The Auction

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/19101535.

Rating:

Explicit

Archive Warnings:

Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Rape/Non-Con

Category:

F/M

Fandom:

Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling

Relationship:

Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy

Characters:

Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Narcissa Black Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, Ginny Weasley, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini

Additional Tags:

Alternate Universe - Voldemort Wins, Sexual Slavery, Sexual Assault, Hermione is not raped, But minor characters are, Explicit Sexual Content, Loss of Virginity, Death Eater Draco Malfoy, Sterilization, Implied/Referenced Suicide, Flashbacks, Espionage, Romance, Pining, Drama, Mystery, Angst, Minor Character Death, The Malfoys Have Lots of Secrets, Implied Draco/Other Character, Mild Hermione/Other Character, Sexual Assault of a POV Character

Language:

English

Series:

Part 3 of Rights and Wrongs

Stats:

Published: 2019-06-05 Completed: 2020-12-07 Words: 325,876 Chapters: 41/41

The Auction

by LovesBitca8

Summary

In the wake of the Dark Lord’s triumph over Harry Potter, the defeated must learn their new place. Hermione Granger, former Golden Girl, has been captured and reduced to human chattel. Sold to the highest bidder as the top prize at an auction of Order members and sympathizers, she is thrust into the rabid, waiting hands of the Death Eaters. But despite the horrors of Voldemort’s new world, help—and hope—seem to arise from the most unlikely of places.

PART 3 of the RIGHTS AND WRONGS series.

Notes

THE AUCTION is a dark, Voldemort Wins AU, with moments of non-con and violence. I will do my best to include content warnings for chapters that have specific concerns. This is the third story in the Rights and Wrongs series. While I think The Auction can be read independently, I would not recommend it.

**THIS FIC WILL BE TAKEN DOWN AT SOME POINT AS IT IS GETTING ADAPTED. DOWNLOAD IT NOW, AND FOLLOW ME AT JULIESOTOWRITES TO GET MORE INFO ABOUT THE ADAPTATION**

This is my first multichapter story with Betas! Though they are more like Alphas to this lonely little omega. Huge thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden . Much love to NikitaJobson who made the art for this fic months ago out of the kindness of her talented heart.

And lastly, thank you to those who have been following me for years now, begging for an Auction fic. It's because of you that this exists.

(Excerpts taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.)

See the end of the work for more notes

- Translation into Deutsch available: The Auction deutsch by Annelina97, Goldfisch

- Translation into Español available: La Subasta - (Traducción de The Auction by Lovesbitca8) by endlessfish

Chapter 1

Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

***NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR AS OF 2023***

I am aware that by nature of my published work and the media that entails, many curious readers who are unfamiliar with fanfiction or fandom may encounter this work. A strong note of caution:

The Auction was written for a niche, adult audience in a fandom whose members are well aware of dark and triggering material, and are able to protect their mental health accordingly by way of a comprehensive tagging system.

Please do not read this work if you are uncomfortable with themes of violence, human trafficking, slavery, misogyny, sexual assault, homophobia, and bigotry within the context of a cruel and dystopian authoritarian government. This fiction takes these subjects seriously, and you will find historic references throughout—but ultimately, The Auction at its heart is a love story and coming of age story told through the eyes of a teenager whose worldview is slowly shattered before it can be pieced back together.

Please do not continue if at any point the subject matter makes you uncomfortable.

Harry Potter is dead. He was killed as he ran away, trying to save himself while you lay down your lives for him. We bring you his body as proof that your hero is gone.

The battle is won. You have lost half of your fighters. My Death Eaters outnumber you, and the Boy Who Lived is finished. There must be no more war. Anyone who continues to resist, man, woman or child, will be slaughtered, as will every member of their family. Come out of the castle now, kneel before me, and you shall be spared. Your parents and children, your brothers and sisters will live and be forgiven, and you will join me in the new world we shall build together.

Hermione fell to her knees.

Harry Potter is dead.

She was cold. There was blood on her face, stiffening her skin. She didn't remember if it was hers. There was dirt beneath her nails and bile in her throat.

She heard Ron speaking to her, some nonsense. Something about continuing to fight.

If Harry was dead…

She'd had nightmares about this moment for the past seven years. About what she would have to do next. She'd run through the chain of command. First McGonagall. When McGonagall fell, then Kingsley. Then Remus. But behind them all, she and Ron would need to be the new faces of the revolution.

Your hero is gone.

She staggered to her feet. Ron helped her up.

She shouldn't have kissed him. She shouldn't have pretended there was normalcy in her life. The world was ending.

McGonagall screamed. Hermione turned toward the entrance to the castle, and saw Hagrid carrying a body.

He looked so small, his hair still sticking out in all directions.

She felt a yell from her own lips as Ginny ran forward, screaming his name.

She watched Ginny's face, wondering at the feeling of seeing your love lying dead before you. And her eyes turned to the faces of the approaching Death Eaters, searching…

A blond head moved quickly amongst them. Hermione's heart pounded, following the figure. The blond slid through the ranks, until finally breaking away and heading to a side entry. It was Narcissa Malfoy. Hermione looked around and found all eyes on Hagrid laying Harry's body down at Voldemort's feet.

No one saw the willowy woman dart away through the castle. No one but Hermione.

She turned. Ron held onto Ginny, tears streaming down his face. McGonagall stood tall, wand at the ready. The remaining Weasleys were behind her. Kingsley's eyes roved over the Death Eaters, counting, it seemed.

If Narcissa Malfoy was planning something, she needed to be followed. Hermione couldn't let her get away.

Voldemort was still gloating, preaching to his gathered crowd. She slipped to her left behind several students, creeping toward the stone wall. One last look at Harry's body. She looked to Ron and Ginny, preparing to fight.

Just as she was about to make a break for it down the hall, Neville ran forward. Voldemort stunned him backward with a bang.

All attention on Neville, and Hermione made her escape.

She tucked herself back into the crowd, tracking the silky blonde hair as it swayed through the Death Eaters to the side door. Hermione watched the door close behind Narcissa.

Screaming from behind her. She hated that she could identify the sound of Neville's crying. Her own memories wrapping around the familiar rhythm of Bellatrix's cackle.

Hermione slipped into the empty Entrance Hall, and looked into the void of white sheets in the Great Hall. Madame Pomfrey looked up at her, the only living soul amongst the bodies.

"What's happening out there, Granger?" Her voice shook.

"Harry is dead." She heard her voice leave her lips.

Pomfrey paled.

"I believe we are about to fight," she continued. She watched as the mediwitch's lips shivered.

Hermione blinked. And turned around, walking in the direction Narcissa Malfoy had slipped inside.

It must be shock. She let her mind turn this over—Harry was dead, and she was chasing Narcissa Malfoy around the empty castle.

Hermione turned down an empty corridor, rubble pushed into the corners. She'd never seen the castle this ghostly.

Dead.

Voices down a side hall. Hermione pressed herself against the wall, cold stones against her back, and peeked around the corner.

Two blond heads.

She snapped back, her skull hitting the wall behind her in her haste to hide. She pulled her eyes tight and listened through the pounding in her head.

"...time to go. We'll meet your father... to France with ..." Narcissa's quick whispering floated short phrases to her.

"I'm not leaving." Draco's voice was strong.

A soft warmth intruded Hermione's panic as she realized that Narcissa Malfoy had no master plan. She was simply risking her life to look for her son.

"Where are you going?"

"You didn't see her in the courtyard?"

"I was looking for you." Heavy footfalls. "Did you hear me?" Narcissa asked. "Potter is dead."

"Yes, I heard you." Draco's voice was closer. He was coming her way. Hermione darted back the way she came, finding a small broom closet to duck into.

She couldn't hear much more of what the Malfoys said over the sound of her heartbeat. Draco's quick legs carried him past her door, Narcissa right on his heels. Hermione peeked out of the closet, watching him walk away.

Things were about to get exponentially more difficult. She would have to return to the Entrance Hall now. She would have to take stock of who had survived while she'd run after the Malfoys, pretending it was for the cause. She would have to comfort Ginny and Ron, and attempt to let them comfort her – that is, if she could find them.

What if she'd missed it? Missed it all. What if she returned to the Entrance Hall and the bodies of her friends lay there, waiting for her to join them.

Maybe she didn't return. She could meet up with the students who had been forced from the school before all of this began. Try to get as much information as possible, and if they were all that was left, she would have to organize them. And if, miraculously, some of her friends survived what was happening, they'd meet somewhere in the middle.

She stared down the hallway Draco Malfoy had disappeared, heading back toward the courtyard probably, looking for whoever had made him disobey not only his mother, but also his Dark Lord. She pressed her lips together.

He'd spared her at Malfoy Manor, spared all three of them. Of course he'd recognized them. Just as she could pick him out of a crowd of hundreds, she knew he could do the same. She had her hair and her "snotty" posture.

She knew the length of his strides. How stunned she'd been in fifth year when he had grown, almost as tall as Snape. It was like memorizing him again.

She knew the shade of his blond, of course. A beacon in darkness, but after seeing him with his parents, at the Quidditch World Cup and a handful of other times, she could choose his colors from between the three of them. He'd gotten the exact shade of blond from Narcissa, but the quality of Lucius's.

The quirk of his eyebrow, just before he delivered a fatal, witty blow was written across her veins. The slant of his lips before he smirked haunted a dark corner of her mind. The lifeless quality in his eyes, only recently developed, was sketched into her subconscious. Like he didn't have a soul. At least not one she was allowed to see.

And then only a handful of smiles. True smiles. Opening packages from his mother at the breakfast table. A truly divine Quidditch play. Something Blaise Zabini whispered into his ear during Potions class. She felt like it had been years since she'd seen one of those.

For her own sake, she hoped that he and his family would run to France. If she found his boxy shoulders beneath Death Eater robes, casting curses against her and her army, she wasn't sure if she would be able to—

"Stupefy!"

And her final thought, before crumpling to the familiar stones of her old school, was that she should have known caring for him would end here. Distracted, disarmed, and destroyed.

Chapter End Notes

I am a published author now! If you'd like to find out more about my debut novel FORGET ME NOT, out July 2023, and upcoming chances to meet me in person on book tour, check my Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , TikTok , Tumblr , and join the Facebook group for Lovesbitca8 followers and the Rights and Wrongs series called Rights & Wrongs .

Pinterest board for The Auction here .

Chapter 2

Chapter Notes

So excited that YOU'RE excited. :)

Thank you to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden , and you can thank Raven_Maiden for this lovely mood board!

Please mind the tags... like, always.

Hermione woke to the sound of crying.

Her eyes snapped open, and it was like her heart turned on, fluttering viciously in her chest. Her lungs grabbed for the stale air, tasting fear on the back of her tongue.

There were bodies all around her. The sounds of sniffling and crying. A warm light kept the room from total darkness. A cold marble floor beneath her she almost recognized.

"Hermione!"

She looked up. The room was moving. And she realized the bodies around her weren't soulless. The entire room — fifty people began crawling to her. Her lungs cramped, and she pressed back into the wall she woke up against.

"Hermione," said a familiar voice. She turned and Ginny was there, climbing over the people, grabbing her shoulders, tucking her into her chest, and saying, "You're awake."

Hermione looked past her red curls. The room was full of familiar faces. She could see Luna and Parvati. The bodies that had slithered to her were her friends, eager to hold her, not to attack.

Ginny pulled back, her hands on her Hermione's face. "Where did you go? Where were you captured?"

Captured. It came down to that word. Hermione opened her lips, cracking skin, and coughed at the sandpaper feeling in her throat.

"Water!" Ginny called. Four or five girls scrambled. "Are you hungry?" Ginny asked.

Hermione frowned. Food? Water?

A paper water cup forced its way to her lips. Hermione sipped, and looked up to thank the person there. It was Cho Chang.

Everyone was alive. Had they surrendered? Where were Ron and Neville? She blinked.

Only girls. Young girls. She looked at each of their faces. When her eyes landed on Luna, the blonde girl smiled gently and said, "They're keeping us separate."

"Separate and unharmed?" Hermione rasped. A plate of fruit passed over heads and appeared in front of her face. "And fed?"

"It's not poisoned. We've all been eating," Ginny supplied. Hermione just sipped her water.

"How long have we been here?" she asked.

"Four days," several voices chorused.

"You arrived yesterday."

Hermione snapped her head to look at Ginny. She scanned herself. No injuries. But there was something on her arm.

C. Yaxley. A tattoo of sorts. Magical. It was his signature.

She felt the blood drain from her head.

"That's who captured you." Parvati nodded at the tattoo. Hermione's eyes drifted down to Parvati's arm and saw W. Macnair.

She swallowed. "Is that who owns us now?"

Ginny pursed her lips and several girls looked away. "We're not sure," Ginny said. "They haven't said much to us, just kept us fed and kept bringing girls in." She took deep breath. "It's possible that—"

"I've already told you stupid chits," came a sour voice from the corner. Hermione craned her neck, and found the one body that had not clambered to greet her when she woke. Sitting against the corner wall, knees to her chest in a lazy way, not a hair out of place.

Pansy Parkinson glanced over at them all. Hermione shivered at the intense eyes boring directly into her.

"It's for the Auction."

Ginny rolled her eyes.

Hermione couldn't look away from Pansy. Couldn't understand her presence. There were other pure-bloods here, but they were blood traitors.

Why keep them all alive? The room spun as Hermione calculated the possibilities, all boiling down to only a few likely scenarios that made her ribs cave in, crunching and gnawing at her lungs.

She drew in a rattling breath. "The Auction?"

Ginny glared at Pansy before stepping in front of her, blocking her from view. "You need to eat." She started pulling fruit together for her, peeling a banana. "Where were you captured, Hermione? I didn't see you at the battle in the courtyard."

What did they need a room full of young girls for? Where were the boys?

"Ron—" she croaked.

"Hermione." Ginny's voice was firm. "Tell me where you were captured."

"I— I was in the castle. I thought I saw..." She drifted, not sure what she should discuss with Pansy Parkinson there. "... someone worth following. But I got stunned in the back."

"Did you see anyone? Or anything useful?" Cho asked.

Hermione looked over at Pansy. Would she care to know that she'd seen Draco? Was she worried about him at all? Hermione wondered whose name was tattooed on her arm.

"No one on our side, no."

"And then where were you taken?" Hannah Abbott asked.

"Here?" Hermione supplied. "I guess."

A collective gasp.

"You've been unconscious? Or you don't remember?"

"You haven't had water in four days?"

"Where were they keeping you?"

"We need to check her body—"

"Yaxley. I wouldn't put it past him—"

"Stop." Hermione nearly shouted it. The room went quiet. A few girls who were gathering water cups and spare pieces of bread turned to look at her. She steadied her voice and said, "I don't remember anything after I got stunned."

"Hermione," Ginny said carefully, eyes wide and searching. "We should check you out. See if you have any markings. See if you feel anything... between your legs."

Hermione looked at the fifty or so girls around her. She could only watch as they scanned her intently, already searching her skin for markings. All but Parvati, whose eyes had drifted away, looking at the marble floors as if she would give Hermione privacy. As if she already knew how intrusive this was.

Hermione's eyes drifted back to Macnair's signature on her arm.

"There's no need," Pansy scoffed. Heads turned to glare. Pansy kept her stare in front of her, bored. "She's too valuable. No one would touch her."

Ginny looked like she was actively biting her tongue to keep from mouthing back at her.

"Besides," Pansy said, twisting her head to smirk. "You're a virgin, aren't you, Granger?"

Hermione felt a stab to her chest as half the girls turned to look at her with eager eyes and the other half started cursing at Pansy.

"What?" Pansy laughed. "I'm just saying it would be a waste of 5,000 Galleons. No need to check her out."

"Shut up about that damn Auction, Pansy," Ginny snarled. "No one believes you—"

"What Auction?" Hermione looked to the Slytherin girl. She supposed houses didn't matter much anymore, did they? "What are you talking about?"

Pansy smiled. "Just what it sounds like, Granger. The pure-blood elite are going to put a price tag on us, strut us about, and bid." She bit her lip, lifting a joyful brow. "And if you've been saving yourself for Weasley all these years, they'll give Yaxley another 5,000."

The smell of the banana and the oranges… ripe as the bodies sweating nervously around her. She could taste it all in the back of her throat. Hermione was going to be sick.

"And how did you find yourself on the wrong side of all this, Pansy?" she asked.

Pansy looked away. "Wrong place, wrong time."

"Don't listen to her," Ginny said. "Let's just check you out right quick. Just me and Luna, okay?"

Hermione nodded, already wishing she was asleep again. The girls gave them some space, Parvati and Cho creating a bit of privacy around them.

"Is this what you were wearing during the Battle?" Ginny asked. Hermione looked down at herself. Same clothes, but they were clean. Scourgified.

"Er, yes."

"Good."

They unzipped her jacket, checking her neck and shoulders before helping her take off her shirt. When they confirmed she had no markings on her back, Hermione finally asked, "Where's Ron?"

Ginny's eyes looked to her, then away. "He was alive, last I saw. Same with Neville. Kingsley and McGonagall were killed in the courtyard."

Hermione thought maybe she should have gasped. Should have started crying.

"Pansy thinks there are males to be Auctioned too, so maybe Ron and Neville will be there," Luna whispered melodically.

"There is no Auction, Luna." Ginny hissed through her teeth. "It's just Parkinson playing games with us." She ran her fingers across Hermione's scalp, pressing for injuries.

"I don't know," Luna said. "Draco mentioned it to me, too."

Hermione looked at her, and the fingers in her hair stopped.

"An Auction?" Ginny said.

"Draco?" Hermione asked.

"Mm-hmm." Luna rolled up Hermione's jeans, looking at her ankles and calves. "When I was staying in his dungeons." She mentioned it like it was a holiday she'd taken last year. "He would come and talk to me. Tell me what was going on at school. And a few days before I left —before you and Harry and Ron came, Hermione — he told me there might be something like this."

"What did he say?"

"Just that should I survive the war, and should the Dark Lord win, I should try to kill myself if I couldn't escape." Luna rolled Hermione's pant legs down.

Cho Chang turned around, eyes wide on Luna.

"Because of an Auction?" Ginny asked.

"Something like that," Luna shrugged. "All he said was that he wouldn't be able to buy me. He had to save for someone else."

Hermione swallowed. Draco Malfoy being kind – compassionate. She'd always thought she was the only one who'd seen it. She'd heard a bit from Harry last year, about Myrtle in the girls' bathroom just before he'd sliced him open.

Hermione looked across the room again. "Pansy," she said. Cho turned to look at Pansy, and Ginny's eyes followed. Hermione watched the dark haired girl close her eyes and lean back against the wall in her solitary corner, secluded away from everyone else. "He knew Pansy would end up here. Months ago."

Hermione turned to Ginny and Luna. "Whose names are on your arms?"

Luna pulled up her sleeve, and Ginny turned her wrist. Both of them had the same signature.

Antonin Dolohov.

A loud bang from outside the room. All fifty girls jumped, some standing, some shrinking back.

Another bang, this one Hermione recognized as doors opening.

"It could just be food. Or another girl dropped off," Ginny whispered. Hermione stood, leaning heavily against the wall, regretting her empty stomach.

A lock clicked, and a masked Death Eater entered the room. He was without food and without a new girl.

"Medical examinations today."

It was Yaxley. She looked down at her arm, expecting... something. A tingle or burn? Or the letters glittering when he was near. Nothing.

"Five at a time," he said. "Parkinson, Abbott, Clearwater, Forbes, and Harding. Follow me."

No one moved.

"Now," Yaxley said.

Penelope Clearwater was the first to separate herself and move to the front. Pansy stood and followed. The five exited the room. Yaxley looked around, promising pain behind the mask, and closed the door as he left.

An hour later, they were returned. The gash across Hannah's head had been healed. And they smelled better.

He took Ginny this time, and four others. The rest gathered around the five that returned and hounded them for answers.

"Where are we?" Hermione asked Hannah as Penelope answered questions about the showers and the medical exam.

"I think the Ministry."

The black marble floors. Of course.

When Ginny came back, she pulled a group to the corner, taking Hermione and Luna. She explained the hallways, the showers. The number of Death Eaters guarding them.

"Is anyone good with wandless magic?" Ginny looked around. A few of the older girls nodded. "Whoever is in Hermione's group should try to overpower the guards before reaching the showers. This may be our only chance. They take you left around two corners, and then there is a door at the end of the hall before they take you right and into the showers." Ginny drew imaginary lines on the wall for a visual aid, and Hermione was reminded of Ron, and the way he strategized Wizard's Chess. "I think I've been in these halls before with my father. I think those are the main doors."

"They lead to the courtrooms," a black-haired girl said. "My father was on the Wizengamot. I think I know where we are."

Ginny nodded. "Yaxley and another guard led us to the showers. I'm thinking Levicorpus and Expelliarmus." The girls agreed. The others who had not yet gone for exams had gathered too. "Just get Hermione a wand. Don't come back for us."

More than thirty heads nodded.

"What?" Hermione frowned. "No, we'll come back, get you all out, and then all fifty of us will storm through that door—"

"Don't be an idiot, Granger," Pansy said from her corner.

Ginny pressed her lips together. "Hermione, you have to get through that door as quickly and silently as possible. The mediwitches will be waiting on the next group."

"Why would five witches with a maximum of two wands be better chances than fifty?" she argued. "We're ten floors deep underground."

"Fifty unarmed witches fitting in the lifts is better?" Pansy sneered.

The bang of the doors unlocking again. The girls scattered, looking innocent.

Yaxley returned the five freshly bathed girls.

"Baxter, Lovegood, Patil, Mortensen, and Granger."

She stood. And wondered for the first time where the other Patil was.

Parvati moved quickly to be at the front of the line of girls, giving Hermione a nod. Luna stood behind her. The other girls filed in and Hermione stood at the back. Yaxley led them out, holding the door to lock it. Another Death Eater waited in the hallway, and gestured for Parvati to follow. Hermione eyed Yaxley as he locked the door and turned to bring up the rear.

Her heart thudded a dull beat.

They turned left.

She stared at the back of Baxter's head. She didn't know her. As her arm swung back she could just make out the word Nott.

They turned left again. A long hallway with a door at the end. Midway was a door on the right, which according to Ginny would lead to the showers. A hallway sprouting to the left to take them to the medical exam room.

She focused in on the hum of magic in her blood. And she spun and reached out, focusing on the spell, and pushed Yaxley through the air.

She opened her eyes when she heard a shout. Yaxley's body hung by his ankle. Baxter joined her, hands outstretched. Their magic synced, a force of wind and desperation. Yaxley's wand flew from his hand. Her eyes followed, heart hammering. Without the grace and delicacy of wandwork on the Expelliarmus, the stick just zoomed across the hall.

A commotion from behind them, possibly the other three attacking the first Death Eater, and she felt the power slipping from her fingers, distractions everywhere and her mind spinning circles. Yaxley dropped, falling in a heap.

Get the wand. Get the wand.

A scream behind her.

She spun, and Parvati was on the floor, writhing.

The Death Eater's mask had slipped off in the attack. It was Dolohov. His wand trained on Parvati in what must be the Cruciatus Curse. Hermione gasped for air, searching for the wand as Luna jumped on his back. He swatted her away with his wand, her little body flying backward.

Hermione was useless in a duel without a wand. Her eyes darted, searching. There, in the corner that lead to the exam room: Yaxley's wand. She dove for it, as a fresh round of screams from Parvati poured into the hallway. Her fingers plucked it from the ground.

"STOP!"

She spun. Yaxley was up. He had a knife at Baxter's neck, poking into the flesh. Parvati was silent behind her, and she chanced a look. Dolohov pulled her up by the scalp, holding her to his chest as a shield, wand trained on Hermione.

Her heartbeat in her fingertips. Sweat dripping down her spine.

"Drop the wand," Yaxley hissed.

Hermione turned to hold defense against Dolohov. Luna's body on the ground behind him, slowly coming back to consciousness. The fifth girl was out cold.

A whimper, gurgling.

She turned, and Yaxley's blade had pulled across Baxter's throat. Blood sprayed as her fingers scrambled to staunch its flow. Hermione's jaw dropped and a small scream popped through her lips, her skin buzzing.

Yaxley grinned at her. "Now, if only I had my wand to heal her."

Baxter fell to her knees, holding the slice across her neck. Hermione met her eyes as they dimmed.

Hermione shot a hex at Yaxley, now without a human shield. He jumped out of the way just in time, but a Disarming Spell from Dolohov hit the wall behind her head.

"Hermione! Run!" Parvati screamed.

She turned back and ran down the hallway toward the exam rooms. Heavy footfalls thudded behind her, and she turned and shot curses over her shoulder. A head poked out of a brightly lit room, a mediwitch hat on. Hermione sprinted past, turning right at the end of the hall. It was at least the same direction as the main door they had wanted to exit through. She heard the Death Eaters follow her around the corner, and she blasted a door open.

Supply cupboard.

She kept running, heading toward the end of the hall. It was a maze. She had no idea anymore which way was out. Curses and hexes smashed through the corners she wound around.

She skidded down a hall to her left. And it was empty. A dead end. No doors to disappear into.

She spun on her heel just as Yaxley slid into the hall, Dolohov behind him.

"Crucio!"

She jumped out of the way of Dolohov's curse.

"Expelliarmus!" she bellowed. He blocked her.

She needed to disarm Dolohov first. Then focus on Yaxley.

"I thought she was supposed to be clever," Dolohov hissed. "The Mudblood's got herself backed into a corner." He smiled, lips peeling away from yellow teeth. "Flipendo!"

She let the jet graze her ear so she could send a Stupefy. He blocked, and she aimed at the wall next to him.

"Aguamenti!"

A solid stream of water hit the marble wall, bouncing and spraying against his face, into his eyes and ears. Dolohov stumbled and just when Hermione had a clear shot to disarm him, a small body with wild blonde curls crashed into Yaxley, disappearing them both around the corner.

Luna.

"Expelliarmus!" she cast, but the momentary distraction was enough time for Dolohov to block her.

Dolohov used her technique against her, and ricocheted a spell off the wall behind her. It struck her right between the shoulder blades, and she screamed as what felt like small razor blade cuts spread across her skin, dancing down her back and curving around her ribs.

Mustering something within she howled a jinx at him before swiping her wand to end the nicking spell on her back.

A scream from around the corner that she recognized as Luna. And then Parvati's dark figure sprinted past Hermione's hallway, raven hair flowing behind her, yelling over the sound of Luna's whimpers.

Dolohov had recovered. He pulled himself up, slashing his wand through the air, and something cracked inside of her as Luna screamed again, voice breaking and fluttering over Parvati's shouting.

"Avada Kedavra."

It left her lips like a kiss. A green jet of light pouring from the wand in her hand, but stopping short, just a foot before Dolohov's tense face.

They stared at each other, listening to their breath and the grunting from the hallway. Neither she nor Dolohov had expected her to cast it.

And that's why she hadn't meant it.

She summoned the image of Harry in Hagrid's arms. Ron's face as he looked upon Fred for the last time, the sound of her mother calling her downstairs, Sirius's warm brown eyes, and she aimed her wand and opened her lips.

Yaxley appeared in the hallway, dragging Luna by the neck. He propped her up in front of him, just like with the Baxter girl. Who was now gone.

Hermione kept the wand on Dolohov, and watched Luna lift her head and meet her eyes. Blood dripped over her left brow, and her lip was swollen. A red stain was spreading between her ribs.

"Let's try this again," Yaxley panted against Luna's hair. "I already owe Ted Nott and Walden Macnair a few thousand Galleons for your little stunt, Miss Granger." He grinned. "Antonin won't mind this one going to waste, I'm sure."

Hermione watched Luna's ribs drag in air, thinking.

Baxter was dead, and now he was saying Parvati was too. The fifth girl possibly dead. Luna here, about to die. Fifty unarmed girls locked in a room several hallways back.

Harry wasn't here. Or McGonagall or Kingsley. Or Lupin. Or Dumbledore.

"Drop the wand, Miss Granger." Yaxley raised his bloody knife to Luna's chin.

She could kill them both. It may take some fighting but she could do it. And grab up Dolohov's wand and go back for the girls. Or push through the halls without them, looking for an exit.

And then what? Who was left?

"Miss Granger?"

She could conjure that hate. Take out Dolohov. But not before Yaxley's knife ended Luna.

She could kill Dolohov, then Yaxley as Luna's body dropped.

And then she'd be alone.

"It's okay, Hermione."

She looked back to Luna. The girl smiled and there was blood on her teeth. She nodded her head, like telling her she could step in front of her at the drinking fountain. The movement pushed the blade into her skin.

"It's okay," Luna said. "Don't think of me. I don't mind." Yaxley squeezed her, and the blade cut her just enough. "Remember? He said it would be better this way."

Draco.

Draco told her it would be better to die.

But despite her attachments, she still had no reason to trust him over her instincts. And her instincts started to scream as the blade moved across Luna's throat.

Hermione dropped to her knees, skidded the wand down the stones, and moved her hands to her head.

She watched as Yaxley scooped up his wand, as Luna's hands scrambled for her throat. Dolohov moved toward Hermione, and Yaxley turned his wand on Luna's neck, knitting the skin back together.

"Petrificus Totalus," from Dolohov.

Her arms snapped to her sides, and her body lengthened, bringing her face-first along the stone floor, smashing her nose. Dolohov kicked her over. He leaned over her, smiled, and spit on her face.

"You're not so smart after all, are you, you little swot?" Dolohov aimed his wand at her head. "Feisty though. I'll enjoy that once you're mine."

He reached down, grabbed a fist full of her hair, and dragged her frozen body down the stones.

Chapter 3

Chapter Notes

Huge thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

Mind the tags.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

So far, she was quite pleased with Professor Slughorn. All in all, he was a much friendlier presence than their previous Potions instructor.

He’d welcomed them into the classroom, and she and her classmates had gravitated towards four cauldrons bubbling in the center of the room. Polyjuice was clearly boiling in one. She peered into another and found Veritaserum, without a doubt. She scrunched her nose in disapproval that he would allow such dangerous potions within clear reach of students .

She inched closer as Slughorn gave Harry and Ron spare copies of the textbook, standing on her tiptoes to inspect the swirling silver potion in the cauldron closest to her.

She gasped. Amortentia.

Slughorn asked for each of the potions to be identified, and her hand rocketed into the air every time.

"It's the most powerful love potion in the world!" she said, bouncing on her toes when Slughorn asked her.

"Quite right! You recognized it, I suppose, by its distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen?"

She nodded. "And the steam rising in characteristic spirals. And it's supposed to smell differently to each of us, according to what attracts us, and I can smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and — "

Honey. Honey dripping into a teacup.

Her jaw snapped shut.

It was innocuous, really. Just honey. Her eyes drifted to a pale blond, wondering if he would have even associated her almost-confession with his morning tea.

Draco was staring past her, glaring at Ron.

No. He probably wasn’t paying an ounce of attention to her.

Never in the way she wanted.

~*~

They put her in a room all by herself. It could have been an old meeting room. Large enough for a table and twelve chairs. It was empty now. The shadows of where portraits used to hang on the walls, rectangles of unblemished wallpaper.

They left her petrified. Face up. It was a blessing actually. She couldn't hyperventilate when all she could physically do was breathe.

Luna had been able to walk by herself when they locked the door, stumbling along behind Yaxley. She gave Hermione a small smile as the door closed, and Hermione spent the first ten minutes of her isolation trying to decipher it.

Was it a thank you? Was it meant to say, it's alright that you didn't listen to me?

Hermione stared at the ceiling, waiting for what came next.

So, Pansy was right. An Auction of sorts. Yaxley mentioned the cost of the bodies he'd killed, and Dolohov was under the impression that the signature on her arm would change to his, probably with an exchange of Galleons.

It explained why Yaxley had bothered to heal Luna. They were more valuable alive.

How valuable, she wondered.

Pansy said 5,000 Galleons for virgins. That sounded like an awful lot for a one-time experience.

It took a while for Hermione to realize that the curse Dolohov hit her with was still bleeding. She’d stopped the spread of the razor blade nicks with her Finite Incatatem, but did not heal the skin. She lay there, feeling a slow seeping wetness across her back, cold in the marble room.

She tried not to mourn Parvati or the Baxter girl. She didn't know the fate of the fifth one. Just like how she tried not to mourn Harry or McGonagall. None of it had to be real yet. She just needed to survive the Ministry holding cells, and then take it a step at a time.

She remembered the plans she made as soon as Harry's body appeared in the courtyard. Leave the castle, find the younger students and anyone who hadn't joined the battle, and then hope to find everyone else. That felt like years ago. She could have done something similar if she had let Luna die. If she had found something dark inside of her, connected to that green light.

Harry had never fired a Killing Curse once, always content to disarm.

Harry was dead.

The thought crawled over her still skin like ivy. Harry was dead. He’d failed. And what chance would she have against Lord Voldemort, even if she could get free?

Harry had warred with himself: Hallows or Horcruxes – which was more important? Perhaps he’d chosen wrong?

She heard footsteps, loud clopping sounds of a man who wanted everyone to know he was coming.

They paused in front of her door. She stared at the tiles on the ceiling, waiting for the door handle to turn.

She counted to ten, breathing slowly. Then to twenty.

The footsteps moved down the hall, quieter as he left.

She knew Yaxley's quick pace, like a shark in a small pond, ready to dart, ready to swerve. Dolohov rested his weight on his heels, making him a clumsy runner. She didn't know Macnair. He wasn't at the Department of Mysteries, and her interactions with him were sparse.

Who else was involved in this? What other names were scrawled with ink across those girls' arms? Who was in charge of this Auction?

Lucius Malfoy's smug grin flashed in her mind. When the Snatchers grabbed them, they had been taken to Malfoy Manor. Luna had been kept there for months before that. Was Lucius Malfoy in charge of this prisoner project?

And what did that mean for Draco?

He hadn't identified them that night. Recognized them, certainly, but was reluctant. Not that Hermione remembered much. She'd been preoccupied with Bellatrix's blade.

Did they write Yaxley's name over her scar? She made to lift her arm to look, and remembered she was petrified.

Footsteps. And this time she did recognize Dolohov's heavy, flat feet.

The door crunched open, and she counted her heartbeats. Dolohov moved slowly into the room, crafty enough to stay out of her sightline as he walked to the other side of the conference table she lay on.

"I told them you were special," he muttered. "Said from the beginning you should be kept separate." He growled a laugh. "They're listening to me now though."

He stood somewhere near her feet, her eyes strained to find him. She counted five of her own quick exhales before he spoke again.

"Didn't know you had Wandless like that though. That'll be fixed soon."

Before she could ruminate over the possibilities of what he could mean, a light pressure appeared over her right ankle, freezing her brain.

A finger dragging up the inner seam of her jeans, over her calf.

Her throat contracted with nerves, and she felt herself drowning, choking.

"You Obliviated me. You remember?"

The ceiling blurred, and he reached her knee, passing it.

"I don't, of course." He chuckled. "I was told later about what happened. The Dark Lord had the whelp torture me for it."

Up the inside of her thigh, wedging between her two locked legs. And his chest and face came into focus, looking down at her from where he stood tall next to her shoulders.

"I'm thinking about returning the favor, Mudblood." His finger at the top of her thighs. "After the first time I fuck you, maybe I'll erase it, so every time will be the first time for you." His full hand slithered between her thighs, cupping her, pressing against her. "Warm already."

"I expect you'll be paying me for this, Dolohov?" another person asked. And Hermione had never known relief like the warm joy of hearing Yaxley's voice.

"Just getting a taste," Dolohov replied.

"Seeing as that's my name on her arm, I'd suggest you release her. I could decide not to sell her at all."

Dolohov removed his hand, stepping back and muttering. Yaxley moved into her sightline.

"Miss Granger," Yaxley hissed. "Lydia Baxter is dead. Parvati Patil is dead. Gwen Mortensen is still with the Healers." He leaned down on his elbows, bringing his face closer, adopting a conversational tone. "That was a very expensive coup you just staged. As I am your current Holder, I now have the great pleasure of paying for your sins." He nodded over his shoulder. " Ted Nott may waive the Baxter girl's fee for me. But I'm sure Macnair will not be as understanding.

"But I do find it interesting that the Lovegood girl is still alive," Yaxley said, voice catching at the end in a strange imitation of Lucius Malfoy. "I guess the others' lives were not as valuable to you."

Like Yaxley had timed it, a tear slipped from the corner of her left eye, sliding down toward her ear.

"Oh, don't cry, Miss Granger." He chuckled, and her skin shivered when he brushed his finger across her cheek to wipe the tear away. "No one else will be hurt due to your incompetence. You just need to behave until this Friday evening."

He whispered a Finite Incantatem and she gulped air like a vacuum, her lungs pressing into her ribs until they felt like they cracked. The muscles in her arms and legs shaking from fighting the petrifying curse. Her lip trembled.

"How does that sound, Miss Granger?" Yaxley whispered into her ear. She refused to turn to face him, still staring up at the ceiling like she was still petrified. "I need a verbal response. Or I'll need to just leave you here until Friday."

"Yes." She didn't recognize her voice.

"Wonderful." Yaxley stood tall and pointed his wand at her. "That's the last word I ever want to hear from you. Silencio."

She was grateful. Now she could scream.

~*~

Yaxley and Dolohov escorted her to the showers. She didn't know how long she'd been in the conference room on the table, but there was no one else in the showers when she arrived. The other girls from her group were gone by now.

What other girls. She chuckled darkly. Half of them were dead.

Yaxley left to prep the medical team, and once the door was closed, Dolohov leered at her again, letting his eyes slide down her body. He handed her a towel. She waited. Praying he would turn and leave her.

He gestured to the showers. Tile boxes without doors or curtains. She didn't remember the other girls talking about a lack of privacy during the showers. Just that they were too brief.

She looked back at Dolohov, then to the door, raising her brows.

"Can't leave you alone, love." He winked at her.

She swallowed. She looked to the shower, and then handed the towel back to him. She would choose not to. He didn't take it.

"Oh, you'll wash," he said. He stepped closer to her, and she lifted her chin. "Or I'll do it for you."

He lifted a hand to touch her, maybe her hair or her shoulder. She jumped away and moved to the shower, starting the spray.

She kicked off her trainers. Slid down the zipper on her hoodie. Peeled the jacket and jumper off. The razorblade spell he’d hit her with had sliced through her layers, leaving little nicks in all her clothing. She faced the spray, watching the steam rise, twisting like fire.

She popped the button on her jeans. Tugged down the zipper. She shucked her knickers and jeans together, stepping out of them quickly. Ripped her shirt over her head, tugging the dried blood off her back. Clicked open her bra.

She stepped under the water and imagined her shower at home in Hampstead. Her mother's shampoo on the corner of the tub. Her father's razor in the soap dish.

She pulled her hair over her shoulder, keeping her back towards the door. Stinging pricks against her back as the water hit the wounds. Opening her eyes to the tiles, she found a little bottle of wash on a ledge.

Her mother used to sing in the shower. And it smelled like raspberries.

The body wash in her palms, and she pushed it around her skin.

They had a dog when she was younger. And they always washed the dog in the tub, making a mess. The dog had run away or gotten lost when she was nine.

Smart dog.

"You cleaning everything?"

She was back in the Ministry showers, with Antonin Dolohov watching her under the water. The first man to see her naked.

She knew what he meant. How was she supposed to... with him here. Her shoulders were tight, up to her ears.

"Clean that pretty cunt, Granger, or I'll do it myself."

She closed her eyes again. And reached down between her legs to scrub quickly.

She wished the water was hotter. Burning.

She turned the tap, and stepped out, trying to keep her back to him still. She took the towel from the hook, and wrapped herself tight. She heard Dolohov walking toward her, and she concentrated on the floor.

Something was thrust in her face. A hospital gown. She frowned at it and took it from him.

"Don't have all day."

She pulled the gown on over the towel, and let it drop to the floor. Dolohov scourgified her clothing, charmed it to fold and jump into his hands, her knickers landing on top. He plucked them up, swung them around his finger, and smirked at her.

He led her down the hall, still dripping. She thought she maybe should try running again. A wandless shove, maybe disarm him.

Barefoot and wet. Silenced. Running through the Ministry in a hospital gown.

Hermione kept her eyes on the ground.

He brought her into the room she'd ran past before, the one the mediwitch had peeked out from.

An exam table and two mediwitches. He shoved her inside. Her heart beat fiercely, but she tried to remember that none of the others were worse for wear after their medical exams.

One of the women in white turned to greet them, and she paled as her eyes landed on Hermione.

"Come in," she squeaked.

Hermione shuffled toward the exam table, dripping still. The witch cast a drying charm on her, and Hermione nodded in thanks. The other witch blinked several times when she turned and saw Hermione. She was older with greying hair, a plump figure. She quickly returned to what she was doing.

"The full work-up. Detailed." Dolohov crossed his arms, standing in front of the door.

Hermione slid up onto the exam table, holding her gown closed.

"Any chance you're pregnant?" the younger witch asked.

Hermione swallowed and shook her head "no."

The mediwitch cast a diagnostic over her. Hermione read the results backwards, finding no fresh scaring or bruising, internal or external. There was something glowing red, like a blinking stoplight. The girl frowned, and moved to open the back of her gown. A soft exhale against Hermione’s neck as she saw the nicks across her skin. An incantation, and then they were healed.

The young witch picked up her left arm carefully and examined Bellatrix Lestrange's handiwork. She looked up at Hermione, making quick eye contact before looking away. She paused over a few of the scars she'd obtained in the past year on the run.

Remembering her question from earlier, Hermione checked her arm. Yaxley’s signature was placed just above her Mudblood scar. They had made sure the scar was still visible.

"When was the last time you ate?"

Hermione shook her head.

The witch blinked at her. "A lot of your nutrition levels are low. She should—” The girl looked quickly to Dolohov, then snapped her jaw shut. "My recommendation is that she eat more. Proteins especially."

Dolohov rolled his eyes. “Yes, you say that every time.” He stepped off the wall, and came closer to the table. "And the other spell?"

The older mediwitch frowned, and the younger one's eye twitched. She turned back to Hermione and said, "Lie back, please."

Hermione took a deep, silent breath, and scooted until she laid back. Staring at a ceiling again.

She tilted her head up to watch as the younger one muttered a spell that Hermione didn't recognize. A warm feeling, at the top of her head and at her toes, then scanning downward and upward. It was like a scan. The warm waves met in the middle of her, and low in her belly she felt a quick pressure.

And then her stomach glowed. Like a ball of light had pushed out of her bellybutton. She watched it, glowing so white, it looked blue.

A chuckle from the corner of the room, and Hermione turned to see Dolohov grinning at her.

"You better make this worth my money, Mudblood."

She scowled at him, and turned to see the plump mediwitch frown and then turn away to scribble something on a chart. The younger one scratched her face, hiding the way she wiped away a tear.

Hermione's throat closed. She wasn't sure what the spell meant, but she could take a guess.

An extra 5,000. Isn't that what Pansy said?

"Suppressants for this one, too."

The ball of light faded and vanished. The young witch sighed.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Dolohov sneered at her.

"No, sir."

“Give her two doses.”

The plump one turned over her shoulder, but said nothing.

“Two? Sir, that’s unnecessary—”

“Two,” he hissed.

Hermione sat up, watching the plump witch pour one vial into another, filling to the brim. She handed the younger one the potion. Hermione shook her head no.

"It's a temporary suppressant,” the girl whispered. “Should only last three days—”

"Don't talk to her. If there's a question or direction, talk to me," Dolohov said darkly.

The girl pressed her lips together and nodded.

Suppressant. Some kind of inhibitor for her magic? When had that been developed?

"You gonna take it, or do I need to pry your jaw open?" he asked her.

The young witch squeezed her arm when she handed it to her. Hermione looked at her with wide eyes.

"Three days," the girl said.

"What did I just tell you," Dolohov snarled.

Hermione looked to Dolohov, large and in the only doorway, wand drawn. The young witch bit her lip. The older witch kept her back to the room.

Three days. And then what?

Hermione swallowed it. Two large gulps. Minty.

As the girl took the bottle back from her, Dolohov said, "And the other. The spell." The girl's fingers shook.

"For her?" The young witch turned over her shoulder to stare wide-eyed at Dolohov.

He raised a brow. "She's a Mudblood, isn't she?"

"But..." The girl looked at her.

Hermione watched her struggle, unable to ask what was happening as they talked about her.

"Is there a problem?"

"Wouldn't that be... a huge waste, sir?"

The older witch didn't turn around but continued to write on her chart.

"Under what circumstances could you see us needing her to be fertile?"

A heavy rock dropped in her stomach. She looked down at her hands. They were sterilizing all the Muggleborns.

"She's supposed to be quite bright. Very talented. Those genes would—”

"She's dirty. Perform the spell," Dolohov said with finality.

A churning in her stomach. She didn't want children. Not like this. Not with one of them.

"I'd like to speak to Mr. Yaxley about this. He is her Holder and I think he—”

"Are you disobeying direct orders?" Dolohov advanced.

Hermione closed her eyes. She didn't want to bear Dolohov's children. She should be glad he was on the same page. But to be sterilized was so permanent. Like the future was set. Like there was no way to reverse anything about to happen to them.

"Yes, sir. I am."

Her eyes snapped open to see the young mediwitch standing between herself and Dolohov. The older woman turned, pressing her lips together.

Dolohov laughed. And then quickly, "Crucio."

Hermione flinched when the girl dropped. The room was too small for her screams.

"I'll do it." The other woman stepped forward, pulling her wand. Dolohov released the other girl, and she panted below Hermione's feet.

The older witch stepped over her partner, standing in front of Hermione with a firm expression. "Lie back."

Hermione didn't fight her. She needed to save her energy for battles that mattered. She couldn't use wandless magic for three days. She couldn't physically best anyone. And without either of those options, she couldn't outthink them either.

She leaned back, and watched as the mediwitch hovered her wand over Hermione's stomach, placing a hand on her waist to hold her to the table.

Hermione swallowed. The wand twisted over her left side, and a spell was muttered.

She thought of small fingers and toes. A boy with shaggy brown hair in her lap, pouting over a book.

Something wrenched inside of her. Severing her. Her legs jerked, throat clicking on a silent gasp of pain. She stared at the ceiling as the older witch moved to her right side.

Her fallopian tubes were being severed.

The wand tapped at her right hip as the older witch leaned over her, obstructing Dolohov from view. And she thought she could see a bright bow balanced on twisting curls.

The wand twisted again. A tear dripped out of her lashes.

And then the hand on Hermione's stomach pinched the flesh on her hip between two nails.

She jumped, legs spasming. If she had her voice she would have yelped. Hermione looked to the older witch, confused. What was that for?

The woman pulled away, smoothing her hand down Hermione's stomach and turned to Dolohov. "It's done."

But there was no internal cut. Not on the right side.

Dolohov grinned, and the older woman pulled the young girl off the floor. Dolohov held Hermione’s clean clothes out to her, barking at her to dress quickly. The mediwitches made notes on their papers, keeping their eyes down.

Hermione didn't even worry about Dolohov's eyes as she redressed. She watched the women.

Stepping in front of a Death Eater to give Hermione Granger a chance at a future. The older woman met her eyes as Dolohov hauled her out the door. He whispered something into her ear about mourning the mutts they would have had.

He returned her to the holding room, and Hermione didn’t even flinch as his hand passed over her backside. Her mind was spinning. The only weapon she had left.

“Hermione!”

The door clanged closed. And fifty girls came to their feet. Even Pansy looked on with curiosity.

Ginny pushed her way forward, holding her, touching her, asking her questions she couldn’t answer.

“Hermione?” Ginny prompted when she hadn’t spoken.

She raised her fingers to her throat and shook her head. She watched Ginny’s eyes flatten. Watched Cho frown at the ground. Watched a room full of girls realize Hermione Granger’s swotty voice had been taken away.

Luna stepped forward. “Are you hurt, Hermione?”

She looked at the small smile on Luna’s lips. She shook her head no.

She didn’t need them to know any more than that.

Had half of these girls been sterilized? Did the mediwitches spare others?

And what purpose did that serve if she was just going to be sold and raped? Why would the older witch save fifty percent of her chances?

A gasping from the corner. Several of them turned to see a young girl no more than fourteen starting to cry. Starting to hyperventilate. Penelope Clearwater came to her side, and wrapped her arms around her, demanding that she breathe.

“What… what are we— are we going to do?” the girl cried. “She couldn’t— She didn’t get out.”

Hermione took a slow inhale, looking away. She found Sally Fawcett in the crowd, silent tears streaming down her face.

Pansy closed her eyes, leaned her head back on the wall, and took a deep breath in.

Ginny spun around the room. “Hey. It’s— this isn’t the end. We have time.”

Someone else began to sniffle. A wail from the young girl in Penelope’s arms.

And Hermione realized they needed to know. She needed to tell them.

She looked around for something she could write with. Nothing sharp to carve. Nothing like chalk.

The only thing they had was fruit.

She moved to the basket. A huge bowl of grapes. It would take time, but it would do.

She pulled the bowl to the center of the room, and started plucking them off the vine.

She thought of the small mediwitch’s screams. The way she’d stepped in front of her before she’d dropped to the floor.

Hermione spelled it as best as she could.

The plump woman’s eyes — cold and distant even as she helped her. Not betraying anything. Her calculating gaze when she and Dolohov left the room.

Luna came to her side, standing next to her and watching.

She saw more feet come close to the grapes, waiting for her to be finished.

The vine was almost bare, and Hermione thought of Lydia Baxter, who she’d never met before today. She thought of Parvati and the way the dark-haired girl would copy her notes in Charms class.

She finished spelling. One grape left and she gave it a final period at the end. Like it was fact.

She stood, staring down, letting fifty girls swarm her to read what the Golden Girl had to say to them.

Not alone.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 4

Chapter Notes

CONTENT WARNING - References to non-con and rape. Nothing is depicted.

Huge thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

See the end of the chapter for more notes

On a day she assumed was Thursday, they showered them again. She was taken first, alone. Dolohov watched her undress again, watched her under the spray. He scourgified her clothing and handed each item back to her, one at a time. Starting with her knickers.

He smiled and ran his fingers across the cotton as she stood in front of him, dripping in her towel.

"Cherish these moments, Mudblood," he said. "You won't need little knickers any longer after tomorrow."

She gave him no reaction. Unable to speak, she concentrated on becoming expressionless. She tugged the knickers on under the towel, and struggled the rest of the clothing on her still wet body.

When they returned her and took five girls, then five more, none of them complained about the lack of privacy in the showers. So, she assumed it was a special circumstance for her.

Word got around among the girls that the Auction would take place that Friday night. Enough whispers had been overheard to take a solid guess. Ginny began to pace around the room, trying to figure out as many details as she could. Hermione sat in the corner with Luna while the blonde played with her hair, braiding it and unbraiding it absentmindedly.

"Should we try again to attack?" Ginny asked the room. "We don't have magic, but we have numbers. Instead of five against two, we could be fifty against a handful."

There was a thick silence, and someone said, "After what happened... with Parvati and Lydia... I just—"

"I'd be more afraid of living than dying, if I were you," Pansy said, staring at her nails.

"Are you volunteering with me, Parkinson?" Ginny asked.

Pansy smirked. "I don't volunteer."

Ginny looked over at her. "Hermione? What do you think? They haven't upped the number of guards. It's still just Dolohov and at least one more. The next time they come into the room, we could... I don't know." Ginny let her arms drop to her side.

Ginny stared at her, hopeful, excited. Hermione stared back.

Ginny had private showers for five days now. She hadn't watched Lydia Baxter bleed to death in front of her. She hadn't listened to Luna's screaming. She hadn't felt the heat of Dolohov's hand between her legs, hadn't felt his foul breath as he talked in slow whispers about what he wanted to do to her body.

Ginny had a voice.

And it was brilliant that she still wanted to use it. Truly. But Hermione was already having trouble making eye contact with people. And she knew enough about shock, and submission, and torture to know that she was not in the right state of mind to discuss this right now. That people would die, and it would live on Hermione's soul like a fungus.

Ginny was waiting for an answer. The entire room was.

Hermione still had no voice. Instead, she shrugged.

Then, watched Ginny blink at her. Watched several of the younger girls look away, eyes wet. Watched Pansy's eyes narrow and Penelope Clearwater's gaze drop.

Luna took her hand, laced their fingers together and hummed a small song.

"Nothing?" Ginny scowled. "Just"—she shrugged, an imitation of her—"Just nothing?" She laughed, a hollow sound. "Merlin, Hermione! Think! Give an opinion! Isn't that what you're good at?"

Ginny's eyes were wide and on fire. Several girls shifted and stared with rapt attention.

"Ginny—" Cho started.

"No! She's always thinking. Always with the plan and always two steps ahead of everyone else, planning adventures no one else is invited on, and saving the world whenever Harry asks, but now Harry's dead and she can't be bothered to care?" Ginny sucked in air, voice quivering. Hermione felt her cheeks flush and tears spring to her eyes. "She's not fighting!"

"She did fight! She lost!" Mortensen yelled.

"Then she fights again!" Ginny snapped back. "If she doesn't—" Ginny turned to face her, addressing her again. "If you don't fight then what the fuck are the rest of us supposed to do?!" She gestured to the room of them. Hermione felt a buzzing in her ears. "Kingsley and McGonagall are gone. So, there's just you, Hermione! If Harry were here, he'd—"

Her voice cracked, like it had been cut in half. She moved her lips wordlessly, squeaking.

"If Harry..." she tried, breaking. Ginny clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide and watering.

Luna released Hermione's hand, nudging her to move, and Hermione was up, crossing to Ginny, pulling her into her arms, and holding her as she broke into pieces, voice echoing against the tiles in strange patterns.

She mouthed words against her ear, telling her how sorry she was and how much she wanted things to be different. All the clichés that sounded awful when said aloud, but when breathed into Ginny's fiery hair, they made sense. She told Ginny about Dolohov, about his hands and his eyes and how she wished she had killed him when she had the chance.

Ginny quieted, and Hermione pulled back to hold her face between her fingers looking into her eyes and breathed, We will survive this. I will find you.

Ginny nodded.

Hermione stepped away, feeling every eye on them. She turned in a circle, meeting the stare of each girl, reading the fear and the exhaustion. She ended on Pansy Parkinson, who held her eyes.

She couldn't speak for herself. Couldn't give voice to what she wanted to say to them. She looked down, maybe she could spell it again.

Grapes again. In a bowl near her feet. Hermione reached down, plucked one from the vine, and looked directly into Ginny's red eyes and extended it to her.

Not alone.

Ginny nodded, and took the grape from her fingers.

She felt the room breathe, drinking in the peace.

The door banged open.

She sprang away from Ginny, grabbing more grapes, like it was her intention for being in the center of the room.

She listened for Dolohov's heavy boots, but they didn't come. She looked to the door.

"Well, hello everyone." A tall young man sending them a dazzling grin.

Marcus Flint. He'd gotten his teeth fixed.

"Granger," he nodded at her. "Lovely to see you again." He let his eyes trail down her torso, tilting his head as he took in her hips and legs. He looked down at a piece of paper in his hand, eyes running down the page. He frowned. "Ah. Of course not." He looked up at her again, sighing dramatically. "It would have been too good to be true." A smile.

Hermione stared at him, moving slowly back to her side of the room.

Raising his voice, he announced, "Let me see Mortensen, Fawcett, Jimenez, and..." His brow lifted. "Parkinson."

Two girls slowly stepped forward. Hermione eyed the open door, just making out Yaxley's boots beyond the frame.

"For what?" Pansy snapped.

Flint searched the room for her, finding her in her normal corner. He smirked. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen..." he murmured. "I have a new potion to test out," he announced. He gazed around the room, eyes landing on Hermione again. "Something that could be quite lucrative in this current... market. I needed some test subjects. And here you all are." He grinned.

Hermione shuddered from her shoulders down to her fingertips.

"So those four girls please line up—"

"What kind of potion?" Pansy pried. She had the most history with Marcus Flint and it showed in the way he glared back at her.

Yaxley turned the corner, standing in the doorway and hissed, "Do it."

Mortensen joined the other two, Pansy drifting in line last. Flint looked Mortensen up and down, and told her to leave the line. He looked at the list and called out for a Nelson, and when a pale, thin-faced girl wobbled forward, he dismissed her before she even got in line.

"Jimenez step back. Let's see Sandhu?" A tall raven-haired girl with a thin waist and long legs stepped forward. Flint appraised her and smirked. He looked down at the list again, "Let's see, let's see."

"What's the list for?" Pansy repeated.

Flint grinned at her. "I'm allowed to take my pick of any of the Lots on this list. The rest of them would cost me 5,000 galleons up front."

Hermione paled. He had a list of the non-virgins. So, whatever this was, it was sexual.

"Lots?" Ginny spoke up. Flint's eyes swiveled to her.

"Lots for sale. That's what you are now."

A wave of silence, crashing like water in the bottom of a deep well.

The first time anyone had mentioned the Auction to them. Confirmed it.

Flint looked Ginny up and down, checked his list, and frowned. "Really Weasley? Don't tell me poor Potter had to die a virgin." He looked up at her. "Couldn't take one for the team?"

Even without magic, Hermione felt the air around Ginny crack.

Ginny launched herself forward with a holler, latching on to Flint and scratching at his face, reaching for his throat.

BANG!

Ginny flew back, body smacking into the dark tile wall opposite the door, held up by Yaxley's wand.

Flint righted himself, grinning.

Girls scurried away from Ginny's dangling body like roaches in the light. Her legs kicked.

"Oh, I like her." Flint cooed. "She's Dolohov's? I'm sure he wouldn't mind if we played with her for a bit—"

"The Dark Lord wants her intact," Yaxley commanded.

Hermione braced herself against the wall, next to Luna again. The first time anyone had mentioned Voldemort to them.

Ginny chuckled, a manic sound. "Tom misses me?"

Yaxley rolled his eyes and held her there while Marcus Flint returned to his floor show.

"Alright, who else." Flint looked over the list again, pacing the room. He stopped. "Penelope Clearwater."

A shuffling from a corner, and Penelope stepped forward with her chin up.

"Huh." Flint smirked. "I thought you'd never give it up." He walked around her in a circle, and to her credit, Penelope didn't flinch. "Oi, remember when I invited you to the Yule Ball, and you choose that Poncy Weasley instead?"

Her jaw ticked.

"Are you done yet?" Yaxley asked. Flint's eyes never left Penelope's.

"Yes. I'll take Clearwater, and bring Parkinson for Macnair. He'll probably prefer a pure-blood whore."

Penelope and Pansy were marched out. The door slammed and Ginny's body dropped from the wall.

Two hours later, they returned Penelope. She kept her eyes down, not speaking, and laid in the corner facing the wall.

Several girls tried to feed her, make her drink water, get her to talk about it. She didn't move. They left a pile of grapes for her in hopes she would eat when she was ready.

As Hermione added a grape to Penelope's pile, she looked toward the door, wondering why Pansy hadn't been returned.

~*~

When she woke on Friday morning, Pansy Parkinson was sitting next to her, staring down at her face with an open expression, like she'd fallen asleep with her eyelids open, watching her. Her deep eyes blinked at seeing Hermione awake, and the familiar sneer and pout returned to her lips. Hermione sat up slowly, heart beating fast like it did while they were on the run, always looking for enemies.

No one else was awake except a few girls in the far corner who were known to stay awake in misery.

Hermione looked back to Pansy, and the girl flicked her limp hair over her shoulder in a way that reminded Hermione of Charms class. She'd never been this close to her. If she concentrated, she could still smell her perfume. Something floral that used to stick to Draco's robes.

Pansy lifted a still-perfect brow and looked out over the room of sleeping girls.

"I used to envy you."

Hermione waited. Waited for the proof that someone else had spoken. Waited for her mind to conjure the meaning behind the words.

"On the day I left for Hogwarts, my father told me to concentrate on my studies because I wasn't pretty enough to catch a husband. I thought it was a strange thing to say to an eleven-year-old, but..." Pansy swallowed. Hermione held her breath, watching Pansy's perfect bow lips and dark lashes. "When he saw my marks at the end of third year, he told me he expected me to be the top girl in my class by the end of fourth, and I said, 'That's impossible. There's a Mudblood girl who can't be beat. But don't worry, Daddy. I can catch a husband just fine. I have the Malfoy boy wrapped around my little finger.'"

She broke into a laugh. Something low and self-deprecating. She tilted her head back against the wall and stared at the ceiling, shaking her head as if a toddler had just said something incredibly sweet and incredibly foolish.

Hermione stared, unable to speak, unable to move.

"And here we are," Pansy continued, "at the end of days, waiting in a line to be sold and raped and used. And still, I can't sleep with envy of you. Of what your life will be."

Pansy's head rolled against the wall to look at her again. Hermione stared with wide eyes, wishing more than anything that she could speak, could ask her what she meant.

Hermione watched as Pansy's eyes dripped over her face, slanting across Hermione's lips and cheeks, rounding at her temples and taking in her wild hair. Pansy's lips parted, took a breath in to speak again—

"What are you doing? Get away from her!"

Ginny was awake, tugging at Hermione's shoulders to put herself between her and Pansy.

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Calm your tits, Weasley. We were just having some girl talk." Her sneer was back in place.

She drew herself up and paced back to the other side of the room, facing the wall.

Hermione watched her until the door opened.

A frail old man entered the room. He reminded her of Ollivander. Especially his eyes. His brows twitched as he took in the room of girls.

He cleared his throat and looked at his shoes, and then turned back to Yaxley in the doorway. "Is this all of them, Mr. Yaxley?"

"There's about twenty males down the hall," Yaxley replied.

Ginny shifted next to her, probably wondering how many of her brothers were footsteps away.

"Well," the man replied, taking his glasses off to clean them, brows narrowing at his fingers. "The best way is individually, but I fear we'll run out of time. Proceedings start at eight?" He pushed his glasses back on his nose, and Hermione realized he refused to make eye contact with any of them. Refused to acknowledge them.

"Eight sharp."

He nodded. "Then let's get the women cleaned up while I start appraisals on the men. We might need to do groups." He stared at his shoes and swept out.

Yaxley turned to her. "Mudblood. You're up."

There were probably twenty Muggle-born girls in the room, but still everyone understood he was addressing Hermione. She stood, wobbling to the door, and followed him to the showers. He didn't stay in the room like Dolohov did. Didn't watch her undress. She supposed if he wanted her, he wouldn't be selling her.

She stood under the water, enjoying what was probably to be her last moments of privacy and relative safety in her life.

She wondered if Ron was down the hall somewhere. Or if he'd fought them. If he'd thrown himself into the fire like a true Gryffindor and attempted to smother the flames from within.

What would Harry say, if he could see her now?

Yaxley banged on the door after two minutes, and she quickly ran the shampoo through her hair, washed between her legs, and toweled off. The door opened as soon as she covered herself, and Yaxley and a second Death Eater lead in five girls for their showers. She reached for her clothes on the floor, and Yaxley stopped her.

"Ah," he chided. He vanished her garments and held a robe out to her. She took it carefully, draped it over herself, and let the towel drop once she was covered. The five girls stood against the wall, waiting patiently. As if this was routine now.

He vanished the towel and grabbed her elbow, leading her out of the room. Dolohov was standing guard outside the showers and sent her a wink.

"Make sure they take all of it, Corban. I like 'em bare."

"Yeah, yeah," Yaxley griped.

He turned her away from the usual path back to the holding room, and brought her down a new hallway. One Death Eater stood guarding the door. A young one Hermione recognized from Hogwarts. Maybe he'd been Slytherin's Seeker before Draco.

He opened the door for Yaxley, and Hermione found three witches in bright blue robes hovering around three padded tables and three chairs. One of them with bright orange hair gasped when she saw Hermione, bringing her fingers to her lips. Hermione didn't recognize her.

"Is there a problem?" Yaxley hissed.

The girl responded in a French accent, "No, monsieur." The other two looked down, one of them wringing her hands.

"Do not communicate with her." He yanked a curtain around the table and chair, standing on the outside of it.

The girls started speaking lowly in French, eyes wide and jumping to her. Hermione just stared back.

"You better be discussing curling irons," Yaxley bellowed.

The girls quieted and indicated that Hermione should sit on the first table. The orange-haired girl touched Hermione's shoulder and gestured for her to remove the robe.

Hermione frowned and shrugged. Why the hell not. They peeled the robe from her, and immediately started pressing lotion into her skin. She tensed under their hands. One of them lifted her arm above her head and pressed their wand to her armpit. Hermione twitched as the skin went numb, looking down anxiously. The witch muttered another spell and Hermione watched the hair burn away, sizzling down to the roots under the skin.

Inventive. She'd heard Lavender talking about this process, but she herself had never needed it. She would have liked it on the road with Harry and Ron though.

The memory pulled at something in her, and she looked straight ahead at the closed curtain, watching as the colors blurred.

The repeated the process under her other arm. Then removed hair from the tops of her forearms. Hermione frowned, her remaining vanity spiking. She didn't consider herself hairy.

When one girl started on her legs, the door opened behind the curtain. Yaxley led in one of the captured girls, fresh from her shower. One of the Lots.

Hermione snorted soundlessly. The Lots. Well done, gentlemen.

The sensation of her entire leg being numbed for the hair removal had her feeling a bit weightless, like her limbs did belong to her. She swung her legs, not feeling the air swish by. The girl rubbed lotion onto her hairless skin, and Hermione couldn't help but feel like she was being prepared for slaughter.

The skin of her underarm started pricking back to life. One of the French girls started in on the new Lot while the other one cast a hair-drying charm on Hermione's wet hair. The girl's eyes bugged out of her head at the sheer volume of Hermione's dried, frizzy hair, and Hermione couldn't help but laugh.

The hair girl charmed her wand to blow hot air, trying to tame down Hermione's curls, fixing her mistake.

A third Lot was brought in, and then only the French girl messing with her hair stayed with her. She kept frowning and huffing, and Hermione smiled at her knees. Her hairless knees.

I like 'em bare.

They'd be taking the hair from between her legs next.

Hermione picked at her chipped nails while the girl fought her hair, trying to remember the way she'd gotten ready for the Yule Ball. She'd bought that sweet-smelling potion and spent hours on her hair. She'd been about to jump in the shower to wash it all away when Lavender and Parvati had come back to the dormitory and squealed at the sight of her, telling her she looked stunning.

They were both dead now.

The French girl had her lay back, open her legs, and remain still while she removed the hair from her sex.

~*~

They were returned in small dresses and Mary Jane shoes. Half of them in white, half in grey. She could guess what the white meant.

The girls who could still speak started informing the rest of the room what was happening. About an hour later, Dolohov and the young Death Eater started taking a few at a time to a separate room. The Appraisal, one of the returning girls said.

"It's 5,000 galleons more if you're a virgin," Mortensen murmured from the corner, in a grey dress. "Parkinson was right."

Pansy looked stunning in her slate grey dress when they returned her. Hair thick and sharp. She might have even conned them into swiping mascara on her eyes. She stood in her corner, arms crossed, lips pressed together. As cool and collected as ever—and it made Hermione wonder what it was they did to her. What they kept her for. She wished she could ask her, but even if she had a voice she didn't think she'd have the courage to.

They took Ginny and Luna together, which she thought was a mistake, but she wasn't about to protest. Dolohov led them away with two other girls, and returned them fifteen minutes later. Ginny looked a little green.

Luna plopped down beside her and said, "We saw Neville." Hermione snapped her head to her, waiting for more. Luna just smiled and said, "They aren't feeding or bathing them much."

"Granger and Parkinson," Yaxley called from the doorway. "Let's go."

She stood. These pairings... Not ideal for them. When Pansy met her at the door, Hermione finally caught a glance at the tattoo on her arm, now without her school clothes in the way.

C. Yaxley

Just like hers.

Yaxley was taking his Lots to be appraised. She wondered again how Pansy had gotten here. Was she held in the same location Hermione was before being dropped off at the Ministry? Had she been captured at the Battle of Hogwarts? Or later?

Yaxley took them down the corridor and into a completely new room where the older man with kind eyes sat at a desk, piles of paperwork around him.

"Who's next," he hummed, voice tired and thin.

Yaxley pushed Pansy forward. She stood tall. A measuring tape floated up and began taking her height while an enchanted quill worked beside it. It nudged her to raise her arms, measuring her waist, hips, chest.

"Name," he said.

"Pansy Parkinson," she stated proudly.

He looked up quickly, then looked away, pressing his lips together. "Blood status: pure-blood," he muttered. "Age?"

"Seventeen."

He wrote that down, and took the measurement page from the air, copying down that information as well. He shuffled through a pile and found another parchment, frowning down at it. "Anything in your medical history we should know about?"

Pansy scoffed. "Will it really matter if I broke my leg when I was nine?"

He grimaced down at the page. "No, I guess not." He reviewed what seemed to be the medical page the mediwitches had scribbled up for each of them a few days before. He dragged his eyes back to Pansy, and peered at her over his spectacles, making note of her eye, hair, and skin color.

He sighed, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and said, "Alright, based on the scale you've provided me with, starting bid should be 4,000 Galleons"—he marked this on his page—"and you can expect bidding to escalate to 12,000, based on her physical appearance and blood status. She was not sterilized, so she might be seen as valuable for certain families."

Hermione pressed her lips together, breathing slow. Pansy, on the other hand, turned to Yaxley and said, "Not bad, Yax," with a sly smile. "We can bump that starting bid up, though, can't we? Trust me," she said, leaning toward him conspiratorially. "I'm worth at least as much as one of the virgins. Much more useful." She winked.

Yaxley glared at her and threatened to silence her as well.

Hermione frowned, watching Pansy smile and flirt. Defense mechanism.

She'd probably been raped last night. Or tortured, or both. And now, instead of sitting quietly in a corner like Penelope Clearwater, Pansy Parkinson was weaponizing herself. Her body. Her wit. Her charm. All so she wouldn't break down.

Hermione didn't know how to do that. And she wasn't sure she wanted to learn.

"Next," the old man said.

Hermione stepped forward, and the measuring tape wound around her.

"Name."

"Hermione Granger," Yaxley replied for her.

The older man snapped his eyes up to her, taking her in. He blinked several times before returning to his paper.

"Blood status: Muggle-born," he said.

"Mudblood is the term now," Yaxley corrected, and the older man nodded.

"Age?"

"Seventeen," Yaxley replied, and she turned to correct him.

"Eighteen. She's eighteen," Pansy said.

Hermione blinked down at the tape circling her chest.

The old man pulled her medical form. He shook his head slightly, clenching his jaw, and Hermione saw him make a mark in the top right corner of his notes page: V

He copied down her measurements, did some calculations, and said in a hollow voice, "Starting bid for Miss Granger should be no lower than 7,500 Galleons based on your grading system." He pulled his glasses from his face. "But I've heard she and Miss Weasley will be starting at 10,000 regardless."

Hermione blinked. More Galleons than she'd seen in her life.

"Apologies," he continued, squinting at his numbers again. "With the virginity, they will be starting at 15,000."

Pansy chuckled and crossed her arms over her grey dress.

"And what's your estimation?" Yaxley asked, Sickles in his eyes.

"Estimating 33,000 Galleons."

Hermione felt like she was swallowing sand. Even Pansy, who was used to that kind of money, went still.

That was the yearly salary for the Undersecretary to the Minister.

The four-year tuition for one of the prestigious universities that she considered applying to after the war ended.

She realized she would not be killed. No one would be idiotic enough to buy her and then kill her off. No, it would be a slow death for her. Maybe years.

She wondered how Dolohov thought he could afford this.

The old man duplicated his notes with a tap of his wand and handed the copies to Yaxley. Yaxley grinned, eyes sparkling, and escorted the two of them out and back to the holding room.

She spent the rest of the day sitting near Ginny and Luna. The energy of the room was like a cold breeze, starting at one end and rolling over them individually, forcing them to tuck into each other. At some point, one of the girls started dreaming aloud about what she wanted to do after Hogwarts. Hermione thought she was maybe a fifth year. Several others followed her, voicing aloud the things they wanted to do. Like they had choices still.

There were no windows, so it was hard to tell when the day began to inch toward evening, but hours later, Walden Macnair walked into the room, several other Death Eaters waiting in the doorway behind him.

Hermione watched Pansy tuck herself behind another girl, spine curving to become smaller.

Macnair looked around the room with a careful intensity. His eyes stopped on Hermione and Ginny, smirking.

"Ladies," he announced, and Hermione wondered if it was to be the last time she would be addressed with such formality. "We'll begin transporting you now. Your Holder will be in charge of you while you travel by portkey. Anyone who tries to fight or run or disobey orders during this process will be killed promptly."

He said this last part directly to her.

"Once you are secured backstage, you will follow instructions from the handlers. Disobedience will result in punishment. For example—"

Quick as lightning, his wand turned on her. A screaming pain rocketed through her blood, boiling and coursing through her muscles, shaking her nerves and pulling her ligaments apart one by one.

And then it was gone. And Ginny's hands were on her shoulders, holding her, screaming for her.

She stared up at the black tile ceiling, breathing hard. She'd been Crucio'd before, but this was strong. Like a concentrated force of lightning sizzling her. It took her a few minutes to sit up.

By the time she focused her eyes again, Macnair was finishing his speech, and asking for his Lots to join him. He searched the room as four girls stepped forward. The two in white were scared, but the two in grey were shaking.

He'd already raped them. Before bringing them here. Like Parvati.

"Parkinson," he hissed. "Come with me, too."

Pansy stepped out from her spot behind a tall girl and pasted on a smirk. "Long time, no see, Walden." She strutted to the group. "You gonna drop a few Galleons on me tonight?"

He looked her up and down and said, "Why would I pay for something I already got for free?"

Pansy's smile fractured, still on her face, but broken now.

Pansy and the four other Lots followed Macnair's instructions and gripped his arm. He produced the portkey and they disappeared.

Mulciber entered the room next. He called for his Lots and they disappeared. She recognized a few Snatchers come in gleefully, grabbing up eight or so girls before swirling away.

Dolohov and Yaxley came in last. Dolohov called for his Lots, and Luna and Ginny left her side.

When it was just her and Yaxley left in the room, she wandered over to him without being summoned. It was clearly a type of Stockholm Syndrome, but she was certain Yaxley wouldn't hurt her. He hadn't shown the slightest bit of sexual interest in her, going so far as to keep Dolohov from molesting her further.

He grinned at her and pulled his wand. Hermione blinked, feeling like she'd just walked into a trap.

"Bit of a costume change, love," he said, smirking. "Turns out, you'll be top prize tonight. Best for last."

His wand tapped her shoulder strap, and she watched as the dress pulled closer to her skin, curving at her hips and rounding her breasts. No undergarments in the way.

He smiled and flicked his wand again, and she watched as the fabric shimmered gold.

"Golden Girl, indeed," he said.

And then grabbed her arm and whisked her off.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 5

Chapter Notes

I'm so pleased with everyone's responses to the story! I've been waiting a long to share this with you all.

LOVE to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

See the end of the chapter for more notes

When they spun into their destination, Hermione had two seconds to let her eyes adjust to the dark before she was forced onto a chair, arms behind her. They affixed her hands to the back of the chair with a Sticking Charm. Because he'd tightened and shortened her dress, she struggled to press her knees together, the wooden seat pressed against her bare backside.

Yaxley moved away from her, speaking with the guards in low voices, and Hermione looked around her to find chairs with restrained Lots lining the entire room.

Not a room. She looked up to a tall ceiling, maybe three stories high, dizzying her. Catwalks and ropes, but also strange things hanging from pulleys. Velvet curtains dropping down from above.

Backstage, Macnair had said. They rented out a theatre for this.

No, of course not. Hermione shook her head. No one rented anything.

She looked to her right and found Ginny sitting next to her, staring down at her knees. It looked as if Dolohov had the same idea as Yaxley and had shortened and tightened Ginny's white dress. Ginny looked up at her, eyes wet, and mouthed, Hi.

She looked around. One of the Snatchers was still restraining and silencing his many charges. Her eyes drifted toward the source of light. The stage. They'd decorated it. She squinted at the tall pieces, trying to figure out what they were.

Movement across the stage, and Hermione found herself staring into the other wing, directly at Ron Weasley, struggling against his chair.

She gasped, soundlessly.

Ron was screaming in silence, and she saw his lips form her name.

She could just make out twenty other chairs, lined up just like theirs. Neville sat slumped over in one. She thought she could make out Oliver Wood in another.

Hermione turned to Ginny, wiggling to get her attention, but Ginny was already staring across the stage, smiling softly, cheeks wet with slow tears.

The buzzing she'd associated with portkey travel ebbed and grew, and Hermione realized she was hearing an audience, just beyond the curtains.

Hermione whipped her head around, trying to take in as much as she could. Exits, hiding places, weapons.

There were about seventy prisoners according to Yaxley's count yesterday. There were fourteen Death Eaters on this side of the stage, and half of them were planning to bid. They couldn't do that from back here.

Seven guards for fifty girls. Possibly similar ratios on the other side.

She looked up and found Pansy staring directly at her, twenty feet away. Her eyes abruptly flicked to one of the guards and then back to Hermione.

Hermione looked and found a dark-featured twenty-something bloke. He was thin with dark brows that made him look more menacing than his size suggested. As she looked at him, his eyes drifted to her thighs.

A chill raced along her skin, and she watched as he blinked away. She looked back at Pansy, not knowing what she wanted. Was she warning her?

Before she could think on it, a man swept in through a door, Macnair trailing behind him. Ludo Bagman. His eyes traveled over the chairs, stopping briefly over the faces he knew. He looked down at his shoes and fiddled with the papers in his hands.

"The Death Eaters thank you for your services, Mr. Bagman," Macnair hissed, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Yes, Macnair. I am... glad to be of service." He shuffled the papers, and Hermione recognized them as the notes the appraiser had taken.

She wanted to scream. He could stop this. He could try. He wasn't like the rest of them.

But people like the appraiser, Bagman, even the mediwitches and French girls... they were doing their best, Hermione concluded. Too powerless to fight, but against joining. When contracted, they obeyed.

Bagman looked down at one of the pages and turned to Macnair. "Is this an error? This number?"

Macnair looked and smiled. "No error. Potter's Princess. If you think that's good, take a look at the Golden Girl."

Bagman flipped to the next page and she watched his face pale. He met her eyes instantly, like he already knew her place in the room.

"We need to take our seats, Mr. Bagman," Macnair announced, earning the attention of the other Death Eaters. He offered his hand and Ludo took it. "The Palace is yours."

The Palace Theatre in London. Her parents had taken her here three summers ago. She'd sat in the front row of the first balcony, entranced by the 19th century French story she'd read in Hugo's book years before, gasping as the barricade rose, and sobbing as each life was ended.

Hermione looked onstage again. She recognized the set pieces now. It was eight o'clock on a Friday night. There should have been a show. She shivered to think that in one week, the Death Eaters had infiltrated Muggle London.

She met Ron's eyes across a stage set for revolution, memorizing the features she could just make out. Perhaps this was the last time she would see him.

Yaxley and the others followed Macnair out, slipping their masks on. Dolohov made sure to sweep by her, trailing his fingertips across one shoulder, dipping below her collarbone and across.

When she could bring her eyes off the floor she looked up to see the heavy-browed guard looking at her chest.

These guards were not Death Eaters. They weren't wearing the robes and masks, and the forearms she could see did not bear the Dark Mark. Aspiring Death Eaters, maybe? She wondered what were the politics of Voldemort's inner circle now that the war was won. Those who did not fight were probably not granted status.

She made a mental list of Death Eaters she last knew to be alive. She'd seen most of them in the last week.

Hermione frowned. Lucius Malfoy had not come to collect his Lots. Was it possible he hadn't captured any? Or that he'd only taken males?

There was little doubt in her mind that he was out in the crowd tonight. Voldemort too, probably.

Was Draco?

She looked to Pansy, still staring back at her. He probably was. He needed to come claim her.

Ludo Bagman cleared his throat, checked his timepiece, and moved to the edge of the curtain. He seemed focused on ignoring the presence of the fifty of them. The hum of the crowd swelled.

Hermione turned to Ginny, silenced and tied. She had her knees pressed together tightly, her eyes on the floor. It was like she was experiencing the full range of Hermione's shame, only a few days after. The shame that had killed the fire in her.

Ludo Bagman stepped on stage and a light hit him, igniting his smile and jaunty step. The theatre roared, and Hermione jumped with the pressure of it. Hundreds.

Ginny flinched next to her.

Hermione's eyes found several props and costumes tossed in the corner behind them. A long blonde wig and locket. A blue scullery factory dress. They should have been gathered and hung at the end of the performance.

What happened to the actors?

"Welcome!" Ludo's amplified voice spun over the crowd. "Welcome. Find your seats, gentlemen." He stepped up to a podium. Hermione felt her heart thunder in time with the applause.

One of the girls a few chairs away started to hyperventilate. Or at least that's what it looked like. She dipped her head between her knees, tears tracking down her cheeks, mouth open wide. One of the guards went to check on her, wrenching her up, and Hermione noticed that all of the guards were young, eager boys. One or two might have been at Hogwarts with her, but most looked in their twenties.

She glanced at Pansy again. It was like the dark-haired girl had never taken her eyes off of her from the moment she sat down. Pansy's eyes flipped to the brooding guard again, and back.

What? What did she want?

She didn't recognize him. Didn't know how she could work this.

Ludo was beginning some kind of opening remarks. They sounded rehearsed. Some propaganda about the days to come.

Hermione looked at the guard. His gaze on her knees again.

She felt like she should have been disgusted, but Pansy wanted her to pay attention. To see something else.

Two of the young guards moved to the curtains, watching and listening to Ludo.

They weren't bidding.

Hermione looked to Pansy, mind working.

They were not initiated, and they did not have the funds to actually secure a Lot.

His eyes on her legs again.

And this one was greedy.

Pansy locked eyes with her and slouched down in her chair, opening her knees. Hermione blinked when her dress rode up with the movement. Pansy stretched her legs out, crossing them at the ankles, and straightening her spine until her chest stood out, thin slate dress pulling down.

Hermione felt like she was being seduced. Pansy lowered her lashes at her, and then looked to the dark guard.

Hermione looked up and found his pacing slowing whenever he crossed in front of her, his eyes at the hem of her dress every time.

"We have seventy-seven Lots for auction tonight," Ludo announced magnanimously. The crowd erupted. Ginny pulled against the chair, hands stuck to it. Her teeth bared and her shoulders tight.

"Gentlemen, we'll bring each Lot onstage, one at a time. I have here their grading, important facts, and blood status. All Lots sold as is. The winning bidders will coordinate with Walden Macnair at the end to arrange payment."

Hermione let the words wash over her. She watched Pansy's dress rise higher, watched her gaze drift over to one of the guards - a pale boy who Hermione recognized from Hogwarts. His eyes had landed on Pansy's thighs. Pansy smiled at him.

Another weak link.

Hermione took a deep breath, and looked up at her guard. He met her eyes. She watched his face as she slouched in her chair, opened her knees, and let Pansy Parkinson teach her how to survive.

His eyes skimmed down her body as her dress slid up.

"Let's start off the evening right," Ludo crowed. "With a Weasley."

The audience screamed, and Ginny thrashed.

"Not that Weasley!" Ludo teased. The crowd cackled. "Not that Weasley, either!" They hissed. "Let's start off with one of those other gingers."

He gestured to the other side of the stage, and George was dragged out, hands stuck together behind his back. He had a black eye and a limp. It seemed that the Healers were only called for the girls. Or maybe the damage was done today.

Ludo Bagman laughed and beckoned George to his side, but Hermione could see he was grey. He knew the Weasley twins. Even if they had their disagreements, he knew them.

The guard who favored Hermione inched closer to her. The two who stood watching the first bidding were joined by two more. Only three guards on them and one was focused on her, one focused on Pansy.

Hermione straightened her spine like Pansy had, watching as his eyes darkened. Ludo read George Weasley's catalog.

"Twenty-years-old. Pure-blood. So, if anyone is looking for a blood traitor to play with..."

Ludo chuckled and the crowd hissed.

Her guard knelt down, pretending to tie his shoe. She checked with Pansy, seeing her pale-faced guard trailing fingers across her collarbone while she licked her lips. He started peeling down her shoulder strap.

"Fine muscle mass, as you can see on your parchments. If you need another house elf, this might be your lucky day."

Fingers on her ankle, and she was reminded of Dolohov. The guard slid his hand up her calf, pushing her knees further apart. She bit her lip like Pansy, and heard Ginny struggling next to her, realizing what was happening to her.

"Let's start the bidding at 2,000 Galleons."

She leaned her face down towards him, and he had his eyes on her lips when she reeled her head back and slammed her forehead into his.

He yelled and her head spun. She heard a crash from Pansy's direction, and a splintering from her right where Ginny sat.

She tried to open her eyes but her skull ached. A splintering from somewhere else, a scrambling. Grunting and yelling.

The distracted guards cursing and running away from the curtains.

She opened her eyes and made out several bodies, thrashing on the ground. Ginny had thrown herself, breaking her chair. The pieces of wood her hands stuck to were firm in her fists, beating against the dark-featured guard.

She blinked slowly and looked over to find Pansy raising a splintered chair back, and impaling her guard in the stomach with a silent scream. Penelope Clearwater had most of her chair still put together, and swung it at the head of a running guard, knocking him back and climbing on top of him, slamming the wood against him.

"Some kind of... commotion. Nothing to worry about—"

All fifty girls had just figured out how to get out of their chairs. And there were only seven guards. The sound of breaking wood and splintering chair legs was everywhere.

"Stay in your seats, gentlemen!"

Curses started flying. Hermione stood hunching, the back of her chair stuck to her palms. She twisted and threw herself onto the floor, feeling the chair break under her. A pop as her shoulder dislocated, and she yelped with no sound. She sat up, looking for an exit, but blood dripped into her eyes from where she'd head-butted the guard.

Running footsteps, thundering from the stage, and the Death Eaters were there, casting stunning spells and kicking girls aside to beat through the crowd. She recognized Dolohov's boots.

She wobbled to her knees and crawled back, hugging the walls. She found a few scared girls there, but she pushed through, moving around the scrambling bodies.

She heard Macnair screaming orders, and Yaxley organizing the stunned bodies, yelling for them to get to her.

A pair of arms from behind her, wrapping around her waist, tugging her back. She kicked, and he dropped her, her elbow slamming into the ground. Arms around her again, and she wasn't sure if they were the same.

She was pulled up, held against a man's chest with his arms wrapped around her shoulders and wound against her hips. She screamed silently, kicking the air. He moved with her, dragging her away.

Was he stealing her or bringing her back?

The air smelled of blood and pine. And she wondered where the revolutionaries were.

She was concussed, she could tell.

She heard Yaxley's voice close by, and the man turned with her.

Yaxley was blurry with the blood in her eyes, but he held his wand out in front of him.

"Good work, Malfoy."

She had just enough time to wonder if it was Draco or Lucius before Yaxley stunned her.

~*~

Her head burst apart, and she gasped noiselessly against the pain.

Thunder rolling through her, rattling her head. She blinked her eyes open, and found herself backstage of the Palace Theatre again, the stage lights burning into her irises.

The sound of a gavel, and she knew where she was.

Raucous yelling. Cheering and jeering. She blinked against the lights, feeling the pounding in her forehead, and focused on the figure in white onstage standing next to Ludo Bagman.

Red hair and freckled skin. Ginny stuck her nose in the air, ignoring the taunting.

There were two guards on either side of Hermione, holding her up until she stood on her own. She'd been Rennervated by one of them. She turned to look at the girls, but all she found was broken chair legs and drying blood.

And a blonde wig and locket. A blue dress.

Twisting to look around pulled at her shoulder, recently reset. She found a backstage mirror, cracked down the middle, and saw that they had banished the blood from her face. She couldn't tell if the concussion had been healed. She was nauseous and spinning, but it might have been the symptom of a handful of other things.

Neither of the guards holding her was the one she'd seduced. She faintly remembered Ginny pressing a chair leg into his windpipe.

Had Ginny...

She turned back to look at the dried blood on the black floors. Ginny stood onstage in her white dress, splattered with red. She turned her spotlit face to look at Hermione, and dried blood trailed down from her temple. Her hair wild. Her eyes dead. They'd left her bloody. Like a gladiator. Forced to entertain.

Had she killed that guard?

Hermione watched as Ginny turned back to the howling crowd, setting her face against the harsh lights.

"Mulciber, we all know you don't have that kind of gold!" Bagman's voice cut through the pounding in her ears. The Death Eaters laughed. "Only serious bets here, gentlemen!"

Ginny was being auctioned. Then her.

She'd missed it. She'd missed the entire Auction. She wouldn't know where everyone ended up. Where Luna was sent, or Ron and Neville. She'd have to gather the information as best she could, and hope for a rebellion.

She turned back to the stage as the gavel banged.

"Sold!" The audience erupted. "Ginevra Weasley, love of the late Harry Potter, sold to Aron Avery for 28,550 Galleons!"

Her stomach heaved, and the guard at her right propped her up.

Such a lot of money. An insane amount. She wondered if she'd really fetch her appraised price—33,000 Galleons.

The noise from the crowd deafened her momentarily, and then she knew her concussion wasn't healed. She watched with a spinning head as several guards marched onstage – none of them her guard – and secured Ginny's wrists. Ginny kept her head up, eyes high on the balcony as Macnair and Avery came forward.

Avery's smug thin lips smirked at the crowd. Macnair produced a scroll from his robes, and the yelling intensified as Avery took the offered quill.

Ginny jerked her arm, wincing as Avery signed his name on the scroll. The brand on their forearms must change to reflect ownership.

Avery turned to the crowd, grinning wide with crooked teeth. He slapped Ginny's backside, and Hermione watched her teeth clench.

Her head pounded as Macnair escorted Avery back offstage to settle his debts. As the guards turned Ginny and forced her offstage, Hermione wondered if there was something she'd missed. If there was something she could have done differently.

Maybe they shouldn't have ceased fighting in the courtyard once Hagrid appeared with Harry's body. Shouldn't have given Voldemort an audience. Shouldn't have put all their faith in Harry.

Maybe she shouldn't have followed Narcissa Malfoy around the castle. She should have stayed and taken cues from McGonagall. Maybe they would have been able to attack again.

They escorted Ginny toward her, and as her bottom lip trembled beneath somebody's dried blood, Hermione decided her only true mistake had been not killing Dolohov in the Ministry corridors.

She should have killed Dolohov, and then Yaxley, and then taken whoever was still alive and escaped. She should have let Luna die. It was probably for the best.

She looked over Ginny's face for the last time, and watched her lips mouth, I will find you.

Hermione whispered back, Not alone.

Ginny disappeared through the backstage door.

"And now... our grand finale."

It sounded like Ludo Bagman was announcing the Seeker entering the stadium. Perhaps he had? It could be if she just closed her eyes. The theatre thundered.

She blinked, trying to focus. She needed to be present. Maybe once this day was over, she would fall asleep with her concussion and never wake up.

They pushed her forward, escorting her onstage. Bagman was yelling something over the crowd, but she just squinted against the lights. Someone was operating the theatre spotlight, and Hermione almost laughed at that image.

She looked down at her feet as they placed her on a red "X" next to Bagman. Her gold dress shimmered.

She looked up, remembering Ginny's lifted chin. The theatre was full. Balcony after balcony. Must have been over a thousand people, and Hermione despaired at the thought that Voldemort had this many followers already. How many of these people had been lying in wait, biding their time until the end of the war? And now here they were.

The noise continued for ages. Her eyes landed on the masked Death Eaters on the ground level, filling up the majority of the front rows. Some of them on their feet, screaming and taunting and punching their fists in the air. Some of them seated, whispering to each other and pointing to the stage.

She scanned the crowd, looking for Bellatrix, for Greyback, for the Dark Lord himself. She recognized Yaxley in the front, Dolohov by his side. Mulciber and Nott Sr. She couldn't find the blond locks of Lucius Malfoy, or the raven curls of Bellatrix.

"Alright! Alright!" Bagman laughed, sounding like his old self again. "I know we're excited. Some of us have special toys to go home to..."

Hermione slid her eyes to Ludo as the men cackled. He'd been seduced by it all. Infected. He met her eyes and quickly looked away.

"Our final Lot of the evening," he announced theatrically. He read off her appraisal notes. "Hermione Granger." Hissing. "Mudblood." Booing. "'Golden Girl.'" Jeering. "Friend to Harry Potter, Gryffindor, and enemy of the Dark Lord."

They were on their feet again, screaming. She heard the words Mudblood and Bitch and Kill the slut.

String her up!

—deserves this, the dirty—

Show us her quim!

Have a bit of fun with her, you will!

Make an example out of her.

Bend over, sweetheart! Let's take a look at ya!

Mudblood whore. I'd love to break her in.

She let it wash over her, like a cool bath.

Only one masked Death Eater sat perfectly still throughout. Four rows back on the left aisle.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen," Bagman crooned. He raised his hands to call for peace. "I've not yet begun the bidding."

Laughter. A howl from the top balcony. Hermione looked up and found the shadows in the top tier pacing, prowling out of their chairs. The werewolves were invited. Separate and not-so-equal.

"Don't you want to know more about Miss Granger's medical exam?" Bagman sang. And the theatre exploded again.

She could hear them like a whisper. Talking about her virginity. Hypothesizing about if she'd used her mouth before.

The lights were hot.

She focused on the lone Death Eater, still not socializing. Maybe he'd already bid on his Lot, and now was just enjoying a night at the theatre.

Ludo read out her measurements. They cackled when he suggested that she'd do fine in the kitchen, and whooped when he mentioned her muscle mass would be handy in the gardens. They crowed at the thought of her dusting their manors.

Ludo danced around the truth of the matter, teasing them, until finally:

"And gentlemen..." His voice dropped low. "In case you were curious... It will be an extra five thousand for this one."

Thunder. The acoustics shivering with the applause and screaming. The lonely Death Eater did nothing but cross his leg.

"So, gentlemen... we start the bidding at fifteen thousand Galleons."

Fifty wands shot into the air, orange sparks calling Ludo's attention.

She swallowed and looked down to find Dolohov raising a lazy hand.

Wands were only raised on the ground floor, she realized. Perhaps they'd sold spectator tickets for the balconies.

"Let's weed you out a bit, shall we?" Ludo quipped. "Sixteen thousand."

Only about five wands dropped.

"Sixteen-five. Jumping up to sixteen-five, gentleman," Ludo began.

She watched as wand hands slowly descended, Dolohov and Mulciber keeping up with each other, laughing at their little game.

Her knees felt shaky, and she wondered if she would be seeing food again anytime soon. Perhaps never.

"Eighteen thousand Galleons. Do I hear—Yes, sir, eighteen thousand. What about eighteen-five?" He pointed to Dolohov. "Eighteen-five to Dolohov. Several others still in. Nineteen?"

She let her eyes glaze over, watching the unmoving Death Eater. He sat still, wand in his lap, head supported in his hand. He looked young. Thin shoulders. Tall.

"Nineteen-five? Yes, nineteen-five to Mulciber. Do we have—?"

"Twenty-five thousand." A tense voice. Hermione blinked as every person in the first three rows turned to look at her solitary masked man. He'd raised his wand, orange sparks. Had she summoned his voice by staring at him?

Whispers and shuffling. She knew that Ginny had just sold for a bit more than that.

"Er, yes. Twenty-five thousand to..."

"Twenty-six," Dolohov snarled, sending a glare back at the younger man.

"Twenty-six-five," from the fourth row.

"Twenty-seven."

"Twenty-seven-five."

"Twenty-eight!" Dolohov yelled, irritated with the boy in the fourth row.

The boy whose voice drawled out "Twenty-eight-five," like money was no object to him. The boy whose eyes she knew to be cold behind the mask. Whose long fingers twirled his sparking wand. And Hermione noticed it was hawthorn again. She wondered if he'd stolen it back from Harry's dead body.

Dolohov hesitated, looking up to Ludo. "Twenty-nine."

"Twenty-nine-five."

And the thought floated through her consciousness that there was an auction, and she would belong to someone in a few short minutes.

And Draco Malfoy was bidding.

The theatre was buzzing. Most of the crowd had figured out that the Malfoy boy was throwing his money against Antonin Dolohov.

"Thirty," Dolohov stated firmly, like he'd ended a game of cards.

"Thirty thousand, five hundred," Draco hummed.

A crashing wave of whispers. Hermione looked down at her feet, finding specks of blood on her Mary Janes that they'd forgotten to clean.

Ginny was left bloody and wild, Hermione cleaned and groomed. Like the prized mare.

"Do I hear thirty-one thousand?" Ludo asked, speaking up again.

Dolohov's wand shot in the air. Draco's followed.

Dolohov had been so arrogant, so firm in his beliefs that he could afford her. But he didn't have the gold to back this up. So why was he—

Her blood ran cold.

Ginny. Ginny's twenty-eight thousand Galleons now belonged to Dolohov.

And Luna's. And the other girls' he'd caught.

Assuming he had four virgins, he now had a lot of money to bet.

Yaxley and Dolohov had been in charge of the Lots. Their main guards. Why had they left them backstage in the hands of randy young boys who hadn't even taken the mark yet?

"Thirty-two thousand," one of them yelled, but Hermione was concentrating on her head pounding, her shoulder aching.

Did they want a riot? Seven guards against fifty girls? It certainly seemed lazy.

A howling in the balcony.

"Thirty-three thousand," Draco stated.

Lust and bloodlust. It probably increased their bets.

"Thirty-three-five," Dolohov hissed.

"Thirty-four." Draco's voice, lazy and familiar, lulled her.

What did he want from her? Revenge? Status?

"Thirty-four-five."

The devil you know. She stared at Draco's mask, drilling her eyes into him, begging him to win.

"Thirty-five thousand," he said, crossing his legs again.

"Getting a bit steep for you, whelp?" Dolohov stood and faced the fourth row, removing his mask. "Hesitating?"

"Steep for me?" Draco laughed. "I'm surprised you can count this high."

Dolohov turned to the stage again. "Forty-five thousand Galleons."

Hermione swallowed as she listened to the hissing. She looked to Draco, still and silent.

"How much of that inheritance did daddy give you to play with, boy?" Dolohov smirked back at him.

Ludo cleared his throat and said, "I hear forty-five thousand. Do I hear forty-six?"

Draco's wand lifted. Orange sparks.

"I can go all night, Malfoy," Dolohov said, throwing his arms out wide. "I've been saving up for this for a while now, and I just made fifty-two thousand off my Lots for this evening."

"Fifty-three thousand," Draco spat.

Dolohov laughed and turned back to Ludo. "Fifty-five."

"Sixty." Draco's voice cracked.

"Sixty-one." Dolohov grinned, yellow crooked teeth shining at her.

She wasn't sure if it was the concussion, or the stage lights, or the future bearing down on her, but she felt her lungs begging for air.

She'd known that this would happen. That she'd be leaving with Dolohov. She'd been mentally preparing for a week. Even so, her hope hadn't died.

She'd felt a spark of possibility when Draco Malfoy started bidding. She didn't know if she would truly be better off with him. But now, as he hesitated before yelling, "sixty-two," she wished he'd never jumped in at all. Now she would always wonder.

"Sixty-five thousand," said Dolohov, chuckled.

Ludo was white next to her as he waited. "I hear sixty-five thousand," he said at last. The crowd started twisting, buzzing with whispers. "Do I hear sixty-six?"

She didn't dare look to him. Couldn't bear the idea that if she looked, she might see indecision in the way he held his shoulders. Maybe she could pinpoint his thoughts like in Arithmancy, when he'd roll his shoulders back and reset his posture before diving back into a problem.

"Sixty-five thousand going once."

Or the way he'd stare at the chalkboard in Potions, tilting his head to the side until suddenly grabbing for his quill, jotting his thoughts onto the parchment as if they'd disappear if he wasn't quick.

"Sixty-five thousand going twice."

Or in sixth year, when he'd been removed and sullen, strained to figure out a solution, and his eyes had been distant, cold and grey. Lifeless. His posture hunched and small.

A gavel banged.

The world cracked open, and a violent sound poured into her ears like lava.

Her eyes on the "x" beneath her feet as Dolohov jogged up onstage and met Macnair in the middle. The scroll. A burning on her left arm. And then a fist in her hair, dragging her head back. Dolohov was there, grinning down at her. He licked her face and the balconies went wild.

She shoved at him. And they loved that.

He laughed, grabbing her head to push her down to the floor. When she looked up from her knees, Dolohov was waving at the audience, basking in his victory, and unbuckling his belt.

She crawled back, shaking her head, rattling her bruised brain.

Yaxley was smiling in the front row, screaming, "Not until I get my money!"

She couldn't make out sounds anymore. Too much in her ears.

As Macnair wrenched her up, throwing her to the backstage guards, she chanced one last look to see the crowd on its feet, one seat in the fourth row empty.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 6

Chapter Notes

I am so overwhelmed by you all! Thank you!

There is now a Facebook group for Auction followers and the Rights and Wrongs series called Rights & Wrongs

LOVE to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The guards dragged her through the hallways of the Palace Theatre, taking stairs and turning corners that she couldn't possibly memorize even if she was trying.

They turned a corner and found a guard in front of a door. They passed him, and just before turning another corner and taking stairs down, she heard a loud crack and whipped her head around to see a small elf standing in the middle of the hall.

"Cuppy is here for three Lots," he squeaked.

They dragged her around the corner before she could hear any more.

The further down they went, the more often she heard a crack followed by a small voice. Using elves to transport the Lots.

She supposed they weren't "Lots" anymore. Slaves? Concubines?

They pushed her into an empty broom closet. She watched as they murmured the room number to each other, one of them writing it down and tapping his wand on the parchment.

They shut the door and left her in darkness. She tried the door handle, unsurprised when it didn't budge.

She sat in the middle of the floor, hugging her knees to her chest, and waited.

~*~

"Are there any boys at school you like?"

Hermione snapped her eyes to her mother, staring at her over the bowl of cookie dough. "Mum!"

Her mother laughed. "Just asking! What about Harry?"

"Oh, mother, no." Hermione rolled her eyes and grabbed a handful of dough from the bowl. "Harry's… no."

"Or Ron? You spend more time with his family than your own, you know." She bumped Hermione's hip as she placed the ball of dough on the baking sheet.

Hermione frowned. "Ron is infuriating. He's lazy and sleeps too much and he's always late." She huffed and pushed her hair away from her face. "He was so rude to me this past Christmas. I almost didn't forgive him. He's such a child."

Her mother chuckled and opened the oven door. "He'll grow up. I'm sure you'll turn around one day and find he's quite changed." She placed the baking sheet on the rack. "And no one else? Didn't you leave things a bit unfinished with that Vincent?"

"Viktor," Hermione corrected. "Viktor Krum. Yes, we still write but…" Hermione washed her hands. "I guess he wasn't quite my type. He's very handsome. But… I think I like…"

She stopped herself, frowning down at the suds.

"Yes?"

"Lighter hair," she settled on.

Her mother pushed Hermione's curls over her ear. "And is there anyone who does have light hair?" She could hear the smile in her voice.

"There is." Hermione reached for the dish towel and wrenched the material over her hands. "But he's cruel, and poncy, and arrogant." She tossed the towel down. "And I'm a fool."

Her mother kissed her temple. "That handsome, huh?"

Hermione groaned. "His hair is so beautiful, Mum."

Her mother laughed.

~*~

She had no way to count time, but she suspected she'd been locked in the closet for two hours. Strange, because others had been collected as soon as the Auction had ended.

The door wrenched open, blinding her with the light from the hallway. She threw her arm up, shielding her eyes and her body.

"Up."

She crawled to her feet, staring at the outline of Yaxley in the doorway. He stepped aside for her to exit. No house elf in the hallway.

Yaxley scowled at her and led her down the hall, the way she came. She wasn't sure what he had to scowl about. He was 65,000 Galleons richer. Not including whatever price Pansy fetched.

The image of Pansy piercing the belly of that guard floated up. His strangled yell as she bared her teeth at him.

She hadn't seen that guard later either.

They climbed the stairs she'd just descended, and her pounding head and burning shoulder made her wish an elf had appeared to relocate her. It hurt to breathe.

She heard a crack from down a hallway. The elves were still appearing. There were still Lots behind these doors.

Yaxley stopped in front of a door and turned to her. "If I ever see you again, it will be too soon, Mudblood."

She raised a brow at him and gave him a look that said, The feeling is mutual.

He pushed the door open and shoved her inside.

She expected to find Dolohov. Maybe a cot or a chair where he'd force her down and push up her dress.

She didn't expect to find Pansy Parkinson. She hadn't expected to find her ever again.

Pansy seemed to feel the same as she sat up tall from the counter she'd been leaning on, eyes wide and hungry. They were in a dressing room with mirrors on the walls and large bulbs flickering.

Yaxley shut the door, locking them in.

A sharp burning on her left arm. Hermione's mouth opened in a silent hiss of pain. She looked down to where Antonin Dolohov had been inked into her skin. The letters sizzled. She squeezed her fist and watched as the ink lifted, rearranging until a different signature formed on her skin.

D.M.

She blinked down at the letters, her vision swimming. It couldn't be...

Pansy was at her side, grabbing her arm.

"Ha!"

The sound jarred her. Pansy had been silenced the last time she'd seen her. Hermione was on day four.

Pansy turned away, running her nails through her hair. The mirrors allowed Hermione to see that she'd pressed her eyes closed, squeezing her lips together.

"Wow." She spun around to face her. "How much?"

Hermione shook her head, deciding that Pansy didn't need to know.

"Thirty-three thousand?" Pansy guessed, stalking toward her slowly. "Thirty-five thousand?" she said when Hermione didn't answer. "Come on, now. I'm curious. Forty?"

Hermione turned away but was unable to find a wall in which Pansy's face did not reflect back at her. Her own face was almost unrecognizable. Deep circles under her eyes and dry skin. Her jawline stuck out unpleasantly.

"Tell me, Granger," Pansy hissed over her shoulder. Hermione met her eyes and something stormed inside of them, like the moment before thunder cracks. She watched Pansy's blue eyes flood, and she took a slow breath before asking, "More than forty thousand?"

Hermione looked away, shivering. She caught sight of the ink on Pansy's arm.

A matching D.M.

A crack outside their door. The two of them jumped, and Hermione's fingers twitched for a wand that wasn't there.

A squeaky girl elf said, "Mippy is here for Misses Pansy and Hermione."

The door swung open. Yaxley stood guard while a tiny elf in a pink pillowcase looked up at them with bright green eyes.

"Misses! I take you now!"

She smiled and held out her two hands. Like they were going on a pleasant adventure together.

Pansy sniffed, blinking her eyes dry, and saluted Yaxley. "Later, Yax." She took Mippy's hand.

Hermione blinked down at Mippy's outstretched hand, and glanced at Yaxley. It wasn't a trick. She was leaving it all behind.

Her concussion was going to be a mess to handle after Apparition, but hopefully the elf magic would make it better. She took Mippy's hand, and the vision of Yaxley in the doorway vanished with a squeeze.

A heavy May wind assaulted them upon landing. Hermione's hair whipped into her eyes and when she pushed it back, the tall gates of Malfoy Manor pressed down upon her. A chill danced along her flesh, and she felt the pierce of thousands of eyes on her.

Mippy waved the gates open and gestured to come in. The dark hedges beckoned her, ready to swallow her whole. She turned to Pansy – staring at the Manor like she couldn't believe her eyes – then to the hills in the distance. How far would she get if she ran?

"Miss?" Mippy called over the wind.

Hermione stepped through the gates and her arm tingled. She looked down, and saw the tattoo sparkle before returning to normal. She assumed there was a barrier at the gates. She was locked in now.

The gates began to close. Hermione spun to see Pansy, arms wrapped around herself, watching the iron block her out.

Hermione turned to Mippy, pointing to Pansy outside of the gates.

"Miss Pansy stays," Mippy said helpfully. "We go now, Miss."

Mippy tottered up the drive, expecting Hermione to follow. Hermione stood frozen, watching the distance between her and the tiny house elf grow.

They wouldn't let Pansy in? Was she outcast? Banished? Hermione sprinted for the gates, meeting Pansy as she did the same. They pulled and tugged at the iron just as it finished closing. After, Pansy stared at her, then at the sky, as if waiting for lightning.

A whipping pop followed by another. Both girls turned to see two figures in cloaks ten feet away. Pansy scrambled back, grabbing for the iron.

"No!" one of the figures yelled.

Blaise Zabini pulled off his hood; Daphne Greengrass appeared next to him. "Don't cross the threshold," he instructed.

Pansy sobbed, throwing herself into their waiting embrace. Hermione blinked, watching as Pansy was reunited with her friends. She wondered where Ron had ended up.

"We have to be quick," Daphne said. Hermione could barely hear them over the wind. None of them spared her a second glance.

Blaise grabbed Pansy's arm, the one with the tattoo, stretching it out away from her body. Daphne uncorked a bottle and laced her fingers through Pansy's, pulling her hand tight. Blaise pulled from his pocket a scrap of leather, and pushed it into Pansy's mouth. She fought, confused, until Blaise had it between her teeth.

"This is going to hurt," he said to her. Pansy's eyes grew wide.

Daphne started pouring the contents of the bottle over Pansy's arm. Acid. Bubbling and boiling and sizzling at her skin. Pansy's screams stretched out over the wind, echoing down to the hills in the distance. Hermione hung on the bars, watching with wide eyes as Blaise pulled his wand and hissed a dark spell.

Black ink bled out of her arm and onto the grass. It thinned, turning to red. Turning to blood. And he stopped.

Pansy whimpered, tears running down her face. Daphne pressed a cloth to the blistered skin of her arm and pulled off her own cloak, tossing it over Pansy's shoulders. She linked their arms and readied them for Disapparating.

Hermione banged on the bars, rattling them.

Blaise turned around, seeing her like a ghost. She extended her tattooed arm as far as it would go, asking Blaise with her eyes.

He looked at her, then at the Manor. "This is the safest place for you, Granger."

Her lips parted, forming a plea she couldn't hear. Blaise gave her one last look and then took Daphne's other arm.

And they were gone. All she heard was the wind.

Hermione turned, leaning back on the iron bars.

A long stone path, cutting through hedges and leading to a grand manor, devastatingly beautiful in the moonlight despite its sordid history. A small elf stood framed in the doorway.

Was this her home? Her prison?

She looked at her arm again.

D.M. Not L.M. Draco himself had purchased her.

What did he want with her? What had he given up to obtain her?

She couldn't imagine that Dolohov would have parted with her for anything less than an astronomical sum.

The Malfoys were rich; that much had been clear even without the evidence of it staring down at her.

But why spend so much on her?

She couldn't stand here all night. She assumed she would either be forced inside by elf magic, or worse. By one of the residents of Malfoy Manor.

She stepped forward, and began her long walk.

Scabior had been eager the last time she'd made this walk. He'd dragged her behind him like a disobedient dog. She hadn't been able to think, hadn't been able to breathe.

She followed her feet, the doors growing larger in front of her. The tiny elf in the pink pillowcase blinked down at her as she climbed the stone steps, then turned and moved into the house.

Hermione paused at the top and looked back at the gates. Was she going to be punished for Pansy's disappearance? No, she assured herself. It had been by design. The elf said Pansy had to stay, and Hermione was to come inside.

But perhaps she would be punished in other ways. Without Pansy's charms, and legs, and sultry eyes to distract, Hermione was vulnerable. The only choice. She yanked the flimsy gold dress higher up her neckline.

She wondered what it meant that Pansy's tattoo had been removed. Was she free?

"Miss Hermione?"

She looked back down at the elf — Mippy, and stepped inside.

Several large fireplaces to her left. She remembered wondering how quickly she could find the Floo powder two months ago as Harry yelped under Greyback's grip. And just across the entrance hall, there was a closed door that she knew led to a drawing room.

"Miss?"

Hermione turned to see Mippy on the first stair of a massive marble staircase. Grand paintings of the Renaissance stretched to the ceiling, dappling the grey walls with golds and reds and blues.

She'd woken up in her first cell, been dragged by the hair to her second, and strong-armed into her third. And now she was being asked to climb the stairs and walk to her final one.

Mippy's bright eyes blinked at her. Hermione followed the elf up the stairs. They climbed to the third floor, and Hermione's head started to pound again, breathing more difficult after the week in captivity.

Her skin twitched as they passed statues and suits of armor, feeling like eyes were on her. The paintings glared and raised their brows. She swallowed and kept her eyes on the elf until she passed through a stream of moonlight.

Hermione stopped, finding a large window to her right. A pond near the hedges. And white peacocks sleeping on the bank. She'd read about Malfoy Manor before in a book on the Sacred Twenty-Eight. The white peacocks were a favorite of Draco's grandfather, their care passed down the line. The view would be lovely in the daylight. Spring flowers on the bank of the pond, a gazebo to the right.

"Miss?"

She shook her head clear and continued behind Mippy.

The hall was darker now. And she realized if they were on the third floor, she wasn't being taken to her cell yet.

She was being delivered straight to the bedroom.

Her pace slowed, and the elf stopped and came back to her. "Miss is okay?"

Hermione looked down at the sweet little thing. She wondered if Lucius hurt this one too. She probably knew Dobby at one point. And she wondered if Mippy had any idea what was about to happen to "Miss."

Hermione grabbed the side of a credenza, steadying herself. She swallowed the bile as it crawled its way up her throat.

Would it be Draco or Lucius? And which was better? Draco wouldn't be as cruel as his father for certain. He didn't have it in him. But to be treated as his property, as his slave, when she had a history of feelings for him...

She dug her fingernails into her palm, banishing the thought. Why had he bought her in the first place if not to own her as his slave. His whore.

The concussion wasn't healing. She felt small waxy hands on her wrist, and startled at the soft contact.

"Is Miss well?"

She laughed silently, pressing her eyes closed. No, Mippy. Miss is not well.

Her eyes drifted open, landing on a portrait of a Malfoy ancestor, possibly two hundred years ago. Lucius Malfoy's eyes stared down at her, the corner of his lips lifting in a snarl.

And suddenly she remembered how important Lucius's approval was to Draco. How much he idolized his father.

Perhaps she was a gift.

She heaved, vomit splashing down on the stone. The sound loud in the hallway. The first sound she'd made in days.

Mippy had a towel at her mouth, a damp cloth at her forehead. And vanished the sick from the Manor floor. The elf conjured a water glass and begged Hermione to sip. She did, and then left it on the credenza.

She heard the portraits hissing, bickering amongst each other about the proper place for her, about her blood. She concentrated on their voices as Mippy trotted down the hall, beckoning her to follow.

A Mudblood, sullying our sheets.

Such a foul ending—

—said it before, and I'll say it again: that Black girl was the downfall of our entire line.

Lucius was always weak. His son would be, too.

—should be on the ground floor with the elves. Or outside with the garden gnomes.

She completed the journey, and stood in front of a carved wooden door. Mippy was saying something about quickly getting her into bed.

Hermione laughed. Yes, please. As quick as possible. Let's get this over with.

Mippy pushed open the door. And Hermione was met with a lush suite. Cream walls lined with gold. Deep carpets. A sitting area across from the door with a lit fireplace. Two deep wingback chairs in front of the fire. To the right, an arched opening in the wall led to the largest bed she'd ever seen. Cream canopy curtains with flecks of gold hung down from the posts, and more pillows than she could count littered the headboard.

She stepped into the suite, and found bookshelves lining the wall to her right. She didn't let her eyes linger on the texts. They weren't for her.

None of it was for her.

She wondered whose room this was? Perhaps it was just a spare bedroom so she wouldn't defile the sheets in the master suite.

Mippy was speaking to her, but she couldn't hear. The sound of wind rushing between her ears. The elf closed the door. And then Hermione was alone.

The bed looked decadent. And she was so tired. But she refused to sleep in it, to get comfortable in the bed she'd be attacked in.

She moved into the bedroom, running her fingers over the curtains and bedposts. Turning to the bookshelves, she found fiction and non-fiction. Muggle and Wizard. Classics and Modern. Testing a theory, she reached out, placing one finger on the spine of Huckleberry Finn.

Nothing. So she was allowed to touch the books. She ran her fingers over every spine, waiting for something to happen. Nothing.

Her shoulder ached. She held her arm in front of her chest, supporting the weight, and continued through the bedroom suite. On the far side of the bed there was a door. To the bathroom probably. She inched her way toward it, keeping her eyes on the bedroom door.

She pushed open the wood door and gasped, pain squeezing through her shoulder.

Marble and brass everywhere. A clawfoot bathtub in the middle of the room. Lush towels and delicate lighting. She turned and jumped at the sight of her own reflection. She eyed herself critically, pale and thin, still in the gold shift dress Yaxley had put her in.

Her diet of fruit and bread had not been kind to her.

She turned away, leaving the luscious bathroom. The bed called to her again, but she still resisted. Moving back to sitting room, she examined the far wall of windows, light curtains draped over every frame. She pulled one back and found that she had the same view as the window they'd passed. The gazebo and the pond.

The bookshelf puzzled her. She traced the spines until she plucked a book from the shelves, checking the antique clock on the middle shelf. Nearing midnight.

She took A Tale of Two Cities to the chairs near the fireplace, choosing the one facing the door, and she sat, flipping pages, eyes scanning between the words and the door handle.

Madame Defarge was knitting by the time a knock rapped on her door.

Hermione froze. She watched the door handle, waiting for it to turn.

Another knock. This time louder.

She shut her book and stood, moving behind her chair, squeezing the wingback.

The door open swiftly, and Narcissa Malfoy stepped through. Her eyes landed on Hermione, and she stopped.

Hermione's heart beat in her fingertips. She was wandless. And in this woman's home. Her throat choked on the dry air leaving her lungs, and she took a slow breath, ready for whatever this woman wanted to do to her.

Narcissa Malfoy's lips turned up in a gentle smile. "Hello, Miss Granger."

Hermione waited. And Narcissa stared at her, eyes taking in her short dress, her thin skin.

"Please excuse me for barging in." Narcissa gestured to the door. "You did not answer when I knocked and I was concerned that..." She trailed off. "Well, Mippy told me you were ill on your way in."

Hermione took measured breaths, waiting.

Narcissa tilted her head, seeing the book in the chair.

"Dickens is one of my favorites too."

Hermione blinked at her, her stomach twisting in knots. Perhaps she'd be punished for touching the books.

"I apologize I wasn't here to greet you. I had no idea you were on your way until a few hours ago. And I had some business to take care of." Narcissa folded her hands in front of her, examining her. And then her eyes were on the room, taking in the bookshelves like she'd never seen them before.

She looked back to Hermione. "Are you alright, Miss Granger? Are you harmed?"

Hermione took a sharp breath, feeling the air sting her lungs. Her eyes watered with tears she promised herself she wouldn't cry in front of this woman just because she was being kind. She still might take it all back.

Narcissa Malfoy waited. Patient and calm. Hermione swallowed and brought her hand to her throat, tapping a finger against her larynx. She shook her head and turned her eyes down on the carpet.

A moment passed, and then—"Finite Incantatem."

Hermione startled and looked up. Narcissa was replacing her wand into her robes, pressing her lips tight in a way that was so familiar. In a way that Draco did whenever he found fault.

Narcissa took a deep breath and said, "Let's start again? Hello, Miss Granger. I am Mrs. Malfoy. You may call me Narcissa."

Hermione swallowed painfully, lubricating her unused throat. "Hello," she croaked.

Narcissa stepped forward, coming to the other wingback chair. "Are you injured, Miss Granger?"

"I have..." Her voice pulled thin, like strings about to snap. "I have a dislocated shoulder that they reset. And I have a concussion."

Narcissa stared at her for a moment, and then: "Mippy!"

Hermione jumped. The girl elf popped through.

"Missus!"

"Miss Granger has an injured shoulder and a concussion. Please tend to it."

"Oh!" Mippy turned to face her. "Hermione Miss! Tell Mippy you is sick! Tell Mippy and she will fix it!"

Hermione nodded, not bothering telling the elf about her voice.

"And Mippy, have Plumb fix some tea, if you please."

Mippy popped away, returning three seconds later with potions and a drawstring pouch. She directed Hermione to sit in the chair she was gripping with her nails. Narcissa floated into the second chair. An older elf popped in and delivered tea service while Mippy handed Hermione a potion for the concussion, and started spreading a healing paste on her shoulder. As she scurried to place a Dreamless Sleep potion on the bedside table, Hermione glanced at Narcissa, who was sipping her tea patiently. Watching her.

"Would you like some tea, Miss Granger?"

Hermione stared darkly at the teapot, imagining all sorts of dark potions inside. Perhaps Narcissa had already ingested the antidote.

Hermione shook her head. "No, thank you, Mrs. Malfoy." Her voice scratched along her tongue, begging for something warm to soothe itself.

Narcissa seemed to follow her thoughts. Her lips turned down. "I suppose you won't accept any biscuits either?" She sent her a smirk. "Even if I assure you that I have far more interesting methods of dealing with an enemy?"

Hermione flushed and looked down at her lap. Her dress was all the way to the tops of her thighs, and she pressed her legs together, pulling at the fabric.

Narcissa stood. "Night clothes, yes?" She moved to the wardrobe inside the bedroom area, and muttered to herself, "If I'm not mistaken..." She opened the wardrobe. Hermione watched her face and detected a resigned sadness. Narcissa reached into the closet, then paused and glanced at Hermione. She reached a different direction and pulled out a matching pajama set. Satin, it seemed. She laid the satin trousers and long-sleeved button-up pajamas across the bed.

"Get some rest, Miss Granger," Narcissa said. "If you do find yourself hungry, or in need of any more medications, please call for Mippy."

The little elf nodded her head vigorously next to the tea service, ears flopping dangerously close to the sugar bowl.

She would not sleep in that bed. Not until she knew what was expected of her. With her concussion gone, all thoughts were supposed to be rational now.

Mippy cleared the tea as Narcissa moved to the doorway.

"Mrs. Malfoy," said Hermione, her heart thundering. "When am I to expect a visitor?"

Blunt. To the point. Perhaps Narcissa would appreciate that, despite the fact that Hermione may be asking about her own husband.

Narcissa's blue eyes hardened into ice, much closer to her son's hue. She folded her hands delicately in front of her waist.

"Let me be quite clear, Miss Granger." Hermione felt a chill dance down her spine, bracing herself for some kind of harsh fact, something about her place in this world now. "You are now under the protection of Narcissa Malfoy. No one will lay a finger on you in this house."

And with a stern lift of her brow, Narcissa Malfoy swept from the room, taking her doting house elf with her.

Hermione remained frozen for a minute before collapsing in her chair, mind racing. Absorbing.

It could be lies, of course. Something to make her trust the Malfoy matriarch. Something to settle her into security before the attack.

But there were biscuits on the end table. Pajamas that seemed to be hers. A miniature library at her disposal. And a bed. A bed that she was not meant to share.

Hermione stood. Looking around the room again. It was palatial, really. A guest suite meant for someone to be more than comfortable. Meant for someone to find no reason to leave, she realized.

Books, a private bath, a sitting area, and an attentive elf.

It was the nicest cell she could have hoped for.

She peeled the gold dress off, letting it pool on the floor. Slipping into the nightclothes was like cutting through butter, the satin warming to her skin with some kind of charm. She plucked the gold dress off the ground and paced to the fireplace, tossing the fabric inside and watching it burn away.

She approached the bed and paused. Fourteen pillows. That's what it looked like. Creams and golds. She peeled back the sheets, expecting to find a horse's head or some Muggle nonsense. Just a fluffy, welcoming mattress.

She stretched up on her tiptoes, folding herself into the bed, and still nothing happened. The mattress and pillows accepted her weight, like they had been waiting for her for some time.

She looked to the door, almost two room's lengths from the bed. She had a perfect view of it here, against the pillows. She lifted the Dreamless Sleep potion Mippy had left her, uncorked it and sniffed. It smelled like the real thing.

Under the protection of Narcissa Malfoy.

The same Narcissa Malfoy who had snuck into the castle to find her son as the Dark Lord boasted his victory from the courtyard. The same woman who'd talked of escaping, even as her side's army killed the generals from Hermione's.

This is the safest place for you, Granger.

Perhaps Zabini was right. Perhaps all wasn't lost. Only time would tell.

Hermione drank the potion. She set the vial down on the bedside table and lay on her side, eyes catching on a jewelry box lined in brass. Her eyes began to fall shut as she reached out, opening the lid, finding its blue velvet interior empty.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 7

Chapter Notes

An early update for you all! But unfortunately I will be skipping next week's update. Chapter 8 will come on 7/28.

LOVE to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden for tearing this apart for me.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

She woke slowly, her body trying to drag her mind back into sleep for a few minutes. She couldn't remember the last time she'd slept in a real bed. The cots in the tent weren't as comfortable as this, and Harry snored so loud she was afraid he'd rupture the Protection Spells—

Her eyes snapped open, staring at an unfamiliar wall in an unfamiliar bed. She hadn't moved in the night, and she still lay on her side, facing the empty potion bottle. She bolted upright, searching the room. She was alone. Daylight streaming in through the large windows and cream curtains.

She slipped out of bed, peeking around corners to make sure there was no one hiding. Slithering into the bathroom, she used the toilet, splashed water on her face. The large clawfoot tub in the center of the marble floor called her to slip into the suds and drift away.

She shook her head, blinking away the elegance of the suite and refocusing. Weapons. Exits.

The drawers in the vanity held lush towels and hair potions. She found a tail comb with a sharp end for styling and pocketed it.

Still, no one intruding upon her space when she exited the bathroom. She checked the clock on the bookshelf. Barely 7AM.

The wardrobe called to her as she remembered Narcissa's expression upon opening it. Some kind of displeased acceptance. Hermione pulled the doors open, finding hangers upon hangers of clothing — an extension charm widening and deepening the space. To the left, a second pair of pajamas like the ones she had on, only in flannel. A few long nightdresses, followed by shorter ones. None too flashy. Then robes upon robes upon robes of varying colors, lengths, and fabrics. At the end, jumpers and other informal wear. She pulled the drawers at the base of the wardrobe and found jeans.

Hermione frowned. What kind of guests did the Malfoys usually have in this room? Surely no one who needed denims. She opened the top drawer on the right. Cotton knickers in pale shades. A few bras in the same. A few sports bras.

Whoever it was who usually stayed here was prepared for everything. The bottom drawer held shoes for all weather; trainers and boots.

She let her fingers drift across the fabric of the robes as she pushed the drawers back in, and she jumped when a thought crossed her mind.

Was this Pansy's room?

She glanced at the bed with its creams and golds. She looked to the bookcase with its Muggle books. She took in the fabrics in front of her, and cataloged the knickers.

None of this screamed Pansy Parkinson. Pansy wore red lipstick to the breakfast table, and never needed to reapply throughout the day. Pansy would never be caught dead in pale colors, especially her knickers. And Pansy once asked Daphne Greengrass in third year if Muggles knew how to read. Hermione knew she wasn't joking. No, this wasn't Pansy's space.

She shut the drawers, memorizing the placement of the belts, and moved to the windows, finally pushing aside the soft material and peering out into the grounds. Like she'd guessed, the pond sparkled from this view. The gazebo attracted the early morning fog like bubbles in a glass, and just beyond the gates that encompassed the Manor, she could see the sun dappling the ground. Just to her left, a balcony attached to her sitting room.

Hermione blinked. There must be a door. How far was the drop? How much length would the curtains and bedsheets give her?

The door handle rattled, and Hermione spun as Lucius Malfoy entered her suite, eyes landing on her at the window. She clutched the curtains in her fingers, one hand sliding slowly to the comb in her pocket.

Lucius's eyes were abruptly pulled from her as he looked around the room, gaze landing on the bookshelves, the sitting area. He paused on the bed, sheets twisted from her sleep. His grey eyes snapped to her again.

His lips pulled up into an echo of a smirk. "Welcome to Malfoy Manor, Miss Granger."

She felt her heartbeat pressing into the gauzy curtains, her fingers curled. He stood between herself and the door. And if there was a way onto this balcony, how quickly could she sprint out and hurtle over the edge. Grass or stones below?

He tilted his head, examining her, waiting for a response that didn't come. His eyes flicked over her satin pajamas, over the rumpled bedding.

"I see you've made yourself quite at home."

He moved into the room, strolling between the wingback chairs, examining the carpets, moving to the drapes.

Where Narcissa was cautious and warm, Lucius was decisive and cold, inscrutable. He slithered into the sleeping space, eyes turning over the bed curtains and landing on the wardrobe, still open from her investigations. He pulled the doors open wide and just like his wife, an impossible expression spread across his lips. She'd never seen someone frown a smile.

"All the correct size, I presume," he muttered.

Hermione guessed that Lucius Malfoy was not the kind of man who muttered things aloud by accident.

He shut the wardrobe with a click. And turned to her, standing between her and the bed. The comb teeth clicked between her fingertips.

"Sixty-five thousand Galleons," he said, drawing the number out like a question. But she knew it wasn't. "My, my, Miss Granger. What a handsome prize you make."

He wanted her to interact with him. She swallowed her terror, and decided to play his game. "Were you in attendance last night, Mr. Malfoy?"

He pulled a deep breath through his nostrils, the hint of a sneer on his lips. "I have no interest in slave-trading. I have enough house elves." He clasped his hands behind his back and looked out the window at the view she had been enjoying.

She remembered strong arms, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her, taking her somewhere. If Lucius hadn't been there, it had been Draco. Where would he have taken her?

And why did he want her in the first place? And how had he obtained her?

She looked up from the thoughtful gaze she had been sending the carpets to find Lucius Malfoy still before her, watching her. His eyes swept over her body, and she shivered, glad to be rid of the gold dress and in sexless nightclothes.

"How do you like your accommodations, Miss Granger?" His eyes pierced her, his words digging into her skin.

She wondered if he wanted her to misbehave. If he wanted her to spit at him and tell him she'd prefer a cell. To act like a Mudblood beast. She looked into his grey eyes, the same grey eyes that had sneered at her for seven years.

She may be under Narcissa Malfoy's protection, but she was also under Lucius Malfoy's roof.

"It's lovely, Mr. Malfoy," she responded icily. "Thank you for having me for a visit." She lifted a brow at him.

He returned the expression, a slow curl to his lips. "Any time, Miss Granger. The weather is lovely in the autumn," he said, voice lilting, teasing. A pause, and then his features hardened. "I do hope you'll still be here then."

A chill crossed her skin, but she was careful not to blink. She burned to ask him questions. Why am I here? Why did Dolohov give me up? What am I expected to do? But she knew she wouldn't get the answers she wanted. Just more games.

He stepped toward her, now only several paces away, and extended his hand. "Might I have whatever's in your pocket?"

She swallowed, and he saw it. He smiled.

She withdrew the comb and placed it into his waiting hand. He grinned, and then broke the sharp tail off. He handed her back the benign piece, looked to her hair, and said, "You'll need this."

She scowled at him. Such strong resemblance to his son and the easy way his insults would flow. Her fingers curled around the comb, teeth cutting into her palm.

"My son paid a heavy price to obtain you, Miss Granger." His eyes traveled down her jaw, down her neck. She shivered. "Do try to show your... gratitude." He whispered the word across the air like a kiss against her skin. He smirked at her, and swept to the door.

Her eyes burned into his back, and she thought of Parvati and the Baxter girl. Penelope Clearwater curled in a corner refusing to eat. The slice to her abdomen. The last glimpse of Ginny as she was dragged away.

She couldn't stop the words. Like bile creeping up. "My gratitude?"

He paused with one hand on the door. "Of course, Miss Granger." A raised brow. "You have been saved."

He exited, shutting the door behind him.

~*~

Relying on Narcissa Malfoy's supposed protection wasn't going to get her anywhere. It wasn't protection she needed—it was a way out.

After she was sure Lucius wouldn't be returning, she pulled Hogwarts, A History off the shelves, and sat in the chair facing the door, reading absently while keeping an eye on the entrance.

At 8AM on the dot, a knock sounded from the door. Before Hermione could release her tense shoulders or contemplate what horrors could await her, a treble voice said, "Remmy is here for breakfast!"

Hermione blinked. She stood, placing the book delicately on the chair. "Come in?" It sounded more like a question than she liked.

The door pushed open, and an older female elf tottered in, a tray hovering behind her. The elf — Remmy — frowned. "Mistress says Remmy must knock."

Hermione stared at her, wondering how she was to reply. Remmy scowled and sent the tray barreling toward the end table near her wingback chair. She spun and wobbled out the door. Before she could close it, Hermione said, "Thank you, Remmy."

Remmy turned, eyes squinted, and nodded once before shutting the door behind her.

Beans and toast. Eggs, juice, bacon, grilled tomatoes. Pastries and tarts. And tea service.

Hermione's stomach twisted and rumbled. She hadn't eaten since yesterday — an apple slice Luna had handed her in the morning. Narcissa had claimed she wouldn't poison her last night, but Hermione knew of at least seven potions that could be baked into the pastries or stirred in with the tea that could alter her perceptions, relax her mind or muscles, or leave blank spots in her memories — all of which were tasteless and odorless.

She wandered into the bathroom suite to hide from the delicious scent of the food and stared at the tub. It had several magical taps for bubbles and scents. The tub was deep and wide, and much more luxurious than Hermione had seen in the last year. Her last decent bath had been last summer, before Bill and Fleur's wedding.

But she thought of the way Lucius Malfoy had swept into the suite, like her privacy meant nothing to him.

She quickly turned to the large shower, draped a towel over the side, and stripped. The water hit the perfect temperature, and she spent thirty seconds inside, scrubbing and washing only the essential areas, skipping her hair. She turned off the water, grabbed the towel, and wrapped herself tightly. She stood, dripping on the bathmat, waiting for something to happen.

She poked her head into the bedroom, seeing she had no visitors. She dried off, twisted the towel around her again, and waddled to the wardrobe. She assumed the owner of the robes and jumpers and denims wouldn't mind her borrowing a few things until...

Until... she didn't know what. Until her new clothing was provided? Perhaps a uniform, so she could join the elves in the kitchens? That's if Narcissa's protection against "visitors" was to be believed.

She plucked a pair of light-colored jeans from the drawer, and dragged her fingers across the jumpers until she found a fabric that sung "comfort" to her. White, soft, and fuzzy. She considered for a moment, and then snatched up a pair of cotton knickers from the drawer on the right.

Tucking herself behind the wardrobe door, she dropped the towel, shimmied into the knickers, dragged the fuzzy jumper over her head, and scrambled into the jeans. She was pleased when the zip and button closed perfectly around her hips.

She twisted to look into a mirror on the opposite wall, finding a scrappy young woman with dirty hair in somebody else's jeans and jumper. It would do.

She bent to put away her towel, but it disappeared, like they used to at Hogwarts. Elf magic.

Hermione made her bed, washed the empty potion vial from the night before, folded and rehung her nightclothes, and reshelved the books she had taken down. Studying the balcony doors again, she tried the handle tentatively. It turned. The doors swept open, out to the world, and she put one foot out, testing.

She stepped through with no issues. And when the light greeted her skin, she realized she had not seen the sun since the day before the Final Battle. Closing her eyes and breathing in the outdoors, she enjoyed the daylight.

Several house elves watered the hedges that lined the lawn. She thought of Dobby and how his life would have been here. Leaning her arms on the balcony, she wondered if any of the other elves wanted to be free. Maybe she could use that.

To her left, another rounded balcony. Separated, but close. She tilted over the railing, looking at what would break her fall should she try to tie her bedsheets together. Some unforgiving-looking bushes and decorative stones. If it was necessary, she could make the drop.

She stood in the doorway, facing the suite, enjoying the sun on the back of her neck. Ignoring the plate of food again, she stared at the walls. And she realized there wasn't a single portrait in the guest room. A few landscapes and artistic swirls, but no immortalized tattletale to watch her every move.

Privacy.

She wondered how long that would last.

Two swift knocks on the door. She waited, hands braced on the doorframe. No elf voice announcing itself.

Hermione shut the doors to the balcony, and moved quickly to the door, heart pounding, pulling it open.

Narcissa Malfoy in flowing blue robes, like water in a lake, and a smile on her lips.

"Good morning, Miss Granger."

She stared at her. "Hello."

Narcissa swept her gaze down her body, eyeing her denims and bare feet. Hermione blushed.

"I was wondering if you would fancy a walk. Perhaps a tour of the Manor?"

Hermione blinked. In her twelve hours in this room, she had not once considered that she would be permitted out of it. The suite had everything she needed. A gilded cage.

"A tour? I... er, yes," she stammered under Narcissa's shrewd gaze. A tour could be useful. Perhaps she could scour the grounds for vulnerabilities. "Shall I change into something more suitable?"

A flicker of something flashed in Narcissa's eyes, and the corner of her lips twitched. "No, dear. Please be comfortable." Hermione blinked again. It felt like she'd done something right, when in fact, she'd done nothing at all. Whatever game Narcissa was playing, Hermione was ten paces behind. She'd have to change that.

She ran to look for socks and shoes, before Narcissa could change her mind. The trainers in the closet were just her size, which was lucky. Months on the run had taught her how to pull on and lace trainers in under five seconds, and she thanked Merlin for it today while Narcissa Malfoy waited in the doorway like she was a guest in her own home.

Narcissa smiled when she reappeared, but before they could depart, her eyes caught on the tray of food. She pressed her lips together, and after a pause, said, "Are you finished with your tray, Miss Granger?"

Hermione swallowed and nodded. "I don't have much of an appetite." Her stomach growled on cue.

Narcissa tilted her head at the tray. "Would you mind if we took some of those jam tarts with us? They're my favorite."

Hermione shook her head and went to retrieve several tarts from the bowl, wrapping a napkin around them. Narcissa took them from her, saying something about the recipe, but Hermione was staring at the sugary morsels, trying to keep her knees from giving out. She was so hungry.

Hermione watched as Narcissa chewed, wondering if this was some kind of trick. Some way to get her trust. Narcissa pointed out one of her favorite paintings, and then suddenly the tarts were extended to Hermione.

"Take one, dear." Hermione reached for a strawberry tart, fingers shaking. She had no intention of eating it – just being polite. But then Narcissa said, "Excellent choice. Not a drop of poison in that one."

Her eyes snapped up to find Narcissa smirking at her before popping a raspberry tart between her lips. And maybe it was the satisfied hum from her lips around the crunching, or perhaps the clever way she had tricked Hermione into taking food from her, or maybe it was because she was just so hungry. But Hermione bit into the corner of the tart, knowing that she shouldn't. But also knowing that she wouldn't survive long if she couldn't trust the food.

The sugar danced across her tongue as they passed the large window overlooking the pond in silence, and even though Hermione had a similar view from the guest room, she still couldn't take her eyes off the sight.

"Lucius's mother cultivated the gardens." Hermione turned to see Narcissa following her gaze. They paused in front of the window, and Narcissa pointed. "The gazebo was built for her wedding day. She took extra care to keep the surrounding plots as beautiful as possible – tending to the pond, caring for the peacocks. She was very set on having all future Malfoy weddings on the grounds in the gazebo, carrying on the tradition."

Hermione swallowed, choosing her words carefully. "I'm sure your wedding was beautiful, Mrs. Malfoy."

Narcissa stared out the window. "It was," she hummed. "It was at the Chateau de Chambord." Her lips quirked and her eyebrow lifted. "My family has traditions, as well."

A shocked breath pushed from her lungs as the words sunk in. The older woman sent a satisfied smirk towards the gazebo, and gestured for Hermione to continue on with her. As they descended the stairs, Hermione meditated on whether Lucius Malfoy had met his match. Perhaps Lucius didn't hold as much power as he liked to believe.

Narcissa led her out the front doors into the May morning. They turned right at the bottom of the steps, winding around the perimeter of the Manor while Narcissa showed her the flowers she'd brought over from Norway, the tree that had survived the battle on the Manor in 1643, the seam in the exterior wall where the expansion had begun.

They stumbled across an old hunched elf weeding the bluebells on the north side of the Manor, and Narcissa stopped. "Hix, dear. This is Miss Granger. She will be staying with us." Hix nodded a greeting. "Anything we can do to make her stay more comfortable, we will endeavor to do it."

Hermione's brows drew together, lips pursed. Perhaps Narcissa meant to lull her into complacency as she joked about wedding plans, crooned about shrubbery, and offered her tea in comfortable chairs. But there was an echo of "indefinite" in her words, and a shiver of "custody" in her tone. Reminding her of exactly where she was. Who she was.

They moved away from Hix and the bluebells and Hermione scowled at her feet. She need to focus. She needed to find a way for Narcissa to show her the perimeter. They arrived at the bank of the lake in a tight silence. And just as she opened her mouth to question Narcissa, she spoke.

"Europe is a catastrophe at the moment."

She looked up at the blonde woman, startled. Narcissa glanced around for eavesdroppers before continuing.

"I cannot free you, Miss Granger." Hermione's breath caught. "Even if I thought it would be safe for you on the run, I could not. If you were to... 'escape,' Draco would be punished for it."

Narcissa Malfoy pressed her lips together, looking out past the hedges, and Hermione felt a cold wind inside of her, settling around her ribs.

"So," Narcissa sighed, standing tall. "We will keep you under our care, and we will keep you comfortable. I am sorry for all that you've lost, but I cannot offer you more than the assurance that Malfoy Manor is the safest place for you."

It wasn't the first time she'd heard those words, and she understood them no better the second time.

Even if she were to believe that, why was she the one to be safe? Why was she special?

She took a deep breath, heart hammering in her ears. "How is that?"

Narcissa looked at her, blue eyes piercing. "Because I've had those animals in my house, snarling and pissing and prowling. I know what they do, I know how they think." She sniffed, and Hermione was reminded of the Narcissa Malfoy she'd met before, nose in the air, above everyone else. "You're in no such danger here, I assure you. The Malfoy men may not be saints, but they worship their women fervently."

Hermione fought the urge to scoff. His woman? Was that what she was now?

Perhaps Narcissa misunderstood this situation. Perhaps Narcissa thought there was more to this than… whatever there was to this. But she seemed to genuinely believe that Hermione was not in danger here, that she was not purchased with the intention of defiling and debasing her.

Lucius on the other hand… Her earlier conversation with him gave her no answers either, and left her feeling more like a bought whore than she had the entire week prior.

Hermione stopped in front of a rose bush blooming the most perfect white roses. She bit her lip, debating whether to tell Narcissa the truth: that she had no idea why Draco had bought her. But Narcissa spoke before she could pluck up the courage. "You are welcome to come out here any time you like. You needn't have a chaperone in this house."

Hermione swiveled her head to her. "That's... That's very kind, Mrs. Malfoy. Is there anywhere I should steer clear of?"

"Besides the common decency of staying out of other's private quarters – of which I am positive you possess – nowhere is barred to you. We have no mad ex-wives in our attics."

Hermione tripped on a pebble, or something else imaginary. "You know Brontë?"

"I do." Narcissa smiled. "The Manor's library is too large to only house wizarding books."

Narcissa walked on. Hermione's heart lifted for the first time since someone else's name had been tattooed on her arm.

"That's right," she said, like it was detail she'd forgotten. "The Manor has a library."

~*~

Hermione wasn't sure she had smiled once in the past year. Not a smile from her heart. Not a grin that began inside of her, like a star bursting apart.

The library at Malfoy Manor was the size of a small bookshop. Perhaps a large bookshop, as Hermione couldn't see to the back wall. Tall as a grand ballroom with stacks reaching high to the ceiling, Hermione couldn't breathe for the love she felt for one room. How long had it been since she'd set foot in a library?

"Oh dear. It seems I've lost you."

She turned from running her fingers across a shelf to see Narcissa smiling at her. "I'm sorry. I do like books very much."

"Yes, I've heard." Narcissa tilted her head. Hermione was surprised that this detail stuck out to her after what she assumed were years of moaning and complaining from her son. Before she could consider further, Narcissa continued, "Can I bring you anything while you browse? Tea?"

A crack and Mippy was there at her hip.

"Mippy brings Miss tea and biscuits. What does Miss want for tea?" Mippy twirled her ear around her waxy finger, in a way Dobby used to.

Hermione smiled in spite of herself. "Milk and honey please."

"Does Miss want three honey spoons?" Mippy's eyes blinked, lashes bouncing.

"Yes, that's perfect. Thank you, Mippy." Hermione turned back to the shelf.

"Mippy knows how to make that. That is how Master Draco takes tea too!"

Hermione's fingers slipped on the book she was replacing.

Fuck.

"Is it? How strange."

She felt Narcissa's eyes on the back of her neck. And she wished a book would just open and swallow her.

"Mippy," Narcissa's voice chimed, "bring biscuits and more jam tarts for Miss Granger." And then in a theatrical whisper: "Not the poisoned ones."

Hermione blushed as the little elf shrieked and babbled, "Poisoned? Missus? Poisoned?"

"Shall I leave you to browse?" Narcissa asked.

Leave her? In freedom?

"I would like that very much. If you'll allow it."

"Miss Granger, I've already told you," she said kindly. "You are free to move through the Manor."

Hermione nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Please, dear, you may call me Narcissa."

Hermione watched Narcissa Malfoy sweep to the library doors, face tingling with surprise.

"Er, you may call me Hermione. If you like."

Narcissa smiled, a gentle quirk of her lips. The doors shut behind her with a click.

She stood in the center of the lower section and spun in slow circles for several minutes, waiting for something to jump out at her. Waiting for the books to rebel at her presence and begin a nightmare crawl towards her to eat the Mudblood alive.

She took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of books, of resourcefulness, usefulness.

Narcissa made it sound like she could return here again, but still Hermione wanted to zoom through the stacks, and bleed the Malfoy library dry of information.

There was a catalogue in the corner of the room where one could ask for a subject or a title and the books would organize themselves, either by guiding you with fairy lights or bringing the books directly to you. Hogwarts had a similar system but Pince disabled it years ago when she realized students were using it to smack each other in the head with a well-timed request for a zooming book.

She steered clear of the catalogue, not wanting any traces left of what she was researching.

Before she could tumble into the stacks towards the Dark Arts, she found a shelf that contained only seven books, organized together in the center. Red spines glinted at her, and she reached forward, pulling the first to her.

Undesirable No. 1

by Lance Gainsworth

She gasped. She turned the other books to her and found the rest of her favorite modern magical book series. The red spines were from the collector's edition. She ran her fingers down the first, and pulled the cover open. There, on the first page, was a personal note.

Draco Malfoy,

Thank you very much for your letter. It means so much to me to hear from you. Please accept the first five, with a promise to deliver the last two upon completion.

Keep fighting,

Lance Gainsworth

She carefully closed the book, and replaced it on the shelf before her shaking fingers dropped it.

Draco Malfoy was a fan of her favorite book series. A very large fan, if he'd written mail to the author. This didn't shock her too greatly; she'd found his name in more than a few of the fiction books she'd check out of the library. But this was...

She was now itching to read them again. But she couldn't take the red copies. They were too precious. She could break the spines and smudge the lacquered covers...

She stepped back, turning to the upper landing. She couldn't even see the back wall of the library, but there was a large sunny window to the right, warming the entire room. Hermione climbed the six stairs and turned around a stack to find rows and rows of books. She gasped, loud in the quiet hum.

It must have been hours that she browsed. Mippy popped back with a tray of tea, sandwiches, and biscuits. She conjured a table and placed the tray down in the middle of the stacks.

"Mistress tells Mippy to tell Miss Hermione to take as much books as Miss wants."

Mippy left. She had only pulled down two books, so she set them on the little table next to the biscuits. Hermione had been trying to limit her selections, afraid of imposing, and despite what Mippy said, she assumed "as much books as Miss wants" was not the proper thing to do. She would probably ask for a bed to be installed in this corner if she was really to take as many as she wanted.

She plucked a strawberry tart, nibbling on the end carefully, wondering what Madam Pince would think of serving tarts and biscuits and tea around the books.

Madam Pince was probably dead. And Hermione was living in a small fantasy.

The scone suddenly tasted like ash. She placed it down on a saucer.

What was she doing? Sifting through priceless first editions and turning the pages of long lost copies when her friends and Order members were dead or dying. Hermione looked down at her teacup. Maybe there was something in the tea after all. Some kind of complacency drug.

Hermione turned to the shelves, her source of comfort and truth, and dove in, pulling down dark tomes that she'd never seen in her life – each one humming against her fingers, trying to get her filthy hands off of them.

She found chapters on Horcruxes in record time. The first book she grabbed was cited as a source in much of her Horcrux research. She wished she could cross reference with the book finder, but she didn't want a trail of Horcrux research leading back to her. She didn't know exactly where the Malfoys stood. How much did they know about Voldemort's plans – his power?

And how could she find out if Nagini was still alive?

Hermione had just turned to explore the back wall when she heard the doors to the library open. Narcissa must be back. She wondered what time it was.

She reshelved the three dark books she'd pulled down, memorizing their locations, and went to her teacup, flipping back through her wizarding fiction books and peering between the bookshelves to the library doors.

A pair of shoulders and a trim waist under a black jumper, black trousers and boots, and short blond locks that did not belong to Narcissa Malfoy. She slapped her hand over her mouth, watching as Draco hummed something to the book finder.

She hadn't seen him this close since the Room of Requirement. Since the hallways after Harry died. His hair fell over his eyes as he waited for the book finder to glow. A book on a shelf three feet from her slowly pulled into the aisle, hovering, waiting to be plucked. Hermione watched between the stacks as Draco turned towards the upper-landing, long legs carrying him quickly in her direction.

She clutched her books to her chest, waiting, breathing. It was like a car crash. A flying accident waiting to happen. She should say something. Announce her presence. Maybe drop something—

He turned the corner, swiveling toward her, and she saw the exact moment he registered her presence. Like an electric shock, seizing all of his muscles. Her tongue was dry as his mouth opened in a silent gasp. He braced himself on the bookcase nearest him.

And then very quickly it all went away. His mouth closed, his shoulders dropped, and his eyes shut off. He stared at her.

She felt her chest begging for air, the covers of the books pressing into her fingers.

"Your mother brought me here," her voice breathed, barely audible.

He took in her white jumper and denims, then back to her eyes.

"Have you finished with all of your other books?" he asked, voice hollow and low. He lifted a taunting brow.

She didn't know what he meant for a moment. She brought no possessions with her. Clearly he remembered this.

"The books in your room," he clarified, sending her a look that she recalled from Hogwarts whenever he needed to explain something to Crabbe or Goyle.

"N-no." That was all she said, watching him scowl at her. He shifted, like he was ready to run. He moved swiftly to the center aisle, grabbed his book from the air, and pivoted away to the landing stairs. Before he disappeared, she burst out, "What am I expected to do?"

He turned around to face her. His fingers twitched. "Do?"

"Yes," she said tightly, feeling a familiar headache behind her eye that only Draco Malfoy could bring on. "Should I... join the elves in the kitchen? Work the grounds? Or maybe assist your mother with... whatever it is she does?"

She listed all the things she hoped for. The things that she could stomach doing for the rest of her life. He continued to stare at her, and she wondered if she was supposed to suggest other tasks she could be doing.

"You want homework, Granger?"

Her cheeks heated and she narrowed her eyes at him. "No," she snapped.

"You want to pick up after the peacocks? Make my meals?"

She huffed. "No. I want to throw the covers over my head and pretend I'm not living this nightmare, but—"

"Great," he said. "Do that." And without another glance at her, he swiveled and left.

She watched him take the stairs in two long strides, cutting sharply for the door, and yanking it open before vanishing.

Of all the idiotic—! Hermione huffed. Picking up after the peacocks? Really?

She took a deep breath, coming back to herself, coming back to her situation. It wouldn't do to rile herself up over such a small annoyance. Given her circumstances, her first interaction with her new master could have been much different. She should count herself lucky.

But what was the point of buying her if he had no opinion on how she spent her days? Would no one tell her why she was here? Each Malfoy had a different agenda it seemed, and her mind groaned under the pressure of these riddles.

About half an hour of agitated wandering later, Narcissa came to check on her, teased her lightly for only having three books, and offered to show Hermione the way back upstairs.

She really should have paid attention to memorize the path. She was allowed to visit the library again on her own, but her stomach twisted at the idea of running into Draco again.

Narcissa told her she would have the elves send up dinner in a few hours. There was a question Narcissa asked, but she didn't concentrate on it, instead, letting her mind drift over something Draco said.

Narcissa closed the door, and Hermione looked to the bookshelves.

Your books.

She ran her fingers over the spines.

Your room.

She looked at the bedroom suite. At the deeply comfortable bed. At the bookshelves. At the closet full of clothes exactly in her size.

Hermione felt foolish now for thinking this room would be taken from her at some point. For thinking someone else's clothes just happened to fit her nicely. There was so much she still didn't know, but at least she'd solved one problem. She moved to the bathroom and stared at the tub.

Her tub.

She had at least two hours before Narcissa said dinner would arrive.

Hermione took off the jeans, folding them nicely over the counter, pulled off the jumper, and brought a towel over to the edge of the tub. She started the taps. She turned on the bubbles.

And she washed it all away in her bathtub, in her suite in Malfoy Manor.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 8

Chapter Notes

Thanks for your patience as I took a week off!

LOVE to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

FYI, I have a little something dropping this week that’s in-universe, and has some hints of what’s to come in the Auction. Keep your eyes peeled Wednesday.

CONTENT WARNING: references to suicide and mild violence.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Breakfast appeared the next morning along with Narcissa Malfoy. She escorted Hermione out to the balcony while Remmy set up the breakfast tray and the tea service. She eyed the grounds, looking for weaknesses as Narcissa talked.

After a lull, Hermione thought she'd take a chance.

"I... I'm not sure you can answer this request," Hermione started, "but I was wondering about my friends."

Narcissa turned to her. "Yes?"

"Where are they?" She hesitated before asking, "What state are they in?"

Hermione sat still as stone as Narcissa Malfoy lifted a brow, opened her mouth, and stopped herself. "Hmm. Yes, I see..." she muttered.

"I only ask because I was unconscious for the Auction," Hermione said. "Up until my... bid." She looked down at the wide lawn.

"Yes, of course." Narcissa's eyes slid over her. "Naturally, you would be curious. I will do my best to get that information."

Hermione smiled in thanks, and when her eyes returned to her cranberry scone and tea, she felt nauseous with guilt.

What was Ginny having for breakfast today? When was the last time Luna had a cup of tea?

Where was Ron?

She spent the rest of her Sunday afternoon reading, looking out the window, in the bathtub. Just after Remmy arrived with her dinner tray, a knock rapped on her door.

"Come in," she said, standing for Narcissa like her mother taught her to.

Draco Malfoy opened the door.

Her heart stuttered against her ribs as his eyes skated across her face and shoulders.

So much taller than she remembered him. His skin was still pale and thin like sixth year, like he'd still not gotten a decent night's sleep. He wore black. Not his Death Eater uniform, but another black jumper. Black trousers and large boots. It was so similar to the outfit he wore in the library, as if this was his off-duty uniform.

His eyes roved over her room, landing on things she'd disturbed. The pile of books at the base of her bookshelves, waiting to be reshelved. The shoes she'd worn yesterday on her walk with Narcissa, now sitting next to her armoire. The rumpled way she'd left her bedsheets, even after trying to make the bed.

Hermione stood, hand on the back of her wingback chair, dinner half-eaten on the end table. His eyes finally landed on her again. She watched the quickest of flickers down to her Muggle denims and socks, fast as a blink.

"Mother says you have questions."

No. No, no, no, Narcissa. This was not what she wanted.

She swallowed, and the first question poured from her without thought. "Where is Pansy?"

He looked about as surprised as she felt. She wished she had a plan. Some way to ask the right questions.

He looked at the fire, slowly dwindling. "I gave Parkinson to Blaise Zabini. As a token of thanks and loyalty. She is in Italy now, under his watch."

His inflections and dead eyes meant to suggest that Blaise was the one receiving a gift for his loyalty. But maybe he didn't know Hermione had witnessed Pansy's rescue.

She nodded. One off the list.

"Ginny Weasley went to Avery?"

His eyes returned to hers, and he nodded.

"And Ron?"

He stared at her, unblinking. "Macnair purchased him. And shortly after, the Dark Lord requested him."

She took a slow breath. "And is he alive?"

"For now."

He watched it land on her, shivering her skin. She clenched her jaw and nodded. She wanted to ask more, to feel out how many of them had fallen in the courtyard. To maybe ask about Nagini in some way.

He began, "If that's all—"

"What about Arthur and Molly Weasley?"

He blinked at her. "Dead."

She suspected this. It didn't bring her peace, but at least she could nod, accept it, and deal with it later.

"Neville?"

He rolled his eyes in that very put-upon way he used for effect when he was younger. "Do you want me to make you a list, Granger?"

"Yes," she answered immediately, disregarding his sarcasm. "If you please."

He glared at her for a heartbeat, and then conjured a scroll and quill. She watched him perform a very complex spell to send his thoughts directly onto the page – the spell that had inspired the Quick-Quotes Quill. It required a trained mind whose thoughts could be directed and reduced to only one thing, instead of the extraneous thoughts one's brain floats to them. She'd only seen Snape use it before.

She studied him while his eyes concentrated on the page—exhausted, with dark circles and dry skin. The angles of his jaw and chin cut through his cheeks and neck, sharpening him like a blade. The lips she'd memorized were dry and cracked, but pulled into the contemplative pout she'd seen in class. He still held his shoulders back, arrogance and good posture slithering through all the cracks in his facade.

Her mind warred with itself, one half pitying him and looking for a way to comfort him, and the other wondering if his fatigue would give her an advantage.

The quill disappeared. He grabbed the scroll from the air and held it out to her. And it all came back to her. He was handing her a list of her friends' fates.

Neville went to the Carrows. Cho Chang and Seamus Finnigan to Mulciber. Oliver Wood to the Notts. Ron and Angelina Johnson to Macnair.

Her eyes skipped over the page, feeling there was something missing.

She looked up at him. "Luna Lovegood isn't on this list."

He stood frozen, no expression crossing his face.

"Lovegood is dead."

Hermione felt her heartbeat in her fingertips. A pair of pale blue eyes behind her lids every time she blinked. Blood-soaked teeth smiling at her, telling her to make the sacrifice.

She swallowed. "How?" Her voice cracked.

Draco looked over her shoulder, out the window behind her at the sunset. "She jumped from the roof of Macnair's estate. They found her body yesterday morning."

Her mind tumbled and swirled.

Macnair. She went to Macnair.

Luna was dead.

She should have let her die in the Ministry.

Remember? He said it would be better this way.

She looked back to Draco. His eyes were distant, staring out her window to the pond.

"She jumped because you told her to," Hermione hissed.

He turned back to her, his gaze cold. He didn't deny it.

"You told her that if there was an Auction, she should kill herself," she snarled. "Kill herself instead of fight."

His lips pressed together. "You seem to forget that Lovegood was a Ravenclaw, not a reckless Gryffindor." His eyes withered her. "She couldn't be talked into anything that didn't make absolute sense to her."

"Absolute sense?" Hermione repeated, feeling tears of grief threatening to spring. "So should I take myself to the tallest tower in Malfoy Manor as well? Maybe twist my sheets into a noose? Or I could always refuse to eat. Refuse food and water until I wither away—"

He stepped toward her. "I dare you to try." He sneered at her. "If you're really so miserable in your private suite, in your Muggle denims and jumpers, with your meals delivered three times a day—"

"Oh, thank you, Malfoy. For rescuing me—"

"Then be my fucking guest, Granger." He stepped into her again, and she felt the back of the tall chair pressing into her spine. "I have it on good authority that Macnair didn't brutalize Lovegood before she jumped. Better take your chances now before your circumstances change—"

Her hand was up, poised to strike before she stopped herself. Hitting him would be the most ill-advised action she could possibly take in her situation. His eyes glittered, scanning from her hand to her face, sizzling into her eyes and dropping down over her lips before sliding back.

"Are you stupid enough to do it, Granger?" His eyes flashed at her, something warm and daring.

Her fingers curled slowly, and she dropped her arm. She glared at his smug face, his eyes dripping over her and his lips pulling a slow grin.

She tore her gaze from his lips and said, "And will my circumstances change?"

She watched his eyes freeze over, like a glaze in a kiln, something opaque. A smirk that didn't reach his expressionless eyes.

"Play your cards right, Granger…"

And then his fingers drifted mockingly across her ribs.

She jerked and slithered away from him. "Get out."

A low chuckle as she turned to face the windows, dismissing him, smoothing out the wrinkled scroll held tight in her left hand.

"The Dark Lord requests an audience with you this evening."

A chill trickled down her spine, like ice water dumped over her head.

"Tell him I decline. But thanks." She spoke to the windows so he wouldn't see the way her eye twitched.

She heard a short breath of a laugh, and then, "I'll expect you downstairs in half an hour."

He didn't make a sound as he crossed the carpets, and it wasn't until the door clicked that she even knew he left.

Half an hour. That's all she had.

She memorized the scroll of her friends' names as the sun set on the Manor.

How does one prepare for an audience with the Dark Lord?

Her question was answered twenty-five minutes after Draco left when Mippy knocked on her door.

"Master Draco says you is to wear this."

Mippy held a scrap of black silk over her outstretched arms. It looked like a négligée. Lace across the bottom and top, short and low with thin straps.

When Hermione pulled the silk from the elf's fingers, Mippy twirled her ear and waited by the door.

"Thank you, Mippy." She didn't recognize the sound of her own voice.

The elf stayed in the doorway, shifting from foot to foot. "Mippy is to stay until Miss is changed. Then we is to go downstairs."

And just when Hermione thought she could get away with being obstinate.

Hermione marched into the bathroom, shucked her jeans, ripped her jumper off, and slid the silk over herself. It was as short as her gold shift dress, if not shorter. So, she was his whore. The mirror reflected the scowl and narrowed eyes of a sex slave. Her eyes caught on a fluffy robe hanging from a hook, and she considered flouncing downstairs completely covered. Or perhaps not going at all. Make him come back and drag her.

"Miss!" The elf was knocking, her voice plaintive.

Hermione frowned. Would Mippy be punished? Simply because she tried to delay the inevitable.

She took one last glance in the mirror to make sure she was covered, and then followed Mippy out of the room, fuming, down the stairs and into the Malfoy entryway.

Draco waited at the fireplaces for her. His eyes took in her attire as she descended—a quick glance at her bare legs, and then back to her face.

Perhaps he did want her. Perhaps something about her had attracted him.

He pulled at his sleeves, concentrating on the cuffs, and said, "You'll need to remove your bra."

Clinical. Like a doctor would.

She felt the blush rise in her cheeks. Her teeth parted to bite back, but she saw he was in his Death Eater robes. And just as he had changed into his uniform—his costume—it seemed she must as well.

She reached behind herself and struggled to unclasp and remove the bra under the silk. He concentrated on the stones below his feet as she handed it to Mippy.

The elf disappeared, and then it was just them again. But instead of feeling exposed, she felt ignored.

He moved to the front doors, not waiting for her to follow. She trudged behind him like a petulant child, down the steps, into the brisk air, and down the stone path as the cold pricked her skin, pulling her breasts into peaks. She glared at the back of him, covered in thick robes while she was forced into a scrap of silk. Holding onto that irritation, holding onto the cold so she wouldn't think about what was going to happen next.

He stood at the gates while she caught up, and then said, "Your left arm."

She held it out to him, and he wrapped his fingers around his signature. They walked through the gates, and she felt a burst of heat through her arm. And then it was over.

They walked to the top of a hill, his hand still on her arm, and then he Apparated them.

The gates of Hogsmeade popped into view first. A chilling cold crawled through her throat, clawing across her ribs and seizing her muscles.

Dementors.

She looked up, and found thousands.

She could just make out the moon past them, but they occluded the light, casting the grounds in darkness.

Draco held her elbow, gripping painfully as one Dementor swept down, dropping like a weight over her.

"Stay still," Draco demanded.

The Dementor swallowed the air around her, sucking at her essence. It turned to Draco, reaching a bony hand out for him.

He stared up into its hood, immovable.

With one last tug at her soul, the Dementor wafted away, joining its companions. Draco guided her forward, and she guessed the Dementors had cleared them.

A dozen of them hovered as they walked through the gates and turned onto the Hogwarts grounds.

The Forbidden Forest had grown outwards, creeping towards the castle as if the magic holding it back had died when they lost. The grass was dry and some places were still burning. It wasn't until they passed the fires that Hermione recognized the smell.

Burning bodies.

The corpses were unrecognizable, and she thanked Merlin for that. She shook the image loose from her head, the smell sticking to her like smoke.

Death Eaters in pairs of two walked broad circles around the forest edge, some of them nodding to Draco. He kept his eyes straight forward, hand wrapped around her arm.

As they walked the grounds, closer and closer to the castle, she felt her pulse spinning, pushing back any happy memories she had of the different landmarks.

A pair of two hooded robes stood at the entry steps. She turned her eyes down.

The sound of lips puckering. Kissing noises, and it took a moment to realize they were directed at her.

"Nice legs, Mudblood."

She didn't look up. So, that's all she was now. A pair of legs.

The doors to the Entrance Hall peeled open, and Draco pulled her inside behind him.

They marched into the Great Hall, and she was thankful that it looked nothing like it did in her happiest memories.

It seemed like Voldemort had torn apart every piece of the castle that would interest him, and redeposited it here.

The remains of the basilisk swept in a broad circle around the walls, serving as seating for the Death Eaters in attendance. Nagini hissed at her ankles as they passed, and Hermione tried not to let her mind linger on how to kill her.

Lord Voldemort himself sat in a throne of bones, carefully collected and magicked into structure. He twirled the Elder Wand between his fingers, red eyes glittering at her and Draco's approach like rubies.

Draco walked her to a spot on the floor dark with dried blood and dropped to his knee, dragging her down with him. He bowed his head, but Hermione defiantly stared the Dark Lord in the eye, the darkness drawing her in. She could feel the stain of it on the stones, and she pushed back, refusing to bow to him.

"Hermione Granger." The sound of her name sliding over his tongue shivered her skin. "Welcome to my castle." He chuckled.

She breathed deep, the rotting air thick in her throat. When she gave no greeting, he continued.

"You fetched quite a price at the sale. The... Auction. Yes, that was it. But I see now you are no great beauty."

Hermione nearly sneered. Of all the things she thought Lord Voldemort would have to say to her, insulting her looks never made the list.

"And still my followers jockeyed for you." He titled his pale hairless head at her. "How grand it must be to have befriended Harry Potter."

A deep rumbling chuckle chorused through the room. The Death Eaters chortled.

"Stand," he commanded, and then Draco was dragging her to her feet. "Young Malfoy."

"My Lord."

"You gave up quite a lot to obtain her."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Why?"

"We were adversaries at school," Draco said, eyes still downcast. "She never quite learned her place. And also"—he lifted his eyes to Lord Voldemort, a small smirk pulling at his lips—"I'm always drawn toward the most valuable possessions."

The Dark Lord grinned. "And is she everything you paid for and more? I heard she was untouched. I assume you've taken her."

"Not yet, my Lord."

The Death Eaters shifted, whispering. She felt a dozen eyes turn on her.

Lord Voldemort's brow lifted. "And why is that?"

She looked to Draco. Why was that?

He glanced at her, his eyes slid over her neck, down to her breasts.

"Anticipation is the sweetest torture, is it not?"

Hermione swallowed. Voldemort laughed. A high cackling of glee.

"Your father was too soft, Young Malfoy. But you're learning."

Hermione felt her blood screaming. He was playing with her. Maybe they all were. A beautiful suite with a bed and bath of her very own. Tea with Narcissa. Access to the library of her dreams. Even Lucius was civil.

It would all come to an end soon.

"Tell me, Mudblood Granger," Voldemort's crooning voice interrupted her spiral. "What do you know of George Weasley?"

She blinked. She couldn't hold back her surprise before Voldemort saw it.

"What?"

Draco's head snapped to her. "You will address him as My Lord," he hissed, eyes burning into her.

"George Weasley. His safe houses. His distant family." Voldemort leaned forward in his throne. "What does he care about?"

Hermione stared into the glittering eyes searching her. And then she understood.

George had escaped.

And for some reason, Voldemort was threatened by that.

A fire burned in her gut, something that she'd thought had been extinguished the moment she spotted a small body in Hagrid's arms.

"George Weasley was one half of the cleverest, trickiest pair I'd ever encountered," she said. "Even if I had an idea of where he'd go, I'd be wrong." A slow smile spread up her lips. "I'm quite pleased to inform you that if George Weasley escaped, you'll never see him again."

Red eyes narrowed at her. She anticipated the Cruciatus Curse.

Something slammed into her face, stinging her cheek and snapping her neck to the side. She stumbled, gaining balance and pressing her hand to her face. Her eyes rocked in their sockets.

She looked back, searching for the weapon, preparing for another strike. Her eyes refocused as Draco lowered his hand, a ring on his thumb glinting at her. Her lip wet with blood.

He'd backhanded her. He'd hit her, and she was bleeding.

"Watch your mouth. You are addressing your Lord."

His voice shivered her, and she looked away from his icy eyes.

Voldemort chuckled, a sound like stinging knives. "I'll just take a look for myself, Mudblood."

He stood and slithered toward her. She stood frozen as he circled her, coming around to her front again and leaning into her face. She looked into his red eyes, pulled to them almost inexorably.

And then there were daggers in her brain, sinking into her eyes and twisting deep. She couldn't breathe as memories floated through her head, yanked forward and pushed back.

She saw George with a sharp stinging pain. His head bleeding where his ear had been, smiling up at his twin.

Like a rubber band snapped inside of her, and then George was thirteen, smacking Bludgers with his brother on the Quidditch field.

A ricochet to the Burrow, and Molly Weasley stood before her, washing dishes.

"My Aunt Muriel—"

And like a whip cracking across her mind, she jerked to see Ludo Bagman speaking to the twins at the Quidditch World Cup. Hermione sat with Harry, staring around at the other tents and parties.

A moment of stillness as Voldemort's consciousness slithered through the moment, twisting around Ludo Bagman and examining him. In pause, Hermione turned her mind to Harry, watching his easy smile from years ago—

Wrenched through waves of memories and images, and then Hermione was in the Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts, running down to the stands as Harry held George Weasley back from launching at someone.

She saw Draco, sneering and laughing on the field. And then he was tackled to the ground as George and Harry dove for him. A tangle of limbs, and Hermione ran down the stairs, cringing at the sound of knuckles against jaws and eyes.

She felt a dark joy swimming next to her as Voldemort watched Draco, Harry, and George scuffle. As Madam Hooch separated them, Hermione remembered checking Harry and George for injuries first, and then her eyes sliding to Draco, curled in on himself, fighting for air.

And even knowing that Draco had purposefully provoked the fight had not squashed Hermione's interest in his well-being. She watched as Harry and George were carted off the field, and lingered to see if someone was checking on the bloodied body on the grass.

He looked so small. Still trying to crow at Harry's back as they left. And when the back of his hand swiped his brow, wiping blood from his eye, Hermione had gasped before looking away and running after the Gryffindors.

Before looking away—

—running after the Gryffindors—

But she stayed. Frozen. Like someone had paused the film.

She stared down at the Quidditch pitch, hands squeezing the railing, and looked down on a pink-faced blond cradling his arm.

She should be turning and leaving.

A cold breeze settled across her, like a snake's tongue slipping in through one ear and out the other. And it almost felt as if Voldemort stood next to her at the railing.

If she could turn her head, maybe she would see him there. Watching her… watching Draco Malfoy.

Like a hook around her waist, and then she was on the Quidditch pitch again, staring at a twelve-year-old Draco, sneering at her—

"Filthy little Mudblood."

And later that night as she cried in her dormitory—

In the library, glaring at him as he read her favorite book. He smiled at all the best parts—

And then a waltz played across her ears, and she spun in a circle to find him in front of her. The memory slowed, and Voldemort watched her curtsey in her periwinkle dress, watched her hand raise to Draco's. And like his face was resting just over her shoulder, the Dark Lord turned with them as they danced at the Yule Ball.

Voldemort could hear her heartbeat, feel the shiver across her skin, and watched as Draco scowled down at her—

And with an abruptness that echoed of breathing air after drowning, she was alone in her mind. And Voldemort was before her in the Great Hall, the bones of her comrades scattered around them. He tilted his head, slanting eyes examining her like she'd presented an unexpected problem.

Her head felt the absence of his like a brain freeze, something so chilling filling the plates of her skull.

He released his magical hold on her, and her body crumpled to the ground, legs bending in odd directions. It hurt to keep her eyes open, but she stared up at him as a slow idea formed in his eyes, a realization.

He knew that she fancied Draco Malfoy.

His hand shot out and Hermione could only catch her breath as Draco gasped and zoomed forward like a puppet on a string. His jaw stretched into Voldemort's hand. His legs lengthened to stand on the stones.

Voldemort turned his red eyes on Draco's, and suddenly it was very quiet while Voldemort searched Draco's memories and thoughts for her.

A drop of sweat rolled down Draco's jaw, as Voldemort performed a thorough examination.

She didn't know how long she had been examined, but this felt longer.

Draco grunted, breath shallow.

And then Voldemort released him, dropping him to the floor next to her. Draco caught himself on his knees and stared up at the Dark Lord.

Voldemort smiled. Pleased.

He turned his gaze back on her prone body. And he cackled. She flinched as the sound of it bounced around the Great Hall.

She fancied her captor and soon-to-be-rapist. A familiar boiling in her gut rose up and choked her—the same feeling she used to have in fourth year whenever she'd have to tear her eyes off of him. It was disgusting really. To want him.

And a thought drifted through her: if she had any doubts about how Draco saw her, how he felt about her, at least Voldemort had given her reason to squash those doubts. He didn't feel anything for her. If he had, Voldemort surely would have found it.

She tore her eyes from the red ones, and he laughed again.

"Take your time with this one, Malfoy," Voldemort said. "You can torture her for years without lifting a wand to her."

A shaking voice to her left whispered, "Yes, my Lord."

Voldemort chuckled. Not even with Harry dead at his feet did she hear him this gleeful.

Draco yanked her up by her elbow, bowing to the Dark Lord, and dragging her along behind him.

They passed the guards at the doors, still sucking their teeth at her. They moved through the lawn of Dementors, and Hermione felt no change inside her chest. They cleared the gates, and a sharp tug Disapparated them back to the hills of Malfoy Manor.

She kept her eyes on the ground as if Voldemort was still there, bearing down on her. And maybe he was — inside her mind. Crawling and feeding on her. Perhaps he'd never leave.

The gates opened for them, and before Hermione could sludge through them, Draco's hand on her elbow pulled her back.

His grey eyes searched hers, frantic movements across her face. "What did he find?"

She looked away from him and shook her head, her eyes stinging. "It doesn't matter. He was pleased. That's all that matters." She turned to move away before he pulled her back — his grip firm, but nonviolent.

"Whatever it is, he thinks I'm complicit," Draco said, voice barely loud enough over the wind. "Tell me."

The wind wove through them, casting his cloak in twisting patterns and dancing along her bare skin.

Maybe she could tell him. It was nothing really. I had a crush on you at Hogwarts. It would be simple, and there would be no weight to it any longer. She could shrug and laugh.

Anticipation is the sweetest torture.

But this wasn't Hogwarts. This was a hellfire of distrust and danger, laced with her impending rape and sprinkled with moments of hollow kindness. She couldn't tell him the truth.

She couldn't tell him anything.

"Don't worry, Malfoy. Voldemort didn't find anything in your head to incriminate you. Feel free to proceed with your plans to break me." She looked at the hedges to her right, blinking as the fury in her chest gave way to despair.

A warm hand on her cheek. She snapped her head back to him to find him staring down at her lips. Hermione's eyes widened, lips parting.

A whispered spell. His wand at the corner of her mouth, sewing the skin back together from where his ring had split her lip.

She calmed her thundering heart, waiting for his hand to drop from her jaw. Instead he said, "Were you relieved when you learned you were coming here? Is that what it was? Do you think of me as the lesser of two evils?"

She searched his eyes, wondering which memories and thoughts Voldemort shuffled through if Draco was this intent on finding out.

"No, not really," she answered truthfully, remembering the long walk down these hedges just a few nights ago. "I thought I might be a gift for your father."

His hand twitched against her face, like he'd been electrified. It dropped, hanging down by his side.

"Then what was it? Tell me what he found." He swallowed as the wind slashed across them.

There was something Draco Malfoy wanted that she could refuse to give. The small shift in power buzzed through her.

She slipped away from him, moving toward the Manor, and tossed over her shoulder, "Anticipation is the sweetest torture, isn't it?"

Marching away down the stone path, shivering in her négligée, she almost smiled.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 9

Chapter Notes

I have been completely awful at responding to comments, but just know that I appreciate every single one of them. Thank you for taking the time to comment and tell me how you feel.

Much love to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden for beating the Austen out of this chapter for me. There's still a bit in there, I think. :)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

So, George was on the run.

It must have been during the Auction itself. He was onstage with Ludo when the girls began to fight. At least they'd won something during that moment.

She sat in her wingback chair, watching the sun rise through her windows. It was her third morning in Malfoy Manor, though she hadn't slept the night before, content to stare at the walls while her brain mended itself.

Several times she thought she should call for an elf to grab her a potion, but the headache kept her focused. She wouldn't be complacent in whatever they'd planned for her.

Her cheek throbbed, a bluish bruise blossoming over her the corner of her mouth where she'd bled. She could have sworn she'd felt the outline of a gemstone against her cheek last night, but it was nowhere to be found this morning. Perhaps he'd only struck her face to save his own. Surely one of them needed to be punished for her smart mouth. She pressed her lips together, hardening to the memory of his healing hands at the gates last night.

If he thought Hermione Granger was going to go quietly, she had a surprise for him.

The sunlight popped over a tree, the first rays intruding upon her space, lighting up her walls. She stood, wrapping her robe tightly around herself and moved to the window, watching the grounds light up.

There were no gates on this side of the estate, just large hedges and ponds. And with the daylight, she could finally make out the gardens in the distance.

I'll get out, she told herself. There was always a weakness somewhere. A pressure point she could exploit.

Pulling open the balcony doors, intent to peer around the sides of the Manor and below, she moved to step out, but something stopped her.

She looked down at her feet, planted close to the doorway. She couldn't lift them. She stepped backwards just fine. A barrier spell of sorts.

She'd been able to sit on the balcony yesterday, having tea with Narcissa in the morning. What had changed?

A chill from the morning breeze wound its way around her skin.

Luna.

She stared at the horizon as the sun's half-circle rose over the trees.

So should I take myself to the tallest tower in Malfoy Manor as well?

She'd goaded him. And while they were gone last night, he had wards set.

Curiously, she reached her hand out. The wards stopped her before her fingers could cross the doorway. Her cheeks heated. How dare he. He was carving away her options, narrowing the walls of her pretty little cage.

Hermione spun, thoughts crashing around her mind like waves in a storm. She ran for the curtains hanging from the canopy and tugged them into knots, but a noose wouldn't hold. The fireplace burned low, and she stomped over to test another theory.

Like warm water as she plunged her hand into the flames.

She threw open the wardrobe, and found that all of her belts and sashes had been removed.

I dare you to try, he'd said. Reminding her that her life wasn't hers to take anymore.

Brushing away her tears, she stared at the sunrise, and then shoved her feet into boots, tossed open the bedroom door, and then took off in her robe.

She marched down the hall, wondering if anyone slept in these rooms. If she happened upon Draco she would give him a piece of her mind, that was certain. She clambered down the marble stairs and out into the chilly morning air, breathing in the freedom.

The other side of the Manor was the unexplored land. Staying close to the walls, she walked the edges, taking in the morning fog. Rounding the corner, the gazebo rose from the mists, sunlight bouncing off its elegant roof, casting patterned shadows on the grass before it. The waters shuffled on the lake, trembling as the fowl landed and bobbed.

A warming charm would be helpful about now. Hermione frowned, hoping that she'd acclimate to being non-magical soon. Then she'd remember to put on a jumper the next time she went for an angry morning stroll.

The lawns spread out for acres, and she considered how far the property went. Perhaps they had even more than this, but the Manor's grounds stopped at a certain point. She looked down at her arm, wondering at what point the estate would bar her exit. The two letters inked into her skin caught the morning light, a hint of gold shown through, just over the top of the white lettering Bellatrix had given her.

She peered back at the windows, checking the third floor for her room and finding the door to the balcony thrown wide. She counted. She was the second balcony in on the right, facing northeast according to the rising sun. Handy details, if she could ever find someone who could use them.

A short walk through the countryside. That's what it could have been, in another life. She faced the sunrise, now dappling the trees along the edges of the lawn, and began to wander.

Cutting across the grass like a lone sailboat on a lake, she headed northeast. Find the chinks in the armor. There was a faint hum of the grounds waking, birds stretching their voices wide, the hedges bowing to the sky.

It was startling to be surrounded by beauty again. Scenery had been the last thing on her mind when choosing the locations she'd dragged Harry and Ron for the last year. And yet, these grounds were clearly made to be seen. Admired. It almost felt mocking, given her circumstances. She imagined this field was quite useful for garden parties and large receptions.

Did the Malfoys even have family friends anymore? Or were they just all Death Eaters. Who did Narcissa Malfoy entertain?

She reached the edge of the rounded hedges, facing a pathway cutting down a dark lane lined with trees with delicate branches, leaning over to touch each other. A sparrow sang to her children.

It was idyllic. Too idyllic. Distractingly so. Perhaps the weakness was somewhere down this lane. It extended forever, disappearing into morning mist and the shadows of the trees.

She stepped through, feeling much like Alice in her looking glass, waiting for another world to morph before her eyes. Nothing. No tingle on her arm. She continued her walk, eager to find the end of the Malfoy property.

Something the birds sang echoed in her head, a kind of melody that sounded familiar. A few notes that strung together and reminded her of a song her mother used to sing in the mornings. She wondered if Monica Wilkins remembered that song. If some mornings she woke up humming it, trying to place a melody she'd long forgotten.

She'd never been so thankful for her foresight than her choice to Obliviate her mother and father. If she had to add her parents to her growing list of worries in this new world, it would be unbearable.

Hermione stretched her arms out wide, fingertips barely grazing the leaves on several unruly hedges on either side. Perhaps Hix was shirking his duties. Her robe opened in the wind, air rushing to meet her warm skin. She threw her head back and stared at the splatches of sky through the tree branches.

The lane ended. It opened wide into another field.

Hermione stopped, staring at the sloping hill, a childish impulse telling her to run and tumble down.

A different, darker impulse telling her to run as well.

She stepped forward.

"I would stop there, Miss Granger."

She spun. Lucius Malfoy – impeccably dressed for the hour in the morning – stood with his hands clasped behind his back, staring at her with grey eyes.

Had he Apparated to her? She hadn't heard him approach in the narrow lane. Was she past the Apparition line?

She remembered herself, quickly closing the robe and pulling it tight to cover her modest nightclothes. No sash to tie it closed.

"Why?" she asked. "What's beyond this?"

"Nothing much of anything, really." He stepped forward, and she was reminded of the way her aunt would try to corner one of her playful cats. "The grounds extend another few acres, but it's mostly fields."

"I like fields." She wondered if she'd pay for the insolence in her tone.

The corner of his mouth twitched, like his son's whenever he hid a smile in class. "Yes, don't we all," he hummed in a condescending growl. "But I'm afraid you've reached the line you cannot cross, Miss Granger."

She stared back at him, examining him. He leaned forward on his toes, ready to pounce. She wouldn't notice it if she didn't already know that Malfoys lean back on their heels, waiting for the world to come to them. His hands behind his back – perhaps his wand between his fingers. Following her.

Lucius Malfoy didn't want her crossing this line.

Her skin pricked. Perhaps the weakness was here.

"I assure you, there's nothing but plains of grass," he said, reading her distrust. "A few excellent spots for Quidditch"—he nodded over her shoulder—"if such a thing interests you." He frowned at her when she didn't move and sighed. "The Manor grounds stop here for the purposes of that ink on your arm. If you cross the line, you will be grievously harmed, Miss Granger."

She blinked at him. He was nervous—she was certain of it. And what else could be the cause but the thought of her escaping?

A breeze rustled the tree branches above them, and sunlight freckled his face, reflecting off his eyes.

The birds had stopped singing.

It was worth a try.

If she was wrong, she'd be with Luna again. Harry. Draco couldn't stop her this time.

With an agility she'd learned from a year on the run, Hermione spun on her heel and leapt out of the lane, into the field.

A spark of fire in her arm, burning, crackling, sizzling up her nerve endings. She crumpled to the soft grass as the fire spread into her entire body, frying her from the inside. An echo of a yell behind her as the pain surrounded her mind and plunged her into a spinning darkness.

~*~

Rocking. Swaying. Like her father used to do when she injured herself.

Wrapped in a blanket, pressed against his chest.

Her mind floated up, thoughts attaching to memories.

She'd been outside. She'd been beneath a canopy of branches.

She'd wanted to follow a rabbit down, down, until she found her haven.

Lucius Malfoy had stopped her.

Her eyes fluttered. And she remembered the pain. Her body quaked, and her father's arms pulled her closer.

No, not her father.

Someone held her to their chest, walking, swaying, rocking her back to sleep. Her skin hurt.

Footsteps echoing off marble.

She fell back into the blackness, like blinking.

~*~

"What happened?" A panicked voice burst into her mind, waking her.

She swayed, rocking, walking.

Still in her father's arms.

Her eyelids fought against the paste that closed them together.

"Father! What happened?!"

"Your Mudblood decided to take a walk, Draco." The voice rumbled from the furnace against her ear. A low vibration, lulling her back. "Perhaps you should explain to her—"

She drifted out to sea again.

~*~

A hedge maze, several stories high. A rabbit in front of her, hopping away, looking back at her with Harry's emerald green eyes.

He disappeared around the corner hedge, and when she followed, he was gone.

~*~

Her body ached. She felt every limb spark to life, but they only twitched when she tried to move them.

Her eyes snapped open, and she stared at the canopy of her bed, the cream curtains draped so elegantly.

It was like she'd been immobilized. Her muscles were weighed down, and even her eyelashes worked too hard.

She could see the low sunlight from her windows bouncing against the ceiling.

Turning her neck in a slow rotation, she found a figure standing against her windows, staring at the grounds. Draco. He held a cup and saucer in one hand – tea gone cold, she could guess, with the lack of rising steam. His other hand in his pocket. Dark trousers, but a cobalt blue jumper. Out of uniform.

She stared at his back as she tested her muscles, curling her toes and shifting her arms. He was almost as tall as Ron now. Always taller than Harry. His shoulders had broadened with maturity or with muscle-training, she didn't know, but even through his jumper she could see the shape of him. Draco's clothes were always perfectly fitted. Probably had the jumper handmade, just for him.

The thumb holding onto his saucer bore the Slytherin class ring that had cut her lip the night before. The emerald stone winked at her, teasing her.

Her eyes dropped down, taking in his legs and backside. Perfectly tailored there as well. He stood tall on both legs, never one to lean on a hip unless provided with a wall or a pillar to rest on purposefully.

She used to watch Pansy's hands drift to his hips, either in class with a quick pinch to his thigh, or in dark corridors past curfew where Hermione would either interrupt the couple and take house points or walk away briskly with the image of green-painted fingernails sliding down his back to squeeze at him.

Like summoning his eyes, he turned to look at her just as her gaze moved to more acceptable locations.

His eyes were soft and distant. And then a flicker. And then grey and absent. Like a reptilian blink.

He faced her fully, vanished the teacup and saucer, and slid his other hand into his pocket. "Can you move?"

"Barely." Her voice was ragged, like it had been grinded down. Perhaps she had screamed.

Behind him she could make out the sun setting. She'd lost the entire day.

He scowled at her, and before she could wonder why, he asked, "Were you trying to kill yourself?"

She blinked, laying useless on the pillows.

"No. But now that you mention it, I'd appreciate my belts and scarves back."

He narrowed his eyes at her and paced across the carpets once before coming back to the same spot in front of the windows, his lips tight.

"I should have given you a tour of the perimeter upon your arrival and cautioned you of the consequences," he said. "Tomorrow, when you can walk again, we'll do that."

She gave a sharp laugh, and her stomach muscles protested. "There's no need to walk me. I'm a slave, not a dog. I think I have the idea now." She hissed through her teeth as she shifted her legs, hating the way she lay prone before him like a ragdoll. "Why is this recovery worse than the Cruciatus Curse?"

"I believe the barrier was created with Cruciatus in mind. You may not have been subjected to Cruciatus in extreme lengths of time." His eyes drifted away from her, and she had the distinct impression that he had suffered these exact symptoms before. "Crossing the barrier should shock the tattooed person and give them a chance to withdraw themselves from the perimeter. Father said you jumped through the barrier, your entire body beyond it. You landed and rolled down the hill."

She swallowed. Yes, that seemed right. At least she'd learned something. Weaknesses in the wards were irrelevant as long as she had that tattoo on her arm. Lucius had been telling the truth.

"By the time he recovered you," he continued, "you'd been outside of the barrier for two minutes."

She frowned. "Certainly took him long enough."

His face turned back to her, lifting a brow. "Lucius doesn't have his wand at the moment. He's having it replaced."

She blinked at him. This knowledge was startling. The possibilities swirled in her mind, and she tried to find the advantage.

Draco read her face easily. "The Dark Lord requested his wand last year, for reasons of his own. He's been using a replacement, but during the Battle of Hogwarts, it finally gave up on him. Cracked."

"Oh," was all she could say. She stared at the curtains behind him as she realized Lucius Malfoy had followed her down a hill, lifted her into his arms, and carried her back to her bedroom.

She wondered if he'd run, or if he'd just let her body writhe and sizzle at the bottom of the hill.

Nothing this family did made any sense.

She caught Draco's eye. He'd been staring at her, she realized. She was weak, immobile, and in bed before him. He could do anything he wanted to her. Swallowing, she tested her arm muscles, trying to flex them. Barely responsive.

The movement caught his eye and he looked away. "Mippy," he called out.

The elf popped into the room. "Miss is awake!"

"She needs food and water," Draco stated, moving toward the door. Her head was too heavy to follow him. "And another muscle relaxing potion in an hour. Please tend to her."

The door closed, and she stared at the spot in front of the windows where he'd stood as Mippy bounced around her.

~*~

Narcissa helped her out of bed the next day and assisted her with stretching her tight muscles. Hermione pressed her lips together and let her, wondering if she knew what her son had planned for her. They made it down the stairs for a stroll along the Manor's ground floor.

She didn't see Draco or Lucius for the day. Narcissa apologized for not showing her the boundary, offering to take her on a walk, but Hermione declined. Her muscles still ached. And she didn't need a reminder that she was bound here.

Narcissa was the most observant person Hermione had ever met. By midafternoon, when she came to escort her downstairs for lunch, she had deduced that Hermione’s skin was as sensitive as her muscles, and therefore stopped looping their arms together. She cast Cushioning Charms on the wingback chairs before they sat to take their dinner. When Narcissa asked Mippy to draw a room temperature bath, Hermione almost smiled at her.

It was as if she had a particularly nasty sunburn over every inch of her skin, and any extra contact sent her shivering.

Once she had toweled off, she pulled on the soft silk nightdress that Narcissa had left for her on the bed. She fell asleep that night wrapped in silk, with a cooling charm on her sheets.

~*~

Her consciousness lifted from her dreams in slow waves, a weightless floating back to the surface. Every time she dipped back into dreaming, Harry was there.

Untwining her wishes and memories, Hermione felt a pricking across her skin, her body dragging her back into her bed at Malfoy Manor, where Harry was dead. Her arms shivered, and that familiar sensation of eyes on her washed over her.

A tug at her hair, a curl twisting softly away, tickling at her neck.

Her lashes fluttered, and she opened her eyes to her dark bedroom. She tilted her head to the door, certain for a moment that she hadn't been alone. That fingers had threaded through her hair, a gaze steadily watching over her.

Maybe Narcissa had come to check on her.

Or maybe…

She blinked away her silly thoughts, twisting her legs in the sheets, and turning over to her other side to snuggle in.

A shadow in the darkness. And fingers twisting her curls. And eyes like the devil looking down on her, resting behind her on the bed.

"Hello, darling," Bellatrix hummed.

Her heart stuttered in her chest, freezing her veins and tightening her muscles. Her legs thrashed, kicking to get away, but Bellatrix cackled and slithered over her. She sat on her hips, pinning her elbows to the bed, grinning down at her.

Hermione's throat caught around the word, "help," choking in her chest.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Bellatrix clucked. "That won't do. It's just us girls." Her nails cut into Hermione's arms until she whimpered. "Such a pretty little prize you make, Mudblood. And expensive, too."

One hand grabbed her jaw, bony fingers turning her face to look her over. Hermione thrashed, her free arm fighting to push and roll out from under her. Bellatrix's hand dipped down and tightened, pressing heavy on her throat. Hermione scratched at her, pushing up on the weight against her neck as spots clouded her vision. She concentrated on her breath, coming in slow, measured rattles.

"So expensive, makes me wonder if your cunt is golden, too." Her hot breath hit Hermione's face, the putrid stench suffocating her as much as the grip on her throat. "Not that anyone's found out yet, isn't that right?"

The mocking lilt to her voice shot straight down Hermione's spine.

"Do you want to know why the Dark Lord values me, Mudblood? Why I am permitted at his right side after all these years?" She smiled down at her, her eyes glittering black. "Because I don't let my cock get in the way of what's truly important."

She cackled, and Hermione shuddered. Bellatrix swiped one of Hermione's curls away as her face twisted, dark and petulant. "Like father like son." She scowled down at her, and Hermione watched her eyes burn. Bellatrix sat tall suddenly, her hand lifting from Hermione's throat.

"That's the problem with men," she hissed. "No fucking loyalty. No sense of duty!" Bella twirled her wand in her fingers as she looked over Hermione's head at some far distant memory. "Can't see the larger picture. They just want to dip their wicks."

Hermione felt like maybe she was missing some kind of opening here. Some way to sympathize with her, gain her trust, and then run. Before Hermione could think of a possibility, Bellatrix pounced. She clawed at her scalp, pulling her hair back into the pillow, yanking her chin to the ceiling.

"But you… still untouched. What an embarrassment." Something wet and warm on her – Bella licking her face from jaw to temple. "You don't taste expensive." She cackled. "Do you think you're safe, Mudblood?"

Hermione's eyes could only see the headboard, her lungs dragging in air through a crooked windpipe.

"I don't want you getting a big head about this. You know your place, don't you?"

And then Bella wrenched her left arm away from her body, pushing her wrist into the mattress so she could read her scar properly.

"Don't you?!" she screeched.

"Yes," Hermione wheezed, fingers scrabbling at her throat.

"Do you need to be reminded?"

"N-no!"

A cackle. "Ohh… I think you do."

The edge of a blade caught the moonlight, and Hermione's chest locked in horror as the tip pressed against her skin.

Hermione thrashed wildly. Bellatrix laughed and moved one knee onto her chest, the other pressing her upper arm into the mattress as her blade dug into her arm.

She couldn't breathe. She screamed, knowing no one would hear her. No one—

"Aunt Bella," said a calm voice. "What are you doing?"

A wave of Bellatrix's hand, and the candles lit in her bedroom. She turned over her shoulder and smiled. "Draco, darling. Come to play?"

Hermione felt her pulse in the wound, her blood gathering.

Bellatrix dismounted, and Hermione scrambled to the side, stumbling into the wall. Her eyes darted to the bathroom with the door that she could barricade, but it was on the other side of the bed.

She held her arm close to her chest and looked up to see Draco in the center of the room, watching his aunt. He wore his trunks and a vacant expression. His eyes didn't search for her, he didn't move toward her. He just smirked at his aunt.

"Bella, you of all people know the importance of breaking in a toy. You'll ruin my process."

Hermione swallowed, her breath coming in sharp gasps, dizzying her. The wound… There was something wrong with her.

Bellatrix slid off the bed. "It's for your own good, Draco. She's poisoned the Malfoy name enough."

He stared back at her coolly. "The Dark Lord isn't finished with her."

Bellatrix pouted and whispered something against Draco's ear. Hermione felt like she couldn't hear normally; maybe her blood was pounding too loud. Draco said something in return, and Hermione watched as Bellatrix's palm slithered across his bare chest, dragging her nails over the skin. She slipped past him and hummed a happy little tune as she danced to the door.

The room spun, and Hermione braced herself on the wall.

Bellatrix said something to him in the doorway. Some mumbled melody. But Hermione stared down at her arm, blood starting to bead.

There was a squiggle and a dash. And she wished Bellatrix had thought of something important to carve. She had to look at it forever now. Just like the other marks Bella had made.

The wall behind her zoomed forward, smacking her in the head, her back solid against it.

She looked up to tell Bellatrix to come back and finish it. It wasn't fair to her to leave her with just a squiggle. But she was shutting the door behind her, and then Draco's bare skin was all around her.

Warm.

"Granger!" Sound floated into focus. Not the first time he'd called her name. She could hear the echoes of it now.

Draco was so warm. His hand held her wrist, blood starting to drip, and his other arm held her body up, wrapping around her waist. She pressed her head into his shoulder. Like they were dancing.

She smiled, feeling her lips pull across his skin, dizzy with the melody.

Something was wrong with her.

Heat over her wound. And maybe he was healing it. Maybe he would fix it so it meant something. Not just a curving line and a snag.

She looked over at it, and found Draco's lips on her arm.

That would heal it. She was sure of it. Her mother used to do the same.

He turned his face away, lips stained red, and spat her blood onto her cream carpets.

He reattached his mouth, sucking hard, and she felt her head float back down when he spit again.

Sucking something out of her. She blinked at him. Watching Draco Malfoy fill his mouth with her muddy blood, watching the carpets bleed.

She gasped, knees buckling, lungs filling again. He looked at her, his mouth still wrapped around her skin, eyes pale. His arm clutching her body close to him, sweeping her up against him. A waltz was playing somewhere.

He turned and spit. "Accio." His voice cracked on the one word.

His wand flew from somewhere. Somewhere outside of the room.

Because he'd come running when she screamed, leaving his wand behind.

Like father like son.

He gripped the wrist of her injured hand and turned his wand on the cuts, siphoning blood into the air, and whispering a spell to pull something dark out of it. Smoke, curling out of her arm and hanging in the air around them like mist.

At some point during her episode, she had grabbed his shoulder, and her hand felt completely frozen now, even as he worked on curing her blood, fingers curled over his neck. She stared at his bare shoulders, the skin of his arms.

Draco Malfoy slept in only trunks and socks. He also had a singular beauty mark on top of his left shoulder. The edges of her vision blurred as she studied his lips. Lips that could suck the life out of her.

"It's a goblin blade," he whispered.

She blinked at the sound of his voice this close to her. They shared the same air. She blinked again. Clearer now.

"It's viper venom. And other things," he said, separating the smoke from her blood again.

She nodded dumbly. Highly poisonous, and he'd sucked it out. Saved her. He met her eyes for what felt like the first time since yesterday. He was so tall. Her neck lengthened, and her hand slipped over his shoulder on accident.

Gooseflesh beneath her fingers.

"It will scar too, unfortunately." He turned back to her arm, and cast a spell to weave the skin back together.

She drew a rattling breath and gave another nod. Her head felt clear again, though it stung around the edges. She wondered again what Bellatrix had intended.

His eyes followed the line of her arm, onto her shoulder, up her neck to her eyes. He held her stare, deep and purposeful. "It doesn't mean anything. The marks."

Of course it didn't, she thought. It's just a squiggle.

Her eyes drifted down to his lips, still stained pink with her blood. "Thank you," she whispered.

He swallowed. And then he was sliding his hand away, peeling his body back from her. He steadied her against the wall. "Mippy!" A crack and the elf was there, bouncing and asking if something was wrong with Miss. "Blood replenishing potion. Water. And another serving of dinner if Miss Granger wishes."

His eyes never left hers as Mippy popped away.

"I'll have the wards reset. When I chose a Blood Boundary, I thought it would only allow my parents. I didn't think..." He turned his face away. His eyes landed on her blood on the carpets and he waved his wand to vanish it. "I had no idea she would want you again."

Hermione flinched. "Want her" was not her favorite choice of words. "Why did she then?" she rasped. She'd have bruising on her neck in the morning.

His eyes grew cold. "She… disapproves. Of the way we're handling you." His gaze slid down her body, stopping at the bottom of her nightdress, across the tops of her thighs, and quickly set back on her face. Hermione shivered. "I need to speak to my father. If you need anything, please utilize Mippy."

She nodded, feeling warm from his wandering eyes. He turned and exited the room through the door while she stared at her feet, refusing to look at his naked back.

Mippy returned. She changed the sheets for her, cooled the bed, and stayed with her until she had a few bites off the plate.

Hermione lay awake, letting the Blood Replenishing Potion hum through her, running her fingers over the new markings on her left arm as she stared blankly at the ceiling. Only when the marks had faded into the same white scarring as the other word on her arm did Hermione see it.

Bellatrix had finished after all. Not a squiggle and a dash.

There, just next to the ink of Draco's signature, she'd carved an apostrophe and an "s."

D.M. ' s

mudblood

Chapter End Notes

There is a new story in the Rights and Wrongs Series called Birth Right . It's a Lucissa story set in the TRTTD universe.

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Chapter 10

Chapter Notes

Huge thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The poison worked its way through her system overnight, leaving a lethargic hum in her veins the next morning. Once the adrenalin of the initial shock had seeped from her, her body felt the aftermath like a lead weight for the next few days.

Mippy continued to pop in with potions without labels. She asked the elf what was inside the small vial, but all she would reply was, "For Miss! For Miss to heal!"

On the third day of her subdued and woozy recovery, she refused the potion. It was possible the slow climb back to health was not due to the poison, but to the antidotes she was taking. Mippy bounced from toe to toe, spinning reasons to take it at her like a broken record.

"But Miss! Miss was hurt! The potion makes Miss better!"

"But Miss is weak! This makes her strong!"

"Miss wants to feel good? Drink!"

"Master Draco makes it special for Miss. To make her better!"

That one caught Hermione's attention. She looked to the small girl elf, holding a purple swirling potion out to her. Draco made this potion? Or Draco doctored the potion somehow?

"No. Thank you." She turned her head from the elf's wide eyes and thought about how easy it would be to drop a sprig of asphodel into almost any potion. Or…

The minty magic suppressant that the nurses gave her in the Ministry holding cells. The ones they'd been ordered to give all slaves.

The Malfoys must be dosing her, but… perhaps they'd enhanced the suppressant to be tasteless? She tried to remember if anything she'd eaten had a strange peppermint aftertaste.

Perhaps that was why her recovery had been so difficult. Healing potions mixed with a heavy dose of magic suppressants.

Mippy disappeared with the undrunk potion, and Hermione decided against dinner that evening.

She woke up in the middle of the night, clutching her arm, sweating, head pounding. She'd been through worse. She knew she could survive it. Her blood began to boil after ten minutes, sweat blooming from her skin and sinking into the sheets. Whatever Draco's potion was, it was clearly better than this. She suffered two hours before whispering a shaky, "Mippy," into the quiet room. The elf appeared and helped her drink.

~*~

Lying boneless all day and night as a toxin washed its way through her blood was all too freeing for her mind. She stared off for hours, reimagining Bellatrix's breath on her face, her high laugh. And then piecing together what she remembered of Draco. Seemingly appearing from nowhere. Still as stone as his aunt left the room, and then jerky, hurried movements as he healed her.

He healed her.

It was important to him that he heal her.

In ways that the Dark Lord couldn't possibly condone.

In ways that made her think she was worth more than sixty-five thousand Galleons.

He'd cleaned her blood with his lips, spitting onto the plush carpets like he could buy new ones. Sucking poison from his whore, as if he couldn't buy another one of those.

His untouched whore. In her elegant suite.

Her eyes closed, drifting off, remembering his skin surrounding her.

~*~

Narcissa visited often. She offered to retrieve books from the shelves, bring fresh sleeping clothes, take dinner requests.

On the fourth day, she turned from her bedside and said, "It's such a beautiful day out. Perhaps in the afternoon, we could take a stroll."

Her eyes drifted down to Hermione's arm and back, where twice her own sister had cut into her.

"No," Hermione tested. "I don't really fancy a walk. Thank you, though." She watched, waiting. Wondering how far her illicit freedom stretched.

Narcissa smiled pleasantly. "I'll leave you to rest then."

She gathered the books Hermione had finished, floated them to the bookshelves, and moved toward the door. She paused with her hand on the doorknob.

"My sister… cannot be excused. But she is my blood, so I feel I always must excuse her." Narcissa turned back to her. "I stopped approving of her actions a long time ago. And she stopped approving of mine. But her behavior is not a reflection of this house, or its inhabitants."

Narcissa nodded to her, and left.

Somehow, incredibly, Hermione was struggling less and less with that concept.

~*~

She started rising from bed and moving around her room in the mornings. Her muscles ached, but every day became easier.

It had been ten days since she was electrocuted and poisoned, and ten days since she'd seen either of the Malfoy men. She dressed slowly, intent to get out of bed and leave her room.

The portraits hissed at her as she passed, muttering things about her dirty blood. An older man with the same long blond hair as Lucius but a rounder face and stomach humphed at her as she passed his portrait and said, "Shameful. We would have locked her away in the dungeons in my day."

She sneered back at him, dragging her fingers across his ornate frame as he gasped in indignation.

It was difficult for her to have no purpose. Ever since she was eleven, Harry had needed her. She knew things. She had answers. And if she didn't have the answer, she could look it up.

But she was incapable of answering certain questions with books now. She had survived and was being protected for reasons that were impossible to understand. All her captors seemed to ask of her was to merely exist. She'd turned over a dozen possible motives in her mind over the last few days, each more preposterous than the last. They were Order sympathizers. Double agents. Saving her as a bargaining chip in the event that Voldemort was defeated.

Whatever their reasons for keeping her safe, one thing was certain: people were dying. Her friends were dying. She'd already lost too much time.

Pushing open the library doors, she shuffled to the texts on dark magic.

It seemed that she had several problems.

Firstly, Voldemort had the Elder Wand — something she had never put as much faith into as Harry had. She was always more interested in the Horcruxes. They were tangible, and weren't rooted in fables.

Which brought her to her second problem: Nagini. There were only two people alive who knew about Voldemort's last Horcrux: her and Ron. She remembered Neville running for the snake in the courtyard, but she couldn't be sure he knew the importance of it. If someone was able to defeat Voldemort, she or Ron would have to make sure the snake was dead. That seemed like such a far off problem.

The locket, cup, tiara, ring, and diary were all gone. A surge of memories rose through her consciousness, unbidden. Parseltongue, shared dreams, mind connections. Where she'd thought that maybe Harry was… She wiped her clammy hands on her trousers and forced the thought aside. None of that mattered anymore.

Was Nagini really the last one? Or had he made more? Was his soul stable enough for more?

Hermione reached for a text, her bandaged left arm stretching high, reminding her of her third problem. The tattoos. She wouldn't be able to leave the estate without Draco. She could do all the research in the world, answer all the questions, and still it would be pointless if she couldn't leave and tell someone about it.

If only she could get in touch with George. Figure out some way of communicating to him, even if she couldn't leave. But if Voldemort looked into her mind again…

She flipped open the book on Horcruxes she'd been looking at last week, searching for the passage on Fiendfyre she'd wanted to reread—

And snapped the book closed. Her mind… the images she saw… the things she read…

Voldemort could see them all.

It wasn't just her important memories he had access to. He could see anything she did, no matter how mundane. Pages and words and information. Her favorite things.

She put back the book with shaking fingers, knowing that researching Horcruxes was enough to incriminate her. She'd never been afraid of her own mind before. But her knowledge would betray her if Voldemort performed Legilimency on her again.

Staring at the books, staring at the shelves of a library so dark and powerful that it could defeat Voldemort and his Elder Wand with only its pages wielded by the right person, Hermione realized she couldn't use any of it.

She stepped back, breathing hard. There was nothing she could research. Nothing was safe. She blinked quickly at the stacks, focusing on her breath, feeling a sharp pain in her ribs.

Her mind wasn't her own. She felt his presence inside, slick like oil. It had been almost two weeks since he had invaded her consciousness. Perhaps he wouldn't again. But could she count on it?

She leaned back on the shelves, closing her eyes, trying to find a way out.

The sound of shuffling to her left snapped her eyes open. A book slithered from a shelf down an aisle and hovered, as if it had been called. Blinking, she turned to see if anyone was at the catalogue at the front.

No one.

The book hovered. Hermione moved down the aisle, walking carefully toward the text. Close enough to grasp it, and she read the spine.

Mind Tricks for Beginners.

Her heart stuttered in her chest as she reached for the thin book. It fell into her hands like an apple from a tree. She stared at the cover blankly for a minute before darting her head around the corner—perhaps a member of the family was playing tricks on her? But there was no one there. Hermione retreated from view and flipped to the table of contents, fingers trembling.

Occlumency and Legilimency.

A book on shielding one's thoughts. Hermione frowned, wondering if the library catalogue provided help without prompting.

Occlumency would be the best protection from Voldemort's probing, but it was a magical ability. And she didn't have magic. Nor did she have the time for the years of study it would take to keep Voldemort out of her mind entirely.

She read the chapter titles:

Meditation

Clearing Your Mind

Walls and Doorways

From the little she knew of Occlumency from her own reading and Harry's lessons, it required a focused mind. She used to bite back a remark whenever Harry moaned about Snape's methods, certain that her mind—her disciplined mind—could have succeeded with far less whinging.

She looked around the library again for other hovering books, half expecting Harry to emerge from his Invisibility Cloak, teasing her about spending all day amongst the books.

The space behind her eyes burned and she swallowed, blinking rapidly. She looked down again with blurry eyes. The first chapters sounded simple enough, possibly non-magical meditation.

Hermione slid the thin book into a large fiction, and began her slow journey back to her room.

She was just passing several doors that she knew lead to private studies and lounges when she heard voices. Narcissa's melodic hum pierced the cracks in the door and Hermione stilled, listening with held breath.

"Why does it have to be you?" Narcissa said sharply.

"Why does it have to be any of us?" Lucius replied. "He's probably fallen asleep in his dinner somewhere. Or had a heart attack while with one of his paid Muggle whores."

"Lucius, this could be serious."

Hermione pressed closer, her ears straining as Lucius mumbled something low and placating.

"How long?" Narcissa asked.

"A week," Lucius said, his voice closer to the door. Hermione jumped back, frozen in horror— but it seemed that Lucius was pacing. His voice distant again as he said, "He's ignored three summons."

Hermione's eyes widened at her shoes, books pressed tight to her chest. A Death Eater had been ignoring Voldemort?

"Something's happened to him, Lucius. He would never defy the Dark Lord." And then under her breath: "He doesn't have the brains for that."

Lucius hissed at her. "None of that. We are in no position to think those thoughts."

A long pause. Then Narcissa sighed. "How long will you be gone?"

"Just overnight."

"Can't you take someone with you? Yaxley?"

"Everyone else is concerned with the Macnair estate."

Hermione's mind spun. The Macnair estate was where Ron had been at one point. Macnair had bought Ron, Angelina Johnson, and Luna.

If all Death Eaters were concentrating their attention to the Macnair estate… If someone else had disappeared completely… Something was unraveling.

"I need"—Narcissa cleared her throat—"I need to see about lunch." A scraping of furniture legs. "You'll join me for tea before you leave?"

"I… I have several things—"

"I don't care. I'll see you for tea."

There was a flurry of footsteps and Hermione ducked behind a bust of Lucius Malfoy I just as the door flew open, squeezing herself tight so she wouldn't be seen.

Narcissa's heels clicked away down the stones, and once she'd rounded the corner leading to the kitchens, Hermione stood tall again and spun silently on her heel to run back to her room.

"Miss Granger," Lucius called out from inside the room.

Hermione froze, heart pounding. How had she given herself away? She forced herself to move, stepping into the doorway to find Lucius scribbling with a quill at a desk in an impressive study. He didn't look up at her.

"I take it that you have a habit of listening at doors like a child, then?" His tone was lyrical.

The tension in her shoulders melted. He wasn't going to kill her for what she heard. Just mock her to death. She braced herself, assuming the polite thing to do would be to enter the room and—

She stumbled backward. There was a barrier in the doorway. Similar to the one on her patio. She couldn't lift her foot to step through.

"Oh, no," he said, leaning back in his leather chair. "That wasn't an invitation." He pulled the feather of the quill between his fingertips and stared at her. "I suppose you've come to thank me for pulling your shaking and drooling body up the hill and back inside the barrier."

She narrowed her eyes, her temper sharpening like a knife against the stone. "Yes, I was surprised to find that you'd carried me—"

"Heavens, no." He lifted a brow at her. "I grabbed your arm and pulled you behind me like a dog."

She glared at him, knowing that wasn't true. But he was purposefully distracting her. She wondered how far she could push him.

"Who is missing?"

He tilted his head at her, and she expected silence, or another insult, or a taunting "come again?"

"Gregory Goyle," he said, adding, "Senior."

She blinked at him, surprised by an honest answer. Or a supposedly honest answer.

If he was telling the truth, why would Goyle disobey Voldemort? He was one of the ones who had returned immediately. He was in the graveyard in Little Hangleton. Were they sure he was alive?

Looking up at him again, Hermione knew Lucius was reading her face, knew her mind was whirring.

"I'll give you one more question," he said, eyes glittering. "Better make it worthwhile."

She felt her heart stutter in her chest. He wanted to play a game? Waiting for the right question to come to her, Hermione stood frozen, rooted to the floor,

Why did Draco purchase me?

Who has access to Nagini?

What has George done to anger Voldemort?

"Why are the Death Eaters gathered at the Macnair estate?" Her voice clicked, and she didn't know if she'd chosen the right question out of the thousands in her mind.

He steepled his fingers, and gazed at her over the tops of them. "To investigate the recent murder of Walden Macnair, and subsequent escape of his prisoner."

Her eyes widened. Ron. Or… prisoner, singular?

She opened her lips—

"Ask and you will receive within reason, Miss Granger," he cut in, effectively silencing her. "Creeping about like a mouse is unbecoming." His eyes dug into her, flickering down to the book in her arms and back. "Do enjoy your reading. Hopefully it's something… instructive."

She stared at him, her skin feeling too tight. His face was impassive.

Her fingers curled tighter around the Occlumency book, tucked into the larger fiction book. Did he know? Did he…?

"Thank you, I will," she replied.

He looked away, breaking her gaze. "Could you close the door before you go?" She narrowed her eyes at him. The door handle was past the barrier she couldn't pass. His lips quirked. "Oh yes, of course."

And with a wave of his hand the door slammed in her face.

She frowned at the wood, inches from her nose. No doubt that conversation would take her weeks to untangle.

Wandering back to her room, taking the stairs slowly for her aching muscles, Hermione started with item number one.

Goyle's father was missing. She didn't know anything else, except that Voldemort was sending Lucius Malfoy to investigate. Perhaps he had been murdered and Lucius was headed to find his body.

Second item: Walden Macnair was dead. And a singular prisoner had escaped. Last she'd heard, Ron had been summoned by Voldemort, so it was possible that it was Angelina who had gotten out. Was it George? Had he come for his brother?

And why was Lucius Malfoy telling her all of this? What could he gain from passing information to her? Was it even the truth? What game was he playing?

She reached the top of the stairs, her book pressing into her ribs, and wondered about the Occlumency book that had hovered for her to find. Did Lucius plant it there for her? What possible benefit could Occlumency give her if she didn't have magic?

Pausing in front of her doorway, Hermione breathed deep with the exertion.

Did she have magic?

Was the minty potion truly being served?

She pushed open the door, and stood in the middle of her room. Turning to her bookshelf, she reached an arm out, focusing her energy on bringing a blue spine to her.

Nothing.

Visualizing her wand in her hand, she concentrated on the magic she was born with. The magic that made her float the neighbor's cat when she was seven. The magic that set Becky Tracker's hair on fire when she was ten.

She thought she felt something fighting in her veins.

But nothing.

She dropped her arm. It seemed the Malfoys followed some of the rules on slaves after all. Perhaps it had been the enchanted library catalogue that called the book for her.

Sighing, she settled into the wingback chair that faced the windows and opened the thin book.

Chapter One: Meditation.

~*~

Three days later, she was on her sixth reread of Mind Tricks for Beginners, finding it very difficult to read theories and techniques without the practical application. It felt like her year before Hogwarts when she had gobbled up all of the magical books she could get her hands on, but hadn't been able to practice anything without a wand.

Perhaps she wasn't cut out for Occlumency, and she'd been too harsh on Harry. Clearing her mind was not a strong suit of hers. Her constantly running questions and curiosities were a detriment to meditation.

There were certain techniques that were interesting enough. A cool blue lake with calm waters, stretching out past the horizon. Depths below, but a still and tranquil surface. Or sometimes focusing on a moving target, and blurring the edges of everything else.

She was staring out the window at the grounds, trying to focus only on a lone peacock making its way across the lawn, when there came a knock at her door. She blinked. The intrusion bringing her mind back to the present.

Setting down her teacup, she took a breath and said, "Come in."

Draco pushed open the door, and her breath caught in her throat. She hadn't seen him in nearly two weeks. She'd stopped needing the potions several days ago, so there had been no tangible reminder of him for some time. Besides his lovely home and lovely mother and lovely sheets.

He was out of uniform again. Grey button-down shirt and black trousers. She flushed at the memory of the last time she'd seen him, when he hadn't been wearing any clothing. She hadn't forgotten about the beauty mark on his left shoulder, or the way his skin shivered against hers.

He stood in the doorway like there was a spell keeping him out. She watched his eyes drift down to the corner of her mouth where her bruise had healed.

"My mother would like to invite you to dinner in the dining room tonight."

She stared at him, waiting for him to say more. To explain why he'd saved her that night, and kept away ever since. She searched his face, but his features gave away nothing. Still hiding, then. After frantically pulling poison from her veins with his lips.

She clenched her jaw, disappointment twisting in her gut. "And why is she not here then?"

He blinked, and looked down to the carpets. "My mother would like for me to ask you to dinner in the dining room tonight."

"Tell her thank you, but no." She turned back to her tea service. "I will be perfectly happy taking dinner in my room tonight."

She took her teacup to her bathroom and shut the door behind her, dismissing him. If he wanted to her to have dinner or talk with him or... anything else, then he'd have to force her.

She stared at her pale reflection in the mirror and willed heart and temper to calm. It was already clear that he didn't care for her. Why did she have to create delusions for herself?

When she emerged after a few minutes, she expected him to be gone, not examining her bookshelves. But there he was. She watched as his fingers ran over a spine.

"You reorganized them." He glanced at her.

"Yes." She cleared her throat, ignoring the fluttering in her stomach. "They were organized by Muggle and Magical, then by genre, then some strange system I hadn't deciphered—"

"By publish date," he offered.

She blinked at his profile. "Brontë was filed after Joyce."

He frowned. His head swiveled to a top shelf where she'd replaced Brontë into alphabetical order by author's name. He plucked the forest green spine off the shelf and flipped open to the first pages.

"It's a reprint. 1931." His brows drew together. "The original must be in the library. I thought it was in here."

Leave it to Draco Malfoy to distract her by waxing eloquent about books.

She stood next to her bed as his fingers ran down the front page of Jane Eyre. "That's what you get for filing things with magic," she said primly.

The corner of his mouth twitched. And she wondered if she'd just made Draco Malfoy smile.

"I'll have the original brought to you."

She snorted. "I don't need the original."

His jaw tightened, and he nodded. Gaze on the bookshelves, he said, "Anything that you do need?"

She sighed. She didn't need anything besides his honesty, but she supposed she could indulge him for now. He'd stayed.

He waited for her reply, and she looked around the room, searching for something to ask for. She followed his gaze to the books as he dipped his head and fingered the cuff of his sleeve.

"Actually," she began. "There is… The Undesirable series."

His eyes turned on her, grey and warm. They urged her to continue.

"I found the collector's copies in the library. But I wondered if there were others I could take to reread?"

"You can take those," he said, eyes searching her.

"Oh, but those are..." She reached for words, trying to skate over the fact that she'd read his note from Lance Gainsworth. "They seemed… personal."

His eyes flickered, brows lifting, as he realized. He swallowed and looked away.

"I have another set. I'll have them delivered to your room."

"Thank you," she whispered, and she wondered if the deep inhale he took had anything to do with the reminder of the last time she'd thanked him—with her hand on his bare shoulder and her blood staining his lips.

"Are there other books you're enjoying?" he asked, eyes glazed over, focusing away from her. She frowned at his attempt at small talk, but then he continued. "Learning anything new?"

She felt her skin tighten.

Mind Tricks for Beginners.

They were all in on it. Together.

But, of course they were. Hermione swallowed. They would be punished far more severely than her if the wrong people heard about her treatment. She wondered if Bellatrix could be trusted to keep her observations to herself.

She took a deep breath and said, "I've found several new things to read up on. But it seems as if I'm lacking the tools for a true education."

Surely they knew she couldn't accomplish much without magic. His brows pulled together. His gaze turned to the floor, thinking, like he always did in Arithmancy when the equations became tedious.

"I can look into that as well," he said. And she knew they were dancing awfully close to the edge. If he felt he could have come right out and said it, he would have already spoken to her about Occlumency.

She watched him, eyes sliding over her bookcase, hands clasped behind his back. The grey shirt pulled taut across his clavicles. And she wondered how much Occlumency Draco Malfoy knew. She knew he could be cold and closed; surely he must know some. But was he skilled enough to keep the Dark Lord from shredding his thoughts and memories?

He turned to face her, breaking her stream of consciousness. "Dinner is at six."

She lifted a brow. "I've already said I'm not coming."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "If you don't join Mother and me downstairs, she will have my head."

She snorted, turning back to her tea service. "I'm not sure how that's my problem."

A pause. "I can't get you your books if I don't have a head."

"I'm positive Mippy would be just as useful in that department. I wouldn't need you at all." She tilted her chin up, challenging him to continue as spots of pink speckled his cheeks.

He swaggered to the doorway, and said, "Well, seeing as Mippy is preparing dinner this evening, I'm sure she would be less inclined to obey you if you offend her."

"Mippy is a kitchen elf?" she asked, startled.

"No," he said, reaching for the door handle. "She just loves to cook."

She caught the beginnings of a grin on his lips as he left. Turning to her wardrobe, she wondered what one should wear to dinner with the Malfoys.

~*~

At 5:57PM, she descended the marble stairs and headed to where she assumed the dining room was. Narcissa had waved her hand towards it on her first day at the Manor, and she had tucked it away, like she did all the other details of the Manor's layout.

The candles were burning low in the long room. A deep black dining table spread down the narrow dining hall without any table settings or centerpieces. There was a hum of dark magic, like it had dissolved into the walls.

Had she been tricked? Was there no dinner after all?

She shivered as her eyes roved the ceiling. She didn't like this room. It felt like death.

"We have two dining rooms."

She turned to see Draco ten paces from her, standing at the corner of the corridor leading elsewhere.

"Of course you do," she muttered. "I always carry a spare as well."

His eyes glimmered, the corner of his mouth twitched. "The smaller dining room is this way." He gestured for her to follow, but she remained frozen.

She had to ask before leaving. The smell of this darkness would stick to her clothing like smoke.

"What happened in here?" she said, staring into the long room, waiting for an answer. "There's dark magic here."

She glanced back at him. He was looking into the walls of the room like he could see inside. Like he could see a scene play out in front of his eyes.

His eyes flickered to meet hers. "We don't use that room anymore."

And she knew the conversation was done. Or at least paused for now. He quirked his head for her to follow him and disappeared around the corner.

She followed him to another room on the first floor, past the library and past a beautiful view of the pond and the gazebo. They must have been under her bedroom.

He stopped at the doorway and gestured for her to lead in. She turned and found Narcissa at the head of a much smaller, but no less grand, dining table.

"Hermione, dear," she said warmly. "I'm so glad you've joined us for dinner." She waved at the chair closest to her on her left.

Hermione nodded and forced herself to smile. She made her way to the specified chair and sat, watching Draco mirror her across the table. Wonderful. She'd face him for all of dinner then.

"We're thrilled you felt well enough to join us. We've all been terribly worried, of course. Some of us even more than others."

Hermione dragged her eyes from Draco's scowl to find Narcissa beaming at her, a knowing look in her eye.

"Thank you for having me," she offered weakly, wondering what kind of societal niceties she'd need to adopt for the next hour.

No sooner had Narcissa reached over to pat her hand, than Lucius entered the room, stopping cold at the sight of her. He blinked slowly and said, "Are you lost?"

Hermione shot daggers at him as Draco stiffened in his seat.

"Hush," Narcissa snapped. "I invited her." She turned to Hermione. "You'll have to pardon Lucius. I'm afraid he's been under a lot of stress lately." She shot him a frosty look.

Lucius lifted a brow and pulled the chair at the other head of the table. "She is a slave, not a house guest, Narcissa."

"I truly don't see the difference." Narcissa flicked her napkin and laid it across her lap. "As long as she's here, there's no reason why she must remain locked in her room with only books for company."

"Father," Draco cut in. A warning in his tone.

Lucius gave his son a sardonic half bow before taking his seat. "How good of you to join us, Draco."

Hermione stared between them, her mind racing. Bellatrix had resented their treatment of her, and it seemed Lucius disapproved of it as well. It wasn't a stretch to imagine that he hadn't wanted her there in the first place. She jumped when Mippy appeared at her elbow with a decanter.

"Wine, Miss?"

"Mippy," Lucius hummed, scowling. "You will serve the Lord of the Manor first."

Mippy lowered her eyes and bounced over to Lucius with the wine. Hermione looked to see Narcissa smiling into her water glass and Draco rubbing his brow, like a headache was forthcoming.

They sat in thick silence as Mippy poured wine for each of them. It had been ages since Hermione had last had a glass of wine. While reason dictated that she shouldn't drink around people she couldn't trust, it also told her she might not survive an hour of Lucius' presence without it.

"Hermione, dear," Narcissa said, once Mippy vanished. "Have you had a chance to visit the conservatory off the western wing? It's lovely this time of year."

She fidgeted in her seat. "Er… No, I haven't had the opportunity yet."

"Too busy exploring the perimeter, I expect," Lucius said, smiling coolly in her direction.

Her cheeks flushed as she glared at him. "Yes, well, I suppose you could call me more of a hands-on learner. I'm not one to take things I'm told at face value."

Lucius leaned forward slowly, his eyes fixed on hers. Hermione lifted her chin. "Do you find your situation terribly confining, Miss Granger?" He tilted his head. "Having your own living quarters, and free range of the Manor? Does it make you feel a bit feverish to experience the world outside?"

"That's enough, Lucius," said Narcissa sternly. He relented after a moment, lounging back in his chair, a smirk curving his lips.

Draco cleared his throat and took a deep sip from his goblet.

Thankfully, the first course arrived filling the soup bowls, and Mippy appeared at Hermione's elbow again.

"This is Mippy's favorite! Pumpkin soup! Mippy makes it special for Miss—"

"Do you plan on announcing every course?" came Lucius's steely voice.

"Lucius," Narcissa warned. She turned to her elf. "Thank you, Mippy."

Mippy twirled her ear and vanished.

Hermione took a deep breath through her lungs. The more she bit back, the more difficult he could make it for her. She shoved her anger aside and documented which spoon Narcissa chose, picking up the same. She tried the soup with as much grace as she could muster, noticing that each Malfoy sat ramrod straight, dipping their spoons with the same elegance and balance.

The soup vanished her sour mood, at least temporarily. It was… to die for.

Narcissa held conversation quite well for someone who could talk about nothing going on outside the Manor itself. She found ways to include all three reluctant parties at the table, asking questions or commenting upon their daily activities.

But no matter what Narcissa did, she could not get Draco to engage. Whereas Lucius had a sarcastic comment at every turn, Draco seemed as distant as possible.

"Well, I happen to love walking around the estate in the mornings," Narcissa said to Hermione, after failing yet again to engage her son. "It's so tranquil. The grounds truly wake with you."

"Granger's already gone on a morning walk, Mother," came a caustic voice. "You can stop selling it to her. She was almost killed last time."

Hermione looked up at Draco. His hand was frozen on his soup spoon as he stared at Narcissa, his features clouded with irritation. Hermione narrowed her eyes.

It wouldn't have happened if he'd been more open with her. If he hadn't kept her in the dark since the moment she'd set foot on the Manor's marbled floors.

"I don't regret that 'walk' one bit. In fact, it was quite informative," she said sharply. Draco's eyes snapped up to her. "I'd like access to my balcony back, by the way."

Lucius muttered, "Your balcony…"

Narcissa swept up her wine glass and vanished behind the brim.

"And why would I do that, if you're so fond of injuring yourself?" Draco said, patting his mouth with his napkin.

Hermione squared her shoulders. "The likelihood of dying from a three-story fall is so low—"

His gaze hardened. "If I know you, you'll accomplish it."

"Well, I hardly see the difference," she said, feeling her blood pulsing. "I'm just as likely to be injured in my room as out of it."

She felt the air in the room pull tight, like a string, vibrating. Draco's eye twitched. He took a deep breath, but nothing came from his lips.

She looked to Lucius, raising a brow over his wine glass, and then to Narcissa, staring down into her empty soup bowl, looking strangely lost at the reminder of her sister's sudden appearance in Manor.

"That won't happen again," Draco whispered. He stared at her, eyes hot and intense. "She's been barred from the estate."

Hermione blinked, stunned. Draco parted his lips to continue—

He jerked, a gasp of pain. The spoon clattered in the empty bowl. He stood, chair pushing back from the table with a racket.

Lucius was on his feet too, rubbing his forearm.

"We have to go."

He walked quickly to Narcissa's side, placing a kiss on her cheekbone before sweeping from the room. Draco kissed his mother, slid his eyes to Hermione, and followed his father out.

They'd been called. Abruptly. Possibly a reflection of Voldemort's mood.

They were gone for several long moments before Hermione remembered to breathe again. Her stomach twisted, even though she felt like she should rejoice if something was wrong.

Narcissa folded her hands on the table, pressing her lips together. Hermione waited, not daring to speak.

"It was like this before," Narcissa said, voice low and somber. "He'd leave, and I'd wonder when I'd see him again." She pressed her fingers to her mouth and said, "And now it's both of them."

Hermione sat still as a statue. She stared at Draco's empty chair, thinking of her missing friends.

Narcissa turned to her. "Are your parents safe?" She reached out and took Hermione's hand. "I never knew how to ask about them."

Hermione swallowed, tears pricking behind her eyes. "Yes," she managed. "They're safe. They're away."

Narcissa nodded, and turned her eyes back to Draco's soup bowl.

They stayed like that until Mippy came to announce the next course.

~*~

Before bed, Hermione found all seven Gainsworth books placed on her bedside table. She felt something like guilt when she first saw them, but she set it aside and allowed herself to get lost in the pages. She read the first before falling asleep. That night, she dreamed of her favorite story instead of her usual nightmare, where Harry or Luna slipped through her fingers and fell somewhere far beyond her reach.

She woke late the next morning. It was past nine when she finally tested, "Mippy?"

Nothing happened. She frowned.

At 9:20, a knock came from the door. She opened it to find a scowling Remmy with the breakfast tray.

"Hello."

Remmy said nothing, but sent the tray to her side table.

"Will Mrs. Malfoy be joining me today?" Hermione asked.

"Mistress is gone."

She blinked. "Oh. Gone?"

Remmy nodded, face scrunching into a tight sorrow—the most emotion Hermione had seen from the elf yet.

"Master Malfoy is hurt."

Hermione felt her blood rushing in her ears.

"Which Master Malfoy?" she asked.

Remmy frowned with watery eyes. "Master Draco."

She swallowed and looked down at her arm, expecting… something.

"Thank you, Remmy."

Remmy left the room. And Hermione stared at the closed door.

Draco was injured. And it was serious enough that Narcissa left to be with him.

She stared down at her breakfast tray, wondering what would happen to her if Draco died. Surely if he had, the tattoo would have alerted her?

A sudden, inexplicable terror seized her ribs, the pressure so overwhelming she found herself gasping for air. She screwed her eyes shut and drew on the meditation she'd been practicing until it passed.

She leaned against the bookshelves, savoring the feeling of the wood pressing into her spine, and stared out her windows.

If Draco died, would she go back to Dolohov?

She forced herself to breathe.

She tried, but failed, to find a scrap of joy that there had been some kind of victory for the rebellion. The guilt twisted heavy in her gut while she waited for news of Draco's health, watching as the sun rose higher in the sky, and began to fall again.

A chill passed through her at the realization that she was alone at Malfoy Manor for the indefinite future, wandless, with only the elves for company.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 11

Chapter Notes

AND WE'RE BACK. Much love to my main squeezes SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

There is now a Facebook group for Auction followers and the Rights and Wrongs series called Rights & Wrongs . Come yell about socks with us.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

It had been almost a week since Hermione had been left alone in the Manor, and she thought she'd explored every inch of it by now. She kept her mind occupied by cataloging each room, searching for clues or possible weapons. As the days passed, she realized she couldn't hold out hope that the Malfoys would be the next faces she saw.

Hermione took the Occlumency book to the conservatory every morning, breathing in the plants and honing her meditation skills. At night, the corridors seemed to creak with the Manor's heavy years, so Hermione stayed inside her bedroom once the sun set. She kept meals in her room, and no one was happier about that than Remmy, who seemed quite pleased to see as little of Hermione as possible.

On the second day of her solitude, Hermione discovered the kitchens. Three elves worked alongside Remmy, cleaning and making dinner for no one.

"Hello."

Four pairs of hands paused, and four pairs of eyes turned to her in varying shades of violet and green.

She cleared her throat. "I'm Hermione."

Remmy waddled to her, scowling. "Miss is hungry? Already?"

"Er, no." She tried a smile. "I just wanted to introduce myself. And meet you all." Surely the elves had the most information about the Malfoy family secrets. Never a bad idea to befriend an elf.

They stared at her. It was silent except for the sound of chopping vegetables from the enchanted knives. Closest to her was the elf that delivered tea on her first night.

"Hello again," Hermione chirped. "Peach, isn't it?"

The older elf frowned and said, "Plumb."

"Ah. Yes." She felt heat climbing her neck.

They all stared at each other.

"Miss wants dinner now?" Remmy glared.

"No, no." She tried resting casually on the back of a small elf chair. It teetered, and she straightened again. "Er, how long have you been working for the Malfoys?"

"Plumb was born here."

"Oh?" Her brows jumped, and she faced Plumb. "So a very long time! I have read that house-elves can live to two hundred."

Plumb scowled at her. "Plumb is forty-six."

"Right." Her face flushed. "Well then, you all must remember Dobby! He was a dear friend of mine."

The elf in the back let out a tutting sound, and Remmy's expression didn't change. It seemed she gained no clout by mentioning that name here.

"Please, do go on." She gestured vaguely at their work. "I just wanted to visit. Perhaps chat a bit."

They stared at her. The knives had ceased their chopping. She opened her mouth. And closed it.

"Yes, alright. I'll take dinner now."

So she ate at 2pm that day.

Later, she'd retraced her steps towards Lucius's study, positive it would still bar her, but content to try regardless. The door handle turned under her fingers, and to her surprise, she could push the door open fully with a shove. Her hand pressed against the barrier — still blocked out.

She stared into the dim room, the window behind the desk casting late afternoon shadows forward. Spying a Foe Glass on a shelf, Hermione eyed it, waiting to see if her face clarified and formed in the fog. Silhouettes shifted, passing in the void, but the Glass didn't recognize her as an enemy. Interesting, considering that she was here to snoop.

Her head pressed against the invisible barrier, tilting to the side to view the interior walls. A series of bookshelves that had her fingers itching lined the left wall. Wouldn't it be interesting to see what books Lucius Malfoy kept at his disposal? Kept out of the library?

After ten minutes of squinting at the titles on his shelf, she wandered to the library, ready to tackle one of her many problems. She ran through the questions she had, prioritized them, and tried to find workable solutions.

The most pressing question was contingent on Draco's health. If he died, what would become of her? She trusted Narcissa's kindness in her current circumstances, but she wasn't certain how far it would extend. If she could no longer reside at Malfoy Manor, where would they send her?

Would she go back to Auction?

Pushing open the library doors, she brushed aside the fleeting, wistful hope that she'd find Draco at the stacks, turning to her and lifting a brow.

Hands on her hips, standing before a vast library entirely at her disposal, Hermione prioritized.

There was no precedent for the Auction that she was aware of, which meant it would be futile to research the kinds of rules they made for the death of a buyer. She filed that question away, unable to answer it.

Horcruxes, tattoos, or suppressants. Which should she focus on today? A dark thought pressed over her as her eyes skimmed the stacks. Did any of this matter? They lost. You lost.

Her lips pressed together. She took a deep breath.

Magic suppression. That's what she'd look into today.

Throwing caution to the wind, she turned to the library catalog and said, "Show me books on magic suppression." And then as an afterthought, "Please."

An eerie shuffling sound from the stacks, and she eyed several books pulled from their homes and hovering in the aisles.

"Right," she said. "Back to work."

~*~

She studied well into the evening, spreading texts across the large table and scribbling notes. It might be the only time at the Manor she didn't have to worry about being caught, with all three Malfoys away. Figuring out the suppressant potion was an obvious choice for her. Having her magic back would make it easier to escape, once she'd found a way around the tattoos. And if she was caught, an academic curiosity about the suppressant potion wasn't something she would be killed over.

Hopefully.

There were several herbs and crushed stones that could ward off evil spirits, but she wouldn't know the exact combinations unless she could break it down in a potions laboratory. She'd need a vial of the minty potion. And a cauldron. Hermione wrote down and pocketed her list of ingredients.

In the morning, she strode back to the kitchens. The elves looked up from their washing. Remmy almost rolled her eyes.

"Miss is hungry?"

"No, thank you." She smiled. "I was just hoping for a cup of tea?"

Plumb jumped off of her stool wringing her hands. "Miss calls for Plumb? Plumb did not hear!"

"No, no. I didn't call." She waved her hands, hoping to keep Plumb from banging the kettle over her head. "I was just going to visit, and ask for you to make it here."

Where I can watch you.

Plumb leapt to work, setting a fire under the kettle.

"I'll just grab the sugar for you," she said, starting for the shelves. Wrenching the cabinets open, she searched for potion vials kept in handy locations for pouring into tea.

"Miss not like how Plumb makes?"

She turned to see a watery-eyed forty-six-year-old elf clasping her hands together.

"Er, no. I was just going to help you!" She opened another cabinet, finding nothing incriminating.

"Miss wants sugar? Not honey spoons?"

Her hands froze. The honey.

She turned to Plumb. Remmy stood right behind her with a shrewd twist to her lips.

"I was thinking I might not have honey any longer," she tested, watching Remmy's expression. If they were instructed to give her honey, laced with the suppressant, then they might panic.

"Miss hates honey?!" A tear fell down Plumb's trembling cheeks. "But Plumb is giving Miss honey for weeks!"

Hermione's eyes widened, unprepared for house-elf dramatics. "No! No, I like honey. I like it very much!"

Two more tears dropped from Plumb's violet eyes. "I makes honey tea for Miss and for Master Draco. Does Master Draco hate it too?"

Hermione frowned. Draco. Yes. The suppressant wouldn't be in the honey. Unless there was a special jar just for her...

"Might you have a different honey?" Hermione asked, mind working.

"THE HONEY IS GONE BAD?"

Remmy huffed and stepped forward, placing a calming hand on Plumb's heaving shoulder. "We has one honey. Plumb is giving three honey spoons to Miss and Master Draco. Does Miss want different?"

Plumb was now sobbing uncontrollably into her hands. Guilt sank heavily in Hermione's stomach. She just couldn't win. She knelt down in front of the violet-eyed elf and gently pulled her waxy hands away from her blubbering face.

"Plumb? I would very much like a cup of tea with three honey spoons. Might you be able to help me with that?"

Plumb nodded so violently, her little ears flopped into Hermione's face. She ran for the kettle, and Hermione turned to a frowning Remmy.

"Has there been any news on Master Dra— er, on Draco? Any word on when they are returning?"

The frown melted off Remmy's face, and she too began to tremble with unshed tears. "No. Master Draco is very hurt."

Hermione swallowed, feeling her pulse in her ears. "What happened? Did they say?"

"No," Remmy said sadly, shaking her head. "We is just hearing from this." She gestured to the short counter, where Hermione was shocked to find a Daily Prophet.

She approached, looking down on a picture of Dover Castle, burning to the ground.

REBELLION SQUASHED AT DOVER

by Rita Skeeter

She snatched up the paper, eyes scanning, heart pounding.

The Dark Lord is victorious again!

A small rebellion broke out at Dover Castle on Monday evening led by insurgents and Old Order sympathizers. The rocky beach at Dover provided minor cover for the rebels as the Dark Lord's forces gathered and vanquished their foes.

Hermione stumbled out of the kitchens, swallowing the information, and running for fresh air. She pushed through the front doors of the Manor, gasping at the morning breeze, and leaned back against the exterior wall. Her chest was tight, and her fingers trembled as she read on.

There were limited casualties for the Death Eaters at Monday's skirmish, but considerable losses for the rebels who scrambled back to their hole in the ground, their tails between their legs.

In the wake of the new Apparition/Land-Locked Legislation, the rebels — led by Undesirable No. 1, George Weasley — attempted to cross the Strait of Dover by boat, bypassing the Apparition line by non-magical means. Recently promoted General Lucius Malfoy was first on the scene, ruthlessly cutting off the boat supply and taking out several essential faces of the rebellion in the process, including elder brother to the rebellion leader, Charlie Weasley.

Hermione tore her eyes off the words, her fingers crumpling the pages, trying to piece together her spiraling thoughts.

Charlie was dead.

Lucius had killed him.

There were Apparition boundaries, limiting Apparition to inside the U.K. only. Although it was rare to Apparate across countries and large bodies of water, it wasn't unheard of. People with exceptionally powerful magic could manage it. But if there were actual magical limitations, that would make it incredibly difficult for people to get out.

Was escape the plan for the remaining tatters of the Order? Not fighting? Were the other magical governments accepting refugees? What did M.A.C.U.S.A. have to say about all of this? They always had something to say…

If Voldemort had landlocked the U.K., did that mean he had not branched out his rule?

Recently promoted General Lucius Malfoy.

George was Undesirable No. 1, and Lucius had killed Charlie Weasley.

She braced her hand on the Manor's exterior wall, feeling breath pull sharply at her lungs.

She'd had dinner with him only days ago. He'd followed her down a hill, and carried her in his arms like a child, back to safety.

Charlie's handsome face beamed at her in her memories. She'd knelt to the ground at some point, her knees digging into the rough pebbles and stones. Focusing on the pain, she forced herself to breathe.

How many others had died? The article only mentioned Charlie.

And through it all, the words "limited casualties for the Death Eaters" ran across her eyes like a snagged film strip. Was Draco one of the "limited casualties?"

She took a ragged breath and pressed her face to the sky, letting the sun's rays melt through her cold panic. A few moments later, a cup of tea appeared next to her, steaming. She sat and sipped, fingers trembling, watching the sun crawl toward the treetops. Beneath her shock and pain, beyond her fear and uncertainty, she pulled one thought forward and focused her anger towards it.

Rita Fucking Skeeter was alive and well and writing for the Prophet.

~*~

She explored the grounds for the rest of the day. Pacing and meditation failed to banish the horrified dread in her stomach, so she found the boundary again, reaching her arm out to test the tattoo. It shocked her—unpleasant but not truly painful. Walking the perimeter, she kept trying her arm on different spots until her fingers went numb, and all her racing thoughts were forgotten. The same barrier she'd fallen through weeks ago had permitted her legs, head, and other arm, but not her tattooed arm.

It was safe to say that she could cut off her arm and probably make it out alive. Not that the Malfoys had any instrument that could help her with that.

It was evening when she finally retired to the east wing, tiptoeing around corners, always keeping an eye out for intruders or residents.

They had told her that Bellatrix was barred from the estate, but what did that mean exactly? Was she verbally barred? Or magically? Without a Malfoy on the grounds, would she have access?

The thought of Bellatrix returning for her froze her in her tracks. Draco wouldn't come running for her this time.

In his trunks and socks, she smiled, and the knot in her stomach loosened.

She paused, looking to the door at the top of the stairs in her hallway. She'd never considered where Draco's bedroom was, simply happy to not be dragged into it and pinned to the bed for her first weeks. But if he'd been ready for bed when he heard her scream, certainly his room was nearby.

She'd already searched the rooms on this floor and hadn't found one that looked like it belonged to Draco Malfoy. Maybe she had to be looking for it.

Her hand reached for the first door handle, but she paused.

Narcissa had told her that the Manor was open to her; she just needed to be respectful of the personal quarters.

But Narcissa wasn't here. And Hermione needed to remember that she was a prisoner of war in a house guest's clothing.

She tried the door, the knob turning under her fingers. A clean and uninhabited guest room, smaller than her own. She'd found this one already, and had already inspected for weapons and exits.

She checked every room on the floor, finding nothing. Frowning at her own door several paces away, she considered if Draco had just been passing through that night. If perhaps he'd thought to come to check on her.

Sighing and resigning herself to searching the other wings of the Manor in the morning, she turned to go to bed, passing a carved wooden door next to hers. Something flashed, catching the light, and she stumbled to a halt, turning to see a dragon with an emerald eye winking at her.

She blinked back at it. That door hadn't been there yesterday when she'd looked. And she had been positive she'd checked the rooms next to hers just minutes ago.

A Notice-Me-Not Charm. She wouldn't have found this door unless she was looking for it, or already knew where it was.

Her fingers found the cool brass doorknob, turning. The dragon stared at her.

This was undoubtedly Draco Malfoy's bedroom. There would be no arguing that. Greens and greys and silvers. A Slytherin crest on the wall across from her. A dark-wooden four-poster bed with green canopy curtains hanging down. Bookshelves, though not as many as in her room.

Staring from the doorway, Hermione realized that her room was larger than this. Although Draco's room was the corner suite, hers seemed like two smaller rooms had been combined.

The doors to his balcony beckoned her, and she crossed in long strides, pushing the doors open and stepping into the cool night air.

No barrier.

Not that it mattered. She wouldn't throw herself off a three-story balcony, and she didn't need to climb down to escape — she could walk out the front door.

She moved to the edge of the balcony, hands on the stone railing, and leaned over to see the grass and greenery in the moonlight. When he returned, she would ask him nicely about the access to her balcony. It was lovely in the moonlight.

If he returned.

Her chest tightened, and she swallowed.

Turning to look at her own balcony, she realized just how close the railing was to her own. Just how close his bedroom was to her own. That Draco Malfoy had set her up in a suite as close as physically possible to him, and yet had not laid a finger on her in malice.

Why?

She moved into the bedroom again, turning her attention to the shelves, to the trinkets, searching for answers.

There was a carved statue of a dragon next to a framed photograph of Draco with Crabbe and Goyle. Neither item gave her any information.

Sliding closer to the bed curtains, she gave in to the urge to drag her fingers across the fabric. The bed was made, but something told her that it wasn't the elves who took care of the tidiness. She pulled open the drawers in his bedside table, finding nothing but chocolates, spare parchment, a handkerchief, and a few trinkets. The bookshelf near his bed was filled with familiar titles, and she let her hands drift along the books he kept close to him, noticing a conspicuous hole where seven books would fit perfectly…

The bathroom had a similar tub to her own, tidy counters, and a mirror she could imagine him in, sweeping his hair back with gel or deciding to let it loose.

After half a second's hesitation, she opened the drawers, finding that exact gel and the comb to go with it. She examined his products, some with expensive-sounding French names. She could imagine him here, stepping out of the tub, wrapped up in luscious towels, taking care of his fair skin with the creams and products in the drawers. Her smile faded in the mirror as she wondered if he would ever complete those rituals again. Stumbling from the bathroom, she shook her head, choking back the fear and uncertainty.

The flames burned low in his fireplace, and she spent a few moments looking for the Floo Powder before giving up, not sure if her tattoo would even let her leave by fireplace.

She pulled open the closet doors, finding a vast space for all of Draco Malfoy's blacks, greys, and cobalts. A smirk pulled at her lips as she ran her fingers over the shirts, wondering what he'd look like in pink and orange. He had spare Death Eater robes hung across from his old Hogwarts uniform. She checked the pockets for anything interesting and found nothing.

Although rifling through his drawers was a clear breach of privacy, and expressly against what Narcissa had requested of her, she had bigger issues to worry about. She shoved aside her guilt and pulled open the next drawer.

Laid on top of other greys and blacks was the blue jumper he'd worn weeks ago while sipping on cold tea in her bedroom, as she recovered from her electrocution. It was soft.

She pulled open the drawers against the wall and blushed to find his trunks. Black. Of course. The next drawer was filled with socks. An inordinate amount of socks. She rolled her eyes.

The bottom drawer had extra blankets and a black shoebox. She pried the top open and found her own face staring back at her.

Her fingers froze. Her heart seized. A cold chill ran across her shoulders and down her back.

MUGGLE-BORNS WANTED FOR INTERROGATION

It was the article printed when she was on the run last year, marking her as a priority for the Muggle-Born Registration Commission.

She watched her image turn, an old picture they'd used from the night at the Department of Mysteries once the press had arrived. She was covered in blood, sweat, and dirt. She looked feral.

Her head spun, and she centered herself.

There was a drawer in Draco Malfoy's bedroom that contained a shoebox. Inside that shoebox was a picture of her.

She squeezed the lid of the box between her fingers, trying to make sense of it.

Other scraps of paper lay beneath. Her shaking hand reached.

"Miss needs something?"

Jumping, smacking her head on the top of the dresser, she turned to see a portly male elf in the closet doorway holding linens.

"Er, no, I was just…" she stammered, swiftly closing the box and drawer. The elf stared at her, waiting for an answer. Hermione focused on the bedsheets. "Are they home?"

The chubby little elf looked down sadly. "No. Mippy asks Boppy to bring fresh sheets."

She stood. "Is Mippy here?"

Boppy shook his head again. "Just calls for Boppy."

"Did you see them?" she asked, suddenly desperate. "Was he recovering? Or—?"

"Boppy only sees Mippy. Master and Missus is behind a door."

"What door? Where?"

He stared up at her, eyes watering. "Boppy is not to say. Boppy is just to change sheets." Shifting on his feet in his little pillowcase, he said, "Miss needs help with something?"

Hermione pressed her lips together, mind spinning with all the new information. "No, no. I'll just… head back to mine. My room, that is."

She forced a smile at Boppy as she exited, turning left and falling into her bedroom to lean back on the door. It was larger than Draco's. She followed the frame separating her sleeping area from her living space. These had been two rooms, and someone had knocked down the wall between.

She blinked, rearranging the ideas in her mind.

There was a drawer in Draco Malfoy's bedroom that contained a shoebox. Inside that shoebox was a picture of her.

A newspaper article, she corrected. From almost a year ago. Marking her as a wanted woman.

Combing her mind for what she remembered of that article, she looked out the large windows to the pond. Lupin had told them about the Muggle-Born Registration Commission last year, before they went Horcrux hunting. This article had announced her importance. It had told the world that she was wanted — that whoever procured her would be held in high regard, possibly even paid handsomely.

And Draco Malfoy had a copy of it hidden away in his room, in a location one would keep trinkets or fond old memories.

She felt the cool wood of the door against her back, her heated skin calming. Counting her fingers, counting her breaths, counting the trees she could see in the distance. She pushed aside the anxiety of being caught snooping. She pushed aside the concern over a door beyond which Narcissa and Lucius were standing guard over their son.

She pushed aside the feeling of familiarity. The memory of cutting out an article in the Prophet featuring his smirk and grey eyes, bright in the black and white print, and tucking it into her Hogwarts trunk.

Because this was war. And war had no room for her childish fantasies.

So, what would the Malfoys gain by buying her at the Auction? She was valuable, of course. To both sides and for different reasons. Her purpose had been served for the Death Eaters: entertainment, humiliation, a symbol of hope reduced to a whore. But to the Order… she still was incredibly valuable. Was it possible the Malfoys were prepared to play both sides of this war?

Narcissa's kindness, Lucius's information, Draco's concern for her.

They wanted her to learn Occlumency. They wanted her alive, unharmed, and untouched. They wanted her to play a part when Voldemort visited.

But they weren't playing both sides, she reminded herself. Lucius Malfoy had just killed dozens at Dover Castle, including Charlie. Shaking her head, and knocking her skull back against the door, she refocused. She tried to think how Lucius Malfoy thinks.

If the Death Eaters fell, and the Order rose up again, would she be expected to testify to their treatment of her?

Her face in print, tucked away into a drawer, like it was a prized possession. Even now, she was tucked away in a suite in a fortress, safe as a picture in a drawer.

She settled on one thought, boiling away all other concerns about magical suppressants and tattoos and Horcruxes until the crucible bubbled, and the new questions wafted up from the cauldron of her mind.

How long had the Malfoys been planning for her? And what did they expect her to do for them?

~*~

The next morning, Draco's door was locked. She rolled her eyes.

"Of course," she whispered to herself.

She wondered if Boppy even needed to bring fresh linens.

Every day for the rest of the week, she tried Draco's door. When it didn't budge, she wandered downstairs to try Lucius's study. She looked for Lucius and Narcissa's bedroom in the other wing, but she felt less inclined to intrude upon Narcissa's personal space.

She threw caution to the wind on the seventh day of their absence and began to reread the Horcrux book. There was nothing new. She now knew all the facets of making Horcruxes, but destroying them still yielded the same answers. At night, when her thoughts would drift to Charlie or Draco, she'd recite the steps in her mind until she fell asleep.

The water imagery in the Occlumency book encouraged her to examine the pond on the Malfoy estate more.

Think of a lake with still waters.

After a week of standing at her windows staring down at the pond, she finally wrapped herself against the afternoon wind, and crossed the grounds to the grassy shore. She plopped herself down in the grass, dropping several books next to her.

Gazing at the water's surface, Hermione blocked the sounds and smells around her, focusing on her sight only.

The peacocks broke her concentration as they cawed for her attention. She jumped, turning to see one several paces from her, eyeing her with a twitching head.

"Am I on your turf?" she said with a smile.

He tilted his head at her and then wandered down to the water, dipping his head to drink. She watched the two others slip down the bank, shuffling closer to her.

Just like a Malfoy man, she thought. Ruining her concentration and drawing her focus to him.

She took her books, leaving the shore for the peacocks, and circled the perimeter of the gazebo. It was as large as her childhood bedroom, if not larger. Roman marble pillars supported a dome of intricately designed glass and iron, magic-made if she had to guess.

Ascending the stairs, she perched on a bench looking out over the water and opened Undesirable No. 3, the third in the series. She'd decided to give herself a break from her usual reading today. The pages fell open to her bookmark, but she stared out at the pond.

Think of a lake with still waters.

A breeze kissed the surface, rippling the water. Hermione focused on the depths below, still not visible even after the intrusion.

The sun dipped lower as she meditated, her fingers tucked in the pages, and her thoughts far away.

"You've mastered meditation, I see."

She blinked at the pond, the voice beckoning her mind forward. Turning, she found Draco standing in the middle of the gazebo staring at her. She stumbled to her feet, the Gainsworth book falling from her lap. A flurry of movement as she retrieved it and he stepped forward.

Standing tall again, the book held tightly in her hands, she met his eyes.

"You're back."

"Yes, just twenty minutes ago."

Her eyes scanned him. Not in his Death Eater robes. Comfortable trousers and a buttoned shirt. Not a hair out of place. Not a scratch or tremor or bloody stain. But his left arm—he held it across his stomach as if it was in a sling.

"Your arm." She stepped toward him and stopped. She watched his throat bob. "What happened to it?"

"An injury," he said quickly. "I apologize you were left alone—"

"What kind of injury."

He looked down at his shoulder. "An Acid Hex that turned inward. My bones needed to be regrown. I'm almost healed. I just shouldn't use my arm for a few more days."

An Acid Hex. Hermione swallowed, visualizing how close it might have come to his heart. And then she remembered Dover. And the people his father had killed.

She closed down her concern and joy at seeing him alive. "Did it happen at Dover?"

His eyes snapped up from the path they were taking over her clavicles. He examined her, and then it seemed to dawn on him.

"Is Miss Skeeter printing again?"

"Yes," she snapped. "It was the most information I've received in weeks."

He lifted a brow at her. "I'm sure half of it was true. Probably only a quarter now that the Dark Lord is breathing down her neck."

"So is it true that Charlie Weasley is dead?" She could hear the blood rushing through her ears. "Or is that a lie too?"

"He's dead." The answer was swift and merciless. His eyes were cold.

A heavy weight settled in her chest. "And your father killed him?"

"This is a war, Granger." He stepped closer to her, and she noticed that he wobbled on his left leg. "Or have you forgotten?"

"The war is won," she hissed. "You won. But of course, you won't stop until every last one of us is dead or in chains."

"Right. Let me just call off my armies, Granger." He shook his head at her, scowling. "Did you really think the Dark Lord was going to allow anyone to escape the U.K.?"

"Yes, how silly of me," she mocked. "You're not in charge of anything. Least of all your own actions."

"How in Merlin's name is this my fault? It was my father who sent the Killing Curse—"

"Just because a few people were trying to escape—"

"No, to kill the man who'd tried to murder his son."

Hermione's lips opened. And closed.

Charlie Weasley had sent a deadly Acid Curse?

"He wouldn't do that," she said, but she could hear her voice tremble.

"You don't know him anymore." Draco sneered at her. "You don't know any of them. I've never seen so much dark magic. Not even at the Battle of Hogwarts."

She swallowed, feeling her stomach churn and tumble as her fingers dug into the spine of her book. She felt a desperate need to turn the conversation away.

"And how many people did you kill at Dover Castle?"

"You'll be glad to hear that I only sent off a Jelly-Legs Jinx before I was hit." He frowned at her and shifted on his feet.

"I'll be glad that you didn't have the chance to increase your death toll?" she said. "Like that's some kind of accomplishment?"

"I've only killed one person," he snarled. "It was at the Final Battle."

She blinked at him, taking in the information before hardening again. "And how did it feel? Throwing Killing Curses at your classmates and teachers?"

He sneered at her. "I'm surprised your lips are moving at all, Granger, when it's clear you're talking out of your arse."

His eyes burned into her, and she huffed in frustration.

"Please enlighten me, Malfoy. If there are so many things I'm unaware of—"

He stepped into her, eyes flashing, breath puffing on her face.

"I sliced Thorfinn Rowle in half and watched him bleed out at my feet. I made sure my face was the last thing he saw." His chest heaved, and a breeze whipped between them. Her eyes locked onto his, unblinking. "And I'd do it again," he said.

The heat unfurling from him was palpable, and she could taste the darkness he spat at her.

"Why?" Her voice cracked.

He wet his lips, and his eyes cast about her face before he replied, "He posed a threat to me."

Her mind spun with the possibilities. If he had been willing to kill a fellow Death Eater, what did that mean? Was he not as entrenched as she'd assumed—or was he more ruthless than she'd allowed herself to imagine? Or had it simply been self-preservation, an infamous Malfoy trait?

"Any other questions, Granger?" he said sarcastically, but it was a whisper in the space between them.

Millions, actually.

"What would have happened to me if you died?" she asked, watching his brows furrow, and his eyes clear. "Would I have gone back to Auction?"

His face twitched violently, like he'd been slapped. He stepped back from her, eyes tracing her from top to bottom, and he exhaled sharply. Blinking, his mask fell back into place.

"My mother would have taken care of you—"

"Why would your grieving mother spare a thought for me?" She lifted a brow at him, waiting for him to confirm her best theory. To admit that she was a pawn. Insurance.

He swallowed. "She wouldn't have let you go back to Auction." But he didn't sound convinced. He looked over her shoulder at the pond, and her confidence faltered.

"Would I have been returned to Dolohov?"

His head snapped back to her, and his eyes turned hard as stone. "No. He has no claim on you any longer." She felt a chill across her shoulders, and the same darkness rolled off of him again. "You don't need to worry about Dolohov."

She looked up into his dark eyes, searching for the source of it all. "What did you give him in exchange for me?"

His jaw tightened. The pull she felt for him, like a string vibrating, tugged as she waited for him to tell her the truth or a lie.

"The one thing he wanted more than you."

Her heart pounded and her breath left her as her mind worked through all the possibilities. "Why? Why buy me? Why bid on me?"

He took a breath, and she prepared herself for the range of answers he could give. She thought of her face in his drawer, her bedroom close to his, the way he sucked poison out of her arm. She thought of the esteem she brought the Malfoy family, the way Voldemort had cackled when Draco boasted about the money spent to obtain her.

But she thought about the answer she most hoped to hear, even for all of her logic, as his eyes turned to a spot over her shoulder and his lips pressed tight together.

"It was the right thing to do," he said.

His grey eyes slid over to her, and she studied them as the words swirled inside her ears and her chest. That wasn't an answer. Another evasion.

She clenched her jaw. "When have you ever been concerned with doing the right thing?"

His left eye twitched, but the rest of him was still. "What kind of answer would you prefer, Granger?"

"I'd prefer the truth, but I don't assume I'll get that from you anytime soon." She grabbed for her extra books on the bench, and marched past him.

She was boiling, just reaching the steps of the gazebo before she heard, "Granger—"

Spinning back to him, she growled, "Doing the right thing, Malfoy, would have been coming to the Order in sixth year." His jaw snapped shut, and his eyes turned to stone. "Doing the right thing would have been standing up to your father at any of the millions of times he's done evil in the name of that monster." She felt a crackling through her veins. She stepped toward him again, watching him breathe deeply through his nose. "The right thing would have been stopping the Auction from taking place altogether, or helping us escape, or buying Luna—"

Her voice cracked, and she swallowed. He lifted a brow, and the haughty look he sent her sizzled her nerve endings, firing up her blood.

"But if I'd fallen on my sword, Granger," he mocked, "who would have set you up in a private suite?" He prowled forward, his injured arm hanging uselessly across his chest. She felt her skin buzzing. "Who would allow you privacy, and fetch your books, and feed you pumpkin soup—"

"I didn't ask for any of this, Malfoy—"

"—certainly not Dolohov."

Her lips curled back, baring her teeth at him. "Is it gratitude, you're looking for? You want me to say 'thank you?'"

"It'd be a fucking start."

She felt his breath on her face. He glared down at her, his eyes flashing. Her fingers itched to hit him, to push him back. She was shaking with it.

"I won't say thank you for something so selfishly motivated. Clearly, nothing you've done has been for the greater good if you need validation for it."

"You wanna see 'selfishly motivated?'" His eyes dragged cruelly over her lips and shoulders, down to her chest. "We could always take that suite away from you. I heard you found my bedroom, Granger. Want to spend more time there?"

She vibrated with the need to hurt him. It shook her every muscle until her hands fisted, determined not to raise a hand to her captor, and the energy punched its way down her legs. Ready to snap back at him, she stomped her foot on the ground, freeing the electricity—

Draco jerked back, flying through the air as if on a string, his lips parted in a silent gasp. His body slammed against the wall of the gazebo with a crunch, and he crumpled to the ground.

Hermione stood, mouth wide and eyes popping, looking for the source of the magic. Looking for the reason…

Her fingers shook, life sparking in them.

Her magic.

She wasn't suppressed. Never? Or just since the Malfoys left?

Her eyes snapped back to Draco, curled in on himself, wheezing.

"Draco, I…" she stammered, "I didn't mean to—"

He gasped a rattle. His eyes pale, and his skin grey. His injured arm still held across his chest, leaning back against the wall, but his entire left shoulder seemed disfigured.

My bones needed to be regrown, he'd said.

She was running to his side before she could command her feet. Dropping to her knees, her hands reached for him, stopping short when she didn't know where to touch him.

His head turned away from her, eyes squeezing shut. A tear dripping out of his closed eye. He wheezed.

"Draco, can you"—her voice shook and fingers trembled—"Can you stand?"

He coughed, and blood sprayed from his lips onto the gazebo floor.

Her head whipped to the Manor. "Help!"

A wet chuckle turned her back to his ashen face. His glazed eyes were on hers, and he smiled ruefully.

"I always knew you'd kill me one day, Granger," he rasped.

His voice was hollow. And his head lolled as he smiled at her again.

She pressed her hand to support his jaw and screamed, "MIPPY!"

A pop behind her. "Master Draco!"

"I-it was an accident, I—" she couldn't breathe, she couldn't breathe— "I think his new bones are broken. His—his lungs are punctured, and—"

A small hand reached for Draco's sleeve, and suddenly he was gone, only the drops of his blood left behind.

She was alone in the gazebo. She was alone, and she'd hurt him.

Spinning, she looked to his bedroom window—the corner bedroom on the third floor.

The candles were lit inside.

She grabbed up the books she'd dropped and ran. Her legs carried her through the gardens and up the stairs to the entrance. The marble stairs clicked under her feet as she ran up the stairs to their shared wing, barrelling toward the door with the dragon carving. The door handle didn't turn. She had to see him. Fix what she'd done.

She stood there, panting, staring at the emerald eye. Reaching her arm out, she imitated the Alohomora wand movements and whispered the spell. Nothing.

The clicking of footsteps on marble, and she turned to see a harried Narcissa rushing towards her.

"Hello, dear," she clipped. "We'll have tea later, yes?" And then Narcissa was opening the door and slipping inside with a hissed, "I told you it was too soon, Draco," before Hermione could blink.

The door shut, and Hermione startled. She tried the handle again. Locked. Of course they wouldn't want her inside. She was dangerous. Unstable.

She blinked, vision blurring, pressing her ear against the door and waiting for some kind of sound, an indication of what was going on inside. Some kind of reassurance.

The door opened, and she almost fell into the chest of Lucius Malfoy. She scrambled back, looking up into the face of the man that had killed Charlie Weasley and countless others, feeling like a guilty child. "You stupid girl," he snarled at her.

His anger froze her, and she breathed, "It was an accident. I—"

Draco screamed beyond the cracked door, and she shuddered, craning her neck to see into the room. Lucius slid in front of her and shoved his finger in her face.

"You hurt my son again, and I'll drag you to the dungeons myself." He drew himself up, towering over her. "Control your magic," he hissed. "Or I'll take it from you."

He spun on his heel and disappeared into Draco's bedroom. The door slammed, and she listened to the echo of it bounce amongst the portraits, their whispers and sobs slithering through her mind.

She walked back to her room, closed the door, and slid down to the floor. Deep breaths, one after another, until her shoulders stopped shaking and the image of Draco behind her eyelids vanished. She uncurled her fingers, the nails digging into her palms. There was a new puzzle to solve.

She had magic.

And the Malfoys knew she did. And they didn't care.

How did that factor into her latest theories?

She stared blankly at the wall that connected her room to Draco's, the fireplace burning merrily, and wondered if her circumstances were better or worse with the Malfoys' return.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 12

Chapter Notes

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have TRIGGERS, please see the end notes for specific chapter 12 trigger warnings.

Due to some real life writing projects, I need to take the end of September off unfortunately. Chapter 13 will post next Sunday, but Chapter 14 won't post until Oct 6.

Thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Waiting for Draco to recover from his injuries was somehow even more agonizing when they were only separated by a wall. She suspected his condition was serious, but not critical. Narcissa and Mippy kept a near-constant vigil in his room, but Lucius was nowhere to be found, apparently traveling again. Hermione left the door to her suite cracked so she could hear the comings and goings in their shared hallways. Whenever Narcissa's delicate footsteps clicked toward his room, she'd place her ear to her door and hope to hear some muttered conversation as she entered. Once the footsteps trailed away from Draco's room and down the stairs, she'd creep to his door and stand there until the dragon's mocking green eye forced her hand.

But every time she tried the door herself, it wouldn't budge. She attempted to open it with magic on several occasions, but without success. She wasn't sure if it was because she was wandless or if there was more than a simple locking charm, in which case Alohomora wouldn't work even if she had a wand.

One the second day, she snuck down to the kitchens and shuffled around until she located several old Daily Prophets stacked in the corner. Snatching a few with recent dates, she rushed upstairs, tucking the papers under her jumper and running back to her room. Once she'd locked the door behind her, she sunk to the floor and began to read.

Headline after headline of rebellions being squashed by the Great Order — the name given to the new regime. It felt like a slap in the face to the Order of the Phoenix, to be erased in such a way and written over.

Rita Skeeter certainly had a way with words. Hermione knew this from growing up with the woman "buzzing" around her, but it was only her familiarity with Skeeter that allowed her to read between the lines.

The words "small rebellion" and "dozens of casualties" appeared together several times, making Hermione question the actual numbers Skeeter was reporting. Also, she found several articles that referenced back to the Dover Castle Massacre instead of focusing on the details of the skirmishes published, as if the outcomes were never as positive for the Great Order as they were at Dover.

The most interesting piece of information she was able to glean from the articles came in a brief mention of an attack in London three days before the Malfoys returned:

A Muggle cafe was brutally attacked last night by Undesirable No. 1 and 2, George Weasley and Angelina Johnson. The Dark Lord's forces were drawn to the cafe from a sighting report, and proceeded to engage in combat with the two criminals. The skirmish left several Muggles dead or wounded, proving once again that the rebels care little about the lives of the very population they claim to be defending. (Turn to pg. 3 for a full listing of the Undesirables.)

Hermione's eyes narrowed at the words on the page, taking note of the obvious lies and omissions to suss out the truth. The article didn't mention anything about George and Angelina's capture or death. And there was no way they had purposefully killed Muggles at the cafe. Her breath hitched at the reference to a list of wanted rebels.

She flipped to page three, and found half the page taken up by George Weasley's face, grinning in a flamboyant suit, the sign for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes dipping into the top of the frame. Below the fold, Angelina Johnson stared up at her, wearing her Gryffindor Quidditch uniform.

Taking a deep breath, she realized that if Angelina was on the run, then she was the prisoner that had escaped Macnair's estate, not Ron. Hermione dropped her eyes to Angelina's description, and saw "Wanted for the Murder of Walden Macnair" among her list of crimes, confirming her suspicions.

So where was Ron? Had he not been at the Macnair estate when George came for Angelina? She remembered what Draco had said about Voldemort "requesting" him shortly after the Auction. A pale chill of dread shuddered her.

She forced herself to focus and continue reading Angelina's physical description. Under her height and skin color, it said, "missing left forearm."

She pressed her eyes closed, sucking in a short breath. She had been right. If she cut off her arm, she could get around the tattoo.

Hermione tried to imagine it. Tried to think of George and Angelina at the boundary line of some gothic structure, staring at each other until Angelina gave him the go ahead to mutilate her. They would have killed Macnair first, thinking that would do it—that Angelina would be free if her master was dead.

They at least had wands. Hermione considered her own options. Steal a kitchen knife and hack her way through her own flesh and bone. Or steal a wand from one of her three jailors, and slice it off with a firm voice.

Either of these options were possible—horrible, but possible. But were they necessary? More importantly, were they wise?

Where would she go—armless and bleeding? She could look it up, of course, but she had no training on how to treat an amputated limb, and it could be risky with an unfamiliar wand. If it got infected, she might not be in a state to heal herself. The Order likely had a safehouse and supplies somewhere, but how would she find them? Surely there had to be another way around the tattoos that didn't involve putting herself in such a vulnerable position.

Hermione placed the information on a shelf in her mind — an Occlumency trick briefly mentioned in her textbook.

Ever since learning that she had her magic flowing through her veins, Hermione had begun pushing the boundaries of her Occlumency skills. (She suspected that was the point of them letting her keep her magic in the first place.) The more she experimented, the more it felt as though there were shelves now in her mind—places she could put things, and not think about again until she chose to.

She was practicing the technique in her armchair one afternoon when a knock rapped on her door. She stood, stuffing the advanced book under the cushion, and rushed for her door. Narcissa stood on the other side with a soft smile and folded hands. Hermione forced a polite smile, pushing away her disappointment.

Of course. It was unlikely he would be standing, much less visiting.

"Hello, dear," Narcissa said. "It's certainly been a while since I've come to see you. I apologize that you were left—"

"I'm so sorry, Narcissa," Hermione said, words pouring out of her. "I swear I didn't mean to cause him any harm. I had—I had no idea that… that I had magic, and I was angry and—and it just happened. Believe me—I wish I could take it back."

Narcissa blinked down at her, lips twitching. "Thank you, Hermione. But I think you are apologizing to the wrong person."

"His door is locked." She shut her jaw with a click, regretting speaking so quickly. "I mean to say, he… he doesn't want to see me." Something sparkled in Narcissa's eyes, and Hermione felt her face heat. "Or, he's resting, I'm sure."

"Resting, certainly. It's been a trying few weeks for him. For the whole family, really."

Hermione nodded at her feet. "Er—would you like to come in?"

"That would be lovely," said Narcissa.

She stumbled into her chair, fidgeting as Narcissa fluttered into hers. "How is he? What—"

She jumped, distracted by the two teacups that had just appeared at the small table between them.

Narcissa gave her a tense smile and hummed into her teacup. "His ribcage needed to be regrown, but aside from that, he's been in good condition."

Hermione felt her tongue stick to the roof of her mouth. Her vision blurred, and she blinked away the shapes. Remembering his body on the gazebo floor, the way his torso had slammed against the pillar…

She'd done that. She'd broken countless bones in his body, puncturing his lungs. And then she'd fumbled over him for what felt like hours instead of calling for Mippy immediately.

Hermione's lip trembled. A cool hand with soft skin dropped over hers, and she looked up to see Narcissa leaning close to her.

"Don't fret, dear. He's healing as we speak." She settled back in her chair and said, "And if I know my son, I know he probably deserved at least a slap across his mouth." She smiled at Hermione and sipped her tea.

They found conversation to steer away from Draco's health or the Battle at Dover that had injured him originally. All Narcissa revealed about the incident was that they had stayed in a cottage on the outskirts of the remains of the castle while Draco recovered, and that Lucius was traveling, as she'd suspected.

Hermione had no desire to press her on either topic. She hadn't seen Lucius since he'd wagged his finger in her face and threatened her, and she was glad for it.

Recently promoted General Lucius Malfoy.

She swallowed her fears about what his absence might mean for her friends.

As Narcissa stood to leave, she said, "I heard you've taken an interest in the papers."

Heat bloomed in her cheeks. Hermione held her breath, waiting to be chastised. Instead Narcissa produced a copy of that day's Prophet from her robes, with a smile.

Hermione couldn't help but return it. "Thank you, Narcissa."

Once she was alone, she flipped open the pages, finding another small attack in York the day before. The author claimed George and Angelina had been involved again. Hermione frowned, trying to piece together the places they were supposedly choosing, but couldn't find any commonalities. She turned to page three for the list of Undesirables, and was shocked to see Katie Bell added to the list, just underneath Bill and Fleur Weasley. Hermione tried to remember Katie from the Ministry holding cells. She hadn't been there.

Had Katie gotten away at the Final Battle? Who else had escaped?

She pondered the information, rereading the front page article for hints and subtext. Her eyes blinked quickly at the date. It had already been one month since the Battle of Hogwarts.

A weight dropped over her as she realized that today was June 4. She burrowed even further into her chair, awash with shame that Draco would be still mending broken bones on his birthday.

~*~

The next day, she wandered the library, bravely pulling the Horcrux text down and reading it for the thousandth time. She looked up Fiendfyre again. She looked into Basilisk venom.

She found nothing else useful.

When she climbed the stairs back to her room, she thought she'd try Draco's door again. She'd forgotten to try it on her way down to the library, even though it was a force of habit by now—

The handle turned. She pushed open the door and entered the room before it barred her.

Knocking hadn't even occurred to her. She shut the door swiftly once she was through.

"Granger?"

He laid against his pillows looking deathly pale. When her eyes met his, he began shifting, attempting to sit up, possibly saving his dignity.

"Don't," she cautioned, moving toward the bed. "Don't injure yourself further. I'll be quick." She wrung her hands. "I'm sorry. I'm very, very sorry, Malfoy."

His eyes grew wide, and the color returned to his cheeks as she came closer.

"I had no idea that my magic wasn't being suppressed. I thought—I thought I was being given the potion—which, actually, I'd like to ask about, but—no, another time."

She was stammering and she felt a blush rise from her chest. He pushed his limp hair off of his forehead, raking his fingers through it.

"I would never have—have injured you further on purpose. I promise that wasn't my—" She swallowed. "I mean to say, I was just very angry, and I felt out of control—"

"Granger—"

"Please let me finish." She stepped forward again, and for a wild moment she thought about taking his hand, sitting at the edge of his bed— "It was unintentional. And—and of course I don't blame you for what happened at Dover. I disapprove of your fath—your family's position in the war, but I'm aware that things could be much worse for me. I know you're just doing your best—"

"Granger, we have company."

She froze, heart stopping. Spinning to the other side of the room, she found Blaise Zabini reclining comfortably in Draco's wingback chair, sipping merrily from a glass and smirking.

"Granger. So good of you to drop by."

Her lips parted uselessly, staring into Zabini's dark eyes as he smacked his lips, drinking in the brandy and the show.

"Zabini," she said cautiously. She calculated all the words she'd just said aloud, combing them for mistakes and terms too intimate.

Of course he was here. It was Draco's birthday, wasn't it? She looked back to him, a strained look on his pale features, and she felt so foolish for rushing in here, for forgetting everything she'd worked so hard to compartmentalize and hide. The anticipation of seeing him again had been too great, and the need to apologize had overwhelmed her logic.

A noisy sipping from the armchair, and Blaise smiled at her over his glass once her attention returned to him.

"Granger, pull up a chair. Let's catch up." He crossed one leg over the other, and his eyes sparkled.

She gaped at him, blinking quickly before closing down her features and centering her mind.

"I've just come to... to clear the air. About… something." She glanced to Draco quickly, seeing him sitting up in bed as much as he could, leaning slightly to his right. "And—and I have… so… Enjoy your visit," she said, nodding to Zabini. She hurried to the door, pulling it open, and in a moment of sheer impulse, tossed back over her shoulder, "Happy birthday, Draco," before sliding through and shutting the door behind her.

Her fingers shook.

She'd called him Draco.

She'd wished him a happy birthday.

Which implied that she knew his birthday.

Hermione groaned, running her fingers through her hair and tugging at the roots as she stomped back to her own room.

~*~

She was still blushing when she got out of the shower an hour later, having allowed her mind to concoct all the different ways Blaise Zabini and Draco Malfoy might have reacted to her flustered intrusion and intimate birthday sentiments.

Sighing, she placed her embarrassment onto a shelf in her mind, putting it away for now. She slipped on her bathrobe and tossed her wet hair up in a knot, exiting to her bedroom.

Blaise Zabini sat in her armchair, flipping through one of her books, sipping on her afternoon tea. He smiled at her from across the room, eyes slipping down to her bare legs before returning to her face.

"The water temperature is decadent, isn't it?"

Hermione pulled tightly at her bathrobe, feeling her heart pound in her fingertips. She knew little of Zabini at school, only that he had been an absolute cad from fifth year onwards. She hadn't seen him at the Battle of Hogwarts — something that neither earned nor lost him points in her book.

"How did you get in here?" Her voice was stronger than she felt.

He waved his hand. "Yes, it was quite difficult to find, actually. Notice-Me-Nots and the like." He crossed his legs and smirked. "But I knew it would be close."

"No. How did you get in?" she demanded. "There are supposed to be… Blood Boundaries, or…" She didn't know. She just knew that Draco changed the spells after Bellatrix.

"Ah, yes," he said, placing his teacup — her teacup, really — on the side table. "That did take a few tries. I had to convince the room that I wasn't here to cause harm to the occupant."

Her relief sharpened into irritation when his eyes dripped down to her legs again. "If you keep looking at me like that, hopefully the room will see fit to eject you. Violently."

His eyes sparkled. "Oh, no, no. My thoughts are of nothing but mutual pleasure, Granger. Rest assured."

She bristled, then rolled her eyes. "Wonderful. I'll sleep easier now. Look, Zabini, thanks for dropping by, but—"

"This doesn't look like a sex dungeon at all, really." He stood, straightening his unwrinkled robes, and taking in the suite. "I'm quite disappointed."

She stared at him incredulously. "A sex dungeon," she snorted. "And where did you get that idea?"

He turned to look at her from where he'd just parted her curtains to examine the grounds. "Draco."

She blinked, mind twisting to work through it. But of course Draco would be keeping up the ruse around his friends. She could only hope she hadn't ruined everything earlier.

He continued, "He's been quite cagey about you, but he managed to tell us a bit about how you've been occupied."

"My ropes and chains are in the closet," she deadpanned. "Who is 'us,' exactly?"

Blaise wandered towards her bookshelves. "The boys." His fingers drifted over the titles. "At our gatherings." He eyed her, his features giving away nothing.

"Gatherings." She tested the word on her tongue. "Death Eater meetings, you mean?"

"Not all of us are Death Eaters."

They stared at each other. And Hermione considered her next move carefully.

"Where is Pansy," she asked.

His dark eyes danced over her face, pausing and thinking. "Dead."

Hermione felt the wind knocked out of her. She resisted the need to lean on something. Her fingers tightened in her robe.

Her mind worked. The last time she'd seen Pansy, she'd been running into Blaise's waiting arms… as he rescued her.

Her eyes dug into him. "Why?"

"For disloyalty to the Dark Lord," he responded smoothly. Too smoothly.

"You're lying."

Blaise paused. Then shrugged, and said, "Ask Draco." He sauntered into her sleeping area, drawing closer to her and the bed. "He'd be more than—"

He cut off sharply as his eyes caught on something. She followed his gaze to her bedside table, searching for what he saw. The book she'd fallen asleep reading last night, the empty jewelry box, and a candlestick. The book title wasn't anything intriguing — she made sure to always hide the Occlumency book within another on her shelf. She glanced back at him. He frowned, and then turned to her, falling back into his swagger.

"More than happy to give you more information," he finished.

"Wonderful. Anything else? Or can I get dressed now"—he opened his mouth—"in privacy."

He grinned. "I was just interested in seeing the sex dungeon, but…" he sighed dramatically. "I'm afraid you've let me down."

"Apologies." She moved to her wardrobe, dismissing him.

"It does tickle me to see how close you and Draco have gotten."

She froze in the middle of shuffling through her clean jumpers. Blaise leaned against her bedpost, watching her closely.

"We're not close."

"Yeah?" He lifted a brow at her. "When's my birthday, Granger?"

She pressed her lips together, fighting the blush creeping up her neck.

He smirked and sauntered to the door, turned over his shoulder, and said, "Or should I call you Hermione? Since we're all on a first-name basis in this house."

With a wink, he disappeared.

Hermione closed her eyes and filed away the embarrassment. She moved an armchair in front of the door before changing out of her robe and into proper clothing.

~*~

All further news of Draco was passed on from Narcissa. He'd finally left his room for the first time a day later. He'd walked by himself through the Manor's gardens on the next, and finally on Monday, he'd left the Manor for the first time.

Hermione kept her curiosity to herself, wondering where Draco went, how he spent his free time—afraid to hear that it was official Death Eater business that had called him away.

She looked for him in the mornings from her window, hoping to glimpse him walking through the grounds, testing his new ribs, but she never spotted him.

On Tuesday she decided to resume her daily library visits. After a late breakfast, she pushed open the doors, intent to dive deeper into Occlumency after her routine sweep of the Horcrux information.

She followed her normal path straight to where the book mentioning Horcruxes lay, tucked between two large, leather-bound tomes in the Dark Arts section.

It wasn't there.

Hermione blinked, checking the surrounding shelves. The misplaced book was nowhere to be found.

Her heart pounded as she weighed her options. After a minute or two, she cleared her throat and chanced asking the catalog. But the book finder glowed a dim red, indicating the absence of such a book in the library.

Someone else was reading the only book in the vast Malfoy library containing information on Horcruxes.

Vibrating with anxiety and indecision, Hermione paced. Had Lucius tracked what she'd been reading, pulling it to stop her research—or to better understand her interest? Did the Malfoys even know about the Horcruxes? Lucius had Tom Riddle's diary for years before ensuring its delivery to Hogwarts, but hadn't Harry told her that Dumbledore doubted he even knew what it truly was?

Without a way to deduce the answers to her building questions, she decided she had even more reason now to focus her attention on Occlumency.

She was able to find several other books in the library to help with some of the more advanced practices, including how to fend off an attack of Legilimency. The first Occlumency book she'd taken from the library only covered the basics, such as concentration and meditation. One of the advanced techniques that had resonated with her was thinking of her mind as a bookcase or a series of shelves. Her introductory textbook had a short summary on it, and she'd experimented with it before using pure intuition. But now she had pages of detail and theory at her fingertips.

There were ideas of bringing other memories forward—or, in her case, displaying a memory on an easily reachable shelf. Although the techniques were incredibly advanced, Hermione couldn't help but soak in the information, always seduced by the most challenging ideas.

Hours later, Hermione sat in one of the grand armchairs, facing a large window that overlooked the pond as she focused her mind on still waters and hidden shelves. She tried to bring forward only memories of her parents, a process that involved the effort to push things onto different shelves. She thought less and less of her parents as she stared at the pond from the window, and focused on the memories that were always at the forefront of her mind.

Draco's bare shoulders as he sucked the poison from her.

The silence of Ron's scream for her from across the stage at the Palace.

A body flying backwards, hitting the pillar of a gazebo.

Harry's small frame in Hagrid's arms.

Hissing lips, spitting acid at her from the audience of a grand theatre.

The dried blood on Ginny's temple as she turned to her, pale skin translucent in the spotlight.

Hermione took each of them, holding them like books, and placed them on tall shelves, or shoved their thin spines inside of larger ones, hiding them on bottom shelves. She pulled forward the memory of her parents taking her to the circus. Her mother's perfume bottle as it was replaced on the vanity. Her father's easy laugh at unfunny jokes. An entire shelf was open at eye-level, now that she'd replaced the other thoughts. She filled it with happy memories of her parents.

When she brought forward the memory of her mother's hand clutching hers in the balcony of the Palace Theatre as the first of them died on the barricade, she heard an echo of dark voices. Voices that screamed for her to bend over and strip. Voices that shouted her worth in Galleons.

A book on the bottom shelf of her mind slid forward, begging to be opened.

She focused on pushing it away again.

"Granger."

Her eyes blinked. She was staring at the pond from a deep armchair in the Manor's library.

The books inside her mind shivered, thrumming with the energy it took for her to contain them—to keep them in place. Only happy memories of her parents.

"Granger," someone said again.

She swam back to herself. There was someone next to her. But if she looked at him, the books would fall off their shelves and she'd be left only with bare shoulders and crumpled bodies and silky voices—

"You're feeling better?" she asked, drawing breath from her lungs and preparing to look away from the pond and the still waters. "How are your ribs?"

She focused her mind, called upon her strength to keep her shields up. Her heart pounded with an excitement to see him again. And she quieted that book, pushing it away.

"Better," his voice rumbled.

Breathing deep, she turned her eyes to him, taking in a tall body leaning slightly to the right, and curious eyes gazing down at her.

Only happy memories of her parents.

Her gaze flitted away, her energy focused on the bookshelves in her mind.

"How was your birthday?" She knew her own lips had asked the question, but the voice was unfamiliar to her. "Were you able to enjoy it—?"

"Look at me."

She felt the command in her bones. Turning her head to him, finding his grey eyes, she saw him twitch at the sight of her. He looked down at the book in her lap, then back up at her.

Hermione saw him through a haze, recognizing him, but also failing to place him. Her body filled with cotton, her head filled with dust.

She blinked, and it was like he swam back into focus. Draco Malfoy stood next to her, staring down at her with concern.

Her bookshelf cracked, and the texts fell open at her feet.

She sucked in a deep breath, and his bare chest, his broken ribs, his bloody lips, his cool eyes — they all fell off the shelf.

Her eyes stung, as if she'd looked directly into the sun. She pinched them closed and pressed her hand over her forehead, blocking out the light.

She felt the advanced Occlumency book slither away from her lap, lifted away from her.

"You're too expressive for this specific technique," he muttered. "It will be obvious that something is wrong with you." She listened to him turn the page, and then close the book with a snap. "You skipped intermediate studies?"

"Of course," she said, her lips pulling in the ghost of a smirk. Her head spun. She felt like she'd been awake for days. "Did you expect anything less of me?"

Her eyes slipped open, staring at the pond through the window again. She tried to grasp onto the idea of still waters, calming her racing mind, but her energy was depleted.

"It can be exhausting," he said, barely a whisper.

She nodded, drowsiness in her veins. "I'll just ask the kitchens for tea."

A pause. And then: "You don't drink coffee anymore?"

Her mind startled to attention. She looked up at him. He was flipping through the pages of another advanced Occlumency book, his question floating innocently between them.

She did prefer coffee. In fact, she only drank tea with honey because she'd seen him drinking it for the past seven years. Some insane notion to feel closer to him.

"We have coffee," he offered softly, eyes still on the book.

"Thank you. I'll… I'll ask for coffee next time." She wanted to pry, to dig into this observation. But she had more pressing questions while she had him here. "How is Pansy?"

She watched his eyes harden. A swift close of the book. "She's dead."

"How?"

"She was killed for her disloyalty to the Dark Lord."

She frowned, watching him closely. "Those were Zabini's exact words as well. Curious."

His eyes snapped to her. "When did you speak to Blaise?" There was a bite in his words, and she felt the ice from his eyes.

"He stopped by. Entered my room and drank my tea without a care in the world." She shifted in her seat, lifting a brow at Draco's dark expression. "How did you adjust the wards after your aunt's visit?"

His jaw clenched. "It's based on intent to harm."

"And you still won't tell me why it is that the Malfoy family has no intent to harm me?"

His lips pressed together, refusing to answer. She sighed, shoulders sagging.

"Well, if you could also include 'intent to pester,' that would be much appreciated."

The blood rushed to her head as she moved to stand. The Occlumency had drained her far more than she'd thought, and she stumbled back against the arm of the chair.

A hand on her elbow. Her head pounded as she squeezed her eyes shut, registering that Draco was touching her. When she opened her eyes and righted herself, he said, "You should be careful next time. It can be very draining."

She blinked to find him staring down at her, body close and fingers still light on her arm. He wobbled on his feet, looking pale.

"You're still injured," she said. "You should be careful as well."

His eyes danced over her face, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "We're quite a pair, aren't we?"

Her skin tingled even after his fingers lifted from her arm. He offered to accompany her back to her room so she could rest. She could feel the air between them as they walked, every sound of footsteps on the marble echoing in her mind. They were slow to climb the stairs, his ribs still healing and her head still throbbing, but at every corner they turned she could have sworn she felt the ghost of a hand on her back, guiding her, steadying her.

He walked her to her door, and perhaps it was her pounding head that made her dizzy with the ludicrous comparison that he'd just walked her back to her flat at the end of a date. His eyes drifted over her as she nodded at him in thanks, and when she shut her door, she leaned up against the cool wood, listening for his delayed footsteps back to his own room, trying not to think about how his lips might have felt against hers if he'd claimed them in a goodnight kiss.

She woke the next morning to a large pot of coffee at her bedside table.

~*~

She didn't see Draco in person for several days. By the third day, it grimly occurred to her that he might have joined Lucius, wherever he was. She concentrated on her Occlumency to keep herself busy, steadily increasing her endurance and trying out other techniques as well. When she exhausted herself after a day of practicing, she'd curl up with one of her fiction books, allowing herself an hour or two of peace and rest.

She was in the middle of reading her second favorite Dickens on the fourth day of Draco's absence when her bedroom door opened. She looked up from her wingback chair, startled to see him in the doorway.

He usually knocked.

"Yes?"

He stared down at her, his mouth in a hard line. "Get changed. Something presentable."

She blinked down at herself. She was in leggings and a jumper. She supposed she wasn't quite prepared for company, but she didn't expect to have any.

She stood, closing her book. "Where are we going?"

He was silent. She rolled her eyes and headed to her wardrobe. She looked at him as she pulled open the doors, lifting a brow. "Any requests?"

A flick of his fingers and something satin barreled forward into her face. She plucked it off of her head and glared at him. It was a slip. Practically a négligée.

"Be quick about it," he said, words short and chilled. She closed her mouth, biting back her retort. He turned to eye her bookshelves as she exited to the bathroom.

Something was wrong. He was under some kind of stress or… She shook her head, swallowing her apprehension. He'd gotten her this far, hadn't he? So what if he was in a bad mood. She'd seen worse.

She shucked her leggings and jumper, pulling the satin over herself. She grimaced at her reflection, looking much more like a whore – reminding her of her place outside of the Manor. She pulled the slip up, tightening the straps over her bra, smoothing the fabric over her knickers.

When she came out of the bathroom, he was still staring at the bookshelf, unblinking. She moved to the door, ready to follow him.

"Who gave you permission to wear those undergarments?"

She tripped over the carpets, stopping and staring back at him.

"Excuse me?" She glared at the back of his head. How dare he—

"Take them off."

He turned to scowl at her lazily, his eyes flinty and dangerous. She felt a chill down her spine. He'd made her remove her bra the last time they left the Manor, but what possible reason could there be for wanting her knickers off?

He prowled towards her like a jungle cat, and she stood still as he drew closer, aware of the growing pounding in her chest. If she hadn't recognized his movements, his carriage, the deft way his fingers twirled his wand, she would assume someone had polyjuiced themselves as Draco Malfoy.

But she remembered these eyes from sixth year. Different from his own. Something sharp and merciless in them.

He stopped before her, his chest barely an inch from hers, forcing her head to tilt back.

"Or do I need to take them off myself," he whispered, his breath disturbing the curls on top of her head.

A tingling terror rocketed through her veins. She'd never been truly afraid of him before. Not when he'd captured her in Umbridge's office with his hand low on her stomach, not when his friends had been casting killing curses at her in the Room of Requirement.

She searched his eyes.

His hands shot out, gripping her elbows and spinning her swiftly, her feet tangling with each other. Her chest slammed into the wall, her head turning just in time to keep from breaking her nose. The air left her lungs, and she struggled to press back. Her hands flat on the wall, but he pressed one palm to the center of her shoulder blades.

She gasped, mind working quickly over her options.

He was proving a point.

Or she'd angered him beyond anything she'd experienced.

Or this was some kind of dark magic, seducing him and twisting him.

His fingers on her low back, plucking at the satin slip, pulling it up, up.

Her eyes wide, staring at her cream colored wall.

The slip pulled up over her backside, and then his hand was underneath, smoothing his fingers up her spine until he found the clasp of her bra. A swift twist, and the clasp was undone.

He dragged the strap down one shoulder, his other hand still pressing her firm against the wall.

"You know how I feel about these tits, Granger." His voice rumbled behind her, shaking her ribs.

Her heart stuttered, and her breath caught. No… she didn't.

His fingers traced down her arm, curling around her elbow. His hand on her ribs, fingers reaching for her breast.

This wasn't right.

Something was wrong with him.

She pushed away from the wall with all her strength, jerking her hips back and twisting her body.

His hands snapped to her hips, holding her against the wall while his chest pressed to her back. She felt his breath heavy on her neck.

"Frisky today."

She panted, her forehead pressing into the wall and her palms still pushing her as far back as she could.

Could she call for help? Would Narcissa hear?

He pressed his hips forward, and she felt him hard against her backside.

Her mind blanked. A white slate where once she had a brain.

Draco was touching her. And he was aroused. And he was dangerous.

Chapter End Notes

TRIGGER WARNINGS: This chapter contains elements of Non-Con. Please read with caution. Please see the tags for this story.

.

Updates on Sundays.

Pinterest board for The Auction here .

Find me on Tumblr , Instagram , and Twitter .

Facebook group for Auction followers and the Rights and Wrongs series called Rights & Wrongs . Come yell about socks with us.

Chapter 13

Chapter Notes

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS ELEMENTS OF NON-CON. Please be aware of your own mental health and read with caution.

Due to some real life writing projects, I need to take the end of September off. Chapter 14 will post Oct 6.

Thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

See the end of the chapter for more notes

His hips rolled against her, pressing her into the wall. Her breath hitched, waking her brain. She pushed back again, struggling against his chest, twisting her body away from the wall.

He held her still, breathing hard into her hair. One hand held her arm against the wall, the other quickly slithered down her stomach, and as his hips canted into her again, he pinched the skin on her hip so sharply she yelped.

A dreamy sigh against her neck, like something divine had happened. She blinked quickly, wondering what the pinch was for. He rolled his hips again, his erection pressing harder into her. He pinched her again.

She squeaked.

"Malfoy," she begged, "what are you—"

"Take my cock so good, don't you."

Her body froze. He pushed against her again, groaning, like he…

Like they…

Both his hands came to cover hers on the wall.

"You like this, Granger?" His voice lilted. "You like it when I fuck you?"

She swallowed, brain spinning.

His fingers laced between hers, pressing her down.

"You're so wet for me."

That couldn't possibly be. He wasn't… he didn't have access to…

She braced herself against the wall, trying to gather her wits as his hips rolled into her. Her gaze landed on the ring on his thumb, pressing over her own.

The ring that had sliced her lip open when he'd hit her. Not because he'd wanted to, but...

Why had he pinched her?

He grunted into her ear.

This simulation served a purpose. She just had to figure out what it was.

One hand on her hip, tugging her backward, pulling her feet back a step with him while his other hand held her upper body to the wall. He kicked her ankle out, widening her stance. The angle brought his hard length closer to her center, and she gasped.

His hand pinched her again, harder. She jerked, rubbing herself on him accidentally.

"You like that?" he hummed behind her. He slammed his hips to hers, shaking her.

She looked down, trying to figure out what was happening between them. What it was she was supposed to like—

His hand in her hair, twisting her head before she could look. Her neck twinged, and she winced at the pain. His fingers tugged her locks, and the dam inside her burst.

Adrenaline skyrocketed through her veins. Her hands reached back, scratching at the hand in her hair, slapping at any inch of him she could reach. She heard a few hits connect. Her legs twisted to kick at him.

He chuckled and grabbed her around the waist, lifting her off the ground and carrying her back as she thrashed.

Her world widened. The whole room visible, instead of just the wall. She saw every weapon she could use if only she could reach them.

Her legs kicked at him, grunting and panting. She connected with the corner of the wingback chair, and it tumbled to the ground. And then she faced the bed, and he dropped her down into her comfortable mattress and pillows, where she'd found sanctuary for the past few months.

She tried to turn around to use her arms and legs on him, but he was quickly behind her with a swift slap to her backside that had her yelping.

He shoved her shoulders into the mattress, pulled her hips up, and pushed against her again. And from here it was like she could feel every inch of him. Her dress yanked up, her knickers and his trousers the only thing between them. If he even still had his trousers closed. She couldn't be sure.

She panted into the comforter, fingers scrambling for something. Anything. She tossed a pillow over her shoulder at him, knowing it didn't hit its mark.

She struggled against the hand on her spine as he rutted against her, pressing the most intimate parts of themselves together.

"You know how I like it when you fight."

Tears pushed against her eyelids. Her body sagged into the mattress, exhausted.

Was he going to penetrate her?

Her nails cut through the sheets. He groaned, one hand squeezing her hip, pressing deep bruises.

And then the pressure let up. Before she could scramble away, he flipped her onto her back. She reached to claw at his face, his throat, her heartbeat in her stomach.

They struggled with each other's arms until he grabbed both of her hands, pinning them to the mattress and whispering a Sticking Charm. He climbed over her hips, holding her legs down with his weight.

She jerked her torso and caught sight of his eyes.

Dead.

Irises black with arousal.

But there was no glint of enjoyment.

When he caught her staring, he smirked down at her, grabbed her jaw, and said, "You want me to fuck your mouth again, Granger?"

Her eyes went wide. She sucked in air. "Draco—"

He pushed his palm against her mouth, silencing her. "Not interested in your opinion."

With his hand covering her lips, he reached with his other to below his waist. Her eyes followed, and she found him stroking himself.

She choked, blinking away quickly.

"I thought I got rid of this," he growled, and then his hands were on her satin slip, ripping the fabric down the middle, and tearing her bra apart. "Much better."

She was exposed. Her breasts heaving under his gaze, a sob choking in her throat. Naked for the first time. She watched one hand return to stroking himself, the other against her stomach, pressing down.

His eyes were hungry, drinking in her naked chest. Something flickered behind the grey, and he wet his lips.

The hand on her stomach slipped against the rumpled satin, and then his fingers were under the swell of her breast, hot on her skin.

He grunted, his hips thrusting into his hand. She watched his features glaze over briefly before turning icy again, his gaze back to her face.

"Gonna paint my name on your tits, Granger."

She could do nothing but exist underneath him as he jerked his hand. When a slow tear trailed out of her left eye, he reached forward and turned her face to the side.

She stared at the wall, concentrating on the colors there.

Her bedside table with a hair tie.

An empty jewelry box.

She heard his breath catch. She assumed he was close to being done.

The hand pressing her face away slipped, his fingers tumbling into her hair, grabbing the curls.

A strangled moan. And then something wet hitting her chest.

He stayed like that, his hand clutching her hair, catching his breath.

He sat up. A Vanishing Charm to her bra, and a Repairing Charm to her satin slip.

He dismounted, unstuck her hands, and stood by the bed. "Get up. The Dark Lord is here."

She stared at the ceiling, how the bedposts stretched towards it.

She heard him button his trousers.

"Get moving, or I'll drag you." His voice broke on the word 'drag.' She heard a click from his throat, an infinitesimal swallow, pushing something back down.

Her chest was shaking and still tacky with his spend.

You know how I feel about these tits, Granger.

She blinked, like a twitch.

The Dark Lord was here.

She dragged herself off the bed, creeping towards the wall.

Her legs gave out after just a few steps. She pushed herself to her knees, eyes screwed shut to block everything out. Heat crackling beneath her skin. The smell of something burning. Maybe it was her.

Her chest seized as she was hauled roughly to her feet.

"Get it together, Granger," hissed in her ear. And then he was dragging her out the door.

The Dark Lord was here. And she was appearing before him.

She felt tender fingerprints on her skin, left by bruising hands. Marked in more ways than one, like a whore. Voldemort would be thrilled.

With a gasp, her mind sharpened, whirring.

She was being brought to Voldemort.

The back of Draco's head bobbed down the stairs as she followed dutifully.

Voldemort would be reading her mind.

She had no shoes on. The Manor's marble stairs were cold on her arches and toes.

Think of a lake with still waters. A bookshelf with leather tomes.

Draco's hand slid down the banister, long fingers that had grabbed at her hair, held her down, pinched at her skin. Her vision blurred with unshed tears.

He pinched her instead of penetrating her. Her mind was flooded with images of an attack, of a rape, but that's not what had happened.

His feet were heavy on the stairs as they turned the final staircase. His boots. His Death Eater boots.

That's not what had been happening at Malfoy Manor. Even though it should have been.

She paused on the final steps, feeling her entire body tremble.

Think of a lake with still waters. A bookshelf with leather tomes.

She opened a book. Tea with Narcissa Malfoy—her soft hands on her shoulder, her wrist. She snapped it closed and tucked it at the far edge of the shelf.

Another book: Lucius Malfoy's Secrets. Standing at the edge of a study, "Gregory Goyle. Senior," the playful lift of his brow as he baited her. A key turned, locking the pages of the book like an old diary, and the text pushed back into a forgotten shelf in the corner.

Draco walked to a door and waited for her. Fitting that it was the drawing room again.

Seven beautiful red spines, the collector's editions: A Hand on My Jaw—Healing the Cut; You Don't Drink Coffee Anymore?; The Gazebo; Strong Lips on My Arm; Happy Birthday, Draco; A Cobalt Jumper, Standing Watch at My Window; We're Quite a Pair, Aren't We?

She separated the copies, sending each of them to bottom shelves, tucking them into other books, tearing the covers off of them and sending their pages over the top of the bookshelf.

Standing by the door to the drawing room, his eyes were off in the distance like one of the Malfoy statues lining the corridors. When she reached him, he grabbed her arm and pressed her against the wall. She didn't flinch when he took her chin in his firm grip. Any memories of softer touches had been buried.

In place of the glossy red spines, there were inky, leathery copies filled with hair tugging, pale fingers on her ribs, electrocution, a week's isolation, the sharp pang of his ring as he backhanded her, and take my cock so good, don't you.

He shook her jaw, jarring her back to him. "You won't embarrass me, will you Mudblood?"

She startled at the word on his tongue. It had been years.

His eyes were like ice as his fingers dug into her jaw. "You know how to behave, don't you?"

She let the tension melt from her muscles and sagged against his grip. Like a ragdoll.

"Yes." Her voice cracked, and she felt the word float between the two of them.

"Yes, what?"

Pull forward only your chosen memory. Let the rest drift back.

Indentations on her jaw as his fingers curled. She let all memories of his warm eyes drift back.

"Yes, Master."

A flicker in his grey eyes. A curl of his lips that felt familiar and cruel. He moved to the drawing room.

She dragged her feet through the entryway and felt the Dark Lord before she saw him.

The darkness hung off of him like a cloak, dripping onto the floors and sinking into the stones. He stood in the center of the room, fingers trailing over the back of an antique armchair, turning to bare his teeth to her in a grin.

"Mudblood Granger. Thank you for entertaining."

Lucius stood with him, holding a glass. He spared her one glance before swirling his wine and taking a deep swig.

A hand between her shoulders – just like earlier – shoved her sharply until she fell to her knees. Draco's shoes in her eye line.

Hadn't taken his shoes off. Wasn't that a phrase? She tried to remember.

"How are you enjoying your accommodations?" Voldemort's voice slid over her skin, his meaning not lost on her. "Everything you'd hoped it would be and more?"

He cackled. She kept her eyes cast down. The slip hung forward off her body. Her chest still sticky.

She re-lived the entire experience from moments ago. She pulled the shelf towards her, letting those images flutter in front of her mind. Her cream-colored walls. The sound of his grunting.

"Let's have her out and about more, Draco. It would be good for morale to see her like this, maybe teach a few others about their place." The words bubbled beneath her skin. She blinked, drawing a shallow breath. Think of a lake with still waters.

"I assume you've broken her in?"

"She's a work in progress, my Lord. But I am enjoying the challenge."

The voice echoed, slipping into her mind.

"So you've finally taken her?" came Voldemort's low timbre.

"Yes, my Lord. Several times now." A low chuckle. "In fact, I must apologize for our tardiness."

She felt her body being lifted, like a hook in her back, pulling her up to face Voldemort.

A lake that stretches into the sunset. Waters still. Depths below them.

She breathed deep into her tight chest, but it was like a shark fin cutting through the waters—

Voldemort was in her mind again.

The cream walls in her bedroom.

Her gasp of pain.

"Take my cock so good, don't you."

Her fingers scratching at his face blindly—

Draco above her, eyes vacant as he stroked himself.

The sound of her clothes ripping.

The grunt from his throat as his hand twisted in her hair, the sound of his come hitting her chest—

She was alone. On the floor of the drawing room. Staring at Draco's shoes. Listening to Voldemort cackle.

There were still knives in her mind, slowly sliding their serrated edges through her. The spines of her books were sawed in half. She felt the slow seeping of her energy leaving her.

Her eyes refocused. She'd missed something along the lines of "Was it good for you, Mudblood Granger?" And a hissing laugh. Then silence; long enough for her ears to stop ringing.

"Your aunt intimated that your treatment of the Mudblood was somewhat… 'unique,' Draco. I would have come sooner to see for myself, had I not been preoccupied. But I can see now that she was mistaken."

Footsteps, pausing in front of her bowed head. "Yes," he purred, voice low and soft. "You're no more than a common, filthy whore, are you, Mudblood? You should consider yourself lucky to be covered in a Pureblood's seed."

Her fingers pressed into the marble. Her nails breaking, pulling backwards. She held the pain close to her.

"... some information from you, Mudblood. Thank you for obliging."

And then the hook pulled at her ribs again, drawing her limp body upwards. He was about to look into her again. There were cool waters somewhere, hidden behind a mountain range. If only she could see them.

There were books. Somewhere there were books she had to close—

Her head tilted back. Eyes opening, focusing. Lucius stood ten paces behind Voldemort, his gaze intense on her. Voldemort's long fingers pressed under her chin until she met his eyes.

Red fire dissolved to emerald green. She blinked, and Harry was before her listening to her babble excitedly.

"It must have been Fiendfyre!" she said, chest heaving with exertion, staring down at the broken pieces of Ravenclaw's Diadem.

"Sorry?" Harry's face was stained with dirt, his glasses foggy with heat.

"Fiendfyre – cursed fire – it's one of the substances that destroy Horcruxes, but I would never, ever have dared use it, it's so dangerous—"

And then they were younger. Ron stood next to her in Grimmauld Place, whispering to her behind a Christmas wreath.

"He said he was the snake. He said he attacked my dad."

"But Ron, that's impossible—"

"I know, I know." Running his fingers through his messy hair, Ron looked for eavesdroppers over her head—right where Voldemort's consciousness hung, like a cape on her shoulders. "Dumbledore seemed like he knew it. Like he guessed it. That Harry saw it from the snake. And then he started lying. Said he saw it from above. Why would he lie, Hermione—"

A squeezing twist, and she was in Charms class turning vinegar into wine, straining to hear Flitwick's instructions from across the room. Harry cast a Muffliato Charm and whispered to her and Ron about his meeting with Dumbledore the night before.

"The diary's gone, the ring's gone. The cup, the locket, and the snake are still intact. And there's a sixth that was either Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor's," Harry said.

"Are you sure there's only six?" she asked.

"Dumbledore was sure. Said he made six, with his own soul as the seventh piece."

Her mind whipped around, and she found herself standing next to Ron in a sea of students, watching Harry and Draco duel in their second year. She flinched when Draco produced a snake from his wand, her stomach roiling as Harry hissed at it. She felt her world slow, and then almost rewind.

Voldemort stood over her as she helplessly watched Harry spit Parseltongue at the snake again. There was a pause as Voldemort examined the memory for a third time.

Hermione felt her mind screaming. She needed to get him out, to slam these books shut. But she hadn't been prepared.

There was a slippery sensation inside of her consciousness. Something far gentler in her mind. Instead of sharp blades, it was like a table knife slipping through butter.

A jerk in her mind, and the knives cut through other spines, looking, searching.

She stood over Harry's sleeping form. In the tent. Just months ago.

Hermione watched with shallow breaths as he thrashed in his sleep, snarling words from dreams that clearly weren't his.

"Stand aside, you silly girl. . . stand aside now. This is my last warning—"

Hermione reached down to wake him, fingers shaking. "Avada Kedavra!" he hissed. She stumbled back, mouth open in silent horror. But the green light never came.

She stared down at his shaggy hair, sticking to his forehead with cold sweat. She held the chain of the locket in one hand, having severed it from his chest earlier. She felt Voldemort hovering over Harry, and she tried to move—tried to shield Harry from his vicious eyes.

But the other presence in her mind, calmer and less violent, stood behind her. Almost as if he was a passenger, just flitting through wherever Voldemort took him.

The pounding in her head was rocking her, the vision of Harry starting to blur with black spots.

Still, Voldemort slithered over him on the bunk, watching as he thrashed and hissed in Parseltongue. She felt the panic in her lungs, seizing her ribs. She couldn't breathe any longer.

And then she was alone. Her body collapsed to the stones on the drawing room floor, her head lolling to the side as she panted. A blur of images, focusing and refocusing.

Draco's shoes still next to her. Unmoving.

Her vision refocused, and she saw Voldemort looming above her, red eyes narrowed down at her in thought. Behind him, Lucius took a sip from his glass. Smooth movements. Like a knife through butter.

There was no cackle of victory. No savage revenge for her knowledge about his most precious secret.

Just a sizzling silence.

Darkness.

She blinked, re-waking, drifting in and out of consciousness.

When she focused, Draco's shoes were still there. Lucius hadn't moved. But Voldemort was walking to the windows, looking out over the gardens.

"My Lord?" Lucius offered. "Are you finished with the Mudblood? She's drooling on my marble."

Hermione tried to close her mouth, but her body was boneless.

Voldemort didn't respond. Hermione drifted into the darkness again, and when she reappeared, no one had moved.

And then, "Take her out," hissed from the windows. "I don't need anything else from her."

A cold hand on her elbow, yanking her. Sweaty palms on her shoulders, and pale arms around her waist.

As Draco dragged her out, she heard a murmur across the room—"My Lord. I would like to be of assistance."

The drawing room door shut.

More hands, cool and soft. Holding her face, tipping potions into her mouth. Long blonde hair brushing her temple as she sagged into willowy shoulders.

She gagged, turning to spew on the stones. A whispered cleaning spell. Another potion poured into her mouth, drowning her.

Temporary relief from the daggers and butter knives in her mind.

Her mind…

She focused.

Her books… Her shelves of memories and spines of purple and gold and periwinkle. They were ruined. Shredded open and destroyed.

She swayed. A lighter grip on her shoulders, supporting her. A vice around her right wrist.

"Collect yourself," a woman hissed near her ear. But it wasn't directed at her. "You might be needed back inside."

The blonde woman turned her around, and she caught a glimpse of a pale, thin boy just inches away, panting with his forehead against the wall, choking sounds coming from his throat.

She felt a pressure ease on her wrist as the woman steered her toward the stairs, a sweaty hand releasing its grip on her.

The woman helped her up the steps, one at a time, brushing a hand through her curls like her mother used to.

At the top of the staircase came a pop!

"Missus is needed!"

The sound grated against Hermione's fragile mind.

"I will be right there—"

"Master says now! Master is going with Dark Lord!"

A pause. A curse against her shoulder.

"Hermione, dear. It's just a few more steps to your room. I will send the elves in with more potions."

She barely registered the words. Her mind felt raw, flayed open. Something whispered soothingly against her temple, and then she was standing alone at the top of a staircase.

The portraits were silent. The hallway felt thick as she moved towards her door, but her head began clearing.

There was a moment—years ago, it felt like—when she had trudged this hallway, feeling her imminent rape and torture pressing down on her, before she'd seen the suite, before she'd met Narcissa, before she'd had warm lips suck poison from her.

Hermione stood at her bedroom door now. She hadn't been raped in this room.

She'd been violated, but not raped.

Draco had violated her today, because he should have been doing much worse for the past month.

He'd been clever and cunning. He'd found a way to keep her untouched, to keep from taking the one thing she had left to give. He'd played his role well—as had she.

But at what cost?

She pushed open her bedroom door and found a catastrophe.

Coughing, she waded through the heavy smoke. Her chairs knocked over and cushions exploded. The curtains on her windows were burning, still sizzling in some places, the fire contained by the room's wards. Harsh sunlight pierced through the haze. To her right, the bookcase smoked, pages fluttering to the ground still. Copies destroyed, spines burst apart, covers burning.

Feathers covered her mattress. Her bedposts had cracked, and canopy tilted to the side.

She tried to rationalize. She tried to find the cause.

And a chilling dread sunk into her as she realized she did this.

Her magic.

She'd been attacked, and her magic had responded.

As they'd left, he'd dragged her from the room, putting out flames as she focused on his come on her chest.

She turned to her bookcase, staring at her companions over the past weeks. Burnt. Flayed. Gone.

The bookcase in her mind shivered. She'd been so careful to save the Malfoys today that she'd forgotten to save Harry.

A sob shook her, and she found wet tears already on her cheeks. She leaned forward on the broken shelves.

Her priorities had shifted somewhere. She'd thought Harry was safe, dead in the ground. But she'd betrayed him.

Her knees ached. She'd fallen onto them.

Harry was dead. Ron was lost. And she was playing house with the Malfoys.

She'd failed.

Her vision spotted as she sucked in air, head pounding, heart breaking.

Harry was dead. He wasn't coming back.

And she'd just told Voldemort that he was a Horcrux.

She couldn't fathom why Voldemort wanted that information. But she'd betrayed the entire last year of her life by offering it to him.

If only she'd thought to protect what was most important, instead of what was convenient.

A wailing sob shook her, breaking her eardrums as her fingers clawed at the bookshelf. She sat like that for what felt like hours.

A waxy hand on her shoulder. A whispered, "Miss?"

She shook her head, heaving for air. She didn't want to be treated this way. Like she was something precious.

"Mippy will fix?"

She choked, panting and sobbing. She shook her head. "I can't stay here. I can't—I can't sleep here."

Little fingers wrapped around her arm, and with a squeeze, she was in a different guest room, smaller and darker.

Mippy guided her to bed, pressing potions to her lips.

She took them without question, begging the world to release her.

Chapter End Notes

Updates on Sundays.

Pinterest board for The Auction here .

Find me on Tumblr , Instagram , and Twitter .

Facebook group for Auction followers and the Rights and Wrongs series called Rights & Wrongs . Come yell about socks with us.

Chapter 14

Chapter Notes

The long wait is over! But I'm sorry to say that I need to adjust my update schedule to every other Sunday for the foreseeable future. So the next update will be 10/20.

Thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden . I roped them into a group text this week, and I think giving them each other's numbers was... the Wrong thing to do.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

She slept for three days.

Mippy kept the room dark for her, mindful of her pounding head. The elf woke her once every morning to pour a potion down her throat, and to ask if "miss wants to walk."

Miss did not want to walk.

Apart from forcing a few bites of food down when the trays would appear and dragging herself to the toilet once or twice, Hermione lay in bed all day, waiting for her next dosage.

Hermione had disjointed dreams while she was under the pain potions. In some dreams, Draco's hand would hover on her lower back as they walked the grounds, and then he'd turn and abruptly slam her against a tree, ripping at her clothing and jerking his hips against her while she struggled and scratched at him. Other dreams started with him over her, pushing her face into the mattress, and then evolved into something softer, slower, a breathtaking rhythm while he kissed her deeply.

Draco didn't appear outside of her subconscious, and she didn't expect him to. She could still hear the choking, gagging sounds he'd made outside the drawing room. On the second night, she stared for what felt like hours at the round bruises on her wrist, not remembering when he'd made them. She was half asleep when she finally remembered the vice-like grip from a sweaty palm as Narcissa had turned her toward the stairs.

Narcissa visited the smaller, darker suite on her third day, but Hermione couldn't find the energy to pull herself up in bed. So she lay on her side and listened to Narcissa move about the room, opening curtains and fluffing pillows.

"Hermione, dear," she finally whispered. "I need for you to come with me back to your suite. There are protective wards and enchantments on that room for you. It's safer there."

Her dry lips parted uselessly. Safer. She jerked a half nod.

Narcissa helped her up, helped her dress, helped her take a few shaky steps across the room. And at every instance, she asked Hermione's permission to touch her. "May I assist?"

She knew, of course. They all did.

Shock pierced the fog in her head once Narcissa opened the door to her original room. The curtains had been replaced. A deeper color, a more vibrant gold shining with the sun. Her bed curtains were red now. Her armchairs a deep mahogany. Everything she'd destroyed had been replaced with something richer, warmer. Much more like Gryffindor's common room.

She felt Narcissa watching her closely, so she managed another nod, and once she was alone in her room again, Hermione turned to her bookshelf. There were five or six books there, two unfamiliar to her. She saw the crisped spine of one, and deduced that these were the only volumes left untouched by the chaos. She felt her heart ache with the loss. The fire had burned away the spine of a thick forest green cover, but she knew without confirming that it was the Brontë. Jane Eyre had survived.

With a jolt, she turned to the bedside table, searching for seven books stacked in a pile…

Nothing. A new table with just the brass-lined jewelry box still sitting proudly, winking at her. Draco's personal copies of the Gainsworth books were gone now.

Acid rose from her stomach, choking her, burning her throat. Tears pricked her eyes again. She'd destroyed it all. She couldn't be trusted with precious things. Harry had always trusted her with crucial information and keys to puzzles, but perhaps he shouldn't have. Now she wondered if she might have cracked under Bellatrix's knife if Dobby hadn't saved them. Perhaps she was weak — good for her mind, but once her heart became involved, she was useless.

Her knees trembled, and she sank to the floor and wept heaving sobs that made her lungs spasm and stung the skin on her face until nothing existed but her grief and shame. Once she'd finally exhausted herself, she lay on her side, fingers curled in the carpet. Watching through swollen eyes as a sliver of sunlight inched across the room.

At some point, a tray of food appeared on her new coffee table. She ignored it.

What would her friends think of her now? What would Harry think, after she'd betrayed his deepest secrets?

His green eyes flashed in her mind, imploring her to find the right answers, to come up with the solutions, to save them—

To save them.

Her breath caught, and she blinked back the tears. Slowly, she pushed herself up. It wasn't too late for her to fix the mess she'd made. She could still do what Harry needed from her.

She'd been meandering for months, waiting for someone to clearly delineate the next problem, to ask the question so she could concentrate on the answer. But she'd posed the right questions months ago, all on her own. It was just her now. Surely she had more freedom than any of the other slaves. Perhaps she even had more resources at her disposal than what was left of the Order. She'd just been too complacent with the Malfoys to work the problem as she ought to have been.

With a new burst of passion, Hermione stood. She took a deep breath and marched out of her bedroom, and down the hallway.

She needed to kill Nagini. She needed to work on the tattoos. She needed to get them out. All of them. They were counting on her, and she knew it.

Having now experienced only a fraction of what her friends had been going through for months, she felt the guilt weighing heavy on her as she hurried down the stairs.

She pushed open the library doors and froze, heart pounding in her chest. Thankfully, it was safe. Empty. She took a shaky breath and stepped inside. Forcing herself to set aside thoughts of the last time she'd been here, she crossed to where the Horcrux book had been a week ago. Finding it still absent amongst the other Dark texts, she wondered which Malfoy had stolen it. Would she find it in Lucius' study? Perhaps it had been destroyed if they'd known Voldemort was coming for the information in her mind.

Her addled mind spun around the possibilities. The questions she'd buried for days underneath sleeping potions and grief. She blinked at the empty shelf, fighting off the headache she could feel coming on.

Did the Malfoys know more about Horcruxes than Hermione had assumed? And why had Voldemort been interested in Harry again?

She shivered, the cool air in the library not the cause.

Why look for the Horcruxes?

She swallowed, knowing the answer required her to look inside her own mind. To work through the purpose of Voldemort's visit.

She pressed her hands on the shelf in front of her, closing her eyes and trying to remember through the terror and the closed doors in her own consciousness.

Some information from you, Mudblood. Thank you for obliging.

Her lower lip trembled, and she bit it closed. He'd been there specifically to look for Horcruxes. That's why the Malfoys hadn't been prepared for his visit. What Draco had chosen to do — to do to her — had turned out to be a necessary precaution. Voldemort had decided to check on her treatment as a secondary motive, but he was there for the Horcruxes.

Hermione blinked, staring at the spot where the Horcrux book should be filed, as if she could will it into existence. It wouldn't tell her anything she didn't already know, but it would be a comfort of sorts.

She tried to think. She had been right — Harry had likely been an unintentional Horcrux. A part of Voldemort's soul had split from him the night the Killing Curse had rebounded, and attached itself to Harry. Voldemort had filtered through the only memories she had that could possibly prove that theory. So she wasn't alone in her hypothesis. But what had tipped Voldemort off?

A sliver of hope tugged at her ribs — was Harry alive?

She'd seen his body in the courtyard, but had he survived after all? She hadn't known he was going into the Forest to meet Voldemort, or she would have stopped him. The last time she'd seen him, he'd been clutching Snape's memories, racing for Dumbledore's Pensieve. What had he discovered that made him surrender himself?

She remembered the urgency in Snape's voice as he wheezed blood and begged Harry to take his memories. She’d suspected then that he wasn't loyal to Voldemort, though it was impossible to confirm now. Perhaps he'd known about the Horcrux. Found a way for Harry to fake his own death, while killing the piece of Voldemort inside of him. Skepticism warred with the burning hope in her ribs. It was highly unlikely — and yet, why would Voldemort care about Harry if he was dead?

The headache was returning. Hermione rubbed her temples, knowing it was no use guessing about what was in Snape's memories. She would never see them.

The library doors creaked.

She whipped around and stepped to the side, peering through the stacks towards the entrance, heartbeat thundering.

His cheekbones cut through his skin; even in the distance, she could see that. He was hunched, his shoulders folded over on top of his ribs, his hair thin and greasy. His skin seemed grey.

Take my cock so good, don't you.

She felt her body tremble. Her lungs refused to fill.

You want me to fuck your mouth again, Granger?

Standing in the open doorway, he pulled his wand. She watched him mutter, "Homenem Revelio," and the wand sparked blue, indicating there was someone in the room. Her.

She dug her nails into her palms, preparing herself, when his eyes flicked over the shelves, and he stepped back, quietly closing the doors behind him. As if he'd never been there at all.

It was ten minutes before she could trust her legs to move again. She grabbed several texts on Celtic magic, chest seizing, and sprinted back to the safety of her room, all earlier bravery forgotten.

Taking calming breaths, she leaned her head back on the closed door, staring at her new room. She hadn't let herself think about Draco since that night. But she had to think this through. They couldn't avoid each other forever.

Her chest twinged painfully at the thought of his pinched skin. He'd looked even worse than he did sixth year. She screwed her eyes shut, willing the image away. She had to use her brain, as her heart had failed before.

Draco did not want to harm her. In fact, it was quite clear that hurting her was one of the most traumatic things he'd ever gone through—

Her heart thumped with the possibilities, but her mind forced them aside.

She tried to put herself in Draco's position and found little fault in his logic. He'd made the safest choice that night. If he'd cued her in somehow, she might not have managed to convince Voldemort that she was being routinely attacked.

Her mind moved to the next point: Draco was actively absent — not visiting, not entering rooms she was in.

Not apologizing.

She stopped herself. Too close to her heart. Reeling back, her mind fought for logic.

Draco was either convinced she didn't want to see him, or he didn't want to see her.

That was fine. Either of those were acceptable, logical answers.

She stared down at her books, and another thought struck her.

Her greatest chance of exiting the property was under Draco Malfoy's watch.

Until she found a way around the tattoos, Hermione needed him. They couldn't keep running away from each other. Eventually, she would have to seek him out, and hope he would allow it.

Turning to her measly book collection, she grimaced at the burned titles. She set down the books from the downstairs library, and ran her fingers across the two new books. They weren't new, per se, but they hadn't been there a week ago. Solidly bound but withering with the years, they felt older than her by several lifetimes. She checked the copyright pages.

Great Expectations

by Charles Dickens

Printed London, 1861

Les Miserables

by Victor Hugo

Printed London, 1862

The heartbeat that she'd suppressed earlier thundered. First editions.

As she brought her face close to the pages, inhaling the musk of aged parchment and letterpress ink that had survived over a hundred years, she thought back to her earlier assessment.

Perhaps he was apologizing.

She placed them next to Jane Eyre, the only hundred-year-old text that had survived the fire.

All three leatherbound copies had lived through terrible things.

She could do the same.

~*~

After a full afternoon of research, she slept for the first time without a potion. When she woke in the morning, gold-tinted sunlight shimmering across her walls, there were two new books on her shelves. She pulled herself from the bed, and examined them.

Hogwarts: A History

Bathilda Bagshot

Printed London, 1984

Hogwarts: A History - Revised

Bathilda Bagshot

Printed London, 1996

Her eyes widened and her fingers itched. Comparing two editions side-by-side? Her skin tingled with the desire. She reshelved them, and promised she'd wait until the end of the day to crack them open. Her traitorous heart fluttered on her way to the library that day, as she let her mind briefly wonder where Draco was finding these books.

She spent a week looking into magical slavery. The catalog returned an assortment of books on the history of enslavement in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and of course the Roman Empire. To her chagrin, no charms or potions books turned up. But at least it was a start.

She started with the more recent European history books. The problem was that there was no modern precedent for magical enslavement in Europe—apart from house-elves, of course, but their magic worked quite differently. Any magical enslavement in recent centuries was taboo, so there were no records. There were rumors of magical slavery in more shadowy parts of the continent, but it was hard to find research on spellwork that no one admitted to doing. But she was certain that magic as powerful and quickly developed as the tattoos had been inspired by something. She only had to find the seeds.

Looking into the significance of tattoos and skin branding in ancient cultures like the Celts had taken her down a rabbit hole that she never saw the bottom of, so she stopped there, letting her mind wander as she ran her fingers over her own tattoo.

D.M.

She wondered what Blaise knew about the tattoos. Though Pansy's tattoo hadn't been activated by the estate, he must have known something about them in order to remove hers. She could have asked him weeks ago if her head had been in the right place.

A new book arrived on her bedroom shelf every morning. In the evenings, after a long day's work in the library, she'd reward herself by perusing its hundred-year-old pages, willing herself not to think about how the book had gotten there.

After a frustrating day of making little progress, she decided on a change of scenery. Hermione took several history books and headed toward the Conservatory. The air there was clear and easy on her mind. Passing the kitchens and the dining room, she wound her way toward the western wing of the Manor.

She heard his footsteps before she saw him.

Her steps faltered, and she squeezed the books into her chest.

Not his Death Eater boots. They made a harsher sound against the marble.

She stood in the middle of the corridor leading to the western wing, like a broomstick accident waiting to happen.

He turned the corner, twenty paces away, eyes fixed on a stack of parchment in his hand. He looked thinner, if possible. Bones protruding from his face and chest like knives.

His eyes glanced up at her when he was halfway down the corridor.

His body jolted, dropping half his paperwork. She could see the violet bruises of exhaustion under his eyes from halfway across the room. Sucking in a rattling breath, she watched as his gaze dropped to the marble, his knees shaky as he bent to pick up the papers he'd fumbled. He stood and pressed back against the wall, eyes cast down.

And she was reminded of the first years that would jump out of the Slytherin King's path whenever he swept down the Hogwarts corridors. But to look at him now...

He waited, allowing her to pass with as little disturbance of the air she breathed as possible. She propelled her feet forward, feeling like she was passing through another cloud of grief, just aching to find the clean air and light again.

She thought of her bookcase, a slow-growing apology, a rebuilding of sorts. She thought of pale fingers on her wrist, breaking the capillaries and bruising the bones, unable to let go.

Stopping in front of him, she waited. His eyes didn't flicker upward. He stared off, across the floor, glazed eyes and held breath.

"Thank you for my books," she whispered.

She watched his throat swallow. Her chest was tight with the desire for normalcy, for where they had been before. Her hand lifted, fingers stretched to touch—

His grey eyes flickered to meet hers. Hollow. Her hand dropped. She continued moving through the corridor, pushing aside her thundering heart and her aching chest — her desire to comfort and bring color back to his skin.

When she reached the end of the hallway, she looked back and found a thin figure still leaning against the wall, bleeding into the background of his own manor.

~*~

Lucius Malfoy still had not returned. It had been two weeks since he'd left with Voldemort, and still the questions swirled in her mind. He'd offered "assistance" — whatever that meant. She remembered the feeling of two presences in her mind in the drawing room, one smoother and dull. She was fairly certain that Lucius had seen what Voldemort did in her mind, but she hadn't the faintest idea what he'd chosen to do what that information.

She sat in the Conservatory, staring out at the July day with a book in her lap. It was the closest she'd gotten to the outdoors. At first, after running into Draco, she'd been hesitant to leave her routine of library to conservatory to library to bed. But as the days passed, she grew anxious to see him. If she was going to help the Order, she needed to be on good terms with him. She needed his access, his information. Knowingly or unknowingly.

She began seeing Narcissa again. Reading and taking long walks through the Manor, in places she could easily be seen. If Draco realized that she was letting things return to "normal," then perhaps so could he. Narcissa tried to make up for the absence of the others by meeting Hermione in the mornings for tea (and coffee) and chatting about novels and holidays and other things normal people discussed. When the guilt gnawed at her insides, Hermione reminded herself that their conversations might make it back to Draco. She tried not to let herself think about whether he was sleeping, or whether he'd put on any weight.

It had been ten days since the incident in the hallway, and Hermione was halfway through the first volume of Medieval Magical Europe. She sighed and snapped it closed, having finished another useless chapter.

Considering Blaise again and his rescue of Pansy, she realized that Draco surely knew of his plans. Had he not bought her? Was he not shocked to hear that only one slave arrived that night? Hermione hummed into her coffee cup, and thought of what information she could pry from Draco if only they could talk again, like they used to. Thinking back to the gazebo, she knew he was open to giving her information. What did Draco know about the tattoos and their removal?

She sipped her coffee, breathing in the moist air between the vines. The conservatory windows stretched to the ceiling in a wide dome, allowing all the sunlight in. She sometimes saw Hix, the grounds elf, trimming and watering the trees and plants, but there was no movement except the gentle rustle of branches stretching toward the light.

So when the pop of apparition cracked across the leaves and flowers, Hermione dropped her coffee cup, shattering it when Mippy arrived in front of her.

"Miss!"

Her hand flew to her chest, calming her own heartbeat. Her blood ran cold at the elf's terrified eyes.

"Miss has to go to her room!" Mippy extended a hand. "Mippy takes you now!"

She gathered her books with fumbling fingers, remembering the daggers of red eyes and the burning books—

With a squeeze, Mippy popped them away and into her bedroom.

"Is it the Dark Lord?" Hermione asked, voice trembling.

"No, Miss. Missus and Master Draco has visitors! It's not being safe for Miss downstairs." Mippy wrung her hands and disappeared with another pop!

Hermione stared at the spot where the little girl elf had been, feeling her fear shift to curiosity.

Visitors. She'd never known the Malfoys to have friends to drop by for a friendly chat.

A small war raged inside her chest. Mippy had made it seem urgent that she was not found downstairs. But this safety — this complacency, waiting for other people to control what happened to her — it would get her nowhere.

And if someone was downstairs discussing Death Eater business… Perhaps Lucius was back?

The need for answers, the need to be useful, the need to not just sit here and wait for something else awful to happen to her — those needs won out.

She slipped through her door, looking both ways as if she was about to cross a dangerous street. Her feet were soft on the marble as she descended the stairs, stopping at the bottom to stare at the fireplaces, expecting an entire dinner party to pour through the fire at any moment.

The drawing room door was closed. She suspected that was where Narcissa Malfoy entertained guests. But she was sure to be caught if she stood in the doorway with her ear pressed to the wood. She tried to think.

There was a rarely used ballroom attached to the drawing room. She suspected it was for parties and grand affairs. There was little chance anyone would be walking that direction if they were leaving the drawing room.

Hermione hurried through the corridor, sweeping past the kitchens and all the little hiding spots she'd memorized in the past two months. Pushing open the backdoor to the ballroom as slowly as she could, she saw there was no one inside and dashed to the door leading to the drawing room. It was cracked open.

Peeking through the door, she found Narcissa seated in an armchair, an untouched glass of brandy next to her. Draco stood to her side, holding a Firewhisky. A thin older man paced in front of them, using a cane but still moving deftly through the room. When he turned, Hermione saw his face.

Nott, Sr.

She searched the rest of the room and found a thin boy examining the paintings on the wall. Theodore. She watched him sip his Firewhisky and sneer at the taste while his back was turned to the room.

Her ears honed in.

"...project that needs quite a bit of research. Theo and I were hoping to spend the day in your library. Privately, if we may."

"I see," Narcissa said. "I do wish Lucius was here to assist you, but of course you're welcome to—"

"May I ask what kind of project?" Draco cut in coolly.

Theo turned to look at him. Nott took a long sip from his glass. "A confidential request from the Dark Lord," he said with a smirk. And then back to Narcissa, as if Draco hadn't spoken at all. "Wherever has Lucius run off to?"

A tense pause before Draco's voice lilted, "A confidential request from the Dark Lord."

Hermione watched Nott smile slowly.

"Our family is honored to serve him," Narcissa said.

Theo waved his glass carelessly. "Does it have anything to do with what's happening in France?"

Three heads turned to face him. Mistaking their reactions as impressed, he continued, "We're in his confidence as well, you know. No use in putting on airs around us." Hermione watched as Nott Sr. frowned at his son.

Narcissa took the lead and spoke softly. "I'm sure I don't know, Theo. The mission was between Lucius and the Dark Lord."

Theo nodded and sipped from his glass, oblivious to his father's exasperated glare across the room.

"As your husband has sensitive orders from the Dark Lord, so do I," Nott said smoothly. "I appreciate your graciousness as always, Narcissa."

"Be that as it may, sir, my father's not at home. Nor is he asking for assistance in yours." A delicate pause. "How can we be of service to you in your research?" Draco spoke with the elegant disdain of the upper class. He looked better, healthier. His hair was clean, and his skin clear again.

A prolonged silence. And then: "It concerns the Apparition line. And the incident in Liverpool last week."

Hermione's heart pounded. The last time she'd heard of the Apparition line had been at Dover Castle, where people were trying to get out.

"We're looking for texts on obscure wards, ones they're less likely to—"

Nott Sr. cut off. She heard him mutter something, and just as she leaned in closer to hear better, the door banged open, revealing her there in the doorway.

Four pairs of eyes turned to her as her blood ran cold. Draco shifted on his feet, one hand putting down his drink while his other reached for his wand. His eyes were murderous.

"Ah-ha!" Nott said. "The little filth just triggered my Eavesdropping Charm."

Hermione was deciding if running would even be an option as Nott's wand flicked, and her body was brought into the room, zooming through furniture to tumble at their feet.

Narcissa stood, and the icy look she concentrated on Hermione froze her heart.

"What have I told you about wandering the Manor?" Narcissa hissed.

Hermione's mouth gaped open, and she scrambled for a role to play. "Please—it's not what you think. I'm sorry—"

"Not nearly as sorry as you will be," said Narcissa, her voice soft and venomous.

"Hmm," said Nott. "She doesn't look like she has Dragon Pox to me."

The room took a breath. She looked up to Nott Sr.'s withered face from her place at his feet. He leered down at her.

"Of course she doesn't. Draco just doesn't like to share," Theo said with a chuckle. Hermione flicked her eyes over to where Theo grinned at her.

"Not at all, I assure you," Draco said casually. "But you're right about the Dragon Pox. It turned out to be some Muggle disease. Something filthy that she brought in with her."

"We're very careful with Dragon Pox in this family," Narcissa said to Nott. "Lucius' father died from it, you remember."

Nott lifted the tip of his cane to her chin, tilting her face back with the cold end. Hermione swallowed and met his eyes. "So, we'll be seeing more of her then?" His double meaning wasn't lost on her as the end of his cane trailed down her neck and tugged at the collar of her jumper.

"I expect so," Draco grit out.

"Good. We purchased a male slave, you know. Excellent for labor, but obviously limited in other uses." He laughed, and Hermione's stomach roiled.

"Mippy!" Narcissa called. The pop of the elf appearing. "Take the Mudblood back to the dungeons. Make sure she stays there."

Like a slice to her stomach, hearing Narcissa use that word. She blinked away her fuzzy vision as the end of Nott's cane began to dip below her collar. Mippy's hand wrapped around her wrist, and then she was squeezed through, arriving…

In the dungeons.

She turned on her knees to face the little elf.

"Mippy is sorry! Mippy tells Miss to stay upstairs!" Mippy's lips trembled, and then she Disapparated.

Hermione stood, spinning in a circle as she took in her surroundings, expecting a dragon to emerge from the shadows. She'd never been down in the dungeons before. Only Harry and Ron had been dragged down here while Bellatrix kept her upstairs. The air was thick and moist, and there seemed to be a draft coming from somewhere.

Moving to the stairs, she found her feet couldn't climb. Mippy had cast a ward against her leaving the dungeon. She huffed and leaned against the stones. Perhaps she'd regret vexing Mippy later, but the information she'd learned had been worth it.

People were successfully getting out. She considered Liverpool — at first glance, not a particularly important location. But it was close to the water. The Apparition Line.

Her mind whirred. George and Angelina's attacks had been deliberately planned away from Liverpool. Diversions.

She desperately wanted to know who had escaped. Was it anyone she knew? Any of the Lots? Had Ron or Ginny gotten out?

A cold shiver passed over her.

If Voldemort was looking for Harry in her mind…

If there was any chance that Harry had survived the Final Battle…

She chewed on her lip, thinking.

Perhaps he'd gotten out somehow, preparing to regroup…

Her eyes drifted up, catching on the dark corners of the dungeon. There was no way for her to know. Not right now, anyway.

Hermione stepped forward into the shadows and examined the space. She hadn't considered that the dungeons would be worth looking into before — there would be no way out down here for certain.

One torch lit the room, flickering near the stairs. There were shackles and chains mounted to the walls and an ominous table with cuffs, something dating back centuries.

A small blanket folded carefully lay next to a stone pillar. Beside it, a game of jacks and a few cards belonging to an Exploding Snap set.

Luna.

Hermione swallowed. Luna had been kept here. And according to her, Draco had visited with her. Kept her company and told her about what was happening at school.

This is where prisoners were kept. This should have been where she was kept. A wave of grief crashed over her, knowing that countless friends and classmates had been kept in similar locations for the past few months. She simmered in her own thoughts, staving off tears by focusing on what she'd just heard about Liverpool.

Possibly twenty minutes later, she heard the grate at the top of the stairs creak open. Scrambling to a pillar out of instinct, her blood was still pumping furiously when recognizable boots stomped down the stone steps, followed by thin legs she knew.

"What the fuck, Granger?" he hissed before he even fully appeared in the opening of the stairs.

"There are people getting out?" Her skin tingled with the questions she needed answered.

"What don't you understand about 'stay in your room—'"

"Who? How many?"

"—fucking idiot sometimes, you know that?"

"Answer the damn question!"

"I don't know!" The shout silenced them both. He swallowed, the tension thick and heavy around them. And then, more quietly: "It's just whispers and gossip at this point—"

"Could Harry have gotten out?" As soon as the words left her lips, she knew it was absurd — even before she saw the expression on Draco's face. Still, she whispered, "Is Harry alive?"

He stared at her as if she were a ghost. "Granger," he said slowly, like she could break. "I have no reason to believe that Potter is alive." He tilted his head at her. "Do you?"

She considered the information that Voldemort had been looking for. The possibility that Harry had two souls inside of himself…

Draco stepped forward, still watching her warily. "Do you really believe that if Potter were alive, he would have allowed the Auction to take place? That he wouldn't have been storming the gates every day you've been here?"

Looking up at him, blinking quickly, she felt her heart breaking again, just as it had in the courtyard when she'd seen his small body in Hagrid's arms.

She turned away, her fingers playing with a thread on her jumper. "No. No, I suppose you're right. It was an unfounded theory." She closed her eyes, struggling to collect herself. She took a deep breath. "Nott is here to use the library?"

"Yes."

"And why did I have Dragon Pox?"

His tired eyes sharpened as they ran across her face, remembering his irritation with her. "It doesn't matter now."

"Where will he be seeing 'more of me,'" she said, repeating Nott's words from earlier.

Draco pressed his lips together in a fine line, and glared at the stone floor. "We'll be going out on Friday."

Her pulse pounded. The only other time she'd gone "out," they'd visited Hogwarts. "What does that mean?"

"There is a party every weekend. You've had Dragon Pox for four weeks, too ill to attend." His voice dripped with cold irritation. "And now, you are no longer ill."

"What kind of party?" Her voice cracked.

His eyes drilled into her with a look that said, You know.

Trying to keep her breath steady under the weight of her ribs, she realized something. "Are there other Lots there?"

When he nodded, her heart skipped a beat, her mind running wild with the opportunities—

"The Weasleys are never in attendance," he said, clearly reading her. A heavy silence. "They don't tend to play nice with others."

She stared up at him, feeling a familiar irritation surge through her. "And will I be expected to 'play nice?'"

His eyes flashed at her, and he said, "You're too smart not to."

He was right. She'd been looking for a way out of the Manor. And now that she'd gotten it, she wouldn't spoil it.

Turning on his heel, much like Snape used to, he swept to the stairs and paused at the first step, inviting her to follow. They wound up the back staircase in silence, avoiding the route that passed the library, and arrived in their shared hallway with a series of twists and turns that Hermione hadn't been able to memorize yet.

He paused outside her door, and she turned to him. "Friday?"

"At ten."

Her mouth fell open. "In the evening?"

He lifted a brow and deadpanned, "Do you have an early exam in the morning, Granger?"

And it was so familiar, and so dramatic, and so normal… Her lips twitched, and she had to tilt her chin away to keep from smiling at him.

She pushed open her bedroom door and saw him step back in the corner of her eye, giving her a wide berth of space to enter her room unimpeded. Casting one last glance at him, she asked, "Are you expected to join them now? The Notts?"

"Yes."

She paused, and said, "You should mess your hair."

His eyes, which had been solidly fixed on her knees, snapped up.

"If you've been 'dealing with your Mudblood.'" His eye twitched, as if she'd hissed it at him. "In your sex dungeon," she clarified. The corner of her mouth pulled upwards.

He stared at her for a moment and then nodded at the ground, running a hand through his hair absently. Smoothing it — the exact opposite of what was necessary.

She gave an exasperated sigh and found herself stepping forward, reaching up, and dragging her fingers through his fringe, pulling it forward over his eyes, separating the oily strands and rustling the top where she could reach.

Suddenly his head jerked back, his body following, stumbling to the opposite wall.

She jumped, pulling her hand back as if she'd burned him.

"Sorry," he gasped, as if he'd been the one touching without permission, and then he was racing through the hall and down the stairs before she could blink.

She read the revised Hogwarts: A History from front to back that night to keep herself from thinking about it.

~*~

Friday evening arrived, and with it, a green silk slip, a pair of low black heels, and a thin gold choker necklace that she could only assume was meant to be a collar of sorts.

A concubine, to be paraded around, gawked at and leered over.

At a quarter past ten, he knocked on her door. He didn't look at her when she opened it. He didn't respond to her comment about being fashionably late.

She cleared her throat and extended the gold necklace. "It won't close. I assume you need to do something?"

He finally looked up at her. He'd washed his hair, and his skin was back to pale white instead of grey. But he was in his Death Eater boots and trousers. They were both in uniform tonight.

Taking the necklace from her extended fingers, he played with the clasp while she turned around and lifted her hair off her shoulders. Once fastened, the gold shrunk to her neck, and she gasped at the feeling of confinement.

She turned around. "Do these have magical properties?" she asked, fingering the edge of the thin gold.

He jerked his gaze from her neck to her eyes, a tinge of pink in his cheeks. "It's a class system, barring certain collars from certain rooms."

Where were they headed?

"I suppose I have an all-access pass, then?" The sharp humor was coming swiftly, covering the bubble of her nerves.

"Of sorts."

He led the way downstairs, and when he turned left toward the front door instead of the fireplaces, she was reminded of when they'd gone to Hogwarts.

She froze. "Will the Dark Lord be there?" she asked as he stepped through the door.

"No. He rarely is." A pause, and then over his shoulder: "Neither is my aunt."

She followed behind him down the path as the tightness in her chest loosened. "And why is that?"

He didn't respond for a moment. When they'd finally gotten to the gates, he said, "The parties are rather specific… for specific tastes. Neither the Dark Lord nor my aunt have a desire for these affairs. Though Death Eaters are generally encouraged to attend."

She nodded, willing her nerves to calm. She extended her arm to him, and he stared down at it before gingerly wrapping his fingers around the tattoo and walking them through the barrier.

He walked them to the top of the hill for Apparition, and as he drew his wand, her anxiety tumbled over. "Will something similar happen tonight?"

His eyes were cold and dead as he looked at her, questioning.

"S-similar to my room. Will you need to—"

"No." It was harsh against the wind. "You will stay close to me, and we will let everyone see you so that we don't have to return for several weeks. That's all."

She swallowed, shivering.

"There will be minor contact," he said, clarifying her question. His eyes were on the sky, and she wondered much minor contact he could stand. As if he'd been the one assaulted.

Then again, they'd both been violated. In different kinds of ways.

She offered him her elbow. He took it in a firm grip, and they slipped away and appeared at the edge of a small town, dark and quiet. The cobblestone streets led up a long hill, and at the top, a looming castle looked down on them, the Dark Mark slithering in the sky above it.

He led them forward toward the gates, and just before following him, she caught sight of an old sign hanging off a dead street lamp.

Edinburgh Castle This Way

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 15

Chapter Notes

Happy Sunday! Much love to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden for their eyes on this.

Please take care of your mental health if you are easily triggered.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Edinburgh Castle loomed over them as they approached on the cobblestones, devoid of the usual tourists or families. Devoid of the Muggle military guards at the gates. Instead they passed cloaked Death Eaters and seedy Dark object dealers begging for Draco Malfoy's gold like paupers.

How far had Voldemort spread his reach? Surely the Muggle governments were now aware of him, if a popular tourist site had been seized. What did the Muggle papers say?

She shoved her questions aside, focusing on the familiar silhouette in the distance. A wind howled across the stone path, and Hermione shivered in her négligée, her ankles twisting in the heels. She looked up at the castle now, and a different howl grated with the wind.

Werewolves.

Their lethal bodies prowled through the turrets over the arched entryway. A jolt of terror shot down her spine. The last time she'd been this close to a werewolf had been in the Great Hall, watching in horror as it hunched over Lavender's body.

Draco grabbed her arm and strode forward. She focused on the pressure of his fingers as they drew closer, her heart pounding in her ears, as if trying to drown out the sounds of their sniffing and panting. Once they reached the end of the path, he placed his fingers directly over the tattoo and gave her a yank forward, over the threshold.

Goosebumps prickled on her flesh. A magical barrier. "Am I locked in now?" she asked, rubbing the skin where he'd gripped her. He paused, turning to look at her with a cruel expression, a flash of warning in his eyes.

He couldn't answer her. Not here.

He jerked his head and continued towards the gate. She followed, her eyes shifting in every direction, trying to take in the eyes and ears that could be on them. A pair of Death Eaters stood inside the gates, more lounging and laughing than guarding.

"Alright there, Malfoy?" one of them called.

"Evening, Relkin. I take it your leg's still healing, if you can't be bothered to stand and greet us?"

A grumble and a distant reply as they continued up the path to a second archway, a tighter entrance with tall walls of stone on one side and a steep grassy hill on the other. The moon shone bright and over them as they pushed forward.

Two more Death Eaters at the second entrance, standing a little straighter than the first two. They nodded to Draco as he walked through. He ignored them and Hermione followed, eyes fixed on the cobblestones. A low whistle once she passed. She glanced up to find an older man she didn't recognize, leering at her from a set of steep stone stairs leading up the hill.

"You bring her to play, Malfoy?"

"She's playing with me tonight." Draco steered her towards the steps, and they started to climb. "I don't share, Morrison," he said, with a wink and a handshake as they passed. Morrison chuckled, looking her over before Draco nudged her to continue ahead of him. As they ascended, her cheeks burned at the sudden realization that he had a full view of her legs and backside. She shoved her embarrassment aside, allowing her mind to wander.

She had questions. Questions about the guards, the number of Death Eaters moving in and out, the rankings…

After mentally reciting a list to ask once they were home again, Hermione finally reached the top of the stairs, turning once to look out over Edinburgh's skyline. It was a clear night, and they were hundreds of feet above sea level.

Dark windows and empty streets as far as the eye could see. Had Edinburgh been massacred? Or evacuated?

A faint sensation of fingers on her lower back, and she shivered as Draco brushed past her. After a moment, she followed, struggling to keep up with his long strides.

She could hear the growing noise of a party as they walked closer to the grey structures jutting into the night sky. He finally turned a corner and led her into a large courtyard, where about fifty men were socializing. She swallowed, trying to conceal her shock as she considered the numbers. It had to be a gathering of Voldemort's elite, but she'd never known him to have such a large inner circle. Were all of these men truly Death Eaters? Or were they simply revelers, delving into their darker impulses now that the Order was gone? She opened her mouth to ask, and realized again that she couldn't.

They moved toward the tall buildings to the left, away from the crowd outside, but his feet turned abruptly, as if he'd just remembered something. She stumbled to keep up with him as he took her elbow and dragged her to the solitary lamp still flickering in this part of the courtyard. Once he was illuminated with ambers and golds, she watched him breathe deep and stare at her with cold, dead eyes.

"I'm showing you how to behave," he murmured. His eyes dipped towards her chest. "Nod your head."

Her heart thundered, and she refrained from looking over to the crowd they were playing for. She nodded at his shoes. "How am I to behave?"

One hand reached up, and she held her breath when he tucked a curl behind her ear, tilting her face up with his hand on her jaw. A different mask had clicked into place. His eyes flickered with heat as he breathed over her, dancing along her clavicles and neck.

"Obedient, but not broken."

She blinked quickly at him, feeling the warmth of his fingers behind her ear, watching his eyes storm, and the Malfoy smirk slowly return over his features.

"Oi! Malfoy!"

The call from across the courtyard startled her. She tried to turn around but Draco's hand on her face held her firmly in place.

He lifted his head and called out, "Evening, Bole," before dropping his hand to her elbow and dragging her to the buildings they were headed for.

She heard a faint smattering of "Is that her?" and "Finally!" behind her shoulder as his pace quickened.

The gap in the buildings led to another large, dimly-lit courtyard. Four blocky buildings bordered the area, a clock tower climbing high from the one to their left. It was eerily quiet in the summer air, but she still felt like hundreds of eyes were on her.

His hand rose to her lower back as he pushed them onwards, and she jumped at the contact before settling into the warmth of his hand. He steered them towards one of the blocky buildings, about three stories tall and as long as the entire courtyard.

She wondered what kind of sordid debauchery awaited her inside the walls. How many of her friends would she find in chains, beaten and broken? How many familiar faces would she find abusing and raping the innocent? The courtyard answered her in silence.

They reached the entrance, the wooden doors heavy and foreboding. A pause, and then Draco pushed open the door for her.

Music, lifting above the stone floors and into the wooden arches overhead A soft jazzy tune she remembered from her Muggle life. A bustling of laughter and clinking glasses.

She tried to peer around the edge of the entryway to see more, but a girl appeared, blocking her view. She held a tray of champagne glasses and wore a short slip that shimmered like the bubbles in the flutes. She wore a silver collar around her thin neck.

The girl looked up at them, eyes landing on Hermione with a flicker, before turning a coquettish smile on Draco.

"Good evening, Master Malfoy."

"Charlotte," he greeted, lifting two champagne glasses off the tray. He silently offered Hermione one, and she stared down at it until he pushed it into her chest.

She clutched the crystal between her fingers as Charlotte stepped aside for them, and Draco guided her into the room.

It was a hall, maybe half the size of Hogwarts' Great Hall. People mingled, glasses sparkled, and conversation bubbled up to the arched ceiling. Her eyes struggled to capture everything. Chandeliers hung over the room, burning low and casting shadows over the suits of armor and coat of arms lining the walls. Her eyes flew to a looming fireplace across the room, its pale stone reaching high towards the vaulted beams. Perhaps an escape route if she could find Floo powder, assuming it wasn't charmed against her tattoo.

The men standing about sipping champagne or swirling tumblers of scotch weren't in Death Eater robes, but still had a stiff uniformity about them, as if they could be called away at any moment. She scanned, recognizing Jugson, Crabbe Sr., Runcorn from the Ministry, and Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange. And just after she caught sight of Mulciber, she found Cho Chang looking at her from where she dripped off of his arm like wax.

Hermione's breath caught, and she heard sound in a vacuum as Cho turned away, sipping her champagne as if they didn't know each other. Cho smiled sweetly at something Mulciber said, leaning in and looking up at him through her lashes, her long hair swaying down her back. She didn't flinch as his hand slipped down to rub her backside.

A chill pressed over her. "Dolohov?" she whispered.

A quick shake of Draco's head, and Hermione felt the knot in her stomach unwind.

Her eyes flitted through the rest of the room, desperate to discover more of them. Sally Fawcett in a corner with a much older man, her neck tilted to the side as he brushed his lips across her skin. Hannah Abbott in a slip even shorter than the others', her limbs skinny and pale, holding a full glass of champagne with haunted eyes. Alicia Spinnet with her arms slung around the shoulders of an unfamiliar man, swaying to the music with a listless smile on her face. Some stood tall and proud at their captors' sides like a treasured concubine, whereas others shrunk into themselves, like used and beaten toys their owners would one day tire of.

Draco sipped his champagne as they moved forward, his arm slithering around her back, his hand landing on her opposite hip. She leaned into the embrace for the benefit of any watchful eyes, a shiver passing over her skin.

"Malfoy!" Blaise Zabini swaggered toward them with Theo Nott on his heels. Blaise smirked and slid his eyes over her. "Finally let her out of her cage, I see."

"Of course," Draco's voice lilted. He threw back the rest of his champagne glass. "She's been ill. Disgusting to look at, really."

Blaise's lips twitched, but he said nothing. Theo snorted and sipped his champagne.

Hermione looked past them, trying to catch a glimpse of Cho again, then froze — aware of a drop in the room's volume. They had caught the attention of half the hall. Eyes turned to her, Lots and Death Eaters alike. They murmured in low voices to each other, whispering and nodding toward them, and she felt her cheeks burn as unfamiliar gazes traced her knees, her chest, Draco's hand on her hip. A slight squeeze, and she looked up, refocusing on what Zabini and Theo were saying, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

"We're already set up in the suite," Theo said, a casual insolence in his tone. "You're almost late."

"But I'm not, am I?" Draco snapped with a quick smile. Hermione felt her skin prickle at the mention of a suite. "Collect your girls. I'll meet you there."

"For someone so concerned with timeliness—"

"Do fuck off, Theo," Draco cooed. He grinned at Zabini as Theo glared and steered Hermione between them, making sure to knock Theo's shoulder on his way.

Hermione felt her legs turn to jelly as they swept through the crowd of people staring at them.

"Suite?" she whispered.

He waited until they passed a pair of older men sipping scotch before answering, "Do not speak to me in this room."

She flinched when he said it, like a slap against her skin. But her logic whispered that she should hear something else. You may speak in a different room.

Perhaps the "suite."

Her control slipped, mind running wild with thoughts of a hotel suite with a luxurious bed where she and other girls would be forced to do unspeakable things—

She blinked, zeroing on in her new focus. Cho.

The dark-haired girl didn't look in her direction as they approached. Draco took the lead, nodding at unfamiliar faces while Hermione's eyes kept darting back to Cho as covertly as possible. Her chest stung with the desire to call to her. To rip out of Draco's hold and run to embrace her. Instead she dug her nails into her palms, forcing a look of neutral disinterest at everything she saw.

Perhaps Cho felt the same. Maybe that's why she simply tilted her face away from Mulciber as they passed, a deep swallow of her champagne, and a flicker of her fingers against the glass.

Draco led her towards the other side of the room near the fireplace, and she scanned briefly for a vase of Floo powder before focusing on who they were headed towards.

Avery.

Hermione felt her heart in her throat. This man owned Ginny. She was probably stashed away at his estate at this very moment.

"Aron," Draco greeted. Avery turned from where he was laughing with a dark-haired woman. He held a cigar between his teeth, and Hermione coughed lightly as they passed through a cloud. "My father sends his regrets that he missed your celebration last weekend."

"Draco." Avery took Draco's offered hand in a firm shake, his gaze quickly skimming over Hermione. "Of course, not a problem. I know he's off… where is it again?" He leaned closer, eyes twinkling as he inhaled a deep puff of smoke.

Hermione felt the hand on her back stiffen. "Unfortunately, I couldn't say. The mission was between my father and the Dark Lord."

Avery nodded, his smirk fading a bit around his cigar. He gestured to the woman to his right, and Hermione noticed she was not wearing a collar. Her dress was long and elegant, sweeping to the floor, her hair twisted in a low chignon unlike all the collared girls.

"Madame Minister, may I present Draco Malfoy."

Hermione eyed her carefully as Draco kissed her knuckles with a bow. This woman was the Greek Minister for Magic — Eleni Cirillo. Her chest tightened in anticipation. Minister Cirillo was a pureblood, the prominence of her family lineage dating back for centuries in Greece and Italy. Her policies and offhand comments had always carried a tinge of blood supremacy — something she'd vehemently denied to the press in the years before Voldemort's rise.

"Malfoy?" she asked, arching one perfect brow. "Lucius's son?"

"Yes, Madame Minister. Please accept my apologies on his behalf that he couldn't escort you himself."

Avery stared at Draco, eyes narrowing as he took a deep sip of his glass.

"Please send my regards to your father. It's been ages." Draco politely inclined his head while the Minister turned her eyes on Hermione. With a sultry dip of her gaze to her chest, the Minister said, "And who do we have here?"

"Hermione Granger," Draco said, and she could hear the smirk in his voice. "My Lot."

"Indeed?" Minister Cirillo's eyes glittered. "The Golden Girl I've heard so much about." She stepped forward and reached a delicate hand to twirl one of Hermione's curls between her fingertips. "Well, isn't she stunning." She dropped her curl, brushing the backs of her fingers against Hermione's breast. Hermione gasped.

"Young Malfoy has been rather ungenerous with her," Avery said, his smirk returning as he sucked on his cigar. "This is the Mudblood's first visit to Edinburgh."

She felt Draco's fingers tighten against her hip. The Greek Minister tsked.

"That won't do, Malfoy. Who would deprive such a pretty plaything from our festivities?" She gestured widely at the chandeliers and the champagne, the laughter and the lazy smiles. "I would love to escort her this evening, if you'll allow it."

"An excellent idea," Avery leered. "What say you, Draco?"

Hermione's eyes snapped to Minister Cirillo, certain she'd be no safer on the Minister's arm than on any other Death Eater's.

"My apologies, Minister, but I'm under strict orders not to let her leave my side," Draco quickly replied. "Not after what happened with Avery's Lot last month."

Avery's eyes turned icy as Hermione's heart thumped wildly.

Ginny didn't play nicely with others. Something had happened.

Minister Cirillo gave a trilling laugh. "Ah, yes. I heard I missed quite the drama! I confess I'm disappointed I missed the chance to meet the Dark Lord's favored pet. Perhaps in the future, Aron."

"Perhaps," Avery gritted out.

The Minister turned to Draco. "Very well, then. But I do hope you reconsider at some point, Draco. The girl deserves a bit of the fun as well." She paused, and Hermione could feel her appraising eyes on her figure even as she stared at the floor. "Mulciber leant me his girl last weekend, and I can assure you that she had a splendid time. Another beauty, is she not?"

Hermione's breath caught and she glanced up, scanning the room for Cho again. She found her running her fingers through the long locks of another girl, pressing her hips into her side as Mulciber eyed them lecherously. Hermione swallowed, quickly looking away.

Her attention came back to Minister Cirillo as she stepped closer to Draco to whisper against his cheek, her clear blue eyes straying down Hermione's chest again. "No need to keep the girl so tightly wound."

Hermione blinked and stared at the ground again, processing. Was she doing so poorly already? Her chest flushed, suddenly angry at Draco for not giving her the proper information to play this game.

"A fair point, Madame Minister," said Draco, and she knew a wink had accompanied the lazy drawl.

"She'll be around more often then?" Avery asked.

"When she's a good girl, she'll get to come out and play," Draco said smoothly.

His hand slithered across her back, dragging along the silk until his warm palm ran up her ribs. Her breath caught as his fingers slid up her jaw, and she turned her eyes to him when he tilted her head back, just as he had outside under the lamp.

"She's not always good, though," he said with a smile.

She heard chuckling, a shiver around the room. More eyes were on them. Draco's gaze dipped to her mouth, and his thumb dragged across her bottom lip, opening her lips.

A heartbeat when she thought he'd kiss her.

"When I'm back next month, I hope to see her again," Minister Cirillo said.

Draco's hand dropped away. He excused them, shook Minister Cirillo's hand again, and guided Hermione back to the front of the room. They passed a young girl, no more than fifteen, standing in the corner with Jugson while he socialized. The girl's olive skin was drained and pale, and her eyes were shining with tears when she looked at them. Hermione felt a fire burn in her belly as Draco pushed her along, fingers itching to hex off the greedy hand that stroked the girl's waist.

Apprehension swallowed her anger when they turned the corner, meeting a dark corridor. Draco took her elbow and guided them through a carved door, opening to the clock tower building. Several people in corners speaking lowly with each other paid them no mind, and he turned toward a winding stone staircase, not releasing her elbow. As if she would fly away with the breeze if he did.

A boy she recognized from the year below them stood at the top of the stairs. Harper, she thought his name was. He stood tall once Draco's head bobbed up the steps. He greeted Draco and reached for the door.

"Harper," Draco chastised, in the same tone he used for Crabbe and Goyle when they were being terribly dense.

Harper jumped, as if his hand had been burned by the doorknob. "Right. Sorry. I just recognized you—"

"That doesn't matter," Draco sneered. He extended his left hand, and Harper's wand tapped the emerald ring he wore on his thumb. A class ring of sorts — something she'd only seen on the Slytherin boys. The ring that had cut her lip the night Draco slapped her.

The end of Harper's wand turned green. With a nod to Draco, Harper turned to her next, and his eyes slid to her gold collar. He pressed the tip of his wand to the metal, and eyed the warm golden light now emanating from it. Another nod before he turned the doorknob for them.

Uproarious laughter met her ears. Thick, deep voices — some familiar from her childhood — ricocheted through a small room decorated in lavish patterned wallpaper and dark woods. When the door opened, nine heads turned to them from around a long table, their conversations trailing off.

She blinked, struggling to register every person in the room. The boy at the end of the table stood, his chair knocking back, and smiled at her with greedy black eyes.

Marcus Flint.

"Miss Granger," he crooned. "We're delighted."

In a disturbing shadow of chivalry, every person at the table came to their feet, all eyes still locked on her. She recognized Zabini, Nott, and Goyle. Adrian Pucey stood to Flint's right, and Montague on his left. Three boys in the center of the table she struggled to place. And lining the walls were nine girls in collars.

One of them looked up to meet her eyes before blanching and dropping her head down. Susan Bones. The rest of them kept their eyes down. Penelope Clearwater stood behind Marcus Flint's chair. Mortensen from the Ministry holding cells stood behind Pucey, and she thought she recognized one or two more classmates, but the rest were unfamiliar to her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen," Draco said, stepping forward to shake Flint's hand. "The Greek Minister took an interest in my Lot."

Hermione waited in the doorway, pausing for instruction as Draco greeted his friends.

A girl with strawberry-blonde hair looked up at her from across the room, and the calculated interest in her eyes made Hermione look away, ashamed. She could only imagine what they must think of her. The privileged Lot.

She turned her gaze back to the table and found several bottles of wine decanting, some already half-drunk. A pig roast lay in the center of the table, an apple in its mouth, looking like he had been caught on the wrong side of all this as well.

Gregory Goyle hadn't taken his eyes off her legs since the moment she walked in, so she felt the pit in her stomach loosen when Draco guided her to the other side of the table to stand behind the only empty chair — the head, across from Flint.

Draco took his seat, the conversation easy and boisterous again. The moment he sat, the nine girls around the table stepped forward, reaching for the wine bottles. She watched as they poured the russet wine into the glass of the boy in front of them. Several eyes turned on her as she stared at them, doing nothing. Were they expected to play their parts as menial servants as the boys had their fun? Even though all ten of them had full use of their wands?

"Come on, Granger," Draco taunted. "Do keep up."

Stepping forward on trembling legs, she reached around Draco's shoulder for the decanter of wine next to his glass, filling it. The girls had stepped back, blending in with the wallpaper, and Hermione quickly followed their lead. She let out a shaky breath as she leaned into the windowsill behind her, letting the cool glass press against her shoulder blades.

Draco lifted his glass. "To the Dark Lord's power. May he reign forevermore."

The boys chorused his toast, and Hermione saw Penelope Clearwater's lip tremble out of the corner of her eye.

The clamor of ten boys chatting and drinking washed over her, and she tried catching onto snippets of conversation where she could.

"Cass, what did your father say about—"

"—hear about the incident at the Bastille?"

"What did I tell you! It was a two laceflies, not three—"

"Think they'll still play this year? I missed the last World Cup."

Hermione reeled, her dizzy mind trying to narrow down what she should be focusing on. Which of the conversations? She couldn't follow all of them at once. Or was it what existed in the silence, in the glances and bullying? She glanced at the other Lots for cues, but they were staring fixedly at their heels. Except for the strawberry-blonde girl, who looked more attentive than the rest. What was she staring at?

And through it all, Marcus Flint kept grinning at her.

"Malfoy," Flint called across the table, and the room dipped into silence. "Dragon Pox?" He gestured to her with his soup spoon.

"Not Dragon Pox after all. But she was disgusting. Pocks and puss." Draco made a face, and when he turned over his shoulder, he glared at her. "You tired? Can't stand straight?"

Every eye turned on her. And she realized that every girl was standing tall, waiting to be called upon. She pushed up from the windowsill.

"No, sir."

A chorus of chuckling trembled the room. And she remembered what he'd said.

Obedient, but not broken.

"I'm just not used to wearing heels. Sir."

The room held its breath. And then Draco's eyes flashed at her while the table erupted with laughter.

"Have quite a handful with her, don't you?"

"Pour her a glass of wine!"

"You gonna tell the Headmaster on us, Granger?"

"Tell you what, Granger," Blaise Zabini said with a smirk. "You can have a break from your footwear if Draco allows you to sit on my lap for the rest of the night."

The boys howled, and Blaise winked at her. Draco cleared his throat, scowling. "She will do no such thing." The laughter petered out, though the corners of Blaise's mouth twitched behind his glass.

"Merlin's sack, Malfoy," Theo Nott murmured. "Why bring her?" He leered at her and chuckled. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I was so looking forward to Granger being Head Girl last year." His innuendo landed on her skin like ice water. "We should give her a chance to earn her title."

Montague snorted into his wine, and Flint's fingers danced along the rim of his glass.

"A shame indeed, Theo," Draco said smoothly, "seeing as I've heard rumors that you were a shoe-in for Head Boy. You could have shared the 'head' duties quite nicely."

Blaise spit up his wine, laughing into his sleeve. Flint and Pucey giggled drunkenly. Theo glared at Draco. "What the fuck is that supposed—"

Draco stood suddenly, cutting him off. "Pucey? Will you do the honors?" He nodded to the pig in the middle of the table. "I'm starving."

Adrian Pucey stood with a smirk, and produced a carving knife. Hermione listened to the boys chat while each girl approached Pucey to take a plate to their escort. Susan Bones retrieved Goyle two servings, and he thanked her with a tweak to her nipple through her thin dress. Hermione moved around the table to Pucey's side when it was her turn; she could feel him watching her as the conversation continued, eyes raking her body.

"She looks pampered, Malfoy," Pucey said, twirling his knife, Hermione's heartbeat quickened as he began spinning the blade on his thumb. "Do you have any fun with her at all?"

They laughed. And she glanced to Mortensen, who stood behind Pucey's chair peeling an orange for him with her eyes glued to his knife as it spun.

"You know how much I paid for her, Adrian," Draco drawled. "Of course I bathe her in milk and lavender every night."

Flint laughed. But Pucey's eyes were darting across her skin. Hermione drew in a slow breath, trying to think about how she should react. It was true that she was at a healthy weight. She had limited sunlight these days; all freckles from her year on the run had vanished—

Quick as lightning, a glint of metal, and then Pucey was a breath away, his knife between her skin and the strap of her slip. He tugged on it.

"She's a Mudblood, Draco. She only needs to lay on her back." His crisp white teeth flashed at her, his breath hot on her face. "Besides, I always heal them afterwards."

She froze in horror as the knife cut through the strap, her heart fluttering wildly and her eyes bulging to the only exit — her dress slipping down her chest—

The knife zoomed away from her skin, spinning through the air to pierce the wallpaper as Pucey jumped backward. Her strap repaired itself, and she turned to see Draco pocketing his wand, hot rage simmering beneath his cool facade.

"I'm not sure how many more times I need to say it," he whispered, and the room was barely breathing. "That Mudblood is mine. Her mouth is mine, her cunt is mine, her skin is mine." His teeth bit through the words, and he met eyes with every person at the table before saying, "You will not touch her, under any circumstances. I purchased her. I do what I please with her."

Her skin tingled where she could still feel the ghost of Pucey's knife. Her breath was shallow as she watched Draco glare at them, still a statue until he was satisfied that he was heard.

"Now bring me a bloody plate. I said I was hungry."

A grumbled sigh, and then Pucey was piling a plate with food and handing it to her. She moved back to the head of the table on jerky legs, and Draco took his seat as she set his plate before him. Before she could move back to the windowsill, his arm wrapped around her waist and dragged her down to his lap. She struggled not to squeak as she landed oddly across his thighs. His hand pressed on her stomach to keep her close, and he picked up with fork with a sophisticated twirl.

"Now, what were you saying about the Chudley Cannons, Warrington?"

The air was still dense in the room as the boys around the table drifted back into friendly conversation, but Hermione wished they could prop open a window. The heat from Draco's chest and thighs, the feeling of his ribs rumbling into her own whenever he spoke, the puff of hot air across her neck whenever he laughed were inescapable. She tried to concentrate, tried to listen in for clues about the world outside, but she was distracted by Draco's hand on her stomach, stiff and warm. She tried to shift away from him, to make herself more comfortable, but his hand jumped to her ribs, holding her, keeping her from twisting about.

The other girls stood by the walls, stepping forward to fill the empty glasses. Ten minutes after conversation resumed, Penelope Clearwater stepped forward and reached for Flint's wine. He caught her wrist smoothly and pulled her down to his lap as well, and she stumbled as Flint pulled her blonde curls to the side.

Hermione felt guilt boiling in her gut when Goyle tugged down Susan Bones to his lap, wondering if she and Draco had started this trend, or if the girls normally fell into their laps after dinner. Theo Nott was the first one to offer his girl a bite of his cheese. And when she smiled at him in thanks, Hermione wondered if this was simply the second part of the evening. When the slaves ate the scraps from their masters' tables.

Two of the girls began clearing plates, and Hermione watched the table settings disappear entirely once they were taken to the credenza. Elf magic here as well, but she wondered at the distinctly Muggle task of clearing dishes, something no wizarding family did without magic. When one of them reached for Montague's plate, he stabbed at them sharply with the tines of his fork, and then made a show about eating one last bite. The intricacies of the power dynamics stunned her.

From the boisterous conversations in the middle of the table, she started to place the other three boys. Cassius Warrington, Terrence Higgs, and Miles Bletchley. The entire Slytherin Quidditch team, spanning over several years. The rings made more sense to her. Higgs seemed the least entertained with the evening, barely enjoying the blonde that had dropped into his lap.

The girls started reaching for their own cheese and fruit as the boys got drunker, several of them smiling and pretending to enjoy themselves. She caught snippets of conversation, something about Pucey's aunt in Liverpool, Bletchley's second home in Germany, Nott's injury last month. But nothing stood out as particularly important.

Draco kept to one glass of wine, but she watched the other girls drain the decanters into their masters' glasses. Hermione kept her hands folded in her lap and her eyes down, finding that when she looked around the table she would always catch the eyes of one of them.

"Draco," Flint called across the table, his cheeks flushed with the wine and his fingers playing with Penelope's curls. "Since we won't be getting a taste, tell us a bit about Granger. Is she just as fiery in the bedroom?"

A guffaw or two, then the table went silent. And Draco's fingertips twitched against her ribs. She felt the press of them as her breath exhaled slowly. She heard his throat click as he swallowed.

"What do you want to know?" He lifted his wine glass, draining it. Hermione felt her heartbeat against the champagne glass she held tightly between fingers.

"She just as swotty in bed?"

Laughter clattered against the spoons, and she lifted her head to find every eye on her, hungry with lust or cruel amusement. She blinked down again, her cheeks burning.

"In the beginning," Draco said finally, a low hum through her back. "Now she knows how to relax — to avoid punishment."

She felt a shiver at her shoulder blades, spreading outwards and sinking into her skin.

"What's her cunt like?" Montague asked, biting back a smirk.

"Delicious."

There was stillness, and Hermione thought perhaps Draco had said the wrong thing. Because it wouldn't be necessary to… it wouldn't be something that he'd… that they'd—

"You make her come?" Goyle asked, voicing her concerns with a grimace.

"Usually more than once," he said, as if he'd been asked about the weather. "Not in the beginning of course. And if she's misbehaving I don't bother."

Hermione chanced a glance up and caught the eyes of another Lot before the girl looked down shamefully, as if Hermione had just discovered her own secret. Perhaps it wasn't as unheard of to make their partners orgasm.

"With the potion or without?" one of them asked dubiously.

Her eyes flicked up to Penelope. The potion — the one Marcus Flint had administered to Pansy and Penelope. Before tonight, Hermione only had an idea of what it did. Now she understood.

"Without," Draco sneered. "It's so much more satisfying — no offense, Marcus — to have them moaning and begging for it all by themselves, don't you think?" His hand lifted off her ribs and reached for a curl, twisting it lightly. "And the sounds she makes," he hummed. She could feel his breath on her cheek. Her ribs refused to expand, holding to hear what he had to say. "When she's close, it's just like she's back in class, anxious to get an answer right. Can't stop moving, can't shut her mouth." She stared down at the tablecloth, struggling to breathe. Her stomach was tight as his fingers threaded in the hair behind her ear, tilting her face to him. "I'd rather slide into her when she's wet, and hating herself for it."

She kept her eyes on his collar, unable to meet his eyes. It's just a game, she told herself. He doesn't mean any of it. The wine brought a flush to his neck, the pink splotches attached to his throat as he swallowed.

He'd played his role well. It wasn't until Zabini spoke that she realized the boys were deathly quiet.

"I have to say, I'm the same," he said, an air of levity in his tone, as if he was politely changing the subject from something particularly nasty. "Never been one to use sex for punishment, myself. But"—he nodded to Flint—"I do appreciate that potion some days." Zabini raised his glass. "To Marcus' ingenuity."

They toasted, and Flint grinned. "I'll have a fresh batch next week." He turned a calculated smirk on Draco and said, "I'd be honored if Miss Granger would partake. On the house, of course."

A tense pause. Eyes on her, eyes flickering between Draco and Flint. Draco tilted his head, and she could feel the breath he drew before replying, "You're too kind."

Marcus Flint winked at him, and drained the rest of his wine glass.

"I find that once they've had the potion, they're more amenable the next time," one of them said.

Another agreed.

And she listened to them trade stories about the girls in their laps or girls in the past, as if they were all back in the Slytherin Quidditch changing rooms. The laughter started again. Montague told a particularly nasty story about a girl he'd been with at Hogwarts and he bounced the girl on his lap in a crude imitation of it, jostling her until she spilled her champagne glass.

Hermione tried to focus on the girls, the exits, the sharp cutlery — anything but the horrendous display of masculinity and sexuality. Or the way Draco's hand stayed in her curls, threading and twisting softly. Warrington had begun to run his hands over his girl's hips and stomach, and Hermione saw a sliver of her knickers as her dress slid up. One of the girls passing out fruit and sweets smiled demurely every time a wandering hand squeezed her backside or drifted up the side of her thigh. Marcus Flint's lips traveled along Penelope's neck in between conversation with his friends, and Susan Bones looked as if she might be sick as Goyle turned her to straddle him in the chair.

Hermione felt acid in her throat, burning away at her lungs. If this is what happened in public, she couldn't even imagine what the private affairs consisted of. Not even the slow rub of Draco's thumb behind her ear could distract her from the tightness in her chest.

The boys were talking over each other, louder and louder. She felt Draco laugh when Nott made a joke, bellow when Pucey dared Flint to chug the rest of his bottle, chuckle when Blaise went to grab more wine. As her eyes followed Blaise out, they landed on Goyle pushing on Susan's shoulders, urging her down to her knees.

She gasped, choking on the air. No one batted an eye. One more glance showed Susan's shaking fingers unbuckling Goyle's trousers, her face pale but resigned.

She couldn't breathe. This was their fate now — reduced to whores at a pure-blood party, serving their food and wine and smiling while they were groped and raped. Her eyes blurred as tears sprung. She understood now why Ginny couldn't "play nice," despite what it must have cost her.

Draco's hand moved to the back of her neck, sensing the tension in her body, the change in her breathing. Disgust and guilt dripped into her veins like poison, sickened to think that she felt safe with him while the rest of them were forced into this.

She felt him freeze the moment he discovered what had disturbed her.

"Really, Goyle?" Draco hissed, cutting through the noise and laughter. Hermione jumped with the sound of it against her ear. "Not at the dinner table."

Several of the boys chuckled as realization dawned, leaning over the table to watch.

"Wanted dessert," Goyle muttered, head tilting and eyes rolling back, his wine glass clutched in his hand.

"You know that's for the other room, Greg," Flint said disapprovingly.

His free hand reached down, grabbing Susan's hair. "Almost done."

Hermione bit back the bile rising, shaking her skin and twisting around her like ink. She still couldn't breathe. Even with Draco's hand on her neck, telling her to be calm, she couldn't drown out the sounds as Susan gurgled and choked.

"Wonder if Bones gives it as good as Weasley did."

Her eye twitched. Her shallow breath felt like ice in her chest.

"Now there was a pair of lips I'd like around my cock," Montague continued. "Wish Avery would have given me a turn when he was done with her—"

Goyle's glass shattered — a spray of crystal shards across the dinner table. Fruit and cheese exploding outwards and bouncing away. The boys scattered to their feet, and a pressure released in her chest as Draco spun her body away, his wand already in his hand.

Looking down at his hand in amazement, Goyle flexed his fingers, glass and blood in his palm. Susan crawled out from under the table.

Hermione breathed deep.

Her magic.

Draco looked down at her in shock, his chin bumping her nose. He sat her upright, his arms releasing their grip.

Marcus Flint was the first to start laughing. "Merlin, Goyle! Don't get too excited!"

Pucey and Montague joined, jostling Goyle — ribbing him for squeezing his glass so hard that it shattered.

"You'd think he'd never been sucked off before!"

"Serves you right for starting the fun too soon."

Goyle smiled as he adjusted his trousers, assuming responsibility. Blaise reentered with arms full of bottles, and laughed as he took in the scene. Flint, with a smarmy grin, turned to the girls around the table and said, "Ladies. On all fours."

Draco's fingers twitched on her ribs, and he glared at Flint.

"I want every piece of glass picked up, every bit of food gathered, and every boot kissed," Flint said, grinning at Draco. Several of the girls had already dropped to their knees, gathering glass.

Hermione tried to calm her racing heart. Losing control like she just had was too dangerous. She pushed away all thoughts of Ginny and tucked them into a corner of her bookshelf. Standing to start cleaning up, she was stopped by Draco's hand on her wrist.

"Think your Mudblood is too good to do our cleaning, Draco?"

"I do, actually. I don't usually let 65,000 Galleons drop on the floor."

Hermione looked back and forth between them. Every other girl had gone to their knees, beginning to clean while the boys watched and started drinking again.

"She's still just a Mudblood," Flint said slowly, a smirk parting his lips to reveal his perfect, new teeth. "Right, Draco?"

There was a challenge in his voice, and Draco stared him down. She watched Blaise pop a bottle of champagne with ease, his eyes on Flint and Draco with an air of indifference.

Draco released her wrist. She quickly fell to her knees, relishing the first time in hours that there weren't thousands of eyes on her. She crawled forward, feeling glass digging into her palms and knees, and savored the pain of it. She had to be strong — for Ginny, for Ron. For Harry. For all of the slaves who were suffering horrors and fighting battles Hermione could only imagine.

But while plucking up pieces of cheese and bread and siphoning out the glass, the laughter started again, threatening her resolve. Tears filled her eyes once more, and she sniffed, barely holding them at bay.

Her hand met another under the table. She looked up and found nine girls staring at her with weary eyes, holding hands with each other. Her breath rattled as the strawberry-blonde grabbed her other hand. Barely a heartbeat passed before the nine of them continued moving, gathering food and pulling glass out of their knees.

These girls had survived the past two months and would continue to survive. She could survive one night and a fraction of the horror. Putting a stopper on the overflowing bottle of her emotions, she came to her feet and stood next to Draco's chair. She focused on a bookshelf, and imagined the pages filling with the images of this evening until they snapped shut and slid into forgotten dusty shelf.

It wasn't long before Flint stood and said, "Shall we move to the Lounge, gentlemen?"

Pucey and Montague quickly rose from their chairs, taking their girls by the waist. Goyle was jostled from where he was falling asleep against Susan's shoulder.

Hermione remembered what Flint said earlier. That's for the other room. What Goyle did to Susan was acceptable in the next room.

Surely Draco wouldn't take her there. The other room was clearly intended for much more than "minor contact."

Her heart started to pound again, and she breathed in, searching for a lake with still waters.

One by one, the boys gradually led their girls from the room. Draco hung back, taking his time with draining his second glass of wine. Relief began seeping into Hermione's veins. He was stalling so they could make an easy escape. She stood silently by his side, eyes fixed on the floor as Zabini murmured to his girl on their way past.

"Draco." Hermione looked up to find Flint stopped in the doorway with Penelope, Pucey and Mortensen behind them. "You're coming, of course?"

Hermione's breath hitched. Draco passed a hand through his hair and said, "I'm afraid not. I have an important call with my father this evening." His hand drifted to the small of her back, ready to guide her out.

"I knew he wouldn't," Pucey slurred in Flint's ear.

"Come now, Draco!" Flint gestured dramatically. "I've already won ten Galleons from Montague. He bet you'd never bring her to dinner." He smiled and pointed his thumb to Pucey. "This one says we couldn't get her into the Lounge."

The way they grinned at her, the way "the Lounge" rolled off Flint's tongue — it made Hermione's stomach churn. Draco forced a smile and fiddled with the ring on his thumb.

"Perhaps another time."

Flint sauntered towards them. "What time is your Floo call?" His tone was deceptively casual.

A quick pause, and Hermione wondered if he was trying to figure out the time. "Half-past twelve. So we—"

"Plenty of time!" Flint clapped Draco on the shoulder, as if the deed was done. "Just a little tour." His eyes raked over Hermione's chest and shoulders. "I want to see what the Golden Girl thinks of our little club."

His hand was tight on her back, sending tension up her spine. "I suppose we have twenty minutes."

"Twenty minutes is plenty of time for me," Pucey said with a wink. A laugh burst from his chest as he dragged Mortensen out the door. A gentle push on her lower back, and she was propelled forward.

Hermione memorized the path they took back down the stairs, trying to quell the growing panic in her ribs. Harper followed after her and Draco as they fell into step with Flint and Penelope, his hand on her backside as he chatted with Draco about his recent trip to Brazil. They retraced their steps back through the hall past several people still mingling in corners, having hushed conversations over sloshing drinks.

Pushing through a door on the other side, Hermione felt the low thrumming of a bass drum, the music rhythmic and sultry. She closed her eyes as they waited, summoning what was left of her control. Think of a lake with still waters.

The curtains parted, revealing the girl from the beginning of the night — Charlotte — with a tray of champagne and scotch.

"Gentlemen," she greeted with a wide smile. Her lips were still violently red, her hair still falling in perfect waves. Probably glamoured to stay that way.

Flint plucked a scotch from her tray. "Charlotte, dear," he cooed. "You look ravishing. When are you finally going to come home with me?" He pouted and stroked her arm.

"Flattery will get you everywhere, Marcus." Charlotte winked at him and turned to offer the tray to Draco. "And you know the Carrows wouldn't allow it."

Hermione stared at her, filing that information away as Draco pressed another glass of champagne into her hands. The Carrows were involved here. And in charge of some of the girls. Her eyes fell on Charlotte's silver collar as the pretty girl batted her lashes at Draco, then Blaise, as she glided down the line with her tray.

The music swelled when they finally passed through the curtains, entering a large room with deep blue walls and dark woods. Dozens of couches and armchairs facing each other in intimate seating areas, stretching in every direction. Low candlelight and thick clouds of smoke overhead. Hermione's eyes widened, darting around the room.

Men on couches with girls in their laps. Silver-collared girls walking around with crystal platters of cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, heels higher and slips shorter than hers. A door flung open to their left and Hermione jumped as a man stumbled out, buckling his trousers. Staring into the small room, she could see a girl standing next to an armchair, straightening her dress with a practiced smile before Draco pushed her onwards.

She swallowed the acid in her throat, eyes struggling to take in every corner. A gambling table to the right with several men gathered, a few girls on their arms cheering them on. Nott Sr. at the head, tossing dice with a leggy blonde at his elbow. Hermione jerked her head in the opposite direction, afraid to catch his eye.

On one couch she thought she saw a man sleeping peacefully, but then realized his head was thrown back in bliss, a girl on the ground between his legs with her mouth on him. She quickly averted her gaze, throat burning again, but it was like she'd opened Pandora's box. No matter where her eyes darted, she found others in similar positions — out in the open like that.

A blonde girl in only knickers and a bra passed in front of them, leading an older man towards a wall of doors on the left. He was already unbuttoning as he followed her into a small booth.

It was like a brothel with elements of a Muggle strip club. Transactions were either out in the open or hidden away in private stalls; it seemed to depend on the man's preference. Hermione saw a girl bouncing on top of a young man in a way that was clearly penetrative. Her cheeks burned as they passed the couple, acutely aware of Draco's presence next to her, the girl's pants and breathy moans echoing in her ears.

Flint led them deeper into the room, and Draco's hand on her back pressed her close to his side. She knew he'd done his best to avoid bringing her here, to "The Lounge." They had barely been able to look at each other for the past few weeks — ending up here tonight was probably the last thing he wanted. There was no easy way to manage the situation. They'd simply have to survive it.

They turned a corner through a large archway and into another room, the left half obscured by private booths. Several more doors on the farthest wall; the other side filled with plush velvet couches and chairs. A roaring fireplace on the right wall, sending ambers across the room, and a blue sphere of light overhead, casting shadows on familiar faces. Two girls in silver collars danced on a cleared platform near the center of the seating area, similar to a stage at a club, while men lounged and chatted in chairs facing them.

Her lungs filled with air, steadying her. Apart from the dancing, there was nothing she hadn't seen in the other room.

She found Charlotte moving through the crowd with a tray of hors d'oeuvres and fruit, another girl following her with drinks. The men's hands would pass over their backsides and up their thighs as they served, and Charlotte sent each a wink and a smile.

The olive-skinned teenager was being dragged by the arm into a private booth as they passed, her eyes red and her cheeks streaming with tears. Hermione blinked, looking away. Somewhere in her mind's eye, there was a lake. A clear lake, the water still and unmoving—

The party halted, shattering her concentration. Marcus plopped onto a couch facing Theo and his date, and dragged Penelope down to his side. Penelope looked like she'd finally arrived at the moment she'd been dreading all night as Marcus slung his arm around her shoulders and played with her curls.

Draco started to direct her towards a different set of couches, but Flint grabbed the arm of a large chair and dragged it closer, gesturing for Draco to sit. Draco smiled thinly and folded himself into the cushions, pushing Hermione to sit on the arm of the chair instead of his lap. She wasn't sure it was any better — from this perch, she had a vantage point of the entire room.

"Miss Granger," Flint lilted over the thrumming music. "How do you like The Lounge? Is it everything you dreamed of and more?" He smirked into his glass, his eyes locked on her.

Hermione tore her eyes away and stared at her lap, pressing her lips closed. Afraid of opening her mouth, like the anger and bile would come tumbling out of her in waves if she did.

"I'd say they really should be thanking us," Warrington called to Flint from the next couch over, his Lot in his lap, her lips on his neck.

"Thanking you?" The scornful reply left her throat before she could catch herself. Draco went very still next to her. Her heartbeat fluttered amidst her growing sense of panic.

Warrington leveled his gaze on her. "That's right, Mudblood. Thanking us for giving you such a fine hall. For inviting you to dinner and pouring you champagne."

She looked down in a show of obedience, heart thumping madly.

"You Muggles are all the same," Pucey drawled. "It's in your true nature. You don't have to deny it any longer, Granger." He leered at her, and she felt her skin crawl. "Look how much they all enjoy it!" He turned and gestured to the slaves — the dancing two giggled, another moaned as she ground her hips on a man in a chair. And on another couch, Cho Chang kissed another girl slowly as Mulciber watched, rubbing himself through his trousers.

"Come on, Granger," Flint crooned. "Don't be such a spoilsport." His fingers started unbuckling his belt, and Penelope set down her champagne glass, crawling to the floor between his knees with a blank expression. "Let Draco know just how much you appreciate him."

Hermione jerked her eyes away, her breath tight in her chest as she found Warrington's girl turning to straddle his lap. Her stomach squeezed, and vomit pumped into her throat. She swallowed it down and stared at a wall.

Draco dropped a hand on her knee — a quiet warning not to move. "I prefer my appreciation in private. Besides, I'd hate to distract your birds with the size of my cock."

She listened to Flint laugh, his breath thin with excitement from the things Penelope was doing to him.

She watched Charlotte offer fruit to the boys that weren't currently forcing oral sex on their slaves.

She smelled the cigar smoke and heard the sound of laughter and clinking glasses and gasping and moaning.

Her true nature, he'd said. As a Muggle.

Draco whispered to her that they would leave shortly, and she blinked slowly at the carpets, eyes glued to the knees of a brunette she hardly knew as the girl sat before a pure-blood boy who believed she should thank him for the opportunity.

A pair of champagne heels attached to tan legs crossed into her view. Charlotte with the tray. She offered to fetch Draco a drink, and he declined, saying they were leaving soon.

Hermione barely heard them, slightly swaying on her perch. An overwhelming exhaustion pushed at her eyelids.

"Miss Granger?"

Looking up to find Charlotte still hovering, her vision clearing when she blinked. She frowned, confused to be directly addressed.

"Anything to eat?" Charlotte asked, long lashes batting slowly at her, her arm lowering to offer Hermione the basket of fruit. "Grapes, perhaps?"

Hermione stared down, finding a vine of thick, burgundy grapes — calling to her from another lifetime — something that used to mean something.

Her mind cleared like a shock. She looked up with wide eyes. Charlotte plucked one and extended it to her with a soft smile.

Hermione took it, tucking it away quickly in her hand, as though hiding a stolen good. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a memory of her shaking fingers spelling out with grapes against the Ministry floors what her voice couldn't express.

She searched for Charlotte again, but she'd moved away.

Across the room, Cho Chang met her gaze for the first time, her arms wound around Mulciber's shoulders as he kissed her collarbones. Cho pushed a plump, ripe grape between her painted lips, her eyes burning with the fire of a revolution.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 16

Chapter Notes

Apologies for the late update. I was sick all weekend and didn't get the chapter to my LOVELY Alphas until late. Much love to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

Please check an update to the tags.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

There was a ringing in her ears as Draco stood from the armchair, taking her elbow and muttering his goodbyes. The boys were heavily distracted by now, and let them go without too much of a fuss. Hermione popped the grape into her mouth as Draco turned her around, suddenly terrified that someone might see and discover her secret.

She allowed him to drag her through the room, her eyes darting wildly to take in every girl on a lap, every girl on their knees, every girl laughing and drinking. Cho didn't glance at her again. Charlotte had moved on. She swept the room looking for more eyes, more fire, more grapes.

Not alone.

She'd used grapes to spell out those words on the Ministry floors once. To give a shred of hope to the fifty terrified, bruised girls that had crowded around her, preparing to live out their worst nightmares. But had it been a coincidence? Cho knew what the grapes meant, but how could Charlotte? Had Charlotte truly meant to offer her a symbol of hope? Hermione didn't remember her from the Ministry. Who was she?

Draco led her to a large fireplace, and a jar of Floo powder materialized before them. The flames turned green as he announced, "Malfoy Manor," and with a yank on her arm, the noise from the Lounge snapped out of existence, and she was in the cool, moonlit entryway of Malfoy Manor, with nothing but her heartbeat in her ears.

She breathed heavily, her mind spinning with the questions she needed to ask, the images she wanted to forget.

Draco dropped her arm softly. It fell limply to her side. She screwed her eyes shut, struggling to calm her breathing. She could feel his eyes on her, waiting, but the questions she needed answered felt too intimate and still too large for the Malfoy Manor entryway.

The faintest of touches on her lower back, and he wordlessly led her up the stairs.

The horrors of the evening floated up as they ascended. She shoved the disturbing images aside, forcing away all the questions that felt unimportant and too personal.

How could you just look the other way?

So you just sit there while your friends force those girls to open their mouths and thighs for them?

And the most shameful one, tugging at her chest —

Who was in your lap before me?

They'd reached her bedroom. Hermione pushed the door open with her fingertips and paused, turning around. Draco stood a few long paces away, staring at his shoes. The carpet. Anywhere but her. She took a deep breath and steeled herself, closing the doorway from her heart to her lips, focusing only on the cold questions in her mind.

"Who were all of those girls? I didn't recognize all of them from Hogwarts or the Auction."

Draco tucked his hands in his pockets, and she watched them shake once before stilling. He seemed resigned to answering her questions.

"Some are Muggles from Edinburgh. Some are from prominent families who have challenged the Dark Lord's rule. Some are young witches who were found assisting George Weasley."

Her eyes widened, but she soldiered on. "And they belong to the Carrows?"

"The Carrows have been assigned as the keepers of Edinburgh Castle. They maintain the grounds and host any gatherings like tonight. The girls in silver collars are Carrow Girls. They host the Lounge and are available for… entertainment."

She swayed on her feet, the memories of the 'entertainment' still fresh in her mind.

"And the girls in gold collars," she said, feeling the weight of it on her neck. "They are owned by Death Eaters," she inferred, leaning a hand on the doorway.

Draco's eyes flickered over her. "You should sleep."

"I will. Later. Gold collars?" She began to take off her shoes. His eyes caught on the movement.

"Yes, they are owned. Generally, they were the ones Auctioned. But some Gold Collars were caught later and sold to private buyers. The less valuable ones became Carrow Girls."

Hermione sucked in a breath. She needed to keep her mind focused — ignore the rage she could feel brewing beneath her skin. If she lingered too long on her emotions, she would lose this opportunity to squeeze answers from him like a sponge.

"Every one of those boys owns a Lot? At the dinner table?" The colors of the collars swirled and mixed in her mind until she couldn't remember who wore what.

"Flint owns Clearwater, Pucey owns his girl. Bones belongs to Travers, but Goyle has spent almost every Sickle in his vault to rent her every Friday evening."

"Rent her," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. The bile in her throat bubbled again, and whenever she closed her eyes she saw Susan's hands shaking as she opened Goyle's trousers. A slow chill spread over her shoulders, like and ice cube sliding down her spine. She looked up to find Draco's eyes still fixed on the floor. Suddenly her blood felt white-hot again. "And how did you manage when your Lot had Dragon Pox? I assume you still had a girl on your arm?"

His throat clicked. And his eye twitched infinitesimally as he said, "I used a Carrow Girl. Or I borrowed from someone."

The fire she wanted breathe onto the entire castle of Edinburgh burned inside of her.

"'Borrowed.' Like a cup of sugar," she hissed. She watched it land on him, like an arrow finding the center ring. His eyes jerked up to her, and she continued. "And did you take them to the Lounge. Did they properly thank you for giving them a place to 'be who they truly are?'"

"No." His eyes were hard. "Things aren't usually so intense in the Lounge, at least in our circle. I think your presence… excited them." He rolled his shoulders back, jaw tight. "When I've had a girl before, I've kept it limited."

She glared at him as the heat and anger unfurled in her chest. The boys had acted out more than usual that evening simply because she was there.

And in the past, when she was hidden away in her ivory tower, Draco had another girl on his at his side, forced into that room. Threading his fingers through someone else's locks, rubbing another set of legs. It had to be her anger and disgust that made her demand, "Who?"

He tilted his head.

"Who have you kept it 'limited' with?" The words boiled out of her, like a sludging potion that couldn't be suppressed. "Which of my friends — your classmates — have served your wine, and sat on your knee, and listened to your disgusting friends boast about how their inaction won them a war?" she spat.

Draco stared at her, mouth open. A new feeling bubbled in her stomach — shame.

She was jealous. Of some poor, faceless, terrified girl. Her breath rattled in her chest and she felt black spots in her vision as his expression cooled.

"It's late, Granger. I'll send up a Calming Draught—"

"I don't need a Calming Draught—"

"—and some Dreamless Sleep, and we can talk in the morning."

"I want to know who you pulled in your lap and groped while I had Dragon Pox—"

His eyes flashed. "You want an itemized list? What does it matter!"

"It matters because you're telling me that my presence alone tonight made it worse for those girls. It matters because while I've been locked away in Malfoy Manor, other girls had to suffer through that — that vile display—"

She choked, her throat closing as a single tear betrayed her by rolling down her cheek. She slapped it away, furious with herself.

Silence for a few moments as he studied her. She glared back, lifting her chin.

"You're letting your exhaustion and experiences this evening cloud your reasoning," he said simply, sounding like Snape, and she hated that he'd read her like a book. "You should sleep and regroup your thoughts."

Scanning his perfectly impassive features, she wondered for the first time where he'd learned Occlumency — wondering how strong it was.

Fairly strong, if she had to guess. It was like looking at a mask.

She pressed her lips together. "I have more questions."

"They can wait."

She blinked up at him. "You'll answer any question I have tomorrow?"

He stared at her blankly, and said, "Yes."

"Eight in the morning," she demanded.

"Noon."

"Nine."

"Granger, it is after one. You will be up for another two to three hours writing a list of things to ask, and you will spend your morning Occluding and meditating," he said, his eyes grey and empty. "You will sleep."

She narrowed her eyes at him, feeling her heart pound with anger at his assumptions, and irritation that those assumptions were correct. He was treating her like a child. Or a slave.

Her hands flew to her neck, yanking her hair to the side and turning around to offer him the clasp of the collar. "Get this fucking thing off of me," she snarled.

He paused. "Now that I've activated it, you should be able to remove it yourself—"

She scrambled for the clasp, feeling it fall away under her fingers, clear air returning to her lungs. She tossed the collar at his feet.

"You better clear your afternoon, Malfoy," she hissed, and slammed the door behind her.

Once the slip was off, she threw it on the floor, feeling like she could breathe again. She turned the bathwater to scalding and dripped several potions in the tub, letting the aroma cleanse her head as her body sunk into the burning waters.

She compiled her list. She simmered in the possibilities. She stared at the bathroom wall until the waters were cool and still, both in her mind and against her skin.

When she woke in the morning after only a few hours' rest, she entered the routine she'd established the week before — plucking books from the library and taking them to the Conservatory. Every hour or so, she took a break to mediate. Tuck away the memories from last night, like books on a shelf. She couldn't let her emotions run away with her again. She'd been careless last night. As the clock ticked toward twelve, Hermione was certain Draco was going to avoid her.

But at noon on the dot, the door to the Conservatory pulled open, and she looked up to find him strolling toward her, wearing a pale grey button up and dragon leather shoes — out of uniform. He looked as if the hours of space between them hadn't done any favors for him either.

She stood from her bench and wrapped her cardigan tighter around herself in the humid chill of the morning. As she prepared to ask questions, she realized that Draco had managed to strengthen his mask overnight. He stared at her, a slight tilt to his head, with eyes cool and grey.

That's just fine, she thought. I've strengthened mine as well.

"What happened to Edinburgh?"

A slight expansion of his ribs, like he was taking a deep breath but trying not to show it. "The Death Eaters seized the castle two weeks after the Battle of Hogwarts. They took over the Muggle city of Edinburgh a few hours later, but most of it had already been evacuated. The Scandinavian Ministry had an emissary there, and she acted quickly. This was a few days before the Apparition Line was finished."

Hermione blinked, trying to keep her focus on getting all the answers she needed.

"And what's the fallout of this?" she said. "Surely the Muggle world has noticed that Edinburgh has been extinguished from the map."

"There was a confrontation once the Dark Lord's forces caught on. The papers reported a terrorist attack, a nuclear explosion. The Muggles aren't concerned with the comings and goings of Edinburgh any longer. Not until Muggle scientists have examined and decontaminated it. The Muggle government thinks it will be years before it's safe."

She felt her heart in her throat as she asked, "And why the castle? Does he have plans to seize other castles and estates?"

"No. Edinburgh is his experiment." A pause as Hermione tried to think about what he meant.

A memory of the Ministry's newest statue rose in her mind. Muggles, gnarled and twisted, their faces turned in blinding admiration towards the wizards above them. Magic is Might.

A jolt down her spine that set every nerve ending on edge.

"But whatever's left of the Order didn't want to take any chances," Draco was saying. "The Muggle Prime Minister escaped the U.K. shortly after the Battle, and the Dark Lord installed a new Prime Minister, under Dolohov's Imperius Curse. We have it on good authority that the Queen and young princes are either in Canada or Australia."

Her eyes flickered once before she settled a mask over her face, a lake with still waters. Australia. Her parents.

Draco's gaze was on her, and he blinked once, eyes narrowing to examine the reaction she failed to hide.

She needed to ask. She needed to know if the Death Eaters were searching for the Queen in Australia, but it would confirm whatever suspicions were in his mind. She couldn't trust the secret with anyone else. Her own mind was hardly safe from prying — she couldn't hand Draco Malfoy the key to her parents just by asking the question—

He looked away from her. "The Dark Lord isn't interested in pursuing Muggles beyond the ones in Edinburgh. Politicians, royals… commoners. They hold no interest for him right now."

Her heartbeat drummed in her fingertips. She could breathe again. She could think clearly.

She wrote these answers down on her mental checklist, stowing them into a tight corner of her library of shelves.

"You touched my tattoo as we crossed the threshold. Does one need to be escorted by a Death Eater to enter and exit Edinburgh?"

He nodded, and she tucked the information away for a future escape plan.

"What is the purpose of the collars?"

"Aesthetic, ownership, and hierarchy," he replied. "The Gold Collars have access to the entire castle, with the assumption that the Death Eater is keeping a careful eye on his Lot. The Carrow Girls are allowed everywhere except the private parlours in the west building. With the exception of Charlotte, of course."

Her ears perked up, and she tilted her head. "And what happens in the private parlours?"

"Official Death Eater business. Conversations with foreign dignitaries." He glanced down at the floor, and twisted his ring around his thumb.

So that was the real purpose of these parties, then. Entertaining and seducing government officials.

"You said the silver collars are owned by the Carrows," she confirmed, and he nodded. "I thought Neville was bought by the Carrows. Where is he?"

"Longbottom was traded away. Given to Rookwood in exchange for the two girls he'd bought at the Auction."

Rookwood. She tried to remember if he had been there the night before. "Does Rookwood keep a harem too?" she asked coolly.

His eyes landed on the vines over her shoulder. "Longbottom was found to be lacking for the purposes of Edinburgh Castle. Very few Death Eaters and dignitaries found him acceptable for private uses. And he was deemed uninspiring in the other uses for male slaves."

She felt a spike of panic in her chest.

A lake with still waters.

"What other uses?"

Draco pressed his lips together, and tightly said, "Arena fights. Slave versus slave."

Her body jerked away, turning to the windows. She breathed deep, pushing away the images her mind conjured.

"Arena fights," she repeated.

A thought dawned in her, and she spun back to him, finding him already watching her from his place near her bench.

"Have you ever seen Ron at these parties?"

She could see his jaw clench even from this far away. He replied with a stilted, "No. I haven't seen him since he was requested by the Dark Lord, before Macnair's death."

She nodded, trying to stitch together the pieces and file them away for later. Taking a deep breath and centering herself, she prepared to ask the one question she knew she didn't want to hear the answer to.

"And Ginny?" she said, and the words floated to him like a feather. "Why is she no longer at the parties?"

She watched him swallow, and turn his eyes over her shoulder again.

"A few weeks ago, she broke a champagne glass and sliced the neck of a guard and the aide to the Hungarian Minister. Both are dead."

Hermione scarcely breathed, feelings the words like a bucket of water over her head. She tried to imagine Ginny, running feral through the Lounge with the jagged stem of a crystal glass in her hand. She pressed her eyes closed, and said, "And I assume she didn't get away with this?"

When Draco did not respond, she looked to him and found him staring out one of the Conservatory windows, eyes far away.

"Malfoy."

"No, she did not get away with it."

A deep breath. She crossed her arms, holding her cardigan closed.

"And?" she prompted.

"She was disciplined. Publicly."

"Tell me what happened to her. I can handle it. I've seen what happens at these parties—"

His face snapped back to her and he hissed, "You haven't seen anything, Granger."

Her blood froze in her veins, and she fought to appear calm as she stared back at him. "I have a right to know. I'm not a child, Malfoy."

A long pause. "She was taken into the Lounge." He ran a hand through his hair. "Where Avery made an example of her. In several ways, which I'm sure you can imagine."

Somewhere, there was a lake with still waters. But a tempest was brewing over the one in her mind's eye.

"Were there others?"

"Just him, though there were spectators. She was in no shape afterward to be shared. I was…" Draco cleared his throat. "I only saw the very end of it."

She spun to face the violet flowers she favored most in this greenhouse, gasping silently. She couldn't let him see her lose control. Fighting to steady her breathing and clear the images that flashed through her mind, she stood tall, blinking until her eyes stopped burning and she could see clearly again.

There would be another time to process what had happened to Ginny. But for now she had a role to play. She'd convinced him she could handle the truth, and that's exactly what she intended to do. Ignoring the buzzing in her ears and the tightness in her chest, she forced her shoulders to relax. She thought of Ginny as she stared at the purple hues, suffering torture and rape daily at Avery's estate. Had it been worth it?

Her own treatment at Edinburgh Castle had been tame. Draco had seen to that. But she'd still seen enough to enrage her. She could be like Ginny, finding the fire to slice at them, even if it meant her own death.

Or she could give into her helplessness and behave like Draco asked her to — push it all away at home and thank the gods that she didn't have to suffer like the others. But she'd been given signs of hope by girls who had no business hoping. A grape. Her hand grabbed under the table by nine others with glass in their knees.

And Cho was waiting for her.

"Now that I know what to expect," she said, her voice clear and strong, "I will play my part better. The next time we go, I will be better prepared to—"

"We're not going again."

It took a moment for the words to sink in. She spun to him, eyes wide. "What?"

He stood with his hands in his trouser pockets, eyes dead and empty.

"We've made our appearances. You've been seen." He swallowed. "You won't go again. Not for a long time, at least."

Her heart pounded. Edinburgh was her only chance to communicate with her friends — her only connection to what was happening outside of Malfoy Manor.

"So I'll just contract Dragon Pox again?" she sniped.

"I'll speak to my father, and we'll come up with something—"

"They'll see through you in an instant. It will be far too suspicious—"

"What's suspicious, Granger," he hissed, his eyes hot, "is that my Lot and I can barely stand being in the same room, much less touching each other—"

Her mouth fell open in a snarl. "Whose fault is that!"

"—and although I've been fucking her daily, I still haven't been able to remove the stick from Hermione Granger's ass—"

"How dare you." She stormed towards him until he was just a breath away. "You gave me no information going into that castle. No way of knowing what to expect or how to act. You gave me no indication of how I should touch you because I can't touch you without you running away like a beaten dog—"

He turned away from her with a choked sound, and the rest died in her throat. He rolled his shoulders back, and she watched his ribs move to take a deep breath.

"Listen," he said quietly. "If we go back, Marcus will make you take the potion."

She rolled her eyes, feeling the fire burn in her belly again. "Who do I belong to? You or Marcus?"

He turned back to her, gazing down at his ring. "Every girl has taken this potion at some point. And Flint is brewing an especially large batch for next week's party. If I refuse, they will suspect something is off about our relationship." His eyes flickered up to her. "Marcus already suspects."

Her brain moved quickly through the different options. She circled one possibility, but she needed more information.

"I'd like to see that potion," she said.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "For what purpose?"

"I'd like to see it broken down. I'd like to know the ingredients and effects."

His jaw tightened. "Granger, if you mean to mimic this potion—"

"Do you have a vial of it? I assume you have a potions kit. Perhaps a laboratory?"

"—I've already said we're not going back—"

"Draco. You owe me this."

She watched it land on him, the words dying on his lips before they could be uttered. She tightened her fingers around the sleeves of her cardigan, and tilted her chin up in defiance.

His eyes lingered on her face before looking away. "I don't have a vial. I would need to procure one."

"Excellent. I'll wait here." She returned to her bench, plucked up her book, and opened to the page she was last on.

She pretended to read innocently until she finally heard his shoes shuffle toward the doors, disappearing.

Her shelves trembled, begging her to think about sliced throats, a tight fist of red hair and jeering men—

A lake with still waters. She breathed deep, tasting blood from where she'd bitten the inside of her cheek. She tucked Ginny away onto a top shelf next to Harry.

Some time later, just as her book on the history of magical Asia had taken her interest again, the Conservatory doors opened. She looked up, and her breath caught to find Narcissa looking for her amongst the leaves.

When her blue eyes landed on her, Narcissa smiled, folded her hands, and said, "Tea?"

Hermione felt a warmth return to her body that had been absent for hours. Followed by a stab of guilt that she had someone who sat with her for tea. With a quick smile, Hermione nodded and shifted her discarded books off the second seat.

Narcissa did what she did best — distracted from the horrors outside Hermione's gilded cage with her truly pleasant company. Hermione felt her body urging her to relax into the familiar comfort of it, but she resisted.

After a pause where they both turned to a book in their laps, a cup of tea on each side table, Narcissa said, "I heard you went to Edinburgh Castle last night."

Hermione darted a sideways glance to find Narcissa's lips curling into her tea. "Yes," she managed.

"I haven't had the pleasure of attending a gathering there. Nor do I have any intention to." She took a long sip.

Hermione swallowed, wondering how much Narcissa knew about her son's activities there. The things he witnessed. Turned a blind eye to.

"It wasn't to my liking either." Hermione stared into her teacup.

Narcissa patted her lips and placed her teacup on the end table. "When they were in my house, there was little I could do about that kind of behavior. It was… a powerless feeling, Hermione."

Hermione blinked up at her, hardly daring to breathe.

"And even then I wondered, 'How can I not stop this? How can I possibly stand by and allow this to happen?'" She shook her head. "But I had little choice in the matter. My principles were overruled by the need to keep my family safe." Narcissa pushed a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. "I think it's a common philosophy amongst us Malfoys," she said with a smile. "Survive. In dangerous times, let pragmatism be the death of principles."

Narcissa turned her eyes on Hermione for the first time, a fire in them that Hermione had seen the night before in a different pair of eyes. "And once they've underestimated you — strike."

Hermione was still, waiting for her breath to return. Waiting for Narcissa to smile and return to discussing the weather.

It didn't come.

Hermione's lips parted, skin tingling with adrenaline.

The doors flung open, and she jumped. Draco was stopped in the doorway, staring at the sight of his mother sitting with her. She watched him push a hand into his pocket, a vial disappearing.

"Mother," he greeted. "I have to borrow Granger, I'm afraid."

Hermione stood, placing her teacup down. Her heart pounded with the fire ignited in her.

She had to break down the potion. She had to learn how to mimic it. She had to go back to Edinburgh.

"Of course, dear," Narcissa said. She gave a quick nod to Hermione, her face as serene and unassuming as ever. "I'll see you for breakfast tomorrow, Hermione."

Hermione nodded back, and moved quickly to the doorway, following Draco out.

He swept from the Conservatory, already halfway down the corridor by the time she caught up to him. Following him down hallways she had yet to memorize and turning down another staircase to a lower floor, she struggled to keep up with his long legs.

A door at the end of the hallway appeared, and Hermione's brows jumped when she recognized the Notice-Me-Not Charm. No wonder she hadn't spent time down here yet.

He pushed open the door and lit the candles with a wave. She stepped into a potions laboratory lined with beakers and cauldrons and ingredients. Her eyes scanned the walls greedily, searching for secrets and rare finds.

"Is this your father's laboratory?"

He looked over his shoulder at her. "It's mine." He pulled his eyes from hers. "You are welcome to it, now that you know the way."

Her eyes widened. The Suppressant Potion. She could break it down here if only she had a vial. She tucked away her excitement at the possibilities, and returned to the present, where Draco was lighting the fires.

He retrieved an elm spoon and pulled the vial from his pocket, placing it next to the heating pot. Then he stepped aside. She blinked at him, realizing that he was allowing her to do the work.

She stared at the lab table. She hadn't thought she'd ever be allowed near magical ingredients again.

She stepped forward, eyeing the cauldron. Her fingers pried the cork from the vial, and she tipped two drops into the bottom.

"Where did you get it?" she asked.

"Blaise. He has a few vials, but he doesn't like to use them."

She looked up at him, finding his eyes on the cauldron, and quickly turned away.

The shelves were impeccably organized. She read each label until she found an acid that would work. She pulled down distilled water and a honey paste for thickening. She searched for an oil, perhaps beaver oil or—

Long fingers next to hers, tilting behind a tall bottle to pluck out a jar labeled Niffler Saliva. Her eyes grew wide. Snape would never let them use such expensive products in school. She glanced up at Draco, taking the jar from his fingertips. He was standing as far away as possible while still being able to reach the shelves. He looked away.

She drizzled the acid, added the distilled water, and prepared the second cauldron with honey paste. She felt his eyes on her hands as she worked, though she refused to look up to confirm. The steam rose as the cauldron bubbled, and she wondered why Slytherins always brewed their potions in the most ill-conceived underground locations. Sweat rolled down the back of her neck, and she pushed her hair over her shoulder as her curls expanded.

He stood by her side, stepping in silently when it was time for wandwork. She scribbled her findings into an empty notebook nearby.

Ashwinder eggs, rose petals, and moonstone for the obsessive euphoria. He was right about the asphodel, possibly for a bit of drowsiness. Porcupine quills to add enhance the euphoria. Sneezewort for confusion and a bit of recklessness.

Mixed with the hair of the intended partner, the drinker would become dizzy and confused until their skin touched their partner's. The confusion would fade and the obsession would begin, euphoria spiking. Pulling away from the partner would bring back the confusion and dizziness.

Hermione frowned down at her notes. It would wear off eventually, but it could take hours.

"Have you ever used this potion at the parties? On a Carrow Girl?" she asked, breaking the hour-long silence.

"No. But I've seen it."

She stared down at the ingredients list. "We should be able to make an antidote fairly easily. I can take it before the party on Friday, and then when I'm given the potion, I can mimic its effects."

When no response came, she looked up to find him facing her, leaning one hip on the lab table, his lips pursed and eyes fixed on the floor.

"Malfoy?"

He didn't look up. "Granger, every eye will be on you next week. Not just Montague and Pucey and the others. Flint is planning quite the spectacle, and most of the guests are interested in you already. Even without the potion."

His jaw clenched, like he was stopping himself from saying more.

She crossed her arms. "You're suggesting that I wouldn't be convincing?"

He paused, and tilted his head. "How do you suggest we steer clear of penetrative sex while your… obsessive lust drives you?"

She felt a blush rise in her neck and watched the same flush spread over his cheekbones.

"I see," she said, throat tight. "Have you had penetrative sex in the Lounge before?"

His eye twitched and he shook his head, still focused on the floor.

"Then perhaps it's your preference to stick to more minor acts while in public. That's something you can sell, right?"

He took a deep breath, and the frustrated sigh on his exhale prickled the back of her neck.

"And what 'minor acts' are you suggesting we engage in, Granger?"

She swallowed, listening to her throat click loudly in the small room. She searched for the words to articulate—

He grabbed the honey paste and distilled water from the table and capped them. "I've let you break down the potion. I 'owed you' that." He turned from her, putting away the ingredients on the shelf. "But you've never seen girls on this potion. It's humiliating. Degrading. You have no idea what it does—"

"I do, actually. I just broke it down—"

"And is research also how you've prepared for the practical application of this deception, Granger?" His back to her. A jar slammed down onto a shelf.

Her mouth fell open, indignation burning in her gut.

"Are you suggesting that because I'm a virgin that I've never lusted after someone? That I wouldn't understand those urges?"

She lifted a brow and watched his fingers shake over the beakers on the shelf, glass clicking.

"I'm sure you have an idea of it, but you've seen the ingredients. This Potion is no joke, Granger."

He swallowed, turning back to the table and pressing his lips together as Hermione glared daggers at him.

She remembered the simpering smiles Cho would give Mulciber. The flirty laugh from Charlotte to Flint. And Narcissa's reminder about when to strike.

His hands reached for the empty cauldron to shelve it and she lurched forward, grabbing the collar of his shirt. His quick reflexes caught her, hands coming up to her elbows, head turning to her, and she caught sight of his shocked expression as they stumbled backwards to the shelves, her mouth landing on the corner of his.

Her chest fell against him as her lips slid from his mouth with their tumbling feet. He righted them, holding her arms up, but she focused on the feeling of connecting her skin to his. How dizzying it would be to not touch him. How right it was to kiss his jaw.

He grabbed her shoulders and shoved her back, her hips slamming into the table edge. His eyes were wide and hot, almost scared.

"What are you doing?"

She panted and let her eyes glaze over. "Draco, please."

His eyes widened, and she caught a glimpse of black pupils before he backed away. She stumbled forward, reaching up to pull his head down to her, but before she could connect their lips he pushed away again.

"Granger, stop—"

"I need you. Please, Draco." Her fingers wound into his hair, and she rose up on her toes again, aiming for his lips, and murmuring, "Touch me."

Quick as lightning, her hands were off of him and her body was pushed into the table. He was across the room in three strides.

"I told you I could do it," she panted, and he froze in the doorway.

His shoulder twitched, and then he was gone.

She tried to catch her breath, her skin humming and lips tingling from where she'd touched him.

~*~

Draco diligently ignored her for the next six days. The first few days, she told herself that it was a good thing, but by Wednesday night, she started to get nervous. She had to go back. Regardless of how they might feel about one another at the moment.

She finally sought him out on Friday morning, finding him in the kitchens taking an apple from the elves' basket.

She placed her hands on her hips and said, "I assume we'll be leaving at ten tonight?"

He turned, and his eyes scanned her before replying, "No. No party tonight."

She lifted a doubtful brow. "Why?"

"It's been postponed." He tossed the apple between his hands, keeping his eyes away from her. "A mission from the Dark Lord has taken precedence."

"You can't avoid me forever, Malfoy. We're in this together whether you like it or not, and the sooner you—"

"Did you hear a word I just said? It's not happening tonight." He brushed past her without another word.

Hermione huffed at the empty kitchen, fists clenched. He was clearly lying.

So at ten o'clock that night, she cracked her door open, waiting to hear the sounds of him leaving the Manor. After half an hour with her eye on the door, she moved to her balcony windows, wondering if he'd left through his own fireplace. While she still didn't have access to her balcony, she could press her face to the glass and look for the light coming from his bedroom.

It was dark.

She glared and stomped into her bathroom, deciding on a bath while she waited for him to return. As she relaxed into the warm water and bubbles, she tried to think of ways to convince Draco to bring her back to Edinburgh. He didn't think she was capable of the sexual challenges they would face, but she could convince him. She had to.

She had to get back to Cho. She needed to figure out who Charlotte was and whether that grape had meant what she thought it did. She'd been stuck inside of Malfoy Manor for two months now, and Edinburgh was the closest she'd gotten to the remains of the Order.

Let pragmatism be the death of principles.

Hermione had to prove to him that she could handle herself. Whatever it took.

After midnight, she dragged an armchair to her balcony window and read a book with one eye on Draco's balcony, waiting for a sign of life from inside the room.

At a quarter past two, her bleary eyes drifted up from her pages. Light was pouring from inside his room onto his balcony. She jumped up, wide awake, the book tumbling on the carpet. Yanking a jumper over her pajamas, she marched out her door and to his.

She rapped on his door and waited, anger unfurling in her belly.

When no response came, she knocked louder, more insistently.

She was just raising her fist to pound against the wood when it swung open. Draco stared down at her, leaning forward on the doorframe with one hand still on the door.

"Why are you still up?" he demanded.

She glared at him, lifting her chin. "I should be asking you the same thing. You haven't been out, have you, Malfoy?"

He swallowed and said, "I have. I was on a Mission from the Dark Lord."

"Then why do you smell like cigars and Firewhisky," she hissed.

She would have this out with him. She would demand that he take her next week.

Hermione stepped forward to push past him into his bedroom, but Draco stood in the way, blocking her. She blinked up at him, scowling. After lying egregiously to her, the least he could do was let her in his damn room.

She stepped to the side and he moved with her, obscuring her vision. She stared up at him, a pale horror cracking over her skin.

He had a guest.

Her mind conjured a rapid-fire sequence of images of a Carrow Girl sprawled across his sheets — the activities she'd just interrupted.

"Is there someone here?" she gasped.

He stared down at her, jerked his head once, and said, "No. Just in the middle of something."

"Oh, come on, Draco," a familiar voice called from inside the room. "Give it up. She's caught you."

Hermione's mind whirred, struggling to place the voice that sounded like — that sounded like…

She watched Draco close his eyes in resignation.

A girlish chuckle from inside the bedroom. And though the tone was all wrong, Hermione recognized the sound of that voice.

She pushed through him, sliding under his arm and found Hermione Granger sitting in his armchair, legs crossed and sipping a glass of scotch with a smile. Her lips were redder than Charlotte's had been, lashes darkened and lids smoky, her black slip sliding up her thigh.

Hermione's heart skipped and stuttered as her stunned mind tried to place the smirk on her face. The smirk on her own face, worn by someone else.

And when she watched her own brow lift into a perfect arch, the realization dawned on her.

"Pansy?"

The girl in Hermione's body smiled brightly, and toasted her. "Brightest Witch of Her Age."

The puzzle fell into place in her mind as her eyes turned to Draco's carpets. He'd gone to Edinburgh after all. And instead of taking her, he'd taken Pansy Parkinson in her body.

"Hmm. That look of furious disgust there?" Pansy said, pointing at Hermione's face. "I think I pulled that off quite nicely tonight."

Hermione couldn't find her voice. She could do nothing but watch as Pansy stood from the chair, patting down her dress and brushing Hermione's curls over her shoulder. Not only did she have on makeup, she'd styled the unruly locks into something soft and lustrous. Even as she walked, Hermione could see the telltale signs of Pansy— the confident strut and sway to her hips that she recognized from Hogwarts — but it looked wrong in Hermione's body. The artless grace and sensuality.

Hermione's cheeks burned, suddenly aware of her baggy pajama bottoms and shapeless jumper.

Pansy approached Draco, reached for the gold collar around her neck, and extended it to him. She'd painted her nails scarlet.

"I'm going to get out of your hair." She turned to Hermione sharply. "Or, your hair, truly." She laughed at her joke, running her hand over Hermione's curls. "I must apologize to you for ever making fun of your hair in school. It really is quite a hassle." She smiled. "I won't miss it. But your arse, Granger." Pansy ran her hands over her hips, rounding to Hermione's backside. "I much prefer this. I know Draco's preference is—"

"That's enough, Pans." His voice was cold and cutting.

"Just trying to lighten the mood. Well, I guess I'll be going." Pansy strolled to the fireplace. "Looks like you two have loads to talk about."

Pansy winked, tossed the Floo powder, and disappeared.

The shock that had frozen her for the past few minutes was fading to a fiery churning in her stomach, spreading outward and lighting up every nerve ending on her skin. Hermione felt Draco's presence next to her, but she refused to look up at him.

"You took Pansy Parkinson to Edinburgh. In my body."

She heard his throat click.

"It was the easiest of options."

She scoffed, whipping around to glare at him. "Easiest."

"Yes, easiest. For both of us." He ran a hand through his hair. "Pansy had experienced the effects of Flint's potion. She knew what it did. I brewed an antidote, like you suggested. And she mimicked the effects."

Fury burned in her bloodstream.

"The point of breaking down the potion, was for me to take the antidote so I could return to Edinburgh—"

"And the point of me asking Pansy was to spare you from that." His eyes finally met hers. His mask perfectly in place except for the spots of pink on his cheekbones. "We put on a convincing show. The boys should be appeased for now."

Rage choked her, her breath growing shallow as she thought about her own body in Pansy Parkinson's hands, moving over him.

"What kind of 'convincing show," she hissed, stepping closer to Draco as he retreated.

"I did it for your own good, Granger."

"You violated my body—"

"Your body was going to be violated either way," he snarled, holding his ground. "This way, you didn't have to be in it."

Her arm moved quickly, slicing through the air and slapping him across the face. His head scarcely moved despite the angry, red handprint on his cheek. His eyes were hot on hers as they panted in each other's faces.

"Did you have sex with her in my body?" she demanded, hating the way her voice shook.

His eyes dragged across her face, lips pressed together firmly until he answered, "No."

She felt something untangle in her chest, loosening like a rope. She looked away.

"If you put on such a 'convincing show,' then I assume they won't force you to use the potion again," she said, her voice deadly calm.

"No. But you've been seen twice in a row now. I won't need to bring you again—"

"You will bring me." She stared into his eyes, demanding to be heard. "You said it yourself — they already suspect something is off. The other girls go every week with their masters, and so will you and I." She tilted her chin up and watched his gaze drop to her mouth and back up to her eyes. "We will continue to appear at Edinburgh Castle. And you'll stop treating me like a child who's unable to navigate this new world."

The silence sent shivers down her spine. She summoned whatever confidence she had left and said, "Do I make myself clear?"

His eyes were dark, the grey fading into black dilated centers. She felt his breath on her cheek and the heat from his chest just inches from her own.

Dropping his eyes once more before finding her gaze again, he whispered, "Perfectly, Granger."

"Good," she said, stepping back and reaching for the door.

She disappeared back to her own room, letting her mind wander to the 'convincing show' Pansy had put on in her own body, wondering if she would be able to replicate it the following week.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 17

Chapter Notes

Love to the gals, as always.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Hermione woke up the next morning with her blood still boiling. She rescheduled breakfast with Narcissa and locked herself away, researching and reading in angry solitude. Every time she'd let her mind wander, it would conjure images of Draco with Hermione's doppelgänger in his lap, moving as Pansy Parkinson moves and kissing like Pansy Parkinson kisses.

So she kept it occupied well past dinner time, until she was too exhausted to think.

She woke early on Sunday morning, determined to speak to Draco before breakfast. After compiling another list of questions for him — none of which had to do with the "convincing show" he and Pansy had put on two nights before — she finally left her room and rapped smartly on his door. She waited for a more than acceptable amount of time before rapping again. The door handle was immovable, as expected. She frowned in frustration. After fifteen more minutes of aggravated pacing, knocking, and waiting, she headed downstairs to meet Narcissa.

Only Narcissa wasn't at the table. The dining room was set for two, but it was empty.

Hermione had a brief flash of panic, remembering how all three Malfoys had disappeared before, leaving her alone for weeks.

"Mippy?"

A pop! sounded from behind her.

"Miss!"

"Good morning, Mippy," Hermione said, smiling down at her through the tightness in her chest. "Where might I find Narcissa?"

"Missus is in her study!"

Perhaps Narcissa had forgotten? "Thank you. I'll visit her there." She hurried out of the room before Mippy could blink her overlarge eyes.

Hermione traveled down the corridor to Narcissa's private study. She needed to see for herself. She needed to know they hadn't left her alone again. Lucius had been gone for weeks. Draco wasn't responding. If Narcissa was gone too…

She turned a corner and froze at the sound of a voice rising to biting tones, floating into the hallway from behind a cracked door.

Her pulse calmed when she recognized Narcissa's voice, then quickened with her rising curiosity. She paused, debating. Spying on Narcissa's private conversations felt like crossing a line.

Hermione took a quiet step backward, preparing to turn on her heel—

"...our son. And now he's off… dangerous and... He's out of his depth—"

Narcissa's voice cut out as she ranted. Hermione let the words wash over her, heart hammering in her ears. They were talking about Draco.

A few more heartbeats, and her self-control shattered. She tiptoed forward, ears straining for a response.

Was Lucius home?

She wasn't eavesdropping, she told herself as she crept forward, guilt twisting in her gut. She was simply going to take her time before knocking.

"... becoming a liability," she heard Narcissa hiss. "Even the Dark Lord must see. Remind him why these revels exist in the first place… not just to wet their cocks—"

Hermione's brows jumped, and she stifled a gasp at hearing such crude language from Narcissa Malfoy. She craned her neck to peek through the crack in the door and found her pacing at the opposite side of the room, in front of the fireplace. The Floo.

A low baritone rumbling from behind a pair of chairs, where Hermione couldn't see. She took a shaky breath and knocked faintly at the door, praying Narcissa wouldn't hear her.

"I will not watch my language. Your friends are running wild here in England without the Dark Lord's oversight. Do something about it before our son gets killed."

She was talking about Edinburgh. Hermione's mind tumbled through the ways that Draco could be harmed by the events that had taken place there, but before she could process it—

"I have to go. Miss Granger is at my door, and I'm late for breakfast with her. I'll send your regards."

Hermione held her breath as Narcissa's heels clicked towards the door.

"Good morning," Narcissa said. Her face was flushed, but not a hair was out of place. "I apologize for keeping you waiting."

"It's me who should be apologizing," Hermione rushed, heat creeping up her neck. "I came looking for you, and then I — heard voices. I didn't want to interrupt, but I wasn't here for very long—"

"Of course, dear," said Narcissa smoothly, the anger of the previous conversation melting away. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid I can't take breakfast with you. I have several urgent matters to attend to."

Hermione nodded her acceptance and said in a small voice, "Draco is gone?"

Narcissa took a deep breath and nodded. "He is in Italy. Dealing with an unexpected incident. I'm afraid I can't say much more than that." She pulled a thin letter from her robes and extended it to Hermione. "He asked me to give this to you."

Hermione stared at the parchment. "For me?"

"Yes," Narcissa said. "He had to leave rather abruptly, and he wanted to put your mind at ease."

Hermione blinked, gaping up at her. "He said that?"

"Technically, I believe he said, 'that bloody witch will give me hell if I disappear.' But I'm sure those were his true sentiments."

Hermione's fingers paused in grasping the note, and she looked up to see Narcissa smirking. Her cheeks heated, and she ducked her head.

Narcissa left Hermione to take breakfast in the dining room alone. Hermione managed to pour a cup of coffee from the carafe, add the sugar and milk, and stir before her curiosity won out and she ripped open the wax seal.

Granger,

I have some important business in Italy. Allow me to head off your questions.

No — I don't know for how long.

No — I can't say why. Yet.

Yes — if I am home by Friday, we will still be going to Edinburgh.

Yes — I've eaten breakfast. How kind of you to ask.

D.M.

She glared down at the letter, as if it was Draco himself, lifting a brow at her and strutting away.

Italy.

She racked her memories for mentions of Italy. Coverage of the political climate there — or any other foreign country, for that matter — had been scarce in the Prophet. She expected that would change once Voldemort had more international support.

After breakfast, Hermione visited the kitchens and asked Remmy for the Daily Prophet, like she did every morning. She blinked down at the headline, not even bothering to thank a sour-faced Remmy before she huffed and waddled away.

ITALIAN MINISTER DEAD BY HEART ATTACK

by Rita Skeeter

Antonio Bravieri, Italian Minister for Magic, was found dead in his chambers Saturday evening, suffering from a fatal heart attack.

The Minister had paid a visit to the Dark Lord's castle earlier Saturday afternoon to pledge his government's support for the Dark Lord and the Great Order. Tragically, it would be his last official act as leader of the Italian Magical community.

Constantine Romano, Head of the Transportation Department, has vowed to carry out Bravieri's final vision for his country, and has been appointed to the title of Minister in Bravieri's place. Emissaries to the Dark Lord are assisting with the transition this week, helping ensure the partnership between our two countries.

The lies jumped off the page, sticking out like thorns.

The Minister had been found dead the day after he visited Voldemort? Not likely. And his last official act was to swear fealty to Voldemort? Hermione rolled her eyes, shaking her head at the paper. He'd clearly gotten himself killed, and now Draco was part of the mission to replace him with some kind of Voldemort puppet, like Pius Thicknesse.

Hermione leaned back against the wall outside the kitchens, listening to the elves work. Unless she was very much mistaken, Voldemort had just carried out a major political coup. But why send Draco? Had he gained enough importance in the Death Eater's ranks that he was now replacing his father in his absence? She shivered, dread twisting in her stomach.

She spent the rest of the day looking into the politics of the Italian Ministry and the Bravieri family, searching for clues on why Antonio Bravieri had dared to challenge Voldemort and paid for it with his life.

~*~

By Friday morning, when Draco had still not returned, she had grimly come to terms with the fact that they would not be going to Edinburgh that night. Narcissa had spent the week distracted, inviting her to tea only to drift off and then jump up, excusing herself. Hermione assumed Italy had taken a turn for the worse, but the Prophet had been completely silent on the situation.

After two anxiety-filled days with no news of Italy or Draco, she had thrown herself back into her research to steer her mind firmly away from his absence. Only that topic was equally frustrating. She'd finished The Mysteries of Magical Asia: Volumes 1, 2, and 3, and found only a handful of irrelevant, throwaway references to magical slavery. She was no closer to finding the inspiration for the tattoos than she had been a month ago.

She was headed to breakfast when she heard voices in the entry hall. She froze at the top of the stairs, listening carefully to catch the mumbled words and ascertain their owners. Peeking over the banister, she found the top of Draco's blond head — a wave of relief through her veins — as well as two others.

Zabini and a dark-haired girl.

Gasping, she moved forward until she could see her face, fingers squeezing the polished wood.

It was the olive-skinned girl from Edinburgh. The one who had been crying through the night, the one who looked too young for all of this. She looked pale and dazed, her large eyes locked on Zabini. Thinner than the last time Hermione had seen her, she practically swam in the heavy black cloak around her shoulders.

Zabini and Draco spoke in hushed tones as Zabini reached into the bag of Floo powder, nodding his head at something Draco said. She watched Zabini turn to the girl and hum something in a cadence she recognized as Italian. They moved to the fireplace, and Blaise righted her when she stumbled in her heels.

"Grazie," she croaked.

Blaise took her elbow, and Hermione caught the faintest glimpse of gold and black letters on her arm as they disappeared through the Floo. Draco stared at the empty fireplace for several long moments after they vanished. Then he crossed the room and started to climb the stairs.

His body moved slowly, exhausted and thin. Purple-blue rings beneath his eyes. He didn't look as wasted as he had a month ago, but he clearly hadn't slept or eaten much. It wasn't until he was steps away from the platform she was on that he finally looked up and paused.

"Granger." He stood tall and took his hand off the railing, removing all weakness from his stance.

She blinked at him, heart thrumming painfully with the weight of the things she wouldn't let herself say. "Who was that?" she finally managed, nodding her head down at the fireplaces below.

His throat bobbed as his eyes took her in. "Giuliana Bravieri. She'll be staying with Blaise from now on."

"Bravieri," she repeated. "She's the Minister's—"

"Niece, yes. Excuse me, but I'm not in the mood for an inquisition right now."

He started to climb again, moving past her as her mind whirred.

"Did you rescue her?" she asked. Her heart thudded dully in her chest, and her lungs held tightly, waiting for his response.

He laughed — a dry, aged sound. "I'd hardly call it that."

A strange hope fluttered in her chest.

She spun, taking a breath to ask —

"Yes, Granger," he said flatly, walking away from her. "We'll go to Edinburgh tonight." And then under his breath, "Bloody woman…"

She watched him trudge to his door, frowning at his retreating back.

Have you had breakfast, she'd been about to ask.

~*~

At eight that evening, she did something for the second time since she'd taken up residence at Malfoy Manor — she examined her vanity dresser. She'd rummaged through it just once before, shortly after she arrived, while looking for weapons.

She pulled out the top drawer, finding basic makeup products and brushes.

Hermione didn't know much about applying powder and goo to her face, but she could remember a bit from fourth year. With Lavender Brown's voice in her mind, she laid out the tubes and gels across her counter and separated them by use. The eye makeup on her right, the lips on her left, and the rouge and powders in the center.

After half a dozen frustrating attempts, she finally was staring at a shadow of what Pansy Parkinson had been able to do to her face. Her eyes were dark, her lashes long. A dusty pink lipstick was all she could find in the drawer. She searched every drawer and cabinet for nail polish, thinking of Pansy's scarlet nails, but couldn't find any. She wasn't positive she could pull off whatever act Pansy had played, but she could come close to it.

As for her hair… Hermione had to leave it alone. She had no tools, no wand, and even if she did have a curling iron, there was no electricity in Malfoy Manor.

Mippy knocked at quarter till ten, handing her the collar, the dress, and the shoes. The elf wrung her hands and stared tremulously at the floor, clearly knowledgeable about the plans for the evening. Perhaps she'd heard Narcissa's rants as well. Hermione took pity on her and quickly dismissed her, asking her to tell Draco that she'd be downstairs momentarily.

The slip dress was black lace with a low neck. It would be tight on her body, leaving very little to the imagination. But perhaps the revelers at Edinburgh Castle no longer needed to imagine her in any way. It was possible they'd seen quite a bit of her body already.

Hermione pressed her lips together, and pushed away those thoughts.

She went to the armoire, reaching into the drawer that held her knickers. She rummaged through them and decided on the pair that looked the most sensual.

The dress slithered down her skin, needing to be tugged around her backside. She slipped the collar on, and the metal shrunk to her skin just as it had last time. She fidgeted with the chilly gold metal as she checked the clock, testing to make sure it hadn't glued itself to her. It seemed to shrink and tighten in response to her touch, attracting to her skin like a magnet. She easily fit her finger between her neck and the collar.

With shoes on and one last look in the mirror, Hermione headed down the hallway to the stairs. The portraits took the opportunity to hiss and call her names as she wobbled by, righting herself on the credenza.

She'd found her footing by the time she descended the stairs, but the sight of Draco watching her from the ground almost sent her stumbling again. His eyes dripped over her face, dress, and legs before tearing away and staring down at the marble.

He looked rested, and despite the way his gaze had lingered, he seemed to have his mask in place. She clicked down the stairs in her heels, awkwardly listening to every step until she reached the bottom.

He didn't immediately lead her out, so she asked, "Is it the same entry every time? Through the main gates?"

After a beat, he nodded at the floor, almost as if snapping out of a trance.

"What do I need to know about last week?" she asked tightly. "What will come up?"

He swallowed and said, "Everything was the same until the Lounge. The Great Hall, the champagne, the dinner."

The images flashed up in front of her eyes again — red lips on his, painted nails running through his hair, Draco's fingers dipping underneath her knickers—

"And the Lounge?" she asked as evenly as possible, shoving the pictures aside. "What do I need to know?"

"You won't be asked to do anything… Anything more." He looked up at her for the first time since she landed at the bottom of the stairs, and his eyes flickered. She caught something almost guilty in them before his mask clicked back into place. "The Lounge will be infinitely tamer tonight."

"Why?"

His jaw tensed. "There was an incident last week."

Her eyebrows shot up as he turned on his heel and headed to the door, as if he could just end the conversation there. She hurried after him, nearly jogging to catch up.

"'Incident?' Does this have to do with Italy?"

He pushed through the Manor doors, and as he swept down the stairs, she could swear she heard him mumble, "Brightest Witch of Her Age."

"Yes," he said. "The Dark Lord has forbidden the use of Flint's potion at Edinburgh. Last week, it was misused on the Italian Minister's niece."

Hermione stumbled down the Manor steps, following behind him on the stone path as her mind worked at breakneck speed.

"Antonio Bravieri didn't support the Dark Lord, did he?" she asked as he moved briskly down the path. "That's why Giuliana was taken and given to a Death Eater. To coerce him into changing his mind." Draco didn't respond, but she didn't need him to. "Bravieri found out what happened to Giuliana at the party, came to rage at the Dark Lord, and was killed for it."

They were steps away from the gate. Draco's pace didn't falter until Hermione reached out and grabbed his arm, spinning him back. He met her with a lazy expression.

Her brows furrowed, trying to work out a piece. "Why did you have to go to Italy? Are you… Have you been promoted?"

He smirked. "As Lucius Malfoy's son, I don't need a promotion. I volunteered, actually."

Her lips parted in shock. "You—"

"For Blaise," he said. "His mother was close friends with Bravieri — a well-known bit of gossip. It was in his best interest to volunteer his assistance with the 'transition.'" He stared off over her shoulder at the Manor. "And it seems to have deflected any suspicion. The Dark Lord gifted Giuliana to him as a token of gratitude for his service."

Hermione's lip curled. "So she'll have to pretend now, too. Only it was real for her. I saw her there. That girl is a child. She isn't strong enough to act like Zabini's plaything—"

"Giuliana won't be attending any time soon," he cut her off. "She's not... in any state for it. Blaise will make her excuses."

The summer wind brushed through them, and Hermione felt it dance across her spine in a shiver.

"What happened to her?"

Draco pressed his lips together. No response.

"Malfoy—"

"Do you really want to ruin your evening before it even begins, Granger?"

"Yes."

He sighed deeply. A hand came up to rub his brow. "Jugson thought it would be a bit of fun to put multiple hairs in her potion. Apparently he was plucking them at random from around the room. Half of the men didn't even realize until… it began."

She blinked up at him. "Oh." Bile crawled up the back of her throat as her imagination flickered through a series of disgusting and depraved images of… multiple people… and— "How old is she?" she croaked.

Draco paused. "Fourteen." His reply wasn't surprising, but it still hit her like a blow to the gut. She swayed her on her feet. He continued, "So Flint's potion is no longer allowed—"

"Was your hair mixed in?" she asked, her voice cracking.

His face turned to her sharply. And the disgust on his features brought her as much relief as the words from his mouth.

"No. We were at dinner when it happened."

His lip curled, and he turned away from her again as she nodded.

"And the Dark Lord was displeased?" she prompted, breathing easier now.

"The involved parties were punished. He reminded his followers of the purpose of these revels. Not just a place to amuse ourselves. A place to serve him and his ambitions."

Something was familiar about his wording, and it was only a moment before Hermione realized that they were Narcissa's words.

A smirk curved her lips. It seemed that Narcissa Malfoy had pulled not only her husband's strings, but the Dark Lord's as well.

He held out a hand for her arm, and she gave it to him. His hand was warm over her tattoo as they moved through the gate. They walked to the hill where they could Apparate from, and she felt relief thrumming through her veins that he'd made it through the last week unscathed. "Your mother was worried about you in Italy. Was it dangerous?"

He looked around them, almost like searching for enemies in the wind, and said, "The Italian Magical community knows exactly what happened to Bravieri, despite Skeeter's attempt to spin it differently. It wasn't a walk in the park."

He took her elbow and spun them to the signpost outside of Edinburgh Castle. She allowed the long walk up to the gates to center her mind, the breeze to cool her emotions, and the sound of her footsteps to confirm that it was truly happening again.

The werewolves howled, the guards smacked their lips, and the crowd of Death Eaters in the courtyard whistled. She ignored them all, hardly registering their jeers about her bare legs as she focused on a lake with still waters.

Draco was putting on a show of being quite relaxed. During their first walk into Edinburgh, he was rushed and anxious. This time, he was shouting back at the crowd with a laugh, stopping to chat with someone at the top of the stairs, and teasing someone who was coughing on their cigar. But when the spectators vanished and it was only the two of them, she watched his face fall, an empty expression in his eyes.

He led her through the doors to the Great Hall, and Hermione's breath caught to see Charlotte turning to them with a tray of champagne.

"Master Malfoy," she said with a flirty grin. "Good evening. And Miss Granger."

Charlotte's eyes met hers briefly before offering her champagne. Hermione reached for her own glass this time, hoping to draw Charlotte's eyes, but she was already reaching for the curtain and letting them into the Great Hall.

The music and the chatter hit her like a wall, stirring her memories of two weeks ago. She was flooded with terror for a freezing moment before feeling Draco's hand on her back, warm and steadying.

He stopped to talk with people as they sipped their champagne. Hermione tried to catalog the guests and conversations more fastidiously this time. Two weeks ago, she was far more focused on the girls. This time she needed to listen to the whispered jokes and unspoken clues.

Draco greeted Rabastan Lestrange while he was mid-conversation, a quick tap on his shoulder and a few polite words while Lestrange's eyes wandered down Hermione's waist and hips. He led her to a quick conversation with Mulciber, who did not have Cho hanging off of his elbow — Hermione's eyes scanned for her as inconspicuously as possible, but with no luck. She and Draco passed a pale-faced Jugson with a nod, and she noticed that he was missing a hand.

"Draco," a slimy voice called out behind them, Hermione felt a nauseous dread sliding through her veins. They turned and found Nott Sr. approaching with Theo at his side. "I didn't expect you back so soon."

"Sir." Draco shook Nott's hand and gave Theo a careless nod. "We were able to resolve the situation quickly. Yaxley is staying for another week, and Dolohov joined him as we were leaving."

"Good," Nott Sr. said. And though she was staring at the floor, she could feel his eyes slither down her body.

"Hello, little dove." The handle of his cane pushed under her chin until her face tilted back. She felt Draco's thumb twitch against her back. "I missed your little show last week. Perhaps you'll grace us with a repeat performance tonight."

Her blood froze, sound rushing in her ears. A snort from Theo as Draco's hand pressed harder into her skin. "Not likely, Father. I'm sure Draco is going to hoard her talents for at least another year or two."

"Is that so? How unfortunate." He tsked. "You know Draco, forbidding the fruit only makes it more tempting."

Hermione kept her gaze steady on Nott's, holding her breath. His cane slipped down her neck, between her clavicles, and landed between her breasts.

"Such a pretty dress," he crooned. And even with Draco standing so close, with his hand tightening on her waist, Nott Sr. stepped even closer, long fingers sliding low over her hip. She felt every muscle tighten. "It just begs to be peeled off."

"Unfortunately, Ted," Draco's voice was smooth in her ear, like a warm breeze. "I'll be the one doing the peeling."

Draco's fingers curled tightly on the curve of her waist, unsteadying her until she had to step back. She found her breath, and Draco quickly excused them, taking Theo with them.

Her talents. She imagined the other Hermione shifting sensuously on Draco's lap, unbuckling his belt and unzipping his trousers while his hand wandered up her dress—

She breathed deep and centered her mind, ignoring the anger and disgust bubbling beneath her skin. Instead she let her eyes flit across the room, searching for Cho.

"Father's right, you know," Theo said as the three of them headed through the passage to the other building. "You're only making things worse. I heard that men in the other room have been talking about her—"

"And where's your whore tonight, Theo?" Draco drawled, leading them up the winding stairs without a look backward. "Waiting for you on his knees in the men's room?"

Hermione's eyes widened, and she heard Theo miss a step behind her. He was sputtering and scrambling for a reply when Draco reached the landing, grabbing her elbow to guide her for the last two steps and ignoring their companion.

Harper stood at the door again, and with him was the strawberry-blonde girl from two weeks ago. Harper stood up straight, and the girl batted her lashes demurely at them as they arrived.

Theo's protests died on his lips as the girl skipped to his side and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His cheeks were bright red, and his jaw clenched as he slipped his arm around her back.

Harper did his security tests on their rings and collars, and then they were headed into the snake pit. Boisterous laughter and shouting assaulted her ears, and when the door swung open, the room cheered, greeting Draco and Theo. Montague started a chant of "Fratelli d'Italia!" and the boys shook Draco's hand with mocking greetings of "Buongiorno!" and "Ciao bello!"

Draco took it all in stride, shoving them off and joining their chanting with an energy she knew was put upon. One look back at Theo showed a sour expression on his face as Draco took the praise and adulation. She caught the eye of the girl on Theo's arm, and she winked at her.

Hermione blinked, and turned around. Draco herded her to the head of the table, and Hermione took her position behind Draco's chair. She found Susan behind Goyle, Mortensen behind Pucey, and Penelope behind Flint. A few new Carrow Girls behind the others. And as the strawberry-blonde took her place behind Theo as he sat, Hermione realized the chair to Draco's left was empty.

Blaise wasn't here. She was thankful that meant Giuliana was somewhere else as well.

As soon as the boys were seated, the girls stepped forward for the wine bottles. Hermione followed, reaching beyond Draco's shoulder and pouring wine into his glass.

They repeated their toast — "To the Dark Lord's power. May he reign forevermore" — and Hermione watched as eleven boys drank deeply to his honor. There was less food on the table than two weeks ago. No opulent pig roast or decadent side dishes. As the boys settled back into conversation, the strawberry-blonde and two other girls started moving around with trays, serving light hors d'oeuvres and cheese.

Without dinner in the way, it didn't take long for the first girl to drop into a lap — a giggly waif in a silver collar who draped herself over Terrence Higgs without a fuss. As if he'd been waiting for the cue all evening, Goyle directed Susan to his lap, his arms wrapping around her stomach and his face inhaling deeply at her neck as she grimaced.

Hermione was listening to the conversations and watching the boys closely, so she saw the exact moment Flint pulled a small box out of his robes.

"What do we say, gentlemen," he called out over the noise. "Shall we lose some Galleons tonight?"

The boys laughed and jeered, ribbing one another about who had won and lost last time. Flint's long fingers opened the box and plucked out a deck of cards and three dice. He began shuffling the deck as some boys groaned about the holes in the pockets, and others rubbed their greedy hands together in glee.

Hermione had seen the Weasleys play this game at the Burrow before (usually only betting Knuts). Her rudimentary understanding was that it was similar to Muggle poker. Ron had tried to teach her in sixth year, but had gotten frustrated with her questions and gave up after only twenty minutes.

She felt a shard of ice in her chest at the memory. She'd buried Ron in a book next to Ginny weeks ago.

Pucey started divvying the chips, and the cards slid across the table with a magical push as Flint dealt them. She looked up and realized that over half of the girls were otherwise occupied. Some sat in laps or draped over the shoulders of their "dates." The other half refilled glasses and offered snacks. Only Hermione was left standing at attention.

She stepped forward as Draco plucked up his cards. Grabbing the decanter of wine, she refilled his almost full glass to look busy, and as he rearranged his cards, she brushed her fingers over his collar. "Do you have a good hand?" she murmured, doing her best to imitate Pansy's purr.

His jaw tightened for a split second. "Excellent," he said, with a confident flick of his eyes to meet Flint's.

Flint smirked, then turned his gaze on her. "How are those heels tonight, Granger?" His gaze ran over her. "If you need to sit, you know my lap's always free."

Before she could craft a response, Draco's hand was on her hip, pulling her downward without even looking up from his cards. The boys laughed.

She landed across both his legs, the right side of her chest pressing against his left. With how short and tight the dress was, she was forced to shift herself until her legs crossed, her arm slung behind Draco's shoulder. Draco provided no assistance.

Pucey started by rolling the dice, grinning down at the result. The glyphs on the sides were different than the ones she'd seen the Weasleys play with, so she gave up trying to summon the little she remembered. After the first hand was swept away, Flint called for wagers.

"Let's make it good this time, gentlemen." He nodded at Montague. "You first."

"I have the names of two defectors at the Ministry."

Flint rolled his eyes. "That's terribly dull, Graham."

"Well, that's what I have," Montague grumbled.

"Then think of something better. I'm not risking what I know for something my grandmother could have told me."

He turned his eyes on Pucey, who cleared his throat. "I have news on France."

"I'll take that," Flint said. "I'll raise you a sighting of Johnson."

Hermione's mouth felt dry, and she resisted the urge to lean forward. They were wagering secrets — sensitive topics about the war. The outside world.

She chanced a look around the table and found the strawberry-blonde meeting eyes with another Carrow Girl before quickly glancing away, reaching for a slice of cheese off Theo's plate.

"Intriguing, Flint. Who's your source?"

"Well, you'll have to beat my hand to find out, won't you Cass?"

"Goyle?" Montague asked. "Are you in? Anything new on your father?"

But Goyle was nuzzling into Susan's neck, content to fold.

"I have news on Dung. Spotted outside Edinburgh tonight," Derrick said.

"That old pikey. What's he selling now?"

"You'll just have to beat my hand to find out."

"Draco?" Flint asked. "Are you in?"

Hermione felt every pair of eyes turn on them. She glanced down to Draco's hand, unable to tell if what he had was sufficient to win. He plucked a card from the middle and replaced it on the end.

"I'm in." He tilted his head, and Hermione felt his hair tickle her neck. "Anyone interested to know who it was that skipped through the boundary at Dover last month?"

A charge pulsed through the table. Flint lifted a brow; Pucey leaned closer. Warrington set down his glass with a clink. Theo, on the other hand, stiffened.

"That's classified," he hissed from their left. "You can't give away that kind of information."

"I'm not giving it away," Draco drawled. "I'm planning to win my hand, thank you very much." He took a leisurely sip from his wine glass. "And you, Theo? Do you have anything of value?"

Theo sat up straight in his chair, jostling the arms of the strawberry-blonde hanging off of his shoulders. "I can tell you which major government official plans to pay Edinburgh a visit next month," he snarled.

"Cirillo already said she'd be back—"

"No," Theo snapped. He sneered at the interruption. "Not Cirillo."

A pause as the boys considered.

"Well, you have my interest," Flint said with a grin. "Shall we play, boys?"

Flint whispered into Penelope's ear, and with some reluctance, Penelope leaned forward and blew on the dice before Flint tossed them.

Hermione watched cards exchange hands — watched the dice roll — watched the quick shuffling as the boys laughed and drank. She still couldn't figure out how the game was played, but she was far more invested in the conversation. One by one, the boys lost, spilling their secrets, and afterward, their gold. By the time they were down to their last few wine bottles, only Draco, Flint, and Theo had kept their secrets.

She'd learned that Mundungus Fletcher had been spotted outside the Edinburgh gates attempting to sell a Time-Turner. He'd been stripped of all his possessions, tortured for a few hours, and set free.

Pucey's news on France — that the Dark Lord had lost several new recruits during a battle near Normandy — had helped Hermione puzzle together two things. First, France was publicly against the Great Order — something she'd suspected, but hadn't confirmed until now. Second, the Dark Lord was enraged about it enough to go on the offensive — something uncommon for him. She wondered why France mattered to him.

Another two hands, and she found out more. The name of a suspected traitor in Cirillo's cabinet. How Jugson was missing more than a hand.

Flint finally lost his secret to a round of jeers, revealing that Angelina was spotted in Bristol at a closed-down Apothecary. Hermione's mind conjured millions of possibilities, but in the end, she knew that she shouldn't read too much into it. After all, while she had been on the run, she'd needed Dittany and Murtlap Essence more than anything else.

Theo didn't seem terribly put out when he folded, smugly announcing that Edinburgh would be hosting the Undersecretary to the Korean Minister.

Draco didn't lose, keeping his secret of who had escaped at Dover for another round. Hermione shoved aside her irritation that he hadn't told her before. She'd take it up with him later, but now was not the time.

By the end of the next, Pucey, having lost his gold and secrets several rounds before, began kissing Mortensen's neck as he listened to the game, only piping in every now and then. Goyle was doing something similar, only it seemed he had completely disregarded the game to focus on sloppily kissing Susan's mouth.

It was Warrington's turn to throw the dice. The Carrow Girl in his lap giggled when he offered her the dice to blow on, and he caught her lips with his as the dice tumbled across the table.

Hermione looked away from the scene as Theo called out the results of the roll. They played their first hand, exchanging chips and cards. And when it was time to bet their information, Theo offered another visitor to Edinburgh in the next month.

"Don't waste our time with that," Draco drawled. "I want to know what your father was researching in my library." Theo opened his mouth. "And don't feed me any bollocks about the Apparition Line," Draco continued, cutting over him. "I saw him lurking in the other sections."

A stillness swept over the table. Theo's face flushed at being put on the spot, and clearly not in a way he enjoyed.

"I'll take that bet," Flint said with a glint in his eye. "Especially since Theodore is panicking."

The table chuckled. The strawberry-blonde cooed into Theo's ear and rubbed his shoulders as he scowled. Hermione felt her pulse spike, feeding off the intrigue, and she quickly looked down at the table to hide her eagerness.

Theo scowled, drumming his fingers on the table. "Well, I'm only in if Draco tells us where Daddy Malfoy has been."

Draco's ribs expanded against hers, and she saw the corner of his mouth lift. He made quite a show of looking down at his cards, weighing the options.

"What do you think, Granger?" he lilted. "Think my cards are good enough?"

She blinked at his hand, not sure how to answer, but knowing it didn't matter — he was only buying time. She thought of the other girls' hands trailing through the boys' hair or sliding down collar bones — the ways in which it was typical to flirt and touch and tease.

Hermione plucked a card from the middle of Draco's hand and replaced it on the end. She leaned closer, and loudly whispered, "I think Theo's about to spill all his secrets."

The boys burst into laughter — more raucous than the quip warranted. It wasn't terribly witty, but perhaps they were amused that it was said by her. That she was playing their game.

"Now the game can start!" Flint yelled over the din. "I wondered when you'd show up, Granger!"

"About time. Not nearly as cozy as they were last week—"

"Finally warming up over there—"

"—back to that swotty posture again, probably aching for a shag with Malfoy gone the last week—"

Hermione let the words wash over her, straining a tight-lipped smile down at Draco's cards. Pansy had been doing something different. Something cozier. And they'd noticed the difference.

She tried to relax back into Draco's arm and shoulder, tilting her body towards him. He was still as stone again, no help at all. Fighting back her irritation, she wiggled closer, trying to get as cozy as Pansy might have been — only to be stopped by his hand squeezing her leg in warning. As they tossed cards back and forth, she allowed the arm resting on the back of his chair to drape across his shoulders.

She tried not to feel stung, knowing he hadn't been this cold with Pansy last week. Perhaps she simply needed to try harder. Let him know that she was comfortable.

Theo won his hand, allowed to keep his secrets for a bit longer. Draco spread his cards on the table, and Hermione inferred that he had won as well.

She felt her heart pounding in her chest as she decided to try something else — celebrating his win. Pressing her forehead to his temple, and painting on a coy smile, Hermione tilted her face up, reaching for his mouth with hers.

The barest brush of her bottom lip across the corner of his mouth—

And Draco jerked his face back, the smallest movement of his neck, like he'd dodged the swing of a sword.

She froze, feeling his entire body seize up, his ribs no longer moving against hers.

Embarrassment flooded her chest and neck, working its way to her cheeks. She'd tried to kiss him, and he'd rejected her. She didn't dare look at him, staring at her lap as her face burned. He continued shuffling his new hand as if nothing had happened.

Soon enough, her embarrassment gave way to a boiling fury. He was going to jeopardize them. He couldn't accept a kiss from his Lot? What did that say?

Had anyone seen?

The sound in the room returned to her slowly as she lifted her head. The boys were chatting and passing cards. No eyes were on them, but there was something malicious about the way Marcus Flint grinned at the table, his fancy teeth cutting into his lip.

She felt Draco's ribs moving again, and heard him swallow. Hermione stiffened at the reminder that he was there.

They needed to talk. They needed a discussion about what their behavior was to consist of. He'd snarled at her last week, condescended at her ability to play-act, and then proceeded to sabotage her once she'd actually tried to play the game. She breathed deep, reminding herself that she couldn't show how she felt with so many watchful eyes in the room.

"Your roll, Malfoy."

Higgs slid the dice over to Draco, and she felt his arm extend to reach for them.

"You gonna let her wish you luck?" Pucey teased.

She'd seen almost every girl blow on the dice before they were thrown. A flirty smile and pursed lips before their heads bowed. And while she wished for nothing more than the freedom to refuse another opportunity to be humiliated, she knew she had to put on a show.

Draco held the dice in front of her. She laid delicate fingers on his wrist, holding him in place, and looked up to his eyes as she blew cool air across his fingertips.

He swallowed. And his eyes flashed.

A chuckle from across the table. "We all know how much Granger loves to 'blow.'"

She blinked, the spell broken the moment the words registered. She released his wrist, and he turned away as the cackling of hyenas ricocheted off the walls.

"Too bad, she really does need that potion to loosen up—"

Pansy had performed oral sex while in her body.

"I'd give you an 'E,' Granger. Maybe an 'O,' but you'd have to let me judge firsthand—"

It had been her mouth, her tongue.

Her throat was dry as Draco brushed them off with a forced smile and tossed the dice. She sat ramrod straight in his lap while the round was played, pushing away the images until her heart stopped pounding in her ears and her breathing steadied.

Hermione had never… she didn't know how. She could only assume that Pansy Parkinson knew what she was doing, but hopefully she didn't make Hermione out to be some kind of expert.

She shook off these questions. Draco had told her that things would be much calmer — that he and Pansy had played their parts convincingly. She had to focus on the game and the secrets. She could deal with him later.

But a stray thought snuck through as the boys threw in their Galleons. What did Draco see when he looked at her now? Did he picture her on her knees, unbuckling him? His eyes had been on her mouth last Friday night, after Pansy left through the Floo. Was he remembering it?

A hand pressed lightly between her shoulder blades. Her skin jumped, and she realized she was tense as a board and angrily staring off into space.

She breathed deep, pushing away these worrisome thoughts and refocusing. The boys were just offering their secrets as she relaxed back into Draco's hand.

"I have something that has potential — now that we're in the final round," Flint said with a smirk. His eyes locked on hers as he said, "I happen to know the fate of one Ronald Weasley."

A cold wave of dread crashed through her. And she knew she hadn't been able to temper her expression. Flint's eyes gleamed. She felt the hand on her back tense as well.

"And how would you know that?" Theo sneered. "No one's heard of him for months."

Flint shrugged, still smirking. "My potion is no longer available at Edinburgh. I have to make house calls these days. You wouldn't believe the things I've learned in exchange for a small discount."

Hermione's heart thrummed. It sounded like Ron was alive. And Flint knew where he was being kept.

"But it is a huge secret, you know," Flint said with a pout. "I feel like we should up the ante if I'm going to reveal this."

Flint looked directly at Draco. Draco responded in a level voice, "I can reveal no more than the country my father is in, I'm afraid."

"I don't care to know that. Truly." Flint shrugged, his eyes falling on Hermione again. She had the sinking sensation that he was playing with them, like a cat batting a mouse. "But I will wager that secret against a kiss from the Golden Girl."

Hermione held her breath. She heard Draco's jaw click, and the weight in her stomach dropped. He would decline. And then she would have no idea what had happened to Ron.

Her lips parted before Draco could take a breath. "One measly kiss?" She lifted a brow imitating the boy beneath her and said, "That's an easy bet to take. Hardly fair for you, though."

Flint winked at her. "You sell yourself short, Granger. Perhaps that's just how madly I desire you."

Draco tensed, about to jump in, about to end this.

"How could my master refuse?" she quickly replied. "It costs him nothing if he loses."

The hand on her back lifted, and she heard the arm of the chair creak under the strain of a hand squeezing it.

The boys were silent, watching the unspoken tennis match between the two heads of the table. But the match was won, and Draco knew it. She could feel the anger radiating off of him even as he said, "Of course. An excellent wager."

All eyes turned to the cards as Draco and Flint played, pulling new hands and rolling the dice. She judged Draco's success off of Theo, who had no poker face. The more disappointed he looked, the better Draco was doing.

When they both finally laid out their cards, the entire table released a breath. Hermione waited.

"Fuck," Montague whispered, running a hand through his hair.

"It's a draw, sweetheart," Flint said to her from across the table, his lips twisted in an arrogant smile. "Such a shame. I would have liked to have tasted you just once." He made a show of licking his lips at her as the boys laughed and Draco stoically cleaned up his cards. Flint leaned closer, schooling his features in a mock pout. "And I'm sure you desperately wanted to know about your Weasley. Such a pity."

Flint tapped his chin, as if deep in thought.

"I'll tell you what," he said, shifting Penelope off his lap. "I'll still reveal my secret if you give me that kiss. Good and proper, now."

She felt her pulse in her fingertips. Then Draco scoffed and plucked up his wine glass, draining the contents and preparing to excuse them from the room.

She thought of warm blue eyes crinkling at her. A booming laugh, freckled skin, and the smell of fresh grass. She had barely seconds. But she had to know.

Hermione stood swiftly. The room was still. They watched her as she moved to Flint, who was smirking at her with hungry eyes. She didn't spare a glance at Draco as she sat in Flint's lap, draped across his knees, and pulled his neck down to kiss him squarely on the mouth.

She heard the table erupt in cheers and groans. She felt Flint smile against her lips before returning her kiss with a vengeance, his mouth cold and rubbery against hers. She was just pulling back when his hand slipped into her hair, and his other dropped to her thigh, rubbing the skin. His lips moved under hers, his hand gripping her curls to hold her still, and then his tongue was against her mouth, pressing forward to get inside.

He'd barely managed it when she pushed back with all her might, breaking free of him and stumbling to her feet. The sound rushed back to the room as Flint grinned up at her, his thumb brushing over his lips. The boys pounded the table and howled.

"Your secret, Flint?" Hermione yelled over the din, staring down at him, resisting the urge to wipe her mouth.

Flint raised his hand to quiet the room, his new teeth shining proudly. "Your Weasley is alive, Granger. I saw him beaten and bloody at the Lestrange Estate last week, but he was still moaning when they kicked him."

She felt the blood drain from her face. There was noise somewhere in the room, but she couldn't decipher the sounds.

Ron was alive, but barely. The Lestrange Estate. Which one? Rabastan's or Rodolphus and Bellatrix's?

She tried to find the voice to ask, but her wrist was taken, an arm around her back, and then Draco was leading her out of the room. Pushing her, really. The game was over. Several others followed them out, passing Harper, moving down the stairwell.

Draco was silent. His hand on her hip was rigid as he guided her through the door, but she couldn't spare his temper a passing thought. Her mind was spinning with all the information she'd learned and the images her imagination conjured of Ron hanging on by a thread, bleeding on some manor floor. She walked the corridor in a daze, shoving her memories of Ron back into a closed book on the shelf, where he belonged.

Her mind tingled afterward, worn from the effort. She needed air. She needed space. Her lips still felt strange and dry from Flint's, and her dress felt too tight.

Draco steered her around another corner, and the sight of Charlotte waiting with a tray of drinks snapped Hermione out of her exhaustion. She was going into the Lounge. She was going into the Lounge, and she needed her wits about her. She turned to Draco and said, "I need to use the loo."

He glanced down at her sharply.

"I am allowed to relieve myself, yes?" she deadpanned.

He glared at her and tugged her to the left, around the booths full of laughing men and painted girls, towards a hallway on the left.

"There are guards inside," Draco said, his voice clipped. He pointed towards a ladies' room at the end of the hall. "Be quick about it."

Hermione paused, regretting making the request if she wouldn't have the proper space to be alone. Then she nodded and walked away without sparing him a second glance. She pushed open the door, finding an old tiled room with three stall doors for tourists visiting Edinburgh. A male guard stood near the sinks, his eyes roving over her with interest.

Hermione blushed, embarrassed at the thought of using the toilet with an audience. She hesitated in the doorway for half a second, and suddenly the door hit her as another person tried to enter. She moved aside, turning to apologize—

The strawberry-blonde smiled back at her.

Hermione blinked at her as she passed. She swallowed and hurried to a stall, feeling the attention of the guard still on her. She used the facilities quickly — the strawberry-blonde taking the cubicle next to hers — and once she was finished and washing her hands, a toilet flushed, and the girl was exiting, joining her at the sinks.

They grabbed for a towel at the same time, and when Hermione turned to apologize, she saw the strawberry-blonde's eyes flick to the guard. "Your collar is askew," she said, in a thick Scottish accent.

The guard was staring at them in the mirror as the strawberry-blonde stepped forward, into Hermione's space. She cocked her head as she reached up and began tugging at Hermione's collar.

"Oh, thank you," said Hermione, her voice thin.

"You're not supposed to talk to her," the guard barked. Hermione jumped, and the Scottish girl's hands dropped quickly.

With a sway of her hips, the girl turned and smiled at him over her shoulder. "Mmm. We don't have to talk, I suppose."

And with a wink, the Scottish girl stepped forward, cupped her hands on Hermione's face, and pressed her lips to Hermione's.

Hermione's brows shot up, eyes wide open. The girl's mouth moved over hers, her hands sliding around Hermione's neck as she pressed their bodies together.

Hermione couldn't move — couldn't think. This was… What was this?

The girl brushed her fingers around Hermione's neck and let her tongue slide out, tasting Hermione's lips. She felt stiff and useless as the girl tugged at her collar—

Her collar.

Hermione gasped into the girl's mouth, granting her tongue entrance. The girl was doing something to her collar. She could see the guard shifting out of the corner of her eye, starting to come closer to them. She felt her pulse spike, gaze darting to the door.

The girl pulled back and turned to the guard. "No, no. Ya can't touch."

The guard leered at them with a mouth full of crooked teeth, and the Scottish girl giggled before taking her hand and pulling Hermione through the door behind her. Before she could catch her breath, she was pushed against the wall outside the restrooms — hands on her neck again, soft lips against hers.

Hermione gasped as she felt the girl tug at her collar again. Was she pulling it off? Wasn't Hermione able to take it off herself?

The girl pulled back, letting the collar rest on her neck again, the metal stretching snug against her skin. Planting one last slow, deliberate kiss on Hermione's lips, the girl winked and waltzed down the corridor...

...passing Draco.

He stood still as stone, his eyes tracking the strawberry-blonde girl as she passed. His lips were parted in a strange way, as if he'd been about to speak and abruptly stopped.

Hermione pressed her fingers to her lips, trying to make sense of the last two minutes. She'd followed her in the restroom. She'd clearly wanted something. Did she get it?

"The fuck was that?"

Her eyes snapped up to find Draco scowling at her, apparently recovered.

Hermione opened her mouth. Then closed it. "She was… very friendly," she finally landed on.

As she moved to join him in the main room, he grabbed her elbow and spun them around. "Any other friends you'd like to make tonight, Granger?" he sneered.

And instead of leading to the couches in the Lounge, he dragged her straight to the fireplaces, calling out for Malfoy Manor and sweeping them back home.

Once they were in the entry hall, he dropped her arm and stomped toward the stairs. Hermione blinked after him for a moment before her anger found her.

"Why did we leave?" she demanded. "We weren't finished!"

"I think you had enough fun for one night," he hissed, starting to climb.

Her mouth fell open at his retreating back. "You're angry that I kissed Flint? You think that was fun for me?"

He spun back, several stairs higher than her. "I'm angry that you made me look weak."

She gaped at him. "Are you joking? Flint only made that bet because you refused to kiss me! You made us both look like idiots!"

His jaw snapped shut. Starting to ascend again, he bit out, "Kissing is too intimate."

Her temper boiled, bubbling over. Storming after him up the steps, she hissed, "Too intimate? Everyone else was kissing! I'm sure you kissed Pansy last week, so don't even—"

"I didn't," he spat back, half a staircase above her. "Stop talking out of your arse, Granger—"

"Oh, but you let her mouth on other places?" she shouted over him. "My mouth?!" Her voice echoed in the hall. She reached the second-floor landing just as he started up the stairs to the third floor.

"So tonight was revenge, then?" He laughed humorlessly. "You're going to go around snogging as many people as possible to get back at me?"

"Don't flatter yourself," Hermione snapped. "The girl in the bathroom was—" She didn't know if she should mention the way she'd fiddled with her collar. "Strange," she finished, "but Flint was a calculated move. He had information about Ron—"

"Oh yes," he snarled, spinning back to her, his face pink. "Ron." He dropped two steps, meeting her in the middle of the staircase. "I do wonder what your boyfriend would have to say about your method of information gathering, Granger."

She glowered at him, craning her neck up to meet his eyes. "My boy— my boyfriend?"

"Yes," he hissed. "What if your precious Weasley knew that you dropped into any lap offering the smallest crumb of information—"

"You — utter arse!" she exploded. "I wouldn't have to kiss your disgusting friends if you would just tell me what the fuck is going on!"

His jaw clenched, and he spun around to storm up the rest of the staircase.

"I answer every bloody question you ask me, Granger—"

"Merlin forbid you offer anything else!" She sprinted after him in her heels. "Like any kind of game plan for these evenings. Or having the decency to tell me about your stupid No Kissing Rule!"

She followed around the corner as he made for his bedroom door, huffing and stomping in his wake.

"You want a rule, Granger?" he yelled down the hallway, shoving open his bedroom door. "Don't throw yourself at my friends!"

"Fuck off, Malfoy!"

He glared at her and disappeared into his room, slamming the door behind him. She followed suit, marching into her bedroom, fuming with the fire in her blood.

She ripped off her heels, chucking them at the wall connecting their rooms, hoping he heard. Reaching up for the collar, her fingers pried open the clasp, and the metal fell away onto the floor —

A thin scrap of paper fluttering down with it.

Hermione stared at it, her entire body frozen at the sight.

A piece of parchment, torn off the edge of something, no wider than her little finger.

She bent down slowly, thinking of the way the girl with strawberry-blonde hair had squeezed underneath her metal collar. To slide a thin slice of paper beneath the gold.

Her shaking fingers reached for the scrap, turning it over. Her breath hitched.

A familiar handwriting from days at the Burrow spent giggling, notes passed back and forth about Harry and Ron and kisses and wishes. A hasty scribble in red lipstick that sent Hermione's mind reeling, her heart beating out of its cage.

How do I kill him? — GW

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 18

Chapter Notes

Sorry for the later update! It's the Thanksgiving holiday in the States, and the betas and I were with family all week. Many thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

TRIGGER WARNING: Some elements of gore/horror in this chapter. Mind your mental well-being please. See end notes for more detail.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Ginny.

Hermione stared down at the piece of paper between her fingertips.

Her bookshelves shuddered as a heavy tome pushed forward, opening to flashes of scarlet hair and mischievous eyes. Ginny was alive, and waiting for her help…

How do I kill him? — GW

Her handwriting. Her words. Her fire.

Hermione screwed her eyes shut. Either the strawberry-blonde girl knew Ginny, or someone with access to both girls had served as the go-between.

She took a shaky breath, stilling her trembling shelves. The note didn't seem like a ruse. Polyjuice Potion wouldn't allow someone to replicate Ginny's handwriting, and the note did fit with her theories about Cho and Charlotte. Girls were quietly revolting against the Great Order, using notes at the Lot parties to communicate. But Ginny had been locked away for over a month now.

A weight dropped in Hermione's stomach. How long had Ginny been waiting for her response? Weeks? Or were there other methods of communication that she wasn't aware of?

Hermione examined the paper over and over, looking for anything else important, and then tossed it into the fire. She watched the parchment crackle and curl.

How do I kill him?

Ginny Weasley had direct access to Voldemort. "The Dark Lord's pet," Cirillo had called her. She was close enough that she believed she could kill him.

Hermione paced her room, thinking of how to answer. The problem was that killing Voldemort wasn't even half of the battle.

Nagini.

Nagini had to be first. If Voldemort died before Nagini, it wouldn't be good enough. The night the Killing Curse had rebounded, when he first tried to kill Harry, he hadn't died because his Horcruxes kept him alive.

As the final Horcrux, the snake had to go first. And there were only three ways to kill her. Fiendfyre, basilisk venom, or the Sword of Gryffindor.

There were only two people alive that knew about the snake — her and Ron. Ginny could be the third. Dumbledore had allowed three people to know after his death.

How long had the strawberry-blonde girl been holding onto Ginny's note, waiting for her moment with Hermione?

Hermione stopped her pacing, bracing herself on the fireplace mantle. Who was she? Who was the strawberry-blonde? She didn't recognize her, but that wasn't necessarily a cause for concern. Lots had been taken from multiple countries throughout Europe — some were even Muggles. And being magic suppressed and under the Carrows' watch made it extremely unlikely that any of the girls would have access to a bottomless supply of Polyjuice Potion.

She thought back to Charlotte. Cho. The girls taking hands under the table with glass in their knees. There was a system in place — a network. And the strawberry-blonde was just a cog in the machine.

If they were going to survive this together, Hermione would have to trust her.

She raced to her desk drawers, taking out spare parchment. She ripped pieces and tested their size under the collar until she had a pile to work with. After a few tries, with a sharp quill point, she figured out how to get the maximum number of words on the scrap. But as she looked down at her small print drying on the parchment with concise words, she realized the implications of her words.

Fiendfyre, basilisk venom, Gryff sword. Nagini first.

If they were caught… she was handing over the keys to it all. Not even Dumbledore had written it down.

Few people knew what Horcruxes were, but a catalog search of those terms would lead them straight to the subject. The point of keeping them a forbidden topic was to discourage the power-hungry from weaponizing them. If the information fell into the wrong hands...

Could she trust that the information would get to the right people without being discovered? How direct was the strawberry blonde's access to Ginny? How many hands would carry this information?

And a dark thought as Hermione stared out her windows to the moonlit grounds — Would it matter? Could Ginny accomplish it on her own?

How could Ginny summon Fiendfyre, or find basilisk venom? Would the Sword of Gryffindor appear to her at the exact right moment?

Hermione shook her head, banishing her concerns away. However impossible her circumstances may have seemed, Ginny was resourceful. Clever. Hermione had to trust her; had to get her the information she'd asked for. But she'd have to find another way. A note was too risky.

For now, the most helpful information Hermione could pass on was that Voldemort may be the King, but Nagini was the Queen. Take the Queen first.

Ginny couldn't focus on Voldemort. She had to get close to Nagini. And Hermione would have to find a way to pass the rest of the information without a note.

The image of Voldemort's face after invading her mind swam up. The look of uncertain, complicated thought once he'd confirmed that Harry had been an unintentional Horcrux. Hermione bit her lip, praying he hadn't created another. His soul was already unstable — hopefully he wasn't unwise enough to split it further.

It was four in the morning by the time Hermione settled on two words, clear and crisp in the quill's ink. A hint, and a warning. A thought that neither Ginny nor George nor any other living person besides Ron would think of.

Snake first.

~*~

She slept till one in the afternoon, letting the emotional whiplash of the previous evening run its course through her. The full weight of her problems seemed to return to her as she lay in bed, blinking at the ceiling. She grimaced and threw the covers off herself.

She'd decided on how to respond to Ginny's note, but as she poured her coffee from the carafe that had appeared on her nightstand, she knew she had a more immediate problem. It was critical for her to maintain consistent appearances at Edinburgh, making herself available for any form of communication. And to do that, she and Draco needed to cooperate better. Their row last night had cut the evening short — something she couldn't afford in the future.

Hermione took a long sip of coffee, considering. Three things had seemed to anger him last night. Kissing Flint, trying to play the part in the dining room, and letting the strawberry-blonde get close to her. Hermione supposed she could see his perspective about Flint, but she'd do it again in a heartbeat. Surely he had to understand why.

The rest of his anger made no sense.

She closed her eyes, fighting back her irritation at the impossible riddle that was Draco Malfoy. Perhaps understanding the root cause of his anger wasn't as important as making sure it wouldn't happen again. She needed to know what she could and couldn't do. Or else he might revert back to taking Pansy in her body.

Hermione frowned into her coffee cup.

That couldn't happen. It was her body — only she had the right to be in it. And the girls were counting on her to be there, petty squabbles aside. She needed to make amends with him.

Even though he was in the wrong.

Scowling, she drained the rest of her coffee mug and went to her bath to wash up.

~*~

After collecting her thoughts, she searched the Manor for him. She found him in his study on the first floor, the door slightly cracked. There was no response after a few knocks, so she pushed the door open with her fingertips, holding her breath as it swung backward. He was bent over his desk, sealing an envelope with the Malfoy wax seal with an impassive expression on his face. She stood in the doorway and waited for him to acknowledge her.

He finally glanced up at her, glaring before his eyes raked over her jeans and trainers. He always hated when she wore jeans, she'd noticed.

She swallowed and lifted her chin. "Can we have a discussion?"

"By all means, Granger." His tone was acerbic as he stood, replacing the seal and the wax in his desk drawer.

She felt the anger that only he stirred in her start to boil before she refocused.

Staying put in the doorway, almost blocking his exit, she said, "I'd like to talk about the fact that we haven't had a successful evening at Edinburgh yet."

His eyes flickered up to her. "Successful." She nodded, and the corner of his mouth twitched. "And what would that look like, Granger?"

"You tell me," she said quietly. "I've been twice, and both times I've felt like I'm drowning."

A flash of something in his face — guilt, perhaps. She pushed forward, holding his gaze.

"I want to continue going to Edinburgh. I don't want you to take someone else in my body again."

He inhaled sharply. "Granger—"

"As terrifying and disgusting as it is, Edinburgh is the one place I get to see my old friends," she rushed over him. "And hear a bit about the world outside."

She paused, biting her lip. She'd decided against telling him about the note or the communication channels. Even though her heart told her that Draco could be trusted, her mind knew it was illogical. He'd kept her in the dark about so many things.

"What are you trying to say, Granger?" He stood next to his desk with his hands in his pockets, staring at her with a tilted gaze.

"We need to be on the same page at these parties. No more rows."

"And how do you propose that?"

"Well, for starters, if I must refrain from kissing Marcus Flint in the future, I suppose I can make the sacrifice," she said dryly.

He rolled his eyes and sighed. "How magnanimous of you."

"I think we need to be more comfortable with each other," she said, jumping right to the point.

His eyes snapped to hers, unreadable.

"I'm too stiff, you're too… skittish." He opened his mouth as if to argue with her. "Against 'intimacy,' whatever," she said with a flippant gesture. His mouth closed, and she looked away from his intense gaze. "I like to go into situations with all the necessary information. I didn't know you had an aversion to kissing, nor did I know about the details of Pansy's trip to Edinburgh in my body" — she was quite proud of her voice for not cracking — "and both of those facts jarred me." She tore her gaze from his desk and found his eyes staring at a point over her shoulder. She swallowed. "I believe Flint read my discomfort."

"And capitalized on it," he finished.

She nodded. Taking a deep breath and remembering Ginny — remembering how she needed her — Hermione asked the question that had brought her down here to begin with.

"Have dinner with me tonight," she said. "Just the two of us."

His eyes jumped to her face. He was still, except for the muscle in his jaw.

"Have…"

"Dinner." She nodded. "I want to discuss what a successful evening in Edinburgh looks like to you. What it would take on my part to convince your friends and the other Death Eaters of the kind of relationship we are supposed to have."

He scratched his neck, and she saw pinpricks of pink under his collar. "I'm out this evening."

The response was swift, and it made Hermione's eyes narrow.

"Tomorrow then," she said. He shifted on his feet, and she cut off the excuse she knew was coming. "Or any day, really. My schedule is wide open."

He stared a hole into his desk as he responded, "Tomorrow."

"Wonderful. I'll arrange everything with the elves. Just the two of us."

He lifted a brow and, with a tinge of reluctance, said, "It's a date."

She felt her pulse pound and her cheeks heat. She mumbled something in the affirmative before disappearing from the doorway and racing up the stairs back to her room.

~*~

Remmy had glared at her when she entered the kitchens and asked for a private dinner to be served for herself and Draco at 8PM. The elf had radiated sarcasm as she asked, "Does Miss want candles on the table too?"

"Only food and wine will be necessary, thank you," Hermione had stammered, before tripping out of the room.

She had afternoon tea with Narcissa, and though she mentioned nothing, she did ask if Hermione wanted to join her for dinner that evening. Hermione had come up with a feeble excuse for taking dinner in her room, praying fervently that Narcissa would take her usual dinner on the veranda. Narcissa simply replied with "Certainly, dear," and took a delicate bite of her biscuit, smiling slyly into her teacup.

The word "date" stuck in her head like glue, flustering her as she tried to prepare for the evening. Hermione had to stop herself from changing out of her denims several times. When her hands had reached for the makeup drawer in her vanity, she busied them with tying her hair into a plait to rest on her shoulder instead, chastising herself for considering something as silly as dressing up for Draco Malfoy.

This wasn't "a date." This was preparation for another outing to Edinburgh. She needed to get back to Ginny, and he needed to ward off suspicion.

Frowning, she studied her reflection in the mirror. She couldn't lose her head about tonight, despite the feelings she hadn't yet managed to bury. She caught herself fixing her hair again, and rolled her eyes at her stupidity — Draco Malfoy would never take her on a date.

At a quarter till eight, she headed down to the dining room to check on preparations. Remmy had set two places, just as she'd asked — one at the head of the table, and one just to the left. A bottle of red wine had been decanted, and the serving dishes were full of vegetables and roast.

She awkwardly took her seat at the side of the table, and only had to wait five minutes before Draco's footsteps drew her gaze to the door. She stood swiftly as he entered, and she was glad to see his dragon leather shoes instead of his Death Eater boots. His eyes skimmed the wine and food on the table before landing back on her, quickly assessing her braided hair and jeans.

"Granger," he greeted before sweeping to his chair at the head of the table, with the confidence of someone who usually enjoyed dinner with his slave.

She managed a quick nod. Retaking her seat, she focused on placing her napkin across her lap as she asked, "How was your day?"

He cleared his throat. "Fine. And yours?"

"Lovely, thank you."

She reached for her wine glass and drank deeply, trying, but failing, to think of something to break the silence. Draco filled his plate with food before pushing the serving plate in her direction, his lips in a thin line. Hermione played with her utensils, heat creeping up her neck.

They ate in silence for thirty-six seconds before she could bear it no longer.

"Clearly neither of us are ones for small talk, but I don't intend to sit for two hours in silence, Malfoy." He lifted a brow at her, and she felt the flush spread to her cheeks. "I have more questions. But I know you hate questions—"

"I don't hate questions—"

"They put you into a 'mood'—"

"They do not. You put me into a mood."

She scowled at him and speared her vegetables with a forceful clink.

He sipped his wine, studying her. She took a large, defiant bite of food, and held his gaze.

"What are your questions, Granger?"

She swallowed thickly. "Who is Charlotte?"

"She's descended from the Selwyn family." He frowned in thought. "Charlotte's mother was disowned for marrying a Muggle-born. The family is British, but Charlotte was raised in Germany. She lived there until her father started organizing against the Dark Lord, at which time she was taken and given to the Carrows."

Hermione's mind whirred, taking it all in. "And why has she been given so much authority at Edinburgh? You said she has more freedom than any other Carrow Girl."

"I couldn't say, really." He sliced into his roast with small, precise cuts. "I suppose it's because she's… quite good at what she does."

A cold suspicion crashed over her. "And what exactly does she do?"

Draco's fork stopped halfway to his mouth. "Host. With a smile. Flirt and joke. Be seen when she needs to be seen, be invisible when she needs to be invisible."

Hermione pursed her lips as she cut her roast. The arrogance of the Death Eaters was astounding. It seemed like an awful oversight to give a girl with a background like Charlotte's the keys to Edinburgh, allowing her to move from room to room largely at will. Hermione stared at her plate as a new thought occurred to her. Charlotte probably knew almost every detail of the goings-on at the castle. Even the ones in the "other" room that Hermione had not yet been allowed in.

She filed the information away and moved to her next question.

"The tattoos. How did you and Blaise find a way around them for Pansy?"

"We didn't." She narrowed her eyes at him, and he shrugged. "A blood purifying spell and pure luck. We weren't sure if it would work. It's my understanding that if Pansy had crossed the estate line, it would have been all but impossible to remove it."

"And you have no idea how to find out a way around these tattoos."

"It's not exactly the kind of question I'd go around asking other Death Eaters, no," he said dryly. "All official slave trades are supposed to go through Yaxley or Dolohov."

"Hence why Pansy's 'dead.'"

"Yes." A muscle in his cheek twitched. "Making your grand escape plan, Granger?"

"Hmm," she said innocently, ignoring his question. "You were willing to divulge information on who escaped at Dover during the card game. Care to share?"

She watched him chew, lips pressed tight with small bites, just like his mother. An aristocratic jaw moving quickly.

"Bill and Fleur Weasley made it out."

Hermione blinked, gaze pulling from his lips. "They did?"

He nodded down at his plate. "And my aunt and her grandson."

Hermione squeezed her napkin in both palms, letting out a shaky breath of relief. Bill, Fleur, and Tonks' mother and baby were safe. She hadn't heard anything about them. Apparently Voldemort had been censoring the Prophet's list of Undesirables as well.

"Do you know where they went?"

"France." He drank his wine, and she watched him swallow. "They're causing quite a few problems for the Dark Lord there."

Hermione smirked into her napkin. Good. When she glanced back up at him, a smile still fading on her lips, he was still looking away from her.

She took a deep breath and braced herself for the second half of her plans for the evening. Grabbing her wine glass and taking two huge gulps, she stood.

His eyes snapped to her. "What are you doing?"

"I think"—she swallowed, hating the reedy sound in her voice—"I think we should practice."

His fork and knife hovered over his plate. His eye twitched. "Practice."

"To get more comfortable around each other." She moved to the other side of him, reaching for the wine bottle. He didn't move an inch while she filled his glass, like she usually did at Edinburgh. Standing just to his side, she pressed her lips together when he didn't look up at her, still frozen in his chair. "I think you should pull me into your lap now."

He placed his utensils down and sucked in a sharp breath. "This is your master plan, Granger?"

"Yes. We need to be more comfortable to put on a convincing show." She twisted her fingers around each other. "We could both use a bit of rehearsal—"

"That won't be necessary."

"I disagree. You saw that stunt Flint pulled, and he'll try it again if we keep giving him reasons to—"

"This whole idea is just childish—"

"What's childish is that you can't bear to touch me!"

"I touch you enough, it's absurd you're asking for more—"

"—and although it's quite obvious that I physically repulse you—"

A dry laugh burst from him.

Her nostrils flared. "I don't know how you behave towards girls you're sleeping with, Malfoy, but if this is your idea of intimacy, then you clearly need more help than I could ever offer—"

His hand darted out and grabbed her opposite hip, tugging her into his lap. She swallowed her squeak and steadied herself on the table, heart pounding. In an attempt to save her dignity, she lifted her chin, shifting until she could sit properly. It seemed it was no less difficult to find a balanced position in her jeans and trainers than it was in a short dress and heels.

"What now, Granger?" he rumbled, and she felt it vibrate through her ribcage.

The tips of her ears burned. "Just… behave normally. Like this is… normal." She cleared her throat and reached for her wine, stretching back to her table setting. "Eat dinner as if I'm not even here."

Draco seemed to take a long, slow breath before picking up his fork again. He pushed his vegetables around, staring at his peas intently.

Hermione refused to stare at her lap — too stiff. She had a few choices. She could awkwardly stare at his face. She could watch him play with his food. Or, the safest option: she could stare at his neck, studying the way the pink blush had spread under her gaze.

"How often do the boys play cards at dinner?" she asked softly, and she watched his throat bob as he swallowed.

"They play maybe every other week. There's no schedule," he said.

"And that's not dangerous? To have the girls as witnesses?"

"They removed their memories after the first two times, but there were complaints that the girls were too addled afterwards. So everyone just... risks it, I suppose. The girls have been instructed to be discreet."

Hermione frowned. Arrogant and barbaric. She thought of the strawberry-blonde and her intent eyes during the game, listening to every detail. The Carrow Girls may be under a tight leash, but they had access to a wealth of knowledge.

She steadied her heartbeat and asked the question she'd been fearing.

"Is there anything else I should know about the night Pansy went as me?"

His jaw tightened as he chewed. He shook his head and reached for his wine glass.

"Are you positive?" she pressed. "I was caught off guard on Friday, and it got us into a situation—"

"There's nothing else to know," he snapped. His wine glass clunked down on the table.

She paused. "Pucey mentioned that we didn't look 'cozy.' He implied that Pansy looked more comfortable at dinner." She took a steadying breath, reminding herself why she had to ask. "In Edinburgh, being discreet means being comfortable with each other. Tell me what that looks like?"

His ribs stopped moving under hers. She felt his stomach muscles stiffen before he took a slow inhale and said, "Pansy and I will be more comfortable with each other by nature of our past relationship. So there was—"

"You mean, because you've had sex."

He exhaled sharply. "I guess, yeah."

Her throat felt dry as she nodded. There was no logical reason for her to think they hadn't slept together at Hogwarts, so she wasn't sure why the confirmation made her stomach turn.

"It's"—he cleared his throat—"it's not just that. Pansy and I were close. I'm sure you'd be far more comfortable sitting in Weasley's lap—"

Hermione snorted. "I have never done anything like this with Ron."

His lips pressed together tightly, and the hand holding his wine glass squeezed.

"So what do I do?" she continued. "What did Pansy do differently?"

He heaved a great, laboring sigh. "Your behavior on Friday was fine. We can keep doing that—"

"Alright then." She reached up and ran through the hair on the back of his head. Brushing her fingers along his scalp, letting the smooth locks thread through her knuckles.

His head jerked away. "What are you doing—?"

"Oh, you have a No Hair Touching Rule as well?" She rolled her eyes. "Relax."

He let out a ragged breath as her fingers dragged through the hair over his ear. She saw him pick up his fork again, but do nothing with it. Brushing through his hair like silk, she curved over his ear, her fingertips rounding the shell.

As he shivered, she thought of the way Goyle and Pucey held their girls close and just watched the card game. The way the strawberry-blonde had massaged Theo's neck and kissed his jaw for luck. The way she'd seen other Carrow girls smile and whisper into boys' ears or nuzzle into their necks.

"Relax," she repeated quietly. She brushed his hair over his ear again, her fingers trailing around and down to his neck, flushed pink with the wine. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to the skin below his ear.

The earth ceased to spin in the heartbeat it took for his arm to curl around her waist, his hand splayed on her ribs. She parted her lips and kissed him again. His skin was clean and minty, and she felt his throat bob under her mouth as he swallowed.

And then in quick movements, she was pushed to her feet, and he was up out of his chair.

"The fuck are you doing?" he hissed.

She steadied herself on the table and watched him touch his neck, where her lips had just been. His mouth moved wordlessly as he stared at her. Maybe he felt like she'd contaminated him.

"I'm doing what I'm supposed to," she snarled. "If you'd just calm down—"

"You can't just sit in a bloke's lap and kiss his neck, Granger!"

She blinked at him, breathing quickly as he dragged a hand through his hair.

"And why not? That is precisely what happens at Edinburgh—"

"That's Edinburgh!" he snapped. "This is here, in my house!"

Her eyes were wide as she watched him move toward the exit.

"What is your problem? We're practicing—!"

"You cannot be this daft," he muttered, striding out of the dining room.

She stormed after him, stopping at the doorway.

"We're not done, Malfoy! I expect you at dinner tomorrow evening!"

He disappeared around a corner, and Hermione cursed under her breath, throwing her arms in the air.

She stomped to the table, drained her glass of wine, and finished her plate — and his, too, in case he planned to summon it later.

~*~

After sending an elf to Draco's room with a formal invitation to supper, Hermione spent the rest of her Monday Occluding.

She was perfectly prepared to spend another meal in his lap again, and she'd work harder to convince him of the necessity. Pushing away her stray thoughts about the scent of his skin and the warmth of his chest against her side, she focused on Ginny. She focused on how to stay in the game.

At a quarter till eight, she made her way downstairs. She was still waiting for him to arrive at 8:05, glaring into her wine glass despite her self-assurance that she'd be less reactive this time. At 8:12, she finally heard footsteps dragging across the stones. When she turned to lift a brow at him, he looked very much like a child that had been dragged with his parent to the office for the day — scowling with bored eyes, resigned to having a terrible time.

"Good evening," she lilted sarcastically.

He shuffled to his place at the table without a word. Once he was seated, she stood, poured his wine, and sat determinedly in his lap, as if daring him to object. His expression didn't change as she tugged her plate of food closer, sipped her wine, or munched on the finger food that Remmy had sent as their first course.

"I have another question," she said primly, breaking the silence. He didn't respond, ignoring her gaze boring into him as he drank deeply from his wine. "Where is your father?"

That earned her a scowl, and he plunked his glass back on the table. "You know I can't tell you that."

"You were about to gamble that information away on Friday."

"I knew I was going to win."

"You tied. That was hardly winning." She felt his ribs expand against hers with a deep breath. "You were only going to name the country," she continued, in a gentler tone. "You can't even give me that?"

The expression that flashed through his eyes momentarily stunned her. A softness that told her maybe she could ask anything of him. She blinked at him over her wine glass, and it was gone.

Perhaps she'd imagined it.

"Romania." His long fingers toyed with the white tablecloth. "That's all I know."

"Romania," she repeated, willing her heartbeat to calm. "He's gone indefinitely?"

Draco nodded. "He can make emergency Floo calls, but he's not to be disturbed unless strictly necessary."

She frowned, knowing she had nothing but pure speculation.

Not wanting to push him too much after the previous evening, she refrained from asking more questions. She sat quietly in his lap as he finished his wine and ate his meal, her mind sorting through all she'd learned.

She was disappointed by how much he didn't know — how much she still didn't know— but at least it was a start. She didn't have the sense that he'd lied or withheld information from her. More importantly, they seemed to be making progress on an interpersonal level. Despite the evening's rocky start, they hadn't fought, which was a significant improvement.

The next night, she ate early and finished her wine quickly, giving her the courage she needed to push their boundaries a bit farther. She spent the meal curled into his side, running her fingers through his hair as he poked at his vegetables. She noticed that he held her eye longer than usual, and she tried her best to ignore the fluttering in her chest each time it happened.

"What about the Lounge," she asked.

She felt him breathe before saying, "What about it?"

"I've only been once." She took a deep sip from her wine glass. "You said the atmosphere is calmer—?"

"This is fine," he cut her off. "What we're doing here"—his hand gestured between them—"will be fine for Friday."

She lifted a brow, but kept her reservations to herself. They'd cross that bridge later, but for now, she didn't want to upset their progress. It was still too fragile.

As the week progressed, Draco began to distract her thoughts even more than usual. She had to increase the amount of time she spent Occluding in the morning so she could stay on task the rest of the day while she scoured the Prophet and continued researching.

But at night, when it was just the two of them, she pulled his shelf forward, letting his volumes flutter open to vibrant colors and patterns.

It was dangerous, she knew, given her history of feelings for him — but she couldn't see a way around the need to build trust. A solid connection with him, if not a friendship. She ignored the niggling voice in her head that told her she didn't want to find another way.

On Wednesday, she picked off his plate while sitting against his chest. He fought her for the last of his potatoes, his fork jabbing at her fingers when she reached for them. Her pulse thrummed as she smiled and tried to offer him the potato, pressing it to his lips. He rolled his eyes and turned his face away.

That's how Narcissa Malfoy found the two of them — with Hermione in her son's lap, his arm wrapped around her waist, and her trying to feed him as he dramatically twisted his head from side to side.

"Oh," Narcissa said.

Hermione gasped, tumbling out of Draco's lap. Draco jumped up, knocking over his wine glass.

"We weren't—"

"This isn't what it looks—"

"It's only that—"

"Couldn't have knocked, Mother?"

"My," Narcissa hummed, and Hermione felt her face turn beet red at the barely concealed grin spreading across her features. "Don't let me interrupt."

"You're not interrupting anything," Draco said quickly, almost shouting the words. He started to push in his chair, shoving it roughly after it skidded noisily on the floor.

"No, no." Narcissa waved her hands. "Please finish your meal. I insist." And with a sparkle in her eye, she said, "Is there anything I can bring you? More wine? Perhaps the elves can bring dessert?"

"Mother," Draco hissed in warning.

Hermione stared at her shoes, pulse pounding in her ears. Her skin felt itchy with guilt and embarrassment in every place that had just been in contact with Draco's body.

"Very well, then. Enjoy the rest of your dinner." Narcissa glided out of the room with a cheeky wink.

Hermione dropped her head into her hands as soon as she turned the corner. "Oh god," she groaned.

Draco shifted on his feet before excusing himself with an unintelligible mumble, leaving her alone in the dining room with only her burning skin and guilty conscience.

~*~

On Friday, they followed the now-familiar path to the courtyard, though she fell in step with him easily this time. She refrained from playing with her collar as best she could, but she felt the note burning her skin. She'd debated about it all day Thursday, but still didn't feel like she should tell Draco about the note yet. She could only pray that she'd have another opportune moment alone with the strawberry-blonde.

When Charlotte greeted them with champagne, Hermione studied her carefully. But the brunette simply smiled and toasted them as they passed, her eyes quickly flitting away. Hermione tried to keep eye contact, tried to communicate with her, but the curtain closed on them while she turned to greet another guest.

She found Cho hanging off of Mulciber's arm across the Great Hall, smiling as his hand drifted lower on her back. But Hermione's interest was elsewhere, her eyes wide and alert for any sign of the strawberry-blonde. Before she could get a decent look around the room, Draco was leading her up the twisting steps, passing Harper's check, and through the doors to the dining room. Hermione swallowed her disappointment, wondering if she'd made a mistake by not telling him.

The first thing she noticed was Blaise Zabini laughing jovially at something Nott had said. Her eyes darted behind Nott's chair and found a different Carrow Girl waiting quietly to pour the wine. Her eyes scanned, but still not a trace of the strawberry-blonde. The disappointment in her stomach twisted more heavily.

"Be still my heart," a voice called out as the door shut behind them, and Hermione turned to find Marcus Flint with bowing dramatically at her. "My lady approaches."

She cast her eyes down, ready to play her part.

"Not your lady," Draco snapped, part warning, part playful edge to his voice.

"Oh, Love," Flint crooned, "did Draco whomp you good and proper after last week? Never one to share, our boy. Why don't you bend over my lap so I can kiss it better?"

The boys laughed as Draco took his seat, his jaw barely tensing before it loosened in a grin. More greetings and conversation as she assumed her position in front of the window. She took an inventory of the girls around the table, starting at her right: several Carrow Girls who usually rotated around Higgs, Derrick, and Warrington; Susan behind Goyle; and Penelope behind Flint. But Mortensen was absent from her place behind Pucey's chair, replaced with a Carrow Girl.

She cataloged the information and moved on before losing her breath at the sight of the Italian Minister's niece standing behind Zabini's chair. Giuliana Bravieri looked so small. Her eyes staring down at her shoes, her wrists thin and crossed submissively in front of her stomach. Hermione's heart ached, bile rising in her throat at the reminder of what she'd been through, followed by sharp anger. So much for her "not appearing anytime soon." But then, perhaps Draco hadn't known she would be here tonight.

Ten girls stepped forward, pouring wine into crystal glasses, and before she could return to the wall, Draco's arm was around her waist, guiding her to his lap. Other than Zabini lifting a theatrical brow at them, no one else said a word about it. Hermione was quite pleased with their "practicing" paying off, but she did have a moment of guilt for the extra minutes Susan had to spend against Goyle's chest when he quickly followed Draco's lead.

She crossed her legs in her little slip, tilting her knees toward Draco's waist. His left arm slipped over her hip, holding her to him instead of clenching his fingers tight around the arm of the chair. When she shifted in his lap, nuzzling into his neck and letting her fingers play with the hair on the back of his head, he didn't flinch. She felt giddy with success. Their time together had paid off, just like she'd predicted.

He jostled her when he laughed at something Zabini said, and she turned to the source, finding the Italian girl staring at her with deep brown eyes. She was sitting gingerly in Zabini's lap, as though he wasn't nearly as comfortably intimate with her as he'd been with the others. Hermione felt examined, flayed open by her gaze. The girl quickly turned her eyes back to the tablecloth, a small smile pulling at her full lips, almost as if she'd been caught. Hermione swallowed and pushed her concerns for the young girl aside, focusing on what information she could gather.

Nothing noteworthy caught her ear in the table's conversation after the first half hour. But then Theo's voice rang out above the others.

"There's a One O'Clock Gun tonight," he said, lazily twirling his fork in the air.

A collective murmur of interest swept through the table. All except Draco, whose thighs tensed beneath hers. She dragged her fingers through his hair, rubbing circles in his scalp like he'd done for her their first night here.

The phrase was familiar, but she couldn't place it. It seemed like a military expression.

"I love dinner and a show," Flint said, and the table erupted into laughter.

Draco's hand squeezed her hip — shivering her skin pleasantly. She caught herself, refocusing. She had more pressing concerns, like whether this new event would cut into her time to find the strawberry-blonde.

Feeling eyes on her, she turned to find Giuliana Bravieri staring at Draco's hand on her hip with gleeful curiosity. Hermione frowned at her, trying to decipher what the girl was thinking. Her brown eyes flickered up to hers, and just before the girl looked away to stare submissively down at the tablecloth again, she lifted her brow at Hermione — a perfect arch — and sent her a mischievous smirk — one born from years of practice, years of superiority and status.

Hermione felt her breath stutter in her chest.

Pansy.

Could it be? It was too much of a coincidence that this broken fourteen-year-old could conjure a smile like that.

Hermione caught herself staring, and closed the book on Pansy, shoving it away. She turned her eyes back to the table, and opened her ears again.

It was a rather uneventful evening in the dining room, despite the hours they sat there talking and laughing. Pucey was bringing up past memories of notable Quidditch games at Hogwarts. She heard Harry's name several times, and she felt the pages of his book shiver and rattle until she forced them to settle in her mind.

A chiming, amplified throughout the dining room, cutting off the music playing and silencing the voices in surprise. Hermione looked up, searching for the source. The clock on the wall read quarter till one.

The boys cheered, grabbing their drinks and gripping their girls close, rubbing their hands together.

Draco peeled her off of him, all tension returning to his body. Zabini shared a look with Giuliana — Pansy.

"What is it?" Hermione whispered to Draco.

He shook his head at her in warning and followed the others as they descended the spiral staircase into the Great Hall. She kept her eyes open for the strawberry-blonde, searching the crowd of people as they headed to the exits into the courtyard.

Her hand reached for her collar to adjust it, and she caught herself.

"She has to use the loo," Draco announced. "I'll join you at the Mills Mount."

Pansy snapped her head to them, looking out from Giuliana's brown eyes. Hermione turned up to Draco as he steered them toward the hallway. Her mouth opened to ask—

"Don't," he hissed. "Just trust me on this."

She felt her heart pounding in her ears as Draco led them around the crowd, suddenly cutting left to the fireplaces.

"Not leaving already, Malfoy?" a gravelly voice sounded from behind her. "I haven't even had a chance to say hello."

Hermione's chest rattled, hair standing on end from the memory of eyes on her naked body, a hand between her legs, a scratchy voice whispering filthy things into her ear. Draco held her in a punishing grip as they turned to face Antonin Dolohov, his black eyes focused on her.

"Dolohov," Draco greeted in a stilted voice. "Back from Italy so soon?"

"Just today." His gaze skated over her chest, her waist, her legs. "I'd heard you'd been letting her out of her cage. Had to come see for myself."

There was a pounding in her blood, but she focused on holding her head high, meeting his eyes.

"And now you've seen," Draco replied curtly. "If you'll excuse us—"

"Not sharing her either, I've heard," Dolohov said, stepping so subtly to the left, blocking the narrow path around him. "What a shame that is." He took a small step forward, cocking his head. His eyes hadn't left her once. "With me, you would have been the Queen of Edinburgh, Mudblood. The grandest prize, presented and polished. You would have had your fill of pure-blood cock every Friday until you were overflowing with it."

A chill passed along her shoulders, but she didn't move a muscle. Draco shifted, his shoulder passing into her sightline, putting himself in front of her.

"Just to come home to your worthless half-blood prick?" Draco lilted, and she could hear the nasty smirk in his voice, so reminiscent of their school days. "I think she got the better deal, Antonin."

Dolohov sneered and stepped into him, nose-to-nose. "Your daddy's not here, Malfoy. I'd be very careful what you say to me."

"Oh, I have nothing to say to you at all. We have a binding agreement, Antonin," Draco said lowly. "Now kindly step away from me and my Lot. I'll only ask you once."

"You've been keeping her locked away for far too long, Malfoy. Careful," he warned. "Or someone might figure out how to pick the lock."

Draco's left arm was still twisted behind himself, squeezing her wrist so hard she knew it would bruise. He breathed a humorless laugh, and slapped Dolohov's upper arm.

"Good to see you, Antonin. I'll give my father your regards."

With a sharp tug, he pulled her around him, passing Dolohov on the right with a shove to his shoulder. Hermione didn't look back, only focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

They moved into the chill of the courtyard, and she chanced a look to Draco's face — stony, impassive. She realized they were following the crowd traipsing down a winding pathway, weaving through centuries-old buildings. The resignation in his face grew, and he kept glancing over his shoulder. Draco was no longer looking for a quick exit.

She felt a cold horror build in her chest as they walked into the crowd gathering at the base of the hill. A courtyard looking out over the horizon of Edinburgh filled with black hoods and girls shivering in flimsy slips.

Hermione took in the crowd. There was more than just the revelers from the castle here. She spied a handful of shadows on top of the hill, prowling with canine movements, howling. At the edges of the crowd, smugglers and dealers from Edinburgh stalked, trying to entice the fringes of the masses into buying their wares.

Draco walked her towards the middle to a cleared space. A pair of hooded figures shifted in front of her. Hermione's heart jumped in her throat. The strawberry-blonde stood at the front of the crowd, standing against the ledge overlooking the city.

She gasped breathlessly, stunned into silence. Sound disappeared in a vacuum.

The girl stood in a ragged slip, her hands magically bound in front of her. Her chin was lifted, and she was murmuring something, lips moving quickly. To her left, a boy with the same color of curls on top of his head stood shaking. He couldn't have been more than fifteen.

Hermione thought of the note stuck between her skin and the gold collar. Had the girl been caught? Did someone know what she was doing with the collars? Hermione spun around — was someone coming for her as well? — and felt herself jerked backward by Draco's hand, squeezing her tightly in warning.

Amycus Carrow stepped into view, and the cheering hit her in full force. Amycus smiled toothily and amplified his voice, greeting the crowd.

"To the Dark Lord's power," he boomed.

And the crowd responded, "May he reign forevermore."

"A traitor to the Dark Lord's reign stands before you," Amycus hissed. "She and her brother — two Muggles"—the masses snarled—"find themselves ungrateful for everything we've given them here, at the center of the Dark Lord's power."

The booing and spitting rang in her ears. Draco stood behind her, a hand still on her elbow.

Hermione knew what was to come. The girl and her brother were standing at a firing squad. They were to be executed, here, in front of them all. Hermione searched the crowd for someone, anyone. Her knees buckled as she tried to turn about, and Draco's hand tightened on her again.

Her eyes landed on Charlotte, still passing drinks around on a tray, smiling tightly. She watched as Charlotte glanced to the front, a stab of sadness in her eyes that couldn't be masked quickly enough.

Hermione looked back to the strawberry-blonde as Charlotte gazed on her. The Scottish girl in the front of the crowd was staring directly at Hermione, an intensity electrifying the space between them. Hermione felt her heart splintering at the edges.

"This Muggle filth," Carrow continued, "showed no appreciation for what we've given her. We allowed her and her brother into our world. Allowed them to serve us, as is their rightful place. And how does she repay us?"

She held her breath, watching the strawberry-blonde flicker her gaze between Hermione and Charlotte.

"By attacking one of her superiors!" Amycus bellowed, his spittle flying into the crowd. "By forgetting her natural place. Her brother — a filthy groundskeeper"—he paused for emphasis, and the crowd jeered—"was chosen to serve one of our guests. And this Muggle slut attacked the wizard that would have graciously bestowed his attention her brother!"

Hermione inhaled sharply. This girl's sentencing had nothing to do with Ginny Weasley or assisting with a plot to murder the Dark Lord. The girl settled her gaze on her again, and Hermione's mouth dried, heartbeat quickening as her brain scrambled for a plan—

"Champagne, Master Malfoy?"

Charlotte stood in front of her, blocking the girl and her brother from view. Hermione blinked at her, mouth gaping open.

"No, Charlotte," Draco clipped behind her. "Thank you."

Charlotte turned her eyes on Hermione for the first time that evening. "Poor dear," she said in a motherly tone so out of place with her scarlet dress and cleavage. "You must be freezing."

A hand against Hermione's cheek.

"She's practically an icicle." Charlotte's hand drifted down her jaw, stretching to her collar. "You'll have to ask Master Malfoy nicely for a Warming Charm." She scratched the paper from under the metal, slipping against Hermione's skin like rough sand. "I'm sure you could convince him."

Charlotte winked at her, but there was something fiery in it. A tension in her jaw that promised blood. And then she was gone, sauntering through the crowd, one hand fisted at her side.

Hermione felt the world tilting on its axis, and it took her several long seconds to realize that Draco was steadying her lower back, pushing her upright. She barely registered the Warming Charm he cast over her. She stiffened and looked back to the Scottish girl and her brother, ears ringing.

Amycus Carrow was recounting her sins, speaking in rousing tones about Muggle crimes befitting Muggle punishments. The strawberry-blonde turned to her sobbing brother, speaking quickly, too low to overhear. He nodded solemnly, his shiny eyes never leaving his sister's.

They were Muggles. They had no business getting involved in any of this horror. And yet, this was the girl who'd grasped her hand under the table with glass digging into her knees. A girl who had risked everything to get Ginny's note to her. Just like she'd risked everything to protect her little brother.

A noise to her left. Hermione glanced over to find a Silver Collar girl with silent tears trailing down her cheeks.

A wild cheering brought her attention back to the front. A cannon wheeled forward.

The One O'Clock Gun.

Terror gripped her as the old war cannon spun slowly to face the two siblings.

"No!" she choked, but it was too loud everywhere — inside her mind and out.

A pair of hands on her waist. A firm chest against her shoulder blades.

Amycus called out that they would prove how foolish it was for anyone, let alone a pair of filthy Muggles, to resist the Dark Lord's will. They would take the boy first, and let his sister watch.

Hermione turned, heaving for air. A hooded Death Eater on her right turned to glare at her. The hands on her waist turned her back, forcing her to face ahead as they aimed the cannon.

A sharp jaw pressed to her temple. Warm breath fanning across her cheekbones.

"There is a lake with still waters," he whispered. "A mountain range surrounds it. The waters are deep with hidden secrets, but the water is still."

She blinked, legs swaying, feeling her breathing even out as she let his words wash over her. His hands slipped around her stomach, pressing her close to him.

They lit the cannon. And screamed and stomped while they counted down.

"Think of your mind as a library. Shelves upon shelves of novels and journals and biographies," the voice lulled. "Find an empty shelf for this moment."

An explosive boom, rocking the stones beneath her feet. Hermione watched with a slack jaw as the spot where the boy stood smoked and crumbled, his sister speckled with his blood. The cannon was reloaded.

"An empty book in your hands. Its blank pages between your fingers. Write this moment into the book. Give it a title."

The One O'Clock Gun, her mind supplied.

"Fill the pages, and close the book."

The cannon aimed at the strawberry-blonde. She shed tears slowly, mixing with her brother's blood and dripping pink down her neck.

"Close the book, and push it into a corner. Lose it within the piles and piles of texts and novels."

A book's pages fluttered shut in her mind. It locked. And she breathed deep, stretching to her tiptoes to push it onto a shelf that was just too tall for her to reach. She imagined a hand with long fingers helping her reach the top.

A cannon was lit.

There was a girl crying.

A crowd cheered and counted the seconds.

The girl tilted her head back to the sky and screamed.

She disappeared in a spray of smoke and blood and rage.

Hands around Hermione's waist, pulling her close. A sharp jaw cutting into her temple.

Hands leading her backward, tugging her past the screaming fanatics and werewolves and other monsters. Pulling her to climb a cobblestone hill, moving into a courtyard, into a hall.

She found herself stepping through a fireplace and into a bedroom with green curtains and neatly organized trinkets.

She turned around, bookshelves swaying and buckling, and Draco Malfoy stood before her in his bedroom.

His hands came to rest on her jaw, examining her eyes.

"Look at me."

She blinked, and they crashed to the ground. Free.

Her senses were overwhelmed. Shivers over her skin, gasping breaths from her chest, a flood of tears down her cheeks. She sobbed, her hands clutching his elbows, keeping him close.

And without knowing how, she pressed against his chest, her forehead pushing into his sternum. Her cries shook her body. He enclosed his arms around her back.

A hole in her stomach the shape of a cannonball. Filled with grief and rage and despair.

Draco didn't say a word, simply holding her.

She pulled back when she'd finally exhausted herself, stepping away from him. She knew she was red and swollen and wet. But he looked down at her with a raw passion that she couldn't feel vulnerable.

"They're going to pay for what they did," she vowed, her voice hollow and misshapen.

His grey eyes stared down at her. He moved a curl behind her ear. And he nodded.

Chapter End Notes

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TRIGGER DETAIL - A public execution takes place. The executed are killed by firing a cannon at them at close range.

Chapter 19

Chapter Notes

Happy Holidays everyone! Thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

Very excited for this chapter. One of the scenes in here was an inspiration for writing The Auction in the first place. Very glad to share it with you all now after almost two years.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Waking on Saturday morning was like pulling herself from a thick bramble that had settled over her in the night. Fighting her way back to consciousness, she struggled against aching muscles and a pounding behind her left eye.

She turned on her side and willed her body out of bed. But she couldn't move.

And then she remembered.

The Occlumency.

The One O'Clock Gun.

The strawberry-blonde's scream.

Dolohov's eyes.

And Draco's voice in her ear, steadying her, guiding her through the night's horrors.

He'd let her sob, let her lean on him, holding her close. And then he'd nodded. Agreeing with her? Agreeing to help her?

He'd called for an elf to take her back to her room with a Dreamless Sleep Potion, and her mind had shut down the moment her body slid in between the sheets.

Her eyes fluttered open as her mind sputtered to life, remembering all the things she needed to be doing. But such strong Occlumency had taken a toll on her body and mind. In spite of her intentions, she found herself drifting back out to sea.

~*~

When she could finally sit up in bed, the clock next to bed read four in the afternoon.

Hermione groaned. She couldn't afford to lose any more time. She needed to build up her Occlumency endurance. She needed to set an alarm from now on. She needed the elves to splash her with pails of cold water if she didn't move before nine.

Dragging her legs from the covers, she sat on the edge of her bed until she could pull herself into the bathroom. When she returned from a cold shower, there was a pain relief potion on her nightstand. She sent a prayer of thanks to the elves and downed the contents.

Once her head was clear again, Hermione focused her thoughts, closing the books in her mind that held the horrors of the One O'Clock Gun and the grief for the nameless Scottish girl and her brother.

A fresh memory fluttered to the surface. Arms holding her close, long fingers tracing the shell of her ear. Grey eyes locked on hers as he'd nodded.

Draco. He'd helped her last night. And maybe he'd help her again. Her heart thumped with the possibilities.

She threw on a jumper and denims and headed down the hall to Draco's door. A few knocks and several long minutes of waiting — and nothing. She wasn't surprised to find him absent, as he was rarely where she needed him to be.

His study was empty. The drawing room was empty.

But when she hurried down the stairs and pushed open the doors to the library, the sight stopped her in her tracks. Texts were strewn across the chairs, the floor, the small end tables. A dozen books hovered in front of their shelves, waiting to be plucked by whoever had called upon them from the book finder.

Hermione's lips parted at the sound of pages turning quickly from deep in the stacks. And then— "Still not hungry."

She blinked. She peered behind her shoulder to see if Mippy or Narcissa were standing there with a tray. As she turned back to the stacks, Draco poked his head from around a shelf, glaring. When he saw it was her, his frown vanished, and he snapped his book shut. He pulled a quill from behind his ear — a habit from school — and twisted it between his fingers.

"Granger," he said. "I thought you were Mother."

His eyes whipped around the room, as if just taking in the disarray she'd walked into. She held her breath as she studied him, watching the flush creep up his neck. He dropped the arm holding the book and tilted it so slightly behind him, and her eyes followed the movement.

"What are you researching?"

"Just looking for a solution to a problem," he clipped. He swallowed and ran a hand through his hair.

She nodded slowly, undeterred. She moved a few steps closer. "I wanted to thank you for your kindness last night."

He stared at her stiffly as she gazed up at him. His eyes different from the warm ones that had locked on hers last night, in his bedroom.

"You're welcome."

She waited for more, but nothing came. "And I wanted to—"

"Granger, I'm in the middle of something. Can this wait?"

She startled at the bite in his tone. There was a tension in his posture, a squaring of his shoulders that she recognized from Quidditch matches. Determination.

Suddenly she felt very silly. Thanking him for taking care of her while she cried. Thinking something had shifted. Her eyes prickled, and she snapped her mouth shut.

His eyes instantly softened. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," she replied, watching his shoulders release. The burning behind her eyes faded into a slow throb. "Exhausted." She stood surrounded by all of his books and notes and messy piles. "Is this 'problem' anything I could help with?"

She inched toward the table filled with notes, eyeing an open book on the edge. Draco was there in the blink of an eye, slamming it closed. She managed to catch a glimpse of runes and Germanic translations scribbled on parchment before he swiftly stepped in front of her.

Her eyes flickered up to him, so close she had to tilt her head back. They'd been this close the night before, when he'd folded his arms around her as she sobbed. He'd pushed a curl over her ear and stared into her watering eyes like he'd been entranced.

She pushed the memories away. "I am pretty good at research, if you'll recall." She smiled, hoping he couldn't resist the chance to tease her. To let her in.

Instead he jerked his head. "No. I'm almost there." He swallowed tightly. "Thank you, though."

She blinked quickly, nodding her disappointment at her shoes. Maybe when he was done with his "problem," they could finally talk. She lifted her chin, took a deep breath, and said, "I find that in most cases, the answer is right in front of you."

His lips parted on a silent inhale, as if her flippant remark had disturbed him. Pink spots high on his cheeks as his eyes roved over her before returning to her gaze.

"Thank you, Granger. I'll keep an eye out for that," he murmured.

Nodding one last time, she excused herself, heading to the doorway. As she turned to close the library doors, she caught a glimpse of him sitting at the table, beginning to organize whatever he was researching. She was reminded of sixth year when he would sulk in corners and hunch over books in the library, looking pale and thin.

She ate dinner alone in her bedroom, poring over a heavy book on the history of South America that contained a reference to magical slavery somewhere. She made it three chapters before an overwhelming exhaustion pushed at her eyelids, beckoning her to sleep.

~*~

"Granger, wake up."

Her eyes snapped open, her body jolting with the presence of someone else in her room. It was pitch black.

A candle flamed next to her, revealing Narcissa leaning over her bedside table, shaking out a match.

"It's alright, dear," she whispered, but there was a quiver to her voice. She pulled back the coverlet, refusing to make eye contact. "It's alright," she said — more to herself.

"What—" Hermione fell silent, lips parting at the sight of Draco coming around the other side of her bed with another candle. His fingers fumbled a match out of a box, dropping it next to the candle without lighting it.

"What's happened?" she asked.

"Come." Narcissa peeled back the sheets over her legs, reaching for her. "Come with me."

Hermione scrambled out of bed, heart pounding in her ears. Narcissa led her into the bathroom suite as Draco moved to the fireplace, wand tracing a spell over the flames.

Opening the Floo.

Narcissa shut the door behind them, and Hermione blinked, taking in the elegant Narcissa Malfoy in her dressing gown, sans makeup, sans tailored robes. A white silk nightgown hanging limply from her elbow, and a pale expression to match.

"Remove your nightclothes," Narcissa whispered.

Hermione swallowed, mind begging for answers. But something told her to obey. "Are we going somewhere?" she squeaked. Her fingers moved quickly over her buttons, cold and quivering.

"No, dear. There's… someone is—"

She watched Narcissa struggle for words. Hermione's eyes went wide with rising terror, her breath coming quick. Voldemort?

"We're having visitors first thing in the morning," Narcissa finally managed. "I don't know why. We were told they need to do a medical examination."

Hermione pulled the opened shirt off her shoulders with shaking fingers, fear overriding her modesty as Narcissa bunched up the white silk and tossed it over her neck.

"Alright," she rasped. Chills bursting along her skin as the silk slipped over her. Too long. Probably Narcissa's. "And what are we doing?"

"There's an old spell. Something that they used to use on their daughters… A ritual."

Hermione stood frozen in terror as she let Narcissa's hands pull the gown down her legs. Fingers push her hair to the side. A cool chain draped over her shoulders as Narcissa placed a crystal necklace over her.

"What kind of ritual?" She didn't recognize the sound of her own voice. The crystal hummed against her skin. Magical.

Narcissa's cool blue eyes met hers. They pierced her, studying her.

"They will be able to see that your virginity is intact," she said quietly. "So, we're going to take it."

Hermione's skin tingled, feeling the weight of the silk gown on her shoulders. Waiting for the words to make sense to her.

A rattling knock at the bathroom door. "1:59," Draco's clipped tone rang out. Her body jerked, and Narcissa gripped her arms to guide her out.

Draco stood aside to let them pass, his eyes firmly planted on the mantle clock above the fireplace. Narcissa guided her to the bed, pushing her to sit.

Her mind caught up to her circumstances as Narcissa knelt before her, produced a bowl of water, dipped her fingers, and brushed her fingertips over Hermione's eyes and lips.

There was a ritual.

A ritual to trick the virginity spell. The one they'd cast on her to decide her starting price at the Auction.

Narcissa whispered something into the water bowl — something in German — before bringing it to her lips and swallowing half. She looked to Draco. He stood rooted to the carpets, muscles moving in his jaw.

This is what he'd been researching. Finding this ritual. He hadn't let her help him.

The small chime from the mantle clock, and he turned to them. "It's time."

He faced her, his grey eyes dead in the moonlight. Narcissa pushed the bowl to her, bringing it to Hermione's lips. Hermione drank the rest of the water, watching Draco over the rim. He stared her down as she swallowed.

He knew last night that they were coming. He knew they'd find her untouched, and he'd ransacked the library for a solution to his problem.

Hermione's breath hitched at the realization that he'd skipped over the easiest one.

Narcissa placed the bowl on the nightstand and crawled onto the bed, her long limbs gracefully folding under herself. She guided Hermione to sit in front of her, both facing the fireplace. Draco paced to the end of the bed, hand against the bedpost, watching the clock.

She opened her mouth to break the silence, to ask about the spell, and question the research, but the words died in her throat as the fireplace burned green, and Lucius Malfoy stepped through.

And her heart thumped in her chest.

Lucius glanced at her, dressed in white silk, waiting for him on a bed.

Draco stepped forward, pulling a book from his robes and flipping it open.

"From the Germanic. I've checked the translation. It's accurate." He met his father at the fireplace. "I've outlined the steps. The candle, the blood, the incantation—"

Lucius Malfoy raised a hand, halting his son. He took the book from him and peered down, turning the pages. The air around Draco seemed to buzz with a dark, twisting energy as he waited for permission to speak again.

A page turned, and Lucius paused, his brow arched. Hermione watched his eyes move quickly over the same passage until they lifted to her.

The book snapped shut. Lucius assessed her and said, "And if it doesn't work?"

"It will." Draco's mouth was in a hard line.

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then I'll think of something else."

But Lucius was staring at her. She blinked at him, feeling the question under her skin.

If this doesn't work, will you do this the easy way?

She swallowed, and tilted her head into the tiniest of nods.

Lucius's eyes returned to the text, browsing the words lazily, casually, like one might window shop at Diagon Alley. He was supposed to be in Romania. He was only permitted emergency Floo calls. They'd brought him in for an illicit dark ritual, and he had the nerve to act as if they had all the time in the world.

As if all of their lives weren't at stake.

Draco's fingers twitched. Narcissa's breath stirred her hair.

Lucius closed the book and handed it back to Draco. He looked at the mantle clock and turned to her. "Ready."

"Let me see the book," Hermione said, voice too loud for the quiet room. "Let me read it first—"

"There's no time, Miss Granger," Lucius said, and she could hear the sneer in his voice as he crossed to the unlit candle by her bed.

"What does it do?" She turned her neck to look up at Narcissa, who was pressing her lips together and fixing a disappointed glare across the room. Hermione swiveled in the direction of her gaze to find Draco near the windows, watching silently.

"There's no need to worry, dear," Narcissa whispered into her ear.

Lucius struck the match. And the flames hissed out in the fireplace.

The only light in the room was from the two candles, casting shadows against their cheekbones and chins.

Narcissa crossed her legs and guided Hermione to lay with her head in her lap. She stared at the canopy as her mind raced.

Who was coming? What were they looking for? Why now?

And then all thoughts of possibilities swept from her mind as Lucius Malfoy climbed into her bed.

She jerked her legs, almost kicking him as his long limbs crawled like a panther to sit beside her. Narcissa grabbed at her arms to calm her, to hold her still.

"What does this spell entail?" she repeated, her voice cracking in her dry throat.

Lucius's calm features sharpened into a smirk. "Now, now. Don't fret, Miss Granger. Just lie back and think of England."

"Lucius," Narcissa warned.

Hermione felt her heartbeat strain beneath Narcissa's fingers, pounding to get out of her. And before she could ask another question, Lucius was pulling a knife from his robes, his impassive mask on once more. She gaped at the glint of the blade as he pressed one long hand firmly against her collarbone. The knife drew a quick, shallow slice against her heart, too quick for her to wince. She watched with wide eyes as Lucius's lips formed a silent prayer, wisps of German brushing across her forehead.

She looked at Draco, bathed in moonlight near the windows, watching with his hand clapped over his mouth. Their eyes met.

And the candles went out.

She felt the darkness like a cold plunge into water. If she didn't have the pressure of Narcissa's fingers on her wrists, she'd have shrieked.

Lucius's cool tones dripped ancient words across her face. She felt him shift back, hovering over her stomach and chanting.

Her limited German caught words like "devil" and "protection."

She jerked her head over to where Draco stood in the corner, and her dizzy mind imagined she could see the whites of his eyes reflecting the darkness back at her.

A sharp pull from her belly, like the worst kind of menstrual cramps. She gasped, jerking. Narcissa held her down, and Lucius raised his voice as he continued chanting.

It felt like her intestines were fighting to twist in opposing directions. She squirmed, trying to stretch her body into positions that would alleviate the cramping, but it was like a wrenching low in her stomach.

She groaned, and she heard the floor creak near the windows.

A tight pop, as if something inside of her dislocated. She scrunched her eyes shut in pain, blocking out the darkness.

And a wash of peace. Like a Calming Draught. Like sunlight. Her stomach relaxed.

She opened her eyes, praying that it worked, and found Lucius Malfoy's face boring over her in the candlelight.

No. Not candlelight. A ball the size of her fist hovered over her stomach. Just like the spell the Mediwitches cast months ago, burning so white it looked blue.

It cast shadows across the pitch-black room, sparking warmth in Lucius's grey eyes.

Narcissa's fingers threaded through her hair gently as every pair of eyes stared at the ball of energy, symbolizing what hadn't yet been taken from her. She watched the light fluctuate like fairy wings held it afloat.

A glass jar pushed into view, scooping under slowly, capturing the orb, and closing a lid over top. She looked up to see Draco screwing the lid on, watching the light breathe. His eyes danced with its glow, and she watched his lips part in wonder.

Victorious.

She tried to remember if she'd ever seen him catch the Snitch.

He held the jar in one hand, pulled his wand in the other, and cast the Virginity Detection spell. The scan hummed over her head and toes, scanning towards center. When the magic reached her abdomen, the four of them watched with bated breath.

And nothing. The scan stopped.

She didn't know what was supposed to happen if she wasn't a virgin. She hadn't seen it.

No one moved. She heard Draco swallow.

"Did it work?" she whispered.

A pause. And then: "It seems so," Narcissa breathed into her hair.

Lucius pulled his wand, cast the charm again, and watched as the same results happened.

A buzz from Draco's wand. "2:10," he said.

Lucius stood abruptly from the bed, looking down at her, and then up to Draco. "You won't be able to contact me if there's an issue."

The light from the glass jar in Draco's palm cast eerie shadows across Lucius's face, and she watched his throat move and his lips part in unspoken words. "You'll hear from me soon." He turned and exited through the fireplace without a backward glance.

With a wave, Narcissa lit the sconces low. She slid off the bed and gathered the ritual candles. "I apologize for all this fuss, Hermione, dear," she said, still not looking at her. "Get some rest. We'll talk in the morning." She sent Draco a stern look before leaving, the door clicking softly.

Hermione took a few breaths before she jolted upright. She sat in a bed in a white gown, blood from her chest dripping on the sheets, and stared at Draco Malfoy, who held her virginity in his hands.

The relief on his face dissipated, and he paled as looked at her. He placed the jar delicately on her bedside table.

"This should stay here." He swallowed. "It would… it can catch quite a price on the Black Market, so it's best to keep it hidden in your room."

She blinked at the light, still the brightest source in the room, even with the sconces lit and the fireplace back to roaring. She wondered if she should feel different.

"I apologize for the suddenness," he said, shifting his weight. "I was only notified yesterday afternoon. And the spell required my father, and I wasn't even sure if I could—"

"I want to see your research." She tore her eyes from the ball of light and looked up to him. "I want to read up on the spell."

He nodded, eyes distant but directed at the jar. "Of course. Tomorrow, after they—"

She scowled. "Now. I'm awake. You're awake." She stumbled out of bed, the long silk nightdress twisting around her legs in an awkward constriction. Unraveling it brought her close to him.

He glanced quickly down to the cut on her chest and then at her face. "You should get your rest."

"Give me the book," she demanded.

He was always keeping information from her, especially if it pertained to her directly. Irritation sharpened and bubbled in her chest.

Extending the book to her, he watched as she grabbed it and flipped to the marked pages.

It was still in German.

"Translation Spell, please," she snapped.

His wand tapped the pages, shifting the letters into English.

She took deep breaths, focusing on the words as they arranged themselves. It was done. There was nothing she could do to change what had happened or how it had happened. She just needed the specifics.

It was a journal. A wizard's entry from the 1200s, detailing a ritual to save his daughter's "purity" from evil spirits.

Two candles. Two parents. The mother cleanses, the father bleeds her.

She slammed the book closed, cheeks burning in anger and embarrassment. She pivoted to Draco, ready to release her pent up rage.

A warm hand dropped on her shoulder. She looked up and found him staring down at the blood dripping from the slice over her heart. His wand raised, and he muttered a spell to sew the skin back together. His eyes didn't leave her chest as she felt the cut heal.

His frown drew her eyes down. Just below his hand, a thin white scar crossed her heart.

"Magical wound," she whispered, temporarily distracted. "The scar will remain."

When she glanced back at him, his lips were pressed together, displeased. He looked away from her skin, and she remembered her anger.

"What if it didn't work," she asked, voice thin.

He stepped back from her and ran his hand through his hair. "Then I'd think of something else. A different spell."

She wondered at what point he would have come to her room, held her down on the bed, and penetrated her.

Minutes before the "visitors" arrived? Or perhaps he'd rather let them all die instead.

"And if you couldn't find another spell? When would you have consulted me and my opinion on the matter?"

He blinked at her before looking away to her bookshelves. "I was hoping I could find something like a glamor. Something cast to deceive the Detection Spell." He swallowed thickly. "I was hoping—"

"You were hoping I'd never have to know," she finished for him. Her skin buzzed with anger. "To cast a spell and brush it under the rug."

His lips pressed together tightly. "Do you not understand that we could be under investigation? By order of the Dark Lord, you are being examined tomorrow morning, and we have no idea why—"

"I understand perfectly, thank you," she spat. "I also understand that you had twelve hours in which you could have told me what was going on"—he took a breath to interrupt—"to inform me of the problem so that we might be able to come up with a solution together, but instead you chose to surprise me—"

"My family is in jeopardy, Granger—"

"And you're blaming me for that—?"

"Sometimes I have to act without your approval to do what's best for my family! All four of us!"

Her lips opened in a silent gasp.

His eyes widened as he seemed to realize what he'd just said. His jaw snapped shut, horror dawning over his features. Before she could press him further, he turned on his heel, dashing for the door.

Hermione gaped at the empty doorway for several long moments before sitting down on the corner of her bed. She stared at the fluttering light in a jar on her nightstand, listening to the echo in her ears of him calling her family.

~*~

At seven, Draco knocked on her bedroom door.

"They've arrived." His voice was flat. And his eyes were cold.

She had been dressed for hours, unable to sleep. It seemed the same for him. Both of them resigned to whatever fate awaited them.

Pulling her bedroom door closed behind her, she followed him down the stairs and to the drawing room.

Always the drawing room.

As he pushed open the door, he took her elbow in a firm grip, tugging her through the threshold behind him.

She cataloged the room quickly. Narcissa. Two women in Mediwitch robes she didn't recognize. And turning to greet them, a smug leer on his face, was Dolohov.

Her feet stumbled, and her stomach tightened before she cast her gaze down to the floor.

Draco's steps slowed, but he gave away no other reaction.

"Dolohov," he greeted.

"Apologies for being so early, Malfoy," Dolohov said without a hint of remorse. "But your mother tells me you're early risers here at the Manor." He smiled at her and Draco. "Thank you for your hospitality, Narcissa," he said with a wink.

Narcissa stepped forward. "Of course, Antonin." A thin smile pasted on her face. "And I'd prefer if you called me Mrs. Malfoy."

Hermione's eyes turned down to the stone floor. Her skin was cold, and her breath was shallow.

"What's this about?" Draco asked. He crossed his arms over his chest, shifting in front of her.

"Yaxley and I have been tasked to check in on the Lots. There've been a few issues, and the Dark Lord has asked us to follow up." His voice scratched down her spine.

One of the Mediwitches conjured an examination table. The other approached her with a hospital gown and silently gestured toward a conjured privacy stall. They'd been silenced.

Draco gripped her upper arm before she could step away from him. "Is this really necessary?"

"The Dark Lord wishes us to be thorough, Malfoy."

Hermione stared at her shoes as she followed the witch to the privacy curtains. Before she could disappear behind them, Dolohov said, "No need for all that, is there? Nothing I haven't seen before."

Her skin shivered and her mouth tried to swallow. Her eyes unfocused, remembering the showers at the Ministry. She thought she'd closed that book weeks ago, but it fluttered open at her feet. She summoned her magic and focus to slam it closed.

It was silent in the drawing room. She disappeared behind the curtain and listened to Narcissa start polite but stilted conversation. Her hands tugged her jumper up. Her fingers unbuttoned her trousers. And in a distant memory, she heard the echo of water against tile. She felt his black eyes on her naked body.

A pair of hands reached for her back, and she jumped, gasping. The hands pulled away as Hermione jerked. It was just the Mediwitch behind her, trying to help her tie the laces of the gown.

"Sorry," Hermione whispered.

She padded out to the table, thinking of cold black marble in the Ministry.

Dolohov's eyes were on her as she slid up to the table.

"Looks like you learned how to play nice after all, Mudblood."

"I'll ask you not to speak to my Lot," said Draco coldly. "You may address me if you have a direct order for her."

Hermione lay back, her mind numb. Instead of a high arched ceiling with chandeliers, she could only see a low lamp, black ceilings.

She breathed deep, pulling air into her empty lungs. A lake with still waters.

"What kind of issues?" Narcissa asked. "What's wrong with the other Lots?"

The Mediwitches hovered over her, silently casting several scans. She watched the familiar Virginity Detection scan wash over her, finding nothing.

"They weren't properly sterilized," Dolohov said.

And Hermione felt the room shake, quivering before her eyes.

A thick silence as the Mediwitches tested her.

The girls were becoming pregnant. She wasn't the only one whose fertility had been spared.

"This is unnecessary then," Narcissa said, voice slightly rising. "I can tell you that she hasn't bled since she's been here."

Hermione's eyes shut, and she felt her throat close.

She'd stopped menstruating when she was on the run with Harry and Ron. Her body had been too stressed, too underfed. Even now, with the comforts of Malfoy Manor and one working fallopian tube, she hadn't begun to bleed again.

Her chest shook.

She was going to have it ripped from her again. This possibility. This small chance of a future.

"Let's see then."

Hermione felt the Mediwitch's wand tap against her left hipbone. A dim red light appeared from her wand. She switched to Hermione's other side, and with a tap, a bright green illuminated the witch's face.

A pause, like skipping a step on the stairs. She felt every eye in the room on her waist. She didn't dare look to the Malfoys.

And then a sharp, "Ha!" cracked from Dolohov's throat. He chuckled, and the room shook with it. "Three months with a fertile slut and she's not knocked up? You check to see if your boys swim, Malfoy? With me, Mudblood, you'd have triplets by now—"

"That's enough, Antonin," Narcissa hissed. "Please remember your manners while you're in my house."

"Your house. The 'lord of the manor is gone, ain't he?" A stunned silence before Dolohov turned back to the Mediwitch. "Go on then."

Hermione braced herself for the wrenching pain she'd felt the last time her tubes had been severed. She looked past the arm of the Mediwitch toward the ceiling and took a shuddering breath, focusing on anything but the image of children with her curls and grey eyes—

"Don't—" A cleared throat. "She's my property. Don't I get a say here?"

Hermione swallowed, blinking rapidly. A thick silence fell like snow.

"All Mudbloods are sterilized." A pause. "Why, Malfoy? You want pups?"

"Of course not." Draco's voice was clipped. "I would just like all procedures cleared with me—"

"By order of the Dark Lord, I am sterilizing the Mudblood in your possession, Malfoy."

Hermione could see the faint green light over her hip fading, winking out of existence.

Her limbs were heavy. She felt cold and useless. Pain pricked behind her eyelids.

It would all be over soon.

From the corner of her eye, the Mediwitch lifted her wand, grim resignation in her face as she prepared to cast—

BANG!

Hermione jolted, springing to her side and curling away from the danger. She felt a hand on her waist, and she jerked. Turning to see Draco standing up against the table, neck craned behind him — staring at Narcissa's smoking wand.

With a flourish, the Mediwitches were disarmed, terror in their eyes.

Hermione sat up, looking around Draco's shoulders. Dolohov lay crumpled against the opposite wall, head lolling to the side.

"Draco, dear," Narcissa hummed, voice low and dark. "Collect all three wands." Narcissa's eyes were on fire, magic crackling from her skin.

In a flash, Draco was gone, following the sounds of clattering sticks against stone.

"Hermione, please return to your room," she said with an air of cool authority Hermione had never heard from her. "Your examination has concluded."

Narcissa held her wand on Dolohov's unconscious form, watching for movement. Draco returned to her side, looking pale.

Hermione slid off the table onto shaking legs. "What are you going to do?" she croaked.

"A simple Memory Charm on all three should do the trick," Narcissa said. "Mippy!"

The elf snapped into existence. Hermione jumped at the sound.

"Take Hermione to her room and then return."

And before she could ask another question, the elf took her wrist, and she was in her room. Mippy was gone again before Hermione could form words.

She brought her hands to her stomach, the hospital gown scratchy against her skin.

The terror that had frozen her upon seeing Dolohov's leer and the Mediwitch's wand drained from her veins until a slow dripping serenity surrounded her.

Once more, she'd been saved. Narcissa Malfoy had attacked one of the Dark Lord's most trusted followers to protect her from being sterilized.

Hermione braced herself on the back of her armchair.

Mippy popped into her room again with wide eyes, carrying her discarded clothing. "Miss! I needs your gown!"

She stripped, mind too numb to feel shame, and traded the gown for her garments. Mippy disappeared.

She stood alone in her room, breathing in the silence before beginning to dress. As she pulled up her trousers and clasped her bra, her mind started to tumble.

Her door slammed open, and she gripped her jumper to her chest. Draco stepped in, eyes skating quickly across her skin, before turning abruptly to give her privacy. "Are you alright?"

She couldn't think of a suitable answer, so her mind jumped elsewhere. "It will have to be a very strong Memory Charm," she said, voice trembling as she pulled her jumper over her head. "Replacing the memory with something different entirely."

"Mother has it under control."

She nodded quickly, trying to focus. He checked to make sure she was entirely decent before stepping into the room.

"You're alright?" he asked again.

"Why did she do that? That was… beyond stupid, really."

He swallowed and met her eyes. "She cares about you."

A warmth spread over her, from her chest outwards. She felt the full events of the day return to her. It seemed he was doing the same — his eyes over her shoulder, caught on the glowing white light in a jar.

"I won't apologize for finding the ritual," he said, looking back at her. "But I will apologize for not telling you sooner."

"I could have helped you."

"I know."

"But you didn't want me to," she surmised.

"I didn't want you worrying about Plan B."

Hermione swallowed. She wondered what she would have done. If she had hours and hours sitting next to him in the library researching ancient spells, squirming at the thought of needing to do it the "easy" way… Would she have just turned to him at midnight and kissed him?

Would he have let her?

She cleared her throat. "You treat me like a child who needs protection," she said softly. "And I don't like it. It makes me feel even more useless than I already do."

His jaw clenched. She continued, finding a fire inside of her that had been born at Edinburgh as the cannons fired.

"We can help each other. Already, I am assisting you with any suspicions of your behavior. I can help with other things if you just tell me what they are." She held his eyes, and she watched them flash quickly before returning to grey. "And I need your help as well. But first, I need to know there will be no more secrets between us."

He was still. "No more secrets," he repeated, like testing the words in his mouth.

"No more waking me at two in the morning with a ritual from the Middle Ages. No more stealing my hair for Polyjuice potions. No more tugging me away from Edinburgh because there's a catastrophe in the courtyard you forgot to inform me of."

There was pink on his cheeks, and tension in his arms.

"No more secrets," he said, almost daring her in his tone. He stepped into her, eyes dark and dangerous. "Tell me what he did to you."

She blinked, her mind crisscrossing in different directions. "Who?"

"Dolohov," he whispered, his eye twitching.

Hermione felt like a bucket of water had crashed down on her. "Oh." She frowned, distracted from her purposes by his strange question. "Just threats. He made it clear that he had a special interest in me."

Draco's face was impassive. There was no need to tell him about the showers, or his hand between her legs. Certain things couldn't be erased.

She stepped closer to him. He eyed her in acceptance, and she pushed on, trying again to get an answer to the only question that mattered. "Why am I here?"

He blinked, looking away from her quickly. His lips pressed together. "No more secrets," he mumbled. "But anything but that."

Rooted to the floor in front of him, she felt the disappointment twist her stomach. She thought again to the picture of her in his closet drawers. The possibility that she was being kept safe as a bargaining chip should the Order revive.

Narcissa's actions today could have multiple intentions…

We kept Hermione Granger alive and unharmed.

She nodded, filing this away. Burying her irrational sadness. "I need to speak to Cho."

He frowned. "Chang?"

She lifted a brow like he did. "Do you know another Cho?"

He narrowed his eyes at her in annoyance.

"At Edinburgh. Can you arrange it?" she asked.

He stared at her, taking in her face, her curls, her eyes. "Perhaps. Why?"

She pressed her lips together. No more secrets. "I have something to tell you about the Carrow Girls and their collars."

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 20

Chapter Notes

Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season!

Thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden .

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Silence hung in the room, thick and heavy like a cloak. Draco's eyes flickered between Hermione's eyes and her lips, as though he couldn't believe the words that had emerged from them over the past hour.

He'd been quiet as she spilled her secrets, one after another. The note from the strawberry-blonde. Charlotte. The grape between Cho's painted lips, and what it meant.

Apart from a sharp breath or two, he'd done nothing but stare as she'd listed the facts and shared her suspicions. But now that she'd finished, his eyes on her felt even more intense, and her sense of calm logic was slipping away from her.

When she could bear it no longer, she cleared her throat. Loudly. He blinked, as if snapping out of a trance.

"Well?"

He scratched the back of his head. "Right. That was…a lot, Granger."

She glared at him. "'A lot?' That's all you have to say?" Draco opened his mouth, but settled on a shrug. "Never mind," she huffed, crossing her arms. "Are you going to help me or not?"

A pause as he frowned at her, mind working. "You want me to arrange a private audience with Cho Chang."

"Yes."

"Knowing full well what the risks are if you're caught."

"Yes."

His scowl deepened. "And why can't you just pass her a bloody note?"

"It wouldn't fit. And it's far too dangerous."

"Now you're worried about how dangerous this all is? Every note you've passed would have gotten you killed—"

"This is different." She took a deep breath. "If this falls into the wrong hands, getting killed is the least of my concerns."

His eyes flashed as he took a step closer. "What is this information that's apparently worth more than your life, then?"

Hermione blinked at him. "Well, I can't very well tell you that."

A muscle twitched in his jaw, and she watched his throat swallow. "Granger, just an hour ago you were spilling all your machinations and theories, begging for no secrets between us—"

"Begging?"

"—and now we're back to it again?"

"Malfoy, you're in the Dark Lord's inner circle—"

His expression made the words die in her throat.

"And?" His voice was low as he stepped closer, looming over her. "What of it?"

She swallowed thickly. "And if there's one secret I have to protect at all costs, this is it."

"We'll both be dead if it gets to that point, so I fail to see the difference."

"Is that all that matters to you?" She lifted her chin, meeting his eyes. "Surviving at any cost to those left behind?"

He scoffed, but said nothing. She could see his pupils blooming as he stared back at her, and her stomach flipped.

"I have to get her this information, Draco," she said softly. "I'm not asking you to agree with me, but I am asking you to respect me on this. If your mind is read—"

He huffed and turned away. "That won't be a problem."

She scowled at his back. "Why? Because you're so advanced at Occlumency?"

"Yes," he replied simply.

She bristled at his overconfidence. "Sorry, but even if you were capable of fending off an attack from Voldemort himself, I wouldn't risk it. Now, can you get me alone with Cho or not?"

He sent her a glare — so reminiscent of how he would look at her over his cauldron during Potions class when she beat him to an answer.

"I can contact Mulciber about a Share."

Her lips parted, her heart pounding in her ears. He'd agreed. He was going to help her, by— "A 'Share?'"

"Yes. It's…" He looked away from her. "... Exactly what it sounds like, but with large sums of Galleons attached. Mulciber is liberal about Sharing Chang. I've heard she's been lucrative for him."

Hermione's eyes pricked, and she blinked at the ceiling until the stinging passed. She glanced back down to see Draco looking at her bedposts, calculating.

"And you're infamously closed to Sharing, isn't that right?"

His eyes snapped to her, a low-burning fire behind them. "Yes."

"But will it be strange to them? If this is your first time requesting a Share?"

He seemed to consider for a moment. "No. Chang played Seeker against me for several years. It could be said that I'd like a bit of revenge. I'll ask Mulciber for a private booth for the three of us in the Lounge."

"Excellent," said Hermione, wringing her hands while her brain whirred. "And then you'll excuse Cho and I to speak—"

"No," he cut in. "Granger, that won't be possible. I cannot leave either of you unattended."

She spun to him. "Only for five minutes—"

"No."

"Three!"

"Absolutely not. The girls cannot be left alone at Edinburgh." He rolled his jaw. "Look, if you're so worried about your bloody secret, I can cast a soundproof barrier once we're inside—"

"That's not what I'm worried about." Hermione bit her lip. "Cho can't know that you're amenable to this. If she is caught, and her mind read, you and your parents would be exposed. It's an unnecessary risk."

Draco's eyes were hot on hers, and she felt her cheeks flush.

"I disagree," he said at last. "Violating protocol is an enormous risk. If anyone catches us, I won't be able to talk my way out of it—"

"Pretend it's part of your fantasy."

"My — my what?" he sputtered.

"Oh please, Malfoy." Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "You're an eighteen-year-old boy. I'm sure you can think of some reason you might enjoy two scantily-clad girls being alone together for three minutes."

He opened his mouth to argue, but it seemed his throat had gone quite dry. He coughed and looked away, blushing pink on his cheekbones. He turned for the door, wishing her a good day and mumbling something about checking on her that evening.

~*~

But he wouldn't be able to check on her that evening.

In the late afternoon, Narcissa brought by a hasty note scribbled on the back of an envelope, stating that he'd been called away for an indefinite amount of time. He wasn't sure where yet, but he'd send an update when he could. He mentioned he'd already sent off the request they had discussed.

Narcissa eyed the unsealed (and therefore un-private) envelope with feigned suspicion and said, "Did he mention anything about when he'd be back?"

"Er, no, he didn't." Hermione folded the envelope into quarters, tucking it into her trouser pocket. She turned to Narcissa, and as their eyes met, the closed book on the shelf in her mind that contained the events of the morning trembled. Hermione swallowed, fiddling with her sleeve. "Narcissa, I should have sought you out immediately after Dolohov left. I don't know how I can ever repay you, but—"

"There is no debt, Hermione," she said firmly, but kindly. A soft smile across her features. "I take care of my own."

Hermione stood stunned, watching as Narcissa took a turn about the room, trailing her delicate fingers over the furniture.

"I had difficulty bearing children myself," she said. Hermione blinked at her. "There was a time where Lucius and I…well, we thought there was a curse on us. Punishing us." Narcissa turned to her, her eyes drifting over Hermione's shoulder. "Draco was a very difficult pregnancy. He was our fourth try — three stillbirths before him." Her eyes glazed with the memory before blinking it away. "I'd always wanted a large family, but once we were safe home with Draco, Lucius and I agreed that we would stop at one."

Narcissa Malfoy's eyes turned to her, something fierce burning there.

"I hope one day you have children, Hermione, if that is what you want. I hope it is a choice you get to make."

Hermione nodded, a sudden burning in her throat. Her hand had found its way inside her pocket, and her fingers tightly clutched the parchment there.

She took in the gentle creases around Narcissa's eyes as she told her to call if she needed anything, and quietly excused herself.

She cares for you, Draco had told her.

Whatever had first brought her to Malfoy Manor — whatever schemes or calculations — Hermione couldn't help but believe him in that.

~*~

Draco still wasn't home the following Friday, and Hermione told herself that her anxiety and disappointment were due to the delayed meeting with Cho. He'd sent a letter addressed to Narcissa that morning, explaining that he was on Groix, an island just off the coast of northwestern France. He expected to be sent elsewhere in Europe soon — "nowhere worse than Italy" — and wouldn't be back for another week at least. A postscript at the end asked her to please "let the household know" about his continued absence, as he "didn't want the elves to fuss."

Hermione found herself with the letter around mid-day, tucked beneath the napkin on her lunch tray. It was one of three notes she'd received when Draco had departed unexpectedly — the first from when he'd gone to Italy, the second from the day he'd left last week, and now this one. For reasons she allowed only herself, she folded each of them up, and set them close to her bedside in the empty jewelry box.

~*~

It was three weeks until Draco returned. Three Fridays without visiting Edinburgh. Three Fridays where anyone could be attempting to communicate with her.

She read the Prophet obsessively, looking for anything in Skeeter's propaganda that could be useful, as well as looking for any mention of France or another country that might hint at Draco's whereabouts. After lunch, she'd head to the library to research, or bring one of her history books to the observatory. In the evenings, she'd spend another hour or two on Occlumency.

The tattoos were still eluding her. She was convinced that they were based on borrowed spells, but she'd had frustratingly little progress with the books selected by the library catalog. Her next and final book with reference to magical slavery was a volume on the history of magical North America. And once she was through with it, she'd have to think of another plan.

Exactly seven days into August, Hermione realized she'd forgotten Harry's birthday. When she saw the date on the Prophet pages reading August 7th, she gasped, her hand clutching her heart as if a gunshot had gone off somewhere. She'd been too distracted on the 31st, focused on the letter with Draco's updates.

She cried herself to sleep that night, and spent eight hours Occluding the next day. Four days later, she crawled under the covers and let herself sing happy birthday to Ginny before succumbing to Mippy's Sleeping Draught.

Draco finally returned on a Monday in mid-August, looking pale and weary. He walked straight into Hermione and Narcissa's breakfast, kissed his mother's cheek, and sat with a flourish to his napkin as the two women sat stunned.

Narcissa recovered quickly, asking him short, simple questions, to which he would nod or reply with a clipped sentence or two.

But as he stirred the honey into his tea, his eyes drifted up to her, studying her face.

And Hermione felt breathless as her pulse fluttered, realizing just how much she'd missed him.

~*~

She came to his bedroom that afternoon. He opened the door in the middle of her first knock. Hermione stared up at him, overwhelmed at being so close to him again. He was taller than she'd remembered, even leaning against the doorway. Her lips parted to ask what she'd come for, but her mind remained stubbornly blank.

A ghost of a smirk crept over his face. "Come to gape at me, Granger?"

She snapped her mouth shut. "Hardly," she retorted, with a weak roll of her eyes. "I'm all business. I was just coming by to see—"

"I haven't forgotten about Cho, no. You'll see her this Friday. The details have already been arranged."

Hermione blinked at him. "Good. Excellent." She squared her shoulders. "I also wanted to see if—"

"Seven o'clock." He raised a brow at her expression. "I assume you want to practice tonight?"

"I — Yes, I do." He'd already anticipated what she needed from him. The thought made her stomach flip.

"Alright then," he said, pushing off the doorway. "Meet me here a few minutes before."

She nodded and took a step backward. "Thank you," she said softly, her eyes fixed on his collar.

His throat bobbed as he nodded. "Anything else?"

"It's… good to have you back, Draco." She rushed away before he could comment, and before she could say another stupid thing.

That evening, he led her to a smaller sitting room, away from Narcissa's prying eyes. Hermione was still embarrassed from her outburst earlier, so she sat quietly on his lap for the most part, watching while he ate ravenously. The sight of him devouring his potatoes and roast was oddly satisfying, so she didn't push for any questions that might disrupt his appetite.

On Tuesday, she tried kissing his neck again. Besides a quick breath and a pause of his fork, he let her. She also learned why he'd been in Groix. The Order had been rebuilding in France and had constructed an Apparition Line of their own. Draco had been assigned to cut off suppliers trying to pass the Line by water. Nott Sr. had been assigned to break through the Line's defenses, but still hadn't managed it.

On Wednesday, she pulled out of him that there had been rioting in Spain, which the Dark Lord had overtaken rather sloppily in his haste to isolate France. Draco and a dozen others had been dispatched to control the situation.

After dinner, she licked a stripe up his throat, beginning at his clavicle. Her fingers carded through his hair as she worried his earlobe between her lips, embarrassed to catch her breath hitching right in his ear. She listened to him swallow a large gulp of red wine, and when she wiggled closer, he shifted beneath her with a "That's enough, Granger," before tossing back the rest of his wine and removing her from his lap.

On Thursday, she drained her wine, took a deep breath, and folded herself against his body as close as space would allow.

"Okay?" she murmured. His arm wrapped around her back in reply, giving up the pretense of eating altogether. She listened to his throat click as he swallowed his wine, then tried turning her chest to face his, pressing closer.

"You should eat," she said quietly. "We're going to Edinburgh tomorrow, and we have to act normally." A long pause before he nodded, picking up his fork and knife. She watched as he began cutting his steak, then slowly leaned forward to brush lazy kisses over his throat and jaw.

A sharp intake of breath, and Draco dropped his cutlery. His hands moved to her hips — still turned to the side — and slid her slightly away from him. She bit her lip as she wobbled, feeling off-balance. She wound her arms around his shoulders to steady herself, suppressing the urge to squeak as her breasts grazed his chest through her thin shirt — and another shift from under her, pushing her even further down his thighs.

Hermione frowned, still unsteady and now irritated. She was just pressed up against him a minute ago, and now he was being stubborn. Determined, she scooted closer again, and his legs jumped under hers. A sharp exhale, a squeeze of his hands on her waist—

And then she was promptly upended, falling over his knees in a heap on the floor. She yelped.

"Fucking hell, Granger—"

"Ow! That hurt, Malfoy!"

He glared down at her, furious and oddly hunched in his chair. "You're a bloody idiot," he growled, before racing out of the room and away from her.

~*~

On Friday, after taking a light dinner in her room, Hermione washed and wrapped herself in a fluffy robe. She examined the utensils and brushes, trying to remember how she'd used them a month ago.

She sat at her vanity, preparing to apply something gooey to her eyelids, when a tapping at her door paused her. Tugging at the tie to her robe, Hermione padded across her room and cracked the door open.

Draco stood there with his hands in his pockets, an anxious expression on his face. His eyes roved over her robe once.

"Are we leaving already?"

"No," he said, voice scratchy. He cleared his throat. "You have a visitor. If you'll allow it."

Hermione blinked at him. "A visitor?"

A voice from behind Draco — "Everyone is so fucking polite in this house."

And then Pansy Parkinson was shoving her way around his shoulder with, "Leave us alone for an hour" — a quick assessing glance to Hermione — "or three."

Hermione gaped at her as Pansy slammed the door in Draco's face and turned to her with a catlike smile.

"Pansy, you can't just—"

"Merlin, Granger. Your hair is outrageous."

And then Pansy Parkinson's hands were in her hair, twisting her curls as she babbled about mousse and hydrating potions. She ran her fingers across Hermione's cheeks, tutting over her skin and brows.

Hermione tried to protest amidst the onslaught. "Pansy—"

"You have excellent pores, but if you don't start moisturizing you'll look ninety at your fortieth. I have Harper Hoddy's Hush cream — you'll use it twice a day for the next—"

"Pansy." Hermione stopped her with firm hands on Pansy's thin wrists. "What are you doing here?"

Pansy tilted her head back at her. "Saving you from yourself, Granger." She lifted a brow. "Or from what you think qualifies as 'makeup and hair.'"

Hermione blinked at her, but before she could make total sense of it, Pansy was dragging her into her bathroom suite and plopping her on the chair in front of the mirror. She frowned at the mess Hermione had left out. "You know, it never ceases to astonish me that you've made it this far in life understanding nothing about makeup."

Hermione snorted. "It's simple. I don't care."

Pansy froze, then spun around to face her. Something icy in her eyes. "And how is that working out for you these days, Granger?" she asked sweetly. "Does that wonderful brain of yours get you everything you need in this new world?"

Hermione said nothing, the tips of her ears burning in irritation. She was right. Her cleverness would only get her so far.

"Now we don't have much time, so listen carefully." Pansy snatched up a thin makeup brush and waved it in her face. "This is not a shadow brush!" She slammed it down and picked up another brush. "This is a shadow brush."

Hermione stared at the two brushes — identical in her eyes — and then glanced to Pansy's irate face. Pansy took a deep, cleansing breath.

"It's alright." A cool smile. "That's why I'm here."

She pulled a pouch off her shoulder and opened it on the vanity. Creams, powders, gels, and brushes rolled out.

"But why?" Hermione found her voice to ask. "Why would you come to help?"

Pansy spun to her with a tube of something. "Because you looked atrocious the last time I saw you at Edinburgh, Granger," she replied flatly. "Like a child had dipped their face in a clown's makeup bag. And as amusing as it is to see you make a fool of yourself, I'd rather Draco not suffer the consequences of it."

Hermione frowned at her in the mirror. "Not every girl is done up and dressed to the nines—"

Pansy dragged the chair to face her with surprising strength. "Not every girl fetched sixty-five thousand Galleons," she said, leaning down to meet Hermione levelly. "Not every girl is on the arm of the Malfoy heir. Trust me when I say that you need to look and act the part. If you can't maintain the lie, Granger," Pansy said, voice sharpening, "you'll endanger the entire Malfoy family."

Hermione pressed her lips together. "I'm well aware of that, thanks."

Pansy stood upright, a bright smile breaking across her lips. "Good." She pushed a tube of something into Hermione's hands. "Now moisturize."

Brushing the cream over her skin, Hermione watched Pansy sort out her makeup kit, her black bob swaying with every turn of her head. Her eyes turned down to Pansy's left forearm. The flesh was mangled and silver-white. From the acid that Zabini had used.

This was an opportune moment to ask her about the tattoo.

"Did it hurt?" she asked quietly.

"Don't be an idiot, Granger. You heard me screaming. Now go ahead and ask the real question you want to ask. Don't pussyfoot around me."

Pansy came at her with a large makeup brush at that point, promptly covering Hermione's embarrassed flush with a beige goo.

"What do you know about the tattoos?" Hermione asked, once the brush was away from her mouth.

"Absolutely nothing." Pansy dipped the brush again. "All I know is that I can come and go as I please."

"Because you're 'dead.'"

Pansy's lips twitched. "Well, yes. That does tend to be helpful."

Pansy continued in silent concentration, dabbing at her face and smudging powders onto her cheeks. Hermione felt the same as she did in fourth year, when Parvati and Lavender fussed over her before the Yule Ball.

She heard an echo of a scream bouncing off black tile floors as Parvati was strangled around a corner — Luna shouting—

She blinked, refocusing and tuning back into Pansy, who was now grumbling about how her pale complexion was eating up all her bronzer.

"You said you envied me. In the Ministry."

Pansy didn't look up from her palette.

"You said you were envious of 'what my life would be,'" Hermione said. "What did you mean?"

Pansy laughed, a bark of glee that made Hermione jump in her seat. Pansy looked around the bathroom suite, gesturing with her brush.

"Do you think any other girl has any of this, Granger? Do you think the rest of them sleep soundly at night tucked between their twelve pillows, unafraid of a visitor in the middle of the night?"

A hot wave of guilt and sorrow bubbled in Hermione's belly, but she shoved it aside.

"You knew, even then, that Draco was going to buy me."

Pansy stabbed a new brush into a powder and hummed in confirmation.

Hermione took a breath, heart pounding. "Do you know why?"

Pansy turned to her, fringe swaying delicately. Her eyes took in Hermione's, studying her, before narrowing like a predator.

"I do," said Pansy, with a twist to her lips. And then, "Eyes closed, Granger," ending the conversation.

Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but Pansy was already coming at her with the brush. Hermione closed her eyes, puffing out her breath in defeat.

Once Pansy began attacking her eyelids, Hermione decided to try her next line of questioning.

"Will you be at Edinburgh again? As Giuliana?"

"I will. For the foreseeable future."

Hermione frowned, watching Pansy blend colors together in her palette. Would she always be forced into other girls' bodies, watching from the sidelines as somebody else? It was unfair to ask her to take Giuliana's place. Unfair to both them.

And as that fire sparked in her, Hermione thought of the red nails and red lips her own body had worn while driven by Pansy. She'd clearly done it as a favor to Draco, just like she was here now. He never should have asked her.

Pansy was shaping her brows when Hermione found her voice again.

"About the night you took my body to Edinburgh," she said. Pansy paused over her left brow. "I was quite shocked, and frankly felt quite violated with that discovery. But I realize that you were just trying to help a friend." She dropped her eyes to her hands, her bare fingernails. "I want you to know that I don't hold it against you."

Pansy was still. Hermione glanced up to see an arched brow directed down at her, and eyes as cold as ice.

"And what exactly am I apologizing for, Granger? For saving your arse? Both of yours?"

Hermione's brow furrowed. "I don't expect an apology. I know that you agreed when Draco asked you to go in my place—"

"You think Draco had the sense to suggest it?" Pansy smiled, low and catlike. "It was my idea, Granger. I was sick of hearing Blaise moan about how Draco was going to get himself killed. Someone had to take matters into their own hands."

Hermione stared at her. Pansy turned away, flicking her fringe out of her eyes and dabbing a sharp brush into a small jar.

"Sure, Granger. I accept your forgiveness. Please forgive me for seeing to it that you'll never have to experience that potion yourself. Or make a fool of yourself trying to handle a cock for the first time in your life with fifty drooling men watching. Forgive me for getting my lips wet so you could continue playing house with the Malfoys for a little while longer."

Pansy slammed the jar down on the counter and turned to her with the brush. She twirled it between her fingers, her eyes locked on Hermione. Hermione simply stared, closing her mouth slowly from where it had hung open.

"Do you still love him?" she finally whispered, breath tight in her chest.

Pansy's face broke into a sneer. "Don't be so sentimental, Granger." She grabbed Hermione's jaw a bit too roughly and lowered her brush to her eyelids. "There's no place for that here."

Hermione kept silent and still as Pansy finished her eyeshadow, and applied eyeliner and mascara. She examined Pansy's rounded nose and sharp eyes, her creamy skin and long neck, remembering how she used to stumble on Pansy and Draco in sixth year during Prefect rounds, pressing each other into corners or slipping behind statues — and the way Draco's thigh pushed between Pansy's as he kissed her.

Pansy started brushing dust over her face with a large brush. There were a million more questions she wanted to ask, and Hermione was about to break the silence when Pansy reached into her pocket and pulled out a wand.

Hermione's eyes widened, watching as Pansy used it to set the powders on her face. "How did you get a wand?"

"Just borrowing. Your hair needs magical assistance, Granger."

She watched the mirror in the corner of her eye as Pansy moved around her, using the wand like a curling iron on Hermione's hair. When she was finally finished, she grabbed the back of Hermione's chair, wrenching her toward the mirror so she could see herself.

Hermione was a shadow. A figment of someone's imagination. Her cheekbones shimmered and her eyes sunk back. Her brows were crisp and jaw sharp — just like Pansy's. Her curls danced around her face like a lion's mane.

"You hate it, I know," Pansy said, putting her things away with a flick of her wand. "But you'll have to bear it. Now let's take a look at your knickers." She waltzed out the bathroom door before Hermione's brain caught up.

"My — my knickers?"

She ran after her, still only in her robe. Pansy had flung the armoire doors open and was scrounging through its drawers.

"Merlin, are these McGonagall's underthings?" she murmured.

"Why do I need sexy knickers for tonight?" Hermione asked, an edge of panic in her voice.

"You should have sexy knickers for all the nights, Granger," Pansy said, holding up a pair to the light before scrunching her nose and tossing them back in the drawer. "Never underestimate how much power you can wield in a pair of sexy knickers." She blew out a frustrated breath before tilting her head back to the ceiling and calling, "Kreacher!"

Hermione's eyes popped when the crotchety old elf appeared in the middle of her bedroom.

"Miss Pansy," he croaked. His eyes roved over Hermione with a scowl. Her mouth fell open.

"I need the red knickers and bra in my drawers," said Pansy. "Quickly."

The elf popped away with a grumble. Hermione stared at the space he used to fill. She hadn't expected to see him again.

"But how did you—" She turned to Pansy to question it just as a pop! sounded, making her jump. A pair of red lacy knickers and a matching bra lay across the bed.

"Why is Kreacher obeying you? Where did you find him?"

"That's enough questions for one day, Granger. Now, strip!" The undergarments were shoved into her arms, and then Pansy was standing there waiting. "Oh, please. I've seen your body. I've been your body. Just get those on so we can fit this dress to you."

Hermione pulled the knickers on under the robe. "Dress?"

"I had the elves deliver it this morning."

Pansy reached inside the armoire and pulled out a silky red dress, short and low and tight. Hermione's hands paused in untying her sash.

"I… I can't wear that."

"And why the hell not?" Pansy snapped.

"Pansy, it's too much. The color is…and the cut…" She stammered while Pansy glared at her. "It will attract so much attention—"

"Have you heard nothing of what I've said? You are the 'Golden Girl.'" She lifted a brow. "You were deemed the most desirable. And now you're on the arm of the most important pure-blood heir — the youngest Death Eater." Pansy moved directly in front of her. "And you're telling me your place is in the background now?"

Hermione stared up at her, mouth slightly open, trying to form the words to explain her discomfort.

"Enough. Stop whining and put on your Gryffindor red," Pansy said.

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut and drew a sharp breath. Pick your battles, she reminded herself. She took off her robe, clasped the bra, and let Pansy slide the dress over her torso, avoiding her eyes. It was a tight squeeze around her hips, and Pansy grinned as they let out a few seams.

"I meant what I said about your arse, Granger." Hermione blushed, and Pansy chuckled. "I miss it. Draco's never been as attentive to my arse and hips as when I was in your body."

Hermione's breath caught as a pleasant yet embarrassing heat slid through her veins. She looked down and met Pansy's smirk.

The clock chimed on her mantle, startling her. Ten o'clock already.

Pansy stood, grabbing a pair of golden heels. She cast a Comfort Charm on them that Hermione muttered a quiet "thanks" for. Hermione slid them on and locked the collar around her neck. Before she could walk to the door, Pansy stopped her.

She uncapped a lipstick, and held her jaw steady. Hermione jerked, realizing it was the same color Pansy had worn when she'd gone to Edinburgh in her body.

"Is that really necessary—"

"The lipstick is everything, Granger. Do you really think you can waltz out there in a red dress without red lips?" Pansy huffed. "Merlin, how you've gotten this far without me…"

Hermione rolled her eyes and let Pansy apply the lipstick, blotting when she demanded. She couldn't bear to look at herself in the mirror before the two of them moved downstairs. Pansy whispered instructions about not watching her shoes or fixing her posture, but all Hermione could focus on was the nervous energy buzzing in her veins — which promptly began to roar when she spotted Draco at the fireplaces.

His black robes, black trousers, black boots. His eyes trained on her legs as she descended. Hermione looked away, feeling warm all over. Pansy said her goodbyes and fixed a few of Hermione's stray curls. She'd meet them there with Blaise once she was Polyjuiced.

With a flash of green flames, she and Draco were left alone. When she looked at him again, she caught him staring at her face and hair before he turned and began leading them out.

She felt like a different person as she wobbled behind him. He paused for her at the bottom of the exterior stairs, and as she reached the last steps, his hand reached for hers to steady her. She looked at him quickly as her hand grasped his, and his gaze drifted across her neck before quickly looking away.

His hand dropped hers and they continued down the path.

They arrived to Edinburgh as they always did, through the gates and up the stairs to the Great Hall. But when the curtain pulled back at the entrance, it wasn't Charlotte's face that greeted them.

A tall girl with dark skin and a bright smile greeted them with champagne. Draco took two glasses from her, and Hermione could see the slightest bit of surprise on his face.

They entered the Great Hall. Hermione had never felt so exposed as she did now, in Pansy's dress. Men's eyes on her at every turn, dripping across her chest and dragging up her legs. She was a beacon in red, drawing every gaze to her. She lifted her chin, determined not to let her cheeks match her dress.

Her eyes caught Cho's from across the room. Cho lifted a brow, looking her up and down. She smiled before turning back to Mulciber.

That helped a little.

Draco chatted with several men throughout the room, stopping to ask after their wives, their estates. He steered her along, his hand on her back pulling her to his hip whenever a pair of wandering eyes got too close.

Nott Sr. stepped in their path just as Draco tried to guide her upstairs. He was well on his way to drunkenness, and Hermione thought of his failure in France.

"Ah, Draco. I have someone who wants to meet your Mudblood." He slurred his words, righting himself on his cane as he stumbled. An older gentleman with greying hair joined Nott at his side. "I believe you're familiar with Armando Santos, the new Spanish Minister."

Draco shook his hand. "Minister Santos. A pleasure to see you again. May I present to you Hermione Granger, my Lot," he said elegantly, though he slightly tightened his grip.

Hermione did her best to make eye contact and not react as two pairs of glazed eyes devoured her. Draco's hand on her hip steadied her.

"I'm quite impressed you were able to capture her," said Minister Santos, in a surprisingly deep voice. "I heard she was a clever little Mudblood."

"Not so clever after all," Nott Sr. said, chuckling into his scotch glass.

"Has she given you much trouble, young Malfoy?"

"In the beginning," Draco said smoothly. "Now she's learned a few lessons about how to remain comfortable."

Nott Sr. snorted. "Yes, I've heard she's quite 'comfortable.' Theo mentioned her private suite."

Hermione felt her blood chill.

"What can I say," Draco said with a smirk. "I like to be comfortable, too."

The men laughed. She felt Draco's chest rumble against hers, and her heartbeat calmed.

"Keep an eye on her, Malfoy," Santos said. "If any of these pets managed to escape, I'd put my gold on her."

Nott Sr. finished a large swig of scotch. "Not likely," he sang. Hermione's eyes snapped up to him. "The protections we have cannot be beat. These tattoos? Unbreakable."

Hermione's skin was pricking. The exact information she needed...

"Ah," said Minister Santos. "So these 'tattoos' cannot be broken, but the French Apparition Line can?" His eyes glinted cruelly as he watched the insult land.

"Precisely," Nott growled, displeasure with the turn of conversation evident on his face. "The magic is impenetrable.".

"Indeed." Minister Santos hid a smirk behind a long swig of scotch.

"We have gone further than anyone in history to secure our slaves!" Nott gestured to the whole room, sloshing his glass. "The Ancient Egyptians, the Portuguese. Not even the Scourers could succeed where we have!"

He was drawing attention, several nearby backs turned to see the commotion.

"Right you are, sir," Draco cut in, after giving Minister Santos a meaningful look. "Please excuse us, but we're late for dinner. Enjoy your visit, Minister." He quickly steered Hermione away.

And it all fell into place.

Nott Sr. had created the tattoos.

Hermione looked down, mind working quickly.

The Scourers.

She'd seen the term before. She was burning to get back to her room to investigate.

But one job at a time. She took a deep breath and turned her neck slowly as Draco guided her, eyes flitting to Cho.

Before long, Draco was leading her to the dining room. She cursed Pansy's name as she climbed the stairs ahead of him, wondering just how much the dress covered from that angle.

Harper's eyes popped at the sight of her, and Hermione struggled with the need to pull her dress up and down.

"Eyes up, Harper," Draco's voice snapped behind her.

They entered the dining room, and she heard the ambient noise cease as all eyes turned on them. Marcus Flint stood from his chair, as he always did when she entered the room — a display of mockery. But now his gaze slid over her in intense silence, until—

"Merlin, you're trying to kill us, Draco."

Montague laughed, running a hand through his hair. Goyle was turned to her with a wide, greedy expression on his face.

Draco slid behind her, his hands pressed lightly on her waist, his face over her shoulder. "Just reminding everyone what she's worth."

A shiver danced up Hermione's shoulders. He was echoing Pansy's words — it seemed she'd gotten to him as well. But in another life, if they were different people, it might have been a compliment.

Draco led her to their side of the table, interrupting her thoughts.

Blaise entered next, "Giuliana" trailing behind him. The table greeted them, but then Blaise caught sight of Hermione.

"Well, fuck," he laughed, eyes drifting down her body.

The boys laughed. Draco smirked. And before Hermione could take her position behind his chair, Draco was pulling her into his lap. She landed with a gasp. The conversation began, but most gazes were on them.

She was supposed to serve the wine and wait behind him.

Draco was changing the rules.

As Blaise took his chair next to Draco, Hermione glanced at Pansy. Her eyes ran approvingly over her hair and dress, but she was able to mask it through Giuliana's eyes as earnest curiosity.

The dress, Hermione was realizing, was not made to be sat in. She wasn't afraid of seams ripping, but the back of her dress…was no longer covering her backside. Thankfully, the front — while unnecessarily short — was still covering her, so hopefully, no one would be the wiser about the back.

Except for Draco. Her backside was bare on his thigh, except for the lacy red knickers.

Hermione tried not to squirm — she knew he hated it when she squirmed — but she shifted a bit, crossing and uncrossing her legs. A quick narrowed glare from Giuliana Bravieri settled her.

When it was time for the girls to pour the wine, Hermione simply reached for Draco's bottle from her position on his lap. The sense of decorum that was usually maintained for the first thirty minutes of dinner had dissolved completely, and the girls were sitting in laps as soon as the first wine glass was poured. Following her and Draco's lead.

Susan was accompanying Goyle again. Mortensen was back, looking rather sickly. Penelope with Flint, Carrow Girls with the rest. Theo Nott, who had been unusually silent thus far, was nuzzling the neck of a brunette with silky long hair over her silver collar. She brought his wine glass to his lips, and after he sipped deeply with eyes on her, he leaned in to kiss her, letting her taste the wine on his tongue.

Hermione felt heat crawling up her neck at the display, suddenly feeling like she was trespassing on their privacy. She turned to look at Draco, and found him studying Theo with narrowed eyes. He recovered and addressed the table.

"Where's Charlotte tonight?" He brought his wine to his lips.

Theo was first to respond, pausing his mouth on his girl's neck. "Minister Cirillo is here tonight. She requested Charlotte."

"The fuck?" Marcus exclaimed, jostling Penelope. "Charlotte can't be requested. I've been told explicitly—"

"Well, you don't have Germany in your back pocket, do you?" Theo smirked. "Minister Cirillo does."

Draco set his glass down. "Well, aren't you the little social butterfly, Theo." Theo scowled, and Blaise hid his laugh in Giuliana's shoulder. "What other gossip have you learned listening at daddy's door?"

"I don't need to be listening at doors," Theo snarled. "I know just as much as you do, Draco. Maybe more."

She felt Draco chuckle under her. And an idea struck in her mind, sharp as lightning: What did Theo know about his father's work with the tattoos?

Looking back to Theo, she found him glaring daggers at Draco before turning back to the table.

"The Dark Lord wants to hit France from all sides. Cirillo brought in the German Minister. Practically handed Germany to the Dark Lord," Theo said. "So the Carrows have been instructed to be especially accommodating whenever Cirillo visits Edinburgh. And tonight she wanted Charlotte." Theo took a deep sip from his glass, looking pleased with himself as the boys reacted to his information.

Draco was very stiff underneath her, and Hermione remembered the way Minister Cirillo had looked at her — had seemed disappointed that Draco wouldn't share her. She wasn't the Carrows' property, however. She could only pray that would be enough.

Hermione must have gone still as well, because suddenly Draco's hand was on her back, rubbing softly into her stiff shoulders. She jumped, and relaxed again.

The boys had transitioned into talking about Derrick's stepfather's new manor in Germany. She listened for more details over the course of the next hour, but as the wine bottles emptied, the room became less concerned with the political climate. Montague and Pucey argued about Quidditch while Flint whispered into Penelope's ear. Blaise, Draco, and Theo reminisced together about something from fourth year, but Theo kept getting distracted by the girl in his lap.

When it was time to transition into the Lounge, Hermione's heart began thumping in anticipation. As they walked through the doors to the Lounge, Hermione found that little had changed. There were still gambling tables, private booths, couches and plush armchairs, and dancing girls near the music. But she noticed that things seemed to be more discreet — no girls on their knees, no moaning from dark corners. If they wanted the evening to progress, the men would drag their girl into a private booth, locking the door behind them.

Draco settled into an armchair, dragging her down onto his knee. A Carrow Girl appeared with drinks before she'd even settled, and Draco took a glass that she knew he wouldn't bother sipping.

"Draco," Flint said, flopping down on the nearest couch. "I hear you have quite a night planned."

Draco looked over at him, lifting a brow. "Glad to hear Mulciber is just as loose-lipped as ever."

"You know," Flint began, draping an arm over Penelope, "the two of you can take Clearwater for a turn whenever you'd like. As long as you let me watch." His gaze slid up to Hermione and he winked at her.

"Your excuses to see my cock are getting lazier and lazier, Marcus," Draco hummed, and Flint laughed.

"Oi, Granger. You ever been with a bird before?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Ever fumbled around in the Gryffindor dormitories?"

Hermione's teeth clenched together, refusing to respond.

Flint laughed. "It's very easy, Granger," he said, leaning in. "No work at all really. Just let Chang do the heavy lifting, and you can just lie there." He ran his tongue across his shiny new teeth. "Play to both of your strengths that way."

Before she could snap back, Draco's hand landed firmly on her waist, pulling her to lean against him. She tried to relax, but she was too anxious about her hemline.

She turned to whisper into Draco's ear, "How long until our meeting?"

His jaw brushed hers accidentally. "About fifteen minutes."

Hermione nodded, and turned back to inspect the room. Two Carrow Girls had come over and begun to dance in their section. Pucey and Montague were talking on the couch several yards away, their arms around their dates. Goyle was already dragging Susan to a private booth. Higgs' date was kissing his neck, her hand squeezing him over the front of his trousers as his eyes darted around nervously. And Theo Nott had his Carrow Girl straddling his lap, his hands roving over her waist and thighs as his kisses moved down her neck, starting to mouth at her breasts over the fabric of her dress.

Fifteen minutes of this. Hermione took a deep breath. This is what they'd been practicing for, right?

She turned back towards Draco's neck, and he leaned in as if she was going to whisper to him again. Her lips brushed softly over his pulse, and she felt his body tense before his muscles relaxed. The hand on her waist felt as heavy as lead.

Her hand came up to rest on his chest to steady herself, and she began to kiss his neck as she usually did during their practice sessions. She could feel his heartbeat pounding beneath her fingertips as she pressed soft kisses to his neck and jaw. Her tongue flicked out to taste him and she felt his ribcage contract. His hand shifted to her hip as she leaned closer, and he adjusted her in his lap, pushing her off a bit.

She pulled back to question him, but he was staring into his full glass of scotch. A quick look around confirmed that no one was watching them. Flint was focused on Penelope, kissing her slowly as he pressed their hips together. Montague had leaned his girl back across the arm of the couch and was mouthing at her neck. Theo had disappeared into a private booth.

In fact, Draco seemed to be the only male in the room not touching or kissing his Lot. Hermione frowned. She'd been so focused on getting Draco comfortable around her, she'd forgotten that owners usually were the ones to initiate contact. She needed to push him more next week.

A shadow crossed over them, and Hermione looked up to see Cho Chang smiling down demurely.

"Master Malfoy," she said, her voice low and velvety. "Where do you want me?"

Hermione blinked, feeling blood rush to her ears.

"We have a private booth," he said.

Draco shifted them to standing, steadying her on her heels with a hand on her waist. It brought her face to face with Cho. Her dark eyes twinkled as they ran over Hermione's face and hair.

"She's stunning, Master Malfoy," Cho said, like she was appraising a piece of art. "You dress her so beautifully."

Hermione felt her face heat. Cho's purr was odd, so different from the shy, tomboyish girl who used to outfly Harry on the Quidditch pitch with a ringing laugh. The girl who struggled not to cry all of Hermione's fifth year over the loss of Cedric.

Draco muttered a "thanks" and wrapped one arm around Hermione's waist, taking Cho's hand in the other. He led them around the corner, past the dancing girls and drinking men and couples on couches, to the last private booth on the left wall. They would have plenty of privacy in the corner, but this also meant every eye was on the three of them as they passed.

They had a plan. Hermione would suggest some alone time with Cho so they could "prepare" for him, Draco would agree, and he'd return two minutes later with an emergency that would bring an end to their sordid threeway.

But with every step they took, Hermione's heart beat more wildly, scared about the amount of time she had and nervous about Cho's part in all this. What if Cho had too many questions? What if she was too suspicious or surprised to take her seriously?

They reached the corner booth. Draco pushed the door open, and Hermione was met with the sight of a large plush couch and low lit candles. The booth was a bit smaller than her bedroom at home, with deep red wallpaper and a low ceiling. She felt like she was entering a coffin.

Cho's giggle from behind her pushed her forward, and Hermione moved to hover near the arm of the couch, standing awkwardly. Draco shut the door, and Cho walked around the other side.

"I'm honored that you chose me for your first Share, Master Malfoy." Cho brushed her hand over the back of the couch, hips swaying as she moved. "What is it you'd like to do?" Hermione swallowed, glancing over at where Draco still stood silently near the door. A pause, and then Cho moved behind Hermione, her arm slithering around her waist. "Or perhaps you'd like to watch?" she breathed in her ear.

In a blink, Cho had spun her around and was pressing her lips down on Hermione's, slipping her tongue into her mouth. Hermione gasped as she felt herself pressed against the wall, her mind trying to catch up as Cho's hands roved over her sides, sliding down to her hips. Hermione's eyes shot open, her hands awkwardly grasping Cho's elbows. She needed to stop this. Or start this. She wasn't sure.

Cho moved to her neck, and Hermione looked over at Draco, her mortification rising. He stood stiffly in the doorway, hands in his pockets, jaw clenched and eyes fixed on the two of them. Hermione drew in several gasps of air. She could do this. She needed to switch gears if this was to be believable.

Hermione wrapped her arms around Cho's back and pulled her back to her lips. She kissed her with fervor, using her tongue this time, and Cho giggled against her lips. Cho's hands slid up her hemline to grip her arse, and Hermione abruptly pulled away, panting. She turned to Draco, and whispered, "Let us prepare for you."

Draco's eyes snapped up to her from where they'd been tracking the progression of Cho's hands. He lifted a brow at her.

She disentangled herself from Cho and moved silkily toward him.

"The fantasy you told me about?" Hermione said. "Of finding the two of us in the library? 'Studying?'" His eyes flashed as she stopped in front of him, pressing her hands to his shoulders. She lifted onto her toes, looked up from under her lashes, and said, "Let me give that to you."

His eyes were dark on her. She leaned closer, and his hands snapped to her hips, holding her still. He swallowed.

"Three minutes alone." She pressed her lips to his jaw and whispered, "Please, sir?"

"Two," he responded, his voice cracking on the single word.

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Her voice was low and breathy. She ran her lips along his ear and said, "I won't disappoint you."

He pushed her back by her hips, and was out the door in seconds.

Hermione spun as the door clicked closed. Within two steps she had thrown her arms around Cho, hugging her close, the dark-haired girl returning her embrace with a tight squeeze.

"Hermione—"

"Cho," Hermione breathed. "Are you alright? I've been dying to speak to you—"

"You genius!"

"Listen — we don't have much time."

She pulled away and saw Cho staring wide-eyed at the closed door in amazement.

"I need to get information to Ginny, but it can't be written down."

Cho's blinked, and the eyes that snapped back to her hardened in resolve. "Tell me."

Hermione took a breath, feeling her entire world hang on the next words. "Fiendfyre, Basilisk Venom, Sword of Gryffindor."

She watched Cho's mind spin before she pressed her lips together and nodded. "Alright."

Hermione blinked. "Is that it?"

"The less I know, the better. Consider it done."

"How soon will you—" Hermione broke off, refocusing. Two minutes. That's all they had. "Who's going to tell her? Do you have contact with her?"

"Charlotte," Cho said simply. "I can't tell you more than that, but if I get this to Charlotte, Ginny will know within a few weeks."

Hermione drew a sharp breath and nodded. "Is she in contact with the Order?"

"I have my suspicions, but I couldn't say for sure." Hermione's face fell. "Trust me," Cho continued, "the less we know, the safer it is. All I do is get whispers and notes to Charlotte. The rest is in her hands." Cho looked to the door again and reached for the hemline of her short dress. She wiggled something from between the stitching: a small green pill the size of a mint. "Take this. Charlotte and I each have one. This one's for you."

Hermione took it in her palm and stared down at it. "What is it?"

"A worst-case scenario. A suicide pill," Cho said. Hermione's eyes widened and snapped up to her. "If you're caught, take it before they're able to read your mind. If any of them find out, it's all over."

Hermione swallowed thickly, the saliva burning down her throat. Then nodded. Cho reached up for the strap of Hermione's dress, turning it over and tearing at a seam until she could push the pill through the small hole for her.

"Keep it in your hem at all times."

They had maybe a minute left. Hermione ran through the other questions she thought she could get answered in a minute.

"Is there anything the resistance needs? Any supplies? Anything that needs researching?"

"No, Hermione," Cho warned fiercely. "It's too risky. Don't endanger yourself by stealing or sneaking around."

Hermione bit her tongue, nodding. There was no way she could reveal more about her situation without jeopardizing the Malfoys.

"But it does seem like you have him wrapped around your little finger," said Cho, studying her. "I can't believe he left us alone."

Hermione let out a nervous scoff. "I mean…I suppose, but—"

"Is there anything you've seen or heard? Any meetings at the Manor that could help the resistance?"

Hermione paused. She thought of everything Draco had told her — about France, and Italy, and Spain. Of Giuliana, and Pansy. Lucius' offer to Voldemort, whispered behind a closing door. There were loads of things she could tell Cho.

"No," she said softly, feeling the guilt weigh heavy in her chest. "But I'll keep my ears open."

Cho nodded, then glanced at the door. "We have less than a minute. Let's get undressed."

Hermione froze, jolted back to the reality of their situation. Her mouth felt dry. "Oh. I think kissing will be fine—"

"You're joking, right?" Cho stared at her. "Hermione, we need to make sure he gets his money's worth. I don't want to risk him getting suspicious. Now tell me about this library fantasy." And Cho pulled her own silky dress over her head, tossing it into the corner and standing before Hermione in only her knickers and bra.

"It's… I…" Hermione stammered, glancing at the door.

Cho's eyes flickered. She stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Have you ever had a third person before?"

"Um, no. But I—"

"It's really easy," Cho said, reaching for the zipper on the side of the red dress. "Just follow my lead." She began peeling Hermione's straps down her shoulders, and Hermione gasped, trying to lift them back up.

"Cho, listen, I—"

"What's he like? Is he rough?"

The question caught her off guard. "Rough? Er, no, but…"

"The more you tell me about his tastes, the faster this will go," Cho said, and then she was tugging Hermione's dress down her hips to pool around her heels.

A flush licked up Hermione's chest, across her sternum. "I don't… um." She cleared her throat. "He's normal."

Cho tilted her head. "Normal?"

Hermione winced. "Awful. Normal awful. Look, we don't really need to—"

Cho dragged her toward the couch, pushing her to sit. "We don't have time, Hermione. I need you to trust me." She knelt on the couch next to her, and Hermione caught the slight panic in her features as she took her face in her hands and kissed her.

Hermione squeaked. Cho's hands slid around her ribs for the clasp on her bra.

"No, no!" Hermione pulled her mouth away. "He… likes to do that himself."

The excuse was flimsy but Cho accepted it. She began kissing Hermione's neck, pushing her to lay back toward the arm of the couch.

Hermione had never been this naked with another person in her life, but there was no way to push Cho back and say, "This isn't necessary. We aren't actually having a threeway this evening." And even if she did, she doubted Cho would listen.

"What's this library fantasy?" Cho asked again, shifting down her body, sliding her hands over Hermione's stomach. "He catches us in the Restricted Section?" Cho rolled her eyes and pried Hermione's stiff knees open.

"Um, something like that."

Hermione was desperately trying to think of ways to slow things down when Cho dipped her head and kissed down her stomach.

"It's alright," Cho said softly, as Hermione jumped. "This is always a good bet. Just close your eyes and try to relax."

She kissed her bellybutton, clearly heading south, and that's how Draco found them when the door banged open.

Hermione wished to evaporate on the spot. Draco's jaw dropped, his eyes roving over her red knickers and bra. Hermione dimly registered Cho's breathy claims that they were "only studying," and "please don't tell Professor Snape!"

"Change of plans," he said roughly. "Granger and I have to go."

Hermione scrambled up, rushing to find her dress.

"Are you sure?" Cho pouted. "We were just getting started!" But she too was already reaching for her dress.

"Urgent business, I'm afraid. We'll reschedule." Draco's voice was clipped and cold. Hermione didn't dare look at him as she shimmied into her dress, silently cursing as she gracelessly tugged it up her hips.

A flurry of movement, and Cho's throaty voice said she looked forward to next time. Hermione was still trying to coax her tight zipper up as Cho slipped from the booth, closing the door behind her.

Hermione's chest felt impossibly hot as she continued struggling with her dress, staunchly ignoring Draco in the doorway. She heard him step closer to her, and when he moved her hands to the side to close the zipper, her face started burning.

Once she was dressed, he took her arm and led her out of the booth, past the boys whistling—

"Couldn't make it last, Draco?"

"Emergency Floo call. Just notified," he responded curtly.

"Sure, sure," she heard Flint's voice ring out. "The spoiled prat just likes to fuck on his own sheets."

"Oi! Is Chang still available then?" another called.

Draco waved them off, setting a quick pace to the fireplaces. He tossed the powder, and tugged her through with him into the silence of his bedroom at the Manor.

The whiplash of the past five minutes seemed to smack her upside the head — the hurried and panicked encounter with Cho, the information she'd learned about Charlotte, the red lingerie he was never supposed to see —

"I'm sorry you had to see that," she blurted out. "I tried to slow her down, but she insisted."

Draco was silent, and Hermione stared determinedly at the carpets, heart pounding in her ears.

"Were you successful?" he finally asked.

She looked up, and met his eyes for the first time since he'd left her alone with Cho in that booth. They were dark, but closed.

"Yes." She cleared her throat. "Cho will pass along the information. It's...it's Charlotte who is the hub." She turned to where he stood in front of the fireplace, watching her. "Charlotte controls the information and who gets messages to whom. If anything can get to the Order, it's through Charlotte."

Draco hummed in thought. "She has access to every room in Edinburgh," he said slowly. "She has ears on every conversation behind closed doors."

Hermione nodded. She reached up to her shoulder where Cho had tucked the green pill into her seam.

"Cho gave me this. It's in case suspicion is cast on them. If they are ever in danger of having their memories searched."

He stepped forward, staring down at the pill. "What is it?"

"A suicide pill, of sorts," she said. She turned the pill over in her hand, wondering who created it, how they got them to Charlotte.

It was a moment before Draco asked, "And why do you have one?"

She looked up at him. His eyes were tight.

"Cho and Charlotte both have one. Cho gave one to me." She took a breath. "They wear them in their hems. So if I'm ever caught I'll have to—"

Quick as lightning, Draco snatched the pill from her hand and tossed it into the fire.

Hermione stared at the flames, dumbfounded, her heartbeat pounding beneath her skin. She whipped her head around.

"What—?"

"Like hell you will."

His gaze was murderous.

"Draco, you just—!" She jerked her head, her mind still not quite processing. She rushed to the fire, reaching out to grab the pill before it was destroyed.

A vice on her other arm, yanking her back.

"Let go of me!" she cried, panic overtaking her.

His cold grey eyes were burning almost blue. "You got to play your little game with Chang tonight. But you will under no circumstances end your life."

She gaped at him, breathing hard. He had his teeth bared at her. She ripped her arm from his grip.

"Don't you dare command me like a slave."

She huffed and spun back to the fireplace, spying a speck of green near the grate. She knelt quickly to retrieve it, but he yanked her back by her elbow as her fingers brushed the flames. She stumbled, and tried stamping her heel into his foot. He hissed and grabbed her shoulders, shoving her back into the wall, his face snarling down at her.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me, Granger—"

"Oh, I heard you, you prick!" She tried shaking him off, but his fingers dug into her shoulders. "It's a precaution. This is war—"

"Don't talk to me about war," he hissed. "Every day I'm brought to the battle lines while you sit in here playing tea with my mother—"

Her mouth fell open. "Don't you dare—"

"And now you want to lecture me on the cost of war? The things I've had to do — to sacrifice for you — and you want to end it all with one swallow."

She struggled to breathe, watching his eyes burn into her. "Worried about protecting your investment? It's still my life—"

"I paid for your life," he snarled, shaking her shoulders. "It's mine. You will not end it without my permission."

She gasped, body stiffening. His breath panted over her face. She could feel the rage bubbling inside of her, spinning low in her stomach. Two more heartbeats, and it exploded. She tore his hands from her shoulders.

"And what did your sixty-five thousand Galleons get you, Malfoy?" She pushed his chest, but he didn't sway. "Am I everything you hoped for and more?"

She pushed at him again and his hands snapped up, grabbing her wrists and pushing them back against the wall next to her face. He stepped into her.

"You wanna know what my Galleons bought me, Granger?"

"Get off me—"

"An ungrateful little shrew with a hero complex—"

"You arsehole—"

"—who only aims to make my life more complicated—"

"You have no moral code, Malfoy—"

"—has given me nothing but torture for months—"

"My apologies for being such a burden on you! If it's been such torture having me here, then why do you care what I do with my life?"

His jaw dipped downward, as if he was about to reply. She waited, panting harshly, ribs expanding to brush his chest. When no answer came, she looked up, finding his gaze on her mouth, her parted lips.

Her stomach twisted and her heart pounded.

He blinked once, eyes clearing as they locked on hers, looking like he'd quite forgotten what they were talking about.

But he didn't step back.

She looked at his mouth, hoping wildly, inexplicably.

With just the smallest movement, she lifted her chin, and watched his eyes drop to her lips again. Her air left her in a puff, and he breathed her in, like he'd finally found the surface after years of being underwater.

His mouth tilted downwards, and with a final flicker up to her eyes, he was pressing his mouth to hers softly, like one of them could break at any moment. She pushed her lips back, hearing her heartbeat in her ears.

And like a slow-rolling wave growing larger and more dangerous, he kissed her — his lips closing over hers, his chest pushing forward until he was surrounding her, his mouth opening when her lips parted and his tongue pressing forward like they'd been doing this for months.

She sighed into his mouth, and his hips rolled forward, pinning her to the wall. She rotated her wrists in his grasp, aching to touch him, but his fingers tightened their hold.

His head tilted to the side and his mouth devoured her, drugging her, dragging her down. His lips were quick and clever and his tongue was gifted.

Her head was spinning before she realized his knee was nudging hers apart, slipping between her thighs—

Just as she'd seen him do with Pansy in the corridors.

She gasped, dizzy with want as his body pressed up against her, his thigh pushing forward to be closer to her, slipping higher and higher to press against her core.

When she moaned a plea against his lips, his fingers dug into her wrists and his mouth panted into hers.

And like a rubber band snapping, he was gone.

Her eyes fluttered open, and her body tried to follow him, magnetized. He still held her wrists to the wall, but he'd pulled his chest and hips far away. She caught her breath as he looked at her in shock. And she saw the panic color his eyes and shiver across his skin.

"I'm sorry," he breathed.

She tried to use her voice to reassure him, but he stepped away from her.

"I'm s— I'm sorry. I'm—"

His eyes were wide and frightened. She started to reach for him, but he turned quickly, striding to the exit.

The door slammed behind him.

She stood alone in his bedroom, her lips still warm and bruised from his mouth. Her mind was numb and her skin too warm. Moving briskly to the door, she threw it open to find an empty hallway — Draco already gone.

She wandered back to her own room slowly, mind reeling. She kicked off her heels and put them away in the armoire, catching sight of herself in a mirror for the first time in hours.

A girl with smoky eyes, lustrous curls, scarlet lips, and a red dress stared back at her. She'd almost forgotten what she looked like tonight.

She turned away and unzipped with shaking fingers, letting the dress pool on the floor. And as she walked to the bathroom in just Pansy Parkinson's red lingerie, she wondered if maybe Draco had forgotten who she was tonight as well.

If maybe he'd kissed the girl with the red lips and tight curls and lacy red knickers instead.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 21

Chapter Notes

Thank you so much to all my lovely readers. I know I don't respond to comments like I should, but your support for this story means so much. Thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden for being boss ass bitches.

The AMAZING NikitaJobson who did the cover art for this story featured in chapter 1 was commissioned to make THIS for my birthday! Draco and Hermione from Chapter 20. Please give her love on tumblr.

CHAPTER CONTENT WARNING: References to historical events such as slavery and slave trading.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

She woke up exhausted, limbs leaden, head groaning in protest. Watching the golden morning light creep up the walls, she lay in bed, grogginess fading as her mind began cataloging the last twenty-four hours.

He'd kissed her.

He'd kissed her, then ran, like he couldn't escape her fast enough.

Hermione took a shuddering breath and slapped both palms to her forehead, pressing her eyes together and banishing the images. Directing her attention to where it should be.

She'd gotten the information to Cho. The key to killing Nagini was in transit to Ginny — Ginny, who she could only pray would be able to do something of value with it. And they hadn't been caught.

Exhaling in relief, Hermione tried to celebrate her success.

— has given me nothing but torture for months—

She groaned and turned over under her covers, yanking the fluffy comforter up to her ears. But her mind grew only more obstinate as she burrowed deep in darkness.

The way he'd stared at her lips. The feeling of his chest against hers. His tongue sweeping sinfully through her mouth, coaxing, then demanding. His knee slipping between hers, pressed against her core, feeling his body surrounding her.

Hermione squirmed, a strained embarrassment flushing her. She rolled onto her back and ran her hand over her face.

There had been something dark in him last night. A cord pulled taut and dangerous. And instead of restraining herself, she'd tugged, tumbling right over the edge with him when it broke.

She'd been too needy. She never should have tilted her face to his and pushed her tongue into his mouth like she needed to breathe his air. Should have ignored his thigh and how she wanted to rub herself against it.

His panic as he pulled away from her. Had she done something wrong? Perhaps her lips had been dry, or untrained. Or maybe he'd simply recovered, remembering himself, remembering her. Remembering all they'd been through.

He'd been so hesitant to touch or even look at her since the day he'd thrown her on this bed and ripped her slip open. It had taken months for them to recover, but they'd finally reached an understanding — a partnership, even.

And then all their careful control had melted away last night when she let herself become the girl in the red dress with red lips and red knickers.

A wave of heat crept over her as the memories drifted to the surface. She tried to shove it all aside — the feeling of his lips on hers, her body pinned to the wall, his groans into her mouth, continued to assault her psyche.

Would it be so bad for her to give in? If they both wanted the same thing—

Huffing loudly, Hermione rubbed her eyes, refocusing on her canopy.

She couldn't—wouldn't—forget herself. Today was no different than any other day, and she had research to do. Beginning with the tattoos.

She threw the covers off herself and stood. Frowning at her unmade bed, she wondered where to start today. And then Nott Sr.'s rant last night slammed into her head like a punch.

Not even the Scourers could succeed where we have!

Her breath hitched. She rushed to the bathroom, splashing water on her face and tossing up her mangled hair.

Scrambling through her books, she pulled out the volume on magical North America that she'd only just started. Her trembling fingers flipped to the index.

Scourers, 240, 394-395

Her heart pounded. Three pages. Only three. Hermione blew out an exasperated breath as she flipped to page 240. She could do this. Information on Horcruxes had been scarcer when she was on the run, and she'd still managed to crack them.

Timothy Smithstone was later captured and executed by the Scourers in Massachusetts before his request of copyright could be answered by the Wizengamot in Britain.

Hermione blinked down at the page. Timothy Smithstone was a blip in the radar about the creation of the Calming Draught. She quickly turned to page 394, praying she'd find something more helpful.

The Scourers were a corrupt group of vigilantes and eugenicists operating in the New World in the absence of a magical government. They deemed themselves the enforcers of magical law in the colonies, and took on the role of bounty-hunters, chasing down accused criminals and conducting their own trials and executions.

They were infamous for their systematic violence against the Native American magical community, and later the African American magical community. Indigenous and African American peoples showing signs of magical ability were either killed or captured and enslaved by the Scourers, who believed that European magical blood was the highest of purity and should remain untainted.

The Scourers flourished when the slave trade began in North America in 1619, moving freely in Muggle circles to acquire largely Muggle-born African American witches and wizards. They experimented with and developed spells on their victims, going to great magical lengths to secure their "property." Slaves were sterilized and often sold to magical families who had integrated into the Muggle colonies' plantation economy.

Refusing to acknowledge the severe human rights violations they inflicted on the men and women they forced into slavery, the Scourers argued that their victims were not fully human, referring to them as "acquisitions." More informally, they called their male slaves "pigeons" and their female slaves "doves."

Hermione braced herself on the bookshelf, her skin tingling all over. "Hello, little dove," Nott Sr. had said to her, tilting her chin up with the handle of his cane.

She sucked in air like it was disappearing. For weeks, she'd been looking through the catalog's results for the word "slave" and its variations. But the Scourers didn't call them slaves.

And from this bare minimum of information on these bloodthirsty mercenaries, driven by prejudice and greed, it was so easy to see where the Death Eaters might have taken their inspiration.

Hermione tugged on a pair of leggings and the first spare shirt she could find, running down to the library barefoot. The doors groaned open with her shove, and she stood at the library catalog, pulse racing.

"Show me all texts containing the phrase, 'the Scourers.' Cross-reference with 'acquisition,' 'dove' and 'pigeon.'"

The book finder glowed. And ten, twelve...fifteen green lights drifted out of the catalog, each leading to a text slowly pulling off the shelves, suspended and waiting for her.

A laugh burst out of her throat — such sweet relief spreading through her veins. She slapped a hand over her mouth and stared at the hovering books.

The closest book to her was a thin leather journal. She reached on her tiptoes to pluck it from the air, and found the name Tobias Tolbrette inside the cover. It was from the 1600s.

Bounding to each row, up each ladder where they hovered, she pulled all the books down, examining their covers, their years. So many handwritten journals and history books that had been published hundreds of years ago. Her volume on the history of magical North America was only a decade old.

This was the key. Nott Sr. had been careless last night, and now all she had to do was follow the breadcrumbs. She sat down between the stacks, surrounded by piles of books, picking up one after another and skimming as quickly as her exhausted brain would allow. It would take her weeks to read them, but for now, she couldn't help but devour the pages like a starving man at a feast.

Her eyes widened and her stomach churned when she flipped to a page halfway through Tobias Tolbrette's journal.

And each night before I take her in my chambers, I force her to stare down at my name burned into her skin. The brand of me on her shoulder, like the brand on my oxen.

The tattoos. The Scourers had also used magical skin branding. But Nott Sr. claimed to have made advances. If she could decipher what the Scourers had done with their brands, she'd be one step closer to knowing what Nott Sr. had done.

She uncurled her legs, standing to ask the catalog for a cross-reference of "brand" in the texts she already had.

The library doors creaked open.

She froze, then peered through the shelves to see Draco stepping slowly into the library. A wave of rapid emotions tumbled over her, and she moved out from behind the stacks. The room was silent as their eyes locked. His gaze flickered down to her bare feet, and she shifted self-consciously until it returned to her eyes, her open mouth.

A flash of heat seared through her at the memory of the night before. His lips and his chest and his thigh.

She could tell him about what she'd just learned. They could go through the books together, and when she finally asked him about last night, he might silence her with a kiss—

"I'd like to apologize for last night." He slipped his hands into his pockets, and her breath left her. She squeezed the book closer to her chest, pressing indents into her fingertips. "I quite forgot myself. I lost control, and it won't happen again."

She blinked at him. He was stoic, with cold eyes and clipped sentences. With finality. Her heartbeat quickened as the words sunk into her skin, chilling her blood.

He regretted kissing her. Of course he did. Hermione swallowed, suddenly awash with guilt and shame. Not an hour ago, she'd thought it was a memory she could hold and return to whenever she wanted.

It won't happen again.

She really was a stupid girl.

Focusing on the numbness in her fingertips, she nodded, blinking at him. "I see."

A pause before he moved into the room, inching closer. Like a coiled spring begging to go the other direction. Looking over her texts on the floor, he pressed his lips together before glancing up.

"It was completely inappropriate of me." He cleared his throat. "I'd understand if you'd like to discontinue our practice sessions."

Hermione narrowed her eyes, anger suddenly constricting her chest.

"That won't be necessary." She turned back to the bookshelf, plucking out a volume at random and flipping through its pages. "We absolutely need to keep practicing. I'd say we're nowhere near as comfortable as we should be."

An uneasy shuffling behind her. Before he could speak, she silenced him with a snap of the book's spine.

"There's no need to fuss. I don't intend to draw suspicion on myself over a stupid mistake caused by one too many glasses of wine."

She spun on her heel and walked out of his sight, back to her piles of books. Nothing had changed between them. He'd made a mistake, and so had she. Now that they'd both acknowledged it, they could continue as they were.

A sound of careful footsteps up to the landing as she methodically collected her books into her arms. She whipped her head over her shoulder to glare at him.

Draco stood hovering near a shelf, watching her silently. A flicker in his expression before his throat bobbed. "Are you sure that's wise? To continue practicing?" he finally asked.

She stood straight and lifted a brow at him. "Why not? We both agreed that it was a mistake and that it won't happen again. Pretty straightforward, really."

He blinked at her, his left eye twitching.

"Let me know when you're ready to pick back up again, Malfoy." She pushed around him, carrying her books with her back upstairs.

She managed to make it behind the locked door of her bathroom before she began crying, running the tap to drown out her sobs.

~*~

The rest of her day was consumed by Occlumency. She tried advanced techniques, finding ways to softly tear pages out of her mental books and let them gather and bind into a new text, tucking it away on a back shelf in the Restricted Section of her mental library.

She severed pages: his darkened eyes, warm lips, and gifted tongue. A firm thigh between her legs, long fingers gripping her wrists — all sealed and tucked away.

Added to the new restricted book were the images of her red lips, tight curls, and lacy knickers. She didn't want to think about the costume that had made him forget who they both were.

There was an invitation to dinner at some point, a woman's voice spoken softly through the door. By the time she noticed the cold plate on her coffee table, six hours had passed, and the sky was black outside her window. Even the moonlight was too bright for the pressure behind her eyes, so she drank her Sleeping Draughts and fell asleep before she'd fully slipped between the covers.

Hermione woke up early on Sunday and spent the extra time meditating and Occluding. There was research to do, and she couldn't lose another day on silly distractions.

She ran into him twice that day, staring sullen and blank-faced at her in the halls on her way to the conservatory, and then again when she was just leaving her solitary dinner.

By noon on Monday, she was almost done with her first book. She read the Prophet over lunch, catching a small article on Page 3 about rioting in Italy. And not an hour later, Mippy appeared with trembling eyes and her afternoon coffee, telling her that Draco had been called away.

Narcissa came to her two days later, gently inquiring about her well-being and pressing a letter into her hands that updated the "household" on the situation in Italy. Hermione cross-referenced the little information in Draco's note with what Skeeter had been printing, and deduced that he'd been sent to control unrest fueled by the disappearances of Antonio Bravieri's former council members. He wouldn't be able to write again while he was away, but he claimed to be safe and begged his mother not to worry.

Once she was finished with it, Hermione crumpled his note in her palm. There was nothing worth saving in those words, and she already felt foolish holding onto a few scraps of paper from before. She crossed the room to the jewelry box on her bedside table and reached for the other notes from him, ready to toss them all into the flames — but something paused her. She smoothed and tucked the latest letter in the jewelry box, and then stared out her window for the next hour, watching the horizon.

~*~

The weeks dragged on in Draco's absence, and Hermione threw herself into her research. The journals pulled by the catalog seemed critical, but she'd mostly found fragments and riddles. Some spells were clearly relevant — a "lightning barrier," for example— but its directions listed strange ingredients and symbols that were clearly in code.

It would be so much easier if she had a hint or two. Someone to point her in one direction or another. In the evenings, as she applied the cream Pansy had forced on her, she would consider Theo Nott, wondering how she could glean information from him about his father's work on the tattoos.

As August stretched to a close, Hermione began seeing Narcissa for daily meals again. Narcissa seemed to intuit that something had happened, because she never mentioned Draco by name. Hermione was grateful for it, and for her company. They were welcome breaks from her research and Occlumency.

One morning, they were having breakfast together when Hermione looked down at the Daily Prophet and found a picture of the Hogwarts Express. The date on the paper read 01 September. She gasped, her fork clattering on the china.

Narcissa looked up from her plate with wide eyes, caught mid-bite.

"Hogwarts reopened?"

A shadow flitted over Narcissa's face. She finished chewing and gave a single nod. "For pure-bloods, yes."

Hermione's eyes sped through the article, snatching on words like Headmistress Dolores Umbridge, Dark Magics, and Introduction to Interrogation. Her stomach turned in disgust.

"This is hardly an education. They're training child soldiers!"

"Things have changed… significantly, Hermione." Narcissa set down her cutlery and closed her eyes, exhaling. "Parents had the option to educate their children at home, but all will be tested on the new curriculum at the end of the school year."

Hermione's veins tingled with dread as she stared down at the Hogwarts Express, thinking of how majestic it used to seem to her. Full of promise and possibility. She'd met Ron and Harry for the first time on that train.

She'd met Draco on that train…though she couldn't be sure he remembered. He'd been quite rude to her when she asked about Neville's toad.

She blinked and shook her head, refocusing. It was September the first, and the Hogwarts Express was taking children back to school. The world had continued spinning, although darker than before.

"Is the Dark Lord still at the castle?"

Narcissa nodded slowly. "There are far fewer students arriving, so they're confining them to the towers and upper floors."

So any attack on Hogwarts would endanger the children inside. Hermione sighed, rubbing her brow. It must be a waking nightmare for returning students. How many of the old staff and teachers were dead? She worried for the poor house-elves in the kitchens, too, but they at least were unlikely to be killed. Servants were still necessary for the school to operate.

A memory sparked in her. Kreacher.

Hermione's eyes slid to Narcissa as she took delicate bites from her toast. Grimmauld Place had been a property of the Black family before it had passed to Harry.

"Narcissa, I hope you don't mind me asking…" Hermione cleared her throat. "But I wondered if you knew anything about the house-elf, Kreacher?"

Narcissa blinked, caught off guard. Then her lips pulled into a tight smile. "I seem to remember that he's a grumpy little thing. My sister used to chase him around when we would visit our cousins." She set her teacup down without a sound, and said, "Why? Has he been bothering you?"

"No. But I did see him last week." She fiddled with the napkin in her lap. "And I was just curious who his master is?"

Narcissa nodded. "Grimmauld Place is now in Draco's name," she said simply. "Once the dust settled at Hogwarts, I went to Gringotts and filed the paperwork. The property fell to the Black family, but as my eldest sister has no heirs, the estate passed to Draco, the only male heir in the Black line."

Hermione's mind spun on its axis. Grimmauld Place belonged to Draco. Kreacher belonged to Draco. Pansy must be hiding at Grimmauld Place. Her breath hitched — but still, something tugged at Hermione's mind.

Harry. Grimmauld Place had been his.

"And…and the goblins at Gringotts…" she stammered, searching for the right words. "How did they decide to strip Harry of the property?"

Narcissa tilted her head, brows knitting in confusion. "When Potter died without a will, the property was left ownerless. The goblins have magic tracking these things."

Hermione's face felt tight. Her skin was buzzing — she could hear it in her ears. If she hadn't already been sitting, she would have needed a chair.

The goblins at Gringotts — the most by-the-book species in the magical world — had approved paperwork declaring that the previous owner of Grimmauld Place was dead.

A hand touched her wrist.

"Hermione, are you alright? You're as pale as a sheet."

Narcissa's voice seemed far away.

Hermione focused on her breathing, pulling air deeply. She thought of a lake with still waters until her heartbeat returned to normal, and her breathing regulated.

When she opened her eyes, Narcissa had pulled Hermione's chair out and was kneeling in front of her. A cool hand was on her face, the other squeezing her hand. Mippy hovered in the doorway, twirling her ear anxiously.

"I'm very sorry, dear. I didn't realize that this would be a shock to you."

Hermione shook her head, feeling her body sway slightly in her chair.

"It's not. I just…" She swallowed and looked into Narcissa's warm blue eyes. "I had hope."

The pity in Narcissa's gaze was almost too much to bear. Narcissa took her hands and brought them to her lips, kissing her knuckles.

"I was the one to check the body, Hermione," she said softly. Hermione felt a tear plummet from her eyes to their joined hands. "He wasn't breathing. There was no heartbeat." Narcissa slowly freed a hand to brush a curl behind Hermione's ear. "He walked into that forest bravely, and died just the same."

Her throat choked back a sob as she nodded. She squeezed Narcissa's hands in thanks, and then used her napkin to dry her eyes.

Narcissa understood when she excused herself to her room. Hermione buried herself in research and Occlumency that day, trying to forget that she'd met Harry exactly seven years ago on a magical train that took them to a magical school where she'd finally found belonging.

~*~

Draco still wasn't back that Friday. But he had appeared in a picture in the paper that day, standing stoically behind the new Italian puppet minister as he gave a speech. Hermione's heart had skipped a beat, taking in the sharpness in his jaw, the bags beneath his eyes. But even as she'd blinked away, she kept seeing grey eyes instead of a lake with still waters.

One morning, Hermione stepped out of her bath, wrapped a towel tightly around herself, and moved to her armoire. She opened it and gasped.

An unfamiliar assortment of colors. Patterns. Silks. A quick pull to her drawer found that all her comfortable underthings had been replaced with mere scraps of fabric. A small folded note lay on top, and she snatched it up.

McGonagall requested her knickers back. There are some new additions I think you'll enjoy.

— P.

Hermione flushed. Pansy was trying to kill her. She scrounged through her drawers to find any trace of pale cotton, but she'd replaced them all. Running a hand down her face, Hermione huffed loudly, and chose a pale pink pair.

There were still denims in the other drawer — thankfully — but her jaw dropped when she also found shorts. Hanging up in the closet were skirts shorter than her Hogwarts uniform, low-cut blouses, and a few dresses.

Hermione scowled. Perhaps she could send Pansy a doll for Christmas. It would be the same principle.

She slid on her denims after staring too long at a pale blue dress, and chose a new grey t-shirt that seemed innocuous enough — until she realized the neck dipped lower than she'd expected.

Rolling her eyes, Hermione stomped to her bathroom and began drying her hair. She spent the whole day in the library, yanking up her t-shirt, though no one was looking.

~*~

Draco returned on Sunday evening. Hermione had allowed herself a long walk in the late summer air to organize her thoughts. She was just coming in from the outdoors when the Floo burst to life. She yelped, jumping as the fire roared, and a figure stepped through it.

She stood frozen as he patted down his robes and ran a hand through his blond hair. Then his head turned.

"Granger." His hand dropped away. His fingers twitched.

She blinked back at him. "Malfoy."

He took a step towards her, his eyes running over her quickly, landing on the breezy knee-length skirt she was wearing.

"What's that?"

She looked down at herself, fingers brushing the fabric. "A skirt."

"Where did you get it?"

She arched a brow at him. "Pansy replaced my wardrobe. Against my will."

His eyes popped. "All of it?"

"Just about." Irritation pricked her skin as she watched him frown down at her. "Are you a purveyor of women's fashion, Draco? Should I run my wardrobe choices by you?"

His eyes snapped to hers before looking away, a blush rising to his cheekbones.

"Not at all. I was just..." He waved his hand. "Caught off guard." He looked around the entrance hall, searching for an escape. "I'm going to find Mother."

"You'll fill me in on Italy tomorrow, yes?" she called after him. He stopped on the first stair.

"I'll find you after breakfast," he said, still not facing her.

"I meant during our practice session."

An expansion of his ribs, then a slow turn back to her, as if meeting the executioner. "Granger, you can't be serious about continuing—"

"Absolutely I am." She waited for his reply, folding her arms. His eyes dropped to her skirt once.

"Look," she said tightly. "I know going to Italy wasn't your choice, but I've been locked away for months. I know you think I'm a stupid Gryffindor with a hero complex—"

"Granger—"

"Please, let me finish."

His gaze flickered, and he closed his mouth.

"What I mean to say is that I need to be at Edinburgh. I need to be able to move around there. I need to—" She swallowed. "…to play the game a bit better." She thought of Cho and Charlotte. Of Pansy's insistence that she wasn't just another prize to bid on, but the prize. She tilted her chin up. "My place shouldn't be in the background."

His eyes jerked up from her clavicles. "So what does that make me? Your little pet who runs around cleaning up your messes?"

"Don't be impossible," she snapped. "Clearly I'm the pet in this situation, and both of our lives depend on people thinking that."

He said nothing, glaring at her.

She sighed and slowly uncrossed her arms. "Listen, Malfoy. You knew who I was when you bought me." His throat bobbed. "The fact that I want to help the Order shouldn't surprise you."

His gaze tumbled over her neck and shoulders again, before sliding back up her eyes.

"You know who I am just as well," he said, and a hint of that old Hogwarts arrogance slipped over him like a cloak. "It shouldn't surprise you if I stand in your path. We have opposing interests, after all."

She blinked at him. A slight sneer on his face, as if he'd slithered back into the persona he tried to wear for so many years. It looked strange on him now.

"I'd like to think I know who you are." Her voice was soft, drifting over to him like a breeze across a field. Even at Hogwarts, she'd thought she knew — thought she'd seen a piece of him he tried to keep buried. "I'd like to think…that our interests aren't as opposing as you'd let me believe. Why else would you help me with Cho?"

She watched the slow movement of his ribs, watched his eyes skate over her face. He didn't deny it. He just stared back at her, his fingers paling as they gripped the marble banister.

She thought she could maybe survive the absence of his affections if he continued to help her and speak openly with her about the war. She thought that maybe, if she could have that from him… it could ease the ache.

Her gaze slid back up, preparing to close the book that cataloged the softness of his eyes and the way his shirt hugged his torso. He might have been doing the same.

"I promise to keep you informed." She moved closer to the stairs. "I promise to do everything in my power to not get you or your mother killed. Or your father, if I must." She chanced a half-smile.

A muscle twitched in his jaw. "And what about getting yourself killed?"

"Yes, yes, protecting your investment and all that." She blew out a quick breath. "I promise to try to avoid that, too. I'm not a big fan of the idea myself."

"Then I expect you to act like it." He dropped down the first stair to meet her. "And I expect you to keep your word."

She nodded. And when her stomach flipped at his gaze, she broke away, stepping backward.

"Practice tomorrow, then?" she asked.

He made an impatient sound at the back of his throat. "I really don't think—"

"And I really do. Edinburgh is five nights away, and we can barely stand to be in the same room as each other because—" Her cheeks burned, and she looked at her shoes. "Because you've been away so long."

Silence. And then: "You're a horrible liar, Granger."

"Fine," she fumed. "Because we kissed. Because we both had a terrible lapse in judgment and we kissed. But I'm trusting that we can both just buck up and behave like adults about this!"

He lifted a brow at her. "Adults?"

"Yes." She huffed and curled her fingers into fists. "Just because we had a 'moment' doesn't mean we should throw away all our hard work."

His lips pressed together. "If you really think…"

"Wonderful. I'll see you at seven tomorrow."

His mouth moved wordlessly before she rushed ahead of him, practically bolting up the staircase. She didn't turn around, but she could feel him glowering at her back the whole way.

~*~

The small sitting room in the eastern wing had a variety of chairs and couches. The elves had conjured a small table at Hermione's request so they could simulate a dinner at Edinburgh as closely as possible.

On Monday evening, he sat in their usual chair and picked at his dinner while she grilled him on Italy. He'd spent the entire time in Rome, protecting the new minister.

"Like a bodyguard?" she asked.

"I guess you could say that." He cut into his steak, one arm around her waist. "More of a babysitter, really. Making sure Romano is following the instructions the Dark Lord set for him."

"What kind of instructions," she said, tearing her eyes away from the way his lips closed around his fork.

"Magical education reform. A Muggle-born registration."

She nodded, having expected both. She waited for him to be almost done with his dinner before she said, "I need a favor."

His jaw froze, mid-chew. He lifted a brow and shook his head at his plate with a frustrated sigh. "Go right ahead, Granger."

"I need your help getting time alone with Theo."

He dropped his utensils, turning to look at her. "Why?"

"His father designed the tattoos, didn't he?"

He glanced quickly down to his initials on her arm. "Yes—"

"Maybe he helped his father. Or maybe he knows something—"

"And how in Merlin's name are you going to find out? Ask him nicely?"

"Not exactly." Hermione cleared her throat, suddenly feeling hot all over. "I thought I might be able to flatter him a bit — cozy up to him. Maybe wear something he'd find appealing. Nothing serious, of course. You could break it up like we did with Cho."

Draco's barking laugh jostled her. She stared at him wide-eyed, feeling mortification creep up her neck as his chest rumbled.

"What's so funny?" she demanded.

"As much as I would love to see you try, Granger," he said, still smirking, "your charms won't work on him."

"And why not?" The tips of her ears were burning. "I wore a tight red dress last time, and my 'charms' seemed to work on someone we both know."

His smile immediately died. His ribs were stiff and unmoving against hers.

She scoffed and turned her face away, grabbing her wine glass.

"Granger, you're not his type," Draco said softly, still a bit of amusement in his voice.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know you think he's gay. But clearly, your eyesight is failing you, because he was very intimate with his Carrow Girl last time. It's called being bisexual, Malfoy. Surely you must have heard of it?"

His eyes snapped to hers, and his scowl deepened. "Regardless, the answer is still no."

Hermione's eyes narrowed. "And why not?"

"Because he'd see right through you. It would never work."

"I disagree. Theo's desperate to prove himself. He loves attention and praise. I think it would be easy if he was drunk enough—"

"I said no." Draco's eyes and mouth were hard. "Everyone would want to know why I'm suddenly Sharing you. It would open the floodgates."

The breath left Hermione's lungs. He had her there.

"That is a problem. But I still think we could find a way."

"What part about 'no' don't you understand, Granger?" And then she was pushed from his lap, and they both were standing upright as she blinked up at him, stunned. "This idea is beyond stupid," he hissed.

"How is it any stupider than Cho?" she snarled, her anger flaring.

"Theo is gay, which you refuse to let sink into that stubborn head of yours—"

"Then let me get alone with him and be the judge! I fail to understand why you care so much!"

She spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, relishing how good it felt to be the first one to leave for once.

~*~

Hermione was in a foul mood into the next day. She considered slipping back into Pansy's costume for that evening's practice session, just to prove a point — Remember the girl in the red dress? — but she refrained.

She met him down in the sitting room at seven o'clock, determined to set aside her simmering rage and embarrassment at the conversation the previous evening. Letting him finish his dinner in relative silence except for a few questions about Italy, she sat and drank her wine as he spoke.

When he was halfway through his meal, she leaned close to his body again, tucking herself into his side. Her lips moved to his jaw, and she trailed light kisses down to his shoulder as he swallowed his wine. Her hand reached for his opposite shoulder, fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt.

His throat bobbed.

One of her hands ran through the hair at the base of his neck, and she kissed just under his ear, letting her tongue gently glide along the skin.

His fork clattered to the plate, and then his hands were on her hips, pushing her away.

"That's enough, Granger—"

She scowled at him as she wobbled, bracing herself on his knees. "That was barely anything, Malfoy."

He glowered back, jaw tense. She finally broke their glaring contest with a belabored huff. "Just a few more minutes, and we'll call it a night, alright? Just think of — of something else."

His nostrils flared — but then he blinked, and the eyes that opened back at her were a cool grey. He jerked a nod.

Grumbling, she moved closer, and he steadied her on his lap, holding her still while he sat stiffly. Slowly, gently, she let her fingers trail over his collar as she kissed at his neck. Tracing a path through the opened top of his collar, she paused at his ear before cautiously running her teeth over his earlobe.

He hissed and tried to push her back again. And her blood erupted in anger.

"Stop acting like I repulse you—"

"You bloody witch—"

"—so stiff and uncomfortable, it's a miracle the entire room hasn't noticed! And if you keep pushing me, I'm going to fall off!"

She shifted onto his lap, pulling herself tight to his body, sitting sideways across his groin. And she felt it at the same time Draco groaned.

He had an erection.

Hermione's eyes popped wide, her face still buried in his neck. His fingers were digging into her hips, holding her very still.

Her heart started racing, and the heat in her body boiled. Her fingers were squeezing his shoulders before she could stop them. She begged herself to use her brain.

He was experiencing attraction of a…sexual nature. But she didn't have on Pansy's red dress or knickers. She was bare-faced and wild-haired, in just a jumper and denims.

And suddenly she remembered every other time he'd pushed her off his lap — even the first time she'd kissed his neck — weeks ago.

Mouth open, she pulled back to look at his face.

His eyes were pressed closed, lips tight, breathing quickly through his nose. The blush on his neck had spread to his cheeks.

Snapping open, his eyes locked on hers. Heated greys and bottomless pupils.

"Satisfied, Granger?" he hissed. His fingers dug into her hips, pulling her tight against his crotch. "That makes one of us."

He swiftly removed her from his lap, placed her on her feet, and was out the door before Hermione could take a breath deep enough to clear her head.

~*~

She laid in bed that night, staring up at her canopy with wide eyes. It was after midnight, and her mind was still racing.

Perhaps Draco Malfoy was just very sensitive about his neck. Or he had instant erections when his neck was kissed.

Or maybe he was remembering their kiss as well. Maybe he couldn't stop imagining the girl with the red lips in the red dress—

But no. He was shoving her off his lap well before she'd ever put on those knickers.

Hermione huffed and rolled to her side. She thought of his eyes on her legs whenever they had left for Edinburgh. Even months ago, on the night he'd taken her to Hogwarts to stand before Voldemort, she'd been in a thin, short slip, and his eyes had dropped.

A warmth in her chest blossomed. Perhaps he did find her attractive, even though he claimed he'd "forgotten himself" that night. Something deep inside her, hidden away for years, preened. Like a flower feeling sunlight again after a frozen winter.

Her mind drifted to the way he'd looked at her when she was only in those red knickers and red bra, seemingly about to engage in lewd acts with another girl. She hadn't been able to meet his eyes, but she wondered now if he'd even spared Cho a glance.

The way his knuckles had brushed against her ribs as he helped her zip her dress.

Hermione groaned into her pillow, chastising herself for letting her mind wander to places she couldn't follow. Because she could not. She ought not.

Has he ever thought of me while touching himself?

Something spun low in her belly, begging her to continue.

His eyes hot as fire on hers in the seconds before he kissed her.

His lips, soft and hesitant at first, and then passionate and demanding.

His knee opening her up, pressing between her legs…

Hermione turned on her back, parting her thighs. Her hand slipped down to cover herself, feeling through her knickers that she was already turned on. She groaned in embarrassment. And then bit her lip when she pushed the lace to the side.

~*~

Hermione sat ramrod straight at the breakfast table the following morning. Draco hadn't joined them, but simply being in his mother's presence made her feel awkward and guilty. She'd felt like every eye of every portrait was on her as she walked downstairs, all gossiping about the harlot who'd touched herself in the Malfoy's guest room.

She couldn't meet Narcissa's eye for the entire morning, and dreaded running into Draco in this condition.

When she got back to her room after breakfast, Hermione paced the floor and considered.

Despite this mess, they had to continue practicing — for a variety of reasons, none of which included Draco's erection or Hermione's still buzzing skin. She just couldn't think of what those reasons were until she sat and focused. So she did.

The Lounge wasn't just sitting on laps and watching the boys banter and drink. The Lounge was far more active — less than her first visit, of course, but still a cesspool of lust. In the few times she'd been to the Lounge, she'd sat in Draco's lap and—

Did he have an erection then as well?

Hermione stared out the window, drifting her fingers across her collarbone, thinking.

No! She needed to focus. She shook her head vigorously to clear it.

She'd sat in Draco's lap, and any touching had been initiated by her. What she'd seen from the other couples in the Lounge was…far more involved. She remembered seeing Carrow Girls straddling laps, hands drifting to discreet places, and lips on girls' necks.

And since kissing on the mouth was a strict boundary of Draco's — one they had conveniently ignored last month — she would need to encourage him to put his lips…in other places.

Hermione felt her neck heat, imagining all the other places he could—

Jumping from her chair quickly, and giving her cheeks a few light slaps, she called for a house-elf to tell Draco that she would meet him in their usual spot at seven that evening. And then drew herself a chilly bath that she would not enjoy herself in.

~*~

She spent the better part of a half-hour braiding and unbraiding her hair into a single plait to lay over her shoulder. Approaching her armoire after finally deciding in favor of the plait, she roved her eyes through the dresses and skirts Pansy had added to her wardrobe. Hermione frowned at herself. She was not about to wear a dress to her practice session with Draco.

The pairs of shorts swayed on their hangers, begging her attention. Perhaps she could try something different. Her stomach flipped pleasantly at the thought of her bare skin on him, but she shoved it aside. She was wearing shorts tonight because the fabric was flexible. And if she was going to end up on the floor this evening, at least she'd have a better chance of catching herself. Hermione plucked a matching top from the wardrobe and finished getting ready.

Draco had differing opinions about the shorts.

"The hell are those?" he said when he entered the sitting room to find her sitting on the chaise, waiting for him with her legs crossed.

She looked down at herself. "Shorts?"

His lips curled. "And might I ask why you're wearing an over-large pair of cotton knickers to dinner?"

She lifted a brow. "Because it's warm outside. And these are easier to move in." She followed his eyes as they ran down her legs.

He glared at her, eyes flicking down to her knees before moving away.

"Wait." She quickly stood. "I'm sorry about last night. About all the nights, really—"

He opened his mouth. Then snapped it closed.

"I had no clue that you were uncomfortable," she rushed out, blood racing through her ears. "I wasn't aware of this issue."

"Granger," he said dryly, "I will walk out of this room right now if you don't stop talking."

"Please. I just…" She took a deep breath. "I know this is hard for you—" She flushed at her poor choice of words. "But if there's a signal you could give me — tugging your ear or something — then I'll stop. I only ask that you try. I won't be upset if... if it happens. Alright?"

He'd shut his eyes during her speech. If it weren't for his pink cheekbones, she'd have thought he hadn't heard her.

Then, after what felt like ages — a tip of his head.

"Good." Her lungs dragged in air again.

His eyes flew open, and he quickly moved towards his usual chair.

Swallowing, Hermione stopped him with, "I thought we'd try something different today."

Draco paused and looked back at her like she was about to unleash a Blast-Ended Skrewt on him. She sat, patting the cushion next to her on the chaise.

"What are we 'trying?'" he grumbled, coming to sit as far from her as possible.

She pulled the table with the food and wine close to them. "I thought we'd start fresh. That chair has… history. Besides, I doubt we'll always sit in that armchair in the Lounge. There are couches as well."

He rolled his eyes but said nothing as she moved closer. He seemed momentarily pleased that he could eat his potatoes without reaching around her hip to do so. But that quickly vanished when she tucked her legs up onto the chaise, tilting her knees toward his thigh. He glared down at her bare legs once before continuing to chew.

Hermione watched him from the corner of her eye as he ate. His wrist was light but firm as he handled his knife. He always finished chewing one bite before starting to cut the next piece of meat. She watched his pointed jaw work, remembering the taste of him there.

She drank deeply. And stared at her empty glass until he finished.

Setting his knife and fork down, he shifted the small table away from them and stared down at his hands, waiting. She put down her wine glass and offered him his full goblet. He declined.

She took a deep breath. "We should practice you initiating things."

He swallowed slowly. "Initiating."

"Yes. You…kissing me instead." He opened his mouth, and she cut him off. "Not on the mouth." She refrained from rolling her eyes. "But other places."

He cracked his neck. "What we do is enough, Granger."

"No, it's not! Flint always touches Penelope. Pucey is practically attached to Mortensen's neck. And don't get me started on Goyle." She climbed to sit on her knees next to him, facing his profile. "None of the other men seem afraid of their Lots but you—"

"Think I'm afraid, do you?" he growled, suddenly turning to face her.

She stared into his hot eyes, watching the way they flashed at her, lazily tracing her eyes and lips. Her breath hitched, finding he was hovering on the edge of something — the same cliff that beckoned her, pulling her in.

Swallowing, heart beating loudly enough to drown out her screaming logic, she slowly arched a brow. "I don't know."

Heat coursed through her, dizzy and overpowering, pushing her forward as she slipped one leg out from underneath her and tossed it over his lap. Slowly sinking to straddle him, holding his gaze. "Prove to me that you aren't."

She noticed how dark his eyes had become, almost black to the edges. A sharp inhale, then he lifted his hands and placed them on her knees. She felt her thighs tense. He slid his palms up, running over her exposed skin, rounding her hips and holding her there.

She braced herself on the back of the chaise, and before she could prepare, he was leaning forward, stretching to connect his lips to her jaw.

Her mind went blank.

His lips parted, and kissed her skin.

Viktor had kissed her jaw before. She hadn't liked it. His shaved beard had scratched at her, and she'd pulled away, claiming to be ticklish.

But Hermione's mouth fell open now, feeling a skilled pair of lips work their way over her jaw, towards her ear. Her eyes were glazed over, and beginning to flutter closed.

She leaned forward into him, and felt him relax back against the couch, her torso gravitating towards him and her neck tilting open.

The first scrape of his teeth against her neck had her hips shifting. Her gasp was silent, but she knew he felt it because he did it again, and again, and again—

Suddenly his hands held her hips in a punishing grip, and only then did she realize she'd been rolling them against his thighs. She froze, flushing with embarrassment, but then his tongue laved against the spot his teeth had abused, and she sighed into his ear.

His hands slid up to the dip in her waist. His mouth moved to her shoulder, kissing the open collar, moving his lips expertly over her skin.

Was she any good at this when she'd been the one mouthing at his skin? Did it feel like this for him every time?

His face turned, and she heard a harsh exhale in her ear before his lips pulled her earlobe into his mouth—

She moaned, her thighs slipping open, sliding herself right up against his front.

He was hard again. Hermione felt music in her veins.

He tried to push her back, tried to create space between them, but it was too late. She already knew.

She tilted her head back and found him grimacing, eyes screwed shut, hands still squeezing her hips. Hermione waited. And then tentatively wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"We're both adults here," she said. Their breath was hot, mixing between their faces. "Adjust your trousers and get on with it."

His eyes shot open, glaring at her. She looked down at his lips, and widened her thighs again, so his erection pressed against her core. He gasped, and before he could move, she rolled her hips forward like she'd seen the girls do.

Draco's head flew back, smacking into the back of the couch. "Fuck."

She dipped her lips to his exposed neck, kissing along his throat, trying to replicate what he'd done to her. Her teeth scraped against him, and his arms slid around her waist, pulling her closer. Her hands sunk into his hair. She tried rolling against him again, her tongue licking beneath his ear, and a low groan rumbled from his chest, vibrating against her, shivering her.

She tilted her lips to his ear. "Am I doing this right?" She rocked her hips forward again, and a low sigh filled her ears. He was hard and twitching against her.

She pulled back to look at his face, wondering what Draco Malfoy looked like when she was grinding her body against his, debauching him, drawing moans from his lips.

He stared into her eyes, his hair falling over his forehead, rumpled from her fingers. She bit her lip, keeping the millions of things she longed for inside of her chest. She had to watch, had to see his face as she moved. Had to know if his eyes rolled back or glazed over—

She brought their hips together again, and both of their mouths fell open, eyes wide and needy.

He groaned, and she gazed down at his lips. She thought maybe if she could have this moment forever, it could make up for the thousands of missed kisses and lost opportunities and unfulfilled pleasure that—

His lips pressed against hers.

She moaned instantly, wiggling against his front, trying to press closer through their clothes. His tongue was in her mouth again, and she lost control of her hands. They slipped down his chest, running across his ribs, sliding down and around his waist. His hands grabbed her face, holding the hair behind her ears as his hips began to thrust up into hers.

Something rolled against her just right, and she cried out into his mouth. He tried to recreate it as her hands squeezed his jumper in her fists, and her eyelids fluttered, her breath panting into his mouth as his lips passed over her.

He found it a third time, and she gasped, "Draco," against his mouth, and then she was tilting sideways and dragged down by a current until her back slammed into the soft cushions of the chaise beneath her.

Draco was above her, slipping between her legs so his hips could continue rolling against hers. His mouth dropped to her neck again, moving quickly, roughly, claiming her skin as his own. His hips thrust against hers, and it was so much like how she thought sex could be, how overwhelming, how it rocked her, that a high-pitched sigh left her throat.

One of his hands grabbed her knee, his fingers squeezing the bare skin of her calf and thigh, running smoothly over her. His other had a fist full of her hair, ruining her plait, tilting her head to the side as he sucked at her neck.

She could hear her heavy breathing in the room, accompanying the sound of the chaise squeaking, its wood groaning.

His tongue swirled on her neck.

"Draco… I—"

His hand lifted to her waist, bunching the fabric of her top and tugging it out of her shorts.

"Okay?" he rasped against her throat.

"Yes. Please—"

His hand was under her top, sliding along her ribs, his hips jumping against hers, thumping that spot she rubbed last night while thinking of him, thinking of exactly this—

"Oh, dear," a silky voice cut through her haze, freezing her in its familiarity. "That chaise is from the 16th century."

Draco was off her faster than lightning, tumbling to the floor, hiding his groin behind his hands. Hermione bolted upright and met the amused gaze of Lucius Malfoy from where he stood in the doorway.

"Father," Draco groaned. "It wasn't…We haven't—"

"It's practicing!" Hermione squeaked, yanking her top down, pulling at her shorts. "For… for Edinburgh. It was my idea—"

Lucius simply lifted a brow at the two of them as they attempted to stutter their way through.

"Do spare me your flimsy excuses," he smirked. "From what my wife has told me, it seems we need to get Miss Granger on some form of contraceptive." He glanced her over. "And soon."

Hermione's cheeks flamed, and she slapped a hand to her mouth. "No. No, I promise we were just—"

"It's for Edinburgh," Draco repeated, having stood up and put as much distance between himself and the chaise as possible.

"Well, that won't be necessary," Lucius said, an unpleasant expression crossing his face. "You won't be visiting Edinburgh this Friday." Draco shot a look at her, panic in his eyes. But before Hermione's mind could process, Lucius said, "We are to attend dinner at the Lestrange estate this Friday."

Lucius turned his eyes on Hermione, his eyes dangerously amused. "All of us."

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 22

Chapter Notes

Apologies for the wait, my dears! The girls and I had really shitty weeks, so we thank you for your patience.

Thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden for fighting like hell to get this chapter out with me.

And happy birthday Bailey. :) :) :)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

All of us.

Hermione heard her heartbeat drum in her ears.

Bellatrix. She was going to see Bellatrix again.

"Father." She heard Draco's voice from far away. "You can't possibly be suggesting—"

"Am I in the habit of making 'suggestions,' Draco?"

Silence.

Lucius rolled his shoulders — the smallest of movements. "The Dark Lord has observed that your aunt and I seem… somewhat strained. Appearances must be maintained. Your aunt and uncle have invited us to dinner, and they insisted that Miss Granger be included."

Lucius turned his cold eyes on Hermione where she sat askew on the chaise, her chest still pounding.

Draco shifted behind her. "Surely there's an excuse that can be made—"

"Your mother and I have this under control. All four of us will be attending, and I expect you both to be on your best behavior." Lucius looked from Draco to Hermione, his gaze catching on her rumpled top and mussed hair. She felt her face heat as he studied her, his lip curling in amusement. "Well? Don't you two have Occlumency to be practicing?"

Hermione blinked, then scrambled off the couch. She nearly collided with Draco as she rushed to the door, her mind racing with visions of sharp knives and echoes of cackling laughter —

"Miss Granger," Lucius drawled. "A word?"

Her hand froze on the doorknob. She turned slowly, seeing Draco do the same behind her.

Lucius cocked his head, then an eyebrow. "You are dismissed, Draco."

She watched Draco swallow.

"Anything you have to say, you can—"

"Perhaps in my absence," Lucius cut in, clasping his hands behind his back, "you've forgotten who is master of this house." His eyes glittered as he watched his words land. "Run along."

Hermione's mouth went dry as she watched Draco clench and unclench his fists, then finally turn to move slowly through the doorway. He kept his eyes ahead of him, a muscle twitching in his jaw. She listened to his footsteps disappear down the corridor.

Lucius watched her with a twist to his lips — like a hawk staring down a field mouse.

"My wife tells me that you have a partially-functioning reproductive system," he said, as if discussing the weather over tea. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

Hermione felt her cheeks blush crimson as she tried to think of a response.

"And might I ask, Miss Granger," he said, hands still behind his back as he strolled towards her, "whether it was your intention to carry the Malfoy heir by concealing this? Did you believe a pregnancy would bring you additional protection?"

Her eyes popped, and her breath choked in her throat.

"N-no! No, not at all!" She gaped at him, trying to form coherent words. "It was made perfectly clear from the beginning that I had no cause for concern in… in that area. There was no need to mention it!"

"Hmm," he drawled. "And yet, my poor chaise begs to differ."

"No, we're not— This wasn't—" Hermione squeezed her face in her hands. "This hasn't— before."

"Before?"

"No! This was the first!" Lucius's eyebrow raised even further, and Hermione groaned, shaking her head. "This hasn't ever! I swear it. It just — no."

A long pause.

"Excellent," Lucius said dryly. "Your eloquence continues to impress, Miss Granger."

Hermione pressed her eyes closed as he brushed past her, wishing her embarrassment could swallow her whole.

"One last thing." Hermione took a deep breath before turning to face him. "I expect you to take preparation for Friday evening seriously. If my son is unable to focus"—he looked her up and down, as if he couldn't find that believable in the least—"I'll have your bedroom moved. Next to my study."

She stood, dumbfounded by his meaning, until suddenly it dawned on her. She jerked forward. "Of course we'll—

Lucius silenced her with a raised hand. She bit her lip, her cheeks burning impossibly hot. And then: "To your room, Miss Granger. I expect to find you fully Occluded the next time I lay my eyes on you." His eyes dropped to her bare knees. "And fully clothed."

Her face was on fire as she scurried through the door, relishing her dismissal and longing for the days when Lucius Malfoy was in Romania.

~*~

The next morning, three new Occlumency books arrived on her breakfast tray. There wasn't a note. There didn't have to be one. She knew better than to seek him out, so she locked herself away and studied. The only breaks she took were to force down a few bites of each meal, as Mippy had charmed the tray to start nudging her if she ignored it for too long.

On Friday morning, after countless careful hours of meditation and mentally slicing pages out of books, Narcissa came to visit her when Hermione was deep in her Occlumency.

"I know you must be nervous for this evening."

Hermione nodded, her mind beginning to prick with reemerging memories. Grey eyes and rolling hips, a silky voice and hot wave of embarrassment—

She blinked, tucking them away.

Narcissa moved through the sitting area, crossing to the windows.

"I always thought of my sister as eccentric," she said. "But most don't have the luxury of seeing her that way." A long sigh. "These days, she is unpredictable and dangerous — even to me. But I do promise that I will do everything in my power to manage the situation this evening."

A book shivered on a high shelf, and Hermione gasped as her pages fluttered open to freckles and spearmint and the Gryffindor common room. She screwed her eyes shut, breathing steadily until it closed.

Her eyelids flickered open, and she found Narcissa staring at her, her expression soft and concerned.

"I've heard that Ron Weasley is being kept at the Lestrange Estate," Hermione said dully.

Narcissa took a sharp breath. "Mr. Weasley is being held at Rabastan's property. You won't see him tonight."

She nodded and tucked the information away, staring out her windows. The heavy, earthy tome smelling of spearmint was still.

"Hermione," Narcissa said gently. "Just try your best. My sister already has a sense of your accommodations and your treatment, and I'm sure she's told her husband as well. If anything slips through, I will handle it."

She nodded again, eyes fixed on the pond outside. The calm waters that rippled with the breeze.

"In fact," Narcissa continued, "the one thing she cannot find out is that you have learned Occlumency."

Hermione blinked. A shelf collapsed in her mind, and she flinched when another nearly followed.

She turned to find Narcissa's shrewd eyes on her. Hermione rubbed her temples, tumbling the idea around her sore mind.

"Because then she would know that my magic isn't suppressed," she surmised. "That you haven't been giving me the potions."

Narcissa nodded. "She's kept several things to herself, but her willingness to look the other way depends on her believing you're under lock and key."

Narcissa broke off, asking her something, but Hermione couldn't process the words. Her body felt flimsy and numb, her brain dizzy. Her knees began to buckle, and Narcissa flew to her side, helping her sit in a chair. She called for Mippy, and Hermione pressed her eyes closed, her head pounding. Mippy returned with a potion, and Narcissa helped her drink it. Once Hermione's vision stopped blurring, Narcissa poured them both tea and took a seat across from her, perched on the edge of her cushion.

"So what am I supposed to do when she tries to read my mind?" Hermione set down her saucer and curled up in her chair, etiquette giving way to exhaustion.

Narcissa sipped her tea. "What technique are you using? A box? A drawer? Perhaps a sealed cave?"

"A bookshelf." Hermione sighed, rubbing her temples. "Books of memories. Pages of moments."

"Very useful," she said. "And you are taking pages out?"

Hermione nodded.

"I know a thing or two about that." Narcissa's voice was quiet and low, lulling. "Would you like me to assist you?"

The air left Hermione's lungs as she turned to look at her. Narcissa's blue eyes were warm and open. Steadying. Slowly, Hermione nodded again.

Narcissa hovered her teacup and saucer over her lap, her spine held straight. "Perhaps it is time to create a new book," she said on a low hum, the words carrying to Hermione on a platinum thread, looping through her eyes and entering her mind like gossamer. "Perhaps," Narcissa said, "you can visualize only the things you want to present."

The words whispered into her mind. A slow thread without a needle wove through her bookshelves, tapping at covers and rustling pages. Hermione breathed deeply, relaxing in her chair.

A leather cover appeared in front of her bookshelf, open and barren of pages. Untitled. Pages fluttered down to fill it, drifting slowly. The platinum thread curled through them, prodding some to the side, beckoning others forward.

Nott Sr. catching her eavesdropping — his cane under her chin.

The One O'Clock Gun at Edinburgh.

Voldemort hovering over her on the Malfoy's drawing room floor.

They all fluttered down, down, nestled into the leather cover.

The thread tumbled through the pages of Draco throwing her on her bed, ripping her slip open. Hermione tried to close the book, terror and humiliation and pained sympathy flooding her library, but the thread tugged more insistently, and the pages fell, joining the others.

More of Edinburgh. The dinner parties, the Lounge. Half a page of Cho kissing her while Draco watched.

Hermione's entire body tensed as the thread slithered through the pages of Draco pinning her hands to the wall, his thigh sliding between her legs. His hands on her hips as she straddled him on the chaise — her gravity flipped, back thrown on the cushion as he slipped between her legs. The platinum thread paused over his muttered, "Okay?" and as if on a needle, it wove through the page — over, under, cross stitch, over, under, cross stitch — erasing the word from history until just a pattern of platinum remained.

And finally, the thread zoomed through her shelves, turning pages, skimming words, before stopping over a memory.

Dolohov and the Mediwitches

From far away, Hermione felt her legs jerk.

The thread cut the page away from its book, letting the memory tumble down to join the others.

Hermione twitched in protest. Wouldn't it be dangerous to know what Narcissa had done? If Bellatrix knew Narcissa had Obliviated a member of the Dark Lord's inner circle—

The platinum thread shimmered through the memory, finding the moment a green light rose from her fertile ovary. Hermione watched as the thread snaked forward, twisting around the green light, twirling tight like a ball of yarn, obscuring it — and then burning red. As if the test was negative.

The thread fell away, and a red light remained.

The page sliced in half, and the moments following the reveal of the green light fluttered away. The top half fell into the book.

Weaving the spine together, the thread pushed through the pages, cinching them tight. The book glued itself together, and closed with a soft snap.

The platinum thread tapped against the front cover, weaving a title into the leather: Afternoon Tea.

She felt the thread unwind, slipping backwards, pulling away from her shelves, sliding through her eyes and returning to a pale blue gaze.

Hermione blinked, her lungs dragging in air. Narcissa Malfoy studied her, then brought her teacup to her lips, relaxing against the cushion.

Her eyes roved around the room. The walls were pink, the sun setting. The clock indicated that it had been three hours since Narcissa entered her room.

She turned back to her, mouth open. "You're a Legilimens."

Narcissa settled her teacup silently on its saucer. "It runs in the family. The Black-Rosiers are very strong with it."

A well of emotions bubbled in her chest. "Are you… Do you use it often?"

"No. Very rarely, in fact," she said with a smile. "I try to afford people their privacy." She paused halfway to her next sip. "I hope you don't mind my assistance with… several of your more private memories."

Hermione's ears burned red-hot. Narcissa had seen her and Draco together… and… well…

She looked down at the carpets. "No, I understand why those memories should be sewed in. That was… very helpful."

There was a thick silence before Narcissa spoke again. "It will remain between us, Hermione. I don't think any differently of you."

A pause as Hermione tried to shove aside her burning embarrassment and say something in an intelligent language—

"If you think there is a need, the elves can stock your cabinets with Contraceptive Potions."

Hermione's eyes snapped up. "No! No, no. No. Um…" She swallowed as Narcissa looked at her innocently from behind her teacup. "I mean to say, yes that would be necessary if we were… But we're not and…because I don't want to"—she gestured awkwardly to her stomach—"to become… Of course."

Narcissa's mouth twitched, and Hermione caught a glint in her eye before she nodded. "Of course."

"Yes."

"If the need should ever arise, please don't hesitate to ask. Mippy will be happy to assist you."

Hermione tried to wave her off, but all she managed was a croak.

"Well, I didn't mean to fluster you, dear. Please forgive any assumptions." Hermione flushed even brighter as Narcissa stood and looked at the clock. Her brow furrowed. "We leave in two hours. You should have some time alone to meditate."

The reminder made her stomach drop. Narcissa gently touched her shoulder before slipping from the room. Hermione breathed deep, filing away her mortification.

She took a bath and stared at the water, clearing her mind. She focused on the book Afternoon Tea, letting everything else fade to the back of her shelves. Whenever a memory inside shuddered her, she concentrated on the platinum thread woven through, holding her thoughts together, keeping them safe.

At ten till seven, she descended the stairs in a small, simple shift dress with flat shoes. She was to be a slave tonight and nothing more.

Draco and Lucius stood near the fireplace, speaking in low tones. They stopped when Lucius caught sight of her. He whispered one last thing to his son, and turned a lazy expression on her.

"Miss Granger," he greeted.

She nodded to him, and glanced at Draco. His eyes were on the fire, cold and distant.

Clicking heels caught their attention, and Hermione turned to see a very stern expression on Narcissa's face as she approached, wearing a structured black dress.

"We're leaving after an hour," she clipped, raising a cool brow as Lucius appraised her. "We've survived worse."

A pop sounded from behind Lucius. "Master!" a voice squeaked. "An urgent letter from Madam Lestrange!"

Lucius plucked up the note, and shook it open with a flourish. Hermione held her breath as his eyes danced across the page. A snarl pulled at his lips.

"A change of plans," he said. "Your sister's manor is 'inhospitable' at the moment. She's asked us to meet her at Rabastan's estate for dinner."

Narcissa snatched the letter, eyes narrowing as she read. "Absolutely ridiculous," she hissed. "If that's how she's going to play it—" She broke off, looking up at Hermione, her features clouding with concern.

There was a ringing in her ears, her blood moving quickly. Ron.

Hermione gave a shaky nod, then closed her eyes, pushing the earthy tome back even farther.

The clock chimed seven. Lucius tossed the Floo powder and called out the destination. Narcissa stepped through, followed by her husband.

Once the green flames had died, Draco moved for the first time. He reached into the bag, tossed the powder, and silently extended his hand. Hermione moved beside him and presented her arm, his tattooed signature glimmering in the firelight. His fingers were cold as they wrapped around her skin. He called out for Rabastan's estate, and they stepped through.

The first thing Hermione noticed was a lack of light or warmth. The fire at their backs vanished with a hiss, and she shivered violently as the chill of the entryway crept over her.

They stood in a gothic manor house — the hallway stretching before them narrower than Malfoy Manor's, but the ceilings still dizzyingly high. The smoke from the fireplace dissipated, and the black walls closed in like a void swallowing her air. The paintings on the wall started hissing at her, muttering about her dirty blood as Narcissa glared daggers at them.

Draco dropped her arm and stepped slightly in front of her. Lucius spared them a condescending sneer and continued inspecting his fingernails.

Hermione's eyes roved the ceilings. Ron was in this house, somewhere beneath these black, deadened walls. She blinked and shook her head, refocusing.

Rabastan was the younger brother — possibly in his mid-thirties. All Hermione knew about him was that he was an unmarried Death Eater — likely mediocre in rank, given how little she'd heard about him. Rabastan, Rodolphus, and Bellatrix. She'd face three enemies tonight.

Small, tittering footsteps grew nearer, and all four guests turned to see a beaten little elf limping toward them.

"Jik takes you now. Dinner this way."

Hermione scowled as Jik turned in a circle, his right knee pivoting with difficulty, and limped toward a dark hallway. There was blood trickling behind his ear, dripping down to his neck.

She felt her chest burn as she followed Lucius and Narcissa. Jik had clearly been freshly tortured, and then told to retrieve the guests. She'd never seen an elf in poorer shape, and that included the beheaded ones on the walls at Grimmauld Place—

Cold fingers tapped her wrist. She looked up to see Draco, fully Occluded, staring off after his parents.

"Focus, Granger." The only words he'd spoken to her in days.

She nodded, and his fingers drifted off her skin before he began moving again. By the time they caught up to Lucius and Narcissa at two large doors, Hermione was thinking only of a lake with still waters, and a book laid open on the shore titled, Afternoon Tea.

The doors pushed open with a tortured creak, and Jik stepped aside. The party paused at the entrance. Hermione's eyes caught on a grand chandelier with burnt-down candles and dripping wax. Similar sconces decorated the black walls, and there was a massive oil painting sprawling the width of the far wall. The magical landscape depicted a battle from Roman times with soldiers running through the field and slaughtering each other.

Narcissa moved first, followed by Lucius. Once Hermione's vision cleared, she found a large table set for a formal dinner. A branching candelabra lay in the center like an overturned Acromantula, its candlelight illuminating the rest of the room. Hermione steadied her breathing as she skimmed the faces staring back at them — more than she'd expected.

Chairs scraped.

"Ah," a sing-song voice called from the head of the table. "The Malfoys, ladies and gents."

Bellatrix Lestrange stood in an opulent black ball gown, complete with puffing sleeves and cinched waist. Her curls were carelessly pinned back, her arms opened wide in a mocking welcome.

"Good evening, Bella," Narcissa said coolly. She looked her sister up and down. "My. But it seems we are underdressed."

Bellatrix's plum lips twisted in a tight smile. "Only full evening dress for a dinner with the Malfoys."

"Dear me," said Lucius, stepping past his wife. "Is this your evening's best? I didn't realize how much Twilfitt and Tattings is suffering."

Bellatrix's eyes narrowed dangerously before flashing a wolfish smile. "Mind your manners, brother. We have a special guest tonight."

Hermione blinked, eyes flying over the room.

The two Lestrange brothers sat across from Bellatrix — Rabastan at the foot of the table, and Rodolphus to his right. A young girl in a thin dress was against the wall behind them. And across the room, beneath the Roman painting, Marcus Flint smirked at her from his position at the sideboard. Penelope stood next to him, her eyes downcast.

Draco's shoulders tensed from his position slightly in front of her.

"Ah," Lucius drawled, his eyes on Flint. "How curious that you described this as a 'family affair.'"

Bellatrix leered, her lips pulled taut. "Things change, Lucius." Abruptly, her features brightened, and she swept backward, inviting them in. "Apologies for the change of location. Thankfully, Rabastan was happy to oblige."

None of the Malfoys moved.

"Marcus," Draco said, a sharp edge to his voice. "What brings you here?"

Flint's eyes glinted even in the distance. "Business with Rabs. Your aunt was generous enough to invite me to stay for dinner."

Narcissa smoothed her hair over her shoulder and offered a papery smile. "Shall we sit?"

Bellatrix gestured for Narcissa to sit next to her at the head of the table. Lucius approached Rabastan and Rodolphus, shaking their hands with barely-concealed disdain. Hermione assumed a blank expression as she sidestepped against the wall, following Draco.

"Draco, darling," Bellatrix sang. They both froze. "Come sit next to your auntie." She patted the place setting to her left.

Draco's jaw ticked before he slowly pivoted and crossed the room to take the chair across from his mother. Lucius sat to Narcissa's right. Hermione kept her eyes down as she moved toward the wall behind Draco.

As soon as her gaze flicked up, she caught Narcissa's cold eyes. Narcissa looked away, turning to Rabastan's booming laugh, and Hermione quickly did the same. But she could feel two black, predatory eyes boring into her even as she studied her shoes.

Hermione's stomach dropped at the sudden realization of the purpose behind the night's twists. Bellatrix and her husband were aware of her treatment at the Manor, and had kept the information from Voldemort for some reason. But with other witnesses — Flint, Rabastan Lestrange — the Malfoys couldn't protect her tonight.

She quieted her fear with deep breaths, focusing on the dark wood.

"Mudblood!" Hermione jumped.

The first course had appeared on the table: a murky soup that Lucius was currently sniffing at with a curled upper lip.

"Fetch the bread basket." Bellatrix didn't spare her a glance, but Hermione knew the command was for her.

Her eyes frantically scanned the table. When she found nothing, she looked to Narcissa, but she was staring at her soup, her lips in a thin line as her sister watched her. Then Lucius caught Hermione's eye, and looked pointedly at the sideboard — where the bread basket sat.

Hermione scurried around the table and maneuvered the giant basket into her arms. Stepping carefully to Bellatrix's side, she reached for the serving tongs. A sizzling pain shot up her fingers when she touched them. She yelped before she could stop herself, nearly upending the basket.

Bellatrix turned to glower at her, but quickly cackled, giving the game away. "I forgot about the curses on the silver to keep dirty little thieves away." Bellatrix turned to Draco and whispered, "Can't have a Mudblood mucking up our things, can we?"

Taking a shuddering breath, Hermione turned back to the sideboard, grabbed a spare serviette, and gingerly wrapped it around the tongs. She moved back to Bellatrix and steadily plucked a piece of bread to set down on her small plate.

Bellatrix gasped loudly, and Hermione's chest lurched.

Every mouth and hand at the table froze. Even Rodolphus, who hadn't spoken more than ten words, turned to stare at her.

"You dare serve a guest before the lord of the manor?" Bellatrix breathed, placing her hand over her chest. "Where are your manners, Mudblood?"

Hermione bowed her head and took a shaky step backward, chest still thumping. She could vaguely hear Flint and Rabastan giggling into their napkins.

"Pardon her ignorance," Narcissa clipped. "We've always found house elves to be superior table servants."

Hermione walked the length of the table to where Rabastan sat, still chuckling.

"How unfortunate," Bellatrix responded. "I'm sure she could learn quickly with the proper motivation."

Hermione swallowed, and served Rabastan, feeling his gaze slither down her body. Her dress was conservative, but the fabric was too thin, catching her curves when she moved.

"I will discipline her as I see fit, Bella," Narcissa said, smoothing her napkin.

She stiffly moved counterclockwise, to Rodolphus next.

Bellatrix gave Flint an apologetic pout. "Unfortunately, my sister and I have always disagreed on the topic of 'discipline.'" She sighed. "It's the same with my dear brother-in-law, I'm afraid."

"Few can afford your methods of 'discipline,' Bellatrix," said Lucius. "What elf are you on now? The eighth?"

"Ninth," Rodolphus grunted. Bellatrix glared at him, but he didn't look up.

"A terrible waste, if you ask me," Narcissa said primly, letting her spoon drift through her soup. "Servants thrive under order and a certain degree of respect. Such draconian measures are unnecessary."

"'Respect!'" Bella sneered. She turned back to Flint just as Hermione arrived at his elbow. "Marcus, dear. Tell me, how do you discipline your whore when she forgets her place?"

Hermione glanced at Penelope, whose eyes were fixed on the floor.

Flint chuckled. "An excellent question, Mrs. Lestrange. But she doesn't forget. Not anymore."

She moved to Draco next, who had been completely silent since he sat down. He'd had a few spoonfuls of soup, but his wine goblet remained untouched. Hermione chanced a sideways glance and found him staring at his bowl, his eyes glazed over.

"And tell me," Bella said, "does your whore sleep in the dungeon? Perhaps your closet, like Rabastan's?"

A muscle in Draco's jaw pulsed as she set the bread on his plate.

"Well, she sleeps in my bed now. But in the beginning, when she misbehaved, she had a cage down the hall." He smirked. "Close enough for convenience, but too far to hear her rattling it."

Hermione gripped the basket tightly to her ribs.

"Of course," Bellatrix cooed. "And does she have her own room?"

"Not yet," said Flint, grinning, "but I've heard some inspiring stories about Draco's 'dungeon.'"

Rabastan chuckled.

"I meant some place safe and warm," said Bellatrix, leaning forward. "Does your little Mudblood have her own four-poster and en-bathroom suite?"

Hermione's feet stumbled.

Flint laughed. "She's a slave, not a house guest."

Bellatrix cackled, the sound shooting down Hermione's spine. Then she snapped her fingers, pointing to her bread plate.

Hermione slowly approached her left side and served her a piece of bread. Before she could retreat, Bellatrix seized her wrist. Hermione gasped, dropping the tongs with a clatter.

"Such pretty scars, Mudblood." She yanked her closer and ran her fingers over the markings on Hermione's arm. Another tug, and her black eyes locked on Hermione's. "I have more designs in mind. We could make a work of art out of you."

Hermione stared blankly back at her, even as her heart pumped furiously. Bellatrix's nails started curling, cutting into her skin.

"I, too, would like some bread," Narcissa said icily. "Whenever you're done playing with the help, Bella."

One last dig, then Bellatrix released her. Hermione grabbed the tongs and scrambled away.

Bellatrix raised a derisive brow. "Who are you fooling? You never ate bread in your life." She tore into her roll with the grace of a wild cat, dipped it into her soup, and chewed slowly, never breaking her sister's gaze.

Narcissa's lips curled.

"Unfortunately, the bread is the only edible thing on the table," Lucius cut in. He turned to Flint before Bellatrix could reply. "So. Looking forward to the ceremony next week?"

"I am, sir," Flint replied. "It's a great honor."

Draco's head snapped up. "What's this?"

Hermione placed bread on Narcissa's plate, her breath shallow.

"I'm receiving the Mark next week. Along with Theo and Greg."

"Congratulations," Draco said coldly. He turned back to his soup.

"I'm surprised you didn't know," Flint said innocently. "Theo and Greg are such close friends of yours."

Draco's spoon paused above his bowl. "I've been a bit preoccupied with the efforts in France and Italy." He swirled his soup. "And there's no newsletter between us all, as you'll come to find out."

Having placed bread on Lucius's plate, Hermione moved to return the basket to the sideboard.

"Mudblood!" Bellatrix called. "Refill the wine."

Hermione froze, fighting the urge to look at the two other slave girls against the walls. She blinked, filing her emotions away as she exchanged the basket for the wine bottle.

"I think it's high time," said Bellatrix. "You'll make an excellent addition to the Dark Lord's elite, Marcus. As for the Goyle whelp, well, that remains to be seen. I suppose he can't be worse than his father. I heard Gringotts finally declared him dead."

Rodolphus grunted in assent.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes and took a long dreg of wine. "And I know Ted is anxious to see Theodore take the Mark. He thinks offering up a capable son might help the Dark Lord be more… patient with some of his own shortcomings. But apparently his heart isn't in it at all." She smiled over at Lucius. "There's nothing quite like your only heir disgracing the family name. Isn't that right?"

Hermione reached Rabastan at the head of the table again.

"It would be devastating, indeed," said Lucius, lazily reaching for his wine. "Not that you or Rodolphus would know anything about heirs."

Narcissa shot him a heated glare.

"I suppose not." Bellatrix's smile widened as she leaned in. "You see, I chose power over children. Infinitely more satisfying."

Hermione moved to refill Rodolphus's glass.

"We seem to have differing views on 'power,' Bella," Narcissa said sharply. "The last time I checked, you still answer to a man."

Bellatrix's eyes whipped to her sister's. "The second you push a man's child out of you, you're his slave." She nodded at the two silent Lots on the wall. "No better than any of these girls. My only master is the Dark Lord."

She drained her glass and slammed it on the table. Slowly, stomach twisting with dread, Hermione approached Bellatrix with the bottle.

"Speaking of brats—" Bellatrix reached up, grabbed a fistful of Hermione's hair, and tugged her down. The bottle slipped from her fingers and crashed to the floor, splattering blood red wine everywhere.

"Bella—!"

"You can't serve like an elf, you can't cook like an elf. But surely you're useful for some things," Bellatrix hissed in her face. "Looking forward to a long life on your back, darling?"

And then sharp claws dug into Hermione's mind. Black tunnels she couldn't see the end of bore into her.

The page of Afternoon Tea fluttered. But they were the only pages that did.

Bellatrix flew through her memories. Dolohov and the Mediwitches, the light turning red above her hip. Draco tearing her slip open. Trembling on the stones at Voldemort's feet. Draco pressing her against a wall, grinding against her on a chaise.

The claws in her mind threatened to shred the platinum string binding her together, but it held firm. Distantly, she heard a whimper she recognized as her own; a spoon clattered into an empty soup bowl to her left.

Bellatrix retracted, scratching on her way out, and Hermione's body was dropped to the ground as a satisfied laugh grated her ears. The glass from the broken bottle was nothing to the shredding of her mind, the pages of Afternoon Tea bleeding through its spine.

She tried to refocus, her eyes hazy and seeing red. The wine and her own blood coiling together on the stone floor beneath her cut knees.

A disgusted sound from above her. "Draco, come clean up after your pet."

Silence.

"What are you waiting for?" the voice hissed.

A cold hand on her arm shocked sensation into her. Draco hauled her up and muttered a spell to banish the blood, wine, and glass. He roughly pushed her to lean against the wall when she couldn't stand on her own. She felt the skin of her knees knitting back together. A slight brush of his hand on her ribs when she swayed, steadying her — and then he was gone, taking his seat.

"Speaking of pets," Bellatrix sang, "Rabastan, Marcus, why don't you go check on yours? We need to have a little family chat."

Hermione's eyes blinked open, the room still spinning, but coming back into focus. A throbbing pain behind her temples, but not nearly as bad as she'd expected.

It had worked. Bellatrix had fallen straight in their trap, and was none the wiser for it—

Chairs scraped backwards.

"Take the whores with you. I'm sure the Mudblood would delight in seeing her old boyfriend again."

"She stays." Hermione lifted her head to see Narcissa's cold blue eyes boring into her sister's, her posture rigid with anger. "She goes nowhere without Draco."

Bellatrix sneered and turned to her brother-in-law. "Go on, then. But be sure to let the ginger know who our dinner guests are."

Ron.

Hermione listened to the shuffling of feet as her blood raced. She was so close to him, but so impossibly far away.

The doors clicked closed. She was alone with the Malfoys, Bellatrix, and Rodolphus. There was a stilted silence before Bellatrix spoke.

"I see Draco is finally enjoying his plaything. It's an improvement, I suppose, but if you ask me, the boy is still far too soft." Bellatrix took a deep sip from her wine, eyeing Lucius over the rim. Lucius stared back at her impassively. "I must confess myself quite disappointed with his performance in Italy."

Time seemed to slow. The pain behind Hermione's eyes faded, and she watched the entire family stare at each other as if wands had been drawn.

Narcissa shifted, folding her hands beneath her chin and leaning on her elbows. "I'm sure you wish for someone to ask, 'What went wrong in Italy?' So I will ask it."

Hermione could see Narcissa and Lucius plainly, Bellatrix's profile, and the back of Draco's head from this vantage point. She watched Draco's shoulder blades twitch before his ribs expanded.

"I did my task. The Minister is alive. The insurgents were disabled—"

"Twenty rioters and would-be assassins Stunned, and not a single Killing Curse cast." Bellatrix tutted mockingly. "I did show you how to cast one, didn't I? In the Manor basement on the rats and vermin?"

A pause.

"Of course, Aunt. I was being cautious. No need for a massacre in a volatile country—"

"The Dark Lord approved any and all force necessary to protect Minister Romano." Bellatrix's fingers circled the rim of her glass, like a cat playing with dinner. "In fact, he would have been quite pleased to learn that you disposed of a group of violent dissenters. Instead you left that honor to Dolohov." Hermione saw Draco's left fist clench in his lap. "Of course, you're like your father in that regard," she continued lightly. "Far more interested in elbow-rubbing and politics than in getting your hands dirty."

Hermione dared to look up at Lucius. He was perfectly still, his eyes flitting back and forth between his sister-in-law and his son. Only his lips moved as he lilted, "We all have different strengths."

Bellatrix tilted her head. "Are you sure the Dark Lord would agree that Draco's — timidness — is a strength?"

A scream from below their feet — somewhere in the bowels of the manor. Hermione's air constricted and she jumped violently. She knew that scream. She looked up at the family — not a single brow arched in interest. Not even Rodolphus took his eyes off his wine glass. She dug her fingers into her palms.

Narcissa lifted her chin off her hands, stared her sister down, and said, "Are you threatening my son?"

Bellatrix scoffed. "Don't be absurd. He's the future of the Blacks." She grabbed Narcissa's wrist, pulling her hand close and weaving their fingers together. Then her anger seemed to vanish. She sent her sister a soft smile that sent chills down Hermione's back. "I can protect him and his weak heart. And I'll do it for you, Cissy."

She reached for Draco with her other hand, plucking up his limp wrist and clasping their fingers together. She tilted her head, pressing her cheek to their clasped hands. "Until he's strong enough to kill it," she whispered.

Bile crept up the back of Hermione's throat. She directed her attention to Lucius, watching carefully across the table, seething.

Another scream from below, choking off and then garbling into a wild pitch. Hermione looked down, imagining Ron's bloody and beaten body thrashing in pain. Blinking rapidly, she breathed in and out. A lake, clear and calm—

Narcissa peeled herself away from her sister. "We have very different ideas of what makes a weak heart, Bella."

Bellatrix looked down at her empty right hand, like the sight of it offended her. Her eyes turned to ice. "Perhaps we do. Your need for affection outweighed your sense of loyalty long ago. Now, you're no better than our mother — a simpering housecat whose purpose is to host tea during the day, spread your legs at night, and pop out children nine months later." She snatched her wine glass, lip curling as she brought it to her mouth. "And you weren't even particularly good at that, were you?"

"That's enough." Lucius's voice shook the room, his tone so low, Hermione had to search for the source. The plates and glasses trembled with his restrained magic.

"Ooo," Bellatrix giggled, stretching to whisper into Draco's ear, "Daddy's home."

Lucius pushed back his chair and rose to a looming height. "You have threatened my son, insulted my wife, and, frankly, served the most appalling soup I've ever had the displeasure of tasting. Excuse me, but it's ten past the hour I agreed to suffer through."

Bellatrix cackled, still grasping Draco's hand.

"Always so quick to get to it." She turned to Narcissa. "I knew he wasn't one for foreplay." Lucius stood stiffly, refusing to take the bait. Bellatrix's face fell into a mock pout. "All I wanted was to spend a little time as a family before Draco goes to Switzerland."

A thick silence settled over the room. Hermione could count the heartbeats between them all, hardly daring to breathe.

"Switzerland," Lucius repeated incredulously. "I thought Switzerland was your project."

"Yes, well the Dark Lord thinks that a Malfoy's political cunning may be just what we need over there. And since you just returned from such a long assignment, Lucius, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity for Draco to rise to the challenge."

Narcissa stood, icy rage radiating off her shoulders. "So, because you've failed to infiltrate the Swiss Ministry, you're dragging my son into your mess? Holding him ransom for — for what?"

"Failed is a strong word, love," Bellatrix cooed, flashing her teeth. "I'd prefer to call it a little delay. And on the contrary, I'm taking your son under my wing. We're going to strengthen him." She shook Draco's hand, and Hermione could see his white knuckles clenching hers.

"This is preposterous—"

"I think we can all agree that the Dark Lord would be most pleased with the Malfoy family if Draco helped secure Switzerland." Her voice dropped. "Pleased enough to overlook certain weaknesses — which I'm sure we all hope will remain a secret."

Bellatrix's eyes suddenly slid to her, and Hermione shivered, her skin hot and itchy. She quickly turned her gaze to the floor.

"I'll help you, Draco," she heard Bellatrix hum. "Your father's blood may be weak, but you're still half a Black."

"Enough," Lucius snarled. He shifted to Narcissa. "I will speak to the Dark Lord. Switzerland is in a delicate situation after your sister's many mistakes, and I will make it clear—"

"It's already settled, Lucius. The Dark Lord has agreed." A pause. "I'll keep him under my protection, of course."

Before he could reply, the doors swung open, drawing Hermione's eyes and startling the room. Rabastan, Flint, and the girls were back. Hermione hadn't even realized the screaming had stopped.

"It was quick this time," Rabastan said. "He passed out early."

Hermione swayed on her feet, bracing herself on the wall.

Narcissa's face was pale with rage. "Gentlemen, you'll excuse my sister and I, and our husbands. We have a private matter to discuss. Rabastan, may we use your study?"

Rabastan nodded his acceptance and she moved briskly to the doorway, Lucius just behind her. Rodolphus abruptly stood and followed, grabbing his wine.

Bellatrix pushed back from the table with a screech of wood. She dropped Draco's hand and patted his cheek. Hermione kept her eyes down as she passed, tucking the sound of fresh screaming into a heavy, earthy tome.

Once the door closed behind the four of them, Flint said, "Well, I hate to inform you Rabs, but your elf can't cook worth shit." He clapped Rabastan on the back. "Shall we just pass through then?"

"I have a sitting room just across the hall," Rabstan said, grabbing several empty wine glasses. "We can get comfortable." His hand slid around the waist of his Lot.

Hermione's heart raced. She hadn't thought this evening would be anything like the Lounge. Draco stood abruptly, straightening his collar. "I should get going."

"You can't be serious." Flint shook his head. "Where do you have to be?"

Draco shrugged. "The night is young. Maybe we'll catch the end of the Ring Match. I hear Finnigan is back."

"Draco, come catch up," Rabastan coaxed. "I never get to spend time with you. And I haven't had a proper look at your Mudblood."

Flint wrapped his arms around Penelope's waist. "No one gets a proper look." He grinned. "Come on, Draco. An hour at least. Don't tell me you're as much of a prat at a family dinner as you are at Edinburgh."

She watched Draco's jaw tick before he smiled tightly. "Twist my arm, why don't you?"

Rabastan laughed and jerked his head in the direction of the door. Draco pushed in his chair methodically and grabbed her elbow to lead her out. She brought her other hand up and squeezed his fingers, thinking about the way Bellatrix had touched him. Her mind drifted to Switzerland, but she forced it aside.

They were led into a small sitting room, just as dark and ghostly as the rest of the manor. Flint and Penelope dropped into an armchair while Rabastan went to the drink cart. His Lot took a sofa, and Draco led Hermione to the other matching sofa. She let him sit first, then tucked her legs on the couch and leaned into him, trying to look comfortable.

"Can I get Miss Granger anything to drink?" Rabastan turned a smile on her. "Perhaps some wine with a splash of something else?"

He pulled a small bottle of clear liquid from his inside pocket and shook it tantalizingly.

Flint laughed. "Draco doesn't need that potion, Rabs. His slut is wild for him without it, isn't that right?"

Hermione said nothing, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Draco made a noncommittal noise as Rabastan popped a bottle of champagne, poured two glasses, and split the potion between them. Flint joined him at the cart, and they each added a hair to a glass before offering them to the girls.

Draco stiffened besides her as Penelope and the other girl obediently drank their champagne, tipping their glasses back and swallowing like they'd done it a thousand times before.

Hermione tried to Occlude, but her mind groaned in protest, still depleted from Bellatrix's attack. Her knee began to bounce, and Draco placed his hand on her thigh, calming her.

"Well, gentlemen"—he quickly stood—"Never been much of voyeur myself, so we'll just see ourselves out—"

"Relax," Rabastan smirked, pouring three tumblers of Firewhisky. "This one's a new concoction I've been helping Marcus with. Takes some time to kick in, but once it hits, it gets stronger until you scratch the itch, if you catch my meaning. I like to watch her writhe a bit beforehand." He strolled to Draco, offering him one of the glasses of Firewhisky. "Have a drink, take that chip off your shoulder, and enjoy yourself." He shoved the tumbler into Draco's hands and smiled, a crooked front tooth glinting in the candlelight, before pushing him down on the couch. Flint laughed and settled into his chair with Penelope.

Draco schooled the irritation from his features and settled next to her.

"Granger," Flint called out. "Your boyfriend's quite the screamer."

She felt her entire body grow cold. Her vision narrowed to Flint's smug smile as he sipped from his glass. She tried to breathe deeply.

"Tell me. Did he scream like that when you used to suck his cock in the Gryffindor common room?"

Rabastan laughed. She blinked, her shelf rattling and groaning.

"Draco, you should have seen him when I told him she was here," Rabastan crowed. "Screaming her name, throwing himself at the bars, trying to Apparate without a wand or magic."

The taste of blood in her mouth. She'd bitten the inside of her cheek. Draco's ribs barely moved next to hers as he took a sip of his Firewhisky and said in an empty voice, "I'd love to see that one day."

She focused on her breathing, pushing through the pain until she could see still water in a large lake. A mountain range surrounding it.

"No wonder he misses her." Rabastan chuckled, shaking his head. "Merlin, I'll never forget that night. Back when we still could serve these." He tapped his Lot's empty glass. "Never seen a girl drop to her knees so quick. Getting fucking hard just thinking about it."

"Well she's a professional, isn't she?" said Flint.

They both laughed. Draco took a sip from his glass.

"You know, Granger, I've always wondered," Flint's voice drifted to her. "Do blow jobs get you wet? Certainly looked like it."

A lake with still waters. A sloping mountain range. Geese floating across the water, creating ripples.

"I wouldn't mind seeing a bit more of her. Now that your father's back, you might need some more privacy, eh, Draco?"

"Come off it, Rabastan. You know he doesn't fuck unless the curtains are drawn around his four-poster. Or his Lot's. Isn't that right?"

Draco shook his head with a wry smile. He tugged at his collar a bit, and sipped his drink.

Hermione looked over at Flint, and found Penelope starting to kiss his neck, pressing her legs together. The other girl appeared dizzy and flushed, sitting several feet away from Rabastan and staring at him longingly.

Hermione let the chatter wash over her, glancing over at Draco to gauge how much longer they would stay.

His face was tight and his cheeks were pink. She leaned into him to whisper, "Should I sit in your lap or—"

The arm around her shoulder disappeared. He sat forward, drawing away from her sharply and placing his hands on his knees. He pressed his eyes closed, like he might be sick.

"Everything alright there, Draco?" Flint lilted.

Draco's eyes flew open to glare at him. In a heartbeat, he was standing and moving to the doors.

"Granger. Come."

Hermione stared after him, stunned.

"Draco, come back! We'll miss the show!"

He wrenched open the door and stormed through. Hermione stood and ran after him, ignoring Flint's protests as Penelope moved to straddle him. Draco whipped around a corner as she stumbled out of the room, and she darted after him.

"What in the world—?" She rounded the corner and found him at the fireplace they'd come through, one hand bracing himself on the wall as he hunched over, heaving. "Are you ill?"

No response, except for the rattle of his breathing. She approached cautiously, reaching for his hand. A soft brush of her fingers over his wrist—

And he jerked backward, his wand clattering to the stone floor. Hermione gaped as it rolled away.

He groaned, sucking in a sharp breath. "We have to— You have to go."

"Draco. What's wrong?" She reached for his face—

"Don't touch me," he panted, pressing himself against the wall. There was horror in his eyes. "You can't touch me."

"Alright." She raised her hands in surrender. "Just let me get a better look." She moved closer, frowning. His pupils were blown wide, his cheeks and neck flushed, his mouth panting with ragged breaths. His gaze dropped from her face, skating over her exposed neck, fixating on the curve of her breasts, the dip of her waist, the swell of her hips.

Hermione felt an iced chill run over her skin, freezing the air in her lungs.

They'd dosed him. Rabastan and Flint. With the lust potion.

This one's a new concoction—

We'll miss the show!

Her mind clicked into action. She flipped through her memories, thinking back on the notes she'd made that day in Draco's laboratory.

But they would need her hair for that potion. A more general lust potion didn't necessarily mean he was dangerous to her—

Draco's hands reached for her, eyes wild and starved, before he jerked them back to his sides. He slapped his hands on the wall behind him, squeezing his eyes shut.

The room spun as she stared at him, dread filling her veins. Somehow, Flint or Rabastan had procured a strand of her hair.

"We can make an antidote," she said, fighting to sound calm.

He let out another moan, and Hermione jerked into action. She ran to the fireplace, searching for the Floo powder.

"We have to get back to the Manor—"

"You need to leave. You go. I can't be with you—"

"Draco." She spun to him, holding out her tattooed forearm. "I cannot go anywhere without you."

A whimper was wrenched from his chest. The heels of his hands pressed into his eyes as he slid down the wall to a crouch.

Hermione spied his wand against a far corner. She darted for it, snatched it up, and turned back to him.

A quivering warmth spun up her arm, sliding into her veins and igniting her soul. Hermione gasped and stared down at her hand, vibrating with the sensation of holding a wand for the first time in months. The hawthorn hummed for her, ready to be useful.

Her heartbeat echoed in her ears.

She could go. She could find Ron. She could fight her way out and run. There were four people to kill — and three Malfoys to Stun. She'd have to take Draco with her for the tattoo to let her leave. Ron must have a tattoo as well. Perhaps if they took Rabastan's body—

A thump drew her eyes up, and she caught sight of Draco on his knees, bracing himself with his hands on the floor, panting.

Her heart thundered even louder, her guilt and conscience tugging her both ways. After another half-second's hesitation, she ran to him. She pushed him up by the shoulders, careful not to touch him, and his eyes fluttered open. His gaze was like black glass.

"Don't—"

"Let's go. Draco, we're going."

She stood swiftly and dragged him up by the collar. He stumbled against the fireplace, tugging to undo his topmost buttons.

"Accio Floo powder," she whispered, and magic sang in her blood as a small ornate jar shot into her hand. She grabbed a handful and turned to him.

He was sweating, his hair damp and his fingers scratching at the buttons of his shirt.

Over-heating. Drowsiness. Dizziness. Obsessive euphoria at skin contact.

And that was the old version.

"You'll"—her voice shook—"you'll need to take my arm. To take us over the boundary."

He laughed, the sound as manic as his aunt's. "That's not an option, Granger."

She wrung her hands. "Or you can summon your father. Conjure a Patronus?" She winced at the glare he sent her. He didn't have one. "I can't send mine. They'd— they'd know about my magic." Her teeth worried her bottom lip, and his eyes watched the movement with a thick hunger. She looked down the dark hallway. "I can go find them and tell them you're sick." Walking wandless through a Death Eater's manor— "Or I can go back to Flint and Rabastan, and demand they—"

He pushed off the mantle of the fireplace, bracing himself as he stood tall. He loomed over her with black, hooded eyes, and she resisted the urge to step backward.

"Stun me as soon as we're through."

She swallowed at the threat in his words. "I know you won't hurt me—"

"Stun me. Is that clear?" He stepped closer to her, and she could feel his breath on her face.

She knew she wouldn't. She couldn't risk leaving him unconscious in this state.

Hermione tossed the Floo powder, stepped into the fire, and the moment his fingers wrapped around her skin, she yelled, "Malfoy Manor!"

The sound of his gasp as their skin connected was audible even in the whoosh of the fire. His arm slipped around her waist in the transport, gripping her close to him. When she stumbled out of the fireplace into the Manor's entryway, he stumbled with her, his face buried in her hair, his arms clinging to her body.

He moaned against her ear, as if the most delicious meal had been served in front of him, and then a hand was sliding down her spine, roaming over her backside, and gripping her close.

She squeaked, grabbing his shoulders to steady herself, and his wand dropped from her fingertips. She whipped her head to watch it knock against the floor just before he grabbed her face and kissed her.

There was nothing hesitant, nothing gentle about it. His tongue was in her mouth and his hand twisting in her hair, as if he needed her like oxygen. She could feel him hard against her stomach, and the hand on her arse was kneading her, filling his palm with her.

Hermione tore her mouth away, trying to breathe. "Draco—"

His lips attached to her neck as she squirmed, trying to put distance between them. "Need you," he groaned. "Please."

"Draco, listen—"

"Please, Granger. Need you, I need—"

Her hands faltered. He screwed his eyes shut, forehead pressed against hers, drawing in ragged breaths. She felt him shaking, trying to reclaim some semblance of control.

And then he surged forward, overwhelming her senses, hands skimming her and mouth devouring her like water in the desert. She parted her lips to reason with him as he broke away, his tongue and teeth following the path down her neck he'd mapped two days prior, but then he found the place beneath her ear that made her vision spot white and her protests vanished. Her fingers curled into his robes, knees buckling.

Draco's hands snapped to her backside, squeezing her, lifting her up, causing her thighs to wrap around him on instinct. Her mind spun to keep up, screaming at her to slow him down, but then her back slammed against a wall and his hips rolled harshly against her core. Her eyes shot open.

"Draco—"

He mumbled broken desires against her neck, hands roaming her thighs and slipping under her thin dress to cup her arse.

"Wanna taste you…" He breathed heavily on her skin, and when his hips pressed into her again, her hands gripped his hair, thighs tightening around him. "Fuck… Wanna fuck you. Want you to come… Wanna feel it on my cock…"

Hermione shuddered at the images, the need, the rawness of it all — and then reality crashed through her foggy consciousness.

"Stop," she gasped.

His body slowed. His lips paused.

"We have to stop," she panted. "You need the antidote."

His forehead dropped against her shoulder, his entire body trembling. She slowly let her legs drop to the floor. He exhaled shakily, and seemed to breathe her in one last time before pushing away from her and stumbling backward. He pushed his hands into his eyes and hunched over, breathing deeply.

She took a cautious step forward, her pulse racing. "We have to act quickly. Do you have any more of the antidote? Or do we need to brew it?"

He was still, apart from the sharp rise and fall of his ribs. "Need to brew it," he wheezed. "Not sure it works on this version."

She nodded, ignoring the cold fear in her chest. "Let's go."

"I need a minute," he growled.

She bit her lip and dug her fingers into her palms, waiting. He breathed into his hands, his ribs expanding slower and slower as he calmed himself. She was about to prod him again when he shot up tall, staring over her, his eyes dark and empty. His jaw was set and his expression dead.

A chill ran down her shoulders as she took in his vacant eyes. "Are you alright?" When he said nothing, simply gazing into the fireplace, she inched closer. "Do you have it under control?"

His head turned, and when his eyes landed on her, they seemed to flash with a black fire before it vanished — like a reptilian blink.

"Perfectly." He reached for his discarded wand with long, elegant fingers. He stared at a point over her ear and said, "Lead the way."

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 23

Chapter Notes

Thanks to the girls as always.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Every step on the stairs down to the laboratory echoed against the stones, making it sound like a dozen people were at Hermione's heels as she rushed down the twisting staircase.

Instead, there was just one. He moved slowly, but every time she paused to look back at him, he was three paces behind her, as if tied to a string. His hand slid across the wall as he moved, his gaze always fixed at a point over her head.

She began running once he descended, following the memorized route to the laboratory and shoving open the door. There was no time to catch her breath as she ran to the shelves, slamming jars onto the lab bench and tearing leaves from potted plants.

Her mind tumbled with the memory of decoding the previous lust potion. She needed Gurdyroot, and Wiggentree Twigs, and — her eyes snapped up to the door. Draco hovered against the frame, every inch of him coiled and tense.

The skin on the back of her neck prickled. "How do you feel, Draco? What are your symptoms?"

He was still, his hands buried in his pockets, his gaze locked on one of the candles on the stone wall. "My symptoms..." he repeated.

Hermione nodded slowly, taking him in. Sweat was beading at his temples — she could see the perspiration on his black collared shirt. And although his eyes were still vacant, she didn't miss the clench in his jaw.

Silence.

"Alright. I'll just get started, then." Squaring her shoulders, she stepped up to the cauldron, facing her first problem. She needed to light the fire—

There was a shuffle forward before she could ask. She kept her eyes fixed on the cauldron as his long, pale fingers placed his wand delicately on the counter. A sharp intake of breath — and then he moved away, stepping back to the doorframe.

"Thanks," she mumbled. The magic in his wand thrummed in her veins as she quickly lit the fire, filled the cauldron, and charmed the elm spoon to stir clockwise. She set to work, summoning tools and ingredients, inspecting the color and texture as the mixture bubbled. After a few minutes, she glanced up to find him watching her, his eyes dark and glassy.

"Draco"—she cleared her throat—"I need to know what's different about this potion. What's it doing to you?"

She began chopping the Wiggentree Twigs to avoid holding his eye.

"Overheating, dizziness…" He trailed off.

She darted a glance through her lashes and found him staring at her lips. She'd been biting them.

"And arousal, obviously," she muttered, tossing in the Wiggentree Twigs. "Intense arousal, as it's been exacerbated by skin contact."

"It's…"

She looked up when he didn't finish. "Yes?"

He shifted, leaning heavily on the doorframe. "It's getting worse the longer it goes on." His eyes dragged over her body before closing tightly. "I didn't see that with the other potions. Before."

Hermione jerked a nod and cast her eyes down on the potions ingredients in front of her. She needed twenty minutes to cobble together an antidote. And she could only hope that it worked properly. The Bulbadox juice and daisy roots were her best guesses to counteract the increasing intensity, but she couldn't be sure without a sample.

There was nothing to be done for it. She just had to hope for the best.

She flicked his wand and conjured a chair near the doorway. "Take a seat."

The cauldron simmered into a bubblegum pink. She ran through the ingredients in her head, trying to account for the color.

"When you made this for Pansy, did you stir clockwise eleven times? Or thirteen times counterclockwise?"

The texture evened out. The color shifted into a pale baby pink. So close now. She picked up the Gurdyroot.

"You can't use that."

Her head snapped up. The doorframe was supporting him now, his back flush against it, and his knees weak underneath him. His eyes were squeezed closed.

"What?"

"The Gurdyroot will counteract the Ashwinder shells, negating—negating the effects." He took a shuddering breath. "You need to use willow bark."

Her heart thrashed in her chest until her ribs hurt. Willow bark had to be added at room temperature, and its effects only released properly if it was slowly, gradually brought to a boil. Another fifteen minutes, at least. Steeling herself, she banished the flames, summoned the willow bark, and began cracking it into fingernail-sized pieces.

"I'm sorry," she said numbly. "I should have started with the bark. It's going to be a bit longer. You—you should sit."

She chanced a look up at him as he stiffly lowered himself into the chair she'd conjured. He was clammy and flushed, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. Unable to either look at him or stand still, she began clearing up her station, darting around the room and putting things away by hand.

Five excruciating minutes later, the potion was cool enough. She sprinkled the willow bark into the cauldron and lit the flames, chewing the inside of her cheek while she waited.

He was quiet and still for the next ten minutes while Hermione worked, adjusting the temperature as she peered into the cauldron. If she hadn't seen his chest rising and falling out of the corner of her eye, she would have assumed he was catatonic.

"How are you feeling?" No response. She wiped her brow, then waved away the smoke. "I can brew you something for concentration—"

"Stop talking," he bit out. Her eyes darted to him. He stared at her darkly, sweat dripping from his temples. "Your voice—"

He tore his gaze from her. She nodded, pointedly ignoring the way he adjusted himself in his trousers. She continued easing the castor oil into the cauldron, one teaspoon every ten stirs.

"Stop biting your lip," his voice snarled.

She jumped. "Sorry. I didn't realize…"

He dropped his head into his hands and groaned. "How much longer?"

"Not long."

He stumbled out of the chair, standing to press his back against the cool stones. He tugged at his shirt, fanning himself with the material, and his eyes slid over to her again.

Her heartbeat fluttered as she blinked away, doubling her efforts. She could feel him staring at her hands as she worked, making her fingers shake and the knife slippery in her grip.

The cauldron bubbled into a deep blue as soon as she added the crushed daisy roots, the consistency exactly right. She just needed to wait five more minutes for it to simmer.

"You should Stun me."

Her eyes jerked up to see him closer to the table, still pressed against the wall. His gaze was on her neck and chest.

She swallowed, her throat thick. "Just a little bit longer."

"Stun me."

She focused back on the potion, wiping her brow again, trying to ignore the way his eyes slid over her. "I don't think you should be unconscious in this state. Putting you into a stasis could—"

"Then bind me," he growled.

Hermione shivered. "Maybe four minutes—" Her voice caught when she turned to address him again. He'd gotten even closer.

His expression darkened when their eyes met, and a slow, catlike grin spread across his lips. He took a step closer to her, almost at the table, and Hermione's eyes darted to his wand — now closer to his reach than hers.

"Maybe you want me to lose control." He tilted his head at her. "Maybe the little lioness wants to be hunted down, chased through the Manor."

She stood frozen, unable to tear away from his obsidian eyes as he leaned forward on his palms, shoulders curling like a predator. She willed her heart to slow its pounding.

"You certainly like to tease." The black fire in his eyes bloomed, expanding and collapsing like a supernova. "Do you want me to break, Granger?" He smirked, the curve of his mouth cold and cutting. "I think it's my turn to play."

"Draco—"

"Go on. Run. I'll give you a head start."

She didn't move a muscle, even as her impulses screamed to do exactly what he'd told her and run. She gave up no ground as he leaned closer, her blood pounding so frantically she could hear it rushing in her ears. Taking a deep breath and lifting her chin, she looked into his eyes.

"This isn't you. I know who you are, Draco." His eyes flickered, the black fire wavering. "Look at me."

A held breath — and the fire vanished. Draco flinched violently, like she'd slapped him. A gasping breath crashed into his lungs, and he stumbled backward until his back slammed into the stone. His eyes were wide and horrified before he covered them with his hands, sinking to the ground and curling in on himself.

"It's okay," she said, her voice shaky. "You're okay. Three minutes. Count in your head."

She snatched his wand and set a timer on it, her fingers clutching the handle tightly as she slowly backed to her side of the table.

Draco breathed harshly, eyes still closed, his breath rattling on the exhale. He was shivering, his face ashen, and his collar drenched with sweat. After a second of debate, Hermione inched closer and cast a quick diagnostic over him. Orange and maroon throughout his chest, but a disturbing deep green across his hips and thighs. Bright spots of red fired through his brain. Pomfrey would have already sent him to St. Mungo's based on his temperature and hydration levels.

She checked the timer on the wand, trying to focus amidst the panic in her chest. Two more minutes.

The potion was thickening like it should. The color dissolving from midnight blue to sky blue, which would then move to a clear—

A vicious thump sounded from her right, and she spun to find Draco crumpled on the floor.

Her legs raced to him before she could remember—

She stumbled back, filled a vial with the antidote, and ran to him, praying it was ready.

His eyes were fluttering under their lids, his fingers twitching. She grabbed a handful of fabric from her dress and used it as a barrier between their skin as she pried open his jaw and poured the potion into his mouth.

He coughed. It sprayed up and onto her face.

She screamed for another vial, and the magic shot through her fingers. A second later, a full vial was in her hand.

He was shaking, his eyes rolling back in his head.

"Draco!" She kneeled on his chest to keep him still, grabbed his jaw, and poured the potion into his mouth, covering his lips with her palm to force him to swallow. She watched his throat bob, his body shuddering beneath her.

She looked up at the diagnostic spell still hovering overhead. His temperature was dropping rapidly, returning to normal. She hadn't expected the potion to work so quickly—

A moan from below her. And she looked down just as Draco covered his hand with hers and held her skin to his lips, kissing and sucking at her wrist. His other was on her knee, sliding up, up, up.

Relief washed over her as she checked the scan, her arm yielding to his demanding mouth. The dark green had replaced the angry orange and red. But she couldn't tell if this was the antidote working or the contact with her skin—

"Hermione."

Her eyes snapped down to him. He was kissing her arm, murmuring her given name against her skin. Her jaw went slack with the sound of the syllables from his lips. He was under the thrall of the lust potion now.

The hand crawling under her dress reached her hip, and he tugged her to straddle him. He was still hard, twitching under her, his tongue laving against her wrist.

She blinked, forcing herself to stay clinical as he groaned her name again. It was soft and needy. Nothing like the desperation at the fireplaces. If she could keep him sated with this, maybe it would give enough time for the antidote to begin working.

If it would ever begin working.

He pulled on her wrist. Her torso fell forward onto his with a squeak from her throat, and his lips were on hers before she could draw breath.

"I need you," he moaned, when he finally broke away.

She looked into his eyes. Not feverish anymore, but still wild. "I'm here," she whispered.

Something flickered behind the grey, and he kissed her — slow and deep, his arms wrapping around her waist, one hand pushing her hips into his. He ground up against her, pressing himself against her core. Her eyelids fluttered closed, surrendering as he dragged her dress up her back, his hands roaming her skin. He needed this, she told herself, as his tongue tangled with hers, as his fingers found the clasp of her bra and opened it with a quick twist—

Hermione's eyes shot open, coming back into her body. She tried to sit up, to redirect his hands, but he was gripping her so tightly that the movement only ground her hips onto him.

"Oh fuck." His head rolled back, his jaw hanging lax. "Just like that."

She tried to reign in her breathing as she shifted again, trying to move her hips away. His hands snapped down to her waist, sliding around to her mostly bare backside and kneading the skin. Her breath hitched, and she flushed, embarrassed at the fire spreading through her.

She finally managed to sit up, pulling his hands from her hips as he started to thrust up against her. But he merely followed her, sliding her into his lap and holding her hips as his lips kissed her clavicles.

She shivered and tilted her head back, looking up at his diagnostic scan. The dark green had faded. A natural, earthy green like leaves in the autumn covered his entire body.

He was nuzzling against her breasts, kissing them through her dress. His hands were stroking her hips, teasing circles into her backside with his long fingers.

She threaded her hands in his hair and tugged his head back to look into his eyes.

Dark like slate. But she could see his irises.

"How do you feel?"

The hands on her hips froze.

His eyes blinked. Clearing into a cool grey.

A gasping breath, and he was tearing away from her.

"Draco—"

He slid out from under her, crawling away, panting and heaving. Hermione scrambled up, quickly clasping her bra and straightening her dress.

She turned back in time to see him vomiting onto the stones, his hand braced on the wall. She started toward him, then froze.

Reaching for his wand, she banished the sick without looking.

"You did so well, Draco." She bit her lip. "It was… I don't blame you for any of this—"

He retched again. Hermione turned to stare at the cauldron, her hand pressing into her trembling lips as she listened to him heave.

She banished the mess again, and before she could say anything, he called out, "Mippy!"

The elf popped into the laboratory. "Master Draco!"

"Take Granger to her room."

She blinked at his back. He still leaned against the wall, facing away from her.

Mippy tottered over to her, and Hermione drew back her hand. "No. Mippy. Take Master Draco to his room. He is unwell. He needs fluids and a quarter vial of this potion once he can keep anything down—"

"I'm fine, Mippy. I need her out of here."

"Well, I can walk on my own! Which is more than I can say for him!"

Mippy's green eyes bounced between the two of them like tennis balls. "Mippy is not knowing—"

"Get her to her room—"

"Look at his diagnostic scan, Mippy. He's dehydrated and recovering from a dangerous fever—"

"Mippy thinks maybe we all go upstairs?" the elf squeaked.

The door banged open, and Narcissa Malfoy flew into the room. "There you are." She quickly halted, taking in the scene. "What happened?"

"Draco is ill! He needs fluids and rest—"

"I need her out of here. I need to be away from her right now—"

"Mippy was called, Mippy waits for missus to tell her what to—"

"Look!" Hermione gestured to the diagnostic. "He was poisoned, and we managed to get him an antidote just in time." She took a rattling breath. "He Occluded himself into a coma, and his fever was life-threatening a few minutes ago. He needs rest and monitoring and he needs to listen to me."

She looked wildly between Narcissa and Draco.

"Mother—"

"Hush." Narcissa was pale, staring down at Hermione's hand.

Hermione looked down. Draco's wand was still in her hand. The hawthorn humming.

"Did anyone see you used a wand this evening, Hermione?"

She shook her head. "No. He dropped it, and I helped him through the Floo—"

"The same fireplace we arrived in?" asked Narcissa.

"Yes, but…" Hermione's eyes widened, and her hand slapped over her mouth. "The portraits," she whispered. "In the entry hall. I summoned the Floo powder in front of them."

Hermione quickly dropped the wand on the table, her heart pounding wildly again. How could she have been so foolish?

"Don't fret, Hermione," said Narcissa quickly. "Rabastan and Marcus are preoccupied. I encountered them when I was looking for you two." She looked nauseous at the memory.

"But Bellatrix—"

"Gone as well. Lucius left to speak with the Dark Lord, and my sister and her husband insisted on accompanying him." A shadow of fury passed over her face.

Draco took an unsteady step forward. "Mother, what—"

"Mippy," said Narcissa, her voice deadly calm, "take Draco upstairs. Check his vitals and begin any necessary treatment. I'll be there shortly."

Mippy dropped the ear she was twirling and quickly tottered over to grab Draco's wrist. His eyes caught Hermione's just as they vanished, and the anguish in them hit her like a blow to the gut.

Narcissa moved quickly to the cauldron, grabbing a vial.

"What was he poisoned with?"

Hermione dragged in air, steadying herself. "A lust potion."

Narcissa's eyes flickered back to her, scanning over her rumpled dress, skating up to her wild hair.

"I'm fine," Hermione managed. "Really."

Narcissa pressed her lips together and filled a vial. "Who?"

"Rabastan and Flint. They drugged his drink."

Narcissa capped the vial, and Hermione saw her fingers shake only once. She swept from the room, and Hermione followed, rattling instructions as she strained to keep up.

"He should be monitored for at least twenty-four hours," Hermione wheezed as they strode through the entrance hall. "Flint said this was a new batch, something stronger. I believe the antidote worked, but there might be complications from prolonged exposure. He had a fever of almost thirty-nine degrees, and his hydration levels were dangerously low."

Apart from an occasional nod or hum of understanding, Narcissa was silent. Once they reached Draco's bedroom door, she spun to her.

"Hermione, thank you. For everything." She placed a hand on Hermione's elbow. "I know you've been through a lot this evening."

Hermione opened her mouth to say that she was fine, that she was only concerned for Draco—

"Please don't visit him tonight." Her voice was gentle, but firm. "I don't think he can bear it."

Hermione blinked at Narcissa, then at the floor. Her eyes slid to his door, her throat thick and vision blurring. She took a breath, and nodded.

Narcissa took her hands. "And we will keep this between the three of us." She glanced down the hall, as if her husband could appear at any moment. "Lucius needs to focus on keeping Draco out of Switzerland, and not murdering Rabastan Lestrange." Narcissa's lips tightened. "Keep this between us. And leave the portraits to me."

Hermione nodded again, her eyes wide. With a final squeeze of her hands, Narcissa rushed into Draco's room, closing the door behind her. Hermione stared at the emerald eye for several long moments before slowly turning and trudging back to her room. As she kicked off her shoes, she caught sight of herself in her long mirror. Her hair was mussed, her lips bee-stung. She slipped off her dress, and found a lovebite just above her breast. Her cheeks flushed.

She ran her hands over her face, trying to force the tension of the evening to melt from her skin. All things considered, the night had been a success. Not the least of which was saving Draco from doing something he never would have wanted to.

Sighing, she began collecting her dirty clothes. She'd also survived dinner with the Lestranges. Her Occlumency had worked. Bellatrix had seen only what she wanted her to see, and she hadn't cracked when—

Her hands seized, her shoes tumbling to the carpets. The memory of a scream rising up from below her feet, rattling her, cutting through her mind, slicing her insides. Ron was still there. She sank to her knees, breathing deeply until she managed to slam him back inside his book. When the shelves in her mind were finally still, Hermione crossed to her bathroom, turned on the taps, and sank into a warm bath until her muscles relaxed and her mind was empty.

~*~

The next morning, Hermione was in the library, burying herself in research to keep from fixating on the fact that Draco was not at home.

She'd tried his door when she woke up, but he hadn't answered. The elves had told her he was out, and so was Narcissa. Lucius still hadn't returned from the previous evening.

Hermione had spent half an hour panicking about their absence, and Draco's health, until her guilt found her. Then she'd trudged down to the library, reviewing all the reasons it would have been foolish to try to rescue Ron last night.

Fifteen minutes of meditation later, and she was ready. In a firm voice, she asked the catalog to pull down all the books on Scourers. After some debate, she'd decided to keep them in the library, or else she ran the risk of someone finding out what she was researching.

One of the Scourers, Jeremiah Jones, had written his entire journal in that code she'd found scattered in other journals, amidst torn-out pages. They appeared to be like a cross between runes or hieroglyphics, but the sheer variety of characters was like nothing Hermione had seen before. She'd set Jeremiah Jones's journal aside weeks ago, focusing on the other journals instead, as they at least contained entries in English. But she'd carefully combed through the last of them, and was still no wiser about the magic leading to the tattoos.

So she reopened Jones's journal and studied the strange shapes and lines. Her fingers traced the remnants of a chunk of torn-out pages at the center of its spine, feeling the loss in her bones. It was like trying to translate Russian to English using a dictionary written in Mandarin. If only she could crack the cipher, she could translate the fragments of code in the Scourers' journals. And something told her that this journal was key.

She was so deeply entrenched in her study of the strange runes that she didn't hear the library doors open. A throat cleared near her table and she jolted, nearly upending her inkpot over the centuries-old texts.

Draco stood several feet away, his hands behind his back. She jumped up from her chair to meet him, fingers curling into fists to keep from reaching out.

"How—how are you?"

He was pale, his eyes rimmed with dark circles and his jaw tight.

"Marcus Flint won't be bothering us again."

She felt a chill crest over her skin. "Why? What happened?"

He rolled his shoulders, and she listened to his bones pop.

"He enjoys being alive." He took a deep breath, looking at a point over her ear. "I told him the next time he so much looks at me the wrong way, I'll go straight to the Dark Lord and inform him that he and Rabastan are still dealing the potion at Edinburgh."

Hermione gasped. "They've—?"

"Yes. Since the beginning. The idiot thought I didn't know. Then he tried to insist I wouldn't betray my uncle's brother." He sneered. "He is banned from Edinburgh for the next month."

"Banned? On whose orders?"

Draco looked at her, his eyes a deep, swirling grey. "Mine. Marcus has forgotten his place since the fall of Potter. I'll endeavor to remind him of it."

He stood tall, arrogant and cold. It reminded her of Hogwarts.

She shook away her memories and wrung her hands together. "I take it your temperature is normal this morning? Did you run any diagnostics?"

The look he gave her told her that asking about his health was futile.

His eye twitched, and he took a deep breath. "We need to end our 'practicing.'"

She heard her heartbeat in the silence. She'd suspected things would go this way.

"I understand how you feel," she said slowly, "but I don't think returning to stiffness and visible discomfort is a good idea."

"The practice sessions are a distraction. For both of us." He cleared his throat. "I let my guard down around Marcus last night. I could have seriously harmed you—"

"Last night wasn't your fault," she rushed out, stepping closer to him. "You did everything within your power—"

"Granger—"

"—and you stopped yourself! You had remarkable control over your mind, despite what it cost you, and—and I just want you to know that you don't have to avoid me, or stop the progress that we made, because I trust you, Draco. I truly do. And even if—"

"Granger." She paused her frantic pacing and met his eyes. He said quietly, voice raw with exhaustion, "This is me tugging my ear."

She blinked at him. Tug your ear, or something. If he felt uncomfortable, or if she was asking too much. And she'd promised she would stop.

"I see." She turned her gaze on her shoes, feeling her ribs contract in towards her heart. "No, of course. That's your right." Her eyes slid up to him again. "But you should know that I'm not tugging mine. My ear, that is."

He swallowed, and his jaw tightened. His eyes drifted over her jaw and lips before dragging away. Nodding at her in goodbye, he turned on his heel.

Her stomach twisted. If he left… if he walked away now, free to avoid her and wallow in self-loathing, she'd have to work twice as hard to win him back. And a partnership with him was what the Order needed.

It just happened to be what her heart wanted as well.

"Was your father successful?" she called out. "In speaking with Voldemort about Switzerland?"

He froze, then turned slowly, looking her over. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. "For now. Mother received an owl this morning. Father has convinced him that politics shouldn't be the top priority, given the current state of the country."

She nodded, something knotted unraveling inside of her chest. "And where is he now?"

"Working on a new strategy for the Dark Lord's approval." He hesitated. "My aunt's not happy. Mother has gone to stay with her for a few days."

"What?" Hermione blurted out. "Why?"

Draco shrugged. "To keep her distracted."

"I see."

He glanced at the door, and she knew she had a handful of seconds before he disappeared.

"Wait—" She moved back to the table, shuffling papers and organizing books. "I'm looking into something that I would love a bit of help with. It's… a lot of work, and I could use a—a partner."

She looked up to him again, and his eyes flashed. There was a thick silence.

"If you're not too busy," she whispered, the words floating across the distance to him.

He stared at the books, tilting his head to read a sideways title. Close enough to show interest, but too far to be hooked. She counted her heartbeats in the moments that followed, the brutal silence overwhelming. If he walked away—

"What are you working on?"

A breeze of relief swept through her veins. She smiled nervously at him and began to explain the Scourers. Slow enough to not overwhelm him, but quick enough to keep his interest. Her chest pounded faster as he moved toward the table, listening intently. She inched forward as well, still rattling facts and history.

"And when did you first learn about them?" he suddenly asked, turning to look at her.

"Um— the night with the Spanish Minister." He frowned at her, watching her lips form the words. "Nott Sr. mentioned them."

His eyes dropped to the ink on her arm before he turned again, stepping resolutely up to the table. He picked up the closest book, flipping through a few pages.

"So you are researching how to escape. And you want my assistance with that." He let the spine snap closed, tucked his hand in his pocket, and turned to look at her coolly.

Her brows knitted together, and she swallowed. "How to get around the boundary lines, yes, but—"

"What do you think happens to me if my Lot runs away? To my parents?" He leaned back on the table, feet crossed at the ankles.

Her jaw clicked closed. "It's not just me, Draco. I'm working to free all of us. This is so much bigger than any one person—"

"So you're going to take off — without a wand — and meet up with 'the gang,' wherever they are — to attempt to destroy the most powerful wizard of our time, succeeding where Harry Potter failed." He crossed his arms over his chest. "And you'd like my help in opening your shackles. Me. A Death Eater."

She glowered at him. "I know your family hates Voldemort."

He stared at her lazily. "Dislike doesn't mean we're willing to get ourselves killed in a pointless attempt to overthrow him."

"The point is," she said calmly, as if she hadn't heard him, "I know why I'm here, Draco."

His ribs ceased moving, his eyes locked on hers.

She took a deep, steadying breath. "I'm well aware that I'm... insurance for the Malfoy family. A bargaining chip, if you will." She lifted her chin. "I don't hold it against you. It was a clever decision, and you've treated me far better than I could have ever imagined. But don't act like it's foolish to try to defeat Voldemort when it's a possibility that you and your family prepared for."

He blinked, searching her face. His eyes slowly narrowed. "I suppose you have it all figured out, then."

She ignored the bait. "Of course I can't say when it will happen. But this regime isn't going to last. Nothing like it ever has in history." She took a cautious step forward. "I know why you've protected me. Why you've helped me. And although I'll tell anyone who will listen, I can't promise it will be enough."

He simply stared at her, his lips slightly parted.

"It may not be good enough in the eyes of a war tribunal." She took a shuddering breath. "But help me do this, and when Voldemort falls and the Order triumphs, I'll make sure they know you and your parents were the reason why."

A pause. Then he snapped to his full height. "How magnanimous of you, Granger," he sneered. "Now if you'll excuse me—"

"Please." She bit her lip, holding his gaze. "I'm asking you to help me."

The air between them crackled. She refused to back down even as she flushed, embarrassed from his intense gaze. The silence stretched as she waited, hoping, praying—

And he abruptly turned back to the table. Flipping open the nearest book with a lazy gesture, he cleared his throat. "What's the problem, then?"

Her heart leaped. She blinked at the floor, fighting the urge to cry, or laugh, or both. Slowly, she came to stand at the table next to him, reaching for Jones's journal. "We should start here."

Several hours later, she was watching him read an old journal with a quill bit between his lips, his eyes scrunched in disdain. The elves had brought the tea service with a fresh pot of coffee for her, and she was nibbling on a biscuit as she watched him read.

She was working on listing every character of the foreign alphabet, writing them out on her scroll as she happened upon them. She was up to twenty-nine. When Mippy came to force Draco to eat dinner, Hermione agreed readily, insisting he stop for the evening.

"I'll… I'll be here tomorrow as well," she said, turning over her shoulder as she paused in the library doorway. "If you'd like to keep working with me."

His throat bobbed, and he looked away. "Possibly. I'll have to see."

She nodded and retired to her room, spending the rest of her night Occluding and saying thanks for Draco's assistance while it had lasted.

The next morning, she was just settling into a Scourer journal when the library doors burst open. Draco flew in, his hair still wet from a shower.

Her mouth fell open.

"I was thinking this morning," he said, pacing back and forth as she tried not to stare. "What if it's not a Germanic root? What if it's Arabic?" He disappeared into the stacks as she blinked after him, before returning with a book of Arabic runes.

It turned out that Draco was partially right. Some of the characters matched those of ancient Arabic runes, but others were distinct. They'd also identified matches with ancient Egyptian, Sumerian, Sanskrit, and Aramaic runes.

They continued much like this for the next several days. With Lucius and Narcissa gone, there was nothing to interrupt them. Hermione didn't know what part of her argument had convinced him to help her, but she didn't dare question it, too content to have his company and help.

She learned that they worked well together, just as she'd expected. It was nothing like working on a project with Ron and Harry. No need to nag him or cross-check his work. Draco was usually at his brightest in the mornings, so he would scribble furious notes until noon, letting his tea go cold while he devoured the textbooks and journals. Hermione hit her stride in the afternoons just as he settled into a chair and flipped idly, staring off and thinking.

More often than not, she would look up to him with an idea or a question, and find that he would already be watching her — staring at her finger trailing over a page, gazing at her mouth as she sucked on the end of a quill, watching as she stood and stretched. That was another difference from her other study partners. How attentive he was.

She ran over to him one afternoon when she thought she'd narrowed one of the symbols down to a Sumerian rune for captivity. Her hair fell over his shoulder as she leaned over him, pointing to the rune to compare.

Draco stood and moved away under the guise of reaching for other books, and she realized with a wave of embarrassment that her breasts had been brushing his shoulder, her arm pressed against his. His cheeks were spotted pink when he came back to her, and she suspected hers with the same.

She was tucked into the couch on Thursday evening, flipping through a text on ancient Latin, looking for any symbols in the pages that looked like the ones in Jeremiah Jones's journal. About a quarter through, she found a match. She sighed, rubbing her temples. It seemed the Scourers had borrowed from every ancient language of runes in existence. They'd already identified over a thousand unique characters. At this rate, it might take years to decipher.

She bit back her disappointment as she dutifully pulled out her parchment, making a note about the translation. It would be so much easier if they had a shortcut. A key of some sort. She let her mind wander to Nott Sr. again.

She cleared her throat, the sound echoing in the silent room. Despite spending the last five days together, they'd hardly spoken. "Are you close with Theodore? It's hard to tell how much of the teasing is real."

His eyes slid to her from over the journal he was reading. "Not really."

"You used to be close, yes?"

He snapped the book closed, pressing his lips in a thin line. "What are you getting at?"

She bit her lip and shook her head. "Nothing. Just… wondering about the Initiation tomorrow evening."

She looked down at her notes again, feeling Draco's hot eyes on her. Now was not the time.

~*~

He didn't come to the library on Friday. He'd told her as they were turning in the night before that he would need to prepare for the Initiation.

"What does it entail?" she'd asked, her hand on her door knob as he hovered in the hallway.

His jaw had clenched. And he'd told her in sparse detail about a ceremony that all the Dark Lord's servants attended. There was typically a party afterward, followed by hours of debauchery and destruction.

She spent all day Friday writing out the code, burying herself in work to forget. She and Draco had now translated fifty-four unique characters within Jeremiah Jones's journal. Still at least a thousand to go.

When the clock chimed ten, Hermione returned to her room and dragged her armchair over to the window so she could watch for Draco's bedroom light. Something tugged deep in her conscience, but she brushed it aside. His help was invaluable, and she needed him to be safe. She stayed up until three in the morning, nodding off here and there before giving up her watch, and tucking herself into bed.

She woke up the next day well after noon. Her body was sore from her futile armchair vigil, and she took a hot shower before changing into some comfortable clothes. Her breakfast tray was sitting on her coffee table, magically still steaming. She plopped down into her chair and poured her coffee.

She was halfway through munching on her piece of toast when she noticed a thick pamphlet poking out from under the tray. Hermione frowned and pulled it free.

Unspeakable: The Hall of Prophecies

Book One

by Lance Gainsworth

She stood, gaping at the words. Her fingers drifted through the pages, flipping through what seemed to be a manuscript. It was coverless, simply bound with a Sticking Charm.

Turning over the first page, she gasped. Written in a messy blue ink on the second page, she found a dedication.

Miss Granger,

Thank you for your support of my previous series,  Undesirable . This, my first draft of book one in my new series, will be published next summer, as long as there's no change in the wind.

The world changes, the light grows dim, but stories and characters are always there to help illuminate the way.

Keep fighting,

Lance Gainsworth

Her fingertips squeezed the pages, itching to flip through. To devour the story and make sure she wasn't imagining the book in her hands. Her mind swam with questions.

Sucking in a sharp breath, she spun and raced for the door. Running the few paces to Draco's room, she banged on the door, pounding bruises into her fist. No response.

She darted for the stairs, flying down to the library. Throwing the doors open, she found him standing over the long table, leaning onto his fists and staring down at one of the many books lying in a heap.

"Morning," he offered, before she could open her mouth. "One of these runes appears on the cover of Tolbrette's journal. Did you notice that yet?"

She clutched the manuscript between her fingers, breathing hard, and opening and closing her mouth.

"There's coffee there," he said, gesturing flippantly to the side table between the couches. "I wasn't sure if you wanted to work today or not, so I told the elves to hold the extra scones. We can call them—"

"What is this?" she interrupted. She held the Gainsworth manuscript out, shaking it at him like it had bitten her.

He looked up at her for the first time. His gaze traced her body before landing on the pages in her hand. Scratching his jaw absently, he turned to the shelves behind him, searching through the books there with deliberation. She couldn't be sure what was fascinating him so much, as Hermione knew that section to contain information on the dung beetle.

"Nothing, really."

She blinked at him, watching the back of his neck turn pink. She moved to the table and slapped the manuscript down. "It's… It's an unpublished draft. It's not nothing. How did you get it? Why is it… How did you—"

He interrupted her stammering with a shrug, still facing the dung beetle books with rapt interest. "I wrote to Gainsworth. Told him you were a fan."

Hermione moved toward him, begging him to face her. "But why would he—"

Draco turned away, his cheeks spotted pink, and his eyes cast down on a book about dung beetle reproductive behaviors that he took over to their Scourer research table.

"I just… I told him you were a fan. Asked if he had anything he could sign and send for Hermione Granger's birthday."

He flipped through a few texts as she stared at him, her lips parting slowly.

She hadn't read the paper in days. Rationally, she knew it was September, and that her birthday was coming up. Today was her birthday. She had forgotten it. But Draco hadn't.

"I did nothing," he was mumbling. "Just wrote a letter really. You can borrow my owl if you'd like to send a thank you—"

Hermione reached for his shoulders, turned him to her, and rose up on her toes to press her lips to his.

He'd remembered her birthday. He'd known her birthday in the first place.

Her fingers stretched to tangle in the hair behind his ears, her lips moving carefully over his, begging him to let her continue, to express her thanks, to express her affection—

His lips pulled away. His hands landed lightly on her hips, shifting her back. His eyes hot and dark and searching.

She winced, remembering how he needed space, how he needed time.

"I'm sorry." She pressed her eyes closed. "I'm sorry, I know you don't want to, but I—"

His mouth found hers again, harder, softer. She gasped, and his tongue was in her mouth quickly, searching and dancing and dragging surprised sighs from her lungs.

The hands on her hips squeezed her close, fingertips digging into her sides and pressing her to his front.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, pressing her chest close to his and clinging to him as his breath turned heavy against her mouth.

One hand slipped down, rubbing lightly over her backside. He moaned against her lips and she gasped, eyes blinking quickly to stare up at his dark gaze.

"I'm sorry," she repeated. "We don't have to. I don't want to push you—"

"Stop talking, Granger."

He spun them, lifting her swiftly from her ribs and setting her on the edge of the table. She squeaked, and he swallowed the sound, wrapping his arms around her back and curving his spine to lean down to kiss her.

Her hands slid through his hair, threading her fingers and clutching his face close. His tongue slipped into her mouth, probing and tangling with hers. When she couldn't breathe any longer, she pulled away, gasping for air, and he switched to her neck faster than she could offer it to him.

One of his hands slid down her ribs, tracing her hip and skating down her thigh. He gave a soft push to her knee, and she immediately obeyed, opening her legs and inviting him to step closer. His teeth scraped over her neck, and she squeezed her eyes closed with the sharp sting of pleasure that crashed through her. His tongue laved over the spot, and she quivered, arms shaking and core throbbing.

His arm slipped lower around her back, dragging her forward to the edge of the table and connecting their hips. She sighed and pulled his head back to her mouth. He obliged, moving his lips over hers and dragging her under in a current of ecstasy. She realized her breath was leaving her throat in a heady pattern of moaning sighs.

"Thank you," she murmured against his lips. "Thank you. I love it."

He squeezed her closer, breathing harshly in her ear. His hand moved to the back of her head, fingers twisting in her hair, and then he was tugging, pulling her neck open to him. His lips crashed against her throat, sucking and biting before they slid down, sucking on her collarbones.

One of his hands slithered over her shirt, rising up higher and higher until his palm covered her breast. Her thighs tightened around his waist, and her back arched, pressing her chest into his hand. His teeth nipped her clavicle as she moaned. His thumb passed over her nipple, and she felt her whole body respond.

A pop! from behind them made her jolt. And a high-pitched, bored voice said, "Miss wants scones?"

Hermione slapped a hand over her mouth. Draco froze, his hand still on her breast and his lips hovering above her chest.

They tilted their heads to find Remmy glaring at them.

Hermione's thoughts were empty except for mortification.

"No," Draco said, point-blank.

Remmy pouted her little lips together, narrowed her eyes, and said, "Remmy maybe brings scones. For later."

"That won't be—"

Remmy disappeared with a crack!

Hermione could breathe again, and let out a high-pitched, nervous laugh. But Draco didn't join in. He pulled himself back, still panting, his pupils black and intent. Her stomach barely had a moment to flutter before he grabbed her wrist and dragged her to her feet to follow him. He tugged her up to the landing, twisting between the stacks and weaving them to a small alcove with a window seat overlooking the pond. She had half a second to enjoy the view before he pressed her against the shelves and devoured her again.

He muffled her squeak of surprise, his fingers on her waist and his body flush against hers. She grabbed his elbows as he kissed her slowly, deep and seductive kisses that spun her mind in circles. The hands at her waist were under her shirt, rubbing her sides and chastely brushing thumbs over her hipbones. She ran her hands down his elbows, over his wrists, and to his hands, giving him permission to touch more of her.

His knee pressed forward, slipping between her thighs. And the most embarrassing moan poured from her throat into his mouth. Before she could pull away, he angled her head back and kissed her like she was the answer to his thirst.

His thigh connected to her core just as his hand reached her bra. Her hips rolled forward and he groaned, pressing his hardening length against her hip. His fingers tightened in her hair, and his thumb rolled her nipple, squeezing her and flicking at her and slipping the lace down so he could feel her—

A pop! from right next to them. Hermione jerked.

"Remmy brought the scones."

Draco's body — which had been deliciously pliant against her — tensed. A frustrated sigh blew across her face.

"I told you we didn't want any."

"Remmy insists. Remmy brings anything else?"

"No."

There was a pause. Hermione turned her face to the right, seeing the round, older elf standing there with her hands on her hips.

"Remmy asks again later." And she disappeared.

Hermione stared at the spot Remmy had stood until Draco's fingers curled against her skin. She jumped, pulling back, her mind crashing back into its skull.

"Your mother has her spies out. We should… we shouldn't be…" she stammered.

"My father's spies, more like it."

Draco looked down on her. His eyes were bright — an excited grey instead of the possessed black pupils from the incident last week — and they roved over her features, skating across her jaw, curving across her cheeks, dancing with her own eyes.

"I— I mean to say, I'm glad that we…" She gestured helplessly to their bodies, currently pressed up against each other. "But maybe we shouldn't… That's not to say, 'not ever,' but—"

Draco smiled. And the sight of it took her breath away. He pulled his lip between his teeth, and she felt his fingers shift on her waist. He leaned into her ear and whispered, "Stop your babbling, Granger."

He left a kiss there that made her eyes flutter, just before stepping back.

"Don't you have a book to read?"

Her eyelids shot open to find him smirking at her. "I shouldn't," she muttered. "We have research to do…"

He gave a lazy shrug. "Did you read the title?"

Her eyes widened, and her fingers itched. "I did."

"Hmm."

She cleared her throat. "Do you think it will be anything like the Undesirable series? Did he say if there would be seven books again?" She pulled away from the shelves and moved back through the stacks. "The Hall of Prophecies. I wonder whether it's going to be focused on the Ministry. Or if we'll see any of the Undesirable characters again—"

"Granger, just read the bloody book."

She spun to him. He lifted a brow, grinning at her as he followed her down the steps from the landing. She blushed and picked up the manuscript with gentle fingers. Her eyes caught on the books spread across the table.

"Later. We should work. You mentioned that you'd found something on Tolbrette's journal?"

"Not later. Now," he said. Her eyes slid to him. "You can miss a day of research. It's your birthday."

Her mouth opened and closed before she settled on a smile. "It is. Thank you."

He jerked his head toward the exit. "Go read. I'll have Mippy bring lunch to your room. She made pumpkin soup for you."

Reaching up on her toes, she kissed his cheek before he could stop her. She raced to her room with the memory of the blush on his cheek where her lips had been.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 24

Chapter Notes

We're back! Thanks everyone for allowing that break.

I know the world turned into a scary place since the last time I posted, but as you devour more and more content while you're stuck at home, please remember to be kind to your creators. You never know what's going on in the author's life, and asking for updates while someone is in crisis is ridiculous. Be kind. Leave reviews.

Huge thanks to raven_maiden's husband. I monopolized her. ;)

CW: A brief discussion of fertility, pregnancy, and abortion (not Hermione) in this chapter. Mind your triggers.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Draco's lips dropped kisses against her neck, his hand tracing circles on her knee as her eyes read the same sentence for the sixth time.

Something about Jeremiah Jones and his brother.

She should have known from the moment that he joined her on the loveseat, innocently flipping pages in a textbook, that she wasn't going to get any work done this afternoon.

They'd made progress over the last three days, identifying seven clusters of characters and six ancient runic languages Jones had borrowed from. They were still looking for the source of the seventh cluster.

But usually after lunch, Draco would decide he'd had enough studying.

He sucked the soft skin below her jaw, and her eyes fluttered shut.

"Anything interesting, Granger?" he hummed into her throat.

"Huh?" Her fingers curled into the cover of her book. "Um, just that… Jones's brother disapproved of his views. But there's nothing about his travels, or where else he might have—"

"What a shame." His hand slid up her thigh, warm against her skin.

Hermione had chosen to wear the shorts again today. Yesterday she'd worn one of the tighter, lower-cut tops in her new wardrobe, and it had taken Draco thirty minutes of "reading" before he'd ripped the book from her hands and set her on the edge of the table, his hips slotting between her legs as his lips devoured her.

The day before, he'd been fascinated with the Muggle denims she wore, but she supposed that had something to do with all the excuses she'd found to bend for books on bottom shelves. She'd found herself with Draco Malfoy's hands on her arse as he pushed her back against the stacks, kissing her fiercely.

But today she'd chosen the shorts again. And the way his eyes had dropped to her legs when she entered the library had been worth it. But now, as his fingers rubbed circles into her inner thigh, his lips nipping against her throat, she thought maybe she was the one being seduced.

The productive parts of their day seemed to be getting shorter and shorter. "Draco—"

His mouth latched onto the dip below her jaw — his favorite spot. She'd been covering the bruises every day, and it seemed he was making it his mission to keep them there. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she sighed. The Tolbrette journal dropped to the floor with a thud.

Draco's own book snapped shut, and then his hands were twisting her on the couch, coaxing her to recline against the armrest. His lips never left her neck as the hand between her legs rose higher and higher, his other palm running over her waist.

He hovered over her, catching her lips and kissing her deeply as his fingers reached the hem of her shorts. She moaned low in her throat and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Draco slipped his palm under her lower back, pressing her close.

They should be working. She should insist that they set some kind of boundaries, no snogging before three—

His fingers slipped to the hemline of her shorts, and her mind went blank as he played with the material. Like he knew she'd worn them to test him. He teased the skin there, rubbing slow circles and inching under the fabric. His tongue dove into her mouth, dragging sighs from her chest.

He released her lips, and she murmured his name, searching for him. When he wouldn't kiss her again, her eyes flickered open, and she saw him staring down at her.

His fingers slid an inch under her shorts. "Can I?"

She tightened her arms around his shoulders and nodded. He pressed their foreheads together and watched her face as he nudged one of her thighs open.

A pop! from a foot away.

As she knew it would. As it had every day since her birthday whenever their snogging escalated.

"Master is excusing Boppy, but—!"

"Go. Away," Draco gritted out, screwing his eyes shut.

Boppy gave a pitiful whine. "But—but—!"

"Boppy, I swear to Merlin—"

Hermione giggled. The expression on Draco's face was achingly familiar. Like he'd been beaten to the Snitch or watched Crabbe steal his last treacle tart at dinner.

She was beyond embarrassment at this point. Two days ago, Draco's knee had just slipped between her thighs when Plumb popped in with tea service, two hours early. Yesterday, as she'd sat on the table with Draco standing between her legs, she got as far as running her hands up under his shirt as he palmed her breasts over her top. But just as he'd leaned her backwards across the table, Remmy appeared to list the dinner menu for Draco's approval.

"But Boppy comes to say that Master Lucius is home, and is wanting a word—"

Draco's eyes flew open. The heat that had been boiling inside of her abruptly disappeared.

His throat bobbed as he stared down at her. "Tell my father I'll be there in thirty minutes—"

"Not with Master Draco! With Miss Hermione!"

They both whipped their heads to look at Boppy, who was dancing from foot to foot anxiously. Draco pulled away.

"Regarding what?"

"Master didn't say!" Boppy squeaked. "Master says to fetch Miss Hermione for talking."

Her mouth went dry. Hermione extricated her legs from underneath him, standing and smoothing down her clothes. Draco stood swiftly, straightening his clothes as well, and stepped slightly in front of her before gesturing for Boppy to lead the way.

Boppy wrung his hands. "Master says only Miss Hermione."

She felt Draco simmering in front of her. He opened his mouth to snap at his elf, but she placed her hand on his elbow. "It's alright." She moved around him and looked up into his eyes. "I'll be back shortly."

He sighed an aggravated breath, and his jaw slowly relaxed. Hermione squeezed his arm and followed Boppy out the library doors. Her mind started spinning about Switzerland, and Naricssa, and why Lucius would first ask to see her after being gone for almost two weeks—

She blinked, trying to suppress her thoughts. It was harder than usual this time. She'd been neglecting her Occlumency practice lately, too distracted by Draco and their research.

The small elf shuffled down the hallway in front of her, and Hermione was surprised to see they were headed to the kitchens. Boppy led her down the short set of steps, and gestured for her to duck under the tiny doorway and into the kitchen before he popped away.

Lucius Malfoy towered over the elves chopping vegetables at their tables, his head almost scraping the ceiling as he peered down at a long scroll of parchment that looked like a menu for the week. Remmy stood next to him on a stool, waiting for instructions or notes. He said nothing as Hermione paused awkwardly in the doorway. He was wearing a thin-rimmed pair of glasses, and the sight of them might have made Hermione giggle if she wasn't so nervous.

"Miss Granger," he said, whipping the glasses off his nose. He studied her briefly, letting his narrowed eyes drop to her bare legs. "I see you're still having trouble fully clothing yourself."

Her cheeks flushed. Remmy jutted her chin up in approval.

"Since this appears to be a… difficult order for you to follow, one might hope you would at least take necessary precautions." He paused delicately. "However, my wife tells me that you declined a Contraceptive Potion."

Hermione blinked at him. The chopping knives ceased. Even Remmy seemed surprised, before turning to glare at her like she was an idiot.

"The elves will be stocking your cabinets with the potion tonight. Each dose is effective for exactly thirty days."

Outrage began prickling through her shock. She opened her mouth to defend herself.

"Let me be very clear, Miss Granger. I expect you to drink it whether or not you are currently having intercourse with my son." He looked back down at the week's menu, scribbled his name with a quill, and handed it to Remmy with a careless flourish. "If you still refuse, the elves are under instruction to dose your meals with it."

Hermione narrowed her eyes, fury licking her veins. "Assuming I ignore your wildly invasive accusation that I'm—I'm—"

"Having sex with my son," he offered.

"—might I ask what Draco's contraceptive responsibility is in all this?"

Lucius lifted a cool brow. "He has already been given instructions and is blatantly disobeying them. I'm afraid I don't trust him to remember the Contraception Charm every time you two happen to find yourselves alone."

Hermione's ears burned. Lucius smirked at her before glancing at the elves to his right, who quickly resumed their chopping.

"My wife is opposed to my more... stringent suggestions, so my compromise was to come to you first. You cannot become pregnant."

Something strange bubbled through her, closing her throat. "Of course, Mr. Malfoy." She felt her eye twitch. "I would hate for a Mudblood to sully your pristine family line."

His lips twisted in a grin that didn't reach his eyes. He stepped toward her, and she fought the urge to retreat.

"Am I correct to assume you are acquainted with Miss Mortensen, Adrian Pucey's Lot?" He tilted his head at her, and she blinked and nodded slowly. "The imbeciles who examined her before the Auction decided to spare her from full sterilization, just as they did with you. She became pregnant." He tapped his fingers on the table, watching her. Hermione swallowed as blood pounded in her ears. "Miss Mortensen is a Muggleborn. Per our new laws, the fetus was removed. I'm told she was fully conscious and forced to watch. Dolohov himself did the honors."

Bile rose in Hermione's throat. Lucius took a deep breath.

"You are under far more scrutiny than Miss Mortensen. In part due to your connection to Harry Potter"—his lip curled—"and in part due to the foolish choices of my son. Hiding you away for nine months would be nigh impossible. If you were to become pregnant, we couldn't protect the child. And I will do everything in my power to prevent inflicting that kind of pain on my son. And my wife."

Hermione felt a spreading numbness splintering out from her chest, running down her arms and into her fingertips.

"So," Lucius said, standing tall and seeming to brush away the conversation like lint from his cloak. "You will take the potion. Is that clear?"

Her stubborn streak begged her to demand whether he'd said anything against those laws. Or whether he'd simply helped spread them. In Switzerland, Romania, and all the other places he'd disappeared to on Voldemort's orders.

But her rational mind knew he was right. She didn't want a child. Not like this.

As she nodded slowly, she wondered if Lucius would mourn the loss of an unborn, half-blood grandchild in the same way he thought his wife and son would. Or if his pure-blood ideologies would prevent him from thinking of a potential pregnancy as anything other than a disgraceful inconvenience.

He examined her, seemingly satisfied that his demands had sunk in. "Come with me."

Hermione's eyes widened as Lucius swept toward the small doorway, ducking smoothly with a practiced ease, and paused just outside the threshold.

"I won't ask twice, Miss Granger."

She stumbled to follow him, her mind reeling. He moved through the corridor quickly, not bothering to spare her a backward glance. He finally stopped at a window overlooking the gardens.

"We have eleven elves in total at Malfoy Manor," he said conversationally, once she joined him at the window. "Four kitchen elves for feasts. When the size of the family is small and there are no extravagant feasts, Tom-Tom and Havy double as tidy elves, along with Boppy, Yipper, and Caf. Yipper is our youngest; he is Boppy's son." He pointed out the window. "Hix, there, is our head grounds elf. He works alongside Jot and Mck. You may never catch sight of Mck. He's terribly shy. Mippy, as you know, is something of a personal elf to my wife."

Hermione turned her gaze on Lucius, astounded. He was still moving pieces on his chessboard, ten paces ahead of her. "Why are you telling me this?"

He kept his eyes out the window. "You like elves, do you not?"

"I—"

He spun away from the window and moved briskly down the corridor. "Do you know where the elves sleep, Miss Granger?"

She huffed and jogged to keep up with him. "No, but I still don't understand—"

"No one but the elves can find their bedrooms." He stopped in front of a tapestry and waited for her to catch up.

Hermione gaped at him. "Why?"

"The Manor has many secrets. Some are known to the immediate family, some only by me. Others are still yet to be revealed, if and when the Manor deems it prudent."

"But why are you telling me?"

"Do you know the artist of this piece, Miss Granger?" He gestured to the tapestry, ignoring her question.

She blinked at him. "No?"

"The Manor has a vast collection of art and antiques." He eyed her coolly. "Though not all of the furniture is treated with the respect it deserves."

She blushed.

She spent the next twenty minutes in a slow walk back to the library as Lucius Malfoy led her through the Manor, pointing out family heirlooms, the architecture, even hidden corridors. Hermione felt a bit dizzy, her mind still trying to suss out his game. Perhaps forcing her to be his captive audience was some way of demonstrating control over her.

They stopped at the library doors. Lucius folded his hands behind his back and spun to face her. "And what, pray tell, are you researching so diligently these days, Miss Granger?"

Her heart pounded in its ribcage. If he knew, he'd certainly put a stop to it.

She cleared her throat, and closed the books in her mind. "I found a scroll that I believe was written by one of the earliest magical communities in Egypt. I've dated it around the 8th century B.C., but I won't know for certain until I can translate it."

Lucius raised a brow. Her heartbeat quickened.

"I know it sounds silly, but Ancient Runes was one of my favorite subjects, and it's… it's nice to have some normalcy." She trailed off, blinking. Thinking about her old classes brought a genuine lump to her throat. "And this would be an incredible contribution if I succeed. It might even be from one of the lost cities—"

"Fascinating." His voice was thick with sarcasm. "And might I ask why my son is so eager to help with this little project?"

"I asked him," said Hermione quickly. "He's a good study partner." She flushed in spite of herself. "We may get distracted at times, but we've made significant progress."

Lucius slowly curled his lips. "Very well. Do remember to take that Potion, Miss Granger." He turned on his heel and left her at the doorway.

Hermione stared after him. There was no way to know whether he'd bought it — only time would tell. She sighed heavily and pushed through the library doors.

Draco's head snapped up from where he loomed over their research table. He didn't so much as blink as she made her way over to meet him. "Well?"

She shrugged. "I don't know where to begin. The whole thing was just… odd, really."

Relief flickered in his eyes. He moved quickly around the table and placed his hands on her hips. "Start at the beginning."

She rose to her toes to place a kiss against his lips. His hands slid up to her waist, and he kissed her slowly before pulling away. "What did my father want," he whispered.

And suddenly, the idea of telling Draco that she would soon be on a Contraceptive Potion was ten times as embarrassing as any discussion she'd had with Lucius or Narcissa. She felt a blush spreading across her cheekbones, and decided that with her body pressed to his — with his hands rubbing sensuous circles on her waist — it wasn't the time to mention sex.

"He… he wanted to introduce me to the house-elves. And bore me with knowledge of the portrait curation in the west wing." She laughed.

Draco's brows furrowed. "Really?"

"Really. I think it was just an excuse to nag me about us snogging on his chaise. Oh, and he asked what we were studying."

"Maybe he was trying to distract you." Draco looked over at the door, as if he could suss out his father's intentions. "What did you tell him?"

"That you're helping me translate an ancient Egyptian scroll. Speaking of distractions," Hermione said, sliding out of his embrace and turning to the books. "I'd like to get some things done today."

He leaned over her, pressing his front to her backside and reaching for a book in the center of the table. "How am I supposed to get anything done when you're wearing these shorts," he whispered.

She shivered and suppressed a grin. "You could always transfigure them into something less distracting."

His lips ran over her ear as he murmured, "Not a chance."

~*~

Having Lucius home had renewed Hermione's sense of urgency. There was no guarantee he wouldn't storm in at any moment and shut their research down in the blink of an eye. The thought terrified her.

Lucius had been unable to attend dinner last night, so Hermione and Draco had worked late into the night — truly working. Draco had been particularly grumpy when they finally turned in, but agreed to meet her at eight o'clock the next morning nonetheless.

Two hours into their morning, Hermione was curled up next to him on the loveseat, halfway finished with skimming her eighth book, and still no closer to finding the language source of the seventh cluster of runes.

She shifted and leaned forward, taking a long sip of coffee. Her stomach twisted with anxiety. There had to be a shortcut. Even if she did locate the source, they were still looking at months, if not years, to translate a single journal. The Order didn't have that luxury.

She pressed her lips together and set down her coffee cup. "How is Theo?"

Draco looked up from the translation he had been working on for the past week — still on the first paragraph of a Scourer journal — and rubbed his eyes in a bleary, kittenish way that made her stomach flip.

"You'll remember," his deep voice grumbled, "that I don't give a fuck about Theo. How am I supposed to know?"

Hermione closed her book and turned to face him. There was no point in being coy. "I need to speak with him."

He finished his yawn, ending in an indulgent stretch. "No."

"Draco, you know as well as I do that we're moving far too slowly. At this rate…" She shook her head. "I know he knows something. I can feel it—"

"What do you want to know?" he said lazily, breaking off a corner of a biscuit. "I'll ask."

"And why would he tell you anything? You're terrible to him."

He scowled. "I take it you still think you can seduce the information out of him?"

She sighed heavily. "I think he needs flattery. A chance to brag. He sees you as a rival, and there's no way he'll—"

Draco abruptly stood, tossing his parchment on the cushion. "It's far too early in the morning for you to be psychoanalyzing my friendships, Granger—"

"It's half-past ten!"

"And how late did you keep me up last night?"

"Tomorrow night at Edinburgh is the perfect opportunity. Flint won't be there. I just need five minutes—"

He cracked his neck and took a few steps away. "I'm not going to leave you alone in a booth with him—"

"I'm not asking you to!" She scrambled to her feet. "What about a Trade for the Lounge." It was a term she'd heard thrown around once or twice. By now she could guess what it meant. "Just the couches, not the booths."

Draco glared at her.

"Hear me out," she said, approaching him carefully. "Theo has just taken the Mark. He's working closely with his father and loves bragging about it to anyone who will listen. I think I could easily sway conversation toward the tattoos."

"You really don't think he'd see through you?"

Hermione lifted a brow. "With a bit of alcohol? No. Besides, I think he's been lacking an opportunity to talk about himself. For years, possibly."

"How kind of you to take an interest in him." He sneered and dragged a hand over his face. "I cannot just make you available for Trades and Shares. Word would spread—"

"What about a one-time bet?" She took another step closer. "Perhaps another card game? You could wager a Trade for the Lounge."

Draco rolled his eyes. "And you think Theo will win?"

"He doesn't have to. You just need to lose." She watched him frown and let his eyes drift out the window, as if searching for more reasons to say no. An idea sparked, and her heart quickened as she closed the distance between them. "You're clearly the best card player there. I have no doubt you can twist the game however you see fit."

His eyes flickered down at her.

"I saw it the last time you played cards with them," she hummed, sliding her hands around his neck. "Did you play cards a lot in the dormitories?"

"A bit, yeah." His throat bobbed.

"You probably won a lot of bets." Her lips tilted up to his jaw, and his arms slid around her waist. "What was the best hand you ever played?"

He cleared his throat. "There was a tournament fifth year—" He went still as stone beneath her hands. "Granger, are you seducing me?"

She grinned. "I was. Did it work?"

He pushed her away, running a hand through his hair. "You're an amateur. There's no way Theo will fall for that."

She gasped and hit his shoulder. "An amateur? I had you!"

Draco jerked away and strode to the table. He leaned back on it, glowering at her. Hermione frowned. Apparently she'd misfired.

"Draco, I have to follow this lead. Do you really want to sit in this library translating those symbols for the next two years?" She watched him deflate. "There has to be a better way. Any information Theo could give us might help." Slowly, cautiously, she approached him. "I know you can do your part, and I'll do mine." She bit her lip. "Please."

Something flickered in the grey. He crossed his arms and clenched his jaw. "If this idea works — if he loses, and we do a Trade…" His eyes hardened. "No kissing."

She blinked at him. "No. No, of course not."

"Not on the mouth, not on the face," he continued, like he had a list written up somewhere. "No groping, no skin-to-skin contact—"

"That might be a little extreme—"

"I don't want his hands on your body."

Hermione stared at him, watching a pink blush color his cheeks. Apparently his rivalry with Theo ran deeper than she'd thought. She nodded her acceptance, and the tension in his shoulders relaxed. His gaze flickered down to her lips, and he reached for her arm to drag her closer.

She let herself be pulled between his legs, his hands dipping low on her waist to run over her hips and round her backside with a squeeze.

"So, what's the plan?" she asked breathlessly.

"Blaise."

"Blaise?" She tilted her chin to look up at him,

"He's a shit Legilimens, but he'll do the trick."

Hermione thought of what Pansy had told her. How Blaise had moaned about Draco getting himself killed. "I'm sure he'll love that."

"Mmm." He pressed his lips softly against hers. "Now, tell me again how good I am at cards."

She smiled up at him, and they kissed each other until Plumb popped in to ask if they wanted more tea.

~*~

By Friday afternoon, Pansy had delivered a silky black dress that slithered down her thighs and cut low across her back. It had a modest neckline, almost up to her collarbones, but the tag on the hanger in Pansy's scrawl read, Wear braless. There was also a tube of red lipstick.

Hermione rolled her eyes, put on her bra, and slipped the dress over her shoulders.

Of course, the bra was glaringly visible across her back. There was no hiding it. She didn't know of a spell to fix it, and there was no way she was going to ask Draco.

She removed the bra and stared at herself. The silk clung to her body, her nipples pebbling under the cold fabric. The curve of her breasts and the point of her nipples stood out perfectly under the silk.

She huffed and went to do her makeup and hair carefully, like Pansy had taught her, certain that Draco would not stand for this dress once he saw it.

~*~

When Draco saw her in the dress, he had very little to say. In fact, he looked like his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth.

She felt the weight of his gaze on her as she descended the staircase in her heels and gold collar. When she reached the bottom, he escorted her out with a hand on her bare back, and the warmth of his palm sent goose pimples over her skin.

But she needed to focus. She had a mission this evening. And she and Draco couldn't act like anything had changed between them. For all the world knew, he had been pushing her against library stacks and grinding his body against hers for weeks.

(As he pushed his tongue into her mouth with a moan. And sought her eyes whenever she started to move her hips back against him—)

The burst of wind whipping around them as they stepped out of the Manor doors made her shiver, and his hand pressed more firmly to her back as they moved down the drive.

She looked up at him as they approached the iron gates. "So you and Blaise are ready, then?"

"I'm not concerned. We used to read Theo's mind in school. Take the piss out of him for his fantasies."

"Is that what you told Blaise, then? That you just want to mess with him again?" Draco hesitated, and she froze just as the gate opened. "What did you tell him, Draco?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "I… told him some of it, Granger."

A sharp wariness spiked through her veins. "Draco—"

"It's fine." He grabbed her arm and dragged her through the barrier, and before she could scold him, they were Disapparating to arrive on the cobblestones outside Edinburgh.

He walked her through the stone entrance and up the stairs to the courtyard. Hermione barely had a moment to blink at Charlotte before Draco took her elbow and began dragging her through the Great Hall. His jaw was tight and his strides longer than usual, seemingly wanting nothing to do with the other guests. Hermione tried to glance around as he hurried her through, but they were moving so quickly she couldn't single out any new guests. She did catch a glance of Dolohov and Yaxley schmoozing a pair of stiff and pale-faced men she hadn't seen before.

Draco tugged her up the stairs and into the dining room. Her eyes landed on Theo, who was kissing the neck of the same dark-haired Carrow girl from weeks ago. Blaise lounged at the head of the table, where Flint usually sat. As the boys greeted Draco, Pansy gave her a cool, approving look through Giuliana's eyes.

"Get a promotion, Blaise?" Draco lilted.

Blaise took a dramatic sip from his tumbler. "Heard Flint couldn't be here tonight, so I took advantage. The early bird and all that."

"What a shame." Draco moved to the other head of the table, tugging her into his lap.

The silk of her dress bunched around her hips, and she tugged it down while situating herself.

She had become far more comfortable in Draco's lap since their last visit. She fought the blush rising in her cheeks, thinking of just how comfortable she was as his arm wrapped around her waist, his hand sliding along the silk barely covering her back.

Certain formalities had started disappearing at the Edinburgh dinners. The girls no longer stood by the wall. Instead, there was a relaxed socializing — girls instantly plopping into laps, eating freely. Her eyes flickered to Mortensen, who was accepting fruit from Pucey's fingers with a grimace, and to Susan, who was still wrapped tightly in Goyle's embrace. Theo's Carrow Girl was leaning over to pour herself a glass of wine and giggling with another Carrow Girl on Bletchley's lap.

Once they were settled, Draco's voice rose above the rest: "Anyone fancy a card game tonight?" He waved a hand, and the box with the cards and dice appeared. The boys cheered and slapped the table.

"You ready to give away your secrets tonight, Draco?" Montague jeered.

"We'll see, Graham. Try coming up with something worth knowing this time."

Hermione twisted on Draco's lap to watch the whole table. Draco dealt the cards, sliding them magically across the table to each player. The game started with the seat to the right of the dealer, so Higgs rolled the dice and the game began.

After two rounds, Goyle was out, happy to suck on Susan's neck without interruptions. Blaise folded early, complaining about his cards. Hermione watched him through her lashes, and caught the occasional lingering glance with Draco. A subtle tilt of his head or drum of his fingers. The first round of wagers began, and when Bletchley lost in the next round, he revealed what he'd overheard from a guard at Hogwarts.

"I know the biggest thorn in Umbridge's side. The bloody house-elves," he announced, to sounds of laughter and disbelief. "Slow to answer summons, serving dreadful food. Just disobeying everything."

Draco reached for his wine glass and said, "Maybe Granger here had the right idea trying to free the lot of them."

The table laughed, and she pressed her lips together as Draco started dealing the next round. She noticed that Blaise was spending more time holding Theo's eye.

Theo lost the next round. They learned that Yaxley and Dolohov were entertaining Belgian dignitaries tonight, working on gaining their allegiance to the Dark Lord.

Soon they'd have France surrounded on all sides.

Hermione nibbled on a slice of cheese to keep her stomach at bay.

Finally the round came where Draco started bluffing. She wouldn't have known from his cards, but she could feel the slightest of taps from his right foot. Montague, Warrington, Higgs, and Bletchley all folded. Blaise kept raising with him, but when Pucey and Derrick folded, Blaise followed. It was just Theo and Draco.

"I'll wager a bit about Switzerland," Draco announced.

"Everyone knows your aunt is fucking that up," said Pucey with a snort. "Is it anything we don't know?"

"I'd say so." Draco ran his thumb across her bare back. "I'd like to know how poorly Ted Nott is doing in breaking the French Apparition Line. He's been chained there for — what, two months now?"

"He still comes home," Theo snapped. "Just this week actually—" His cheeks heated instantly. "I can't share sensitive details about his mission."

"Oh?" Draco shrugged and sipped his wine. "Then I assume your cards aren't great."

The boys tittered as Theo glared at him. "Your secret is shit, too. Why would I bet against you?"

"You really shouldn't."

"Oi, Draco!" Blaise called out. "If you really want to know about the Apparition Line, you should give Theo a taste of Granger, like Flint got."

Draco sneered at him. "Not happening."

"Live a little, mate. You're stricter than Umbridge." The table howled. "What about a Lap Warmer? Maybe Cassandra and Granger could swap for a night in the Lounge." Blaise winked. "You could keep it mild, of course."

Hermione swallowed, turning to look up at Draco. Anger radiated from him as he scowled at Blaise. He was an excellent actor, truly.

The boys were banging the table, egging him on. Draco waved them off.

"I guess your cards aren't that good, huh, Draco?" Blaise wrapped his arms around Giuliana's waist, and Hermione found Pansy's eyes watching her.

"I have a great hand."

Blaise leaned forward. "Then prove it."

A thick silence. After several long moments, Draco sighed. "Fine."

The table erupted. Theo looked a bit shocked, but quickly recovered. "A Lap Warming Trade it is," he said. "Alright with you, love?" His girl laughed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Hermione sipped her wine.

"No kissing on the mouth," said Draco sharply. "Or touching under her clothes." The boys groaned, and Theo grinned. "Those are my terms. I'm taking her when we get home, and I'd rather not have to wash her mouth out first."

"Fine." Theo scooped up the dice and let the girl blow on his fingertips before he rolled. They called the cards. And Draco's hand lost — just barely.

The boys cheered and jumped up on their chairs, shaking Theo's shoulders and toasting glasses. Draco cursed.

She could hardly believe how well their plan had worked even as she was dragged off Draco's lap and tossed into Theo's arms. He cracked a grin at her, victory dawning on him, and slipped his arm around her waist.

They made their way down the Lounge, the boys jostling Draco and offering fake condolences.

"I'll keep her warm for you, Draco," said Theo, smirking as they passed.

Hermione looked back at Draco, and found Theo's girl slipping her hand around his elbow, batting her lashes. She tore her eyes away.

They entered the Lounge, Theo striding over to the armchair Draco usually sat in with her and pulling her into his lap. Blaise and Pansy took the adjacent couch, with Pucey and Mortensen at the opposite end, and she watched as Draco sat across from her and Theo, tugging the girl into his lap. The girl shimmied, moving closer.

Theo's fingers skated across her back, and Hermione jumped, remembering herself. "Champagne?"

Hermione smiled and nodded, tilting her head back as he tilted the glass to her lips. She could use a bit of liquid courage.

"Easy, Granger," Theo chuckled, snapping his fingers at a nearby Carrow Girl for another glass. "Since when do you drink so much?"

Hermione pouted. "Since when do you gamble so much?"

"Still feisty, I see." He took a long dreg, looking over her shoulder. "Want to get a bit more comfortable?"

The music buzzed through her ears, and she swallowed. "Of course. How should I—?"

His free hand dropped to her thigh. "Why don't you turn to face me."

She took a deep breath and shifted, preparing to straddle him. She wouldn't let herself think about how her dress was riding up her backside, now directly in Draco's eyeline.

A trilling laugh as she moved. She glanced over her shoulder and caught a glimpse of silky hair bent over a fringe of blonde. The Carrow Girl was straddling Draco, too.

She turned back to Theo and slipped her arms around her neck. "Do you often win at cards?" she purred.

He looked at her, as if suddenly remembering she was there. "Uh, yes." His chest puffed. "I like strategy, that sort of thing."

Oh this was going to be easy.

"Mmm." She leaned closer in his ear. "What kind of strategy?"

She spent the next fifteen minutes listening to Theo talk about Wizard's Chess and Quidditch betting. His hands were resting on her hips, occasionally skating across her bare back, but she couldn't shake the feeling that his touches were perfunctory. Once, she hesitantly tried moving her hips to the beat of the music, but he gave her an odd look that stopped her in her tracks. So she decided to up her game by increasing her flattery. She could see it land on him, with one boyish grin after another.

"You were always smart in school, too." She tucked her hair behind her ear. "Do you help your father a lot with his missions? I hear he's always working on terribly difficult projects."

"Yeah, a bit." Theo shifted to reach for his glass, wrapping his arm around her back to steady her. "I've been shadowing him. More than Malfoy's allowed, I bet."

Hermione laughed, turning to look at Draco, and found his eyes glaring daggers at Theo's hand on her back. The girl redirected his attention to her, rubbing his shoulders. Hermione scowled and turned back to Theo.

"Your father must really trust your skills then," she said, running her hands over his shoulders.

"Yeah. Yeah, he does." He sipped his champagne.

"Is the library at Nott Manor as grand as Malfoy Manor's?"

"It's just as stocked and almost the same size." He sneered. "You know, the only reason people wank over Malfoy Manor is the peacocks. Our acreage is just the same. I've checked."

"I can only imagine." Hermione bit her lip. "I wish I could see it someday, but"—she raised her left arm and gave a helpless shrug.

Theo hummed, simply watching her.

"They really are a brilliant bit of magic, you know," she continued lightly. "The tattoos. I've never seen anything like them."

"They are." Theo smirked. "It's very dark magic, Granger. You wouldn't have read about it at Hogwarts."

"No, I doubt that I would." A giggle caught her ear, and she glanced over her shoulder to find Draco whispering in the girl's ear, twisting a lock of hair around his finger. Her chest boiled. She quickly looked back to Theo. "What do you know about them?"

The effect was instantaneous. Theo's body stiffened under her. His gaze zipped to Draco and then back to her, his lips curling. He abruptly pushed her to her feet.

"Well, this has been fun," he sneered. "But I think I'll take my leave." He turned to Draco. "Thanks for the Trade. Her arse is divine."

Hermione blinked at his retreating back. He was onto them. She'd failed. Before she could spiral further, Draco was beside her, reaching for her arm.

"It's time for us to retire as well." He turned to say goodnight to his friends, his arrogant mask still in place.

Dread prickled through her shock as Draco swept them from the room. If Theo was onto them, things could get bad. Very bad. Draco would never let her run her own missions ever again. Perhaps they should Obliviate him—

Draco's grip was tight on her arm as he moved them to the fireplaces. She swallowed and whispered, "Should we go after him?"

"You've done enough for one night, Granger," he bit out.

She glanced up at him, expecting his anger — and her eyes fell on a lipstick stain on his collar. From the Carrow Girl. She saw red as they swept through the Floo.

They arrived through the fireplace in his room, and he dropped her arm and spun to her. "Well, was it worth it?"

"I don't want to hear it, Draco!" She kicked off her heels and tore her collar off. "I was this close, and I would have gotten something out of them if your girl hadn't been as loud as a banshee. If we arrange another Trade—"

"Not a fucking chance," he growled. "I have to clean up this mess, like I always knew I would—"

"Oh, thank you for the vote of confidence!" She threw her arms in the air. "I knew you never trusted me—"

"You should have stuck to talking. Trying to kiss his neck and play with his hair like some fucking—"

"Oh, I'm sorry I don't have as much experience charming the knickers off of people like you do, Draco—"

He stepped into her and pointed a finger in her face. "You had plenty of time, but instead you spent the entire night grinding all over him—"

She slapped his hand away. "I couldn't start with a damn interrogation, could I? Last time I checked you were busy running your hands all over Clara—"

"Cassandra," he corrected. And she felt her skin light on fire.

"Oh, Cassandra," she hissed. "Of course. So glad you had a chance to learn her name while you were pawing her!"

He stepped into her, crowding her against the wall. "Well, maybe if you had spent less time purring in his ear and letting his hands grope your ass—"

"I did no such thing—"

"—then we wouldn't be in this situation—"

"I was close to winning him over, and it's your fault we were interrupted! Maybe you can invite him by the Manor so I can finish the job—"

He gripped her upper arms, pressing her to the wall. "You're not going within a mile of him ever again." His eyes flashed, and she felt his breath on her face.

"If you even look at that girl again, I'll—"

He kissed her, fierce and biting. Her hands grabbed for his waist, digging her nails into his robes as his tongue pushed into her mouth. She fought him back, gasping and diving between his lips.

Her arms were free for only a moment before his hands slid around her back, dragging her closer. She rose on her toes and threaded her fingers through his hair, using her teeth and tongue to pour her anger into his mouth.

Tearing his lips from hers, he grazed his teeth down her jaw, gasping for air against her neck and sucking sin into her skin. She moaned as his hands slid down over the silk, rucking it up her hips and cupping her backside. There was nothing between her skin and his greedy fingers but the lace of her knickers — something that must have delighted him, because he started kneading his fingers into her cheeks, groaning low in his throat.

She bit the lobe of his ear, and his hips snapped forward, pinning her to the wall, his hands still on her arse. "Fuck." She could feel him hard and heavy on her stomach.

Her body was coiling, searching for something. Something he could give her.

But he paused, ceasing all kneading and grinding. She dragged his face back to hers, kissing his jaw, his cheek, until she found his lips again. He breathed harshly into her mouth, like he was trying to control himself, to hold back.

She didn't want him to.

Her fingers slid across his collar and pried the first button of his shirt open. He pulled his face from her neck, his eyes black as they locked on hers. She licked her lips and popped the second button open. His fingers squeezed her backside again.

He stared down at her, eyes curious and on fire. Studying her.

The jealousy that had fueled her seconds ago calmed, and she suddenly felt very aware of his body against hers, the closeness of his fingers to her core. He was asking her, waiting for her to tell him what she wanted.

She bit her lip, and when she popped the next button, his breath caught, eyes flickering. She blushed. "Maybe not—not everything, but… more?"

He nodded, mouth parted in awe, and bent to kiss her again. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing her chest to his. As he kissed her — slower, with a simmering fire — his hands glided around her backside to her hips, following the lace of her knickers. She sighed as his thumbs brushed her bare stomach.

His tongue danced with hers, and his fingers inched upward, skating toward her ribs. Her thighs pressed together, aching for his leg between hers, but too afraid to ask. His warm hands sent shivers across her skin, and her breasts pulled into peaks, begging.

The first brush of his fingers on the swell under her breasts had them both moaning. Both hands rounded her outer curves, slipping between them under the silk of her dress. Her knees buckled when his thumbs found her nipples, brushing softly — as if something inside of her had melted and liquified, rushing south.

His thumbs rolled and circled, his mouth moving to her neck, groaning in time with the steady thrusts of his hips against hers. Her breath was ragged, panting quickly and gasping his name without her permission.

Firmer strokes from his thumbs. Her breasts filling his fingers. Harder pumps of his hips.

The entire world could burst in on them now, and she would ignore it. She needed this. He needed this.

Her arms slid from his neck to his belt. He cursed into her neck when she unbuckled him, pulling his face back to press their foreheads together.

"Granger…" Her shaking fingers unbuttoned him. He paused. "You don't—"

She grabbed his retreating hand and dragged it back to her breast. "Don't stop."

His pupils were bottomless, eyes glazing over as he palmed her. His other hand gripped her hip, and she continued to pull his buttons apart.

"Granger. Fuck."

She slipped her hand between them, not entirely sure what to do, but taking a few educated guesses. When her fingers slipped over his trunks and cupped the bulge of him, his eyes fluttered closed.

"Fuck. Merlin, fuck me."

He grabbed her wrist, holding her hand on himself as his hips jerked against her. She held very still and watched in amazement as Draco Malfoy rode her palm like it was the most exquisite pleasure he'd had in his life.

His lips covered hers, moaning long and low into her throat as he thrust against her and squeezed her breast. She whimpered, throbbing and aching and riding the high of his pleasure.

Just as she wondered if she should be doing more, his body seized, and a sigh poured from his lips. His cock twitched under her hand, and she felt his come seeping through the fabric of his trunks.

She stared wide-eyed at him, her veins singing and her skin vibrating. His eyes were screwed shut, his lips carved in a delicious "o." He slowly caught his breath, and before he even opened his eyes, he was muttering, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…"

He wasn't allowed to run away. Not this time. Not when she was still suspended between his pleasure and hers.

His eyes flew open, and he released her wrist. "I'm sorry—"

"Touch me," she begged. "Please."

His gaze focused. He gaped at her, taking in her eyes, her lips, her heaving chest.

"Draco, please. Don't stop."

His hand left her chest, sliding down to the lace around her hips, dipping to her drenched center.

"Oh fuck," he moaned. He rubbed her just a little. Nowhere near enough.

"Please—"

His fingers slipped beneath the lace. Her hands jumped to his elbows, clutching him as she swayed. He ran a long finger through her soaked folds, and it was so much better than her own. She bit her lip to keep quiet, but when he found her clit, her legs shook and she cried out his name.

She buried her head in his shoulder, knowing her face was twisting and pinching in pained pleasure. His free hand took her chin and guided it back up to him.

"Look at me when you come."

Her eyes fluttered open to find his gaze burning into her. "Please," he mouthed, swirling her clit.

Her eyes rolled back.

"You're a fucking dream, do you know that?"

"Draco—"

He swallowed the words, his mouth hot and sloppy.

He sped up his fingers, testing what worked for her, but it seemed like everything worked for her because she was coiling tighter and tighter to the point where the string inside would snap and shatter her.

She sucked in a tight breath, and Draco pulled back to watch her face.

"Oh god oh god oh god—"

"Come on, Granger. Just like that."

The rhythm of his fingers didn't slow, jerking quickly over her clit, and just as she started to moan she forced her eyes open like he'd asked.

She came with Draco's dark grey gaze burned into hers, memorizing her like he'd never have the chance again. Her body snapped, her fingers tearing at his shirt, her knees buckling as he held her through it.

Her breath was hot against his lips as she gradually steadied herself. She took deep breaths as her legs returned to her, and he carefully kissed her once.

"Has anyone else ever touched you like that?" he whispered. She blinked at him, and he quickly shuttered, remembering himself. "Sorry. That doesn't matter—"

"No," she said hoarsely. "Just you."

Draco swallowed. He slowly removed his hand from her knickers, and held her hips, staring down at her like there was more to say.

Tap, tap, tap.

They both jumped. The rest of the world came back to her in a flash of light and color, unsteadying her.

Draco turned to the window. A beautiful black owl was pecking at the glass.

He glanced at her before moving to open the pane. He grabbed the letter and tossed a treat to the owl before ripping it open.

Blood rushed through her ears as she watched him read, waiting.

"It's from Theo." His mouth pressed in a hard line. "He wants a chat as soon as possible." He looked up at her. "With both of us."

Hermione staggered, the full weight of the night's events returning to her. "Now?" she rasped. "Will we go now?"

He looked her over. She must look a mess if his flushed cheeks and open trousers were any indication. He nodded.

She ran her fingers through her hair, her heart pounding. "Draco, I'm sorry I—"

"I have it under control."

"But—"

"Trust me. Let's go contain this."

She fell silent. He muttered a spell to clean himself up, and when he adjusted his trousers, she was shocked to find him half hard again. Blushing, she quickly turned away to slip on her shoes. She grimaced as soon as she smoothed out her dress. Her knickers felt like they'd been dunked in soapy water.

"Can I…" She cleared her throat. "Could you summon a clean pair of knickers for me?"

He blinked at her, and then his eyes darkened. He flicked his wand, and a pair of black lace knickers appeared on the desk next to her. Turning her back to him, she shimmied out of her old pair and into the black ones. She balled up the dirty pair, unable to meet his eyes. "I'll just… put these in my room—"

His hand shot out, ripping the lace from her fingers and tossing them across his sheets. "I'll take them." He grabbed her arm and led her to the fireplace.

"Oh," she squeaked. "I can wash them myself—"

"I'm not going to wash them, Granger." His voice was low and dangerous, and then he yanked them through the Floo.

A heat flashed through her body, but it was quickly extinguished by apprehension as they stepped through the flames and into a grand hall. The smoke cleared, and she found Oliver Wood leaning to one side, one arm in a sling and his eye purpled and swollen shut.

Hermione gasped.

Oliver nodded, and gestured for them to follow — like a house-elf, sent to retrieve visitors. She blinked, her emotions boiling and tumbling over, struggling to get control.

They followed his limping form to a grand double-doorway. Oliver had always been tall and muscular. She'd never seen him this thin and broken. Anger crowded her chest, suffocating her lungs. She hadn't thought Theo capable of this kind of cruelty.

Oliver led them through the doors and moved to the wall beside the door as Draco and Hermione filed into the sitting room. A stone-faced Theo stood from a large chair, a tumbler of scotch in one hand.

"So," Theo began coolly. "You and your whore want to know more about the tattoos, do you?"

Hermione's breath hitched, and she felt Draco stiffen next to her.

A low scoff. "I have no idea what you're talking about. If she asked you inappropriate questions tonight, I'm happy to discipline her."

"Discipline her," Theo muttered into his glass. "You don't let anyone come within a foot's radius of her, and now you expect me to believe that you accidentally lost her in a bet tonight? I would have written it off if it weren't for her clumsy probing—"

Hermione opened her mouth, but Draco grabbed her wrist.

"And speaking of probing," Theo hissed. "I have a mother of a headache despite not drinking more than a glass or two." He pointed a finger at Draco. "You and Blaise are fucking with me again, aren't you? Like you used to with your fucking mind tricks—"

"Theo, it's two in the morning." Draco let out a long-suffering sigh. “Did you have a point besides these wild accusations?"

"I know you're up to something, Draco. If my father hears that you're asking questions—"

"Fine," Draco cut him off in a bored tone. "You're right. I'm looking into the tattoos." Hermione blinked up at him, stunned. He took a step forward. "But only because I'm having trouble with hers. Last week, her tattoo allowed her outside the boundary with hardly as much as a shock. I'm trying to fix your father's mistake so my 65,000 galleons doesn't run off in the middle of the night."

Theo glared at him. Then he let out a loud snort. "Merlin. You're losing your touch. Haven't heard you lie that poorly since school."

Theo downed his scotch and set the glass on the table. Oliver hobbled across the room to clear it, and Hermione's heart cracked with every stumbling step.

"I was trying to do you a favor by looking into it myself," Draco said coolly. "But if you'd rather I inform the Dark Lord that another one of your father's projects is failing—"

"Are you blackmailing me?" Theo snarled.

Draco smiled, low and cat-like. "That's a rather indelicate word, but I suppose I am. Speaking of blackmail, Cassandra and I had a lovely conversation tonight about what goes on in the booths — or better yet, what happens the next day, when you bribe the guards to bring her home—"

"She wouldn't."

"Amazing the things you can learn with a little truth serum." Hermione whipped her head to look at Draco, and he smirked. "Always get leverage, Granger."

"Wood!" Theo screamed. "Leave us."

There was a cold silence in the room as Hermione tried to recover from the whiplash of the last ten seconds. She watched as Oliver hobbled out and closed the door behind him. Theo and Draco held each other's eyes in a fierce contest.

Theo broke away first. He pursed his lips and took a deep breath, pulling a book from the inside breast pocket of his jacket.

"The only thing I can say for sure," he said quietly, "is that my father was determined to get his hands on every copy of this book after he'd created the tattoos. We traveled all throughout Europe tracking them down and either destroying them or removing sections." He moved closer to them, staring down at the book like it could hurt him. "I was supposed to destroy this one." His eyes locked on Hermione's. "He'll kill me if he finds out I gave it to you."

And in what seemed like slow motion, Theo stretched out his arm and offered her a familiar book with the name Jeremiah Jones on the cover. She gasped and took it from him, flipping through the pages.

It was a complete copy. No torn-out pages. And at the center, thirty or so pages in gold. A key to deciphering the Scourers' code.

"So you know what it is," Theo confirmed. "You know how to use it."

Her eyes snapped up to him, and just as she opened her mouth to thank him, Draco plucked the book from her fingers. He scowled at Theo.

"Why?" he asked.

Theo pressed his lips together and met Draco's gaze. "Granger's going to break these tattoos. You know she is. She's probably the only one who can."

Hermione felt hope spark in her chest, thrumming and burning.

"And when she does..." The lilt of conniving Slytherin shaded his tone as he turned back to her. "You have to promise me you'll get Oliver out."

Her lips parted, sympathy sweeping through her veins.

"As soon as possible. The first wave," he clarified. "Things have been worse for him with my father's state of mind. His failures…" Theo swallowed, and he blinked rapidly. "He takes it out on Oliver."

"I swear it." She clutched the journal to her chest. "I'll make sure Oliver is a priority."

Theo's eyes hardened as he finally looked to Draco.

He gave a single nod. "I swear it."

Theo nodded back, clenching his jaw. "So you're helping her," he said, in confirmation. When Draco didn't respond, a flash of concern crossed his face. "Be careful. You're going to get yourself killed."

Draco tilted his head and gave him a wry smile. "Same as you, I suppose."

He took Hermione's arm and led them out, passing Oliver just outside the door, his eyes downcast. She looked back as Draco tossed the Floo powder, and saw Theo lean against the doorway to watch them leave, his fingers reaching for Oliver's as they disappeared in the green flames.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 25

Chapter Notes

Thanks to SaintDionysus and raven_maiden for being at my beck and call.

This chapter is for my dear friend Lucy. <3

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The flames licked her legs as they passed through the fire into Draco's bedroom. Hermione looked down at the journal — the leather cover scraped and worn, the parchment soft with age. Her fingers gripped it tightly, and she blinked. She flipped to the pages she'd never seen before, checking to make sure they were real.

The key to the Scourers' code stared back up at her. She drew a shaky breath, thumbing through the pages until her vision blurred. They'd done it. They'd gotten the information she needed. It was more than she'd dared to hope for.

She spun to Draco, feeling energy coursing through her. He stood with his hands in his pockets, watching her.

"I knew it would work," she said breathlessly.

He lifted a brow. "But it didn't. You failed to seduce the information out of him—"

"I still got him to share what he knew—"

"You got him to hand that book over? If I didn't have the foresight to—"

"—use truth serum on a defenseless girl?" She glowered at him. "Yes, we mustn't forget that part."

Draco scoffed. "An hour ago, you wouldn't have spit on her if she was on fire, but now you feel she's been unjustly treated—"

"I would have expected you to inform me of a plot like that—"

"It got you your bloody journal, didn't it?"

"No, it didn't! He invited us over because he was already planning to tell us—"

"He was eyeing the situation, and if I didn't have leverage he might have used it against us—"

"You're wrong! He gave it to us because he cares about Oliver!"

"It doesn't matter." Draco shoved his hand through his hair. "You have the journal now."

She pursed her lips and ran her fingers over the pages again. Her mind began whirring quickly, her irritation slipping away. "It's Gaulish," she said after a few moments. "The seventh cluster is based on Gaulish runes." Chewing her lip, she checked the clock on his mantle. It was 2:30 in the morning, but she was wide awake.

"I'll send coffee to the library," he said with a roll of his eyes. "Go."

Offering him a quick smile, she ran out the door and down the stairs. Within ten minutes, she had the library table scattered with journals, parchment, and inkpots, sipping her first cup of coffee and munching on a biscuit.

She worked through the night, astonished at how the key worked. She only had to visualize a rune and press her fingers to the parchment before the letters and figures would rearrange themselves, bringing the character in question to the top of the page. Scribbling furiously to untwine the symbols she had been staring at for months, she felt her mind spinning with the thrill of working on a problem, all thoughts and worries about Oliver and Theo slipping away.

Once the sun's rays began peeking through the large windows, she checked her progress. She'd translated a full page of Tolbrette's journal, a rate almost five times faster than her normal speed. Elation swelled through her — until her eyes caught the remaining journals.

She was only inches closer to deciphering all of it. And there was still the issue of all the missing pages. She'd have to fill in the blanks to reconstruct their spells. Shaking out her cramping hand, she frowned down at the journal. One page, one step at a time. After four hours, she rubbed her eyes and finally called it a night, slumping up to her room and falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

The next week was spent tackling the journals as ferociously as she'd tackled O.W.L.s. She spent long days holed up in the library, translating side by side with Draco as they worked through their respective journals. Thankfully, she hadn't seen Lucius since her impromptu tour of the Manor. He'd left a note telling Draco he'd be away, so they didn't have to worry about him stumbling across their research.

The first thing Draco had tried once he'd joined her was a series of unscrambling and translation spells. But the journals had resisted. So they'd continued their routine of getting to the library early, sipping their tea and coffee over the pages, and bouncing ideas back and forth about the meanings behind the passages as they worked.

Every evening around eleven, Draco would insist that they retire for the night and walk with her back to their rooms. He would listen as she shared her theories about Tolbrette's "lightning barrier," explaining why she thought he'd started with Celtic magic. He would stand with her outside her door, patiently waiting as she worked through small ideas that nagged her. He would ask questions or offer input in small ways, but truly, simply having an intelligent sounding board was invaluable. She would close her bedroom door once she'd exhausted herself, still ruminating about the order of entries and what might have killed "Pigeon No. 5."

When Friday rolled around and Draco reminded her that they had to appear at Edinburgh in two hours, she huffed in irritation that her research would be cut short that evening. For the first time, she had no interest in going to Edinburgh. She stomped upstairs to get ready, finding a short navy dress from Pansy in her closet. Putting in minimal effort towards her hair and makeup, she finished getting ready with forty-five minutes to spare and ran back down to the library.

Draco found her at ten minutes past the hour, pouring over the texts and biting her lip in concentration. When he led her out the doors to the drive, he noticed she was missing her gold collar and had to summon Boppy to fetch it. Hermione snapped it on as they walked, her mind still lost among the journals. "Do you know if Ted Nott will be at Edinburgh tonight?"

"I'm not putting you in Ted Nott's path, Granger," Draco grumbled. "Not when you look like that."

She blinked at him as the gates opened. Looking down at herself, she didn't find anything objectionable. A short dress, tall heels, curled hair, and hasty makeup. She was about to ask him to clarify when he took her arm and Disapparated them to Edinburgh.

Throughout dinner she found her mind wandering to the translation. It was easy to do, as the room was unusually muted tonight. Flint was still absent, and so was Theo. She tried not to worry about what it might mean for him and Oliver. Susan Bones was missing, as Travers had needed her that evening, so Goyle was sulky and silent. After a few hushed remarks about the latest setbacks in France — apparently the Order had retaken Groix — the boys drifted to stilted pleasantries. By the time they wandered down to the Lounge, she'd worked through several possible meanings behind the Septagram she'd found in Tolbrette's journal. When Draco pulled her down next to him on the couches, she curled her legs up onto the cushions, letting her knees fall against his. His arm fell over her shoulder, but he didn't push her to slide on top of him.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the two shadows that fell over them until one spoke.

"Your kitten looks tired, Draco."

An older man with a broad torso and a balding head stared down at her. He swirled a glass of brandy methodically. Just behind him, Yaxley sent her a smirk.

Draco stood abruptly and shook his hand. "Well, I've been exhausting her, sir."

The bald man chuckled and ran his tongue over his teeth. Hermione recognized him, but couldn't place him.

"I hear you're territorial. That's a shame."

"Apologies, sir, but it's not a shame for me. I like knowing that she's only had my cock inside her. Makes it worth the Galleons." Draco laughed, a tight sound that sent a chill down her spine.

"Come now, even for an old friend like me?" The bald man leered down at her and adjusted himself in his trousers. "We were almost family, Draco."

"Almost," said Draco coolly.

And it clicked. Mr. Parkinson. She could see Pansy's features in him now clearly. Her lips parted in horror, and she quickly turned her eyes down, forcing herself not to glance to where "Giuliana Bravieri" sat with Blaise.

A Carrow Girl brought by two new brandy glasses for Yaxley and Parkinson, and Yaxley let his gaze travel down the girl's body as he reached for a new drink. "I have to say I'm surprised by how much you enjoy these little parties, Quince. To think that your daughter could have been one of these whores, should she not have—"

"She was no daughter of mine," Parkinson growled. He downed the rest of his brandy and traded his empty glass for a full one. "I'm prouder to have no heirs than to live with the disgrace of that slut. Draco and Blaise did the honorable thing by killing her."

Hermione felt her chest tightening, her ribs crushing her lungs. Parkinson took a long swig of his second brandy, his eyes narrowed at Draco, as if daring him to disagree.

"Indeed, sir," Draco said slowly. "She was a stain on all of us."

Hermione lifted her gaze and found Parkinson nodding at Draco and turning to Blaise. His eyes caught on Giuliana.

"Well, hello," he sang.

And Hermione watched in disgust as Mr. Parkinson ran his eyes down the body his daughter was currently inhabiting. She chanced a look in her direction, and found Giuliana Braveri's eyes were bright with a blaze of fury.

Mr. Parkinson laughed. "This one's got spirit left, Zabini. I thought we all fucked that out of her."

Hermione's stomach roiled.

She watched Giuliana Bravieri's shoulders roll back and her nostrils flare. Blaise made some quip, standing to shake Mr. Parkinson's hand as well, but Hermione could only hear the blood rushing in her ears.

Draco grabbed her elbow, made some excuse, and walked them around the room once before changing course toward the Floo. As soon as she stepped through, she stumbled to the nearest chair, bracing herself. She had a faint memory of a conversation with Pansy in the Ministry, a hint at her strained relationship with her father — but to sell his own daughter into slavery was unthinkable. She tried to put herself in Pansy's shoes. To imagine her own father... Her throat closed, and she felt herself gagging.

Draco was at her side in an instant. He ordered chamomile and a sleeping draught to be brought to her room, and brushed off her questions with a "Not now, Granger." He walked her there with a hand on her back and forced her to go to bed with the promise that they would work on the tattoos first thing in the morning.

Hermione threw herself into research for the next few days, burning through her disgust. Quincy Parkinson was simply another person to add to her list of people who were going to pay. Draco met her every morning and left with her every evening. The first two days, they made excellent progress. She was three-quarters of the way through Tolbrette's journal; he was two-thirds through with his. But as the week dragged on, his attention became less and less focused. She found his gaze on her often, trailing over her face or dragging down her legs before flitting away. He asked her to repeat questions, and she got the sense that he wasn't really listening when she spoke. He had to take more breaks, stretching and strolling through the library stacks. Perhaps he'd grown sick of helping her.

It wasn't until Tuesday, when Hermione woke from a very pleasant dream, that she sharply realized the meaning behind the burning in his eyes.

He was randy.

She blinked at herself in the mirror several minutes later, toothbrush hanging out of her mouth. She'd been so preoccupied, so consumed by her research, that she hadn't thought once about what happened before they went to Nott Manor. But maybe it wasn't far from his mind. She thought back to the way he would walk her back to her bedroom at the end of each day, the way he'd watch her lips close around the rim of her coffee mug. The way he'd find little reasons to touch her — his hand on her waist as he moved around her in the stacks, his fingers against hers as he passed her his notes.

Abruptly, her body remembered his fingers in her knickers, her hand against his erection, his breath in her ear, the sounds from his throat as he came.

It wasn't that she didn't want to… again. She did. She'd just been… busy.

Hermione cleaned the toothpaste from her mouth, washed her flushed face, and opened the cabinets. The Contraceptive Potions stared back at her. One a month. She and Draco wouldn't be… Not yet. But there was no reason to be stubborn about it. She drank a potion and dressed quickly before hurrying to meet him downstairs.

He was wearing the cobalt jumper, and her eyes lingered on the way it stretched across his chest.

She joined him at the large table, pouring herself a cup of coffee from the carafe. His long fingers flipped a page, and his eyebrows drew together in confusion. She watched him read for a few moments, feeling her blood begin to hum with the caffeine and her own nerves.

"Anything interesting?" she said, echoing how he tried to draw her attention last week.

He sighed, not looking up. "Just a bit about magic ink. I think. I can't be sure yet."

She came around to his side of the table and peered over his shoulder to read what he was reading. He pointed out the translation, but she couldn't concentrate, too dizzy from his scent. She hummed when she needed to, leaning closer, keenly aware of her chest brushing against his arm.

She heard his throat click as he swallowed. But then he was standing, offering her his chair and Jones's key in favor of moving across the room. She watched him settle into the couch and pick up the reading she'd started yesterday on Celtic magic.

Hermione bit her lip and tried to restructure her plans. She wanted him to know she was still interested. Perhaps she needed to be blunt about it. She pretended to translate for five minutes before setting her journal aside and walking to the couch.

"Mm?" he hummed into his book when he felt her presence in front of him.

Hermione bent at the waist, steadied her hands on his shoulders, and pressed her lips to his. His lips softened under hers, and his book snapped closed. She pulled back and looked into his eyes as they flitted across her face.

"Yes?" He smiled.

"I was just thinking… we could use… a break?"

His grin widened. "Oh?"

"Um, yes." She took a deep breath and crawled into his lap, her legs on either side of his thighs. His brows jumped, and the book was tossed across the room as his hands landed on her hips. "We've both been working rather hard, and I, um… I was thinking we could use… a little bit of… um…"

She broke off, her cheeks heating, but he just smirked at her. She rolled her eyes and leaned in to kiss him again.

His arms wrapped around her back, dragging her closer. She'd worn her denims ever since Lucius had last scolded her, but now she was regretting that her legs couldn't widen like she wanted them to.

Draco kissed her lazily, unhurried. His hands roamed over her back and slid down to her hips, gliding down her thighs and rounding her knees before retracing his path up. She threaded her fingers into his hair, pushing her tongue into his mouth and relishing the surprised groan that tore from his throat. He squeezed her hips and pulled her closer.

She let her hands float down, tracing over the jumper and down his chest. He tangled his tongue with hers as her fingers tugged at the hem, slipping under to touch his bare skin. He sighed, and she let her palms skate over his skin.

Running into his Sectumsempra scars, she traced the zigzag up, across his ribs and over the sharp angle under his heart. She kissed him as her fingers pressed into his muscles, enjoying the firmness of his stomach and the hard edges of his ribs.

She pulled her mouth off of his and watched his eyes flutter open slowly. "Off?" she asked, tugging at the jumper.

His eyes flashed, and then he was sitting forward to pull it over his head. His alabaster skin was so bright under the morning light, and her fingers were immediately drawn to all of his scars — Sectumsempra, the acid curse from Dover, and a few others she didn't recognize. She wanted to ask — to make him explain each of them. But then he was leaning forward to kiss her neck, tugging her chest to his and sucking on her throat.

Her eyes fluttered closed as his hand ran into her curls, pulling her neck open for him, his other squeezing her hip, encouraging her to roll forward into him. She shifted her legs, and suddenly they were slotted together. She gasped, and he moaned. Even through her denims and his trousers, she felt him growing harder. She tried rolling her hips, and Draco's teeth scraped down her neck.

He chuckled into her skin. "The house-elves will stop us soon."

She bit her lip to keep from mentioning that they probably wouldn't, now that she'd taken the potion.

"Until they stop us then," she whispered back. And he grunted and squeezed her backside.

"Fuck."

He pulled her lips back to his, and she let him devour her as she sighed from the delicious feeling of their hips coming together. Her hands ran over his chest, loving the vast amount of warm skin at her disposal. She wanted more.

She pulled at her shirt, gathering it to tug off. Draco pulled back to watch her with heavy breaths and wandering eyes. Her hair fell awkwardly over her face as it came loose, but just as she'd cleared her vision, she felt his skin against hers as he pulled her toward him and turned them to lay her down on the couch.

"Okay?" he breathed. She nodded.

She'd only been under him once — on the chaise when they were interrupted. But there hadn't been this much skin. Now she could run her hands over his bare back. She could push her breasts up against his chest.

He covered her, crawling on top of her and kissing her neck as he slotted their hips together. His lips trailed lower, over her clavicles, dropping kisses across the tops of her breasts. He paused, and she looked down to see his gaze concentrated on the scar over her heart from the ritual that removed her virginity. He kissed it gently, and Hermione's knees curled up around his waist as something warm swirled low in her stomach.

He looked up at her, his lips over her chest, and she watched as his mouth dragged lower until he hovered over her bra. She could feel his warm breath on her. She nodded, and Draco kissed her breast, his lips brushing across the thin lace covering her nipple.

Her chest arched up into him, and a whine poured from her lips as his fingers cupped her other breast. Her eyes squeezed shut as pressure built in her hips, urging her to shift under him as his thumb grazed her. Her legs locked around his waist, trying to rub herself on him.

Draco shifted up, removing his lips from her chest and kissing her mouth. He pushed his length against her core, and she hissed, "Yes."

He did it again and asked, "It feels good?"

"Don't stop. Please don't—"

He kissed her and started grinding his body into hers. The hand on her breast tugged down her bra cup and began rolling her nipple. She gasped into his mouth, squeezing her knees around his waist.

His hips found a pace that dragged the denim over her core just right, and her hips jumped to meet his on every thrust.

"Want you to come, Granger," he panted against her lips. "Will you come like this?"

"I—I think so. Please—"

He pumped faster and faster, grinding his hips against her clit. Her nails cut across his back, and her back arched, closer and closer.

"What else?" he groaned. "What else do you need?"

"Just don't stop—"

"I can't—I'm gonna—Fuck—"

"Draco, please—"

His hand squeezed her breast, plucking at her nipple—

She listened to him grunt. Listened to the curses fall from his lips like raindrops against her cheek. His hips grew erratic, grinding exactly where she needed him. She was hovering over the edge of the cliff, just one more step—

"Beautiful—fucking—fuck—"

His hips rolled into her once more. She shuddered, her jaw falling open, her body coiling, her thighs shaking, and her cunt clenching. He shivered and moaned, hips stilling as he came.

They caught their breaths. Hermione's fingers traced patterns into his scalp, relishing the way his fine hair slipped through her fingertips. His face was buried in her shoulder, panting into her skin. Letting her hands drift down his neck and smooth over his back, she followed the curves of his shoulder blades, mapping the knots in his spine and memorizing his ribs as they expanded beneath her touch.

His hand was still on her breast, bare beneath his fingers from where he'd pulled down her bra. And when his hand gave her an infinitesimal squeeze — his thumb rolling over the peak of her — she was shocked to learn that her body was still responding.

He lifted his hand, pressing into the couch to hold himself up. He hovered over her, his eyes skating down her body, tracing her mouth, her exposed breast, her waist. She memorized him in return — the way his hair fell forward over his forehead, the definition in his lean arms and chest, the color of his lips when they were kiss-bruised.

Reaching up slowly, he pushed a curl away from her face. His fingers ran down her neck and shoulder, and softly tugged her bra cup back into place. He sat up, offering her his hands, and pulled her up.

They decided to freshen up, and meet back downstairs in an hour. The walk to their bedrooms was silent, but when he dropped her off at her door, she turned to him, wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled his lips to hers in a chaste kiss. She was pleasantly surprised to find how quickly his tongue slipped into her mouth and his hands grabbed her arse.

~*~

Kissing Draco Malfoy was like a drug — a potion to clear your mind and set fire to your skin. She thought maybe she could brew it, bottle it, and keep it forever.

He kissed her in the mornings before her first cup of coffee, doing more to her body than a full pot of caffeine. He kissed her in the afternoons when he was bored with any translation that had no direct relation to the way her body moved or what made her moan. He kissed her in the evenings when they arrived at her bedroom door, pushing her up against the wall and letting his hands wander, sometimes pulling her up to wind her legs around his hips.

He liked her hair down, her jeans tight, and her bra blue lace.

He let her set their pace. The moment her fingers popped one of his buttons, her shirt was tugged off. If her hips rolled against his, suddenly the bulge in his trousers was grinding into her. But no matter what she tried to communicate, her jeans stayed firmly on. She'd tried taking them off herself once, but he'd stilled her hands. Before she could question it, his tongue was back in her mouth, drawing moans from her lungs.

They were running their hands over each other on Friday, her fingers drifting to the front of his trousers, wondering if maybe she should try to unbutton him today, when a rap-rap-rap sounded from somewhere.

She pulled her mouth off his neck and looked around. Draco went still underneath her.

Rap-rap-rap.

It sounded as if someone was knocking on the library doors.

Hermione straightened her top and scrambled off the chair she'd been straddling him in. Draco followed suit, smoothing out his shirt as he quickly crossed to the door. She stood behind him as he pulled it open, and Narcissa Malfoy stood there patiently, a vision in lavender.

"Mother," he croaked.

"Hello, darling. Hermione." She nodded to both of them and stepped through the door. "You'll excuse my caution, but I've heard that it's best to knock before entering a closed-door room nowadays."

Hermione's cheeks flamed. Draco coughed. "Er, I'm not sure why—"

"Oh, nonsense. I remember being your age and having the whole Manor to ourselves." She smiled sweetly at her son. Draco swallowed, looking quite grey.

"Mother, please don't—"

"I came to invite you both to dinner tonight. I know you usually go to Edinburgh on Fridays, but perhaps I can tempt you to stay home and visit with your father and me?"

"Father is home as well?" Draco ran an anxious hand through his hair. "I… yes I suppose—"

"Excellent," Narcissa said, her mouth twitching. "I'll see you both this evening then."

She gave Draco a quick peck on the cheek and excused herself, bidding them goodbye. They moved to a table further inside the library and spent the rest of the day focusing on their translations, leaving the doors propped open wide. It was too risky to pick up where they'd left off when his parents were both home, wandering the halls.

Dinner was a strange affair. Narcissa deflected all questions about her visit with Bellatrix, favoring small talk instead. Halfway through their first course, Lucius decided to begin drilling Hermione on the cutlery on the table, quizzing her on their names and purpose as Narcissa glared at him. Draco was mostly silent, apparently preoccupied with drinking more wine than she'd ever seen him drink before. At the end of dinner, Hermione excused herself back to her room, casting a quick look in his direction. He glanced away, and she supposed that meant that they wouldn't be snogging outside their bedrooms anymore.

They continued their translations over the next few days without any incident. But the following Wednesday, there was a headline in the paper about a military initiative in Switzerland. Bellatrix was on the front of the Prophet in a black ensemble, looking quite the role of a murderous general. Lucius had left the previous day. When Hermione asked Narcissa about it over breakfast, she sipped her tea and said, "Lucius has it under control." But her smile was tight. Hermione hoped to get answers from Draco later, but as soon as they reached the library, he pulled away. "I don't know any more than you do, Granger," he clipped, before turning to his translations.

They went to Edinburgh that Friday, but Draco was distracted. Theo was back, his face pinched and pale. Cassandra sat quietly in his lap, unusually demure. At dinner, Draco snapped at anyone who tried to ask about Switzerland. When they went downstairs to the Lounge, it was practically empty — only a few Carrow Girls with trays serving a handful of men at the gambling tables.

Draco tugged her out into the courtyard, following the other boys and whispering an apology in her ear. Before she could ask what for, a wave of sound hit her — a swell of jeering and yelling. Her heart seized with terror at the thought of another One O'Clock Gun, but Draco gripped her elbow tightly as he led her forward, and a peek through the packed crowd allowed her to take in her first view of Seamus Finnigan since the Auction. He was beaten and bloody, brawling with another male Lot. She tried to clear her mind, but she could only watch in horror as Seamus pounded his fist into the other person repeatedly, the crowd's cheers ringing in her ears. Seamus tugged the boy's head up by the hair, and before he slammed his fist into his nose, Hermione recognized Justin Finch-Fletchley beneath the blood. They left soon after, as the crowd whooped at Seamus's victory.

She managed to make it to the Apparition Point before she began crying. Draco held her as the wind whipped around them, his knuckles brushing her tear-stained cheeks. The next morning, he flatly refused to let her go to the library, insisting she had to spend the day practicing her Occlumency. To her annoyance, she agreed.

The following week flew by. There was a triumphant, though heavily censored, article about Switzerland in the Prophet on Monday. She and Draco worked in the library together most mornings after she'd spent an hour Occluding. Both of them were almost through their second journals. And though it was fewer and farther between, Draco still would find a reason to request her assistance in the back of the library, pulling her close to him and working his hands under her shirt.

Lucius finally returned on Thursday, and it seemed like a weight had lifted from Narcissa's shoulders. Hermione took it as an encouraging sign. Unfortunately, Lucius' presence also meant that Draco stopped finding excuses to touch her in the library or kiss her goodnight. By the time she was getting ready for Edinburgh on Friday, Hermione was talking herself out of taking a bath to… unwind.

Pansy had sent her a champagne-colored slip dress with matching heels that morning. The dress had thin straps and a short hem, and sliding into the silky fabric didn't help her current state one bit. The dress was cool on her overheated body, and her breasts stood out plainly against the draping silk. She carefully applied her makeup, snapped on her collar, and met Draco downstairs.

As usual, his drifting eyes liquefied her, his gaze curving over her hips and breasts, sliding down her legs, and trailing up to her collarbones and neck.

She sent him a smirk and said, "Shall we?"

He seemed to snap out of his trance, stepping forward to take her elbow and guide her out the front doors. They got down the front steps, onto the drive, and out the gate before he tugged her to the side and descended upon her lips. She squeaked as he pushed her against the stone wall, his tongue in her mouth and his hands roving her back, her waist, her hips. Her laughter died in her throat, and she kissed him back fiercely, throwing her arms around his neck. He groaned and squeezed her arse, the silk riding up her cheeks. His fingers slid beneath to palm her backside, and she gasped as his hard length ground against her.

"Been thinking about your arse all week, Granger."

She shivered, not from the October wind dancing over them, but from his words, spinning delicious melodies in her ear.

His hands glided over her hips, fingers running along her spine beneath the silk of her dress.

"Do you know what I love about this dress?"

She panted into his ear as his hands skated around her ribs, coming forward to cup her breasts. "What?"

He brushed his thumbs over her nipples, filling his palms with her.

"That I get to take it off you later."

She moaned, a high-pitched whine. He kissed her deeply, rubbing his thumbs in soft circles.

And just as quick as it started, he was pulling back, his hands sliding down her stomach. She caught her breath as he took her hand, threaded their fingers together, and dragged her to the top of the hill, Disapparating them.

The shock of Apparition cooled her off a bit, but there was something curling deep inside of her as they walked beneath the howling werewolves and passed the leering guards. It was a silly thought: inconsequential, if not irresponsible, given the circumstances. But it sent a thrill through her veins just the same.

Draco Malfoy wanted something from her that only she could give him.

And as they greeted Charlotte, as his hand pressed to her lower back — his fingers inching lower than before — she relished that kind of power. That intoxicating feeling of being desired. Not by someone who'd just take from her. Someone who wanted her to give herself freely.

They spent some time in the Great Hall, with Draco shaking hands and dodging questions about Switzerland. His left hand pulled her so close against him, she was practically straddling his hip. When they finally made their way up to the dining room, she felt Draco's hand drift lower as they climbed the stairs. She batted his hand away with a wink.

Harper opened the door for them, and her stomach swooped when she saw Flint back at the head of the table. His eyes lifted to them, but there was no snarky comment, no lingering gaze on Hermione's legs or chest. He almost looked nervous.

Draco greeted the boys, even patting Theo on the back, and took his seat at the head of the table. Hermione wound herself into his lap while he laughed at something Pucey had just said. His hand was on her leg as soon as she was settled, pulling her body closer, and sliding up her thigh to rest just below the short hem of her dress. She felt her skin flush, and every time he brushed his thumb across her inner thigh, she felt her stomach tighten.

"Marcus," Draco called out. "How was your holiday?"

The table quieted, waiting with bated breath.

Flint swallowed, and looked down at his wine glass. "Fine. Weather was perfect." He rolled his shoulders back and sent Draco a smirk. "Hope you didn't miss me too terribly."

Draco tapped his fingers on the table. "We hardly noticed you were gone." He reached for his glass and drank deeply, staring at him over the rim.

The table was silent. Several boys followed suit and grabbed their wine glasses.

There had been a palpable shift in power. The boys who usually clamored around Flint for his attention or guidance were shifting their focus to Draco. There was no talk of Sharing her, no ribbing Draco for his behavior. As the night dragged on, Flint sunk further and further into the background, his eyes flickering anxiously around the table.

And throughout dinner, Draco kept his hand on her thigh, moving infinitesimally higher and higher. But when she glanced down, he was only an inch under the hem of her dress. She took calming breaths once she noticed his erection against her hip.

When it was time for the Lounge, Hermione felt like she was about to combust. Draco kept her close to his side, his hand wrapping around her hip as they passed through the hallway. The Lounge was packed this time. Draco dropped into the large chair he usually sat in, and she settled against him, curling her legs up into his lap. He took two glasses of champagne from an offered tray, and once he'd handed her one, his free hand rested on her knee.

Graham Montague sat on his left, chatting sports and memories of Hogwarts days. He usually followed Flint like a puppy. His Carrow Girl straddled him and began kissing his neck, putting an end to his one-sided conversation.

There was nothing to distract her now from the humming in her skin. Hermione remembered the day in the Manor library, her thighs on either side of Draco's hips — the way he couldn't keep his hands off her arse, the sound of him moaning in her ear. She could feel eyes flicker to her and Draco, and then away. The boys watching, weighing.

After a few heartbeats, she leaned in, pulling his earlobe between her lips. His hand squeezed her leg. She pressed a kiss to his pulse point. She heard his voice tremble. Her hand slithered down his chest, trailing over his shirt buttons to rest lightly on his belt buckle. She heard his throat swallow. The hand on her thigh began skating across her skin.

Shifting on his lap, she moved to straddle him, kissing his neck and steadying herself on his shoulders. His hands jumped to her hips — just like she knew they would — and the soft gasp from his lips when she settled her core against the bulge in his trousers made her head spin. She pushed her chest forward, letting her breasts graze him, and one of his arms wrapped around her back. His hand pressed between her shoulder blades, and his fingers twisted in the ends of her hair.

She could barely move like this — plastered to his front, the hand in her hair tugging her head back. Her throat was open to him, and as his hand glided down to her backside, his lips descended on her neck. She moaned softly, and felt his cock twitch between her legs.

Her hands slid up to his hair, holding him close. He sucked at his favorite spots, the places he'd discovered that made her groan and gasp. The hand on her arse massaged her over her silk dress, pulling her hips into his as the other hand held her chest and neck close. His teeth grazed her pulse, and she tried to shift her hips against his.

She could hear the sounds of glasses clinking, of boisterous voices and low music. The purr of a Carrow Girl in her ear as fingers brushed across her shoulders, offering more champagne. But it all vanished like sound in a vacuum when Draco splayed his hand on the base of her spine, rolling her hips forward at his own pace.

A tight whine escaped her throat. And suddenly the hand tugging at the ends of her hair jumped to cup her jaw, sliding into the hair behind her ear, and pulling her face to his — kissing her.

Hermione gasped in surprise, her eyes shooting open to find Draco's closed in bliss. Kissing her at Edinburgh.

Letting her lashes flutter shut, she sighed into his mouth as his tongue dove into her. Her arms draped over his shoulders, and her hips began undulating against his. Her breasts brushed his chest softly with every roll of her body, and the cold silk teased her nipples.

He was fully hard in his trousers now, something she could feel with every snap of their hips. His mouth nipped at her, and his tongue pulled moans from her throat.

She pulled back to catch her breath, and before her mind came back to her body, he was standing, saying his goodbyes, and dragging her toward the fireplaces. She stumbled behind him in her heels, trying to steady herself.

In a puff of green smoke, they stepped through to his bedroom, and she reached for him at the same time his hands lifted her by the waist, carrying her to his bed. Her breath caught as he dropped her on the edge of the mattress, her mind catching up. They were on a bed and he was hard and she was wet and they were on a bed.

He took her face in his hands, bending down to kiss her quickly. "Whatever you want. We'll do as much as you want."

She nodded, relieved that he'd read her mind, and let him push her back on the mattress, shifting her across the middle of it. He crawled over her, kissing her deeply and sliding his hand over her waist. Threading her fingers in his hair, she kissed him back, losing her breath in him.

His hands started rucking up her dress, pushing the silk over her hips, making good on his promise from a few hours before. She kicked off her heels, and he met her eyes as he dragged the silk up over her breasts, gaining her permission with her short nod. She helped him pull it over her head, and then she was down to her knickers on Draco Malfoy's bed.

He shifted his knees to slot between hers, and then he was kissing her, sucking a path down her neck. Her eyes fluttered closed, and his lips and tongue trailed down to her breasts, sucking and licking at her as his hand rubbed her hip. She arched her chest forward, pushing her nipple into his mouth as he teased it with soft rolls of his tongue.

"Don't tease," she moaned, twisting beneath him.

And then he sucked on her, drawing a strangled gasp from her lips as he pinched her other breast between his fingers.

He kissed each rib on his path down her stomach, over her bellybutton. His hand smoothed over her thighs, opening her wide even as she ached to rub them together. Draco kissed the lace band of her knickers.

Her eyes shot open.

He kissed the inside of her thigh, and she bit her lip, her legs tensing and trying to close.

Did he really want to… do that? She wasn't sure—

He looked up, his eyes black and locked on hers. And before she could blink, he was moving back up, kissing her stomach and throat until his mouth found hers again.

She sighed and ran her hands down his shirt. She was halfway down his chest when his mouth pulled away.

"Can I touch you again?"

She nodded. "Yes." She tugged at his shirt. "Take this off."

He sat up and fumbled with the buttons, his eyes drinking her in as she lay prone on his mattress. Once his shirt was off, he lowered himself to her side and ran his hand down her stomach.

"Can I take these off?"

She bit her lip and nodded. His eyes darkened, and then he was rolling her knickers down her thighs, helping her kick them off. Then his hand held her hip as he settled on her right side.

He stared down at her body for a moment that lasted forever, and she felt her heart pound, her face flushed with embarrassment and arousal.

Then his hand moved to her center, and she turned her eyes on the ceiling as his fingers dragged through her folds. He pressed his lips to her clavicle, kissing lightly as his fingers explored her.

She didn't know what to do with her hands. She let her left just lay at her side and her right slid under his waist, wrapping around his back.

"Is this… am I alright?" she whispered.

He hummed into her neck and dipped his fingers between her folds. "You're perfect."

She bit her lip and closed her eyes, letting Draco find her clit within seconds. She tried to stifle her gasp, but she knew he'd heard it when he smirked against her collarbone.

Gently, he pushed her thigh open, bending her knee to the mattress. When his hand returned to her center, she could feel everything. Every drag of his fingertips. Every brush of his knuckle. His fingers slid down, and she felt him pressing against her entrance.

"Fuck."

She jumped. "What?"

He shook his head and kissed her ear, dragging his fingers up to her clit, swirling her. Her hips shifted. "Gonna make you come, Granger."

She worried her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded her head. And then he was kissing her mouth again, lips and tongue insistent, distracting her. She sighed and arched her back when he found a rhythm she liked, increasing the pressure from his fingers. Her hips shifted, and she felt his cock against her, still hard in his trousers.

Her eyes shot open as he groaned into her mouth and rolled his hips forward again. She should be doing something, yes? She should be touching him back?

She turned on her side and reached up to wrap her arm around his neck, kissing him back and pressing their bare chests together. He grunted into her mouth and nipped her lip, adjusting his fingers between her legs. Her hand slithered down his chest, and she hooked her fingers into his belt.

His hand left her core and grabbed her wrist. She pulled back and looked up at him.

"It's okay, Granger," he breathed. "Just lay back—"

"Draco." She frowned up at him. "Let me touch you."

He hesitated. And she quirked a brow, feeling devious.

"Are you embarrassed?" she asked innocently.

His brows pulled together. "No, why would you—"

She opened her mouth, then closed it. She shrugged.

His eyes turned deadly. "What would I have to be embarrassed about, Granger?"

She chewed on her lip, biting back a grin. "I've heard boys can be rather embarrassed about their… size. But I'm sure you're good at other things—"

He tore her hands from his body and pinned them to the bed, rolling on top of her. He growled and ground his hips into her, scowling down at her.

"Does that feel 'small,' Granger?"

She shook, failing to keep her laughter at bay. "I don't really know. I haven't seen it yet—"

He sat up and ripped his belt from his trousers. Laughing, she tried helping him with his buttons, but he batted her hands away, still looking murderous. Which made her laugh harder.

Once unbuttoned, he pressed himself back down on top of her and kissed her breathless. She ran her hands over his ribs, drifting lower and lower until she was brushing her fingers against his trunks. He groaned and rolled his hips forward, sucking on her bottom lip.

She pushed his trousers down past his hips and reached for the elastic of his trunks. He pulled his mouth from hers and dropped his forehead to her shoulder, breathing harshly against her skin. She reached inside and lightly wrapped her fingers around him.

He shivered and groaned tightly.

The skin was warm and smooth. She tried trailing her fingertips along him softly, and Draco mumbled something into her neck. He drew a sharp breath, and then his hand returned to her core.

Her head tilted back, shifting her hips against his hand. His fingers trailed down to her entrance, and slowly he pushed one finger inside.

She gasped, her hand stilling and her leg curling up to his hip. "Oh—"

He lifted his head and kissed her again, pushing further into her. "Okay?"

"Yes. Sure. I mean, it's good—"

She stopped her stammering when he withdrew and pushed into her again, slowly filling her.

He cursed, and started kissing her neck again. He twisted his hand, and then his thumb was at her clit.

Hermione let her eyes flutter shut, brushing soft fingers across his cock and shifting her hips against him. His fingers picked up their pace, rubbing and thrusting faster and firmer. She could feel the strain that had been building since he kissed her outside the Manor gates swelling inside her. Her free hand twisted in the bedding, stretching out, reaching.

Her breath stuttered in her chest, her walls fluttering — so close.

"Fuck." Draco panted harshly against her jaw. "Felt that." She flushed. "Gonna make you come all over my sheets, Granger."

His thumb swirled her clit, working her higher and higher as his lips sucked at her neck. She realized her hand was still wrapped around him, but she couldn't think, let alone move, while he played with her. Her head fell back, arching her chest toward his canopy, her knees curling toward her chest.

He curled his finger, dragging against her inner wall, and she whimpered as her cunt clenched, squeezing him in place while his thumb worked her clit.

She cried out his name, and he pressed their mouths together as she rode out her climax on his fingers.

He slowly pumped his finger into her as she relaxed, and then finally pulled away from her. She caught her breath and remembered her hand on him — the hand that had pulled away and curled into a tight fist against his chest when she came.

Draco rolled to the side, laying on his back. She turned to him and trailed her hand down his stomach.

He took her wrist gently. "You don't have to—"

"I want you to feel good too." His eyes closed, and she watched him swallow. She propped herself up on her elbow and leaned in to kiss his neck as her hand dipped lower. "Just… teach me what to do."

He groaned, clenching his jaw.

She wrapped her fingers around him and stroked slowly, tentatively, watching his brows pull together. She looked down, and was momentarily fascinated by the way her hand moved around him. And… it seemed he had nothing to be embarrassed about after all.

"Is this—"

"Tighter."

She bit her lip and followed instructions. His eyes remained firmly closed, and his lips parted as he breathed harshly.

"Faster?"

"Yes. Fuck."

She sped up her hand and pressed herself closer, kissing his collarbones like he'd done for her. His hips jumped, and she watched his stomach muscles tense and release. He pressed a hand over his face.

"What's wrong?" she breathed into his shoulder.

His chest heaved for air, and he licked his lips. "I'm gonna come."

She pushed forward to kiss his lips. One hand wrapped in her hair, the other shifted down to cover her hand, showing her a pace he liked, and encouraging her to twist her wrist a certain way. He moaned when she did it on her own, and cursed while his hips jumped to meet her hand.

With a delicious sound, he grunted, stilling as he came, spurting up over her fist. He dragged her lips back to his, and she continued to pump him slowly, feeling him twitch and pulse, intrigued by the way he softened.

He grabbed his shirt and cleaned her hand. And she suddenly remembered that she was completely naked in Draco's bedroom.

"Um, thanks. Or… not 'thanks,' but…"

He grinned up at her, his eyes drifting over her skin.

Hermione swallowed. "Um, I should… get cleaned up."

He nodded slowly, staring at her. They sat up, and he handed her dress to her. Her knickers were missing again, but she was too embarrassed to linger. She kissed him quickly, and scurried back to her room, leaning back against the door and reliving the past hour.

Her hands ran over her face, sliding down her cheeks and neck—

The collar was still on. Hermione winced at the realization. She unclasped it, ready to toss it across the room, when a thin scrap of paper fluttered down to her feet.

Her breath caught. When had someone passed her a note? Bending swiftly, she snatched it up.

Don't miss next Friday.

Her heart pounding, eyes widening. What was going to happen next Friday? She ran her hand through her hair, wondering at what point in her distraction had someone gotten close enough to slip a note into her collar without her noticing. At some point in the evening, she'd lost herself. Lost track of the game.

She sank against the door, staring at the note. Taking a shaky breath as guilt overshadowed her euphoria.

~*~

The following weekend was Halloween. Hermione made sure there would be no special plans prohibiting them from attending. A batch of fresh makeup had appeared in her bathroom, and Hermione painted her lips and applied the shadow dutifully. Pansy had her in a long-sleeve black lace dress, skin-tight, the hemline barely covering her backside. But at least her chest was covered. It didn't stop Draco's wandering eyes, though. Or hands.

Dinner was a rambunctious affair, with the boys drinking spirits and singing songs. Draco ruled over them all, smirking and enjoying himself, letting his fingers trail over her thighs.

Hermione fought the urge to melt into him. She'd promised herself she wouldn't lose her head in the Lounge again. She could maintain appearances without winding herself up. If she and Draco wanted to touch each other, they could do so at home. She needed to stay alert for whatever she could not miss at this party.

Following the boys down to the Lounge, Hermione kept an eye out, not letting Draco's hand on her waist distract her from her mission. She sat in his lap, taking a glass of champagne offered by a Carrow Girl and searching the room. But alert as she was, she still was totally unprepared for a shadow to cross over them, and a voice to lilt, "Come with me, Mudblood."

She looked up into a pair of grey eyes, and she blinked to realize that Lucius Malfoy was at Edinburgh. Draco stilled underneath her before helping her scramble off his lap. He quickly stood with her.

"Father."

"Son." He eyed him coolly. "It's time for your pet to see the Burgundy Room, wouldn't you say?"

Hermione gaped at him. The Burgundy Room was where the important discussions happened — where the dignitaries were taken. The "other room." And Lucius Malfoy wanted to take her there? She was still reeling from the image of him being at Edinburgh, much less speaking to her publicly.

Draco coughed and gestured for his father to lead the way. Lucius lifted a brow before grabbing Hermione's elbow with firm fingers and turning to escort her to the thick door in the corner of the room. Draco took two steps to follow, and Lucius spun back.

"Don't bother, Draco. I'll take good care of her." His eyes flitted disdainfully over the Slytherin boys who were watching with rapt attention. "Play with your little friends."

Hermione's eyes widened and snapped to Draco. He was mouthing something wordlessly, his face as white as a sheet. Before he could argue, Lucius spun on his heel and dragged her away.

"I trust you know how to behave, Miss Granger," Lucius drawled once the doors had closed behind them.

She nodded, opening her mouth—

"That includes holding your tongue."

She snapped it closed. Lucius turned down a long hallway to the left, and she walked quietly by his side, her heart hammering in her ears. They turned a corner into another room where a small crowd was gathered, voices low and glasses clinking. Lucius stepped through them, greeting his friends and associates. Their gazes lingered over her body, but they made no mention of her. They approached the wooden door, and Lucius turned to the guard. A quick Detection Spell, and the door opened for them.

Hermione stepped into a dimly lit room filled with cozy fireplaces and low-lit sconces. There were twenty or so people in the room. She spied Yaxley and Dolohov speaking to the Spanish Minister, Santos, and someone who must be his wife. Avery sat in a comfortable chair, speaking lowly with an Asian man. A bodyguard stood just to his side. Charlotte looked up from where she was exchanging empty glasses, her eyes quickly passing over Hermione before looking away. And across the room, Minister Cirillo from Greece stood with Mulciber. Cho Chang hung off his arm with a light smile, not sparing her a glance.

Cirillo's eyes landed on them, and her lips split into a smile, revealing perfectly straight teeth. "Lucius, darling. I was hoping you'd come."

Lucius tugged her by the elbow to cross the room. Cirillo met them in the middle.

"Eleni," he greeted. "I promised, didn't I?" They kissed cheeks.

"Still. Antonin tells me you do not visit often."

"You must know how I loathe this castle. Built by Muggles." He sneered as he glanced around at the walls, then rolled his shoulders back. "But of course, when I'm not needed out of the country, I'm willing to stop by. Provided you're in town, Madam Minister."

Cirillo winked at him, and her eyes drifted over Hermione. "So you brought her. Your son's prize."

Lucius laughed and stroked her cheek with a single finger. Hermione froze, fighting the urge to jerk away. "She's more of a family prize, I'd say."

"Precisely what I was hoping to hear," Cirillo purred. She stepped into Hermione without permission, tracing her lips with her fingertips, touching her hair. As if she was inspecting cattle.

"Truly exquisite," she murmured. She turned back to Lucius. "Surely you can part with her for a few hours?" Hermione felt her chest grow tight, suffocating her lungs. If it weren't for Lucius's grip on her elbow, she might have stumbled backward.

"Oh, I'm sure that's a possibility," he said lightly. "But I must warn you,"—he chuckled—"she's awful with her mouth."

Hermione blinked once. Twice. She flushed in embarrassment.

"For all that talk, she's not a quick learner." Lucius looked her over disdainfully. "She may be pleasant to look at, but she's not my first choice."

Cirillo laughed and let her eyes wander down her body. "That's quite alright. I prefer to use my own mouth. Isn't that right, Charlotte?"

Charlotte appeared just next to them with her tray. Her eyes flickered before her lips curved in a demure smile.

"Well, the Mudblood might be good for something, then," Lucius lilted, grabbing the offered glass of scotch. "I'll talk to my son and see when is best for him."

"Good luck with that, Eleni," a dark, raspy voice said. Hermione looked up to see Dolohov strutting over to them. "You won't get the Malfoy heir to part with her for a night." He sipped from his glass and stared at her over the rim. "His son is quite… particular about the Mudblood."

Lucius stood very still next to her.

"Particular?" Cirillo asked.

"Mm. Perhaps I should say… taken with." Dolohov turned his eyes on Lucius.

"I'd be careful about what you're implying, Antonin. My son has refused to Share her with you on my orders." His lips curled." I'd rather not have her return to us diseased."

Dolohov looked like he wanted to respond, but bit his tongue.

Lucius turned back to Cirillo. "I'll be happy to consult Draco. But in the meantime, Eleni, have you met Anna?"

Cirillo raised a brow. "Anna?"

"A new Carrow Girl. Captured in Switzerland just last week. I'd planned to ask for her myself tonight, but one mustn't be greedy around their guests..." He chuckled, and the sound felt like knives in Hermione's chest.

"Hmm," said Cirillo, her interest clearly piqued. "I'd be interested to meet her."

"Charlotte," Lucius called out, and she approached. "Be a dear and fetch Anna for the Minister this evening. I think she's precisely what Eleni is looking for."

Charlotte inclined her head in acceptance, and before she moved away, Dolohov slammed his glass down on her tray and grabbed a new one. He sucked on his teeth.

"So. I hear Lestrange keeps asking for reinforcements in Switzerland. It's a shame she can't get that situation under control." He shook his head, then feigned a casual glance at Lucius. "Weren't you supposed to help her, Lucius? With your golden 'political touch?'"

"Yes, well, unfortunately we can't all have your subtleties, Antonin. What was it that got you demoted back to checking on the Lots? Raping the Italian Secretary's wife?" Lucius sipped his scotch.

Dolohov sneered at him, lips parting—

"Now, is that Minister Grubov?" Lucius gestured to the man across the room speaking to Yaxley. "I've been anxious to speak to him."

"Yes," Dolohov grumbled. "I'll introduce you—"

"I don't require an introduction from a half-blood. But thank you for your generous offer."

And without another glance in Dolohov's direction, Lucius was crossing the room with Hermione in tow. She was just recovering from the whiplash of the past few minutes when she was suddenly being introduced to a new Minister.

Her eyes cast around the room as Lucius spoke to Grubov. She listened to conversations, watched interactions, but very little was useful, as they all seemed determined to stick to pleasantries. She wondered who had slipped her the note, and for what purpose. Did they know she would be requested in the Burgundy Room tonight? Or was she now missing out on the important interaction in the Lounge because of Lucius?

"Ah! Here he is," Grubov said, clapping his hands together. "You found a fireplace?"

"I did," said a deep voice. "Many apologies for my lateness. I vuz needing to make a call."

Hermione turned, following the sound of the familiar voice up to a broad chest, thick shoulders, and face of dark stubble.

Viktor Krum clapped the shoulder of the Bulgarian Minister and nodded at Lucius Malfoy, barely glancing at Hermione.

"Vut did I miss?"

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 26

Chapter Notes

You all are the best for being so patient. It's been a rough few weeks for a lot of people, so thanks for staying respectful. This chapter is on the shorter side, but it's what works best for pacing and to get the chapter out today instead of tomorrow.

Incredible amounts of love to raven_maiden and SaintDionysus .

If you need some porn with your angst tonight, please check out Strange You Never Knew by my main squeeze raven_maiden. She posts a new fic once every century, so this is a big deal.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

"Viktor!"

Minister Grubov grabbed him by the shoulder. He was just as tall as she remembered, outfitted in smart, blood-red robes. He kept the beard he'd grown when she'd seen him last. Adrenaline swept through her veins as she took him in, her heart pumping so fast she was lightheaded.

"Have you met Lucius Malfoy?"

"No. I do not think I have had the pleasure to." Viktor extended his hand, and Hermione watched Lucius's shrewd eyes flicker over him before accepting his greeting.

"Mr. Krum." Lucius's other hand slithered around her ribs to grab her opposite arm, keeping her tight to his side. "I was sorry to hear that the international leagues have been suspended. My family and I so enjoyed watching you play."

"So vos I. But I am thinking it vos the right time to turn to politics, no?" He rumbled a warm chuckle. "The views are much nicer here," he said just as Charlotte returned, offering drinks with a flutter of her lashes.

Hermione watched him take a drink from her with an unfamiliar leer. He turned back to Lucius, eyes still skimming over Hermione's head as if she wasn't there.

This was the reason she couldn't miss tonight's party. It had to be.

"And every girl here is free for a private audience?"

"Ah, the Silver Collars," Minister Grubov said, giving a tap to his neck. "The Gold Collars are negotiable. Is that right, Lucius?"

"Most of them," Lucius said, with a small squeeze of her wrist.

Hermione watched Viktor's eyes flicker to her and waited, her breath shallow and mind dizzy. His eyes widened as he pointed at her.

"Is this the Granger girl? I heard she vos caught, but I did not know who took her."

The Granger girl. Hermione could feel her heart pounding.

"Yes." Lucius swirled his glass lazily. "She is my son's property." And with a lilt of his voice and a tilt of his head, Lucius focused like a shark. "I believe you were acquainted with her during your time at Hogwarts?"

Viktor smiled thinly. "She vos my date to the Yule Ball. Good for appearances, but she stepped on my toes all night." He looked down at her, letting his eyes trail over her skin. "I have not seen her in four years, but she has certainly grown more attractive."

It hadn't been four years. It had been one year, at Bill and Fleur's wedding. They had talked. They had almost danced. They'd kept in regular contact before then. She remembered his long letters, the summer invitation she'd declined due to O.W.L.s.

Viktor was trivializing their relationship on purpose.

"In fact, I vould very much like to… negotiate for her. Tonight." His eyes were liquid as they roved her body. "She vos, how do you say… a good girl before. I vos not allowed to touch."

Lucius paused, and Hermione held her breath as he calculated. "I'm afraid she's highly requested, Mr. Krum. You'd have to get in line." Minister Grubov laughed, and Lucius joined him.

Lucius's eyes flicked to the door, and Hermione followed them to see a Death Eater bringing in a thin brunette girl to Charlotte. The girl was shaking as Charlotte led her over to Minister Cirillo, her lips stretched in a strained smile.

Anna.

"As it is," Lucius said lightly, "she is my son's slave. You will have to speak with him about any trading." He turned abruptly to Grubov. "Minister, I hear you have begun the process of a Muggle-Born Registration. How is that coming along?"

Hermione tried to keep up with the political discussion through her attempts to keep an eye on Viktor. The only times he would glance in her direction would be to let his eyes linger over her body.

After ten or so minutes of conversation, Lucius excused them and brought her over to meet the Japanese Minister, who was using a Translation Charm to speak with Mulciber. Hermione glanced at Cho, but she too was avoiding eye contact.

In the far corner, Minister Cirillo was chatting with Yaxley, one hand on her drink and the other on Anna's backside. Hermione tried to follow the conversation with the Japanese Minister, but she was too distracted, watching the Swiss girl shiver and twitch out of the corner of her eye.

That was supposed to be her. And Lucius had thrown that girl into Cirillo's path instead. Her stomach twisted with guilt and relief as Cirillo finally ended the conversation, took Anna by the elbow, and escorted her to a side door. She hardly had a chance to steady herself before Lucius was grasping her by the elbow and saying his goodbyes.

Hermione kept her eyes downcast as he tugged her to the exit. She tried to find Viktor just before the door closed, but his back was turned to them.

The two of them strode down the hallway, Hermione dragging in her heels. She waited until they were a safe distance from the guard before she whispered, "Why did you bring me in there?"

"You were requested, Miss Granger," he muttered out of the side of his mouth. "I could only put off Eleni for so long." They were almost at the end of the hall when he yanked her even closer. "Have you spoken with Viktor Krum since Hogwarts?"

She felt her skin prick, her breath stop. She had half-a-second to decide—

"No. Not since fourth year."

She glanced up at him and found his lips pressed together, displeased. And she noticed their pace quicken.

They re-entered the Lounge, passing the gambling tables and crossing efficiently to the couches where Draco and the boys sat. Draco's eyes locked on them from the moment they stepped through the door, but he made no move to greet them or retrieve her.

Lucius waltzed over with her, and with a firm shove, she tumbled into Draco's lap. She braced for a fall, but Draco caught her, tugging around her ribs.

"Your whore is mouthy," Lucius spat. "Take her home and discipline her. Or I will."

He smoothed his robes and lifted a meaningful brow.

"Yes, Father."

With a final haughty glare at her, Lucius spun on his heel and swept from the Lounge.

Draco quickly made to stand, but Hermione slipped her hands around his shoulders and buried her face into his neck. She kissed his skin over and over until she felt muscles relax. Her heart pounded as she nuzzled closer, making her way up to his earlobe. "Please," she whispered, "Remember the note."

It had taken her a full day to tell him. She had worried he'd be too nervous to take her to Edinburgh if he knew. When she'd finally come clean, he'd simply plucked the note from her with a scowl, dismissing her theories with a disinterested hum.

Perhaps he was still angry about it. Maybe that's why he'd gone so stiff.

After several more painful moments, he finally shifted. He curled an arm around her waist and pulled back to hold her chin with the other. "You'll be good?" he said, loud enough for the boys to overhear. "No more misbehaving?"

She nodded eagerly and leaned forward to kiss him. He caught her jaw and lifted his brows.

"Will you?" he prompted.

She cast her eyes down and licked her lips for the boys. "Yes, sir."

There was chuckling and catcalling, and then Draco brought her mouth to his. She shifted in his lap as she kissed him, crossing her legs as she scooted up his thighs.

Her mind spun as his hand started to stroke her thigh. She needed to find a way to get back to Viktor. Perhaps she could ask Draco to—

"Ah! Some familiar faces."

Draco froze underneath her, his tongue pausing in its exploration of her mouth. She squeezed his shoulders and turned to see Viktor tipping his head at the Slytherin boys.

Pucey jumped up with a bright smile, shaking hands with him as Montague and Flint followed suit. She remembered how friendly the Slytherins had been with the Durmstrang students — it made sense that they would greet each other warmly. The arm around her waist tightened. Draco made no move to stand.

"Krum! About bloody time you joined us at Edinburgh," Flint said, with a clap to his shoulder. "Where the hell have you been?"

Viktor's eyes flicked to the hand on him, and Flint quickly pulled it away. "I am in government now. Undersecretary to Minister Grubov."

"And how do you like it?"

Krum shrugged. "Vell enough, though the Mudbloods have been troublesome. Evidently they do not like our new laws."

Flint and Pucey chuckled, and Viktor smiled. Hermione could feel Draco's slow and steady breaths against her side, his ribs expanding and contracting in controlled movements. Her eyes slid to the side and found both Blaise and Giuliana staring at her and Draco. They quickly glanced away.

"Speaking of Mudbloods!" Pucey clapped his hands together in glee. "Did you see your old girlfriend is here?" He pointed to her and sat on the couch, scooping Mortensen into his lap to allow Viktor to sit beside him.

Viktor took a seat, finally turning his eyes on the two of them. "I did. She has grown up a lot."

"An improvement, I'd say." Pucey leered at her as he skimmed his hand over Mortensen's thighs.

"Mmm." Viktor took a drink from a passing Carrow Girl. "Malfoy," he greeted with a nod. "You are happy with her, no? She has learned tricks since school days?"

"I'll say she has," Flint said under his breath. Montague laughed.

"Krum," said Draco, a hard edge to his voice. "What brings you back to Britain?"

"A few meetings vith your Minister Thicknesse. But ve are very glad to relax at Edinburgh for the night. Now." Viktor slapped his thighs. "Vere do I get a girl to bounce on my knee?"

The boys laughed, and Pucey called over one of the waitresses to round up someone for Viktor Krum. Draco played with the ring on his thumb, spinning circles. Hermione held very still, her brain working furiously. Perhaps she could—

"Malfoy." Viktor's eyes were intent as he leaned forward. Searching, almost, like they were when he played Quidditch. "I heard you bought her for many Galleons."

Hermione swallowed, and she heard Draco's jaw click. "I did."

"And? Vos she vorth the amount?" He chuckled as he reclined, and the sound went through her like ice.

The question hung in the air as Draco leaned forward to grab his drink, steadying her with his other hand. Resting his glass on his knee, he nodded. "Every Sickle."

"Good, good." Viktor cleared his throat. "Vell, she vas not much of anything four years ago. I vould like to see how she has changed."

A stilted silence amongst the boys. Hermione could only hear the thump of the music.

Viktor's brow creased. "That is… I vould appreciate the chance to visit vith her privately."

"That's out of the question," Draco drawled.

She pinched the skin of his neck. She needed to speak to Viktor.

He didn't flinch.

"Ah. I see I am being impolite." Viktor managed an unsettled smile. "Of course if there is the question of price—"

Pucey leaned into Viktor's ear and loudly whispered, "He's not one to share, Krum." Flint snorted, then quickly stared into his drink.

"You let Theo use her as a Lap Warmer," Montague piped in. "Surely Viktor Krum—"

"I lost her in a bet. Fair and square." Draco's eyes were hard as he sipped his Firewhisky.

"I am happy to bet my gold for a smaller prize. I vould very much like it," he said, with another intent look at her, "to have Herm-own-ninny as a Lap Varmer."

There was a tingling certainty in her veins. This was it. He'd been sent by the Order, and he needed to speak to her. Her mouth was dry as she ran her fingers into Draco's hair, giving a gentle but urgent tug—

"I'm not looking to Share tonight. You'll have to manage with one of the Carrow Girls."

Hermione inhaled sharply. Draco refused to meet her eyes, his gaze intent on Viktor. Blaise shifted next to them.

"Ah." Viktor's eyes were narrowed as she turned to look at him, her pulse thrumming in her ears. "I forget Malfoy is the only child, yes? He does not let others play with his toys." The boys laughed. Hermione tugged on Draco's hair again, trying to communicate with him.

"Surely a famous Quidditch player like yourself could have any girl in the room." Draco brought his glass to his lips. "Some of these whores might even beg the Carrows for a chance at Viktor Krum."

The Slytherins were silent, watching the match.

Viktor smiled at Draco, and his teeth gleamed white. "Yes, perhaps I vould not need to buy a girl for company. I vonder if I could say the same for you." There was a tense breath. Draco's thumb tapped his glass. "Perhaps ve should let Hermione choose—"

"You'll excuse us"—Draco stood swiftly, putting her on her feet—"but listening to you butcher your consonants has given me a headache."

Her elbow was grabbed, her feet forced to move.

"Come on, Draco! Stay!" Pucey called out behind them.

Draco had dragged her across the length of the room before her brain caught up and she realized they were headed for the fireplaces.

"Wait!" she hissed.

His jaw was clenched, and his grip on her tight.

"Draco—"

He tugged her roughly into his side and leaned in to whisper in her ear, "If you fight me in public, I will have to discipline you in public."

"But I need to—!"

He snarled and jerked her forward through the green fire and into his bedroom. She stared at the fireplace in shock, reeling from the speed at which they had flown through the Lounge and into the flames.

"Unbelievable. Should have listened to my father—"

"We have to go back." She spun to him. "Viktor was the person I needed to see tonight. The note—"

"You must have gotten your wires crossed, Granger. There was only one thing Krum was after." He paced the length of his room, tugging at his collar.

Her mouth opened and closed. They were wasting time. "He was there tonight to speak to me! He's with the Order!"

Draco halted to give a withering glare. "You think Viktor Krum is infiltrating the Death Eaters' fortress?"

Her brain whirred, starting to work. "He probably has help. Maybe Minister Grubov is in on it—"

"Radomir Grubov was one of the first Ministers to subjugate his government to the Great Order," Draco said flatly. "Don't be idiotic simply because your ex showed up."

She blinked at him, her mouth trying to form words. "My—my ex?" Anger began burning in her chest, clouding her thoughts. "Draco, if your jealousy just cost me the opportunity to communicate with the Order—"

"He's not with the Order," he snarled. "He's a Quidditch star looking for a good time on a Friday night."

"You weren't in the Burgundy Room." She breathed deep, trying to remain calm. "He was giving me signals."

He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Signals."

"Yes. Purposefully omitting details. Misremembering things—"

"One too many Bludgers to the head, Granger."

Her nostrils flared. "He said the last time he'd seen me was four years ago, but we spoke just last year at Bill and Fleur Weasley's wedding—"

"Bill and Fleur Weasley are enemies of the Great Order. Of course he wouldn't admit that he attended their wedding."

She clenched her fingers into fists as her emotions bubbled over. "You should have let me talk to him alone for just a few minutes—"

"Are you insane?" He crossed to her. "You wanted me to send you off to a private room with that mountain troll? Did you see the way he looked at you?"

"Viktor's not like that!"

He narrowed his eyes as he loomed over her. "No?"

"No! He's—he's very sweet and respectful. You don't know anything about him—"

"I know he used to follow you around like a hound."

"You're wrong!" Her magic was crackling now, and it took all of her willpower not to stomp her foot. "It was all very innocent. He mostly watched me study in the library!" Draco turned away from her with a mutter that sounded suspiciously like bloody sugar quills. "We did nothing more than kiss, and when we were together he never pushed me—"

He spun back around. "He wanted to fuck you then, and he wants to fuck you now. Hate to break it to you, Granger, but it's true."

Her eyes narrowed and her lips curled. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

"I know men." His expression was split between a leer and a snarl. "I know what it's like to see you in these dresses."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Quit being crude. Viktor isn't a Voldemort supporter, and I know it because I know him."

"So sure of yourself, aren't you?" He let out a scathing laugh as he ran his fingers through his hair. "This world is upside-down. Did you ever dream five years ago that you'd see your classmates doing what they are today? People change—"

She threw up her hands. "No, they don't! Who they are inside is who they'll always be!"

Her chest heaved as she glared at him, waiting for his retort. But his eye simply twitched. And he swallowed tightly. "I see," he finally said. He cracked his neck, stepped back, and disappeared into his bathroom.

She fumed on the way back to her room, thinking about what Viktor might have told her if Draco hadn't sabotaged them. News about Ginny, perhaps. Or Ron. Maybe even a plan to get them all out.

It was only when she was in the bath, washing off the smoke of the Burgundy Room, that she reviewed her accusation that people never change and winced at what she’d implied.

No one. Not even him.

~*~

She was in the library the following morning, picking up where her research had left off, when the doors abruptly swung open. She eyed Draco over the top of her coffee cup before setting it down and flipping open a new journal.

Her blood was still simmering, but she forced it to calm. While staring at her canopy last night, she'd arrived at the conclusion that Draco had meant it when he said he didn't trust Viktor. After everything he'd seen, he had good reason not to trust anyone. Still, she trusted Viktor, and that should have been enough for him.

It had been a serious setback, but she was willing to listen to an apology.

He paused at the end of the table, not taking his usual seat. Her eyes flickered up to him, and she found him fully Occluded, staring down at her with an empty gaze.

"Tell me your plan for the tattoos."

She blinked at him. "My plan?"

"Yes. We've been translating these journals. We've been piecing together how the tattoos were made. Once you have your answers, what is your next step?"

"I… to find out how to break their magic."

"And once you know how. Then what?"

His face was closed, unexpressive. His hands were clasped behind his back like his father.

She lifted her chin. "If they were made with a curse, then I'll create a counter-curse. If they were done with a potion, I'll create an antidote. I would think that would be fairly ob—"

"And what will you do with this antidote?" He tilted his head in a swift, fluid motion. "Because surely you must know that we will not simply free you."

His words jolted her, as if she'd missed a step on the stairs. Swallowing, her heart pounding, she licked her lips. "What's the point of working on this research with me if you have no intention of helping me?"

"You asked me to." His eyes flickered before returning to an icy slate.

She took a breath, pressing her lips together, and said, "Surely you are aware that I was planning to get my findings to the Order."

"Through your spy network."

"I wouldn't call it 'mine,' but yes."

"And when you make your escape," he said slowly, "do you plan to do so in the middle of the night, without a word to us? Or will you be asking for my wand before you go?"

She felt the words crawl over her skin, like beetles. "Draco—"

"Of course if it is a counter-curse, you'll be needing my wand to perform it. So we'll have this conversation then, I suppose."

It sounded so cold and calculated. Unfeeling.

She stood, feeling the need to be on his level. "Where's this coming from?"

"I suppose I just want to know what my hours of research are building toward. What's your plan, Granger?"

A scornful laugh escaped her. "My friends are being held captive, raped, and tortured. And you want to know why you're helping them?"

"I wasn't helping them. I was helping you." His face was still a mask, cool and unperturbed. "And what is your plan for yourself? Assuming you plan to seek out the Order once you escape — wherever they are — how do you intend to avoid a world full of Death Eaters?"

"I—I don't know! If you're so worried that I'll be recaptured and implicate your family, you shouldn't have destroyed that pill!" She snapped a book closed in frustration. "I'm thinking of how to help the hundreds of people that are in unthinkable circumstances right now. I'm not considering myself. That seems to be the primary difference between us!"

His clouded eyes looked straight through her.

"Yes, I suppose you're right," he said. "I don't care about the rest of them. I never have."

His words sunk into her chest like icicles. That wasn't true. She knew it wasn't. She opened her mouth to argue it.

"I won't be able to assist you in your research anymore," he said. "Not until you've thought this through and decided what you want."

She blinked, dazed. "What I want?"

There were words caught in her throat, wedging there like a rock as he nodded to her and swept from the library. The doors slammed closed, and she flopped back in her chair and glared at the books until she began crying, her sobs echoing through the walls.

~*~

Draco didn't come back to the library for the next six days. She didn't seek him out, too angry and sad, and confused above all. She buried herself in translations during the day. But at night, she'd toss and turn, replaying their conversation. Wondering what he'd meant when he said she had to decide what she wanted.

The problem was that things had shifted between them, even though their own goals remained the same. Hermione wanted to free her friends and help defeat Voldemort once and for all. Draco wanted to stay alive and protect his family. But she cared for him — possibly more than she'd ever admit. And she knew he'd begun to care for her, too. Going to bed in the evenings with that familiar longing for him the next day was the worst part.

The situation was impossible, and when she thought about it for too long, the corners of her four-poster would start closing in on her until she was gasping for air. She had to resume her Occlumency practice in the morning to keep her mind clear and emotions calm.

Narcissa sat down to tea with her each afternoon. On Thursday, she tried to pry into her son's withdrawal. Hermione shrugged and said, "Perhaps he was bored of research. I like it quite a lot." She didn't ask again.

On Sunday, the front page of the Prophet covered an explosion at the Swiss Ministry offices, leaving forty dead. According to Skeeter's skewed commentary, the attackers were "insurgents," bent on destroying Voldemort's foothold. Hermione rolled her eyes and turned the paper over.

She saw Draco in the corridor later that day. He acknowledged her with an "Afternoon, Granger," but it felt much like running into a hotel maid — stilted and polite. She bolted to her room afterward and Occluded until the stinging in her eyes passed.

They'd been completely naked with each other only a week ago, but now they were back to acquaintances, it seemed. She had never… gone through a break-up. Was that what this was? Were they broken up before they'd even begun?

She woke on Monday morning to a banging on her door. Hermione jerked up in bed, her hand reaching for a wand she no longer had.

"Granger!" Draco's voice bellowed.

She blearily checked the mantle — almost four in the morning. She tossed off the covers and dashed for the door, wondering what could be the matter.

She threw the door open and found him impeccably dressed in his black trousers, black boots, and black robes. There was a flurry of activity in the hallway — elves racing by, a discarded coat on the floor. Lucius's voice calling from inside his bedroom. Suddenly, she was wide awake as she took in his intent eyes with dark circles underneath, the tension in his jaw.

"I'm needed in Switzerland."

She stared at him, waiting for his words to make sense. A trunk zoomed behind him, levitating down the hall.

"Draco, there's no time!" Lucius's voice was a snarl.

"I need thirty seconds!" Draco turned back to her, running a hand through his hair as Hermione's mouth fell open in horrified understanding. "I'm leaving now, and I—"

"How long?"

He blinked at her and shook his head. "I don't—I don't know."

"Your father was supposed to have this handled." She felt her air coming quickly, something tightening in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

"Yes, well it's gotten worse, and—"

Lucius appeared over his shoulder. "Now, Draco. Say goodbye." He stalked away.

She felt the moment slipping from her grasp like oil through her fingers. She reached for him as he turned back to face her, clutching his robes. "Where is your mother?"

"Outside the gates with Bella. Granger—"

"But why are you—"

"Listen to me." He gripped her arms, and she went still, her heartbeat ceasing and her skin frozen. "If my parents have to leave, stay in your bedroom. There are heavier enchantments on this room than any other in the house. Wait for my mother to come get you."

Her heart started again like a drumbeat, a thundering beneath her skin.

"Draco!" Lucius roared from the bottom of the stairs.

He ignored it and spoke quickly.

"If the Manor is invaded, there is a panel in your bedroom wall that connects to my room. In my bedside table, there is a Portkey — I have placed a knife in the drawer and charmed it to cut through bone and cauterize."

"Now, Draco!"

She stared at him with wide eyes as he pried her fingers from his robes and brought them to his lips before dropping her hands and turning from her — dashing down the hall.

Her throat was tight, and her head spun. Her feet followed him. "Draco—"

"Stay in your bedroom until my mother comes back this morning," he called over his shoulder.

"Draco."

"The elves are here—"

"Draco!" Her voice broke. "Draco, wait!"

He spun back to her just a few paces from the top of the stairs, and she threw herself into his chest, her arms winding up around his shoulders and into his hair as her lips covered his. His hands threaded swiftly through her curls, dragging her close. She swallowed a sob as he slanted his lips over hers and brushed his thumb across her cheek.

She was pushed back, her arms unwound. And he was sweeping down the staircase, joining his father at the bottom and rushing past him out the front doors. Lucius stared up at her for a moment longer, and followed him out.

She ran to a bedroom with a view of the drive, throwing back the curtains and watching two tall figures move swiftly through the grounds, their matching hair illuminated by the moonlight. She made out Narcissa just past the gates — Bellatrix beside her. Hermione yanked the curtains closed at the shock of seeing the dark curls. When she peeked through them again, all four figures had Disapparated.

Her lips were cold. And there was nothing but the wind in the trees.

"Miss?"

She jumped and cried out, spinning to find Boppy twirling an ear.

"Miss goes back to her room now? It is safe for Miss there."

She nodded shakily, taking a deep breath. Her legs were unsteady as she walked back to her room; twice she had to brace herself on the wall. Before the door closed, she turned to Boppy, who'd been following her silently. "May I please have the Prophet as soon as the owl arrives?" He bowed and waited in the hall until she shut the door behind her.

Leaning back on the door, she placed a hand on her throat, feeling her thumping heartbeat. Then her eyes snapped open.

A panel in your bedroom wall.

Hermione moved to the wall her room shared with Draco's. It was the same wall as her fireplace, so space was limited. She tried pressing against the left side, touching anything that could be a knob. Crossing to the right side, she pressed her hands against the wall. After a few seconds of contact, the hard surface disappeared. She gaped in astonishment as she pushed her forearm inside the invisible barrier, forward and back again. Then she drew a sharp breath and stepped through.

Like Alice in the looking glass, the passage funneled in darkness until she was inside Draco's bedroom with a single step. Her mind ran wild with the magical explanations until she blinked, taking in the state of his room. It looked like a storm had hit, spewing a hailstorm of clothes and books. His bed was unmade, and his sheets still slept in.

Moving around the four-poster, she crossed to his bedside table and tugged the drawer open. The knife lay there, gleaming in the low lamplight. There were some sweets and a few Wizard Cards from empty Chocolate Frog boxes. A crumpled handkerchief. Several coins and quills.

Perhaps he could have been more specific?

She scrunched her nose as she stared into the drawer. A handkerchief would be the smartest option to ward off accidental transportation. She plucked the handkerchief up, and a clouded marbled bounced out of it, rolling innocuously around the drawer.

The room spun and swayed beneath her feet. She had the elements to her freedom right here. The knife. The Portkey. Her heart pounded.

But she would be wandless. And armless. And who knows where the Portkey would lead her. And if she took it, she might never see him—

She would have to think on this. Hermione's fingers trembled as she wrapped the marble up in the handkerchief and carefully replaced it in the drawer.

She sat on the edge of his bed, and stared numbly at his shelves. Ten past four. The room was still tilting on its axis. She curled up onto his mattress as the harried moments replayed in her mind.

He would be gone for an indefinite amount of time. Long enough that he thought to give her an escape route. Or perhaps dangerous enough, where he thought he might not return.

She pressed her face into his pillow, breathing in his scent. The smell of his hair on the pillowcase.

How long had there been a passageway between their rooms? Had he ever used it?

One memory dripped like rain in the back of her mind. When Bellatrix was in her bedroom, he'd appeared when she screamed — standing in the middle of the room. And when he'd called for his wand it still flew to him, even when her bedroom door was closed.

She swallowed, pinching back her tears, but it was useless. They flowed over her lids and crashed down to the pillow that still held his scent.

Pop!

She jerked up. Boppy bounced on his toes, holding the Prophet.

"Thank you," she whispered, exhausted. She reached for the paper, and the elf hesitated.

"Miss can be in her own room? Boppy needs to clean, and Miss is safe in her own room?"

She nodded, taking the paper. "Don't make the bed, please? Not just yet." And at the last moment, she grabbed his pillow, dragging herself through the main doorway back into her bedroom.

The front page of the Prophet screamed at her.

FRENCH TERRORIST CELL INVADES SWITZERLAND!

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 27

Chapter Notes

Thanks for waiting! (Gee, I say that a lot.) So much love to the girls. raven_maiden really made the push with me here and lost some sleep with me.

Friends, I'm truly terrible at responding to reviews, and I'm sorry about that. Every review in my inbox brightens my day and encourages me and the team, so thank you for taking the time to write them. I'm sorry I don't have the hours in the day anymore to provide you with a personal response.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The days grew shorter and colder. There was a chill about the Manor whenever Hermione was left alone in it — her fireplace never quite working to its full potential, the water from the taps never quite warming her bones. She hadn't felt this ill at ease in the Manor since she first arrived.

Narcissa had returned only hours after the three of them left. She'd arrived at Hermione's door with Mippy, the tea and coffee, and a forced smile.

"He's settled in Zürich. The French took Geneva with the help of the Swiss rebels, so for now, he is safe." But her teacup had rattled on the last word. And she had quickly changed the topic.

A week after they'd left, the Prophet reported that Lucius had been sent to the Netherlands to begin negotiations. Two days later, the Dutch Minister pledged allegiance to the Dark Lord, and the day after that, Lucius was seen in Switzerland again, inspecting a new military installation at Lausanne.

Hermione took her breakfast with Narcissa in the dining room every morning. The two of them slowly found a balance between reading the paper with held breath and discussing books and the weather in between stilted pauses.

Two weeks after she'd said goodbye to him, Draco's face appeared in the Daily Prophet. He stood silently next to Bellatrix as they both watched the new Swiss Minister address his government. The old Minister had joined the rebels in Geneva — "abandoning his people" as Skeeter had framed it — and Voldemort's new puppet was brought in to transition the Ministry. Draco was pale and thin, his expression completely Occluded as he nodded once to something the Swiss Minister said. Bellatrix looked bored. Hermione had excused herself from the table and spent the next hour in her bedroom crying.

At the end of November, the French attacked Basel. Skeeter reported that the Dark Lord's armies had managed to quell the attack from French and Swiss rebels with the help of German allies, leaving at least three hundred dead. The picture on the front page of the Prophet was of Draco, wand tip smoking, as he stared down the burning remains of the Basler Münster. The picture caption read: General Draco Malfoy victorious in Basel.

Narcissa didn't meet her for breakfast that morning, sending an excuse with the elves. And Hermione was glad she didn't have to poke at her eggs and pretend to eat. She read the paper five times over, searching for more mention of him, but all she found was the picture of his steely eyes turning towards the ashes.

She missed him. The feeling was too visceral to ignore. At night, she tossed and turned over the memory of their last fight, as if dissecting every detail would somehow make it less painful. She still had no idea how to "decide what she wanted" — or what he'd even meant. But it made her chest clench to think of the million things she wanted to tell him throughout the day, but was unable to.

Several times a week, she would wander through the passageway between their rooms and imagine she might find him twisted up in his sheets, snoozing soundly with his hair askew. She would examine his trinkets, thumb through his bookshelves, and press her face into his sweaters and shirts. Some days she would stare down at the drawer containing the knife and the Portkey, and wonder. But then she'd slam it closed.

Even if she cut off her arm and escaped, she still had no idea how to find George and the others. Snatchers and Death Eaters were roaming the country, and if she was caught, the Malfoys would certainly be tortured and killed, if they hadn't been already. She couldn't leave without saying goodbye. She might never see him again—

No. She'd resolved to stay. The Order needed her here. Even Theo had said that she was the only one who could break the tattoos. No one else had the same access she did; the most expansive library in Great Britain and all the blueprints for their spells were at her fingertips. She would stay, even though Draco had left behind the keys to her cage. She'd stay so she could free Ginny and Ron and the others from theirs.

She never lingered in his bedroom for too long — she didn't want to attract the attention of the elves. She knew they still came in from time to time, though they'd left his bed unmade. The day after he'd left, she'd tugged open the bottom drawer of his dresser and found the shoebox containing the newspaper clippings was gone. Only a blanket left behind.

As the death toll rose in Switzerland, breakfasts with Narcissa became shorter and scarcer. There was nothing to fill her days but research. She sometimes spent eighteen hours a day in the library. Once or twice, she fell asleep on top of her books, only waking when the elves Apparated her into her bedroom — tucking her legs into the sheets and pulling a warm blanket up to her chin. With no distraction except for the daily papers, she tore through the Scourers' journals, translating each of them with the help of Jeremiah Jones's key.

By the first week of December, she had all nine journals fully translated. She had picked up tantalizing pieces of the puzzle along the way: translations mentioning a branding iron, or a spell for "caged birds." Some mention of an impenetrable circle. But she'd simply marked them for later and forced herself to finish the translations before getting twisted up in reading and research.

Even with the journals fully translated, there were chunks of pages missing from each one — especially Tobias Tolbrette's. Jones's journal confirmed Tolbrette's importance. In the beginning pages, just before the key, she found a unique string of characters that could only be Tolbrette's name. Beneath it, she found numbers where Jones had referenced the reader to certain pages of Tolbrette's journal.

Nott Sr. had been liberal in tearing out pages of Tolbrette's journal, but he'd also been rushed. He'd missed two pages following a mention of a "lightning barrier" that Jones had referenced; he'd left a full five pages after a mention of skin brands. Every time she came across a torn page, she knew it was missing because it was exactly what she needed. So reading the pages that came before and after became her newest task.

On December 5, she took out a new sheet of parchment and listed her first hypotheses.

1.) Both the Scourers and the Death Eaters used the same boundary spell to lock in their slaves: the "lightning barrier" (Jones, p. 2; Tolbrette p. 4, 18, 67-70, 111, 123-124; Emerson p. 9; Taylor p. 34-35).

2.) The Death Eaters used a tattoo as a conduit, whereas the Scourers used a branding iron upon the skin of their slaves (Jones, p. 2; Tolbrette p. 48-53, 95, 162-163; Fernsby p. 27, 76).

3.) In both cases, there must be a way to link a boundary spell to the conduit. Whatever binding mechanism the Death Eaters used is likely highly similar to the one used by the Scourers.

Hermione rubbed her arm, remembering the day she'd jumped through the barrier and rolled down the hill. Before the numbing pain and darkness, she'd been crippled by the searing shock that had originated in her tattoo. She wondered how many "doves" and "pigeons" had suffered a similar fate while trying to escape. Perhaps their owners had left them outside the boundary to die.

She swallowed and refocused. If she was to find out how to break the magic of the tattoos, she'd need a test subject eventually. She'd need a wand as well — there was no way around it. Although she was weeks away from being ready to test anything, her stomach still turned over at the thought.

The remaining few hours of daylight were unproductive. She mused and ruminated until her dinner went cold and her back ached from sitting so long in one position. When her eyelids began drooping over Tolbrette's journal, she finally dragged herself back to her room.

Unless Draco returned, there was only one possible solution, but it was far from ideal: Narcissa. She'd simply have to hope he came home before it was necessary. As for what him coming home might mean for the Order and her friends— that was something she couldn't let herself think about.

Progress began slowly, but grew quicker as the days passed. Hermione cracked the lightning barrier first. She got lucky with the two pages Nott Sr. had missed in Tolbrette's journal, which had almost all the steps to cast it. He'd also overlooked two pages in another journal belonging to Cephas Taylor, a Scourer who had documented his attempts to bind his livestock to the barrier. Between the two journals, Hermione had the completed steps. She'd been right that they'd based the lightning barrier on Celtic magic. They'd altered the caim, a circular ring of protection, to keep the protected within instead of warding evil spirits out.

She explored the skin brands next. It took longer — Tolbrette had spent many of the intact pages discussing where to brand his "doves," given that they might be branded several times by different owners and should remain "pleasing to the eye." But she ultimately was able to string together the steps using the same piecemeal strategy, using snippets from several journals.

The last step was uncovering the binding mechanism between the brands and the barrier. This step was trickier. It wasn't until midnight on her fourth straight day of research that she found a tiny but unmistakable Egyptian rune scribbled in the bottom right margin on a page in which Tolbrette mentioned adding two new "pigeons" and three new "doves" to his "flock." The immediately subsequent pages had been torn out.

She didn't sleep that night, tearing through the library until she located a textbook on ancient Egyptian runic enchantments. The sun was almost up when she finally located a match for the rune in Tolbrette's journal. The textbook detailed how an enchantment using that rune had been used to magically bind treasures branded with the pharaohs' names to the wards protecting their tombs.

All that was left for her was to locate magical tattoos that might serve as a substitute for the skin brands. Which meant that she could finally rest her exhausted writing hand, and read.

Late in the second week of December, on the seventh day in a row of non-stop rain, Narcissa knocked on her door. Hermione quickly hid her book on branding and tattooing in ancient Mesopotamia before opening the door.

Narcissa was thinner and paler than she'd been a month ago, but the warmth in her eyes was unchanged. Hermione welcomed her inside, joining her at the chairs near the fireplace as Mippy poured them tea. It took all of her self-control to hold in her question until the elf vanished.

"Has something happened?"

Narcissa smiled wearily, crossing her ankles. "I haven't heard anything new from Switzerland, no. But there is something that I came to talk with you about."

Hermione's mouth was dry as she watched Narcissa stir in her cream.

"I had assumed it wouldn't be a priority this year, what with a war going on… but apparently the Dark Lord thinks his loyal followers deserve some normalcy and amusement." Narcissa sighed into her teacup and turned her gaze on Hermione. "Every year, I host a New Year's Eve Gala." Hermione's eyes widened. "It's very grand, and under normal circumstances I take a lot of pride in it."

"I see." She chewed on her lower lip. "So you'll be hosting this year?"

"Yes. Here. In the Manor."

Her heart squeezed inside her ribs. "Will Draco be expected to attend?" Narcissa shook her head, and the vice released, leaving imprints.

"The Dark Lord anticipates an attack on Zurich in the new year. He's been asked to remain on guard with a select few. At least we can thank Merlin for small miracles that my sister won't be in attendance, either." Narcissa brushed a stray strand of hair away from her temple, her long fingers turning over her ear and sloping down to her neck. "Lucius will attend, as it is quite impossible for a wife to host without her husband. But he will leave with the last guest."

Hermione's hands shook as she poured her coffee from the carafe. She imagined Draco staring out of a cold tower on New Year's Eve, waiting for fire to rain from the sky.

"The Manor will be quite busy for the next few weeks, and the library will need to be… cleaned."

Hermione started to find Narcissa's eyes on hers. "Of course. I will… clear out." She took a sip of coffee, hoping it hid the flush in her cheeks. "And I promise to stay in my room."

"Actually," said Narcissa, and Hermione's eyes snapped back to her. "Lucius thinks — and I agree — that the best place for you is out front and center. Under my eye, and in plain view."

The warmth from her coffee drained from Hermione's veins. "But—" She swallowed and drew a shaky breath. "I was under the impression that you didn't like the parties—"

Narcissa lifted a pale brow. "You misunderstand. I may be holding it against my will, but Narcissa Malfoy's New Year's Eve Gala is the grandest society event of the season. This is no night in Edinburgh."

"Oh." Hermione blinked and slowly set down her saucer. "What's so grand about it? On a normal year, that is?"

Narcissa's cheeks brightened to a lovely pink, and her eyes glinted in a way they hadn't for two months. Hermione tucked her legs beneath her, decorum forgotten as Narcissa launched into a twenty-year history of the New Year's Eve Gala.

~*~

Finding a spell to cast a magical tattoo had been fairly straightforward. After narrowing down potential options, she had chosen the one that appeared the most flexible: a simple spell used on prisoners of war. There was no way to be sure if it was the same spell Nott Sr. had used, but it seemed receptive to a variety of enchantments.

By the third week of December, Hermione was ready to test a reconstructed version of the barrier and tattoos, but she needed a wand. And it was unlikely that Draco would be home anytime soon. She'd deduced that the situation in Switzerland had worsened, thanks to Skeeter's increasingly redacted reporting. Not to mention the strain around Narcissa's eyes.

As the war raged for Switzerland, the rest of the world slipped further into Voldemort's grip. Poland pledged support, followed by Austria. Two days later, the forty-three-year-old German Minister died of "natural causes." The Prophet had published his obituary next to an article on the new German Minister — a dear friend of Eleni Cirillo's.

Hermione began having nightmares again. Sometimes it wasn't Harry slipping from her fingers, but Draco or Ron. She resumed her Occlumency practice in the mornings, and the nightmares vanished. The dread in her stomach grew as the last week of December neared, and she began thinking of ways to ask Narcissa for her wand.

On Christmas morning, Hermione snuck down to the Conservatory to clip a few lilies that magically grew year-round. She wandered down to the freezing dungeons and tugged a few sprigs of lavender from a bundle, and with some twine, she made a lousy bouquet. Hermione grimaced as she handed them to Narcissa over breakfast, apologizing for her lack of skill.

Narcissa swooped to kiss both cheeks, silencing her excuses. Hermione opened Narcissa's gift — an elegant blue organizer for her notes — as Mippy served them coffee and tea. With a fierce blush, the elf dropped a pair of hand-knit mittens on Hermione's lap and squeaked, "Happy Christmas, Miss!"

In the days following Christmas, Hermione began to feel guilty about asking for Narcissa's help. Narcissa clearly knew she was up to something, but had chosen to never mention it. She didn't want to put Narcissa in a position that required her to either interfere or keep a glaring secret from Lucius. There had to be a subtler way of asking. A way that let Narcissa continue to look the other way.

An idea sparked one morning during breakfast.

"Narcissa—" Hermione hastily finished swallowing her toast. "What am I to wear Thursday evening? The clothes I wear to Edinburgh are… not really appropriate."

"I was wondering when you'd ask." Narcissa winked at her. "Miss Parkinson is already working on it. She'll bring your dress by at five o'clock."

Hermione opened her mouth, then closed it. She hadn't realized that Narcissa knew about Pansy's visits.

There went her plan of transfiguring an old dress.

"Wonderful. Since that's sorted, I was also wondering… since I need to look my best…" She swallowed. "Might I borrow a wand? Just for an hour in the morning to do my hair?"

Narcissa blinked at her, and Hermione Occluded. Tilting her head and considering, Narcissa finally said, "I suppose that would be alright."

She felt a pressure in her chest release. Adrenaline and possibility flooded her veins as she smiled. "Thank you, Narcissa. Only an hour."

On the morning of the 31st, Hermione met Narcissa for a quick breakfast. When they finished, Hermione didn't even need to ask — Narcissa simply handed over her ebony wand with a tight smile. Hermione felt a twinge of guilt as she thanked her, but it vanished as she raced up the stairs to her room. The wand hummed between her fingertips, and she felt the exhilaration of its magic in her blood. She spread her research on the floor of her room, and as easy as remembering to breathe, she cast a spell to spread out her notes. The ebony wand complied.

Logically, she knew she had an hour, but it felt like she had only a matter of minutes to get this right. She took a deep breath, and gathered her thoughts. She needed a mouse, she needed to construct the barrier, she needed to charm that mouse with a tattoo and link it to the barrier.

She transfigured her coffee cup into a coffee-colored mouse, and quickly emptied a shoe box for him to run around in. She cast a spell to numb it to all pain, and another to view and monitor its vitals. It grew slightly dazed inside the shoebox, having lost a bit of sensation, and Hermione watched bemusedly as it kept surprising itself with its own tail.

With a deep breath, she drew a large circle with her wand in the middle of the floor, her arm extended to the ground, her body turning clockwise with the sun. The room shivered as she whispered the words she'd memorized from her notes, the air vibrating around the caim as it sealed itself. She grabbed the shoebox and dropped the mouse inside, sending a quick freezing spell to keep it in place. Concentrating all her energy, she cast the tattoo spell, and watched a small black mark appear on the mouse's left foot. A quick glance at the nearest parchment before she muttered the runic charm that sealed the tattoo to the barrier.

She wiped sweat from her brow, and carefully lowered the mouse into the circle. She watched its vitals, and unfroze it.

It scurried, darting left—

And out of the circle.

She gaped in horror as it raced under her bed and out of sight. She quickly enlarged its vitals graph, her eyes darting from side to side. The lightning had worked. It had shocked the mouse's numbed system as it crossed the line. It was continuing to deliver shocks. But they were decreasing in intensity.

Hermione frowned down at her texts, summoning the mouse back to her so it hovered mid-air. She'd created the barrier correctly — she was certain of it. Letting out a huff of air, she slowly lowered the mouse back into the circle…

And it darted right, toward the fireplace this time.

Again, the lightning had worked. The mouse's vitals responded to the shock, but the shocks quickly wore off. Something about her tattoo or binding spell was flawed. The barrier was properly shocking the mouse, but only weakly, and then its effects vanished.

She spent the next forty minutes scowling down at her research and sprinkling toast crumbs into the shoe box. At the end of her hour, she transfigured the mouse back into a coffee cup, cast a few curling charms that only managed to give off the impression that she'd been the one electrocuted, and trudged downstairs to find Narcissa.

Narcissa took one look at her and said, "No luck?"

Hermione bit her lip and shook her head. "No, unfortunately. I, um… I should probably leave it to Pansy. She might have to stay a while."

Narcissa took her wand back and smiled.

~*~

Pansy stepped out of the flames of Draco's fireplace at five with a garment bag tucked under her arm, and a small case dangling from her fingertips.

"Granger," she said flatly, looking Hermione over. "Merlin, you couldn't even wash your hair for me?"

She frowned. "I did wash my hair."

Pansy lifted a brow and pressed her ruby lips together. "With what? A bar of soap?" She spun on her heel and led Hermione back to her room. "I'll speak to Narcissa about your products. Clearly, Draco Malfoy — the grand interior designer — couldn't be bothered to fill your closets or your cabinets with anything useful."

Hermione rolled her eyes as Pansy threw open her wardrobe to hang up the garment bag before dragging her into the bathroom and shoving her into the chair at her vanity.

"Alright now," Pansy said, examining her closely. "What shall we do with this…"

Hermione scowled up at her as Pansy narrowed her eyes. Then she forced her to wash her face again — And moisturize! Damn it, Granger, how many times do I have to tell you! — before she started rubbing the goo on her cheeks.

When it was quiet, Pansy asked, "Have you heard from him?"

Hermione blinked open the eye Pansy wasn't jabbing with a brush. She was stirring her concoction of colors together, frowning at her palettes.

"No." Hermione cleared her throat. "Narcissa told me that no owls are permitted to travel in or out of Switzerland. But Lucius travels into Germany often and sends updates."

She waited for Pansy to ask anything else, but she simply ordered Hermione to close her eyes.

When Pansy moved onto her hair, Hermione said, "I have a question about the day you were captured."

Pansy scoffed and slightly jerked the curl she was working on.

"Please. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. I answered your question."

Pressing her lips together, Pansy met her eyes in the mirror. After what felt like a lifetime, she gave the slightest of nods.

Hermione drew a slow breath. "I woke up with my tattoo already on my arm. Did you? Or do you remember when it appeared?"

"Oh, I remember alright." Pansy's features darkened as she prodded at a finished curl.

Hermione's heartbeat quickened. "Do you remember anything about the spell they used?"

She twisted another wayward curl around the wand and frowned. "I don't remember a spell. Just the potion and the parchment."

Hermione felt her skin prick. Every hair on her arms stood on end.

"What kind of potion?"

"Well gee, Granger, when I was allowed to examine it, my findings were inconclusive—"

"You drank a potion?" Hermione turned to her, tugging her curls away from Pansy's fingertips. "You're sure?"

Pansy scowled at her. "Yes, Granger. I'm positive I remember having my jaw pried open."

"No, I mean…" She tried to gather her racing thoughts. "Was it mint-flavored? Did it suppress your magic?"

"I felt my magic leave me, yes, but it wasn't minty like the Suppressant Potion. It tasted like ink."

Hermione blinked at her, then looked down to the D.M. on her arm.

Ink.

She'd thought that the tattoo was a spell cast upon a person, an external charm. But maybe the key to the tattoos' magic was inside of them.

Directing Hermione firmly to turn back to the mirror, Pansy started in on her curls again. Hermione blinked rapidly, her mind spinning at breakneck speed.

"So you drank the potion, and the tattoo appeared on your skin?"

"Not quite." Pansy tugged her hair a bit too harshly. "I don't know what the potion did, but when Yaxley signed the parchment, his signature rose up on my skin."

"What parchment? What did it say?" Her heart was hammering, her breath shallow in her lungs.

"Nothing." Pansy shrugged. "It was blank."

Hermione spun around to her again — Pansy sighed — and lifted her tattoo to Pansy's eyes. "Was the ink he signed in like this? Black with gold mixed in?"

Pansy shook her head. "He signed in blood."

Like a clock striking midnight, the pieces clicked into place.

Blood magic.

She stared off, letting her mind work.

She'd need blood magic to lock the mouse in. That's why the tattoos hadn't bound properly to the barrier. But she'd missed more than that. There was a potion component as well.

"Oh goody," Pansy drawled. "Do I have the pleasure of watching the brightest mind of my age work through a problem?"

Hermione grabbed her sleeve. "You're sure it was just the potion and the signature? There was no dark spell cast on your arm?"

Pansy shook her off with a scowl. "That's all." She forcibly turned Hermione's head to face the mirror again.

"But—" Hermione furrowed her brow. "But I didn't drink a potion. I woke up in the Ministry and was already tattooed."

"They injected you," Pansy said. And then: "Probably. I know a lot of the girls in the cell were knocked out when they brought them in, and they were already tattooed as well."

"But they kept you awake?"

Pansy met her eyes in the mirror and swiftly looked away. "They wanted me to watch as they took it all away. No magic, no bloodlines… Just property."

Pity pulled tightly at her ribs. She swallowed. "They?"

"Yaxley. And my father."

Pansy pocketed the wand, having finished with her curls, and reached into her other pocket for pins. Apart from her tightly-set jaw, there was no indication that they were discussing anything unpleasant.

Hermione's voice was barely above a whisper as she asked, "Why were you at the Auction, Pansy?"

She twisted a section of her hair off her neck and gave a long-suffering sigh. "One of life's great many questions." When Hermione didn't respond, Pansy leaned forward to whisper into her ear. "You'll never figure it out, Granger. I want you to go to your grave knowing that the one riddle you couldn't crack was Pansy Parkinson."

She smirked at her, and with a final shove of a pin into her scalp, she proclaimed her work complete.

Hermione examined herself for the first time. A similar style to her makeup and hair for Edinburgh, but not as smoky. Her lips and eyes were light. Her hair was up off her shoulders for once, gathered into a twist at the back of her head with her curls cascading down her back.

"What color is my dress tonight?"

"Granger, don't you know anything?" Pansy rolled her eyes and led her out to the wardrobe. "Narcissa Malfoy's New Year's party has been a Black and White gala for the past decade."

Hermione flushed. "Ah. She might have mentioned it."

Pansy opened the bag with a flourish. Heavy black satin and tulle poured from the bag onto the floor like a flood. Hermione's head tilted down and up again as she gaped at the sheer amount of fabric. Especially in comparison to what she usually wore to Edinburgh.

"I… this is… elaborate," she finished lamely.

"Well, I should hope so." Pansy pulled the dress out and hung it up on the wardrobe door. It seemed to double in size.

"So what is 'Giuliana' wearing this evening?" Hermione asked, reaching out to run her fingers over the satin.

Pansy lifted a condescending brow. "This isn't an evening at Edinburgh. Slaves are not going to be in attendance."

Hermione's mouth opened. "But…"

"The New Year's Eve Gala is a high society event. The Death Eaters you usually see with a teenager grinding on their lap will have their wives on their arms tonight." She turned back to the dress, fluffing the skirt fondly before her features hardened again. "You'll see several debutantes coming out tonight, hoping to snag a June wedding. More marriages have been arranged at Malfoy Manor than at any matchmaker's offices."

Something sank from her throat to the bottom of her gut. "So, I'm just… decoration."

Pansy gave her a tight-lipped smile. "More of a trophy, I'd say."

Pansy left shortly after laying out her undergarments and pointing out the bag of jewelry she was expected to wear ("Put on everything, Granger!"). Hermione tried to sort through the new information she'd learned about the tattoos, but there was no time. And the nerves in her stomach were overwhelming.

She knew what to expect at Edinburgh. But tonight was entirely new.

Before long, Hermione was slipping into the gown, gasping as it magically closed around her ribs without the help of a zipper or fastenings. The skirt fell to the floor around her heels, puffing out around her hips after cinching at her waist.

She opened the jewelry bag, and when her hand pulled out a choker necklace embedded with hundreds of diamonds she almost dropped the whole bag on the floor. Hermione didn't know much about jewelry, but she knew this might have cost as much as she did. The necklace lay perfectly above her collarbones, between the thin straps of her black dress. There were diamond earrings to match, a diamond bracelet, and two diamond rings.

At half past eight, someone knocked on her door. She squared her shoulders and flung open the door to find Lucius Malfoy standing in her doorway, wearing a white tuxedo with black lapels. At first, there had been a wild moment when she'd thought he was someone else. She had to shake off the sudden wave of grief when her mind registered that although he resembled him, it wasn't.

Lucius lifted a brow as he took her in. "Sufficient."

She glowered and gestured to his tuxedo. "I suppose this will do as well."

His lips quirked and, to her surprise, he offered her his elbow. She blinked before accepting, and he slowly led them down the hallway.

"You will not leave my side. You will not speak unless spoken to. And I assume you know how to respond when spoken to."

She nodded, her pulse quickening with each step. "How is he?"

"He sends his regards."

They reached the top of the stairs, and she found Narcissa standing below in white, waiting near the front doors to the Manor. She didn't smile at them, but her eyes sparkled. Hermione had the strangest sensation as they started to descend. In another life, she might have belonged to their world. Or at least tried to. She might have danced like a pureblood girl and known the names and uses of every one of Lucius Malfoy's utensils.

The noise of voices in the drawing room startled her from her thoughts — there were already guests mingling. Lucius released her elbow as they swept across the marble, and Narcissa greeted him with a kiss to his cheek. She said nothing to Hermione, pointedly turning her back on her. Hermione blinked, then quickly moved to stand behind them. Her eyes widened when she glanced out the front doors. The long driveway was lined with gilded archways, the intertwined fairy lights hovering in a golden glow to welcome the guests.

"The elves did a lovely job, dear, as usual." Lucius straightened his black bowtie.

"Hix is testing all the warming charms now," said Narcissa lightly. "It's a shame not to use the Floo."

"I know, but times being what they are…"

There was a flurry of movement outside, but Narcissa's shoulder had shifted, obscuring Hermione's view. Hermione fiddled with the skirt of her dress as the sound of chatter from the grounds grew louder and louder, floating through the open doors. It sounded as though everyone had arrived at once.

A man and woman stepped into the entry hall, and Hermione had to stop herself from peering around Lucius' shoulders to get a better look. She was the Malfoys' trophy tonight — it was their choice to decide when to display her.

Narcissa greeted them with ease, and Hermione blinked at the marble as she heard Narcissa say their names and kiss their cheeks. She did the same for the next couple, and the next, and Hermione realized that she might have been reciting names for Lucius's benefit.

A line began gathering outside of the doors, and as the din grew louder, Hermione felt safe enough to lift her head. The array of new faces was overwhelming, but she caught a few familiar ones. Some stood and shook Lucius's hand and asked about Switzerland, and some held Narcissa's wrist and pouted that Draco couldn't be there. Most of them ignored her, but it was interesting to see which men she recognized from Edinburgh. Which ones leered and which ones averted their eyes quickly, turning back to their wives.

At one point, a talkative older woman who smelled thickly of cloves held up the line, droning on and on about some kind of society event she was hosting in the spring. Hermione watched as Narcissa pounced on the perfect moment to interrupt. "Dolores, that sounds divine. I'll come find you in about half an hour to hear more, but do you know that Hugh McKenzie is already inside?"

Dolores' eyes brightened like a predator that had just found its next meal. She quickly excused herself, forcing Lucius to step out of the way. Narcissa brushed a strand of hair back over her ear and muttered, "Insufferable." Lucius placed a hand on the small of her back and leaned in her ear to whisper, "Poor Hugh." Hermione looked at the floor and pressed her lips together to hide her smile.

"Granger." She jumped, glancing up to find Adrian Pucey grinning at her over Narcissa's shoulder. "Save a dance for me?"

Both Malfoys turned to look at her, their shoulders parting. Leaving her in clear view.

Lucius looked back at Pucey, his eyes hard. "That would be highly inappropriate, Adrian."

"Of course, sir. My apologies. I was just having a bit of fun." Adrian shook Lucius's hand as two people who could only be his parents moved beside him.

"My, Narcissa," the woman cooed, her eyes fixed on Hermione. "Is this the professor's daughter?"

"Heavens, no." Narcissa laughed. "That's Draco's Mudblood."

Mrs. Pucey pulled back the hand she'd been extending to Hermione, as though burned. Hermione looked down to the floor as a thick silence settled over them.

"Well," Mr. Pucey said, clearing his throat. "She almost fooled me, but there's something lowborn in her posture."

The faux-pas was quickly swept under the rug, and the Puceys moved inside. The minutes dragged on, and Hermione's feet began aching in her heels. Walking around a bit would help, but she didn't dare move without permission. As more and more people entered, it became harder to remain hidden behind Lucius's coattails.

That's Hermione Granger.

—went for 65,000 Galleons—

No place for Mudblood, if you ask me—

—suppose you can't blame them for wanting to show her off—

Hermione's breath hitched at the sight of several girls she hadn't seen since Hogwarts, including Millicent Bulstrode, Tracey Davis, and Romilda Vane. All three were in black dresses and making eyes at any men who crossed their path. Hermione's palms felt clammy when Theo Nott and his father entered together, followed closely by Blaise and Goyle. Theo didn't look at her as they passed, though a muscle in his cheek twitched. His father's eyes were too glassy and unfocused to notice her.

The clock inched closer to nine as the drawing room grew louder and louder behind her. Floating platters of champagne soared overhead to serve the guests in line. One platter came dangerously close to her head and she ducked, stumbling a few steps to the left. The moment she steadied herself, she met eyes with Antonin Dolohov. A chill ran through her veins and she quickly moved behind Lucius again, chastising herself for the chill that ran through her veins.

Lucius whispered into Narcissa's ear as the clock struck nine. Narcissa nodded, and Lucius grabbed Hermione's elbow, suddenly steering her inside.

"Not running from me, are you Lucius?" called out a gravelly voice.

Lucius rolled his shoulders almost imperceptibly before he spun around, pulling Hermione with him. Hermione's heart stuttered at the sight of Dolohov sidestepping the line, heading straight for them. Narcissa pursed her lips before returning to her other guests.

"Not all." Lucius smiled tightly. "It's nine o'clock. It's traditional for the host to enter the main room on time, and for the hostess to remain to greet the latecomers."

"If you say so." Dolohov took Lucius's hand, and Hermione could see how tight his grip was from their bloodless knuckles. "Your receiving line was so long, I felt like I was standing on your drive for hours."

"If you arrive on time, you get in on time." Lucius released Dolohov's hand and clapped his shoulder. "That's alright, Antonin. The more society events you're invited to, the easier polite manners will become."

Lucius steered her away, but Dolohov's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. Her body froze in sharp terror as he brought her hand to his lips, and whispered, "Miss Granger. A pleasure as always." His eyes were black tunnels as his clammy lips pressed to her skin.

Dark spots in her vision. A cold wind in her ears.

And then Lucius was tugging her away with a faint growl. She struggled to breathe as she stilled the shivering book that contained the echoes of water against tile. He pulled her into the drawing room where she'd been tortured so many times, and she braced herself—

But when her vision cleared, she found a very different room. Her lips parted as her eyes roved the ceiling. Cream walls and golden candlelight, gently falling snow that vanished before it landed on your head. There was a string quartet playing in the ballroom just beyond, the entire room vibrating with champagne and conversation.

Hermione stood rigid by Lucius's side as he greeted friends and made acquaintances with foreign officials. Her eyes wandered to the young people — a group of dark-featured girls stood together in the corner, giggling and glancing at Blaise, Theo, and Adrian as they sipped champagne and smirked at them. She spied Marcus Flint chatting up an older woman, turning on the charm.

Narcissa joined them after a time, slipping her arm through Lucius's and introducing him to several new guests. Hermione followed at their heels, no more than a step behind. When they ran into Ted Nott, it seemed he'd already had several more servings of Firewhisky, in addition to the one in his hand.

"Lucius," he slurred. "Back from Switzerland, I see."

Lucius tilted his head. "And I see you're back from Groix."

Nott Sr. raised his glass in a mock salute before scanning the room. "No whelp, though. Your boy still mucking things up over there?"

Hermione saw Narcissa's fingers dig into Lucius's arm.

"Not at all," Lucius lilted. "I'd say he's doing a fine job. We expect to retake Geneva any day now."

Nott Sr. laughed and muttered something to himself. "Antonin has some interesting stories about him. Has he learned to cast Killing Curses yet?"

Both Malfoys went very still. Lucius glanced around before releasing his wife's arm and stepping forward, inches from Nott Sr.'s face. "You're treading on thin ice, Ted. You should hear the stories I've heard about your son. To say nothing of what I've heard from Rookwood about your performance in France."

Nott Sr.'s face soured. He hid his grimace with a long sip of his Firewhisky as he glanced over his shoulder, looking for listeners. His knuckles were red and raw— he'd clearly punched something recently, and done a patchy Healing charm.

"So, why don't we have another glass," Lucius whispered, "and toast to the Dark Lord together."

A floating tray paused at his elbow, and he took a glass from it, never breaking Nott Sr.'s gaze as he yanked the empty tumbler from his grip and shoved the champagne into his chest. He plucked his own glass from the tray and toasted.

Nott scowled as he clinked his flute against Lucius's. "To your wife's health." Narcissa said nothing. Nott Sr. downed the bubbles before stalking off.

Lucius guided Narcissa forward, whispering something in her ear. She nodded, and her posture relaxed.

"Narcissa!" They were quickly accosted by a grandly dressed middle-aged woman. "We must have you and Lucius on the dance floor," she said, as she kissed Narcissa's cheek. You are a delight together!"

Narcissa returned her kiss and offered her a dazzling smile. "You're too kind, Siobhan. But I'm afraid we're a bit preoccupied with babysitting this evening." She lifted a brow and jerked her head in Hermione's direction.

"Then let me take over. My mother deserves to dance at her own Gala."

The deep baritone spoken behind her shivered her skin and sent her blood racing.

Hermione's heartbeat skyrocketed as she turned slowly, hardly daring to hope…

Draco stood behind her in a tuxedo — white from head to toe, shimmering almost silver in the candlelight. She forgot how to breathe as he looked over her shoulder at his mother's friend, his lips tugging in a smile.

"Draco"—the word sharply enunciated on Lucius's tongue—"what a surprise."

Hermione watched a storm of emotions cross Narcissa's face as she reached for him. He hugged his mother, kissing her cheek. After a few long moments, she released him, and he stepped beside her. And when she felt his hand press lightly on her back, her knees almost buckled.

"I thought I could spare an hour or two," Draco said, staring at his father.

"Wonderful! Oh, I love seeing the family all together!" Siobhan clapped her hands together. "Narcissa, Lucius, come dance—"

Lucius took his son's shoulder with a firm hand. "Draco, let's speak over here—"

"Oh, I'd love it if the two of you danced, Father." Draco tore his gaze away to give Siobhan a roguish wink. "Siobhan is right. You couldn't possibly deprive your guests of the opportunity to watch."

"No, indeed!" said Siobhan, beaming.

Narcissa must have seen the murder in Lucius's expression, because she quickly grabbed Siobhan's elbow. "Let's find out what waltz is playing next. Lucius can meet us in the ballroom."

She dragged her friend away, and it was just Hermione with Draco and his father, smiling tightly at each other.

Lucius glanced around before taking a step forward. "This is reckless." His lips barely moved as he spoke. "There is no reason for you to be away from your post—"

"Nor you, Father—"

"I have hosting responsibilities for an evening the Dark Lord wished into existence," Lucius hissed. His nostrils flared as he seemed to collect himself, quickly placing his hands on Draco's shoulders and straightening his tie. "You were ordered to stay."

Draco seemed to stand taller, not breaking his father's gaze. The warmth of his hand was burning into the skin beneath her dress.

"By Bellatrix. Who left her post a half hour ago to play with the prisoners." Lucius's eyes flashed. "It's 10:15, Father. Two hours isn't a risk—"

"And what do you think will happen when your aunt tells the Dark Lord you left your post because you couldn't bear being away from your Mudblood whore a moment longer?"

Draco stiffened beside her. She could hear him swallow even through the blood rushing in her ears.

Lucius's pasted on smile never faltered as Draco blinked and slid his hand from around her waist. Grasping her elbow instead.

She felt ice in her chest with the loss.

"Good," Lucius hummed. "Now listen carefully, you foolish boy." He brushed imaginary lint off Draco's jacket. "You will not disappear with her. You will not dance with her. You will not kiss her at midnight."

"Fath—"

"She is not your date." His hand squeezed Draco's shoulder. "She is your property. And by arriving here tonight, you've given five hundred people a reason to be curious about the inner-workings of your relationship."

Draco took a slow breath. She listened to him exhale and saw the slightest nod of his head. Lucius plucked up two passing champagne glasses and held one to each of them. His lips were still curved in a smile, but his eyes were feral, almost daring them to disagree. Hermione blinked and quickly took the glass. She wrapped her fingers around the stem like a lifeline.

"Enjoy the party, children," Lucius lilted. "Draco, I expect you back in Zürich by 12:01."

And then he vanished into the crowd, leaving behind only the heavy weight he'd placed in her chest. She closed her eyes and tried to suck in air. It was the first moment she'd seen Draco in eight weeks, and she could hardly dare to look at him. She couldn't without exposing herself. The hand on her elbow tightened.

"Draco, darling!" Her eyelids flew open to find a tall woman dripping in diamonds approaching them. "You grow more handsome every day!"

She watched his mask slip on as he released her elbow and kissed the woman's cheeks. "Marie, you look ravishing as ever."

And thus began the carousel. Draco seemed to spin in circles as he was attacked on all sides by eager middle-aged women with daughters of an eligible age. Her skin grew cold as they were interrupted by one after another, some not even waiting their turn.

Hermione stood silently at his side as eyes either skipped or passed over her disdainfully. Draco kept glancing over the women's heads towards the closed doors at the center of the drawing room.

"I'm sorry I'm not dancing tonight, Mrs. Hastings," he said, kissing one of the women's hands. "But I do know that Theo Nott over there has been aching for a partner, and he'd be mad to decline a girl who looks as lovely as Mary this evening. You'll excuse me—"

"But dear, surely there's a young woman you can escort this evening." Her eyes flicked over to Hermione with a grimace before coming back to him.

"Draco," said another stout woman, who had elbowed her way forward. "You'll have to excuse me when I say that given the occasion"—she lifted her brows meaningfully—"having a Mudblood on your arm isn't doing you any favors."

"Too true, Mrs. Dormer." Draco glanced at the doors again as he smoothed his hair. "Unfortunately, I only have time to kiss my mother and walk my pet tonight. But I hope the situation in Switzerland will calm down soon enough."

Then he was swiftly extracting them with a few muttered apologies, dragging her by her elbow through the crowd. Hermione followed him blindly, lost in her thoughts. The whiplash of seeing him again, being near him, his scent so close to her again — and then being held at arm's length while a hoard of women vied for his attention… It felt like a dull blade slicing her open slowly.

And it wasn't just his presence. It was the heavy stares of hundreds of people — most of whom had never believed she was worth more than the dirt under their shoes — now seeing her as nothing more than an ornamental inconvenience. As if she were a pretty, expensive painting that no longer matched the new furnishings.

Edinburgh was different. As disturbing and horrifying as it was, she still held a twisted sort of power there. She was visible; she was valuable. She commanded attention. But here, in Draco's world, she was nothing.

There were young women who greeted him with batted lashes and flirty laughter, and more society ladies who pushed for him to take a debutante to the dance floor. He brushed them all off as politely as one would expect from Narcissa Malfoy's son. But as Hermione stood at his side, mute and invisible, she wondered how long he could slip from their grasp.

If she was unsuccessful with the tattoos… if she remained locked up in Malfoy Manor as the years dragged on, what would become of her when it was time for Draco to court? It was clearly expected of him. And how could he not be expected to marry and continue the Malfoy line with a pure-blood girl?

Perhaps one day she'd be the mad wife locked in the attic. A dirty secret caged within the Manor's walls. Perhaps she'd stalk the halls at night while Draco's real wife slept soundly in her four-poster.

Hermione buried her dark thoughts and focused on the present. If this was all she got from him, she'd take it. She'd take the way his fingers would slip across the hollow of her elbow. The feeling of his breath on her ear when he stole a moment to press his nose to her hair.

In some conversations, he'd forget himself, and his hand would slide across her ribs, warm and firm. His fingers would curl around her opposite side, his knuckles teasing her bare arm, his thumb sparking shivers across her skin. When their backs were to a wall, he let his fingers slide up and tangle lightly in her curls, slipping across her shoulder blades and sloping up her neck to dance with the fine hairs standing on end there. She grew dizzy and light-headed with his attentions, her legs pressing together under the hundreds of layers of tulle. He leaned into her ear when their companion was distracted and whispered, "I've missed you."

Her lips trembled, and she pressed her eyes closed, willing herself not to cry. All she could do was nod as the older man turned to Draco with a, "Don't you agree?" — to which Draco smoothly did.

At ten minutes to midnight, the sound of wands tapping against champagne glasses signaled a toast. From their position at the far end of the room near the windows, she watched as a wave of people joined in, tapping against their glasses and turning towards the platform set up near the fireplace.

Narcissa ascended, and the applause of hundreds rang out. She cast an Amplifying Charm and greeted the room with a glowing smile. "Happy New Year. We're so pleased you could join us."

As the chatter in the room quieted, Blaise and a pretty olive-skinned girl appeared at their side, Theo and a stunning blonde girl trailing behind them. Blaise greeted Draco with a slightly drunken smirk. Theo nodded at him, looking quite miserable.

Every eye in the room was on Narcissa as she said a few words about the Dark Lord's victory, and honored those who had fallen. Before long, she was introducing Lucius.

The clock was minutes from striking midnight, and Hermione felt Draco being ripped from her with every tick of the second hand.

But then, Draco was stepping back towards the heavy drawing room curtains, tugging her lightly at her waist. She moved with him as he found a fold in the curtains, holding it open for her to sneak through. She looked back to see one of the beautiful balconies overlooking the gazebo. A place for them to be alone—

"And my son, Draco," Lucius boomed. "Who I couldn't be prouder of."

The curtain dropped. His hand slipped away from her waist. Every eye turned toward him, and he stepped forward with a forced smile.

Lucius bowed at him from across the room, his eyes glinting. He gestured for Draco to join him, and without even a glance back to her, Draco moved swiftly through the crowd. A few stragglers eyed her, and Blaise stepped forward silently to take his place.

"We could not be more honored to serve the Dark Lord in Switzerland. My son has played an important role in helping crush the rebels and secure the foothold of the Great Order." Lucius roused the crowd with a wave of his hand as Draco climbed the stairs to him.

The crowd responded with hollers and cheers, as well as a smattering of ecstatic giggling from a nearby group of young women. Draco shook his father's hand and stood tall at his side, looking every inch the obedient son.

"Unfortunately, Draco can't stay," Lucius said, placing a firm hand on the back of Draco's neck.

Hermione's chest seized. It was still two minutes to midnight—

"He's expected back in Switzerland." Lucius gave a sympathetic nod as the crowd groaned. "Let's send him out with the warmest thanks we can, shall we?"

The room erupted.

Draco eyes locked on hers from across a crowd of hundreds as they both realized they wouldn't have a chance to say goodbye. He seemed to snap out of his trance after a moment, turning to kiss Narcissa with a tight smile. Her breath rattled as he waved at the crowd and left, exiting out of the drawing room and back to Switzerland. Away from her.

She swayed on her feet, but something steadied her — Blaise's hand on her elbow.

The melody of Lucius's voice wound through the crowd as he talked of fresh beginnings. Hermione blinked, dazed.

She should have told him she'd missed him too. It could have been the last time she ever saw him.

Her vision burned white-hot as Lucius mentioned the time — less than a minute to midnight. She scanned the crowd, too furious to look at the podium as Lucius waxed eloquent about the Dark Lord's might and their year of victories over his foes.

Her chest burned, her blood searing in her veins as she thought of Harry. Ron. Ginny.

The crowd swelled and swayed, and her eyes paused on a beacon of brilliant white. A girl in a blinding white dress, draped with glinting diamonds, her skin translucent and pale. A mane of furious red curls dancing around her face.

She looked exactly like—

"As I toast you into the New Year," said Lucius, "let us remember why we are here."

Five seconds to midnight. She blinked back her tears, eyes narrowing on the girl in the white dress. Standing next to Avery, his features unmistakable as he turned.

Hermione's blood turned to ice in her veins.

"To the Dark Lord's power," Lucius called, lifting his glass.

Every hand raised theirs in turn.

Midnight struck.

And as fireworks bounced around the room, Hermione watched Ginny Weasley smile and chorus with them:

"May he reign forevermore."

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 28

Chapter Notes

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Someone was knocking her elbow. Jarring her, helping her lift a glass. Champagne flooded her closed lips.

The girl in the white dress swallowed, her throat moving delicately as the champagne poured into her mouth.

Fireworks crackled and boomed, and the girl's skin glowed blue and red and green — a white canvas to paint on.

Warm breath whispered against her ear — "Granger, close your mouth or you'll catch lacewing flies."

The stretched elastic of her mind snapped, and her vision seemed to shiver before refocusing.

Ginny Weasley was within twenty feet of her.

She spun to Blaise, her heart pounding in her throat. She kept her gaze on Ginny in case she vanished. "Blaise, please. You need to take me to Avery. I need to— If I could just get close to her—"

"You must be confusing me with a different Slytherin. I'm afraid my back doesn't bend that way for you, Granger—"

"Please." She looked up at him, and he sipped his champagne, avoiding her eyes. "I haven't seen her since May."

Blaise faced the ballroom as he whispered, "I have no business with Avery. I can't just walk up to him—"

Avery pressed a hand to Ginny's back and steered her toward the doors. Hermione's breath squeezed out of her lungs — to lose her so quickly after getting her back—

"Just walk me that way," she begged. "Just towards the doors, and then I'll figure out—"

"What did I tell you about speaking to your superiors?" Lucius hissed behind her. A warm hand grabbed her elbow. "Behave yourself."

She turned to his cold grey gaze, her lips trembling, trying to beg him without words.

"Clearly you've had enough excitement for the night." His eyes were like ice as he turned to Blaise, speaking loud enough for onlookers. "I apologize for her behavior. I can assure you she'll be thoroughly punished. Please, excuse us."

And without waiting for a response, Lucius escorted her through the crowd with a bruising grip on her upper arm.

"Mr. Malfoy—"

His fingers tightened. "Control yourself," he muttered from the corner of his mouth. "Remember where you are."

She stumbled before quickly finding her footing. The logical part of her brain knew he was right, but the rest of her was screaming to turn around. She needed to get to Ginny.

Lucius nodded at several people as they passed, moving swiftly through the ballroom as Hermione's mind whirred in overdrive. But her heart began sinking with each step. Lucius was right. Short of a miracle, there was no way she could speak to Ginny tonight.

Pain pricked her temple as he led them out the drawing room doors, towards the marble staircase. They closed, sealing Ginny away from her like a coffin. Hermione swallowed, trying to be strong—

"Lucius!" a voice called, just as he put his foot on the first step. They swiveled around to find Yaxley, leaning out the cracked door of the small sitting room tucked behind the staircase. "Come join us. We were just discussing Geneva."

"Of course. Give me a moment to put my pet to bed," said Lucius smoothly. He moved to the second stair, tugging Hermione behind him.

"Bring her," said Yaxley, and Lucius froze. He turned around slowly, and Hermione followed. "I was just about to come looking for you. We have the other one in here, too."

Hermione's breath was tight in her chest.

Ginny.

Alone in a room full of Death Eaters.

Lucius hesitated, and Yaxley lifted a brow. "Don't be stingy. Your guests want to see the finest horses in the show." He smirked. "Maybe we'll let them wrestle."

Hermione said a silent prayer, begging. And then—

"Just for a few minutes, I suppose," said Lucius stiffly.

Her skin shivered, and then her heart beat out of her chest as Lucius led her to the sitting room. With each step of the marble, she concentrated on binding her emotions into books — pushing Draco into a far corner of her mind and covering him with other texts, folding the pages of Ginny into another book altogether. The doors pushed open just as she lost them somewhere in the stacks.

Her eyes caught on the white dress immediately. Ginny had her back turned to the door, Avery at her side with his hand on her backside. Hermione drew a sharp breath, but her Occlumency held. She looked away. Dolohov, Rookwood, Mulciber, Crabbe Sr., Parkinson, and the Lestrange brothers stood in a lazy formation, sipping drinks and chuckling with each other. It was odd to see them in the bright candlelight of the Manor, without a slave on their arm or in their lap.

Their eyes drifted over her, but they looked away without leering — all except Dolohov.

"So, this is where you all disappeared to." Lucius shook Mulciber's hand and promptly took a path through the room towards the drinks trolley in the corner, pushing Hermione to stand against a wall behind a chair.

"Your wife throws a fine party, Lucius."

"That she does." Lucius sipped his brandy and moved to shake Avery's hand. "Didn't expect to see you here, Aron. Welcome."

"I got permission to let her out of her cage." Avery chuckled, and Hermione watched his hand slide up from Ginny's backside and curl into her ginger locks. Swallowing, she quickly looked away.

"However will the Dark Lord amuse himself on this New Year's Eve?" Rabastan murmured, and Mulciber hid a smile in his glass.

Avery sneered. "It's an honor to be of service to the Dark Lord. I consider myself lucky to have a pet who holds his interest."

Ginny smiled demurely, sipping from her champagne glass.

"These two know each other, I take it?" Rookwood said, gesturing between Ginny and Hermione. "Both of them sucked Potter's cock?"

The men chuckled. Ginny simply blinked.

"I'll ask you to watch your language in front of my great-grandmother's portrait," Lucius said, lifting his glass to point at the grumpy looking grey-haired woman in her frame. The men laughed.

"Is that right, darling?" Avery said softly into Ginny's ear, his hand fisting the hair at the base of her skull. "Do you remember your old friend?"

Hermione watched Ginny twist — her bones spindly under the pale-blue skin of her back — and turn her gaze on Hermione for the first time. Her warm brown eyes were shallow pools of nothingness as they roved over Hermione.

"Hardly," she said.

Her voice was different. Like a hook had been pulled tight around her throat and tugged until the melody left her inflections. In that one word, Hermione could hear an aristocratic drawl unfamiliar to Ginny's natural consonants and vowels.

"Here you all are." Hermione turned to the door and found Nott Sr. leaning drunkenly on the doorframe. "Not going to invite me to this little private party?"

Yaxley pursed his lips in distaste. Rookwood and Mulciber shared a meaningful look.

"Not at all, Ted," Lucius said smoothly. "Do join us. I was just about to open a bottle of Scotch."

Nott Sr.'s eyes lit up. He stumbled into the room and dropped into a high-backed chair. "What's the latest, then?" Lucius handed him a drink, his lip slightly curled.

Luckily, unlike at Edinburgh, neither Hermione nor Ginny were prime attractions for the evening. That honor belonged to Switzerland. The room was focused and almost civil as they discussed the latest initiative to retake Geneva. Most were confident; others pointed to rumors of foreign assistance to the French and Swiss rebels. Lucius said little, simply humming and circling the rim of his glass with his finger.

Hermione shrunk between the drinks trolley and the back of Lucius's chair, trying to be invisible as her brain scrambled to memorize names and dates. But unless she went to Edinburgh again soon, it wouldn't be of any use.

At one point, Dolohov approached to pour himself another drink, and Hermione froze like a rabbit in the headlights. Lucius swiftly stood and stepped between them, refilling Dolohov's glass himself and thrusting it into his hand with a sneer. Dolohov returned to his seat, sulking, and Hermione's fingers loosened on the back of Lucius's chair.

Hermione tried not to stare at Ginny. But her control began slipping as the men droned on, and she chanced a glance in her direction. Her stomach turned at Ginny's tight smile as Avery wrapped his arm around her waist. She sipped her champagne while he pressed his face into her neck, laughing when he whispered in her ear.

All of it was wrong.

It was as if the fire behind her eyes had burnt down to embers, dying in the hearth. Hermione's books shivered as she quickly looked away, focusing on a lake with still waters.

Ginny didn't look at Hermione again.

Before long, Lucius was making his excuses to return to Narcissa. And Hermione couldn't find the strength to wish to stay in the same room as Ginny any longer. Her mental shelves were straining under the weight of her heavy Occlumency, threatening to buckle any moment.

She didn't even take a final look at Ginny as Lucius grabbed her arm and guided her up the stairs, her mind throbbing and numb. Down the long corridor to her bedroom, she felt Lucius glance at her, but she was too exhausted to respond.

As she stepped through her doorway, Lucius warned, "Stay in this room. No wandering."

She nodded mutely. What reason was there to wander? It was impossible to reach Ginny now. She had no excuses. She was out of clever plans.

Lucius stood in the doorway as she took off her jewelry, piece by piece. Her vision blurred, but her hands were steady. She startled at the sound of a shut door. She felt the hum of locking charms and trespassing wards. And then, nothing.

Hermione unclasped her dress, letting the tulle and satin fall to the ground. As she stepped out of it and wandered to the bathroom, it occurred to her that there was nothing she could have done differently. Nothing she said or did could have given her a moment alone with Draco on the balcony. Nothing in her power could have cleared the ballroom so she could have rushed across it and taken Ginny in her arms.

It had all been hopeless from the start.

Turning on the taps, she stood by her vanity and stared at the tub as it filled.

First Draco, then Ginny. She'd lost them both tonight.

A memory sparked. There was one thing she could have done differently. She should have told Draco that she missed him too. Now he was back in Zürich, and he might die without ever hearing the words.

The tub was filled, the taps magically turning off. She stepped into the perfectly warmed waters, watching the ripples move aside for her. Her face was stinging.

She should have been bold and reckless, smashing champagne stems and slicing throats in that room, like Ginny had been once. She should have shown her that Hermione Granger was still in this shell of a body covered in tulle and makeup. Maybe Ginny would have remembered herself as well.

The water surrounded her shoulders. She submerged deeper, slipping her ears and eyes below the surface just as the first sob tore from her throat, the salt from her tears poisoning the lavender-scented bathwater. She stared up through the funhouse mirror of water at the high, cream-colored ceiling.

She missed Harry. She missed Ron. She missed her parents.

She had Ginny in her grasp tonight and let her slip.

And Draco Malfoy might never come home to her.

She opened her mouth underwater and screamed.

~*~

The sorrow of New Year's Eve hung like a shawl across her shoulders for a week. She only saw the elves for three days, as if Narcissa knew she needed space. Perhaps Narcissa needed space as well — after all, her husband and son had left for war all over again.

Her mind was a scattered mess the morning after. She tried to Occlude, to push everything back into place and tidy her shelves. Instead she ended up crying on the floor next to her bed, curling into herself at the memories of the strange sound of Ginny's voice and the heat of Draco's hand on her back. She allowed herself a day of rest and recovery before she tried again.

She started with Ginny and flipped through the crinkled and dog-eared pages of her book. She bound the new pages in like an addendum, a slice at the end for the reader. Ginny's book wedged itself on a high shelf, disappearing.

Then the volumes on Draco Malfoy closed under her fingertips. Thick pages with crisp edges and elegant typefaces. I've missed you, folded into the pages like a bookmark, and the millions of could-have-beens slipped between the chapters. She closed the book with a lock and key, and shoved it onto a shelf at eye-level, unable to lose it in case she needed it again.

It was eight in the evening on January 2nd when she was finally done. Her head pounded and her eyes squeezed closed every time they landed on the fire in the hearth. But her shelves were sturdy, and the heaviness in her stomach lessened. She ate a slice of bread that had appeared with her dinner and tucked herself into her sheets after taking a Dreamless Sleep potion.

When she woke the next morning, she felt nothing but cold determination. After a half-hour of meditation, she packed up all her books on tattoos and moved them back down to the library.

Pansy had given her invaluable clues into the creation of these tattoos. An ingested potion changed things dramatically. A potion had an antidote. She'd been chasing a counterspell.

Her test with the mouse had failed for numerous reasons, the first of which had to do with the use of a potion. The second had to do with blood magic. But thanks to Pansy, Hermione now knew the potion came first.

She started by cross-referencing all of the library's resources on magical tattoos with potions. She tried hundreds of search terms — so many, in fact, that she had to list them down. She tried searching in half a dozen other languages. She'd even tried skimming books by hand. But after several weeks, she'd found nothing that related magical tattoos to an ingested potion.

Frustrated with her lack of progress, she spent the last week of January on the second piece of the puzzle: blood magic. She found plenty on its uses in protective wards, including those surrounding magical estates. But here she was overwhelmed with too much information. And it was useless to zero in on any particular spell until she could locate the correct potion.

Once again, it felt like she was working blind. The Scourers hadn't used a potion — there was no precedent and no apparent shortcuts to find the information she needed. She wished she had Draco to help her see whether she'd missed something, but she was out of ideas. So she started from scratch, searching One Thousand Magical Potions and Their Uses by hand. Hoping that something would catch her eye and spark an idea in her exhausted mind.

The weeks moved like molasses until it was already mid-February. She broke up her research with Occlumency practice and semi-regular meals with Narcissa. If the Prophet reported good news, Narcissa would sit down with her. Bad news, Hermione's tray would appear in her room. It was still bitingly cold out, but sometimes she'd wander the grounds on her breaks.

Draco's name or picture appeared in the paper at least once a week. Hermione found herself cutting out pictures of him more than once, tucking them on top of the folded parchment in the jewelry box on her nightstand.

What she would give for just one sarcastic letter from him now.

The following Tuesday, the Prophet reported that the rebels had moved against Basel. Though the city was still decimated by the attack in November, an army of hundreds had marched through the rubble towards the city's stronghold. Thousands of Death Eaters had been recalled from Lausanne and successfully crushed the attack. Skeeter spent a full page lavishing praise upon the ingenuity of the Death Eaters who'd been responsible for Obliviating bystanders and Imperiusing Muggle leaders — all of whom blamed the destruction on foreign terrorists.

On Wednesday morning, Hermione woke up to find her breakfast delivered to her room, a copy of the Prophet laying underneath the coffee cup on her tray.

ZÜRICH UNDER SIEGE!

by Rita Skeeter

Like roaches to cupboards, a small band of insurgents infiltrated Zürich last night. This brazen attack from French invaders and Swiss traitors is undoubtedly a reaction to their spectacular failure in Basel yesterday — a last-ditch attempt to seize control and throw the country into chaos.

The Great Order's forces have been recalled from Basel, with support from additional infantries in Lausanne and Bern. Sources close to the situation expect a decisive victory over the usurpers as early as this afternoon.

Blinking, Hermione stared down at the page. Her heart drummed in her ears as she scanned above and below it. Her shaking fingers tore through every other page, searching for more.

Nothing.

Hermione growled and tossed the paper into the fire. She began pacing, her mind scrambling to connect the pieces. The French and their allies had attacked Basel two days ago, but it had been a feint. Basel wasn't an obvious strategic target. But it had lured Voldemort's forces outside of neighboring Switzerland, leaving the real objective vulnerable: Zurich.

Where Draco was.

Her chin trembled before she began pacing again. Skeeter's lies were glaring. If it had been a small band of insurgents, there was no reason to summon the forces in Lausanne, let alone Bern. Voldemort's army had left a direct path of vulnerability from the border through the heart of the country. Only a massive attack could have warranted it.

Her shelves shook violently. Hermione clutched her bedpost, breathing deeply until they calmed. She began pacing again.

The leash on Rita Skeeter was getting tighter and tighter, the omissions more glaring. She'd asked Narcissa last week about getting a copy of another paper from a foreign ally of the Great Order's — anything less biased — but Narcissa had replied that non-British periodicals were forbidden in the U.K. by order of Minister Thicknesse.

She paused at the fireplace, staring as what was left of the pages curled and crisped in the flames. She tried to focus on her research that day, but it was no use. So she spent the rest of her day meditating. When night fell, she pulled a chair by her window, staring at the dark windows of the room next door until she drifted to sleep.

She woke up the next morning with a crick in her neck and panic in her chest. When no paper arrived with her coffee, Hermione went straight to the dining room without changing out of her pajamas.

She found Narcissa standing over the table, glaring down at the newspaper. Blood rushed in her ears.

"What's happened," Hermione croaked. "What did Skeeter say?"

A light scoff. "I've had enough of Miss Skeeter for one lifetime, thank you very much," Narcissa replied, and as Hermione inched forward. Her mouth fell open when she realized it wasn't the Prophet spread out on the table, but pages of The New York Ghost.

"Mippy took a trip to New York City this morning," said Narcissa.

Hermione blinked, her neck craning to get a better look.

"Start there." Narcissa pointed to the pages on the other side of the table.

Hermione moved quickly to those pages, and found the evening edition from Tuesday, when hundreds of rebels failed in their mission to take Basel back.

But that wasn't what she found in the Ghost.

SMALL BAND OF REBELS CAUSE TROUBLE IN BASEL

by Gertie Gumley

French and Swiss fighters from "the True Order" coalition caused a stir in Basel, Switzerland this morning when a series of explosives detonated outside the Basel Town Hall. Swaths from the Dark Lord Voldemort's army of so-called "Death Eaters" were dispatched to Basel instantly, and according to sources, spent the whole day fighting maybe twenty-five soldiers.

Hermione frowned, but before her mind could compare Skeeter and Gumley's takes, her eyes caught on Wednesday's paper.

FRENCH SUCCESSFULLY INVADE ZÜRICH

by Gertie Gumley

After drawing hundreds of Death Eaters to Basel yesterday, the True Order has claimed territory on the east side of Zürich. The city was sparsely occupied after Tuesday's attack on Basel, creating a window of opportunity for the army of Swiss rebels and their allies.

According to eyewitnesses, the rebels moving on Zürich vastly outnumbered the Death Eaters left in the city, catching the Dark Lord Voldemort's army unawares.

"It was a classic Wronski Feint," said an anonymous source. "Thousands of French in Zürich all at once. Only I can't quite make sense of how they invaded from the southeast."

Hermione's eyes popped wide as she read, her vision jumping from page to page, looking for any mention of familiar names. The rebels were taking ground. This was good news. But—

"Is there any mention…?" She trailed off, running her fingers over her lips.

"Here." Narcissa extended a paper to her, and Hermione plucked it more quickly than was polite.

It was today's Prophet. A picture of Draco, Lucius, Mulciber, and Bellatrix was at the center of the front page beneath the headline, "REBELS THWARTED IN ZÜRICH."

Hermione shook out the paper, her fingers skating the edge of the photo. It had been taken at nighttime. Draco had been alive no more than 12 hours ago.

Hermione frowned down at today's New York Ghost: "BATTLES RAGE IN SWITZERLAND."

"Where is Lucius?"

"He was called to Lausanne last night." Narcissa rubbed her brow. "The French are pushing past Geneva."

And sure enough, in the Ghost's article there was mention of incursions east of Geneva. The Prophet, on the other hand, had nothing but inquiries into the Austrian Minister. She had been taken into custody while investigators looked into whether she colluded with the rebels and allowed them to infiltrate the country via the Austrian-Swiss border.

Narcissa duplicated the Ghost pages for her, and excused herself with tired, red-rimmed eyes. Hermione spent the rest of the day sorting through Skeeter's lies and cross-referencing with Gertie Gumley.

At the end of every Gumley article, she signed off with "M.A.C.U.S.A. President Harrison declined to comment for the 33rd week in a row," or "No word from the President's Office on if or when M.A.C.U.S.A. will provide aid to the French or Swiss Ministries, though Scandinavia, Iceland, and Canada have pledged support." Hermione found the reporter's boldness and openness disapproval of the president quite impressive.

She couldn't sleep that night.

One rainy day at the end of February, Skeeter reported that Nott Sr. had been promoted to General and dispatched to Zürich, where the battle continued to rage.

She grew hardened to the lies of the Prophet and the news of war. Her fear for Draco's safety, and the safety of her friends, was a constant burden in her gut, but she was helpless. So she began Occluding daily for at least two hours and buried herself in her research.

One evening on her way back from the library, there were raised voices in the entry hall: one male and one female. Hermione stopped cold, and for a split second she considered turning around. But her control snapped at the sound of a familiar cadence. She crept forward quickly, pressing herself against the wall adjacent to the stairs.

"—a few days. No more—"

"For what purpose? Surely…" Narcissa's voice faded in and out. "...something Bella can handle?"

"The Dark Lord was resolute," the male voice replied. "I must lead the investigation in Austria."

Lucius was here.

"Surely Draco can go with you—" Narcissa's heels clicked across the marble.

"I've already tried." His voice was crisp and clear, as if he meant it to travel past the stairs. "The Dark Lord insisted he stay. Your sister spoke with him first."

Hermione held her breath and shifted quickly out of sight, slipping behind the staircase.

Narcissa muttered something scathing that made Lucius sigh. "Cissa, you mustn't—"

"You'll go back soon, won't you? You'll be there with him?" Her voice shook as it echoed through the walls.

"I'll do my best. I told Ted and your sister to inform me immediately if they're planning a significant counterattack."

Narcissa scoffed. "As if you can trust either of them."

"I have no choice." A long pause. "He's made it this far, Cissa. He's stronger than you give him credit for—"

"He's a boy. A boy you're leaving alone with a pack of wolves."

She heard Narcissa pacing.

"I need to go," said Lucius, his voice low and regretful. "I just wanted to assure you we are both safe at present, and…" Narcissa's heels paused on the marble. "But I need to go. I've already stayed too long."

She heard the fireplace roar to life.

"Lucius!" Narcissa's voice bounced across the beams and banisters, as lost and helpless as a child.

Hermione looked around the staircase before she could stop herself. Narcissa's arms were flung around his shoulders, her lips hungry and desperate against his. Floo powder dripped from his fingers as he crushed her lithe body to him.

Hermione pulled back with a silent gasp. Her own parents were in love, she knew. But Hermione couldn't be certain that Henry and Jean Granger had ever clung to each other like this.

It was over quickly. Hermione peeked around the stairs just in time to see Lucius pushing his wife back and tossing the powder into the flames. Narcissa's fingertips pressed against her lips, her arm wrapping around her middle.

"Be safe," she whispered.

His lips pulled in the semblance of a smirk. "Alright. Just because you asked."

He stepped through, and the flames took him away. Narcissa stared at the fireplace for a long moment.

Hermione sank back into the shadows, not wanting to disturb her.

A few days. No more.

Draco would be alone in Zürich with Bellatrix, and Nott Sr., and countless other monsters. And his mother was scared for him.

She went back to her room for the night and drank a dose and a half of Dreamless Sleep potion, slipping between the sheets without touching her dinner.

The next two days passed without any news. Narcissa joined her for breakfast, but she was skittish and distracted. Hermione continued her research in an Occluded haze, making little progress. But on the third morning, she woke up to a breakfast tray and copy of the Daily Prophet announcing:

VICTORY IN SWITZERLAND!

by Rita Skeeter

The Great Order is victorious at last against the rebel mercenaries in Zürich! After months of skirmishes in Basel, Geneva, Bern, and Zürich, the Dark Lord's army has beaten back the French and Swiss insurgents once and for all, thanks to the ingenuity of General Theodore Nott and the dedicated work of the countless other officials and soldiers.

Last night's decisive blow illustrates the magical might of the Great Order and those closest to the Dark Lord. Developed in recent months by General Nott, a novel magical weapon was released on the frontlines last night, first to defeat the rebel forces in Zürich, and then dispatched immediately to Bern and Geneva. By dawn, the insurgents had fled, leaving Switzerland in the hands of its rightful owners.

Former Swiss Minister Vogel and his cabinet — who refused to pledge support to the Great Order — have been captured in Geneva, and are currently being held in the Swiss Ministry in Zürich. Check back for the evening edition of the Prophet for more information.

Hermione's fingers were shaking. What deadly weapon had Nott Sr. created, and how many had it killed?

Was Draco safe? Who else did Hermione know fighting on the front lines yesterday? Were Bill and Fleur still alive?

Pop!

Hermione jumped, spinning to see Mippy blinking up at her.

"Mippy has paper for Miss. Mistress is not well, so Mippy brings paper for Miss!"

Hermione rubbed a palm over her thundering chest and reached for the New York Ghost. "Thank you, Mippy. Do you… Is there any word on Draco? Or Mr. Malfoy?"

"Mippy is not knowing, Miss," said Mippy, twirling her ear.

Hermione nodded numbly and let the elf pop away. She shook open the Ghost and gasped.

A THOUSAND DEAD IN ZÜRICH AND COUNTING

by Gertie Gumley

Yesterday at dusk, a poisonous gas swept through the streets of Zürich, killing over one thousand French and Swiss soldiers. Although most No-Majs have fled to neighboring Italy or Germany, some are suspected among the casualties, along with Swiss witches and wizards who did not hear or heed orders to stay inside.

According to an eye witness, the gas is resistant to the Bubble-Head Charm and kills on contact. It was created by a member of Lord Voldemort's inner circle and looks to be the newest Mass Death Magic used in the Great Order's attempts to claim Europe.

The Ghost received word that the Death Eaters released the gas upon Zürich around 5 p.m. last night, allowing it to move indiscriminately through the city, killing True Order soldiers on the frontlines and any exposed civilians. Patronus warnings were received in Basel, Bern, and Geneva, where the majority of the rebels retreated just before the gas was unleashed. The Death Eaters used an unknown protective charm to move through each city unharmed, picking off fighters who had not yet evacuated or been reached by the gas.

Just weeks ago, the No-Maj Federal Council of Switzerland declared a State of Emergency, citing terrorism similar to that in Edinburgh, Scotland, and ordered the mass evacuation of No-Maj citizens. The Ghost has received word that two members of that Council showed signs of resisting the Imperius Curse. They are now being held by the Death Eaters, along with Swiss Minister Vogel and the Magical Council Members who survived the attack.

With the retreat of the rebel forces in Switzerland, Lord Voldemort's Great Order now has complete control of every one of France's bordering countries. France remains the stronghold of the anti-Voldemort coalition, referring to themselves as the "True Order." When informed of their defeat in Switzerland, coupled with news of Voldermort's new Mass Death Magic, M.A.C.U.S.A. President Harrison was quoted as saying that he was "looking into the situation."

Hermione sat in her chair as the paper slipped from her fingers. Her legs felt leaden and numb.

Over a thousand dead in one day.

Her anxiety bubbled to the surface, and the bookshelves in her mind shivered. New images flitted through her mind. Bill and Fleur collapsing with countless others, their faces swollen and blue. Had Draco been there with the other Death Eaters, prowling the clouded streets? Or had someone from the "True Order" gotten to him first?

Her chest seized and her fingers clenched. She closed her eyes and imagined a lake with still waters until she could breathe freely again. After an hour of meditating, she went to the library and buried herself in her books until nightfall.

The next morning, there was no paper under her coffee cup. She wandered down to the dining room and found it empty. Narcissa's study was empty.

She called for Mippy, and the elf appeared immediately.

"Was there no Prophet today? Or the Ghost?"

Mippy shifted from foot to foot. "Mistress tells Mippy to take papers away." Her bright emerald eyes couldn't meet Hermione's.

Her heart thumped in her chest. Something had happened.

"Can I please have them?" Hermione asked with a thin voice.

Mippy wrung her hands. "Mistress says… it's better not to..."

"Then can you take me to her? I understand if you've been forbidden, but I need to know what happened."

Mippy played with her apron. "Mistress is needing to be left alone, Miss. Mippy hasn't been forbidden from giving the paper." And with a flick of her small wrist, the Prophet appeared in her waxy fingers.

Hermione took the pages and thanked her. She turned away quickly, distracted by the picture of Draco on the cover, standing beside the new puppet Minister. His eyes were empty.

EXECUTIONS IN ZÜRICH: DARK LORD WELCOMES SWITZERLAND TO GREAT ORDER

by Rita Skeeter

In the wake of the Great Order's defeat of the French rebels in Switzerland, the Dark Lord appeared in Zürich last night to accept Minister Egger's pledge of support. General Lucius Malfoy joined him, having returned from Austria in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The Prophet has learned that the executions of ex-Minister Vogel and two of his cabinet were carried out by General Draco Malfoy shortly after Switzerland was retaken. In a statement to The Prophet, General Bellatrix Lestrange was quoted…

The paper fell limp at her fingertips. She felt ice in her throat, slicing her neck on every breath.

Perhaps there had been a mistake. Perhaps Bellatrix had cast the curses instead. Rita was notoriously misinformed…

She scanned the rest of the article. His name wasn't mentioned again.

She sat in the library, staring out the window for the rest of the day, in a haze of confused grief. Narcissa's reaction indicated that Skeeter had been telling the truth. She wasn't sure what she'd expected. Draco had been sent to the battle lines to fight for Voldemort. Did she really think his hands would remain clean?

But there was a stain on her heart, black as ink, festering deeper and deeper with each passing hour. He'd killed three innocent people. She could only hope it had been the first time. But he'd likely be expected to kill again.

There was a quiet but unshakable certainty in her chest that he hadn't wanted to. That he would have avoided it if he could. But the simple fact was that he had been the one to hold the wand and cast the spell.

Try as she might, knowing it didn't make her care for him any less.

~*~

The next few days came with sporadic sightings of Narcissa — a dinner here, a breakfast there. Neither of them mentioned the executions.

She sang a quiet birthday song to Ron when the day came around, hoping that wherever he was, he wasn't in too much pain. The thought made her cry herself to sleep, and she had to spend all next morning Occluding to shed the pain of it.

On the first Tuesday in March, Hermione excused herself from another solemn breakfast to the library for the rest of the day. Once she was settled, she realized she'd left one of the journals on her bedside table. Heaving herself out of the comfortable chair, she trudged back through the library doors. She passed the line of marble busts of each Malfoy man, and stopped dead when she turned the corner to the entry hall.

There, next to the fireplaces, Draco was draped over his mother's shoulders in an embrace as she squeezed his waist in a vice. A valise and his coat on the floor next to him.

Hermione stared like they were a mirage in the desert that would vanish if she got too close. Her ribs felt glued together, her lungs unable to work.

Draco was home.

She took one step toward the unmoving couple just as Draco sucked in a tight breath, and a sob rattled out, into his mother's neck. Narcissa held him close to her with a soft hum.

Hermione paused, going very still.

"Breathe, Draco," Narcissa murmured.

Hermione pulled back silently, quickly pressing herself around the corner.

Her eyes stung as she heard him catching his breath with shaking gasps. She wanted to comfort him—

"I'll have the elves unpack," Narcissa said. "She's in the library."

"No." Draco's voice was sharp but wet with tears. "I don't want to see her."

Her skin froze, the cold seeping inward, like a Dementor hovered over her. She stared with unfocused eyes at a marble bust of Armand Malfoy, thinking of I've missed you kissed against her ear — remembering the way Lucius had come home last week just to kiss his wife.

"Alright. Bathe and change. Have you eaten? I can—"

"Lunch. Please." She heard him move toward the staircase. "I'll come find you shortly."

She listened to the sound of his heavy boots against the marble all the way up the stairs. Once they faded, Narcissa let out a sharp, ragged sigh. After a long moment, her heels began clicking in the direction of the kitchens.

Hermione wasn't sure how long she stood there before she returned to her body. Slowly, she walked back to the library, passing the marble men who all seemed to hiss, I don't want to see her.

~*~

It was five in the evening when the doors to the library finally opened. She was lost in the stacks, thumbing through a text on rare potions when she heard the hinges creak. Her head snapped up, and she reshelved the book before winding through the shelves.

He was staring down at her research table, turning a page in her notebook. He seemed taller, his profile stronger. His hair had grown just a bit — one more half-inch and it would curl at his neck.

"I see you're still here, with both arms attached." His voice was flat as he turned another page. "So you're still hard at work, I take it?"

She swallowed at the sound of his voice. Familiar, but distant.

He wanted to skip the hello. There would be no embrace, no kiss by the fireplace, no I've missed you. Just back to business as usual.

She stepped down from the landing, keeping her distance as she approached the table. She'd imagined him returning home a thousand times. But none of the scenarios in her head had played out like this.

"It's good to see you, too, Draco."

Silence.

"Yes, I've made a lot of progress, actually." Her throat felt raw. "I was… I was hoping to share it with you."

He turned to her, his gaze landing on her for the first time since New Year's. Since before that. He gave her the smallest of nods.

"But before we get to that, I—" She cleared her throat. "I wanted you to know that I'm glad you're home safely. That you're not injured, I mean."

He didn't flinch.

"And if you want to talk about it, I—"

"I don't."

The word was clipped. Final. Her stomach sank.

But then his eyes flickered, and he quickly looked away. His hand shook almost imperceptibly as he turned another page, avoiding her gaze. She watched him, wondering what he'd been through all those months. What he must be feeling now.

Her heart clenched.

She'd meet him halfway, if that was what he needed. She could wait for him to be one to close the distance between them.

Taking a shaky breath, she moved to her notes. "Then let's talk about the tattoos."

She spent the next half hour filling him in on her progress over the last four months. She told him about her failed experiment. About her chat with Pansy. She told him about the blood magic and the tattoo potion — how she was stuck trying to figure out what kind of potion Nott had used. Draco said nothing, but he listened attentively. He hummed at the right parts and furrowed his brows at the mysteries.

"Pansy said they signed for her in blood, but I wanted to make sure you went through the same process." She looked up at him from her notes. He was watching her closely. "Did you have to sign in blood as well?"

He nodded. "Yes."

"Was there anything special about the parchment or the quill used? Did you cut yourself for the ink?"

"No." He slipped his hands in his pockets. "The quill was charmed to sign in the holder's blood."

"And when Dolohov's ownership transferred to you," she said, and he shifted. "Was there anything different that happened?"

"No. Same process. I signed the parchment in blood, and the transfer was complete."

His voice was clipped, his jaw tight.

We had a binding agreement, Antonin, she remembered him saying. She chose to drop it for now.

She stared down at her notes, willing some logic to jump out at her.

"Mother tells me you've been reading the papers."

Her fingers stilled. "Yes. Every morning."

The room was quiet.

"Then you read about the executions, I take it?"

She turned to face him. He stared down at the table, eyes glazed. The muscle below his left eye twitched.

She swallowed. "Yes."

She watched his ribs expand slowly. "Skeeter was misinformed. There were only two. The Undersecretary was forced to watch and then taken prisoner." His lips pressed together. "And for what little it's worth, those were the only—" His throat caught on the words, and he fell silent.

"You were in a war-torn country for four months," she said softly. "I hadn't expected you to return a saint—"

He barked out a laugh. "A saint. Was that what I was before, Granger?" His tone was scathing. It set her teeth on edge.

"Listen. I don't like the thought of you killing. Of course it makes me s—upset. But you had no choice." She didn't know what to do with her hands. Her fingers curled and trembled.

"I had to torture them first," he said, as if she hadn't spoken.

She took a deep breath. "Of course. Your aunt was watching, so—"

"No." His voice was cold. "I had to torture them first. My first two attempts at the Killing Curse failed." He ran a sharp hand through his hair. "But after Crucio, it became a bit easier."

Her skin shivered, and she failed to hide it. The black stain sinking into her heart burrowed deeper. He pressed on.

"Bella said it was time for me to prove myself. Said the Dark Lord was anxious to hear about my 'progress.' She wouldn't let me pass it off to her. I tried, but there were others—"

The words vanished, unsaid. His eyes were empty and pale.

She stepped forward, and reached for his pale knuckles on the table. "I know it's not my place, but I… I forgive you, Draco. You should forgive yourself."

He flinched, snatching his arm back. She watched his fingers stretch like he'd been burned.

"No, you don't." He stepped away from her. "That's why they're called Unforgivables, Granger."

"If you hadn't done it, you'd have been killed." She willed her voice to remain calm.

"I watched them cast the spell. The one that killed all those people." His voice was barely above a whisper. "Father advised against it, but Bella made the call when he was gone. I saw them do it, and I did nothing."

Her lips opened in slow horror, but he was already walking away, crossing to the doors.

He paused as he pushed them open. "I'll think on that potion bit," he said over his shoulder.

Her chest felt heavy as lead as she listened to the doors click closed.

~*~

The next day he found her in the library just before noon. His face was unreadable as he approached, and she stood like a statue until he stopped in front of her and dropped a book on her research table.

"Perhaps this helps."

She ran her fingers over the cover. An old dark magic book. "What is it?"

"It's a replica of a book in Ted Nott's private potions laboratory."

She stared at it, hardly daring to believe. Her eyes snapped up to him. "Theo gave this to you?"

Draco shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. "I took the opportunity to drop in on Theo and Oliver this morning. Theo hadn't heard about a potion either, but Oliver confirmed he'd drank one. So he went looking."

Hermione's mouth fell open. "But won't his father find out?"

"Ted is still in Zürich celebrating his success. Apparently he's been too drunk to keep track of his privacy charms lately."

Blood rushed in her ears as she flipped through the pages, finding Nott Sr.'s notes in the margins. "Oh my God. This is— brilliant. This is incredible, Draco."

She turned an exhilarated smile on him, her chest heaving in excitement. Something familiar flashed in his eyes. And then her heart stopped as he pulled up a chair across from her like no time had passed and asked to see her notes on the potion. Her pulse thrummed with the promise that he would help her again. That maybe things might return to normal.

While she dove into Nott Sr.'s book, Draco read over her theories and notes. Hermione tried to focus on his logic and problem-solving. Did her best to ignore her traitorous mind when it floated up soft memories of his hands and his lips.

They worked together for two weeks, passing books back and forth like they used to, drinking their tea and coffee in the mornings and rereading yesterday's notes. She hesitated to ask about Edinburgh, but she was itching to go back. She hadn't been since the end of October, and it was the second week of March now. She'd read in the Prophet that the celebrations had been muted, but she still turned cold at the thought of what she might have missed.

One morning she cleared her throat and turned to him before her second cup of coffee. "Would you assume that the tattoo has the same properties when we are at Edinburgh?"

He lifted his head out of his notes and considered her. "I'd say so. I need to take you over the boundary when we enter and exit."

She huffed, crossing her arms in frustration. "That's just the problem, isn't it?"

His mouth opened. "Sorry?"

"I've been working under the theory that the tattoo's boundary at the Manor had to do with the boundary of the property itself. Seeing as the Manor is something you own by birth, the blood boundary is already in effect. It's the only thing that makes sense. But Edinburgh is not a property you own."

He scratched his forehead, trying to follow. "Alright…"

"What I mean to say is, the Manor is tied to you by blood already. So it would make sense that the tattoo could work in tandem with that blood magic." She brushed back a stray curl impatiently. "But then why would it work similarly at Edinburgh."

She dropped her head into her hands, rubbing her temples. She heard the snap of a book closing.

"Because I spilled blood at Edinburgh. We all did."

Her head jerked up to him. He was staring at her with intense eyes.

"You what?"

"At the first ceremony," he said. "About a week after the Auction. When Edinburgh was opened to us, the Death Eaters had a celebration. Just us." His words poured quickly from his lips. "We were to enhance the wards on the castle by spilling blood and casting protection charms. The Dark Lord made it very clear that Edinburgh belonged to his loyal followers. It was our castle—"

"So then it follows," Hermione picked up, jumping out of her chair, "that the deed of Edinburgh—"

"—is in the name of every Death Eater who's ritually spilled their own blood there."

"Where do initiation ceremonies take place for new Death Eaters—?"

"At Edinburgh. With blood."

She slammed her book down on the table, punctuating the end of their thoughts. She was breathing hard with the joy of solving a riddle, and even though it was less than half the battle, she felt like she'd unlocked a chamber in her own mind.

"There is no separate barrier created. The 'barrier' represents the estate line. That's one less significant problem to worry about." She grinned, and her stomach fluttered as he smiled back at her. She could kiss him, if he'd accept it.

Pop!

"Master Draco!"

Hermione jumped. Mippy stood at her knee.

"Master Draco has guests!"

Draco frowned at the elf. "What guests?"

"Guests is coming to the library now!"

Hermione jumped, grabbing Nott Sr.'s book and her notes as Draco waved his wand to close the open books. She turned to ask Mippy to Apparate her upstairs just when the library doors flung open.

Hermione went still as Narcissa led in two people she had never seen before. "Draco, dear," said Narcissa, her eyes polite but strained. "Look who's paid a call to see us."

Hermione pressed herself back against the stacks, shoving the book and her notes between two larger texts.

She blinked at the two guests: an older gentleman with sparse facial hair, and a young woman, several years their senior. She had the brightest teeth Hermione had ever seen.

"Draco, you remember Professor Viktorov."

Draco stepped forward at his mother's prompt, shaking the man's hand. "Sir, it's a pleasure. It's been far too long."

But Hermione's eyes caught on the girl — long silky hair, a slender figure, and kind honey-brown eyes that were locked on hers.

Tearing her eyes away, Hermione looked down at the floor.

"And you remember Katya," said Professor Viktorov, his voice a deep hum.

She couldn't resist glancing up at them as Draco and Katya offered polite greetings and kissed each other on the cheek. Narcissa cleared her throat and reiterated what a pleasant surprise it was to see them both.

"I truly, truly thought I'd written!" said Katya, smiling at Narcissa. She turned to Draco with a ringing laugh. "Your mother was quite shocked to see us stepping out of the Floo!" She lacked her father's heavy Bulgarian accent.

Narcissa brushed her off gracefully, blaming the war for lost correspondence. Hermione longed for a secret door she could slip out of, but she was trapped. She could only stand and pretend to be invisible.

"This must be your girl, then?" Professor Viktorov said, and Hermione had the good sense not to move. His voice was surprised when he said, "You let her near the books?"

There was a stilted pause before Draco said, "She's reshelving. I give her mundane tasks to keep her from bothering me."

They hummed in agreement and continued exchanging pleasantries. At one point, Katya put her hand on Draco's arm and expressed her concern for him while he was in Switzerland.

Hermione glanced up at them again. The professor's daughter, the Puceys had said at New Year's — as if Katya was someone people were aware of in relation to the Malfoy family. Mrs. Pucey had mistaken her for Katya, as if it would be normal for her to stand so close to Narcissa and Lucius.

Her stomach turned. Was he expected to court her?

"Draco, I was hoping to see you at Edinburgh!" Katya brushed her long chestnut hair over her shoulder. "I've been for two weeks now, and I was disappointed you didn't come. Though, of course, I know how exhausted you must be."

Draco cleared his throat. "I must admit, I can't imagine you at Edinburgh, Katya. It can be rather uncouth."

Narcissa snorted, then quickly brushed her hair behind her ear, as if she hadn't made a sound at all.

A smile flickered across Katya's face. She leaned into him and stage-whispered, "I stick to the Burgundy Room." She winked. "But you'll come this Friday? I find it quite elegant if you keep to the more conventional spaces."

Katya's eyes flickered over to her, and Hermione quickly looked away.

"Of course. I'll be there this Friday." Draco returned her smile, but his eyes were tight.

"Lovely," said Narcissa. "Now, shall we sit for tea?" The group nodded, and Narcissa began leading them out of the library. Draco spun back to Hermione when he was halfway to the doors.

"Finish here, and then straight to your room."

She nodded at the floor. The library doors closed, and Hermione was left alone with a churning stomach and questions she didn't dare to voice aloud.

~*~

A deep purple slip arrived in her closet on Friday afternoon. She did her hair and makeup like Pansy had instructed, and slipped into her dress, collar, and shoes. Her nerves were alight with excitement to see Charlotte and Cho again, but also with dread. It was odd to be returning to Edinburgh after so many months. To be leered at and salivated over again. She meditated all morning, clearing her mind so that she would be focused and prepared.

Draco didn't speak of Katya again. It wasn't until they were walking down the drive to the Manor gates that Hermione asked, "How do you know Katya?"

He was silent for twelve footsteps. "It's complicated."

She hummed, filing it away to bring up again at another time. He gripped her tattooed arm, took her over the threshold, and Disapparated them.

Edinburgh was bright under the moon, and even from the cobblestones she could hear the castle alive with people. They passed through the archways, up the side stairs, and into the courtyard. Charlotte greeted them with champagne, and her eyes lingered on Hermione before glancing away.

As they entered the Great Hall, Hermione was almost blown back by the noise. It was as if the normal crowd had doubled. Death Eaters all celebrating their win against the French and the Swiss and foreign officials who were now pledging support.

She barely had a second to register which familiar faces were in attendance before Draco tugged her up the stairs to dinner.

The boys jumped up to greet Draco, some of them saluting him as "General Draco Malfoy." Adrian Pucey shook up a bottle of champagne and sprayed it over the room when they entered.

The boys were in rare form tonight — drunk off other men's success.

Once she was settled in Draco's lap, Flint called out, "Draco, guess who's been here the past two weeks, looking for you?" At the silence, he winked and added, "Katya Viktor."

Goyle sat up straight, almost knocking Susan off his lap. "The model?"

Hermione tensed, nearly rolling her eyes. Of course she was a model. Giuliana Bravieri stared at her across the table, and she forced her muscles to relax.

Draco sipped his Firewhisky as Flint continued, "Been very interested on when Draco Malfoy would be back."

The boys jeered and ribbed him.

"She's supposed to be back tonight," said Draco nonchalantly.

"Got some balls showing up at Edinburgh," said Warrington. "I wish the girl I was courting had a pair."

"Well, if you need to take a walk in the moonlight together," Pucey called out, "you know we'd be more than happy to look after Miss Granger for you."

Draco sent him a sharp glare as the boys laughed.

"Speaking of Bulgarians," Theo said, "Viktor Krum is back tonight. I saw him walking around."

Draco went still beneath her, and Hermione had to remember how to breathe.

"He was staring a hole through every brunette who walked in the room," said Theo, as Pucey jeered. "Think he may be up for another chance at betting tonight."

Draco was muted all throughout dinner. Afterward, they settled in the Lounge, and Hermione's heart beat rapidly as she tried to scan the room without drawing attention to herself. She noticed the absence of Cho, but her eyes were peeled for Viktor. She thought she saw him when Charlotte dropped a champagne glass with a loud shatter, but when the broad-shouldered man at the gambling table turned to glare at her, it wasn't him.

Flint and Pucey were especially raucous tonight, each drinking straight from the bottle and grabbing the backsides of every Carrow Girl that passed.

It was after midnight when a faraway boom shook the walls and rattled the glasses, like the cannon going off. Hermione breath hitched as she stared down at Draco's Firewhisky, watching it sway. Pucey turned to the group in confusion and said, "There's a One O'Clock Gun tonight?"

She stiffened, her spine tingling with dread. Draco's hand came up to her elbow, rubbing a small circle on her arm.

"I didn't think so," Flint said, standing to peer towards the courtyard.

The sounds of a girl screaming ricocheted off the walls. Hermione's eyes shot open as her head jerked, searching for the source. Draco quickly placed her on her feet and stood. She craned her neck and saw someone on the ground twenty feet away, the girl next to them screeching.

The walls shook again, and just as Hermione ruled out earthquakes, a crack! came from behind her, followed by a wet, gasping sound. She twisted around, and Draco yanked her waist to him.

A Carrow Girl lay on the ground, beginning to scream. Her arm was separated from her body at the shoulder, laying a few feet away. Her leg was twisted at an odd angle.

Splinched.

Hermione clapped a hand to her mouth as the girl cried out, blood spurting from her arm. Hermione stumbled toward her, thinking of Dittany and healing spells—

Draco dragged her back. "We need to go—"

Shouting from the other side of the room.

A burst of spells in the air.

And just before she could make sense of it all, Edinburgh Castle shivered with magic, the floor shifting beneath her feet and the windows shattering as two— three— ten people popped into existence in the Lounge.

She stepped back with wide eyes and a thundering heart, stumbling into Draco's chest when she locked eyes with George Weasley across a room full of Death Eaters.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 29

Chapter Notes

BUCKLE UP. Much love to raven_maiden and SaintDionysus for PERFECTING this with me. (You're free to disagree of course. meh.)

Take a look at this absolutely gorgeous sketch NikitaJobson did of Draco's homecoming in chapter 28.

This chapter is massive as you can see. I'm going to need one more week between chapters to catch up on some Real Life projects I've been neglecting. Next update will be June 21, but this cliffhanger is not nearly as bad as the last few.

Just a note: A lot of people got tripped up on this, so I thought I'd address it. Ted Tonks is dead, per canon. Lucius was referring to Ted Nott in the previous chapter, and Narcissa's "sister" is Bellatrix - both of them were in Switzerland.

CONTENT WARNING: Gore, violence, and death.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Yellow light burst in front of her eyes, blinding her.

A spell zipped by her ear like a bullet, and the floor rattled below her feet. She ducked, her arms coming up over her ears, and then she was being dragged by an arm around her waist — slipping in her heels.

She jerked her head to where she'd just seen George, but there was no flash of orange hair.

"Granger!"

A hand on her shoulder shoved her into the wall, and she gasped as the couch behind her exploded in a spray of fluff and velvet.

Draco crouched, yanking her down next to him. His wand extended, his shoulders broadened in front of her. The castle trembled. The screaming pierced her eardrums, and her eyes flitted wildly.

The girl who'd been Splinched lay unmoving on the other side of the couches, trampled by heavy Death Eater boots.

Her mind reeled at a breakneck pace.

The Order was here. The True Order.

They were trying to take the girls out — and failing. Because of the tattoos.

Draco shot a Stunning Spell from his wand. She grabbed his wrist.

"Don't Stun them! They'll be taken prisoner—!"

"What, then?" he hissed. "Tickling Jinxes?"

Across the room, her eyes caught on a tall woman with tight braids and black combat clothes surveying the dead Carrow Girl. When the woman stood, Hermione saw she had no left arm.

Angelina Johnson.

She brought her fingers to her lips and whistled, setting Hermione's teeth on edge. Her voice was rough as she bellowed, "Plan B!"

The room seemed to reignite with curses as Angelina slashed her wand through the air, marking the Carrow Girl with a black "X." Adrian Pucey snuck around the couch just behind her, his wand drawn, holding Mortensen as a shield against his chest. Hermione gasped as Angelina whipped around and hit him squarely between the eyes with a Killing Curse. Before his body had hit the ground, she'd grabbed Mortensen's arm, sliced it off at the elbow, and summoned a button from her pocket.

Mortensen's screams abruptly halted as they disappeared in a spray of blood.

Hermione's chest seized as the wall behind her vibrated. Draco yanked her several meters away, crouching behind an overturned table as the room swelled with screams.

Portkeys.

Somehow, they'd made Portkeys that could penetrate the wards. And since Mortensen wasn't lying on the ground, Splinched… the Lots could escape without their arms.

Draco grabbed her knee and pointed his wand at her heels, transfiguring them into flats. His eyes were wide and frenzied as they flickered around the chaos. "We have to get to a fireplace."

He cast a basic Protection Charm around them, and they darted through the tattered furniture and splintered end tables, sprinting across the open spaces toward the side of the room with the booths. The smell of blood and smoke was thick in her nostrils, and she searched the room for George, but there were too many bodies — running, dying, screaming curses.

The back of a True Order fighter with grey-streaked hair burst into existence just feet in front of them and they stopped dead, stumbling to take cover behind a drink trolley. He hauled a Carrow Girl up from the floor, ignoring her screams as he raised his wand to slice her arm.

"Not ze silver collars!"

Hermione's head whipped around at the voice, and her eyes popped when she saw Fleur Delacour in dark combat clothes, her hair shorn to her ears — pulling a man from a private booth and slicing his neck as his Carrow Girl shrieked.

A sharp tug had her shrinking low again, holding her breath.

"We must find ze Carrows!"

She saw the older fighter drop the Carrow Girl and turn his wand swiftly on Bletchley as he ran for it. The curse skidded across his shoulder blades, and he dropped with a howl. The older man didn't bother finishing him off. He just moved forward, casting hexes and Killing Curses.

Draco dragged her up, pushing her to her feet to run. A buzzing filled her ears, growing louder and louder as they dodged curses and jumped over bodies. Gold collared girls scattered, sprinting for the exits as the soldiers moved in on guests and Death Eaters, killing indiscriminately.

They turned a corner and passed Marcus Flint on the ground, coughing a spray of blood as Penelope pressed her hands to his chest, her eyes wild and begging for help. Hermione could do nothing but blink at her as they ran by.

Her eyes scanned for clean exits, her throat tight with panic as Draco yanked her down the row of booths.

She needed to get him to a fireplace. And she had to go back to find George and Angelina and Fleur. As soon as they got her out, she could explain about the Malfoys. They could go to the Manor and grab her research and smuggle them out, take them all to France—

But there was no time to explain when people were casting Killing Curses at him. She had to get him out.

Rounding the final booth, they froze in their tracks to find a pile of people trampling each other, screaming and stepping over dead bodies — all fighting to get through a blocked Floo. Hermione watched someone throw the powder and cry out for their residence only to be shoved back by another, the flames orange and unresponsive.

Hermione looked to the long corridor to the left that led to the Great Hall, and tugged Draco's arm as she watched two men sprint down it. There was a fireplace there. They raced forward, legs burning, but froze as both men promptly dropped dead across the threshold in a blur of green light. The True Order was lying in wait.

Hermione stumbled backward, her eyes flicking over the room. They were too exposed. She grabbed his arm and dragged him along the back wall of gambling tables, towards the closed doors of the corridor leading to the Burgundy Room. There was a fireplace there.

They were ten feet from the doors when they burst open. Draco turned into her, shoving her back against the wall and angling himself in front of her.

Dolohov and Yaxley stood one second in the doorway to take in the chaos before moving swiftly into offense, engaging a pair of True Order fighters.

Mulciber was close behind. Entering the Lounge with Cho, he looked around at the smoke and spells, the bloody bodies. He pulled his wand, his eyes wide, unsure where to start.

Hermione opened her lips to call out to Cho, to tell her to run with them. But a smile broke on her lips, splitting her face wide and filling her eyes with fire. Her gaze flitted around her, and Hermione saw the moment her eyes landed on an ornamental shield with crossed swords on the wall next to her.

She stared back in shock as Draco tugged her forward, shooting a Stunning Spell somewhere in front of them. Another spell spun from the back corner and she yanked them to the right, watching it just miss Draco's ear as he stumbled.

Cho dodged a curse sailing by, reaching up with nimble fingers and tugging at the coat of arms until a thick sword slid free from its decorative housing with a slice. A yelp escaped Hermione's lips as Cho hauled back and dug the sword through the middle of Mulciber's back. He gurgled a shout, crumpling to the ground.

Draco pulled her down the corridor, and Hermione whipped over her shoulder to watch Cho yank the sword from Mulciber's body with her heeled foot as leverage, before swinging heavily and lodging the old sword into his neck with a scream.

They flew into a small sitting room, and Draco clutched her to his chest as he summoned the Floo powder. He threw the powder in the fireplace and called out for the Manor.

The fire didn't burst. No green flames.

"Shit!" In the blink of an eye, he was seizing her by the elbow and taking her back out the door.

"Wait—!"

An orange light whizzed by Draco's ear, and Hermione screamed before she could stop herself. Someone in dark, scrappy clothes was firing at them.

Draco fought back with non-verbal jinxes, and the attacker fell back.

Stars bloomed behind her eyelids, her mind dizzy and spinning. She had to get him out.

He dragged her down a dark corridor, and through a series of twists and turns. They searched for fireplaces and found three burning in empty rooms, glasses full and cigars still smoking. All blocked.

Hermione's panic grew with every corner they turned. The True Order wouldn't hurt her. But Draco was running on borrowed time.

Another turn. She held her breath, praying the path would end soon — until he turned them into a dead end. And then another.

He was lost.

She tugged him to stop, her chest tight. "The walls are weakest at the windows. If the wards have been penetrated—"

"Get down." He turned abruptly, pointing his wand at a high window on the wall closest to them and yelling, "Bombarda Maxima!"

She ducked into his chest as the rubble flew in different directions. His grip on her loosened, and when she opened her eyes there was moonlight on her feet.

Draco pulled her over the stone pieces and paused, quickly surveying their surroundings. A grassy little hill on the west side of the castle. To their left were the craggy rocks on the cliff face. There was screaming to the right, jets of red light and purple smoke.

Hermione gulped in lungfuls of fresh air, the chill of the spring wind chilling the sweat on her skin.

They crept through the grass, their lungs panting heavily as they ran down the hill. Draco swung back to look behind them every four steps, like clockwork.

As they approached a sharp turn into the courtyard that housed the cannons, Draco slowly rounded the stone wall, jerking his head around the corner before proceeding. Hermione had a momentary flash of him in Switzerland, creeping through the bloody ruins.

Her chest was heavy as she watched him clear the next wall, darting his head around the corner and gesturing her forward. Whereas Ron would blunder headfirst and trust her or Harry to cover him, and Harry would consider two possible outcomes instead of the million more likely ones, Draco was swift and overly cautious, precise and planned.

He'd come back to her as a soldier.

Suddenly he was pressing her back into the shadows, tugging her low and crouching over her. She peered under his arm. Two bodies darted by, running up the hill.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of their hiding place, turning the corner through the gate. A boom shook the ground beneath her feet, and Hermione spun back to look at Edinburgh Castle just as the clocktower fell, crumbling sideways and exploding onto the cobblestones below.

"Malfoy!" a voice called.

She slammed into Draco as he stopped cold, throwing his arm behind him and tucking her back.

It was Warrington, running down the lane adjacent to them. "Ditch your girl! If they see one with you, they'll kill on sight!" He darted past them down the hill, heading for the main gates.

A jet of green light illuminated the darkness — he stumbled, and his lifeless body rolled down the stones. Hermione gasped, her head whipping up to the top of the gate where the Killing Curse had come from. There were distant shadows against the moonlight.

Heavy footsteps hurried from behind them, and Draco tugged them back against the stones again. Two men Hermione didn't recognize raced by, and just as quickly, two bolts of green light shot out from the turret, and the men collapsed.

Draco squeezed her hand numb, breathing harshly.

"We'll never make it out this way," Hermione wheezed. "We have no idea how many of them—"

A Killing Curse whizzed by Draco's elbow, blasting the stones behind her.

"It's Malfoy! I found him!"

Her heart lurched as she grabbed Draco's ducking head, shielding him.

"Tell George! He's out here—"

The voice cut off with a strangled scream, quickly drowned out by a wet snarl.

Draco wrangled free, and they gaped up at the turret just as a wiry animal lunged over it, scattering the sharpshooters over the other side as it landed hard on the stones.

The air was thick and putrid with rotting blood.

The werewolves.

The screaming turned into garbled gasping as the creature latched onto one of the sharpshooter's throats, ripping into the flesh. Draco clasped his hand over Hermione's mouth, holding them still. She blinked up at the sky, her eyes wide in terror. It was a full moon.

Another werewolf joined the other, sniffing at the dead bodies in the pathway. It slunk closer to the turret and Hermione trembled, squeezing her eyes closed. Then the air erupted. Spells and curses flew from all directions. The creatures howled and turned their snarling jowls toward the new attackers.

Draco scrambled to his feet and yanked her upright by the wrist. "We need to get back inside. There has to be a fucking fireplace." He dragged her in a sharp turn and suddenly they were racing up the steep staircase they climbed every Friday night, leading them back to the castle.

Her legs pumped as she sprinted up the stairs behind him, hurrying while they were still open targets. They passed the mangled and torn body of a True Order member — one the werewolves had already gotten to. They ran past fresh destruction to open a small door. A piercing howl came from behind her as he dragged her in, slamming the door behind her.

She struggled to breathe as her eyes adjusted to the dark. Draco cast a Lumos and she jumped, stumbling backward. Dead bodies. Five of them. Their blood sprayed up the wall onto the royal portraits.

The room hummed with Dark Magic.

Draco stepped over one of them to the fireplace. He summoned the Floo powder and tried to ignite the flames. Nothing.

He held out his hand for her. She extended her shaking fingers, stepping over a man whose eyes were open, and taking his hand. His palm was cold and wet as he tugged her around the perimeter and out of the room.

They tried four other side rooms. Two had fireplaces, but they didn't work. They found four Carrow Girls in the fifth room, shuddering and crying in a corner. Draco quickly dragged her away before she could think how to help.

They turned into a dining room, slightly smaller than the one the Slytherin boys used upstairs. A thick body lay on the floor, blood pooling around his head.

Goyle.

Draco stumbled, losing his footing as he blinked at his old classmate.

Hermione heard a whimper from behind the sideboard. She peered around the table and found Susan Bones clutching a broken champagne glass in one hand, and a steak knife in the other — both dripping with Goyle's blood. Hermione jumped as her wild eyes shot up, locking on hers. Susan pulled her knees to her chest, rocking, closing her eyes and murmuring words Hermione couldn't hear.

Draco seized Hermione's hand, and before she could beg him to help her, they were stumbling out of the room and turning down a familiar narrow corridor just outside of the Great Hall.

The groan of injured bodies rumbled toward them, and Draco pressed flat against the wall, edging slowly through the doorway. He peered around the threshold, sucked a breath, and tugged her through.

Splashes of red crested high on the walls. Bodies everywhere, like mounds of boulders hidden beneath grass, and not a single one moved. The room itself seemed to bleed.

Hermione blinked, focusing only on the pressure of Draco's hand as he dragged her through the chaos. He clenched his jaw, his gaze steeled and empty as they wove through the dead. They walked between the severed halves of a man's torso and Hermione nearly heaved, swallowing back her bile. Another man was missing a head and a leg — a clean slice for each.

An untouched platter of champagne glasses on a lone side table, the bubbles still rising. A platter of cheese and fruit on another, the grapes plump and violently red.

The grand fireplace at the other end of the Great Hall glittered at them, a pile of bodies crumpled around it. Draco tried the Floo regardless. Blocked.

He spun back to her, his eyes flying over the room. "Maybe one of the other sides of the castle is unprotected. Maybe we can pass the Apparition line on the west and—"

A shadow behind him shifted. Her eyes popped as a suit of armor propelled forward. She shoved him to the right and jumped to her left as it bisected them, but before she could blink, Cho Chang was emerging from her hiding spot, swinging the sword at Draco's chest.

"No!"

Her veins crackled as she cried out, and Cho stumbled as if she'd been shoved by an invisible hand. Hermione stared down at her vibrating fingertips, mouth open. Draco skidded backwards, narrowly avoiding the blade, and drew his wand.

"Don't!" she screamed as Cho's blood-splattered arms hefted the sword up, her teeth grit in fierce strength.

Draco ducked her blow, spinning to cast a Disarming Charm. The sword flew from Cho's hands just as the doors to the Lounge burst open. The room roared to life — girls in short dresses and heels screaming and tripping over the bodies. Death Eaters trampling them to get through.

Hermione clambered over the wide chest of the overturned suit of armor and watched as Rabastan grabbed Draco by the scruff of his collar and screamed, "This way, Draco!"

"Get off!" Draco struggled, strangled by his own collar as he was dragged back the way they came. She started after them, but Cho grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her against the wall just as a large, hairy creature bounded in through the doors.

Hermione's blood froze. One of the werewolves was inside the castle.

Through the mass of the running hoard, she saw Draco rip free of Rabastan's grip and spin to find a werewolf blocking his path. The terror on his face tore through her heart. He was swept with the current as the beast prowled forward, dragged away from her by Rabastan and the frightened crowd.

A noise shattered down a different corridor to the right, and the werewolf darted after it, freeing Hermione's path. She shoved Cho aside and raced after Draco, but she'd barely made it three steps when a second werewolf crept into the Great Hall. She froze, hardly daring to breathe.

The wolf stared her down and snapped its jaws, dripping with blood and saliva.

It prowled closer, sniffing the air as its paws slipped across the bloodied tiles. Horror spiked through her chest.

Cho grabbed the sword with a clatter and seized her hand, tugging her backwards through the Lounge. Hermione didn't look back as they ran, her legs pumping as fast as her heart as the wolf raced after them, its snarling growing louder in her ears. Her magic hummed violently. She could feel it radiating from her skin as she whipped her head behind and raised her arm, shoving the energy through her fingertips with everything she had.

Then it started. The corridor began crumbling in their wake, dragging down ancient stone and artifacts and burying the wolf's howls.

They burst into the Lounge, empty except for the dead and their separated body parts. Several feminine arms lay ownerless, blood seeping into the carpets. Cho sprinted with her, darting through the chaos. Her hand was slick with blood and sweat.

Adrenaline was still surging through her veins, but her mind was returning to her. She needed to get back to Draco. She had to get him out—

She dug her heels in as Cho took her through the doorway that led to the long corridor with the Burgundy Room at the end.

Cho pulled harder, tugging her into an unused dining room and slamming the door behind them.

"We have to go back—"

"They'll come again," Cho said breathlessly. "They'll come back for you."

"We have to—" Hermione broke off, trying to make sense of her. "What?"

"You just need to stay in one place. The Order will find you."

"Why?" She staggered, her muscles protesting. "Why are they here for me?"

Cho paced around the room, searching for weapons. "You're the closest thing we have to Harry. If anyone knows Voldemort's weaknesses, it's you."

She reached for the glass vase on the table and smashed it against the wall. Hermione flinched backward as the shards flew, and when she looked back at Cho, she was retrieving the largest piece and handing it to her.

"Take this," Cho said. "When the Order finds you, go with them."

She hobbled for the door, and Hermione saw that there was a chunk taken out of her shoulder and an odd bend to her right knee.

"Where are you going?"

She turned to Hermione, and there was a gash running down her temple that she hadn't noticed before.

"I'm going to go kill Malfoy. If I'm successful, I'll leave his body in plain sight so the Order knows it's safe to take you out."

Hermione felt her legs sway. Her blood went still in her veins. Her mind swam through the reasons she could give to stop her.

"Malfoy doesn't have to be dead. It's just cutting off the arm. I've been studying the tattoos, and—"

"Studying them?" Cho's brows drew together. "Hermione, Angelina escaped by killing Macnair and cutting off her arm. They won't take any chances."

Cho turned to the door.

"You can't go out alone." Hermione's voice shook. "The Death Eaters — Cho, the werewolves. They're out of control—"

"I can take care of myself."

Cho's voice was cold.

Hermione looked at her — really looked at her. Her dress was drenched in blood. Her face speckled in it. Her sword dripping a fresh burgundy.

She felt a chill race down her spine.

"You should wait here with me." Hermione's voice croaked. "The Order can find us both and get us out."

Cho blinked at her. "That's not my mission, Hermione."

A splinter of wood from several doors away. Hermione jumped. The rumble of voices.

"Get under the table." Cho flipped her sword over her wrist, taking a defensive stance.

"We should both hide—"

"Get under the table," she hissed, the sound dark and coiling. Cho's eyes were black and intent.

The room next to theirs was forcibly entered, the door blasted open. Hermione listened to the wood bounce against the adjoining wall.

She looked down to the shard of glass cutting into her shaking palm. It wasn't a sword, but it was good enough for Susan Bones. She ducked and pulled the tablecloth to cover her just as the door to their room was kicked open.

The clang of the sword hitting the stone wall with Cho's first swing—

"The bitch is here!"

— Cho's grunts and the sizzling jets of magic —

"Expelliarmus," from a second voice.

Hermione froze as the sword thumped down heavy, several feet from the other side of the tablecloth. She could see its shadow. She slid closer on her belly, fingers stretching, concentrating on summoning it to her—

"You little cunt," Dolohov growled, and Hermione felt the magic die from her fingertips. Her blood curded in her veins, the hand reaching for the sword snapping to her side. "Almost took a chunk out of my face earlier."

"I watched her kill Mulciber," the other voice said. "Like she knew exactly what to do."

Dolohov's heavy boots thumped as he moved around the table. Hermione turned her head and followed the shadow of him, terror slicing her insides with each step. The tablecloth was just a sliver high enough that she could see Cho's feet hovering in the air, magically pinned against the stone wall.

Her legs scrambled as he got closer.

"You like playing with swords, love? How about we play a bit with that sword. I've got a couple of ideas about where to put it."

The sound of Cho spitting. The crack of Dolohov's knuckles across her face. Hermione reached out her fingers desperately, struggling to breathe. The sword began rattling softly—

"Take her," he ordered the other Death Eater. "We'll have a Legilimens take a look before we have our fun."

The heavy handle dragged across the wood.

"What's she got in her mouth?"

The sword froze. Her stomach twisted violently as the sound of choking filled the air, before being drowned out by the stumble of boots and harsh curses.

And then Cho Chang's body dropped in a tangle of limbs. Her eyes were open and staring vacantly at Hermione. White foam dripped from her mouth.

Every inch of her shook. The pill.

"Fucking bitch—" Dolohov chucked a chair across the room, and Hermione flinched as it collided with the wall, splintering. Several sharp breaths, and the kick of another chair. "We need to find Charlotte. The whores are in on it."

She listened to him stomp out of the room, calling for the other Death Eater to follow.

The door shut behind them.

Hermione lay curled under the table, her lungs seizing as she stared at Cho Chang's lifeless eyes.

There was an expression on her face. A smirk behind the foam. Like she'd beaten Harry to the Snitch finally.

That's not my mission, Hermione.

Her mind flickered through the pain, wondering what her mission was.

Hermione swallowed, and pushed herself to sit. Her body was cold and shaking. Her bones felt brittle.

The door blasted open again in the room next to hers, the wood bouncing off the adjoining wall.

She dragged herself from under the table, standing on unsteady legs and pushing down the bile in her throat.

Staring down the door, Hermione grabbed the fallen sword, gritting her jaw as she tested its weight between her hands.

Her chest was numb, her face wet. She heaved the sword up and waited for the door to open.

The door blasted off his hinges, and before the smoke had cleared, Draco was in the room, wand drawn, scratches down his face and cutting open his robes.

A cry ripped from her throat, her body sagging in relief. The sword fell from her hands as she flew into his arms, clutching his face, his shoulders.

"Are you alright?" His voice shook as he held her to him, his touch as frantic as hers.

"Were you bitten?"

"Just banged up." He pushed her hair back as he tilted her jaw, searching for bruises or cuts. "You're fine?"

"Draco, we have to get you out — we have to" — her words tripped over her tongue — "They think the only way to extract me is to kill you, so we have to go — we have to find a way—"

"I've checked every fireplace on the way here. Let's keep going."

She nodded and bit back a sob at seeing him alive, curling her fingers in the torn material of his shirt. He took her wrists and kissed her knuckles, just as he had before leaving for Switzerland.

He glanced over her shoulder and his gaze flickered. "What happened to Chang?"

"She took her suicide pill." Her shoulders trembled. "She — she knew they were coming tonight."

He brushed a tear from her cheek that she didn't know was there, and took her hand in his before glancing out the doorway in both directions.

They ran down the corridor, and her shoes sounded too loud as they slapped against stones. She counted her heartbeats until they rounded the corner, darting past the entrance to the Burgundy Room after a pause. Her pulse quickened at the sounds of yelling in the distance. The vibrations of small explosions through her feet.

The new corridor was a Muggle hall of portraits, long and narrow.

A pair of doors to their right banged open, and a man flew through just in front of them, slamming into the opposite wall with a sickening crack. Jets of light and spells lit up the open room in a blaze of smoke and color. Screaming pierced her ears. They raced past the doorway, leaving its occupants to their battles.

From down the corridor, a repetitive screaming met her ears, like someone had wound an alarm too tightly. A girl was crying out.

"Get off! Get off me!"

Hermione's chest seized, and she squeezed Draco's hand. They had to help her.

He looked down at her, and she swore he almost rolled his eyes before he tipped his head in a nod.

They turned a corner, following the screaming, and found Blaise dragging Giuliana Bravieri's thrashing body into an alcove. Her pale slip was stained dark red, her hair matted with thick blood.

"LET ME GO! LET ME GO BACK!"

Blaise caught her around her middle and hefted her up, one arm holding her shoulders to him. He caught sight of them and his eyes widened.

"Draco! Thank Merlin."

"What happened to her?" Draco's voice was low as he dragged Hermione over. Blaise jerked his head as a couple of men ran by, and clapped his hand over Pansy's mouth as she thrashed.

"Quiet the fuck down!" Blaise's face was pale as he struggled for his wand.

Draco cast a Silencing Charm with a quick flick of his wand, and Giuliana Bravieri's face reddened as she silently screamed.

"Where is she hurt?" Hermione whispered, tugging her elbow free. "She's bleeding out!"

"It's not her blood," Blaise said.

A chill raced down her spine. She turned to look into Pansy's feral eyes, finding the same fire she'd seen in Cho's just before she lodged a blade in Mulciber's back.

"Theo found a fireplace. The only one operating is in the dungeons. Back entrance, first room. That way." Blaise jerked his head in the other direction.

Draco glanced between them, his jaw tight. "Let's go then."

Pansy renewed her struggles, and Blaise twisted his wrist, casting a Stunning Spell on her. She went limp in his arms.

"She has to calm down first. No one can see her like this."

Draco stepped forward. "We can levitate her. I'll keep an eye out—"

Blaise shook his head. "They'll think she tried to run. I'll take care of it, but Draco — get out now." His eyes were as wild as Pansy's. His gaze shifted to Hermione. "They're looking for her. And you. I heard them."

Blood rushed in Hermione's ears. She grabbed Draco's elbow and tugged him in the direction Blaise had pointed. But he wouldn't budge.

He stared down at Blaise, waiting for something. Blaise nodded, and after a heartbeat, Draco turned with her and ran.

Twenty paces down the corridor, following a slick river of red, they found Pansy's father's body — a shattered champagne glass next to him. She could make out several places in his chest where he'd been punctured, the blood blossoming slowly.

She didn't even slow down.

They flew down the narrow and winding stairs. Every now and then he'd freeze, panting quietly as he listened for noises. Then they'd begin racing again, the ceiling so low Draco had to duck his head. The staircase finally poured them into a small chamber with just a few stools and a table. No fireplace. Draco strode to the open doorway, peering around the corner before pulling her inside. A fireplace burned low in the darkness. The room was empty, apart from handfuls of Floo powder scattered on the floor.

Draco ran to the jar on the mantle and tossed the powder. The fireplace roared to life. Hermione blinked, dazed. Draco was safe. She could get him out, but she had to stay. The Order needed her. She'd ask him to wait at the Manor and promise she'd come back for him.

He covered her tattoo with his hand and stepped toward the fireplace. Her feet dragged—

A shadow moved in the corner.

Draco jerked around, spinning in front of her as Viktor Krum emerged from the darkness, his wand trained on Draco.

Hermione gasped. Her legs moved without permission as she ducked under Draco's arm and stepped in front of him.

"Granger—!"

"Viktor, wait!"

Their voices drowned each other out, ricocheting off the walls. And then silence, apart from the popping of the fire.

Viktor took a step forward, his eyes flickering between them. "Herminny, I am come to save you."

"I know," she said quickly, her heart pounding. "Cho told me."

His chin dipped in a quick nod. Then his eyes slid to Draco again. "Get out of the vay."

"You don't have to kill him." Hermione stood tall, lifting her chin. "You just need to cut off my arm."

"You vill Splinch. Ve must be thorough."

"Viktor—"

"Move, Herminny."

"No!" Her voice rang out against the stones. Viktor blinked, as if seeing her for the first time. "Trust me. The Order is wrong. You won't have to kill him."

Something flitted across his face as he studied her. "Ve can try." He looked at Draco, brandishing his wand. "Release her, and I von't kill you."

Hermione's throat was dry. Draco was silent behind her, his wand extended and just visible from the corner of her eye.

She sucked in a breath, ready to rationalize with him. The Order was here for her, and he had to return to the Manor—

Draco's wand shook once, and lowered.

Viktor's brow furrowed.

The doors banged open. Draco grabbed Hermione around the waist, spinning her away from the blur of spells.

His grip loosened, and she writhed to find Yaxley and Rookwood in the room. Her heart jumped to her throat as Viktor raised his hands slowly in defense. Disarmed.

"Draco," said Yaxley coolly, staring at Viktor as he pocketed his wand. "I was wondering if you'd gotten out."

"It's over," Rookwood spat at Viktor. His forehead was crusted with blood. "All your little friends are gone."

Yaxley took a step forward, cocking his head. "We're going to paint the walls with your blood tonight, Krum."

Hermione's heart was in her throat as Viktor's eyes darted to hers, his lips parting. "Accio," he whispered.

A button shot up from his pocket and into his fingertips, and he was gone.

The wall exploded from Rookwood's killing curse.

"Fuck!"

The ground shook beneath Hermione's feet as he shot another, and another. She stumbled as Draco yanked her away from the eruption of debris.

"That's enough!"

The explosions stopped, and Hermione peered around Draco's elbow to see Rookwood crouched on his knees, breathing deep.

Yaxley dragged a hand down his face. "These fucking Portkeys."

Hermione's ears were ringing, her skin vibrating, trying to get her mind to catch up. Draco grabbed her arm and stepped forward.

"This is the only working fireplace in the castle," he said coldly.

Yaxley glared at Rookwood, who pushed off his knees and began vanishing the rock. He turned back to Draco. "Take your bitch home and come back immediately. We need to round up the werewolves, and then we have to interrogate them."

"The werewolves?"

"These fucking Carrow Girls. They know something, that's for sure. We're collecting them in the cells for a Legilimens. I've summoned your father from Switzerland."

"I'd wager Chang was the real conspirator," Draco said swiftly. "I saw her kill Mulciber and Parkinson, and I'm sure there were others. She's dead now."

Hermione hardly had a second for her blood to run cold before someone was coming through the hallway, dragging a girl behind them. It was Rabastan Lestrange. He had Charlotte by the hair. He paused in the doorway, taking them in.

Tears streaked Charlotte's face. "Please, I don't know anything, I swear it—"

Hermione swayed on her feet, the room spinning. Draco's hand tightened on her elbow.

Rabastan turned back to Charlotte with a sneer. "Think I'm stupid, do you? You have your hand in every jar, sweetheart."

"Put her in the second to last cell," said Yaxley. "She should be interrogated alone."

Charlotte's eyes were wild as she begged, scrabbling at Rabastan's arm as he dragged her away.

She didn't have her pill. Or else she'd already be dead.

Hermione stared at the floor to keep from fainting.

"Start in the east wing and go to the courtyard when you've finished searching," said Yaxley to Draco. "Tally the dead you come across."

He nodded, and Yaxley and Rookwood left, following Rabastan. The door shut behind them as Draco wrapped his fingers around her tattoo and called out, "Malfoy Manor," into the fire.

His room looked smaller. The walls were tighter, darker. The wallpaper seemed to mock her.

His hands were on her waist, her face, her shoulders, but she was too cold.

Something was clawing its way out of her throat, scratching with talons up from her belly—

She was shaking, vomiting. Heaving, curled over.

When she opened her eyes, all she could see was the horror on Charlotte's face.

If I get this to Charlotte, Ginny will know within a few weeks.

All I do is get whispers and notes to Charlotte. The rest is in her hands.

She knew too much. She knew everything. And even Cho, who couldn't possibly have access to as much information, knew she needed to die before being interrogated.

The things that Charlotte knew could lead the Death Eaters straight to the True Order — to Ginny. However she got her information out, whoever was working both sides for her.

Fiendfyre, Basilisk Venom, Sword of Gryffindor.

Charlotte had gotten the keys to killing Voldemort to Ginny.

She'd failed Harry and Ron again. The True Order would have to start from scratch, crippled and bleeding. If Charlotte's information got out—

There was a gasping sound from somewhere. A girl was sobbing.

Hermione could only see Cho's dead eyes, the mutilated bodies, and Susan Bones's bloody face.

A girl was sobbing.

Look at me.

Was it Charlotte?

"Look at me."

Hermione's mind bent over backwards and somersaulted down. She was sitting on the floor of Draco's bedroom, sobbing and gasping.

His hands were on her face.

"Look at me."

Her mouth tasted like burnt flesh.

Her eyes focused, her mind slowed.

A lake with still waters.

A boy brushed a curl away from her eyes. His shirt was torn with claw marks.

"What do you need?" he asked. "Tell me what you need, and I'll get it for you."

She blinked once, and found Draco holding her, his long fingers tracing her jaw.

"I need you to get Charlotte out," she whispered, her voice thick and raw.

He didn't move. He brushed a thumb through the tracks of her tears.

"I can't remove her. Her tattoo. The suspicion—"

"Obliviate her."

"There's no time to search her mind." He searched her eyes. "I'd have to destroy half her memories. They'd know her mind was tampered with."

A stone dropped in her chest. The room spun as she searched for an impossible solution, and then ground to a halt. "Then kill her."

She heard her own voice come as an echo, bouncing through time and space to join her on Draco's bedroom floor.

"Make it look like the same pill that killed Cho."

She felt the splinter of her soul crack off and drift away, as if she herself had been the one to cast the Killing Curse.

Draco's eyes flickered.

"She knows everything about the Order," she whispered. "And she knows about me. She knows I was passing notes to Ginny."

He blinked once, and stood. Moving to the fireplace, he called out for the dungeons at Edinburgh Castle, and she caught the hard set of his jaw before the green flames engulfed him and took him away.

She was alone. The clock on the mantle ticked.

Sitting, catching her breath, Hermione stared at his carpets and let her mind work its way back to her.

Kill one, save dozens. Hundreds, possibly. If Charlotte lived, her network would be obliterated like slicing strings on a marionette.

Dragging herself to her feet, she went to his bathroom to wash the stale taste out of her mouth.

She jumped at her reflection. Blood on her face that wasn't hers. Dust in her hair and streaks down her cheeks.

And her eyes were dull. Almost as dead as Cho's.

She rinsed with the mouthwash on the counter and wet a cloth. She washed the dirt and blood off her hands and face, watching it swirl down the drain in streaks of brownish red. Her arms and legs next.

She thought of George's eyes, intent on her. Cho's insistence that they'd come back for her. Viktor, his arm steady and mouth hard as he emerged from the shadows.

Whatever their aim was tonight, extracting her was part of it. She hadn't linked up with the True Order, but she'd gotten Draco out alive.

And then she'd sent him back there.

Hermione blinked at her reflection, her skin rubbed raw now.

What if there were more True Order members left at Edinburgh, looking for him?

What if he was caught killing Charlotte?

She gasped, her fractured voice bouncing around the marble tiles. Her Occlumency shelves trembled and tumbled down to the ground.

Charlotte was going to die. And perhaps she'd sent Draco to his doom as well.

She braced herself on the counter, forcing herself to breathe.

What if he didn't come back now? After they'd gone through hell together?

The room spun. The candles flickered. Her eyes slid closed, and she tried to focus on a lake hidden between mountains as her tears slipped to the tile.

A noise came from the bedroom. Her head jerked up, and she whipped around.

Draco was back—

She ran out, and found Lucius — his eyes wild and his hair falling out of its binding.

"Where is he."

Her breath rattled in her chest. "He's fine. He's alive—"

"Where is he," he hissed, stalking closer to her.

Her mouth opened and closed, words caught behind her teeth.

"They called him back to Edinburgh. He br-brought me back and then left—"

"He hasn't checked in."

"He just left. Maybe they just haven't seen him yet—"

Lucius Malfoy stepped into her, grabbed her by the jaw, and held her against the wall as he raised his wand and hissed, "Legilimens!"

A smooth knife sliced through her eyes. She panicked, shutting books and locking them away, but Lucius was vicious.

He swept through her library, slicing through the bookshelves and flipping through the pages of a shelf of books on Draco Malfoy.

She wasn't prepared. She hadn't centered herself or hidden anything away. He cut through her memories of the night—

Smoke and spells, the werewolves. Cho lifeless on the ground. Draco pulling her through the corridors, tucking her behind him.

He skated from Viktor to Charlotte's wild eyes to Draco clutching her face on the bedroom floor.

"She knows about me. She knows I was passing notes to Ginny."

"I can't remove her. Her tattoo. The suspicion—"

"Then kill her."

Draco sweeping to the fireplace.

She fought, trying to kick him out, trying to close Charlotte's book before he looked too close—

"Did you just send him into a trap?" His eyes blazed into her, his fingers gripping her so tightly she cried out.

"No!" Her heart thumped in its cage. "I would never—"

Snarling, he sliced through her mind again.

His grey eyes locked on hers as a waltz played — his hand lifting as they spun around each other.

Blinking through her lashes at the long, pale fingers gripping a quill across the room, taking careful notes.

Her mother's arms around her, laughing in the kitchen —  "His hair is so beautiful, Mum."

Ginny quirking her brow, sitting cross-legged on her bed at the Burrow — Christmas lights twinkling behind her head—

"Malfoy's looking fit lately, isn't he?"

Hermione's fingers trembling as she smeared ink across her schoolwork — "I—I hardly noticed."

Hermione shook as she tried to summon her energy, to push him out — and he sliced further inside.

At the Manor, laying on his pillow and burying her nose in his scent.

Rolling onto her toes, reaching up to kiss him as the pages of a Gainsworth manuscript crinkled in her fingers.

Then he was releasing her, his mind withdrawing from hers and his fingers disappearing from her chin.

She fell, sliding down the wall, her mind trying to repair itself.

"You stupid girl," he whispered.

She panted, righting herself and struggling to stand again.

"If you love him, stop trying to get him killed."

Her lip trembled violently. She bit down on it.

He loomed over her, pouring venom into her eyes. "If he dies tonight, I'll hand you off to Dolohov myself."

Sweeping back from her, he paced to the fireplace and called out for Edinburgh.

When she could breathe again, the air was cold and biting. Her lungs felt as if they'd frozen solid, unable to move.

That wasn't — she didn't—

He couldn't die.

Panic swelled in her chest. A sob tore from her throat as she pressed her forehead to her knees, trying to center herself. Deep breaths, one after another, Occluding.

She found her lake with still waters. The water was frozen, and there was snow on the trees.

Her books mended themselves slowly, their covers gluing back together and their pages pressing flat again.

The events of the evening took a volume for themselves. She folded in the pages of Cho Chang's lifeless body, her foamed lips curved in a smile. The werewolf that lunged at Draco, the crowd tearing them apart. Charlotte's terrified eyes as she pleaded with Rabastan. She bound them together and slipped the book onto a shelf until it disappeared, determined to lose it.

The pages of Ginny's book and Ron's book and Harry's book that had shook themselves free were once again sewn shut.

When she considered herself finished, she checked the clock on the mantle.

Half-past three in the morning.

Draco had been gone for almost an hour. If he didn't return—

She shut down those thoughts. She buried them.

She stood and moved around the room, working her tired legs and focusing on her breath. She was barefoot, tracing the outline of the room, placing one foot in front of the other and counting how many footsteps in circumference the bedroom was.

The fireplace blazed.

She spun from her position at the windows to find Draco stepping out into the bedroom, eyes searching for her. Her chest cracked in two as she ran to him.

A split second to catch the relief on his face before she tumbled into him, throwing her arms around his shoulders. Her eyelids fluttered as he held her, drinking in the steady thud of his heartbeat. The warmth of his skin.

He was alive.

"It's done." His voice rumbled into her chest.

She flinched, remembering. He'd killed for her. He'd risked his own life to take another. Her stomach twisted in guilt.

"Did anyone see you."

He shook his head. "They were distracted by rounding up the werewolves."

Hermione licked her lips. "Your—your father knows. He came looking for you. I tried to stop him, but…"

"I know." Draco brushed a curl behind her ear. "He found me in the dungeons. We Obliviated the rest of the Carrow Girls."

Her eyes shot open. The Carrow Girls. She hadn't even thought about them—

"He…?"

"Yes." A long pause. "He's not happy with us."

She took a shuddering breath. "Draco, I'm—" Her voice broke. "I'm sorry I asked this of you. I wish there was another way, but they would have found all of us out—"

"Granger—"

"You're sure no one saw you?" Her grip tightened. "What did you do with the body?"

"There wasn't one." He pulled back and plucked a vial from his robes. She stared at the shimmering contents, her brows furrowed in confusion.

"Charlotte's memories. She gave them to me before I removed them."

Hermione's lips tried to form words. "She's not — you mean she's alive?"

Draco nodded. He turned and set the vial of memories on the mantle.

Her knees felt unsteady beneath her. "You kept them. You saved all her memories—"

"Just the ones of her work with the Order. She was able to bring them forward without magic." His throat bobbed as she stared at him. "I'm not sure if they can be returned. I'll work on finding a Pensieve, but for now, it's done."

He looked exhausted, but his eyes were focused. He smelled like blood and sweat.

She studied his scratches and blood-speckled arms, and he seemed to notice. He cast a quick Tergeo over himself and tossed his wand aside.

He was alive. He'd come home to her.

Her lip trembled.

She stepped into him, threading her fingers into the hair behind his ears. Watching his eyes darken as she pushed up on her toes, slanting her lips over his and pouring her desperation into him.

It felt like it had been years since they'd last kissed. Her veins sparked with each movement, her blood thrumming to life. She needed more.

His hands brushed softly on her waist as her lips grew more demanding, and she slung her arms over his shoulders, holding him tightly to her. She wouldn't let him go this time. Not without telling him—

He gasped into her mouth, and she pressed forward, tangling her tongue with his. A hand came up to hold her face steady as he took control of the kiss, and she moaned.

He was soft — delicate with her. She pushed her chest into his, begging him to be alive with her.

"More." Her fingers dug into his skin. Please."

He breathed across her face. "We should go slow—"

"I don't want to."

His eyes fluttered up to hers. A beautiful shade of grey — almost blue.

"Draco—" She swallowed, trying to tell him what it would have done to her — if he hadn't come home again. "I missed you, too."

And those eyes flickered. He brought his lips to hers again, and this time he conquered her, dragging her into the fire with him.

His fingers dug into her hair, the other hand slipping down for a handful of her backside. His tongue pushed firmly against hers, swallowing her small moans and mewls as he tilted her head just the way he wanted her.

His lips trailed over her jaw, teeth scraping and tongue laving. He kissed her just below her ear, and she listened to her breath pant loudly over the sound of the crackling fireplace.

He nipped her sensitive skin, and she gasped, pulling at his hair. The hand on her arse smoothed over her hip, tugging up the short dress and inching towards her core.

He ran his fingers over her knickers, and she sighed his name, rocking into his hand. He growled at her throat and swiftly picked her up, her legs crossing around his hips and her arms wrapped around his shoulders.

They stumbled backward as he returned to her mouth, kissing her dizzy. She felt like she was floating when he pulled back, whispering, "You'll tell me when to stop?"

She blinked out of her haze, and met his eyes. They were black. She nodded, and Draco set her down on the bed.

He tugged at her dress and it shivered off of her, her hair tumbling over her shoulders as he threw her dress across the room. Bending to kiss her while she sat on the edge, his hands took her cheeks, brushing his tongue over hers. A fire curled low in her belly, heating her skin and sizzling her veins.

His hands trailed down her neck, rounding her breasts with a slight squeeze through her bra. She shifted to sit up on her knees as she unclasped her bra, flinging it across the room and reaching for him.

She wouldn't let him slip through her grasp again.

Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, almost his height while she kneeled on the bed. Winding his arms around her waist, he held her tight to him and kissed her so fiercely she could hardly breathe.

His hands started wandering. And when both palms had a handful of her backside — kneading and inching her knickers to the side — she lolled her head back and let him kiss down her throat. One long finger stroked over her soaked entrance and she keened. His mouth trailed down and caught her breast between his lips as his fingers slipped slowly inside of her.

Her hands were on his shoulders, nails digging into his torn shirt, her eyes squeezed closed and her lips parted and panting. He hummed with her nipple in his mouth, and her toes curled.

"Draco…"

He released her breast and stood tall again, his fingers starting shallow movements inside of her as his mouth claimed hers. His free hand nudged her knees wider, and he slipped further inside of her.

She moaned as he kissed her, clutching him as he played her like an instrument. She felt herself growing wetter with each pull of his lips and drag of his palm over her side.

His hand came up to cover her breast, and she panted into his shoulder as his thumb brushed softly over her nipple.

"Feel good?"

She trembled at the vibration of his chest. The pulse of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips. She needed all of him.

"More…"

A sharp inhale of breath as he withdrew his finger and helped her slide her knickers down her thighs. She tried to kick them off the rest of the way, but his hand was already back at her core, slipping over her from the front this time. She whimpered and arched her chest into his hand, begging him to keep touching her.

Two fingers slid through her folds, dragging through the wetness and swirling up to her clit. He plucked her nipple with rough fingers and she gasped, dragging her nails over his chest.

Her eyes drifted open and caught on the shredded front of his shirt. Her fingers made quick work of the buttons. She kissed across his sternum, tracing her lips over the shallow scratch marks.

Dittany. He needed dittany or else he would scar.

He didn't need any more scars.

She opened her mouth to tell him, and he chose that moment to press down on her clit.

Her hips jumped, and she sighed into his chest. His other fingers tweaked her nipple, and she felt her thighs tremble.

She moved swiftly over the rest of his buttons, needing to see him — needing proof he was alive, that he wasn't going anywhere. Needing to make him burn as brightly as she was burning.

Her hands dropped to his belt, and a ragged exhale poured from his throat into her hair.

The hand on her breast lifted to her face, and he met her lips as he rubbed her clit. She moaned into his mouth, leaning into him and quickly unbuttoning his trousers. His tongue tangled with hers as her fingers dipped into his boxers and wrapped around him.

She pulled back, blinking down at him as she tried to remember what he taught her all those months ago. Her lips parted, and she held his gaze as she licked her palm and wrapped her fist around him again.

He moaned, his head dropping against her shoulder this time. Her fingers moved over him, trying to twist at the end like he'd shown her, repeating the motion when he hissed through his teeth.

"Fuck."

His hands lifted from her body and grabbed her under the arms. She flew through the air as he tossed her back on the mattress, her head landing on the pillows with a bounce. She curled up to her elbows as he kicked off his boots and his trousers, leaving his boxers on.

He paused at the edge of the bed. "You'll tell me when to stop?"

Don't stop.

She nodded.

He crawled up the mattress, dropping kisses on her skin — her calf, her knee, her thigh. His eyes skated up to her face as he hovered over her core. She bit her lip and shook her head.

"One day," he whispered as his fingers drifted through her folds, running up to her clit, "One day, I'll kiss you here until your legs shake."

Her nipples tightened and her teeth dug into her bottom lip.

She held her breath as he began rubbing her clit with long fingers, his face still focused between her thighs. Frowning, she tugged at his hair, but he stayed with her lower body. His free hand slid down her leg, encouraging her knee to bend open so he could watch his fingers work.

Her cheeks flamed. She could feel his breath ghosting across her sex as his palm rubbed her leg, coaxing her to relax.

"Draco…" She tried to reach for him again, but he nipped her inner thigh.

She pressed her hands to her face as he continued, his fingers working her clit slowly, his lips dipping to kiss the juncture of her hip.

She should make him stop. This wasn't— she didn't—

Then his fingers circled her entrance, and her mind blanked. She bit back a moan and her hips started moving of their own accord, chasing him.

She dropped her hands from her face, fisting them in the comforter as he started sucking on her thigh, marking her skin as his. She was dizzy with the pressure of it, losing herself with each tease of his fingers.

He lifted his head just as he began to press a finger inside of her, slow and steady. She strained her neck to look at him. He was going too slow—

"Dreamt of this," he breathed. "Watching you take me inside."

Her head fell back into the pillow, her toes curling and lips pressed together as she whined.

He withdrew, and pressed back in. "Didn't get to savor it last time."

Her thighs started to quiver. This was too much. He sounded like he could do this forever, but she was squirming, aching—

He seemed to read her, reaching up to rub her clit. She shifted her hips, arching her back and mewling nonsense to his canopy.

"That's it, Granger."

He pushed one of her legs open wider, and she shuddered at the stretch. She gasped when he kissed her just below her bellybutton.

"Just a little more," he hummed, and her eyes pinched closed

Her knees curled up to her chest as her pleasure spiraled closer. His finger slid deeper inside of her, dragging along her walls and increasing pace until it matched the jerking of her hips.

"Draco, please—"

A low curse as he pressed harder on her clit, rubbing tight circles. She thrashed, coiling in on herself, turning tighter and tighter—

The cord snapped, her eyes fluttering and fingers twisting in the sheets. She heard herself moan and whine as her hips struggled to continue, to keep him inside of her.

When the white light faded behind her eyelids, she opened her gaze to his canopy bed. The green curtains stared down at her as Draco continued to pump his finger slowly.

She tilted her head down and found him watching her face. She flushed.

He kissed her hipbone, his eyes dark as he withdrew his hands. He slithered up her body and pressed kisses to her breasts, collarbones, and cheeks.

She slid her hands over his back, digging her fingers into the muscles there. He buried his face into her neck, and her belly swooped when she felt his erection against her hip. The need for more bubbled through her, spreading like slow-burning fire.

"You must be exhausted." His voice was ragged, like he'd just come from a run.

She frowned at his canopy. She was wide awake.

She was alive. They both were.

"I'm not tired," she whispered. She wiggled beneath him, coaxing him to lift his hips. Her hands trailed down his stomach, and she felt him take a shuddering breath.

"Granger—"

She paused at his boxers, waiting. He sighed and jerked a nod into her shoulder, and she reached inside. She shifted her hips as she began stroking him, making space for him on top of her.

He breathed tightly into her neck. He wasn't being very helpful. She couldn't get a good handle on him, so to speak, and she could only move her wrist so far. But his hips jumped when she pumped him, and she felt him thrust into her hand when she stilled.

Hermione pushed against his shoulder with all her strength, flipping him on his back. She crawled over to sit astride him and watched his eyes flicker, his ribs expanding as he slid his hands on her hips.

"Learning new tricks?" he rasped.

"Maybe." She shifted until she managed to pull him out of his boxers. "Maybe I've been dreaming things, too."

Draco threw an arm over his eyes and pounded his other fist against the mattress.

She straddled his thighs as she fisted him, drawing her hand up and twisting at the top like he liked. Staring down at him, she wondered why he didn't use two fingers inside her.

Her thumb brushed over the top of him, and his muscles tensed.

She kept rubbing softly as she drank him in.

His pale skin was mottled with thick scars — some old, some new — his chest and stomach toned, rippling beneath her attention. He was stunning, and she needed him. If they didn't tonight, she might not have another chance.

Perhaps he'd be called away. Or Lucius would send her away. Maybe they'd be discovered and murdered in their beds before dawn.

But she could have this with him. At least once.

"Draco," she whispered.

His lips parted in a sigh as she squeezed and dragged her hand down over him again.

"Draco." Her heart beat wildly in its cage. "I'm ready."

His eyes blinked blearily open. "What?"

"For…everything."

She blushed.

"What?"

His cock twitched in her hand, and she jumped.

Her ears burned as she swallowed, gripping him tightly. "I want all of you."

He sat up on his elbows and took her hand off of him. "...What?"

She leaned forward and kissed him, her tongue sweeping sweetly into his mouth before she pulled away. "I'm ready. If you are."

His eyes were bottomless as he stared at her, his mouth open. His throat bobbed.

"Granger, you're not thinking straight—"

"I am," she breathed against his forehead. "I'm tired of waiting for you to come home."

His pupils were black as his eyes flickered between hers.

She held still. "Should I stop?"

An almost imperceptible shake of his head, and her stomach fluttered. She shifted her hips, positioning her core against him.

His eyes rolled back, and he dropped to the bed. "Oh, fuck."

After a few tries, she finally slotted him to her entrance. She watched Draco's stomach muscles tighten as he clawed his face, breathing heavily.

He was barely inside when he grabbed her hips and flipped her on her back, capturing her squeak with his lips.

He kissed her deeply as he pinned her beneath him, stealing her air. His free hand roved her body, teasing her until she gasped. He was so close, the tip of him pressing against her core.

But he didn't push forward. She opened her thighs and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Please," she whispered.

He shivered.

He kicked off his boxers, and Hermione felt her pulse flutter.

He placed a hand on her jaw and kissed her soundly, sliding between her legs. He was thick and warm against her core, but still he hesitated.

"I don't…" He swallowed, and brought his eyes up to meet hers. "I don't want to take anything else away from you."

Her blood was warm in her veins, tripping through her heart. Her eyes searched his as he started to shake with the effort to hold back. She felt something tight in her throat, some unvoiced words that had been lodged there for years, struggling to break out.

"I want it to be you," she said instead.

Draco seemed to grow dizzy with the words. He lowered his forehead to hers and gripped himself, circling her entrance.

She struggled to catch her breath as he pressed forward. She thought of the light in the jar on her bedside table, and how little it meant to her now, with Draco pushing his way inside of her.

Her hands scrambled to his shoulders as he stretched her open. Her knees locked to his sides, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.

She opened her mouth to tell him to stop — to try again — he'd done it wrong.

But his eyes were fluttering closed, his lips parted in silent pleasure. She focused on his breath as he panted over her, his elbows on either side of her head. And as the pinch faded to an ache inside of her, he released a low groan that sounded like a lifetime of agony fading from his soul.

His head dropped to her neck, and his hand slithered under her back to press her close to him as he withdrew and pressed back inside.

She stared up at his canopy, trying not to squirm at the pressure. So she focused on the way he moaned on every breath. The tension in her spine that lessened each time he eased himself back in.

So this… was sex.

She pressed her lips together as he tugged her closer to him, lying heavy on top of her.

It was alright, she supposed.

And Draco certainly seemed to like it.

His hips shifted, beginning to roll into hers faster.

Her eyes widened. That might… be nice.

He groaned into her ear, his face buried in her neck and hair. "Fuck…Oh, fuck."

Something curled deep in her belly, and she shifted.

He stilled with a heavy breath, and pulled back to look down on her. "Okay?" His voice was shaking, his face pink with exertion.

She nodded, mesmerized by the hair falling across his face. She ran her fingers through it and he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her deeply as he started to move again.

It was better now. She could focus on the way it felt for him to drag across her walls.

His mouth was heavy against hers as he pumped into her. She threaded her fingers in his hair and angled his head, taking control of the kiss. His lips pressed against hers, occasionally pausing, as if he forgot himself. His kisses grew sloppier the faster his hips moved.

He began groaning into her mouth, panting on every thrust.

He pulled back and looked down at her, his eyes skating over her breasts to watch them bounce with each roll of his hips. His breath was shallow, and he clenched his jaw.

She curled her leg higher, and he suddenly slid deeper. Hermione gasped and Draco cursed, squeezing his eyes closed. His arms shook as he tried to keep still where he was buried inside her.

"Oh god," she moaned, stretched between a precipice of pleasure and pain.

Draco lowered onto his elbow again, watching her carefully as his hand slid between them. The first touch of his fingers to her clit had her relaxing into the pillows.

"Yeah?"

She nodded, and Draco doubled his efforts, his fingers sliding between them to massage her.

His hips started moving again, and Hermione's mouth fell open, her toes curling.

"Too much?"

She shook her head. "More."

His eyes flickered over her, the black obscuring the grey. He thrust into her again, and her eyelids fluttered.

He sighed and began rolling his hips deeply, stretching her, making her feel there was no room left for him.

She watched his face as he watched hers, and she slid her hands down his chest, tracing his scars.

She wanted to kiss each one of them. Forever.

His eyes closed as his hips pumped faster. His fingers on her clit sped up, moving sloppily over her core.

Her muscles clenched as he began to fuck her in earnest, his mouth open in awe, like she held the answers to questions he'd been asking for years.

Her back arched, and her nails dug into his shoulders.

"Fuck—I can't—" His jaw tightened and his thrusts rocked her up the mattress. The bed rattled as he pounded into her body, using her deliciously.

She scratched down his back, clutching him close as he rubbed at her clit. Her thighs began to shake.

Then suddenly he was pulling her hands off of him, pinning her to the mattress, twisting their fingers together as his hips found purchase.

Her lips parted silently when he rocked into her again. She had been close to something, and now—

Now there was something else he was reaching inside of her.

"Oh my god." She shivered violently, moaning. "Oh god."

Her thighs were strained and her knees rocked up to her chest. Her arms struggled under his grip but he just held her more tightly, panting into her hair.

"Come on, Granger."

His cock was hitting something inside of her that made her liquefy. Her cunt clenched down on him, and he yelled out as he fucked her through something unyielding and otherworldly.

She shook in her skin, her spirit rattling inside its cage, begging for a forever that might intertwine with his. Her walls rippled around him, and her vision blurred as Draco's hips slammed to a halt, grunting and pulsing inside of her with groan.

She caught her breath, her chest slick with his sweat and hers. Her fingers were still intertwined with his in a tangle of clenched hands.

He lifted his head and stared down at her. His eyes were bright — grey and searching. He released her hands, and as she stretched her muscles, he brought his fingers to her jaw, examining her face for something. Regret, maybe.

Her eyes were clear as she stared back at him, letting him see through her. No Occlumency. No shelves. And she could see the same in him.

As he kissed her softly, it was like a new book had glided down from her shelves, the pages blank and leather fresh. The binding cracked open, the first page waiting to be written.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 30

Chapter Notes

I'm so overwhelmed at the positive response to chapter 29! Thanks so much to raven_maiden and SaintDionysus for their help.

And please give some love to these amazing fanworks based on last chapter by LadyKenz327, kissakj, BrilSainz, and bookloverdream-blessedindeed Hermione & Cho and Pansy. (If I've forgotten any, please don't hesitate to let me know.)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

A sharp gasp jarred her awake. Her eyes popped open into a pitch-black room.

Her bed felt unfamiliar, and there was a person next to her — moving.

Hermione jerked upright, twisting to find Draco's pale skin in the moonlight. He jumped out of bed, dragging his trousers back on.

"Go back to sleep, Granger."

Draco. Draco getting dressed.

Because he'd been naked next to her, in his bed.

Because—

A flash of light shot into the lamp at his bedside table. Blinking at the low flame, Hermione turned back to find him lacing his boots.

"What's wrong?"

"My Mark is burning. The Dark Lord just arrived in Edinburgh."

Her heart started pounding in her ears. "He wasn't there when you left?"

"No. He and my aunt were at an event in Switzerland." He stood and buckled his belt. "Yaxley insisted we clean up the mess before calling him."

Hermione's eyes searched for the clock. Nearly five. They'd only been asleep for maybe half an hour.

Her throat tightened with panic. Suddenly she remembered she was naked, the sheets pooling around her hips. She grabbed for them, tucking them under her arms, but it hardly seemed to matter.

Draco wasn't looking at her.

He summoned a clean shirt from his closet and magicked the buttons to close as he reached for his cloak.

"Sleep," he said softly. He was already at the fireplace and reaching for the powder when she started to climb out of bed.

"Draco—"

He yanked his hand back as if burned, spinning around to face her. "Go to your room."

His voice was low and cold, nothing like the moans or whispers from just an hour ago. She inhaled sharply—

"I don't know what I'm walking into," he said. "Your room is safer."

And then he flicked his wand, closing his Floo.

He turned on his heel and strode quickly to his door. She clutched the sheets close to her as she watched him leave, her heart lodged in her throat. He pulled the door open and paused, turning his head over his shoulder.

"This isn't how I wanted to wake up with you. I'll try to return straight away and maybe we can—"

He cut himself off, his jaw clenching and his eyes flickering into stone.

Hermione watched him shut off, rolling his shoulders and pressing his lips together. She wanted to run to him. To hold him to her and beg him not to go. But he had to go back. And she'd have to wait, counting the minutes until he came home.

"Go to your room," he repeated. "Please." And with a swish of his robes and the click of the door, he was gone.

Hermione stared at the door for five seconds before slipping from the sheets and looking for her clothes. She pulled on her underthings, grabbed her shoes, and plucked up her dress. She crept through the passage between their rooms, and as soon as she passed through, she tossed her dress into the empty fireplace to burn. When she spun around to face her own bed again, the previous night came crashing down on her.

"Feel good?"

The scars carved into his chest, painting a constellation across his skin.

The way his eyes fluttered closed when she wrapped her hand around him.

"One day, I'll kiss you here until your legs shake."

His face as he pushed inside of her for the first time—

Groaning in her ear—

The shiver of pleasure cresting over her as he rocked into her body.

Hermione stared at the bed she hadn't slept in last night. Because she was in another room, making love to Draco Malfoy.

She brought her fingers to her lips, remembering the way his breath had panted over her face, and wondered if she felt any different. She certainly felt sore — there was a twinge between her thighs and a few muscles in her legs had been deeply stretched — but there was something about the world now. Like a shimmer of magic had been cast over it, or perhaps disappeared.

Peeling off her bra and knickers, she stared down at herself. There was a dried layer of sweat on her skin — hers and Draco's. A streak of dirt on her thigh that she'd missed. Her mind was dizzy with exhaustion, but there was no way she'd be able to sleep with Draco gone.

She drew a bath, needing to ease her muscles and wash away what was left of Edinburgh. Sinking back into the lavender-scented bubbles, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander.

A girl screaming. Walls splattered with blood.

Hermione bolted upright, gasping. The smell of lavender mixed with the scent of blood and smoke until she was heaving and swallowing down bile.

She jerked to her feet and let the water drain from the tub, swirling away with her fantasies. The world hadn't stopped turning just because she'd slept with Draco Malfoy. Her friends' bodies were still cold.

She turned the tap on the right, and cold water pooled around her feet. She sunk into it, shivering and clutching her knees to her chest. By the time she was submerged, the smells and sounds had vanished. There was nothing but a lake nestled between icy mountains, the waters still and calm.

Her teeth chattered as she brought each piece of information forward to examine before tucking it back into a book and sending it to the back of the library in her mind. When her books were securely bound and her shelves tidied, she summoned the most recent book to the forefront of her mind — the one with Edinburgh, Cho, and Viktor.

She'd been right. Viktor was working with the True Order. And now his cover had been blown while trying to get her out. Both he and Cho were working with that mission in mind, and they'd failed. But she hoped the Order had other victories last night.

How many had been saved? How many had died trying to get her out?

Hermione stared at her knees. They'd been covered in blood earlier, but she wasn't sure whose. Grabbing a bar of soap, she scrubbed her legs over and over, trying to organize her thoughts.

The True Order had somehow developed Portkeys that allowed them to travel in and out of heavily-warded properties — an unheard of magic. As she'd learned on Thursday, Edinburgh was for all intents and purposes a personal property, sealed with blood magic by its "owners" — the Death Eaters who'd spilled blood there. If there was a way to enter blood-sealed properties, then why hadn't the True Order hadn't just Portkeyed into the Death Eaters' estates by now? There had to be a reason.

Plan B, Angelina had shouted.

Plan A had been to take the girls out by Portkey, their owners still alive and their arms still intact. But they'd failed — the Carrow Girls had Splinched. The True Order had attacked Edinburgh knowing that Plan B might be necessary.

Hermione was confident that the owner didn't need to die in order for the Lot to escape the property, but Cho and Viktor believed otherwise. Maybe the Order had reasoned that Edinburgh was their best chance of catching owners and Lots together if Plan A failed.

Her head was still spinning when she stepped out of the bath. Her fingers and toes were numb, and her blood felt like ice in her veins.

She felt a shiver of guilt as she wrapped herself in a fluffy robe, but she was no use to anyone with hypothermia. She exited the bathroom to find Draco bent over her desk, a quill in his hand. She froze.

"You're back." Relief washed over her in waves, warming her limbs.

"Just for ten minutes," he said, and she watched his eyes flick over her bare legs. "I didn't want to disturb you."

"What happened? Were they suspicious of you? Did they question Charlotte?"

"Not to my knowledge, no. Charlotte was interrogated by my aunt, who determined she had no useful information."

Hermione blinked, hardly daring to breathe. He was here, and he was safe. "What are you writing?"

"I'm making you a list. Because I know you'll ask me for one." He turned his eyes back to the parchment and continued writing.

Her brow furrowed. "A list?"

"Of the dead."

A jolt passed through her skin. Her heart squeezed, and she stepped toward him.

"George? George Weasley?"

"No." His hand continued the list with a flourish. It was lengthy.

"Fleur Delacour?"

"No."

"Angelina—?"

"Granger, just let me finish."

She stood there with panic sparking along her veins, compiling a list in her head of the other names that would ruin her if they appeared in his handwriting. She let him continue in silence until a sudden idea made her jump.

"Did Blaise and Pansy make it out?"

His quill paused, and he glanced up at her again. "Yes. I made sure of it when I went back for Charlotte." He studied her face. "I'm sorry, I would have told you last night if I'd known you were concerned."

She opened her mouth to insist that she wasn't concerned about Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini, but the loosening knot in her stomach said otherwise. She closed her mouth and nodded.

Draco finished his list two minutes later. The scroll was almost a foot long. He handed it off to her and stared at the floor, twirling the quill between his fingertips.

Hermione's fingers shook as she held the parchment. He hadn't buried the lead. At the top of the list was the name Katie Bell. Her vision blurred, but she tightened her jaw and continued.

Three Carrow Girls that had been Splinched in the Lounge, unnamed. Cho Chang. Mulciber, Mr. Parkinson, Warrington, Pucey, and Gregory Goyle. Nineteen Death Eaters and thirty-one guards — none of their names important enough to specify. Two Muggle groundskeepers. The Hungarian Minister.

Several dozen True Order members, and six werewolves — none of them named. Sixty-eight guests, their identities "to be determined." He'd scribbled at the bottom of the page, 172 dead.

She took a deep breath before she looked up at him. "Voldemort must be furious."

"He is." Draco's throat bobbed. "When I was excused, Yaxley was begging for his life."

Her eyes widened. "Did he torture you as well? Any of you could have called him—"

"No. It's the responsibility of the highest-ranking officer to call for the Dark Lord. Yaxley should have done it immediately." He set the quill down and leaned back on the desk. "The only reason he might be spared is that he and Dolohov got out Minister Cirillo, Minister Santos, and all other visitors in the Burgundy Room." He gestured to the list. "The Hungarian Minister was gambling in the Lounge at the time of the attack."

She nodded and scanned the list again.

"But who you won't find on that list might be more interesting."

Glancing back up at him, she held her breath. He slid his hands in his pockets, watching her closely.

"Susan Bones escaped with them. They only found her arm."

Relief settled over her. And then she frowned. She looked down at the list of dead again, searching.

Travers' name wasn't there.

"They must have thought she was Goyle's. You're sure she wasn't Splinched?"

"Positive. And Travers is still alive."

Her eyes snapped up to him. "I was right. The owner doesn't need to die for the Lots to escape. It's just the arm."

Draco nodded. "There's something else though. Angelina Johnson and George Weasley left the castle by way of the front gate. They were pursuing several Death Eaters." He paused, and her heartbeat quickened. "A witness claims that Angelina fell when she followed George over the estate line."

She blinked at him. "Fell."

"The guard said she 'dropped like a sack of flour.'" He swallowed, staring intently at her. "Apparently she was convulsing."

Hermione's ears were ringing. "But she—"

"Got out, yes. George saw what was happening and vanished with her by Portkey. But I thought you'd find that… interesting."

Her eyes flitted about the room, her mind working in overdrive. Angelina's tattooed arm had been removed. She shouldn't be affected by the estate lines any longer.

"Was she conscious?" She twisted her fingers in the tie of her robe. "Was it just a momentary shock, or was she still convulsing when—"

"I don't know, Granger," he said gently. "And to ask about it would be too suspicious."

She chewed on her lower lip. "Maybe there's some… trace of the tattoo still. Some latent effect of the potion."

"I thought the same. She was able to Portkey inside with no issue. It's only when she tried to leave that she collapsed."

"Yes." Hermione began pacing. "It couldn't have happened when she escaped from Macnair's, or she wouldn't have tried to cross Edinburgh's estate line."

Draco ran a hand through his hair. "Not necessarily. Maybe she just didn't think it would happen at Edinburgh."

"No. They wouldn't have risked it. Which means that the potion is still active and showing novel properties almost a year later." A chill ran down her spine. "There's no precedent for this magic. We have no idea what its long-term consequences are, or if"— she drew a sharp breath—"if Angelina is even still alive. We need an antidote." She paused to look up at him. "The potion needs to be counteracted."

He nodded, following her logic. Pushing off the desk, he scratched a hand over his jaw and stared down at the carpets. "There's one last thing. On my way out of the Manor this morning, I found the body of a house-elf on the other side of the gates. Not one of ours."

"A house-elf?" she frowned. "You didn't recognize him?"

He shook his head. "He was Splinched."

Her brows pulled together. She'd never even heard of a house-elf being Splinched before. "He was trying to Apparate in?"

He paused. "That's what I assume."

She opened her mouth to ask why, and it dawned on her.

Her.

The True Order had sent a house-elf to cut off her arm and escape with her. And for some reason, the wards didn't allow it.

"But Dobby—"

"The wards were fortified to bar non-familial elves after the events of last year." Draco's jaw tightened. "I know Father did something to ours. Nott Sr. helped other pureblood families."

She ran her fingers over her lips, thinking quickly. If they'd sent a house-elf, it had to be because they didn't think an Order member could safely enter the Manor using one of their new Portkeys. The Portkeys were only able to penetrate Edinburgh's wards.

She let her mind run for several minutes before looking back up at him. He was watching her, his eyes traveling the lines of her robe, tracing her wet curls. He looked dead on his feet, but his gaze was glued to her.

"Did they ask where you went last night?"

He blinked and shook his head. "Father told them that I was hit by an unknown curse, and that he had to send me home for treatment."

Nodding absently, she let her mind drift to what he'd actually been doing when he'd come home last night. Specifically, what he'd been doing to her.

A blush rose to her cheeks at the memory of his breath between her thighs — the slide of their bodies together, and the press of his face into her hair.

She bit her lip and glanced at him. His eyes were focused on the modest triangle of skin visible at her collarbones, where the robe closed. His gaze drifted upward, pausing on the lip pulled between her teeth.

She swallowed. "About last night…"

His eyes jerked to hers, wide and guilty. She opened her mouth to continue, but he was spinning on his heel and striding to the window.

"Don't worry, Granger." His voice was flat and distant. "It won't happen again."

Her chest tightened. "That's not what I—"

"There were a lot of... emotions involved. I should have had more self-control."

"Draco, I don't regret it."

She heard his breath catch across the room.

Last night, they hadn't known if they'd live to see the morning. But as he turned to face her, sunlight catching on his hair just as it used to in Fifth Year Transfiguration, she was certain she'd do it again. They might be running on borrowed time, but she'd take these moments with him while she still could. She'd take them, because without them her shelves might crumble and bury her in grief.

Something writhed inside of her, begging for him to release it again. She crossed the room and stepped into him, rising on her toes to press her mouth to his. His arms rose to her elbows — soft, tentative — as his lips parted for her. She brushed her tongue inside his mouth, and a small sound escaped from his throat.

Pulling away from him, she met his glassy gaze and reached for the tie on her robe. The moment the knot loosened, he pushed her back against the wall, kissing her deeply and running his hands over her stomach and hips. She sighed and threw her arms over his shoulders.

The quick slide of his palms over her body awoke every memory of last night, and her skin caught fire as his hands rounded her hips and dipped down to squeeze her backside. She gasped into his mouth, and he moved to kiss her neck. He pressed his hips forward, pinning her to the wall, and she could feel the outline of him, growing harder.

His hands slipped over her stomach as she dug her fingers into his hair, and when they settled on her breasts, he let his thumbs circle her tightly and press down on her aching nipples.

She sagged against the wall, the robe hanging off her shoulders as he sucked on her neck and played with her breasts. He rolled his hips against her stomach, and she moaned.

The door banged open, and they sprang apart. Hermione yelped and spun to face the wall, cinching her robe tight while Draco cursed.

"Lovely."

Her heart thumped wildly as she turned to find Lucius Malfoy scowling in her doorway. He swept into the room without waiting for permission and stood near her fireplace.

"Father."

"It's good to know that if I ever need to speak to one of you, I should check the opposite bedroom first." Lucius's hair and sneer were in place, but he looked exhausted. Deep purple shadows lined his eyes as he gestured for the two of them to sit in the armchairs before him.

Hermione glanced at Draco, who cleared his throat.

"Father—"

"Sit." The word was low and dangerous. "I'll only ask once."

Hermione tightened her robe again, her heart thumping wildly. She moved to the chair with her eyes turned toward the floor, and Draco silently did the same.

Lucius clasped his hands behind his back and stared down at them both. "So. You've been playing revolution, have you? Passing notes and playing games?" His voice trembled with anger.

Hermione said nothing, her gaze still trained on the carpets. Panic bubbled in her chest as his footsteps came closer.

Lucius paused in front of her knees, and Draco stiffened next to her. She could count her heartbeats as Lucius tilted her chin up to meet his eyes.

"What have you been up to, Miss Granger?"

The smooth knife prodded through her mind, slicing on empty air as Hermione tugged her bookshelf deep into the recesses of her mind. He pressed further, but she was ready for him now. She grunted and pushed his mind back.

There was a clatter of movement, and Hermione gasped as Lucius released her. When the spots in her vision cleared, she found Draco on his feet, and Lucius staring down at her.

Lucius sneered and turned to his son. "Sit down, Draco. I hardly touched her."

Draco obeyed, clenching his jaw.

"I see you're as obstinate and foolish as my son." Lucius's lip curled, his expression almost disappointed. "I'll make myself very clear, Miss Granger. Whatever you've been working on in my library stops today. You are not to set foot in there again. If you do, I'll know about it."

Her mind spun as her heart dropped in her chest. She needed those books—

"Father, you can't ban her from the library. She is my— mine, and she—"

"And the library is mine. As is every book inside of it. If a single book is touched, I will know." There was a long silence. "Besides," he said, turning to the shelves that Draco had restocked for her, "it seems she has plenty of books to entertain herself with — which I'm sure will be very useful, seeing as neither of you will be going anywhere for quite some time."

A chill crept down her spine. Draco sat very still next to her.

"Father—"

"Draco was hit by an unknown curse last night." He began strolling around the chairs, his hands behind his back. "Its effects are still unclear, but when he returned from Edinburgh this morning, he fell into a deep fever. We are taking every step to see that he is healthy for the next task the Dark Lord asks of him"—Lucius stepped around Hermione's chair, bringing him back into sight—"but according to the family Healer, he is in no state to be in the field right now."

Lucius returned to his position in front of the fireplace, challenging them with his gaze.

"You can't be serious." Draco's knuckles were white clutching at the armrest. "You can't ground me—"

"Think of it more as a holiday, Draco." Lucius smiled. "Edinburgh is closed indefinitely, and the Dark Lord will be monitoring his followers closely for the foreseeable future. And I trust you and Miss Granger have discovered a new indoor activity to keep you occupied for several weeks."

Hermione's jaw dropped in a silent gasp. She closed her eyes, wishing the armchair would swallow her whole.

Draco sputtered to her left. "We—Father!"

"I have neither the time nor interest in your excuses. As long as Miss Granger continues to take her Contraceptive Potions, I'm happy to have you fixated on anything other than committing treason."

Hermione covered her face — she could feel it burning beet red through her fingertips.

"Now if you'll excuse me," Lucius lilted, "I have to go speak to your mother. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to have you at home for the indefinite future."

Hermione listened as Lucius strode to the door, wrenched it open, and slammed it closed. The air in the room felt thick and heavy.

"Are you alright."

She nodded, still unable to speak.

"You… er—" Draco cleared his throat. "You've been taking potions? I haven't— I should have asked before, but—"

"Yes, no. No, it's covered. We're… yes." Her eyes flew open and she swiftly stood. "I need to… Um… yes."

She darted for her bathroom, sealing herself inside and leaning against the oak. After several calming breaths, she checked the cabinets above her sink, triple-checking that she'd taken her potion this month. And just as suspected, she was fine. Potion taken.

As the humiliation ebbed, she focused on the pressing matter: Lucius had barred her from the library. She was so close to breaking the tattoos. She could feel it. And now all her resources had been snatched away. Splashing cold water on her face, she tried to think of solutions.

She grimaced as another dilemma rose to the surface: what to do about Charlotte's memories. Draco had said the Malfoys didn't own a Pensieve, so they would have to go about finding one. And now he was forbidden from leaving the Manor.

After several more minutes of stalling, Hermione peeked out of the bathroom to find she was alone except for her morning coffee tray. She changed out of her robe, ignoring the memory of Draco's hands underneath it less than an hour ago, and into comfortable denims and a jumper.

When she found no Prophet on her tray, she ventured out of her room and down to the dining room. Narcissa sat in her chair, sipping her tea and turning pages in the paper. She looked up when Hermione entered.

"Hello, dear." She smiled tightly. "I'm glad that you're safe."

"Thank you," Hermione said, taking her chair. She wasn't sure what else to say, so she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"I received a message from Lucius in the middle of the night that the castle had been attacked, but that you and Draco had made it home. I've been extremely worried, but thought it was best to let you both rest." Narcissa paused, her expression soft. "Are you alright, Hermione?"

Hermione set her coffee down and forced a smile. "I'm fine. I'll be fine. I spent a few hours Occluding, which helped quite a bit." Hermione shifted in her seat. "But I was wondering about the paper—"

"Feel free." Narcissa waved flippantly at the newspaper. "Not that Skeeter had anything useful to say, unfortunately. Every detail Lucius gave me contradicted what she wrote."

Hermione nodded. "What did she say?"

"Small band of rebels, minimal losses, Swiss terrorists." Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Perhaps tomorrow the Ghost will have more information, but I think this is going to be kept tightly under wraps."

Hermione stared at the crinkled corner of the Prophet, thinking of Cho and Katie Bell and those who would get no obituary in their paper.

"Where is Lucius?"

"Gone again." Narcissa pressed her lips together. "As the best Legilimens in the Dark Lord's army, he and my sister have been sent to interrogate recent visitors at Edinburgh and search for possible collusion. They will be gone for some time." She paused before folding her napkin delicately. "But before he left, he made it clear to me that you are now expressly forbidden from entering our library."

Hermione swallowed and grabbed a scone from the serving plate. "I'm sorry, Narcissa. I'm sure he's told you all about it, but he's... not very happy with us."

"A tantrum," said Narcissa with a wave of her hand. "All Malfoy men are prone to them." She smiled, and after blinking at her, Hermione did the same. But there was a tightness around Narcissa's mouth as she picked up her teacup and brought the porcelain to her lips. "He's not wrong about one thing. The next few weeks will be dangerous, Hermione. The Dark Lord is likely suspicious of everyone in his circle."

Nodding, Hermione crumbled the scone between her fingertips.

"But if you need anything," Narcissa said, casting her eyes down to the Prophet and turning a page.

The rest was left unsaid, hanging on a string between them as they drank their coffee and tea.

~*~

Hermione stood before Draco's bedroom door that afternoon, hesitating before finally rapping her knuckles against the wood. There was a shuffling behind the door, and then he pulled it open, blinking at her drowsily. He rubbed his eyes, and her gaze caught on the plain cotton shirt he'd worn to bed, and the way his hair was still drying from an earlier bath.

"What time is it?"

She shook her head. "Er, it's after two in the afternoon. Are you alright?"

"Just catching up on some rest. Practicing for this fictional ailment I'm supposed to have."

He stepped aside for her, and as she moved past him she remembered that he'd had quite a trying evening, and then very little sleep due to…

Her eyes caught on the rumpled bed.

"Sorry to bolt earlier," she said, tearing her eyes away. "I was… uncomfortable."

"It's fine. My father has that effect on people."

He shut the door and turned to face her. She forced herself to focus. "Charlotte's memories?"

Nodding, he moved to his bedside drawer and produced the vial of gossamer memories. She took it from him.

"We need to find out who her contacts are first. We can explain what happened, and let the Order decide what to do with the rest of her memories." A crease appeared between her brows as she watched the threads dance together. "The Manor doesn't have a Pensieve?"

"No," his voice rumbled. "My father never had use for one."

"Do you know anyone who does have one?"

"No." He ran his hand through his damp hair. "My understanding is that they are hard to come by now. There were only two people who made them in Europe, and both have gone into hiding."

She sighed, her shoulders sagging. "There might be another way to view her memories, but I won't be able to research them without a library." Her eyes swept over Draco's bookshelves. "I don't want to get you in even more trouble, but—"

"You need the library. I know."

She rubbed her temples, thinking. "Perhaps the catalog could be charmed like the Hogwarts' book finder. It sends books traveling to their requestors."

"If I know my father, he also made it impossible for books to leave the library."

She shook her head. "No, you're right." After a few moments, an idea sparked. "Viktor told me a bit about the catalog at Durmstrang." Her mind was spinning too fast to worry about Draco's scowl. "It's typically freezing inside the castle, and the library is far from the dormitories. The catalog is enchanted so that if you focus on it, you can communicate with it anywhere within the castle."

"What good is that? If it doesn't send the book to you—"

"I had the same question. Transcription spells." Hermione began pacing as her voice grew quicker, more excited. "You can ask the catalog to transcribe entire books for you. The copies would go blank when he left for the holidays, but Viktor said he had an entire mini-library in his bedroom for the school year. We don't need the books to leave the library — we just need their contents."

Draco shifted behind her. "That's very convenient, Granger, but there must be a special enchantment on it. The catalog at Hogwarts didn't—"

"I know. But in Hogwarts: A History, they discuss revisions to the library when they added the Restricted Section in the 14th century. They mention "safeguards" to stop students from cheating or accessing forbidden material. It's why the catalog there is far more restricted than the one here in the Manor. If I had to guess, the Durmstrang catalog is standard."

She spun to him and found the hint of a smile on his lips, his eyes intent on her.

Twenty minutes later, she stood at the foot of his bed, staring at a dozen empty journals that Draco had conjured on the floor. She peered around his shoulder, wringing her hands.

"Remember to think clearly of the catalog. And then—"

Draco turned to her, extending his wand with a lifted brow. She cleared her throat and took it from him. "Right. Thanks."

Closing her eyes, she focused on the catalog. "Access Hogwarts: A History."

Magic thrummed in her blood as she pointed the wand at the first blank journal. "Transcribo."

The pages shivered for a moment before the ink bloomed, rearranging itself until she was staring down at the familiar pages of her childhood. She grinned and tried several of the Scourer journals, making sure they would appear as well.

Draco tried a different volume on potions, and then asked the catalog to transcribe the titles of all books with references to blood magic. Hermione's eyes lit up as the pages filled, one after another. Ten minutes had barely passed before Draco had to conjure another dozen blank journals.

An hour later, she was sitting on the floor of Draco's bedroom with books spread out in every direction, deep into research for creating a Pensieve from scratch while Draco looked into spells on memory transfer.

She huffed when she finished reading a two-page list of materials that were either unfamiliar or extremely rare. "This is impossible." Her neck ached, and she rubbed it before looking up at him. "Will you write to Theo?"

His jaw clenched as he lifted his eyes to her. "And say what, exactly? 'Got a spare Pensieve?'"

"We need help, Draco." Hermione pressed her lips together. "Perhaps he could come visit. You're very ill with this unknown curse, and you'd like to see some friendly faces."

"That's not suspicious at all," he said, flipping a page.

"Well, I'm getting nowhere. And every hour we spend on this is one less hour we spend on the tattoos. I can look at alternative ways of viewing memories, or you can write to a friend who may save us months of research."

Draco heaved a dramatic sigh, just as he used to at Hogwarts, and Hermione hid a smile when he dragged himself to his feet and out the door to post the letter.

They researched late through the evening. Draco apologized to Narcissa on their behalf and had the elves send dinner up to them, but Hermione barely picked at it, too caught up in her notes. She switched back and forth between tattoo research and memory research, picking up one when the other frustrated her.

As the clock ticked toward one in the morning, she glanced at Draco, in his armchair still flipping pages with a frown. Her eyelids were beginning to droop, but she could get through the rest of this chapter on the Runes used in the first Pensieve creation before calling it a night. She rubbed her eyes, struggling against yawning, and read until her head dropped onto her chest.

~*~

She woke the next morning snuggled into warm sheets with her head firmly supported by soft pillows. Blinking awake, she stared up at a green canopy speckled with daylight. She was in Draco's room still.

She whipped her head to the side and discovered that half of the delicious warmth was due to Draco's arm across her waist and his head on her shoulder.

Her chin brushed the hair on top of his head, the strands fluttering with her surprised breath. He curled himself tighter around her middle, bringing his hips in contact with her thigh, and her eyes widened to feel his morning erection. The hand on her waist slid under her jumper, and she stifled a gasp.

Hermione bit back a smile. So this was what waking up next to Draco Malfoy was like. She brought her fingers to his hair and drifted through the locks, relishing the feeling of his every exhale.

She felt it the moment he woke up. His fingers twitched against her stomach, and his breath caught in his throat. He lifted his head just an inch.

"Sorry." His voice was scratchy and deep. "I didn't mean to…"

And before she could stop him, his hand was lifting off her stomach, his hips pulling away from hers. He leaned up on his arm and stared down at her. There was a pattern etched into his face from where he'd slept on her knit jumper.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep here." He shook his head, like it was no trouble. "You didn't have to… I mean, I could have been moved back to my own room."

He blinked down at her. "Yes. Sorry, I should have… I just…"

And his words from yesterday morning floated back to her:

This isn't how I wanted to wake up with you.

She bit her lip, and his gaze was drawn down to her mouth. She watched his eyes grow heated before she pushed up on one elbow and placed one hand on his neck, guiding their lips together.

Their mouths were tentative, brushing softly with barely-there sighs. His hand returned to her waist, and she let out a quiet moan. Her fingers tangled in his hair, running patterns across his scalp as his tongue slipped between her lips.

She whispered his name into his mouth and sat up, tugging her jumper off. He watched in stupefied wonder as she leaned over him, kissing him again and rolling him onto his back.

His hands roved over her spine, playing with her bra clasp, as if he was afraid to undress her. She huffed and sat up again, reaching behind her back to unclasp it. He licked his lips as her breasts were freed.

She tossed the covers away and lifted her thigh over his hips, straddling him, but then looked down to her comfortable sleep clothes in confusion. She'd been wearing jeans—

"I transfigured them. I promise," Draco said hastily.

She glanced back up at him. He was having trouble keeping his eyes off her breasts.

"For sleeping, I just thought…"

She smiled and leaned into him again, scattering kisses over his jaw and neck. "Just admit it," she whispered. "You hate Muggle denims."

He laughed softly, his hands gliding down her waist. "Only when you're wearing them."

She sucked on a spot that had his fingers curling into her hips. "And why's that?"

He hissed as she widened her thighs and pressed their centers together. "Because I can't keep my eyes off your perfect arse in those damned denims."

A blush spread up her cheeks, and she tucked her face into his neck. "Oh."

He slipped his fingers under the waistband of her pajama bottoms, reaching down to fill his hands with her backside. She gasped as he squeezed and tugged her against his erection, rolling her body against his in slow waves. Her nipples tightened, her breasts brushing over his shirt with every movement.

"I think about your arse a lot, Granger," he groaned into her ear. "A lot."

She dropped her forehead to his shoulder, her fingers digging in the pillows as he moved her body how he wanted it. Every roll of her hips dragged his cock against her clit, tearing sighs from her throat.

She grabbed the collar of his shirt—"Take this off"—and sat up tall to help him. The muscles in his stomach pulled taut as he ripped his shirt off, and before she could think of the next step, his lips descended on her breast.

Her fingers sunk into his hair, throwing her neck back as he kissed and grazed at her skin. One of his hands played with her other breast, his fingers tweaking and rolling her nipple until she whimpered.

"Please," she begged. "Please touch me—"

He groaned with her nipple in his mouth, and the vibrations made her gasp. His lips popped off of her skin and he rolled them over, pinning her to the mattress. She clutched at his shoulders and pressed their mouths together as he shoved her pajamas down her hips. She tried to kick them off, but then his fingers were slipping through her folds and all other thoughts fled her mind.

Her eyes fluttered closed, her lips parting in a sigh. He circled her entrance and dragged his fingertips up to her clit, his strokes light and teasing as her thighs tensed.

"Draco, I need—"

He kissed her neck, and her mind blanked. She twisted beneath him as he sucked bruises across her skin, adding to the collection from their first time as he slowly worked her clit.

"More." Her heels dug into his calves. "Faster—"

Skillful fingers began rubbing her, circling and pressing down. Her nails raked down his back and her legs struggled to writhe.

"Like this?"

She jerked her head in a nod. "Yes. Please—"

"Fuck—"

"Yes—"

His fingers pressed down, faster and faster. Her body shook, her insides clenching and thighs straining. The stretched muscles inside of her clamped down on nothing as she followed the blinding flash behind her eyes into the crystal starlight.

She floated, drifting down as Draco slowly rubbed her through her aftershocks. He was hard against her hip, and she shivered as he ground against her.

When her breathing returned and her mind reentered her body, he was kissing her shoulder, rolling his hips into hers. He caught her lips, grunting as his tongue tangled with hers, and she felt the spark catch again.

"Draco—"

"I'm close," he ground out.

"Draco. Inside."

He paused, his forearms shaking as he glanced up at her. "What?"

"Please," she whispered. "Be inside of me again?"

His lips parted, his pupils blown wide. "I won't… I can't last—"

"I don't care." She tilted her hips up. "I feel so good, I promise—"

He shoved his pajama bottoms down and fumbled to yank hers off one leg. She brushed her fingers through his hair as he slipped between her thighs, pressing the tip at her entrance.

"Just slow. I'm a bit sore."

He nodded, sweat beading at his temples. He pressed forward, and she clawed at his shoulders, gasping for air against the intrusion and the sting.

His head dropped as he groaned low and deep into her shoulder. It echoed against her ear, curling through her belly and relaxing her sore muscles as he pulled out and filled her again.

Her face burned at the sounds they made.

"So fucking wet."

She kissed his jaw, and he wrapped an arm under her shoulder, pressing his torso to hers, rocking their hips together.

He whispered curses into her ear as she closed her eyes, trying to catch her breath. The thick slide of him was just this side of too much, but then he shifted, and her eyes shot open as his pelvis rocked against her clit. He caught it again, and again, until she was mewling with every thrust. His teeth grazed her neck, biting and scraping, marking her skin.

He slid a hand between them and strummed her clit. Her legs trembled and she writhed into the sheets.

"You don't have to—"

"I need to," he growled. "I need to feel it."

Her eyes rolled back as his fingers rubbed faster, matching the pace of his hips. She moaned and pulled her knees to his chest, and he breathed hotly against her neck when he slid back in.

"Fuck, fuck—"

His hips drove quicker, harder, and she whined as his fingers coiled her tighter and tighter.

"Draco. Draco, please—"

"Need to feel you—"

Her body trembled as it swelled inside her. She curled her fingers in his hair and dragged his face to hers, swallowing his moaning. His lips were hot and panting as his hips snapped deep inside of her, his fingers pressing hard on her clit, and she shattered, crying out into his mouth.

He fucked her through two more seconds of it before he shook and moaned low, pumping into her. She was still shivering with it as he kissed her deep, tongue slipping along hers and teeth biting her lips.

He pulled back to stare down at her, his hair falling across his face, his skin pale with the morning light. She gasped as her walls contracted around him one last time, her eyelids fluttering as her cunt pulsed. His mouth opened, and he licked his lips.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered.

Her eyes closed again as she clutched his arms, focusing on her breathing.

He slipped out of her slowly, and she moaned at the ache and the mess. He kissed every bruise he'd left behind, apologizing for being too rough, and she shook her head and said, "You weren't."

~*~

The next few days were much of the same: she and Draco would research in his room throughout the day, and at night, fall into bed together. Theo was scheduled to visit at the end of the week, so they refocused on the tattoos, dissecting Nott Sr.'s journal line by line. Draco soon found that the quickest way to distract her from the books was by kissing the spot under her ear, and she soon found that there was little she could do to keep him focused when he was wanting her. She woke up with his arms and sheets tangled around her, and if Narcissa suspected anything, she didn't say so.

The Prophet now listed Viktor Krum as Undesirable No. 1, printing his face on the front page daily and calling for his immediate capture should he be found in the U.K. On Wednesday, another small article caught her eye:

Minister Grubov of Bulgaria has been thoroughly vetted by the Dark Lord's interrogators, and was found innocent of all collusion. When asked for a statement, Minister Grubov told the Prophet, "I am deeply saddened by the betrayal of one of our brightest. Bulgaria remains loyal to the Great Order."

She frowned down at the paper, wondering how Viktor had accomplished such a deep undercover task without allies. The only other Bulgarian Hermione knew to be at Edinburgh was Draco's friend Katya.

Her breath caught. She'd been so wrapped up in the tattoos that she'd forgotten that critical detail. Katya had been the one to ensure that Draco would bring her to Edinburgh on the night of the attack. She'd promised to be there, but hadn't showed up.

Hermione mumbled an apology to Narcissa as she bolted from the breakfast table and ran up the stairs. Draco was poring over a book on blood magic when she burst through the door.

"Katya."

He stared at her. "Sorry?"

"She was the one who made sure we were there that night, even though she didn't show up herself. It's highly likely that she's working with the Order. And perhaps Viktor as well."

His throat bobbed. "It's possible, yes."

Hermione's lungs dragged in air. "Can you write to her and ask her to visit? If she has ties to the True Order, we might be able to pass a message through her. We could tell them what happened with Charlotte."

Draco closed his book and stood, his eyes fixed over her shoulder. "Alright."

When he returned, he was quiet for the rest of the morning and afternoon.

Theo Nott arrived on Thursday evening. As he stepped through the Floo and into Draco's bedroom, he didn't seem at all surprised to find Draco perfectly healthy.

"Ah. That curse did some serious damage, Draco," he said with a smirk. "You've never looked worse."

"I'm still ten times more handsome than you, so—"

"That's enough," said Hermione sharply. "Have a seat, Theo. Please."

Theo smirked and plopped down in one of Draco's armchairs, swinging his leg up to cross at the knee. Hermione sat down in the chair opposite him, giving Draco a meaningful look.

Draco mumbled under his breath before shuffling over to his desk, where they'd call for a serving tray with a bottle of Firewhisky. He filled a glass with Firewhisky and returned to Theo's side, offering it to him.

Theo looked at the glass, then up to Draco, and said with an innocent smile, "Ice, please."

Draco glared down at him, and his knuckles turned white around the tumbler. Hermione rolled her eyes as he nodded stiffly and walked back to the serving tray to add ice.

"A strange location for a friend to pay a call, Draco," Theo said, glancing around the bedroom. They'd tidied up earlier, making the bed and putting away their books. "I'm flattered, but I really don't think introducing a third partner will help your sex life—"

The Firewhisky tumbler slammed down on the tray, and Hermione jumped.

"We just didn't want to be overheard," she said with a scowl as Draco returned with Theo's glass.

Theo took it with a smile. "So what's this about?"

Draco sat down, took a deep breath, and said, "Does your father have a Pensieve."

Theo blinked at him. "Whose memories are you looking at?"

"None of your—"

"The less you know the better, Theo," Hermione interrupted. "Trust me."

He looked between them and furrowed his brow. "He doesn't, no."

Disappointment churned in her stomach, but she quickly recovered.

"Would you help us obtain one?"

His eyes narrowed at her. "Why? Does this have to do with the tattoos?"

"Yes." The room was silent, apart from the swirling of Theo's ice. "We wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

Theo hesitated for another moment, then blew out a quick breath. "Alright. The most I can do is ask around when I'm in Knockturn this weekend." He eyed Draco as he brought the glass to his lips. "Owls are being monitored, so I'll have to visit again if I have news."

Draco nodded. "Of course."

"Your father won't be suspicious?"

"No. He's out of the country. The Dark Lord isn't happy about Edinburgh, but my father has sworn that his new wards will be 'even more powerful.'" Theo's expression darkened. "He's working with an old associate of his. Some Swiss bloke."

Hermione took this in, her stomach turning at the idea of stronger wards at Edinburgh.

"Is anyone else in hot water?" Draco asked.

"Yaxley, you know. The Carrows were next. They were negotiating with a new Lot seller on the night of the attack, but they were expected to be at Edinburgh, so the Dark Lord was suspicious. He had them interrogated and tortured. Your aunt cleared them just yesterday." Theo sipped from his glass. "I know they used Legilimency on every Carrow Girl, but couldn't find a leak."

Hermione drew a sharp breath, her chest loosening in relief. There was still no suspicion of Charlotte or the other girls. But as Theo finished his Firewhisky and chatted with Draco, she couldn't help but think that there was a True Order member somewhere waiting on crucial information that only Charlotte's memories held.

~*~

Hermione threw herself into researching the tattoo potion while they waited to hear back from Theo. She and Draco holed up in his room and argued over interpretations of Nott Sr.'s scribbled handwriting until their dinner had gone cold.

Earlier in the week, Narcissa had informed her that Lucius had forbidden Mippy from retrieving the Ghost. So Hermione spent the mornings poring over the Prophet, trying to piece together what Skeeter wasn't saying instead of what she was. Viktor remained Undesirable No. 1 as the days went on, and when there was no response from Katya by the following week, Hermione felt her suspicions confirmed that she'd been working for the Order.

Ten days after the attack on Edinburgh, the Prophet reported the public execution of Nott Sr. His crimes included "a failure to carry out orders."

Hermione stared down at the moving picture of Ted Nott being dragged up on a platform, his eyes wide with terror as Voldemort stepped forward.

Behind Voldemort stood the Swiss colleague that Nott Sr. had been working with, who now would take over all his duties for protective wards, the U.K.'s Anti-Apparition line, and offense against the French and True Order: Albrecht Berge.

Theo was there, ashen and wild-eyed. Skeeter reported that Theo would go with Berge to the French border and apprentice under him. Berge stood beside Theo as the Dark Lord swiftly killed his predecessor, his hand on his shoulder.

Draco paled when she told him the news, and Hermione slipped from the room, leaving him with his thoughts. They couldn't depend on Theo's help anymore. Not when his father was dead and he was trying to stay alive.

She wandered through the east wing, thinking. If she and Draco couldn't view Charlotte's memories, locate a contact, and turn them over to the Order somehow, then their only other option was to find a way to return them. They'd discussed the possibility once, but trying to find an intermediary in the Order had seemed less risky than Draco walking back into Edinburgh and attempting to give Charlotte her memories back. But now they had no other choice.

When she returned to Draco's room a few hours later, he brought up the option before she did. They paused their research on the tattoo potion that day, looking instead into restoring extracted memories.

It only took a few hours to find an answer. Hermione had found a potion in One Thousand Magical Potions and Their Uses that was well-documented to successfully restore memories by imbibing them. The catch was that the memories had to belong to the owner — people had tried to imbibe others' memories with no success. But it was a simple potion, its brew time under two hours, and Draco confirmed that they had all the ingredients at the Manor.

Draco jumped to his feet once she found it, expecting she'd want to brew it right away. But she told him to wait.

Even if Lucius hadn't hinted he'd know the instant Draco tried to leave the property, she wasn't sure it was the right time. She was so close to figuring out the tattoo potion. There was a certainty in her blood, like Harry's confidence when he was close to a Horcrux. She'd begun dreaming about watching the letters vanish from her skin. But she needed more time.

The Dark Lord was still watching his followers, and Edinburgh was still closed. It was an enormous risk for Draco to go there once, let alone twice. If she was able to crack the tattoo antidote quickly, she reduced the risk by half. He could kill two birds with one stone — give Charlotte her memories back and give her the directions for the tattoo antidote to pass to the True Order.

When she explained why they had to wait—"It's safer for you"—Draco tugged her to her feet and kissed her until everything was lost to her except for his lips against hers.

Early the next morning, Draco received word from Lucius that his "grounding" was up. The Dark Lord had recently asked about his recovery. There were rumors that a band of True Order fighters still remained in the U.K., and he was to join half a dozen other Death Eaters in a mission to snuff them out. He was to leave the day after next.

She hadn't been able to speak when he first told her, staring out the window as he assured her it was only for two weeks. He told her it would be far less dangerous than Switzerland. He might come back even sooner, if the Dark Lord was satisfied that the True Order had run back to France. She tried to take comfort in what he was telling her, but saying goodbye to him again was a bitter pill to swallow.

He kissed her slowly on the morning he had to leave, pressing her into his mattress and sliding his thigh between hers. She rocked against him as he pinned her hands and sucked at her skin. Only when she was begging him did he push into her, swallowing her moans as he played with her breasts, and biting down on her shoulder as he rolled their bodies together.

After he left, she Occluded for half the day before focusing her mind on the tattoos. She had several ideas for the potion that she was ready to try, so she took her notes down to the laboratory and set to work. The first task would be to recreate the inky potion the Lots had ingested or been injected with, and test it on a mouse. Once she was confident she'd gotten the potion correct, it would be easy to create an antidote.

Her lips pressed together as she stared at the ingredients on the lab shelves. Of course, the day after Draco's wand was no longer available to her, that was the day she was ready to use magic again. Brewing potions without a wand was possible, of course, but infinitely harder.

She spent until two in the morning working at a fraction of her normal pace before giving up. She tossed and turned in Draco's bed that night, pressing her face into his pillow. There were so many things she should have asked him before he left. So many things she wished she had a partner for. But now he was gone, and she was on her own. After four in the morning, she finally drifted.

Hermione slept in the next day, and breakfast was waiting for her on Draco's desk. She downed a cup of coffee and managed a few bites of toast before she headed downstairs to find Narcissa. She found her in the conservatory, carefully clipping flowers and pruning bushes.

Narcissa drifted her fingers across a blossom and smiled up at her. "Good morning, dear."

"Good morning. I'm sorry I missed breakfast. I had trouble sleeping."

Narcissa paused, frowning. "I'm sorry to hear that. I can ask Mippy to bring you a potion—"

"Actually, I— I need to ask you a favor." She moved closer to the rose bushes and let her practiced story rattle from her lips. "I think I've built a tolerance to the generic kind. It helps me fall asleep, but I can't stay asleep. I was hoping to brew a new potion. You see, I found an old recipe for a Dreamless Sleep potion that—"

Plucking her wand from her robes, Narcissa extended it to Hermione. Hermione blinked down at it, then glanced back up to her.

"Whatever you need, Hermione." Her tone was gentle and her gaze was warm.

Hermione gingerly took the offered wand. "I— yes, thank you. I'll just be an hour, if that's alright."

"You know," she said lightly, "I will be spending most afternoons down here now that spring is upon us, either pruning or enjoying a book. I would say I won't be in need of a wand for several hours a day… for the foreseeable future."

Hermione gaped at her, struggling to come up with words. "Thank you, Narcissa. I could maybe try brewing multiple versions to rotate between—"

"If it's alright with you, dear, I'd prefer to drop the pretense." Hermione's heart skipped as Narcissa clipped a perfect white rose from the bush, the long stem littered with thorns. She turned to face Hermione as she ran her fingers over the sharp edges. "You're attempting to remove your tattoo, aren't you?"

"I…" She swallowed thickly, opening and closing her mouth. "I am." The words hung heavy in the air. "Why would you help me… if you knew?"

Narcissa looked up at her, her eyes a piercing shade of blue. "It's time," she said softly.

Before Hermione could ask further, Narcissa turned away, humming quietly and clipping away the dead leaves.

"Thank you, Narcissa." She stood there for a moment before she spun on her heel and ran back to the potions lab.

Her veins pumped with magic and adrenaline as she set the cauldron to boil and summoned the ingredients from the shelves. An hour later, as she watched it simmer, her mind drifted to her theory that the Malfoys had purchased her as insurance, should the Order win the war.

The explanation still fit, of course. But perhaps his wife was more inclined toward rebellion than Lucius Malfoy thought.

~*~

Hermione worked tirelessly over the next week to recreate the original tattoo potion used on the Lots. Every morning she would wake up and have breakfast with Narcissa before asking to borrow her wand. She'd be in the potions lab by nine o'clock to brew a new potion, altered slightly from the day before. By the late afternoon, when the potion had finished brewing, she'd transfigure a mouse from a teacup and test the potion on it. She'd signed a scroll in her own blood, just as the Death Eaters had, and a scribbled line would appear on the mouse's left leg.

Utilizing blood magic, she dropped her own blood into the circular ring she drew on the laboratory floor. Every day she'd numb the mouse and monitor its vitals as it dashed out of the blood boundary, huffing in frustration as it barely registered a twitch. But on the tenth day, the vital graph spiked.

She gasped at the angry red spikes, whipping her head to watch the numbed mouse creep further and further out of the blood boundary line.

She blinked, holding her breath. When she had jumped past the Manor's boundary and rolled down the hill, the shocks had continued sizzling her nervous system until Lucius brought her back.

The mouse's path grew jagged, stumbling as if it were drunk. She quickly summoned it back into the blood boundary circle. Her head was spinning as she watched the flaring red lines on the mouse's vitals ebb, slowly returning to a healthy green.

Her fingers twitched with nervous energy, and her pulse pounded. This might be it. She might have successfully recreated the tattoo. Forcing herself not to celebrate just yet, she set to work on an antidote, focusing on counteracting the primary ingredients in the first potion.

A few hours later and her antidote was simmering in the cauldron, but it wouldn't be ready until the smoke was rising in perfect spirals, indicating the poison in the bloodroot was neutralized. She tested her tattoo potion three more times on different mice as she waited, perfectly replicating the results of her first trial.

As the hours stretched on, she took small bites of the dinner Narcissa sent to the laboratory, and fed the mice from a hunk of cheese she'd requested from the elves. It was four in the morning when the smoke rose in perfect spirals, and fifteen past when all four mice ran through the blood boundary with no change in their vitals.

Hermione rubbed her eyes, sagging against the counter. She tried again, dropping the first mouse back into the barrier alone, and watching it successfully leave with no ink on its leg or shocks to its system.

She tried it with the second mouse, and had the same results — the mouse was free.

At five a.m., she was on her fourth mouse when there was a knock on the potions laboratory door.

She held her breath as the door pushed open, and when Draco poked his head inside, she threw herself into his arms. He lifted her off the floor as she pressed their lips together and cupped his face. He set her down slowly, looking exhausted but bright-eyed. Then one of the mice caught his attention, scurrying over his shoes and out the door.

He jumped. "What—?"

She pressed her lips to his again, smiling and winding her arms around his shoulders.

"You're back. Are you alright?"

"Granger, there are mice everywhere—"

"It works," she said breathlessly. "Draco, it works. I've broken the tattoos."

He blinked at her, his eyes wide in astonishment. There was a flicker of something else, but it vanished quickly. His expression was soft as he pushed her curls out of her face and tucked them behind her ear.

"Of course you did."

He kissed her deeply and she grinned against his lips.

Pulling away, she closed the door and ran to the tabletop.

"I'll show you. It's incredible. I tried so many things, but you'll see. This time it worked—"

"I'm sure it does. You don't need to prove it." He flipped to the most recent page of her notebook, skimming at her list of ingredients. "So, now we get this to Charlotte."

"Almost," she said, resting her head on his shoulder as she stared down at her notes. "First, we need to test the antidote on a Lot."

His fingers froze on the pages, and he slowly brought his eyes to hers.

She bit her lip. "We need to test it on me."

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 31

Chapter Notes

Thank you for allowing me an extra week while I moved! I hope every one is safe and healthy.

Much love and many orgasms to raven_maiden and SaintDionysus for their work on this chapter.

Content warning for this chapter: mild violence

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Draco blinked at her, his jaw tightening.

"Test it on you."

"Yes." She peered inside the cauldron. "I think there's just enough left over for one more dose." Spinning around, she grabbed a spare vial off a nearby shelf before returning to the table. "Once we know that it works, we'll get the directions to Charlotte with her memories—"

"Granger, wait."

She paused with the ladle dipped into the potion. He was still staring down at her notes, flipping through the pages.

"This potion is invasive Dark Magic. It alters your biology. If anything went wrong—"

"It works, Draco." He remained silent, and she lifted a brow. "You don't trust my potion brewing abilities?"

"It's not that." He closed the notebook and looked up at her. "Your subjects should be monitored for adverse effects. Where did these mice even come from, Granger?"

"They're teacups," she said, and a blush bloomed across her neck.

Draco scowled. "Alright. Well, let's get some real mice and—" He cut off, his eyes widening at the wand on the laboratory table. "Is that—you've been using my mother's wand?"

"Er, yes." Hermione twisted her fingers together. "I tried to get along without one, but it was too difficult. She's been letting me borrow it."

His eyes snapped up to hers. "Did you tell her why?"

"No, but…" Hermione cleared her throat. "She guessed."

Draco paled, taking a step backward. "If she tells my father—"

"She won't. I'm certain of it."

He began pacing, running a hand through his hair. "I have to go talk to her. Make up some excuse—"

Hermione wove around the table and grabbed his arm. "You have to trust me, Draco. She's in support. She even told me it was 'time.'" He blinked, staring at her. "I asked her why, and she didn't want to talk about it. You'd put her in an even more difficult position if you confronted her."

After a long moment, he managed a nod. Hermione released his arm, her fingers still tingling from the warmth of his skin.

Sighing, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "The point remains that it's too premature. We should run more tests and make sure the antidote is safe on an authentic test subject. And have you done enough trials to know the necessary dosage?"

She felt her ears grow hot. "No, not yet. I—I had just cracked it when you came in. But of course we should try to find the minimum amount." She rubbed her eyes, feeling the exhaustion of the night settling over her as the adrenaline left her.

"The mice should be monitored as well," he said. "We should check their systems for changes every day for a week—"

"A week! Draco, we don't have that kind of time—"

"That's the bare minimum—"

"Three days is sufficient—"

"Five." His tone was final.

Hermione rolled her eyes and snatched Narcissa's wand to conjure a large cage for the mice. Her fingers were still trembling with the excitement of her discovery as she collected and floated them inside. She knew the potion would work flawlessly, even if Draco wasn't convinced yet. She began cleaning up her workstation, clanging vials together as he watched in silence.

"Are you angry because I'm right, or because you're wrong?"

She paused in the middle of tossing ingredients back in their jars. "You are not right."

And she swore she could hear him chuckle behind her.

Whipping around, she extended the wand out to him. "Why don't you tidy up, if you know the right way to do everything?"

His mouth twitched as he took it from her, and she narrowed her eyes. "I'm going to bed. I'm exhausted and you're making me angry."

Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she turned on her heel and headed to the door. She paused at the threshold. "And you better take care of those mice."

She caught a glimpse of him as she left, and saw a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

After trudging up the stairs, she shook off her shoes, tore off her clothes, and slipped into bed, drifting off as the dawning sun glowed through the curtains. It wasn't until an hour later when Draco joined her, freshly showered and curling his body around her, that she groggily realized she'd chosen his bedroom on instinct.

~*~

They slept late, and when they woke, the breakfast tray on Draco's desk contained both coffee and tea. At lunchtime, Hermione went downstairs to see Narcissa and return her wand. Draco only showed at the very end, his face pink as his mother embraced him and kissed his cheeks.

They learned from Narcissa that Lucius would be gone for at least another two weeks. He was still in Belgium, and was scheduled to begin interrogations in Poland later that week.

Draco was still nervous about being interrupted, so Hermione agreed to wait until after dinner to work on the potion. But apart from giving Hix instructions to deliver ten field mice to his lab, Draco hadn't said much when she turned the conversation to the potion or the tattoos. So she began asking questions.

Draco told her that the Death Eaters had failed to locate any True Order members on his mission. The few trails had gone cold, and the Dark Lord believed them all to be in France now. She asked him what he knew that hadn't been in the papers. Albrecht Berge had strengthened the U.K.'s Anti-Apparition line before he left for France. He was expected to institute new wards at Edinburgh at the end of the month. There were whispers that the Dark Lord was planning a counterattack, but no one knew where or when. Information was even more tightly controlled than it had been before, and the Dark Lord was still interrogating his own followers.

They took dinner in his bedroom, and at nine o'clock, they tiptoed down to the lab. Hix had left ten field mice in a cage, just like Draco had asked. She set Draco to work on brewing the tattoo potion while she brewed the antidote next to him. While they added ingredients, she explained the trials she'd done in his absence and every step she took to reach her conclusions. He didn't seem to be listening, though he followed the directions in her notes perfectly. Several times she caught him watching her as she gesticulated with the bloodroot, or when she twisted her expanding hair off her shoulders into a knot on top of her head. Each time he looked away quickly, wearing an expression she couldn't place.

When she announced that they had to wait for the potion to brew, Draco set down his ladle and swiftly pulled her close. He caught her muffled yelp of surprise with his lips, pressing her back against the laboratory table and kissing her deeply.

He pulled away after a few moments, searching her eyes. "How long do we have?"

"F-Four hours for the antidote, and six for—"

"Perfect."

He tugged her against him and kissed her neck, letting his hands curve over her hips. She turned her face into his shoulder, pulling him close. She'd missed this. Catching his lips again, she slid her hands up to his neck, letting him curl over her. His tongue swept through her mouth, and his teeth nipped across her jaw, his breath panting over her collarbones.

He turned her around to face the table as his hands went to the button on her jeans. Closing her eyes, she relished the feeling of his arousal pressing into her back as he positioned her. He reached up for the tie in her hair and tugged it loose.

"Thought about this"—he drew a ragged breath, inhaling the scent of her curls—"every time you were at a cauldron…"

Her breath hitched, and her lashes fluttered. She tried to think about when he might have watched her, but then he pushed her jeans down over her hips and slipped his fingers into her knickers, and every thought fled her brain.

"Just like this."

Her hands pressed against the tabletop, and she gasped as he slid through her folds and circled her clit. She tried to widen her legs, but her jeans were in the way. She threw her head back against his shoulder as his other hand slid under her shirt to palm her breast. He rocked his hips into hers, the tent in his trousers digging into her backside.

"Fuck."

Her eyes shot open. She was just about to ask him what was wrong when he said, "Your fucking arse, Granger," and then his lips latched onto her neck to recreate all the bruises that had vanished since he'd gone away.

She moaned as he worked her closer and closer, rubbing himself against her as his fingers tweaked her breast and rubbed her clit. She had to lean heavily on the tabletop when he slipped them inside of her.

But then he was pulling back, his hands disappearing from her body. She blinked in a haze until she felt him removing her trainers and socks, helping her step out of her jeans.

He turned her to face him, his black eyes searching hers. Her heart skipped a beat as she rolled up onto her toes and slid her fingers through his hair, kissing him until he moaned. She tore away to pull off her shirt and unclasp her bra. His gaze was focused on her breasts as she reached down for his trousers, but then he lifted her at her waist and hoisted her up onto the tall lab table.

The smooth stone was cold against her bare skin, and she shivered as he stepped between her legs and tugged her mouth down to his.

The table was too high. That was all she could think of as his hands rubbed her inner thighs, encouraging her to open wider as his lips caressed hers. There was no way he could enter her from this angle. She pulled back to tell him just that when he cupped her face, staring at her with blown pupils.

"Lay back," he whispered.

She frowned, trying to figure out how this would—

"Stop thinking, Granger."

Swallowing, she allowed him to push her down on the lab table. Once she was resting on her elbows, he tugged her hips to the edge and started pressing kisses to the inside of one knee. He met her eyes as his mouth trailed higher and higher.

"Oh, um…I'm not..." She felt her cheeks flame red. "Are you sure—?"

"I'm very sure." Another kiss, this one an inch above her knee. "Are you?"

She let her head fall back, cupping her hands over her face. "Right," she mumbled. "Um, that's fine, I guess. Er—yes."

A pause.

"Tell me, Granger, how does the Draught of Peace differ from a simple Calming Draught?"

She dropped her hands and tilted her head to gape at him as his lips moved closer to her core. "What?"

"The Draught of Peace," he murmured against her skin. "What are its properties?" He wrapped his arms under her thighs, curving his hands over her knees and staring up at her face.

"Oh." She cleared her throat. "Well, first of all, it's much stronger than a simple Calming—"

He dipped his head to kiss her hipbone, and the muscles in her stomach jumped.

"Go on?"

She blinked at him as he watched her, letting his tongue swipe across the skin he'd just kissed.

"I—I mean, of course it's stronger. But the most notable difference is that no Hellebore syrup is needed in the Calming Draught—oh!"

He pressed his lips directly on her core. Her legs instinctively tried to close, but he held her open. She grabbed the edges of the table, taking a shuddering breath.

"What else, Granger? Teach me."

The rasp in his voice sent a warmth through her belly, flushing her chest. "Significantly less Moonstone in the Calming Draught."

"Yes?"

"The Draught of Peace has very specific instructions, whereas the Calming Draught is less precise."

She squeaked as his tongue slid into her folds, gliding through her most private of places and dragging up, up, up to her clit. A moan escaped her, and her back arched off the table.

"Shouldn't—" Her chest heaved. "Shouldn't we do something for both of us? Wouldn't you rather have sex—"

"Nowhere else I'd rather be, Granger."

Before she could respond, he flicked his tongue over her clit, swirling and licking as she keened. Her thighs fought against his hands, and he pressed them open to the stone tabletop. She reached above her head and held onto the edge, screwing her eyes shut. She was so exposed like this—

"Tell me. What else?" he whispered, his breath hot on her cunt.

"Oh god."

"Do you add the Moonstone before or after the Porcupine—"

"Before!" She yelped as his tongue flattened against her sex, moving towards her entrance. "Before, before, before."

He moaned as he dipped inside, and she whimpered when he did it again, and again. Her hips began rocking against his mouth, and her fingers raked down her face, reaching down to cup her breasts.

"Just like that, Granger." He licked up to her clit. "Just like that."

Her lips parted at the thick grey stone ceiling as he kissed and sucked at her. She was bare on a potions table with two cauldrons simmering next to her, and she was mewling and begging him—

And then his finger pressed against her entrance, and her toes curled as he slid inside. His lips never left her clit, sending her scrabbling at her chest until he pulled away to ask, "How many stirs, Granger? Once you've added the Moonstone?"

"Seventeen," she panted.

"Clockwise or—"

"Counterclockwise!"

His tongue found her core again, and she jerked up on her elbows when he circled her clit, counterclockwise. His finger began pumping into her, slow and steady. Her eyes rolled back, and when he reached the eighth circle, she strained upright to bury her fingers in his hair. He groaned into her cunt before she collapsed.

When he reached twelve, her stomach tightened. At fifteen, her back arched off the table, and she started to ramble nonsense. She was so close to the edge when he hit seventeen, and then his lips locked around her clit and sucked as he added a second finger inside of her.

She shattered with a scream, clamping down around his fingers and holding his face to her core as her hips rutted against his mouth. She felt like she'd never stop coming, her orgasm tearing its way out of her as Draco refused to relent on her clit. His fingers curled inside of her, and she jerked up, holding on for dear life as he rubbed at her.

It was too much. Everything was too much. She couldn't think or breathe or move.

Her mind saw white and her voice strangled out a cry. She felt like she'd been flung off a high building, falling and falling with no ground in sight.

She breathed deep lungfuls of air, sucking in oxygen and letting her eyes adjust to the world again. Her fingers were still gripping Draco's hair, and she tugged until his lips released her.

His eyes were dark and on fire, and she whined as he slowly withdrew his fingers.

"I think you just killed me," she croaked.

He laughed and kissed her thigh.

She shifted once her heart stopped hammering, and he helped her off the table. Her loose limbs stumbled until he pulled her flush against him, wrapping his hands around her waist. Her nipples tightened against his shirt, and her belly swooped at the feel of him through his trousers, stiff and warm on her stomach.

He was still for a moment, his harsh breaths filling the quiet of the room. Then he pressed his nose into her hair and mumbled, "Had to do that just once."

She smiled into his chest.

After a beat, she reached for his buckle, sliding her other hand down to cup the outline of him. He blew out a sharp exhale, dropping his head on her shoulder and moving his hands to her hips.

"Granger…" Something in his voice sent her insides coiling again.

She quickly unbuttoned him and pulled down his trousers. The sight of him sent a rush of heat through her core. She licked her palm, and he groaned when she took him in her hand. Her legs still felt like jelly, but his body was wound tightly against hers, holding her upright as she began stroking him. He growled into her neck when she remembered to twist at the end, letting his hands wander down to fill with her arse. A delicious thought bubbled through her, and she paused.

"Was it…" She wet her lips. "Did you like doing that?"

He laughed darkly. "I liked it, alright. Only been dreaming about it."

Her breath caught, and she looked down at him again. Maybe one day she could—

"Did you?"

"I… yes, I liked it."

His cock twitched, and he pulled her hand away before quickly walking her to the lab table. Her fingers barely had a moment to dig into his shirt before her naked back hit the stone. She gasped as he pressed their bodies close, crowding her.

"I'd do every day if I could. Twice a day." She was just about to tease him about why he couldn't when his lips brushed across her shoulder. "Missed your hands. Missed being inside of you."

She moaned, tilting her neck back as his lips explored her, her breasts pulling into taut peaks. She felt herself start to throb again as his hands massaged her backside, sloping over her cheeks and rounding to the tops of her thighs.

When she couldn't take it any longer, she reached down to grasp him, pressing her forehead against his chest. "Inside of me?"

His cock jumped again, and a drop of pearly liquid escaped, rolling into her fingers.

He groaned and mumbled something into her hair.

Her heart beat quicker as she thought of how he'd said he imagined it — when he was behind her at the cauldron. She wriggled to face the table, one hand on his hip to keep him close.

She put her other hand on the table and leaned forward, her hair falling around her elbow. "Would it work like this?"

He staggered backward, and she had a split second to feel embarrassed before he moaned and curved around her from behind. He swept her hair off her shoulder, kissing her neck. "You don't have to—"

"I want to." Her eyelids fluttered as he dropped a kiss between her shoulder blades. "Draco, please."

His lips lifted, and he drew a ragged breath before stepping away to push down his trousers. She braced herself on the table and bit her lip, waiting.

The first brush of his cock against her backside had her jumping, but then his hand was at her hip, his other pressing her to open her legs. She could tell he was bending his knees, so she rose on her toes.

Her eyes widened as he began pushing through her folds, his other hand pulling her hips up and out. She wiggled her hips until his cock pressed against her entrance. He asked again if it was okay, and she nodded quickly.

This angle was different. Her jaw dropped open as he worked his way inside, pushing deeper each time. They both gasped when he finally bottomed out. She dropped her head down as she adjusted, her hair falling forward. He took a shaky breath and pressed a kiss to her nape.

"Good?"

"Yes."

The first pump of his hips had him moaning. Her eyes stared at the wall as he moved again, and again, setting a pace. She could tell he was already close, and heat curled in her belly at the feeling of being so deliciously used. Her walls stretched around him on every thick thrust, her fingers curling against the stone table as he rocked into her.

His hands reached up to cup her breasts, and she mewled when he thrummed her nipples, sending pleasure shooting through her core. Her legs shook from standing on her toes, but his thrusts were getting faster and faster.

Heat from the potions steaming next to them spiraled inward and outward, causing beads of sweat to drip from her temples and breasts. She felt wet all over with Draco holding her close to his chest, her back sliding against him as he grunted, burning her from the inside out.

The sensations he'd created earlier with his fingers seemed amplified by ten as he pounded into her, each drag of his cock against her front wall making stars burst in front of her eyes.

"Oh, god."

"Granger"—his hips stuttered, and his breath was hot on her neck—"if you come like this, I'm gonna lose it."

She whined, pressing back against him, and he growled and nipped her ear. She slammed her palms down on the table as he grabbed her hips, pulling her a step back from the table and shoving her spine forward.

She let out a low wail when he began moving again. It felt like she was being split open from this angle, his cock driving forward erratically and pushing her towards the edge. Her thighs began trembling, her mind spinning from the obscene sounds of his hips pounding into her backside, filling her completely every time, as if he couldn't bear to leave her body. He reached around her and slid his fingers to her clit, and she jerked as she cried out. Every muscle in her body pulled tight as she scratched her nails down the tabletop, trying to hold onto something.

"Just like that. Just like that." The words were like a prayer set to the rhythm of his hips. "Want you to come on it—"

Her body snapped, spiraling up to that blissful place only he could bring her to. Her throat was raw when she finally fluttered down, her arms buckling beneath her weight. He pulled her hips back faster and faster, groaning until he collapsed.

"Fuck."

His breath was hot on her ear as he throbbed inside of her, releasing. He shuddered against her back, and wrapped his arms around her waist, pinning her to him.

They'd never been standing before. Usually, he'd roll off her at the end, but now she had to lower her heels, moaning as he slipped out of her, his release dripping down her legs.

He pressed a kiss into her hair. "Good? Are you alright?" He rubbed his hands over her stomach, reaching up to palm her breasts and rove his hands everywhere.

"Good." She managed a nod. "So good. You?"

"Fuck," he said, and she shivered. "You have no idea, Granger."

They spent the next few hours wrapped in each other's arms, waiting for the potions to simmer.

Over the next several days, they tracked biomarkers and tested various dosages of the antidote on the mice. She suspected her reconstructed version was somehow more potent because no matter how small a dose she tried, the antidote still took effect.

Draco watched each successful trial with a clipped interest, but he seemed to grow more irritable and tense as the tests continued with no adverse side effects.

On Thursday evening, he convinced her to try an even more diluted sample — she only placed a single drop of the antidote in a shared bowl of sugar water she lured the mice to drink. She turned to him as the third mouse successfully ran out of the circle.

"Tomorrow. We test it on me tomorrow."

Without lifting his eyes from the vials on the table, he nodded slowly. He pressed his lips together before speaking. "And then what?"

She pushed a few curls out of her face and blew out a breath. "Then we write it all down, make the Memory Restoration Potion, and bring all of it to Charlotte." She scribbled another checkmark in her notes before looking up at him again. "Could you get access to her?"

He was silent for a moment. "And then what for you?" His eyes flicked up to hers — a dull grey. "What's your next move, Granger?"

She opened her mouth and closed it. "My next move?"

"Yes." When she blinked at him, he crossed his arms and leaned against the lab table. "Will you stay, or will you go?"

"That's—there's a lot of things I haven't—" Hermione broke his gaze, wiping her palms on her jeans. "Why are you asking me this now?"

"Because I'd like to know the answer."

She took a deep breath. "Honestly, I've been so focused on breaking this tattoo and getting the information to the Order that I haven't…" Her throat felt thick, and she swallowed. "I mean, I've thought about it, but I figured I should wait to tackle that problem until I was finished with this one. And—I suppose it's solved now, so we should probably…"

He was still next to her. She played with a groove in the stone tabletop.

Her chest thumped when she finally lifted her eyes to his. "You could come with me."

His face was a mask. "I really couldn't, Granger."

"You and your mother." Her mind and her heart began to dance in time with each other. "We'll find the True Order, and I'll make sure you're both taken care of—"

"You couldn't ensure that."

"I could." Her voice shook. "I still have to think about your father, but if you and your mother safely delivered Hermione Granger to them—"

"Don't be naive." She flinched at the sharp edge to his voice. His eyes instantly softened. "Granger, that might have been true a year ago, but it's not enough anymore. Too much has happened."

"Yes, with you helping me! Helping our side!" She threw up her hands. "These are my friends, Draco. If I tell them everything you've done, they'll have no choice but to—"

"It's not about that anymore. Can't you see?" He stepped into her, gently taking her elbows. "Did you see the paper this morning?" Frowning, she shook her head. She'd been too busy thinking about the potion. "Canada, China, and Tunisia just pledged support to the True Order."

She searched his face, trying to follow his logic.

"The True Order has been traveling for months with those Portkeys. They're probably transporting in reinforcements as we speak." His throat bobbed. "My father and aunt are the two highest-ranking officers in the Great Order. If I just stroll into France with my mother in tow, there's a good chance your friends won't have a say in whatever they choose to do to us."

His eyes flickered as she pulled free. "Don't underestimate them. They're at the center of this. And I know George Weasley. I know Fleur and Angelina. They'll listen to me. They'll trust me."

She watched him clench his jaw and look down at his shoes. Unconvinced.

Her mind spun as she tried to create a plan. Leaving without the Malfoys would be as good as sentencing all three of them to death. Draco would be held responsible and interrogated for her disappearance. So would Narcissa and Lucius. Even if she managed to get to France, she'd be wondering all the while if Draco, Narcissa, and Lucius had been murdered. Perhaps Blaise and Theo as well.

Her heart shattered at the thought.

"Then I'm staying too."

Only his left eye twitched. His ribs expanded.

"For now," she clarified. "I'm staying until I can convince you to come with me."

"Granger, I can't ask you to do that."

"I'm giving them everything I know right now. As long as Charlotte can get it to them, staying a bit longer won't make a difference." She took a deep breath and filled two vials — one with the tattoo potion and the other with its antidote. She grabbed the parchment and quill she'd been using to create the tattoo on the mice.

"Tomorrow at noon. We'll go to the property line and test it."

She left him standing alone in his potions laboratory, still staring at the stone floor.

~*~

Waking in her own bed at the Manor was almost disorienting. She hadn't meant to create distance between herself and Draco, but she needed space to think. To plan. She'd stayed up until two in the morning, staring up at the ceiling of her canopy bed until she drifted off with no solutions. But it was a problem she'd have to pick up later.

Her breakfast tray looked lonely without tea and a second plate. She sat in the chair closest to the window as she drank her coffee and had a few bites of toast. Then she bathed, dried her hair, and went to her wardrobe. A glance out the windows showed a beautiful spring day, the sun high and golden, the trees swaying softly. It was too warm for denims.

Her fingers drifted over the clothes Pansy had given her, and they paused on the light blue sundress she'd liked all those months ago. With one more glance at the sunshine, she slipped the dress from the hanger and slid into the pale cotton. She put the vials, quill, and parchment in a loose bag she found at the top of her wardrobe, and headed out the door.

Draco's eyes flickered over her as he stepped into the hall at the same time. He shut his door behind him and let his gaze rest on her calves.

"Going somewhere, Granger?" He lifted a brow with a tight smile.

She smiled at him, and after half a heartbeat's hesitation, she reached to take his hand.

They walked down the stairs together, the vials clicking in her bag. At the base of the stairs, he tugged her toward the back.

"Better to use the northern perimeter, in case we have any unexpected guests at the front gates. Mother's less likely to see us as well."

She nodded and let him lead her. They passed Hix's bluebells and the gazebo, following the same path she'd taken the day she'd tried crossing the barrier the first time — when Lucius had to carry her back.

Hermione tried to start a conversation with little success, so they walked in silence down the little lane between hedges. She felt his gaze on her as they walked — glancing down at their intertwined hands, or at the side of her face. She finally turned to give him an inquisitive look, but he simply stared at her.

They stopped a few yards in front of the opening to the grassy field. She pointed out past the lane. "Do these acres belong to the Manor?"

He nodded. "It's where I'd play Quidditch."

A smile tugged at her lips as she imagined it. "What else did you get up to?"

He shrugged. "There's a copse of trees just around the hedge. I used to hide there with a book."

Her smile widened, and she turned to look at him. His cheeks were pink, but he held her gaze.

She released his hand and shrugged the bag from her other shoulder, retrieving the vials. One was a thick black with flecks of gold in it, just like the ink on her arm — the tattoo potion. The other was a clear liquid — the antidote.

Glancing up at Draco, she found him staring down at the two vials with an empty expression. She put the second one back in the bag, dropping it on the ground.

Her pulse raced as she uncapped the clear potion, brought it to her lips, and took a tiny sip. It was light and tasteless.

She lifted her left arm and stared down at her tattoo. Her heart threatened to beat out of her chest as she waited, praying and hoping—

And then the letters of Draco's initials shivered, as if they'd been shaken free, disappearing as if carried by the summer wind.

The vial dropped from her grip as she gasped, running her fingers over the skin. Only Bellatrix's marks left.

Her eyes snapped up to Draco. He looked dazed, his mouth open and eyes fixed on her arm.

Hermione whipped around to the barrier and took two large steps through it.

Nothing. She looked down at her arm. Nothing.

Victory broke over her in slow waves, and the ground reeled beneath her feet. She'd done it. She'd broken the tattoos. The True Order would have the solution to freeing the Lots, once and for all. They could give it to Angelina. They could purge it from all their systems, as if it was never there.

A shriek escaped her lips before she could stop herself. A laugh burst from her chest as she spun in a circle, throwing her arms out. Catching her breath and closing her eyes in the sunlight, she turned to find Draco smiling softly at her at the edge of the perimeter. She raced to him, throwing herself into his arms and kissing everywhere she could reach.

"We did it— Draco, we—"

Pulling back, she felt a pressure behind her eyes. Her vision blurred with him still smiling at her.

She disentangled herself from his arms and raced back to the boundary again. Again, nothing. The space on her arm where the initials D.M. used to reside was just clear skin. There was only the word Mudblood, and Bellatrix's apostrophe "s."

Turning to look out over the acres and acres of the Manor, Hermione breathed deeply as the sun poured down on her, the wind tickling her calves.

She spun back to Draco. "Race you."

She took off to the right without any sense of direction, laughing and waiting for him to call after her.

But it was silent.

Her feet stumbled to a stop. Turning back, she saw Draco still standing at the end of the lane, his hands in his pockets. Something punctured inside her, sinking deep.

She walked back to him quickly, almost at a jog. "What is it?" she asked breathlessly. "Draco?"

His eyes were on the fields, intent and flickering. He pulled his wand from his sleeve and extended the handle to her. His fingers trembled.

"Take it. Go."

Her brows twitched as she stared down at the hawthorn. "Draco—"

"There's no reason to stay," he said, his words catching on the wind. His eyes refused to meet hers. "The last rumor of their location was Norwich. About three weeks ago, there was a possible sighting of someone on the Prophet's Wanted list. We didn't find anything, but it's possible we missed them."

"Draco, we've been through this—"

"You'll find the Order somehow. I know you will. You're brilliant."

She watched him swallow thickly and force the wand into her hand. Her heart clenched in agony, her mind spinning as she warred with herself. Closing her eyes, she took a step backward and tried to think.

"You said there was no trace of the True Order in the U.K. Were you telling me the truth?"

"Of course I was—"

"Then assuming I can't find them, my only option is to Apparate to France or another True Order ally that's close enough for me not to Splinch myself — all of whom have instituted Anti-Apparition Lines." She took a deep breath. "To say nothing of the fact that I'd have to find a way to pass through the U.K.'s Anti-Apparition Line, which has apparently been strengthened in recent weeks."

Her eyelids flew open to silence.

"Draco. I may be a clever witch, but those are enormous odds."

He met her eyes finally. They were wet.

"Then I'll ask Charlotte where I can take you. Once she has her mind back, we'll ask who her contacts are—"

"They'll kill you if I leave and you stay."

And there it was. The truth she couldn't live with, for all her logic. For all her burning desire to return to her friends and fight.

Her hands were trembling, and she curled them into fists. "Could you go somewhere else? If you won't come with me?"

"Yes. Yeah, I could." He dropped his gaze to the blades of grass beneath their feet. "The Malfoys have properties around the world. I could figure something out."

The words fell too quickly from his lips. "Don't lie to me." Her voice shook, and he glanced up at her as she swiped her cheeks. "Tell me if you'd leave. And if your mother would go with you."

He hesitated. "I would try to take her. But she wouldn't leave my father."

"Would your father go?"

And he was silent.

She took a deep breath and looked down at the wand in her hand, singing with magic. She stepped up to him and pressed it back into his hand.

He stared at it blankly, then up at her. "I can't ask you to stay here—"

"You're not." She pushed up on her toes and kissed him. His lips barely moved against hers, but she persisted, sinking her fingers into his hair and cupping his face. She wiped her cheeks when she pulled away, looking up at him. "It's the smartest plan for everyone involved. I'm staying until all of us can get out."

His eyes searched hers, the grey walls breaking apart piece by piece until she could find him behind the Occlumency.

"Why?" he said, voice softer than the wind.

A thousand answers of logic and love raced through her mind, but really only one thing could pinpoint all of them.

"It's the right thing to do."

His eyes flickered over hers. She gave him a soft smile and took his hand, leading him to the place where she'd dropped the bag. She picked it up and pulled out the black vial.

He grabbed her arm when she uncapped it. "Don't— I can glamour it—"

"Glamours fade, Draco," she said, pulling her arm free. "We can't risk it." She lifted it to her lips and drank.

Pansy was right. Like ink, curling and twisting inside her veins. Shivering, she handed him the parchment and enchanted quill. She stared at him until he took them from her, signing with shaking fingers. Blood appeared upon the parchment as two letters etched themselves on her arm.

D.M.

Just as it had been before.

She brushed her fingers over it, watching the gold glitter under the black.

They walked through the boundary, and the letters on her arm sparkled. She tried a quick test, and sparks flew through her veins until she wrenched her arm back inside the barrier. The magic crackled as Draco took her hand and pulled her away, leading her past the gazebo and back home.

That night as they undressed each other, he stared mournfully down at her freshly inked tattoo.

She lifted his chin to hers and said, "It doesn't mean anything."

Kissing him soundly, she pushed him down on the bed and climbed over him, straddling his waist as they made love — as he showed her how to move her hips and where to place her hands. He watched her body writhe on top of him with fire in his eyes and let her take her pleasure whatever way she wanted, kissing her until she couldn't draw breath with how much she loved him.

~*~

On Saturday morning, they hatched their plans for Draco's visit to Edinburgh. There were reports that the castle was vacant except for the Carrows and their Lots, their operations suspended as they awaited Berge's new wards. Draco had heard that Carrows were often drunk by midday, so they decided he should go well before dinner, in case they were incapacitated.

It took two hours for the Memory Restoration Potion to brew and simmer with Charlotte's memories. Draco would take the Memory Potion and the instructions for the tattoo antidote to Edinburgh, creating an excuse to speak to the Carrows about buying Cassandra when Edinburgh reopened. He'd lowball them, and they'd throw him out.

When he could sneak away, he would Polyjuice himself as a random Muggle so that Charlotte and the girls would have no memory of Draco Malfoy creeping about the castle. He'd find a way to isolate Charlotte — the Imperius Curse was not off the table — and give her the potion to return her memories. If he was caught by the Carrows, he'd claim to be inspecting the girls for a cheaper alternative.

Once Charlotte drank the potion returning her memories, it was crucial that Draco permanently Obliviated the memory of him taking her memories in the first place, the night Edinburgh was attacked — to cover his tracks.

It was a complex plan, but Draco seemed confident enough. And she trusted that he could do it.

They decided to have lunch with Narcissa to head off attention before he slipped away. But on their way to the dining room, they stumbled on a flurry of activity in the entryway.

They both froze to see Lucius across the room, freshly emerged from the Floo. He was stepping around the elves as they tried to take his cloak from him.

"Leave me," he hissed. "That's quite enough—"

Narcissa stood at the bottom of the stairs with her hands folded, watching him anxiously. "Is everything alright? I thought you'd be in Poland by now—"

"Change of plans. I'm headed to Baffin Island," he said sharply, striding over to kiss her cheek. "I need to drop off a few things, and then I'll be on my way."

Narcissa's face fell before she blinked away her disappointment. Lucius nodded once at his son before walking briskly down the hallway and turning the corner toward his study.

Hermione's mind whirred. Baffin Island was Canadian territory, just off its eastern coast. Lucius was headed to Canada — one of the few countries pledging support to the True Order. Her stomach twisted violently.

Narcissa turned to the two of them with a thin smile. "Lunch is served. I'll be there shortly."

Hermione walked to the dining room, her skin clammy as she exchanged looks with Draco. Neither of them spoke until Narcissa joined them, confirming Lucius had already left with a brush to her lashes.

Hermione and Draco hurried to his room after lunch. Draco hadn't heard anything more than whispers about a counterattack, but he agreed that Canada was the likely target. They were both too on edge from Lucius's visit, and decided Edinburgh would have to wait until tomorrow. Hermione spent the rest of the day pacing in front of Draco's chairs, quizzing him on various scenarios that might unfold during his visit to Edinburgh while he rolled his eyes.

But all the while, she wondered what it was Lucius needed to do in his study so desperately that he'd left his post — with barely a moment to greet his family.

Just after lunch on Sunday, when Narcissa had retired to her room, Draco collected his potions, kissed her swiftly, and swept out the door. Hermione watched his figure grow smaller down the lane, the April wind billowing his cloak.

It would be fine. It had to be.

Hermione turned from the doorway after he cleared the gates and popped out of existence. She let her eyes drift across the Manor's entryway, feeling an itch across her shoulder blades as if there was something she needed to be doing.

But there was nothing.

A strange emptiness settled over her. She'd done her part. By the end of the day, she and Draco would have aided the True Order by returning Charlotte's memories and passing along the antidote to the tattoos. They had to discuss their next steps when he returned, but for now… she had accomplished her mission. The thing that had consumed her for months.

There was one other problem, of course. But the impossibility of it staggered her. Even though the True Order had risked dozens of lives in a rescue mission in the hopes that she could help them with it.

Contrary to what Cho and Viktor might have thought, she had no clue what else she had to offer the True Order in destroying Voldemort. Her mind was valuable, yes, but she'd already passed the most critical information she possessed on that subject to Ginny and Charlotte. And by extension, the True Order.

The only other thing that was niggling at her brain was behind Lucius Malfoy's closed study door.

Her feet wandered down the corridor on their own accord, turning the corner and taking her in the direction of study. Her heart skipped as she neared the door, her mind buzzing with the thrill of a new problem. Lucius might have left a clue about the attack on Canada behind that door. If only she could access it.

On instinct, Hermione pressed her ear against the wood, listening carefully for the scratching of a quill or the clink of ice against glass. She reached out to try the handle, knowing it was useless—

The handle warmed beneath her touch, and turned.

She gaped down at the brass. With a shove, she sent the door open wide. A flame sprang to life in the lamp on the wall, charmed by magic. She stepped as close as she could to the location of the invisible barrier by memory, peering at the items on his desk. She rose on her toes, squinting and craning her neck — and stumbled forward.

Flinching, Hermione caught herself, her heart thumping in her ears. She looked down at her feet and gasped. She'd landed well-past the door frame.

The barrier had disappeared — the one that kept her from entering the study.

Peeking her head out the door, she looked both ways along the corridor. Upon seeing not even an elf, she spun around and darted inside.

Lucius's desk was organized, pristine, and bare. There were no notes or trinkets on the polished wood, besides a small frame of a much younger Narcissa, grinning shyly at the photographer and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. Hermione looked over his shelves, spying the empty Foe Glass, and drew a sharp breath, trying to decide where she might hide something important if she were Lucius Malfoy.

Something shimmered across the room, and her heart jumped in her throat. Her shoulders relaxed as her eyes focused on the culprit — a small silver lock sealing an ornate cabinet. The skin on the back of her neck prickled.

If she were Lucius Malfoy, that's where she'd hide something.

She drew out the drawers in Lucius's desk, rifling through them and searching for the keys. When she found nothing, she approached the cabinet and stared down at the lock. After attempting a wandless Alohomora, she pressed her fingers to her lips, thinking through any other options she had.

She reached forward to examine the mechanism, and as soon as her fingers touched the silver, the tumblers turned.

She stumbled backward, her mouth falling open as the lock twisted until it unlatched. Looking over her shoulder to make sure it wasn't a trick, she whipped her head back in awe as the cabinet doors slowly swung open, revealing a granite stone basin within.

A Pensieve.

Lucius Malfoy had a Pensieve.

The shelves in her mind trembled, her heart pumping so fast she could barely think. Draco had said his father never had use for one. Had he been lying to his son, or had he discovered a new necessity?

Memories swirled in the basin like morning mist as she stepped closer. The threads at the surface morphed into a pale-faced man in military robes, begging in a thick accent, "I don't know anything! Please!"

Was that what he'd come to his study for? To leave behind a recent memory?

Hermione's eyes caught on a set of black-tinted vials on a high shelf. Silver threads danced inside of them. She peered up at them, but the silver cloud below began shifting again, catching her gaze.

Her own face rose from the bottom of the basin, pale and terrified, before sinking back again. Her breath left her as she stared down at the Pensieve, the image still burning behind her eyelids.

What purpose would Lucius have to extract memories of her?

Before she could second guess herself, she gripped the edge of the Pensieve and plunged her head into the shallow waters.

Draco's bedroom materialized before her eyes. She landed next to his bed at the exact moment Lucius Malfoy released his grip on her jaw and said, "You stupid girl. If you love him, stop trying to get him killed."

She watched herself slide down the wall, shrinking back from him. He glared at her with ice in his eyes and threatened to hand her over to Dolohov.

It stung just as it had the first time.

He swept toward the fireplace, and Hermione was swept along with him, arriving in the dungeons at Edinburgh. Lucius took half a second to get his bearings before slipping through the door and striding down the long corridor where Rabastan had dragged Charlotte. Hermione followed him, still tiptoeing, as if she could be heard.

A light flickered behind a gate, and Lucius stepped quickly toward it. He pushed the gate open with a creak, and a spell shot at him. She jumped while he deflected, and she rushed into the room with him before it closed.

Draco was hovering over Charlotte, his wand pointed at his father with dawning terror in his eyes.

"Father. I can explain—"

"Are you quite finished?" Lucius's nostrils flared. "We don't have time for your lies."

Charlotte's eyes flickered between the two of them with apprehension. She was on her knees, her arms and ankles chained to the wall.

"I—" Draco's voice cracked. "I'm almost done with her. But I still need to Obliviate him."

He nodded toward her feet, and Hermione looked down to find the crumpled body of Jugson. Lucius curled his lip before glaring up at his son.

"There are other Carrow Girls in the cell next door. They've been working with her." Draco's brow was sweating, and he wiped it with his forearm. "If their minds are read, it will be clear that Charlotte's memories were tampered with."

Lucius snarled and spun around to Jugson. "Obliviate." The tip of his wand glowed, then dimmed. "Meet me there when you're done with her."

"Thank you, Father," Draco whispered. "Thank you for…"

But Draco's voice faded. The world began to shiver, as if she'd been thrust into cold water. The dungeons at Edinburgh blurred, reforming into an unfamiliar dungeon. Higher stone ceilings and a crisper draft of air. Draco's words twisted into a eerie song, cackled by an icy voice—

"Thank you for joining us, Lucius."

Hermione spun and found Bellatrix in tight black trousers and a cape, drawing the length of her wand through her fingertips. Draco stood at her side, staring down at four cuffed prisoners at his feet. Lucius in the doorway, surveying the scene with a wan expression.

"Welcome back to Zürich," she said with a mocking bow. "You've arrived just in time. I'm instructing."

Lucius stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back. "And what is it that you are qualified to teach, Bella?"

She bared her teeth at him in a smile. "How to destroy weakness."

Hermione's eyes flicked to Draco. He wore his Death Eater black robes and boots. His eyes were hollow and his skin dull. He swallowed once, but gave no other indication of listening.

One of the prisoners began shifting, turning his eyes up to Lucius. "Please," he said in a shaky Swiss German accent. "Please help us—"

One flick of Bella's wand and the man was silent. Cocking her head, she silenced the remaining men.

Lucius strolled to stand behind the prisoners, as if they were a wall between him and his sister-in-law. "You're interfering with the Dark Lord's campaign, Bella. You forget that the Great Order is a champion of the Swiss magical community." He looked down at them. "Who are these men?"

"No one of importance," she said. "Trust me, they won't be missed. Just like the rats in the Manor cellar, yes?" Bellatrix moved behind Draco and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his shoulder. "We have to get our boy strong. Get him ready." She leveled an intent gaze at her brother-in-law. "People have started to talk, Lucius."

Hermione looked to Draco, her heart thundering.

Lucius curled his lip at her. "Then let them. Draco was not brought here to become a common executioner. He has an excellent rapport with the new German Minister, who's upstairs, being forced to endure Dolohov's company while you're playing your little tricks in the basement."

Bellatrix's features fell into a dramatic pout. "Just one before dinner? I won't let Antonin and the others claim that someone with Black blood can't cast an Unforgivable." She lifted a brow. "As for Malfoys…"

Lucius sneered at her and pulled his wand. He flicked it to the ceiling, sending a jet of light that arced into four beams, hurtling down at the four prisoners. They fell over with silent screams as the Cruciatus Curses hit them, their eyes rolling back and their bodies twitching.

Draco shivered once before his eyes clouded.

Lucius pocketed his wand. Bellatrix frowned and released her hold on Draco.

"If we're quite done," Lucius hissed, "my son is needed upstairs."

Bellatrix smirked, strolling lazily toward Lucius. "He could have been our son," she hummed. She stood in front of him and let her fingers trail across Lucius's chest. "Think of how much stronger he would have been then."

"Stronger, perhaps. Certainly less sane."

Bellatrix tilted her head back to the ceiling and cackled. "We could have had such fun together, Lucius."

She waltzed out the door.

Hermione stared down at the tortured men, then to Draco. He was as immovable as a stone wall.

"Draco," Lucius said softly. He flicked his wand and released the curse.

Draco turned to him, and as he opened his mouth, the room began to shiver again. The word "Father" was screamed from his mouth.

Bright sunlight burst before Hermione's eyes. Everywhere she looked there was white.

She blinked, her ears ringing with the hiss of wandwork, the sharp explosions of battle, and a crash of waves.

When her eyes could focus, she found Draco and Lucius next to her, fighting back to back — Draco casting defense while Lucius took offense.

They were on a shore. A white cliffside rose up high like a tower to her right, to her left, a clear blue ocean, the waves crashing against a stone beach.

A spell whizzed past her face. She whipped around and saw Draco jump out of the way at the last possible moment, stumbling several yards to the right. When he adjusted, he looked up — almost directly at her — and his eyes blew wide.

A bolt of light burst through her chest, slamming into him. She screamed as he fell back on the rocky beach, yelling and thrashing. Hermione spun to see his attacker and found Charlie Weasley staring down at him with a hard jaw.

She had less than a moment to take him in before "Avada Kedavra!" was hissed across the ocean spray. Charlie Weasley died with the ghost of a smile on his face, just like his younger brother. Hermione turned to see Lucius already lowering his wand and running for his son.

Hermione stumbled, her legs buckling. This was Dover. The battle at Dover Castle that led to the escape of much of the resistance within the U.K. The battle that resulted in Charlie Weasley's death after hitting Draco with an Acid Hex.

She ran to Draco's screaming body and dropped to his side, her eyes stinging as Lucius cast a series of healing charms. His face grew paler as he tried spell after spell.

"It's an Acid Hex," Hermione wheezed, knowing he couldn't hear her.

Draco cried out, and Hermione could see the bones of his shoulder before they started to splinter away. Lucius Stunned him and dropped his head, taking a deep breath.

"Malfoy! They're getting away!"

Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw at Death Eater sprinting past, only to drop with a hit from a green light to his back.

She watched Lucius's eyes rove frantically over his son before his lips parted. "Mippy," he called hoarsely.

In three seconds, the elf appeared. Hermione's shoulders shook.

"Master Draco—!"

"Take him to Dr. Xavier immediately. Once he is settled, bring Narcissa to him."

Lucius stood swiftly, and Hermione watched him sweep down the beach, headed for the shore as the breeze twisted around his robes and hair.

Mippy and Draco were gone a moment later.

She stood on shaking legs and ran after him. Spells flew toward him, but he beat them back, headed for the water.

She didn't know why until the waves lapped at her ankles.

Three boats rowed out into the ocean. The one furthest away was empty. She furrowed her brow and found the next furthest boat, just as two of the passengers Disapparated.

Her jaw dropped, her mind spinning back to a months-old article from the Prophet. The Anti-Apparition Line. They were paddling past it until they could Apparate into France.

There was one last person in the second boat. Lucius raised his wand and sent a curse hurtling toward them, missing the person by inches as they Disapparated.

He walked further into the water until it lapped at his thighs. The third boat was almost there. He cast a spell to drag it back, his whole body lunging and pulling the weight of it. A woman screamed as the boat rocked.

It was Katie Bell. Hermione's heart pounded.

She turned to the white cliffs at Dover and found only bodies. Lucius was the last Death Eater standing.

The four bodies in the boat grappled for control, and Hermione watched the water slosh. Lucius reeled back, his arm arcing overhead—

And the woman at the back of the boat turned over her shoulder, locking eyes with him.

Andromeda Tonks. She scrambled, pointing her wand at him.

Even from here she was recognizable.

Lucius hesitated, his lips pulled in a snarl.

And from around Andromeda's shoulder, a small head peeked, crawling up from her arms to look back at the beach.

Hermione heard Lucius take a heavy breath, still poised to strike.

Teddy Lupin stared at him, and after cocking his head, the Metamorphmagus toddler changed his hair to Malfoy blond.

Lucius lowered his wand.

Katie Bell and two others popped out of existence. Andromeda and Teddy followed.

And then there were only three empty row boats bobbing in the waves at the beach at Dover, the only sound the crash of waves and caws of seagulls.

With a deep sigh of relief, she turned to stare at Lucius, feeling tears streaming down her face. His eyes never left the spot Andromeda had been, his jaw working just like his son's did.

"Granger?"

She jumped, looking to Lucius's lips, confused when he hadn't spoken.

"Granger."

Spinning to her right, she found Draco standing next to her, in the same clothes he'd left in earlier that day for Edinburgh. Lifetimes ago.

She gasped, and her mind reached up, up, and out of the Pensieve.

Her hands were clenched white around the basin, her breath coming in quick gasps.

Draco was standing next to her with a furious look on his face. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I—I came in by accident. Well, I didn't mean to find the Pensieve—"

"How did you even get in here?"

Her mouth felt dry. "The door was open."

"And you just assumed that meant you had an open invitation?" he snarled, and she cringed away from him. "No one is allowed in here, not even Mother."

"There was no boundary spell—"

"So you thought that meant it was alright?" His brows popped off his forehead, his voice rising. She wrapped her arms around her waist. "Merlin, Granger. I just risked my life doing something you asked of me, and you can't even wait for me to come home before creating yet another catastrophe? If my father had caught you—"

"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have. But… Draco." She bit her lip, searching his face. "Your father has a Pensieve you didn't know about. I watched a few of the memories, and—"

"Leave." His eyes were hard as steel, boring into her. "Please."

"But—"

"Granger, enough!" His voice echoed against the walls.

She jerked her head in a nod, and slid past him. She turned around to face him when she was in the corridor, searching for injuries even though the Acid Hex was months ago.

"How did it go? Charlotte?"

"Perfectly," he said flatly. "The Carrows were half-drunk when they threw me out, and no one saw me except for Charlotte. The potion worked, and she knows what she has to do with the Antidote."

Hermione blinked, licking her lips. "And did she suspect who you were?"

"No. She pressed me on my real identity, but she understood why I refused."

"That's—that's incredible, Draco." She smiled tentatively at him, but he was still glaring at her, his fists clenched. "Thank you," she whispered, and he shut the door in her face.

She trudged back to her room with shame and embarrassment boiling in her gut. She shoved it aside after a few minutes, focusing instead on the selection of memories Lucius had collected. Her mind roved over the first — Edinburgh. She shivered at the reminder of the Switzerland memory, remembering Bellatrix's cackle as she skipped out the door.

But at Dover. He could have stopped a third of the escapees at the beach, but he hesitated when he saw Narcissa's sister.

Hermione frowned at Draco's bedroom door, her guilt coming back to her in waves. Perhaps he didn't want her there when she returned, but she didn't care. He'd be forced to hear her apology.

She read in his chair by the fire, but she started to itch after an hour, wondering if he was watching the memories. Were there many others she hadn't seen?

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, she picked at their dinner plates until finally he opened the door. She quickly stood, taking in his exhausted expression and furrowed brow.

He stared at her and she stared back. When she could stand it no longer, she blurted, "Did you watch them?"

After a silence that seemed to last lifetimes, he nodded. She twisted her hands together.

"What about the ones in the vials? Did you watch those?"

He dipped his chin again, and his eyes lifted from the carpets. He opened his mouth, and closed it.

"I didn't watch those," she said. "Was there…is there something in them that's bothering you?"

His throat bobbed as he studied her. "Do you remember when Goyle's father went missing?"

"Yes, he was never found." She drew a sharp breath. "Or was he?"

Draco rubbed his brow. "Let me start earlier."

She waited. He dropped his hand and tilted his head at her.

"What's a Horcrux?"

Hermione blinked, like a hit had landed to her stomach, reeling her back decades.

Chapter End Notes

Updates every other Sunday. (Next update 7/26/20)

Chapter 32

Chapter Notes

So many thanks to raven_maiden and SaintDionysus for their work on this chapter!

I want to pimp out the wonderful NikitaJobson and Avendell who both dropped some amazing art this week. Nikita added Lucius to this lovely Narcissa portrait , and Avendell was commissioned to do an Auction piece based on the first (heated) kiss ! If you're on tumblr, be sure to like and reblog to let them know that you think they're incredible.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Lucius Malfoy prowled through a thick wooded area, following a small sphere of light that did little in the way of illumination.

Hermione dropped into the memory next to a gnarled tree, Draco joining her a second after. She rushed to follow Lucius as he cut through an untraveled path, slicing branches and thickets away with his wand. Draco's footsteps were light but close behind her.

"Did you watch all of his memories?" Her heart beat quicker in her ribs as she turned to look at him.

They'd barely spoken since the moment in his bedroom five minutes ago, when he'd shaken her universe with a single word.

Hermione had shot question after question at him until he'd finally returned to his body, telling her she needed to come to the Pensieve with him. She'd flown out of the door and down the stairs before he could draw breath, tossing the simplest definition of a Horcrux over her shoulder at him once he caught up with her in the corridor. But he'd said nothing. He'd remained silent even when he took her hand and plunged them into the Pensieve to watch the first memory in the tray holding three black-tinted vials.

Draco's mouth was thin as he placed a hand on her back, guiding her forward. "No. Just some of the ones in the black vials." They passed through a low hanging branch like air, and Hermione froze on instinct. His hand lifted once she began walking again. "I know my father. He separated those ones for a reason."

Hermione nodded and refocused on where Lucius was headed.

They caught up to him a moment later, staring at the orb as it hovered between a pair of rotting tree trunks. Lucius's eyes closed, and a heartbeat later, the trunks parted to reveal a dilapidated shack. Lucius frowned at the residence, shimmering in a Notice-Me-Not Charm. The ball of light winked out as soon as he stepped through, and Hermione and Draco followed.

The exterior walls and roof were covered in moss, the ceiling caving in places. Trees seemed to have swallowed the shack as they grew unchecked around it.

Lucius swiftly moved down the overgrown path and toward the front door. After a quick sweep for curses, he pushed the wooden door open with a creak. He took a careful step inside, and Hermione followed him, stepping over the carcass of a long-dead garden snake. Her heart almost jumped out of her chest when Draco bumped into her from behind. He murmured an apology and steered her to the right, and she blinked to take in the room.

Dust, grass, and dead rodents littered the floor. The sink was full of cobwebbed dishes that had been abandoned years ago. Hermione's stomach churned. She was grateful that she couldn't ascertain scent from a Pensieve memory — the look on Lucius's face told her everything she needed to know.

She turned to Draco, and saw that his eyes were glued to the solitary doorway opposite of the sink. Just then, a large, hulking figure emerged silently from the darkness. Hermione stumbled backward, and Draco's hand caught hers.

Lucius whipped around to turn his wand on the man, and Goyle Sr. appeared in the light of his Lumos.

He looked exactly like his son — they had the same heavy brow, clipped hair, and thick neck. But there was something different in his deep eyes. Something that curdled Hermione's blood.

"We've been looking for you, Gregory," Lucius said. He didn't lower his wand.

Goyle remained perfectly still, almost as if he'd been Petrified. The light from Lucius's Lumos cast strange shadows on his chin and cheeks.

"How did you find me?" His thin, slippery voice sent shivers across Hermione's skin. "I sent a letter to the Dark Lord requesting him."

"I'm well aware." Lucius's tone was cold as he reached into his breast pocket and produced a folded piece of parchment. "I had been looking for you for two weeks when you deigned to send him this letter requesting that he come and find you. Leaving behind coordinates and riddles like some kind of children's game." He let the words hang heavy in the air. "The Dark Lord doesn't have time for your theatrics, Goyle. And neither do I."

Goyle's lips curled into a smile, and the sight of it made the fine hairs on the back of Hermione's neck stand on end. She squeezed Draco's hand, trying to tether herself to something outside of this nightmare. He returned the pressure.

Lucius's eyes narrowed at Goyle, and Hermione caught a flash of apprehension before it vanished in the pale slate. He knew something was wrong.

A muscle ticked in his jaw. "So what is it that's kept you from answering the Dark Lord's summons, Gregory?"

Goyle's smile fell slowly, mechanically — as if turned by an imaginary wheel. "I attempted to. But I couldn't risk entering the castle. There would be questions — if I was seen." His gaze drifted to a point on the opposite wall. "He must come to me here."

Hermione's mouth was dry as she glanced over her shoulder, looking around the shack. Why here?

"Who are you to request such things?" Lucius hissed.

She turned back in time to see Goyle's expression harden. "I must speak to him. Immediately."

Lucius scoffed, and Goyle stepped forward. Hermione's grip on Draco's hand tightened, and he angled himself in front of her.

"Why?" Lucius slowly shifted his weight to his back foot. "Why should he take orders from you — an insubordinate servant?"

Goyle's face swiveled to the only window, a sliver of moonlight striking against his eyes.

"Tell him I have something he needs." There was a stilted pause. "Tell him I've been doing a bit of…" His neck cracked, and his eyes slithered back to Lucius. "Soul searching."

Hermione felt her entire body tremble. A voice murmured in her ear, but she couldn't focus on what it was saying. She couldn't tear her gaze from Goyle.

No, not Goyle.

She could count on one hand the number of times she'd encountered him during the war, but she was certain that this man was not Gregory Goyle, Sr.

Her heart pounded in a deafening rhythm as she finally blinked and looked back to Lucius. His face was calm, but his muscles were rigid. His fingers were turning white on his wand handle.

"I will do my best, Gregory," he said lowly. "But the Dark Lord is out of the country for several days on an important errand. When he comes back…"

The scenery began to shift. She focused on the pressure of Draco's hand in hers as the gloomy shadows disintegrated, and the world rearranged itself in a blur of colors and patterns.

The Manor's library materialized before her eyes, and she felt like she could breathe again.

Lucius — the same from a few moments ago — was rushing inside, locking the doors behind him with a flick of his wand. His jaw was tight as he stepped up to the catalog, staring down at it. He opened his mouth — and closed it.

Hermione chewed her lip, her palm sweating against Draco's. She'd never seen Lucius Malfoy at a loss for words.

He cleared his throat and tilted his head. "Magical possession. Cross-reference with Dark Magic." The catalog glowed with dozens of green balls of light. Lucius scanned them quickly before adding, "Cross-reference with soul splitting."

One by one, the green orbs burnt out until only a single ball of light was left. And as blood rushed through her ears, Hermione watched Lucius follow the green light through the stacks and up to the book she knew was waiting for him. The three of them watched it slide out of its place on the third shelf, tucked between two large leather books.

The only book in the Malfoy library that referenced Horcruxes. The one that had disappeared last June.

Lucius snatched the book and turned on his heel, only pausing to erase the memory of the catalog. As he left the library, Draco made to follow him, but Hermione dragged them to a halt. Her knees felt like they were about to give out.

"Sorry," she managed. "I just need a moment—"

"It's fine." Draco examined her as the library doors slammed behind his father. "He goes back to his study. All I saw was the word 'Horcrux' before the memory ended."

Hermione nodded, her head still spinning. Suddenly, the Pensieve began lifting them up and out, back to Lucius's study. Her legs returned to her in a jolt, and when her vision cleared, the clock on the wall clicked toward one in the morning.

Loosening her fingers from Draco's, she stumbled to brace herself on the desk. She could still see the crumbling walls of the shack and hear Goyle Sr.'s slick voice.

Closing her eyes, she tried to focus. She'd been certain Voldemort wouldn't have tried to make another Horcrux — his soul was too unstable. But somehow…

A scuffle of footsteps interrupted her train of thought.

"So, it's true then," Draco whispered. "With this 'Horcrux,' the Dark Lord can possess a person?"

"Not exactly." She opened her eyes with a wince. "It's not meant for a person. It's better suited for an object. But when your soul is split, you can share bodies, in certain cases. He did with Quirrell."

Draco gaped at her. "Professor Quirrell?"

"Yes. Long story." Sighing, she rubbed her temples. "There's a piece of Voldemort in Goyle, which means he must have split his soul again at some point. But when?" She frowned up at him. "And how did it get into Goyle without Voldemort realizing it?"

Draco's eyes flickered. "We need to watch the next," he said quietly. "I didn't get through all of it. When you're ready."

"I'm ready." Forcing herself to stand, she strode to the Pensieve and peered down at the tray of black vials.

After a few moments, Draco shuffled next to her, collecting the silver threads swirling in the Pensive and pouring them back into the first black vial. As he reached for the second vial, dated 13 June 1998, he hesitated. "I— skipped over certain things."

Before she could ask, he was tipping the memories into the basin and taking her hand.

They landed at Hogwarts — or what used to be Hogwarts. Lucius pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped into the Great Hall. He paused at a movement to his left.

Nagini.

Lucius's lips pressed together as she uncoiled from a rotting table, slithering to meet him. Lucius began walking forward, Nagini hissing at his feet. Draco and Hermione followed.

Her eyes rose above Lucius's head, skimming the ceiling. The books in her mind that were filled with the happy memories of four colorful banners pulled forward on their shelves, and the echoes of laughter swelled in her ears—

The stark torches flickered on the wall, and the laughter distorted into a high cackle, garbling into her own agonized scream as Voldemort slashed through her memories.

Squeezing her eyelids shut, she reached out in her mind and used what was left of her energy to close the books that had fallen open, sliding them back on their shelves.

They halted in front of a massive serpentine skeleton, sprawling from wall to wall. Voldemort stood at the far window, looking out over the Black Lake and running his fingers over the Elder Wand. Lucius approached the throne of bones and waited. Nagini coiled around it, her muscles contracting and expanding as she reared her head.

"Goyle," Voldemort said softly. "What have you found?"

"More than I can explain, my Lord." Lucius clasped his hands behind his back and tucked his chin. "I... think it best that you visit him."

Voldemort turned from the window sharply. Hermione shifted her clammy grip on Draco's hand.

"And why can't he grace us with his presence here, at my castle?"

"He indicated it wasn't safe."

Voldemort's lip curled, and he moved towards them. The drag of his cloak against the stones sent goose pimples across her skin.

He stopped at the head of his throne, looking at Nagini almost affectionately before his scarlet eyes flashed to Lucius.

"I am not an errand boy, Lucius."

"Forgive me, my Lord. But there is something else."

The slits of Voldemort's nostrils flared. "Go on."

"He — was not himself." A delicate pause. "He said he had something that you need, and that he'd been 'soul searching.'"

Voldemort went very still. His gaze drifted to a spot over her shoulder, passing through her, and her shelves shivered, but held firm.

"What else?"

"He is waiting for you," said Lucius, his throat clicking around the consonants. "In a run-down shack on the outskirts of Little Hangleton."

Voldemort's eyes jerked to Lucius. "What did you say?"

"I believe the property used to belong to a family called the Gaunts—"

With a snarl and a vicious twist, Voldemort Apparated away. Hermione sucked in a breath, feeling her legs sway beneath her.

The Gaunts. The word rattled around her head, but slipped through her fingertips.

Lucius remained motionless, still facing the empty throne, as if waiting for further instructions. His fingers twitched by his side. Only the flickering sound of Nagini's tongue broke the silence.

After a full minute, he turned to walk out. He was as pale as a sheet.

As he left the Great Hall, the room shivered and morphed. When the world stopped spinning, Hermione was surprised to find herself in the Manor's entry hall. Draco's fingers tightened before they ripped away from hers.

She opened her mouth to ask him what was wrong, but was distracted by the sight of Lucius wrenching the front door open. He peered down the stone drive, still wearing the same clothes from the previous memory — it was the same day. His face was even paler than before.

Glancing over her shoulder, she found Draco standing behind her. He was staring at the floor, as white as his father.

Hermione frowned. What memory was this?

"Draco—"

A crack spliced through the sky, and Hermione jumped. She looked out into the clear evening and found a cloaked figure gliding through the Manor gates.

Voldemort.

Realization hit her like a blow to the gut. She whipped around and saw Draco curling his fists, his shoulders curving inwards on himself.

Before she could think over the panic in her chest, Voldemort was slithering up the steps to the Manor and meeting Lucius in the doorway.

"My Lord." Lucius bowed. "Welcome to the Manor—"

Voldemort raised his hand, silencing him. "Fetch your Mudblood, Lucius."

Lucius inclined his head and led Voldemort into the drawing room. Hermione reached for Draco at the same time he reached for her. His hand was damp in her grip.

"We don't have to watch this." He swallowed, his grey eyes slightly clouded. "I didn't last time. I can skip it forward—"

She jerked a nod. He waved his wand and they found themselves in the drawing room. Hermione went rigid as she watched the other Draco drag her broken body off the floor, tugging her towards the door.

The real Draco interlaced their fingers, and the pressure steadied her.

Voldemort stood at the window, his gaze distant.

Lucius's eyes flickered from the door to Voldemort. "My Lord. I would like to be of assistance."

The drawing room door clicked closed, and Hermione felt like a tomb had sealed them in. Her vision blurred, knowing that at this moment, Narcissa was taking her upstairs, to her ruined bedroom.

Swallowing, she quieted her mind and refocused on the task at hand.

Voldemort had come to search her mind for information about Horcruxes. Whatever he'd learned from Goyle had driven him to seek her out.

Finally, Voldemort tilted his pale head at the window. Lucius cleared his throat, and his hands shook once as he clasped them behind his back.

"My Lord, I know there have been times in the past when I have failed you. But I hope my devotion to serving you and the Great Order has allowed me to regain your trust." He took a deep breath. "If I am correct... perhaps you once trusted me with something of this sort." Hermione watched his fingers clench. "With a diary."

Her lips parted and a chill raced down her spine.

Slowly and deliberately, Voldemort turned from the window. And even though she knew Lucius had survived this moment, her heart seized in terror for him.

"'Assistance?'" His face was unreadable, but the hiss shivered through the room. There was the slightest twitch to Lucius's shoulders.

"The Malfoys have properties all over the world. Some… off the books." He brushed his thumb across his knuckles. "I believe I can assist, my Lord. In keeping Goyle safe."

Voldemort stepped into him, boring into his eyes. She heard Draco let out a shaky exhale next to her. And then—

"I must speak with Goyle again." Voldemort swiveled and glided away, before pausing at the doorway. "You will accompany me, Lucius."

There was visible relief on Lucius's face before he masked it. He inclined his head, and his dragon leather shoes clipped a quick pace to follow Lord Voldemort out.

Hermione's lungs begged for air once the door closed, pain pricking behind her temples. Draco opened his mouth to say something to her, but then the room began swirling and his words vanished like air in a vacuum.

The world ground to a halt, Draco holding her around the waist. There was a ringing in her ears as she looked around him, taking in their surroundings. They were in the dense forest of trees again — Little Hangleton in the distance.

"Granger—"

She pushed away from him with a gasp.

They were at the Gaunt residence. Where Voldemort had hidden the ring, one of his first Horcruxes. Of course.

"Granger." Draco caught up to her, grabbing her hand. "We can take a break. We can watch the rest once you've slept—"

"No. We have to find out what happened."

"I haven't gotten this far. I don't know what happens next, and you're exhausted—"

"I'm— I'll be fine, Draco." She stumbled forward, and she pulled him through the thicket until they caught up to the cloaked figures approaching the shack in the twilight.

Her mind wobbled and whirled, like a spinning top on a rough table. Why had Voldemort wanted to search her mind for proof that Harry was a Horcrux? What else had he thought she'd known — and how did it relate to Goyle?

The door flew open, and Voldemort swept inside. With a slight roll to his shoulders, Lucius followed. Draco hesitated at the door, staring back at her. She nodded, and he turned and led her into the shack.

They filed in next to Lucius, his wand raised in a Lumos, and followed his and Voldemort's gaze across the room. Goyle had his back to them, facing the opposite wall, as if he hadn't moved since he was last left alone. When he turned, his eyes were trained on Voldemort. His lips stretched in a smile, like he'd found a puzzle piece he'd been missing for years.

"Find the answers you were looking for?"

"Some of them." Voldemort tilted his head, appraising him like one might a new pet. "How long have you been inhabiting this host?"

Goyle stepped into the glow of Lucius's wand. He tilted his head in the same manner, and Hermione felt her skin crawl. "It was several days after the Final Battle. I was disembodied, wandering the forest next to Hogwarts when Gregory Goyle stumbled upon me."

Voldemort's eyelids closed, and his nostrils flared. "Goyle remains alive?"

"For now." His leer sharpened, his features grotesque and inhuman. "One might say he's— sleeping. He offered little resistance when I overtook him."

Voldemort curled and uncurled his long fingers. "And before that? What do you remember?"

"It's unclear," Goyle said, his eyes glazed in memory. "I remember something like being sealed away — buried alive. It took years to become aware of myself again. The more I felt you, the more I pushed to claw my way out. But then, just weeks ago, I was abruptly cast out."

Red eyes flew open, narrowed into slits. "Where?"

Goyle's eyelids fluttered. "It was dawn in a forest. I saw a dead boy before I vanished amongst the trees."

The room was silent, apart from the pounding of Hermione's heart.

"And before then." Voldemort's voice was a whisper, almost a caress. "What is the last thing you remember before you were sealed away?"

"The death of the girl. And the baby's cry."

Hermione let out a strangled gasp. Draco jerked his head to look at her, but she was staring at Goyle in horror, her air coming quickly.

It couldn't be...

"Lucius," said Voldemort, hissing around the name. "You claim to know what Goyle is?"

He turned his gaze on Lucius, and Hermione watched him take a deep breath.

"I believe the word is… 'Horcrux,' my Lord."

Voldemort prowled a wide circle around the room. "And how did you come to know this word?"

"I found a book in my library…" He cast his eyes down. "I should not have looked into it without your permission, my Lord. Forgive me."

"Destroy that book."

Lucius nodded, his eyes still downcast.

"You're wrong, Lucius," said Voldemort, a twisted melody in his tone.

Lucius's eye twitched, but he gave away nothing.

"You see, our friend here — Goyle"—Voldemort's voice was dripping in amusement—"is not a Horcrux at all."

Lucius glanced up. "My Lord?"

"No." Voldemort halted a step away from Goyle, looking him up and down. "But he came from one."

Goyle swiveled his neck to meet him, like a hinged puppet.

Voldemort spun away and resumed his pacing. "You are aware that I have created several Horcruxes. But it seems that one was… unintentional."

He swept within a breath of them, and it took everything in Hermione not to shrink away. Her legs felt like jelly as her mind clicked, details locking into place.

Draco tugged her closer, shifting a shoulder behind her.

"Years ago, this unintended Horcrux attached itself to my enemy, marking him as my equal." His lips twisted, as if he now found the prophecy amusing. "My soul grew stronger in his body as my powers grew. And I presume he learned the truth. When he surrendered himself in the Forbidden Forest, he must have believed the Horcrux would be destroyed when I killed him. Instead, it was released." Voldemort turned his gaze on Goyle. "Until it found a new host."

Hermione's lips parted, black spots popping in her vision. Like she'd been plunged into dark, icy waters, forced to sink slowly to the bottom as the surface remained still.

The Horcrux inside of Harry.

Voldemort hadn't created another one by accident. It was the same one that had been inside of Harry.

Harry had learned about it somehow. And he'd thought he could kill it by sacrificing himself.

But it hadn't worked.

Her breath was caught in her chest, like a dead weight growing inside her.

Harry had died for nothing.

Voldemort was still talking, but she couldn't hear him anymore.

Something warm wrapped around her shoulders as they shook, and she jerked her arms, twisting to escape. She spun and Draco was there, trying to hold her, speaking to her.

Her lungs seized for air, but she couldn't draw breath. Her heartbeat rattled a crescendo in her chest. She tried to focus on Draco's grey eyes, but all she could see was emerald green.

The walls of the shack started to shift, closing in on her, getting tighter and tighter until they pressed on her like the sides of a coffin—

And then it was all darkness.

~*~

Her eyelids blinked open with the whisper of "Rennervate" in her ears. She jerked upright, and someone caught her by the shoulders. Her vision adjusted as her lungs sucked in air, and when she looked up, she found Draco hovering above her, his green canopy curtains stretching high overhead. She was in his bed.

"Granger," he said, and she realized he'd been calling her name.

Her throat was dry, and she licked her lips. "What happened?"

His expression was pinched. "I had to Stun you." He lifted a hand to brush her curls from her face. "You were having a panic attack."

She drew a sharp breath, pressing her eyes closed. Her shoulders trembled beneath his fingertips as the memories crested, flooding through her.

A stab of despair rippled through her chest.

Harry.

He'd found out somehow. He'd learned the truth about the Horcrux inside of him. Something in Snape's memories must have confirmed it.

Her eyelids burned as tears slipped free, curving down her face. A warm hand wiped them away.

Her best friend was dead, and she hadn't let herself think about how or why. She'd buried him amongst her shelves without having all the answers. But now his book had flown open, the sheets torn and the spine splintering as the pages scattered.

She bit back a sob as the grief sunk in her throat, coiling like black tar around her ribs.

He'd walked to the Forest with purpose. He'd laid down his wand, closed his eyes. She hadn't been with him. He'd been alone.

Harry had died doing what he thought was right, but he'd failed. The Horcrux lived on. And he'd died in its place.

A sob tore from her throat, and she shrank away from the hands clutching her. She focused on her shelves, pressing her hands into her eyes until the tears stopped falling.

There was an inhale next to her — and then the rattle of porcelain. She opened her eyes to see Draco bringing a cup and saucer to her. Her head was stuffy, but she recognized the faint smell of chamomile. She concentrated on breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth.

"What happened?" Draco asked softly. The bed dipped as he sat beside her. "What am I missing?"

She sipped the tea, but it tasted like ash on her tongue. Handing back the saucer to him, she wiped her cheeks again and tried to push her emotions back.

"Harry had a Horcrux inside of him. A Horcrux Voldemort never intended to make. I'd guessed this some time ago, but I never told him. Or anyone else." Her eyes fell to her lap. "That's why he walked into the Forest. He was sacrificing himself to kill it."

The mattress shifted, and she heard Draco's throat click.

"He believed it would kill the Horcrux, but it didn't. It freed it."

The room blurred as she lifted her eyes to his. She blinked, and found him watching her carefully, his fingers inches from hers.

"Harry died for nothing," she whispered. "It accomplished nothing."

All the people that had died, all the friends that had been put up to Auction. And Harry's death had been pointless.

She started crying again, her lungs fighting against her ribs. Draco flicked his wand and brought a Sleeping Draught to her lips. She twisted away.

"It's four in the morning, Granger—"

"There's another vial of memories—"

"They will still be there in the morning."

She fell back into the pillow, allowing her body to sink back into the mattress as he tipped it down her throat. Her eyes started to close, and Draco turned off the light and slid onto the bed behind her, curling his shoulders around her and pressing his face into her hair. She listened to him breathe until sleep dragged her under.

~*~

She woke with Draco still wrapped around her, his warmth comforting her for all of five seconds before her blood ran cold. Her body flinched with the memories of the previous night, jolting him awake.

"Sorry." Her voice cracked as she turned to him.

He rubbed his eyes and looked her over, reaching to tuck a curl behind her ear. "How are you?"

She rolled to her other side and checked the clock on the mantle. Ten in the morning.

"I'm better," she lied. Her lips trembled, and she pressed them closed. "I need to watch the rest of the memories." She sat up and threw the covers off.

"Granger, it's important for you—"

She spun to him. "Nothing is more important than this."

A strange look crossed his face. She swallowed, forcing her shoulders to relax.

"Sorry, it's just…" Her mouth opened and closed as she struggled to find the words. "This matters more than anything, Draco. It's bigger than all of us."

His expression went blank again, and he reached for his wand on his nightstand. He waved it in her direction, and her pajama bottoms were transfigured back into denims.

She glanced down at them. "Thank you," she whispered.

He was silent for a moment, watching her slip back into her shoes. "So this is what you three were up to during seventh year. Looking for Horcruxes."

She nodded. "Dumbledore told Harry everything he knew about them. Voldemort made six Horcruxes. He split his soul using dark magic, and sealed it inside six things that held significance for him."

Draco tossed off the covers and stared at the opposite wall. "They keep him alive, don't they?"

"Yes. As long as a piece of his soul exists, he can't be destroyed. Not even with the Killing Curse." Taking a deep breath, she dug her fingernails into her palms. "The night he tried to kill Harry as a baby, his soul fractured again. And somehow it lodged itself inside the only living person in the room."

"Potter." Draco twisted to face her, his jaw tight. "And now Goyle."

"Goyle's only a temporary host," said Hermione, rubbing her brow. "But I'm certain Voldemort has made a new Horcrux to seal it in." She pressed her shaking fingers to her lips. "Did he say anything about what he was going to do with it? In any other of the memories you watched?"

"I only saw what you did." Draco stood up and went to his closet, pulling a jumper over his head. "I didn't get any further last night before I came to find you. I went to the library and through my father's study to see if he'd hidden the book somewhere."

"We should start at the end of the memory you had to pull me out of. He might have said something—"

Draco shook his head as he tugged on his belt. "It was ending as I pulled you out. All he did was tell my father to wait for further instructions."

Hermione swallowed her disappointment. "Well, hopefully we'll find the answer in one of the other ones." She shoved aside the pounding in her head. They had to get back to the Pensieve.

"So…" Draco pinched the bridge of his nose. "Aside from Voldemort himself, there are seven other pieces of his soul keeping him alive? Including the one in Goyle?"

"No. There's only two left." When Draco's brows drew together in confusion, she said, "The other five have been destroyed."

He blinked at her. "Destroyed." His voice was soft and far away.

"Yes." She crossed the room to his door. "It's just his snake and the piece that attached itself to Goyle. Once those two are gone, he'll be mortal again."

She opened the door, but a hand on her elbow stopped her. Frowning, she turned around. Draco's face was impassive as he pointed to the breakfast trays waiting for them on his desk.

"You should eat something."

"Draco, there's no time."

"Granger—"

"We can eat later." She stepped through the door and moved swiftly down the corridor. Pausing at the staircase to wait for him, she turned back to see him emerging from his bedroom with two pieces of toast in his hand. He offered her one with a lifted brow. Huffing, she shoved it into her mouth as they took the stairs down.

She hesitated once they reached Lucius's study, but then she remembered it was no longer barred to her. Draco moved past her and she quickly followed him inside, shutting the door behind her. The Pensieve was left exactly where it had been six hours ago.

He scooped the last memory from the basin back into the vial dated June 13th, and Hermione tipped the final black-tinted vial into the Pensieve — dated nearly three months after the first two. Their eyes met as she grabbed his hand, and together they tumbled into the next memory.

They dropped into the Gaunt house as Lucius stepped inside. Lucius closed the door behind him, his eyes fixed to the left of her feet, and Hermione yelped when she found the corpse of Goyle Sr. on the floor next to her. Draco steadied her when she stumbled, gaping down at the body.

His skin was blanched, his purple lips hanging open in what might have been a scream. And with a sickening lurch to her gut, Hermione saw that Goyle Sr.'s eyes had been blue — not the deep brown from the previous memories.

"Lucius," said Voldemort. He turned from his place by the window.

Lucius's eyes flickered up to Voldemort. "You were successful, then, my Lord?"

"Yes," he said, the hiss bouncing around the walls. "I have extracted the precious piece of my soul, and sealed it in a proper vessel. And now we must see that it is secured." He slithered to Lucius and slowly extended his hand. His long fingernails sent Hermione's stomach roiling again. "Which is why you are here, my slippery friend."

A crease appeared between Lucius's brow, but it was gone in the blink of an eye. He reached into his robes and produced a handkerchief that hovered in the air, unfolding to reveal a golden rope. Voldemort's eyes locked on Lucius's as they both reached for a side, and with a tug, Hermione and Draco were swirling alongside them.

They landed on rocky ground in the middle of the night. A looming mountainside rose up behind them. The moon was absent in the sky, and the stars were hidden behind clouds.

The hair on Hermione's arms prickled.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"I don't know." Draco's eyes darted around the landscape. "I've never been here before."

Lucius straightened his robes and lit the path with his wand. His boots crunched through the gravel as Voldemort followed, his cloak trailing silently behind him.

"I trust I have your full confidence in this location," said Voldemort. His voice was low, but the layer of threat was unmistakable.

"Yes, my Lord. I have spent these several months not only building allies in the Romanian government, but ensuring that no one knows of this property's existence. I have investigated the records personally. And I have strengthened the wards and protections surrounding it." His grey eyes glittered as he turned over his shoulder to look at Voldemort. "This property won't be found. I assure you."

Romania. Hermione looked around at the dark mountain range, trying to identify anything that could pinpoint exactly where they were.

"I hope you are right, Lucius. For your family's sake."

Dread washed over her like a slow-breaking wave. She chanced a glance at Draco. His eyes were wide, but his mouth was hard. Lucius dipped his chin and continued walking.

They started uphill, taking a cragged dirt path. Lucius took an abrupt right turn around a large stone, and led them away from the passage.

"I am honored that the Malfoy family can once again be useful to you, my Lord." Lucius slowed his pace to step in time with Voldemort. "I will not fail you again."

Voldemort hummed. "I have been pleased with your performance, as of late. But should you become complacent in the future..."

"Of course, my Lord," said Lucius quickly. It was silent under the starlight for a long moment before Lucius spoke again. "If I may speak freely…?"

"Go on."

"I see a bright future for Draco. He is well-respected by his peers and superiors, and he has a way with words. I would hope he can serve you to that effect as he matures. Perhaps one day, even as Minister."

Hermione turned over her shoulder to where Draco was steps behind her. His eyes were glued to his father and Voldemort.

She thought of Lucius's memory from Switzerland — pushing him toward accompanying the German Minister instead of torturing the prisoners with Bellatrix.

Voldemort slithered onward through the dark path between hills and said, "We'll see."

Lucius nodded, and Hermione's stomach bubbled with guilt as she wondered if she might agree with him. Even if both options made her nauseous, it was better to imagine him in an office than a battlefield.

The path narrowed, and Lucius stopped in front of a smooth rock face. "Here, my Lord."

Hermione squinted, trying to memorize it, but in the darkness, everything was interchangeable. Draco stepped next to her, his eyes still on his father.

Lucius tapped his wand to the center of the wall, and it shivered, breaking apart with a rumble until a door appeared in the stone. He turned to Voldemort.

"Only a Malfoy can pass through." He pressed his wand to the center of his palm and sliced across the flesh. Dark blood dribbled down his wrist as he offered his hand to Voldemort.

Voldemort lips twisted in the semblance of a smile as he lifted the Elder Wand and cut a thin slice into his index finger. He summoned Lucius's blood from his palm, the red droplets arcing up and landing on his pale skin, mixing into his blood. He sewed the cut closed, and Lucius did the same.

Lucius moved to the entrance, but he froze when Voldemort placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You will wait here," he whispered, and Hermione saw Lucius try not to flinch as his bony fingers pressed harder. "I alone will hide the object and cast my wards."

Lucius jerked a nod, and he stepped back to allow Voldemort to enter. With a wave of his wand, Voldemort slid open the stone wall, like a boulder moving to the side. He slithered inside, disappearing in the darkness, and Lucius drew a ragged breath.

The mountains of Romania warped, the memory ending. The Pensieve pushed them up and out.

When her feet were firmly planted on the study floor, Hermione braced herself on her knees, sucking in air.

Lucius Malfoy had carefully saved the location of Voldemort's Horcrux.

Her ears were ringing when she finally looked up at Draco. His mouth was open, his eyes staring vacantly at the titles on his father's shelves. She blinked down into the Pensieve, seeing the mountains rise up to the surface of the swirling memories.

She was now one of four people in the world who knew the location of Voldemort's final Horcrux. And now she had to decide what to do with it.

She collapsed into Lucius's leather chair and closed her eyes, trying to think. When she finally opened them, her gaze lifted to Draco. His fingers were toying with a thread on his sleeve, his eyes still far away.

There was so much she'd already asked of him. Charlotte, returning her memories, disobeying his father. Even if he agreed to get another message to the Order about the Horcrux in Romania, she didn't know how they'd destroy it. They might not even be able to get past the wards.

Hermione looked down at the mahogany desk, breathing deeply as resolve washed over her. It needed to be her. Getting this to the Order and hoping they would be successful from afar was a risk she couldn't take. Horcruxes were hers. Hers, Harry's, and Ron's. Dumbledore had entrusted it to them.

Ginny and Charlotte didn't know what she did. With this new Horcrux in Romania… there was only her. And Draco.

Her eyes traveled up to him. Just days ago, she'd promised him she would stay until they could all get out. But there hadn't been a Horcrux then. Her logic was screaming at her to down the tattoo antidote, take his wand, march out the Manor gates, and head straight for the mountains in Romania. To roll back the stone and kill the Horcrux, just like he'd killed Harry. But her heart was begging her not to disappear. All three Malfoys would be tortured and killed. Her breath choked her, and she forced her thoughts aside.

Narrowing her gaze at the desk, she wondered why Lucius Malfoy would hold onto these memories. The only reason she could think of was that he needed them… for insurance. Just like her. If the True Order captured him or his family, what better insurance was there than the location of Voldemort's final Horcrux.

Draco abruptly turned on his heel, striding to the Pensieve. A muscle in his cheek twitched as he began collecting the threads and dropping them back in the vial. Putting things away, like they hadn't been touched — hadn't cracked her world open.

Her heart beat faster as she watched him. She needed to convince him. If he could find a way to get his mother and himself to safety, she could go to Romania and destroy the Horcrux. She wouldn't go without ensuring their safety, but she needed to go.

He set the black-tinted vials back on their shelf and closed the cabinet doors.

She ran through the conversation in her mind, curling her sweaty palms into fists.

Draco, I have to do this. Don't try to stop me, please.

The lock on the cabinet clicked into place, and she watched as Draco ran his fingers down the dark wood.

We need a plan to get you and your mother to safety. He won't be happy, but we can leave a note for your father. But he knew the defeat of the Dark Lord was a possibility. That's why these memories were kept. It has to be.

Draco turned back to her, looking at her with a tight jaw. His eyes flickered over her, concern in his gaze. She felt tears blur her eyes.

I know I said I was going to stay, but this is more important than all of us. This is why Harry died, and I can't let that stand. I have to go. I have to do this, please don't stop me—

"How do we destroy it?"

She blinked, her sight clearing as he looked up at her — grey eyes inquisitive, open. Trusting.

"What?" Her voice cracked on the word.

"It can be destroyed, like the other ones, yes? We can destroy it?"

Her heart beat quicker.

We.

She took a sharp inhale, like cresting the water's surface after drowning. "There are a few options, but…" Her eyes flickered over him, searching him. "You would… you would help?"

He tilted his head, frowning. "It's what you want, isn't it? To go?"

She felt her heart lodged in her throat. "I guess I didn't think that you would go with me — that you would go against Voldemort."

He stepped closer and bent to his knee in front of the chair. His hand raised to her cheek as a tear fell down from her lashes. "I didn't know there was another choice. I didn't know he could be killed. It didn't even cross my mind."

She sniffed. "And that changes things?"

His grey eyes looked up into hers. "There has to be something better than this." His jaw clenched and he shook his head. "When I heard that he'd won and that Potter had died…" He swallowed and took her hand. "I thought it was an immovable fact. And now you're saying it doesn't have to be this way."

Another tear splashed down onto his fingertips. She bit her lip, her blood pounding in her veins. "Draco, if you do this, there's no way the Order won't pardon you."

He searched her eyes. "That's not why I'll do it." He pushed a curl behind her ear, and as she stared back at him, he leaned up to press a kiss to each of her eyelids, temples, and cheeks.

When he reached her lips, she slipped off the chair and into his arms, winding her fingers in his hair. He pulled her into his lap and wrapped himself around her, kissing her softly. Her lips tried to follow him when he broke away.

Holding her close to him, Draco looked into her eyes and said, "How do we kill him?"

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 33

Chapter Notes

Thanks for your patience with the delay. Keep an eye on the ending A/N of this chapter for up-to-date information on the next posting date. Posting this chapter late affects the next one unfortunately, so we'll make some decisions soon about when Chapter 34 will post.

Thank you to my Cat and my Duck.

"Basilisk venom, Fiendfyre, the Sword of Gryffindor." Draco pushed off his father's desk and crossed the room, staring at the opposite wall. "You're sure there's nothing else that can destroy a Horcrux?"

Hermione's fingers slid from her lips. "As far as we know, yes. The book your father confiscated only listed Fiendfyre and basilisk venom. The Sword is a special case."

"But it's missing."

"Yes. Since last May." She chewed the inside of her cheek.

Draco nodded, and she watched his ribs expand. "Fiendfyre is the riskiest option. If the fire isn't contained, the mountain could collapse."

"That's fair."

Draco turned around. "So our best option is to find a rare snake that can apparently kill us on sight."

Hermione lifted a brow. "Actually, we only need to get to the basilisk skeleton in the Great Hall. Its fangs still contain the venom even after—"

"They're gone."

The air left her lungs. He sighed, running a hand down his face. "When the Dark Lord first brought the skeleton into the Great Hall, he removed and destroyed the basilisk's fangs. Rabastan saw him do it. I heard him mention it to my aunt."

A prickling coldness ran down her spine. "Alright. Well, that's not an option, then." She collapsed back into Lucius's leather chair and rubbed her temples, trying to think. "A fang might have survived the fire last year. But I highly doubt it."

Draco's footsteps shuffled closer. "Sorry?"

"It's just…" She dropped her hands and looked up at him. "Ron and I had several fangs, but we lost them all to the Fiendfyre."

"In the Room of Hidden Things? With Crabbe?"

"Yes. He unwittingly helped us kill a Horcrux in that room, actually."

Draco's brow furrowed. "Which one? The ring?"

"No, Ravenclaw's diadem." She leaned forward and tapped a finger against the desk. "Dumbledore destroyed the ring with the Sword of Gryffindor in sixth year." Another finger. "The diary was Harry with a basilisk fang. Ron killed the locket with the sword, and I destroyed the cup—"

She blinked at her five fingers against the wood. A heartbeat later, she jerked out of her chair.

"What—"

"I destroyed the cup with a basilisk fang in the Chamber of Secrets." Blood raced through her veins as she spun to him. "Draco, I think it's still down there. One of the fangs."

He gaped at her. "Don't you think he would have found it?"

"No. The rest were attached to the skeleton, so he wouldn't have looked far." She could hear the words as though Harry was speaking them— "His arrogance makes him careless."

"Granger—"

"I dropped a fang into the water. I remember it clearly now." She stepped into him, grasping his arms. "There's a basilisk fang still in the Chamber of Secrets, Draco. That's how we'll destroy this Horcrux."

His eyes flickered as they searched hers. "Granger, you can't be positive that you dropped it in the water."

"I can." A smile broke across her lips.

She released him and rushed to the locked cabinet. The silver lock fell open at her touch, and the doors swung open, revealing the Pensieve inside. Lucius's memories swirled at the disturbance.

Hermione glanced back over her shoulder. "I'll show you."

Draco stared at her before nodding, like snapping out of a trance. He moved next to her, scooped the jumbled memories into a vial, and offered her his wand. Hermione tapped it to her temple, summoning thoughts of the Battle of Hogwarts and Helga Hufflepuff's cup. Tugging the thread from her mind felt like a snake's tongue in her ear, but soon enough she had the silver memory dangling from the tip. She dropped it in the Pensieve, and her eyes met Draco's as she took his hand.

They dropped on solid ground together. But a vice locked around her heart the instant her vision cleared.

Ron.

Her stomach swooped violently. She watched with shallow breath as he crouched to place the cup on the wet stone floor in front of her past self. His blue eyes lifted to hers, and she watched herself stare up at him as he stood.

He was even taller than she'd remembered.

The basilisk fang gleamed in his open palm, speckled with blood and dirt. "Go ahead," he said.

His voice. It had been a year since she'd heard it. She'd forgotten how it had deepened to resonate in his chest.

She watched her younger self refuse, insisting that he should be the one to do it. Her face was pale and grim.

"This one's yours," Ron said. "I did the locket. You should do one."

Ron stepped closer, and Hermione watched herself take the fang with shaking fingers. He smiled at her, tentative and encouraging, and she felt it wash over her like sunlight.

There was a hollowness inside her, but the sight of Ron seemed to ease it. His freckles and his hair — the little details she'd tucked away so she wouldn't feel the loss of them.

Something shifted near her elbow, and she glanced to see Draco at her side. His face was unreadable as he watched the figures in the memory. He'd let go of her hand, she realized.

Hermione's cheeks flushed as she turned to face the front again. The ache in her chest twisted, sinking heavy in her gut. It felt wrong — to have them both in this moment.

Her breath hitched as her younger self dropped to her knees, raising the basilisk fang high and plunging it into the Horcrux. Her heart lurched in her chest as the cup let out an agonizing scream, like steel scraping against steel. A great wind struck up, twisting around them and billowing giant waves in the water as the ground rattled beneath their feet. Ron dropped to a crouch behind her, his eyes wide and his hands gripping her shoulders.

And then silence — apart from the slap of the waves against the chamber walls. A black tar oozed from the cracked gold.

She watched herself scramble to her feet, startling as her right trainer kicked the basilisk fang — watching it skid across the stones and slip into the water before spinning around to Ron.

"There!" Hermione ran to the edge of the stone walkway, pointing down at the murky waters. "It fell just there! Draco, did you—"

She whipped around, and found him staring at her and Ron. They were embracing.

Her mouth went dry, her feet frozen underneath her.

Finally, her past self lowered on her toes, letting her arms fall to her sides. Ron's hands dropped from her hips as she stepped away. There was an awkward silence before they began laughing, babbling about how well the other did and grabbing more fangs.

The two of them walked past her, towards the basilisk skeleton, breathless and pink. Hermione remembered how her skin had started buzzing then, spurring her to kiss him in the Room of Requirement just minutes later.

Hermione blinked at their backs. It felt though she was two separate people in that moment — as if her past self had become someone else, living somewhere Harry and Ron and Ginny were happy and safe. But even if she could connect the two paths, she'd leave half of herself behind.

A throat cleared behind her, refocusing her thoughts. She spun around. "Did you see it? It fell just here."

Draco nodded, his expression cool. He waved his wand, and they lurched up and out of the Pensieve. Hermione stumbled to the desk when they were firmly planted in Lucius's study, leaning against it as she steadied herself. Once Ron was safely tucked away in her mind, she found Draco shutting the first door of the cabinet, Lucius's memories already back inside the basin.

"Wait," she said. Draco's hand paused on the second door. "Maybe we should look around the Pensieve memories a bit. See if there's anything useful."

"I have no interest in viewing my father's memories, Granger." His fingers slid down the wood. "I've seen enough previews. I've already lived most of them."

"I understand, but there might be—"

He snapped the cabinet door closed. "They're a distraction. We should be focusing on the Horcrux."

"Al—alright." Her logic begged to differ, but her heart told her not to push him on this. "That's fine, Draco. We'll focus on the Horcrux."

The lock sealed itself with a twist of his fingers, and he turned to face her.

Hermione shifted her weight to tuck a curl behind her ear. "We have to find a way to get into Hogwarts."

"We are not going anywhere, Granger. Only one of us has access to the castle." He reclined against the cabinet. "Tell me how to get into the Chamber of Secrets."

She stared at him. "You can't go alone, Draco. I can't ask that of you—"

"You didn't." He crossed his arms. "I volunteered for this, remember?"

She frowned at the tightness in his posture. "It's a sink in the second floor girls' lavatory. You need to speak Parseltongue to it."

"And how did Weaselbee manage that?"

Hermione blinked at the sharp edge in his voice. His sneer. He was upset about what he'd seen in the memory, and she'd been too focused on her grief to notice.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to choose her words carefully. "Ron picked up a bit of Parseltongue he'd heard from Harry. It was blind luck, truly."

Draco pushed off the cabinet and rolled his shoulders back. "There's a journal on Parseltongue in the library. I'll check when it's time."

She nodded slowly. "And when will it be… time?"

"We'll have to wait for an opportunity." He scratched his jaw. "I can make an excuse to visit the castle, but it will need to be when the Dark Lord is guaranteed to be out of the country."

"And when will that be?"

"I couldn't say."

Hermione huffed, standing up tall. "There has to be a quicker way. We can't wait indefinitely—"

"Granger, if I'm caught, how would you like me to explain to the Dark Lord what I was doing in the Chamber of Secrets?" He glanced away from the fingernails he'd been studying. "What excuse would you suggest?"

Her blood began to boil at his condescending tone, but now was not the time to argue. "We can come back to this later."

"We can come back to all of it," he said. "You should eat something more than toast today."

She glared at him. "Fine."

They closed up Lucius's study and headed to the kitchen to see what they could scrounge up before dinner. Hermione's mind was furiously running through possible ways to sneak into the Chamber of Secrets sooner rather than later while Draco brooded next to her.

They both froze when they turned the corner to the entry hall and found Narcissa waiting for them. Her lips twisted down in displeasure.

"Mother." Draco moved forward reluctantly, and Hermione followed. Her blood pumped faster with each step.

Narcissa folded her hands when they stopped in front of her, her eyes fixed on her son. "I was awoken in the early morning by a Floo call from your father. He was anxious to know why someone opened his study yesterday."

Hermione's knees wobbled, and she stifled a gasp. Of course Lucius would have wards. They should have known.

Draco was silent next to her. He slid his hands in his pockets.

Narcissa lifted her chin. "I told him it was me. That I was looking for a few documents for one of our accounts. And I promised to close it up in the morning and not enter again."

Hermione felt her heartbeat in her fingertips.

"So tell me, what were you doing in his study?"

"Mother—"

Narcissa's gaze slid to Hermione. "Are you passing information to the True Order?"

"Yes," Hermione said quickly.

"Granger, enough," Draco hissed.

"It's true." Hermione bit her cheek. It wasn't a lie, exactly. Just yesterday Draco had been at Edinburgh giving Charlotte the instructions for the antidote potion. "I'm sorry, Narcissa. I was the one who went inside his study in the first place. If there's anyone you should be angry at, it's me."

"Thank you, Hermione." Narcissa seemed to steel herself, her shoulders dropping. She stepped closer to her son.

"Draco, your decisions are your own. But you must know what it would do to me if..." Her voice trembled. "Please just promise me you'll be careful."

Draco's throat bobbed. He nodded.

With a flick of her fingers, Narcissa produced two newspapers flashing "SPECIAL EDITION" in red at the top. She handed them to Hermione, and turned away with a brush of her lashes.

The sound of Narcissa's heels clicking away receded, and the floor shifted under her feet as Hermione looked down to the paper on top — the Prophet.

TERRORISTS DEFEATED IN CANADA

by Rita Skeeter

Draco dragged the second paper from her fingers — The New York Ghost — as she read on.

Late last night, The Dark Lord's forces struck a cell associated with the terrorist organization known as the "True Order." The insurgents were hiding on the large, sparsely populated Baffin Island off the eastern Canadian coast.

"A resounding success," Albrecht Berge told this reporter. "Our enemies' wards were no match for the Fog, an ingenious new magic which will help defend and protect the interests of the Great Order."

Generals Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange oversaw the operation, along with Berge and his apprentice, Theodore Nott, Jr. They observed the deployment of the Fog from a small island off the coast of Baffin. The Fog was successful not only in penetrating Baffin Island's wards and Anti-Apparition Line, but also in destroying a weapons base seeking to undermine the Great Order.

Berge and his apprentice will return to the U.K. to erect new wards at Edinburgh later this week.

That was all.

She tore through the pages, but found nothing that could help her piece together what had happened. Another resounding victory with no details. Flipping back to the front, she stared at the picture of Berge on the cover, his eyes obscured by round, dark-lensed glasses.

Thanking Merlin that Narcissa had defied Lucius's orders about the Ghost, Hermione reached for the other paper, pulling it from Draco's limp fingers with ease. She thrust the Prophet into his hand before reading.

TEN THOUSAND DEAD IN BAFFIN ISLAND MASSACRE

by Gertie Gumley

Hermione reached for the stair banister next to her, needing to brace herself. Her head was swimming with dread.

The Dark Lord Voldemort has made his first strike on the western hemisphere, targeting Baffin Island off the coast of Canada. In a devastating blow to the diverse magical and Muggle Inuit communities who reside there, Albrecht Berge released his newest Mass Death Magic on the island — a fog-like mist that spread rapidly, wiping out thousands of lives in mere minutes.

Early reports suggest the mist was released shortly before midnight from Resolution Island, just off the southern tip of Baffin. It spread northwest, cutting through the city of Iqaluit until an explosion blast just south of Nettilling Lake, reportedly where a True Order's military base had been stationed for several months. According to a source in the Canadian Ministry, this base was developing International Portkeys and other weapons to fight against the Great Order. Roughly one thousand True Order members, recruited from the indigenous communities in Baffin and other Canadian provinces, are presumed dead. The remaining casualties are civilians.

Although sources speculate the True Order weapons base was the main target, the mist also succeeded in penetrating the wards around the Canadian mainland, spreading across the Hudson Strait into the coast of Quebec and wiping out several small Muggle communities there. The estimated poison radius is 130 miles, over 30 times greater than the gas used in Switzerland.

It is unclear whether the Great Order is planning further attacks on Canadian soil, or whether they intend to deploy their Mass Death Magic on France. Sources say that the Spanish Minister Santos, Belgian Minister Peeters, and Italian Minister Romano have all privately objected to the deployment of the weapon at their French borders while this "mist" is still unreliable in its navigation.

The office of President Harrison declined to comment, but my source inside M.A.C.U.S.A. stated that Harrison has scheduled a meeting with Canadian Minister Martin later today.

The room spun. Hermione clutched the railing as her knees buckled, lowering herself to sit on the bottom stair. The pages of the Ghost fluttered to the marble.

Draco collapsed next to her on the stair, throwing the Prophet on top of the Ghost. He put his head in his hands and drew a ragged breath. Hermione did the same.

"Draco..." She shook her head, brushing away a falling tear. "We can't wait any longer. We have to help stop him."

There was a long silence. "Give me a few days," said Draco finally, his voice flat. "We'll think of something."

She nodded, staring at the picture of Berge on the front of the Prophet. Berge shifted, his lenses reflecting a horizon consumed by silvery green. Hermione squinted as someone's shoulder moved behind him — Theo's.

"Theo's name is in the papers next to Berge's." The sentence came out in a single breath.

Draco's hands dropped to his knees. "And?"

"Berge is now the greatest threat to the True Order. If he's a target, Theo is too. He's a monster by association." Her skin began tingling, and she looked up to Draco. "If Theo is taken — or killed — who knows what will happen to Oliver. We should think about getting him the antidote."

Draco's jaw ticked, his eyes locked on the Prophet. "A monster."

"From the True Order's perspective, yes. They'll want to take out everyone involved in this." Realization struck her an instant too late. Her mouth moved silently as she fumbled for her words. "I mean, of course your father isn't a monster, Draco—"

"Isn't he?" Draco's nostrils flared as his head snapped to her. "Ten thousand dead at the hands of four people? The ratio is monstrous."

He stood up swiftly, and Hermione's ribs clenched.

"Draco—"

"I need to take a shower. Excuse me."

She jumped to her feet as he took the stairs two at a time, scrambling to follow him. "I can't pretend to agree with his decisions, but he's not evil. He's consistently done what he thinks is best for you and your mother—"

Draco stopped at the top stair, spinning to her. "And that excuses the blood spilt along the way?"

Her throat strangled her reply. Of course it didn't.

"Leave it alone, Granger." He turned to stalk down the corridor, out of sight.

She raced to the landing, panting. "You aren't him." Draco's shoulders went rigid. "You are not your father, Draco."

His only response was to slip inside his bedroom, closing the door behind him — shutting her out.

Hermione stood in the empty corridor for what felt like hours before she came to her senses, shuffling back to her own room. She collapsed in the chair by her window, lost in thought.

Nothing could excuse the death toll on Baffin Island. Entire communities had been wiped out in the blink of an eye — most of them Muggle. Hermione had to dig her fingers into her palms to banish the images her mind conjured.

Until now, she could at least understand Lucius's decisions, even if she strongly disagreed with them. But this was beyond comprehension. If he'd simply stood by and let this happen, how could she defend him in good conscience?

Her emotions began to overwhelm her, and she had to meditate to beat them back. When she finally emerged from her lake with still waters, she revisited her problem.

By sunset, she arrived at two conclusions. First, it was possible that Lucius had tried to stop it. She could only pray that had been the case. Second, whatever his sins, Narcissa and Draco weren't to blame for them. Lucius had made his choices, and they'd made theirs.

Dinner appeared on her desk at seven. A single plate. She managed a few bites before the food turned cold, and watched the sun sink lower in the sky.

At eight, she dragged herself to the shower. At nine, she resolved herself to the fact that Draco wasn't coming for her. She changed into her pajamas and slid between her sheets, trying to ignore the cold pillow next to her, and the way the sheets didn't quite envelop her like Draco did. After an hour of tossing and turning, she rolled onto her back, staring at the canopy.

Avoiding her was just another way to punish himself. And ruin her sleep in the process.

She threw the covers off in a huff and sprang out of bed, marching across her room and through the passageway into Draco's.

He was sitting up in bed, reading a book. His mouth fell open when she stomped inside. Without a word, she threw back his comforter, crawled over him to snatch his wand and turn off the light, and plopped back on her side of the bed, tugging the sheets up. There was a long stretch of silence before she heard him close his book with a sigh, and felt him curl up against her in the darkness.

Waking with the dawn, she found her irritation had vanished. The sound of quiet breathing filled the room, and she turned over carefully. She spent the next hour memorizing Draco as he slept, studying him in ways she'd never been able to before.

When he stirred just before seven, she ran her fingers up and down his bare chest until his eyes fluttered open. As his gaze focused on her, a wariness flickered in the grey.

Hermione bit her lip, brushing his hair from his face. "Let's not talk about your father," she whispered.

His ribs stopped expanding for a moment.

"You're helping me." She propped up on her elbow, tracing his scars. "That's all that matters."

Hermione waited. And then— the slightest dip of his chin.

His pupils darkened as her fingertips dipped lower, cementing her morning plans. She moved over him, kissing him and reaching for his morning erection, and he flipped her on her back before she could draw breath. He sucked at her neck, her breasts, her thighs until she was begging him to end her agony. She came twice on his tongue. And then he pressed inside of her, panting into her neck and nipping his teeth across her throat with heady words of praise as she lay boneless under him.

~*~

She waited listlessly for two days, tearing open the Prophet and Ghost, searching for news. Both gave her little valuable information, though Gumley at least castigated President Harrison for his continued silence. On Wednesday, she and Draco spent most of the day brainstorming ways to sneak into Hogwarts, with little agreement. On Thursday, she was in her tub, meditating.

When her skin had pruned and her hair was half-dry, there was a familiar knock on her bathroom door.

"Come in."

Draco pushed the door open and leaned on the frame, a weary expression on his face.

The waters in her mind rippled, and she sat up straight. "News?"

He shook his head. "The post, actually."

Her eyes fell to the envelope in his hand. The opened wax seal was pressed with a black Dark Mark. "What is it?"

Draco tugged the card out of the envelope and stepped to the edge of the tub, holding it out so she could read it.

The Dark Lord requests your presence at a celebration honoring

THE VICTORY AT HOGWARTS

Sunday, 2 May 1999

at seven o'clock in the evening

Hogwarts Castle

She felt dizzy as her brain whirred, scrambling to process the information. 2 May was ten days away.

The water sloshed as she shifted to her knees, looking up at him. "You'll go with me to get the basilisk fang? On that night?"

"No." Draco took a step backward, tucking the invitation away. "You will stay at the party with Mother. I will go."

Anger sparked in her veins, tensing her muscles. She wouldn't be kept to the side in this — he needed her.

Forcing her shoulders to relax, she said, "You can't go alone, Draco. You'll need someone to help you—"

"I know." A heavy sigh poured from his chest, and he reached for her towel. "Get dressed. We're leaving in half an hour."

She stared at him blankly as he handed it to her. "What? Where?"

"To see Blaise."

She opened her mouth, but he was already slipping out the door. Her shock began hardening beneath her skin. Blaise could help him, but so could she. Stepping out of the tub, she quickly dried herself off, threw on some clothes, and raced through the passage to his room just as he came in through the door, holding a vial in his hand.

The sight of it startled her. "What is that?"

He lifted it into view — the tattoo antidote potion. "I grabbed some from our supply." She frowned at him, and he added, "For Giuliana."

"Oh," she said, blinking. "Quite right." Her mind spun to another long-forgotten thought, and she grabbed his arm. "We need to get one of these to Oliver. We can go to see him directly from—"

"Granger, we can't do that." His eyes drifted across her face as she gaped at him. "There's no Pansy who can pretend to be Wood. If someone discovered that he escaped while Theo was away—"

"I'm not suggesting he escape. We can just give it to him so if something does happen to Theo, he at least has the option to—"

"And you really think he'll stay put at Nott Manor once he can leave?"

"Yes, I do." There was a long pause. Hermione let her fingers fall from his arm.

Draco shrugged tightly. "Agree to disagree, then."

She felt something itching at her as he stepped around her and paced to the fireplace.

"Oliver loves Theo. He wouldn't gamble with his life. Even if it meant sacrificing his own freedom."

Draco glanced over his shoulder. "You don't know that."

Her lips parted as she searched for words. She did know that.

Before she could think of how to explain, Draco was reaching for the jar of Floo powder at the fireplace and tilting his head to the side. "We can talk to Theo the next time we see him."

Hermione let out a short puff of air and shoved her thoughts aside. This wasn't about Theo's feelings, or hers. This was about destroying the Horcrux. When she joined him at the fireplace, he tossed the powder into the grate, called out, "12 Grimmauld Place," and tugged her into the whoosh of the flames.

The drawing room at Grimmauld Place looked much the same, if not tidier. She focused on her breathing as her eyes roved the room. The mossy curtains were clean and free of Doxies. The creaky sofas she, Harry, and Ron had slept on last year were freshly aired and covered in fashionable throw pillows. There was a book on the coffee table with a title in Italian, a silver bookmark laid in its final pages.

Draco's hand released hers with a squeeze. He moved to the doorway just as a girl with honey-brown hair peeked around the corner, her eyes sharp and assessing. Hermione jumped, then blinked at her in recognition.

Daphne Greengrass.

"Draco," she greeted in her deep voice. "I thought I heard the Floo."

"Daph."

She clasped his arm and kissed his cheek, and her eyes slid over Hermione with a wary distaste that she recognized from school. "Granger."

Draco stepped slightly in front of her. "Daph, can I speak with Blaise?"

She lifted a brow in a perfect imitation of Pansy Parkinson, and said, "I don't know. Can you?" With a spin of her heel, she swept from the room, calling out for Blaise.

Draco rolled his eyes and gestured Hermione forward, and they followed her around the corner into the first floor landing. Daphne strolled past a bedroom that Hermione and Ginny had slept in when they were younger, and Hermione squeezed her eyes shut as a sharp stab of grief rippled through her. She concentrated on a lake with still waters, and when she refocused, she found Blaise appearing from the dining room on the landing below. His gaze flickered from Draco to Hermione.

A smirk crossed his lips. "Look what the lion dragged in."

A creak on the stairs above, and Hermione turned to find Pansy descending toward them from the landing above. She paused. "What are you doing here, Granger?"

Before Hermione could respond, a voice from downstairs called to Blaise.

"Guests?" Giuliana Bravieri swept quickly to Blaise's side, staring up at them. Her cheeks looked fuller since the last time Hermione had seen her, but she still moved like a child, birdlike.

Hermione looked up at Daphne, standing next to them, her brow still arched. Her neck tilted to Pansy, frowning at her from the stairs above. "You all live here?" Hermione's eyes dropped to Blaise again. "With Blaise?"

Blaise scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, yeah. Welcome to my little harem." He seemed less than enthused.

Daphne snorted and disappeared into a nearby bedroom with a sharp click of the door. Pansy began descending the stairs, and Hermione heard Giuliana ask Blaise what a harem was in a low whisper.

"Blaise." Draco jerked his head in the direction of the drawing room. "Can we talk?"

Blaise let out a long-suffering sigh. He began climbing the stairs to the first floor landing, and Draco ushered Hermione back inside, guiding her to the couch. She stiffened at the thought of the last time she'd slept on it, but Draco's hand on her back centered her. He sat next to her at the end closest to the fireplace, and Blaise took the claw-footed chair beside him.

There was a split second of silence before Pansy barged through the doors, sinking into the chair across from Blaise as if it were exactly where she was expected to be.

Draco cleared his throat and said, "Some privacy, Pans?"

Pansy had barely let out a scoff when Giuliana filed in, and a vein throbbed in Draco's temple as he watched her perch on the coffee table next to Blaise. There was a movement in the corridor, and Hermione glanced up to find Daphne hovering in the doorway, her arms tightly crossed.

"Something's wrong," Daphne said. "Why else would he bring her?"

Draco rubbed his forehead. "Nothing's wrong, Daph. I just need to speak to Blaise—"

"What is she talking about?" Giuliana scooted closer to Blaise. "What is wrong?"

Blaise's shoulders lifted, and he shook his head. "I have no—"

"We're not leaving, Draco." Pansy crossed her legs, tapping her fingers on the armrest. "Out with it."

Four pairs of eyes fixed on him, but still he said nothing. Hermione fought the urge to wipe her sweaty palms on her denims.

"I believe there is a change on the way," he finally said. "A shifting of the winds."

Pansy's tapping ended with a thump. "If you have something useful to say, now would be a good time."

"Where is this 'wind' shifting, exactly?" Daphne's voice was tight, and Hermione watched her fingers clutch at a locket around her neck.

Giuliana turned over her shoulder. "A wind shift? Pansy, what—"

Blaise sat very still, his eyes boring into Draco's. Hermione watched his dark pupils dilate and retract, and felt Draco relaxing next to her — his walls crumbling away.

"Girls," said Blaise, cutting through the chatter. "Leave us."

Giuliana flinched, like she'd been slapped. Pansy coolly picked at her fingernails. "Why?"

Blaise massaged his brow. "Because Draco's going to get us all killed."

Draco glowered at Blaise while Pansy and Daphne exchanged unimpressed looks, as though this was just another Friday evening in the dormitory.

"Come get me if something interesting happens." Daphne sniffed and pushed off the doorframe, disappearing with a flip of her hair.

Giuliana began arguing with Blaise in Italian, and Hermione leaned into Draco's ear. "Where is Daphne's sister?"

"Montreal, with her parents." Hermione turned her head to look at him. "The Greengrasses have been 'on holiday' there since last June."

Her gaze drifted to the empty doorway. "Why did Daphne stay behind?"

Draco nodded his head to his right. And Hermione's gaze snapped to Blaise, gesturing with his hands as he spoke.

Her mind clicked with old memories of them passing through the hallways together. It made sense that Daphne would stay for him. But then why were they acting like total strangers?

Draco let out a slight cough. "Giuliana." The girl broke off, turning to him like a doe caught down the barrel of a rifle. "I need you to distract Kreacher for us. Can you keep him busy?"

She whipped her eyes back to Blaise, almost asking for permission. He nodded, and pinched the bridge of his nose as she left the room.

Pansy uncrossed her legs and leaned forward, her eyes locked on Draco.

"Pansy—"

"You owe me this." Her tone was soft, but it echoed around the walls with finality.

Draco's throat clicked, and he flicked his wand to cast a Muffliato at the doorway. He turned to Blaise. "He can be killed."

Blaise settled back in his chair. "By you?"

Draco hesitated. "It's complicated." He turned his chin in Hermione's direction, and some of the tension in her spine eased.

"There are steps," she said. "A certain sequence of things we need to do in order to kill him. The first is getting a basilisk fang."

A snort from their left. "You're going to kill the greatest Dark wizard that ever lived with a basilisk fang?"

Hermione ran her tongue along the inside of her teeth. She was still hesitant to tell anyone else about the Horcruxes. Every new person who learned the truth was another liability.

"Pans, we can't tell you anything else."

Pansy stared them down through lidded eyes. "Fine. You need a basilisk fang. What is Blaise supposed to do about it?"

Draco swiveled to face Blaise again, pushing to the edge of the sofa. "Help me get one from the Chamber of Secrets. There's one down there."

Blaise tossed his head back and laughed. Spots of pink appeared on Draco's cheeks.

"So you want me to go sneaking around Hogwarts with you when the castle is crawling with Death Eaters, and help you break into one of the most impenetrable chambers in the castle—"

"Not all that impenetrable—"

"—and grab a fang to... smuggle out of the castle? Or do you intend to stab him right there over dinner?"

Draco gritted his teeth. "All I'm asking is for your help creating a distraction so I can get away for twenty minutes. I can get the fang myself, but I'd prefer if someone was watching my back."

Irritation bubbled in Hermione's chest. "I already told you I could help you! Clearly we're wasting our time—"

"Not now, Granger—"

"What grand Gryffindor scheme have you fallen victim to, Draco?" Blaise's eyes narrowed at him, and then slid to Hermione.

Hermione crossed her arms and pressed her lips together. Draco's feet shifted on the carpet.

"Things are changing, Blaise," Draco said. "I'm sure the True Order will mount an attack soon, given what just happened in Canada. And they won't hold back this time."

His words pelted against her skin like hail.

"If the Great Order falls, my father falls, and so do I." Her heart thumped harder as the silence stretched. "I've made my peace with it."

Her vision blurred. She wouldn't let that happen to him.

She wouldn't.

"But the Dark Lord…" He glanced at her. "He will not fall. He will survive and start again."

Hermione blinked several times, tucking her fear and grief into the closest book on her shelf. She nodded. "It's true. He can't be destroyed unless we can get our hands on basilisk venom."

Blaise stared her down, looking as though he were biting something back — as if his throat was working around words he wanted to hiss at her. She stared blankly back at him.

He tore his gaze away. "What's your plan?"

The room was still. And then Draco licked his lips. "I just need twenty minutes during dinner—"

"There's no way you can be gone for twenty minutes." Hermione jumped as she turned to look at Pansy, her lips curled in distaste. "Lucius will be seated next to the Dark Lord, his wife and son on his other side. There's no good excuse for the prolonged absence of Lucius Malfoy's son."

"She's right." Blaise leaned back in his chair with a lazy smirk, all traces of tension gone. "Draco Malfoy can't disappear. But I can."

"No." Draco's voice was harsh. "I can't ask you to go in my place. It's far too great a risk—"

"Oh, fuck no." Blaise let out a chuckle. "I'm not going in your place. I've barely signed on. What I'm saying is that we have a year's supply of Polyjuice Potion downstairs."

"Blaise, quit being coy," Pansy snapped.

"We create a distraction that sidelines me — a bit too much to drink, perhaps — and I take the potion pretending to be you while you run off to the Chamber of Secrets." Blaise broke into a grin at the dawning horror on Draco's face. "Come on, mate. Let me be you for an hour."

Draco swallowed thickly. "It's an option. We can discuss others—"

"Nope." Blaise popped the "p" and tilted his head. "I'm only agreeing to put my life on the line if I get to play Draco Malfoy for twenty minutes. I've been preparing for this role my whole life."

"It doesn't sound like the worst plan," Hermione said quietly. She glanced up at Draco. "If I'm being honest, it's probably less risky than anything I could attempt. Blaise knows your mannerisms inside out."

Draco's fists slowly uncurled on his knees. A muscle twitched in his cheek. "Fine." He rolled his neck. "A few more things. Can you call Giuliana back?"

The mirth drained from Blaise's face. He cleared his throat and stood from his chair, moving to the hallway to call for her. Giuliana was in the doorway seconds later, staring up at Blaise with doe eyes. She followed Blaise as he returned to his chair and perched on the coffee table again. He grimaced as she brushed her knees against his, and Hermione's lips parted in silent realization.

Giuliana was infatuated with him.

Blaise quickly stood, offering Giuliana the chair so he could stand. She protested a bit before agreeing, a blush staining her cheeks. She asked him a question in Italian, and Blaise jabbered a response, waving his hand at Draco. Giuliana shifted to face them.

"Giuliana," Draco said, "What do you know about that tattoo on your arm?"

She said nothing, but a wrinkle appeared on her nose.

Draco's eyes flickered between her and Blaise. "I'm not sure if you remember, but it activated when you were first delivered to Blaise at his home."

"I remember. It felt like lightning." Her voice was soft — timid.

"That's right," said Draco. He bounced his knee once. "It binds you to certain properties, locking you in. Like at Edinburgh."

A shadow passed over Giuliana's face, and her shoulder jerked. She reached to brush her fingers across her arm, where Blaise's signature was scrawled in black and gold.

"Granger created a potion to remove the tattoo." Draco pulled the vial from his robes, and Hermione felt Pansy's eyes on her when he lifted it in the light. He handed the vial to Giuliana slowly, as if she would bolt at any minute. "So you can be free."

Giuliana looked down at the contents of the vial, and her lip trembled. "Free?"

"Yes," said Hermione. "Free."

Giuliana turned it over in her fingertips.

Hermione's chest ached as she turned to Pansy. "Even though your tattoo was never activated"—her eyes flicked down to Pansy's scarred flesh—"it's still a good idea for you to take it as well."

Blaise stared at the vial over Giuliana's shoulder. "Impressive, Granger."

"Blaise—" Draco glanced around the room, and his throat bobbed. "I don't know how much longer England will be safe. You should take Giuliana back to Italy as soon as you can. As long as she stays in hiding, Pansy can—"

"I don't want to go!" The room jumped as Giuliana scrambled to shove the vial back into Draco's hand. "I'm not leaving him."

There was an eerie silence as the four of them stared at Giuliana. A tear streamed down her cheek, and she impatiently brushed it away.

"Giuliana," said Blaise softly. "Your mother misses you. I promised to bring you to her when she got to Egypt—"

"My heart is here, with you," said Giuliana, her voice thick. "Why would I go anywhere else?"

Hermione's stomach squirmed, her cheeks hot. She felt like a voyeur, watching a tragic play she hadn't paid a ticket to see. Pansy's eyes closed in resignation as she rubbed her temple, like this wasn't the first time she'd heard this. Draco sat perfectly still — his wide eyes never leaving Giuliana.

"Giuliana, we've talked about this," Blaise whispered, kneeling down in front of her. He took her hands in his. "I am here to protect you. I do not have feelings for you. You're confused—"

Giuliana's eyes filled with tears. Her voice broke as she began weeping, speaking in Italian.

Pansy stood abruptly and jerked her head toward the corridor. Hermione followed her quickly, looking over her shoulder to see Draco dragging his feet, his eyes still frozen on Blaise and Giuliana.

"Told you," Pansy whispered when Draco finally joined them.

He blinked at her, dazed.

"It'll be fine," she said, prying the vial from his fingers. "They go through this twice a week now." She pushed her fringe out of her eyes and uncapped the vial, preparing to toss it back.

Hermione startled back into her body. "You only need a bit," she said quickly. "You should save some in case Giuliana changes her mind."

Something almost like pity crossed Pansy's eyes as she stared at her. She stoppered the vial and turned to Draco. "You'll need a dress for her."

Hermione's mouth fell open as they both looked at her. "It won't be like Edinburgh? It's formal again?"

Pansy snorted. "Granger, you'll be sharing a table with the Dark Lord. You can save the négligée for another night."

Draco jerked a nod. "Yes. So, Pans, if you—"

"I have the perfect thing," said Pansy with a grin. "Anything else?"

Draco winced and ran a hand through his hair. "Well… Granger will need a wand…"

Hermione glanced up at him. She would need one — she hadn't even thought about it. They couldn't ask Narcissa after what had happened.

Pansy lifted a brow. "And you want…?" She barked out a laugh and waltzed down the stairs, calling out, "Daph, Draco has something hilarious to ask you."

Draco cursed under his breath.

~*~

A very awkward ten minutes later, they were arriving back to the Manor with Daphne Greengrass's wand. She'd never seen Draco stammer so much in one conversation. Daphne had finally handed it over in exchange for a promise that he'd give her up-to-date information about any future attack on Canada, especially near Montreal.

The next several days, Hermione tried to get comfortable with Daphne Greengrass's wand. It was a 12 inch mahogany with unicorn hair, and quite inflexible. It barely responded to her the first day. It almost needed to be wooed.

Their days quickly became filled with planning. They spent hours arguing with Blaise and Pansy through the Floo, and ended up agreeing on a version of Blaise's original plan. Once Draco had the basilisk fang, Blaise and Pansy would help them leave without being seen.

The next step of the plan — destroying the Horcrux — was trickier to reach an agreement on. Hermione didn't speak to Draco for a full day until he finally conceded that she, not Blaise, had to be the one to come with him. The following day, Draco worked on how to transport them over to Romania while Hermione tried to strengthen her atrophied wandwork.

At night, she and Draco would use books transcribed by the library catalog, researching what kind of wards and curses Lucius and Voldemort might have used to secure the Horcrux at the Malfoy property. Draco had gone white when she told him that there were Inferi in one location, but to his credit, he'd clenched his jaw and said nothing.

"How will we be able to find it?" Draco asked one evening. "It could be anything."

"We'll know," she said, flipping a page. "Trust me."

They took a break from countercurses later that evening, and Draco found a book on Parseltongue. With Hermione's help, he quickly mastered the correct sibilant sounds to say, "Open." She didn't need a Pensieve to remember the way it had fallen from Harry's lips.

A few days before the anniversary party, Draco went to Grimmauld again for Blaise's birthday gathering, at which he promised her that they would finalize their plans. Hermione took that evening to herself, practicing defensive spells in a cleared guest room, and getting used to pulling Daphne's wand from its position on her thigh.

If Narcissa suspected anything, she kept quiet. They shared meals with her and she told them what she knew about Lucius's whereabouts — Hungary, at the moment. Since the Hungarian Minister had been killed the night of the attack on Edinburgh, his replacement had taken a tepid public stance on the Great Order. Lucius was overseeing the transition.

Hermione couldn't help but feel that Voldemort's army was disorganized. Draco hadn't been called on a mission in weeks. She scanned the Prophet and the Ghost daily, seeing the same names over and over. It seemed like the entire world was holding its breath. For what, she was too afraid to ask.

The day of the anniversary party loomed closer, and along with it, a tightening knot of dread in Hermione's stomach. One year since Harry had died, since she'd last seen Ron. Since she'd seen the ghost of Fred's laugh, or the way Remus and Tonks had reached for each other in death. Those had been the worst hours of her life. And now she would be attending a gathering to celebrate them.

Draco was the first one to point out that she would need to Occlude longer than she ever had if she hoped to survive the evening. She'd have to temper every reaction, bite back every comment, and allow herself to simply exist in a sea of murderers and rapists with a smile on her face. She'd have to be passive, demure, and obedient. And watch her friends be the same.

On Sunday morning while Draco was still asleep, she slipped into a silk robe and wandered back to her own room to examine the dress Pansy had promised to deliver that morning. When she crossed the secret barrier between their bedrooms, something on her dresser flashed a deep green, pausing her steps.

It was a necklace of emeralds and diamonds, resting on a black velvet necklace bust. Her eyes widened as she studied the intricate detailing and webbing across the neck, the sprawling jewels over the collarbones. She skated her fingers down the cool teardrop emeralds, their surface cut and smooth. It was collar-like, but also opulent and expensive.

"It's a bit much, I know."

She turned over her shoulder to see Draco leaning in the passage, his hair sleep-tussled and his pajama bottoms tugged on low over his bare stomach.

"Where did it come from?"

He pushed off the wall and sauntered to her. "It's an heirloom."

"It's…" She stared back at it, struggling to find the words. "A bit more than I'm used to."

"You might have a heart attack when you see Pansy's dress, then."

He moved to her side and reached for the necklace. The gems clicked against each other as he unclasped it and lifted it up off the bust. He gestured toward the long mirror, and her heart skipped as she joined him in front of it, lifting her hair up off her neck and twisting it into a pile on her head.

The necklace floated over her, sprawling across her collarbones as he fit it to her neck. He closed the clasp, and she felt the metal warm to her skin. She took a deep breath and lifted her face to the mirror. It felt like an extension of herself, the emeralds and diamonds branching out across her neck like a tree taking root.

Draco pushed a loose curl back, and pressed a kiss to the spot behind her ear. She felt it ripple across her skin.

"You can do this," he whispered.

She met his eyes in the mirror. "I know."

Somehow, she did.

His hand was resting on her hip — the presence soft and steadying at first, but growing warmer, sending molten heat curling through her veins. Her dressing gown was thin and silky, and as the heat of his palm sunk into her skin, she watched her nipples tighten into hard peaks.

Draco's gaze slid down from her face, dragging across the gems on her throat and the curve of her breasts. He pressed his lips against the shell of her ear. "Do you like it?"

She examined herself in the necklace. The light from the stones illuminated angles and shadows on her face that she hadn't seen before. Draco's other hand dropped to her waist, sliding around her stomach and pulling her body against his.

She quirked a brow at the feel of him behind her. "You certainly like it."

He smiled into her hair and said, "That's not what I asked." His fingers tripped along the silk, inching closer and closer to the sash at her waist.

Tilting her neck from side to side, she watched the emeralds glitter. The diamonds seemed to sink into her skin, and she tried to imagine an occasion she might choose to wear jewelry like this. And as his fingers slid through the silk sash, unknotting it and slowly parting the robe to reveal her bare skin, she wondered if the occasion could be Draco.

His eyes were hot and dark as the robe glided over her taut nipples, separating and revealing her naked body to him in the mirror. Her eyelids fluttered as he dragged the silk down her shoulders, letting it hang from her elbows as he traced a path back up her arm to the diamonds.

He fingered the jewels, spreading them to lay properly across her chest, drifting his fingers low and brushing her breasts in teasing sweeps. She felt him hard behind her, his erection digging into her lower back, and she squeezed her thighs together in anticipation.

"I like it," she said, and his eyes lifted to hers, pupils blackened.

His hand pressed firmly across her stomach, his fingers splayed over her ribs. With a lick to the spot behind her ear, his hand trailed upward, slipping between her breasts to circle the edge of the center emerald. His other palm cupped her breast as she gasped, rolling her nipple.

A flush broke across her skin as she watched his fingers work her in the mirror. There was no room to be embarrassed when she was so aroused, wearing nothing but jewelry, a robe dripping from her elbows as Draco slid his hands over her body and thrust his hips into her backside.

She closed her eyes as his hand traveled lower and lower, reaching her core. Her head fell back on his shoulder as his fingers worked her clit, circling and pressing just the way she liked. He tipped her chin to his and kissed her as his fingertips pushed her legs wider. She moaned softly against his lips, opening her mouth and thighs for him.

The heat in her stomach bloomed. She lowered her silk robe to pool at their feet and turned in his arms to face him. He opened his eyes slowly and glanced appreciatively over her front, and then at the mirror to look over her back. He licked his lips.

"You like mirrors?" she teased.

He kissed her neck, letting his fingers slide over her hips and drag slowly over her spine. "I like not having to choose which half of you to look at."

She hummed and pushed up on her toes to kiss him. It must have done something to her backside because suddenly he groaned and filled his hands with her, squeezing and running his fingers closer and closer to her inner thighs. His tongue swept into her mouth as she arched her breasts into him, the necklace brushing against his clavicle.

The diamonds and emeralds clicked together as she ran her hands over his chest and shoulders. Each sigh and gasp shivered through her, reminding her that she was someone who could stand naked in front of Draco Malfoy in nothing but jewels and make him moan. She could make him just as dizzy as he made her.

The heat beneath her skin burned brighter as she pressed her hands to his shoulders and gave him a coy smile before shoving him back on her mattress. He caught himself just as she climbed over him, his mouth open as she prowled up his body to straddle his hips and kiss his neck.

She dipped her fingers into his pajama bottoms, and he watched her in awe as she pulled them off and took his cock in her hand, the necklace swaying between them. He placed his hands on her thighs as she stroked him, his stomach muscles tensing and his breath coming quickly.

Holding his gaze, she sat up tall and positioned him at her entrance. His eyes rolled back in his head, and his hands snapped to her hips as she slid down on the length of him. It was still a stretch, but she threw her head back with a heavy moan as her body accommodated him until she couldn't take any more.

The part of her brain that would usually tell her that she was doing it all wrong was turned off. There was just Draco's hot eyes on her. His fingers thumbing her nipples, and trailing the emeralds.

Grabbing his hands, she pinned them down into the mattress on either side of his head, bracing herself as she leaned over him, beginning to roll her hips. She watched as his lips dropped open, his fingers gripping hers tightly as his breath panted across her face.

Her body moved in tune with the clatter of thousands of Galleons against her chest. The coil in her tightened, the familiar tension winding through her as her hips ground against him, her clit aching to be touched. She released one of his hands, but he beat her to it, his thumb swiping quickly over her clit as she gasped his name.

She started to tumble, her limbs seizing and insides squeezing his cock. She fell forward with a cry, the emeralds digging into his skin as she flew apart like crystals.

His arms wrapped around her back, gripping her tightly as his hips thrusted up into her, not even pausing while she clenched down around him. Curses poured into her ear as he fucked her blissed body from below, holding her close and breathing hot air over her skin.

Their bodies slid over each other as he sped up, his pace growing erratic, and every deep thrust dragged over a spot that made color spot behind her eyes. He tugged at her hair, arching her chest to him, and locked his lips over a breast just as his cock pummeled her in the perfect way—

"Draco—"

She shivered again, keening as she splintered like light refracting through diamonds, blinding pleasure rippling through her core. He came while her mind was still fracturing, grunting against her breast as his body seized, his cock pulsing inside of her while her walls fluttered.

Her bowed spine slowly pieced itself back together, and she lay boneless against his chest as he panted into her hair.

When she could form words again, she lifted her head and met his eyes. "I like the necklace. A lot."

He smiled up at her, sweat glistening across his forehead and said, "So do I."

Laughing, she leaned down to kiss him.

~*~

Two hours later, they removed the necklace. Hermione slipped into the tub, and practiced her Occlumency for several hours until Pansy arrived to do her hair and makeup.

Pansy was silent with concentration, which Hermione appreciated. She started on her hair, and Hermione focused on still waters. She closed books, tidied up the shelves like it was a bookshop, pushing the spines to align with each other until every book was closed, locked, and hidden.

It seemed like only seconds later that a girl with crisp black hair was telling her to stand, to come with her to get dressed.

Hermione followed. A wardrobe opened. A gown of diamonds and beads hung heavily, glinting against the setting sunlight.

The girl helped her into the gown and put a necklace on her.

Hermione's body was heavy.

Someone attached something to her thigh and helped her with her shoes.

A boy in dark robes met her at the door, his hair light and his eyes grey. He didn't say a word to her as he led her down a staircase to two other people. A man and wife. Blond.

As if through a haze, her body descended stone steps, down a gravel drive. A moon shone overhead.

When the four of them appeared before an iron gate, a black castle in the distance, a hooded figure swept down over her, mouth gaping and trying to suck warmth from her—

But it found none.

Chapter 34

Chapter Notes

Eyyyy. Let's do this. Thank you to Mar and Cat!

There's been some INCREDIBLE fanart done for The Auction in recent weeks! Check them out: Hiyas , theamaranthus , goodnight-fraublucher

CONTENT WARNING for this chapter: Torture

See the end of the chapter for more notes

A wind danced across her skin.

A line of carriages waited, led by dead horses.

The pale-haired boy lifted her up the step and guided her into a seat. Two other companions followed.

An older couple. They murmured to each other, their eyes darting towards her and away.

Her dress was a thick weight on her shoulders.

With the clicking of hooves, the carriage lurched down a path toward a castle. A cloud reigned over it — a skull and snake.

The carriage curved around a lake, and the moon shone from its placid waters.

As the castle loomed closer, Hermione focused on her shelves. Her fingers drifted across a book with warm sunlight beaming on a courtyard, and two boys walking with her to class. She pushed it deep in the center shelf, next to a book with screams and rubble and a dark-haired boy hanging lifeless in a half-giant's arms.

The dead horses came to a stop. Their carriage door opened, and a hand extended to her. She took it, and cold fingers twitched in hers as she descended the first step. Her eyes followed the hand up to a rounded face with gaunt eyes.

A shelf in her mind groaned. The boy mouthed her name and a book came tumbling down, its pages fluttering open to missing toads, clumsy potions, and stuttered invitations to balls—

Neville.

She felt her lungs collapse, black spots in her vision. And then a warm hand on her back— urging her on.

Drawing a sharp breath, Hermione dropped to the final step of the carriage. She squeezed Neville's hand before she released it, taking in his sun-weathered face and split lip. He wore long black robes, belted with a gold rope. His bruised eyes searched hers.

"That's enough gawking, Longbottom."

Neville jumped as though he'd been kicked. He swiftly stepped backward, limping to the next set of carriages. Draco pressed his hand to her hip and steered her in the other direction, moving them toward the courtyard. Lucius and Narcissa had already swept ahead of them.

Hermione tried to refocus, but each step she took from Neville was like an icicle in her chest. Her friends were being starved and beaten. And she was dripping in diamonds.

She felt the weight of her dress dragging her down, her knees buckling. Draco paused, gripping her elbow and pressing his lips to her ear. "You can do this."

The words wove through her.

"Pull back a bit." His thumb rolled a slow circle on her elbow. "So they know you're still in there."

She dipped her chin in a nod, and after a sharp breath they continued walking. Hermione centered her attention on the warmth of his hand, preparing her mind for the onslaught of people she was about to encounter.

They were here for the True Order tonight. And Harry needed her to finish what he'd started.

By the time they entered the courtyard, her waters were calm, and Neville had been tucked in the deepest book on the center shelf.

A crowd mingled, their laughter drowning out the low music. Draco lifted two champagne glasses off a floating tray, and Hermione blinked, accepting it.

"Draco," a slick voice called out. "Good to see you."

Hermione remained still at Draco's side as Marcus Flint sauntered over to them. Penelope followed a pace behind, wearing a simple black dress cinched with a golden rope. Marcus nodded at Hermione. "Granger. You look as enchanting as ever."

Hermione tipped her head in acknowledgment, tapping her fingers against her champagne flute.

"Flint," said Draco coolly. "All better, I take it?"

Penelope looked up at Flint as he detailed his recovery, her eyes misty with some unknown emotion. Hermione filed it away, allowing her gaze to wander.

She skated over Narcissa and Lucius, deep in conversation with Rookwood and his wife, and a group of laughing men she recognized from the gambling tables. Under the lantern light, she found several other Lots standing near their owners — each of them in a simple black dress with gold rope. Hermione's heart pounded as eyes flickered in her direction.

Draco extricated them from Flint with an excuse and a hand on her elbow, and Hermione tried to relax her posture as she leaned into his ear.

"I'm overdressed."

"No. You weren't given a dress code." She heard him swallow. "You're supposed to stand out."

A shiver danced down her spine, but before she could think about it more, he was directing her to greet Blaise, Theo, and "Giuliana." Oliver Wood stood two feet behind Theo, his eyes cast downwards. He looked healthier since Hermione had seen him last, but his eyes were lined with dark shadows. Both he and Giuliana wore black robes belted with a gold rope, though Giuliana's were shorter and lower-cut.

"And a 'happy anniversary' to you, Draco," said Blaise, twisting the cap off a flask. His eyes flickered over Hermione, and he gave a low whistle before taking a swig. "You look like a million Galleons, Granger."

She inclined her head in thanks, folding her hands in front of her.

"Feels good to be back at Hogwarts, doesn't it?"

"Mate, keep your voice down," Theo hissed. Hermione saw him rub his wrist anxiously. "This is not the night to be drunk off your arse—"

"This is precisely the night," Blaise slurred.

"Blaise." Draco's voice was stern, and Hermione looked up to see his eyes hard as ice. "Get yourself together."

Blaise looked like he was about to laugh, but he seemed to straighten up. "Right you are, General." He held Draco's eyes as he slowly lifted his flask and took another swig.

Theo pinched the bridge of his nose. Hermione's eyes darted to a nearby couple, glaring at them.

"I need to speak with Minister Egger. I'll see you both inside." Draco steered her away, and turned back over his shoulder with a hiss. "Behave yourselves."

Hermione took a calming breath as they glided across the courtyard, pushing away her thoughts of the evening's plans. She curved her lips in a demure smile as Draco greeted the Swiss Minister and his wife — the one Draco had been seen standing behind in the Prophet while he was in Switzerland. As they stood and chatted, shifting around the growing crowd, Hermione chanced a glance around the courtyard.

Lucius and Narcissa were now speaking to Selwyn and his wife. The Swiss Minister paused to retrieve a fresh glass of champagne, and Hermione caught a glimpse of Theo walking with an unfamiliar man. The man pressed a spindly hand on Theo's shoulder as he directed him toward the archways, with Oliver following from a respectable distance. They stopped to greet a pair of diplomats, and the skeletal man turned — Albrecht Berge. Hermione's eyes dropped to the stones again.

She spotted Dolohov's profile across the courtyard, scanning the crowd. Slughorn bumped into him before they could lock eyes, and Dolohov snarled as sherry spilled onto his shoes. To her left she found Hannah Abbott, standing a few steps behind Runcorn from the Ministry, her face pale. Runcorn was speaking lowly to Minister Cirillo as her eyes drifted over Hannah.

Draco was interrupted by Minister Santos and his wife. Hermione acknowledged them with a pasted-on smile, and when they moved past introductions, she glanced around again.

Rita Skeeter was speaking with Pius Thickness, her eyes drifting over his shoulder to watch Yaxley's conversation with the Austrian Minister. Hermione found Rabastan Lestrange next, laughing with Flint and Penelope. Her stomach jolted, and she swiftly scanned the crowd for ginger hair. She found none.

In a dark corner on the opposite archway, Hermione caught a flash of lupine eyes — Fenrir Greyback, standing with another large, vicious-looking man. A heavy volume shuddered — one containing pages of blood-matted blonde curls and Lavender's vacant blue eyes. Dropping her eyes to the stones again, she took deep breaths.

Draco suddenly excused them and took her arm, dragging her quickly through the crowd. Hermione barely had a moment to orient herself when Draco stopped in the arched entryway — just as Katya Viktor reached the stairs.

"Katya."

Hermione watched Katya's shoulders stiffen before her beautiful face lifted.

"Draco, darling!" She stepped up to them and kissed Draco on the cheek, her eyes quickly skimming over Hermione as she pulled away. "I had so hoped to see you tonight!"

"It's been too long." He seemed taller as he stared down at her. "I had hoped to find you at Edinburgh last month, but of course…"

Katya's eye twitched, and she quickly shook her head in sympathy. "What a mess that was. I know we're not supposed to discuss it"—she glanced over her shoulder—"but I was so glad I had caught the flu that morning. Thank Merlin you were safe."

She flashed her bright teeth at him. Draco held her gaze, and the seconds stretched until he returned her smile.

"Nothing made me more relieved than hearing you'd stayed home. But Katya—" Draco abruptly dropped Hermione's arm and took Katya's elbow, leading her into the Entrance Hall. He jerked his head for Hermione to follow. "I've been sending letters. I do hope you're not still ill."

His tone was icy, like his father's. Hermione watched Katya's ribs expand in her sapphire dress.

"I've been away, unfortunately!" She let out a nervous laugh. "But I'm so glad I ran into you, truly—"

"Perhaps I could come by this week." Draco's feet halted. "How's Tuesday?"

"Oh, Tuesday is no good, I'm afraid. I'll be—"

"Wednesday." Draco's tone was firm.

Katya hesitated, her eyes dragging up to his. "Wednesday is perfect, Draco." She smiled. "I'll be at home."

"Wonderful." Draco released Katya's arm. "I so look forward to it."

Katya managed another smile before turning away, stepping up to the heavy wooden doors. They swung open, and she walked into the Great Hall, her shoes clicking faster than necessary.

The doors swung shut, sealing off the noise. Hermione moved next to Draco. "Be careful," she whispered. "She's afraid of you."

"She should be," Draco said darkly. "She sent me to die at Edinburgh. If it forces her to see me, it'll be worth it."

Hermione swallowed.

A tinkle of bells sounded through the courtyard, and Hermione jumped at the sound. She closed her eyes, drawing deep breaths through her lungs. The guests were being summoned to dinner, and she and Draco would join them. With a hand at the small of her back, Draco swiftly led her through the doors and into the Great Hall.

A swell of noise met her ears. The Great Hall was only half-full, but Hermione had never seen this many people in it. The room seemed to go on forever, magically expanded to twice its usual size. Hermione gripped the stem of her champagne glass as they walked past tables set with elegant tablecloths and lavish centerpieces, the silver glittering in the light of the candelabras. The banners were gone and the ceiling was without stars.

An elderly man with an Italian accent called out to Draco, and they paused. Hermione barely registered the feel of his dry lips against her knuckles before Draco led her away.

She wondered how many people were here tonight, celebrating Voldemort's victory.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Lucius and Narcissa walking parallel with them, down the main aisle. All four of them headed towards a table at the end of the hall.

Eyes skated over her face and neck, and Hermione let her gaze drag across them in turn. She kept her spine straight and her lips curved, as if she, too, were cut from stone.

To her right, she saw Minister Santos and his wife were taking their seats next to Minister Cirillo. To her left, Minister Thicknesse and Dolores Umbridge seemed to be in deep conversation. Umbridge wore a gown of pink sequins and lace, and as they passed, her eyes met Hermione's with a coy smile.

They reached the end of the aisle. Lord Voldemort stood at the center of the High Table, his thin lips smiling. He wore green robes of crushed velvet. Bellatrix stood at his right in brocaded black. Her eyes narrowed at Lucius and Narcissa as they climbed the steps.

The room felt cold. Hermione focused on her heartbeat as she and Draco cut to the left and followed his parents.

"Lucius," said Voldemort softly. "You and your family are very welcome."

"Thank you, my Lord." Lucius and Narcissa inclined their heads, and once they straightened, Voldemort gestured to the chair across from him. Lucius pulled out the chair across from Bellatrix, and Narcissa settled in it silently. Lucius took the chair to her right, directly in front of Voldemort.

Draco stepped forward, and Hermione kept her head lowered as he paid his respects to Voldemort and his aunt. He pulled out the chair to the right of his father, looking pointedly at the chair next to him. Hermione approached the table, expecting him to sit, but he seemed to be waiting for something.

"Mudblood Granger," Voldemort hissed, and Hermione's pulse skyrocketed. "You do not have a greeting for me?"

She quickly dropped into a low curtsey. "Of course, my Lord. Forgive me."

Bellatrix tutted her disapproval. Draco's knuckles went white on his chair.

"Thank you for allowing me to attend tonight, my Lord."

There was a stilted silence. Then Voldemort hummed his acknowledgment, and Hermione felt like she could breathe again.

She waited with her head down until Draco pulled his chair out, and followed suit, her heart still thumping in her ears.

People murmured and laughed around her, the table groaning and chairs shifting at both ends. Hermione kept her lips curved and her eyes fixed on her champagne, letting the noise blend together like bubbles in a flute. The chair to her right pulled out, and she looked up to see Theo bowing to Voldemort. Oliver stood with another Lot against the opposite wall, their heads down and hands folded.

Blinking, Hermione glanced over her shoulder. The tables were packed, the Great Hall nearly full. And all around them, black robes with gold belts lined the walls like sentinels. She was the only Lot allowed to sit at the table.

Her mind rippled, but before she could calm it, a melodic voice dripped like honey across her ear.

"My Lord. I am honored to sit at your table."

With slow movements, Hermione turned in her chair to take in Ginny Weasley, sparkling in silver and dripping in diamonds. Avery bowed next to her, his hair slicked back.

Hermione's eyes fell to her napkin. Draco shifted in his seat.

"Ginevra." Voldemort's voice was low and amused. "What a jewel you make."

"You flatter me, my Lord."

Voldemort laughed softly, and a freezing chill whipped across Hermione's still waters. She lifted her eyes as Avery and Ginny walked around the table, and caught Bellatrix's lips twisting as they passed.

A chair dragged in front of her, and Hermione watched Avery and Ginny take their seats — Avery to the Dark Lord's left, in front of Draco, and Ginny directly across from Hermione.

Hermione's eyes dropped to her glass.

The conversation began flowing again. The jewels across the table sparkled, drawing her in. Hermione studied the pale bubbles in her flute until her mind was somewhere blue and deep.

The Great Hall filled with sound, boisterous and grating.

A palm slapped the table, and a group of men laughed.

A man across the table whispered in a girl's ear. Her hair was red.

The pale-haired boy next to her cleared his throat. "More champagne?"

Hermione drifted back into her body. "Please."

Draco ordered her glass to fill itself. Hermione reached for it, sipping as she turned to take in the rest of the table. On the other side of Ginny, Rookwood and his wife had taken their seats. They were speaking loudly to the Selwyns, who sat on the other side of Theo. Further down, Crabbe Sr. and Yaxley sat across from one another, staring down into their whisky glasses. Hermione's fingers dragged across her necklace as her gaze moved to her left, where Lucius and Narcissa were speaking lowly to Voldemort and Bellatrix. Rodolphus Lestrange was to the right of Bellatrix, his younger brother next to him. Hermione scanned the Lots on the surrounding walls, but Ron was nowhere to be seen.

At the opposite side of the table, the Carrow twins, the Travers, and Jugson were just settling in.

There was an empty seat next to Narcissa, and just as Hermione zeroed in on it, a thick hand tugged the chair backward, its legs scraping against the stone. She followed the arm up to see Dolohov's eyes focused on her. He dropped his gaze to Narcissa, greeting her with an arrogant smirk.

Hermione turned back to the table, clearing her mind and erasing the feeling of Dolohov's eyes on her.

"Theodore," Avery said. "Brilliant work in Canada." Theo nodded and swallowed his champagne, his fist curling tighter around the stem. "Lucius and Bellatrix as well"—Avery waved his hand toward the two of them—"Congratulations to you all."

"Thank you, Aron," Lucius hummed. A pause. "I do hope you and Berge are working hard on the Fog, Theodore. I look forward to seeing a report on your improvements this week."

"Improvements?"

Bellatrix's voice raked across Hermione's skin. She blinked to see Bellatrix tilting her head at Lucius, her finger circling the rim of her glass. "How so, brother? Did it not successfully penetrate the True Order base?"

"No one disputes that Baffin Island was a success." Lucius's tone was soft and condescending, as if lecturing a child. "But it also had…unintended effects."

Voldemort simply watched them, his fingertips pressed together.

"The death of filthy Muggles." Bellatrix pouted and leaned forward. "You care for Muggles now, Lucius?"

The table was deathly still. Draco wiped his palm on his trousers.

"I care for desired results. Unless the Fog can be controlled, not a single one of our allies bordering France will allow us to release it from their boundary line."

Avery coughed. "A fair—"

"They don't have to 'allow' us anything." Bellatrix's lips were twisted in a snarl. "The Great Order must take. All your delicate maneuvering has boiled down to nothing more than inaction. If not for Brecht and me, we'd still be rotting in Switzerland—"

Voldemort lifted his hand sharply, silencing her. "Enough. I'm sure between the two of you, we will have infiltrated France by the end of the week." His scarlet eyes flashed to Theo. "Do work hard this week, Theodore. I trust you won't disappoint me."

"Yes, my Lord." Theo jerked a nod next to her. His fingers shook against the tablecloth.

"Lucius. Draco will go to France when the time comes to deploy the weapon. He's seen more offices than battlefields lately."

An amused cough from down the table — Dolohov.

"Of course, my Lord," said Lucius. He cleared his throat.

Bellatrix smirked and settled back in her chair. Hermione saw Narcissa reach for her water.

The conversation bubbled up again. Draco's ribs rose and fell sharply next to her. Hermione focused on her breath, filing away her emotions.

A high-pitched laugh burst from the other side of Theo. She blinked to see Selwyn's wife and Rookwood's wife laughing together.

The chatter resumed. Hermione watched Rookwood's wife lean over her place setting and whisper, "You did hear that the Hungarian Minister isn't here, didn't you? Gustus says he declined—"

Her husband placed a firm hand on her wrist, glaring at her.

"Anyway." Mrs. Rookwood sat up straight again, fanning her face and looking around the room. "Is it warm in here? Elf!"

With a crack, a small elf from the kitchens appeared at her side. "Yes, missus."

"Do you not have Cooling Charms? And also, there are no nuts in the feast, correct? I have a deathly allergy—"

Hermione's vision blurred as she stared at the elf, wobbling beneath the weight of the heavy chain around his neck. He squeaked his reply and she tore her eyes away, studying the back wall.

When her mind was clear again, she reached for her flute. Avery was speaking to Draco. Bellatrix was leaning into Voldemort's ear, murmuring something, and Hermione watched him nod. Rookwood and Selwyn had Theo's attention.

Taking a sip of her wine, Hermione let her eyes pass over Ginny. Her skin was painted and her hair perfectly coiffed, just as it had been on New Year's Eve. She was looking over Hermione's left shoulder, watching the Great Hall.

"Rabastan," Avery called down the table. "Where's your boy? I'm sure Ginevra was hoping to see her brother tonight."

Draco set down his glass. Hermione filled her lungs, counting each heartbeat. Ginny didn't so much as blink.

"I wanted to bring him, but… he got a bit mouthy this morning. He was in no fit shape." Rabastan chuckled into his glass, and Bellatrix joined him, licking her teeth.

"Shame," Voldemort said. "But I suppose some horses take years to break in."

The empty smile on Ginny's lips twitched.

Voldemort abruptly stood from his chair. A moment later, someone in the back of the Hall started clapping, the sound building like a wave before crashing against the shoreline. Hermione turned over her shoulder and found a thousand people on their feet, applauding for the Dark Lord. Her books shivered.

Voldemort smiled, and lifted his hands to silence them. He cast a Sonorus with the Elder Wand, gazing upon the crowd. When he finally spoke, it was a quiet vibration against Hermione's skin — a poisonous whisper in her ear.

"Welcome, my dear friends. We gather here to celebrate the victory over our enemies — exactly one year ago today."

The clapping started again. Cheers from the back.

"You have placed your trust in me, and I will prove myself worthy of it. We will not rest until every witch and wizard bows to our most noble and sacred cause: preserving the purity of the magical blood we have been entrusted with for millennia."

The applause swelled, pummeling the walls.

"The strides we've taken to bring this new world to order have been fraught, but worth the sacrifice. The past century cannot compare to what we have accomplished together in the last year. And as I look upon the faces of our partners from across the world, I know soon, all wizard-kind will stand with us.

"Our rearmament is running according to plan. With the help of Colonel Albrecht Berge"—Berge stood from his seat next to Umbridge, nodding to polite applause—"we have powerful new magic at our disposal to protect our interests."

Berge took his seat.

"My friends, soon enough we will no longer live in the shadows. We will no longer cower beneath Muggles or cater to their barbaric whims. Make no mistake: our goal is not the triumph of the Great Order, but the liberation of wizardkind."

The windows rattled with noise. Hermione picked up her goblet, water splashing onto the table. She set it down again.

"In honor of your hard work and sacrifice, I am pleased to announce that my gift to you — Edinburgh Castle — is ready to reopen at last."

A murmur cascaded through the Hall. Draco's shoulder twitched next to her.

"To continue our celebrations on this, the anniversary of our great victory, the revels at Edinburgh will resume immediately. I invite all of you there tomorrow evening, and I expect every man, woman, and Lot to attend."

Ginny closed her eyes. Hermione blinked, refocusing. They would go to Romania tonight, and be expected back at Edinburgh tomorrow.

"Today's generation carries the fate of wizardkind. And we will be victorious if we are of one mind, and one intent: magic is might."

"Magic is might," the crowd chorused.

Voldemort picked up his glass, and there was a shuffle as his audience did the same.

Bellatrix stood swiftly, her chair dragging against the stone. "To the Dark Lord's power!"

"May he reign forevermore."

Hermione drank her champagne down to the dregs as the Hall burst into deafening applause. Her ears were still ringing when it ended.

The feast appeared on the tables a second later. A clatter of serving spoons joined the chorus of conversation.

Ginny's face was white as she grabbed Avery's plate, filling it with pheasant and roast vegetables. A book in Hermione's mind trembled, falling open.

A happy day at the Burrow, her plate in her lap and her knees touching Ron's on the couch — Fred calling, "Oi, Gin! Get me a plate while you're up, will you?" — and a sharp retort from the kitchen: "Do I look like a house-elf?"

Hermione flinched, shoving the memory aside. She swiftly snatched up Draco's plate, reaching for the roast beef and parsnips, her hands dancing around Ginny's. When it was piled high, she set it in front of him and waited, twisting her fingers in her lap.

Silver scraped against china as the guests began eating. Draco paused on his third bite, tilting his chin in her direction. Hermione served herself a few spoonfuls. Ginny followed her lead.

A voice in the back of her mind told her to stay present. A louder one said it was too dangerous to leave her guard down across from the Dark Lord.

Hermione stared at her water glass, watching the ripples in the surface as glasses were lifted or fists pounded down. The echoes of movement lulled her back until a book closed on the Burrow.

Draco spoke to Theo on the opposite side of her. She kept a smile on her face as she grazed her fork across her plate. Ginny's glass filled again every time she took a sip.

Soft hands moved a fork and knife, attached to pale wrists encircled in diamonds.

Hermione chewed her potatoes.

All freckles on the girl were gone. Blue veins popped beneath her pale skin, her red curls wild and loose around her shoulders. A large hand curled around the back of the girl's chair.

Hermione set her fork down.

The hand threaded through the girl's ginger waves, twisting locks around its thick fingers.

Hermione tore her eyes from Ginny and Avery.

She ate her vegetables.

She nodded politely.

She smiled when men laughed.

Minutes or hours later, the plates were cleared, and the tapping of wands on glasses chorused through the room.

Draco turned in his chair, and Hermione followed.

A man in gold robes made his way down the line of tables, smiling broadly. Memories sparked — bags of gold, identical grins, an amplified voice calling out bets, a quick glance at her backstage—

Hermione tucked it all away, and watched as Ludo Bagman came towards the front. Even from here, his smile looked strained.

"My Lord," said Bagman as he swept into a low bow. "When you tasked me with hosting our entertainment this evening, you honored me." He turned to the hall. "And the night has only begun, ladies and gentlemen, I assure you! After dinner, we have a surprise waiting for you on the Quidditch Pitch."

The crowd tittered, and Ludo nodded, his forehead shining with sweat. "But first, the Dark Lord has asked me to oversee something special this evening. Something that aligns with the spirit of our celebrations. A story! One that will live in our traditions for years to come: the Dark Lord's Triumph over the Boy Wizard!"

Ludo threw out his hand, and the doors to the Great Hall flew open. Two guards entered, dragging a small person behind them. Their boots marched in perfect unison as the room rippled with murmurs. Hermione craned her neck, but she was only able to make out the person when he was tugged to the front of the room.

A boy, no older than fourteen, wearing a Gryffindor uniform. He had jet black hair and a wiry frame.

Black spots appeared in her vision.

The guards shoved the boy to Bagman's feet. His eyes flitted wildly about the room, his breath quick and frenzied. He looked at the people around him like he'd never seen anything like them before.

Hermione tried to swallow, but her throat wouldn't close. He was a Muggle.

"There was once a young boy who thought he could challenge the Dark Lord Voldemort. His name"—Bagman produced a pair of round glasses from his pocket—"was Harry Potter." He shoved the glasses on the Muggle boy's nose, and Hermione could see from here that one lens was splintered. Harry's glasses.

The crowd screamed as Hermione turned back to her dinner plate, dragging lungfuls of air. Bellatrix cackled, clapping her hands. A slow smile spread up Voldemort's pale face.

"This boy—" Bagman's voice faltered, and he cleared his throat. "Thought he was untouchable!"

A chorus of jeers and boos. Hermione forced herself to turn and watch. The boy had been Leg-Locked, his face was red and mouth open as Bagman circled him. He'd been Silenced.

"He was arrogant and foolish. But above all, he was dangerous." Bagman dabbed his brow with a handkerchief. "He encouraged the mixing of magical blood. He befriended blood-traitors and Muggleborns."

At this, Bagman swiveled toward the High Table and gestured to Hermione. The guests hissed as they turned their eyes on her.

Draco crossed his legs and shifted his chair, partially blocking her from Ludo's view.

"He hid behind the skirts of witches and wizards far more powerful than himself. In his futile resistance, he caused an unspeakable loss of magical blood."

A fork clattered across from her.

"And so," Bagman continued, "on a May morning one year ago, the Dark Lord challenged this cowardly, dangerous boy to a duel."

The Muggle boy fell over, struggling against his Leg-Locker Curse. The crowd roared with laughter.

Bagman blinked down at him and stepped to the side. "My Lord, he's all yours."

All eyes turned on Voldemort. He smiled, standing from his chair.

Bile rose in Hermione's throat as Voldemort slithered around the table. Draco's chair dragged further in front of her.

Voldemort descended the steps to stand before the shivering boy. "Harry Potter. The Boy Who Lived."

A boom of laughter, and Hermione's gaze drifted above the crowd.

Voldemort slashed his wand through the air, and the boy staggered to the left. Hands shoved him back in the aisle.

There was a lake with still waters. A mountain range surrounded it. The waters were deep with hidden secrets, but the surface was calm.

Jets of purple and red burst in her vision as a small body writhed and shook on the floor. The audience cheered, pounding the tables

Her mind was a library. Shelves upon shelves of novels and journals and biographies. She found an empty shelf—

"STOP IT! STOP!"

Hermione's chest seized, and she cupped her hand to her mouth—

But the voice hadn't been hers.

Her head spun around. And there stood Ginny Weasley, her lips trembling, a tear streaming down her cheek. Her silver dress shimmering under the silence of a thousand eyes.

Voldemort turned from the boy slowly, uncoiling like a snake. "Stop?"

A knife clattered somewhere.

Ginny's hands clenched the sides of her dress, her eyes wide. Avery blanched next to her.

Voldemort's cloak dragged across the stones as he swept towards the High Table, twirling his wand between his fingertips.

Hermione jolted her chair back. Her body dragged itself to its feet, the weight of thousands of gems pulling her down. Draco's hand swung to pull her back — not quick enough.

"What Ginevra means is that you've gotten it wrong, my Lord."

She heard the gasps of the Hall. A movement to her right — Lucius Malfoy gripping his son's elbow. Hermione stepped forward, concealing them from view. Voldemort tilted his head, giving her his full attention.

"I knew Harry Potter better than any person in this room." Her voice bounced against the stone walls of her childhood, throaty and unfamiliar. She lifted the corner of her mouth in a smirk. "You've not let him beg. Was he not sobbing? Pleading for his life, like the coward he was?"

A still silence.

And Voldemort's lips pulled into a grin.

"A fine point, Mudblood Granger. What a clever pet you've become."

The release bubbled through the crowd. Hermione concentrated on nothingness.

Voldemort's lips curved with cruel amusement before he spun back to the boy. Folding her hands, Hermione watched as the boy was forced to stand. Another flick of Voldemort's wand, and the boy's weeping filled the room.

Voldemort silenced the crowd's jeering with a raised palm.

"Beg," he said softly. "Beg for your life, Harry Potter. Beg me to spare you and take your friends instead."

"Please," the boy sobbed. "Please—"

Voldemort arched his wand high over his head and hissed, "Avada Kedavra!"

A jet of green light slammed into the boy's chest, his body flying backward. The Great Hall erupted as Harry's glasses clattered to the ground.

Draco pushed her in her chair just as her legs gave out. The High Table stomped and shouted with the crowd. Hermione's smile was still stale on her face when they finally sat.

Hermione watched them slip Harry's glasses onto the boy's nose, and remove the body from the Hall. When she turned back to the table, a girl with fiery red hair was sitting across from her. The girl's shoulders shook.

The snakelike man returned to his chair, and the crowd began to stand and mingle. People approached the table. Conversations drifted through her ears.

"Excellent work with the Mudblood, Draco. I can hardly recognize her."

"Thank you, my Lord. It was a pleasure to break her—"

The man next to the redhead excused himself, and the snakelike man beckoned the girl into his chair. His fingers slipped into her hair as he murmured to her. The redhead nodded, her eyes cast downwards.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I will be better, I promise…"

There was a commotion while she stared at her pudding. A familiar laugh and then a crash. A stall of conversation. A murmur—

"Theo, watch her. I'll take care of this."

And the pale-haired boy next to her rose from his seat. She reached for her champagne glass. She drank. The quiet boy to her right murmured to it, and it refilled.

She took a bite. Sugar swam in her mouth.

The chair next to her pulled out. The pale-haired boy dropped into it.

"Apologies, my Lord. It was Blaise's birthday two days ago, and it seems he hasn't sobered up since."

The boy ate two bites of his pudding.

People came to the table for conversation. She listened without hearing. Some stood from the table. Some sat back down.

Against the wall stood two boys in black robes and gold belts. They stared at her, and glanced away.

"Let me see what's keeping him. I summoned an elf to brew up a Sobering Potion—" The pale-haired boy left again.

Hermione looked at the two boys on the wall again. The red-haired girl ate her dessert quietly. The pale-haired boy returned, muttering something to the man on his left.

A bell chimed, and the snakelike man stood, thanking his guests.

A man in gold robes stood up next. "Now, if you'll follow us down to the Quidditch Pitch, I'm sure Mr. Finnigan, Mr. Finch-Fletchley, and the Norwegian Ridgeback we've procured will have quite the show for us!"

The names meant something to her, but it vanished amidst the crowd's screams.

The snakelike man glided across the room, nodding at those who bowed and accepting a kiss to his knuckles from others.

The boy next to her guided her to her feet. She followed him down the steps, toward a dark-skinned boy and an olive-skinned girl.

"You've embarrassed me enough for one night, Blaise. I'm taking you home before I regret thinking of you as a friend."

The other boy hiccupped.

She was led around a table, and through a side door. She walked slowly in her heels.

Home. They would head home now.

She could rest.

She could take off the heavy dress and heavy necklace.

The four of them turned into an alcove — someplace familiar.

"Muffliato."

The pale-haired boy turned to her and took her face in his hands.

"Granger."

She stared into his grey eyes. They were endless.

"Granger."

She wondered who he was talking to.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her temple, his fingers running down her jaw.

He was warm. He was soft. She felt light.

And like breaking the surface — like she'd been drowning under still waters — Hermione gasped for air. Her body was heavy with jewels, and her knees buckled. He caught her.

"Draco—" Images flooded through her, choking off her oxygen. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed, heaving.

Her vision blacked. When it cleared, she was leaned back on the wall, Draco enveloping her in his arms. Her breaths grew sharp again, and she struggled as she thought of Avery's hands in Ginny's hair and Harry's shattered glasses and the boy's limp body—

Draco held her jaw in one hand and tipped something inside her mouth.

The effect was instantaneous. Her heartbeat slowed. Her muscles released. Her lungs expanded. She met Draco's concerned eyes and took a deep breath. His jaw trembled, and he tucked a curl behind her ear.

Behind him, Blaise averted his gaze. "Giuliana" was watching with her fingers pressed to her lips, tears shining in her eyes.

A few more heartbeats, and a throbbing pain started below her left eye, stretching quickly around the back of her head. Hermione whimpered as the pain pressed against her skull. She screwed her eyes shut, and then Draco was pouring something down her throat for pain relief.

She gasped, her lungs stabbing her with every tight breath.

"You did very well, Granger," said Blaise, after a few minutes had passed. "It was eerie."

She nodded, her tears pouring silently down her cheeks as the pain ebbed.

"Draco—" Pansy hesitated, her voice thick. "We should leave soon."

All of the things she had to bury in order to survive the evening rose up, pressing on the back of her eyelids. Hermione blinked her eyes open, her vision focusing on Draco. He nodded at her once, and his mouth was hard as he tugged her to stand.

He'd gotten the fang from the Chamber of Secrets. The Polyjuice plan had worked with Blaise. And now they were headed to Romania.

While Hermione tested her legs again, Blaise stepped up to Draco. "Make it count, Draco," he said lowly. He pushed something small and wrapped in a handkerchief into his hand. "This cost me more than my vineyard."

"And you're sure it works?"

"The man who sold it to me made an Unbreakable Vow, so— yes. It'll take you through the Romanian border."

Draco pocketed the International Portkey, and glanced over Blaise's shoulder.

Hermione wobbled, exhaustion seeping through her veins. Draco was at her side a moment later, holding out another potion — Pepper Up. She gulped it down and found his eyes on her. She nodded at him through the steam. Before she could think of what to say to reassure him, Pansy shoved him aside to fix her hair and makeup.

The steam finally stopped, and Pansy frowned at Hermione through Giuliana's eyes before spinning around and returning Blaise's wand. He tucked it in his robes.

"Let's get you home, Blaise," said Draco coldly — resuming his part.

Blaise's shoulders relaxed, and he stumbled out of the alcove, Draco at his heels. Hermione and Pansy followed.

Guests were still lingering in the Great Hall. Blaise stumbled into Mrs. Selwyn, and she clutched her hand to her chest when he winked at her and slurred a hello. Draco dragged him away, tossing an apology over his shoulder, and pushed him into a corner of the courtyard to collect himself.

Once the coast was clear, the four of them disappeared around the archway, turning toward the Wooden Bridge.

Hermione started to feel like herself again, the three potions in her veins working in tandem as they moved quickly down the bridge. Blaise tripped over the wood, and Hermione drew a sharp breath when she realized where they were standing. Her mind was too raw for Occlumency, but she couldn't let her memories of Harry and Ron with her on this bridge snake their way in. They had a Horcrux to kill tonight. She quickened her pace, focusing on the burn in her muscles.

A mighty roar bellowed in the distance, and the four of them froze as the night sky lit up with flames.

The dragon.

Hermione dug her fingers into her palms. The pain centered her. Draco glanced behind them as sounds drifted up the bridge — the delighted cries of the crowd entering the Quidditch Pitch.

Blaise staggered to look out over the bridge and whined, "I wanted to watch the dragon."

"Then you should have stopped at your second Firewhisky," said Draco, yanking him off the railing. He led them swiftly down the pathway, turning over his shoulder every four steps.

The mouth of the bridge appeared, and Hermione's breath caught. She could just make out the edge of the Forbidden Forest where they would slip past the Hogsmeade Gates.

The knot in her chest loosened as the end of the bridge grew larger in her vision. But a shadow stepped out from behind the final wooden archway, its black eyes and dark curls glinting in the moonlight.

"Leaving so soon?"

Hermione stumbled and Draco stopped cold as three jets of turquoise light arced through the bridge, illuminating Bellatrix's twisted snarl. Hermione's lips parted in a silent scream as one hit her square in the stomach, immobilizing her. Two grunts behind her — Blaise and Pansy.

Panic and dread swelled inside her, overriding her Calming Draught—

"Aunt Bella," said Draco softly. "I'll return shortly. I'm just taking Blaise home before he embarrasses himself further—"

"Don't lie to me!"

The shout ricocheted down the wood, curling up Hermione's legs and around her ribs.

Fire erupted again, and the crowd cheered. The light cast shadows on Bellatrix's face before it died out.

"You're up to something," she sang, waltzing closer to Hermione. "Disappearing twice during dinner?" She tutted. "One might question your breeding."

"Blaise was sick." His voice rose as he tried to head her off. "I was only assisting—"

"Out of my way."

Bellatrix halted before her, standing so close that their chests were almost touching. Hermione's eyes shot open in terror, her heart pounding beneath her petrified muscles.

"It's terribly suspicious, Draco." Her eyes narrowed, her stale breath on Hermione's face. "You are lucky the Dark Lord was preoccupied, tending to his little Ginger Snap." Her fingers snapped in front of Hermione's eyes.

"But something tells me," she said, circling her, "that whatever is going on"—her hand slid across Hermione's waist, tugging her back against her body—"has to do with her."

Hermione stared at Draco as he watched his aunt, his head tilted, his arms hanging at his sides. His eyes empty, betraying nothing.

A loud cackle in her ear, and Hermione's heart leapt in her throat. "I saw you at the dinner table, ready to jump in front of a curse for her. Something about this little bitch has you cock-whipped, nephew." Bellatrix dragged her hand over Hermione's waist and hips, slipping lower, between her legs.

Draco jerked forward, and Bellatrix raised her wand with her other hand. "Ah, ah!" He halted, and Bellatrix chuckled in Hermione's ear. "Maybe she has a golden cunt to match her—"

Bellatrix froze against her, her breath puffing on Hermione's neck. She gasped.

A second before Bellatrix moved, Hermione realized what it was.

"Accio!"

The wand in Hermione's thigh holster zoomed out from under her dress and shot into Bellatrix's hand.

Hermione began fighting against her invisible bindings as blood rushed through her ears, knowing it was useless—

She stepped around Hermione as flames soared overhead. Her expression was black with rage. "You've given her a wand?"

Draco swallowed. "I can explain."

"Are you allowing her magic?"

"No. Aunt Bella, of course not—"

"Then what is this?"

Her voice echoed down the Wooden Bridge, crashing into a swell of noise from the Quidditch Pitch. Draco stared at her with empty eyes.

Bellatrix took a step forward. "I've turned the other way one too many times, Draco. You have no idea, the things I've done for you and your mother. But this is treason."

The blood in Hermione's veins turned to ice. Draco's eyes flickered, and Hermione saw his fist curl at his side.

"I'm needed in Hungary promptly tonight, or else I'd consult with your parents. As the matter stands, the seriousness of the situation calls for immediate action." She began circling him, just like she had Hermione. "This can't go on, Draco." She paused behind his ear, her eyes locked on Hermione. "You'll disgrace your entire family. You will all be killed. My sister—" Her jaw worked, and she pulled back. She finished the circle to face him. "But we can do it my way. It can be quick."

Draco's throat bobbed.

"Perhaps she tried to run, and you had no other choice. I'm sure your little friends would be more than willing to testify."

"Bella—"

"I'll get you another one," she whispered. "A Muggle girl who looks enough like her. This one has poisoned you."

Hermione's muscles screamed, her blood whipping beneath her skin. Her bones felt like they would splinter under the pressure—

"That's not necessary." Draco's voice cracked. "I have this under control—"

"You're still weak," Bellatrix hissed. "I've been more than patient with you, Draco. But there's still too much of your father in you. Your weak, lovesick heart will destroy this family."

The crowd cheered, and when Hermione blinked, she saw Harry and Luna's faces behind her eyelids.

"Keep on this road, and by this time next week, your Mudblood will be the one tortured and killed in front of a crowd. Or worse"—she leaned into him—"your mother."

Draco took a shuddering breath. Hermione's heartbeat faded in her ears.

"I'll be damned if I let that happen. So say goodbye, Draco." Bellatrix spun back to her, her eyes glittering. "Feel free to look away. I know the Killing Curse doesn't suit your delicate stomach—"

A green light splashed along the wooden arches. Bellatrix's eyes centered on her, frozen in time, until with a push of the wind, she collapsed forward at Hermione's feet, revealing Draco with his wand outstretched — the tip smoking.

He stared at his aunt's body, and then back to her. Hermione's limbs tingled, and it took her a long moment to realize she wasn't Petrified any longer. Because Bellatrix was dead.

Draco had killed her with a curse to the back.

There was a movement behind her, and Blaise was suddenly beside her, gaping down at the body.

Hermione still couldn't breathe. A hollow wind whipped through the bridge, disturbing the black curls at her feet. Fire arced through the sky again.

"She—she said she was going to Hungary, right?" Hermione turned around to see Pansy cupping her forehead. "Maybe there's time. Maybe n-no one will miss her right away."

Hermione had never heard Pansy Parkinson stammer.

Draco still hadn't lowered his wand.

Hermione's legs propelled her forward. She bent down and snatched the wand Bellatrix had taken from her. She turned to the woods and cast a Presence Revealing spell in each direction. They were alone.

"You need to go." Blaise stepped over the body. "Pansy and I will take care of this."

Draco's fingers shook as he lowered his arm. "What?"

"We'll transfigure the body and hide it in the woods." Blaise looked back to Pansy. She nodded, dazed. "If you don't go off and kill whatever it is you need to kill, then this is all worthless. So do it now."

None of them moved.

"Go!"

Hermione startled back into her body as Draco transfigured her dress into lighter fabric — her heels turning into flats. Draco reached for her as she stumbled forward, and she slipped her hand in his. With a nod to Blaise and Pansy behind him, he dragged her toward the woods.

They ran through the trees, never breaking pace until they were just outside the gates of Hogsmeade. They caught their breath for a moment, Hermione's hands resting on her knees.

"You did what you had to do, Draco," she panted. "I know she was your blood, but don't be ashamed of—"

"I'm only ashamed it took me more than ten seconds to decide."

She looked up at him. He was staring at her, the moon bouncing off his pale hair and sharp cheeks. He unwound the handkerchief in his pocket, grabbed her elbow, and whisked them to Romania.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 35

Chapter Notes

Much love to raven_maiden and SaintDionysus .

The wonderfully talented NikitaJobson on tumblr created a stunning piece inspired by Hermione's mental state in chapter 34 titled Under . And the stunning Theamaranthus on tumblr created a Draco portrait inspired by The Auction Draco.

If you're on tumblr, please like and reblog to show support to our Dramione artists. Nikita and I have a collaboration coming out later this week, so keep an eye out. *insert shifty eyebrows*

We are coming closer and closer to the end! :( Estimated at 40 chapters still. Thank you in advance for being with me to the end.

This chapter is dedicated to Shelbie-Ann on Discord. Our thoughts are with you, dear.

CONTENT WARNING: Horror, violence.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The Portkey spun them like a top, pressing in on them tighter and tighter before flinging them to the ground. Hermione stumbled to her knees, and when her eyes focused, she found Draco's hand outstretched in front of her. She took it, and let him help her to her feet.

The air was brisk, sending chills down her bare legs. Hermione rubbed her arms as she glanced around. They were at the edge of a small town — the streets made of cobblestone, the buildings narrow and closely set. Several Muggle cars were parked to their right, and a pub's lights were on just down the road. Its sign was etched in Romanian.

Hermione sucked in a sharp breath. They'd made it. The International Portkey had worked.

Draco stepped next to her, and she turned to face him just as he offered his hand.

"Ready?" he asked.

She gazed down at it, then up at him. His expression was firm, but his eyes were tired — as if a lifetime had passed since the moment he stared at his aunt's body.

Her throat felt dry, and she licked her lips. "Are you? We can take a moment—"

"I'm ready," he said, and then he took her arm and Apparated them away.

The world slammed into her in a jolt. Draco gripped her tightly as she steadied herself, the ground uneven beneath her feet. She blinked to clear her vision and found them standing in the exact same spot Lucius and the Dark Lord had appeared in Lucius's memory.

Hermione tugged her arm free, craning her neck up at the enormous range before them. The mountains were shrouded in fog, their cragged outlines barely visible through the purples and greys. But before her stood the same peak she'd seen in Lucius's memory. The same one she'd seen in a book on Romanian geography a week ago, and nearly spilled her coffee over in excitement.

"We were right," she said breathlessly. "The hideout is in Moldoveanu Peak—"

"'We?' You did the research, Granger." Draco glanced at her once, then turned and began walking. After a few heartbeats, Hermione followed him up the winding path illuminated by moonlight.

She walked a pace behind him, her fingers clutching Daphne's wand. There was still a dull ache behind her temples, but each step seemed to push it farther away. She cleared her mind, focusing on the magic and adrenaline thrumming through her veins.

They could do this. For Harry.

The path grew steeper, and Hermione nearly lost her footing on an uneven step. She frowned down at her flats, and Draco paused to wait for her as she transfigured them into thick-soled boots. Her scalp ached from Pansy's pins, so she vanished them with a wave of her wand.

Standing tall again, she pushed her loose hair over her shoulder and tested her boots. Her necklace weighed heavily on her neck, but a transfiguration spell might damage any charms that had been placed on it.

Her heart beat quicker when she met Draco's eyes. "Remind me what you found in your family archives again."

Draco lifted a brow and led them on. "No record of an estate in Romania. The closest property is a cottage in the Balkan Mountains, about 80 miles south of the Bulgarian border. Only two mentions of a visit to Romania in personal journals. Once in 1940, and once two hundred years ago."

She knew it by memory, of course. But she needed to hear it aloud, in the same way she needed to rattle off facts before an exam.

They walked on until they arrived at the stone in the path from Lucius's memory. Her breath grew shallow as they turned a sharp right around it, details clicking into place. Draco let her lead them up the trail to the mountain entrance, his footsteps light behind hers. Every time she turned around to check on him, she found his eyes roving the terrain or glancing at the trail behind them.

"Have you given any more thought as to what kind of object we're looking for?" he finally asked.

"I've already told you everything I know." Hermione chewed the inside of her cheek, realizing that he needed to hear it again, too. "We'll be looking for something relatively small. His earlier Horcruxes had personal significance to him — his grandfather's ring, his school diary — whereas his later ones were items of great magical significance."

Draco was silent behind her.

"It might escape our notice at first." Her spine tingled from a long-buried memory of cleaning dusty old rooms and tossing aside broken lockets. She reached out to her shelves on instinct, and was surprised to find she could shut the book without much pain behind her brow. "But this time we're looking for it. It can...sense danger. So I suspect we'll know when we get close."

And with that, they arrived at the rock face. It was a smooth stone — the same one she'd seen weeks ago in Lucius Malfoy's memory. Draco tapped his wand against the stone just like his father had done, and with a tremble of magic, the door shook free. It slid to the side, revealing the black cavern inside.

They stood for a moment, staring into its depths. Hermione forced her lungs to drag in air.

Draco turned to her, and sliced his palm with his wand. His eye twitched when he watched her do the same with hers. He tore his gaze to the blood dripping down his wrist, and sent it spiraling upward with a flick of his wand.

"My blood will start to fade from your system after an hour." Another flick, and the droplets arced toward her hand.

She watched the red beads seep through the cut in her palm, weaving beneath her skin. Her blood felt warmer as she imagined it intertwining with his, slipping through her veins and curling around her heart.

The wound closed. Hermione blinked at her smooth skin as Draco took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over the spot.

"So if something happens to me in there, don't dawdle."

She jerked her head up. "Don't say that."

His brows drew together. "I've read up on barriers like these. A simple blood share lasts eighty minutes at best. The magic requires the blood of a living Malfoy—"

She ripped her hand from his. "Stop talking like you're going to die."

He stared at her as though she were the stubborn one. "I'm just being practical."

"Well, stop it," she snapped.

His throat bobbed. Then he stepped into her, and her heart stopped when he lifted his hand to brush his fingers across her necklace. He paused on an emerald below her left collarbone.

"I replaced this stone."

Hermione glanced down as Draco tugged at the gem, holding it up in the moonlight. There was the faintest of shimmers around it — a glamour.

He set it back, and his eyes flickered to hers. "The tattoo antidote is inside. A simple Severing Charm will suffice."

"That won't be necessary. We'll be leaving together." She turned away from him, stepping up to the threshold before he could see the wetness in her eyes.

She cast a number of curse detection spells at the entry, her focus returning with each wave of Daphne's wand. All were negative. Taking a sharp breath, Hermione cast a Lumos and stepped forward into the inky darkness.

Her vision adjusted quickly to the wandlight. Just four steps ahead of her, she could make out a descending staircase carved crudely into the rock. She glanced over her shoulder and found Draco just behind her, his mouth hard and his eyes fixed ahead. He lit his wand as she turned back to face the stairs and followed them down.

The glow from their wands extended deep into the darkness, but there was no end in sight. The further down they stepped, the colder and thicker the atmosphere. There was a metallic tang in the air, and a dripping sound echoed from down below. After several dozen steps, there was a landing of about six feet before the stairs continued down.

There was only the sound of Draco's cloak sliding down the stairs as they descended endlessly — stairs, landing, stairs. Hermione's legs started to protest and she paused, looking up at Draco. Moonlight shone through the entrance behind him, all those steps above.

"Do you think maybe we missed something when we came in? On the walls?"

"I didn't see anything." He paused, letting her catch her breath. "It's probably just a very long ways down."

She frowned as she turned back to the stairs leading down, down, down. It would be terribly difficult to leave — unless one could fly, of course. Perhaps that was the point.

Draco squeezed her arm and stepped around her, taking the lead. It was much easier to follow his blond head instead of the end of her wandlight, but even still, once they'd reached the sixth landing followed by more steps, Hermione's frustration began boiling over.

Something was nagging at her, like an itch between her shoulders she couldn't reach. She spun around to look at the top of the steps again, and her feet faltered.

The moonlight was casting the same shadows she'd seen four landings ago, as if the distance hadn't grown at all. Her ears strained to listen to the dripping water — the volume just as faint as before. She heard Draco halt ahead of her.

"What is it?"

"We're not moving."

Her heart pounded in her chest as he hurried back to her. She took in his pale face for a moment before she began scurrying around the landing, her fingers skimming for a hidden doorway as she searched the wall for runes. She cast her wandlight upward, and only found a damp stone ceiling. Draco cursed and jogged up the stairs to the previous landing. She watched him vanish with her heart in her throat, listening to his boots slap against the steps—

A sound behind her. A shadow stepped up to her.

Hermione gasped and slammed herself against the wall, her wand shooting out to point at—

Draco.

His feet stumbled as he jerked backward, yanking his wand down.

Hermione gaped at him, and he gaped back. She whipped around to look up the stairs Draco had jogged up a minute ago. Empty. When she looked behind her again, she found Draco staring anxiously down the steps he'd just come from — somehow from behind her.

"It's a loop," he said, glancing up at her.

A thought slithered through her mind, and fresh terror seized her. Her wand flew up, pointing between his eyes.

"Granger, what—"

"Alastor Moody turned you into an animal in our fourth year. Which animal?"

"You can't be serious—"

"Which animal?" She brandished her wand.

He stared down at her, and with an expression that could have convinced her of his identity all by itself, he said, "A white ferret."

Hermione lowered her arm slowly, her pulse still racing. "Right. Sorry. It's just— we can't be too safe."

His reply was an unintelligible grumble, but Hermione was too busy stepping next to him, peering down into the void below. After a few moments, she flicked her wrist and whispered, "Avis."

A flock of small birds zoomed from the tip of her wand, bright yellow in the darkness, and zipped down the stairway, disappearing until they were flecks in the distance—

A flap of wings behind them, and Draco tugged her against the wall just as her flock came up from behind them, weaving through them and onward, down, down, until flitting behind them again.

Caught in the loop.

Hermione vanished the birds on their next round. She staggered into the middle of the landing, staring up at the moon shining through the open doorway. They were lost in a maze with no exit — and now, no entry. They'd tumbled into a rabbit hole, and it had swallowed them whole.

"There has to be a way in." Hermione turned to see Draco studying the walls, running his hands over the wet stone.

Squaring her shoulders, she crouched down to the stairs. She searched the seams and dips in the stone for anything useful while Draco tried all sorts of unlocking and spell detection charms on the walls and ceiling.

The minutes stretched on, and still they found nothing. Hermione's chest began to tighten as she contemplated never getting out, and never getting in. Dying here inside this mountain, inside these stairs.

She crawled down step after step, running her shaking fingers over each stair as she sank lower and lower into the dark underworld. Her skin grew colder. She was on the forty-ninth stair when she realized she'd lost sight of Draco. She shot to her feet, and suddenly he was next to her. They were on the landing together — she'd reached the end of the loop.

He ran his hands over her arms once, and turned back to the walls.

She watched him, listening to his breath grow harsher as he paced across the stones. She tried crawling upwards, looking for signs on the other side of the steps, ascending each stair toward the moonlight until she finally reached the next landing and looked back for Draco—

Who appeared next to her.

Hermione collapsed on the closest step, her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands.

She focused her mind, forcing herself to breathe. When her lungs could expand fully again, she refocused, forcing herself to think. The stairs had no end in sight. But there was a bottom to them. There had to be.

His greatest weapon is fear.

Her legs pushed her to standing, and she stared down the edge of the staircase. Voldemort didn't want anyone finding what was at the bottom. He'd planted a loop to sew doubt in their minds, and along with it, fear. But Hermione knew what he'd hidden down below.

She turned around, and her eyes caught on the moonlight on the walls. Maybe she had to believe. And believing meant looking forward — not looking back.

"Draco." Her voice was a firm command. "Walk behind me."

He stopped his searching and glanced up at her, his eyes wild. "What?"

"Walk with me, and whatever you do, don't turn back to look at the exit."

Something in her face must have convinced him, because his eyes seemed to clear. He nodded, and Hermione stepped off the landing, her wand held aloft. She paused a few steps down, waiting for Draco to join her.

"Draco?"

"Hermione," he said.

She started their journey downwards again. The steps were circuitous, spiraling into a never-ending abyss. Whenever panic gripped her, she focused on the sound of his breaths. The rhythm of his footsteps, light but steady behind hers.

After seven flights of steps, their footsteps synchronized. She sped up, then slowed, but only one pair of feet echoed off the stones.

"Stay with me," she said. No reply.

She stopped cold, her ears straining for the sound of Draco's breath, but there was nothing — not even the sound of dripping water. But she had to trust that he was there. She couldn't doubt it. She couldn't look back.

A thicker smell reached her nostrils, and she resumed her pace. Her limbs grew heavy, but her mind was clear.

There was only the beam of light from her wand in front of her. There was only her breath. There was only the warmth in her blood, whispering that she wasn't alone.

Ten flights of steps. Doubt crept in, quick and biting, like ice in her veins. Still, she continued, her eyes wide and her fingers tight on her wand.

Another landing, and she felt her lungs constrict. The doubt rushed in faster, creeping up her legs and inching towards her ribs. And just when she was about to spin around in terror, a door materialized at the bottom.

Her heart began hammering in her chest. She still couldn't hear Draco, but she said, "Don't stop. Don't look back."

With seizing muscles, she took the final flight of steps down, pausing only to pull the door open and step through. And when she was fully inside, she whipped around to find Draco stepping through after her, his pupils blown black. She threw her arms around him, gasping.

"I thought you were gone. I thought something had taken you—" Her voice shook as she dug her fingers in his robes, needing proof that he was there. That she wasn't imagining him. He stooped to bury his face in her neck, holding her close.

"I responded to you every time," he said, and the rumble of his chest unraveled the knot in hers.

He was real. She remembered this feeling.

"You didn't hear me?"

"No." She pulled back and took his face in her hands. "But I trusted you were there."

Searching her face, he nodded. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before turning to the room.

There was an empty lamp over Draco's shoulder, and Hermione waved her wand to light it. The flame sprang to life, and two others followed.

They were in a sitting room — a dim parlor with a solitary sofa and two wingback chairs. The walls were lined with blocky paintings in the Art Deco style, and the cabinets seemed to be from a similar time.

Hermione stepped forward, examining the thick layer of dust on the credenza to her right — when something glimmered in the corner of her eye.

Across the room, a cloud of pale vapor was hovering over the coffee table, growing steadily larger. She raised her wand the same moment Draco did. They stared up in horror as it shifted and morphed, stretching taller and taller.

Draco angled himself in front of her, shooting one nonverbal spell after another. All vanished inside it, like lightning in a cloud.

The vapor sprouted arms, then legs, and Hermione gasped as a tall, long-haired specter with Lucius Malfoy's eyes and a slightly rounder chin materialized, floating to the ground. It blinked its empty eyes open.

Hermione's heart lurched. She stumbled to the left, joining the stream of spells with a Skurge Charm, an Everte Statum. They disappeared inside the wraith's chest, rumbling like thunder. It tilted its head.

Draco pushed her backward as it crept closer — almost solid now. "Reducto—!"

Sparks flew from his wand, but then the creature let out a ghastly snarl and shot its arms out, plunging into both of their chests. Hermione's eyes rolled back, screaming as icy fingers slithered up her heart like vines. She heard Draco's strangled cry mixing with her own — and then silence as the arm hurtled from her chest to her throat.

Her senses erupted — a metallic taste on her tongue, a slickness rolling through her skin as she stood frozen, paralyzed. It felt like the vapor was ripping through her body, squeezing every bone and sluicing through every vein.

And just as quickly as the attack came on, it ceased. Hermione collapsed as the vapor pulled its arms back, its icy fingers retracting. Her eyes flew open just as it imploded in a spray of mist.

Spots bloomed in her vision, and she heaved, dragging in lungfuls of air. She curled to her side, coughing, and then Draco was on all fours next to her. He pushed her on her back again, his face white as he ran his fingers over her chest.

"I'm fine," she wheezed.

He pulled her to sitting, his legs on either side of her and his arms around her back. "You're sure?"

"Yes." Her forehead dropped to his shoulder, inhaling his scent. "What was it looking for?"

"It's another test for Malfoy blood. I've seen one before, but this one was different. He must have done something to it."

Draco's hand reached for hers, and his wand cut a thin slice in her palm before she could flinch. Another slice to his left wrist, and he flicked his wand to direct his blood to flow into her.

Hermione looked up at him to tell him that it hadn't been an hour, that there was no need — but his pinched expression told her to keep quiet.

"I want to be sure it lasts."

Her skin felt warm again, and she squeezed his thigh to make him stop. This time, Hermione stood first, helping him to his feet and plucking up her wand to close their cuts. She nodded at him once before turning back to the sitting room, bracing herself for what came next.

There was an archway in the stone that seemed to lead to a dining room, and two closed doors to the left that could possibly lead to bedrooms. She moved towards the dining area, her wand extended as she peeked around the corner. There was nothing but a small pantry. Draco moved behind her, and they stepped over the threshold.

Hermione's fingers brushed the wooden dining chair closest to her. They came away covered in dust. "You said your grandfather last came in 1940?"

"Mid-September, to be exact."

Frowning, Hermione's eyes swiveled to look at the ceiling, studying the smooth rock of the mountain above. "And once two hundred years ago as well?" An ancient memory swirled up, and then it hit her. "Draco, this could be a bunker."

"A what?"

She spun to face him. "Your grandfather came here just after London was first attacked by the Germans. I think they used this hideaway in preparation for Muggle wars."

"Doubtful." He shrugged tightly. "I'm aware of the airstrikes. The Manor's wards could have easily deflected them—"

"No magic can stop an atomic bomb. They tried in Japan."

Draco scratched his jaw. "Fascinating as this is, is this really the moment for a history lesson?" he said drily.

She shook her head, swallowing her curiosity. "You're right, sorry. But it is helpful to know that the Malfoys most likely warded this place against cave-ins. The mountain won't come tumbling down around us if they prepared it for nuclear fallout. There might be other fortifications—"

"I will give you every Malfoy journal in existence to review if we ever get back to the Manor, Granger." He placed his hand on one of the closed doors and said, "Shall we?"

She followed him through the doorway and into another drawing room, a bit smaller than the first. There was a corridor to the left, and Hermione wondered just how large the residence was as they threw the doors open, finding four separate bedrooms.

Draco stared through the open door he was facing, then back at her in the corridor.

Hermione bit her lip. "We can't rule it out until we look."

They checked closets, rifled through drawers, and tossed back sheets. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. They checked each room twice before finally coming back to the drawing room.

Hermione was ready to begin peeling back the wallpaper when she heard a loud sigh from the first sitting room. She found Draco relaxing on the sofa, his head lolled back.

Her lips pressed together. They should have brought some Pepper-Up for him as well.

"We'll find it, Draco. I know it's here." She waited for him to look at her. Instead, his eyes fluttered closed.

Her spine tingled, and she quickly crossed into the sitting room to stand over him. "Are you alright?"

He nodded and breathed deeply, as if he were inhaling fresh air. "It's lovely here, isn't it?"

Fear bubbled in her gut, whipping her insides — but then a cool tranquility settled over her, like a perfect summer breeze.

Her legs were tired, her mind weary. She could stay awhile and rest.

Perching on the arm of the sofa next to him, she took in the little room. The colors shined, and the wood sparkled. "It is," she agreed.

"And look at the view." Draco gestured to the wall across from him, and Hermione followed his hand to a window she hadn't seen before.

A sandy beach looked back at them, the turquoise water glittering. Sunlight flooded the room the longer she looked. A smile broke over her face, and she slid down onto the couch. He took her hand in his.

"I don't know why we'd ever leave," said Draco, his voice full of wistful longing.

Her lips trembled at the thought. "We don't have to," she whispered, squeezing his fingers. "We shouldn't. We're together, aren't we?"

He turned his face to hers and kissed her temple — as gentle as if she were blown glass. With a contented sigh, Hermione relaxed back into the cushions. On the ceiling, she found a stunning fresco of a woman in gauzy white, lying at the edge of a river. The waters were placid.

Draco's arm snaked around her shoulders, and as she tilted her head up, her eyes fell on the window again. The steady back and forth of water soothed her, lulling her to sleep. She snuggled into Draco's side and tucked her legs beneath her on the cushion. His arm wrapped around her as they lay on the sofa, watching the ocean together.

The tide came in. The tide went out. Her breath grew thin and light, like it, too, was drifting out to sea. Exhaustion tugged at her eyelids. As her vision grew hazy and her heartbeat slowed, a mountain range appeared in her mind's eye. She gazed at the water there, cool and uninterrupted.

Still waters.

She blinked, and the window was gone — a thick rock wall in its place. She blinked again, and saw sparkling turquoise and golden sunlight.

Her head felt light as she tilted her head up to the fresco—

The woman at the river was gone. Only a low rock ceiling.

Hermione squeezed her eyes shut. Books — there were books that had fallen open. One with grey eyes and soft lips and warm hands. She focused on closing them again, tucking them away.

Hermione's legs twitched. When had Draco stopped rubbing patterns on her shoulder? She craned her neck to look at him, and found him sleeping. His face was peaceful, and pale — almost blue.

She scrambled to face him. His arm fell limply over her shoulder.

"Draco." She ran her fingers over his cool cheeks. "Draco!"

Her lungs began seizing as she shook his robes, calling his name. Nothing. His head lolled, and her fingertips scrambled for a pulse — and when she felt a faint fluttering, she almost wept in relief.

He was alive, just barely.

A dark shadow prodded at her consciousness, and she steadied her shelves. The room wanted her to forget. It wanted him to forget, too.

Cupping his face to hers, she kissed him softly, breathing life into him.

"Draco," she whispered. "Be with me."

His eyes fluttered open, and she had to blink back her tears. "Hm?"

She brushed her fingers across his cheeks. "Can you Occlude with me, please?"

"Occlude?" He frowned, his gaze more alert. "What for?"

"Just for a moment. Please."

She stared at him, hardly daring to breathe as his eyes shuttered and blinked open. And again. This time, they were a clear grey. She stumbled off the couch as he jerked to his feet, drawing his wand. "What happened? Are you alright?"

Nodding, she pressed the heel of her palms to her eyes and swallowed her emotions.

"It was some kind of charm, for tranquility or forgetfulness. Whatever it was tried to kill us." She drew a shuddering breath and let her hands fall to her sides. Draco was gaping at her, color returning to his cheeks. "We need to keep our minds sharp."

He looked coldly over the room. "There might be something in here, then. Perhaps I came too close to something, and it tried to distract me from it."

Hermione nodded, and after another minute of Occluding, they began turning the room upside down. There were quills on the desk that seemed expensive, but not important. A paperweight — charmed like the ceiling at Hogwarts to show the Romanian sky — sat next to a stamp encrusted with the Malfoy seal. Draco pulled out every book on the shelves while she moved to the cushions, pulling them out and tipping the sofa and chairs on their sides.

And still nothing. Hermione tugged at the roots of her hair while Draco cursed. They were running out of time.

"Let me check the kitchen again," he finally said. "There's elf quarters that I could go through again."

Hermione shook her head. "Voldemort wouldn't associate his Horcrux with house-elves."

Placing her hands on her hips, she stared at the doorway leading to the drawing room and bedrooms, debating — and then spun back around with a huff.

Whatever they were looking for was here. The room's protections were stronger to keep them from finding it. Her eyes scanned the desk, the archway to the kitchen, and the door leading to the rest of the residence.

Her brows furrowed. Something was wrong.

She closed her eyes and tried to envision what she'd seen when they entered. A sitting room. A path to the kitchen. And—

"Wasn't there another door?" Draco said.

Her eyes shot open, and she spun to him. He was staring at the place where the window to the ocean had been charmed. There was just a painting there.

Draco ran a hand through his hair. "No. No, sorry, I guess—"

"You're right. There was." She pointed her wand at the wall. "Revelio!"

Like a fog clearing, a door materialized in the stone wall. Draco staggered backward as Hermione's heart pounded in her throat. She rushed forward, casting a few hex-detection charms on the brass handle. All negative. Draco dipped his chin in a nod, and she pulled the door open, both of their wands at the ready.

More stairs leading downward — this tunnel blacker than the one before. Hermione steeled herself and started to descend, not daring to glance back at Draco.

The air was thick and humid, like they were walking into hell itself. The walls were wet, and in the silence between their footsteps, she thought she could hear something else in the darkness. Something whispering.

The spiraling slowed, and Hermione's eyes locked on a large cavern waiting to swallow them at the end of the stairs. She held her breath and didn't blink until she stepped off the final step and into the darkness. Her Lumos Maxima had barely left her wand when she turned to find Draco stepping next to her. His eyes widened and darted about as the light bloomed, and she turned to follow his gaze.

Gold and silver and books and paintings stacked up at least thirty feet high. Expensive furnishings and cabinets with china. It was like stepping into a corner of the Room of Hidden Things, only the clutter wasn't broken or discarded — it was treasure.

Her feet carried her forward as she scanned the rugs and tapestries. An open chest full of jewelry. There was a Horcrux in this room. Somewhere. Buried beneath the piles of necklaces and rings? Tucked between the Degas and the Rembrandt?

"We shouldn't touch anything," she said. "There was a Gemini Curse in the vault where—" Bellatrix's vault, she realized a moment too late—"where we found the cup."

Turning around, she found Draco just behind her. His face was unreadable as he dug into his robes and produced the basilisk fang. He extended it to her.

She jerked her head. "It should be you. I've already done one."

It had to be him. If Voldemort fell, killing a Horcrux might be the thing that saved him. And his parents.

He looked ready to argue with her, but he kept it as he moved to a wardrobe. He opened the doors of it with a wave of his wand, and billowing skirts tumbled out — dresses from hundreds of years ago. He crept closer, opening the pockets of coats with the tip of his wand.

Hermione gravitated toward a chest of jewels and floated them out one by one to examine. She checked the frame of every painting, unrolled every rug, turned over every chalice.

Taking a deep breath, she checked on Draco. He was still working through the clothes, turning them inside out to inspect the pockets and linings. Above his head on top of the wardrobe, a series of brightly-colored hats caught her attention. She scanned the feathers and wide brims, the pointed wizarding hats, and the Muggle top hats. And there at the top, lording over them all—

The Sorting Hat.

Hermione gasped, and the necklace she'd been floating clattered to the ground. Draco spun to her as it splintered, diamonds rolling across the stone floor.

"That's it." Her eyes flicked to him, then back up to the wardrobe. "That's the Horcrux."

Draco stepped backward to stare up at it. Surprise crossed his face when he recognized it.

The cave seemed to shiver in the silence.

"Are you sure?"

There was a certainty in her blood that Harry had always told her about — the faintest of whispers in her ears, like a chant only she could hear. The fine hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

"Positive." She walked over to him like she was treading thin ice, her eyes never leaving the Hat. Draco's muscles tensed in the periphery of her vision. "The Sorting Hat was Godric Gryffindor's," she said softly, when she was standing just beside him. "We should—"

"Right you are, Miss Granger," a thick voice croaked from the wardrobe, and her stomach lurched.

Hermione and Draco's wands shot up, aiming at the Sorting Hat as it chuckled — oily and darker than it had back in school. It quivered, as if waking up from a long sleep. The tear along its brim turned up into an eerie grin.

It was like staring at a familiar painting that had been defaced. There was something she recognized, but also something tainted.

Perhaps some of the Hat was still in there.

Hermione cast a sideways glance at Draco, and found him looking at her. Waiting to follow her lead.

"Sorting Hat," she said, her voice stronger than she felt. "Tell me the last thing you remember. Before you woke up here."

"The death of the first Gregory Goyle," it hummed. "Slytherin. Sorted 1964."

Draco moved quickly, gripping the fang in one hand and stretching for the Hat with his other—

A crackle of energy sliced through the air, and with a great gust of wind, Draco was flung across the room. Hermione screamed as he slammed into a gold chest, and thumped down onto the cavern floor. The wind swept through the room, swirling her hair around her face and pulling lighter items into a twister. The light from her Lumos Maxima flickered, and they were plunged into darkness.

The Sorting Hat cackled, its voice suddenly thin and high like Voldemort.

Hermione conjured a ball of light in the middle of the ceiling, then whipped back to aim her wand at the Sorting Hat just as it soared through the air, landing at the far end of the room. The wind died out. She stumbled after it, freezing when she saw Draco on his feet — clutching the fang in one hand, and his wand in the other. He strode toward the corner, his eyes determined, and Hermione followed.

"Accio." Draco spat. "Wingardium Leviosa."

The Hat remained perfectly still as they approached. It sat right-side-up on the stone floor, waiting for them. Draco glanced at her before taking another step forward—

And the wind erupted, sweeping up gold coins and jewelry to pelt against their face and arms. Hermione lifted a hand to shield herself, her wand raised as Draco pushed forward, holding the fang high.

"Miss Granger," it sang, "not wearing your house colors today, I see?"

The wind froze for half a heartbeat, items suspended in the air. The moment Hermione's fingers fell to her emerald necklace, the gems pressed in on her windpipe and the air began howling again. Objects beat against her legs and stomach as she gasped, scratching at her throat. A towering cabinet nearly collapsed onto Draco as the necklace squeezed tighter. Her wand fell to the floor, and she jerked her foot out to stop it from rolling away.

She tried to scream, but her vocal cords were clamped. Draco pushed to standing and turned to her just as the wind intensified, lifting the large gilded picture frames and hurling them in his direction. He deflected one after another until he was sidestruck, grunting as he doubled over. Another sharp constriction, and Hermione dropped to her knees, digging her thumbs under the collar. She saw Daphne's wand roll away as black spots popped in her vision, catching inside a heavy rug at least six yards away.

The sound of Voldemort's laughter was high in Hermione's ears as the room battered them, debris spiraling up to the ceiling. She limped towards the rug, fingers scratching at her throat, and looked up to see Draco running towards her. A low rumble, and Hermione watched in horror as a chest of drawers flew at him, pinning him to a nearby shelf.

Her head grew light, her lungs seizing for oxygen as the room howled. She focused the last of her energy on the dying warmth in her fingertips.

Accio, she thought — a whisper, a prayer — and then her magic crackled, and Daphne's wand was hurtling through the air. Her arm shot up and she caught it by the fingertips, pointing the wand to wordlessly blast open the jewels. They scattered, and she collapsed on her back, wheezing and gasping for air. The emeralds lifted above her, caught by the wind.

An explosion to her right. She rolled on her stomach to see Draco stumbling to his feet — the chest of drawers obliterated, the wood shards joining the tornado. Their eyes locked as she pushed herself to standing, and then there was a groan so loud the floor shook beneath their feet.

Hermione rasped out a Protection Spell as more objects jerked upward, keeping them behind an invisible wall. It held for five seconds before she needed to cast again. Draco started towards her, and she waved him back, screaming, "Kill it! I'll hold off the room!"

She aimed at the twister, and the wand shivered under her instruction.

Draco raced to the Hat, then skid to a halt as it levitated. Its brim opened as he gaped up at it.

"And you Mr. Malfoy. Quite a Gryffindor you've become. Perhaps we need another Sorting Ceremony."

And then the Hat flew forward, swirling once around Draco before launching at his head. Hermione cried out—

Draco stumbled back, wrestling with the Hat before its opening finally attached itself onto his face. The basilisk fang clattered to the ground as Draco fought it, blindly casting spells as it shivered around him, as though it were sucking in his soul.

Hermione's stomach lurched, and she released the Protection Spell, sprinting to him. The objects in the room flew at her, a painting slamming into her shoulder, but she hardly felt the blows.

"I can see your heart, Draco Malfoy." The voice came from every corner, sensuous and booming.

Dropping to his side, Hermione ripped at the Hat, her heart in her throat and her fingers burning as she tried to tear it from his skin. She could hear him screaming from inside, but suddenly, the Hat released him.

Hermione whipped her head to watch it bounce to the side just as something rocketed at her from the left. A hiss from Draco, and a boom in her eardrums — the shard of wood deflected just in time. Dust rained over them as Draco tugged her to her feet, her ears still ringing from the blast.

"Find the fang!" she croaked. He nodded, pale as a sheet, and she caught sight of a ring burned into his face before he spun to the debris. A chair flew at her from the left, and she flung up another Protection Spell.

A hollow wind rose behind her, and Hermione turned over her shoulder and saw the Hat. It lay on its side, the opening facing them. A darkness twisted inside of it, and Hermione's stomach rolled as it widened, growing taller and taller. Terror gripped her ribs. She spun around for Draco, and found him crouched a few feet away, his eyes on the opening, his wand pointed down the chasm. His other hand empty.

A small object flew at her, knocking her shoulder back. Her feet stumbled as she recast her Protection Spell, and she stared back at the tunnel. It was almost the height of the room now, and her heart stopped as she made out a pale wisp of something, growing larger and larger.

A figure.

Cold sweat broke across her skin as the person grew taller, walking closer until it stepped out of the abyss. A person she recognized.

Jet-black hair. Slender and handsome. Only when he turned his brown eyes on her did Hermione know it wasn't Harry — it was Tom Riddle.

"Draco, don't listen to a word he says—"

Tom Riddle raised his ghostly white hand, and her Protection Spell vanished. The wind shrieked at her face as the maelstrom came hurtling for her head.

A voice called her name as it swallowed her, flinging her backward. Her head cracked against the cavern floor, knocking her breath from her lungs. She forced her eyes open and her shaking legs to stand. She had to get up.

The room spun as she stood in the eye of the storm — at the center of swirling paintings and wooden splinters, gold and silver spinning around her in a blur. Her eyes locked on Draco's, still crouching low, untouched by the walls of the storm. Something passed over his face, and he tore his gaze to the floor.

She had to reach him.

Her fingers gripped Daphne's wand, and she summoned her energy to shoot spell after spell at the wind. But they were caught in the eyewall, the force of her magic crackling up the walls like lightning. A shadow shifted in front of her — Tom Riddle, watching her closely.

She thought of Harry as she stared at him. Of Fred and Luna, Remus and Cho. And her vision went white with rage. She paced, fingers trembling to strangle him as his face stretched in an amused leer. She shot her arm through, and a wooden chair quickly caught her in the stomach, crumpling her to the ground. She curled on her side as the pain blossomed, tasting blood in her mouth.

"Draco Malfoy." Tom Riddle's voice drifted to her like a purr in her ear. "Purest of blood, and heir to the great Malfoy line. Loyal servant to the great Lord Voldemort."

Hermione's chin lifted. Through the stars in her vision, she saw Riddle tilt his head, serpentine in his movements.

"And yet, you come to betray him."

Draco looked up from where he knelt, like a knight swearing fealty.

Tom Riddle looked over at her and smirked. "My mother was also tempted by the beauty of a Muggle," he said to Draco. "But I've seen inside of you now, Draco." With an elegant bend to his knees, Riddle dropped in front of him, meeting his eyes. "It's not her beauty that did you in."

Hermione's breath caught, and she pushed herself up by the elbows. "He's manipulating you!" A snap of Riddle's fingers, and the wind howled louder, silencing her.

She stumbled to her feet, ignoring the pain in her head as she watched Draco stare down the ghost of Tom Riddle. Apart from the muscle ticking in his jaw, he was perfectly still.

"I believe that was your Aunt Bellatrix's fatal mistake this evening." Riddle tutted, and Hermione shivered, the sound crawling beneath her skin. "She assumed you would be satisfied with a replica." He gestured in Hermione's direction. "But I've seen your heart. I've broken through your brick walls and cracked open your jewelry boxes."

Draco's eyes flickered to her, wide and terrified. Her heart rattled inside her ribs.

"No, no, Draco," Riddle said, and Draco's eyes darted back to him. "I want your loyalty. And as your aunt can attest, killing this girl won't get it." Riddle smiled, leaning into his ear. "I can give you what you want."

"I don't want anything—"

"Security. Protection. No more hiding in the shadows with her." Riddle studied him, and with the grace of a predator, he gripped Draco's shoulder. "You know how easily she could be cast aside. And you know who'll be waiting in the shadows to take her from you."

Hermione went still — her muscles frozen. Something shifted in the corner of her eye, and she gaped at the inky tunnel as another shape shifted inside. It split into two as it grew larger, and she watched a shadow of herself emerge from the black depths with Antonin Dolohov's arms wrapped around her middle, caging her. She was in black lace lingerie that barely covered her. Dolohov tangled his fingers in her hair, his palm sliding up her thigh.

Draco didn't move, his lips parted and his ribs expanding quickly.

"Leave this place at once, and she won't be a slave any longer." With a flick of Riddle's fingers, the shadow of Dolohov evaporated, leaving only her. Bare-faced and wild-haired, in denims and a jumper. "I'll let you keep her. Marry her. No longer a Mudblood traitor — Lady Malfoy."

Riddle's hand squeezed Draco's shoulder. Hermione's breath came in short pants as she watched Draco swallow. His fingers twitched.

Tom Riddle abruptly stood, towering over Draco. "Swear again your loyalty to me, Draco Malfoy, and Lord Voldemort will grant her clemency. Climb out of the cave, take her memories of this, and the Dark Lord will give you freedom. Both of you."

It was silent except for the swirl of the wind. Hermione felt like she was sinking to the bottom of icy waters as Draco rose to his feet, his jaw set and his eyes determined.

"Thank you, my Lord," he whispered. She could scarcely hear him over the tunnel surrounding her.

Tom Riddle smiled, his translucent head nodding in agreement. Her stomach roiled as Draco swept away from the Horcrux, moving toward her. Her legs swayed, unsteady beneath her.

She watched Draco take four steps closer and twitch his wrist. Something ivory flew up from the ground, and faster than a Snitch, Draco spun, casting it forward with his wand, hurtling towards Riddle and the Hat.

The basilisk fang shot through the middle of Tom Riddle's chest, flying past his shocked expression, and into the dark opening of the Hat.

An unearthly scream, like a thousand glasses shattering inside her mind. She covered her ears and watched Draco do the same. The walls of the cavern shook as Tom Riddle's apparition howled in agony, the Hat sucking him backward as it shriveled down to normal size.

The tunnel of broken furniture and gold coins halted, falling around them like hail. And the screaming stopped.

Hermione counted two heartbeats before she ran to him. He was staring at the spot Riddle had been, as if he couldn't trust he was really gone — the same way he'd stared at his aunt's body. She grabbed his elbow, and he jumped, spinning to her as she threw her arms around his neck.

"You did it. Draco, you—" Her voice shook. "You were amazing. For a moment, I thought you'd—"

She broke off as he removed her hands. They fell limply at her sides.

He wouldn't look at her as he took a step backward, glancing around the destruction. "You're alright?"

Hermione swallowed. "I think so. I may have a mild concussion, but…" She trailed off as he moved toward the Sorting Hat, watching it ooze. Her throat felt thick as she moved beside him. "I suppose it's gone now."

There was silence.

"We should go."

Hermione glanced up at him. His mouth was in a hard line. He still wouldn't look at her.

Just as she opened her mouth to ask him what was wrong, he turned on his heel and wove them back through the destruction.

Something was wrong. That was all she could think about as Draco led them up the sweltering staircase, not bothering to look behind him.

They reached the top of the stairs. Draco's hand reached for the door to the residence, and as it swung open, Tom Riddle's voice floated in her ears.

I'll let you keep her. Marry her.

The door clicked closed, and Hermione's cheeks burned white hot. The warmth sunk inside her chest, sparking through her veins as Draco's books fluttered open on her shelves. She'd come to mean a great deal to him over the past year. The Horcrux had confirmed it.

Draco moved quickly through the sitting room, putting out the lamps and wrenching open the front door. He successfully didn't look back at her as they climbed the long staircases up toward the moonlight.

The warmth flickered as he led them out of the cave, and down the mountain. She wanted to beg him to look at her — but his gaze remained firmly ahead, as if they were still on the stone steps.

By the time they Apparated back to the edge of the Romanian town — Draco's hand dropping hers quickly — she felt cold again. And by the time he pulled out the Portkey, barely holding her forearm between his thumb and forefinger as they landed in a silent alley in Muggle London, Hermione was wondering if she'd miscalculated.

Lady Malfoy.

She wondered what he would say to her if she told him the truth: that she loved him. He cared for her enough to keep her from Dolohov — that much was certain. But did his feelings run as deep as hers?

Perhaps marrying her was the only way to keep her safe.

He paused at the edge of a dark alley, his palm outstretched. Hermione stared down at his hand, and took it.

Draco Disapparated them quickly to the hill outside the Manor, and trudged up the lane without waiting for her. Finally, at the base of the stairs, he paused. But he still wouldn't look at her.

"I need to… to check in with Blaise. Make sure they were able to…" He cleared his throat, and she felt her chest clench.

"Of course. Draco, I—"

Without a backward glance, he strode to the fireplace, grabbed a handful of Floo powder, and disappeared with a whispered, "Grimmauld Place."

Hermione watched the flames take him before settling back to orange. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed on the stairs.

The Horcrux was gone. Once again, it was now only the snake that stood in the way. She should feel dizzy with the joy of it. Free. Instead all she could wonder was why she'd appeared in the deepest depths of Draco Malfoy's heart if he was only going to run from her, as if it were all a big mistake.

Her head began throbbing, and it felt like every inch of the pain she'd forgotten returned to her at once. Her legs shook when facing another set of stairs, and her head spun as she walked to Draco's room. She showered, healing her cuts and bruises with Daphne's wand. Then she dressed in her pajamas, and slipped between the sheets, ready to sit up and wait for him, but she was asleep before she could turn out the light.

~*~

She awoke to the smell of coffee on their breakfast trays. Stretching, she reached for Draco behind her on the bed — and found the sheets cold.

Hermione sat up, and her ribs clenched painfully as the ending of the evening returned to her. She pushed her hair out of her face and looked for any sign that Draco had come home. No clothes on the floor, no covers pulled back. Only one tray on the table, not two.

Just as her pulse started to race, there was a light rap on the door. She stumbled out of bed and ran to open it, wondering why Draco would knock—

Narcissa stood in the doorway, her hands folded in front of her. Hermione's disappointment turned to mortification, having been clearly caught in Draco's bedroom, in her pajamas—

"Good morning, Hermione."

"Hi. Er, Draco isn't here—"

"I wanted to speak to you," said Narcissa, with a tense smile.

Hermione let her in and sat with her near the fireplace, her face still hot. Narcissa declined a cup of tea, and Hermione clenched her hands to keep from fidgeting.

"I'll get right to the point." Narcissa's eyes had dark circles under them, and her lips trembled as she took a breath. "The True Order has attacked Italy. I heard from Lucius late last night."

Hermione waited for the words to sink into her. She blinked.

"I see," was all she could say.

"They attacked last night, during the Hogwarts celebration. The Dark Lord wants to keep it quiet, but I believe it's just the beginning. There are rumors of countries signing secret treaties with the True Order. Hungary, for instance."

Hermione felt her fingers twitch. She stared at Narcissa as blood rushed in her ears.

"And I need something from you, Hermione." Her warm blue eyes locked onto hers, and Hermione felt the platinum thread dancing just in front of her irises. "I know you need to stay. To be here for your friends. For the True Order."

Hermione's lips parted, unsure what Narcissa was asking.

"But Draco needs to go."

Her throat was dry. "I don't understand—"

"If the True Order takes back England — and I hope they do — the three of us won't survive it."

Narcissa swallowed, glancing down at her knuckles as they turned white. She leaned forward.

"We need to leave. Lucius will join us when he can, but I know Draco won't leave without you." Narcissa's eyes filled, her lips trembling. "Hermione, I need you to make sure Draco comes with me."

The room spun as her heart beat in her fingertips, the words wrapping around her ribs and sinking into her skin. A thousand useless words formed on her tongue, but she bit them back.

She had to stay. And they had to go.

Her eyelids burned, and her voice rasped when she said, "When?"

Narcissa took a deep breath. "Tomorrow. You both should appear at Edinburgh this evening. But we need to be gone before the dawn."

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 36

Chapter Notes

So much love and adoration to raven_maiden for her hours and hours of work on this chapter. And much of the same to SaintDionysus for her hours and hours of snark.

Content Warning for this chapter: Check all the tags please.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The sun was high over the Manor. A May wind danced in trees near the gazebo, and the peacocks were sunbathing on the bank of the pond.

And Draco still wasn't home.

Hermione stood on his balcony, watching the grounds with a sickness in her chest.

Narcissa had left the room hours ago, yet she still felt the weight of the tremor in her voice — the tears in her eyes.

The three of us won't survive it.

Her heart wanted to protest. Insist that her word and her memories would exonerate them.

Her logic whispered otherwise.

She tugged her dressing gown around her stomach as a chill ran deep through her bones. A blood-splattered volume drifted forward from her shelves, opening to a page with Viktor emerging from the shadows, his jaw hard and his wand trained on Draco. On the next page was Cho, her eyes burning with fury as she swung the sword at Draco's neck. The spine shivered, the pages flitting through green flashes and bodies tumbling down the stones—

It's Malfoy! I found him!

With a sharp breath, Hermione snapped the book closed.

The truth sunk through her as she steadied her breathing, like a stone dropping lower and lower into dark waters. The Malfoys had to leave. If the True Order came for her, there would be no time to explain — no guarantee they wouldn't shoot to kill. But if the Malfoys were safely hidden, Hermione could focus on the task at hand.

If there were Lots who needed freeing, she'd free them. If there were Death Eaters in hiding, she'd root them out. And when the dust settled, she could explain the great lengths all three Malfoys had gone through to keep her safe and unharmed — and in Draco and Narcissa's case, to help the True Order.

But these were problems for another time. And for now, her time was running out.

Even if there were a good alternative, she couldn't deny Narcissa — not when she'd reached for Hermione's hand and pleaded for her son's life. Narcissa, who'd never asked for anything but her company; Narcissa, who'd saved her from Dolohov and shared her wand between the papers she slipped over breakfast.

Narcissa had asked something of her, and she would do it. She would keep her word.

Tomorrow morning, Hermione would say her goodbyes. She'd take the tattoo antidote, and Kreacher would Apparate her to Grimmauld Place.

According to Narcissa, the transfer of the deeds to Grimmauld Place had been sealed upon request. No one knew it had fallen back into the Malfoys' possession except for the immediate family and those living there.

"Bellatrix is aware, but believes the property to be unoccupied," Narcissa had told her. "Even if she does become suspicious, she won't be able to find it. It's under a Fidelius Charm."

The name had splashed over Hermione like ice water, but Narcissa didn't seem to notice.

"Blaise, Pansy, and the others need to leave the country immediately. There's a black market for International Portkeys in Norwich. It's the safest way. If that fails, they should cross the Anti-Apparition line at Liverpool."

Narcissa had squeezed her fingers, tethering her to her body. "Is this something I can trust you to handle, Hermione?"

Hermione had managed to nod. "Of course. I'll tell them when I arrive in the morning."

"Thank you." Slowly, Narcissa had released her hand.

There had been a long silence as Hermione contemplated looking out on Malfoy Manor for the last time. She'd tried to imagine what she might say to Draco, in those final moments.

"Kreacher will remain there with you. He's under strict orders to serve your needs. He'll cook for you and fetch the paper, and when the time comes, he'll bring you to your friends."

Another pause, and Hermione had lifted her eyes.

"I know it will be frustrating to wait. But you shouldn't leave until you can be delivered to the True Order. I cannot leave you with my wand, Hermione. Draco and I both need to be armed."

She'd said nothing, watching Narcissa's lips tremble.

"Things are moving quickly. Salerno is nearly overrun, and Lucius expects Rome to fall within the week. Once Italy is taken, other allies will quickly defect. If Lucius needs us for some reason—" She broke off, her shaking fingers twisting around each other. "He'll catch up with us — one day. But I will get Draco out."

Her eyes had looked unfocused as she stood, thanking Hermione a final time. And as she'd left the room, Hermione heard her whisper, "This time, I will."

We need to be gone before the dawn.

And now it was half-past two in the afternoon.

Closing her eyes, Hermione tried to savor the sunlight on her face. The wind in her hair. Each heartbeat ticked heavy in her chest, as if begging the seconds to slow down.

She had less than a day left with Draco, and he was avoiding her.

Her mind drifted to the memory of the way his eyes had refused to meet hers in the cave — the way he strode down the mountain without a backward glance. The speed at which he'd spun to the fireplace, as if he couldn't get away from her soon enough.

Her stomach churned, and her vision swam. Pushing her emotions aside, she tried to summon her logic.

Perhaps he was embarrassed — or worried that she'd misunderstood what she'd seen. But whatever Tom Riddle's reasons were for tempting Draco with her, it was clear that he cared for her immensely. Even his mother believed he wouldn't leave without her.

He had to know she felt the same. She'd shown him how she felt, every day and every night. She'd sacrificed her freedom to stay with him. Yet he'd run away.

Sighing, Hermione turned from the balcony, shutting the doors behind her. In another life, she could have taken weeks to parse him apart. She might have spent months, even, cataloging each look and gesture, trying to stitch them into an answer that made sense. But there was no time.

She found lunch waiting for her on Draco's desk — a single plate. Hermione pulled back the silver lid and stared at it, trying to channel her hunger. She should eat.

She glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece — almost three in the afternoon. Anxiety pricked at her insides, further ruining her appetite.

At this rate, her conversation with Draco might have to wait until after Edinburgh. But perhaps that was for the best. If she told him too soon, he might argue his way out of it, just like she had when he tried to make her leave.

Her thoughts wandered to Edinburgh. Voldemort had been clear last night — every Lot was expected to attend. That meant Ginny, and Ron. How long would it be until she saw them again?

Her mind drifted, pondering — and her body went rigid. The silver lid slipped from her fingers, rolling onto the carpet.

There would be bloodshed when the True Order arrived. There would be chaos and violence, and there was no guarantee that her friends would survive it.

Hermione tossed the lid on Draco's desk and swiftly exited his room. Her sore muscles burned with protest as she flew down the stairs and wound through corridors until she was opening the door to the potions laboratory. She flicked on the lamps with Daphne's wand, lighting the cauldrons and pulling down the ingredients she knew by heart.

Tomorrow morning, she would go to Grimmauld Place. But tonight, she could give Ginny her freedom — and if she were lucky, Ron, too. She wouldn't be able to bring them into Grimmauld Place without the Secret Keeper, but she could send Kreacher to hide them somewhere safe. But she'd need Draco's help.

Her emotions bubbled as she worked, tightening her chest and unsteadying her fingers. Once she set the cauldron to simmering, Hermione began meditating to file them away.

Three hours later, her waters were calm, and the smoke was rising in perfect spirals. Hermione put out the flame and bottled four vials of the tattoo antidote: one for Ginny, one for her, one for Ron, and one for Oliver. She couldn't forget her promise to Theo to get him out.

After cleaning up her workspace, she closed the laboratory and headed upstairs. She went straight to her bedroom, intent on preparing for Edinburgh.

The door swung open, and her feet froze. Draco was standing at her bookshelves, perusing a book like it was exactly where he was expected to be. As if it were just another evening at Edinburgh, and he'd come to give her instructions.

She'd lost count of her heartbeats by the time he finally closed the book, replacing it on the shelf. He turned around slowly, as if forcing himself. His gaze rested on her collarbones.

"Where have you been?" Her voice was hollow.

A tight shrug of his shoulders. "I told you. I checked in on Blaise and Pansy. I stayed the night at Grimmauld—"

"Why?"

Draco was silent.

Her fingers shook with the need to reach out to him. To drag his face to hers. She opened her mouth, but it felt like she might crumble beneath the weight of all the things she wanted to say.

You'll be gone by morning. I want to spend the time we have left loving you. Because I love you.

Her heart urged her on. Her mind whispered, not yet.

"I was worried about you," she managed.

A muscle in his jaw twitched. "I'm fine." His eyes fell to the glass vials in her hand. "What are those about?"

Hermione blinked down at them. She pulled Daphne's wand from her pocket and shrunk the vials to the size of a pill. "I made more of the tattoo antidote. In case I need to take it on short notice."

"Why are there four?"

Swallowing, she met his eyes. They were dark and grey. She would drown in them, if he let her. "I need to see Ginny tonight."

His shoulders sagged, and his gaze drifted over her shoulder. She braced herself for his refusal.

"I'll try," he said softly, and the breath left her lungs. "I'll put in the request for a Share, but I may not be able to confirm with Avery until this evening." He glanced up at her ceiling, and she could see the circles under his eyes. "I might not be able to leave the two of you alone this time."

"That's fine," she said, her mind working quickly. "I don't want you to leave."

It wasn't how she planned to tell him that the True Order was closing in. But this way was best, even if he did get angry at her. If he heard it in front of Ginny, then Ginny would be the third Lot able to confirm that Draco's loyalties had shifted — following her and Oliver.

"And one vial is for Ron?"

Hermione startled from her thoughts. Draco was now staring at the wall. "Yes. The last is for Oliver." Her throat felt tight. "Only if there's an opportunity, of course. I just… want to be prepared."

His expression gave nothing away. "I'll put in the request for Ginny. You should get ready. I need to—" He cleared his throat. "I need to speak to my mother about Bellatrix."

A memory shot to the surface before she could stop it, flitting through images of wiry curls and bared teeth.

I'll get you another one. This one has poisoned you.

Bellatrix had known about Draco's feelings for her as well.

Something sparked in her veins, but Hermione forced herself to focus. "Were Blaise and Pansy able to hide the body?"

"Yes. There weren't any problems there." Draco ran a hand through his hair. "But Mother should know."

"Not yet." His eyes snapped to her, and she felt her pulse race. "Let it wait till tomorrow."

His brows pulled together. "I really think—"

"Trust me. Your mother doesn't need to hear this before she is required at Edinburgh. It's best to wait until tomorrow."

When he and Narcissa would be gone.

She could grieve for her sister while knowing her son was safe.

Tearing his eyes from her face, Draco nodded. "Leave Daphne's wand on your bed once you're finished with it. She was asking for it earlier."

Hermione felt him slipping through her fingers again as he moved past her, reaching for the door.

"Wait."

His hand froze on the doorknob.

"About last night. Please don't be embarrassed by what the Horcrux said to you. I've come to care for you quite a bit as well." The words came tumbling out of her. "And I know that the world is upside down, but if the circumstances were different, you should know that I would have—"

"Don't. Please."

She stared at him, waiting for him to turn around. To look at her.

He didn't.

"I'll leave you to get ready." He wrenched open the door, and when he closed it behind him, something cracked inside her chest.

Hermione wasn't sure how long she'd stared after him before she realized she was crying. But there was no time for her tears. Or heartbreak.

She Occluded while she took a few bites of dinner, while she bathed and curled her hair. When her locks finally resembled something Pansy might approve of, she set Daphne's wand on her bed and returned to the bathroom to paste on her makeup.

She emerged half an hour later, her books firmly tucked away. Daphne's wand had vanished, and when she opened her wardrobe, she found the dress Pansy had sent with the elves.

Gold satin. Hermione ran her fingers over the material. It felt like water on her skin.

She shimmied into the dress and stepped into the matching heels. She slipped three mini-vials in the inner seam, and clicked the gold collar into place.

A knock on her door at a quarter till ten, and she opened it to find Draco in his Death Eater robes.

Hopefully for the last time.

She cleared her mind, tucking away Narcissa's plans and burying them on her shelves.

He cast his eyes over her, and offered his hand. She took it.

They met Narcissa at the bottom of the stairs, looking far too elegant in midnight blue. She wished them a good evening, and took Draco's other arm. As they walked down the drive, she said, "I'll only stay for the first half-hour. Your father can't make it, so I won't be expected to stay long without him."

"And you said he's in Italy?" Draco asked.

The gravel crunched beneath Hermione's heels.

"Yes," said Narcissa. "He has an important commitment at the Ministry."

They crossed through the gate and to the top of the hill. Draco took both their elbows for side-along Apparition and landed them in front of the signpost to Edinburgh. Narcissa brushed off her robes and stared up at the castle, her lips twisted in a frown.

The cobblestone path turned them to the gate, and when the shiver of new wards and Protective Spells passed over them, Hermione sank deeper into her waters.

She climbed stone steps to a castle on a mountaintop. A tall boy with pale hair gripped her elbow.

He murmured to his left, and a woman murmured back. His mother.

They cleared the stairs and walked on winding cobblestones. Her muscles ached.

Lights glowed and men laughed as they turned a corner.

The courtyard looked familiar.

A clocktower overhead, ticking towards ten. An amphitheater to the north, overlooking a small arena. A fountain at the center. Magic is Might.

A couple approached, and the blonde woman stepped forward, kissing their cheeks. The wife stared at her as the pale-haired boy shook her husband's hand, keeping a firm grip on his other elbow.

The pale-haired boy led her from the courtyard. His fingers cupped her chin. "Granger."

Blinking, she returned to her body. She found Draco Malfoy pressing her against the side of a building. Looking at her.

"Pull it back," he whispered. "We're almost inside."

She nodded, and then he was pulling away and tugging her towards the entrance of the Great Hall.

They were greeted by Charlotte's painted smile.

"Master Malfoy. Miss Granger. Welcome back to Edinburgh." And before Hermione could search her eyes for recognition, Charlotte was offering them both a glass of champagne and pulling back the curtain.

Hermione swallowed her shock as they stepped inside the Great Hall. It had been expanded to twice its usual size, and still the guests stood nearly elbow to elbow. The walls had been repainted, the chandeliers rehung, and all the swords and weapons removed.

Draco took her arm and steered them through the crowd. She spotted Ministers Cirillo, Grubov, and Santos speaking lowly to each other in a far corner, their eyes flicking over the other guests.

They found Theo standing in the center of the room, speaking with Yaxley, Travers, and his wife. Oliver stood behind him with his arms folded behind his back.

Draco shook hands with them and wrapped his arm around her waist, tugging her close. She met Oliver's eyes briefly before he glanced back at the floor.

"I suppose Molnár expects the Dark Lord to just allow it?" said Travers, continuing their conversation. "Last night was one thing, but two nights in a row…" He shook his head and circled his whiskey in its glass.

Yaxley glanced over his shoulder. "I believe the Dark Lord has sent someone to… assess the situation."

"I expected as much," said Travers. He sipped his drink.

Hermione's breath grew shallow. They were talking about the Hungarian Minister. And Bellatrix.

"I noticed Minister Romano isn't here tonight." Theo turned his head to search the crowd. "Strange, isn't it?"

Hermione glanced at Draco, and found his gaze narrowed on Yaxley. Hermione turned just in time to see Yaxley exchanging a quick glance with Travers.

"I see Berge is missing as well," said Yaxley.

"Yeah." Theo tugged at his collar. "All I know is that he's been detained."

"Curious." Travers' tone sounded like it was anything but. "I would have assumed he'd want to be here for the re-opening."

"I'm sure he did. I'm not sure what held him up." Theo sipped deeply from his tumbler, flinching as the liquid traveled down his throat.

Hermione looked over at Oliver, her fingers tapping the vials in her seam. She had to get one to him. But he was a lower priority than Ginny tonight. Or Ron.

With his father dead, only Theo and Oliver lived at Nott Manor now. She could send Kreacher first thing in the morning to call at the gates.

"Master Nott."

Theo turned over his shoulder. Charlotte stood behind him with a tray of champagne glasses. "Charlotte."

"Are you ready for the toast?" Theo stared at her blankly. She leaned in, lowering her voice. "Master Berge was planning to say a few words about the reopening. I assume you'll be doing it in his stead?"

"Er, yes. Of course."

Theo failed to conceal his grimace as he took off toward a small platform in the corner, Oliver following a few steps behind him. Hermione's gaze drifted to Charlotte, smiling at each guest as she passed out champagne.

The sound of wands tapping against flutes rang throughout the hall, and the crowd quieted. Hermione shifted behind Draco as Theo began speaking, her eyes quickly scanning the room. But it was too tightly packed — too filled with people she'd never seen before.

She caught a glimpse of Narcissa standing with the Selwyns. Amycus and Alecto Carrow were nearby. A pair of young witches whispered to Hermione's left. Their mother turned to glare at them, and when she moved between them, Hermione's blood froze in her veins.

A glimpse of red in the far corner of the room. Not fiery-red like Ginny, but burnt orange.

A book smelling of fresh grass and spearmint trembled violently.

Hermione shifted, trying to get a better glimpse, but then her spine prickled, and she found Dolores Umbridge staring at her through narrowed eyes. She tore her gaze to the floor.

Ron, her heart whispered. But she knew she couldn't reach him in time.

After the toast, the men would scatter to private rooms. The wives and daughters would leave through the fireplace, along with the male Lots who had no use in the Lounge.

Ron was standing by the fireplace.

Her mind always knew it was unlikely. There were too many unknowns — too narrow a chance. But she still felt acid in her stomach threatening to choke her as Theo lifted his glass and said, "To the Dark Lord's power."

"May he reign forevermore!"

She swallowed her champagne with everyone else. It rippled down her throat, harsh and biting.

Her limbs felt heavy as Draco guided her back into the circle with Yaxley and Travers. The crowd resumed its chatter, and Hermione tried not to flinch when she heard the burst of the fire as people left by the Floo. And again.

While she finished draining her glass, and the Floo flamed four more times. She couldn't bear to check for Ron again when she knew he must be gone.

She pasted on a smile as she closed the heavy volume inside her mind. Pushing up on her toes, she lost it somewhere on her highest shelf.

Ginny. She'd get to Ginny tonight. Oliver in the morning.

Draco excused them suddenly. He took her by the elbow as they side-stepped through the guests. When he released her, Hermione found herself blinking up at Blaise and "Giuliana." She blinked down again.

Blaise said something light — teasing. There was a clap of a shoulder, and a drawled reply. But Hermione's mind was already elsewhere, her head bowed and her eyes darting through her lashes.

She'd barely caught two words of the conversation when she saw finally it — a flash of fiery red hair. It fell down thin shoulders onto a thin body, a slinky fabric stretched tight across its curves.

A man leaned closer, whispering as his hand drifted down the girl's back. Avery. Guiding Ginny in the direction of the Lounge.

Hermione swayed on her feet. She let her shoulder brush Draco's, and he paused mid-sentence. It took three seconds for his head to turn in the right direction.

"Shall we go see what's new in the Lounge?" he asked.

Blaise hummed his agreement, and then the four of them were making their way to the double doors.

The crowd was thinning. Hermione's eyes passed over them, searching for red hair. They were almost at the exit when they bumped into Narcissa. Hermione had to fight the urge to crane her neck and stare down the corridor while Narcissa pecked her son on the cheek, giving a clipped excuse for leaving early.

The Lounge was already in full swing. It seemed the number of Carrow Girls had doubled. There were serving girls, girls in laps sipping champagne, girls dancing on the platforms. Draco led them toward the couches where they usually sat, but they were occupied by strange men in uniforms that Hermione had never seen before.

The four of them moved through the dimly lit room in search of a place to sit. They passed Theo, looking miserable as Cassandra ran her fingers over his shoulders. Oliver was nowhere to be found. Hermione spotted Dolohov with Pius Thicknesse at one of the back tables, and when his head swiveled in their direction, she quickly ducked her chin.

She searched for any sign of Ginny, but there were too many people — crowding the gambling tables, grabbing the girls.

"Draco! Blaise!"

Marcus Flint grinned at them from a nearby chair, Penelope sitting low across his lap. She didn't look up, too focused on running her fingers through his hair.

Flint jerked his head to his left. "These chairs just freed up—" The rest of his words were swallowed by Penelope, kissing him ravenously as she moved to straddle him.

Draco stared at them. Hermione watched a vein throb in his temple before he tugged her forward, towards a pair of empty wingback chairs. Blaise and Pansy followed.

Hermione had barely settled into Draco's lap when she caught sight of Avery. She went stock still.

Avery stood at the roulette table, Ginny on his other side. He turned to her, and Hermione watched Ginny lower her champagne glass and blow on his dice.

He rolled, and men cheered. Ginny kept her eyes firmly on the table through it all, as if she couldn't bear to look up. Hermione's stomach churned, remembering it was the first time she'd been back to the Lounge since her public "discipline."

A round of groans — Avery had lost his bet. He gave a lopsided shrug and he downed his drink, his hand sliding through Ginny's locks and trailing down to her backside. He slammed his empty glass on the table and stood, guiding her towards the doors leading to the Burgundy Room.

Hermione's eye twitched, but before she could turn to Draco, he was already setting her to her feet and standing from the chair.

"Blaise, I have some business to take care of." He watched the doors close behind Avery. "I'll be a few minutes. Keep an eye on her."

Blaise gaped at him, but before he could say anything, Draco was striding off in the direction of the Burgundy Room. Hermione felt both Blaise and Pansy swivel to look at her. She began to settle back into the chair, but Blaise patted his armrest and gestured for her to join them.

It took her a moment to catch his meaning. She stood quickly, stepping over to them and settling on the armrest. Crossing her legs, she leaned against Blaise's shoulder and let her mind drift.

Ginny tonight, Oliver in the morning. As for Ron — she'd have to hope.

Her lips trembled at the reminder of what awaited her in the morning. And her mind sharpened with a jolt. She looked over to Blaise, who was drumming his fingers on his glass to the beat of the music.

Shifting her legs, she leaned into his ear. He tilted his head up. "Narcissa is fleeing with Draco in the morning. You and the girls need to run before dawn."

She pulled back and watched his throat bob before he straightened and flashed her a grin — like she'd said something flirtatious. He took a long sip of his drink, and gave her the slightest of nods. Pansy's eyes flickered between the two of them.

Hermione continued to search the room, her gaze flicking between the doors to the Burgundy Room and the new guests at the gambling tables.

"Miss Granger," said a voice near her shoulder.

Hermione spun to find a freckled young girl with blonde hair blinking back at her. Her accent was Irish, and she was wearing a silver collar. Blaise's body shifted next to her.

"Master Malfoy would like me to take you to him."

It felt like the air had been knocked from her lungs. Ginny. He'd been able to convince Avery.

Hermione stood from the chair, but Blaise stood with her, grabbing her arm.

"Why didn't he come to bring her?"

The girl frowned. "I don't know, sir. All I know is that Master Malfoy told me to retrieve her."

Hermione turned back to Blaise, trying to reassure him, but his gaze was narrowed on the girl.

"Is there a problem, sir?" The girl shifted her weight.

Slowly, Blaise shook his head. He released her arm.

With a final glance over her shoulder, Hermione followed the girl through the Lounge. She led Hermione past the gambling tables and through the double doors towards the Burgundy Room. Her chest grew tighter with every step.

The girl led her past doors and down corridors she'd only seen once before — the ones she'd run by as Edinburgh crumbled around them. They climbed up a flight of twisting stairs and stopped at a door with an intricate flower design in the wood. The girl pushed the door open and let Hermione pass in front of her.

It was a dimly-lit bedroom. A large four-poster stretched toward the stone ceiling. There was a wooden chair before an old writing desk, and two armchairs turned toward the fireplace. The girl followed her in and stood next to the desk.

Hermione moved between the armchairs. The room was empty. She turned to the girl to ask—

And found tears streaming down her freckled cheeks. "I'm sorry," the girl whispered. "I'm so sorry."

A cold wind swept through Hermione's lungs. "What for?"

A floorboard creaked in the corridor, and Hermione whipped around to see Antonin Dolohov in the doorway.

Her veins turned to rivers of ice

"Thank you, Cara," he said.

Cara sniffed as she rushed past him and out of the room. Dolohov closed the door behind her and cast a series of locking charms, sealing her in.

Hermione stood frozen as he turned. Her blood pounded. Every nerve ending screamed at her to run.

Dolohov stepped forward, his eyes swallowing her like black tunnels.

"They've you done up in gold again, Mudblood." His voice dragged like gravel across her skin. "The last time I saw you in gold, you were my property."

A burst of adrenaline flooded her, narrowing her vision and pumping her heart. There was a window on the other side of the bed. There was a fireplace, if she could take the antidote in her seam and find the Floo powder before he stopped her.

Dolohov took another step. He tilted her head at her, like a wolf.

Her heart rattled her ribs as she tried to think.

If she was able to flee through the fireplace without her owner, Dolohov would tell the others. Draco would be captured, interrogated, and killed before dawn.

She had to stall him. Until Draco arrived.

She lifted her chin. "I'm not sure what this is about, but if you'd like to negotiate a Share, you'll have to go through my master."

A smirk tugged at Dolohov's mouth. His black eyes glittered. "We both know he'd never agree."

"Well, that's your answer, then—"

"And why do you suppose that is, Mudblood?" He swaggered forward. "You're just a Muggle. Just a tight cunt at the end of a long day."

Her knees threatened to give out, but she held her ground.

"All the other men have shared their Lots. But not the Malfoy whelp."

He leered at her, his glassy eyes digging into her, taunting her. She had to keep him talking. Slow him down.

"You and the Malfoys aren't on the best terms. Perhaps if you ask nicely—"

He threw his head back and laughed. Like she was terribly funny.

"You think you can get anything from the Malfoys by asking nicely?" He wiped his eyes, still chuckling. "No, no, we're much the same to them, you and I — nothing more than dirt under their shoe unless you have the blood or property."

He smiled at her with crooked teeth. "I had a front-row seat to watch you last night, you know. Dining like a pure-blood, dressing like a pure-blood."

Another step, and another. He was just a pace away now.

"But we both know you're a filthy whore underneath it all. Aren't you?"

A cold wind in her ears. Her skin trembled.

"Can't walk into a room without Lucius Malfoy calling me a half-blood. Yet here you are, a Mudblood shined up like a prize pure-blood bitch."

Hermione's breath came in quick pants.

"I'm not the only one who sees it. Bella used to joke that you must have a golden cunt." His gaze raked her body — roving her chest, her thighs. "I disagreed. Told her I remembered how warm that cunt felt in my palm."

His fingers brushed across her hip. Hermione jerked backwards, but his other hand shot out to grab her hair. She cried out as he fisted it, yanking her neck back. He grinned down at her, his wand drifting across her skin and dipping below her neckline. She gasped, her hands scrabbling against his chest, but he was too heavy.

Her veins thrummed with magic, hot and frenzied. She coiled it, waiting for the right moment—

"That's what I'm talking about." His breath reeked of Firewhisky. "You're not a frigid pure-blood bitch, are you Granger? You're the same Muggle whore you always were." He leaned down into her ear. "Let's see how warm you are."

His hand slithered up her thigh, rucking up her dress.

She thrashed, magic crackling through her, and just as she prepared to unleash it, an explosion burst through the door.

A blast of flying wood and smoke. A yelp ripped from her throat, Dolohov's grip still tight on her scalp. When her vision cleared there was a hole where the doorway used to be, and Draco was running through it.

"Expelliar—!"

"Avada Kedavra!"

Green light jetted from Dolohov's wand, and Hermione screamed as Draco dove out of the way. Dolohov held her against him like a shield as he aimed his wand at Draco.

"What are you playing at, Antonin?" His voice shook with rage as he locked eyes with Dolohov. "She's my property. You have no claim on her."

Hermione stared at him, panting as Dolohov squeezed tighter around her ribs. Her head spun.

"You don't get it, do you, Malfoy?" Dolohov's voice rumbled against her back. "You think I'm going to live long enough to enjoy my end of it? You think any of us will?"

"That's not my problem." Draco's tone was like ice. "I made you an offer, and you accepted my terms."

"Your terms?" Another squeeze, knocking the air from Hermione's lungs. "Or your father's?"

Draco was silent, staring at her. His jaw ticked.

Dolohov let out a low scoff. "Your daddy's not here to protect you, whelp. And with any luck, he'll get a curse to the back tonight."

"It was mine to give. My birthright. I gave it to you, not my father—"

"And what good will Malfoy Manor do me when they raze it to the ground?"

Hermione froze. There was ringing in her ears.

Draco's face was pale. "You can't — you're forbidden from speaking of it—"

"I knew he was full of shit." Dolohov's voice was breathless. Surprised, almost. "Knew he did something to that Unbreakable Vow. Wait until I tell the others that Draco Malfoy gave away all he had to his name for some worthless Muggle whore."

The words crashed into her like breaking waves.

Draco had given up the Manor for her.

Dolohov began laughing again, as if he'd never heard a funnier joke.

Draco's wand shook. His eyes flicked to her, terrified.

A black rage grew in her belly. Her magic sizzled, licking at her insides. A fire crawled across her skin as she thought of black tile floors, and Luna and Parvati's screams—

Her magic raced down her spine and rippled outward, flinging Dolohov back with a grunt.

She dove to the side as Draco fired off curses, but they exploded against the wall.

"Your bitch has magic?" He aimed hexes at Draco as Hermione darted around the bed. "You're as good as dead, Malfoy. You and your father."

He advanced, and Hermione could only watch in terror as Draco countered every curse, each one coming quicker than the last. The walls rattled as she tried to channel her magic to help him.

Dolohov's eyes shot to her, and with a flick of his wand, a red light came barreling at her chest—

White hot fire lit up her skin. Her bones were splitting open, her throat clogged with lava as she screamed.

The curse lifted, and she panted on the floor, her muscles still seizing, the pain still rippling.

Yelling filled her ears. She dragged herself to her knees and crawled.

Dolohov stood over Draco, his back facing her. Draco was screaming, writhing on the ground.

Her heart stopped. Her legs shook as she pushed herself to stand, ready to throw herself at him. Anything to make him stop screaming.

She took an unsteady step forward as her mind whirred, begging her to think — and her eyes caught on Draco's hawthorn wand, just feet away.

Her knees almost buckled as she scrambled for it, snatching it off the floor and dragging her body upright again. Draco's screams slashed through her like a knife as she lifted his wand.

"Avada Kedavra."

There was a crack. A fissure. A chill swam through her chest, and then — a ringing silence.

Dolohov's body crumpled.

Draco was panting, catching his breath. She told her legs to run to him. But a piece of her was escaping…

A shard falling away.

She stared down the end of the wand, wondering where it went.

Draco stumbled to his feet, sweating and shaking. He stared at her with something burning in his eyes.

Sound returned to her, echoing in her ears. Draco looked toward the doorway, and she realized the noise was coming from outside, running up the steps.

Draco staggered to her, grabbed the wand from her fingertips, and aimed it at Dolohov just as Rabastan and Rookwood burst through the blown-out doorway.

It was silent again.

Rookwood stepped forward. "What happened here?"

"I found him assaulting my Lot. I confronted him, and he attacked me. Check his wand."

"Fuck." Rabastan pried Dolohov's wand from his grip and performed Prior Incantato. Spells burst from the tip, one after another. Cruciatus, hexes, Killing Curses.

Rookwood stared down at Dolohov's corpse. His expression was pinched. "The Dark Lord won't like this, Draco."

Draco cleared his throat. "Am I not to defend myself when my life and my property is endangered?"

"Still. You'll need to explain this to him. Why it came to this," Rookwood said, and Rabastan cursed again. "He's traveling this evening, and I'm not sure when he'll return. But when he does, I'll have to inform him."

Draco nodded. "I need to get my Lot home."

Rabastan tore his gaze from Dolohov's corpse. "Go home, Draco. We'll take care of the body."

"I'll come by in the morning," said Rookwood.

Draco nodded again.

Rookwood's eyes followed them across the room as Draco tugged her to the fireplace. He summoned the Floo powder and called out for Malfoy Manor.

She stumbled out of the flames into Draco's bedroom.

Draco grabbed her shoulders. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

There was still a hollow wind in her chest as she stared into his eyes, grey and warm.

She shook her head. "I'm fine."

She wasn't.

Tears blurred her vision as he ran his hands over her, casting Tergeos and healing bruises. But the pain wasn't on her skin.

She wept, her chest wracked with sobs. She'd failed Ginny. And Draco was being taken from her as well.

She might never see him again.

The clock on the mantle read ten past midnight. Less than five hours left.

He stroked her hair, his thumbs gathering her tears. She tried to breathe him in. Savoring him.

She gripped his shoulders as her breathing evened out again. Her eyes stopped flowing over.

"Granger." His hands slid to her arms. "The Dark Lord will be angry about Dolohov. When he questions me, he might…"

She heard his throat click.

"I'll Floo my father in the morning. It might be safest for you and Mother to go to Grimmauld Place. If he finds the truth—"

A sob tore from her lips, and the dam burst again.

He wrapped his arms around her, whispering apologies in her hair.

Any wild dream she might have had was gone. He and Narcissa had to leave at first light, before the Dark Lord could summon him. There was no other hope, no other option.

He had to go.

This was her last night with him, the minutes dwindling like sand between her fingertips. She could have spent a lifetime asking him questions. Telling him all the secrets she'd kept locked away, like notes in her jewelry box.

She lifted her face from his robes.

He didn't meet her eyes, still inspecting her jaw for bruises. His fingers were light on her cheeks, gathering her tears.

"You gave up Malfoy Manor for me."

He nodded slowly. "Upon my father's death — presuming Dolohov had nothing to do with it — the Manor would be his, as would my inheritance."

"Why?"

He was silent, and still. His ribs ceased moving.

"Draco."

He swallowed, and when he glanced at her, his eyes were clear.

"I had feelings for you at school." It rushed out of him, like a tap opening. A fluttering in her chest. Like something inside her was trying to reach him. "It wasn't…I'm sorry to have you find out this way."

His eyes drifted away, like it was painful to look at her.

"Draco—"

"But it wasn't meant to….it shouldn't have been anything. Potter was supposed to win. And you were supposed to be with Weasley." Draco pressed his eyes closed, and they were wet when he opened them. "But Potter didn't win. And you…you weren't…"

There was a melody in her veins, dancing to the pace of her heartbeat. Her head spun. The piece of her that had broken seemed to not matter anymore.

"You tried to buy me at the Auction…because you have feelings for—"

"Because I love you." His eyes lifted to hers. Warm grey.

The words echoed in her ears.

The pictures of her in his drawer.

The things he agreed to, just because she asked.

The way no one else could touch her.

An unpublished volume tucked on her breakfast tray.

Hermione kissed him, pouring her soul into him as he slanted his lips against hers. She sighed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

His hands slipped over her ribs, curving along her spine. She pulled back, pressing her forehead against his.

"Draco, I do too. I lo—"

He kissed her, slipping his tongue inside her mouth, and she moaned before pulling back.

"I—"

"Shh. Don't…" He jerked his head, staring at her lips. Hermione frowned at him, watching his eye twitch. "You asked me why. I just had to say it once. Don't say it back."

She opened her mouth to argue, but he bent to kiss her again, weakening her resolve as his hand drifted up her spine. Rising on her toes, she pressed her body close to him as his fingers tangled in her curls.

She'd show him now, if he wouldn't let her say it. She could tell him before the dawn.

He pulled back, but she tugged him down.

"I don't want to rest."

"Good." He picked her up, her legs wrapping around his waist. Their tongues tangled as they stumbled to the bed.

He tossed her down on the mattress and started tugging off his robes and unlacing his boots. She kicked off her shoes and tossed her dress aside, flinging her collar across the room.

His eyes were hot on her as she peeled off her bra and knickers, and she came onto her knees to help him with his shirt. Threading her fingers through his hair, she tugged his head to her and kissed him as he worked off his trousers. She pressed her chest against his, and he groaned, forgetting his buttons as his hands snapped to her hips.

His palms filled with her backside, and she smiled as he cursed into her shoulder.

His lips pressed against her temple. "You can't even imagine the things I wanted to do to you, Granger."

Her insides liquefied. She gasped as he dragged his teeth across her ear. Her body began to warm, to throb for him as his hands kneaded her arse, slipping closer to her core.

And the second-hand ticked closer.

"Tell me," she whispered. "Show me. Please."

He stilled, and then a moan poured from his lips. "Granger…"

"Please, Draco."

She ran her fingernails down his bare chest, and it was like a switch flicked. He grabbed her around the middle and flipped her to her hands and knees. His hand pressed between her shoulder blades, pushing her into the mattress.

His hands were on her backside, squeezing and running his fingers over her core. She tilted her hips and arched her spine, and he groaned.

"Did you think of this in school?" she panted.

His answer was his tongue slipping through her folds. Her body jerked, but then he splayed his hand at the base of her spine, rubbing circles with his thumb as his tongue flicked her clit.

She curled her fingers in the sheets as he swiped broad strokes through her with his tongue. She thought about how he'd laid her out on the potions table for this.

Nowhere else I'd rather be, Granger.

Molten heat spread through her muscles. She whimpered as he pulled her clit between his lips, gasping as he sucked. Then his mouth was gone, and he was dipping his fingers inside of her. She dug her face into the mattress as her thighs trembled, writhing as he set her aflame.

"Feel good?"

"Yes," she breathed. "Yes, but I want you."

He pressed a kiss to her backside, letting his teeth graze across the skin before switching to the other side. She prayed he was leaving marks.

His fingers stretched her open before withdrawing. She pulled up to her hands again and looked behind her. "More."

His gaze was hot as he nodded, his hands returning to yank down his trousers. She turned onto her back and reached for him as he climbed onto the bed. He kissed up her thigh, his lips drifting softly over her core before passing to her hip. She squirmed under him as he brushed his mouth across her stomach, inching closer and closer to her chest.

Her fingers reached for his hair, tugging him up, but he fought her — blowing hot air across her breasts as she whined.

His tongue flicked out over her nipple, and she threw her head back. He closed his lips over her breast, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. His cock was rigid between them, grinding against her belly as he sucked at her, his fingers caressing her other breast as she mewled.

"Tell me," she begged. "Tell me everything you wanted."

"I wanted this." He pinched her breast lightly as his lips pressed over her other nipple, sending shockwaves to her core.

"Oh god." Her nails dug into his shoulders. "Oh god, Draco."

He kissed down her stomach, and she opened her thighs for him when he reached her core. When his lips found her clit, she keened to the ceiling.

He pressed her knees open to the mattress as he licked and sucked at her, pushing her further and further until she was at the top of a high mountain, begging to tumble over the other side. Her hands clutched his hair as she chanted his name, her hips rocking into his mouth.

His fingers pushed inside, and her voice gave out when he finally closed his lips over her clit and sucked.

She saw white behind her eyes, her back arching and her fingers scrambling in the sheets. Her hips bucked against him, and she shivered and cried out as she tumbled down.

When the room returned to her, she heard herself whining nonsense as Draco lapped at her, holding her legs open and licking every last drop from her.

Twisting her legs away, she sat up and tugged at him until they fell back on the mattress together. She kissed him, tasting herself on his tongue. She reached for his cock, bobbing against his stomach and squeezed, beginning to stroke him.

He moaned into her mouth, and her teeth nipped his lips.

"When did this start for you? Please, tell me," she whispered.

His eyes drifted closed, his lips parted in pleasure as she stroked him, twisting her wrist at the top just the way he liked. "Fourth year."

Her hand paused, but he kissed her quickly, as if it could erase his words. He pulled her hand away, kissing her neck as he settled between her thighs.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and squeezed his hips with her knees. He pressed his cock to her entrance, and she threw her head back as he pushed inside. She breathed deeply, relaxing her muscles until he bottomed out.

Her eyes fluttered open, and he was staring down at her, his pupils blown wide. She licked her lips, and he followed the movement.

He thrust deep. Her lashes trembled as she moaned.

"How did you want me?"

She had to know. Her warm breath puffed against his face.

He lowered down until he covered her completely, the weight of him pushing her into the mattress as he sunk deeper into her. "Just like this," he whispered.

He pressed his lips to hers, and his hips rolled deep. Her lips parted, and her arms wrapped tighter around his back. His tongue brushed hers softly as he found a rhythm inside of her, never fully leaving her, hitting something low and deep on every thrust. She gasped on every breath, her eyes starting to roll back.

Her hips tried to meet his, and he reached down to pull her knee up to his chest. A low keening sound left her as he slid inside again, filling her so deeply that she knew she'd never forget the shape of him.

As his lips trailed across her neck, she remembered that he was leaving in the morning, and for a moment, she wanted to go with him. To be with him forever.

Her cunt fluttered, and tears filled her eyes. He sped up, groaning into her shoulder, his hand squeezing her knee.

What if she never saw him again? What if this was the end?

"Hermione…"

She gasped. He pressed a kiss to her cheek as his hips rocked into her in a maddening rhythm.

"Merlin, Hermione…"

Her chest seized with want. Her cunt clenched down on him. Her body cried out, begging him for more. More of him. More time.

Her fingers scratched down his back as tears fell from her eyes. She stared up at his ceiling, feeling the fine strands of his hair against her cheek as he thrust deep.

Her walls shivered around him, but it wasn't enough. He knew her body so well by now. He reached down to where they were connected and changed the angle of his thrusts just slightly.

Her back bowed. Her throat cried out. He pressed his mouth against hers and swallowed her sounds as his fingers pressed against her clit.

"Love you, Hermione."

She saw stars behind her eyes, so close, so close. Her toes curled and her body was almost there.

"Don't stop. Don't stop, Draco. I lo—"

He pressed his lips over hers again, drinking the words down. His fingers pushed frantically against her clit, and his cock brushed so deliciously over the perfect spot, over and over and over—

Her body burst open. Like a sun exploding. She flew, tethered to him as he ground his hips as deep as they would go, making love to her. There was starlight in her universe. She slid back down to earth in time to listen to him moan, to feel him pulse and empty into her. His hips snapped twice more, every muscle tense with pleasure.

His fingers were in her hair, clutching her curls and massaging her scalp. His weight was heavy on her chest.

Only a few more hours.

Pricking behind her eyelids. Tears filled her vision again, and as Draco tried to kiss every inch of her neck and chest, she prayed they wouldn't fall.

"What's wrong?"

He pulled back, and she reached up to cover her face.

"Hermione—"

She sobbed, turning into the pillows to hide her face. She only had a few more hours to hear him call her Hermione. To hear him tell her that he loved her.

"I'm sorry. We shouldn't have had sex after everything that happened—"

Her hands pulled him close. "No! No. I wanted you. I want you. Please don't leave me. Please—"

And then she was weeping. Hiccuping. He buried his face in her neck as she clutched at him.

She wasn't sure how many minutes had passed until her shoulders stopped shaking. He rolled off her once her breathing steadied, tucked to her side. His knuckles skated across her cheekbones.

"What's wrong."

Her mouth opened to tell him — to explain Narcissa's plan — but all that came out was a ragged breath. She looked at the clock on the mantle.

Just past one.

She had time.

She could wait a few more hours.

"Just hold me."

He pulled her into him, his arms wrapped around her, her head resting on his chest. Hermione listened to his steady heartbeat, resolving herself to count each one while he slept. She would watch over him, and wake him an hour before he had to leave. She could tell him then.

His fingers stroked her hair.

She kept her eyes on the mantle clock.

His heart hummed beneath her fingertips.

She could sleep all day tomorrow. She would stay awake.

She would.

~*~

Hermione jolted awake. Her eyes flitted over the dark room as her heart raced, searching for Draco. No one in bed next to her.

Had she missed it? Were they already gone?

The door to the bathroom opened, and her eyes were flooded with light before the lamp dimmed. Draco closed the door behind him. His chest still bare. He'd put on boxers.

"Sorry I woke you," he whispered.

"What time is it?" Her voice shook.

"Half-four. I was just up to use to loo."

Her heart pummeled against her ribs. She'd fallen asleep.

She scrambled for Draco as soon as he came within reach, grabbing him by the shoulders.

"What—"

"We have thirty minutes, Draco. Please listen to me." Her lungs constricted. "Italy's been attacked."

Draco went rigid. "How do you—"

"Your mother told me yesterday." She struggled to get out the words. "It won't be long until the Great Order falls, and she wanted me to tell you that you have to—you have to—"

The words choked off in a sob. They wracked her body.

"Easy."

"You have to leave with her, Draco. Now."

His hands cupped her face, his eyes searching hers in the moonlight. Tears slid down her cheeks and between his fingers. "Hermione."

"I promised her you'd be ready. But I have to stay." Her chest heaved as she wept, clinging to him. "But before you go, please let me tell you I—"

The walls of the Manor shook. The windows rattled as the floors groaned, like something from deep below the earth had awakened.

Draco grabbed her tightly. Hermione's eyes widened with terror as they darted to the indigo sky beyond the curtains. Nothing.

"Voldemort—?"

Draco moved swiftly, lunging across the room—

The bedroom door blasted off its hinges, wood splintering everywhere. Hermione's body jerked, scrambling for the sheets as she tried to follow Draco, but then his body was flung backward with a bang!

Terror gripped her as she pushed to her knees, bracing for a flash of green.

"Draco—"

Two figures burst into the room, glowing in the wandlight.

"Accio wand!"

Hermione shrank backward as a small figure charged at her.

"Hermione!"

Ginny, her face pale as the moonlight beyond her wand tip.

Her hair was gone. Shaved off. She threw her cloak over Hermione's bare shoulders. Hermione blinked at her, waiting for the apparition to fade.

"Hermione," Ginny said again, her voice thick as she gripped her arms. "You're going to be alright—"

A hissed curse from the corner. A strangled cry.

"No!"

Hermione stumbled off the bed. "Stop!"

Draco moaned, writhing on the floor as Hermione hurled herself at the attacker.

She screamed at him, nails scratching and fists pounding him.

Ginny yelled something, and an invisible hook tugged her back.

Hermione stumbled, preparing to launch again, but then her eyes focused to see Ron on the other side of the wand.

Her entire body trembled. His freckles were just as she'd remembered them. A thick bandage over his left eye.

"Hermione," he said, and it sounded like a melody she'd long forgotten. "You're safe now." He swallowed. "Voldemort is gone."

Hermione staggered. She waited for his words to make sense.

"It's true."

Hermione whipped around to Ginny. She followed the wandlight to her hand — holding the Elder Wand.

"I killed him myself." Her eyes burned like Cho's had. She arched a brow. "Snake first. Neville did the honors."

Hermione sucked a sharp breath. And another. Ron reached out for her, and she stumbled backward.

His hand fell. "Go with Ginny." He turned back to Draco, on his knees. "I'll take care of this."

"No!" Hermione threw herself in front of him. She couldn't breathe. "Ron, you can't hurt him—"

Ron stared at her over the wandlight. As if seeing her for the first time.

"Don't." Draco's voice was ragged behind her. "Don't, Granger. Go look after my mother."

"Hermione—" Ginny reached for her, and she threw her off.

"Please." Hermione was sobbing again. "He's on our side! He's—he's—"

Ginny caught her this time. She tugged with more strength than Hermione ever knew her to possess. "Come with me. It's going to be alright—"

The vice grip on her arm dragged her away. Hermione thrashed, and saw Draco staring at her like it was the last time.

Each step pulled her deeper into icy waters. Her limbs struggled. Her lungs seized.

Save Draco.

"Stop." Ginny yanked, but Hermione's feet were firm on the ground. "There's a spare wand in his drawer," she breathed out.

Ginny faltered.

Hermione looked to Ron, begging him with her eyes. "I could use one."

Her heart pumped once. Twice.

Ron inclined his head at her, and Ginny released her arm.

Hermione felt her pulse in her fingertips as she moved to Draco's nightstand, her feet silent on the carpet. She heard his harsh breaths in the silence.

Opening the drawer, her fingers passed over the knickknacks, wrapping around a handkerchief with a small orb inside.

"Draco." She spun on her heel and tossed it to him, the marble soaring in the air as it unfurled from the handkerchief. His eyes widened and his hand shot out, as if stretching for the Snitch.

They locked eyes, and she saw a flash of recognition in them the moment the Portkey touched his fingers.

And then he was gone.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 37

Chapter Notes

A HUGE thank you to raven-maiden and SaintDionysus.

Also there's been a huge influx of new readers due, in part I think, to TikTok (Bless DracoTok). So HELLO to you all, and thank you to the user @sirensreads for rec'ing this fic to THOUSANDS. You're a peach.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

The curtains fluttered. Sound disappeared in a vacuum.

Behind Hermione's eyelids was an imprint of Draco's silhouette — his eyes on hers and his hand reaching out.

"NO!"

Hermione blinked, and it was gone.

There was a ringing in her ears as someone stumbled forward, grabbing her wrist and ripping the handkerchief away.

"Hermione." Ginny's voice trembled. "Hermione, you just…"

She didn't finish.

Hermione turned, dazed, to watch Ron tip over armchairs and overturn her coffee table. He stormed to the window and threw back the curtains, as if Draco was simply hiding.

Then he spun to her, wearing an expression she'd only seen when there was a locket over his heart.

"What have you done?" he whispered.

Hermione's gaze fell to the place Draco had been kneeling just heartbeats ago.

All these months, and she'd never asked him where it went. He might be halfway around the world right now.

But she'd gotten him out. That's all that mattered.

"Hermione, listen to me." Ginny gripped her shoulders. "Tell me where you sent him, and I'll fix this. No one has to know—"

Hermione's lips parted in a puff of air, but before she could speak, there were heavy footsteps in the corridor. Ginny turned her wandlight on the doorway just as Bill Weasley's scarred face appeared. He cast a quick glance at the three of them before speaking.

"Malfoy isn't here. I just sent a Patronus to Rome." He looked over the room. "Where's Draco?"

Ron's eyes flicked to her. "He—"

"There was a Portkey," said Ginny. "He managed to escape."

Bill cursed, running a hand through his hair. "Alright. Let's go. We have Narcissa ready for transport."

The room spun. Hermione's heart lurched. "Where is she?"

"She's been restrained," said Bill. "We have her downstairs—"

Hermione shot off like a rocket, darting out of Ginny's reach and barrelling through Bill. She bolted down the corridor, Ron's shouts echoing in her ears. A Stunning Spell just missed her shoulder.

"Don't!" screamed Ginny. "Hermione—!"

She raced down the stairs, tugging the cloak around her. There were people in the entry. Wandlight silhouetting bodies and arcing shadows high onto the portraits.

Hermione stumbled on the first landing as light filled her vision. Voices shouted at her in French and English, wands pointed in her direction.

The room was crawling with unfamiliar people. A row of trunks packed for travel against the far wall — the elves next to them, stunned. At the center, a woman in a dressing gown, her hands bound in front of her. On her knees, like her son had been.

"Hermione!" Narcissa's voice was frail.

Hermione flew, the yells fading beneath her heartbeat. She jumped off the last stair, and a shadow in the entry caught her by the arm.

"She can't hurt you anymore." said a strange man, in broken English. "You're safe."

Hermione grunted, trying to free herself.

Narcissa struggled against her bindings as a tall wizard loomed over her. "Where is Draco? Hermione, where—"

"Quiet!" A sharp crack as he struck her. Narcissa cried out.

"No!" Hermione ripped free, sprinting to Narcissa and shoving the guard aside. She threw herself down to her, shielding her with her arms. "Don't hurt her!"

Voices rose around them, arguing.

Narcissa jerked her head back to look at Hermione, her eyes wild and desperate. "Draco?"

"I don't know. I—I sent him away." Hermione's lungs struggled for air. "There was a Portkey. I got him out."

Narcissa sobbed, gasping. Her bound hands came up to clutch Hermione's.

And then she was torn from her as Ron's arms hauled her up and away.

Hermione strained, twisting and writhing. "Let go of me! Ron, get off—!"

The room spun, and then she was facing Bill Weasley in the wandlight. His eyes narrowed, sharp and assessing.

Her head was dizzy as she blinked back at him, drawing quick breaths.

The True Order was here. They were freeing the Lots and taking prisoners and she had to convince them not to hurt Narcissa. She opened her mouth to speak—

"Is it true?" Bill turned to his left — to Ginny. "She gave Draco a Portkey?"

Ginny let her fingers fall from her lips. "Give me a minute with her and I'll find out where. She's in shock—"

"Listen to me." Hermione tried to jerk free again. "The Malfoys aren't who you think they are. I have proof—"

"There's no time for this, Bill." A stranger stepped from the shadows — Roger Davies. "We have to prioritize Travers and Selwyn. We meet up with the Americans in an hour."

Bill's jaw hardened as he turned back to Ron. "Take her to St. Mungo's."

There was a pause that stretched lifetimes. Hermione swayed on her feet.

A bruising grip on her arms tugged her back.

"No!" The panic flew in like rushing water. Hermione screamed and kicked as Ron pulled her away. "Get off! Let go of me!"

Ginny stood frozen in front of the staircase, watching in silence.

"Don't hurt her! She's on our side!"

Bill Weasley lifted his wand, and the last thing Hermione heard was, "Stupefy."

~*~

She dreamt she was drowning.

Kicking through deep water toward a dark shore that drifted further and further away. She broke the surface and saw Draco on the sand, waiting for her.

She fought the waves, pummeling the water and running her body ragged as she tried to reach him.

His hand rose up, fingers extended, as though stretching for something.

Her legs thrashed, her breath sharp and shallow as she fought to stay above water. To stay with him.

A thin freckled hand wrapped around her ankle and dragged her down.

~*~

"Rennervate."

Hermione broke through the surface with a gasp, jolting upright. Her eyes spun wildly to find Draco—

She found a hospital room with mint curtains.

Ginny Weasley sat at the end of her bed, holding a wand. Hermione blinked at her once. Twice.

Still there.

Her gaze was guarded, her legs tense. Hermione stared at her. She looked even smaller without hair, her blue jumper hanging off her thin shoulders.

A tear leaked from the corner of Hermione's eye. She brushed it away. "Ginny."

Ginny's smile was strained. "Told you I'd find you."

"St. Mungo's?" Hermione's throat felt raw.

Ginny nodded slowly.

Hermione moved to get out of bed, but a sharp pain in her side stopped her.

"Careful," said Ginny. "Your ribs were bruised when you arrived. They said you're still healing."

From Dolohov.

Hermione looked down at herself. She was wearing a pale green hospital robe. "How long have I been here?"

"A few days."

Her blood turned to ice. "Days?" She fumbled to toss off the bed sheets, but Ginny was next to her in an instant.

"Rest." Her mouth was thin as she pushed Hermione back down. "I'm sure you have questions. I'll tell you whatever you want to know."

A knot formed in Hermione's chest as she watched Ginny sit down again. It had been three days since Draco vanished from her grasp. Three days since she'd seen Narcissa, broken and desperate on the floor.

Her mind whirred, clicking through images of clouded marbles and cold blue eyes. A red Stunning Spell shot at her chest.

The room felt tighter, hotter. Hermione forced herself to breathe.

Her friends had made a mistake. But they'd been under immense pressure. She'd also made mistakes in the heat of the moment.

She willed her heart to stop racing.

It was just Ginny, and she could trust her. Once she had answers, she could tell her about the Malfoys. She could ask her for her help, and formulate a plan.

When she looked up, she found Ginny watching her.

"Alright," Hermione finally managed. "Where is Narcissa?"

"They took her to Azkaban at first, but the cells were overflowing by yesterday. They brought her back to Malfoy Manor last night. She's under guard there for now."

Hermione struggled to swallow. "So they've decided she isn't a threat?"

Ginny gave a tense shrug. "She's just not a high priority prisoner. She doesn't know much. They've already interrogated her."

Hermione's fingers twisted in the sheets. Narcissa was capable of deceiving even the most skilled Legilimens, but she couldn't tell Ginny that. Not yet.

Ginny shifted to pocket her wand, and Hermione's breath caught at the sight of its familiar markings.

The Elder Wand.

Ginny had killed Voldemort. But how?

Hermione's head swam as she glanced down at her arm. The tattoo had disappeared. Only Bellatrix's marks. She quickly glanced up at Ginny, who held her arm up with a raised brow. Clear as well.

But of course it would be. The True Order had gotten the antidote to Ginny and Ron that night.

"I'm told there was a potion in the champagne. At Edinburgh," Ginny said.

Hermione stared at her. She thought of Charlotte winding through the crowd, passing out flutes to every man, woman, and Lot.

"It had a delayed onset. Four hours, give or take."

The toast had been just after ten.

Ginny watched her piece it all together, an impassive expression on her face.

"Tell me everything." Hermione didn't have to elaborate. Nodding, Ginny pulled her knees up to her chest. She took a sharp breath.

"It couldn't have been more than an hour after Avery and I left Edinburgh. I was lying in bed, waiting for him to fall asleep so I could return to my quarters."

Something twisted through Hermione's belly.

"And I felt something… spark. Inside of me. My magic was back." The corner of her mouth tugged, then quickly fell. "Before I could decide what to do, something appeared next to me. I looked down, and the Sword of Gryffindor was laying on the mattress."

Hermione's lips parted in a silent gasp.

Ginny reached up, as if to tuck her hair behind her ear. Her fingers fluttered to her collarbone instead. She looked out the small window to the left of Hermione's bed.

"I slit his throat. I cut my hair off when he was bleeding out." Her gaze was far away. "When it was done, I took his wand, and ran. I Apparated to Hogsmeade. I had the sword — I was ready to kill the snake, like you told me."

Hermione's heart pounded as Ginny continued.

"I was just breaking through the wards at the Hog's Head when I found Neville, doing the same." A small smile curled Ginny's lips. "He killed the Rookwoods with fire to their bed. Didn't even need a wand, though he was able to grab one of theirs before he escaped."

"He— what?" Hermione whispered.

Ginny turned to her. "You felt it, didn't you? When your magic came back?"

Hermione shook her head.

"Merlin, I've never felt it as strong. I could hardly contain it."

Ginny drifted again, her eyes glazing over. Hermione was silent.

"Neville?" she finally asked.

"Right. Well, he'd come straight to Hogwarts, like me. And when I asked him why, he said, 'I dunno, but Harry told me to kill the snake. So that's what I'm going to do.'"

A broken sound tore from Hermione's throat before she could stop it. She pressed her fingers to her lips, blinking back the pressure behind her eyes.

She'd been right. Harry had known he was a Horcrux. He'd told Neville about the snake before he walked into the forest. He'd left another in his place to help her and Ron.

Ginny looked down at her lap. "I gave him the sword, and we took the passage to the Room of Requirement. I charmed a coin I found in there — just like you used to do. That way Neville could tell me when the snake was dead."

Hermione waited until she could trust her voice again. "How did he get to her?"

"I told him how." Ginny's brow arched again. "I'd been to the dungeons where Voldemort kept her. I'd seen him cast the wards. I knew how many guards there were, and where."

Hermione's breath was short as she imagined it. How long had Ginny been preparing for this, a coy smile on her face as Voldemort handed her the keys to his destruction?

The Dark Lord's favorite pet.

"I waited until I felt the coin burn. Then I slipped into the Great Hall, and I killed him."

The words seemed to echo, catching on the walls. When Hermione could bear the silence no longer, she asked, "How?"

"The Killing Curse," said Ginny simply.

Her eyes flicked up again. There was a fire in them that reminded Hermione of another girl. One with strawberry blonde hair.

A war ravaged in Hermione's chest. She wanted to ask what Voldemort's face looked like as the Killing Curse hurtled toward him. She wanted to ask how it felt as she watched the light leave Avery's eyes. How it felt to breathe fresh air again.

She swallowed and refocused. "Where's Neville?"

Ginny pulled at a loose thread on her jumper. "On the third floor. Recovering."

"What happened?"

"Nagini got her teeth in his side before he killed her. Right below his heart."

Hermione's pulse pounded, but Ginny's face was calm.

"I siphoned out as much poison as I could, and we took the passage back to the Hog's Head. The True Order was arriving just when we came through. I found Fleur, and she gave me a Portkey to Rabastan Lestrange's house. I got there just— just after they'd freed Ron."

Ginny cleared her throat. Hermione closed her eyes, imagining it. Ginny reconnecting with her brothers for the first time in a year, arms thrown around each other, faces held as they sobbed. Ginny showing Ron the Elder Wand, and telling him how she'd gotten it.

"And then we came for you."

Her eyes flew open to find Ginny watching her again. Her face was wistful.

Hermione's lip trembled. She wanted to tear out of bed and embrace her. Tell her how she'd missed her, dreamt of her, cried for her. But she was too afraid she'd lost that right, somewhere in the hallways of Malfoy Manor.

Ginny reached for a piece of toast on the tray at the foot of Hermione's bed, offering it to her. Hermione shook her head. Ginny sank back into her chair, tearing at the pieces with her fingertips.

"They want me to ask you where you sent Malfoy."

Hermione's legs jerked, her hands twitching on her knees. Ginny looked up at her, slightly pained.

"I don't know. He never told me where the Portkey went."

Ginny tilted her head, twisting her lips downward like Molly used to when confronting the twins. "But even if you knew," she said slowly, "you wouldn't tell us, right?"

Hermione let out a sharp exhale. "Ginny, I can't even imagine the things you've been through. And I know you must be sick of hearing this, but I'm sorry, Ginny. I'm so, so sorry." Hermione's throat spasmed. She choked it down. "I understand why you assumed the worst. But you have to believe me when I tell you it wasn't like that for me. Draco and I care for each other quite a bit—"

Ginny stood quickly. "I'm not— I'm not the best person to talk about this." She took a step backward. Widening the chasm between them.

"Ginny—" Hermione's throat closed again. Her fingers clenched in the sheets. "I know how this must sound, but he's not what you think. He's nothing like Avery—"

"Really." Ginny crossed her arms over her stomach. "Funny that the last night I saw him, he was negotiating with Avery for the chance to rape the two of us at once."

"That's not— it wasn't like that!" Hermione jerked her head. "He was there because I wanted to see you—"

"Don't."

The word slashed through her chest, ripping her open.

Ginny's face swam in her vision. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just— I can't."

"Ginny—"

"I have to go," she said suddenly. "I'm expected in Greece."

There was silence. Hermione counted her heartbeats. "Greece?"

"On the front lines. That's where Ron is. I just came to check on you, but you should rest."

She moved to the door, slipping through her fingers.

"Wait." Hermione threw the covers aside and swung her feet off the bed. "Let me come with you. I want to help—"

"There's no need." Ginny swallowed. "You're still recovering, and I'm not authorized to bring new recruits anyway." She took a deep breath and reached for the door. "Just stay here and get better, Hermione. I'll come back as soon as I can."

"Ginny, please." Hermione's eyes stung as she pushed herself to stand. "You just got here, and I haven't— I have no idea what's going on—"

"I left the papers for you," said Ginny. Her voice was strangled. "They explain things better than I can."

Each breath came in quicker than the last. Hermione wobbled to her right, finding a stack of papers on her bedside table — and on top, a picture of Edinburgh Castle in ruins, smoke billowing up from the rubble.

Gasping, she staggered to the table. The door clicked closed as she snatched it, unfolding it with shaking fingers.

VICTORY AT EDINBURGH; TRUE ORDER ADVANCES ON ATHENS, MADRID

by Andy Smudgley

After three days of battle, Edinburgh Castle has finally fallen to the True Order and its American allies. Thanks to the ingenuity of its Magical Defense division, the True Order succeeded in repelling the Great Order's Mass Death Magic, which was released repeatedly over the last 72 hours in an attempt to stave off the incursion. Novel magical "missiles" provided by M.A.C.U.S.A. proved instrumental to the final victory. They were released early yesterday evening, and successfully penetrated Edinburgh's wards around 8 o'clock.

Casualties are estimated at a dozen for the True Order, and over 800 for the Great Order. As of this morning, six slaves and 33 prisoners have been extracted from the rubble. Insiders report that Death Eaters Alecto and Amycus Carrow, the so-called "Keepers" of Edinburgh, are among the survivors — now imprisoned. General Robert Pierre of France has declined to comment.

Chief Mediwitch Hazel Ohlson of Great Britain, who is leading the search efforts for survivors, confirmed that the body of Charlotte Selwyn, age 26, was located last night. The loss of Ms. Selwyn, a slave-turned-key operative for the True Order, is a devastating blow to the international magical community. For a full obituary on Ms. Selwyn, please see p. 8.

The True Order continues to deliver a crushing blow to the Great Order across Europe. Sources report that a surrender is imminent from Spain. Greece remains the last country officially within the Great Order's stronghold. More than 2,000 True Order soldiers are currently assembled outside of Athens, with more expected by nightfall.

The words blurred, the ink smudging as Hermione's tears spilled onto the parchment. She sank to the floor, a fresh sorrow springing in her chest.

Charlotte was dead. Her body was cold. Had she been smirking in the end, like Cho? Or had she screamed, like the strawberry blonde?

They could fill a graveyard with their bodies now. Headstones and headstones of witches and wizards and Muggles who had dedicated the past year of their lives to a future they would never see.

Swiping at her eyes, Hermione picked up the paper again. Determined to read about Charlotte and learn who she was before she'd been forced into a negligee and a silver collar.

She thumbed quickly through the pages, but her fingers froze on page seven. Three familiar faces stared up at her.

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

UNDESIRABLE NO. 1 — BELLATRIX LESTRANGE

UNDESIRABLE NO. 2 — LUCIUS MALFOY

UNDESIRABLE NO. 3 — DRACO MALFOY

Her eyes could only focus on Draco.

They'd used the picture of him that had been in the Prophet a few months back. His wand tip smoking, his eyes dead as he stood before the ruined Basler Münster.

Seeing him like this felt like driving in the knife already buried between her ribs. At first glance, he might look monstrous. But she could see the shadows beneath his eyes — the way his cheekbones protruded.

Heaving sobs wracked her body, like something was clawing its way outside of her chest. The Prophet fluttered to the ground as she pulled her knees to her forehead and wept.

Ginny had left her, Ron had shunned her. The Malfoys were lost. And one of the only people who could have helped her prove what Draco had done for the True Order was dead.

The fissure inside her grew deeper, rawer, until there was nothing left.

When her tears were finally exhausted, she stretched her legs out. She leaned her head back against the door and stared up at the ceiling, focusing on the quiet of the room.

The war outside was almost won. Her battle had barely even started. There was no time for despair.

She'd help punish the guilty. She'd share everything she knew to make sure they paid. But she'd also defend the people who had saved her, and helped the True Order in ways they could scarcely imagine.

She'd made a promise to Draco that she would exonerate him, and she intended to keep it. It was more than just loving him. It was the right thing to do.

Fresh energy pumped through her, narrowing her mind and pushing her forward. She reached for the paper, ignoring the pain in her ribs, and began to read.

Bellatrix Lestrange was last expected in Hungary. The last reported sighting of her was at Hogwarts Castle on the evening of 2 May. Lucius had disappeared in Italy, his last known location a bunker where Berge and Constantine Romano were found dead. And Draco Malfoy… could be anywhere. Evaded capture in Wiltshire, the paper said.

A reward of 10,000 Galleons for information leading to the capture or discovery of each.

Hermione's temple throbbed. Bellatrix was dead in the Forbidden Forest. Lucius hiding out somewhere — most likely safe. Draco was Merlin knew where, wandless, without a shirt on his back.

Her lips trembled. She felt herself threatening to unravel again, like a string tugged too sharply. She tried to tuck him on her shelf, but it was like grasping water with her bare hands. Taking a ragged breath, she forced her thoughts to shift to Narcissa — the only Malfoy with known whereabouts. She could start with her first, and worry about Draco and Lucius later.

Narcissa was being kept at Malfoy Manor. Hermione's mind clicked with the possibilities. Lucius's memories were there. The evidence of brewing the antidote was there. There were piles of notes beneath her bed that attested to her treatment — hand-written spells that could only be performed with a wand. Narcissa's wand.

Beyond her logic, her heart clenched with the desire to see Narcissa again. To make sure that she was being treated fairly, and assure her that she had everything well in hand.

With a final burst of energy, Hermione stood. Her muscles protested, but she grit her teeth and walked to the closet across her room. It was empty, except for a pair of soft-soled shoes. She slipped them on and tread quickly to the door, poking her head out of her room. Noise washed over her — distant, but frenzied. The corridor itself empty.

With a sharp breath, she stepped out of her room. She followed the echoes of rushing feet and agonized screams down two corridors until she turned a corner and found the chaos. Lime-green clad mediwitches and mediwizards rushed about the room, attending to at least fifty men and women laid out on gurneys. Their black uniforms were splattered in blood and dirt.

Hermione froze in horror. A pale-looking girl screamed as an Acid Hex ate away at her calf. An older man nearby was writhing, his eyes rolling back in his head. A panicked weeping filled her ears — a young man across the room, jerking as he coughed out red spray. Against the far wall, a girl with a hole where her arm should have been. She was chanting something in French.

Hermione swayed. Her vision tunneled. Her eyes fell to a pair of bloody footprints smeared down the tiles. They disappeared at a gurney with an unmoving body atop it.

Just when Hermione was about to step forward, and try to do something — anything — there was a commotion behind her. She stepped to the side just as a dozen Healers ran past her, moving quickly to assist the injured.

Time slowed to a crawl as she watched them perform diagnostics and cast countercurses. They clutched hands and pressed palms to foreheads. The boy stopped coughing; the girl stopped screaming. A mediwitch bent over the older man.

Hermione's senses were finally beginning to return to her when a shadow blocked her path.

A Healer.

"What are you doing?" he hissed. "Go back to your room!"

Hermione jerked backward, her mouth falling open. "I was just… I was hoping to help. If there's a spare wand, I could provide basic Healing—"

The Healer's scowl morphed into shock. "Miss Granger." He swallowed and looked around, as if for assistance. "You shouldn't be here. We're dealing with overflow from the third floor—"

"I want to help."

She meant it, she realized.

He seemed to assess her. "That won't be necessary. Perhaps I can call a mediwitch for you?"

Frowning, she shook her head. "I'm quite alright, really. I don't require any assistance."

"Then I'll escort you back to your room."

Before he could move, a man just behind him shot up straight on his gurney and began gurgling, foaming at the mouth. The Healer spun on his heel and sprinted to him.

Stumbling backward, Hermione hurried back the way she came. Her head felt light, the images burning behind her eyelids. When she turned a corner, she braced herself against a wall.

She couldn't help them — she had no wand. And even if she did, the Healers didn't want her help. Given the injuries she'd just seen, she couldn't blame them. Her rudimentary Healing skills might be a liability.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione zeroed in on her most pressing problem. She needed to leave St. Mungo's and get to Malfoy Manor. There had to be someone else who could help discharge her.

The noise grew dimmer as she found her room again. She moved past it, finding more doors with small windows like hers. Around the next corner, another corridor — the first door on the left cracked open. Hermione peered inside it, and gasped.

Oliver Wood lay on the bed in a hospital robe. She slipped inside, closing the door behind her.

He was curled away from the door, staring out his window.

"Oliver?" She struggled to keep her voice even. "It's me, Hermione."

His shoulder twitched once. Turning over, he sat up and looked at her blankly. "Hi."

Her legs felt as heavy as lead as she stared back at him. If Oliver was here, then Theo had to be in Azkaban with the others. Her temple began throbbing again.

She should have acted sooner. Should have insisted that Draco give Oliver's antidote to Theo the day they went to Grimmauld Place. Maybe they could have run together.

Blinking, she forced a smile and moved around his bed, taking the chair just next to him. "Are you alright? Are you—" Her eyes flicked over him quickly. "Are you injured?"

A scathing laugh puffed out of him. He shook his head.

Guilt bubbled and pricked at her, twisting in her gut. "I'm sorry, Oliver. I wish I'd worked more quickly for you and Theo."

Silence.

Her hand shook as it reached for his. "I'm going to clear their names, Oliver. Draco and Theo both. I'm going to make sure the True Order knows how Theo helped me with the tattoos. And everything he did to protect you." She squeezed his fingers. "I'm not sure how long it will take, but I will get him out of Azkaban. I swear to you."

Oliver stared at her, unblinking. His hand was clammy and limp.

"Theo's dead."

Like ice water splashing down her back. Her lips parted on a silent gasp. She released his fingers as though burned.

"What?" A hammering in her ears.

He swallowed and looked away from her. "He didn't even fight, Hermione. He got out of bed, put his hands up, and they killed him."

Black spots filled her vision. "No. They wouldn't..."

"And the way they looked at me when I cried. Like I was broken."

There was a pinch behind Hermione's eyes, and a sinking feeling, like the walls were closing in.

"Malfoy's in Azkaban?" Oliver asked. His eyes were distant — clouded over. "I was sure they'd have killed him, too."

She shook her head violently. "He—he got out. I got him out." She could hear her voice rising, and she dug her fingernails into her palms. "Why are you at St. Mungo's, Oliver?"

His lips twisted in a smile. "Same reason as you, I suspect."

She blinked at him, her eye twitching. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Haven't figured it out yet?"

When she said nothing, he laughed — a dark, dry sound she didn't recognize.

"We're damaged," he said finally. "We can't be trusted."

The fine hairs on the back of her neck prickled. "I'm sorry for whatever they did to you, Oliver. But I think there might be some confusion." She tried to swallow. "I'm recovering from an injury. I only woke up an hour ago."

"Took them that long, huh?" He shook his head. "They knocked me out, too. I've been awake for two days. Every time I mention leaving, they excuse themselves, or go deaf."

Her lungs seized. Her legs jerked as she swiftly stood.

"That can't be. It's not safe out there right now, I'm sure—"

"Hermione—" Oliver paused, studying her. Looking more like himself. "Have you noticed what floor we're on?"

"I have to go. I'm—" She started toward the door. "I'll check back with you."

She bolted into the corridor, turning sharply to the left and running toward the lobby area. She passed her room, and her knees almost gave out when she saw the sign on the wall.

Fourth Floor

Janus Thickey Ward

Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she moved on. She recognized it now. The hallways she, Harry, Ron, and Ginny had gotten lost in while visiting Arthur in St. Mungo's.

Oliver was wrong. This could just be where there happened to be open beds. What had the Healer said? Overflow from the third floor?

The corridor opened up into a large windowed room with couches and chess tables. Hermione halted at the sight of two mediwitches standing on either side of the room, watching over people in mint hospital robes. Two girls played Exploding Snap. Another sat by the window, her blonde curls hanging limply as she stared outside.

The blonde turned, and met Hermione's eyes. Penelope Clearwater.

She quickly looked away.

"Hello! Granger?" an accented voice called out.

A brunette girl stood from her game of Exploding Snap. Her eyes were dark-circled and wide. Hermione staggered into a nearby pillar as Giuliana Bravieri rushed over to her.

"Granger!" She grasped Hermione's hands. "What happened to you? Where did they take Blaise? Is he alright?"

Hermione's chest felt like it was collapsing as Giuliana squeezed her fingers, firing off questions. From the corner of her eye, she saw the mediwitches watching them closely.

"I'm fine," Hermione managed. "Just a minor injury to my ribs."

"The Healers say I'm sick, but I don't feel sick!" said Giuliana. She pressed her lips together. "Blaise? Hermione, do you know what—"

"I'm not sure." A shadow fell across Giuliana's face, and Hermione's heart pumped faster. She tried to give her a reassuring squeeze. "How were you separated?"

"They caught us in Norwich. They took Blaise and the girls, but they brought me here." Giuliana's lip quivered. "I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen."

"I'll find out," she said faintly. "They're probably in Azkaban—"

"Azkaban! But he didn't do anything wrong!"

Hermione struggled to stay standing as the room tilted beneath her. Like a fog was lifting, she stared at the fifteen-year-old's shining eyes, seeing herself reflected in them.

"—certain he's completely innocent! Please, I love him! You have to help him!"

Stockholm Syndrome. That's what the Muggles called it.

Tearing her hands free, she ran down a different hallway, Giuliana's calls echoing in her ears. Her breath was short as she scanned for the lifts or stairs. She had to get out. She needed to get to the Manor.

Hermione whipped around corners until she finally found a reception area with a woman in a white nurses' hat at a desk, ruffling through paperwork. The lifts were behind her. A stairwell off to one side.

"Miss, can I help you?" The witch eyed her, taking in her mint green robe.

We're damaged. We can't be trusted.

"It's been a while since I've had fresh air. I fancied a walk."

The witch studied her. "Perhaps I can call for one of our mediwitches to escort you."

"No, thank you." Hermione wiped her palms on her gown. "I have a friend on the third floor. I was hoping to visit him."

She heard the lift arrive on the fourth floor. The witch's eyes widened at the slew of visitors rushing in.

"Let me just call a staff member to join you." She flicked her wand and a rabbit Patronus shot out of it, hopping down the corridor.

The visitors swarmed her desk, and Hermione slipped between their frantic questions and into the stairwell. She flew down the stairs, passing the third floor and sprinting to the first landing.

They couldn't keep her here. It was a violation of her rights. All she needed was a wand or some Floo powder, and she'd be off.

Jumping to the bottom of the stairwell, Hermione paused. She slowly pushed through the door, moving against the wall as she entered the first floor of St. Mungo's.

She ducked her head, but then her eyes caught on two Healers in white coats, standing next to the Welcome Witch. They spun to face her. Expecting her.

She froze as they approached her. One was rotund and mustached. The other was taller than Ron, with watery eyes and thinning hair.

"Good evening, Miss Granger. It's wonderful to see you up and about, but your injuries are not quite healed," the tall one said.

Lifting her chin, she tugged at her robe. "I need to speak to someone about being discharged."

The tall one stepped forward and said, "I'm Healer Tamor, and I'm helping with your care. Your ribs are still healing, and you recently had mild concussion—"

"I'd like to speak to the Head Healer, please." Her heartbeat was skyrocketing, Oliver's words rattling inside her head.

The men exchanged glances. "Miss Granger," the shorter one said, "you are still being treated by our staff. Now, if you come with us back to your room, we can talk—"

"Who is responsible for my treatment?" When they were silent, she continued, "Per our laws, any patient who is deemed incapable of their own care has an authorized individual who can—"

"Yes, we know." Healer Tamor cleared his throat. "That would be Bill Weasley."

"Summon him, please." Her nostrils flared as she breathed deep, curling her hands into fists. If Bill Weasley was keeping her here, he would answer for it.

The shorter one let out a barking laugh. "We can't just call Bill Weasley and ask him to..." He trailed off at her expression. "Miss Granger, Bill Weasley is a very busy man. I believe he's in Greece at the moment—"

"If he's responsible for my 'care,' he has a duty to come when important decisions are at stake. I'll wait."

Spinning on her heel, she dropped into a chair near the reception desk. She fumed as she tapped her slippers against the tile.

The mediwitches sent her anxious looks, and the Healers whispered behind their clipboards. The minutes passed, and Hermione focused on a single thought, repeating it over and over until everything else burned away.

She had to get to Malfoy Manor.

The clock on the wall ticked an hour. Then two. It was shortly after ten in the evening when the Floo burst to life behind her, and she turned to see Bill stepping through, ragged with exhaustion. She stood as the two Healers greeted him.

"Bill, I need to leave." She struggled to keep her voice even. "Apparently they believe I shouldn't leave. Tell them I'm fine, please."

Bill glanced over her mint robe, his eyes tired, but still sharp. "Hullo, Hermione. Give me a minute, yeah?" He moved a few yards away, muttering lowly with the Healers. Hermione's blood boiled as he reached for a medical chart Healer Tamor handed him, flipping through the pages.

She stormed up to them. "As you can see, my ribs have been tended to, and I'm walking just fine. My head has never felt better. So, I would like to be cleared to leave."

Bill handed the chart back to the Healer. "That isn't a good idea. As you can tell"—he gestured at his bloody robes—"the war is still being fought. I was expecting an emergency when they summoned me. Maybe you aren't aware—"

"I've read today's Prophet. I have a perfectly good idea of what's going on. Athens is going to fall soon, whether you're there or not. Don't you dare use that as an excuse for holding me against my will." His throat bobbed as she stepped into him, jabbing her finger at his chest. "Tell me why the man who Stunned me against my will has been given responsibility for my care when his brother or sister would be far more suitable—"

"That's enough, Hermione." Bill's mouth was hard, but his eyes filled with some strange emotion. "I know this must be difficult for you, but you're not well. Neither Ginny nor Ron can handle seeing you like this."

"Like what, exactly? I'm not sick!"

Her voice rattled through the antechamber of St. Mungo's, drawing the attention of every visitor, Healer, and patient.

Her chest was heaving as Bill turned his eyes back on her chart. "Have you started the testing?" he murmured to Tamor.

"Not yet—"

"What testing?" Hermione felt unsteady again. "If I'm being 'tested' for something, I have a right to know what."

"It's part of your treatment," Bill said softly. He stared over her ear for a moment, avoiding her eyes. "Hermione, I'm sorry. Truly. We can explain in time, but please, just try to cooperate for now." Hermione's head jerked back. He gently grasped her shoulder. "I may not be Ginny, or Ron, but all of us just want the best for you. I hope you believe that."

Panic began clouding her vision. "Bill, just take me with you. Discharge me to your care if you're worried. I'll go with you to Greece. I can't stay here any longer—"

"That's not in my power, Hermione."

A icy chill raced down her spine. She stared at his face, his eyes identical to Ron's, the curve of his mouth just like Ginny's. And she knew he wasn't lying.

She swallowed, her eyes roving wildly as Bill gripped her other shoulder, saying something to calm her. She wouldn't be kept here against her will.

She wouldn't.

The portly Healer's wand was sticking out of his coat pocket. He wouldn't be quick to draw.

Her fingers twitched as she breathed deep, focusing on summoning her magic.

No buzz in her veins, no hum across her skin.

The flow in her veins… was gone.

Bill looked at her sadly.

"You suppressed my magic?" she whispered. Her eyes pricked. "Bill… you let them take my magic?"

Bill released her shoulders and exhaled sharply. He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Hermione. It's just a precaution while you're healing."

Healing.

She couldn't run. She couldn't Apparate. No magic. They may as well have inked her arm again and tied her to the property.

Bill looked like he might reach for her shoulder again, but she turned sharply away.

Hermione let her eyes rest on the tiles. "Healer Tamor, I'm quite tired." She was. Exhaustion throbbed behind her eyelids. "I'd like to go back to my room now."

A long pause — and then Healer Tamor shuffled forward. "Of course, Miss Granger."

"I'm sorry for taking you away from Athens, Bill," she said flatly. "Send my love to the others."

Bill said nothing, staring as she walked past him, following Healer Tamor to the lifts. The doors opened. They stepped inside, and he pressed the button for the fourth floor — Janus Thickey Ward.

Her mind was numb as he returned her to her room, promising to check on her in the morning.

She thanked him. The door clicked shut. And a moment later, a locking charm was cast.

Hermione stared down at the Prophet, the remains of Edinburgh Castle boring up at her as she thought over her options.

She could look for careless mistakes and escape routes. Try to sneak out with Oliver in the dead of night.

Or.

She could walk out in the daylight, her head held high. Show them that they'd underestimated her will to fight.

Hermione drifted over to her window, looking out at Muggle London.

Once they've underestimated you — strike.

Chapter End Notes

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Chapter 38

Chapter Notes

Only two more chapters! Love to my girls.

Check the bottom A/N for trigger warnings.

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Ginny,

I know there's a lot still unsaid between us. There's so much I want to know, and even more I want to tell you. But for now, the most important thing is that I need to speak with you about my year at Malfoy Manor.

I promise not to let my emotions enter the conversation. All I'm asking is for the chance to provide you with proof.

In the Manor, there are notes beneath my bed which prove what I have been up to for the last year. If you find my gold dress, check the inner seam. Next, go to Lucius Malfoy's study. There is a Pensieve behind his ebony cabinet. Watch the memories in the black vials. You may need Narcissa's assistance.

Please be careful about who you share your findings with. I trust you, and Ron, but I'd rather speak with you before you take any action.

I'm so alone here, Ginny — hardly more than a prisoner. If you can spare a few hours for me now, I would be so grateful.

Please stay safe. I can't bear it otherwise.

Hermione

~*~

Hermione stared out the window, her fingers pressing against the glass. She'd sent the letter four days ago. Still no reply. Nor had Ron responded to the similar letter she'd penned to him.

The week had jumbled together in a blur. The morning after Ginny's visit, a young woman named Healer Barkley had appeared in her room, informing her that she was being treated for repeated concussions and casting a flurry of diagnostics. Hermione had tried her best to seem cooperative, yet sharp, but it was like speaking to a brick wall. When she'd asked why a blood sample was necessary, Healer Barkley swiftly left the room.

The door had stayed locked for the rest of the day. And that night, as Hermione sat in the sterile tub of her attached bathroom, clutching her knees, she'd wondered if they were right about her.

The second day had been much the same, except Healer Tamor came along. Hermione had asked him a few questions about her treatment, only to receive vague replies. She'd managed to keep her voice steady when she requested to speak with Bill Weasley, telling them she had sensitive information to share about Voldemort's defeat and the whereabouts of two missing Death Eaters. They were free to view her memories, if they needed proof.

After exchanging a glance with Healer Barkley, Healer Tamor had assured her the True Order had victory well in hand, with or without her memories. They'd exited the room together — locked again.

On the third day, Hermione had only asked a single question — a request to write to Ginny and Ron. She regretted how they parted, she'd explained, and wanted to make amends. Later that day, after she'd complied with their strange new tests — tapping her fingers together, performing a card sorting task — a stack of parchment and a dull self-inking quill appeared on her bedside table.

Her nights had been filled with grey eyes and severed arms and shattered glasses. She'd tried to bury her memories, but the suppressants dulled her Occlumency. She could only meditate for so long before her lake with still waters would flicker, the surface rattling from a distant avalanche.

The fourth day, they'd asked her questions. And when Healer Barkley had prodded about her interests before the war, Hermione realized they were looking for signs of mind-altering magic. Not the kind caused by the Imperius Curse, but an insidious kind that changed the fabric of who you were. Cold dread had washed over her, but she answered their questions nonetheless.

Before they left, she'd asked for the Daily Prophet. Reading it made her feel more like herself, she'd said. Healer Tamor had given her a curt, "I'll see what I can do," before locking her in.

The Prophet had appeared on her bedside table the next morning, and Hermione upended her coffee to snatch it. The headline had read, ATHENS LIBERATED. The cover photo had depicted the corpse of Eleni Cirillo, hanging by her feet from the columns of the Old Royal Palace.

On Wednesday 12 May, the Prophet had reported the surrender of Great Order forces in Lüneburg and Hanover. Azkaban was overflowing. There had been no mention of Pansy, Blaise, or the Malfoys. But Draco's face had still stared up at her from page seven — Undesirable No. 3. Just below his father.

Healer Tamor came bearing the paper the next morning. He kept it in his lap as he pulled up a chair, watching Healer Barkley ask Hermione how she slept, how she was feeling, and how her relationship was with Draco Malfoy in school.

Hearing his name again hit Hermione like a blow to the gut. When the room no longer felt like it was collapsing in on her, she answered honestly, her eyes trained on the bed sheets.

Healer Tamor set the paper on her bedside stand when it was over.

"I've been thinking," he said, "that being able to walk around a bit might be good for you. Would you like that?"

Blood rushed in Hermione's ears. "Yes." She dipped her chin. "I'd like that very much."

"Excellent," he said, clasping his hands together. "Be sure to stay inside this wing."

Hermione nodded. As soon as the door closed behind them, she scrambled for the Prophet.

MASS INDICTMENTS OF DEATH EATERS, ACCOMPLICES

by Andy Smudgley

The Provisional Government of England is looking to move forward quickly with the trials of Death Eaters and Great Order accomplices, releasing 542 indictments yesterday afternoon. General Jacobs of the True Order will be presiding over the newly-formed Justice Tribunal, which will exclusively prosecute British citizens. In a statement, Jacobs defended the decision to include French General Robert Pierre as one of the Tribunal's five judges, stating, "The accused must answer not only for their crimes against Britain, but all of Europe." A full list of the indicted can be found on pages 2-3.

Hermione turned to the next page. Her fingers ran down the list of names, barely pausing at Draco Malfoy or Lucius Malfoy. There were so many of them. Some were expected — Yaxley, Travers, the Carrows, the Selwyns — but others froze the blood in her veins. Rita Skeeter and Ludo Bagman, for instance. Her heart was thumping by the time she reached Blaise Zabini. And when she reached Narcissa Malfoy's name on page 3, followed by Pansy Parkinson, a sob wrenched from her throat.

She took an hour to collect herself. Then she dried her tears, folded up the paper, and penned another letter to Ginny and Ron.

After stuffing the letters into envelopes, she put on the slippers in her wardrobe and crossed the room. She reached for the door and sighed in relief when it opened.

Hermione stood blinking in the hallway. It seemed to have grown larger since she'd seen it last. The walls were quiet as she began following the same path she had the last time. She turned the corner and found a new set of doors — sealing off the wounded and screaming soldiers. Hermione stared at them, wondering if Ginny or Ron were behind them.

On her way back, she bumped into a mediwizard, who offered to post her letters for her. She handed them over, and her feet carried her to Oliver's room.

The door was locked. She rapped it with her knuckles a few times, but there was no answer. So she paced the corridors of the fourth floor, avoiding Giuliana at the other end.

Healer Barkley found her around lunchtime, asking her if she'd like to see the library. Hermione's throat constricted, but she managed to nod.

The library in St. Mungo's was cluttered and dusty. Still, Hermione's chest felt less hollow as she wandered through the shelves, her fingers trailing across the spines. She was just about to pick a textbook on healing when she spotted a book titled, Laws of Wizarding Britain, Vol. 1. With a glance at the doorway, she slipped it inside the heavier volume, and went to meet Healer Barkley.

She read until one in the morning. By two, she'd written another letter:

Bill:

- Under the Magical Freedom Act of 1833, no witches or wizards are to have their magic tampered with without executive decision from the Wizengamot.

- According to the Wizengamot Charter of Rights, in the absence of a Wizengamot, a Council shall be devised.

- The Magical Welfare Act of 1967 states that witches and wizards who have lost capability of their mind may be held against their will, but the Welfare Act has specific definitions of 'lost capability.' Please see attached.

Please direct me to the council for which these decisions are made.

Sincerely,

Hermione

The next morning, the Prophet reported that True Order infantries were dispatching across Europe to round up fleeing Death Eaters. She knew Ron would be part of that effort. So would George, and perhaps Ginny.

Ignoring the heaviness in her ribs, Hermione turned the page. She skimmed the articles until her eyes caught on a familiar name.

Neville Longbottom, the hero responsible for killing Voldemort's deadly snake, is on the mend. Insiders at St. Mungo's report that Healers had difficulty obtaining the ingredients needed to treat the venom, but thanks to the dismantling of the Anti-Apparition line, St. Mungo's has received critical medical supplies, and the antidote is underway. Longbottom's release is expected as soon as Monday.

Hermione could barely sit still when the Healers arrived. She swallowed their potions, she let them draw blood, and spoke for an hour with Healer Tamor about her mental state and how she perceived Draco Malfoy.

She told them what they wanted to hear. "A confused young man who made terrible choices."

"And should he be held responsible for those choices?"

"Yes."

When it was done, she asked, "Healer Tamor? Is Neville Longbottom still recovering on the third floor?"

He studied her, tucking his clipboard beneath his arm. "I believe so. Why do you ask?"

"He's a dear friend of mine, and…" She trailed off, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I was thinking it might be good for me to spend time with my old friends. It might help me feel more like my old self."

The pleased smile that crossed Healer Tamor's face made all the lies worth it.

A mediwitch accompanied her down to the third floor, Wounds – Magical & Natural, passing the rows of cots and makeshift beds, twisting around the sleeping or moaning soldiers.

When they stopped at a door down a quiet hallway, the mediwitch waited outside for her as she knocked and entered when a familiar voice called, "Come in."

Neville sat at the edge of his bed, his leg in a brace and bandages wrapped around his chest. He looked haggard, but his face brightened at the sight of her.

"Hermione!"

Her chest cracked open as she ran to his bedside, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "I've missed you."

He gripped her back as tightly as he could.

"You too. I've been waiting to see your name in the papers. I had no idea you were here!"

The lump in her throat grew. She pulled back, dragging over a chair to sit beside him. "How are you? Ginny told me about Nagini, and then I read about you in the paper—"

"The Prophet was right, for once." He gave her a lopsided grin. "They were able to stop the poison from spreading, but I only got the antidote this week. But they failed to mention my leg." He lifted up the brace. "That was broken for a while, so they had to regrow it."

Hermione winced. "For a while?"

"Yeah. The Rookwoods, they… well, you don't have to hear it." He scratched his stubble. Two of his fingers were missing.

A twisting sickness churned her gut. She tore her eyes away.

"Sorry," he said quietly. "It's been like that for a while, so I forget that it'll shock some." Hermione shook her head, but he still slid his hand beneath the sheets. "How are you?"

She opened her mouth to speak, trying to find the words. None came.

"Never mind that. What matters is that you're here now. We both are." His throat bobbed. "I knew you were still in there when I saw you at Hogwarts, Hermione. I knew it."

Hermione blinked at him, her heart beginning to pound. He didn't know. They hadn't told him that she was "sick." That made the next part easier.

"Neville," she said carefully. "I want to tell you something. It's very important to me that you try to listen before you react."

His eyes flickered, but the wariness faded into something trusting and soft. "Alright."

She drew a sharp inhale. "I heard that you went to Hogwarts to finish the job that Harry started." Neville nodded, and she twisted her hands in her lap. "Before that, your magic returned and your tattoo disappeared. Did they tell you how?"

Frowning, Neville shook his head. "I've barely heard anything. Ginny only had a few minutes to say hello, and everyone else is out fighting right now. I assumed someone in the True Order broke the curse—"

"It wasn't a curse. It was a potion. An antidote for the tattoo, mixed with something to counter the effects of magic suppression." Hermione felt her voice grow steadier, her spine straighter. "I made that antidote, Neville. I spent a year on it. I brewed it, tested it on myself, and sent it out to Charlotte to give to the True Order."

Neville's lips parted, his eyes wide. "But how could—?"

"Because Narcissa Malfoy lent me her wand and gave me full use of the Malfoy library. Because I was never magic suppressed after I left the Palace Theatre. Because the Malfoys have their own agenda. They never supported Voldemort the way the world thought they did."

He stared at her. His eye twitched.

"And what is their agenda?" he asked.

She centered her mind as much as she could without Occlumency.

"For Lucius Malfoy, survival. He was playing both sides of the board, waiting to see who ended up on top. For Narcissa Malfoy, protecting her son. And for Draco…" She swallowed, her lungs straining against her ribs. "Draco had feelings for me. He bought me at the Auction because of that. I wasn't raped once in that house."

The room was quiet. She counted her heartbeats, waiting, praying.

"And they didn't believe you," he said slowly. "So you're deemed 'unfit.'"

She glanced up at him. "Yes, exactly. How did you—"

"I recognized the color of your robes, Hermione," he said with a sad smile. "My parents were in mint St. Mungo's robes my entire life."

A sudden thought burst through her, and she reached for his hand. "Neville, are they—?"

He shook his head. "The True Order had to retake St. Mungo's from the Death Eaters. Most of the long-term patients didn't survive under their leadership."

Hermione's skin prickled with horror. She hadn't known. "Neville, I'm so sorry—"

"It's alright. I'd rather not talk about it." He took a deep breath and looked out the window for a long moment.

He turned back to her. "Narcissa Malfoy really lent you her wand?"

Hermione nodded slowly. "I have proof. Assuming they ever let me leave." Her chest constricted again. "Neville, I've tried everything in my power to convince them that my mind is sound. I've asked for the chance to at least prove my account of things, but they refuse to hear it."

Neville's brow furrowed. "That's not right, Hermione. I'm sorry."

A flood of emotion shot up her throat before she could stop it. She slammed her hand over her mouth to hold back her sobs, her eyes filling with tears.

Someone was on her side. Someone believed her.

"Hey." Neville shuffled closer, reaching for her hand. "Hey, it's going to be alright."

Hermione stumbled to her feet and threw her arms over his shoulders, weeping with all the grief and loneliness and despair she'd kept at bay for a week. Neville patted her shoulders, and she sobbed harder.

When she could cry no longer, she pulled back. "I need your help, Neville." She swiped at her cheeks. "I can't just sit here and let them suppress my magic and run tests on me until they decide I'm mentally fit."

His mouth opened, and his gaze narrowed. "They took away your magic?"

Her lips trembled as she nodded. "Will you help me?"

Neville searched her eyes, and she saw the same boy who'd stared down his friends, three to one, his face resolved as he put up his fists to keep them from leaving the Common Room.

"What do you have in mind?"

~*~

The next day, Andy Smudgley from the Daily Prophet signed in at the visitor desk at St. Mungo's. He was escorted to Neville Longbottom's room, where Hermione and Neville were waiting for him.

In her letter she'd sent Smudgley yesterday, she'd promised an interview with two war heroes, now recovering at St. Mungo's. He was to ask for Neville, and arrive promptly at noon.

During her session with Healer Tamor that morning, Hermione had convinced him that visiting with Neville was "good for her." Healer Tamor had given her an approving smile as the mediwitch led her out of her room and to the third floor. She'd returned it.

Hermione smoothed out her robes — blue ones she'd borrowed from Neville — as she detailed to Smudgley the True Order's "daring rescue" of the Golden Girl, best friend to Harry Potter. She told the story as if none of the Malfoys had been present — as if she'd been locked alone in a tower, waiting to be saved. She kept the details of her "condition" vague, saying she was recovering from injuries sustained at Edinburgh.

While Neville described the events of the morning of 4 May, 1999, Hermione looked outside, watching sunlight strike the buildings. A sparrow landed on the windowsill.

A cleared throat startled her, and she turned to see Smudgley crossing his legs and sliding his thick specs up the bridge of his nose. "Miss Granger, you were a prisoner of the Malfoys for a year. How do you feel knowing that Lucius and Draco Malfoy are still on the loose? Are you frightened?"

She'd prepared for this. She'd twisted away from every question about the Malfoys, but Smudgley wanted something juicy to sell papers.

"Not at all. I trust the True Order with my life. Which is why I am eager to leave St. Mungo's and join their efforts to help rebuild our magical community."

The Quick-Quotes Quill paused, then began scribbling furiously. "You'll be working directly with the True Order, Miss Granger?"

"Yes," she said. Neville's lips twitched, and her shoulders felt lighter. "As soon as I'm discharged from St. Mungo's, I'll begin work with them."

Smudgley flipped through his notes. "Mr. Longbottom is being discharged tomorrow, I remember you saying…" He looked up at her. "When is your discharge date, Miss Granger?"

Hermione sent him a pleasant smile and said, "This Wednesday."

~*~

The article appeared the next morning, in the Sunday edition. She and Neville were the cover article, a picture of them splashed across the front page.

Healer Tamor came to see her that morning, and after asking a few perfunctory questions, he crossed his leg over his knee. "I wasn't aware that you were doing interviews, Miss Granger."

"Yes," she said lightly. "Smudgley was pleased to hear how well I've been treated here."

On Monday, her session with Healer Barkley was cut short by a basket of mail. The mediwitch dropped it off with a curious look, and Healer Barkley almost looked amused before excusing herself.

Hermione tore through the envelopes, searching for something from Ginny or Ron. Instead, she found letters from Daily Prophet readers around the world — words of support, prayers for her well-being, and… dare she say it, fan mail. She had to summon a grumpy-looking janitor after lunch to clear up the rose petals and streamers that had burst onto the floor.

The next morning, Hermione was rereading her letters when the Prophet materialized.

FIRST OF DEATH EATER TRIALS BEGIN; AMYCUS CARROW SENTENCED TO DEATH

Snatching the paper, Hermione watched Amycus Carrow's Azkaban photograph sneer up at her before diving in.

Amycus Carrow, one-half of the infamous Carrow twins, was tried and convicted for crimes against humanity and liberty yesterday in a public courtroom in the reclaimed Ministry of Magic. As one of the so-called Keepers of Edinburgh, Carrow was responsible for the epicenter of the Great Order's slavery operations, which forced victims into prostitution, hard labor, and deadly battles known as "Arena matches."

Carrow reportedly showed no remorse for his actions, inciting anger in the courtroom. The Tribunal lost order when Seamus Finnigan, a frequent Arena Fighter at Edinburgh, used the Cruciatus Curse on the accused.

After a recess, Carrow was found unanimously guilty by a jury of 12, and sentenced to death by the Killing Curse. His sentence will be carried out this evening. Finnigan will be prohibited from today's joint trial for Samuel and Siobhan Selwyn, but allowed to rejoin the courtroom for Alecto Carrow and Jonathan Jugson's trials tomorrow.

In an exclusive statement to the Prophet, General Jacobs defended the unconventional methods of the Tribunal, which thus far have involved rapid sentences and no appeals process. "The British people are anxious for justice, and we will deliver it swiftly," said Jacobs. He declined to release the scheduling of trials for the remaining 539 accused, 502 of whom are in custody.

Hermione blinked, reeling. She read the article a second time. And a third.

Seamus had tortured Amycus Carrow on the stand. Of course Hermione felt no remorse for the Carrows, but before the war, an Unforgivable warranted a life sentence in Azkaban. Seamus had hardly received a slap on the wrist.

And Siobhan Selwyn — a friend of Narcissa's — was being tried with her Death Eater husband tomorrow. As if whatever assistance they'd provided to the Great Order were comparable.

No sentences, and executions. Whose laws were the Tribunal following?

Closing her eyes, Hermione tried not to panic. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice that the mediwitches hadn't provided the minty magic suppressant potion for her that morning. It wasn't until mid-afternoon when she reached for her shelves and found them that she realized.

The suppressant was fading. They'd decided to give her magic back. The article had worked.

She Occluded for the rest of the day. Her waters were still, and her bookshelves materialized with ease. It felt like home again as she sliced up old memories, dusting off familiar tomes and sealing the images inside. She severed pages of new memories, tucking them in a fresh leather volume with pale green letters: St. Mungo's. Then she buried them all, losing them in the stacks.

The sky was dark when Healer Tamor entered her room, clutching a basket of mail twice as large as yesterday's. He told her with an anxious clearing of his throat that he anticipated discharging her the following morning, due to her full recovery.

She smiled and pointed to the foot of her bed. "There will do. Thank you, Healer Tamor."

~*~

Early Wednesday morning, a pair of jeans, a blouse, and trainers appeared in lieu of the Daily Prophet. Hermione dressed, cracked the door open, and walked down the corridor to Oliver's door. She knocked.

No response. Same as the last six days.

Turning on her heel, she returned to her room and wrote him a note to tell him goodbye, and to promise that she'd do everything in her power to exonerate Theo and Draco. She'd ask the True Order to release him as soon as she could. And in the meantime, she asked him to comply — to let them think he was "fixed." Even if it didn't get him released, it would make his life easier here.

She slipped it beneath his locked door and went back to her room.

Two hours later, Healer Tamor came to collect her. They reached the nurses' desk, and he encouraged her to contact him if she needed anything at all.

Hermione thanked him with a thin smile and turned in the direction of the lifts, dismissing him. She gasped.

Ginny stood from her chair in the far corner of the waiting area, winding her hands together. Hermione felt like she was in another person's body as she crossed the room, meeting her halfway.

There was a stilted silence.

"I got them," Ginny rushed out. "Your letters, I mean. I should have responded sooner, but I was in Greece, and then we went straight to the Netherlands, then to Spain. I just got back from Valencia last night. We caught Jugson there earlier this week."

Hermione shifted her weight. "And Ron?"

"Still there. He and Percy joined the hunt for Minister Santos."

Hermione nodded. Her heart felt like a vice had wrapped around it.

"I tried to do what you asked of me after Greece. But they wouldn't let me, and I just—I just needed to lose myself in something." Ginny's voice trembled. "I'm sorry if you felt forgotten."

"It's alright," said Hermione. It wasn't, but it would be. "Ginny, I understand—"

"I don't." Her smile was bitter. "Sometimes I think I've become someone I would have hated."

"Don't say that," Hermione snapped. "I could never hate you."

Ginny stared at the ceiling, then the walls. Her eyes were glassy. "I wanted to offer you a room at the Burrow. If you'd like." She bit her lip. "You're not… required to come with me, or—"

Hermione threw her arms around her, dragging her close. Ginny hesitated, but then she was squeezing her back, clutching her as if her life depended on it.

Tears pricked Hermione's eyes, and she felt Ginny's shoulders shake. She knew the nurses were watching them, but she didn't care.

"I've missed you, Ginny. So much."

"Me too." Ginny's voice was thick as she ran her hand between her shoulder blades, pulling back to grip her elbows. "There's… a lot I still don't understand. And I don't… I don't know if I fully believe that you haven't been manipulated by that family in some way."

Hermione's lips opened to protest—

"But I told Bill it wasn't right to keep you locked up like a criminal," Ginny continued. "We've been putting pressure on them all week to release you, but I think it was your interview that did the trick."

Ginny's lips twitched in a smile.

Her face fell quickly again, and she released Hermione's elbows. "You have to understand that I—I just found out about Charlie. It's hard for all of us, with the Malfoys. But I promise to— try to listen in time. When I can see the things you want to show me."

Hermione nodded. The space was still there, but she felt it shrinking. For now, Ginny was here. And it was enough. She'd give her the space she needed.

"Let's go home," she said, and Ginny grinned at her just like she used to.

Hermione felt something in her chest unwind as Ginny led them to the lifts. The doors closed on the Janus Thickey Ward, and she reached for Ginny's hand.

"I have this for you," Ginny said, producing a wand from her other sleeve. Hermione blinked down at it. "It was suggested that maybe you shouldn't have one yet, so keep it hidden."

Hermione took the wand gingerly — oak, and shorter than her own had been. The buzzing of magic in her veins doubled, and her chest flooded with relief. She tucked it in her waistband, and found Ginny watching her.

"I know what you're thinking, Hermione. But the Manor is barred. I already told you I tried to go. Not even Bill can get in."

A chill raced down Hermione's spine. She had to get to the Manor and retrieve her notes and Lucius's memories. Nothing was more important. "What do you mean, barred? Isn't Narcissa Malfoy being held there?"

"Yes. She's under surveillance. The Floo is off, and there are guards inside and around the perimeter. No one is permitted in or out unless they are cleared by General Jacobs. Which really means General Pierre."

"Then I need to speak to General Pierre."

Ginny gave her a grim smile. "You'll have your chance. They want to meet with you tomorrow morning. At the Ministry."

Anxiety and relief warred inside her as the lift doors opened to the lobby. Then a cascade of sound and movement shattered her senses.

"Miss Granger!"

"Over here!"

Flashbulbs burst and camera shutters clapped like thunder as people shouted her name. Hermione blinked against the light and the sound, following Ginny's lead as she muscled them forward.

"Miss Granger, how do you feel?"

"What are your plans now?"

Ginny wrapped her arm around her as she led them toward the exit. The roar grew deafening, the white light blinding. Reporters called out questions over the din.

Hermione stumbled forward, and the only warning Ginny gave her was a squeeze of her palm before they Disapparated with a crack!

The hook from behind her belly released, and they were standing outside the Burrow.

Ginny stepped in front of her and lifted a brow. "You sure know what you're doing, don't you?"

Hermione took a moment to catch her breath. "I wasn't expecting that."

"It's going to help you tomorrow," said Ginny simply. "Make sure to mention it if it doesn't make the papers." She took Hermione's arm and tugged her through the tall grass.

The Burrow was just as she remembered it — a massive, leaning jumble of a house. The sight of it filled her chest with warmth and longing and a dozen other emotions she couldn't name. It wasn't until Ginny wrenched open the front door that Hermione remembered she wouldn't find Molly waiting in the kitchen, surrounded by floating pots and pans. Or Arthur in the garage, tinkering with an eggbeater.

Her stomach twisted. Taking a deep breath, she shoved the memories back.

A silver-blonde head poked out of the kitchen, short-cropped and sleek. "'Ermione?"

Fleur Delacour stepped around the corner, holding a spatula. Hermione stared at her, remembering the smoke and panic of Edinburgh, the way she'd sliced a Death Eater's neck so easily. She blinked the images away.

"Hello," Hermione said, just as Fleur wrapped her in a hug.

Pulling back, Fleur smiled and gripped her shoulders. "It's good to 'ave you home." She glanced at Ginny, then back at Hermione. "Breakfast?"

They followed Fleur into the kitchen.

Hermione took a seat at the kitchen table, and Ginny sat beside her. They watched Fleur finish cooking, comfortable in the silence.

Ginny got up to set the table, and Hermione watched her help Fleur with an easy affinity she'd never seen between them before. The war had shifted all of them, she supposed. Some closer, and some farther.

Halfway through their large breakfast, the Floo in the kitchen burst to life. Hermione twisted in her chair to see Bill stepping through the fireplace, followed by George.

Hermione's heart skipped. She hadn't been this close to George since the Palace Theatre.

They both stopped dead at the sight of her.

"Hermione." Bill nodded his head in greeting. "Good to see you again."

George moved first, grabbing a handful of sausage before dropping into a chair.

Hermione nodded stiffly. "Good to see you, too. Hello, George."

He shoved a sausage into his mouth and tipped his head, pouring a glass of orange juice.

Hermione had expected it, but it still felt like she'd been struck. She looked to Ginny for guidance, but found her staring at Bill, giving him a look her mother would have been proud of.

Bill ran a hand through his hair. "Hermione, I'd like to apologize for our conversation at Mungo's. It's… Well, you caught me in the middle of a mess in Athens, and I… I deferred to the Healers. But once we'd finished the fighting, and they still hadn't found any decent evidence that you'd—" He broke off, staring at his shoes. "Anyway, Ginny convinced me to speak to Pierre. I'm sorry you were kept out of the loop. And I'm sorry I didn't intervene sooner."

His face was sincere, but the arrogance in it still boiled her blood. Hermione wanted to snap at him that his "intervention" had accomplished nothing, and that she'd had to claw her way out of St. Mungo's herself.

Instead she pasted on a polite smile and said, "I understand. Thank you."

Bill nodded. After an awkward pause, he grabbed a plate and kissed his wife. He took the seat next to her.

"Alecto Carrow?" Ginny asked.

"It's done," George said around a mouthful of potatoes. "Jacobs did the honors straight away."

Hermione's fork paused. "She's dead? Already?"

It was only half ten. Alecto Carrow's trial had begun some time that morning, and she had already been executed.

"Yep. Freed up some space in Azkaban." A piece of toast stopped on the way to George's mouth. He met her eyes for the first time. "Why? Did you fall in love with her too?"

Like a splash of cold water across her back. There was silence in the kitchen except for the clatter of a knife.

Her lips parted on a sharp inhale. "You have no idea what you're talking about—"

"George," Ginny hissed.

"Oi—"

George stood from the table, grabbing one more piece of toast. "Whatever." He nodded to Bill. "I'll see you at noon for Jugson."

He disappeared into the living room. She heard his heavy footfalls up the stairs.

Fleur tried to change the subject. Bill poured her another glass of orange juice. Ginny offered her a strained smile.

And Hermione sat quietly, Occluding until the look on George's face was no longer burning behind her eyelids.

At noon, Bill left with George for Jugson's trial. Hermione sat with Ginny and Fleur in the living room, reading through two weeks' worth of the New York Ghost. Her head was already throbbing from all the Occlumency, so she directed her focus on Gertie Gumley's questions about the lack of transparency behind the Provisional Government of England's new Justice Tribunal.

Bill and George returned three hours later. Hermione didn't ask about the outcome this time.

The sun sank lower in the sky, and Hermione read on. After a time, Fleur got up to do a few chores. Ginny stayed with her.

Hermione's eyes began straining, but everywhere she looked around the Burrow brought flashes of memory — with Molly and Arthur. Harry and Fred. She'd never stayed at the Burrow while Charlie was home, but he was dead now, too.

The white shore of Dover Beach swam up to the forefront of her mind, the wind on the shore. The bright flash of green as Lucius killed him swiftly.

She shook her head, and buried it.

Dinner was also stilted. Ginny had grown moody and silent, and George wouldn't look at Hermione except to ask her to pass the potatoes. She caught Bill watching her furtively several times, as if expecting her to have a meltdown at the table.

Hermione pushed her food around her plate, biting back all the things she wanted to say about the Malfoys, and how none of them would be sitting there if it weren't for them. She thought about mentioning the tattoos — asking them if they knew who'd delivered Charlotte the antidote — but she could already imagine what George would say and Bill would think. And she didn't need to give them any more ammunition.

After dinner, Ginny conjured a second bed for Hermione in her room, just like they used to sleep when the house was full. Hermione didn't know if it was out of grief that the other rooms weren't used, or if Ginny assumed she didn't want to be alone. She didn't ask.

Hermione couldn't sleep. So she stared at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the Burrow hanging over her as she listened to Ginny breathe in the darkness. Something was missing. And it wasn't just the dead.

It felt like she'd lost something. As though she'd been stitched together sloppily, like a puzzle with missing pieces. Or perhaps all the pieces were there, but they were just in the wrong places.

It was two in the morning when a soft voice called to her across the bedroom. "Tell me something about him. Something I'll know is true."

Hermione blinked at the ceiling. She opened her mouth to tell her about the tattoos. About the Horcrux, and Dolohov. But that wasn't what Ginny was asking.

It took her a full minute to speak. "He knew I drank coffee. He had coffee delivered to my room every morning."

The room was so quiet, she wondered if Ginny had fallen asleep. And then — "Your room?"

Hermione turned her head to the grey shape of Ginny in the darkness. "Yes. I had my own suite."

She ached to tell her more, but she held herself back.

Ginny turned over to face the wall and murmured, "Okay."

~*~

In the morning, Hermione meditated and organized her mind. Ginny slept soundly on the other side of the room while she steadied her shelves, mentally reciting her arguments for her meeting with the True Order. She needed to be prepared.

She showered, and when she returned to the bedroom, Ginny was gone. So she borrowed clothes from Ginny's closet, dressed quickly, and joined the table for breakfast.

It was just as silent as it had been yesterday. After an hour of ignoring her, George stood from the table and said, "You ready to go?"

She blinked up at him. "Oh. Yes." After clearing her plate, she followed him to the fireplace. She glanced at Bill, but he remained seated.

George took a handful of Floo powder before handing it over to her. He called out, "Ministry of Magic," and didn't look behind him as he disappeared in a burst of green flames.

Hermione's stomach clenched at the thought of returning to the Ministry, but she had to go. Squaring her shoulders, she threw the powder and stepped into the fireplace.

She stumbled out into the deserted Ministry Atrium, gaping up at the domed blue ceiling. The Magic Is Might fountain was gone — only the dust of demolition left behind.

George was already walking toward the bank of lifts to the left. She rushed to follow him, listening to his footsteps echo off the dark wood floor. He tugged open the grate of an arriving lift and held it open for her, not meeting her eyes.

Once they were inside, she turned to him.

"You're disappointed in me."

His gaze remained fixed ahead. "Something like that."

The lift rocketed them downward and to the side, and she stepped in front of him. He scowled down at her.

"I suppose you think I'm insane, then? That I should still be locked away at St. Mungo's?"

He tilted his head, and she didn't recognize Fred anywhere in his curled lip. "No. I think your mind is fine, and that you simply fell for a snivelling little coward. That's the worst part."

She flinched, feeling the sting. The lift stopped, and George pushed around her, exiting without a backward glance.

Hermione's blood simmered with rage, but she shoved it aside. Taking a deep breath, she stepped off the lift — and onto the same black tiles she'd sprinted across a year ago, running from Dolohov and Yaxley. Her shelves trembled violently, but she centered her mind, pushing back her memories.

She almost had to break into a run to catch up with George, striding down a corridor toward a black unmarked door. He knocked twice, and the door swung open.

Hestia Jones stared them up and down. Hermione's lips parted in silent surprise. Jones had been a member of the Order of the Phoenix — just a few years older than Tonks. Hermione had seen her in and out of Grimmauld Place over the years.

"Miss Granger." She reached forward and took her hand in a firm shake. George slid by her. "Good to see you again."

"And you."

Hermione entered what seemed to be a meeting room with a long oval table. A large map of Europe filled the entire far wall, stuck with pins. Two men were seated at the table. They stood to attention, turning to the doorway.

"Hermione Granger, this is General Pierre and General Jacobs of the True Order."

General Jacobs was a bland but handsome man, about in his late thirties. He greeted her with a posh British accent, shaking her hand when she offered it. But her eyes were drawn to Robert Pierre, the man who apparently held all power over decisions of her medical care.

He was the taller of the two, with broad shoulders and a crooked face. His eyes were penetratingly blue, and the scruff he wore on his cheeks contrasted with the straight, pressed lines of his black military clothes.

"Miss Granger," he said, his accent much lighter and crisper than Fleur's. "I'm delighted to hear that you are feeling better."

"Thank you." She forced herself to smile. "I'm honored to meet you all."

Hestia offered her a seat across the table from Pierre and Jacobs, and then took her own chair just down the table. George remained in the room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Well, Miss Granger, you have our attention. Especially after your little stunt with the Prophet." Pierre gave her a tight smile. "Forgive me for skipping pleasantries, but we are all quite busy. So tell us, what is it that you want?"

The room was silent. Jacobs laced his fingers on the table, staring her down. A cold awareness crept down Hermione's spine, like brushing fingers with a ghost.

"I'd like access to Malfoy Manor. I have evidence there to assist the True Order in—"

"Out of the question." Pierre leaned back in his chair. "Malfoy Manor is under lockdown. And the estate has already been swept, I assure you. Any 'evidence' you might have has been picked up already."

She lifted a brow at him. "Highly doubtful, General. You'd be treating me very differently if you'd seen what I have stored there."

Jacobs shifted in his chair, glancing at Pierre, but the Frenchman kept his gaze on her.

"And what might that be?"

"You'll have to let me retrieve it myself."

He laughed — a low rumble. "We have all the evidence we need to try the accused, Miss Granger."

"And that's my next question," she said, straightening in her chair at his condescending tone. "Which laws are these tribunals observing if a defendant can be tortured mid-trial?"

"A 'defendant,'" George said suddenly. "Is that what they are? Are you saying you didn't see Amycus and Alecto Carrow with your own two eyes—"

"What I saw is irrelevant. When they are on trial being prosecuted, they are defendants according to Wizarding Law and the Wizengamot's legal documents—"

"In case you haven't noticed, Miss Granger," said Jacobs, "the destruction caused by the Great Order required a new government to be built. The Justice Tribunal—"

"Yes, the Justice Tribunal," she said. "Which, I assume, has been granted a charter of some kind by the International Confederation of Wizards?"

"We are not bound by international law," said Pierre coolly. "The Justice Tribunal is free to prosecute its own citizens as it sees fit."

"Then why are you here, General Pierre?"

A muscle in Pierre's cheek twitched. "How can we help you today, Miss Granger?"

She lifted her chin. "Firstly, I would like all charges against Narcissa Malfoy, Blaise Zabini, and Pansy Parkinson dropped. Effective immediately."

Jacobs scoffed.

"Denied," Pierre said.

She clenched her palms into fists beneath the table. "I have proof that all three of them aided the True Order over the past year, and actively assisted in the downfall of the Great Order. In the interest of justice, I request that you review my memories before proceeding with those trials."

"Denied."

Her nostrils flared, and her anger boiled over. "Pansy Parkinson was sold like an animal, just like the rest of us! What are her crimes?"

"Miss Parkinson was declared dead a year ago. She's been colluding with Great Order members from that point onwards—"

"And what is your evidence for this? If you would view my memories, you'd see just how false your statement is—"

"Your memories, Miss Granger," Pierre said, "may not have the weight you think they do. You've been treated at St. Mungo's recently for mental tampering, I believe?"

The air left Hermione's lungs. She felt her hands shaking with anger. "I was cleared by the Healers, who found absolutely no evidence that I'd been subjected to mind-altering magic—"

"The point"—Pierre lifted a hand—"is that we cannot disprove that your memories have been compromised. We have plenty of evidence of crimes committed by the entire Malfoy family and your"—he made a flippant gesture—"friends."

"Then I demand to represent the accused at the trials and submit my testimony, my memories, and my physical evidence from Malfoy Manor in front of the Tribunal."

"The accused provide their own defense, Miss Granger. They must answer the court directly—"

"Then I will go to the Prophet, the Ghost, and any paper who will have me and tell them about the Justice Tribunal's lack of due process and interference with evidence collection. I will tell them how the True Order had Hermione Granger committed without cause — creator of the tattoo antidote potion that freed the slaves and allowed the True Order the opportunity retake the country—"

"I don't know what you think you've created," Jacobs interjected over her, "but French potioneers working for the True Order were the ones responsible for creating the antidote—"

She pushed to her feet, anger coiling through her veins. "Is that the lie you've been spinning? I constructed that potion myself in the Malfoy potions laboratory. Narcissa Malfoy gave me her wand, and Draco Malfoy delivered the ingredients directly to Charlotte!"

Pierre stared at her, his face impassive. Jacobs laughed, shaking his head.

"Miss Granger," Hestia Jones began, "please calm down—"

"Squid Ink, Sopophorous root, poppy head, bloodroot," she recited. "Dilute the squid ink with distilled water. Bring to a boil and set aside."

"You can't be serious—"

She raised her voice. "Chop the Sopophorous root into even quarters. Grind the poppy head with a pestle and add to boiling water. Stir clockwise twelve times until dissolved."

George stepped forward. "Hermione, that's enough—"

She lunged away from him and grabbed the back of her chair. "Let sit fifteen minutes. Add ten drops of squid ink, stirring counterclockwise after each drop. Lastly, add the bloodroot. Let sit for four hours until the poison in the bloodroot has neutralized and the steam rises in perfect spirals."

She took a shuddering breath, rage coursing through her. "I created that potion, and I can prove it. Charlotte may be dead, but I'm not."

Pierre studied her over steepled fingers while Jacobs stared at her in disbelief. Tilting her head, Hestia Jones regarded her curiously, and George looked like he finally recognized her.

She leaned forward on her hands, glared down at Pierre's unreadable face, and hissed, "Call your potioneer."

It was silent. She could hear the thump of her heartbeat as she waited for Pierre to respond.

A knock rapped on the door, startling her. George opened it, and Roger Davies rushed inside.

"Sir," he addressed Pierre, "urgent news from Prague."

Pierre cracked his knuckles and stood. "Miss Granger, if you would wait for a moment. Help yourself to tea." He gestured to a cart in the corner. "General Jones will contact our potions team, and then we will discuss."

Hestia nodded, and then all four of them were leaving the room with Roger Davies.

Once the door shut behind them, Hermione let out a shuddering breath. She pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes, and pushed back her frustration.

She'd done the best she could. She'd forced them to listen to her.

Dropping back into her chair, Hermione waited. After twenty minutes, she decided to accept the offer of tea and poured herself a cup. After nearly an hour, she grew anxious.

The clock on the wall indicated that an hour and forty-five minutes had passed when finally the door opened again.

General Jacobs strolled in with a jubilant expression that turned Hermione's stomach. Pierre followed a pace behind him, hovering like a hawk.

"Well, Miss Granger," Jacobs said. "It seems our potions team can indeed confirm that a mysterious source provided them with a breakthrough for the antidote. It appears to match your description perfectly. Congratulations."

The wave of her relief was cut short when she realized that Jacobs must be smiling for other reasons. Pierre loomed, his eyes boring into her.

She pressed her lips together. "Where are George and Hestia?"

"Occupied," said Pierre.

"Let's say the Malfoy family did allow use of their potions laboratory," said Jacobs, condescension dripping from his voice. "Let's say Lucius Malfoy did know you were conspiring against the Great Order, in his very house. Let's even say he supported that." His gaze locked on her, and his head tilted. "Does that really balance the scales against the 10,000 dead on Baffin Island? Or the people he helped murder in Switzerland and France?"

Hermione's spine stiffened. "I think you'd have to examine the evidence to see who was responsible for deploying that weapon, and who created it. I know at least two other Lots who can corroborate my memory of Lucius Malfoy decrying the death toll on Baffin—"

"And the True Order soldiers and civilians in Switzerland?" Jacobs pressed. "Can you explain away those lives, too?"

Hermione clenched her jaw. She couldn't. She could only trust Draco's word that it had been deployed when his father was Austria. "Like I said, there is plenty of evidence at Malfoy Manor that should be carefully weighed when determining these charges—"

"You have your evidence, and we have ours. If the Malfoys did assist you, it was only a last ditch effort to save their skins."

Hermione rose from her chair. "Your opinions are irrelevant. Any court worth a damn understands the importance of evidence and proper representation—"

"Don't be rash, Miss Granger. We have convened"—he nodded at Pierre— "and have agreed to allow you to represent whoever you'd like. If the accused can defend themselves, we see no reason not to allow someone else to do it for them."

Hermione gaped at them. Her jaw clicked shut.

"You can begin with Lucius Malfoy," Jacobs continued. "He turned himself in not two hours ago."

The room reeled beneath her feet. She steadied herself on the table with her fingertips table. "Turned himself in?"

"To the Magical Republic of Czechia," Pierre added.

Hermione's mind spun. Lucius Malfoy had surrendered himself to the True Order. Freely.

She stood tall, lifting her chin. "And when will his trial be?"

"Monday."

The word echoed in her ears. "That's in four days."

"Yes."

Hermione sucked in air. "I request that his trial be pushed back so I have proper time to prepare—"

"Denied." Jacobs' mouth tugged in a faint smirk.

Rolling her jaw, Hermione swallowed. "I request full access to Malfoy Manor."

"Request denied."

"I request full access to my client for the full four days—"

"You may see him once," Jacobs said. "Now."

"Now?" she said weakly.

"Those are the allowances we are willing to make. It's worth reminding you, Miss Granger, that none of the accused have enjoyed these privileges thus far."

"These 'privileges' you speak of are a mockery of the most basic human rights," she spat. "This is an outrage. I—" She broke off, watching Pierre assess her. Waiting for her to crack beneath the pressure.

But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Pushing her shoulders back, she said, "Take me to him."

With a mocking bow, Pierre led her from the room. Hermione caught a glimpse of Jacobs' narrowed gaze as she slipped through the door, following Pierre as he strode down the black-tiled corridor.

Her head swam. She needed to access legal texts. She needed to review the laws drawn up by this new court — whatever they were. She needed to study the previous days' trials.

Her mind was itemizing a list of evidence to defend Lucius Malfoy when Pierre halted at a door surrounded by stern-faced guards. Lucius was here, she realized. Behind this door.

"You have ten minutes," Pierre said.

Her fists curled at her sides. "I'll have at least an hour, General. Perhaps the Prophet would be interested in knowing—"

"Perhaps the Prophet will find itself unable to print tomorrow." He opened the door for her, his blue eyes locked on hers. "Ten minutes."

Seething, Hermione stepped inside — into a small black room with no windows. There was only a table and two chairs. Lucius Malfoy sat in one of them, cuffed to the table. He lifted his brow when he saw her. The door behind her clicked closed.

"Miss Granger," said Lucius. He was thinner, but he still sat tall and proud. "I was quite surprised to hear I was meeting with my solicitor before heading to Azkaban."

The sight of his sharp jaw and grey eyes struck something inside her. Some hole in her chest that longed for Draco, and missed Narcissa. A place that now felt more like home than the Burrow did.

She moved to take the chair across from him. Folding her hands on the tabletop, she met his assessing gaze.

"Why are you here, Lucius?"

There was a good chance he'd lie. But she had to ask it once.

He spread his hands wide, the chains clinking together. "These are surely the finest accommodations in all of England. How could I resist?"

She ignored him, drumming her fingers together. "Are you here to negotiate a deal for Narcissa?"

He tilted his head at her and lowered his arms. "What could I possibly negotiate with?"

The fine layer of hope in her chest cracked, like ice on a lake. She'd thought maybe he had a plan. He always had a plan.

"Do you know where Draco is?" she asked.

His lips twitched. "Funny. I was going to ask you the same question."

She sat back, closing her eyes in frustration. Nine minutes. "They won't let me back into the Manor," she said dully. "So I can't retrieve your memories."

Opening her eyes, she found him staring at her — his gaze narrowed, but amused. "My memories?"

"The ones in the black vials. You left your study unlocked, and I found them."

"Did I?" He cocked his head. "That doesn't sound like me."

She didn't have time for his games, so she plowed ahead. "You will need to submit them to evidence again. Leave nothing out — Goyle Sr., Romania, Charlotte and the Carrow Girls — all of it."

He studied her silently. She took that as acceptance.

"Did you kill Romano and Berge in Salerno?"

"I did."

She let out a ragged breath. At least there was that. "Then submit that memory to evidence as well."

"Miss Granger," said Lucius, eyes flicking up to her. "You can't possibly be this naive."

Her mouth felt dry. "Pardon?"

"Do you truly believe they will review my memories in preparation for the trial?"

"I do," she said, with more confidence than she felt. "The Tribunal has been appalling thus far, but that ends today. If they won't review your memories, I'll drag a Pensieve into the courtroom myself."

His lips tugged in a half-smile. Something glittered behind his eyes. "I wasn't expecting you, Miss Granger."

"I know." He looked like Draco when he smirked. She twisted her fingers together. "I just came from my first meeting with the True Order."

"No, not just here." He glanced at the wall over her shoulder like there was a beautiful view she was missing out on. "You're quite unexpected."

She stared at him, waiting for him to say more.

"Don't misunderstand me, you're clearly more trouble than you're worth." He folded his hands and rolled his shoulders back. "But I almost regret preventing you from escaping the Palace."

Ice ran through her veins. The arms that had wrapped around her in the scuffle backstage.

Good work, Malfoy. It had been so long since she thought of that moment. At the time, she'd assumed it had been Draco.

"You said you weren't there — that you had no interest in slave-trading."

He shrugged. "I lied."

She racked her brain for the memory. "You were trying to take me outside. Why?"

"I hadn't quite decided," he lilted. "I was half-tempted to kill you. Would have saved me an awful lot of trouble."

She scowled at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you so, Mr. Malfoy."

"'An inconvenience.' Yes, I suppose that sums you up, Miss Granger."

She refrained from rolling her eyes. They had six minutes, at best.

"I will provide them with a detailed account of my time spent at the Manor. I'll include vials of my memories to corroborate." Her leg bounced with nervous energy. "Between the two of us, I'm confident we can at least get you a life sentence to Azkaban—"

She startled when Lucius lurched forward, all mirth gone from his face. "Is my wife at the Manor?"

"Yes," she said.

"And they don't intend to move her?"

"No." The look on his face reminded her of the night Edinburgh was attacked, when he came searching for his son. "No, I don't believe so. She's under house arrest."

There was a knock at the door, and Hermione whipped around as it swung open. Pierre was there. It hadn't been ten minutes.

Pressing her lips together, she stood. When she turned back to Lucius, she found him reclining in his seat. "I'll see you at your trial, Lucius. Rest assured, I intend to inconvenience you for many years to come."

His eyes glittered as he nodded to her. She turned, moving to the door. Pierre had just stepped aside for her when Lucius called out, "Oh, and Miss Granger?"

She spun around, and saw him eyeing her denims and trainers with distaste.

"Will you at least attempt to dress yourself appropriately at the trial?"

She scowled at him and followed Pierre out, back down the halls, and to the lifts.

Her mind was spinning, replaying her conversation with Lucius on a loop. She still had no idea why he'd turned himself in, or what he planned to accomplish. And now she wouldn't have a chance to find out until his trial.

She barely heard Pierre as he bid her a clipped goodbye and left her at the fireplaces. But as she stood before the Floo, powder in hand, her muscles felt frozen at the thought of returning to the Burrow.

Her arm faltered. She couldn't return to silent dinners and George's sneers. Lucius Malfoy's life was on the line. Draco's father.

Four days to save him. That's all she had.

A sudden idea struck her. She tossed the powder and called out for Grimmauld Place, praying it wouldn't be barred.

The flames roared as she stepped through, and then she was walking out of the familiar fireplace there.

She felt dizzy with success. The Fidelius Charm was intact. Draco was the Secret Keeper. Since he'd taken her there, she still could return.

She pulled out her wand and cast a Homenum Revelio. No one there — she was alone.

She wandered into the kitchen. Blaise and the girls had left quickly. Dishes still in the sink were growing mold, and books had been left opened on the coffee table. A pouch full of Galleons lay on a cushion. Glancing around, Hermione called out for Kreacher.

He didn't come.

And with a wave of relief, she realized — Kreacher might be with Draco. The master of Grimmauld Place. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks, and she leaned against the wall, drawing labored breaths until she was able to Occlude her feelings away. When her shelves were steady, she headed upstairs.

Grimmauld Place had a small library where she located a few books on Magical Law. But by mid-afternoon, she was aching for more sources. She Apparated to one of London's owleries and sent off several notes — one to Ginny, apologizing for not returning to the Burrow, explaining Lucius's trial and why she had to defend him, and promising to see her soon; a few to several Magical Libraries, requesting books on law; and one to the Justice Tribunal, requesting a copy of their new laws and the transcripts for the trials that had taken place over the past week.

In the morning, when she woke covered in borrowed law texts, but with no response from the Tribunal, she wasn't surprised.

She cast a few glamours and left Grimmauld on Saturday morning to grab groceries and a copy of the Prophet. When she flipped through the pages, she found her own face on page 11 with the headline, HERMIONE GRANGER, OF SOUND MIND?

The paper almost slipped from her fingers. Her vision blurred as she read it — just a few lines. It suggested that she had been at St. Mungo's for injuries to the head, and that the Healers had disagreed about the decision to discharge her. The tip had been provided by an anonymous source at the hospital.

They were trying to discredit her.

After nearly setting it aflame in her anger, Hermione channeled her fury into her preparation. She read her new books from front to back. Four owls later, she received a letter from the Tribunal confirming that she'd be given access to a Pensieve that could project memories to the court. And for the first time, she felt hopeful.

On the morning of the trial, she rolled her eyes at herself in the mirror as she changed clothes for the third time. The girls had left behind piles of clothes, but Daphne's fit her best. She put on the crispest blouse she could find, Lucius's taunting ringing in her ears.

When she arrived at the Ministry Atrium half an hour early, she found a crowd already forming, hoping for a good view.

She had a written statement memorized as an opening. She had her memories in vials, ready to submit them to evidence. Eyes dragged over her, and whispers floated in her direction. Heading to a far corner, she took several minutes to Occlude, blocking out the rising noise of the crowd. When she finally opened her eyes, she found the Atrium filled to the very back.

Hundreds had turned out for Lucius Malfoy's sentencing.

She breathed deep into her still waters as she walked to the center of it all, standing to the side until General Pierre opened up the floor to her.

The Justice Tribunal was called to order, and she found herself stared down by twelve men and women she'd never seen before. She blinked back at them.

The crowd rippled, and a flash of ginger pulled her attention. Bill, Percy, George, and Ron standing in the front — all here to see Charlie's killer brought to justice.

She met Ron's gaze before he looked away. She took a deep breath and buried him deep in her mind, forcing her eyes to blur over the audience.

The ding of the lifts silenced the entire hall, and then Lucius Malfoy was being escorted toward the makeshift stage by four guards. The Atrium exploded in sound. She could hardly think with the press of it on her senses.

They pushed him to sit in a chair facing the twelve jurors. Five judges presided, including General Hestia Jones, General Pierre, and General Jacobs.

At noon on the dot, General Pierre stood, and the Atrium fell silent.

He cast an Amplifying Charm on his voice and began, "Lucius Malfoy. You are hereby brought before this Tribunal to answer to your crimes against the Wizarding world, crimes against humanity and liberty."

The crowd hollered and booed, shaking the ground beneath her feet. Lucius was still, his hands folded in his lap. When they settled, Pierre continued.

"These crimes include: The mass murder of over 10,000 lives, both magical and Muggle, in Canada; Conspiracy to mass murder in Italy; Conspiracy to mass murder in Switzerland; the witnessed and reported murder of the following — Chelsea Jamison, Damon Ducavenay, Ruben Taverntine, Charles Weasley—"

A chuckle rumbled through the Atrium — low, but unmistakable. Hermione looked up, and found Lucius Malfoy smirking at the crowd.

"Hm. I did manage to get a Weasley, didn't I? I'd quite forgotten."

Fear lanced through her like a sharp knife, rattling her shelves. Lucius shook his head, smiling, as if laughing at a private joke.

The crowd rumbled, and Hermione's waters trembled.

What did he say?

He didn't just—

She tuned them out, glancing at the Weasley brothers. George's face was bright red.

"You know," Lucius continued, louder. A smile in tone. "I do have regrets for my actions over the past few years." He nodded solemnly. "Mostly, I regret how slowly I killed Charlie Weasley."

A shout from the crowd. Hermione's legs swayed.

That wasn't how it happened. She'd seen it.

Lucius shifted in his seat, turning his eyes on the Weasley brothers. "His screams haunt me to this day, truly. No one should have to go through that much pain."

Ron shot forward, but Bill yanked him back.

She had to make him stop. Hermione moved on shaking legs, her breath coming quickly. The hall was roaring with noise. Someone in the crowd broke the line, their shoulder shoving into Hermione's. She stumbled.

"So much blood," Lucius said, leaning forward like he held a secret. "And so much begging. But I suppose that's to be expected from a Weasley."

There was a ringing in her ears as she raised her wand to silence him — but then a sharp movement caught her eye, and she felt like she was screaming underwater as George's arm arched back, his wand slicing downward — a green light barreling forward.

The Killing Curse shot through the crowd, landing squarely in the middle of Lucius's chest. His chair blew back several feet, his body limp.

Her skin was cold. She'd gone deaf, and she couldn't feel her arms.

Lucius's grey eyes were open. His lips curved in a cold smile.

Sound hit her like running into a wall. Her eardrums exploded as the Atrium celebrated. She turned to see the Weasley brothers roaring.

Her head whipped to the stage where General Pierre was smiling, pretending to calm to the crowd.

Blacks spots in her vision, growing darker, and deeper. She couldn't breathe.

In the darkness, words started to form.

Kill his bitch!

Hermione gasped as her eyes flew open, watching as the crowd began shouting, rioting.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

They were Disapparating.

They were going to the Manor. To kill Narcissa.

"No!"

Ten more vanished before her eyes.

She twisted her wand and Apparated to the hill outside the Manor.

The noon sun burst in front of her eyes. A screaming from around her — the crowd gathering, waiting for more to arrive.

Hermione jerked around, and saw bodies on the ground. True Order guards that had been stationed at the Manor, laying in a heap on the grass.

Her eyes jumped to the gates. Men on the ground there, expelled from the house. One of them impaled on the iron, his limbs bent oddly — as though he'd ejected and landed on the fence.

The crowd from the Ministry roared. A rush of running feet, and Hermione bolted out in front of them, sprinting to the front gates.

She had to get to Narcissa. She had to save her.

The iron gates swung open, as though welcoming the mob. Tears streamed down her face as her legs pumped to get there first.

Jumping over the tangled body of a True Order guard, she darted through the gates, her muscles on fire as she ran down the gravel drive.

A gasping, and a boom. And another, and another. Like firecrackers.

She whipped over her shoulder and found a hundred people hurling themselves against the gates and ricocheting backward, like a boundary spell had been cast to keep them out.

Her feet froze, her heart beating in her throat. She was the only one who made it through.

The crowd trampled each other as they shoved forward. She flinched at the hiss of the first curse. It bounced up and outward, barreling into the sky.

Her breath fought against her ribs as they sent more and more hurtling towards her. The air crackled, but none passed through. She turned back to the Manor. The front doors swung open, welcoming her.

"Stop it! Don't!"

The curses ceased.

"Hermione!"

She stumbled as she spun around. Ron and his brothers were at the front of the rippling crowd. Ron extended his hand to her, as if he wanted her to grant them access.

Her gaze fell to his open palm.

Lucius had known. He'd gotten himself killed, and the Manor had locked down to everyone but her. She glanced to the open doors, and she knew she'd find Narcissa inside. Safe.

"Hermione!" Ron called again. His voice was frantic — betrayed.

Bill gripped his shoulder with one hand. His other clutching George.

It was quiet. Just the wind in her ears.

With a wave of her hand, the gates of Malfoy Manor began to close on them.

Someone screamed her name, but she was already walking down the gravel path.

Returning home.

Chapter End Notes

Trigger Warning: Involuntary institutionalization, character death.

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Chapter 39

Chapter Notes

Good news and bad news (of a sort). This chapter was turning into a monster, so we made the decision to split it. NO ONE is more upset by this new than me -- the author of TRTTD which ended on 36 chapters instead of 35 (35,000 Galleons anyone?). I fought Raven so many times to keep this thing to 40 chapters, but in the end, I was my own worst enemy.

The rest of the good news? YOU GET ANOTHER CHAPTER NEXT WEEK! We'll do our best to put out Chapter 40 on Nov 29, and still publish 41 (final chapter) on Dec 6.

See end notes for lots of amazing art! Much love to my cat and my duck.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Stepping through the Manor doors and into the entryway was like slipping into a familiar dream. The chandelier glittered, reflecting light onto the pale marble and high arches. The stairs beckoned her up, where she could crawl beneath the covers and wait for the nightmare to end.

A distant boom pierced Hermione's eardrums, and she slammed the door with a jolt. She sagged against it, struggling to think.

Lucius was dead. George had killed him. Lucius was dead, and the True Order was trying to enter the Manor to kill Narcissa, and she had to find her and make sure she was safe.

Breathing deep, Hermione locked her shelves into place.

"Narcissa?" she called out. "Mippy?"

She moved swiftly down the hall, her wand drawn as she twisted around corners and peered into dark rooms. Narcissa's office was empty — her letters scattered, her bookshelves overturned. The master bedroom looked empty. Hermione stepped through the broken lamps and strewn clothing, but found no one in the bathroom. Nothing in the Conservatory except the flowers wilting in the sunlight.

Hermione broke into a run as she headed to the library, racing down the corridor lined with marble men who looked too much like Draco. The doors were covered in slashing cuts, like someone had tried taking an ax to them to get inside, but the handles warmed beneath her touch before they gave way.

The room was empty and untouched.

Her shelves trembled as she flew to the dungeons, finding the door open and the cells unlocked. A cot lay against the stone pillar, looking freshly slept in — a small blanket folded carefully atop it.

The panic in her chest spiked when she burst into the kitchens and found vegetables half-chopped, the pots bubbling over. A stool had knocked to the floor, a cigarette next to it — still smoking.

"Plumb?" Hermione tightened her grip on her wand. "Remmy?"

Silence.

She put out the stove and the cigarette, and moved back to the hallway. Her head felt dizzy as she looked both ways down the sun-dappled corridor.

"Homenum Revelio." The tip of her wand lit — and then extinguished.

A twisting dread crept over her. Narcissa had to be here. That had been Lucius's plan all along—

A faint thunder crackled in the distance.

She stalked down the corridor, trying to breathe through the growing tightness in her lungs. Her eyes roved the carpets and walls for clues, flicking past the paintings and tapestries—

The Manor has many secrets.

Her feet paused. She blinked over her shoulder — staring at the tapestry Lucius had shown her months ago when he'd forced her on a tour of the Manor. Her neck stretched to gaze up at the lush landscape, the fields grassy and the clouds high. A solitary mare grazed in the distance.

Hermione lifted her wand. "Dissendium."

The mare lifted her head and stared at her through dark eyes.

"Aparecium," said Hermione, her heart pumping faster. "Revelio. Appare Vestigium—"

The mare chewed before turning and loping away, deep into the background.

Hermione's arm dropped. She stepped to the wall, peering behind the tapestry and recasting her spells. Nothing. An ache pounded at her forehead. She'd thought— she'd been certain—

"Miss!"

She jerked on the spot, and found Mippy running toward her.

"Miss comes home!"

"Mippy—" Hermione barely choked out the word before the elf flung herself around her legs. Hermione's vision blurred as she bent to hug her back, but then Mippy flinched, and she quickly released her shoulders.

There was a heavy metal chain around her neck. It looked like the one worn by the elves at the Hogwarts Celebration Party, only thicker. Clenching her jaw, Hermione cast a quick Severing Charm. It didn't budge. She tried a Vanishing Charm, then a Finite Incantatem. Neither worked.

She steadied herself, refocusing. "Mippy. Where is Narcissa?"

Mippy released her, dabbing at her eyes. "I can take you to Mistress!"

She wobbled backward, gesturing for Hermione to follow, and together they raced in the direction she'd come. Mippy grew slower by the time they passed the kitchens, panting heavily. Then she turned a corner Hermione had never seen before.

A small door materialized at the end of a narrow corridor. Hermione watched as Mippy bolted down it, slipping through the threshold and vanishing into the darkness. Her heart pumped twice before she followed her, bending lower and lower until she was forced to crawl.

The moment she squeezed through the tiny doorway, the ceiling raised, and a cove of strange lights and lampshades appeared before her eyes.

Ten pairs of bright green and violet orbs locked onto her. Hermione pushed to her feet, gaping at the small bunk beds and hammocks.

The elves' bedrooms.

In the corner hung the same tapestry of the mare in the field. And below it, on a cot two sizes too small for her, Narcissa Malfoy lay curled on her side, facing the wall.

The air left Hermione's lungs.

Narcissa's hair had come loose from her chignon, her shoulders curving in on themselves. Her ribs expanded, and a breath shuddered out of her.

"Narcissa?" She crossed the room quickly, kneeling next to the cot. "It's Hermione."

There was a long pause. And then: "Is he gone?"

Her voice was small — childlike.

The silence stretched. And it felt like she'd been submerged in icy waters, rising higher over her until she could barely draw air.

Hermione's lips trembled. She felt herself splintering down the center as she reached for Narcissa's arm. A choked sound tore from Narcissa's throat, and when she turned over, Hermione broke apart.

They wept together. Hermione cradled Narcissa's head in her arms as she sobbed, tracing a hand through her hair like her own mother used to do.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."

She glanced over her shoulder to look at the elves. Fat tears were rolling down Plumb's waxy cheeks. Hix had a handkerchief to his eyes. An elf smaller than Mippy had his head in his hands, and Remmy and Boppy were bawling into each other's pillowcases.

A heaviness settled over Hermione like a shroud as she turned back to Narcissa.

Lucius was dead, but the world was still spinning. She still had promises to keep.

She stroked Narcissa's hair. "It was quick. And it was what he wanted." Hermione stared at the ceiling, blinking back her tears. "He did it for you, Narcissa. I spoke to him. He made sure you were in the Manor before he died."

Narcissa let out a ragged sob. Hermione swallowed, gripping her tightly. "I need your help. I'm so sorry to ask anything from you right now, but it can't wait."

A quiet fell over the room. And with an aching slowness, Narcissa lifted her head and straightened. Her nose was red and her eyes were wet, but her face was composed.

She sniffed once and said, "Foolish man." Brushing the tears from her lashes, she fixed her tired gaze on Hermione. "What is it?"

Hermione drew a shuddering breath. "There's a mob at the gates. Lucius provoked them, and they came for you after—after his trial. But the Manor blocked everyone out except me. Do you know why?"

Narcissa shook her head, her brows knitted together. "I'm not sure what happened. I was in the dungeons. The doors burst open, and the guard was dragged up the stairs by a—a wind of sorts. The elves came for me before I could investigate."

Hermione nodded. Her mouth opened, but she hesitated at her next question.

"I felt it," said Narcissa quietly. "So did they."

Hermione dipped her chin, trying not to imagine how it must have felt. "They're still here, Narcissa. They're trying to get in." She bit her lip. "We don't know what magic is at play. We can't be certain they won't eventually break through— "

Narcissa grabbed Hermione's hand, clutching it with both of hers before turning to the elves. "Remmy, Plumb, and Tom-Tom — bring whatever food reserves we have at once. Yipper and Boppy, fetch the essentials. Hix, check the grounds and report back as soon as you can. The rest of you can fill in as needed."

The elves nodded and scampered away, still sniffling. But Mippy stayed behind, twirling her ear.

"Mippy." Narcissa's voice trembled. "I'd like my mother's earrings and the jade necklace. You know the one. Please bring it here and keep it safe."

Mippy bowed and tottered to the door, the collar weighing heavy on her thin shoulders.

A detail clicked into place as Hermione watched her leave. "They can't Apparate in the chains," she said aloud.

"No." Narcissa stood. "The True Order put those on before they were Rennervated. They block their magic."

She helped Hermione to her feet, and together they crawled out of the enchanted passageway.

A boom greeted them the moment they reentered the corridor. Hermione's eyes widened at the ceiling, her breath coming in quick pants.

"Is there a way out? A Portkey, or a secret passage, or—"

"Not that I know of," said Narcissa.

Another explosion, rattling the paintings as it rippled overhead.

"You should go, Hermione. If you leave now, I'm sure all will be forgiven."

Hermione spun, her eyes wide at the suggestion. "And turn you over to them?"

Narcissa was silent. The floors trembled. Hermione threaded her arm through Narcissa's and walked with her down the corridor.

"Have they been decent to you here?" Hermione asked her.

"As well as could be expected. I haven't been physically harmed, at least." Narcissa squeezed her arm. "And how have you been?"

As they walked together, Hermione told Narcissa about St. Mungo's and her meeting with General Pierre and General Jacobs. She tread carefully when she reached her visit with Lucius, telling Narcissa as much as she thought she could manage.

"You shouldn't have defended him, you know." Narcissa sighed, and she sounded so much like Draco that Hermione's heart clenched. "If I know my husband, his death was mere castling. I'm certain he has other chess pieces that have yet to move."

They turned the corner to the entry room, stopping cold when a huffing Hix and Jot nearly barrelled into them.

"Mistress," Hix said. "The intruders can't get in. They try and try, but nothing. The Generals are here—"

Hermione moved quickly to the tall window facing the front, clutching the doorframe as she peered through. The crowd outside the gate had grown larger and more organized. Most were in black military robes. Her eyes caught a pair of gold sashes near the front — Generals Pierre and Jacobs.

Pierre's silver hair caught in the sunlight as he strode to the guards around the perimeter, directing them away from the gates. Jacobs huddled with a group of blue-robed soldiers, pointing somewhere above the Manor.

"They came to question me in Azkaban," Narcissa said over her shoulder. "They brought in a Legilimens, but they soon found out I had no idea where Lucius, Draco, or my sister were."

A lead weight dropped in Hermione's stomach. She turned to Narcissa, wondering if now was the time to tell her about Bellatrix.

Narcissa stepped around her, standing directly in front of the window. "They also interrogated me the day I was returned to the Manor. They were quite put out that they couldn't get into the library or certain private rooms. And the fact that their men kept getting lost in the corridors."

Her gaze was intent on the crowd.

"After looking into my mind, their Legilimens was convinced I had no idea why the Manor wouldn't cooperate." Narcissa folded her hands in front of her. "Of course, if they'd bothered to suppress my magic before they read my mind, the answers they received would have been very different." Narcissa's lips twitched as her eyes met Hermione's. "Some men are predictable on any side."

Something bubbled in her belly, and then Hermione felt herself laughing, her face breaking into a grin.

At three in the afternoon, the elves finished stocking their quarters with supplies just as a dozen more blue-robed wizards arrived. The house continued to rock with explosions.

A group of decorated wizards in red arrived around seven. They seemed to confer with Pierre and Jacobs, gesturing animatedly.

As it grew darker, Hermione conjured a couch for the two of them to rest on. The worst explosion was at ten, chattering Hermione's teeth and smashing a clock that tumbled off the mantelpiece. Narcissa startled awake to watch orange flames crackle across the night sky. But the wards held.

By half-three, almost all of the wandlight beyond the gate had vanished. Hermione sat onto the couch, watching over Narcissa as she slept and fighting her exhaustion.

~*~

Hermione's eyelids fluttered open. Her vision focused on the sunlight overhead, streaming through the high windows. Birds were singing outside.

She jolted upright and found Narcissa standing at the front windows like a sentinel. She glanced over at Hermione, her eyes blue and warm.

"Come and see."

Hermione scrambled to her feet.

A dozen guards were posted around the Manor, silent and still. Hermione craned her neck in both directions, but she saw no army. No generals.

The wards had held.

Hermione closed her eyes, swaying. Narcissa clutched her elbow.

Relief sank into her. There were still a million obstacles ahead, but for now, they were safe, just as Lucius had intended. And she was a step closer to bringing the last of Narcissa Malfoy's family home.

Her heart skipped as a dark memory flitted to the surface — black eyes and wild curls. Hermione breathed deep, shoving down the dread in her veins. She needed Narcissa's help and trust. And that meant no more secrets.

"Narcissa, there's something I have to confess." Her hands trembled. "Bellatrix is dead. I'm so sorry to be the one to tell you."

Narcissa went very still. "You're certain?"

Hermione nodded. Her heart sunk lower in her ribs.

Narcissa released her hand, winding her arms around her stomach. "I always knew she wouldn't survive the True Order's invasion. I had already assumed I would never see her again."

"Actually, it was… before." Hermione's stomach twisted itself in knots. "On the night of the Hogwarts celebration, she caught Draco and I leaving on a mission, and—" Hermione's throat was dry as sandpaper. "She was about to kill me. So Draco…"

Narcissa spun from the window, pacing to the fireplaces. Her shoulders rose with a sharp breath. "I need… Just give me a minute. I'll see you for lunch in an hour."

Any lingering relief Hermione felt evaporated like mist as she watched Narcissa walk away. Her shoulders shook as she turned the corner.

Hermione blinked out the window. She thought of her still waters, pushing her guilt and sorrow beneath the surface. And as her breathing steadied, her logic clicked into place.

How had she passed the barrier when the rest of them couldn't? And what were these wards? She turned her eyes to the sky, thinking.

Only one place would have the answers.

~*~

Standing outside of Lucius Malfoy's study felt like visiting his grave.

The wood was marred with burn marks and slashes, just like the library. But she knew the brass knob would warm beneath her palm when she gripped it, and that the door would swing open with a creak.

She stood on the precipice and peered inside, feeling her pulse in her fingertips. Everything looked exactly as she and Draco had left it the last time they'd been here.

The black cabinet containing his Pensieve was closed and locked. The chair behind his desk was turned to the side, as if someone had just risen from it.

She stepped over the threshold and opened the silver lock on the cabinet with a touch of her fingers. Reaching up on her tiptoes, she plucked the memories in the black vials from the shelves and slipped them into her pockets. She would keep them close to her for as long as the charges against Draco remained.

She prodded the memories in the basin with her wand, flicking through a few she'd already seen, and a few she hadn't. They might have been useful in another life, where Lucius Malfoy was alive and given a fair trial. But she supposed it would do no good to dwell.

As she locked the cabinet, she saw an image of long fingers running down the dark wood. Warm hands on her face, and grey eyes staring into hers.

That's not why I'll do it.

Her throat constricted, and her eyes stung. She tucked the image away and turned to the bookshelves.

The top drawer of Lucius's desk contained an old leather book with a worn strap. She unwound it, and the pages fell open to show a datebook of sorts — almost a journal, enchanted to hold years upon years of information. The dried petals of a pink flower were pressed between the front pages.

She thumbed through it, finding appointments, passwords to the Slytherin Common Room, Gringotts vault numbers. But about halfway through the journal, a picture of Narcissa in a wedding gown fluttered to the floor. Hermione picked it up, marveling at how beautiful she looked. Someone out of frame made her laugh before her demure smile returned.

Hermione traced the photo's edges as she replaced it between pages, her fingers pausing on the words Potion Making for Beginners, written in Lucius's elegant scrawl. Her eyes narrowed.

She closed the journal and turned to Lucius's bookshelves, skimming the titles.

There, on the bottom shelf, was a tattered copy. Potion Making for Beginners.

Hermione reached for it, tilting the book off the shelf — and the bookcase cracked, wrenching free of the wall.

She jumped back, watching the bookcase rearrange itself, the shelves shifting and books vanishing until it swung back, revealing a hidden door. Hermione stepped as close as she could and discovered a room no larger than a closet, rich with the scent of centuries-old books.

Her veins buzzed, her fingers itching to read each of them. She cast a few spells checking for wards against Muggle-borns, crossed the threshold, and looked around.

The shelves to her left held volumes dated from the 1100s. She followed them to 1999. She pulled the 1999 book with a frown, flipping to the last page. There, in a grand looping scrawl, was Lucius Malfoy III, died 24 May.

She gasped, snapping it closed and spinning around. These were the Malfoy family archives. Draco knew about this room. He'd come here to research on the Romania property. When he told her about the "archives," she'd imagined a dusty or box or two. Not a small library.

Sliding the 1999 book back on the shelf, she cleared her throat. "Show me 'death of the owner.' Cross-reference with 'Manor defenses.'"

The walls shivered. Several texts pulled from the shelves, their pages flipping open to the exact pages for her.

Beaming, she summoned them to stack neatly on top of the small desk at the room's center.

The first was a book entitled Wards and Protections. She scanned the flagged page until she found the passage she needed.

Untimely death of the Lord of the Manor from poison, curse, or premeditated physical injury triggers the Familial/Blood Protection Procedures (p. 289). Only upon the proper acceptance of the heir will the Manor release its Protection Wards. The below counter-spells, when performed by the heir of Malfoy Manor, will counteract the Protection Wards.

Hermione conjured a scroll of parchment and tapped her wand to it to transcribe the necessary counter-spells. She flipped to page 289, and read on to find familiar predicaments — forceful ejection of non-blood and non-familial persons, the sealing of Floo networks, anti-Apparition charms (with exceptions for familial elves), fortified wards, and external defenses.

Draco had given Dolohov rights to the Manor, but Dolohov was dead, circumventing his claim. So it stood to reason that the Manor would only become fully operational once Draco returned and performed the counter-spells. And none of this explained why the Manor let her run past its barriers. The other two passages were mere journal entries, noting the untimely deaths of Malfoys past and when the property was restored.

Hermione rubbed her forehead as she pored over the passage for the fifth time. It was possible that she'd been inadvertently tied to the Manor through her tattoo. Or perhaps Draco's blood had lingered in her system somehow after he'd given it to her in Romania.

She grimaced as her temples began throbbing. She would have to consider all of this later. For now, the Manor would remain locked down, and Narcissa would be safe inside its walls. She replaced the books on the shelves and stepped out of the small archive room. Lucius's bookshelf slowly closed behind her, and she swept from the room.

That evening, Hermione had dinner with Narcissa in the dining room. It was a small meal, and as Hermione pushed her roast around, she tried not to think about what they would do when they ran out of food.

Narcissa didn't say a word about Bellatrix or Lucius, seemingly set on grieving in private. Hermione followed her lead, pretending not to notice the redness around her eyes.

"I found the Malfoy archives," Hermione said over her vegetables. Narcissa gave a polite hum, and Hermione played with her napkin. "The… heir of Malfoy Manor must perform counter-spells to lift the restrictions. So, I suppose it's good that you and I are safe here for now, but we can't move freely until Draco comes home."

Narcissa lowered her fork with a weary expression, her eyes closing. "Not Draco. Dolohov."

A prickling coldness shot down Hermione's spine. "He's dead. Dolohov is dead, so—"

"Hermione," Narcissa said softly. "Inheritances are entailed on estates. It doesn't matter that Antonin Dolohov is dead. The Dolohov estate owns the Manor now that Lucius is dead."

Hermione stared at her, balling her napkin in her fists. "So, we're waiting for some Dolohov distant cousin to come waltzing through those doors?"

"Yes. It would be up to Gringotts to find them. But I'm sure Gringotts has a copy of the counter-spells somewhere. They serve as a registry of sorts, for older families."

It felt like the room was tilting. "Well, it will take some time, at least. In the current climate, there's no way the goblins will be able to transfer a massive property to a relative of a known Death Eater—"

"I wouldn't be so certain." Narcissa pressed her lips together. "The goblins pay no mind to petty matters like human governments, Hermione. Gringotts is very much operational."

The truth of Narcissa's words hit her like a blow to the gut.

Of course it was. She'd learned about this in History of Magic. The Ministry had never been able to control Gringotts, and neither would the True Order.

Narcissa placed her elbows on the table, pressing her forehead into her palms. "I'm sorry, Hermione. We may not be as safe here as we thought."

Hermione sucked in air. "No use in worrying about it before it happens, I suppose."

"Yes."

They finished their dinner in silence. Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that Lucius Malfoy was far too clever for that end. He wouldn't leave them in such a vulnerable position. But then her doubt crept in, and she settled on Occlumency to bury her anxiety.

After dinner, Hermione offered to sit with Narcissa in the library for a few hours. She declined, blaming a headache. The black vials clicked in Hermione's pockets as she prepared to climb the stairs, and she paused. If there was a chance the boundary spells could come down at any moment, she needed to gather everything now. She couldn't be caught without everything on her person.

Turning on her heel, she flew down the stairs to the potions laboratory. The door was unlocked, but the room was untouched — likely due to its Notice-Me-Not charm. The vials and cauldrons were just as she'd left them, her instructions and list of ingredients still on the workbench. Taking a deep breath, she filed away her memories, grabbed all of her notes, and shrunk them down. She went through the bottom shelves, where she knew she'd find a small leather pouch for carrying ingredients. She emptied her pockets on the table, shrank down the black vials, and cast an Extension Charm on the leather pouch. Just like the one on the beaded handbag she'd used while on the run with Harry and Ron.

Clicking the door closed, she went upstairs to her bedroom for the first time since she'd returned to Malfoy Manor. It was also untouched. Almost as if Draco could appear at any moment, making a snide remark about dinner and "practicing."

She crossed the room to her nightstand, and a bright white light flooded the dim room as she pulled open the bottom drawer. The glass jar holding the magical signature of her virginity glowed like a firefly. She shrunk it down, and added it to the leather pouch. She extended the straps and slipped it around her neck, resolving never to take it off.

She looked around her old room, clutching the pouch to her chest. Compared to the Burrow, it felt closer to easing the ache in her chest. But it still wasn't enough.

Hermione plucked a nightdress from her wardrobe, and moved through the panel to Draco's bedroom. She jumped when she found Boppy folding the sheets.

"Miss! Boppy is expecting you. Boppy didn't change the pillows for you, just as you like."

Hermione's cheeks flushed, but there was no point in denying it. She smiled, warmth sparking in her chest. "Thank you, Boppy."

Boppy nodded solemnly. "And Boppy knows Miss likes to see the Prophet, but Boppy did not want Mistress to see. It arrived this morning."

He moved to Draco's desk, and held up the copy of that morning's Prophet.

LUCIUS MALFOY DEAD, MURDERED ON THE STAND

Hermione clutched the bedpost before her legs gave out. "Yes, very good, Boppy. Let's not share this with Narcissa. And I'd like to see the New York Ghost as well, if you have it."

Boppy bowed and wobbled out. Hermione collapsed in Draco's desk chair and unfolded the Prophet with shaking fingers. The cover photo was a picture of the guards leading Lucius to the stage. His spine was straight, his lips curved.

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply before reading.

After surrendering himself to the True Order last week, General Lucius Malfoy of the Great Order stood trial yesterday morning before the Provisional Government of England's Justice Tribunal. Malfoy's crimes included mass murder of Muggle and magical lives in Canada, conspiracy to commit mass murder in Italy and Switzerland, and the murder of over a dozen True Order members and British citizens. But before the presiding judge could finish reading the charges against him, Lucius Malfoy was killed by a Killing Curse from the crowd.

In a statement to the Prophet, General Jacobs indicated that "the people have spoken. Had he stood a full trial, he undoubtedly would have joined the ranks of his comrades."

Rage simmered beneath her skin. She thumbed through the rest of the paper, searching for a mention of what happened afterward, but there was nothing. After her second reread, the Ghost appeared on the desk. She flipped through the pages until she found mention of it. Gertie Gumley wrote:

The so-called Justice Tribunal, formed to prosecute the U.K.'s most dangerous supporters of Lord Voldemort, dissolved into a mob this morning when Lucius Malfoy, Voldemort's right-hand general, was murdered on the stand. Witnesses say that Lucius Malfoy had a defensive solicitor ready to speak on his behalf, but the Tribunal quickly lost control of their "audience," and a Killing Curse was cast. Multiple eyewitnesses reported that the trial was presided over by General Robert Pierre, a French citizen, although the Provisional Government of England has assured concerned allies that he will play a secondary role.

From there, eye-witnesses report that the mob Apparated to Lucius Malfoy's estate, intent on storming the manor house and killing his yet-to-be-tried wife inside. Boundaries and defensive spells at the old wizarding estate kept the rioters from entering, but it seems no one is safe from General Robert Pierre and his Justice Tribunal. For the third week in a row, M.A.C.U.S.A. President Harrison declined to comment.

Hermione's heart raced as she read the article again, and again. The True Order had managed to withhold details from the international community, but Gertie Gumley was onto them. And Hermione would see to it that she closed in.

Summoning a quill and parchment, she flipped to the back of the paper, finding the contact information for Gertie Gumley. She wrote her a letter, offering all the information she had.

At four in the morning an owl arrived from America, startling Hermione from her fitful sleep in Draco's bed.

Gertie Gumley had a page of questions. And Hermione was eager to answer them.

~*~

The front page of the New York Ghost the following morning had a picture of Hermione with the snappy headline: SOLD, SAVED, SILENCED.

Hermione's story received three full pages. Hermione was careful to avoid discussing her captivity at Malfoy Manor, focusing exclusively on her time following her release at St. Mungo's and the trial of Lucius Malfoy.

"It's the principle of the matter," writes Miss Granger, who has declined to share her location. "I've been eager to share my memories with the True Order, but they've refused me repeatedly. It sickens me that Alecto and Amycus Carrow were killed without facing a comprehensive list of their crimes, or a single statement from one of their victims. Mob justice is no victory. As monstrous as they were, justice, and closure, requires every defendant to have their day in court. And I'll continue to fight for it."

Miss Granger was present at Lucius Malfoy's trial, and accompanied the mob when it attempted to storm his manor house. Unlike the rest of the mob, however, Miss Granger was able to pass through the boundary, which she suspects was due to the magic associated with her tattoo.

She confirms exclusively to the New York Ghost that Narcissa Malfoy is alive and well inside Malfoy Manor. Moreover, she alleges that the True Order joined the mob, using military force in an attempt to penetrate the estate's defenses while she and Mrs. Malfoy were inside. "The use of such force on any British citizen is harrowing, let alone a defendant with vague, ill-defined crimes. If Britain executes every individual who was associated with a Voldemort supporter, none of us will be left. Focusing on the family members of Death Eaters is a distraction from what they should be doing, which is pursuing Great Order officials who have fled the continent."

The Ghost that had arrived at her window that morning held a note from Gumley: Pleasure doing business with you, Miss Granger.

Narcissa came to Draco's room that afternoon. Her eyes were red, and she struggled to speak. After embracing Hermione, she managed to excuse herself for the rest of the evening.

The following morning, the Prophet contained an announcement that all trials would be postponed until the following week.

As Narcissa grieved, Hermione spent hours in the Malfoy library, researching ways to remove the elves' chains while the elves rotated as her guinea pigs. After three rigorous days of research, she was able to unlock it. Plumb buried her face in her hands and wept as the metal fell off her shoulders. Hermione spent the rest of the night patting the backs of a parade of crying elves.

The food at the Manor improved. Thanks to their exemption from the Manor's anti-Apparition wards, the elves were able to Apparate to buy food and other supplies to replenish the pantries, and Hix was very pleased that he could tend to the grounds again, muttering under his breath about the weeds in the bluebells.

The Ghost continued to escalate its criticism of the Justice Tribunal. A new editor was announced at the Prophet, and Hermione almost spilled her coffee on an article that read slightly critical of General Jacobs. But whatever was published, the guards outside the Manor remained.

Hermione had taken to glaring at them when she was bored, but the only times they lifted their eyes from the horizon was to stare up at the owls soaring through the boundaries.

She began receiving letters from all around the world, supporting her story and her struggles. Some were personal; others professional. One human rights organization gave her a standing offer of free counsel. She directed them to Oliver Wood's case, expressing her concerns that he was being held without cause, and requesting that they address it quietly. She heard from the American Society for No-Maj-Borns, and a new coalition in Austria looking to protect Muggle-borns' right to an education. Narcissa helped her answer every one of them, and Hermione screened all correspondence for Narcissa, finding condolences from acquaintances and Lucius's business partners.

Among the letters was a pale blue envelope addressed to her in a familiar handwriting. She ripped it open, finding a short note from Ginny.

Hermione,

I believe you about the Malfoys. I have since the morning you left, when George told me about your tattoo antidote potion. I'm not speaking to him at the moment. Or Ron.

I'm sorry they came after you at the Manor, but I can't find it in me to be sorry that my brother's killer is dead. I hope you can understand that.

I miss you.

Ginny

Hermione folded it carefully, sank onto the carpets in Draco's bedroom, and wept.

She thought she'd lost her. But Ginny missed her.

When her tears had dried, she quickly wrote out a response, keeping it short so as to not overwhelm her.

By the end of the week, they had passed eight owls back and forth, asking small questions, giving detailed answers. Hermione had learned that Ginny was going through Molly's cookbook, trying each recipe no matter how disgusting they sounded. She'd declined attending a mission to Egypt, where several members of Romano's cabinet were said to be in hiding. Ron and Percy were in Argentina as part of the team to track and capture Minister Santos of Spain; George was relegated to paperwork for General Jacobs. In turn, Hermione told her all about the meeting with Pierre and Jacobs, and the letters she was receiving around the world. She told her bits and pieces about her time in "captivity." The meeting with Cho. How Draco had Obliviated Charlotte the night Edinburgh was attacked. Ginny never replied to the stories directly, but she kept writing. And that was all Hermione asked for.

She tucked every last one of Ginny's letters into the pouch around her neck, keeping them close to her heart.

Breakfast the next morning was a quiet affair. June 5. Last year, Draco had been injured on his birthday. This year, she could only pray.

Narcissa and Hermione were just finishing their tea when a crack! jolted them. Hermione spun in her chair to see Hix wringing his hands. "Mistress, Miss. There is a person at the gates."

Hermione frowned and darted to the front window, Narcissa on her heels.

Hermione could just make out the figure of a woman in her black True Order uniform, her brown hair pulled into a sharp bun and her hands folded behind her back. Hestia Jones. Apart from the guards stationed ten meters to either side of her, she was alone.

Hermione stared at the solitary figure, her mind working quickly. She'd been wondering when she'd hear from the True Order again. The pressure on them had been growing. The Prophet was more critical by the day; just last week, over two dozen countries had signed a statement by the International Confederation of Wizards sharply rebuking their actions post-war. But she certainly hadn't expected them to show up at the gates.

Nodding to Narcissa, she checked her wand at her hip and pulled open the front doors. Hestia rolled her shoulders back and nodded to her. Hermione descended the steps and moved down the gravel drive at her own pace. The clouds drifted away from the sun, and the grounds lit up as she approached the gate. Stopping five steps away, she examined Hestia's set expression.

"Miss Granger. How are you?"

"Splendid," Hermione quipped. "How can I help you today, Hestia?"

Hestia tilted her head at her. "I'm not here to mince words, Miss Granger. The Provisional Government recognizes its missteps, especially where the Justice Tribunal is concerned. I'm here on their behalf."

Hermione lifted a brow. "Is this an apology, then?"

"It could be. But I don't think you're particularly interested in that." Hestia squinted up at the sun, and stepped closer. "The Justice Tribunal is being disbanded. We're forming a new council to prosecute the political and military leadership of the Great Order. The International Magical Military Tribunal."

It was Hermione's turn to tilt her head. "'International.' Which countries are participating, then?"

"Switzerland, Italy, Canada, France. And Great Britain, of course."

Hestia's face was impassive. Hermione strove for the same. "Do you expect me to applaud your efforts?" she asked.

"No," said Hestia. "I expect you to accept our invitation to join."

Hermione blinked at her, stunned.

She quickly looked over her shoulder at the horizon. "Give me one reason I should join."

"I'll give you several. Due process. Fair trials with representation. Sentencing agreed upon by a two-thirds majority vote. These are just a few things that are in discussion. Nothing is concrete yet, but we're in talks with the I.C.W. for guidance and approval."

Hermione stared at her through narrowed eyes. "Tell me, are other nineteen-year-olds being invited on this council? Or just the celebrities?"

"No, and yes, in a manner of speaking," Hestia said. "I'm not here to insult your intelligence, Miss Granger. Of course your public platform is a key reason. But we have others."

"Which are?"

"You have a unique viewpoint. You would be the only member of the council that spent a year enslaved."

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "And in what capacity would I be serving?"

"You're too young to be a judge, and you lack the training to serve as prosecutor or defense counsel. But you will have a place at the table of advisors. And if I know anything about you — and I flatter myself that I do — you want to be sitting at this table. Trust me."

Hestia's face was calm and composed as Hermione weighed her options. There were two possibilities: Hestia was telling her the truth — and her explanation certainly seemed sensible and frank — or there was some game or ploy she hadn't considered.

Either way, the answer was irrelevant. Her heart, gut, and logic all whispered to her in tandem, telling her that there was no way she could pass up a seat at the table that would help decide Draco's fate. Or his friends'.

Still, she'd learned a thing or two in a house full of Slytherins. She fixed Hestia with her iciest stare.

"I want all charges against Narcissa Malfoy dropped. Immediately."

"That's certainly something you can propose at the first meeting—"

"No. Now," Hermione said. "I'm not joining any council that can look at Narcissa Malfoy's supposed 'crimes' and choose to proceed with prosecuting her using the weight of a full military tribunal."

Hestia's lips twitched, and for a split second, Hermione wondered if she was trying to hide a smile. "I'll see what I can do. No promises."

"Once we receive the official pardon, I expect it to be printed in the papers. Owl me with the meeting information. Thank you for your time today, Hestia."

She turned on her heel and walked back to the house, dismissing her.

~*~

Two days later, the Prophet announced the dropped charges against Narcissa Malfoy and the creation of the new International Magical Military Tribunal, with a full list of all members. Hestia sent an owl with the official pardon, and an invitation to the first meeting that following Monday. Hermione took a full day to respond, intent to spend the day celebrating with Narcissa. Narcissa showed her where they stored the champagne from the winery in France, and for the first time in her life, Hermione had the pleasure of seeing Narcissa Malfoy slide into less-than-perfect articulation.

When the True Order guards had still not been released from their posts outside the Manor the following morning, Hermione sent back her reply, inquiring as to their purpose.

They were gone by that afternoon.

More letters arrived. Most were supportive, but others spewed hatred and rage. Hermione looked up a spell for destroying Howlers, and made sure she reviewed the post before Narcissa. One night, an unsigned letter arrived from a peevish owl, calling Hermione a traitor and a whore. Hermione tossed it into the fireplace before Narcissa could ask about it. As she watched it burn, she summoned a letter from her pouch that she'd received earlier that day, reading it over and over:

I read about Narcissa today. I'm happy for you.

Ginny

They agreed that it still wasn't safe for Narcissa to leave the Manor. Luckily, she didn't have much reason to. The Prophet article was followed by a flurry of letters from friends. She started corresponding with Neville, and told Viktor she'd be happy to meet once her schedule lightened.

She was finishing breakfast with Narcissa on Thursday morning when Hix appeared at the table. "Mistress," he whispered. "The goblins are here."

Hermione set her coffee cup down with a sharp clink.

Narcissa stiffened. Then she rose from the table, patting her mouth. "Thank you, Hix. Please see them over the barrier and escort them to the drawing room." Hix popped away, and before Hermione could think past the panic in her chest, Narcissa was calling for Mippy. She appeared with a sharp crack!

Narcissa inhaled before speaking. "Be prepared to pack up our things to transfer to Grimmauld Place."

Mippy Apparated away with wide eyes, and Hermione pushed out of her chair. The goblins were here to discuss the Manor. They'd found the heir to the Dolohov estate, and they were here to tell them to pack up and leave.

Narcissa nodded at her once, her face pale as a sheet, and Hermione followed her from the dining room. She hadn't asked what it would look like, when they were forced to leave — what they could take, what they could leave behind.

Her mind drifted to the brass jewelry box in her old bedroom as she followed Narcissa into the drawing room. Swallowing, she gripped her leather pouch in one hand, and took Narcissa's in the other. She had everything she needed.

They'd no sooner taken a stiff seat on the sofa then the door opened, and two goblins in waistcoats and trousers filed in, following Hix. One was focused on his pocket watch attached to a golden chain; the other was thinner with a pair of specs.

Narcissa stood and bowed her head. "Welcome. Would you like to sit?"

"No," the thin one croaked. He had puffs of white hair growing from his ears. "Boggleben?"

The other — Boggleben, presumably — waddled forward and dropped a thick folio of aging leather onto the coffee table. He dragged his forefinger down the spine, and it fell open.

"Lucius Malfoy III is dead." Boggleben stated it, but still looked to Narcissa for confirmation.

Narcissa rolled back her shoulders. "Yes. On 24 May."

Boggleben nodded and gave Hix a stern look until he jumped and exited the room. He cleared his throat and stood to the side. "Gnarland will begin proceedings."

Gnarland clasped his stubby hands and said, "As Lucius Malfoy III has passed on, it is incumbent upon Gringotts to ensure that the Wiltshire Manor, along with his remaining estates, properties, and assets, are properly transferred to his named heir in his family line. His next of kin."

Hermione's tongue felt thick in her throat. How could Dolohov's distant relative be Lucius's next of kin? She stole a glance to Narcissa, who was trying to mask her confusion.

Narcissa's voice shook once as she said, "Thank you, Gnarland. And Lucius's next of kin is... who in your records?"

Gnarland peered down at the paperwork. "This estate passes to his daughter. A Miss Hermione M— Granger."

She felt like she was made of stone. There was a ringing in her ears.

Narcissa was still. "Oh?"

Gnarland wobbled to the folio and began gathering documents. "Yes. Gringotts was notified of a new Malfoy during the early hours of 26 July 1998. As the child was said to be—19, we penned a letter to Lucius Malfoy III seeking additional confirmation. On 26 July at mid-day, we received his affirmation using his personal magical seal."

Narcissa's mouth fell open as she took the offered letter. Hermione looked over her shoulder, finding Lucius's elegant scrawl confirming the legitimacy of Hermione Jean Granger as his blood heir.

She blinked several times, her mind spinning in a thousand directions. "Lucius Malfoy told you that he — fathered me?"

Boggleben scoffed. "No. We wrote to him, seeking confirmation. Our books are magically binding. One cannot just create a blood heir out of the ether."

Gnarland mumbled something that sounded like, "Highly irregular."

The letter drifted from Narcissa's fingertips.

Hermione's mind spun. 26 July — after Dover Beach, but before Switzerland.

Before Harry's birthday, but after the first night at Edinburgh.

A flicker of memory shocked her like an electrical current. A flash of a blade slicing a line over her heart. Narcissa's fingers brushing water against her eyes and lips.

Her hand rose to the leather pouch around her neck — the jar containing the magical signature of her virginity inside.

The mother cleanses, the father bleeds her. It wasn't a metaphorical phrasing. They had claimed her during that ancient ritual.

Hermione turned to Narcissa, but she was blinking down at Lucius's letter again, lowering herself back to the sofa.

"May we continue?" Gnarland warbled.

"I don't understand," said Hermione suddenly. She opened her mouth, and closed it.

"Forgive me, but neither do I." Narcissa looked up, extending the letter back to him. "Lucius and I have a son, Draco. I would have thought the male line would carry the inheritance and Manor. And Draco— well, he— "

"We questioned that as well." Gnarland took the next letter Boggleben was handing him. "But on the evening of 26 July, we received a second letter from Lucius Malfoy III, requesting that the Male Line Proviso and the Pure-Blood Heir Clause, both signed by Armand Malfoy I, be overridden and replaced with an Eldest Progeny Rider."

Hermione's mind swam. She braced her hand on the sofa as Gnarland passed the letter to her..

She was nine months older than Draco. If Lucius claimed her as his heir and signed the paperwork for the Manor to be passed to his eldest, then Draco's deal with Dolohov—

Narcissa cleared her throat. "Last summer, my son signed over the rights to his full inheritance to Antonin Dolohov. I'm not sure if you've communicated with his estate—"

"We're well aware." Gnarland's mouth twisted. "A claim on the Malfoy holdings was filed by Mr. Dolohov on 9 May. It was legitimate at the time, but recall, that was a contract signed by Draco Malfoy I. As of Miss M— Granger's adoption, and the paperwork filed 27 July 1998, Draco Malfoy I is no longer the heir, and all legal proceedings assuming said designation are null and void."

Hermione's fingers shook as she brought them to her lips. She wasn't sure if she was about to laugh, cry, or vomit out of pure nerves.

Lucius Malfoy had left the Manor in her name. That was why she could cross the estate line while the mob was repelled. That was why she could enter Lucius's study when only Narcissa and Draco should have been able to. Draco had bled for her in Romania, but he never needed to.

As far as Gringotts was concerned, she was a Malfoy. A blood heir.

"Ahem." Boggleben set down his pocket watch, looking cross. "Lucius Malfoy also requested the following: Property records are not to be released to the Ministry for five years upon transfer of assets to the heir, and Miss Hermione Granger's true surname is sealed and not to be passed to the Ministry until she requests it."

"My true surname?" said Hermione weakly.

Narcissa looked over at her, a small, exasperated smile on her face.

"Miss Granger?"

She stared up at Gnarland, dazed, as he unrolled a scroll and extended a quill to her. She struggled to process the legal jargon through the fog in her brain, her eyes popping at the itemized list of her inheritance at the bottom — the Malfoy assets, totaling an astronomical sum, and the Malfoy estates in the U.K., France, Monaco, America, Brazil, and Japan.

Hermione swallowed thickly. "But what about Draco? And Narcissa?" She looked down at the contract again, searching for their names. "Neither of them are listed."

Gnarland raised a grizzled brow over the top of his thin specs. "Miss Granger, the practice of a solitary child serving as heir is a long-respected tradition among the Malfoys. Once the account is in your name, you are trusted to act dutifully on behalf of your family. Anyone can live upon the property, as long as you approve. The money can be passed into whatever account you wish."

Hermione shook her head, as if clearing the water from her ears. She glanced to Narcissa, and found her smiling at her with wet eyes. She nodded once.

Sucking in a breath, Hermione took the quill from Gnarland. She signed, wincing slightly as her name appeared in her own blood on the parchment. As she stared at her signature above Lucius's, it felt as if a warm wind had enveloped her. Like she'd slipped into a hot bath after a long day.

The Manor seemed to gleam when she finally looked up. The curtains billowed and the walls hummed. A new life in her veins.

"Miss Granger, would you like the Malfoy vault emptied and directed into your own?"

She started. "No, not at all."

"Very well. Please note that all family members will have access to the Malfoy vault unless you specify otherwise." Gnarland slammed his folio shut before she could respond.

"That should do it, Miss Granger." Boggleben checked his watch again with a sigh. "As one of Gringotts' largest vault owners, you will have premier service at our locations internationally. You can find all the information here." He produced a golden scroll, which she took with clammy fingers. "Please send us your chosen artist within exactly two weeks. There are approved names at the bottom. Should you fail to respond, one will be chosen for you."

Hermione felt her eye twitch. "Artist?"

"Yes. As heir, you will have your painting added to the Malfoy gallery, as well as—"

She laughed at him before she could stop herself.

He stopped mid-sentence, clearly affronted.

Her hand fell from her mouth. "I'm sorry, but— this is ridiculous. I'm not having my portrait hung in the Malfoy gallery."

Gnarland stared her down through his specs. "This is a non-negotiable clause, Miss Granger, of the contract you just freely signed. Should you need a notarized copy, our office will be more than willing to—"

Her legs moved without warning, carrying her out the doors of the drawing room and into the entry hall where she couldn't hear Narcissa calling for her. Her lungs struggled to take air, and her skin was cold with sweat.

Hermione leaned against the fireplace, wishing the Floo was open so she could take it somewhere and just run.

She glanced at the distant noise from the drawing room and moved quickly away, letting her feet take her down the nearest corridor.

When had Lucius decided that he would give it all to her? In the split second he'd read the German translation of the ritual in the dead of night? When the goblins had written to him about a new Malfoy in their books?

Had he hoped to take it back from her once he'd guaranteed Dolohov couldn't have it?

She didn't want it. There was only one thing she wanted from the Malfoys, and he wasn't here.

Her eyes stung as she stopped in front of the portrait hall — a long room covered floor-to-ceiling with paintings of Malfoys past. She'd only been here once, less than eager to repeat the experience of being surrounded by pure-bloods staring down at her like she was dirt beneath their shoes.

Stepping inside, she felt hundreds of grey eyes turn on her. Portraits whispered to each other, running through frames, pointing fingers.

She ignored them, moving to the other end of the room, where a family of three blond heads posed for a portrait. Lucius stood behind a wingback chair that Narcissa was perched in, smiling serenely. A ten-year-old Draco scowled down at her from the other side.

Hermione smiled, remembering him that young. So pointy and pouty. It hurt to look at him for too long, so she turned away.

Her eyes drifted to the corner of the room, where Lucius Malfoy's official portrait looked down on her. It was a recent painting — perhaps done within the past few years.

"Why did you leave it to me?"

Lucius's painting lifted a brow. "I haven't the faintest idea what you're on about, Miss Granger."

The familiar drawl welled tears in her eyes. She looked to the blank space next to him — where Draco's portrait should have been.

He should have been here. Not her. It was his birthright. He'd lost his father, his friends, and now his home. She'd give him all of it, if she could. But he was gone.

In another life, she would have wanted this. With him.

But not all alone. Not when she didn't know where he was, or if he was ever coming home.

The floor creaked, and she spun to find Narcissa standing in the doorway. Hermione crossed the room to her, feeling the portraits' eyes follow. She twisted her hands as she stopped in front of Narcissa, wondering if perhaps she felt cheated out of something as well.

But Narcissa laughed softly instead. "Well. What now, Lady Malfoy?"

Hermione was spared a response by a loud tinkering, like the elves were cooking in the middle of the hallway. Hermione peered out the doorway, and followed the sound down the corridor.

The goblins stood in front of the library while Boppy and a few other elves worked together to lift something. Hermione moved like she was underwater, passing the marble bust of Armand Malfoy and heir after heir until she reached Lucius.

She joined the goblins, and watched the elves lift a heavy bust etched in marble onto the pedestal next to him. She stared back at her own face, her skin smooth, her hair wild. A soft smile on her lips, facing the doors to the Malfoy library.

Chapter End Notes

Updates Sunday evenings EST (Next update Nov 29)

Thank you to these lovelies for their beautiful art! Bookloverdream-blessedindeed drew this hilarious idea of what Draco's up to. psychedelicshiznit on tumblr created this lovely banner. And @lwaayys on Twitter makes these incredible manips of fics as Netflix series. See her The Auction one here.

Chapter 40

Chapter Notes

Second to last! Thank you to Raven's husband in particular. That's all.

TRIGGER WARNINGS for this chapter are at the end notes. Please click to see them and mind your health.

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On Sunday, Mippy picked up an order for her at the newly-reopened Madam Malkins. Despite having a full wardrobe full of Pansy's clothes, there was nothing fitting for her new role. So Narcissa had helped her place her order by owl that Friday, enclosing a clipping of an article from the Prophet that morning.

The headline had read: From Slave to the Youngest Member of the Magical European Advisory Council: Meet Hermione Granger!

On Monday, Hermione was dressed in her new navy robes a full hour and a half before her meeting. She stared at herself critically in Draco's mirror before turning on her heel and heading through the passageway to her old bedroom.

The creams, powders, and brushes were just as she'd left them last. She settled on a bit of light makeup and left her hair alone, ignoring Pansy's nagging voice in her head.

After bidding Mippy and Narcissa goodbye, Hermione walked down the Manor's drive, readying herself to leave the property for the first time in three weeks. The gates swung open for her, and she felt the wards shiver as she walked through.

Fear rose sharply in her belly as she glanced around, bracing herself for something — a curse, perhaps, or an encroaching army. But there was nothing but the summer wind rustling the grass.

The gates clicked closed, and she remembered herself, walking briskly to the edge of the estate's Anti-Apparition line and Disapparating to the location Hestia had given her.

She appeared on a cobblestoned street, usually bustling with tourists and open shops, but there was no one. A layer of ash was heavy in the air, blanketing the street like fog. Hermione's gaze drifted to the skyline, where the remains of Edinburgh Castle came into view, still smoking. She drew a deep breath, spun to the south, and began walking.

The Magical European Advisory Council would meet in Edinburgh, as would the International Magical Military Tribunal. "A fitting pace for the death of the Great Order," the Prophet had proclaimed.

Hermione walked the empty street, ghostly in the morning light. The buildings were more intact the farther south she walked. She looked closely at the vacant shops and restaurants until she found the Muggle travel agency and chemist Hestia had told her about. She stepped up to the two storefronts and watched an old building materialize between them, just like the Leaky Cauldron in Muggle London. The wooden sign above read, Thistle & Rose.

Squaring her shoulders, Hermione opened the door and stepped inside. The pub was empty apart from two occupants — Hestia Jones, half-resting on a barstool, and a light-haired older man behind the bar. Hestia broke off their conversation when the door closed, giving Hermione a quick nod.

"Miss Granger." She slipped off the stool and stepped forward to shake Hermione's hand.

"General," said Hermione, returning the pressure.

Hestia gestured to a narrow corridor behind her. "Shall we?"

"Oh." Hermione frowned at the clock above the bar. It was only half-seven. "Aren't we waiting on any others?"

"No." Hestia clasped her hands in front of her. "Most of the Council is military. I'm afraid we all have a habit of being pathologically early."

Pressing her lips together, Hermione nodded. She was silent as Hestia led her down the dingy corridor, stopping at a door with a faded sign that read, Pub Staff Only. The moment she pushed it open, a twisting staircase appeared. Hestia had to duck her head as she descended, and Hermione followed.

They poured out into a large waiting room filled with stiff chairs and an empty reception desk. Hermione examined the layer of dust on the coffee table as Hestia led her briskly down another long corridor.

Noise rumbled from the end of it, where a large room with open doors awaited them. Hermione tried to steady her nerves as they strode towards it, her heels clicking next to the thud of Hestia's boots.

"I presume you've read the papers," said Hestia. "We'll be voting to formalize laws and procedures all week. The most important item today is the judges' vote."

Before Hermione could process it all, they were stepping inside the open doors. Fifteen to twenty people sat around a square-shaped table, speaking in low voices.

Hestia paused at the threshold. "Miss Hermione Granger, everyone."

Every gaze snapped to her. Hermione managed a curt nod, ignoring her pounding heartbeat. Some faces were familiar; others were new. Most were in military garb.

Hestia led her to an open seat, and Hermione locked eyes with General Pierre as she sat down. His mouth tightened before he resumed his conversation with General Jacobs. On Pierre's other side was Fleur Delacour, dressed in full regalia. Hermione blinked as Fleur nodded at her, then turned to her left, angling her shoulders away from General Pierre. The wizard next to her began speaking in Canadian French, his hands gesturing on the table.

Hermione skimmed the table and found a pair of stony-faced wizards in grey military robes. The Swiss. She followed a line of unfamiliar faces until her eyes caught on a wizard in black — Gawain Robards. She remembered him from the papers. He'd worked under Scrimgeour as the Head of the Auror office, but vanished when the Ministry fell.

To Robards' left were a witch and wizard who she presumed to be Italian, based on their olive-green robes. She was just trying to remember where she'd seen the wizard, a man with a thick beard and dark eyes, when he nodded at Hestia and abruptly stood.

He cleared his throat and introduced himself as Luca Bianchi in a heavy Italian accent. Hermione's brain clicked. He was a member of Antonio Bravieri's Ministry — one of the council members who had gone missing in August, right underneath Romano's nose.

He welcomed everyone around the table, introducing military leaders, lawyers, and representatives from around the globe who all had the same goal — to ensure justice in the wake of the Second Wizarding War, and see to it that the political and military leadership of the Great Order would be held responsible for their war crimes.

"Here in the United Kingdom, the Justice Tribunal began this difficult work," said Bianchi delicately. Hermione watched Jacobs shift in his seat. "But we thank the Provisional Government for correctly recognizing the need to disband said Tribunal, and work closely with other affected nations to allow the pursuit of international justice in a manner befitting their international crimes."

Fleur sniffed next to General Pierre. Hestia took a sip from the water goblet in front of her.

"My friends, this is our mission, our charge, and our purpose for gathering. With the help of the I.C.W., and the tireless preliminary work contributed by you, our Council Members, we have been able to draft the legislation you will review today for the prospective International Magical Military Tribunal. Each of you deserves gratitude for this effort."

Hermione felt her eye twitch as she joined Bianchi and the rest of the room in applause. Before she could turn to Hestia, Bianchi flicked his wand, and a copy of a heavy binder appeared before each of them — easily 300 pages long. Hermione stared at it.

"And yet, much hard work remains. This week, we will seek to finalize and formalize the Edinburgh Charter. Our goal is to submit to our five member nations for ratification early next week. I now turn the meeting over to General Jacobs, who will preside over today's agenda."

Bianchi gestured to General Jacobs to continue, and took his seat.

Jacobs stood, looking around the room with a cold smile. "We'd like to begin the morning by confirming the list of the twenty-four indicted. The 'major players,' if you will." He flipped his binder open, and the table shuffled to do the same. "Of course, this will perhaps be our easiest vote," said Jacobs. "The Council has already reviewed evidence of the defendants' charges, though they are re-listed for your convenience."

Hermione turned to page 7 and found Bellatrix Lestrange and Draco Malfoy listed in the first two positions, a litany of crimes following each of their names. Her stomach churned as she read the charges against Draco:

War Crimes; Crimes against Humanity; Crimes Against Peace, Conspiracy to Commit War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity, and Crimes Against Peace; Membership in Criminal Organization.

She'd expected this, but she thought she'd have time to discuss them. Possibly get some of them dropped. How much work had the Council accomplished without her?

She scanned the list, pausing for half a heartbeat on Rita Skeeter and Ludo Bagman, but the room began spinning when she reached Blaise Zabini at the bottom.

Her ears tuned in to General Jacobs discussing the expected timeline for the trials.

"And where can I find a copy of the full indictments outlining the basis of these charges?"

Pages stopped turning; murmuring ceased. And General Jacobs' eyes bored into her like ice. "Appendix A," he said.

Hermione turned to the Appendix, skimming quickly.

"Is there a problem, Miss Granger?"

Her ears felt hot as she looked up. Jacobs was tilting his head at her; Pierre was leaning forward in his chair. Fleur stared at the table while Bianchi gazed at her with interest, his fingers drumming on the table.

And to her left, Hestia gave the slightest shake of her head.

"Not at all." Hermione cleared her throat. "If there are unfair charges, I trust that the court will weigh the evidence fairly."

A chilly silence. Hermione's heart began thudding against her ribs.

"I'm curious, Miss Granger," said General Pierre, straightening in his seat. "Might you be so kind as to share with the Council which of these charges have concerned you? I'm sure my colleagues and I would be interested to hear."

Hermione blinked at him. She glanced to her left, but Hestia's eyes were firmly on her binder. Hermione's lips parted as she thought of the antidote potion, and the Horcrux — a green light barreling into Bellatrix's back—

"The charges against Ludo Bagman and Rita Skeeter," she said. "'Conspiracy to commit crimes against peace' seems excessive. It's quite possible that they were under duress."

"Miss Skeeter's lies contributed to the loss of thousands of Swiss lives," said one of the grey-robed wizards. "If she felt that she had no choice, let her state that before the Tribunal."

Hermione managed a slow nod. "Fair enough." She looked up to General Jacobs. "I have no further comments."

Jacobs masked his disappointment with an insincere smile. "Good. Let's put it to a vote, shall we? Unless Miss Granger needs a recess."

The Swiss wizards bored holes into Hermione's head, and Fleur's gaze flickered to her.

"That won't be necessary." Hermione raised a brow. "However, I would like to recuse myself from this vote, as I haven't had time to review the evidence. I trust a majority vote will suffice."

"It will," said Pierre coolly.

It felt like she was sinking into the floorboards as she watched Jacobs smirk at her, unfurl a scroll, and call out Bellatrix's name before the Council. Nineteen hands lifted in the air, and Jacobs recited each member as his enchanted quill scribbled them down. By the time he reached Draco's name, Hermione had drifted deep into her still waters.

They voted on procedures next. Trials would consist of a prosecution, a defense, and five presiding judges. The Council would elect ten judges in total — one judge and one alternate from each country participating in the Tribunal. Appeals would be possible to a new Council presided over by all five countries.

For the first time in her life, Hermione felt like there was an exam she hadn't prepared for. She tried to appear composed as she turned the pages in her binder, her mind spinning with all the legal jargon. Some of the terms were familiar, thanks to her preparation before Lucius's trial, but others were entirely new — the Tribunal seemed to blend legal traditions across countries and forms of law. She had no choice but to follow Fleur and Hestia's leads, raising her hand every time they did, swallowing her anxiety about whether she'd just voted for something that would make it harder to exonerate Draco or Blaise.

They announced a lunch break before the judges' vote. The others lingered, but Hermione left the room quickly, struggling to catch her breath in the corridor. Once more, she was playing a game in the dark without knowing the rules. She had an hour in which she could eat lunch, review the judges' files, and file back into the room to vote, just like they'd asked.

Or an hour in which she could use the little bargaining power she had to tip the scales in her favor.

The doors opened, and Hestia and Jacobs exited the room, speaking tensely. Hestia cut him off just as Hermione stepped in front of them..

"Miss Granger," she said with a nod. "How do you find your first Council meeting?"

Hermione tucked her 300-page binder under her arm. "It's certainly been informative." She rolled her shoulders back. "I'm considering joining."

Jacobs' jaw clenched. Hestia simply assessed her.

"You're already here," said Jacobs brusquely, as if explaining things to an unruly toddler. "You've already cast votes."

"I agreed to attend the meeting. I didn't agree to join." Hermione sent him a cool smile. "I do hope it won't be too much work for you to strike me from your records should I decline the opportunity, General Jacobs. I'll be sure to let you know by the day's end."

Hestia shifted her weight. "Miss Granger—"

"In fact, it seems there's been quite the head start without me. Just how long has the Council been meeting for 'preliminary work,' General Jones?"

"A couple of weeks." Hestia pressed her mouth in a hard line. "You'll recall, Miss Granger, that I informed you the Council's work was already underway when we met last week."

"Yes, but you neglected to tell me how extensive it was. When I arrived this morning, I had no idea that I would be expected to vote on nearly-finalized matters I had no prior knowledge of."

The silence stretched. Hermione tapped her heel on the floor. "I suppose you expect me to join to be your pretty face? Your media spokesperson?"

Jacobs sneered at the phrase "pretty face."

"If I am to join this Council," Hermione continued, "I expect to be kept in the know. I should have been given the chance to participate in these 'preliminary discussions.' At the very least, I should have been given these materials as soon as they were available."

"Noted." Hestia clasped her hands in front of her. "And what else do you require for reassurance, Miss Granger?"

"I'd like to speak about Pansy Parkinson," said Hermione, shifting her gaze between them. "How good of you to ask."

Jacobs didn't bother hiding his scoff.

"Parkinson's case will be handled domestically by a court under the Provisional Government of England," said Hestia.

"And the top leadership of the Provisional Government is the two of you, isn't it? Wonderful." She shifted her binder into her arms and conjured a quill. "When do you meet?"

"Meet?" Jacobs' eyes jerked to hers.

"To discuss the legal process for domestic cases," said Hermione, in a sweet tone that would have made even Umbridge's skin crawl.

"It should closely resemble the Wizengamot," said Hestia slowly. "We are seeking to fill seats now—"

"How lovely." Hermione tapped her quill. "The time?"

Hestia took a sharp breath. "Miss Granger, you were given a seat at the European Advisory Council. The Provisional Government's legal system is a separate affair—"

"You can't just name yourself a part of it," Jacobs hissed.

"Oh." Hermione brows rose innocently. "And how were the two of you given a seat at the table? By election?"

Before either of them could reply, the doors flew open. A chilly quiet descended as several members filed out of the room, casting a curious glance at the three of them as they passed by.

A vein throbbed in Jacobs' temple as he leaned into Hestia, muttering, "This is your problem. So handle it." He stormed off, turning the corner sharply and disappearing from view.

Hestia waited until the corridor was quiet. "The Council was torn on admitting you, Miss Granger. In fact, most were strenuously opposed."

Anger flared in Hermione's belly.

"You must understand," said Hestia quickly, "that we are speaking of a group of political and military elite here. Most of their careers span longer than you've been alive."

"Yes, and age clearly involved wisdom where the Justice Tribunal was concerned—"

"That's the very point." Hestia glanced over her shoulder before speaking again. "Great Britain stands to benefit significantly from your involvement in this Tribunal. France does as well, though to a much smaller extent. The other three countries gain nothing, and it took quite a bit of persuasion to sway them in your favor."

"You mean, none of the other countries have bloody stains to mop up."

"I won't argue with you there," said Hestia flatly. "In an ideal world, you would have been involved from the start. But involving you now was the best I could do."

"I see." Hermione inhaled sharply. She could appreciate Hestia's directness, at least. "Well, now that I've heard your position, you'll have to hear mine."

Hestia folded her hands and cocked her head. "You'd like a position in the Provisional Government?"

"No," said Hermione, lifting her chin. "I would like for Pansy Parkinson to be released at once."

"We're sifting through hundreds of cases from the Justice Tribunal. Most are being dismissed, so if the charges against Parkinson are as flimsy as you claim, I'm sure hers will be as well." Hestia's face was impassive as Hermione frowned at her. "Parkinson is considered a lower-level criminal. I can assure you that her treatment is quite humane—"

"Strange," Hermione cut in. "I would have considered Siobhan Selwyn the same, and she's dead."

Hestia's face clouded with something, and her gaze fell to her boots. "I voted against that," she finally said.

"Still." Hermione let the word hang between them. "Have you reviewed Pansy Parkinson's file, General?" The press to Hestia's lips gave Hermione her answer. "Once you do, I'm sure you'll see how baseless it is. I'd appreciate if you pulled her file — as well as the file of Daphne Greengrass. I wasn't able to find her name in the Prophet, but I'm sure she's being charged with similar crimes—"

"Greengrass—" Hestia lifted her gaze with a furrowed brow. "She's not in Azkaban."

Hermione blinked. "You're sure?"

"Quite." Hestia looked over her shoulder. "The Greengrass family has ties to the Canadians. She has been released to the consulate, and sent back to her family in Montreal."

Relief surged through her, then mingled with a growing fury. "I see. And you think that's fair, General?"

"Of course not. But since when has this world been 'fair,' Miss Granger?" Hestia leveled her with an intent stare. "Provide me with information as to why Pansy Parkinson was sold at the Auction, and I'll see what I can do to get her charges dropped. If I recall correctly, that was the main point of contention."

Hermione's mouth felt dry. "I can get it. If you let me speak to her — let me go to her at Azkaban, and I'll get it."

Hestia nodded once. "I'll clear you for visiting as soon as I return to the Ministry this afternoon."

"Thank you." Hermione took a deep breath as she studied her — trying to figure out what kind of ally she would be. "There's one last thing. Assuming I join the Council, I expect to be informed from here on out. If there are matters I should be aware of, I expect you to tell me. If not…"

"Understood, Miss Granger." Inclining her head, Hestia moved past her.

By the time she went to the loo to splash water on her face, it was almost the end of the lunch hour. Hermione returned to the table with an empty stomach and the same feeling of ignorance as when she'd first left it.

Each member could only vote for the judges representing their own country. Of the long list of names, Hermione only recognized one: Tiberius Ogden, who had resigned from the Wizengamot when Fudge had made Umbridge the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts.

Hermione sat at the table and tried to keep her knee from bouncing when the vote commenced for Great Britain. Hestia raised her hand for Ogden and another name, and Hermione followed suit. It was impossible to know if she'd made the right decision, but she felt certain of two things: first, that Hestia still had a conscience beneath her hardened pragmatism, and second, that if Tiberius Ogden had issues with Dolores Umbridge, they at least had one thing in common.

The rest of the afternoon was met with lengthy discussions of logistics and courtroom proceedings. When the meeting was finally adjourned, Hestia bid her a swift goodbye, and exited the room with the speed of someone who had ten other meetings to get to. The other members ignored her, and Hermione was happy to return the favor.

Hermione carefully organized her paperwork as the room emptied. She was just pushing in her chair when a voice behind her said, "'Ermione." Hermione spun, and then she was being enveloped in a hug by Fleur Delacour. It took a moment for her brain to catch up, but then she was squeezing her back.

"It is good to see you," said Fleur, when she pulled away. "My apologies zat I did not greet you sooner. Most of zese men are quick to judge hugging women."

"Oh, that's— it's fine." Hermione waved it away.

"I 'oped to find you at lunch, but you seemed preoccupied."

"Yes. I mean, a bit." Hermione shifted her binder into her arms, like a guard between them.

There was a familiar ache in her chest as she watched Fleur study her. She wanted to pull up a chair, confide in her, and ask for her advice.

Her mind whispered that the fewer people in her confidence, the better.

"I'm very glad you are on this Council," said Fleur quietly. "I know you will do well. Bill said the same."

Emotions bubbled in her chest. Hermione looked to the other wall.

"'e asked me to send 'is regards. And 'is apologies for what 'appened at the Manor."

Hermione was quiet, searching for the words. Turning back to Fleur, she settled on, "Thank you."

Fleur gave her a small smile. "Can I convince you to join us for dinner at the Burrow tonight? It will be just a small group of us. I know Ginny would like to see you."

"I don't think that's a good idea quite yet," said Hermione, pushing down the sharp stab of guilt in her stomach. "But maybe soon."

Fleur nodded. She squeezed her arm before turning away, leaving Hermione alone in the empty room.

Hermione ascended the stairs and walked out of the Thistle & Rose in silence. Her eyes squinted at the late afternoon sun, watching it shine over Edinburgh.

"You are very passionate, Miss Granger," a voice said. She turned around and found Luca Bianchi leaning against the side of the building, lighting a cigarette.

She tossed him a thin smile. "So I've been told."

He chuckled at her and took a slow drag. "I expected nothing less from Harry Potter's best friend." His neck stretched to blow out a stream of smoke. "Though I confess myself surprised at the people you seem to direct your passion for."

Hermione's heart skipped. "My only interest is in the pursuit of justice, Mr. Bianchi. Justice isn't personal."

"Oh?" Bianchi chuckled around his cigarette. "You're not fooling anyone, Miss Granger. Personally, I care little for the Malfoy boy. You'll find no quarrel from me there. His friend, however"—Bianchi took another drag—"is another story."

Hermione stared at him. Her hands felt sweaty on the binder.

"Blaise Zabini has committed crimes in my country. I do not intend to let him go lightly. Should you expect to keep a… friendly relationship with my colleagues and I, this is something you should know."

"Mr. Bianchi, I can appreciate how horrible this past year must have been for you. But—"

"Antonio Bravieri was my cousin, Miss Granger." His eyes were hard as flint as he tossed his cigarette to the cobblestones. "I have visited Giuliana at St. Mungo's. She is not well."

Hermione stood as still as stone. Bianchi stamped it out, then buttoned his robes with a flourish. "It is personal for all of us."

As she watched him disappear down the dusty streets, she slid Blaise Zabini higher up on the list of things she had to worry about.

~*~

Early the next morning, Hermione dressed in a second set of robes she'd gotten from Madam Malkins, downed a cup of coffee, walked down the Manor's drive, and Apparated to the guest receiving desk at Azkaban. A few hours after she'd returned home from Edinburgh yesterday, she'd received an owl from Hestia Jones with a full copy of Pansy Parkinson's indictment. A hand-written note confirmed that she was authorized to arrive at Azkaban at six o'clock sharp, and would be allowed to collect memories with the assistance of a guard.

The guard checked her name from the approved list and stared at her for a few moments before taking her wand and reading the safety instructions detailing the magic suppression potion used on the prisoners. Hermione pursed her lips, but nodded.

He led her down a damp stone hallway silently. There were no Dementors, but she felt a chill settle deep under her skin.

He stopped at an unmarked door, opening it and standing aside as she entered.

Pansy Parkinson sat cross-legged in a metal chair, inspecting her fingernails. Even with sallow skin and limp hair, she still managed to look superior.

It felt like Hermione's lungs were collapsing. "Pansy."

"I was wondering when you'd show." She lifted her eyes and looked her over, like she had mud all down her new robes. Her lips curled in disdain. "My, my, Golden Girl. Freedom certainly looks good on you."

Hermione tucked her hair behind her ear. "It'll look better on you, come tomorrow."

Pansy scoffed and went back to staring at her fingernails. "Everything looks better on me."

There was silence.

"Pansy—" Hermione's voice shook. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come see you. I tried to come sooner."

"So I hear." She recrossed her legs. "The guards were gossiping about how they threw you in St. Mungo's." Another pause. "You tried to defend Draco, I assume?"

"Yes."

"Just like you tried to defend Lucius?"

Hermione drew in a rattling breath. "Yes."

"Hmm." Blue eyes flicked up to hers. "Then excuse me for having less than full confidence in your Gryffindor idealism."

Hermione closed her eyes. She could stand her ground before the most powerful people in Great Britain. And yet Pansy Parkinson still somehow managed to cow her.

"It took me a while to learn the game. But I'm getting better." Hermione paused. "I can get you out, Pansy. I just need you to tell me why you were in the Auction."

Pansy's face split into a smirk, and she let out a scathing laugh. "You really don't give up, do you?"

"No, I don't."

Pansy uncrossed her legs, putting both hands on her knees. "Enlighten me then, Granger. They haven't even bothered to tell me why I'm here. No one has even questioned me."

"One of your charges is espionage. They think your place in the Auction and your staged death were part of some collusion with Draco and Blaise…" Hermione cut off, waving her hand in the air. "The charge is ridiculous. The Provisional Government is still wading through the mess of indictments from the Justice Tribunal. But give me your memory of why you were there, and I'll get you out."

Pansy snorted. "How, exactly? By stomping your foot and making demands?"

"Because they've seen what happens when Hermione Granger writes an exposé in the New York Ghost."

Pansy was silent for a moment, looking straight ahead at the blank stone wall. "You just can't help yourself, can you? You have to save everyone."

Hermione frowned. "When they're innocent, yes. Pansy, you don't deserve to be in here—"

"Save your charity for someone who wants it." Pansy dropped her head back, closing her eyes. "I have nowhere to go. No family. My friends are—" She broke off, her chest rising and falling sharply.

"Pansy." Hermione took a small step forward. "There are places for you. You still have friends."

She saw Pansy swallow.

"Tell me where you want to go. The Malfoys have properties in several countries, and they're— still under Narcissa's control. Name one and it's yours." Pansy crossed her arms tightly. "If you want to stay in the country, you can go back to Grimmauld Place—"

"And live alone with that insufferable house-elf?" Pansy lifted her head and leveled a glare at her. "Thanks, Granger, but I think I'll pass."

"It's empty. Kreacher is with D—" Hermione froze, glancing to the door. "He's away."

Pansy sat up straight again. Hermione counted her heartbeats.

"I don't know where he is, or how he is. But I'm going to see to it that Kreacher feels safe to come home." She looked at the tabletop. "I'm sure he'll feel much better if he knows that you're safe as well."

Her gaze lifted to see a flicker of something in Pansy's eyes.

"What about Blaise and Daph?"

"Daphne is in Canada with her family. As for Blaise, well—" Hermione cleared her throat. "I'm working on him."

Pansy tilted her head, her bobbed hair falling at an angle. "Fine. If you are able to pull this off, I'll go to Grimmauld."

Hermione nodded, spinning to the door before Pansy could change her mind. She knocked twice, and when the guard opened for her, she told him, "Miss Parkinson has agreed to provide memories as evidence."

The guard glanced at Pansy. She dipped her chin with a roll of her eyes.

The guard followed her inside and conjured a vial, looking at Hermione with a disinterested expression. Hermione stood in front of Pansy and instructed her to pull forward the memory, assuring her it was possible without magic.

When the guard stepped forward, Pansy lifted a hand to pause him.

"Please don't be here when they release me," she said, not meeting Hermione's eyes. "Set me up with a wand if you can, and let me take the Floo."

Something twisted in Hermione's chest. "Alright."

The guard raised his wand. "Wait," Pansy snapped. There was a long pause. And then: "Is there any chance you won't be watching these? Perhaps someone else— "

"No." Hermione bit her lip. "I have to review them first, Pansy. There's no other way."

Pansy dropped her hand, and the huffing guard stepped forward. "It was for Draco." She closed her eyes. "Not for you."

The guard tapped his wand to her temple and pulled forth the delicate threads of her thoughts.

~*~

Hermione had exactly one hour before she needed to arrive in Edinburgh. Whatever was in this vial, she had to watch it before she turned it over to Hestia.

She slipped inside quietly and rushed to Lucius's study. After unlocking the cabinet, she tipped Pansy's memories into the basin, watching the threads swirl inside. And with a deep breath, Hermione tilted downward, plunging into the past.

Her feet landed in an unfamiliar room — a drawing room, with dark wallpaper and large windows. No furniture. Voices echoed beyond the door, and when she spun around to take in the whole room, she found a figure just behind her. She gasped.

It was her.

She was hanging midair, unconscious, her trainers hovering a few inches off the ground. Her head bobbed on her shoulder. She was in the pink hoodie she'd been wearing at the Battle of Hogwarts.

Her heart beat a thunderous rhythm against her ribs. She dug her nails into her palms to center herself as the voices came closer.

She startled when the door banged open to reveal Yaxley, wearing a smug grin. "—caught her in the corridors just inside the castle," he was saying. He held the door open and stepped to the side. "After you…"

A shuffle of footsteps, and then Draco walked into the room. She staggered, searching for something to hold onto as Draco's gaze drifted over her floating form, as if taking stock.

Her eyes widened as Pansy and Blaise strolled in behind him. Pansy froze at the sight of her, clapping a manicured hand over her mouth. Then she laughed.

"Merlin." Hermione watched her walk in a leisurely circle around her past-self before turning to Yaxley. "How long has she been out?"

"Two days," Yaxley said, leaning against the doorway. "It's the first day I opened her for viewing, though. You're the fifth group."

"Really?" Pansy smirked. "Clearly the Mudblood is more popular than I gave her credit for."

Draco's eyes were cold and dead as he looked up at her limp body, walking a circle like Pansy had. His expression was blank. Occlumency.

Hermione's throat choked. Staring at him felt like a knife in her chest, burrowing deeper and deeper. She wanted to reach out and touch him. To sink her fingers into his hair, and feel his warmth as he wrapped his arms around her.

Her tears dropped from her cheeks and vanished before they hit the floor, disappearing in the Pensieve.

"What's your starting bid, Yaxley?" Blaise stepped up to her body, crossing his arms.

"You already know it's ten thousand Galleons."

Blaise lifted his brows and turned over his shoulder.

"Fifteen," came a cold voice. Draco stepped around her body and hummed, "What? You don't think swotty Mudblood Granger is a virgin?"

The sound of his familiar drawl sent shivers racing down her spine.

Pansy giggled. "Draco is right. I'm sure it'll be fifteen." She tilted her head up and appraised Hermione before scrunching her nose. "A terrible waste of five thousand Galleons, if you ask me." Her eyes flicked to Yaxley, and a coy smile crossed her lips. Hermione watched something strange pass between them before Pansy reached for one of Hermione's curls.

"No touching, Pansy," he said.

Pansy pouted. "Why? Am I not allowed to inspect the goods?"

"No one's touching her until they sign the paperwork after the Auction. I have about a dozen wards on her."

A muscle in Draco's cheek twitched.

"Anything else?" said Yaxley, checking his watch. "I have another viewing in fifteen."

Cold horror pricked through Hermione's skin. She tried to focus, reminding herself that none of it had mattered—

Draco pivoted to face Yaxley, and Hermione saw his walls flicker. "What is your asking price?"

Yaxley pushed off the doorframe. "I already told you. Starting bid is—"

"And what is your price?" Draco rolled his shoulders back. "What price would you find acceptable to buy her prior to the Auction?"

"None." Yaxley gave him a tight-lipped smile. "First, I expect she'll go for much higher a price than I could name—"

"But you could name it," Draco said. "And then I could pay it."

"Second," said Yaxley, his teeth gleaming, "The Dark Lord has made it clear that Potter's bitch must be made an example of. You're not the first asking to buy her outright, Malfoy. Why your father thinks I'd give you a different answer than the one I gave him, I have no idea."

Draco sucked in a sharp breath, and Blaise spun around. Hermione's heart pumped heavy in her chest as she watched the last fragments of Draco's Occlumency shatter.

"Now if you'll excuse me." Yaxley gestured to the door. "You've had your viewing, and I'd appreciate the chance to take a piss before the next visitor arrives."

Draco paled, his fists clenched at his sides. He swept from the room without another word. Hermione watched Blaise glance with Pansy before excusing himself and exiting the room.. Pansy moved to the door to follow them, but she stopped in front of Yaxley.

Hermione stepped closer to them as something clicked into place.

"Pans?" came Blaise's voice from the hallway.

"Coming," she sang. Her eyes locked on Yaxley's as her tongue wet her lips, and Hermione felt her stomach churn as his eyes followed the movement.

"Later," she mouthed. Then she sashayed away from him, following the boys into the corridor.

The room spun again, the shapes swirling like a thousand unanswered questions. Her legs steadied on an expensive rug in an unfamiliar corridor, and then she was staring at Pansy as she pounded on a door. Blaise yanked it open and wedged a shoulder in the opening, blocking her view inside.

"Go home, Pansy."

"No. I know exactly what you're going to do and you're both fucking idiots." She pushed at his chest. "You're going to get yourselves killed—"

"You think I don't know that?" Blaise hissed. He dragged a hand down his face. "I'm managing it. Don't involve yourself—"

Pansy slammed a hand on the door, trying to open it, but Blaise blocked it. He lifted his head slowly to glare at her.

"Go home, Pansy," someone called from inside the room. "Please." Hermione squeezed her eyes closed at the raw sound of Draco's voice.

With an apologetic look, Blaise shut the door in Pansy's face.

Pansy kicked the door in frustration, and Hermione watched every inch of her harden. She spun on her heel, and as Hermione startled to catch up with her, her surroundings shivered again.

When the room ground to a halt, she landed in a small entryway facing a fireplace. She took in the high ceilings and snoozing paintings, blinking up at the moonlight beaming through the tall windows. There was a corridor to her left, and a closed door to her right.

The whoosh of the Floo made her spin around, and she watched Pansy step through the fireplace. She was wearing the same clothing as earlier — it was the same day. She looked around quickly, her wand in hand. She darted to the closed door, and Hermione followed. Pansy opened it with an unlocking spell and peered inside.

It was Yaxley's drawing room again. Hermione heard blood rushing in her ears as she stared at her suspended body, ghostly in the pale light.

The truth was choking her, weighing heavy on her shoulders, down her throat. Hermione felt herself gasping for air.

It was for Draco. Not for you.

"What a surprise," a voice hummed, and Pansy and Hermione both whipped around to the entryway. Yaxley stepped out of the shadows, and Hermione closed her eyes in resignation. "You've already had your viewing, Miss Parkinson."

Pansy grinned at him through her lashes. "But the curator is a close family friend. I think he'll let me in after hours."

Hermione's throat was dry as images flashed through her head of Yaxley and Quincy Parkinson at Edinburgh, leering at the Carrow Girls. It was that same look on Yaxley's face now. Pansy stepped up to him, swaying her hips.

Yaxley's mouth twitched as he stared down at her. "You seem to have changed your tune."

"What tune is that?"

Yaxley scoffed at her even as his pupils bloomed. "'We can never discuss it again,'" he mimicked. "'It was a mistake. We were both drinking and never should have let it get that far.'" His eyes dropped low to her bare legs. "And then today you decide to give me that look in front of your Malfoy boyfriend—"

"He's not my boyfriend." Pansy arched her brow at him and slid her hands up his chest. "You already know that. Better than anyone."

His voice was husky as his hands moved to her hips. "Why are you here, Pansy?"

"Why do you think?" She pressed her torso into his, and Hermione felt violently ill as she reached to adjust his collar. "Tell me you still have it," she whispered, with a twist to her lips. "The dwarf wine."

"Pansy—"

"You remember what happened the last time we drank it."

Yaxley's eyes were dark as he grabbed her wrist.

"That's a five-hundred Galleon bottle, Pansy. What do I get in return?"

She bit her cheek hard enough to draw blood as Pansy laughed throatily and said, "A lot more than you could get for five thousand, that's for sure."

Hermione's eyelids closed, and her head spun. She breathed deep trying to block out the way Yaxley looked at Pansy's lips and neck.

She forced her eyes open just when she heard Yaxley huff. "One bottle."

Pansy's smile could have lit the dark corners of the room.

He pushed her back and cleared his throat. "I'll get it. You know where the bedroom is."

Yaxley reached for the doorknob, ready to shut the drawing room door. Pansy's hand shot to grab his wrist.

"I—" She laughed, shaking her head before taking a deep breath, like working up to a difficult question. "Can I interest you in an audience?" Her brow lifted, and she cast her eyes toward Hermione's body.

Hermione pressed her fingers to her mouth, swallowing down bile.

Yaxley followed her intentions. "Yeah?"

Pansy nodded and leaned into his ear. "Maybe she'll learn a thing or two."

Yaxley threw his head back and laughed. "Be right back." He turned on his heel and disappeared into the shadows.

The second he was out of sight, Pansy slipped into the drawing room and drew her wand, pointing it at Hermione's body. "Revelio!"

Hermione staggered as the spell flicked over her past-self. There was a familiar fire in Pansy's eyes.

Pansy quickly assessed the wards that flashed and flared around her body, hissing through several counter-spells.

There was a pause, and Hermione saw the moment her mind landed on the right spell. She flicked her wrist, and the shimmer around her body vanished. Darting her eyes at the doorway, Pansy pointed her wand at the one fireplace in the room. The flames didn't jump. It wasn't connected to the Floo network.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," Pansy muttered.

She twisted to the closed door across the room. It flew open with an Alohomora. Pansy ran to it, Hermione just on her heels. It was a small sitting room. A fireplace in the corner. Pansy pointed her wand and it burst to life, the flames flickering shadows over the walls.

Spinning back, she called Hermione's floating body to her. Like a specter, it obeyed. Hermione felt her body shaking as Pansy found the Floo powder and reached for her lifeless hand.

A high whistle pierced the air as soon as Pansy touched her. Hermione's heart rattled as she and Pansy both spun to the doorway.

She hissed and tossed the Floo powder, dragging Hermione's body into the fireplace with her just as the door to the sitting room burst open.

A jet of red light caught Pansy by the shoulder, and then she dropped beside the hearth, screaming.

The Cruciatus Curse. Hermione's fingers curled into fists, trembling to do something to stop it.

"You little cunt!" He released it with a hiss. "I knew you were up to something."

Pansy panted on the bricks. "It's—it's supposed to be a joke!" She fought to catch her breath. "You're obsessed with that Mudblood. I was trying to mess with you—"

"You want an engagement present for your boyfriend?" Yaxley slashed his wand down again. Hermione stumbled backward, begging the scene to end as Pansy shrieked. "Did the Malfoys put you up to this?"

Pansy screamed again, and the walls shivered around Hermione. She floated, numb, as the world shook and reformed around her. And then she was standing in the first room again, like a nightmare that wouldn't end.

Her unconscious body was back in its position, the old wards shimmering over her. Pansy knelt at her feet, hands tied and blood dripping from her nose.

Hermione's face stung. Her cheeks were wet.

Footsteps from outside the doorway, and Pansy lifted her chin as Yaxley entered. Quincy Parkinson followed, and Hermione felt her vision darken around the edges.

"Just like I told you, Quince."

Pansy sat up tall, but Hermione could see her quivering in her binds. Quincy tilted his head and approached his daughter with slow steps.

"Daddy," she whispered, imploring him. "I was getting her for you. She's valuable—"

Quincy Parkinson backhanded her. Hermione clapped a hand over her mouth as Pansy flew backward.

Her shoulders shook as she watched Pansy sucked in air, laying on her side.

Her father took one step forward, his heavy boots landing loudly in front of her face.

"Looks like you have another whore to sell, Corban."

There was a long pause. Hermione couldn't take her eyes off Pansy, her tears leaking down her cheeks.

"Quince," said Yaxley lowly. "We can forget about this. I trust you to discipline your daughter as you see fit—"

"I don't have a daughter." Hermione glanced up to see Quincy Parkinson turning on his heel and sweeping from the room.

The world started to blur again, and the last thing Hermione saw before the room collapsed around her was the look in Pansy's eyes, turning flinty and dangerous.

And then she was standing at the Pensieve in Lucius's study, her ears ringing and her chest tight. The bile pressed against her throat, and she spun, retching into the waste bin.

She focused on a lake with still waters, letting her Occlumency shelves bury Pansy's memories until they no longer made her retch.

Pressing up to her feet, she collected the threads from the Pensieve back into their vial with shaking fingers. This was enough. This would exonerate her.

She capped the vial. She smoothed her robes. With a deep breath to center herself back to present, she headed out to Edinburgh again.

~*~

At lunch, she gave Hestia the vials and asked her to be quick about it. She informed her that Pansy would need a wand, and excused herself before she could ask further questions.

She was better prepared that day. She flitted in and out of her Occlumency in between her questions and notes, ignoring Fleur's concerned gaze across the room.

On Wednesday morning, Hestia informed her personally that Pansy would be released that evening. True to her word, Hermione didn't meet her at Azkaban or come calling at Grimmauld, but she did send Plumb to stay with her. Narcissa was tactful enough not to press her about it.

Hermione tossed and turned that night, pressing her face into Draco's pillow. Try as she might, she couldn't find joy in Pansy's release. Not when she was the one who'd put her there in the first place.

The Edinburgh Charter was approved eight days after the Council's first official meeting. And as the Council transitioned into assisting the governance of the International Magical Military Tribunal, one of the first rules of business was to set trial dates.

Hermione listened to the voices argue that day with a half-Occluded mind. After some debate, Yaxley's trial was set first — on Monday 5 July. There had been a tense standoff between the Swiss and Italians over who should be next, but the Italians won — Blaise Zabini's trial would be second; Bellatrix Lestrange's third, in absentia.

Hermione's mind sharpened at the discussions of Bellatrix, but she kept quiet. If she'd learned anything from Lucius Malfoy, it was the value of keeping your cards close to the vest. Especially when it might be key to Blaise's survival. And Draco's.

Then they listed Draco Malfoy's trial fourth, in absentia, and she drifted.

As the days dragged on, the question of what kind of political upheaval she'd cause by withholding the information began to weigh heavily on her. She pored over the fine print in her contracts and binders, and determined that because she was only on the Advising Council — not an official member of the Tribunal's Secretariat — she had no obligation to provide information regarding the charges against Blaise prior to his day in court.

Even after ruling out legal consequences, the idea still vexed her. She'd yet to make any real friends on the Council, but Hestia had won her trust — providing background information on lunch breaks, steering her away from skirmishes with a simple cough or a tap of her quill. If she kept this information from Hestia, what might she lose?

What might Draco lose?

She finally voiced her fears to Narcissa, who declined to advise her either way. "Trust your instincts," she said. "Only you can judge what you stand to gain or gamble away."

By the end of the second week, Hermione had decided to tell Hestia directly. She was fully aware of what Hermione planned to do for Draco, but had chosen to mentor her nonetheless. And the consequences of not telling her seemed to outweigh the risks of telling her. But Hestia had to skip Friday's meeting. And Hermione felt her heart sink at the news, knowing the Council would enter a one-week recess the following week so the members of the Secretariat could prepare for the trials.

Hermione sent her an owl immediately upon returning to the Manor that afternoon. She waited all weekend for a reply, only to receive letters from Ginny, Neville, and a handful of reporters with questions about the upcoming "Edinburgh Trials." It wasn't until Tuesday that Hestia's owl arrived with a one-sentence reply: Meet with you after Yaxley's trial.

They both would be there. Hestia on the Prosecution Counsel, and Hermione as a witness testifying against Corban Yaxley.

She had to Occlude for three hours after she received a letter from the Prosecution asking her to testify. They'd told her there were roughly a dozen former Lots deemed fit to testify against him, including her.

A dozen. Out of all the people who'd been bought and sold there.

She'd written Pansy afterward, asking how she was. In the post-script, she'd informed her about Yaxley's trial, and asked her if she'd like to testify against him. She'd scrambled to the window when Draco's eagle owl returned at one in the morning, tearing open the letter to read:

I'm fine. And no, I'd rather not.

-P

Later that week, she learned in a letter from Ginny that she too would testify. Angelina would travel in from France, where George was taking a long holiday. She'd miss them in court by one day.

The decision to hold the trials in Edinburgh had been one of the Council's easier votes. The evacuation of Edinburgh a year ago meant that the Parliament Hall was empty, the building untouched by the Americans' bombs. So they agreed to use the Muggle courtrooms. No wands would be permitted inside except for the guards, and only the members of the Tribunal could sit in the gallery. They were given two guest passes per day.

There was a certain poetry in it all.

Hermione took the stand on the first day of Yaxley's trial, breathing deep into her still waters as she spoke to her days in the Ministry holding cells, the quick way he'd sliced Lydia Baxter's neck, and Parvati's final choking screams. It was widely known that he had entered her into the Auction, but she was the one to present it to the judges, detailing the Palace Theatre and the specific comments he'd made as her value increased.

Yaxley was ragged and gaunt in the chair. She managed not to look at him for the most part, but her gaze was drawn to the dark circles under his eyes and the way his cheekbones protruded. Her stomach twisted, so she reached into her shelves until the memory of his leering gaze at Pansy had anger boiling like acid in her gut.

When the prosecution had finished their questions, Yaxley's barrister stood. He had a bored look on his face as he cross-examined her. He asked her half a dozen questions dutifully, and Hermione was stunned that he didn't press her when she stumbled on whether Yaxley or Dolohov had been the one to cast the Cruciatus Curse at her. He gave her a clipped nod, crossed the room, and took his seat again before she even realized it was over.

It took Hermione five seconds to stumble to her feet. As she rejoined the audience, she felt dread burrow deep in her chest. There was a panel of barristers the defendants could choose from, but this was supposed to be one of the better ones.

She watched as other witnesses were cross-examined similarly, and at recess, when she looked at the paperwork for the rest of the week, she saw there were only two witnesses scheduled for the defense — a longtime family Healer, and Travers' wife.

After court was adjourned that day, she waited for Hestia outside the gallery. Hestia led her into a small room down a marble corridor, casting a number of Silencing Charms before nodding for her to speak.

"That was outrageous," said Hermione. "How in Merlin's name was that barrister chosen?"

"We voted him in, Hermione. We all did. On the second day."

Hermione bit back her scowl. "And I trusted that I was being presented with adequate options. That barrister did nothing to inspire confidence—"

"Barrister Kauffmann is perfectly adequate, I assure you." Hestia sighed. "If you don't like him, no one is stopping you from finding another." Hermione stared at her through narrowed eyes. "Defendants can choose their own counsel, if you recall. Though I suspect it will take thousands of Galleons to convince someone outside of those appointed to the court."

Hermione blinked at her. She'd missed this detail somehow — lost it between her Occlumency and the hundreds of pages of fine print. But at least Galleons were the only thing she had in thousands right now. There was still time.

"Right." She smoothed out her robes, filing away her thoughts. "Thank you for meeting with me. I wanted to discuss a hypothetical situation," she said carefully. "And I want to know if we can keep this situation between us. Hypothetically."

Hestia nodded, glancing at the door. "Hypothetically, I'm sure I could have a private conversation with a friend."

"What if I were to tell you that Bellatrix Lestrange is dead — that I saw her killed with my own two eyes, and that the person who can tell you where to find her body is being prosecuted later this month for crimes against Italy?"

To Hestia's credit, she didn't flinch a muscle. Hermione saw the gears turning in her mind as her eyes locked on hers. Then she looked away, fixing her gaze on the ghostly street outside.

"Interesting. Hypothetically interesting," she said. "And what would you want to happen with this information?"

"I would want Blaise Zabini to be pardoned due to his assistance in the murder of Undesirable No. 1."

Hestia's lips tightened. "Hermione, you know how the Italians feel about Blaise Zabini. Bravieri was beloved. In their eyes, Zabini assisted in the coup to unseat him and held his teenage niece as a slave for almost a year—"

"I do know. I also know they're wrong."

"Be reasonable," said Hestia in a clipped tone. "I'm only telling you what I see"—she tilted her head—"hypothetically."

Fighting the urge to snap at her, Hermione drew a slow inhale. "So what you're telling me is Blaise will go to Azkaban, even if he buried Bellatrix's body himself."

Hestia frowned, reaching up to rub her brow. "It might commute his sentence. I can see his prison time decreasing significantly"—she looked at her and spoke directly—"particularly with a top-notch barrister." Hestia glanced at the door again and lowered her voice. "You say Zabini buried the body. May I ask who, in this hypothetical situation, cast the Killing Curse?"

"Hypothetically, it was Draco Malfoy."

Hestia closed her eyes briefly, like she'd assumed as much. "And I presume the reasoning for killing his aunt is specific and measurable in a court of law?"

"Yes." Hermione hesitated with her next question, but she knew it was time. "I have another hypothetical for you."

Hestia studied her with a weary expression before nodding her head to continue.

Hermione felt her heartbeat in her fingertips.

"What would happen if I told you," she said, "that Blaise Zabini provided critical assistance to Draco Malfoy and myself in our mission to reduce Lord Voldemort to his mortal state, thereby allowing Ginny Weasley the opportunity to successfully kill him?"

Silence descended between them. Hestia turned to the window again, standing perfectly still. "And I assume this evidence will be key to Draco Malfoy's defense as well?"

"Yes."

Hestia turned her sharp gaze on her. "Then hold onto it."

Hermione's throat felt dry. "'Hold onto it?'"

"Let me amend my statement," Hestia said, "I'm confident this information would fully exonerate Blaise Zabini, if that's your primary concern. But if you give this to the Tribunal in three weeks, you'll be giving up your opportunity to save Draco Malfoy."

Her heart hammered in her chest. "I don't understand—"

"I think you underestimate how badly this Tribunal wants to see Draco Malfoy pay for his crimes," Hestia said, and the fine hairs on the back of Hermione's stood on end. "You'd be giving up Draco Malfoy's main defense a month before his trial instead of a day. They'd be prepared for you, Hermione. They'd make sure they had enough evidence so that he'd rot in Azkaban no matter what you told them."

A long silence. Her limbs felt numb. "They have no idea what he's done for Europe— for the entire world—"

"I'm sure they don't." Hestia's eyes hardened. "Save it for his trial, Hermione. What I'm hearing—hypothetically—is that Undesirable No. 1 is dead, and Undesirable No. 2 was killed before he could stand before this Tribunal." She took a step closer. "That leaves Draco Malfoy, who just so happens to be a blood relative of them both."

"And that's what you call 'justice?'" Hermione curled her hands into fists. "Laying the sins of this war on Draco Malfoy's shoulders?"

Hestia looked down at her hands resting on the windowsill. "You can't have it all, Hermione. I had to learn that the hard way."

She stood tall from the window, clasped Hermione's shoulder, and exited the room, leaving Hermione with a thousand arguments on her lips and no one to scream at.

~*~

Once home at the Manor, she wrote to the human rights organization that had been helping her with Oliver's case. She'd received an update from them on Friday informing her that Oliver would be released by the end of the week, and sent to live with his family in Glasgow. In her reply, she thanked them for their help, and added a line or two inquiring about defense counsel. The response she received that evening was less than enthusiastic, clearly reading between the lines that the services would be for a defendant in the Edinburgh Trials.

She told Narcissa about the dilemma over dinner. By Wednesday, Narcissa had received polite rejections from every lawyer who'd ever worked with the Malfoys. And so Hermione started from scratch. She began digging for criminal defense attorneys in the Prophet, looking specifically for ones who had represented infamous clients in the past. After receiving a dozen rejections by Friday, she broadened her search to the New York Ghost, where she stumbled upon the name Alan Shrapley. He'd just won an appeal for a client who had been accused of espionage against M.A.C.U.S.A. A quick look into his record found a slew of similar cases — almost all of them won. He was known to be one of the highest-charging attorneys in America.

Hermione told Narcissa about him, and after thinking it over with a sip from her teacup, Narcissa said, "I think it's wise to invest in someone who has no personal ties, a good track record, and is purely motivated by money. It's what Lucius would have done."

She wrote to Alan Shrapley that afternoon. His reply, requesting to schedule a consultation, was waiting on Draco's desk for her the next morning. They would speak on Monday. Hermione penned a hasty letter to Hestia, apologizing for the short notice, but requesting immediate approval for visitation at Azkaban. It arrived within two hours.

The sun was setting when she arrived at Azkaban. She handed over her wand, and let the guard lead her down a different stone corridor. It seemed colder, more desolate in this corner of the prison. They reached a meeting room, and the guard knocked before opening the door for her.

Blaise sat in one of the two metal chairs, his legs kicked up on the tabletop and his hands folded across his stomach. His hands were cuffed together, and a similar chain linked his ankles. He sent her a ghost of his brilliant smile.

"To what do I owe the honor?"

The guilt and sorrow hit her like a crashing wave. She blinked, filing it away as she moved to the table. "Your trial will begin in two weeks."

His grin flickered. "Ah."

"Sorry for the abruptness, but we only have ten minutes." She twisted her fingers together. "I've secured an attorney from America for you. A good one."

Blaise lowered his legs and sat forward, placing his hands on the table. "Brilliant. I'll always be handsome, Granger, but one can only do so much with these." He smirked up at her and gestured to his chains.

Hermione swallowed and tore her eyes from him. She tugged out the chair in front of her, sinking into it slowly.

"They don't know about Bellatrix yet. That will upset their case against you, but there's something else."

It took all her strength to meet his gaze.

"I need to ask something of you." He pressed his lips together as she continued. "If they learn about the Portkey to Romania and the Polyjuice body-switch now, it will naturally lead to an inquiry about Voldemort's soul fragments and what you did to help destroy them. If we tell them about it now—"

"It may affect Draco's case."

She nodded. "I've spoken with someone I trust, and she thinks they'll use the time to build a stronger case." Hermione's throat clicked in the silence. "They want to see him pay, Blaise. Not unlike the way Luca Bianchi wants to see you pay."

Blaise ran his tongue over his teeth. His eyes drifted to a spot over her shoulder.

"I know you've"—her voice trembled—"I know Draco and I have asked a lot of you over the past year . You should know that if this evidence was used, it would almost certainly pardon you." She folded her hand on the table. "It's your choice. I mean that."

His chains clinked together as he reached up to scratch the stubble on his jaw.

"You ever stayed in Azkaban, Granger?"

The weight on her chest grew heavier. "No, I haven't."

Blaise shrugged. "It's not bad. There's this bread they serve for lunch, and after you've scraped off the mold, it's quite nice."

Her mouth opened. "Oh?"

"Mmm. If you ask me, it's almost an improvement from having three women living on top of me, screaming about misplaced hair products and half-eaten pastries."

Hermione squeezed her eyelids closed as the tears slipped through her lashes. Her lip trembled as she managed to say, "I can imagine."

"And all this time in solitude lets me work on my physique — I'm sure you've noticed." He lifted his chains to flex, and she let out a choked laugh.

The door opened. "Time's up," a gruff voice called out.

Hermione stood, bracing herself on the table. "Thank you."

The humor slowly drained from Blaise's smile. "Bring him home, Hermione."

She felt fire in her veins, her blood singing with every heartbeat.

"I will."

Stepping past the guard in the doorway, she began the long walk back to the fireplaces.

Hestia was wrong. Maybe she could have everything. Just not at the same time.

Chapter End Notes

TRIGGERS FOR THIS CHAPTER: Implied grooming, implied non-consensual underage relationship, domestic abuse

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Chapter 41

Chapter Notes

I’m incredibly honored and grateful that all of you have gone on this journey with me. I never intended to write an epic-length dark fic. I just wanted two idiots to fall in love in 170k. And when I was done with that, I wanted it to happen again from a different POV. 160k later, y’all asked for more and I’m so glad that you did. (but don’t do that lol)

If you’re reading my work for the first time with The Auction, welcome. Thank you for getting this far. If you’ve been around for three and half years, thank you.

This series isn’t done. There are posted drabbles in the TRTTD/ATWT timeline titled All Right. And Birth Right is also still a WIP. I’ll be doing some work on my original fiction in the first few months of 2021, so check the end notes to follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr if you're interested in updates on that, but then I have a Dramione You’ve Got Mail AU planned, as well as continuing my delightfully wicked Dom/sub Dramione Good.

I have so much pride in this fic, and I'm so grateful that I've gone down this dark and twisty road with two of the biggest badasses I know. Thank you raven-maiden and SaintDionysus for shaping this with me, and creating this MONSTER.

There's so much art, you all. SO. MUCH. ART. And I will be doing my best to link it all in the A/Ns. Thank you to the artists, especially NiktaJobson for her creativity and spot-on physicality and face casting.

Thank you to the hilarious communities that have been created for this fic, including the Lovesbitca8 channel in the Department of Fanfiction Discord server and the amazing Facebook Group Rights & Wrongs.

And thank you for reading.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Blaise Zabini's trial began on 26 July, a rainy and humid Monday. Hermione spent an hour Occluding in the tub before she dressed and Apparated to Edinburgh.

A crowd of reporters stood around the entrance to Parliament Hall, pacing like starving wolves. A sharp click cut through the quiet of her mind, and then she was flooded with flashing lights and harsh sounds.

"Miss Granger!"

"Miss Granger, over here!"

"Would you like to make a statement for the—"

Hermione pushed through, ignoring the flashes and heavy press of bodies on her. Sound disappeared with a hiss as she crossed the wards cast over the building. She checked in her wand and swept through the open lobbies, heading to the library.

The old doors groaned open to reveal Alan Shrapley leaning against a table in his expensive American robes, flipping through a Muggle volume. He was a handsome man in his early fifties, with a square jaw and silver hair that curled at the tips.

Upon meeting him for the first time two weeks ago, Hermione had thought he spoke too calmly and moved too slowly, but she realized she was wrong the moment he pulled out a lengthy contract that somehow had already been signed by Blaise Zabini. He'd produced paperwork for her to initiate a sealed transfer of an exorbitant sum to Blaise's vault, requested that his two legal assistants be admitted inside the Manor immediately, and instructed her to clear the rest of her day.

He was a silver shark in shallow waters, toying with a dolphin he'd run ashore.

"No-Majs have always fascinated me, Miss Granger." Shrapley's voice echoed off the polished floors, bringing her back to the present. "I'd pick your brain if only we had the time."

Hermione was silent as he turned a page.

She'd never quite met someone whose brain worked as fast as her own, but counterintuitively. Whereas she organized facts to scrutinize them, Shrapley lined them up to batter them into submission. He liked games even more than Lucius Malfoy, she'd discovered, and his favorite was impatience. He waited until his opponent became restless, and then he'd begin the game.

But not today.

With a snap of his fingers, he closed the centuries-old Muggle volume. "The motions were denied."

The muscles in her face twitched. "Which ones?"

"All of them. The court won't allow the review of Blaise's memories apart from his time in Italy and Edinburgh, or any of your memories regarding his character. The Prosecution will be allowed to include affidavits from the witnesses who won't be available for cross-examination."

Her heart sank lower and lower.

"It's all fine, Miss Granger," he said, a glint in his eyes. "That was always the easy way. But we had to try."

"Right." Hermione swallowed. "Is there... anything you need from me?"

"Keep your cool." He checked his solid gold wristwatch, glancing at her over its face. "See you in there."

He was gone in a few long strides. Hermione breathed deep, clutching the tiny pouch around her neck. Once her waters were still, she followed the long corridor to the Muggle courtroom.

A pair of guards inspected her badge at the side entry. Once she passed their magical security charms, she was ushered into one of the seats for distinguished visitors behind the Prosecutors' tables. Hestia nodded at her from the Secretariat table, as did Fleur and Robards. The rest of the Council and Prosecution ignored her.

There was a low rumble of noise as reporters began filing into the back of the courtroom. Luca Bianchi came through the side entry a minute later and was ushered to the chair just to Hermione's right. Crossing his leg over his knee, he kept his gaze straight ahead.

He'd seen her on the list of witnesses for the Defense, of course. Just like she'd seen him on the Prosecution's list.

One of the Italian prosecutors cast a glance at her, and Hermione tried to focus on anything but her nerves. Her eyes drifted to Shrapley, arranging his notes around him with lazy movements.

"A defense counsel's worst nightmare," he'd told her two weeks ago, as he reclined on the sofa in the Manor's drawing room. "Access to the True Order's archives blocked, an elaborate procedure to admit material for the defense, the admission of hearsay, a fraction of the time for pre-trial, and a failure to sequester witnesses."

Just when Hermione had opened her mouth, he'd smiled and added, "But I'm not any defense counsel."

A shutter of doors startled her, and she blinked up to find Blaise being led into the courtroom in his Azkaban robes. His face was blank and his jaw set as the murmuring grew. He was led to a chair just in front of Shrapley, who tipped his head as if greeting a business associate at lunch.

The doors opened a moment later, and the courtroom rose for President Tiberius Ogden. Of the five judges, he was chosen to preside over the court. His alternate would vote for Great Britain.

It was another reason for Hermione to be anxious. Without Ogden, she had little feel for any of the judges' political leanings.

The court opened with a sworn oath from the panel of judges. All oaths and testimony would be performed without the use of magical influence, the Council had ruled. "To protect witnesses and defendants from coercive tactics," the Council had written, "and to prevent unexpected obstacles to the judges' deliberations."

After, the Italian Prosecutor stood.

He outlined Blaise Zabini's crimes against peace and humanity through his "premeditated" assistance to the Great Order, resulting in the seizure of the Italian government, the murder of dozens of officials, and the loss of thousands of lives. He spoke of his participation in human trafficking and slavery. Hermione watched Blaise for a reaction, but he was as still as stone.

Shrapley went next, his eyes sharp and his speech slow. By the time he finished outlining his key evidence that Blaise's actions were based on an imminent threat to himself and his mother, Hermione could hear nothing but the scratching of reporters' quills.

The Prosecution brought in their witnesses over the next two days. A few appeared in person, but the rest submitted statements. The witness affidavits seemed to irritate Shrapley the most, judging by the way he rolled his shoulders. But Blaise was stoic through it all, his face impassive as the Prosecution read out statement after statement from witnesses claiming that he'd aided and abetted the Death Eaters in the torture, rape, and murder of Italian citizens.

On the second day, Luca Bianchi testified to Blaise's visit to Italy last summer, when he assisted in the transition of power to Constantine Romano. Shrapley cross-examined with only two questions — "What was your understanding of the relationship between the Bravieri and Zabini family before 10th July 1998?" and "Were you aware of the executions of the Mancini and Lombardi families on 11th July for failing to endorse Romano?" — both of which made the put-together Bianchi stutter over his words.

Giuliana Bravieri took the stand that afternoon. The Prosecution had subpoenaed her a week and a half ago, while Shrapley's motion was still languishing in the Secretariat's office. Shrapley's request to interview her had been declined within hours. The letter had been signed by Matteo Bravieri, Giuliana's cousin and new legal guardian.

When she entered the courtroom, Giuliana was thin and wan in her expensive dress robes. She burst into tears as soon as she caught sight of Blaise in cuffs and prison robes. President Ogden rapped his gavel for order as the reporters buzzed like crickets in the press seats.

Hermione bit down her tongue as Giuliana played right into the Prosecution's hands. Through sniffles and shaking shoulders, Giuliana managed a string of "yeses" and "nos" when the Prosecutor inquired whether Blaise had petitioned the Dark Lord for her, whether they had a personal relationship beforehand, and whether he kept her in a private residence owned by Draco Malfoy and instructed her not to leave.

When the Prosecutor finished his questions, the judges shifted in their seats. Henri Falco, the French judge, began twirling his snow-white walrus mustache as he gazed at Blaise.

Silence fell as Shrapley stood, approached Giuliana's chair, and introduced himself in Italian. Giuliana's lip quivered, but she greeted him back.

"I have a few difficult questions, Miss Bravieri, so please take your time in answering," said Shrapley. Giuliana nodded, her eyes glassy. "Did you ever engage in a sexual relationship with Blaise Zabini?"

"No." A tear spilled down her cheek. "No, we didn't."

"Did he ever harm you physically?" Giuliana shook her head. "A 'yes' or 'no,' please, Miss Bravieri."

"No. He would never."

Bianchi coughed.

Shrapley inclined his head, and he opened his palms as he asked, "How many parties have you attended at Edinburgh Castle, Miss Bravieri?"

Giuliana fussed with the handkerchief in her lap. "Two."

"And how many of those times were in the custody of Blaise Zabini?"

"None," Giuliana whispered.

A scatter of murmurs. Luca Bianchi uncrossed his legs next to her.

"Miss Bravieri, the court has heard from multiple eyewitnesses that you often attended the Edinburgh parties with Mr. Zabini," said Shrapley. "How might that be?"

"She went as me." Giuliana hiccuped, her face wet. "Pansy."

The court rumbled.

"I tried to tell them he never made me go. But no one would listen. They said I was confused—" She broke off in sobs.

Hermione could see the Italian Prosecutor scramble through his files, staring with growing horror at the first witness for the Defense — Pansy Parkinson.

"Asymmetrical discovery," Shrapley had hummed to Hermione a week ago, when discussing his strategy. "The Prosecution will have limited information about the evidence we're approved to use in court. It's the only advantage we have, Miss Granger, and I intend to exploit it fully."

Giuliana was led away as the Italian Prosecutor gaped at Shrapley; Bianchi was gesturing angrily to her right. And for the first time, Hermione locked eyes with Blaise. His lips twitched.

At the end of the day, the Prosecution rested its case. And on Wednesday, Pansy Parkinson took the stand, discussing several memories of her posing as Giuliana at Edinburgh. A court secretary had given a summary to the courtroom just before, as her memories had been viewed privately by the judges, Prosecution, and Defense during recess.

Another recess was called as soon as the Prosecution finished cross-examining her. Hermione tried to make her way over to her, but Pansy was too fast. She tossed a curt nod in Hermione's direction before slipping out the side entry, and by the time Hermione stumbled into the crowded corridor, she was gone. Blaise's mother and Daphne Greengrass testified that afternoon. And for the first time, Blaise looked shaken, clenching his jaw and staring at the chains around his wrists.

On Thursday morning, Hermione took the stand and told the courts that Bellatrix Lestrange was dead. There was an uproar, but Shrapley only raised his brows while Ogden pounded the gavel and called the court to order. The court went into recess to review her memory, and when Hermione stood to escape the glares and murmurs, even Fleur stared like she'd never seen her before.

Two hours later, Hermione was back on the witness stand, a hundred eyes bearing down on her. She kept her story to the simplest version of the truth — "Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini chose not to attend the arena match, and Bellatrix Lestrange confronted us on the Wooden Bridge" — and when Shrapley prodded her on why Bellatrix wanted to kill her, she'd responded, "She said I'd poisoned him, and that his weak, lovesick heart would destroy his family."

Cutting through the crowd's gasps, Shrapley asked how Blaise had assisted.

"Draco Malfoy had an urgent commitment in Romania, and Blaise volunteered to cover for him. He concealed Bellatrix's body in the Forbidden Forest with the help of Pansy Parkinson."

The buzzing grew louder. Shrapley gave her the slightest dip of his chin.

He knew about the Horcrux, of course. After viewing the memory of Bellatrix's death in Lucius's Pensieve together, he'd leveled her with a look that had the truth tumbling out of her. Hermione had drawn sharp breaths to explain why she wanted to omit it from Blaise's defense, and how Blaise had agreed. Shrapley had carefully responded that he agreed with her decision, if exonerating Draco was of interest — and after confirming that he would be able to represent Draco in his trial, he submitted a motion to suppress the part of her memory where Blaise had told her and Draco to "go off and kill whatever they needed to kill." The Secretariat's office had agreed it was irrelevant to Blaise's case.

President Ogden called for order, and Shrapley waited until the room was deadly quiet. "To your knowledge, Miss Granger, where was Bellatrix Lestrange headed?"

"To assassinate the Hungarian Minister."

"No further questions, Mr. President," said Shrapley, and he took his seat amidst the whispers.

The Italian Prosecutor cross-examined her with barely-suppressed fury. He fired off question after question, all of which were met with swift objections from Shrapley. After six sustained objections, the Prosecutor gave up, glaring daggers into Hermione's skin as she exited the witness stand.

Blaise testified in his own defense on Thursday afternoon. The court spent all afternoon bickering over his memories, with Shrapley making the case that his arrival in Italy had directly followed the threat to himself, his mother, and their associates. The Prosecution focused on Blaise's presence during the murder of several members of the Bravieri administration.

The court opened on Friday with the announcement that Bellatrix Lestrange's body had been successfully located in the Forbidden Forest. They took all day to deliberate, and when one of the five judges stood and read out Blaise's sentence of sixteen months in Azkaban, Hermione felt her chest crack in two. Shrapley had long told her that a year was the best possible outcome. The Prosecutors had pushed for twenty.

Still, she was unable to extinguish the hope in her chest until the moment a sharp rap of the gavel adjourned the court.

Blaise winked at her as they carted him off, dragging him out through the doors and returning him to Azkaban.

Hermione left quickly afterward, ignoring Fleur and Hestia's calls until she turned the corner and found an empty room to lock herself in.

When she emerged ten minutes later, her eyes were clear and her makeup fixed. She retrieved her wand, tossed a clipped goodbye to the Council members by the exit, and paused for the screaming reporters outside the building.

"Justice has been served today," she said, as the cameras flashed. Then she brushed past them and Apparated home.

~*~

Earlier in July, Hestia had sent her a note about a memorial for the fallen that several of the old Hogwarts Governors were planning. Hestia had thrown the support of the Provisional Government behind it, and asked Hermione if she'd like to make any suggestions to the organizing committee. The only thing Hermione contributed was the date — 31 July.

At breakfast on the morning of the 31st, Narcissa let her set the pace for the conversation, not pressing her to speak about the memorial. Hermione sipped her coffee, and they settled into a comfortable silence.

"You're sure you don't want to come?" she asked once they had finished.

Narcissa's smile was strained. "This day is for the people who would only be hurt by my presence," she said. "I can understand that, and I can respect it."

Hermione nodded, feeling the truth in her words. She wasn't afraid to attend the memorial with Narcissa, just like she hadn't been afraid to be seen with Harry their fourth year, when over half the school was against him. But she could respect Narcissa's feelings on the matter.

When she returned to Draco's bedroom, the Daily Prophet was waiting for her on his desk. A photograph of Blaise sitting stoically during his trial was splashed across the cover. The headline read, Blaise Zabini to Serve 16 Months; Bellatrix Bombshell Stuns Prosecutors.

Pressing her lips together, Hermione flipped it over, only to find a photo of herself standing before Parliament Hall.

Hermione Granger: Friend or Foe to the True Order?

She turned the page. Blaise's trial took up the first two pages. On page three, there was another photograph of her beneath an article titled, Questions Grow About Hermione Granger's Relationship With Death Eater Draco Malfoy."

Tossing the paper on the desk, Hermione spun on her heel and headed back to her old bedroom.

She picked out a simple black dress and spent the rest of the morning Occluding in the bath, burying emerald eyes and messy black hair in a well-worn tome in the back of her library. There would be time for Harry once she was at Hogwarts. But first, she needed to build up her courage for another task.

The Floo to Grimmauld Place burst into green around her, and Hermione stepped through to find a living room far tidier than when she'd seen it last. She heard the telltale sounds of Plumb cleaning up in the kitchen, and her lips twitched in a smile. Hermione followed her instincts up the stairs, and made her way to the bedroom she'd seen Pansy emerge from months ago.

She'd just lifted her fist to knock on the door when a voice called out, "Go away, Granger."

Taking a steadying breath, she pushed open Pansy's door. She found her curled up on the windowsill, staring down the Muggles going about their Saturday.

"You should have locked it if you didn't want me coming in," Hermione said primly.

"I'm not going." Pansy tugged her knees to her chest. "So please just go find a kitten to save to meet your quota."

Hermione moved to the end of the bed and quietly sat. "I'm not going either, then. Pity. You'll be stuck with me all day." Glancing around the room, she found a black dress hanging on the back of the door — pressed and ready.

Pansy's eyes moved over the street. "Nobody wants me there, Granger."

It was a variation of Narcissa's words. But they felt unacceptable this time.

"You have your whole life ahead of you. You can't spend it in hiding." Hermione smoothed her dress, frowning down at her knees. "You should allow people to surprise you sometimes, Pansy. It's lovely."

A long silence.

Pansy turned to look at her, leaning her head against the window frame. "That elf cries all the time. Did you give her to me on purpose?"

Hermione's mouth twitched. Pansy arched a brow at her and went to get dressed.

~*~

They Apparated to the Hogsmeade gates, and Hermione waited for the chill and hopelessness that had accompanied Hogwarts for the past year.

It never came, but there was still something hollow in her chest.

The castle glittered in the afternoon sun. The shape of it was familiar, even though she could see some of the damage from last May and the siege after Voldemort's death. The Forbidden Forest had slithered closer to the path, and the grass was patchy and unkempt. But if she skated her eyes quickly across the landscape, it all looked the same.

Pansy started twisting her fingers together and smoothing her hair when they crossed the wards, and Hermione brushed her fingers against her elbow.

They walked down the long bridge toward the Clock Tower Courtyard together, where a crowd had gathered. The Governors had reached out to Ginny, Neville, and Hermione to ask about delivering a speech, but all three had agreed to decline. Speaking to a loss of that magnitude felt impossible. Wrong, even.

The committee decided that one of the Governors would deliver a few short remarks. People would be free to mingle the grounds afterward and pay their respects. No press allowed.

They had almost reached the courtyard when the crowd began to disperse — it was only five past, and the Governor had already finished speaking. Hermione nodded to Hestia as the crowd scattered, but when she saw Jacobs standing nearby, she turned away.

Pansy moved next to her, and they studied the familiar arches and stones in silence. They stood motionless as people moved around them, embracing, speaking lowly. Hermione turned again, and her breath caught in her chest.

One of the exterior walls had been replaced with an obsidian slab, stretching through the archways. Carved into it in white lettering were the names of Hogwarts students, staff, and alumni who had died in the Second Wizarding War.

They moved towards it, and Hermione's feet froze. Standing at the end of the wall, running her fingertips over the etched names, was Ginny. She wore a black dress with trainers, her hair only a bit longer since Hermione had seen it last.

Ginny turned, and her eyes widened as they landed on her. Hermione felt weightless as they closed the space between them, throwing their arms around each other. She felt less fragile than last time. Hermione sank into her warmth, holding her close.

"Ginny." Her throat felt thick. "I'm sorry I've been late in replying—"

"Don't be silly. You've been busy, I know."

When they pulled back, Ginny looked past her ear.

"Hello, Parkinson."

"Weasley," said Pansy, her tone almost pleasant. She pushed up her wide black sunglasses and turned her attention to the names on the wall, drifting away from them.

Ginny threaded her arm through Hermione's and guided her to the slab of stone she'd been tracing earlier. Her family's names were etched in white, grouped with other 'W' surnames.

"Half of us gone in a year," she said. "Most days, I carry it. Others..."

Hermione squeezed her elbow, feeling her throat close. "It means something. That you're still here."

They stood in silence for a time. And then Ginny said, "I'm sorry to hear about Zabini."

Hermione shrugged. "It was the best we could have hoped for."

"Still." Ginny glanced at her. "You should have seen George's face when he read that Draco Malfoy killed Bellatrix Lestrange for you."

Before Hermione could think of a reply, Ginny was steering her to the other side of the wall. She caught sight of Fleur and Bill by the old fountain, speaking to Seamus Finnigan. A group of witches turned to stare at her as she walked past. Hermione tore her eyes away, focusing on Penelope Clearwater in the courtyard. She stood next to Percy Weasley and Roger Davies, her gaze distant as they chatted.

They filed past rows of black-clad mourners — some weeping, others whispering. They were almost at the other end of the wall when a girl spun to Ginny, catching her by the arm. A former classmate.

Hermione slipped away as they embraced. Her eyes were just drifting over the "A's" when someone came to stand next to her.

"Granger." Hermione turned, and the air left her lungs. The right side of Seamus Finnigan's face was burned, his marred skin stretching down his neck and arm. Her eyes quickly flicked back to his.

"Hello, Seamus," she said quietly, but she already knew it was pointless.

She'd written every surviving member in her class by now, and the list was short enough to notice those who never replied.

"I hear you're in bed with the snakes these days."

His lip curled as he glanced over his shoulder to Pansy, who was standing alone, staring out at the grounds.

"If you're referring to my friendship with Pansy Parkinson—"

"If that's what you want to call her." Seamus stepped into her, and she had to lift her chin to meet his eyes. "Your 'friend' has no right to be here. Though I suppose she's an improvement over the other company you keep."

"If you can't see that Pansy Parkinson has lost just as much as any of us, then I don't know what to tell you, Seamus," said Hermione, her voice deadly calm. "I understand how you must feel, but now is not the time."

"And when is the right time to discuss you turning traitor—"

"Owl me when you're ready, and I'll be happy to answer your questions like the old friend I've always considered you to be." She held his gaze. "Take care of yourself, Seamus."

Some emotion crossed Seamus' face before he turned to ice. As he stomped away, Hermione took a deep breath and glanced back to Pansy. She was talking to someone handsome and tall, and Hermione's mouth fell open when she realized who it was.

Freedom had been good to Neville Longbottom. He was still thin but muscled, his hair falling into his face. She watched him slip his hands into his pockets and roll back on his heels while Pansy lifted a brow at him.

A smile tugged at the corner of Hermione's mouth, and she turned back to the list of names.

Her gaze passed over Lydia Baxter, Katie Bell, and Lavender Brown. By the time she reached Cho Chang in the next column, her eyes were wet. She skimmed down the columns, searching for specific names and stumbling over others. Cedric Diggory. Albus Dumbledore.

Luna Lovegood.

Her fingers reached out, whispering over the white letters, and the stone warmed beneath her touch. Lower down, she found Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks-Lupin, and on the next column, Minerva McGonagall.

She stepped back as their names blurred together, reaching for her still waters. Her shoulder bumped into the tall boy next to her, and her apology broke off in a gasp when she saw that it was Oliver Wood. He stared straight ahead, his shoulders tense.

Hermione followed his gaze, and her heart thudded when she realized what he was looking at. The "N" column.

"He's not there," he said.

She crossed her arm over her middle, clutching her elbow. "I'm sure it was an oversight. I can contact the Governors—"

"Don't bother." His voice was clipped. "Crabbe and Goyle aren't on here. Neither are Marcus Flint or Adrian Pucey."

She swallowed, looking down at her shoes. "I'm sorry if you felt abandoned at St. Mungo's, Oliver. It wasn't my intention—"

"No, no. I should be thanking you for setting me up with those lawyers." He reached up to rub his brow. "I'm sorry. I'm just… bitter about everything these days."

She nodded slowly. The hollow ache in her chest grew like a hole forming in the earth. "I'm still hoping to clear Theo. But it has to wait until Draco's trial."

"I understand."

Hermione shifted her weight. "Can I come to Glasgow sometime and visit you?"

"I'm actually leaving here with Angelina and George. Going to stay with them in France for a bit."

He jerked his head to the side, and she peered past him, down to the end of the alphabet.

George and Angelina stood before the names of Fred, Charlie, Molly, and Arthur, as still as sculpted marble. Angelina's right hand lay on George's shoulder, her other loose at her side — a prosthetic. George stared vacantly at the obsidian stone, and Hermione could see his reflection shining against the wall — two of him again.

"I'm happy for you. I hope…" Hermione chewed the inside of her cheek. "I hope they've been understanding of what you've gone through."

Oliver hummed. "George still thinks I'll wake up from this someday, but Angelina is working on him. Apparently, your testimony has him questioning things."

Hermione looked away, twisting her fingers together. They were quiet for a moment before Oliver spoke again.

"It's hard for them. I didn't like blokes before… before this. Maybe I still don't." His voice was ephemeral, like a secret whispered in the dark. "But I told Angelina, 'I fell in love with someone who protected me when I was at my most vulnerable. Wouldn't you say the same about you and George?'"

The chasm in her chest split deeper. She blinked quickly, tears escaping as more of herself fell away, lost to it. Oliver danced in her eyes.

"I hope he comes back to you." He murmured a goodbye, and turned to join George and Angelina.

Hermione muffled a sob with the back of her hand. Once composed again, she swiped at her cheeks, readying herself for the next set of names.

In the "P" column, she found Padma Patil, Parvati Patil, and Poppy Pomfrey, before finally, finally, her fingers brushed his name. Harry Potter.

Heat met her skin again. If she pressed her fingertips hard enough, she could feel her own heartbeat and imagine.

"It's strange that he's not set off from the rest."

Her heart clenched, and her eyes closed. She turned over her shoulder and found Ron standing just to the side, his left eye covered and his hands in his pockets.

She looked back to Harry's name. "I think it's what he would have wanted. To be just one of many instead of the chosen."

Ron stepped up to stand at her shoulder. She could feel the warmth of him at her elbow, but the space between them was endless.

"The school Governors wanted to commission a tomb next to Dumbledore," she said. "I told them that Harry would have wanted them to focus all their effort on reopening Hogwarts. But after, he would have liked the idea, I think."

She glanced up at him, some youthful part of her still aching for his approval. He stared at Harry's name and nodded.

They stood side-by-side, with only a memory between them for several minutes. The birds in the eaves sang a sad song, and the wind carried it over those gathered in the courtyard.

"Do you want to walk with me," he said, after a while.

Hermione looked up at his open expression, and nodded.

She followed Ron as he led her leisurely down the list of names, and down to the steps to the grounds. They were quiet together as they walked along the treeline — something they'd never had in the past, but she decided to accept it as long as it would last.

It wasn't until they rounded a large tree and Ron's feet halted that she realized they were at the pumpkin patch. What remained of Hagrid's hut was in a pile of wood and dirt, but she could just make out where his brick steps had been. The Forbidden Forest had grown forward around it, but someone had replanted the pumpkins.

Hermione looked back at the long distance they'd walked. She could just make out the Black Lake, a white marble grave on the shore.

"I've been talking to Ginny again."

Hermione nodded, wrapping her arms around her waist. When she looked up, she found him gazing intently at her.

"Good." She managed a small smile.

"She said it was wrong of them to put you in St. Mungo's. And I agree with her now." He sniffed once and glanced at the castle. "I'm sorry I didn't realize that sooner, or…"

Her stomach twisted, turning over itself. There was no getting around it all. They needed to do this.

"Ron, I understand. You were…" She looked around, searching for the words. "You were working off the information you had at the time. But you were missing the most crucial piece of it all."

"And what's that?"

Hermione choked down her nerves. "I had feelings for Draco before all of this. At school. Before he took the Dark Mark and even before Voldemort came back…" She shook her head. "I never told you or Harry. I kept it for myself." Her eyes pricked, and she brushed her knuckles across her lashes. "You can imagine my surprise when I learned he had feelings for me, too—"

Ron scoffed and turned to lean against the large tree. "Yeah. I know." He reached up to adjust his eyepatch, and Hermione gaped at him.

"You— what?"

"He watched you. He was…" He waved his hand. "Let's just say I recognized it in him. Though I never imagined it ran that deep."

Hermione's cheeks flamed. She bit her lip, trying to tread carefully.

"I want you to know that… it doesn't discredit what my feelings were for you. I did care for you, Ron. I still do."

His jaw ticked as his gaze roved the horizon. "Just not enough. Not like I want you to."

The truth drifted over them with the summer breeze, and there was nothing she could do to change it. Nothing she would do, even if she could.

Ron pushed off the tree and looked down at the grass.

"I think…" His throat bobbed. "I think that's all I can hear about it for right now. I never met this version of Malfoy you fell in love with. And I just can't stomach thinking of you with the version in my head." Hermione swallowed, her eyes welling with her shame.

He scratched the back of his head, and when he spoke again, his voice was quiet. "I thought of you every day of the past year, Hermione. Every minute."

"Ron, I did too—"

"I was trying to get back to you with every breath, and all the while, you were falling in love with Draco Malfoy." He fixed his gaze on her, and she couldn't breathe with the pain in her chest. "I just need time with that now."

She dragged air into her lungs as the tears fell freely. Pressing her eyes closed, she nodded to the ground.

They stayed there until the sun began sinking and the birds stopped singing, delaying the inevitable moment they needed to return to the castle and the black wall of dead names.

~*~

Hermione went through her mail on Sunday. After she disclosed Bellatrix Lestrange's fate on the stand, the Council had scheduled an emergency meeting with the Secretariat on Monday. Hermione wrote a quick reply, declining to attend and requesting a full summary. It arrived late Monday night from Hestia, and on Tuesday morning, Hermione read along with the rest of the world that Bellatrix's trial had been canceled, her husband's trial scheduled in its place.

They'd have less than a week. The Tribunal insisted that Rodolphus and his defense counsel had consented, as their pre-trial procedures were almost complete, but it didn't stop Gertie Gumley from lashing them in the Ghost.

"The fact that they moved up Rodolphus instead of Malfoy means that they're worried," Shrapley said through the Floo that afternoon. "They know about the antidote potion, and now they know about Bellatrix. I'm sure the Prosecution is running laps around Europe right now, trying to round up more witnesses."

Hermione's hands felt clammy. "That's not encouraging."

"I think it is." The smirk on Shrapley's lips could have rivaled Lucius Malfoy's. "Their case is on thin ice, and they know it."

Hermione tried to keep that in mind as she spent the next three days buried in preparations with Shrapley and his two assistants. They spent long hours in the drawing room, hammering out questions and ignoring food from the elves. By Friday, Hermione had lost all sense of modesty, handing over even her most intimate memories for Shrapley to view in Lucius's Pensieve with a practiced flick. There was no time for shame when Draco's life was on the line.

The weekend passed by in a blur, and then Monday arrived, and she was Apparating to Edinburgh for the first day of Rodolphus Lestrange's trial.

She'd written to the Prosecution Office some weeks before, offering evidence against Rodolphus, Travers, Crabbe, Sr., and Greyback. They'd declined, assuring her they had plenty of evidence, but would contact her should the situation change. She hadn't heard from them since.

Even though she wasn't testifying in Rodolphus' trial, it felt important to attend its opening and close. Whatever the papers might say, she cared about more than protecting the unfairly accused. She'd meant it when she told Draco that she'd see the guilty pay.

A guard ushered her into the familiar courtroom, and she asked for the seat against the wall. When the next distinguished visitor was led in— a Canadian Council Member— he insisted on leaving a space between them. Hermione ignored it, focusing on Fleur's wave and Hestia's nod.

Lestrange was gaunt, his hair matted and his beard overgrown. His chains clinked heavily as he shuffled to the chair before his counsel, and his expression was resigned as the charges against him were read.

After lunch, the Prosecution called the third witness to the stand, and Hermione was startled from her still waters when a clerk led in a young girl on trembling legs.

Cara. The girl who had brought her to Dolohov on the last night at Edinburgh Castle.

Memories shot to the surface — hot breath on her face, crooked teeth bared, black eyes watching her bathe. Hermione shoved them down, locking them away in a book and filing it between two larger ones until it disappeared.

Murmurs bounced around the walls when the Canadian Prosecutor informed the court that Cara was a Muggle. Ogden called for order, scolding the audience, and urging him to continue with his direct examination.

Hermione listened with a growing sickness as Cara told the story of what happened the night the True Order had attacked Edinburgh Castle for the second time.

As Ginny was killing Voldemort, and True Order forces were rescuing Lots around the country, an army led by General Robert Pierre had surrounded Edinburgh Castle. The Carrow Girls had been thrown in the dungeons shortly after the attack began, but several hours later, a Death Eater had reappeared. He'd given the magical Carrow Girls antidotes for their magic suppression, handed them wands, and Imperiused them to join the fight against the True Order.

The attack had lasted three days, ending when the Americans' bombs reduced the castle to dust. That was how Charlotte had died — her body broken and eyes vacant, a wand forced in her hand.

Hermione's cheeks stung with tears as Cara pointed at Rodolphus as the man in the dungeons, confirming the word he'd used: "Imperio." Of the dozens of slaves kept at Edinburgh Castle, only six had survived the attack — all of them Muggle Carrow Girls left in the dungeons to die.

Hermione hadn't known until that moment why that was.

She had to leave at the next recess. Brushing past a surprised Narcissa, she'd rushed upstairs and Occluded until she forgot where she was.

On Tuesday, Hermione immersed herself in Draco's trial. Wednesday was much the same, only broken up by wrapping and sending a gift to Ginny on her birthday. Hermione had written earlier to see if she wanted company, but she'd replied that she'd be visiting George and Angelina in France, and the invitation was open to her as well. She'd declined due to the trial preparation, and Ginny had understood.

Shrapley received an owl Wednesday evening and informed Hermione and his assistants that Rodolphus' Defense had rested its case after a single day. So on Thursday afternoon, Hermione Apparated to Edinburgh, and when President Ogden read his sentence — death — she hadn't felt an ounce of sympathy.

As the courtroom began emptying, Hestia gestured for Hermione to follow her out of the gallery. "I was hoping I'd see you here."

Hermione nodded, folding her hands.

Something itched at Hermione as she let Hestia lead her through the corridor and out of the building, squeezing past the frenzied reporters. It wasn't until they began walking down the cobblestoned street together that Hermione looked up at the skyline and realized what it was.

"What happened to the other five Muggles at Edinburgh?" she asked.

Hestia's boots clipped twice on the stones. "All six are being kept in a safe house at present. Their care is excellent, I assure you."

"And what will be done with them afterward?"

Hestia's lips thinned. "We're still in deliberations."

Hermione stopped cold, forcing Hestia to face her. "'We?' You mean you and the rest of the Provisional Government?"

"That's actually what I wanted to talk with you about," Hestia said. "Someday soon, the Provisional Government will have to become less provisional. An election will be announced soon, and General Jacobs has already made it quite clear that he intends to throw his hat in the ring."

A jolt ran down Hermione's spine. "No. He can't—"

"I agree," said Hestia, glancing over her shoulder. "That's why I intend to throw my hat in as well."

Hermione stared at her, her brain clicking in the silence. "And you want my support?"

Hestia shrugged one shoulder. "In a way. I want you to name your position in my administration."

Hermione's mouth opened and closed. "Name my position?"

"What do you see yourself doing after these trials are done, Hermione?"

She blinked, staring at the stone wall behind Hestia. She thought of the Malfoy money, and the fact that she didn't have to do anything if she didn't want to. Her mind spun as she tried to remember her dreams before all of this — before she'd needed to pack a bag and Obliviate her parents — but the ideas slipped through her grasp like sand through a sieve.

Everything was different now.

"Think about it," Hestia said eventually. "I like working with you. I think we'd make an effective team. And you'd have a chance to make a difference."

Hermione's eyes flicked to her.

"Our country needs people who want this new world to be better than our old one."

Hestia tilted her chin and turned, walking to the Apparition point. Hermione watched her disappear, her stomach sinking to the cobblestones as she tried to imagine a future that might not include Draco.

~*~

The days leading up to Draco's trial date were a blur of owls and meetings. Hix was in a constant state of irritation over the owl droppings, and Remmy glared at the soiled marble where visitors flitted in and out of the Manor's Floo—Pansy, Oliver, even Boggleben.

After consulting with Narcissa, Hermione had decided to hire Shrapley as her personal lawyer. When she told Shrapley about inheriting the Manor, she had the pleasure of seeing him stunned into silence for the very first time. It took him a full minute to spring into action, asking her to write Gringotts for a meeting at the earliest opportunity.

Boggleben dusted off his suit and peered up at them in the Manor entryway at eight o'clock on Monday. Shrapley grilled him for an hour, and when he was satisfied that Gringotts' records would be sealed, he requested a copy of Draco's contract with Dolohov to submit as evidence. Boggleben left at two minutes to nine, grimacing at his pocket watch. And Shrapley smirked at his notes, telling Hermione he'd be happy to help her deal with the paperwork regarding her "familial ties" once Draco was cleared.

On Tuesday, Hermione stepped into the fireplace to meet with a Mind Healer.

It had been Shrapley's idea to have an expert sign off on the integrity of her memories before her testimony. The Prosecution had already submitted their list of witnesses — one of whom was a Mind Healer — and Shrapley felt confident Pierre would revisit the question of whether her memories had been tampered with somehow.

Pierre was to be the Prosecutor for Draco's case. Some part of Hermione had expected it, as she knew he'd completed law school while serving in the military. But when Shrapley had broken the news two weeks earlier, she still had to excuse herself to Draco's bedroom for an hour.

Hermione cleared her mind as she walked through a well-lit, but empty, reception area. Her heels clicked softly on the tiles until she found the correct door:

Dr. Henry Flanders: Magical Mind Healing, Muggle Psychiatry

Taking a deep breath, she pulled it open.

Dr. Flanders was a friendly man, if a bit soft-spoken. The first five minutes went well enough, but every inch of Hermione froze when he asked her how she was. Her hands twitched, and she saw mint green robes behind her eyelids.

Dr. Flanders' face was kind as he gently explained that he wouldn't be conducting a psychiatric evaluation. Today was just about her memories, and they could take it slow as she needed.

Hermione nodded, but she still flinched when he cast his first charm.

They spent the rest of the day together, running hundreds of tests. At the end, Dr. Flanders explained that he wasn't a Legilimens, but could tell she had very strong Occlumency training.

"I'm surprised that such a strong Occlumens could ever have their memories questioned in the way yours have been, Miss Granger." He clicked his Muggle pen and wrote something on his notes.

"That's because no one knows." Hermione stared at the diplomas on his walls. "What is your specialty exactly, Dr. Flanders?"

"Magical neurology, memory repair, and motor functions," he said.

Her eyes snapped to him. "What kind of memory repair?" He looked up at her, and emotion rose in her throat. "Not for me. My…" She broke off with a swallow. "I Obliviated my parents two years ago. Before the war started." She bounced her knee. "I don't have much time to think about it right now, but maybe when the trial is over, I— maybe we might be able to talk about it."

He flipped his notes closed and pulled out a leather-bound planner. "Name the day, Miss Granger."

~*~

On Wednesday, Hermione met Viktor Krum at a Muggle cafe in the outskirts of London where they wouldn't be recognized. His reply to her request had been curt, so relief washed over her when he swept her into a warm hug the moment she arrived.

The first half-hour was full of stilted pauses as they tried to make sense of the other's time during the war. Viktor revealed that he and Katya had been working with the True Order from the beginning, and had volunteered to infiltrate the Death Eaters alongside the Bulgarian Minister. The only piece of information that surprised her was that Minister Grubhov had been in on it. Katya had Obliviated him after Edinburgh was attacked, and Viktor had fled to France.

"I spoke vith Draco Malfoy's barrister," he said, after a time.

Hermione's eyes shot up to his. "I know."

Viktor sipped his tea, glancing out the window. "He told you vot I said?"

"No. But he did tell me you wouldn't formally agree to testify on Draco's behalf."

"Because I vant to hear it from you." He set his cup down and leveled his eyes on her. "You vant me to tell them he lowered his vand."

"I do," she said.

Viktor searched her face. "You are going through a lot of trouble for someone who has been missing for months. Are you sure he is even alive?"

She could hear her heartbeat echo inside the cavern in her chest. "He is."

"How can you be so su—"

"I can feel it."

Viktor stared at her, and her face grew hot as she thought of the other explanations she should have given about Gringotts, and Grimmauld Place.

Finally, Viktor nodded. And sipped his tea.

~*~

Draco's trial would begin on Monday 23 August. On Thursday, Shrapley had come to collect some of the items she stowed in her pouch. On Friday, she'd stared at her notes. And on Saturday, she sat with Narcissa at dinner, staring down at the table and pushing her potatoes around with her fork.

She'd struggled with her Occlumency the last few days. Rationally, she knew Draco was alive, but it hadn't stopped Viktor's words from echoing in her ears every night until she gave into a Dreamless Sleep potion.

"Narcissa," she said abruptly. "If Kreacher answers to the House of Black, would he come if you called him?"

Narcissa glanced up from her plate. Hermione's breath grew quicker as her mind raced.

"I know we've been careful, but it's been months. I really think it's safe to summon him. If we could communicate with him, he could tell us how Draco is—"

"I don't think so, Hermione," said Narcissa softly. She set down her fork.

Hermione blinked. "You think Kreacher wouldn't come?"

"No, I…" There was a pause as Narcissa searched for the words. "I don't think it's a good idea."

"Oh." She counted her heartbeats. "But don't you think Draco would want to know that we have his case handled? He must be in a safe location by now. Kreacher could easily fetch the papers for him, and I'm sure he's—"

"If he wanted to reach out, he would have."

The words hit her like a blow. She reeled from the truth of it.

He could have found her, if he wanted.

He could have been here, to hold her when she woke up tangled in his sheets, screaming and crying from her nightmares.

"Hermione, dear—"

"I miss him," said Hermione, and then she was crying, her lungs seizing for air. "I want to know he's safe. And I want him to come home."

"I know, darling— "

"Do you think"—her voice shook as she tried to calm herself—"If I can get him acquitted, do you think he'll come home after?"

A soft hand found hers. Hermione watched it blur as she waited for Narcissa's answer, like dancing on a tightrope.

When she finally looked up, it was into warm blue eyes. "I think it depends. I think he has to believe there's something worth coming back for."

The space where her heart should have been beating dissolved to dust. A wet sound broke from her throat, and she wanted to ask Narcissa exactly what she had to do, but the sobs were coming too quickly, wracking her body.

Narcissa held her tightly until it ended. She stood, stooping to brush Hermione's cheeks with her knuckles and tuck her hair behind her ear. Then she quietly excused herself.

Hermione stared at the tablecloth as Narcissa's footsteps faded, wondering how she could possibly tell Draco he was the only thing she wanted anymore when he was so far out of reach.

~*~

She arrived at Parliament Hall on Monday morning in the same navy robes. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears, and she matched the rhythm with her footsteps on the cobblestones.

"Miss Granger! Over here!"

"Miss Granger, are you here to testify on behalf of Draco Malfoy?"

"Do you know where he is?"

She steeled her expression and pushed past them, ignoring the flashbulbs in her face.

The Swiss Prosecutors were gathered near security, and they fell silent when she neared. She ignored them, checking her wand and proceeding directly to the courtroom doors. The guards cleared her quickly, and she was led to her usual chair behind the Italian Prosecutors. Pierre smirked at her as she took her seat, twirling a quill between his fingertips.

The large chair for the Defendant was absent. Hermione breathed deep and focused on smoothing out the ripples of the lake inside her mind.

The press filed in. The Secretariat entered next. The court came to its feet for President Ogden. She sat again. The Judges swore their oaths. And Pierre stood up.

She drifted into her body to watch him step towards the judges.

"We're here today to try Draco Malfoy for his crimes," his smooth voice rang out. "His crimes against the United Kingdom, and greater Europe, and the international community. His crimes"—Pierre turned to the press seats—"against humanity itself."

Hermione counted to ten as she inhaled.

—"beyond reasonable doubt, murdered Swiss Minister Vogel and his secretary, and served as an accessory to the murder of thousands in Switzerland and France. In addition to his war crimes, Mr. Malfoy actively participated in sex trafficking and human slavery—"

She counted as she exhaled.

"—orchestrated careful, strategic assistance to the True Order to protect himself in the event the Great Order should fall—"

Her gaze drifted to Shrapley. He met her eyes for one heartbeat before rolling his shoulders back and returning to his notes.

He'd visited the Manor yesterday evening. She'd frozen at the sight of him stepping through the Manor fireplace, but he quickly reassured her he was only there to offer some pre-trial advice.

"You're paying me—quite handsomely—to trust me. So trust me."

Her brows had drawn together, but she nodded for him to continue.

"It will be a long trial. I'd advise you to stay away if it weren't for the fact that it would be irregular— "

"I'm not going to stay home when his life is on the line—"

"—as well as your clear personal feelings for him, coupled with an enormous amount of stubbornness."

There had been silence.

"As Draco's attorney, I will tell you right now that the best thing for you to do for his case is to keep yourself well."

Hermione had stared at him, but she found no hidden meaning in his words.

"You're an expert Occlumens. Nothing you hear in that courtroom is going to help you deliver the testimony I need you to deliver. That Draco needs you to deliver. So use your skillset, and let me use mine."

Her throat had been dry as she opened her mouth. "Alright."

His blue eyes had searched hers in the darkness.

"Your shoulders are too young to carry the weight you try to lay on them, Miss Granger."

Before she could respond, he'd turned to the fireplace and left.

Hermione was startled back to the present by Pierre taking his seat. He leaned back in his chair, completely at ease.

She watched President Ogden tilt his head at Shrapley. He stood, stepping around the table as the reporters murmured.

"Thank you, Mr. President," he said. His eyes flicked over her once as he turned to the judges, and Hermione breathed deep as she plunged into the depths of her still waters.

Some time later, a man took the stand. Another man in black robes stood to question him.

A man with silver hair stood. His voice was slow as he walked. The man on the stand shifted.

A gavel banged. People stood. Someone said hello to her. She greeted them, then pulled out her notes.

The courtroom filled again. A woman in blue robes took the stand. The man in black robes stood to question her, and the silver-haired man interrupted him twice.

The silver-haired asked the woman questions. The walls behind her buzzed.

Court adjourned, and Hermione blinked into her body when Hestia Jones paused in front of her.

"Alright, Miss Granger?" she said.

Hermione blinked again. "I'm fine. Sorry, but please excuse me—" She tried to catch up with Shrapley, but he was out the front door before she could call out.

The next day was much the same — the Prosecution was still interviewing witnesses about Draco's actions in Zürich and Geneva, though nearly half a dozen were affidavits. Fleur startled her out of her Occlumency by inviting her to lunch, and Hermione declined out of fear she'd want to discuss specifics.

When Narcissa met her at the front door that day, asking how it went, all Hermione could manage was, "I hardly know."

On Wednesday morning, Hermione had trouble staying in her still waters.

The signed affidavits were in regards to her. Shrapley had prepared her for this, warning her that there would be account after account of her treatment at Edinburgh and the Hogwarts Celebration Party — but her lake still rippled every time someone said her name, and when the crowd murmured, she could hear the rumbling of a distant avalanche.

At the afternoon recess, she slipped out the back door and took a walk through Edinburgh, fighting the temptation to storm back into the courtroom and scream.

"Four more hours," Shrapley muttered from the corner of his mouth, as they filed back inside the courtroom. Hermione managed a nod.

The court resumed, and just as Hermione imagined her lake, Pierre called his final witness to the stand. A Mind Healer.

Her gaze flickered as the witness was led into the courtroom.

She recognized him. He was the shorter, rounder Healer who had stopped her from leaving. Shrapley had given her his name, but she was certain she hadn't worked with him.

His eyes drifted over her as he sat on the stand and introduced himself, and when Pierre began his questions, her shelves began trembling.

"Healer Thompson, can you please explain what 'Stockholm Syndrome' is?"

Hermione's eye twitched. She looked over to Shrapley. His quill had gone very still.

"Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological response wherein a hostage bonds with their captor. Although we would expect the hostage or victim to experience fear or disdain, the opposite can happen. They develop positive feelings for their captors, possibly even believing they share common goals and interests."

Hermione tried to reach for her still waters, but it was as if the lake had dried up.

"Oftentimes the hostage comes to distrust authority figures and anyone who might be trying to separate them from their captor."

Blood rushed in her ears. Her head was light as air, and her stomach heavy.

"Now Healer Thompson," Pierre said, strolling directly in front of her, "does Stockholm Syndrome always occur in these situations?"

"No."

"Could a captor… encourage the development of these positive feelings in their hostage?"

"Of course—"

"Objection," Shrapley's head jerked up. "Conjecture."

"Overruled." President Ogden nodded to Healer Thompson.

"Yes."

Pierre tilted his head. "How?"

Healer Thompson cleared his throat. "By bringing them into their confidence and showing them kindness. By reinforcing their dependence on them."

There was a metallic taste in her mouth. She'd bitten her tongue.

"And what might a captor gain from such a thing?"

"Sympathy. Compliance. Devotion. In many cases, victims will refuse to work with proper authorities to bring their captors to justice and seek to protect them instead."

Shrapley was still except for his fingertips tapping against his lips.

"Healer Thompson," said Pierre, "Have you treated slaves purchased at the Great Order's Auction who have been diagnosed with this condition?"

"Yes."

"Objection!" Shrapley scribbled a note before he added, "Irrelevant."

"Sustained."

Pierre turned to President Ogden. "No further questions."

Shrapley stood, and Hermione's eyes flicked to him, clenching her trembling hands into fists.

"What distinguishes Stockholm Syndrome from other relationships with a power imbalance, Healer Thompson?"

Healer Thompson brushed his mustache and said, "Well, in one case, one person can't leave. They're captives to the other person."

Shrapley stared at him for a long moment before nodding and dismissing the witness.

The Prosecution rested, and court was adjourned for the day.

Neither Hestia nor Fleur approached her this time. Hermione sat quietly in her seat, burying books and organizing shelves until the courtroom was empty and the guard asked her if she needed assistance.

~*~

"There's no need to panic," Shrapley said through the Floo. "I miscalculated. It was sure to happen once in my life."

Hermione paced in front of the fireplace. "So they won't be going after my memories after all?"

"No. It seems they have decided to utilize an accusation of an obscure Muggle condition that most in the wizarding world have never heard of. Before today, anyway."

"This is preposterous." Hermione began pacing again. Shrapley was silent.

"How can I—" Her eyes closed, and she breathed deep through her nostrils. "How can I disprove this? How can I show that Draco's actions were out of genuine love for me, and mine for him?"

"Trust the evidence, Miss Granger," he said. A muscle in his jaw ticked. "The evidence is based in fact, not the medical opinions of someone who has never diagnosed you."

When Shrapley disappeared from the fireplace, she declined dinner with Narcissa, and asked the elves to bring her a Sleeping Draught. She laid in Draco's bed, thinking of the horrified way he'd stared at Giuliana with Blaise, and Penelope with Marcus. And just before she drifted, she remembered the last night she'd spent with him, when he'd silenced the words on her lips before she could tell him she loved him too.

~*~

On Thursday, she chose the best robes in her closet. She ate a few bites of toast, flipped through the paper, and then walked outside to Apparate to Edinburgh.

Her shelves were tidy and secure, and her waters were still.

The reporters pressed on her. The sound was loud in her ears and the flashes blinding.

She handed over her wand. They led her to a hallway to wait, and she stared down at her shoes. They were far too sensible, she thought. Pansy would be furious.

Pushing Pansy's book aside, she focused on the stone walls of the hallway.

They opened the doors for her, and a guard led her to the witness stand. She sat, facing the court. Pierre was leaned back in his chair, his hands folded over his stomach lazily.

Shrapley stood, lifting a brow at her.

The next three hours were filled with story after story, piece after piece of the puzzle. He asked her if Draco Malfoy had ever forced sexual intercourse on her during her year at Malfoy Manor, and she replied in the negative. He directly referenced Susan Bones' testimony that Hermione had performed oral sex on Draco Malfoy in public, and she replied that Pansy Parkinson had done so in her body in order to protect her from a party centered around Marcus Flint's lust potion.

Shrapley asked her to elaborate on when her sexual relationship began with Draco Malfoy, and she replied, "The early hours of 20th March 1999." Shrapley had asked who had initiated the act, and she said, "I did." The court hummed in shocked whispers and scratching quills, but her mind was too focused for their judgment to sink into her. President Ogden had to call for quiet.

"20 March," Shrapley said, pacing with his hands in his pockets. "Why didn't Draco Malfoy pursue sex sooner?"

"His main interest was my comfort and well-being."

"How do you know that?"

"He told me as much many times, but it became clear in his actions on Sunday 26 July."

Hermione went on to detail the ritual that extracted the magical signature of her virginity, and the reasons for it. Shrapley asked the judges to refer to the glass jar and corresponding memory they'd reviewed that morning.

Shrapley asked her to confirm that she still had one functioning ovary due to Draco Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy, and then referred to the physical examination conducted at St. Mungo's when she'd been admitted.

He asked for any other instances where Draco Malfoy had prioritized her well-being, and she explained the night that Bellatrix Lestrange had cut into her arm, poisoning her, and the way Draco had sucked the venom out. He asked her about the death of Bellatrix Lestrange and referred the judges to the memory.

"Why do you think he killed his aunt, Miss Granger?" Shrapley asked.

"Because she was going to kill me."

"And that was good enough reason for him?"

"Yes," she said.

Pierre recrossed his legs. The reporters buzzed, the room hanging on every word.

They moved onto the tattoo antidote potion after that. She described in excruciating detail how she researched the tattoos and what resources she was given access to, including Narcissa and Draco's wands. She mentioned Draco taking her to see Theo Nott and procuring the proper text for her, at great risk to himself.

Shrapley asked why she didn't take the antidote herself once it was tested. She confirmed that she did, telling the court about the day Draco tried to give her his wand and set her free. Her eyes pricked at the memory, and Shrapley gave her a sharp look that reminded her to push her emotions beneath the surface.

After an afternoon recess, the last thing they discussed on Thursday was how Hermione had communicated with the True Order. She detailed Charlotte's system of passing notes, explaining that Draco helped her connect with Cho Chang. When she told them it was Draco that had extracted Charlotte's memories the night Edinburgh was attacked in March, Pierre sighed and cracked his neck. Her voice was hoarse from the talking as she finished with the story of Draco giving the antidote ingredients to Charlotte and returning her memories. Shrapley asked the court to refer to Lucius Malfoy's memory that had been submitted to evidence.

When President Ogden adjourned court that day, Hermione slipped out the back to avoid the rabid reporters and photographers and Apparated home. She accepted a hug from Narcissa, slipped into a bath, and allowed herself to think of Draco without her Occlumency. Her tears drowned in the bathwater, and by the time she went to bed, she was fully Occluded again.

Shrapley had filed several motions in the past weeks to remove the press from the discussions of Horcruxes, citing a threat to the public. When Hermione arrived on Friday morning to finish her testimony, only President Ogden, the five judges, the Prosecution, the Defense, and the Secretariat were allowed.

Shrapley asked Hermione to explain what a Horcrux was, and to tell the court how she came by this knowledge. He tossed her question after question until it was clear to the court that the only reason Voldemort could survive when other wizards could not was due to his Horcruxes.

A vein throbbed in Pierre's temple, and Jacobs looked pale and grim. The French judge's mouth had fallen open at the beginning of her story and stayed that way, his walrus mustache twitching.

Her story turned toward Draco's involvement, Lucius Malfoy's memories, and Romania. They listened with rapt attention as she explained the process of retrieving the Basilisk fang and killing the piece of Voldemort's soul.

A week ago, she'd retrieved the remains of the Sorting Hat from Romania in an Occluded haze. The wards recognized her as a Malfoy and let her pass. Shrapley had submitted the Hat to a Dark Magic expert, and he had produced a document confirming that the Hat had been endowed with Dark Magic at some point, but now it was gone. Shrapley asked the court to refer to the Hat submitted to evidence.

After three hours of questioning, Shrapley confirmed that he was finished with his direct examination of Hermione Granger, and Pierre confirmed that he would not ask questions about the Horcrux during cross-examination.

President Ogden rubbed the bridge of his nose and called for a recess.

Hermione found a small room in the back of the library to sit in for the hour. Shrapley brought her tea with honey and a small sandwich. She Occluded in silence, sipping and chewing slowly.

The press and guests were greedy with curiosity when they returned after lunch. They stared at her as she took the stand again, hungry to know what she'd divulged that had necessitated the closing of the court.

President Ogden slammed his gavel, calling them to order. General Robert Pierre stood, smoothed his hair, and turned his arrogant eyes on her.

"Miss Granger, you have been on the stand for a long time now. I just have a few more questions."

She nodded.

Pierre folded his hands and said, "When did Draco Malfoy first tell you that he loved you?"

Grey eyes swam up in her vision. The book snapped closed.

"In the early hours of 4 May. He told me he'd loved me for years—"

"Yes, but he first told you this on 4 May. Correct?"

She blinked. "Yes."

"The night the Great Order began to fall. The night Voldemort died and the True Order stormed Malfoy Manor," he added.

Hermione didn't respond. Shrapley had made it clear to only answer questions, not statements.

"So it might be said, Miss Granger," said Pierre, strolling in front of her, "that he confessed his love for you in the very moments before he lost his power over you."

"Objection." Shrapley's voice cut through the whispers. "Leading question."

"Sustained," Ogden said. "General Pierre, be careful."

Pierre nodded, and then smiled at her. "4 May, yes?"

"Yes." Her fingers twisted together.

"Miss Granger, did you ever find it curious why your friends were being tortured, raped, and caged like animals… while you slept in a bed of your own, not a hair on your head touched—"

"Objection—"

"Rephrase, General Pierre—"

"Did you know your treatment was different than the other men and women sold at the Auction?"

She looked into Pierre's cool blue eyes and imagined placid waters. "I did know."

"What did you make of it?"

"I was confused in the beginning. But when I asked Draco Malfoy why he'd bought me in the Auction, he said it was the right thing to do."

"And you believed him?"

Her breath hitched. She hadn't. She'd thought for months that it was exactly as Pierre said — a plot to protect him and his family. She chose her words carefully.

"Not at first, but after the many instances I discussed earlier, I came to see that—"

"You didn't believe him at first?" Pierre tilted his head at her.

"I soon did."

"Was that before or after you began your sexual relationship?"

"Objection!"

"Sustained."

Hermione was fully in her body now, her eyes watching General Pierre as he stalked her like a panther closing in on its prey.

"What reason do we have to trust your mind, Miss Granger?" His eyes were fierce as his voice grew in volume and speed. "You exhibit many symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome as Healer Thompson discussed, and your testimony is riddled with emotional ties to the defendant—"

"Objection—"

"—that only prove the point that you bonded with him during your captivity—"

"Objection—"

"Sustained, Pierre!"

"—aligning your goals to his ultimate purpose of proving his innocence to this court—"

"I'll hold you in Contempt, Pierre."

"Apologies, Mr. President." Pierre paused and swiftly redirected as her heart hammered in her ribs. "What reason do we have to think you weren't manipulated in your time at Malfoy Manor, Miss Granger?"

"I loved him for years before he saved me." She lifted her eyes, watching the words float on a string to him. "And I love him still."

Whispers descended like snowfall. Pierre opened his mouth. And paused as the rumbling grew.

Hermione's eyes flicked to Shrapley, who'd come to his feet. He lifted a brow at her and gave the slightest shrug of his shoulder, as if to say, Not bad.

The gavel banged over and over until President Ogden had control of the room. Pierre adjusted his collar and leveled her with a curious look.

"You loved him for years," he repeated. "At school?"

"Yes. I had feelings for him at school."

She stared into Pierre's narrowed blue eyes, and he held her gaze as he told President Ogden that he had no further questions. The court was called to recess, and she exited too swiftly to hear anyone calling her, moving as quickly as she could back to Malfoy Manor.

~*~

Hermione's face was on the cover of the Prophet the next day. The photograph had captured her exiting Parliament Hall yesterday, pushing through reporters and cameras. The headline that morning had read:

HERMIONE GRANGER TAKES THE STAND: "I LOVE HIM STILL"

She tried to settle her nerves all weekend, knowing that there was still more to come for the defense on Monday. Narcissa offered to walk with her in the gardens to soothe her anxiety, and when Hermione declined, she suggested they read together in the Conservatory.

The Witch Weekly that Narcissa handed her on Sunday read: HERMIONE GRANGER AND DRACO MALFOY: STAR-CROSSED LOVERS.

Her face burned. She could barely breathe as the weight of her confession and testimony came crashing over her shoulders, but Narcissa simply smiled into her teacup.

Owls came to the Manor every hour — invitations for interviews, fan mail, Howlers. All kinds of different reactions. She told the elves to collect her letters and hold them until after the trial.

On Monday, there were twice as many reporters waiting for her outside Parliament Hall. She kept her head high as she passed through them, letting their questions vanish like sound in a vacuum.

That day, Shrapley called his second witness — a Swiss man who had defected from the Great Order shortly after the battles in Switzerland. He had been a lower-level guard who had witnessed Draco becoming violently ill after torturing Muggles and Swiss soldiers on his aunt's orders. He also testified that on three different occasions, Lucius Malfoy swept in to finish the job for him, sparing him from doing any more damage.

Katya Viktor took the stand after. She told the court that she'd found Hermione and Draco in the library when she came to visit. It had looked like they were researching something. She also mentioned that Draco never reported her to the Great Order after she insisted he attend Edinburgh on the night it was attacked. She sent Hermione a small smile as she stepped off the stand.

After recess, it was Viktor's turn to tell them about Draco lowering his wand. Pierre scoffed, earning a rebuke from President Ogden.

Oliver and Pansy testified on Tuesday morning — Oliver about how Draco had come to Theo for help with the Scourer journal and the Pensieve for viewing Charlotte's memories, and Pansy about how Draco had saved her after her father gave her off to be Auctioned. Pansy was cool and calm as the conversation shifted to the night at Edinburgh, confirming that it had been her idea and that she never felt forced.

"You dated Draco Malfoy briefly at school. Did you ever notice his feelings for Hermione Granger?"

Hermione felt her pulse in her fingertips.

"Yes," said Pansy.

"When?"

"About half-way through sixth year. That's when I understood."

When Pansy was excused, she sent Hermione a wink. Hermione smiled and quickly looked away, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.

~*~

The judges deliberated all throughout Wednesday. Hermione sat in one of the empty courtrooms until Shrapley's Patronus materialized: It's time.

The French judge with the white mustache stood before the court and read out that they had reached a conclusion about Draco Malfoy's sentencing in absentia.

"If still alive, Draco Malfoy is sentenced to two years in Azkaban. He is to turn himself over to the Ministry immediately upon receipt of this verdict."

There was ringing in her ears. She swayed on her feet.

Shrapley had told her that an acquittal was impossible. "He'll serve some time," he'd told her. "Make no mistake. Our goal is to make that number as low as possible."

What were two years to the rest of your life?

She pressed her fingertips to her lips and looked at Shrapley. He nodded to her, with a pleased expression.

The court adjourned, and Hermione didn't spare a glance at anyone else as she crossed the room to thank him.

"I can get the sentence lowered in appeals," Shrapley said. "I'm sure of it." He shook her hand and said, "I'll be in touch, Miss Granger. A recommendation to law school, perhaps?" He lifted his brow at her and led her out of the courtroom.

She followed him out into the corridor. Hestia stopped her to arrange a visit to the Ministry that Friday to discuss her offer, and Hermione caught up to Shrapley in time to admire the way he answered a reporter's questions without a pause in his steps.

"Of course we plan to appeal. I'll have him out in 14–16 months."

He tossed Hermione a smile as they exited the building together, and disappeared into the shouting crowd without another word.

Hermione raced down the Manor's drive, bursting through the Manor doors and running to the drawing room. She pushed the doors open and froze, her eyes searching for Narcissa's. She took one look at Hermione's face, and began weeping.

They celebrated with champagne again. After Narcissa had gone to bed, and the alcohol had stopped warming her skin, she took the long way back to her bedroom, passing the library and her marble bust. She stared at Lucius's smirking face and whispered the good news before dragging herself upstairs.

Thursday's Prophet announced Draco's sentencing with a detailed article summarizing every step in the trial, apart from the sealed information about the Horcrux. They'd included a picture of Shrapley making his way out of the courtroom, capturing his quote about having him out in 14–16 months.

What the Tribunal had been unwilling to say about Draco Malfoy's role in the war, the press now was. Hermione was smiling down at an article about the trial when her eye caught on something strange buried in the middle.

Provisional Government to Obliviate Remaining Edinburgh Muggles

Hermione tossed the paper back on the desk as if it had burned her. She sat on Draco's bed, trying to rationalize, but her blood continued boiling in her veins.

She finished reading the article, and it took her less than a split-second to decide. She threw on her clothes, strode down to the Manor drive, and Apparated to the Ministry.

She found Hestia in her small office on the first floor.

Hestia closed her eyes in resignation as the door slammed behind her. "Hermione—"

"Obliviated." Hermione brandished the article at her. "Three hundred of them."

"Yes. But—"

"Let me guess. It wasn't your vote."

"Wrong." Hestia stood from her desk and folded her hands in front of her. "Hermione, the law is quite clear on this matter. There is clear stipulation from the International Statute of Secrecy—"

"Are you telling me that the Provisional Government hasn't bent any laws in the past three months?"

Another silence.

"These are heroes," she hissed. "Survivors—"

"My hands were tied, Hermione. If the new government we're hoping to build is to have any credibility moving forward, it must comply with the laws of the I.C.W. They weren't willing to bend on this."

Hermione stared at her, counting her heartbeats. "I have an answer to your offer."

"Go ahead," said Hestia. Her lips pressed together.

"I cannot in good conscience join a government willing to make those kinds of sacrifices. Those girls were just as much a part of this war as the rest of us—" Her throat closed as she remembered a girl with strawberry-blonde hair screaming into the sky. "They've had so much taken from them already. They have a right to determine their own future."

Hestia's eyes flickered with something. "I understand completely. I also wish things could be different."

Hermione stepped into her. "Then do something about it."

The corner of Hestia's mouth tugged. "Excellent work with Zabini and Malfoy, Hermione. I've been meaning to tell you for some time."

She moved around Hermione, her hand pausing on the door handle. "Keep fighting," she said softly. "I hope one day you can succeed where I'm failing. I mean that."

Hestia stepped through the door and held it open for her. Hermione felt numb as she commanded her legs to walk through. Hestia closed it behind her, pacing briskly down the corridor. Hermione stared after her, thinking.

As she exited the building onto the Muggle streets, she wandered for a while in no specific direction. She thought of her parents, and Draco. But there was only her own reflection staring back at her in the glass doors of an empty cafe as she tried to decide what was supposed to happen next.

All she wanted was for things to mend themselves. The government. Hogwarts. The Carrow Girls. The space between her and Ron, and the chasm in her heart.

She Apparated to Diagon Alley, wandering the damaged stalls and shuttered shops. Flourish and Blotts had been looted, its windows broken and rubbish strewn about the entry.

She walked down the narrow street, smiling at shopkeepers who recognized her, and offering help to an old man trying to clean up his store.

At the corner of Diagon and Horizont Alley, she found a familiar storefront — a bookstore she used to visit when Flourish and Blotts was too busy. Cornerstone Bookshop. It had a funny off-center door and a little bell announcing visitors.

She searched the stacks for Morty, the sweet older man who owned the shop, but only his wife Maggie emerged. Maggie told her with glassy eyes that Morty had been killed last year in a skirmish with Death Eaters in Diagon Alley.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Maggie smiled at her sadly, and asked what she could help her with.

"Thank you," said Hermione. "Er, I was hoping to look for books on magical law."

The moments the words escaped her, something clicked into place.

Maggie nodded and showed her to the proper shelves. By the end of the day, as Hermione carried twelve new books to the counter, she asked Maggie if she needed any help with the shop.

"Oh," Maggie said, frowning. "You're very kind, Miss Granger. But you're quite a celebrity. I'm sure you have plenty of other things to do."

"Not really." Hermione shrugged. "Actually, I'm looking to do some studying. And if it's alright with you, I suppose I could do it here. When it's not too busy, of course."

Maggie's eyes lit up, and she jerked her head in a nod as she fussed with her grey plait.

Hermione was hesitant to leave Narcissa alone in the Manor, but she was delighted by the idea. So Hermione trained with Maggie all day Friday, and worked alone the next day, filing books and trying to balance the ledger between customers. She wrote an owl to Shrapley telling him of her plans, and received a lengthy owl filled with his favorite textbooks. There was a large counter staring down the doorway on a small landing, so she was able to read as many books as she liked while waiting for customers to interrupt her.

By six o'clock on Saturday, she'd finished the first of Shrapley's recommended books. Maggie had come down from her upstairs flat only once or twice to check on her, satisfied with her work.

When it was almost time to close, Hermione darted to the shelves to the right to refile the books she'd been reading.

The bell over the front door chimed.

Her head snapped up from the shelves, and she quickly moved back toward the desk. "I'm sorry, we're just closed—"

Draco stood on the mat. His hair longer than she remembered. His eyes just as grey.

The air rushed out of her lungs, and her knees almost buckled. She braced herself on the counter.

A Muggle coat was pulled up to his ears despite the warm weather. His lips parted, his gaze on her.

She'd seen him a thousand times in her dreams, but never like this. Hermione closed her eyes, begging the vision to last — to keep her heart beating just a little longer before he vanished like mist.

Soft footsteps, closing the distance between them. Not Death Eater boots or dragon leather shoes, but the sound of something entirely new.

She opened her eyes, and he was still there. The handful of yards between them felt like a hair's breadth.

She tried to speak. Her mouth opened, and her throat clicked.

The corner of his mouth twitched as she gazed at him, half expecting him to disappear like a trick of the light. Then he ran a hand through his hair, and said, "Do you happen to have the newest Gainsworth book?"

Her lungs shuddered, the sound of his voice bringing life back into her body after months of emptiness.

He stepped closer, his eyes tracing her face in a way that was as intimate as breathing. "I'll need a few of his, I think."

Another step, and she felt a tug at her ribs — the same string pulling taut between them, like a familiar dance.

Like he was real.

He approached the counter. "I'll need some reading. I'm going away for a while, you see. For about 14–16 months."

She sobbed. Her hand slapped over her mouth as her shoulders shook.

He ascended the few steps to the main landing with aching slowness. Tears slipped through her fingers as he gazed at her like she was the answer to a question he'd been asking for years.

"But I'm not going yet."

Her hand dropped, her lips parting. "No?" Only an arm's length away.

"Tomorrow sounds nice, doesn't it?" His hands rested on the counter, and she stared down at them, aching.

"It does." She smiled through her tears.

He reached for her, and the pieces inside of her mended and rearranged as his fingers threaded between hers, closing the empty spaces between them.

Chapter End Notes

Thank you for reading.

Special shout out to PacificRimbaud's fic A Dress with Pockets for the full circle Pansy/Neville.

End Notes

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41