Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, sadly.

Nothing got better after that night.

The house elves eventually moved Hermione's stuff into the dungeons; because that's the only place she wanted to be. Not even with Blaise, but in her own cell. She didn't eat anything. The only thing she would have is water. She just didn't care anymore. Draco came to watch her from the window on the door everyday. She did the same thing each time he came back.

She stared at the ceiling and sobbed silently to herself.

He felt pains in his stomach as the tears fell down her cheeks and wet her tasseled hair beneath her head. He knew she hadn't had a shower in weeks, she hadn't eaten a decent meal, and the last words spoken out of her mouth were towards him. She was dying, and there wasn't a thing anyone could do to put her out of her misery.

"I don't know what to do, Marcus. I can't just leave her in there," Draco remarked as he stared out into the gardens.

Marcus set down his tea cup and shrugged, "We've all tried, Draco. But she wants nothing to do with us. Can you blame her though?"

"I can't just take her to St. Mungos! Not even with a polyjuice potion. And Graham went out of the country after this. What am I supposed to do?"

"Owl Viktor."

Draco was about to say something until Marcus interrupted him.

"Do you love her?"

It took a moment for Draco to answer. He looked up at her window for a brief second and finally nodded, "Yes."

"Then you will do what is necessary for her survival, and if that means being told 'I told you so' then you will do it. Stop being such a prick. We all knew this was coming, and we call could have prevented it, but we didn't. Now she's in there, helpless. You will owl the only person that she will have anything to do with."

---

He took Marcus' advice. The next day he retired to his study after breakfast and sat at his desk. For second or two he stared at the quill and parchment before taking the quill and dipping it in the ink.

Viktor,

There has been an incident. She needs you.
Please come as soon as possible.

D. Malfoy

He made sure not include Hermione's name or what had happened incase the owl was intercepted. Viktor would know what he meant. He rolled the parchment up, wrote Viktor's name on the outside and called one of his most trusted house elves to come get it.

"Send this to Viktor Krum as soon as you can, understood?"

Twinky nodded her little head and was off carrying the piece of parchment to send off. Draco watched until he was out of the door before slamming his fist on the desk, causing a few papers to fly and a book to fall to the floor. He was at his wits end. Falling apart because of this mudblood that he used to despise with every bone in his body. Then there was Lavender who he had been sleeping with every night since the incident. He couldn't stand her anymore, but then it would start all over again. The screaming, the name calling, and he would take her upstairs. She wasn't his drug though. It didn't make him forget about what he had done; it actually made him feel a whole lot worse.

Draco sat there staring out the window for a few hours. Every knock on the door was dismissed; he didn't need to be bothered in the state he was in.

But one person didn't knock, he stormed right on in.

"What's going on? What incident?"

Draco lifted his head and found Viktor hovering over him. With a slight shrug, he rose from the chair and ran a shaky hand through his tangled hair.

"Malfoy! Answer me," Viktor shouted.

"Fine!" Draco turned to face him and sneered, "I called you here because she lost the baby. Alright! She lost it and now she's down there moping in the dungeons. She won't eat! She won't ta –"

Viktor grabbed Draco by the collar of his shirt and pulled him towards him, "You fucking bastard," he spat before hitting his fist across Draco's face.

He watched as the Dark Lord fell to the floor and lay there motionless. Viktor couldn't take it though. He started kicking him in his stomach over and over, and Draco didn't do a thing except take it. He knew he deserved it.

Viktor finally stopped and looked down at the now muddled Draco. His lip was bleeding, and his skin was now showing fresh bruises, but it was nothing compared to the pain Hermione was suffering. It couldn't even compare.

"Is she in her room?"

Draco shook his head.

Viktor sneered, "Then where is she, Malfoy"

"Dungeons."

Viktor didn't give him a second glance as he stormed out of the study and into the hallway. He passed the house elves, and a couple of deatheaters who looked bewildered at seeing Viktor there. He brushed them off and descended the stairs before turning down the hallway and finding the door. He pulled it open and made his way through the corridor, while looking in each hole on the door until he found Hermione's cell. Surprisingly the door wasn't locked. He twisted the knob and opened the door.

"Get out Draco," She whispered with closed eyes.

Viktor walked in a little more and shook his head at the site he was seeing. He had never seen her look worse; like she was dead.

"Hermione?"

She opened her eyes slowly at the sound of his voice. It was the first comfort she had since that night. She didn't move though. He had to come to her. When he reached her he sat on the bed and maneuvered her into his arms. She grasped on tightly to his cloak and buried her head into his shoulder.

"I'm going to get you out of here, Hermione. We're going to get you out and we're going to give that monster what he deserves."

She nodded. But it didn't really occur to her what he had proposed.

Viktor lifted her chin and wiped away her tears with his index finger, "If we're going to do this I need you to tell me if you're capable."

"I am," She answered.

It was set, and she agreed. Viktor lifted her up and pushed a few strands of hair that were plastered to her face, "Now, is there anything that you really want from here? Possessions? I need to know so we can get it now."

Of the few possessions she had she only wanted one thing, "My wedding dress is under my bed upstairs."

"Okay I can get it, but Hermione we have to do this fast. Get yourself cleaned up and meet me in the entrance hall. Don't talk to anyone, understand? Don't say a word."

She nodded frantically, and started moving things to find a hair tie. Viktor looked at her and then was off once again to find what she wanted. He made sure to avoid contact with anyone, but moved through the house steadily until he came upon her bedroom.

He entered it, and searched first under the bed where she said it would be. But it wasn't there. He searched in the closets, in the armoire, the bathroom, everywhere but it was no where to be found. When he turned around he found Draco at the door holding the dress in his hand.

"Is this what you were looking for?"

Viktor took a step closer with his hand out, "Give it to me. She wants it."

"No," Draco shook his head, "How dare you, Viktor. Trying to take her away. You wouldn't have got very far."

"Why can't you just let her go, Malfoy? Tell me. She doesn't love you, hell she doesn't even like you. She hates you, and you want to keep her here. You can't play this game of taking away people lives. Haven't you done enough to her?"

Draco didn't take any of his words in. He ignored Viktor as if he was a fly buzzing in his ear. But he did know that Viktor wasn't going to give up without a fight. As he took out his wand from his cloak and pointed it at Viktor, Viktor sneered.

"Kill me Draco. Sooner or later they'll find her. You and I know that."

A smirk etched itself upon Draco's lips, "They'll never find her. They think she's dead, remember?"

"Please don't."

The both turned to find Hermione standing behind Draco. And since the incident Hermione stared Draco in the eye.

"I'll stay if you let him go. Unharmed, and not followed by you or any of your followers. Draco please," her voice was barely audible. A meek whisper. But both were surprised at the plea.

"You can't stay here. I won't let you!" Viktor shouted as he pushed Draco aside and grabbed Hermione, "Don't do this to yourself."

"Your safety is more important."

"What are you saying Hermione? Have you been brainwashed?"

She shook her head and stepped closer to him. As she inclined her head to look him in the eye she mouthed three words. 'Tell them everything'.

Draco didn't interrupt as the two shared a brief moment. He was still stunned she wasn't fighting. Finally he spoke up, "I'll escort you out."

Viktor looked at Hermione once last time assuring her that he would be back, and she nodded to let him know she understood. Viktor started walking, and Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and started off towards Viktor.

"What's this all about?" He asked.

Hermione shrugged and kept her eyes ahead of her, "If I left now Draco I think that would destroy me the most."

He looked at her for a brief second trying to understand what she was saying, but he didn't know. Once again he looked at Viktor as they came upon the front door. Hermione let go of Draco's hand and Viktor pulled her into a gentle embrace. Draco of course was stuck by envy as she stood there in Viktor's arms, but he had much more than that. At the chance to escape she chose to stay with him. He was proud of himself even though he didn't know her true intentions.

Viktor pulled back and stroked her hair before turning to Draco, "Hurt her and I swear I'll kill you."

Draco sneered, "Watch yourself."

Hermione watched as Viktor turned and walked out of the manor. Once again she was left there. When she had the chance to escape she didn't. Why? Why was she doing this to herself, she didn't know. Draco placed a hand on her face, and she didn't struggle. She actually turned to face him.

"Let me hold you, Hermione. I swear I won't hurt you."

She shook her head, "You're a liar."

Draco pulled her into his arms and stroked the back of her head. His fingers entangled themselves into her hair. She just stood there though, very much unlike when she was in Viktor's arms. Draco pulled back and cupped her head in his hands.

"Are you hungry?"

She nodded.

"What would you like?"

"It doesn't matter."

He watched as she started off without a word to the dining room. Draco didn't understand what was going on. He couldn't understand why she didn't go. He also didn't understand the sudden change in her. But if he had her back, then he didn't care. She was all he wanted.

---

The house elves decided to whip up a feast for their master and Hermione. Salad, a rack of lamb, wines, cheeses, and breads of all assortments. Draco's favorite dishes. He and Hermione sat next to each other at the table that could hold over thirty five people, but with them both there it was cozy. Their meal was served in courses, starting from appetizers to deserts, and Hermione ate each thing up along with the crumbs left on the plate.

"I missed having dinners with you," Draco said as he placed his wine glass down.

Hermione swallowed her last bite of the pineapple cake, and dabbed her mouth with a napkin before answering, "Why? You have plenty of people here all the time."

"Yes," Draco started off, "But not one compares to your company."

"Well –,"

Just before she could finish her sentence someone came bursting through the door.

"Draco! I have been searching absolutely everywhere for you. Now come --," She stopped as she saw Hermione sitting next to him, "Well sleeping beauty has finally graced us with her presence."

Hermione gaped at Lavender before dropping her fork on the table. Draco looked over to Hermione, before turning his attention back to Lavender.

"How did you get in?"

Lavender smiled and shrugged before taking a seat across from the two, "Well I practically live here. So you know."

"No you don't live here," He spat.

Lavender raised an eyebrow, "What has gotten into you?"

Draco brushed her off and turned back to Hermione who was now fiddling with the salt and pepper shakers. She caught his stare and turned to face him.

"Why don't you and I take a walk on the grounds?"

"Fine," she said.

As Draco took Hermione's hand and started to lead her out of the dining room, Lavender sat mouth agape as she watched what was taking place. He had just blown her off. She abandoned her seat and stormed off after them in a rage. By time she had caught up they were already in the gardens.

"Draco!" she called out.

He looked back to find her standing by the house. He awaited an answer.

"What about me?" She shouted once again.

He shrugged, "You know your way out."

And with that he was off again with Hermione beside him.

Lavender stood there; dumbfounded, embarrassed, and enraged. Once again she had been beat by her. Once again she was left behind. And once again she had the attention of the man that she wanted. Lavender could've wrung her neck at that moment. She didn't know what to do. She couldn't disobey Draco's orders. She wouldn't. So she did what he said, and showed herself out.

Draco and Hermione walked in silence around the grounds for a long while after the Lavender incident. The two just enjoyed the breeze that was out and the night sky. But Hermione couldn't fully enjoy herself without getting something off of her chest.

"I don't want her to be around."

"Pardon me?"

Hermione unlinked her hand from Draco's and crossed her arms over her chest as she stared away from him, "If I'm going to live here with you, then I want her to stay away when her being her is unnecessary. I'm not an idiot; I know what's been going on while I've been locked away in those dungeons."

"Hermione it meant nothing. And even if it did, what would it matter to you?"

She snapped her head to face him, "What would it matter to me? Draco, please! You were fucking another woman when I lost my child!"

"There was nothing I could do to help you! Did you expect me to think you needed my help after you said what you said? What's wrong with you? I'm sorry that I slept with her alright! But you have no right to tell me who and who can't be in my house."

"Fuck you," she spat before storming off towards the woods.

Draco groaned before running off after her. She was the most complicated person that he had ever met. But finally he realized that she wasn't in her right mind state. She was still in shock from what happened. As he caught up to her he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. As he caught his breath, he wiped a couple of strands of hair away from her face.

"Listen to me. I didn't mean it, alright? I didn't mean what I said. But you can't just run off like this Hermione. It's not safe. If you want Lavender not to come anymore, she won't."

Hermione nodded and tugged her arm away from him. Draco watched as she took a few steps forward and looked to the ground.

"You know, I never planned life like this. To be locked up and shown off as some porcelain doll. I also never planned to be the love interest of the wizarding world's most infamous villain," she sighed as she tried to find the right words to say, "But here I am, your prized porcelain doll, who loves and adores you."

They both stood in silence as her words hit them both very hard. Draco crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her. He couldn't see her facial expressions, but the moonlight shone on a single tear that fell to the ground. She was crying, and as much as he wanted to comfort her, he knew that she was finally realizing what she fought her hardest to fight off;

That she was falling in love with the dark lord.

After he the massacre, after she lost her baby, after the many woman he had slept with when she was down the hall – she cared. She felt jealousy towards the woman, that's one of the reasons that she wanted Lavender gone. But even though she felt something for him, she wouldn't let him get away with what he did. The hate she felt never would go away. She was torn in between choosing to love him, or giving him exactly what he deserved.

She didn't want either one.

Authors Notes: Don't think she's just going to let everything go. Oh no. Well this was a quick update because we start school on Tuesday; which means homework beyond homework after the break. I hope you guys liked it, and I appreciate every single review that you take time to give.