A/N: thanks to all my review-ers, and thanks to the people who took time to IM me, you know who you are! Okay, im using * to describe when they're talking to each other through their minds. Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter, there's going to be more Draco/ Hermione action in this ch., enjoy!

Disclaimer: same as always, it all goes to JK Rowling, brilliant woman.

Chapter 9: Challenge

Hermione sighed as they soared above the ground, watching the now-familiar landscape wiz past them. It was the second time that night that her and Ginny had traveled this path, the one to Malfoy Manor, it was becoming familiar to her, which was scary to Hermione, *who would ever think that I would memorize the path to Malfoy manor? *she asked herself, and was startled when someone replied.

*I know, same with me. * Came Ginny's voice from inside her head. Hermione jumped, she had forgotten about these newly-acquired powers, wait, did that mean that Draco-

*That's right granger, cant hide anything from me, now can we? * Came Draco's voice, though she knew he was very far behind them. She groaned, then could almost see the grin on Draco's face, and from the sympathetic look Ginny was giving her, the same thought was going through her head. Suddenly she could hear Ginny speak, though her lips were not moving.

*Poor Hermione, Malfoy probably wont leave her alone, I wish I could help somehow. * Then Ginny flushed, knowing Hermione had most likely heard her. Ginny grinned apologetically, and Hermione returned the favor enthusiastically, grinning broadly, anything to take her mind off Malfoy.

Hermione glanced behind her and almost choked. Behind them was a fleet of broomsticks, their riders was the thing that scared Hermione the most though. Atop the brooms were Draco and his father and a few of his minions. Would they all be coming too? Hermione inwardly groaned and herd Ginny do the same, she chanced a glance at Draco, he was grinning like a Cheshire cat, happy at their state of nervousness.

The brooms started to decline after about ten minutes, Hermione and Ginny were both thrown brutally over the shoulders of the men that had flown them there, Hermione fought tooth and nail trying to get her capture to let go, and saw Ginny to her left doing the same. She finally sighed, and slumped against the man, signaling her defeat. She then stared at Draco, who still had that grin plastered all over his pale face.

*Having fun Granger? * He asked her in her head. Hermione just glared, looking ready to kill.

*This is your entire fault; you know that Malfoy, if you hadn't dragged us into this mess, we wouldn't be in this mess! * She replied silently to him.

*I know. * He smugly remarked in silence, then smirked at her and Ginny and strode past them. Ginny stared at his retreating back, knowing of their silent conversation.

*He's just an evil git Hermione; pay him no attention, that's what he wants. * Ginny said simply, yet confidently. Hermione sighed and nodded, noticing, for the first time, Lucius Malfoy's gaze on them.

*He must know what's going on, what's happening. * Hermione said to Ginny. Ginny nodded her head in agreement. While this silent conversation was taking place, the two brutes of men had taken them deep into the manor; Hermione started losing count of the turns and twists they made to the decline of the dungeon. They were thrown roughly into their previous cell, where upon, were greeted heartily by Lavender and Parvati.

"Where were you?"

"Where did they take you?"

"Why did you come back?"

They were bombarded with questions; Hermione sighed and began to explain, with the occasional assistance of Ginny.

"-So that git of a Malfoy tricked us, and now we're back here." Hermione finished, before giving a jump at a deep chuckle behind them. Hermione didn't even have to turn to know who it was.

"Get lost Malfoy, wouldn't want to ruin your precious pure blood by being down here now would we?" Hermione sneered whipping around.

"My my, such a feisty little thing now aren't we?" Draco smirked, then with a wave of his wand, they heard the unmistakable click of a lock as their cell door swung open and he stepped inside, closing it behind him.

"How is my little mudblood?" Draco asked, smirking at the look of fury on Hermione's face.

"I belong to no one Malfoy, let alone you, I would rather be dead than belong to a ferret like yourself." She said angrily, eyes flashing. This only made Draco's smirk to grow wider. He walked up to her at a slow, agonizing pace, then, without warning, shoved her against the damp dungeon wall, pinning her wrists by her sides.

"I wouldn't be talking like that if I were you Granger." He whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine. "You wouldn't want anything to, happen, now would you." He said, his lips tickling her ear.

Hermione stood, terrified for a moment, not believing what was happening, then regained her senses. She grinned at him, stared him right in the eye, and promptly kneed him in the groin. He doubled over.

"You know what Malfoy?" she asked calmly. "Go to hell." She smirked at him, then wandered swiftly to the other end of the cell where she was met by the praises of Ginny, Lavender, and Parvati.

Draco starred after her in disbelief, standing up; not believing what that mudblood just did to him.

*No one does that to a Malfoy, Granger. * he shot at her. She just smirked.

*And what are you going to do about it? * she asked silently, a grin playing on her lips.

*Granger, you have no idea what hell your gonna pay, Malfoy's are always up for a challenge, and I'm not turning this one down. * he then smirked. 'She has no idea what she's getting into.' He thought to himself, knowing that she could hear him. Then swiftly walked out of the cell and dungeon.

A/N: ok, little bit of cell action there, if any of you are worried, don't be, Draco will get better eventually, but until then. anyways, Review! Send me your email if you want me to email you when I update, and your AIM sn would probably be helpful too, mine is hotchocolate284 and my email is: cocobean692@hotmail.com. Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter!