Plot: As muggle-borns are sold as slaves to the highest bidder, Hermione is sold to Draco Malfoy. Although her world is bleak, the younger Malfoy surprises her with his kindness. Will their newfound friendship lead to happiness, or more misery for the pair – who are on opposite sides of a raging war?

Request: This is a request by Mireya. Thanks so much for this. I LOVE IT. Also, thanks for becoming a new reader of my story, pleased you like it and I hope you like the outcome of your request.

Everyone else, I have included the review at the end so as not to spoil it for people who haven't read it.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Potterverse and this is rated M for adult content.

Slave

It was a risk. She knew that. Deliberately being caught in order to be sold into the home of a prominent Death Eater came with a host of dangers. If they found her concealed weapons (wands, potions, and the like) she could easily be executed or tortured into madness.

And given her association with Harry Potter, she could be executed and/or tortured into madness anyway.

But if it went right, and she was sold into the home of any significant Death Eater (which was the likely outcome, given her profile) she would get access to their homes in an unprecedented way for the Order.

Of course, they had informants in every household. Though generally they were trusted friends and visitors, not people who could be there around the clock to monitor their strengths, weaknesses or pass intel.

It was a gamble Hermione, and the Order (reluctantly) agreed was worth it.

So, there she was, standing on a podium, awaiting her sale to the highest bidder. Hermione wasn't afraid so much as anxious. She wondered who would buy her and what her life would be like. She had the means to protect herself, hidden in a range of clever ways using a host of charms, some of which were ancient. But it did little to help her nerves.

Despite her best laid plans, there was still plenty of room for things to go terribly wrong.

In the audience she saw many familiar faces, it was a who's who of shady purebloods. She had no doubt some of her former schoolmates in the audience were enjoying seeing her degraded in such a way. Though she pushed this from her mind and focused instead on her goals.

She had to do her best to steady herself, as she had spent several weeks in a dungeon, leaving her cold, underfed and weak - but she wanted to present herself as strong and capable anyway. Hermione didn't want anyone to think they'd have an easy time breaking her.

Draco Malfoy was livid when he saw her teetering on that podium. The stupid little bookworm had gotten herself into a deadly position. He mentally noted that it seemed to be a bloody habit for her as he fumed darkly where he stood.

Although most of the people at the auction were trusted family friends and confidants, Draco knew many of them to be sadistic and at times deadly. He wondered if Granger knew what she could be in for.

A montage of the pain and misery that could, and would, likely befall his former school foe played in his mind, tormenting him to the point that he couldn't help bid.

He didn't like her, but he also didn't hate her. He'd have to hate her to want someone like Theo Nott and his father to get win her in this auction.

At the end of the day, Draco had more money in his vault than most of these fools combined. It was hardly a challenge for him to win the girl. Few of them wanted to bid against him anyway.

He noticed her eyes widen when she saw who was bidding on her, and he took perverse pleasure in the fear in them – although to her credit she was quick to guard her expression. Just not quick enough for him.

"Move it Granger," he said, pushing her in the back and she trudged through the hallways of the Manor.

The place was quieter than she'd expected. She'd heard it was a hive of activity for the other side in this war and most of their operations were based from there, given the centuries old wards were the best in the country.

But tonight, it seemed abandoned.

From a strategic perspective, this was the best outcome for her. She was now inside of a virtually impenetrable stronghold for the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.

She knew she was likely purchased to bait Harry, which was something she had discussed with the Order when deciding to go on this mission.

The advantage was that she was now in a position to gather intel or even find opportunities to commit acts of sabotage.

But from a personal perspective, she had problems with her new 'owner'. Malfoy had always had it out for her, and she hoped he had not purchased her intent on degrading her, in addition to using her as bait for Harry and the Order.

"I am," she spat in response, through gritted teeth.

"Left," he barked, directing her up a hallway, away from the stairs she assumed she would be taking down to the dungeons.

Hermione turned to look at her captor curiously. Why wasn't she to be kept in the dungeon?

As if reading her mind, Draco responded to her unasked question in a bored tone.

"You'll be kept in the servants' quarters, not the dungeons," he said coolly.

"Oh, how lovely," was all she could reply.

"Consider yourself lucky Granger," said Draco, pulling on the chain attached to the restraints around her wrists, which were pinned behind her back.

"Lucky?" she snorted. She would never show Malfoy she was afraid of him.

"Yes, lucky," he spat. "I could have let Nott and his father have you. I am sure you've heard what happens to muggleborn women in that household?" he said, slight distain evident in his voice.

Hermione nodded, uncomfortable with his closeness to her. She could feel his breath on the back of her neck, causing her to shudder.

Sensing her fear, Draco loosened his grip on the chains slightly, but stood his ground. "I don't do that Granger. Believe me when I tell you, I have done you a favour tonight."

Hermione said nothing, continuing her walk to the servants' quarters as Draco instructed.

She figured they were living in dark times indeed, given that being sold to a Malfoy could now be considered a lucky outcome.

"I don't trust it, or her," said Narcissa, sipping her coffee and glaring at her son.

"You can't trust any prisoner. They're prisoners. By virtue of their status they want to get out and are likely desperate enough to do anything to succeed… but she's also the best bait for Potter that we could possibly have. His best friend. One of their best soldiers. Weasley's girlfriend. The whole Weasley family are in that bloody Order now. They'll all want to come for her!" said Draco, who had looked up from his newspaper to acknowledge his mother.

"It's a risk," she said disapprovingly.

"A strategic risk," replied his father from beside Draco. "Those idiots will likely be foolish enough to storm the house for that girl. They'll be outnumbered and at a distinct disadvantage given the extensive protections this Manor has," lectured Lucius.

"Why not put her in the dungeons though?" whined Narcissa.

"Because, mother," said Draco, becoming increasingly agitated by her scrutiny, "the Order will never believe us if we simply say we have her. We all know there are holes in this ship. If we bring her out and have her seen being worked as a servant in the Manor, one of the rats will scurry away and take word back to Potter, then, they'll all come."

"Very good thinking, Son," said Lucius proudly, smiling at his first and only son. Praise from Lucius was usually only dished out when Draco had done something devious. Today was no different, he noted to himself idly.

"Thank you, father," replied Draco.

"Well, let it be known for the record, that I don't like this," shot Narcissa from her seat at the table.

"Consider it noted," replied Draco, his father nodding beside him.

Draco used his first opportunity to show off his new prize during his monthly poker game. Attendees included his old school friends Zabini, Crabbe, Nott and Pike.

He had dressed her in green, something his Slytherin friends had enjoyed, and had her stand in the corner, serving drinks to the men whenever she was beckoned. Draco hoped this would be the first of many opportunities to use her to lure Potter to the Manor, should it be one of those wizards responsible for the leak.

"I must say Malfoy, Granger does look rather fetching today. I see why you paid such a high price for the Mudblood," said Theo, eyeing Hermione lecherously and causing the witch to visibly shudder.

Draco snorted and took a drink of firewhiskey. "I bought Granger, because, unlike you, whose main focus seems to be establishing what physically and sexually sadistic things you can do to Mudblood girls, I am devoted to the Dark Lord. Her presence will lure her best friend Potter and his band of delinquents directly to the Manor, and to the Dark Lord," said Draco haughtily.

Theo, who was seated next to Draco made a point of grabbing his old friend by the shoulders and turning him to the corner of the room in which Hermione stood.

"Don't tell me you can't see how tasty her body is, don't tell me you wouldn't love to see her beg," said Theo darkly.

Hermione appeared to be as furious as she was terrified. Draco, used to schooling his features, maintained an outwardly calm demeanour.

"You know, Nott, for someone so disgusted by Mudbloods, I am surprised so many of them clearly turn you on?" he said, throwing a chip into the middle of the table.

"All I am saying is, you're not treating her as she should be treated. Loan her to me. I'll show her how Mudbloods should really be treated," said Nott, blowing her a kiss.

Draco gestured for Hermione to come to her and refill his drink. He looked Theo in the eye as she poured the liquid into his crystal tumbler.

"No Nott, I don't think I shall subject something that is mine to your ownership. Somehow, I very much doubt she would be returned to me in one piece," said Draco casually, turning his nose up at the man.

"Touché," laughed Theo, lifting his own glass for Hermione to pour.

"What are you doing here?" hissed Hermione as Blaise Zabini walked into the small storage area she was in. Officially she was restocking the bar, unofficially she was hiding from the horrid men in the poker room.

"Relax Hermione, I told them I was going to the bathroom. It's fucking miles away, we have time," said Blaise, walking up to her and pulling her into a warm embrace.

Hermione felt herself melt into him. Although she had only been at the Manor for a matter of days – it was such a cold and unforgiving place that she had forgotten what kindness and the touch of a friend felt like already.

"Please tell me this is all a part of some brilliant plan," said Blaise, worried about his friend.

"Yes, but we kept this secret… inner circle only," said Hermione apologetically.

"No problem. It's simply charming to know that after years of faithful service and intelligence gathering, at great personal risk, I am still considered an outsider in the Order," said Blaise, some hurt in his tone.

"Don't take it personally Blaise, I knew I would see you soon enough. You are still in good standing with all the pureblood families who were present at that auction," she said, genuinely sorry for keeping him in the dark.

"So, Nott has his eye on you," said Blaise, passing Hermione a bottle she had been reaching for on the top shelf. While she did have a wand concealed. Magic would set off alarms in any of the servant areas of the Manor, so she couldn't risk it. She was glad she had Blaise to help her.

"Oh God," she responded, feeling a knot in the bottom of her stomach at the mention of the animal in the other room. He made Malfoy look positively saintly.

"Don't worry. Malfoy told him to shove it, more than once. Everyone knows Malfoy doesn't share his things… are they treating you OK?" he asked, visibly concerned.

"As well as to be expected… do you have any news from the Order?" asked Hermione hopefully. Their lives were full of danger, and her fear was that one or more of her loved ones could be hurt or even killed in her absence.

"No deaths. A few minor injuries. Ron is on the bench for a few days to heal – but he will be fine. They have plans to expand back into Hogwarts, and of course the are looking for you. They're not sure where you were sent after the auction. That's why I came to Malfoy's little poker night. Wanted to see if you were here, good thing I did. I can tell them where you are now," he said with a half-smile.

"Tell them not to do anything rash, it's quite obvious my primary purpose is as bait. Don't let them fall into that trap so easily," instructed Hermione.

"I will," he said, "and take this coin. You know the drill, you can send short messages on it. I'll get them and pass them on," he said, pulling her into a quick hug again.

"Okay, be careful too," instructed Hermione as Blaise reached the door.

"I will," he said, shooting her a mischievous smile before returning to the game.

A week passed relatively quickly, and Draco found it easy to find ways to display her to everyone who came in or out of the Manor.

He figured it must have been humiliating for her. To have to serve these people day in, day out, as they criticised her appearance, her blood, her friends, her status as a witch and her involvement in the Order.

It's not that he couldn't empathise with her. It's that he knew he shouldn't.

He had done her enough of a favour in shielding her from the other families who would have made her life nowhere near as comfortable while they waited for Potter to take the bait.

It had crossed his mind that a time would come when she would no longer have demonstrable use to the family anymore. He had already decided he would either make sure her execution was quick and painless, or cut her loose if he thought he could get away with it.

He hoped he could help her get away eventually. If they won the war, with a head start she could likely hide in the muggle world. Freeing her could be his one good act. Though why she was inspiring thoughts like that in him was beyond his understanding.

As for Hermione, she looked miserable but she was unharmed, and he took some solace in knowing that was largely because of him. But he still couldn't help but feel guilty.

Which is why he found himself trudging to her small room one night to give her a selection of books from his personal library.

It felt profoundly wrong to him to 'own' a woman, especially one like Hermione. He wondered if he was soft, like Theo Nott had told him during their excruciating poker game.

As he reached for the handle he looked at his Dark Mark, which served a reminder to him that he was not 'soft' at all.

When he entered the room, she jumped from her bed in surprise. A shot of fear gripped her that perhaps he was going to go back on his word and harm her. Why else would he be in her room alone, this late at night?

"Malfoy… what do you want?" she asked, trying to sound calm. She could fight him if she had to. She would fight him if she had to.

Draco cleared his throat before speaking.

"I thought it a shame that your mind should go to waste down here, or worse, mad with boredom," he explained, "so I have collected some books from my personal library for you to read."

Hermione took the books from his hands and shuffled through them.

"Thank you, I, ah, haven't read a few of these," she said quietly, unsure what to make of his seemingly kind gesture.

Draco looked triumphant at her admission that she had not read some of his chosen books. Everyone knew Hermione had read basically everything, of course.

"You can take your time with them. No one will notice they're missing as they're from my personal collection," he offered.

Hermione nodded and sat down quietly, waiting for whatever it was that he planned to say or do next.

"Granger… I will do my best to make sure this doesn't get worse for you, but I can make no guarantees. The Dark Lord comes and goes, and remains as unpredictable as ever," he said gravely as he moved to leave the cramped and dingey room.

"Why are you helping me?" she asked, a slight crack in her voice.

"I'm cold Granger, not a monster," was his only response.

He'd been away for two weeks and decided to make Granger's room his first point of call. It was late at night, but he wanted to check on her.

When he opened the door, he was greeted with a grim sight.

She was laid out on the bed face down, blood on the sheets, on her body and on the floor. Above her was Blaise Zabini, clearly tending to the numerous lacerations on her body.

Blaise immediately stood in front of her defensively.

Draco heard Hermione make a strangled noise, to which Zabini responded.

"It's Draco, not Lucius, don't worry," he said soothingly. Draco was taken aback by the familiarity between the pair.

"What the fuck is going on?" asked Draco, drawing his wand.

"I was around for one of your father's events, and he decided to show off to Theo's asshole father. So, they took turns performing some pretty nasty curses on her," said Blaise, looking at Draco unwaveringly.

"And what are you doing here now?" asked Draco.

"They told me to take her back here. I stayed to look after her," explained Theo, noting Draco's suspicious expression. "You know damn well I have never endorsed this kind of shit," added Blaise snappily, crossing his arms.

A few things became obvious to Draco in that moment.

1. Granger would never be safe there unless he was around to supervise her personally

2. She and Zabini had some kind of relationship, there was a familiarity he could feel – and he did not like it

3. Zabini was one of the people leaking information to the Order. It was blatantly clear where his loyalty was

"So, you're the rat," said Draco, lowering his wand.

Blaise looked at him evenly. "Maybe," he replied, "what would you do about it if I was?" he asked.

Draco simply stepped aside to open the doorway to Blaise.

"Leave. Don't come back," he instructed icily.

Zabini turned to whisper something to Granger, giving her hand a squeeze and walking towards the door. Draco narrowed his eyes at the man and hoped it wasn't jealousy he was feeling.

"Showing an awful lot of mercy these days Malfoy. First Granger, now me… I wonder, what's going on in that head of yours…Could it be that you're doubting all of this?" he said challengingly, gesturing to the Manor walls generally.

He entered Draco's personal space only briefly before sweeping past. Clearly, he never planned on staying to hear Draco's response.

Hermione was too tired to argue as Blaise had told her he would come back for her. The boy was loyal to a fault.

She knew Draco was hovering in the door way, but he said nothing so she used the time to reflect on her relationship with Blaise. She'd rather think about anything than the pain she was in. It wasn't just the cuts, but the deep ache in her body that vibrated through every part of her. She felt like her blood was on fire.

Things had been complicated with Blaise by his feelings for her. They had some intimate moments over the years, some heavy petting in Ministry safehouses. A particularly memorable one on the kitchen counter that often sprung to mind when she felt lonely.

But beyond friendship and the odd instance of lustfulness, she never returned his feelings. In the end, she had told him this. He had taken it well, though he never made any secret of being disappointed.

She knew it must have been hard for him to watch what Lucius had done to her – but he played his part well and she was grateful for that. It meant that both of them stood a chance, and she didn't have to come back to the room alone.

In truth, she wished she felt for Blaise what he felt for her. But something was never right. Regardless, she was grateful to Draco for letting him go, rather than turning him in. Though, at the same time, she felt scared she may never see him again.

She was feeling exceedingly faint by this point and barely registered it when Malfoy wrapped her in the sheet and levitated her up the stairs. Of course, being of Malfoy blood, he could do magic wherever he wanted without cause for alarm, servants rooms or not.

Hermione, struggling to keep her eyes open, hoped that he might be taking her somewhere to heal her, as she wasn't sure she could stand the pain much longer.

Draco was livid at his father and even more angry at himself for caring so much.

He wasn't sure why he worried about Granger so much while he was away, or why seeing her in such a state cut him so deeply. He couldn't work out why Zabini squeezing her hand inspired the jealousy it had or why she had a permanent spot on his mind since he saw her on the podium and couldn't let her go.

Draco felt hopeless and frustrated with himself.

He hardly even knew the witch for fucks sake. Other than as the annoying little bookworm from school. In the Manor she had been quiet and sullen, nothing like he had remembered her.

But Nott's crude description of her appearance wasn't wrong, and in truth he had noticed how good she looked. But that on its own shouldn't have inspired the protective force in him he felt for her or the strange urges he felt to spend time with her and to do things for her.

He cursed as he set about performing the healing charms he could undertake with his wand, planning to spend the night brewing the potions he would need to set her right.

What a bloody mess.

"Where's the girl?" asked Lucius at breakfast, used to Hermione serving the family. It was excessive, given they had house elves, but tormenting Potter's best friend was a pastime of the household.

"Well, she's recovering from the work over you and Nott gave her last night," replied Draco coolly, regarding his father.

"Do you have a problem with that son?" asked Lucius in a friendly tone which Draco knew to be false.

"Of course not, however, one couldn't expect her to be walking around after that," said Draco, biting into his crumpet.

Lucius looked at his son suspiciously but shrugged after a few moments, having clearly decided he believed him.

"We'll call in a few extra house elves," said Narcissa.

"Excellent idea mother," replied Draco.

"When do you think the girl will be functional again?" asked Narcissa.

"A few days, perhaps..." mused Draco.

"Fair enough. She's your property Draco, I will expect you will keep an eye on her for that duration," said Lucius.

"OK father, I will see to it she is monitored," replied Draco, secretly pleased he would be able to spend more time with her without raising any red flags.

"How are you feeling?" asked Draco, sitting by her where she lay.

Unbeknownst to his family, he had kept her in his room where she could rest more easily on his luxurious bedding, rather than the prison style 'bed' in the servants' quarters.

"Ok," she replied groggily, having been a little disorientated as the potions worked their way through her system.

"Is Blaise ok?" she asked, worried that perhaps he didn't make it out of the Manor.

Draco regarded her coldly. Why was she so concerned with him anyway?

"Yes," he said stiffly, "I didn't tell anyone."

"Thank you," she said, stroking the top of his wrist and sending delightful shivers through his body.

Draco cleared his throat and stood, not wanting to risk being close to her for too long.

"I've run you a bath, it's probably time you take one. Get the last of the blood off you and the residue from the positions I applied externally," he instructed, "I put a towel in there for you," he added.

"OK," she said, reaching for his hand to help her up.

Draco felt conflicted. Helping her and having her trust him enough to let him, felt good. But he also knew he was in dangerous territory.

He'd been drawn to her since the auction, and he had no idea what that meant for his future. Or hers, if she was ever crazy enough to feel the same.

She emerged from the bathroom wearing an old Slytherin shirt, the only garment he had small enough to be remotely suitable for her. On her it was more of a nightdress than a shirt.

Her hair was wet and combed straight. She could smell him all over her, having washed using all of his products. His smell hadn't gone unnoticed by her during her time in the Manor.

She liked it. She felt better when he was around.

Draco was sitting on one half of the king bed, reading next to his lamp.

He looked up to her and gestured to the empty side of the bed. Hermione blushed. Had he slept beside her last night? She had been so out of it on the potions he gave her that she didn't even know.

The situation was a little daunting, but she had no desire to go back to that horrid, blood stained room all on her own after the past few days.

And, for some reason, Draco was protecting her – and while she recovered, she knew she needed it.

Plus, she would be able to spend some more time with him and gain insight into his motivations. She was curious about him. He seemed like he had grown into a man of great depth and contradiction, and she got the sense he had more of a conscience than anyone knew, perhaps more than even he knew.

The books he had given her had been full of hidden life and depth, and she thought his taste, along with his decision to share it with her, were a sign of some kind of internal goodness in the smug Malfoy heir.

It also had not gone unnoticed by her that he had grown into an attractive man. He was tall but strong looking with aristocratic features and eyes in the most striking shade of blue. He no longer slicked his hair back, instead wearing it shaggy. It was a look she had heard Lucius criticise more than once, but she rather liked it.

Many of the women who came to the Manor looked at him longingly, although he never seemed to pay it much mind. Their interest was obvious, and he was a man who could very clearly snap his fingers and have any witch he wanted in his bed.

She couldn't really imagine having that kind of appeal, having always been largely invisible to men.

Hermione had only ever 'been' with Ron, and later, almost all the way with Blaise. She was hardly experienced in sharing the beds of men she hardly knew, so she blushed as she climbed into the bed next to Draco.

"Are you OK?" he asked.

"As I can be I suppose," she answered honestly, turning away so he didn't see her face. She was worried she may not be able to hold the tears back. The pain Lucius inflicted had rocked her to her core, and she wasn't as confident in her decision to take this mission as she had been.

Could she withstand that again? What if Blaise and Draco hadn't helped her? She could have died there. She'd been able to send some intelligence to the Order, but at what cost? Hermione couldn't help but feel as though she had lost control of her mission.

Draco knew she turned around so he wouldn't see her tears. He thought her attempt to be stoic was admirable, but not necessary.

Anyone would be shaken by the kind of cruelty the men had inflicted upon her, and she likely thought it would escalate further at the time. It must have been terrifying, and he couldn't help but secretly loathe his father for it.

It was unnecessary and gratuitous. And it was against her. And she was his.

Ignoring his better judgement, he reached down and began to run his fingers through her hair gently.

He felt her stiffen the relax. Encouraged by her submission, he coaxed her around to put her head in his lap, where he stroked her hair and the side of her face gently as she curled into a ball against him.

They stayed like that for quite some time, in comfortable silence, though he began to panic when she sat up to face him.

"Thank you for what you did Malfoy," she said, looking at him with doe eyes. She'd never looked at him for quite so long before, and if he didn't know better he'd have thought she'd used a spell to draw him in with them.

"It's OK Granger," he said, looking down. He was suddenly feeling a little embarrassed to have shared such an intimate moment but was also hoping she would lay back down so he could touch her again.

Hermione took him by surprise when she leaned forward on her knees and planted a light kiss on his cheek. She pulled back only slightly to look at him, sending him a very clear message with those doe eyes of hers.

His eyes were drawn down to her lip, which she was chewing nervously.

Draco leaned forward and took one of her hands in his, using his other hand to push a lock of wet hair behind her ear.

"We can't," he breathed, answering her unspoken question.

"Why not?" she asked, the disappointment in her voice only making him what her more. To be wanted by her felt good.

"It's wrong…you're…'mine'… we'll not really mine… you belong to yourself… but technically mine. I would be… well I'd be coercing you. I'm all you have here it would be… taking advantage," he said, finally reaching the end of his rambling explanation.

It was obvious to him, and probably to her, he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince her. That said, he was proud of the restraint he was showing.

Not one to give up, she crawled forward to straddle him. Draco exhaled loudly, still holding on to one of her hands.

"I don't see it that way," she said, her voice having taken an entirely sultry tone he had no idea she was capable of. It made it even harder for him to try to do the right thing here.

"I'm asking you… I want you," she said, kissing his neck again and circling her hips ever so slightly.

Christ, he was so weak. He knew he shouldn't. But he gave in and began to run his hands gently along her curves.

What shocked her was how different he was with her than she expected. She expected him to be an aggressive lover. Rough.

Instead, he treated her as though she were made of glass.

Every touch was feather light. Every kiss was slow, deliberate and sensual. When he tugged at her shirt, it had been a question, not an order.

Draco relinquished control and let her take the lead easily, allowing her to make love to him against his headboard. He'd barely let her come up for air for kissing her so much.

She felt him run his fingers through her hair, down the curve of her spine, her hips, her breasts. She was in awe of his softness and his patience. She found herself getting lost in it, closing her eyes and throwing her head back as he thrust upwards into a spot that made her brain fuzzy.

It was easier than he thought to hold back. She felt incredible, and he didn't want to hurt her, or make her feel like she couldn't stop what was happening at any moment. He could fuck any witch, any time he wanted, what they were doing was more than that.

His mind wandered as he looked at her, head thrust back in pleasure as she rode him towards her bliss. It wandered to all the ways he wanted to have her.

Hermione snapped her head back and pulled him close, moaning softly into his ear as he kissed her neck. When their lips finally met, it was in gentle exploration of each other.

He could feel her whimper into his mouth with pleasure as she began to come undone, dragging him along with her, spilling everything he had into her body.

That night each of them fell asleep with the same thought.

'I might be in love with you.'

In the end, Draco decided to set her free.

After that night in his bedroom, he'd made love to her more times than he could count. He'd also fucked her a few times too – and when it came to Draco, there was a difference.

For her part, she was bloody spectacular at both. He'd never have believed it based on the girl he had grown up with.

But that was the point. They weren't the same people anymore. But unfortunately, their circumstances remained the same.

They were on opposite sides of a war that was nowhere near won.

He hadn't been upset when she confessed that her presence there was not entirely an accident, and that she'd been communicating with the Order from the Manor. It was just the nature of their lives.

They were both trying to get by in a world that was cruel, and had no regard for their feelings, or anyone else's.

"Just go Granger," he hissed, pushing her towards an unwarded blind spot on the boundary of Malfoy Manor.

"What about you?" she hissed, her eyes imploring him to come. But he knew he couldn't.

"Granger, we talked about this. I have to stay. You have to go. It's the only way we both get out of this war unscathed, provided we survive it!" he insisted, knowing he had to be strong for her and stay the course.

"I know but… what if…" she said, clearly on the verge of tears. He knew what she meant. What if they didn't make it? What then?

Frankly, he didn't know. He'd had nothing to care about until her. If she were gone, he didn't see the point of anything really. Draco knew he had been sleep walking until the day he saw her on the podium and she awakened something in her he never knew was there.

"If Potter wins," he said, emphasising the 'if' as he pulled her into a tight embrace, "you can speak for me, tell them I helped when I could, make them understand," he said.

"And if… he… wins," said Hermione quietly. "I will make sure you belong to me again. We can take my vault and go. I can protect you," he finished.

Hermione closed her eyes and bit back the tears.

"I wanted to say, in case, well, you know," she said, squeezing his hand, "that I love you, and I will never forget my time here, with you," she said sincerely.

Draco felt his heart breaking but remained steady.

"Whatever happens, we find each other, yeah?" he said, more a promise than a question.

"Yes," she replied, sure that whatever happened, she could push through it with him. She couldn't explain their connection, but falling for him was hard, fast, and irreversible.

"I love you," he said seriously, giving her one more kiss before shoving her over the boundary, not giving her a chance to change her mind, or himself a chance to do something stupid like jump with her.

Two years later

"Ms Granger? Miss Granger!?" asked an authoritative voice from the doorway.

"So sorry Minister, I was deep in thought," she said, having spent the last twenty minutes remembering her time in the Manor and the man who had haunted her dreams since.

It had been a year since they won the war, and two years since she was in the Manor with Draco. It felt like an eternity to her. An eternity without him.

"The tribunal will deliver their verdict now," said the man, gesturing for her to follow him in.

Hermione sat on the cold wooden bench with the other witnesses. All she could do was hope that the tribunal would show Draco mercy for his role in the war. It had been two years since she felt his touch or saw his face in anything other than a mugshot. She needed him out, free and home with her.

"This tribunal has heard the testimony of many witnesses as to the character of Mr Draco Malfoy, who has been in Azkaban pending trial for war crimes committed as a senior Death Eater in the ranks of the Dark Lord," announced the Chair of the tribunal.

Hermione shifted uncomfortably. She was nervous.

"The most compelling testimony came from three key sources. Ms Hermione Granger testified that Mr Malfoy purchased her at an auction for muggle-born 'slaves,' an abhorrent practice undertaken by the regime at the time. She alleges he did this in order to protect her from other, more brutal families. During his period of 'ownership' Ms Granger was well cared for and shielded from multiple attempts at harm by other Death Eaters. She also testifies that it is likely he saved her life by administering healing spells and potions after a brutal assault by Lucius Malfoy. He also aided in her eventual escape," he said informatively.

"The second witness was Mr Blaise Zabini, a long-time informant of the Order, who confirmed the story told by Ms Granger and testified that Mr Malfoy discovered he was informing the other side but let him go free rather than reporting him to the Death Eaters in the house," he continued.

Hermione was encouraged by the nodding of the various members of media and public in the room. It seemed like the crowd at least, was on Draco's side.

"The final significant witness was Mr Harry Potter, who confirmed that Mr Malfoy aided him in the final stages of the war, first by lying about his recognition of Mr Potter and secondly by providing him with a wand, which he later used in the destruction of the Dark Lord," he announced.

Hermione heard many people whispering under the breaths at this point. She shut her eyes and prayed to any muggle God that might listen that she would get the outcome she wanted.

"It is the ruling of this tribunal that Mr Draco Malfoy should not be tried as a Death Eater and his actions in aid of the Order and key figures in the war against the Dark Lord should be taken into account. Mr Malfoy has spent one year to this day in Azkaban which we will count as time served for his secondary offences. We order his immediate release on probation with all remaining charges dropped. He will be released to Ms Hermione Granger as per her request to the Ministry to maintain responsibility of him during the probation period of six months. Mr Malfoy has no remaining living family who could undertake this duty. Thank you all, we are adjourned. Ms Granger, please stay behind as we bring Mr Malfoy in for release via secure floo connection."

Hermione sat in stunned silence as everyone else filtered out of the theatre. She'd hoped this would be the result, but she had tried to be realistic, never letting her hopes up.

Many of Malfoy's crimes had been on record, and he had taken the mark willingly. Immediate release was something she only hoped for when feeling foolish. But now, the day had come. She would see him again in a matter of minutes.

The moment came fifteen minutes later when a shabby looking Draco Malfoy walked into the room, looking surprised, but not unhappy to see her.

It's unlikely he knew he would be released to her if the day went well. Prisoners in Azkaban were generally not updated on their cases or the paperwork completed by those on the outside.

They were just punished endlessly. Her heart ached when she thought about it. He truly, did not belong there.

Although he was thinner and clearly in a bad state from his time in Azkaban, he was still a striking looking man. To her relief still looked like himself, down to the sparkle in his eye when he looked at her. It hadn't broken him.

"Granger," he said, a playful smirk pulling at his lips. It was exactly as he'd greeted her so many times before.

"Malfoy," she replied with a smile, feeling as though they finally had a chance at a new beginning.

Original Request:

Mireya: "Hermione has infiltrated the Death Eater organisation. She goes to the slave auction and is bought by Draco Malfoy. While she's in Malfoy Manor, she's spying and obtaining important information.

Scenes or facts I want you to include in the one-shot:

1. Blaise has a huge crush on her and helps her with her mission. A scene: he kisses her, but although she returns the kiss and they do some heavy petting, she tells him that she doesn't feel the same.

2. Theodore asks Draco to share Hermione with him, but Draco refuses.

3. Draco doesn't want to have feeling for Hermione.

4. Hermione falls in love with Draco.

5. Narcissa doesn't trust Hermione and she suspects of her."

I made the Blaise scene a bit more of a memory, I hope that's OK.

I am working on outlines for requests by laureltheory and Drina.

Keep the reviews and requests coming please! It keeps me pumped.