The Great Hall was buzzing from the moment Hermione and Draco walked in together, Draco escorted her to their seats and placed a gentle kiss on the back of her hand, in view of everyone. When the new Headmaster stood, the whole of Slytherin House cheered for him, much to the consternation of the rest of the Houses. Even McGonagall looked a bit out, as under normal circumstances, being the former Deputy Headmistress she was next in line for Dumbledore's job.
The students were introduced to the new Potions Master and new Head of Slytherin House, Horace Slughorn and the new Defense Against The Dark Arts Professor, Corban Yaxley.
The first years were sorted quickly, and dinner was served. Daphne, Theo and Blaise surrounded Draco and Hermione. Pansy kept sending glares towards Hermione, but she just ignored the stares from the other witch. It was obvious that Pansy was highly displeased at the news of Draco's betrothal, as she had told anyone who would listen from second year on, that she would be the next Lady Malfoy. That clearly wasn't going to happen now.
Word had also gone through the hall quickly of Ronald Weasley accosting the new McKinnon Heir on the train. Whispers of Draco challenging the red-head to a duel to avenge the honor of his intended had all the witches in the school aflutter. When Theo asked Draco if he was really going to duel the Weasel, Draco just smirked and pulled Hermione into his side tighter, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead, causing all the fourth and fifth year Slytherin witches to gush at the display of affection, much to Draco's amusement and Hermione's irritation.
Hermione whispered over to Daphne. "You'd think they'd never seen two people in a relationship before."
Daphne just smirked. "It's a big deal, Hermione. While it's not unheard of for a betrothal to happen before a couple becomes of age, because of whom you both are, it's a big deal. Actually, there had been some talk back in our fourth year of a betrothal between Draco and my younger sister Astoria."
Hermione looked over at Daphne in shock. How did Draco not tell her about this? Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Daphne was quick to reassure Hermione. "It was discussed before Yule, and apparently Narcissa put a stop to it. I never did ask why, but Lucius deferred to his wife...that never happens in Pureblood circles."
Hermione just raised an eyebrow questioningly, but decided to let it go for now. She could ask Draco, but she really didn't want to get into an argument with him and the way she was feeling right now, they would. Draco noticed her stiffen against him and he looked over with concern, but Hermione just shook him off...now was not the time for that conversation.
When they left the Great Hall and headed for the Dungeons, Draco held Hermione's hand in the crook of his arm, as he formally escorted her to the Slytherin Common Room. When the door opened, Hermione was shocked at the site that greeted her. The entire house had been waiting for them, or more specifically, her. Draco led her into the room and once the door had closed, the room became deathly quiet.
It was only a few minutes before Pansy decided to break the silence. "No one seems to know what to say, but I for one want some kind of proof you are who the rumors are saying you are." The pug-faced girl smirked evilly.
There were some gasps, but there were some heads nodding too. Hermione hadn't thought that her House would demand proof. However, before she could respond, the common room door opened and the new Headmaster walked in, robes billowing in his wake.
"I would ask what is going on here, but it seems I have arrived just in time." Severus sneered at the students. "Miss McKinnon, it was brought to my attention by your father that you didn't bring your familiar with you to school, and he insisted that she be brought to you immediately."
Hermione sighed in relief while Draco smirked knowingly at his Godfather. The Dark Lord wanted to make a statement about claiming his Heir, Slytherin House was in for one hell of a surprise. When Severus dropped the disillusionment charm, the whole of Slytherin House gasped in shock at the snake curling itself around its Mistress. Hermione smiled and petted the snake who hissed threateningly at all the students who were standing there, watching in fear.
"Nagini," Hermione hissed in Parseltongue, "please don't eat any of the students here. You've already killed Dolohov and I think Father would be most displeased if you were to kill any of the students here."
"Can't I just kill the pug-faced girl? I'm sure no one would miss her. Her magic reeks, and I don't trust her not to harm my mistress."
"She's no threat Nagini." Hermione petted the snake again, who nodded and then circled once around Draco, who petted the snake fondly before she made her way over to the fireplace.
Severus nodded and left in the same fashion he entered, robes billowing and a sneer firmly planted on his face. When Hermione looked over at Pansy, the girl looked like she was going to be sick. Hermione decided she'd finally had enough of Pansy Parkinson.
"My familiar doesn't like you. She is convinced that I should let her eat you because she thinks no one will miss you." At this, Pansy's face paled even further, while Draco just smirked at his former friend. She had crossed the line tonight, and Draco felt absolutely no pity for her. Pansy looked over at the snake, who just hissed threateningly, causing the girl to visibly shake.
"I have stood by for five years and taken your taunts, abuse and insults. I've nearly been killed over something that turned out to be completely untrue. I've know since second year whom my father is, and now you all know it too. This is my house, my birthright. My familiar has already dispatched one wizard who tried to harm me and besmirch my reputation. She will have no such compunction about doing it again if anyone here so much as looks at me funny. I don't expect your friendship, but I will demand your loyalty. If anyone so much as breathes a word of my true parentage before my father gives permission, I will let my familiar deal with it...and trust me, she's far less forgiving then I am."
At that, Hermione lifted up her head to Draco, who gently placed a kiss on her lips and then smirked proudly at his witch as she headed towards her room, Daphne in tow. When Hermione was gone, the whole of Slytherin House turned to it's Prince, who was watching them angrily.
"I tried to warn you, back in fourth year. I told you to stop the taunts, and for the most part you listened to my warnings. But there were some," Draco sneered at Pansy, "who didn't heed my words, so I'm going to make this crystal clear. Hermione and I are betrothed, which means she is mine to protect. Weasley has already made the mistake of calling her that foul name on the train today, and in a weeks time I will be making him suffer for it. If any of you hurt my witch, I will end you."
Theo and Blaise spoke up, because obviously somebody needed to. "We get it Drake and trust us, we have no intention of doing anything to hurt Hermione. I know I can speak for Slytherin House that she has our loyalty. We snakes look out after our own, and we should have afforded Hermione that courtesy back in first year. We are all guilty of ostracizing her."
Draco nodded. "You're right Theo. I was the worst of it, and it took me seeing her frail and broken in third year to realize what a complete fuck I'd been to her, and another two years getting her to trust and forgive me. I made a vow to her and her father, that I would never allow anyone to hurt her again and I fully intend on keeping that promise. If anyone here can't understand that, or are unsure of whether or not you can give Hermione your promise of loyalty, say it now. Because if you don't, and I find out later you've betrayed her...nothing on this earth will save you."
When no one said anything, Draco nodded and sighed. Glancing over at Hermione's familiar he spoke softly. "Nagini, I think you should stay with Hermione in her dorm room."
The snake lifted her head and nodded, then proceeded to slither up the stairs, towards the girls dormitory. The rest of the house stared at Draco with awe, but he ignored their looks and just walked towards his own dorm room and started to unpack his trunk. He was worried about his witch, and while he was sure that Daphne was taking care of her, he knew there was something else bothering her.
When Theo and Blaise walked in a while later, Draco was sitting on his bed writing a letter to his father, explaining what had happened today. Lucius would be proud of how Hermione handled herself, and Draco just hoped his father would be understanding about the rest of it.
Theo sat down and watched his friend finish his letter. "That was pretty intense in there, Drake. I have to hand it to Hermione, she made the entire house sit up and take notice. Pansy is beside herself, she thinks Hermione's snake is going to kill her in her sleep. She's afraid to go into the dorms."
Draco nodded. "After the hell Pansy put Hermione through, she should be worried. But Hermione doesn't work like that. She won't hurt Pansy directly unless she does something stupid. Hermione's far too logical." Draco smirked fondly. "She'll devise some clever scheme to make Pansy pay, and no one would ever be able to implicate her."
Theo gave Draco a questioning look. "Sounds like you know from experience."
Draco nodded, not sure how much to reveal but knowing that Blaise and Theo would appreciate Hermione's devious, cunning, ruthless side. "Remember second year, when Flint got hurt?" Both boys nodded. "That was Hermione."
Theo looked perplexed. "But Dumbledore checked her wand, it couldn't have been her."
Draco smirked knowingly. "My brilliant, beautiful, devious witch...brewed Polyjuice Potion, used someone else's wand and hexed Flint's broom."
Theo and Blaise looked shocked momentarily and then both boys started laughing uncontrollably. When they'd finally gotten control of themselves, Blaise shook his head in admiration. "Salazar's balls, that witch is fucking brilliant."
Draco grinned widely. "You have no idea just how brilliant." When the other two boys looked at him with eager faces, Draco just sighed. "Give it time mates, hopefully someday I'll be able to tell you everything. All you need to know is my witch is far more ruthless, cunning and clever than you could possibly imagine."
Theo sighed, looking at his friend a bit enviously. "And you're completely in love with her, and she with you. Everyone was whispering about it after you left. My father told me too, whom Hermione really was, after I returned from Italy. He was going on and on about her, and how disappointed he was that she was already spoken for."
Draco nodded. "Yeah, apparently he wasn't the only one." Draco's face darkened in anger, causing Blaise and Theo to look a bit wary.
"Did something happen mate?" Blaise inquired.
Draco sighed, but nodded. "Dolohov happened. He wanted Hermione and unfortunately for him, didn't handle it properly. He paid the ultimate price."
Theo looked confused for a moment, but then his vision cleared in understanding. "He was the one the snake killed, wasn't he?"
Draco smirked and nodded once. "He tried to take liberties with my witch, tried to compromise her virtue and Nagini killed him for it before I got my chance."
"Fucking Merlin's hairy ballsack! He was one of the Dark Lord's most faithful servants." Blaise whispered in shock.
"So was my Aunt Bellatrix, and she's dead too. Tried to take on Hermione, she lost."
Theo and Blaise sat back stunned. If Hermione was powerful enough to take out Bellatrix then she really was formidably ruthless. Theo nodded and patted Draco on the back. "We have your backs, mate. I can't imagine what Hermione must have gone through for all those years, but I have nothing but respect for the witch. You're one lucky fuck, so don't screw it up, eh?"
Draco sneered playfully at his friend. "I have no intentions of doing so. She's...just it, you know?" Both boys nodded. "I have to pinch myself everyday when I wake up and remind myself that she's finally mine. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her."
Both boys gaped at their blonde friend in wonder. Draco was never one to show, nor share his emotions but they could easily see how much he adored his witch. The three of them were quiet until a soft knock was heard at the door. Standing up, Blaise went over to open it and saw Hermione standing there, looking a bit nervous. Draco, seeing his witch, rushed to her and enveloped her in his arms.
"Hey love, everything okay?" Draco whispered into Hermione's hair.
Hermione shrugged. "Can I talk to you for a moment, please?"
Draco nodded and gestured for his friends to give them some privacy, which they did. Both boys nodded and smiled at Hermione before they left, and Draco closed the door, walking Hermione over to his bed. He could tell something was wrong, he lifted her chin up so their eyes could meet.
"Talk to me baby, tell me what's bothering you."
Hermione sighed, not sure if she was making too much of this but she couldn't go to sleep with it weighing on her mind. "Daphne mentioned something to me at dinner tonight." Draco nodded, encouraging her to continue. "Why did you never tell me your father was planning a betrothal between you and Astoria Greengrass?"
Draco looked shocked momentarily by the question, but then just shrugged noncommittally. "Because it was never a serious thing, my love. Father had wanted a good match for me, and had brought it up over the summer third year after I came home. He asked for my opinion, and I just brushed it off. Frankly, I couldn't get my mind off you all summer. I was pretty distracted, come to think of it. Anyway...after I returned to school, Father started discussions with Lord Greengrass. It was around the time you and Snape had your confrontation. I know you thought at the time I was trying to hurt you, but I had been genuinely worried for you. You had disappeared from the dorms, no one knew where you were. I'd been frantically searching the castle that weekend before you had your argument with Severus and that was when I finally decided to go tell him. You were so angry that day, my love...your voice...I don't think I ever want to hear that laugh come out of your mouth again. So I owled my mother, told her everything. I think she knew before I did, how I felt about you. She stopped the betrothal process immediately."
Hermione sighed and nodded. "Just like that?"
Draco smiled. "Yes, Mother has always known me better than I've known myself. I think she wanted me to have the choice, which I'm more grateful for than I can say, because you've always been my choice. Even before I consciously knew it."
Hermione moved into Draco's arms and kissed him softly. "I'm sorry for getting upset."
Shaking his head, Draco kissed Hermione again. "Baby, you don't ever have to apologize for being upset. If something bothers you, talk to me. I will listen, and I'll always be honest with you. How could you ever think I'd want another witch, when I have you?"
"I didn't think that exactly. It just came as a shock to me and I wasn't prepared for it. In fact, I wasn't much prepared for anything that happened tonight, which isn't like me."
Pulling Hermione under him, Draco laid his body on top of hers and grasped her face in his hands lovingly. "My heart, you don't always have to be in control of everything. Sometimes it's good to let others have a bit of control." Draco smirked wickedly and Hermione moaned, arching her body up into his.
"I would very much enjoy you taking control of me, handsome."
Draco growled and kissed Hermione breathless. After a few minutes of intense snogging, Draco moved back slightly and rested his forehead against hers. "I would very much be interested in exploring that my love. In fact, I would be open to any suggestions you would request of me."
Hermione's eyes widened, and she bit her lip playfully. "Really? Because I have to admit, my dreams are quite explicit in the things I'd like you to do to me, with me."
Draco groaned and kissed her again. When he looked back into her eyes, he whispered, "show me?"
So Hermione did. She locked her gaze with Draco's and opened her mind to him...allowing him to see several of her more naughty fantasies. When she was done, her boyfriend growled in want and kissed her deeply running his hands all over her. After a few minutes Draco pulled back and sighed uncomfortably. "You're really going to be the death of me."
Giggling softly, Hermione just shrugged. "Something tells me you're going to enjoy every minute of it."
Draco smirked, but nodded. "Wicked witch."
