Full Summary:
Trapped in the Malfoy Manor and brutally tortured, Draco and Hermione must desperately try to escape while trying to stay alive, sane, and together. They soon find that their every action has a consequence which could save or destroy them. Set in an altered Harry Potter universe during the time Harry, Ron, and Hermione are Horcrux hunting and a few months before the Battle at Hogwarts. Dramione. AU. Rated M. Updated every Sunday.
Disclaimers Please Read!
I do not own the characters in this story. All credit for the Harry Potter plot line and the Harry Potter characters goes to J.K. Rowling. I am not being paid to write this story. I am doing it for your and my own enjoyment. I do, however, own the plot of this particular fanfiction and would greatly appreciate if it were not stolen or copied as I've worked very hard on it. If you notice someone has stolen this story please let me know right away. If you would like to translate this story please message me for permission first. I normally agree, but I'd like to know it is being done. More information is on my profile.
Warnings. PLEASE READ!
This story is rated M for a reason. Scenes of torture, uncomfortable settings, and some vulgar language is present. Though I don't think it is too bad, I may just be twisted and therefore don't realize it which is why I'm being sure to warn you now. If you think you will be uncomfortable with these things please stop reading now. If you continue reading despite your un-comfortableness please do not flame me for it. I have warned you, twice now, of torture and some vulgar language in this story. It is now fully your fault if you keep reading. Not mine.
Information. Please read!
This story will be updated every Sunday unless announced differently. I have taken quite a bit of time to think of this story, plot it out, and write it for your enjoyment. I'm not claiming that it will be excellent, but since I've worked hard on it, I'd appreciate it if you gave constructive (if any)criticism instead of just criticising. Saying things like 'I could write better than this' or 'this sucks' tells me nothing other than that you aren't enjoying it.
I have written almost the entire story before uploading this so that I can update every Sunday for your enjoyment.
Sorry about the rambling, but I feel like most of this needed to be said, especially the warnings. Thank you for taking the time to read the above and the rest of the story for that matter. I greatly appreciate your feedback. Please do not hesitate to ask questions or voice concerns. My PM box is always open if necessary.
So, without further ado:
The Definition of Peace
Prelude
The definition of war is the state of armed conflict between two nations. But to those who fight in war it is something else. It is the constant questioning, "when will this end?". It is pain and fear and brutal reality and nothing but hope.
This story begins six months before a war. It could begin any time. Seven years ago. Two months. One week from now. But the day Hermione leaves is the day Draco will never forget and the day that started something new. A perfect spot to start an imperfect and tragic tale of the horrors and consequences of war.
This story will also end six months after a war. Six months after tragedy and pain and death, the chapters will end, the words will cease, and the story will come to a close.
But the ending will come later. For now, this story begins in the Forbidden Forest, shortly outside of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where Hermione Granger waits for Draco Malfoy with a heavy heart. Her head spins and her heart aches from the many thoughts thundering through her mind. She thinks of Ron who must feel so confused and frightened. She thinks of Harry who must be broken at Dumbledore's death and stricken by the false Horcrux. She thinks of all three of them; her, Ron, and Harry, and what the looming darkness means, what they must do. And she thinks of Draco. Oh, she thinks of Draco and her heart breaks because she must force him to choose. And she is frightened by what he might pick, scared to death by what he might decide.
Her fingers are sore from biting and her eyes sting.
She is waiting in the clearing. Their clearing. The clearing with the soft grass and the green lights, where the wind hums through the trees and the plants applaud. She presses down the grass with her shoes. Eventually she becomes frustrated and kicks at the roots. The fresh earth is loose and flies easily into the air.
After what seems like hours, he comes. He stands far away from her like he's afraid to get too close and from his grim expression Hermione can tell he knows why he's here.
She doesn't move toward him, but instead stands facing him with all her words stuck in her throat.
"You know I can't," he says and she clenches her jaw as hard as she can, but it doesn't stop the tears.
"You can," she tells him, but he shakes his head.
"I can't leave my family, Hermione. I can't leave them to die."
Her lip trembles. "I'm leaving my parents."
"Your parents are muggles," he argues. "The Dark Lord doesn't know of them. He knows mine. And if I don't show up he'll kill them."
Her arms shake despite the warm evening. "Please," she begs. "I love you."
And he is suddenly in front of her, holding her tightly to his chest and she has fist-fulls of his shirt between her fingers. Heaving, she cries into his shoulder.
"I know," he says, and he doesn't say any more because he doesn't have to. She already knows.
And it's not for months later that they will see each other again, but not exactly in the way they hope.
TBC next Sunday...