Disclaimer: not mine. And the song is by Disturbed.

A/N: Please review and please no one panic. This story is not done yet. There are still several chapters to go.

Chapter 18

Down With the Sickness

Lucius stood up with the appearance of total control. Severus knew better. Little subtleties in his movements were screaming for him to react…to do something. Severus reached over and pulled the wand out of Lucius' hands. Lucius stared down at the blood remaining on his fingers and then to the necklace in the other hand. Without a word, Lucius placed the necklace in his pocket and began walking toward the gates of Hogwarts. Concern was written all over Severus' face when he heard the rapid footsteps of Ron and Harry.

"Where is he going!"

Severus turned a cold glare at the red head and berated him for such an accusatory tone.

As soon as Lucius stepped out of the gates of Hogwarts he apparated to the one place he thought possible for Hermione to be.

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The ground was wet. With her hands still bound at the wrist magically, Hermione struggled up to stand on her feet again. Her body ached, screamed in pain, but she refused to give in.

"Who does the wittle mudbwood think she is?" Bellatrix paced gleefully in front of Hermione. Looking her up and done in pure disgust. Then she stopped and spoke to Hermione in utter hate without an ounce of baby talk. "You are not my equal. You will learn your place is at my feet, mudblood."

Bellatrix pointed her wand at Hermione again.

"Crucio!"

For what felt like the hundredth time, Hermione fell to the ground writhing in pain. She did not know how much more she could take. When Bellatrix lifted the curse, she felt nothing but hate running through her veins. This was the woman who was at the Department of Mysteries…this was the woman that was responsible for Sirius' death…this was the woman who robbed Neville of his parents. Despite the hate, she felt totally broken. The woman had taken her from everything and everyone she loved and forced her so deep into the Forbidden Forest that she lost track of time and place. The thought of never seeing those she loved again frightened her and brought a new thought to mind: do what is necessary to survive. That meant giving Bellatrix what she wanted. Slowly, defeated, Hermione lifted herself from being face down on the ground and knelt on her knees before Bellatrix.

Drowning deep in my sea of loathing
Broken your servant I kneel
(Will you give in to me?)
It seems what's left of my human side
Is slowly changing in me
(Will you give in to me?)

Lucius apparated outside the clearing. The rain had stopped, but the clouds warred ahead foreshadowing the storm still to come. He could hear Bellatrix's maniacal laughter and her taunts.

"Who does the wittle mudbwood think she is?"

Shivers ran up Lucius' spine. He personally never feared Bellatrix Lestrange, but he feared what this meant for Hermione. Moving forward slowly Hermione and Bellatrix came into view and it was the most heart wrenching, horrifying site. Bellatrix stood in the middle of the clearing looking down in absolute victory. A broken, bloodied Hermione knelt down at her feet. Lucius was reminded of himself years ago…so young…too young and kneeling before the Dark Lord…a choice he has had to live with all his life...a choice his own child has had to live with. It was as if he were seeing a strange reflection of himself in Hermione.

Looking at my own reflection
When suddenly it changes
Violently it changes (oh no)
There is no turning back now
You've woken up the demon in me

As Hermione's face fell forward as if in shame and defeat, the moon cast its glow upon her through the treetops. She looked like an angel to Lucius…an angel whose wings had been ripped off and body slammed to the darkened earth. He watched as Hermione's eyes lifted from the ground and looked upon Bellatrix with more hate than Lucius believed her capable. It was there though, he could see the fire dancing in her eyes and for a moment thought how smart it was of Bellatrix to leave Hermione's wand behind.

As Hermione knelt before Bellatrix she felt utter hate for herself and shame at what she was doing. She hated the woman that stood over her. This woman was the reason Harry lost Sirius…she was the reason Neville lost his parents…she was the reason Hermione's last moment with Ron and Harry were in argument with Ron…and she was the reason her last words to Lucius were 'I hate you.' Merlin, how she hated this woman with every fiber. Lifting her eyes up to look at the foul Death Eater, Hermione felt every ounce of love and compassion she had twist and churn into the hatred she held for this woman.

I can see inside you, the sickness is rising
Don't try to deny what you feel
(Will you give in to me?)
It seems that all that was good has died
And is decaying in me

Bellatrix stepped closer to Hermione. Pulling her hand back, she slapped Hermione across the face as hard as she could, sending her to the ground. That was when Lucius stepped out of the clearing.

"Is that really necessary, Bella?"

Horror flickered in Hermione's eyes and the ultimate pleasure appeared in Bellatrix as she turned around to look behind her.

"Well, Lucius, I knew it would only be a matter of time before you came running for the mudblood."

Lucius stepped closer and looked down at Hermione in disgust.

"I do not know what you mean, Bella."

Looking down at Hermione for any sign that she was alright, Lucius didn't notice Bellatrix slowly moving behind Lucius.

"Of course you do, Lucius," She said too calmly.

Before Lucius could turn around and look at Bellatrix to respond, he found his wand flying from his hand. In one swift movement, Lucius was disarmed and flying through the air into an old tree. As he flew through the air, he cursed himself. This was exactly the reason he could not give in to his uncharacteristic feeling for the muggle-born witch. It made him weak and vulnerable.

As his body hit the tree, Hermione tried to get up and rush for him. She had to make sure he was okay. She had to. She did not get very far. After three painfully quick strides, Bellatrix cut her off and slapped her back to the ground. Once she hit the ground, Bellatrix pointed her wand at her and once again yelled crucio. The overwhelming pain left Hermione on the ground even after the curse was lifted.

Bellatrix turned to Lucius.

"You are a traitor to the Dark Lord, Lucius!" She was pointing her wand at Lucius. "You betrayed the Dark Lord to follow those imbeciles! Was she your prize Lucius?"

Hermione lay on the ground listening. The hate boiled inside her and around her. She had never felt that much hate in her life. Bellatrix looked Lucius over as he lay slumped on the ground looking from Hermione to Bellatrix hoping to keep the attention off Hermione.

"No," Bellatrix said. "She is still a Mudblood to you isn't she? Yes, a filthy disgusting Mudblood. The Dark Lord is expecting her soon."

The hate pulsed in Hermione's veins. Lucius took another glance at her and saw the fire growing in her eyes. Her eyes scanned the ground and found the last thing she expected. Lucius' wand was right in front of her. Her eyes traveled from the wand up to Lucius to Bellatrix and back to the wand. Could she use it? It was not her wand so it was a questionable risk.

Bellatrix stopped talking for a moment to survey Lucius again. Her head tilted to the side a bit.

"You came here knowing you would die, didn't you Lucius?"

Lucius said nothing. His eyes shifted to Hermione for a moment. Bellatrix's mouth broke out in a disgusting smile.

"You did! Lucius Malfoy, Death Eater, running to his death to save the infamous Mudblood Granger." Her laugh echoed in the clearing. "I shall make it easy for you, Lucius."

Bellatrix raised her wand. The hate in Hermione was boiling over. She hated this woman for everything she had ever done and ever would do. She was worse than Voldemort in some ways. When Bellatrix said those final words and pointed her wand at Lucius, Hermione felt the monster rise up inside her and devour every ounce of love she still possessed.

"Avada…"

"NO!"

Hermione jumped to her feet so quickly and effortlessly that no one could have guessed the number of times she had been tortured in that night. The wind circled in the clearing pushing Hermione's hair out of her face and fanned it out behind her. The hate swirled in her eyes with such intensity that Lucius was transfixed on what he was seeing. Lucius' wand was in her hand and with an amazing amount of confidence, she pointed it at Bellatrix's chest.

seems you're having some trouble
In dealing with these changes
Living with these changes (oh no)
The world is a scary place
Now that you've woken up the demon in me

In the silence of the clearing, a green light shot out of the wand Hermione yielded. Overhead, the war among the clouds ceased and the rain broke free of its confinement.

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Harry lay silently in his four-poster waiting for the familiar sounds of Ron sound asleep. He didn't trust Severus and he sure didn't trust Lucius, who seemed to have disappeared. He already knew that Headmistress McGonagall had informed Remus and several Order members were arriving as he lay there in wait.

As the sounds of Ron's snoring reached his ears, Harry made up his mind. They would not go looking for Hermione without him. She was one of his best friends and there was no way he would just wait. Grabbing his invisibility cloak and map, he tiptoed out of his room and Gryffindor tower.

Everyone looked up when Harry burst into the Headmistress' office. Severus sneered at him as if he were watching James instead of James' son. Everyone else looked curious, except McGonagall. Her look purely read "what now." Harry spoke fast hoping to crush any idea they had of interrupting or denying him.

"I waited until Ron was asleep. I am coming with you to find Hermione."

Remus smiled at Harry.

"Harry, there is no need. Severus has a pretty good idea as to where she is at."

Harry's eyes narrowed at his old Potion Professor. With a sneer of his own, he spoke to Remus.

"All the more reason for me to come along."

McGonagall's face turned stern. Pointing a finger at him she spoke making it clear that she meant business.

"You will stay out of the way, Potter. We do not know how many could possibly be there. Is that clear?"

Harry, thankful she was not sending him back to bed, nodded his understanding and followed everyone outside the gates of Hogwarts. Before they could apparate, Draco stepped out of the shadows.

"I'm coming too."

"You most certainly will not," McGonagall said.

Draco narrowed his eyes at her.

"My father is missing and I know he went after her."

"What?" McGonagall seemed rather taken aback by that comment.

"I will keep a watch over the boy," Severus offered.

With a short nod from McGonagall they all apparated.

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As the rain poured down upon the scene, as if washing away all the hate, Hermione stood there empty and staring at the body of Bellatrix Lestrange. Had she killed her? The realization began to penetrate Hermione as Lucius walked up to her. He said nothing, recognizing what innocence the girl just lost. Reaching out, he gently removed his serpent-handled wand from her.

Hermione dropped to her knees. With her arms wrapped around her middle, she leaned over as if in pain. For a moment Lucius thought she was hurt more than what Bellatrix had done to her. He quickly realized that wasn't it, when he heard the heart wrenching sob escape her.

All the hate Hermione felt seemed to pour from her in those last seconds of Bellatrix's life. It left her hollow and empty as reality crashed upon her.

"Miss Granger…Hermione…"

Hermione looked up into Lucius' eyes. He could see her tears mingling with the rain pouring down her face. Her eyes never looked quite so innocent again…he knew that…he understood that. There would always be something shadowing that innocence she held…tainting it…tormenting her.

"What have I done," she barely whispered.

Lucius saw the fresh wave of tears spilling from her eyes. He watched them glide down her face and into several cuts. As the tears flowed into one large cut Lucius couldn't help but to think how it should sting and how strong Hermione truly was. She looked so broken to him though. Dropping to his knees, he reached out to Hermione. He pulled her to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he embraced her. The tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheek.

The Order, Harry, and Draco were not expecting the scene they apparated into. They all apparated straight into the clearing. The rain was drenching what lay in front of them. In the middle of the clearing lay the body of Bellatrix Lestrange. Everyone's eyes looked across the clearing to the edge. The sight caught everyone off guard, leaving them in shock. There, kneeling on the ground was Lucius Malfoy with his arms wrapped around Hermione Granger rocking her back and forth soothing her. Hermione gripped him with her life and cried uncontrollably tearing at anyone's heart who heard it. The rain poured down upon them as if it were trying to wash away the memory.