No One Else (Sequel to Only You)

Status Based Prejudice

Hermione watched as Harry's head of black hair was once again, resentfully yanked up. His face was still swollen, but his amount of visible pain was giving him away. Ron was closing his eyes as if he were trying to imagine someplace else. Hermione followed suit but it was hopeless. Nothing would get her away from this place.

Bellatrix Lestrange looked up at Draco while holding Harry up by his locks. Hermione winced as she did so, but could not look away, because the her neck was tied with a rope, and she would burn herself if she tried to move.

Draco leaned down and examined Harry. Hermione wanted to be more than a witness, more than just an alibi for Harry. It tortured her to see him bound like that.

"I can't be absolutely sure," Draco said softly, and Bellatrix cringed.

"Come on Draco, take your time. Take as much time as you want. If this isn't Potter and we call him, he'll kill us all. You have to be more than sure." Bellatrix yelped.

Draco shook his head. "There's something wrong with his face."

"Yes," Bellatrix snapped, and then she was upon Fenrir, who was holding Hermione and Ron tightly by their wrists. "What is wrong with his face?"

Fenrir shrugged. "Came to us like that."

Bellatrix chuckled. "No one is born that ugly. Perhaps he ran into a stinging jinx."

Hermione's stomach plummeted to the floor and she tried her best not to show her fear.

Bellatrix, however, noticed this and walked towards her with an innocent smirk. "Was it you dear?"

Hermione said nothing and Fenrir dug his sharp black nails into her skin, and she gasped out in pain.

"Answer her," Fenrir spat in Hermione's ear. She glanced at Harry who looked almost sympathetic, but sighed quickly.

     "N-no," Hermione whispered inaudibly.

Bellatrix walked past Hermione and Ron until her eye caught the sword that was in Hermione's beaded bag. Bellatrix's eyes widened to the point where they nearly blew out of her eyes.

     "What is that?" Bellatrix shrieked in a high pitched whisper. "Where'd you get that from!"

     "It was in our bag when we searched her," the long haired Snatcher sneered. "Reckon it's mine to keep now,"

And before another breath was drawn, Bellatrix had stunned him faster than he could even reach for his wand. Fenrir released his grip on Ron and Hermione, so they stumbled forwards.

     "Are you mad?!" Scabior roared, but he too was stunned in matter of seconds.

     "Stupefy!"

Bellatrix pressed her wand deep into Fenrir's cheek. "Get out of here! Out! All of you! And if you dare come back, I'll torture you till you're rolling on your stomach!"

Hermione's stomach churned. Bellatrix Lestrange was absolutely insane.

Bellatrix raced forwards and grabbed Ron by his collar, and pushed him towards Narcissa and Harry.

     "Put the boys into the cellar! All except the filthy Mudblood. Ah, yes. We are going to have a nice little chat, you and me." Bellatrix gave a terrifying smile as she inched towards Hermione.