A/N: Hey guys! I'm REALLY sorry this has taken so long. The end of summer was a crazy one for me. I had work and I got a new kitten, so she's been taking all my attention! I also just started school and I've been busy. Hopefully, the next chapter won't take this long. Enjoy!

"I said, Don't fucking speak to me with spite, mudblood!" Lucius raised his wand and held it toward her, the tip only inches from her forehead. And with a cold, unfeeling voice he shouted out the words she was dreading most---"Crucio!"

At first, Hermione thought the spell didn't work. Her body seemed to take on an overall calm, a tingling spreading from her chest to her fingertips. Then the tingles began to stab at her body like a million tiny swords. Her muscles clenched, her body writhing in pain. She was in sweltering heat, debilitating cold, utter confusion as pain surged throughout her figure. Her silence was broken by her chilling screams throughout the room. She couldn't make out what she was saying--but it sounded like gibberish broken by the occasional explicative. And then--after what seemed an eternity--the pain subsided. Her body slumped into a pathetic heap on the ground, tears streaming down her face.

"That'll teach you to talk to your betters like that, mudblood," Lucius cackled, giving her a swift kick to the stomach. Hermione whimpered, blood spurting from her mouth, all from the tiny cuts she'd created by biting her lips so hard. Lucius kneeled down next to her figure and stroked her head gently. "Does it hurt?" He asked, his voice suddenly smooth and quiet. She nodded her head, tears continuing to make a path down her cheeks. "Good." He yanked her head backwards by the hair and laughed. The last thing Hermione felt before the world went dark was a painful blow to the head.

Draco stood in the hallway, his hands pressed firmly against his ears. Her screeches. They had gnawed into his heart, ripping it straight from his ribcage. He leaned back against the wall, banging his head roughly against it. What was he going to do? In fact, he knew exactly what he had to do. It was doing it that would be the problem. He waited in the hallway, holding his breath, until he heard his father retreat from the holding cell. He dashed as quietly as possible to the cell. He held his wand to the door.

"Alohomora." He whispered. The lock clicked open and he pushed open the door, eager to see Hermione. What he saw shocked him. Hermione was crumpled up against the wall, her ankle chained to the wall. Her forehead was sporting a bloody wound, her hands were swollen and red, and she was unconscious. He crept over to her and gently pulled her limp form into his arms, supporting her head with his arms.

"Granger?" He stroked her matted hair. She didn't move. "Granger?" He leaned down near her ear, listening for a breath. Like music, a short, raspy breath issued from her lips. Gently shaking her form, he whispered her name once again. Slowly, cautiously, she blinked open her eyes.

"Draco?" Her voice was dry and afraid, her words cracking.

"I'm here." He smiled faintly, brushing stray hairs from her forehead.

"Won't your father hurt you if you're here?"

"Don't worry about that. You can't be here."

"I'm okay."

"No, you're not. He'll kill you."

"I know." Hermione chewed on her lower lip nervously.

"Just--" Draco hesitated for a second, thinking. "Just stay here, okay? I'll be back for you. I promise." Hermione nodded.

"Promise?"

"On my life." Draco swooped down, gave her a quick kiss to the forehead and ran from the room, careful to lock it behind him. Hermione pulled her knees to her chest, tears welling in her eyes. She was terrified.

………

Draco burst into the room nearly fifteen minutes later, his broom and a large bag in hand. Very quietly, he knelt next to her and used his wand to unlock her shackle. She tried to stand, but the swelling in her muscles from the curse made it almost impossible to without crying out in pain. Draco scooped her up into his arms, carrying the broom and bag under one arm, and snuck them from the room.

"You don't need to do this," Hermione croaked, her eyes barely focused.

"Yes, I do." Hermione shook her head viciously.

"Your father will know you are in on it. He'll kill you."

"He's already going to, Granger." Draco pulled her body closer to his as they rounded a corner and reached a window. Draco attempted to unlock it, but the window was stuck. "Shit. I'm gonna have to set you down." He placed her on the floor and used his elbow to shatter the window. Glass shot out all around the room. He scooped her up once again and positioned the broom between his legs. "Can you hold the bag, love?" Hermione nodded, oblivious to his term of endearment towards her. She gripped the bag as Draco situated himself. Just as the broom was beginning to hover, the stomping of footsteps interrupted their escape. Lucius Malfoy had come crashing down the hallway.

"I knew you were in on it, you ungrateful little bastard." His lips curled angrily as he drew his wand from his pocket. "Stupefy!" Draco pushed the nose of the broom out of the window and they swooped downward, just dodging the spell. They hurtled down at a ninety degree angle, Hermione about to scream. As they were three feet above the ground, Draco pulled the broom upwards and the shot up towards the sky, away from the manor.

"Fuck," Draco felt himself breathe. "That was close."

"Where are we gonna go, Draco?"

"Somewhere safe."

"And that would be?"

"I don't know, exactly."

"Wonderful."

……

Draco flew for what felt like days. In reality, it was only about two hours, but the stress of the day had worn him down. Hermione had fallen asleep about an hour into the trip and hadn't woken, despite the bitter snow that was freezing Draco's fingertips to his broomstick. He had to land or he was going to feel the wrath of the storm. He cast his eyes downward, desperate for shelter, but he could only see snow and dark storm clouds. He bit his lip, frowning. He'd have to fly lower, but risk being seen by a muggle. He brought the broom below the clouds and scanned the ground. It seemed they were above a small muggle town. Draco checked for muggles, and not seeing any, began his descent.

Hermione awoke as they landed with a soft 'thump' in a snowy field. "Where are we?" She whispered, shivering.

"I'm not sure. But there's got to be a place to stay around here, right?"

"Perhaps a motel? I've got a few pounds with me."

"A motel?"

"It's a place you can stay a couple nights for money." Hermione sighed, waving her hand in front of her face.

"Can you stand?" Hermione nodded and clambered to her feet, steadying herself.

"I'll be okay. Look--" Hermione pointed to a warm light cascading from the town. "That must be the town center. I'll bet there's a place to stay around there." Hermione grabbed Draco's hand and tugged him behind her.

"My father will find us here, Hermione."

"I know. We'll just stay the night." They searched the town for several minutes. They came across several Bed and Breakfasts, all of which displayed "No Vacancies" signs. Finally--at the outskirts of the small town, they found a decrepit looking house, bearing a sign that read: Johnson Bed & Breakfast. Vacancies. Hermione squealed.

"Yes! We can stay here!" They walked up onto the porch and rang the doorbell. A few minutes later, an elderly woman opened up the door.

"Yes?" She looked very annoyed at being disturbed at such an early hour.

"We're sorry to disturb you so late, M'am, but we could really use a place to stay." Hermione's breath was evident in the cold.

"Of course…of course," the woman nodded and beckoned them inside. "I have one room."

"Oh, thank goodness. We're freezing." Hermione hovered near a fire that was roaring in the entry hall.

"I'm not surprised. It's bitter out there." Draco nodded, lowering his eyes.

"How much is it for a night, m'am?" Hermione nervously fumbled with her jacket.

"How much do you have?" Hermione searched her pockets, pulling out every last note and handed it all to the women. She counted the money and nodded slowly.

"You can stay as long as you need."

"But it isn't nearly enough--" Hermione protested. The woman pressed a finger to Hermione's quivering lips.

"Shush. It's more than enough."

"Thank you. Thank you. Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Well--I'd love a hand in the kitchen for mealtimes. Do you cook?"

"Yes, a bit. I'd love to help." Hermione nodded, grinning. The woman grabbed a key from behind the counter and handed it to her.

"Here's a key to your room. It's the second floor--third bedroom. And young man…why don't you come with me while the young lady gets situated?" Draco nodded and Hermione went off to find their room.

"Is your lady friend all right?" The woman asked, and pointed to her own hand.

"She'll be okay. We've have a rough day." She opened up a closet and pulled out a white and red medical kit, handing it to Draco.

"Make sure to bandage those hands. And clean that cut on her forehead or it'll be a nasty infection. And you…" she inspected him. "You'd better gradually warm your hands. They look frostbitten." Draco nodded.

"Thank you so much. You're not bad for a mug--" He cut himself off, smiling weakly. "You're amazing. Thank you." The woman nodded.

"I never introduced myself," she placed a hand over her heart and chuckled. "Forgive me, I'm exhausted. I'm Pat Johnson." Pat stuck out her hand and Draco took it thankfully.

"Draco. Well, I'd better go see how she's doing." He motioned his head up the stairs and Pat nodded understandingly. With that, Draco took off up the stairs to find the room.

When he found the room, he knocked on the door urgently. Hermione creaked it open slowly and he slipped inside.

"I have some stuff to clean you up." Hermione nodded nervously, sitting down onto the queen bed. Draco pulled out an alcohol wipe from the kit and tore it opened. He tossed the wrapper onto the ground and gently dabbed the wet cloth onto Hermione's forehead. She winced, sucking in a tense breath. "I'm sorry." He whispered. He wiped the pad over her wound several times, until he found it clean and then crumpled it up and tossed it into the waste basket near the bed. "Can I see your hands?" Hermione nodded, sticking out her hands in front of her, like a zombie.

"Be careful, please."

"I will." Draco used two ace bandages to wrap her hands, being careful not to hurt her more than required. As soon as he was done, he leaned over to press a gentle kiss to the top of each hand.

"Thank you." Her voice sounded tired and meek. Draco noticed that her dress was torn and bloodied--and looking awfully uncomfortable.

"Let's get you out of that dress--it's soaking."

"Right. Pervert." Hermione smiled for the first time in hours.

"You can wear my shirt," he conceded, unbuttoning his black collared shirt. He shook it off his shoulders and tossed it to her. She spun around and took off her coat and slipped out of her dress. She kicked her heels to the ground and unsnapped her black bra. She put the shirt on over her underwear and button it up and then turned around.

"Thanks--this is better." She admitted. He noticed her cheeks flush up and she dove under the covers. Draco smiled and slipped out of his pants. "What are you doing!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Uh--getting ready for bed?"

"Put your pants on!"

"Come on," Draco rolled his eyes and slipped into the bed next to her. "They say nudity helps with body heat." He winked and Hermione sighed.

"It's amazing how convincing you can be." Draco snuggled in next to her, his bare legs hitting the backs of her thighs. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed his face into her back, breathing in deeply.

"This is all so strange," he mumbled, gently stroking her belly.

"It is." Hermione twisted her form, coming face to face with him, her smile perking up a bit.

"I like it." Hermione raised her eyebrows and bit her lip tentatively.

"I love it." Draco felt his breath catch in his chest. An unfamiliar feeling took over him--like wearing a snow jacket in the heat of June.

"I love you." He whispered, his cheeks flushing a bit. Hermione seemed shocked by his confession. For a minute, she didn't say anything.

"I love you too." She replied. He smiled. She smiled. And they kissed.