A/N: I get more depressed every time I say this, but none of the characters are mine. J K Rowling owns the HP Universe.

Full credit to my amazing beta SilverRiv, who is always around with a word of encouragement and advice! Thank you, SilverRiv! Any mistakes are because I couldn't resist a few last minute edits before I posted it :P

And now back to the story!

Chapter 4:

With two days to Halloween, the only people Hermione'd seen apart from Icarus Zabini were Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass, who brought her meals regularly. She avoided the food as far as possible, especially those that she felt were easy to poison. She even sniffed everything before eating it, much to Daphne's amusement.

Unlike Pansy, Daphne always waited until Hermione finished eating to take away the food tray. The girl was free with her conversation, making Hermione feel less like a prisoner and more comfortable. They spoke of harmless topics, avoiding sensitive subjects related to Death Eaters and politics. While she didn't trust the girl, Hermione still preferred her company over loneliness.

And Zabini came by to check on her every evening. He was obviously taking no risks with allowing her male company.

So, about a week into her confinement, she was unusually surprised to find Draco Malfoy at the door of her cell.

He didn't look smug or sneer at her as she'd expected, but looked down at her with grey eyes.

'Hey, Granger,' he said softly.

'Malfoy,' she responded, uncertainly. 'What are you doing here? How did you get in?'

'I'm a Malfoy, Granger. Do you think I can't get through my own house undetected?' He looked offended.

'So you're here. What now?' She asked, staring at him.

'Now, Granger, I say 'I told you so.'' He glared down at her. 'What part of 'stay the fuck away from the Slytherins' was so hard for you to follow?' He demanded.

'You didn't say why, Malfoy.' She crossed her arms across her chest with a huff. 'If you didn't want me captured, you should've warned me about this to begin with.'

Malfoy ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. 'We were forced to swear an oath to keep the secret, Granger. I couldn't tell you about it, so I tried to scare you off instead. Should've known it would only egg you on. Fucking Gryffindor!' He sneered at her.

'Why do you care, Malfoy?' she asked softly, hope kindling in her heart.

'I care, Granger, because I don't want the Dark -I don't want Voldemort back!' He spun away from her angrily. 'He destroyed my family the last time he came back. I don't want that to happen again.'

She reached for him through the bars, placing her hand on his arm. 'I'm sorry, Malfoy,' she whispered sadly. 'I guess I should've listened to you.'

'Yes, you should've.' He replied evenly, turning back to her. 'I'd help you escape if I could, but Zabini would know it was me in a second. I can't risk that.'

'Then can you get a message to the Order?' She asked, eyeing him hopefully.

'We have spies in the Order as well, Granger. I'm under scrutiny till Halloween anyway, since I tried to tip you off. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come.' He turned to go, head bowed.

He had only gone two steps when Hermione called out to him. 'Wait, Malfoy!'

He looked over his shoulder at her, eyebrows raised in question.

'There's still a way out,' she breathed, not believing she was about to suggest this, but too desperate to pass up an opportunity.

'I'm certain Zabini would have thought of everything, Granger. There's nothing I can do for you.'

'You can take my virginity,' she replied, surprised at how brash she sounded. Like she was asking him to lend her a cloak or something.

'No.' Malfoy stared at her, his face pale. 'Don't be disgusting, Granger.'

'Why not?' She demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. 'You know the Potion won't work if I'm not a virgin.'

'I… I can't, Granger.' He looked up at her with such a pained expression it made the turmoil Hermione was feeling give way to utter surprise.

Then a thought struck her, and she grew even more furious. 'Why? Are you that revolted by the thought of being with an ugly, filthy Mudblood? Enough that you'd rather Voldemort returned?'

Malfoy flinched under her angry gaze. 'I don't think you're ugly or filthy, Granger,' he said softly, taking her hand in his. 'But I respect you too much to take something like that from you. You may think you want this now, but you'll hate me in the long run.'

'The long run?' Hermione snorted, bemused. 'I'm going to die in two days' time either way, Malfoy. I'd rather not unleash Voldemort in the process. I want to do this.' She squeezed Malfoy's hand softly.

Malfoy hesitated. 'I'll think about it,' he replied, not meeting her eyes.

He tried to move away, but her arms trapped his wrists, stopping him. 'What are you afraid of?' she asked, searching his face for some indication for the reason behind his hesitation.

Malfoy shook his head, grimacing. 'What have our lives come to, Granger? Here you are, practically begging me to rape you. Don't you dare say it isn't rape,' he cut her off as she opened her mouth to protest. 'I've done many bad things under The Da-Voldemort, but rape is something I have not had to stoop to. Yet.' He shut his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as if pained by the idea. 'If I do this, how am I any better than Rabastan Lestrange?'

It was Hermione's turn to grimace. 'You heard about that?' she asked.

'Everyone and their kneazles heard about that, Granger. Zabini told all the Death Eaters about it, both as a punishment to Rabastan and a warning to the others.'

'Well, you're better than Lestrange, Malfoy. I had to seduce him. But I'm only asking you. Think of it as a friend asking a friend for a favour.'

'When was the last time you asked Potter or Weasley for such favours?' Malfoy snorted, shaking his head. 'No, Granger. We aren't friends. There's too much history.'

'An accomplice, then,' she persisted. 'Partners in crime.' She gave him a pleading look.

Malfoy shook his head. 'Fine. Whatever. I'll come back after everyone's asleep or something,' he muttered, escaping her grasp, his eyes not meeting hers.

Hermione opened her mouth, but he silenced her with a glared warning. 'Do not say thank you, Granger. This situation is too screwed up as it is, and you have more to lose than I do. Clear?'

Hermione nodded quickly. 'See you tonight, then,' she murmured instead.

Malfoy grimaced, and she watched him disappear down the corridor, wondering how she was able to bargain over something so personal with such complete detachment.

A/N: Please please please leave a review! I need to know what you think.

A fair warning about the next chapter-IT IS RATED M FOR A REASON! Feel free to skip the next chapter if you don't like it-it's not very plot heavy anyway.

As always, a huge shout out to all who've supported me on this journey-imadoodlenoodle, chemicalflashes, SilverRiv, garbleturkey, ADragons-LionHeart, JustMeMarissa, kmuscutt23, PraiseGod,Sadler26, Lilhipkaligurl, lynnchan111, midnight-rxse, sln1987, BooBooKittyluv, AngeloftheAurora, Dramionelover26, Karmidee, Lupine Princess, Schizo Zombie Kitten, enchanted16, kvance, poiuytrewqasdfghjklmnbvcxz, Carinalove, Tsuki916, gingernightowl, Esthela89, Madelun, agj-girl, HPotter25, Montyyx, PADfootBalck, SweetSage, alulateu, annie26100, hockey1, madgordon18, xomagooxo, DarkWitch121, Kyrie Twilight, Sakura022496, Seraphina25, ahoyitsalyson, cw1718, latinadecorazon, theunstable1, 1998Ruby1998, JaleDM, keishasalder, and mystuffff.

You guys are awesome!

~craaazyaboutMalfoy