A/N: I went through all the chapters to edit the best I could for grammar and spelling. While doing so, I made a few minor changes here and there. Nothing that would impact the plot or cause any confusion.

Thanks again to all those who continue to read. I have a lot of fun writing it. If you like this story, please favorite or follow.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Hermione didn't know whether to be angry or worried. It was nine in the evening and her daughter hadn't come home. Earlier that day, Rose had told Hermione she'd be spending the afternoon with Dominque. When Rose hadn't shown for supper, Hermione had sent Fleur a patronus, inquiring how much longer her daughter would be. She immediately felt an uneasiness take over her when she learned Dominque was in France visiting relatives, and that she hadn't seen Rose since her fourteen birthday party.

After that, Hermione had frantically called Ron, and he'd reassured his wife that he would find her. He'd left the shop shortly after speaking to her and headed to the Malfoy Penthouse in London. Both he and Hermione agreed it was likely he'd find Rose there.

For the last hour, Hermione could only wait and pray that Rose was with Scorpius, and that nothing serious had happened to her. She was desperately trying to keep the worst case scenarios from entering her mind.

Rose would be okay, she had to be okay. This is what Hermione told herself over and over in her feeble attempt to stay calm.

She heard a crack and she leapt to her feet, hoping to see Rose emerge from the fire place. Her heart sunk when only Ron appeared, looking tired and defeated.

Once Ron dusted himself off, Hermione inquired, "well?"

"She's not there," he answered, his voice cracking slightly. "Malfoy said Scorpius has been home all day with a stomach bug, hasn't left his room."

Hermione swallowed hard. That was not the news she'd been hoping for.

"And he believes him?" She asked hurriedly. "He actually checked with Scorpius?"

"Yeah, I was there when Malfoy asked him," Ron said, taking off his jacket and tossing it on the table. "He looks awful, he's definitely not faking. He seemed worried too, once he knew Rose hadn't come home. Offered to help search for her."

Hermione stared at her husband for a moment before slowly sitting down at the kitchen island. She was starting to cross over into panic.

"I was sure she'd be with him," she said quietly, wracking her brain for anywhere else her daughter might be.

"The kid says he hasn't seen her in over a week," Ron continued, making his way to sit next to her. "He's been staying with his grandparents I guess, only went back to London since he took ill and didn't want them to get sick."

Hermione said nothing as she processed it all. It was official. Her daughter was missing. Rose was gone, and no one knew where she was.

"Malfoy said he'd let us know right away if she turned up," Ron said, and then with a sigh added, "I think it's time... we need Harry."

"No," Hermione said quickly, her worried eyes meeting Ron's.

She knew what calling Harry meant, and that couldn't be true. It just couldn't.

"M'ione, - "

"Not yet," she said forcefully, desperately trying to push aside the dark thoughts invading her mind. "I refuse to believe that this is more than just teenage rebellion. She'll probably walk through the front door any moment."

"This isn't like her," Ron gently reasoned. He placed his hand over hers, hoping to get her to see reason. "You know this doesn't seem right."

"She's fine, Ron. Nothing's happened to her."

Ron sighed heavily. This was one of those rare moment where he was acting more rationale than his wife.

"You're the Minister of Magic. You said it yourself when you took the job that you'd have a target on your back."

Hermione knew what Ron was implying. It was the same thought she'd been trying to push away all evening.

"Someone can't have taken her," she whispered, tears leaking from the corners of her red eyes.

"She wouldn't do this, Hermione," Ron said softly, his own gut twisting into knots at the thought of someone kidnapping Rose. "She's knows it would make us crazy. She knows we'd worry."

Hermione burst into a sob, and Ron placed his arm around her, hoping he could offer her some comfort. She leaned into him, allowing herself to be held like a child.

"Okay, fine. Call him," she said, her voice muffled in Ron's sweater. "Call Harry."

"I already did," Ron told her, carefully placing a kiss on her hairline, and rubbing her back. "I stopped at Grimmauld place before coming home. He's rounding up his best Aurors."

Hermione pull away from Ron slightly, looking up at him.

"Harry will find her," he said reassuringly.

"And what are we supposed to do?" She asked, wiping her wet cheeks with her arm sleeve.

Ron frowned at Hermione, doing his best to control his own swirling emotions.

"Wait."

...

Rose's eyes slowly began to open at the sound of chattering voices and a distant crackling fire. The familiar smell of cooked roast wafted into her nose. She blinked a few times until she regained full consciousness, taking note of her strange surrounding.

Rose was seated at a set dinning table with three others, one of whom she recognized to be Lucius Malfoy. He was at the head of the table, and she was at the other end, bound to her chair with magical restraints. The other two sat on either side of them, and in the middle of the table was a roast beef surrounded by various side dishes and fixings.

Rose quickly looked around and it dawned on her that she was in the drawing room at Malfoy Manor.

To Rose's right, was a pretty woman, with olive skin and light brown, long hair. She was sitting up straight, holding a half filled wine goblet she was swirling. Her eyes were fixed on Rose. To Rose's left was a pale wizard, with shaggy black hair and a long greying beard. His beady eyes were hungrily looking her up and down.

"Miss Weasley, it's a pleasure to have you join us," Lucius said, his thin lips curving into a sinister smile. "Let me introduce you to who you'll be dining with this evening.

"Hestia Carrow, I'm sure you'll recognize her name," he said, casually gesturing towards the woman. "She went to school with your parents. Her family was all but exiled from the Wizarding Community once Amycus and Alecto were convicted of war crimes and sent to Azkaban. She can't even get a job cleaning streets in Diagon Alley, can you believe that?"

Rose tried to speak but she felt frozen. She was unsure if was from fear or magic.

"And over here we have Aetes Lestrange, the only son of Rabastan Lestrange," Lucius continued, casting his gaze to middle age man. "Did you know that Aetes might be better at the Cruciatus Curse than his late father?"

Rose managed to swallow the lump in her throat, her blue eyes wide, staring at the angry looking wizard.

"He isn't as talented as his dear Aunt Bellatrix mind you, your mother's filthy blood is proof of that," Lucius gestured to the large bright stain in the middle of the room. "My sister-in-law was extremely gifted after all."

Rose was shocked. Her mother's blood? Bellatrix had used the Cruciatus Curse on her mum? That wasn't possible. It wasn't written in A History of Magic, nor was it written in any other book she'd read about the war. Her mother had certainly never mentioned anything either.

Rose had almost worked up the courage to speak when Lucius beat her to it.

"And we're missing one important guest, thanks to your uncle. Don't worry though, Euphemia will be out of Azkaban and back on the street soon enough," he said, taking a sip from his goblet. He gestured with his free hand to the feast that surrounded them. "Well, why don't we all dig in?"

Rose felt her restraints slightly relax, and food magically appeared on the plate in front of her. She noticed the same had occurred for the others, and Aetes wasted no time shoveling spoonfuls into his mouth. Lucius and Hestia gently picked up their forks and began to dine while Rose sat shellshocked, still taking in her surroundings.

"Have something to eat, Miss Weasley," Lucius said, almost politely so. "It's highly unlikely your last meal will be tonight, but just incase, I do hope you like roast."