Title: As the World Falls Down Part Two
Author: emm718
Word Count: 858
Theme: Time
Number of Theme's Completed: 14:100
Rating: G
Characters: Dee slash aeche arr
Disclaimer: Obviously it does not belong to me.

Part Two

"You cowered before me and I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down. And I have done it all for you. I am exhausted from living up to your expectations. Isn't that generous?"
 Jareth (David Bowie) Labyrinth

The large oak door stood slightly ajar. Draco's hand relaxed on the knob for control and his other palm laid against the jam. He was watching for her. He knew that she would take this opportunity to visit the library because he had told her he would be away from the manor for the entire day. It was a test. A verification of his suspicions. Since the night of the dinner party he had forbidden her to return to it. Not to be cruel, but because he had suspicions that the curse he had her under was coming undone. He was afraid. He did not want her to leave. Selfish, he knew, but how else could he get Hermione to love him?

The Godfather clock chimed noon and he heard her soft footfalls on the carpet of the grand hallway. Quick, determined steps, and with a rustle of silk her body flashed pass his door towards the library. Silently he closed the door and rested his forehead against it. He let a disappointed sigh and began to form a plan of action. But there was only one conclusion left.

It was time.

Time to let her go.

If he was honest with himself, he was not happy with the shell of the witch he had abducted a year ago. She was not feisty and witty anymore, she was no longer bossy or all-knowing, and using every chance she got to knock him down to size. This is how he fell for her in the first place. Hermione Granger was the only witch in the world who could knock him down to size, remind him that he was nothing more than flesh and blood. He missed her.

And now, she was searching. He knew she was trying to understand how they came to be together. To remember who she was. He had her fooled. She never loved him. She would not. And that was a fate worse than death in Draco's opinion. It did not matter that he treated her like a queen. Expensive robes, delectable dinners, all the baubles and treats she could imagine. And when he made love to her, it was an extension of his emotions through a physical act. It was all for her. She deserved a perfect life, fully equipped with the moon and stars and all he ever intended to do was give them to her.

Jerking the door open, he rushed after her, his gait stern, determined, robes billowing in his wake. His mouth pressed firmly shut. When he arrived, he threw open the double doors and saw her flinch and cower. The book in her hands dropped to the floor.

"Like disobeying me, do you?" His voice was clipped, stern but he immediately regretted it when he sensed her fear. He did not want to frighten her.

Her mouth dropped open, then snapped closed, her eyebrows swept together and those bejeweled eyes flickered defiantly. Then quickly her expression softened into shame, and her topaz orbs became dull again.

He instantly grieved for the flash of Granger he saw. "Never mind. I want you to return to your wing of the manor for a week." and he moved to retired the library. He had to escape. He could not bear to witness the struggle she was going through. He felt wretched and guilty and that was two emotions he never cared to feel.

"Draco." She called softly.

He paused and pivoted, steeling his jaw to reflect his displeasure. She was standing, her chin upturned, and spine rigid.

He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

"I want to know why I can't remember. I want to know why I am your wife, but I don't feel it. I want to know now." Her timbre wavered, but only slightly.

He sighed. Defeated. He beckoned her to him and she immediately complied, letting him embrace her. Cupping her chin, he searched her eyes for Granger but found her gone. Sadly. "You will know soon Poppet. I promise," and her kissed her tenderly.

She allowed him for a moment. Then broke away. "Don't," she breathed and turned away.

He sneered. His time with her had expired. The spell was unfolding. He blamed himself, he should have known. She was a powerful witch after all. She would fight him.

Raising his wand, he pointed it at her temple and whispered "finite incantatem".

She swayed, her eyes fluttered, and a dainty hand reached for her brow as she leaned against the table for support.

He refused to catch her if she fell. A lump settled in his throat and he watched her warily.

Her knees gave out and she slipped to the floor, both palms covering her face. Slowly she pulled them away, touched her nostril with the tip of her fingers, and found blood. She whimpered, looked at her hands, her arms, her dress, as if seeing them for the first time. She looked around the library, until at last, her wide glistening eyes settled on him. "What have you done?" she whispered right before her eyes shut and her torso slumped at his feet.

"I've failed you."

TBC