Draco awoke with a start feeling afraid. He briefly remember having a nightmare but his brain had already deleted it and he remembered it no more. He saw Granger laying in the straw at the other side of the cell. Her breathing was shallow and sharp as though it hurt to breathe.
He watched her feeling worry rise in his chest. He could never remember being worried before. Not for his mother, or his father. They were both servants of the dark lord. Curse him for all eternity.
He noticed bread sitting by the water and scooted over to it.
"Water please," he suddenly heard Granger whisper. Draco glanced back at her and saw that her head was now facing him.
He nodded and said, "all right," then brought the bucket near her once again. Draco scooped out some water and trickled it through his hands into her mouth. She licked her lips then using her arms pushed herself into a sitting position with a small moan.
"I can do it," she said.
Draco scooted back and watched her scoop water into her mouth. Boy, she was stronger than he had been, of course, he'd wanted to die when he first got back, apparently she had a stronger will to live that she did. Although, she did have friends, family, and a life, unlike he did.
After drinking she lay back down burying her head in her arms like a pillow and Draco heard her mumble something.
"What?" he asked softly.
"Why do they do this to all these people?" she asked turning her head to him her eyes shining.
"They're evil," he said, "They follow You-Know-Who. I guess the take pleasure in other people's pain."
"Why is so much of the human race evil?" she asked him.
"I don't know," he replied.
"Draco?" she asked suddenly.
"Yes?" he replied.
"Why are you here? And why are you being, nice?" she asked.
"I'm here because I'm a traitor apparently. I tried to run away. I hate it here. They killed my dad, not that I care about him, but being here with them I learned that I didn't want to be like them," he explained surprised at himself for talking so freely to Granger.
"They tortured you too?" she asked.
"Yes," Draco said.
Granger then turned her head away and Draco saw her breathing even out hinting she'd gone back to sleep. Sleep was best for her now. It was when she was sleeping that she would heal and the sooner she healed, the better.
Draco thought back to what Granger had said. Was he being nice? Draco frowned, was he turning all soft and gushy like those "brave at heart" Gryfindors. Draco dearly hoped not, anything but to be like them. Almost anything that is.
He had to get out of here! The next time they tried to take him, he would escape and hopefully release some of the other prisoners if possible. Granger would have to come as well.
Draco watched the girl's sleeping form and felt admiration for her strength. She was brave, not a prissy no-it-all like he'd imagined.
She stood the torture better than he had at least. He hadn't moved at all when they first brought him back.
***
Bright lights flickered on and Draco turned his head away as another person was dragged off.
He glanced at Granger who had a pained look on her face.
"How can they torture so many people?" she asked softly, "Do they even have souls?"
"Probably not," Draco said, "A lot of them are completely under You-Know-Who's control."
"Oh," Granger said then leaned back into the straw. Draco noticed she tried not to wince as she moved around trying to get comfortable.
"You ever plan on getting out of here?" Draco asked suddenly.
Granger shrugged and said nothing.
"I was thinking the next time they open the door to our cell," Draco began but then Hermione gave him a look.
"Just please be quiet Malfoy," Granger said, "Listen, we're not friends, and though we're stuck here together, I don't plan on becoming your friend, the moment you get out of here you'll go right back to the way you are normally. I don't know what's up with you now, but I have enough problems with these damn death eaters. I don't need you too."
Draco looked away stung slightly and felt anger rising in him. He was trying to be nice! Didn't she want to escape? He glared at the wall. Curse her, curse the death eaters, curse the whole god damn world.