Thank you for those of you who stuck around. It's been a few months!

WARNING: this chapter contains a rape scene.

This chapter was incredibly difficult to write; I rewrote it so many times, and I feel like it might get tweaked a few more still. Again, it's short. I'm still trying to figure out where this story is going. I'll figure it out a little bit at a time, I suppose.

Chapter the Eight

Hermione woke as lifeless as she had fallen asleep. Judging by the warm light bathing the room, it must have been late afternoon. The young witch stretched, noticed there was a sleeping body next to her, and, appalled, turned on her side, facing away from the gray-eyed monster that lay there. Having made sure he was asleep, Hermione let her emotions flow back to her. She replayed her memories: Draco had humiliated her, forced her to kiss him, and taken her to the bed; she had tried to escape, he tied her up and... then... what? Hermione racked her brain, stretched for the deepest details of the events, but they stopped at the moment Malfoy joined her on the bed. Panic. What had Malfoy done to her that she couldn't remember? And, most importantly, why couldn't she remember it?

Cold tentacles seemed to snake around her stomach as she began thinking about all the things Malfoy could have done to her. Until this morning she hadn't thought Malfoy capable of being cruel and sadistic, but now she wasn't so sure. She had changed during this war, why couldn't Malfoy have changed as well? The insecure and scared Draco Hermione had seen during the battle could easily have been a ruse to guarantee the Malfoy family amnesty when they switched sides once more.

With shaking hands Hermione began to feel her body for tender areas. Her upper arms were sore and there were bruises on her waist. Her breasts felt sensitive, but that could easily mean she was on a hormonal high, and her privates felt rather normal. Thankfully, Malfoy must have left them alone.

A husky, low voice spoke next to her ear, "Having some fun without me, are we?". Hermione turned around in horror. Clearly Malfoy had the wrong impression of what she had been doing.

"No, I was just..."

"It's ok, pet. We all have needs that need to be met." He stared at her pointedly, expectantly. Hermione shivered. Hurriedly, she emptied herself of all emotion once more, before subordinately responding.

"Yes, Master."

Draco noticed as Hermione's eyes suddenly changed from intense and focused to dull and lifeless. He had seen her do that earlier and did not like it. Determined to engage his prisoner, he began asking her questions. He knew Hermione would not pass up the chance to explain things.

"What were you doing then?"

"Trying to find out what you did to me, Master."

"And what have you discovered so far, Pet?"

The young witch gave him a momentarily questioning glance before slipping back into her emotion-less state. "That you did not fully violate me, but were fairly rough with me, Master."

"Well, of course I didn't violate you. I like my sluts conscious when I fuck them."

Hermione thoroughly analyzed Draco's reply. Did that mean she had passed out before Malfoy had been able to do anything? She sincerely hoped so.

Using her quiet moment to his advantage, Draco seductively whispered, "But now that you mention it, I rather like the idea, Pet. Come."

Though she appeared lifeless and disinterested, Hermione's insides were clenching in horror. She obeyed, sliding closer to her captor. Draco, who had rid himself of clothes long before Hermione had awakened, positioned himself above the young witch.

"Now, Pet, you can make this easy or hard on yourself. I'm going to enjoy myself either way."

Hermione only stared back, reaction-less. Draco huffed in annoyance, but Hermione had already sunk into comforting memories of warm summers with Harry and Ron, or skiing with her parents. She barely noticed as Draco's hands ran down her sides, and she made no sounds as he began fondling her. All of his touches went virtually unnoticed by the young witch.

In response, Draco became rougher, yet Hermione showed no emotion. Only when Draco's swollen head positioned itself in Hermione's entrance did she give any acknowledgment to the situation, in the form of a small grimace, which she quickly dismissed by drowning in memories of sleepovers with Ginny over Christmas.

A clearly frustrated Draco shouted, "Look at me, whore!" Hermione looked at Draco, but her eyes were so distant, she may as well have been looking through him. In a fit of anger, Draco thrust himself fully into Hermione.

The young woman's fantasies suddenly came to a halt as the unexpected sensation hit her. Caught unaware, she let out a pained gasp and Draco smirked. She had never felt anything like it – it hurt much more than she anticipated. Fighting tears, Hermione tried taking her thoughts elsewhere, but what was happening to her body made it impossible. She began sobbing in pain and shame, shaking her head in the process. Within a few thrusts Draco was finished.

Hermione was left alone on the bed as Draco headed into the bathroom. She put her arms around herself, holding her cracked emotions together. He had done the unthinkable. How could she ever have thought him good?

After some time, Draco came back to the bed. He looked at Hermione, his face, once again, expressionless

"Why?" Hermione sobbed to her captor, "Why do you do this to me?"

"Need there be a reason?" Draco replied curtly. Hermione's eyes, full of tears, shut tightly. She had lost the strength to fight Draco's jabs. "Just let me go. Please."

Draco looked at her. Again, a look of confusion briefly settled over his face, but was quickly replaced by cool disinterest. Without another word, Draco turned and left the room. Hermione heard his steps down the stairwell and listened as he gave orders to the house elf. Even though she couldn't understand what he was saying, Hermione noted his tone was a lot gentler towards the elf than herself. At least Sangue is ok, she thought.

Hermione wiped her tears and looked about her. She did not want to remain on this wretched bed where such horrible things had happened. Lighting-quick she leaped out of the sheets and settled herself on her pillow. It was degrading and exposed, but at least it was hers. There she lay, waiting for Draco to return and her torture to continue.