She's a Beauty, He's a Beast
Chapter 2: Why?
Entering through the dark, ominous gates of the looming Malfoy Manor was more than just a ferocious emotional battle for Hermione. Holding her arm, she took a step forward, just barely crossing the boundary to her new, unwanted fate, and immediately her heart hurt with self-pity and the ripping of her dignity.
She flashed back to when she found out about her acceptance into Hogwarts, and how amazing she knew her adventure in the magical world would be, how special and honored she felt to be accepted into this new world. Hermione had no idea how, how awful it would turn out as well. She couldn't imagine a world with magic to be so dark.
She was so naïve. So very naïve.
However, through everything she had been through, she could not come to regret the magical world, and though the road ahead looked bleak and unpromising, something inside her told her to hang on.
She was very naïve.
She stole a glance a Draco to find him staring stonily ahead; his polished leather should clicking lightly on the perfectly paved gravel. She wondered what he was thinking, how he was feeling, and why he bought her.
Draco sighed inaudibly. Did he feel guilty?
No.
He felt more than guilty. Though he had harbored hate for the girl standing next to him, if one was to look deep into his grey eyes, they would see through his façade and realize that he, in fact, was Crucio-ing himself for bringing the girl back to the place where she had been tortured by his own blood.
To tell the truth, Draco felt guilty for being associated with the downfall of all the good in the world. He felt guilty he had had a hand in aiding Voldemort, the death of Albus Dumbledore, and now, the imprisonment of Hermione Granger, bravest muggleborn. At night, he would lie alone in his bed and wish he could've gone back in time and denied Voldemort, or just kill him. He wished someone would just smite Voldemort. Or smite him, which ever would stop the guilt flow.
Yet, as of now, he was Voldemort's wingman, sent to do all the dirty work.
But Draco has not killed anybody, and he plans to keep that little shred of innocence.
See, Draco was glad he found Hermione, because the moment he saw her bony figure recoiling in the cage, a plan started to formulate in his head.
He has a plan to take down the Dark Lord.
Some part of Hermione's sadistic mind just can't seem to deny the obvious. When her foot hit the glistening marble floor on the Manor's ginormous entry way, the first word that popped into her mine was beautiful. It was like a Tim Burton movie setting.
Dark, ominous, reeking of death. And beautiful. Oh Hermione, what a masochist.
"Granger, I will lead you to your room. A house elf will be there to give you what you need. Then we will have dinner together, and discuss plans." He stated, demanded even.
Hermione's dignity came flaring up again as she was snapped out of her trance.
"No! I will not! Why did you take make here? Why couldn't you just leave me be! I was better off! How dare you Malfoy? How could you sit here, living guilt free like royalty while the rest of the world is slaving? Have you no soul? Nevermind, you probably don't even know what a fuc-"
"Granger!" He growled, with a glint in his eye that made Hermione's fury die down a bit. Draco regained his composure.
"Would you rather sleep in the dungeon? I'm sure there is a cage that can make you feel right at home, slave." His voice got lower, "And if you knew what was good for you and your place in this world, you would shut up and learn to take that which is offered, understood?"
She nodded imperceptibly.
"Follow."
Nod.
Draco led Hermione silently toward a giant staircase, with pictures of the Black and Malfoy family aligned perfectly on the wall. They seemed to sneer at Hermione as she past them, and she put her head down out of shame. She still could not believe how the good had lost.
Each click on the marble floor seemed to grow more and more haunting as they descended up to the chambers.
"West Wing, Granger, is mine. Do not enter."
"Why the hell not Malfoy?" She sneered.
He swiftly turned to face her, easily towering over her figure. "Because I said not to."
Without waiting for a reply, he quickly turned a proceeded, turning toward the east wing and leading her down a hallway with a large chandelier in the middle. They Malfoy's, however evil, had class.
He stopped in front of a pair of double doors on the left of the hallway. Draco open them, revealing large area equipped with a royal bed and magnificent bathroom, and a balcony.
"This is your chamber Granger. Fix it how you would like. And remember dinner."
"And what if I don't attend, Malfoy?" She challenged.
"Would you like to receive the consequences?"
Hermione quietly examined Draco. He had gotten very tall, muscular; but still held a slender build, and his hair wasn't slicked back. His eyes though, always, always guarded.
"You don't scare me Malfoy. Honestly, you are still a coward.
His eyes burned fiercely, his hands clenched into fists by his sides. Why did she have to be so stubborn all the damn time? Draco was not going to waste his time trying to cater to his slave if she was not going to participate.
But then, Draco remembered where she had just come from, where her friends were, and particularly, what had happened in this house just a few weeks before. Who was he to give her a hard time when he knew she had the weight of these and more upon her already frail shoulders.
He sighed. "Dinner, Granger, at 7." Then he stalked out of the room, slamming the doors behind him.
Hermione ran to the bed a finally let the tears out.
Draco stood in front of the doors to the chamber and pondered.
Why was she so stubborn? Why is he doing this? What is she thinking? What is he thinking? Why am I doing this? Why can't I be dead?
Out of all the questions in the heads of the two, the question that they would wonder for a while is quite obvious.
Why?
Hey guys! Thanks so much for your reviews and positive encouragement. I'll try to update again! How you like it? Good? Bad? Either way, review, favorite, and follow. Love Jade! Oh, what should they eat for dinner?
