Lions Vs Snakes

Chapter Twenty One

Harry's eyes felt heavy. He attempted to open them with no luck. He willed himself to scream, yet once again he couldn't. He was only able to think. Only able to scream in his head.

How long had they been here? Several days, weeks, months? Or had it only been several hours and he just thought it was longer?

Finally, pulling together all his strength, his eyes fluttered open. He tried to sit up. Pain surged through his body as if he were being electrocuted. He screamed out to the darkness but there was no relief. It took some time but his eyes finally adjusted to the darkness of his prison. He looked around the room searching for Hermione and Ron. He spotted Ron ad Hermione about two feet away. Ron was asleep resting his head on Hermione's lap. She was stroking his hair as he slept ad Harry wondered if they had fallen asleep like that. Hermione was staring at Harry.

"Are you alright Harry?" She whispered and ceased combing her fingers through Ron's fiery locks.

Harry looked back at her. How could he be alright? "Yeah Hermione I'm fine. Are you okay?" She attempted a smile but her lips couldn't fake it and why should she? "No. I'm not okay. We need to get out of here."

Harry knew she was right but he had no idea how they could escape. The last time they were imprisoned by death eaters Dobby had freed them and allowed they to escape. He had also died that day. Now they were all alone. Dobby would not apperate into the cellar. He would not stand up to Bellatrix Lestrage. He would not come to their rescue. This time it was up to the three of them to save themselves.

While Harry was deep in thought, wondering how they would break out, The door at the top of the stairs swung open. A silvery light flooded the dull grey prison. As Harry's eyes adjusted to the new light he could piece together who this God-like silhouette really was.

Bellatrix Lestrange made her way to the old American man. Harry had almost forgotten he was there.

"Get up!" She bellowed at the broken old man. "Get UP!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione all huddled in the corner of the room opposite the old man.

The man stayed still curled in a sleeping position. Bellatrix poked him with her wand. "GET UP YOU MUDBLOOD SCUM!"

She used spell after spell of harmful and dangerous magic. Hermione couldn't take it anymore.

"He's dead!" Hermione shouted at the evil lady. "He's dead," She was quite now. "Leave him alone."

Bellatrix left the broken soul and waltzed over to Hermione. "It's no fun," She began stroking her wand down Hermione cheek bone, "when they're dead."

Hermione stayed strong but her streaghth was running low. She stared darts into Bellatrix's eyes yet they remained just as calm as ever.

Bellatrix looked Hermione up and down, analyzing the poor girl. "Good thing I have you little mudblood." She glared at Harry, "and the man of the hour. You filthy mudbloods!"

She cast a spell at Harry. The spell had come so unexpected he had no way to dodge it and as the spell hit him he screamed out in pain.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix crackled. Her laugh was one of insanity.

Harry fell to the ground. His screams pierced through his best friends' ears. It was so unbareable, Ron tackled Bellatrix, which only resulted in the curse being used on him.

After watching the two suffer for about a minute Hermione couldn't take it anymore.

"Stop it" She screamed. :"Stop it you evil cockroach!" 

Bellatrix turned to her, releasing the boys from their torture. She laughed at Hermione. How young and defenceless she was and how she still kept fighting. In many ways Hermione reminded Bellatrix of herself. A bitchy version. One that clearly needed to learn her lesson. 

The next thing she knew Hermione was charging at her. In one swift punch Hermione knocked Bella out cold. She stole her wand and rushed to Ron and Harry's aid.

"This is it. " Hermione said. "There's no going back now."