Disclaimer: I may not be the author of Harry Potter, but I still say Draco is MINE (but seriously, me no owny)
Chapter 12: Tom Riddle
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The bright fire cast long shadows upon the long, darkened room. There were no windows for light to pervade in, and the old-fashioned oil lamps had been doused a long time ago. A dark, oak dining table stood at the center of the room with a dissarray of chairs around it. The largest and most decorated chair was the one in front of the fireplace, currently turned to face the flames. It was cut from some vile black stone in the shape of a crude throne, the emblem of a curling silver snake to form the letter S emblazened upon it. Two sculptured snakes wound around the edges of the chair and, if one was standing in front of such a throne, the necks and heads would make two arm rests. An unused mirror adorned the wall above the mantle and, through it, you could see that the room was not completely empty. A man was sitting in the chair and watching the flames dance, a reflection gleaming off his red, catlike eyes. They were bright against ghost-white skin and made the man look overall like a snake himself with a flattened nose. For once, there was no hardness or cruelty, rage or danger in those scarlet eyes, but intead a yearning, as if for something lost long ago. His long, spider-like hands rested lightly on the snake-heads and he gazed onward into the fire.
A snake, dark green and thirty feet long, slithered around the neck of Tom Riddle and still onto his arm, hissing with a delicate affection for her master.
"Nagini," he whispered, caressing it slowly with one hand, "I have waited long. I have written and waited for a reply, and yet none has come. I have given and given, and yet have recieved nothing in return. And yet, I love her all the same. Can you explain this to me? Some hidden knowledge of the female race I have not aknowledged?" He repeated his words in the snake's own tongue and, after a moment's careful consideration, Nagini replied. At a slight chuckle, Tom said,
"Yes, perhaps she is confused and worried. But if she is anything like her mother, which I know for a fact she is, then she will understand perfectly. And of course, the clues I sent her could not have been more clear as of to her past. Should I proceed with my idea to confer with Snape?" This was, again, said in parseltongue.
"No," answered the snake, "I would not trust my young with another. If one of my snakes were gone, I would retrieve them."
"Are you implying me to go to Hogwarts and find her?"
"Precisely. It is your right." He blinked, his mind working furiously.
"What if she doesn't want me as her father? I gave her up, I wouldn't want me as a father." Nagini shook her massive head, her cold dark eyes blinking in the light as they caught the fire.
"Who wouldn't want you, you are the most powerful wizard of all. She will be proud, a princess for ever on her throne. Then the past will be forgotten as the future brightens."
"You for ever remain my most faithful companion, Nagini. I shall ahve to think more on this matter."
"Perhaps Snape can be of use after all," she continued. "Find when the school will be most vulnerable, such as when the Triwizard tournament made it so. Take only what you seek, do not cause uproar. The time for that is later." Tom Riddle simply nodded.
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Hermione:
The cold weather turned sluggishly warmer until finally students could stand Care of Magical Creatures while wearing four sweaters, robes, and a cloak. The beginning of February started with many giggles from girls, nervous glances from boys, and a central basis for all conversation: Valentine's Day. That was not true, of course, if you were Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, or Ronald Weasley. On those wonderfully awkward days leading up to February 14th, the three could be seen walking in the cold on the grounds, deeply in discussion about horcruxes and spells, plans and preparation. For, as the month of June died, they would be setting off in the world in search of the horcruxes.
"Are you sure you want to come with me?" asked Harry for the thousandth time. Hermione rolled her eyes, pulled her scarf down from over her nose and mouth, and replied,
"Yes, Harry. We're coming with you."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." added Ron, rubbing his gloved hands together with renewed gusto.
"Right, well, getting off the track of horcruxes and stuff for the moment, I've been told to ask you, Harry, by a Miss Ginerva Weasley, whether you think its funny that-I quote- 'I expect a snowball for Valentine's day with all the time you've been spending outdoors'-unquote-." Harry turned an appropriate shade of pink.
"Well, don't tell her, but I'm surprising her with dinner in the room of Requirement that night." he replied.
"Then what am I supposed to tell her?"
"Tell her...tell her she's in for a surprise." He shrugged half-heartedly.
"What are you doing for Valentine's Day, Ron?" asked Hermione. He had a lightly guilty look upon his face as he replied,
"Well, there's a party in the Gryffindor common room, so I expect I'll just be there with Padma. And you?"
"I'm going too, Ginny invited me. She said there'll be lots of singles there, so I won't feel too left out." The way in which she said this sounded doubtful, as was true. Hermione knew it would be uncomfortable, but it was better than spending it with her textbook and a quill.
February 14th dawned bright and snowy as light flakes fell from the gray skies. The whole day went by increasingly fast, from Hermione's point of view, as she was dreading the party that evening.
"But Ginny," she reasoned from her standing position as she stopped pacing for a moment, "I'll feel stupid just standing there and watching the other couples dance. Oh, I don't know why I even to go in the first place. I don't even have anything to wear that looks remotely fine." Ginny sighed, getting up from her place on the bed.
"First of all, Hermione, plently of great seventh year boys are single as well as sixth year, so you won't be alone. Secondly, you know exactly why you want to go, because you're doing a favor for me. I need a friend there. And lastly, you can wear this." She walked to the wardrobe, rummaged inside for a few moments, and carried a few items on hangers out and laid them on the bed in order. Hermione glanced over and grinned at what she saw. It was a black, tight-fitting concert tank top with the words emblazened in pink 'Cute is What We Aim For' on the chest. A nice, modest denim skirt was beneath it and laying on top of that were light pink leggings. "Put it on." demanded Ginny, who was already in a white, low -cut peasent shirt and black mini-skirt.
Hermione obediantly tried on the outfit and, looking at herself in the full-length mirror, could not help but smile at herself. She next had to sit through Ginny picking out the right makeup and jewelry; a pair of thin silver hoops, her mother's necklace, and a modest amount of different colored bangles; from black and silver to pink.
"Viola!" exclaimed Ginny, "You are done! Now I have to go, Harry said meet me at the portait hole at 9 and I'm already pushing it. Come with me, won't you? You have to go there anyway." Hermione obliged, and they were off. Hermione slipped on her magical shoes, which turned into pink metallic flats, as she walked out the door. Draco was no where in sight, so they guessed he must be with the Slytherins. A small pang echoed in Hermione's chest as she took note of the empty common room, and she shook it away. Why should Draco have waited for her?
"Gryffin hearts." said Ginny, rolling her eyes as the tipsy-looking Fat Lady let them in with a giggle. The common room looked completely different, with all the furniture pushed to the sides and pink, red, and white streamers hanging from every hanging object. Music was playing from somewhere, and alreqady couples were dancing. Ginny and Hermione spotted their friends and walked over, waving to a few others on the way.
"Hi guys," said Hermione. Harry only waved slightly before leading Ginny out of the common room, leaving Hermione with Shamus, Dean, Neville, Ron and Padma. Parvati ran up as soon as she spotted them and, after a little flirting, her and Dean left to dance. Ron and Padma soon followed, Ron looking rather pale and uncomfortable.
"Single again, Hermione?" asked Shamus good-heartedly.
"Yeah, and you?"
"Actually, there's Lavender now." He too walked off to kiss Lavender on the cheek. At that moment, the Portrait hole opened to reveal Luna in a flowing, red dress with matching heart earrings.
"Hello Hermione," she said breathlessly, "took me for ever to get through. The Fat Lady seemed to think I was Sirius Black -I mean Stubby Boardman- in disguise. Poor dear."
"You look great Luna."replied Hermione, "Who invited you?"
"Neville did, actually."
"Do you want to dance?" he asked, and they wisked away. Left alone, Hermione contented to leaning against a wall with a champagne glass full of butterbeer and watch the dancers.
About half-way through, Ginny came back with the brightest look upon her face, followed by Harry.
"So?"asked Hermione, forcing a smile and watching Aden, the cute Gryffindor prefect, dance with another sixth year out of the corner of her eye.
"It was wonderful. Harry took me to dinner in the Room of Requirement, and it turned into the prettiest French Resturant. How was your time here been so far?"
"Okay. Neville asked Luna to come, look." She nodded toward them, and Ginny let out a small 'aww!'.
"Hey 'Mione," spoke in Harry, who had just come up to them after talking with Ron, "Mind if I take Ginny to the dance floor?"
"Of course not." she replied, and she was alone once more. A boy asked her to dance, in which she declined. After three more, she decided she was officially tired, and said Good night before heading back.
The halls were dark and lit by dull torches as a thin flurry of snow fell outside the window. Hermione was freezing in her tank top and had her arms crossed, trying to keep a bit warm. After the staircase to the seventh floor, she jogged the rest of the way to the tapestry and after giving the password ("Sablestaff!") she climbed in with thoughts of a hoodie and a warm fire.
"You look half-frozen!" said a delighted voice, and she saw Draco running up to her. "Dinner?" he asked, and he turned to give her a full view of the common room. If the Gryffindor common room looked nice, then this looked beautiful. The fireplace was empty and the room was lit by hundreds of miniscule candles hovering in the air. The ceiling had been transformed to cathedral, and pure-white snow flakes were slowly falling, dry and warm, to dissappear into the floor. A table bearing a white cloth was stationed in the center with two chairs and settings.
Draco's face was so eager, the place was so pretty, and the thought was so kind that Hermione kissed him on the cheek. Now blushing, Draco led her over to the table and with a wave of his wand, produced a bottle of wine and dinner.
"So how did you do all this?" asked Hermione, glancing around at the splendor.
"Waited until you were gone and then did a couple spells. You like it?"
"I love it." His smile could have outshown the sun. Soon the dinner was eaten, the conversational topics had been persued, and the clock had chimed 1:00. The two headed off to bed after undoing a few of the spells, leaving the candles in place but unlit (they were just too pretty). On the balcony, just as they were about to part into different rooms, Hermione did something daring. She kissed Draco full on the mouth as he was trying to say good night and, before he could say anything else, scrambled off into her room in total embarassment, a smile on her face.
Exhaustion hit as she surveyed the comfortablly warm bed and, slipping on a light green nightgown, burrowed under the covers. She sent a silent prayer up to the stars before falling asleep, thanking them for this night, the best in her life.
Hermione awoke to hear breaking glass and a whispered curse. She sat bolt-up, squeezing her wand, and listened intently for the voice. As a second one answered, she lost all hope of it being Draco and knew someone had broken in. She slipped out of bed as quietly as she could and padded, barefoot, onto the landing overlooking the darkness. She could just make out Draco's form gliding out of his room and was about to speak when the candles lit up. The common room was filled with black-cloaked figures with wands out and looking at someone in the center. Someone with pale hands and no mask to hide the ghostly snake of a face. Hermione screamed.
"Run Hermione!" shouted Draco from somewhere far away, but she didn't here. Her eyes were locked against red and before she could do so much as to scream again, some one stunned her.
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A man carefully made his way up the stairs to the chamber above and opened the door with a rough push. The room, nicely decorated in green and gray, was waiting for an owner. Tom carefully laid down Hermione on the bed and, with a flick of his wand, made a roaring blaze in the fireplace. For a moment or two he stood there, staring at his sleeping daughter in wonder, and then left, a confusing feeling haven risen in his chest. Some might call it love or longing, for as Tom saw Hermione, he also saw Charisse. The girl who he had basically killed by loving her.
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Draco:
Draco awoke to find himself in bed with the covers drawn half-way up. He glanced around, heart thumping as he remembered last night, and realized he had no idea where he was. The room was decorated not unlike his old one, but instead of square it was round and the doors were different kinds of wood. He felt as if he had been pelted with bricks and groaned as he lay back down. Before the thought of exploring had fully crossed his mind he was back asleep, resting off the pain.
Hermione:
Dreams flitted around Hermione's head as she lay there, half awake, in the early morning sunshine that splayed across her face. Finally she became fully concious and, waiting a moment longer before opening her eyes, willed last night's event to be one hell of a nightmare. Her eyes opened, and her hope was lost. She was staring at a gray cathedral like ceiling adorned by an old-fashion silver chandelier. Her bed was slightly curved to fit the spherical wall and somehow, the place seemed familiar. Too familiar.
Panic thudded in her chest. Death eaters had gotten into Hogwarts, stolen her away, what about Harry? Oh god, what have I done? Relax Hermione, relax. Think. What do you do first? Question yourself. How did you get here? I was kidnapped by Death eaters in my dorm. Where are you? A pretty bedchamber. What are you gong to do now...come on, think! I'm going to explore, and hopefully find a way out of here damnit! She slid out of the bed, only to find herself in bare feet and her old green nightgown. But first I think I'll find something better to wear...
Hermione got up in determination and walked to a beautifully decorated wardrobe and wrenched it open with more strength than she knew she had. But her defenses weakened as she stared at the splendor of dresses, shirts, skirts, and shoes the wardrobe contained. They ranged from reletively ordinary to complete masquerade costumey-looking. She picked out what looked like the most plain and easy to move around in; a silky silver dress that ended in a flutter around her ankles. It fit her form and was just off the shoulder. She pulled it on and gazed at herself in the mirror, blushing as she saw her reflection of elegant simplicity. She brushed her hair, and noticed it had transformed into its normal half-black, half-brown look without any magic from her part. One more mystery to add to the mix. Her necklace was still in place, and she let it be after fiddling with it for a moment or two. Her next problem was shoes; they were all high heels and anyone would hear her a mile away. She she went barefoot.
The door stood there, mocking her. She bit her lip and strode over there, determination rising in her chest. A hearty tug led her to be flung backwards as the door banged open. So she sat there on her bum and stared in awe as she realized her door had been unlocked. An invitation; someone had wanted her to leave the room and explore. She could only guess who. Hermione took a deep breath, standing in the doorway, and with resolve took the first step out. She followed the steps down a long spiral path until finally, she came to another door. It was just as open as the other, and tentively she stepped out onto a landing.
(A/N oooo...dun dun dun. -landing- well yay, I'm proud I got this done. it took me a while, lots of listening to music, and of course my awesome mind. but really, a little note here, hermione tends to be very courageous in this one. -hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink, shove- just a little teaser for you -gwah-:
Chapter 13: Navigating the Castle
oh I'm so good to people. but honestly, keep reading, reviewing, and sending me all those lovely reviews. did I mention I live reviews? -trying to get 100- (doubtful) and another thing...in a few weeks or so, another story should be out with like five chapters done (maybe). can you guess which one? if you can then your a mind reader!
-Quicksilver)