A Waltz in Darkness
Chapter Ten
Hermione's POV
**warning this chapter is rather dark and slightly graphic in violence, just a heads up**
"STUPEFY!" I heard a voice shout in the near distance of my very room. Without a second to spare I was witnessing a dizzy array of spells being cast towards Pansy. There were bursts of light, objects crashing to the ground while various pieces of parchment were lifted into the air and danced about wildly before my eyes. I found myself released from my invisible prison and now a crumbled body upon the floor. I instantly scrambled to see Dalisay throwing spell after spell towards Pansy who had fell victim to her host once again.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I screamed at her.
"You can thank me later!" She shouted. Her black leather boots took bold and direct advances towards Pansy. Seemingly unafraid and unwilling to hold back, I hear spells and curses fell from Dalisay's lips without a second of hesitation between them. She had to be giving everything she had ever learned as a witch towards our opponent. Her wand moved about in a mad manner all while her steps continued to push Pansy back. Attempting to overwhelm the opponent? A clever tatic I must admit.
I quickly stood and gathered my composure before I directed my own wand towards Pansy who was quickly inching her way into a corner.
"PETREFICUS TOTALUS!" I shouted but Pansy's eyes shot towards me but clearly they were not her own. I could see him, reflecting in her very gaze. And he was not impressed in my attempt to bind him in his place but I had to get answers from him and with Dalisay here, there may be a chance we could overwhelm him.
"ARDEN!" Dalisay shouted. I watched as the spirit's shock and confusion dance about Pansy's features.
"Where did you hear that name?" He growled.
"It's your name isn't it? Yeah…Granger here isn't the only one who knows a thing or two. It's been awhile since you've heard anyone dare speak your name hasn't it? What's the matter…cat got your tongue? Or better yet, how about a snake? SERPENSORTIA!" Dalisay produced a writhing, wild tempered cobra that began slithering towards Arden.
"Do you really think child's play spells will get the best of me?" Arden hissed but I watched Dalisay swiftly pull throwing knives hidden within the length of her knee high boots. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Using the infamous symbol of the slytherin house as a distraction, but Arden was no amateur. The moment he reduced the snake to a crackling pile of dust he also raised his hand and directed the three obsideon daggers from his face towards me. I instantly ducked, I heard the daggers embed into the wall before I stood and began firing my own array of spells towards him. I had become rusty, too long had I allowed myself to become a sheltered, shadow of my former self. I wanted to prove there was more than one capable witch in the room.
As I continued my attacks I felt a faintly familiar sense of adrenaline flowing through my veins. Old strengths and nimble movements I had acquired in all my years of confrontations such as these seemed to bloom in the heat of the battle. My room, my belongings, well what was left of them, had escaped my cares as my attacks blended with Dalisay's. Our movements, our spells seemed so effortless and I could tell I was not the only one surprised by that fact.
Just as we felt the edge of battle tilting in our favor Arden released a burst of energy sending Dalisay and I crashing into the walls. Before we were able to scramble towards a proper stance against him I heard Pansy's weakened voice being overpowered by Arden's desire to put an end to this fight. A curse…an unforgiveable curse was fired from the dark oak wand towards Dalisay.
"CRUCIO!" Echoed through my ears; I slowly turned in horror to see Dalisay writhing about the floor in sheer agony. Her limbs jolted about before she began forcing her body into a fetal position. Her screams stirred every emotion within me. This was Voldemort all over again. Except this time…I had no one to stand behind in this war if I should falter. I was it.
I turned towards Arden who refused to stop his infliction of torture but his eyes were locked upon my own. He was taunting me.
"Are you going to curse me Granger? Careful with your movements…you would be surprised at how quickly I can cast a killing curse." My wand began to lower at his words as he pulled his own wand away from Dalisay. I watched her body ease into the debris covered floor.
"If it weren't for the…confounded restrains of this frail body…I would have easily decorated the room with your blood. Rejoice in your actions here this day muggle born. Oh yes, I know all about your lineage but fear not, unlike Voldemort I have no desire to subjugate my inferiors…you are all the same to me. And you will all bow to me."
"I will bow to no one." I spat.
"Oh but you will. Whether by your will or mine…you will bow." His words were the last thing I remember before I felt the overwhelming power of the Imperio curse snaking around my body.
"Now, what were you saying about bowing to no one?" He asked while directing his wand in a downward movement forcing my body to bow. I felt my muscles screaming in pain as I tried to fight the curse but to no avail.
"LOCOMOTOR MORTIS!" Dalisay screamed while forcing her hand from the floor and directing her wand towards Pansy. The moment I caught glimpse of his broken concentration and his eyes lowering to his legs I seized the opportunity.
"STUPEFY!" I delivered every ounce of power I could conjure into the spell; Pansy's body was sent crashing through the window. Glass scattered about the floor, I raced towards the window and I leapt through it and into the chilled, wet earth beneath. I held my wand steady and began searching the area for Arden.
"Lumos." I whispered. The light from my wand illuminated my breath amongst the brisk air. I turned, searching frantically for Arden but there was no evidence of him even landing.
"There are ways to immobilize a victim without the use of magic; surely as a muggle you are aware of this?" I felt a jagged shard of glass pressing hard against my throat. I swallowed hard as my head was jerked back by the grasp of my hair.
"Muggle born killed without the use of magic…how ironic wouldn't you say?" I felt the warmth of his breath against my ear as panic settled in. My heart was beating wildly, I was frozen in fear, the slightest movement from either one of us could end my life right here…right now.
Seconds passed so painfully slow, a moment seemed to act as a lifetime before my eyes. I forced my eyes upon the night sky. The light of morning was near at hand and yet all I could feel was the frigid night gripping my body. The chill of the glass pressing harder into my skin caused me to release a gasp of fear. I was about to die in a place that could not be further from home surrounded by nothing but lifeless trees and buildings seeming to be leaning towards me to catch glimpse of my end. I was alone. Scared…and I wanted to badly to plead for mercy but I would not give him the satisfaction. Perhaps that could be my final act of strength. He would not break me.
"If you're going to kill me…just go ahead and do it." I muttered. Forcing my sobs from becoming evident; instantly the shard punctured my skin. I felt the warmth of blood trickling down my neck. I closed my eyes, suddenly the silence surrounding me became music I was now clinging to until I realized there was something…or someone approaching.
I opened my tear filled eyes and I saw a figure approaching. I strained to make out their features until I witnessed the face of someone I did not expect approaching. As he drew closer I could see an expression of concern I had never seen before. But it was more than concern but I could not explain it. The sight of it was enough to cause the tears I fought so hard to keep from falling, to freely flow down my cheeks. Something was said by Pansy, followed by words from him but the words were muffled to my hearing. All I could do was focus on his eyes that refused to look away from me. I clung to his gaze desperately. I could look in those eyes far longer than I would ever admit.
It was in that moment I was struck with a thought…I could love this man. I could love him with such ease it was almost embarrassing. But embarrassment was far from reach given the situation at hand. All I wanted was to gaze into those eyes of his a bit longer. The shard of glass continued to puncture my flesh until I felt my body growing numb. Blood loss, I knew the affects of losing blood was soon going to be too strong to keep at bay but before I could think of my plan of action to prolong my consciousness and my life my vision began to darken. But the strangest sensation took over; I felt the glass shard being gently pulled from my throat. I could hear muffled exchanges of words surrounding me until I felt my body being eased into the warmth of a pair of arms belonging to the most unlikely of heroes.
"Draco." I whispered.
Author's Note: Alright so I know this chapter ended with a bit of a sappy, overly romantic nature but I felt such a dark encounter deserved a bit of light at the end!
Also, I wanted to take a moment to address one of the reviews in a way that everyone could understand my thoughts behind the way I am portraying Hermione thus far. Hermione so far, has not expressed herself with the utmost confidence and has not retaliated as one may think she would in the story. The review was from HaveManners and I wanted to reply to her and others feeling the same; that Hermione is in a new situation that she has not yet found herself in. Think about it, she's lost her friends, her old life, Ron and now entertaining feelings towards Draco her old rival who is romantically involved with another. So she is feeling like a "mistress" or the "other woman" in a situation that is all twisted, chaotic and new to her. In my opinion put anyone in a completely new environment, situation without her support system, she's going to act out of character, wouldn't you think? This is new to her, and retaliating, well she may not feel she has much standing to do such a thing at the moment. She will find her confidence don't you worry, but just try to think of this as Hermione finding her way and her confidence all over again!
Thank you to everyone following and favoriting the story, I hope you continue to enjoy the story my best friend MariClaireRoemajjiCelts and I are writing!
MariClaireRoemajjiCelts: Sorry I left that last chapter on a cliffhanger but I hope you enjoyed this update I finally got to post it! A bit dark but the darkest always comes before the dawn don't you agree? Let me know what you think my giant best friend I miss you hope you are having a great day!
DORK DOG: Thanks for reviewing and you never have to worry about apologizing for not reviewing, as of now I am the one way behind on reviewing your stories! Haha! Forgive me! I'm getting time to give to fanfiction for the day so that helps! I'm glad you're liking the story, it is a darker romance indeed. A bit more complex I'm hoping it's coming across, thankfully you are seeing it that way! Yay! Thanks for the reviews; I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
PuffyUnicorn: I am so glad you are liking the story, and liking my portrayal of Hermione! I mean she's lost everything in a sense, she's not going to be the same confident witch she was…but she will be and you are so right, Draco seeing her like this is only deepening their bond, they are both broken, and they are perfect for each other to offer understanding and support and love *squeals* haha. Thanks again for your reviews!
Fae Lycan: Thanks for your review, yes I suppose I did title this a mary sue considering it more of a genre but I am, with Dalisay, playing to the true definition of the story type but forgive me for not being well versed enough to explain my story better.
As for proof reading, yes I do need to proof read more. This is a hobby and passion that I do not currently have much time to devote to, but I will try harder on proof reading, I'm not perfect but if possible overlook the mistakes when I make them
As for my descriptive nature of writing, that is my writing style. Always has been, I try to paint a picture for my readers. It's not for everyone I understand. Less is more I understand but I write in a style that feels natural and fun for me, if you do not like it, I understand and respect your opinion, maybe my stories aren't something you'd like to read more of, which is fine too. Everyone isn't going to like what I write, that's the nature of the business haha! Thanks for your opinions and your review, take care!
Honoria Granger: Thank you for your review; I never said negative comments are not allowed. There is a difference between negative comments/criticism that are posted in the hopes of providing insight and suggestions on helping the writer and story and flames, which are posted merely as a way to bully or put down a writer. I appreciate all reviews, but flames are not welcome although I am expecting to receive them. This is a site for people to express themselves and have fun and should not be subject to rudeness, harsh comments or bullying. If you do not like a story, why take time to flame, simply move onto another story and allow the creative spirit to continue, that's what I say at least haha! Punctuation will be worked on as well as my clearly mislabeled story. My apologies. Take care.