Six months later

It didn't make any sense when someone came to her dungeons. She lost track of time, having no idea what season was outside. She counted only the meals that were appearing in front of her and she was drawing thin lines on red, dusty bricks.

164 lines. One hundred and sixty four bloody lines. One hundred and sixty days which most likely passed unnoticed.

She opened her eyes when she heard the crack of the doors.

"Get up," Snape's voice pierced her ears, "It's your lucky day, Mudblood."

Hermione blinked a couple of times, as her eyes were not used to bright light. She got up without objection, as she didn't have another choice.

"Follow me."

First time in at least one year she saw something other than dungeons and cells. And they apparently were in Malfoy Manor - that wasn't a lie. Malfoy Manor looked even much more dusky that she remembered. Now it was a really dark, sinister place filled with black and strong magic. She could sense it without any doubt.

Hermione was looking around and trying to piece all the puzzles together in her head. It wasn't easy, because months of isolation made her mind a little foggy. Her brain wasn't as sharp as previously, although she wasn't insane. It was as if she still fighting and refused to give up.

She was pushed into the wing that wasn't used much. Hermione could tell by seeing clouds of dust when she was taking steps. Rays of sun were tearing through the curtains.

She stopped for a moment -

- She hadn't seen the sun for a year, almost, perhaps a year? She craved this warm, wonderful feeling when her skin was soaked by the sun. -

But he pushed her without notice, making her move. He also snapped at her.

"Behave now or I will make you behave." Snape opened the door in front of her face and came inside.

Hermione hesitated before crossing the threshold, but her fate was sealed. No matter what would happen, she was prepared.

The room was full of light and ash hung in the air. Hermione was blinded by this unexpected brightness and she was trying to accomodate for a moment. Snape was clearly irritated and before she was ready, he growled.

"Luna!"

Hermione froze, hearing the name.

She wasn't prepared at all.

From the dark corner a miserable silhouette emerged. Hermione was shocked, dismayed by this revelation. Luna looked at Hermione, but her sight was blank at first. When she noticed Hermione's face, there was a spark, but it faded as soon as it appeared.

Luna's pupils were dilated and she started to breathe heavily.

"Luna." That merciless voice was heard well behind Hermione's back. The effect was immediate, the blond girl cowered as if he was going to hit her. "Remember what you have been taught."

Luna groaned and this sound made Hermione shiver.

"Remember who your Master is," his voice was low which made it worse than any yell, "Who you belong to." He walked over to her and tightened his hand on her shoulder so hard it made Luna whine.

Hermione noticed a couple of tears that Luna was trying to quickly wipe from her face. Before Snape noticed.

But he did obviously, standing next to her.

He pursed his lips, clearly dissatisfied. Luna's eyes filled with terror, narrowed, her lips parted slightly. Anticipating…

A sharp blow across Luna's face made Hermione try to scream. An unheard, silent scream.

Snape was cruel, but it wasn't the worst thing that Hermione realised. But she didn't have enough time to think it over, as Malfoy entered the room.

"Oh, Severus." Hermione heard his laugh, he was undoubtedly amused. "You want to teach your girl better manners?"

"Lucius," Severus grinned, which made Hermione frown,"Watch your fucking bride ."

Bride?

"You mean my wench, Severus." Lucius retorted, chuckling. "Or harlot."

Severus shrugged, "Irrelevant how you call her, Lucius. She's here, you can take her and teach her manners on your own."

Hermione wanted to protest, she just saw Luna, she just saw something really disturbing that should be addressed. At least in the normal world.

Luna was kneeling on the floor, her face hidden. She was trying to stop sobbing, but with no success, her body was twitching. Snape's face was relentless, he was standing and looking at the blond. Hermione thought he wanted to grab her or shake her.

She was so wrong.

His hand took his wand out of his pocket and tightened on it. He waved his wand and Hermione saw only white light.

Luna writhed under Snape's spell, powerless, lifeless… Broken. She was lying in silence, waiting.

"Feeling bad, my pretty?" Snape said soothingly, stroked Luna's hair, as he crouched over her.

"That's disgusting, Severus," Lucius' tone was sharp, "Save her for the evening."

Snape laughed out loud and pulled Luna's up. "I will. I have a little more up my sleeve."

It was the first time Hermione saw Luna's in full light. Luna looked utterly humiliated and degraded; like a doll used by her owner. A lot of bruises covered her body, creating a peculiarly painful mosaic. Her face was blank, so were her eyes.

"I bet you have."

Hermione held out her hand to her, but Malfoy grabbed her wrist. His touch made her skin instantly crawl.

"Don't even try, " Lucius couldn't help the slight smirk that twitched at the corner of his lips when she looked up. 'To be disobedient."

Malfoy let go of her wrist and lifted her chin on the edge of his hand. His eyes were made of steel, haughty.

"You are nothing but a filthy Mudblood." He gripped her chin and forced her head up, clutching her tight. He dug his fingers into her jaw, leaving a scratch, his nails cutting into her skin.

Hermione was truly lost, disoriented and confused. She started to breathe heavily, causing Lucius to laugh dreadfully.

"Do save your breath, wench. It will be a long day and we're just getting started."