Hermione laid on the floor of Malfoy manor with blood trickling down her arm. The clean cotton shirt she was wearing now stained with dark red stains that began to soak and stain the floor. Bellatrix got up from the muggle-born witch with her dagger in hand and a mischievous smile on her twisted face.

"Honestly dear, why all the tears. This is nothing compared to what our Lord would do to you" Bellatrix snickered. Hermione was now shaking from uncontrollable sobbing. The dagger that previously tore into her pale skin seemed to have something embedded in it. The what seemed to be poison leaked into her arm and everything in her body became sore and on fire. It seemed as though nothing would stop the pain except death but she knew that Bellatrix had more in store for her. She rolled over on her side and curled up with her arm under her body to help stop the pain. There they stood. Malfoy and his mother as she sobbed. Narcissa Malfoy looked down her nose with chin held high at the girl. A small "you deserve this" smirk playing on her painted red lips. Draco stood next to his mother, a full head taller and statuesque.

Hermione didn't know if her mind was playing tricks on her or if she was truly slipping away because she swore she could have seen a look of concern on Draco's face. He seemed like he was ready to sprint forward but the moment never came. He had sympathy and sorrow in his eyes directed towards Hermione. His mother laughed as Bellatrix hit Hermione with a Crucio spell. She screamed at the top of her lungs before she could no longer scream.

Moments later, the unexpected happened.

Draco pulled out his wand in seconds and shot his aunt back towards the wall. A loud thump as she hit it and fell to the ground unconscious.

"What have you done Draco!" Narcissa yelled with her hand over her mouth and frozen in place. She ran to her sister while Draco ran to Hermione. Bellatrix was out cold and Hermione was conscious but too weak to move a single muscle.

"Wha…what are you doing Malfoy?" Hermione asked through raspy breaths.

"I don't know Granger"

There were footsteps running towards the great room and Draco panicked and told her he needs to apperate them away from here. Hermione laid unresponsive and for some ungodly reason trusted him. Turning the corner, Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, and a few other death eaters stumbled upon the scene before them. Voldemort was the last to enter and saw Draco on the floor with his hands gripping Granger up around her waist and wand raised about to apperate.

Before he finished the spell, Antonin Dolohov tore the girl out of his grip with a powerful tug. Draco Malfoy disappeared. Hermione lost her fight to stay awake a fell limp.

Draco apparated on the grounds of Hogwarts and began to run. Fellow students watched as Malfoy ran across the school in his all black suit, messed up hair and bloodied skin towards the Headmasters office.

McGonagall watched the boy run and yelled his name but he did not stop. Once he got close enough for her to see his condition she appeared herself to Dumbledore's office. Not one minute after Draco entered.

"They…have…Granger. Snape…. Snape was there. They have her" Draco panted while trying to get his words out. The older witch and wizard stared at each other.

"What happened Draco?" McGonagall questioned.

Draco explained everything he says. Everything that occurred. Still, he couldn't justify his own thoughts and actions but what's done is done.

There was a heavy and thick silence in the chambers. Dumbledore tried to gather his thoughts McGonagall was dumbstruck. Draco fell down into an old wooden chair and said "why the hell did I do that? I ruined everything. I'm ruined"

Dumbledore stared at the boy in pity. His entire life was centered around caring for himself and no one else, looking down on others of a lower status, and most of all being as controlled as a domesticated dog. But now here he sat and stunned by his own actions.

"We need to think about this logically and rationally. Each step we take from here on out will be of great significance. " Albus professed. "It is obvious you cannot return home; you are not safe there. You also can not stay here; they expect you to be here. Miss Granger is too valuable to the Dark Lord to be killed"

"where am I to go?"

Without a second glance, McGonagall stated "I am owling the Order of the Phoenix. I am sure after explaining the situation they will safeguard you. After a very long and assuring conversation"

Draco did not fight it. He had no other choice. It was them or nothing. All of his family worked him up to be was now shattered and destroyed. Surely his own father has disowned him by now. He injured his own aunt and broke his own mother's heart. All because a spur-of-the-moment impulse to follow his gut instead of his head. He always knew in the same dark corner of his mind that following Voldemort was not the right way but he was too afraid of what the light held. It was what was expected. He didn't know why or how he did what he did. Everything after the fact scared him but he knew it was for the better but now all he could think of while his headmaster and professor worked out how to contact the Order was what was being planned for Hermione.

Hermione woke up with the most painful headache of her life. Everything seemed off. The light, feel, and the smell of where she was did not register as familiar but as a threat. She could taste something similar to pennies on her tongue, blood leaking down her lip eyes adjusted to the light and saw she was eye to eye with Voldemort himself. Hermione was laying on the long table in Malfoy manor on her stomach. She looked to her immediate left and was face to face with Lucius Malfoy. He stared at her blankly but his eyes seemed to give away sadness. Those typically icy gray ice bore into her until she was forced to look away from him. She felt disgusting and probably looked worse yet had this man look at her with such compassion. He looked like a broken man begging for help but was silenced by his own reason.

Severus Snape sat to his right and also stared at her blankly but he had no emotion in those glassy cold dark eyes. He was stiff as a board and just watched like a vulture.

Before being able to observe the rest of her captors, Voldemort stood from his seat and waved his wand to drag her closer to him. His freezing gray hand death-gripped her chin and examined her face.

"what a performance," He said with a deceptive smile. He threw his arm toward and she stumbled onto her back.

"It seems you have enchanted the traitor Malfoy. Ignorant swine couldn't even manage to take you along his escape. How should proceed?"

Hermione shivered.

"What shall I do with you? The prospect of keeping you alive seems more favorable and logical. But my wand aches for your blood. I wish to see you suffer."

The serpent Nagini slithered his way to his master's lap and let out a hiss.

"Potter knows you live. He can sense your presence you know"

Hermione backed away as the snake came towards her and looped its way around her and into her lap.

"You do not have to worry about death mudblood. That would be too kind. You aren't deserving of it. I plan to give you to a trusted member."

That allows made her heart drop and breath to stop. The snake now rubbed his head against her head and started its descent down the table towards his master.

Voldemort looked around his members and tried to pick which one would be the perfect suit for the task. Someone who is ruthless and vile. Someone who worshiped him and his cause complete. Malfoy was an option but his son did not help his case. Snape was loyal but was not ruthless enough for what he had planned. Until at last the perfect candidate came to mind.

"Dolohov. " Voldemort announced.

Snape himself stiffened at the very thought of Dolohov and Granger. He was about the most violent, vile and brutal man at the table, excluding his master.

Antonin smirked at the girl and accepted the offer with "I am honored, my lord."