AN: HELLO EVERYONE! HERE IS THE NEXT CHAPTER TO THIS STORY OF MINE. I HOPE YOU LIKE IT. I DONT KNOW IF ITS UP TO PAR BUT ITS UP FRO YOUR READING. ENJOY AND HAVE A NICE DAY! R&R!

Maria...

I could feel fingers running though my hair; slight shivers ran through my body at the hypnotic touch. I could remember my mum playing with my hair when I was little. It would instantly put me to sleep. I could feel the haze around me as the fingers continued the careless gesture. I bit my lip and scrunched my eyes as that taste of dark magic hit me. I could feel it; taunting me like an insolent child. Yet how was this possible? Where was I and why couldn't i MOVE?

Go back to sleep, child.

The voice was feminine. I fought the sleep-induced haze as I tried to remember that voice. It was familiar. I could hear the slight articulation to each word. The snobbish air to the voice...the woman had to be a pure-blood. Memories flooded my mind of my capture; shouldn't I be in a cell??? This was definitely strange. Another haze of lethargy came over me; luring me into the deep abyss of my mind.

Don't fight it. You're safe now.

Bloody hell.

I stood shocked as I watched my mum caress (what-appeared-to-be) Maria's hair. How in hell did they find her? Draco leaned against the frame as his mother muttered words to faint for him to hear. This wasn't going to be good; Maria was going to kill him when she woke up. Her rage was something he knew personally; the memory of her fist ramming into his face was still vivid in his mind. Draco had to make sure that she stayed safe in this dark Manor. If she was here, that meant Lucius was the one that found her. Their marriage would be inevitable now; with her in the Manor alone and vulnerable. Draco ran his fingers through his hair aggravated. He was going to have to talk to Snape before the day was done.

"You should be happy that your father found her so soon." his mother stated turning her head so she could face her soon. "The wedding can finally go on." Draco watched as her platinum blond hair fell behind her shoulders in one big wave. Most people considered his father to be quite the looker; yet if they saw his mother , they would be amazed. She had the appearance of an angel... an angel in this dark hell they called home. He had inherited his looks from his mother and his pride from his father. Her eyes were an ice blue with tints of grey; Draco could always count on her eyes to show the true depth of her emotions. Its how he always knew if she was upset. Draco could remember many times walking into the study after his parents had fought, and would instantly run to his mother to comfort her. Narcissa would tell him that she was fine, but Draco could always see the pain in her blue eyes. Draco truly loved his mother; he would die for her if it was necessary.

"This isn't right, Mum." Draco stated speaking freely for the first time. "You can't control our lives like tis a bloody chess game. She has friends..family that loves her."

"It never is. Yet the contract was made with the thought of keeping you two safe." Narcissa muttered continuing to run her fingers through Maria's hair. "She's a powerful witch as well as passionate. Maria is good for you."

"The two of you don't know what is "good" for me." Draco stated his eyes linking on the small petite body before turning to leave. The door suddenly closed. Draco turned to find his mother's eyes on him. "LET ME OUT, MUM!"

"No, Draco. You have to listen to me." Narcissa muttered turning to face her beloved son. "Draco, she is your way out of this life." Draco's eyes widened at the comment his mother was making. She wanted him to run. "You don't have to live like this anymore. I've had to watch you grow up in your father's shadow for so long. You can finally escape all of this. Why don't you take that chance?"

"You know what you're saying?" Draco asked walking towards his mother. "If I was to run away, they would look for me and Maria as well. Death would be our punishment of caught." His eyes went to the girl in question. "She has a family that adores her and would keep her safe. Let her go to them, Mum. She would be damned in a marriage that consisted of just me. I might be cruel but I won't put that on someone unexpectedly."

"Don't ask me to watch you follow in your father's footsteps, Draco. I don't think i can bear it. I've lost your father to that blasted man. don't let me lose you too." Draco could see the tears falling down her pale skin. Draco instantly hugged his mother; her knees buckled from grief, he was the only support she had. "I will kill myself, Draco. This war has changed your father. He wasn't a cruel man when we first married. He was sweet, caring...romantic. All the finer qualities I know you possess." Draco looked down at his mother and watched as the tears disappeared with a wave of the hand. The cold exterior she was famous for appeared out of nowhere.

"Cissy?" a loud voice rang making Draco cring. Father was home.

"Your father's calling for me. Do what you want, Draco. Just keep in mind what I said." He could feel her lips on his forehead for a fleeting second before she made her exit. All the warmth in the hall seemed to disappeared as she walked out. Draco returned his gaze to the sleeping beauty on the bed. He couldn't deny his mother's logic; she wanted what was best for him and Maria was his way out. Draco made way to the end of the bed and sat down. His long fingers skimmed her soft hair, too light for there to be any notice. Draco could remember al the times his mother would come into his room when he was little after he had a nightmare. She would run her fingers through his blond locks until he fell asleep. Draco later found out that she had been using a spell all along to get him back to sleep. It wasn't a Dark spell; more in the area of Grey. Draco watched as his fingers began to glow light blue as the spell came in mind. He anxiously began to run his fingers through her hair; keeping time in his hand. Draco could see the light blue flow off of his fingers and into her head. A soft moan escaped her lips as he continued the careless ministrations.

"Draco..." she murmured. Draco could feel his heart stop as she curled up; her head resting in his lap.

Bloody hell.

She was gone.

His confidant in this dark world he had to protect...

Hermione was gone and Harry didn't know what he should do.

He watched as the Order members sat at the kitchen table at Grimmauld 12. Conversations were loud and distracting. Plans were being thrown back and forth; nobody knew how they could get Hermione back from the Malfoy's without there being deaths. Harry grounded his teeth out of anger as his attention was placed on Ginny. It was her fault that Hermione had been captured. If she had suggested that visit to Hermione's mum, they would all be saef and on the move to some foreign land. His fists tighten out of anger; his magic swirled around him like a current. So much pain...anger he had within him. He had to have some release. A pang of guilt hit him like a lighting bolt as he realized what he was thinking. He shouldn't feel that way. Harry couldn't blame Ginny for this; Hermione wouldn't want him to. She would want him to protect her family and friends; something they already did. Tonks healed Jane Granger a day ago; she was so close to death. It was a shock that she survived. Remus was becoming good friends with Mrs. Granger; she was in a state of depression after her husband's cruel death. Love was a horrible thing sometimes.

"Oi, Harry?" a familiar voice stated tugging at his jacket. Harry looked up from his seat in the alcove and grimaced. It was Blaise; his appearance after Hermione's disappearance was inevitable. The boy that could actually claim Hermione as his sister.

"Zabini?" Harry muttered looking out the window. He wasn't really in the modd for talking.

"Don't blame her. Its wasn't her fault." Harry looked up at Blaise ad scowled. What the hell was he doing...talking to Harry like he knew him?

"Your opinion doesn't count here in my house, Zabini." Harry growled getting up from the alcove he had currently taken as his hiding spot. Eyes were focused on him as he walked up to his bedroom. The lock on his door echoed through the still air; sending chills through everyone's body. No one had ever seen Harry this angry before. It was understandable however. He was in a vulnerable state right now. Blaise stood there, shocked by the display of lothing that just occurred. You would have never thought that someone like him could be this way.

"Don't let him bother you, Blaise." Ginny stated placing her hand on his shoulder. Blaise looked at her and scowled. Why was she taking his side?

"How can you just stand there and take those looks?" he asked anger lacing his voice.

"It's my fault. I convinced her to go out with me. I was the one that suggested leaving Grimmauld. He has every right to be anger with me." Ginny stated walking into the library. He watched as she ran her fingers against the book spines. She was a true sight to see. Blaise could feel his heart leap as he watched the moonlight hit that flaming red hair. "You should be angry too, Blaise." Blaise made eye contact.

"I have to have faith that we get her back before school starts. I can't let this family fall apart; Mum wouldn't be able to take it. We both need her with us...Maria has brought so much life into our family. As for Draco...he won't hurt her, that I'm sure of."He answered leaning up against the wall; his arms crossed over his chest. Ginny stared at the recling boy and sighed.

"Are you willing to bet your life on it?" she asked her voice serious and calm. Blaise looked down and back up; Ginny could see the resolution in his green eyes.

"Yes."