A/N: Many thanks to Muggle Jane and Krissy for looking this over for me. Holy shit, everyone, I'm so sorry this took me so long to update. Graduate school has been absolutely chaotic, but please, rest assure that I will never abandon a story. Thank you so much to everyone who left reviews and constantly PMed me about updating. Although my replies have been sporadic, know that those messages meant a lot to me. I promise that I'll try not to go so long without updating again. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.

Disclaimer: The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic and WB. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.

Chapter 25

Hermione groggily opened her eyes. It was dark and there was a musty smell in the air. She cringed as she realized there was another smell – one that she couldn't place. She went to move her arms but found that she couldn't. Looking upwards, she realized that she was chained to a wall. She tugged on the shackles, trying to escape.

"Hermione!"

She froze. "Ron?" she asked into the darkness.

"Yeah, s'me," he answered. "I think I'm in the same cell as you."

"Do you know where we are?" she asked him, her heart racing with the possibility.

"No," Ron responded. "If I had to guess, I'd say the dungeons at Malfoy Manor. Do you have your wand?"

"No," she replied.

"Yeah, me neither."

Hermione bit her lower lip. "Ron, this isn't good," she whispered.

"No, it's not."

Harry sat down in the Great Hall for dinner. He looked around the busy hall trying to find Ron and Hermione. When he didn't notice them, he shrugged and sat down. They'd be around sooner or later.

As he piled food on his plate, Ginny came and took a seat next to him. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before looking up and down the table. "Where are Hermione and Ron?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. They said they were going to check out the Room of Requirement earlier, so they might still be doing that."

Ginny looked nervous. "Harry," she whispered, leaning close so no one else could hear their conversation. "They were investigating Malfoy, weren't they?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"Well, isn't it weird that Malfoy isn't here at dinner either?" She glanced around the hall, frowning. "What if something's happened to them?"

Harry's green eyes widened. "Ginny!" he explained. "Oh, Merlin, I feel so stupid. I didn't even think of that." He stood, grabbing her hand. "Come on, let's go check the map."

The two of them rushed from the Great Hall, their dinner long forgotten. Once in the hallway, Harry pulled Ginny into an empty classroom and took out the Marauder's Map. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." Within seconds, the map appeared and showed everyone's location.

As they scanned the map, Harry felt a sickening sensation grow in his stomach. Hermione, Ron, and Malfoy were all nowhere to be found. "Shite," he cursed. "We need to tell Dumbledore."

Ginny nodded, her eyes wide. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to close the map.

Harry reached out, his hands covering hers. He held them for a moment, causing them to still. "Don't worry, Ginny." He looked into her eyes. "The two of them are tough… I'm sure they are all right."

"I hope so," she whispered, ignoring the tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. "Let's go."

"Mischief managed," Harry said, tapping the map with his wand. The map disappeared and turned into a regular piece of parchment. Holding Ginny's hand, the two of them quickly made their way to the Headmaster's office.

"Sugar quills," Harry said, watching as the gargoyle leapt aside.

The two of them rushed up the steps to the Headmaster's office. They paused outside the double doors. Harry reached up and tentatively knocked. "Professor Dumbledore!" he shouted. "It's urgent."

The door swung open. Harry and Ginny rushed in to find Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall speaking.

"Miss Weasley, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall scolded. "What is the meaning of barging in here?"

"Professors," Harry began, a worried expression on his face. "I'm afraid that there's been an accident. Both Hermione and Ron are missing, and we think that Malfoy has something to do with that."

"That's a bold statement," Professor McGonagall said. "Do you have any proof?"

"Not exactly," Ginny answered honestly. "But the Malfoys have been after Hermione for quite some time. It wouldn't surprise me if they were responsible."

"Without proof, there is no way we can assume that—"

"Minerva," Professor Dumbledore sighed. "I'm afraid that Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley may be correct in their assumptions. I've received word that Sirius has been captured by Death Eaters."

"Sirius," Harry whispered, horrified about everything that was happening. "We need to go after them, Professor! We need to rescue them."

"I understand that, Harry," Dumbledore said gently. "I've got a small team organizing themselves as we speak. We shall rescue Sirius, along with Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger."

"I want to come," Harry said firmly.

"I can't allow that," Dumbledore said firmly. "It's going to be dangerous, Harry. You need to stay here."

"Here? Where it's safe?" Harry shook his head. "I'm sorry, Professor, but Hogwarts isn't exactly safe. Two of your students were abducted and removed from Hogwarts property by a third student." Harry crossed his arms. "Besides, Hermione and Ron are my best friends. I'm going with you."

Professor Dumbledore sighed, knowing that he wouldn't be able to sway Harry's mind. Whether he permitted it or not, he knew Harry would end up at Malfoy Manor one way or another.

"Very well," Dumbledore said. "But Miss Weasley will not be accompanying us." Ginny made to protest, but Dumbledore held his hand up to silence her. "I'm sorry, Miss Weasley, but you cannot come. You should return to dinner before it is over."

Ginny pursed her lips, but nodded. She gave Harry one last look before turning to leave.

"Minerva, take care of the school while I'm gone," Dumbledore said.

Professor McGonagall nodded. "Be safe, the both of you." She walked from the room, leaving Dumbledore and Harry alone.

"Are you ready, Harry? You must be ready for anything. This is most certainly a trap."

"Well, well, well." A light filled the room and showed Draco Malfoy sneering at them both haughtily. "Look at the two of you sniveling in the dark."

Hermione looked to her left and saw Ron was chained to the wall as she was. He looked at her nervously, his blue eyes wide.

"I can't believe I actually got you both here," Draco said. "The Dark Lord and Father are very pleased with me."

"We were some mission, then?" Hermione asked, her words laced with venom. "You're going to be in a lot of trouble for this, Malfoy."

Draco gave a shrug, uncaring of her words. "I doubt that. Father and the Dark Lord practically have control of the Ministry, and soon the Dark Lord will be in control of Hogwarts. If I'm sent to Azkaban, I'll be out before either of you can blink." He smirked. "But that's all under the assumption that the two of you will escape. I know you won't."

"How can you be so sure?" Hermione inquired. "People know where we are. They know we were investigating you."

Draco looked smug, appearing as if the cat had indeed gotten the canary. "You make valid points; however, my dear Mudblood, that's what we were counting on. In fact, the Dark Lord is upstairs now waiting for Potter to come here to rescue you."

Hermione's heart skipped a beat. She knew that Malfoy was right, Harry would indeed come to rescue them. Oh Merlin, this was a trap.

A scream echoed through the dungeon. Hermione cringed at the sound, the hairs on her arms stood on end. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the painful scream. Whoever it was, they were in a lot of pain.

"Hermione," Ron murmured softly. "That sounds like…"

Hermione's eyes snapped open in recognition. "Sirius," she breathed. She looked to Malfoy. "What are you doing to him?"

Malfoy gave a careless shrug. "No doubt Aunt Bella is having her fun with him. She never quite forgave him for sullying the Black name."

"But you would sully the Malfoy name?" Hermione asked. "Wasn't that part of your whole brilliant plan?"

"Not anymore," Draco responded. "Originally, we had planned on killing Sirius and then forcing you to marry me."

"I will never marry you," Hermione spat viciously.

"That's why I brought the Weasel," Draco said, rolling his eyes. "To use him as leverage against you. I know you'd never let a friend suffer."

"But what changed?"

"Well, if the Dark Lord successfully kills Potter and Dumbledore today, then there's no need for either of you." He grinned maliciously. "But we won't know until later, then, eh? How about we have a little fun first?" Draco pointed his wand at Hermione. "Cru—"

"No!" Ron screamed as he struggled against his bonds. "Hurt me instead! Don't touch her!"

"Ron, no!" Hermione shouted at him.

"I'm not picky." Draco shrugged, pointing his wand at Ron. "Crucio!"

Ron let out a blood-curdling scream as he convulsed against the wall. Hermione could only watch in horror as her best friend was tortured. She had to do something! Anything! They needed to get out before it was too late.

Suddenly, there was a blast of red and the room went dark.

"Ron! Ron!" Hermione called frantically, hoping that he was all right. "Ron!"

Hermione felt a pair of hands on her arms. Immediately, she began to scream and kick at her assaulter. She felt her foot connect with something solid and a groan followed.

"Hermione, stop!"

She stilled. "Remus?"

"Yes, it's me. Now hold still so I can free you."

Light filled the room. Hermione quickly looked around. Tonks was near the entrance, holding her wand above her head. Bill was quickly releasing Ron.

Hermione dropped to the floor once Remus released her. Immediately, she rubbed her wrists in an attempt to soothe the stinging pain. She stood, her legs wobbly. "Sirius is here. We need to find him."

"But so is Voldemort!" Ron muttered, kicking at Malfoy's still form on the floor. "Is he dead?"

"No, just stunned," Bill answered. "And Dumbledore and Harry are upstairs dueling Voldemort now. We knew this was a trap."

"They're dueling him alone?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"No, Moody is with them as well. More Aurors should be on their way."

Hermione nodded before turning to Remus. "I need to find Sirius." She took off, running down the hallway in search of her husband.