Hello everyone! I'm writing this chapter due to the fact that I have a snow day today, so if you were really eager to know what happens next, thank the snow:) Also…for those of you wondering of Hermione's fate…well she goes through a really tough time starting about now…and so does the rest of Hogwarts, as everyone who resides in the castle is put in peril also. So just keep reading and reviewing. :)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Hermione opened her eyes very slowly. She had a throbbing headache; and it was causing her eyesight to blur slightly. She blinked a few times and her vision cleared; but the headache remained like a bothersome toothache.

She tried to sit up, but saw that her arms and legs were bound by a coil of sturdy brown rope. She frantically tried to pull at her bindings, but to no avail; as the knots that held her were tied with expertise. After a furious struggle which ran the course of two minutes; she leaned back and took deep breaths, realizing her defeat.

She peered at her surroundings; but there was nothing much to see. She saw that she was enclosed by four hard and cold stone walls. There was one door made of strong sturdy oak; and there was a little window crudely carved into it; and she sawthat it was had four metal bars. So she was apparently being held captive in a dungeon…in she supposed Malfoy Mansion. By who?

She tried to recall last nights' events. That prickling sensation on the back of her neck that someone was watching her closely; her uneasiness in the library, and then the attack; someone had poisoned her with a contaminated rag, bound her legs and arms, and put her in this dreadful cell.

Since there was nothing much she could do she decided to just sleep until something occurred. And something did happen; forty-five minutes later. She awoke when she heard the rusted knob jiggle, and then finally turn. The door opened with a slight creak, and she did not open her eyes still.

She felt as if she was drenched in someone's shadow; and indeed she was, as she felt someone standing in front of her. They knelt down and placed a bruising kiss on her lips. She opened her eyes which were now starting to water slightly.

She felt as if her heart had jumped into her throat when she beheld the being who smirked awfully in front of her. The dark hair, muscular body, hazel eyes…it was Blaise. Hermione almost wept in fear. It was Blaise who had poisoned her last night; Blaise who had put her here bound in ropes and completely under his command.

His smirk grew wider when he saw her fear and tears began to fall down Hermione's cheeks. She felt a lump forming in her throat, and no matter how much she swallowed, it would not shrink and go away; but just seemed to get bigger. Despite the fact that she wanted to keep up a relaxed composure in front of whoever her jailor was; she had not expected it to be Blaise…She thought he was dead.

"Well, well, well….didn't expect to see me did you? Thought your boyfriend had finished with me after he heroically let me fall from your balcony? Well let me tell you something. You're going to have to kill me a few times to get rid of me." He said smirking widely as ever.

"It is happiness to die." Hermione uttered while looking away from his direction.

"Oh but don't worry sugar plum, I won't let you die. Not while you are carrying my child. Oh wasn't it a wondrous night; the night it was conceived? It was heavenly. Except perhaps when I had to leave…that was the only thing that ruined it." He laughed as if sharing a joke with her. Hermione's face transformed into disgust.

"Well, well, as much as I would love to do it again, and I know you would too, I can't loiter here all day. I have some important matters to attend to…" He stopped and looked at her. "And since you won't be going anywhere any time soon I might as well tell you. Hogwarts will be under siege, and will soon become Death Eater's head quarters. It's a simple matter getting rid of the students…and Dumbledore has already gone into hiding like he had two years ago when he was about to be impeached from his position…muggle-loving coward.

"He's not a coward!" Hermione yelled. Blaise's face became slightly angry, and then regained its smirking composure once more. "Whatever darling. Hogwarts will be under mine and Mr. Malfoy's control now. And I've just gotten an idea. You can come and live there with me. We'll have such fun." He knelt down and placed another but longer bruising kiss on her lips; and when she tried to turn her head away, he held it in place with his hands. "I promise, we'll have more fun next time, and I'll stay longer." Hermione spit in disgust and he laughed as he locked the cell and left.

Hermione flitted feverishly in andout of nightmarish dreams during her whole stay in the cell; she kept seeing images of blinding green lights, and thousands of people falling on Hogwarts' grounds…once or twice a house elf came in with a tray of food and tried to feed her; but she took only a few bites before she turned away and clamped her mouth shut.

On the third nightmarish day Hermione assumed, there were no windows so she could not tell how much time had passed; the door knob rattled weakly and a frail being entered the room.

Hermione gasped in shock when she realized who it was; Narcissa! Narcissa had many ugly blue and black bruises upon her face and hands, and she looked as if she was about to faint at any moment.

"Hermione!" She said and rushed to her with suprising strength and gave her a hug. Hermione felt comforted by the embrace. Then Narcissa pulled back and peered at her. "You look starved!" she exclaimed, and went outside the cell door and brought back a tray. Hermione let her feed her spoons of some kind of meaty stew, and a large hunk of bread and cheese. She felt at once relaxed by a full stomach and a friendly face's presence.

After she finished eating, Narcissa started undoing the ropes for her feet. "Lucius wants me to send you up to him." At once Hermione felt her insides freeze. "L-lucius? But why Narcissa? I d-don't want to see h-him." She said. But it was no use. She knew that Narcissa would be hurt in a worse manner if she did not go.

Narcissa stood up and helped Hermione to her feet. It took her a few tries to stand… she had only stood once or twice with the help of a house elf to use the latrine in the corner. But she had basically lost feeling in her legs. She walked around the cell a little bit, unaided but stumbling, then was finally reluctantly ready to go.

Narcissa led her through the cold dungeon halls and onto a staircase which curved around every corner. Hermione felt foreboding rise within her at each step. When they finally reached the top; they were both panting for breath, and Narcissa weakly pushed open the heavy door. The door was concealed by manikins of stuffed vultures and the like. They carefully made their way past it, then Narcissa led her to the elevator. She slid back the golden grille, and they both stepped inside. She pressed a tarnished button which led to the top most floor of the mansion.

When they stepped out, it was in a luxurious suite which smelled faintly of musk. Everything was covered in bottle green damask or velvet. She led her to a door and knocked.

She heard voices inside, then looked at Narcissa fearfully. She looked back at her sympathetically, and then a voice replied "Come in." Narcissa turned the knob, and they entered another room furnished with green.

There was a mahogany table with a few chairs around it, and a day bed near the window covered in green silky sheets. Two of the walls were lined with mahogany bookshelves, containing embossed volumes. There was a desk with scrolls of parchment littered about on its surface, and various quills and ink bottles arranged in an appropriate manner on the side of the desk.

Hermione saw that Lucius was sitting behind the desk on a large chair covered in a rich maroon leather, with golden button like pieces around the trim. And lounging on one of the chairs at the table was Blaise. He smirked at her. "You may leave Narcissa." Narcissa looked as if she was about to say something, then squeezed Hermione's arm reassuringly. Then she left and shut the door behind her, and Hermione felt as if she had been left to drown in an ocean full of sharks.

"Look who it is, the most clever witch in Hogwarts; Hermione Granger." Lucius said in a mocking tone. "I must also add the most attractive witch in Hogwarts as well." Hermione felt herself cringe, and then heard Lucius's cold laughter.

"Hmm…Oh yes. Lets talk about current events shall we? Hogwarts is under my control now, that is until my Dark Lord sees it fit to come. I have kindly sent the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs home…most of their parents hold high positions like mine in the Ministry you see. And you see, when Dumbledore escaped Hogwarts, the house-elves left as well, claiming that they were not loyal to us, filthy scum. So we have a new staff to do our will; the Gryffindors."

Hermione gasped thinking of her poor friends toiling in the kitchens, and listening the to the will of maniacal death eaters. "Yes it will be quite fun seeing their wills to remain strong and courageous break." Lucius said looking at her expression. "Perhaps I'll let you join your friends soon."

Hermione quickly thought of Harry and Ron…Where were they, and were they all right? She hoped they had escaped… "And your bloody friends have escaped as well. They think they will thwart our plans, but that is not possible. We have the strongest army. They are trying to recruit wizards and witches on to their side, and building an army called…?" He looked at Blaise as if he couldn't reacall the name. "Dumbledore's Army." Blaise said with a chuckle.

Hermione felt a surge of pride at hearing this. "They will defeat you. If you haven't heard already, good always prevails against evil, and we will win. You all are not even fit to go to Azkaban, you will all be askingfor the dementor's kiss when they're through with you."

Lucius's face turnedinto an angrypuce color. "How dare you, you insolent girl." He snarled dangerously. "You will pay." He pulled out his wand and pointed at her. Hermione braced herself for the cruciatus curse, or some other painful spell. Instead she didn't feel pain, just cold. She suddenly realized Lucius had stripped her of her clothes, and she was standing bare in the middle of the room.

They were both looking hungrily at her, and Lucius got up from the table. "Just as I remember you. We didn't exactly get to finish last time did we? That atrocious house-elf quite rudely interrupted us." Hermione held her hands over herself, trying unsuccessfully to cover herself. She backed up towards the door. Lucius chuckled. She heard the lock click behind her. Her heart seemed to burst out of her chest, and she felt another lump forming in her throat.

"Please just leave me alone! I haven't done anything! Please…" She said shrilly. Lucius pulled off his gloves and pushed her against the wall. He took a hold of her breasts in his icy grip and Hermione gasped and tried to pull away. He put the full body bind on her and she immediately froze her mouth open in mid scream.

Lucius put his lips to her mouth giving her a French kiss while his hands roamed and grabbed at her body. He was laughing in his cruel way and all Hermione could do was just watch. He pressed down upon her and undid the front of his robes. Tears began to slide down Hermione's face as she saw him insert himself into her and she felt waves of pain again and again. When he was done he zipped and buttoned himself up then turned around.

"You may as well have a go with her." He said to Blaise, and Blaise smirked and sidled towards them. Lucius moved aside and Blaise undid his clothes. He kissed Hermione greedily and pinched her; he bit at her neck and breasts then finally inserted himself as well. Hermione felt as if she was about to collapse under what she was going through. Now both Lucius and Blaise were using her and she felt as if she was going to explode from the pain. She had a bruised body and they wouldn't stop.

After about an hour and a halfstopped. Lucius magicked her clothes back on her. "Well that was tremendous fun, we should definitely do it again sometime." Lucius remarked. "Now go pack your things and we will leave for Hogwarts. And don't try to escape, as all doors are magically closed for you."

He touched her hand to a portkey and she materialized in her old room where she was staying before Lucius had arrived. She stood there in the same place for a half and ahour not moving. Then she sunk to her knees and sobbed until her head was about to burst from pain, and there was a large damp spot on the carpet.

A house elf came in twenty minutes later and packed her things for her. It led her to the bathroom and helped her shower where Hermione rubbed her body raw, and the house-elf had to stop her.

After she was ready, she was led to the main hall and there she was to wait. A house-elf brought a small porcelain cup on green velvet cushion, and touched her hand to it. Hermione felt jerked around in a swirl of confusion when she finally reached her destination.

She was in Hogsmeade. The usual bustle of activity went on around her, and a horseless carriage approached her. She was pulled inside and led to the front entrance of Hogwarts. She climbed down and was led by a house elf who had pulled her in the carriage up the stairs. He unlocked a door, and Hermione entered what was once Professor Mcgonagalls old office. It was now a bedroom, and her beloved transfiguration teacher's belongings were trashed in a corner.

Hermione wept at the sight, and the house-elf led her to the bed then left. She wondered where Draco had gone. Was he in a cell somewhere being tortured? Then she realized he was probably safe with Harry and Ron, and helping with Dumbledore's army.

Hermione tried the door to leave the room, but it was locked. She sat on the bed then cried herself to sleep.

When she awoke she felt another headache coming on and leaned against her pillows. All through her sleep she had subconsciously become stronger. She had realized that no matter what anyone did to her mentally, or physically she would not give up hope or breakdown. Draco, Harry, and Ron needed her to be strong. Besides if they came to try to rescue her, she had tohave a strong image for them.

She would not cry anymore. She was going to do whatever she could to aid her fellow gryffindors, and Dumbledore's army. She was going to have to try to scrounge whatever knowledge she could from Blaise.

She rushed to Professor Mcgonagall's belongings. She found textbooks heaped in a pile, and all sort of notes and paper strewn everywhere. She grabbed the textbooks and papers and rushed to the bed. She opened them, the pored over them giving them her full concentration. She was not going to sit idle, but gain something while she was imprisoned here.

A few hours later the door opened a crack and a grimy hand put a tray inside. "Wait!" Hermione yelled, because it could have been no one other than a gryffindor. She leaped off the bed and rushed to the door which she quickly opened all the way.

There was a grimy guy standing there a stained shirt and ripped pants. His face was covered with filth and then Hermione realized who it was; Neville!

"Neville!" She yelled and gave him a huge hug. "Hermione!" He said realizing that it was actually her and he hugged her back and she led him into the room. They talked about what was going on, and how things were keeping up; Hermione was so happy at seeing a friendly face.

She asked to let him take her down to where he was staying. He carefully peered out in the hallway and then they scurried down the stairs and to the fruit bowl painting. He tickled the pear and they entered. The kitchen was full of toiling gryffindors, making food in large vats. The heat was intense, and there was not one person sitting idle.

Suddenly someone shrieked her name and she was pummeled by something and she saw a brief flash of red; Ginny! Ginny and Hermione talked incessantly, and Ginny told her how the Gryffindors were the death eater's puppets now, and they had to do whatever they were asked.

They were not allowed to go home, and everything was dreadful. A death eater had tried to make a move on Lavender…and so on. It all made Hermione feel miserable for the Gryffindors, and more determined to help them.

"Hermione, you're starting to look a little pregnant now." Ginny said referring to her stomach. Hermione had not even noticed that her stomach was now visibly sticking out and she placed her arms around it. It was true, she did feel really sick in the morning, and threw up quite a few times, but she was so absorbed in studying Mcgonagall's materials…

She saw a woman stirring a large a pot over a blazing stove her bun askew, and her hair sticking out untidily. Hermione realized it was Professor Mcgonagall and rushed towards her to give her a hug. She was so happy to see Hermione that she started sobbing, and Hermione comforted her.

Colin Creevey approached her while she talked to her beloved professor. His face looked a little frightened and worried. "Uh Hermione, Blaise Zabini wants you upstairs immediately."