Disclaimer ~ Roses are red, violets are blue; I don't own Harry Potter, but
neither do you
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Falling Head Over Heels
The Story of Hermione Granger and
her relationship with Draco Malfoy
By: Befuzzled
Chapter Twenty -Nine ~ Predators Pounce
"For a shield from the storm
For a friend
For a love to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong
For the will to carry on
For everything you do
For everything's that true
I turn to you"
~Christina Aguilera
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked. They were standing inside the barrier at King's Cross Station. Hermia Emiline Malfoy had just been dropped off the disaster zone of darkness that the owners called a boarding school.
"Yes, I'm just to miss having her around. She's so happy and look what she has, almost nothing."
"Correction, she had almost nothing, but you spoiled her rotten. How many days did we spend in Hogsmeade? And how many sickles, knuts, and galleons did you go through?"
Draco looked solemn again, "Not enough."
"Draco, you'll get to see her again. Maybe you can convince your father to let her visit and if not I bring her to my house and you can come see her. Come on cheer up."
"I will, I just need some time to think."
"Okay, well I'll see you on the train."
"We aren't taking the train."
"What are you talking about? Of course we're taking the train, it's right here. It's not like we can apporate." Hermione looked strangely confused.
"Hermione, Mina, don't you remember how we got to Venice?"
"Of course. But that was at night, and we actually had a broom." Draco reached inside the door of the train's compartment; he had a smirk on his face. "Do you realize how many people will be able to see us?"
"No body once I cast the indivisibility charm."
"We could get lost!"
"I found Venice didn't I? Hermione, calm down, it's all cleared with Dumbledore."
"Do you realize how long of a trip it is? Even by train it takes all day."
"But a train has to stay on the tracks. Flying helps me clear my head and we both know that I will have to have a clear head before exams."
"Fine, but this is only because it involves your school work. We aren't going to make a habit of flying every where. There are more civilized ways, you know."
"Yes, but do those other civilized way require me to have my arms around the most beautiful thing on two legs?" he asked while wrapping his arms around her waist.
"They might, but you could just voluntarily do it. Are you sure we have to fly?"
"No."
"But we're still going to-"
"Not anymore, you gave me a great idea."
"And what, Mr. Malfoy, would that be?"
"This," he grabbed her hand and pulled her on the train, into a barren compartment. He turned around and kissed her, passionately.
She whispered into his mouth, "Maybe we should have taken the broom."
"Hmm, maybe but it's too late for that. I still haven't showed you what idea you gave me."
"I assume it was -" "You assumed. You do know what they say happens when you assume something, correct?"
"You make and 'ASS' out of 'U' and 'ME'."
"Yes, but now for what my big plans are." He pulled out his wand.
"Draco, why would you possibly need your wand?"
He put his finger to his finger to he's lips and made 'shh' noise. "Be patient. I was just about to show you." He flicked his wrist muttering a few unintelligible words. A checkered blanket and a basket overflowing with food appeared, "Waalaa." He stuck out his hand to her, "Care to join me for a light lunch?"
"Indeed." She sat down next to him. "And here's me thinking that you were planning some type of snogging session."
"You're moving much to fast my dear Mina. Snogging comes after the nap that follows this little feast." He smiled at her a shoved a strawberry into her mouth.
~`~
They feasted for awhile and eased into a steady conversation about each other and of course their relationship.
"Draco, why did you pick me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, why did you change? After five years of acting the same way people don't usually just randomly go to the opposite extreme of themselves, and you, well, you changed like in a few days. Why?"
"I didn't want to be a minion."
"A minion? A minion for whom?"
Voldemort, my father, any body."
"But I don't understand."
"I didn't either for the longest time. All my life growing up I've heard about the great mighty and most importantly powerful DeathEaters. I've been told that they would one day rule the world, the in superiors, muggles, mudbloods and opposing wizards alike, were bow to us or die. But, you know I began to think, actually use my brain-"
"Oh Draco you do use your brain look at her marks."
"Yes, I use it for intellect, but what good are high marks if you don't have common sense to back them up? Not much if you ask me. While I was thinking about you mostly, and Potter, I began to realize some undoing of the so called elite.
"All their supposed power, all their glory, all their fame was for one person. Not a person; a creature that was barely able to survive until he took the love washed blood of another. He summons them like children. They bow to him and kiss the hem of his robes like some sort of worshippers to a god. How can you achieve such proclaimed greatness if you can't even get off the floor?"
Hermione just shook her head. "I don't know. But why were you thinking about me? I thought you hated me."
"I did. But you have to remember 'Indifference, not hate, is the opposite of love.' I bet Potter thinks about Voldemort all the time."
"It's not like he can forget him. He has to remember every time he looks in the mirror." She paused for a moment thinking it over. "One more question - why me? You could have anybody in this school but yet you choose me, why?"
"You know how some things just happen? I didn't exactly choose you, but you were there when I needed someone and you were willing to forgive me for all that I've done over the past few years. You made it easy to change and look at all you've done for me. I would assume that you didn't just want me for my looks or my money, you've frowned on it enough."
"I wasn't frowning on your looks or your money, just that way you used it and flaunted it. Like the way you always rubbed it in Ron's face was just horrible."
"Any more investigative questions?"
"Thousands - they just aren't all for you."
*~*
"Hermione, Hermione wake up. We're nearly there." She mumbled slightly about not wanting to and tried to bury her way deeper into his chest. He laughed softly. "Do you want me to leave you here?"
She nodded, "Not waking up, not walking."
"I'll be taking you're pillow away," he said and she clung to him. "Come on Hermione; wake up for just a second and I'll carry you back."
She woke up begrudgingly. "You can't too many people would see. We act suspicious enough."
"Well then what do you propose we do?"
"You go now, I'll come in like ten minutes."
"You just want to fall back to sleep."
"I promise I won't. My bed's more comfortable anyway. Plus, like you said my pillow and blanket are leaving."
"Okay I'll meet you in ten minutes in the prefect common room."
"Right," Hermione announced as she sat back down on the seat.
Draco stocked off, he really hated their circumstances about their reputations and what was expected of them. It made everything so complicated. He often forgot the rules of society, but luckily enough for him Hermione usually remembered to keep an eye out for others.
He pushed open the great wooded doors of the castle and start up the stair to the first floor corridor. He heard running behind him, and he paused to look back.
"Ahh, Mr. Malfoy you're back. Where's Miss Granger?"
"She's still on the train, Sir. She should be up here in about ten minutes."
"Okay then. The Headmaster would like to see you both, you go now and I'll send her up when she arrives," replied the Potions professor
"Is something wrong, professor?"
"No, no, I should think not. I think the headmaster has a project for the two of you."
~*~
Hermione tiredly stepped off the train and began the assent up towards her home away from home. The walk was familiar and comforting; she closed her eyes and began humming a random tune, trying to recall the words.
"I follow the night, can't stand the light. When will I begin to live again? One day I'll fly away, leave all this to yesterday. What more could your love do for me? When will love be through with me? Why life from dream to dream and dread the day when dreaming ends?"
"A very good question, Mudblood," came a startling unexpected drawl from behind her. "Why would one of your types waste such perfectly good energy on such fruitful ideas such as dreams?"
Hermione shut her mouth trying to stifle the rage that was now pouring through her. "How dare you. It's done of you business about what I dream of, just know they certainly don't involve you, Mr. Malfoy, or your kind. Now if you would excuse me I must be getting back to the castle." She turned on her heel and attempted to take the first step, but the elder Malfoy grabbed her arm.
"You need to learn you place you filthy piece of trash. Never, ever, turn your back on a pureblooded wizard, let alone a Malfoy."
Hermione shifted her eyes from the hand that restrained her to the deep pools of hate on the center of his face. "I'll keep that in mind. Now unless you are going to escort me back to the castle please let go so I don't waste any more of your oh so precious time, and I wouldn't want to dirty your robes."
"You insolent little bitch, you will learn to control the mouth of yours. But, I will be escorting you - just not to the castle. We have another destination."
"What the hell are you talking about? I have class tomorrow, and a meeting with the Head master today. Let go of me," her voice was growing louder as a strange panic washed over her.
"Shut it you mudblood, the Dark Lord has a use for you."
"I won't go! HARRY! RON! GINN-"he slapped her.
"You really don't have much of a choice do you?" He picked her up and threw the seemingly small girl over his shoulder. She bit his back as hard as she could and he dropped her with a cry of pain.
She stumbled up and began to run, knowing she would get far, but she wouldn't allow her self to be taken without a fight. There was so much she had left to do and some stupid more crazed man wasn't going to take it all away from her.
She let out a blood curdling scream as Lucius hit her with the Crutacius curse.
~*~
"Headmaster you wanted to see me sir?"
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy. Once Miss Granger arrives, I'll explain the new task for the both of you. Mr. Boot, and Miss Abbot already have their project."
Draco was nodding his approval, but was over come with sharp pains all over his body. He let out a small moan, "Professor - I think - Hermione - is - trouble - hurt - all over."
The headmaster was busy unwrapping a piece of chocolate for the boy. "Eat this Mr. Malfoy it will help the both of you. Do you know where she might be?"
"Hogwarts," he managed to groan out in between labored breaths. "Never mind, she's gone." It took a moment for it to all settle it and he stood with a jolt. "Professor, Hermione is gone."
~*~
"Where are you taking me?"
"Shut it Mudblood. You'll find out soon enough."
"You know everybody will be looking for me, Harry and Ron, all the professors, and the prefects."
"Are you sure about all the prefects? I think a certain Slytherin Prefect will be joining us soon although unfortunately for you it will not be to save you."
"Then just will he be doing here?"
"Hasn't your worthless muggle mother taught you it's rude to pry?"
"My mother has more worth to her than you will ever, just on a fingernail."
He slapped her, viciously. "Your mother has no more worth in her entire body than any of my house elves."
Hermione's face stung with the newly inflicted wound, and a small trickle of blood was sliding down her face, but she refused to cry in front of him. She refused to show her weaknesses and become of a sub-servile stature. "Than why the hell do you want me?" she spat, she voice shaking with contempt.
"Oh but you will see. You're strong, even for a mudblood witch, and smart. A deadly combination if used on the wrong side. Are you ready to go? Hold still," and with that he disapporated.
~*~
"Are you quite certain Mr. Malfoy?"
His eyes were watering and his right cheek stung, "Sir, she's gone. The tingly feeling is gone. Sir, she's off Hogwarts grounds."
"Mr. Malfoy I need you to concentrate really hard on Hermione; try to sense where she is at. Fawkes, go retrieve Harry and Ron, and then go for Mr. Boot and Miss Abbot."
Draco was mumbling to himself, his eyes crossed in focus. "Hermione. scared. hold on. I'm coming. home."
There were very few other words that Dumbledore could make out, but it gave him a rough sense of what was going on in the blonde man's head sitting in front of him.
~*~
They appeared in a dark, stone room; it was very cold and currently void of any fire. The elder Malfoy threw her down into a wooden chair, securing her to the post with magical bonds, except for her left hand which he tied down to a table in front of her.
With another flick of his wand, a fire arose in a pit and about twenty candles flickered around the room.
Hermione's body was in turmoil of confusion. It was tired, aching and sore but her mind told to stay alert and awake. She had to take in her surroundings; she had to find any way for an escape or even a rescue effort. But, she was just so tired now; it was an effort to keep her head poised.
Her head was lolling back and forth, her head spinning with dizziness. "Now, Miss Granger, what can you tell me about your relationship with my son, or with Harry Potter? I need details and I mean details with truth. I will be determining if I believe you or not."
She had it in her mind that he wasn't going to win; he wasn't going to take everything she had worked so hard to maintain and just throw it out the window. He wasn't go to get anything out of her, at least if he didn't resort to magical devices. "And what if I have nothing to tell you?"
Her words lashed and whipped the surrounding air. "Ahh, I was hoping you would ask." With that Lucius Malfoy produced a long dagger from his inner robes. "This belonged to my father, and his father, and my great- grandfather, for centuries it had been in my family. It has been blessed with the power of My Lord."
"He is only a Lord to the sneaking snaked that dare go near his rotting feet!" Hermione was rewarded with a slap for her condescending attempt.
Lucius just laughed. "I must say you have outstanding spirit. It will be such a pleasure to break. Now I ask again, what is your relationship with my son?"
"I don't know that all depends on who your son is." It was a cocky remark that Hermione knew she would punished for she just wasn't expecting the knife he held to make a divot in her arm fastened to the table.
"Stop being so stupid girl, or has my son been giving you too much credit. 'The Bookworm', the 'study-a-holic', "Gryffindor-know-it-all', but that's not who you are, is it? No, you're the outsider who has spent the last six years of her life just trying to fit in. All these people know magic; they were all born into to it, but you, you were a muggle given a very special gift, a wasted gift none the less, but a gift. The power you have could have been used on some special wizard, a pureblood, but instead was given to you. But what does a mudblood do with power? Nothing. All you have done over the pass six years of your life is try to find ways to improve yourself; read books to learn more than those around you in a weak and pathetic attempt to break into their socialistic circle. If you really think about your efforts though they were in vain; you have just manage to seclude yourself even more from the group, always locked away in the library or with your thoughts writing an essay.
"Seriously look at all of your relations ships with your 'friends'. When are Potter and Weasley around you the most? Come on girl, you know the answer to this one it's easy. How many times have the helped you on an assignment compared to the number of times you've helped them. Let's really think about you could actually call your friend compared to the people that just use you for your brain."
"Stop, like you would know anything about having friends. You've bought everything you've ever had. How much did your parents pay for those people to hang out with you during your own Hogwarts days? You'll find in life that there are some things that you can't buy, like bravery, intelligence, wittiness, charm, lov-you've fucking bastard!" She looked at the dagger now an inch deep in her arm, holding back the tears.
"You will learn girl to respect your elders, and those of purer blood. I'll let you think about it for a while I must go meet with the Lord, he will want to know what state you're in, and then will make the preparations."
"What the hell are you talking about preparations? You won't have time for anything like that they'll have noticed me missing by now, they'll come after me."
"Oh will they?" He then held up a vile filled with a thick foul smelling potion. "I'm sure you've acquainted yourself with this?"
"A poly-juice potion."
~*~
"Creamy Nougat-"
"Coconut Ice-"
"Toffees-"
"Fizzing Whizzbees- "
"Sherbert Balls-" At this the stubborn gargoyle finally started moving itself, revealing a spiral staircase. "Come on Ron."
"You know I really wish Dumbledore will give the password if he keeps summoning us to his office."
"He probably figures that we'll get it eventually," Harry replies as he knocked on the Headmaster's door."
"Come in," Dumbledore answered in a muffled voice. He motioned in the two Gryffindors as they opened the door with another sign to keep them quiet. Draco was still there in his trace trying to focus on Hermione.
"Dagger.generations.friends.used.bookworm..pain..arm hurt..potion..alone." He shook his head. "Professor, she alone, I think in the Malfoy Manor. My Father took her when she got off the train. I think he stabbed her."
"Who are you talking about? Have you gone off your rocker Malfoy?" Ron asked slightly bemused.
Draco looked a bit disturbed, "I'm talking about Hermione you nut, she never came back after getting off the train!"
"Draco, we saw her in the Great Hall on our way over here-"
Like a bat out of Hell Draco took off mumbling along the way, "Please let it actually be her, tell me I'm wrong."
He burst threw the heavy wooden doors into the Great Hall, making a whole lot more noise than necessary. "Hermione? Hermione is that you?"
A girl with long strands of curly brown hair turned around at the sound of his calling. He moved toward her in relief, what he felt was wrong she was right here. He went to hug her ignoring her questioning look, but stopped short.
"Malfoy, what are you doing?"
"Nothing, I don't know what came over me."
He turned quickly and fled the hall's staring eyes, and made his way back up to the headmaster's office.
"That's not Hermione."
"Yes it is, who else would it be?"
"It's not Hermione," Draco countered with more aggression in his voice.
"How do you know," Ron asked.
"She called me Malfoy."
"She's called you Malfoy before plus you look kind of possessed."
Draco shook his head and turned to look at Dumbledore to utter three sealing words. "There's no glow."
~*~
Hermione awoke with a start. Her arm stung painfully as she tried to stand. She forced to remember the encounter with Lucius Malfoy and try to figure out where she was. She looked around the dimly lit room trying to remember the ways she had noted when the room had a brighter fire burning.
She rip off a piece of fabric from the bottom of her robe and tied it around her arm putting pressure on the wound that was inflicted upon her earlier.
The room looked different from the one that she was in earlier. There were no tables or chairs anymore, just stone and a single door. Hermione not satisfied spent time looking from a trick rock that would open a secret passageway.
Now breathing heavily, Hermione pushed the large wooden door open. It led to a long, dark narrow tunnel. She glanced behind her, and saw nothing, no way out. She had no choice but to follow along the corridor. She walked slowly, quietly listening for the slightest sound, eyes searching for a way out.
After about twenty minutes of walking, she pushed open another door, letting a harsh distinct green flame hit her eyes. She walked into the room cautiously. There were two chairs in the entire room; one high straight back red chair, with the fabric pulling away from the seem, the other, a small wooden rocker.
This reminded her of a dream that she had earlier in the school year. If the dream was correct someone would be walking through the door soon someone she truly did not want to come in contact with. She broke off a bit of the wooden chair, a weak and mild defense for what was about to come, but it was something. She refused to faint like she had in her dream. She was going to prepared mentally at least event if it wasn't possible to be ready physically.
The door creaked open expectedly. "Miss Granger, so glad you're awake. Have a seat I think we should have a talk." The man gestured to the chairs. Hermione stood defiantly, back to a corner, holding the club hidden behind her. "Not up to your standards, my dear?" With a clap of his hands the whole décor changed. The walls were switched from the peeling wall paper that exposed the wooden braces of the inner wall to a richly painted red wall. The floor was now polished hard wood, with a large area rug in the center. A love seat, couch, and other various arm chairs replaced the old rundown pieces that stood there just minutes before.
"Is this better? Please, Miss Granger, have a seat. That club will do you no good in here, although it was a nice attempt, I like your thinking."
Against her will the wooden stick dropped from her hand and she was propelled forward to sit on the couch. "What do you want with me? I haven't done anything to you," she paused for a moment," this year."
"I like your spirit, I think Lucius is wrong, we don't need to break you. You'll do fine just like this."
"Tell me what you want."
"I need your help."
"How could a mudblood be of any use to you?"
"As you know I am a mudblood myself, but you and I are of a rare class that are more special than even the purebloods."
"I'd have to think that Malfoy would disagree, and don't associate myself with the likes of you."
"Hermione-"
"My first name is for family, friends and loved ones. You are none of those, so do a favor and address me as Miss Granger, or even better don't talk to me at all."
The man looked a little shocked at her outburst but complied none-the-less. "Miss Granger I want you to work for me, to join our side."
"I will never side with a snake like you, Voldemort, you'd have to kill me first."
Falling Head Over Heels
The Story of Hermione Granger and
her relationship with Draco Malfoy
By: Befuzzled
Chapter Twenty -Nine ~ Predators Pounce
"For a shield from the storm
For a friend
For a love to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong
For the will to carry on
For everything you do
For everything's that true
I turn to you"
~Christina Aguilera
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked. They were standing inside the barrier at King's Cross Station. Hermia Emiline Malfoy had just been dropped off the disaster zone of darkness that the owners called a boarding school.
"Yes, I'm just to miss having her around. She's so happy and look what she has, almost nothing."
"Correction, she had almost nothing, but you spoiled her rotten. How many days did we spend in Hogsmeade? And how many sickles, knuts, and galleons did you go through?"
Draco looked solemn again, "Not enough."
"Draco, you'll get to see her again. Maybe you can convince your father to let her visit and if not I bring her to my house and you can come see her. Come on cheer up."
"I will, I just need some time to think."
"Okay, well I'll see you on the train."
"We aren't taking the train."
"What are you talking about? Of course we're taking the train, it's right here. It's not like we can apporate." Hermione looked strangely confused.
"Hermione, Mina, don't you remember how we got to Venice?"
"Of course. But that was at night, and we actually had a broom." Draco reached inside the door of the train's compartment; he had a smirk on his face. "Do you realize how many people will be able to see us?"
"No body once I cast the indivisibility charm."
"We could get lost!"
"I found Venice didn't I? Hermione, calm down, it's all cleared with Dumbledore."
"Do you realize how long of a trip it is? Even by train it takes all day."
"But a train has to stay on the tracks. Flying helps me clear my head and we both know that I will have to have a clear head before exams."
"Fine, but this is only because it involves your school work. We aren't going to make a habit of flying every where. There are more civilized ways, you know."
"Yes, but do those other civilized way require me to have my arms around the most beautiful thing on two legs?" he asked while wrapping his arms around her waist.
"They might, but you could just voluntarily do it. Are you sure we have to fly?"
"No."
"But we're still going to-"
"Not anymore, you gave me a great idea."
"And what, Mr. Malfoy, would that be?"
"This," he grabbed her hand and pulled her on the train, into a barren compartment. He turned around and kissed her, passionately.
She whispered into his mouth, "Maybe we should have taken the broom."
"Hmm, maybe but it's too late for that. I still haven't showed you what idea you gave me."
"I assume it was -" "You assumed. You do know what they say happens when you assume something, correct?"
"You make and 'ASS' out of 'U' and 'ME'."
"Yes, but now for what my big plans are." He pulled out his wand.
"Draco, why would you possibly need your wand?"
He put his finger to his finger to he's lips and made 'shh' noise. "Be patient. I was just about to show you." He flicked his wrist muttering a few unintelligible words. A checkered blanket and a basket overflowing with food appeared, "Waalaa." He stuck out his hand to her, "Care to join me for a light lunch?"
"Indeed." She sat down next to him. "And here's me thinking that you were planning some type of snogging session."
"You're moving much to fast my dear Mina. Snogging comes after the nap that follows this little feast." He smiled at her a shoved a strawberry into her mouth.
~`~
They feasted for awhile and eased into a steady conversation about each other and of course their relationship.
"Draco, why did you pick me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, why did you change? After five years of acting the same way people don't usually just randomly go to the opposite extreme of themselves, and you, well, you changed like in a few days. Why?"
"I didn't want to be a minion."
"A minion? A minion for whom?"
Voldemort, my father, any body."
"But I don't understand."
"I didn't either for the longest time. All my life growing up I've heard about the great mighty and most importantly powerful DeathEaters. I've been told that they would one day rule the world, the in superiors, muggles, mudbloods and opposing wizards alike, were bow to us or die. But, you know I began to think, actually use my brain-"
"Oh Draco you do use your brain look at her marks."
"Yes, I use it for intellect, but what good are high marks if you don't have common sense to back them up? Not much if you ask me. While I was thinking about you mostly, and Potter, I began to realize some undoing of the so called elite.
"All their supposed power, all their glory, all their fame was for one person. Not a person; a creature that was barely able to survive until he took the love washed blood of another. He summons them like children. They bow to him and kiss the hem of his robes like some sort of worshippers to a god. How can you achieve such proclaimed greatness if you can't even get off the floor?"
Hermione just shook her head. "I don't know. But why were you thinking about me? I thought you hated me."
"I did. But you have to remember 'Indifference, not hate, is the opposite of love.' I bet Potter thinks about Voldemort all the time."
"It's not like he can forget him. He has to remember every time he looks in the mirror." She paused for a moment thinking it over. "One more question - why me? You could have anybody in this school but yet you choose me, why?"
"You know how some things just happen? I didn't exactly choose you, but you were there when I needed someone and you were willing to forgive me for all that I've done over the past few years. You made it easy to change and look at all you've done for me. I would assume that you didn't just want me for my looks or my money, you've frowned on it enough."
"I wasn't frowning on your looks or your money, just that way you used it and flaunted it. Like the way you always rubbed it in Ron's face was just horrible."
"Any more investigative questions?"
"Thousands - they just aren't all for you."
*~*
"Hermione, Hermione wake up. We're nearly there." She mumbled slightly about not wanting to and tried to bury her way deeper into his chest. He laughed softly. "Do you want me to leave you here?"
She nodded, "Not waking up, not walking."
"I'll be taking you're pillow away," he said and she clung to him. "Come on Hermione; wake up for just a second and I'll carry you back."
She woke up begrudgingly. "You can't too many people would see. We act suspicious enough."
"Well then what do you propose we do?"
"You go now, I'll come in like ten minutes."
"You just want to fall back to sleep."
"I promise I won't. My bed's more comfortable anyway. Plus, like you said my pillow and blanket are leaving."
"Okay I'll meet you in ten minutes in the prefect common room."
"Right," Hermione announced as she sat back down on the seat.
Draco stocked off, he really hated their circumstances about their reputations and what was expected of them. It made everything so complicated. He often forgot the rules of society, but luckily enough for him Hermione usually remembered to keep an eye out for others.
He pushed open the great wooded doors of the castle and start up the stair to the first floor corridor. He heard running behind him, and he paused to look back.
"Ahh, Mr. Malfoy you're back. Where's Miss Granger?"
"She's still on the train, Sir. She should be up here in about ten minutes."
"Okay then. The Headmaster would like to see you both, you go now and I'll send her up when she arrives," replied the Potions professor
"Is something wrong, professor?"
"No, no, I should think not. I think the headmaster has a project for the two of you."
~*~
Hermione tiredly stepped off the train and began the assent up towards her home away from home. The walk was familiar and comforting; she closed her eyes and began humming a random tune, trying to recall the words.
"I follow the night, can't stand the light. When will I begin to live again? One day I'll fly away, leave all this to yesterday. What more could your love do for me? When will love be through with me? Why life from dream to dream and dread the day when dreaming ends?"
"A very good question, Mudblood," came a startling unexpected drawl from behind her. "Why would one of your types waste such perfectly good energy on such fruitful ideas such as dreams?"
Hermione shut her mouth trying to stifle the rage that was now pouring through her. "How dare you. It's done of you business about what I dream of, just know they certainly don't involve you, Mr. Malfoy, or your kind. Now if you would excuse me I must be getting back to the castle." She turned on her heel and attempted to take the first step, but the elder Malfoy grabbed her arm.
"You need to learn you place you filthy piece of trash. Never, ever, turn your back on a pureblooded wizard, let alone a Malfoy."
Hermione shifted her eyes from the hand that restrained her to the deep pools of hate on the center of his face. "I'll keep that in mind. Now unless you are going to escort me back to the castle please let go so I don't waste any more of your oh so precious time, and I wouldn't want to dirty your robes."
"You insolent little bitch, you will learn to control the mouth of yours. But, I will be escorting you - just not to the castle. We have another destination."
"What the hell are you talking about? I have class tomorrow, and a meeting with the Head master today. Let go of me," her voice was growing louder as a strange panic washed over her.
"Shut it you mudblood, the Dark Lord has a use for you."
"I won't go! HARRY! RON! GINN-"he slapped her.
"You really don't have much of a choice do you?" He picked her up and threw the seemingly small girl over his shoulder. She bit his back as hard as she could and he dropped her with a cry of pain.
She stumbled up and began to run, knowing she would get far, but she wouldn't allow her self to be taken without a fight. There was so much she had left to do and some stupid more crazed man wasn't going to take it all away from her.
She let out a blood curdling scream as Lucius hit her with the Crutacius curse.
~*~
"Headmaster you wanted to see me sir?"
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy. Once Miss Granger arrives, I'll explain the new task for the both of you. Mr. Boot, and Miss Abbot already have their project."
Draco was nodding his approval, but was over come with sharp pains all over his body. He let out a small moan, "Professor - I think - Hermione - is - trouble - hurt - all over."
The headmaster was busy unwrapping a piece of chocolate for the boy. "Eat this Mr. Malfoy it will help the both of you. Do you know where she might be?"
"Hogwarts," he managed to groan out in between labored breaths. "Never mind, she's gone." It took a moment for it to all settle it and he stood with a jolt. "Professor, Hermione is gone."
~*~
"Where are you taking me?"
"Shut it Mudblood. You'll find out soon enough."
"You know everybody will be looking for me, Harry and Ron, all the professors, and the prefects."
"Are you sure about all the prefects? I think a certain Slytherin Prefect will be joining us soon although unfortunately for you it will not be to save you."
"Then just will he be doing here?"
"Hasn't your worthless muggle mother taught you it's rude to pry?"
"My mother has more worth to her than you will ever, just on a fingernail."
He slapped her, viciously. "Your mother has no more worth in her entire body than any of my house elves."
Hermione's face stung with the newly inflicted wound, and a small trickle of blood was sliding down her face, but she refused to cry in front of him. She refused to show her weaknesses and become of a sub-servile stature. "Than why the hell do you want me?" she spat, she voice shaking with contempt.
"Oh but you will see. You're strong, even for a mudblood witch, and smart. A deadly combination if used on the wrong side. Are you ready to go? Hold still," and with that he disapporated.
~*~
"Are you quite certain Mr. Malfoy?"
His eyes were watering and his right cheek stung, "Sir, she's gone. The tingly feeling is gone. Sir, she's off Hogwarts grounds."
"Mr. Malfoy I need you to concentrate really hard on Hermione; try to sense where she is at. Fawkes, go retrieve Harry and Ron, and then go for Mr. Boot and Miss Abbot."
Draco was mumbling to himself, his eyes crossed in focus. "Hermione. scared. hold on. I'm coming. home."
There were very few other words that Dumbledore could make out, but it gave him a rough sense of what was going on in the blonde man's head sitting in front of him.
~*~
They appeared in a dark, stone room; it was very cold and currently void of any fire. The elder Malfoy threw her down into a wooden chair, securing her to the post with magical bonds, except for her left hand which he tied down to a table in front of her.
With another flick of his wand, a fire arose in a pit and about twenty candles flickered around the room.
Hermione's body was in turmoil of confusion. It was tired, aching and sore but her mind told to stay alert and awake. She had to take in her surroundings; she had to find any way for an escape or even a rescue effort. But, she was just so tired now; it was an effort to keep her head poised.
Her head was lolling back and forth, her head spinning with dizziness. "Now, Miss Granger, what can you tell me about your relationship with my son, or with Harry Potter? I need details and I mean details with truth. I will be determining if I believe you or not."
She had it in her mind that he wasn't going to win; he wasn't going to take everything she had worked so hard to maintain and just throw it out the window. He wasn't go to get anything out of her, at least if he didn't resort to magical devices. "And what if I have nothing to tell you?"
Her words lashed and whipped the surrounding air. "Ahh, I was hoping you would ask." With that Lucius Malfoy produced a long dagger from his inner robes. "This belonged to my father, and his father, and my great- grandfather, for centuries it had been in my family. It has been blessed with the power of My Lord."
"He is only a Lord to the sneaking snaked that dare go near his rotting feet!" Hermione was rewarded with a slap for her condescending attempt.
Lucius just laughed. "I must say you have outstanding spirit. It will be such a pleasure to break. Now I ask again, what is your relationship with my son?"
"I don't know that all depends on who your son is." It was a cocky remark that Hermione knew she would punished for she just wasn't expecting the knife he held to make a divot in her arm fastened to the table.
"Stop being so stupid girl, or has my son been giving you too much credit. 'The Bookworm', the 'study-a-holic', "Gryffindor-know-it-all', but that's not who you are, is it? No, you're the outsider who has spent the last six years of her life just trying to fit in. All these people know magic; they were all born into to it, but you, you were a muggle given a very special gift, a wasted gift none the less, but a gift. The power you have could have been used on some special wizard, a pureblood, but instead was given to you. But what does a mudblood do with power? Nothing. All you have done over the pass six years of your life is try to find ways to improve yourself; read books to learn more than those around you in a weak and pathetic attempt to break into their socialistic circle. If you really think about your efforts though they were in vain; you have just manage to seclude yourself even more from the group, always locked away in the library or with your thoughts writing an essay.
"Seriously look at all of your relations ships with your 'friends'. When are Potter and Weasley around you the most? Come on girl, you know the answer to this one it's easy. How many times have the helped you on an assignment compared to the number of times you've helped them. Let's really think about you could actually call your friend compared to the people that just use you for your brain."
"Stop, like you would know anything about having friends. You've bought everything you've ever had. How much did your parents pay for those people to hang out with you during your own Hogwarts days? You'll find in life that there are some things that you can't buy, like bravery, intelligence, wittiness, charm, lov-you've fucking bastard!" She looked at the dagger now an inch deep in her arm, holding back the tears.
"You will learn girl to respect your elders, and those of purer blood. I'll let you think about it for a while I must go meet with the Lord, he will want to know what state you're in, and then will make the preparations."
"What the hell are you talking about preparations? You won't have time for anything like that they'll have noticed me missing by now, they'll come after me."
"Oh will they?" He then held up a vile filled with a thick foul smelling potion. "I'm sure you've acquainted yourself with this?"
"A poly-juice potion."
~*~
"Creamy Nougat-"
"Coconut Ice-"
"Toffees-"
"Fizzing Whizzbees- "
"Sherbert Balls-" At this the stubborn gargoyle finally started moving itself, revealing a spiral staircase. "Come on Ron."
"You know I really wish Dumbledore will give the password if he keeps summoning us to his office."
"He probably figures that we'll get it eventually," Harry replies as he knocked on the Headmaster's door."
"Come in," Dumbledore answered in a muffled voice. He motioned in the two Gryffindors as they opened the door with another sign to keep them quiet. Draco was still there in his trace trying to focus on Hermione.
"Dagger.generations.friends.used.bookworm..pain..arm hurt..potion..alone." He shook his head. "Professor, she alone, I think in the Malfoy Manor. My Father took her when she got off the train. I think he stabbed her."
"Who are you talking about? Have you gone off your rocker Malfoy?" Ron asked slightly bemused.
Draco looked a bit disturbed, "I'm talking about Hermione you nut, she never came back after getting off the train!"
"Draco, we saw her in the Great Hall on our way over here-"
Like a bat out of Hell Draco took off mumbling along the way, "Please let it actually be her, tell me I'm wrong."
He burst threw the heavy wooden doors into the Great Hall, making a whole lot more noise than necessary. "Hermione? Hermione is that you?"
A girl with long strands of curly brown hair turned around at the sound of his calling. He moved toward her in relief, what he felt was wrong she was right here. He went to hug her ignoring her questioning look, but stopped short.
"Malfoy, what are you doing?"
"Nothing, I don't know what came over me."
He turned quickly and fled the hall's staring eyes, and made his way back up to the headmaster's office.
"That's not Hermione."
"Yes it is, who else would it be?"
"It's not Hermione," Draco countered with more aggression in his voice.
"How do you know," Ron asked.
"She called me Malfoy."
"She's called you Malfoy before plus you look kind of possessed."
Draco shook his head and turned to look at Dumbledore to utter three sealing words. "There's no glow."
~*~
Hermione awoke with a start. Her arm stung painfully as she tried to stand. She forced to remember the encounter with Lucius Malfoy and try to figure out where she was. She looked around the dimly lit room trying to remember the ways she had noted when the room had a brighter fire burning.
She rip off a piece of fabric from the bottom of her robe and tied it around her arm putting pressure on the wound that was inflicted upon her earlier.
The room looked different from the one that she was in earlier. There were no tables or chairs anymore, just stone and a single door. Hermione not satisfied spent time looking from a trick rock that would open a secret passageway.
Now breathing heavily, Hermione pushed the large wooden door open. It led to a long, dark narrow tunnel. She glanced behind her, and saw nothing, no way out. She had no choice but to follow along the corridor. She walked slowly, quietly listening for the slightest sound, eyes searching for a way out.
After about twenty minutes of walking, she pushed open another door, letting a harsh distinct green flame hit her eyes. She walked into the room cautiously. There were two chairs in the entire room; one high straight back red chair, with the fabric pulling away from the seem, the other, a small wooden rocker.
This reminded her of a dream that she had earlier in the school year. If the dream was correct someone would be walking through the door soon someone she truly did not want to come in contact with. She broke off a bit of the wooden chair, a weak and mild defense for what was about to come, but it was something. She refused to faint like she had in her dream. She was going to prepared mentally at least event if it wasn't possible to be ready physically.
The door creaked open expectedly. "Miss Granger, so glad you're awake. Have a seat I think we should have a talk." The man gestured to the chairs. Hermione stood defiantly, back to a corner, holding the club hidden behind her. "Not up to your standards, my dear?" With a clap of his hands the whole décor changed. The walls were switched from the peeling wall paper that exposed the wooden braces of the inner wall to a richly painted red wall. The floor was now polished hard wood, with a large area rug in the center. A love seat, couch, and other various arm chairs replaced the old rundown pieces that stood there just minutes before.
"Is this better? Please, Miss Granger, have a seat. That club will do you no good in here, although it was a nice attempt, I like your thinking."
Against her will the wooden stick dropped from her hand and she was propelled forward to sit on the couch. "What do you want with me? I haven't done anything to you," she paused for a moment," this year."
"I like your spirit, I think Lucius is wrong, we don't need to break you. You'll do fine just like this."
"Tell me what you want."
"I need your help."
"How could a mudblood be of any use to you?"
"As you know I am a mudblood myself, but you and I are of a rare class that are more special than even the purebloods."
"I'd have to think that Malfoy would disagree, and don't associate myself with the likes of you."
"Hermione-"
"My first name is for family, friends and loved ones. You are none of those, so do a favor and address me as Miss Granger, or even better don't talk to me at all."
The man looked a little shocked at her outburst but complied none-the-less. "Miss Granger I want you to work for me, to join our side."
"I will never side with a snake like you, Voldemort, you'd have to kill me first."
