Draco woke up feeling very stiff and sore. He winced then and was about to stretch his arms when he realized his arms were still wrapped around Hermione. She was still sound asleep. Carefully he eased her onto the straw next to him where she remained sleeping. He watched her for a moment then crawled over to the water bucket, his muscles screaming as he did so. He felt as though he done every type of exercise you can do for every muscle of his body over and over again. He grit his teeth to stop from groaning. Finally he reached the water bucket and was about to scoop some water out of it when he noticed the number on his hand again. The first two numbers were 27, the second two, 11. He took a quick drink then scooted back over to Hermione. Gently he picked up her left hand. It also had four numbers on it. They were 5811. Maybe the last two numbers was the cell number?

Draco placed her hand back down on the straw and found his gaze on her face. A perfect face with an expression and peacefulness as she slept. A few stray strands of hair dangled in front of her eyes. On impulse he brushed them out of the way. A moment later her eyes flickered open. She glanced around then saw Draco sitting next to her. She eased herself into a sitting position and Draco saw her wince they way he had. Then she looked straight at Draco her expression studying. Draco felt his breath quicken and he quickly looked away.

"Well," she said suddenly, "Here we are, back in the cell."

Draco nodded smiling slightly, how he could smile when he was in the worst situation of his life was beyond him.

He heard Hermione ease herself over to the water and drink some then come back over and sit next to him.

"I guess our plan didn't work then," she said sadly the moaned, "I feel awful."

Draco nodded, "I know, I feel the same. At least they didn't use old-fashioned torture methods. I hear those are worse."

"Than what, just plain old crucio?" she asked.

"Pain with a solid source, like cutting someone, hurts more than just pain," Draco explained.

"Did they cut you?" Hermione asked.

"No," Draco said deciding not to tell her about the fire, then added, "You have a number on your hand."

"I know," she said and lifted her left hand, "I remember when they put it on, the first time they captured me. Just like branding cattle."

Draco suddenly felt disgusted and he shivered slightly. Death eaters didn't even seem human at all. Who could get a thrill from torturing, branding, and killing? He felt sick. Sighing he ignored his stomach and leaning back against the wall closing his eyes.

***

"How about we just combine a couple of spells and blow up the whole damned place," Hermione said hatefully.

"With what wands?" Draco asked with a depressed sigh.

"Draco!" Hermione scolded.

Draco smiled half-heartedly, "Okay, with what spells?"

"Well, I was thinking the fire spell, the wind spell, and that bang spell Fred and George had," Hermione said as though she'd already had it all planned out and had just been waiting for Draco to ask.'

"Sounds good to me, what are the words?" Draco asked getting interested feeling very glad he'd been stuck with Hermione, and feeling happy hearing her talk. He watched her talk more than listen to her, admiring the way, that when she talked, energy seemed to float off her, creating an aura of willfulness. As though no matter what, they would get out, they wouldn't die down here. The end to this suffering would be filled with happiness.

"Draco?" Hermione asked, "I asked you a question. Were you even listening?"

"Er, what?" Draco shook himself out of his thoughts, what was he doing daydreaming about Hermione? He paused a moment, as a thought popped into his mind, but then he shook it away as well. There was no way he would be falling in love with Hermione Granger.

A/N: Yeah, short chapter, shorter than my other short chapters, I meant to make it longer, but the chapters just kind of ends themselves, you know? It just seemed like a good stopping point.

So, I'm dedicating this chapter to, as usual everyone who reviewed the previous chapter, and here's a list of their names. *Applause is heard*.

Miyukisetsu

shannon

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Marrisa03

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muffin shoes

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