Hermione sat looking around the bedroom she was locked in. “This is awfully lavish for a prison cell,” she muttered to herself. Shaking her head she thought about how she got into this mess. Once again her need to protect Harry put her in a precarious position. Though, she still couldn’t figure out why he was so willing to take her in Harry’s place, wasn’t Harry the chosen one?
The sound of a door opening caught her attention. Turning around she saw Narcissa Malfoy standing nervously in the doorway. “Good evening Miss Granger. Follow me to the dining room if you will,” Narcissa turned and left the room without waiting for a reply. Hermione stood and hesitantly followed her through the manor.
Entering the dining room she was taken aback. The table was set for one, and covered with all of her favorite dishes. Approaching the table she found herself even more confused when Draco appeared out of nowhere and pulled her chair out.
“Good evening Granger,” he nodded in her direction. She eyed him cautiously as he helped her push her chair in. Draco was telling her about the dishes before her but her concentration was on a conversation behind her.
“Why is she here?” Bellatrix’s distinct voice screeched. “The Dark Lord was very clear. If she didn’t eat with him, she didn’t eat.”
“Bella, she could be the one. The girl the to finally break the spell,” Narcissa calmly explained. Still not approving Bellatrix huffed and stormed out of the room, with Narcissa close behind. Leaving Hermione to contemplate what spell they’d need her to break, and what it would cost her.
“Please excuse her Miss Granger, it’s been some time since she’s been in polite company.” A very startled Hermione looked up to see Lucius Malfoy politely smiling at her.
“W-why and you being so kind to me? What do you want with me?”
“Why Miss Granger, of course we’re being kind to you. You’re our guest after all.”
