Draco "Fairy" Malfoy was in a panic.  He'd been with his father and overheard that the "Mudblood Princess" (Lucius' fond pet name for Hermione) had been "subdued."  Draco wasn't quite sure what that meant, but he knew it didn't bode well for Hermione.  He sprinted up the stairs, but slowed his pace as he walked into the Great Hall and went straight to the Head Table.

"Headmaster, we need to speak," he said in an angry, supercilious tone.  McGonagall glared at him.

"Mister Malfoy!  Do not take that tone with the Headmaster!  Fifty points from Slytherin."  Draco leveled his iciest glare at her. 

"Come along, Mister Malfoy.  We shall speak in my office," Dumbledore twinkled.

He rose (agonizingly slowly, from Draco's point of view) and gestured towards the exit.  Draco leveled his patented icy look at the entire room and stormed out.  McGonagall pursed her lips and followed the pair.  The rest of the room released a collective sigh of relief.

Inside Dumbledore's office, Draco turned to face Professor McGonagall.  "Fifty points, professor?  Was that really necessary?"

"We must be realistic, Mister Malfoy," she replied with a smirk.  He rolled his eyes heavenward briefly and turned to Dumbledore.

"She's in a lot of trouble."

"Who, praytell, Mister Malfoy?" he replied calmly.

"Hermione.  I heard her name and Lestrange in the same sentence.  It's a bad sign, I guarantee you.  I think they have her."

Dumbledore looked grave.

"Thank you Mister Malfoy.  We shall do what we can."

"Likewise, I assure you.  I truly believe that between myself and Severus we can get her out alive, but it will be immensely difficult."

"Thank you, Draco, but do not put yourself at personal risk.  You are most useful to everyone alive and intact."  Draco nodded, gave a slight bow in McGonagall's direction, and left the office.

There was a moment of silence after his departure.

"They start so young, don't they Albus."

"Too young, Minerva.  He baits you already; more like Severus every day."

McGonagal snorted.  "Too much like Severus."

Dumbledore looked grim.  "We must contact him immediately."

Ow.  Heh, that was inspired, Mya.  Bloody hell, my head's pounding.  Where the hell am I?  I probably don't want to know.

Against her better judgement, Hermione opened her eyes.  They widened reflexively when she saw the blood red eyes gazing back at her. 

"You're awake.  How nice."  The voice sent chills down her spine.  "Do you know who I am, little girl?"

"No, I've been living in a cave for the past few years."  The words had come out before she'd been able to stop herself.  Damn!!!  Good one, Mya, piss off the most evil wizard of our time.  Brain-mouth surgical reattachment has got to become a priority.

He smiled.  And slapped her, hard.  Hermione's head snapped to the right side, coming into contact with her arm.  She noticed for the first time that her hands were drawn above her head and chained, just high enough to force her onto tiptoe.  Great.  This won't be comfortable for long.  Hell, it's not comfortable NOW.

Voldemort continued smiling.  "Dayrin was right.  You will be entertaining."

Oh hell.  I guess that means they won't be letting me go willingly.

He reached up and grabbed both sides of her jaw, hitting pressure points and forcing it open.  Hermione choked slightly on the liquid he poured down.  Veritaserum.  Surprise, surprise.  How unoriginal.

"How does Dumbledore intend to defeat me?"

"No clue."  He frowned at this.

"Where is he hiding Harry Potter?"

"No clue."

"Are there spies in my ranks?"

"Probably, but I really couldn't say for sure.  I mean you're not the most glowing personality.  Are there spies in ours?"  He glared at her, enraged.

"Veritaserum truly does not work on you."

"What makes you think it's not working?"

Voldemort slapped her again.  "You wouldn't be talking in such a manner if it were, Mudblood."

"I'll remember that in the future."  Why in the world can I never control my mouth when it's prudent? And the slapping is not improving my headache.

"Legilimens!"

The spell hit her and a memory spilled out.  She was riding a horse fast, approaching a fence.  They jumped it easily, horse and rider, and shot forward into the woods.

That was it.  No more memories came rushing forth.  Hermione watched Voldemort but said nothing.

He moved closer and concentrated harder.  There was nothing.  I have no idea why I'm not cringing as all my memories are laid bare to the world.

Voldemort broke off the spell abruptly.

"Dayrin.  Break her more conventionally.  Her resistance to legilimency is probably related to her resistance to Veritaserum.  I trust she is not resistant to pain."  He turned back to her and focused his blood-red gaze on her once more.  "Though by the time you're finished, she may wish she were."

I already wish I was.