A/N: Sorry for the long wait! This is the longest chapter so far, so I hope that makes up for it ;D. There's only the epilogue left so please R&R.

Disclaimer: So I was reading part of the 7th book to prep myself for this chapter, and I suddenly realized that i was not J.K. Rowling. I'm mildy traumatized by the experience...lol

Year 7 – Hermione's POV

I was paralyzed in fear, my normally buzzing brain had frozen. I was standing in the middle of Malfoy Manor with Harry and Ron beside me. We were surrounded by Death Eaters, I discontentedly noticed Draco was among them. His eyes were wide at my presence, I knew look a mess. Living in a tent with two teenage boys for the last few months, while on the run from Voldemort, had not been easy. Then a shrill voice brought me out of my clouded thoughts.

"We'll take the mudblood first," said Bellatrix's cruel voice. I stood rigidly preparing myself for whatever cruel punishment they had in store for me. Ron started shouting obscenities at them. I mentally cursed him. His harsh reaction only proved that he wanted to protect me, but it was better they took me than Harry. They dragged the others to the dungeon, Ron hollered all the way down, but his voice soon died away and they started the torture.

"Crucio!" I had never experienced the torture curse before. It was excruciating. It was like walking on burning hot and jagged stones, and being stabbed by thousands of rusty nails. That was only the external pain, inside it felt like my blood was boiling and my veins were about to explode, all my muscles had tensed up and my sight was quickly becoming clouded. Then it stopped. I found my self shaking on the floor, my ears still ringing from my high-pitched shriek.

"Now, I think you'll be ready to answer some of our questions," Lucius stated. His grey eyes were calculating, but not completely cold. He just looked desperate. "Where did you get that sword?" I didn't answer, but I slowly pulled myself to my feet. I was barely able to support my own weight, and I was disgusted at my weakness. I did not answer him, but I glared as menacingly as I could and crossed my arms in front of my chest like a small child. "Fine," he snapped, and then nodded slowly at Bellatrix.

I steeled myself for the pain that was about to come. But I felt and odd sensation before it did. First my skin was warm, and then it tingled slowly. I flexed my fingers cautiously to check my reflexes; they were normal. The sensation had started on my right side, and I recognized that someone had sent the spell from that direction. I moved my eyes in that direction, and barely registered Bellatrix's voice in the background. My eyes found the eyes of the person who had cast the spell. The grey eyes pierced though me. He was trying to tell me something through his eyes but I didn't understand. Then the spell hit me.

The sheer force of the spell threw me off my feet, because of his distraction I had not prepared myself for the impact. I landed a few feet back and hit my head on the hard wood floor. I let out a small yelp and heard Bellatrix cackle in delight. Once again my eyes found his, and they were wide with worry. The pain was not the same as before, it was much milder. The feel of the jagged rocks beneath my feat had changed. They were much less sharp and not as hot. My blood still boiled, but not to the point where it felt as if my veins would burst. My vision was only affected mildly from the fall. And the rusty nails now merely felt like pins and needles.

I quickly realized the spell he had performed and what he had been trying to tell me. My acting skills were not great, but I tried. I forced my body to shake uncontrollably and managed to produce some high-pitched screams. All the while I was watching him, his eyes were horrified. Apparently I'm a better actress than I thought. He looked away, and I saw why. His father was glaring at him. But Draco did not put his emotionless mask on immediately. His face fell for a moment, and Lucius' glare faltered. He subtly patted Draco's shoulder before turning away. Draco followed his father's lead and covered that show of emotion by sneering at the floor around the area I was faking my pain.

I realized then that Lucius knew. He knew about our "relationship". I was sure Draco would have forgotten about me and moved on, like I had attempted to. But he didn't, we were both in too deep. Then the tingling sensation stopped. She had released the spell. Hermione kept up her act, so she began sobbing hysterically on the floor.

She felt pressure enveloping her brain, then a voice inside her head. "Granger, she's going to ask you about the sword. Lie, make it believable. Your life depends on it." Lucius voice was calm, but urgent. He did not care if I died, but he knew Draco did care for me. I continued to sob, but snuck a look at Lucius. He was watching me intently.

"How did you get into my vault?" Bellatrix yelled, "Did that dirty little goblin in the cellar help you?"

"We only met him tonight," I sobbed. "We've never been inside your vault." That part was true. Thinking quickly, I continued to sob, "It isn't the real sword. It's a copy, just a copy!"

"A copy," screeched Bellatrix, "A likely story."

"Draco got fetch the goblin, he can tell us whether the sword is real or not," Lucius cut in smoothly. Draco only nodded, and hurried to the cellar. He returned moments later pulling Giphook along with him. He let him go in the middle of the hallway and moved towards his spot beside his father.

"Move the Mudblood out of the way," Lucius commanded him. Draco nodded once more. He move towards me swiftly and pulled me up roughly. I let my body fall against him as if I was in severe pain. He dragged my body along with him to a spot further from his aunt and the goblin. He faced us both toward the centre of the room, where Bellatrix had begun to torture Griphook.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered softly, hidden by my hair, "I tried to use a spell to stop it, but it didn't work." He sounded so remorseful. He was tenderly holding my wrist, but kept a firm grip on my waist.

I angled my head ever so slightly, and responded, "It did work. I'm just a better actress than we thought." His eyes widened slightly and he let out a small sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry, this is all my fault," he whispered, "If I had come with you after last June I would have been able to protect you. But I promise, I will make you safe. I can't stay with you now, and I can't promise anything once I'm gone, but you will not die tonight."

'What do you mean 'once I'm gone'? I hissed angrily, "and why can't you come with us?"

"If I leave with you, he will kill my whole family," he explained in a rushed whisper. There was a crack below us and we watched as Wormtail hurried below to check on the prisoners. He continued in a rushed whisper, "I may be able to help you escape, but he will find out. And for you, I'm willing to pay the price for betrayal."

My eyes widened in realization. "But you can't," I whispered back, "Draco you may have done a lot of stupid things, but I will not let you do this."

He ignored her and changed the topic quickly, "I should have know you would be here tonight. We're always together on Valentine's Day." Even without looking at him I could tell he was smirking. I pursed my lips together, but my attention was drawn to Bellatrix as she used her wand to make a bloody slash across Griphook's face. Then she turned to face me.

"I think we can dispose of the Mudblood. Greyback, take her if you want her."

"NOOOO!" Ron had burst into the Drawing room closely followed by Harry. Guilt washed over me. I had been so easily distracted by Draco's presence, and they had to escape by themselves. Fighting soon broke out. Spells were flying everywhere. Lucius was stunned and hit the ground with a thud. I pulled away from Draco easily, so he could get to his father. In that moment Bellatrix had pulled me roughly by the hair, and held a knife at my throat. Draco stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes wide in horror.

"Stop or she dies!" She bellowed. All fighting ceased. "Now drop your wands or we'll see how filthy her blood really is!" I gulped nervously, feeling the knife scrape my throat. Blood dripped down my neck. Harry and Ron both dropped their wands obediently. "Draco pick them up," she commanded. He did so, but his eyes were everywhere, trying to find an escape. "The Dark Lord is coming Potter, your death approaches."

Bellatrix began speaking again, but her words were lost by me. My mind was a whirl of possible escape routes, all seemed impossible. There was a crunching sound above us. Bellatrix and I looked up simultaneously. The chandelier above us shook, and then it fell. Bellatrix released me and dove out of the way, but I was too slow. It came crashing down on top of me, and the shattered glass pierced my skin. Draco covered his face and moved towards me, but Ron grabbed me first.

He dragged me away and I watched Draco helplessly. Draco was being pulled away also, but by his mother. I heard him contest, "Mum, let go." But for such a petit woman, I could tell she had an iron grip.

Then she stopped pulling him. "Dobby1" she screamed in shock, "You dropped the chandelier?" My eyes were drawn to the little elf who stood bravely in the door way.

"You must not harm Harry Potter." The next few things happened simultanoesy. Bellatrix and Narcissa were distracted by Dobby's betrayal and Harry was able to toss Ron a wand. He then grabbed the remaining wands from Draco. The three of us, along with Griphook and Dobby disparated. The last thing I saw was Bellatrix throwing her dagger directly at us. And Draco watching her in horror.

A moment later we were gone. We landed in a heap on a grassy slope. I disentangled myself from Ron. Once we knew that we had all made it, Harry turned to check on Griphook and Dobby. Dobby was still on the ground. He was on his knees and he was looking at his chest and trembling.

"Dobby? What's wrong?" Harry asked rushing to his side. He looked down at the elf in horror. Ron and I hurried to his side. Bellatrix's dagger had hit him squarely in the chest. Harry yanked it out quickly to see how much damage had been done. Luckily the dagger had only cause a shallow cut. I pulled out my wand healing it instantly.

"What's that?" Ron asked pointing to a steel object on the ground.

"I don't know, but that's what stopped the dagger from going in further." Harry explained quickly. I grabbed it quickly and examined it. It resembled a paper airplane, but was made of some type of metal. I unfolded it carefully and it revealed a small note that read:

I will always love you

D.M.

My heart ached knowing what he was left to face. "What's inside?" asked Ron.

"Nothing," I lied folding it back up. At that moment Bill and Fleur came out. So this was their house. Ron and the others quickly went to join them. But Harry remained at my side.

"I wonder who would have done that…" He mused while looking at the plane in my hands.

"What do you mean?" I asked nervous at his curiosity.

"Well someone had to put a spell on the plan for it to do that," he explained. I silently cursed his observation. "May I see it," he asked reaching for it. I quickly moved it out of his way. "It could be dangerous," I made up quickly, "I'd better check for any jinxes first…"

Harry eyed me suspiciously and I knew he saw through my lie. He then tackled me to the ground playfully and yanked the airplane from my hand. I tried to protest but he opened it anyway. He read the noted and then looked at me thoughtfully. I waited for realization to hit him, for him to yell at me for betraying his trust. But he never did.

"So how long has this been going on?" He asked quietly, so quietly I was sure I heard him wrong.

"Since first year," I replied. It was the truth in a way. It seemed since that first Valentine's Day together, we were unknowingly drawn to one another. Harry raised his eyebrows in curiosity.

"That was the very beginning. But things really changed after fourth year." I explained everything. Telling Harry was a relief. Draco had told his father after all, so I was not betraying his trust. But it was so hard to keep my feelings a secret for so long. Harry remained unnervingly calm the whole time. Then at the end I asked him the most important question, "You're not going to tell Ron are you?"

"I was hoping you were," he responded seriously.

"I was afraid of that," I said truthfully, "After last summer; I thought I'd never see him again. I cried for ages, until I came to the burrow. I tried to bury my feelings, so I could go back to liking Ron. But it didn't work."

"I think," Harry was choosing his words very carefully now, "that you and Ron were building a relationship with each other because you had no one else. But things have changed; you do have someone…kind of. And it's only fair to give Ron that opportunity too."

"Your right Harry," I beamed at him. He left me to think over what he had said. He made it seem so simple. I knew it would be difficult to tell Ron the truth. But I had already done the most difficult part, leaving Draco. I prayed I would see him again, but I would not settle for Ron if I didn't. That though almost brought me to tears. I held the plane to my chest and looked up at the stars. "I will always love you too."

A/N: Thanks for reading and sticking with me so far! :D