Disclaimer: I own nothing

Alright, guys. I just got a quick little inspiration for this story. Once again, work has gotten in the way, and I finally made time to sit down and write. This one might be a bit short, but I promise, once I get a better work schedule, that the chapters will get better.

So, without further ado, here is the next chapter. :)

Love always,

Avoline

Draco set the clipboard on the desk in his office. Hermione's case was getting more difficult the more he tried to get information out of her. He was grasping straws at this point, and was praying one of the Weasley's would give him something to go on.

He sighed and shook his head. They probably wouldn't want to speak to him. Even if it meant saving Hermione's life.

"Sir?" He looked up to see Evelyn, a new intern, standing at his door. "George Weasley is here to speak to you." He breathed a sigh of relief as he rose from his chair.

George was the only one who he felt was completely honest with him. Percy still acted as though they were back at Hogwarts; Bill was cordial, but still hesitant; Charlie was a scarce sight; Ginny still didn't trust him. Draco needed that honesty right now.

"Ferret," George greeted as the blond man neared. Draco managed a smile at the familiar nickname. He had learned to accept the moniker after Fred's death, when George spent months not speaking to anyone.

"George," he answered. "How are you holding up?" George smiled, something that was rare even to his own family. Draco was honored to be one of the few to see it anymore.

"Doing better," came the reply. "Thanks for asking. I'm sure you're needing info on 'Mione." Draco nodded and lead the still grieving man to his office. "To be honest, Malfoy, I can't tell you who she's been with lately. She was staying with me and Angelina at the flat after Ron's..." The duo fell silent.

"But then she disappeared," Draco guessed. George nodded.

"She won't tell us who it is, and we rarely see her anymore. But when we do, she's covered in bruises and cuts. Every once in a while, she'll be nursing a broken arm or a sprained wrist." He collapsed into a chair and took a shaky breath. "I wish I knew who was behind it, Draco. It's getting worse, and now this." His pleading blue eyes met Draco's steel gaze. "Please, you have to help her. Take her home with you, keep her here for good, just don't let her go back to that monster."

"I've already made arrangements with my father," Draco informed. "She'll be staying with me. She doesn't know yet, so stay quiet. Potter's going to escort her to the Manor." George nodded and closed his eyes.

"I wish I could be more help," he whispered.

"You still can be," Draco assured. "She'll open up to you. She trust you. See if you can just happen to get a name out of her without her knowing." The red-head nodded.

"I'll try, Malfoy," he muttered. "If it means she'll be safe again." Draco nodded and lead the fearful man to her room.

He still had a lot of work to do.

Draco apparated just in front of the manor, landing smoothly on his feet. His brow knitted together at the sight of a note stuck to the front doors.

"Maybe George found something out," he murmured under his breath. He reached for the parchment, and knew instantly it wasn't from George.

Keep interfering, and I'll do to you what I should have done to her. -CM

Draco yanked the door open and ran for his father's study. Whoever was harming Hermione knew, and was determined to keep his identity a secret. He didn't even knock on the oak door, trotting to the mahogany desk and sliding the letter into Lucius's line of vision.

"He knows," he gasped. "He knows I'm investigating, and he knows I'm treating Hermione." Lucius read over the note, shaking his head as he did so.

"But how," he questioned.

"I don't know," the younger man answered. "We need to put wards up, and soon. He's pissed, and he's out for blood." Lucius nodded and rose from his seat.

"Then lets get to it. Bring her here tomorrow."