Chapter 1 - Kidnapped

Hermione Granger woke up, head throbbing. She looked around the unfamiliar surroundings.

The bedroom was twice the size of Hermione's own bedroom. Before her was a stretch of mirrors with a table and two chairs in front. On her right was a large plasma television with a royal blue sofa and a study desk beside it. There was a family photo above the television, which, to Hermione, looked vaguely familiar, like she has seen those people before. On the left there was a two metres long vanity table. The lights were dimmed, making the room look more romantic. To top it off, Hermione was lying on a 4-poster bed.

Hermione blinked hard and tried to sit up. Sitting in front of her, by the mirrors, was a guy with familiar looking blond hair, drumming his fingers against the table.

She started. "Dra-Draco?" she called out incredulously.

That guy stopped his drumming and smirked at her. "Salutations, Granger."

"W-where are we? How long have I been unconscious? Why am I...?" Hermione continued, frowning.

He walked over to the bed slowly and coolly. Makes one want to roll her eyes. Draco Malfoy silenced her by placing a finger on her lips and clucking his tongue. "You ask too many questions for your own good," he mocked.

Fury took over Hermione. "I want answers and I want them now!" she yelled, her frown deepening.

He stood, looming before her. "Mind your manners when you speak to me."

Although she was starting to feel a little frightened, she wasn't about to show it to him. "What if I don't, huh?" she challenged.

Draco bent down and took her face in his hands.

"Wha-what are you doing, Malfoy?" Hermione stammered.

Without warning, Draco's palm struck her cheek, making a red mark visible.

"That's what you get for not respecting me," he said calmly.

Hermione was shocked. She knew, in her seven years in Hogwarts, that Draco was a pretty hostile guy. But... she hadn't expect him to be so violent! Did he forget the short romance they had together in fifth year?

She touched her cheek lightly. It hurts so much it stings. "You don't respect me," she answered heatedly.

He cocked his eyebrow. "Why should I?" he sneered.

Hermione glared at him. "So why should I respect you?"

Draco smirked. "You will if you know what's good for you."

Hermione tried to take her wand out without making sudden movements. Before she could wave it, Draco zapped it across the bedroom.

His eyes were of pure fury, which Hermione had never seen before. He picked her up effortlessly and slammed her against the wall. "You wanna play, Granger?"

Now, Hermione Granger wasn't a crybaby. In fact, she was far from it. But this time, this time it came so unexpected... from a guy she knew for seven years and even at one point, intimate with, she couldn't help it.

Tears filled Hermione's eyes and she chocked back a sob. Her body ached and her right arm hurt. To her horror, there was a cut and she was bleeding.

"Apologise, Granger," Draco ordered.

Although she was terrified of this... stranger, pride would not let her give in. "Never, Malfoy," she spat.

Furious, he kicked her leg, causing her knees to buckle and she slid off the wall.

Silent tears fell as she stared wordlessly at Draco.

He sneered at her and walked towards the television. "Pathetic mudblood," he muttered.

Hermione sat there for three hours, figuring a way out of this mess. She remembered having seen cold grey eyes before passing out.

Who was it then? It couldn't be Draco - he looks older. It must be Lucifer Malfoy. But why...? She closed her eyes in concentration.

It could be because Hermione topped the year and he couldn't take it that his only son got second.

Or... it could be because Hermione was Harry Potter's best friend and he was thinking of using her as a bait. No way, Hermione thought. Then what has Draco got to do with this?

Or maybe it was because she was muggle-born.

That must be it. Pureblood freaks, she thought.

"... Granger! Wake up!" Draco said, annoyed.

She blinked hard a few times before realising he wanted her to bring him a glass of water. Hermione smirked at him. "I'm not a house-elf."

Draco narrowed his eyes at her.

"Besides," Hermione said, shrugging. "I'm injured."

Scowling, he came over and squatted down next to her. "Look mudblood, you're only injured this time. But next time..." he trailed off, smirking and leaving her to imagine herself.

Hermione scowled at him, though she was gulping inwardly. She stood up to pour the water. Draco smirked again and waited for her to serve it to him. Angered, she purposely titled the glass so that the water split onto Draco.

Drenched, Draco spat out the water and stood up. "Your arm hurts, Granger? I'll make your bones break," he said, smirking when he saw her clutching her arm on instinct.

"Crucio!"

Hermione collapsed. Biting her lip, she willed herself not to cry.

Later that night, when Draco was asleep, Hermione dragged herself over to her wand and muttered a healing spell.

Feeling lost and still a little sore in the big bedroom, she sat cross-legged on the floor and tried to meditate. Before long, she fell asleep on the ground.

Draco opened his eyes when he heard Hermione snore. He recalled the way he had abused Hermione and cringed. He knew he was being hard on her. But he couldn't do much could he? Not with Lucius Malfoy looking at them through the bloody cameras at the corners of the room. Draco knew that if, for once, he was nice to Hermione, she would be in danger.

It was cruel. Cruel to be forced to hurt somebody he loved. Even more cruel for Hermione. Draco had no choice. He was powerless against Lucius. Draco had to hurt Hermione. make her think he would never, no matter how false it seemed, be in love with a mudblood.

"Muggle-born," he corrected himself.

He glared at the surveillance camera nearest to him, at his father and went over to Hermione.

She looked so beautiful, having cut her hair to shoulder-length and straightened it.

Why? Why of all people did Lucius kidnap Hermione? To impose a curse on her to live in this dark chamber with Draco for a year? A year... 365 days... 12 months...

A tear rolled down his cheek and he quickly brushed it away. "I'm sorry, Hermione," he whispered.