The couple froze. Unsure of how to proceed.
Draco in particular. His mind went blank as the pain from his mark faded into nothing.
Did Hermione just kiss him?
The Gryffindor princess herself just kissed him. Willingly. If only she knew what she was doing. Any sign of her replying to his wolf's desires would only make it harder for him. So with a gritted jaw he sat there and forced any dirty thought out of his mind while holding his breath. Muscles tensing and turning him into stone.
"Draco?" She was calling his name now. He hadn't even noticed that she had left his face. Both her hands rested on his shoulders trying to shake him out of his blank stare. His eyes snapped to her mouth. Trailing from her lips to her eyes in pure disbelief.
"Draco!" She screamed this time.
"You stupid girl you don't know wh-" he started to yell but winced as the pain in his arm returned. It wouldn't stop until he went back to his Manor. Thick clouds of smoke where already billowing out from his shoulders as his mind subconsciously tried to cast the spell wordlessly. A rare skill that was proving to be a nuisance. He had maybe 30 seconds before he couldn't take the pain anymore and he would apperate out of the room and miles away.
With the pain slowly covering his body he shoved the witch in front of him backwards. Trying to get her to release him but she didn't budge.
"Let go!" He roared. Desperately clawing at her hands to free himself.
"No! Not until you tell me what's going on!" She cried. Digging her nails into his skin. He froze again, looking into her eyes almost as if he was about to cry. He didn't want to bring her there. He didn't. He didn't want any of this. But he couldn't hold it anymore.
Black smoke engulfed the pair. Whisking them away to an uncertain fate.
They reappeared in a familiar room. Hermione looked around from wall to wall. Recognizing the large chandelier in the ceiling that had once came crashing down. She looked back at the man in front of her in disbelief. His expression stone and uncaring.
"You filthy vile littl-" she started a tirade at him but was interrupted by a loud almost manic voice.
"Draco! We called for you an hour ago," the female voice called from the stairs.
Hermione slowly turned around in disbelief. Before her stood Bellatrix. The woman she thought dead. She quickly noticed Hermione and a slow smile crept to her lips. She looked at Draco with a look of approval.
"I see you've brought a gift," she drew her wand. Throwing her dark hair over one shoulder. Revealing a large scar that started at her collar bone and traveled down her breasts. Hermione fell backwards, helpless without her wand that was currently on the floor of Draco's room.
"Wait," Draco stood, "she's here to help," he stated calmly. trying to throw his aunt off the hunt.
Bellatrix quirked a brow. Calling Draco out on his lie and pointing her wand at Hermione. Bellatrix would never accept help from a muggle born. Especially not this one.
"You can't kill her, she's Hermione Granger," he argued with his aunt.
"Then why did you bring her here?" She hissed.
"She got mixed up in the spell."
Bellatrix crossed her arms as if in deep thought. Taking Dracos words in. His arguments didn't deter her though. Pure revenge reflected in her eyes.
"Oh I know, we will wait for Fenrir to get back and then decided the best way to kill her," she smiled, "now throw her in the dungeons," her expression instantly changed to a serious one.
"And thank you Draco, it really is such a lovely gift," she smiled before turning back to the stairs.
Dracos cover had failed. Bellatrix was going to torture then kill Hermione and he didn't have a plan b.
"What do you mean kill me!" Hermione cried as Draco dragged her down to the basement. She struggled against his stern grip but it proved futile.
"Draco answer me!" She screamed at him as he threw her into the dungeon. Locking the gate from the other side. She scrambled to her feet and grabbed onto the bars that separated them.
"Listen," he stared at her, "ill tell you everything if you just shut up and let me think of a way to get you out," he hissed then turned and walked back upstairs before she could respond.
It was hours before another human came back down the steps. Hermione had taken up a corner of the room. Her head leaned against the must wall to her right. Face dry of tears as she accepted her fate. The questions still brewed in her mind however. They were impossible to stop.
How did she survive? Also why was Hermione considered a gift to her?
The most terrifying thought of all however was what exactly was Bellatrix doing at the manor. Draco's mother and father had been sent to Azkaban. The only reason why she wasn't was because they thought she died in the war, the same with Fenrir. She held more hatred in her soul for muggle borns then the dark lord himself. If she were to mobilize another army against them again...
She didn't want to think about it. They had lost so many lives in the first war already.
Her head perked to the sound of rushing footsteps. Draco had come almost running down the stairs. Unlocking the gate in one swift motion.
He was dressed in a black suite now. Clean and shaven, the air of royalty radiating off him.
Hermione quickly stood to yell at him but his hand was instantly placed over her mouth to stop her.
"I'm going to mark you," he told her sternly.
"Your going to what?" She argue, ripping his hand off her face.
"They are coming to torture you," they could hear the footsteps from upstairs now. Two pairs shuffling to the basement door.
"No!" Hermione look at him like he was crazy. She knew what a mark was. And she knew she didn't want it with him. To be bound together with a man who hates her yet wants to fuck her brains out was not something she wanted. Luckily if she just said no the mark wouldn't hold. Even if he bit her.
"Listen you insufferable know it all," he hiss, whispering the insults to her. "They are coming to kill, you, I don't have a way to getting you out without killing us both," he paused, "and then Hogwarts will really be doomed," he said more calmly. A hint of fear and urgency in his voice.
Draco didn't give her time for a response. One hand pulled down her uniform from her shoulder. His teeth sinking deep into her muscles.
"NO!" Hermione screamed. He shoulder engulfed in fire she shoved Draco off her just as her two captors came down the stairs. Quickly fixing her shirt as they circled her.
Bellatrix wore a familiar crazed smile as motion for Fenrir to come closer.
"Look what Draco brought us," she chuckled, "a special little muggle born," she finished as she presented Hermione like some trophy. It was clear they had been looking for her.
Fenrir looked down at Hermione, amused by her frightened state. Her hand clutching one shoulder as she backed into the corner. Draco stood motionless. Eyes pleading with her to accept as he stepped back from the group. he was powerless to help her. Whatever spell they had on him was strong.
Fenrir took Hermione by the throat. Slamming her against a wall.
"I've had to many thoughts of what I would do if I found you," he smiled as she gasped for breath. Her hands trying to get him to release her.
Was he going to rape her?
Something told her yes as he looked over her with lust filled eyes. It only made her struggle more. Kicking him in the stomach as she tried to gasp for air. the werewolf only returned it with a growl as he ripped off her sweater vest. The strength in her arms and legs started to dwindle as her world started to close. Fading to black from the lack of oxygen. She had no choice. Draco was right. This was the only way. Knowing both these atrocities were alive she couldn't abandon Hogwarts.
she needed to free Draco. then herself after this was all said and done and Hogwarts was safe again.
She struggled to say it. Not able to breathe she only mouthed the words. This intrigued Fenrir. He released his hold slightly, allowing her to breath. Begging would only make this better for him.
"I-" she gasped, " I accept" she whispered.
Almost instantly Fenrir was on the ground. Draco looming over him, his hair wild and eyes angry. He had punched the older were right in his jaw, sending him to the floor.
"CRUCIO."
Draco fell to the ground and writhed in pain. His aunt had cast the spell on him. Rendering him useless to fight.