Hey readers! This story is a love story about Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger and their struggle to survive in a dark world that they seem to be trapped in. In this story Hermione's father is a death eater and a half blood. I hope you like this story! Please read and respond about if you think I should continue this! I really think this story could be great if I have enough support! Without further a due, here's the story.
Chapter One
The night was cold and dark; a thick fog covered the Malfoy Manor giving it a surreal look making it unbearably dreary. Lights from the manor shown through the outsized glass windows making the large house look like an old Victorian mansion from the eighteen hundreds. The ducks quacked as they swam in the large pond surrounded by the gardens around them. It was a beautiful dark place. The manor fit perfectly for its purpose tonight, a place for the Dark Lord to meet with his subjects, a meeting that had been planned for weeks.
Hermione Granger strode past the large gates next to her father. Their black hooded cloaks whipping past them as they followed the wide path toward the mansion of a house. She walked faithfully beside her father, her face showing no emotion. If however her face had matched her emotions, her face would be full of worry. But she kept it hidden knowing what these 'meetings' were like. She had to be strong or at least appear it, no matter how foolish she thought her father was for participating in this madness.
They strode together in silence, her father having a calm cold face, the one that seemed imprinted on since she could remember. He was a different man since her mother died a colder hard hearted type. But he did have a soft spot, and that was his daughter Hermione, and he did everything to keep that fact a secret. If the dark lord knew his growing attachment for his daughter, things could get bad for her. She was the only family that he had and he wasn't about to lose that. So he acted cold toward her. She knew that he cared for her in his own way.
"Don't speak unless spoken to," He said to her as they drew closer to the door, walking fast knowing the Dark Lord wouldn't appreciate them being late, "And don't-"
"Don't even breathe right?" Hermione said coldly, "Trust me I know the routine,"
He looked at her crossly, "I don't like how you take this lightly, you could get punished severely for even talking out of turn as we discussed,"
"Then why was I required to come?" She snapped, "I am not a death eater and if me speaking is so unfathomable why did he request I come,"
He looked away from her, "I don't know," He said becoming silent.
Hermione didn't like his response; it made her worry what the Dark Lord really wanted her here for. For more control over her father? Because it wouldn't work, he's had a lifetime of experience of not showing emotion. Hermione wouldn't let herself become a tool for the Voldemort either way.
They reached the large oak doors as the door flew open as soon as soon as Mr. Granger reached for the handle, revealing a disgusting man resembling a rat who Hermione despised. Wormtail. A fitting name for the short hairy man who always seemed to have a bad habit of eavesdropping on peoples conversations'.
"You're late," He snidely.
"And your making us even more so, step aside Wormtail," Her father said icily. Wormtail glared at them but none the less moved aside to let them pass into the marbled floor room.
They made their way quickly up the stairs to the west wing, Wormtail creeping behind them breathing heavily.
Her father didn't bother knocking as he opened the door without hesitating. Hermione took a deep breath knowing that this might turn out badly, and if it did, well this wouldn't be the first time. She reluctantly followed him into the large room that she had begun to become too familiar with.
The room was large with a massive candle lit chandelier that hung above them, it gave little light, the only true source of light was the moon light shinning through the beautiful windows. In the center of the room stood a long narrow familiar mahogany table that was full of men (and a few women), all turning sharply to see who had entered.
The group grew silent from their entrance. Her father stopped suddenly, waiting to be allowed into the meeting.
The largest chair was seated at the head of the table facing away from them. Hermione could only guess who was sitting in that seat, not needing any more conformation seeing the slithering snake hang over the chair.
Smoothly a long arm came into sight beckoning them forward.
"Granger," A chilling voice rang through the room, "Come in I was worried that you had lost your way,"
Her father instantly obeyed, walking toward the two empty seats seated right next to the Dark Lord to Hermione's annoyance. She disliked being so close to his all seeing pet snake, but she followed her father loyally as they sat down quickly, her father being the closer one to Voldemort.
"I am deeply sorry for our tardiness your grace, it shant happen again," My father said bowing his head respectfully to his Lord.
But his eyes did not even glance at her father as his dark black eyes fixed on Hermione.
She stared back for a moment, letting her eyes become emotionless and uncaring developing a pure hatred for the man, if you could even call him such. Her father nudged her grudgingly as she finally understood that he was waiting for an apology from her as well.
"I'm sorry my Lord," She said monotoned looking away from him.
Hermione felt a pair of eyes on her from another source other than Voldemort as she turned to see who else was poking their imposing, selfish eyes on her.
It was a handsome older looking Draco Malfoy.
He and Hermione shared a few things in common with one another, they both were an only child, and both had a death eater for a father but any farther than that they were complete opposites. His eyes were a dark grey color, one that Hermione couldn't help admitting but to be beautiful, no doubt that he got them from his flawless mother that sat willfully between him and his father who had not given a glance at Hermione or her father. Draco looked at her intensely, as though they had never met before.
"Wormtail," Voldemorts voice barked as Hermione's eyes finally ripped away from Draco's as she forced herself to look toward the floor, "Shut the door,"
She heard the shuffling from far away as she finally heard the doors shut.
It was silent for a moment as no one dare speak. Hermione looked down at her hands wishing that it would just be over and done already, the atmosphere felt like it was suffocating her.
Voldemort rose slowly from his seat looking at everyone individually before he spoke, "My loyal servants," His cold voice said floating through the air, "It's so good to see you all here and willing, I will need all of your help if we are to achieve what I know will be the future of the wizarding world."
The room was still, purely silent waiting for him to continue as he started to walk slowly, pacing around the table making everyone stiffen.
"I am growing stronger my friends. The wizarding world is falling apart right under the ministry of magic's nose," He paused for a moment stopping above Lucius's chair, "Even with your failure of recovering the prophecy from Harry Potter, a fifteen year old boy." He scoffed looking down at him, anger showing fiercely in his dark eyes.
"But that has not stopped us from gaining power… soon we shall have Hogwarts itself fall into our hands," He said grinning evily.
Hermione's stomach fell, panic entering her body. What was he planning? Her eyes instantly flickered to Draco, knowing that he too had attended there for school his whole life. She found that Draco had the same reaction. His body stiffened looking up at her too starring at her for a moment, his eyes finally showing a glimpse of emotion, something that looked like shock. But their eye contact was broken, being interrupted by a shrieking laugh that rung through the quiet room, a laugh that Hermione only recognized all to well.
"What is your plan My Lord I beg of you please tell us," Bellatrix Lastrange said looking adoringly up at him.
Voldemort only shook his head, "All in good time Lastrange. I cannot let another mistake like our previous visit to the ministry happen again,"
"I have given you all your assignments and I expect them to be fulfilled to the best of your ability, and if you do not or decide you cannot fulfill them…" He drifted off, "Don't except mercy from me, you may leave."
That was it? Hermione's heart lifted ready to leave this dreadful place and to get away from the company especially.
"Except Bruce Granger and his daughter," He said looking at Hermione once again.
Hermione's heart suddenly plummeted again being careful not to show it on her face. What did he want with them now? Hadn't they done enough for him, she had almost lost her father to Azkaban for a ridiculous mission. Any slip up that the ministry had, any evidence to put against her father and they would surly punish him. Severely.
"And you too Lucius," The Dark Lord said icily, "Do join us for our visit?"
Lucius Malfoy looked at Voldemort solemnly as if expecting to be asked to stay behind. Draco on the other hand paled and looked like how Hermione felt. Narissa Malfoy looked like she was about to burst from rage and tears at the same time but said nothing bowing her head down and kept her eyes locked to the ground.
One by one the others left the room, paying their respects to their Lord as they did so. She could feel Hermione's father tense up, his breathing becoming deep and ragged. He stood shaking a few death eaters' hands as the exited, some giving him sympathetic looks, others giving him an evil grin wondering what it was that was going too happened to them. Things didn't look good.
Finally the last one came to bow before Voldemort, Snape.
"Severus," Voldemort said as if greeting an old friend, "Please would you join us?" He asked as if Snape had a choice.
Snape nodded curtly inclining his head once again, "Of course my Lord," He backed away from the table choosing to stand in the corner blending into the distance.
Finally Voldemort turned back to Hermione and her father.
"Bruce," He started, "My friend…You have proven very useful to me over these years. Every time I have called you you are immediately by my side. My most loyal servant apart from Severus, never once failing a task that I have asked you to do. Even at the risk of being put into Azkaban, and even the death of your wife. You have be ever loyal,"
Hermione's heart sickened at the mention of her mother, what did he know of there losses, she fumed in silence making sure to keep her hatred masked.
Hermione's father bowed to him, "Thank you my Lord, your praise is all I ask for," He said.
"I have decided to reward you," He said a cold smile creeping onto his dead lips, "Or more, your daughter,"
Her father stood in shock his whole body becoming stiff suddenly.
"My Lord?" He questioned.
Hermione felt sick. This wasn't how she thought this was going to go at all. She couldn't help but show her confusion on her face, what did he mean reward her? She could feel the Malfoy family have the same confusion on their faces.
"I have decided that I need to start thinking more toward the future, this world that I will create needs to have a powerful young wizard to help me in my rule. Help me to conquer the wizarding world that will be mine in less than a years time, one that will preside at Hogwarts," He said, his eyes solely resting on Hermione, "I have decided that I need to have an apprentice at my side when I claim the world,"
"You, Hermione Granger are going to be my apprentice," He said looking at her.
Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing. No her mind instantly wanted to say; no way could she serve a horrible man like him. He had no feelings for any one in this room and he knew it, we could all die and be replaced without a second regret from the Dark Lord. No, she didn't want this, she just simply couldn't.
Her father had to speak for Hermione, "You… You wish for my daughter to serve you as your apprentice?"
The Dark Lord nodded his eyes waiting for a response from Hermione, "You have been awfully quiet Hermione," He said his eyes narrowing; "Do you not see this as an honor?"
Hermione swallowed her throat dry and coarse, "I am humbled my Lord, I am, but I do not think myself worthy enough to be given such a privilege," She said trying to find a way out, she didn't want to be apart of this.
He smiled unnervingly at her, "I have heard of your high academic schooling from Hogwarts Mrs. Granger. You were started school a year early in order to expand your abilities; you come from a long line of purebloods and from a long line of loyal Death eaters. I hear that you are especially gifted in the Dark Arts. Is this not true?"
Hermione nodded shaking feeling scared all of a sudden, "Yes," She answered simply.
"Then my decision remains final," He said looking into her eyes piercing hers, "Will you agree to be my apprentice?"
Hermione stood silent not able to speak. No her mind screamed she didn't want this; she didn't want to become a murder. But what of the danger she would put on her and her father? Was there even an option for her to say no? He would kill her in the night if she refused. He would see it as a lack of un loyalty and weakness. He wouldn't let her live without a punishment. There wasn't a way to refuse him.
But what if she said yes? There wouldn't be any way that she could avoid becoming a death eater. She would become one of them, using her unique powers to be used to harm and instill fear in others. Something she promised herself she would never allow.
She looked around for a moment glancing at her father. He looked more worried than she had ever seen him in his life, his face was still hard but his soft eyes gave him away. She knew that he was telling her that she would have to do this. He looked away from her bowing his head waiting for her decision.
She looked to a pair of eyes dark silver eyes. Draco looked at her with sympathy in his eyes, not being able to take his eyes off of her. He shook his head once, as if telling her to say no, pleading with her to say no. His parents didn't make eye contact with her but she could feel the empathy from Draco's mom as she silently shook her head, unbelieving that such a young girl was being brought into this yet again.
Hermione with all of her heart wanted to refuse. Every part in her body was shaking with uncertainty. But what choice did she have...
She finally looked to the Dark Lord, knowing that his patience wouldn't last long. He knew that she would have to follow him willingly to be of any use to him.
"I accept my Lord," She whispered looking at him with the confidence that was fake, but he didn't seem to notice, Hermione was a good liar.
An evil smile crept onto his face, "Good, I knew I could count on you,"
"Snape," Voldemort called his eyes still resting on Hermione, she wished he would look away.
"Yes your grace?" Snape said stepping forward out of his hiding place, making Ember forget that he was in the room.
"Hermione will be enrolling to finish her last two years of schooling… at Hogwarts," He said smirking slightly, "Severus, you will make sure that she doesn't get into any trouble while she is their if anyone happens to find out about her duties to me,"
"Of course my Lord," Snape said bowing, surprise showing somewhat on his face.
"Draco tends there you must know," The Dark Lord said finally switching his glance over to him, Malfoy immediately tensed, "Which comes to why I have asked you to stay with us Lucius,"
The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed, "You have much to make up for Lucius, I trust you know this already?"
Lucius nodded his head bowing in respect, annoyance flickering on his face, "Of course my Lord, anything you ask and I shall not waver this time."
Voldemort smiled unnervingly.
"Then you will see this task with the utmost respect. I am in need of your son to do two things at Hogwarts," He said darkly.
Hermione's eyes flickered to Draco again studying his reaction. His face was as cold and emotionless as ever, his mother on the other hand was an open book, her face flooded with fear.
"Draco, Hermione is your charge along with Severus to watch over," He said snidely toward him, "You are the only one who will be able to keep watch of her while at school. If so much as a hair on her head is hurt in her stay at Hogwarts you will find one of the unforgivable curses upon you before you can blink,"
Hermione eyes widened at his threat, why did he care so much for her protection? Her eyes met Draco's for a moment as his eyes still remained emotionless.
He nodded, "I will my Lord,"
He glared at him, "Yes you will,"
Voldemort turned back to Lucius, "There is one more thing I will need your soon to do which will not be spoken out of this room do you hear me?" His voice becoming venomous. He looked at each of us in turn burning a hole through each of the Malfoy's until they had all said yes my Lord.
"Yes my lord," Narissa squeaked her voice cracking. The Dark Lord didn't care; Hermione however cringed at the pain in her voice.
Voldemort turned back to Hermione and her father and Severus.
"You may be excused," He said his face growing softer; "I wish you luck during your school year Hermione. Bruce," He said looking at him strictly, "Do anything rash or reckless and I will personally come visit you,"
Her father nodded understanding what he had meant.
"But before you go, be sure to visit Wormtail on your way out," Voldemort said smirking looking directly at Hermione that made her shiver in discomfort, "He will give you the dark mark to assure your loyalty,"
Hermione's heart fell twenty stories. No please no.
"I assure you my Lord that isn't necessary to assure my loyalty to you," She pleaded before thinking.
Voldemort glared at her, "Than there is no worry to have it, It is an honor Granger that you will accept,"
Hermione took in a deep breathe, "Yes my Lord,"
He nodded looking pleased enough, "Now go I have other things to do,"
Bruce and Hermione bowed respect fully to the Dark Lord preparing to leave. Hermione threw one last glance at Draco, her eyes seeming to always drift to him. He was starring at her to, his eyes looking pained.
Hermione tore her eyes away from his and fled to room quickly walking fast behind her father. The large doors opened automatically as if there was some invisible string pulling it open for them. They left down the long hallway walking quickly, hearing the door slam behind them.
Hermione looked up finally forcing back the tears that were pricking at her eyes threatening to come out.
She saw a man standing in the middle of the corridor as if waiting for their arrival. The small man rat like man was just who she had feared, Wormtail. Hermione automatically stopped in her tracks; her feet froze to the ground unable to move.
He smiled at her evilly, "Your turn,"