Dark Desires

Chapter 4

"So, tell me, Muddy, which one is the real you?" Before Hermione could stop her, Bellatrix was out of the alcove.

"Both", said Hermione and was faced with a mask of confusion from the other woman, which quickly changed into a mask of disbelief.

"What do you mean 'both'? You can't be both at the same time. Either she's under the influence of a polyjuice potion, or you are. I'm not an idiot." With that, Bellatrix stepped into the other hallway, where Past Hermione was currently busy with the time turner, and waved her wand. Good God, no. Hermione didn't have time to react, before her body flung itself over Bellatrix automatically. It was almost like a force controlling her, and good was that because otherwise Past Hermione would have been killed and Present Hermione would have been trapped in a time loop. They hit the floor with a thud, landing well into the next hallway. Bellatrix began to protest immediately, but Hermione quickly shut her up with a hand to her mouth. Her body tensed in anticipation. They couldn't be seen and she hoped to God that Past Hermione didn't come to investigate the sound any further.

Then it hit her, this was the sound she had heard earlier, right before turning the time turner. Hermione relaxed upon the realisation that she wouldn't come to investigate, because she hadn't done so earlier.

"Get off me, dirty Mudblood", came a muffled voice from underneath her. All Hermione did, was tighten the grip around her mouth however. Bellatrix struggled to break free, but to no avail, Hermione had pinned her to the floor. She could feel Bellatrix's stomach rising and sinking with every breath. An annoying little tingle started to form in Hermione's abdomen. She pushed it away though, and listened carefully for any steps. When she was certain Past Hermione had disappeared, she relaxed and let out a tiny breath she didn't realise she'd been holding in. Then she turned her attention to the struggling pureblood beneath her.

"Listen, Bellatrix. I will tell you everything, but not right now. We have to find a safer place first. Follow me." Hermione got up from the ground and began her stride out to the schoolgrounds. To her great surprise, Bellatrix followed her silently through hallways and down stairs. She didn't utter a word the whole journey, but kept her haughty walk and dignity all the way out, even though Hermione was careful in her choice of corridors, always avoiding people even if that meant taking detours. The brunette kept her pace up, managing to stay five steps ahead of the deatheater at all times. After a while, it started to feel as though she was being observed. When glancing back at Bellatrix, she quickly became aware that that's exactly what she was, which in turn made her walk even faster. A nagging feeling grew inside Hermione's stomach.

They made their way outside through one of the less used exits. The cold air immediately grasped at Hermione's lungs and scraped at her throat uncomfortably. A sea of mist came creeping down from over the hills. There was total silence outside, not one person could be seen in miles distance. Hermione suspected the battle went on inside, and perhaps, by now, it was already over. She felt a sting of bad conscience root itself at the pit of her stomach. She had abandoned her friends and left them to suffer alone, my god what kind of person does that?! And all for this one, cruel woman who doesn't care whether I live or die (preferably die, in fact). The brunette shivered at the thought and hurried along the path to the Whomping Willow.

"Where are we going, Muddy?" yelled Bellatrix from fifty feet behind, obviously not caring whether they were caught. Hermione quickly hushed her, and avoided answering. She would soon see for herself.

"Immobulus", whispered Hermione, while waving her wand, as soon as the Whomping Willow came into view. It froze immediately, to Hermione's great relief, and she continued hurriedly towards the familiar opening beneath the tree's roots. She remembered, all too well, how Ron had been dragged down there by Sirius Black in the shape of his animagus in her  third year at Hogwarts. She was anxious to get into safety and therefore, with a deep inhale, Hermione quickly entered the hole and slipped into the darkness.

The landing was just as painful as she remembered. She was just about to stand up and dust off her clothes, when a dark clad figure came crashing into her at full speed from behind. Hermione flew three feet into the cave, hitting her head against the floor while small stones dug uncomfortably into her skin. Bellatrix sat on top of her with a smug grin plastered across her face.

"Oh, sorry, sweetie. I couldn't see the difference between you and the mud", said Bellatrix in a sickeningly sweet voice while elegantly climbing off a dirty Hermione. The brunette rolled her eyes and grunted as she pushed herself off of the dirt.

"At least you aren't as harsh as your cousin used to be in his dog form", Hermione said under her breath, continuing down the path. Bellatrix turned quiet after that and followed Hermione in silence. It took about five minutes before Hermione caught a glimpse of the ladder that led up to the shack. Suddenly a pale hand pushed her harshly away.

"I want to go first, Muddy." Hermione just rolled her eyes and let her pass. Something seemed off about the older witch though. Her comment lacked the poisonous sting all her comments usually carried. Hermione thought no more of it and watched as she climbed the ladder and then lifted the trapdoor carefully, listening for any sounds. There were none, so Bellatrix climbed through as gracefully as a cat and Hermione followed suit. As soon as she closed and secured the trapdoor again, a coldness creeped into her bones. The room was dark and felt like the inside of a refrigerator. Hermione shivered and turned her head to glance at Bellatrix. But Bellatrix wasn't there.

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