The Worst Moment

Hermione could feel her nerves rising. She tried to remain brave – mostly for Harry and Ron's sake – but she couldn't seem to keep her fear from getting the best of her. She felt as though she was about to be sick to her stomach.

Hermione wasn't focused on the conversation; she was too busy trying to think of a way to get them out of this dilemma. Freedom would be granted to them, if only they could get past the three Snatchers – including the werewolf, Greyback – and the rest of the residents of Malfoy Manor. Freedom seemed so far away at the moment; it was nothing more than a small hope.

Hermione thought of Harry – his face was still swelled, but how much longer would that last? Her thoughts next turned to the goblin…she could hardly see why the Malfoys and Bellatrix would need him – torture, perhaps? She knew Dean would hardly fare better than she would, given his Half-blood status. Her thoughts turned to the last member of their little party other than herself – Ron.

Hermione would give next to anything to have Ron not here. The thought was laughable, really…she could just imagine how hard he'd laugh if she told him she was worried about him. After all, how many times this year alone had he tried to persuade her not to risk her neck?

Hermione was drawn to the present when she heard Narcissa Malfoy say, "Take the prisoners to the cellar, Greyback." Hermione felt herself relax the slightest bit. Unfortunately, she hadn't even breathed a small sigh of relief before Bellatrix added her opinion.

"Wait. All except…except for the Mudblood." Hermione suddenly felt as though she were going to be ill. She took a shaky breath, and couldn't help but cringe as Greyback grunted in agreement.

What Hermione heard next, however, scared her far more than the prospect of facing Bellatrix without a wand. "No!" Ron had shouted. Hermione closed her eyes as he continued, "You can have me, keep me!" In a flurry of movement, Bellatrix stepped in front of him and slapped him. Hermione winced as the sound echoed throughout the room.

In a voice that gave Hermione the idea that she wasn't opposed to the idea, Bellatrix said, "If she dies under questioning, I'll take you next. Blood traitor is next to Mudblood in my book. Take them downstairs, Greyback, and make sure they are secure, but do nothing more to them – yet."

Hermione fought the urge to curse Ron to make him stay silent. She could feel tugging on the ropes that wasn't just from Bellatrix cutting her loose – she was nearly positive that Ron was squirming wildly. As she watched the rest be taken from the room, she tried her best to catch Ron's eye, hoping to send him some sort of sign that it would all work out well.

At the last second, their gazes met and Hermione nodded once at him, slightly smiling, but without humor. No matter what she felt on the inside, she didn't want him to know just how terrified she actually was. As he was pulled out of sight, she wiped the smile from her face and stared blankly ahead as Bellatrix pulled her over to the middle of the room, turning to face her.

"Do you know what I did to Longbottom's parents?" Bellatrix smiled coldly. Hermione did not give her the pleasure of answering. Instead, she remained standing, staring stonily at the far wall. Her smile turned to a sneer as she spat, "We'll see if you fare any better than them. Crucio!"

Pain as Hermione had never felt coursed through her. She resisted screaming only for a few seconds – the pain was too intense. Against her will, she let out a scream. Bellatrix ended the curse after what seemed like a lifetime, but what Hermione knew to really be maybe half a minute. Hermione crumpled to her knees, breathing heavily and trying not to think about the pain.

"Not so tough, are you? The weakness of being a Mudblood….Crucio!" Bellatrix said it almost lazily, although the pain from a second round was enough to send Hermione to the ground. She writhed on the ground, screaming again. Although it lasted slightly longer this time, Bellatrix once again stopped. Hermione lay on the ground, hardly able to move.

Ron, she thought miserably. Bellatrix regained her focus when she said, "Now, where did you get that sword?" Hermione didn't answer when she asked, and remained just as silent when she asked for the third time that night. "I'm going to ask you again! Where did you get that sword? Where?" Bellatrix screeched, her annoyance plainly etched in her voice.

This time Hermione didn't even hear Bellatrix utter the word 'crucio'. As a result the pain caught her off-guard, and she screamed the loudest she had yet. She continued to scream, writhing on the ground, as Bellatrix kept at it. Little…bit…longer.... Hermione tried to focus on that, instead of the pain. When Bellatrix finally lifted the curse, Hermione instantly yelled out, "We found it – we found it – PLEASE!"

"You are lying, you filthy Mudblood and I know it! You have been inside my vault at Gringotts! Tell me the truth; tell me the truth!" Bellatrix screamed again. Hermione felt the curse rip through her again – she didn't know how much more she could take. After what felt like ages, Bellatrix removed the curse and there was total silence for a few seconds. Except for….

Hermione closed her eyes and focused on the sound. Someone was yelling something, but she couldn't quite make out what it was just yet. Just a few more seconds, and – "What else did you take? What else have you got? Tell me the truth or I swear I will run you through with this knife!"

Hermione couldn't seem to get her brain to work fast enough. She opened her mouth but no sound came out. She wanted nothing more than for this nightmare to end – even if that meant death. Bellatrix seemed to think this was too long a time. "What else did you take, what else? Answer me! ANSWER ME! CRUCIO!"

Hermione wasn't sure if she screamed or not that time. It was becoming harder and harder to keep a grasp on reality, on anything that wasn't pain. She felt the curse lift and go through her once more, twice more…she lost count.

As she felt it lift again, she let out a weak moan and tried to fight to stay awake. She needed to remain conscious. Just as she was starting to fear that she wouldn't be able to, she heard the voice yell again, and suddenly it clicked in her mind what it was. Ron was yelling her name, over and over.

She choked on a sob and closed her eyes, "Ron," she whispered lightly. She could see his face…his wonderfully blue eyes and vibrant red hair. In her mind's eye, he was looking at her, telling her that it would be okay, she just had to hold on a little longer.

"How did you get in my vault? Did that dirty little goblin in the cellar help you?"

Hermione was too weak to fight anymore. Sobbing, she said, "We only met him tonight!" For the rest, she didn't know what to say, but suddenly it clicked in her mind, as though someone had whispered it in her ear: lie. "We've never been inside your vault," Hermione continued, struggling to get the words out, "It isn't the real sword! It's a copy, just a copy!"

"A copy?" Bellatrix raged, "Oh likely story!" Hermione could feel her vision going, but fought it harder than she had before. She had to make sure Ron was alright – that was all she wanted to know. She closed her eyes momentarily, and nearly started crying at the images in her mind's eye.

Images from their first year flowed through her mind – meeting Ron and Harry on the train; fighting the troll; waking Ron after the chess game. Soon after that, images from second year appeared; Ron trying to hex Malfoy in her honor; sitting with Harry and Ron in the common area late one night; seeing their faces for the first time after being woken up.

She opened her eyes briefly; another being had entered the room, but Hermione's eyes fluttered closed again before she could tell who it was. Memories from third year were flashing quickly before her eyes; her first trip to Hogsmeade alone with Ron; how happy she was after making up with Ron after their fight; flinging her arms around his neck when he offered to help with Buckbeak's trial; Ron worrying about her homework load…. Fourth years' memories took the forefront now, and she could see Ron's face as she got to the Burrow; his face when he recognized her at the ball; Ron's jealousy over Krum; Ron –

Hermione vaguely heard the word, 'Crucio!' before she felt the curse rip through her again. She thought the pain was going to be never-ending, and found that she almost wished for death. Finally, the pain ended and she breathed out a shaky breath in relief. She opened her eyes, but closed them soon after. Her memories were far superior to her current surroundings.

Her memories of fifth year grew increasingly pleasant; prefect duties with Ron; kissing him on the cheek before his first Quidditch match; sitting with Ron on the nights Harry had Occlumency. The sixth year memories were few and fleeting; Ron saying her name after being poisoned; the few weeks of happiness they had – the only one that really played across her mind's eye was when Ron held her during Dumbledore's funeral. Concentrating extra hard, she could feel Ron's arms wrapped around her.

She was concentrating so hard on the feeling that she didn't hear Bellatrix cry, 'Crucio'. The memory of holding hands with Ron came to her mind – she had felt so safe, then, but that seemed so far away. She couldn't tell if she was screaming – she was so weak now that she couldn't even open her eyes. With one last breath and great effort, she whispered, "Ron", again…and then her world went black.