Trussed

Severus Snape was livid. All he wanted was to protect his godson, and the fates were making it damn near impossible. He kept his turmoil beneath a mask of indifference, but Draco knew better. He hoped that his Godfather would have a plan, and that his anger didn't mean the situation was hopeless.

He watched as Snape threw up a series of silencing charms, then turned to the silver box on the floor.

“She's in there?” The raven haired man asked.

Draco simply nodded.

“Well, open it.” Severus sounded impatient, but underneath he was dreading it. He never enjoyed the company of the insufferable Miss Granger but he didn't wish torture upon the girl. He was fully prepared to kill her quickly should it come down to having to turn her over to the Dark Lord.

And he was mostly certain that they would have to do so.

“Granger?” Draco called down into the box and her fluffy head sprung out of it as Hermione stood. He drew his wand, taking a step back, and she frowned at him.

“I didn't mean to startle you.” She said apologetically. “I just didn't want to give you the chance to come back down here. I'd much rather come out, please.”

“Only you could retain such manners while being impeccably annoying.” Snape drawled, and used a levitation charm to lift her out of the box. He dropped her a little higher than necessary and she tumbled onto the soft red carpet, trying not to scowl at him.

“And only you could make me simultaneously happy and disappointed to see you in one piece.” She commented sourly.

“The feeling is mutual, Miss Granger.” Snape drawled in his infuriating monotone.

“Are you finished?” Draco snapped. There was no time for this.

“Quite.” Snape didn't have the grace to look ashamed like their young captive did. “Draco has caught me up on what little information he has.”

“Which is more than me.” Hermione sounded defensive, as if he'd been insinuating she knew more than she was letting on.

“We’ll see.” He didn't waste any time pointing his wand at her. She had just enough time to widen her eyes before he shouted “Legilimens!”