Breaking Hermione

The Decoy

Hermione

"I need to get out of here." I said suddenly. I felt terrible, and being trapped in this hidden room with the source of my panic wasn't exactly helping.

Tom, who was now sitting opposite me on one of the comfortable arm rests, leant back, face an indescrutable mask. I knew Tom well enough now to know that his anger was building up inside of him like a dam, fit to burst.

"Then leave." He said coldly.

"But the door-"

"The door is open. Turn around."

I turned, and as I did so an ornate door materialized in the wall.

I wasted no time. I walked towards it quickly, my heart thudding loudly in my ears. It didn't matter about my feelings right now. All I knew was that Tom was dangerous when he was angry, and that was more than enough motivation for me to open the door and slip out of the room.

...into darkness.

There was nothing but darkness.

I froze, uncomprehending and thinking very quickly- the School hall I was expecting to see wasn't there.
I knew that whatever was going on had no one but Tom to blame. Trust him to fuck with me. Instead of turning back, I stepped forward, dragging the door closed behind me and perfecting the vision of blinding darkness.

I drew my wand from my sleeve.

"Lumos."

No light. Nothing.

I tried again.

"Lumos maxima."

Of course the darkness was thick, hanging in the air like a weighted blanket over me obstructing all Magic. What the hell was Tom trying to achieve here?

On the other side of the door, I couldn't hear anything. Tom was silent. I knew he was standing out there on the other side of the darkness waiting for me to come crawling back to him. What did he think I'd do?Scream and cry? I thought through the situation, weighing my options.

I was screwed but I wasn't going to admit that to myself. Or Tom, for that matter.

I felt around blindly. I knew it would be useless attempting to lock the door behind me, because within 3 seconds flat Tom would have it unlocked.

I automatically reached for the necklace Tom had given me, and pulled it off. Instantly, I felt different, I placed it on the ground beside my right foot. On the other side of the door, I heard footsteps approach slowly, as if in response to my action.

As if Tom had felt what I had done.

Quickly I plunged my hand into my beaded bag and grabbed Harry's invisibility cloak. Pointing my wand directly at myself I focused all of my mind power on a concealment charm. I had practised many in the Forest of Dean when I was on the run with Ron and Harry. I had taught myself Magic into the late hours of the morning, feverishly plowing through almost all the contents of every book I picked up every night, only retiring back to sleep when I was satisfied I had leant something new. Knowledge was power, and I knew that I could only fight Tom with my mind this time.
I had no emotion left to spare, I was drained.
I threw the gossamer cloak over myself, wand in my hand and pointing directly ahead toward the door.

I waited. Tom was creeping closer, slow enough to make me almost dizzy with fear. No matter what, he truly was a terrifying man. I could never predict him, which sometimes felt like the worst thing about him. Like walking through an open field filled with mines about to detonate.