Hermione finished her soak and felt her muscles pleasantly heated. She took a step out of the massive tub and looked around the room to noticed that the clothing she discarded on the floor was gone and a neat pile of warm clothing was sitting for her on the vanity counter. A comfortable button-up shirt that was obviously not fitted for a woman, what seemed like warm flannel sleeping pants and a pair of knitted socks.

After she got herself dressed and gotten her hair mostly towel-dried, she took a deep breath before reaching for the doorknob and stepping into a grand bedchamber with Lucius Malfoy standing at the fireplace, staring off into the fire. Hermione stared for a moment. From what she remembered; he was a ruthless, bigoted death eater that would rather steer clear of any muggle-born. But here he was, not only was he helping her but he actually seeming genuinely involved and concerned.

Lucius turned at the sound of Hermione closing the bathroom door behind her, examining her briefly. She looked completely different than she did an hour ago. Of course, she looked cleaner than before but now she looked less shaken and worried. It would take a while for the images he had of her in her previous state out of his mind. Lucius didn't know why he was so shaken by the thought of her like that. He had seen many horrible and sadistic things throughout his times as a death eater but her…it caused him fury and grief. Before he had another moment to think about the topic, Hermione spoke.

"T…Thank you for letting me use the restroom" She whispered, looking anywhere but at him. He stared at her and examined her every move. Her fingers fidgeted the hem of the soft shirt she wore and he didn't know if she was shivering from the cold or from fear.

"Of course. Whatever I can do to help you feel more at ease."

Slowly he walked towards her, but she started to tense and slide back. Lucius stopped dead in his track and noticed what he had done. She was traumatized and so deprived of human interaction that she must be struggling with accustoming herself to her new situation. That on top of being in the same home, let alone the same room, with the same man that is a known death eater.

"I apologize" He said.

She shook her head and said, "Don't be. At this point, it's instinctual. It's just that a lot of things have changed over the last few hours and I don't think I've processed it all. I've always known you to be a death eater and to have you helping me is just… well, I'm skeptical".

Lucius nodded and said, "Unfortunately Severus had to make a swift return to Hogwarts but will be joining us tomorrow morning for breakfast. If you do not mind, I have called for tea to be brought up."

Hermione smiled softly and thought about a nice hot cup of tea. To her, it felt like ages since she had anything other than filthy water to drink. Lucius led the way to a large French-styled lounging couch in front of the grand fireplace in the room.

She plopped her way down on the sofa cushions and decided to tuck her legs under herself. Lucius took a seat on the armchair to the left of her.

During a moment of silence of both just staring into the fire, a hasty house-elf rushed in with a floating tray of teaware, two cups floated in front of them already filled with steaming fresh tea inside and ready for the taking. Hermione slowly took ahold of one cup and held it both hands as if a fragile jewel. It smelled like chamomile and roses, one of her favorite teas.

"What happened to Draco?" She asked bluntly. Lucius took his own cup and gave it one good sip before setting it down on one of his crossed knees.

"He is with the Order. I am thankful that they have taken him in."

"And how did you come to join the Order?" She stared at him as he looked from the fire back at her.

"After Draco escaped, I tried to track him down. I found out from Dumbledore that he was safe with them...I couldn't believe that after all that we have done and stood for, they would still be willing to help him. You could say I slowly started to realize the errors of my ways."

Hermione looked down at her cup and watched the steam for a bit. She thought back to that night and how Draco seemed to snap out of the haze he was in, trying to help her. How he went against all the darkness and hate in his life to save someone he barely tolerated. It seemed that since she was away from reality everything turned upside down.

"I guess the only thing that matters now is that you see and understand the errors of your past and willing to make a change, Mr. Malfoy." Hermione whispered into her cup. She took in a deep breath and took another sip, staring back into the fireplace.

Lucius watched in wonder at Hermione. After all that she had been through, after all of the trauma and horror that she experienced…she was still willing to tolerate him.

"You are a very strong-willed witch Hermione. Please feel free to call me Lucius." He replied.

Hermione smiled and placed her empty cup on the cushion next to her.

"I don't remember if I told you this already but thank you for all your help. I'm grateful."

Lucius sat up a bit straighter in his chair and offered the faintest of smiles. He hoped that what he was doing was enough but deep down he knew that this would be the start of a long and difficult road. He didn't know what role he played in all of this but one thing he was certain of was being contented with Hermione safe and within his home, away from Dolohov and any other death eaters.

He stood from his comfortable spot in the chair and said, "It is getting quite late and I am certain you would appreciate some well-deserved rest. I will make sure the house elf's bring you some proper transfigure clothing. Goodnight Hermione, rest well."

"Goodnight Lucius. And again, thank you."

While Lucius made is way out, Hermione strolled over to the bed and quickly climbed in under the covers. Sher curled herself under the covers and took the massive feather stuffed pillow into her arms. Hermione turned on her side and stared off into the fire for a moment, thinking about the last 24 hours and how she still hasn't processed all that has happened to her. Honestly, she didn't know how to process it. How are you supposed to move on from something so harrowing…how was she supposed to know that joining Harry in this fight would result in this? Hermione rolled over on her back and stared at the ceiling. Things weren't supposed so end up like this. She was supposed to be with Harry and Ron, helping them find the Horcruxes and defeat Voldemort.

Slowly her eyes fluttered closed as the crackling of wood lulled her to sleep. For a brief moment, everything was silent before an eerie chill ran across her neck. She passed it off as a wind chill and pulled the covers closer to her neck. Another brief moment passed in the silent room until a voice started echoing in her dream. She was standing in a misty dark room with Dolohov standing inches away, a sinister smirk on his face.

"You thought it would be that easy to get rid of me, my dear?" He snarled against her ear.

She started to visibly shake and tense.

"You're not here" Hermione managed to blurt out.

He echoed her mind with a harsh laugh. His hand started to trace her arm and to her hand, guiding it to his lips. His breath against her fingers felt so real she was certain this wasn't a dream and instead, her entire time at Malfoy Manor was the dream.

"Please let go of me" Her cry was barely audible.

"I told you many times muddleblood that if you just played along this would all go smoothly"

That same hand that held hers suspiciously gently a few seconds ago flew to her neck and she tried as hard as she could to scream.

After Lucius left her room, he retreated to his study to write to Draco and the order. He needed to communicate with them that Hermione was safe within the Manor. Thinking over the last few hours, he didn't expect the emotional strain that would come along with it. He was glad that the plan had worked but something inside him rejoiced that she was finally safe and secure. Witnessing her in the bathroom caused him a whole new level of anguish he didn't even understand, and he wishes there was something he could do to erase her pain. He did think about wiping her memory but that would cause more problems than solutions.

Once his formal letter to the Order was written, Lucius pulled out a separate paper for his letter to Draco.

Dear Draco,

As you may have heard by now, Hermione Granger is safe within the Manor. Thankfully Severus was able to heal Miss. Granger to the best of his abilities, but she will take time to recover wholly.

She did ask of you and seemed grateful for your attempt to save her from that night. More shocking was that she quickly accepted my help and the idea that I was assisting the Order. I am grateful for her safety and will to the best of my abilities help her recover and feel safe again. Reassure her close companions of her care and please stay safe yourself.

Your father, Lucius Malfoy

Lucius seal both letters and release them to his most trusted and stealthiest owl Arius. After he closed the window, he made his way to the decanter filled with brandy, pouring himself a small glass and retreating into the soft armchair behind his desk. He was worried about how to proceed in all of this. Of course, Dolohov was safely locked away somewhere far without a chance of escape but still, he held a grip over Hermione. Without a doubt it would take a long time for her to recover from her experiences but what could he do? How could he assist the Order without raising any red flags?

The complexity of the situation was tiring, and he took another sit of his drink. For some reason, he thought back to Hermione in the bathroom. It caused some reaction, not pity but distress. What could he do? That is what angered him the most. There was nothing he could do until the opportunity presented itself. From that moment on he promised to himself he would do anything in his power to make her feel protected.

Out of nowhere, there was a scream from across the manor. His blood ran cold and thought the worst. Did another death eater sneak in? Did someone hurt her? Did Dolohov escape? He rose to his feet and paced himself to her room. Upon opening the door, she was glistening from sweat and gripping the covers until her knuckles turned white. Lucius ran over to her side and placed his cool hand against her head, hoping to cool her down.

Hermione woke up and felt the sweat on her forehead being wiped away by a larger hand. Lucius was sitting on the corner of the bed looking concerned, trying his best to calm her down.

"Are you alright? I heard you screaming from across the manor." He said.

"I'm so sorry. I had a nightmare; I didn't mean to wake you." Hermione wiped her tears and sat up a bit, surprisingly his cold hand on her forehead was helping her cool down.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

That question instantly brought tears to her eyes and she started sobbing. Every emotion that she kept bottled up for the last few weeks just exploded out of her and she couldn't contain it anymore. Hermione flew into his arms just wanting any bit of comfort she could find. He didn't restrict himself anymore an allowed himself to wrap an arm around her back and one soothing her hair.

"Don't worry Hermione, you are safe now" He mumbled against her thick hair.

"Do you think I'll ever come back from this? Right now, it just seems impossible. It feels like I'm trying to claw my way out of a dark deep hole." A hiccup in between every few words, Hermione gripped at his shirt.

"You are a bright witch Hermione. Right now, it may seem like this feeling will last forever but I am certain you will recover. I will help you every step of the way. If there is anything you need, I will help you."

Hermione nodded against his chest and started to feel slightly better. For a few moments, they stayed in this position before Lucius tried to slowly pull away. She held onto his shirt with a tight grip and asked, "Do you mind if we stayed like this a little longer? This is very soothing."

Lucius nodded and replied, "May we rest against the headboard? It will be more comfortable."

Hermione loosened her grip and allowed him to climb into the massive bed. Once rested against the headboard, she curled herself into his side with his arm wrapped around her shoulder.

"Thank you." She said as his hand ran through her hair, lulling her to sleep.

For the first time in weeks, she had a restful sleep.