Thank you to the people who reviewed, it such a nice feeling opening an email and finding a review from past reviewers and new ones!

Here's the next chapter, personally my favourite, I enjoyed writing it more then the others, it wrote itself if you get my meaning. I wasn't sure if I should break it up as it is a lot longer then the previous chapters, but I decided I might as well post it all in one go, other wise it won't make as much sense and follow as freely. So on to why you are here…

I don't own Harry Potter, obviously other wise I would be laughing!

Chapter 6

How much?

Hermione fell to her knee's and stared at the many wands eyes wide, like an animal caught in headlights.

"What's going on here?" a pompous voice ordered. It was male and belonged to a very large and very red faced man. He was wearing richly decorated red robes, and to top it all off he had a thick curled brown moustache. All together with his fluffy hair the man looked extremely comical.

He looked at the many guards expectantly. The man obviously held authority, who he was, Hermione didn't have a clue.

"Hmm?"

"It must be an escaped prisoner, Minister"

Minister?

"Not another one. That is almost five. Each time these functions are held I loose money!" He looked at Hermione a frown connecting his two bulky bushy eyebrows. An image of a tweed suit and pipe with many hunting dogs appeared in Hermione's mind, a smile pulled at her lips, despite the fact she knew the seriousness of the situation she was in. She looked at the floor feeling uncomfortable under his long gaze.

"Name?"

Hermione went to speak, but was interrupted by the man to her left. The minister although still keeping his beady eyes on her it seemed was actually speaking to the men surrounding. She forgot how she had lost the right to speak months ago.

"Not sure Sir, but must be one of the escapee's though. She must have got away when we were bringing them all down here. She might have come across a store cupboard of some type, explaining the robes."

"I don't care how the wretch concocted her wild escape. Just get her back to the holding area. This is a disgrace. I'll be alerting the Dark Lord about how this place is run. Get her out of my sight, this is an embarrassment!" the man shouted. He turned on his small heel, "Where is Lucius! I have a few words to tell him!"

Hermione was pulled up by the scruff of the robe neck and to her feet. Her captors pulled her down the many rows of chairs; ignoring her many flinches at there touch. The richly dressed members present glared at her in disgust. Those that didn't either ignored her completely or stared rudely, mouths open slightly.

Hermione stared ahead defiantly breathing deeply trying to control herself and her steadily growing fear, awaiting the fate that would surely come. Even if she had escaped what would she have done? The world around her had changed, the large man (whom she could still hear bellowing in anger behind her), was apparently Voldemort's new Minister for magic. So the Dark Lord had kept some form of Political stability in the anarchic turned world and her she expected a dictatorial country. She almost snorted at the thought. Ginny had been taken, who else was trapped within these evil walls that she did not know of? What did she have left in the outside walls? Ron?-

Her thoughts were shattered as a man gruffly spoke to her.

"You do not have the honour to wear these robes. Only those loyal to the Dark Lord deserve them" He harshly dragged them over her head, leaving in the tattered clothes she had been wearing before hand. She gave him a look clearly telling him where to stick the robes.

"What did you do with your others?" sighing angrily he motioned a man at the side of the wall to bring a new plain green robe over. He callously pulled these over her head and made her pull her arms through. She noticed all the other prisoners around her were wearing the same. Used to hide the bruises and broken bones I expect! A heavy manacle was placed around her brittle wrists and ankles by magic. She was now standing trapped with her fellow inmates. Ginny was not among them. She must have taken the other corridor. A dread eased its way into her mind, what if it was not Ginny? She may have sacrificed everything for a stranger.

Some of the prison mates she noticed gave her sympathetic glances, others stared into the crowd there faces full of terror. Hermione wondered what was going to happen. Were they going to execute her in front of a crowd? A sickening idea… matching a sickening crowd! She concluded.

For what seemed an eternity the fat minister began towards them and sat at the front of the crowd in one of the comfy chairs. "Right let's get this over with!"

The crowd immediately silenced. Waiting expectantly for what ever was supposed to begin.

Taking out his wand a confident looking man with pinched features walked on stage. A large smile plastered on his face.

"Sonorus", his voice became a boom as it was amplified, filling the large room. He stood up on stage; slightly to the right of the centre, all eyes on him.

"Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen! My fellow Wizards, Witches and equals. To the third official Azkaban auction!" the crowd clapped loudly and came to a stop, anxious to begin.

So this is what is going on, a slave auction!

"Now I'll start by saying that all our members have been examined by trained healers and are in perfect condition. Now shall we begin? Bring up the first the please"

A middle aged man was unchained and brought up on stage. He was placed in the middle of the stage, the Auctioneer stood a few meters away and out of reach.

"Here we have male number 182. Before he was brought here Ladies and Gentlemen, 182 worked with the company 'Instant clean' laundry service. So would make an exquisite servant as the company used Muggle methods" he emphasised "and so can clean wand less, a good skill for those who have a small amount of House elves. Now may I add he is a half blood and had a witch for a mother and was arrested for helping wanted convicts. Now shall we start the bidding at 2000 Galleons? ... Now Ladies and Gents remember this man is in excellent condition, only 33 years of age. Perfect for labour work. Shall we say 1800? Thank you ma'am anyone else- I've got 1900-"

The bidding went on for a little longer.

"Done for 3100 Galleons, to the lady in the purple robes" he wrote something down quickly on the parchment he was holding. The woman smirked to her friends next to her in pleasure of out bidding other buyers.

"Now we a young woman only 21, Prisoner 092 very pretty Gents!" the Auctioneer prompted. Hermione watched the girl turn a shade of green as she was bargained over. She was more popular then the man before. People began bidding before the Auctioneer had even finished summarising.

She was exceedingly popular with the male audience. Currently caught between a young Wizard and an old one. It finally came to an end as the younger ran out of money. The old man smiled in glee making Hermione shiver, which was nothing to the reaction of the faint looking girl on stage.

"Congratulations to his Lordship, 092 for 8225 Galleons" the girl was brought of stage and reattached with the others. She was close to Hermione and she noticed she was trembling unable to take her eyes off of the floor.

Hermione realised with compassion that the girl's fate may have just become worse then death. Would that be her fate? To become a bed slave? It disgusted her to the core.

Slowly the prisoners were sold to the Upper-class Wizard audience. Each for different amounts, depending on how they appeared, surprisingly the parentage didn't seem to be a problem, Hermione expected the half bloods to be more popular but I didn't seem to matter. She watched each person being sold, her stomach clenching each time a new person was brought forward. Then…

Hermione's turn, she saw the chains removed as if from a different perspective, as from another's body. As an interested spectator not the helpless tired girl who was being forced on stage. She came too and put her feet down and pushed back wildly. A man instantly jumped forward "Imperio!"

Hermione instantly felt all her thoughts leave her, she felt extremely calm. A voice sounded at the back of her mind. 'Stop struggling and stay still'. She obeyed enjoying the lack emotions and thoughts in her mind.

"Ooh, looks like we have a spirited one here. Now… um …hmm" he shifted through the papers in his hand. "I seem to be missing her file" he stated confused.

Meanwhile Hermione was bound to the stage like the past prisoners as not to escape. Only once this was done the voice telling her to stay still ebbed away. Her thoughts and emotions returned hitting her like a ton of bricks against her shoulders. She sighed in irritation. The imperus curse, a year ago she could have easily avoided it. Ignored the commanding spell. Deflect it, she was out of practise more so then she realised.

"Wait, is it me or does she look decisively familiar?" a voice from the crowd sounded.

"Was she in the Prophet?" a woman quizzed.

The audience broke into many small conversations trying to place her face. In the meantime the auctioneer began rechecking his files, encase he had missed it.

"It should be here" he mumbled to himself. He jumped slightly as his voice boomed over the many humming voices loudly, forgetting the loudness of his amplified voice. "Maybe we should do a head count?"

"WAIT!" a voice near but screamed "SHE IS NOT FOR SALE!" a panting Lucius Malfoy came running up the isles.

The minister for Magic stood up angrily. "Malfoy, where have you been? I've got some complaints to talk with you about. What the devil is going on; prisoners escaping, half the numbers from last year and now you are choosing who can and can't be sold! What is going-?"

"Minister please forgive me. But this one is not for sale" Malfoy interrupted, returning to his emotionless demure he had discarded during his sudden panic.

"Why not?" the minister asked curtly "And it had better be a good excuse"

"Indeed I have one. She was sentenced by the Dark Lord himself" Malfoy replied smoothly with a smirk, which gave his son a run for his money. Did he actually practise it in the mirror in the morning? Hermione thought, trying to remain calm. She hadn't seen Malfoy Senior in months.

"Because Minister, that is Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's closest friend and enemy threat level one to the Great Lord!" Malfoy finished, enjoying the sudden fiasco that broke out around him due to his words.

"10,000" a voice cried out in the commotion.

"20,000" another cried. Immediately others joined. The hall filled with bids, men and women screaming in attempted to buy Potters Muggle born equal.

"100,000!"

"She isn't for sale! Malfoy stated loudly.

"Come now Ladies and Gentlemen, Potters one and only Love. You've heard the stories. Shall we start the bidding at half a million minimum?" Malfoy looked at the Auctioneer with his fiercest glare.

"Sorry" he thundered, "Caught in the moment. A habit"

"So it is!" the Minister blurted out, it finally clicking his eyes wide "Look at her she's hardly recognisable. I thought they were all killed"

"Obviously not" Malfoy said sarcastically.

"Now none of that Lucius, I'm not Fudge I demand respect" the Minister told him. "Now why won't the Dark Lord sell? He has no need for her. He could earn a nice sum" he continued.

"Unlike most people, I don't speak to the Dark Lord about his local buy and sell at the slave market Minister Holloway" Malfoy said icily, ignoring the fact that he had just been scolded about his attitude. "I have been given orders for her to be put in the Muggle area of Azkaban and leave her there to rot, for her treachery against the Dark Lord" Malfoy recited as if from a memory.

Hermione felt like screaming, 'His name is Voldemort! You following snakes can't even say your master's name' yet for the first time she understood the fear it brought upon saying that name.

"Did he say that?" Minister Holloway said a little quieter. "You sure those rules couldn't be broken… not even for the Minister for Magic?" he added at a whisper in Malfoy's ear. Malfoy stepped back sharply, "Not even for the Queen of Sheba!" He strode away and walked up the stage steps, drawing his wand as he went. He gave Hermione a deathly stare, causing her to gulp and move away slightly.

"I don't know how you did it or where your little friend is but believe me, you are both going to pay dearly!" he threatened pitilessly in her ear. He did this with his back to audience and the Auctioneer. Nobody none the wiser of the threat, assuming he was releasing the chains, which he was now currently doing.

Although it chilled her to the bone in pure fear, an inkling of relief remained in her mind. 'At least Lyra got away I hope'

"Lucius!" the minister called. Malfoy turned gripping one of Hermione's free shackled arm. She could sense he was loosing patience and control with the new Minister.

"I wish to speak to the Dark Lord about this. Perhaps we can continue? Let a buyer place a bid if the Dark Lord gives his approval, the buyer can have his price. If not then no money will have been lost. A bit of fun you could say. No actual buying, just a rough idea of how much she could go for" the Minister said slowly picking his words carefully as not to deliberately defy the most powerful Wizard in the world.

"His Lord will not agree to her sale Minister" the anger was now clear in Malfoy's voice.

"A bit of fun Lucius that's all. You should have some once in a while" the Minister replied cheerily rubbing his hands together. "Continue Torrington" the Minister said returning to his seat. "Would you mind returning the prisoner and getting off the stage Lucius" the question was obviously rhetorical. Malfoy glared at him. "Malfoy…" the Minister threatened when Malfoy remained on stage unmoving.

Hermione looked at Malfoy wondering how he would react, hating his touch on her arm, what ever the decision she didn't care she just wanted him off. Ignoring her gaze he put the chain back on with a flick of his wand. They attached tightly and Hermione gasped in pain as they continued to close around her wrist, which was now threatening to break.

"Malfoy, I'm warning you. The people don't want damaged goods. Plus I'm sure she would prefer and be more useful with body parts. Don't you think?"

Malfoy mumbled something incoherent but the cuffs loosened slightly.

"Thank you"

Malfoy cast them all another murderous look before stomping off of the stage.

"Right then" Auctioneer Torrington said happily. "I think I'll place a bid myself if I had the money. Remember though this is just a bit of fun" he said quoting the Minister. "But I do want real bid, from people that follow through. This is also serious; you could be bidding for Hermione Granger. You know the stories and you know the facts Ladies and Gentlemen. She is believed to be the brightest Witch of her age. Potters one and only love and fellow fighter. Yet here she is tamed a fallen leader an immortal turned human. Who of you would like the chance to have one of the Dark Lords few trophies of his legendary triumph?-"

Hermione had to admit Torrington was certainly on a roll, he was flushed with pure excitement and energy. He was selling the buy of the century. Hermione was now unsure of what she preferred, being sent into slavery or facing Lucius Malfoy's wrath alone?

The bids began with a wave of voices, people standing, jumping and running forward raising arms wildly to be noticed. All control and pride the rich had oozed earlier had long been discarded. The crowd was almost wild, oblivious to the fact they may not even get there so desperately wanted prize.

"750,000!" a man shouted.

"Well, I say 760,000" Torrington said loudly laughing slightly, "Oh no I've just been out bided by the woman with the yellow hat, good thing really and may I add that your hat is very unusual-"

"Focus Torrington" the Minister voice shouted

"Sorry, I've got 900 thousand… a million why Minister I had no idea, I thought you to be a house elf man. I don't blame you though! Hmm, sorry Minister I've got 1.1 Million Galleons"

Hermione's mouth fell open; this was not what she had expected at all. After a year of solitary confinement she thought she had been forgotten. She turned her back on the world like it had done to her. She had been wrong, very wrong. She clearly hadn't been forgotten, people were getting hysterical at the thought of 'owning' her. She had never been this popular in her life time and she had to admit that it was a very mixed emotional experience to be in. Fear of the unknown, pride at how she was described; pride was something she had long forgotten. Although she felt anger at how she was being treated like an animal, relief at still being alive. The roar of the crowd washed over her as she tried to understand her many conflicting emotions.

One voice cut through the others unexpectedly.

"5 Million"

The many heads turned to find the voice, as did Hermione's eyes.

"Oh no you don't!" an angry voice ordered sharply. The thin blacked robed body of Lucius Malfoy stepped forward from the crowd, which had mustered around the front of the stage around him.

"You can't stop me spending my own money Father!"

Hermione suddenly felt sick, the owner of the voice easily found. He was the only speaker who was stood in front of a small group of people at the back of the room. The few people loitered behind him, had been drawn into the room interested in all the sudden commotion.

"Draco I forbid it! This is all ludicrous" Lucius Malfoy said, his voice reaching a higher pitch as he shouted "The Dark Lord will not agree to this!"

"It is only fun Father" Malfoy Junior said smoothly. Even from where she stood Hermione could see him smirking, his piercing stare on her.

"Well, anyone willing to go higher?" he said casually turning his look to Torrington, who was stood idiotically, his jaw open, his tongue clearly about to fall also. He shut it quickly causing it to crack, as his bottom and top jaw collided. The sound echoed in the silent hall, causing the younger members of the crowd to giggle.

"Well… 5 million, from a master Malfoy" Torrington said, giving Lucius Malfoy a worried look. "Another bids Ladies and Gentlemen?"

"5 and a half!" Another voice screeched, this time a woman.

All eye turned to her, she blushed slightly. The woman next to her turned pale. "Pansy, we can't afford that!"

"Shut up Mother!"

"7 Million" Draco stated clearly.

'What's worse belonging to a Malfoy, belonging to Parkinson or being killed by a Malfoy?' Hermione quickly chose the latter it was an easy choice to make. The sudden appearance of the none other boy who had been the reason of her being here had made her want to scream, throw up and kill him all at the same time. She knew clearly now, it had been him that had hexed her unconscious in the battle. Him!

"That's enough Draco, withdraw your bet" Lucius said sharply to his son, speaking as if to a five year old.

"No you know the rules, once a bet is placed, it remains placed"

"…Fine! I wash my hands of it all. The Lord will not sell the Mudblood. You will all pay for your disobedience and ignorance at ignoring his wishes!" Casting them all a vengeful look he stormed out, ignoring his Son as he passed. He needed to send an owl and he had an un-controlling urge to kill something. He spent the rest of his trip to his office wondering if anyone would care if he released his rage on some of the forgotten Muggle prisoners. He laughed through his anger 'of course not. Oh Granger would suffer'; he knew she would be trouble. Albeit he had forgotten about her in the last few months, but he still acknowledged the fact he should have killed her when he had the chance. Yet the Dark Lord wanted her to suffer as he had, to live a harsh life alone at the brink of death. Well he had followed orders, and look at what it had caused.

"Well after all the many we have sold I do believe we have reached our record. Have we reached an end Ladies and Gentlemen? One last time, I remind you who this is…" the crowd stared at the Auctioneer in disbelief, did he think they didn't have this moment imprinted in there minds forever? Besides no matter how much they wanted nobody dared or could afford to out bid Draco Malfoy. He was renowned for his riches, even more so then his Father. The moment had come to a final end. "Last chance… going… going…" he cast a look at Pansy Parkinson who was struggling at her mouth which had been sealed shut by her Mother. Giving the crowd a last chance Torrington took a breath…

"Wait!" a voice yelled, everyone groaned and released the breath they had been holding. Malfoy Junior turned angrily to glare at his interrupter. It was a young woman in Death Eater garb. I have a bid on the behalf of a …" she looked down at the note she was holding, "of a B. Zabini" her voice echoed through the hall. "An extra 20,000 Galleons on the current standing bid. And that he is on his way here now"

The crowd looked at Draco.

It was current Knowledge that the Zabini family and Malfoy family were fighting for there young heirs to become the Dark Lord's favourite and take there place as his second. Currently Draco and Blaize were in competition with each other. Each trying to out do the other in everything.

However it was not current knowledge that the Zabini family household were millionaires, which was soon to over take the Malfoy's fortune, they who were the richest in the United Kingdom, were soon to become second.

Malfoy's pale face tinged pick, the only sign of his anger on his straight face. "Another 20,000" Malfoy said quietly, yet easily heard.

Everyone knew with out a doubt, this was no longer for fun. Two rich, dangerous Death Eaters were battling it out for Potters friend and being close to the Dark Lord meant they would most defiantly get her.

"Another 20,000 from Master Malfoy"

"Mister Malfoy, I am no longer a child" Draco corrected.

"Sorry" Torrington corrected, "Mister Malfoy. What did Mister Zabini say if the bid was raised?" he asked the woman.

"Add another 10 thousand until he arrives" she told them while staring in awe at Draco.

"Another 10,000 on that, oh and Torrington you can name Zabini Master, it doesn't affect me in the slightest." Malfoy said pettily.

"Well things are certainly hoting up. I'll add B. Zabini's bid to the pot."

"I think we'll wait until he arrives before we continue. I'm not wasting my money because he is not present" Malfoy said icily.

"Well, that is... I'm not sure-"

Malfoy strode to a chair and sat down, stating clearly that it would.

By the time Blaize Zabini entered the hall, a large number of people had now seated, and a small circle of empty chairs however remained around Draco bar the woman next to him. Everyone sat up however when the dark haired young man entered.

"Hope my offer has been accepted in time" he said calmly breaking the ice to the silent stares.

"Yes Mister Zabini. We are now on… 706,000 Galleons"

"Who has the current bid?"

"You"

Blaize smiled in approval.

"Finally, I don't know about you Zabini but I was brought up to be present when placing a bet." Draco said spitefully. "7.5 Million"

Once again pulses rose as the money increased, 8 Million, 8.5 Million. Time passed slowly the tension building.

"I'm not worth much!" Hermione yelled unable to control herself any longer.

Both men looked at her in surprise as if forgetting what exactly they were buying.

"10 Million" Blaize said firmly.

Malfoy opened his mouth to speak.

"Draco that is enough! You've made your point. I can not allow you to spend your fortune on a Muggle" a platinum blond said.

"But-"

"No Draco, you've earned this money, I understand you want to spend it on you wishes. She maybe Potters friend but she is a Muggle none the less. You can have the honour of being the only Wizard to have actually brought one of the three to Azkaban that is something he will never have. That in itself is enough. She is Muggle scum Draco that is all" she placed a soothing hand on her Son's arm. Being his Mother, Narcissa knew her Son was having an emotional battle inside. One fought between pride and his common sense. Eventually his grey eyes left Hermione's figure and he took a deep breath then released it slowly.

"11 Million that is my final bid"

"11 Million and 1 knut!" Blaize shot out.

Draco's head snapped to him, "What! 11 Million 2 knuts!"

Had the situation been different, going up in one knut at a time would be comical and completely childish compared to increasing by a million.

"Fine" Blaize said rolling his eyes, "11.1 Million"

Draco fought hard to control himself; slowly he nodded his head in defeat.

"Right well I don't think I need to ask for any other bidders" Torrington said. He felt utterly exhausted. "Sold to Mister Zabini, Hermione Granger, for how much? Oh yes 11.1 Million. I think we'll leave the remaining prisoners until tomorrow after today's unexpected sell I for one feel to tired to go on. Same time and place in this hall. Thank you all for coming and for taking part. Minister would you like to add anything to this unexpected day?"

A very sweaty Minister for Magic swaggered up onto the stage.

"Um" he said not bothering to use a voice magnifying charm, as the audience was at a deathly silence.

"Would buyers please move to the far right of the stage for a moment. We need to discuss issues of payment and delivery. Thank you for coming, refreshments which I think some of us may need are available in the room we were in earlier if you would just follow the man at the back, I will be present in a few minutes" nodding he walked of stage to meet Torrington who was removing his voice charm, now sounding very croaky with fatigue and over use.

Hermione was removed from stage in a slight trance and placed with the other prisoners. Those that had not been on stage were led away. Those that had were looking even more ill now that it was all over. 'If Hermione Granger had been imprisoned what hope was now left for them?'

Slowly the hall began to empty; those that had bought the prisoners were now busy talking with Torrington. Hermione looked at them, a mix of anger and an unexplained emotion, pity maybe? Currently anger was triumphing.

Blaize caught her gaze and smiled, she turned away in disgust only to be caught in Malfoy Junior's gaze. She was surprised he was still in the room. As much as she wanted to she couldn't pull away from it. Evan from a distance she could see his steel grey eyes burning into her hazel ones. Her body felt like it had been thrown into a bath of cold water. She feared him, he caused her all this pain, he may not have committed the crimes yet it was his fault she was in this situation. Yes, much to her emotional turmoil she feared him. From the look on his face he knew this, and seemed to enjoy that fact with a satisfied leer.

After a year of Hell, it seemed fate was not finished with her yet.

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