A/N: I actually had planned to stop this story, because I lost whatever inspiration I once had. After reading Half Blood Prince, I was sure I would stop this story and begin work on a new one. I do plan to do that, however I want to finish this one. I'm not sure how long it will be, I want to finish this in the next 2 months, so it won't be more then 10 chapters, that's my ultimate guess. I never planned this to be very long. It is my first time experimenting with Draco's, as well as Hermione's character. I HAVE completed a one-shot including Draco, Harry, and Snape, but this was started first. I have dropped stories before, and I will finish this one.

IMPORTANT NOTE! I HAVE SLIGHTLY RE-DONE CHAPTERS 1 AND 2! CHAPTER 2 IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME, AND CHAPTER 1 HAS SOME REVISIONS! THE CHANGES DO NOT AFFECT THE PLOT THAT MUCH, BUT YOU MIGHT WANT TO RE-READ THEM OR YOU MAY GET SLIGHTLY CONFUSED! Besides it's been so long, you should re-read them anyway. Hee hee, sorry.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own Harry Potter, if I did then SPOILER wouldn't have died, and SPOILER wouldn't have SPOILER, and SPOILER wouldn't have been forced to go with SPOILER and SPOILER would be under protection, and SPOILER would be SPOILER and not SPOILER! I had fun writing that. Anyway, on to chapter three!

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Chapter 3: Breakout

(NORMAL pov)

It had been a month since Hermione had read the letter from Draco's father. One month. In that month, the two had been dancing around each other, Draco wondering if Hermione had read the letter and Hermione just not knowing what to say. She knew that she would have to tell him, but she had done a very job of avoiding the subject for the last four weeks.

Draco, however, had guessed she had it. The slightly pitying looks she sent him, avoiding eye contact, not speaking when he insulted her. She had the letter, and now he didn't know what to do about it.

Growling in frustration, he kicked the wall as hard as he could. Wincing slightly in pain, he glared at Blaise, who was smirking at him from his bed.

"Shut up," he mumbled.

"I didn't say anything," Blaise said, still smirking.

Glaring, Draco made his way to his bed and sat down, still muttering to himself. Blaise glanced at him, but didn't say a word. It was Saturday morning, and their fellow dorm mates had already gone down to breakfast a few minutes ago. Blaise stood up from his bed, heading towards the bathroom. Moments later, Draco heard the sounds of the shower going. Blaise stuck his head out the bathroom door. "Oh, and Draco, I know kicking the wall might feel good, but as it's even harder then your hard head, I suggest you refrain from taking it on in a duel." Blaise ducked into the bathroom, slamming the door closed as a very large and heavy potions book went flying in his direction.

Blaise was the only one not afraid to taunt Draco. It could be because they had been friends since they were three. Whatever the reason, Draco rarely stayed angry with him long. There were mysteries surrounding him however, and Draco sometimes wondered what side he was really on.

What side am I really on?

That was a stupid thought, he was on Voldemort's side of course! Wasn't he? Resisting the urge to kick the wall again, Draco sighed. He wasn't truly aware of what side he was on anymore. When he agreed that pure-blood's were superior (and how could they not be? They had known of magic for ages, they had pure magic in their veins!) He didn't want to be a follower, someone who kissed another's hand, lowered themselves to the ground in front of them. He shuddered at the thought of it. A Malfoy, reduced to a servant, like the ranks of a house elf, doing whatever told and being punished if done even slightly wrong!

Sighing again, Draco stood up, checking his appearance to make sure he was presentable, and headed down to breakfast.

When he entered the Great Hall, it was chaos. Students were going from table to table, crowding around copies of the Daily Prophet, whispering to their friends. Draco looked around in confusion. Everyone had turned to him, watching him as if in fear, and some in angry. Only the Slytherins looked happy.

Hermione finally stood up, and everyone turned to look at her. Ignoring the stares, she walked up to Draco and held out a copy of the prophet. His insult disappeared from his throat as he read the headline.

Mass Breakout from Azkaban!

Underneath the headline was a short article about how the dementers had turned on the light side and went to Voldemort, allowing the prisoners to escape. Underneath the article was a list of those who had escaped before the aurors has apprehended them. On that list, was Lucius Malfoy.

Draco stared at the name, not quite believing it. No. He had known he would escape at some point, but this early…

The entire hall was silent. They seemed to be waiting for his reaction, but if they were waiting for boasting they got none. Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy, escapee of Azkaban and known Death Eater, dropped the paper and walked back out of the hall.

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No one knew quite what to make of this. Students skirted around him, as though afraid he would attack him. Some were angry, confronting him. The Slytherins were happy, but confused to why Draco was not. Blaise and Hermione were the only ones who understood.

Draco had never meant for either of them to find out. Blaise had found out when he had spent a few days at Draco's house a couple years ago. He had witnessed Lucius give a sharp blow to Draco with his cane when he had answered him sarcastically. Blaise had tried to explain that it wasn't his fault, but Draco had ignored him.

By the looks Hermione kept sending him throughout the next couple weeks, he could tell she knew. Whenever she was near him, she glanced at him in a wondering kind of way. Draco didn't pay her any attention though. In fact, he paid attention to very little in the next two weeks. More or less, he was going through the motions and not actually paying attention to what was going on around him.

About two weeks after the headlines, Draco received a letter from his father. Fingers shaking slightly, he opened the letter. When he read it, he simply stared in disbelief. Crabbe and Goyle tried to read it over his shoulders, but he stood abruptly, telling them to leave him alone, and leaving the two, like usual, very confused.

Letter clutched in his hand, Draco made his way on to the grounds. Glaring at anyone who so much as looked at him, he sat under his favorite tree by the lake. He opened the letter, and read it again.

Draco,

I'm sure by now you have read the papers, and realize I am out of Azkaban. The Dark Lord and I have spoken, and he has agreed to give you the Dark mark during Christmas break. It's earlier then expected of most, but the Malfoy's command a certain respect, and due to my bidding, he has agreed. I will see you at Christmas.

-Lucius.

Crumbling the parchment in his fist, he leaned against the tree. What was he going to do?

Before he had time to think over this more, he heard footsteps. Turning around, he saw Hermione heading towards him, a letter in her hand.

"Granger," he growled dangerously.

"Malfoy," she said handing him the letter. He didn't have to look at it to know what letter it was.

"You read it," he stated coldly.

"Yes, but I wish I hadn't. I don't want you to be different then I've seen you all these years, it is too disturbing."

Draco glared at her, but before he could say anything, she had grabbed his arm and pushed the sleeve up. No Dark Mark, same on the other arm too. She had to be sure. Hermione did see though, scars on his arms, not perfect scars, so he hadn't hurt himself. She remembered the letter. He wouldn't…not to his won son, would he?

"Who does this to you?" Hermione asked, in a slightly trembling voice. Draco pulled his arm away from her, scowling. "Don't touch me, mudblood," she said in disgust.

"Dammit I'm trying to help you!" she yelled in frustration.

"You can't! Merlin you can't help me!" Draco burst out finally. "You wouldn't understand, nobody will ever understand!"

Hermione looked at him sadly. "Malfoy, I know I don't understand. I don't understand why, or how, or any of it! I don't understand how you act like you look up to him so much when he does this to you! I don't, but nobody will understand until you give them the chance to."

"You're a bloody MUDBLOOD Granger! How can you expect me to trust you! You are scum, not worthy of the insults I throw at you! Why would I confide in someone like you?"

Seething, Hermione stood and began to storm away. She had only gotten a couple feet away when she heard his voice. "Wait." She stopped, and slowly turned around to look at him. He was holding a crumbled piece of parchment in his hand, looking more confused then she had ever seen him. He met her eyes and said so quietly that she almost didn't hear, "I need somebody's help."

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AN: I know it's short, I know it's rushed, I'm sorry! Please review