Hi readers :) Lovely to see you!
Please review this chapter after you've read it. Praises and critisisms are both welcome here.
Here's the next installment, I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: It's called a fanfiction for a reason xD
.o.
Hermione was greeted by Malfoy as she entered their Head Quarters. "Granger." He said, acknowledging her arrival.
She nodded at him, "Malfoy." She found the civil Malfoy quite strange, now that he wasn't insulting her brain every second she realised he was quite reserved. She wondered why that was so.
"If you need anything..." He said slowly, she froze.
His outstretched hand held a small black box, when she didn't take it, he reached for her hand and placed it gently on her palm. "Cruor Eres." He muttered quietly, he did not look her in the eye and then rushed out without another word.
Hermione stood in that same position, staring disbelievingly at the box. Running her fingers along it, she felt the soft dark velvet. She turned it to find an elaborate latch. Looking closely, she noticed the Malfoy family crest engraved upon the silver. Hermione tugged at the latch before her logical side grasped the chance to object. The latch glimmered but did not open. She frowned and pulled at it again, but it refused entry. Growing a little frustrated Hermione recalled Malfoy's last words. Her heart pounded as she whispered shakily, "Cruor Eres." The latch flew open and she lifted the lid.
She gasped. Inside, was a most beautiful pendant.
.o.
He felt the familiar draught the minute he set foot in the dungeon. Nobody was there but Blaise, who beamed at him. "I called a meeting."
Draco's brow furrowed. "Why?"
"Getting everybody together to talk about progress." Blaise said, as he seated himself. He watched as his friend became annoyed, "You know there has been no progress, Zabini. Why would you call a meeting to talk about the lack of progress?"
Blaise looked sheepish, "Yeah.. It's just that. Hopefully, a little... encouragement will spur you on." Draco glared at Blaise, "Call it off." He ordered angrily, but he was indeed too late as the fireplace glowed green and TSR members began to arrive.
.o.
Hermione Granger gazed at her muggle home and proceeded to walk along the stoned path. As she opened the door, she expected the humble scent of home but was surprised to find her nostrils filled instead with overpowering floral smells. She grimaced as she set down her suitcase and pulled off her flats, "Dad?" She called out, and a second later he rushed down the stairs and hugged her happily, "Hermione!" He said, "my girl!" She felt relieved that he no longer seemed depressed, and clutched at him gratefully.
"Who is it Jerry.?" A voice drifted from upstairs, Hermione pulled back and looked at her father. He looked a little embarrassed and pink was creeping up his neck. Hermione pushed passed him and ran up the stairwell, she marched straight into her parent's bedroom and was mortified to find a half dressed woman, at the dresser, brushing her fair hair. Hermione gasped disbelievingly, the woman did not even greet her.
Tears pricking her eyes, Hermione rushed down the stairs. She ignored her dad's apologies and bolted out of the front door. She was enraged at her father. How dare he try and replace her mum! Introducing an air-head slut was an insult to her late mother. When she was halfway up their quite street, marching through the rain barefoot and seething with unimaginable anger. She decided she would not return. Her things would meet her back at Hogwarts after the short break.
Absently, she fingered the pendant around her neck, the cut emerald glinted under the street lights and warmed her chest under her tee. The sound of thunder warned her of a storm and she apparated to the first place that popped into her mind.
.o.
Choppy appeared right in front of Draco in the middle of the meeting. "There's been a breach Master. Somebody has entered the manor!... And a mudblood, no less!" Draco's eyes widened. Smartest witch of her age figures the locket so quickly! He was not very surprised, one thing Draco had never done was underestimate the Gryffindor Princess.
Blaise stood hurriedly, and Draco followed suit. "I'll deal with this." Draco said shortly. "You may leave." He said over his shoulder as he turned to leave the dungeon, Blaise started after him, "you too, Zabini." Draco walked briskly up the stairs and across the old corridors, looking around for signs of intrusion.
He heard voices from his mother's quarters and sure enough he found his mother and Hermione Granger conversing quietly. His mother smiled at him as he seated himself on the sofa opposite the two women. Granger did not meet his eyes, and she looked more than a little awkward.
"It's lovely of you to invite Hermione here, Draco." His mother said smilingly. "She was explaining her Head Girl duties, why didn't you mention her being the Head Girl to me darling?"
Draco scratched his face uncertainly and his mother looked amused, "I didn't expect you to answer that, I'm very aware of the ...differences the two of you felt you had." Draco found it comical that his mother talked of his and Granger's disagreements as though they were things of the past.
Narcissa turned to Granger and took her hand into her own, "Let me give you a tour of the Manor." Draco's eyebrow's raised slightly as he watched his mother act normally. Healer Rowena must be very good at her job. Draco trailed behind the two women, they hadn't had guests for a long time so these 'tours' were something unusual. The elves gathered in the edges of the hallways listening to Mistress Malfoy recall the ancient history of the building, they were happy to see their Mistress so well. And Draco did not dismiss them, he was glad to see them so excited about his mother's progress.
His mother started up the stairs and Draco interrupted her, "Mother! I fear for your safety, I do not want a repitition of your previous accident." Granger looked a little startled, hearing his fifteenth century dialogue or maybe that fact that he cared for someone. His mother would have none of it, she waved a hand dismissively and continued up the stairs. Draco held his breath, wand at the ready but he need not have been so nervous, his mother reached the top with more grace than a swan.
The elves walked in tow with Draco, they almost forgot their lowly stature as they listened enchantedly. Narcissa Malfoy headed for Draco's room and he found it strange when the Mublood blushed and entered uncertainly after his mother. He'd almost forgotten she was there. But something else naggled at his mind, something he couldn't quite but his finger on. A split second later he heard his mother cry, "Lucius?"
Shit! Draco panicked and rushed into his room. His mother cowered in front of the life size portrait of her husband, "No Lucius! Please!" Granger expression was alarmed as she conjured a black cloak and threw it over the painting. His mother continued to wail, but Draco could not move, he'd ruined all of his mother's progress. He was responsible for this.
.
Narcissa Malfoy began to writhe as though she was in physical pain and scratched her face deeply, pleading through her screams for it to stop. Hermione was aware of the stream of tears that flowed down her own face, but she was also aware of the fact that she must help this poor woman. Falling to her knees, Hermione clasped the older woman's hands and pulling her into sitting position she tried feebly to talk to her, "Narcissa! How did you feel when you had your baby... Draco?" The woman still writhed, but her eyes were distant, "Baby Draco?" She began to cry, Hermione attempted a smile, "Yes, your baby! Which lullaby did you sing to him?" Narcissa shook and began to hum, the haunting melody sent shivers down Hermione's body. And at the end of the lull, Narcissa went limp.
The elves carried her out, and refused to accept Hermione's endless attempts to help. So she was left with a chalk-faced Malfoy, who had not even said a word to her since she'd arrived. She felt ridiculously awkward as she went to leave but Malfoy's quite question forced her to halt, only inches from the door. "How did you figure it out?" She didn't know whether he was looking at her, but she did not understand his question so she turned around, "I'm sorry.?"
He cocked his eyebrow as he finally looked at her, "How did you manage to get into the Manor?" She said nothing for a while and almost sheepishly she shrugged her shoulders, "I apparated." He stood up and stalked towards her in a most predatory manner, she felt intimidated but stood her ground. He grinned, actually grinned, "The Manor has more protective enchantments than Azkaban itself, you can't get into this building without having official invitation ... or Malfoy blood. So tell me Granger, do you have either of these?" He had slowly closed the small gulf of space between them and was intruding on her personal space.
"No." She said shortly, and he showed his obvious dislike at her lazy answer, his mouth tilted downwards and he grimaced. "Do you have the locket I gave you?" With him so near, his voice sounded huskier. She took a step back, and gasped as her back hit the wooden door. Malfoy raised an eyebrow, waiting for her answer. She nodded and pulled it out from under her t-shirt. He chuckled, "Granger, I could have put a curse on there. You should have thought twice about wearing it." She frowned, "Nothing has happened to me. I was right not to worry.."
He smirked, "Learning to trust a Death Eater, Granger?"
Hermione scowled. Malfoy reached forward and his hands went around her neck, he felt for the chain and Hermione shivered involuntarily- he was very cold. He lifted the locket over her head and beckoned for her to follow him, she did so cautiously. When he conjured a chair, she sat in it as he pushed it so she had a clear view of the grand table. Malfoy placed the locket gently on the desk and leaned over it, running his fingers along it he whispered almost inaudibly, "Sanguis Draconis." Hermione's eyes bugged as it opened to reveal a dark coloured substance, she frowned quizzically, next to her she felt Malfoy watching her and she did not miss his words, "The blood of the Dragon."
Hermione felt sick; any curse would have been better than this;
Better than wearing Draco Malfoy's blood around her neck.
.o.
Review if you wished Draco gave you a necklace that let you into the Manor!
Hahahh I damn do.. Lol damn do xD
'Susie sells sea shells on the sea shore' - Oohh alliteration! Lmao say that ten times fast! :D
-faerie
