He felt an ache somewhere in his body. He couldn't place a finger where. Everything was background , the cold stone floor beneath him, the silence around him except for a ragged breathing somewhere on his right. The only thing he could concentrate on was pain. The pain which pulled him out of his unconsciousness like an anchor. He realised the reason he couldn't place where he was aching was because he was aching all over his bloody body. He opened his eyes slowly , expecting a bright light that he will be able to get used to, however only a faint glow made him aware of his surroundings. He was in a dungeon of some sort. He yelled out a curse hoping it will be audible to wherever the death eaters where.

"Egh! Nice way wake up." She said.

Sirius realised that the person by his side was Hermione. Slowly everything came back to her. After they had been captured by the death eaters , there wands and portkey were taken. The Order members had all gone by the time and everyone gathered around them. Several Cruciatus and various sorts of painful hexes later, they had all disappeared locking them in with a promise that next time they will be dealt by the Dark Lord himself. Sirius had seen Hermione writhing in pain with a sound as they hit her again and again. He on the other hand was tortured mostly by Lucius who being 'family' had decided it was hos duty to set him straight and make him a 'proper Black'. "When Dark Lord is through with you two, you will be more than happy to join our side" he had said, "We cannot say the same for your friend, she will be dead before that happens."

"Mione" Sirius sat up straight ignoring his screaming muscles,

"Are you alright?"

She sat down leaning against the wall and Sirius slid to take place beside her putting an arm around her shoulder. She leaned into his side.

"Still in one piece." She said, her voice hoarse, "Though the same couldn't be said for my ear. Ever considered getting a job as banshee?" She asked a small smile on her lips.

Sirius felt awed by her strength. She had been tortured a while ago and here she was making jokes. He smiled at her fondly.

"I am too pretty for that kind of work love." He said giving her a small squeeze.

"How do we get out now?" He asked after a while. "They will be back soon." He shuddered thinking what they will do now. He would happily die instead of joining them if it came to that, but he would like to avoid that scenario unless absolutely necessary.

"I don't know. I am sorry you got struck because of me." She said she might have felt him shiver. "I am so sorry Sirius. I should have listened to Remus when he said I should not have come. I was foolish. You wouldn't have been captured of not for me." She sobbed turning her head so that it pressed in his side.

"It's not your fault kitten. Don't you dare blame yourself." He took her face in his hands and saw tears fall down her cheek. "You are the bravest and most compassionate witch I have ever met. I stayed because you have given me a reason to care for you and risk my ass for your sake. It was my decision. And if you weren't here, we couldn't have come in so easily. You helped us get in without getting caught. Don't underestimate you. You are only a person, you can't do everything." He planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you Sirius." She was about to hug him when a pop beside her startled her. What startled her more was to see the same large, bat-like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls.

"Dobby." She gasped.

"Mistress asked Dobby help heal the prisoners." He looked nervously at them.

Sirius stared at him wide eyed as he snapped his finger and the wounds visible on their bodies started healing.

"Thank you Dobby." Hermione said examining her hand which was full of wounds until a moment ago. His eyes widened as he saw that someone had thanked him. It must be the first time someone had said that to the poor elf. She nudged Sirius who was eyeing his own limbs and mouthed a thank you to him.

"Um. Yeah. Thank you."

"You is strange Sir, Miss." He said.

"And you are a very good house elf Mr. Dobby." She smiled at his shocked expression. Poor him.

"Dobby can you ask my cousin , your Mistress to meet me?" Sirius said. "Tell her it is very important." He said and after a look from Hermione added "Please."

"Mistress won't talk to you. Dobby is a good elf, Dobby not disturb Mistress."

"Please Dobby." Hermione begged him.

"Dobby will ask." With that he disappeared.

"Why were you begging that elf." Sirius asked.

"Dobby is.. was a friend. He is a good elf." She smiled at the various memory they had of Dobby. How he had helped them so many times selflessly. He used to wear the clothes left by them so happily. The memory was nostalgic for her. This Dobby won't know how good a friend he was. "Even if he was just a house elf, a creature looked down by the society, he died a noble death. The death of a hero." She told him.

"Seems like too many good souls have been pulled into dark in this war." Sirius frowned.

"True." Hermione took her place beside him and together they waited for the Lady of The House, praying that she will come because she was their only hope.

Sometime passed. They had no idea to know whether it was an hour or a day or just merely minutes. They kept sitting in the dimly lit cell hoping that somehow Narcissa could come down. Hermione had a plan but it would only work if she agrees. Every rustling or even the smallest of noise made them jump. They both were scared though they won't say it but it was clear that they didn't wish to be in the presence of Voldemort.

It was almost when they were to give up their hopes when Narcissa stepped down the stairs to the prison cell. She was wearing a teal grin robe and her straight blonde hair fell back beautifully. Hermione noticed the bulge on her stomach that she was cradling with one hand.

"Cissa." Sirius breathed hopefully.

"Sirius, what do you want?" She said. Hermione noticed the tiny creature hiding behind her to protect the mistress if need arise.

"Let us go Cissa. Come with us. We will protect you. You, Andy, Reg and me. We can all become family again." He said taking a step towards her.

Hermione was studying her face for any expression that might show her emotions but apparently Narcissa Malfoy was better than her cousins in shielding her emotions.

She let out a huff of arrogance. "You think I would volunteer to be reduced to a level where I keep company of Mudblood and treated as such." She gave a look to Hermione which was identical to when people look at dirt on their new shoes. "You are wrong dear brother."

"Mrs Malfoy." Hermione decided to add a small point to persuade the woman, "Do you wish your child to grow up surrounded by all of this?" She asked. "He will be forced to take the dark mark by his father just like his father was forced. Do you want to see him become what his father has become?" She noticed a slight change but couldn't tell of it was good or bad.

"Whether any side wins, do you think he will have a good life? The Dark Lord will use him to torture your family. Every time Lucius fail, he will try to punish through your son. He is not short of using Cruciatus on children, you must have seen.." Narcissa held up a hand showing she had had enough. She looked like she might throw up.

"Come with us." Sirius took over. "I promise your child and you will be safe. No one will question you." He said. Hermione added, "You don't have to fight against him. No need to fraternize with the… well… likes of me. If you don't want."

Sirius stared at her shocked but glad. He knew that his sister will not accept her blood status so easily. And find it good that Hermione didn't mind.

"I don't need your help." She said and stormed out. Dobby looked surprised at them for a while.

"Take care of her Dobby." Sirius said when she was gone.

"Mr. Black and his friend are weird. They speak ill of Dark wizard in this house." He nodded and the respect in his green eyes was visible to them.

With that the only company they had was gone, they slumped back and looked at each other.

"Now what do we do?" Sirius asked. They had thought that if Narcissa agrees than they could leave the Manor with her help but she had refused.

"Now we wait and strike at the exact moment." Hermione said reluctant to give up hope. She knew that 'help comes to those who ask for it'. It may not be Hogwarts but that doesn't mean she will be helped by moping. No they would helo themselves.

So when the Death Eaters cames, kicked them and took them to their 'game room', They went quietly hoping that from their fleeing could be easier than the dungeons.

"Here Here, look at our guests, don't they look chirpy." Lucius said from where he stood near an empty chair which looked more like throne. Behind him Narcissa stood looking away from them.

"Lets us go Malfoy." Sirius barked out.

"Why would I do that?" Lucius sneered at them twirling both their wands in his hand. "I am going to hand over you to Dark Lord. You and Potter had always managed to irk our Master with your dry sense of humor. It will be interesting to see how you response to his sense of humor." He looked happy at the thought of torture. Hermione noticed she wasn't the only woman studying his expression.

"But Tell us Black what did you do you do with Pettigrew?"

"Curious about your pet?" It was Sirius' time to look smug. "He is not coming back. He had to pay for hurting my family." He shrugged his shoulders.

Lucius didn't bat an eyelid for his fellow Death Eater. "Anyway he was a burden to us. Good riddance."

Hermione felt bad for the rat. He had given up his friendship with those who loved him like his own blood to be with people who were glad to have him dead. Karma was surely a force to reckon with.

She shut out the insults thrown between Lucius and Sirius. She was well aware by now that the death eaters were too much keen to give speeches and do ceremony. They won't hurt them… yet. They like to give long humiliating speeches to their victims and she studied her surrounding from where she was kneeling on the floor her hand tied behind her back when she saw something or she thought she saw something.

It was like the wall in front of her moved. She gasped loudly. Now aware of what it was. The spell helding her in place vanished but she still kept herself in place.

"Do you want some attention Mudblood?" Another Death Eater asked.

She turned to look at Sirius but he glaring daggers at the one who was moving towards her. His binds were still in place. She willed him to look at her. Almost pleading inside her head for him to look at her.

He might have felt his eye on her and he turned. 'James' she mouthed making sure that no one could figure out. Sirius' eye widened in realisation and he looked around them but couldn't see anyone. He turned to her confused.

"Cloak." She whispered and pointed towards her hand showing him her hands were free.

He nodded and she saw his binds freed too.

"What were you whispering?" Crabbe asked.

"Clock." She said. "Time."

"Time for you to die, Mudblood." Lucius said.

A jet of red light hit Lucius and the wands flew out of his hand and disappeared.

"Who was that?" He angrily turned the rest of death eaters and Hermione felt glad that Bellatrix wasn't part of this group.

Another spell and they were all surrounded by huge sheild that covered them all. James took off his cloak and revealed himself and Remus.

Remus looked miserable and placed an arm around her. "Lets go." He said.

Sirius was about to leave when he turned to look at Narcissa and extended his hand to her.

The Death Eaters were so busy throwing hexes at them that they didn't notice the lady of the House come forward and take his hand.

Lucius face turned from angry to shock as the five of them disappeared from in front of them.

A/N : This is a non edited version. My apologies.