Trapped in the manor as Draco Malfoy's what? Hostage? Toy? Sex slave? Though he'd yet to demand that of her, it was a daily threat. He seemed to be very…active… in that respect at school. Certainly, he'd had highly paid professionals in the past. The death eater revels were horribly famous for their depravity. Wasn't that enough? Could it be that he wanted something more than just sex from her? With a little effort, perhaps the novelty of having the Gryffindor princess naked in his room would wear off and he'd release her. Or. She could try to give him everything he desired, and see if she could use it to convince him to be a human being. Either way it was a volatile and difficult situation.
Hermione felt better having thought it through. She just didn't know if she could pull it off. So much depended on how far Draco was going to go. If she was too complacent, would his demands escalate. He'd said, if she pleased him… and his friends. She shuddered to think of Crabb or Goyle touching her. Hermione had to gamble on the presumption that it would be too risky to share her with them. Especially those two knuckle draggers. One of them would brag to the wrong person and the jig would be up. Draco was too smart for that.
Yes, he was intelligent. On par with her, she had to admit. They both were excellent in potions. He was very good at transfiguration, charms, and a ruthless dueler. If he hadn't been such a prat about her blood status, she might have found him attractive. Many of the girls in Slytherin and even a few of the other houses, said he was amazing in bed. It was true she noticed a flutter in her belly when he'd removed his shirt. He was trim and sinewy. Still growing into his adult physique, but it wouldn't take long for him to fill out nicely.
The sun became too warm, and she moved to the couch in front of the unlit fireplace. She'd browsed the bookshelves on her way there and found a few to her liking and settled in.
Funny how things can sneak up on you when your defenses are down. A stray memory of the three of them in the common room before the fireplace. Happy and joking about Harry's first kiss with Cho. Her trying to explain to the boys what it was like to feel so many different things at once. They couldn't understand what it is to be a woman who chooses between the past and the future. Juggling all the feelings and implications of the choices you make. Harry. Sweet, wonderful Harry. The brother she'd never had, their bond closer than family.
There was a drop of water on the page of the book she had opened. Hermione looked down at it, not wanting to think about where it had come from, but it was too late. The door had been pushed open a crack and she was flooded with the pain of loss. They had been through so much together after Ron left, and now Harry was gone forever. She was alone. Hermione put her head on the pillow next to her and let go. The pain was more than any physical injury could ever be. There was nothing but the pain. No sight, no sound. The taste of utter despair, bitter on her tongue. Nothing mattered now. Not the war, not her predicament, nothing. She was so tired of it all.
Ron. He had been so brave after he'd returned. Trying desperately to earn their trust and respect again. Trying to say he was sorry. She and Harry knew it wasn't him that had run away, it was the horcrux trying to tear them apart.
Hermione knew that deep down Ron loved her. If circumstances had been different they might have grown into something more. But in the trenches there was no time to think of romance, with their lives on the line 24/7. Instead, the stress built a strange bond that grew between the three of them. Stronger than any she'd ever known existed. The bond of comrades in arms. Knowing you could trust them to have your back. Knowing you were responsible for theirs. Willing to share the hardships of daily life and do anything to keep them safe. With them gone the future was uncertain.
This wasn't how it was supposed to be. They'd hunted and destroyed four horcruxes together, the snake making five. Harry was supposed to defeat Voldemort, but he was gone now. All they had done and suffered, was for nothing! It wasn't fair! If only she could get word to The Order, to pass on their mission.
She felt something on her face and was startled to look up and see Draco dangling a handkerchief over her cheek. "What this? Do you weep for yourself or someone else princess?" It was said with softness but was ultimately cruel. He put the cloth back in his pocket. "If you cry to beg for sympathy from me, dry your eyes and fix your face. Tears have little effect on me if you haven't noticed."
His words were like a splash of cold water on her face.
"I asked you a question princess. Why are you crying?"
Hermione took a long deep breath to calm herself and answer him civilly. "I cry for something you'll never understand Draco. I was remembering Harry and Ron and how much I loved them. How much I want to honor their sacrifice. How I hope they will not be ashamed of me, when it's my turn to die."
He answered in a quiet compassionate voice. "Your turn to die? No. No. I won't allow that. Don't count on being a martyr Hermione. That is a price that none of us were willing to pay. That's why Weasley pushed you to the floor when he struck. He knew an avada from someone would kill him. He didn't want you in the way of it. An unexpectedly smart move on his part." Draco's voice softened further. "I'm going to take care of you Hermione. After all, I gave you my word." He brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb and turned to go into the bathroom.
"Draco… wait. Will you answer a question?"
"If I can." He stopped and turned to her, suspicious.
Hermione looked down at the floor and swallowed hard. Looking back at him with pain in her eyes. "What did they do with them? Their bodies. What did they do with Harry and Ron? Will you tell me?"
Draco gave a huff and looked at the ceiling. He didn't want to have this conversation though he knew it would come up sometime. "What does it matter princess, they're dead."
"Please Draco, please tell me. Where are they?"
It did no harm to tell her. "They are down below in a cell with a stasis charm on them for now. In case He wants them. Father says if Voldy doesn't mention them soon we'll have to get permission to dispose of them. Likely by cremation and then scatter the ashes in secret. Does that satisfy you?"
Hermione couldn't stop it. She turned away from him and stoically wept. She needed closure badly if she was to try to begin again. "I. I didn't get to say goodbye."
Draco watched her. Would anyone, save his mother, weep for him? No. Probably not. Perhaps, if he offered to, if she might, someday… "Do you want to see them Hermione? I could let you say goodbye."
Hermione drew a startled breath, but she didn't hesitate. "Yes. Please yes."
"Well, we'll go tonight then. Five minutes, that's all. Five minutes and then we come back here. But if you try and use this opportunity to escape or reveal yourself, so help me I'll make you pay for it, understood?"
She shook her head in agreement. "I give you my word Draco. And,.. thank you for this. I'm grateful."
Draco sneered. "I don't want your gratitude witch. Now stop pestering me and let me get dressed. I have to go out, but I'll be back for dinner. Get your crying under control. I don't want to see that again. We'll go after dinner."