At least two days passed since Hermione's sudden awakening followed by an even quicker loss of consciousness. During that time Fleur had refused and rebutted everyone's attempts to get her out of the room with either a polite decline or a firm shut of the bedroom door. She would not leave Hermione on her own nor would she leave her with anyone else.
The skelle-grow potion coupled with blood replenishing potion had worked wonders in such a small amount of time. According to Madame Pomphrey her ribs were now reduced to fractures and her shoulder would be fully repaired by the end of the week. Her wounds were healing nicely and she was at least out of the danger zone and would hopefully recover well.
Watching her intently Fleur felt an uncomfortable tug in her chest. Hermione's brow was creased and her lips forced into a thin line, clear signs of discomfort that Fleur hated to see on her. It bothered her to no end that even when she slept Hermione could find no relief from the pain. But it bothered her even more to know there was nothing she could do except hold her and hope that the pain would lessen.
The brunette in her arms tried to roll onto her side and Fleur unconsciously tightened her hold when Hermione woke up with a hiss of pain. Fleur watched silently as Hermione stilled her movement and went back to resting on her back. The brunette blinked a few times in a daze before turning her head to the side to look at Fleur. A frown appeared on her face as she stared at Fleur before slowly vanishing.
"You stayed?" she whispered as her face tensed. Fleur nodded before leaning forward and pressing her lips to Hermione's forehead.
"Of course I stayed ma belle. I am going to look after you until you are well again" she whispered softly against her forehead before pulling away so she could look at Hermione. She easily recognised the fear beneath those dark brown eyes, it was painfully obvious to her through Hermione's paling face and wide eyes but for the life of her she didn't know why.
"'Ermione?" she whispered in confusion. Her voice seemed to snap the brunette out of her daze but what she did next she wasn't expecting in the slightest. Hermione jerked out of her arms, out of the sheets entangled around her legs and hips only to fall onto the floor. A strangled cry of pain followed by laboured breathing and pained moans echoed throughout the room.
"Ermione!" cried out Fleur in concern as she slid across the bed and knelt next to the twitching teen.
"Stay away from me Fleur" the hardness of her voice threw Fleur for a moment but encouraged Fleur's own defiance. She wouldn't let Hermione do this to herself, not now, not ever.
"Look at me. Ma belle please look at me" the thin brunette shuddered underneath her fingertips as horrible memories flooded her mind. She couldn't differentiate between Fleur's touch or Bellatrix's. It had all blended into one painful, terrifying reaction and generated a need to push back, to fight against the fear.
Hello Muddy. Long time no speak...
Oh God. Not now. Not Her.
"Fleur get away from me!" barked Hermione fearfully as she hugged herself tightly as the prickling sensation of Bellatrix's thoughts invaded her mind. But the blonde Veela did not move away as Hermione had hoped she would but instead pulled Hermione closer to her.
"Mon amour what is wrong? Talk to me" whispered Fleur as she held the writhing teen.
Tell her the truth Mudblood so you can see for yourself how much you disgust her. You think she'll want you after everything I've done to you?
Hermione cringed in pain, everything was burning. Her head was pounding, her chest was constricting. The feel of her back pressed against Fleur's chest both thrilled her and terrified her. She could feel Fleur's well developed breasts, her toned stomach and the moment the thoughts were in her head a blood chilling fear gripped her.
I had no idea that you could be so dirty Mudblood. If I had known then I would've brought this side of you out more. And your girlfriend is so easy on the eyes; perhaps I should introduce myself to her?
"Don't you fucking dare" growled Hermione. Fleur tensed beneath her but she didn't care about that at the moment. She needed to do something before Bellatrix's influence became more prominent.
Don't tell me what I can do and what I can't do you filthy Mudblood!
Hermione winced at the screeching sound that was Bellatrix's voice erupting in her ears. A piercing pain shot through her head a few seconds later. Hermione cried out in pain as she clutched her head and tightly shut her eyes.
"'Ermione what iz wrong? Talk to me ma belle what iz 'appening to you?" pleaded Fleur. The pain pulsed inside her head as Bellatrix forced her influence to fight for control, horrible images of what Bellatrix had in mind for Fleur danced across her eyes making her feel physically ill.
"Fleur...I need...you to go...and get Harry...tell him...a Horcrux...Bellatrix's Horcrux is...inside me...he'll...know what to do..." the blonde Veela was torn by this request. Hermione was writhing in agony in her arms, starting to bleed through her bandages but the only one who could help her was elsewhere.
The French witch kissed the side of Hermione's head and whispered into her ear that she would return as soon as she could with help before releasing the teen and lowering her onto the carpet. Glancing back over her shoulder as she raced out of the room her heart broke at the sight of Hermione in so much pain.
So just me and you now is it Muddy. This will be fun. First I'm going to break you, and then I'll make you watch as I make you hurt everyone you love.
No. Fucking. Way.
Opening her eyes, Hermione eyes darted around for anything that would help her protect Fleur. She didn't care about the pain, didn't care about her sanity it would all be worth it if she could just keep Fleur safe. Looking through watery eyes Hermione focused on Fleur's wand that resided on the bedside table. Struggling to move Hermione clutched at her chest in pain and slowly crawled towards the wand.
Now Muddy what are you up to?
Another wave of pain stabbed at Hermione's head, threatening to disorientate her. Blinking through the pain she reached up for the wand. Her fingers wrapped around the slender piece of wood before she collapsed back onto the carpet with a groan. Pointing the wand at the open door a complicated locking charm came to mind.
"Imperturbable" whispered Hermione. The door swung shut and locked itself, keeping Hermione in but everyone else out.
"You can't...hurt anyone now..." whispered Hermione weakly as she rolled onto her back with a triumphant smile on her face. Even through the pain and exhaustion the sight of Bellatrix's angered face amused her.
Guess I'll just have to settle with you then
Unbearable pain raked through her body, tearing a pain-filled scream from her lips as she clutched pitifully at her head. So trapped by her own agony the screams and pleas of Fleur and her friends were drowned out by her own personal hell.