Not All that Glitters is Gold

Hermione wanted to sleep. She was desperate for some kind of rest. Her body may have been healed but her mind was not. She was beyond exhausted and had far too much on her mind to even try and sleep. The clatter of a few potion bottles stirred her from her restless slumber as she rose from the bed. She hadn't moved since Snape rolled from her and caressed her face. She wanted to look at him and tell him that she appreciated what he had done, but some how deep inside she felt ill. She felt dirty and used and it was no fault of Snape's it was her own. He had risen from his spot after a few moments and dressed before returning to whatever he was doing over there.

"Are you listening to me?" Snape asked, turning his head slightly. No. She wasn't. She didn't even hear him start talking. He figured it out by the quizzical gaze that fell upon him and sighed.

"Don't do anything stupid," He began again, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "I know what you're doing right now. You're thinking of a way to get out, to escape. Don't bother. Malfoy will be watching you like a hawk. Dirty git."

Hermione wasn't thinking about escaping. She was too clever and knew far too much for her age to know that escape was near impossible. She attempted to flatten her hair, which looked horrendously tangled and matted with dried blood. "I wasn't thinking about that," Hermione finally said, watching as Snape merely turned back to his potions.

"You're clever, Ms. Granger. But book smarts isn't going to get yourself far. Look how far it's gotten you now," he held up a vial of clear blue liquid and poured a few drops into another, swirling it around with his hand. "You have to start thinking like a Slytherin."

"What?" Hermione asked, frowning slightly. There was no way she was going to start thinking like loathsome Slytherins. She had time, at least she thought so, to think of a plan.

Snape turned around, his eyes glancing at an old black metal ticking clock. "Think like a Slytherin. It might just let you out alive." He said nothing afterward and let Hermione stew on his bed.

She crossed her arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knees. Her eyes closed as she tried to think, tried to do what she did best. Only flashes of horrid memories were seen. Ron bellowing out for her. Bellatrix firing the killing curse at him and missing a by a mere centimeter. Blood. So much blood. And then nothing. Only darkness. Until the pain came. It made her shudder at the memories.

Her eyes opened upon hearing a distinctive pop in the air. Standing in the middle of Snape's room was Lucius Malfoy, a sneer on his face by the smells that surrounded him. "Have you never heard of opening a window, Snape?" He asked waving his hand in front of him. His cold eyes landed on Hermione before Snape appeared almost out of nowhere between them. "Last time I checked, this was my residence. I may do what I please with it."

"Yes, but that is my possession," he pointed a gloved finger at Hermione, "I don't want her to die from those obnoxious fumes."

The corner of Snape's lip curved upward in a snarl but was ignored by Lucius, who merely pushed him aside. He reached over and grabbed Hermione by her hair. Hermione whimpered as he tugged her from the bed and thoroughly examined the bedding. He raised an eyebrow at Snape, "Tsk. tsk. And here I thought you had no moral decency." Hermione frowned but winced when Lucius' grip tightened. He brought the tip of his cane to her chin and forced her to look up at him. "He didn't sully you did her? I don't think my son would appreciate his new toy being used before he had the chance to."

"That's enough Malfoy," Snape said between clenched teeth, "Take her and get out."

"Oh, but Severus I am just making sure that the girl is tip top." He grinned at the other Death Eater, "What else are you good for? Potions and mor potions. Not really creative. Maybe next time our Lord will give you a play thing but I highly doubt any one would want to look at your ugly face."

He laughed but Hermione didn't find it funny. She clenched her fists tightly and stared at Snape for a second. Lucius dragged Hermione, by her hair, to the fire place. "I'll see you soon, Severus. Don't worry. I'll make sure the girl is treated like she ought to be."

With a flash, both of them were gone. Snape swung around and lifted his table, causing everything scattered on top to come crashing down to the floor.

----

Moments later, Hermione experienced the sickly smell of the Malfoy Manor. Her stomach turned as they landed on their feet, yet she had nothing to throw up and instead dry heaved. Her head was spinning but she tried, with all her might, to contain herself. Lucius sneered at her and shoved her forward. Hermione fell onto her hands and knees as she heard the distinctive whoosh of Lucius' wand being unsheathed from its holding place. "You'll soon learn girl that your life will not be cozy here. You are here only for pleasure, torture, and humiliation." He said matter-of-factly before flicking his wand and Hermione felt her body being thrown onto her back.

Her head hit the wooden floor hard, causing her to lurch forward in pain. "Crucio!" Lucius cried, a jet of red sparks flew through the air. Hermione screamed and writhed as the pain that was once gone returned at full force. She clenched her fists and tried to silence herself but the pain was unbearable. It stopped and for a moment she was relieved. "CRUCIO!" Again. The pain became unbearable as she rolled onto her side, shaking heavily when it stopped.

He merely stared at her, watched her breath or try to. Her face was streaked with tears and red. She sobbed into her arm after he left, closing the door behind him. Hermione lay there for what seemed hours before moving. She didn't know what to do. Snape's words crept back to her, 'Think like a Slytherin.' What was that supposed to mean? She was too tired to think. She just wanted rest, peace and quiet but she knew that was the price she'd pay in order to keep her friends alive. She would dutifully pay it too.

The door opened and all Hermione could do was part her eyes a little. She watched shoes step in. Magnificent shiny black shoes. The toe touched her limp body and gave her a small nudge. Hermione moaned softly and rolled as the foot nudged her a little harder. Her eyes opened slightly but widened at the sight. Draco Malfoy. He stood towering over her with his hands shoved lightly into his pocket.

"I thought I heard you scream," he said mildly, stepping over her as if she were nothing. He spun around and looked down at her, crouching slightly. "You're filthy Granger. I guess you're just as dirty on the outside as you are on the inside."

He chuckled at his poor attempt to joke but stopped mid-laugh when she looked away. Draco frowned and gripped onto her hair, yanking her back to look at him. "Look at me when I speak to you!" He growled angrily, squeezing her hair tightly before letting it go. "Father tells me that you've been quite the little tattle tale. Of course, he admires how unbreakable you are. But we shall see."

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Hermione managed to choke out, her voice filled with venom as well.

Draco's dark gaze deepened as he raised his hand and smacked her across her face. The sound of the slap echoed inside the room. "Watch your tone you filthy little Mudblood. You belong to me now and while you may think you're miss know-it-all I have news for you. You've lost. So I suggest you learn your place or else..."

"Or else what?" She snapped back, using all of her strength to rise into a sitting position. She watched Draco's eyes widen as she struggled to stand. She was not going to be thought of as weak. She was a Gryffindor. Head of her class. She fought alongside Aurors for Merlin's sake. She was not going to be treated like an animal.

He pursed his lips in anger and rose to meet her, standing at least a head higher. "Or else you'll kill me? Torture me? I have news for you Malfoy. I'm not going to be broken, not by him not by anyone and certainly not by daddy's little boy." She raised her hand and slapped him.

Her fingers stung and she felt dizzy but she did it. She was victorious. Or so she thought. Draco's face didn't move. It was like stone. In a sudden flash, he had raised his arm and hit her. Hard. She fell against the wall and turned as he punched her. Pulling her hair and holding her still as his fist collided his her face, chest, stomach, and neck. He flung Hermione onto the ground and spat off to the side, his hands moving to his belt.

"You'll regret touching me, Mudblood." He growled, pulling his belt off and bending down.

Hermione felt a rush of adrenaline propel her body backward as he reached for her. He grasped onto her ankle and slid her to him. "No! No!" She found herself crying as she felt his hands rip at whatever clothing she had left. He punched her again and knocked her face to look at him, his icy blue eyes penetrating her own before he smacked her again.

She felt him pry her thighs apart, ripping the frabric of her old school uniform to the side. Hermione brought her hands up to his face in an attempt to claw his eyes out, or something. He knocked them away and punched her again. She felt herself slipping into an unconscious state as her eyes became blurry. Draco muttered something under his breath as he pulled his trousers down. Hermione rolled her head to look at him and spat. It touched his eye and rolled down his cheek. Making a sound of disgust, Malfoy wiped his face and brought a hand to her throat, holding her still as he choked the life from her.

"You are nothing! You hear that Granger?! Nothing!" He growled, forcing her thighs further apart as he thrust hard.

Hermione cried out as his length penetrated and stretched her walls, which weren't prepared at all. Draco grunted with each terrifying thrust, his hand firmly one her throat, squeezing lightly. As much as she tried, Hermione felt the aching pain between her legs return and could only let out a whimper. Her hands gripped onto his forearm as she tried to flail but realized it was no good.

Draco, too consumed with the act of defiling her, released her throat and brought his hands to her waist, thrusting steadily into her. He kept his eyes on her at all times, and she could swear he was grinning between his pants. He leaned forward and brought his lips to her hear, forcing her to hear his labored breaths. Hermione's arms fell to the ground, clenching her fists as he ground between her. With one final breath, Draco had finished but remained inside. He was heavy, lying on top of her like that, but he didn't seem to care. No one cared anymore.

He moved and Hermione was able to breath, finally. She couldn't look at him as he redressed himself and nudged her with his foot. Only then did she roll her head to look at him. He spat and watched as it landed on her face - just as she had done him.

"Not bad Granger. Thought you'd be a virgin guess Weasel or Scarface had already gotten to you." He said with a triumphant smirk before striding out the door and closing it behind him.

Hermione rolled onto her side and crawled into a little ball, sobbing angrily and punching the floor beside her. Snape's words were still ringing in her head 'Think like a Slytherin.'