DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but the plot. Please don't sue me, I can't afford to pay for a decent lawyer.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, English isn't my mother tongue, so there might be plenty of grammatical and lexical mistakes in the following chapter. If you like the story and if you want me to keep it going, then you can bother and correct them (just send me an email or post a review). At the moment I don't have a beta-reader and I can only rely on me, my ego and my dictionary. The story might also take twists and turns that you won't expect, but if you read carefully through the 4 books published at the moment, you might spot several hints that will help you understand why I wanted to make some slight changes in the way some characters behave. Just imagine the action takes place some time after book 5 or 6. I don't know yet if I will ever write something that might explain why Dumbledore appears to be on Voldemort's side or why Dobby is back to serve the Malfoys. Let's wait for book 5, then we will see…I also don't know what is going to happen next in my story. I rated it PG 13, it might as well be rated R for later chapters. And there is definitely going to be a romance…

Oh, and please be kind and review. 

AND THEN WE WERE DEFEATED

***

Chapter 2

Do as you are told

Albus Dumbledore was quietly standing in the doorway and watched Hermione. Their gazes locked and for a split second Hermione thought she might find pity in his old eyes, but his stare was cold and empty. They had lost all kindness and the love and understanding that used to be in his look had completely vanished.

"You should have known better than to rebel against Voldemort, Hermione." Dumbledore stated calmly. Slowly he entered the little room and went towards the now trembling girl. Hermione felt the urge to edge away. The sight of Dumbledore, the kind principal of Hogwarts she had admired since she had set food on the school ground, made her sick. He was a traitor. All the time Harry, Ron and Hermione had believed he was Voldemort's enemy. Now she knew better than that.

Hermione didn't answer. "He isn't worth an answer," she thought with disgust and turned away, not being aware of Dumbledore raising his wand and muttering a spell, but suddenly she felt warmth spreading through her entire body and the pain that had bothered her since Dobby had woken her subsided.

***

"Dobby! Where are you stupid little git of a house-elf" Draco yelled annoyed. "Dobby!"

A soft pop announced Dobby's immediate arrival. "Where have you been?! I told you to return as soon as you knew whom they had brought here!"

"Dobby is sorry; Master Draco." The little creature wailed and started to bang his had against the wardrobe. "Bad Dobby. Dobby must punish himself."

Draco growled. "Stop it." He ordered with an annoyed sigh and then sat down in one of the squashy armchairs next to the fireplace in his room. "Now tell me what you found out."

"Dobby saw Hermione Granger, Sir." the house-elf felt guilty and had the instant urge to put his hands in boiling water. He hadn't been supposed to go near Hermione or even talk to her.

"Granger." Draco thought. "We have finally got hold of this filthy mudblood." He smirked and laid back in his armchair. "Potter and the Weasel won't be too happy." 

"Dobby saw her bleeding, Master Draco. Hermione Granger is badly injured." Dobby dared to add. Cautiously he took a step back as if he expected his master to slap him any moment, but Draco wasn't the least interested in his servant. Anger displaying on his face he stood up and left the room. Dobby remained rooted to the spot and it took him several minutes until he eventually returned to the kitchen. At the moment there was nothing he could do for Hermione. He would have to wait patiently for an opportunity to get to her in the dungeons. 

***

Hermione was alone again. Dumbledore had healed her wounds and only her bloodstained clothes and the sweet copper smell that lingered around her body reminded her of the pain she had endured only minutes ago.  The dungeon was now dimly illuminated by some sort of magic light that seemed to seep through the ceiling. Hermione's clothes were torn and she shivered. It was icy cold and she had to sit on the rough stone floor. Silent tears started to spring up in her eyes and trailed down her dirty cheeks. She felt so lonely, so betrayed and she didn't know what had happened to Ron and Harry, she could only hope that they had managed to escape, that they hadn't died.

***

Draco was about to knock at the heavy oak doors that formed the entrance to his father's study when they swung open and a hooded figure rushed past him.

"Draco," his father greeted him when he looked up from his desk. "What's the matter?"

"Why didn't you tell me you had caught Granger?"

"It's none of your business, son. Our Dark Lord has plans with the girl and as long as he doesn't want to inform you himself you mustn't interfere." Lucius replied calmly, but determined.

"But…"

"Draco! Now go to your room." his father interrupted him warningly. Draco frowned, however, he didn't dare to utter another word knowing his father wouldn't hesitate to punish his own son. Instead he turned on his heels and briskly left the room. Once again he felt humiliated. His father didn't treat him any better than a servant.

Back in his room Draco violently slammed the door shut. He was raging with hate and he needed to find an outlet for his feelings. Suddenly an evil grin spread on his face. He knew what he wanted to do and he would do it now. Swiftly he walked out of his room and headed straight to the dungeons.