It is honestly taking everything in me to write this story. :'/ I hope you dont hate this chapter, I really do. Feedback is appreciated. I've got my outline mostly done with where I want to go from here, but we'll see how it actually gets written.
As always, I do not own anything related to Harry Potter.
Make sure you check out my other fic Remembering Granger. It's going to be a lot fluffier than this one and I've already written at least 10 chapters.
Anywho, here's chap 2.
The walk to the prefect's bathroom seemed as though it had taken an hour. Draco had been right that her perception of time would be disrupted. It appeared the more Hermione had to think about, the slower time seemed to pass for her. The colors she could still see stirred around her to the pace of her thoughts. Stairs and handrails twitched, and she thought the latent magic in the castle must always move and flow to the energy around it. - she just couldn't see it before.
When her thoughts came back to reality, she found herself gawking at the statue of Boris the Bewildered. Tutting to herself, she wandered to the prefect bathroom door and whispered, "lemon bubble." The door clicked open, and she pushed in. Flicking her wand wordlessly, the multicolored taps roared to life, filling the pool and the room with water and vibration. Hermione lost all train of thought as she gazed into the colorful water heating the room.
In a trance, she slipped out of her clothing and into the rising warm water. She couldn't help but let out a soft moan as the liquid crept up her thigh to her hips. Flicking her wand again, she shut off all the taps, discarding the vine wood to the side. Finding the bath's ledge, Hermione lowered herself until the warmth met her bust. The water made her skin tingle, like it was flowing around and through her all at once.
Laying her head back against the side of the bath, her mind began to race again. How could she help Draco? The haunted look on his face as he left her standing near the stairs to the dungeons weighed heavily on her heart. The more she thought of him, the more she realized Draco hadn't been his arrogant self since the start of term. He had been reserved, subdued. Hadn't made fun of herself or Harry in longer than she could remember. He hadn't challenged her in classes, and he seemed to be floating around the castle in a fog. His mission was splitting him apart, but no one noticed his cries for help.
Draco's mission was an impossible task. His failure would provide an opportunity for Voldemort to rightfully, in his mind, murder Draco and his family. If Draco did somehow succeed, the murder of Dumbledore would not only hinder the Light side, but it would stain Draco's soul. In her research on dark magic, she had come across a book that expressed the magical entanglement that arose when a wizard or witch committed murder. The author said that murder held heavy on a wizard's heart, soul, and magical core, never letting go of the wickedness that would eventually consume them.
Hermione refused to let him slip into darkness. She would help Draco get out from underneath the thumb of evil that held him, in whatever way she could. But what could she do to stand up to the darkest wizard of all time? Her mind raced with anticipation as she watched red and orange colors swim frantically behind her eyelids. She knew her mind wasn't in the correct state to formulate a way to save her enemy come first lover, but his plight was all she could manage a thought about.
Opening her eyes, she noticed the dried mud was sliding from her skin as the hot water softened and battled it away. Deciding it was time to wash, she grabbed some soap from a nearby tap and lathered it directly into her skin. Her body sang as she wiped away the caked-on runes, cleaning herself of the enlightening and mystifying experience she just underwent. Lathering her wild and unmanageable hair, she made her way to a deeper part of the pool.
Holding her breath, she completely submerged herself into the water, leaving nothing for the air to touch. Her lungs felt tight, but it felt so real to be so in control of her own mind and destiny. Her senses were completely shut off to the world around her. Opening her eyes, Hermione felt as though she could see the water dancing around her. It was like music she could see, making everything seem pristine and pure. If only life could be this surreal, so beautiful and unspoiled.
Her lungs clinched, having spent too long holding the air of her survival. Like a wave of realization, she emerged from the water, and the cold castle air pricked at her skin as she exhaled and sucked in a life-saving breath. No matter how she may try to hide, the war was happening. She just had to find out how to protect the people she loved and the people who needed her protection the most.
Deciding long enough had been spent washing away her anxieties, she trudged from the bath as it started to drain. Summoning a towel wandlessly, to her surprise, she dried her skin and wrapped her hair up in the towel. Moving to a mirror on the other side of the room, she studied her appearance. She thought her skin was uneven and blotchy, and her eyes were a dull shade of brown. Her lips were small, and her nose too round.
Sighing, she scanned the rest of her body in the mirror. A light patch of skin on her chest caught her attention, and she realized it was in the shape of the once mud rune for love. "Odd," she muttered to herself. The mud Draco had pulled from the brook must have lightened her skin. Checking her arms and legs, she confirmed that no other runes had produced such an effect.
Shaking her head, she tried to clear the rest of the fogginess that lingered on her brain. Her mind, while open, wasn't providing any answers as to why her chest now held a rune. She thought to head straight toward the library for research, but as she left the silent bathroom, her feet carried her toward the seventh floor. The cloudiness in her head pulled her movements toward her bed. She crept quietly into the empty common room, up the girl's stairs into her dorm. Her roommates were fast asleep, and she noticed her clock read 3:13 in the morning. Closing her curtains with a quiet sigh, she resigned herself to sleep, waiting to research her new skin imperfection and how to save someone's soul until tomorrow.
Hermione slept like a rock, well past noon. She likely would have slept longer if Ginny hadn't pulled her curtains open and sat heavily on her bed.
"Hey, 'Mione. How are you feeling?" Ginny spoke, rubbing her hand down Hermione's back to comfort her. Hermione had feigned sickness yesterday after lunch to get out of dinner and the dance with minimal questioning. It seemed to provide the broadest timeframe should the casting have long-lasting effects on her.
"Mmmh..." Hermione groaned, tossing in her bed. She ran her tongue against her cheek; her mouth felt like a desert. "I'm fine, Gin, thanks. Thirsty, but I feel much better. Think I just needed some sleep."
"Oh, good! Get out of bed. Lunch is almost over, and I've got to tell you about the dance!" Ginny exclaimed as she clapped Hermione on the back, leaving her lying alone in her bed.
It was Friday, and classes had been canceled due to the Halloween festivities the previous night. Hermione thought the idea of canceling classes due to such frivolous activities was absurd, but as she stared at her clock that read 1:02 p.m., she was glad. Throwing her covers back, she headed for the loo.
Examining her appearance, Hermione noticed small bruises along her collar bone, arms, legs, and lower abdomen. She didn't remember things being so rough last night, but the evidence was there littering her skin. How had she missed the spots after her bath last night? She pulled out her wand and quizzical cast a non-verbal healing spell toward one of the small purple bruises. It took only a fraction of a second before her wand pulsed in her hand, and all of the bruises on her body vanished.
"Wow..." she breathed in shock. She had a bit of experience with healing spells, but nothing so powerful. As a sixth year, she had just begun learning non-verbal casting, and until this spell, it had been spotty at best. She had excelled quicker than her classmates, but nothing as concrete and powerful as what she had just managed. Her wand was still pulsing, and she could feel it begging her to cast another spell.
"'Mione!" Ginny cried from outside the loo door with a loud knock. "Hurry up, I'm starving."
Hermione rolled her eyes. Sometimes Ginny was just like Ron, especially when it came to food. "Be right out, Ginny. I'll meet you in the common room."
"Fine! But hurry up!" She heard Ginny's footsteps retreat and her dormitory door close with a click.
Hermione dressed quickly, deciding on a simple jumper and jeans, then headed for the common room. Glancing around, she took in her surroundings as though she had never seen them before. The crimson curtains that lined the windows looked like they were shining in the light. She could hear first years laughing, which any other day drove her insane, but today filled her with some sort of joy. The fire that heated the room met her skin with a warmth thought she could feel throughout her body.
"You alright, 'Mione?" Ginny asked as she sidled up next to her.
"Yeah, Gin, I'm really great," Hermione declared as a smile ghosted across her face. "Let's get lunch." The two started their long trek down to the Great Hall. The castle walls seemed to sparkle as light filtered through the stone windows. Hermione wondered to herself how long the effects of her and Draco's casting would last. Everything she saw felt like she saw in a different, new light. Her perception was skewed, she knew, but everything was so beautiful.
The doors to the Great Hall opened as Ginny and Hermione made it to the bottom of the staircase. Hermione saw Harry as he walked out first, but her happiness was short-lived as Ron walked out with Lavender Brown draped around him a moment after. Hermione had to admit that the sight of the two of them together didn't make her ill anymore. It was the first time she saw them and didn't want to cry. The anger she felt rising in her was solely due to Ron's disgusting behavior toward her since the start of school, and longer if she were honest.
"'Mione!" Harry shouted as he walked over, leaving Ron in the group of Gryffindors that had joined the trio. "You feeling better?" He questioned with a sincere tone. "Hey, Gin," he said shyly, and she nodded in response.
Shaking her head yes, Hermione responded, "Yeah, Harry, I am. I just needed some sleep. How was last night?" She saw Ron staring at them over Harry's shoulder with a longing look on his face. Lavender saw Ron's gaze and jabbed him in the side.
"It was good. I think we made some progress…" Harry trailed off. Dumbledore used the protection of the Halloween dance to hold another lesson with Harry. Harry still hadn't filled Hermione in on everything, but she knew whatever they were doing solely focused on Voldemort and defeating him.
"Oy, mate," Ron called across the entry hall. "Let's go. Hufflepuff is practicing now." He bellowed.
Harry gave Hermione a pained look, but she just smiled. "It's fine, Harry, we'll catch up later." Giving her a quick hug and kiss on her cheek, he bid his goodbye to rejoin the group of Gryffindors.
"That was a little awkward," Hermione noted to Ginny, and they made their way to the doors into the Hall.
"We haven't talked much this year…" Ginny responded quietly.
The Great Hall was crowded with the many students taking advantage of the late lunch schedule. Ginny filled Hermione in on the happenings of the dance as they ate their meal. Ginny's retelling had made Hermione glad she skipped the event.
"Hey, Gin, I've got to get to the library," Hermione said as she tossed her napkin onto her empty plate.
"Oh, come on, 'Mione! It's a free day, don't spend it all in the library." Ginny begged her. "Let's take a walk! You can go to the library later when we have quidditch practice." Ginny was pleading. "Please? I feel like I haven't seen you all year, 'Mione."
A soft smile graced her lips as her friend begged. Going to the library now wouldn't give her much luck anyways, Hermione thought. She needed Harry's cloak and the cover of the night to access the restricted section. "Alright, Gin. A walk sounds nice."
"Great!" Ginny exclaimed as she pulled Hermione up with her. They walked arm and arm through the school entrance, out through the crowded courtyard onto the grounds toward the Black Lake. Ginny talked non-stop about the dance the night before, but Hermione didn't hear a word she said. The leaves around her seemed to glow, and the early afternoon sky was casting intricate shadows along the ground. She was mesmerized.
Several groups of students were scattered around the grounds, each enjoying the brisk autumn weather. Some studied while others joked with friends or practiced their flying. Hermione felt peaceful while listening to their laughter and their joyous cries. She thought it was sort of calming to see so many children trying to keep happiness in the world. Or maybe they all were choosing to ignore the darkness the outside world held, safe in their shielded school. Either way, it was cheering to see the school so lively.
The two girls walked along the lake slowly, chatting about nothing, until they happened upon a group of Slytherin students. Some sat, some stood under the shade of a large tree. Draco was lent deep against the tree, a pensive look on his face. Hermione caught his gaze with hers and felt her breath leave her on a gasp. He looked just as ethereal as he had the night prior. She couldn't tear her eyes away, even though she knew she was staring straight at him.
"See something you like Granger," came the shrill voice of Pansy Pug-Faced Parkinson, and it dug at Hermione's eardrums.
"I'm sure he wishes," she heard herself respond. Their eyes were locked, and she saw a faint smirk grace his lips. His eyes were molten as he gazed at her, scanning her body like he remembered every curve and crevasse.
"Please, like my Drakey would ever sully himself with you." Pansy stood and wrapped her arms around Draco's neck dramatically. Hermione felt rage boil inside of her, but she tried to ignore it. She had no right to be angry, but the magic cracking at her fingers didn't care. "He'd never touch someone dirty like you when he has me." Hermione felt her body temperature rise and could feel the heat from her fingers on her outer through her jeans. Draco pushed Pansy away as the Slytherin girls began to laugh.
"To get away from that shrill voice of yours, he'd do just about anything, I'm sure. Even me." Hermione shrugged. "Though your voice can't be helped. I'm sure you can't get enough air with that nose to not sound like a harpy." She heard Ginny gasp and then bust out into laughter. The Slytherin girls all looked offended, but the boys began to laugh loudly along with Ginny. Hermione caught Draco's eye again, a full blow smile on his face now. He mouthed jealous as the group around him dissolved further into laughter.
"Stop laughing!" Pansy's shrill voice echoed over their laughter, only serving to increase their chortles.
"Oh, shut it, Pansy. Granger won this round." Blaise Zabini drawled. He shot a wink at Ginny, who flashed him a sweet smile in response. "Hey, Red," he greeted her, and Hermione noticed a blush grow on her friend's face.
"Come on, 'Mione. My ears can't take the pitch anymore." Ginny winked at Blaise as she locked arms with Hermione, pulling her back toward the castle.
Glancing over her shoulder, Hermione saw Draco staring as she and Ginny walked away. He looked both troubled and excited when he shot her a wink, turning to Blaise in conversation after. Ginny cleared her throat and brought Hermione back to the present. She held a raised eyebrow in question in Hermione's direction.
"What?" Hermione asked, trying to feign an air of nonchalance.
"You wanna explain why you and Malfoy were just eye-fucking one another?" Ginny's tone was severe but quiet, and Hermione choked on her own spit.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Gin, you're crazy. He hates me."
"That's not what his face said," Ginny suggested. At Hermione shrug, Ginny seemed to relent. "I snogged Zabini last night." She offered as her face pulled into a smirk.
"You did what, Ginny?!" Hermione's voice rose, and Ginny shushed her.
"It wasn't a big deal. Dean and I broke up, and I just wanted some company. Mighty fine kisser, really."
"He's Slytherin, Gin."
"Oh, like I care. Ron's the only idiot who cares about houses. Honestly."
Hermione took a moment to ponder her friend's statement. It indeed was Ron who perpetrated house stereotypes and rivalries outside of Quidditch. He hated Slytherin with a passion, second only to Death Eaters and Voldemort himself. But Hermione knew being a Slytherin didn't inherently make you an awful person. Draco had proven that to her last night. A smile stretched across her face as she thought of her meeting with him the previous night.
"Gin, I slept with Draco." The words fell out of her mouth before she knew what she was saying. If this post ritual bliss made her speak her inner thoughts out loud, unfiltered, she'd have to shelter herself behind her bed curtains for the rest of the weekend.
Ginny's eyes were as wide as saucers as she came to an abrupt halt. "What? You did what?" Her voice was octaves higher than it usually was and echoed down the hallway they currently stood in. She didn't sound mad, she genuinely seemed surprised. "Shut up. I don't believe you."
Finding an empty classroom, Hermione dragged her red-headed friend in and cast a wandless silencing charm. "I... don't know exactly why I said that out loud." Hermione tried to be sheepish, but her smile wouldn't fade.
"Tell me everything. This minute!" Ginny demanded as she dragged Hermione down to sit. "How? When? How could this even happen?!"
Hermione started at the beginning, filling her friend in on her previous night. She included her failed ritual attempts, his persistence to help her, and their successful casting. She told Ginny about the high she had felt and tried to describe the experience. Hermione couldn't find the words, but she described the lingering effects that still held on to her. Leaving out Draco's breakdown and deadly admission, she told Ginny about how they made love and laid with one another until early morning.
"I... wow, 'Mione! This is nuts!" Ginny breathed, and Hermione could tell it was taking her a while to process the entire story. Her friend's cheeks were flushed from the embarrassing topic, but her face held no ill will.
"You're not mad at me?" Hermione questioned.
"Little hypocritical of me to be, wouldn't it?" Ginny shrugged. "It doesn't matter to me. It's just so..."
"Mad, I know." Hermione nodded.
"Was he good?" Ginny questioned, and Hermione barked a laugh.
"It was amazing, Gin. But you can't tell anyone. About the ritual or Draco. Got it?"
"Of course, 'Mione, I won't say a word. But you probably shouldn't call him Draco."
"I hadn't noticed I was..."
Ginny laughed and bumped Hermione's shoulder with hers. "Twice, now. Merlin, I can't believe this. But... are you sure he's, I don't know... not sowing some wild oats? Harry is pretty certain..."
"Just because Harry is paranoid doesn't mean he's right," Hermione cut Ginny off abruptly. Harry had been correct, but Ginny didn't need to know that. "It was... just sex, Gin. Even if he was just sowing oats, it's not like we're dating." Hermione felt a pain of sadness hit her stomach as she said those words. Her emotions were all out of whack, especially when she thought of Draco or losing him.
"Yeah, sure, 'Mione. Just be careful, ya?"
"Look who's talking, Mrs. Zabini," Hermione chuckled.
"Oh, hush," Ginny snorted. We only snogged!" As their laughter died down, Ginny continued. "I've got to get ready for Quidditch practice. Don't spend all your time in the Library, okay? And... just be careful, 'Mione. Maybe you should stay away from him for a while. You're lucky no one else saw the two of you."
Hermione nodded as Ginny gave her a parting hug, leaving her alone in the abandoned classroom. It took Hermione a moment to collect herself. Her heart raced in her chest as she recognized what she had let slip to Ginny. No changing the fact now, she thought as she left the classroom and ascended the stairs to the Gryffindor dorms.
Packing her bag with class assignments due weeks from now, she made sure to stuff in Harry's unreturned cloak. She'd leave the library early, she thought, and wait for the last student to exit. A couple of Ravenclaws could always be counted on to be pushed out the doors by Madam Pince. She'd use the commotion to slip in undetected. Answers to her riddles lie within the restricted section, and the cover of night would allow her entrance.
Steeling herself, she shouldered her bag and headed toward the library.
"I can't believe that wench! Who does she think she is? Stupid mudblood bitch. She'll be put in her place soon enough!" Pansy's shrill voice rang out through the Slytherin common room.
The occupants of the dungeons had just gotten back from dinner. A group of first-years sat in one corner playing a game of exploding snaps, and a group of fifth years was working hard at revisions in the other. Draco and a group of sixth years sat on the couches chatting, as Pansy tracked back and forth in front of the fireplace in a diatribe.
"Give it a rest, Pans. You've been at it for hours," Blaise retorted.
Draco could feel the stiffness in his fingers as they gripped the armrest. Pansy had been prattling on about Hermione non-stop, and his nerves were shot. He couldn't explain his anger, but he knew if she didn't shove off or leave soon, the results wouldn't be pretty.
"Defending her now, Zabini? Mudblood scratch your fancy?" Pansy battled.
"Pansy, shut the fuck up, already," Draco exploded, the fuse finally reaching the bomb. "No one cares about your hurt feelings. You're so fucking annoying. Insufferable. Just piss off. Go bitch to your insipid friends elsewhere or bully some first-year into listening. We. Don't. Care."
Pansy's face fell, and she scoffed loudly. "Get bent, you gits!" She kicked the coffee table as she stalked her way to the stairs, knocking off the books that had been stacked on top. The other sixth year Slytherin girls hung their heads as they slowly stood to follow her. Draco was sure they were just as annoyed by her prattling as the rest of Hogwarts.
"And you two buffoons can leave." Draco had turned his attention to Crabbe and Goyle, who sat eating sweets on the couch opposite himself and Blaise. "I'm clearly not going anywhere tonight. No need to watch me." Draco growled at them.
"Watch it, Malfoy." Crabbe hummed as he stood, followed closely by Goyle. The two large teens rounded the coffee table, bumping it into Draco's knees on purpose as they moved. "Don't want to end up like Daddy." Crabbe cackled as he walked away, flanked by Goyle, who looked confused while he continued to stuff his face.
"Wankers," Draco murmured, and Blaise laughed.
"What's got your knickers in a twist, princess?" Blaise questioned.
"Leave off, Blaise," Malfoy uttered. He could feel the rage inside of him, slowly dissipating from his body the longer he sat in the silence Pansy left.
"Wouldn't have to do with a pretty young brunette, would it." Blaise wiggled his eyebrows as Draco shot him a wide-eyed glare.
"Leave. Off." Draco asserted again.
"Whatever, mate. Her friend's a decent snog. As fiery as her hair, that one." Blaise laid his head against the couch pillow with a smile on his face.
Draco barked a laugh. "Yeah, right. Like the Weaslette would ever get near you."
"Not much nearer she could get. Unless you count me inside her." Blaise shot him a salacious wink with a thick grin. "But you wouldn't know, you weren't at the dance. Neither was Granger, in fact. Off stalking her, again?"
"Blaise shut the fuck up," Draco growled as he pulled out his wand. He cast a muffliato spell around himself and Blaise and felt his wand twitch again. It had done similar this morning as Draco used it to straighten his section of the dorm. He thought nothing of it at the time, but the pulse he felt now was calling him to cast a more potent spell.
"So, you were stalking her," Blaise smirked as the silencing charm settled over them.
Storing his wand, Draco rolled his eyes. "No, mate. I saw a flash of light while I was in the astronomy tower. Went to check it out, and Granger was there, half-naked and moaning." Blaise's eyebrows shot to his hairline with surprise. "Don't be a pervert."
"You tell me one of the hottest girls in school was naked and moaning and expect me not to react?" Blaise laughed. "And?" He questioned.
"She was trying a binding ritual and failing. I helped her out. That's all." Draco monotoned.
"So you just walked up to a naked Hermione bloody Granger, her fit body, and... held a ritual?" Blaise questioned with a laugh in his tone. Draco's face must have given away more, because Blaise punched him in the arm, "Mate! Bagged your white whale."
"It's not like that..." Draco uttered lamely.
"Oh? She hex your bullocks?"
"No."
"She punched you in the mouth again?"
"She broke my nose!" Draco exclaimed, and Blaise snorted.
"You deserved it mate. Tell me what happened."
Groaning, Draco explained his memory of the night he had spent with Hermione. He left nothing out, from dropping in on Hermione as she failed a casting to their passionate kiss at the dungeon stairs. He told Blaise how he had cried while she held him and their lovemaking afterward. He spoke about the post ritual high and how similar it had been to their pixie dust experiences over the summer. Draco tried to explain the revelations he had come about but couldn't articulate his thoughts fully.
Blaise was one of his eldest friends, he truly felt like the brother Draco had always wanted. Draco trusted him with his life. Outside of his mother, Blaise was the only one who knew the real him. Telling his best mate about Hermione and their night together felt like second nature.
"She saw the mark?" Blaise questioned, and Draco nodded.
"She... said she wants to help me."
"Or have you thrown in Azkaban. What were you thinking, mate?"
"She won't tell anyone... and so what if she does. I almost killed that girl. I deserve to be hauled off..." Draco closed his eyes and blew out the air in his lungs.
"You're not a bad person, mate..." Blaise said, setting a hand on Draco's shoulder. "I know you don't care, but I think it's a great thing, you and Granger."
Draco scoffed. "There's not me and Granger. I'm bad for her. She'll wise up and realize it and turn me in..."
"If the way she stared at you earlier is any indication, mate, I'm sure you'll be just fine." Blaise laughed at Draco's shocked expression. "You two were eye-fucking one another. You're lucky that no one else noticed."
"She was glowing, Blaise. Her whole body just... her eyes..." Draco was fumbling over his words but could picture her soft olive skin and bright eyes in his mind.
"Probably the come down talking. Maybe you should just keep your distance for a few days. Safer." Draco nodded at Blaise's assessment.
At that moment, a first-year walked in front of the fireplace and stood staring at the floor. The frightened boy waved slightly at Draco and Blaise to get their attention. Pulling out his wand, Draco dropped the silencing buffer around himself and his best mate.
"Uh... I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy..." the nervous first-year began.
"Call me, Draco," he uttered with a light smile to the bright-eyed kid. He hated how afraid people acted around him. He didn't want this reputation any longer.
The first-year seemed to relax at Draco's informality. "Professor Snape asked to see you... He said he'll be in his chambers."
"Thanks..." Draco paused.
"Jennings." The first-year responded.
"Thanks, Jennings. I'll head over." Draco gave the kid a nod as he walked away.
"So polite of you." Blaise chuckled.
"I'm too tired to fight it anymore..." Draco sighed. "Guess I better go see what Uncle Sev wants..."
"Ya, later, Draco... and seriously, be smart."
Nodding, Draco stood to make the short walk to the newly appointed Defence Against the Dark Art professor's chambers. Although he had a title change, his godfather could never escape the dungeons.
Knocking on his godfather's chamber door, he heard shuffling behind it. Severus Snape opened his chamber door in a flurry of robes and greasy black hair. Stepping inside, Draco's face rose in surprise at the sight of his mother adjusting her delicate pastel robes and a few strands of hair that seemed to have fallen out of place.
"Darling," his mother cooed.
"Mum, what... what are you doing here?" Draco inquired.
"Don't be rude, Draco. That's no way to greet your mother.." she scolded him.
"Right… Mother, it is nice to see you." Draco approached her and pulled her hand, giving the back of it a kiss. "What are you doing here?" Draco questioned again as he sat down near the warm fireplace. The dungeons had a frequent chill this time of year, so fires were lit consistently.
"Did you have a nice night last night, dear?" She questioned with accusation in her voice as she sat opposite him.
"Yes, mother. I... didn't do much."
"The school held a dance, yes? I sure hope they did for the amount of money we donated." She had a smile on her face that appeared natural.
Nodding, Draco answered, "Yes, mum, they held the dance... I didn't attend, but I heard it was well received." He picked at his robes with an awkward feeling in his stomach. His mother raised an eyebrow at him, and it felt like she was peering down into his soul.
"You know, darling, I am feeling very... powerful today."
"Your ritual was a success, then?" Draco questioned, and he thought he could feel sweat building on his forehead.
"Funny thing, that. I wasn't able to hold my ritual this year." Draco's eyebrows rose a fraction of an inch, but it was enough for Narcissa Black Malfoy to notice. Severus had joined her on the couch, passing her a steaming cup of tea.
"I will ask again, Draco. How was your night last night?" His mother's glare hardened on him, and he knew she was already well aware of how he had spent his Samhain night.
"I..." Draco stalled.
"You're not in trouble, dear." His mother said with a cheery smile. "You only performed a ritual, one your godfather and I are thankful to you for. We're just grateful you didn't hurt or kill yourself."
"What does Uncle Sev have to do with this?" Draco challenged.
"I'm sure you're aware it is at least a two-person ritual. Your godfather and I have been performing the rite since our time in school together. We felt the moment you bound successfully. I suppose our bloodline connection alerted me." His mother's face was stoic, little shock showing. Draco's face was an entirely different story.
"Wait... the two of you? What about Father?" Draco questioned his mother, sincere bewilderment gracing his features.
"Your father is a few years older than me, Draco, as you know. He and I were never close while in school. Severus and I were quite familiar back then. Still are." His mother placed a hand on his godfather's knee, with a soft smile.
"Surely he doesn't need a history lesson," his godfather spoke for the first time since Draco's entrance.
"Wait a bloody minute. What in Merlin's name is happening here? I would have noticed Uncle Sev in the house every Halloween." Draco stood and his voice rose as he spoke.
"Sit down," his godfather directed.
"No! Mother, what is going on?" Draco could feel the hairs on his arms stand straight with a ripple of magic.
"Darling, please relax. Last night was your first binding. Your magic is very sensitive right now. Uncontrolled." His mother had softened her expression at him. "Sit down," she commanded, and Draco did as he was asked.
"Mother..." he began.
"Darling, your godfather and I have a long history. Your father cared very little about knowing me while we were in school. We were contracted to marry, but all he knew of me was that once I finished schooling, he could no longer whore around." His mother had a somber tone. Her eyes seemed sad as she watched the fire crackle.
Draco grimaced at the thought. His mother had shared little of her and his father's relationship before conceiving him. Hearing now that they weren't even friends before their marriage wasn't a shock.
"When my mother passed in my fifth year, the duty of the Black binding fell to me. Severus and I were very close by then, so he offered to share in our rite. We've met yearly to cast since. Until yesterday." His mother turned and glanced lovingly at the professor to her left.
"Dear, I must ask you with whom did you perform the ritual? I have never felt this level of vigor." She turned her attention back to Draco, and he could feel the power of her gaze.
Draco sat quietly, gazing into the fire. He hadn't known his mother would be able to feel the ritual. She had left that part out of her stories in years passed. He tried to think of a way out of telling his mother he had completed the ritual with his enemy's muggle-born best friend, but he had little fight left in him today. She would find out on her own one way or another, and he decided it would be best coming directly from his mouth.
"It... it was Granger," Draco murmured, still gazing deep into the flames of his godfather's fireplace. "I stumbled upon her in the forest, nearly killing herself…"
For the first time all night, Draco saw in his peripherals as his mother's face registered wonderment. "Harry Potter's friend? The muggle-born girl?"
Draco simply nodded.
"Interesting…" his mother hummed. "You were meant to protect him, and you hadn't a clue he was off performing an ancient ritual with this girl?" Draco finally turned to glance back at his mother, but her sharp eyes were trained to Severus.
"I cannot stop stupid, Narcissa. And your son is rather that." His godfather replied in a monotone voice with a shrug, and his mother laughed.
"A pretty girl can make you do unimaginable things, Severus." His mother tutted, but Draco saw a smile on her face. Had she just called Hermione pretty? She didn't sound angry with him nor at the fact that he completed the ritual with a muggle-born.
"I'm here, you know." Draco pouted.
"That does not change the fact of your idiocy." His godfather snipped, and Draco rolled his eyes.
"Mother… are you not mad? She's..."
"Darling, there are many things I choose to be mad about, but you finding a smart, talented, determined witch to bind your magic with is not one of them." She was deadly serious, and it sent a chill up Draco's spine.
"Bind my magic?" He breathed the question.
"Did you pay attention to me at all as a child? Of course, you didn't." His mother exclaimed, and his godfather laughed at that.
"Must I recall his idiocy for you, 'Cissa?"
"Son, the binding is not only with the earth but with your partner in casting, as well. You and Ms. Granger, are all now magically bound, as your godfather and I are. Our magicks will feed off one another should we be close. So long as you bind each year, your bond will stay intact."
Severus left the couch then and headed toward his study. Narcissa held a soft smile at Draco as she spoke again. "Darling, I did not come to punish you. I simply needed an answer, which I now have." She stood then and held a hand out for Draco to follow her. "I am proud of you. With little preparations, you cast successfully."
"It was mostly Granger. She probably could have done it on her own…"
"I am glad she didn't, dear. You know, I must meet her soon."
"What? You want to meet her?" Draco queried in surprise.
"Someday. This young woman is bound to my son, and by extension, me. I'd like to know her." His mother nodded as she led him to the door. "Severus and I… have things to discuss, darling. I do not want to keep you from your friends on a Friday night."
"Mother…"
"Yes, Draco?" She responded.
"Which rune stuck for you?" Draco asked his mother as she patted his cheek lovingly.
Stilling her hand on his cheek, she asked in puzzlement, "what do you mean, dear?"
"One of the runes I drew… stained my skin. Is that normal?" He questioned. At the confused look on his mother's face, he already knew the answer.
"We've not experienced anything of the sort, but I will search the Black family archives for texts on the ritual. Maybe our ancestors can give you guidance."
His godfather reentered the room and handed him a slip of parchment. "That insufferable-know-it-all is likely there already. I suggest you go."
Feeling anger rise in his gut at the insult to Hermione, Draco snatched the sheet from his godfather. It was a permission slip to enter the restricted section of the library, written for Hermione. With a perplexed look at his godfather, he murmured, "I don't under…"
"Ms. Granger will." Was the clipped response he got as Severus interrupted him.
"Goodnight, dear. And please stay out of trouble." His mother laid her hand against his cheek lovingly, again, and he nodded.
"Goodnight, mother. Godfather." Draco slipped from the chamber more confused than when he had entered. His mother wasn't appalled by Hermione; his godfather was bound to his mother, and nothing made sense. He heard Blaise's warning to stay away ring through his mind, but as he began to move, his body pulled him to meet the only person he had been able to think about all day.
Hermione rubbed her eyes in tiredness as she hovered over her arithmancy book at a library table near the entry doors. It was only slightly past half nine, but her body felt tired. Her mind felt worse. Must be the ritual, she thought to herself. Over the past few hours, as she studied, she had felt her mind clear fully, and her body began to ache. She was more tired than she could remember being but refused to call it a night. She had to get into the restricted section tonight, no matter how exhausted she may be.
Madam Pince had made her rounds to clear out all students under sixth year an hour past, leaving the library eerily quiet. She could hear a table of Ravenclaw seventh years as they scratched away at revisions, whispering as they talked through answers. She had been correct that a group of them would likely be huddled in the library until the late hours of the night. She simply had to wait until they had had enough to make her early exit.
She sighed as she leaned her head back over the edge of her chair. Taking a deep breath, she pressed her palms into her eyes to wake herself. The sound of the library doors drew her attention, a bit of alarm setting in as she thought her opportunity for cover had been missed. As she opened her eyes, they landed on Draco, who had sauntered through the doorway with a stern expression on his face.
As their eyes met, she couldn't help but smile. He nodded carefully at her before Madam Pince stopped his advance. He looked agitated, but Madam Pince eventually threw her hands up in defeat and waved him off. Draco walked toward her as a flutter ignited in her abdomen. He smirked somewhat, then tilted his head to the back of the library while he shuffled past her. Glancing at the Ravenclaw table to judge her time, she noticed them all nose deep in assignments. Closing her books, she stood, and her head felt light.
"Hi…" she whispered softly as she neared him somewhere deep in the library. He was leaning upon a stack, one knee bent so that the sole of his shoe was pressed firmly into a shelf. He looked like a gothic masterpiece, all sleek and brooding. His suit jacket had been abandoned, and his black shirt had 2 buttons at the top undone. His tie hung loosely around his neck as he drummed his fingers against his thigh. His eyes stayed closed, and his head was tipped back upon the books behind him. The candlelit room appeared to make him shine. She knew she should have held to her plan, ignored him when he strolled through the doors, but something deep inside her had dragged her here to him.
He turned his head toward her, and her heart skipped a beat as he opened his dark eyes at her. "Hey, Granger," he said with a soft smile, and it made Hermione feel warm inside. She noted the use of her surname in comparison to what he had called her earlier that morning.
"Hey…" she said meekly.
"Said that already," he smirked.
"Right…"
"Snape gave me this." He withdrew a rolled piece of parchment and handed it to her.
Unrolling the scroll, she noted it was a pass for the use of the restricted section, written for her, signed by Snape himself. "How…" she began.
"He said you'd know why" came his terse response. He had turned his head away again, and Hermione admired his silhouette.
"I'm only here tonight for the restricted section," she muttered.
"Of course you are," he declared.
"What's that to mean?" She felt a bit heated, but confusion graced her features.
"Just that Uncle Sev is always right," he laughed. "What are you looking for?"
"More dark magic research… and more books on our ritual." His gaze slammed back to her as she uttered the last word. His eyes held a fire that hadn't been there before. She felt it deep in her gut.
"Mother said she would check our archives," he supplied, but his eyes hadn't left hers. She could swear she could feel the heat of his gaze.
"When…" she began, but he stopped her.
"She showed up here tonight. Said she could feel that we… bonded." His eyes went darker at the term as they burned like a wildfire into her own. He pushed off the stack and faced her completely. Hermione felt heat grow over her skin, and her heart hammered at his stature. "She wants to meet you."
All Hermione could do was nod. She was lost in his eyes, in his voice, and it had taken her breath away. She took a small step toward him as he took one toward her; it felt like a string was pulling them together. He reached out with softness and tenderly ran his hand along her cheek. She relaxed into his touch, a tightness in her body she hadn't known was there releasing as she sank into his palm. He appeared to sag in ease, too.
"Are you hot?" She asked, and a red shade of embarrassment grew up his neck.
He chuckled softly at her statement, "yeah…"
She nodded as he ran his hand down her cheek to grasp the back of her neck. His steady hand felt warm at the touch, and it ignited her womanhood. Nerves fluttered in her stomach, unrelenting. Hermione thought she noticed hesitation, possibly fear, on his face. He had moved so near that their bodies were practically touching. It felt like her magic was trying to reach out and pull him in further, and she wondered if he could sense it, too.
Looking up at him from under her lashes, she breathed and licked her lower lip. His nostrils flared slightly as he pulled her in for a deliberate and lavish kiss. His lips felt like silk against hers, and she sighed, opening her mouth wider for his tongue to enter. His other hand circled her back, pulling her in closer as their tongues mingled in the secluded section of the library. She clutched at his shirt, trying to draw him in just a bit more.
She was breathless by the time he pulled back and laid his forehead against hers. He sighed longingly, and it sounded like music to her ears. "Blaise was right."
"Hmm?" She murmured.
"He told me to stay away... but I couldn't." He kissed her softly again, and it felt like her heart might beat out of her chest.
"I'm glad you didn't..." She whispered against his lips, and he kissed tenderly once more.
Straightening suddenly, he looked at her with what she thought was fright. He stepped back from her and shook his head. Hermione felt cold at the lack of contact, her hands still chest level where they had held him close.
"I'll let you know if mother sends any books..." he said with a quickness in his voice. "Night, Granger." He whispered as he left her alone between the stacks.
Hermione stood rooted to her spot for several moments, a hand falling to her lips in remembrance. She hadn't intended to kiss him, but she couldn't deny the pull she felt. Simply being next to him had made her feel heated and more relaxed than she had all day. Her mind had gone blank of all other thoughts but him. She registered the parchment in her hand, and it brought her thoughts back to her current conquest. Regardless as to why Snape had given her a legitimate entrance into the restricted section, she would spend the remainder of her night searching for solutions to the problems quickly pressing her.