Chapter 6
The rest of the week passed with a steady routine of avoiding each other. They two created this unspoken schedule between them. They hardly ran into each other. It was remarkable how simple it was. So simple, but so hard
The night of the ball arrived. Draco was sitting in the common room. He was waiting for the time to go and meet Pansy. He was sitting in the chair next to the fireplace. He was dreading this whole thing. Playing up his appearance. Keeping Pansy satisfied. Then on top of it all having to see Hermione on the arm of that Weasel. That drove him mad.
He heard a click of a door and immediately froze. He could have sworn he heard Hermione leave before. Shit. He slipped up. How did he let this happen? He didn't want to run into her now. This was awful. He couldn't see her. He didn't want to see how excited she was. How happy she is to be going to the ball with her Weaselbee.
He got up to try and make a run to his room before she saw him. He stopped in his tracks because he saw her first.
She was stunning. Wearing a simple black dress and her hair draped across her shoulders. A tasteful look suited for her. It made her look absolutely beautiful. It tore him up inside.
Hermione looked up to see Draco staring at her. He was dressed up in a wonderfully fitted suit. It fit him perfectly. It was black on black with a green and silver handkerchief in his jacket pocket. He looked amazing. She melted a little, but then remembered that all she could do was look. She couldn't have him. She wasn't the one he was going to take to the dance. He wouldn't be holding her hand and getting her punch. He wasn't her's. He could never be. Now she was going to watch Pansy Parkinson drool all over him. It was torture.
The look in his eyes told her he was hurting just as much as her. He looked pained. Oh she wished she could just forget it all and just blow off the dance to be with him. But she knew she could never do that to Ron he had done nothing to her to deserve that.
She took a deep breath and moved further into the room. Goodness he looked even better close up. "You look good in your suit." She moved up to him and straightened his bow tie. "Amazing." She whispered and looked up into his eyes.
Draco's face softened a tiny bit. He saw the tears building up in her eyes. He brushed part of her hair behind her ear. "You look lovely Granger. Absolutely stunning." He smirked a little. There was a tug at his heart. He just wanted her. Her and only her. It was not possible though. Never.
In that moment he decided he needed one more taste. One more feeling of bliss. He wanted her so bad it hurt.
With one hand he pulled her in closer by the waist. With the other he brought her face to his and gave her the deepest, most passionate kiss he had ever been able to produce. He never thought he had that much emotion inside him. But it had shown through when he connected with her. It was magic.
Hermione returned his passion tenfold. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in tighter. She wanted him. All of him. She thought that if she squeezed him in tight enough that he would never leave. That they could just disappear into each other and never worry about losing this feeling.
That moment couldn't be topped. It was very well the last time either of them would feel this way. They put everything they had into it. Every bit of them. It was beautiful and painful. It was something neither wanted to let go of. It was something that would never be. It had to end.
A knock on the door sent them flying apart. Their chests were heaving with agony. It hurt both of them to be ripped apart. They were dying for one another. A yearning that would never be satisfied.
"Hermione? Hermione are you ready? We have to meet the boys in a minute." Ginny called through the door.
"Just a minute!" Her voice came out squeaky and rushed. She hadn't taken her eyes off Draco. He had been doing the same. They were staring at each other, fighting the urge to latch onto one another again.
Hermione got herself together, grabbed her bag and made for the door. Draco grabbed her arm as she went by. He turned her around gently and looked deep into her. "I wish it was you." That's all he said. His face was full of sorrow. He turned, went into his room and shut the door.
"Me too." Hermione said sadly to herself. Her heart broke in that moment. Unwillingly she went outside to meet Ginny and they headed to the ball.
Draco's head was leaning up against his door. He was fighting the overwhelming urge to break down. This was brutal. Instead he sent his fists into the door a half dozen times. When he was done he regained his cool and headed out to pick up Pansy. Pansy… poor girl doesn't even see that his heart lies elsewhere.
The students had all arrived at the ball. They were dancing and just having a splendid time. It was a joyous occasion. A night to remember.
Draco had been sitting at his table alone for a bit now. Pansy was off dancing with a group of her girlfriends. Blaise was off to the side snogging with is date. Crabbe and Goyle were undoubtedly off causing some mischief. Hermione was on the other side of The Great Hall with all her good-two-shoe friends. They were all in a group dancing and giggling the night away. It made him wretch.
Draco couldn't stop taking quick glances over to Hermione. Making sure Weasley was behaving himself and not getting too touchy with her. He wanted to go over there and rip Ron's face off. How was it fair that he is the one to have her? It wasn't. None of this was. This whole situation was infuriating.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he did notice that Pansy had returned to the table and was rubbing her hand on his thigh. "I can't wait for the party after darling. It's going to be magical." She started to kiss his neck and squeeze her hand a little harder.
He tried to hide his disgust. Magical? That was doubtful. "I'm not sure I am up for a long night Parkinson." He removed her hand from his leg. "I'm thinking about heading out in a bit. Not feeling great." He hardly sounded convincing and he stole a quick glance at Granger.
Pansy almost looked as if she noticed him do it. She got furious. She stood up and raised her voice. "Draco Malfoy! You cannot abandon me at this ball. That is cruel and embarrassing. How am I to explain this?" She looked as though she was about to start the waterworks. That was Draco's cue.
"Look Pansy I'm not doing it to hurt you. Think what you want though. Explain it as you wish. Please excuse me now." He stood up and left the ball. He left this horrible evening and his traumatized date behind. He returned to his quarters.
He grabbed a bottle of Firewhiskey that he had forgotten about until now and began to drink himself to sleep. Without the bottle he doubted he would have been able to sleep on his own. He was slouched on the sofa when he saw one of Hermione's sweaters. Being a few swigs in he grabbed in and smothered his face into it. A feeling of ease crept over him. Even her scent had power over him. Every bit of her was wonderful.
He fell asleep with the sweater tangled between his hands.
Back at the ball Hermione and Luna returned to the table for a rest. Hermione went into her clutch and pulled out a handkerchief. A little rip of paper fell out into her lap. She glanced over at Luna, she was staring off into who knows where.
Hermione picked up the note and read it quickly. It said "Meet me at the Astronomy Tower when the hand strikes 10. –D" Hermione's heart fluttered. She looked around to see that Draco was nowhere in sight. He must have left already. Her pulse began to race. She must stay composed. She must think of a proper way to excuse herself.
She stood up and went over to Ron. She put on what she believed to be a convincing sick face. "Ronald. I'm not feeling so well. I'm quite flushed. All this dancing and moving around. I think I might retire to bed. I don't want to fall ill." She gave him a weak smile.
"Blimey Hermione." He put his hand to her forehead. That gave her a little sting of guilt. "You are a bit warm. Let's go. I'll walk you back to your quarters." He started to move when Hermione stopped him. He was killing her.
"I can make it on my own Ron." She tried the, I'm too proud for help, act. "I can handle myself. Don't worry about me. Have fun with everyone. Enjoy your night." Without giving him a chance to argue she walked quickly out the doors.
Her steps were fast. Her heart was pounding. She thought she would never get there. The halls seem to grow longer the faster she moved. She raced up the steps of the tower. She had a few moments to spare before the note said to arrive. She went over to the balcony and took a breath of fresh air to calm her nerves.
The blood was pumping fast through her veins. She just wanted him. She want to wrap herself around Draco's strong supporting body.
The anticipation could have killed her. She heard footsteps behind her. A smile grew big on her face and she turned with joy.
The moment was destroyed the moment she locked eyes with who stood behind her.
"Blaise." Hermione gasped in horror. Terror struck immediately. Then to add to her shock, a smaller figure moved out from behind him. "Pansy?" This was not good. Where was Draco? She fell into a trap. What a fool she was. She should have known that Draco would have never done this. How could she be so stupid? He would have never risked their safety and meet in a public place. She had to control this.
Hermione drew her wand when Pansy shouted. "Expeliamus!" Her wand flew to the side out of reach. Panic began to set in now. Not only was she without her wand, she was out numbered. There was no way she could possibly fight them both off. She could run, but they were blocking her exit. It wasn't looking good.
"You disgusting tramp. Putting your filthy Mudblood hands all over my Draco. You could have damaged him." Pansy spat. She walked up to Hermione and pulled her toward the wall by her hair. She slammed the back of her head against the stone.
Blaise came up and pinned Hermione on the wall with his body. So similar to how he had done before. "Where's your bloody hero now, hmmm? Passed out drunk I believe. I wouldn't count on him coming to the rescue this time." He let out a cold, heartless laugh and looked to Pansy. "You want a go at her Parkinson? I know your itching for a taste of her blood." He stepped aside to allow Pansy easy access.
Pansy kneed Hermione in the stomach and slapped her across the face. Hermione crumpled to the ground and screamed from the pain. "You vile bitch. How dare you think you had right to become involved with someone superior to you? You thought you would actually get away with this? You're reputation is a disgrace to the wizarding world. You're nothing but a stupid twit." Pansy then struck Hermione in the back of the head.
Hermione felt the darkness again. Another blow to her head and she would surely be out.
Pansy picked her up and shoved her into the railing. She moved on top of Hermione and was now straddling her. She threw punch after punch into Hermione's face and ribs. It was excruciating.
"Stop… please." That was all Hermione was able to manage before Pansy laid another smash into her jaw.
"That's right Mudblood. Beg. Beg like the useless bitch you are." Pansy had caught Blaise's terrifying laugh.
"Enough Parkinson. Remember our orders." With that Pansy stood and took a few steps back. That was the last thing Hermione remembered at Hogwarts. A second later they were apparating. Hermione lost consciousness from the pressure of the spinning.
Hermione woke up on a damp and cold stone floor. Her sight was foggy and she couldn't gain the strength to move. She blinked so her sight would come back into a little focus. Without moving her body she scanned her surroundings. There was a torch on a wall across from her. Looking closer she noticed the heavy bars between her and that torch. She was in a cell. A dark, cold cell. Blaise and Pansy kidnapped her. How could she have let this happen?
She tried to move herself up. She cried out in pain. Her stomach felt like it was being ripped apart. Pansy's attack did some damage. Fighting through the pain she lifted herself into a sitting position and moved against the wall for support. She looked around for more clues as to where she was. There was nothing unique about it. Like a dungeon needed uniqueness. It was what she expected one to be. It was awful. She was terrified.
She heard footsteps splashing in the little puddles. Hermione's heart sank in her chest. She had no idea who this could be. She had no way of protecting herself. No one to protect her. He thoughts immediately shot to Draco. If only he knew she was in danger. He would without a doubt have saved her.
The steps grew closer now. Then someone moved in front of her cell.
"Miss Hermione Jean Granger." A woman with a cold voice was speaking to her. It sent chills down Hermione's spine that this woman knew who she was.
The woman stepped forward so that her face would be shown in the glow from the torch.
Hermione gasped in horror. She would have never expected to see this face. She was horrified. She was in a mess.
"Ms. Granger? What makes you think that you can't wriggle yourself in between a boy and his destiny? Who are you to think of yourself so important? You are nothing but a disgusting Muggle." The woman scoffed at her.
Hermione wanted to cry. She was only able to manage a squeak at this point. "I haven't."
"LIAR!" The woman was furious now. "Don't deny what you have done. You have gotten yourself into quite the situation young lady. I don't suspect you'll get out of it alive." There was a sound of a metal on metal and then the door began to slide open. The woman's steps grew closer. Hermione was nauseous. She was powerless.
The woman stood over her now. She leaned over Hermione looking down upon her. "You will pay. You will suffer for what you have done. You made him question everything. You made Draco question our intentions. I will not allow this. I will not allow you to deter my child from his destiny. My son will be great. He is special. I will not let you destroy that!" Narcissa Malfoy face said more than what any words could. Hermione was beginning to believe she would never get out of this.
Draco's head was pounding. He felt like he had been smacked with a brick. He sat up on the couch and put Hermione's sweater to the side. Hopefully she hadn't noticed him sleeping with it. That would be embarrassing. With a stretch he stood and made his way to the bathroom. He washed up a bit and changed out of his dress robes.
When he was finished he returned to the main room. Hermione was eerily quiet this morning. Concerned he moved to her door and gave a light knock. "Granger? You awake in there?" There was no response. Perhaps she was just asleep.
He couldn't get rid of the itching feeling something was wrong. So slowly he moved his way through her door and stopped quickly at the sight.
Her room was untouched. Her bed was not slept in. The worry grew in him. Perhaps she had already gotten up for the day and gone out. Maybe she never returned last night. She might have stayed with her Gryffindor pals. With her bo. That made Draco sick. He dreaded the thought of Weasley all over her. He blocked the image from his mind. He decided that she had stayed there and he should not worry.
"She's a big girl. She can handle herself. If it came down to it." He was trying to convince himself. He would need to see her to be sure. He would need proof she was fine for him to relax. She was supposed to be in his first class. So he gathered his school things and made his way to class. With every step he took his concern grew.
Hermione was not in class. She wasn't in any class that day. He was seriously worried. It seemed as though he wasn't the only one.
"Mr. Malfoy." McGonagall was walking up to him. "Mr. Malfoy this is very important. Have you seen Ms. Granger today?" She looked almost as nervous as he did.
"No professor. I haven't seen her since I left the ball. I took off early to return to my dorm. I didn't feel well and I wanted to rest." He looked at her as her face reacted to his statement strangely.
"You left the dance early because you were ill?" She had a questionable look to her. "Ronald Weasley informed me that Ms. Granger excused herself early as well as a result of feeling under the weather. None of her friends have seen her since then. They said she left in quite a hurry. Now you are sure you didn't see her? She didn't return to the dorm? This is very important." She was definitely worried. Something was wrong.
"No. I don't believe she came home last night. I assumed she stayed in the Gryffindor House. Her bed hadn't been slept in." He wished he could take that last sentence back.
"What were you doing going into her room?" McGonagall was starting to suspect there was more to this. "Mr. Malfoy if there is something you need to tell me. Something you think is useful. You must tell me. Was there reason to be concerned about her wellbeing?"
Draco wanted to kick himself. He walked right into that one. But if Granger was really missing. If she was in danger, he would have to tell the professor everything. So he sucked it up and spilled. He told her about Blaise's attacks and how he himself had been there to stop them. How Blaise had entered their dorm without ever being told the password. How he had threatened Draco about Hermione's safety. He of course left out the details in regards to the relationship between Hermione and him. He thought that if something had happened to Granger the first place to look would be at Blaise Zabini.
McGonagall's face was in a state of panic and worry. "One or both of you should have reported these attacks. This was foolish of you both. Now Ms. Granger is missing and we haven't a clue where she is. I will inform the Headmaster and we shall speak to Mr. Zabini. I suggest you return to your quarters at once. I will come to you if I need anything further." She turned to get on with her mission.
"Professor." He didn't know if he should ask. "Professor… can you please let me know if you find anything out? I would… I would really appreciate being kept informed." He looked up at her.
"Mr. Malfoy if anything happens I will let you know. Now please return to your room. We don't know what is going on yet and it might not be just her in danger. We are going into a lockdown for the remainder of the evening in order to search the grounds." She turned and disappeared around the corner.
Draco felt weak. He felt sick to his stomach. Hermione is missing. No one has seen her since she left the ball? It had to have been Blaise. He was the only one who made a threat to her. He wanted to go and beat that bastard into a bloody pulp. His skin was on fire. He burst through the portrait hole and stormed around for a bit.
He didn't know what to do with himself. He couldn't just sit around and wait for news. On the other hand if he sought out Blaise… if he went and found him… there would be not arguing his feelings for Hermione. Blaise would realize what their relationship was and he would probably report it to the Dark Lord.
Draco was being ripped apart from the inside. He couldn't protect her. He failed. If only he had stayed at the ball. If he had stayed he could have kept an eye on her. He could have made sure she returned from the ball safely. How could he be so thick. He instead left the ball and got piss drunk. So he wasn't there to save her. He was just lying on the couch cuddling up with her sweater. What a great hero he was. A lousy one is more like it. He failed her. She was now God knows were being put through God knows what.
Draco shoved his fist into the wall. The pain of the impact allowed him to lose concentration for a brief moment. He collapsed on the ground. This was horrible. He couldn't do a damn thing about it. What a worthless piece of shit he was. Disgusting.
He wanted her so much. He wished she was there to sooth him like she was that morning at breakfast. He would do anything to just know she was okay.
McGonagall and Dumbledore would be interrogating Zabini by now. He undoubtedly would be denying any involvement in Hermione's disappearance. The thought of his friend made him furious. He didn't even think he could consider what they had a friendship anymore.
He leaned his head into the wall a little too hard and he winced at the pain. How did this happen? How could he have let this happen? He had to fix it. He had to find her. It was impossible though. He would just have to wait for McGonagall to return. That's it. He will wait for her return and then decide what to do.
Draco pulled himself up and moved to the couch. He lit a small fire with his wand and grabbed Hermione's sweater. He smothered his face into it. He let out a huge sob. The hurt was building up so much inside him. He couldn't hold on any longer. The tears came out and didn't stop. He fell asleep between his sobs.
Hermione was alone again in the cell. Narcissa hadn't done more than verbal threats, but at the same time it scared Hermione to death. She didn't know what was going to happen. She didn't know if there would be more physical attacks. She didn't know if they were going to kill her. It could happen at any moment. She could just be left down in the dungeon to starve or rot to death.
She began to cry. The unknown was breaking her. She didn't know if she would still be alive tomorrow or in an hour even. She didn't know if she would ever see Harry or Ron or any of her friends again. The way she left them could be the last time with the she would remember. She didn't know if she would ever see Draco again. The tears came harder at that thought. She would give it all just to see the smug look on his face when they bickered. She wanted to touch him and kiss him. She wanted him to save her. He was her hero. She needed him. Problem was he didn't know where she was.
She didn't know where she was. She could be anywhere. Narcissa wanted her hidden from Draco so there would be no interfering with his destiny. What destiny? Who is to say he would do what they say with or without her? He was clearly questioning his loyalties before they became close. This was insane.
What in the world was she supposed to do? She was trapped in a cage. She was defenseless. She had no way of escape. She couldn't survive this alone. The only way out was for someone to save her. How could someone rescue her without knowing where she was? No one even knew where she really went after she left the ball. Well aside from Blaise and Pansy. She hardly thought either one of them was about to reveal her location. Especially since they were aware of her and Draco's relationship.
She let out a huge sigh followed by a shiver. She was cold and wet. She didn't think sleep was an option. She couldn't imagine letting her guard down in a situation like this.
Instead of sleep she closed her eyes and pictured being back at Hogwarts in her dorm. She pretended she was with Draco. He was keeping her warm and safe.
The memories in her head would have to be the strength to get her through this. Without strength she wouldn't make it very long. She needed to survive for as long as she could. She had to fight with whatever she could.
For right now all she had was an escape in her mind.