Hermione felt a sense of shame as she took her first step from the giant marble fireplace and into Malfoy Manor. What made it worse was her unease wasn't' caused by her actions, but instead by the false feeling of relief her actions had brought her.
When her pact with Malfoy was made and the contract was satisfied, she didn't have to fear going back to that small iron cage, to that damp and sunless place. She didn't have to dread the thought of countless evil wizards fondling her every night until one chose to bind her to them forever. At least this way she got to choose her own devil, such a pragmatic thing to find comfort in.
She watched as Malfoy handed his cloak to a heavily scarred house elf who greeted them upon their arrival. The elf bowed so low his pointy nose touched the black marble floor before disappearing with a snap.
Draco walked over to a tall rosewood cocktail cabinet and poured himself a drink. He'd barely said two words to her since they untangled themselves from one another. She half wondered if the teeth of regret had begun gnawing at him already.
Hermione wrapped her arms around herself and examined the walls in the study which were covered in enchanting green tapestries with exquisite silver trimmings. There was a tidy, polished desk which rested between two windows that rose from the dark floor to the curiously high ceiling. Everything in the room appeared normal and hinted very little at the malevolent residents who lived there.
Her eyes glanced to the fair-haired wizard on the other side of the room, her life-long enemy, her unintended savior. He took several sips of something dark before turning his attention back to her. "I'll have one of the house elves show you to your room." He said before swiftly exiting the chamber.
Hermione wasn't sure what she expected being bound to Draco Malfoy. Insults? Most likely. Slights about her dirty blood? Without question. But indifference? She didn't know how to take it.
After a couple minutes of solitude an elf walked in the room. It was the same one as before. He didn't bow to her like he did Malfoy, but instead he did something quite peculiar, especially for an elf with pureblood masters such as his. He held open the tall rosewood door and greeted her almost as if she were a person- a guest, someone who wasn't tainted with dirty blood. "Misses will follow Inigo now." He told her almost gently.
Hermione was taken aback for a moment, and the small gesture almost made her eyes well up with tears. It had been so long since anyone acknowledged her in such a soft manner. She didn't know how to take it.
"Thank you, Inigo," She whispered. Her voice cracked with an emotion she was unsure he'd recognize, but to her surprise Inigo looked her in the eyes and bowed as if he could read her mind. He then turned and made his way down a long hallway lined with portraits which were filled with whispering mouths and curious, judging eyes.
It was a far walk to the east wing and the manor was surprisingly desolate. At the least the hallways and side passages they used to get there were. The manor wasn't particularly bright or dark. It had an interesting gothic ambience about it, one that you would sit and marvel at as opposed to fear.
When they made it to the end of another long hallway lined with windows, Inigo pushed open two double doors. "The Misses will sleep here now." He told her.
Hermione looked around the massive chamber as well as the several attached open rooms. It looked like an entire house. There was a living area, a study, a bathroom the size of her old bedroom, and a large four poster bed that stood across from a sizeable marble fireplace. This couldn't be just for her she thought as her hands skimmed across the dark robes that hung in the massive walk in closet lined with mirrors.
"Inigo," Hermione said curiously. "Whose rooms are these?"
"Master Malfoys," The elf said without missing a beat.