Author's note: Hello! I am terribly excited for this chapter. I hope you are as well.~

Disclaimer: I obviously do not own anything. I merely borrow characters and twist them into random plots.

Chapter Nineteen:

My Exit, Unfair

Draco's POV

Once Pansy exited, I painfully turned my neck to glance at Hermione. She was staring at me, eyes wide. I tried to muster up a smile, but horror etched her features. Pure, unguarded horror. I have never seen her look this way before. I wanted nothing more to get up and hug her, to reassure her that I was fine.

"Hermione," I said lightly.

She didn't answer me. I tried again with a bit more force.

"Hermione. I'm fine."

"Fine!" She shrieked. "You just took two very vengeful crucios and you tell me you're fine?" Tears were slowly making their presence known.

"Love, if I wasn't fine, I wouldn't be conversing with you as I am now."

"But you're bleeding!" She said glowering at me.

"Only my lip. It looks worse than it really is. Don't worry," I told her truthfully.

My lip was split, that was true. I bit through it quite forcefully. If I learned anything from Voldermort, it was that I could block out some of the pain from my mind. That was the only good thing that fucking smarmy bastard did for me. But I also don't know the full extent of my injuries yet. Since I haven't been properly fed and I know my body is weak. So I can only imagine, but I think I'd be better off than some.

"It doesn't matter, Draco! You're hurt and we're still stuck in this awful place. What did you think you'd achieve by taunting her like that?" She asked turning her glassy gaze on me.

"I didn't know at first, but I realized she wasn't acting like herself. The girl I've grown up with and saw at the end of the war is nothing like the girl we're seeing now. Yes, she was a bit fucked up, but she was never this bad. She bought into the whole Pureblood Mania, but she went along with it because of her parents more so than what she actually believed. She just wanted to be on the winning side. She wanted this war over as much as we all did. I mean, I knew she loved me, but as I stated, I didn't ever reciprocate those feelings. Never," I said vehemently.

"You think she's imperused! But what if she isn't? Like she said, she got way in over her head and now she can't bow out. What if whomever is putting her up to this is doing what Voldermort did? What if their identity is a taboo? But instead of the person knowing her location, they kill her?" Hermione said getting that almost-maniac gleam of understanding in her eyes.

I chewed on everything she just worked out. She had to be right. If Pansy was under the Imperius curse, she wouldn't have told us so easily exactly what she thought. She would have to fight tooth and nail to tell me anything. Hermione was right. Well, she was always right. No wonder she beat my arse so easily in school. No wonder the Golden Trio relied on her so bloody much. My wife was beyond bloody brilliant.

"You're right. Of course you're right," she sent me a smug grin. "But whomever is using this taboo has to be powerful. He's also a cocky son of a bitch for borrowing such a clever technique from his fallen master."

"He may not be that powerful, just clever and resourceful. I think it wouldn't take much to use one taboo on one person. Voldemort used it on such a grand scale compared to this person."

"True," but before I could say anything else I heard the door unlock and open.

In came Pansy with a tray. She walked purposely towards Hermione's bed. She gave her a bowl and a glass of water. She then turned to me.

"I suppose you should eat something. I haven't fed you in days," she said, her voice void of emotion.

She unbound my torso and let me sit up. I felt every muscle in my back, arms, and stomach clench in pain. I could feel my injuries now. Pansy placed the bowl and a glass of water on my bed as well.

"I'll be back when you're finished," she said before she slammed the door behind her.

I gingerly lifted the spoon to my lips. Pain shot through me. I slightly grimaced and continued to eat. Hermione watched me as I painfully ate my soup.

"Hermione, stop watching me and eat," I said levelly.

She gave me one last wary look and started eating without a word of complaint.

Even if the soup was cold and disgusting, I savored every bit of it. It had been days since I've eaten, so easily forgotten. After Hermione and I finished, Pansy - true to her word - came in and took our dishes without a word. She bound my torso back to the cot and left.

Hermione and I were quiet for a moment, then something hit me.

"Hermione?" I said anxiously.

She looked at me.

"I just now remembered that before you lost your memory, I was helping you refine your wandless magic."

She nodded and told me to go on.

"Hermione, you could try to unbind yourself. You could escape!"

"Even if I can get myself unbound from this bed, I wouldn't leave without you. Even if we could escape, we don't have wands," Hermione said sternly.

"I know, but you have to try. It's a risk we'll have to take," I plead with her.

"I know, I know," she conceded.

"Now, concentrate. You're the stronger one of the two of us. Like I told you before dig deep. Feel the spell, visualize what you're trying to do," I told her quietly.

I watched as Hermione closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her face was smooth and serene. I saw her lips move frantically, but without a sound.

After several minutes, she opened her eyes and looked at me. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes were bright. She was breathing heavily.

"I can't do it," she said morosely.

"Hermione, don't strain yourself. You gave it a try and you I know you tried your hardest," I told her sincerely.

"No, no! I want to try again," she said holding up her hands.

"Hermione," I started.

"Draco, let me try again. If I can't do it this time, then I'll stop."

I looked at her sternly and then finally closed my eyes. I sighed, "fine".

She closed her eyes and sat perfectly still. I watched as her mouth moved quickly once again. A soft glow emitted from her hands. The glow started to become brighter and more profound. Her brow furrowed and then it was gone.

I stared at her. She let out a breathy sigh and opened her eyes.

"Hermione?"

"I think, I think I did it," she said.

I watched as she wiggled her toes. She looked up at me and gave me a small smile. She moved her legs minutely from the cot until they were on the floor. She pushed herself up to stand on shaking arms. Once she stood she looked at me and gave me a grin.

Hermione POV

"I did it," I said quietly.

"Of course you did it," he said smiling at me.

"I'm going to try to unbind you, ok?" I said walking over to his cot.

"No, don't weaken yourself," Draco protested.

"I think I know what to do now. Don't worry," I said kneeling next to him.

He watched as I duplicated the same process I did on myself. Soon Draco was free as I was.

I helped him up. As soon as he was standing in front of me, he placed my face between his hands and kissed me. He kissed me with all the passion he could muster. I could feel how sorry he was, how much he was proud of me, and most of all how much he loved me. I pulled back.

"We'll have plenty of time for that once we get out of here," I said smirking at him.

"Of course."

I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door. I stopped and whispered a quick alohomora and the door quietly swung open. Apparently Pansy didn't try very hard if I could open the door with a simple alohomora.

Draco held up his hand to make me stop. He got out of my grip and walked out into the hallway. I bit my bottom lip as he walked out of sight. I felt my stomach clinch in worry. It had been a minute and he still wasn't back yet.

I inched out of the doorway and headed down the hallway the way I saw Draco go. As I creep down the hallway, I see Draco at the end of it, peering through a doorway. I silently make my way to him and place a hand on his shoulder. He jumped, but he knew it was me instantly.

I moved to his left and peered into the door. I saw Pansy on her hands and knees in front of the fireplace. I saw her speaking into it, but I couldn't hear her from where Draco and I were. We saw her get up and walk towards the door. Draco grabbed my arm and took off the way we came.

"HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GET OUT!" She screamed as she came after us.

Hexes showered the small hallway with color as we ran for it. We didn't know where we were going, but we had to get out of there.

I twisted around and saw a jet of red light coming towards us. I lifted my free hand and concentrated on a shield charm. The light bounced off of the shield as Draco drug me down another corridor. He opened a door and closed it behind us.

"Hermione, listen to me. I'm going back out there. I'm going to distract her. I want you to run as soon as you can, ok?" He said staring into my eyes.

"No, I'm not leaving here without you," I told him as tears welled up in my eyes.

"Hermione, there is no choice. We don't have our wands and I'm too weak to perform wandless magic. We'll be sitting ducks. Now, I love you, ok? Always know that!"

"Draco . . ." I whispered as he continued to stare at me.

"No more buts. Just whenever she takes me away, run. Run as fast as you can. Promise me."

"I-I can't."

"You can! Now, promise me!" He said seriously.

"I promise."

"Thank you," he said as he crushed his lips to mine.

When he pulled back, I saw tears in his grey eyes.

"I love you," he said again.

"I love you, too," I whispered.

He gave me one last look and opened the door. When it closed, I lost it.

Draco's POV

I took a steadying breath. I knew if I turned to look at the door I just closed, I would lose my nerve. I strode purposely down the corridor that I just came down and looked around.

"Pansy!" I yelled.

"I knew you'd show up," she said walking towards me.

I swallowed. "Good. Now that that's over, I'm here. What do you want from me?"

"You, Draco. It's always been you," she said circling me.

"I see. Well, I'm yours."

She smiled at me. "That's all I wanted."

As she took me away, all I hoped was that Hermione made it out of here.

Hermione's POV

As soon as I heard Draco call for Pansy, I opened the door and ran down the corridor that he brought me down. I couldn't help the conscious stream of tears that were running down my cheeks as I looked for an exit.

After several dead ends, I finally found a way out. The cool air hit me like a wall. I greedily sucked it into my lungs. I fell to my hands and knees.

Anything could be happening to Draco in there. I tried not to think about it, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to turn back around and run in there. Try to save him or anything. Before I could get to my feet, I heard a faint pop.

I looked around bewildered. How could anyone have apparated in this area? Was it someone that was going to help Pansy?

"Hermione!" I heard.

My heart literally leaped out of my chest. It was Harry.

"Harry!" I called as a fresh wave of tears slid down my cheeks.

I saw him come into view.

"Hermione! You're all right. What happened?" He asked helping me up and hugging me to his chest.

"I-Harry, Draco's in there! Pansy has him! I don't know if she's going to hurt him or what! You need to get back up, you need to help him!"

"All right. First, I'm taking you to St. Mungo's and then I'm coming back here with a team. Ok?"

"N-no! We don't have time for that. She could kill him! You haven't seen her, Harry. She's so unhinged!" I protested.

"How about I send my patronus and call for back-up. When they get here, I'll have one of them take you to the hospital, ok?"

I nodded.

I watched as he took out his wand. A moment later his stag was racing out of sight.

"Are you ok, Hermione?"

"Yes, but how the hell did you find me?"

"I put a tracer on you the day you were in my office," he said shuffling his feet.

"I should have known. How come you didn't know where I was until now?"

"Because the place you were in is under the Fidelius Charm. I didn't know where exactly you were until you came out of it."

I nodded again. Before I could ask any more questions, there were several pops from people apparating into the alley.

Harry and I turn to see his team. Their wands were already out as they strode over to us.

"Hermione, do you mind showing us where you came out of?" Harry asked me.

I nod and grab his hand. The rest of the team all clasped hands as I led them to the door I came out of. Once they could see it, Harry turned to me.

"Hermione, Laggen will take you to St. Mungo's. I'll come see you as soon as we rescue Draco."

"Thank you, Harry," I said before Laggen took my arm and apparated away.

Harry's POV

Once Hermione was safely away, I turned to my team and broke them into their usual pairings. Once we get inside, we all take a corridor.

My partner opens doors while I check inside. This goes on until I see a light on under the next door we were going to check. I hold up my hand and quietly inch towards it. I grab an extendable ear out of my pocket and let it slide under the door.

I instantly recognize Pansy's voice.

"Draco, what made you decide to give into me? Did that Mudblood ditch you?" I heard her sneer.

"You're right Pansy. You've always been right. How could I let myself become so low? How could I have married her?"

"My thoughts exactly! I never understood why you did it either. Lapse of judgement or she had you under a spell."

"Yes, lapse of judgement."

"You know, he's going to be quite proud," Pansy said with a sigh.

"Who is, Pans?"

"Well now that you stopped being such a tosspot, I can tell you."

Draco must have nodded or something since Pansy went on.

"Your father of course. He helped me with this. He knew you must have been under a spell or something. He wanted to correct your mistake. Now that you've seen the light, we can hunt down Granger and that abomination that is your child and kill them."

". . . of course."

"Good! Now, we can leave this disgusting place. I arranged for us to live somewhere beautiful!"

"Great."

I tugged the extendable ear and placed it back into my pocket. I had heard enough. I looked at my partner and counted to three using my stood back and blasted the door open. I rushed inside and pointed my wand at Pansy.

"Well if it isn't the famous Harry Potter," she said smiling at me.

"Hello, Pansy."

"Come to arrest me and take me back to the Ministry, eh? Going to lock me in Azkaban like everyone else?"

"Of course. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't."

"Of course, of course. How silly of me," she said staring at me.

"Mitchell, grab Malfoy," I said as I kept my wand trained on Pansy. "Now, we can do this two ways. One, you could come with me by placing your wand down and putting your arms up. Or, I could stun you and make this difficult, for you."

"Or we could do neither," she said as she stood up and held up her wand.

Before I could do anything, Pansy took something out of her pocket. I tried to stun her, but she was gone.

I walked out of the room and looked at Malfoy.

"Do you have any idea where she would have gone?" I asked him sternly.

"No. I just went along with her so that Hermione could get away. She got away, right?" He asked me desperately.

"Yes. One of my men took her to the hospital."

I saw him visibly sag with relief. Mitchell and I escorted him outside and apparated away. Draco and I needed to check on Hermione as well as question Lucius Malfoy.

Hermione's POV

I woke to find someone holding my hand. I found Draco asleep in a chair next to my bed. I rubbed the back of his hand with my thumb. The movement must have made him stir because the next thing I saw was that his tired grey eyes were staring down at me.

"Hey there," he said.

"Hey. What happened?" I asked.

"Potter came in and saved me before Pansy port keyed us out of there. She got away, but Potter and his team are questioning my father about her whereabouts. Apparently he was the mastermind behind all of this shit."

"Why does that not surprise me?"

"Me either, but he's still trying to dig his claws into me from jail."

"I'm just glad that you're ok," I told him honestly.

"Me too. I'm glad you're both ok. I was so worried that you wouldn't make it out."

"I was worried she was going to kill you."

"I knew she wouldn't harm me, not really. She wanted me and she wouldn't let anyone or anything stop her."

"I love you, Draco."

"I love you too, Hermione," he said placing a kiss on my forehead.

I clasped our hands together and closed my eyes. I knew everything would be fine, all in good time.

A/N: I know, a lot of POV switching. No worries, EVERYTHING will be sorted in the epilogue. The next chapter is the last, but I promise it'll go out with a bang! Also, the epilogue will be out sometime next week. I'm starting school Monday so bare with me!