A/N: legolasEstelstar—I don't know how to write you because when you told me your email address, edited it out. All your review said was "haha, please please please email me at this email adress." But there was no email address. I've tried telling my readers my email address before but the site always edit it out, probably for protection and liability issues. So, sorry, I still love you but I don't have your email address. Email me, mine is listed if you click on my name when you read my story. Hope you hear from you soon.

Sorry for not shouting out to everyone! I just had to say one thing to someone, but I still love you all and I thank you for giving me your opinions about how long I should keep this story going. I have decided what I am going to do, but I am not going to tell you because then you'll know how I am going to end this and it needs to be a surprise.

ON WITH THE STORY!

Chap. 59 Voldemort's Lair

Draco left Hogwarts and took a boat to the outer skirts of Hogwarts property. He reached land and turned and took a glance at his magical school.

How did they get Blaise? Did Blaise leave willingly?

Draco decided to stop thinking about it and just go. He quickly apparated to Voldemort's Lair.

'Ahh…we knew you would come.' Voldemort spoke harshly, when he saw Draco appear before him, his father, and many death eaters. 'How is that charm working for you? The Praesul Charm? Was it?'

'It's working splendidly, you haven't been able to call me, now have you?' Draco remarked smartly.

Draco then received a swift smack in the back of his head.

'Oh fuck!' Draco cried grabbed his head and rubbing it.

He turned to see his father holding his black ivory cane erect.

'I should have known.' Draco spoke. 'Where's Blaise, Father?'

'He's here.'

'Where? How did you get him here?' Draco asked.

Then a cloaked death eater stepped forward next to Lucius, hood pulled over his eyes.

'That's where I came in,' the mysterious man spoke.

Draco looked at him curiously for he recognized that voice. The man then pulled his hood back, showing his aged face.

'Mr. Zabini, how could you do this? Blaise is your son!' Draco shouted.

'My Lord needed my assistance, and I was happy to serve.'

Draco shook his head.

'This is why you will not survive in this world!' Draco shouted at Voldemort, 'You are willing to sacrifice your own people! Your followers will slowly die off and the ones who don't will realize how wrong you are!'

'Silence!' Voldemort shouted back, eyes glowing a scarlet red hue.

'Where is Blaise? I am here, that's what you wanted.'

'We will show you where your pathetic friend is when your remove your Charm.' Voldemort hissed.

'No.'

'Then give in to my powers now.'

'No.'

'Young Malfoy, you think you are strong and powerful now, but if you give all you have to serve me, your powers and strength with increase.'

'That's what you claimed when I received this,' Draco spat, lifting his sleeve to show his dark mark. 'And the only thing I got was pain and anguish.'

'Remove the charm or you will never see your friend, or sunlight again.'

Draco's anger overpowered him.

'Avada Kedavra!' Draco shouted at Voldemort, after swiftly pulling his wand from his robes.

A bright red beam of light was sent into Voldemort. Voldemort fell back into his throne, but then laughed and stood up again.

'Hahaha, foolish boy!' Voldemort said with a hoarse laugh. 'You really think I can die that easily? I practically invented that curse you miserable rodent!'

Voldemort's eyes nearly burned through Draco.

'Lucius!'

'Yes, my Lord?' Lucius responded.

'Go get the boy.'

'Yes, my Lord.'

Draco watched his father go down a dark corridor, the same corridor he had to go down to get Ginny.

A minute or two later, Lucius appeared through the corridor again. An unconscious Blaise floated behind him.

Draco's eyes opened wide.

'Here, Young Malfoy, is your only friend.' Voldemort hissed cruelly. 'Now remove the charm from yourself.'

Draco stared at his best friend. He was obviously beat and cursed into unconsciousness. He didn't think he would ever seen Blaise like this. Blaise was so carefree, he didn't deserve this because his friend didn't want to face his father and "lord".

Blaise has always been there for me…now I have to be here for him.

Draco nodded and said a few words in Latin, then looked up into Voldemort's dark eyes.

'Imperio!' Voldemort cried.

Draco's eyes closed, when he opened them they were an eerie shade of green.

'You will serve me, Young Malfoy.'

'Of course, my Lord.' Draco replied…bowing before Voldemort.

The next morning Hermione awoke alone.

'Draco?' She asked allowed.

She was in Draco's bed. She held his blankets close to her body. She buried her face into his pillow and inhaled deeply. His wonderful musk aroma was very faint, he had not been there that night.

'Draco?' She called out again.

She got out of bed and wrapped a robe around herself and left Draco's room. She looked in their common room. No sign of Draco. His broom and robes were still lying where he left them last night.

She looked at the clock and saw breakfast was in twenty minutes. She decided she'd get ready and look for him downstairs.

Hermione walked into the Great Hall and took a seat next to Lavender.

'Good morning, Hermione.' She greeted her solemnly.

'Good morning to you, too, Lavender. Is something wrong?'

'I think Blaise is going to break up with me.'

'Why do you say that?'

'He hasn't spoken much to me at all since we got back from break, and I haven't even seen him since yesterday afternoon.'

'I should apologize for some of that. Draco and I were in a fight earlier and Blaise spent a lot of time with Draco to cheer him up. Blaise is very kind.'

'I know that about Draco and you, Blaise told me, but even yesterday he said he couldn't hang out with me because he was going to go home for the night to visit his dad. It must have been an excuse…' Lavender sighed.

'I wouldn't worry, Lavender. Blaise really likes you, Draco has told me.'

'Really?' She asked with a smile.

'Really.'

'Oh, thanks. But where is he? He hasn't come to breakfast yet.' Lavender replied.

Hermione turned and looked over at the Slytherin table, expecting to see Draco.

'Well, Draco isn't there either, so they are probably just together having guy time, I wouldn't worry.' Hermione said, even though she was very worried about Draco.

'You're right.'

'So, do you love Blaise?' Hermione asked, 'Or is that too personal of a question?'

'No, it's fine. I know I've interrogated you about Draco before.'

'That's true.' Hermione said with a grin.

'I don't know if I love him. Maybe I do, I've never been in love before.' Lavender said with a shrug.

'Well, how do you feel when you are around him?'

'Umm…I do not know how to describe it. Warm and feverish perhaps?'

Hermione laughed.

'Don't laugh!' Lavender cried.

'So, you feel lust mainly?' Hermione asked.

'Yes…and no. Sometimes I see him and I just want to snog the bloody hell out of him. But then there are other times that I would be perfectly content with such sitting with him, not even talking, just sitting.'

'Well, I would say love is a strong possibility.' Hermione smiled, looking around for Draco again. She then looked up at the teacher's area and did not see Professors Dumbledore, Snape, or Matherson. 'Where are the professors?'

'I am not sure, Hermione. McGonagall began breakfast this morning, Dumbledore, Snape and Matherson have been MIA all morning.'

'I think I'll go to Dumbledore's office. I'll talk to you later, Lavender.' Hermione said.

'Sure, bye.'

Hermione walked to the eagle statue outside Dumbledore's office.

'Bertie Bott.' Hermione spoke clearly.

The statue moved spirally, bringing Hermione up into his office.

The professors seemed startled when Hermione stepped in.

'Miss Granger, how are you this morning?' Matherson asked.

'Not so good, I am a bit worried.' Hermione said truthfully. 'Professor Snape, what punishments did you give Draco? He wasn't at breakfast this morning.'

'Punishments? For what? I haven't the faintest idea what you are speaking about.' Snape replied.

'Last night, Draco came into our common room and told me that he was going to be out until late speaking to you about his punishments for what he did to Ron.'

'What did he do to Weasley?' Snape asked.

A state of worry and confusion overwhelmed her. She turned to Dumbledore.

'Professor, didn't you find out Draco threatened Ron?' She asked.

'No, I did not know Mr. Malfoy threatened him.'

'Oh no!' Hermione cried, 'Where's Draco, professors?'

'Miss Granger, calm down. Mr. Malfoy must have not wanted you to know if he told you something other than the truth.'

'Draco only lies to me when he is in trouble and doesn't want me to get involved!' She shouted, 'Do you know where he is?'

'What you have to understand, Miss Granger,' Matherson began.

'No. Draco came back last night and said he loved me and for me not to wait up for him. He made me say it back to him, he's never asked me to do that, but I ignored it. Then when he was leaving I said "good night" and he said "good bye". That, I also ignored, but when I woke up this morning and Draco was no where to be found, I worried. I came to find you to assure me of his well-being. And you can't do that! You won't tell me what happened! Please, Professor Dumbledore, please.'

'Mr. Zabini disappeared late last night.' Dumbledore spoke.

'Blaise?'

'Yes, and a note was found, assumed for Mr. Malfoy.'

'Draco had gone after Blaise…to Voldemort's.' Hermione said in a whisper.

'I am afraid that is what has happened. Draco ran off last night after Professor Snape and I told him.'

'Draco and Blaise are both gone still.' Hermione said softly.

She began to cry.

'I am going after him.' She said defiantly.

'No, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy did not want you to risk it. And I have to agree with him.' Dumbledore said, 'I would advise to stay here, safe in Hogwarts. Professors Snape and Matherson and I are figuring something out to assist Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zabini.'

Hermione shook her head and ran out of the room.

She ran down to the Great Hall, ignoring the voices of the Professors calling after her. She opened the doors and ran over to the Gryffindor table, ignoring the stares of students and teachers.

'Harry, I need your help.'

'What's wrong, Hermione?' He asked quickly getting up from the table.

'It's Draco…he's gone. He went to Voldemort to rescue Blaise and '

'Blaise!' Lavender cried. 'What happened?'

'Voldemort has Draco and Blaise?' Ginny asked, also standing now.

'Yes, please you must help me. Will you?'

'Of course, Hermione. We can leave now.' Harry said firmly.

'I am going, too.' Lavender spoke strongly.

'Me too.' Ginny retorted.

'And me.'

They turned to see Ron standing up.

'Ron?' Hermione asked.

'Malfoy does not trust me, and I understand why. I would like to gain his respect, and you guys' again. Please, let me help.'

Hermione nodded, and so did everyone else.

'Let's go.' Hermione said leading them from the Great Hall.

McGonagall entered Dumbledore's office in a cloud of confusion.

'Albus, something just happened in the Great Hall. Miss Granger came in hysterically and rounded up Mr. Potter, Miss Weasley, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Brown. They then all left together.'

'Yes, Minerva, Miss Granger and the rest have gone after Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zabini, whom are with Voldemort somewhere.' Dumbledore said calmly.

McGonagall looked at Dumbledore in bewilderment.

'Are you not worried, Albus?' She asked.

'Of course, Minerva, but they have been in many battles like this and I have full confidence in them. I know they can handle anything now, and if they get in trouble, we will be called upon.' Dumbledore spoke.

McGonagall nodded and left.

'So, we should go on with classes?' Matherson asked.

'Yes, the students whom left are in accompaniment of the bravest and strongest wizards, and witch, I have seen here in all my years. They will be fine, I am sure, and will return with Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zabini.'

Snape and Matherson nodded and left Dumbledore's office.

'I hope.' Dumbledore concluded distressfully.

Hermione, Harry, Ginny, Lavender and Ron left Hogwarts, wands and invisibility coat in hand. They reached the Forbidden Forest.

'I've seen Voldemort's lair, I can visualize it and get us there.' Harry said.

'I've seen it, too.' Ginny added. 'I can help.'

Harry and Ginny took hands, and then the others joined hands with them.

'Lord Voldemort's Lair.' Harry and Ginny spoke together clearly.

Draco was to watch Blaise, and inform Voldemort when he became conscious again.

Draco sat in a dark, cold room watching Blaise emotionlessly. Blaise began to come to about an hour after Draco was put under the Imperious Curse.

'Drake!' Blaise cried, wincing in pain.

'You're awake.' Draco said apathetically.

'How are you here? Where is he?' Blaise asked indicating Voldemort.

'Wherever he chooses to be.' Draco said staring at Blaise intently.

'Drake…what's wrong with you?'

'Nothing. I'll be back.' He said preparing to leave the room.

Blaise grabbed Draco's robes.

'No. Something isn't right.'

Draco bent down to meet Blaise's eyes.

'Let go of me.' Draco spat.

'Your eyes…you're under the imperious.' Blaise said downheartedly.

Draco narrowed his eyes at his best friend then turned quickly, causing Blaise to let go of his hold. Draco left the cell quickly.

He went to a room in the base of Voldemort's lair.

'My lord, Zabini has awoken.'

'Good. Go back to him. Stay there until I come.'

Draco bowed and went back to Blaise.

Blaise sat in his cold cell.

Fuck fuck fuck. What am I going to do? Draco's gone bad…but it's not his fault. How am I going to get out of here?

Then Draco walked in again.

'Drake!'

Draco's cold, green eyes glared at Blaise.

'The Dark Lord will be here soon, Zabini.'

'No, come on, Draco, let's just go.'

'How dare you! Do you really think I would disobey my Lord?'

'You've never wanted him as your Lord! You're under the imperious curse, Drake!'

Draco shook his head.

'You don't know what you're talking about.' Draco snapped.

'Remember Drake!' Blaise cried, standing up weakly, 'Remember Hermione? Hermione Granger, your fiancée!'

Draco smirked evilly.

'Yes…my Lord wants me to take care of her…'

'No, Drake! You love her!'

'I love no one.'

Then Voldemort, Lucius, and Mr. Zabini walked in.

'Dad!' Blaise cried.

He ignored his son's cry.

'Dad! You've got to help me.'

'Come, Young Zabini.' Voldemort ordered.

'No!' Blaise shouted and crawled away, struggling from lack of strength.

'Crucio!' Voldemort shouted.

Blaise began convulsing violently and screamed loudly.

Draco watched his friend writhe in pain.

Draco twitched involuntarily.

Lucius noticed but didn't really think on it.

As Blaise continued to scream in agony, images flashed before Draco's eyes.

When he looked up and saw Blaise coming toward him, he stood up quickly.

'Look, Blaise, I'm sorry about what I said and what I didn't say. You know I don't show feelings and emotions too well. You know I keep a lot bottled inside me.'

'Drake, it's okay. I realize it would have been dangerous to tell me because of your father. Granger told me what happened when Lucius found out before. I understand why you tried to keep it as secret as possible. Sorry I acted like a girl…fucker.'

As soon as he heard that precious word escape Blaise's mouth, he knew they were best friends again.

-

Hermione began to whimper and she lifted his shoulders from the ground. She kneeled on the floor, his upper body in her lap.

'Draco, can you hear me?' She asked frightened.

He did not respond. Hermione began to kiss his face a few times, trying to see if he would respond.

'Draco,' Hermione said as she cried, 'Stay here I'm going to go get you some help.'

As Hermione set him down gently, she felt his hand grip her arm.

She turned back to him quickly. His eyes fluttered open.

'No...' He mouthed.

'But Draco...you're hurt.' She said sadly.

'Hermione, I took that beating from my father because I want to be with you. I took it, not fighting back or giving up because I knew I had someone to come back to, you. I don't want to hear words of break up come from your mouth out of fear, Hermione. I know you are strong and I know you only say that because you fear for me. Don't. Let me fear for you, let me fear, let me take care of it. It's my father, he's my problem, not yours.'

'But Draco, I can't keep being with you knowing that you are constantly getting hurt because of me. It's on my conscience.'

'No longer, Hermione. He doesn't know about us now.'

'What about later...we can't go on forever like this.' Hermione said crying again.

'We can try. Please try, Hermione.' He implored. He then spoke three words that would forever change their relationship. 'I love you.'

'You live by muggles, with muggles. No one there cares about me or my father.'

'Are you saying you want to come home with me for Christmas?' Hermione asked happily.

'If you'll let me.' He spoke.

'I'm so sorry, Draco!' She cried standing up.

'How could you! I left for you! To let you get your family relationships back together, I went back to my father for you! And what do you do! You fucking kiss some other guy! What the fuck were you thinking, Hermione! I missed you so much, I—' He stopped, he choked on his words and began to cry some more, but he quickly sniffed and wiped his eyes, 'I love you so much, how could you do this to me?'

Salty tears were running down Hermione's cheeks. She couldn't speak, she didn't know how to fix this. She had never seen him like this. This wasn't something he had ever done before, he's crying over a girl. A girl who hurt him desperately.

Hermione stepped closer to him and tried to put her hand on his arm.

-

'Hermione, would you be my wife?'

Draco jerked violently.

He opened his eyes and looked at Blaise's body with eyes of confusion, worry, and steel blue.

He was about to throw himself at Voldemort to stop his curses, but then he paused and thought.

Why isn't Voldemort or my father cursing me? Why am I here?

He then remembered coming to save his best friend. He concluded that he was under the curse, which was why he was being spared now from Voldemort. Why else would he just stand watch as his friend gets tortured? Draco thought wisely and decided not to freak out.

'My lord, I am sure old Dumbledore would have figured it out by now that I, and Zabini are missing. Will they not come search? What are your plans for Zabini?'

Voldemort stopped the curse. Blaise struggled trying to catch his breath.

'We no longer need Zabini. You are right. I'm sure you can find a way to dispose of him.'

Voldemort then left. Lucius stayed back for a few seconds.

'Take care of it.' He spat.

'Of course, father.' Draco said bowing his head a little.

Lucius began to leave, as he did he turned to look at his son. His son was staring back at him…with blue eyes.

A/N: I hope you like! To further enhance your excitement for the next chapter I will give you the title of my next update now: The Battle