Prompt: Crimson

Hermione lay in her bed, her heart pounding as she thought about how to handle the situation.

She didn't trust Bellatrix in the slightest, the psychotic woman's mood swings and instability made her very unpredictable in her actions. The slightest thing could set her off.

Mostly, Hermione feared for her parents. She knew that Bellatrix was fixated on her, but wouldn't hesitate in killing her mother and father if they annoyed her.

She needed her wand to do anything about Bellatrix, and apart from hoping Bellatrix actually fell asleep and smothering her with a pillow - as the woman would be sure to hide the wands and wake up if Hermione searched for them - she had no chance escaping this.

It wasn't long before the insane witch slipped from beneath the covers, walking around the room, examining everything. She moved items, looked at the photographs on Hermione's shelves and slammed some of them face down in anger. Finally she made her way to Hermione's jewellery box.

Bellatrix opened it, finding Hermione's letters.

"Don't touch those," Hermione said, as Bellatrix picked up the one on the top.

Bellatrix turned her terrifying gaze on Hermione, and the girl quickly stopped talking. She clutched her crimson covers against her, watching the witch as she opened the letter.

"All my love, Sirius?" she spat, crumpling the letter up and setting it on fire. She turned back to Hermione, who suddenly couldn't breath. She had been at the end of that look before, and knew that something bad was coming.

"My cousin?" Bellatrix screeched. "You're with my cousin? The Mudblood is with the blood-traitor?" Her wand was in her hand so fast, Hermione barely saw her withdraw it and had no time to even attempt to prepare herself.

Pain shot through her and she felt a scream leave her lips. Seconds later, the bedroom door was thrown open and Hermione tried to find the words to tell her parents to run! Bellatrix barely glanced at her parents, not seeing the muggles as a threat.

A loud bang echoed through the small room and the pain stopped.

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