Sorry for the long update. Life has been hectic and you can hardly find time where one is energetic, tranquil, content, and not in a hurry.
I decided to split the story into two parts because apart from the fact that it might a bit too long, I don't want people to keep waiting and then end up losing interest.
Credits to Beta Keepsake Cat! She is an efficient beta!
After breakfast, Hermione went to the back garden and saw Neville watering the plants.
"You alright?" asked Neville. "You look a bit tired."
"Sort of, you know my job in this manor."
Neville nodded, then he asked,
"Doesn't Narcissa need you this morning?"
"She is drooling over her lovely daughter-in-law-to-be in the dining room," explained Hermione. "She doesn't have time for me. It's his eighteenth birthday."
The Malfoys couldn't have be happier than when they had decided to have Draco's eighteenth birthday and engagement party on the same day.
After occasionally eavesdropping by the dining room, Hermione learned that Narcissa had been planning this since her son's seventeenth birthday, but the war had forced them to postpone the engagement till now. Despite that, Daphne Greengrass and Draco Malfoy did not seem to be particularly happy about the engagement. When Hermione peeped through the window, she could see Daphne constantly staring at the table, with not even a glance toward her fiancé. Draco had tried to be less indifferent than she was being, but soon he gave up and started talking to Lucius.
"Do you think he's going to get a Maiden today?" asked Neville.
"I don't see why they wouldn't get one for him," said Hermione darkly.
"I'm not sure if we should hope to see someone we know or not."
"I see what you mean."
A silver fox glided towards her and tugged on her hand, and Hermione knew Narcissa was demanding for her immediate presence.
"I need to go, talk to you later," said Hermione and quickly she followed the fox into the living room.
Narcissa, Draco and Daphne were all sitting on the couch, eyeing her warily. Narcissa began,
"Hermione, I would like you want to accompany Draco and Daphne to the Ed Centre. I am fairly certain that you and Daphne are acquainted."
"Yes, we are," answered Hermione.
"Good, now wait in the front yard, we will take you there by Apparation."
Hermione obediently went out of the manor and waited by the gates. She was deep in thought, wondering why Narcissa would want her to accompany Draco and Daphne. One reason that stood out was that she wanted to remind Hermione of her role. It was no surprise that a lot of men developed sympathy to servants, and then gradually the master-servant relationship changed. Though Hermione knew she could not possibly fall in love with Lucius, Narcissa would never be truly relaxed unless she was gone. Another possible reason was that few mistresses would leave their houses with untamed servants.
Once they had apparated to the Ed Centre, Narcissa accompanied her to the office. Again, Umbridge said the same thing to her and Hermione wished she did not see the frown on Narcissa's face. It made her feel almost apologetic, though it was not entirely her fault.
They went to the very same room that Hermione had stayed in on her last day. It felt strange to see naked girls shivering behind the bars, and as she examined their faces one by one, Hermione discovered a very familiar face hiding in the corner.
"Luna…" gasped Hermione in a whisper.
As though Draco had heard her, he instantly recognised the shivering blonde girl. He pointed at her and said,
"That one."
Immediately, Luna was pulled out of the cage. As she gazed with fear and disgust, Narcissa turned to Daphne and asked,
"What do you think of her?"
Daphne was silent at first but, after a while, she muttered,
"I have no opinion."
"Children are important in marriage," said Narcissa. "The sooner you have one, the safer your marriage will be."
As if Narcissa was addressing her, she cast a nonchalant glance at Hermione. Pretending to be as submissive as possible, Hermione kept her eyes fixed on the ground, hoping that Narcissa would not make her feel even more uncomfortable.
Before Hermione knew it, Draco had confirmed that Luna would be his Maiden. Right after the payment was made, she also received the "Malfoy" marking. Much to her astonishment, the staff commented on Luna as being a calm, obedient girl and said she was also worth 1000 Galleons. Hermione looked at her with pity, and when their eyes met, she could see the frustration and hopelessness in Luna's pale blue eyes. She tried to search for the old Luna in her face, hoping to find the Luna that she was used to, the girl with an airy aura and loyal spirit. The Luna in front of her was sullen, traumatised and almost at the brink of ceasing to function.
The whole process took no more than two hours and soon they were back in the manor. The Altruist showed Luna her room, which was adjacent to Hermione's, and left. Hermione went into the room. Luna sat on the bed and said,
"Isn't it funny that we meet again?"
"Luna…" began Hermione and she sat down beside her. "How—"
"I was with Neville, we tried to disguise as Muggles. It seems that we underestimated them."
"I thought you escaped…"
"If it was successful, I wouldn't be here talking to you."
"Neville told me you—"
Luna stared at her, then asked,
"Neville? You saw Neville."
"Oh yes!" exclaimed Hermione. "He works here as a gardener."
Luna seemed to be more lively, and as she stood up she said,
"Take me to him."
Seeing the determination firing up her spirit, Hermione nodded and led her all the way to the garden. Luna covered her mouth as she saw Neville, who was watering the plants. As if he knew someone was watching his back, Neville turned around and gasped at the sight of Luna.
Without further hesitance, Luna sprang to Neville and he locked her in a tight embrace, his hands gripping her back and his eyes closed.
"I thought I'd never see you," whispered Luna in a barely audible voice.
"Me too," said Neville.
Thinking that it would be best for the two to reunite and make up for lost time, Hermione went back into her room and waited until evening, when the Altruists would bring her food tray.
As she headed to Luna's room, faint sobs echoed behind the closed door. Cautiously, she knocked and pushed the door open. Luna was curled up by the head board as though she was meditating, tears sliding down her face. A quick glance at the table and Hermione noticed her food tray was untouched. As she sat down beside Luna, she said,
"You need to eat something."
"I would rather die than live in despair."
"Luna—"
"Isn't amazing that death is easier than survival?" said Luna. "All your memories will be erased and you'll live a new life again."
"I know—"
"You don't know what I have been through."
"I know," said Hermione. "I know what it is like… You have Neville, I… I have nobody."
As Hermione closed her eyes, memories of Harry and Ron flew back, as though it all happened yesterday. Harry was on his broom, swiftly flying from one spot to another, and she and Ron were down below him, cheering as loudly as they could as he grabbed the snitch.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Narcissa came in, and curled her lips as she saw the food tray. Still, she remained calm and said,
"Luna, after you have finished your meal, come to my room."
Luna gave a curt nod, then Narcissa eyed on Hermione, signalling her that she should too get ready for the night. Once she left, Hermione bit her lips when she met Luna's eyes. With a deep breath, Hermione said,
"We need to go."
And she left.
Just as she was about to get back to her room, a hand gripped her wrist and pulled her to a man's chest. As she looked up, Lucius's face was merely an inch away from hers.
"I wonder who the new occupant of the room is," Lucius murmured.
"I thought they would tell you."
"Unfortunately they didn't," replied Lucius, dragging her to the bedroom. "And I think you wouldn't mind telling the truth."
When Lucius closed the bedroom door and made her sit down on the bed, Hermione asked,
"Why don't you go and find out yourself?"
Lucius smirked and pinned her on the bed, with his palm pressing on her neck, in one smooth motion. He hissed,
"I would like you to tell me who she is."
Feeling more and more difficulty like she couldn't breathe, she rasped,
"Luna Lovegood."
Lucius' grip loosened, then he said,
"Well isn't that fortunate, having your best friend in the same house?"
He released her and lay down beside her. Soon after she could hear his long, slow breath, and she knew she was spared for the night. But then the thought of Luna hit her.