Sorry everyone, I know it has been so long. We are coming to a close, but there will be a sequel. I hope y'all enjoy this.
Wide Awake
Chapter 38
Hermione awoke a few hours later to a darker room, and a sleeping Bellatrix. She looked down at her lover with admiration and concern. She was slightly upset with Narcissa about the whole ordeal, but then again, she had fought Bellatrix in the Battle of Hogwarts, and she knew that with such prodigious skill would come a forced be reckoned with, along with someone who was equally matched or more prodigious than her. Hermione shook her head and got out of bed stretching; she slipped on her boots and left the room quietly.
"The last time I was here…she was torturing me." Hermione said to herself as she entered the large drawing room.
"Yes well, let us hope that you have not suffered any lasting damage from that ordeal." A silky voice said from the doorway.
Hermione turned around to face Narcissa, her eyes slightly misty from the memories this room brought upon her, but she was determined to stand her ground and ask Narcissa what had happened.
"Lasting damage you say?" Hermione asked lifting up the sleeve of her sweater to reveal the scar on her arm.
Narcissa swallowed at the sight, she would have thought that the girl would have healed it by now, but she had obviously not done so. Narcissa had plenty of scars from Bellatrix, but nothing to this degree.
"Let me explain what happened a few days ago, maybe I can shed some light on her injuries and what was required to subdue her." Narcissa said recovering herself.
"I think that is a good idea." Hermione replied looking at the older woman.
"Follow me, if you please?" Narcissa said gesturing for Hermione to leave the room ahead of her.
Hermione left the room ahead of Narcissa and stopped short of the large staircase right outside the room. Narcissa walked up the stairs and Hermione followed her, step by step, down long hallways decorated with large ornate paintings of the Black and Malfoy family, rooms upon rooms that contained who knew what, and elaborate candelabras lighting their way to their destination. They walked in silence until they stopped in front of a large wooden door at the end of the hallway. Narcissa took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Before we go into this room, you need to understand that the Dark Lord had his ways of persuasion, which went beyond all imagination. Not only did he use magic, but he also used Muggle torture as well. Most unfortunately, Bellatrix…was at the center of his Muggle torture more than anyone else. I don't know everything that went on in this room, only my own experience, however, you'll notice, if you haven't already, that Bellatrix talks in her sleep. That's how I knew some of what went on in this room." Narcissa explained.
She placed her hand on the door knob and pushed open the heavy door. At once the candles lit along the walls and the dark room was engulfed in a dim light that did not shield any of the contents in the room.
"Oh my" Hermione gasped as she looked upon the contents of the room.
Shackles hung from the ceiling, rusty and sinister looking and the St. Andrew's cross that stood in the middle of the room drew her eyes more than anything else. It was difficult to imagine Bellatrix shackled to the cross, enduring god only knows what torture.
"No wonder she had a meltdown." Hermione whispered.
She started to feel guilty and nauseated, if she hadn't pushed Bellatrix away…she wouldn't have come back to this room.
"I haven't been able to get rid of this room, or find a charm that can keep this damn door looked either." Narcissa whispered softly.
"Let's leave this room. I can't breathe." Hermione said leaving the room.
Narcissa followed Hermione out of the room and shut the door behind her. Eventually they ended up back in the drawing room, and Narcissa was sure now, that Hermione would understand why she had to subdue Bellatrix. After all, Hermione was a certified Psychologist.
"As you can see…I had no choice." Narcissa said softly, sitting on the small sofa in the middle of the room.
"I have to admit, when looking at her injuries, I imagined something a lot less happening…but after seeing the room, if she suffered a flashback, it would be almost impossible to get her back to reality quickly and safely." Hermione said sitting opposite Narcissa.
"Yes, it was rather difficult, but in the end I was able to get the situation under control." Narcissa said softly.
"Yes…I see, thank you for explaining." Hermione Said.
"You are most welcome." Narcissa replied smiling.
TBC…