A/N: Hello people kind enough to read me. As I work on the next chapter I am learning to appreciate how challenging writing a guy's perspective can be. I've never really done Draco's POV before and I would really like to hear how I am doing. Since Draco's character is kind of up in the air at this point in the series I hope no one minds I direct him toward the conclusion I feel/predict/hope JK will (to some degree of course, obviously Hermione is Ron's and rightly so). That's kind of how I got a start at fanfic actually, while waiting so long for the next book I would scribble down what I wished would happen even though I knew it never really could. I'm not quite sure what I'll do when I finally accept there won't be anymore books to wait for! Anyone else crying too? Anyways! At this rate my next fic will be an autobiography haha. Since I can't imagine that getting too many good reviews, please review this one instead!

… … …

Draco felt better than he had in a long time. Soon his Father would be back, and return everything to normal. People would respect him. They would move back into the manor. His Mother would stop crying herself to sleep every night. But most importantly, he wouldn't have to guard the Horocrux anymore. Surely the Dark Lord who—despite being livid about the failure with the prophecy—would be all-too-pleased to have one of his most loyal and well connected followers back… especially when numbers were so low. He would have to start treating Draco as nicely as he would his Dad.

He was surging with energy. Snape had just left; no one would come calling for quite awhile. Now was the perfect time sneak across the street to a small gym. He had an intense desire to go box. He looked around the flat for his gloves only to quickly deflate a little.

No more sneaking away from the flat as long as Hermione was there. Whether it be the gym or the little market on the corner, the tiny distance he dared venture away from his post was dangerous enough when he was alone. If anyone found out he was leaving the apartment, even for five minutes to get a newspaper and a candy bar, he would be in severe trouble. But he couldn't leave her unattended; he couldn't go that far away from her with the binding charm. And he certainly wasn't going to take her with him; that could be disastrous.

While bothersome it would be something he could deal with. Nothing could bring him down today. He would be reunited with his Father, who would praise him for his perseverance. It was only fair—after all, while he was in jail Draco had joined the Death Eaters, maintaining honor for the family name. He was also successful in finally finding a way into coveted Hogwart's. Sure, he failed to kill the only one he had ever feared, but that was to be expected wasn't it? He was only a student… and he immediately after took up a new job, determined to repay the Dark Lord.

Yes—funny how there were so many different ways of looking at it. To anyone else he complained relentlessly about his circumstance. But as far as his Father would be concerned, his fortitude was to be highly respected.

Draco was still shaking with excitement. He was restless, with no outlet for his elation. He wanted to bounce off the walls. Instead, he distractedly unloaded the groceries Snape had brought and cleaned up the coffee he had spilled earlier that morning. He moved the tool box, not wanting to dwell on it. He shoved it into an already cramped closet, eager to wash his hands of it.

Realizing Hermione had been tied up for a few hours now, he went to check on her.

"He's gone," she said forcefully, waiting for him, "You can let me go now."

But Draco just shook his head. He couldn't now, not when he was so close to ridding himself of this place forever. He didn't want to risk anything, she should stay confined, at least until Snape got back to take her to Voldemort.

"Sorry," he said, "But it's just for a little while."

Hermione scowled, squirming at the tape. It was terrible for Draco, her body elongated and bound to his bed; her legs rubbing together, showing off their silkiness. "It's too tight," she whined.

Draco sighed and climbed up on the bed. Hovering over her he snipped a bit of the tape, loosening it. Hermione wiggled immediately, but then quickly looked disappointed and ceased. Draco, now directly over her, looked down—he could see down into her top. Hermione looked up at him, her facial expression mysterious, but her eyes intense. She said nothing to reprimand him for looking down her shirt. Draco, surprised, stopped fiddling with the tape, placing his hands on his thighs, kneeling next her.

Hermione suddenly sat up as much as she could, despite her hands being tied above her head. Before Draco knew it her lips were pressed against his.

Soft and plump, she was kissing him firmly.

Without thinking Draco took her face in his hands and plundered his tongue into the soft cavern that was her mouth. She twirled her tongue around as he explored, sliding against his. Draco's body flooded with delight once more. She tasted like peaches. He broke away in surprise, looking at her attractive face. She looked hungry for more. Ferociously they started kissing again. Draco had now moved his legs out from under him, lying next her.

Instinctually he rolled over a bit more, to be more on top of her. Her body felt so good beneath his, so dainty and curvaceous in comparison. He enjoyed the feeling of melting into her. His hands were now around her neck, desirous to feel more of her skin, the outline of her body. He pressed his chest into hers. She slightly wrapped her leg around his. He scooped his arm underneath her, pulling her more tightly into him. His other hand began to roam the rest of her. As he slid his hand down the length of her front she rubbed her leg against his more fervently. He gripped her hip, pushing himself into her. A soft moan escaped through their kisses.

It was as if he had blinked and reality instantly became one of his fantasies, so smooth was the transition. His hand slid back up her body and groped her breasts. He was like a kid in a candy store, not knowing what sweet to indulge in first. It was arousing the way she subtly arched her back, humming softly. She was kissing him so aggressively, rubbing her legs and her belly against him. She was so hot. She was coaxing him to pleasure her, he knew it. Finally, after years of wondering and dreaming, he would know for himself what treasure lay between her legs.

He began untying the drawstrings of her shorts as they kissed. He was so excited, he couldn't control the way he was shifting his own hips, pulled towards her by his erection like a magnet. He liked rubbing himself against her; she was really there. She was moaning quietly as he got the knot undone. Their kiss broke and he smiled slyly. Savoring the moment, he slowly wiggled his fingers under the elastic band of her shorts-

"Untie me," she whispered.

Draco paused. His expression turned blank.

"What?" Hermione asked with an air of impatience. "Untie me," she said again.

Draco officially withdrew. He pulled his hand out of her shorts and rolled off of her.

Anger, embarrassment, disappointment all equally flooded him. He had not been dreaming, but reality wasn't real either. She was trying to con him. He couldn't believe. Finally he scoffed madly. "You little whore," he muttered.

"Excuse me?" Hermione spat.

"Nice try," he said firmly, "Practically had me."

"What are you talking about?" Hermione questioned.

"I'm talking about how you thought you could seduce me into untying you…" he explained while standing up, "You know, if that was your plan, you really should've offered up a lot more than a little snogging before going for it," he added bitterly.

Hermione looked wounded. She turned bright red, pulling her legs up into her chest in a defensive coil. Scowling, she avoided his eyes, staring at her own knees.

Draco slammed the door.

… … …

He spent the rest of the miserable, angst ridden day throwing darts at the wall from his office chair, taking too many drinks from a whiskey bottle and muttering angrily.

He could not believe he had fallen for it. He could not believe he revealed to that filthy little Mudblood that the idea of kissing her, of touching her, didn't repulse him. He was furious that she even thought trying to seduce him would work at all. He had given her way too much ammo; hopefully, he had completely debunked the rest of her hopes. He had figured it out, he had turned her down. Thank god. How could he be so stupid? It had just happened so fast… her kissing him. Of course he didn't think it was real.

Draco rubbed his temples and sighed. He wished Snape would just come with his Dad and take Hermione away already. He looked anxiously at the clock. If things went well… his Dad should've been busted out three minutes ago…

His thoughts anxious and heavy, he wondered what did she hope to get out of it anyway? Once she was untied… then what? Get a wand? Stupefy him? Carry him away to the Order of the Phoenix? She could've done that this morning while he was sleeping. Did she know how to exit the flat? Could she figure out the magic just from her five minutes of wandering around? There's no way she could know the combination of book taps… right? Why didn't he tie her up sooner… he had let her see too much! Thank Merlin she didn't open the closet at the end of the hall. Not that an old ratty box labeled "light bulbs" would attract too much attention…

"Damn it!" he growled. He couldn't believe it was still bothering him so intensely. How'd he get back on her anyway? Shouldn't he be worried about his Dad showing up soon…?

Then, as if right on cue, he noticed the top starting to spin, faint light blinking on.

He leapt out of his chair, knocked the books just right then ripped open the locks. Swinging open the door he grinned at Severus and Lucius standing on the other side of the threshold.

"Father," he said, trying his best not to sound giddy.

"Draco," the Malfoy patriarch said calmly. The two men stepped in.

Suddenly, after daydreaming about this moment for weeks now, he realized he didn't know what to say. "Welcome back," he finally gasped.

"Yes…" Lucius said oddly, "Much to be welcomed to indeed."

Draco struggled, he could not think of anything to say next.

"Granger?" spoke Snape, eyebrows raised.

Draco nodded down the hall, "Still in there," he mumbled.

Snape disappeared into his room while his Father surveyed the place Draco had been working the last three months, removing black leather gloves slowly.

"Terrible, isn't it?" Draco commented.

Lucius merely nodded, he seemed smug, but perhaps this was nothing too out of the ordinary.

"…I'll be glad to put it behind me," Draco added.

Lucius finally turned away from the desk to look Draco in the face.

"I mean, I had been thinking…" Draco went on, strangely nervous, "…Now that you're back, I could get a new assignment."

Lucius inhaled deeply, "I wouldn't know anything about that Draco; you know it is the Dark Lord who leads his Death Eaters."

"Well," Draco scoffed, "You could talk to him for me."

Lucius's tone turned fiery, "No. I don't believe I will, I have enough to deal with, thank you very much. After being arrested, after failing my master with his prophecy, my mistakes alone are enough to repay. You going and making everything worse is the last thing I need! And I can't not say it Draco," he went on, his voice growing crueler with each passing word, "you could not believe my disappointment upon hearing that my own son failed him as well. A father should be able to count on his boy when he is away, not expect him to add to his shame! Now you want me to tell Our Most Highest that you want to quit on another job? After he so kindly spared your life the first time? I think not!"

Draco could not believe his ears. Disappointment? Shame? After all he's done? After everything he's sacrificed? All he risked? He pursed his lips, brow furrowed. He said nothing.

Lucius mercilessly continued, "I mean, bloody hell, I know I raised you better than that. In all your rearing, when did I ever, ever, tell you failing was acceptable? I didn't! Did I? Did I?"

"No," Draco answered quietly, "…you didn't." It was best to just go along with whatever he said when he was like this. That's one thing Draco truly did learn from Lucius's "rearing"—if you could call it that. If he just bit his tongue, and breathed deep, it would be over soon… Besides, he'd be numb in a second anyway…

"How could you be so stupid?" Lucius went on, "Failing the Dark Lord… Why did you even join if you weren't man enough? Why even accept the task anyway, if you couldn't do it? I mean all you hand to do was point your wand at a pathetic old man and say two little words! Have I honestly raised a son that can't do that? This is what I'm passing everything on to?"

…But he wasn't numb yet… he felt his blood boiling, like fire was surging through his veins. Why did he join? So his Mother wouldn't have to live on the street! Why did he accept the mission? Because Voldemort said he'd kill him if he didn't. And why couldn't he do it? Maybe because he wasn't even out of school yet! He closed his eyes, trying to envision he was somewhere else. He pictured Granger alone in the dim, deserted library. He walked up silently behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and started to suck on her neck. Overcome with arousal she drops her book… No, no, no! Not her. Not anymore. He could still hear Lucius yelling, he hadn't escaped it.

"…rethink my will, I should…!"

God, why wasn't he numb yet?

Snape finally returned with his usual swoop. Lucius ceased his tirade, but that didn't matter, surely the whole floor could hear his yelling.

"The Dark Lord liked your idea," said Snape.

Draco felt his chest puff up with relief.

"Have you hit her?" Snape asked.

"What?" Draco responded.

"Violence, Draco," Snape went on with a hint of impatience, "Have you used any?"

"No..." Draco answered slowly, not knowing whether to lie or not.

To his relief Snape replied, "Good. Continue to show her humane treatment. I've just made her the offer. If she hesitates to accept by tomorrow, some mild torture may necessary… to show the contrast between being on our good side compared to our bad side."

"So she won't be leaving until tomorrow night?" Draco said, trying to hide his miserable disappointment.

"Correct," Answered Snape, "And she should be back before dawn."

"Back?" Draco repeated, surprised.

Snape narrowed his eyes, "Forgive me," Snape drawled, "but I couldn't help but overhear…" he said, casting him, then briefly Lucius, a disapproving look, "If you want a responsibility you find more suitable than your current one… Well, to put it bluntly, the Dark Lord only takes those willing to kill for him seriously…"

"Granger?" Draco practically whispered, "You're still going to kill her?"

"You're going to kill her," Snape corrected him.

"But why does she have to die?"

"Are you being serious?" Snape questioned in a condescending tone, "She won't teach us her magic so we can use it. The next best thing, thanks to your brilliant idea, is to use it to our advantage, but after that… well she's still a threat, isn't she? Once she is released she'll just break into another one of our holdings; she needs to be disposed of. No matter what."

"But didn't you just tell her if she did what we'd ask she'd be let go?"

"Yes," said Snape rudely, as if Draco was a moron asking if the sky was blue.

Draco, not realizing he had stopped breathing, exhaled shakily. They were just going to lie to her so bluntly. Let her think she was going to be okay… He didn't know why he was so shocked. He knew he really shouldn't be. These were Death Eaters after all. But still, until it really happens to you…

"Is that going to be a problem?" Snape inquired, staring into him in that horrible gripping way.

Draco found it in him to shake his head.

"…Dumbledore had an intimidating reputation," Snape went on, as if trying to coach him, "She's just some nobody muggleborn; couldn't be easier—like taking out trash."

Draco, not at all motivated by Snape's little pep talk and actually even more angry that not only was his father not going to help him out of this place, but that he would have to do what he had tried so hard to avoid doing anyway, said nothing in response.

Snape, satisfied with Draco's silence, turned to Lucius, "Ready then, Lucius?"

Lucius had begun putting his gloves back on, "I am."

He held the door open for Snape, and then turned to Draco one last time, "There is no room for error on this one boy," he said threateningly before slamming the door.

Once alone Draco exploded with rage, punching as hard as he could into the wall, old plaster crumbling into a fist-sized hole.

"Fuck!" he screamed, his knuckles split open and bleeding.