CHAPTER 1~ Living in Hell
She awoke to the sun beating down on her face, the warm air blowing her short hair freely across her eyelids. Her eyes fluttered open. The surface beneath her was hard, and it took her a few minutes to realize that she had once again fallen asleep on the roof.
The summer sun was bright, and she had to squint her eyes to see properly. She stood and climbed back through her open window.
A mirror on the other side of the room showed her reflection. Her cheeks were sunburned and there were dark circles under her eyes. Since school had let out two weeks before, she hadn't slept well. Her boyfriend hadn't responded to one of her letters, and she was starting to worry. Her hair was greasy as if she hadn't showered in days, and she looked at least twenty although she was only fifteen.
Not liking the hideous person staring back at her, she decided to take a shower to see if that would reflect her body and her mind. She grabbed some clean clothes and headed through the door to the bathroom.
She turned the taps to allow the warm water to flow from the faucet. Once she had stripped herself of her clothes, she stepped into the shower and allowed the warm water to cascade down her slim body and fall to the tiles and down the drain. Her body relaxed with the gentle flow of the water, and for twenty short minutes, all of her problems had been forgotten.
After she had finished her shower, she put on the clothes that she had randomly grabbed from her closet, which consisted of long black shorts that were ripped at the ends and a t-shirt that said "Godsmack" across it.
All in all this was not the same girl that she had been at age eleven. Back then she had been bushy-haired, beaver-toothed, know-it-all Gryffindor bitch. Although she was still the smartest in her class, she didn't strive to make it known that she knew everything. Her teeth had been fixed in her fourth year when she had been hit by an unfortunate curse via Draco Malfoy. It had been probably the only good thing the Slytherin prat had done for her. Her hair was no longer long and bushy. It was now very short and straight. She also had three earrings in each ear, the cartilage of her left ear and her right eyebrow were also pierced.
Needless to say, her parents weren't very happy with the change in their "baby girl". The Grangers were dentists and held in very high esteem in their community, so when Hermione decided that she wanted to be nothing like them, they began to treat her like dirt. They would feed her minimal amounts of food and make her perform cruel tasks, such as cleaning the bathroom with ammonia and no ventilation.
It had all started the summer before fifth year, but had only gotten worse since then. And although her parents were no longer proud of their daughter, her best friends Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley supported her through her changes.
In November, Ron had finally worked up enough courage to ask her out. Of course she said yes and they had been dating since, but she hadn't heard from him since school ended.
"Hermione Anastasia Granger, you get your ass down here right now and make us our breakfast!" her mother screeched.
Hermione rolled her eyes and trudged down the stairs the whole way wondering what her parents did while she was at Hogwarts.
"Hurry up you great lug!" her father yelled.
"I'm coming," she drawled lazily. "You two act like you've never eaten before."
Her parents were fuming by the time she made it downstairs and into the kitchen. They glared at her as she cooked their bacon and eggs. She pretended not to notice as she walked slowly around the kitchen grabbing everything she needed. While she was cooking the bacon, she accidentally on purpose left the eggs on too long so they burned. Her parents didn't realize this, so she placed the food on the table then casually walked out of the kitchen and then the house. She had a habit of leaving every time she did something wrong. Her parents were actually happier when she was out. They didn't really care where she went.
The streets of London were crowded. People from all parts of the country were there. Many of her favorite hangouts were crowded as well, so she decided to take a trip to Diagon Alley. She bid Tom a quick hello then headed out to the back and tapped the brick that would lead her to the wizarding world. She headed through the arch that magically appeared.
None of her fellow classmates were around since they hadn't received there letters yet, but it was nice to be in the world she preferred. After wandering through the familiar alley for a few hours, she decided that a change of scene was in order, and headed for the place she was warned never to go-Knockturn Alley.
The witches and wizards down there were an evil-looking bunch, who were not to be messed with. As she walked down a ways, she heard a familiar voice, and saw a familiar head of silver-blonde hair coming toward her. He was walking with his father and looked very annoyed. Not wanting to be seen, Hermione ducked into a dark corner.
"I already told you, Father," the boy said with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Yes, but you never gave me a good reason, Draco."
"I did. I told you that I wanted to choose my own path and not follow in your footsteps. Anyway, your Lord is not one that I admire too much."
The older man shoved his son against a wall near where Hermione was standing. "For the last time, this is your future. You will do as I say or pay the consequences. Is that clear?"
"No," he responded, shoving his father's hands away. "From the day I was born you have been telling me exactly what to do with my life. For a while I wanted the life you set for me, but things change. I no longer admire the way you bend people to do what you want or the way you treat Muggles as inferiors. I want nothing to do with Voldemort."
"How dare you defy me?" Lucius roared at his only son, who had stalked off, black robes billowing behind him. Lucius swore under his breath at his son's ignorance and headed the opposite direction.
Once she was sure they were gone, Hermione stepped out of the corner and headed back down the not-so-crowded street. She had been shocked by the conversation that she had overheard between the two Malfoys. Never in her life did she think Draco Malfoy would speak ill of Lord Voldemort. She was actually worried about what Lucius would do to him, and she didn't know why. He had never done anything to deserve her care; nevertheless, she worried for the boy that was her schoolmate and enemy.
She made her way quickly back to Diagon Alley amidst the stares of dark witches and wizards. Her mind was too busy thinking over everything to pay attention to the remarks being thrown at her.
With her head down, paying careful attention to each movement her feet made, she failed to realize that she was walking behind somebody until she bumped into him on the stairs leading from Knockturn Alley up to Diagon Alley. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she said as she looked up into the stormy grey eyes of Draco Malfoy.
"What were you doing down there, Granger?" he asked. "Knockturn Alley is no place for someone like you."
"Thank you for your concern, Malfoy, but I can take care of myself," she retorted.
He rolled his eyes at her. "So where's your fire-headed boyfriend? I figured you'd be spending every waking moment of the summer with him."
"Yeah, I thought so too," she sighed. "I haven't heard from him since we departed Platform 9 ¾ on the last day of term. I've written to him numerous times, but he has yet to respond."
Draco actually looked sorry for her. "Sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do for you?"
She started laughing hysterically, earning strange looks from Draco and passer-by. "Merlin, Malfoy! What happened to you hating Mudbloods and helping no one but yourself?"
"I've changed," he snapped. "I was only trying to be nice to a fellow classmate. I know some things that I thought you might wanna know, but if you don't wanna believe me."
"What do you know that I don't?"
"Maybe something about your precious boyfriend and his best friend."
"What makes you think I can just trust you after what you have put me through for the last five years?" She raised her eyebrow.
"I do have inside information, but if you don't wanna listen I can just go. I have places to be."
"No, no, I'll hear what you have to say. Wanna get ice cream or something, though, so we don't stand here and block everybody's way?"
"Sure."
They headed into Diagon Alley and to the ice cream parlor. After ordering, they sat at a small table outside.
"So what do you know that I wanna know?" Hermione questioned as she licked the fast melting ice cream from her cone.
Draco took a deep breath and began, "As I'm sure you've already figured out, my father is a Death Eater. He will occasionally drag me to meetings even though I have no desire to follow in his footsteps. There was an initiation ceremony at the beginning of the summer, and many Hogwarts students were there. Most of the were Slytherins, but Potter, Weasley, and Cho Chang were also among them."
Hermione's ice cream dropped from her hand onto the table. Her eyes opened wide and her mouth moved up and down a few times. "No, no. You're wrong. Voldemort wants Harry dead. They couldn't. They wouldn't."
Draco already felt bad enough, but there was still more he had to tell her. "There's another reason why Weasley hasn't written back. He and Pansy Parkinson have been all over each other, and I know they have slept together at least twice since school ended."
Hermione shook her head and felt tears well up in her eyes. "He wouldn't do that. We haven't even gotten that far yet. He loves me. You're just trying to break us apart."
She stood roughly, but he grabbed her wrists and pulled her close to him. He stood so that their bodies were pressed up against each other's; he didn't care who was watching. "He doesn't love you. He never has. He and Pansy were fooling around since about March. Everything he has ever told you has been a lie. All he wants is power, and he knows he will get that by allying with Voldemort."
Silent tears slid down Hermione's cheeks as she leaned against Draco's chest for support.
"Look, meet me at the Leaky Cauldron a week before the start of term so we can come here and get our supplies. For the time being don't talk to Potter, Weasley, or Chang."
Hermione nodded, but refused to move away from him. "Can you walk me home?" she pleaded. "I don't wanna be alone right now."
Draco was confused. He didn't know what to say. "Um, Granger, I can't exactly go into the Muggle world dressed like this."
"Can't you transfigure your clothes or something?"
"We can floo to my house then back to here. If you want to that is."
Hermione nodded. They went into the nearest shop and flooed back to the Malfoy Manor. Draco went first and Hermione followed right behind him.
Draco went into his closet and pulled out some Muggle clothing. He went into his large bathroom and changed quickly. He wore long black short and a grey t-shirt that had the Fox Racing logo printed on it.
Although Hermione was very upset, she almost laughed. "Where did you find those clothes?"
"I go to the Muggle world occasionally. Don't laugh."
"It's not just the clothes. You can't possibly slick your hair back and dress like that. People will think you're mental."
"What's wrong with my hair?" he said defiantly.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "First of all, no one wears their hair like that anymore." She walked over to him and ruffled his hair a bit so that it was falling across his forehead into his eyes. Even though she was content with the way it looked, she didn't want to remove her hands. She liked the way it felt-so silky and smooth, not like she would've expected with the amount of gel he used. She didn't know what had come over her, but she found it impossible to look away as she stepped closer to him.
Draco put his hands on Hermione's waist. "Does it look better now?" he whispered.
She nodded as their face came closer together. "Much."
Their lips touched. Lightly at first, but Draco soon pressed his lips harder to hers to deepen the kiss. Everything felt like it was spinning. New emotions flooded them both.
When they broke apart, it was for lack of air, nothing else. After a long period of silence, Hermione whispered, "I shouldn't have done that. As great as it was, it was wrong. I'm sorry."
"And you think what Weasley has done isn't wrong?"
"I never said that. Can't we at least wait till I break up with him?"
"Which you're not doing until we're on our way to Hogwarts. As I said before, I don't want you talking to him until then."
Hermione nodded. "I won't."
"Okay. Wanna go back to your house now?"
"Yeah," she mumbled even though it was the last thing she wanted to do.
"How far is it from the Leaky Cauldron?"
"About a half hour walk. It's not too bad really. I've been walking around London a lot lately. It helps me clear my mind."
"It's good to have an outlet like that."
They flooed back to Diagon Alley. Both were quiet until they were outside of the Leaky Cauldron. The sun was just starting to set over the large city and it looked beautiful over the tops of the tall buildings.
"So you live in London?" Draco asked trying to start a conversation.
"Just outside, actually. My parents' office is in the city, but they said they didn't want me to grow up there. I don't think they care now though. I'm here all the time for something or other."
"Are your parents nice people? Do they treat you well?"
"They used to. Until I started dressing differently and getting piercings that is. They think I've ruined their reputation, so they've been treating me like shit since last summer."
Draco looked at her disbelievingly. He thought she had one of those families that was always smiling and lived a perfect life. No, her life was more complicated that he thought imaginable. "And you haven't run away yet?"
"Where would I go? It's not like I've got any friends in the neighborhood."
"You can always come to the Malfoy Manor," he suggested.
"Right, and I would've done that before today 'cause you've always been my best friend in the world. And I would do that now anyway 'cause your father is the most tolerant man I've ever met," she replied sarcastically.
"I see your point," he nodded as they turned another corner and left the city of London.
"Not much farther," Hermione mumbled. "There's gunna be hell to pay when I get home though. I purposely burned their breakfast this morning then left without saying a word."
"That probably wasn't smart."
"It wasn't."
The Granger residence was huge compared to the other houses on the block. They had the most property and the largest house. It was all white with large windows. There were pillars on the front porch that left an opening to get to the door.
Hermione pushed the ebony door open and grabbed Draco's hand to see the reaction she would be getting from her parents. She gave him a warning look that clearly said, "Go with it." He understood perfectly.
"Mum, Dad, I'm home!" she called in a mock-happy voice.
Her parents came rushing out of the family room wearing angry faces. The questions soon followed. "Where the hell were you?" he father yelled.
"Our secretary was sick and we had no idea where to look for you," he mother followed up.
"Our breakfast was burned!"
"There was no one to clean the bathrooms!"
"We have dirty clothes that need to be washed!"
"You didn't even clean the windows last night!"
"And who the hell is that?!" they yelled together.
"I thought you were dating the redhead," her mother finished.
Hermione rolled her eyes and ignored most of the things her parents had said. "This is Draco Malfoy. I believe I've mentioned him a few times in the past."
"The prat you were always complaining about?" her mother questioned with a disgusted look on her face.
"Yeah. I guess I forgot to tell you, I ditched Ron for him. Why wouldn't I? Just look at him. He's so much sexier and smarter and more talented with his wand, if you catch my drift."
Draco's head snapped toward her at her last comment, and she winked at him. To cover it up, she brought her free hand to her eye. "Ow! I think I got something in my eye. Do you think you could check it out for me?"
Draco pretended to examine her eye carefully. "Nope, nothing. Maybe it's just irritated from being outside all day or something."
"Perhaps. Care to accompany to my room?"
"Oh no! You're not going anywhere yet," her father said in a low tone. "You know the punishment."
"Can't you at least wait till Draco goes home? He'll think you're psycho!"
"No I cannot. You know that bullshit doesn't work. Actually, I think it would be good for the both of you if he saw what happens when you disobey us." He grabbed her hair and pulled her down the hall. She refused to let go of Draco's hand, so he was forced to follow.
They walked down a series of passages and into a stone chamber. The only thing that was not made of stone was the metal pole that stood erect in the center. Mr. Granger threw Hermione hard into the pole. She refused to cry out, which made him even angrier.
Draco was instructed to stand by the door. He did so without a word for fear of what might happen to Hermione if he decided to disobey him.
Her father pulled her shirt over her head and tied her hands tightly around the pole with it. Her back was facing Draco. Scars, sealed wounds, and purple bruises covered her entire back.
Mr. Granger pulled something from around his waist and unwound it-a whip. Hermione knew what was coming. She closed her eyes and awaited the pain that would soon come, but instead of the whooshing that was usually accompanied by a loud crack, she heard a voice.
"If you dare hit her with that, you will wish you were never born."
She turned her head slightly over her shoulder and saw Draco with his wand pointed directly at her father's heart.
"What are you gunna do to me with that?" Mr. Granger asked calmly although he was terrified.
"I can kill you in less than one second. Do not tempt me. My father is allied with the darkest wizard of all time. I know more dark magic than I care to, but I will not hesitate to use it to protect her from you."
The older man flinched a little and un-tied his daughter from the pole. Hermione threw her shirt over her head and left in a hurry, pulling Draco behind her. Draco glared at Mr. Granger one last time before following Hermione up a few flights of stairs to her room.
Once they were in her room, Hermione fell onto her bed and looked up at Draco, who was eyeing her carefully. "Is there a problem?" she asked.
"Those scars on your back? They're all from him?"
She nodded. "Every time they're mad at me he takes me into that room and beats the hell outta me. I've never given him the satisfaction of letting him hear me scream, which pisses him off even more. You actually shouldn't have protected me. I'll just get it worse when you leave."
"Then I'm not leaving. Either that or you come with me. I will not leave you here alone knowing what you have to deal with. That would be incredibly selfish."
"Listen to me, Malfoy! You can't stay here! Do you think they'd actually let you? And I can't go to your place. I am terrified of your father! There is absolutely nothing you can do for me, so don't try."
He let out an exasperated sigh. "You are mad! I cannot believe that you would rather put yourself in danger than be helped! I'm only trying to protect you because for the past five years I have been wanting to do that but I couldn't. I feared my father too, but I don't anymore. He taught me everything he knows, so I can protect the both of us against him."
Hermione stared at him blankly and was silent for a while. "Why haven't you ever told me any of this? We have seen each other almost everyday since we were eleven."
"I couldn't. I didn't know how," he said softly. "I'm supposed to be the Muggle-hater, but I'm not. I never have been. My father also said that if I ruined the Malfoy reputation he'd kill me. He can't now." He sat in the edge if his bed and put his head in his hands. "I just wanna help you," he whispered almost inaudibly. "I can understand if you don't want my help. I'll just leave."
"I'm coming with you then."
"But I thought-"
"I'll be safer with you than I am here with them."
"Pack what you need then. We'll apparate back to the Manor. Yes, I can apparate. I learned years ago."
Hermione grabbed her trunk and started throwing clothes, books, and everything she could find into it. She saw Crookshanks empty cage in the corner and flung it across the room.
"What'd you do that for?" Draco asked.
"My mother killed Crookshanks then made soup out of him and fed him to the new neighbors."
"That is about the sickest thing I have ever heard in my life. Why the hell would she do something like that?"
Hermione threw her hands up in the air in an over exaggerated shrug and slammed the top of her trunk closed. "Oh shit! I almost forgot." She pulled up a few of the floorboards and pulled out a black broom with a very sleek handle. The Nimbus 2004.
"I didn't think you flew," Draco said in shock.
"There are a lot of things you don't know." She threw it in her trunk and started tugging on it. It didn't budge.
Draco moved her out of the way and pointed at it with his hand and it started levitating. He then did a spell to make it feather light.
"You know wandless magic!" she gasped in awe. "I didn't know that."
"There are a lot of things you don't know."
They held onto each other and the trunk as Draco apparated them back to Draco's room in the Malfoy Manor. Draco let her trunk fall to the floor and summoned a house elf.
"How may I be of service, Master Draco?" it asked weakly.
"Please tell my mother to come up here. I have something important to discuss with her. Tell her that it is urgent."
"I is getting her. Misses will be here shortly." With a small pop the house elf disappeared.
Draco went over to Hermione, who was sitting on his bed looking out the window at the black sky that was illuminated by the shining stars and the full moon. It was a beautiful night. There was not a cloud in the sky, and a warm summer breeze blew through the window that was slightly ajar.
"I'm gunna tell my mother first. She is much more understanding than my father, and in more tolerant toward Muggles."
A soft knock sounded the arrival of Narcissa Malfoy. Draco opened the door for her and was greeted with a hug. "What is it that you wanted to tell me?" she asked not seeing Hermione.
"Mum, this is Hermione Granger. I believe you met her at the Quidditch World Cup two summers ago."
"Yes, I remember. How are you dear?"
"Fine, thanks," Hermione mumbled.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Well that's about the biggest lie I've ever heard in my life. Her parents are very abusive and were about to beat her in front of me, but I threatened them so they didn't. The bottom line is, I don't want her to stay there because I care about her. So do you think she could spend the rest of the summer here?" he said quickly.
Narcissa pondered her answer for a moment. "You know what your father will think," she finally responded in an undertone. "I don't have a problem with it, but I know he will."
"I don't give a shit about what he thinks. I refuse to have her live in that hellhole. Her damn back is covered in scars from where she has been whipped. If you had seen what I did you too would want her as far away as possible from that place." There was a fire burning in his eyes. He looked ready to kill.
Narcissa looked toward Hermione, who was still looking out the window. "You like her a lot, don't you?" Draco nodded. "I'll have to talk with your father. As I have already said, I wouldn't mind if she stays, but she is a Muggle and you know how he is."
"Mum, it's worse than what Father has done to me. You have to convince him. It's for her safety."
"I really will try, Draco, but it's gunna be difficult."
"Okay."
She left his room quietly and headed down the many halls to speak with her husband.
Draco sat down next to Hermione and put his arm around her shoulder. "She's going to speak with Father. She will allow you to stay, but he's a different story."
"You know he won't, Draco. He hates me. I can just get a room at the Leaky Cauldron or something."
Draco smirked. "That's the second time today that you've called me Draco. Never thought I'd live to see the day."
"Yeah, well calling you Malfoy isn't exactly right. Your parents gave you the name Draco, so why not be called by that name?"
"I should be calling you Hermione then. It really is a beautiful name. And about the Leaky Cauldron, no you won't be staying there because even if Father does say no, you're staying here."
A pop signaled the sound of someone in the room. "Well, well, Ms Granger, it is truly lovely to see you again." They both turned and saw Lucius standing there with a cruel smirk upon his lips.
She awoke to the sun beating down on her face, the warm air blowing her short hair freely across her eyelids. Her eyes fluttered open. The surface beneath her was hard, and it took her a few minutes to realize that she had once again fallen asleep on the roof.
The summer sun was bright, and she had to squint her eyes to see properly. She stood and climbed back through her open window.
A mirror on the other side of the room showed her reflection. Her cheeks were sunburned and there were dark circles under her eyes. Since school had let out two weeks before, she hadn't slept well. Her boyfriend hadn't responded to one of her letters, and she was starting to worry. Her hair was greasy as if she hadn't showered in days, and she looked at least twenty although she was only fifteen.
Not liking the hideous person staring back at her, she decided to take a shower to see if that would reflect her body and her mind. She grabbed some clean clothes and headed through the door to the bathroom.
She turned the taps to allow the warm water to flow from the faucet. Once she had stripped herself of her clothes, she stepped into the shower and allowed the warm water to cascade down her slim body and fall to the tiles and down the drain. Her body relaxed with the gentle flow of the water, and for twenty short minutes, all of her problems had been forgotten.
After she had finished her shower, she put on the clothes that she had randomly grabbed from her closet, which consisted of long black shorts that were ripped at the ends and a t-shirt that said "Godsmack" across it.
All in all this was not the same girl that she had been at age eleven. Back then she had been bushy-haired, beaver-toothed, know-it-all Gryffindor bitch. Although she was still the smartest in her class, she didn't strive to make it known that she knew everything. Her teeth had been fixed in her fourth year when she had been hit by an unfortunate curse via Draco Malfoy. It had been probably the only good thing the Slytherin prat had done for her. Her hair was no longer long and bushy. It was now very short and straight. She also had three earrings in each ear, the cartilage of her left ear and her right eyebrow were also pierced.
Needless to say, her parents weren't very happy with the change in their "baby girl". The Grangers were dentists and held in very high esteem in their community, so when Hermione decided that she wanted to be nothing like them, they began to treat her like dirt. They would feed her minimal amounts of food and make her perform cruel tasks, such as cleaning the bathroom with ammonia and no ventilation.
It had all started the summer before fifth year, but had only gotten worse since then. And although her parents were no longer proud of their daughter, her best friends Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley supported her through her changes.
In November, Ron had finally worked up enough courage to ask her out. Of course she said yes and they had been dating since, but she hadn't heard from him since school ended.
"Hermione Anastasia Granger, you get your ass down here right now and make us our breakfast!" her mother screeched.
Hermione rolled her eyes and trudged down the stairs the whole way wondering what her parents did while she was at Hogwarts.
"Hurry up you great lug!" her father yelled.
"I'm coming," she drawled lazily. "You two act like you've never eaten before."
Her parents were fuming by the time she made it downstairs and into the kitchen. They glared at her as she cooked their bacon and eggs. She pretended not to notice as she walked slowly around the kitchen grabbing everything she needed. While she was cooking the bacon, she accidentally on purpose left the eggs on too long so they burned. Her parents didn't realize this, so she placed the food on the table then casually walked out of the kitchen and then the house. She had a habit of leaving every time she did something wrong. Her parents were actually happier when she was out. They didn't really care where she went.
The streets of London were crowded. People from all parts of the country were there. Many of her favorite hangouts were crowded as well, so she decided to take a trip to Diagon Alley. She bid Tom a quick hello then headed out to the back and tapped the brick that would lead her to the wizarding world. She headed through the arch that magically appeared.
None of her fellow classmates were around since they hadn't received there letters yet, but it was nice to be in the world she preferred. After wandering through the familiar alley for a few hours, she decided that a change of scene was in order, and headed for the place she was warned never to go-Knockturn Alley.
The witches and wizards down there were an evil-looking bunch, who were not to be messed with. As she walked down a ways, she heard a familiar voice, and saw a familiar head of silver-blonde hair coming toward her. He was walking with his father and looked very annoyed. Not wanting to be seen, Hermione ducked into a dark corner.
"I already told you, Father," the boy said with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Yes, but you never gave me a good reason, Draco."
"I did. I told you that I wanted to choose my own path and not follow in your footsteps. Anyway, your Lord is not one that I admire too much."
The older man shoved his son against a wall near where Hermione was standing. "For the last time, this is your future. You will do as I say or pay the consequences. Is that clear?"
"No," he responded, shoving his father's hands away. "From the day I was born you have been telling me exactly what to do with my life. For a while I wanted the life you set for me, but things change. I no longer admire the way you bend people to do what you want or the way you treat Muggles as inferiors. I want nothing to do with Voldemort."
"How dare you defy me?" Lucius roared at his only son, who had stalked off, black robes billowing behind him. Lucius swore under his breath at his son's ignorance and headed the opposite direction.
Once she was sure they were gone, Hermione stepped out of the corner and headed back down the not-so-crowded street. She had been shocked by the conversation that she had overheard between the two Malfoys. Never in her life did she think Draco Malfoy would speak ill of Lord Voldemort. She was actually worried about what Lucius would do to him, and she didn't know why. He had never done anything to deserve her care; nevertheless, she worried for the boy that was her schoolmate and enemy.
She made her way quickly back to Diagon Alley amidst the stares of dark witches and wizards. Her mind was too busy thinking over everything to pay attention to the remarks being thrown at her.
With her head down, paying careful attention to each movement her feet made, she failed to realize that she was walking behind somebody until she bumped into him on the stairs leading from Knockturn Alley up to Diagon Alley. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she said as she looked up into the stormy grey eyes of Draco Malfoy.
"What were you doing down there, Granger?" he asked. "Knockturn Alley is no place for someone like you."
"Thank you for your concern, Malfoy, but I can take care of myself," she retorted.
He rolled his eyes at her. "So where's your fire-headed boyfriend? I figured you'd be spending every waking moment of the summer with him."
"Yeah, I thought so too," she sighed. "I haven't heard from him since we departed Platform 9 ¾ on the last day of term. I've written to him numerous times, but he has yet to respond."
Draco actually looked sorry for her. "Sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do for you?"
She started laughing hysterically, earning strange looks from Draco and passer-by. "Merlin, Malfoy! What happened to you hating Mudbloods and helping no one but yourself?"
"I've changed," he snapped. "I was only trying to be nice to a fellow classmate. I know some things that I thought you might wanna know, but if you don't wanna believe me."
"What do you know that I don't?"
"Maybe something about your precious boyfriend and his best friend."
"What makes you think I can just trust you after what you have put me through for the last five years?" She raised her eyebrow.
"I do have inside information, but if you don't wanna listen I can just go. I have places to be."
"No, no, I'll hear what you have to say. Wanna get ice cream or something, though, so we don't stand here and block everybody's way?"
"Sure."
They headed into Diagon Alley and to the ice cream parlor. After ordering, they sat at a small table outside.
"So what do you know that I wanna know?" Hermione questioned as she licked the fast melting ice cream from her cone.
Draco took a deep breath and began, "As I'm sure you've already figured out, my father is a Death Eater. He will occasionally drag me to meetings even though I have no desire to follow in his footsteps. There was an initiation ceremony at the beginning of the summer, and many Hogwarts students were there. Most of the were Slytherins, but Potter, Weasley, and Cho Chang were also among them."
Hermione's ice cream dropped from her hand onto the table. Her eyes opened wide and her mouth moved up and down a few times. "No, no. You're wrong. Voldemort wants Harry dead. They couldn't. They wouldn't."
Draco already felt bad enough, but there was still more he had to tell her. "There's another reason why Weasley hasn't written back. He and Pansy Parkinson have been all over each other, and I know they have slept together at least twice since school ended."
Hermione shook her head and felt tears well up in her eyes. "He wouldn't do that. We haven't even gotten that far yet. He loves me. You're just trying to break us apart."
She stood roughly, but he grabbed her wrists and pulled her close to him. He stood so that their bodies were pressed up against each other's; he didn't care who was watching. "He doesn't love you. He never has. He and Pansy were fooling around since about March. Everything he has ever told you has been a lie. All he wants is power, and he knows he will get that by allying with Voldemort."
Silent tears slid down Hermione's cheeks as she leaned against Draco's chest for support.
"Look, meet me at the Leaky Cauldron a week before the start of term so we can come here and get our supplies. For the time being don't talk to Potter, Weasley, or Chang."
Hermione nodded, but refused to move away from him. "Can you walk me home?" she pleaded. "I don't wanna be alone right now."
Draco was confused. He didn't know what to say. "Um, Granger, I can't exactly go into the Muggle world dressed like this."
"Can't you transfigure your clothes or something?"
"We can floo to my house then back to here. If you want to that is."
Hermione nodded. They went into the nearest shop and flooed back to the Malfoy Manor. Draco went first and Hermione followed right behind him.
Draco went into his closet and pulled out some Muggle clothing. He went into his large bathroom and changed quickly. He wore long black short and a grey t-shirt that had the Fox Racing logo printed on it.
Although Hermione was very upset, she almost laughed. "Where did you find those clothes?"
"I go to the Muggle world occasionally. Don't laugh."
"It's not just the clothes. You can't possibly slick your hair back and dress like that. People will think you're mental."
"What's wrong with my hair?" he said defiantly.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "First of all, no one wears their hair like that anymore." She walked over to him and ruffled his hair a bit so that it was falling across his forehead into his eyes. Even though she was content with the way it looked, she didn't want to remove her hands. She liked the way it felt-so silky and smooth, not like she would've expected with the amount of gel he used. She didn't know what had come over her, but she found it impossible to look away as she stepped closer to him.
Draco put his hands on Hermione's waist. "Does it look better now?" he whispered.
She nodded as their face came closer together. "Much."
Their lips touched. Lightly at first, but Draco soon pressed his lips harder to hers to deepen the kiss. Everything felt like it was spinning. New emotions flooded them both.
When they broke apart, it was for lack of air, nothing else. After a long period of silence, Hermione whispered, "I shouldn't have done that. As great as it was, it was wrong. I'm sorry."
"And you think what Weasley has done isn't wrong?"
"I never said that. Can't we at least wait till I break up with him?"
"Which you're not doing until we're on our way to Hogwarts. As I said before, I don't want you talking to him until then."
Hermione nodded. "I won't."
"Okay. Wanna go back to your house now?"
"Yeah," she mumbled even though it was the last thing she wanted to do.
"How far is it from the Leaky Cauldron?"
"About a half hour walk. It's not too bad really. I've been walking around London a lot lately. It helps me clear my mind."
"It's good to have an outlet like that."
They flooed back to Diagon Alley. Both were quiet until they were outside of the Leaky Cauldron. The sun was just starting to set over the large city and it looked beautiful over the tops of the tall buildings.
"So you live in London?" Draco asked trying to start a conversation.
"Just outside, actually. My parents' office is in the city, but they said they didn't want me to grow up there. I don't think they care now though. I'm here all the time for something or other."
"Are your parents nice people? Do they treat you well?"
"They used to. Until I started dressing differently and getting piercings that is. They think I've ruined their reputation, so they've been treating me like shit since last summer."
Draco looked at her disbelievingly. He thought she had one of those families that was always smiling and lived a perfect life. No, her life was more complicated that he thought imaginable. "And you haven't run away yet?"
"Where would I go? It's not like I've got any friends in the neighborhood."
"You can always come to the Malfoy Manor," he suggested.
"Right, and I would've done that before today 'cause you've always been my best friend in the world. And I would do that now anyway 'cause your father is the most tolerant man I've ever met," she replied sarcastically.
"I see your point," he nodded as they turned another corner and left the city of London.
"Not much farther," Hermione mumbled. "There's gunna be hell to pay when I get home though. I purposely burned their breakfast this morning then left without saying a word."
"That probably wasn't smart."
"It wasn't."
The Granger residence was huge compared to the other houses on the block. They had the most property and the largest house. It was all white with large windows. There were pillars on the front porch that left an opening to get to the door.
Hermione pushed the ebony door open and grabbed Draco's hand to see the reaction she would be getting from her parents. She gave him a warning look that clearly said, "Go with it." He understood perfectly.
"Mum, Dad, I'm home!" she called in a mock-happy voice.
Her parents came rushing out of the family room wearing angry faces. The questions soon followed. "Where the hell were you?" he father yelled.
"Our secretary was sick and we had no idea where to look for you," he mother followed up.
"Our breakfast was burned!"
"There was no one to clean the bathrooms!"
"We have dirty clothes that need to be washed!"
"You didn't even clean the windows last night!"
"And who the hell is that?!" they yelled together.
"I thought you were dating the redhead," her mother finished.
Hermione rolled her eyes and ignored most of the things her parents had said. "This is Draco Malfoy. I believe I've mentioned him a few times in the past."
"The prat you were always complaining about?" her mother questioned with a disgusted look on her face.
"Yeah. I guess I forgot to tell you, I ditched Ron for him. Why wouldn't I? Just look at him. He's so much sexier and smarter and more talented with his wand, if you catch my drift."
Draco's head snapped toward her at her last comment, and she winked at him. To cover it up, she brought her free hand to her eye. "Ow! I think I got something in my eye. Do you think you could check it out for me?"
Draco pretended to examine her eye carefully. "Nope, nothing. Maybe it's just irritated from being outside all day or something."
"Perhaps. Care to accompany to my room?"
"Oh no! You're not going anywhere yet," her father said in a low tone. "You know the punishment."
"Can't you at least wait till Draco goes home? He'll think you're psycho!"
"No I cannot. You know that bullshit doesn't work. Actually, I think it would be good for the both of you if he saw what happens when you disobey us." He grabbed her hair and pulled her down the hall. She refused to let go of Draco's hand, so he was forced to follow.
They walked down a series of passages and into a stone chamber. The only thing that was not made of stone was the metal pole that stood erect in the center. Mr. Granger threw Hermione hard into the pole. She refused to cry out, which made him even angrier.
Draco was instructed to stand by the door. He did so without a word for fear of what might happen to Hermione if he decided to disobey him.
Her father pulled her shirt over her head and tied her hands tightly around the pole with it. Her back was facing Draco. Scars, sealed wounds, and purple bruises covered her entire back.
Mr. Granger pulled something from around his waist and unwound it-a whip. Hermione knew what was coming. She closed her eyes and awaited the pain that would soon come, but instead of the whooshing that was usually accompanied by a loud crack, she heard a voice.
"If you dare hit her with that, you will wish you were never born."
She turned her head slightly over her shoulder and saw Draco with his wand pointed directly at her father's heart.
"What are you gunna do to me with that?" Mr. Granger asked calmly although he was terrified.
"I can kill you in less than one second. Do not tempt me. My father is allied with the darkest wizard of all time. I know more dark magic than I care to, but I will not hesitate to use it to protect her from you."
The older man flinched a little and un-tied his daughter from the pole. Hermione threw her shirt over her head and left in a hurry, pulling Draco behind her. Draco glared at Mr. Granger one last time before following Hermione up a few flights of stairs to her room.
Once they were in her room, Hermione fell onto her bed and looked up at Draco, who was eyeing her carefully. "Is there a problem?" she asked.
"Those scars on your back? They're all from him?"
She nodded. "Every time they're mad at me he takes me into that room and beats the hell outta me. I've never given him the satisfaction of letting him hear me scream, which pisses him off even more. You actually shouldn't have protected me. I'll just get it worse when you leave."
"Then I'm not leaving. Either that or you come with me. I will not leave you here alone knowing what you have to deal with. That would be incredibly selfish."
"Listen to me, Malfoy! You can't stay here! Do you think they'd actually let you? And I can't go to your place. I am terrified of your father! There is absolutely nothing you can do for me, so don't try."
He let out an exasperated sigh. "You are mad! I cannot believe that you would rather put yourself in danger than be helped! I'm only trying to protect you because for the past five years I have been wanting to do that but I couldn't. I feared my father too, but I don't anymore. He taught me everything he knows, so I can protect the both of us against him."
Hermione stared at him blankly and was silent for a while. "Why haven't you ever told me any of this? We have seen each other almost everyday since we were eleven."
"I couldn't. I didn't know how," he said softly. "I'm supposed to be the Muggle-hater, but I'm not. I never have been. My father also said that if I ruined the Malfoy reputation he'd kill me. He can't now." He sat in the edge if his bed and put his head in his hands. "I just wanna help you," he whispered almost inaudibly. "I can understand if you don't want my help. I'll just leave."
"I'm coming with you then."
"But I thought-"
"I'll be safer with you than I am here with them."
"Pack what you need then. We'll apparate back to the Manor. Yes, I can apparate. I learned years ago."
Hermione grabbed her trunk and started throwing clothes, books, and everything she could find into it. She saw Crookshanks empty cage in the corner and flung it across the room.
"What'd you do that for?" Draco asked.
"My mother killed Crookshanks then made soup out of him and fed him to the new neighbors."
"That is about the sickest thing I have ever heard in my life. Why the hell would she do something like that?"
Hermione threw her hands up in the air in an over exaggerated shrug and slammed the top of her trunk closed. "Oh shit! I almost forgot." She pulled up a few of the floorboards and pulled out a black broom with a very sleek handle. The Nimbus 2004.
"I didn't think you flew," Draco said in shock.
"There are a lot of things you don't know." She threw it in her trunk and started tugging on it. It didn't budge.
Draco moved her out of the way and pointed at it with his hand and it started levitating. He then did a spell to make it feather light.
"You know wandless magic!" she gasped in awe. "I didn't know that."
"There are a lot of things you don't know."
They held onto each other and the trunk as Draco apparated them back to Draco's room in the Malfoy Manor. Draco let her trunk fall to the floor and summoned a house elf.
"How may I be of service, Master Draco?" it asked weakly.
"Please tell my mother to come up here. I have something important to discuss with her. Tell her that it is urgent."
"I is getting her. Misses will be here shortly." With a small pop the house elf disappeared.
Draco went over to Hermione, who was sitting on his bed looking out the window at the black sky that was illuminated by the shining stars and the full moon. It was a beautiful night. There was not a cloud in the sky, and a warm summer breeze blew through the window that was slightly ajar.
"I'm gunna tell my mother first. She is much more understanding than my father, and in more tolerant toward Muggles."
A soft knock sounded the arrival of Narcissa Malfoy. Draco opened the door for her and was greeted with a hug. "What is it that you wanted to tell me?" she asked not seeing Hermione.
"Mum, this is Hermione Granger. I believe you met her at the Quidditch World Cup two summers ago."
"Yes, I remember. How are you dear?"
"Fine, thanks," Hermione mumbled.
Draco rolled his eyes. "Well that's about the biggest lie I've ever heard in my life. Her parents are very abusive and were about to beat her in front of me, but I threatened them so they didn't. The bottom line is, I don't want her to stay there because I care about her. So do you think she could spend the rest of the summer here?" he said quickly.
Narcissa pondered her answer for a moment. "You know what your father will think," she finally responded in an undertone. "I don't have a problem with it, but I know he will."
"I don't give a shit about what he thinks. I refuse to have her live in that hellhole. Her damn back is covered in scars from where she has been whipped. If you had seen what I did you too would want her as far away as possible from that place." There was a fire burning in his eyes. He looked ready to kill.
Narcissa looked toward Hermione, who was still looking out the window. "You like her a lot, don't you?" Draco nodded. "I'll have to talk with your father. As I have already said, I wouldn't mind if she stays, but she is a Muggle and you know how he is."
"Mum, it's worse than what Father has done to me. You have to convince him. It's for her safety."
"I really will try, Draco, but it's gunna be difficult."
"Okay."
She left his room quietly and headed down the many halls to speak with her husband.
Draco sat down next to Hermione and put his arm around her shoulder. "She's going to speak with Father. She will allow you to stay, but he's a different story."
"You know he won't, Draco. He hates me. I can just get a room at the Leaky Cauldron or something."
Draco smirked. "That's the second time today that you've called me Draco. Never thought I'd live to see the day."
"Yeah, well calling you Malfoy isn't exactly right. Your parents gave you the name Draco, so why not be called by that name?"
"I should be calling you Hermione then. It really is a beautiful name. And about the Leaky Cauldron, no you won't be staying there because even if Father does say no, you're staying here."
A pop signaled the sound of someone in the room. "Well, well, Ms Granger, it is truly lovely to see you again." They both turned and saw Lucius standing there with a cruel smirk upon his lips.