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'Ron should have broken more than Malfoy's nose' Hermione thought. She sighed and started to pick up the scattered pieces of root from the rug on the floor. Ron had to be alright. He knew where to go for help, if there was a safe house left.

'Can't worry about Ron,' she though to herself. She had to worry about making sure the spell worked on only those who were seeking to betray Malfoy for personal gain. Hermione didn't know who amongst them was part of the resistance. Harry was going to be moved to Azkaban tomorrow- along with Neville. She had overheard two of Malfoy's men talking. She was going to have to figure out a way to pass on information.

Sometimes she would get angry. Moments like this one, moments when she thought of the fact that Malfoy could have been dead by now. Dumbledore had left his advice, his guidance, always telling Harry that Malfoy could be turned- that Malfoy was not evil.

'So much for that' Hermione thought bitterly. 'There was nothing redeeming about Malfoy, but Dumbledore had been too kind to see it'

She understood why Harry was tired of listening to others. She had understood why he hade made that last desperate attempt to get at Voldemort. Others had doubted Harry, and perhaps that's the reason why it all had collapsed.

Malfoy, had been so much more instrumental and destructive than Dumbledore had ever guessed. He could not be turned, the way Snape had turned, because Malfoy cared for nothing or no one…no, he did care for something- his own vanity and glory.

'That selfish little rat' she thought to herself.

He disgusted her, he repulsed her and she knew the reason why. Deep down inside she had believed Dumbledore, deep down inside, she had always thought that there was no way Malfoy was capable of being so evil. A person, a real person is not capable of such cruelty. Yes, evil death eaters and such could do those things, but not someone she had grown up with. That boy that sat in classes with her, that boy who ignored and taunted her, that boy who burned with such resentful envy towards Harry…there was no way.

'I just didn't know what he was' she thought to herself finishing her task. 'He is just a heartless psychopath, willing to kill his own mother if the idea struck his fancy'

Looking at the work ahead of her she did not doubt that if the spell worked perfectly or if it was not done in time the heartless monster, because he was no longer a man in her eyes, would kill her.

'I am dead as it is' she thought to herself.

Hermione Granger was just buying time. With this time she was going to try to help her friends in any way she could, if Malfoy found out and killed her- well then it was the end of the run. If she got away with all she could, well then she would make sure to take Malfoy out before the end came. It's not like Malfoy was actually really going to trust her, he didn't trust anyone. So there would be no betrayal on her part

"I have to become the monster that I fight" she thought to herself. "He cares for nothing but himself. He deserves whatever I give him"

"Granger" Malfoy knocked on the door.

Hermione waited, slightly surprised that Malfoy had actually bothered to knock.

"Granger?" he repeated.

"Come in, Malfoy, for Merlin's sake" she snapped as she tried to clasp the bracelet around her wrist. "Since when do you knock?"

He didn't reply. She looked at him, he was dressed a black suit with a grayish/blue shirt that highlighted his eyes.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"Almost" she was anxious, a bit frustrated and exhausted. The spell had taken all her concentration and she was at her wits end.

"You might want to change that attitude, remember there's a role you have to play" he approached her.

"I just don't understand why you just can't leave me here" she sighed.

"Because you are amusing to the Dark Lord, he finds this entertaining. In this whole little charade he created you're my bloody fiancée, and it wouldn't be proper for me to leave you here. Give me that" he reached for her hand annoyed. Her battle with the clasp was getting on his nerves.

Hermione tensed then watched his fingers as they worked the diamond bracelet on. She pushed a strand of hair back and waited for him to finish.

"Why don't you go find yourself a girlfriend, Malfoy and tell him you're just going to keep me in here as a servant?" she asked.

"I have enough women to keep me company" he smirked. "I need you present in these events cause of the spells I want you to cast. The more freedom and access you have, the more you can help me"

Hermione frowned. Who were his women?

"Potter is going to be there" he mumbled and looked up at her brown eyes. "I thought you should know"

"You didn't tell me this!" she snapped.

"Well I'm telling you now! He is being moved to Azkaban tomorrow. Voldemort wanted to keep him around for Weasley's execution, but no point for that now" he finished his task. "Did you finish the spell?"

"Yes" she shoved the paper into his hand and walked towards the door, leaving him behind.

He reached for her hand. She shook him off.

"Don't touch me until we have to"

"What the bloody hell has gotten into you!" he demanded, gripping her arm. She stopped, unable to pull away.

"I don't like being threatened every single second, Malfoy" she hissed. "I could have gone with Ron, but I didn't"

Malfoy watched her, his eyes focusing on her lips.

"Did you hear me?" she snapped.

"Yes, I heard you!" he shouted. "What do you want?"

"Stop threatening me. Stop torturing me"

There were tears in her eyes. He frowned, finding this whole situation very confusing. Why in god's earth would he ever want to stop torturing her?

"I'm afraid" she whispered. "I am terrified of slipping up and being caught. I don't know what he would do to me…and you're not helping"

"Alright, alright, relax" he let her go. "But don't try to act like you owe me any loyalty. The reason you stayed was because you couldn't leave your hero Potter, isn't it?"

"Is there any other reason why I would have?" she asked.

"No" he felt a kick in his gut….tension in his stomach. He knew it and he had no doubt of it, but why did it still bother him? 'Because it's that bloody prat Potter, and I just can't get rid of him'. "I want him dead, Granger and I know you're not going to stand for that. So why don't we focus on the things we have in common and leave those things aside for now"

"Your enemies" she whispered, nodding.

"My enemies, that's all we have" he agreed.

Malfoy Manor: Ballroom

"Are you ready?" he whispered leaning into her.

He smelled great. His blond hair was slicked back, his clothes perfectly pressed. She was wearing a gown that matched his shirt. There were a few familiar faces, she had grown accustomed to the guards, to the people who worked for him. For their part, they had grown accustomed to her- they watched her, but never spoke to her. This had probably been on his orders.

"Does it make a difference?" she snapped and took his arm.

"Behave, Granger" he straightened and led her into the room. "Time to put on a show…don't you just love it?"

She was silent, contemplating his voice. Was there sarcasm or pride in the question? Had he been mocking her or sharing something to give her encouragement. The splendor of the gold-trimmed room awed her. It was crowded with countless guests, countless killers. It had been the first time in a while that she had seen some of these people. Her eyes caught sight of Theodore Nott, the squirrelly Slytherin smiled at the two of them. Although she had seen Nott cast a killing curse on Dean Thomas she forced herself to smile as Malfoy led her towards the guest.

"Well, it seems that even the catastrophe of this morning won't stop us from celerbrating" Nott smiled at Malfoy and then cast a knowing glance at Granger.

"Nott, Granger's mind was obliviated, as you know and we are reintroducing her to all her friends" Malfoy told him.

"Ah, yes" Nott looked at her in a condescending way. "Welcome back. In Hogwarts we sat together in some classes, always mocking those disgusting mudbloods""Those inferior creatures" she spat with a smile. "So glad to count you as a friend"

Nott laughed and shook Malfoy's hand.

"Great job, Draco" he patted him on the back. "This is bloody brilliant"

"The dark lord's idea" Malfoy mumbled.

Hermione smiled and pretended not to know what was going on. It was so easy to look confused- she thought to herself- when what she wanted to do was claw his face and tear out his heart. Everyone in this room repulsed her, but somehow at least a few of them would get what they deserved tonight.

"Oh, I have to get going, to begin the dinner" Malfoy pulled away from Nott.

"I am going to kill him" Hermione mumbled.

"Yeah, well not while I'm around" he chided and led her towards the center of the hall where Voldemort waited.

"Young Malfoy" he smiled at his protégé. "And our darling Ms. Granger, you truly do look enchanting"

"Thank you" she smiled.

"Well should we reveal our trophy to the crowd of revelers?" he asked.

"It is time" Malfoy smiled.

"This way Ms. Granger" Voldemort took Hermione's hand.

Hermione's body shivered. In an instant everything around her disappeared and she felt like she was falling. There was a burning in her chest, darkness in the room- she was feeling terror. She was afraid that Voldemort would read her, would read her very soul. She pulled away from Voldemort and reached to give Malfoy a kiss.

"Help me" she whispered against and gave him a terrified stare as her lips gently touched his. As she went back to Voldemort, pretending she had just meant to give Draco a kiss, as any girlfriend would have.

"My Lord, what if Hermione unveils our trophy?" Malfoy called back from the stand.

Voldemort was about to take her hand. His face slowly turned into a smile. "Go on, pretty one, show everyone what we have" he urged her.

Hermione's stomach was tight and she knew he could read something on her face. He felt something. There was a hint of suspicion in his eyes.

"Yes, my lord" she smiled and rushed to Draco, feeling like she was a moment away from throwing up in front of the crowd.