REVELATION
The Prologue
Year of Our Lord 2000
Draco
Rome, Italy
Part I: Gates
It couldn't be.
I noticed her immediately as soon as I stepped into the Sistine Chapel. Wavy, auburn hair that could never belong to anyone else - except for this girl I once knew from school. Her mouth was agape, staring at a fresco of Christ Giving the Keys to St. Peter, deep in thought. She stayed behind while the tour guide led the group of Muggle-looking tourists to another hall.
I made my way through the crowd until I stopped right beside her. "I never thought I'd be the one standing beside you in a church, Hermione Granger," I smirked, locking my eyes on the painting before us.
She spun around with a probable clever offense but closed her mouth, feeling the same comfort of seeing a familiar face in a strange land. But I knew she wasn't about to show that.
"Draco Malfoy," she acknowledged. From the corner of my eye, I saw her smile before looking at the fresco again. "I never imagined I'd hear you say the word 'Church'."
I laughed as I put my hands inside my pockets. For a split-second I realized starting this conversation would have been so much easier with a bottle of wine in my fingers. "It's called rarity. Consider that as a gift from me to you," I replied.
"I see arrogance has been your loyal friend," she snickered.
"Handsome Looks and Undying Wealth too," I whispered in her ear, breathing in the smell of lavender from her hair. She laughed, and I took it as a good sign. "What brings you to Italy?"
"I'm on vacation with my family," she replied.
"Mind explaining this rubbish we're looking at?" I asked, but what I really wanted to say was 'Did I mention you just set my heart a-flutter from across the room?'
She rolled her eyes. "This is not rubbish. It's Christ giving the keys of heaven to St. Peter. This was the moment when mortals like us were given the power to allow other mortals in heaven. Can you imagine the corruption of this responsibility?"
"Men become fools," I answered distractedly.
"Like playing God..." her voice trailed off. "Draco, I have to admit it's very strange to see you in the heart of Vatican City. What is a wizard like you doing in a place of worship?" She looked at me straight in the eye. She hasn't changed one bit. "You're a walking paradox."
She gave the kind of look when you know you just have to apologize for something you haven't even done. I resisted the urge to reach out and cup her cheek, the way I used to almost two years ago. Today my hands stayed inside my pockets.
Has it really been that long?
"Still putting wizards in categories, huh?" I shook my head. "I see no such paradox, Hermione. You know I like books, and The Bible happens to be a very good story."
I was surprised how easily her name rolled off my tongue. Her eyes fluttered briefly, and I knew I was not alone.
"Some people live their whole lives by it," she looked at two women in white, walking solemnly, lips moving in prayer. "One hell of a fiction, isn't it?" She was almost lost in her own thoughts. She ran her fingers through her hair and started walking to the next fresco. I was behind her every step of the way.
"I'm a wizard, it's hard to believe in these things."
"Oh that's right," she smiled. "You used to believe in a state of heaven."
"Once, yes," I had to say it. "But that was when we were together."
She turned around to face me, and I looked at her from a down-cast glance. "That was a long time ago," she said softly.
I shook my head. "Not for me."
It was amazing how hundreds of other people in the hall could not make even a murmur to my ears. The Italian sun lit up every art in the chapel, but none became quite as mesmerizing as the one standing before me.
"Draco..." she started. But in my mind, I was already back in my eighth year, standing in front of the lake at Hogwarts.
Morning was about to start and it would be the first day of the end of our relationship. My vision and senses were fleeting - her, trembling, crying in my arms. The lump forming in my throat, the strong winds, the tears from her brown eyes.
"What can't I understand?" she had screamed at me. "Why won't you let me help you, Draco?"
"I don't want to let you go," I had said. "But where I'm going, you can't be a part of."
"You said you love me, you had a choice!" she said as held me tighter.
"You'll never understand..."
The sun rose, and she walked away.
Today, I remember. I had been crying too. Daylight was my witness.
I lost my life, that day.
PART II: Prayers
"A business trip?"
I looked at her and wondered how long would we continue to play this game, sitting across from each other in a perfectly civilized manner. She crossed her legs then played with her earlobe, and I was defenseless at all the memories I have of her doing the same things in better days. Sometimes, the heart is a stubborn shield attached to pain.
We managed to establish who we were in this foreign city; We were old schoolmates, former lovers who coincidentally ran into each other and both wanted coffee after walking inside the Sistine Chapel.
Yes, that was safe.
We were now by Cafe Stefano, and she had taken off her cardigan to welcome the Italian sun. Her white, spaghetti strap dress showed her collar bones and bare arms, and just a tease of the mound of her breasts. Every part of her skin reminded me of how I had kissed her in those places.
I flipped close my brass pocket lighter and took a long drag. "That's right," I nodded, before releasing a thin line of smoke in the air. "I'm here looking at competition, seeing what I'm up against."
"Ah, I see," Hermione sighed, raising an eyebrow. "Your father has finally let you handle the ropes by yourself?"
"He made quite the Deal of the Millennium, I'll tell you that," I took another long drag before looking at my watch. It was almost time. I looked up and found Hermione staring at a point right beyond my shoulder, and her face suddenly shifted from carefree to alert.
"Draco, there's a man with a black fedora staring at you since we got here..." she began cautiously, hand instinctively reaching out to her pocket for her wand.
I reached across the table to stop her hand. I've noticed it too, and did not bother turning around. "Hey," I said slowly, caressing her wrist. "There's no need for that, no one's hurting anyone."
She stared into my eyes until she finally relaxed her grip on her wand and placed her hand back on the table. "Impeccable choice of words," she said sarcastically. She let me hold her a little longer. "Have you been safe, Draco Malfoy?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you've never been completely honest with anyone, not even me. I can only imagine how dangerous your secrets are. Sometimes, I still worry about you, Draco."
"Sometimes is too long," I clenched my jaw and held her hand tighter. "I didn't want to put you at risk, Hermione, we've gone through this..."
"Draco, how many times do you think I've put my life in danger? I mean, being friends with Harry Potter alone is enough to - "
"Please, Mine, I really don't want to hear his name right now," I said before realizing what I had done. I still called her Mine after all these years. Really, he wasn't even here, but you can always trust Potter to bring out the worst in me.
"Draco..."
I shook my head. "I apologize, it won t happen again."
She studied me intently, and I let her. I knew she noticed my finger tapping the table incessantly, and how I occasionally rubbed my cheek, showing off the coarse white blond hair that's starting to grow. Deep down, she knew I was frightened.
"What type of business, exactly, are you handling for your father?" she asked.
I leaned back and lit another cigarette. "It's... complicated," I started, blowing out the smoke. "Father made me jump on board right after eighth year, before you and I.." I paused, and opted for another route. "Aside from the wizarding world, Malfoy Enterprise expanded into, er, the Muggle consumers, so to speak."
Hermione frowned. "Father told me it was his idea to show the world how the Malfoys would begin tolerating them," I explained.
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm still listening."
"It was a plan I didn't want to be part of," I closed my eyes for a brief moment. "But I had no choice. He said it was a way to redeem ourselves to higher authority, I always thought it was just a metaphor."
I crushed the cigarette on the ashtray and rubbed my temple with another hand. "We were in the food technology business," I said, making sure I pronounced the words properly. "Somewhere in the Pacific. It was harmless at first, until the factory was beginning to pollute the environment. It didn't help that we had just jacked up the prices, making raw materials more expensive to the masses. They couldn't afford eating properly anymore."
"So now the union's gotten restless and are threatening the lives of the board of directors, did I get that part right?" Hermione interjected with dark humour.
"Spot on," I replied, laughing at the situation I was in. "And that's not even the worst part."
"Why couldn't you use magic?"
"Father said it would be useless." In my peripheral vision I saw two more men in grey suits entering the cafe, and I try my best not to alarm Hermione. She's a bright kid, she'll understand.
This time, I grabbed both her hands and held them dearly, but my eyes showed no feeling, only focus. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course Draco, what's going on?" she shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting around the room.
"Shh, just look at me, Mine, just look at me," I cupped her cheeks urgently, she felt warm and familiar. Instinct kicked in. "What's the craziest thing someone has told you to believe in?"
She was breathing heavily - she did not like being confused at all. "Hogwarts. When they sent me a letter, telling me I was a witch."
I laughed. Of course, her answer had to be related, still, to school. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you, Hermione."
She smiled thinly. "Hey, me too," she said, running her fingers through my long blond hair. Pain and pleasure tangoed in my heart. That's when they started walking towards me. Four men in gray coats and identical fedora hats coming to our direction.
"Remember what I said, Hermione, the story about my business; hunger spreading, wars starting, pollution and death threats. You know you've read something like this before." I swiftly kissed the top of her head and prayed this won't be the last time I'll hold her in my arms. "You were my answer all along," I whispered in her ear, holding back her arm that was ready to take out her wand. "There's no need for that, trust me."
"Draco, I see them too, we can take them down, both of us - " she said through gritted teeth. "What's going on? Please tell me."
"I will, I'll tell you everything, I promise," I said as I reached for pockets to pull out a set of keys to my hotel room, uptown. "There's just certain matters I have to take care of. For now, please, listen to me. Go to my suite back in Castel Sant'Angelo. I'll see you in a couple of hours."
The men finally cornered our table and spoke no words. On the surface they looked like normal Italian men; but there was something beyond their identical grey suits. I spun around, protecting Hermione. I prayed to gods, and God, that this would not be the last time I'd see her.
"No need to cause a scene, gentlemen, I'm coming with you now."
They calmly walked out of the cafe and into the unsuspecting streets with me in the middle. It would be a while before Hermione noticed a long black feather floating in the distance.
PART III: Deliverance
SHE CANNOT BE WITH YOU.
Despite the the warmth outside, my cut lips were trembling from the cold temperature inside. You could feel its presence. Dread, sadness, insanity. But no one was there. Just the same voice inside the minds of those who've said "The Devil made me do it..."
I inhaled deeply, and slowly began to play with my brass lighter. We were in an old Church in Rome, not the kind you'd normally think of. This church worshiped all the wrong gods. The darkness used to frighten me, but hope has finally shed light through the littlest holes.
"I respectfully decline your offer, this is my final decision," I called out to anyone, anything, out there. "There are four other capable men, just like me, with the same sins, they can be your man."
Pain surged through my nerves as my knees gave in and fell on the marble floor. I was breathless, my eye bruised, but I was armed with hope. I knew I wasn't going out easily.
YOU WERE THE BEST.
"This is my choice," I said through gritted teeth. "My free will. Not even you can deny me that."
YOU CANNOT HAVE HER. SHE BELONGS TO THEM.
I saw a flash of green light before I was hit with the familiarity of a Cruciatus. For a while, pain blinded me.
"Then what power does hell have," I said weakly, "if I cannot dream of heaven?"
There was silence as I slowly got up to my feet, I was drenched in sweat. It didn't matter that I ached everywhere, I was about to be free. I gingerly put my shirt and sunglasses back on.
YOU HAVE DEFIED ME, DRACO MALFOY. YOUR PART IS NOT YET DONE. BE FOREWARNED.
I weakly pulled a cigarette out from my pocket and opened my lighter. The soft glow lit up the room before turning into darkness again.
"Give yourself another thousand years," I spat.
I walked into the light outside, never turning back.
PART IV: Heaven
I Apparated back into my suite and she caught me right before I fell to the floor. Hermione had been ready, she had a pack of ointments, pain relieving herbs, and she cast healing spells as her wand caressed my skin.
"You're going to be okay..." she whispered softly. She planted kisses in my eyes, cheeks, chin, lips, and that was where I held her close. She tasted so good, I've missed her so much.
Has it really been two years?
I've lied down on her lap countless of times - While she was reading, after making love... How could I have ever let her go?
"I'm so sorry..." I said weakly, surrendering to exhaustion. "In eighth year... They were preparing me... If they knew I was in love with you they'd take you..."
"You're here now, Draco, that's all that matters," she cooed, running her fingers through my hair. I felt safe. I opened my eyes again and saw drawers pulled out and clothes scattered everywhere.
"What happened here?" I asked, alarmed as I tried to get up. "Did anyone follow you? Are you okay?"
"Rest, Draco," she silenced me. "It was me. I was looking for a book. And I bought a couple of other books for research." I looked around and noticed the copy of the Bible on the bed, opened to its last few pages. "Why am I always surrounded by boys fulfilling prophesies? You have a lot of explaining to do."
I chuckled softly and held her hand tightly. "I went to the Sistine Chapel to look for a sign, and I saw you. You saved me, Hermione."
"Is it over?" she asked, her inquisitive eyes searching my soul. I shook my head.
"I don't think so."
"I can help you," said a third person in the room. This time Hermione swiftly aimed her wand at the other person in white khakis, dead center in the heart.
"Who are you?" she yelled at the stranger who held his palms up, and was not surprised at wand pointed at him.
The stranger had wavy, golden hair falling to his broad shoulders and stood over six feet tall. His skin was almost translucent, and his voice, when he spoke, filled the room.
"I pose no threat," he said gently. "The door was open and I couldn't help but overhear your friend is in pain. I am a healer," he placed his palm over his heart and gave a slight bow. "They call me Raphael."
There was a sense of calm spreading around the room. "Hermione, I think it's okay," I whispered. The stranger in white went down to his knees and laid his right palm on my bruised arm.
"Do you believe in God, Draco Malfoy?"
I looked into his eyes and immediately understood that he was not of this world. "Yes," I hesitated.
He lifted his palm and the black and blue on my skin was gone.
"Impossible..." Hermione gasped.
"Wandless healing?" I breathed heavily.
"I'm afraid not," the stranger chuckled. "This is much older than magic."
"Your sacrifice has been well noted," he continued as Hermione helped me to my feet. Our hands fit perfectly with each other. "You will hear from us again, but for now, rest. You are loved, stay together for the times ahead."
I gripped Hermione tightly as Raphael saw himself outside. A white feather floated in the room. Maybe one of the windows was open, maybe not. I've seen stranger things, but what mattered the most was the Heaven was Mine again.
-end-
Author's Notes:
1. This prologue was originally written as a stand alone fic for Nicole/lj user open_the close at the Darkest Before Dawn DMHGFICEXCHANGE.
2. Prompts were: a) banter, b) Good Draco (but not perfect) and c) Angsty Hermione (for a change).
3. Much props and love to jen3227 for being an awesome beta-reader at such short notice.
Footnotes/Reference:
a. "Did I mention you set my heart a-flutter?" - from the short film Girl Walks Into a Bar
b. "What power does hell have, if one cannot dream of heaven?" - from the Sandman series
c. Famine, Pollution/Pestilence, War, Death - the four horsemen of the apocalypse
d. Raphael - the Archangel. God's healer.
