A/N All you 'good Draco' fans hang in there with me. He's a little rough at first. -NW
Hermione had tried to apparate but couldn't. The wand she'd found clenched in the hand of a dead death eater would not perform for her. The wards were much too strong. She had run when the carnage started. No one had seen her slip away crouched along the wall. She had run with no other thought than to get to the front door, but it was blocked with everyone going that way.
She ran down a hallway and then another and then another. Malfoy Manor was large and confusing. She had lost her way after the fifth staircase and ended up at the back of a closet. Hermione didn't know what to do, but at least it was quiet enough to think here. She couldn't get out; she couldn't stay here. It was only a matter of time before the house elves found her. If only she had her bag. The beaded bag which was now on the floor next to her two best friends. Her dead best friends. She pushed the terrible pain and loss away. Crying would only put her next to them.
Hermione heard the door slowly squeak open and braced herself to run, but there was no one there. The draughts in this place would keep her on edge. Still, it felt like the hand of providence, and because she didn't have a clue where to go next, why not. She opened the door cautiously to find yet another long dark hallway. One direction had raised voices and sounds of destruction, the other, dark and still with a window at the end. She ran quietly having taken off her shoes. Perhaps with everything else going on the sound of breaking glass wouldn't be heard.
She had almost reached the window, her hands held out to touch the glass. When she connected with it, a feeling of falling overtook her. The window was a port key. It felt like she would fall forever. The pain as she hit bottom was too much for her abused and neglected body and she passed out.
Hermione awoke in darkness, no sound, nothing. The wand she had clutched so tightly was gone. She swallowed the fear that was rising in her as she rose to touch the walls. Stone. Cold, unrelenting stone all the way around the chamber and floor.
Then she heard it. A familiar voice that brought hope and dread. Draco Malfoy. "Well, well, what have we here? I think we caught a mouse in our trap. So nice of you to… drop in, Granger. The elves are looking everywhere but they hate this place and will never look here. Saves me the trouble of finding and capturing you. So, what shall I do with you, I wonder. I could turn you in and get a few brownie points from you-know-who. Of course, he'd be just as likely to kill me as reward me. I could tell father what I have, but he's so pathetically out of it after that trip to Azkaban. I'm afraid he'd do something stupid, and you'd get away. Hmmm. What do you think Granger? What should I do with you?"
She knew the spoilt pureblood rat was mocking her. If she didn't show fear it may give her an advantage. Draco is, after all, a bit of a coward. "Let me go Draco!" She was glad her voice had nothing of the fear she felt in it. If she begged for her life like he wanted, he was sure to use it against her. Instead, she would talk to him as if addressing Gawp. "Listen to me Draco. Let me go, I will owe you a favor, to be repaid as you see fit. You know that madman will be defeated eventually. You will need an ally in the light. I can help you. Release me!"
"Oh Granger. Do you really think I am that much of a simpleton? With Potter dead and you as a bargaining chip, I could ask for anything I want and The Order would gladly give it to me. Not that they can provide anything I can't already buy a dozen of." He paused, thinking of what he wanted more than anything. Thinking she would be shocked and disbelieving if she knew. "Besides, with the chosen one dead, Voldy is more likely to win. I could even sell you to anyone here tonight for their… amusement… and buy more influence than The Order has. Either way you are worth a fortune to me. I'll tell you what Granger. I need a moment to decide what to do with you, and you need some time to understand fully your predicament. You stay here and be a good girl. I'll be back when I've figured it out. Oh, and don't bother screaming. This oubliette is deep beneath the manor and warded to absorb all forms of energy. The more you fight, the weaker you get, understand? But I'm not a monster. You may have this to keep you company."
A small fairy light began to glow in the center of the room. At first it seemed too dim to be of any help but as Hermione's eyes adjusted, she could see the hopelessness of her situation. No door or window or even a drain, just stone. On the floor below the dancing blue light, was a pitcher of water and a small loaf of bread. "Don't worry." His voice echoed again. "It's not poisoned. I have to keep my assets healthy now, don't I?"
It must have been hours but could have been days. There was no way to mark time. Despite having horded it, the small loaf of bread had been slowly eaten to the last crumb. She often drifted off to sleep but was awakened by nightmares. Running through the forest. Harry falling dead in front of her. Ron's foolish, brilliant bravery killing the horcrux, knowing what it would cost him.
But what would it cost her? She was freezing cold and emotionally drained almost beyond endurance. This was the end. With Harry gone they had lost the war and the life of a mudblood wasn't worth anything in a pureblood society. She trembled as she contemplated her fate from this point forward. Slavery. The worst kind of slavery. Not just working in the kitchens or cleaning the manor. No. She would end up in someone's bed after being beaten and tortured. Tears began to fall uncontrolled. Hermione cried out aloud in despair. It echoed in the empty chamber. "Ron! Harry, I need you. Don't leave me here alone. How could you leave me all alone."
A voice inside her mind rebelled. NO HERMIONE! Get a grip. It's just this room draining your strength. Don't think like that. As long as you're alive there is hope. You can make it through anything if you don't give up. She tried to use her brain to occupy herself. How could she get word to The Order. What is it that Draco wants? Would he really sell her or was that just something he was tormenting her with? Would he give her back to Voldemort? She knew he was an evil little cockroach but there must be something she could think of to convince him. But that was the problem. She couldn't think in this lightless, airless, tomb.
She woke to the sound of rattling chains and the scraping of stone. A small door suddenly appeared and the light of it blinded her. "Alright Granger. Time to have some fun. If you want out, you'll have to crawl out on your knees."
The doorway was too small to do anything but crawl, and she was more than happy to do it to get out of there. When she was almost completely out, she felt a hand on her arm pulling her up to stand. "Up-see-daisy princess."
She must have been down here longer than she thought. Not being able to stand all this time, her legs seemed weak and began to cramp from misuse. "Let go of me Malfoy!" Hermione knew the minute she said it, it was a bad idea. Lesson number one, don't reject help out of hand.
Hermione dropped to the floor like yesterday's laundry. "Anything else you want me to do Princess? Too bad I don't have the time to take you all the way to my room on your knees. You look good down there. Oh well, hold on." He dragged her up again to side-along, causing more bruises on her arm. When they reached their destination, he dropped her again. The apparition had made her dizzy and the lack of rest and food were taking their toll on her.