Chapter 9: Death's Choice
"Be ready in two minutes Stephanie, we are already a half hour behind schedule." Although, Hermione was sitting in the twenty year old tree house and sipping some, English Breakfast, tea she could hear the slight tiredness in Draco's voice. It slipped in diminishing his calm and collected facade. Sighing, Hermione climbed down out of the tree house, bringing her tea with. Since it was fall leaves were in piles everywhere. She was passing by a leaf pile when-
"AHH!" Screamed Hermione as she was tackled into a leaf pile, her assailant tickling her mercilessly. When she saw a golden head of hair she smiled and laughed as he continued his assault. Draco stopped laughing long enough to lean forward and almost kiss Hermione. Looking behind him, she let out a blood curdling scream.
"Sliencio," almsot immediately Hermione's screams were cut short and Draco whipped around and fell to one knee. Two arms grabbed her from behind and tied her to the tree behind her.
"Come my boy, show your bride who you really are," hissed the snake that had silenced her screams. Voldemort! Her mind screamed. 'Draco' walked to her and cupped her face and that was when she noticed, those eyes aren't storms! They look like dark brow-VIKTOR!
Yes my dearest wife it is me.
Get out of my head!
Then you will let me into your pants.
WHAT? Hermione was so confused but he just smiled and said.
"You'll see." Yanking Hermione's head back he plunged his tongue into her mouth to taste her fear and before she could bite his tongue off he pulled out and away. Spitting at him she glared and tried to speak.
"BASTARD!" She tried to scream in frustration but no sound came out, only the sound of a hand colliding with her face. Then he waved his wand and he was back to who he was. Then he gave her back her voice.
"Where's Draco? What have you done with him?" She demanded. Viktor just smiled and laughed a dry cynical laugh.
"You're Lover?" he mocked, "My dear, don't you know that I want him dead? The only way he can live is if all his heirs die. BRING OUT THE PRISONERS!" Voldemort was sitting on his dark throne grinning. Out of the shadows of the garden shed stood four men, at their order they opened the shed and out came four people. Draco, George, Rei, and –
"GARION!" Hermione screamed in fear.
"What the bloody hell is this all about? Let the children go you coward!" Roared Draco as he tried to beat down the guards. Voldemort laughed his high pitched laugh.
"Crucio!" Garion fell to the floor screaming. Hermione tried to pull out of her bonds, but watching her son in pain made her scream with him. Screaming and crying until everything seemed lost, Voldemort laughed cruelly and lifted the curse.
"Please," came her soft sob, "Please take me instead. Let everyone else go." Viktor walked back up to her grabbing a fistful of her hair.
"Where is the orphan girl?" he gripped her hair tighter to gain his prize of a sharp gasp. "Tell me or the kids die." Tears were streaming down Hermione's face as she tried to look away from those burning eyes.
"Wh-why do you need her? She's just a girl!"
"Revenge. This one," He pointed at Draco, "was turned against us. He was supposed to be the heir to our lord! But the BITCH made him good!"
"Why didn't you just undo what she's done?" She had a feeling that it was a hopeless cause until she realized that he was actually considering it.
"Master?" He looked to his Lord. "Is this possible?"
"Don't fret my boy, you shall be my heir with the orphan girl as your personal slave. Now, take your bride to be re-wed in this dark ceremony."
"PROFESSOR GRANGER! Please Help us!" Cried Rei, Hermione sent a sad look to the little girl.
"You help them or run they all die Got it?" Unable to answer because her voice was caught in her throat she nodded. "Good muffin." Hermione didn't feel the ropes disappear and his grip on her hair slacken because she was too busy staring into the silver orbs that pleaded for her to say no. I'm sorry she mouthed. Burning tears ran down her face as she looked at Viktor.
"Come my dear, marrying me isn't so bad. Instead of being a flea ridden corpse you have me to ride you instead." Hermione's eyes widened at his raunchy comment, "You can be dead with them or a Queen with me. You will be feared by all and loved my many if they don't you will kill them."
"Please just let me go." SMACK Hermione fell to the ground.
"I refuse to have a weak and caring Queen." Picking her up so she could stand and pulled a ring from his pocket, "This ring I give you will call you by burning you. You wont be able to take it off or speak of its powers in the presence of those outside out circle, unless given permission by one other in our circle." He pulled her into a forceful embrace and his hands were on her butt, "I love you my sugar coated,"
Hermione let out a scream and tried to strangle him. There were hoots and cheers while the two wrestled for dominance. If only Harry could see this. Hermione Granger, no it all book worm wrestling with ex husband current death eater and current dreaded fiancée Viktor Krum! She thought before he started to pin her arms down.
"I can't breathe!" He moved back and sat upon her lower stomach when he was positioned he demanded her surrender. In a split second her legs spread and he fell backwards. She got her legs around his neck and she squeezed. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Voldemort smile and wave for his guards to back off the two fighting. Viktor's eye's bulged as her legs tightened as she felt his body rip at her, she clenched her legs even tighter then Viktor Krum; professional qudditch player, unloving husband, father to many, wife beater, and secret Death Eater, would never again draw a breath. As his body went limp there was an applause.
"Bravo! Bravo, Bravissimo my dear. Come," Hermione unclenched her legs and stood with her head held high, now her tormenter was gone, she had little yet lots more to fear. Chuckling Voldemort stood and held out his hand. Glaring at him she spoke one word.
"No." She lifted her head a notch higher as a hushed voice in her mind spoke.
Don't be a fool darling.
Don't talk to me Draco.
I'll talk to you when I finally get out of my bonds and lose my guards.
WHAT! Are you crazy? Don't do anything stupid!
"My darling lioness. Do you not realize that you have killed your fiancée, not to mention my heir, fell in love with my ex heir, bore his son, and have convinced me to let you and your lover's children live?"
"What will happen to Draco?"
"That depends on you. Do you want to prove yourself a powerful witch?"
"I don't need to prove anything."
"Do you want him to live?"
"Yes," she paused uncertain of what else to say.
"Do you love him?" Hermione looked at Draco who was completely dumbfounded and wasn't working on his bonds anymore.
"Yes. I love him very much." Voldemort smiled and transfigured Hermione's clothes into a silk black gown. The top of the corset had silver lace around the edges and it was laced with silver strings and when the gown flowed down to the floor there were emerald roses around her waist, right where the corset met the skirt was an emerald snake design. Hermione looked into her hands, a small bundle of dark roses filled her hands.
No Please! Looking over at Draco, her eyes began to water, he was in the most beautiful Italian suit, and even a Malfoy could drool over it.
"What's going on? That's my mom!" And there went Garion screaming to be let go and hollering for everyone to be left alone. Hermione walked to him but didn't like Voldemort's eyes on her. Putting a finger to his lips she shushed him.
"Hush now my darling. Everything will be just fine." She began to sing softly into his ear, hugging him.
"Don't cry my angel, please don't shed one tear, run to your happy place, and I will hope its in my arms." Wiping the tears from his eyes she turned back to Voldemort and Draco.
"Well." Said Draco, obviously uncomfortable with the way the other Death Eaters were staring at Hermione.
"Well, what is with the get up? I doubt you got us dressed up for standing around." Voldemort was beside her in a second and caressed her cheek.
"Too true my pet," Hermione flinched at the touch of his hand, "We," he gestured to the other Death Eaters, "Need replacements, for our dear Narcissa has died and you killed our Viktor Krum. So, do you both wish to become part of our dark circle against that fool Dumbledore?" As if he expected them to say no he turned to Draco, "You will have her for your bride and any other woman you wish. You will become my heir and your son after your union will become your heir after you die." Turning to Hermione, "The only choice you get is between me," his hand came out of his robe again and touched the flesh of her breast above the corset of her dress, "or if you want him. Chose wisely my dear. Whomever you chose you are stuck with forever. Make your choice."
It was as if some unknown force had made her walk forward.
