Disclaimer: Check the previous disclaimers. Some content here is 'borrowed' from the Seventh book of the Harry Potter series, I added a bit of a twist to make it more fanfic-y.
AN: Okay, sorry the other chapter had less Hermione and Draco time. Hope this doesn't seem rushed.
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Chapter 4: Claim Your Soul
Draco was waiting outside the Griffondor common room.
He has taken to stalking her.
In order to protect her, he tells Blaise.
But there's more to it than that.
He remembers that he overheard Pothead, Loony and Weasel plan out a way to break into the ministry to steal a locket; one of Voldemort's horcruxes.
Draco's fairly impress that they know about the horcruxes, but he finds their plan flawed. Of course he doesn't plan on interfering.
But what Potty-face suggested made Draco angry with rage.
'Hey,' Potter said as if he came up with the smartest idea in the world, 'Hermione should join us! Both you,' he pointed to Luna, ' and she, you two are the best out there!'
Draco wanted to kill him. The stupid four-eyes dare risking Hermione's life.
Draco walked into their little meeting and stupify-ed all of them. He modified their memory to make them believe that they decided not to take Hermione along.
He will keep her safe himself.
xxx
He saw her run as quietly as she can. He saw the tears. He followed her like a shadow, he saw her jump at the sound of approaching giggling. When she went into the corridor, he waited a bit until she started sobbing.
He went to her, 'you're crying.'
Crouching down, he noticed a piece of paper clutched in her hand. He took it, and when she tried grabbing it back, he caught her hand and held it firmly; his heartbeat sped up at the contact, her hands are small and warm. He finds her hands pretty.
He read the letter.
'Fuck.'
Muggle-Born Registration Commission; an excuse to capture and punish muggle-borns. He can't let them take her away from him.
He didn't know his grip on her hand tightened until she let out a whimper. He loosened his grip, but didn't let go.
Hermione managed to stop crying, and she finally took in the man beside her. Draco sat beside her, clutching the letter and staring at her, concern and something else in his eyes.
'I won't let them hurt you,' he said it so sincerely, her heart skipped a beat.
Although she was very confused, 'Malfoy...'
He placed the letter in his pocket, and with his now free hand, he bent forward and gently started to wipe the tearstreaks from her cheeks.
His eyes were lighter, she noted, but he seems to be scheming something.
Than she suddenly remembered what she forgot to tell Harry and Ron.
'Malfoy,' she took a shaky breath, 'why did you say Irving Cram was sent to kill me?'
Draco replied automatically, 'he is no longer a threat.'
'No, you knew he was sent to kill me. He's a Death Eater and only Death Eaters would know. You're a Death Eater.'
He looked at her, he doesn't want to see her scared of him, he doesn't want her to hate him.
He loosened the hold on her hand.
'Are you afraid?' he said softly.
She stared right into his eyes, searching. She asked, 'why did you kill him? Why didn't you kill Dumbledore?'
'He was going to kill you, I would never let anything bad happen to you. I have no need to kill Dumbledore, he protected you.' Hermione gasped, Draco knows legilimency.
'I don't understand,' she whispered.
'I want you.'
Hermione's eyes widened and she blushed with fervour. She looked down and Draco smiled a true smile.
He hasn't smile like this ever since she left.
She calmed down a tad bit, and she looked up, 'give me the letter, please.'
'No.'
Her eyes sparked into the fiery spirit he adores, 'give it.'
'I'm coming with you,' he leaned towards her, 'you need me.'
She shook her head, 'no, I have to do this alone.' She looked into his piercing gaze, it unnerved her a little, 'I'll be okay.' She gave him a reassuring smile.
'No, you won't.' He knows the horrors of the so-called ministry official regulation; dementors swarmed the place and he has no wish for her to walk in like a lamb headed for the butcher. 'You fell apart when your pot-friend told you off.'
She looked embarassed; did word spread so quickly? How else could he know? Certainly she hasn't thought about it when he used Legilimency.
She stood up and took a few tentative steps back.
He saw that spark of life in her eyes, it comes before she does something unexpected.
'Accio letter!' and it flew out of his pocket and into her hands. He stood up, grinning and jumped.
He caught her and pinned her before she could escape.
She was lying there underneath him, the letter in her hand. Her breath knocked out, she struggled a bit with her breathing. He pinned her slim wrists to the ground.
All she can see is his silver eyes, swallowing her vision.
'Now that I finally caught you,' he told her huskily, 'I won't let you go.'
He went down, he kisses her.
Against her lips, he said, 'I want to kiss you,' he trailed to her right ear, 'all over.' He licks the outer shell of her ear. His warm breath fans his wet saliva, making her shudder. He kisses her hair, he forehead, her nose, her lips. She opens her mouth and touches his tongue with her own, she's wants him to be rough.
He groans as she explores his mouth; did Beauxbatons teach her this?
It's always the bookworm.
Then she became more demanding and he didn't protest. His hands slid down her arms, and he started to undo the first few buttons of her robes. She took her hands and explored his broad shoulders, his neck, and she felt his soft hair. She hummed in pleasure then his lips broke away from hers.
He kissed downwards onto her neck, he can feel her panting heavily. He found her pulse which is throbing so hard, so fast. He sucked, and licked.
She moaned when he bit her, against her pulse he said, 'I want to bruise you with pleasure. I want to mark what's mine.'
Somehow his hand slid up her shirt, he cupped her breast and she found herself near faint while he circles her delicate and already erected nipple.
'Draco,' she moaned, 'Draco.' He went back up to kiss her lips, satisfied that he left a mark on her pulse.
'I'll have your heart next time,' he promised her before he consummed her mouth.
Fire seeped through them, burning their insides.
'Hermione,' she thought to herself, 'he's a Death Eater...'
'How can you trust him?'
'No, no,' Hermione gasp, trying to push Draco off, she whimpered in pleasure when he pinched her nipple, 'stop, please.'
He stopped and lifted himself up, even though his eyes are lustful, confusion and hurt flashed through his face before he went blank.
She sat up and so did he, and she looked anywhere except him. He waited.
She saw the letter and snatched it, before he knew it, she stood and ran away.
xxx
Granted with Snape's - Headmaster Snape's - permission, Hermione left early in the morning to head off to the ministry.
She feels lonely, on this lovely and cool morning. Harry, Ron and Luna have departed without a word in the middle of the night while half of Dumbledore's Army covered for them; she didn't have a chance to tell them about her mandatory interview with the Muggle-Born Registration Commission.
She wonders when they will come to Umbridge?
She stepped into the building, it smells lovely. It's grand too. 'I could work here,' she smiled at that thought.
She went to the front desk lady who greeted her with a smile.
'How may I help?'
'I would like to be directed to the Muggle-Born,' the woman paled, 'Registration Commission department.'
'Yes, go to your left where the elevators are, and it's the basement floor.'
'Thank you,' Hermione gave the woman a warm smile.
The woman really felt sorry for the young pretty girl; she's so innocent.
Hermione went off, she spotted Arthur Weasley, but found it wise not to greet him especially since he's with Percy. Then she saw him step into an elevator, closely followed by a very tall man that she assumes is named 'Runcorn' because Mr. Weasley seems keen on broadcasting his name.
She stepped into the next elevator and went down.
On the elevator, one face popped up in her mind.
Draco.
She feels sad. She feels like an idiot for trusting him so easily the moment she returned to Hogwarts. She really doesn't know what to do with him. It's for the best that she avoids him.
The moment the elevator opens, she registered an unnatural chill. With each step she took, it felt colder. Looking to her left, she saw the waiting room and she went in to register herself for her already predetermined appointment.
When she sat down, she can't help shivering a bit. Than she saw what almost made her scream.
Dementors are patrolling the area.
'My dear, you're so young,' said a woman sitting on the end of a wooden bench. She has dark hair tied into a bun, and she was wearing plain robes. 'I-I'm Mary Cattermole,' she said, Hermione can see that the woman is so pale, 'm-my h-husband works f-for the ministry,' she attempted a weak smile in which a dementor swooped down in front of her, scaring her.
'E-expecto P-patronum!' cried Hermione weakly. Nothing, she tried again and this time her otter came forth. People in the room scooted closer to her area.
'Thank you so much,' there was so much gratitude in Mrs. Cattermole's face. Hermione felt so much sympathy for the little woman.
A door slammed opened and people turned their heads.
'Take him away!' Cried a soft, silky voice.
'No, no, no, no!' A blood-curling cry made the attendants in the waiting room quiver.
'Next - Hermione Granger,' called Umbridge.
The person in subject wanted to bring her otter with her, but she felt it would be better to leave her patronus with Mrs. Cattermole and the other muggleborns; it'll protect them and give them hope.
Hermione stepped into a courtroom, with an impossibly high ceiling. She feels a little suffocated and trapped.
'Sit down, dear' commanded Umbridge.
Hermione sat on a chair facing what looks like the judges. Chains came out and wrapped her ankles and wrists, binding her to the chair. She felt scared, she won't be able to access her wand.
'You are Hermione Jean Granger, am I right?' said Umbridge with a bored expression.
Hermione nodded, she notice a silver cat pacing the floor near the prosecuters. Probably Umbridge's patronus.
'Yaxley,' said Umbridge, 'take her wand.'
'No,' begged Hermione, 'no.'
If Yaxley takes her wand, her patronus might disappear. He got up despite her protest, went towards her, and took her wand.
'Mudblood,' he spat. He went back to his seat on the platform, and he handed Hermione's wand to Umbridge.
'Tell us,' said Umbridge, studying the wand, 'from which witch or wizard you stole this wand?'
'I didn't! I bought it when I was eleven-'
'No, I don't believe so, Miss Granger. You are not a witch. Mafalda, pass me Miss Granger's questionnaire.'
Mafalda gave Hermione an apologetic look, somehow those blue eyes look familiar.
Than Umbridge jerked the questionnaire into her own hands. She flickered through the questionnaire, 'parents' profession: dentistry. Pathetic.'
Yaxley laughed jeeringly, but he stopped when the door slammed open. The occupants of the room looked.
It was Draco Malfoy.
Yaxley immediately sat straighter.
'Master Malfoy, what brings you to this mudane place?'
'Master...?' Hermione gives Malfoy a questionning look.
His face is calm, but his posture is authoritive and casual - like he owns the place.
'Umbridge, Yaxley,' he addressed them. He looked at Mafalda, and she smiles a loopy smile, the kind of smile Luna does.
In fact, Mafalda's eyes are the same color as Luna's eyes.
'Mister Malfoy,' said Umbridge in a sickening and girly manner, 'what brings you here?'
'I'm here to retrieve what's mine before you dispose of her.'
Evidently the other occupants of the room look greatly confused, except Mafalda who smiles knowingly.
'I don't understand,' said Umbridge, a little uncomfortably.
Draco walks up until he's standing by Hermione, somehow his presence calmed her nerves down and she doesn't feel despair anymore.
'This,' he said, then he place a chain around Hermione's neck, 'is my pet.'
The persecutors gasped, and Hermione looked down at a dogtag hanging on the chain around her neck. It is shining like a newly bought silver should shine.
Silver, like his eyes.
She gulped, she's really confused. At the same time, she's not pleased with the idea of Draco owning her like a pet.
'W-we didn't know, Master Malfoy,' said Yaxley, paling.
'Miss Granger,' said Umbridge shakingly, 'why haven't you informed us that you are the property of Mister Malfoy?'
What?
'I never gave her permission to attend this trial,' he gave the room a sweep, 'she has no need to stay here any longer, I will be taking her with me.'
'I don't understand,' said Hermione quietly.
Umbidge became more confident, with a suspicious tone in her voice, she said, 'prove that she belongs to you, Mr. Malfoy.'
'With Pleasure.'
Malfoy took a few steps towards the door. He turned to Hermione:
'Come here, now.'
At that, Hermione had a surge of desire to go to Draco. It went through her and it tugged at her arms and legs, like an itch that needs to be scratched. It felt so perssistant that she whimpered while trying to break free of the chains.
The pleading look on her convinced Umbridge to free Hermione.
When the chains broke, Hermione found herself flying into Draco's arms. She hugged her arms around his waist, and he held her back, patting her head and muttering, 'good girl.'
She felt strangely enlightened at that comment.
In her head, the familiar voice twirled in her thoughts, 'don't speak any further. Potter will take over the situation.'
She looked questioningly into his eyes, he responded, 'Potter is under his invisible cloak and Lovegood is using a polyjuice potion to be disguised as Mafalda.'
'Draco, how do you know?'
'I can sense Potter's presence, and polyjuice potions cannot change a person's eyeball, the eyes are the window to the soul. Tell me, can polyjuice change a person's soul?'
'No, you're right. Mafalda has the exact same shade of blue as Luna. But anyone can have the same eye color, how would you really know?'
'Pureblood families each carry their own distinctive characteristics. Me and my blond hair, silver eyes and pale skin. The Weasleys and their red hair and freckles. But importantly, all pureblood family have a unique eye color passed down child to child from their father's side.'
Draco smiled down at her, no one else caught that. Hermione felt so warm, she hid her face in his chest; no way does she want Umbridge to catch her flustered.
Draco replaced his face into a blank expression and silently informed Potter and Luna to wait before they attack.
'Potter,' Harry jumped. Voldemort?
'No you nitwit, it's me.' Harry looked at Draco, whose arms are securly wrapping Hermione in a comforting manner, 'don't think about attacking just yet.'
'Umbridge,' Draco said, 'clear her name from the list.'
'That will require some further inquisitives,' responded a nervous Umbridge.
Luna looked questioningly at Draco.
'Tell me,' she said in her twinkling voice, 'how come this collar annulates the registration?'
Umbridge stiffly answered her, 'we cannot get rid of a slave that belongs to a powerful and influencial pureblood. They are like house-elves; we have no authority or power to free or capture a house-elf that already has a master. Likewise we cannot get rid of her for she'll always return to him.'
Hermione stiffened, house-elves deserved rights, but it's offending that she's considered a slave! Yet, she has no desire to leave Draco's arms.
'They want to get rid of me...?' Hermione really doesn't know what to do. Her wand is still within grasp of Umbridge.
Harry, on the other hand, has have enough.
'Stupify!' yelled collapsed. Yaxley looked confused, then Luna pointed towards him, 'Stupify!'
'Luna, get the horcrux. Harry, Hermione and I will help you free the muggleborns. Accio Hermione's wand!'
He tossed her hand towards her. She smiled at him, her eyes widened when she looked behind him, 'Expecto Patronum!'
The dementors that were aiming for a surprised attack held back when a jet of silver light chased them away. Luna, Harry and Draco summoned their Patronuses and all four occupants headed out.
Harry made a speech explaining to the stunned muggleborns that they must leave through the Atrium, by following the patronuses. During this chaos, Ron who is disguised as Mrs. Catterwole's husband appeared. Everyone moved fast, and somehow Draco grabbed Hermione's hand in the crowd. All five of the teens were behind, sheparding the muggleborns into the fireplace to send them off to where ever. Somehow Harry turns the crowd's attention to Yaxley who has woken up and stalked after them. He, Luna, and Ron jumped into the fireplace, followed by the real Cattermole and Yaxley.
Draco had slipped Hermione behind a statue and he apparated them out of the Ministry.
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A.N: Loooong chapter, felt action packed to me. Actually I would prefer writing romance and smut, but action once in a while adds to the drama. Hahaha I now gotta update my first fanfic which I'm lazy to do. hmmm... maybe later. Seems a bit rushed, well bedtime is approaching.
cheers; reviews are welcome!
