Author's Note: Sorry for the long delay. I've actually written quite a bit more and will post it as soon as I can type it.
Something caused Hermione to sit straight up in her bed in the middle of the night. She peered around in the darkness. "Mum? Dad? Is someone there?" There was no answer so she pushed her blankets away and climbed out of bed. She slowly walked down the dark hallway—her parents were asleep in their room at the far end.
There was another loud noise and she jumped. And then she heard whispering. She could see a light flickering in another room. Frightened, she tried to control her breathing. Someone was in her house—more than one someone, at that. Quietly, she tiptoed back to her bedroom and retrieved her wand. Once again, she returned to the wall, flattening herself against it. The rain pounded down upon the roof almost as loud as her heart was pounding inside her chest. Hermione took a deep breath and rounded the corner. It was very dark, but she didn't dare draw attention to herself by using her wand. She was now close enough to hear what the voices were saying.
"You said it was here," one hissed, "but I've searched every damn drawer, closet, and compartment."
"I know it's here, I saw her carry it in," the other whispered back.
Hermione thought for a moment. What did she have that anybody would want? She was just a brilliantly smart witch out of work. She didn't have long to ponder it, however, because they began to speak again.
"Did either of you check her bedroom?" The first man was speaking again. His voice was fluid and cold—it reminded her of something. "Neither of you checked there? You morons, I thought you had." There was a pause and he hissed, "No, I'll do it. You two can't handle anything."
Hermione didn't know what to do. She wanted to run and hide, but she couldn't risk these men getting whatever it was that she had, however trite it may be. She took a deep breath. She would have to face them.
She pulled out her wand just as the man rounded the corner. "Well, well, well," Draco Malfoy drawled, "here's little Miss Granger herself." She was so shocked that no words would leave her lips. "Expelliarmus," he said, and her wand fell to the ground. "Incarcerous." Suddenly her hands and feet were bound and she could hardly move. "Now we don't need it—we've got you."
"What are you talking about, Malfoy?" she snarled.
He pointed his want at her. "Stupefy." And everything went black.
Hermione's eyes fluttered open. Her hands and feet were no longer bound, but she was trapped in some kind of cellar. She couldn't remember much of what had happened—it seemed like weeks had passed since she had found herself staring into Draco Malfoy's beady eyes. She noticed she was still wearing her nightgown and began to feel very uncomfortable.
"All right, Granger," Malfoy said from a dark corner of the room, "this can be simple and take a few minutes, or we can do it the hard way—one that means a lot of pain for you." He fixed his cold eyes on her, stepping into the little light there was with his wand held up. "Now, I need to get my hands on some files, files that are only kept in…well, I believe it's your particular department of the Ministry of Magic."
"Why would you need anything from the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Department?" she questioned carefully. Hermione thought it best to get as much information out of him as she could before telling him she no longer worked for the Ministry. "All that's there is a load of file cabinets full of raid reports."
"Well, Granger, I thought you would be clever enough to figure this one out." He paused. "Since the security has rather increased over the past few years, I will need you to tell me exactly how to get in undetected."
"How would I know?" she said flatly. "I've never had to sneak into the Ministry."
"Oh shut up, Granger," he snapped. "There's got to be a code or a password, or a card of some sort!" He was so close to her face that she could see the pores of his skin. His eyes were wide. "You know, Mudblood…now tell me."
She said nothing, staring into his eyes. Malfoy slapped her and her cheek stung horribly. "You have to work for the Ministry to get through!" she said desperately. "You can't get in!"
"Don't said that!" he cried. "What's the secret?"
"It's a mark—they give you a mark…a magic one." She took in a quick breath as his eyes narrowed. "Before you can enter, security does a sweep with a wand—to make sure you have it. If you or whomever you're with doesn't have it, they won't let you in!"
"Well," he began, backing away, "it's a good thing you have one, then, isn't it?"
"But I don't work for the Ministry anymore!" she cried. "I resigned last week!"
Malfoy didn't look upset at all. "You still need to retrieve your belongings?"
"Well, yes, but—" Hermione, realization dawning on her, shook her head slowly. "No, I will not help you break in!"
"Oh, yes you will. Either you do it willingly, or I'll…" he flicked his wand, "make you."
"Oh, Hermione," Mr. Weasley exclaimed, "I was so shocked to hear of your resignation. I wish you'd reconsider—oh…who's this, Hermione?"
Malfoy was cloaked, with his hood drawn over his head. Hermione hesitated, then replied, "Erm…he's just a friend of mine…an old, old friend."
Mr. Weasley loosened the robes around his neck. "Wouldn't you like to take your hood down, sir? It's certainly hot in here. I think the heating must be on the fritz again."
Hermione looked extremely uncomfortable and said uneasily, "Well, I'd better get my things." She slipped past Mr. Weasley and Malfoy followed.
"Maybe we'll have tea sometime, huh?" Mr. Weasley suggested, waving.
When she reached her desk, she hurriedly packed her things into a box. She took down her pictures and threw them inside. "All right, you're in, now go."
"You've got to be mad, Granger," he sneered. "I'm not letting you out of my sight."
"But I got you in!" she whispered desperately.
"When the task is completed—"
"Draco, this isn't fair!"
"—I'll let you go," he finished. She stopped and looked at him. "Now, I'll need several names, friends of mine, from the Department of Mysteries."
Malfoy held onto her arm as they travelled down in the elevator. "Just how many of these people worked for Voldemort?" Hermione asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"Oh, a few," he replied casually. The elevator stopped and he led her out, still gripping her arm. They walked down the long dark hallway and had almost reached the end when Malfoy suddenly turned and opened a door. They proceeded into the dark office where there was another door. "Tobin?" Malfoy said quietly. "It's Draco, Lucius' son. I need a favor."
A shrivelled man stepped into the light. His skin was pasty and wrinkled. It looked as though he had never seen the light of day. His nails were long, almost like claws, curling very slightly at the ends. "Draco, how you've grown."
Hermione glanced at Malfoy. He had finally lowered his hood. "I need you to contact some mutual friends." He took out a piece of parchment and handed it to the old man. "The raids must continue, Tobin. And I don't think it would hurt to take care of the Muggles as well…kill two birds with one stone."
"Yes," Tobin murmured. "Come, Draco, this way."
Hermione took her chance. Malfoy had let her go and she ran for it, through the door and out into the corridor.
"Hey!" Malfoy started to go after her.
"No," Tobin said firmly. "Let the silly girl go. We'll get her in time."
Malfoy stared at him with cold eyes. "As you wish," he resigned.
