Chapter 1

Hermione sat with her back against the cold stone wall, curled up with her knees to her chest. The tears had stopped hours ago but her breath still came out hitched as she stared at her bound hands. She closed her eyes and imagined a familiar green eyed face, scared that if she didn't remember him frequently, she would forget – forget his laugh, forget his smile, even forget his damned lightning shaped scar. It had been a year. A year since his death meant the end of the war. A year since Lord Voldemort took over Wizarding England. A year since she had become a fugitive running for her life. But she wasn't running anymore; she was caught.

She never thought she would be caught the way she was, attempting to steal a loaf of bread from a cart in Hogsmeade. She had known it was stupid, but she was desperate. She was starving and her glamour charms had never failed her. She knew she would never be recognized. And she wasn't. But she was caught stealing and after a few hours her charm wore off so here she was, in a cell, awaiting the auction.

The auction – the punishment to muggleborns and blood traitors alike. Lord Voldemort stripped them of all their titles and property, took their homes and took their livelihood. But, then came the problem of homelessness, begging, poverty. So, the auction was the solution, sell the problem to the loyal purebloods as slave labor and his government receives money as a "transaction fee" from wealthy purebloods to stock the treasury. Out of sight, out of mind.

"Mudblood, to your feet." A rough voice said as the door to the cell swung open. "It's your turn." She whimpered as he grabbed her by her arm and hoisted her on to her feet. "Move along now." He said as he pushed her roughly through the entrance.

Hermione squinted as she walked into the hallway, the lights far brighter than they were in her cell. She looked down to see her bare feet and ripped pants moving along a floor that went from stone to hardwood within a few feet. She turned a corner and was confronted by the shouts of hundreds of people as she was pushed again towards the stage. She staggered up the steps, practically blinded by the lights on the stage. She was stopped by a hand and she stood, her head bowed, looking over the heads of people sneering at her.

"Ah, and here we are, our last and most valuable item." The auctioneer said as she stood there, a strong hand firmly around her arm. "Hermione Granger, member of the so-called 'golden trio' that attempted to stop our most gracious and powerful Lord." The crowd broke out in mocking laughter, pointing at the girl ahead of them. "Since this is the most infamous mudblood of them all, the bidding shall start at 100,000 galleons."

Hermione watched as wands shot up in the air, the bidding quickly rising to 500,000 then 750,000 galleons. She shuddered at the thought of what she we would be put through as a slave to some of these households.

Finally as the bid hit a million galleons, a shout rang through the room, "2 million galleons." The room fell quiet as the bidder started to make his way through the crowd. The crowd parted for him as he strolled through the room. Hermione could barely control the urge to wretch when she saw who was coming towards the stage.

"Mis…Mister Malfoy…did I hear you correctly? Did you just bid 2 million galleons?" The auctioneer stuttered at the sight of Draco Malfoy. Hermione had remember reading that out of all the purebloods, the Malfoys had made out on top. Between Narcissa declaring Harry dead and Draco letting the Death Eaters into the castle, they were the favorites in the new regime. No one would dare bid against him.

Draco sneered as he looked at the auctioneer. "Are you deaf, sir? Yes, 2 million galleons, paid upfront…for the mudblood." He said as he nodded in her direction. "You know….for my collection."

Hermione shuddered as she heard him speak. Yes, his collection. She had heard that Draco Malfoy had been collecting his old Hogwarts classmates as slaves. The rumors were that it was either for retribution at the DA for making a fool out of him or because of his general hatred for Harry, or perhaps both. She had even heard that it was because he enjoyed showing his former classmates how high he had risen. Hermione had no doubt she would be the newest item in his collection.

"Yes, of course, Mister Malfoy." The auctioneer said, hitting his gavel against his podium, giving no one else time to continue bidding. "Winner for 2 million galleons, Mr. Draco Malfoy!"

She had time to watch his face turn into his infamous smirk before she was shoved forward, an indication that she should start walking if she didn't want to end up face down in the dirt. She scowled as she was shoved again towards the stairs and down towards her new "owner."

"Granger," he sneered as she approached him. "So nice to see you again."

She looked away from him, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing her fear. "Ah, I see you're quieter than you used to be. Apparently even know-it-alls can learn something new after all. Let's go." He ordered as a man stepped up and grabbed her by the arm.

The feeling of side-along apparition startled her and she found herself on her knees when they landed. "Tsk tsk tsk, I thought it would be harder than that to get you on your knees. At least you're learning your place in the world." Draco shook his head mockingly. "Put her with the others." He barked at his servant. He looked at her one more time and this time Hermione looked up to meet his eyes. "Enjoy your stay." He said sarcastically, yet she could tell the sarcasm didn't quite reach his eyes. He turned before she could finish her thought and she was grabbed roughly and put on her feet.

"In here" the man grunted while shoving her forward. She looked around and noticed she was in a dungeon with stone floors and walls, bars going from ceiling to floor. A door opened before her and she was shoved so hard through the door that she stumbled and fell. She was caught by another person as she heard the door slam behind her.

"Hermione?" A dreamy voice said as Hermione looked up into bright blue eyes.

"Luna?" Hermione exclaimed as she scrambled to her feet. "Is it really you?"

"Is that Hermione I hear?" A voice from what sounded like the cell next door shouted. "Is it really you?"

Hermione spun around and sprinted towards the bars. "Neville?" She returned.

"Yes! And Seamus as well!" He called back, excitement evident in his voice. "I'm so glad you're alive!"

Hermione hadn't seen Neville in over 2 months and Luna in 6. She hadn't seen Seamus since the Battle at Hogwarts. She took a deep breath relived that some of her friends were still alive.

"Oi! Cho is here too as well as Ginny! They're working right now, but they'll be right glad to see you here!" Seamus called out.

Hermione turned around as she felt a hand on her shoulder. "We've been waiting for you, Hermione. The nargles told me that you would show up soon. We have much to tell you." Luna smiled at her the way only Luna could and she felt a calm wash over her. One she hadn't felt since Harry was alive. One she wasn't sure she'd ever feel again. There was a reason she was here. There was a reason all her friends were here. She'd just have to figure out what that reason was.

A/N: Yes, a new story. This is the reason I started writing again. A story that popped into my head. Tell me what you think of the first chapter, please! Reviews make me feel encouraged. :) ~Chrissy