Hermione was unconscious as the men carried her quickly through the school and they weren't gentle either. They held her roughly, no worrying about her at all.

Outside, two brooms were on the ground and the men got on, one taking Hermione. He put her on and got on taking off.

It was in middle of the air when Hermione came to. She screamed as the only thing she saw was a forest with trees and water.

'Shut up!' the man on the broom with her snapped.

Hermione was quiet as she feared if she spoke or made another sound, she would be sick or fall off.

'Professor McGonagall, where is Hermione?' Harry asked near the end of the class.

'Stay behind potter, you too Weasley.' She responded.

Harry and Ron exchanged worried looks.

'You too Malfoy.'

Malfoy turned to face Harry and Ron who for the first time didn't glare at him, only gave him a look of "why you"

'I don't know.' Malfoy mouthed, just as confused as they where.

'Why do you have to stay back Draco?' Pansy asked.

'How in the world of Merlin am I ment to know?' Malfoy snapped. Should he tell McGonagall what he had heard? Would she believe him?

When the bell rang, the three boys stayed behind.

'Come here.' McGonagall said, beckoning them forward. 'I'm afraid that Miss Granger's parents are dead. She has been put up for adoption.' Again her voice almost broke.

'Dead?' Ron said.

'Adoption?' Harry remarked.

'Yes, dead and adoption. Here, read the letter.' McGonagall said, handing them the note.

Harry and Ron read the note at looked at her.

'Since when did Dumbledore call you McGonagall?' Harry asked 'And write like that?'

'I-'

'And surely,' Harry continued, cutting her off, 'wouldn't he be down here to tell her?'

'He must have-'

'And where is she now?' Harry inquired. 'And-'

'MR. POTTER! Control yourself and stop cutting me off!' the Professor barked.

Harry closed his open mouth and waited.

'I don't know Dumbledore wrote that, or like that and I don't know why he wasn't here to tell her himself.'

'Can't we ask him?' Ron pleaded.

She gave them a probing look then nodded. 'Very well. Come on, you too Malfoy.' She said when Malfoy didn't move.

He nodded and followed them out, keeping to the back, still debating on weather or not he should say anything.

They reached Dumbledore's office and waited.

'Come in.' a voice called.

They opened the door and walked in, not saying anything.

'Ahh Minerva. What's the problem?' he asked seeing Harry, Ron and Malfoy follow.

'This note, Dumbledore that you gave to two men to give to me-'

'Two men? I-' Dumbledore stopped. 'Can you three wait outside?' he asked, his kind features replaced by nothing but seriousness.

The three nodded and walked out, a huge weight dropping in their stomachs. The look on his face! This wasn't good.

'Now, Minerva, show me this note.' Dumbledore commanded.

Bewildered, she handed him the scroll and he read it. Looking up, he watched her for a minute. She slapped her forehead. 'I ignored my instincts!' she said angrily sitting on a chair. Before Dumbledore said anything, she continued, 'I didn't think that was your writing, but ignored it and then thought that you have never called me McGonagall before!'

'That's true I haven't.' he agreed.

'So her parents aren't dead?'

'Not to my knowledge.'

'And she's not up for adoption?'

'Not that I know of.'

'Then…where is she?'

'My best guess was that she has been kidnapped for some reason.' Dumbledore said gravely.

'And it was my fault!' McGonagall screamed in anger.

'You mustn't blame yourself.' Dumbledore insisted.

'But-'

'No, come on, keep it together.' He said soothingly.

'What about Potter and Weasley?' she asked. 'What do we tell them?'

'Everything we know. Its best not to keep them in the dark.' He said. 'But why did you bring Mr. Malfoy?'

'He's head boy and he will need to know right?' she asked, now unsure of everything she had done since the two men had turned up.

'True. Bring them in.'

the three boys walked in, having been silent in the corridor.

'Boys,' Dumbledore said as warmly as he could. 'Sit down.'

They sat though Malfoy was a little apart from the others.

'Miss Granger's parents are not dead and she is not up for adoption to my knowledge.' He began.

'Then-'

'Please Harry, wait for me to finish.' Dumbledore said holding up a hand. 'She is however missing.'

'I knew it!' Ron said angrily.

'Calm down.' Dumbledore said. 'We will not make a move until we know everything.'

'But we know everything that we can!' Harry said angrily.

'Not everything.' Dumbledore said looking at Malfoy who looked away.

'What more is there to know?' Ron asked, ignoring what Dumbledore was looking at. 'She's gone! We have to get her back!'

'You're right, we do have to, but for all we know, this could be a trap.'

'A trap?' Harry repeated. 'Not…it wouldn't be to get to me would it?' he asked, fear knotting his stomach together.

'It is possible.' Dumbledore said truthfully. 'You too go down to the hall and wait for dinner- I will send a note to your teacher, and we will resume this tomorrow when everyone,' he looked at McGonagall, 'has calmed down.'

When they got up, Malfoy didn't move, and didn't look at anyone.

Harry and Ron walked out of the office, with McGonagall behind.

'You were very quiet Mr. Malfoy.' Dumbledore noted watching him. He hadn't moved, and knew there was something Malfoy hadn't said.

'Yes sir.' He said. Through out the whole conversation, he had been having his on argument. Should he tell or shouldn't he?

'Is there something you wish to tell me?' Dumbledore asked.

Malfoy looked up into his eyes. 'I'm not sure.' He answered truthfully.

'Take your time.' The headmaster said, sitting back slightly in his chair- he knew Draco was strong and wouldn't talk unless he was ready…look who his father is.

'I…I heard something.' Malfoy said making a decision. Dumbledore sat up straighter.

'At your home?' he asked.

'No. Here at school. During the class Granger was abducted.' Malfoy said.

'Someone in the class?'

'No. I was sitting next to the door.' Malfoy looked away. 'I recognized something about the two men but I couldn't place it…I don't even know why im telling you.' He added.

'Because Mr. Malfoy you have a conscience and that's telling you to help someone in trouble.' Dumbledore suggested and as soon as he said it, Malfoy knew it was true.

Who cares that he had hated her? Who cares that she had different blood and was there for a Mudblood? She was a damsel in distress, and part of his Malfoy blood told him to help her.

Yes we Malfoy's are different and some think of us as animals, but we are gentlemen. He thought.

'Yeah ok. Anyway, when McGonagall came back, she closed the door but I opened it again slightly,' he went red.

'Your eavesdropping will be excused as it may save a young women's life.' Dumbledore said, almost smiling.

'Yeah whatever, and I heard the whole thing. They told her that her parents were dead and that she was up for adoption. Granger said "how" and they said an accident and that she was up for adoption. They said their master has agreed to adopt her.'

'Did you hear who they said?' Dumbledore asked seriously.

'Yes.' Malfoy paused. 'He said…he said lord Voldermort.'

Dumbledore's features hardened. 'Voldermort?' he asked stiffly.

'Yes.'

'Your positive?'

'Absolutely because then it sounded as though Granger fell and then there was sounds of struggling but then nothing…she was gone when I looked.'

'Why didn't you tell Minerva this?'

' because I wasn't sure that she would believe me…in fact,' he narrowed his eyes, 'Im not even sure you believe me.'

'I do Mr. Malfoy' Dumbledore said, 'You are the closest thing to what we have to save her. Besides what you say fits.'

Malfoy nodded. Dumbledore got up and began pacing.

'Go down to dinner. Do not tell anyone what you told me' he warned looking more serious then the Minter had when they knew Voldermort was back. 'Tell no one you know, not even Harry or Ron.'

Malfoy snorted. 'Like I would.'

'Mr. Malfoy, you may not know it but you play a key role now. Because you where here, those two will ask questions. Tell them to see me or only tell them that because you are head boy and head girl is missing, you need to do her duties. Nothing more.'

Malfoy nodded and promised he wouldn't tell a sole. 'Very well, off you go.'

Days slipped past, turning into weeks.

Dumbledore had made the cover story that Hermione was sick and was in the hospital wing. When lavender and Parvati tried to get in and see if she was alright, Madam Pomfrey had to say she wasn't to be receiving gifts or visitors.

Malfoy stayed quiet to everyone. Harry and Ron had asked to speak to him the entrance hall one night after dinner.

'What?' he asked, skipping the insults.

'Why were you there?' Ron asked.

Not needing to ask what he meant, Malfoy thought of what Dumbledore said. 'Because the head girl's missing, I need to take care of her duties.'

Ron seamed to buy it, and Harry was close.

'Hey Ron, wait over there.' He asked. Ron gave Harry a look, but went over and waited.

'Listen Malfoy, I know you know something we don't. I hope you told Dumbledore. But if you didn't or know anything else, please tell him.' It was new to Malfoy to see Harry asking him something, but he knew and understood why.

'Yeah alright. Don't worry, Potter, I've already told him…everything.' There, he hadn't said what he knew, but at least Potter would be satisfied.

'thank you.' Harry said before walking off.

Hermione landed with her captors on grass after three days on the retched thing (broom). Her hatred for brooms had intensified over the last few days as she rode behind a man who hadn't yet identified themselves.

The grass they landed on was lushes green grass with a small forest of its own- well only a large group of trees. They had landed next to a path way that lead up to a home probably only a little smaller then Hogwarts!

It was black in colour, and gave of a hunted appearance. A few windows were open here and there. One of Hermione's kidnappers grabbed her arm hard and led her to two double doors.

He knocked loudly three times and waited.

'Where-'

'Shut up!' the man threatened.

'But-'

'I told you to shut up!' releasing her arm, he hit her on the face then grabbed her again.

Pain melted in with Hermione's tears as her face felt like it would explode.

'And I told you to keep her in good condition!' someone yelled opening one of the doors to the house.

'I'm sorry Lucius, its just that she's been pissing me off all the way here.' He argued.

'I know.' Draco Malfoy's father grinned an evil grin. 'Im surprised you didn't hit her harder.'

Hermione was about to say something when her brain told her to be quiet. Before she could think of anything else, she was hit over the head, and fell, again being caught by someone.

'Take her downstairs.' Lucius ordered.

The man with Hermione nodded and threw her over his shoulder. 'It's a good thing she's light.' He said walking past Mr. Malfoy and into the large foyer.

He walked down the long corridor, down some stairs to a kitchen that was worked by five house elves, and opened a door. This lead to another corridor, which lead to another door. Inside this door was yet one more corridor, though this corridor had rooms, and in those rooms…well, this was the Malfoy dungeon.

The man carried Hermione to the very end cell, opened the door, and roughly put her on the cold, stone floor.

Snorting at his "cleverness" he left the room, locking the door with three chains.

It was three hours later that Hermione woke up.

Her head hurt when she moved, and she clasped it, gasping in pain. Tears fell as she thought of where she was.

Then she remembered Malfoy's father.

'Oh no.' she cried. 'I can't be here.'

But she was there. And she was staying.

A little bit of straw was on the ground, not making much difference if you laid on it. Hermione got up and saw her prison had no window. It was pitch black. Hermione couldn't tell if it was day or night but none of that really mattered.

Hermione stood up and felt something on her shoulder. She still had her school bag.

Hope filling her chest, Hermione searched for her wand and found it in the bottom of her bag.

Smiling happily, Hermione slid down the wall into the far right corner, and clutched the wand to her chest. She knew it was pointless to try and magic her way out because she was positive that the Malfoy dungeons would be magic proof.

Hermione felt comfortable knowing she had her wand though- it was the only thing or person apart from Harry and Ron that she felt safe with.

Draco Malfoy was sitting in his common room without any company, as he tried to do an essay. His eagle, Toro flew onto the table, a letter attached to his ankle.

Malfoy tore it off, not really interested.

He felt so different without someone sharing the common room with him.

Weeks and months had passed since Hermione had gone missing, and now, the students were asking more intense questions as Christmas approached.

He gasped when he saw the letter was from his father.

Malfoy unrolled it and read, his face features turning from boardem to complete alert.

Draco,

This break, when you come for Christmas you will have a special duty. I will say no more.

Lucius.

Malfoy's stomach clenched as he thought of the possible "duty" his father was talking about.

In the end, he decided he really didn't want to know but he would find out sooner or later.

Dumbledore paced his office, Harry and Ron sitting before him. Lupin was there, standing by the fire.

'Any news?' Dumbledore asked Lupin.

'No sorry. Not a trace.' Lupin said sadly.

'The holidays are approaching. For your safety, I want you to remain here.' The headmaster said to Harry and Ron.

Both instantly burst into argument.

Dumbledore held up a hand to silence them, and Ron did, but Harry didn't.

'We want to help!' Harry protested angrily.

'Harry, there is nothing you can do.' Lupin said.

'Well I can do more than you are!' he snapped.

'Harry, we are doing everything-'

'You can't be otherwise you would have got her by now!' Harry yelled now standing up. 'I want to be apart of the search!'

'I know Harry, but there is nothing you can do.' Dumbledore said calmly, used to Harry's outbursts.

Harry realized that they were right and he sat down, defeated.

'I promise, we will find her.' Dumbledore said, reading his mind.

Harry nodded. 'I know you will.'

Hermione sat in her cell, not knowing how long she had been there. It felt like weeks, and for all she knew, it had been.

For a while, she had been standing, screaming for someone to answer her questions, but she gave up after two days of no reply. She had also banged on the door, but nothing.

Once a day, someone opened a little door at the bottom of the big cell door and slid in a food tray.

At first Hermione had eaten it but now she didn't know the point. If they were going to kill her, she figured she would save them the trouble.

So, as she only touched it a little, eating very little of the food, who ever was feeding her, told Lucius.

'My dear husband, she's not eating.' Narcassia said.

'She will.' He dismissed. 'She wont starve herself.'

'Yes but she's scared.' Narcassia pressed. 'She needs some answers- a reason to live.' Narcassia had grown to think Hermione as her daughter, and began to fight for her rights.

Lucius knew that, and let it slip, as long as Narcassia didn't let her go.

'I understand,' he said, 'The dark lord will be here in the morning- he requested that he told her what's happening.'

Narcassia nodded, and went about her business.

Hermione stayed in her cell, not moving.

When the sun rose, Hermione heard more than one person moving.

Sitting up, Hermione pushed herself further into the corner.

The door creaked open, and someone in a black cloak stood there, looking at her through the hood that was up, covering their face.

The figure stepped through the doorway and closed the door, and stood in silence. Hermione remained quiet as well, not knowing if he was going to talk or simply kill her. She had been expecting someone to come and kill her for days.

'I see you have your wand.' A man's voice said strongly that echoed around the cell walls (which wasn't big). 'Do you know who I am?'

Hermione remained mute, but shook her head slowly.

'You are dehydrated.' He noted, seeing her cracked lips and weak body movements.

'Incase you're wondering why you're here, the answer is simple- you are here as bait. When Harry Potter (he spat his name) comes to get you, we will spring a trap.' Hermione said nothing.

'Ok,' he sat cross-legged. The hood didn't come off but Hermione could see red eyes. As dark and black as her cell was, the red eyes shined through. A weight dropped in her stomach. She knew who her visitor was.

'Voldermort.' She croaked before he spoke again. Her voice was raspy, as she hadn't talked for a long time; in fact, she was surprised she could speak full stop.

'Yes.' He bowed his head. 'And you are Hermione Granger.'

Hermione saw no point to nod.

'Are you going to kill me?' Hermione asked.

'No…not yet.' He smiled demonically.

'Are you afraid of dying?' he asked after ten minutes of total silence.

'No.' Hermione answered keeping her answers short and simple.

'Why not?' he asked, as though interested.

'Because im past the point of caring.' Hermione answered.

'I see.' He said 'I've been told you aren't eating much.'

'No, I haven't.' Hermione agreed.

'Why not?' he asked again.

'Because you're obviously going to kill me so I figure, hey, ill save you the trouble.' Hermione answered, looking away at a wall.

'This isn't a very nice room to die in.' Voldermort remarked.

'But plenty have ill bet.'

'I do not know- ask Lucius- this isn't my house.' Voldermort said looking around. 'Would you like to be moved to a nicer cell?'

'I don't care. Die here, die there, what's the difference?'

Voldermort barked a laugh. 'The difference is comfort.'

'I don't know what that is anymore.' Hermione growled. 'Are my parents dead?'

He laughed again. 'No, well not that I know of, but that can be arranged if you like.'

Hermione remained mute.

Voldermort smiled a vicious smile. 'Ill be back later.'

In one swift movement, he had got up, opened the door and was gone.

Hermione thought. He didn't seam as scary as people said, but then again, he needed Hermione. She was sure that if he wanted to, he would be very unpleasant.

The holidays for Hogwarts came. Malfoy went home with half of the school, while Harry and Ron stayed behind with the rest.

On the train ride, Hermione was the topic in Malfoy's cabin.

'I wonder what's really going on.' Pansy wondered aloud. 'I hope she died.'

Malfoy rolled his eyes. 'I'm sure Dumbledore would have told us.' He said.

'Draco, your head boy-' Blaize began.

'Really?' Malfoy said sarcastically.

'Yeah, believe it or not,' Blaize snapped back then continued. 'You should know what happened?'

'I don't know anything more then you do.' Malfoy lied.

Blaize raised his eye brow. 'Oh for Merlin's sake!' Malfoy yelled. 'Like I would care anyway! She's gone! Another chick can replace her as Head girl, preferable, one who's pretty.'

The others now seamed satisfied, and got off the subject.

When the train stopped at Kings Cross station, Malfoy got off with everyone else. Waiting on the platform was Malfoy's mother.

'Hello Draco.' She greeted.

'Mother.' Malfoy nodded.

'Good to see you.' Narcassia said grinning.

'To you to mother. Where's father?'

'Business.' Narcassia answered looking around. 'Come, Draco, and I'll explain the letter your father sent you before the holidays.'

Malfoy's eyes widened for a split second before he nodded and walked with his luggage.

Great. He thought. Just great.

Climbing into a car, they headed for home.

The ride home was quiet, but Malfoy wasn't complaining. When they pulled up at the Malfoy Manner gates, the gates opened and the car drove up a pebbled pathway.

The pebbles crunched under the tires as they moved up to the Manner. When they were getting out, Malfoy let Toro out of his cage and the bird flew around for a bit before coming to land on Malfoy's shoulder.

Narcassia opened the door for her son and he walked into the foyer. 'I'll take care of your things…you're father is in his study waiting for you.' Malfoy nodded then walked up the stairs to his right.

Taking a quick de tour, Malfoy put Toro on a bird stand a corridor away from his fathers study, told him to stay then proceeded.

Hovering outside the room, Malfoy wondered if he would like this duty, but he seriously doubted it.

Knocking on the door, he heard his fathers voice. 'Come in.'

Taking a deep breath, Malfoy opened the door and walked inside.

'Ahh Draco.' Lucius said as warmly as a man like him could. 'Sit.' Malfoy said and his father got straight into it. 'I assume you got the letter I sent you?'

Draco nodded.

'Are you wondering what the duty is?'

after a pause, Draco nodded again.

'Very well. Your duty is to take care of someone.' Draco cocked an eye brow. 'A prisoner to be a little more precise…here, come with me and ill show her to you.'

The word "her" sparked something in Draco's mind.

It couldn't be Granger. He thought. But who else would it be?

'Now, im sure you heard of this young woman's disappearance…' as they walked through the kitchen.

Shit, it is her!

His father said nothing until they reached the cell door itself. 'Im sure you've guessed who im talking about?'

'I think so.' His voice was soft.

'Good. She's in your care.' And he walked back up the corridor and back into the kitchen.

Breathing in and out a few times, Malfoy reached for the door handle.

Hermione was lying down, facing the wall, trying to remember something she had read to make the time go faster when she heard two pairs of feet walking along the corridor. Dreading that was Voldermort again, Hermione curled up into a little ball, looking away from the door.

The footsteps stopped but no one opened a door. A few mumbles was all Hermione could hear before someone was walking away. But someone was still there, just outside her prison door.

Was it someone Voldermort had told to kill her?

Then the door opened.

Draco didn't say anything as he looked at Hermione was curled up in a little ball by the light of the torches in the corridor. Going back out into the corridor, he got a lantern and lit it with his wand.

Her cell was pitch black, so the light was helpful.

Hermione closed her eyes tighter as the person walked in with a light.

Draco walked over to her and put the light down carefully. He squatted.

Unsure what to say, he stayed mute for a minute. In this minute. Hermione got very confused- she could hear his breath (it couldn't be a girl) just behind her, but he wasn't moving.

'Hermione?' the voice sounded a little familiar, but Hermione couldn't place it. 'Hermione, face me.'

Slowly, Hermione rolled over and saw the last person she expected to see. Draco Malfoy.

'W…wh…' she couldn't talk.

It didn't surprise Draco, as she probably hadn't talked in ages. But her appearance was shocking.

Her lips were cracked, dry and flaking. Her hair was everywhere, even worse then it was before. She had dirt and dust on her face, she had bruises on her shoulders from where she was grabbed ( she had taken her cloak off to use as a blanket and her sweater was a pillow). A cut on her cheek when she was slapped which was now adding crusted blood to her face make-up. And her eyes where wide and fearful.

'You look terrible.' He said.

Even though she was tired, alone and scared out of her wits and un able to talk, she managed to roll her eyes at him.

Draco smiled. 'Are you eating?'

Hermione didn't respond, only thought. Why was he acting like he was caring? Why was he here? Oh yeah, that's right, its his house! His dungeon she thought angrily.

'Wh…' she tried speaking again. 'Why?' was all she could manage before she coughed, making her feel like she had ripped her throat in two.

'I'm supposed to take care of you over the holidays.' He responded, watching this girl who had given off such a strong vibe.

'Holidays?' she croaked. The time had shocked her immensely.

'Yes, it's the Christmas holidays.' He took one more look at her appearance. 'Ill be right back.' He said then got up and left quickly.

'That's what he said.' Hermione said to the dark, referring to Voldermort.

Do we like? Ill write the next chapter now, but wont post it for a little while…maybe two days.

Aj.