Hey there everyone! I know you must hate me for not writing for so long, but university is taking all of my time! But I promise that I will try to write as much as I can as soon as I can. You guys deserve that from me at least. Here's Chapter 22, hope you like it !

Chapter 22:

The sound of whispers filled her ears as she regained consciousness. She could sense people fidgeting around her with her eyes closed still. After a few seconds, she managed to flutter her eyes open. She was greeted by the relieved faces of Sirius, Orion, Hestia, Narcissa and Walburga glancing down at her. She pushed away the satin sheets and tried to sit up but was restrained by Hestia.

"Lay down Hermione. Merlin knows you need your rest." The duchess said solemnly

The Duchess's words seemed to awaken her senses for she finally was able to feel the surges of pain that were pinning at her body. She winced a little and tears started to well up in her eyes.

"Don't cry please. Here, take this potion and you'll feel much better dear." Narcissa handed her a vial and helped her sit up in order to take it.

"Can you tell us what happened Hermione?" Sirius asked her.

Hermione licked her lips, she then managed to say through her cracked throat: "Where am I?" Orion then sat next to her and handed her a glass of water.

"You're in Hampshire Manor of course! Now do you remember what happened?" Walburga said impatiently.

The muggle-born witch nodded her head and uttered: "The last thing I remember was being crucio-ed-"

"Tell us every detail of what happened right from the start of the evening, every little detail, can you do that Hermione?" Sirius inquired

She nodded again, her face pale as a sheet "It was time for the Yule Ball to start; I was freshening up and…

"Hermione! Our dates are waiting for us! Are you ready yet?" Ginny was fidgeting outside the girl dormitories, stroking her green dress.

"I'm ready!" the door knob twisted and Hermione came out, looking absolutely radiant in her red velvet dress. It hugged her bust and puffed right after her waist. Her hair was in an elegant French twist and her face had a pinch of delicate makeup. Ginny beamed at her and ushered her down the stairs and outside the portrait door.

Draco, Orion, Ron and Neville were waiting for their dates just outside the Great Hall. First came down Susan, her auburn hair lay gently on her right shoulder, her maroon dress gracing her figure. Orion took her hand and kissed the back of it and they went into the Great Hall. A similar scenario happened when Luna came down dressed in a midnight blue mermaid dress and was escorted in the ball by Ron, as well as Ginny by Neville. And last came down Hermione. Draco's eyes widened at her sight. She looked beautiful. Her cheeks were flushed and she looked down. He kissed her cheek and said to her "you look absolutely beautiful Hermione" she blushed and told him "You don't look so bad yourself" He smirked and took her hand in his, as he led her to the Great Hall. It was so wonderfully decorated, fit for a Yule Ball. Draco led her to the dance floor and they twirled to the best tunes the orchestra could muster. After a while Orion took Hermione for a dance while Susan was chatting with Ginny. Draco then sat by Neville and said "Enjoying yourself mate?"

"Yeah! Ginny is wonderful, I think I like her better than Luna now that I've gotten to know her for the past two weeks"

"Good for you mate!" Draco clapped Neville on the back and said "I want to tell you something, and you're going to be the first to know"

"Sure Dray, come on tell me"

"I'm going to ask Hermione to be my girlfriend. I'm going to take her out to the gardens and ask her after her dance with Orion" Draco told him, with a huge smile on his face. Neville laughed and gave his friend a one-armed hugged "I always knew you had something for 'Mione ! I'm sure she'll say yes! Go for it!"

"I will" he got up just as Hermione and Orion were walking towards him and Neville

"Here's your date mate, still in one piece" Orion smirked at Draco

"Very funny" Draco spat in a mocking way. He then turned to Hermione "Will you come outside with me for a minute Hermione?"

"Sure!" she replied as he joined their arms together and walked outside to the gardens. He looked to see if they were alone and then took both her hands in his. "Hermione, I want you to know that you are amazing, and I wouldn't want anyone else to be my date for this evening, or any other evening for the matter. I am myself around you, and you are my best friend. But I want us to be more than that. So, will you please do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend?"

Hermione had tears in her eyes; she nodded quickly in consent and wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her forehead and hugged her tight. They then suddenly heard clapping from behind. They first thought it was their friends but it turned out to be the one and only Lucius Malfoy.

"Well, well what do we have here ! Congratulations Draco! I never thought you could disgrace me more, but there you go !" He said with malice, fetching his wand from inside his robes.

"We meet again father, or should I say Lucius! You are no father of mine!" Draco spat, pulling Hermione behind him

"Say that again you filthy blood-traitor! CRUCIO!" he pointed his wand at his son who started convulsing on the grass, trying his best not to scream out. Hermione knelt down beside him, she screamed for help but Lucius laughed and said "Ever heard of Muffliato, mudblood? Did you think I was stupid enough to get myself caught? Nobody can hear you filthy mudlblood! CRUCIOOO!" He kept on using the torture curse on both of them until Hermione fell unconscious.

"And that's the last thing I remember, the pain was unbearable, I felt myself being ripped out, but the sight of Draco in pain killed me! Where is he?! Is he alright?! Pease tell me where he is?!" She screamed frantically at the people in front of her. Narcissa broke down in tears and was engulfed in a hug by Hestia, who also started crying. Walburga wept silently next to them and Sirius looked at Hermione with rage in his eyes. Orion was just as enraged as he stood up and snarled "That wanker! How dare he?! We have to find him Dad, Merlin knows what he's done to Draco!" he was breathing heavily as he approached his furious father who wiped away the beads of sweat.

"I'm going to kill that bastard!"Sirius growled and Narcissa sobbed even more.

"Where is Draco, uncle Sirius?" Hermione whimpered desperately.

"I don't know, but I will find him, even if it's the last thing that I will ever do."

Poor Draco ! Poor Hermione! I know you must hate me for this cliffhanger ! Please write me your thoughts and ideas in your reviews, you know how much i appreciate your opinions and they really help me carry on with the story. Also share your ideas with me in your reviews, so i might integrate them in the story! Review as much as you can and thank you for bearing with me from the beginning! Love you all ! XOXO