(A/N) Thanks very much for all your support. I'm going away to Thailand for a few weeks, four weeks actually so I'm trying to write as many chapters as possible before I leave to keep you happy :) I don't really know where this story is leading but steady as she goes aye… Anyway, enjoy!
This chapter is dedicated to Rach has fuzz (because she's my birthday buddy & I heart her)
x-x
It does not do to dwell on dreams
And forget to live
x-x
Chapter 35: Winter Chill & Thrills
Harry and Ginny strode through the frosty streets of Hogsmeade, arms tucked tightly against each other's; the snow crunching under their feet. The sun shone bleakly through the wispy grey clouds, setting a wintery mood. Indeed, winter was fast approaching. Students here and there were frantically trying to finish their Christmas shopping; the shops were crowded and buzzing with excitement.
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Hermione and Draco walked towards the Shrieking Shack, admiring the eeriness of it all. It looked rather beautiful from a distance as crisp snowflakes covered it gently. Hermione drew her beanie over her ears, to keep the warmth in. Draco adjusted his own green and silver one.
"You're so cute with your little mittens," Hermione grinned, pecking him on the nose.
"Me? Cute?" Draco feigned a smirk.
"Oi. Malfoy!"
Draco spun around as someone called his name, but was hit heavily in the chest by a snowball. Draco stumbled, falling into the fence. Crabbe, Goyle and Marcus Flint approached him; Flint shoving him in the shoulders.
"Leave him alone!" Hermione protested, rather weakly. Flint shot her a glare.
"Shut it mudblood, nobody asked you to speak." He snapped.
"What do you want Flint?" Malfoy spat, clenching his fists.
"Oh nothin' much. Just to let you know what a low-life you are since you and your little mudblood girlfriend here switched sides and you became part of the scum-sucking, Dumbledore-shoe-kissing freaks that you are." Flint kneed Draco in the stomach, making him double over in pain, "That's for acting like a piss-weak Gryffindor."
Crabbe and Goyle smiled stupidly at each other; enjoying what they saw. Malfoy was getting paid back for his betrayal.
Flint turned to Hermione, his eyes glinting evilly.
"Hmm…what do we have here…I hear you're part of the reason for the honourable Professor Snape's death." Marcus sneered, advancing upon her. Hermione stood her ground.
"So what if I was? He deserved it, the greasy git. All of Voldemort's followers did." She replied icily, flicking her hair out of her eyes. Flint snarled.
"How dare you speak his name in vain." He yelled, whipping out his wand, "You're gonna pay for that mudblood."
Before Flint had even raised his wand, Draco had charged at him from behind, sending him face first into the cold snow. Draco's fists pounded into Flint's back; the two of them grappled furiously in the harsh coldness.
"Don't…touch…her," Draco gasped, pinning Flint's shoulders to the ground with his hands. Flint reached up and threw Draco of him before landing a punch square on his jaw.
"Expelliarmus," Hermione shouted, pointing her wand swiftly at Flint. Flint was sent rocketing backwards into a tree and lay for a few moments, dazed, confused and angry. Blazing with fury, Hermione helped Draco to his feet, her cheeks flashing scarlet.
"Come on Draco." She urged, as Draco cast one more furious look back at Flint.
"You'll pay for this," Flint snapped. Hermione ignored him and pulled Draco back towards the shops, fuming.
"Stupid git." Draco hissed, putting his beanie back on.
"Don't worry about them, they're just immature." Hermione told him reassuringly, "You're perfect just the way you are."
"Wish I could believe you." Draco said, his eyes downcast. Hermione wrapped her hands around his waist and drew him closer.
"I'll prove it," she whispered. She tilted her head up and kissed him deeply, right there in the middle of the village, people staring at them in disapproval. Hermione deepened the kiss, moaning a little into his mouth, as she heard whispers from the other students as they hurried past.
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"Cut it out you two! Blimey." Ron's voice sliced through the cold air. Draco and Hermione drew apart laughing.
"Hi to you to Ron," Hermione smiled at her red-haired friend's embarrassment, "Where's Padma?"
"She's off looking for some new type of sweet." Ron lowered her voice and ushered them closer. "Do you think she'll like it? I was gonna get it for her for Christmas."
He opened a small velvet jewellery container to reveal a thin silver chain with a medium sized silver heart attached to it. On the silver heart, in the middle was a small ruby stone. Either side of the stone, on the left the letter P had been engraved and on the right was the letter R.
"It's gorgeous," Hermione whispered, nodding in approval, "You better be thinking about something like that for my Christmas present, boy." She nudged Draco. He rolled his eyes.
"Of course."
"Come on, I told Harry and Ginny we'd meet them at the Three Broomsticks round about now." Hermione reminded them.
"Oh yeah you're right." Ron said, rubbing his brown gloves together. The three started to trudge off through the snow towards the Inn, but someone tapped Draco on the shoulder, delaying him.
Fred Weasley cleared his throat.
"Err…can we talk?" he asked, a little awkwardly. Hermione and Ron exchanged mystified looks. Draco nodded and turned to Ron and Hermione.
"You go, I'll catch up in a sec," he told them. Hermione shrugged and followed Ron towards the Three Broomsticks.
"What do you wanna talk about?" Draco turned his sapphire eyes back to Fred Weasley, puzzled by his request.
"I was wondering…err…I've got this stupid idea that if we had another person helping out at George's and my shop, we could just get things done a lot quicker. So, yeah we'd pay you in full as well." Fred shoved his hands into his pockets as he spoke.
"You're offering me a job?" Draco questioned, raising his eyebrow, "Why?"
"I just thought it'd be helpful, I mean after all you've got a girl to look after now too." Fred winked, hitting Draco in the shoulder playfully. Draco's brow crinkled in consideration…but then he suddenly smiled.
"Yeah ok…I'd like to help, give me something to do." Draco accepted, shaking Fred's hand. Fred felt guilt welling up inside, making him feel sick, faster than any of his 'Edible Dark Marks' ever could.
"Sure. I'll let you know when you can start." Fred nodded, grabbing at his temples in pain. Draco turned to leave and had nearly walked 5 steps when Fred ran after him, grabbing his arm, "There's something I gotta tell you Drake…"
Malfoy's eyes shone with concern.
"What is it?"
"You've gotta help me. Rachael…from Ravenclaw…and…your mum…they're against…y-y…" Fred choked with difficulty. He suddenly clutched at his stomach, doubling over in pain. With a yell Fred was thrown backwards into the snow, choking and gagging. Blood seeped from the corners of his mouth.
Draco ran to Fred's side, dropping to his knees. Fred was coughing, the blood dripping down his lip.
"What the hell is wrong with you!" Draco gasped, grabbing onto Fred's shoulders.
"Do you swear, by your name and your life that you will fulfill the tasks that I and Narcissa Malfoy set out for you without telling a soul?"
"I-I do."
Rachael's command swam around his head, sending pounding pains to his temples. He'd tried to let Draco know of Rachael and Narcissa's plan…but he hadn't known it would result with this…he was being punished, by an invisible force…
Draco lifted Fred to his feet, putting Fred's arm over his shoulder and helped him hobble towards the Three Broomsticks. Hermione gasped as Draco pushed open the door and seated Fred, gasping, next to her and Ron. Harry and Ginny stared, as did the other customers inside the Inn.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, bewildered. Fred moaned and sunk lower into the seat, sweat forming across his brow.
"I don't know. He started acting all weird and got thrown backwards into the snow…" Draco trailed off.
"Eneverate." Hermione said sternly, pointing her wand at Fred. In an instant Fred's fever cleared, the blood vanished from his lip and he shook his head, as though waking from a dream. Everyone gazed open mouthed.
"Hi…erm…what am I doing here?" Fred asked, cheerfully. Harry raised his eyebrow at Ron, who shrugged. Ginny kicked Hermione under the table and Draco frowned at the Weasley twin.
"What are you playing at?"
"Huh? Nothing. Oh yeah, about that job…Monday would be good. Thanks." Fred smiled, looking at his watch. "Oh damn look at the time, I gotta get back to the shop, George'll be needing some help. Well seeya round."
Without another word Fred rose from the table and walked straight out the door without looking back. Everyone sat in silence. Madame Rosmerta approached them kindly and asked them for their orders.
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"What was that about?" Ginny hissed, as Madame Rosmerta walked away, tucking her pen behind her ear.
"Not sure," Harry said, "He was acting really strange."
"I'll say." Draco mumbled. Hermione bit her lip. Ron nudged her.
"What is it, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing it's fine." Hermione lied quickly. Harry changed the topic.
"Are you all staying here over the Christmas break?"
Everyone nodded.
"Mum and Dad are going back to Romania to see Charlie. Fleur and Bill are heading to Switzerland for a 'romantic getaway'." Ginny pulled a face and Ron sniggered.
"Well I'm definitely staying," Harry said, "No way I'm going back to the Dursley's after all that's happened. I think they'd rather I wasn't there after what happened to Dudley…"
"I'm sure they'll be fine in a while though." Hermione assured him, "My parents are going to Canada, some dentistry trip."
"Don't leave me here!" Draco groaned, "You can't go."
"Calm down Malfoy, I wasn't planning on going anywhere," Hermione replied, leaning across the table and kissing him. Madame Rosmerta appeared holding 5 mugs of butterbeer, warm and fizzing.
The five settled down and sipped their butterbeer, chatting about their plans for the holidays, unknown to the evil plans which were soon about to take place, right under their very noses…
Fred Weasley strode down the deserted corridor to the Gryffindor Common Room. He stopped, looking behind him, having the sudden uncertain feeling that someone was following him. Frowning slightly, he continued down the crimson carpeted corridor, quickening his pace.
Without warning someone took hold of his shoulders and slammed him into the wall; his cheek pressed painfully into the cold stone.
"What are you playing at Weasley?" hissed the voice he knew all too well, "Sneaking around Hogsmeade, nearly giving away our plan…"
"Rachael…please…" he whimpered, as she twisted his arm further up his back.
"Don't beg for my forgiveness. You were given an order and I expect you to follow it…or else you'll regr…" Rachael snarled.
"Miss Mynx, Mr Weasley…what's going on here?" Professor McGonagall's voice rang down the hall. Rachael slowly eased herself from Fred, letting go of his arm, "Not fighting I hope?"
Rachael smoothed down her Ravenclaw jumper, readjusting her cloak.
"Of course not Professor," she smiled sweetly. Professor McGonagall narrowed her eyes.
"Rach was simply showing me some muggle martial art techniques," Fred invented, putting his arm around her, "Isn't that right? No harm done,"
"Still, fighting is against Hogwarts rules you two. Five points from Ravenclaw Miss Mynx and be grateful I don't have both of you in detentions,"
"Yes Professor McGonagall," the two chorused, heading down the corridor in the opposite direction. They stopped and watched the Headmistress walk around the corner. Rachael grabbed his cloak fiercely. She looked into his eyes, glaring.
Then, instantly, their lips had joined and they were kissing deeply, Fred pressed against the wall, his hands sliding around her waist. Rachael's fingers trailed down the back of his neck, his lips exploring her own neck. She loosened her tie and undid the first two buttons of her shirt. Smirking, she pressed up against him.
Her lips met with his desperately, she enjoyed this messed up game of power, which she was always in control. Her skirt slipped higher, his shirt fell open, revealing the fresh marks, which she had left by her venomous nails on his bare skin. She traced over them delicately and felt him breath in harshly, her lips joining and parting with his own. You couldn't have pleasure if you didn't have pain…
"Tell me what I want to hear…" she moaned, biting his bottom lip, his fingers sliding up her back and into her hair.
"I love you," he mumbled in return. He felt as though he hadn't spoken those words himself. These actions and his words were almost forced by the Unbreakable Vow; he couldn't help it, he'd been bound by a life-death agreement, a promise he could not break…and nothing he could do would set him free…he was trapped…in a beautiful, yet sinister demand to take over Draco Malfoy's life…and loving Rachael…was only half of the agreement…
Christmas Eve came quickly and found Harry, Hermione, Draco and the Weasleys sitting in the deserted Gryffindor Common room by the fire playing chess and staring into the flames, which spread a warm and comfortable glow across the room. Harry and Ron were sitting opposite each other, concentrating on which move was best to use next. Harry had improved in his game of chess over there years and now, could nearly easily beat Ron.
Hermione and Draco sat lazily on the couch closest to the fire, hugging each other deeply. Ginny was getting furious at George for stealing her Prefect badge. Fred and George had come around to spend Christmas Eve with their friends, not wanting to be alone in a deserted joke shop by themselves. George smirked and ran, Ginny chasing after him with mad shrieks.
Fred sat staring into the flames, readjusting his tie, pulling his collar tighter over his neck. Hermione frowned at him.
"What's wrong with him?" she whispered to Draco, as his fingers trailed along her back.
"Beats me…" he muttered in return. Hermione grabbed his knees playfully.
"What'd you get me for Christmas?" she winked, smiling at him. Draco clicked his tongue.
"Ah ah that would be telling now wouldn't it?"
Hermione pouted.
"Fine. I'll just find out in the morning." She kissed him on the lips, "It would be so more convenient if you were a Gryffindor,"
"Probably," the blonde-haired male agreed. Hermione stood up.
"I gotta talk to Fred, hold on." Hermione said cautiously. She walked over to the Weasley twin tapped him on the shoulder and whispered "A word, now?"
He nodded in response and followed her into the boy's dormitory. Draco chuckled as she left, taking out a small, black covered jewelry container and opened it, checking what was inside. With a smirk, he put the ring back in his pocket and hoped Hermione would like her Christmas present.
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Hermione shut the door behind her. Fred sat on one of the four poster beds.
"It's the Unbreakable Vow isn't it?" she blurted out, putting her hands on her hips. Fred looked up at her, eyes wide.
"H-how…?" he spluttered.
"Who's doing this to you? Whoever it is you can't let them get away with it? I won't let them!" she raged, "I know the signs of an Unbreakable Curse Fred, I've read all about them. If you try and break the agreement, you get punished. Just…" she put her hands on his shoulders, "Tell me who's doing it and I promise I won't breath a word."
"I-I can't…" he wheezed, the pain intensifying in his temples again.
"You have to Fred, please," Hermione begged, looking into his eyes, "You can't be like this, on Christmas. Who knows what they might put you up to? Give me a hint."
"They…want….Drac…" Fred managed to cough out. Hermione's eyes went wide.
"They're after Draco! Tell me Fred…who is it!" Hermione demanded, shaking him slightly. Fred put his hand out and stopped her actions.
"Get off me," he said, his voice suddenly harsh.
"Fred…wha?" she seemed bewildered at his sudden change of actions.
"Whatever, I've gotta go. Just think about it." Fred shot her a glare and pushed past her, flinging open the door, leaving Hermione standing, confused, triumphant and worried in the darkening deserted room…