Hermione's eyes darted frantically around her gloomy surroundings. Fear and anxiety had overtaken her about an hour after she left her house. She had been so excited when she first left the house, she was finally free; but now the realization of her uncertain future consumed her. Her feet scuffed against the ground as she walked. Draco hadn't said a word to her since they left the house. He was walking fast and Hermione had given up trying to keep up, she now walked behind him.

He was walking in a very determined manner, Hermione just hopped it wasn't fake. Inside she was praying he knew where he was going.

Draco knew where he was going; he just wasn't sure what would happen when he got there. She had always been there for him, but that was when he was still accepted by his family. He did however know her secret, something he could hold over her head easily. She had been hiding for a long time. No one but he knew, not even his father and knowing information that his father didn't was very important. She would have to let him stay, or she would be found out; or so Draco thought.

Dawn was approaching fast; they needed to pick up the pace of they wouldn't make it before the sun. Draco began to walk faster and hoped that Hermione would get the message and follow. Draco quickly glanced behind himself, which turned out to be a mistake. He paused slightly as he turned and Hermione, it seemed, had been keeping up well. She walked right into him and they fell to the ground in a heap.

Hermione had always heard about how gorgeous Draco was, it wasn't that she hadn't noticed that he was a little attractive, but she had never known what made him this way. Her eyes traced his angular chin that came to a soft point beneath his succulent lips. His steal blue eyes were entrancing. Hermione didn't realize she was staring; but Draco did. He lifted his head off the cement and brought it close to her ear and whispered in it.

"Take a picture, it will last longer," He told her, laying his head back down he smirked at her. She glared at him.

"You can get off me now," He told her. She realized the position they were in and quickly picked herself off him; and she straightened her clothes. Draco was now propped up against his elbows. Hermione looked down at him and he spoke again.

"Aw, I'm hurt. I would have thought that by now you would know that when you knock someone down its only common courtesy to help them up," He said dramatically putting his hand over his heart. He made a pouting face at her as he pushed himself up off the ground. He stood right in front of her and waited for her to look into his eyes.

She paused a second before looking up at him. He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her as close as he could.

"Sucks to be so close yet so far," He whispered in her ear. Her breath caught in her throat and all time seemed to stop.

"What was he saying?" she thought. He pulled away, winked at her and continued walking. He was smirking to himself as they continued on. He knew she wouldn't be able to speak for awhile, so for the time being he enjoyed the silence.

It wasn't until, a thin line of light peaked over the horizon in front of them, that Hermione spoke again.

"Are we almost there? People are going to see us," Hermione complained.

"Yes, relax and follow me," Draco commanded as he ducked behind a shrub. Hermione followed him. He was kneeling on the ground looking for something; Hermione watched with anticipation. She was slightly concerned when he looked happy about finding a half smoked cigarette. He held it out to her.

"I am not touching that," Hermione said shaking her head.

"It's our way out, you need to," Draco told her. Hermione reluctantly touched it. "hold your breath," Draco said, Hermione didn't understand but she did what she was told. She felt a jolt and knew what was happening, or so she thought. Instead of rising into the air she was being sucked into the earth.

Dirt filled in around her, crushing her lungs. The pressure was so great that she thought that if she compacted herself she would be more comfortable. She couldn't move and was desperate for air. She couldn't breathe under ground, nor could she even open her eyes or mouth. Life was slipping away from her as she sunk deeper into the earth. It seemed like ages before she felt her feet break through into an open area. She shot out and into an circle room. Hermione began gasping for breath as she lay on the floor. Once she caught her breath she took in her surroundings.

She was on carpet, under ground. There were couches and fine furnishings. Pictures were on the side tables and on the walls. Hermione lost her breath again, she recognized the woman in these pictures, it was Bellatrix Lestrange. Draco was already standing and cleaning himself off. He reached out his hand towards Hermione, she looked at it a moment before taking it; he pulled her off the floor.

"Aunt Bellatrix, are you here?" Draco yelled. His voice echoed for a moment before fading to silence again.

"Draco," A soft, raspy voice said from behind them. "is that you?"

"Yes, Aunt. How are you?" Draco asked, his voice had changed from when he was talking to Hermione. His voice dripped like honey from his mouth, he sounded genuine.

"I am good, now that you are here. I haven't had a visitor since the last time you came, and that was what… three maybe four years ago. Where have you been child?" She asked stepping out of the shadowed hallway.

Stone chiseled bags were etched beneath the withered woman's eyes; the dishonest nature of her plagued her restless face. All the years of deceit and lies had finally caught up with the once flawless features of the woman. She no longer looked like the beautiful pictures that lined her house. Her frayed hair stood on end. It was no longer silky and smooth, but dry and jagged. Her clothes hung off her thin, skeleton figure. She shook as she stood, as if she didn't have the strength to support her minuscule weight. The shackles of her life dragging profuselyon the week and measly muscles of her ankles. Her veins were protruding from her paper thin skin.

Hermione averted her eyes, she was disgusted by her behavior, but the woman before her made her sick. By her past and the things Hermione had been told about her, her outer appearance now seemed to fit her despicable personality.

"Sorry Aunt, life just seemed to catch me by surprise and drag me around. I wish I could have seen you more, you are my favorite relative," Draco replied stepping forward and hugging his aunt. That's when she saw Hermione.

"Dear me boy, have you forgotten your manners. Who is this lovely young lady?" She said sweetly.

"This is Hermione…" He paused a moment before continuing. "Smith; she is a friend from school. I have been staying at her house for the past week."

"Well it's nice to meet you Hermione, I am Bellatrix, but you can call me Bella," She said extending her bony hand to shake Hermione's. Without wanting to be rude Hermione shook it. Her hand was as cold as ice. Hermione forced herself to smile, this was someone else's home and she had to be polite.

"It's nice to meet you too, Bella," Hermione replied.

"Well, what brings you two here?" Bella asked.

"Well, Hermione's home just wasn't suitable for us, so we left. I couldn't go home because…"Draco stopped and couldn't continue.

"Because Draco's father wanted him to have experience in the muggle world so he can report back to him," Hermione finished confidently.

"Ah well that sounds like your father, Draco. You two are welcome to stay here if you would like," She offered.

"That would be wonderful, thank you!" Draco said enthusiastically. He again hugged his aunt.

"Yes, thank you very much!" Hermione said trying to sound happy. Bella held open her arms and without thinking Hermione hugged her. She pulled away and smiled. Bella brushed her hair back behind her ear.

"You are even more beautiful than I was, keep yourself that way. Stay happy and healthy," Tears were welling up in her eyes. She turned and walked back down the dark hallway.

"What just happened?" Hermione asked Draco, still watching Bella.

"You just met my aunt," Draco replied.

authors note: I AM SOOOOO SORRY! I loaded the document up but forgot to post it! I can't belive I did that! It took me like 3 days to figure it out... I was wondering why I wasn't getting any reviews... and I checked and was like "OMG!" so I came and fixed it! I hope you liked this update! The next one will be coming out soon! I won't forget to post it this time!