A/N: Hello! This is going to be my first multi-chapter story. I have a few one-shots posted but that's all so far... I'm curious to see what you readers think so please, please, please leave a review... If I know someone likes my story, it will motivate me to update faster. *evil grin*

There won't really be specific update times for this... I post stuff when I finish it and some characters come more naturally than others (my fellow writers get this) so if it takes a while to update, have patience please.

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything but the plot and an OC if I end up using any.

Now, without further ado

Prologue:

Draco felt weak in the knees. Her screams pierced his heart. Bellatrix's carving knife hovered centimeters from Hermione's arm. He focused on the knife and willed with all his might for it to vanish. It didn't. Bella was at it again and Hermione screamed louder. He cringed. He could see letters carved into her arm. Mudblood. His psychotic aunt had carved that vile word into the witch's arm. It made him sick. All the times he'd called her that flitted through his mind. Hermione was crying, sobbing that the sword was fake. He admired the girl's strength. He could tell Hermione was in agony, but he also knew that she was lying.

When she lied, she thought carefully about the words. She hadn't spat out facts like a textbook since first year but she talked slower than usual when she lied. She turned her head to look at him. She mouthed 'Please´and his heart broke. Nodding infinitesimally, he silently cast a piece of ancient magic, the transfer dolor, or the pain transfer curse. He had an assignment from Carrow about unusual torture spells and he'd come across it. It was invented to help dying patients who were in pain. A family member or other volunteer could have the spell cast so patients could die in peace. He wasn't sure that he could cast it correctly. If he did it wrong, he would most likely be dead. The look on her face, the fear, the pain on such a beautiful face drove him to risk it.

As he cast the spell, Hermione's eyes widened slightly and he flinched. The pain was gone from her arm, he knew because he felt his own stinging and burning. He subtly grabbed the burning forearm with the opposite hand. She was still watching him. He needed to get them out of there, all of the prisoners. He had been living a lie for the last two years. As a child he'd thought the world of his father. That had stopped when he'd seen the man torture a six year old little girl. Potter had to win this war, he couldn't go on like this. Bella sent him to fetch the goblin from the cellar. As he approached, he heard Potter whispering.

"Please Griphook, you have to lie. She must think that sword is fake."

Apparently they can hear us. He waited until the other wizard finished speaking before telling everyone to line up against the wall. When he went in he looked from Potter to Weasley, then at the ceiling where over to them, where Hermione was. Pulling out his wand, he swept it over each occupant of the cellar, healing them as best he could. Potter, Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Dean Thomas, Ollivander, and Griphook. He turned to the goblin.

"Account Manager Griphook, my insane aunt wishes to speak to you. It's about the sword. She needs to think that it's fake, or innocent people, and most likely goblins, will die. I am to escort you up there," He felt a sting on his cheek and heard Hermione screamed again. He winced, even knowing she felt no pain her screams were enough to break him. He turned to the now gaping Potter and Weasley. "Call Dobby to get you out." He whispered urgently, leaving the room with Griphook.

"I'm truly sorry about this, Account Manager Griphook." he whispered.

"It seems you've changed, Young Mr. Malfoy."

"Too little too late." Draco murmured. He escorted the goblin into the drawing room. He watched, rubbing his arm, as Bellatrix interrogated Griphook. Draco nearly sighed in relief when he told her it was fake. An idea struck him. He stepped forward.

"Aunt Bella, shall I take the Mudblood to the cellar?" Bellatrix looked at him and nodded. The crazy woman, taking extra care to step on Hermione's fingers, dragged the younger witch over to Draco by the hair. The platinum blonde bit his lip and tasted blood as he felt her fingers break and her hair pull. Hermione yelped. It was very convincing. Dropping Hermione at his feet, Bella went to talk with his father. He pulled out his wand and pointed at her, plastering a cruel smirk on his face when she flinched, an actual flinch, but really it made him sick.

"Petrificus Totalus. Mobilicorpus." He froze her muscles to keep her from flopping around. As she rose, he was hit with a wave of nausea from her. After she was in the air, he marched out of the room. The door thudded closed behind him. He lowered Hermione to the ground, put a hand on her arm so she wouldn't fall, and unpetrified her. She stumbled slightly. He steadied her. Keeping a hand on her elbow and his other arm around her shoulders, they began walking again, very slowly as he was practically carrying her. Pain or no, blood loss still made you weak and dizzy.

"Malfoy, what did you do?" she asked softly, confusion marring her pretty face.

"I don't know what you mean Hermione." he replied smoothly. Suddenly, she grabbed her hair and pulled. He hissed in pain.

"That. I mean that." They were nearing the cellar.

"No time. If we all survive I'll explain later. When we get in here, call for Dobby, stun me, and get out. I'm going to summon your wands. And Granger," he added, careful to use her surname, He'd slipped up last time. "I'm sorry for calling you a mudblood."

"Apology accepted but Malfoy, you have some explaining to do." she said. So stubborn, it was one of the many reasons he loved her.

"The plan. Do you know what you're doing? Stun me, get out."

"Okay, but I refuse to let you leave your spell in place. You can't keep feeling my pain once I'm gone. You need to cast the counter." she replied. He couldn't do that. Then she'd be in pain.

"No. Not until you're healed. In can't heal your arm, it was a cursed blade. Only potions will heal that."

"Your spell doesn't stop me from bleeding!" she argued.

"No." he snapped. "It stops you from hurting." She gaped at him. He thought quickly.

"Potter and Weasley can stun you and then I can cancel the spell." she nodded grudgingly. "When we get in here, I'll tell Potter the plan and they'll stun us and go." They reached the cellar and saw Dobby leave with Dean, Luna, and Ollivander. He turned to Potter. "I'm going to summon your wands. Stun Granger, let me cancel my spell, stun me, and get out." he remembered something. "Disarm me as well. Once you're safe, send Dobby back for Griphook."

"Why are you calling all the shots, Malfoy?" Weasley demanded as he accio'd the wands.

"Shut up Ron," the other two members of the Golden Trio chorused. Potter nodded at him.

"Granger, shall I stun you or do you want Potter to do it?" he asked her.

"Go ahead." she replied. "Goodbye, Draco." she added quietly. His stomach did a funny little dance when she said his name.

"Stupefy." she fell. He reached out and caught her. "Tolle tibi retro dolor." The pain in this arm, scalp, and fingers faded.

"Heal her before you wake her. Use blood replenisher, dittany, and skin-knitting potion on her arm and cheek. If she's lucky it won't scar." He carefully healed her fingers.

Just then, the wands burst through the wall. Potter snatched them from the air. Draco passed Hermione to Weasley.

"Thanks Malfoy." Potter murmured. "Expelliarmus," his wand flew through the air.

"Keep it." Draco told him. "You need it more than I do. It will be suspicious if you leave it." Potter nodded. Draco motioned for Harry to continue. With a muttered spell from the green eyed boy, the world went black.

A/N #2: So I need help titling the story... the one I chose is just a place holder... All used ideas will be credited so if you guys could give me a hand...

A/N #2.5: The first chapter is up too! R&R please!