A/N: Hey everyone. So here are… back to Hermione and Draco again. I know it has taken a while for things to happen but you get that! Anyway thanks for the reviews and here we go!

DISCLAIMER: I only own the four slaves and plot!

Chapter Sixteen

She sat in the cold darkness beside her hidden weapon. Suddenly the sound of a door banging made her jump too her feet. Listening closely she heard the distinct sound of someone falling down a flight of stairs before landing on the stone ground outside her cell. Quick, heavy footsteps came down soon after with the sound of cold laughter.

"Snape," she whispered brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Time to join your mudblood lover," he said coldly opening the cell door and tossing in a limp blood covered body, "Enjoy… what's left of him."

The cell banged shut loudly echoing around the room.

Suddenly with a jerk Hermione woke up jumping. She sat up and looked around her frowning. Leaning against the cell door stood Draco. Hermione stood up and walked over to him, gently touching him on the shoulder.

"Draco," she said before he jerked away from her touch, "Draco, what's going on?"

"Nothing," he muttered walking away and sitting in a dark corner.

Hermione sighed, "Did you have another dream?" He didn't answer her, giving Hermione her answer. She walked over to him and sat down beside him, the image of his bruised and battered body filling her mind. Even now he still had fading bruises and a few healing cuts on him, "Draco I have dreams of that day too. I thought you were going to die."

"You have nightmares about me?" said Draco looking at her, "Hermione… you were whipped… you were tortured."

"So were you! By your own father!" cried Hermione grabbing his hands, "That is worse then any beating anyone could possibly give me!"

Draco didn't say anything but looked down at her hands holding his. Her thumb brushed gently across his knuckles sending a shiver down his spine. For two weeks they had been locked away down here. Once a day one of the slaves would bring them a new bucket of water and half a loaf of stale bread. They said no word to either of them, but their eyes said it all; how worried they were, tired, everything.

Hermione sat in silence beside Draco pulling her hands from his, "The Order must be doing something. I mean surely they know something is up. Unless Tonks has found a way to make contact."

"I don't know. I haven't heard her screams in two days… have you?"

Hermione shook her head, her brown eyes full of worry, "He could have killed her."

Draco wrapped an arm around her shoulder's holding her close, "Everything will be fine. You keep telling me to have faith. You need to do the same."

Hermione nodded and closed her eyes, sleepiness taking over her from the rhythm of Draco's rising and falling chest. Absently his hand ran up and down her arm as he too was taken over by exhaustion.

HD

"Hello? Anybody home? Hello! It's me, Pansy!" she cried walking into the manor and closing the door behind her, "Draco? Mr Malfoy?"

"Miss Parkinson," came an oily voice, "Such a pleasure it is to see you again."

Pansy looked at the man before her stunned. Her mouth fell open and her hands fell limp beside her, "P-Professor Snape? But I thought you were in… Tokyo or America, whatever the latest rumor was."

Snape mustered a half smile, "I am here in England. Lucius is in his office. I am sure he would like to see you."

Pansy nodded and followed Snape up the stairs, "Where is Draco? I hadn't seen him in a while and was hoping too."

"Ah, I dare say that will be impossible for… well, I shall allow Lucius to explain it all too you," said Snape glancing at Pansy who nodded, feigning a look of confusion.

Snape stopped outside a large black painted door. He pushed it open and gestured for Pansy to walk in. She walked in and Lucius stood up from his desk smiling warmly at the houseguest.

"Pansy!" he said embracing her as she reached him, "How are you? And your parents?"

"We are all going great. And you, Mr Malfoy?" she said sitting down at the chair by the fireplace.

"I am going through a hard time. Narcissa died quiet suddenly. Heart attack the doctor said and my own son has betrayed me."

"I heard about Narcissa dying. My parents send you their sympathy and you have mine… but Draco, betraying you?" said Pansy looking stunned, "I would never suspect him to do such a thing!"

"I didn't, but thankfully I had an unknown spy in the house. Severus here disguised himself as a slave using polyjuice potion. He killed a young muggleborn wizard and used his DNA. He over heard everything after gaining that mudblood Granger's trust. But my son was brainwashed into joining the light side after falling for that mudblood."

"He fell for Granger?" said Pansy truly shocked and confused, "As in love with her?"

Lucius nodded, a look of disgust on his face as he began to tell Pansy of his discovery.

Snape shut the cell entry door behind him as he followed his new master to the hall outside the kitchens. Lying on the ground knocked out was Draco. Lucius bent down and slapped him across the face, waking the young man.

"Father," he said groggily standing up, "Father-"

"Does Snape speak the truth?" asked Lucius angrily, "Are you working for the light side? Is that where your Mother has gone? Too Hogwarts? I saw her dead!"

"He obviously used a spell to make her appear dead to yourself," said Snape glaring at Draco.

Lucius snarled at Draco before backhanding him across the face in anger, "YOU TRAITOR!"

Draco stumbled backwards but gained his footing glaring at his father, "You ruined this world. I'm helping make it better. A world of equality."

"Mudbloods don't deserve equal rights as purebloods, neither do muggle's!" snarled Lucius before hitting his son with the Crucio curse.

Draco fell to the ground, his body withering in pain. Lucius lifted the curse and rammed his foot in his son's gut. Draco grunted and had no chance to prepare to defend him self as Lucius grabbed him by the front of his robes, lifting him forward to punch him over and over.

"Mudblood lover, fool, no son of mine!" he shouted hitting his son continuously.

He stood up right and hit him with the curse once more, smirking at the sound of his son's agonizing screams.

"Take him too her cell," snapped Lucius looking at Snape, "Don't be gentle though. But let him live enough for her to try and save her lover."

Snape smirked with joy and grabbed the young, unconscious Malfoy by his hair and dragged him away, leaving a trail of blood on the ground.

Pansy stared at the fire. She gathered her composure and looked at Lucius. She thought she saw a look of sadness in his eyes but as soon as she saw it, it vanished with a blink of his eyes.

"I have more loyal followers and if my son cannot be one, than he can rot in the cell with his lover," snapped Lucius before smiling at Pansy.

Pansy smiled and nodded, "I am sure we will wipe out those Order members. Your army must be twice the size of theirs."

"My army is extending each day. I have two hundred and ten so far," he said proudly, "That, my dear, is including yourself."

"I'm privileged to be included, Mr Malfoy."

"Sorry to be rude, my dear," said Lucius standing, "But I have a meeting to attend. There is a final battle to prepare for."

Pansy stood also and hugged Lucius goodbye before showing herself out, brimming with knowledge and worry aimed at the two so-called lovers.

HD

Hermione woke shivering from the cold. She removed herself from Draco's hold and crawled over to the stone where her wand was hidden. She lifted the rock and reached in to grab her wand.

"Don't," said Draco having woken up at her pulling away, "Lucius has probably put a spell in this cell to signal any use of magic."

"It's freezing," replied Hermione, "Body heat just isn't enough."

"I know… but you sitting over there isn't helping keep either of us warm," pointed out Draco.

"Oh, yeah."

Hermione stood and walked back over to Draco and sat beside him. She sighed and looked at the ground. For the past fortnight simple lines kept running through her mind in a nagging manner.

"Time to join your mudblood lover."

That was one of them spoken by Snape himself.

"And you making him fall for your mudblood ways!"

That was the final one. Both implied Draco having feelings for her, which had to be false. During the time spent in the cell together he hadn't shown any romantic interest towards her. Surely that had to be enough proof that Snape and Lucius were seeing something that didn't exist… but she couldn't let the matter rest until she knew for sure. But then what if he did have feelings for her, like she did for him?

'Then what?' she thought silently with yet another sigh.

"Everything okay?" asked Draco leaning forward to look at her face, "You sighed twice."

Hermione took a deep breath and turned her body to face Draco so she could pay her full attention too him and have no chance of avoiding him, "I need to… well ask you something."

"Okay. You sound serious," replied Draco a little worried looking.

Hermione half smiled, "It is serious… in a way."

"Well… ask me."

"Okay," said Hermione taking another breath, "I don't know if they are seeing something that isn't there but basically Snape and Lucius seem too think you have feelings for me. I want to know if what they are seeing is true, or maybe they aren't and I'm making a fool out of myself in asking you this."

Hermione looked down at her lap as Draco sat in silence looking at Hermione stunned. He slowly reached out and took hold of her hand and held it in his own. Hermione's gaze shifted to their hands not daring to look him in the eyes.

"They weren't seeing something. What they saw is real," admitted Draco making Hermione look at him in surprise, "I really do like you… a lot. These past two weeks… as terrible as they have been, they have given me the chance to get to know you even better. I hid the way I felt because… because you are in a relationship."

"In a relationship?" frowned Hermione, "Draco… I'm not in a relationship. I haven't been in one for over six months."

"What? But I thought you and Weasley-"

"We did. It was a short fling but it was too awkward. He is like a brother really."

"Oh."

They fell silent.

"What about you?" asked Draco, "Do you feel anything?"

Hermione nodded, "The same as you," she smiled a little, "I kept it too myself. Well Bridget knows of course. But I kept it from you because I never thought you would go for a girl like me."

"Why wouldn't I? You are… amazing in every possible way."

Hermione blushed and looked away not knowing how to react. Draco cupped her chin in his hand and turned her face to look at him.

"I'm going to kiss you," he said with a slight smile.

Hermione just nodded and leaned closer her lips brushing against Draco's gently before they connected again. Her hands slowly rose from her lap and wound their way around his neck pulling her self. This kiss was like something she had never experienced before. It was full of passion from deep within both of them. Emotion poured into it dragging it out longer and both were eager for more.

Draco pulled back panting, his eyes shining with their own light. Hermione looked at him and smiled as his trailed a finger down the side of her face.

"I think I just fell in love with you," he said softly.

Hermione smiled and nodded, "I did exactly the same... I probably have been for a while. I just never saw it."

Draco nodded and kissed Hermione on the cheek, trailing his kisses down the side of her face. His hands slid down her back feeling her body through the clothing and pulling her closer. Hermione did the same with her hands, discovering the feel of his body. It was one thing to see him in a towel and another to feel what her eyes had seen.

Things began getting more touchy feely between the two, until Draco lowered Hermione against the cold ground. He searched her eyes, knowing it was a big step to take but could be their last night together as neither knew what tomorrow held or the days ahead. Hermione smiled telling him she would hold no regrets for what was too happen. With a smile Draco leant down towards her kissing her gently before removing the thin toga…

HD

Hermione stretched out and jumped. He back had connected with the cold ground. She looked at the young man sleeping beside her and smiled. She held no regrets. Draco wasn't her first either, but she knew she had found her perfect match, despite their differences. Ron had been her first. He seemed the perfect guy to give something so meaningful too.

She sat up and pulled her clothing back on, the chill in the air getting to her. She moved to the side of the cell looking up at the high, small window. It was daytime. Hermione only knew this from the visible mist floating outside the window. She gave a small sigh and closed her eyes. Any day now the war would begin. She didn't need to be told that it was happening, she could just tell. Logic in her mind said it would be happening. The Order wouldn't stand back forever and Lucius would want to crush them soon.

"Good morning," murmured a sleepy voice.

Hermione opened her eyes and smiled at Draco, "Morning. Sleep well?"

Draco gave a smirk, "Well after last night, I slept like a baby."

Hermione chuckled and looked out the window, "It would be nice to see sunshine again."

Draco pulled on his shirt, then pants nodding at Hermione, "It would and we will. When the war is won."

"If it is won," said Hermione, "We don't know for sure if we will win. Anything is possible."

Draco walked over to Hermione and sat beside her. She slid closer to him and he wrapped an arm around her, "What did I tell you last night?"

"Have faith."

Draco nodded, "You need to believe your own words."

"Yeah I know. But then all these doubts creep into my mind and images of my friends being murdered trying to get down here to us."

Draco kissed Hermione on the forehead, "It'll be fine."

"You keep saying-"

"Don't say a word," said Draco softly, "Just don't think about it. The more you do the worse it will be."

Hermione nodded and rested her head on Draco's shoulder trying to push the thought of war from her mind.

As they settled into a comfortable silence cold laughter rippled around them, making both look up in surprise.

"Oh isn't this just adorable," came a cold voice, "A son of a Death Eater and the mudblood best friend of Harry Potter in love. What would the world say to that? Star crossed lovers? Another romance heading for disaster?"

Draco stood up with Hermione doing the same. Draco stepped forward keeping Hermione behind him to protect her.

"Show your self Snape," snarled Draco angrily, his fist clenched.

The cell door swung open and a cloak fell to the ground showing a smirking Snape. Hermione's eyes narrowed at him as he smiled evilly at them both.

"I was asked to come check on you both, little did I know I would witness you both having a romantic moment," smirked Snape.

"I'm surprised you know what romance even is," replied Hermione coldly, "I thought Death Eaters were to be void of all emotion."

Snape glared at Hermione but looked at Draco, "You disappoint me. I expected great things from you. Not this, falling for trash, abandoning your father."

"My father can offer me nothing. Hermione gives me more then I can dream of. So does my mother. What is Lucius giving you? Life?" snapped Draco.

Neither noticed Hermione back away to a corner and kneel to the ground. Snape glared at Draco, his hand slowly inching towards his robe pocket.

"Your father is the best thing since Lord Voldemort. He will accomplish the dead Lord's dreams!"

"And then what? What is the plan if that is achieved? Lucius hasn't planned the future! Even he know's his fight will never be won! There is no finishing line. Only death."

Snape shook his head and reached into his cloak pocket quickly. He pulled his wand out and pointed it at Draco opening his mouth to speak.

"STUPEFY!" screamed Hermione a red bolt of light shooting from her wand and slamming the former Head of Slytherin house in the chest.

He fell too the ground as Draco turned to Hermione, his mouth open.

"Let's go now," said Hermione running forward and grabbing Draco by the hand and pulling him out the door.

"Hermione," said Draco running up the stairs behind her, "What's going on?"

"We need to get to Hogwarts. The war is coming, I know it. Let's go to the kitchens and get the others."

Draco said nothing but followed Hermione, running for the kitchens. Both knew time was short. Hermione ran down the kitchen stairs, with Draco keeping watch at the top in the shadows. When Hermione opened the kitchen doors, the other looked at her stunned.

"Come on!" cried Hermione beckoning for them to follow her, "We are leaving this place."

Sophie ran forward first, followed by Zack and Bailey. Bridget came a little slower slightly stunned.

"It's okay Bridget. We are going to Hogwarts," smiled Hermione taking her friend by the hand.

The two ran up the stairs, meeting a waiting Draco, Zack, Bailey and Sophie.

"Let's go," said Draco running at the head of the group.

Though they were running, they kept their footsteps light. They didn't want to attract any attention. Lucius would soon realize Snape was missing and would check the cell too see if it was him who set the spell casting alarm off.

Draco opened Narcissa's reading room door and they ran in. Hermione reached the fireplace and threw enough floo powder in to last them all. She said the address quietly but clearly and jumped in, disappearing at the blink of an eye. Draco put the others through before him before jumping in himself. The last thing he saw was the reading room door opening revealing a staggering Snape.

HD

Hermione rolled out of the fireplace coughing, alarming McGonagall greatly. The old witch stood and ran forward crying out Hermione's name in surprise and relief.

"Oh dear," she said as the slaves came in seconds later along with Draco, who stumbled out.

Hermione stood and hugged him glad he made it with the others.

"Just as I left Snape came into the room," said Draco looking at Hermione, "He know's we've escaped."

"Escaped?" said McGonagall looking at the six people in her office, "You have left?"

Hermione nodded, "I know the war will begin soon. Snape was going to kill Draco. I stunned him and we escaped. I couldn't leave anyone behind. That's why I have been refusing to come back even though I could. How can I leave them behind? It wouldn't be fair or right."

McGonagall nodded and gestured to the range of seats in the room, "Sit, sit. I'll go and get Remus."

But before she left, McGonagall casted a protection charm over her fireplace to stop any intruders coming in. If they tried the fireplace would shoot them back to where they were flooing from.

Bridget looked around the office a soft smile on her face; "I can finish school now. I mean I know it's far into the year but I can catch up."

"What year are you in?" asked Draco standing close beside Hermione.

"Sixth year."

"The best years," said Hermione, "Well they were for me if you ignore the war happening then."

At that moment the office door burst open with Sirius, Narcissa, Harry, Ron and Ginny running in followed closely by McGonagall and Lupin.

"Hermione!" cried Harry embracing his friend tightly before letting Ron hug her then Ginny.

Hermione hugged them and stepped back only to be hugged by Sirius and then Narcissa.

"You escaped," said Ron.

"Thanks for noticing the obvious," teased Hermione smiling, "We were lucky. Draco got away just before Snape could stop us. I think if he had of caught us, neither of us would be alive."

"Leave the questions," said Lupin, "Pansy will be here in an hour."

"Pansy?" frowned Draco looking at his mother confused.

"I'll explain later. For now I am sure you all would like a decent shower," said Narcissa looking at the six dirty people.

A/N: That's all for now. More soon, I swear! Please review!

Until next time…

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Love Coz!