A/N: Sorry this one took so long to get out. I've been so busy, sigh. I'd like to thank you all for the reviews, and sorry Raelene, I'm trying to write longer chapters but I keep getting sidetracked. Hope this is good enough for you..for now
Oh and I got some more sites for you! Have fun checking them out ;)
Defiance Till Surrender
By Trinity
Defiance Till Surrender 6-
"I must go back," Lucius said to his son, who was waiting for him by the door to their home. Draco nodded, not really caring where he was going, just about where he'd put Hermione...Granger.
"Where is she?" Draco asked bluntly as his father fixed the clasp to his cloak.
"She is fine where she is. I expect someone to arrive to watch her for me." Lucius continued, pushing past, broom in hand.
"I am to look after her," Draco snapped.
Lucius gave him a hard look, but just got on his broom and disappeared into the night.
"Damn him," Draco hissed.
"She's in the dungeons." Kat said softly from the doorway.
Draco turned, startled, "How do you know that?"
"I saw her down there," Kathryn admitted, looking pleased with herself.
Draco kept his face guarded, he didn't scold her for going down to Granger, and she wouldn't have listened anyway.
Hermione was leaning her head against the uncomfortable stone wall of her cell. She had closed her eyes again, breathing deeply, her body limp. She almost looked as though she were sleeping. In truth she wasn't. Her every sense was alert, the dripping water had ceased and ended in utter silence.
It was driving her crazy.
So enveloped in her thoughts she didn't realize someone stood outside her cell, watching her silently. She hadn't even heard the person approach.
"Time for my torture session?" Hermione asked when she recognized the face.
"In time," Draco replied emotionless. He had found the keys on the table and opened the door to the cell. She remained sitting when he entered, leaving the door open. He noticed the bruise on cheek, and the dribble of blood out of the corner of her mouth. "He hit you."
"Like Malfoy's do. They enjoy hitting people who are defenseless."
"That's not how I remember it," Draco's eyes glittered maliciously. "And I hardly think you to be defenseless."
Hermione resisted the urge to blush. She held up her head haughtily, "So is that the only reason your here? To tell me I've been hit?"
"Just shut up Granger," Draco growled, leaning over and pulling her to her feet. He began to lead her out of the dungeon...back up to the house.
"Where am I going?"
"Wherever I want you too."
"Why do you have to be so difficult?" Hermione hissed, tugging vainly at her arm where he grasped her. "Just answer my questions!"
"Granger," Draco stopped and looked her in the eye. "I think now is the time where you realize that you are a prisoner of war. Also, that I am your captor. I decide your fate, I decide what to answer, and I decide where you will go."
Hermione's mouth snapped shut, and she glared at him. Knowing he was right, she let him continue to pull her up out of the dungeons and to the second floor.
"You'll be staying here." Draco told her when they reached the last room at the end of the hallway. The doors opened into a large room, a four poster bed with gauzy drawings dominated the far wall, along side a picture window with matching drapery. Everything looked antique, the clothes cupboard, the nightstand, and the chair.
"Why?"
"You prefer the dungeon?" Draco smirked, pushing her firmly into the room.
"Why was I put in the dungeon's in the first place. Especially if I'm going to move from that to...this." Hermione said looking around the room. Realizing she was showing open admiration she faced him abruptly scowling.
"You should be more thankful Granger." Draco chided. "I could have let my father kept you down there, but I chose otherwise."
"So I'm here just to spite your father then." Hermione concluded.
"If that is what you wish to believe, so be it." Draco laughed.
"You really know how to piss me off, Malfoy." Hermione hissed.
"And you realize this after your captured?" Draco raised an eyebrow. "Loosing your touch, Granger?"
"Damn you."
Draco didn't answer, just turned and left the room, shutting and locking the door behind him.
"So let me get this straight." Kathryn said slowly, staring at the brown-eyed man before her. "You're here from Voldemort directly, to take Draco's prisoner to him."
Ron winced at how unconvincing she'd made it sound. In truth, he hadn't said that he was here to take to Voldemort, just something that hinted to it. Ron nodded, running his hands through his now brown hair with frustration.
"Look, I really need to do this. I don't need my butt kicked just because some little girl wouldn't let me do what I was sent to do." Ron said.
"Right," Kathryn said. "You can talk to my brother about it. It's his prisoner anyways." With that she shut the door.
Ron blinked in surprise. He didn't know the girl was actually a Malfoy, he thought her maybe another one of Voldemort's supporters or maybe even a servant. He never suspected Malfoy had sister.
"Who is it Kat?" he heard that familiar voice ask.
"Some guy. Says he came for the girl."
The door opened, and Ron came face to face with his old school enemy. For a fleeting moment, he thought Malfoy could recognize him, but he realized the look on his face was not one of recognition but one of surprise.
*
"So Lucius sends you," Draco said, looking at the strange man.
The man nodded, looking nervous? Draco studied the man carefully; he was as tall as Draco, with brown eyes, and unkempt brown hair. He wore the robes of a Death Eater; one that must had been newly initiated.
"I would've thought he'd sent someone more experienced to take her back to Voldemort." Draco said slowly.
"My orders weren't exactly clear," Ron said. "Just to go to the Malfoy Manor and find the girl."
Draco was silent, his cold gray eyes still looking over the man critically.
"Very well," Draco said after a moment. Ron's heart leapt to his throat; he was letting her have Hermione! "I will allow you to keep an eye on her when I am to busy to do so myself. Since you weren't given direct orders I will send an owl for you're benefit one what to do now."
Ron's excitement fell. Damn, Ron cursed to himself as he was led up to where Hermione was being held.
"I have business to attend to," Draco said, stopping at her door. He removed a silver chain from his neck; on it was a key. "The key to her room." he said handing to Ron. "You will give it back to me when I return."
For a fleeting moment, Ron saw the chance of escape. He had the key, Malfoy would be busy, and he could be out with Hermione in moments. It was spoiled, again, however by Malfoy.
"Guards will be posted outside the exits, to prevent her from escaping if she manages somehow." Draco said, beginning to move away. "And don't harm her."
I'm not an animal like you are, Ron thought furiously as the silver haired man disappeared down the stairs. As soon as he was sure that Malfoy was out of hearing distance, Ron fumbled with the key to the lock.
*
Hermione whirled around when the door to the room opened. She glared suspiciously at the strange man gawking at her in the doorframe.
"Who are you?" Hermione hissed.
"Hermione!" the man cried, walking in and shutting the door.
Hermione, was stunned that someone in this household actually called her by her name, but was still cautious. "Stay back." she warned.
"Its me Herm, Ron!"
Herm? Hermione thought, only Harry and Ron called me that. In private.
"Prove it..." Hermione stuttered.
"Jesus, Hermione. Its me," the man shook his head. "I know that you kissed Krum back in fifth year when he came to Hogwarts for a month." at her doubting look he continued. "And you tried to kiss Harry after you drank too much butter beer the year before and then you tried to-"
"Okay!" Hermione shrieked, going red. Her hands dropped to her sides as she stared at him. "Why? What happened to you?"
"Polyjuice potion, I ran into a spot of trouble when I went to get you at your home. He won't be waking up anytime soon," he added hastily at Hermione's look. "By the time I got there, I saw Draco leaving with you, I followed you here and went back to a empty wizards house and used their stuff for the potion."
"I thought I told you to go back," Hermione cried.
"I couldn't leave you behind, you're my friend." Ron said helplessly.
Hermione went quiet at his words, a guilty look crossed her face, "I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I'm really glad that you care enough about me to come back, but...what happened to Harry?"
Ron began to explain to Hermione about the conversation with Harry, and how he'd came up with the idea. He finished about getting into the house, and the brief encounter with Malfoy.
"Ron!" Hermione cried, pressing her knuckles to her mouth. "He's going to ASK VOLDEMORT about you! He'll know that he didn't send you, Malfoy too, you'll be killed! Get out of here!"
"I'm not leaving this...place unless you're with me Hermione." Ron said firmly.
"It's not worth it, I'll be fine, I won't be hurt."
"Malfoy..."
"He hasn't done anything to hurt me...its his father I'm afraid of. Draco seems to just treat me opposite of his father. Probably not for my benefit, just to piss off his father." Hermione told him. Ron's look was one of confusion and surprise. "What?"
"You're on first name terms with Malfoy?"
"What?"
"You called Malfoy, Draco." Ron frowned.
"You must have heard wrong," Hermione said, flushing slightly.
Ron didn't look convinced; "I need to get out of here before they catch me. I'll be your guard now, I'll try and come back as soon as possible." Ron said. He hugged her, "Be safe."
"You too." Hermione called to him softly. She watched him leave, close the door, and heard the click of the lock being put back in place.
*
Ron locked the door to Hermione's room, and sighed, leaning against it. She was safe. He turned abruptly, and started, meeting the imperious gaze of Kathryn Malfoy's eyes.
"So," Kat said.
"How long have you been here?"
"Long enough to know of your reunion." Kathryn said, a smile crossing her face. "And I don't think my brother will like it one bit."
*
Draco didn't trust the new man at all. There was something about him that didn't seem trust worthy. He'd left him up at the door to Granger's room claiming he had work to do, but in truth, he needed time away from the woman. She drove him nuts, always challenging and always disagreeing with what he did. But she was captured, her parents were taken away from her, if she'd just cooperate it'd be a lot easier on him.
Of course if she cooperated when his father was there she'd probably be dead.
Draco frowned.
He went back to the meeting room they were in earlier that night, and took a seat at the head of the table. Thoughtfully, he propped his feet up against the table and stared at the lit fire. He'd been active in the war since Voldemort was reborn, and still he didn't quite understand the power of the Order. Whatever it had, unless it was that Potter boy, was enough to scare Voldemort into attacking it ruthlessly.
Now he had one in his grasp. He could ask her about everything and she would have to tell him. Draco sighed, and closed his eyes. But for now he'd enjoy the quiet.