Hermione's Point of View

Scabior's nails dug into my left forearm as he disapparated us away. I landed on my feet unevenly and would have fallen over if Scabior hadn't tugged me closer to him. Harry, Ron and their captors landed a few feet away and after I saw that they were unharmed, I began to take in my surroundings.

My eyes swept across the large landscape; the towering hedges, the thick metal gate, a familiar emblem on the entranceway. It took me a moment to understand why the emblem was familiar. My stomach dropped at the sight of the silver snake intertwined around the bold 'M.'

"I've been here before," I whispered to Harry as the snatchers shuffled us in the direction of the gate.

"What?" Harry said loudly before lowering his voice. "When?"

I swallowed hard before answering him. "It was during our sixth year, at Christmas break…"

My feet followed numbly forward as the memory of when I was here last swam forward into my mind…

"These are the finest roses in Britain," Draco said proudly, rubbing a petal between his thumb and forefinger. "Only the best for a Malfoy, of course."

I dropped his hand and cupped a flower into my palm. "They're beautiful," I said in awe.

Draco smirked and daintily plucked a rose from the vine. "Here," he handed it to me. "Keep it; we have plenty."

I couldn't agree more with that statement: there were miles and miles of flowerbeds over Malfoy Manor. "Thanks," I smiled as I slipped the rose into the pocket of my sundress.

"Come on," Draco grabbed my hand and began pulling me by the huge green hedges and leading me towards one of the back doors to the mansion. "I'll make us some tea."

He guided me through winding hallways and staircases and it was all I could do to not drop my jaw and drool at the beauty of his home. When we finally reached the kitchen, we were laughing about one of the many portraits hanging on the walls on the manor. However, Draco's laugh died out suddenly and stopped. I followed his gaze to see a woman perched formally on the edge of a chair.

"Mother," Draco greeted her in surprise, dropping my hand. I instinctively took a step back, unsure of whether I would be welcome in this home or not. "I didn't think you would be back until Friday," he said coolly.

"Yes, well, your father is still there," his mother sighed. "It was much to hot in Morocco for me… That and a bit too stuffy with your father's many mistresses hanging about the palace."

A pang of sorrow shot through my heart for this woman I didn't even know. Misery was clearly written over her face and I felt my intrusion was the last thing that could help her.

"Draco," I whispered quietly, "I think I'm just going to go…"

"Go?" Mrs. Malfoy cut in. "Oh, please don't leave on my accord, I haven't even met you yet."

Draco looked uneasily between me and his mother before introducing me. "Mum, this is Hermione Granger. Hermione, meet my mother."

"Oh, call me Narcissa," Mrs. Malfoy said with a smile as she extended her hand. I shook the skinny hand decorated with jewels and smiled politely.

After an awkward silence that filled about ten seconds, Narcissa cleared her throat. "I heard you saying something about getting some tea, Draco…?"

"Yes, of course," Draco said quickly. Unsure of whether he should leave me alone with his mother or not he stood tensely at the doorway. Upon seeing this, Narcissa waved her hand indifferently at him, dismissing him, and he left to go make the tea.

"Now," Narcissa said, turning to me. "Please sit down, Hermione. I would love to get to know you."

I slowly sat down in a chair across from Narcissa and began fidgeting nervously with my nails. I had never met Narcissa before, but if she was anything like her husband, she would hate me as soon as she found out my blood status.

"Did you know," Narcissa said with a smile, interrupting my thoughts. "You're the first friend Draco has ever brought home?"

I sat in shock before answering softly, "No, I didn't know that."

Narcissa's grin deepened. "That's how I know you're special; that you mean a lot to him."

My cheeks began to burn red. "Well, he means a lot to me, too…"

"So how long have you and my son being seeing each other romantically?"

My mouth open and closed in shock, unsuccessfully trying to form words. I could feel my cheeks burning a deeper red.

"Oh, don't deny it," Narcissa said with a smile, waving her hand just the way she had dismissed Draco. "Just seeing the way he looks at you in that one minute interaction we just had showed me something was going on."

"A little over a year," I said after I finally found my voice again, answering her previous question.

"Ahhh, so the Yule Ball, if I remember correctly?" I nodded. "I would love to see the dress you wore; Draco's robes were exquisite and I can only imagine that the red trim in his robes matched wonderfully with whatever dress you wore. Given what a beautiful girl you are, you two must have made a smashing couple," she smiled sweetly.

"Thank you," I said just as Draco entered the room. He was carrying a tray that contained all the necessities for tea. He gracefully placed it on the table and began pouring tea into three cups. He fixed my tea just the way I liked it and I assumed he fixed his mother's and his teas the way they like it before plopping it the seat next to me.

"So," he said taking a sip of his tea. "Did you two get along while I was gone?"

"Yes," Narcissa answered while smiling at me. "Although I would still like to know a bit more about Miss Hermione."

"Well," Draco said after placing his cup on one of the china saucers. "She's top of our class and has Outstanding marks in every one of her classes-"

"Besides Defense Against the Dark Arts," I cut in. "You and Harry beat my average in that class."

"Harry?" Narcissa cut in. "Harry Potter?" Draco and I both nodded. "Oh, that's why your name sounded familiar! You're one of his best friends, right? A muggleborn, if I remember correctly?"

My cheeks began to blush again as I nodded silently. This was surely the beginning to her kicking me out of the Manor.

"The brains of the trio," Narcissa said with a smile. "That explains why you're top in your class. What house are you in, dear?"

I swallow the lump that has begun to form in my throat. "Gryffindor," I say quietly.

Draco side-glances at me nervously before turning his gaze back to his mother.

"So," Narcissa said. "Draco has snagged a beautiful Gryffindor muggleborn, who is also top of her class and best friends with the famous Harry Potter…" She took another sip of tea before continuing. "Well, only the best for a Malfoy…"

Her smile almost brought tears of joy to my eyes. To be accepted by one of Draco's parents was more than I could ever ask for. Draco squeezed my hand affectionately where it was placed upon the table. The three of us finished our tea in a comfortable silence.

"Hermione," Narcissa said after placing her empty tea cup on the saucer. "I'm assuming you will be spending a lot of time with Draco at the Manor," she paused, "when Lucius is not around, of course. So, I am going to alter the wards so they accept your presence here and not as an intruder. Is that alright?"

Draco's face broke out in a grin as I nodded hurriedly. "That would be wonderful, Mrs. Malfoy," I answered.

"Please, Hermione," she said with a smile. "Call me Narcissa. A friend of Draco's is a friend of mine and I expect we stay on a friendly basis. Therefore, you must drop the formality and call me Narcissa."

"Ok, Narcissa," I said with a smile as Draco poured more tea in our cups. "I think I will enjoy spending time here…"

My mind snapped back into the present as Scabior led me down the front walk. My words echoed through me head. "I think I will enjoy spending time here." From the looks of the people escorting me towards the gate, I knew I would not be enjoying this particular visit to Malfoy Manor. When we reached the gate we stopped. I glanced confused over my shoulder to see Scabior staring impatiently at the gates.

"What's this?" Ron laughed. "You can't get in, can you? You have to wait for someone to open the gates! Ha!" Ron laughed in disbelief at Greyback who was holding his collar tightly.

"You'll learn to respect your superiors, boy!" Greyback growled at Ron before slamming him hard into the gate. "Shut your mouth!"

Ron's arm luckily deflected the gate from smashing it his head, but just barely. He cried out in pain as his elbow crunched against the hard metal.

"Stop!" I shouted to Greyback. "You're hurting him!"

Greyback turned from his assault on Ron and shoved Scabior off me. He grabbed my shoulders and flung me around until my face was a foot from the gate. "You'll learn to be quiet unless spoken to, girlie!" He shoved my body forward and I flung my hands up immediately to protect my face. My teeth chattered as I hit the ground hard.

I sighed in relief that I was not too badly hurt before realizing something went wrong. When Greyback pushed me, I was a foot from the gate. Surely I should have collided into the cold metal, not the hard ground?

I rolled over onto my back and gasped in shock. I looked into Greyback's surprised eyes through the gate that now separated us. Harry's jaw dropped as he realized the gates had disappeared to allow me through.

"Bloody hell, Hermione…" Ron said, never taking his eyes off me. "How did you do that?"

I looked down at my hands, which were now bleeding from the fall, before answering Ron.

"…I don't know." Only I do know, I thought in my head. It's because Narcissa changed the wards to accept my presence and clearly hasn't changed them since.

I stared back at our three captors, Ron and Harry. After a bit of shocked silence, Harry's voice cut through the air.

"Well, run, Hermione!"

My feet scrambled to support my weight and I rose swiftly from the ground. I took off in a sprint down the long front walk. I almost made it around the corner of the hedge when someone blocked my path.

"What the hell are you doing over here, dearie?" Bellatrix screeched before grabbing my throat. I gasped as I struggled to find air through her tight grip. "Well?" she asked, tightening her hold on my neck.

"Snatchers!" I managed to choke out.

Upon hearing this, she released the hold on my neck only to grasp my neck. "Let's go welcome them in, shall we? I'll deal with how you got through the gate later."

Three minutes later, our party was being led into the all-too familiar drawing room of the Malfoy Estate. I whipped my head around anxiously and froze when my eyes met though deep gray ones of Narcissa Malfoy. She had her arm looped elegantly through that of her husband and brow was furrowed slightly in worry. She stared at me for a moment before dropping her gaze to the floor. My stomach twisted nervously into a tight knot.

As if my nerves couldn't be more alert, every hair on my body stood on end when Bellatrix whispered hoarsely into the air, "Get Draco…"

My eyes snapped instinctively to Narcissa who was frozen with fear. Greyback quickly exited the room to search for Draco. All too soon he returned with my boyfriend.

It was the first time I had seen him in over half a year. He looked pale as if he hadn't eaten much recently. His whole body slouched over from tiredness. Greyback shoved Draco, whose eyes were still trained miserably on the floor, over to where Harry was. Slowly he lifted up his face. He stumbled back in shock.

"Ha-" he coughed quickly. "His face," he quickly covered his slip. "What's wrong with his face?" He pointed towards Harry's swollen face.

"Yes," Bellatrix said while eyeing Ron and me suspiciously. "How did his face end up like that? Was it you, dearie?" Bellatrix said to me. "Did you the same thing to his face as you did to our precious gate?" Bellatrix whirled toward Lucius in rage, suddenly remembering I got past the wards. "Lucius!" she screcched. "Would you care to explain to me how this mudblood was able to get past the gate? Before I lifted the wards?"

Lucius's face took a look of confusion before turning to rage. "I- I have no idea how that is possible!"

Bellatrix sighed loudly in fury. "Nevermind, let's just see if this is Potter or not. Maybe Draco can-" she paused, looking over Draco's shoulder and staring at Scabior.

"Where'd you get?" she asked, pointing towards the Sword of Gryffindor. Scabior had found the sword underneath the bed moments before we disapparated to the Manor. He decided to take it along because the rubies engraved in it looked valuable.

"I found it in their tent," Scabior said proudly. "I reckon it's mine now."

Bellatrix silently cast a hex at Scabior, entangling his neck with ropes. She stunned Greyback and knocked out the third snatcher in a matter of seconds. She summoned the sword, released the ropes on Scabior, and sent him flying towards the door.

"GET OUT!" she screeched. Scabior ran out the door in a full sprint, eager to escape Bellatrix's wrath.

"CISSY!" Bellatrix shouted. "PUT THE BOYS IN THE CELLAR! I'M GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THIS ONE, GIRL TO GIRL!"

Draco's face paled even more that usual and his eyes doubled in size. He scurried toward the door in fright.

"DRACO!" Bellatrix screamed. "Bring Auntie her dagger!"

Draco looked nervously between me and my aunt. I nodded my head slightly, giving him permission to do so. I know if he refused his cover would be blown and my pain was the price to pay for his safety.

"Accio d-dagger…" He said weakly, holding out his wand. Moments later the handle of the dagger landed perfectly in his shaking hand.

"H-h-here…" he stuttered, handing Bellatrix the dagger. Tears welled up in his eyes and he mouthed I'm sorry.

Bellatrix shoved me to the floor and my head smashed to the ground hard with a smack. Draco inhaled sharply before biting his lip to prevent sound from escaping.

Bellatrix rose the blade slowly into the air before coming down sharply on my wrist. I gasped in shock as a blood dripped out of the cut. Draco dropped to his knees nearby in grief; unable to stop the assault that was happening to me.

Bellatrix leaned close to my bleeding wrist and swiped her finger through my blood. "Filthy blood for a filthy girl!" She dragged her finger with my blood across my arm. "She has nice skin though…" Bellatrix said to no one in particular. "It's almost a shame to ruin it…" she grinned evilly down at me. "…almost."

She gripped her dagger tightly and dug deeper into my arm. She criss-crossed various wounds until a pool of my blood was on the floor next to me. I screamed in pain and fought to get up. She dug her nails into my shoulder, restraining my body. She continued to cut my arm and I screamed loudly into her ear, my body shaking from the loss of blood and pain. A splattering of liquid to my left was just barely heard over my screams and I turned my head to see the source of the noise. I paused in the middle of a scream at the sight before me.

Draco was kneeling on the ground and had his hands placed below him. He was violently vomiting whatever little that he had eaten that day. His mother rushed over to him and began to pet his head soothingly. Lucius stormed out of the room in disgust, never once looking back. Narcissa whispered words of comfort to Draco after glancing apologetically in my direction.

Bellatrix continued to carve in my arm, stopping between cuts to ask where I found the sword. When I would tell her I didn't know where I found it, she would cut another gash into my forearm. This process continued for many minutes. Ask. Deny. Cut. Scream. Vomit. Ask. Deny. Cut. Scream. Vomit.

Finally, Bellatrix rose to her feet. Draco lay a few feet off, curled up unconscious next to a pool of his vomit. Narcissa had disappeared sometime through my torture. I looked down at my bloody arm and could just make out the word 'mudblood' carved deep into my flesh. When Bellatrix turned to clean her knife, I sprung woozily to my feet. I dashed over to Draco's limp body and snatched his wand from his back pocket.

"EXPELLIARMUS!" I shouted at Bellatrix's back. Her wand shot out of her hand and landed directly in my outstretched fingers. She spun around, speechless, with ascowl written deeply on her face.

"Draco!" she called. Draco, who I assume had fainted during my torture, did not move. "Draco!" Bellatrix shouted again. "Grab our wands, stupid boy!"

I stuffed Draco's wand in my back pocket and pointed Bellatrix's wand at her. "You can't escape," I said softly to her. "Release my friends and maybe I will let you live!"

Just then, Ron and Harry bolted in the room with wands pointed at Bellatrix. Bellatrix turned to them in shock before facing me once more.

"You'll have to get through me to get through them," Bellatrix smirked. "And I have a few tricks up my sleeve…" she grabbed the sword that was laying at her feet in one hand and gripped her dagger in the other.

I looked down at Bellatrix's wand, feeling the dark magic pulse up the wood and into my hand. I knew that her wand was powerful and very capable of doing strong dark magic that I had never even heard of. If I was to get by her, I would have to cast a dark spell to do so. I racked my brain for a spell that would allow me to get by her without harming the others in the room.

After a momen I shouted into the air, "Scorpionem venenum!"

A large black scorpion shot out of the wand and landed at Bellatrix's feet. Her eyes doubled in size as it began to circle around her. I dashed by Bellatrix and the scorpion and gripped Harry's hand tightly. My eyes sought out Draco's across the room. He was still unconscious and lay near Bellatrix and the scorpion. I quickly shout out a spell across the room to revive him and he stirred awake. Ron spun us into apparition just as the scorpion lunged at Bellatrix. My last view of the Manor was Draco looking at me anxiously in the eye.

Little did I know that I wouldn't see him again until we were back at Hogwarts; fighting for our lives.