For Shamione.
Happy birthday to Shamione! I hope you enjoy! I apologize for the delay in posting this but it took on a life of its own. THANK YOU FOR HAVING A BIRTHDAY AND BLESSING THE WORLD WITH YOUR PRESENCE!
This was an idea that Starryar helped to bring to inspire. She gave me the idea and helped talk me through some of the events that take place! She was also kind enough to Beta this fic for me so a huge thank you goes out to her!
The Issue with Ley Lines
The wind whipped around him, causing his hair to come out of its careful placement. It caused his agitation to rise further inside of him as he walked along the forest floor. His walk from the backside of the manor dragged on as he reached the edge of the woods. The path that had naturally worn through the center of the forest from use over the last few centuries was now beginning to be overgrown with plant life. He had only walked this path twice in his youth, and the neglect was now evident. Rubbing a hand along his jaw, he glanced back at the manor off in the distance with a frown pulling at his features.
The overcast clouds across the sky did nothing to help his mood as he troughs about what lay ahead. Determination taking over, he swiveled on the heel of his foot and walked deeper into the underbrush. The farther he went, the darker it became. An eerie silence lay upon the earth he walked on. No matter which way he looked, the overgrowth was thick, and tangled. What was once green and lucious felt sick, poisoned. He slipped his wand into his hand as he felt the quiet heighten every sense. No movement, no sound of the wind rustling the trees. It was as if the darkness encased the whole forest, a cancer leaking into every tree or plant that lived within it.
Draco came upon a clearing, what he knew to be the center of the forest and waited. His eyes flickered around waiting for movement but no breeze, no movement in the air meant no movement in the plant life. A worry that had been hiding deep in his gut started clawing up his spine. The sickness that was plaguing the forest was now beginning to seep into his thoughts, like wool scratching across his face.
"Who dares enter my home?" The voice boomed out of the silence, carrying from every which way as Draco spun in circles trying to locate the source. He faced the east, then the west, but saw nothing. As he turned to face the North, the way toward the Manor, he felt an eldritch prescience behind him. Slowly, and with cation, he came to face the enchantment of the Fae.
Before him stood a beautiful set of two males, and a female. The center male was pale, glowing like moonlight with hair as dark as ebony and eyes that matched. His attire was of the finest silk and in the deepest burgundy. In his left ear was silver jewelry glittering the shell of his ear.
The female to his left was beyond bewitching; with lips the palest of pinks, and plump as a freshly bloomed rose. Her eyes were silver liquid like metal that had been heated to its melting point. Her skin was pale, much like the male's, except for the subtle tint of blue. Her hair was of the palest gray that Draco struggled to process it as anything but white. Her attire of white and turquoise accentuated her ethereal features, making them pop out just that much more.
The third male was more ordinary, more human like, but still one of the most beautiful humans to walk the face of the earth with his strong jaw and bright cerulean eyes. His skin was a deeper color, not as pale, than the other two, as if he actually saw the sun every once in a while. His hair was black as well, but not quite as dark as the first Fae, and held a wave in the texture. His eyes were cold, and grey, and worst of all, empty .
As Draco met his gaze he felt the temperature drop in the air.
With a slight intake of breath, Draco stood taller to meet the eyes of the trio that stood before him. "I am here because the land is dying. I know there is a bargain between your clan and my family to keep the magic in the earth flowing, but it seems something has gone amiss ." His eyes met the angry onlookers but he did not budge.
"What is your name?" The male at the center stepped forward.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, son of Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, I am now the Lord of this land and Manor, in charge of the bargain."
The cold cruel smile that spread over the Fae's face was unearthly. His eyes flashing in the darkness. "What is your name?"
The female stepped forward. A smirk kissing her cheeks. "Lesson one: never give a Fae your name." Draco felt the fear tickling the back of his throat as memories from lessons during Care of Magical Creatures sparked in his mind's eye. "Lesson two," she leaned forward giving him a spectacular view and flicking her tongue against her upper lip. "You have to keep up your piece of the bargain if you want us to keep up ours, human."
"I have!" He burst out, his hands fisting at his side.
"You are supposed to enchant the barriers for protections, keep dark magic from seeping into the forest, but you failed, " the male growled out as his eyes roamed over Draco. "You let a Wizard enter these lands and taint the natural magic of the earth."
"I did not! That was my father!"
"We care not. If you are master of the Manor, you must right it." The lead male's voice cut through the air like a knife diving straight for Draco. "Draco Lucius Malfoy, we can fix this - for a price."
Draco's eyes narrowed as he straightened his spine to face this male face to face. "Which is?"
"We will not discuss this with you alone. You have no understanding of our ways. Bring us the witch." The male's smile was slow. "Hermione Granger."
Dread filled his soul as one name brought on more terror then the Dark Lord himself.
Hermione Granger, part of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, was annoyed. Her hair was fizzier than she'd seen it in years past, her magic was becoming unstable, and her day was possibly worse than her time on the run. People were idiots and their idiocy was going to be her downfall before she had anytime to make real changes in the Wizarding world.
Sighing heavily, she pulled her wand out and used her magic to throw her mess of hair into a messy bun atop her head. A few wayward curls managed to escape around her temples, but it did the job. The document before her, a simple law going to the Magistrate to allow werewolves access to free or inexpensive wolfsbane during the full moon, was beginning to blur the sentences. The more she read the document, the more fuzzy her brain became. Rubbing at her eyes, she attempted to chase off the blurriness.
She should have known the quiet wouldn't last long. The day was not going according to plan in any way, so to be interrupted during her down time should not have come as a surprise. Even then, the annoyance from the inconvenience was immediately overshadowed when her secretary popped her head in to announce a visitor by a name she hadn't heard in a long time she knew her day was about to get a lot worse.
"Granger," he said as he walked through her door. Her secretary shut it behind him with a soft click. Hermione pulled her wand out and muttered a muffliato to keep any ears from listening into whatever was about to pass within these walls.
"Malfoy." She nodded her head once, completely curt. "What do I owe to this surprising visit?"
"Straight to the point, I see." He stepped forward and placed both hands on the back of the chair seated before her desk. "I can appreciate that. I have use of your talents, and you'll be paid handsomely of course."
The smug smile on her face caused a twitch to appear in his right eye. "What on earth could have you showing up to darken my doorstep?" Hermione leaned back, her arms crossing over her chest.
"I have found myself in a conundrum," he sneered down at her. "And unfortunately, you are the only person who can help me."
"Oh, please, do tell." Another twitch appeared at the corner of his eye.
"The Malfoy Manor lives on a special piece of land. It lays upon -"
"Ley lines, I know."
Of course she knew.
"These specific ley lines are cared for by a clan of Fae, Unseelie specifically." He watched her roll her eyes and damned if his hands didn't twitch. "It would seem the bond between the Malfoy family & this Unseelie clan has… fractured for lack of a better word. The wards around the land are diminishing. I made a mistake though. I-" he sighed. "Made the mistake of telling them my full given name as well."
"Malfoy, you damn fool." She raised from her seat and threw her hands in the air. "You never give your name to the Fae! They literally have the magic now to own you." Her hands went into her crazy hair, and tugged it free of its haphazard bun.
"So you can fix this?" Her hands dropped to her sides as she turned to stare at him. "Of course you'll be compensated," he reiterated to her.
"Malfoy, you'll be signing your name to me by the end of this," she warned, her gaze narrowing. "The Fae barter, bargain and bribe. I will do my best to get your name back, but you will owe me." He nodded stiffly, even though he felt a sense of dread holding tightly to his chest.
Hermione arrived two days later in muggle jeans and a long trench coat. Her boots were sensible as she trekked around the Mansion, avoiding the building as best as possible. The hat was a dark maroon to snub her Slytherin counterpart and shielded her ears from the winds that whipped around her. Sticking her fingers into the pockets of her coat, she came around the back to find Malfoy anxiously waiting at the end of the trail, ready to lead her into the forest.
No words were exchanged as they started down the trail. Hermione felt the darkness lurking in the air and the power beneath the earth hummed under their feet, but it was faint, as if it was waiting.
For what, she did not know.
The air tingled around her and she could feel her magic reacting to it to the point it elicited her fingertips to spark in reaction. Draco straightened as he went down the path holding himself high, arrogance leaking from his aura. His footsteps were confident as he moved about the pathway. She did a double take when she noticed that his fingers were not sparking as hers were. He seemed steady, calm, despite what was happening around them.
Glancing around, she felt a shiver trickle down her spine. Eyes were on her, she could feel it, but she couldn't see where the person, or possibly thing, was watching her.
It wasn't much longer before they cleared the forest and came to a hidden prairie. The moonlight cast an elysian glow around them. The skies were clear of any clouds leaving enough light for them to see and move about freely. Hermione felt an unease in her gut as they waited for the Unseelie Fae clan to arrive. Draco seemed at ease, his haughty expression remaining impassive over his face as his arms remained steadfast, crossed over his chest.
"Miss Granger," a voice boomed from the shadows of the forest, covered by the trees from the moonlight. Her head turned slowly in recognition of the voice. A slow, easy grin spread over her features as she watched two pale skinned males walk toward the pair of them. The second Male from days past came waltzing up to her with a steady gait, his wavy hair billowing behind him and a soft expression upon his face. Not a smile, dare not accuse the Fae of happiness, but it was an expression not quite so severe.
"Oh, Cyrfin, I should have known," she said by way of greeting as she offered her hand. He gladly took it, his skin a much more muted color against the golden tan of hers. Draco watched with half lidded eyes taking it all in. His eyes flickered to the Fae companion and saw nothing, but that was the way of the Fae - no emotion, ever.
"Miss Granger, I am glad you are here." He paused, his hand still holding her own, as his gaze flickered over the Malfoy. "This human has no understanding of our ways. He had the impotence to think we should kneel at his feet." Draco bit the inside of his cheek to keep from lashing out, but watched with a steady gaze as Hermione turned to him.
"He's harmless - he's just… arrogant." She turned back to Cyrfin and smiled gently. "We'll teach him. Now tell me what I can do and what is going on with this land. I feel… a sickness, a darkness."
"It's been tainted, Miss Granger. When Draco Lucius Malfoy," Hermione winced at the reminder of their other little problem. "Let in the Dark Wizard, his magic seeped into the ley lines. We've tried to restore it to its true nature but are unable without the help of a very powerful wizard," he paused. "Or witch."
She furrowed her brow. "Malfoy is powerful, despite his arrogance, he should be able to help restore the power. Why call me just to be a go between the two of you?"
Cyfrin nodded toward his companion. "Miss Granger, this is the leader of the Unseelie tribe on this land." His voice dropped as his language changed to speak with this other creature whose eyes sucked in all the light. "His name is Dewin. I will have him explain why your assistance is needed."
"Good evening, Dewin," she murmured as she lowered her hand into his and bowed her head deep, chin almost touching her chest.
"Miss Granger," her nerve endings all stood to attention as his deep gravelly voice spoke out in the darkness. "Thank you for coming." His eyes, dark and deadly, turned to stare at Cyfrin. "My friend here tells me you are a powerful witch, is this true?" She nodded gently, not not to hint at any emotion she was feeling. "Good, we are going to need it."
"Excuse me, but what for? Most magic is needed from the Fae and their counterpart, which unfortunately means Mr. Malfoy." She offered a half smile, her eyes twinkling with mirth in the moonlight.
Dewin's dark eyes trailed over to the Wizard standing a few feet away. For a few tense seconds, they stared at one another until Malfoy dropped his gaze, a silent snarl on his upper lip though. "He may be the Lord of this land but his familial magic has weakened after that dark wizard tainted his home. His magic is tainted." He brought his gaze to her whiskey colored eyes. An intensity in his stare caused her to tense. "Cyfrin has told me about your magic. First of your blood. Untainted by dark magic. Powerful. We need your magic to create a firm connection to the earth."
Hermione glanced over her shoulder to look at Malfoy, questions lurking in her eyes but he could not meet her gaze because his own stare was solely on the lead Fae male, Dewin. His jaw tense as he gritted his teeth together. His eyes were narrowed and locked on Dewin, murderous intent spoke plainly through his silver eyes. Hermione's eyes trailed down to Malfoy's fingers and again, she took note that the spark was absent on his where she could feel the magic crackling against her finger tips. Heart in her throat, she brought her hand to her heart and choked out the words next. "I will do whatever is necessary to protect this ancient land and your clan. If it is within my power I will do it."
Magic swirled around them, rising from the very earth they stood on and a swooping feeling in her gut caused her to misstep as she tried to catch herself. The air around them felt thick, heavy as the states of two Fae males stared at her. Smug smiles cut across their faces making them more daunting than ever.
"Miss Granger, we are so pleased to have found you." Cyfrin stepped closer, making the thick air feel suffocating but when his hand touched her chin to have her eyes meet his own, she felt his magic twist over her body like a soft blanket wrapping her in a safety net. "I'll need you and Draco Lucius Malfoy to come with me to the center of the clearing." He started forward but paused when he felt her cold hand brush against his forearm. Turning, he glanced at the hand and then looked into her worried face.
"I ask only one request if I am to help with this task," she murmured under her breath.
"Name it."
"I want his name back."
Cyfrin stood to his full height and rounded on her. He crossed his arms, making his skin shine in the pale moonlight and reveal shimmering tattoos that traveled across his skin, and stared down his nose at her. "It was freely given."
"He did not understand the ways of the Fae. I request his name," she turned to look at the man in question who was still several feet away. "Or I will not help you."
Cyfrin turned to Dewin, a silent communication passed between them before he turned back around. A smirk smeared his features as he chuckled. Turning back to his destination, he boomed. "You shall have his name, Miss Granger."
A sense of the unknown trickled into her brain. Glancing behind her she saw Malfoy following her with Dewin at his side. Their voices protected, not carrying across the clearing, looks of rage and fury in both their expressions.
"Merlin, what have I gotten myself into?" She murmured under her breath as she followed behind the burly Fae male.
Hermione stood inside a stone circle in the center of the clearing. Runes of old etched into the stone, some she recognized and others she remembered seeing but was unable to recall their meaning. A desperate need to get a hold of a book for research purposes had her fingers twitching beneath her sleeve. The air had chilled in the night but she refused to rely on her magic in front of the Fae. They deemed humans unworthy of the magic, lazy with it too, so her sheer stubborn will would have to keep her warm.
Draco stood in front of her. His hands at his side with a look of sheer terror in his eyes despite the stoic expression upon his face. "Granger -"
Cyfrin stood closer, his voice interrupted as he boomed into the sky, a language unknown to the modern world slipping from his tongue. Hermione could make out a few key words, but nothing made sense. The magic of the earth started to light up each time carving and the ground all around them. Her eyes flickered around, sheer joy written across her face as she watched the forest light up from the ley lines that lay beneath the surface.
Cyfrin stopped half way, pointing to her arm. She lifted her arm but hesitated when she realized her scars were there. Before she could switch, Cyfrin grasped her arm and pulled out an ancient t blade. It's magic pulsating from within the dark metal. Swiftly, he pushed her sleeve up before dragging the blade across her skin, just below the previous scar of "mudblood".
After her, Cyfrin did the same to Malfoy, on the arm where his Dark Mark was revealed - except, he cut right through the grotesque tattoo. From both of their arms, the blood dripped down into the earth, disappearing without a trace.
Cyfrin's voice picked up once more as he brought their hands together.
"Together, their blood will heal." A tug raced through her body to her mark that rested against Malfoy's own. A heat radiated between them which caused them to shiver.
"It is done," Cyfrin announced, stepping back from the pair, he bowed his head. Without another word, the two Fae males started back toward the forest. Hermione's gaze watched until they disappeared, a sense of unease swarming in her gut.
"Are you happy now?" Venom shot from behind her. His voice filled with harsh accusations.
"Excuse me?" She spun around, her eyes glaring viciously at the Lord of the Manor, but the boy from her past with his prejudiced mannerisms was the one she saw standing before her. "I just helped you protect your ancestral home and all the magic that comes with this land. Not to mention your agreement with the Unseelie Fae living under the forest. I think a thank you would be better than lashing out at me!"
Draco scoffed. "By tying me to you? I don't think so!"
Hermione lifted her wand as he stomped toward her, but when he grabbed her arm and revealed the healed scar across her forearm just a hair's width wide below her precious scar, he cut through to her. "The Fae tied your blood to mine. If you die, this land will wither. If I die, you will wither."
Fear clutched at her spine as she heard the words he spoke. "They have bonded us for eternity with blood magic, Granger." His smile was cruel, rage ticking at the edge of his mouth as he met her scared eyes "You are now stuck with me for the rest of your life." He scoffed. "You claim to be so smart and yet you truly didn't know what was happening? Ha."
"We can have them undo it," she whispered as she started reaching for any semblance of hope. Her mind reeling through all the textbooks she had read over her lifetime in relation to blood magic or about the Fae and their ways. She twisted around, following the path they came in on. Her fingers slipped into the pockets of her jacket as she fiddled with her fingers. A sense of control she could use to keep herself from slipping into a void.
"No, Granger. You can't undo blood magic!" His voice snapped from behind her causing her to pick up her pace.
"Then kill me and get it over with. You will be free," she hollered over her shoulder but just as she faced forward again, she was yanked back to face his fury. Frozen in the middle of the walkway before the looming trees, she stared up into glacial eyes. Her arms locked in his grasp., She whimpered as he shook her.
"Did you not hear what I said? You die, this land withers! My home is taken away from me and it will no longer be protected."
"Merlin," she gasped, the reality crashing all around her. Cyfrin's words came barreling to the forefront of her mind causing her to raise a shaking hand to her trembling lips. Slowly, she backed away from his fingers and stared in horror at him. "That's what he meant when he said I'd have your name. Salazar's beard, I'm a bloody Malfoy."
"You are stuck for all eternity tied to the one family that hates you."
"Don't you mean you are stuck with the one mudblood who is more powerful, more intelligent than you ?"
Malfoy's stare was harsh, unrelenting as his eyes bore into her. "Don't say that word."
" Mudblood? " She shoved her hands into her pockets. Tilting her head back, she smiled - the humor gone from her lips. "Why ever not, Malfoy?"
"Just - don't."
"You used -" Shock struck her as he hauled her to him.
Her feet lifted from the air and she came crashing into his chest. His lips pressing forcefully against her mouth cutting her off - his desperation to shut her up forcing his hand. She gasped, allowing his tongue entrance and the kiss turned into something more. Heat began to build in her chest and being startled by the feelings racing around her rib cage, she shoved away from his chest and stared at him. Both of them were breathing so heavily, the puffs of their breaths caused little clouds to form in the air.
"Granger, I -" She shook her head furiously, trying to stop whatever was about to come out of his mouth. It shook and shook as she slowly backed up. Her vision was blurred from the force of her movements.
What had she just done ?
She turned and raced away from him, his voice following after her but the more she ran, the less she could hear it behind her. Her feet carried her as fast as they possibly could. The darkness in the woods allowed her to move freely, the sickness in the land lessening. Wind chased alongside her, filling her lungs with the cold. Her eyes were wide open, filling with water as the air bit into the corners.
She ran as if her life depended on it.