A/N: Chapter 10 everyone!
Disclaimer: All rights for any characters or material used from Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 10 – Flying Flashbacks
When Hermione awoke her head pounded and her body felt like lead. She dragged her eyes open and blinked a few times before realizing she was in the hospital wing, and was vaguely curious as to how she got there. She bolted into an upright position, her body screaming from the exertion. All of the sudden the memories from last night flooded back.
"The honour of the ceremonial Muggle murder this evening goes to Hermione Granger," Voldemort said. Hermione's mouth dropped. She could not do that. "Consider this your inaugural assignment." There was some excited murmuring in the crowd, and she heard Draco swear softly behind her. A gagged and bound Muggle was thrown onto the floor in the centre of the room and Hermione felt all eyes on her as she watched him thrash in terror.
"I'm waiting Hermione," Voldemort said, his voice laced with amusement and anticipation.
"No," Hermione said quietly and then again with more determination. "No, I won't do it!" The surrounding Death Eaters grew rowdy and Hermione fought her instincts to pull out her wand and run.
"Crucio," his voice was quiet, but the pain was explosive. Hermione had never imagined pain like this. She crumpled to the ground unable to hold back her screams. The pain stopped and Hermione could breathe again. It took all her strength to rise to her feet again. She avoided the eyes of all the other Death Eaters and looked at Voldemort alone.
"I asked you to kill him," Voldemort said, "and you will do as I say. Or are you Dumbledore's pet as much as Potter was? Because that can be easily solved." Hermione knew what was coming next and was prepared when he forced his way into her mind. Her Occlumency was not strong enough to force him out, so she did not even try. Hermione did not want to appear resistive or untrustworthy, so instead of fighting him she welcomed him into her mind and focussed her thoughts to areas that were not incriminating.
She thought hard about a time when she was a child when she could not kill a spider. Her parents had laughed at her as she trapped it in a cup and released it he delved deeper in to her mind and found a more recent memory. It was after Harry and Ron left and, fuelled by anger, Hermione had flung a mug at the wall. She had released her anger further by tearing up a picture of the three of them at Hogsmeade. He pulled out of her mind sharply, and Hermione was relieved that he had pulled out before seeing her repair the photo.
"I see," Voldemort said, "crucio." Hermione hit the ground again, and felt her wrist snap beneath her weight. She cried out in pain. It did not seem possible that the pain could get worse, but it did. When he finally stopped Hermione could not move. She felt paralyzed and dazed. She heard the incantation again, and expected a new dose of pain, but none came. Instead she noticed movement behind her. Turning her head a fraction, she saw Malfoy on the ground behind her.
"Draco, you have failed your orders," Voldemort said as Draco rose to his feet.
"Please my lord," Draco said, "I just need a little more time."
"You will not fail me again Draco," Voldemort said. "I will give you another chance. I did not expect her to join us right away, but if she is not more amenable by the next meeting their will be severe consequences." Draco replied, but Hermione could not hear it. Her ears had filled with a buzzing and she was beginning to see stars. Her last conscious thought was that she must have hit her head when she fell.
There was a light pecking at the window, and Hermione recognized Professor McGonagall's owl at once. She got out of bed, feeling much better after taking the potion Madam Pomfrey left out for her, and let the owl in. She read the short letter and groaned. She was requested in the headmistress's office immediately. She was sure that McGonagall must have known about the events of the previous night, how she knew already was beyond Hermione.
Hermione closed the curtains and dressed quickly in her rumpled robes from the day before. She searched for her tie frantically before realized she left it at the Ministry. Hermione groaned aloud. At least she had an extra, but it was up in the common room and Professor McGonagall had expressly requested that she go directly to the office.
Hermione entered Professor McGonagall's office and was instantly subjected to Moody's anger. "Miss Granger! Explain yourself," he ordered.
"I have no idea what you mean," Hermione said coolly, trying to imitate Malfoy's arrogant drawl. It seemed to work as Moody threw an entire dish of toast into the fire in rage. Hermione felt some vindictive pleasure from making him mad. She was furious that he could stand there and yell at her like that after everything she had been through.
"You know exactly what I mean Miss Granger," he snapped.
"What did you expect me to do?" Hermione asked. "You gave me no training. You just told me to be a spy. Well I'm sorry that Hogwarts does not offer any classes in espionage!"
"I did not expect you to be left incapacitated and utterly useless," Moody growled back. He refrained from throwing more items at the look on Professor McGonagall's face. She was pale and uncharacteristically silent. "How useful is a spy if she ends up in the Hospital Wing with no valuable information to compensate for it."
"For your information," Hermione said, "I did find out some useful things. Did you know they kill a Muggle at the beginning of every meeting? He wanted me to kill someone!"
"So what?" Moody replied, "killing one person is better than the slaughter that will happen when You-Know-Who wins this war."
"Alastor, that is enough," Professor McGonagall said, intervening at last. "We must accept that we did not prepare Hermione thoroughly. It is completely understandable that she was unable to commit murder. Dumbledore always said that we could not sink to their level. Every life is valuable Alastor."
"Alright," Moody conceded, "but I don't know how we are supposed to proceed after last night."
"I had to make it believable Professor Moody," Hermione said, calming down now that Moody had stopped yelling. "The Malfoys are back in the inner circle after what happened at Gringotts. I need to prove that I can be trusted there too." Moody grudgingly accepted this, and since he remained silent Hermione retold all the events of the previous night beginning with Amycus's visit.
"Alright Miss Granger," Moody said when she finished, "I don't like your plan, but if it is going to work you must work quickly."
Hermione turned to go. Her stomach rumbled and she realized she had not eaten since lunch the previous day. Right before she left, she paused and asked the question that had been bothering her all morning. "How did I end up in the Hospital Wing?"
"I think that's rather obvious Miss Granger," Moody said, "Mister Malfoy left you there."
Draco returned to Hogwarts for the second time that morning angry and exhausted. It was about seven o'clock in the morning and the grounds were quiet. He recalled how eerie it had been when he Apparated back a little past midnight.
It took him longer than usual to get back to the castle because he was carrying an unconscious Granger. He was furious at her for disobeying the Dark Lord and messing everything up. His anger was only fuelled when the moonstruck her face and he noticed how peaceful she looked. She gets to sleep peacefully, he thought to himself, but I have to go back and deal with this mess.
Draco struggled to open the front doors and balance her weight at the same time, but he eventually succeeded. Two security wizards were guarding the door, but they let him pass upon seeing his Dark Mark.
Once inside the castle, Draco did not know what to do with her. Taking her back to her dormitory made the most sense, but he would not be able to get in without a password. Deciding his next best option was the Hospital Wing, he took her there instead. He had already mended her wrist, but he suspected she had hit her head too and he had no idea how to heal that. After making sure Madam Pomfrey was not in sight, Draco laid her on the bed closest to the window and left.
Draco was back at the fortress within less than half an hour. The meeting was adjourned, so Draco headed cautiously to the office where the Dark Lord awaited him. When he arrived he was relieved to see his father and Snape there as well.
"Draco, have a seat," Voldemort ordered, and Draco obeyed taking the seat next to his father. "I cannot say I am pleased with the outcome of tonight's meeting, but it was not a complete failure. The girl has potential there is no doubt about it, but she must prove her allegiance. I am not a patient man."
"My lord," Lucius said, "she was Potter's pet for such a long time, it make take some more time to secure her loyalty."
"Potter abandoned her months ago," Voldemort replied. "I think that is most advantageous to us. She is a girl and as such is prone to following her emotions. Right now she is feeling betrayed. She needs to know she can trust us. You must be the one she trusts Draco." Draco nodded. From her reaction at the Ministry he had thought she did trust him, but after her actions at the meeting he knew he was mistaken.
"You were right about not giving her a mark Draco," Voldemort said, and Draco had to work to hide his surprise. "I was wrong to try to force her hand in murder so soon. We must work more subtly. There are many things she can help us with that do not involve direct murder, for I see she is much too delicate a creature for that. But we do not need another assassin. Her mind is what will be of most use to us." Draco kept a blank face. This creature he described was certainly not Granger. While Draco, too, doubted her ability to murder someone in cold blood, he knew she was far from fragile or weak as the Dark Lord appeared to believe.
"Next week, before your winter holiday, we will have another meeting," Voldemort said. "She will be attending, and see to it that she behaves this time Draco. If you fail to demonstrate a change in her ways I will not be as generous as I have been so far."
Draco circled around the Gryffindor tower on his broom peering into windows trying to find the right one. It was not his best idea. He had already been forced to dive out of sight when he was spotted by a first or second year girl. He did not want to be mistaken for a Peeping Tom! Finally he saw her through a window near the top of the tower. Her bushy hair was easily recognizable and she was sprawled across her bed with her nose in a book as usual.
He flew in closer and knocked on the window. She jolted in shock and almost fell off the bed. Draco had to suppress a chuckle. With a bewildered face she unfastened the latch and opened the window.
"Malfoy what are you doing here?" she asked.
"Can I come in?"
"Um, yes," Hermione said, moving out of his way so he could fly in. "You're lucky you chose tonight, all the other girls are...out." He noticed that she hesitated on telling him where they were, but he did not really care so he didn't pressure her.
"Well it had to be tonight," Draco said. "The Dark Lord is having another meeting and you are to attend."
"We can't leave the castle, it's against the rules!" Hermione exclaimed. Draco was amused, even in a war she was concerned about breaking silly school rules.
"Well, it's your fault," he told her. "We wouldn't be having another meeting this week if you hadn't messed up the last one, and you better not do anything stupid tonight."
"I'm sorry, but murdering someone just because they are a Muggle is horrific," she said.
"Don't worry," he said, "We aren't killing any Muggles tonight."
"What a relief," she said sarcastically.
"Come on Granger," he said, gesturing for her to get on the broom behind him.
"Oh no," she said, backing away. "I am not getting on that broom. Why can't we just walk down to Hogsmeade and Apparate from there?"
"Because there are guards at the gates," he answered.
"But the castle is surrounded with enchantments, you can't just fly out either," she said.
"Yes, but Snape showed me how to get around those," Draco explained, "And the ones in the air are easier to get around than the ones on ground. Now get on. You-Know-Who hates it when people are late, and I don't feel like carrying you back again."
Hermione hesitated, but approached the broom and cautiously threw her leg over it. She held on to him lightly at first, and then her grip tightened when he kicked off.
"Oh my god," he heard her mutter. She slid closer to him, pressing into his back, and fisting her hands in his shirt. He felt her burying her head into his shoulder, cursing whoever invented the broom. He held back his laughter, and solely for his own amusement dropped a couple of feet. She screamed and squeezed him even tighter.
"Malfoy!" She yelled. He laughed, but did not respond. He had used that same manoeuvre in the summer when he was out flying with Pansy. This flight was much more pleasant overall, mostly because Pansy kept trying to seduce him on the broom. Having Granger grabbing at him was much preferable, Draco thought to himself, even if she gouged his eyes out (as he suspected she might do after that dive) it would still be more pleasant than the encounter with Pansy. Thankfully Hermione seemed to have forgotten about the dive by the time they arrived at the allocated meeting spot.
Hermione was relieved when the meeting started and no attention was drawn to her. In her school robes she stood out amongst the hooded masses. She stayed close to Draco for most of the night. Nothing of vital importance was discussed, and Hermione was disappointed that she only had a few valid points to tell Moody. The meeting ended, and a few select Death Eaters were asked to stay behind, Draco among them. A tall Death Eater approached Hermione, and made to lead her out of the room. Hermione gave him the iciest glare she could muster, and stepped forward to grab hold of Draco's arm. She felt him tense up, but held her position and looked to Voldermort for signs of anger or approval.
He smirked, which Hermione hoped was a good sign. "I always knew you had a way with women Draco, but this is an impressive conquest even for you." Hermione fought the urge to gag. Voldemort did not notice as he had turned his attention to the Death Eater who had approached her. "Rowle, this part of the meeting is for my most advanced followers. Hermione clearly belongs here. I believe she out-duelled you in her sixth year." Rowle fell back, and Draco led Hermione into a smaller room with a few other Death Eaters. She received curious looks from both Snape and Lucius, but she ignored them and proceeded to make herself as unnoticeable as possible.
Hermione was relieved to escape the awkwardness of the meeting and feel the crisp winter air brush her face. They were the only ones on the grounds and everything was quiet. Draco turned to her and said, "I think he actually likes you."
"Who does?" Hermione asked.
"The Dark Lord," he said, "he would have tortured most people for what you just pulled."
"Of course he likes me," Hermione replied. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed the idiots that comprise ninety percent of his followers?" Draco laughed, a sound Hermione was not used to hearing, but her surprise was cut short when he pulled his broom back out.
"Not again," Hermione groaned. "Didn't you come back on foot last time?" She asked, knowing that he could not have carried her unconscious body on his broom. Well, she hoped he hadn't flown her back without her knowledge.
"That wouldn't be an experience I want to repeat," he said evasively. "Come on, the ride here wasn't so bad."
"Don't think I've forgotten about that stunt you pulled Malfoy," she responded.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," he said innocently. Hermione couldn't help but laugh, Draco Malfoy was never innocent. She shoved him gently with her shoulder.
"Do it again and I will make this ride much more unpleasant," she threatened.
"How? By clawing me like you did before?" He asked.
"Ron always said I could be a terrible distraction when we were flying. He almost crashed into a lake once," Hermione recalled the now bittersweet memory. Draco's face clouded over, and Hermione regretted bring up Ron immediately. She was letting her guard down and that could be dangerous.
"I never thought I'd agree with the Weasel, but he's right about that. You are a distraction," Draco said, his voice lowering. Hermione suppressed a shiver. She was not used to being spoken to in such an intimate tone. Apart from Victor no one had ever shown a real interest in her. And Ron had flirted more with Lavender than he ever did with her. Hermione forced herself to remember that Draco could not possibly be interested in her. They were just two people forced into matrimony. On opposing sides of a war.
Hermione started to turn away just as Lucius and Snape exited the manor. Hermione and Draco's heads both snapped up, like deer caught in the headlights. Hermione caught the surprised expression on their faces before turning away and mounting the broom. Hermione hoped that with Draco behind her she would be less affected by him than she had when she had to wrap her arms around him for support.
From the corner of her eye she saw him nod at his father and Snape, before getting on behind her as she had hoped. But Draco had to put his arms around her to steer, which Hermione hadn't accounted for. The temperature had dropped significantly and Hermione could feel warmth radiating off him. She forced herself to think of something else, and her mind went back to Snape and Lucius. While Hermione knew all the Death Eaters were watching her and Draco closely, most were just waiting for them to make a fatal error, but Lucius and Snape seemed to be watching out more for Draco.
Hermione, who was so used to seeing Draco flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, was just beginning to realize the new unit he had formed. She could tell by the way Draco reacted when he saw them tonight that if she had not been there he would be leaving with them instead. Hermione was quickly learning that the Death Eaters had cliques and rivalries just like those at school. She wondered if that could be of any use to Moody.
Soon enough Hermione felt relief wash over her body as the castle came into view. She was feeling uncharacteristically liberated from breaking the rules and flying and finally having something to tell Moody. The night had been productive and for the first time in a long time Hermione had hope.
The window to her dormitory was still open, so Hermione knew the other girls had not returned. They landed and dismounted in silence. Hermione could tell that the Draco who spoke to her earlier was gone and replaced with a stony more suspicion version. Unfortunately, it was not just Hermione thinking on the ride back.
"So did I do better tonight?" Hermione asked, trying to determine what caused the sudden shift.
"The Dark Lord seemed to like your little act," he said. Hermione pursed her lips. So Draco realized just how much of an act she was putting on. For some reason he was the only one who did not underestimate her. Voldemort seemed to believe Draco had charmed her into joining them, Hermione wondered if Draco would fall for that too.
"I'd better get back to my dormitory," Draco said pulling Hermione out of her thoughts. Hermione nodded as he repositioned himself on the broom and took off through the night air. Hermione hesitated a moment before running to the window.
"Wait" she called. He looked back at her over his shoulder, a curious expression on his face, and flew back to the window.
"What is it Granger?" He asked, and she noticed that he resumed the use of her surname. Hermione leaned out the window and pressed her lips to his quickly before she could back out. She could feel his surprise, but he didn't pull away. Hermione pulled back, strangely relieved that he did not reject her kiss.
"Good night Malfoy," she said. Hermione had thought of using his first name, but figured that would be overkill.
"Good night," he said, and never wanting to be outdone he added, "and Granger, you'll be spending Christmas at the manor," before flying off into the night. Hermione exhaled a breath she did not realize she was holding and shut the window with a leaned against the window with her eyes shut. Christmas at Malfoy Manor. That should be interesting. She opened her eyes to find the curious and accusatory gazes of Parvati and Lavender staring back at her.
Hermione waited on the Hogsmeade platform avoiding the stares and whispers of the students around her. She had become accustomed to the rumours about her. Unfortunately word about Malfoy's visit to her room spread and it elevated into some secret romantic tryst. Hermione acted indifferent, because if she wanted to convince Voldemort of their relationship she needed to convince everyone else too. She was relieved when she finally got into the privacy of a compartment. She purposely chose one near the back where she would not be disturbed. She thought longingly of the years when she looked forward to going home to see her parents. This year all they got was a letter explaining her absence and a parcel containing some trick teeth from Zonko's and a subscription to their favourite dental compartment door slid open and Hermione was surprised to find Malfoy standing there.
"Good god Granger, did you choose the hardest compartment to get to?" He drawled.
"That was the point Malfoy," she snapped back, closing her book in the process. Hermione suppressed a groan as he took the seat across from her. She was still hoping he had found her by mistake. "What are you doing here?"
"I told you already," he replied, "we are spending Christmas break at the Manor."
"I meant what are you doing in my compartment?" Hermione asked.
"We need to go over some things before we get home," he said.
Hermione prevented herself from pointing out that she was not going home. Instead she said "what things?"
"Etiquette, clothing, how to keep your mouth shut," he quipped. Hermione hoped he was joking, but he was serious. The train ride was gruelling as Draco forced her to memorize proper uses of cutlery, how to dress at the manor when she was not attending his mother's events, and most importantly she needed to memorize his entire family tree which dated back over a hundred years.
As the ride drew to a close Draco's sarcastic comments subsided and his tone became serious. "Granger, you need to promise me you will continue to work on memorizing the Malfoy heritage."
"I get it Malfoy!" Hermione snapped, frustrated for the first time, at having so much information shoved down her throat. "Purebloods love to gloat about their bloodlines."
"That's not why," Malfoy said exasperatedly "this is important. The Ministry is keeping tabs to track Muggleborns. You are only safe because you are taking the Malfoy name, and if you can't prove your lineage...I don't even want to think about what they would do to you." Hermione frowned remembering what Amycus tried at the Ministry.
The train pulled to stop and Draco ushered Hermione out of the station and into a car driven by a Ministry wizard. Malfoy dozed off in the car and when he awoke they were driving through the countryside. Hermione could see what had to be Malfoy Manor in the distance. It was almost nightfall when the car pulled into the drive. Though imposing, Hermione had to admit that the manor was also breathtaking. Almost every tree on the estate was decorated with garlands, twinkling fairy lights, or floating candles. Hermione followed Draco to the front doors each decked with a large wreath.
"Remember everything I said," Draco said right before they were greeted by a house elf. Hermione allowed the elf to take her travelling cloak(Draco insisted that they remain in wizards' wear) and thanked him. The elf sputtered and almost tripped over the cloak as it hurried away from her.
"Don't do that," Draco said, "you are going to terrorize our elves." Hermione huffed, but said nothing as she noticed Lucius and Narcissa coming to greet them. Hermione was surprised at the sudden nervousness she felt. She was always anxious around Lucius after what happened in her fifth year, but now, haggard from travelling all day, she felt herself dreading Narcissa's disapproval. However, she was surprised instead by the woman's elegance and manners.
"Hermione," Narcissa said, "it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Hermione offered her hand, but Narcissa embraced her instead, and Hermione could do nothing but return the stiff embrace.
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Malfoy," Hermione replied.
"Please call me Narcissa," she said. Hermione nodded and turned to Lucius, whose gaze was unnerving her.
"Mr. Malfoy," Hermione said, offering him her hand as well. Hermione noticed his slight hesitation before taking her hand. The contact was brief, and he withdrew without another word.
"Lucius has some work to do," Narcissa said quickly as Draco watched his father disappear from sight. "I'm positive he will make time to talk to you after you settle in Draco darling."
"Why don't we show Hermione to her room," Draco suggested, ignoring the sympathetic looks his mother was giving him.
"Actually," Narcissa hesitated, and Hermione knew bad news was coming, "the Dark Lord has requested that Hermione stay in your room Draco." Hermione's jaw dropped, but she closed it with a snap, her mouth mirroring Draco's tightly clenched led them on in silence and Hermione pushed aside her thoughts in order to memorize the route to the room they were being forced to share.
"Here we are," Narcissa said, leading them into a large room decked in green, silver, and grey. "I had the elves lay out some tea. I thought you might be hungry after your journey."
"Thank you," Hermione said, aware of the uncomfortable silence in the left them, shutting the door softly behind her. Draco and Hermione stood awkwardly for a moment, before Draco stormed out after his mother.
Coming up in Till Death Do Us Part:
Hermione looked up, surprised at his protective gesture. He removed his arms and brushed some fragmented glass out of her hair.