Hi guys, Thankyou for all your reviews, favourites and follows. I will start editing my story from start to finish soon, but here's part 1 of chapter 23.

I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER

The thundering boom of a storm rattled the glass chandelier; each tiny globule of crystal hammering together made an eerie tingling sound in the room of requirement. Draco Malfoy caught sight of himself in one of the many quivering mirrors, he looked distorted. A pale white smudge against a tower of black. Another rumble resounded throughout the room as lightning cascaded upon the castle.


Broken glass crunched beneath my feet as I came toward the immense dark doors of the vanishing cabinet. It was shrouded in an unwieldy black veil. I whipped it off and kicked it aside hurriedly, my leather shoes shining in the shadows. Paranoia washed over me like a cold shower and I checked over my shoulder frenetically, you better not mess this up for me Coldroy.

I opened the door, my hand trembling in the process. It was empty as expected, though they would be here any moment. I leant my head against the cold wood of the cabinet; its icy exterior soothed my thoughts, though it didn't impede them.

Please, please, please let this work.

I hadn't ever prayed before, I never had anything to pray for.

If you just let me have Hermione, if you just let me...let me...I'll be better. I promise...

Could I be better? Was there any going back after this?

Would my virtue be returned to me once more if I became moral?

A small tear trickled down my cheek before evaporating, as if never there.

Hermione...

An image of my princess flickered in my mind. A tangle of hair, brown eyes alert with fear, a trembling mouth. She faded, becoming a mere wisp of gold behind my eyelids.

Please don't go...

A rumble erupted before me in the cabinet, disturbing my thoughts, though this time it wasn't the thunder creating the vibrations.


"Cassius, let go of me! Please!" I widened my eyes and my movements across the floor became stilted. His grip only tightened on my waist.

"There's no use struggling, you'll just end up making a show in front of everyone." His eyes locked on mine, his dark orbs penetrating my mind. I felt his imperious clench down on my limbs and I couldn't stop the gasp which escaped my lips.

"I don't care!" What's going on? What's the use in keeping me hostage for a stupid party? "Where is he? Where's Draco?"

He turned us toward the edge of the festivities, His brown waves falling into his eyes. I cursed every hair on his terrible head. Unfortunately, my wand was in my beaded bag which was irritatingly left inside the oyster loveseat.

"Does it matter? You're with me now." He muttered, he seemed distracted, his eyes focused on the great hall's entrance.

"What are you up to?" I croaked, dread trickled down my spine. My dress felt damp against my skin and my high heels tore into my feet as we waltzed. Why had I worn these? Their bloody torture tools.

Cassius clenched his jaw and gripped my wrist. He loomed over me as he dipped me back and my curls softly touched the floor. "Listen to me. Do you feel different?" His voice was a sinister growl that rumbled out of his ironed white shirt.

I felt very different. I felt hot. My skin burned and my cheeks became a deep fuchsia. I wanted to find Draco. I needed to find him. It was if He would quench my thirst once I found him and only him. I felt my eyes glaze over and the hazy day dream that had been plaguing my mind finally came into form. The form of none other than Malfoy.

I shook my head rapidly and He lifted me back up.

"Alright..."

My stomach clenched as he pulled us behind the rippling waterfall in the rock pool area of the room. The cold water pattered down onto my shoulders as I was dragged into the dark alcove.

His hands ran down my shoulders as he wiped away the droplets of water.

"Hermione..." He whispered so quietly, I shivered. "I need to...to tell you...I l-"

A piercing scream echoed throughout the great hall, followed by a menacing cackle.

Time paused for a second as shock filled the room. Cassius's grip loosed for a millisecond and I took advantage. I thrust myself away from him and smacked against the cold sharp rocks behind the water feature. My cheek felt hot and wet and I pressed a cold hand against it as I ran out of the alcove and into the great hall.

Cassius's curses where a distant noise as I was thrown amidst of the chaos that was the great hall.