A/N: All right so thanks for the reviews and we now return back to Hermione and Draco!

DISCLAIMER: Only the plot and five slaves.

Chapter Twelve

Hermione rolled onto her back on the cold floor and stared at the ceiling. She couldn't believe two months had passed. Two months without seeing Harry, Ron and Ginny. Two months since Bridget was raped by Lucius. Two months since she had begun her lessons with Draco.

Sure things were more pleasant between them but they still had their arguing moments, during those 'Melanie' would come in discreetly and stop them. She had to remind them Lucius could hear and walk in discovering their private lessons and the fact Hermione now had her wand back.

The lessons were progressing well. In a few weeks Hermione would be able to successfully block anyone from prying in her private thoughts and memories. She sat up looking around at everyone, seeing them all sleeping. Standing she walked out of the kitchen heading up the stairs to use the bathroom. At the top of the stairs she collided with something solid making her stumble backwards and nearly fall down the stairs. The solid being reached out and grabbed her stopping her from falling. Steadying herself, Hermione pulled her wand out and lit it to see Draco standing in front of her.

"Malfoy. What are you doing awake? It's late," said Hermione surprised to see him still fully dressed in his day's robes.

"I need to know if my Mother is okay," replied Draco, "I'm worried about her. It's been two months."

"Oh. Do you want to go to Hogwarts and see?"

Draco nodded and Hermione bit her lower lip in worry. If Lucius woke and found them both gone she knew they would both likely get killed.

"If you are worrying about Lucius he passed out drunk thanks to Tonks," said Draco with a smirk.

"You were reading my mind!"

"Like I keep on telling you – be on your guard."

Hermione glared at him angrily crossing her arms but spun around when the kitchen door opened with Scott coming up the stairs

"Hermione… what are you – oh, Malfoy," he said standing beside Hermione with a hand on her shoulder, "Is everything okay?"

Hermione smiled and nodded, "Everything is fine Scott. Go back to bed."

"Are you sure?" he asked eyeing her and Draco suspiciously, "I can come with you."

"No, we are fine," said Draco, "Go to bed Scott."

Scott sighed and turned heading down the staircase back into the kitchens.

"So can you take me?" asked Draco making Hermione turn her undivided attention on him.

"I guess so. It would be good to see Harry and Ron again. Plus I might be able to see Ginny this time."

"No time to carry on about possibilities Granger. We have until the morning to get there and come back."

Draco grabbed Hermione by the arm pulling her along behind him towards the reading room. Hermione shrugged his hold off muttering she can walk on her own perfectly. As they walked through the house she shivered from the cold. Winter was coming and the Manor was a lot colder at night then it was when she first arrived.

When they walked into the reading room instead of walking to the fireplace Draco walked over to a cupboard pulling out a thick black cloak. He walked back over to Hermione and handed it too her.

"Here, wear it," he said, "It'll keep you a lot warmer then that thing."

Hermione smiled genuinely at him, "Thanks Malfoy."

Draco shrugged and got some floo powder tossing it in. He looked at Hermione as she pulled the cloak on and tied it up sighing at the warmth it gave her shivering body. Hermione looked up and caught him watching her.

"Right," he said looking away unsure as to why he felt embarrassed at being caught watching her, "You should go first. They'll probably attack me if I went through first."

Hermione nodded, "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" She stepped in and was instantly pulled into a spinning motion before stumbling out in McGonagall's office. The startled Headmistress looked at Hermione in surprise before standing up.

"Hermione," she said, "Why are you here? Has something gone wrong wi- Draco Malfoy…"

Hermione felt Draco standing behind her, "Sorry Professor for startling you. Malfoy here is on our side. He's been teaching me how to block my mind from Lucius. We came because he wants to see his mother."

McGonagall looked at Draco knowing it would have taken a lot for Hermione to completely trust Draco's change to the light side. Finally she nodded and sat down at her desk.

"Well Narcissa is doing well. She is walking once more… but Hermione I have some terrible news you should know."

Hermione walked over to the desk and seeing the sadness on her once Professor's face. She sat down and looked at McGonagall studying her face some more.

"Someone died didn't they?" said Hermione softly, "Who was it?"

"Molly was murdered. Right here at Hogwarts," said McGonagall looking at Hermione grimly, "Today in fact. Fred was not Fred… the Death Eater MacNair was using polyjuice potion disguising himself as Fred."

"Why didn't we pick up on it? George of all people should have done," said Hermione though her heart beat with a strong sadness.

"Obviously MacNair had studied Fred long enough to know everything about his behavior."

Hermione swallowed a lump in her throat and hastily wiped away her tears before licking her dry lips and standing up, "I'll... I'll take Malfoy to see Narcissa. Is she at the hospital wing still?"

McGonagall nodded and Hermione turned gesturing for a silent Draco to follow.

Draco walked behind Hermione in silence. She wasn't crying and he found that to be an odd thing. He even knew Hermione was a close friend to the entire Weasley family having spent nearly all her summer holiday's with them.

"You all right Granger?" he finally asked falling into step beside her.

"Fine," she answered shortly, "I just hope the real Fred is alive. No doubt George will be wanting to get him back soon."

Draco just nodded. He knew it was wrong but it was the only thing he could do to see what was going on with his only support at the Manor. That was what she was too him, his only support, ally and… Friend even. Taking a deep breath he began looking through her mind just as he was getting too the memories she had suppressed he was instantly pushed out. He looked at Hermione in surprise and saw her standing still glaring at him.

"Stay out of my thoughts, Malfoy!" she snapped, "What's in my mind is none of your business!"

"Sorry but your not talking… or crying," he said pointing out the obvious.

"There is nothing to talk about and crying… there is no time to cry. We have a war to fight and your father's Death Eaters have started it by killing something important to everyone in the Order," said Hermione coolly before turning and continuing for the Hospital Wing.

HD

"Draco!" cried Narcissa standing up and embracing her son tightly, "Oh my boy… how are you?"

Draco smiled warmly at his healthy mother, "I'm going fine. How are you? McGonagall said you were walking again."

Narcissa smiled, "Just started today in fact."

"Mother… I'm sorry for being such a… well no words can describe my behavior but I am sorry and know that I am not following in father's footsteps. I am on this side for the war."

Narcissa smiled with tears in her eyes and hugged her son once more, "That's my son."

"Excuse me," spoke up Hermione, "I'm just going to be with my friends. Umm… Malfoy when should we leave?"

"Five am. That gives up three hours here."

Hermione nodded and left them to be alone.

"I've been teaching her how to block people from her mind," said Draco sitting beside his mother on the bed, "She is doing well. When she is angry enough she can achieve it."

Narcissa smiled, "Wonderful."

"And I gave her, her wand back."

"Good. Just be careful that your father is kept in the dark."

"He is. I go to the meetings every Friday to make it seem that I am on his side. You should hear what they talk about. Tonks... the one pretending to be Melanie. She implants memories into his mind of them do sexual activities. They go on about that, plus the recent murders and captures."

Narcissa sighed, "Your father wasn't always a horrible man. He used to be full of laughter and happiness and then he joined Voldemort. You were a year old when that happened… after that he was a changed man. By the time you were thirteen I no longer loved him… but I am free of him now. He believes I am dead."

Draco smiled a little, "I don't remember him smiling for real you know. Every time he does it's this evil smirk… he's growing more powers by the day. I can feel it because his blood is in me."

Narcissa looked at Draco seriously, "Don't let it consume you. With his power growing the power in you will do the same. Ignore whatever urge it has on you. Keep your mind focused on something that keeps you happy and sane."

"But there is nothing that does that. What did have has been taken from me – Quidditch."

"Then find something or… someone else."

Draco nodded knowing he would have too soon.

HD

Hermione walked along the quiet corridor before knocking on Harry's door that now had Sirius' name written on it. She knocked again. Louder this time and got a response.

"Go away!"

"Do you really want me too, Ronald?" replied Hermione loudly trying to sound happy though she had heard the dead sadness in her bestfriend's voice.

Suddenly Ron himself pulled the door open. Hermione smiled at him and saw the tears in his eyes. She instantly hugged him as he broke down into tears. Hermione held him tight tears forming in the corners of her eyes, but she pushed them away knowing this was not her time to break down.

"S'not fair Mione," said Ron stepping back and hastily wiping his tears away, "Why Mum? She did nothing but care and fuss."

Hermione, she had lost her parents and still hadn't mourned for them yet and Molly dying was making her emotions even more difficult to control. She placed a hand on Ron's shoulder and gave it a squeeze, "We never know the answer to those questions."

Ron nodded knowing it was true, "How long you here for?"

"Three hours. Can I come in?"

Ron nodded and led her into the room. Harry was sitting up slowly yawning. He pulled his glasses on and upon seeing Hermione he scrambled out of the bed too run and hug her tightly.

"Herms!" he said smiling, "How are you?"

"I'm fine Harry," said Hermione truthfully seeing a sleeping Ginny, "I won't wake her. Hey Sirius."

"Hermione," said Sirius walking over to hug her, "Did you come alone?"

"No. Malfoy is with Narcissa."

"Draco Malfoy?" asked Harry frowning looking at Hermione, while Ron looked rather stunned at the thought of Draco being in the school grounds.

"Yes him. He's on our side, Harry," said Hermione, "He wants nothing to do with the Death Eaters. I trust him, plus he gave me my wand back and is teaching me how to block people from my mind."

Harry didn't say anything and neither did Ron. They both were at a loss for words.

"Hermione?" came a sleepy voice.

Hermione peered around Harry and saw Ginny lifting her head up. Smiling, Hermione ran over to Ginny as she sat up and gave her friend a hug.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the Manor?" asked Ginny.

Hermione smiled and explained everything too her. Then the five sat down chatting about everything other then Molly's untimely death, though Hermione knew it was at the back of everyone's mind.

"Hermione," said Ginny an hour before she had to leave, "Do you want a shower? You look… and kind of smell like you could do with one. I know a good spell that'll clean your dress thing up just right."

Hermione smiled, "That would be nice."

Hermione stood and walked over to the bathroom door. She shut it and undressed from her toga handing it too Ginny. She shut the door and removed the rest of her clothing before stepping into the shower. She sighed with long relief as the water beat down on her tired body She scrubbed herself clean and washed her dirty hair three times to ensure she got the dirt and grimed out of it. Once she was satisfied that she was clean she stepped out as Ginny knocked on the door. Wrapping a nearby towel around her body Hermione opened the door partially.

"Here and I got you some clean underwear and a bra while you were showering," said Ginny handing the pile to her.

Hermione smiled, "Thanks Ginny."

Ginny smiled, though her eyes were still sad. After dressing and brushing her now shiny hair, she walked out pulling the cloak back on. Her friends looked at her, knowing she had to leave them once again.

"Listen," said Hermione, "The war is only months… maybe weeks away. Keep focused on what's important – not the war but each other."

Ginny hugged Hermione, then Harry and Ron. She gave Sirius a hug and with a final smile and wave left for McGonagall's office.

HD

Draco walked up the corridor to the gargoyle entrance. Him and his mother had a good talk and it was great. It had been too long since Draco had spoken to his mother like that. Both were sad to part but knew they would see each other soon.

Draco wondered if Hermione's time with her friends was just as good. He knew she missed them; he got that from their training when he was in her mind. Plus she had one memory in particular suppressed but whenever he tried to pry into it she would shut him out in anger. He looked up and saw her walking towards him, focused on the ground, her arms folded around her body to block out the cold.

"Granger," he said, "Ready to go?"

Hermione looked up at him in surprise, "Oh yeah. Scott is probably worried."

"Sure," replied Draco icily at the mention of the other man's name, "If you say so."

Hermione looked at him curiously as they headed up the open gargoyle stair case, "You don't like him, do you?"

"I don't trust him would be the best used words. There is something about him I don't like."

"What's that?"

Draco sighed. He really should learn to keep his mouth closed, "He seems a little too interested in what we do. None of the other muggleborns are. They keep out – he doesn't."

Hermione remained silent for a few moments before speaking as though she were trying to convince herself, "Scott is a worrier. He just wants to make sure we are safe."

"No, he wants to know everything going on and you are telling him."

Hermione sighed, "Believe what you want, Malfoy. I know Scott better then you do."

Hermione walked faster and entered McGonagall's office. It was empty with the Professor having gone to bed long ago. Hermione grabbed some floo powder and said the address disappearing into the flames before Draco even reached the fireplace.

He sighed and stepped into the still green flames wondering if we were about to face another argument when he reached home. The spinning subsided and he stepped out of the fireplace preparing for her to yell at him, but instead he found her sitting on the ground crying into her hands. Her whole body shook with sobs as he stared at her, surprised to find her in such a way. He walked over to her and knelt beside her, not touching her, but just sitting beside her.

She looked up at him surprised to find him beside her. Hastily she wiped her tears away and turned away with more tears falling silently down her cheeks.

"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Draco putting the offer to her.

She shook her head crying silently and fiddling with the cloaks hem and licking her lips. Draco nodded but remained sitting where he was looking at the fireplace. He pulled his wand out and brought the fireplace to life with an orange flickering flame.

"How many more people have to die?" asked Hermione looking at Draco with her tear-streaked face.

"I can't answer that," he said quietly.

"I saw my parents get killed," said Hermione finally letting it out with a sob, "I haven't talked about it or really cried either. I've just shut it away and finding out that Molly is dead has brought it all back. Death Eater's did it when I was trying to get to Australia. Right before my eyes… it was my fault. I should have told Harry I wasn't going to go. Then they wouldn't of come and would still be alive."

Hermione let out a sob and her hand flew to her mouth as another one escaped her. Draco slid closer till he was right beside her and place a hand on her shoulder. Hermione fell forward her forehead pressed against his shoulder as she cried. Draco slid her arm around her better as he held her while she cried for her loss for the first time.

He rubbed her back and felt a strong hatred begin to bubble in the pit of his stomach. It was aimed at his father and for causing this young woman such pain.

Hermione pulled away still crying. She wiped her tears away and looked down at the ground calming her self down.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I never normally do that."

"Everyone has moments Granger," replied Draco with a shrug, "Just don't go doing it all the time."

Hermione smiled a little, "Thanks for the joke attempt."

Draco shrugged with a small smiled him self, "My specialty."

"About Scott," said Hermione looking at Draco with red puffy eyes, "Maybe you are right. I'll keep my distance the best I can. Maybe we can get Tonks to look into his history too see if he is who he states he really is. She can come and go a lot easier then you and I can."

Draco nodded, "Yeah. Sounds like a good idea."

They both fell silent, neither knowing what to say. Hermione finally stood up realizing she should get back to the kitchen. Draco quickly stood too as Hermione removed the cloak and handed it too him.

"You had a shower," said Draco noticing her clean skin and hair.

"Yeah. I feel much better," smiled Hermione, "And can you call me Hermione? Granger grows old after a while."

"Then call me Draco… when we are alone."

Hermione nodded, "I'll see you later."

Draco nodded and Hermione left. He placed the cloak back in the cupboard and sighed. He looked over at the door, which had closed a few second before. He was alone again. Around her he felt happy and fine.

Shaking his head thinking he was being silly he left to get a few hours of shuteye.

HD

Hermione spent her morning cleaning around the Manor. It had become her duty from Lucius and too her it was fine. It kept her busy and allowed her to mull over her thoughts. Only this morning Scott confronted her as she mopped the hallway leading towards the bedrooms.

"Where did you get too last night?" asked Scott walking over to Hermione.

"Scott you are messing up the floor. I just mopped it you know," she said annoyed and ignoring his question.

"You can do it again, but where did you go last night? You didn't say anything when you returned this morning."

"I got too nowhere. He just wanted to talk."

"So you spent four hours talking to Malfoy?"

"That's right. Just talking."

"Hermione, you're lying too me. I know when you are lying. Your nose flares a little."

Hermione looked up at Scott angrily, "Where I go at night and what I do is none of your bloody business! You are not my boss or my parents! Back off Scott and go annoy somebody else!"

"You're shagging him! You're being his whore!"

Hermione's eyes widened and her mouth fell open before she screeched, "WHAT?"

Scott shook his head smirking, "Little Malfoy slut… I really thought you were more decent then that."

Scott began backing away as Draco himself exited his bedroom door half asleep, "What's going on?"

"Tell him I'm not sleeping with you," said Hermione gesturing to Scott who was looking at the two in turn.

"Sleeping with me?" frowned Draco looking at Scott, "You reckon Granger and I are shagging?"

"What else am I meant to think?" said Scott, "You both sneak off at night and she's become secretive towards me."

"Did you ever think I am just talking to her because I trust her with my secrets?"

Scott fell silent and turned and left. Furiously Hermione remopped the floor and glanced around before pulling her wand out and muttering a spell. Draco had told her the Malfoy Manor was protected and no spells being cast could be detected within the walls of the house.

"What if he is untrustworthy?" said Hermione looking up at Draco, "He could go to your father and tell him that you and I disappeared… then what?"

"Calm down. My father won't believe him if I deny it all and make up some excuse. And do you honestly think my father would care if he was told I was screwing around with you."

"But I do care!" cried Hermione, "I'll be brandished a whore and then none of those muggleborns will trust me."

Draco sighed, "He says anything I'll deal with him."

"Oh that'll look brilliant won't it? The one I am supposedly sleeping with coming to my rescue," replied Hermione sarcastically placing the mop in the bucket, "I'm screwed."

Draco chuckled at her choice of words earning a sheepish sort of smile from Hermione sliding the bucket to the side of the hall. Draco glanced around and walked over to her.

"Everything will be okay," he said reassuringly.

"I'm just tired. When I'm tired everything is like ten times worse then what it really is."

Draco nodded, "Come with me."

Hermione frowned and followed him down the hall and into his room. Curiously Hermione looked at him as he shut the door behind him.

"You aren't planning on making Scott's words real, are you?" asked Hermione curiously.

Draco laughed, "Well if you want too-"

"Gosh no!"

"Oh, so you find me unappealing?" teased Draco.

"I never said that," cried Hermione before she realized Draco was messing around with her. Shaking her head Hermione smiled, "Why did you bring me in here?"

"So you can get some decent sleep. Out of all those muggleborns you sleep the least."

"But I might be called," said Hermione worriedly.

"I'll tell father I have you busy with a personal task," said Draco, "Get some sleep."

Hermione smiled and walked over to his bed and laid on it. It was the softest and most comfortable thing she had laid on since her capture.

Draco looked at her for a little while, until she was deeply asleep. Something fluttered in his stomach making him frown. Glancing at her peacefully sleeping he turned and headed to the dining room for breakfast bringing the stomach flutter down to being hungry.

A/N: There you go… I know not much happened. It's kind of a filler chapter plus it allowed Hermione to deal with emotions. Please review!

Until next time…

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