Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters, magical/non-magical settings, etc. are the property of J.K. Rowling. No copyright infringement of the Harry Potter fandom is intended nor is any profit made from this fiction.

Notes: I'd just like to thank my two betas writermerrin and ellielove_x3! You both have amazing patience for putting up with my all my stupid mistakes! (Any mistakes present are entirely my fault.)

Prompt: Paris/Helen of Troy

And now without further ado... Of Captors and Captives.

Part Two

April 26, 1998
11:43 a.m.
Day Five

Draco smirked to himself as he pulled New Theory of Numerology from one of the many library shelves. If he said so himself, he'd bet this would be the book that made Granger's day because as far as textbooks were concerned this one had everything anyone wanted to know about numerology.

As he made his way down the ladder, he heard someone enter the room. He wasn't really in the mood for anyone's company today (besides Granger's) and he was about to Disapparate to the Villa, but his mother spotted him before he had the chance.

"Draco!" Narcissa called as she made her way over to him. "Snape's on his way here and I'd like to inform you of something before he arrives."

While Draco was put out about Snape coming to visit, his curiosity of this other news however, had him holding back his objections. "What is it, Mother?"

She stared at him for a moment as if trying to find the right words. "It seems that Pansy didn't return to Hogwarts after Easter Holidays," she confessed.

A confused look appeared on Draco's face. "What? Why?" he questioned.

"Her father heard that you were staying behind. He says he wanted Pansy to take more initiative in the war as well," Narcissa explained. She took a small pause. "…It seems that she's been helping a pack of Snatchers."

"Yeah? Is she complaining about the grimy people yet?"

"No." Narcissa pursed her lips. "She's been missing for three days," she said.

This stumped Draco. "Missing?" he asked in shock. "How can she be missing?"

"Apparently they ambushed a group of Order members," Narcissa recounted. "They said she was careless and ill prepared."

Disbelief and anger coursed through Draco. "And I'm wiling to bet that no ones even tried to go find her!" Draco retorted.

Knowing that Pansy had been taken struck guilt into his heart. Pansy was the only true friend he had. She'd proved that last year when she wouldn't let him starve to death. She'd had to practically force food down his throat. Sure, she could be annoying, but that was what Pansy was best at. He hated that her father had forced her into this war.

Narcissa gave him a sympathetic look. "If it were that easy, you know Mr. Parkinson and your father would have done something already," she said. "However, she's at one of the Orders' safe houses. Finding one of them is proving to be more difficult than even the Dark Lord anticipated."

"She should have been at Hogwarts."

"I don't believe the Order will hurt her." His mother tried to soothe his worries.

Draco tried to hold back a sneer. "That is not the point!" he retorted.

"Draco, she'll be fine," Narcissa insisted. "If anyone can handle this kind of situation, it's Pansy."

Just as Draco was about to reply, Snape strode into the room. "I don't have much time to spare," he drawled as he made his way over them. "So, I'll make this as quick as I can. For the time being, the Dark Lord seems oblivious to your little pet."

"She's not a pet!" Draco interrupted.

Snape sent him a leveled stare. "You keep her confined to a room. She is your pet," he said slowly and then continued before Draco could get a word in edgewise. "Now, Lucius on the other hand is not so blind. I believe he is suspicious as to where you disappear to every day, Draco."

Narcissa looked worried. "What do you suggest we do, Severus?" she asked. "I don't know how Lucius will take this, and frankly I don't want to find out."

"I would tell you keep a closer watch on your wards," Snape answered. "Make sure you know exactly when someone leaves or enters them."

Draco nodded. "Will do."

"Thank you, Severus," Narcissa told him, and Snape gave a nod before exiting just as he entered. She turned to her son. "Make sure you check the wards. I know the Villa is well protected, but I never thought of your father going there."

"Yes, Mother," Draco said as he repressed an eye roll. He looked down at the book in his hands and tried to remember why he had been in better spirits only a half hour before. He just wanted to get to Granger so he could clear his head. Somehow her presence calmed him. "If you'll excuse me, I've got to go check on my 'pet.'" He sneered the last word and then kissed his mother on the cheek before Disapparating.

As soon as he was in Hermione's room, he spotted her in her chair just finishing up a book. She looked over at him and smiled. "Hello," she greeted.

He nodded in acknowledgment, slightly wary over her friendly greeting. "Did you just finish yesterday's book?" he asked.

She looked down at the book. "Oh no, I finished that last night," she said with a wave of her hand. "This is…" she faltered and a tiny blush spread across her cheeks. "I mean, I've been rather bored all morning so I just picked up the only book I hadn't read yet."

Draco took a few steps closer to peer at the book. "Enchanted Encounters?" he asked with a raised brow. "I thought you didn't read romances?"

The blush darkened. "I don't normally," she replied, tucking her hair behind her ear. "But it was just sitting there and I thought seeing as there's nothing else to do in here, I'd give it a read."

Snape's comment about her being his pet flashed through his mind, but he squished down whatever guilty feeling was about to follow. "So, I take it you're not mad at me anymore?"

The smile waned slightly, and Draco wished he'd held his tongue because of it. "No, I'm still made at you," she said as reached over and placed the book on her night table. "After all, you did still kidnap me."

Draco's frown deepened.

"However, it's just too tiring to maintain an angry attitude," she explained. "Especially when the person I'm angry at is the only person I have contact with."

"Right," he said. "I can see that."

Hermione cocked her head to the side. "What? No sarcastic comment?" she asked.

He ran his free hand through his hand. "I just have a lot on my mind today," he answered and then handed the book he'd brought for her. "Here's your new book."

She accepted it. "Thank you," she said, reading the title. "This one's a good one."

With wide eyes, Draco asked, "You've read it already?"

Hermione giggled slightly. "Yes," she replied. "Harry gave it to me for Christmas a few years ago, but I haven't read it in a very long time. Don't worry, I don't mind rereading books. In fact, I prefer to. You never know if you missed something important or not."

He felt slightly put off that she had read the book before, but figured he'd find a better one for tomorrow. "Right, well I'll let you get started on it then. I know you're dying to."

Draco was about to leave, but Hermione stood up. "Wait," she said. Draco turned back toward her with a confused look. "Er, you said you had a lot on your mind. We could talk about if you like… I'm starved for human conversation."

With a raised eyebrow, Draco asked, "You really think it's likely we could have a civil conversation? And besides, I don't like talking about my feelings."

Hermione fiddled with the hem of her shirt. "…We don't have to talk about your feelings then. We could talk about… anything, I guess. And for the record, I think we could have a civil conversation. We've just never tried to."

Draco shrugged his shoulders. "All right," he agreed. "You pick the topic then."

The fiddling continued and she worried her lip. Draco suddenly regretted letting her choose the topic because she seemed way too nervous. "How did you find me?" she asked timidly.

Draco let out a sigh. Yes, he definitely regretted it. "I used a spell," he answered simply.

She furrowed her brow. "But what spell could possibly pinpoint the exact location of someone? I mean, there are traces. Like the ones that are on underage witches and wizards, but after that I didn't think it was possible. It's against Wizarding Law."

A smirk pulled at his lips. "You are a very curious witch," he said, but decided to spill the beans. "It's not a trace. I meant it when I said it was a spell and you were right. There wasn't any such spell that could find a person's position. That is, until I invented it."

Realization dawned on Hermione's face. "You invented it?" she said, awe and disbelief coloring her voice. She pondered this before her senses came back. "That's extremely dangerous! Many people have suffered a great deal of injuries and even death on some occasions. Only witches and wizards with a-"

"Great understanding of magic are able to invent spells, yes I know the theory," he said with a proud look. "I'm not saying it was easy. It took weeks to perfect it, but eventually I got the translations right and you being here is proof that I succeeded."

"How does it work?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

He gestured to the chair, wanting her to sit down. She complied and he pulled one over from the table. "It's fairly simple. First you have to acquire some of target's essence, for example I had a strand of your hair."

"How did you get some of my hair?" she asked incredulously.

Draco hesitated. "That night…" he stared. "That night you were there… I found it on the carpet." Hermione nodded solemnly. Draco didn't want to dwell on this topic, so he continued with his explanation. "So, once you have the piece of the person you want to find, you have to make it into a undetermined Portkey. After that's done, then you would use my spell."

Hermione waited for him to say what it was, but when he only stared back humorously, she got impatient. "Well? What is it?"

"Nactus Capio." he replied. "It roughly means 'to find quickly.'"

"Hmm," Hermione replied, and Draco knew that her mind was storing the information he'd just given her. "So, it was that easy to find me…" She him in the eye and asked, "Why didn't you hand this over to You-Know-Who? With this spell, Harry would be in a lot of danger."

Draco was silent. How much was he willing to tell her of his motives? Why was he even keeping them from her anyway? "…It's complicated."

"That's your answer?" she said irritably. "'It's complicated?' That's all you're going to say? No reason for kidnapping me instead of getting into You-Know-Who's good graces?"

"I thought this was supposed to be a civil conversation?" Draco asked, referring to her irked attitude.

"It will be as soon as you stop being evasive," she retorted with a meaningful look.

Draco rolled his eyes. "You're talking to a Slytherin, remember? Being evasive is what we do."

Hermione scoffed. "Malfoy, you have me enclosed in a room," she said pointedly. "What's there to be evasive about? It's not like I have anyone to run and tell your secrets to."

"I'm not expecting you to, " he replied, so she gave him an impatient look. He sighed. "You want to know the reason why? Fine. I'm not interested in this war anymore. I don't care if the Dark Lord wins or not."

He watched as she processed this information. "Why?"

"Truthfully?" Draco inquired with an uncertain expression. "It was you. Watching you be tortured by my aunt was the most horrifying experience of my life, and that includes the night on the Astronomy Tower."

She began to worry her lip again. "Okay, so you felt guilty about what happened and started to question your beliefs, but that still doesn't explain why you kidnapped me."

"I gained a lot of perspective that night," he answered as he tried not to meet her eyes. "…I realized I don't hate you as much as I thought."

She looked confused. "Your logic doesn't make sense," she said slowly. "You say you don't hate me, but you go to great lengths to make me your prisoner."

"To keep you safe."

Hermione locked eyes with him. "To keep me safe?" she repeated.

Draco nodded. "I don't want you to have to go through another one of those nights. One that might end more fatally than last time." he replied seriously.

"You're protecting me?" she asked in disbelief.

This conversation had gone farther than he'd planned. "Look, let's just drop this all right? You've gotten more answers than I had ever wanted to give you." He got up out of his chair and Disapparated. Just as he disappeared, he heard her shout "Wait!" He sighed to himself. Things would be difficult tomorrow.

... ...

April 27, 1998
6:25 p.m.
Day Six

Hermione hadn't had peace of mind all day. She'd literally had to force herself to read the book Malfoy had brought her. As it turns out, it was a good thing she'd read it before or she probably wouldn't have comprehended any of it.

His statement, 'To keep you safe' kept replaying over and over in her mind like a broken record. She'd gone through the whole conversation in her head three times, and she still had trouble making sense of it.

He'd kidnapped her to keep her safe. He had said that he didn't want her to suffer anymore, so she deduced that he thought the only way to ensure that was to take her out of the war completely. She could justify that, but the thing that stumped her was why did he care in the first place?

Just because you realize you didn't hate someone didn't mean that you went out of your way to save them. Hatred didn't automatically morph into concern. Indifference was somewhere in between those two feelings, right?

The whole situation didn't make sense. Why couldn't he have just been honest about the thing? It would have been much preferred to all these riddles.

No matter how many times she tried to stop fretting about the how's and why's of her situation, her brain would just bring it back up. Why would he try to save her? If he didn't feel hatred toward her, then what did he feel?

The cliché about the line between love and hate popped into her mind, but she dismissed it immediately. There was no point in exploring that avenue. Love was a ridiculous variable to this equation.

If she was certain about one thing, it was that Draco Malfoy was not in love with her.

Hermione jumped when a crack echoed throughout the room, jostling her out of her thoughts. She looked over to find Malfoy staring over at her. "I'll not staying long. I just wanted to drop off your daily book," he said quickly.

Hermione walked over to him and took the outstretched book from his hand. The title read, Theories of Transubstantial Transfiguration. "Thank you," she said politely.

"It's nothing," he replied, and Hermione could tell that he was about to Disapparate. She suddenly felt desperate for him to stay.

"Wait!" she called out, grabbing hold of his sleeve. Malfoy looked down at her hold and then back up her questionably. She bit her lip nervously. "Er… The House-elves haven't brought dinner out yet. Would you, uh, mind joining me?"

Malfoy raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "I believe, Granger, that just a few days ago you flat out refused to dine with me," he reminded her.

Hermione nodded in agreement. "Yes, but yesterday you left so suddenly, and I feel like we should finish the conversation."

"I don't think so," he replied curtly.

He tried to dislodge her grip, but she only held on tighter. "Please, Malfoy," she slightly begged. "…There's only a few more questions I want to ask."

She saw consideration enter his eyes. "I fear those would be the questions that I refuse to answer," he answered honestly.

"That's all right," she countered. "But at least give me a chance to ask them anyway."

He let out a sigh of defeat. "Have it your way, Granger," he said. "But don't go thinking I'll answer anything."

Hermione smiled and then walked over to the little table. Malfoy called Daisy, and within the next five minutes dinner was sitting in front of them. Hermione didn't waste any time before she launched into her questioning. "First off, why did you leave so suddenly yesterday? You left before I even had a chance to process anything."

Malfoy rolled eyes. "Because it was getting awkward, Granger," he said as if it had been fairly obvious. "And I don't do awkward conversations… So take that as a hint for this conversation, will you?"

"Men," she said to herself. "Fine, we'll go on to the tougher questions… When you said you didn't hate me, what did you mean by it?"

He gave her a confused look. "I believe that is self-explanatory. It means, I don't hate you."

"No," she said, fighting back irritation. "I mean, if you don't hate me, then what do you feel for me now?"

"I'm not answering that."

She let out a huff. "Why are you trying to protect me?"

He shook his head. "I'm not answering that one either."

"Argh!" she groaned. "Fine, if you won't answer personal questions, then answer this. Why am I confined to this solitary room? I mean, this place has got to be bigger, right? And I'm the only one here, am I not? Why can't I roam?"

Malfoy looked thoughtful for a moment. "Actually, I can answer that," he said. "It's something I've been debating for awhile. You're not my pet. So, I don't see why you can't explore."

Hermione felt her spirits rise. "Really?"

He shrugged. "I'll leave the door unlocked," he said easily. "You won't be able to leave the property, but it'll give you considerably more leg room."

Hermione felt giddiness spread through her. She hadn't realized what being trapped in a room had done to her until she heard that she could leave it. "Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

He nodded and then cleared his throat. "There's also something else I'd like to give you," he said. "I didn't know if I was going to or not, but I figure if I want to prove to you that you're not my property, then this would be the best way to do it."

She watched him reach into his robes and pull out a wand and not just any wand. It was her old vine wand. She actually had to fight back tears when she saw it. Oh, how she'd missed that wand! "Are you really giving that back to me?"

Malfoy smiled. "I'm not going to tease you with it," he said as he passed it to her.

She took it gingerly. "Oh, wow," she said in awe. She felt the magic flow through her, almost as if it were as happy to see her as she was it.

"The wards are set so that you won't be able to Apparate out," he informed her, "But other than that, you have free reign on your magic."

Hermione looked up at him. "Where did you find this?" she asked.

"When it was taken from you, I saved it from being thrown out," he said. "I figured you'd want it back eventually."

She nodded. "Thank you again, Ma-Draco," she amended.

"You're welcome," he replied.

They finished dinner with friendly banter. Hermione couldn't stop using her wand, and Draco would tease her every time she'd use it for the simplest task. It was to date the most friendly evening they had spent together.

... ...

April 28, 1998
4:13 p.m.
Day Seven

Between reading and watching the clock, Hermione had made excuses for putting off exploring the Villa. The thought of just leaving her room unnerved her. She couldn't remember how many times she'd wished she could just get out of this room, and now when the chance presented itself her bravery failed her.

The Gryffindor inside her roared in indignation. It was then that it dawned on her that she might be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome slightly. This fact horrified her. How could seven days affect her so much?

With a growl, she slammed her book closed. "Are you a Gryffindor or not?" she asked herself as she marched over to the door only to falter as she stared at the doorknob. After silently telling herself that leaving the room was not a big deal and that she'd only take a quick look around, she slowly opened the door.

The hallway she emerged into was relatively wide, covered with a forever stretching oriental rug. The walls had portraits of meadows filled with frolicking animals. Hermione silently thanked Godric that they didn't hold pictures of Draco's ancestors.

She continued down a grand staircase and into a room off to the side. It was handsomely decorated with antique furniture. The couch and chairs were upholstered in black velvet with dark mahogany bases. In the center of the room was a coffee table also made of dark mahogany and had an assortment of gardenias placed in the center.

She let her fingers skim the edge of the couch when various movements in the corner of her eye caught her attention. On the mantle of the fireplace was an array of photographs. She made way over to them and spotted right away a very young Draco riding a toy broom. He zoomed zigzags throughout the picture, laughing.

A quirk of her lips hinted at a smile as she continued to scan pictures of the Malfoy family from years past. She was so caught up in the memories presented before her that she didn't hear someone enter the room behind her.

"You!" the voice hissed.

Hermione whirled around and froze when she saw Lucius Malfoy standing in the door way. Her only exit efficiently blocked by him. Her hand immediately went to her wand in her jeans pocket, but Lucius was faster.

He pulled his out of his cane and aimed it at her. "I'd think again if I were you, girl," he said referring to her searching hand. Hermione gulped as she stared at the sneering wizard before her. "So, you're the reason Draco's been so preoccupied lately. How have you bewitched my son?"

"I didn't bewitch him," she whispered as she took in his appearance. He looked the same as he had weeks ago. His hair was lanky and his skin looked gaunt. Azkaban really had done a number on him. "He was the one who brought me here."

"Taking pity on a Mudblood," Lucius spat, spiting his son. "What has gotten into that boy?" He readied his wand and firmly fixed it on her. "I'm afraid you are a serious threat to the lives of me and my family. We can't afford to keep you, no matter what Draco wants."

A red light shot toward her, but constant vigilance hadn't been pounded into her head for nothing. She skidded to the left and crouched behind the couch. Pulling her wand from her pocket, she quickly cast a disarming spell in his direction.

Lucius easily blocked it. With a swish, the couch flew across the room, efficiently smashing the coffee table. Hermione instantly started running for cover again, but this time his spell found her. "Petrificus Totalus!" he shouted, and she fell to the ground as stiff as a board.

If it would have been possible, she would have sighed in defeat, but all she was capable of doing was staring resolutely up at the ceiling until Lucius blocked her view. She knew he was about to kill her and she wished she could at least close her, eyes while he did it.

He raised his wand, and just when she thought she would die, a red streak of light blasted his wand out of his hand.

Lucius's head snapped up to glare at the intruder. "Draco?"

Hermione felt relief wash over her, and she would have been crying if she could. "Father, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Draco all but shouted.

"How dare you harbor such filth in our house!" Lucius shouted right back. "Have you no family pride? And what about the Dark Lord? Are you trying to get us all killed? You'd willingly put your parents' lives in jeopardy for her?"

Hermione heard Draco walk further into the room. "She is none of your concern," Draco informed him. "And far as pride and bloodlines go, I want no further part in either."

"You insolent boy!" his father yelled. "How do you expect to continue to keep this from the Dark Lord? He will find out, and he will not only take you out, but also me and your mother. And I promise if it comes down to saving your mother, I won't hesitate to turn my back on you as fast as you have done to me."

Draco snorted. "How touching," he drawled.

Lucius's sneer deepened. "As far as I'm concerned, you either get rid of her or risk losing your family."

"Father, I've kept her a secret for seven days. I'm sure I can continue to do so. Besides, I have Snape's help after all," Draco replied. "Not very many people know we own this Villa. She's perfectly concealed. Now, I'm going to have to ask you to step away from her."

"I will be talking with Severus, rest assured," his father answered. Hermione heard his footsteps retreat from her side.

"Father," Draco called. "This war is fast coming to a head. I don't know the outcome any more than anybody else, but either way I will protect her. …Promise me you won't say anything?"

Lucius was silent for a time. "Do you think I'd willing put myself in a position where I'd have to choose between my wife and son?" he asked, but didn't even stay to hear Draco's reply.

As soon as the crack announced Lucius's departure, Hermione felt Draco make his way over to her. He knelt down beside her and instantly released her. She shot up and into his arms, shaking like a leaf. She couldn't keep the tears at bay had she wanted to. Between the anxiety of leaving her room and the near death experience, she was emotionally drained.

"There, there, he's gone," Draco said gently, trying to calm her as he ran his hand over her hair. "Are you hurt?" She shook her head against his shoulder in response.

After a few minutes of continuous tears, Hermione began to calm down. Her tears morphed into sniffles, and gradually she stopped shaking. She pulled away and looked up at him.

Draco had a guilty expression. "I'm so sorry," he apologized. "That shouldn't have happened. I knew he'd come after you if he ever found out you were here."

Hermione nodded as she wiped the tears from her face. Soon she felt another hand on her face. She snapped her gaze to his face as he thumbed away the tears she'd missed. "I was almost too late," he whispered.

Maybe it was her fragile emotions or the fact that he had just saved her life, but she'd never wanted to be closer to a person than she did right now. Not thinking about the consequences, she leaned in and brushed her lips against his.

The kiss was wet and one-sided for a moment before Draco actually responded. It started slow and tentative. With each slight parting, she'd whisper, "Thank you."

This emotion that ran its way through her veins burned. She was so confused. She'd just went through a life-threatening ordeal, but she wanted comfort and his lips were so soft. However, as soon as the kiss started to evolve into more than the pressing of lips, Draco pulled away.

"You're tired," he reasoned when she groaned. "Let's get you back upstairs." He helped her to her feet and then escorted her to her room. He set her on the bed and called Daisy to tell her to bring some sweets. Turning back to Hermione, he said, "You need some sugar for the shock."

She nodded. Daisy returned shortly with a bar of chocolate. Hermione fiddled with the wrapper until Draco got irritated and opened it for her. She ate the chocolate hesitantly at first, but then realized how empty her stomach was. The bar was gone before she knew it.

"I want you to rest," Draco announced when she was done. He propped up some pillows for her to lean against. "I've brought you a new book, so you can either read or sleep. Just relax and try not to think about what just happened. You have nothing to worry about."

She nodded again, but this time a blush started to form on her cheeks. With the sugar making her more stable, she suddenly felt embarrassed for the way she'd thrown herself at him. What had she been thinking? Argh! She wished he'd hurry up and leave so she could wallow in shame.

Draco studied her face before sighing. "I'll leave you to rest then," he said and then Disapparated.

Once he was gone, Hermione turned and buried her face in the pillow and cried.

TBC: Next and last installment will be up tomorrow! Review if you liked it!

Side Notes: Sorry about the lateness of this. Yesterday I went to the local Covered Bridge Festival. It was amazing and I had a blast.

Iliad character match up:

Paris: Draco Malfoy
Helen of Troy: Hermione Granger
 Achilles: Harry Potter
Menelaus: Ron Weasley
Briseis: Pansy Parkinson
Aphrodite: Narcissa Malfoy
Hector: Severus Snape
King Priam: Lucius Malfoy

Hope you enjoyed!

~Snuggle