The petite witch dropped to the ground as she with hit with the curse and a piercing scream tore from her throat. Her body contorted in different ways that seemed physically impossible for the human form. Tears ran down her face as she clawed the ground and her skin equally, her eyes dilated until the pupils were almost invisible. Her eyes were wide open, but unseeing as she couldn't do anything but feel.
It felt like a thousand knives were stabbing her as her skin was being ripped off only to be replaced with coarse salt rubbing against her. Her teeth ached from the inside out, the nerves in her mouth felt exposed and burned her brain. Her body felt like it was on fire and freezing at the same time. Her bones ached like they were being broken over and over again. The roots of her hair felt like they were needles trying to sink deeper into her skin, everywhere on her body. Even though she was a virgin, it felt like her anus was being ripped open and her vaginal walls were being grated with sandpaper. Her lungs burned with every breath, her heart felt like it would pop out of her chest, and her stomach felt like it would expel everything in it. Everything hurt inside and out.
It was a momentous occasion when the curse was ended.
Everything still hurt and she has some leftover spasms from the curse. She knew logically it was only a few seconds, but those few seconds were long enough. It felt like an eternity under the curse and it couldn't have ended soon enough. It hurt so much she couldn't even find it in her to sob.
Leeroy and Abagail were grateful that they were physically immobilized, because they wouldn't have been able to stop themselves from going to their daughter at that moment. It was torture just watching her, but knew it must have been worse to be under the curse. They wanted to hate her Professor Barty Crouch Jr., but they couldn't find it in them because he was doing it for her. He wasn't doing it because he wanted to, they could tell he was completely against it, and knew it must have been just as bad for him because he was the one hurting her… and she thanked him for it.
Alastor looked extremely uncomfortable as his eye spun madly looking every which way, but made sure that his real eye stayed on the witch. He owed her that much. It was 10 seconds, and he knew it must have felt like a lifetime to the witch.
The young straw haired wizard eyes burned with unshed tears. He never wanted to hurt his pupil and here he was torturing her for her own good. She thanked him for it! She bloody well thanked him! And he knew that he wouldn't be able to stop here. He wouldn't be able to stop at 10 seconds. She had to be able to last longer than 10 seconds. The Dark Lord started them all off with 3 or 5 seconds, but eventually it would get to be a minute or 3 depending on his mood. The more crazed he got the longer he held the curse on a follower. She had to survive. They only had a week.
Hermione laid there, twitching as her breath finally came back to her. With her breath came her thought process which was flying as though she were on an adrenaline rush of life or death. Even though she knew she wasn't, didn't mean that her body acknowledged those facts. She knew that it was 10 seconds, it was agreed upon, or acknowledged rather. She looked up at her professor and her battered heart filled with warmth. He was crying… he was only hurting her to help her. This man was hurting internally and while she was hurting physically, she agreed to it, and she was grateful for it… or at least she would be eventually when she did build up the tolerance they were working on.
She rolled over onto her back from her side, "Again," she said. Her throat was raw from screaming and her mind was finally back with her.
Her parents' hearts dropped into their stomach knowing that they would have to watch their daughter go through that again. Her mother was amazed at her bravery. Her father couldn't have felt prouder even if it hurt him to hear her in so much pain.
Barty looked over at Moody who nodded gently.
"C-Crucio!" he shouted, his hand shaking a bit.
Almost immediately her screams started back up as her back arched up impossibly, her eyes dilating again as she looked like a woman possessed. She convulsed under the curse, her screams deafening everyone in the room. She was twisting her legs back and forth and rolled over digging her nails deep into the carpet before falling over onto her right side only to convulse more.
Before she knew it, the 10 seconds were up. She leaned heavily onto her left side to land on her back, making a small 'oof'. She let her tears fall as she continued to breathe deeply.
"Thank Merlin I peed earlier, I don't know if my bladder could have held it," she said breathlessly.
Barty dropped his wand, fell to on his backside and started laughing at her. Out of all the things she could have said…
Hermione laughed softly with him.
Alastor was once again impressed with the witch and cracked a small smile, gently stretching his scars. He silently released the elder Grangers from their petrification and they sagged in place.
"Arg, take a minute there, lass, before we go to dinner. I think you're done for the night," he said softly in his grizzled voice.
"Yes, sir," she sighed lightly.
Alastor then took it upon himself and walked out the room. Abagail and Leeroy followed him knowing that although hurt and probably sore, their daughter was fine. There was nothing they could do about the Cruciatus, so there was nothing they could currently do for their daughter. What they could do for her though was pretend as though everything was normal, and that would mean getting ready to have a nice dinner with friends and family.
Barty stayed with his student, watching her carefully for any signs of serious injury. He reached over, grabbed his wand, and cast a few diagnostic spells and was pleased that the most that was currently wrong with her was fatigue, muscle spasms, and leftover soreness that they couldn't do anything about. Nothing they could do anything about, but nothing that was to be seriously concerned with. He waved his wand and healed the few scratches that she made in her arms.
"C'mon, lass. Let's go to dinner," he said standing up before holding out a hand to her.
Hermione gratefully reached up and held his hand as tightly as she could and let him pull her up onto her feet. She wobbled a bit on her legs and was glad that her professor didn't do anything more than steady her. She sighed gratefully when her legs finally decided to cooperate.
Dinner was less awkward than Hermione thought it would be. Her father had a few questions and they talked at length about what was happening in the wizarding world as though they were citizens themselves.
Her professors were pleasantly surprised on how up to date they were on current times in the wizarding world which made conversation easy. Alastor was able to grouch about people he knew personally and didn't like for some reason or other. Barty would interject here and there with tidbits that weren't in the papers. It was like a regular dinner with friends rather than two wizards who were training their daughter to be a warrior. If they took that out of the equation it would have been considered a wonderful evening.
Thimi had made a nice roast with a side of mash and some peas. There was a bread basket in the middle of the table, a sauce boat that held gravy, and a butter dish. Hermione was served a nice broth that was easy on her stomach. She took a few pieces of bread and butter and was able to handle a spoon of mash. No one said anything or pointed anything out, all secretly pleased that she was able to eat something more than broth after her quick ordeal.
The only thing that cooled their thoughts though was that they had to do it all over again tomorrow and up the time to 15 or 20 seconds, it was still up in the air.
Hermione was more than glad when her tired body was finally able to lay on her bed. She sighed happily as she got under the covers. She was about to pass out when she felt a bony hand on her leg. She groggily opened her eyes to stare into her house-elf's brown eyes.
"Thimi?" she asked softly.
Thimi helped Hermione sit up before pressing a vial into her hands, "Miss is to be drinking this. It will help. It helped master when he was a boy and just starting to handle the curse. It will help Miss too."
Hermione looked at Thimi and then at the potion in her hand. It wasn't one that she recognized. She smelled it and it smelled like plums, something she was also unfamiliar with.
"Thimi?"
"Thimi made it herself. It works," she assured her mistress.
Hermione looked at it again.
"You made this potion by yourself?"
"Yes," the house-elf replied obviously embarrassed.
"You invented it?"
"Y-yes," she said, fiddling with the hem of her dress.
Hermione took the potion and threw it back like a shot, trying not to taste it just in case it tasted vile like most potions. She was pleasantly surprised when it tasted like peaches even though it smelled like plums.
"Thank you, Thimi. Does anyone else know about this potion?"
"No one other than Thimi's boy Barty. And he is sworn to not speak of it to anyone. Thimi did not want to be helpings those dark wizards who tricked her boy master."
Hermione hummed as the potion started to take effect, "You're good with potions, Thimi. Have you ever wanted to do that for your life? Work with potions?"
Thimi tutted, "Thimi is a house-elf and is most happy taking care of her family. Thimi has an odd affinity for potions, most house-elves be having affinity for cleaning spells or cooking. Thimi has potions. Potions are good for healing."
Hermione smiled softly at her elf as she laid back down into bed, "Thank you, Thimi. I really appreciate it."
"And Thimi appreciates you, miss. Now be a good miss and get some sleep. You has another busy day tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am," Hermione said softly, closing her eyes.
"Don't forget to clear your mind," Thimi said lowly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I won't, thanks for reminding me," she whispered back to her house-elf.
If tomorrow was anything like today, which it most likely would be, it would indeed be busy. She would need a clear mind for a good night's sleep, which the witch admitted her body definitely needed.
Before she knew it the sun was creeping through the window. The light was very bright, but not very warm, so it must have been early. The witch cracked an eye open and looked around her room, she noticed Thimi tying up the curtains so they would stay in place.
"Good. Miss is to be up so she can eat breakfast before the rest of the house wakes up."
Hermione furrowed her brows at the statement not sure if she was confused or just upset at the unfairness of it. She allowed herself to wallow for all of 5 seconds before remembering that Harry usually had to wake up before the rest of his household to make them all breakfast. He may not have said it in so much words, but he did mention having to make the meals for them. Knowing the Dursley's demanding ways, breakfast would have to be made so they could eat as soon as they woke up.
She closed her eyes again before rolling over onto her back, having rolled over onto her tummy in her sleep. Taking a few deep breaths before stretching her body, she was surprised that nothing ached or hurt. Her mind quickly supplied her with the events of last night how Thimi had given her a potion that apparently worked miracles.
She sat up and was further surprised when a breakfast tray was placed over her lap, the food still hot. Hermione's mouth watered letting her know just how hungry she was.
"Miss is to eat now so her tummy can settle the food before training so it stays down," Thimi said as she began to pick out her mistress' clothes for the day.
"Thank you," she said, knowing Thimi would hear her.
It was a nice breakfast to start the day; scrambled eggs, bangers, buttered toast, navel orange slices on a small side plate, and a small side bowl of farina with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Thimi also gave her 3 small cups to drink; one water, one tea, and one milk. She would probably only get to eat breakfast until dinner and Thimi made sure to give her everything she needed from protein to vitamins.
As soon as the hour hit 8 o'clock Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody made sure to make a noise loud enough to grab everyone's attention in the chateau with the use of his wand. He had considered bursting into the Granger girl's room, but reconsidered after reminding himself that Granger was a girl and for all he knew could be one of those who slept in the duff. It was bad enough he had to see her tortured, he could do without seeing her naked.
But it was a new day and time was wasting! She was going to sweat, bleed, and cry, and be damn grateful for it!
He had kindly wakened his fellow teaching partner by summoning the blanket off of him and then sending it back to him, making sure it hit him in the head. Barty of course did not appreciate it even though he knew they would be starting bright and early. The younger wizard went on to swear about Merlin's saggy sweaty front bits as he angrily got up and ready for the day.
Moody was moderately mollified to see that the witch was already dressed and ready to begin her day having got into the room merely seconds after he made the loud blast. Her parents were also already up for the day and made it into the room barely a minute later.
"A'right, we have another full day ahead of us! Today will be offensive defense. You will get hit with stingers unless you have an eye and arm as keen as a seeker's! You'll be shooting your own stingers to cancel ours out. We'll work on this for the first 2 hours today," he growled at the witch.
He was momentarily annoyed at her parents not getting behind the ward fast enough for his liking.
"Yes?" he asked them impatiently. They were obviously waiting to ask him something.
Abagail didn't disappoint him, but did raise her eyebrow and tilted her head slightly with a slow blink in a silent reprimand.
"After this exercise I have an errand to take care of. I'm merely letting you know so that I may leave the room uninjured. Leeroy may or may not be joining me," she said.
"I'll decide when the time comes if I'm up to it," he piped up.
Moody growled in annoyance, but Barty nodded in deference knowing that they still had things to take care of. They were adults and they had their own responsibilities, it would be weird if they were able to sit and watch their daughter all week. Even the upper class wizards had to attend meetings despite having enough galleons in Gringotts that ensured that they would never have to work a day in their lives.
"If that's all?" Moody grumbled, turning around and walking quickly to the corner farthest from the door.
Leeroy smiled at the grumpy wizard and shepherded his wife to the loveseat. If he could be grumpy with them it meant he was taking his daughter's training seriously, and that made everything okay in his book. He sat down and made himself comfortable, watching his little girl work on her marksmanship with magic should be entertaining. She was a good shot with clay pigeons, but it looked like the older man would accept nothing but perfection. His little girl was good, but not perfect. Not yet at least.
Hermione barely made a step forward before the old auror shot at her, she shot back in quick reflex and somehow managed to hit it, the bewilderment was easy to see on her face.
"CONSTANT VIGILANCE! THAT WAS A LUCKY SHOT GIRL!" the old man bellowed.
He shot two more at the witch and she fired back, one hit its mark, the other went a bit wide. The curly haired witch was hit with one of the stingers in her left shoulder and she hissed on contact.
"We have most of the day to do this, lass. Now let's try that one over," Barty said calmly.
He had all night to torture himself mentally and to prepare himself for today. Thankfully W-Thimi popped into his room and soothed him that she did when he was younger and had nightmares. She assured him that he was a good boy doing good things and that she took care of Miss Granger's pain. Barty felt immense relief at that and quietly thanked the elf before allowing her to rub his back until he fell asleep.
Needless to say he was less frazzled and prepared for today with a new confidence. Miss Lady Hermione Granger would survive and he would be the one to give her the tools to do so.
He shot a stinging hex the same time as Alastor. Hermione's face scrunched up in annoyance before she shot at one and hit, and then ducked to avoid the other one. Alastor immediately fired one at her crouched form and the witch responded by rolling to the side and then firing at his spell, missing by a hair's breadth and being thankful that she moved out of the way.
"AGAIN! You're firing not dodging, lass!" Moody grouched, hobbling closer to her.
"I am firing. Just because I don't want to get hit with a stinging hex does not mean that I'm not doing the exercise," she huffed in return.
"Stop sassing the old man, lass! You know what, you get to run around the room dodging hexes for one go 'round for your sass. Go!" Barty yelled at her.
Hermione stared at him incredulously.
"NOW!" he barked, firing a hex at her.
Hermione dodged and started running around the room, making a small growl, miffed at the fact that she actually had to run. It was like a boot camp now! She tucked and rolled forward avoiding another spell. Merlin, help her through the day.