Prologue
Hermione lay on the cold floor of Malfoy Manor. Her body still convulsing slightly from the cruciatus curse. Her muddled mind wondered why the human body was designed to feel pain like that. What possible purpose could it serve to hurt so badly death would be a relief? Blood seeped from her nose and ears, and she could feel the wet warmth in her jeans where her bladder had released. Her throat was raw and she realized that the screams she’d heard were coming from her. Was she still screaming? Hermione turned her head away as Bellatrix pinned her arm against the stone. She felt her sleeve get pushed up and closed her eyes. She didn’t think she could handle any more pain.
The magic was like an electric current, it reached out into the room around Hermione, desperately trying to find a way to shield her. She opened her eyes and her gaze met Draco’s. She could feel his magic around him. It was cool, like stepping into a stream barefoot in the springtime.
Bellatrix continued cutting into the tender flesh of her arm, but Hermione could no longer feel the pain. It was like she’d been doused in cool water, and the blade was nothing more than a tingle. The fire in her nerves snuffing out.
Draco didn’t look away. His hand curled into a tight fist at his side. He could feel the sheer power of their combined magic flowing through him. If he could stop her torture, she could take his magic for all he cared. After this, did he even deserve it?