It had been hours since Hermione had been thrown into the cell with Abby, and despite the way things actually looked, Hermione grinned like an idiot. Alexia's face was priceless when Hermione accidentally on purpose, tripped over the step causing her to fall straight on the floor in front of her. She knew she would be caught and that was exactly what she wanted.
Hermione had been listening to a conversation that Alexia and an unknown man were having. They were fighting over whom was actually going to feed Abby and clean her up… neither wanted any part of it. Hermione wasn't thrilled about taking care of Abby, hell, she didn't even know if they would think of it, but it was a chance she had to take in order to kill a few birds with one stone… or herself, either way she accomplished something.
Getting caught was sort of an investment for her. Draco wanted Abby and Hermione wanted to be left in peace, so she reasoned out that by making sure Abby was safe, Draco would come through on his word and provide her the house he had promised… sort of the one hand washes the other analogy.
She played dumb when she was 'caught', which worked to her advantage. Alexia had no idea that Hermione had any connection to Draco and as far as she was concerned, she never would. Her objective was simple: get caught, keep Abby safe, kill Alexia, and get her house away from everyone… it was a big risk but everything fell into place nicely.
Hermione leaned back against the wall and her eyes drifted to the small form that was sleeping on the other side of the cell. Abby looked like she had lost weight, more then acceptable for a child and her physical condition was actually…well…. Gross.
She didn't want anything to do with the child. She didn't want the child clinging to her because she was alone and needing comfort… yet, she felt bad for the little girl.
Hermione remembered being in a dirty cell, covered in her own waste, starved, and mentally abused, just like Abby was now. She took pity on the child for that reason and that reason alone. She felt a small connection to the child simply because they were pretty much in the same boat, with the exception that Abby was actually an innocent, not really old enough to deserve what was happening to her, she was too young to have caused problems to anyone.
Abby had been betrayed, just like she had been. Harry and Ron didn't even give her the chance to explain what happened, nor did they want to hear it. They kicked years of friendship into the dust and left her to rot. Abby had been betrayed by her own mother. Alexia should have been their to protect her, care for her and make sure she grew up right, but like Harry and Ron, Alexia abandoned Abby and left her to rot as well.
Hermione had done her best to clean and heal Abby with the small amount of wandless magic she could handle without being found out. Alexia finding that she could do any magic without a wand wouldn't help either of them in the least.
Abby was unsure of Hermione but allowed her to clean her up. Neither spoke, niether made eye contact, and once she was clean, Abby made her way back to the corner she had taken up residence in without a word. She had sat there for almost three hours playing with a small teddy bear before curling up and falling asleep.
Hermione eventually went to the opposite corner and lay down on the hard, stone ground. It was like being trapped with Lucius all over again, only this time it was a Lucius with breast.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Draco had gone back inside the Manor and after a quick assessment, he realized he was totally out numbered and couldn't do it alone. Hermione had obviously been found out, 'some assassin' Draco thought as he scurried across the grounds and left to get help.
When he got back to his manor he found the place under guard and heavily warded against anyone getting inside, him included. He sat in the tree line, watching and waiting for anything, like dinner break or something.
Well into the night, Draco was woken up by the sound of a twig breaking. He quickly pulled his wand and sat completely still, hoping to see who or what was walking near him.
The steps were getting closer but no one was there… and that sent the hair on the back of his neck to a stand. He waited patiently, breathing shallowly until five feet away from him, a cloak dropped and Harry stepped forward.
"You should really glamour your hair if you going to be hiding at night." Harry stated, wand pulled and ready for anything Malfoy could throw.
Draco lowered his wand and started to breath normally.
"What the hell are you doing on my property, Potter?"
Harry lowered his wand slightly, "Trying to figure out what you and Hermione are up to." He stated evenly.
Draco sneered, "You have no right to call her by her first name. And it's none of your business."
"I beg to differ, Malfoy, you see, according to the prophet, you and Hermione are wanted for using dark magic." He shifted to a different stance, "And considering that you two hate each other, I find it interesting that you would come to me with that damned book and are now both wanted criminals."
Draco shook his head, "Do you believe everything you read? The situation is not that simple. There are things you don't know, couldn't know and the fact is, my daughter and Hermione are both in trouble right now."
"Trouble?" Harry asked in a monotone voice.
"Yes, Potter, as in dying soon."
Harry sucked in a deep breath. He didn't know if Malfoy was being truthful but he wasn't sure that he wanted to risk not believing him.
"Care to explain, then?"
Draco chuckled, "You wouldn't believe me even if I was willing to tell you everything. She's different, more so then even you would ever believe."
Harry shifted again and Draco continued.
"You, Potter, are no better then my father was. He abused her body, left her scared both physically and mentally. You however, abused her heart and while I think she would have been fine if my father had only hurt her, what you did caused her to turn into something that I would never have believed had I not seen it with my own eyes."
Draco stood from the ground slowly, "Hermione isn't the same girl and I believe she will never be that girl again, however, if not for what she has become, I would not have had a chance at trying to save my daughter. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to enlist some help to save a few people."
Draco turned and started to walk away. He had one person that would help him, one person that he would trust with Abby's life, and one person that he would tell everything to and he needed to get there.
"Wait!" Harry called
"What now, Potter?" Draco said with a sigh and turned around.
"Is she really in danger? And your daughter as well?"
Draco nodded, "I didn't stutter."
"Then I want to help." Harry stated as he walked towards Malfoy, "It's the least I can do."
Draco once again shook his head, "I don't think she would want your help… I honestly believe she would rather take death."
Harry sucked in a deep breath, "It's the least I can do for her."
Draco studied the gryffindor for a long few minutes. He really didn't want Harry involved and he was sure Hermione wouldn't either, but at the same time, even two people would have serious issues trying to take the manor in which Abby and Hermione were being held in… The boy who killed Voldemort would probably come in handy.
"Fine, but not a word of what you learn will ever be repeated."
Harry nodded and walked towards Draco and together they apparated away to the other person Draco needed for help.
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Hermione was woken up when a pot of boiling water was thrown on her, She didn't even have a chance to defend herself considering she had been sleeping, but that didn't matter, despite the pain, she didn't scream.
"Get up, filth." A man yelled, "The brat needs tending to."
Hermione tilted her head towards Abby's corner and noticed the small girl curling in a ball, crying.
"What the hell did you do to her?" Hermione asked. Her skin was really starting to hurt and she really didn't want to deal with anything, but she was there to protect Abby.
"The brat needs a proper bath. She is snotting all over the place and wont let us near her."
Hermione looked again and noticed the greenish discharge coming from her nose.
"You know, genius, if you idiots would maybe give her a blanket, she wouldn't get sick."
The man laughed, "Just do what ever you need to do. Grab the kid and follow me."
"Not until you heal my skin." She bargained. There was no way she could pick up a child with the pain she was in.
The man sighed and flicked his wand, her skin felt better immediately. She then walked over towards Abby and held her arms out. Abby was hesitant, but reached back.
"Can you understand everything I am saying?" she whispered into the girls ear.
Abby nodded a yes, quickly and hardly noticeable.
"Good, now listen, If I start hitting people, I want you to stay against a wall until the other person is not moving… do you understand that?"
Abby once again nodded
"Good, now lets go."
A/N: I had a review in the last chapter saying that I didn't make Hermione dark enough towards Abby. I had my reasons and made sure they were clear in this chapter. Hermione actually feels bad for Abby considering she is going through the same thing Hermione did a few years earlier, not to mention she needs to keep Abby safe in order to get what she wants. Also, excuse any errors, I only skimmed this chapter for mistakes.