Ok everyone. Here's a new chapter. I posted a revised version of Chapter five. There aren't any big plot changes or anything that's uber important to the story. . .it's just overall better written. Ok, well, hope everyone enjoys this one. . .i left another clifie. . . .hehe.

Tom's eyes darted from the door to Macnair. . .watching him drop to his knees, watching the men around him hesitate to do something, anything. Blood was seeping out of Macnair, causing a puddle to quickly form. He hesitated still. . .and then jumped quickly up to Macnair.

" Damn it you fool!" he cursed, slowly turning him over. The look of horror on Macnair's face was so surreal.

" What did she do to him?" asked Lucius, far paler than usual.

" I don't know. . .looks like some sort of severing charm." he murmured, watching as Macnair took a ragged breath.

" Voldemort. . .Lord. . . .do something." he said shakily.

" I can't Macnair. You're being punished for your own foolish mistake now aren't you?"

" Yes. . .my Lord." he said, closing his eyes. He didn't breath again. . .and Tom stood, muttering an incantation that cleaned up the blood.

" Do something with the body Lucius." he murmured, sinking into his chair.

a
" No worries Miss Granger, relax. Take a deep breath and sit." he said, having listened to her frantic story for nearly twenty minutes. Though there was still a smile on his elderly face, the twinkle that was often present was unusually gone.

" I'm sorry Professor." she breathed.

" Now, Miss Granger, I would advise you to go to the next meeting and show your face, show your bravery."

" But. . .don't you think it's too risky."

" It is risky, yes, but we don't know how they are reacting right now. What if they believe it to be an accident?"

" It was an accident." she repeated again and he nodded.

" Yes, Miss Granger, I realize that."

b
She looked at Draco and he returned the gaze. No words were needed to express the terror that surrounded them. The pulled on their cloaks, a ritual that Hermione was already used to. Draco held her hand as they apparated, reassuring her that she would be ok, that he would keep her safe. They quickly separated so no attention would be directed at them. The kneeled and Hermione could feel the frost under her knees, winter was coming soon. She turned her eyes towards the ground, hearing the hushed whispers of what had happened with Macnair and feeling pairs of eyes upon her.

" Don't show them it bothers you so much." Draco whispered, but she didn't reply. She could feel Tom coming up from behind her, reaching around her arm and pulling her up. She closed her eyes tightly, frightened as he turned her around.

" 'Mione, love," he cooed in a slightly sarcastic voice, " how wonderful to see you again!"

" Hello Tom." she said quietly, hoping he wouldn't see the tear that rolled silently down her cheek.

" Come with me 'Mione, I'd like to talk to you in private." he said, practically dragging her behind him. She stumbled over the slick ground, but he only made his grip tighter and she whimpered.

" What, love? Does that hurt?" he asked as he tightened it further, his nails digging into her skin. She let out a small cry causing him to smirk at her plight.

" Tom. . please. I didn't mean to. . .please don't ki- kill me." she begged, feeling the fright that she expected so many people had felt before. He laughed cruelly, his strong laugh hitting the entrance hall of the Malfoy Manor.

" Oh. . sweet, sweet, young Hermione! If I were to kill you, I would have done it at the meeting! Not in here, not where you would be able to keep your pride." he smirked, opening the door to his study and pushing her in, closing it behind them.

" Then what do you plan on doing?" she asked as he lowered the hood on her cloak. Seeing her wide and panicked eyes, he paused, as if reconsidering his actions and then pushed her into an armchair. She closed her eyes as her cloak disappeared and her sweater was being pushed up. . . .

" The slag deserves what she's about to get."

" Only, I wish it was me who was doing it to her." laughed Dolohov and he was joined by many agreeable grunts. Draco tightened his jaw, and saw Snape smiling in accordance.

" Maybe we could all take a turn. . .give 'er a go!"

" Yeah right, I doubt ol' Voldie would go for that Jugson!" snorted Mulciber.

" Yeah, you're right."

" Maybe we should go listen in, ya know?"

" I'd say you're a tad bit off your bloody rocker!" replied Dolohov, rolling his eyes at Jugson.

" Sounds. . .fun to me! Who's in for it?" asked Avery and a few men shrugged. They stood; Avery, Jugson, Goyle, Mulciber, Lucius, and Draco. . .

" Tom. . .please."

" Hermione. . .this is your punishment. Would you rather have something different. . ." he said, tracing his wand over her throat. Hermione could feel her airway contract and she gasped for breath. He laughed cruelly, his eyes indulging in the vision of her struggling. He pulled it back, and her head fell backwards, her whole body going limp. . .

" She had no clue what she was getting herself into when she joined us." laughed Jugson as he led the group of men towards the study.

" I'm sure she didn't. . .falling into Voldemort's trap."

" She was vulnerable and dissatisfied with the part she was playing on the good side." commented Mulciber. Draco clenched his jaw tighter, feeling his teeth press harshly against each other.

" Those are the best ones to manipulate!" smirked Jugson wickedly causing laughs from a few. .

" You think you can get away with faking it, do you, love?" he asked. She didn't respond, causing his face to cloud over suddenly. He leant his head close to her mouth, listening for the sound of breathing, but he didn't hear anything.

" Hermione. Hermione." he repeated, shaking her slightly.

" Oh god!" he said, suddenly realizing what he had just done. He hadn't had any intentions of killing her. . .only scaring her a bit and taking his turn with her. He stood up, watching her limp body with anger.

" Fuck!" he growled, running his hands over his face and turning towards the window. He had just murdered the one person who their winning against the good side depended on. . .

" He really is doing it!" said Mulciber, his ear against the door.

" I thought he was just joking around, making it seem like he doesn't care for her." said Jugson, equally as surprised.

" Fuck!" came Tom's voice from behind the door.

" Wow. . .she must be good." slurred Goyle, his voice thick with whiskey. Lucius made a sort of growl in response, that caused them to all look at him with envied expressions. Draco closed his eyes, trying to reassure himself of Hermione's plan. . .

Tom turned away, trying to think of something. . .anything, he could do. But within seconds he heard a loud woosh and everything became black.
tbc. . .