Chapter Twenty – Four: Hermione

Hermione walked with Draco to the front of the room, all the while considering the collar.

The collar seems to affect the people around Draco, more than Draco himself …

Does it draw out the most dominant personality of the people around Draco?

Does it draw out their weakest personality?

Or … does it affect the people around the collar, to be the opposite of Draco's strongest personality?

Hermione found Harry patiently waiting at the foot of the bed – fingers interlaced behind his head with his elbows back and feet set apart. She had been impressed with how well he'd held the humble submissive position. He looked as though he was in deep meditation.

Especially considering he hasn't been a submissive since …

Actually, I don't think I've known him to be anyone's sub before.

Is this his natural personality? Has he hidden it from everyone all this time?

Or is the collar affecting him?

'Hermione.' Ron stated, interrupted her thoughts, his eyes on Draco suspiciously. 'What's going on?'

'Ron, Lucas, Olivia, thank you for coming.' Hermione started, her mind moving at a million miles an hour trying to figure out how she was going to even begin to explain what was going on.

'Lucas, Olivia, may I introduce you to, Draco Malfoy. He went to school with Ron, Harry and I. Draco is the sub I liberated last night.' Hermione said. Olivia and Lucas smiled at Draco warmly, who returned their smiles nervously.

'Draco's Dom had him collared with a very … unique collar.' Hermione started, her eyes catching Draco's. He nodded to her encouragingly – giving her the OK – as he pulled at his collar so the others could see it.

'My collar is imbued with Dark magic. I thought I knew its effects, having worn it as long as I have, but Hermione has convinced me otherwise.' Draco said, gesturing to Hermione.

'Draco thought it only affected his Dom, but we've found out that it has affected me and Harry, too. We were hoping that you three would help us to learn more of its secrets.' Hermione said. 'But don't feel as though you have to!' she quickly added.

'What would we be doing, exactly?' Lucas asked Hermione, sounding slightly nervous.

'All you need to do is stand next to Draco, and honestly tell me what you're feeling.'

'That's it?' Ron scoffed. Hermione sent him a glare which silenced him, but he still had an expression of dissatisfaction.

'Ronald, come here.' Hermione said, making sure to harden her voice slightly. Ron sighed but did as she asked.

'Stand next to Draco, please, Ron.' Hermione said, her gaze strong. Ron bowed his head in a nod and did as she asked.

Ron and Draco eyed each other off but didn't say a word – they just faced each other. They stood like that for a solid three or four minutes, barely moving. Hermione watched Ron closely, looking for any sign of movement.

Gradually, Ron's back stiffened, and his hands curled into fists. Hermione wasn't sure if it was because the collar was affecting him or if he was frustrated at having to stand by Draco for as long as he was.

'Ron?' she asked. Slowly, Ron turned to face her. He had an expression on his face she knew all too well. He walked over to her and hugged her, cradling her head and whispering in her ear.

'I want you to take me away, tell me what to do while I fuck you.' He growled, quietly enough so only she could hear him.

Hermione felt herself grow wet, but she took a deep breath, fighting the urge to drag him to their little apartment downstairs.

'Kneel next to me, Ronald. And wait.' She managed to gasp out. Ron did as she asked, getting a raised eyebrow from Draco, which Hermione ignored.

'Lucas … Olivia?' Hermione asked. The pair made their way forward and both stood in front of Draco.

'Hello, Draco.' Olivia greeted Draco cheerfully with a genuine, easy smile.

'Hello, Olivia. Lucas.' Draco nodded to them one at a time. Hermione didn't miss his eyes flicking to check on Harry.

It look less time for the collar to affect Lucas and Olivia together than it did Ron. Only a few seconds passed when Lucas gasped and knelt on the floor in front of Draco. A moment later Olivia did the same.

Hermione frowned and walked the short space to stand next to Draco.

'How do you feel?' Hermione asked the pair kneeling on the ground.

'I am yours to do with as you wish.' Lucas said, gazing up at Draco beseechingly.

'Do to me whatever pleases you, Sir.' Olivia agreed, her eyes wide and honest.

Hermione frowned. She'd invited Lucas and Olivia because they were both known to switch, but to fall submissive so quickly?

Being switches, I really thought it would take the collar longer to settle on their stronger personality.

and I didn't expect them to both turn submissive.

Hermione looked at Draco, who was looking thoughtful.

'What is it, Draco?' she asked. Draco met her gaze.

'How are you feeling, Hermione?' he asked quietly. Hermione took a moment to assess herself, closing her eyes and breathing deeply.

'Oh, Merlin!' she murmured to herself.

Why am I feeling submissive, too?

I've never been naturally submissive.

Hermione's eyes flashed open to meet Draco's.

'Submissive?' Draco asked. Hermione could only nod in shock and mild confusion. But Draco nodded thoughtfully, almost sagely.

'You said that Horcruxes are cursed and will try to protect themselves, so they don't get destroyed? I think this one reverses my own personality. So those trying to take it are always distracted with what I can do to them… or for them.' Draco said. Hermione mulled it over, running her hands over her face.

'So, when you're submissive, it made us dominant. Now that you're yourself again, we're all submissive.' Hermione summarised, trying to not be impressed with the complex magic and figure out if she could turn that into a charm for the club.

'I am naturally submissive, remember.' Draco reminded her. Hermione frowned.

'So why…'

'Because right now, I'm feeling Dominant over Harry. My guess is the magic goes based on what I'm feeling in the moment, not what my natural … position is.' Draco said, his eyes fixed on Harry's slightly shaking body while Hermione considered the new information.

The collar is emotionally attached to Draco, and forces everyone around him to feel the opposite, even if it isn't their natural position.

Merlin, that's some powerful magic.

Hermione's gaze drifted to the collar. Draco was turning his body towards Harry, and for the first time, Hermione got to look at the back of Draco's neck.

'Draco, can I try something?' Hermione asked abruptly. Draco looked a little shocked but nodded and stood still for her.

'When the collar affects me, don't let me stop what I'm doing, OK?' Hermione said. Draco nodded again and Hermione reached for the collar. As soon as her fingertips touched the metal, a feeling of complete and utter submission overwhelmed her like a fog, freezing her in place.

Kneel. Become his.

Get. On. Your. Knees.

Follow his orders.

'Don't you dare stop what you're doing.' Draco's order cut through the fog, clearing her mind and allowing her to focus.

Hermione cleared her throat and gripped the collar in both hands. She slid the fake plastic tube along the collars band, revealing the small, simple clip.

Carefully, she unclipped the collar and watched as it fell to the ground.