Shut Up and Kiss Me

Chapter 21 | Desperate Measures For Survival

Warning: Self-harm. It was necessary for her escape plan. If you are triggered by such mentions, I suggest you don't read this chapter. If you are struggling with such actions yourself, I strongly encourage you to seek help whenever you can. In case no one has told you in a while, I love you.

God and his priests and his kings

All were waiting

All will wait

As it goes over

Cold by Aqualung and Lucy Schwartz

Chapter 21
Desperate Measures For Survival

The first day in captivity Hermione tried to keep track of the hours, but a few in and she realized she would soon lose her hopeless battle against the drugs.

She strongly suspected that the impossible doses that hooded woman had been giving her were the main cause for her miscarriage. The day she walked into the room and saw all the blood, the hooded woman ran forward in shock.

Hermione was surprised to see worry in her eyes. She was surprised to see her eyes to begin with, she had always covered her face. Compassionate was not an adjective one usually used to describe their kidnapper.

A good cook would be, though.

After the first few days, Hermione had given up all hope of saving herself. She was ashamed to admit that for the first time in her entire life, she was too beaten down to be a hero. Torture by Bellatrix Lestrange did not have this much effect on her. Maybe it was the reverse psychology casted by that mystery woman.

She seemed like the kind of woman that doesn't do this often. As if she was forced into this situation.

When she found Hermione after her miscarriage, the woman wept as she unchained her. Had the situation been different Hermione would surely have made a run for it. However, considering the emotional and physical drain she had undergone through, Hermione allowed herself be half-carried into the toilet.

She was bathed in warm water, and her tears were wiped. It was the most confusing and heartbreaking half-hour of Hermione's life. She limply sat there as the person responsible for the death of her unborn child was wiping away her blood.

The miscarriage in that room with only Draco's voice was traumatising as is, let alone this sudden burst of sympathy.

Hermione blamed it on guilt, constantly reminding herself that her capture was the villain in this situation.

Regardless of her warnings, Hermione tried to take advantage of the situation and the vulnerability of the woman.

"Why are you doing this to me?" She whispered.

The woman didn't stop gently wiping Hermione's thighs, but her breathing did hitch in her throat. Hermione recognized the positive sign and proceeded. "What have I done, please tell me how I've hurt you."

"I have to do this." Hermione did not expect the woman's voice to be this normal. Even though it was filled with defeat, her statement spoke volumes.

I have to do this. This was progress.

"I think I ruined your bed." Hermione then tried a different approach. The woman looked over her shoulder back at the bed, as if it meant much more than a simple bed.

"It's not mine, but that's alright. Its owner will no longer use it."

Hermione kept pushing her luck, "Whose bed is it?"