A/N: This is a short chapter, just a filler, but still has some importance. Please tell me what y'all think. I love the feedback, always great to hear y'all reactions and thoughts. Next chapter should be up within a week... Anyways... here it goes...

The First Cut Is Always The Deepest (Pain)

Red sparks flew out of her wand, crashing into a nearby tree. The wind was ruthless as it rippled thru her body. Her body was aching but, she didn't falter. Dodging her attackers curse, she slip behind a nearby tree. Panting, she closed her eyes.

"You can't hide forever!" She heard the blonde witch call out as several curses flew.

Hermione gripped her wand, as she stepped out. " I wasn't planning to!" She immediately fired a curse at Narcissa's direction which hit her shoulder, knocking her on the harsh ground. "Don't underestimate me, Narcissa."

With a smirk, Narcissa slowly stood on her feet. She did in-fact underestimated the young witch, but as she now realized there are always hidden messages between the pages.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Hermione asked with a devilish grin. She raised her wand.

"That wont be necessary." Narcissa said, as she quickly fired a spell in Hermione's direction.

Hermione easily deflected it. "Oh come one Narcissa, where is that famous Black power?" She taunted.

"You will regret your slick tongue, Ms. Granger." With a harsh flick of her wand, she sent the painful curse at Hermione. Instantly the young witch fell to the ground. Screams filled her ears as she saw Hermione wither in pain.

Hermione already fragile body ached even more as excruciating pain ran thru. She could see Narcissa's cold eyes, as she looked up. Hermione tried to resist the curse but, found it quite difficult. She remembered her battle with Bellatrix, she had almost suffered the same fate as the Longbottoms if Bellatrix didn't stop. After that incident, she was taught how to resist the curse.. Suddenly, the pain stopped but not of her own doing.

"Unlike my sister, I do show mercy." She heard the older witch say.

"Mercy is for the weak." Hermione said thru her teeth. She was now thinking of how disappointed Bellatrix would be if she had saw her so helpless.

Narcissa cocked her head. "My dear sister really got hold of you."

"She open my eyes to a lot of things." Her said, her eyes burning in Narcissa blue one.

Narcissa shook her head with a small smile. "I bet." She then sighed and says; "You have a lot to learn. We will practice everyday, do not expect a schedule. On the battlefield they wont wait for you to get yourself situated." Narcissa said, tucking her wand in her sleeve. "The Dark Lord and possibly Potter will be on out trail, we will be attacked from all angles. So you need to be ready." She finished.

"I am ready. What I said before still stands, my loyalty lies with Bellatrix."

With a small smile she nodded. "OK then, you need your rest. Eat something and regain your strength." With that she turns around, walking back to the house. The next few days she plan to give Hermione hell. She needed to make sure that she meant what she said. She couldn't afford to let a slip up by the young witch cost her, her life...

Hermione let out a long breath. She knew it would be hard working with Narcissa but, she didn't plan this. Bellatrix torture was more harsh and way more bloody but with Narcissa constantly doubting her she couldn't help but find it difficult to stand on common ground.

"Bellatrix is dead, Minerva." The dark wizard informed her.

Minerva nodded. "Still, even in death she has a tight grip on Hermione." She said, her emerald eyes now showing sadness. "How could this happen. Where did we go wrong?"

Severus looked down at his Mark. "I recently found out that Bellatrix had betrayed Him."

"Voldemort most faithful servant, betraying Him." Tonks finally spoke. She was pale, clenching her hands on the wooden chair. "

Severus shook his head, he retraced the past events. Then it hit him. "She was there!" He said suddenly getting up, causing his chair to hit the cold ground.

The two woman looked at Severus, shocked by his sudden outburst.

"She was there. He called for us one night, to retrieve the locket Bellatrix stole. There was...there was someone else there. He tried to...he tried to kill her but, Bellatrix...she stepped in..."

"Wh..what?" Tonks was the first to respond. "Hermione..." This was all happening too fast for her. Nothing made any sense. Why would Hermione turn to Bellatrix.

Minerva was stunned. She couldn't speak, she could only release her silent tears.

"Hermione... I just don't understand." Tonks shook her head.

"Bellatrix was a very powerful witch-"

"You knew, you knew and you didn't do anything to stop it!" Minerva yelled.

Severus was taken aback. "No one could have known."

"Hermione was locked up with that lunatic and you did nothing to help her!"

"Minerva, half of the time I was on assignment. And if I recall, the Order took about two months to rescue her!" Severus sneered.

Minerva was about to respond when Tonks intervened, "Pointing the finger will not help get Hermione back!"

She was right. Emotions were running high, but they needed a plan.

"Our next move should be to prepare the others." Severus offered.

They agreed.

"Harry will be crushed." Tonks stated.

Minerva nodded. "I think we should move with caution when it comes to Harry."

Hermione stepped out the shower, towel covering her achy body. She quickly got dressed. she figured she would get her last meal then lay down for a bit. As she made her way to the kitchen, she couldn't help but notice the small light coming from the cellar. Curiosity got the best of her, as she slowly and carefully made her way down the cold stairs. Her eyes widen as she saw Narcissa kneeling down, sobbing. Her blonde hair sprawled, her eyes puffy. She was trembling, panting, the tears running down her face. What Narcissa did next made her heart pace. Narcissa trembling hands, drew the cold blade out and ran it down her pale arm. Hermione wanted to call out Narcissa's name but her voice was dry, her legs glued to the floor. As crimson blood ran down the blondes arm, Hermione felt a lump in her throat. Narcissa continued to run the blade dangerously across her skin. She hung her head and closed her eyes as the blood flowed down and painted the cold floor. Hermione just watched as Narcissa painfully cried out her sister's name. She suddenly notice that her own tears ran down her cheek. Her heart ached with Narcissa's. As she heard Narcissa's sobs died out, and saw she had fell into a soft sleep, she managed to unglue her legs and walk back up the steps. Her appetite was obviously gone. She decided to go up and sleep, hoping Narcissa's image would erase from her mind.