After a long, filled with mindless chatter, dinner, Draco was still sitting in the living room.

He wasn't allowed to leave. Even James was nodding off to sleep, beside him. Draco's eyes drifted off to the window outside.

It was pitch black except for a few, only a handful, of twinkling stars and a half moon. He hated the dark. Everyone knew that the dark bought lots of danger. This was another reason why he wanted to get Hermione out of that dreadful room - actually it was more of a cage.

"So, Draco," his uncle Robert spoke up, "Have you met any captivating young lady yet? Got an eye on someone?"

Draco's eyes flickered to Uncle Robert. If only he knew. There was a forced grin on his face, like he didn't really care. Like he was only trying to be polite. He winked at him as if girls were something forbidden.

"No, sir, I haven't," said Draco.

'Except for the hostage downstairs who I'm totally in love with except she doesn't love me back and my father will probably try to harm her,' thought Draco, of course he wouldn't think of saying that.

"Well, my son, James is exactly like you. He liked to explore the field a bit too. What ever happened to that girl, what was her name? Oh, yes, Pansy. Pansy Parkinson. I saw her father at a quidditch match on a sunny afternoon. Weren't you dating her?" he asked Draco.

"Yes sir. It... um... didn't work out," Draco said.

"Yes, yes. Lucius, we must invite them over to dinner soon while we're still here,"

"Yes, I'll see to that," Lucius sighed, turning to Narcissa, "It's getting late. You should sleep."

"Yes, come on Liz. Draco go to bed," Narcissa said.

"I'll be up soon," muttere Lucius, pouring another glass of wine in for himself and Robert.

Draco nudged James, gesturing for him to get up and follow him. They walked up the small staircase and went into Draco's room. James collapsed onto the bed and Draco paced the room.

"She'll probably need to go to the bathroom," he whispered to himself.

"Do you have a key?" asked James. Draco nodded and James said, "Maybe you should leave her be. Your father's downstairs and-"

"I don't care," stated Draco, "I'm bringing her up here."

"You're crazy. You'll get caught," James said, watching Draco take the key from a drawled next to his table, "I'm coming too."

"No, you-"

"Shut it. I'm coming,"

They stared each other down and Draco sneered at him. He didn't want anyone near Hermione but if he left James here, he would do something stupid like tell someone that Draco had gone to Hermione.

"Alright," James leaped off the bed as Draco spoke, "Don't make any noise though."

"Yes, boss," James said opening the door, he stuck his head out of the door to check if the hallway's empty. He looked back to Draco, "you coming or not?"

"I'm coming!" Draco shoved past him, ignoring James' protests, and entered the hallway.

His parents door was closed and he was sure Narcissa would be in bed by now. Draco gestured for James to follow him and they creeped down the stairs, hoping his father wouldn't catch them.

"It'd make more sense to wait till your father's asleep," whispered James.

"Shut up or we'll get caught," growled Draco.

He neared the living room door and heard his fathers voice. He leaned his back against the wall and listened. James sat down onto the ground.

"Does he?" Robert was asking.

"Yes, it's obvious once you see his reaction when we talk about her," Lucius drawled, "Stupid boy thinks he's in love."

Draco frowned at his father's words. That hit him deep in his chest. They were obviously talking about Draco and how much he liked Hermione. He loved her with all his heart and know he was sure of it.

"You'll need to do it soon then," said Robert and Draco could imagine him pointing at his father. Something he always did as he made a point.

"I was thinking the evening after tomorrow," Lucius said.

Dread set in Draco's heart. They were going to hurt her! He had to do something very soon or else... Draco turned to James who was frowning at the floor listening with full concentration.

"I'll help you. What do we do with her body?" asked Robert.

James held Draco's arm tight as he nearly growled at Robert's words. Body?! They were planning on killing her! Draco inched closer to the door but was pulled back by James.

"We'll give it to the Potter boy. Let's see what he makes of that," Lucius laughed darkly, "We'll be stronger than ever."

Robert laughed too and a yawn sounded from the room.

"Well, Lucius, guess it's getting late now. We should hit the hay," suggested Robert, the chair squeaked as he got up.

"Sure, let's go," Lucius said.

James turned to Draco, eyes wide. Draco looked around for something to hide behind. He ran as silently as he could for the cupboard under the stairs. James was hot on his heels. They entered the cupboard, ducking their heads, and waited until the sound of footsteps died away.

An eerie silence settled upon them like a cloud mixed in with adrenaline. James let out a breath and Draco buried his face in his hands.

"Will he check your room to see if you're in there?" asked James in a hollow whisper.

"Probably not," replied Draco.

James opened the door and let himself out. Draco followed him, making for the kitchen. James sighed and stopped Draco.

"We need to get her out of here," he muttered, "Soon."

"I know, I'm getting her out tomorrow," Draco said, walking on.

"We. We're getting her out together,"

"No, you're not-"

"Draco, shut up," he grabbed his shirt just as Draco was going down into the basement, "I like her, a lot."

Draco narrowed his eyes at him, "I thought you were only saying that to annoy me?"

"No, I really do like her," James grinned, "She doesn't like you so much so that leave me, doesn't it?"

Without waiting for a reply, James walked down to the basement and Draco followed him. James was already calling out for Hermione when Draco got there.

"James!" she yelled, coming up the door, "I was wondering when you guys were coming."

Draco smiled at her and she nodded back turning her eyes on James as they talked. She looked like she had been dragged through snake pits and back. Her hair hung loose down her back with bits of dust in them but her eyes still shone bright.

"Move," Draco ordered, shoving James.

He unlocked the door and let himself in. James came in and started talking to Hermione. Draco stood next to her watching as she laughed at his pathetic attempts at a joke. James must've wanted to lighten the mood before telling her that they were planning on killing her. Guess that would be Draco's job. Great.

"Hermione," muttered Draco.

She must not have heard him as she told James how cold it was at night times. Cold? Even after the huge duvet that lay on her mattress.

"Hermione," Draco tried again.

James was telling her about where he came from and how cold it was at night there, especially at winter. Draco gritted his teeth and he took Hermione's hand, turning her to face him.

"Don't touch me-" she started, ripping her hand out of his.

"Shut up," said Draco angrily, "and listen to me."

"I don't want to talk to-"

"If you want to die then keep on ignoring me!" yelled Draco.

Hermione stopped and stared at him. Instantly, Draco felt bad. Maybe that was a bit too far?

"Die?" whispered Hermione.

"Yeah, my father is planning on killing you day after tomorrow," said Draco, wanting to reach out to her but she turned to James.

"Don't worry, we'll get you out of here really soon," said James soothingly.

"Thank you," she said and turned to Draco, "You too, Draco. I appreciate it."

"No problem," said Draco, "We came down to ask if you needed to go...."

"Oh no, I haven't had any water so I don't need to," said Hermione.

"Okay, I'll bring breakfast tomorrow. We need to go now," Draco glanced at James who hesitated.

"Why don't you see if anyone's up there? I'll be right there," said James.

Draco glared at James, knowing what he was playing at. Pushing his luck, indeed. James stared him down. Finally, Draco let out a sigh and left the room, handing the key to James. He went up for the kitchen.

He knew he wasn't going to get Hermione so she might as well be with James, right? Draco waited until James came up and the him the key back. They walked up to Draco's room and Draco climbed into bed, turning the light off.

A though had been pestering his mind and he didn't know whether to go with it or not. Now? He was sure he should do it.

"James?" muttered Draco.

"Mm?" replied James.

"I'm... I'll get her out safely but after that I need," Draco gritted his teeth, "After that... You have to take care of her. I'll leave. She doesnt need me."

The four words hung in the air and James sighed and said, "I'll take care of her. I promise."

Draco rolled over to the side and closed his eyes, hoping he would go to sleep.

"You better take care of her," was Draco's only reply.