Chapter 8:
Murder

Friday had come faster than they could have hoped for. The location wasn't disclosed until it was too late to give them a chance to scope it out. But Draco had at least been there a couple times and gave her the run down. She nodded as he told her that Voldemort like to be front and center. He was beyond having his back to walls. He figured all of his enemies were dead and out of the picture now.

The thought made Hermione smirk. She was dead, but she wasn't out of the picture. Not by a long shot. She fingered her replacement wand and wondered if she could do it. It had been a long time since she'd had to Avada anyone. She hadn't done that since the first war. But she had enough hate in her to know that she could summon a proficient killing spell.

She would have to hide her wand. Demons didn't have wands, in her experience. So she was dressing accordingly. A pair of knee high combat boots that she'd charmed before she'd died to create a space to serve as a wand holder. They still fit perfectly and went well with the jeans and loose t-shirt that she'd opted for.

Draco was nervous, she could tell. It didn't matter how much she prepped him, he was going to be nervous all night. As long as the Dark Lord couldn't gain access to his mind, it would be fine. He had assured sure that he was an accomplished Occlumens thanks to his godfather and it wouldn't be an issue. She believed him and had told him so, trying to bolster his confidence.

"Draco," she said, sick of watching him pace back and forth. They didn't have very long before they would have to leave.

He snapped his head up to meet her eyes and she tried to convey her support through that one look. He seemed to understand. She was asking a lot of him, she knew. Her look softened. Perhaps she had talked him into it.

"Draco, if you don't want to-"

"I do!" he said, striding towards her. He reached her and grabbed her hands in his. "I do. I want to do this. He's a menace and he needs to be taken down. But I've never had a stomach for violence. So I'm nervous. I... I've never killed anyone before."

Her heart ached for him. She remembered what it was like to be so innocent. What it was like before her very mission. Draco was doing much better compared to how she'd handled her first assignment. She'd gotten violently ill before they'd left and she'd been shaking the entire time. And then when she'd had to turn her wand on Death Eaters and kill or be killed... She'd been sick with guilt the rest of the night.

"I understand," she whispered, stroking her thumbs over the tops of his hands. "But you won't have to kill anyone tonight, I promise. I will take care of that."

"I will if I have to, you know," he said, squeezing her hands before running his hands up her arms. "I would do anything to protect you."

Her eyes clenched shut. She knew he would. Why hadn't she found him while she was alive? He was so... perfect. She swallowed down the lump in her throat. She would just have to make the most of her time back here. Maybe... maybe he'd never find a way to send her back and she could stay with him. She didn't know. But she didn't think it would end well.

"I know," she murmured, fighting back the tears. He'd grown to be such a big part of her in just a few short weeks. A tear leaked over and she felt him swipe it with his thumb.

"Hey, don't cry," he intoned. "It'll be okay. We have this." He thought she was upset about the mission. Good. Let him think that. She didn't want to break his heart with her concerns. She knew he'd already thought of them. But they hadn't talked about it.

She nodded and grasped his face between her hands and laid a sweet kiss on his lips. "We have this," she repeated his words against his lips.

His hands dropped to her hips and pulled her into him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and reciprocated his embrace, holding him as tightly as she could. She needed this right now. She needed the physical reassurance that he was there. That she was there. That right now, they were both here. And he seemed to want that reassurance just as much because he just held her. He didn't try to kiss her. He didn't try to further his advances. He just held her.

It was what they both needed.


Draco felt sick. He wasn't nervous about the mission, so much. He was more worried about Hermione. He knew she was capable of murder and knew that she wouldn't hesitate when she had her chance. No, he was worried that there would be too many Death Eaters to just let her go. That's where he thought it might get messy. He didn't know if her shadows and fire would be enough to protect her.

But he would protect her with his life, double agent status be damned. He wouldn't let anything happen to her. Not after he'd just found her. He didn't care if she was dead. He was going to find a way to keep her. He was going to find away to bind her to him forever. He wouldn't let her go. Not now. Not ever.

With his resolve solidified, he led her up to the abandoned mansion. The chain that connected to her black studded collar clinked and he resisted the urge to flinch. He hated that sound. It reminded him of the way some of the other Death Eaters treated women. They kept them like they were pets. As soon as he got the signal, he was dropping that chain like it was on fire.

There were very few Death Eaters there when they arrived. Draco pulled Hermione behind him, beginning their act. She stumbled behind him and he sneered at her, resolving to apologize to her when all was said and done. Again. He saw the looks of approval from the rest of the Brotherhood. It disgusted him. But nonetheless, it meant that they were buying what they were selling to them.

She kept her head down, just like she said she would. The glamour was very minor. She was sure if she stared at Voldemort long enough, he would figure it out. So she kept her head down and it looked like she'd even managed to shed a few tears. It tugged at his heart. All he wanted to do was pull her to him and kiss her tears away. But that wasn't acceptable right now. Right now he had to play the part of a heartless Death Eater.

Within minutes, the room was filled with members of the Brotherhood, including his father who had only sent him a very curt nod, and then Voldemort was making his grand entrance. He glided across the floor and everyone in the room bowed their heads. He did as well, despite the fact that he wanted to stare the bastard down. Instead, he obeyed Voldemort's will and redoubled his mental walls. He was aware that he would be called on tonight.

They wanted to see how he had fared with the demon assignment. He'd of course checked in and told them that he'd been successful and had even bound her to him. They were all very impressed and he was instructed to bring her to the next meeting so that they could see it all first hand. So here they were.

"Young Malfoy," Voldemort said, sweeping his hand out towards him. "Bring your demon whore to the middle of the circle."

He did as instructed and felt the tremble in Hermione's walk as he led her. He yanked the chain for show and snarled out, "Come!" at her. She obeyed, just as he knew she would. He pulled her front and center and shoved her down, just as they'd discussed. Her hair fell over her face, hiding her features as she fell to her knees, trying to catch herself with her hands, but not quite managing.

He smothered the guilt and worked up an arrogant smirk. "I've just been calling her Demon or Whore. She refused to give me her name, which suited me just fine. I don't need her name to control her, apparently. She can't go more than fifty yards away from me."

"Impressive, young one." Voldemort circled her and tutted. "You've given her clothes."

"She wasn't much to look at naked." He examined his nails, looking bored.

A bark of a laugh fell from the Dark Lord's lips at his quip. "I think you should keep this one, Malfoy." He gave a maniacal smile. "I think you should show her who is in charge. Break her in, so to speak. You can do it. It will be the final step in your initiation ritual."

He tried to school his features as a wave of nausea hit him. He would not be doing that. He dropped his eyes to Hermione, willing her to look at him. Instead, all he saw were her shoulders shaking. In that moment, he didn't know if she was acting or reacting.

"I don't think I could get it up for the likes of her," he said calmly in response. Maybe he could get away without doing it. Maybe...

"Make it happen, Malfoy. It's the only way you'll be allowed among the ranks. And you will not like the alternatives," he hissed out. Draco didn't doubt that.

He swallowed and dropped down next to Hermione. "Now, would be great," he muttered, shoving her shoulders down. "I'd rather not do this for the first time with an audience."

"Patience," she murmured. "You won't have to. But begin like you're going to. I'm going to steal your wand."

He pushed her hands above her head and bit at her jaw, making sure to leave a mark. "No moaning, now," he teased, pulling his pants open with his free hand. He felt her smother a laugh before working a hand free of his. He grabbed it and, loud enough for all to hear, commanded her to pump him.

She bit her lip and did as she was directed. Draco smothered his groan. This was supposed to be a power play. Not a pleasurable experience. But God, he'd been half hard for the past three weeks. It didn't take hardly anything to have him aching for her. But he wasn't about to let these assholes see her naked. Or in any state of undress, for that matter.

She smiled slightly. "Loosen your hand. I'm going for it." He did as she directed and she quickly pulled her hand and had his wand in her hand before he even knew what was going on. She sent a quick stunner at him before turning her aim on Voldemort. She shot an Avada at him, but he dodged.

"Fuck!" she swore, pivoting to avoid a spell from one of the Death Eaters.

She surrounded her self with shadows and began stalking her prey as he headed towards the exit. He was not going to get away from her. Draco watched, properly shocked, as she blasted a fireball towards Voldemort. His cloak caught fire. And that was all the distraction she needed.

A blinding green light flew from her wand and him square in the back. She let out a sob of relief and fell to the ground. The stun wore off and he was able to move. Draco swore and ran over to her, hoping to get out while their was still mass confusion. He grabbed her upper arm and barked at her to Apparate.

Seconds later, they were gone.