A/N- There has been quite a few requests from my reviewers as to exactly where these songs come from, so from beginning to end, the names of the artists are: System of a Down, Evanescence, Orgy, Alanis Morisette, Sarah McLachlan, Coldplay, Barenaked Ladies, Alanis Morisette, DC Talk, Rasputina, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (last two came off of the Buffy sound track), Sarah McLachlan, Anna Nalic, (can't find the lyrics for ch. 13, sorry), Disturbed, No Doubt and that brings us up to date.

My friend, HermioneDracoMalfoy, is writing a fic, which I will be co-writing, called "Why Me?" It's Draco and a character she made up named Bayleigh. Bayleigh is a punk chick, who despises Draco and is a pureblood. It's AU for the most part as Lucius is not in jail and has the whole "secretly arranged marriage" theme going for it. Check it out please, or I shall be highly insulted.

Thank you all for your reviews! I now have 130! YAY! I love you guys! Keep them coming!

Disclaimer- I hope to get published some day, but I haven't yet, so obviously NOT MINE!

Chapter 15: Frustration

Draco could do nothing but sit and wait for Snape to return with the potion, except maybe pace, and that he did until Pansy wished she could cast a Petrificus Totalus on him to stop him from moving, but of course, she couldn't. They had tied her to the bed to make sure she stayed put; they also took her wand so she couldn't free herself.

He was going insane every second. Hermione could be dying or being tortured or almost anything, and he in his present state could do nothing to stop it but wait. Oh how terribly their two stars had aligned to place upon them such a fate. Destiny had yet to reveal all the cards yet dealt, but if this is any prediction of things to come, it would not be good.

Trapped in a box of tremendous size

It distorts my vision, it closes my eyes

Attracts filthy flies and pollutes in the skies

Sucks up our lives and proliferates lies

Trapped in a box

Snape finally returned with the clear liquid known as Veritserum. Pansy eyed it with disdain. Draco could see her willing herself to keep quiet, to give away nothing, but no one can resist Veritserum at full potency.

"Plug her nose," Snape ordered. Draco complied while not even trying to hide his disgust at the thought of having to touch her. Pansy attempted to keep her mouth closed tight, but eventually had to open to admit air. They shoved the vial between her lips and forced her to drink. When she had consumed a sufficient amount, they pulled the vial away, and Snape asked, "Where is she?"

"She who?" Pansy said with a smirk. Since he had not asked a direct question, she could still resist.

"Where is Hermione Granger?" Draco asked through gritted teeth.

Trapped in a box, four walls as sky

Got a screen for a window about two feet wide

My mind rides and slides as my circuits are fried

No room for thought, use the box as my guide

Trapped in a box

"The Mudblood is with Voldemort," she spat.

"Where is Voldemort?" Snape growled. At this point, they both were losing their temper.

"At the Riddle House, of course," Pansy drawled in reply. They could see anger in her eyes. She had given up fighting as they mist-clouded mind prevented thought, but she still knew she shouldn't be saying these things, and yet she was.

Snape took a sharp breath. The chances of them getting Hermione out of the Riddle house safely were almost nothing.

"Come along, Mr. Malfoy. I believe we must speak to Dumbledore," he said and turned towards the door. Draco followed silently.

They heard Pansy shriek, "But what about me?" before they closed the door behind them.

Trapped in a box

Watch the world as it flocks

To life's paradox

We're all trapped in a box

They didn't talk much on the way to the Headmaster's office, but then, what was there to say? There was little to no chance of retrieving Hermione alive, but Draco would not give up that easily. He would not just let her stay it that torture chamber, no matter what the Headmaster had to say.

"Peach chutney," came the muttered password. The gargoyle slid to the side to reveal the winding staircase. It seemed just yesterday that Draco had stood on these same steps with Hermione on their first report to Dumbledore over the dances.

He remembered her standing there in all her fierce Gryffindor beauty with the scent of apples drifting down to him while the rotating steps elevated them to the office they had grown to know well. Their fate that day would have been different if not for her fast thinking. They would have made fools of themselves, and somehow he knew that Dumbledore knew it just as they did.

Now she was gone, to a place unreachable by revolving staircases or wit. He refused to believe she was gone forever, but the thought that he would never see her face again made his heart ache relentlessly. He would bring her back, but he was unsure that they may ever find peace again, though he would try.

Trapped in a box I'm not alone

I know of others with a box as their home

Light only enters from a crack or a hole

This is not enough for a human to grow

Trapped in a box

"Enter," said a voice inside the room. "Ah, Severus, Mr. Malfoy, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Hermione's been--" Draco started only to be cut off by Snape.

"Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy were attacked by Death Eaters in their common room, Headmaster," Snape started. "Malfoy was taken to Miss Parkinson's dorm room after being placed under the Cruciatus Curse to the point of losing consciousness. Miss Granger has been taken to the Riddle House. We can assume they mean to torture her."

Dumbledore's expression darkened as the speech went on. His eyes began to flick back and forth as he considered the information. Draco hoped that he was able to see some way through this predicament.

"Bring in Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, please," Dumbledore instructed.

"Right away, sir," said Snape and left.

Trapped in a box

Watch the world as it flocks

To life's paradox

We're all trapped in a box

After Professor Snape's exit, the room was filled with complete silence. Dumbledore had receded into his thoughts, and Draco was hard put not to interrupt him. He just couldn't stand the thought of being forced to stand there and wait while Hermione was in pain. There was no doubt in him that she wasn't; he just hoped she wasn't broken.

Images of Hermione flashed through his head. Hermione eating and reading at the same time. Hermione furious at the indignation of a less than perfect grade on her test. Hermione exhausted on the couch after a long day of planning for a dance. Hermione smiling at him over two butterbeers in Hogsmeade. Hermione seducing and then cursing Blaise with that secretive grin on her face. Hermione's eyes flicking to him from across the Great Hall. Hermione screaming at him for leaving his sweaty practice jersey draped over the couch... again. Hermione screaming his name as the curse hit him. Hermione falling to the ground unconscious. Hermione jerking awake, shouting his name, after a dream on the Hogwarts express.

Always wanting a different view

Instant gratification for you

Reality gone in a single click

Just hope that that switch won't stick

By the time Harry and Ron appeared in the office, all he wanted to do was apparate to the House and kill everyone in his way. All he wanted was Hermione there with him safe.

Ron took one look at him sitting there and yelled, "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS HE DOING HERE?"

Draco had his wand out and aimed at the Weasel before he even registered a thought.

"Mr. Malfoy, if you would please place that away," said Dumbledore calmly. "Mr. Weasley has every right to exist in this world as you do." Draco complied.

"I'm sorry, Professor. I'm just a bit on edge is all," he mumbled.

"Quite all right, I'm sure," the Headmaster assured him.

Trapped in a box my life becomes void

All I thought for myself is now destroyed

Controlling my mind, what to eat, what to buy

Subliminal rules: how to live, how to die

Trapped in a box

"It is not all right! HE TRIED TO BLOODY KILL ME!" Ron shouted.

"Mr. Weasley, please quiet down. We have to inform you of something that has to do with Miss Granger," he said.

"What did you do to her?" Ron accused.

"Mr. Weasley, he didn't do anything. Miss Granger was taken by Voldemort," Dumbledore told him.

"You sold her out, didn't you?" Ron snarled.

Snape said, "Silencio."

Trapped in a box

Watch the world as it flocks

To life's paradox

We're all trapped in a box

"What happened to Hermione, Professor?" Harry said, opening his mouth for the first time since he had entered the room.

Snape repeated the description again. Draco could see the resolve setting in Harry to get her back as it had in him. The only thing that kept him from being jealous, which at this point would be a very dangerous thing, was the knowledge that Harry loved Ginny and that he was more or less driven by the need to get his sister back. That he could handle. It was about all he could handle.

"I would appreciate it if you did not inform anyone outside of the Order about what has happened. We will send out a rescue party as soon as we can formulate a safe plan of escape. You are dismissed." Draco couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was he really expected to just walk away?

"Yes, Headmaster," agreed Harry. When he noticed Draco hadn't moved from his spot, he whispered to him, "Just come with me and act like we understand."

Draco raised his eyebrow ever so slightly, but complied.

Once they were all out the door, Harry started, "So here's what we're going to do..."

A/N- Sorry it took me so long to update...again. Thank you to all who reviewed! I love you guys!