Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

A/N: I skipped ahead a lot to keep the story Dramione-focused! Like I've said before, I do not want to repeat too much canon so I hope you guys don't mind!

Chapter 20

March 1998

Hermione sat in the tent she, Harry and Ron had just set up. So much had happened in the last few months… The trio had been on the run while searching for horcruxes and had infiltrated the Ministry using Polyjuice Potion, destroyed the locket, nearly gotten caught on several occasions and were currently hunting for more.

Her relationship with Harry had pretty much returned back to normal -well, as normal as it could during a war. Ron on the other hand… he was no longer giving her the cold shoulder but something in their friendship had definitely broken. They didn't have time to work on relationships at the moment though, they had to find the rest of the horcruxes.

She sighed as she pulled her blanket up and over her shoulders, drawing her knees to her chest as she leaned on Harry who was next to her.

"Mione?" he asked suddenly and she lifted her head to look at him in question.

"I know we haven't… talked about it since then but… what happened? With Malfoy?" he asked and Hermione felt her heart rate speed up.

He was right. They hadn't talked about it and Hermione was glad for that. She didn't want to dwell on her ex-lover, let alone with her best friend who hated Draco. She felt her throat go dry as the feelings she had pushed aside all these months began to creep back up. She couldn't talk about it. Not yet… It was too soon.

But Harry had forgiven her. He wasn't treating her any differently because of it and he had never thrown the situation in her face.

"I…" she began, unsure of where to start. "He tricked me. He must have had Dumbledore's death planned all along and he used me to help him do it. I wasn't thinking about you, or Ron, or Ginny, or anyone. I… I genuinely thought he liked me and I never doubted it." She swallowed hard as her voice began to crack.

"I never meant to hurt you, Harry. Or Dumbledore. Or Bill. I swear, I had no idea. I'm so-" She began her apology again, hoping he would drop the topic.

"Hermione, calm down." he said, raising a hand to rub her arm. "Relax. I'm not upset with you. Not anymore." he reassured her and she felt herself calm down slightly. She was glad Ron was out on watch right now.

"At first I was… betrayed… angry… furious, even. But Hermione, you're my best friend. You've always been there for me. Always. You've saved me more times than I can count, you never doubted me and you've never let me down." She opened her mouth to protest. She had let him down.

He raised a hand to stop her. "I know you didn't do it on purpose. You would never do something like that. I've been thinking about it, watching you over these last few months and I realized something. You've changed. You're quieter, more reserved. You seem cautious. I catch you sometimes staring off into space for minutes on end. I hear you… at night. Crying." She felt her face heat up in embarrassment. She hadn't realized she'd eben so obvious. "I hear you when you sleep too. Calling his name…"

"Harry I can't control-" she began.

"I know. I know. It all made me realize that you really did love him. And sure, I felt betrayed for a bit when I was angry with you but you… you were the one who was really betrayed. By him." She felt a tear slip from her eye as he spoke. "And after the school year ended, I didn't speak to you for an entire month. You were -you are really heartbroken. And I haven't been here for you. You've been dealing with it all alone while still leaving everything behind and fighting this war with me. I'm sorry for that, Hermione."

She had no idea what to say. This wasn't right. Harry shouldn't be apologizing to her!

"I know it's been months since it all happened but I want you to know I'm here for you now. Whatever you need. If you want to talk about him… I'm here." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she gratefully leaned into him.

"This is enough." she said softly, wrapping an arm around him as well. "Knowing that you're here for me, and you don't hate me. Thank you."

He smiled and they sat like that for a few minutes until Ron slipped back into the tent. "It's clear out there. Thought I'd come check in on the radio." he said, picking up the small radio they had before taking a seat. Harry stood, heading over to him.

Hermione remained where she was, thinking over what Harry had said. She felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her chest. For the first time in months, she felt like she could breathe. Harry's words had made her feel less alone, less isolated. The countless nights she had spent crying herself to sleep, the dreams she had been having that she both loved and hated, Harry had noticed it all. And he didn't hate her for it.

"I knew it! Voldemort's searching for the Elder Wand!" Harry exclaimed, a split second before Ron's eyes widened.

Hermione's head snapped up and she jumped to her feet. "Harry! The taboo!" she exclaimed, snatching her beaded bag as Harry stood in shock.

"Run!" Ron exclaimed, drawing his wand and pulling Harry's arm before the trio began to move towards the exit.

"It's too late." Hermione said quietly, raising her wand. She whispered a jinx and watched as it hit Harry square in the face.

He cried out in surprise just as the Snatchers came in. "Well, well, well…" sneered the Snatcher and Hermione held her breath. How were they going to get out of this one?


"Let's take them." said Greyback, eyeing Hermione hungrily. "This here is Hermione Granger. Potter's little mudblood. And this here," he yanked Harry by the collar of his shirt. "Is Harry Potter. I'm sure of it."

The Snatchers murmured in agreement as they eyed Harry, trying to determine whether or not he really was The Boy Who Lived. Hermione's jinx would wear off eventually and she was desperately trying to think of a way out of this.

"It's settled then. We take em to Malfoy Manor." said the lead Snatcher, grinning broadly.

Hermione's eyes widened and her stomach dropped at his words. Malfoy Manor? No, no, no. It couldn't be. Her eyes darted between Harry and Ron, who stared at her with similar panicked expressions.

"Hear that, pretty?" purred the Snatcher who had a hold on her. He pressed his hips up against her behind and she felt bile rise in her throat. "We're goin' on a little trip."

She struggled against the man as they were dragged along. This was really happening. They had been captured. They were going to be sent to Malfoy Manor, where she would have to face Draco at last. Would he be the one to kill her?

She shut her eyes as she felt the familiar tug in her stomach of disapparation. She hesitantly opened her eyes to see that they now stood outside a large, exquisite Manor.

"It's about ten times the size of this room. It's decorated in black and green. I've got a king sized bed in the center, a desk, a sitting area, some book shelves, some family heirlooms here and there, and an attached closet and bathroom."

Her heart clenched as she recalled one of her and Draco's first real conversations, where he had been telling her about his room in this very Manor. She tried to picture the room as she stared up at his home. Was he home? She really hoped not.

"We've got Potter!" Greyback grinned just before the gates leading to the Manor flew open.

She gritted her teeth as she felt herself being pushed ahead and led into the large Manor, Harry and Ron being pulled next to her. She tuned everything out as her captors gloated and cheered as they painfully pulled them along.

Think, Hermione. She mentally told herself. How can you get us out of this?

She came up with nothing as the group now stood face to face with Narcissa Malfoy, who eyed them curiously. Hermione eyed her back, noting the similarities between her and Draco. She was unfairly gorgeous, much like her son. She also had a mask of indifference on her face despite the bizarre circumstances they were in.

Hermione watched with bated breath as Narcissa inspected Harry's face in response to Greyback's declaration that he had caught the Harry Potter. "Bring them in." said the woman, before she led them further into the Manor.

"My son, Draco is home for his Easter holidays. He'll be able to tell us if it really is Potter." said the woman in a cool, calm tone.

If it wasn't for the position they had found themselves in, Hermione was sure she would have fainted then and there. Draco was home. He was going to confirm that it was indeed Harry as soon as he saw them and they'd be dead within the hour. How could this have happened?

They were led into a large, beautifully decorating drawing room. She gasped quietly to herself as she took in their surroundings. A large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, exquisite looking portraits hung from the walls and each piece in the room looked as if it was one of a kind. It truly wasn't fair.

"Draco, come here." said Narcissa, and Hermione's head snapped up as her eyes caught the familiar head of silver hair step out of the shadows from across the room.

"Draco…" she breathed before she could stop herself and she noticed Narcissa stiffen in front of her. If the woman had heard her, she didn't say anything.

Draco strode towards them, his signature mask of indifference on his face. His eyes locked on hers as he walked and her lips parted as she took him in. He looked tired, but beautiful. He was always beautiful. Her eyes greedily ran over him and she felt the unfamiliar feeling of butterflies flutter in her stomach. Despite all these months and everything that had happened, he still had her wrapped around his finger.

Memories of their love making, their laughs, their stories sharing, their fights, everything came flooding back as they stared at one another. He raised a hand to run through his hair and her eyes followed the hand. She could almost feel how it used to feel to have those long, cool fingers run over her… in her.

"Well, Draco?" said Lucius, and Hermione's eyes snapped over to the man. "Is it him? Is it Potter?"

Hermione shook her head the slightest bit, pleading with her eyes.

Please, Draco. Please. She thought desperately, hoping he understood her. If you ever loved me, if you ever felt anything for me…

"I can't be sure." said Draco, and Hermione's knees buckled as she heard his voice again.

"Careful there, pretty." sneered the Snatcher who had a hold on her. He pulled her back up to stand steady on her feet, though his hand lingered just under her breast as he held her.

Hermione watched as Draco's silver eyes flickered over to the Snacther's hand on her before she noticed the muscle in his jaw twitch. He was upset.

"Well, look closer Draco!" cried Lucius almost manically as he gestured to Harry.

"We must be certain that it is indeed the boy." said Narcissa as she watched behind her husband. "The Dark Lord will be furious if we summon him based on uncertainty. Remember what he did to Rowle and Dolohov?" she said and Lucius bowed his head in agreement.

"Well, what about the mudblood?" hissed Greyback, gesturing to Hermione.

She stared between the three Malfoy's, hoping she wasn't lingering too much on Draco. Would Draco give her up?

"I recognize her." said Narcissa, stepping forward until she stood in front of Hermione. "I saw her in Madam Malkin's with Potter. She was in the Prophet too. Isn't she the Granger girl, Draco?" Narcissa turned to look at her son, who was eyeing Hermione.

"Maybe." he said after a minute of silence. He was lying. He knew it was her. But why would he lie?

"That's the Weasley boy, then!" cried Lucius, pointing at Ron. "Draco, look at him. It's Arthur Weasley's boy, isn't it?" he pressed, shaking Draco's arm.

"Yeah, it could be." Draco shrugged before turning his back to the group. Hermione frowned as she stared at his back.

"What is this?" She heard the cool voice of another woman and she turned her head to stare at Bellatrix Lestrange. "What's happened Cissy?"

Bellatrix circled the group, stopping in front of Hermione. "This is the mudblood girl? This is Granger?" she asked, raising a hand and dragging her sharp nail across Hermione's cheek. Hermione turned her head instantly, not wanting to be touched by the vile woman.

"Yes, yes, it's Granger!" cried Lucius, "And beside her, we think, Potter! Potter and his friends, caught at last!"

"Are you sure? Well then, the Dark Lord must be informed at once!" cried Bellatrix, pushed back her left sleeve to reveal her Dark Mark.

"I was about to call him!" said Lucius, and his hand closed around Bellatrix's wrist, preventing her from touching the Mark. "I shall summon him, Bella. Potter has been brought to my house, and it is therefore upon my authority-" he began, though was cut off as the Snatchers and Greyback began to argue about who exactly had brought them in.

"STOP!" shrieked Bellatrix suddenly, "Do not touch it, we shall all perish if the Dark Lord comes now!"

Everyone froze, staring at the witch. Bellatrix stepped forward until she stood before one of the Snatchers, her dark eyes glued to the sword of Gryffindor.

"What is that?" Bellatrix asked coldly.

"Sword." the Snatcher responded stupidly.

In a split second Bellatrix had all of the Snatchers down on the group with a few flicks of her wand. The sword was in her hand and her wand was raised to the others.

"Where did you find this sword?" she repeated, brandishing it in Greyback's face. "Snape sent it to my vault in Gringotts!"

"It was in her bag." grunted Greyback, glaring at Bellatrix as he tilted his chin towards Hermione.

The Malfoy's, Greyback and Belaltrix argued for a minute as Bellatrix barked orders to them before Bellatrix raised her wand in anger. "Enough! The situation is far graver than you all think!"

Narcissa eyed her sister before turning to Greyback. "Take them to the cellar." she ordered.

Greyback moved towards them before Bellatrix spoke again. "Wait. Leave the girl. I want to have a chat with her… girl to girl!" she exclaimed manically.

Draco whipped around to face them again, his silver eyes wide. He opened his mouth and for a moment, Hermione thought he might save them. But no… he had chosen his side.

"No!" cried Ron, struggling against his binds. "Take me! Leave her alone!" Hermione felt her heart ache at her friend's defensiveness of her.

Hermione cried out as Bellatrix slapped Ron hard across the face, the sound of the slap echoing in the large room. Greyback smirked slightly as he dragged Harry and Ron along, leaving Hermione all alone.

"No!" cried Harry, struggling against the werewolf.

"HERMIONE!" Ron cried furiously, glancing over his shoulder at her as he was dragged away.

She swallowed hard as she watched them go. Would it be the last time she'd see them?

Just then Bellatrix reached out, fisting a handful of Hermione's curls and using ehr grip on them to drag her to the center of the room by her hair. Hermione bit her lip, trying not to cry out in pain as she was thrown to the floor.

"P-please." she begged as Bellatrix approached.

Bellatrix cackled evilly as she skipped over to Hermione's fallen form. "I love it when they beg, don't you, Lucius?" she said cheerfully.

Hermione clenched her eyes shut as she waited for what was to come. She hadn't been begging Bellatrix. She had been begging Draco.

A/N: Oh my! What do you guys think! Do you guys want the next chapter in Draco's POV? Or continue with Hermione? Review and let me know!