A/n – This chapter has been re-written. Please re-read it over carefully. Only one part is the same as before. Please in order to avoid confusion read it ALL over. I fixed it and added a flashback. So know I after I hope the confusion will end. Sorry that the original chapter 16 was confusing. Please review this chapter and tell me what you think. If it was easier to understand. Then you can go back to the new Chapter 17. Thanks!

*****

            Draco suddenly looked up studying the headmasters face. Now your hearing things Draco, perfect. Maybe you are going crazy. Maybe my father was correct. Draco shivered at the thought of his father. Just the mention of his name sent chills up and down his spine. Draco studied Dumbledore's face. No, Draco he is serious. It's my father. I knew he would do something like this. My father has Hermione! Last night…when he came to visit…I should have known! It has to be him! There is no other explanation. My father is capable of anything. He made that clear last night when he revealed to me all of his great secrets.

-FLASHBACK-

Draco stared at the man who was standing across from him. He looked exactly like his father. But it couldn't be. My dad's supposed to be in the prison of Azkaban.

Draco took out his wand and pointed it at the imposter. Calmly, Draco replied, "Who are you?"

"Son, there is no need to be alarmed. Draco, it is I, your father."

Draco knew his father was capable of many things including escaping so Draco simply replied, "Prove it."

"Draco the day before your first day of Hogwarts was when you first met Voldemort. Now son, please lower your wand. I don't appreciate being treated in this manner."

Draco obediently lowered his wand and meekly replied, "Sorry, Dad."

"Dad! How many times must I tell you? Do NOT ever call me dad or father. Please use Lucuis. You can not turn soft son."

Well da-Lucius how come you call me son? Draco nodded. "Da-Lucuis how did you escape?"

"Ah, yes I thought we would come to this. Well I had survived a month in that horrid prison. I knew I wasn't being a help to the mighty one…"

"Err…you mean Voldemort?"

HOW DARE YOU SPEAK HIS NAME. Draco you are not worthy…yet…"

Draco nodded afraid to speak.

"As I was saying before you interrupted me. I met a man He called himself Tenromdolv. He also loved the dark lord and was willing to anything in his power, like me, to help him. Draco you know who I am right?"

"Yes father. You're a former death-eater."

Lucuis laughed. "Draco you know I am a death eater now, as I have been all along, and a death eater like you soon will be, when it is time."

The mere thought of this made Draco very uncomfortable. "Father, how come when Potter and Dumbledore said you were a death eater you said you were a former death eater?"

Lucius laughed once again. "Draco like I would tell them my identity… I knew I was being too soft on you…too easy," Lucuis added.

Draco just stared at this man- his father I disbelief. Everything had all been lies.

"Well Draco this man is pretending to be me. I made the potion, he drank it. He looks like me and will act like I would."

"So, then how…what do people think happened to him?"

"People expect that he has escaped. The dementors are looking for him, not me."

"How can you trust him?"

"Draco never doubt me!"

Lucuis raised his wand and put the Cruciatus Curse on me.

The pain was unbearable and I'm not sure I would have survived if I weren't used to it- by now. Suddenly, the pain stopped. It had only lasted for about 20 seconds. My father kicked me while I was on the floor – knocked out from the curse.

"Get up," he spat.

I quickly rose to my feet still feeling the pain of the curse.

"Draco after everything I have taught you. After everything. How could you do this to me?"

I played dumb although I knew he knew. "What do you mean?"

"Draco she's a mudblood and a close friend of Potters!"

"I…" What do I say?

"Don't say anything. This must stop. If Voldemort found out about this Draco I would be ruined. So I don't want to hear it. If it continues I will kill her Draco… do you hear?

I nodded shocked, unaware of the last sentence…until now.

-END OF FLASHBACK-

So this is my fault. I must find her! Before it is too late. At this thought a tear escaped his eye. Quickly, he wiped it away. I will do this alone. No one has to know about what occurred last night. NO ONE!

"Malfoy…," Dumbledore said.

Immediately Draco sat back on his chair.

"We believe that Hermione has run away from Hogwarts," the headmaster replied calmly.

"THEN YOU BETTER START LOOKING FOR HER BEFORE SHE GETS HURTS," Harry yelled.

"Harry…please," Dumbledore started.

"Do you know what's out there?" Harry asked. "You should be sending people looking for her- not sitting here as if…as if nothing is wrong," Harry replied.

"If Hermione has run away, which we do have reason to believe she has, then don't you think she doesn't want to be found? Harry, she will come back."

"But…" Ron started. Then shut his mouth as quickly as he had opened it. The look Harry's face told him not to mention the things Hermione told them- the events that occurred on the trip.

Dumbledore eyed the two boys, "Is there anything you wish to tell me?"

Ron shook his head along with Harry.

"Very well then. Do not be alarmed, Hermione should be back on school grounds in a couple of days. You may be off. You can all take the day off. You will be excused from all exams and homework."

"Good bye Dumbledore," each student mumbled as they walked out of the door.

*****

As Harry, Ron and Draco walked out Draco muttered, "I knew he was losing his marbles."

Harry looked at Draco. He wasn't going to give him the pleasure of making him mad. True, Harry was upset at the headmaster for not giving them more information but he would help Hermione along with Ron.

"So I need to know how does DUMB-ledore's boy feel about the old hag now."

Malfoy always knew how to get to him. He always hit him at the right spot.

"Stuff it Ferret Boy," Ron shouted back. "Your father along with his death eating friends took Hermione and you know it!"

"Don't you dare accuse my father of that. You know very well he is in…,"Draco started. Then he stopped. Don't let them get to you Draco. You need to get into your room. Draco you need to hurry. Hermione needs you.

"What did he tell you?" Harry screamed. "Where is she?"

"Potty don't ask about conversations between me and my father! I don't ask about yours…oh wait that would be a pretty one-sided conversation wouldn't it?" Draco smirked. The look on Potters face told him he hit just the right spot.

"MALFOY DON'T YOU DARE…" Ron screamed.

"Weasel…"

"Ferret Boy."

"Dumbledore's boy."

"Arrogant Git.

"Slimy prat."

"The boy-who-lives-to-…"

The name calling continued. It would probably have gone on forever if Snape hadn't walked through the hall causing the boys to run off in there own directions.

*****

"Headmaster…she ran away?" said Minerva. "Clever thinking of you not to tell them."

"We can't have them looking for her…it could be dangerous," the Headmaster replied.

"I see but you know Potter..."

"Yes, this is why Moody will be arriving shortly. He will keep an eye on him. They are not to leave the building at any point no matter what."

"Albus, what do you recon happened?"

"We know Hermione didn't run away. That was clearly to keep Harry and his friends off course..."

"Do you mean…"

"I am afraid that what we have feared of has indeed occurred."

A/N- 400 reviews-THANKS! You guys keep me writing.

-In case of confusion: Everyone thinks Lucuis in Azkaban. However, he has escaped and a man is pretending to be him back in the prison. Something happened to Hermione or someone has her but who and why? Also what would someone need Hermione for? Find out! Stay tuned next Friday!