AN: Hey everyone. Thanks for the reviews and follows. I greatly appreciate it. I'm sorry that my uploads haven't been consistent. I've just been getting situated with school. So I've been a bit busy. Anyways, thank you for being patient. On with the story.

Disclaimer: All characters and scenes belong to J. K. Rowling. I'm just twisting it for the pleasure of my own and others.

Warning: This chapter contains sexual assault and mentions of rape.

Hermione groaned as she felt a cold, clammy hand on her shoulder gently shake her. She opened her eyes shocked and jumped to see Mipsy next to her face with a gentle smile. The day had grown dark. Past sundown. Hermione looked around the room. Nothing was out of order since Draco had left. Had he not returned since? Where is he?

"Mipsy is sorry Ms. Hermione. So sorry. Master Draco ordered Mipsy to fetch you." Mipsy clasped her hands together and smiled softly again. There was no clock in Draco's room so there was no telling what time it was. Though her stomach growled in response it was politely ignored.

"What time is it?" Hermione asked, yawning and swinging her legs to the edge of the bed to hang. The small elf paced slowly, making preparations of some sort but Hermione felt too groggy to notice.

"The time is half past seven Miss. Dinner time approaches. Master Draco is currently having a meeting with the master. Mipsy is here to fetch Ms. Hermione and make her ready. Mipsy was given this Dress with these shoes." The elf turned and snapped her fingers to levitate the dress to be viewed. Hermione wiped her eyes and blinked a few times to get rid of her blurry vision. There she saw an elegant red gown. Shoulder less with a beautifully ruffled bodice. Like flowers. The skirt of this one also poofed but slightly. The train of it decorated with red flowers as well. Hermione's eyes widened, looking at the shoes. Golden heels, almost Grecian style. One of the most elegant she's ever seen. At first, she seemed a bit too speechless to respond. It was too much. Then she noticed a look of worry cross Mipsy's eye.

"Who's getting these clothes for me? Who's dressing me in such ways?" She asked the elf. Mipsy looked taken aback. "I'm not a Barbie doll you can't just dress me up any way you please!" Hermione stood, marching toward the window and looking outside. Mipsy grabbed the dress, laying it on the bed.

"Forgive me miss. What is Barbie? It isn't Mipsy Miss. The masters have clothing designers. Master must've had them ordered. Or Mipsy thinks it was Master Draco. Mipsy should be punished..." Hermione turned to see Mipsy bowing to her apologetically. Hermione felt bad instantly. Here she was complaining about the clothes she'd been receiving while these elves wore nothing but rags. The same every day.

"Forget it. I'm sorry. Forgive me. I didn't mean to seem upset or entitled to anything. I am thankful you're here. I'm just a bit confused from waking up so abruptly. I'll change right away." Hermione moved to the elf. Mipsy smiled and nodded to her, snapping her fingers as the dress disappeared. She heard a rush of water running in the bathroom and thought it must've been the shower.

"Quick wash now Miss. Mustn't keep the Masters waiting." The elf pushed her into the bathroom almost harshly but Hermione did consider that they wasted a bit of time to begin with. She moved along, no longer complaining.

After dressing Mipsy placed another hair and makeup charm quickly before they left the room and on their way to dinner. Hermione still wasn't used to it. Everything was easier in the wizarding world.. or so she thought. She still wondered where Draco had been the entire day. With his father of course, but doing what? What is this business they speak of?

"Well well, Ms. Granger. Fancy meeting you here." Hermione jumped slightly. She didn't think that this man was THAT persistent. Being too busy with her thoughts to notice him stalking. There Erik stood, leaning on the wall next to Draco's door with a look of interest on his face. Mipsy had quietly gasped as well at the intrusion. This clearly wasn't expected at all.

"Sir, Ms. Hermione is to be in the dining hall in less than five-"

"You've been dismissed servant." Erik interrupted. His cold glare hard to miss. Soon after Mipsy apparated not saying another word. Hermione was now alone with this deranged psychopath... again.

"What do you want? Why are you here?" Hermione asked, backing a bit away to provide more space between them. It was strange the way he eyed her. Like a glass of water after barely surviving in the Sahara for weeks on end without food. She tried to best to seem stronger and not to cower. To not show any weakness to his threats.

"This is my home. I can be where I please, look at what I want. Might I say, you look particularly... delicious tonight." Hermione felt her cheeks heat in response. She looked away from his eyes though he wasn't looking into hers directly. She felt sick again at the way he looked at her as he pushed from the wall to stand in front of her.

"Besides, who are you to question me? You're a woman. Your place is following orders beside a man. I do stress 'man'. I hardly consider my pathetic brother a man." Erik chuckled as he looked to her cheeks. He moved closer just then. Hermione couldn't move any further as she was backed against the wall. She refused to look him in the eyes. The way these purebloods viewed women was a disgrace. It felt that way to her at least. She was raised in believing equality between the sexes as well as social class and race. It was almost as if she had fallen down a rabbit hole, ending up in Wonderland. Everything was opposite here. Hermione felt suffocated. He was too close now. So close that she could smell his overwhelming cologne. A smell that she would never forget now. It reminded her of when Draco first pursued her at school.

"Hm. Look at this, red as a tomato. And I see my brother gave you his ring... Is that what makes you wet? Are you a gold digging whore? If that's the case, I can give you so much more if you desire. " Hermione felt her body begin to shake slightly as he reached his finger to her left cheek, sliding it softly against the skin there. Erik was significantly taller than her, bigger. A little bit bigger than Draco which still intimidated her.

"A lot more. So ripe, soft. You really are untouched, aren't you? Getting red like that at a mere comment. I find it quite adorable, amusing. Hmm. What spell did you cast on me?" Hermione felt tears well in her eyes. She didn't know what to expect. If this man was really dangerous or not. If he really was a murderer like Draco said. His hand moved from her cheek down to her cleavage slowly. He had already crossed the line and he knew it. Hermione instinctively slapped his hand away, trying to move from him but failed as he grabbed her wrist entirely and slammed her forcefully back in place in front of him. His face moving dangerously close in front of hers fit with a glare. As if he were to growl.

"You have no right to touch me..." She tried to say, but it came out from her lips more in quiet sobs.

"I have every right. You belong to no one yet. Seems you need to be taught how to act around real men. How dare you lay hand on me like some fucking peasant. Do you know who I am?" Erik growled which made Hermione whimper. She was scared. Without Draco there to protect her she was hopeless. "If only you were mine... I'd drag you in this room and fuck you so hard you wouldn't walk for a week. Teach you how to respect a real man. My brother doesn't seem to have the balls. My own fucking blood. You want that to happen little mud-blood?" He growled again, his face moving closer to her neck. Hermione struggled to get out of his grasp.

"What is it about my brother that fancies you hm? Is he kind? Does he make sweet comments to you? I can be gentle when I want to. When I find it's deserved." His nose glided along the skin of her neck, making her shiver instantly. She heard him groan as he inhaled her scent. This is wrong... so wrong.

"P-please stop..." She begged quietly, afraid he would bite or worse. The tears she held fell down her cheeks. His grip on her wrist had gotten tighter as he continued the assault as she tried her hardest to pull away. She felt entirely helpless. It's happening all over again.

"Erik! Step away from the girl immediately!" Hermione let out the breath she was holding as Erik let go of her. She quickly wiped the tears that fell as she looked to her savior. There stood Narcissa about five feet from where they stood. She looked apologetically at Hermione and full of rage at Erik. Though he chuckled at the altercation. It was all just a game to him.

"This is hardly your business mother. Always sticking your nose in other affairs. Does father allow that?" Hermione moved further from Erik, grasping at her wrist which throbbed in a bit of pain. It was something she was used to, unfortunately.

"Don't you dare speak back to me boy. I'm your mother and raised you as such. She is my business. Hermione is to marry Draco. Keep your grubby hands and your hormones in check. You're an adult." Narcissa moved to Hermione and ignored Erik looks of malice, helping her to her feet and pulling her along. Hermione never felt more like a rag doll. Being torn between two people all the time. She didn't care or dare look back at Erik.

"Yes... Those are the current arrangements, right? I've spoken with father already. He's considering other plans-"

"Nonsense. Not if I have a say he won't. She's half your age, barely. If I see you near her like this again I will inform your father of your barbaric actions." Narcissa turned to Hermione, walking away from Erik with her at her side. Hermione heard him scoff at her words as they moved far enough from him down the corridor and into another. Narcissa held Hermione at her arm softly and they soon entered the tea room where she must spend most of her time. The interior filled with a bookshelf, a desk, and a coffee table. It more resembled her mother's home office. Hermione guessed that's what it must be. Narcissa placed Hermione on the small sofa facing the window as she locked the door shut and sat across from her.

"Would you like some tea dear?" Narcissa asked politely. Not smiling because of the newly arisen circumstances. However, Hermione was too shaken up to accept her offer. She merely shook her head, Grasping at her own shaky hands and looking to her lap.

"I would like to apologize on behalf of my family. Erik especially. It always seems that the first born is less selfish but it is quite the opposite here. It seems Draco has inherited more of my traits as Erik acquired more of Lucius. He reminds me of my husband in his own actions. My son, Draco. He does care for you. I've never seen nor heard him speak of someone so dear. As you know, we did speak earlier." Narcissa poured her own tea. She must not fancy the use of house elves as much as Eric or Lucius either. Draco hadn't either. Though the fine china was hard to miss. Narcissa had an elegance to her fit for a queen. It must have something to do with her being pure-blood. Hermione couldn't know. She simply nodded. Not knowing what to say. She knew how much Draco had changed throughout the year.

"He- It was rough in the beginning at school, but yes I suppose he's come around to being more kind than he was." Hermione said quietly, finally looking at Narcissa. Draco's mother smiled sweetly at her, placing her tea on the coffee table.

"He does have a way of showing off to his peers. He may have thought to uphold his image. Our family is seen to be the most ruthless in the wizarding community. We are one of the sacred twenty-eight. Of the purest wizarding families to be exact; my family included, the Lestrange's. It must be so hard on him, but Draco is really a sweet boy under all of that. If he caused you trouble I do apologize. I know he did. However, there are a few things I wished to discuss with you. I trust you know how purebloods view women in the wizarding world?" Hermione nodded, frowning. She did know. Hermione remembers the statements Draco made to her at school. About how women should only be raising children in the household. As well as staying out of business and remaining a wife. She also heard tons from that monster that attacked her in the corridor.

"Our views of women are stuck in more... primitive ways. My father raised me this way. I was also expected to remain at home to raise my children. Pureblood women are allowed to work but it's quite different for women born of Muggle families. You see, Muggle-born women don't have much choice. Since their birth fathers are Muggle they don't need to be courted. No permission is required of the father for marriage. You were chosen by my son. I was chosen by Lucius and my father accepted. I had the choice of marriage. It was more pressured. Purebloods view muggle-born women more as incubators. It's a way of destroying the Muggle born gene. That's how Lucius and many others see it. It is very rare for a Pureblood wizard to want marriage with a Muggle-born woman. My son, Draco, wants you as a wife." Hermione nodded, feeling a bit furious at the way purebloods viewed the world. Though the majority of those in the wizarding world didn't share these views. Hermione thought herself to be just as good or better than most men in her studies. It wasn't fair.

"I wasn't given a choice. I can never see my family or my friends again. He told me this and... I've since accepted that. It was either that or my parents and friends be killed. I don't understand why he chose me. Draco, your son, he terrorized me at school. He hated me the first year. I don't know where his feelings for me came from. I was so afraid and confused. At times I wished that I never acquired magic ability. So that everyone could be safe from this. I'm just confused because... Draco told me that he loved me earlier." Tears fell from her eyes. She couldn't control them this time. It was the first time she actually told someone how she felt about the entire thing. The first time anyone asked about how she felt. All that was left for Hermione was the feeling of being trapped. Narcissa frowned, sighing softly.

"I know he loves you. He told me. Though he didn't need to. I saw the way he looked at you when you first arrived here. Your beauty is very rare as well Hermione, I must admit. With Lucius, our marriage wasn't founded on love. It was just... a merging of family's and finances. That's how it goes for a lot of the pure-blood families. Love is something that is almost forbidden in our custom. The primary reason for marriage is to produce pure can look at it as a business transaction. Are you confused about your feelings for my son? Has he been cruel to you since you arrived? And... Draco is hardly capable of murder. He couldn't even put his own dog down, Marcy. A few years ago when she was sick. He cried for months on end. Erik was cruel in his ways and did it for him. It was a bloody nightmare I tell you. I suppose he told you this to pressure you. It's certainly done more harm. I apologize. I do. It must've been frightening. Please don't mention I told you all of this." Hermione bit her lip softly and nodded. So it was all a lie? Could I've avoided this all? My parents, we're never going to die? Hermione had many questions. Some she feared to ask. Others unimportant. There was still hope after all.

"However, please don't get me wrong. Draco isn't capable of murder yet, but Erik is. As well as my husband. Erik wasn't always like this. Ever since he went into the business with Lucius and the dark lord he's become cold. He's been married over three times as a result. It seems he doesn't like to keep the same woman at his side. I've never seen him act this... persistent with a woman before though, with you. It must be the fact that Draco chose you. They've always had a sibling rivalry. Competition of sorts. Draco's being included into the family business this year. I know you don't know much of it. I don't either. Women, wives especially are kept out of these business affairs. If it's even to be considered 'business'." So he's going to be a death-eater to? Would he end up being the same as Erik? A cold murderer? Hermione felt a look of worry cross her features. Narcissa noticed.

"Oh no, dear. There's nothing to worry about. I know what you fear. Erik and Draco are both drastically different. Erik's never loved a woman, I know this. I hardly think that Draco's love for you would change. He is growing to be a very loyal man. That's why he wants to marry you. Lucius almost forbid it. The fact that you receive such high marks in your classes must've changed that. He believes that it would better the offspring. Now... do you love my son?" Narcissa asked, looking at her with worry on her face as well. Do I love him? I don't know. Do I?

"I- I don't know if it's love. I've never experienced that kind of love. I don't know how I could, but, Draco told me that he would protect me with his life. He told me that he would go to Azkaban for me... Kill for me. I suppose it would take a while for me to figure it out. We don't have that much time though, we will be married soon. Do I really have to go through with this? And do you know why Erik... why he...-"

"I don't know what my husband would do if you refused. It's safe to say that, yes. You must go on with it. I don't want to see you or anyone else hurt. I'm sick of the violence. I don't know Erik's intentions either but I won't allow it. I've seen enough suffering. I know that Erik tends to be a bit rough with his women. He's far too old for you and I don't expect Lucius to agree with whatever propositions came up. Draco is in a meeting with Lucius now as we speak. They will arrive at dinner soon and so shall we... oh, and you do look very beautiful tonight dear." Narcissa smiled at her as Hermione did the same. She nodded, looking at the clock on the wall. It was now 8 pm. Mipsy told Hermione that dinner began close to 8:15 but being early was the proper thing to do. She knew Erik would be there as well. Hermione didn't know if she should tell Draco what happened or not. It would cause more trouble. Trouble that Hermione didn't want to be the cause of. Narcissa stood, snapping her fingers and making her tea disappear. Hermione stood as well, walking with Narcissa to the dining area as they left the tea room. No more words were shared between the two. Hermione suspected it was because she didn't want to be overheard. She wondered what Draco's father planned for him, and also what her future entailed. For now, it was unknown.