As promised, I am left alone – for several days. The only means I have to keep track of time is the regularity of my afternoon meals. By now I am sure that my stomach is smaller than it has ever been, but I've become used to the pangs of hunger. It distracts from all the other pain I feel – be it physical, or emotional.

After what I count to be three days, I receive a surprise visit. I didn't hear the door open or close, but suddenly I feel a hand tighten on my shoulder. I whirl around, my heart pounding, ready to face Lucius, or Bellatrix…or worse…

But instead I see Draco's face before me, his finger pressed over his lips to keep me silent. As I take in the welcome sight of his presence, I notice that the wound on the side of his face has not healed well. I say nothing and wait for him to speak, my heart racing wildly in the silence.

"I only have a moment," he breathes, throwing an anxious glance over his shoulder at the door, listening and watching for any sign of someone following him. "They don't allow me to see you - I'm not supposed to be here…but I had to tell you this in person."

He inches closer to me and grasps my other shoulder. A strange feeling grips me as I anticipate what he could be here to say, what might be so important that he would risk coming here to talk to me, but I nod for him to continue.

"I may have found a way to get you out of here. It's not the most brilliant plan, but…I'm working on it."

At his words, my mind feels as if it's gone blank. Every fiber in my being is longing to believe him, but I don't know whether to be thrilled, or terrified.

I can't believe it…

I open my mouth to question him, to protest, but he shakes his head firmly and presses on.

"Don't – there isn't time for questions. I wanted to give you hope…you're going to need it, for what's coming. But please know…it isn't a false hope…I am going to get you out of here. I swear it."

He looks at me with those grey eyes – the windows to a soul which, at this moment, I don't know if I'll ever understand. He slides his hands down from my shoulders and brings them to rest over my hands. I don't know what to say…I do feel hope, I admit it – more than I have felt in months…and I hope to God it isn't false. As I try to think of the right words, suddenly I find that his face is very close to mine. He is looking into my eyes with an odd expression, his face etched with despair. His voice is slightly rough as he whispers to me, and I can feel the warmth of his breath on my skin.

"I…don't know when I will see you again…"

Then, he kisses me.

His lips press softly against mine for the briefest of moments, but in my mind it lasts an eternity. After I clumsily recover from the initial shock, I feel a warmth even stronger than what I felt from his brief touch in the hall the other day returning, rushing through me.

Suddenly I find myself returning the kiss.

Just as I do, he pulls away.

I gasp quietly when he does, my mind and body reeling from what has just happened. My eyes still locked onto his, I hear him say something, but his voice sounds as if it's coming from a long way off.

"I will send word to you when it's time."

As he says this, his hands slip away from mine and without another word, he is gone.

Again, I am alone.

But I'm strangely happy.

And…

I have hope.

Ahhh, finally ;) I know it's super short, but I didn't want to add anything else to it - I thought it better to leave it short, and sweet :) But the next chapter is already en route, so hold on tight, because things are about to get extremely angsty, very quickly ;D