Stolen Innocence

Chapter Four



Hermione's first day back went by quite uneventfully. She did well in all her classes, having studied a lot during the summer. She was, of course, ahead in all of them. The teacher's praised her study habits and congradulated her on becoming Head Girl. Ron sat back, arms crossed, watching it all with a scowl on his face.



Hermione felt the odd stares from her peers. She knew people could tell something was different. She didn't talk much, not unless answering a question. When complimented, she gave a small nodd and then glanced over at Ron. She found herself glancing at him often. He kept his lips pursed, glaring at everyone. This worried Hermione. Ron hated being over shadowed by Harry, but now both of his best friends were getting more recognition then he was.



Hermione's last class of the day was Advanced Potions. Harry was in the same class, but Ron hadn't qualified for the advanced class. He walked his two friends to class, then pulled Hermione aside.



"Just remember," He told her while keeping a firm grip on her wrist. "Stay away from Malfoy, he's trouble and all he wants is to fuck up your day." Hermione nodded sitffly, not quite sure why he was telling her this. She knew Malfoy's biggest pleasure in life was seeing her suffer, so she didn't need Ron to tell her.



Ron then kissed her quickly on the lips and walked away.



Hermione took her seat beside Harry at the front of the class. Professor Slughorn was teaching Potions again this year, so neither of them were really dreading it.



As the students were waiting for Slughorn to begin the class, Hermione had the unnerving feeling that someone was staring at her. Her eyes darted around the class, trying to find the source of this feeling. That's when her gaze locked with a pair of silvery eyes.



Malfoy was staring intensely at her, again. She cocked an eyebrow at him, but he kept their eyes locked. She couldn't tear her eyes away, she didn't know why, but she just couldn't. She quickly averted her eyes as she heard Slughorn clear his throat, signalling the class would now start.



"Class, today we will be starting a very exciting potion," Slughorn announced. "I must warn you, it is very difficult to concoct. It requires a great amount of patience and attentiveness. Today we will be brewing Veritaserum." He paused, allowing small excited chatter to sweep over the class. Hermione smiled to herself, she knew this potion. She'd studied it with deep interest, she knew she could easily make it.



"You will be paired up, your choice of course. You will brew the potion together, then bottle it in the viles provided with both of your names on it. All the ingredients you will need are here up at the front. You have until the end of class," Slughorn waved his wand and the instructions appeared on the chalkboard. "For more detailed instructions, consult page 25 in your text. Good Luck."



Hermione and Harry were the first group to finish their potion. Looking at her text book, Hermione double checked that they'd done everything right. When she was sure they had, she bottled the potion and marked it with their names. Malfoy and Pansy were right behind them, while the rest of the class were well behind.



"Ah, Miss Granger and Mr. Potter, finished already?" Slughorn remarked as the two handed him their vile. "And Mr. Malfoy and Miss Parkinson, well done!" He gave them a smile as the four took their seats. Malfoy gave Hermione an odd look when he passed, but she took no note of it. Instead, she opened up her book and began the assigned homework.



After Potions was finished, Hermione and Harry parted. He went to the Gryffindor common room, she went to her's.



As she walked, Hermione hoped Malfoy wasn't already there. She'd seen him talking to his friends at the end of class,s o she assumed he wouldn't be there. Lucky for her, her assmuptions were right.S he let out a sigh of relief as she casually tossed her bookbag onto the couch.



"Finally, some peace." She muttered to herself as she walked into her bedroom. She threw off her school robes once inside her own room. Needing to get rid of some tension, she decided to have a nice, calming bath.



Hermione walked into the large bathroom and turned on the many faucets for the bath. She could smell some of the scented bubble bath mixes and could swear her stress was already evaporating. She hoped Malfoy wouldn't come back for a while so she could actually relax.



Hermione spelled the glamour away, grimacing at the bruises and cuts on her nude form. Her body had never been so achey, and she knew it was just going to get worse. She quickly entered the warmth of the bath, unable to look at herself any longer.



Hermione couldn't bring herself to resign from her Head Girl position. It had been her dream since she could remember to be recognize for her intelligence since she knew she didn't have the beauty .She didn't know why Ron was so persistant on the subject. He knew she'd wanted this for so long, but he didn't care. He wanted to keep her away from Malfoy, but why?



She knew Malfoy was nothing but trouble. He was a Death Eater and had attempted to murder Dumbledore, of course he was trouble! But yet, he'd still been accepted back to Hogwarts for his final year.



Hermione despised Draco Malfoy. He was rude, narsissistic, conceited, greedy, everything she hated. Not to mention, he had everything he could ever want. Girls became weak in the knees at the mere thought of him, guys admired and envied him, he was good-looking, smart, and athletic. As well, he believed that anyone not pure-blood were scum. She hated the fact that he was so effortlessly envious. Call it jealousy, she would never admit to it, but the fact was, he was so much more then she could ever be. Thanks to Ron, that is exactly what she believed.



Perhaps Ron had ordered her to resign so she wouldn't get hurt. Everyone knew that next to Harry, Hermione was Malfoy's number one rival at school. Where as he and Harry competed for the top position in sports, she and him competed for the top grades. But he just made it look so easy. Hermione worked her butt off for her grades, and yet he still had time to party, shag and become a Death Eater while just barely being bested. It made her angry that he had so much, and she had so little.



Hermione finished her bath, satisfied at how content it had made her. She towel dried herself, wrapping it around her. She then picked up her disgarded clothes and walked into her connected room to dress in something casual for dinner.



Malfoy had still not returned from classes, thankfully. Hermione still had some time to herself, so after putting her glamour back on she grabbed one of her textbooks and propped it open. She heard the clock chime six o'clock before she's even heard from Malfoy, so she bookmarked her page and made her way to dinner.



Hermione met up with Harry and Ron in the Great Hall. Ron still looked mad, but he didn't try anything. Harry was in a rather good mood,so he sat and talked to her for a bit. Hermione grabbed some pumpkin juice and chicken and chatted away with her friends.



"So, Hermione, how was your first day back?" Harry asked as she took a gulp of her juice.



"Fine, except for Ron being a git and Malfoy staring at me." Hermione said before she could stop. Her eyes went wide and she covered her mouth with her hands.



"Excuse me?" Harry asked, cocking an eyebrow. Ron looked over, having not heard their conversation.



"What's wrong, Mione?" Ron asked, eyeing her suspiciously. Hermione went to tell them nothing was wrong, but the words wouldn't come out. Instead, she nearly went into a detailed description of what was wrong when she clamped her hands back over her mouth.



"Mione, you okay?" Harry asked.



"Of course not!" She nearly shouted before she could stop herself. Deciding something was very wrong, Hermione grabbed her books and ran out of the hall, hands still over her mouth.



*



Draco watched closely as Granger ran out of the hall, laughing silently to himself. It seemed his potion was perfectly brewed.



Draco had hung back after Potions, knowing what he had to do. He'd told his friends he needed to ask Slughorn something so they'd leave. He then simply asked Slughorn's most dreaded question.



"Professor, can I ask you something?" He'd asked, watching the professor's face redden and eyes dart around the room.



"I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy, I'm terribly busy. Perhaps another time?" The teacher replied, hastily stuffing papers into his briefcase.



"But sir, it's urgent. I just need to know if you know anything about horcru-"



"That's enough! I must be going." And with that, Slughorn shut his briefcase and walked to the door. He glanced back quickly, then hurried out into the corridor.Draco smirked evilly, proud that his plan had worked. Slughorn was always so paranoid now that as soon as he was alone with a student, he panicked and fled. He was so predictable.



Draco checked to be sure the professor was really gone, then walked over to his cauldron which was still full of his potion. He grabbed an empty vile, then poured some potion into it,s mirking at how easily it all was. He then pocketed the vile, emptied his cauldron, and strutted back to the Slytherin common room where his friends waited.



Draco had known he wouldn't be able to rest until he got it all out of Granger about her disgrace for a boyfriend. At first, he thought he could ignore it, but as the day progressed, he wondered more and more about just how far it had already gone. He caught himself staring at Granger increasingly throughout the day. He felt he needed to find out.



Not that he really cared how much the Weasel was beating that know-it-all. He just simply wanted to know out of pure curiousity. That was all. He didn't want to help her, or to comfort her, or any of that crap. All he wanted was to just know. Maybe he could torment her further with the information he was sure to gain.

Draco passed his time happily in the Slytherin common room. Most Slytherins hated him, some for attempting to kill Dumbledore, and some for his apparent betrayal of Lord Voldemort. He didn't mind though, no one crossed him due to his authourity, so he was left be.

Just before dinner was to begin, Draco bid goodbye to his friends and made his way to the Great Hall. He spotted a weak looking first year sitting alone at the Gryffindor table. He walked purposely over to him and grabbed his shoulder to turn him around. The younger student stared at him with scared eyes, eyeing his Head Boy badge. Draco smirked at his effect on the child.

"Why aren't you in the common room finishing your homework?" He asked in a strong voice. The first year stuttered, unable to make any sense.

"I'll let you off with a warning, as long as you do me one favour." The small boy nodded his head, still staring wide-eyed.

"A-anything, uh, sir." The boy said in a high pitched voice.

"Now there's a good little Gryffindor," Draco said, smirking deeper.He knelt down so he was level with the child, removed the vile from his pocket and spoke softly in his ear. The younger student nodded then took the vile. Draco walked away, whistling an upbeat tune.

*

Hermione rushed into the Head common room, her hands still covering her mouth. She closed the door behind her, leaning on it and panting from her long run.

She had no idea was had come over her. She definately hadn't meant to say those things. It was as if the words had tumbled out of their own accord...

Hermione's eyes widened with realization. Veritaserum. The truth potion. They'd brewed it in class, and she'd read all about its effects. Inability to lie, the over share of information, uncontrollable urge to answer questions. Someone had slipped her the potion. She racked her brain, trying to figure out how someone could have slipped her it. The pumpkin juice had to have been it. She hadn't drank anything else. But who could've slipped her it, and why?

That's when she heard soft footsteps from inside the common room. They were coming from the stairs to Malfoy's room. She felt her heart skip a beat. Malfoy, it had to have been him.

Fear engulfed her and she panicked. Not knowing where else to turn,s he ran up the stairs to her room, not the brightest idea, but there was no time. She darted up the stairs and into her room. She quickly locked the door with her wand. She could hear her heart beating fast, feeling it in her throat. She kept her eyes locked on the door, ears strained for any noise indicating her was coming up the stairs.

One minute, nothing.

Two, nothing.

Five, ten, nothing.

Hermione felt her breathing go back to normal. She lowered herself onto her bed, eyes still on the door, expecting Malfoy to bust in at any time. She heard him walking around downstairs, but it didn't sound like he was coming for her. She sighed in relief, believing the danger was gone. She laid down on her bed, clutching her chest. She closed her eyes, feeling her heart beat slow down. She began to relax just when she heard the lock on her door click open.

Hermione sat up quickly, pain corsing through her body at the fast movement. Malfoy slowly opened up the door, poking his head inside.

"Granger! There you are!" He exclaimed, a smile on his face. Hermione felt her stomache drop at the smile.

"W-what do you want, Malfoy?" She asked, ready to curse him if he came near her.

"I've been looking for you everywhere," He said, ignoring her question. He stepped into the room and she gripped her wand tighter. "You are hell to track down, you know that? With all the books you carry around, I reckoned you'd be much easier to catch. How you little mudbloods never cease to amaze me." He walked towards her bed. Hermione raised her wand, pointing at his face.

"Stay away from me you foul git." She warned, her wand hand shaking slightly. Malfoy held up his hands in mock surrender.

"Calm down Granger. I won't come any closer, I just want to ask some questions," He said. "But, just to be sure, I think I'll be taking that. Accio." Her wand flew out of her hand and landed right in Malfoy's.

"Now we can get down to business," He said, pocketing the wand. "Are you going to answer all my questions Granger?"

Hermione struggled, trying to keep her mouth shut, but she couldn't fight the effects of the potion. "Y-yes."

"Good.A re you going to answer truthfully?"

"Of course I'm going to bloody answer truthfully, you slipped me a truth serum you fucking git!" Hermione screamed. She made to run passed him, but he grabbed her by the arm and tossed her onto the bed. He then conjured roped and tied to loosely to the bedspread. She struggled with the ropes, but they were too thick and she soon gave up.

"Hmm... I can have fun with this," Malfoy thought out loud, his grin widening. Hermione stared at him with terrified eyes. "Not that kind of fun you sick bookworm!" He shouted at her, a look of pure disgust on his face. Hermione reluctantly sighed in relief.

"Ok Granger, just cooperate. I'm not gonna hurt you, that would be cowardly. I'm just gonna ask you some simple questions and you answer, understand?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..." Malfoy thought, stroking his chin. "What would be something you wouldn't want people to know. Ah, I know. Are you a virgin, Granger?" His smile was evil, Hermione struggled. That was something she didn't want Malfoy to know. She came from a strictly Christian family, she wasn't supposed to be engaging in premarital sex.

"No." She answered as her face reddened.

"Brilliant, spare me the details please," He said, grimacing at the thought. "What else should I ask... Hmm... Oh this is too good, why do you despise me so?"

"Because you have everything I don't!" Hermione spat before she could stop herself. "Please, Malfoy, stop, no more." Malfoy snickered.

"Ah, your begging is music to my ears," He said, tapping his chin, thinking of another question. "What is your deepest fear?"

"That Ron is right." Hermione answered, hanging her head in shame. She hated admitting it, but it was true. Her biggest fears were knowing Ron was right, that everything he ever told her, everything he'd ever called her, were indeed true. It was the worst thing that could she could ever imagine.

"Finally the Weasel comes into play." Malfoy smirked. Hermione raised her head as she realized what was coming.

"No, Malfoy, don't! I'll do anything, just don't!" She pleaded, her dead eyes filled with fear. Malfoy laughed again.

"Please, stop egging me on. What do you fear he'd be correct about?" He asked, relishing in having her at his mercy. If it hadn't been Granger who he had in this position, he would have been mildly aroused.

"Everything," Hermione gave up, letting the words tumble out. She was at his mercy, there was nothing she could do but wait for the potion to wear off. She just hoped it did before he could ask her the enevitable. "About me being a worthless whore, about how no one will ever love me besides him, about how I'm filth. About how no one really cares about me."

Malfoy was silent for a while, seemingly thinking over her answer. Hermione hoped it was too much information, she prayed to the gods that he'd had enough.

"How long have you and Weasley been dating?" He asked after some time, his smile gone, determination etched on his face.

"Since Dumbledore's funeral."

"Is he violent with you?"

"Yes, but mostly only when he's drunk." She told him, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew it would come soon. He'd fine out everything, then he'd torment her constantly. She already had one person who did that on a daily basis, she wasn't sure how much more she could take.

"How long has this gone on?"

"About three months." Hermione answered flatly, the emotion gone from her voice. She didn't struggle, she knew it was no good. He had her caught. She cursed herself for being so foolish.

"How far has it gone?" She pursed her lips tight and shook her head, her eyes closed. Her face reddened from the strain. Malfoy stayed where he was, staring intently at her.

"As far as it can without murder." Hermione told him, the tears falling. She couldn't look Malfoy in the face, she didn't want to see his reaction. He now knew how weak she really was. Maybe he was right, maybe she was just an inferrior mudblood.

"What all has he done to harm you?" Malfoy asked, the enjoyment gone from his voice. This was no longer being done for pleasure, he wasn't enjoying it anymore than she was.

"He's struck me, kicked me, pushed me, hit my head against the wall, thrown bottles at me, he's cut me a few times, he bites, scratches, and rapes me." Hermione noticed the colour had all drained from Malfoy's whole body. He was now a ghostly white, as she was.

"How do you hide this?" Malfoy asked, Hermione didn't understand at first, then she knew he meant physically.

"A glamour charm, hides imperfections such as scars, bruises and cuts." Silence followed as Hermione sobbed.

"Why don't you leave?" He asked after a long pause.

"Because I love him." She looked up into his face as she said this, but she still couldn't look into his eyes.

"How can you love someone who tells you you're worthless and hurts you?" He asked, not understanding her answer.

"You tell everyone who's not pure-blood just that and people still like you." She answered.

"That's not true." Malfoy denied, dropping his gaze.

"Yes it is and you know it!" Hermione spat at him. Malfoy got up slowly and walked around the room, thinking. "Let me go you bloody ferret, you've gotten your answers." Without a word, he pointed his wand at the ropes, and they disapeared. Hermione quickly got to her feet, rubbing her wrists where the ropes had burned her. Malfoy then stormed out of the room without a word, leaving her to cry to herself.

To Be Continued...

Alright,sorry if that last part is badly written,it's late and I've been drinking wine.It's a little rushed,but it's really long,so hopefully you all like it.Thnxx goes out to:

-Magical Heather,keep in mind,most of the time Ron is drunk.Many people aren't normally violent,but they are when they drink,and then if they don't drink for a while they become irritable.I will dulge more in Harry in later chapters,so questions about him will be answered then.

-angel,here's your update,nice and long.

-Emmylovedraco,yess,I agree,Ron needs his ass kicked,badly.It just might happen to him too,you never know.

-Tjay Motou,why thank you,I'm trying to make Hermione as close in characterization in the actual books as possible,if you have any tips,let me know.I'd love to be hooked up with your beta,get them to contact me somehow or something,my email is in my profile on here.

-Britt,glad youu like it so much.

-Lisa,yayy ! Amazingness haha

-David,thanks for telling me your opinion,especially so nicely.Don't get this fic wrong,I am in no way bashing Hermione's character or anything,I'm trying to show actually how strong she is and how even the smartest girls can get into this situation.Her feelings for Ron are basically based on dependency and the mind set he has put her in.Hopefully you can learn to like this story in the later chapters,and if not,thank youu for your opinion which is greatly appreciated.

-viva rose,happy to know youu like it so much.

I'm very pleased to see how popular this story is already and how easy it is to write.I have Monday free,so if I get enough reviews and the mood strikes,perhaps I'll write more.Reviews make me happy,so please review !

Much Love...

XXX

Xx-.k.a.y.y.-xX