It had been four years since they had graduated from Hogwarts University. Hermione had started working right out of college and her life had become exceedingly busy. From working till evenings and often weekends, life had become a huge blur between deadlines of work. She had little time for friends and relationships, which she assumed would have been the reason Ron had broken up with her two years ago. Since then she had thrown herself even more into her work and every other aspect of life had simply disappeared.

Hermione looked out the window and realized that again night had fallen without her realizing it. Her phone buzzed and a reminder she had written earlier in the day, popped up to remind her to thank everyone for the birthday wishes she had received. Every year the number of messages had decreased steadily. Going through the sms, facebook messages and some emails Hermione couldn't help but note how Ron had not wished her this year. Not that she would have expected him to.

Her heart sank still and for a moment she felt all strength leaving her body. Though her overly ambitious to-do list for the day was not complete Hermione decided to call it a day. It was Friday after all, and it was not uncommon for her to spend her weekends in office. She'd do this tomorrow. Packing up her stuff, she left the silent building. It had been some time since she had left the office when people were still here. Inside she knew she was trying to avoid everyone, but disregarded that thought and tried to focus on what to have for dinner.

The streets were quiet, it was how she liked them. It had rained a while back and the smell of wet dirt had filled the air. Living close to her office Hermione took her time walking home while her mind wandered around. She had come to dislike her birthday. Usually she would try to have no expectations of people, but on this day she couldn't help but expect something. Something to make her think she was valuable to at least one other person. Messages and calls would come but they would feel empty and fake. After her parent's death and her breakup, Hermione had felt that the whole world had become phoney to her. Everyone was just fulfilling roles and going with the flow of normal human interactions. If she died probably nobody would really care. Perhaps not even notice.

A whimpering from a corner broke her out of the loops inside her head. The first thought that came to her was of an injured cat and she ignored the sound. But now out of her trance she looked around and realized she had taken a wrong turn. Not unfamiliar with the place she turned around and was about to move back swiftly when she heard the whimpering again. Lowering her breathing she concentred on the source of the sound. It was beginning to sound more and more like a human as opposed to a cat. Her hand cautiously moving to the self-defence knife she kept in her purse. Looking closely at corner of the street which appeared to be the source of the sound, she caught one of the trash bags moving slightly.

Stifling the scream in her throat, Hermione tried to process the situation. There was someone in the trash bag. Was it a thrown away baby? No it seemed like an adult. Should she call the police? That seemed sensible, this could be a cause of assault or in worst case, attempted murder.

A low pain filled groan ended her thoughts and she made an impulsive decision to rescue whoever was inside the bag first. Ripping open the bag a strong and repulsive stench attacked her senses, and she unconsciously took a step back. A glimmer of silvery blonde hair peeked from among the piles of dirt. Getting closer she tried to assess the extent of the injuries while she pulled out her phone and dialled 911.

"Don't," the man croaked noticing this. "Don't call anyone."

"You are hurt," Hermione said firmly. "Don't worry. Whatever you have gone through, the first thing is to get you to a hospital and then.."

"No," he groaned weakly. "Don't Granger, they... they will kill me."

Hermione's heart stopped at the mention of her name and she put the phone down. The man was shaking visibly by this point and coughing feebly. Dipping into and out of unconsciousness he only repeated for her to not call anyone. His pale face was contorted in pain, his thin lips covered with dried blood and his silver hair fell to his shoulders, and looked as though they had not been cut in sometime.

"Malfoy..?"

The man didn't reply as he had fainted.

"Thank you," Hermione said again. "Thanks Harry, I really didn't know who to call."

"The police should have been the first choice Herms," Harry sighed. "But in either case it looks as though he will survive, what do you plan to do now?"

Hermione stared at her cup of tea that Harry had brewed for her. She had called Harry who had been the only person she could think of after finding Malfoy in that state. He had picked them in his car and they had given Malfoy first aid along with some soft food, and had at least ascertained that his life was not in immediate danger. From there they had taken him to Hermione's apartment.

"At least Malfoy managed to half walk to the apartment," Hermione said looking at her closed bedroom where Malfoy was resting. "Otherwise it would have been hard to explain if someone caught us or saw in the surveillance cameras."

"That is not the issue right now," Harry snapped. "He doesn't have seem to have serious injuries externally but he has signs of torture nevertheless. And this whole situation reeks of illegal activities. I don't care what he told you, call the police. And I am just one doctor, I can make some observations but I need him to take tests so we can make sure there are no internal injuries or issues."

Hermione was silent. Of course Harry was right. It was in Malfoy's best interest too, and not to mention what was she going to do now? If he really was in danger as he claimed she couldn't protect him possibly. Sooner or later they'd have to call the police.

"Let him wake up first," Hermione said finally. "I.. He was hanging on to consciousness Harry and still only insisted that I don't call anyone. I just feel we should wait till he wakes up."

Frustrated Harry scratched his head. "Fine, fine as you wish. Then I am staying here until he wakes up."

Hermione smiled. "I am alright. You go home. Ginny will wonder where you are. I wouldn't want you guys to have any more…"

"I get it," Harry cut her off. "Just until he wakes up Hermione. I will deal with Ginny, I am not leaving you alone here."

Silence continued from that point on. They drank their tea in silence and held the empty mugs in their hands. Till the warmth left the cups, and even after that. Occasionally Harry would look up at his friend, one of the closest friends he had in this world, and regretted that he could not sit next to her and comfort her in a time like this. He had been a fool. He had ruined everything, and she didn't even know how he had ruined her life.

After an hour they went in to check on Malfoy. He hadn't woken up but colour had returned a little to his face. It was after cleaning him up that they had realized how hollow his cheeks looked. Signs of starvation were apparent on him, with mild torture marks as well.

Hermione looked at the clock which shows 12 pm, and then looked at Harry. He resigned to her.

"Fine," he said. "I will leave, but keep me in contact. No matter what, keep me in contact. Don't worry about time, don't worry about anything else. And also.."

Harry stepped towards her and to Hermione's surprise pulled off her scarf. For a moment their eyes locked and Hermione took a step back. A sad smile passed momentarily on Harry's face and he turned his attention to Malfoy. Using Hermione's scarf he tied Malfoy's hands to the bed post. He then pulled off his own scarf and tied Malfoy's feet.

"Is this really necessary?" Hermione enquired. "He looks like a corpse anyways. Besides its Malfoy.."

"Precisely that's why," Harry replied. "We haven't seen him in years, but we know what kind of a person he was back in college. I wouldn't trust anyone in this situation. Don't even let him to go the bathroom. I will come in the morning after dropping Ginny to her mothers."

Taking a pause Harry stared at Hermione. "Are you sure you won't call the police?"

Hermione nodded. She knew Harry wouldn't let her off this easily, and she was just grateful he was putting up with her request.

Harry sighed. After a few more times of arguing while walking to her door, Hermione finally had Harry out of her apartment and driving to his home and to his girlfriend.

Hermione had fed Malfoy with spacing of a few hours as Harry had suggested through the night. Having crashed on her couch in the early hours of morning Hermione woke up with a start at her alarm. Mentally cursing herself for setting regular alarm on the weekend she took a while to remember last night.

Malfoy was still in her room of course, and even though she was expecting him to be there, it caught her a little off guard to see it in the day light. As though it was a dream which had no place after the sun came up.

"Granger?" he muttered

Hermione walked to his side and leaned over him. "Are you alright?"

He gave her a cold look. It was a familiar cold look. Even after so many years, and being tied to a bed looking like a corpse, the intensity in Malfoy's grey eyes hadn't changed. Usually something which irritated her, oddly reassured her at this time. He seemed like he was ok. At the least, that he was alive.

"Why am I tied?" he asked irritated looking at the scarves. "Didn't know you were into the kinky stuff Granger."

"Harry is coming over," she said ignoring his vulgar remark. "After that I will untie you, and then we can discuss what's going on here."

"I need to go the bathroom," he weakly tugged at his bindings. "You kept force feeding me through the night what did you think was going to happen."

"After Harry comes," she repeated.

"I really need to go Granger," he said annoyed. "I am not joking I'll just go in your bed."

"Do that," she answered. "I can wash the sheets, I can throw the bed away if I have to. You're not getting out of these until Harry comes."

"I feel like I'll throw up," his eyes closed and he leaned back. "I can't do that when I'm tied like this, unless I want to choke on my own spit. Granger just untie me and let me move at least."

Hermione considered the situation. She didn't want to let him loose, and at the same time she realized how much pain he was in. He looked close to death last night, how much of a danger could he possibly be? Besides they had known each other in college. They hadn't been the best of friends, but she had known him. It was ridiculous. Harry was being over protective as usual.

"Don't do anything," she warned as she reached for the scarf binding his hands. "Remember that I picked you from the dump, and brought you here on my own risk. And I am trying to protect you too."

"You haven't called anyone then?" he asked

"No."

"What about Potter?"

"Except him."

"Then why say no?"

"I didn't call anyone you asked me not to call." She had removed the scarf and Malfoy attempted to sit up. She tried to give him a hand but he pushed her away carelessly.

"Calm down Granger," he grunted. "Lots of time to do that stuff later. Remove the foot ones too will you? I am not an idiot to try anything in this situation."

Hermione sighed and removed the scarf from his feet. Even though Malfoy tried to get up on his own, in the end he had to take Hermione's shoulder to reach the bathroom.

"Stay outside will you?" he said attempting a grin. "Let me clean up and all."

Hermione looked at the closed bathroom door for a while, listening to his grunts and groans from the inside. After a few minute she went to the kitchen to get some caffeine in her system. She knew Harry would be worried she had gone against his wishes but she couldn't have helped it. Malfoy couldn't even walk on his own. What threat could he possibly pose to her? Besides he was Malfoy, they knew him.

Hearing the sound of her door opening, Hermione relaxed. Only Harry had a duplicate of her key. She pulled out another cup for Harry and prayed that he didn't have any issues with Ginny on him coming late at night.

"Stay where you are," Harry's voice commanded from behind her.

She froze. "What are you..."

"Drop the knife Malfoy," Harry continued. "This gun is loaded. Don't do anything stupid."

Hermione slowly turned around. Malfoy stood there with his hands above his head. Next to his feet lay her self-defence knife which he had just dropped. She looked shocked at his face, and he looked blankly back at her.

"I couldn't take the risk," he said coldly. "Bigger things are at play here than you can imagine Granger."