The moment Hermione opened her eyes she was overcome with distress. She had yet to let anything slip to Malfoy and she spoke with him nearly every day. But within a few minutes with Anthony, she had handed over everything she knew.

Her regrets coupled with the fire whiskey was making her nauseous. The little piece of control she had she gave away and now she felt exposed. She covered her eyes with her hands and let out a groan. Her body was sore from sleeping in an awkward position, and she kept feeling a sting near her left pocket every few minutes.

A moment later, the same spot got so hot that she flinched and readjusted herself to lie on her back. It was the galleon that Anthony had given her, going off with signals all morning. Even if it was a trick, she let herself believe that it was Ron or Ginny letting her know they haven't forgotten her.

Malfoy played his part at the party well. She could see his words inspiring the others in attendance and was shaken by how convincing he was. But then at the end of the night, he spent hours chatting and drinking with a mudblood. It wasn't obvious which version was the performance anymore. She squinted her eyes shut and the dread made her feel nauseous again.

No. She was actually going to be sick.

She ran to the bathroom as quickly as she could, holding her breath to not trigger her gag reflex, and was hit with steam and the scent of minty body wash as soon as she stepped in.

Standing in the shower was Malfoy, his head tipped back, and the hot water running down his face. Her eyes followed the water, and it cascaded down his body until it reached between his legs, and she saw he was half erect.

Hermione was frozen, just staring. She couldn't remember why she was there or what she was doing. Her eyes started taking in his muscular thighs before a wave of nausea hit her again.

She doubled over puked on the marble floor, the sound of her wrenching breaking Malfoy from his trance.

"What the fuck?!"

She made it to the sink before she was sick again. Her heart pounding in her ears, combined with the sound of the shower, dulled out any other noise as she paid her penance for her late-night behavior. She was never going to consume alcohol again.

"Bit dramatic don't you think? It's just a cock, Granger." She heard from behind her. She held up a rude hand gesture while another wrench pulled at her stomach.

"Here," Malfoy said from right beside her.

Her eyes were casted down, and she could see he was wearing a towel around his waist. Remembering what was under it, her eyes shot up to look him in the eye instead.

His hair was soaked, and water was dropping off the tip of his nose. He was so much taller than her that she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. Whatever he was holding was in the eyeline of his bare chest, and it made her too nervous to risk a glance at it.

She swallowed a few times, trying to force the contents remaining in her stomach to stay there and desperate to keep her composure when he lifted the vile up to her lips.

"Bottoms up, darling."

It only took a moment for the detox potion to take effect, and she let out a small sign and closed her eyes in relief. Magic really is a beautiful thing.

"Better?"

She opened her eyes to see he had walked away to put the empty vial back in the cabinet that held all his prepared potions.

"Have at it, I'm finished now." He gestured towards the shower that was still running. He vanished the mess on the floor before turning to head out of the room. "I spent so much time going over your table manners, I forgot to mention the common courtesy known as knocking."

She covered her face with her hands, having no responding and just waiting for him to leave. When she didn't hear the door close, she looked up and saw he's leaning in the door frame, watching her.

"Play fair, Granger," he shot her a wicked grin. "Your turn."

He raised his brows as she approached, not expecting her boldness, and his smirk was completely gone by the time she slammed the door in his face.

The detox potion healed her self-induced poisoning, but it did nothing to stand off the guilt and anxiety she felt. She had decided in the shower that she had to warn him.

"Malfoy, look I-I don't even know where to begin." He set his book down and turned to her, giving her his undivided attention. "I know what risk you have taken having me here, and I hope one day I'll be able to repay you-"

"That's enough, Granger. I don't need you to write me a sonnet for being a peeping Tom," he said, dismissing her.

"I am being serious, Malfoy. You need to listen to me-"

"I don't, actually. I have stuff to attend to today, so if you'll excuse me."

He grabbed his wand to apparate out and something in her snapped. It could have been the weeks of living on edge, the isolation, or the fear of saying the wrong thing and having him turning back into his old self. She couldn't help but to blame his neglect to be honest with her as the reason for her desperation the night before.

"I said listen to me!" The tears started to come, but she was beyond wanting to put on an act. "You can't just walk away from me and ignore all of my questions when you are the only person I am allowed to talk to. You think I don't know what you are doing when you leave? That you get a pass because you have me locked up in your room?"

The thought entered her mind, and it only fueled her rage more. "That's it. That's why you saved me isn't it?! Something to trade in case Voldemort isn't successful and they try to send you off to Azkaban like your father was."

His eyes darkened and she could feel the anger rippling off him. She hadn't stood up to him at all since she first got there. Not really.

"Say something."

Nothing.

"Tell me anything. Can you not speak? Are you fucking stupid, Malfoy?" She picked up the linen napkin from his breakfast tray and chucked it at him as hard as she could and he caught it easily.

"Are you finished?" He drew with no emotion.

"No." She could feel the lump in her throat rising. The truth felt so good last night, she just needs to get it out. "This- that's not even what I am trying to say."

"Granger, let me be clear with you," he took a step forward and there were mere inches between them. "I brought you here to save you. There is no conspiracy, as much as you'd like to find one." He continued on with his signature nasty tone, "the last time you were here, Bellatrix granted you to Greyback. You were unconscious so I doubt you remember, but I do. I also remember the following weeks when he would provide, in vivid detail, everything he had planned for your body when he found you. Which, to leave out the more gruesome details, involved biting and breeding you.

"As for your other accusation, I don't have to tell you A. Fucking. Thing. There are things I don't share with you because it would get me killed, and other things I don't share because I simply do not feel like it." She was staring back at him, tears threatening to escape her eyes as she refused to acknowledge them. "I am not a monster because I have secrets Granger, and if you tell anyone anything, unless you absolutely have to, then you are a fool. If you want to see a monster, I can give you to one. I am sure he'd be happy to take you off my hands."

"And if those secrets involve me? If my life is on the line as well?"

"Doesn't matter."

"But if it's something that could get me killed-"

"Then enjoy the last few moments of bliss before it happens!" He yelled back at her, finally giving into his anger. "If I want to talk to my father, or Goyle, about how insufferable my little guest is becoming, then that is my fucking business. No one in this world owes you anything, Granger."

"Well if I am so insufferable, I'll just go." She stormed to the hall door.

"Not a fucking chance-" Malfoy pushed past her and used his body to block the door.

"Don't touch me." She bit at him.

"That's just the thing, isn't it?! I've never touched you. Not once." There was something more than just anger in his eyes at his statement. Hermione couldn't place it, but it was enough to disarm her.

Hermione could feel his breath on her cheek. How did they get here? He rested his head back on the door and ran his hand down his face.

"I have to tell you something," she finally whispered.

"For fuck's sake… just don't."

"Malfoy I-"

"No Granger. Keep your secrets and I'll keep mine. We'll call it even."

She opened her mouth to talk again but he silenced her with a look.

"That's what all this was about," he spoke to Hermione's back as she went to sit on the couch and put more distance between them.

"Yes."

He glared at her, and she saw his throat bob as he forced a swallow. He finally took a seat on the chair to the left of her.

"Your honesty is going to get you killed. It's better to just let things be until you can't afford to ignore them."

"That is terrible advice." She stated and he grinned a little.

"It's kept us alive so far."

Hermione didn't know why the word 'us' made her feel the way it did. Typically, Malfoy would usually just say 'you and I'.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me. I must be getting cabin fever." Hermione spoke sheepishly after another several long minutes.

"What's that?"

"Sort of like going mad, but by being in a small room for too long," the energy between them had calmed into something more comfortable. "Can we just start the day over?"

"Sure," he answered, and she sighed with relief. "Do you need to see it again?"

"Merlin," She mumbled, and her face went red instantly.

"Cabin fever my arse. We both know what's really got you all bothered, Granger." She sunk down, trying to disappear into the couch. "Very well, we'll go with your idea. I'm not well equipped to deal with the muggle illness, but I imagine fresh air would help?" He walked to the door and held it open.

"Unless you'd like to stay in here?"

"No!" She jumped up and walked towards the door. "What if someone sees me?"

"Father wanted the house cleared so the elves could get the place back in order without interference. He and the Dark Lord's inner circle are gathered up at Hogwarts until late this evening."

"It's just us?"

Malfoy gestured out the door. "Care for a private tour of Malfoy Manor?"

True to Malfoy's statement, he started his tour outside on the grounds of the manor. Hermione had never risked walking outside, not knowing what security was on the exterior doors, but she found she was able to travel anywhere on the property. Other than the groomed lawned, they were surrounded by trees that made them feel less exposed. She set a quick pace, enjoying the sting in her legs from walking so much after such a long time. Malfoy would poke fun at her when she would get excited over something that was so minuscule, but there were so many magical plants everywhere she turned, it seemed careless not to acknowledge them.

He took her to another structure on the property that had large gates. Inside were a pair of abraxan winged horses.

"Lazy things, spend half their day here when they could be flying." Hermione ignored his insults and stroked the neck of one of the magical beasts.

"They're so beautiful," she said in awe. "Do they allow a rider?"

Malfoy had been staring at her, and there was a pause before he responded. "You know how to fly?"

"I was a trained equestrian before I got my Hogwarts letter. I still do a bit of riding in the summers when I can," she anticipated his question before he asked. "Horse riding. Like these but without wings."

"Sounds boring."

"It's magical." He raised an eyebrow at her and she laughed. "Not that kind of magic. A different kind." She walked past him back out of the barn and smirked. "You wouldn't understand."

When they got to the quidditch pitch, he asked if she wanted to do a bit of flying, but she opted to lay in the grass and enjoy the sun. Every so often, a shadow crossed above her as Malfoy flew around the pitch.

After an hour, he descended and landed a few meters away from her. She sat up and watched him walk the rest of the way over. His hair was disheveled from the wind and his cheeks were flushed from the effort of flying.

And there was his smile. A rare one that he hardly ever allowed to break across his face. She had only seen it a handful of times. Once when he was catching up with his friends, and all the others were hers. Whenever she managed to surprise him, and he didn't have a chance to suppress it.

His hair, his skin, his eyes. It was like the sun was made for him. He was so regal, beautiful. Meant for so much more than sitting in a room surrounded by dark magic. She wished that he didn't have all the obligations and could be like this all the time. To know that he could be like this with her.

He took a spot on the ground next to her and looked up at the sky. She laid back down, keeping several inches of grass between them. The sun had not started its descent yet, but they would have to go back soon. He turned to look at her, breath still increased from his flying. Neither of them spoke. They just took turns between glancing at each other and the sky.

"It wasn't always like this here," he finally said. "The manor has never been overly warm, but I used to love living here. Felt like the proudest little wizard in the world."

She gave him a small smile, she loved when he spoke freely with her. For all his thoughts on secrets, sometimes it was like he couldn't bear her not knowing certain things.

"I think you would have liked it."

Hermione didn't know what to say. The way he was looking at her, like he wanted her approval.

"I don't think I was likely to have received an invitation," she said looking down.

She started plucking at the grass nervously with her fingers. She thought of how easy it would be for someone like Astoria to come here. She probably had visited several times with her family before Hermione even knew this world existed. Even without Voldemort's reign, she'd never been invited or welcome to visit on a holiday. Magical places like this had never been open to people like her.

"Yeah, probably not." he agreed quietly, looking back up at the sky. "I guess it couldn't have been that great after all."