Trapped

"Not much to the life I live

Same four walls

I have nothing left to give

Please take it all away...

Same four walls"

Can anyone live with this sort of pain? It would be nearly impossible. Nothing could ever compare to the throbbing pain of the head in addition to the extreme soreness of the rest of the body. The reason of why this was happening was still in question.

Hermione tried to open her eyes but it took much effort to actually accomplish the task. When she finally did, her sight was very blurry. Questions formed in her mind right away of the current situation: where was she? Why was she there? Who was responsible for this? What could have caused this intense pain that she was experiencing? Where was Draco? She had vaguely remembered talking to him, and suspecting that someone was listening in on their conversation before everything turned black. She had no knowledge of the events that occurred after since she may have been unconscious, but she couldn't be sure of that fact.

She tried to move her arms and legs but it seemed as if they were tied together by perhaps, the Incarcerous spell. Great, I can't even get up, she thought irritably. She felt a rush of hopelessness since she had no idea where she was due to poor visibility, and the fact that she couldn't move around. She wanted to know what was going on; she was always the one that knew the answers to everything but the current situation that she was in now scared her since she didn't know what was going to happen. But then again, there must be a reason as to why she's here. Could it be, perhaps, that she's the latest victim to disappear?

That could be a possibility, she answered herself. After all, she realized that all of the students who vanished were, after all, from the same heritage as she was. So it was no doubt that she would experience this sooner or later. But would the others be in the same situation as she was? She wanted to know, but she couldn't.

Where was Draco? She wanted him to be by her side, to feel that warmth and protection she received whenever she was around him but he was nowhere with her. He was probably back at Hogwarts trying to find her, while she was suffering somewhere far from him. She couldn't even get through her thoughts without tears clouding in her eyes, and threatening to drop.

All of a sudden, some sort of light pierced through the darkness of the room. Hermione couldn't see where it was coming from, and instead had to squint her eyes to try and get a better vision. But it wasn't helping. The light faded as quickly as it came, and left her disappointed. Could it have been a sign? Magic, maybe? Her ears picked up some sort of noise that was slowly approaching her; it was undoubtedly someone's footsteps, but who it belonged to, was a mystery to her.

"W-who's t-there?" she somehow managed to say through her extremely dry throat.

Nothing but silence answered her. She could hear the footsteps coming closer and closer, and the person's presence looming over her.

"I-I said, w-who's t-there?" she asked again.

However, they didn't answer her. Instead, all she heard was the person muttering something, and feeling the pressure around her wrists gone.

"Eat, girl," the voice demanded, placing a plate of food in Hermione's hands. She hesitated for a while, considering whether or not she should accept it. This uncertainty only caused the person before her to laugh teasingly.

"Don't worry; you won't be killed that easily and effortlessly," the voice said before walking away.

When the light reappeared, Hermione realized that it must be coming from outside of the room. She could now distinctly hear the sound of the door open and close, but the question of exactly where she was, was still in her mind. She sat, once again, in the darkness inquiring who would have held her captive. The voice undeniably belonged to a woman, but who could it be?

She didn't know, but right now, she wanted to satisfy that growling stomach of hers. After more careful consideration of whether to eat what was on her plate, she just decided to go ahead with it. It didn't taste as bad as she thought; it very was much like bread. After a few small bites, she just plowed through her food. She smiled inwardly since she was acting very much like Ron whenever he was eating a meal.

I miss my friends so much. I wish Draco was with me... where could they all be? she thought sadly as she quietly ate.

The tears that were threatening to escape from her eyes finally dropped.

----

He had to do this; there was no other way. He knew what he was doing was right, regardless of the consequences he may have to face – and there will definitely be some. But he had to face them, and he had to end this.

He just hoped she would forgive him.

It was a long journey but Draco got there as fast as he could. He arrived at his Manor, hoping to find answers to this whole mystery from the one person he dreaded the most – his father. He knew Lucius must be in his office since he was there most of the time, so that was the first place Draco decided to search. He arrived at the designation, and knocked on the wooden door. His father hated being distracted from his work, which was why Draco made very little noise in order to prevent his difficult behaviour.

"Come in."

Draco obeyed and opened the door slightly. It was very dark; the only source of light was the crackling fireplace. Apparently his father was facing it, his back towards Draco so he didn't know that his own son was standing not so far behind him.

"What is your business?" Lucius asked. One of the lessons that Draco learned was never to speak unless his father asked him first.

"Father."

Surprised, Lucius turned around and faced his son. He had expected his wife to answer, or even one of his house elves, but not his son.

"What are you doing here? Do you not have school to attend?"

"Yes, but there are more urgent matters."

"Such as?"

"Your letter."

Lucius smirked. This was going very well indeed.

"I see you've finally decided to respond? Or better yet, see me in person?"

"Yes, but what's this plan of the Dark Lord's you say?"

"Ah, I do not think it's best to discuss it right now."

"Why not?" Draco came down to his Manor for a reason, so he would be more than frustrated if he didn't get any answers immediately.

"Recent..." Lucius paused, "developments have come to my attention."

"What are you saying?"

"I've heard you have a new love interest at school. Is that true?"

Draco panicked. Who could've told his father about his relationship with Hermione? Of course, everyone at school knew about it but could the news have traveled all the way to his father's ears?

"I-I have no idea what you're talking about," he lied. He decided that he can't let his father know the truth; he just couldn't take what his father would do to him if he knew.

"Really?" Lucius asked, not quite believing what Draco said. "So when I was told that my son was showing affections for a mudblood, it was all just a lie?"

What should he say?

"Yes."

Lucius's eyes narrowed, which apparently meant that he didn't quite believe it. How could Draco make his father believe his lie so that he could continue on with what he was here for?

"I would never get myself involved with someone who doesn't deserve to live, Father." He knew it was a terrible thing to say and he immediately regretted it, but was there any other way?

Lucius remained silent, which made Draco more tensed. If his father ever knew he was telling a lie, he would have to suffer terribly. According to his father, having a relationship with someone who was muggle-born would be the worst act he could ever commit – far worse than murdering others.

"You better not be misleading me, boy."

"No, Father, I'm not. Whoever made up such a preposterous rumour about me should mind their own business and die."

"Now, now, no need to put a curse upon anyone," Lucius stated. Draco wanted to roll his eyes since that sentence was the most ironic thing he had ever heard. "I merely asked you a question."

"Yes, Father. But can I ask something?"

"What is it," Lucius coldly asked.

"What are the plans that you have for me?"

"You are to join the dark side. There may be a few tasks that will be required of you but they should be considered seriously since your results will reflect how much loyalty you have for the Dark Lord. Altogether, I expect you to do well on this as it will greatly improve our status."

"What tasks will there be?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Draco considered this for a moment, but came to his final decision in no time.

"I'll join you."

His father smirked, proud that his son will continue this journey with him.

'Good. Preparations will be made and-"

Knock. Knock.

"Who is it?!" Lucius demanded, angry that he was interrupted.

"I'm just here to inform you that – oh Draco, what are you doing here?" Narcissa inquired, a bit surprised.

"Mother," he acknowledged her. "Business with Father, that's all."

She nodded, but turned back to her husband. "I took care of it."

Draco, who was confused by his mother's words, wanted to question what she was talking about but was silenced when Lucius spoke up.

"Good. If there's anything else, I will tell you. For now, just go."

She obeyed and left the room, glancing shortly at her son before closing the door of the office.

"What was she talking about, Father?"

"It is no business of yours to mind the conversations between me and your mother."

"Yes, Father." It must be something big; he had to know what it was.

"Although..." Lucius pondered for awhile, "I must show you something."

This could be it; this could be what he was waiting for.

"What is it?"

"Just come with me," Lucius demanded, ignoring the question. He led Draco out of the office and down to an area of the house Draco has never seen before. They entered a room that was located at the far end of the hallway they were walking in, and went through a series of magically-cast doors and rooms that were designed specifically for only the user to enter. Draco noticed how his father had to mutter a spell several times in order for them to go into the next room. When they had finally reached the desired destination, Lucius stopped in his tracks, causing Draco to mindlessly bump into his father.

"You swear that everything you had just told me in my office was true?"

"Yes, Father, everything."

Lucius then muttered a spell, which seemed more complex than the others he had used, and touched the doorknob with his wand. All of a sudden, golden snakes came out of the knob and outlined the door with their tails but dissolved into each other when they collided. Nothing happened for a few seconds, and just when Draco became increasingly impatient, the door glistened magnificent colours of gold and green (for black was everywhere in the house) and unlocked itself.

"Open this door. In the room will be one of your tasks."

Eagerly, and nervously, Draco obeyed his father. It was very dark, much like the rest of the rooms in his manor, but it had an odd eerie feeling. He squinted his eyes for any sign of what his father said, and rested on something that was lying in the far corner of the room.

He gasped at the sight, horrified that this was what he had to do; what he had to take care of.

What have I done?

School is absolute torture. Someone save me.

(Random comment, sorry)