Draco opened his eyes to find himself lying in his bed. He shivered suddenly, even under his duvet. Great. Just what he needed. He was ill!

He looked beside him to see James staring up at the ceiling, smiling to himself.

"Why are you so happy?" asked Draco, miserably, even his voice sounded weird and choked up.

James turned around in his bed to look at him. His eyes shone bright and he looked healthy, unlike Draco.

"Nothing, you look terrible and whiter than usual," James stated boldly.

"Thanks," growled Draco sarcastically.

They lapsed into silence and Draco shivered again. He felt his forehead. Burning hot. He felt his cheek. Burning hot.

"So, what's the plan?" asked James.

"Plan? For what?" Draco glanced at him. What was he talking about?

"Erm," James sat up and stared at him as though he was crazy, "Hermione? We need to get her out of here? You know! The girl you're supposedly in love with but she doesn't even want to talk to you?"

Draco closed his eyes, trying to contain his anger. He neede James on his side so he could take care of Hermione after Draco left or if anything happened to him.

"Well, first of all, we need to pack essentials. So clothes, food, water and money," said Draco and James nodded, "I'll work on the busting her out bit. It'll have to be at night."

"I'll get the bag ready," said James.

Draco's mind flitted to the Malfoy manor when Harry, Hermione and Ron were caught. He had held onto her bag and he knew there was a extension charm on it.

"Ask her what the spell is for an extension charm so we'll have lots of space," ordered Draco, shivering again.

"Sure thing. It's like 2pm. So much for giving we breakfast," James sighed, "She's beautiful."

Draco closed his eyes and pictured her face almost instantly, he spoke without thinking, "Yeah, she is."

James glanced at Draco as he opened his eyes. James sighed and smiled.

"She kissed me," he stated, his grin growing wider on his face.

Draco turned his back on James and responded with a weak "Mhm?". In all truth, he felt his heart explode in his chest. He wasn't puking up bits of his heart just yet though. He grit his teeth and shivered again.

"Yeah, have you ever, you know... has she kissed you?" asked James.

He was really rubbing it in Draco's face.

"No," muttered Draco.

"Her lips are really soft like.. velvet. I mean, not like other girls. Also she-"

Draco droned out James' voice. He didn't want to know how soft her lips were. There was no hope left in Draco for their relationship. She wasn't Draco's and she didn't want to be. He should let her go and move on.

"Where's the key?" asked James, nudging Draco

He stood beside Draco's bed and was looking through his drawer. Draco stood up, feeling the blood rush into his head, he clutched it and sat down.

"Don't go to her yet. They'll be downstairs..." Draco slowly stood up.

"She needs to eat," James glared at Draco, "You may not care about her but-"

Draco grabbed James' shirt and glared at him. He banged the drawer shut with his leg, without breaking eye contact.

"You don't know - can never know - how much I care for her. I'm only letting you go near her because that's what she wants!" Draco raised his voice, "So shut up and let me handle feeding her!"

James didn't drop his glare as Draco shoved him away. He grabbed some clothes and a towel and went into the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror. Something was definitely wrong with him.

He was as pale as though he had seen a ghost. His eyes had dulled to a dark grey and he shivered even though his body was hot. (a/n - lol. Draco. Hot. Anyway, back to the story. O.o)

Draco opened the nearest drawer and found a plastic glass and some medicine. He downed two pills and had a shower, trying to wash the illness off of him.

A banging at the door and an angry "hurry up!" sounded. Draco reluctantly turned the warm shower off and stepped out. The cold gust of air hit him from the high window. He shivered uncontrollably pulling his shirt and jeans on. He came out of the bathroom and James sighed.

"Get better before our breakout," were his only words before he disappeared into the bathroom.

Draco went into his room and pulled a hoodie over his shirt. He was cold. Freezing, really. He grabbed the key and pocketed it, going downstairs.

"Don't tell me you woke up just now, Draco," his Aunt Liz said, disapprovingly.

Draco forced a laugh and shrugged, going into the kitchen. He mum was in there all alone.

"Did you give her breakfast?" asked Draco in greeting, grabbing an apple.

"No," his mother replied turning to look at him, she narrowed her eyes, "you're sick, Draco."

Draco sighed, shrugged and grabbed a bottle of water and some fruit. That was the best he could do for Hermione.

"Your father is planning on killing her," Narcissa said quietly, turning to face him.

"I know," Draco said and his mother raised an eyebrow expecting more but Draco shrugged and went down to the basement.

He unlocked the door without looking at Hermione. He set the food down and sighed as he looked at her. She sat on the mattress, her back against the wall.

"How are you feeling?" asked Draco and mentally slapped himself. How are you feeling?! Draco sighed and said, "Sorry... I-"

"I'm fine just... um..." she swallowed and licked her lips.

She didn't have to say the next word, Draco could guess. Worried, afraid... scared. He came closer and sat in front of her, not wanting to sit on her mattress.

She looked up at him and frowned and said, "are you sick?". She leaned forward and touched his cheek. Draco felt the cold of he hands press into his cheek and he shivered. She pulled back and Draco sighed.

"I promised you that I'll get you out of here," muttered Draco, staring at the ground, "and I will."

"I know you will... It's not that... It's..." she trailed off again.

Draco glanced up at her. He understood what she was trying to say. It was the kiss between her and James. She wanted to know if that bothered Draco.

"The kiss?" whispered Draco, feeling her eyes search his face. He made sure as not to show any emotion, "I know you like him. I..."

He hesitated. Now was the chance to tell her how he felt and hope she would... Draco narrowed his eyes, somewhere deep inside him he still had hope that they would be together. Stupid, infuriating, foolish hope.

"What?" whispered Hermione, leaning forward.

"And... you don't need my permission, Hermione. If he's what you want... then don't let him go..." Draco looked into her eyes and used his well lying ability, he spoke clearly and without hesitation, "I don't care anymore. I want to get out of here. I'm only here because I promised you I would get you out of here."

"You don't love me?" asked Hermione, looking into his eyes.

"No," lied Draco, keeping his eyes on her's.

Immediately her eyes went to the ground for a second before she looked up and had an obvious forced smile on her lips. Draco frowned. Why should she care? He put it down to her being a girl. A typical girl. Sometimes he just couldn't understand girls.

"I like James a lot," she muttered.

"I know," Draco got up and went to the door turning around he said, "Eat."

And he left the room, locking the door behind him. He felt the sudden urge to be sick. He climbed up the stairs and fell into a chair. He put his head down and sighed.

"What happened?" asked his mother, leaning against the counter, "What did she say?"

"Mother, I'm leaving," stated Draco quietly, taking big breaths, "I have to."

"Draco!" Narcissa's voice rose and Draco looked up to see her frowning, "You will not put yourself in danger for that... for that girl!"

"Mother, I have to! I promised her and... I'll leave her somewhere safe and make sure she is taken care of and then I'll go into hiding."

"Stop making it sound so easy! So simple! Draco, I won't let you do this," Narcissa lowered her voice, "She doesn't love you Draco."

"I know she doesn't! Why does everyone remind me of that! Even you!" Draco yelled and grabbed a plate next to him, "I hate this house so much! I hate HIM!"

He threw the plate with all his force feeling his muscles crack under the blow. The plate smashed off the wall and fell to the ground, making Narcissa jump. Draco stared at the mess for a few moments. When Narcissa finally calmed down, she went over to Draco and took his face into her hands.

"You are my only son. So much like your father, Draco. Please try to control your anger," Narcissa shook her head as Draco tried to protest against what she had said, "Yes, Draco. You are like your father."

"My FATHER," he emphasised the word, mocking it, "doesn't know how to love. That makes us different."

"If your father didn't know how to love, you wouldn't be born," Narcissa said sharply.

She took a seat next to him as Draco cringed and muttered, "Please do not go into detail."

"I won't but I'm trying to make a point that Lucius does love. He loves me and he loves you," said Narcissa, "Belive me or not, he is trying to help us. Your love for this girl is not right. She's not right for you, Draco."

"No-"

"You have to kill her," stated Narcissa as though she was talking about the weather.

Draco stared at her, not comprehending what he was hearing. He didn't want to understand. Surely his mother didn't just tell him to kill the girl he loved? Please, thought Draco, please let her be talking of someone else.

"Hermione Granger must die. She must not escape. If she does, it will be very bad for me, Lucius and yourself, Draco," Narcissa spoke with authority, "You have to kill her, Draco."

"Mother, you... I... I'm not going to harm her no matter what!" He felt anger cloud his eyes, "You think I'm going to let her die?! You think I'm just going to KILL HER?! Are you out of your MIND?!"

"If you don't kill her, I'll have to tell Lucius of your plan and make him stop you from leaving," Narcissa stood up and frowned at him, "you have an hour to make your decision. You're my son. I won't lose you."

She left the room and Draco stared after her. It seemed like everyone was turning their back on Draco. The one person who he always hoped would help him and agree with him was his mother. Even she was now telling her to end it. He wouldn't. He didn't have to think twice about it. He would not kill her.

Suddenly Draco felt his stomach churn. He ran to the sink and vomited. Last nights dinner. Yuck. Draco cleaned himself and sighed.

He had one hour to get the hell out of here.