"No!" bellowed Hermione, flashing her wand and screaming, "Stup-"
"Commissura!" Bellatrix shouted over her, and before Hermione knew it, she was trapped. Every inch of her boy stuck against an invisible force as strong as metal, hurting her as she punched a shoulder to one side. This couldn't be happening. She didn't want to face it but betrayal was standing in front of her. Hermione stared at the unguilty face as hard as she could, trying to extract feelings of guilt but none came.
Hermione waited for more Death Eaters to arrive, but they didn't. She was horribly afraid that even a single move would inflict the worst consequences so she stayed still and racked her brains thoroughly in hope of coming up with a plan.
"Don't bother." Bellatrix spoke, her chiller voice putting a lump in Hermione's throat, "There's no way you're getting out this time. No teachers," she called for her wand, flying towards her instantly, no wands, and most importantly, no bitty baby Harry Potter to save you."
The last thing she needed was a Legilimens on her case, she thought, but wished she hadn't because Bellatrix would've heard that too. She looked to her right to find Ron looking back at her. What now?
…
Darkness engulfed the forest, spread rapidly over the widespread trees, and encountered Hermione's heart, shocking her whole body like a strong electrical current attacking the water. She didn't know whether the figure in front of her was real or a mere allusion aimed to frighten her, but no matter what she perceived, Bellatrix Lestrange faced her. It had been two minutes or so since she had captured Ron and Hermione, and now she eyed Hermione as if she were her prey, with narrowed and lifeless portals of vision. Fright panged Hermione. Bellatrix smiled with satisfaction and took a step to her right. Hermione observed her adversary. She looked hollow, with banshee-like long black hair and pale and sallow skin, giving her the appearance of a shriveled vampire. If it was even possible, she looked more confident in her gait than the last time Hermione had laid her eyes on her.
"Good work." Bellatrix repeated, patting Draco on the shoulder, and he folded his arms and grinned. Hermione knew it was finally time to consider that a real grin, and not a fake one as she had thought before. Why hadn't she listened to Ron? If she had, none of this would have happened…
Hermione met Ron's gaze, and both said the same thing: they were not going to get out of this one, at least not without outside help.
"I cannot tell you how long I have been waiting for this. The Dark Lord will be much pleased to hear she has arrived. It does not matter now how long it took to capture her, that's all in the past. Now, Draco, go inform the Dark Lord of her arrival."
Draco revealed a puzzled face, "Oh, I think you should."
Bellatrix raised her eyebrows, "Are you objecting to my order?"
"No, of course not. I mean, I'm new to this and he might not trust me. You should go."
"What makes you think I trust you?"
"Because you're a Black, my mother's sister, my aunt. We're blood related. You have to trust me. Don't you?" He added at the end, with a bit of apprehension.
Bellatrix surveyed him suspiciously for a few moments, but then spoke, "Fine, then. I'll go, but keep an eye on them, or you'll get a beating out of me just like last time."
"Understood." Draco said, raising his wand towards Ron and Hermione.
Bellatrix Disapparated with a crack, condemning the three of them alone. Hermione felt a bit more optimistic. If they could somehow trick Draco into getting them out of the bind, they could escape.
It was an awkward moment. Draco footed across the sharp blades of grass while Ron and Hermione watched him carefully. None of them uttered a word, but the deadly sentiments were present in the air anyhow.
Hermione racked her brain and the best she could come up with was, "Great plan, huh Draco? Oh, sorry. I believe it's back to Malfoy now."
Draco sensed the sarcasm in her voice but didn't say anything.
"How did you know I was here?" Ron whispered.
"Filch." She replied abruptly, "Help me. Think of something."
"What was that?" Draco pried, but they ignored him. Something clicked in Ron as he said, "Wandless-magic."
Setting aside her disbelief of having forgotten she could do that, Hermione moved her wrist slightly to aim at Draco. The spell stung, but she didn't yell. Come on, come on.
Letting all the pain go, she snapped her fingers, making the wand fly out of Draco's hand straight into hers. They were both free as soon as she muttered the counter curse to the Disapparation Jinx, and immediately after that, she had Draco in a bind. Unknowingly, she dropped his wand. He struggled and protested, "You're mistaken! I'm on your side! You'll see why I did that!"
"Shut up before I curse you." Ron threatened.
"You trust me, don't you Hermione?"
"Let's go, Hermione. We should get out of here. Don't listen to him anymore." Ron joined his hand with hers.
"I won't." Hermione too turned, but when Draco spoke, she stopped, "There's a reason why you two were brought here. It has to do with Potter."
"What do you mean?"
"You mean you brought us here." Ron spat, "You're just saying all this bullshit to get out. You deserve to rot here and let them find you like this. Luckily I'm not hurting you because-"
"You know I'm not lying."
"Right." He lead Hermione the other way, "Come on, before you get hurt."
"Wait." Hermione said, and then faced Draco, "What about Harry?"
"Hermione. Have you lost your mind? You're still listening to what hey says?"
"He said Harry, Ron! Alright Draco. Spill it."
"No. They'll know, and then they'll kill me."
"Typical." Ron commented.
"See, we will kill you before they even get here. Now talk." Hermione said, "And why do they need me?"
"I think they'll tell you that, but about Potter…See, the Dark Lord and Potter are the only two who can get their hands on the Crystal of Invincibility, so, he tricked Harry into cursing me with an Unforgivable Curse so he would get sent to Azkaban, considering that he is seventeen years old now. He was gone, and Voldemort's plan was as clear as water, until they learned that they need you to open the Crystal. As in effect, I lead you here."
"To die?" Ron spat, "What does she have anything to do with any of this? The prophecy is about Harry and Voldemort, not Hermione."
"I can't tell you that. My tongue's protected from it."
Similar to the Fidelus Charm, Hermione thought. As much as she wanted to know what her role was in all of this, she needed to get Ron and herself out to safety before the other Death Eaters came, especially Voldemort.
"Hermione, we should leave. We'll take care of Harry later."
As she retraced her steps, Hermione felt like she was turning away from a significant part of her life. The way Draco stared at her was undeniably haunting and alluring her to return. She had to do something there, but she couldn't betray Ron again. Hastily, Ron and Hermione crossed through the bushes and trees.
As they were going, Hermione saw a chipmunk breezing across the ground, reminding Hermione of something.
"Wait." Hermione whispered, touching Ron.
"For Merlin's sake, what now?"
"We should stay and see what happens," before Ron had a chance to open his mouth, she jumped in, "I'll turn into a cat-"
"What about me?"
"Uh…I'll make you invisible."
"You can do that?" Ron asked in surprise.
Hermione nodded, and looked at her hand for Draco's wand but it wasn't there. She realized she had dropped it near him. Well, she couldn't go back for it now. She would have to use wandless magic on him.
She pointed a finger at him, and flicked it. In a fleeting second, he vanished out of sight, or more took the color of his background, as she had performed a Disillusionment Charm. In a few minutes, they returned to the clearing where Draco was still wrapped in the Jinx. Anxiously, they hid behind a thick tree.
"Won't he know it's you?" said Ron, next to her.
"Not if we keep our distance, and besides, he couldn't expect us to come back."
"This is so uncomfortable."
"I know, but we've got to know what they are up to-"
"No, this invisibility thing. I was always used to wearing the cloak."
"Shh…and stay still as much as you can."
Hermione heard distinct footsteps and men's tongues closing in on the spot. That was her signal to transform.
"Listen." Her whiskers twitched slightly as she touched the bark, keeping in disguise. Lucius Malfoy was the first one she spotted. He didn't have his hood on, but he wore black robes like the rest of the Death Eaters. Hermione couldn't see Voldemort amongst them, unless he had gone invisible as well. She was waiting anxiously for the moment, staring in front of her, when they would find that they were gone. She recognized many faces, including Crabbe and Goyle's fathers, Macnair, Antonio Dolohov, and of course, Bellatrix Lestrange at the end of the line.
They passed Ron and her, and instantaneously, an uproar burst in the air, emitting shouts of, "Where is she!"
Hermione felt quite satisfied to see them lose control, knowing that they needed her for whatever reason.
"Bella! You fool!" Lucius Malfoy raged, his jaw clenching with anger, "How could you let them go! And you!" He swiveled to Draco, "Shame of a son, why are you standing there like an idiot!"
"Dad, she Jinxed me!"
"How dare you call me a fool!" Bellatrix flashed, "It's because of your son that she's now free. The weakling couldn't even handle a Mudblood!"
"Forget that now!" Lucius came back to attention, fully alert, his eyes roaming his surroundings. "They can't be far. Split up. You three, to the left. You, you, and you, to the right. And the rest with me. Come, Bella." He added, as she was approaching Draco with her wand raised.
"What about me?" Draco whimpered rather in a fake sense.
"Stay there. You're no use to us." Lucius said.
"Hermione." Ron breathed, and she replied, "What?"
"Look. I'm showing." He was right. His vivid red hair shined in the gloom following with his face and the rest of his body.
"Do it again."
Hermione blinked, "Alright." With all her concentration and focus on him, she tried to make him invisible again, but it didn't work. She didn't have that much power left in order to perform wandless magic.
"It's not working." Ron said, in a panicky voice.
"I know. Hide." She transformed back into a cat and waited anxiously as the Death Eaters passed them. Hermione couldn't hear herself breath or feel Ron behind her. How long would they have to wait here?
…
A plate, filled with a bowl of soup and wheat bread, clattered noisily onto the floor, inside the barriers of the prison. Harry laid his eyes on the only piece of life he'd since for days. His name was Romero, the man who delivered Harry's food twice a day, and like Harry, he had moderate curly black hair. Countless times Harry had seen him sneak in the low areas where the dementors couldn't spot him. He was terrified of them.
Harry felt hollow inside, like an orange with no pulp or a watermelon without its countless seeds. Seventeen years of emotion and happiness had reddened him in mere days. The dementors would walk by his prison almost every five minutes, their cloak-like exteriors brushing against the jail bars, frightening Harry even though he wasn't touched by them. His head felt light, as if nothing useful was left inside of it. Vague memories of Ron and Hermione remained, and the day he had kissed Ginny for the first time, or when he had found out that Sirius was on his said and his godfather. Everything else was a blur.
Harry had his wand next to him surprisingly, but it was no use to him. The prison was protected against any type of magic. Every day he made fresh attempt to escape, but it never worked. Whether he liked it or not, he was stuck here for life. He would have done anything to see light, real people, real places, anything except for this. He didn't like to admit it, but he cried every day. Cried and pitied himself, cried for his nonexistent family, cried for his own existence. He'd rather be dead than suffer in this hell called prison. That pity quickly into anger. Anger against his life, against the world. Why did he have to be trapped in here when he didn't do anything wrong? Malfoy had started it by cheating, so he got what he deserved. And it wasn't like Malfoy or his father had never performed an Unforgivable Curse.
He began to eat his lunch. He was miserable. He had not showered in days, his whole body ached to get out, his scar scorched in pain almost every second, and the food tasted horrible. Harry couldn't eat anymore of the disgusting soup. He tossed it across, and it feel splat onto the ground, the red liquid oozing to the edges of the plate.
Unfortunately, Romero heard the nose and immediately came over, "What was that?"
"The food is abominable! Give me something else!"
"You wish. That's what you get, and there should be no complaining, alright?" He asked me as if he was addressing a five year old.
Harry exploded, "NO! NO! DON'T GOT IT! GET ME OUT OF HERE! I WANT OUT! KILL ME IF YOU HAVE TO, BUT GET ME OUT OF HERE!"
Romero grimaced, looking like he was having pleasure in Harry's fits, "I don't think so. You're staying where you are." And with that, he left.
If the magical way wasn't going to work, he would use a Muggle method. With all his might, he tore at the bars with his hands, pulling them with every ounce of energy he possessed, "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
Harry opened his eyes in amazement. Four of the bars were gone. His eyes lowered to ground, spotting them broken into tiny pieces and steam coming out as if it was an electrical device. He couldn't believe it worked. He spent a whole minute standing staring when he should've been escaping but he couldn't help it. What couldn't be done by magic was done by his bare hands.
However, Harry did come to his senses as he grabbed his wand and swift footed across the narrow corridor, praying that no one would see him. As he was making his way, dementor sensed and approached him. Harry felt himself becoming weak, but before that could go into full effect, he brandished his wand and yelled, "Expecto Patronum!"
Only smoke left the wand. He tried again, but with the thought of Ron and Hermione, and successfully produced a bright stag that attacked the dementor. His ways was clear again.
…
Hermione held onto Ron with one of her paws. They were still hiding behind the tree, and unfortunately, Ron's full form could be seen. She didn't know how long they'd been there, because it was always dark in the forest. She could see Draco standing about ten feet away, with an intensely frustrated expression on his face.
"Do you plan to stand here all day?" Ron asked, looking uncomfortable, considering that he had been kneeling on his feet, a pose that couldn't hold for long.
Hermione, or rather her cat form, shook her head. It was too risky to transform into a human right now, especially since they wanted her.
"Then how long? This is really awkward."
Hermione produced a look that said, "I don't know."
"Turn back to a human. This is boring."
Despite the consequences, she turned back to herself. He was right. The atmosphere was unaccommodating, mainly because of the moist atmosphere, making her sweat as soon as she was human, not to mention there were ants and grasshoppers all over the tree and grass.
"You are so impatient. We should stay here to find out what they're up to."
"I think we should go back and inform a teacher for your safety."
"I can protect myself, and you."
"Without a wand?'
"I can do wandless magic, remember?"
"Not anymore, you can't. You're drained."
"Shh! Don't talk so loudly!" Hermione scolded him.
They waited in apprehension. Hermione couldn't imagine what would happen if Voldemort got his hands on the Crystal of Invincibility. How much more powerful did he need to get? Of course, she'd rather be anywhere else than in the Forbidden Forest, but they had to get to the bottom of this. Only a week was left of school and it wasn't like they were coming back ever again. If only she had her wand…
"Someone is coming." Ron warned her, and instantly, she transformed into a cat. Footsteps invaded their territory, and as Ron looked up behind him, he witnessed four Death Eaters staring down at him, with their hoods on. Before Ron got a chance to react, they rained down spells at him and Hermione the cat. They froze, still as a statue, and were lead to where Draco was. Hermione was in one of the Death Eaters' hands. She had the urge to scratch him to death, but resisted with great difficulty. Ron stood frozen across from her, next to another Death Eater.
"Hey, boy. Where is Hermione Granger?" A deep voice questioned Ron dangerously, "And whose cat is this?"
"I won't tell you." Ron replied flatly.
"I won't tell you." Ron replied flatly.
"Bella!" the Death Eater holding Hermione shouted. It took a few minutes for her to arrive, closely followed by Lucius Malfoy. They looked at Ron and smiled.
"Ahh, good…but where is the girl?"
"We couldn't find her."
Bellatrix Lestrange walked up ton Ron and stared straight into his eyes, "Where is she?"
Ron didn't answer, but Bellatrix saw the truth in his eyes, "I see. Macnair, she is an Animagus. Torture her until she transforms."
It was ironic that Macnair had gotten the hold of another animal, being the Death Eater who had come to execute Buckbeak the hippogriff in their third year.
Macnair pointed his wand at her muttered a spell that emitted white light. Excruciating pain struck her. She didn't have a choice. Hermione turned into a human and stood there with her arms folded.
"Finally." Bellatrix voiced, and snatched Hermione by the arm.
"Let's go." She turned to the Death Eater next to Ron and said, "Keep him tied. We'll be back, or rather, I'll be back."
Where was she taking Hermione? She guessed they were going to Voldemort, and as scary as that sounded, she was anxious to see him in his full form, she what everyone had been frightened of for so long. She prayed that Ron would be alright. This was all her fault. If she hadn't been so stubborn to stay and spy on them, they wouldn't have been in this trouble. But what was done was done.
They were heading deep into the forest now, as the everyday flies and other insects disappeared. What she saw now were unfamiliar animals and even blue and red striped snakes. She spotted a unicorn to her left once, but the unicorn didn't seem to have noticed her.
Bellatrix's hand on her arm felt like poison. It was strong and forceful, even stronger than man's hand. Hermione didn't think she would be as half scared of Voldemort as she was of Bellatrix, as silly as it sounded. The look in her eyes was enough to shock anyone to death.
They reached their destination, a place Hermione had envisioned once before in her dreams. She was standing next a deep tunnel, knowing was under it.
"What are we-" Hermione started, but was interrupted by Bellatrix, "She's here, Master."
Hermione didn't need to think twice to know who she was talking to. She looked to her right, and there he was. Clad in a dark robe and a huge red shield encrypted on his chest, he gave off the appearance of a big slithering snake. His bloody red wide slitted eyes glared at her, making her heart jump with fright.