"Be that as it may, sir, my father's not at home. Nor is he asking for assistance in yours." A delicate pause. "How can we be of service to you in your research?" Draco spoke with the elegant disdain of the upper class. He looked better, healthier. His hair was clean, and his skin clear again.

A prolonged silence. And then: "It concerns the Apparition line. And the incident in Liverpool last week."

Hermione's heart pounded. The last time she'd heard of the Apparition line had been at Dover Castle, where people were trying to get out.

"We're looking for texts on obscure wards, ones they're less likely to—"

Nott Sr. cut off. She heard him mutter something, and just as she leaned in closer to hear better, the door banged open, revealing her there in the doorway.

Four pairs of eyes turned to her as her blood ran cold. Draco shifted on his feet, one hand putting down his drink while his other reached for his wand. His eyes were murderous.

"Ah-ha!" Nott said. "The little filth just triggered my Eavesdropping Charm."

Hermione was deciding if running would even be an option as Nott's wand flicked, and her body was brought into the room, zooming through furniture to tumble at their feet.

Narcissa stood, and the icy look she concentrated on Hermione froze her heart.

"What have I told you about wandering the Manor?" Narcissa hissed.

Hermione's mouth gaped open, and she scrambled for a role to play. "Please—it's not what you think. I'm sorry—"

"Not nearly as sorry as you will be," said Narcissa, her voice soft and venomous.

"Hmm," said Nott. "She doesn't look like she has Dragon Pox to me."

The room took a breath. She looked up to Nott Sr.'s withered face from her place at his feet. He leered down at her.

"Of course she doesn't. Draco just doesn't like to share," Theo said with a chuckle. Hermione flicked her eyes over to where Theo grinned at her.

"Not at all, I assure you," Draco said casually. "But you're right about the Dragon Pox. It turned out to be some Muggle disease. Something filthy that she brought in with her."

"We're very careful with Dragon Pox in this family," Narcissa said to Nott. "Lucius' father died from it, you remember."

Nott lifted the tip of his cane to her chin, tilting her face back with the cold end. Hermione swallowed and met his eyes. "So, we'll be seeing more of her then?" His double meaning wasn't lost on her as the end of his cane trailed down her neck and tugged at the collar of her jumper.

"I expect so," Draco grit out.

"Good. We purchased a male slave, you know. Excellent for labor, but obviously limited in other uses." He laughed, and Hermione's stomach roiled.

"Mippy!" Narcissa called. The pop of the elf appearing. "Take the Mudblood back to the dungeons. Make sure she stays there."

Like a slice to her stomach, hearing Narcissa use that word. She blinked away her fuzzy vision as the end of Nott's cane began to dip below her collar. Mippy's hand wrapped around her wrist, and then she was squeezed through, arriving…