Unbreakable

By patronsaintof


Disclaimer: If I get sued over this, then that's ridiculous.

Author's Note: Thanks for correcting my mistakes. You know who you are.

Sorry this took so long to be updated. I think it has been a week? Or more? I've been busy with some family things, some relationship things, some friend things, plus I'm moving, so I've been packing. I hate moving. It's so tiresome!


Chapter Eleven
Quiet

The sun's warm rays fell onto Hermione's skin giving her the comforting feeling of being wrapped in warmth. After suffering through many cold nights, as she had, she viewed this warmth almost as hope. She sighed, leaning back until she was lying on the grass. Knowing that she was still in enemy territory, her guard was up and she was listening alertly to the sounds around her, but gradually her body began to relax. A gentle meow broke her reverie, causing her eyes to fly open, but she lay still. For days now she'd been trying to coerce a feral cat to trust her. Slowly turning her head, Hermione saw that the cat sat no more than four feet away; it's pale green eyes watching her. For a moment, Hermione shudder as the eyes reminded her of the other cat that had killed the bird she had been also trying to coerce into trust.

The similarity to the previous cat ended with the eyes. The other cat had been stocky, built toughly and carrying a dangerous look about it. This cat seemed shy and it was thin. It didn't look like it was eating properly at all, and Hermione wondered if it was because it was too gentle to fend for itself properly; perhaps it was too scared. Its fur was short and varied in color. For the most part, the cat was white, though the white fur was badly dirtied. A large patch on its back was striped in grey and dark grey, like a tabby, but starting at the center of its tail and ending at the tip, it was a cinnamon color, though still striped like a tabby. Its head had varying patches of both colored stripes, above the eyes, leaving the entire front of the face white. All together, it was an interesting cat to look at, not to mention beautiful. Hermione had yet to determine if it was male or female.

The cat meowed softly again and Hermione smiled. Quickly the smile disappeared as the cat, spooked by the sound of footsteps coming near, turn and ran away. She watched it longingly, wishing that she could hold it close to her. Ever since Crookshanks had died mysteriously just after her graduating year at Hogwarts, Hermione had desired a new companion animal. She had never been able to bring herself to acquire one always feeling it was disrespectful to Crookshanks' memory. Now, though, Hermione needed some form of companionship. She was without friends, behind enemy lines, her time being bided until whatever use these people had for her became needed. Draco Malfoy was the closest she had to a friend here, but even then it was a far stretch. After all, how can you befriend a snake? You always have a nagging fear that it will strike and bite you if you extend your hand.

"Pretty cat." The voice of Draco Malfoy said from above her. Hermione swung her head to look at him, staring up, squinting against the sun. His face was in shadow, the light being directly behind him. She propped herself up on her elbow, shielding her face with her other hand.

"Yeah." She said, looking away and scanning the garden for nothing in particular.

"Isabelle has mentioned you joining the rest of us for dinners, formally." Draco said, bringing Hermione's eyes back to his shadowy face. She balked at the idea; her already marred face twisted with a grimace as she frowned.

"You can tell her that I would rather be eaten alive by rats." Hermione replied, her voice flat. Draco laughed softly.

"I doubt she'll take no for an answer."

"Well, I won't eat with barbarians." Hermione continued, her voice still flat and unrelenting. If Isabelle wanted her to eat with them, she would have to force her to.

"If you want the cat to come to you, you should give it food." Draco said, surprising Hermione. She looked at him incredulously.

"And where exactly would I find extra food?" She asked, quirking her eyebrow.

"I'll give you some, of course." He said simply. Hermione let out what sounded like a laugh. Draco couldn't be entirely sure.

"Of course." She said sarcastically. She continued, seriously. "What are you playing at? First you give me…"

"Don't ever mention that again." Draco interrupted, his voice low. He looked over his shoulder somewhat nervously. He eyed Hermione's guard for the day, a man who sat reading at some distance. Hermione pursed her lips, watching Draco. He turned his head back to her, fixing her with a stern glare. "I'm not playing at anything. Forget your little friend then." He said, turning on his heel and taking a step forward. Hermione instantly was rising to her feet, reaching out a hand to stop him.

"Please, I'm sorry. I'd really like for that cat to allow me to pet it." She said, sounding almost like a child. Her hand didn't touch him, because her voice had stalled him. He glanced back at her, a contemplating look on his face. He sighed loudly, but continued on his way. Hermione stared after him dejectedly.

"Find something nicer to wear for dinner tonight, or Isabelle will be displeased." He said over his shoulder, causing Hermione to sulk more. "Tomorrow I'll help you win over your feline." She heard him say just before he stepped inside. Her lips curved into a smile, that she deftly hid when the man reading looked at her. She stared at him warily before settling back down on the grass, her eyes watching the cloudless blue sky, wishing there were clouds.


Just after nightfall, Hermione Granger stood in her room, sifting through a pile of clothes she had dumped onto her bed. There hadn't been much in the closet that was considered nice. Eventually she settled on a pair of worn muggle jeans, a black shirt and a dark green sweater that she had to admit fit her nicely, and complimented her coloring. She doubted Isabelle would be pleased, but it she was hardly aiming to please. The only reason she had convinced herself to go, was the fact that Draco had said he would help her befriend the cat. In fact, she had considered throwing on the most jumbled and horrible outfit she could manage to put together, just for the sake of irritating the woman. However, knowing the cost of Isabelle's irritation, Hermione decided to go for a less subtle defiance of the request Draco had relayed to her.

Hermione entered the bathroom and was looking at her reflection with mild disgust. The bruises looked terrible against her pale skin, and her hair, though slightly tame, was still a mess of tangled curls that resembled a bird's next in various places. It aggravated her that they had yet to give her a comb. Running her fingers through her hair, in an attempt to rid herself of the tangles, her fingers caught on the knots and tangles, tugging the roots of her hair uncomfortably. Eventually she was swearing over the pain, frustrated with her lack of progress. She sighed heavily, glaring at her unruly hair in the mirror.

A knock sounded from the adjoined room, and she was surprised. Not once had anyone knocked before entering her room here, which had often led to some embarrassing moments involving her being partially nude while changing. Usually these moments occurred when it was nameless men come to escort her to the garden or deliver her food, but once Draco had walked in, immediately lowering his gaze and walking out the door, waiting until she called through that it was fine. Now, she approached the door almost curiously, wondering who would possibly be knocking. She called through the wood that it was fine for them to enter, stepping back towards her bed. She wasn't entirely surprised to see that it was Draco, himself.

"This is absolutely ridiculous you know." Hermione said, sitting on the edge of her bed. Draco nodded with a laugh, and for a second Hermione's eyes filled with tears. She turned her head to try and hide them, but Draco saw, though he didn't say anything. She laughed nervously, wiping beneath her eyes with both hands. "I'm so sorry, just for a moment there, you almost sounded like Ron." She whispered, watching Draco carefully. No reaction registered on his face, though she was sure he probably had felt annoyed at the comparison. She knew that Ron had not been one of Draco's favorite people.

"I agree with you, by the way. I don't know what Isabelle is thinking, having you join us." He said, trying to ease her away from the topic. Much subdued, Hermione merely nodded. She was staring at her hands, which were folded in her lap, when suddenly she looked up at Draco, her eyes immensely sad.

"I never said I was sorry about your mother." She said. Draco blinked at her, surprised. "I only met her once, and she didn't seem like a very agreeable person, but I'm sure she was rather lovely." Hermione stumbled over her words, and Draco smiled as she insulted his mother at the same time she offered condolences. Awkwardly, Hermione stood, making her way toward the door, wanting to be free of the embarrassed feeling that was causing her cheeks to warm. She knew that Draco had followed her into the hall when she heard her door close. He moved past her, leading the way silently.

They entered a room to find Isabelle already seated, along with three others, at a somewhat smaller table than Hermione had expected. There were only six plates set around it, though Hermione knew for certain that there were more occupying this home than that since the move after the rescue attempt. Isabelle looked up at Hermione, smiling warmly. "Good evening." She said pleasantly. Hermione's eyebrows rose, refusing to smile back or even respond. Her hands grasped the back of the chair farthest from Isabelle, pulling it out. She sat down, feeling awkward again, not knowing why she was here. She rather liked it more being locked in a room alone.

Draco sat, as well, and presently a troupe of house elves entered the room carrying dishes of food. Hermione clucked in displeasure, insisting that she retrieve her own food. Her protests were quelled by a dark look from Isabelle. The sixth man joined them as soon as the food was settled on their plates, and Isabelle shot him an annoyed glance, though she said nothing. For several minutes they ate in silence, but then the other men began small chitchat, with Isabelle and Draco chiming in every once in a while. Hermione ate in silence, keeping her eyes firmly on the table. She had just swallowed a bite of chicken, when she heard Isabelle say her name.

Glancing up, Hermione saw that Isabelle was watching her with an expectant look. Not having paid attention to the conversation, Hermione was lost. Isabelle seemed to take note of that and gave Hermione a small condescending smile. "I said, Draco mentioned that you've taken a liking to a cat on the grounds and you wish to acquire it as a pet?"

Immediately, Hermione shot Draco a cold glare, but it seemed that there was something in his eyes that contradicted what Isabelle said. When her eyes settled back on Isabelle they were narrowed with distrust. "Not as a pet. I'd simply like for it to trust me." She said carefully. Isabelle made a sound of understanding and nodded her head. She stared into Hermione's eyes.

"As do I." Isabelle said, and Hermione heard the meaning in her words, but was astounded that Isabelle would even consider it a possibility that she ever trust any of them fully after the things she had endured at their hands.

"The trouble, Isabelle, is that unlike you, I won't beat the cat nearly to death after petting it and giving it food." Hermione said, her temper getting the best of her. The other men, who had continued to talk softly, became silent instantly. Hermione saw Isabelle's jaw clench as the woman set her utensils down and placed her hands in her lap.

"Is that so?" Isabelle asked, her voice filled with venom. She was on her feet in a matter of seconds, rounding the table and pulling Hermione's chair from its place with more force than expected. Her wand was in her hand, pointed at Hermione's throat. Hermione clenched her jaw, made no sound, and did not let her expression show the sudden fear she felt. The men watched silently, still sitting, but Draco rose to his feet as well, talking quietly to Isabelle has he approached. His words blocked Hermione from hearing what spell Isabelle whispered but she understood the effects immediately. Opening her mouth, Hermione found she could not speak. Isabelle smiled at her, almost affectionately. "If you cannot mind your tongue, I will have to do it for you."

Hermione glared at her, tears welling in her eyes. Draco had a hand on Isabelle's arm, and was leading her away. On impulse, Hermione reached forward, grasping her plate, still slightly covered with food and hurled it at the men opposite her. She tried to speak, tried to yell, but no sound emerged from her mouth. She was crying freely, though the only evidence was her ragged breathing as she continued to grab plates and cups and throw them. The men were on her quickly, holding her arms and dragging her roughly to her room. Hermione looked over her shoulder to see Draco watching her, a sad look on his face. Isabelle stood beside him, her face lit with sadistic pleasure.