DISCLAIMER: READ WHAT THIS SAYS IN THE OTHER CHAPTERS.

Chapter 18: Pain can be eased by Love

Harry clutched his scar. Does this mean Voldermort is near? Or does it mean he is about to kill somebody?

"Harry? Are you okay?" Ron asked.

"I'm fine, but I have a feeling Hermione isn't," Harry said.

"Do you remember that spell Hermione taught us; that finding spell?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Harry said.

"Well, say it quick because we need to find Hermione," Ron said.

"Your right," Harry said.

Harry and Ron got their wands out and said the spell that would lead them to the entrance of the cave.

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"Harry? Ron? Is that you?" a surprised Draco asked when two boys fell out of the sky.

"Where is Hermione?" Harry asked.

"She's inside, we have to rescue her, but Dumbledore won't let us come in," Draco said, "What is the matter?"

"Harry thinks that Voldermort is about to kill Hermione," Ron said.

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A Death Eater came to Hermione's cell and grabbed her out of it.

"Where are you taking me?" Hermione sobbed.

"Your punishment," the Death Eater said.

He pulled her into a large cold room and brought her over to what appeared to be an alter. On the alter was two white marble columns with two sets of chains on each one. The Death Eater pushed Hermione up the stairs to the two columns.

"Why are you doing this?" Hermione asked as she kicked and pushed the Death Eater.

"I am just following orders," he said as he locked Hermione's struggling arms and legs into the chains. Hermione was hanging, and couldn't rest her feet on the floor. She was never in so much pain. The Death Eater ripped off her clothes so she was left in her bra and panties.

"I hope you go to Hell for this," Hermione spat.

"Then I'll save you a bed for the two of us," the Death Eater said eyeing Hermione's body.

Hermione turned the color of scarlet. She positioned her head against one of the columns so there wasn't as much pressure on her ankles. This feels like I am being crucified.

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"What?" Draco turned pale, "Come on." He ran inside following the narrow dirt path that led to a stone staircase.

"Wait, listen!" Harry whispered.

Everybody froze and heard a faint sobbing coming from the path on their right.

"This way!" Harry said and Draco and Ron ran after him.

They ran down a long hallway that led them to a big room. They saw Hermione strapped up on two columns.

"Why I ought to…" Draco began and got up to make a dash for Hermione, but Harry held him back.

"No, not yet," Harry said.

They watched as a big crowd of Death Eaters filled into the hall.

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Hermione shivered. It was too cold for her to be almost naked. She looked around. She saw a three pairs of eyes staring at her. DRACO! HARRY! RON! I'm saved! She caught Draco's eye right before a group of Death Eaters came.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Lucius Malfoy asked.

Hermione just glared at him. She could see Draco in him, so she tried to pretend Lucius was really Draco to calm herself.

"Well then, since you won't answer me, maybe I have to whip you a few times to get you to talk to me," Lucius said as he took a leather whip that was handed to him

Draco cringed when he saw that the whip handed to Lucius was the same one that Lucius used to beat Draco with. This whip was no ordinary whip though; it had pieces of broken glass woven into it, causing it to do more damage. There was also a spell placed on the whip so it would cause double the pain it normally would.

Hermione stuck her head up high; she would not let them get the best of her. She looked back over to Draco and could tell he was worried.

Lucius walked up to Hermione and flung the whip at her.

Hermione cried out in pain each time the whip was brought down on her back. She could feel blood oozing on every single part of her body. Lucius struck her one final time on her back and Hermione fell limp and relied on only the chains to keep her up right.

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"I have to save her," Draco said as he painfully looked at Hermione.

"We will save her, just not now," Harry said. It was just as painful for him to see Hermione in that state.

They heard Lucius speak to Hermione.

"Did you like that? Did it hurt?" Lucius asked.

"I've had worse," Hermione said.

Lucius seemed to be taken back by her comment. How could she have had worse? This is by far one of the most painful things besides the three unforgivable cures.

"You've had worse?" Lucius asked.

"Yes, you know, sometimes words are more painful then your actions," Hermione said and looked straight into Lucius's eye.

"Then I guess I will have to hurt you some more," Lucius said and snapped his fingers.

A man dressed in a pair of boxers walked out from behind the columns and up to Hermione. He pressed his body against Hermione's and whispered in her ear, "Hello, Baby. We're just going to have a little fun," he hissed.

"What are you going to do to me?" Hermione whispered, now afraid. She was perfectly aware that about 100 pairs of eyes were set on her as the man began to rape her. Oh my Gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Hermione began to struggle and wiggle her way away from the strangers grasp. Hermione screamed. The pain was too intense.

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Draco watched helplessly. He vowed that he would kill this man. He clenched his hands into fists, pressing his nails into his skin, drawing blood.

"Enough, Jonah!" Lucius bellowed.

Jonah sighed and moved away from Hermione and into the room behind Hermione.

Tears and blood covered Hermione's face. She was in more pain the ever before.

"So, have you still had worse pain then this, my dear," Lucius asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Hermione didn't answer him, she just glared.

"Answer me you wench! Or do I need to inflict more pain upon your pathetic self?" Lucius bellowed.

Draco decided right then that he would have to kill his father for this as well. Draco listened to Hermione's week reply:

"No, this is the worst pain," Hermione said in a raspy voice.

"Good. Now I think you have learned you lesson for messing with the Malfoy seed. Mudbloods are not worthy of it; especially you," Lucius said and turned and began to walk out of the hall.

"Lucius," the Death Eater that had tied Hermione up yelled out, "What should we do with the girl?"

Lucius grinned, "Leave her hanging, she has not received all of her punishment yet. I only gave her a warning on what is to come."

The Death Eater smiled, "Yes."

The Death Eaters filed out of the room leaving Hermione, Ron, Harry and Draco alone.

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"Mia!" Draco yelled and ran over to the barely conscious Hermione.

"Draco," she whispered.

Ron and Harry ran over.

"Oh, baby. I am so sorry for all this," Draco said.

Hermione couldn't reply; she had fallen unconscious.

Professor Dumbledore, who had been watching the whole time, ran out to help Hermione.

"Draco! Ron, Harry? I thought I told you not to come!" Dumbledore said.

"Sorry, professor, but I couldn't leave her," Draco said bowing his head slightly.

"No time for apologies now; we have to get Hermione out of here," Dumbledore said as he removed the chains from Hermione's limp body.

Hermione fell into Draco's arms once the chains were taken off. Blood smeared all over Draco's robe.

Hermione opened her eyes and moaned in pain.

"It's okay; you will be okay," Draco said as he very gently kissed her forehead.

Draco carefully set Hermione on the ground so he could take off his cloak, which he wrapped around her very frail body.

He scooped her back up again and followed Dumbledore out of the cave.

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Hermione was unconscious the whole time on their way back to Felton Academy, but she could hear everything Draco was saying to her. She could hear the constant 'I love you' and the many 'it'll be okays'.

Professor Dumbledore had sent sparks in the air, and moments later, Blake, Blair and Professor Andrews appeared.

"Oh my Gosh!" Blair screamed as soon as she saw her sister.

Blair ran up to Draco who was still carrying Hermione. "Hermione! Can you hear me? Are you okay?"

"She's unconscious," Draco replied as he looked at Hermione's face.

"Oh my gosh, if only we could have gotten to her a little sooner!" Blair sobbed.

Blake ran up to comfort Blair. "Shhh.. it's okay baby; Hermione will be okay."

Professor Andrews went over to talk to Professor Dumbledore. Draco could hear bits and pieces of their conversation.

Andrews walked over to the group of students. "Ahem," he said.

"Yes professor?" Blake asked.

"Obviously Hermione will not be able to disapparate by herself to Felton Academy, so Professor Dumbledore and myself have thought of a plan. It is very complicated, and only the most skilled witches and wizards are able to do this," Andrews began, but Dumbledore continued for him, "We will be doing something called Double Disapparating. It is when one capable wizard is placed under a connecting spell with the less capable wizard or witch. They then disapparate together. There is a trick though. The only way they would be able to disapparate is if they were connected by true love. If there is not true love, then they might disapparate somewhere completely different then where intended. That is why Professor Andrews or myself isn't able to take Hermione with us. Either Draco or Blair will have to take her."

Blair and Draco looked at each other. Which one would take Hermione? Both knew that they loved her.

"I'll take her," Blair said, "She is my sister, after all."

"Take care of her, Blair," Draco said and handed Hermione over.

"I will."

Professor Dumbledore cast a binding spell on Hermione and Blair. Hermione floated up and appeared to be attached to Blair with invisible ropes.

"Oh my gosh," Blair whispered.

"Okay Blair. The binding spell is complete. Now it's up to you. You have to say 'Together as one disapparate to Felton Academy!'. Pretty simple. Do you understand?" Dumbledore asked.

"I think so," Blair said nervously. She looked around; "TOGETHER AS ONE DISAPPARATE TO FELTON ACADEMY!" she yelled and disappeared with Hermione.

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A/N: Hey guys. Jenn here. I hope I wasn't too mean to Hermione, but I had to make it so it would show that 3 Draco 3 cared for her a lot and really loved her! Sorry this chapter took so long to get up; fanfiction.net hasn't been working. Thanks to everybody who reviewed!!!! You guys are the best!

Much love,

C&J