She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice the two shadows that fell over them until one spoke.

"Your kitten looks tired, Draco."

An older man with a broad torso and a balding head stared down at her. He swirled a glass of brandy methodically. Just behind him, Yaxley sent her a smirk.

Draco stood abruptly and shook his hand. "Well, I've been exhausting her, sir."

The bald man chuckled and ran his tongue over his teeth. Hermione recognized him, but couldn't place him.

"I hear you're territorial. That's a shame."

"Apologies, sir, but it's not a shame for me. I like knowing that she's only had my cock inside her. Makes it worth the Galleons." Draco laughed, a tight sound that sent a chill down her spine.

"Come now, even for an old friend like me?" The bald man leered down at her and adjusted himself in his trousers. "We were almost family, Draco."

"Almost," said Draco coolly.

And it clicked. Mr. Parkinson. She could see Pansy's features in him now clearly. Her lips parted in horror, and she quickly turned her eyes down, forcing herself not to glance to where "Giuliana Bravieri" sat with Blaise.

A Carrow Girl brought by two new brandy glasses for Yaxley and Parkinson, and Yaxley let his gaze travel down the girl's body as he reached for a new drink. "I have to say I'm surprised by how much you enjoy these little parties, Quince. To think that your daughter could have been one of these whores, should she not have—"

"She was no daughter of mine," Parkinson growled. He downed the rest of his brandy and traded his empty glass for a full one. "I'm prouder to have no heirs than to live with the disgrace of that slut. Draco and Blaise did the honorable thing by killing her."

Hermione felt her chest tightening, her ribs crushing her lungs. Parkinson took a long swig of his second brandy, his eyes narrowed at Draco, as if daring him to disagree.

"Indeed, sir," Draco said slowly. "She was a stain on all of us."

Hermione lifted her gaze and found Parkinson nodding at Draco and turning to Blaise. His eyes caught on Giuliana.

"Well, hello," he sang.

And Hermione watched in disgust as Mr. Parkinson ran his eyes down the body his daughter was currently inhabiting. She chanced a look in her direction, and found Giuliana Braveri's eyes were bright with a blaze of fury.

Mr. Parkinson laughed. "This one's got spirit left, Zabini. I thought we all fucked that out of her."

Hermione's stomach roiled.

She watched Giuliana Bravieri's shoulders roll back and her nostrils flare. Blaise made some quip, standing to shake Mr. Parkinson's hand as well, but Hermione could only hear the blood rushing in her ears.

Draco grabbed her elbow, made some excuse, and walked them around the room once before changing course toward the Floo. As soon as she stepped through, she stumbled to the nearest chair, bracing herself. She had a faint memory of a conversation with Pansy in the Ministry, a hint at her strained relationship with her father — but to sell his own daughter into slavery was unthinkable. She tried to put herself in Pansy's shoes. To imagine her own father... Her throat closed, and she felt herself gagging.