Author's Note: Hey kids, it's time for another chapter. I apologize for how long it's been taking me to get these out, but the idea aren't coming to me as fast as they used to. Once I'm back in school and more is going all, I'll probably have more inspiration to write. Currently, I'm unsure of how much longer this story will be, but because I'm having so much fun with it, I'm gonna try and stretch it out. This chapter was especially fun, and you'll see why. Anyway, thank all of you for being so patient with me and for leaving such wonderful reviews. They really keep me going.
"Oh, baby, you want me?
Well, you can have this lap dance here for free."
~ 'Lap Dance' by NERDS
Hermione awoke with a start, bathed in sweat. She fumbled with the lamp beside her bed, finally getting it on, eyes stung by the dim light. She collapsed back against the head board with her arms at her sides. She took deep breaths into her lower lungs, like the book had said. Count five in. Hold five. Let out five.
A minute later, she was still feeling sick but no longer completely panicked. She was used to this. It happened nearly every night now. But this one was different. She'd had a dream. A dream about Draco.
Not that that was uncommon, but again, this one was different. It was so real. Not the usual mesh of thoughts, fantasies and fears all swirled together into something cryptic. This was simple.
It was dark. Draco was in the dark. Someplace hard and cold. He was curled against a wall, wearing a Muggle suit (Ok, that was a little odd). And he was thinking….she could hear him thinking. He was scared. He thought he was going crazy. He was having obsessive thoughts. Then he started to mutter 'I've killed her. Its my fault. I killed Hermione.' Right then he rose up and ran to something hard. He pounded his fists and screamed to be let out. No one was answering. He bashed his fist into the wall, and there was an explosion of red and a loud, mechanical howling and she woke.
Hermione shivered. Why did that dream seem so real? It didn't make sense.
She pulled her legs up to her chest, still shaking. She felt weird. Her own room felt eerie to her. She quickly rose and stepped out onto her balcony. It was still very warm out. Summer was coming to an end quickly, and she was starting to wonder if she'd see Draco at school. If she did, what would it be like?
Right now she didn't think she would. She wasn't psychic, and she could stand any of that nonsense that Professor Treelawnie talked about. But right now she felt sure that something was wrong. Like she had just before she was attacked.
She sucked a breath into her lungs. It seemed hard. Her chest seemed crushed by some weight.
"Where are you Draco," she said, and to her surprise, her breath made a cloud.
*~*~*
A crack of light appeared and there was the sound of metal on stone. When the light disappeared, Draco approached, finding a plate of food. Oh shit, they really weren't going to let him out.
God, what had he done? He had really lost it. He'd even tried to kill his own mother. Or hurt her anyway. He wasn't really sure how powerful that particular curse was...it hadn't killed him. But he'd taken the chance. He knew something very bad would happen once he muttered those words.
He slowly sat down on the floor, gasping for breath. His own thoughts seemed dizzying. Crazy. Insane. Demented. He wasn't right. Something inside him was off. He could make sense of his feelings or emotions. He couldn't act on them the right way. He didn't even know why he'd done what he'd done. He'd just been so overcome…
He pressed his lips together and curled up. He wanted to cry or scream but instead he just sat and stared, thinking, trying to make sense of himself. Outside his door, they were agree to his own diagnosis.
Draco was crazy, they were saying. They all shook their heads. They had seen it coming. Anyone who could love a Mudblood had to crazy.
*~*~*
"Hello, Harry? Is that you? I can't hear you over the yelling!"
Hermione sat on her bed, dressed in her robe, still damp from her shower, phone to her ear. A warm patch of sunlight spread across her bed like a blanket. She didn't feel so sunny.
"Yes, it's me. I … hang on," there was a pause, and then Harry bellowed, "DUDLEY, IF YOU AND YOUR STUPID BAND DON'T MOVE TO ANOTHER ROOM I'LL TURN THE LOT OF YOU INTO INDIVIDUAL TUBES OF YEAST INFECTION TREATMENT CREAM!" Another pause, and a shuffle, and Harry was back, "Sorry about that 'Mione. Dudley's started his own horrid little rock band. What was it that you wanted?"
"Uh, well, I had a dream last night. It's got me kind of worried," she started, feeling rather embarrassed.
"Yeah, well what was it about," Harry asked.
"Well. Draco. He was in a bad place, and he was starting to think he'd gone mental. And then he started to say he'd killed me, or something. I know it sounds stupid Harry, but it seemed so real!"
"It doesn't sound stupid to me, Hermione. Remember, I've been having weird dreams since forever. And some of them have turned out to be true…"
"You don't think this one could be, do you?"
"Do you think it is?"
Hermione sighed, "I really don't know, but it has got me worried. I mean, it kind of embodies all my fears. I don't know what happened to him. What if he's being held prisoner or something. I…" her voice started to rise and she tried to control it, "I'm just scared."
"I know, baby. I understand. I wish there was more I could do for you. Have you talked to anyone else?"
"Who would I talk to," Hermione asked miserably, "My parents? Ron? I don't think so."
"Why not Ron?"
"He's still uneasy with the idea of me and Draco being together. He doesn't even want to talk about it. He barely answers my letters."
Harry paused, "Well, have you thought about going to see him? Right now, I'll bet he feels a bit betrayed. But if you were there to show him things would still be the same between all of us…"
"I don't know. I would like to get out of my house for a while though."
"So lets do it. I'll call Ron and we can fly up together," Harry suggested.
"I guess I could ask."
"Great! Call me back. I REALLY need to get away from the Dursley's and Dudley's god awful 'band'"
Hermione smiled to herself, "Ok then. I'll se you."
She hung up the phone, feeling slightly better. Maybe getting away was just what she needed right now. Maybe she could leave her troubles behind her, concentrate on having a good time with her old friends, like the old days.
Tears stung her eyes. The old days. There was a time before all this. She missed those days. It was so easy then. A vision of Draco smiling in bed flashed through her mind in slow motion. She pushed it away, wiping her cheeks and going to her closet.
*~*~*
A week later, Hermione awoke quite the same way she had a few days ago, only this time she was in the extra bed in Ginny's room. She gasped for air, meanwhile someone else was fumbling around in the room.
The light came on. Ginny was standing by the lamp, looking groggy and concerned.
"Hermione? You screamed. What happened?" she asked in a froggy voice. She moved towards Hermione's bed.
"I had a dream," Hermione said, still trying to catch her breath.
"Like before?" Ginny asked. They'd just stayed up late that night, discussing the whole Draco issue. Ginny was a fantastic listener and a great supporter, just what Hermione had needed. She was so grateful to have another girl to talk to about this.
"Yeah," she answered, tossing her blankets aside, feeling hot and sweaty. She tugged at her tank top. "It was pretty much the same as last time. God, they make me feel so sick. He seems so lost. I hope to god these aren't real. I really do."
Ginny put her arm around Hermione just as the door swung open. Ron stood, wearing a pair of too short boxers, his hair sticking mostly strait up, except for being completely flat plastered to his face in front.
"What's goin' on," he demanded sleepily. Harry came up behind him, stumbling without his glasses, but looking somewhat more put together than Ron.
"Hermione had a dream," Ginny said.
"Ooooh. About HIM right?" Ron asked, entering the room. He eyed Hermione, reminding her that all she was wearing was a t-shirt and a pair of panties. She crossed her legs and pulled the blanket over her lap.
"Yeah. Him," she said, sadly. She casts her eyes to the ground, all too aware of the discomfort of this situation. Her friends hated this boy that she was so obsessed with. How could they ever understand what she was feeling. It made her feel ill.
"There's got to be something we can do," Harry said suddenly, slamming his fist into his hand. Everyone's head turned, all eyes on him, staring. "This is bullshit, not knowing what happened to him. It's tearing Hermione up. There has got to be a way to find out where he is."
"What are you gonna do? Call all of our mutual friends, Harry?" Ron asked sarcastically. Ginny hit him in the arm, "Ow! What! It's true. We can't just ask around."
"Why not? Could we call one of his friends?" Ginny asked. She tucked a strand of stick straight, coppery hair behind her ear.
"Ron is right. They probably won't ever talk to us," Hermione said.
"What if we forced them to tell us? What if we went to their houses and cornered them or something," Harry offered.
"Yeah, or better yet, why don't we just show up at the Malfoy Mansion, huh?" Ron quipped sarcastically.
"Wait! Why not? Why can't we go there?" Harry asked excitedly.
"Uh, Harry do you recall what happened to me when Draco's dearest Daddy met me?" Hermione asked. "I think we could expect a less than warm welcome."
"Oh. Right."
Silence.
Suddenly, Ginny's face lifted, "What if we snuck in?"
"How?"
Ginny blushed, and everyone cast a puzzled look. She half smiled and then stuttered, "I…I dated this guy from Slytherine…" she started.
"YOU TRAITOR!" Ron bellowed, then looked to Hermione, "No offense to you."
"Shut up, Ron," Ginny quipped. "It was only for like a week anyway. He was really dim. But he told me about this thing. This end of the summer party he goes to at the Malfoy's every year."
"How would we get into that?"
"Well, there is this thing they do. It's kind of sick, but they get a kick out of it," Ginny wrinkled her nose, "They hire all these Muggle strippers, you know. They let them perform and have a good time, and then when it's all over, they scare the hell out of them. Perform all kinds of hexes and conjure up monsters, and that sort of thing."
"And they think that's a good time?" Rona asked, astonished.
"I guess. Afterwards they knock them all out and perform and memory spell, then leave them out in a field or something. But think about, wouldn't that be the perfect way to get in? There are going to be tons of girls there. And we could dress up, wear masks or something. Pretend we think it's kinky. They'd never spot us. We could sneak off during the chaos and find Malfoy."
"I am not dressing up like a stripper," Harry said firmly.
"Not you, stupid. Me and Hermione!" Ginny snapped. Harry's face lightened, then reddened as a huge smile came over his face.
"Ooooh! Oh! Well, yeah, that sounds good. What would you wear? Like, G-strings or what?"
Ron smacked Harry in his chest, "Shut it! That's my sister your talking about, you sick fuck!"
"Sorry," Harry murmured.
Ginny stood up, "Stop making jokes about this. I'm serious. It could work."
"Or it could horribly backfire," Hermione piped in.
"How badly do you want to see him?" Ginny asked, looking straight at Hermione. Hermione's insides burned, her skin went cold and her mind filled with every hope and fantasy she'd had since she last saw him.
She didn't answer. She couldn't. But Ginny understood.
"So we've got to try it," Ginny said. Everyone nodded slowly.
"One problem," Ron added, "You two aren't strippers."
*~*~*
"Alright, now put your hands on your knees and just kinda move it around in a circle."
"I feel stupid."
"Come on, 'Mione! Give us a show!"
Ginny caught Hermione as she launched angrily at Ron. "Calm down. Ron, you shut it."
"I'm sorry. This is just so priceless. In a million years, I would never have thought I'd see Hermione doing this."
"I will kill you, Ron," Hermione snapped.
Ginny lead her away. Both were standing front of the couch in the den. Harry and Ron were seated on the couch, wide eyes, both drinking butter beer and in extremely good moods. In the corner were two bags from a Muggle lingerie store, inside were the costumes. On the coffee table, was a Muggle music player, that Hermione called a CD player. And in it was a CD of "rap" music. Ginny hit the button, and music blared in the room.
Ron nodded his head as the first verse started, "Yeah! I like this. Good beat."
Harry tapped his foot and moved his elbows, "Yeah, it sure makes ME want to dance. How about you ladies?"
"Ignore them," Ginny said. "Now, get back it to position. Kinda, bend over I guess. Hands on your knees. Now rotate. Faster. No…roll it. You're too jerky."
Hermione stood up, her face bright red, "I can't do this!" she whined.
"Back that ass up!" Ron shouted, mimicking the song.
"Ron, if you don't stop I'll make you leave!" Ginny shouted. Ron just giggled.
Ginny turned back to Hermione, offering a sympathetic grin. Hermione couldn't help but feel less than friendly towards the red head at the moment though. It really wasn't anything Ginny did, except know how to dance. She made it look easy. She moved perfectly, moving and sliding and jiggling in all the right places. Hermione herself looked like she was having some kind of seizer.
Ginny fixed the mirror she'd set up. She back up and put her hands on her hips. "Lets start with something easier. Get warmed up, ok?" she asked. Hermione just nodded and sighed.
"Ok, hands on your hip," Ginny instructed. Hermione did as she was told. Ginny smiled, "Ok now just move your hips in a circle. That's all. Start out slow."
Hermione started to move her hips in a circle, feeling foolish. She could see Ron and Harry on the couch behind her with huge grins on their faces. Ignore them, she thought. This is for Draco. Think of Draco.
That was good. That made it easier. She started to imagine him in bed, the way he moved. Slow and predatory. That how she needed to be. Slow. Seductive. Enticing.
"Good!" Ginny chirped. "Really good! Just imagine having sex. Think of how you move in bed and try to imitate that. You want to get these guys thinking about sex."
"Ginny how do you know all this?" Ron asked accusingly. Ginny shot him a look and he didn't say anything more. Instead, he looked to Harry who shrugged and looked away. Hermione knew that Ginny was a bit…promiscuous. But she wasn't about to tell Ron that, and neither was Harry apparently.
"Alright," Ginny said, pushing her flame colored hair back away from her face slowly. She trailed her hand down between her breasts, "You want to kinda touch yourself. Not too much, just a little bit. Make them image it's their hand. Torture them. Just ALMOST touch the hot spots. Run your hand along your thighs. Ok, goooood! Now, drop to the floor, but keep moving your hips…"
Ginny's instructions were started to be drowned out by Hermione's own thoughts. This plan could actually work. If they could pass for dancers, they'd be sure to get in. Getting out would be harder, but from what Ginny said, there who be so much chaos that no one would be paying too much attention to them.
The only hard part would be finding Draco. But Hermione felt confident that when the time came, she could locate him. She just had a good feeling. She could do this. She could do this!
She could get Draco back.
"Oh my God, 'Mione, you are so hot," Ron said, interrupting her thoughts. She smiled slyly, starting to feel less self conscious. She looked over to Ginny, who was gyrating to the Muggle music. She winked at Hermione, and stepped closer.
"Ok, now, dance up on me," she said quietly, her voice slightly husky. She looked to the boys, who hadn't heard.
"What?" Hermione mouthed.
"Trust me, guys love it," she said between her teeth, smiling widely. Before Hermione could consider that, she stepped closer and dropped to the ground at Hermione's feet, then slowly coiled her way back up. Harry cheered.
Alright, whatever, Hermione though. She turned away from Ginny and swung her hips and lifting her arms in the air. Ginny put her hands up and skimmed them down Hermione's arms, not really touching her, all the way to her waist. Hermione giggled, getting into it. She got it now. This was all a game. She closed her eyes, losing herself to the music, letting it move her. She and Ginny came together and parted, both giggling.
"Come on, Harry," Ron said, and both boys rose, looked at each other, and joined in.
Hermione felt hands on her hips, and she turned, surprised to find Harry behind her. She swallowed and cast him a look, that she knew he understood. Her smiled back, green eyes soft, and slipped his hands around her waist and hugged her quickly.
"It's ok," he said.
Hermione smiled back. He was right. What happened between them was behind them both. She went back to dancing, grinning inwardly. Of all the mistakes she'd made this past year, Harry wasn't one of the worst. He was such a great guy. Such a great friend. He really wouldn't let anything come between them.
She looked around at everyone in the room. They were all great friends. They'd do anything for her, they'd proved that.
*~*~*
"I can't believe we're going through with this."
"We wont be if you don't quiet down. If Mum finds you two dressed like you are…I don't know what. But it'll be a big mess I'm not eager to explain my way out of," Ron said.
"Thanks again, all of you, for helping," Hermione said.
"Thank us AFTER this works," Harry said, sipping his drink and tapping his foot nervously.
"I'm thankful that you at least tried, whether it works or not," Hermione insisted. "Now, how does this look?"
"I don't think you want me to answer that," Ron said, smiling nervously. They were all doing their best to keep the conversation light. No one wanted to admit that they were worried. Scared. Terrified, in Hermione case. This was it. She was really going to find out what happened to Draco. And if he'd deserted her, betrayed her, she was going to have to face that.
Hermione looked at Ginny. She looked amazing and put together. She was tall and thin, with a model's body and confidence. Her pale skin looked amazing in the black, crystal covered corset and panties she wore. Her legs looked endless in kitten heeled shoes. A long, fur lined trench coat was thrown over the bed, meant to cover her up. But Ginny wasn't one for modesty. She preferred to prance around in her skivvies.
Hermione didn't feel so comfortable. She was wearing a similar black crystal bra top with matching hot pants in bright pink. She had the fur coat she'd bought from a thrift shop pulled tightly around her, though it didn't hide her fishnet clad legs or the knee high boots that she'd bought for the purpose of hiding her wand in. Because she'd had the little run in with Lucius, they'd decided it was best for her to disguise herself a little. They'd enchanted an old Halloween wig to be long and platinum blonde. Hermione thought she looked like Fleur the foreign exchange student for 4th year, which was not something she was all too excited about.
"Hermione, you look amazing, trust me," Ginny said, patting her on the back.
"I look like a slut," Hermione muttered.
"Well, that's good right?" Harry offered, trying to smile.
Hermione didn't answer, just fidgeted, and turned back to Ron. "Is it time?"
"According to what Ginny remembers, the party starts late. I wish we knew the exact time. But we don't, so we are gonna have to assume that arriving late is better than arriving early," Ron said.
"It's almost one," Hermione said weakly. She felt drained and sick. This plan was seeming crazier and crazier by the minute. Yesterday, it hadn't really seemed real. Today, the reality of it was unavoidable. She couldn't stop thinking. Couldn't stop obsessing. What if this and what if that. She wanted to just call the whole thing off, desperately. But it was too late now. She couldn't back down. Pride and curiosity wouldn't let her.
"I think we can go," Ginny said, picking up the coat off the bed. She pulled her little silk mask from the pocket and put it on. Hermione followed suit.
Hermione's stomach dropped violently. It's ok, she told herself, you want this. Think of Draco. Think of the dreams.
Harry nodded and stood, "I think so too," he said.
Ron looked to Hermione, who would only nod weakly. He shrugged, "If you're all ready. You sure we know we all know where we're coming out?"
Everyone nodded. Ron picked the floo powder off the counter and tossed it into the fire. Hermione felt her head swim. Oh God. Oh God. This is it. This is it! She was going to know. She was going to see him. She could die. She could live. She could be happy again. Anything. Anything could happen. She couldn't be scared. She had to do this.
Breathe, Hermione, just breathe.
Ron gestured towards the fireplace with a flourish, "Ladies first."
"Me first," Hermione said dryly. And before anyone could stop her, she entered the fire. Suddenly she was whooshing through the dark. Her hair flew back, snapping like a thousand whips. She felt exhilarated. She done it, she'd took the first step! Ok, concentrate. She had to find the right fireplace.
Suddenly she knew she was there. Oh God, it was so fast. Before she had time to consider 'accidentally' coming out at the wrong place, she was skidding across the wood floor of the servants quarters of THE Malfoy Mansion.
For a second she was alone, gasping, and filled with amazement. She could only blink and look. Then suddenly she was hit by a glittering orange fireball.
"Motherfuck!" Ginny sputtered, sprawled across Hermione's legs. Before either could move, two more body's were spat from the expansive fireplace.
"Geez, that's one vicious fireplace!" Ron said, sitting up form where he landed square on Harry's lap. He pulled Harry up with him. Harry adjusted his glasses which were sitting askew over his nose, "You can say that again."
Hermione stood, dumping Ginny off of her.
"Shh! Guys. Don't talk remember? Just go to your stations!" she snapped.
"If we can find them," Ron said loudly.
"Shhhh! Just go! Go outside and wait. Conjure up some brooms, we might not have time to get back here."
"What? That's not the plan!" Ro argued in a half whisper.
"It is now. Go!"
Ron and Harry both grumbled to each but did as the were commanded. Ginny turned to Hermione.
"Do you," she paused and lowered her voice, "Do you know how to get to the main living area?"
"Not really, but we'll just follow the noise. Come on."
The two doors crept off after Ron and Harry, who had already disappeared. Hermione wished they could all stay together, but she knew it wasn't possible. She and Ginny went up the stairs to the main level, coming out in the servants hall. The could immediately hear nose.
"This way," she mouthed to Ginny, as the both scrambled down the unlit hall. Luckily, no one seemed to be using it tonight. They peeked in a few doors but all they found were empty living quarters and a few closets. Hermione was puzzled. She could hear the music but she couldn't find a door that lead to anywhere where it was louder. She stopped in the hall and was just about to turn and say something to Ginny when two high pitched voices startled her to near tears. She grabbed Ginny and flung them both against a wall, praying they were lost in shadow.
She looked toward the noise and saw the wall at the end of the hall creak open. Two chattering house elves exited, holding empty dishes. They passed the girls with out noticing them, and Hermioen and Ginny watched them go down the stairs before dashing to the secret doorway. The music and talking was very audible from inside.
"Must be this way," she told Ginny.
Inside was a short hall, ending in another trap door. As soon as Hermione cracked it open she knew they'd found the room. She nodded back to Ginny and both slipped out slowly.
The room was an oversized living room, with couches lined up on every wall, along with numerous buffet tables and such. The entire room was bustling with what appeared to be an entirely male crowd. The lights had all been enchanted to change from blue to red and purple in between. A few hundred glowing fairies were hanging around too, happily serving as decoration, all showing off and blinking and twirling.
Before she had time to consider where to hide until the rest of the strippers showed up, the lights flashed off twice and the room quieted. Then an excited buzz filled the room and the fairies began to scatter from their clusters, darting back and forth. A few of the wizards started to catcall as the lights started to flicker very quickly, mimicking strobe, and music blared. It was a song similar to the Muggle rap songs, only by a wizard band.
Ginny squeezed Hermione's shoulder, "There they are," she said, pointed the a flood of girls who were entering, all dressed scantily. She grab Hermione's wrist and yanked her. Hermione pulled back a second, panicking, but Ginny was too strong. Before she knew it, she was in a sea of strippers, her ears filled with screams and growls and clapping. She could hardly see for the lights. She saw briefly a few platinum heads, and pink bra tops. She tried to see past, to the men. Was Malfoy here? Would he partake in this?
Before she could decide, the lyrics to the music started and suddenly the girls were scattering and dancing. Hermione spun in a circle, looking for Ginny but she was gone. Her mouth went dry. She couldn't do this without Ginny! Oh God…
She tried to dance but she was stiff and tense. She could barely hear the music over her own thoughts. She desperately tried to calm herself. Tried to feel the music. Tried to think about why she was here, in the middle of a heard of strippers dressed like a whore. If her parents knew what she was doing…If anyone knew what she was doing…
This wasn't her. This was not something Hermione Granger would do. Ever. She did not give lap dances to strangers.
But then she remembered why she was here. For Draco. A calm came over her. Ok. It was just a lap dance in the name of love. She could do that. She could do this for him.
"Hey, you! Over here!" a voice commanded. Her head snapped over, and she gasped. It was him. The king of darkness. All that was evil. All that was bad in her life.
Lucius.
He was calling her. Did he recognize her?
"Come dance for me, kitten," he commanded. Oh god, she was going to puke. That was just disgusting. Where was his wife?
She slowly danced her way over to where he was sitting, half in the shadows next to a table stack with a pyramid of wine glasses, doing her best to hide what part of her face showed with the wig. She had to distract him from looking at her face!
Wait a tick. She was wearing underwear. Of course he wasn't going to look at her face.
She quickly removed her coat and approached him, licking her lips and doing her best not to think about what she was doing. But the hairs on her neck were standing up at the thought of being to close to him. She felt suddenly colder as she neared him. He just FELT evil. There was no warmth to him. His soul was dead.
Hermione smiled and ran her finger over her lower lips, then tip her head back as she pulled it between her breasts. Someone shouted something obscene to her left and she was shocked when she turned and found Crabbe gawking at her. Well if this wasn't just one giant nightmare!
"Hey," came a low, sinister whisper. Her head shot back over to Lucius, who was staring directly into her eyes. Her body went cold. "Who are you behind that mask?" he asked.
No. He couldn't. He couldn't know, it was impossible. There was no way…
But the way he was looking at her…
"It doesn't matter," she said in a husky voice, trying to smile.
"Take off the mask," he said, "I want to see your face."
Hermione thought quickly, "I'm sure I have other things that you'd rather see."
He didn't blink, just pressed his fingers together before him and calmly replied, "I'm sure you are mistaken. Remove the mask."
Hermione backed away. Her mind was spinning. What should she do? Was it dark enough for him not to recognize her? Was it worth the chance? Should she just run away? Would he chase her? No, this wasn't supposed to happen! This plan was supposed to run smoothly! She back up further, tripping and feeling her wand chafe against her ankle.
Did she dare?
Suddenly two chubby hands were on her breasts. In her sheer dumb surprise, Hermione fell backwards, right into a body that was soft and sweaty. She let out a squeal as the vertigo hit her and she and her assaulter went crashing to the floor. Glass exploded and she realized they'd hit the table with the wine decoration. A flood of warm, strong smelling red liqueur doused her.
She quickly stumbled up, finding Crabbe laying on the floor in a puddle of blood, holding his left arm. Well, served him right, she thought. She saw Lucius rise, and suddenly everyone was screaming. Oh no, they must have mistaken the noise for the cue to start terrorizing the strippers.
Well, thank heaven for small miracles, she thought as a huge spider ballooned up from the center floor. Now was her chance to get away.
She dashed into the crowd, shouting Ginny's name. She kept getting pushed by frantic women trying to escape. She felt horrible for the poor Muggles, but what could she do? She had to concentrate on what she was doing here.
"Hermione! Run!"
Hermione looked over to find Ginny struggling over. The joined hands and made their way back to the secret door, slipping into the hall unnoticed.
"Ginny, I think Lucius recognized me," Hermione cried.
Ginny licked her lips. Her eye's were wide and glittery, darting back and forth in the dark. She let out a breath, "Well, we took the chance that something like that could happen. We'll just have to find Malfoy and get-"
She stopped short when Hermione suddenly went dazed. Her body went limp and she wobbled back. Ginny grabbed her in time to lower her to the floor safely. Hermione head rolled to the side and her lips fell open. She looked as if she were seeing something. But Ginny looked around and all she saw was the dark, empty hall.
"Hermione! Hermione stop it!" she said, shaking her friend. But Hermione was frozen, catatonic.
"Hermione, you're scaring me. Please stop it. Please! Hermione!" Ginny cried in alarm. Soon panic turned to terror, as Hermione started to make a low moaning sound. It was unearthly. Ginny dropped her grip and back away to the opposite wall. She wished her friends name again softly, but the moaning just got louder. Suddenly, Hermione eye's rolled back and her body went completely rigid, convulsing once.
Ginny scream just as Hermione screamed, covering her eyes with her hands.
"Hermione!"
*~*~*
Darkness. Blackness, the kind your eyes just didn't adjust to. Any sound was cause for alarm, because with out sight, you lost your defenses. It was a helpless feeling.
And after a while of not seeing, you stopped feeling. The cold stone numbed your skin. Sensation was lost. It was like being in a void. Deprived of everything but your own thoughts.
And after a while your thoughts betrayed you as well. What once was sane and logical grew confusing and disturbed. Thinking in a straight line was difficult. Remembering was even harder. How much time had just gone by? Had you been sitting for an hour? A day? A week? Did you sleep? Did you dream? If so, what was the dream and what was real? It was so confusing.
Draco lay flat on his back, staring up (or was it down? Or sideways?) and thinking about these things. It was true, he wasn't sure how long he'd been here. He considered the aching in his stomach and the dry, stickiness of his mouth. He certainly had been here a few days.
He'd tried to stand once too…maybe a few hours ago, or maybe more than that. But his head went hazy and bright spots flashed before him and his legs gave away. He was weak. Weak and crazy. He was as good as dead. Whatever they wanted to do to him, they could. Because he couldn't fight back.
He knew that was what they wanted.
Then suddenly, his void was invaded by something foreign. It was sound. Loud sound. People. A party? THE party? The end of summer party?
More days had passed than he'd thought, then.
He hated that party. It was sick. His whole family was sick for participating. Well, his mother didn't. She just turned a blind eye to the whole thing and left for the weekend with the women.
Draco expected to be angry but he wasn't. He expected to feel disgusted. Instead, he felt something inside him he hadn't experienced in a while. Hope. But why? It didn't make sense. It didn't-
*~*~*
"Draco's in the ground!" Hermione screamed, her eyes suddenly coming alive and her body relaxing.
Ginny screamed again, then choked on her inhaled breath. She rushed to Hermione.
"Oh my God, what just happened?" she asked.
"I don't know. I…I…saw…"
Ginny stopped her, "You went limp and just fell. And you're eyes were glazed over, and you started moaning. It was creepy. And then you started screaming and your whole body jerked and then…and then…you were fine."
Hermione looked surprised, "Oh God. Ginny, I saw Draco. He's in some kind of basement."
"A dungeon," Ginny said. "They have a dudgeon here, but I don't know where it is."
Hermione looked around, "I think I might. Follow me."
Ginny watched Hermione as she took off running in no particular direction. After pausing a moment, she followed. The two darted in and out of rooms, ran down halls and stairs until the air got damper and heavier. Hermione stopped once and then completely turned and back tracked. Finally she paused before a heavy wooden door and nodded confidently.
"This is it," she said, breathing heavily from her run. She pressed her ear to the door, "This is it."
"Can you hear him?" Ginny asked.
"No. But I know he's down here. Back up." Hermione drew her wand and shouted a spell which busted open the lock on the door. It creaked open slightly.
A thin crack of light slashed through the darkness. Cold air rushed out of the room. Hermione shivered as a nasty feeling came over her. Something was wrong with the room. It was a black hole. She ground her teeth together as she backed away.
"This isn't right-" Ginny started. But she was interrupted by a hoarse, grave voice.
"Please," the voice said.
Hermione's mouth dropped. She knew it was him at once, but something wasn't right. It was him, but he sounded….defeated.
She shoved the door open and ran into the room, throwing herself over his body, hugging him close, as she yanked the wig down, freeing her hair. He felt cold and stiff. She heard a sniffling sound. Then a cough. Her eyes ran over his body. He wore a dirty and torn suit. Her gaze drifted to his hands, scrapped. She clasped her own over his, pulling them up. She wanted to feel them on her body.
"Who is it," he asked, his fingers pressing her stomach. His palms went flat and he ran them over her, up to her shoulders, then to her face. He paused at the mask, and pulled it down slowly. His skin barely grazed hers. An electric shock sparked between them. The mask fell away and she finally lifted her eyes to his face.
"Hermione," he said. His lips parted, then came together and a deep frown came over him. He made a strange, choking sound. She leaned down and kissed his cracked lips. He kissed her back with what little strength he seemed to posses. Hermione invaded his mouth, wanting to kiss him deeper, wanting to get inside him. It was him. It was really him. Her Draco. He was here, alive, and wanting her.
She felt like a weight had been lifted, as if her should blades shifted. She felt light and heavy all at once. When she tasted a saltiness and realized he was crying, she started crying too.
He sat up, holding her close. She grabbed onto him, latched on.
"Hermione, I'm going crazy," Draco whispered, "I…I did something bad. I was scared and…"
She shook her head, "No, Draco. Listen to me. You aren't crazy. You've just been alone to long."
Tears streaked down his face. He looked so beautiful. He looked better to her than anyone had looked to her in her life. Even as he was, dirty, scraped, bleeding, he was an angel. His dove gray eyes crinkled as he spoke and reflected something back at her. He was looking straight at her, into her. Then he smiled the sweetest smile she'd ever seen.
"I…don't deserve this," he stammered tearfully.
"Shut up, Draco," she responded teasingly, kissing his forehead. He beamed like a little boy.
She looked him over again. "We've got to get out of here."
He nodded, then explained that he couldn't get up. Hermione nodded and called to Ginny. She rushed in, sniffling.
"Not you too," Hermione laughed, wiping her face.
Ginny giggled, "I'm sorry. It's just…Anyway, lets go before Lucius finds us."
"Does he know you're here?" Draco asked, as the girls arranged themselves around him, putting their arms under him and preparing to lift.
"He might," Hermione answered truthfully. Draco groaned and dropped his head back as they lifted him. He braced himself with his arms around both their necks as they shuffled out of the room. Draco's eyes squinted in the light. Slowly, they opened back up and he looked at the two girls.
"Why are you dressed like hookers?" he asked hoarsely.
"It wasn't easy to get in here, you know," Hermione said. Then she frowned, "We can't carry him. It'll take too long. Draco, you're gonna have to try and stand. We'll hold you up, but you have to walk."
Draco agreed and they set his legs on the stone. After a few falters, they got moving, weaving their way back through the mansion.
"Shit, look, it's raining," Ginny said as they passed a window. "I don't like flying in the rain."
"We don't really have a choice," Hermione answered, shaking her head. She nodded forward, "There's the door. The boys should be waiting outside.
"Boy's?" Draco asked.
"Harry and Ron."
Draco closed his eyes. "Why?"
Hermione looked down at him, "What do you mean, why?"
"Why would they want to help me?"
"Because I want to help you. They trust my judgment of your character," she said.
Suddenly, Ginny stopped moving. Draco slipped off her shoulder abd Hermion had to grab him. "Ginny!" she snapped. Then she got a look at her friend. She was frozen and pale.
"Shhh. Listen," she said. They did. Somewhere nearby they could hear voices. Angry voice.
"My dad," Draco confirmed.
Hermione and Ginny grabbed him and turned around, trying to drag him forward but he wouldn't cooperate.
"No, no. We wont have time to get to the other door," he protested.
"But they are coming from the other way. They'll see us when we're going out the door," Ginny said frantically.
"Well, then hurry, cuz that's the only chance we've got. I'm serious. My dad knows this house better than you two. He'll have wizards blocking every door, if he doesn't already."
Ginny and Hermione looked at each other, and turned. Draco's feet scrambled against the floor. They ran forward, trying to ignore the voices that were getting much closer. Further down the hall, a orange glow appeared flickering on the walls. Hermione shifted Draco and tore at the door. It opened, and she let out a whoosh of breath.
Cold air and rain pelted them and some yelled over the storm. It was Harry and Ron, but Hermione couldn't tell what they said. Down the hall, someone was yelling louder.
"Stop, Mudblood! Draco! Draco, don't you DARE leave me."
"Go," Draco urged through his teeth. Hermione could feel his pulse racing. "GO!"
"Draco! What are you doing!"
Hermione's head jerked over to see Lucius racing towards them with a pose of other wizards. They all had their wands raised. Hermione thought quickly, pulling Draco arm off her and pushing him towards Ginny. Then she reached down to her boot and cast a counter spell that would ward off theirs for a few seconds. It worked, thankfully, but not for long.
Ginny yanked Draco out the door and Hermione followed, slamming the door shut. She preformed a locking spell, the same one she used on her door in her room. She knew it wouldn't last long against these wizards.
Ginny and Draco slipped in the muddy grass. Hermione was quickly at their side. Pulling them up. Draco was coughing and sputtering, sounding horrible. Lightning forked through the sky, rippling and crackling. Wind whipped their hair and clothes and the rain pelted stung.
"Over here!" came a quiet scream. Hermione eyes darted around at the lightning lit grounds and spotted Harry and Ron running towards them. Behind her, the door she'd locked busted open.
"Get on your brooms and go," she yelled to Harry and Ron, unsure if they heard her. Then she preformed a summoning spell that sent two wands speeding their way. She grabbed both, tossing on to Ginny.
"Go!" she screamed, and Ginny straddled it quickly and kicked off, disappearing into the sheets of rain.
She scrambled with her own broom, hoping that if Ron and Harry hadn't heard her, they'd at least seen Ginny take off and followed suit.
A bright light zoomed by her and for a moment she thought it was lightning, but quickly realized it was worse. They were attacking her. She was being attacked by dark wizards.
It was hard to breath with the rain. It was so heavy it was like drowning. She struggled to get a good grip on Draco, forcing him onto the broom. Her gripped the front as she slid in behind him, dodging another attack by mere inches.
She tried once to kick off but Draco in his drenched suit was too heavy. She grabbed the jacket from around him and yanked it off. Another attack whizzed by, nearly nicking Draco's head.
"Push off!" she yelled, dropping the coat. They did so simultaneously, zipping upwards. Draco took control of the broom, and Hermione did her best to keep him on it. He was a great Quiddich player, rivaling even Harry, but he wasn't strong right now. He still needed her help.
The tow rose and dove through the sky, dodging left and right. Soon the attacks were coming slower, not quite reaching them, and a few minutes later they'd stopped. The rain let up the higher they flew and Hermione wrapped her shivering body around Draco, laying her head on his back.
"We did it," he called back joyously.
"For now," Hermione whispered. Draco didn't hear over his own laughter and screams. He sent the broom higher and higher, urging the old thing faster and fast until they finally broke away from the storm to a place where the clouds were parting and the blue sky was peeking through. Stars glittered like handfuls of diamonds strewn across it, and the clouds became wispy and silver.
Draco struggled to turn his head. "We did it, Hermione. You did it. You saved me."
"Did you want to be saved," she asked seriously.
He narrowed his gaze. "What sort of question is that?"
"I mean did you want to leave. Did you want to stay with your parents and-"
"Become a Dark Wizard and never see you again? Of course not. Hermione. I think…I think…"
Hermione looked at him, his hair rippling as they speed across the dark cerulean sky. Silver and blue. "What?" she asked.
"I think," he tried again, and then pressed his lips to hers. Their kiss was soft and hot, speaking something that Draco couldn't say.
Hermione hopped he was trying to say what she thought he was trying to say. Because like it or not, she loved him to.