Chapter 1
When he arrives at her flat that evening she can feel a shift in the space between them. There's something he isn't telling her as they go through the motions of dinner. The small talk has been exhausted and while she wants to come right out and ask what's wrong, her Gryffindor courage has deserted her, and she's too scared to voice it.
A million thoughts have run through her head and everything is pointing to the one thing that will break her. The thought lights up in neon colors, and she can already feel her throat begin to tighten.
As he stills and takes a deep breath to speak she is already shaking her head in denial.
No, no, no. Please no. Please don't say it.
"Hermione, this is the last night I will be here."
She understands the words that were spoken but she needs him to say it. Needs him to explain. Her unblinking stare prompts her further.
"There's a contract. I don't have a choice."
These words manage to unlock something inside, and her self control shatters. "Contract?! Nothing you can do?!, " she chokes out.
"You're going to have to explain that to me Draco Malfoy. Explain it much better."
His voice comes out soft and quiet when he replies, "It has been in place from the time I was two."
"Did you know about it?"
Her only answer is his deafening silence that says everything.