"What d'you mean, what will happen tonight?" questioned Ginny.

Hermione did not know how to respond. A lie? No, she rapidly answered herself. Ginny deserved better than that, she needs to be prepared for everything and anything that could possibly happen tonight.

"God, this is going to be horrible." Hermione mumbled to herself before burying her face in her hands.

"Okay, I'm panicking a little Hermione... Please, answer me," Ginny whispered, fear etched into her voice.

Hermione glanced up into the red-head's eyes. Distress was definitely palpable for Hermione even as Ginny tried her best to awkwardly smile.

"Okay, I'm not going to hold back, Gin," Hermione steeled herself for what was going to come. "You've got to hear it... you've got to be prepared."

Ginny thought she sounded more like she was convincing herself.

"First, you'll go in, and he'll pretend you aren't there. Cough, or call his name, he wants to be 'shocked' to see you. Then he'll act like you're the best surprise he has seen for a long time," Hermione sighed heavily. "He'll ask you to strip for him probably. Then because of your... brave, shall we call it, act earlier, you'll receive a lecture on how... how you're below him... and never to speak to your master like that again."

Hermione could feel the anger within herself building. This was so wrong. So wrong.

"But Hermione-" Ginny was silenced with a look.

"Please, Gin, this is hard enough, just let me say it," Ginny nodded, mouth closed.

"Then he, um, he'll probably hit you. I don't mean a punch, or quick push or anything, Ginny... I mean, really, really, hit you. My advice, fall down as soon as possible. He'll kick you a lot when you're down, so try to stay on your side with your arms curled up and wrapped around your head, protect your ribs..."

Ginny was no longer listening. Shit. This was actually going to happen. Hermione was sitting with her, listing the things she was going to have to do to protect herself from Malfoy. And the reason Hermione knew this was because it has all happened to her. Ginny felt disgusted. In fact-

"Okay, you're okay."

The next thing Ginny knew, she was leaning over the nearest bin in the common room trying to puke, but failing, only accomplishing dry heaves, as Hermione rubbed gentle circles on her back and spoke soothingly to her.

"I don't think you're going to be able to puke Gin," Hermione wrapped an arm around her waist and led her back to the sofa. "When was the last time you ate?" asked the brunette, concerned.

Ginny couldn't remember, but the reminder of food not only made her want to vomit, but also bought to mind how weak Ginny was feeling. After all, it had been a hectic three days, between … the room and the cruciatus curse and the lack of food or water, Ginny surprised herself that she has lasted this long. So her body did the most reasonable thing available to it at that moment. She fainted.


Hermione stared down at Ginny's figure asleep in the fifth-room dormitory. She had figured this was the best place to levitate her to, knowing full well it was empty.

Every time Hermione glanced towards Ginny's still figure on her own bed, she felt ready to kill Malfoy. Tear him apart limb from limb, for what he's going to put her through. Tears stabbed the back of her eyes, so she turned her head away, keeping her hand rested on Ginny's face as she perched at the edge of the mattress.

At that moment, Hermione heard distant yelling from down the staircase. One quick peek at the sleeping Ginny, Hermione left the room.

"All right, I'm coming, keep the noise down," Hermione warned the boys.

"We got some shepherd's pie, and then some chocolate, and sweets, and juice," Harry blurted out, seemingly flustered. "We weren't sure what you needed, I can go get more, um-"

"Shush," Hermione rested her hand patiently against his cheek before taking the tupperware boxes from his outstretched hands. "This is great, thanks guys."

"Is she okay? This god damn staircases are so annoying, are you sure you can't bring her down?" Ron demanded but answered himself before Hermione even could. "Yeah, I know, less likely for people to walk in on her up there. I know, I know, I'm just worried."

"She's okay, Ron," Hermione soothed him. "Honestly, she's just exhausted. I don't think she's eaten for about two, maybe three days. I'm going to let her sleep for now, then finish talking, then... we'll do something? Take her mind off it all, and off tonight. Any ideas?"

"The lake," Harry stated quite firmly, both Hermione and Ron glanced at him. "It's quiet there, peaceful, but background noise. She won't have to think too much when she's there."

"Yeah, uh, yeah, good idea," Ron agreed.

"Okay, I won't be long, thanks again for these," Hermione held up the food and flasks in her hand.

"No problem, look after her 'Mione," Ron beseeched.


Ginny jumped up in bed, hyperventilating, and searched the room for any sign of Malfoy.

"It's okay, Ginny," the figure, which she immediately recognised to be Hermione whispered to her at the end of the bed. "He isn't here." Hermione smiled understandingly and patted her foot, as Ginny relaxed and fell back into the pillows, exhausted.

"I- Well, the boys, got some food for you, when you were sleeping. You hungry?" Ginny stared at Hermione as she lifted the boxes. Although she knew, deep down she should probably eat, the idea of food made her stomach turn.

"Feel more sick, right?" Hermione said, as she lifted the lid of one of the boxes. "You need to eat, Gin."

"I'm fine," croaked Ginny, her voice dry. "I'll take some juice though." Hermione handed her the flask of warm pumpkin juice.

"Stop staring at me Hermione," Ginny spoke calmly as she lifted the juice towards her lips. Hermione dropped her stare immediately.

"You need to eat, and before you even say I'm fine one more time, just try it, Ginevra," Hermione cut her off, and held the tupperware out towards Ginny. When Ginny did not take it, Hermione's brows dropped, angry. "Listen, you're being silly, you need to eat, you need strength for tonight. Okay, I know exactly how you feel."

Hermione's voice started to raise, so she paused and drew a breath before continuing. "You're depressed, Ginny," Hermione's eyes began to shine brightly as she spoke. "At least, you probably are. I was. The idea of food, was vile. It will be for a long time. But please," Hermione's voice shook slightly as she stared at Ginny, "Just try... Whilst I talk."

Ginny nodded slowly, anything to get that look off Hermione's face.

"Again, I'm going to rush this, I don't want to dwell on it," Hermione blurted. "You just need to hear it. No interrupting."

Hermione went on to explain to Ginny how once Malfoy was done beating her for the slap she had given him, he would tie her up... and everything would happen again. Only worse this time. It was here Ginny stopped eating, having only gotten half way through her food. Once Malfoy was done, he would leave her there again, but Hermione, Ron or Harry would be waiting for her, to help her with anything she needed. Ginny suspected this meant any wounds the beating would inflict.

"Okay, I think you've heard enough," Hermione gazed at Ginny's prone figure, as she locked her arms around her knees and focused her look out the window. "We'll be there after, Ginny," Hermione insisted but Ginny continued to avert her gaze to the snow slowly flitting down outside the panes of glass.

After what Ginny believed was a long time, Hermione patted her knee, to bring back her attention.

"Come on," she had stood up next to the bed, hand outstretched towards Ginny. "Let's go." Obediently, Ginny took her hand without much reluctance and led towards her own dormitory.

"Oh, Helen must have gone home," Hermione spoke to the empty room. She dropped Ginny's hand and headed towards her trunk. "Got a winter coat, and a scarf? Lets get you out of those clothes." Ginny nodded absent mindedly, as she changed into the clothes Hermione laid out for her.

Hermione spoke quietly and Ginny remained mostly unresponsive, until she noticed she was in the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron in front of her, wrapped in large coats, hats, scarves and gloves. Harry caught her eye. He smiled pleasantly at her.

"Want to get out of here?" he held his arm out for her, and without a moments hesitation Ginny grabbed his elbow, along with Ron's, who grasped Hermione's hand and the foursome left the room together.

Author Notes: Just want to clarify to some people, that this story really is going to be a mixture of sweet moments, and a hell of a lot of dark. People still don't seem to get that, and get very angry in the comment section, honestly, I just don't think you should read it. But for those of you that don't mind getting through those, I hope you enjoy the roller-coaster ride I'm planning for this story.

All the best, Merry Christmas, and please! Review! Much love.