Stumbling out of the room Draco gazed dismayed at the sentry like doors baring his way, he cursed inwardly. His mind raced; eyes darting from door to door, thinking this is impossible I could be fumbling about forever if I choose the wrong sodding door. Scanning round the room in panic the choice seemed impossible. Head in hands as if to hold in thoughts, he closed his eyes muttering 'Wait think, I'm a wizard damn it, it's not a muggle lottery.' Somewhere in the back of his mind he heard Potters voice 'Dumbledore said magic leaves traces' following this train of thought it was clear the door would have been opened by magic as non were forced, therefore it would be traceable by magic. Feeling for his wand, while thinking through his spell knowledge, Prior Incantato? Works on wands, would it work on the door with some adjustment;

vestigium incantato maybe. Putting the wand flat on his outstretched palm and casting his spell "vestigium incantato" the wand hovered, spun round his hand then pointed towards a door. From the tip of the wand a jet of light shot at the glistening black wood and for a second the words Alohomora blazed across the front then melted away. Draco grinned uttered the same charm on the recently used door and he walked determinedly through.

Stepping lightly out of the lift Snape watched the others all turn their backs on him; all busy in the scrutiny of the door. He pulled out the cloak of invisibility and wrapped it around himself waiting for them to leave the room. Knowing nobody would notice, except maybe Hermione.

As the troop disappeared through the door, a fox appeared and slunk towards the invisible Snape she could clearly see him. She nodded towards a particular door he followed her cast a non verbal spell so soundlessly the door opened they walked through together.

Hermione saw the door close, she caught a glimpse of what she thought was the kitsune now convinced that this being was evil she was sure Snape was being taken against his will, he couldn't be a traitor he just couldn't.

She silently cast her spell and followed the kitsune through the door.

It was a dark corridor and she could see nothing. Panic flared up, her heart was pounding in her ears. "The door just closed" she thought, "where are they, magic is amazing but so frustrating when you're following someone."

She crept forward deciding not to cast extra light. She didn't get far.

"Why won't you die you filthy muddy bitch?" The words growled out from the darkness. Hermione spun round with her wand and blindly sent out a disarming charm, she missed. McNair was equally as quick with much better aim. Jinxes and curses flew like fire works lighting the room in flickering brightness. All the curses seemed to be rebounding and hitting only the furious death eater. He screamed and howled demented by his anger. As the room lit up once again, he threw himself at Hermione crashing her against the wall. The Death-eater screamed out in pain. Then spat out the words, "Clearly magic still isn't going to take you down."

The following wizard walked straight into the horror of his former vision from his mother, he watched the Death-eater grab Hermione by the neck and slam her against the tiled wall. Hermione kicked out and thrashed around. Her hand straining and stretching out, searching for a wand she had clearly dropped.

This time Draco wasn't just a spectator, he was there this was his moment; but yet he was still frozen to the spot this time in fear.

The Death-eater put his large hand under her chin and wrenched her head upwards. Hermione's pale neck was displayed clearly. A tiny droplet of light shone at the hollow of her neck, shining clearly against the pale alabaster of her slender throat. The Death-eater's rough, dirty hands kept away from the light but continued to tug her head upwards stretching her beyond what was tolerable. Draco saw him place his thumb and index finger on the windpipe wrapping his four fingers around the back of her neck. The Dark wizard then increased the pressure pushing his thumb forcefully against her, in a one handed choke hold. She fought and struggled against him, the Death-eater growled at her, his face got closer and closer to her and spittle hit her face, he spat out fearful words about her death, that even in death she wasn't free he was going to do horrific things to her corpse, then he rammed his knee to her middle, removing the hand grasping her waist he raised it to cover her nose and mouth, and squeezed down. After about thirty seconds of bucking and struggling Hermione's body began to still and she dropped to the floor.

Draco didn't know what to do, his reason was compromised by overwhelming fear. As Hermione started to stop twitching McNair began to straddle her, pushing her clothes up to her waist.

His vision; in his vision he was a hero he'd stepped in already this didn't happen, A light grew bright on Hermione's neck, at the same time something grew white hot in the pocket of Draco's robe, he winced and came to his senses he grabbed the dagger from his pocket it chilled instantly. McNair was busy fumbling with difficulty at his clothes one hand still pushed down on Hermione's mouth his wand lay forgotten in his perverse haste. Draco lunged forward grabbed McNair by the hair, with a flash of silver he dug the dagger into the exposed jugular. The hands dropped from Hermione's mouth surprise and horror etched on his face, he tried to grab Draco gargling and bubbling blood all over Hermione, then the Death-eater dropped on top of Hermione convulsed then went still.

Draco pulled his body off Hermione with trembling hands.

Sank to the floor and felt for her pulse, it was still there faint but there.

He wiped her face with his cloak removing as much blood and spittle as he could. Then ministered to her getting the girl breathing. The airways freed she coughed and her frightened eyes sort Draco.

Pulling her into his arms he said

"Thank Merlin"