"I'm sorry, Harry. We just don't have enough resources to storm Malfoy Manor for one single member of the order," Remus stated, sadly. He hated having to be the one to break the news to Harry and Ron. He cared for Hermione just as much as they did.
"But, Remus, we CAN'T leave her. You weren't there. You didn't see what they did to her!" Harry cried, "They're going to keep torturing her, or worse, they're going to kill her!"
He was pleading at this point; in disbelief that they were just going to leave Hermione there! What if the war lasted longer than they hoped? Then how long would she be stuck there in that horrible place? She probably hated them for leaving her. How was he going to live with himself, continuously thinking about how they were not going back for her, or if he could've tried harder to get to her when they were in the drawing room?
Everyone seemed to miss Ron smirking while thinking to himself, How fucking great ! No one would be risking their lives for that annoying little swot. Maybe he could finally get Harry to see that she wasn't worth the hassle. Every time they had gotten into rows with her, Harry would run right back to Hermione, forcing him to go along as well.
But this time there would be no going back and internally he was throwing a fucking party about it. Hopefully, she would be killed at the manor, then he could have all the women he wanted after the war without hearing his mum tell him, 'Why don't you settle down with Hermione? She's such a sweet girl.' He would only have to share the spotlight with Harry. He wanted it all to himself, but he could deal with sharing it with Harry. After all, they were best friends.
Unlike Ron, Harry was crumbling on the inside. Not only was Hermione one of his best friends despite all the little fights they had, but she was the brains behind the operation, and no one seemed to remember that! How was he supposed to find all of the horcruxes without her as a driving force? After Ron had left them mid-run, Hermione was all he had and never let him get down about anything. She was always there to boost his morale and take care of him, whether it was cleaning, warding the campsite, or cooking. She had done it all, not once complaining about the load she was carrying.
Harry silently hoped that at this moment, right now, Hermione was okay and being left alone—he knew that there was a slim chance, but he would hope anyway.
Back in Wiltshire…
Hermione awoke to the sounds of someone coming down the stairs. Oh god, what now? They've already come down to get me twice in the last twenty-four hours, she thought to herself.
To her surprise, when she looked up, it was none other than the Malfoy matriarch, Narcissa. When their gaze connected, she could see nothing but sadness in her eyes. In a split second, it was gone.
"I've come to bring you some food. It's nothing special, but I hope you enjoy it. The pumpkin juice is freshly made, and the elves have added something new to it." She softly smiled.
"Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione said quietly.
And just like that, Mrs. Malfoy went back up the stairs, leaving her alone once again. Hermione eyed the food skeptically, trying to fight the urge to just scarf it down.
After twenty minutes of warring with herself, she decided to take a few tentative bites. The bread was fresh, and the soup was still warm, like it had been under a stasis charm. It was like Narcissa knew she wouldn't immediately start to eat it without having her doubts.
As she started to sip the pumpkin juice, she realized what Narcissa had meant by 'the elves had added something new.' As she continued to drink, she could feel her muscles start to relax from the effects of the cruciatus.
Was she an ally? Did she actually have a heart and care about other people's well-being, unlike her sister, or was there an alternative motive behind her kindness? These were the thoughts rushing through her mind at the moment. Whatever it was, she wasn't going to complain, not when she was slowly starting to feel a bit better.
After eating, she got up and started pacing again. She always had clearer thoughts when she was moving around.
She thought about her parents; maybe if she changed sides, she could keep them safe. But what about Harry? There was no way she could keep Harry safe if she switched sides. The prophecy nagged at her mind—Neither can live while the other survives— then suddenly, hit her full force.
"Neither can live while the other survives," she repeated.
Her best friend was a living horcrux, one Voldemort probably never intended to make.
Well, this really changes the fucking game. She huffed.
The more she thought about the boys while sitting on the grimy dungeon floor, the more pissed she got. All the snide remarks and comments that had been made about her appearance or how she acted were just running through her head now that Draco had pointed out their antics.
She was also pissed that it had been three days and no one had stormed the manor to come save her. They really aren't coming. Just the thought itself made her want to cry. Instead of crying, though, she stood determinedly.
"Dinky," she said.
"Does Ms. Hermy need something?" Dinky asked as she twisted her fingers in her tea towel.
"Tell Draco I'm ready. I've decided it's time to go dark." She was determined to end her suffering once and for all.