"We could leave if you want," Draco whispered in her ear. "Attending these parties is for show purposes anyway. I've made my presence known. We don't have to stay."

She sighed and looked around the party she had been forced to join again. They had left their solitude two hours ago, and Hermione wanted nothing more than to escape back to that secluded room with Draco. She was suffocating here, feeling all eyes on her. Voldemort, it seemed, had left the party long ago, while she was otherwise preoccupied. According to Draco, who had stayed by her side the whole time with his arm around her waist holding her pressed to his side, the Dark Lord only attended to make some spectacle, to remind them all why exactly he ruled them, and never more than that. Now that their Lord was gone, they were more than welcome to leave. But Hermione didn't want to go yet. She couldn't. She needed to prove to herself that she was stronger than this, that she could do this. If she fled now at the first sign of immediate danger, she would only be telling herself she was going to fail in her mission. And if she was truly being honest with herself, which was something Hermione had decided many months ago was unwise to do, she would admit that she did not want to go back to Draco's large, lonely Manor alone with him just yet. She needed to collect her wits after what had just happened, after what she had just felt. She had never felt such pure need in its most primal form. She had never felt so hollow, begging to be filled however she could. She had never felt so disgusted with herself that it was Draco Malfoy, the boy who had tormented her every second he could, that had been there to see it, to quench her thirst.

"Drake," Blaise Zabini interrupted before she answered. He walked over to them. He was smirking widely. "Quite a show you and your pet put on for us. Who knew one of these parties could actually be entertaining."

Draco's arm tightened around her waist as she felt him tense. "I'm so glad I was able to amuse you, Blaise," he retorted sardonically. "Speaking of the show, where is Nott? I should – have a word with him."

Blaise chuckled. "You're not really surprised that he did what he did, are you? You've been making a fool of him since we were kids. Of course he is going to do everything he can to ruin you."

"Well then I'll just have to do everything I can to remind him why exactly I can make him look a fool," Draco said darkly. "Honestly, this whole thing is because I wouldn't let him raid the-."

"Draco," Zabini warned, his eyes flickered between Hermione and Draco. His face darkened for a moment before he smirked, once again carrying the light air of serenity he was so famous for. "No business tonight, mate. It's a party after all. Isn't that right, Ms. Wyler?" he looked at her, smiling.

She nodded slightly, watching him oddly, sensing something dark behind his calm façade. Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy's best friend. That was what she knew him as all through school. She had heard rumors of his prowess in bed and his ability to charm over any one of his choosing. She had also heard he was the only one who could calm Draco in one of his fits. He had always been seen in school as the voice of reason in Slytherin. She knew his family was not as heavily involved with Voldemort, but she wondered if their neutrality changed when it was clear he was going to win. They were Purebloods after all. Still, she had always thought he was above the darkness that seemed to consume the rest of them, like he wasn't like Draco or any other Slytherin. But as she looked at him now, she knew she was wrong. Blaise Zabini was every bit as capable of cruelty as Draco was. It made sense, she supposed, since he was Draco's best friend.

"I for one have to say," he said. "Even more beautiful than that show was the delectable noises I heard from the room you both disappeared to." He stepped closer to her, putting his hand on her hip. "I would love to hear you come again, mi amore," he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her ear, causing her to shiver. "Perhaps this time, we can see how I'd make you squeal." He chuckled softly, his eyes flickering to Draco was a moment before his lips were back at her ear. "Draco doesn't like sharing his pets…with anyone but me." She felt Draco tense even more next to her. Clearly, he was not okay with this, which surprised her a bit. They had clearly shared girls before. Why would she be any different to him? Still, despite his obvious anger, he kept himself under control.

She was horrified. She was supposed to be under Draco's protection and his best friend was clearly trying to get in her pants in front of him. Obviously, they had shared girls before. But Hermione Granger was not going to be one of those slags even if she was shuddering at the heat that was gathering between her thighs again. She had to keep at least some of her integrity at the end of this. She put her hand on Blaise's chest and pushed him back away from her. "No thank you, Mr. Zabini."

Draco laughed, though it did not cover the anger that was simmering between his eyes. "Well since she so clearly rejects your offer, Blaise, I will save you from having to hear that this time, I will not be sharing. Speaking of which, my pet and I should be going. I'll see you at the Manor tomorrow evening for the debriefing."

Blaise chuckled, his smirk back prominently on his face. "Very well," he nodded. "You're more than welcome to any of the rooms here if you don't want to Apparate home." His smirk unnerved her. She knew there was a perverted meaning behind his words but she was too exhausted to try to decipher it.

Draco forced a laugh, clearly understanding whatever she was missing. "Thank you, but I'd prefer those delectable sounds to be heard by only me. You understand, I'm sure?"

"Of course," Blaise inclined his head. "Then I will see you tomorrow."

"Tell Nott to come early," Draco said quietly. She did not miss his meaning this time in his cold voice. "I'd like to speak to him – privately."

Blaise chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "I'll pass along your message."

Draco nodded once and then led her away from the Italian wizard and out the door. He waited until they were at the Apparating point before slowing down. Without any warning, he Apparated them back into his Manor.

She pulled away from him and let out a sigh of relief. She had made it through the night. She had walked into the snake's nest and somehow made it out alive.

Draco stood there, watching her. "It turns out I don't have to kill you," he said casually. Too casually really, as if he was simply telling her the night had gotten cold.

She looked at him, her eyes wary. She didn't say anything, and she knew he didn't really expect her to. What would she even say to that? Thank him for sparing her life? Or offer him congratulations for earning Voldemort's approval for the night?

"I will deal with Nott's insubordination and conniving trick tomorrow," he said quietly. "I will have retribution for his cowardly attack."

"He really hates you that much?" she asked, her tone just as low as him. "To put your life at risk?"

"It's not about lives," he answered surprisingly. She had just expected him to dismiss her question, to continue to distance himself as he always did. "It's about power. I have it. He does not."

"Why are you telling me this?" she couldn't stop herself from asking. She quickly berated herself. Hermione Granger was inquisitive. Jean Wyler was not supposed to be.

He looked at her for a long time, and she knew she would not get an answer. He was distancing himself off again and she realized she wasn't sure which she preferred. On one hand, she liked knowing things. She was still Hermione Granger after all. On the other, she was afraid of what it meant if he was opening up to her. "You should change," he said suddenly before turning and walking to the stairs. He paused at the foot of the step and turned his head slightly. "Come to my study when you are done." He turned back around and walked up the stairs, leaving her question open in the air with only her confusion for company.

Hii thanks for reading! I know this chapter was a little slow but I needed to set some things up for the upcoming events. Anyways, hope you liked it anyway! Let me know what you think please! Okay byee xx