DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter. I own the plot of the following story, nothing more, nothing less.

Author's note: Maybe there'll be more action in the following chapter. I'm sorry that it took me so long to post it, but I wanted it to be a really long and good chapter. Have fun reading, enjoy yourself and please [*puppy eyes*] review.

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And Then We Were Defeated

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Chapter 7

Deal?  - Deal!

Hermione was waiting for Malfoy to return. After a restless and hard night she had finally made her decision and now she couldn't wait for her plan to come true. In only a few hours she would have escaped out of these dirty, freezing dungeons and the Manor. Everything was laid out in her mind, every single step she had to take and she was eager to get her it started. Her eyes glittered dangerously. What took that git so long she wondered? She had to hang on for nearly another hour until she could hear footsteps outside her cell and she turned to face the door which jolted open.

There he was.

"Better late than never." Hermione muttered under her breath and tried to stay cool not wanting him to know how excited and nervous she was. She didn't want to make a mistake, she had to show him she was sure of what she said and did in order to conceal her plans and weaknesses from him.

With a determined look set on her face she folded her arms in front of her chest and remained silent.

"Well, Granger, you are surely glad to see me, aren't you?" Draco stated with a sneer. "Now, have you come to a conclusion?"

"Indeed, I have." Hermione answered ignoring his other remark. Draco raised an eyebrow. "And which option did you choose then exactly?"  The mudblood was proving far more stubborn than he had expected her to be. Actually he had been quite certain that she would fall on her knees and beg him to marry him as soon as he would enter her cell. Her calm and self-confident attitude mocked him.

"At first, I'd like to fix a few conditions before I agree to a marriage with you, Malfoy."

"I don't think you're in the position to demand conditions."

"You see, I have been thinking about your proposition all night and I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't want to marry me if there wasn't something in for you. You need me for something as well as I need you to get out of this dungeon and therefore I have the right to set up as many conditions as I feel like." she smirked.

Draco stared at her, his eyes narrowed, and his voice sounded perilously when he said: "I'll make sure you don't have to stay in here any longer. That's all you get, Granger. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm not up for your little games. Now, make your choice. Take it or leave it." Hermione sensed immediately that she'd better give in for now. If she wanted a chance to escape, she had for once to submit to his wishes.

"I take it." the words were hollow and void, but Hermione couldn't help blushing, she felt humiliated.

"Then we've got a deal, mudblood." he replied. Draco noticed Hermione blushing turn an even deeper shade of red as a result of this insult and was pleased by the immediate effect.

"Dobby!" he spat out the name and Dobby appeared in the dungeon instantly.

"Yes, Master Draco?" the elf asked and shyly eyed Hermione.

"Take our guest to her room and make sure she has a bath, she smells disgustingly and get her new, decent robes. And Dobby, you may serve her, but she is not to leave her room, she is not supposed to be seen. Do you understand that?"

"Dobby does as Master Draco wishes. Dobby will take care of everything."

Draco then turned and walked out of the cell leaving an angry Hermione who was burning with shame. Never ever in her life she had hated him or anybody else on this planet more than in that very minute.   

***

Dobby led Hermione through various narrow corridors and up several steep staircases until they finally reached a long hallway. The little house-elf tripped hurriedly in front of her and she had trouble keeping up with him, because she was so impressed by the expensive furniture and paintings that seemed to be all over the place, and of course because she tried to memorize every little detail of the Mansion. It might come in handy if she had to find her way out of this huge estate later.

Finally Dobby stopped in front of one of the massive oak doors that lined the hallway, opened it and the two of them stepped inside.

Hermione was taken aback by the sight of the room she had just entered. The walls were painted with a creamy dark blue and there was an enormous four-poster in  the middle of the room. A sweltering fire spread a cosy warmth and she had the urge to sit down in the cream-coloured armchair, which was next to a bookshelf and an impressive oak desk. "Wow." Was all she could think, she hadn't set eyes on so much luxury since the night she had had to flee from Hogwarts. Then she suddenly heard the door fall shut behind her. Dobby had disappeared without another word and left Hermione to explore the room on her own.

On the left, barely visible because of an immense wardrobe next to it, there was a little door which proved to be unlocked. Hermione gasped as she found a wonderful bathroom behind it. There was a gigantic bathtub already filled with steaming hot water and the most agreeable scent of peaches and cream filled the air.

Hermione sighed with relief, slipped her torn robes of her body and sank into the welcoming warmth of the water. She felt her muscles relax and for the first time in months she let her body rest.  She even must have dozed off, because the sound of tiny little feet hurrying past her tub jerked her awake.

"Ah, Miss Hermione is awake." A house-elf, which Hermione hoped to be female, said happily. "Wimpsy is here to help Miss Hermione dress."

Hermione frowned. She didn't like the idea of having a house-elf to serve her, she simply didn't need one, but she didn't want to offend the little creature that seemed so eager to do something for her, after all she had learned from her experiences with S.P.E.W.. Meanwhile the water had turned cold and Hermione was hungry, so Wimpsy didn't have to beg her to get out of the tub. Wrapped in a soft blue towel she returned to her room and Wimpsy handed her a beautiful set of pale blue satin dress robes, which fitted Hermione perfectly. The house-elf looked pleased as well when Hermione watched herself twirl in front of a mirror in the far off corner. Usually she didn't care much about clothes and that stuff, but after 3 days in a scary dungeon and the months out in battle and hiding, wearing a dress like this one was gorgeous. And it wasn't only the dress that caught her eye. Wimpsy had also taken care of Hermione's long, dark hair, which now fell smoothly down her back. Smiling she had to a admit to herself that she indeed did look stunning. She was still standing by the mirror when the door opened and Draco entered. With a muffled shriek Wimpsy disappeared before her master could take notice of her.

***

Draco's gaze was fixed on Hermione. Even he couldn't deny that she looked stunning, the dirty, smelly bundle of robes she had been down in the dungeons had turned into a pretty good looking young woman. He cleared his throat and Hermione whirled around startled by the sudden noise.

"What do you want?" she asked disinterested.

He scowled, but then walked over to her and reaching into his pockets a sparkling necklace came to light.  "As my bride you need more than only appropriate clothing. Tonight there'll be our engagement party. Make sure you wear a decent dress with this." Hermione picked up the necklace from his outstretched hand. It was wonderful and she had to suppress a 'thank you'.  All she did was looking straight into his clear grey eyes. His appearance and behaviour didn't show it, but his eyes couldn't hide it. Obviously he was extremely nervous and as if he could feel her invasive look, he turned and walked hastily out of the room.