Disclaimer: The beauty of the Harry Potter world and all its characters below solely to JK Rowling. I am only borrowing.

Hello boys and girls!

I'm back :) I know its been a long long long long time. Trust me the 10 or two plot bunnies in different books crowding my study remind me of this often. I've finally stumbled onto a story I feel compelled to share. My idea had originally been to write the whole thing and then share it with you but I couldn't wait so my new plan is to stay 2 chapters ahead at all times.

I do so love reviews and constructive feedback - note the word constructive - so please feel free to share with me, let me know where you think the story should go next - suggestions often help with motivation.

I've missed you all :)

Straight xx

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"Truth be told I've tried my best

but somewhere along the way

I got caught up in all there was to offer

and the cost was so much more than I could bare"

- Sarah McLachlan - 'Fallen'

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"Gin this is a terrible idea"

Hermione Granger stood in a figure-hugging black strapless dress that came to just above her knees with her arms crossed. One of her best friends, Ginny Weasley, stood in front of her, wand in hand, as she styled Hermione's wild hair into manageable loose curls that hung down her down.

"Nonsense 'Mione - Ron said he and Seamus were totally fine and as long as we're back by 1am then no one need ever know we were gone"

"Maybe they got lucky - we may not"

Ginny, having completed her work on Hermione's hair, stopped and sighed,

"We need this 'Mione. I need this - I can't stand that my life has become a mundane existence of moving from safe house to safe house in between the odd battle. I'm going insane, please I need a break"

This time it was Hermione's turn to sigh, not out of frustration with her friend but because she was right. After Harry's defeat of Voldemort everyone had thought all the fighting was over - that they'd be able to begin to lead normal lives again. They'd all been so wrong - it had taken about a week for Lucius Malfoy and those who'd been considered Voldemort's inner circle of followers to form an army of their own and they were ruthless. They still shared Voldemort's hatred of what they deemed 'impure blood' but they also adopted parts of Grindelwald's revolution - namely they wanted to abolish the International Statute of Secrecy and reveal themselves to the Muggles who they would enslave. The Order couldn't allow this group to remain anymore than Voldemort so the battles has resumed. This was pressure enough but for Hermione and Ginny this had been coupled with the awkwardness of failed romances who lived in the various safe houses with them. It had only taken the week in between battles for Hermione and Ron to realise that they were a terrible match and should never have gotten together. They'd separated quickly but their friendship had never been the same. Ginny and Harry had never started but in the week between, everything had been a mess of grief and celebrations and on a night of heavy intoxication Harry had had a one night stand. This had hurt Ginny greatly and they'd never had the opportunity to discuss it as the battles had resumed and Harry had thrown himself back into the fighting.

Ginny's grand plan for the night out had come from Ron and Seamus. Seamus had told the two girls that a week ago he and Ron had snuck out of the house and apparated to a local Muggle nightclub. They'd both been bursting with pride at their rebellion upon return and so had shared their adventure with the girls but had sworn them to secrecy. Now, Ginny wanted to go and as much as Hermione felt wrong for deceiving the others by sneaking out she couldn't deny that an escape from the drone of battle talk was exactly what she felt she needed.

"Okay fine" she relented, "but we'll only be gone 4 hours max okay?"

"Yes, yep fine! Yee I'm so excited" Ginny squealed.

She cast a spell straightening her own hair and zipped up her short blue dress she wore which looked like a large, skin-tight singlet that came to mid-thigh. It was 9pm, the two girls had already informed Molly that they were tired and heading to bed so they knew no one would be looking for them.

"Okay so how do we do this?"

"Keep those off for now" Ginny said as she handed her friend a pair of strappy black heels.

Hermione watched as Ginny - also holding her own shoes - opened the big window in their room and climbed up onto the ledge before jumping out onto a bottom section of roof below.

"Come on 'Mione, hurry up!" Ginny hissed back.

"I can not believe I'm doing this" she muttered to herself as she followed her friend out the window and onto the below roof.

"And now we apparate"

Ginny smiled and then with a crack was gone. Not one to be left behind, Hermione followed an instant later.

XxXxXx

The volume at the club was extreme and so was the sheer amount of people - Hermione and Ginny had had to elbow their way through the crowd from the storage room they'd apparated into. Per Hermione's condition of accompanying Ginny - that they both keep clear heads - they bypassed the bar and went straight for the dance floor. The whole area was packed with people bumping and grinding to the sound of some kind of dance music. They were lost in their own world simply moving together to the music with no idea that a war had been raging around them for the last few years.

Ginny dragged Hermione into the very centre of the dancing bodies and then gave her the biggest grin as they both begun to move. Her doubts about sneaking out aside, Hermione was ultimately glad they had - she hadn't seen Ginny smile like that since they were both in school. The war had been wearing at them - at everyone - Hermione knew it was necessary, they needed to protect unsuspecting Muggles and everyone magical - regardless of blood - deserved to be able to practice it. Lucius Malfoy and his gang of Pureblood elitists needed to be stopped and locked away for their treason as well as a bunch of other crimes.

The music changed and a good song came on, the atmosphere on the dance floor became more alive and people were moving faster, almost jumping, in time to the beat. Hermione moved with them, she threw her hands up into the air and her body bumped into another's, turning her slightly. She was in the middle of apologising to the other person when something suddenly caught her eye - a shock of white blond hair passing through the crowd up near the entrance. Immediately, she stopped what she was doing. A sudden panic filled her entire body but she could no longer see the hair. Taking some deep breaths Hermione tried to calm herself - this was a Muggle club, she reminded herself, no Malfoy would enter here it was basically a contaminate zone to them and besides it wasn't like they were the only people in the world with that distinctive hair colour - Muggles could achieve that same colour with a bottle of peroxide. She felt her panic begin to abate, the likelihood of it being Malfoy was slim to none she told herself. She prepared to turn back to Ginny, taking one last sweep of the club, when her eyes locked on him and her panic surged tenfold - Blaise Zabini was standing at the bar. It was definitely him and Hermione was filled with dread and her every instinct screamed at her to get Ginny and get out of there. She reacted quickly after that, she threw herself back into the crowd of people until she found her friend and then she grabbed Ginny's arm and begun to pull her through the crowd. For a moment, Hermione thought Ginny might protest but at the look of sheer terror on Hermione's face she'd complied immediately.

They were almost at the edge of the dance floor when the explosion sounded and shook the entire club. Chaos set in immediately as the Muggle club goers became panicked and started pushing and shoving past one another to try to head for an exit. Another explosion sounded, much closer to the girls and screams rent the air as flashes of red and green light began to fly every which way.

"We have to get out!" Hermione screamed at Ginny.

She pulled her forcefully through the crowd and up some stairs looking for the storage cupboard they'd apparated into. Ginny was crying,

"Hermione the Muggles - we have to do something"

"We'll alert the Order" Hermione screamed back, "We're out numbered here"

Finally, they found the corridor leading to the cupboard.

"Go!" Hermione yelled, "Go!"

They ran down the slimline area and Hermione yanked open the door, shoving Ginny inside.

"Go Gin! I'm right behind you! Tell whoever you can find! Go!"

Tears still in her eyes, Ginny nodded and disapparated. A small speck of relief hit Hermione knowing her friend was safe. She made her move to enter the closet when, suddenly, the entire corridor was lit up in a red glow, Hermione felt something hit her in the back and, suddenly, everything went dark.

XxXxXx

He watched the stunner hit her and caught her before she hit the floor. He saw no signs of the Mini-Weasel so Granger must have somehow gotten her out of the club - Order members would be swarming the area soon. He glanced down at the unconscious Gryffindor and smirked, her looks had greatly improved since he'd last seen her at a raid about 6 months ago. She'd fixed her hair and she wasn't wearing baggy clothing that had obviously been hiding this delectable figure from everyone. She had tits too which surprised him - he copped a quick feel and determined they were probably in the range of a C-cup - way to go Granger.

With no more time to waste, he gathered the girl into his arms and made his way back into the fray. Muggles were everywhere, screaming, shouting, desperate for an escape as Death Eaters of the Rebellion sent curses and hexes at them. Over in the corner, Draco could see someone, maybe Rowle, balls deep in a terrified Muggle who was crying and fighting against him - it never ceased to amaze Draco how a group of people so abhorred by the idea of Muggles still managed to find an excuse to sully themselves by - literally - shoving themselves inside them. Did they tell themselves a cunt was a cunt? Or would Rowle go home tonight and scrub himself clean with some kind of 'Muggle Essence" removal potion.

"I didn't know we were taking hostages - I'd have grabbed one"

Draco's best mate - Blaise - had appeared beside him and was looking at Draco with humour. He reached up to brush the hair off the girl's face and looked at him, shocked.

"You got her? What was she doing here?"

"I saw her and the Mini-Weasel the minute I walked in. They were dancing - no idea of our planned attack. She got the Mini-Weasel out but I stunned Granger before she could get away"

"If Red got away then the Order will be on their way"

Draco nodded, "I know. Gather the boys - its time to go"

"What about Lucius and the Rebellion? They'll be sitting ducks"

Uncaringly, Draco shrugged, "Fuck ' don't work for him. If he didn't scout the location before blowing it up like I did then that's his own fucking fault - besides I don't want him knowing about this"

He gestured to the girl in his arms.

"I'll see you back at the Grand"

With a sharp nod, Draco apparated and was gone.

XxXxXx

Hermione came to lying on a strange couch in a strange place and no memory of how she got there but that's not what scared her. What scared her was Draco Malfoy sitting on the coffee table watching her interestedly. Fear seized her but she knew instantly that she must not show him that.

"You stunned me" it wasn't a question.

"I did" he agreed, "You almost got away"

"Those Muggles did nothing to you, they don't even know of your existence and yet you targeted them, killed them. You disgust me"

She watched Malfoy roll his eyes at her,

"Grow up Granger - this is a war. Casualties are to be expected but incase you're wondering it was not my order to attack those Muggles"

"You are your father's clone Malfoy. He might have given the order but it may as well have been you"

"That's where you're wrong Granger. I couldn't give 2 fucks what my father's plans are - he's simply a means to an end for me and when he's served his purpose he shall be disposed of"

Hermione froze, wondering if this was some kind of trick of Malfoy's. The Malfoy she'd always known was the product of his father, he admired- worshipped even - his father. Now he was talking about having him disposed of? She couldn't read deceit in the expression on his face but then again she couldn't read honesty either - his facial expression was emotionless.

"You can't expect me to believe that Malfoy"

He shrugged, "I couldn't give a shit what you believe Granger - you'll see eventually"

"I'll see what exactly?"

"That I've got my own things going on - I mean, incase you haven't noticed, this isn't exactly my family's manor and you're not exactly locked in a dungeon being used as cock bait"

Hermione glanced around and realised he was right, unless the manor had undergone some serious changes. In fact, this whole place looked more like an apartment - a very large apartment - but definitely not the manor.

"Where am I Malfoy?" she asked him, slowly.

"Welcome to the Grand - The Malfoy Grand - I own this place"

"The apartment or the building?" she asked, confused.

He didn't respond, simply fixed her with a look that told her the answer should have been obvious - of course he owned the whole bloody building.

"Who else lives here?"

"Others who secretly support my cause"

Hermione frowned, "Your cause?"

"I told you Granger - I've got my own things going on. I can't very well do that while my father watches me can I?"

Hermione could feel herself beginning to get angry with him. He was being purposefully aloof, he'd snatched her from the club and was holding her in some place he apparently owned and other Death Eaters lived here with him.

"What the hell are you doing Malfoy? What things?"

"Ok Granger… here's what's going on - My father is behind the times. This stupid targeting of Mudbloods and purifying of the magical bloodlines got the Dark Lord killed and attempting to enslave the Muggles got Grindelwald locked up for the rest of his life. I don't know if my father's brief stint in prison fried his brain but he seems to think a combination of the 2 biggest failures in history is his winning ticket. I don't intend to fail alongside him"

"So what are you doing then?"

"Ah Granger- all you need to know is the old saying applies here - "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" - I no longer support my father's cause, in fact I'm making plans to move against him, which temporarily puts me and your precious Order on the same side fighting against the same enemy - that's all you need to know"

"And why do I need to know this?" she asked, skeptically.

Malfoy smirked, "Because you're going to explain that to the Order. I'm not stupid Granger, the Order's numbers were depleted in the War - they need all the help they can get. They'd be foolish to turn away an alliance"

"An alliance with you Malfoy? They aren't that desperate either" Hermione scoffed.

"We'll see" Malfoy said with a shrug.

He stood and it was obvious he intended to go somewhere as he grabbed a black travelling cloak.

"Wait!" Hermione cried, hating the panic in her voice.

Malfoy turned to face her with a brow raised in question,

"How do I get out of here?" she asked him.

"You don't"

"What? I have to go back Malfoy! You can't keep me here"

"No" he said slowly, "You want to go back and I can keep you here and I will. There's parchment and a quill on the desk and an owl in the aviary. Send your precious Potter a letter. I'll be back"

He headed for the door,

"Oh and Granger? This place is unplottable and protected by a secret keeper so don't bother trying to organise a search party - this is your home now"

The door slammed behind him and Hermione shuddered as she felt tears sting her eyes. Oh god, she had to get out of here.

XxXxXx

Three hours later, Hermione had exhausted all attempts at escape. She could open the windows but a force stopped her from climbing out them, the front door was locked and she couldn't unscrew the hinges, there was an air vent but like the door she couldn't unscrew the screws to open it and there was no fire escape or balcony. All forms of apparating, disapparating or communication also seemed to be warded against. Finally, exhausted and realising Ginny would have raised the alarm and that everyone must be so worried, Hermione sat down at the desk to write a letter.

'Harry

I'm okay, I'm not hurt.

I'm with Malfoy - he stunned me at the club and brought me to some apartment - not the Malfoy Manor. He tells me that he's not in leagues with his father. He's working against him from the inside and plans to over throw him eventually. He hasn't told me anything beyond that but he wishes to form a temporary alliance with the Order. Tell the others but tell them not to fall for it - Malfoy is bad news.

He's not going to let me leave Harry - I can't find a way out of this place. God, I'm so sorry - Ginny and I should have never gone to that club. It was stupid and I'm so sorry.

Please don't do anything reckless.

Hermione'

She rolled up the parchment and tied it tightly with a piece of twine she found on the desk. The aviary turned out to be a small room just off the study about the same size as an ensuite bathroom. 2 owls resided in the room - a small white owl and a large black owl. Hermione called to the small white owl - a tribute to Hedwig - and attached the letter to its leg. He gave her an affectionate nip as Hermione pressed a gentle kiss to its head and released it out of the window after telling it to find Harry.

After that, there wasn't much else to do but explore what Malfoy had referred to as her new "home". The apartment consisted of a large living area with couches and a dinning table as well as a well-stocked bar. The kitchen was large and well-lit and full of food, the windows looked out over Wizarding London .Finally, there appeared to be 2 large rooms- one, the study, full of shelves of books, and a bedroom. The bedroom was probably the most troubling - there was a large bed and a chest of drawers near the entrance to a walk-in-robe which was full of clothes for Malfoy and she assumed herself - the female clothes all had tags on them as if they'd never been worn. The last room off the bedroom was an ensuite full of unopened products a witch might use. All of these new feminine products paired in a room with Malfoy's things suggested to her that Malfoy would expected her to share this room with him. There were no other bedrooms after all. Frowning, Hermione wondered what Malfoy's plan was - how far would he take this? She was without a wand but she'd fight him the Muggle way if it came to it.

Hermione glanced at the small Muggle alarm clock on the bedside table Hermione assumed was supposed to be on her side of the bed - it was 2am. She had no idea where Malfoy had gone or when he'd return but she certainly wasn't going to waste her energy on waiting up for him. She pulled open the drawers in the chest of drawers until she found some sleepwear. She pulled out a silk nightgown with shoe string straps that came to mid-thigh. The look and feel of it suggested to Hermione that the cost of said piece would probably cost as much as a years worth of text books for Hogwarts. Carelessly, Hermione stripped out of the dress she'd worn clubbing and pulled the nightgown on. She tossed the dress into a hamper and then slid into the bed. She'd expected Malfoy to sleep in a bed of pure silk so she found herself surprised that Malfoy's bed was made up of soft cotton sheets. Sighing, Hermione snuggled deeper into the bed and felt her tired body begin to relax. She shouldn't, her cautious mind told her, she was a captive in Malfoy's building which he'd admitted housed other Death Eaters and his own agenda was unclear and she didn't know when he was coming back. All of these things were reasons to stay awake and yet Hermione found her eyes growing heavy as she felt sleep begin to take her.

As she drifted off to sleep, Hermione prayed that Harry, Ron, Ginny and all of her loved ones were safe and that she'd find a way to escape Malfoy so that she could find them again soon.

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Please remember to leave me a little review. I do so love to hear from you :)

- S xx