Hi everyone, here I am looking very guilty and bringing you the long-awaited next chapter! If you needed to refresh your memory, Pearl was about to come and stay at the Manor to protect Hermione from Lucius. Not sure how Narcissa will like this...and I won't make you wait any longer to find out! Hope you enjoy it and that it was worth the wait (again, looking guilty)

--

Everything was arranged for Pearl's coming to stay the very next morning. Malfoy set up a whole section of the house for her, including a bedroom, sitting room and private dining room. Hermione almost asked him whether she really had to sleep there by herself, but didn't quite work up the courage before the house elves had prepared it all for her. She felt almost as if she was a traitor to her dear little friends - she had started as their equal and somehow, without no effort whatsoever, had climbed up to be one of their very own mistresses. She felt that a visit was due to them, so that night, after Malfoy had strictly assured her that his father had left the manor, she crept quietly down to the kitchens.

'Hermione!' they squealed in delight at her appearance and immediately crowded around. Hermione hugged each of them in turn, realising as she did so just how much she cared for them.

'We has not seen you properly for days!' Flopsy was actually crying in happiness as Hermione made her way towards him. She gave him the biggest hug of all and he was delighted when she complimented the way he had pushed his ears back. He turned bright red and leaned in to whisper.

'I is thinking that this is how Minky likes them best,' he confided in her, and Hermione had to agree with him when she saw the look of absolute adoration upon Minky's face.

'What has you been up to?' Tellty now asked, coming forward with a large bowl of cake mix. The elves all sat around and listened in awe and Hermione found herself pouring her heart out to them shamelessly. She told them about Narcissa discovering her, and how she had thought the woman might actually have liked her for who she was. She told them about Lucius torturing her (to their horror), and how she could barely get to sleep now without his face looming above her. She tripped over Malfoy's name, and quickly said nothing more than that Master Malfoy was growing into an almost-decent man, before hastily finishing her tale. Had she not had her eyes downcast she would have seen the knowing looks that the elves shot each other.

'We has been thinking that the Master is much changed,' Minky said, nodding at her companions to agree with her. 'He hasn't done any wickedness to us for a long time!'

Hermione shivered a little as she remembered the last time Malfoy had decided to be "wicked" to the house elves, and how it had been all her fault. She made sure to let them know how glad she was that their lives were improved, and offered to help with any of the cooking before she wouldn't be able to anymore.

'You can try my cakes!' Tellty took her hand and lead her over to his section of the kitchen, and Hermione obligingly tried a little of everything and helped him to finish off the one that he had been mixing during her story.

'Is there a dinner party, or something?' she wondered, looking around at the gorgeous cakes that covered every surface.

'They're for you, Hermione!' Tellty told her in delight, looking surprised that she hadn't guessed.

'For me?' Hermione stared at him in confusion.

'Of course,' he nodded. 'Master Malfoy has asked us just this hour to prepare for Mistress Pearl's visit.'

'Oh.' Hermione suddenly felt dreadfully guilty again, and felt that she had to explain herself. But what could she even say? That she was better than them now, only because she had to pretend to be someone else until further notice to avoid being killed? She glanced around herself, and it was plain to see that the elves felt no resentment or feeling of betrayal towards her at all.

'At least let me do a little more to help,' she said weakly.

And so Hermione spent a few quite pleasant hours helping to prepare for her own arrival, before the old and familiar sound of her bell tinkling on the wall reminded her that she had to get back to Malfoy's room before dawn. She said goodbye to all of the elves, somehow feeling as if she was going off to her death, and left them as happy as ever as she crept back through the house and up to Malfoy's door. She was surprised when it slid open for her before she had even tried to knock, and entered to find Malfoy waiting with a whole trunk of things packed beside him. He took in her shocked expression.

'What?' he frowned, scanning her for signs of injury. But Hermione shook her head and pointed behind her to the door.

'It opened for me,' she said. 'It doesn't normally do that.'

Malfoy laughed for a long time and raised an eyebrow at her. 'You never figured it out before?' he asked her in amusement. Hermione scowled at him.

'No, I didn't. What?'

'The door opens for you,' Malfoy told her as if speaking to a two year-old, 'if you know it will.'

Hermione blinked at him for a moment. 'That doesn't make any sense,' she said at last, feeling grumpy that he was patronising her. Malfoy sniggered at her.

'Finally outsmarted the great Hermione Granger,' he chuckled. Hermione's scowl deepened but Malfoy paid no attention. 'Anyway, we can discuss that another time. For now, back to more pressing matters…'

He gestured towards the trunk at his feet and then towards Hermione herself. 'There's enough clothes in here to last you weeks and weeks. I also visited my vault again and got some more jewellery for you to better complete the picture.'

Hermione couldn't help but feel a tiny bud of happiness at this development - wearing jewels was a luxury she'd given up on a long time ago. There weren't many good things about being Pearl, but the little things like this were just that.

'And as you already know, the north wing has been organised for you. My parents live in the south, so it seemed like the best option.'

'Yes,' Hermione tried to look pleased by this, but at the same time she was desperate to stay with him. Just as she had almost worked up the courage to ask, Malfoy beat her to it.

'Of course, you won't really have much use for it because you'll stay here with me,' he went on. Hermione paused and backtracked to make sure she had heard him correctly.

'Really? I can stay with you?' she asked in great relief. Malfoy smiled lopsidedly.

'Did you think I was going to leave you over there by yourself?' he said, amused. Hermione shrugged, blushing slightly. She felt foolish now for doubting him. After all, he had promised to look out for her.

'No,' Malfoy purred, 'I want you right here where I can keep an eye on you.' He took a few steps towards her. 'Two eyes, in fact.'

Hermione's breath was instantly caught in her throat at the slightest change to his tone. As he moved forwards she couldn't even remember moving towards him and closing the gap. All she knew was that she was suddenly in his arms and dragging his face towards her, and Malfoy needed no encouragement. She kissed him in relief and desperation and thanks, and he gladly soaked her in.

After a minute Malfoy broke his mouth away from hers and tried to speak. It took several coughs for him to regain the use of his voice, and he just managed to speak in a deep voice. 'Can't do this now,' he panted, though his hands remained firmly gripping her waist. 'Have to get to business.'

Hermione nodded, trying to recapture her own breath. Slowly she peeled herself off him and took several shaky steps back. When Malfoy was ready, he pointed his wand at her and performed the disguising charm. Next he handed her a smart skirt and blouse combination and forced himself not to watch as she modestly changed into them. Her heart was still pounding from their shared kiss, and she could feel a heavy blush filling her face as her mind refused to forget the imprint his touch had left over her skin.

'Ok, I'm ready,' she announced at last, patting her hair in a vain attempt to fix it. Malfoy turned back to her and scanned her body quickly. With a little nod he approved of her outfit, and then they were set.

'My parents are having breakfast right now. We will go and join them, and then retreat,' he instructed her. Hermione nodded to show that she was ok with this, and couldn't help but smile a little at his obviously very much thought-out plans. Without another word, Hermione followed Malfoy out of the room and back through the familiar part of the house until they were right outside the main dining room. Malfoy motioned for her to wait a moment before he stepped into the room with a loud cough to gain attention.

'Mother, Father, we have a house guest,' he boomed in his deep, calm voice. 'Come on through, baby,' he added over his shoulder. Hermione, trying to make her face like that of someone who is used to being called 'baby' on a regular basis, followed him into the room and stopped by his side.

'Narcissa, Lucius,' she greeted the two people of her darkest thoughts with as much ease as she could manage, and for a moment it was worth it to see the looks on both of their faces.

Lucius was wearing a rare smile, and was, as far as Hermione would tell, genuinely happy to see her. Narcissa, on the other hand, could have just swallowed a flaming salamander.

'Dear, we've missed you,' Lucius purred, motioning to Hermione that she should take the seat beside him. She did so with a confident swagger, never taking her eyes off of Narcissa's in an act of enjoyable defiance. Malfoy took the seat beside his mother, watching her closely. Her face remained seemingly frozen in shock for several more moments, before she very slowly turned to raise an eyebrow at her son. Malfoy stared coolly back and took a deep sip from the steaming goblet of coffee in front of him. Narcissa turned her attention back to Hermione, and Lucius was oblivious as the two women had a furious, silent argument.

With a small tilt of her head, Narcissa was asking if Hermione wanted her to reveal the truth to Lucius.

With a tiny purse of the lips, Hermione was replying that she would gladly in turn tell Lucius and Draco about Blaise.

With a minute clenching of her fingers, Narcissa was reminding Hermione that she could curse her anytime she wanted.

With a slight flicker of the eyes, Hermione was retorting that Malfoy would be to her defence at a second's notice.

And with a loud cough, Malfoy was reminding both women that they each had their part to play.

Hermione looked away from Narcissa and turned instead to Lucius, who appeared not to have noticed anything as he had his head buried in the Daily Prophet.

'Lucius, I really hope you haven't been offended that I haven't popped by for a little while,' she simpered to him, enjoying the effect her communicating with her husband was having on Narcissa from the corner of her eye. 'But I intend to stay with Draco for as long as you permit me to.'

'Of course, of course,' Lucius lay down his paper and smiled wolfishly at her. 'It's always a pleasure to see you.'

'And you,' Hermione smiled back sweetly. She was rather having fun, playing Pearl again. Holding it over Narcissa brought her some confidence that she hadn't felt in a long time, and the added danger that it could all blow up in their faces any minute made it a little bit thrilling.

'And what perfect timing that you should come today,' Lucius turned towards his son as he continued. 'Draco and I had a very important men's dinner on tonight, so you can keep Narcissa company.'

Fighting very hard to keep the smile on her face, Hermione stared at Narcissa in a mixture of barely suppressed repulsion and horror. Narcissa stared back with the same forced smile, her eyebrows disappearing under her blonde hair.

'Oh,' Hermione managed to say. She suspected that her eyes were popping out of her face in a most unnatural way. 'How…nice.'

'I know Narcissa's been missing you,' Lucius went on, again not seeming to notice anything strange. 'Why, before the ball the other week she could barely stop talking about you!'

'Thank you, Lucius,' Narcissa said curtly, glaring at her husband. Hermione was now genuinely surprised as she took in this new information. Had Narcissa actually liked Pearl as a friend? Did she regret their new-found enemy status as much as Hermione did?

'And I must say, Draco has been much improved as well since your coming,' Lucius added. Hermione looked at Malfoy, who had been watching his father with a slight frown for some time now.

'I don't recall being told about a meeting tonight, Father,' he said when he realised everyone was now looking at him. Lucius looked strangely triumphant as he replied.

'Well, Draco, perhaps if you actually attended any of the meetings these days, you would know a little more,' he said smoothly, returning to his paper and leaving every person at the table slightly devastated by his surfacing.

'Who's coming, then?' Malfoy asked, and Hermione knew by the way his fists tightened against the table that he was thinking of Seamus.

'Oh, nobody too important,' Lucius waved a hand in disinterest. 'Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Nott, Sandford, Norfolk…'

Hermione felt a tiny jolt of unease. None of these people were her favourite dinner guests. She only hoped that she wouldn't have to go anywhere near them. With a quick glance in Narcissa's direction she saw that the older woman had a slight flush across her face at the mention of Blaise coming to dinner in her house. Malfoy, on the other hand, was quite relieved. He could handle these people…though Sandford he still hated for the way he looked at Hermione. He would have to keep an eye on him tonight.

The rest of breakfast went by in the same slightly uncomfortable air, and Hermione was quite satisfied to note that Narcissa left the table before anybody else, as though she couldn't bear another second of the tension. When at last Malfoy stood, Hermione followed suit. After again thanking Lucius for his warm welcome (warm for the Malfoys, at least), she followed Malfoy back up the stairs.

'Oh, I've missed this staircase!' she remarked loudly as the made their way back up to Malfoy's room. Malfoy shot her a quizzical look and she shrugged.

'Just for added effect,' she muttered, and remained silent the rest of the walk. When they were back inside Malfoy's room with the door closed behind them, Hermione let out a long sigh of relief.

'How do you think that went?' she asked him nervously, worried by his silence that he was upset with her.

'Pretty well,' Malfoy replied, moving to his desk chair and collapsing into it. 'Mother didn't act any differently than I thought she would, and he's just as oblivious as always, so I think we're safe.'

'Good,' Hermione allowed herself a small smile. 'Oh, but…what about tonight?'

'What about tonight?' Malfoy frowned, as if thinking about the company he was soon to be faced with gave him a nasty headache.

'Do I really have to spend the evening with your mum?' Hermione tried to keep the whining to a minimum, knowing that Malfoy was looking forward to his evening just as much as she. Surprisingly, however, Malfoy let out a bark of laughter at this statement.

'I saw the way you handled her at breakfast. You're more than a match for my mother, I'd say,' he told her reassuringly. Hermione felt pleased that he had noticed, and subconsciously pushed her chest out proudly.

'You know, I think I might have some fun with your dear old mummy tonight, after all,' she grinned. Malfoy smirked.

'That's the spirit,' he said. Then he frowned again. 'Now if only I could get out of this dinner…' he leaned forwards and rubbed his hands through his hair in an adorably frustrated manner. Hermione regarded him for a moment before moving forwards to stand before him.

'Now, now, Draco,' she cooed, loving to be able to say his name with the freedom of being Pearl, 'I've seen you around all of those men, and I'm telling you, you have no reason to be afraid.' She placed her hands over his and pried them away from his hair, giving them a little reassuring pat.

'I'm not afraid,' Malfoy snapped, but he made no move to snatch his hands from hers. 'I just…can't be bothered dealing with them.'

'Listen to me,' Hermione sighed patiently and gave his hands a squeeze. 'When you're around the Death Eaters you're like a different person. Like the old you. They fear you. They look up to you. They would do anything you want them to. Honestly, I've never seen anything quite so impressive.'

Malfoy looked up at her sharply. 'You're screwing with me,' he said slowly, narrowing his eyes. Hermione shook her head.

'I wouldn't say that unless I really thought it,' she said earnestly. Malfoy nodded absentmindedly, as if reflecting over what she had just said. Without seeming to know what he was doing, he pulled Hermione down onto his lap and his hands encircled her waist.

'You're right, of course,' he said, still with a far away look on his face. 'They do fear me.'

'You terrify them,' Hermione confirmed. She nuzzled her head into his neck to offer some further comfort and Malfoy's arms held onto her tightly. And, because she knew how much he would like to hear it, she added very quietly into his ear, 'Especially Jack Sandford.'

Malfoy smirked and showed his agreement to this statement with a tiny growl. Being so close to him was becoming hard for Hermione to bear, and when the low sound escaped his throat she couldn't help but lean in and very gently nip his ear with her teeth. Malfoy's breathing instantly stopped, and in the following deadly silence Hermione could do nothing to hush her own loud and uneven breath. She nudged her tongue against his delicate lobe and Malfoy closed his eyes, pulling her closer. Hermione hesitated only for another tiny moment before letting her mouth move down to his neck, becoming more aggressive as her lips worked their way over his skin. Malfoy moaned quietly and pulled her face around so that he could take her lips for his own and Hermione gladly let him, her hands straying up to run through his hair.

When their kissing reached such a level that neither of them was content to remain seated Malfoy lifted Hermione easily in his arms and carried her to his bed, putting her down with as much gentleness as he could muster in his aggravated state. In the moment that their lips disconnected Hermione couldn't help but let out a whimper and desperately pulled him back towards her. Malfoy happily obliged, lying himself on top of her and immediately welding their bodies together. His hands found their way to her waist and pulled her top free of her skirt, roaming over her small stomach. Another moment and the shirt was over her head and thrown to the floor, and Malfoy's mouth had moved impatiently down to her heaving chest.

Hermione moaned into his feathery hair and parted her legs to allow him to slide in between. She could feel the heat between his legs matching her own, and she grinded herself against him eagerly. Malfoy groaned against her skin and pushed a knee deeper between her thighs, telling her he was as desperate for it as she was. At that moment, however, there was a noise of disgust that came from somewhere near the doorway and both Malfoy and Hermione froze.

'Draco, dear, may I talk to you?' Narcissa said in falsely sweet sarcasm, averting her eyes in obvious disdain. Malfoy groaned and rolled off of Hermione, quickly retrieving her top from the floor and passing it to her.

'Don't you know how to knock?' he snapped at his mother in annoyance, smoothing his hair uselessly.

'Save it, Draco,' Narcissa snarled, her face red from not embarrassment but rage. 'Now would you mind telling me what you think you're doing with this mudblood trash?' she hissed, pointing to Hermione on the bed but refusing to look at her. Hermione finished putting her shirt back on and stood beside Malfoy in defiance.

'You know what we're doing,' she said evenly, glaring at the woman before her. 'Lucius knows about me now, so this is the only way I can be safe and-'

'Don't you dare speak to me! And how dare you use my husbands name?!' Narcissa shrieked, finally looking at Hermione.

'Mother,' Malfoy said warningly. 'Keep your voice down, and don't speak to her like that -'

'I'll speak to her however I see fit. Draco, I can't believe you. In bed with a mudblood whore!' Narcissa gave Hermione a look of pure venom as she addressed her son.

'You're one to talk,' Hermione retorted quietly. Narcissa froze and stared at Hermione in a mixture of horror and warning. Malfoy frowned slightly as he turned to look at her.

'What?' he said confusedly. Hermione kept her eyes on Narcissa, daring her to say anything more. Narcissa stared back searchingly, trying to figure out if the younger girl was about to give up her secret. After a moment, she decided to test her.

'If I didn't know better, Draco, I'd think that this mudblood has put a spell on you,' she said slowly, still watching Hermione for her reactions. 'You used to always say she was a smart one…are you sure she hasn't been working magic over you?'

Malfoy stared at his mother with a surly expression on his face. 'I am perfectly in control of myself, thank you, Mother.'

'Are you sure, Draco?' Narcissa eyed Hermione with hatred. 'You've changed so much lately. I don't even recognise my own son anymore.'

'I'm sure,' Malfoy said through gritted teeth. 'Now. Go.'

Narcissa regarded her son with cool regret for several seconds before shooting Hermione one last furious glare and spinning on her heel to leave. Once she was gone Hermione felt her heart begin to slow down and she turned to Malfoy with a smile.

'See, what did I say? You can handle anyone without breaking a sweat,' she nudged him playfully, but Malfoy didn't seem to notice. He was still staring after his mother with a frown on his face.

'Draco?' Hermione said, placing her hand on his forearm to get his attention. 'Are you ok?'

Malfoy continued staring for a moment and then seemed to become himself again. He moved his arm out of her grasp and strode over to the bathroom. Hermione stared after him in puzzlement and after hesitating, went to stand in the doorway to see what he was doing. Malfoy seemed to be about to run himself a bath, because he had begun to strip off and was rubbing his neck as though he was in pain.

'Is something wrong?' Hermione asked cautiously, not liking the look on his face one bit.

'No,' Malfoy replied curtly, reaching down to open the taps to full stream. 'I'm fine.'

'You seem…' Hermione trailed off, unsure of what to say. He seemed angry, he seemed upset, he seemed ashamed, he seemed…like his old self a bit?

'Did what she said get to you?' she said in disbelief. Malfoy didn't answer or even look up at her, so Hermione took that for a yes. 'You can't be serious. Draco, why?'

'You don't know everything,' Malfoy replied, climbing into the now steaming tub and sitting down with his back to her. Hermione felt anger bubble up inside her.

'You think what she said was true? That I'm just your damn mudblood whore and you're just some brainless Death Eater clone who fell for some stupid magic trick?' she said angrily, stamping her foot on the cold floor. Malfoy didn't answer but let out a barely audible sigh.

'I. Can't. Believe. You,' Hermione went on, unable to calm herself down. 'I thought you were making some progress? Growing a conscience?'

'Would you just shut up for a minute?' Malfoy muttered in annoyance. Hermione let out a small shriek of indignation.

'You're really going to listen to her over me?' she cried, gesturing wildly.

'I said shut up, Granger!' Malfoy roared, turning to glare at her in fury. Hermione stared at him, breathing hard. So, this was how it was going to be.

Without another word - because she thought she might burst into tears - Hermione ran from the room and kept going until she was completely lost inside the mansion. She sat down, and, making sure she was completely alone, let herself cry.

--

It was getting late when Hermione finally found her way back to the part of the house that she recognised. Just as she was emerging into the main hall she heard a voice and turned to see Lucius striding towards her.

'Ah, there you are. Dinner is in half an hour - you and Narcissa may join us - and then you girls may do what you please. I'll see you then,' and with that he was off again to do who knew what.

Sighing, Hermione forced her brain into action and deciphered her way towards her new accommodation, which she hadn't thought she would actually have to use. It might actually be nice to stay there, though, because when she stepped into her new bedroom she couldn't help but gasp. It was much warmer than Malfoy's room, with lots of rich mahogany furniture and gold tinged fabric. Her view was to the far side of the garden and as it was on the ground floor opened onto its own little terrace complete with a brook and flowerbed. Hermione knelt down to dip her fingers in the gently streaming water and looked up at the night sky. To her very far right she could make out what she knew must have been Malfoy's balcony, and she could discern in the moonlight a lone figure standing on it, looking out at the garden.

She watched the figure for a few more moments until it suddenly turned and disappeared inside. Supposing that she ought to get ready for dinner, Hermione returned inside and went to shower in her brilliant white and gold bathroom. Her clothes had already been unpacked into the closets, and after drying off she scanned through her selection for something suitable. Quickly she passed over the green - one got sick of it very quickly in this one - and also the red, because she'd already been there and it seemed like a one-off kind of colour. She paused over a silky white gown, which didn't look like anything incredibly special. But that was what she liked about it.

Hermione slide the floor-length dress on and moved to the chest of drawers in search of her borrowed jewellery from Malfoy's vault. She picked out a magnificent diamond necklace and bracelet, and found some sparkling silver shoes by the door. Deeming herself ready, she sat down on the edge of her enormous bed and waited for the grandfather clock in the corner to tick around to half past eight. When it did, she picked herself up and made her way to the main dining room. Taking one quick steadying breath, she stepped inside and prepared herself to greet everyone.

'Ah, there she is now,' she heard Malfoy's voice float across the room, and saw that the men were all standing by the fireplace sipping from glasses and smoking cigars. If they weren't so anti-muggle she could have sworn they were trying for their best James Bond movie-scene impression.

'Sorry I'm late, darling,' Hermione simpered, strutting her was past the guests without glancing at one of them. She met Malfoy's steely gaze and forced smile with one just as cold as he leaned down to let her peck him on the lips. She moved to stand next to him and both put their arms behind their backs, feeling the anger radiate back and forwards between them.

'Pearl, you remember everyone,' Malfoy said lazily, indicating the men surrounding them. Hermione nodded to each of them, who each smiled back seedily, their looks more leering than she liked.

'Hello again,' Jack Sandford greeted her when it was his turn, and his gaze was more intense than any others'. Feeling Malfoy shift in irritation beside her, Hermione grinned at Sandford and made a big show of offering him her hand.

'Jack, I missed you!' she exclaimed, and let him lead her over to a couple of chairs in the other direction. She threw a glance at Malfoy over her shoulder, cocking an eyebrow insolently. Malfoy glared at her furiously but his attention was captured by the rest of his guests immediately.

'How have you been?' Sandford asked Hermione after they had each taken a seat.

'Oh, alright,' Hermione said distractedly, too busy watching Malfoy.

'Er…are you ok, Pearl?' he went on, watching her closely. 'You seem upset.'

'Hmm?' Hermione was barely listening. Sandford followed the direction of her gaze and frowned.

'Are you and Draco having some problems?' he whispered. Hermione jumped slightly and finally turned to look at him.

'No! Why would you say that?' she said quickly and a little too high-pitched. He raised an eyebrow at her.

'You can't stop glaring at him,' he said quietly. 'And I haven't seen Draco in such a foul mood for…actually, Draco's always in a foul mood,' he finished on reassessment. Hermione laughed at this.

'Yes, he is, isn't he? Not a great dinner companion,' she said, rather enjoying being able to insult him. As though he could hear her, Malfoy turned to stare at her again. The coldness of his eyes could have melted fire.

The room suddenly gained two more occupants as Lucius and Narcissa arrived together, her hand placed firmly on his arm. Everyone by the fire moved forward to greet them, and Hermione watched with a satisfied snigger as Narcissa and Blaise hailed each other formally. Over his shoulder Narcissa narrowed her eyes at her, and Sandford noticed this with another small shock.

'Is something going on with you and the Malfoys?' he asked Hermione in a most urgent tone. 'Do they not like you? Have they been treating you badly?' Hermione turned to say something in annoyance, but upon seeing that Malfoy was still watching her instead she laughed and reached out to pat his hand.

'Oh, you're funny!' she told Sandford, who seemed momentarily frozen by her touch. 'Come on, let's sit together for dinner.'

As Hermione slid past Malfoy on her way to the table he leaned down to whisper in her ear. 'What do you think you're doing?' he hissed.

'If I'm just your whore I'll act like one,' Hermione hissed back.

'And that dress is practically see-through,' Malfoy said, casting a despicable glance at her almost discernible nipples. Hermione smirked.

'Suffer,' she said, glancing back at Sandford over her shoulder. He caught up to them and Malfoy immediately turned away in disgust.

Everyone took a seat around the long dining table, both Malfoy men taking an end each. Sandford, following Hermione like a puppy, let himself take the seat beside her right down the other end from Malfoy. Unfortunately for Hermione, this also placed her directly opposite Narcissa, who was seated on Lucius's other side. Both women gave each other a look of frustrated contempt before turning to the people beside them.

Dinner was an ugly affair for Hermione. Like all Malfoy dinners, it had entirely too many courses, which meant Hermione had to put up with both Lucius, Narcissa and Sandford for a lot longer than she would have liked. She tried not to listen to the majority of the conversation, although it was mostly tame. She suspected the Death Eater talk would be saved for when she and Narcissa left.

Malfoy, meanwhile, found himself unable to stop himself from watching Hermione. Firstly, in anger as he saw the look on Sandford's face every time he addressed her. And second, because he couldn't believe how amazing she looked in the outfit she had picked out for herself. He wanted to take her away from everyone and tell her he was sorry for being such an ass earlier. And Hermione, for her part, was so sick of her company that she was dying to collapse into Malfoy's arms and apologise for being so melodramatic and unfeeling.

But before either of them had a chance to speak dinner was finished and Narcissa and Hermione were being shunted from the room. They ended up in a smaller sitting room down the hall, where they were apparently expected to have millions of things to talk about. Instead each of them took a seat as far away from each other as possible and looked at anything but each other.

After a very long and painful silence, Hermione finally decided to speak. 'Just so you know, I wouldn't tell Draco your little secret anyway. You see, I actually care about how he would take it, unlike someone who just wants to save their own neck.'

'Your concern for my son is very touching,' Narcissa sneered. 'But you forget that you too are just looking to save your own neck. You little whore, using his bed as a hidey hole from the rest of the world.'

'It's very rich, you calling me a whore.'

'Yes, I am rich. And those diamonds around your neck are as close as you're ever going to get to any of our fortune.' Hermione laughed at this.

'What, you think I'm out to marry your son? You think I'm after your money?'

Narcissa laughed too. 'Of course not. A Malfoy would never marry a stinking mudblood like you.'

'No,' Hermione agreed. 'You just like the murderers and the rapists, don't you?'

Narcissa glared at her. More quietly, because they had almost been shouting, she went on. 'You think you're better than me. But look at you. In that dress and those jewels. Strutting around this house like you own it. Throwing yourself all over everyone. You're no different from me. You think Draco's falling in love with you? That he's going to change, and make you safe? That you two will live happily ever after?'

Hermione couldn't think of anything to say because these were the thoughts that went through her own head. Narcissa laughed again.

'My son is a Malfoy and a Death Eater. He is also a murderer. So don't think you're any different than me.'

'At least I'm not sleeping around with his friends,' Hermione replied a little weakly. Narcissa huffed.

'Maybe not yet. But you will be. That Sandford is already panting for you.'

'That doesn't mean I'm going to sleep with him,' Hermione said quite reasonably, still trying to recover from Narcissa's big speech. The older woman snorted.

'He's rich, you know. Powerful. Quite handsome. Why not?' Hermione narrowed her eyes.

'You seem quite into him. Isn't Blaise enough for you?' she said slyly. Narcissa snarled at her. 'Or are you just trying to shoo me away from Draco?' she went on. At that moment the sound of voices filled the hallway - the men must be finished with their meeting.

'You're a stupid mudblood whore and you're going to get everything you deserve,' Narcissa said blandly as the sound of footsteps made their way towards their room.

'So glad we had this talk, Mum,' Hermione smiled and stood up. Before Narcissa had time to do anything but redden with rage, the door opened and Blaise appeared.

'Hope I'm not interrupting,' he said, winking at Narcissa. Narcissa glared at him furiously and looked back at Hermione in alarm, but Hermione simply let out a little chuckle and sauntered past him back into the hall.

'I'll let you two say goodbye,' she said as she passed him. She headed towards the group that stood by the door saying goodbye. Her eyes immediately found Malfoy's and they regarded each other warily. She didn't want to be mad at him anymore, and neither did he.

'The garden,' he mouthed to her, and Hermione nodded discreetly. She didn't need to ask where. As Malfoy began to show his guests out she casually strolled away and made her way through the dark halls. She crept out into the garden and for a moment stopped to let the peace of the night wash over her. After almost a minute had gone by Hermione moved again, making her way to the edge of the lake. The wildness of the garden surprised her; it seemed that the house elves had gone overboard planting things lately, and by the time Hermione found the water's edge she felt as though she was standing in the middle of a forest clearing.

For a few minutes she sat and watched the slivers of the moon reflected in the water. It wasn't until a cool breeze swept through her and she let out an involuntary shiver that Hermione began to wonder if Malfoy was on his way. Surely he felt just as regretful as her about their fight earlier? Hermione couldn't wait to tell him how sorry she was, how stupid the whole thing had been. So where was he?

As if on cue, there came the sudden rustling of nearby leaves and the sound of footsteps too heavy to belong to a woman. But was it Malfoy? She couldn't be sure.

'Draco?' Hermione called out, her heart fluttering nervously as the heavy footsteps continued to approach. She couldn't see a thing and was dearly hoping that whoever it was couldn't see her either…except of course she had just given up her position to any attackers.

'Draco, is that you?' she called again, knowing that there was no doubt that the person was making their way towards her.

'No, it's me,' a deep voice finally replied. Hermione felt the panic rise as into the tiny clearing stepped…

'Jack?' her voice squeaked a little in surprise but Hermione felt a little calmed to see that it was only Sandford who stood before her. 'What are you doing here?'

'I came to find you,' Sandford said pleasantly, making no move towards her at all. Hermione felt that there was something wrong but couldn't explain to herself why.

'Is it Draco? Is he alright?' she asked in confusion. She scanned the darkness around her once more, but couldn't see or hear anybody else approaching.

'No, no, Draco is fine,' Sandford said with a casual wave of his hand. But Hermione saw a nervous flicker cross his eyes.

'Then…why are you here?' she said again, feeling the panic return. Something was definitely not right about this…

'Oh, it's ok, you don't have to be afraid,' Sandford seemed to catch the tone of Hermione's voice and at last made to move towards her with his arms outstretched in a seemingly calming gesture. Hermione backed up several steps.

'Stop, please!' she said, trying to sound in command but feeling terrified. Draco had been right about Sandford all along, then.

'But I can't,' he said, his voice suddenly heavy. And before Hermione could turn, or run, or let out even one more breath to muster up a yell, Sandford had wrapped his arms around her and crashed his lips down upon hers.

The kiss lasted only for as long as it did for Hermione's shock to wear off, and then Sandford was pulling away as she slapped at his face. But just as Hermione opened her mouth to let out a terrified shriek, Sandford whispered into her ear something she had not been expecting to hear.

'I'm in love with you, Pearl. I can rescue you from this house and from everything I know you're afraid of. Come away with me now and you'll be safe forever.'

--

Well! I really enjoyed that ending, how about you? What will Hermione do now that she's been given an out?? Will she go with Jack? Will she leave Malfoy? Why oh why did he have to choose now to start acting like an idiot again! Couldn't have picked a worse time...

Anyway, please let me know what you thought :) Trying to get up to 1,000 reviews and I would love if you helped! New chapter of It's Just Me coming soon and lots of love xx