Okay so this is my first proper fanfic, so go easy on me!

I have never written anything that has even a semblance of a plot before - in fact, my speciality is things with a spectacular lack of plot - so constructive criticism will be greatly appreciated!

Also, although this story is definitely Bellamione, it is going to be a slow build up - just a pre-warning.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Prologue:

She came to with pain still radiating throughout her body, which only became worse when she tried to move. She groaned with the effort and the sound echoed, filling her with a sense of dread and realisation as it bounced off of the walls. The events of the past few hours flashed through her mind and settled sickeningly on one particular moment – a woman pinning her to the ground with a knee in her chest and her arm being agonisingly branded with an ironically non-magical weapon. Mudblood.

Wandless… defenceless… she was at Malfoy Manor.

Fear allowed her to push past her pain long enough to sit up and she slowly took in her surroundings. A dank basement room, completely bare except for the bars which contained her. She wondered if this was where Harry and Ron had been.

Harry and Ron.

Her memories came flooding back to her once more. Bellatrix had grabbed her roughly as her friends disarmed the Malfoys, pressing the blade against her throat. From there, everything had happened so quickly that it felt like it had been a dream trying to recall it. The chandelier falling and her being thrown away from the other witch and into the arms of Ron. Just as the group came together to allow Dobby to apparate them, Bellatrix lunged at them and grabbed the nearest person – Hermione. A split second later she hit the ground and her friends were gone.

Silence had filled the air in the seconds that followed the deafening crack; and then suddenly the room erupted with furious shouting and uncontrollable sobbing. The last thing she saw was a frenzied Narcissa pushing Draco from the room – and then darkness.

So they had escaped. And she was left here – to what end she had no idea. She felt tears come but she swallowed them. There was no point in crying. She needed to get out of here – and soon.

Unfortunately, when she attempted to move, she fell back against the wall, gasping for air. Her body didn't want to comply, and she was in no fit state to fight.

It was the rattling of the lock being opened that woke her next, and she turned over to see who it was.

Draco mumbled the incantation several times before it worked, and she could see him trembling.

"Malfoy," She said croakily.

His head snapped up and he met her eyes, a look of terror on his face which he quickly endeavoured to hide.

"How long have I been here?" She asked, getting to her feet shakily. He was breathing deeply as he approached her and he continued to ignore her.

Once again, as he muttered an incantation to bind her hands, the wand he was using failed him. He swore, looking distressed, and Hermione saw her chance. She pushed him backwards with the intent of running past him, but his strength far outstripped hers and he grabbed her wrist before she could get away.

"Don't." He said softly. She was shocked to find that his voice held no aggression; he seemed to be advising her rather than threatening.

"Why are you tying me up? What are you doing with me?"

Draco sighed as his spell finally worked and Hermione found herself bound.

"You're being moved. You've been here for a few days, but you need some of your injuries treated."

"Where? Treated? Why would you help me?" There was a silence and Draco refused to meet her eyes.

"She… she wants you… alive."

"What?"

"She needs you alive." He repeated blankly. Then he pointed the wand at her shakily and finally met her eyes. Before everything went black once more, she saw him mouth 'sorry'.