Chapter 2
The world spun, compressed, and then exploded back into being. The icy river vanished, replaced by solid ground beneath her feet. The forest's dim light gave way to near-total darkness.
Gasping, Hermione stumbled, her legs weak from the unexpected Apparition. Draco's hand steadied her, then quickly withdrew as if burned.
"Where—" she started, her voice hoarse.
"Quiet," Draco whispered harshly. "They might still be able to track us."
As her eyes adjusted to the gloom, Hermione became aware of stone walls surrounding them. The air was damp and cold, heavy with the scent of earth and age.
Panic rose in her throat. Had she just escaped one danger only to land in something far worse?
"Malfoy," she whispered, fighting to keep her voice steady, "you have exactly ten seconds to explain what's going on before I start screaming."
In the darkness, she heard Draco exhale slowly. "It's complicated, Granger. But believe me when I say—"
A sound from above cut him off. Footsteps.
Draco's hand clamped over her mouth, pulling her back against him. Hermione's heart pounded so loudly she was sure it would give them away.
They stood frozen, waiting, as the footsteps grew closer. Suddenly, a voice called out, "Draco? Are you down there?"
Hermione stiffened. She recognized that voice - Narcissa Malfoy.
Draco's grip loosened slightly. "Yes, Mother," he called back, his voice steady despite the tension in his body. "I'll be up in a moment."
"Very well," Narcissa replied. "Don't linger too long. Your aunt is looking for you."
As the footsteps receded, Draco slowly released Hermione. She spun to face him, eyes blazing with a mix of fury and fear.
"Your house?" she hissed. "You brought me to Malfoy Manor? Are you insane?"
Draco ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. "It's the last place they'd look for you. Now, would you keep your voice down? Unless you fancy a chat with Bellatrix?"
Hermione blanched at the mention of Bellatrix but didn't back down. "Start talking, Malfoy. Why have you brought me here?"
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Patience, Granger. Has anyone ever told you that you ask too many questions?"
"Has anyone ever told you that kidnapping is a crime?" she shot back.
A humorless smirk played at the corner of Draco's mouth. "Add it to my list of transgressions."
Hermione took a step forward, frustration evident in her voice. "I'm not here to play games. What do you want?"
Draco's smirk faded, replaced by a look of grim determination. "I want to end this war."
Hermione scoffed. "Right. And I'm supposed to believe that you've suddenly had a change of heart? That you're not just looking out for yourself?"
"Believe what you want, Granger. The fact is, I have information you need."
"What information?"
Draco paused, seeming to weigh his words carefully. "Let's just say I know things about certain... objects. Objects that are key to bringing down the Dark Lord."
Hermione's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly schooled her expression. "You're talking about Hor-"
"Don't say it!" Draco hissed, glancing nervously at the cellar door. "Yes, those. I know where they are."
Hermione's mind raced. After months of fruitless searching with Harry and Ron, could it really be this easy? She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the present danger. "And why would you share this information with me, of all people?" she asked, skepticism clear in her voice.
Something flashed in Draco's eyes - pain, perhaps? It was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Let's just say I have my reasons."
"That's not good enough, Malfoy," Hermione pressed. "What happened? What changed?"
Draco's jaw clenched. For a moment, his carefully maintained facade cracked. "He went too far," he said quietly, almost to himself. Then, louder, "It doesn't matter. What matters is that I have the information, and you have the means to use it."
Hermione studied him intently, trying to decipher the meaning behind his cryptic words. "And what makes you think I'd ever work with you?"
Draco pushed off the wall, taking a step towards her. "Because right now, I'm your only chance at ending this war. Your precious Potter is fumbling around in the dark, but I can shed some light on the situation."
Hermione stood her ground, glaring up at him. "You're delusional if you think I'd trust you."
"Trust has nothing to do with it, Granger," Draco sneered. "This is about survival. Yours, mine, everyone's."
They stood toe to toe, the air crackling with tension. Finally, Hermione spoke, her voice low and dangerous. "If this is some kind of trick, Malfoy, I swear I'll-"
"You'll what?" Draco interrupted. "Hex me? In case you haven't noticed, you're wandless in the heart of Death Eater territory. Your threats are as empty as your options."
Hermione's fists clenched at her sides. "Then why do you need me? If I'm so powerless, why not just hand over the information to Harry?"
A look of disgust crossed Draco's face. "Potter? Please. He'd bungle it all up before you could say 'chosen one'. No, as much as it pains me to admit it, you're the brains of the operation. Always have been."
Hermione blinked, taken aback by the backhanded compliment. "I... what are you proposing, exactly?"
Draco took a deep breath, seeming to come to a decision. "A truce. We work together to find and destroy these objects. Then we end this war, once and for all."
Hermione shook her head in disbelief. "This is insane. You do realize that, don't you?"
"Insanity is continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results," Draco replied. "So what do you say, Granger? Are you in, or would you rather I send you back to fumble around in the dark with Potter and Weasley?"
Hermione stood silent for a long moment, her mind racing. Finally, she spoke. "If I agree to this mad plan of yours, I have conditions."
Draco raised an eyebrow. "You're hardly in a position to make demands."
"On the contrary," Hermione said, her voice gaining strength. "You need me, remember? So here are my terms: I want my wand back. I want a magical oath that you won't betray me. And I want to know exactly what happened to make you turn against Vol- against Him."
Draco's face hardened. "The first two, I can agree to. The last... some things are better left unsaid, Granger. Let's just say He made it personal, and leave it at that."
Hermione studied him, noting the pain that flashed across his face. She nodded slowly. "Fine. But if I sense even a hint of betrayal-"
"You'll make me regret it, I'm sure," Draco finished, rolling his eyes. "Do we have a deal or not?"
Hermione took a deep breath, hardly believing what she was about to do. "Deal."
Draco nodded curtly. "Stay here. Don't make a sound. I'll be back."
Before Hermione could protest, he was gone, leaving her alone in the dimly lit cellar. Hours crawled by, each creak and distant voice setting her nerves on edge. She paced the small space, mind whirling with possibilities and potential escape plans.