The Alliance
Extended Summary: While the wizarding world was putting itself back together after the fall of Voldemort, no one was paying attention to the muggle world until it was too late. Nuclear war has destroyed much of the world; toxins now circulate the atmosphere, crop cycles are disrupted, temperatures have fallen, water is contaminated. Eight years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Europe is now broken into seven realms, each controlled by a powerful ruler, each with different goals. Conquest, treachery, and alliances are the only way to survive in this new world order. When the two most powerful wizarding factions need to form a quick alliance to defeat a common enemy, Hermione and Draco are forced into a marriage of alliance. When there is no one left to trust, can they learn to trust each other? Slightly AU, EWE, forced marriage bond, written in the format of a sweeping epic fantasy novel, set in a modern, but post-apocalyptic Europe.
Warnings: This story is rated "M" for a reason" - it will include depictions of sex, violence, murder, deception, and all-around debauchery. Nothing good happens when the world as we know it ends, am I right? I take some liberties with the extent to which magic can produce food and water - I promise I will explain everything fully in the story. Obviously, I do not own any of these characters, nor any part of J.K. Rowling's world.
Author's Note: I am trying something outside of my comfort zone. The first few chapters will include HEAVY world-building and descriptions of the political climate as I build the story, in the style of an epic fantasy. This will make it feel slow for the first two chapters, and for that, I apologize. This is going to have all that sexy Dramione romance that we love so much. I'm so excited to see what you all think! There will be updates monthly. I AM LOOKING FOR BETA AND ALPHA READERS - Please PM me if you are interested. As always, constructive criticism and comments are cherished and welcome.
Prologue
July 2006
The large parlor room in the Malfoy Manor had bore witness to some of the worst conversations in modern wizarding history. If the walls could talk, Draco thought bitterly, these would have a wealth of evil to spill that was greater than the entirety of the Malfoy fortune.
"They mean to attack here, as well at the Realm of the Order," the young werewolf growled out in a tone far too gleeful for Draco to trust. Deep grey eyes snapped up to assess the scene, though the Malfoy heir's weariness was not betrayed by his stony features.
"Anything else?" Lucius drawled cautiously at the spy before him. Usually, as a principle, the Malfoy men did not trust traitors; loyalty was one of the most important characteristics a person could uphold, as long as self-preservation was kept in mind, of course.
But in this crumbling world, the principles of old did not have a place any longer.
"Potter's Mudblood… Fenrir wants Hermione Granger," the disheveled wolf grinned as he said the woman's name. "Before the start of the next war, Fenrir and all the leaders of the Realm of the Highlands mean to have her captured and delivered to Scotland. Fenrir is looking for more pups."
Draco's heart seized in his chest upon hearing Hermione's name roll off the werewolf's tongue like sticky poison, and his eyes snapped to attention, carefully reading both his father and their spy. He felt his blood chill instantly, and he could do nothing to stop the shiver that coursed up his spine. No no no… his mind screamed silently.
Lucius dragged one of his pale, bony fingers across his face. "Why would they want her, specifically?" Lucius questioned slowly.
The werewolf barked out a laugh, showing his yellowing canines. "She owes many of us," he said, roughly pulling down the top of his shirt to reveal a deep, purple scar that gnarled in thick ropes across his chest. "Besides, the bloodline could use a new breeder, and who better than the most powerful half breed the world has ever seen?"
Lucius rolled his eyes at the man's predictability and lack of intelligence. "You're a half breed, she's merely an abomination."
"To you perhaps. But there are those in the Realm of the Order who would rush blindly into war to rescue her. Their Gryffindor sensibilities make them weak to Fenrir's plans. Ultimately, if nothing changes, your Realm and the Realm of the Order will fall and Fenrir and the muggle army will win." At the sight of Lucius's Skeptical frown, the werewolf sighed heavily. "You deny her power, which is a mistake, Lucius. I hear she is the only reason the Realm of the Order is still standing. Without her guidance, they are weak."
"When are they planning the attack?" Draco finally found his voice again, and cut his father off before he could say something else unsavory about Hermione's blood status.
"In four months time, during the blood moon, when Fenrir and his army will be at their strongest."
Draco stilled. If they planned on taking Hermione before the start of the war, his time to save her was growing impossibly limited.
"Very well," Lucius said in his bored tone and Draco could tell he refused to fully believe in the power of a mudblood. The patriarch of the Malfoy family was so clever, and yet his prejudice, as it had always been, would be his downfall.
Draco stood up, removing his wand from his black robes. "We thank you for your continued assistance. As was our agreement, you will be generously compensated for your information."
The two men stood, and Draco conjured a bag overflowing with food and gold, two of the most valuable resources left on the ruins of the planet. The werewolf was led out of the parlor by a house-elf. Draco's body was still rigid, and he refused to relax; each thin coil of muscle was ever braced for impact.
"We were right to start preparing for war," Lucius sneered. "The muggles and the creatures banding together," Lucius shook his head in disgust. "This is problematic, to say the least." He whispered menacingly.
Draco nodded numbly in agreement. He was having trouble keeping his mask in place as he remembered the werewolf's cruel words. Granger was to be bred…
"Father, if they attack, we will not be able to outlast them. Even with Drumstang's assistance, which I'd like to remind you, they may not even provide, we are severely outnumbered against the muggles. Especially with all the weapons, the goblins have been forging for them," Draco said, displeasure coating his throat as the words were forced out.
"You are correct," Lucius sighed. He walked over to the bar and poured himself a glass of their reserve whiskey. "I knew the half-breeds were not to be trusted," Lucius slurred, and he launched into a tirade about the filth that was the Realm of the Highlands, with all their bastard creatures.
But, Draco was barely listening to his father's antiquated words; his focus kept flashing to Hermione's face, screaming on these very floors, blood pouring from her arms as tears freely trailed down her delicate features. He could not let her be taken. Not again. As she writhed on the floor of the Malfoy Manor, as he stood by and did nothing to save her, as he agonizingly watched, he pleaded with the universe and Merlin that he would do anything to never allow her to feel this type of pain again.
Much to his surprise, she lived, and he watched from afar as she continued to defy death time after time. But this? This could prove to be too much for anyone, even the brightest witch of their time. Her precious Order would not be able to protect her from this, not in their current situation. The werewolves meant to break her, and Draco knew in his heart he had to do something.
"Father," Draco started slowly, for he knew his words had to be said with care, so as not to alert the Malfoy patriarch of his true intentions. With Hermione's face fresh on his mind, her pained voice echoing in his ears, he said the words that he hoped would change the course of history and give him his victory in these uncertain times.
"I think it's time we form an alliance."
A/N: Chapter 1 will be out within the week! Every update after that will be monthly. For those of you following my other story The Labyrinth, expect an update in mid to late August. I'm also looking for a Beta Reader for that as well. Again, PM me if interested!
-AMJ