Setting: AU starting at the events in DH where the trio is caught and taken to the Manor, Harry and Ron are down in the cellar and Hermione has been tortured by Bellatrix (following the book, no 'mudblood' scar on her arm, although she does have a good size cut on her throat, without being fatal) . At the point of their capture, Ron and Harry have not destroyed the Locket Horcrux, instead rushing back to the tent to warm up. Afterward, none of them could decide how to destroy it so they continued to carry the locket and sword. When Dobby comes to rescue them, not everything went according to plan and Hermione was Disapparated with Bellatrix before the chandelier was dropped. They only Apparated to a different section of the Manor, while Dobby saved Ron, Harry, and Griphook. Because Bellatrix was no longer in the room, she didn't throw the knife and Dobby is assumed to be alive, although the story centers on Hermione and then Draco. As far as Voldemort is concerned, Draco completed his mission to kill Dumbledore and is highly regarded, not ill regarded like in the books (although Snape was still the one who actually killed Dumbledore, Draco got the credit). As far as Headquarters go, Grimmauld Place is still secure, it was not forfeited during the escape from the Ministry.

Hermione slowly opened her eyes, her limbs were unwilling to move, and pain radiated throughout her body. The room she was in was dark; there weren't any windows so she figured she must be back in the cellar. She groaned as she slowly sat up, fighting the wave of nausea and dizziness, and looked around for her friends. She felt a pull on her neck as she looked around and grimaced, reaching up to feel her neck. As her fingers found the cut, she felt a slight burning sensation from her dirty fingers. There was blood from the wound, she figured she must not have been out long if it was still fresh. Hermione pulled down the sleeve of her jacket over her hand and covered her neck with her palm to stop the bleeding.

Just then a door creaked open and light seeped into the room, silhouetting a pair of legs as they came down the old stairs. Hermione felt her heart start to race, she looked around desperately for something to use as a weapon.

"Don't bother Mudblood, there isn't anything but you down here," her captor spit out.

Recognizing the voice, she looked up into his eyes, unsure of what was to become of her.

"What do you want with me Malfoy?"

"You're coming with me, get up," he informed her, grabbing her arm and yanking her to her feet.

Hermione stumbled as she was towed up the stairs, feebly struggling against her former classmate's grip. Malfoy shoved her to the floor and stood back, blocking the doorway; quickly glancing around, she found herself back in the drawing room, only this time with more occupants in it.

"Well, it would seem as though the filthy Mudblood is awake again, she we continue where we left off?" Bellatrix cackled.

"Now, now Belletrix, let's give her some time," a low voice responded.

Hermione shivered at the voice, looking up to see Voldemort standing a few feet away. She was certain she was going to die. There was no way he'd let a Mudblood like her stay alive, especially when she was a friend of Harry. She just wondered how much torture she'd be put through before she was finally killed.

"Stand up!" Voldemort commanded.

Hermione steeled herself as she stood, she wasn't going to let them break her, no matter what they did to her. Lifting her chin, she stared the Dark Lord directly in the eye defiantly.

"Crucio"

Hermione opened her mouth in a silent scream, falling to her knees. Then the curse was lifted, she fell forward onto her hands, wondering what Voldemort was thinking. For some reason, the pain wasn't as excruciating as when Bellatrix was torturing her, but she knew it wasn't for a lack of empathy. Before she could give it any more thought, the Dark Lord spoke again

"Tell me, where did Harry Potter go?"

Hermione remained silent, not giving him anything, just sitting back on her heels.

"You speak when the Dark Lord asks you a question!" Bellatrix screeched, raising her wand threateningly.

Voldemort studied her for another moment, giving her a chance to speak, but it was obvious she was going to remain silent. He raised his wand and cursed her again, stronger this time. Hermione screamed out in pain this time, collapsing on the ground as the curse reverberated throughout her body. When he lifted the curse, Hermione panted, trying to catch her breath after screaming.

"Tell me!"

"I have no idea," Hermione gasped, not giving him the answer he wanted. As Voldemort raised his wand again, she reiterated, "I don't know, that's the whole idea."

"What does that mean Mudblood?" questioned Bellatrix as she strode over to the girl on the ground. She wrenched her to her feet, shaking her violently. "How could you not know where your precious friends went?"

"Ask that filthy creature over there where he found us," she spat out, looking over at Greyback.

Greyback growled and took a few steps towards her before Voldemort raised his hand to halt him.

"Answer Greyback."

"We found them in the woods, after they dared say your name. What does that have to do with anything?" Greyback snarled.

Everyone looked over at Hermione, waiting for her to explain. Bellatrix was starting to shake her again before she finally answered.

"We wander, so no one can find us. The only reason you did was because we made a mistake. We don't stay in specific places, nor for any amount of time. I couldn't take you back to where we were if I tried. So I can't tell you where Harry is, because I have no way of knowing." Hermione finally explained, satisfaction evident in her eyes.

Bellatrix let out an angry scream and backhanded Hermione, letting her fall to the ground, "Do you believe her my Lord?"

"She seems to be telling the truth. Even if she can't take us to Potter, she is still useful to us, I have plans for her. And I'm sure Potter would stop at nothing to try and get his little Mudblood back. Malfoy, step forward."

Hermione looked over as Lucius stepped forward, bowing his head.

"Not you Lucius, your son, Draco."

Lucius's face reddened as he stepped back and his son took his place.

"Yes my Lord?"

"You know this girl correct, she dared to learn magic at Hogwarts and performed better than any Purebloods?"

Malfoy's face flushed as he nodded his head, Hermione lifted her chin at that comment, they could never say she didn't deserve her magic.

"Well, since you've done so well these past few months, making up for your father's mistakes, I suppose you deserve a reward. I graciously give you this Mudblood, to use however you see fit. Teach her that a Mudblood can never be above a Pureblood," Voldemort hissed.

Hermione's eyes widened at his words, a slave, to Malfoy? There was no way she'd let that happen. She glared at Malfoy, standing up and preparing to launch herself at him. Suddenly she found herself back on the floor, bound with ropes, Bellatrix pointing her wand at her.

"Don't think you can escape here Mudblood, you belong here now," she sneered.

"T-thank you my Lord, this is very gracious of you," mumbled Malfoy.

Voldemort stepped closer to Hermione, Malfoy stepping up to her other side, holding out his hand. With a flick of Voldemort's wand, Malfoy's hand was cut open. Spreading some of the blood on his wand, Voldemort waved the wand over her bound body and called out a spell she'd never heard of, a strange numb feeling settling over her body. The sensation only lasted a moment, Malfoy pulling out his wand to heal his hand and clean off Voldemort's wand of his blood.

"You can unbind her now Aunt Bellatrix, she won't be going anywhere."

Hermione felt the ropes disappear from her body, she looked around, unsure why they were sure she couldn't escape. What was that spell Voldemort just cast, and why did it involve Malfoy's blood?

"Get up, off of the floor Mudblood. You've got things to do," Malfoy ordered her.

Hermione was about to give a nasty reply when she felt her body stand of its own accord. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Malfoy, wishing she could wipe the smirk off of his face. She wanted to curse him, hit him, do anything but her body would not move.

"Have fun with her Draco, you are dismissed for now, I need to have some words with my other followers here," Voldemort said, glaring at Greyback and Lucius.

"Come with me," Draco called over his shoulder, Hermione obediently following him. He led her out of the drawing room and up some stairs. "The entire second and third floors of the East Wing belongs to me, we won't be disturbed there," he informed her, a nasty smile on his face.