Chapter 24

Hermione arrived to their spot of the library that day, feeling a little nervous. The last few months had flown by spectacularly, and she knew that with each passing day she was falling more and more in love with Draco Malfoy.

It was strange to her still, to be so completely smitten with someone else that sometimes she couldn't think straight.

Like in potions, she found herself staring in his direction, wondering how much longer it would be before they would be able to meet up again.

Or in Arithmacy, where they were in a class so small that they had to be careful to ensure no rumours spread, but all she wanted to do was sit beside him and hold his hand under the table.

And when she received an E on a paper for Professor Snape for "excessing rambling beyond required", and had been devastated. She was used to him giving her harsher grades than he would the Slytherins, but it didn't make it hurt any less to pour her soul into a subject and have him dismiss her so quickly, for whatever reason or the other. Draco had soothed her by holding her tightly in his arms and assuring her that it didn't matter what the man thought, she was still the most brilliant witch in the school, and that he had no doubt that she would be Head Girl.

He understood her. Understood what it was like to have parents that disapproved of them no matter how hard they tried. Because she loved her parents and they her, but there was a part of them that hoped she would come back to their world once she was done school and get a nice normal job. That no matter how proud they were of her, it wasn't anything they could brag about. How could they tell their friends that their daughter was the top of their year in magic, when the rest of the world did not even believe it existed?

He understood all too well, because he had never been good enough for his father; Lucius always wanted something more for her. He wanted him to be greater, smarter, than them all. He wanted Draco to show all the mudbloods their place in the world, when Draco wanted nothing of the sort.

She never liked Romeo and Juliet as a child, wondering how two children could fall for each other in the midst of war between their sides, and take their own lives. But now she understood, at least in part. She understood how easy it was to fall for someone, despite the chaos going on in her life. She understood the love they must have felt, even if they were mere children. She would be devastated if anything happened to him, as he knew he would be in return.

She snapped her head out of her thoughts as she waked into their section of the library, temporarily disabling the wards that they had set up for only themselves to be able to take down.

She gasped in surprise as she saw Draco there already, with a table set up. There were floating candles around them, and he had dinner on the table, with wine poured onto two glasses.

"Draco," she murmured softly, as he stood to greet her. He moved closer to her and cupped her face gently.

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed her boyfriend softly as she melted into him.

"Happy Valentine's day, Hermione," he said softly, eyes twinkling, when they finally pulled apart. They hadn't made any set plans for the day, as they couldn't exactly go out to Hogsmeade on a date without someone finding out. So they had agreed to meet up in the library, not to study, for once, but to spend time together.

It wasn't the most romantic spot, but it was secluded and it was theirs. It was somewhere no one else would come, or could find even if they wanted to. And she loved it more than anything.

"Happy Valentine's day, Draco," she said softly, as she stroked his face tenderly. "I can't believe you did all of this."

"You deserve a day all about you," he said gently, "I know we didn't discuss doing anything special, but I wanted you to have this. To show you how much I care about you."

They sat down at the table, and began to eat, and she felt her heart melt. Never had she had any boy put in as much consideration and thought as he did for her. Never had she had anyone who cared enough to do things for her, or who even bothered. Viktor was sweet, but he was constantly occupied with the Triwizard tournament, and Quidditch.

"I got something for you," he told her softly, and she let out a gasp.

"I didn't get you anything," she looked down, feeling guilty. Merlin, she was the worst girlfriend. She had honestly believed that they wouldn't be doing anything today but study.

"You gave me a gift already," he grinned, as he took his hand in her own. "You gave me happiness. You gave me a chance to believe I could be something more than what others expect me to be. You gave me a chance to try and be someone else, and with you I feel like the man I want to be. You've already given me so much, Hermione. That's why I did all of this for you, because I care about you so much, and you deserve the same."

He pulled out a velvet box, and opened it to reveal a silver necklace inside it, with a lion on the locket. It was encrusted with emerald gemstones, and when she opened it, she gasped slightly.

My Heart, My Soul, My Love. I shall cherish you forever.

She smiled softly, as she looked up at him, "How Slytherin," she laughed, taking in the emeralds, and he grinned at her. "Can you put it on me?"

"I left the photograph section empty for now," he told her softly as he put the necklace around her neck, before she turned back to face him. "I know it is unsafe for us for now, but I hope that one day there will be a time where you can freely show our love without anyone intervening. I love you, Hermione Granger."

"I love you too," she said softly as she said the words to him for the first time since they had gotten together. "I love that you did all of this for me, and that you are always there for me. That you comfort me when I need it, and you do not put me on a pedestal, but instead are my equal, and challenge me. You make me a better person, Draco Malfoy, and I love you."

He pulled her close once more, and she sighed into him as their lips met.

Hermione held herself together, as she apparated to the Ministry's Auror Department. She clutched the lion necklace that Draco had given her all those years ago, and one she had started wearing again recently, to give her the energy she needed. She could feel her strength fading, the torture and loss of blood still rendering her weak.

But she needed to get to Harry and Draco, to warn them of who was behind all the attacks on magical creatures, and the deaths that had occurred.

She could see others staring at her, wondering just what was going on, as she entered the Auror office. She was aware of the state she was currently in, blood dried up on her body, and her face cut up. She knew she eventually would need medical attention, but she needed to find them.

"I don't care if he's not responding to the Veritasum!" she heard Draco's voice carry through the office, "He must know something! He has to know where Hermione is! I can't lose her, because of that man. Up his dosage and try again!"

She moved closer, and she heard the whispers begin to fill the office, as the Aurors around them turned to face her. Draco was standing at the board which she knew that he used to fill up with his evidence for other cases, but this time it was all about her, and where she could be. She could see the exhaustion in his body language, and wondered to herself when the last time he got any sleep was.

"Draco," she said softly, and he turned quickly at the sound of her voice. When he saw her, his eyes widened, and before she knew it, he had approached her and pulled her into his arms. He was trembling, and she held him tightly, wondering just how much he had been through. "I'm safe," she murmured, "I've come home, Draco."

He pulled away, enough to look at her, and frowned, "You're hurt," he said, upset, as he took in her appearance, "What happened to you, Hermione? How did you get free?"

"I would like to know that as well," Harry said, as he approached them. She pulled away from Draco slightly, enough to hug Harry. "I was so worried about you, Hermione."

"We need to ask her what she knows," one of the senior Aurors said, as he broke apart the scene. "She could know who else took a part in her abduction. We need to know what she knows."

"In a minute," Draco said firmly, as he could sense her losing whatever strength she had left, "She just escaped captivity. Give her a moment to recover." He led her to his and Harry's office, before getting her to sit down on one of the couches.

"I'll get some food and some healing draughts," Harry said softly, as he moved towards their supply of emergency care potions. "Everything else can wait."

She was shaking slightly, and Draco wrapped an arm around her as they sat on the couch together. She knew the others were watching them, curiously, trying to see what had happened to the Golden Girl.

"I was so worried about you," Draco said softly, as he rubbed her back, "Merlin, Hermione, I thought I was going to lose you. I thought I would never see you again and it would have been all my fault, for loving you."

She reached up and cupped his face, as Harry returned with supplies, "It wasn't your fault, Draco. None of this was. I want you to know that I love you so much, and I don't blame you for this. I should have been more careful too, if you want to play the blame game. I should have had my wand out, and have been more observant about my surroundings. I was distracted by the thought of coming home to you."

He held her hand, as Harry passed her pain potions. "You need to go to St. Mungos after this," he told her firmly, and before she could protest, he raised a hand, "You've been tortured, Hermione. You're still wincing in pain anytime you move in the slightest. You're going. But this should help you in the meantime."

She gingerly ate the sandwich handed to her, savouring each bite.

"There," the older Auror said again, "She's been fed, and she's taken pain potions. She should tell us what happened before the accomplice flees the country all together."

Draco glared at the man, but Hermione placed a hand on him, "It's okay, Draco. He's right. If this were anyone else, you would be getting their statement right now."

He looked unhappy by that, but rubbed gentle circles along her back as she leaned into him and began to talk.

"I'm not sure who it was who abducted me, exactly, but if I had to make a guess, I would say Rodolphus. He's the one who did all the dirty work. When I woke up, I was magically bound, unable to move, as I watched them make their plans. They were standing over me, discussing their plans, to bring back Bellatrix Lestrange. I guess despite her obvious love for Voldemort, he loved her, and couldn't imagine a life without her. He wanted to bring her back so they could go back to their agenda of hating muggleborns and trying to eliminate us from the wizarding world. They tortured me for bit, their own form of vengeance because of who I was. And when Rodolphus left, to go get the heart of the Valkyrie, and didn't return by the agreed time, He knew something was wrong. He began to perform the ritual, which involved the life and blood of another to complete; my blood."

She trembled slightly, "I saw her body come back to life, as I felt mine fading. I tried to fight it! I did. I tried to be strong for you and for Rose. But there was nothing I could do, as I felt myself fading from life. I was so scared, Draco."

He pulled her into his chest, and she felt a sense of relief as he held her tightly. A sob escaped her, as she broke down for the first time.

"I got you, Hermione," Draco said soothingly, as he kissed her forehead. "You're safe now."

"He got a message half way through, that Rodolphus had been caught," Hermione told them, "And decided that we needed to move, in case Rodolphus talked. There was a contingency set into place, so Rodolphus would have no idea where we were, if he were caught, to allow for the ritual to finish. Their safe guard, to say in the least. I don't know where we went; I just know that when the message came in, I was finding it harder and harder to stay awake. The loss of the blood was far too much and I passed out."

"What happened after that?" Harry asked her gently, as Draco held her tightly. She knew it was hurting him that she had gone through such an ordeal, and she hated that he was feeling this way. It wasn't his fault that any of this had happened, regardless of what he believed. It wasn't his fault that his family kept trying to separate them.

"When I woke up, we were somewhere else. I don't know where, exactly, but I suppose you can trace my apparation to find out where it was. He was trying to finish the ritual, and I knew that if he started again, I wouldn't make it. I would die if he finished. I noticed that I could move, that all the enchantments were not cast upon me this time as they were before. So I undid the knots around my wrists, and gathered up all my magical strength. I waited until I had enough power, and I stunned him.

"Wandless?" the older Auror asked, a little shocked, "After you've been tortured?"

"She's Hermione Granger," Harry reminded the older man, "If anyone could do it, it would be her."

The man looked impressed, "I know you're a top notch Prosecutor," the Auror began, "But if you ever want a job here, it's yours."

She smiled softly at him, and closed her eyes, as the dreaded question came. The one she had been trying to avoid answering.

"Who was the accomplice?" Harry asked her softly, and Draco tensed, as if he almost knew what she was about to say.

"I'm sorry," she said softly, looking at Draco as tears filled her eyes. He clenched his fist, furiously as he paled at the realization.

Harry nodded at her, needing her to say it aloud for their case.

"Lucius Malfoy," she whispered, as silence filled the room around them.

Astoria frowned as whispers began to fill the Ministry of Magic. Despite their efforts, secrets always got out. One just needed to know where to listen, who to ask, and where to be to hear all the secrets that were meant to be kept hidden.

And so far, she had found out that Rodolphus had been caught. It wasn't bad per say, if that were it. Lucius just needed to finish his ritual before they came for him. Why did she care if it worked or not, as long as Hermione Granger was dead? Hell, if anything, it worked out better for her if Lucius was caught, so she could be a shoulder for Draco to cry on after the death of his whore and the betrayal of his father. And she would be there to pick up the pieces, one by one, for him when he was ready to move on. It should have been easy, perfect even. How did two Death Eaters get it so wrong? How were they bested?

Because by the rumours she had just heard, Hermione Granger had wandered straight into the Aurors office, very much alive, and was now sitting there spilling all the secrets of her kidnapping.

She wasn't worried that things would get back to her, neither Lucius nor Rodolphus cared enough about her beyond thinking she was suitable for heirs. They wouldn't spill her involvement in it all; that much was for sure.

But Hermione Granger was supposed to die. Yet here she was, very much alive, and from what Astoria had heard, very much in Draco's arms.

She supposed this was what she got for trusting others to do what was very much a woman's job. She never should have trusted that they were at all capable of getting rid of her problem. They only ever were a means to an end. And she supposed that now they were caught, it put the ball back into their hands.

Astoria Greengrass always got what she wanted, and she still very much wanted Draco Malfoy. It didn't matter that Hermione Granger was back, not if Hermione had anything to say about it. Because one way or another he would be hers.

She already had a plan in place, and it was only a matter of time before she got him.