She was alone in the darkness. Pressed against the wall in a corner of the empty room, Hermione sat huddled on the hard ground, hugging her knees to her chest. She held her breath, eyes wide, waiting.

Suddenly she felt a hand in hers. It was him. She looked up to see Ron's blue eyes gazing at her reassuringly. She sighed out the breath she had been holding. Just as she felt her body begin to relax, he was suddenly gone again, his hand slipping from hers as he was pulled away by two dark figures.

"Wait," she called, but they paid her no heed.

Ron struggled, crying out in pain as he was struck by one of his captors. Frozen, she watched his body fall limp as they dragged him from the room.

"No!" she cried out, but he was already gone.

A chill crept into her bones as the air around her grew colder. She heard footsteps and looked up to see a tall figure approaching her. A shaft of light issued from somewhere out of the gloom, illuminating the features of Bellatrix Lestrange. Hermione shuddered, shrinking back further against the wall.

"Tell me where you got the sword," said Bellatrix slowly, in a low, menacing tone.

"I don't know anything," Hermione whimpered.

Grinning maniacally, Bellatrix raised her wand and pointed it at the terrified girl. "Crucio!"

Hermione felt her body seize up, every part of her filled with an excruciating pain. She heard screams as if from a distance before realizing they issued from her own throat. As wave after wave of agony overtook her, she felt her mind grow dark, begging for release.

Abruptly, the acute sensation abated, leaving her with only the throbbing ache of residual pain pulsing throughout her body.

"I'll ask you one more time…" Bellatrix growled threateningly, lifting her wand once again.

"No…" Hermione begged weakly, "please…"

"CRUCIO!" shrieked Bellatrix once more.

Hermione didn't know how it was possible, but the pain this time was even worse. Her body on fire, she felt needles stabbing into every inch of her flesh, while her organs were seized in waves of electric shock. Helpless, unable to move, she could do nothing to defend herself. Her only thought was to beg for the sweet relief of death. Vision dimming, she felt her mind begin to let go, releasing itself to this desire.

Then she heard his voice. "Hermione!" Ron called.

Her mind strained to hold on to the only thing it could, the sound of his voice. "HERMIONE!" he called to her again.


Hermione awoke, gasping in panic, her eyes wide, searching for the demons that haunted her. Instead they found themselves met with the clear blue eyes of Ronald Weasley. There could have been no sweeter sight to her in that moment.

"It's ok," Ron told her softly, and as she looked into his eyes, she believed him.

Overcome with relief, her heart still pounding from the horror of the nightmare she had just escaped, Hermione's eyes immediately filled with tears. She felt herself begin to crack under the weight of her mental terrors. Feeling powerless to stop it, she stood helplessly by as the flood threatened to overtake her.

Suddenly feeling herself pulled into his arms, Hermione finally broke, sobbing into Ron's chest as he held her tightly to him. She let herself go, overwhelmed with the spectrum of extreme emotion she had been experiencing. Listening to him murmur sweetly to her, she felt herself gradually calm.

Finally collecting herself, Hermione now felt weak for the emotional breakdown she had just had in Ron's arms. The thought occurred to her that this might be a bit much to be unloading on him as she looked up to meet his eyes hesitantly. "I'm sorry," she ventured, unable to keep the tremor from her voice.

She watched uncertainly as Ron shook his head, closing his eyes momentarily as if to block out her words. When he opened them again, it was to gaze at her intently, his voice deep and hoarse as he told her, "Don't." She felt his words resound in her chest as he added passionately, "Please."

Hermione took in a shaky breath to steady herself. Looking into his eyes, she felt comforted at the acceptance and love she saw shining back at her. Having no words, she simply smiled up at him. Unconsciously leaning into him as Ron approached his lips to her forehead, she felt her skin tingle at the contact. Then, as a wave of exhaustion hit her, she leaned back and rested against the bed, trying to keep her eyes open.

As Ron gently tucked the blankets around her, Hermione was filled with warmth at this simple gesture. There was something so comforting about knowing he was here with her. Noticing that he was beginning to move away, her arm went out to stop him without a thought. He paused and looked down at her questioningly.

Gathering her nerve, she asked him, "Will you stay with me?"

Hermione saw the faint surprise that briefly flitted across Ron's features as he immediately responded, "Of course."

Hermione moved over to make room for him, then looked up to meet his eyes, waiting. She felt the heat of his gaze as he kicked off his shoes and moved in beside her, immediately gathering her into his arms. She sighed as she moved in closer, melding her body into his.

As Ron began to rub circles on her back, Hermione felt the tension drain from her body, to be replaced by a sensation of warmth. She felt finally safe. Gratitude filled her, and the words were out of her mouth before she had time to think, "Thank you."

A shiver went down her spine as Ron stroked her hair gently, softly placing a kiss on top of her head. Pressed against him, she felt the rumble of his words vibrate from his chest as he murmured, "Get some sleep, 'Mione."

As Hermione relaxed into the warmth and comfort of his arms, she felt at peace. Letting her body drift off into sleep, she knew that Ron would keep the nightmares at bay.