"That's what I'm talking about." His breath reeked of Firewhisky. "You're not a frigid pure-blood bitch, are you Granger? You're the same Muggle whore you always were." He leaned down into her ear. "Let's see how warm you are."

His hand slithered up her thigh, rucking up her dress.

She thrashed, magic crackling through her, and just as she prepared to unleash it, an explosion burst through the door.

A blast of flying wood and smoke. A yelp ripped from her throat, Dolohov's grip still tight on her scalp. When her vision cleared there was a hole where the doorway used to be, and Draco was running through it.

"Expelliar—!"

"Avada Kedavra!"

Green light jetted from Dolohov's wand, and Hermione screamed as Draco dove out of the way. Dolohov held her against him like a shield as he aimed his wand at Draco.

"What are you playing at, Antonin?" His voice shook with rage as he locked eyes with Dolohov. "She's my property. You have no claim on her."

Hermione stared at him, panting as Dolohov squeezed tighter around her ribs. Her head spun.

"You don't get it, do you, Malfoy?" Dolohov's voice rumbled against her back. "You think I'm going to live long enough to enjoy my end of it? You think any of us will?"

"That's not my problem." Draco's tone was like ice. "I made you an offer, and you accepted my terms."

"Your terms?" Another squeeze, knocking the air from Hermione's lungs. "Or your father's?"

Draco was silent, staring at her. His jaw ticked.

Dolohov let out a low scoff. "Your daddy's not here to protect you, whelp. And with any luck, he'll get a curse to the back tonight."

"It was mine to give. My birthright. I gave it to you, not my father—"

"And what good will Malfoy Manor do me when they raze it to the ground?"

Hermione froze. There was ringing in her ears.

Draco's face was pale. "You can't — you're forbidden from speaking of it—"

"I knew he was full of shit." Dolohov's voice was breathless. Surprised, almost. "Knew he did something to that Unbreakable Vow. Wait until I tell the others that Draco Malfoy gave away all he had to his name for some worthless Muggle whore."

The words crashed into her like breaking waves.

Draco had given up the Manor for her.

Dolohov began laughing again, as if he'd never heard a funnier joke.

Draco's wand shook. His eyes flicked to her, terrified.

A black rage grew in her belly. Her magic sizzled, licking at her insides. A fire crawled across her skin as she thought of black tile floors, and Luna and Parvati's screams—

Her magic raced down her spine and rippled outward, flinging Dolohov back with a grunt.

She dove to the side as Draco fired off curses, but they exploded against the wall.

"Your bitch has magic?" He aimed hexes at Draco as Hermione darted around the bed. "You're as good as dead, Malfoy. You and your father."