Severus seriously considered apparating inside the Malfoy mansion, as that is what his concern and anger were demanding, but quickly decided that would be extremely unwise. Instead he chose a location outside the property and would walk the rest of the way, using the excuse of Albus sending him to look for her there since an odd note was found, telling of her departure, when she hadn't said she was going anywhere, and because of her recent involvement with Draco. He was sure that Lucius would lie, thankful once again he knew Occlumency, because he would go back to Albus and take things from there. The note said she would be gone eight days but Severus was determined to get her back as soon as possible.

She consumed his every waking thought, being the first thing he thought of when he woke in the morning and the last thing he thought of when he went to sleep, if he could call it that. Nightmares filled his nights, visions of Hermione hurt and crying and him unable to help her. He tried brewing a sleeping potion but it did little to help. He wanted her back at Hogwarts where she would be safe, where she belonged and where he could be with her. He didn't understand what had happened to him over the past few months but had stopped questioning himself.

"Good morning," Draco greeted sarcastically as he entered Hermione's room with no knock. "I trust you slept well."

Hermione had been laying in bed the past couple of hours, not wanting to move. What was the point anyway when she couldn't leave the room? She was angry and repulsed and caught like a rat in a trap.

Draco sat down on the edge of the bed. "Are you not talking to me?" he asked curiously.

Hermione glared at him. "Your father visited me after you left last night," she spat in disgust. "Forgive me for not jumping for joy."

Draco laughed, amused at her dislike of the situation. "I thought he might," he said casually, completely unaffected. "Can't blame him really."
Sitting up, Hermione fought to control herself. "Draco!" she exclaimed. "He's your father! That's…it's…just wrong!"

Standing up, Draco said, "Hermione, he's the same age as Snape. What's the difference?" He didn't understand why she kept trying to pretend they weren't having an affair. The truth serum he and his father had given her when they first arrived back at the mansion worked very well as they'd both been unable to believe what they were hearing from her.

She rolled her eyes. "The difference is he had sex with me when I was already involved with his son!" If this was how 'purebloods' acted within their own family, she would remain very thankful she had muggle born parents.

Draco placed his hands on the mattress and leaned close to her. "No the only difference is Snape has no son," he corrected, quickly losing his temper. "Did you really think you two could keep your disgusting little affair a secret?" How disgraceful for a teacher and student to have relations!

"I don't know what you're going on about," Hermione said defiantly. "You are the only one I've been with."

"You're lying!" Draco exclaimed with a fierceness that he had held in longer than he could manage. "Father and I gave you a truth serum! We know everything! Including the abortion!"

Nausea lurched deep in her stomach, sure he was telling the truth, otherwise how would he have known about the abortion?

"You filthy little mudblood!" Draco continued, crawling onto the bed with Hermione who was retreating from him. "How dare you kill my heir? How dare you keep the fact you got pregnant from me? Who do you think you are?"

Hermione had never been scared of Draco until now. His angry blue eyes looked just like his father's. "We're kids," she told him, fighting tears again, curling up in a ball, unsure of what he might do. "What did you expect me to do? Keep it?"

He smirked, anger seemingly leaving him. "You will this time," he sneered. "One way or another."

Eyes wide in alarm, Hermione gasped in horror. "This time?" she shrieked. "What the bloody hell do you mean?"

"You will be pregnant by the time you return to Hogwarts," he said through his teeth. "And this one you will keep."

As he left her bed and headed for the door, Hermione called out, "I will not have your child!"

He paused at the door and turned around with an evil smile displayed. "Oh you will," he confirmed. "Or your affair will be front page news and your precious Snape will be in Azkaban where he belongs with all the other deserters."

When he slammed the door behind him, Hermione fell back to the bed and cried until her throat was raw and pillow was wet with tears.

How did this happen? All she wanted to do was get this 'first time' bit behind her, thinking Draco would be the wise choice. But she hadn't planned on getting pregnant. Hadn't planned on ending up in Severus' care, much less in his bed. And now Lucius and Draco knew the truth and could use it to manipulate her as they were doing. Severus would hate her when he found out, especially if she ended up in trouble, again. This had gotten way out of hand.

And the fact Draco was now trying to get her pregnant? Certainly he cared nothing about having a child with her, as she was not pureblood. His motivation could only be out of pure hate for her. What would he do? How could he force her to have it? Would she remain a prisoner forever?

Hermione woke hours later, hardly able to believe she'd slept all day as darkness shaded her window. She was physically and emotionally exhausted, scared of what would happen next. Severus, please, she thought again.

After a soothing hot shower, Hermione stood by the window, gazing out across the garden, glowing in the moonlight. Would she see Hogwarts again? They couldn't keep her here indefinitely – too many people would be looking for her. Wouldn't they?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening and Draco walking in. "Ready for me, my dear?" he asked with a sneer.

Hermione remained where she was, wishing she could run but knowing she could go nowhere. "What do you think?" she asked in dripping sarcasm.

Quickly approaching her, Draco answered with a smile, "I think you have no choice and are now subject to me and my father."

Afterwards, Hermione found herself in the shower again, wishing she could wash away her memories too. Her thighs ached, as Draco had not been kind, not that she'd expected him to be. Maybe I can have my memory erased when I return to Hogwarts, she thought. Maybe I can convince Severus to erase my mind and tell me later that the baby is his. That would be good.

As she crawled into bed, still wrapped in her towel, she hoped that would be all for tonight, that Lucius visiting her last night was a one-time thing. The fact they were basically sharing her made her stomach turn. She was forced to remember she was not in the home of good wizards. Sadness swept over her as tears flowed again.

Lucius crept into the bedroom quietly, hoping Hermione would be asleep. He slowly walked to the bed, pleased to see she was already naked, and gently moved her limbs, securing them to each bedpost with a silent securing spell. Then he lifted up his robe as he crawled onto the bed.

Hermione's eyes opened in time to see Lucius above her. Frantically trying to move, at first thinking she was having a nightmare but knowing it was real, she noticed he had her secured to the bed somehow.

"Stop it!" she yelled, trying to move with no avail. "Get off of me!"

Lucius only chuckled as she pushed into her roughly, allowing his usual restrained passion to be unleashed, completely oblivious to her silent cries and wet face. She deserved it as far as he was concerned, slamming into her over and over. Deserved it for being muggle born and a student at Hogwarts. Deserved it for being friends with Potter and Weasley and part responsible in killing Voldemort. Deserved it for killing his grandchild. Deserved it for having an affair with Snape.

Satisfied groans filled the room, Lucius allowing himself a delicious freedom, spilling inside her, almost wishing it could be him to impregnate her. He found guilty pleasure in picturing her screaming in pain as she borne him a child. But since it needed to be Draco, Lucius had placed an enhancement spell on him that should have taken care of it.

He climbed off the bed, saying the spell to release her arms and ankles. "That was wonderful, my dear," he purred. "Thank you ever so much."

When the door closed behind him, Hermione lay in bed, curled up in a ball, sobbing, thighs trembling, core burning in pain. What had she ever done to deserve this?

Severus shook off the uneasy feeling that overwhelmed him as he walked up to the door. It had been years since he'd been here and hoped it would be just as many more till he was here again. The beauty outside could never conceal the inner evil.

The door opened to reveal a smirking Lucius. "My my," he said, eyes wide feigning surprise. "Please do come in and tell me to what honor I owe your visit?"

Stepping in, the door closed behind Severus. "I'm here on important business for Albus," he tried to say with as much disdain as he could muster. "I told him I had better things to do but you know how foolish he can be when a notion strikes his old brain."

"Indeed I do," Lucius agreed. "Shall we move to the sitting room?"

"No, I really must be heading back soon." He paused. "Albus is rather concerned with a note he found from that insufferable Granger," he began. "He seems to think it odd that she told no one she was leaving and then is gone. He has sent me all about to find out if anyone knows anything, hence my appearance here."

"Why not ask her friends?" Lucius asked curiously. "Why would we know anything about Granger and her whims during holiday?"

"Her involvement with Draco," Severus answered wearily. "You understand."

Lucius nodded, wondering what that old fool back at Hogwarts really knew. "I see," he said. "Well let's ask him then." He snapped his fingers and a house elf apparated. "Get Draco," he barked. With a pop, the house elf disapparated. How he longed to mention his knowledge of the affair with the brainy student but would wait for the appropriate moment and use it to his full advantage.

Draco appeared, visibly annoyed when he saw his professor standing in the entrance hall. "Going to attack me again?" he snipped.

"Now Draco," Lucius began. "That's no way to greet your professor. He's here on urgent business from the Headmaster. It seems Granger is missing and is curious if you know anything about it."

Draco laughed. "I don't care where she is," he sneered. "Last time I saw her was at Hogwarts. She said nothing to me."

"Thank you," Lucius said, dismissing his son. "Sorry, Severus, but you certainly didn't think we knew anything."

Severus was quite satisfied with their answers, knowing they were both lying and that Hermione was there. It took every ounce of strength he had not to curse both of them and search the house for her. Anger boiled within him though. If they've hurt her, he thought. They'll wish I killed them when I finish with them.

"I will tell Albus," Severus said. "I told him you would not know."

"Don't be a stranger," Lucius called out sweetly as Severus headed for the door.

Severus turned to face Lucius and caught an image from the man's mind of Hermione and him in a passionate embrace. An uneasiness rose within Severus. Lucius knew? Was that what he was picking up on?

"Till next time," Severus said with a nod, quickly turning and leaving the mansion.

Severus hurried back to the spot outside the grounds so he could apparate back to his location outside of Hogwarts. He had to tell Albus she was there but was undecided about how to handle Lucius' knowledge of him and Hermione. If Lucius knew, that meant Draco did too and one knowing was as bad as the other. How did they find out? He knew she would never tell which meant they forced it from her. He was beginning to hate them more than he ever hated Voldemort and he didn't think that was possible.

The elderly man with the long white beard was waiting at the gate when Severus entered the grounds.

"They have her," he told Albus as they walked quickly to the castle. "They both lied."

"I see," Albus said. "I was afraid that's what you'd say."

Severus stopped and faced him. "I'm afraid there's another problem," he said, knowing he needed to tell him as much as he hated to. "It's about me and Miss Granger."

On the third day, Hermione didn't bother to leave the room. She was upset and depressed, more than she'd been the first time she was pregnant, fairly certain she was again. This time she was caught though and Severus wouldn't be able to help her. She saw no way out for either of them. What would happen to her and the child? She wasn't pureblood so why would they even acknowledge the child? Maybe they wouldn't. Maybe they were forcing her to do this out of nothing but hatred. She spent hours crying, her mind trying to come up with anything she thought might work, but succeeded in finding only more tears.

She'd lost count of how many times both Draco and Lucius had been with her. She'd never felt more used in her life, wanting to do nothing but hide in a hole in the ground. She'd never put much into sex as other girls did but was beginning to feel…well…dirty. She didn't like not having control over her actions and having them force themselves on her whenever they chose to do so.

Neither Draco nor Lucius had hit her, which she was thankful for. She was quite certain things could be much, much worse even though they had been cold, callous and very aggressive, causing her physical soreness. She didn't say anything to them during their visits, allowing them do whatever they were going to do, praying it would be over sooner rather than later. How many more days would she have to endure this?

"Severus, we had a talk about this a couple years ago," Albus said gently after listening to the 'new' problem.

The professor sat quietly for a moment. "This is different," he said, hating to have this conversation. Since this was completely foreign territory to him, he was most uncomfortable. But he couldn't risk anything happening to Hermione so if that meant swallowing his pride in telling Dumbledore, that's what he would do.

Eyes twinkling, Albus asked, "How so?"

Severus bit his lip, a trait of nervousness that looked rather odd for him. He would usually never tell anyone such private thoughts but knew he was safe with the elderly man. "I care for her," he answered quietly. While to most, his statement sounded nothing out of the ordinary, he knew that Dumbledore would recognize what a huge admission it truly was.

"You care about all your students," Albus said purposely.

"Not quite," he said, rolling his eyes. "I deal with them within my responsibility." He paused, allowing his scorn to pass. "I truly care about her. It was completely unexpected as I am aware of the repercussions that could come from this. But I can't deny it."

Albus nodded. "I see," he said simply, secretly happy that someone had accomplished what he had thought to be impossible. "Well, we must get her back to Hogwarts as soon as possible. I fear for her safety."

Thursday morning found Hermione waking from a nightmare. Her mind was replaying the events of the past couple nights, except the difference was Severus was being tortured by Lucius while Draco had his way with her. She quickly left the bed and headed for the shower for what seemed like the hundredth time.

As she sat by the window, Draco entered. "Let's go," he said. "Time for you to go back. We're finished with you…for now."

Hermione felt a flutter of hope. "I get to leave?" she asked.

"Yes," Draco answered. "Get dressed and meet us downstairs before we change our minds."

Hermione felt like a different person when she entered Hogwarts. She was distant and felt only emptiness, thankful she had another week before the students returned from holiday. Before Lucius left her, he'd made sure to be very clear what would happen if she said anything to anyone and warned her Draco would be keeping an eye on her. He had patted her stomach and told her to be careful before leaving her.

As she walked slowly back to her dormitory, Hermione wondered if life could get any worse. The two worst ones to know had found out about her and Severus. They'd kidnapped her, performed a truth spell on her and then had sex with her numerous times to make sure to impregnate her. She could have done the spell to determine if she was indeed pregnant but honestly didn't want to know. It didn't matter anyway. There was nothing she could do this time.

She had hoped climbing back into her bed would provide a little comfort but it did not. Thankfully sleep soon claimed her.

Hermione awoke to Professor McGonagall gently shaking her. "Miss Granger," she was saying. "The Headmaster needs to see you."

She slowly sat up and stretched. "Okay," she mumbled, standing up and heading for the bathroom.

Thirty minutes later, Hermione was knocking on Dumbledore's door. "Enter," she heard him call out.

"You wanted to see me," Hermione said, closing the heavy door behind her.

"Sit, my dear," he said, warmth emanating from him. "Please tell me. How are you?"

Instantly a lump was in her throat, tears slowly filling her eyes, knowing he knew where she'd been. "I'm scared," she said quietly, unable to keep the brave front up with him.

Albus smiled. "It's okay," he soothed. "Did Lucius and Draco hurt you? Put spells on you or anything?"

"They didn't hit me," she answered. "They gave me a truth serum though."

"I see," he said understanding. "Did they threaten you with anything?"

"Yes," she answered, wanting to elaborate but not knowing exactly what to say.

"Have you seen Professor Snape yet?" he asked, changing the subject.

That question surprised her. "Um…no," she answered.

"I think maybe you should," he said with a gentle smile. "He's been very worried."

Hermione stared blankly at him before leaving his office. Did he know about them too? She really shouldn't be surprised as he usually knew everything anyway.

What would she say to Severus? How could she tell him? What would he say? What would he do? She thought of going back to her dormitory instead but knew Albus would know. She couldn't ignore his request.

She knocked on the classroom door and tried to ignore her pounding heart. It was a minute or so before the door opened.

Severus couldn't believe it. "Hermione!" he exclaimed, eyes wide, pulling her inside. "What happened?"

She wasn't sure what did it, but being back with him, hearing and seeing the genuine concern for her, caused her to instantly break down sobbing, not able to tell him anything. Immediately she was in a protective embrace, her hands pressed against his chest as they covered her face, one of his arms encircling her body while the other hand was gently cradling her head.

"I'm so sorry," he said quietly. "I wish I could have done something." He felt horrible, almost sick, as he held her, having no idea what she'd been through but sure it wasn't pleasant.

Hermione allowed the anguish and relief wash over her like a flood, riding the swells willingly. In hindsight, fear controlled her, realizing just how terrible things could have been. She was more than thankful to be in Severus' arms again, being held close and finally feeling safe.

He'd kill them. He'd absolutely kill them and happily go to Azkaban for it, just to know they could never hurt her again. Noticing her crying was slowing, he pulled from her, keeping an arm around her shoulders and leading her to the couch. He said a couple spells and soon a damp washcloth flew from the bathroom into his hand. He handed it to her in silence so she could wipe her tear stained face.

"Thank you," she whispered, holding the warm cloth to her face for a moment. She inhaled deeply, hoping to calm herself.

"Hermione," he finally said. "If you don't want to discuss this now, I'd understand."

Placing the cloth on the table in front of them, Hermione said, "It's okay. Waiting to tell you won't change any of it."

Severus allowed a slight smirk at her statement, thankful her countenance was opposite of most females. "True," he agreed.

Hermione took another deep breath, resting back against the couch while he sat up, facing her, intently listening. "I was there three nights," she began. "One minute I'm falling asleep in the library and the next I'm waking up in one of their bedrooms. At first I thought it was a room here somewhere that I hadn't seen before or maybe your house that you've mentioned. Draco and Lucius were sort of nice the first day but it didn't last long. The only time I ate was when I first got there."

"Are you hungry?" Severus asked, mentally chastising himself for not thinking of it earlier. "I could…"

"Later," she told him with small smile. "I found out I was there basically for Draco. But the first night after he left my room, Lucius came in."

"Tell me he didn't," Severus said disgusted.

Hermione hesitated, wishing all of it had never happened, but knowing they were faced with an ugly truth. "Yes," she answered quietly. "More than once."

His elbows were resting on his knees as he covered his face with his hands. Anger churned deep within him but forced himself to remain calm for her, at least as calm as he could be. He'd already known of Draco but now Lucius? It was disturbing and almost more than he could stand.

"Did they hurt you?" he asked, massaging his head. "Did they strike you?"

"No they didn't hit me," she answered. "They were just very…rough with me."

Severus stood up. "Bastards," he hissed. "I'll kill them!" He quickly fetched a glass and the bottle of firewhiskey.

Hermione watched in silence as he poured the liquid, swallowing it quickly, then pouring another. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

He turned, remembering she was still on his couch. He'd become lost for a few moments in his thoughts of what he could do to them. He sat back on the couch beside her. "You have nothing to be sorry for," he told her. "This was not your fault."

She wasn't so sure that this wasn't partially her fault, as it was her idea to have Draco be her first which is what started all the mess they were now in. "I'm…uh…probably pregnant…again," she said quietly, hating to tell him but knowing she had no choice.

Severus' eyes grew wide. "I knew that protection spell was a wise decision," he said. "You're not pregnant. You can't be."

"But they didn't do any protection spells," she said. "Draco was determined to…"

"I placed a spell over you," he explained. "I told you I didn't trust Lucius' visit. You are not pregnant." He reached for his wand and said, "Lumos natalimate." Blue swirled above her stomach but never turned yellow. "It wasn't just for this but worked out well nonetheless."

"Oh my god," she gasped, relieved once again, having been quite sure she was. "I thought that I was trapped…"

"Trapped?" he asked curiously. "Why would you be trapped?"

The smile on her face slowly disappeared, remembering what she hadn't told him yet. "Um…well…they know about…us," she said, unsure of what word to use to describe them.

Severus nodded. "I was afraid of that," he said. "Used a truth serum, no doubt. How much to they know?"

"Back to the abortion," she answered. "That's why Draco was trying to get me pregnant again, threatening if I said anything or tried another abortion, they'd tell and send you to Azkaban."

Severus stared at her for a minute, slowly understanding what she was saying. "You were going to keep his child if you'd been pregnant?" he asked. "To keep them quiet?"

"Of course," she answered as if he should have known. "We can't risk the trouble they would cause."

"But you would do that for me?" he asked in disbelief. He'd never known anyone other than Albus who would do anything to protect him.

"Yes," she said gently. "Shouldn't I?"

"It's just…no one but…I don't know if…" he stammered, for once at a loss for words.

Hermione took his hands in hers. "I'm not that selfish," she told him. "Do you think I don't give a damn about you? Do you think I would just think of myself and let them haul you away?"

Severus was uncomfortable and didn't know what to say. Instead of words, he chose to gently touch her lips with his.

"Dumbledore knows, doesn't he?" she asked as they remained close.

He nodded. "I had to tell him," he said. "I was…worried about you."

"I…uh…wondered if you would be," she said quietly.

He understood her statement. "Well I was a bit surprised myself," he said with a smirk. "But it didn't change the facts." He touched her face. "I'm relieved you're back."

She smiled and leaned into his touch. "Me too," she agreed.

"I have to ask," Severus began. "Did you make any attempt to fight or escape?" He couldn't imagine the feisty Gryffindor not attempting some escape.

Shaking her head, Hermione answered, "I knew better. They weren't attacking me physically and didn't want them to start. God knows how many charms and spells are in that house. I was more afraid of hurting myself than sex with them, quite honestly."

Severus nodded in understanding. "Brainy Gryffindor," he said with affection. "Smart thing to do."

They were quiet for a moment before Hermione said, "Draco will be watching us closely."

"Albus and I will take care of the Malfoys," Severus told her. "Don't think on it. Do you want any sleeping potion? Have you had nightmares?"

"A couple when I was there," she answered, looking up into the darkness of his eyes that held a caring gaze towards her. "I'm okay now." She didn't want to leave his side, wishing she could remain in his chamber for the rest of the year but knowing it wasn't possible. But maybe…."Do you think…I mean if you don't want me to…but with most of the students gone…I thought…" What was she saying?

"Hermione," he said slightly amused. "You're rambling."

She sighed. "I was wondering…if I could stay…with you," she said quietly. "The common room is basically empty. I wouldn't be missed. I've already been gone four days as it is."

She had a point. The few that remained thought she had decided to visit her family as that's what the note said that Draco had left. "Has anyone seen you?" he asked.

"No," she answered. "Just Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore."

Severus pulled her close again, hugging her body to his as they settled against the couch. "Then I think it would be perfectly fine for you to remain here a few days," he said, surprised at how easily those words flowed. But after she had been gone, he honestly couldn't imagine having her anywhere but beside him.

"Hermione…I…"

She waited but he didn't finish. "What?"

What are you doing…what were you going to say…tell me it wasn't what I thought, the inner voice said that had been quiet for quite awhile. You certainly do not. You cannot go there. Don't be ridiculous. "I was going to say we should get something to eat," he lied. "You need nourishment."