Each hooded, torch-bearing wizard fired a spell of dull blue light at the girl as she was hauled past them. They didn't seem to hurt her, but they made her pleading screams more and more tormented and urgent as each one hit her. Her shrieks resonated in the air, hanging there weirdly, as though the ritual was trapping them in place, harnessing the absolute fear in her wretched tone. Hermione could hardly bear to look towards the scene.