Disclaimer: I don't own it.

For my wonderful readers, especially those who review.

This chapter is in Hermione's POV. Remember this is an AU story.

The sound of a door being hit by the harsh winds woke Hermione up. She raised her hand over her forehead feeling something sticky there. She pulled her hand back. Blood. Dry Blood. Go figure. She had been hit over the head but couldn't remember why. She looked around the dimly lit room and gasped. It was a prison cell somewhere. She wasn't in prison though. She was sure of it.

"When do we ditch the dame?" She heard a voice from the hall and stood up slowly in pain. She limped towards the cell door and listened.

"Till we have what we need. Remember? We want her to get back at Harry Potter. The ransom is just a cover up."

"Why her though? She's a Mudblood?" The second voice answered. Hermione thought she recognized it but couldn't remember from what or where.

"That's exactly why Rookwood! She's close friends with Potter. He's who we want remember?" The first voice said. Rookwood, the name sounded familiar but she couldn't remember.

"But why, Dolohov?" Rookwrood asked.

"Idiot! How many times do I have to tell you? He killed the Dark Lord remember? We want revenge!" Dolohov said to his partner.

Dolohov, now that name triggered in her mind. She remembered! He fought in the Battle at the Ministry her fifth year. He hurt her really bad, almost killed her. It dawned on her she was in grave danger. She had to get out. She looked around for her wand, but couldn't find it. She scurried back to the corner of the wall hearing the former Death Eaters coming. Hermione pretended to be asleep again when they came upon her "cage."

"As soon as she wakes, we're to bring her to Lucius," Dolohov spoke to Rookwood.

"Why Lucius?"

"Have you been hit with a memory charm or something? You were there at the meeting!" Dolohov hit Rookwood across the face. Hermione heard the hand touch the face.

"Ouch," Rookwood stated as he rubbed his cheek.

"Lucius knows he can get through to the filthy Mudblood," Dolohov replied.

"Bellatrix has done it before. It's a shame though. I would love to finish her off properly since I didn't get a chance to in the Battle at the Ministry," Dolohov said.

They stood in silence for a moment and walked on. Hermione sat up. She was to be brought to Lucius? This couldn't be good. She couldn't fake being asleep forever. She knew they would bring her to him in the morning. Hermione had to be in the cell at the Malfoy Manor again. She stood up shaking then sat back down for another set of footsteps came her way. Platinum blond hair stared back at her.

"Look, Granger, they are really upset that Potter killed Voldermort," Draco Malfoy started to speak. Hermione couldn't help but stand up against the wall away from him. She was frightened.

"What do you want with me? Where am I?" Hermione squeaked.

"You're in a cell at the Riddle House. Father figured that taking you to our cell at Malfoy Manor would be too obvious. I'm going to get you out. I'm going to help you escape. But I need to do a few things first. I need to make it look like I hurt you for them or they'd never let it down. Can you help me with that?" Draco asked her.

"Why should I help you? And how are you going to look like you hurt me if you need my help?" Hermione asked him.

"Granger, I'm helping you escape. I feel that I owe it to Potter and Weasel. After all they saved my life twice in the last battle. You can help me out by beating yourself up. Making you bleed. Giving you bruises," Draco looked at her with a 'help me' look.

"Beat myself up?" She questioned.

"Well Mother taught me never to hurt a girl, so I can't give you bruises. And Father needs to see you with bruises or he's going to do something worse." Draco looked guilty.

"Why are you helping me?" Hermione asked again. He sighed, already annoyed.

"Didn't I tell you? Because if it weren't for Pot-oh Bloody Hell, Harry, I'd be dead," He crossed his arms frustrated because she wasn't helping. He leaned into the prison poles and looked at Hermione.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Now look. Father's going to have to see you. I can convince him to come down here and see you, but you'll have to be passed out, or fake passed out. Or they're going to do stuff to get information." He shuddered. Hermione gulped.

"What kind of stuff?"

"You don't want to know. I don't even want to know but I do. I couldn't let them do that to you," Draco said.

"Please tell me," She begged. She stepped close to Draco.

"Torture." He looked away from her. She saw fear in his eyes before he looked away. She looked horrified.

"Why me?" She whispered. "If I can handle your aunt Bellatrix I think I can handle anything your father does to me," She said showing the Gryffindor bravery in her voice.

"Hermione, who do you think Aunt Bella learned it from? Father is far worse than she. Trust me. Please, Hermione, help me help you get out alive," Draco begged.

"You said my name," Hermione whispered.

"We have to get over being enemies if we're going to work together," Draco said looking back at her. She touched his arm lightly through the bars. He quivered, for he wasn't use to her touch.

"Thank you, Draco. From the bottom of my heart. You will be rewarded. I'll be sure of it," Hermione said.

"I don't want anything," Draco said, fear shown in his eyes.

"We can help you escape your father," she offered.

"I can handle him," Draco said to her. "After all I have handled him all of my life(.),"

"Everyone needs help every now and then," Hermione whispered.

"I have to go now someone's coming. Please, Hermione, knock yourself out. Make bruises on your body. I'll come back later with father.

Draco Malfoy stood before her begging. Hermione couldn't believe that he was actually begging. He pleaded with her to beat herself up so he can help her escape. This was all happening so fast. Hermione never thought she'd live to see the day where Draco Malfoy offered his help to someone his help, but here she was and it was happening. He looked at her one more time. This time with hope in his eyes. As though he knew she'd listen to him so she could escape. She knew it was serious. She nodded slowly. He nodded back, and walked away. She watched her only friend walk away knowing what she had to do.

Author's note: Don't worry this is just a Ron/Hermione story. Not a Draco/Hermione. I have other Draco/Hermione stories (such as Whispered Kisses) if you are looking for one.