RECAP:

"My lady, please, I have a message from Lord Granger."

Throwing the covers of my face, I sit up in bed, raw tension infusing me with energy.

"What says he?"

Pulling a parchment out of her apron, she hands me a weathered piece of paper. Barely legible on it are two words – forest, five o clock.

"Who gave you this?"

Nervously glancing at the door, she says in a soft whisper, "A man in a red robe, sneaked it to me in the market-place."

"Did you catch sight of this man? What did he look like?" I say urgently, hope blossoming in my heart.

"I couldn't see him, my lady, he had his face covered, just said to give this to you."

Frustration clawing at me, I thank her and motion for her to exit the room. A thousand questions explode in my mind. Was father here? Would he take over Vayloth? Was the note a trap? A device lay down by Draco to test my loyalty?

A loud noise outside the window interrupts my thoughts. Curiosity steers me forward and I peer outside, trying to find the cause of the ruckus. My eyes only see a large crowd gathering around the courtyard, but the cause of the gathering remains out of sight.

It is only when a brute with an axe bellows for them to move that the crowd parts, revealing a man bent down on a chopping block.

A man with messy black hair and blue eyes.

My senses are dulled by grief, yet my heart still beats and I curse it for its resilience. Pumping poisonous blood into my veins, I cannot be free from the chaos my life has descended into. Harry dead. Father branded a traitor. Celine and mother locked in a room somewhere. There is no end to the darkness, I am its creature and it is my master. Glancing wearily out the window, I gaze into the fading sunlight through a haze of tears, unable to drag myself out of bed. I try to feel angry at Draco's betrayal, but there is no space for anger in grief.

It is then that my eyes fall upon the crumpled letter on the floor.

Forest – five o clock.

A frenetic energy grows within me as I realize all is not lost. This stranger in the woods may be my last chance for salvation. Hurriedly throwing a deep velvet cloak over me, I make my way out the door, my heart pulsing as I realize I have mere minutes to reach the forest. Thankfully, there is no one stationed outside my door, and pulling the cloak over my head, I sweep down the castle stairs, making my way towards the back entrance of the iron fortress. It seems a world away, but only a few years before, I was racing around these parts with Ginevra. In another life, a dream now…

Slipping past the bustling kitchen, I am relieved when a bulky wooden door comes into sight. Quietly creeping through it, I rejoice when a gust of wind blows upon my raw cheeks. Every step in the cold hard mud infuses a strange vitality within me, and I walk faster, as if the simple motion of walking will transport me away from this dreadful place. Soon, I am at the precipice of the thick wooded forest and without hesitation, I rush within its comforting embrace. However, my steps begin to falter when I realize I have no idea where this man wants to meet me.

The forest, in its unlimited vastness was an ideal place for clandestine meetings but not when one did not know where to go. Panic begins to set in as I realize I have forgotten the paper at home as well, where should I go now?

Plunging deeper into the woods, my heart beats frantically against my chest, as the last vestiges of hope drain away from me. Thorns prick my skin as I run faster, realizing I have missed the allotted meeting time. Gnarled branches, seeped in dark vines laugh threateningly at my despair, their long hands extended towards me with dark menace. I increase my pace, terror settling in my heart, as an eerie scream resonates through the air.

I pause long enough to hear it again. It is inhumane. A shriek unlike any I have ever heard. It banishes any trace of lingering disappointment, drenching me in thick hot fear. Tears cascade down my cheeks as I realise this is the end. I will die here in a cold dark grave with the sneering trees ready to ravage the remains of my body. I fall to the ground and shove my arms over my ears. I cannot bear the sound but it gets louder and louder until I feel it echo within my head and I know I cannot be shielded from its insanity.

Close…. So close….

Crunch. Thump. Crack.

Another desperate cry whips across the dark abyss, so hopeless and miserable that I wish desperately for the poor creature to be put out of its misery. But it moans even louder, until its pain flits through every core in my body.

And then the beast is upon me. Black with feral brown eyes, it claws at my throat, pushing me to the ground in its haste to feast upon me, and I am but a limp doll, welcoming death, embracing my end.

"Hermione!" A voice screeches above me. And all of a sudden the beast is still. It no longer claws at me; it is simply holding me down. I welcome the small mercy.

Please let it be quick…

"Stop struggling please." I gaze confusedly at the beast, what magic has put words in its mouth? It is only when the pressure upon my wrists lessens that I realize I am peering into the face of a man. A man with olive skin and sharp brown eyes.

"Blaise?" I mutter confusedly.

"I'm sorry for throwing you to the ground my lady. I was afraid someone would hear you screaming and come looking for you."

"W-what do you w-want?" I stutter, the panic from earlier settling in again.

"Don't be afraid of me princess. I'm here on behalf of your father."

It takes me a second to grasp his words. Blaise Zambini – Draco's trusted commander – is on our side?

"I-I d-don't know w-what you mean by those words." I say sparingly, not wanting to fall into a trap.

"I know this is a lot to take in princess, but I am on your side. Have been for years, your father is the greatest thing that happened to this kingdom, took me in when I was just a boy scampering around the streets looking for food. I stole from him you see, but instead of punishing me, he got the council to sponsor my education. Put in a word for me when I wanted to join the Dragon army too."

"B-but I've never seen you exchange any words with him."

"I could not do so. If Draco found out I had any sympathy for him, I could serve him naught."

I hesitate before asking my next question, still unconvinced that this is not a ploy to test me.

"Did you send the letter then?"

At this he smiles sheepishly, "Not very ingenious of me I admit, but I could not find another way of communicating with you without rousing suspicion."

"Why did you call upon me to meet you thus?"

"I have news from your father. He wishes to plan an escape for you and your mother."

My pulse quickens at his words. "What of Celine?"

"She is safe. Draco entrusted me with her safe-keeping, and I made sure to place her out of harm's way."

"Why did he not send my mother away as well?"

His eyes look to a speck in the distance as he answers my question, "He thought your mother's presence would make you more receptive towards him."

A chill washes over me. "You mean he intends to use my mother to force me into submission?"

Gazing uncomfortably into the darkness, he says nothing.

"What are his plans? Has he hurt her?" I demand.

"She is safe for now Princess, and he may do her no harm for both of you will be far from his grasp by the time he discovers your absence."

Hope, the one thing I had not allowed myself to feel, blooms slowly within my heart. "How will you manage that? The land is seething with emerald cloaks."

"Yet these are still red lands Princess. There remain many loyal to the king and his family. They have been silenced, but their allegiances remain unchanged. A sennight from now, the prince will ride back to the Dragon isles to proclaim his victory there. He will not take you for you still the traitor's daughter and the populace must first be eased into accepting you. That night you will meet me at the entrance of the Great hall, I will be transporting you to a safe keep in the Prince's absence."

My heart thuds with barely contained excitement. "Will he not suspect your involvement?"

"He has no reason to. I will say we were intercepted and in the ensuing struggle, the rebels captured you."

"And what of my mother?"

"She will be transported a day earlier. Now we must head back Princess, the Prince will begin to wonder about your absence." Extending his arm towards me, he gently lifts me off the ground and the journey back passes so quickly I despair at time for its cruelty. My steps falter as the dark shadow of the castle looms into view and I try to steady my erratic breathing.

"Sir Blaise. Do you know the man who was executed this morning?"

"He was a knight of the red army. Young fellow, very smart, a pity really." My heart lurches in despair at the confirmation.

"Are you all right my lady?"

My throat constricts as I nod my head.

"I had better depart here. Walking into the castle together may arouse Draco's ire." I whisper my assent and begin walking slowly towards the towering stone archway before me. Every instinct in my body screams to run back into the forest, but I walk on, knowing there will be an end to the torture.

Endless throngs of people bow down to me as I pass through the Iron halls, brows arching at my dishevelled appearance. Their features seem cruelly twisted and distorted, as if they had all been heaped into one boiling pot together. I quicken my pace and rush up the stairs, disgusted by their superficial deference. I am no queen here. I am a puppet they must please in order to gain the approval of their master.

Flinging open the gilded door to my chambers, I quickly shut it behind me, putting in place a lock to shut off the door. A dim light burns eerily near the window but I welcome the darkness for I can submerge myself within it. Throwing of the cloak and the heavy satin dress from my body, I lie atop the silken sheets, waiting for slumber to catch hold of me.

It is then that a shadow in the darkness moves.

But this shadow is made of skin and bones, and silver grey eyes.

"Where were you little one?"

I ignore him, tears rolling down my face. How dare he show his face to me?

A warm cloth touches my face, brushing away my tears and pulling damp tendrils of hair away from my eyes.

"I hate you," I whisper to the dark face above me.

"I know." He says, almost resignedly.

"How c-c-could you k-k-kill him? After l-l-last night."

"I did not make any promises little bird. His fate had already been decided. He betrayed the King and he suffered for it." He says calmly, as if having a polite dinner conversation.

"Y-y-you are d-d-despicable." I whisper, tears clogging my throat as I struggle to speak.

"I'm sorry you're in pain Mione. The only thing I regret about today is having caused you suffering, but I hope with time, you will come to see that it had to be done. You will understand that this is your life now, and struggling against it will only hurt you."

I feel numb at his cold dismissal and turn my face away from him.

His hands continue to brush through my hair, "I don't want to crush you Hermione. I admire your spirit, it drove me crazy in the beginning, made me want to possess you, conquer you, punish you for ignoring me. But it also made me love you."

"And what do you know about love? Other than that you will never gain it?" I spit out.

For a second, he looks like a lost boy, but then a silver flare of fury shines in his eyes and I wince, knowing what is to come. His steel-like arms wrap around me, suffocating me with their pressure, but I do not resist, I have no strength to fight him today.

"You are still naïve little one, but with time you will realize that you have no path other than the one that has been laid in front of you, and then you will have no choice but to render me your affections." He snarls in my ear.

I shut my eyes, waiting for the pain, for the shredding of my humility once again.

"You were never meant to belong to him Hermione. Your childhood infatuation for him would not have lasted, you know. You were fire and he a wisp of smoke."

"Do not s-s-speak of h-him," I grind out.

He continues as if I have not spoken, "You needed someone to tame you, and that is what I intend to do."

Pushing his arms from me, I say coldly, "I am not one of your horses my lord."

At this a wild chuckle escapes from his throat, "Ah my sweet, you may not be a horse, but like my horses, you are owned by me and thus must obey my orders."

Tightening his hold on me, his hands encircle my waist as his mouth roves over my breasts. I shudder at his touch, merciless, wanton, uncaring.

"You are mine. Accept it," He purrs, as he eases his fingers between my thighs, stroking them gently.

A desperate wail escapes my throat as I lie still, wanting it to be over, unable to bear the torturous wait.

But his hands remove themselves and he simply puts his head on my chest.

"Sleep, my little bird, I will let you rest tonight."

Suffused in disbelief, I lie completely still, uncomprehending of his little act of kindness. But an hour later, still curled in his arms, I allow myself to drift into asleep, knowing he will keep his word. Seven days. Just seven more days and I will be free. I repeat these words to myself till slumber's lofty arms descend upon me.

I rise the next morning to find him already stirring. Bending down to kiss my forehead, he gently removes the covers off me, fixing with me his impenetrable gaze.

"I must attend the war tribunal today. We are trying all the traitors." I flinch at his words. "Meet me in the dining hall at quarter after five; I have a surprise for you."

Nodding silently, I watch him cover the sprawling beauty of his naked body. Tension eases into my heart as I wonder what the surprise is. Could he have found out about Blaise?

No. That's impossible, I reason. He would not be so calm if he had.

"Do not keep me waiting Princess," he commands before he exits the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

The next few hours are torture. Mulling over possible scenarios in my head, my mind writhes in tense agony, yet I do not leave the room, for I cannot bear to face the Slytherin courtiers and so it is with much relief that I descend the stairs when the hour approaches.

The hall is cloaked in emerald fabrics, with a silver snake emblazoned boldly on a banner hanging from the main door. My heart throbs at this evasion of our lands but I don a cold mask on my face, smiling blankly at the bowing men and women. This had been Celine's dream – to be queen, to be worshipped, to be envied. What I would not give up to exchange places with her – to erase this madness from my life. How cruel fate is.

"Princess, the Prince awaits you in the adjoining chamber." A voice beckons from behind me.

As I turn around, the sallow face of Severus Snape comes into view and acknowledging his presence, I follow quietly behind him. Leading me through a darkened passage, he takes me down a route I have never been before.

"Just knock on the door my lady. Prince Draconius is inside."

Thanking him, I pause at the elaborately crafted door. What is so secret that it must be hidden in this remote chamber?

I do not need to knock. The door swings open as I reach to touch it.

"I knew you'd fuss before coming in little one." He smirks, a wide grin on his face.

I smile testily, unwilling to irritate him before I find out what he means me to see. In the bright lighting of the gilded chamber, Draco looks almost harmless. His tousled gold hair and cheery eyes make him seem less inhumanly beautiful and more like a charming boy.

A charmingly cruel boy, I remind myself.

"Close your eyes." He asserts, a smile playing on his lips.

"Draco I re-"

"Ssh…" he says, putting a finger on my lips.

I shut my eyes, wincing as a cold chain touches my neck.

"Open them."

I blink twice as I gaze at my reflection in the mirror. Clasped around my neck is the most beautiful pendant I have ever seen. It is gold, wrought in the shape of two fluttering wings encased around an emerald drop. In the bright light, it blazes fiercely, as if competing with the brightness of all that is around it.

"I-I-Thank you."

A brilliant smile breaks out on his face as he tips my chin up towards him, "I thought it a fitting gift for your beauty."

I nod awkwardly, taken aback by his sudden shift in demeanour.

"And now for the real surprise." Spinning me around, he beckons me towards a slim mahogany door. Inserting a key within it, he motions me forwards as it creaks upon. I gaze confusedly at him for the room is encased in darkness.

"After you princess."

Hesitatingly, I let him lead me inside, as a cool breeze of air wafts over me. As my eyes struggle to adjust to the darkness, I hear a slight movement coming from the end of the room. I pause mid-step just as a blazing candle flares up, casting its bright shadow across the room.

In the middle of the room sits Blaise, his face bruised and bloodied.

My heart almost stops. He knows.

"Blaise, what in hell's fire happened to you?"

I swivel around and gaze at Draco in terror. But there is no menace on his face, only concern. What in heaven's name is going on here?

"Nothing to worry yourself about my prince. I was caught in a squabble with a few village ruffians. Ale and women – never a good mixture."

"Never has a truer thing been said my friend," Draco says, laughing. "Ah, my little princess now you must be wondering why I have bought you here. I will keep you in suspense no longer, look behind the curtain."

I direct my gaze at Blaise, but his eyes do not meet me. A gross tension begins building in my stomach – was it a trap after all?

Slowly, I make my way towards the heavy satin curtains, my uneasiness welling with each step. I pause as I reach them, deliberating on what cruel punishment awaits me.

Is there no one I can trust any longer?

Holding my breath in, I shove them apart, only to find another empty room.

"Hermione, my darling," a voice whispers from within. As my eyes scan the room, I realize it is not empty after all for leaning on the window, away from the light, stands a frail figure.

Mother.

"Mother!" I shout, happiness flooding through me. I run to her as she extends her arms towards me. Disbelief coursing through me, I realize this is the surprise. Blaise was simply safe-guarding her.

"My flower, I have missed you so," She whispers, as a cough wracks her body.

Hugging her tightly, I let loose the flood of tears that had been threatening to break out all day today.

"Now, now my darling, don't cry. We're both together, let's savour this moment."

I nod amidst tears, too scared to let her go.

"M-M-mother they k-k-killed H-H-Harry," I whisper, not wishing for Draco to hear me.

I feel her body slacken as she hears the news. "That poor boy, he was such a joy to all of us."

Encircled within each other's arms, we weep softly, sharing our pain, trying to dilute it together. And like that an hour passes, I talk not of my humiliation or pain, for she knows without words, and comforts me in the way only a mother can.

"Hermione, the hour grows late; we must withdraw back to our chambers now," Draco's voice soon interrupts. I hug my mother tightly, not yet ready to give up her soothing embrace.

"Go now my little wildling, we will be together soon," she says softly. Reluctantly, I draw my arms away from her, kissing her forehead before I begin walking back to the nightmare I had temporarily escaped.

Gesturing towards Blaise, Draco puts his hand behind me and guides me out of the room. I follow mindlessly, in a haze of despair. If there is anything crueler than being forcibly kept from those you love, it is giving one a taste of what they have lost – a simple bite, not too great, not too small, just enough to make their heart feel the twist of the knife.

"Thank you," I say grudgingly, knowing he expects a response from me.

"Anything for you, little bird."

I scoff at this. "Anything reasonable that is," he says with a smirk.

Back in our chambers, I strip of my clothing as quick as my cold fingers allow and pull on a white satin dressing robe from the armoire, tying it tightly around my waist. I do not want to tempt him. Coiling my hair in a bun, I turn around ready to collapse into bed.

"Hermione."

"Draco I'm too tired," I say irritably, making sure not to meet his gaze.

"Hermione," he snarls angrily.

I look up, surprised at the vehemence in his voice.

All traces of tenderness removed from his face, his eyes glint darkly in the dimmed chamber. I gaze blankly at him, confused by his anger. It is then that my eyes alight upon a crumpled piece of paper.

The note. He's read it.

Hey everyone! So sorry to keep all of you waiting. My time management skills are just, well incredibly bad, but I finally found time to finish off the chapter, hope you guys like it!

ANN: point well noted!

The water is warm: So glad you like it!

BlackBloodedMagic: I hope this chapter makes Draco seem a little less psycho (though not very much)

Sleeping beauty: Thank you so much for your enthusiasm!

randomfan17: I think that's a great point, Draco is really insecure, he might have everything, but guy's got issues!

Texasunniest: Haha, unfortunately i'm a little evil, so cliffhangers are must.

Sparkle85: Glad you survived the blackout! And i will try to update sooner, i'm terrible with that!

fireprincess326: haha, your review made my day :)

Guest (not sure which one): It makes my day to make your day!

annae3077: It makes me so happy that you like the story so much!

Cajunwitch: Thank you so much!

23Nelly: Haha there alot of plot twists coming up! And Hermione`s will power may be fading but that wont prevent her from standing up for herself (only hint i can give) So glad your enjoying the story!

voldyhasnonose: I know! Draco`s quite terrible in this story.