Author's Note: All disclaimers apply. I do not own the characters contained in this story. They belong to J.K. Rowling, her publishers, and Warner Bros. Inc. Also thanks for all of the reviews. They are very inspirational and appreciated! Edited to add credit to Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and her plot from Shanna. This entire disclaimer applies to her work as well.

Well, is having technical difficulties and though I wanted to be fair and keep posts corresponding with one another it's not fair to the people reading this story if they have to constantly wait for updates. I'm also going to start updating this story at my live journal eventually as well. Once I get the kinks worked out and figure the entire process out that is.

I apologize for the lack of updates, but this story is now finished and I'm just going to update here every few days from now on. I'm hoping is up and running soon, but until then here's where I post.

Thanks for sticking with this story and I hope you continue to enjoy it.

Chapter 10

Flight in the Night

At five minutes till seven on Saturday evening Percy Weasley stood at the front door of Hermione's shop. Wearing only an elegant tuxedo, as they would be among Muggles tonight and fashionable robes would look out of place, he looked aristocratic, but that was as far as Hermione could take her assessment of him. There was nothing intriguing or exciting about him at all, but she wasn't going with him tonight in hopes of anything romantic, so it did not really matter.

Adjusting her evening gown Hermione thought the red was much too striking of a color, but she had grown up wearing it enough and when she looked for clothing she had the tendency to simply choose that shade. It was very modest with short sleeves and a hem that came to her ankles, but beaded with a sheer overlay of material. She didn't feel too conspicuous draping the matching wrap over her shoulders and taking Percy's arm Hermione stepped out locking the door behind her.

She declined Percy's offer for dinner earlier that week, deciding the experience of opera was quite enough. There was nothing wrong with what she was doing, Hermione told herself repeatedly, before they reached The Royal Opera House. She wasn't married, well not in the sense that required she remain faithful and put all thoughts of pursuing other men behind her. To the world she was a widow and in a matter of weeks she would have the agreement dissolved legally.

"I must say you are looking exquisite tonight," Percy said with true admiration as they took their seats in a box to the left of the stage.

"Thank you Percy. You are rather dashing yourself," she admitted, but for some reason the compliment he had given her did not mean as much as it might have any other time.

As the evening commenced and the lights dimmed Hermione took a deep breath and suddenly knew she had made a mistake. She was using Percy really if she thought about it. Malfoy had infuriated her and to prove her independence she accepted Percy's invitation. Her behavior was getting more appalling by the day and she blamed Malfoy wholeheartedly. He always brought out the worst in her, in anyone really. First she had drawn Neville into her devious scheme and now Percy was haplessly sitting next to her as a result of simply trying to win a quarrel.

Somewhere along the way the opera began, the singing not really reaching Hermione's consciousness. She had always wanted to go to the opera, but it was not enjoyable tonight with all of her guilt engulfing her mercilessly. To make the matter entirely more complicated Percy took to holding her hand, stroking her skin gently with a finger. She had given him the wrong impression and she should have pulled her hand from his grasp, but Hermione was not versed in the delicate ways of rejection. As absurd as it sounded, a man had never truly escorted Hermione Granger for the evening, unless one considered a single encounter with Viktor Krum at the Yule Ball as such.

The longer Percy kept touching her the more nervous Hermione became. It was too late now to pull away, as it would surely be inappropriate at this point and Percy would be confused at her sudden refusal of his chaste advance. Sighing inwardly Hermione could picture in her mind Malfoy laughing at her inexperience, enjoying how miserable she was now. The truth of the matter was she had done this to herself and would have to endure the remainder of the night as calmly as possible.

There was a brief intermission and Hermione used the excuse to get away for a bit to the ladies room. Performing the mundane task of retouching her makeup she wondered what would happen if she just disappeared or begged Percy to take her home early. She was feeling sick thinking of how terrible her actions were, and how they were affecting others. Then Hermione shook her head and mumbled to herself, knowing she could not add to her remorse by blatantly lying to her date for the evening.

When she returned, thankfully Percy did not attempt to reach out to her, not that she would have made the effort worthwhile. Hermione kept her binoculars tightly in her grasp and paid avid attention to the opera finding it tragic and uncalled for that the lovers were parted in the end by death. Really she had to admit that her fellow Muggles were obsessed with the Romeo and Juliet premise.

They talked amicably on the way back to her shop about nothing of any substance. Hermione hoped that her unwillingness to engage in a conversation of depth and purpose would discourage Percy somewhat. She came to learn later before he led her to the door that he was not easily dissuaded.

Again Percy complimented her on her attire and very assuredly leaned forward intent on kissing her goodnight. That was something Hermione had forgotten about dates, the kiss at the end and she was not prepared. Before she could turn or offer a polite protest his lips were on hers, and it was an awkward moment that she could not extricate herself from without some difficulty.

What the etiquette was as far as accepting a kiss you did not want in the first place was not something Hermione was familiar with. She did not respond, and demurely smiled hoping to appear very shy so he would not think to try it again. For the time being her reaction had the desired affect, and with only a gentlemanly kiss on her hand before he departed, Percy smiled with self-assurance and left her for the night.

Rummaging through her small bag for her shop keys and wand, Hermione frowned at a rustling sound coming from behind her. Her eyes widened when she saw Ron running down the street glancing behind him as though he were being pursued. "Ron, what is the matter?"

"Prinny's family," he said between breaths halting in front of her and taking her hands. "They've got an order for George and Fred's shop to be searched and they've got the Ministry's approval to return with him to their home since there's no evidence of abuse."

"The Ministry wouldn't do that!" Hermione cried looking worriedly over Ron's shoulder to see if anyone might creep from the shadows. "Where is he now?"

"The Burrow, but he can't stay there. We have to try and get him to Romania tonight. Charlie owled me this morning letting me know he could meet us in Brasov. There's a small cave in the mountains near Bran Castle that Prinny can hide in for a time until things are settled here. There are several dragon nests nearby so I doubt the Ministry will be so quick to think to look there at first."

Looking down at her attire Hermione realized she was overly dressed for such a mission, but there was no help for it. If she went in and changed her clothing Malfoy would be about and probably try and stop her from helping the elf altogether. Also, he was most likely set on quarreling about her evening with Percy and Hermione didn't have the time to listen to another barrage of ultimatums and denials to end their duplicitous attachment to one another. "Ron, I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion, but if you think this will be our last chance."

"It's our only one now, come on. The Ministry sent their officials over to the Fred and George's a few minutes ago. If they find any evidence that the elf was there at all our time is up."

Shoving her wand back into her bag after shrinking it again Hermione glanced once at her own shop, and taking Ron's hand they Disapparated to The Burrow. Quickly they shuffled Prinny into a small bag and again Disapparated to Charlie's location in Brasov.

The city was alive with activity so it was easy to lose themselves in the crowd and Charlie had picked an out of the way café in which to meet. The waiters did look appraisingly at Hermione's attire but said nothing. Passersby also were a bit assessing but as this was one of the larger cities in the country they let it pass. She could have just as easily been coming from a restaurant or the theater.

Sharing a brief hug with his brother Ron immediately handed the bag containing the tiny elf to him and would have left then. Hermione watched with concern as Charlie started to walk away, then stopped him. "We'll go with you. I don't feel right just pawning this off on you. Ron?" she said his name in a question as though waiting for him to agree with her.

"Now Hermione I don't think this is wise. For your alibi you'll need to be back at the shop and I'll have to be at The Burrow. Besides Charlie knows how to avoid the dragons and this is gypsy land Mione'. They can spot a witch and wizard very easily. Their elders are particularly keen on discovering us it seems," Ron cautioned sharing a nod with his elder brother.

"I can't let Charlie be responsible for this. What if he's caught?" Hermione pressed glancing about to see if they were indeed being watched in any way. There was the possibility that the Du Marier family had sent someone to pursue or follow her. There was the box of chocolates but that had just been something to frighten her she was sure.

"No one will be following me where I'm thinking about going believe me," Charlie stated with conviction. "It's best if you both go now. The gypsies in Bran aren't easy to fool. Besides Hermione you're a bit overdressed and that will begin to look suspicious to anyone really.

"We're going with you," Hermione firmly replied walking up to Charlie's side. "I promised Prinny myself that I'd see to it he was safe."

Ron sighed heavily knowing there would be no arguing with her. "Charlie save your breath. When she's bent on having her own way there's no talking her out of it. Come on, but be quick about it and try not to attract too much attention."

The three made their way through the city finally disappearing down a dark alley and with Charlie's help Apparating near Bran Castle. The fortress was hideously large and dark. It was after all Dracula's castle or so it was said. Vlad the Impaler he was called, but those in the Wizarding World knew better, that he was indeed of the undead.

"Did you have to Apparate right here?" Ron whispered fiercely at his brother who only chuckled. "Honestly, Charlie you've got a fondness for the morbid."

"Oh really Ron it's not likely there's a vampire on the place. They're no different than us when it comes to avoiding dragons and such," Hermione admonished dusting herself off and trying to get her mind off of the howls in the distance and the heavy mist that surrounded them. Dragon's breathe really, and it meant that they were very near.

"Pick your steps carefully. Too much noise and the dragons will sense us," Charlie warned harshly in a tight whisper.

Silently for many long minutes they trekked over rocky terrain, the night deepening and the howls of the creatures below in the village's surrounding forest echoing up to them. It reminded Hermione of the Forbidden Forest near Hogwarts for a brief time when vampire bats began to screech and fly overhead, disappearing into nearby caves, as the mist thickened. The ghostly wails coming from all around them were probably local gypsies trying to frighten tourists into believing the tales of the castle at the top of the mountain.

Reaching the cave Charlie intended for the tiny elf they halted, while he listened for the rustle or presence of any creature meaning them harm. Motioning them with his hand they kept moving forward, and then just inside Charlie sat the bag down and allowed the elf to step out. Bouncing happily Prinny knew well enough to keep quiet, but grabbed Hermione's hand squeezing and shaking it gratefully.

Before Charlie took the elf farther into the cave Hermione mouthed a thank you and received a smile and nod in return. Taking Ron's hand they made their decent hoping to find the exact spot they had Apparated to originally. Dragons, vampires, and dreaded werewolves sensed magic readily. Were they to Disapparate too closely to Charlie and the elf their presence would be discovered and one did not wish to tangle with any of those creatures what so ever.

The mist kept growing thicker and the mountain terrain much steeper on the downhill climb. There was no way to for Ron and Hermione to set their wands aglow to help their sight. That would draw more attention. Eventually after wandering about they concluded they were possibly lost, but not of their own means.

Something was tracking them and confusing them. More than likely a vampire had caught their scent and was leading them around in circles, creating the mist's heavy appearance and planting each misstep they took in their minds. "We should stop. Something isn't right," Hermione whispered in Ron's ear, halting her friend with a slight squeeze of his hand.

"It's a vampire I know it. They've been following us since the cave," Ron whispered back. "Bugger it we need to Disapparate now. Charlie's capable of hiding himself if our magic's noticed."

Gripping one another's hands they simultaneously transported themselves back to the alley in Brasov. The moment they materialized they knew their mistake. They were nowhere near Brasov, but in the village of Bran. On the outskirts there was a fire burning straight ahead. It was a camp of gypsies and they had noticed them immediately, eyes wide and mouths turned up in a leer.

"Quick, Disapparate to London," Ron ordered still holding Hermione's hands.

Trying to utter the spell Hermione screamed when the gypsies seemed to pour out of the trees from everywhere. Covered caravan flaps were thrown open and numerous weapons were drawn. "Faeries, witches, demon spawns!" they cried in the Romany tongue.

Gypsies were notoriously hypocritical as they also possessed certain magical charms and were once known to have held an alliance with the Fae and Queen Mab herself during ancient times. Yet, they were desperately possessive of their own secrets and saw anyone of the Wizarding World as a threat. Though stealing magic, goods, and anything in the Muggle World was commonplace to them, they were fiercely protective of their own knowledge and belongings.

"Run!" Hermione shouted instead and she and Ron broke into a sprint, narrowly escaping the grasp of two large gypsy men intent on cornering them. Blindly they ran into the forest tripping and stumbling many times. The branches and bushes around them cut into Hermione's exposed skin, as she was not as protected as Ron wearing her evening gown. Her slippers were utterly destroyed when she staggered over a log and broke the pointed heel. Leaving the shoes behind Hermione increased her pace keeping an even length of Ron's longer strides.

Behind them the angry gypsies kept at their heels. It was not everyday they could catch a witch and wizard in their midst and they could confiscate their wands making escape nearly impossible. No, Hermione did not relish the thought of being at the mercy of the two large men at the front of the mob chasing them through the night.

Lights were coming into view and they were nearing the town of Bran. Hopefully the mildly busy streets would deter the pursuit of their attackers. When they finally stepped into civilization again the angry shouts did not falter. Seeing a hotel down a well-lit street Ron and Hermione kept running, knowing a horde of angry gypsies was nothing local residents took seriously. This was an everyday affair and they were respected by most. It was their country after and land of their ancestors.

Barely making it inside the establishment the two stopped to catch their breath before continuing to the back asking politely for a lavatory. Getting a curt reply and wave of a hand they darted into the men's area, and quickly gathering their composure Disapparated to safety.

Appearing outside the alley behind Hermione's shop they each exhaled a sigh of relief. "See why I didn't particularly want to go hiking a mountain," Ron tried to smile now that the crisis was averted.

"Oh, admit it. It was like old times," Hermione grinned up at him impishly. She was masking her own fear however at how close they had come to being discovered. Also, there was the tiny part of not truly making certain no one had seen them disappear in the lavatory. However there was no help for it, and they had been very careful elsewhere.

"No more close calls like that do you hear," he frowned at her like an older brother who was protecting a child. "This elvish business is getting out of hand really."

Rolling her eyes she patted his shoulder. "Hurry and get back to The Burrow so no one thinks anything out of the ordinary."

"Good night Mione'. Malfoy won't be up and about will he?" Ron glanced at the door behind her with a curious and concerned gaze.

"No, he's probably been asleep for hours. It's the middle of the night you know. Thank Merlin, I don't have to open in the morning," she whispered taking her wand lifting the charm and unlocking the door along with her key. Since the incident with the chocolates she had been giving extra care to securing the back entrance.

"I won't see you for a few days to keep down suspicion. If the Ministry questions you say you turned Prinny away when you heard his story. Say something, anything just don't make them wonder enough to probe any further," Ron warned before smiling at her reassuringly then faded from view.

Closing the door behind her Hermione secured the lock again with a less than simple spell and secured it. Heaving another sigh, the toll the night had taken finally sunk in and Hermione's feet and face along with her arms were burning. She was cut deeply on her left heel from either rocks or twigs in the forest she was not sure. Bending down she muttered a healing incantation to take care of the immediate area then decided to go upstairs and take a long bath. Afterward she would finish seeing to her other minor afflictions.

Out of curiosity Hermione almost checked the cellar in case Malfoy had not gone below and was sneaking about somewhere, ready to engage in another battle of words. Then she thought better of it. She had not ventured downstairs with the possibility of him being there as well since their last encounter. Hermione's nerves were already on edge and she would have to deal with him in the morning most likely asking questions and poking fun at her evening with Percy. Quietly she charmed the cellar door as always and started slowly upstairs.

A small clock in her apartment chimed three in the morning and Malfoy only barely heard the tolling. All feelings of gentleness or remote kindness had long ago disappeared. He was an even bigger fool than he'd given Longbottom credit for always being in the past. Sweet, innocent, and very married Hermione had not returned home and was undoubtedly spending the night in the arms of one Percy Weasley.

Months of thinking of her in the outside world helping others, smiling at friends, and secretly hoping she had not forgotten about him completely, were for nothing. Hermione was like everyone else, a liar, and like every woman she paraded about thoughtlessly, appearing demure and virginal. Gods, he was blind to not see her true character sooner.

Unbidden images of Percy kissing her, caressing her where her own husband could not invaded Draco's mind relentlessly. Clenching his fists tightly again he wanted to rip the man's throat out and curse his broken body into a thousand unrecognizable pieces. Then he would deal with Hermione.

All of her blushing and downcast gazes were lies. Draco saw that now, and marveled how she had managed to so easily ensnare him in her deceit. He wondered how many there had been since the night they were married. Had Hermione already finished with Ron and thought to move to his brother where the power was, the future Minister of Magic possibly? How quaint really, and she probably would explain that her seduction of Percy was so ensure the safety of her fucking elves.

Again visions of Hermione, head thrown back, lips parted in a wordless gasp of pleasure assailed Draco while she lay naked and writhing under another man. No, this time the man was him, and she was suddenly crying begging for forgiveness, but she was asking in vain. There was no forgiving betrayal such as this. She may not have initially meant to honor her vows, but just the same when the situation changed she was bound to be faithful. It was an unspoken law. Hermione was his wife and that meant above all else she respected his position in her life and knew without question she belonged to him.

Angrily Draco sent a stack of books on a nearby table flying along with a few figurines that crashed to the floor shattering. Loyal, strong, and loving Hermione was able to offer herself to everyone in some capacity except him. Draco hated her for it more than he had once childishly hated her for being born to a Muggle family.

It ended tonight Malfoy decided, the secrets. He was going to take the marriage certificate to The Ministry in the morning. If Hermione was charged with treason that was her own affair. Eventually he would secure her release from prison, if it came to that, and then she would be indebted to him and at his mercy. Hermione would never be able to slip away again he would make sure of it.

Draco heard the back door closing below and narrowed his eyes trying to discern if she was alone or the bastard was with her. There was only the sound of her light footsteps coming up the stairs moments later, and he realized that she had the good grace to come home alone and leave the sodding prick at the door, or back at his own flat. Speaking of them together only inflamed Draco's temper further and slipping to the wall at the side of Hermione's apartment door he waited for her to enter.

The moment she slowly walked inside Hermione paused almost making him think she sensed him. Then she shook her head and absently shut the door, not looking behind her. She cried out when her bare foot fell on a broken piece of porcelain. Bending down she pulled the stray portion of a broken cat figurine from the pad of her foot frowning before her eyes widened.

There were books and glass everywhere, and her first thought was the Du Marier family had searched her apartment for Prinny. Glancing about frantically she was actually happy to see Malfoy lounging against the wall behind her. "Malfoy what happened? Did someone break in?"

Draco did not answer her, just pushed himself from the wall and began advancing on her. His eyes were flecks of ice and fire and every muscle was tensed in his body. Something was not right and Hermione glanced down to see that he had divested himself of his manacles. She often did not care if he went about without them, but suddenly she wished he was not as powerful and could not rid himself of them so readily. "Malfoy, what's wrong? You should be downstairs in bed."

"Was the opera everything you thought it would be? Was Percy?" he asked silkily his shoes crunching the remnants of the broken shards beneath his feet.

Backing away and keeping her eyes on him Hermione was afraid. The gypsy camp looked preferable at the moment. She foolishly tried to put on an aloof persona. "Malfoy I don't know what you mean. What happened tonight is none of your business."

Something came to life, horrific and savage in Draco, then and she did not even have time to pull her wand from her bag again to defend herself. He tossed the handbag aside after wrenching it painfully from her grasp and with an inhuman growl ripped the front of her bodice rending the garment beyond repair. Twisting from him for a moment Hermione screamed and managed to stumble toward the door behind him. However, Malfoy was more determined and caught her waist effortlessly spinning her around to face him.

Malevolently he raked her with a cold vengeful gaze. "None of my business if my wife is fucking the Junior Assistant to the Minister of Magic? Perhaps you'd like to think that particular statement over again," he snarled shaking her once and tightening his hold on her waist.

Hermione stared back at him in confusion and abject fear. "Percy has nothing to do with this," she stammered, not knowing how this would end and thinking it would not be in her favor.

"Everything," he hissed jerking at the clasps on the back of her dress while she struggled to keep what was left of her clothing around her body. "He has everything to do with it. Was he worth it, was he good in bed or have you had better?"

"I didn't sleep with Percy. Gods, Malfoy not that it would matter to you anyways," she cried realizing that her struggles only caused her more pain. Stilling her more unsettled thoughts Hermione knew she needed to decide a plan of action and quickly she whispered the command to bring her wand forth. "Accio wand."

Malfoy caught her wand instead and muttered another spell preventing her from obtaining it. "Tego texi tectum." Immediately the wand disappeared from view, placed on another plane of existence, and he shook his head at her angrily. "We won't be needing that tonight I don't believe."

Hermione thrashed about wildly tears coming to her eyes and she knew she was fighting a losing battle. "Let me go! Percy will make things worse for you if you do this," she warned.

"I don't want to hear his name!" Malfoy roared threading his fingers through her hair and throwing her head back. "Not once more do you understand. For Gods sakes I thought you had more taste. He must have been boring, very proper and I doubt the experience was even memorable."

"I didn't sleep with Percy!" she shouted once more even more bewildered that it seemed to be the cause of his anger his thinking that she had.

"Not even those dreary little Muggles of yours can screech and moan for well over seven hours about tragic romance and other nonsense. Don't lie to me!"

"I wasn't with Percy I was with Ron after the opera," Hermione explained and instantly recognized her mistake in admitting that fact.

"Both in one night?" Draco drawled with a leer and raised a brow, his fury coming to the surface completely. "How, generous and devious of you."

"Stop saying things like that! I was with Ron in Romania to hide an elf. The Ministry was searching for him tonight and his family was given permission to take him back if he was found. I had to get him out of the city!" An even darker dread settled around Hermione then as she revealed what had transpired. This was damning evidence against her that Malfoy would readily use to destroy her for certain now. She had implicated Ron as well in her desperation to get Malfoy to see reason.

A modicum of sanity took root in Draco's mind and he froze for a moment. Cruelly he assessed Hermione's appearance, taking in her torn clothing and exposed undergarments. She was trembling again, dark eyes pleading with him for understanding. He didn't care if she hated him for it later, but focused on her eyes delving into the depths of her mind needing to know the truth for himself.

Before Hermione could halt his intent, fleeting moments of the night came into focus. Percy making her uncomfortable and her realization she had not wished to accept his invitation to begin with. Ron and that other brother of his, there were so many of the redheaded buggers, and then a spirited chase through the woods. "Gypsies!" Draco murmured his anger taking a different turn.

His hold on her had lessened and Hermione took a few tentative steps back. "I told you never to do that," she reminded him but hoped that the few bits of information he had seen in her thoughts would assuage his wrath.

"Fucking gypsies and Gods know what else for an elf?" he asked incredulously. "Does Weasley know about the poisoned chocolates and notes, or does he think this deadly hobby of yours is worth it?"

"We weren't caught. Ron and I are too clever for that," Hermione defended forgetting at that second to hold her garment in place and hide her body from view. "It's nothing to you. I know you hate elves as much as you hate Muggles. What I do is my own business."

"It matters very much if one of your insane schemes nearly gets you abducted or killed. Do you know the things the gypsy men could have done to you? Do you?" Relief was mingling with protective rage. She hadn't gone to Percy, hadn't given herself to him, but she had willingly risked her life for another creature that meant nothing in the long run. This elvish society had gone too far.

"The same thing you would have done just moments ago," she spat back some of her courage returning.

Draco's face grew pale at her blunt response and the fire that fueled his anger died. Thinking silently to himself he wondered if she were right, if he was as capable as his father of taking what someone was not willingly to give. Would he have been able to stop himself before he'd hurt her or would he have justified his actions as her punishment for a betrayal?

Staring back at Hermione watching her chest rise and fall with her erratic breathing and the trembling of her hands and legs Draco mentally shook himself. He couldn't have ultimately gone so far as to humiliate her completely. "No, I would never have done that. I was angry, yes, but I couldn't," he whispered imploring her to believe him, trying to convince himself as well.

His father had done his job well, Draco mused with disgust. Take, destroy, ruin, humble and in the end all of it will be justified. Nothing justified the lost and frightened look that shone from Hermione's dark eyes or the paleness of her skin. More firmly Draco resolved himself to realizing that he wasn't able to commit such a heinous act. It was a daunting insight that came next but one he oddly accepted without question. Blinking twice he gazed back at her again drawing in a deep breath. "Are you hurt?"

"What?" she asked in disbelief. "Malfoy get out!" she said impatiently pulling the remnants of her dress about her.

"Are you hurt?" he pursued the question again ignoring Hermione and walking toward her again. As he suspected she flinched when he reached for her, but he didn't let it deter him.

"I'm fine go downstairs. I'll heal myself if you'll kindly return my wand from wherever you dispersed it to," she said heatedly.

He wasn't paying her any heed but did call the wand from its suspension on another plane. "Aperio."

Curiously she waited to see what he had in mind to do and watched him skeptically when it appeared he was going to examine her. "I can take care of myself. I told you to leave."

Still not speaking Draco was pleased to see that she wasn't injured except for a few scrapes and bruises. Running half crazed through a forest could inflict such wounds. There was a simple spell for this and now he wished he'd paid better attention in school as far as healing was concerned. Potions and Arithmancy had always been so much more interesting however. Draco wondered how much he could have improved in the subjects if he had been allowed to return for seventh year.

"Restituo ut quod est lacer quod frendo," Hermione muttered with annoyance snatching the wand out of his hand. Instantly her skin returned to a pink and flawless luster with only thin red lines and splotches left in place of the previous gashes and contusions.

"How you remember spells like that without any effort is beyond me," he said with actual amazement. "Did you do you do anything else in school but read and fight for Dumbledore?"

"Get out. I most certainly don't want to talk about the past with you." Hermione wasn't worried he would harm her now, but his fury earlier had suggested otherwise. At the moment she just wanted Draco out of her sight and safely locked below.

"You're right in that respect, the past isn't a topic we should dwell on. It's the future we should be interested in."

"Wondering what I'll tell Percy in the morning when he stops in?" she baited, also testing to see if his temper would ignite again.

"Nothing," he stated bluntly. "You won't tell him anything about this elf you helped tonight or where you were. Believe Longbottom if you want, but I'm convinced Weasley would gladly take you in to The Ministry if for no other reason than bettering his reputation. I don't trust him and neither should you."

Hermione didn't correct him, as she had been speaking of his rash behavior earlier, but his words were sobering. Neville was a bit naïve to believe that Percy would let her get away with anything more than another citizen. Would Percy be at the shop early in the morning again? Would he be asking questions since they did not find Prinny at Fred and George's? "What about you? What are you going to tell Percy?"

"Not a sodding thing," Draco said appearing appalled that she would think otherwise. "I don't agree whatsoever with this society of yours but I'm not going to let Weasley or those families to harm you because of it. He'd be better off if he didn't delve too much into where this elf you shuffled out of the city ended up. I assume his little brother Ronald can keep his mouth tightly shut?"

"Yes," Hermione whispered taken aback that he was obviously concerned that she should be discovered and turned over to the Ministry. "Malfoy why aren't you thinking about using this information to your advantage? You could go to the Minister himself tomorrow and Ron and I both would be implicated. Even his brother Charlie would have to face charges."

"I've seen prison," he told her softly. "I don't think you would make it very long in there. Besides, it wouldn't look proper for a wife of a Malfoy to have blot like that on their reputation."

They were back to that again, but at least Draco didn't outwardly seem to want to bring her before the courts. Not wholly able to forget his outburst, Hermione pushed aside the tiny feelings of relief and gratitude for his silence. "Go to bed," she said wearily waving him away with her hand and going toward her door.

"What family does the elf belong to again?" Draco had a very real feeling that the elf's owners would be more than irritated that he had not been found. He had only heard Hermione and Ron mention their name once weeks ago and he had not heard it plainly at the time. Hermione might well receive an unexpected visit from them and they would not be civil guests he was sure.

"Du Marier," she mumbled absently opening the apartment door. "Good night," she reiterated not raising her gaze from the floor.

Hiding his shock Malfoy did not know whether to warn Hermione of their ruthlessness, or yell at her for taking on such a dark and merciless clan to begin with. "They'll come looking for you. They won't let this rest."

"I'll worry about that tomorrow." All Hermione wanted was to forget tonight and curl up in her bed. The bath wasn't as appealing even and she was beyond exhausted.

Contemplating her for a time he finally strode forward. "Remember to say nothing to Weasley. You can't trust him."

"And I can trust you," she said with distinct sarcasm.

Hermione id meet his gaze after finding his next remark strangely sincere. Honesty was not something she was accustomed to seeing in Draco's eyes and it was more unsettling than any violent flare of his temper. Unmoving she watched him warily when he reached out tentatively to brush his fingers across her cheek. "Yes, you can," he said before dropping his hand away and turning to leave.

Locking the door behind him she didn't dare try and go below to unlock the cellar for him or see that he was actually going below. Muttering the cleaning spell and repairing her broken knick-knacks Hermione removed her ruined dress, repairing I quickly and stuffing it into the back of her closet. She then slipped into a soft and comfortable nightgown that came just below her knees. Pulling the covers back she buried her face in her pillow and cried with relief. Malfoy had not harmed her, and she had managed to safely get Prinny out of London. It was all emotionally draining and she fell asleep easily.

Draco soundlessly crept back through the apartment finding Hermione's wand sitting on the table before a sofa. She should have taken it to bed with her, but it would serve him well to place a more secure charm on her apartment door. Not that it would keep a more determined witch or wizard out, but it would bide him time if he had to get her to safety.

Seeing that the windows were locked as well Draco stepped lightly into her bedroom. She was crying in her sleep and instead of simply pulling a chair near her bed to keep watch for the night he impulsively slipped in beside her. Intending to keep his distance Draco held very still, watching the window across the room, waiting for someone to attempt to enter.

Despite the scent of evergreen, dirt, and a hint of smoke in her hair there was the undeniable smell of gardenias. Fitful in her sleep Hermione turned over, unconsciously edging closer until she was pressing against him, her face barely a breath away from his own. Tears were still wet on her cheeks and Draco nearly tried to brush them away, but thought better of it.

It was good for him to see them. It reminded him of how painful words could be and accusations. If he were going to make any attempt at all to amicably continue their marriage he would have to learn and remember that Hermione was a rarity, someone who was honest to a fault and when she kept a secret it nearly destroyed her inside. Just as her secret in marrying him and hiding her elves was slowly tearing her apart.

Not thinking twice Draco shamelessly explored her mind finding her deeply asleep and not likely to awaken easily if he attempted what he wished to do. Selfishly he couldn't resist, having been denied human contact, contact with her in particular, and drew her into his arms laying his cheek on her forehead. Whatever small amount of trust Hermione held in him would be lost when she woke and found him near, but then again more than likely there had been none left after his violent display.

He would have to start over in the morning Draco knew, but first he was going to have to figure out a way to put his pride aside and confront the Weasley's soon. They were Purebloods and knew how well connected the Du Mariers were. That family was also very respected among the same circles as the Crabbes, Goyles, Parkinsons, and Notts. He didn't think he would have the fortitude to ask Potter for help as of yet. If the Du Mariers were forced to pay any reparations when the elf's trial came about though, even Potter might not be enough to protect Hermione if they truly wanted to see her harmed.

Tego texi tectum- To conceal

Aperio- To appear

Restituo ut quod est lacer quod frendo- Repair that which is torn and bruised