AN: Hey guys! This is just going to be a fairly short 3 part piece as a little bit of a breather from my main Attack On Titan story I'm working on right now. This is slightly AU and sets an alternative storyline for Malfoy through Deathly Hallows. Also I'd just like to say I completely love Ron and Hermione together but just wanted to write this. In this story Ron and Hermione have a completely platonic relationship. I hope you enjoy. I've rated it M to be safe as there's nothing graphic but there are adult scenes, scenes of torture, language etc. Please feel free to read, review etc. This fic was written listening to: Castle On The Hill – Ed Sheeran.

Castle On The Hill.

Chapter 1 – Prisoner

Malfoy screwed his eyes shut. He didn't want to watch anymore but he could still hear her screams. He wanted to make them stop. What was she doing to her? Malfoy shivered. He didn't want to know. No one deserved to be tortured like that. No one. Especially her. He clenched his fists to stop himself from flying across the room at his deranged aunt. He felt his mother's talons gripping tightly onto his shoulder. Granger was screaming. She was being so brave, she always had been. She was braver than he ever could be. He was a coward. He always had been. If he was any type of decent person he would be trying to stop this from happening. Oh how he wished he could. Oh how he wished he'd been that little bit braver all those years ago. But he wasn't Potter. And he most certainly wasn't Weasley. No matter how much he wanted to be he couldn't. Not ever.

He opened his pale grey-blue eyes hesitantly. He clenched his jaw his stomach twisting sickeningly at the sight. Bellatrix was leaning over her caging her beneath her body. She was like a rabbit caught in the jaws of a coyote. Granger had changed since he'd last seen her. She was still just as beautiful with her long, untamed brown mane and warm brown eyes. Those pink flushed cheeks and her pretty upturned nose smattered with freckles were the same as when he'd first met her all those years ago. But now there was a darkness behind her eyes. She'd seen things that she hadn't read about in books. Dark things. She'd matured. She was a woman now as opposed to a girl. Her skinny girlish frame had filled out into that of a woman. Her glassy eyes met his and they looked at him pleadingly. She needed someone to save her. And that would never be him. Not ever. He wasn't a hero. He was a villain.

He looked away from her guiltily his guts writhing. She'd always made him feel that way. Granger was the symbol of everything good and right in the world. Everything he wasn't. Everything he was supposed to find repulsive. But it was he that was repulsive. He was nothing compared to her. He couldn't save her. He couldn't even save himself. Potter and Weasley would come up with something. Well, a lot slower without Granger, but they would think of something down there.

His eyes trailed along her pale, slender forearm. Her perfect skin had been marked forever. Marked by an ugly, dark word. Mudblood. An ugly word he'd called her what felt like an entire life time ago. He wished he could have taken those words back. But he couldn't. It was too late for forgiveness.

He'd wanted to apologise to her so many times but they would only laugh at him. She would only glare at him with that hate filled look she reserved especially for him. He deserved it. He'd been taught to say those awful things. He truly had never meant any of them. He only wished to be accepted by his own father. He wanted him to be proud. Looking at his father now he wondered why he'd ever bothered. He was a ghost. Grey, drinking too much and a husk of his former self. Had he always been so small? Draco's pale blonde hair stood at least half a head above his now. Pathetic. Like father like son.

He wished he could have told her all those years ago how he really felt about her. He'd always admired her regardless of what vile words had spilled from his traitorous mouth. She was so smart, brave, fiery, and fearless. She was a hero. No matter how much his words should have stung her she never cried, not in front of him anyway. She was always so stubborn, so stoic. She had a beautiful laugh and a beautiful smile. One that he'd often admired from afar when she was messing about with Potter and Weasley. He hated that they got to see that smile every day up close. He loved the way two small frown lines would appear between her eyes as she concentrated on a book. He loved the way her hair would slowly frizz out around her face like a wispy halo as she stood over her cauldron. He loved the determined fire he'd seen in her eyes right before she'd burst his nose in third year. He loved everything about her. He'd given up trying to deny that long ago.

He wished he'd been brave enough to say those things out loud. Been brave enough not to care what his 'friends' or family would think about his feelings. He wished that things were different. That he was a different guy. He wished he wasn't a pure-blood, not a Malfoy, not a – death eater, it wouldn't matter. He could have loved her. If he'd been a better, more whole person he could have treated her right if she'd let him. But it was too late to think on that now. He was ugly and broken and the whole world was going to shit.

Stupid Potter leading her to this awful place he called home. He'd tried to cover for the idiot. He'd inwardly pleaded for Bellatrix to let them go. But Bella would never give up so easily. He heard a crack and little Dobby appeared with Potter and Weasley. He physically felt himself relax and sigh with relief. Good. They were here to rescue her to take her away from this awful place. Curses started to fly around the room. Draco dodged and half heartedly fired off a few in Potter's direction. He made his way closer to Hermione she was struggling to get to her feet. He held out his hand to her in the darkness and she looked him with a fearful, confused expression.

"Look Granger. Let's put all that playground shit behind us right now. There's a war going on. Let's get you out of here." He said quickly as he hauled her to her feet without waiting for her to answer.

He watched her brown eyes widen like orbs. He dropped her hand quickly. Her fingers were so warm and slender against his cool palm. He felt little volts of electricity travelling all over his body just from that simple touch. Well Draco, at least you finally had the balls to hold her hand before you died. Even if it meant nothing to her it, it meant everything to him. He pushed her gently over to Harry dodging curses and getting into a duel with Potter as he left her side. He wished he was going with them instead of staying in this place with these…'people'. Potter disarmed him and took his wand. He sighed. He'd given up. He didn't want to fight. He had nothing left. No pride, no integrity, no strength, no love in his heart.

Hermione was watching him. She'd never looked at him like that before. There was something else in her eyes that wasn't hate. In the middle of a battleground he felt his heart beat strongly in his chest. She was the reason he even felt barely alive. His pulse raced as she watched him as if trying to break him apart. Like a potion she was trying to find the components for. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Would ever see. Be safe Granger. Protect her well Potter and Weasley. Protect her like I would if I could. Her eyes softened on him and he wondered what she was thinking in that moment.

Then their moment was broken. Just before they disapparated with Dobby, Bellatrix lurched forwards and grabbed Hermione. No. Hermione winced in pain as Bella's fingernails dug into the raw flesh on her arm. Her thumbnail scarred a half moon above the 'M' of Mudblood. Draco wanted to kill his aunt. But he wasn't a hero. So he slunk back to the shadows helplessly as he watched Potter, Weasley, Lovegood, Griphook and Ollivander blurring as they disapparted. Bellatrix flung Hermione to the floor. She still wasn't crying. Her lip was bleeding. He hated seeing her like this. She was going to die. And he would have to watch. His heart sank. He felt sick.

"Draco…why don't you take our new little pet down to the dungeon. They'll be back for her. And we'll be ready." She said with her dark, wicked grin.

Malfoy tried to keep a cool head even though his heart was racing. Please don't make him do anything to her he pleaded.

"And if he doesn't come back?" Asked Lucius as his fingers shook around his goblet.

Bellatrix smirked.

"He will. Little Potter's got a soft spot for this one. Pretty for a little mudblood." She said as she grabbed Hermione's jaw roughly.

Hermione squirmed as she sat on the floor as Bellatrix leant over her. She looked up at her with a defiant fire in her eyes. Draco had to fight a smile as he watched Bellatrix shrink back slightly. That's it Granger. Don't give up yet. He felt a twinge at the mention of Harry. It was true him and Weasley were closest to her and by now one of them was probably dating her if they had any sense. He envied them. Hermione wasn't meant for him. She was good and whole. This was the way it should be. But it still hurt to think of her with someone else. He really was pathetic. As if she'd even think of you for a second, unless it was to hate you.

Lucius coughed urgently and looked between Draco and Hermione pointedly. Malfoy nodded as his heart raced. Make it convincing. Make it look like you're hurting her but be gentle. He walked over to her with that perfectly practised cool sneer. She was burning through the ice in his eyes with her wild fire. He grabbed the top of her arm careful not to grip too tightly and hauled her to her feet. She was struggling against him and Draco tried to communicate with his eyes. Come on Granger use your head. I don't want to hurt you. He watched her eyes widen slightly. That look again.

"Maybe you can get her to spill a few secrets Draco. She is an old school chum of yours isn't she?" Said Bellatrix with a scheming smile.

Draco froze. No. He wouldn't hurt her. He turned to her and nodded quickly before he led Hermione down the stairs. Her squirms were getting stronger and he was losing his grip on her.

"Get off me Malfoy!" She shouted as she wrenched her arm free. She ran from him.

Malfoy smiled darkly. See. All she'll ever want to do is run from you. You did that. She already ran from you once you pathetic excuse for a human being.

He caught up to her quickly and grabbed her wrists pressing her against the wall. She stared up at him defiant and breathless. She was too beautiful this close. He couldn't even think straight. He could smell the perfume she used. The one he'd smelled coming from that cauldron of amortentia all those years ago.

"Granger. I won't hurt you all right. I know you won't believe me but I meant what I said earlier."

Hermione struggled against his grip and she looked in his eyes expecting the cold icy eyes she knew. His eyes had changed. He had changed. Draco was more man than boy. His white blonde hair was falling onto his forehead. His face was beyond pale, beneath his eyes were heavily shadowed. They looked almost like bruises. He wasn't sleeping. He had a scruff of blonde hairs across his cheeks and pointed chin. He had grown very handsome even she had to admit that. Something about him had softened. Even his voice didn't have that same venom anymore.

"I'm going to let you go now." He said.

Hermione's eyes widened. His voice was so soft. Those cold eyes were so gentle. They almost looked warm in this dim light.

"Aren't you going to torture me?" She asked.

Malfoy shook his head as he let her go. He expected her to run again but she stood perfectly still before him.

"I think I did enough of that back in school." He said with a tight smile.

Hermione's eyes widened. What had happened to the Malfoy she knew? This Malfoy made her feel strange. Where there had once been hate for him there was now pity.

"You need to get out of here…I have an idea." He said as he lost himself in his thoughts.

"Why are you being nice to me?" Asked Hermione quietly.

Malfoy shrugged.

"I'm not a hero like you. I'm a coward. But I'm tired of being everyone's little puppet. I'm making a decision of my own. And I want to get you out of here."

Hermione's eyes narrowed as she watched him looking for any hint of a lie. Her mouth opened as she realised for possibly the first time in her life Draco Malfoy was being honest.

"Why?" She asked with an incredulous look on her face.

"Because I figure that evil never wins over good. And if good has any hope of succeeding you need to get out of here. It's not too late for me to do something at least a little bit heroic."

Hermione swallowed as she watched his sad smile. Who was this person standing before her? She'd thought she'd known him. But as she stood here in the cold cell she realised she didn't know him at all. The thought chilled her to the bone. She wrapped her arms around herself. This was too weird.

She was looking at him really strangely. His heart was racing. He noticed how cold she looked. He shrugged out of his suit jacket and placed it gently around her shoulders. She raised her face to his and he felt like his heart was going to leap from his chest. She was so close surely she could hear it? Please don't hear it he pleaded.

Their faces were so close together. Hermione didn't know what to say or why her pulse was racing like that. She'd only been that close to him once before. In fifth year with mistletoe and his fingers tangled in her hair. She blushed at the memory.

"Come on. We need to hurry." Said Malfoy breaking the odd moment that had passed between them.

He quickly walked to the back of the cell motioning for her to follow. Hermione held his coat around her tighter. It smelled like him. That smell… She blushed. It was his cologne. It was warm and spicy. Like firewhisky. Like…amortentia. She blushed. For reasons she couldn't or wouldn't admit and beyond her own common sense Hermione began to follow him.

"I have no idea why I'm trusting you Malfoy." She muttered.

Malfoy smiled.

"Not much choice have you Granger? Unless you want to go back to being a prisoner?"

Hermione watched the smile on his pale lips. He looked so different when he smiled. Younger, more handsome. It wasn't a smirk. It was a smile. His smile made her stomach flip. Was she losing her mind? Yes. She was.

She rolled her eyes and followed after him. He took the ring off his finger and pressed it against the wall. Hermione gasped. A secret passage.

Malfoy was running beside her as they weaved through cold, dark passages before entering into the damp night air. They weaved through maze like hedges in the extensive Malfoy gardens. He took her right to the gates. She could apparate from beyond them.

"Alright Granger neither of us have wands so we have to do this the old fashioned way." He said as he crouched over making a foothold for Hermione with his hands. Hermione's eyes widened. If she hadn't been so afraid she would have laughed.

"You expect me to climb over this fence?!" She asked indignantly.

Malfoy couldn't help but smile at her expression.

"Well do you have any better ideas? You can apparate beyond this gate. The whole thing is enchanted and charmed with protections but not for climbing. He only protected it against witches and wizards why would he care if a few daft muggles try to get over?" He asked.

Hermione pondered for a moment before nodding. He was right. Florence watched Malfoy closely. Why had he done this for her? It was so dangerous. What did he gain from this? Was it a trick?

"What will happen to you?" She asked.

Malfoy grimaced but his mouth opened slightly in surprise at her question. Why did she care?

"I'll escape with my life if I beg him and Auntie Bella."

"Come with me." She blurted out.

Hermione blushed and Malfoy looked at her as if she'd grown two heads.

"Granger did you get hit with a confundus or something?" He asked with a calculated grin.

But inside his heart was racing and he felt like the happiest man alive. She'd asked him to go with her willingly. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined she would ask him that.

She shook her head.

"Look Malfoy you're a prick and I don't trust you-"

"Well Granger you flatter me-"

"But. I owe you my life. If what you've told me tonight is true then come with me. Fight with us. Help us win. It's not too late to be a hero." She said.

Malfoy was taken aback by her frankness. Oh how he wanted to go with her. To protect her. But it was too late.

"I appreciate the sentiment Granger but the weasel would kill me before I even got the chance to explain. And he'd be right to. It's too late for me. My place is here. This is my home. I belong here. And you belong with them. Go and save the world." He said gently.

Hermione felt heaviness settle on her heart. She didn't think she'd ever pity Malfoy. But watching him now. She knew she did. He was being forced into this life and now he'd gone too far to turn back. He was right it wouldn't ever work. They'd spent too long being enemies. But he wasn't a coward he was wrong about that. She found she didn't want to leave him here with them. But what else could she do?

Hermione nodded and he helped her scale the gates.

"Ow. You're heavier than you look Granger."

Hermione gasped and resisted the urge to punch him in the face again.

"Watch it Malfoy." She said as she hauled herself over the other side.

They stood just simply gazing at one another on opposite sides of the fence.

Malfoy smiled sadly.

"Take care Granger." He said awkwardly.

Hermione nodded.

"You too Malfoy. For what it's worth… I don't think you're a coward."

Malfoy watched the guilty flush spread across her face. It was beautiful. He felt so warm and fuzzy all over. Was this what it felt like to do something good? She deserved the truth. No matter how embarrassing that truth was. He would tell her. If he lived through this.

"Thanks Granger." He said with a nod.

Hermione turned from him and apparated.

Draco sighed and fell to his knees in the dewy grass. You are a coward Draco. You've been in love with a girl for seven years and you still didn't tell her. And now you're going to die. It was better that way. She'd never be tainted by the knowledge that someone like you loved her.