I Own Nothing! Thanks for reviewing :) No more updates until I finish my homework I'm afraid. GCSEs this year and I'm not in the habit of turning in stuff late. However I will continue to update every spare moment I get.
Each picture was of their stay at Bill and Fleur's cottage. There were various memories that he had dragged out, but each of them centred on the three's arrival. Dobby's death brought tears to most eyes, because the pictures were of the magical kind and everyone could see his sad smile and tired eyes. His ears flopped repeatedly as he reached out to a crying Harry and only the trio held the picture for more than a moment. Next were the pictures of the first arrivals; Olivander and Luna both of whom looked very bedraggled and weak. Gasps were heard and tears started falling. Then there was a picture of Harry and Ron with a beaten and bruised Hermione. She was being carried by Ron into the house looking as though she'd been badly tortured. Blood was seeping from her left arms leaving a trail of blood where they'd walked. As Ron came closer to the frame you were able to see the numerous bruises and welts, cuts and scratches that were made upon her skin. The first thing people had noticed though, was the uncontrollable way in which she'd shook in Ron's arms, and the steady flow of tears that were visible in all three's eyes. It was an obvious sign of the cruciatus.
Hermione let out a small sob, and both Harry and Ron held her tightly. They turned to glare with vehemence at Bill as he whispered. "I want to know what got you all in this state. I want to know why you turned up on my doorstep battered and bruised and bloody."
Hermione stated keening softly, and she gripped both boys tighter. Madame Pomfrey was fidgeting in her chair, obviously itching to examine her, and Molly was trembling in Arthur's limp arms. Hermione didn't dare to look anymore, and simple buried her head in Ron's arms. "I don't want to, I don't want to." She whimpered. Harry looked at the headmistress desperately.
"There's nothing I can do. Once the question has been asked the spell requires that it be answered." She worriedly stated.
"Perhaps it would be best if we give Hermione some time to collect herself, and then we could watch it through the penisive….?" Filius suggested.
"No!" Hermione shouted. "I…I don't want you to see it." She drew a deep breath. "I'll…I will tell you what happened to me. Harry and Ron can tell you everything else." With that in mind she withdrew, and gratefully accepted the steaming cup of hot chocolate Molly nervously placed in her hands. Poppy bustled over, and smoothed her forehead, casting a few quick charms.
"Did you ever see a healer after the war?" She asked as gently as she could. Hermione shook her head. This time Poppy didn't have the necessary strength to hold back the groan. "Merlin help me…What is it with you three?" She muttered. "That is it! You are being examined NOW and damn the bloody truth! It can wait!" Pushing Hermione onto a newly formed bed, and hiding her behind a curtain she turned to fully face the girl. "Now. Is there anything I should know beforehand?" Hermione's eyes were wide, she was unaccustomed to Madame Pomfrey's stern fussing, and she on reflex sat up. Pushing her back down repeatedly, Madame Pomfrey almost had a heart attack after doing her usual spells. "Sweet Godric….Hermione. You're almost as full of dark magic as Harry, but your body isn't getting rid of it!" She fussed over her and called Minerva in. "Minerva I'm going to need permission to keep her here over the next two weeks at least. Potter too, and might as well keep the Weasley so he doesn't find more trouble." She huffed. Minerva nodded her ascent and looked curiously at Hermione.
"What would warrant such behaviour Poppy?" She asked in a carefully controlled voice. Poppy immediately shoved a large bunch of notes into her face and continued searching through her vials. As the Professor read through her eyebrows met her hair line and stayed there. Every so often she would glance at Hermione or the boys and mouth something. When she got to the last portion of the notes she turned white and eyed Hermione with a stern glare. "You are to do everything Poppy asks of you, you will not try to escape her care and I myself will personally check this. If not I will see to it that you three are fully body-bound until Poppy sees fit to release you. Is that understood?" All Hermione could do was nod, then wince as Poppy inserted a syringe into her arm.
"When do we have to go there?"
"You can stay to answer the questions, and then we leave." She gruffly said. "No arguments this time. You're mine until I think you're healthy again."
Minerva smirked. "I'll visit with news at least twice a week. And if you're good I'll bring chocolate and sweets."
Hermione scowled at the teasing and moved to get up, but doubled over in pain. "That'll be the potions working my dear." Madame Pomfrey explained. "It'll clear up in a few moments but you should move too much."
"Can I go and tell the story now?" Hermione ground out. Several more moments were spent fussing over her, but eventually she was allowed to return. When she sat down with Harry and Ron she managed to whisper. "Madame Pomfrey is keeping us until we're her definition of healthy again." Both boys moaned. "But on the bright side Professor McGonagall will bring sweets." Hermione added in an even more patronising tone.
"Adults." The three simultaneously groaned.
"I'll tell the first part, and you the second Hermione and Ron can finish with the rescue." Harry ordered before walking to the centre.
"As you all know we were on our hunt for horcruxes when Ron had discovered the taboo on his name. He told us about it, but saying 'Voldemort'" Harry was pleased to note there were no more flinches "had become a habit. When I eventually said it snatchers appeared all around us and Hermione hexed me in the face so I was unrecognisable. This worked, but the snatcher still noticed Hermione because it was well known she was travelling with me. They found the sword of Gryffindor and my glasses, and figured it out. So we got taken to Malfoy manor, where Voldemort was staying. The malfoys were there, and Bellatrix-" People shuddered in realisation "- decided to call him. But when she noticed the sword she went crazy, because a replica was in her vault along with another horcrux and she thought we'd stolen from her. She dragged Hermione to the centre of the room and tortured her. We were put in the cellars by Fenir Greyback. That was where we found Luna and Olivander."
"What were they doing there?" Asked Slughorn.
"Luna was being used to blackmail her father, and Olivander was answering questions about wandlore. They both looked very weak." Ron replied.
Hermione didn't move to the centre, just stayed in her corner. When she spoke her voice was low and hollow, much like Harry's when discussing the Chamber of Secrets. "After they left Bellatrix pounced on me. She demanded to know where I got the sword, and when I wouldn't talk she pulled out a knife and started cutting me. Every time I gave her an answer she didn't like she cut me. Eventually she got bored of that, and asked Greyback to hit me. She said when she was finished with me, she would let him eat me." She stopped to shudder. "Then she finally used the cruciatus and I screamed. She wanted to know whether I'd stolen from her vault. I lied, and told her the sword we possessed was a fake, and she checked it with Griphook. He told her it was a fake and she kicked me over to the corner. I must've fainted but I briefly woke up and saw my….arm had been cut as well. Then she dragged me to the centre, and before I knew what was happening a chandelier had fallen on top of me. When I next woke up I was with Fleur." Hermione finished, looking older than she should.
"Why did she cut your arm?" Sprout whispered.
"She…engraved something on it." Hermione stated.
"….What was it?" George quietly asked.
Wordlessly Hermione showed them the angry scar where the words 'mudblood' were carved delicately in Bellatrix's scrawl. "Hermione…." Minerva choked out. "You, you do know that that's not true?" She searched Hermione's eyes.
Gathering strength from her boys Hermione stood. "I know I'm a 'mudblood'- that's fine I've accepted it- and I'm proud. No pureblood will ever know the wonders of the muggle world like I do, and it's their loss. I wouldn't trade my p-parents for the world b-but I know that some wizards are ignorant in their ways. This is just a reminder of that, and this will be my starting point in my campaign for equal rights for all creatures. I'm not weakened by her, which would be letting her win. I'm moving on." Hermione firmly stated. At the end of her speech most of the room were willing proudly.
"I expect nothing less." Was Minerva's comment.
"Bloody brilliant Hermione, guess it's my turn now." Ron went to the centre again. "In the cellar we met up with Luna and Olivander, we could hear Hermione's screams from above and were crazy trying to get out. Eventually Harry pulled out a mirror given to him, the other half belonged to Aberforth, and yelled for help. Then Dobby appeared, and apparated everyone out. Me and Harry went up to rescue Hermione and Wormtail let us go, strangling himself as well. When we got there Bellatrix had just summoned Voldemort. She said Greyback could have Hermione and I charged in stunning and disarming. Me and Harry fought, but eventually Bellatrix grabbed Hermione and held her knife to her throat, I can still remember the sight of the drop of blood dripping from her throat…." Ron looked lost for a moment until someone politely coughed. "Er…Then Dobby unhooked the chandelier and Bellatrix let go, I grabbed Hermione and we all grabbed Dobby just as Bellatrix threw her knife. When we appeared at shell cottage Dobby died. It had hit his heart." Ron blinked and looked away, but Harry and Hermione didn't bother to hide their tears.
"I…I dug his grave you know, is it still there Bill?" Asked a sad Harry.
"As good as the day you made it."
"He deserved better."
"There is nothing he would've liked more Harry." Hermione told him. "He would've loved it."
Sniffing, they all dried their eyes silently.
"Would you like me to get rid of the scars?" Madame Pomfrey asked.
"You could do that?" A hopeful and unsure Hermione said. "I would be very grateful, but I think I need to keep the mudblood. As a reminder of what I'm working for." She stated. Madame Pomfrey nodded, and added to her list. Ron looked at Hermione in bewilderment.
"I love you Hermione, but you really do confuse me." He stated, and she giggled.
"I know Ron. I love you too, and you Harry." She reached around them for a hug.
"So….why did Wormtail let you go?" A confused Neville asked.
"I think Peter always regretted his decision to betray James, and that was his atonement." Albus piped up.
"More like he knew he was on the loosing side." Ron muttered. Harry furrowed his brow in though, but decided to think about it later.
"So….Who wants to ask the next question?" George said. "And can we please make it happy? This is really depressing me." He said.
"Excellent idea Mr Weasley, I believe it's my turn then!" A cheerful voice agreed.