Authors note. This story began due to a brief yet wonderful RP story, between myself. smartywitch and scabiorsexysnatcher on Hyves. After continuing the story much further in the future, I felt the gap in between needed to filled. And that in essence is the premise for this story. The first few chapters are from that RP and most of the genius came from Scabior. I must admit. After that, it's mostly me, with inspiration from the lovely Scabs! Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1.
They had only just escaped from the Ministry, without being caught; now they were going to be hiding in the woods. With each minute that passed, it all became so real for Hermione; they were in trouble, a lot of it. And now they were risking even more, they couldn't travel, not with the way that Ron had been hurt, he would need time to rest. At least Harry and her were able to keep look out, set up the enchantments to keep them safe. She had travelled into this small town, via apparation to get some supplies, mainly to get something to help Ron with the pain. He was baring it well, but it was obvious that he was in an enormous amount of pain.
She had spent hours researching which town would be best to go to. This one had a small apothecary tucked out of sight; she would be slip in and out, without being seen hopefully. That was the plan anyway. Keeping her head low, her arms wrapped tightly around her, she practically scurried down the alley that she needed. Halfway down the alley, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up, she could almost sense someone was following her. Stopping abruptly and turning quickly to be faced with the most peculiar man she had ever seen. What perplexed her most was that he made no attempt to hide himself. He just stood there, as if it was the most common and normal thing in the world. Little did she know, for him, following someone was.
His face was a mask of unreadable expression. His arms dangled by the side of his body, though his outward appearance was calm and relaxed, his entire body was a coiled spring, ready to snap to attention, react as the situation called for it. He studied the girl in front of him, she was studying him the way he was her. From the moment she had turned, he knew exactly who she was. Had almost been certain of it beforehand, the hair had given her away. It seemed as untameable as his was. His bright blue eyes shone in the darkness; there was a great price on her head, very great. She was the brains behind Harry Potter. From the money he made from handing her in would set him up for a life once the Potter boy was dead.
The smallest twitch of her hand caught his gaze, his eye fixing on her hand. She was moving for her wand. He took a careful step forward. "What's your name?" He asked suddenly, his eyes moving back up to her face. Her arm stopping as if she knew that he had caught her movement. Sliding her thumb into her pocket, to appear that she wasn't bothered by his presence.
"I'll give you mine, if you give me yours." She answered quickly. His lips twitched, into a wry smile. She was quick, he liked that. She would be fun to play with that was certain. A very small part of him regretted that he would have to hand her over.
"Now, why would I do that love?" He countered, his wry smile staying in place. His head lowering predatorily. He was looking like the hunter he was now.
"Only common courtesy." She said, folding her arms across her chest, highlighting the swell of her breasts for his viewing.
He wouldn't deny that she was beautiful. In a modest, simple kind of way. "Scabior." He grunted, before looking at her expectantly. "Hermione." Thinking that she was being careful, she followed his lead, only telling him her first name. Seeming completely unfazed by this, with deliberate slowness, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sheet of parchment. Running his finger along it, for dramatic effect, the fact that her name was at the top was beside the point. Mumbling 'Mione' as he looked down the list. Folding it and placing it back in pocket, he finally looked back at her, his eyes now possessing the gleam of the hunter, anticipating the chase. "You're searched for. It's time you came with me Mione."
Her stomach dropped, silently praying to Merlin that she could make it out of here. "Really? Searched for by whom?" She questioned, trying to appear ignorant to any knowledge about this.
He took another step towards her, his hand shooting out, but not grabbing her. Not yet. "Just come with me love. Nice and easy." He said, fixing his eyes on her, hoping to use whatever charm was within them to charm her into taking his hand, they had seemed to woo most women into bed with him, and perhaps it could help here. Although he relished the chase, his men weren't far away. If it came to a chase she could and probably would get hurt, with an odd compulsion, he didn't want to see that happen. Watching as she flinched slightly, she held her ground. Another thing he found himself respecting her for.
"Who wants me and where do you intend on taking me?" She asked, her voice dropping a level as his eyes seemed to shimmer and almost glow. She could feel herself becoming transfixed by them. Enchanted. They were the most beautiful colour she had ever seen. And they fitted his handsome, rugged features perfectly.
He should be taking her to the Ministry, but because of who she was, he would take her to Malfoy Manor. "Just come with me." He said softly, using a soft and compelling tone. He could tell it had worked the second her hand slid from her crossed arms, tentatively reaching out to his extended hand, her fingers only just touching his. With a swiftness, which most didn't expect from him, he pulled her close, nestling her against his side. " 'Old that thought love." He chuckled, before using his other hand to signal that they were moving out. Apparating quickly before she had the chance to change her mind.
Hermione had no idea why she was doing this, reaching out to this man, she had a good idea of where he would take her, the Ministry, but she had found her way out once before, not too long ago. It wouldn't be hard to do again. Seeing as though she still had her wand. But as the view in front of her became clearer, her mouth dropped. This had to be the Malfoy Manor. What had she gotten herself into? "Son of a ..." She started before a hand clamped over her mouth.
"Now now, easy love." He chuckled, the sound stopping as she wriggled free from his arm, grabbing one of hers in return. Idly, he noted that now, she decided to run. He wasn't marking much for her intelligence right now. She had just accepted it so easily and now that reality was crashing down around her, she thought it best to run. He shook his head at both the thought and her.
She had to get away, just into the copse of trees over there, she could hide and apparate away, she couldn't do it while he was holding her, the most ridiculous and idiotic plan occurred to her and it would only leave her with a very small window of opportunity. But it was the only thing she could think of, before he tried to over power her. Spinning on him, she leant up quickly and kissed him.