Fenrir Greyback dragged Hermione through the Forbidden Forest until they reached Malfoy Manor.
Hermione had screamed for help the whole way, but knew full and well she could not be heard. No one would possibly even be close to the Forbidden Forest on school grounds.
She had been thrown in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor before she realized what was happening. She looked all around her. There were quite a few people she didn't recognize. She did however, recognize Colin Creevey and Dennis Creevey. How on Earth had those two been thrown in here?
"Colin!"
Colin turned to look at Hermione. Realization spread on his face.
"Colin, why are you and your brother imprisoned down here? And why are there so many people?"
He scanned the crowd, as if he had just realized there were so many people trapped down there with them.
"Who are all these people?" Hermione asked.
"They're all muggles and muggle-borns," Colin finally replied, "You-Know-Who is capturing muggles and muggle-borns so he can torture them. He's trying to squeeze any known information about the Potters because he thinks they could lead him to Harry. He's only capturing muggles because they have no chance of fighting back because they have no magic, of course he thinks he's supreme over every witch and wizard, especially us muggle-borns. He thinks we are all too weak to fight back. Not that it matters. Even if we weren't muggle-born he would still win this battle."
Hermione gasped. This is horrendous. Questioning unarmed and innocent muggles. Draco was right. That's why the Death Eaters were at my house, but I thought Draco said he hadn't told the truth. I was taken away before he got the chance to explain. If Voldemort sent the Death Eaters to my house, he's sure to have taken my parents!
"Mum? Dad? Where are you?"
Hermione searched the crowd of muggles. She didn't see her parents anywhere. Hopefully they were still safe.
"Hermione Granger!" An ugly man with cold eyes snapped.
Hermione frantically searched the room for a possible place to hide.
The crowd of muggles who had once stood between her and the ugly man parted so the man could find her easier.
Innocent muggles my arse.
He stomped to her and grabbed her forcefully around the arm.
Hermione had a strong feeling that she wasn't being taken home.
As soon as Draco apparated to Malfoy Manor, he pushed the gates open and ran. He had almost reached the end of the Great Hall when he was stopped. He felt someone lay a hand on his shoulder.
"Draco, my boy, you've finally come to join us," Voldemort said in a chilling voice.
He led him through the hall. "You've come just in time. Well done capturing the muggle-born friend of Harry Potter. She was just about to be interrogated for any known information which I'm sure there is plenty. You said she was a stubborn girl, yes? No worries, Bella will deal with her. She'll teach her not to mess with those more superior than her after she's done."
Draco just keep on listening in silence. Wanting to defend her, but was too afraid.
Finally, Draco saw Hermione who still had her stubborn, but yet determined look she always wore upon her face. He could tell she was still frightened though as the color drained from her face.
Draco heard Voldemort whisper, "Let the fun begin."
"Are you or are you not a friend of Potter's?" Bellatrix's eyes were bulging and looked ready to kill.
"I-I am," Hermione faltered.
"Do you have any idea what the boy has planned involving my Lord?"
"I don't believe so."
"Lies! Tell me the truth or this will not end well for you," Bellatrix grinned wickedly.
Please Hermione. Just make something up or tell the truth for your own safety.
Hermione had not noticed that Draco had been seated next to Voldemort himself the entire time.
He lied to me. I can't believe he lied to me. I thought we were finally getting along. And to think, I thought he might actually care for me, but was I ever wrong.
The thought of him betraying her like that saddened her.
I was so stupid to think I could actually trust him, so stupid.
She was no longer afraid of what lay before her. She no longer cared. She was depressed.
"I've nothing to say," Hermione said plainly.
I can't blame him. It's my own fault. I actually trusted him. I laid this out for myself. I'm the only one to blame.
There was a deadly silence throughout the room, that sank to the bottom of Draco's stomach.
No, I can't let her do this. I got her into this mess. I'm going to get her out.
Draco took a step forward. He was stopped by his father.
"What are you doing?" Lucius whispered harshly.
Draco pushed past him. Next, his mother stopped him.
"Draco, don't do this. Don't betray your father and I."
Draco looked into his mother's once genial face. Now, it was worn and there were dark circles under her eyes.
"I'm sorry mother," he simply said, "I have to do this, it's my choice."
He walked past her and over to Hermione and his insane aunt. He looked at Hermione with an apologetic smile.
Draco stood between the two, shielding Hermione from his crazed aunt.
Bellatrix looked at him strangely, and shot him a wild glare.
"Boy, move away from the girl. She must be punished for her faults. She's just a stupid little Mudblood."
"Hermione Granger is the most brightest witch of her age. She is a stubborn know-it-all, but she's always very determined. Surely you can't possibly mistake her for a stupid Mudblood," Draco said proudly.
Hermione smiled to herself.
"I'm warning you, step away from the Mudblood," Bellatrix was boiling with rage.
"No, I will not let any of you hurt her," Draco said firmly.
"You are making a very big mistake," Voldemort stood and pointed his wand at Draco.
Draco's dream kept flooding back to him. This would become his reality.
"Wait!" Hermione shouting making everyone freeze, "Draco don't do this. It's okay. At least I know you cared. Thank you for that," she smiled sadly at him.
"Hermione, I'm not letting them do this to you. I-I can't."
"He's fallen in love with the Mudblood," Bellatrix gagged in disgust.
Draco turned to Bellatrix. "Maybe I have, and maybe someday you'll find someone who you truly care about too. You'll want to protect them even if it means putting your own life in danger because their life is more valuable than your own."
He turned to Hermione and looked into her eyes.
"I've fallen for you Granger."
"Perhaps, I've fallen for you too Malfoy," Hermione confessed as she crossed her arms like the stubborn person she was.
He leaned in and brushed her lips, leaving her dazed by his gesture.
Draco quickly turned to the other Death Eaters before they could cast a deadly spell.
"If you let Hermione live, I promise I'll do whatever you ask of me from here on out. Please let her go, I'll never betray you again."
Voldemort was unconvinced. "You promise to do one thing, and then you go back on your word when you find out she is safe, am I right?"
"As long as Hermione is safe then I will be content. Anything you want from me, I'll give it to you," Draco said determined.
"You don't have to do this Draco, please. I'll be fine," Hermione assured him.
"Anything?" Voldemort asked.
"Yes, anything you want."
"You must bring Harry Potter to me, got it? And if you fail, the Mudblood will be held hostage once again and you will have large consequences if you betray me."
"Yes, my Lord," Draco agreed.
"Draco what are you doing?" Hermione whispered.
"Trust me," Draco winked at her and grinned.
Draco turned back to Voldemort. "Do we have a deal?"
"You mustn't fail me, boy. I would be losing a young man with much potential otherwise, but I'm warning you. One false move and you're done."
Draco nodded.
Draco and Hermione slipped out of the room when the attention was back on the interrogated muggles.
"What did you just get yourself into?" Hermione sighed, "What about the poor others still trapped inside of there?"
"Don't worry, I have a plan. Besides I saved the most important person anyways."
"You didn't have to do that you know."
Draco nodded his head to prove that he did.
"Do you promise you're going to help save all of those innocent people?"
"I promise I'll do my best, but I won't be free until Voldemort is defeated."
"This time it's for real right? You really are on the good side."
He pushed her hair behind her ear. "With you, I've always been."
"Until we meet again, Malfoy."
"Until we meet again, Granger."
