A/N: Okay, I read my new reviews and I couldn't resist writing another chapter, hope you like this one! Thank you for my reviews, I love you guys! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: It all belongs to JKR! – Bows to her repeatedly—

Chapter Six: Hope?

Hermione stared blankly into the black sheets. Nothing seemed right anymore. Malfoy had told her she would return to her cell the next day; then to Malfoy Manor . . . she shuddered. She dreaded the next few days. No, she dreaded the rest of her life.

'But I wont be there for the rest of my life.' The hopeful thought floated across her mind. 'Harry will come, then the Golden Trio will be reunited and we can defeat all evil.' She snorted. However unlikely this may be . . . the fact that she was going to be locked up in Malfoy Manor until Malfoy tired of her was not all that inviting.

Hermione awoke the next day with a feeling of great foreboding; with good reason. Not a minute after her eyes fluttered open did she feel gruff hands bind her own with worn ropes. Stumbling down the quarter, the Death Eater lead her down to the Dungeon, tossing her into her old cell carelessly.

Snoring reached her ears as Hermione glanced around her cell. Fred lay in a corner, sleeping uncomfortably on the stone floor, a gentle snoring sound coming from his lips. Hermione slid down the wall next to him, coming to rest near his head. Dear Fred, this was the last time she was to see him in a long time, perhaps ever. Tears weld in her eyes, but Hermione refused to let them come. No more, she had cried too much. Instead a sigh escaped her lips, and Fred stirred.

"Hermione?" He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "Hermione!" he sprang to engulf her in a suffocating hug. "Where have you been?" His voice was etched with worry.

This time, Hermione could not stop the tears. "I—I have to go." Her sobs were echoing around the Dungeon.

Fred looked confused. "What? Hermione," he pushed her now clean hair out of her face. "What's wrong? Calm down." The worry was now stained on his face.

Hermione tried to control her tears. Sniffing slightly she spoke. "I'm being taken to Malfoy Manor to be a-a-a Slave." This was too much. She broke down in Fred's arms, sobbing renewed.

"Hermione?" A new voice joined. "What's wrong?" Hermione's head snapped to the iron bars where her Flame-Headed best friend stood.

"Ron!" Rushing to where he stood on the other side of the bars, Hermione hugged him . . . and promptly broke down in tears.

"Hermione! C'mon, your stronger than this." Kissing her lightly on the forehead he tried to comfort her. She sniffed, calming slightly. "Now, what's the matter?"

Still sniffing Hermione relived what she just told Fred. "I am," she sniffed, hoping she wouldn't break down again. "I am to be taken to Malfoy Manor to be a S-Slave." He looked stunned.

"Hermione . . . Bloody hell, your not serious?" Hermione nearly came undone again. All she could do was nod. "Blimey, we have to get you out of here." Hermione shook her head in despair. It was no use. Death Eaters patrolled the halls and grounds, there was no point, and she told him.

"Don't give up hope Mione, we'll find you, we'll—" Fred joined the conversation.

"You'll do what? Defeat hundreds of Death Eaters and Voldemort wandless then, find the unplotable Malfoy Manor and save me right under all the Malfoys' nose?" Her desperation was getting the better of her. "Great plan." Sarcasm dripped from every word.

"Hermione! Snap out of it! You're not like that! You're better than that!" She nodded at Ron's words. He was right, there was still hope.

"You're right, I'm sorry." Hermione smiled a bit. Yes, as long they were there, there was still hope, and Harry . . . no one knows where he went, though rumor had it he had gone with Dumbledore to the Americas when Voldemort first showed signs of victory.

Ron paused. "Why do you have a dress on?"

"I found it in my room." Hermione mumbled. He smiled. "Looks great; but its green." She laughed, the first laugh in nearly a year.

The sound of footsteps echoed up and down the dungeon corridor. "Hermione, never give up hope, we'll come for you, it will be okay." Ron spoke, and with a quick kiss on the cheek he was gone.

"Granger!" A voice thundered. Draco Malfoy stomped into view, looking very, very pissed.

"What do you want ferret?" Hermione was in no mood for him, malice filled her voice. Malfoy, pushing open the cell door shoved her against the wall.

"Don't push me Granger, I'm in no mood." She just glared. He stepped back. "Change in plans, were leaving now."

"No." She told him. "No, I am NOT leaving now." She found renewed courage. He stepped forward.

"You will do as I say." Evil. He was pure evil. Hermione stepped forward to meet. Him. 'I am not afraid, I am not afraid'

"No." She laced death in her voice.

He smirked and her blood boiled. Waving his wand he said, "Come." She unwillingly found her feet moving, following him out of her cell.

"Hermione!" Fred said, startled. Hermione looked back.

"I'll see you soon, Fred." Keeping the tears in her eyes she let her feet take her to where Malfoy was going, keeping one comfortable thought in mind.

'I wonder if I can get a hold of any arsenic . . .'

A/N: please review! So, what do you think of this chapter? I'm trying to get out as many as I can before school starts (Sept 8) cuz then I'll only get out probably two chapters a week (ish) but I love this fic too much to abandon it! Whenever I read the reviews I have to write another chapter! Okay, well, review please! I love you guys!