Pearls of Great Price

by OrangeBlossom713

The Sacred 28 are changing up their matching strategy by bringing out an old tradition: The Season Sponsorship Lottery. Every eligible woman at Hogwarts will be sponsored at various levels for the social Season. The Order wants a deb on the inside, but of all people, they can't see beyond blood. How will Hermione survive? And how will Severus compete for her? Dark!Hermione.

1. Prologue

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

PROLOGUE

Narcissa recoiled at the state she was in. The girl's hair was matted and unkempt, and she wore nothing against the April shower but a dirty nightgown which was quickly becoming soaked with rain, mud, and to Narcissa's horror, blood. Her hands clutched her belly desperately and she gave a wail of pain as she stretched her hand through the rails of the Manor gates.

"Please! Help me, please!"

As Narcissa ran forward, there was a thunder of multiple Apparitions just a hundred yards away. The young woman looked behind her at the people who pursued her.

"Miss Granger," the old wizard said coldly. "That will be quite enough."

As Narcissa lifted her skirts and broke into a full sprint, several of her houseguests doing the same and speeding past her, the girl screamed in agony and fear.

"It will be over soon, Miss Granger. This will be but a nightmare."

Hands reached for her.

"SEVERUS!"