"I cannot believe you allowed this to happen," Mark said softly, his voice quite deadly. He held the small, silver cube between his thumb and finger, twisting it around as he looked at the man standing in front of him.

"Where is Malfoy? I refuse to speak to a minion," snarled Ractor, his lip curling as he slouched insolently against the wall in the entranceway of Malfoy Manor.

"A minion?" Mark visibly took ten seconds to calm down before he continued. "Draco is no longer the leader of the Hunters. He's a traitor."

"I don't believe it," Ractor snapped. "And if so, how do you plan to pay me?"

"That's what I've brought you here to talk about," Mark sneered. "We're going to have to let you go. Not because of the money—because of your incredible carelessness. Contained on it is enough information to reveal you as one of the Hunters. Imagine what would have happened if this little bundle of information had made its way to its intended recipient!"

Ractor whipped out his wand, realizing that he had very quickly become a liability to Mark. "Stupefy!" he cried.

The red light hit Mark square in the chest and knocked him to the ground, unconscious. Ractor had exactly half a minute of victory before his heart stopped beating and he dropped dead.

Hermione felt a tickling on her nose and woke up, blinking slowly. The early-morning sun illuminated a large black spider hanging from a branch above her, inches away from her nose. Before the scream could erupt from the young woman's mouth, a hand came from behind her and clamped over her mouth. Another hand flicked away the spider.

"Hush," Malfoy hissed into her ear, releasing her mouth. He pointed downwards through the tree branches at the forest floor beneath them. Two black-robed figures were walking under them, wands aloft. "Stay here."

Hermione watched as Draco silently climbed down the tree, landing on the ground behind the two men. The two men whirled around, and several jets of light shot between them and Malfoy for several seconds before stopping. They were too far away for Hermione to hear what they were saying, so she slowly descended from her branch, trying to be quiet.

Malfoy noticed her climbing down, but said nothing as he continued to speak quickly. As Hermione's feet touched the ground softly, she noticed that Malfoy had his wand held loosely at his side—he was relaxed and not on the defense.

"We need you back. Everyone else is too afraid of him to disobey his orders," one of the men was saying. "We're risking our lives by not bringing you to him."

"I appreciate that, Daniel," Malfoy said thoughtfully. "But, on second thought, I have an idea that will make sure you aren't harmed." He looked directly at Hermione now for the first time.

The men looked over too; one of them was the man who had rescued her from Stein when he was hurting her on the stairs, and the other was someone that Hermione did not recognize. The unfamiliar man curled his lip in disgust.

"You've let him get too powerful, and it's all this girl's fault!" he growled, his blonde mustache twitching. "He used to be content with being your second in command, but now he thinks he can lead instead of—"

"Addison!" snapped Malfoy, cutting him off. "I will not allow Mark to run my Hunters. This has little to nothing to do with the girl."

Hermione's eyes flashed at how Malfoy had referred to her. Before she could say anything, however, Malfoy continued, "However, you're right. Take her to Mark, and this will appease him for awhile. Say nothing of me. I will return to my Manor shortly."

Addison needed no encouragement. He whipped out his wand and sent a disarming curse flying towards Hermione, who ducked and sent her own back towards him. Daniel began slowly circling Addison and Hermione, but Hermione knocked him to the ground with a perfectly-aimed Binding curse. Addison took advantage of Hermione's distraction to abandon magic—he slammed into her with a full-bodied tackle. Hermione landed hard on the ground, Addison on top of her.

She kept her wits about her and twisted her wand awkwardly to aim, crying, "Repello!"

Addison was hurled away from her by the force of the curse. Hermione got to her feet victoriously and prepared for another curse.

She was grabbed roughly from behind, a hand pushing against the pressure point on the wrist of her wand hand. Hermione dropped her wand with a groan of pain.

"Terribly sorry," murmured Malfoy's smooth voice. "Paralate Nerviate!"

Hermione collapsed as the paralyzing jinx hit her, causing every nerve in her body to go limp. It seemed that the only muscle she still had control over were her eyes. Malfoy caught her carefully, cradling her in his arms, not looking at the betrayal in her eyes. As Addison approached them, Hermione felt Malfoy slip something into her pocket.

"Here," Malfoy said, passing Hermione off to Addison.

Addison slung Hermione roughly over his shoulder. "Thanks, Boss. When will we be seeing you back at the Manor?"

"Soon," Malfoy replied. He released Daniel from Hermione's binding curse.

"But how will you overthrow him if you can't use magic against—"

"I'll handle it."

Daniel dusted off his pants and joined the two of them. "She's quick," he defended himself, vengefully jabbing Hermione in the side. "Bye, Boss."

Hermione struggled against the jinx with all her mind, but her body remained still and unmoving save for the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.

Malfoy looked at Hermione, his face an emotionless mask. "Take her now," he ordered.

Addison turned on the spot and Hermione felt herself being pulled uncomfortably into apparition. During the squeezing and pulling of their travel, dread coursed through the young woman, but she resolved to keep her wits about her.

They appeared in the expensively-decorated office that Hermione had visited previously. Mark was sitting behind the desk, his dirty boots on the desk as he reclined lazily. His sloppy black robes and gray pants brought into sharp relief the fact that he was nowhere near as pristine and capable a leader as Malfoy was. At the sight of Hermione and the two Hunters, he sat upright, a grin on his face.

"Well, it looks as if you brutes have actually done your job!" he called insultingly.

Hermione was dropped to the ground as Addison scowled.

"Finite Incantatem," Mark said, grinning. "You two—begone!"

Addison and Daniel gave each other identical scowls at the disrespect Mark showed them, but they left the room without another word.

With the removal of the paralyzing jinx, Hermione was able to get to her feet.

"Nice clothes," Mark sneered, eying her bloody, ripped pajamas.

Hermione flushed red but said nothing.

"That was a nice bout of deception you had going on there," Mark continued, advancing on her around the desk. He locked the door with a wave of his wand.

Hermione stood straight and tall, looking straight ahead and Mark prowled around her in an arrogant circle. Her heartbeat pounded deafeningly in her ears as she racked her brain for a way to get out of this.

"Did those idiots remember to take your wand from you?" Mark asked suspiciously, watching Hermione's hands carefully.

"Yes," Hermione spat.

"Forgive me if I don't exactly trust you." Mark smirked at Hermione as he began running his hands along her body, feeling for a wand or other weapon. Hermione seized her chance and slammed her heel down onto Mark's foot. As he howled in pain, she whirled around and punched him in the face with all her strength.

Mark clutched his face as blood began dripping from his nose. "You bitch!" he cried.

Hermione lunged for his wand and the two grappled with it. They were both yelling curses, and since the wand was being held by both people, curses and spells burst forth confusedly from the wands, flying in all directions. A jet of orange light smashed a file cabinet and sent papers flying. Hermione fought tooth and nail against Mark, but he was equally determined.

"Crucio!" Mark kept yelling, struggling to point his wand at Hermione.

Suddenly, Hermione's arm slipped and one of the Cruciatus curses struck her directly in the chest. Pain flared through her body and she cried out, falling to the ground.

Mark got to his feet laboriously, breathing hard. He glared down at Hermione, his face contorted with hate as he continued the curse. Hermione screamed as the pain sizzled throughout her body, seemingly endless. "Stop!" she begged, trying not to throw up from the agony.

Mark finally let go of the curse and grinned at Hermione as she lay limp on the ground, panting heavily.

"Now, all that's left is to kill you," he said softly, wiping the blood off his chin. "Once you're gone, my reign over the Hunters will be unchallenged! Any last words?"

Hermione struggled to her knees, ignoring the ache in her limbs. She had seen criminals like Mark before, and she hoped that if she could get him talking, it would give her more time to think of a plan to escape.

"One thing has been bugging me," Hermione mused, trying to sound offhand. "Why doesn't Malfoy's magic work against you?"

Mark's mouth widened in an elated smile. "An excellent question! It was one of my better ideas," he began, relaxing his stance. "You see, I was bullied and tortured in school as a child at Durmstrang, and I soon realized that no matter how much you think you can trust someone, you really cannot. No one can be trusted. When I learned that my childhood friend, Draco, was looking for a resident Healer for his band of Hunters, I immediately saw my opportunity to be able to use my considerable healing talents without all the fuss of working at St. Mungo's."

As he embellished his story with more and more details, Hermione was only half-listening as she desperately thought of a way out of this. She had no wand! And what had Malfoy slipped into her pocket after he betrayed her? She slowly let her hand drift to her pocket, where she closed her fingers around the small object. It was a packet of what felt like powder.

"When I began working for Draco, it was with the stipulation that he and his men made a certain promise to me," Mark explained further, now oblivious to Hermione as he gloated. "Even though Draco and I grew up together, I did not trust him; I had learned my lesson early in life. So Draco and all of the other Hunters made the Unbreakable vow that they would never use their wands against me."

Hermione's eyes widened in realization. "That's a good idea," she said, trying to flatter him. She had finally realized what the small packet of powder was—at least, she hoped that she figured it out. Her nails worked frantically to tear a tiny hole in the plastic wrapper while trying not to let him see that her hand was doing something in her pocket. "He was more loyal to you than me, though," she added, stalling for time.

Mark cocked his head, clearly interested.

"He betrayed me," she continued, allowing the anger that she truly felt to slip into her voice. "I took Addison and Daniel easily; the only reason that they kidnapped me was because Malfoy betrayed me and jinxed me."

"Is that so?" Mark exclaimed. "I always knew that he was a good boy, if rash at times. Perhaps—"

Hermione had finally managed to puncture a hole in the plastic wrapper. In a swift movement, she pulled it out of her pocket and shook it forcefully around, sending granules of Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder flying into the air. The room suddenly went dark as the powder took effect, and Hermione launched herself up at where Mark had been standing. She wrenched his wand out of his hand and leapt over the desk, tucking herself into a corner.

"Damn it!" screamed Mark, running into chairs and walls as he searched for her in the blackness.

Hermione tried to keep her breathing as quiet as possible, waiting patiently for the powder to fade away. Mark was in a rage, throwing things and kicking things, but while he stormed around the room, Hermione stayed utterly still, wand at the ready. She didn't dare try a spell while it was so dark, since if she missed—which was likely—he would then know where she was.

"Okay," said Mark, breathing hard. "Listen, if you tell me where you are right now, I won't kill you when I—"

The powder suddenly faded, and Hermione leapt to her feet. Mark wasn't facing her, but he immediately turned around, just in time for Hermione's well-aimed stunner to hit him in the chest. He slumped to the ground.

"Yes," Hermione hissed in triumph, scrabbling to her feet. She quickly bound Mark with a Binding curse. "I love rich people," she muttered as she saw the fireplace in the corner of the office. Taking a hearty scoop of the Floo powder on the mantle, she tossed it in the fire and said firmly, "Ministry of Magic, Office of Harry Potter. Password: Sphinx867." The fire glowed green and then blue, accepting her password. Hermione grabbed Mark firmly and climbed into the fireplace, where they spun away into the grates.

Harry Potter was writing a statement to The Daily Prophet when he heard the flames in his fireplace whoosh. Only a handful of people knew the password to his fireplace, so he did not fear attack as he stood up to greet whoever it was.

Hermione fell out of Harry's fireplace, her body aching horribly from all the rough treatment it had endured. Harry rushed over to her and helped her to her feet.

"I'm fine," she protested, shrugging off Harry's arms. She pointed to the unconscious man on the floor. "He's one of the Hunters—the leader."

Harry sprang into action, checking Mark's pulse. "This again, Hermione?" he asked, anger simmering in his tone as he looked at her with piercing green eyes.

"Harry, just believe me this time," Hermione pleaded, deciding not to even mention Malfoy. If arresting Mark would get her job back, she'd be able to pursue arresting Malfoy later. "Check his wand."

Hermione held out the Mark's wand, her brown eyes begging Harry to trust her. After a short pause, Harry took it and aimed his own wand at it, saying firmly, "Prior Incantato."

Shadowy versions of Mark's past spells burst forth from the wand: there were stunners, Dark Curses, and also, Harry observed, more than one Cruciatus Curse. As the shadows dissipated, Harry turned back to Hermione, taking in her haggard appearance as she stood before him defiantly. There was a bruise on her face, as well as many small cuts. Her hair was a mess and she looked exhausted. Her clothing was an bloody t-shirt and a pair of pajama pants with a bloody rip in one of the legs. She had clearly been through a terrifying experience.

"I suppose saying 'I'm sorry' wouldn't quite cover it," Harry said softly, his voice punctuated with regret and shame.

Hermione sighed in relief, sagging against the wall. Harry rushed to her and helped her into a chair. "Did he curse you?" Harry asked in a hushed tone.

Hermione nodded, unshed tears shining in her eyes. Hesitantly, Harry put his arms around her, and Hermione relaxed in his embrace.

"I'm so so sorry," Harry breathed, holding her tightly for the first time since Ron's death.

Hermione clutched him tightly, knowing that he was apologizing for more than one thing. They had not spent real time together in far too long, as both had been busy with their work and training. Their friendship had lapsed.

"I'm sorry, too," she whispered back, inhaling the familiar scent of her best friend. A small sound from behind them interrupted the two.

Harry immediately snapped back into Auror mode, whipping out his wand and facing the criminal Mark. The stunning charm wore off and Mark blinked a few times as he regained consciousness. He looked down at the ropes binding him tightly and immediately began pulling on them.

"What is your name?" Harry asked sternly, a look on his face that would make even the most hardened criminal flinch. Mark was no exception.

"Mark Williams," he answered immediately, cringing as Harry stood over him.

"Mark Williams, you are under arrest for using the Cruciatus Curse on an Auror, with other charges for criminal activity pending," Harry said, opening the door to his office and calling another Auror in. "Take him to Azkaban to await trial."

Once the room was empty but for Hermione and Harry, Harry turned back to Hermione and said meaningfully, "You'll need to fill out the report for him tomorrow."

A smile slowly spread across Hermione's face as she realized what Harry was saying. "I'm back on the job?"

Harry nodded, smiling as he opened a drawer in his desk and tossed Hermione her badge. "I'll have a new assignment for you tomorrow, since you completed this one admirably."

"And the next raid?" Hermione asked stubbornly, not forgetting why she had done all of this in the first place.

Harry's face tightened as he once more took in her appearance. She looked exhausted, yes, but not fragile. Her eyes burned brightly with life. "You'll be my second in the next raid," he sighed.

Hermione's face lit up. "Thanks."

"Will you please go home and get some rest now?" Harry asked, a wry smile on his face.

"I'd like that very much," Hermione admitted, looking down at her clothing. She realized that Malfoy still had her wand. Not wanting to reveal this fact to Harry, she asked him if she could use his fireplace.

"Of course," Harry said warmly. "Will you come over for dinner next weekend? It's been much too long since we've all gotten together for a pleasant dinner."

"I'll be there," replied Hermione happily, giving Harry one last hug before she stepped into his fireplace.

One dizzying Floo trip later, Hermione stepped out of her fireplace and into her apartment, already dreading what she would find. She walked into her living room, letting out a startled gasp. The place was spotless—not a trace remained of the dead Hunter that Hermione had battled. All of her bookshelves were in repaired and in order—her door was intact and looked as good as new. Grabbing a knife from the kitchen, she quietly walked around her apartment, checking for intruders. Her bathroom was empty, her kitchen was safe—the only room left to check was her bedroom.

Hermione carefully pushed the door open, knife at the ready. The room was empty, but there was a small box on the bed. She carefully slit the tape on the box and opened it gingerly. She expected a bomb, some sort of curse, a severed hand—anything but what was actually in there.

A small kitten yawned and blinked as it looked up at her. The kitten was black and brown with a white chest and paws. Hermione gasped and dropped the knife on the floor. She scooped up the kitten in her arms happily, cooing softly to it as it began to purr. Forgetting everything, she curled up in her bed with the kitten, stroking its soft fur slowly. The kitten's bright blue eyes slowly drifted closed as it fell asleep.

Hermione set the small animal gently on her pillow and eased off the bed, looking in the box to see if there was anything else. Much to her surprise, her wand was also inside the box. There was no note of any kind to explain who had sent this to her, but the last time she had seen her wand, it had been in Malfoy's hand! Had Malfoy repaired her house and left her wand, along with a kitten, knowing that she had recently lost Crookshanks? No, she decided. Malfoy wasn't that thoughtful. There must be some other explanation. But try as she might, she could think of nothing else to explain this.

As the adrenaline from capturing Mark and finding her apartment repaired wore off, she felt a sudden wave of exhaustion come over her. With the exhaustion came hunger, and she decided to eat before going to bed.

She put a pan on the stove and began buttering 2 slices of bread for grilled cheese. Before long, she was able to settle into her sofa holding a grilled cheese sandwich and a glass of milk. By the time she was finished with her sandwich, she felt her eyes sliding closed of their own accord.

"Time for bed," she murmured to herself. After putting her dishes in the sink she collapsed into bed, barely having enough energy to snuggle the kitten into her arms before she fell into a deep sleep.