Hey guys. It's been 84 years and I finally rediscovered this and am posting a new chapter! I hope some of you followers are still around and new followers, welcome! Again, constructive criticism is always welcome. Let me know what you think!

She can only feel fear radiating from her core as the sounds of their footsteps echoed around her with each step they took. She knew who she was about to meet and that alone caused her legs to shake. Every few feet she'd receive a sharp jab between the shoulder blades and every time she'd stumble. Her composure was weak as it was but every bit of pressure caused it to crack a little more.

Up the stairs and around the corner through giant doors and she sees a long dining hall smaller than Hogwarts of course but still grand in a dark and dreary sort of way. Ornate decorations hung along the walls, draped in silver and hints of green; definitely a Slytherin household.

At the end of the table, he sat in what looked like a throne, hands steepled and surprisingly patient. He was as Harry described him that year of the Tri-Wizard Tournament though she was still not prepared. At that moment, she could not restrain the tears that now stained her dirty cheeks. The evil that radiated from him filled the room like a toxic gas, suffocating her. He stood and she immediately stopped walking even with the wand jabbing into her repeatedly.

"Ah, my guest is here."

As he made his way toward her, Snape grasped her shoulder and forced her to her knees before pushing her head down.

"Was your trip agreeable?" His voice dripped with a false sense of concern. She remembered that he was known for his charm when he was younger. Even now, she had a hard time discerning what was real.

"Oh, it seems you've bit off more than you could chew… Let's have a look at you…"

Fingers grab her chin sending out sharp pangs from when she hit it earlier. They were cold and almost scaly in texture against her skin and he lifted her head up to meet his gaze, piercing and unrelenting. She could feel a pressure against her consciousness as if he was trying to enter her mind. She recoiled instantly, tripping over herself and falling back against Snape's feet.

"She is quite strong! Oh, this will be interesting…"

Snape gave a shift kick to her side, causing her to buckle over and gasp in pain.

"Do you know why you're here, girl?"

She lifted her head just enough to look toward him before letting it hang and shook her head.

"Oh, you will soon. For now, you'll be under my care. I just wanted to take a good, long look at you before we got to know each other a bit more."

Every word out of his mouth filled her with fear and panic with thoughts of what was to come. What was he planning to do with her? Why hadn't he killed her yet? He despised her kind, and yet, here he was, talking to her almost as if she was like him. Was this just another tactic?

One look at Snape and she was pulled up off the ground and dragged toward the exit.

"Oh, and one more thing Ms. Granger. I hope you won't hold back from me again. We all know just what I'm capable of doing."

That said, Snape pulled her out of the room. Instead of bringing her back down into the dungeon, they ascended a grand staircase and into a hallway lined with rooms. Entering the one at the end, he shoved her to the floor.

"This will be your quarters. Don't even think about trying to escape. It's already been modified to contain a witch of your… potential."

A flick of his wrist and her tongue peeled from the roof of her mouth and the ropes fall from her wrists. As soon as she felt herself free, she mustered her strength and propelled herself forward, but he already closed the door behind him. She slammed against the door, the wood reacting as if it was reinforced with metal. She collapsed to the ground, sobbing.

"Oh Draaaaaacooooo."

Her voice caused him to freeze up and turn slowly, eyes narrowing. Lestrange practically skips toward him, arms draped over his shoulders as she leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"The Dark Lord requests your presence."

She practically squealed in delight at the look of horror that briefly flashed across his face. Was this it? His mission was to kill Dumbledore. He failed. Was he to be punished? The man was dead. The job was done. But, the fact of the matter was he couldn't follow through. There were questions that needed answered.

Draco took a deep breath before pushing her arms off of him and heading toward the dining hall.

He stood in front of the door for a moment, afraid that he'd be signing his death certificate if he opened it. Yet, the longer he kept the Lord waiting, the more risk he put himself in as well. He knocked once before opening the door.

"Ah, Draco. Nice of you to finally come. Don't be shy. Come forward."

He still couldn't get used to being in the Dark Lord's presence. Each second filled him with terror and pain. There was no way to describe the feeling he got being next to him.

"I understand how difficult this must be for you."

He was frozen, eyes wide. Had no one told him it was Snape who killed Dumbledore? Or perhaps he knew, and it wasn't as big of a deal as he thought. Instead of asking, he remained quiet, swallowing hard.

"I have a task for you, something I believe only you can do." He pauses. "Guard the mudblood. I'm sure you're aware that she's here. News travels fast amongst the house. I want you to make her feel like there's a chance for her to survive. That there's hope. She needs some kind of… confidant before everything is ripped away from her. She'll perform better if she has that strength."

Draco couldn't believe what he was hearing. What exactly was the Dark Lord planning? Why did he want her to give her this false sense of security? Would it really help them?

"She hates my guts… my Lord..."

"Well then, make her trust you. I'm sure you of all people can find a way. Leave now. Bring her some food. See what you can do tonight."

Draco turned and headed for the door.

"Oh, and Draco, don't fail me again. Snape can't save you here."