A/N: So I noticed I gave two Death Eaters similar names. Quinn and Quincy. Just remember they are different. That is all :o)

Hermione held out her hands to brace herself as they threw her onto the cold, stone floor. She turned around just in time to see Blaise shutting the cell door on her.

"Let me out of here!" she demanded, rising to her feet and clutching the iron bars of her cage.

"You've convinced me," said Blaise, smiling. "Let me just open that right up for you."

"I can't believe you brought her here," said Daphne, looking around nervously. "If Gregory finds out -"

"He's not going to find out."

Daphne looked unsure.

"He's never found out about that other one, has he?"

"No," she said with a sigh.

Blaise lifted her chin. "And besides, we're not going to keep her here for long. A day at most. Just enough time for someone to cast the Imperius Curse on her. Then she'll be on her way, and 'Gregory' will be none the wiser."

Daphne looked hesitant, but still said, "Okay."

By their small exchange, Hermione had already put together that they were in Daphne and Goyle's house. Why they had a prison in their basement she would never understand, but the Malfoys weren't exactly innocent of this sort of thing either. Maybe it was part of the standard pureblood decorating plan.

"I've sent Rosier out to find someone capable of conjuring a powerful Imperius Curse," said Greta, walking down the dark steps into the basement with Quinn at her heels. "Hopefully, we can get someone here by morning and have this all over and done with."

"Why do you need to find someone?" asked Quinn, raising his wand and pointing it at Hermione. "I can do it for you right now, Ms. -"

"I said I want someone who can conjure a powerful one to do it. I'm not taking any chances with this. She isn't even the one we wanted to do this to." Greta crossed her arms and frowned. "We really need to be careful here. I get the feeling Draco won't be quite as gullible as she would have been, so we'll have to make her act absolutely perfect."

"Just tell her to be his shag doll and do whatever he says," said Blaise. "That's all he's ever wanted in a woman. Never thought he'd find it in the prude Gryffindor princess." He smirked and winked at her.

Hermione's face twisted in disgust. "Don't pretend that you know anything about him, you arrogant bastard."

"Oh, I do know him," said Blaise, putting his hands on top of hers on the bars and holding them in place. "The real Draco Malfoy, that is. I'm not sure who the git you married is."

She wriggled to get free but he kept a firm grip.

"The 'person' I married is the real Draco Malfoy. The 'git' you knew is gone forever and it's about time you all get it through your thick skulls. He's never coming back! He's become a better person! Better than you'll ever be!"

"Oh, dear me. Whatever shall I do?"

"Let go of me you son of a - Ah!" Hermione fell back as Blaise released her hands and gave her a push.

"How I would love to use the Cruciatus Curse on you right now," he said, taking the wand he had confiscated from her out of his pocket and stroking it along the bars. She grabbed for it but he pulled it away quickly.

"Why don't we?" asked Quinn, practically salivating at the thought.

Greta looked at him and narrowed her eyes. "Because we need to send her back in one piece, you insolent fool! The last thing we want is the Ministry suspecting foul play. If it looks like she's been tortured they will most certainly test her for the Imperius Curse."

Suddenly, Greta's body began to convulse as she lurched forward. She looked up and locked eyes with Hermione who, for a split second, could have sworn the woman's dark eyes turned light. But, after she blinked, they appeared normal again.

"Watch her!" shouted Greta before running back up the stairs.

As soon as she was gone, Blaise grabbed Daphne from behind and began nuzzling into her neck. She fidgeted uncomfortably beneath him. This only made him grasp her tighter.

"When is Goyle coming home?" he asked, eyeing Hermione as he ran his tongue along her ear.

"I don't know," she said, succumbing to his advances but refusing to look like she was enjoying it. "I'm not even sure what time it is."

"Just after one," said Quinn, taking out his pocket watch.

"Then he should be home in an hour."

"Wanna have a quick shag in front of the Mudblood?"

"Blaise!" Daphne pushed him off of her.

He grabbed her back and clutched her tighter. "What? I bet she'd be into it. Malfoy and I used to shag slags in front of each other all the time."

Blaise winked at her. Hermione's face recoiled in disgust.

"What is it, Granger? Don't like hearing about your precious husband's dirty past?"

"I'm already fully aware of all of that, Zabini," she said, scooting back and leaning against the wall. "Actually, what I'm most concerned about is how many diseases you carry in those trousers of yours. Hopefully, Daphne is smart enough to protect herself so as not to bring anything dirty into her marital bed." She looked at Daphne and smiled. "Do you still shag your husband, Daphne? For your sake I hope you do, because we both know Zabini will never be faithful. Why, I'm pretty sure he's been picturing me naked the entire time he's been fondling you."

Blaise's lips froze and rose off of Daphne's skin. He looked at her with a combination of loathing and lust, letting Hermione know that she had been spot on. She smiled in sweet victory.

"Only in your wet dreams, Mudblood," he said, sneering.

"You mean your wet dreams."

Blaise pushed Daphne aside and pulled out his own wand this time, pointing it directly at Hermione. "What's one bloody curse going to hurt?" He smirked. "Anything to shut your filthy mouth."

"Blaise, stop!" pleaded Daphne.

"Go ahead!" Hermione shouted, rising to her feet and taking several steps forward. "Do your worst! Use the Cruciatus Curse on me! Hurt me the same way you hurt Sophie! You know you want to, so why don't you do it already?"

"You think I won't? I'm quite certain I'd enjoy seeing you writhing in pain even more than I enjoyed seeing her. Though, the outcome won't be quite as satisfying. Tell me, Mudblood, did she cry when they told her the baby was dead?"

"You fucking bastard!" Hermione threw herself at the bars and grabbed for him, but he moved just out of reach, laughing as he mockingly waved his wand mere centimeters from her fingertips. "You killed my friend's child! I will make sure you bloody rot in hell!"

"Pretty strong words for a wand-less witch in a cage."

"AHH!" Hermione screamed and hit the bars, more determined than ever to get out of there. She wanted to hurt - no - kill Blaise Zabini. And she wanted Quinn and Daphne to suffer just as badly.

"Blaise, stop this," said Daphne, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You've played enough with her. We only have a short while before Gregory gets back. Let's go find someplace private."

Daphne didn't sound especially seductive. Hermione was pretty sure this was just her pathetic attempt to get him out of the basement.

"I want to shag you in his bed," he demanded, still keeping his eyes and wand on Hermione. "Dirty it up before he sleeps in it with you tonight."

She winced behind him. "Fine. Let's go."

Daphne headed for the stairs, where Quinn was standing with a grin from ear-to-ear, but Blaise said, "Just one second."

He put down his wand and took two steps forward, his face now only inches from Hermione's. She held onto the bars, nostrils flaring as she met his gaze, refusing to back down as he challenged her with his unblinking eyes.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Mudblood," he said with a smile. "You're the one who's in a cage. What's to stop me from taking whatever the hell I want from you?"

Hermione was so furious that her hand instinctually shot out and seized his throat, squeezing tightly as she told him, "Do not underestimate me."

Blaise reached for his wand and shot her with a nonverbal spell, sending her flying back so she hit the wall with a loud thump. Hermione fell to a ball on the floor.

"Blaise! We're not supposed to hurt her!" shouted Daphne, running back and pulling him away.

Both Blaise and Quinn were laughing. "It was nothing she can't recover from, sweetheart. Do not 'underestimate' her." He looked back at Hermione on the floor and winked before ascending the staircase with Daphne.

Hermione sat up and plopped her head back against the wall, letting her eyes focus for a moment before looking at Quinn, who was creepily looking at her.

"Looks like it's just you and me."

"How delightful," she said before lying down on her back and moving her eyes to the ceiling, wondering how the hell she was going to get out of this. But, no matter what, she would have to fight them tomorrow. She refused to let them use the Imperius Curse on her. And then she was thinking of Draco and Amortentia; how he said it was the exact same thing. When she had taken the potion she had let herself succumb to it, but what if she had fought off its effects. Would it have worked?

Merlin, she missed Draco. Right now, all she wanted to do with run home, throw apology after apology at him and melt into his arms. Why had she walked out?

"Draco, please forgive me," she said before closing her eyes and trying to imagine she was lying in her bed with him instead of on the cold, stone floor. Imagining his warm arms wrapped protectively around her was the only image capable of making her fall into a shallow, restless sleep.

XXX

"NO!"

Hermione fell back, completely exhausted after blocking Quincy Nott's attempt to cast the Imperius Curse on her for the fourth time.

"Why isn't this working?" asked Greta impatiently. "I thought you were the go-to wizard for this in the last war? You've done this to witches and wizards far more powerful than her, so what's the problem?"

Quincy looked at her, seeming almost as exhausted as Hermione. "The problem is she is applying the same methods used in Occlumency to keep me from taking control. She isn't letting her mind lose focus."

"That bastard, Lucius Malfoy must have taught her," said Arron Greengrass, walking over to the chair Hermione was tied to, grabbing her face so she was forced to look at him. "Is that why he has been spending so many afternoons in your office, Mudblood? And here I thought he was getting a taste of his son's beloved wife."

Hermione spit at him. He stepped back and backhanded her. The blow was so hard her chair almost toppled over.

"Hey! I told you, no hurting her!" shouted Greta.

"It is nothing I cannot heal before we send her off," he said, taking out a handkerchief and wiping the spit from his face.

"Try again!" Greta instructed Quincy, visibly frustrated with this whole ordeal.

Quincy took a deep breath and pointed his wand at Hermione. "Imperio!"

Hermione was, once again, sucked into that blissful abyss that left her feeling free and tranquil. She wouldn't mind staying here forever, not having to worry about anything ever again.

Do as he says … let him control you … it is so pleasant not to have to think all of the time …

No, said a sterner but further voice that sounded almost like her, never give in …

Just let him do it … you'll like it … I promise …

No, I'm in control, this is my mind, I won't let them use me, I won't let them get close to Draco, I must protect him, I must protect everyone …

"STOP!" she screamed, successfully pushing him out once again. "I'll never let you in! Give up because you will never win! I will never be your puppet!"

If Hermione had been stronger she might have pretended to be under the Imperius Curse just to get out of here but, as it was, she couldn't get him out of her mind without screaming. If they had taken Draco instead of her he'd be able to fool them. After all, he had kept Snape from his mind, and their former professor was far better at this than Quincy Nott.

"I think it's about time we look at our other options," said Quincy, falling into a chair.

"What other options? We have to do this!" shouted Greta.

"What about Polyjuice Potion? Or a memory charm? Legilimency probably won't work but it doesn't hurt to try to find out the information we need."

"If we can't even cast the Imperius Curse on her, what makes you think a memory charm would work?" asked Greta, tapping her foot. "And Polyjuice Potion is out of the question. No one knows her well enough to pull it off."

"What about the Parkinson girl?" Arron asked. "She went to school with her and probably knows enough about her."

"So did your daughter."

"Yes, but Daphne never dated Draco. Pansy did. She must know what he likes and can be convincing enough."

"If he went from Ms. Parkinson to her," she motioned to Hermione, "I can only imagine his tastes have changed."

"So what do you propose we do then?" asked Quincy, getting to his feet.

Greta looked at him and then at Hermione. She sneered. "Keep trying. And don't stop until you are successful or I say so." She walked to the door and opened it. "Arron, keep an eye on him. And make sure he doesn't stop. I have other things to attend to."

And with that, she left.

Quincy sighed and looked at his old friend. "This is never going to work. Rosier and them fucked up. It's too soon for any of this."

"I know," said Arron, clenching and unclenching his fists, "but, if worse comes to worse, we can always dispose of her."

Quincy laughed. "How do you figure?"

Arron shrugged. "She never touched the prophecy. Draco did. We have no proof it's about her. He could marry another Mudblood one day."

Hermione fidgeted roughly with her binds. She wanted out. She wanted to hit that bloody bastard in the face, among other places.

Both men laughed. "Calm down, sweetheart," said Quincy, raising his wand. "We're just getting started. Imperio!"

XXX

When twilight hit on Sunday, Draco knew he couldn't wait around any longer. It had been almost two days. He needed Hermione back here. He needed to fix this.

He got dressed, since he had been sulking around in his pajamas since the night she left, and took several deep breaths before going outside and physically walking to the Potters' home. He needed the air.

When he got there, he walked up to the door without pause and knocked. Several seconds later Ginny answered, looking confused.

"Hello, Draco," she said, her eyes scanning the area around him. "What's going on?"

"It is time for Hermione to come home," he said, cutting right to the chase.

Ginny blinked. "What do you mean?"

Did he really have to spell this out for her? "Her-mi-o-ne needs to come home. Please, tell her to come out."

"Uh, I would, but she's not here."

Now Draco blinked. "Not here?"

Ginny shook her head. "We actually just got home about an hour ago. We were at my parents all weekend."

A long, awkward pause passed between them.

"Did you two have a fight or something?"

Draco nodded slowly, suddenly feeling very nervous. "She said she was coming here."

"Well, I'm sure she's just with Phillip and Sophie or something."

Draco shook his head. "They were out of town too, for their wedding anniversary. What about Weasel - uh … Ron?"

"He and Astoria were with us. Caroline?"

"Back with her boyfriend. She would never go there."

"What's going on?" asked Harry, appearing in the doorway.

"Do you have any idea where Hermione might be, Harry?" asked Ginny, starting to sound a little nervous herself.

Harry looked at Draco. "No. Why?"

"We … had a fight."

"She said she was coming here. Must have forgotten we weren't going to be home, because I know I told her."

"What about Phillip and Sophie?" he asked.

"Already been down this road, Potter."

"She has a spare key for there, though, doesn't she?" asked Ginny. "Doesn't hurt to check."

Draco nodded and quickly Disapparated. Sophie squealed when he appeared in their front hall, followed shortly by Harry and Ginny. "Is Hermione here?" he asked.

Sophie shook her head as Phillip walked into the room. "No. We just got een five minutes ago. Ze place was empty."

"Though, our small table Sophie insists on putting by the front door was knocked over. Broke the vase on it," said Phillip, motioning to the pile of glass Sophie had swept together.

"Deed you two 'ave a fight or somezing?"

"Yes, we had a fight!" he shouted, clearly starting to panic. "Where else would she go?"

Everyone looked at each other. "Maybe she got a room somewhere," suggested Harry. "Perhaps the Leaky Caul -"

Draco was already Apparating there. When he arrived, he noticed Hannah behind the bar and hurried over to her. "Has Hermione checked in here at all?"

Hannah looked up surprised, having to take a moment to register the question. "Not that I've seen, but I can check the books. What day should I look at?"

"Friday," he answered. She walked into the back.

"It took you two days to come looking for her, Draco?" asked Phillip, coming up beside him.

"It was a big fight!"

"What deed you fight about?" asked Sophie, coming up on his other side.

"Nothing … everything. Oh, I don't know. Will you all stop asking so many damn questions?"

"Calm down, Draco," she said, patting his back. "I am sure she ees 'ere."

"Sorry, Draco, but I don't see her name in here at all," said Hannah, walking back into the room. She was holding a giant book that must have been the registry.

"I am sure she just went out of town for a few days."

"Yeah, mate," said Phillip, putting his hand on his shoulder. "If the fight was that big, then she probably just needed to get away to do some thinking. She'll be back by tomorrow morning. I'm sure of it."

"Maybe … but, then, why do I have this horrible inkling?"

No one could answer.

"I would just feel better if I knew where she was."

"Has anyone tried calling her?" asked Harry, who was standing with Ginny behind them.

"Ooh! Good idea!" said Sophie, taking out her cell phone and dialing. They waited. After several seconds, she frowned. "Straight to voicemail. Eet must 'ave died."

Draco started breathing frantically. Phillip and Sophie carefully guided him into a chair while Hannah went and got him a glass of water. He drank it down quickly.

"Where the fuck is she?" he said almost angrily. "Even though she was mad, if she was going to go somewhere she should have told me." He paused. "She would have told me. Sent an owl or something. You don't think …" He threw his hand over his mouth, afraid he might vomit. Right now he was definitely thinking the worst.

"I'm going to find and talk to everyone we know," said Ginny, looking at her husband. "Surely someone must know something."

Harry nodded and she Disapparated.

Draco began fidgeting in his seat, his mind flooding with horrible thoughts. He kept trying to tell himself she was fine, that he was worrying for nothing but, deep down, he knew something was wrong. Maybe he had even known yesterday when she didn't come home. Being gone this long, even when angry was very unlike her. She would want to talk it out. She would want to fix this. She loved him. He knew she did. So where was she?

"Draco." Sophie put her hands in his and knelt down in front of him. "Please, just calm down. I am sure she ees fine."

"How are you sure?" he asked, his palms sweating inside of hers.

"Because 'Ermione ees strong and smart. She can 'andle anyzing."

Suddenly, Ron Apparated into the pub. He located them and came over.

"Ginny get to you?" asked Harry.

Ron nodded. "Astoria's helping her go around." He looked at Draco. "We're not panicking, right? It's too soon to panic."

"Of course eet ees," said Sophie, standing up.

Ron didn't look convinced. "Did you check her office? If no one was around I can just see her going and sleeping there. Transfiguring the desk into a bed or something."

Draco had never used the word brilliant to describe Weasley before - nor would he ever again- but, right now, that was what he was thinking. Before anyone else even really comprehended the sentence, Draco was out of the pub and in Hermione's office. He sighed when he found it empty, his eyes scanning every corner. Then they froze.

Four 'Pop's' sounded around him.

"Draco, what ees eet?" asked Sophie, noticing the horrified look on his face.

He pointed to one of the corners. They all followed his finger to a suitcase.

"Is that hers?" asked Phillip.

Draco nodded.

"So she's here, then?" said Ron, sounding relieved.

Draco shook his head. He went over and unzipped the bag, savagely tearing through it until he confirmed his fears to be true. "It's untouched!"

They all stared at him blankly.

"The clothes she was wearing on Friday are not in here!"

Their eyes widened.

"Where is she?" he asked hysterically.

Draco ran from the office and started screaming her name.

"I'm getting the Minister," said Harry before Disapparating.

The others ran after Draco, but he had already disappeared. They found him several minutes later running through the Department of Mysteries, looking for any sign that she had been there.

"Draco, you need to calm down!" shouted Phillip, trying to steady his shoulder.

Draco jerked away and swung at him. Phillip saw this as permission to sustain him, wrestler style.

"Get off of me!"

Phillip Apparated the two of them back to Hermione's office. Sophie and Ron were just behind them.

"I SAID GET OFF!"

"Not until you calm down! This isn't helping, Draco! She's not here! Now, breathe so we can all sit down and think!"

Draco knew he was right and tried to do what he said, but it was really hard to find a steady breathing pattern when his mind was racing with horrible thoughts. Where was she? Why had he waited two days to go and get her? He should have gone after her the moment she left. Why hadn't he?

Several minutes later, Draco was calm enough for Phillip to move off of him, but he was still trying to breathe less rapidly on the floor when Harry came back with Kingsley.

"Draco, you need to tell us everything that happened," said Kingsley as Harry and Phillip pulled Draco to his feet and sat him in a chair. Sophie left the room and came back with another glass of water for him.

Draco sipped it down slowly and took several deep breaths. Then, in as composed a voice as he could muster, he said, "On Friday evening we got into a big argument. She said something bad so I said something worse. I tried to take it back but she was really upset, so she left. She said she was going to stay with Harry and Ginny to clear her mind a bit and I didn't stop her. Why didn't I bloody stop her?"

"What was the fight about?" asked Harry, knowing very well he wasn't the only one who was curious.

"Is that really relevant?"

"It might be."

"It's not! Besides, we fought about a lot of things! I couldn't pinpoint one exactly!" Draco glanced ever-so-slightly at Sophie. She and Harry both noticed, their mouths dropping a bit in understanding.

Suddenly, something started buzzing. They all looked around for a moment before Sophie realized it was her phone. "'Ello?" A pause. "Yes, we are at 'er office … Okay, see you soon."

Pop! Pop!

Ginny and Astoria appeared, Ginny's cell phone still in hand. "You really have to start carrying yours, Harry."

"Sorry," he said.

"What's that?" asked Astoria, pointing at the suitcase and all of its contents, which had been thrown about.

Ron explained to her while Draco began to tune everyone out. He stood up and went over to the window, where he tried to focus on his breathing. He had let her go.

"We don't know anything yet, Draco," said Kingsley, who was suddenly beside him. He hadn't even heard him approach. "There is no need to start worrying yet."

"When do we start?" he asked.

"Tomorrow is Monday and Hermione is due in at eight o'clock. She is never late for work."

"So … at one minute past eight …"

"We send out a search party," he said. "But, for now, we need to stay positive. For all we know she just went out of town for a few days."

"And left her suitcase behind?"

Kingsley shrugged. "Hermione is unconventional. She doesn't need a lot to get by."

Merlin, Draco hoped he was right. If she really was just out of town somewhere, the second she got back he was going to grab her and kiss her and never let her go again.

Pop!

Draco turned to see his father standing in the center of the office. "What are you doing here?" he asked demandingly.

"I owled him," answered Kingsley. "Now, Draco, before we do this I need to request that you control your anger."

"Control my anger?"

Kingsley nodded.

Draco's eyes bulged. "My wife is missing, you have my father randomly pop in to do something and then you ask me to control my anger? I am pretty sure whatever it is you are about to say or do is going to downright infuriate me, and I reserve the right to hold onto that."

"Suit yourself," said Kingsley, motioning for Lucius to continue.

Lucius looked worriedly at his son before going over to Hermione's shelf and stopping in front of the photo he had given her. "Specialis Revelio!"

Everyone crowded around him as the photo suddenly became a mirror. Sophie poked in front of the older wizard and stared at her reflection. "What ees eet?"

Lucius waved his wand and the images in the mirror started going backwards, revealing everything they had just done in rewind. "It is my own creation," he said as everyone stared in amazement. "I got the idea from those Muggle image recorder things you have in your company's brochure."

"Video cameras," Sophie and Phillip said together proudly.

"We just threw those in for fun," added Phillip.

"You read the brochure?" asked Draco, cocking an eyebrow.

"I did."

"And you used what you learned from it to spy on my wife?"

One corner of Lucius's mouth twitched upwards. "I was hoping I would never have to use it, but yes. If you feel left out, do not worry. I have one placed in your office as well."

Draco's was aghast. "When did you - Where the bloody hell is it?"

"I would never tell you that. Because, then, we both know, you would make a point never to be in its line of sight."

"Damn right I would."

"Look! There she is!" shouted Ginny, trying to get a better look.

The mirror went dark. Draco remembered he had turned it downward when … "Don't let it go any farther back!" he shouted.

Lucius stopped it. Everyone looked at Draco with raised eyebrows.

"We are human," he said defensively. "We have needs."

"So, before Harry and I stopped in you really were shagging?" asked Ron, looking repulsed.

"My father is right here, Weasel," said Draco, sneering.

With another wave of Lucius's wand, the mirror went forward again. It was still black but they could hear sound, and someone seemed pretty angry. There were loud thuds and clatter. But the worst part was the hysterical sobbing. Draco's throat went dry as he listened to the tears he had made.

Eventually, the throwing of things seemed to stop and there was just sobbing. When Hermione picked up the photo to put it upright, the room was in one piece again. She had only been crying while holding it for a moment when a door opened behind her. She put the frame down and looked. As did everyone watching.

"Greta, what on earth are you doing here?"

"Who ees zat?" asked Sophie, moving her head uncomfortably close to Lucius's. the wizard tried not to cringe.

"Her assistant," answered Draco.

"What was she doing there at that time?" asked Ginny. "It had to have been at least midnight."

"It's nearly midnight. Go home. Whatever it is you're working on can wait until Monday."

"Called it!"

Greta left and Hermione was alone again. She looked back at the photo, reached out and stroked it.

"That was to me, right?" asked Draco, pushing forward. "It was photo-Draco she touched."

"Well, I very well doubt it was me or your mother."

Suddenly, Hermione got a very determined look on her face. She took out her wand and clutched it to her side before Disapparating.

"Wait! Where did she go?" shouted Draco.

"We have no way of knowing that," said Lucius, fast-forwarding to make sure they didn't miss anything. "Looks like she never came back."

"She got zat 'Ermione look about 'er before she Disapparated," said Sophie. "You know, ze one she gets whenever she sets 'er mind on somezing. Do you really 'ave no idea what she might 'ave wanted to do, Draco?"

Draco watched as the mirror continued to move forward in time, eventually running out of footage and becoming the photo again. As soon as he saw Hermione in his arms, looking beautiful on their wedding day he began to tear up. He turned before anyone could see and sucked them back.

"Our fight started because of something that happened down in that damn room. But she cannot get in without me."

"But, since she left her suitcase behind, I'd say it's a good guess she didn't leave this building. At least, not right then," said Harry. "I would really like to talk to that Greta and find out if she saw anything."

"Or did anything," said Astoria under her breath.

All eyes moved to her.

"Don't pretend you weren't all thinking it. Who the hell works until midnight on a Friday? She is an assistant, her boss was long gone. There was no reason for her to be here."

Draco could feel himself getting anxious again. He clenched his eyes shut and took several deep breaths, trying to find some sort of calm, but all he could think about was how he let her go.

"It's too soon. We don't have anything yet. Why would they …?"

"Draco …" Sophie tried to touch his shoulder but he batted her away.

"I'm not leaving here," he said, going over and taking a seat in Hermione's chair. "In case she comes back."

"All right," said Ginny. "We can all stay -"

"No!" he shouted. "I want to be alone. Please, go home. All of you. I will contact you if she shows up."

Everyone looked unsurely at each other.

"I will be back here at half past six, Draco," said Kingsley. "If she comes back before then, please, contact me. No matter the time. I already do not plan on getting any rest tonight."

"You and me both," said Draco, putting his arms and head on the desk. "I will contact all of you. But, for now, please go."

More unsure looks.

"I am going to run 'ome and make you some tea," said Sophie. "And grab you a blanket. Come on, Phillipe."

The two of them Disapparated.

"I will have my phone on me," said Astoria. "Please, call me if you need anything."

She went over and grabbed Ron's hand, but he looked very hesitant to leave. Then, looking at Draco he said, "I'm going to be here at the same time as Kingsl - I mean, the Minister."

"That's fine, Weasley," said Draco solemnly.

Ron nodded, still looking unsure as he and Astoria Disapparated.

Harry and Ginny both announced their intentions to return in the morning as well before leaving. Kingsley was just behind them.

That only left one.

"Why are you still here?" Draco asked his father.

"I will wait until your friends return with that tea for you," said Lucius, taking a seat in a chair on the opposite side of the desk.

They were silent for several minutes.

"Why were you spying on her?"

"I wasn't spying, Draco. It was just a precaution."

"In case something like this happened?" he asked.

"Unfortunately, yes."

More silence.

"It doesn't make any sense. Hermione and I haven't discovered any new power yet. It's too soon. Why would they take her?"

"You do not know that is what happened yet, Draco," said Lucius, "but, if they did take her, I would assume it was an accident."

"An accident?"

"If, perhaps, she saw something, or heard something, they would have no choice but to react. Which is why, if Hermione does show up here, you need to be extra cautious, Son."

"What do you mean?" he asked, lifting his head.

"I mean, I am not sure if Hermione is strong enough yet to keep them from overtaking her mind."

"You think they will use Legilimency on her?"

"Of course they will," said Lucius. "Or Veritaserum, Memory Charms, the Imperius Curse. They will try it all. Especially the latter. I would not be surprised if that is what they try first."

"But … why?"

Lucius raised his eyebrows. "They want to know what you and Hermione have been doing in that room, Draco. Surely, even you know that."

"They will only be disappointed. We have nothing." Speaking of which … "And I would appreciate it if you never took my wife to Knockturn Alley again," he said, crossing his arms. "I cannot even begin to fathom what you were thinking."

Lucius smiled. "What I was thinking was that she would be the more willing of the two of you. Of course, you could tell me all about what you are doing down there, and I could get the books myself. But, as of now, I am just as much a target as you are, and if they ever decide to come for me I would rather not have any answers for them. The less who know what you are doing, the better."

Pop! Pop!

"'Ere you go!" said Sophie, putting a hot thermos of tea on the desk beside Draco while Phillip threw a blanket over his shoulders. "Do you need anyzing else? Food per'aps?"

"I couldn't eat right now, even if I wanted to," said Draco, picking up the tea.

Sophie nodded, and was very visibly trying to hold back tears.

"Call us if you change your mind," said Phillip, grabbing Sophie's hand. He knew he had to get his wife out of there before she made it worse. "We'll be back in the morning."

"Thanks. And, uh … happy anniversary," Draco said, realizing that it was exactly one year ago today he had tried to let Hermione go. And now, here he was, desperate to have her back.

As soon as Sophie and Phillip were gone, Lucius stood up. "I suppose that is my cue. You will not mind if I come by in the morning, as well?"

Draco shrugged. "Why not? We'll make a party out of it."

Lucius moved to leave but, before he did, he looked at his son with nearly identical gray eyes and said, "Just remember, Draco. If they did take her, for whatever reason, they will not harm her. They need her to return to you. It is the only way the prophecy can be fulfilled."

"I wish I found more solace in knowing that," said Draco, taking a sip of his tea, "but I just don't." He sighed. "Goodnight, Father."

"Goodnight, Son."

And, with that, Lucius Disapparated, leaving Draco alone to wallow in his own misery. Why had he said what he knew would upset her the most … Why didn't he go after her … Why did he wait so long to bring her home … Why did he ever let her go …?

"Please, Hermione … Just be safe."

XXX

Everyone arrived the next morning exactly when they said they would. Draco hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. At one point, he had gotten up and repacked Hermione's suitcase, since he knew the mess would have bothered her. He had then spent the remainder of the night sitting in her chair by the window, trying not to think about the things he could have done, and what he should do now if she didn't show up in the morning. He needed a plan, just in case. But, Merlin, he hoped she would show up. Even if his father was right and they had used a Memory Charm or the Imperius Cure or something else on her, at least she could be fixed. At least she would be here. Safe. With him.

Sophie brought him breakfast. He took a bite for her but, past that, he couldn't eat it. His stomach was in too many knots. Nervous ones. Anxious ones. Heartsick ones. Disgusted ones - with himself, mostly.

"Did you sleep at all?" Lucius asked him when he arrived right on the dot. Everyone else had been a little early.

"Of course not," he answered, looking back out the window while everyone talked amongst themselves.

Harry and Kingsley put together an order for all Aurors in the chance that she did not show up. They would all be taken off of their various duties, and finding Hermione would become their top priority.

Half past seven hit and Draco could feel his heart beginning to race. At any moment he felt like he might pull a Hermione and vomit.

Everyone listened attentively as Kingsley began to give out orders, all of which would be instituted at one minute past eight, if Hermione still was not there.

"Harry, I will want you to go down to the Auror office and give out the order."

"Yes, Minister," said Harry. "But I also think we should have someone stationed up here. To grab -"

Pop!

"- Greta the moment she ..."

Everyone looked over expectantly, all visibly disappointed to find Wiley Rosier now standing in Hermione's office. He glanced around at everyone, expressionless, before his eyes landed on Kingsley. "So sorry to interrupt, Minister, but I thought we had a meeting this morning and your secretary informed me you were down here."

"Yes, sorry about that, Mr. Rosier, but I am afraid we must reschedule. I sent you an owl this morning informing you, but you must have already been on your way here."

"I arrived early." He looked around again, this time noticing a particularly cold glance aimed in his direction from Lucius. Bloody traitor. "Is everything all right, Minister?"

"Yes, yes. Nothing to concern yourself with, Rosier. I will contact you in a bit. Please, carry on."

Rosier nodded and immediately Apparated down to the atrium. He stood in a dark corner near the fireplaces, watching everyone arrive until he came across the head he was seeking. He grabbed Greta's arm and pulled her into the shadows.

"They were talking about you."

"Who was?" she asked, glancing back to make sure no one saw him grab her. Everyone was carrying on with their business, paying the two people in the dark corner little mind.

"The Minister, Potter, both Malfoy pricks and all of their vile do-gooder friends. They are all in the Mudblood's office. I pretended to go in there looking for the Minister about a meeting he canceled and I heard them say the name Greta. I suggest you get out of here before they come looking for you."

"But no one saw me that night but her. And how are they even sure she's missing yet?"

"I do not know, but they do. Now, get out of here. Start by cleaning this," he motioned to her body, "mess up first. I will keep you informed on what happens here."

Greta nodded and Apparated to the Greengrass Estate, darting behind a corner just in time to not be seen by Gregory Goyle, who was walking towards the parlor to Floo to work. Once she heard the 'swoosh' signaling his exit, she marched towards the basement.

Hermione was lying on the floor in her cell when Greta arrived, completely worn-out after two days of Quincy Nott trying to penetrate her mind. She had managed to keep him out but, if his strength had not diminished as well, she was sure she would not be able to do it much longer. Hopefully, they would not catch on to this and send someone new and fresh to give it a whirl. His son, Theo, was said to be just as good as he was. But, as it was, Theo had not been brought in yet. From what she understood, they were trying to keep as many people out of this as possible. Until they figured out their next plan of action.

When Greta's footsteps echoed down the stairs, Hermione could hear someone sobbing in the far cell. She had realized someone else was down here on her first night, but when she tried to speak to them they would never answer her and she could not see them from her own cell, since it had three stone walls obstructing her vision.

Blaise had just arrived to keep watch a few minutes earlier and Quinn had not left yet. They were both sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, but stood when they heard Greta approaching.

"We have a problem," she said upon entering. "Rosier overheard them talking about me. It seems they have already discovered that their precious Mrs. Malfoy is missing. We need to dispose of the body."

Hermione sat up. At first she thought they were talking about her, but then she saw all of their eyes move down to the farther cell.

"But that was our best in," complained Blaise. "How can we just give up on it?"

"I don't know enough to keep up this charade while being interrogated, and if they're already suspicious they will be checking for the Imperius Curse or any other spells. So, I repeat. Dispose of it," she said sternly.

"What's going on?" asked Daphne, coming down the stairs.

"Perfect timing," said Greta. "We need you to keep an eye on the prisoner." She nodded to Blaise and Quinn, and the two of them headed over to the far cell.

"No …" said a faint, quivering voice. "No …"

"Don't make this hard on yourself by fighting."

"NO! NO! NO! NO!" they suddenly screamed hoarsely.

Hermione crawled over to the bars to get a better look. Blaise was struggling with someone's arms while Quinn bound her legs. Then Blaise let her go and did the same to her wrists before throwing her over his shoulder.

"Nooooo! Please, help me! HELP ME!"

"You're not going to kill her, are you?" asked Daphne, fidgeting nervously.

Greta narrowed her eyes at her. "Of course we are."

"But is it really necessary? Do we have to -?"

"This is a war, child. It gets messy. Now, be a good girl and do as you're told."

"But -"

"And don't think I have forgotten how the Mudblood here said you were at her wedding."

Daphne blushed and cast her eyes to the floor.

"You're on thin ice with us, Daphne. So I suggest you keep your mouth shut, lest you want your loyalties to be questioned as well."

Daphne shook her head and sank to the floor, covering her ears as her lover carried the screaming, struggling woman.

"NO! PLEASE!"

Hermione watched as Blaise passed her, locking eyes with none other than her assistant, Greta, as she begged and pleaded for someone, anyone to save her.

Hermione went white as she looked over at the woman standing beside a trembling Daphne. The fake Greta looked back at her and smiled.

Hermione's fists clenched around the bars as flames shot through her. "Who the hell are you?" she demanded.

The woman kept on smiling. "You will find out soon enough."

And then she turned, following Blaise and a screaming Greta up the staircase with Quinn just behind her.

Daphne remained on the floor, her body shaking as she made a point not to look at Hermione.

"You can stop this right now, Daphne," she said.

The other witch whimpered.

"If you go now, you can stop this. Go to the Ministry, tell them where I am. Send them to get Greta before it's too late."

"It's already too late," said Daphne. "This is not my fault, Hermione. It's yours."

Daphne looked over at her, fiercely. Hermione went white.

"My father never would have dragged me into this if my sister hadn't fallen for that blood traitor. Not marrying a Malfoy, he could accept. But a Weasley?"

Hermione took a deep breath. "Sometimes we have to make great sacrifices for the ones we love. Pushing aside our pride is one of them."

"You mean pushing aside your pride and marrying someone you don't love? Like that?" Daphne's eyes narrowed. "It works both ways, Mrs. Malfoy. Besides, you don't know my father. He will never let this go." She paused. "Unless Astoria comes back to our family, I cannot do anything to help you. Now, please, don't talk to me anymore."

Hermione moved back into the back of her cell and lied down. Daphne was clearly the weakest link here and she had been hoping she could get through to her, but it appeared to be a lost cause. What she needed to do now was rest. If Draco and them really already realized she was gone, then it was doubtful her kidnappers would try to use the Imperius Curse on her again. It would be too obvious. Still, she needed to prepare herself. For whatever came next.

XXX

Draco and the others watched the clock on Hermione's desk. It was only seconds until eight and she had still not arrived. The door to her office was open and they all had their eyes out for Greta, who was due to arrive at any moment.

Eight o'clock hit. Draco clenched his fists on the desk and kept his eyes shut. She wasn't coming. He knew she wasn't. The tension in the air was so thick you could cut through it with a knife.

Draco didn't even need to open his eyes when the ten second mark hit. The small noises and sobs everyone was making was enough.

And then it was one minute past eight.

His eyes opened and moved to Kingsley, along with everyone else's.

The Minister swallowed hard. "As of now, the search for Hermione Malfoy is officially underway. You all know what to do."

Everyone nodded and Disapparated to their posts. Only Lucius, Kingsley and Draco stayed behind.

"Are you not going to go and assist the Aurors, Mr. Malfoy?" asked Kingsley.

"In a minute," answered Draco, rising to his feet. "I just … need a moment."

Kingsley nodded and Disapparated. Lucius, who was assigned to the task of locating and interrogating Greta, went into the main office and shut the door behind him.

Draco paced around the room, finally letting the tears that had been building up inside of him for the past twelve hours loose. He grabbed the first breakable thing he could get his hands on and threw it across the room, letting it shatter like his heart. This was his fault. He had made her angry. He had let her go. Any blood of Hermione's that was spilt was now on his hands, and he wanted to die because of it. But, first, he needed to find her. In the name of Salazar Slytherin, he would find her. He would save her. That was a promise he intended to keep.