Allo, cordyangel again. The one good thing about being so bored is that I have more time to post. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 21: It Wasn't Me!

"'I never should've brought her here. I should have known…bad things always happen here.'

'I hate to break it to you mate, but bad things always happen everywhere.'"

Angel and Spike Angel

Lucius heard a commotion from outside his office. He wondered for a brief moment what it was about before resuming his work. It wasn't long before the news found him.

A guard poked his head into Lucius' office. "The Dark Lord requests to see you at once sir."

Glad to be distracted from his mounting piles of work, Lucius went to Voldemort's chambers.

"Hello Lucius. Despite the circumstances, it's a pleasure to see you."

"What circumstances my lord? I really have no idea what's going on."

"Your son's hooker was arrested today. It seems she was doubling as a spy. She, as you suspected, is a witch."

"Arrested?" Lucius sputtered. "How did you find out she was a witch?"

"After our conversation, I wasn't keen on the idea of waiting to see if Kylie was or wasn't a witch. I set her up."

"I beg your pardon, my lord."

"In a manner of speaking. I put her in a situation where it would behoove her to use her powers if she had them. And she did. It was beautiful really, and I have it all on tape if you want to see it. She performed wandless magic, sending glass shards all through Dolohov." Voldemort was practically glowing. "It will be weeks before he recovers."

" My lord is it just me or are you glad this has happened? You seem almost giddy." As was Lucius, as a matter of fact. Not that Kylie was incarcerated, but that it had finally been proved, she was a traitor. He was amazed that Voldemort had at last gotten serious about getting to the bottom of things. He had Kylie right where he wanted her.

"Lucius, don't you see? She has immense power and knowledge, a rare occurrence in this day and age. Whether she's in the driver seat or not makes little difference!"

"That's your plan then, put her under the Imperious."

"Only if she isn't willing to cooperate. You know how I loathe unneeded mind control, it's a constant battle."

"It seems as if you have everything worked out my lord. Why do you need me?" Lucius asked, trying to appear humble.

"Ah yes, I need you for two reasons. First of all, I'm putting you in charge of Kylie's inquisition. Find out who sent her, why she's here and whether she'll reform. Secondly, we have to deal with your son."

"My son?"

"If he knowingly allowed a spy into our midst he must be punished. Though, if he did know (and really, how could he've not) I promise not to kill him. If only for the sake of your loyalty."

"Thank you my lord." Lucius bowed his head and made for the door.

"Lucius remember what I said, don't let your personal feelings cloud your judgment."

"I won't my lord."

"One more thing Lucius. You may be my most trusted and valuable advisor as well as my sole confidante but you aren't indispensable. Fail or disappoint me and don't forget that if need be I won't hesitate to kill you."

"As it should and ever shall be, my lord," and Lucius quietly let himself out.

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Hermione had been in the dungeons for only an hour or two before they came for her.

"What do you want?" She asked, fear creeping into her voice.

They didn't answer her; rather they brought her to a room that reeked of death. In the center of the room stood a man with eyes blacker than London at midnight and almost reminded her of Snape. Without noticing, Hermione was chained to a wall. The guards were leaving her now, alone with the man. He came close to her and pulled out a wand, all the while looking deep into her eyes.

"It's been awhile since one so young as you has been brought down here. Aren't you the pretty one?" He put a hand in Hermione's hair. "I suppose that might be part of the reason you're down here." He removed his hand from her hair and stroked her face while Hermione shrunk back, harder against the wall. "It would be a pity to damage one as beautiful as you so for your sake, I'll avoid the face. Let's not waste time though." He backed away. "Crucio!"

And for the second time that day, Hermione's world went black.

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Draco was sitting in his room pondering what do when someone knocked at his door.

"Bugger off!" He shouted, not caring if he was being rude.

The door opened anyway to reveal none other than Lucius Malfoy.

"Fancy seeing you here," Draco said. "After what happened today, I thought you'd be in an adjacent cell to Her's- I mean Kylie's."

"And why would you think that?" Lucius crossed the room to stand facing Draco.

"Didn't you hear? Dolohov tried to rape Kylie."

A look of surprised flitted across Lucius otherwise placid expression.

"Even if I had heard," he recovered. "I wouldn't have been able to do anything. He was following the Dark Lord's orders.

"What!" It was Draco's turn to be shocked. "Why!"

Lucius sighed. " We knew there was a possibility that Kylie had powers. He had to be sure."

"So you set her up? Tell me this, what would've happened if Kylie hadn't had powers? How far would Antonin have taken it?"

"But it doesn't matter, she did-" Lucius began.

"How can you be so callous? I know you have feelings for her, I see the way you look at her!"

Lucius puffed up to his full height. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't play dumb, it's plain to see you desire her. Just because she doesn't see that doesn't mean no one else can."

"You have no idea what I feel for her!" Lucius was becoming angry.

"I know it sure as hell isn't love!"

"And what do you know of love?" Lucius scoffed.

"More than you I'd wager! You like to forget that I've been in love-"

"With that mortal wench, she hardly counts." Lucius was disgusted.

"How dare you bring her into this! Elizabeth was the love of my life, she was the only person I ever had feelings for …" Draco stopped himself, realizing that what he was saying wasn't exactly true. The truth was he'd been experiencing those feelings again, for the past couple months…

Comprehension dawned on Lucius' otherwise cold countenance. "You love her, don't you?" He spat.

"Who are you talking about?" Draco decided that denial was the best route.

"You know perfectly well who I'm talking about, Kylie, you love Kylie!"

"That's not the issue here, the issue is-"

"You're not even denying it! Go ahead; tell me what the issue is. Tell me what's really going on. Because most men don't get so worked up over the loss of a whore!"

"Shut up! You don't get it, do you? Kylie could've been hurt! Do you even care?"

"Should I? I didn't even know! And if I had known, what would it have mattered? I was sure she had powers! As were you!"

"I didn't know she was a witch, if that's what you're insinuating." Draco didn't miss a beat. "Do you really believe that this was some ill-conceived plot against you? How can you even think that?"

"I know you Draco, more than you'd like to admit. You were never the same after," Lucius faltered. "After you came back. You were softer, more impressionable. So forgive me if I'm suspicious. Now, I'm going to ask you straight out. Did you know Kylie had powers?"

"No. But thank the gods she did."

"I believe you." Lucius prepared to go.

"Lucius," Draco called.

"What?"

"I probably don't have to say this to you, but we have to get her out of there. Fast."

"I know son." Lucius said turning. "I know."

Chapter 22: So Nice Of You To Drop By

"I know I don't know you
But I want you
So bad
Everyone has a secret
But can they keep it?
Oh no they can't"

Maroon 5 Secret Songs About Jane

Three days passed and everyday was the same. Hermione spent most of the day wishing away hours in her cell and spending around three hours being put under various Unforgivable Curses. She laid down and got around four hours of plagued sleep. And how did she pass the spare time? Mostly, she thought of Draco.

And how much she missed him.

How much she might love him.

And how much, at this moment, she truly hated him.

Why wasn't he down here with her? She had been expecting something, a visit, a note, just something and so far… nothing. It was on the third day she gave up hope and accepted the fact that she'd meant little to nothing more than a quick shag to Draco.

But Hermione did get a visitor. After her fourth visit to the torture chamber. From a Malfoy no less. But it wasn't the one she was hoping for.

"Hello Kylie," Lucius greeted her. "Assuming that is your real name."

Hermione was still chained to the wall. She had been trembling but had pulled herself together. She didn't want Lucius to think she was weak or helpless. "Yes," she panted. "It is."

"How've you been?" He asked, looking around the room.

"Oh, fine, the scenery in here is wonderful," Hermione sneered. "How does it look like I've been Lucius, I'm chained to a goddamned wall!"

Lucius snapped his fingers and a guard carefully peeled Hermione from the wall. Lucius gave another nod and the guard quickly exited.

"You must be wondering why I'm here," Lucius said as the guard left the room.

"Not really. You're here to question me, right?" Hermione rubbed her chafed wrists. It took every ounce of strength to stay standing.

"Yes, I am."

"So, ask away."

"Who do you work for?" Lucius wasn't one to mince words she found. It certainly took him no time to get to the point.

Luckily, Hermione was prepared for this. Like the good spy that she was, Draco and her had collaborated a story they would use if one of them were ever caught. She knew what to say, now all she had to do was put those three summers of acting camp to good use. "You don't know him. He's in a third party. He just wants to come out on the winning team. Good and evil," she shrugged. "Those are just words to him."

Lucius looked as if he'd struck gold. "So that answers my question 'why are you here'?"

"I guess it does" she nodded. "Don't feel bad, I infiltrated the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix as well. I didn't get to see their dungeons, but on the whole yours is better."

"Thank you. Now, Kylie, the reason I'm here is because I have a great offer for you."

Hermione's head perked up. "Which would be?"

Lucius paused a moment before speaking. "I'll speak to the Dark Lord if you agree to come live with me."

Hermione almost lost her balance. "What?" Was what Draco had been implying all this time actually true? Did Lucius actually have feelings for her?

It was obvious Lucius was distressed but he did repeat his offer. "I can get you out of here Kylie. I can make sure that you won't be harmed in or outside of the dungeons." He came closer to her. "I can make you the most powerful woman in the Order."

"And just how will you manage that?" Hermione asked, looking up at him through her eyelashes.

"The Dark Lord was very impressed by what you did to Dolohov. He thinks that you could be a valuable asset to our side."

"If he was so impressed, why do I need you to put a good word?" Hermione wasn't trying to be rude, she was sincerely curious.

"Because I will be the one telling him whether or not you will willingly come into the fold."

Hermione took a step closer to Lucius, an action that was accompanied with apparent pain. "And if I don't come willingly?"

"He'll put you under the Imperious," Lucius said evenly. "And if you reject or fight that off, he will kill you."

Hermione thought for a moment. She could stay here and be tortured, beaten and so on or she could take Lucius' offer and do… what?

"Let's clear this up a bit. I wouldn't be your whore, right? Because, truth be told, I'm not really qualified for that job, it was the only way to get your son to bring me here. We would just be living together, nothing more, right?"

"Ye-e-es," Lucius didn't sound too sure of himself but Hermione couldn't be concerned with that at the moment. "But who knows where we may end up?"

Hermione knew it sure as hell wouldn't end up with them sleeping together, but she really couldn't tell Lucius that. And what other option did she have? You can wait for Draco, a little voice inside her said. Screw that idea, she reprimanded herself. I've waited long enough! But how could she even consider taking Lucius' offer?

"There's nothing really to think about," Lucius broke up the argument raging inside Hermione's head.

He was right, there wasn't. There was really only one option.

"Yes."

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BTW: Hermione is going to move in with Lucius. There will be no sex, but if just them living together grosses you out, prepare to puke.

A tout a l'heure!