This chapter is a little filler. I don't want too much to happen at once. So enjoy!

Chapter 7

Draco woke up in pain. When he took a breath there was pain. Thinking brought pain. He wanted to return to sleep so that he wouldn't have to feel. It didn't work though. He was waking up and he couldn't stop it. He was going to have to get up and face the reality of what happened yesterday.

He couldn't imagine how he was going to deal with this. It was tearing him in two. One part of him wanted to go beat Hermione's whereabouts out of Zabini. The other part of him knew that it would be damn near impossible to achieve that. Zabini would surely blab about everything. Then there would be no making his parents proud. No honor brought back to the Malfoy name. This was ridiculous. There had to be something he could do. There just had to be.

Draco got dressed and decided that checking in with Professor McGonagall would be the best idea. Maybe they discover something during their search. Maybe Blaise slipped up and told them something. That was highly unlikely though.

He was walking down the corridor towards the professor's office when the door opened and out came the last person he wanted to find.

Blaise walked out with a pleased grin on his face. No doubt he denied any part in this whole mess. He was walking away with it. This made Draco furious. It was showing on his face now. Just the sight of Zabini made him angry.

They were about to pass each other when Blaise acknowledged Draco. "Oi Malfoy! What's the matter there? You look as though you lost something." He gave Draco an evil grin.

Draco stopped just short after passing him. He clenched both his fists and turned around to face Blaise. That was it. He knew. He had to know what happened to Hermione. He was flaunting it right in his face.

"What the fuck did you say Zabini?" Draco was red with fury. "What did you do?" He was trying so hard to keep himself steady and from ramming a fist through that son of a bitch's face.

Blaise put a hand on his stomach and let out a chuckle. "Oh Malfoy you slay me. Getting all worked up over a missing Mudblood. If I didn't know better I'd say you were in love with her. You have abandoned you loyalties." Blaise moved a bit closer but Draco remained still. "You are a fool. You should have stayed out of this Draco. You are supposed to do as you're told. I have."

"You know nothing about where my loyalties lie. Don't speak to me as if I am beneath you. I have no feelings towards Granger. I'm concerned because I am left in the dark. No one has let me in on the details of what is happening. So don't assume you know what I'm thinking. The moment I receive my orders I will follow them regardless of what they are." Now he stood confident that he made a point. He also hoped he got Blaise off the track of his feelings towards Hermione.

"We will see about that Malfoy. We shall see." Blaise left their heated conversation with a huff. He stormed down the hallway and disappeared.

Draco was shaking. He was so disoriented from that discussion. He didn't know why he said all of that. He wasn't entirely sure he would take his orders. He didn't know what he would do anymore. He didn't know what to believe. Things have changed so much. His past has been questioned. Hermione. She was important to him. He needed to know she was okay.

Draco rushed down to the end of the hallway and entered McGonagall's office without waiting for permission.

When he was entering he heard the professor and Dumbledore discussing the search.

"Albus… she is without her wand!" McGonagall gasped as she sank into her seat. "How is she to defend herself? This is worse than I thought. She is in serious danger." She clasped her hand over her mouth to stop herself from bursting into tears. Having a student missing was one of her worst fears. It made it just that much worse that it was Hermione that was gone.

Dumbledore stood at the front of McGonagall's desk. "I know Minerva. Something has gone terribly wrong. I feel she could be in grave danger. I also feel that there is more to the story Mr. Malfoy told you. If Mr. Zabini was ordered to attack and kidnap Ms. Granger there must be a reason why. I knew asking him would get us nowhere. But what of Mr. Malfoy? You said he was concerned for her? Maybe there is more there than we can see." Dumbledore paused. He heard quiet steps entering the office.

"Ah. Mr. Malfoy. A coincidence I must say. Come lad. Sit." He gestured to the chair beside the one he was lowering himself into.

Draco complied. He figured if he wanted any information that he would have to play civil. "You said Hermione was without her wand? Where was it? Where did you find it?" Draco was itching to know anything.

Professor McGonagall looked at the boy. "It was in the Astronomy Tower. That is where she rushed off to when she left the ball early."

"Why?" Draco said a bit too snippy. He collected himself. "Do you know why she went up there?"

Dumbledore spoke this time. "No my boy. We have nothing to tell us why she went there. We have little to go on. If we knew more about why Ms. Granger was taken… then maybe we could see something we might have missed." He was now looking at Draco as though it would make him open up.

It nearly worked. Draco still believed that keeping quiet about his and Hermione's relationship would somehow keep her alive. Wherever she may be.

"Well Headmaster… I told Professor McGonagall about Blaise Zabini and his numerous attacks. So I suggest you dig a little deeper into that instead of just sitting here and fiddling around. This is wasting time." He stood to emphasize his point. "Time Hermione might not have."

The two elders looked to one another at Draco saying Hermione's name. He was being too bloody obvious. He needed to get out of there. This was foolish.

Dumbledore stood to meet Draco's wandering eyes. "We spoke to Mr. Zabini. He claims to have been otherwise occupied with Ms. Parkinson. She confirmed his alibi. They both say they were at the ball then immediately following they retired to the Slytherin House."

Draco was taken aback by that. Pansy? What in the hell what Pansy getting into this for? Why was she covering for Blaise? This was getting to out of hand. He couldn't take much more of this confusion. He was about to break.

Without a word Draco stormed out. He raced down the hallway. He didn't know where he was going. All he wanted was to be far from this whole situation. It had gotten way too complicated and he was in the middle of it all.

"Albus? Do you believe that those two have become closer than Mr. Malfoy will let on? Do you think that placing those two together has worked? That Mr. Malfoy has begun to rethink his beliefs?" McGonagall had a mixture of worry and wonder across her face.

"Yes Minerva. I do believe there is more to their relationship. It would be reasonable to think that it was Ms. Granger that began the thoughts that are surely filling Mr. Malfoy's mind. He is troubled. He seems very torn about things. He has been misguided and it won't be simple to show him the light." He moved over to McGonagall and grasped her hand. "My dear. This will all turn out accordingly. We must have faith in that the effects of Ms. Granger have stuck with Mr. Malfoy enough to see that there are other paths he can take. That there is more to the world than the close minded one he has been brought up in." He gave her a comforting look.

Draco was wandering the halls aimlessly. He had no direction. There was so much going on. So much was happening, but he could do nothing to stop it. He just wanted Hermione back safe. If she were safe he wouldn't have this weight of guilt on his shoulders.

When Draco came out of his thoughts he realized he had stormed up to the Astronomy Tower. It's not as though he thought he would find something leading to Hermione's whereabouts. He just hoped.

He began to walk around. He searched over every bit of space he could find. There were no signs of a struggle. Nothing seemed odd. There was just something off about this whole thing. Something didn't fit. He was missing a key piece to this. What was it?

He went over to the balcony and leaned on the railing. He let out a huge sigh. He didn't know what to do. He was falling apart. The secrets and the unknown were destroying him.

He turned his back to the railing and slid to the ground. He rested his elbows on his knees and ran his fingers through his hair. What was he going to do?

"Bloody hell Granger. Look what you've done to me." He closed his eyes to imagine her face. He smiled at the thought of her wild hair surrounding her soft face. He pictured the face she would make if they were in a disagreement. He let out a small laugh.

His face turned serious. A realization came over him. He needed her. The thought of never seeing her again made him feel incomplete. She was different. She could be the more he wanted. She could, in her own way, save him. That scared him. It scared him because he didn't know if he would ever see her again. He didn't know where to find her. He couldn't save her. He wanted to. More than anything he wanted to just swoop in, wherever she was, and rescue her. How? "Damn it!" He slammed his fists on his knees. With a sigh he stood and left the tower.

"Draco! Draco darling!" Pansy came into his vision a few feet in front of him. She was waving her arm like she was having a spasm. It was irritating. He did not want to speak with her. He wanted to just go back to his room and sleep the day away. He wasn't in the mood for class or interacting with anyone. He wasn't in the mood for Pansy especially.

She was directly in his way now. She stood in front of him with obviously no intention of moving. She leaned up and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Hello my love. How are you this fine day?" She sounded just as sarcastic as her face looked. "Would you possibly like to join me in my quarters for a midday treat?" She gave her version of a seductive look. It sent Draco's teeth on edge.

"Actually Pansy I don't feel much like doing anything today. I think I'm just going to return to my dorm and relax. Thanks for the offer though." He brushed past her and headed on his way.

Without fail Pansy caught up to his side. "I will keep you company. We don't need to be around others. I know no one will interrupt us at your place. No one will pop in unexpected. That for sure has been taken care of." She let out an evil little giggle.

Draco stopped and turned to face her. "What the bloody hell did you say? Taken care of?" He was almost shouting at her. She faltered from the tone in his voice. "What has been taken care of Parkinson?"

She stuttered on her words for a moment. Then anger grew in her face. She was ready to blow. "That filthy Mudblood has been taken care of. Draco? Did you truly believe no one would notice the change in you? The doubts she brought upon you? She needed to be removed Draco. So she was." Pansy stiffened her chin and stood straight to match Draco's seriousness.

"Pansy what have you done? What have to done to Granger?" He was really shouting now. Some students were beginning to look strangely on their conversation. "This is absolutely ridiculous. Do you know how stupid you are for doing this? Do you know how much trouble you are in? They are looking everywhere for her. When someone finds out what you have done." Draco ran his hand from his forehead to his chin. He gave her a disgusted look. He couldn't believe it was Pansy. He couldn't believe that she could have done this.

"First of all darling. I was not alone in this." She gave him a little wink. "Secondly no one will find out. If you are to tell anyone about this you will be dishonoring the Dark Lord. You would be a fool to do so. Think about what you are doing Draco. She is a filthy creature that needs no second thought from us." She ran her hand down his forearm. "Don't you worry yourself over this. Everything will be taken care of and you just need to wait for your time to shine." She leaned in for another kiss and he pushed her away.

"Don't you touch me! You are the fool here Parkison. I don't need to say anything. You will be caught soon enough. You were never one for stealth." He gave her one last angered glare and took off down the corridor.

He was so angry. He was also scared out of his mind. If Pansy was being honest and normally she wouldn't lie about the works of the Dark Lord… Hermione was in trouble. If there were orders put out to take Hermione, there was nothing he could do about it. He was supposed to obey whatever was ordered. How could he though? She could be being tortured. If Draco was that lucky. There was a chance she could be dead by now. There would be no need to keep Hermione around if the reason was to get her away from him.

He ran into his common room and collapsed on the sofa. He smashed his fists into his forehead to try to divert the pain in his heart. He was crumbling. Losing touch with everything he thought was real. He never thought that he would be in this position. He was a mess. How can he just sit here and do nothing. He wanted to go straight to Dumbledore and tell him what Pansy had revealed.

He picked up the lamp off the side table and threw it into the wall. It made a large crashing noise along with the shatter of the bulb. He was so angry. He had nowhere to channel his anger. He couldn't tell anyone about Pansy. Otherwise his life would be in danger. There would be no chance of saving Hermione then.

He felt the tears swelling up in his eyes again. There was a lump in his throat that he couldn't swallow. Then the pain in his chest. He thought the pain would kill him. He needed to get out of his head. He needed a break from reality.

He went into his room closet and pulled out a small box. It contained a few potions students weren't allowed to possess outside of the classroom. He picked up the vile with a sleeping draught inside. He climbed onto his bed and took down the contents of the bottle. He couldn't wait for himself to fall asleep on his own. He needed help. He needed to hide. He was losing grip and who knew how much more he could take before falling.

The draught worked rather quickly. He was fast asleep before he could finish his worried thoughts.

"On your feet! I said stand up you bitch!"

Hermione was holding onto her mind. She had locked herself inside her head so that she wouldn't have to witness the horror around her. She could hear screaming far off in the distance. She wasn't sure if it were really someone in distress or if it was a scare tactic to break her down. So instead of staying locked in that cell alone and cold, she found comfort in her thoughts.

"Get up!" Hermione was tugged by the hair and her mind was brought back to that cell. She was being pulled out by her hair. She went to go fight back when she realized her arms were bound. She was being pulled to an uncertain fate and she couldn't even put up a useless fight. It was irritating. She wanted to survive as long as she could. She hoped someone would discover where she was taken and save her. She hoped it was Draco.

Hermione's hair was so knotted in her attacker's fist that she couldn't look up and see who it was. Suddenly she was thrown onto the floor and kicked in the side. She raised her face to see the most horrible thing thus far. Belatrix Lestrange. She looked mad. Like someone ready to inflict pain.

"Well little pretty puppet. What shall we play today?" Belatrix sounded absolutely insane. Play? Torture was apparently a pastime for this psychopath. She let out a heckling laugh. "We are going to have wicked fun." She was bouncing around in circles.

Hermione pulled her Gryffindor strength out of her. She wanted to survive. So she was going to have to show her strength. At least she would try to seem unafraid. "You're a coward Belatrix. Tying up your victims. Unarming them. You're just scared that one of them can beat you. You're unstable." Hermione mimicked Belatrix's laugh the best she could.

Belatrix got on all fours and pressed her face against Hermione's. She spat in Hermione's face. "How dare you speak to me you filthy bitch?" She laughed coldly. "You are a fool. You think words are going to save you? Nothing is going to save you." She stood back up. "But don't worry my pet. You won't die today. We are just going to play." She took out her wand and pointed it at Hermione's ribs.

Belatrix took a few steps towards Hermione. She let out one more hysterical laugh and shouted. "Crucio!"

Hermione arched in pain. She screamed so loud her throat hurt. All of her joints stiffened up. It was the worst pain she ever felt. She wished it away. It felt as though she was being ripped apart from the inside. Her hearing was going in and out.

"Hee. Hee hee hee hee." Belatrix was prancing around Hermione's crippled body.

Hermione was barely holding onto consciousness. This was going to be more difficult than she thought. If Belatrix really meant that she wasn't going to die… then the torture was only going to get worse. She was about to black out.

Before Hermione could allow the darkness to seep in, Belatrix sent out one more curse. "Crucio." That was the last thing that Hermione heard before blacking out. She didn't even feel the pain from the second one. She didn't know whether or not Belatrix stopped after that one or continued. She was grateful though. Hermione wanted an escape. She didn't want to have to force herself into her mind. This was much simpler.

Hermione was walking up the stairs to the Astronomy Tower. Her heart was about to beat out of her chest. She couldn't get there fast enough. Draco had called for her. She was anxious and excited.

It was silent besides the sound of her shoes against the steps. It gave off a small echo. With every step she became more nervous. She made it to the top and moved into the open room. Once she stepped inside she glanced around. Draco was nowhere in sight. He was probably going to arrive at ten on the dot. He was quite punctual. She let out a little giggle.

She moved to the balcony to wait for him. The stars were out and there was a little chill in the wind. It made her feel alive. Open to the wind. Nothing in between her and the fresh air. She loved it.

There were footsteps approaching from behind. Her breath stopped short. The excitement rushed over her again. A flutter in her stomach put a smile on her face.

"Well it's about time Malfoy. I was about to leave. You're a minute late." Her grin grew again as she turned around.

"Well Granger. I do like to keep a little bit of mystery." Draco had a smile as big as hers. Then there was a hint of concern on his face. "Bloody hell. Where is your jumper? You must be freezing." He took off his coat and put it over her shoulders. He brushed a stray curl behind her ear. "There. We wouldn't want you to catch a cold." He moved past her and leaned up against the railing.

Hermione moved next to him and snaked her arm around his. She then leaned her head onto his arm and looked up to him. "I'm glad you left me that not. I wanted tonight to be special. I wanted to remember this night forever. The only problem was… it wasn't you I was sharing it with." She moved away a little so she could see his whole face. He had a smile on.

Draco then turned his head to Hermione. "Touching Granger. Really. It's quite cute." He gave her a sarcastic smile.

Hermione's face turned red and she pushed him back playfully. "You jerk. I mean it." She was laughing by now. She moved to turn away. Draco cupped her cheek.

He looked at her seriously now. "Couldn't bear seeing you with Weasley tonight. It killed me inside. I wanted to be with you. I wanted to spend my night by your side."

With that Hermione rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his. Sparks flew between them. Hermione's knees fell weak. Draco's hands caught her waist and pulled her in closer. It was beautiful.

Draco moved Hermione backwards slowly and pressed her firmly against the wall. His body on top of hers sent her senses into a frenzy. She squeezed his neck tighter and scratched him a little bit. He let out a groan on her lips. Her emotions were causing her to lose control.

Using Draco and the wall for support she wrapped her legs around him. She pulled him in tighter so there was no space between them. They were like one person. One being. Like they needed one another to survive. As if without the touch of one another they would lose a piece of themselves.

Hermione being to sigh into Draco's mouth. With that he moved his lips down her chin to her neck. He gave her little nips to get a giggle out of her. She dug her nails more. She needed release. She needed him. All of him.

Draco began to untie the top of her dress. The touch of his fingertips on the back of her neck sent a sensation through her body that she never felt before. Once he had it untied he pulled the top of her dress down leaving only her bra. He began to kiss her chest and squeeze her thighs.

Hermione could tell he wanted more just as she did. "Draco. Please. I need you." She whispered into his hair.

With that he took out his wand and made a blanket appear on the floor. He slowly moved them down onto the ground. He was on top of her. The feeling of his waist thrusting into her caused her to squeeze her legs tighter. She pushed her chest up to touch his. This was it. She was going to give herself to him. All of her was about to belong to him. She couldn't have been happier. This moment was bliss. Nothing could compare.

"Crucio!" Draco flew off of her and was slung against the railing. Hermione sat up in horror. Blaise Zabini had just cursed Draco and was heading right towards her.

Before she was able to get her wand he jumped on top of her and pinned her arms down. He pushed his lips onto hers and forced a kiss out of her. He separated their lips quickly and spat in her face. "You are disgusting." He traced her breasts with his finger. "I don't understand what Draco gets from you. You're filthy." His face changed from scary to terrifying.

He raised her hand and punched her in the face. A large crack stung Hermione's ears. Blaise then pulled her up and threw her to the railing where Draco landed. Only… he was gone. He wasn't there. He wasn't anywhere. It was just her and Blaise. She was alone again.

Blaise then aimed his wand at her and laughed. "You are going to pay for everything. You made everyone's life more challenging the moment you got involved with Draco. You got yourself into this. No one is going to get you out of it." He took a huge step forward. "Crucio!"

Hermione screeched. Her sight went dark. She blacked out faster than the curse hit her.

Hermione woke up in a cold sweat. Her body was in excruciating pain. It was hard to breath. She tried to move but double over in pain. She cried out in pain.

Taking a moment to control the pain the best she could, she looked around and noticed she was back in her cell.

She survived her first round of torture. She gave herself a sarcastic pat on the back. One down. God knows how many more to go. She needed to get a handle on her pain. If she was going to survive this… she needed to control the amount of pain she allowed herself.

She accepted that she was too beat down tonight. She decided tomorrow she would figure out how to do it. She would need as much rest as she could get. She needed strength.

Hermione closed her eyes and passed out with ease. The weakness from the curse allowed her to pass out quickly.