' said Harry, very embarrassed, as she let go of him. 'Me!' said Hermione. 'Books! And cleverness! There are more important things - friendship and bravery and - oh Harry - be careful!' ***
And Harry had saved them all, the truest test of a friend! Take that, you evil bastard!
"But, we're just getting started, mudblood!" Voldemort's voice morphed into Professor Snape's.
Another memory took form. Something hit her in the face hard. Then a pain emanated from her mouth as her two front teeth suddenly started growing at a tremendous rate. Everyone in Potions class was merely staring at her, but worse still when Ron showed her teeth to Professor Snape, everyone started LAUGHING at her.
*** 'Snape looked coldly at Hermione, then said, 'I see no difference.' Hermione let out a whimper; her eyes filled with tears, she turned on her heel and ran, ran all the way up the corridor and out of sight.' ***
Another supreme humiliation washed over her again as the echoing laughs of Pansy Parkinson and the rest of the terrible Slytherins assaulted her ears.
"You were never pretty, never beautiful. Always with your unattractive bushy hair, and your unremarkable dull brown eyes. Never in a million years would a boy find you handsome."
"Yes! Yes, boys do fancy me!" Hermione yelled, forcing the memory of the Yule Ball into focus as she breezed into the hall on the arm of Viktor Krum and triumphantly noticed the appreciative and amazed stares of the other attendees that night.
*** 'It was Hermione. But she didn't look like Hermione at all. She had done something with her hair; it was no longer bushy but sleek and shiny, and twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She was wearing robes made of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material, and she was holding herself differently, somehow -.. She was also smiling. .Pansy Parkinson gaped at her as she walked by with Malfoy, and even he didn't seem to be able to find an insult to throw at her.' ***
"Ah yes, Draco Malfoy, my errant prodigy, couldn't help noticing you that night. He noticed you many times, didn't he? Oh, I can feel your resistance to think about him. What are you hiding? I sense something powerful, very bright, and also very, very dark," Voldemort inhaled deeply as if relishing every moment. "Here, child, let me make it easier for you."
Voldemort signaled Lucius who brought the dagger viciously down into her shoulder. The white hot flash of pain threw her defenses off guard, and she was left momentarily vulnerable to his hungry probing.
*** 'At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to BUY their way in,' Hermione said sharply. 'THEY got in on pure talent.' The smug look on Malfoy's face flickered. 'No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood,' he spat.' ***
No, Hermione moaned, not wanting to remember, but Voldemort wouldn't relent.
*** 'Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?' said Malfoy. 'And he's supposed to be our teacher!' Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got their first - SMACK! She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again. 'Don't you DARE call Hagrid pathetic, you foul - you evil - ' 'Hermione!' said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand as she swung it back. 'Get OFF, Ron!' Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backward. Crabbe and Goyle looked at him for instructions, thoroughly bewildered.' .
Later still.
'What's that supposed to mean?' said Hermione defiantly. 'Granger, they're after MUGGLES,' said Malfoy. 'D'you want to be showing off your knickers in midair? Because if you do, hang around.they're moving this way, and it would give us all a laugh.' 'Hermione's a witch,' Harry snarled. 'Have it your own way, Potter,' said Malfoy, grinning maliciously. 'If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are.' ***
Mudblood. Mudblood. Mudblood. Over and over it, Malfoy's voice echoed. She would never be a true witch, not like the wizard Malfoy or Harry or Ron would be with their pureblood heritage. It was something she couldn't fight, something no matter what she did, she couldn't change. She was defeated since the moment she was born.
Not true! It couldn't be true! She dredged up a memory of her own, the first time Draco had taken her breath away.
*** "What do you want, Granger?" he called over to her. Hermione drew a deep breath and walked over to him. Her face peering down temporarily blotted out the sun, and Malfoy blinked as he looked up at her. "You're in my sun, mudblood." Hermione moved and kicked him, albeit gently, in his bruised ribs. "One more time, Malfoy, and you'll be looking up at me from just three inches high. Just in time to see my shoe squash your ugly face." "Huh," was all he said and continued to look up at the sky. After a minute, he turned back to her, shielding his eyes, "You didn't answer my question." Hermione looked at him uncomfortably, then looked away. "Nice meadow you've got here. It looks even more, um, cheerful in the daylight." ***
Maybe it had been the effects of the sun. Maybe it was just the way he lazily sprawled there in the meadow, but the sight of him had taken Hermione's breath away. She'd always felt uncomfortable around him, always on edge, but this time was different. Something had changed between them. The very manner in which she perceived him changed. She'd seen his weakness, and now felt a strange stirring of compassion and pity. And as the sun turned his hair a sparkling white, Hermione realized how handsome he was. With no malice in his eyes, he looked actually charming, and when had his shoulders become so broad or his chest so well defined? Hermione once again experienced the first waves of heat between that soon threatened to completely engulf them when he'd kissed her a few moments later.
*** When she saw him wince despite his surprisingly pleasant laugh, not the evil cackle-like sarcastic laugh she was used to, she tried to start breathing again normally and walk over to him. She got within a foot or so of him and was relieved that he was finally starting to calm down and return to normal. Without looking at his face, she reached a tentative hand to gingerly place it on his side to see if he had injured himself again. She was now extremely quiet except for her suddenly quick, hard breathing. An inch away, his hand shot out and grabbed hers. Their eyes locked for a moment, and she saw the same grim Malfoy looking back at her. All traces of amusement were gone. Suddenly and without warning, his lips descended on hers with a firm, yet demanding pressure. Hermione had no clue what had come over her, nor did she want to. Somehow able to remember his injuries, she carefully put her arms around Malfoy's back to steady herself. Even with his arm around her, she felt light- headed. The kiss deepened and seemed to go on for hours, but it actually lasted only a few minutes. They pulled away as the kiss ended, and both were breathing heavy. Draco swallowed, and Hermione managed a shy, weak smile. "What the hell was that?" Malfoy whispered, never taking his eyes off her face. ***
"Yes, the foolish git never did have good taste, but what happened after all that passion ignited? Ah yes, quite the little tramp, I see," Voldemort cackled.
*** What Voldemort made her relive next was the absolute worst moment of her entire life.
"Draco!" Hermione called as she slammed shut the front door. "Draco, there's something I've got....to....tell....you," she trailed off as soon as she saw him standing there with the most terrible look on his face. It was way beyond anger or rage. It was an unspeakable hatred, and it was solely directed at her. She skidded to stop and felt all the blood rush from her face. "You bitch," Malfoy whispered. "What?" Hermione heard herself ask, but she knew her ears hadn't deceived her. Her heart started to pound in her chest as a wave of overwhelming panic hit her so hard she couldn't think. "You FUCKING mudblood bitch!" he said much louder. She flinched and thought momentarily she would pass out, but he was suddenly gripping her arms so tightly she was sure he would leave a bruise. "You played me for a fool! You only pretended to want me so you could make my humiliation complete! You've always wanted revenge! Haven't you?! HAVEN'T YOU?!" He was screaming now and shaking her violently. "Draco, stop. You're hurting me!" She desperately pleaded. He slapped her hard. "Hurting you?! Hurting YOU?! You little whore! How DARE you speak to me of hurting you!" "Draco, I don't know what happened. I can explain." He shoved her down on the floor where she burst into tears. "You don't need to explain, Hermione, sweetheart." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. He paced around her with an animalistic savagery as if any moment he would rip her to shreds. "I saw it all! I saw EVERYTHING!" "What are you talking about?" she sobbed. "I'm talking about you and Weasel, you pathetic excuse for a witch." "NO! You have it all wrong. Somebody tricked him. Somebody," but she was cut off when he bent down and slapped her again. "No, YOU have it all wrong. I should have never come here. I should have never trusted you. All you wanted was information about the Death Eaters and my father. You never cared for me. GOD! How could I have been so STUPID!" He left her there and went upstairs. In a few minutes, Hermione was through the door to his bedroom and tried to hold him, but he just shoved her roughly onto the bed and returned to his task of packing. Hermione again launched herself at him in a desperate attempt to make him understand, but he wheeled on her with his wand pointed in her face. "Stay the hell away from me, mudblood, or so help me there will be one less witch attending Hogwarts." His voice was ice, and his eyes were deadly. In another minute, he and his things were gone, leaving Hermione to roll off the bed onto the floor unable to control her hysterical sobbing. ***
To compliment the experience, Voldemort directed Lucius to stab Hermione again, but he had a hard time completing the task. Hermione was thrashing violently against the chains, trying to shield herself from her inner pain. Lucius aimed for her other shoulder and attacked, but her hand came down and inadvertently blocked the blow, the dagger slicing between her bones and emerging through her palm.
"Tighten those chains, you incompetent idiot! There should be NO slack!" Voldemort shrank back a little from the girl. After Lucius re-secured her, Voldemort again reached out to stroke her shriveling defenses. They were almost gone, having been weakened by that final blow.
"So, you proved yourself the little whore. Look at what he thought of you. Oh, the hatred you feel towards him now! Truly intoxicating! His housemates mocking you. His vicious insults. Yes, you remember every one," Voldemort practically cooed. "And when he apologized, all you felt was rage, hatred. Yes, let it grow! Let it fill you up, become all that you are! And when you discovered his was one of my very own loyal Death Eaters at that most intimate of moments, just when you trusted him again.."
Hermione felt the hatred growing deep, stemming from every foul thing Draco had ever said or done to her or to her friends. She hated the shame he put her through. She hated the constant humiliation. She hated everything about him. The intensity of the hatred threatened to burn away everything else inside of her. All of her happiness at Hogwarts melted away.
"Yes! Yes!" Voldemort cried. "All that RAGE! It's amazing she withstood me this long!"
***
Narcissa stopped the group at the entrance to the North dungeon. A rush of cold wind from the darkness below sent shivers down their spines. "They are down there," she said, her voice hollow and flat.
Lupin approached her with a pained expression on his face. "Narcissa," he choked.
"Just go, Remus. I made my choice long ago to be with Lucius. I see now that I was so naïve and foolish to think I could change what he is. I only regret I was too blind to see my own son's ambition," she closed her eyes in anguish.
Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on her arm. "Narcissa, there is hope yet for Draco. He has joined us in hopes of stopping his father and Lord Voldemort before their tyranny can become complete."
Narcissa looked up at him, not daring to hope. A desperate sob escaped her throat, and she wavered, threatening to faint. Lupin caught her gently, but she shoved him away, regaining her iron grip on herself. "No. I sealed my own fate long ago. There is nothing you can do to release me. Please, go now. There isn't much time." With that, she moved off down the hallway, her regal bearing betraying nothing of the heartbreak inside.
Dumbledore led the way down the stairs, his old body surprisingly stealthy and spry. Everyone tensed, wands at the ready. The scene opened as they expected. Forty or more Dark Wizards stood there waiting for them. Dumbledore's eyes narrowed, and he gave them all a tight, brave smile before leading them into battle.
Courage to Find the Strength
Chapter 26
Hermione screamed as Voldemort invaded and violated her mind. She could feel the cold tendrils of his power searching for the darkest secrets she held. Where he encountered happiness, he ripped through it like a jagged rusty blade, but where he encountered hate, or jealousy, or rage, he caressed and fondled those experiences, feeding off them like a monstrous leech. His purpose was simple. He wanted to break her. He wanted to strip away all of her integrity, her righteousness, and her virtue and leave behind nothing but a dirty shell, nurtured solely by shame and evil. In short, he wanted to make her just like himself. But, Hermione was strong. As he tore threw her mind, she threw up mental defenses. For every horrible memory he brought to the surface, she focused on an equally happy and pure one.
"Hmm, what have we here?" Voldemort snarled.
It was Ron and Harry during their first year together. It was after Professor Flitwick's class the day she'd been the first one to levitate the feather with the 'wingardium leviosa' spell. Ron and Harry were just in front of her talking, and she couldn't help but listen when she heard her name.
*** 'It's no wonder no one can stand her,' [Ron] said to Harry as they pushed their way into the crowded corridor, 'she's a nightmare, honestly.' ***
The pain and humiliation once again washed over Hermione. Her friends, her two best friends in the world thought so ill of her. She had been so lonely then, so desperate for friendship. They'd broken her heart that day. The isolation flooded her mind, the fact that she was different from all the rest. In the muggle world, she was regarded as a freak and had no friends. In the witch world, she remained a freak because she outperformed all of them. It seemed she would never fit in. She would remain forever alone, an outcast.
NO! They'd gotten past all that! Harry and Ron came to understand her and to love her. Hermione recalled a later moment that very same school year when they'd defeated the troll together, and she realized for the first time she had friends who would love her and protect her always. And later still when Ron had sacrificed himself on the giant wizard chessboard for them all, but she'd proven herself to them as well when the trial of Snape's potions meant only one of them could continue on.
*** 'Hermione's lip trembled, and she suddenly dashed at Harry and threw her arms around him. 'Hermione!' 'Harry - you're a great wizard, you know.' 'I'm not as good as you,' said Harry, very embarrassed, as she let go of him. 'Me!' said Hermione. 'Books! And cleverness! There are more important things - friendship and bravery and - oh Harry - be careful!' ***
And Harry had saved them all, the truest test of a friend! Take that, you evil bastard!
"But, we're just getting started, mudblood!" Voldemort's voice morphed into Professor Snape's.
Another memory took form. Something hit her in the face hard. Then a pain emanated from her mouth as her two front teeth suddenly started growing at a tremendous rate. Everyone in Potions class was merely staring at her, but worse still when Ron showed her teeth to Professor Snape, everyone started LAUGHING at her.
*** 'Snape looked coldly at Hermione, then said, 'I see no difference.' Hermione let out a whimper; her eyes filled with tears, she turned on her heel and ran, ran all the way up the corridor and out of sight.' ***
Another supreme humiliation washed over her again as the echoing laughs of Pansy Parkinson and the rest of the terrible Slytherins assaulted her ears.
"You were never pretty, never beautiful. Always with your unattractive bushy hair, and your unremarkable dull brown eyes. Never in a million years would a boy find you handsome."
"Yes! Yes, boys do fancy me!" Hermione yelled, forcing the memory of the Yule Ball into focus as she breezed into the hall on the arm of Viktor Krum and triumphantly noticed the appreciative and amazed stares of the other attendees that night.
*** 'It was Hermione. But she didn't look like Hermione at all. She had done something with her hair; it was no longer bushy but sleek and shiny, and twisted up into an elegant knot at the back of her head. She was wearing robes made of a floaty, periwinkle-blue material, and she was holding herself differently, somehow -.. She was also smiling. .Pansy Parkinson gaped at her as she walked by with Malfoy, and even he didn't seem to be able to find an insult to throw at her.' ***
"Ah yes, Draco Malfoy, my errant prodigy, couldn't help noticing you that night. He noticed you many times, didn't he? Oh, I can feel your resistance to think about him. What are you hiding? I sense something powerful, very bright, and also very, very dark," Voldemort inhaled deeply as if relishing every moment. "Here, child, let me make it easier for you."
Voldemort signaled Lucius who brought the dagger viciously down into her shoulder. The white hot flash of pain threw her defenses off guard, and she was left momentarily vulnerable to his hungry probing.
*** 'At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to BUY their way in,' Hermione said sharply. 'THEY got in on pure talent.' The smug look on Malfoy's face flickered. 'No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood,' he spat.' ***
No, Hermione moaned, not wanting to remember, but Voldemort wouldn't relent.
*** 'Have you ever seen anything quite as pathetic?' said Malfoy. 'And he's supposed to be our teacher!' Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got their first - SMACK! She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered. Harry, Ron, Crabbe, and Goyle stood flabbergasted as Hermione raised her hand again. 'Don't you DARE call Hagrid pathetic, you foul - you evil - ' 'Hermione!' said Ron weakly, and he tried to grab her hand as she swung it back. 'Get OFF, Ron!' Hermione pulled out her wand. Malfoy stepped backward. Crabbe and Goyle looked at him for instructions, thoroughly bewildered.' .
Later still.
'What's that supposed to mean?' said Hermione defiantly. 'Granger, they're after MUGGLES,' said Malfoy. 'D'you want to be showing off your knickers in midair? Because if you do, hang around.they're moving this way, and it would give us all a laugh.' 'Hermione's a witch,' Harry snarled. 'Have it your own way, Potter,' said Malfoy, grinning maliciously. 'If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are.' ***
Mudblood. Mudblood. Mudblood. Over and over it, Malfoy's voice echoed. She would never be a true witch, not like the wizard Malfoy or Harry or Ron would be with their pureblood heritage. It was something she couldn't fight, something no matter what she did, she couldn't change. She was defeated since the moment she was born.
Not true! It couldn't be true! She dredged up a memory of her own, the first time Draco had taken her breath away.
*** "What do you want, Granger?" he called over to her. Hermione drew a deep breath and walked over to him. Her face peering down temporarily blotted out the sun, and Malfoy blinked as he looked up at her. "You're in my sun, mudblood." Hermione moved and kicked him, albeit gently, in his bruised ribs. "One more time, Malfoy, and you'll be looking up at me from just three inches high. Just in time to see my shoe squash your ugly face." "Huh," was all he said and continued to look up at the sky. After a minute, he turned back to her, shielding his eyes, "You didn't answer my question." Hermione looked at him uncomfortably, then looked away. "Nice meadow you've got here. It looks even more, um, cheerful in the daylight." ***
Maybe it had been the effects of the sun. Maybe it was just the way he lazily sprawled there in the meadow, but the sight of him had taken Hermione's breath away. She'd always felt uncomfortable around him, always on edge, but this time was different. Something had changed between them. The very manner in which she perceived him changed. She'd seen his weakness, and now felt a strange stirring of compassion and pity. And as the sun turned his hair a sparkling white, Hermione realized how handsome he was. With no malice in his eyes, he looked actually charming, and when had his shoulders become so broad or his chest so well defined? Hermione once again experienced the first waves of heat between that soon threatened to completely engulf them when he'd kissed her a few moments later.
*** When she saw him wince despite his surprisingly pleasant laugh, not the evil cackle-like sarcastic laugh she was used to, she tried to start breathing again normally and walk over to him. She got within a foot or so of him and was relieved that he was finally starting to calm down and return to normal. Without looking at his face, she reached a tentative hand to gingerly place it on his side to see if he had injured himself again. She was now extremely quiet except for her suddenly quick, hard breathing. An inch away, his hand shot out and grabbed hers. Their eyes locked for a moment, and she saw the same grim Malfoy looking back at her. All traces of amusement were gone. Suddenly and without warning, his lips descended on hers with a firm, yet demanding pressure. Hermione had no clue what had come over her, nor did she want to. Somehow able to remember his injuries, she carefully put her arms around Malfoy's back to steady herself. Even with his arm around her, she felt light- headed. The kiss deepened and seemed to go on for hours, but it actually lasted only a few minutes. They pulled away as the kiss ended, and both were breathing heavy. Draco swallowed, and Hermione managed a shy, weak smile. "What the hell was that?" Malfoy whispered, never taking his eyes off her face. ***
"Yes, the foolish git never did have good taste, but what happened after all that passion ignited? Ah yes, quite the little tramp, I see," Voldemort cackled.
*** What Voldemort made her relive next was the absolute worst moment of her entire life.
"Draco!" Hermione called as she slammed shut the front door. "Draco, there's something I've got....to....tell....you," she trailed off as soon as she saw him standing there with the most terrible look on his face. It was way beyond anger or rage. It was an unspeakable hatred, and it was solely directed at her. She skidded to stop and felt all the blood rush from her face. "You bitch," Malfoy whispered. "What?" Hermione heard herself ask, but she knew her ears hadn't deceived her. Her heart started to pound in her chest as a wave of overwhelming panic hit her so hard she couldn't think. "You FUCKING mudblood bitch!" he said much louder. She flinched and thought momentarily she would pass out, but he was suddenly gripping her arms so tightly she was sure he would leave a bruise. "You played me for a fool! You only pretended to want me so you could make my humiliation complete! You've always wanted revenge! Haven't you?! HAVEN'T YOU?!" He was screaming now and shaking her violently. "Draco, stop. You're hurting me!" She desperately pleaded. He slapped her hard. "Hurting you?! Hurting YOU?! You little whore! How DARE you speak to me of hurting you!" "Draco, I don't know what happened. I can explain." He shoved her down on the floor where she burst into tears. "You don't need to explain, Hermione, sweetheart." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. He paced around her with an animalistic savagery as if any moment he would rip her to shreds. "I saw it all! I saw EVERYTHING!" "What are you talking about?" she sobbed. "I'm talking about you and Weasel, you pathetic excuse for a witch." "NO! You have it all wrong. Somebody tricked him. Somebody," but she was cut off when he bent down and slapped her again. "No, YOU have it all wrong. I should have never come here. I should have never trusted you. All you wanted was information about the Death Eaters and my father. You never cared for me. GOD! How could I have been so STUPID!" He left her there and went upstairs. In a few minutes, Hermione was through the door to his bedroom and tried to hold him, but he just shoved her roughly onto the bed and returned to his task of packing. Hermione again launched herself at him in a desperate attempt to make him understand, but he wheeled on her with his wand pointed in her face. "Stay the hell away from me, mudblood, or so help me there will be one less witch attending Hogwarts." His voice was ice, and his eyes were deadly. In another minute, he and his things were gone, leaving Hermione to roll off the bed onto the floor unable to control her hysterical sobbing. ***
To compliment the experience, Voldemort directed Lucius to stab Hermione again, but he had a hard time completing the task. Hermione was thrashing violently against the chains, trying to shield herself from her inner pain. Lucius aimed for her other shoulder and attacked, but her hand came down and inadvertently blocked the blow, the dagger slicing between her bones and emerging through her palm.
"Tighten those chains, you incompetent idiot! There should be NO slack!" Voldemort shrank back a little from the girl. After Lucius re-secured her, Voldemort again reached out to stroke her shriveling defenses. They were almost gone, having been weakened by that final blow.
"So, you proved yourself the little whore. Look at what he thought of you. Oh, the hatred you feel towards him now! Truly intoxicating! His housemates mocking you. His vicious insults. Yes, you remember every one," Voldemort practically cooed. "And when he apologized, all you felt was rage, hatred. Yes, let it grow! Let it fill you up, become all that you are! And when you discovered his was one of my very own loyal Death Eaters at that most intimate of moments, just when you trusted him again.."
Hermione felt the hatred growing deep, stemming from every foul thing Draco had ever said or done to her or to her friends. She hated the shame he put her through. She hated the constant humiliation. She hated everything about him. The intensity of the hatred threatened to burn away everything else inside of her. All of her happiness at Hogwarts melted away.
"Yes! Yes!" Voldemort cried. "All that RAGE! It's amazing she withstood me this long!"
***
Narcissa stopped the group at the entrance to the North dungeon. A rush of cold wind from the darkness below sent shivers down their spines. "They are down there," she said, her voice hollow and flat.
Lupin approached her with a pained expression on his face. "Narcissa," he choked.
"Just go, Remus. I made my choice long ago to be with Lucius. I see now that I was so naïve and foolish to think I could change what he is. I only regret I was too blind to see my own son's ambition," she closed her eyes in anguish.
Dumbledore placed a comforting hand on her arm. "Narcissa, there is hope yet for Draco. He has joined us in hopes of stopping his father and Lord Voldemort before their tyranny can become complete."
Narcissa looked up at him, not daring to hope. A desperate sob escaped her throat, and she wavered, threatening to faint. Lupin caught her gently, but she shoved him away, regaining her iron grip on herself. "No. I sealed my own fate long ago. There is nothing you can do to release me. Please, go now. There isn't much time." With that, she moved off down the hallway, her regal bearing betraying nothing of the heartbreak inside.
Dumbledore led the way down the stairs, his old body surprisingly stealthy and spry. Everyone tensed, wands at the ready. The scene opened as they expected. Forty or more Dark Wizards stood there waiting for them. Dumbledore's eyes narrowed, and he gave them all a tight, brave smile before leading them into battle.
