Can't run from time

Carefully, Hermione ventured into the Forbidden Forest. As she approached, she saw a semicircle of boys in black cloaks, each wearing a mask. A shiver ran down her spine as she recognized a few from their voices. These were the first Death Eaters. At the front of the assembly stood Tom, his distinctive green cloak setting him apart. Hermione held her breath, observing the scene unfolding before her.

The forest fell into silence as the Death Eaters awaited Tom's words. Hermione saw a glint of red in Tom's eyes causing a churning in her stomach, and the memory of Voldemort casting the killing curse at her flashed through her mind. Overwhelmed, she sank to her knees and zoned out for a moment, struggling to focus.

Amid her haze, she caught fragments of Tom's address to the Death Eaters. He referred to them as his Knights and spoke about plans for another meeting the following evening. However, his words seemed inconsequential, mainly discussing news articles and asking for updates. Hermione found it ironic how he addressed them as Knights, as if they were heroes, while knowing the darkness that lurked behind their masks.

Hermione remained on her knees, feeling the chill of the forest seeping into her bones. Her mind urged her to return to the warmth and safety of her bedroom, considering the pointlessness of staying. However, she dared not move, knowing that the slightest noise could alert Tom to her presence. The red in his eyes had revealed the monster within.

She sat on her knees for what felt like hours. Her knees begged her to change positions but she didn't dare move. One noise and he could kill her... she knew he could do it. The red in his eyes showed the monster that she knew. She felt tired and thought this meeting was pointless. Her mind begged her to go back to the warmth of her bedroom. Just then, she was broken from her thoughts when all of the boys kneeled before tom. They all said in Unison "My lord" before heading back to the castle in groups of three. Hermione sighed. Finally.

She cautiously changed her seating position and stayed still. She would wait till they were all gone before moving from her safe position in a nearby bush.

Just as she was about to make her move, Tom's sudden shout startled her. "COME HERE FOR A MINUTE, AVERY!" The noise made her jump, and she realised there must have been a silencing charm around the area. She watched as a masked boy trudged reluctantly toward Tom and bowed. "Yes, my lord," he mumbled.

"You almost blew our cover a few days ago. A Ravenclaw asked about us, what we were up to, because you couldn't stop your babbling," Tom snarled. "No, I didn't—" Avery pulled off his mask, revealing the fear in his eyes.

"Maybe this will teach you to keep your trap shut!" Tom declared before casting the Cruciatus Curse on him. Avery's screams echoed through Hermione's ears, and she closed her eyes, praying for Tom to stop. But he didn't – the curse was performed over and over, four agonizing times before Tom finally healed Avery and sent him off.

Hermione watched as Avery attempted to run back to the castle but stumbled, limping across the field. A pang of sympathy washed over her despite the cruelty the Avery family shows in her time.