The end is the beginning.
Yet it has no end.
The end has become a friend.
A friend that even death can't stop.
It felt as though a train just slammed through her, trampling her still alive body over and over and over. To her, it felt like the train would never stop, especially as the train wouldn't leave her eyes. Its blue color staring into hers unfailingly, never leaving hers, hardly blinking, his arm wouldn't even leave her side. She wanted to scream, she wanted to hurt Draco Malfoy, she wanted to hurt Bellatrix Lestrange. It felt as though glass was shattering around her like her mind had finally broken and now there was no way to fix it. Her mouth fell open, a sob wanting to escape from her throat and she waited, waited for the horrifying noise that she felt would never leave her to come out. It didn't.
Her eyes finally focused back on the man, his eyes still trained on her as if it was his life's mission. So intense, so useless. Realization began to dawn on her as she realized he wouldn't even let her grieve, to cry out in pain. Was he even human? Did he even have feelings of remorse? Of sadness?
"You'll come to find that a Malfoy does not have time for such emotion," he claimed and yanked her forward with him. "As a future Malfoy, I trust that you will gather your wits and finally use that pathetic brain of yours."
She felt hopeless and there was no gaining her fighting spirit back. Draco Malfoy had no empathy, no sympathy, he captured her and planned to force her into the same depressive state it was to be a Malfoy. Her thoughts briefly wandered to her mother and her insanity as they neared a few fireplaces that had been lined against a wall. She noticed his fists tighten as the knuckles began to go white, she had struck a nerve in him where he claimed there was none.
"Mother is not well," he claimed as if explaining himself. "I don't want to ever see her face in your mind again, understand me?"
His voice sounded calm, but she knew not to test him. At least, she wouldn't test him quite yet, the sore spot with his mother could prove to be a later advantage to her but she wouldn't let herself think about it as much as she wanted. No, that would be for a later time, a time of planning.
Malfoy dragged her along behind him as they entered the fireplace, he threw floo powder down and murmured a location she hadn't heard of before. The two reappeared in a large black hallway with a dozen more people around them as well, several dressed somewhat like Malfoy but none as regal and defined. She noticed the amount of authority he held around Death Eaters, she also noted the amount of fear they showed in his presence. Yet no amount of authority would change the way they looked at her. No makeover, no status, no person could change the disgust they held behind their eyes, the contempt for her kind.
"Keep your head up, ignore the stares. You are a Malfoy fiance, act like it." Malfoy murmured, forcing her to straighten her posture. He knelt towards her ear, "And if you even think of a suicide mission, I will personally go to what is left of the Order and kill off what is left of them."
Hermione's eyes widened at the fact, others were alive. Was Ginny alive? Harry? George? Molly? Did they make it through the devastation? Would she be able to see them again? Would they even want to see her again after this?
He gently placed his hand on her lower back, nudging her forward as they made their way through the crowd of people. Some would stop them, make light conversation, but Malfoy never let them get more than a minute or two before making his way towards the ceremony hall. The area was avidly becoming more and more alive, a sea of black celebrating in the bright ballroom, redecorated to fit the occasion. Banner's were lined with Voldemort and Malfoy, they showed the pair in almost identical suits. Voldemorts hand was placed on Malfoy's shoulders, a tight smile decorating his lips as he inclined his head towards the man in admiration, prideful admiration. It was the look a father would bestow a child who made him proud, a flicker in his eye as his protege fulfilled his purpose. Malfoy, on the other hand, held a stern look, no emotion showed on his face. There was no hint of pride, no sense of haughtiness she would have expected, this entire celebration was one for the Viceroy Supreme, a celebration to announce his victory and his engagement. It was odd to her, Draco Malfoy the most prideful and arrogant boy she ever knew was not even basking in his achievements, he would not even let others compliment him or hold a long conversation whatsoever. What was it that changed him?
A bright light felt as though it blinded her, pain beginning to set and radiate around her head. She slammed into Malfoy as the searing pain began to take move, stopping and feeling as if someone was stomping into the matter that made up her brain. She couldn't move, her eyes lazily remained open as she disassociated with the outside world, a new one quickly taking place as if a film. Memories of her interactions with the Order, with Malfoy, and with Astoria flashed like a reel. She finally felt the release once an image of the hospital room appeared, her body nearly falling to the ground as hands gripped her waist and gently led her to her feet. Her eyes finally flickering back to life as she registered the blonde in front of her, his eyes set ahead with determination.
"Viceroy Supreme," A voice hissed in the direction he stared. Rattling Hermione as she found the reason for her pain, his eyes meeting hers with amusement before she quickly averted her gaze. "Mudblood."
"My Lord," Malfoy quickly followed, greeting him with a slight bow of his head before advancing with her quickly behind. "I am honored for such a dedicated evening," the man next to her murmured as if he cared.
"I trust the girl knows to behave, she is quite adamant on ruining the fortunes of this night and this opportunity."
"You already know of the preparations and plans I have in place my Lord, the ill bread mistake will be shut down faster than the chance she thinks it."
A sickening smile graced Voldemort's lips, "Young Draco, if only all of my Army were as determined and motivated as you, your gift is an honor we are not deserved of."
Hermione was ready to throw up over the pathetic romance the two were having, compliments among compliments. If the Order knew that all it took to blindside a death eater was a lousy compliment they would have won before it even began.
She scanned the sea of faces, some of which she knew from school and others whom she never knew were part of his army. One thing she knew for certain was that the Order was most certainly in over their heads. Voldemort's numbers far exceeded what they originally anticipated and were growing.
"Miss Granger," a voice startled her.
She turned to find Severus dressed in fine robes beside her, his eyes flicking past her as he greeted Voldemort with a warm welcome. A wave of relief filled her as she took in the man, he was alive, she could be certain that one of her allies was alive.
"Hmm, look at her. Her eyes glazed over in joy! Little Mudblood, one of my longest devoted, most successful men, a man given honors far above what your pathetic Order offered. Do you honestly still believe that he was on your side?" Voldemort leaned down with a large grin, practically whispering in her ear. His hands rested on her shoulders as he brought her into an awkward hug. "There is nowhere to hide, no one is coming for you." Laughter rang out from him as he finally let her go, patting her gently on the back as he wrapped an arm around both her and Malfoy.
Her ears rang as she tried to catch Severus's eye, but he wouldn't even spare a glance towards her. Instead, he stared out into the sea of black that began to stand at attention. Voldemort's voice began to echo, a young wizard stood at his feet shakily holding up a wand to amplify the Dark Lords' voice. Tears streamed down his face and it was clear that the boy, who was no older than 12, was tortured, used as an example. His features resembled that of Harry's and Hermione wondered if that were not the case if he would find himself in a better position.
"Brothers and sisters, this is a day of triumph! A day of honor! A day of celebration! Today is the day that Draco Malfoy, my Viceroy Supreme, killed off what was left of the Order!"
A roar exploded throughout the room, cry's of joy and whistles coming from every direction. Hermione looked down the row of death eaters beside her, all looking validated and standing taller.
"This day is not only in honor of Viceroy Supreme, but his Supremeess as well." Voldemort began, pulling her closer towards him, his lips curling into a smile as he felt her lightly trembling. "Hermione Granger, soon to be Hermione Malfoy, once a follower of the Order, played a crucial part in our Victory. Betraying her own to join the right side of history!"
Her eyes felt as if tears were supposed to fall, her face felt like it should be drenched in salty lines, but nothing came. She wanted to scream, but they wouldn't even let her talk, a silencing charm placed on her before she even stepped in the room. Death would be better than this, than having her name used and abused, the eventual news of her supposed betrayal of the Order. Even worse, if she did ever manage to escape, to find her friends and the Order, would they even believe her when she would tell them she was nothing but a prisoner?
A great feast was held after the announcements and speeches. Death Eater after Death Eater personally came to thank Malfoy for his services and achievements. All gushing over what an honor it was to see him in person and be able to meet the General who has and will lead them into countless victories. All pouring out praises only to be met with a stoic face staring back at them, saying nothing and only giving tight nods at most. Only a few were so lucky to receive a tight-lipped smile from the Viceroy Supreme.
The layout was much like Hogwarts was; a table laid out for teachers, or in this case the heads, and then the following tables amongst the room all aligned to give advantage points for the headmaster, or Voldemort, to speak and then feast along with the others on stage. She, unfortunately, found herself amongst what would have been those on stage. Voldemort sat squarely in the middle, gazing out towards his army, while to his right sat Malfoy, herself, then Severus. On the left of Voldemort held Narcissa, which she gathered was only due to the special occasion of her son, then Bellatrix. An empty seat remained beside Bellatrix in honor of the late Lucious Malfoy.
The air was filled with chatter and obnoxious shouts, men and women alike displayed unsavory behavior as plenty acted as though they were in nothing more than a poorly kept late-night bar. She dared to peek glances at those around her, to see what they thought of their army, of the very individuals who were supposed to make up their New World. Yet, no one grimaced, no one looked disgusted, they simply gazed out towards the masses, towards their subjects. A smirk or two would escape from Voldemort's lips, and more than grins would escape from Bellatrix and Narcissa. Malfoy appeared more than bored as he picked at his food and Severus refused to even acknowledge anyone or anything.
Where they wrong about him? Did they put so much faith in someone who only proved one good act? Had they participated in children's ideology of the world in believing someone could become good?
Hermione poked at her food and did her best to try and not think about her once so-called friend. Yet, her heart was not as strong as her mind and she was evidently mourning the loss of friends in death and life.
"Miss Granger," A low drawl came from beside her.
Hermione refused to look up to acknowledge the man who had so clearly betrayed her in every sense of the word.
"If I may be so impudent to suggest you learn to keep that obnoxiously noisy mind of yours in check." He murmured almost as if he was bored. "You would believe that the supposed 'Brightest Witch of Her Age' would have already known to order her mind, yet you never fail to be a disappointment."
The words stung her as her head shot up towards him, words still ceasing to spill out of her mouth. Instead, she stared in horror at the man she thought of a friend, as a possible father figure in her life. Out of all people, Severus was the one person who remained by her side through it all, yet that too was nothing but a lie.
"Do use that pathetic brain of yours in the future, it will become ever tiring to peer in and find relentless screaming. I trust you will realize your position in the future and become a help rather than a hindrance."