Chapter Text
1
It was silent, a heavy tension in the air. Hermione stared at the empty space where her two friends once stood. She had been foolish. This was practically suicide. Harry and Ron were going to save her, and yet she yelled “leave” when the time was right. The small elf that was with them obliged, taking her friends away, and leaving her there. She was tossed to the floor, a yell of anger filling the room, breaking the tension.
“He got away! The Dark Lord will be displeased.”
“Calm yourself, Bellatrix.” A blonde woman spoke. She approached a young man, the same age as Hermione, and began to check on him. Hermione watched through half lidded eyes as Narcissa Malfoy pulled a cloth from her robes, dabbing it on her son, Draco Malfoy’s face. He winced at the touch, gently pushing her hand away.
“You are far too calm for this, Cissy! He will punish us! Punish us all!” Bellatrix turned, looking down at Hermione. “This one told him to leave. To leave without her. Bravery, or stupidity, I wonder. No matter, we will dispose of the mudblood now.” She pulled a dagger from her cloak, pressing it to Hermione’s throat. Hermione hissed, feeling the dagger break her skin. So this was how she would die? At the hands of Bellatrix Lestrange.
“Wait!”
Bellatrix snapped her head toward the voice. She sneered. “What is it, Draco? You aren’t standing up for the mudblood, are you?”
“No.” Draco spoke, approaching slowly. He looked down at Hermione, an unreadable expression on his face. “Granger has been a friend of Potter’s for a long time now. She could have information about his whereabouts.” He narrowed his eyes. “As inconvenient as having a prisoner would be, she could be a vital resource.”
“Is that so?” A sharp, raspy voice came from behind them. Draco turned, practically cowering at the sight of Voldemort himself. “You let the boy escape?”
“My Lord!” Bellatrix bowed dramatically. “Potter attacked us! He-”
“I was not speaking to you, Bellatrix.” Voldemort held his hand up. He approached Draco, his crimson eyes lowering to get a look at Hermione. “This girl is a friend of Potter’s?” He asked.
“Yes, my Lord.” Draco responded, his voice shaking.
“And you believe she has information on his whereabouts? That she could be a vital resource?”
“I do.”
Voldemort grinned. His smile unnaturally wide, inhuman. His pale figure hovered over Hermione, elongated finger reaching out to touch her face. Hermione recoiled at the touch, grimacing. His fingers were as cold as ice, the nails as sharp as blades.
“Then it’s settled.” He spoke. “Your punishment for letting the boy get away is to care for the girl. I will come weekly and attempt to get any information that I can from her. You will care for her while I do. If she has not spoken by the end of the school year, then she will die a slow, painful death. And your punishment will be… severe.” His eyes landed on each member of the Malfoy family. “Draco will be in charge of her care.”
“Me?” Asked Draco in an almost offended tone.
“You don’t have a problem with that, do you?” Voldemort’s voice was a low hiss. Draco stepped back, bowing his head.
“Of course not, my Lord. I will see to it.”
Voldemort nodded. He turned, aiming his wand at Hermione. She swallowed, lifting her head up weakly. A sharp raspy laugh echoed through the room. “You will break easily.” He spoke before flicking his wrist. Everything went black.
*****
When Hermione woke she was in a bedroom. She had thought at first that her encounter had been nothing but a mere nightmare until she began looking around. The room was beautiful. A red and black color accenting the room. She stood from the bed, approaching a nearby window. She was still in the manor. Her eyes narrowed as she attempted opening the window.
“That won’t work.” She startled at the sound of a voice behind her. When she turned, Draco was standing in the doorway, arms crossed. “The house is protected by strong magic that someone like yourself couldn’t comprehend. Even if you were to escape through the window, the Death Eaters that guard the place would catch you instantly.”
Hermione crossed her arms, scowling. “What do you want, Malfoy? Or are you simply here to gloat?”
He threw his head back in laughter. “Don’t be stupid, Granger. I saved your life. You should be thanking me.”
Hermione’s eyes widened. She had never felt such rage in her body. “Thanking you?! You did nothing but extend my life for a short amount of time. When Harry and Ron come back for me you will suffer the consequences! Even if they don’t I will be killed and so will you and your family. You’ve merely damned us all.”
“Enough.” Draco began approaching her. “The Dark Lord has made you my ward. No one can harm you unless I say so. Trust me, I’d love to hear you scream, but you are far too useful. You will remain here in this room unless I or someone I have sent comes to escort you somewhere else. House-elves will bring you three meals a day. You have the luxury of an en-suite bathroom, and a comfortable bed.” He grinned. “I even gave you a small bookshelf so that you can keep yourself occupied. I know how much you love your precious books. You will do what I say when I say.”
“I’d rather be killed.” Hermione huffed.
Draco laughed once more, turning to leave. “Oh, and Granger.” He paused at the door. “Your friends aren’t coming for you. Not unless they have a death wish.” The door shut, leaving Hermione alone.