Disclaimer: Oh look I found a penny! This is all I own. Nothing more, obviously if I owned Harry Potter I wouldn't be excited about finding a penny on the street.

Thank you all reviewers!!! I love you. And thanks you, to the people who will now be entered in the story, for replying to my messages.

Chapter 21

Warm. Comfortable. Pain free. Hermione was suddenly conscious of her condition, had she dreamed the beating? Slowly, painstakingly, and rather curiously she opened her eyes to have them filled with light from a small fire. Wincing she blinked, adjusting her tired eyes to the light. Listening, Hermione heard people bustling around the room, though they were trying in vain to be silent.

She took in a deep breath and whimpered as searing pain shot through her side. She lifted the heavy quilt that was tucked neatly and caringly around her. She began to blush when she realized all she had on was her bra and underwear, though it was for good reason. Her side was tightly wound with bandages and gauzes. Bruises covered her from head to toe, purple, blue, green, and yellow, like a demented rainbow.

She gulped nervously at seeing the state she was in, causing her to flinch, her throat throbbed sorely. Maybe she wasn't in the good state she thought she was, but from her injuries she surmised that, in fact, she had not dreamed the previous incident.

Cautiously she glanced around the room, which was amazingly beautiful and fancy. The floor was built from expensive tiled rock, and the decorations seemed to be the work of an expert interior design artist. Everything fit perfectly to make you feel welcome and at home.

The fireplace crackled and popped as the fire ate away at the newly placed logs. The room smelled faintly of vanilla and another scent Hermione knew was familiar but couldn't place a finger on it.

"Oh you're finally awake?" said a fairly young woman who had just entered to room, whom Hermione guessed was only a few years older than herself. "That's great! We thought you'd died." She smiled at Hermione, and from where Hermione laid this girl looked extremely tall. Keep in mind Hermione is a few feet from the ground. She would have guessed her height to be around 5' 11'' which was five inches taller than Hermione's 5' 6''. (AN: I have no idea what her height is! That's just my height and that's usually the height of people where I live is…Unless you are some sort of freak like my friend Keli haha jk.)

"I'm Emerald," she explained her warm green eyes shinning. Hermione looked jealously at Emeralds red hair that cascaded beautifully down her shoulders.

"Hermione," she croaked out in reply. She covered her mouth quickly disgusted and embarrassed at the sound that had come out, she could feel her cheek heat up. Though it hurt like hell Hermione managed to clear her throat and say, "where am I?"

Emerald opened her mouth to explain the door opened and someone strode in. Hermione blink to make sure she was hallucinating, actually she blink five or six time to be sure. There before her stood the Slytherin Prince the Ferret himself Draco Malfoy.

Hermione's mouth dropped open in pure shock. What is he doping here? Shouldn't he be at home? It's Christmas break. Hermione thought rapidly. She watched the blonde's eyes flicker to Emerald who was now standing over Hermione, an apprehensive look passed over his face.

"Em, why don't you go get our guest some water," Malfoy said slowly and cautiously.

"Sure," she replied making her way swiftly out of the room.

"Wh-w," Hermione stammered confused. This wasn't helping her newly forming headache.

"You're awake! Thanks God! Who knows what would have happened if someone found a dead girl outside of my mansion especially one said Hermione Granger, not to mention dealing with Potter and Weasel," Malfoy said nonchalantly as he smirked, but Hermione also noticed tension being released from his shoulders in relief. Had he been worried?

"That's comforting," she muttered, still in chock at the idea of being inside the Malfoy Mansion as a guest. Malfoy stooped beside her bed looking slightly anxious. What was that look for? He seems worried about something. Hermione thought distractedly.

"So- uh- Emmy didn't hit on you, did she?" he asked.

"No! Why? Is she a-" Hermione started but was cut off.

"A lesbian," he finished for her bluntly.

"Really?" she questioned. Was this real? Was this really happening? She wanted to reach out and touch Malfoy to make sure it wasn't a dream. Even if it was a dream she didn't mind, she hoped she wouldn't wake up.

"Yeah," he answered, watching her face for a reaction.

"That's AWESOME!" Hermione tried to scream but it came out as a rough and pathetic rasp. "I love people who take pride in being different and are not scared to express it, to let the world know what they think."

Malfoy was purely and utterly shocked of all the reactions, she was excited? Then again he thought this is the girl who stood up for house elf rights. Malfoy didn't mind Emeralds choice in the sexes but most people usually did, this caused him to grim.

"What?" Hermione asked, returning the grin with a smile.

You're so weird," he told her, shaking his head. She opened her mouth to argue but Malfoy put a finger over her lips to silence her. "Shh, talking is not going to help your throat. Get some rest, okay? We'll talk about this when you are better," he whispered soothingly. Hermione wanted to talk more but sleep washed over her like a tidal wave, the last thing she remembered was Malfoy's soft lips pressed lightly to her forehead and him whispering, "get well soon."

When Hermione awoke hours later, a small house elf was renewing the amount the fire's logs, her face in a happy smile. Hermione yawned and covered her mouth politely; the sudden noise caused the elf to jump.

"Ello," the elf said in the squeaky voice, one that most of her species possessed. She had a slight accent, small ears (for a house elf), a small nose, and large circular brown eyes that glinted in the soft fire light. "I shall inform Master that you have awakened." Hermione opened her mouth to reply the creature was gone in a puff of smoke. Shortly after, Malfoy entered the room looking as if he had been sleeping only moments ago.

His white blonde hair was hanging messily framing his face and his eyes were slightly puffy from sleep deprivation. Hermione glanced out a window to discover that it was indeed very late at night. Following Malfoy was the elf.

"How is she Tess?" he asked looking down at his servant, whom Hermione noticed was no wearing rags like Dobby had when he was serving the Malfoy family.

"Dead, obviously," Tess replied sarcastically. "Now if you will excuse me Mater I shall busy myself with other things and leave you two alone." Malfoy nodded, complying.

When Tess left Hermione spoke up, "you're no longer treating your elves like slaves?"

He smirked, showing his pearly white teeth. "I guess that petition a few years ago for elf rights finally got to me," he replied, his tone sarcastic and playful. Suddenly becoming serious he asked, "How are you?"

"Better," she answered. In reality Hermione was feeling much better than before, she could speak and move without cringing. "Listen, Malfoy, I'm really sorry about this inconvenience, I really appreciate this," Hermione apologized looked down at the ground.

"Inconvenience?! Her- Granger, someone tried to beat the shit out of you, I think I just saved your ass and you're worried about bothering me?" Malfoy hissed in disbelief. He moved towards her and climbed onto the bed, careful not to let his weight shift her. "Look at me," he demanded forcefully, cupping her face in his hands. "I'm glad you're here." Hermione shifted her gaze down again causing Malfoy to wrap his arms around her. They lay there for a moment, Malfoy stroking her hair soothingly breathing in her scent. "Who did this to you?"

"I- I can't say," Hermione told him. At that moment she realized she had no real cloths on, and she began to squirm nervously. He moved his hand slowly down her back, tracing patterns lightly, causing her to arch her upper back. Malfoy didn't mind this; in all reality it quite enjoyed Hermione pushing her chest into him. "Please tell me," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. His fingers were modestly gliding over her body tenderly, tickling every area they touched.

Hermione took in an uneven breath; she was enjoying this as much as he was. He was coaxing her into telling the truth. "I-I can't," she managed to say. Suddenly she could resist no longer, Hermione's lips met Malfoy's. When the kiss was finished his looked at her wide eyed.

"Uh," he started to say, as he looked around nervously. "Don't tell me your father did this to you again." He traced the finger bruises on Hermione's neck anger filling his eyes. Hermione didn't answer. "Shit Granger, why did I let you go home?"

"It's not your fault," she told him wrapping her arms around his neck. Hermione could feel his muscles ripple though his body as he tried to contain his rage.

"I'm going to kill him," Malfoy said through clenched teeth. Hermione kissed his neck trying to distract him; she didn't want him to hurt her father. No matter what he did she still loved him and she knew that it was the alcohol that abused her not her dad.

Still he wasn't calming down so Hermione peeled off his shirt bring it up over his head and moved down to his collar bone. Malfoy sighed. "Granger stop offering yourself as a distraction." He started stroking her hair again after lightly pushing her away. "Not to say I didn't enjoy that though," he added returning to his normal arrogant self. Hermione smiled in relief. (AN: should they do 'it' in the next chapter? Tell me in a review.)

Okay should they have sex or not? Tell me in a review. It depends completely on your review and if they do I will have to move it up to M if anyone has a problem please tell me. By the way I have a plot set out for them after they do it so I should be able to update sooner. Please, please review. Also there is one more character to be added in the next chapter. You will see more of the new characters in the future chapters?