chapter 12 VICTORY
After Lucius left, Hermione had a lot of time to think about everything that happened. And she needed that. Her mind was a complete mess and she had to put her thoughts in order. She realized that she lost count of the days that passed since they lost the War. It seemed as a lifetime ago, but in fact it was only a few weeks ago. Maybe two. Or three. It didn't matter really. What mattered to Hermione was how much she changed in that time. At first she never obeyed Lucius' orders without a fight. He had to torture her to get what he wanted. Hermione wasn't ashamed of that, because every human being would eventually break under pain. But she was ashamed of the person she'd became. What would her friends say if they saw how submissive she was and the power Lucius had over her?
A small voice in her head said 'they wouldn't say anything, because they're dead. Cold and dead and not moving. Their corpses probably still lay on the Battle field...'
Hermione felt sick at just the thought of that. And now that she actually had food in her stomach it was possible for her to throw up. Not wanting to do that, she forced herself to think about other things.
Dolohov. That was the first thing that came to her mind. She wondered how many days did she spend with him. She could clearly remember the first two days, but after that it was all a blur.
Beatings, insults, coldness, hard floor, Lucius.
When she should be thinking about her family, her friends, people she loved, all her thoughts revolved around Lucius.
In all her distress she saw him as her protector, as somehow lesser evil. But was he really less dangerous that Dolohov? Hermione couldn't answer that question. At least she would never die with Lucius. He had his own reasons to keep her alive. But was the life he was offering her really a better choice than death?
Again, Hermione had no answer.
Still, her rescue felt like a dream. It was incredulous to believe that in one minute she was pinned against the wall in Dolohov'scell, and the next minute she was in Lucius' arms. At that time she didn't know what was happening and if it was real, but she clearly remembered how it felt to be held by him. It should disgust her, but it didn't. At that moment she only wanted him to take her away and save her.
But now, when she looked back at it, she felt guilty and angry at herself for ever alowing those kind of emotions and thoughts.
She didn't want him to touch her, she wanted those hands that killed so many people she loved, to stay as far away from her as possible.
But there was something that bothered her. When she was in his arms, it didn't seem as if he was disgusted with her. She was naked, dirty and bleeding, but he picked her up from the floor so gracefully. It didn't seem as if he was bothered by her filthy blood dirtying him.
And when he was...staring at her body. Hermione felt so small and hopeless under his gaze, all she wanted at that moment was to run into a corner and hide. But she wasn't allowed to do that. And so she stayed still and reminded herself to breath. It seemed to her as if it lasted forever, his eyes making a hole in her, burning her. Why did he do that? Why did he want to see her pathetic excuse for female attributes? Was he even looking at her? Maybe he only told her he was, so that she would be humiliated. But what if he was really staring at her? What emotions passed his eyes?
She wasn't sure if she wanted to see that. What if she wouldn't be able to handle what she'd saw on his face, in his expression? There are some things that are better to not know.
*
Dolohov's laugh. He was still laughing at her. At her vulnerability, her uselessness, helplessness. Hermione could hear him, feel him, smell him. Then there was darkness and pain.
Hermione darted awake, screaming and clutching her face. She didn't even realize when she had fallen asleep.
"Do shut your mouth, Mudblood."
The moment she felt someone's hands on her shoulders, shaking her roughly, she screamed even harder:"Let me go! No!"
She screamed, trying to cry yet being unable to, so she gave a pitiful sob, before realising that she was warm, and on a soft bed. It didn't feel like Dolohov's cell. At that moment she remembered everything, but that didn't help her to understand why was she on a bed and not on the floor. She fell asleep on the floor, that she was certain.
"I do not appreciate my sleep being interrupted by your screaming," his voice was hard and cold.
Hermione could tell he was angry and that was never a good thing. And he was also in the bed, sitting close to her.
What happened? What time is it?
She knew Lucius could probably read all those questions in her mind, but she stayed silent. Then she scrambled away. Such shame. She was a Death Eater's toy. No dignity, no hope. She was unable to defend herself, at all.
Before she could run away from him, out of the bed, he stopped her by grabbing her arm.
"Where do you think you're going?" Lucius asked, demanded to know.
His voice was slightly raspy and it told Hermione that he was asleep and she probably woke him up with her pointless screaming. But how could he sleep anyway? Didn't he have nightmares about everything that happened and about all those people he killed? No normal person could be so cold-hearted.
"I asked you a question, Mudblood."
"I-" Hermione started, not knowing what to say.
"Have you forgotten how to speak, girl?" Lucius asked, almost amused by her sudden loss of words.
"I-I have to go to the bathroom."
She hoped he would let go of her arm, but he didn't. His grip only tightened as he asked:"What were you dreaming about? You already robbed me of my sleep, I demand to know the reason for your high pitched screaming," his tone became colder as he continued,"You never screamed that way for me. I guess I will have to try harder, won't I?"
Did he expect her to answer that?
Hermione just pressed her lips together and struggled to get away from him. It just caused Lucius to grip her arm harder, already causing bruises to form.
He sneered at her:"Is it possible that in only four days Antonin frightened you more that I succeeded to in almost two weeks?"
Hermione knew it was a trick question. What could she say to win in that conversation? So she ignored that question and asked something that was torturing her ever since she was brought back to Malfoy Manor.
"Am I going back there?" she asked, fear shaking her voice.
There was a complete silence after her question. Hermione somehow knew that it caught him off guard, because he didn't say anything. But she needed to hear his answer. She didn't want to live in fear for the rest of her life, wondering when Voldemort would call Lucius and when she would be sent to Dolohov again.
"Am I ever going back there again?" she repeated quietly, preparing herself for his laugh or insult.
"No."
That was his only answer. Just one word, but it meant so much to Hermione. He could be lying, but Hermione knew he wasn't. That one word was said so firmly and there was evident possessiveness in it. The way he said it actually sent shivers down her body.
"Now go to the bathroom and hurry or I will have to come get you," he was smirking again, Hermione could see it in her mind.
She quickly got up from the bed and made her way to the bathroom. She knew exactly where the doors were and luckily she didn't trip over something. Not knowing if Lucius would allow it and not actually caring, she closed the door behind her.
After she used the toilet, a horrible discovery swept through her. There was something wet on her nightgown and she had the strange feeling down there. But she couldn't be sure, because she couldn't see. Ever since she was captured, not once had she thought about that little problem. Mainly because she was positive she wouldn't be alive long enough to experience it. But she was a prisoner for almost three weeks now. A horrible shudder ran down her spine as she quickly did the Math in her head.
Oh, God.
After that awful realization, Hermione hurriedly finished, washing her shaky hands, feeling tears in her eyes, knowing she was going to have to go change her clothes. But how to do that without talking to Lucius? She had no other clothes. Lucius was controlling her life completely.
She could feel her throat close up, and tears stinging her eyes. She couldn't imagine a lower place that she was at that moment. But that was a good thing in some way. When you hit the bottom, you can only go up. She was telling herself that, but didn't really believe it.
"I was wondering what was taking you so long, Mudblood."
His voice almost gave Hermione a heart attack. She didn't even realize that the doors were open and that he was standing in the doorway. How long was he there?
"What do you want?" Hermione asked weakly, her voice cracking audibly, tears in her eyes. She could feel her cheeks blush with embarrassment. She felt like she was naked and he was staring at her.
"Watch your mouth. I will not tolerate that kind of behaviour from you," he warned her, "Now answer me. What is taking you so long? Is something wrong?" he asked innocently.
Hermione sensed something in his voice. It seemed as if he was mocking her, pretending he didn't know something, playing with her. Pushing that thought aside, she took a deep breath, preparing herself for what had to be said.
"I, er..." she mumbled, unable to finish, feeling extremely embarrassed.
There was a moment of silence.
"You're . . . on your cycle," he finished for her.
Hermione could feel the horrible heat in her head and she hoped to pass out from it. She was grateful that she didn't have to say it to him, but what was odd was how he knew. There was no possibility she could hide anything from him, not even a thing so personal as her period, but she still didn't understand how he knew. He always seemed to be one step ahead of her.
"How do you..." she didn't finish her question.
"The sheets were dirty," he said firmly, not a trace of discomfort in his voice. But there was, however, disgust in his tone. It didn't surprise Hermione. He always thought her blood was impure, filthy and now he had it on his sheets.
"Oh," she managed weakly.
He took a deep breath as if he was thinking hard about something. It was obvious he was considering something, his grey eyes burning her. Hermione felt extremely uneasy, him staring at her like that. She couldn't know what he was thinking, but she had a feeling that it wasn't pleasant, whatever it was.
"So it's true. You should have warned me at least," he finally spoke, "I was hoping you had some wound on your body. But it's only your time of the month. Am I right, Mudblood?" he asked, as if he had any right to talk to her about her personal, private business. But he probably thought he did.
"Yes," Hermione answered, wanting to die.
"Ah, yes, I forgot that women bleed. To be able to have power over birth, over life..." He snarled slightly, as if it angered him.
That was something Hermione would have rather not discussed. She had never really talked about her period with anyone. It was something private to her. It wasn't something others needed to know, especially Lucius Malfoy.
"Tell me, Mudblood...Do you enjoy knowing that you have the ability to give birth? That it is your blood that enables life to continue?" his tone then got darker, "It's a shame, really. Scums like you should not be allowed to reproduce."
"You are sick," Hermione stated calmly, her face showing disgust as she suddenly felt more powerful than before. She could imagine how many pregnant women he had killed and how many babies he had disposed. Just because of his prejudices.
"It disgusts me, knowing that those less worthy, those whose blood is not pure, share this ability," then he added with a evil smirk, "I am not sick, Miss Granger. I am only taking care of the purity of this world. Some creature simply don't deserve to live."
Hermione bit her lower lip to stop herself from screaming at him. It wasn't a right time for a fight. But someday that day will come and then she will throw everything in his face. Just not now.
"Do you want children?" he suddenly asked, and there was something in his tone that bothered Hermione.
"That's none of your business," she barked at him.
He nodded slowly. "Yes, that's true. That is none of my business. In fact, it doesn't really matter if you wanted children or not. What matters is that you will never have them," a trace of anger was sensed in his voice.
Hermione was disturbed by how much he wanted to know about it. It disturbed her at how he seemed a little angry when he spoke about children, or bearing them for that matter.
Although she felt disgusted and embarrassed, Hermione couldn't stop the words:"You are completely out of your mind if you think you have the right to decide about those things instead of me. Do you actually expect me to answer your question if I do or do not want to have children?"
"You just did," he stated calmly.
Anger started to build inside Hermione as she realized that she had told him everything with just her reaction.
"You should learn to control your emotions, because you're making everything just too easy for me. I can read your every thought on your face."
Before she could stop herself, Hermione forced an evil smile:"I guess you should know everything about hiding your feelings. Is that the reason why you never talk about Draco? Or maybe you're afraid of losing your emotionless mask?"
Not even a second later she was backhanded across the face. The force of it caused her to take a step back and Hermione could sense the anger behind his act. She was expecting him to hit her and his reaction only proved her point.
"Don't forget your place, Mudblood. Do not dare to speak my son's name."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I sensed a lot of rage and grief in that slap. You are not that cold and perfect as you think you are," Hermione continued as if nothing happened.
She could hear his erratic breathing and she was aware of the fact that it was only a matter of time when he would strike her again. She was walking on dangerous territory, but at that moment she didn't care.
"You can slap me or kick me, but you know it's true," she said with confidence.
Before she had a chance to move, he stopped towards her and pressed his mouth against her neck. Hermione froze as she realized that he wasn't wearing a shirt and that she was pressed against his bare chest. She was too close to him for her own liking, but she waited for him to continue. If she moved away from him, it would only show him how scared she was of him and she didn't want that. So she stayed still and when he spoke, she could feel lips moving against her skin and the warmth of his breath against her flesh.
"You are making a mistake by thinking you know me. And you better stop with your pathetic assumptions, if you value your life."
With that he grabbed her arm and dragged her in the bedroom, releasing her only to place a small battle in her palm.
"Drink it," he ordered impatiently.
"What is it?" Hermione asked, wrapping her hand around the small battle.
Lucius sighed before explaining:"It's a potion that will stop your cycle as I do not wish to be disturbed by your petty little problems ever again."
"Ever again? I-I've never heard of that kind of potion before."
Hermione knew it was probably something from Dark Magic, because in all her years reading Spell books she never came across such a potion.
Lucius only smirked at her:"Of course you haven't. Now drink it."
"How does it work?"
"I already explained it to you. It will stop your cycle. The potion needs to be taken once a month and-"
She cut him off:"Alright."
Without hesitation she opened the bottle and drank the liquid in it. It didn't taste as bad as she expected. Instantly she felt something change in her body, but she couldn't quite describe it.
"I have to say I didn't expect that, Mudblood. You drank the potion without fighting or arguing with me. Please, enlighten me," he said, amused and a bit surprised.
"Why make things harder for myself?" Hermione asked innocently, feeling some kind of power over him.
She did something he did not expect her to do. For the first time she was the one that was one step ahead. Lucius probably expected her to throw the potion at him, but she did exactly the opposite thing. She gave him no reason to hurt her and he couldn't show his power over her by forcing her into taking the potion, because she took it willingly.
"You're learning, but don't be too smart for your own good," he sneered at her and whispered a spell that cleaned her nightgown. Then he cleaned the sheets with a flick of his wand.
Hermione blushed, but she kept her head high and tried not to show how embarrassed she was.
"I would like to get some sleep tonight. Come here. You will sleep on the bed," he ordered, but Hermione didn't move from the spot where she was standing.
"Bed? But-"
"Don't tell me you're still afraid of my intentions towards you? I made it clear that I would rather kill you than touch you intimately."
"That's a consolation," Hermione shot back, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"You are quite disobedient tonight. For your own good, don't try my patience. Now come here," there was a warning in his voice and Hermione knew it was dangerous to annoy him further.
So she slowly made her way to the bed and laid down on the mattress, hiding beneath the blankets. She tried to ignore the fact that Lucius Malfoy was sleeping next to her and that he wasn't wearing a shirt. She stared a few seconds into the darkness and listened to Lucius' breathing before she closed her eyes. She felt exhausted, as the nightmare had prevented her body from relaxing. Hermione knew it must be truly satisfying for him to make her so uncomfortable. It probably made him feel powerful. And that hummiliating even that happened with her monthly visitor just proved her how Lucius was right when he told her than he knew her more than anyone. He had seen her at her worst, he had forced her to have personal conversations with him. Conversations she would have trouble having even with her mother.
At least he wasn't mocking her like Hermione expected him to. He reacted quite...politely to the whole problem. If she ignored the part when he insulted her and told her that scum like her shouldn't be allowed to reproduce. He sounded so serious as he said it. There was no doubt he meant it completely. At least he didn't seem to be sickned by it like Ron or Harry would. Young boys had a tendency to cover their ears and run the other way when they're faced with girl problems. But Lucius was a grown man and Hermione couldn't ignore that. She was still a girl, not a woman, but she was thrown into the world of adults and had to survive.
She wasn't sure when she fell asleep, but soon she slipped into darkness.
*
When Hermione woke up the next morning, she was alone in the room. Lucius' side of the bed was empty and Hermione was grateful for that. She really didn't want to wake up next to him, it was bed enough that she had to fall asleep while so close to him.
After an hour of boredom and after almost losing her mind with thousands of thoughts and events replying themselves in her mind, Hermione approached the doors. She walked by the wall until she could feel the doorknob.
She couldn't even explain to herself why she felt the need to check if the doors were locked. Something inside her was forcing her to do so. When her hand connected with a doorknob, she waited for a few moments and listened for anyone. When she heard nothing, she turned the doorknob down and she couldn't believe when the doors opened.
Was it a trick? Why would Lucius not lock the doors? Maybe he forgot or maybe it was just another mind game for her.
Without really thinking, she stepped out of the room. She knew she was in the hallway and that the chances of escaping from the Manor were almost non-existent. But maybe she could eavesdrop and hear something useful without getting caught.
Her eyebrows were furrowed in determination and fear as she walked hesitantly. Every step she took only increased the panic she felt in her chest, but she didn't stop. But then she tripped over a stair and she stumbled, falling. She managed to break her fall with her hands, but she then sat down and struggled to calm down. Fear was coursing through her as she took a few deep breaths to prevent her heart to jump out of her chest.
After a moment she stood up and stretched her arms out before her, like a zombie. But before she had a chance to move, she heard something.
Recognizing the noise as doors opening and footsteps, she stumbled back, hoping to return to the bedroom before anyone would notice her.
"Well, what do we have here?" someone asked.
Hermione gasped in surprise and turned into the direction of the voice. It seemed to be standing in front of her.
"Lucius? I think you lost something," that voice said again.
Hermione was positive she had never heard him before, but she somehow knew he was a Death Eater.
Suddenly, Hermione was aware of a large amount of shuffling and breathing surrounding her. She trembled, before stumbling backwards.
"How many people are there in here?" she asked, hoping her voice wouldn't break.
"Quite a few. You've just interrupted our meeting."
Hermione backed away from the noise. It seemed as if they were all coming out of a room. Too many people. There were too many people, it was suffocating. She whimpered in fear and tried to find something to hold onto. She came across a hand, and jumped back from where she was, and crashed into a body. They were surrounding her.
"What is happening here?"
Hermione immediately recognized that voice. It was Lucius and a part of her calmed down, now that she knew he was also present.
"Look what I've found in the hallway, Lucius," a man said.
Hermione could hear someone walk towards her and then grab her arm roughly,"What are you doing here, Mudblood?"
"I-" she didn't know what to say.
"It doesn't seem to me that you take good care of your things," an unknown man said.
"I assure you I know how to deal with her," Lucius shot back angrily.
Hermione struggled against Lucius as she felt pain in her arm increase until it was almost unbearable:"Let go of me!"
A few men laughed, then one said:"You forgot to discipline her. How can you allow her to talk to you like that?"
"I like my women struggling," Lucius smirked, "Believe me, she's more entertaining than any other I've had before. Maybe I will lend her to you-some day."
"Go crucio yourself, Lucius," Hermione said with disgust. He didn't have a complete power over her and she couldn't stand the way he was making it look like he did.
"Well, gentlemen, I believe we're done. You can let yourself out," Lucius said politely, "This Mudblood still has a few things to learn about respect."
Hermione could hear them laughing as they left and only a second after Lucius dragged her back into the bedroom.
She tensed as he slammed the doors shut. He rarely did that, only when he was really furious.
He pushed her forcefully onto the floor, the hard impact on the ground almost breaking her right wrist. She whimpered in pain, tears stinging in her eyes. She then realized that she had never before heard him breath that way. It seemed like he could hardly control himself, complete rage was taking over him.
"You dare to embarrass me in front of my colleagues?" he finally asked, but Hermione wished he'd stayed silent.
She could sense so much terrifying rage and fury in his voice. She tried to crawl away from him, hoping he would calm down.
"You're not going anywhere, girl."
He grabbed her wrist, sending waves of pain through her body. She shrieked from pain, tears slipping out of her eyes while he pulled her to her feet.
"Do you think that I will let that pass? You made a fool out of me in front of others!"
"Please..." Hermione whispered, her whole body shaking with fear. She couldn't remember the last time he yelled at her that way.
"Why did you disobey me by leaving the bedroom? Haven't I told you what would happen to your friend if you had the imprudence to disobey me?" his voice was smooth, softer than silk, but his words were like acid, his threat reaching it's goal.
"Leave Ginny alone!" she screamed back at him.
He grabbed her wrists forcefully, causing Hermione to shriek from the excruciating pain. She actually thought he would break her wrists if he didn't let go of them soon.
"I will do as I please. And you will learn to never, ever raise your voice at me."
Without a warning he slapped her across the face. The blow sent her flying to the ground. She held her cheek, feeling blood drop from her nose and taste the blood in her mouth. The taste of it was making her sick.
And by the sound of his breathing, he was still furious. Hermione could picture his pale face even paler with rage and his grey eyes completely dark, showing the anger in them.
At that moment she realized how serious the situation was. The other Death Eaters saw her and how she talked back to Lucius. They would waste no time in spreading the word about that to everyone.
Hermione knew that Death Eaters were like predators. They hated the weak ones and at a slight trace of weakness they spring at you and kill you.
And what did they think of Lucius now? They probably thought he'd gone soft and that wasn't a good thing in a world they were living in.
She could understand why Lucius was so angry at her, but she still wasn't prepared to take the beating without a fight.
When he knelt down next to her and slapped her again, something snapped inside Hermione and she broke the first rule he set for her.
"Did you do this in front of Draco?" she asked before he could hit he again.
"Shut your mouth!" he raised his voice.
She was yelling at him through her sobs:"No! Why should I? Are you ashamed of your actions? Tell me! What would Draco think if he saw you right now? Beating a girl his age?" she paused to take a breath, "He would be so proud of his father."
She then closed her eyes and tensed, expecting another slap, but nothing came. Those few moments of silence were pure torture for Hermione. She wished to see his face, to know what was going on inside his mind, but those were only wishes.
Her body was shaking in anticipation as he suddenly stood up and walked out of the room, slamming the doors behind him and locking them. By the way was walking, Hermione could tell he was still angry, but at least he wasn't taking his anger out on her.
She stayed frozen on the floor even a few minutes after he left. Then the realization hit her. She won. Her first victory. For the first time she was the one who had the last word in a fight. Somehow her words broke through his emotionless mask and even without being able to see his face, Hermione knew that he was affected in some way. He had to be. Why else would he leave the room?
But what surprised her the most was that she didn't feel as satisfied as she thought she would be. She was glad she didn't end up dead or badly beaten, but she wasn't glad that she had to mention Draco. It hurt her when she thought or talked about him. He was a part of her past life. She couldn't explain to herself why it felt wrong to use Draco to get to Lucius.
Why couldn't she be as evil and twisted as Lucius Malfoy? Why couldn't she taunt him with talking about his son's death? He had done that to her with Ron and Harry. He described her everything about how they died and showed no mercy. Why couldn't she be like that?
*
"I want to see Hermione again, Snape," Ginny Weasley demanded.
She stood in the middle of the living room with her hands on her hips, staring at her former Professor.
Snape shook his head:"That is not possible, Ginevra."
"Why not?" she asked, annoyed.
"You should ask yourself that. Or have you forgotten the way you acted when we were at Malfoy's?"
Ginny couldn't prevent the grin to appear on her face:"The bastard deserved it. And I would do it again, without thinking."
"Yes, I do realize you never think," he insulted her, "You spat on him, which makes me doubt he will ever again accept you in his home. There is nothing I can do."
"Invite him here! And make him bring Hermione with him," Ginny suggested, angry at his lack of interest. He didn't hurt her in her time as his award, but he never showed interest to help other survivors. Ginny couldn't figure him out and it annoyed her. Not wanting to lose her time with thinking about that, she just concluded that he was a Death Eater, like the rest of them.
Snape just rolled his eyes:"I cannot make Lucius do anything."
Ginny felt her throat close as she remembered what Hermione looked like the last time she saw her:" You saw what he did to her! How can you be so cold about it?"
"Years of practice, Miss Weasley. And besides, since when is it my duty to watch over that Granger girl?"
Anger exploded inside Ginny as she grabbed the first thing that she could find and threw it at Snape.
It missed him, but that didn't make him any less annoyed:"I do not appreciate my books being thrown at me. I suggest you calm down."
"I always knew you were a bastard and you can't fool me. I don't know what kind of a game you're playing, but I'm not falling for it," Ginny shot at him, hate showing through her words.
"I've always known I'm a bastard. But you should be glad and thankful that you ended with me, Miss Weasley," Snape spoke in a low tone, his dark eyes hardening.
Ginny just raised her eyebrows:"Oh, really? I don't believe that."
Such arrogance was not to be tolerated. Snape felt his temper rise.
"Have I ever hit you?" he asked, looking straight into her eyes.
Ginny stayed silent, removing her gaze from him.
"Have I taken you to my bed and forced into actions against your will?" Snape asked and that question made Ginny's eyes widen with disgust.
"Like you could, Snape," she shot at him.
He smirked:"I could. Do not be so naive. If I really wanted to do something to you, do you think you would be able to stop me?"
Ginny just gritted her teeth together and hugged herself with her arms, not breaking eye-contact with him..
"Do you want to know what other survivors are going through? What my fellow Death Eaters are known for?" he then added quietly; "Believe me, your opinion would change and you'd be thanking Merlin that I had chosen you as my award."
After that, Snape turned to leave, but Ginny's voice stopped him.
"I don't believe that," she whispered, "Tell me about the others."
Snape was watching her intensely and after a few long moments of silence he spoke. But his voice was completely cold and emotionless:"The survivors are kept in a cell. Every Death Eater has that kind of cell in his house," when he noticed the question in Ginny's eyes, he nodded:"Yes, I have it as well. There are no windows. The stench of blood and intercourse stays until a person...prisoner dies. No chance of escaping. Mostly it is underground."
"You said..intercourse?" Ginny squeaked, disgust showing in her voice.
"What did you think the survivors were used for? Cleaning the house and cooking dinner?" Snape asked sarcastically.
Ginnly just looked away in shame and Snape sighed before continuing:"The girls, sometimes boys, then either die of dehydration, starvation, poison, barbarians, or by their own hands. Would you like any more of the details or have I convinced you already?"
Ginny felt sick to her stomach, but she didn't want to show weakness in front of Snape.
She took a shaky breath as she forced herself to ask:"Hermione had to endure all that?"
"Such bravery, Miss Weasley," Snape actually did not want to say, but he answered:"Perhaps, but something surprised me when I saw her. She should be more broken. Believe me, girls who endure torture and rape for a few days are more broken than Granger was. Some even lose their mind."
"How is that possible?" Ginny asked, still having trouble believing that a person could go completely crazy in just a few days or torture.
Snape's face hardened:"I remember one eleven-year-old Muggle-born girl. She learnt very quickly not to disobey. After she had one or two long doses of the Cruciatus, she stopped struggling. She did exactly as Antonin Dolohov told her, but died, a few days later. Most likely from blood loss. That is the mildest Death Eaters can do. Another example, much worse, was seventeen-year-old girl. Also a Muggle-born, and she had been very strong. Incredibly resilient. She refused to scream when Death Eaters raped or tortured her. So they didn't stop torturing her until she finally died of blood loss, and dehydration. Another example..."
"Did you..." Ginny was afraid of finishing her sentence, but she forced the words out:"Did you participate?"
Snape was silent for a moment with his dark eyes boring into her.
"Yes," he finally said. His voice was hard and it made Ginny sick how could he act so cold and unaffected.
"There was another girl. Sixteen-year-old..." he started talking, but Ginny raised her hand to stop him.
"Don't. Please."
She stumbled to a chair and sat down, fearing her legs wouldn't hold her anymore.
"Has your opinion changed, Miss Weasley?" Snape asked without any kind of emotion, but when Ginny looked up at him she saw his eyes soften only for a moment, before they hardened again.
She didn't say anything, but her silence was an answer to him. Before he could turn and leave the room, Ginny asked:"What happened to Malfoy's wife?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"He killed my family. I want to know what happened to his."
Snape nodded:"She was killed. So was Draco."
Ginny felt a bit of satisfaction at that. She forced a smile, even though she didn't really feel like smiling:"Good. Who killed them?"
"Draco was killed by your precious Potter. And Narcissa's life was ended by The Dark Lord himself."
Ginny's eyes widened in shock, but before she could ask a question, Snape turned and swept out of the room, his cloak flaring behind him.
I'm so sorry for not updating in more than a week. I hope I didn't disappoint you with this chapter and that you like Ginny and Snape thrown in the story. The next chapter will finally reveal why Lucius is acting the way he's acting towards Hermione and why sometimes it seems he's attracted to her and the next moment he's disgusted. Make my day and review! :)