Chapter 10
"Hermione," said Draco,
"Mmmm," she replied half asleep, blinking to try and grow accustomed to the light.
"Hermione, baby, I have to go." he said softly.
"Stay here," she said. She reached for him, and saw he was stood next to the bed, fully dressed wearing the robes of a Death Eater.
"I'm sorry Hermione. I have to go." It looked as if it pained him.
"I'll be back for dinner though. If you need anything, Elwing will oblige within reason. You'll have to stay in my room though." Hermione nodded.
"I'll see you later," he said and bent down to kiss her on the forehead.
Hermione smiled a sleepy smile at him as he left, before she fell back asleep.
Hermione didn't wake up again until nearly midday. She mentally chastised herself. She never usually let herself sleep this late; it was a waste of a day. She stretched out enjoying Draco's luxurious bed. Time for lunch she thought and called for Elwing.
"Yes mistress," said the elf when she arrived.
"Would it be possible for some lunch?" Hermione asked politely.
"Of course mistress, it would be my pleasure." The elf bowed lowly and left. Although the bow embarrassed her, at least his elf was nice to her, unlike Kreacher, the unfortunate elf which resided in the orders headquarters.
Whilst waiting for her lunch, Hermione wandered around Draco's room. It really was stunning. She resisted the urge to go through his drawers. She had a feeling she didn't want to know what some of them contained. She found herself over by the desk. Whatever Draco had been writing yesterday was no longer there. She wondered yet again what it was he'd been writing. Was it a letter? If so, who to? Her eyes caught the stack of books on the side which she'd brought back from the library. She'd have to start on those today.
Elwing arrived with a tray of little sandwiches and cakes, and a jug of what she assumed was freshly squeezed orange juice.
"Thank you," said Hermione. "Your food is always so good."
Elwing bowed. "Thank you mistress, it is my pleasure. Is that all?" the elf asked.
"Actually," said Hermione, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Are you the only elf here?" she asked.
"No there are several of us. I am Master Malfoy's though. If I'm not satisfactory for you though, I can send up another." Hermione blushed in embarrassment; she hadn't wanted to give the elf that idea.
"No, no of course not. I didn't mean that. I was just curious. So have you been Draco's elf long then?" she asked quickly.
"Yes Miss, since he was very young. I'm lucky," she said. "Master Malfoy is kind to me. Some of the other elves…" she paused looking for the right words. " … are not as fortunate as me."
Hermione shuddered. She had a pretty good idea of what was meant by that.
"Is that all mistress?" the elf asked again.
"Yes, you may go," said Hermione, before she added a thank you for the sandwiches. The elf bowed lowly and left.
The afternoon passed quickly. Hermione managed to read two of the books. One was a very interesting factual Herbology book in appearance altering plants. The other was a melodramatic love story. It wasn't really Hermione's sort of thing.
The evening drew near and there was no sign of Draco. Six o'clock went by and then seven. Hermione was getting worried. At eight thirty, Hermione's stomach got the better of her. She called Elwing to go and fetch some food her. She asked whether Draco was back yet, but Elwing confirmed that he was still yet to return.
Hermione struggled with her meal, her stomach unsettled with worry for Draco. She tried reading another book to pass the time, but she couldn't concentrate. Where was Draco? She showered and plaited her hair to distract herself.
At a little after ten in evening, Malfoy stumbled through the door. "Draco!" Hermione cried. He had slashes all over his cloak, dried blood in his hair, and a look of disarray on his face. He was clearly in pain. "Hermione," he called.
She ran to his side, and put her arm around his waist to support his weight. "Draco," she whispered in shock and horror - What had they done to him; her beautiful man?