Hey everyone.
I'm sorry I took this long to post. I was being lazy. This chapter is a long one. It is full of mistakes because I wrote it quickly. I'm sorry to say I will be away for two months in Lebanon. And it is unlikely I could post. You see the electricity is awful in Lebanon. It only comes for 4 hours a day. And we are in the 20th Century!
I'm sure that every one had bought Deathly Hallow. I did. But I haven't read it yet. I intend to do that while I am in Lebanon. I can't wait!
Thanks for all your reviews. It keeps me going.
Soft touches stirred Hermione from her troubled sleep. She opened her eyes, lazily trying to find out what had awakened her.
Her mother's face met hers, her lips folded into a pleased smile. Kathrin kissed her daughter's cheeks tenderly.
"Momma?" Hermione wondered what made her mother this happy early in the morning. The previous night was far from pleasant, and they had cried their hearts out until Hermione dozed off from exhaustion.
"Wake up honey. I have good news for you."
Hermione sat up, her eyes regaining some of their usual brilliance at her mother cheerfulness.
"What is the greatest thing you ever wished for?"
Hermione looked at her mother puzzled. "I don't understand momma"
"Come on Hermione. This was your dream since the day you've said your first word." Kathrin held Hermione's hands, urging her to understand.
Kathrin was amused with her daughter bewildered expression, trying to comprehend what she had said.
Realization hit Hermione, she said hesitantly afraid it wouldn't be true.
"I..I always dreamed of going to…Hogwarts"
"Your wish has become true" Kathrin told her warmly.
The brown lovely eyes flared suddenly, then glowered with a fervent fire before glazing with tears.
"Is this true, momma? Am I going to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, honey. You are"
Kathrin was completely unprepared for her attack. A grunt of surprise escaped her as Hermione's full weight landed square in her chest. . They went down together, toppling backward.
Kathrin lay passively for a moment, stunned by the fall, her chest heavy, sucking in great gulps of air to replace the wind that had been knocked out of her.
Hermione looked down at her mother, surprised and started giggling. Soon Kathrin was joining her, her daughter's laughter Bringing joy to her heart.
The Malfoy title came with lots of benefits and opportunities, but it also meant a huge deal of responsibilities and expectations.
Lucius knew that very well.
That's why it was very important to always hold a strong control over his emotions.
The last night was a huge disgrace to the Malfoy name. He had lost his control, and had shown emotions that he didn't think he had in him.
From day one, Kathrin succeeded in exploiting his weaknesses. Lucius prided himself with the fact that he didn't have many weaknesses, yet she was able to expose all of them single handedly.
He had consented to something he hadn't thought he would ever consent to. That Lucius Malfoy would ever approve of sending a Muggle born to Hogwarts was so hilarious, but also he was going to pull some strings to make it true.
Nevertheless, Lucius was a man of his words, and he always does what he says.
His friend Severus Snape was taken aback when Lucius asked him.
"Are you serious?" Severus Snape was stunned. His eyebrows arched in question.
Lucius spoke so softly, an almost imperceptible flexing of a cheek told Severus how much it cost the man.
"The girl received a letter from your school. If she wasn't worthy, then that book of yours had made a mistake"
"The book of Hogwarts had never been mistaken; if she was mentioned in it then she has magic in her"
Surprisingly, Severus wasn't against it. After all, the girl has received a letter. That meant she was magical. But he was surprised with Lucius approval of it. He knew how strongly Lucius felt of the subject.
Severus was one of the dark lord trusted men; But Lucius always felt that Severus held some sympathy toward Muggleborns and Mudbloods. That is maybe, because he was a half-blood.
"What surprise me is that you are ready to pull strings to get her in. I didn't know that her mother has this huge effect in you"
Lucius took a deep breath and clenched his fists. Nothing could escape Severus. Lucius always felt exposed in front of his old friend.
"She is gorgeous, I give you that. But I thought that in the long run you would get bored with her. After all she is nothing like your wife" Severus drawled taking a sip of his brandy.
Anger flared, flooding Lucius being. He stood up prepared to leave instantly, his friend words hitting a sore spot.
Severus stood up quickly putting his hand on Lucius's shoulder.
"Calm down Lucius. You are my friend. I will neither expose nor mock your weaknesses"
Although softly spoken, the words carried a hard, unyielding sincerity. Studying the glowering eyes of his best friend he continued slowly.
"I'm just concerned. You have a lovely wife who adores you and a brilliant son. I don't want to see you lose them"
Lucius's face didn't change as Severus, searching for a reaction, paused.
"There nothing you could do to help me Severus. Maybe in another perfect world things would have been different, but the fact remains that I'm in love with a woman who is forbidden to me. She is in my blood, possessing my whole being and death is the only escape from her hold on me"
Severus felt a momentary stab of pity but he quenched it quickly. This confession might have put other men to shame, Severus thought, but not this one. Lucius stood straight and tense, but with untouched pride and dignity.
"I have no objection against admitting the girl. She can attend Hogwarts this year" Severus said calmly. Lucius's grey eyes met Severus's black ones, and Severus was struck by the raw pain in them.
"Thank you my friend"
With quiet dignity, Lucius turned and walked out of Severus's office.
Draco was wondering the corridors, feeling restless. The dark corners and shadows caused by the light of the candles helped in clearing his mind.
The Previous day episode with Pansy and Hermione was an unpleasant accident he had hoped to avoid. He clenched his jaw when he recalled what happened.
No matter how many times he tried, he couldn't stop himself from feeling overprotective of Hermione. He had showed his true feeling for her and in front of Pansy no less. So he tried to cover his slip by blowing up at Hermione. And now he was regretting the way he treated her.
He hadn't seen her since yesterday. He looked for her in the kitchen, but there was no trace of her or her mother.
"What is bothering the young Malfoy?"
Draco looked up sharply. The voice belonged to the portrait of his late great grand father Legalus Malfoy. He, like all the generations of the Malfoys possessed the trader blond hair and grey eyes.
"I don't know what to do" Draco said softly, looking like the thirteen years old he is. He hated how he was showing his weakness, but it's not like there is anyone present. After all, portraits aren't alive, are they?
Legalus raised an eyebrow. "What is it that you want to do?"
Draco contemplated the question for a second then answered determinedly.
"I want to make my father and my family proud" he paused for a second then continued.
"And I want Hermione"
At the last sentence Legalus raised both his eyebrows. He hadn't known that the young lad has developed that much in the puberty department, but he was a Malfoy and they tend to mature fast.
"I don't see where the dilemma is, my boy. If you want the girl then bed her, she is your slave, isn't she?"
Draco face turned red as a tomato at hearing Legalus words. He replayed angrily trying to cover his embarrassment.
"I didn't mean that you old Letcher"
Of course he didn't mean it that way. He is only thirteen and he is too young for that. Maybe in two years…
What is he thinking?! This damned Letcher must have corrupted Draco's mind with his perverted ideas. Hermione was shy from eleven, not even a woman yet.
He was going to rant at the geezer again, when he heard his mother's cry.
Draco listened carefully recognizing his father's voice talking to her.
He approached their room which was down the hall, then stopped at the door eavesdropping.
She sounded desperate and angry. Her broken voice made Draco frown.
"Why are you doing this Lucius? Are you willing to ruin us all for this dirty Mudblood and her daughter?!"
Lucius replayed calmly but there was an edge of anger in his voice.
"I'm not ruining anything Narcissa. Allowing the girl to attend Hogwarts is not going to destroy our family like you think it will. She is like you said a mudblood. What damage could she do?"
"Did you think how she could affect Draco? He goes to Hogwarts too. What will his pureblood friends say when they know that his slave goes to the same school that he does? Did you even stop to think of the Dark Lord reaction?!" His mother sounded hysterical now.
"I thought of all of this. Be assured that no one will know that she is a mudblood or even that she is connected to us. So this won't affect Draco one bit. As for the Dark Lord, leave this to me and don't worry about it"
"Lucius…"
"This is the end of the discussion Narcissa. Drop it."
Lucius said harshly cutting her words.
Draco barely had time to hide behind a statue before his father stormed out of the room. He waited there until he couldn't hear the echo of his father's footsteps. Then he approached his mother's room quietly and listened.
The soft sound of his sobbing mother angered him. Draco felt hatred that he had never felt before toward his father. He was hurting his mother and for what? For a lowly mudblood slave!
Draco turned around and headed to his room. His rage knew no boundary.
"Are the bagels in the oven dobby?" Kathrin asked while mixing the eggs for the omelet.
Dobby fluttered around her seeming nervous. "Miss Kathy. Dobby don't know what to say. Dobby didn't mean to forget about the bagels. Dobby is so sorry"
Kathrin smiled at the elf obvious agitation and raised her hand calming him.
"It's okay. Don't worry. We still have time before breakfast. Go and put them now"
The elf ran obediently, relived that his mistake did not upset Kathrin. Kathrin was in a good mood today and nothing minor like forgetting to warm the bagels could affect her.
She looked at Hermione sitting at a small table, eating her breakfast calmly. The scene warmed Kathrin's heart. Hermione looked adorable acting all lady-like and sophisticated. She was drinking tea and reading a book about Hogwarts that Draco had brought her two years ago.
Her little daughter was finally going to Hogwarts and was going to leave her in the process. The thought filled her with sadness. But there were some condolences in the fact that Hermione was finally getting her wish. Add to that the benefits of learning Magic.
To be able to use magic and defend oneself in this world was necessary.
Kathrin watched Hermione angelic face, hoping that this will be the first step to freedom for her daughter.
Hermione stood quietly and said cheerfully. "I'm done momma. Thank you for breakfast. Can I go play in the gardens?"
Kathrin smiled warmly and nodded her consent. She watched Hermione's little figure skipping happily out of the kitchen and hoped that she never loses her smile.
Hermione sang a sweet lullaby that her mother had taught her when she was little, a small bounce in her walk evidence of her happiness.
She felt happy and over the top. Nothing could ever bring her down from this euphoria.
"You look excited Hermione. Share the good news"
The cold voice froze her. It was full with hatred and loathing.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her shoulder.
Hermione turned…and looked directly into brilliant grey eyes that she knew by heart. But at this instance, only anger showed on his eyes. Hermione tried to push his hand. It was an instinctive reaction, even if it was against the boy whom she grew up devoted to.
"D..Dra..co, I" She stammered, baffled with his dark demeanor.
The last meeting between them wasn't a good one, but that didn't explain the way he was acting now.
"What? Cat got your tongue, MUDBLOOD" He hissed with such loathing.
Hermione lost her breathing. She was on the verge of tears, speechless and thunderstruck.
What else could she do on hearing those words-words that was uttered in such a hard, contemptuous tone.
"I heard you are going to Hogwarts. Congratulations are in order" The words were mocking.
But Hermione just looked at him, unable to respond shock and distress taking over her.
He had called her a mudblood, which was nothing new. But he had said it with so much hatred that he never showed before.
"SAY SOMETHING" Impatience was now coloring the words.
Her gaze met his; hers filled with betrayal and sadness.
Whether he read her expression or not, his own changed, and his figure straitened abruptly.
"Don't look at me like that. Like I betrayed you or something" he spat out. "You and your mother are the one at fault"
Interrupting this uncalled for- and, to her, unjust reasoning-Hermione screamed.
"What did I do? Draco. You are mad at me without a reason"
Those words seemed to increase his anger.
"Do you want to know why I'm angry? It's you and your mother thinking you could do what ever you want. I'm sick of the way your mother manipulates my father. She is a fucking whore and you no better than her"
"SHUT UP" The scream was so loud. Hermione was crying harshly by now.
His words were so cruel. But she couldn't let him speak of her mother like that.
"Don't speak of my mother like that. She is better than your mother ever could be"
The slap that came was so sudden, so strong it knocked her off her feet.
Draco stared down at her, stunned with what he has done. "Hermione.."
He tried to touch her, kneeling beside her carefully. The soft sobs began emitting from her, her little body shaking violently.
Draco put a hand on her back, hesitating for a brief moment before picking her gently and holding her tightly between his arms.
She never wavered. Her sorrow was so huge, the pain and humiliation unbearable.
"I'm sorry. So sorry. Please Hermione don't cry. Don't cry anymore. Please Hermione. I'm sorry. So sorry" He kept repeating, his words slurred.
Hermione buried her face in his chest, her crying not lessening one bit.
She found she was being swung up, and in his arms she lay, her eyes closed, brown hair cascading over the enfolding arm.
"Please forgive Hermione. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was so angry; I didn't know what I was doing. My mother is in pain and it made me mad and I took it out on you"
Draco felt her shaking decreasing until it became a small shudder that convulsed her cradled body.
"Look at me Hermione" He pleaded.
"Why should I?" Here voice was thick from crying.
"Because I tell you"
Reluctantly, Hermione shifted, unwilling to let him to see the extent of her distress. As a defense mechanism, she tried sarcasm. "The Master is commanding me, the lowly mudblood!"
"How would you have me act- like a fool begging for your favors just like my father do with your mother?"
Her eyes found his but could not read them. Draco reached down and pushed away damp hair. A finger flicked at a stray tear, then touched the red cheek softly.
"It's all messed up Hermione. We will never have a normal life. Can't you see?"
He said desperately.
"You and me, we are like them. It's like we are repeating history. We will grow to repeat the same mistakes that my parent and yours did. I can't stand this. I can't hurt my mother more than she already has"
Draco was pleading, urging her to understand.
"I don't know what we will grow to be Draco. But I know that I only want to be near you. A slave or a friend or whatever you like. I don't care as long as I'm with you"
Hermione told him softly, and then smiled warmly. The rules were reversed now; she was the one comforting him.
She looked so innocent, believing her words even when she knew nothing of real life. Draco knew better. The older they grow, the huger their responsibilities will be. New needs and urges will start to appear. She was still a child with childless needs and views.
Draco was older. He himself was starting to mature. His body beginning to demand something from him she can't even think of and he knew without a doubt that he felt something strong toward her. Even in this young age he was sure of his feeling. The same loop was repeating itself.
But for now, he let her words wash over him. Comforting and soothing his young heart.
"Are you both ready? The train will leave soon" Lucius asked the two youth, standing obediently beside him.
Hermione nodded enthusiastically. Draco he noticed was more sober in his replay, seeming to be in deep thoughts.
"Enter the train Hermione, Draco will follow you soon. I need to talk with him" Lucius told her.
She hesitated a bit; looking at Draco then did as she was told.
Lucius looked at his son, who was staring at his shoes.
"I know this was a difficult time for you. With Hermione going to your school and all what will result from this. I understand that you are angry for your mother sadness. You want to protect her and this makes me proud"
Draco looked up when Lucius grabbed his shoulder strongly.
"But you must understand Draco, that this is between me and your mother" He said firmly.
"Nothing happens between us, will affect how much we love you. You are a grown man now. You will have to bear hardships and be strong facing them. Do you understand what I mean?"
Draco nodded.
Lucius watched him for a second then bid him goodbye.
Sitting at a compartment alone, Draco thought of what his father said. He understood by now that his father never meant to hurt his mother or him. It was something out of his control.
Draco could understand that. No matter how many times he tried, he couldn't make himself hate Hermione and maybe this was the same with his father.
The opening of the compartment alerted him and he looked to see Blaise Zabini, a fellow Slytherin standing there.
"Hey Malfoy. How was your summer?" Blaise asked.
"Fine"
Blaise smirked at the short replay. "Who was that adorable girl standing with you earlier?"
Draco froze. He didn't know what to say. Should he tell him that Hermione was a slave or just say she was a friend.
"She is..she is my slave" The replay came forcefully.
Draco resolved his mind. She was his slave after all and that's how he should call her.
Blaise looked surprised for a minute then smiled wickedly.
"I won't ask how you brought her to Hogwarts or why. But let me tell you, she is one cute slave. She will be a beauty when she grows up"
Draco stiffened, something akin to jealousy stirring in him.
"She is only eleven you pervert. Don't talk about her like that"
"Ah. Do I hear jealousy? You seem a little possessive to me Draco" Blaise asked, a knowing smirk appearing on his face.
Draco wanted to wipe it. Blaise was his friend, but some times he acted like an idiot.
"She is mine, so I have the right to do what ever I want with her. Be sure to tell this to everyone" He said forcefully and looked at the window, mentally commanding the train to reach Hogwarts quickly.
Hermione sat in the first empty compartment she could find. She was feeling shy and she hoped Draco would come quickly.
The train began its journey, but Draco was no where to see. She resolved herself to the fact that he wasn't going to join her.
Will it be like this at Hogwarts? The thought brought sadness into her heart.
She hadn't told her mother what happened between Draco and her. Kathrin was so much happy that Hermione didn't want to burst her bubble of happiness.
"Did you happen to see a toad around here?" A timid voice asked.
Hermione looked up to see a chubby boy who looked older than her, standing nervously at the door.
"No. I haven't. Did you lose it?"
He nodded tiredly.
Hermione felt pity for the boy. He looked miserable and nervous. She wanted to help him, so she asked.
"Do you want me to help you search for it?"
He agreed hopefully, and soon they were checking the apartments, asking if someone has seen the missing pet.
Hermione knocked at one cabin, and then opened it.
Two boys were sitting in front of each other laughing and eating candy. They looked so close, as friendship should be. Hermione felt envious of their familiarity.
They looked at her when they noticed her entrance, wondering what she wanted.
"I..did you see a running toad?"
They looked at each other then said at once.
"Trevor"
Hermione was taken back at first, but then she remembered that the boy was probably at their age and they must know him and his pet.
The boy with the red head was chuckling like it was funny to lose something. That made Hermione angry. How awful of him to behave like this.
"There is nothing funny. You are nasty" she said outrageous.
That wiped away his smile and he faced Hermione with a scowl.
"I didn't say anything"
The other boy, with the black hair was fast to defend his friend.
"He didn't mean to mock Neville. It's just that this always happen-Neville has been losing Trevor since our first year"
Hermione was mesmerized with the boy green eyes. There were sincerity and kindness in them that captivated her.
He stared at her for a while waiting for her replay but when she didn't give any he continued.
"It's nice of you to help Neville. Aren't you a first year?"
"Yes, I am" she replayed, her cheeks coloring into a rosy hoe.
He smiled and stood up, reaching out for her hand.
"I'm Harry potter and my friend there is Ron Weasley"
Hermione stared at his hand, remembering their names. Draco always talked awfully about them, especially Harry.
She wondered if Draco would be mad if she befriended him, but she was feeling so lonely and he was so nice.
She reached for his hand and said.
"I'm Hermione Granger. Nice to meet you"
See you in two months.
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