M&E6

Mercury And Emerald-Part Six


By Dreamer


We had finally reached my home. Harry was wearing an Invisibility cloak. I had pretty surprised when he told me that he had one since they were really expensive but when he explained that he had inherited it, it made more sense. I had warned Harry to walk behind me and to step only where I stepped. Having an Invisibility cloak isn't much use if you track dirt all over the place. I borrowed Harry's Firebolt and tucking it under my arm, rang the doorbell.

Smithers, a lanky ghoulish servant of ours opened it. At first he looked right over my head but as soon as he saw me, his eyes widened and he bowed so low that his hair swept the ground.

Master Draco! I am so sorry. We were not expecting you. Shall I take your bags sir? he inquired deferentially. At the same, his eyes raked the driveway to make sure that I was alone.

No thanks, I just have this small tote bag, I can take it. The look on his face! This was the first time that I had refused to let someone else do my work for me. No wonder he looked so, well shocked is the only word I can use to describe it. He recovered quickly and bowed again.

Very good. Your father is otherwise occupied at the moment but if you would like to go to your room his voice trailed off, waiting for me to finish the sentence. I nodded. He opened the door for me to enter, so I waited a second for Harry to go in front of me and then entered my family mansion.

The inside was decorated in a striking pattern of black and white lightning-like swirls. The chandeliers were made of crystallized tears and the rug was imported from Arabia, which is why you could go flying on it. I took a step forward and bumped into Harry. He was just standing there, not moving although I couldn't be sure since I couldn't SEE HIM! What was that idiot doing? Probably awed at the surroundings, I thought dryly.

Move it! I whispered furiously. I felt a breeze and then I waved my hand in front of me to make sure that Harry was gone. He was. Luckily Smithers hadn't turned around. He was still walking towards my room. I hurried to catch up to him.

He went up the marble stairs and finally he paused in front of my room.

Your room, Master Draco. If you would like the house-elves to feed you, just ring the black cord. Your old silver one had to be replaced after the Alicorn incident. He bowed again and left.

I opened my room door and motioned for Harry to go first. My room was almost completely silver. The walls were a glimmering silver, the curtains were the pale glittering shade of dusk that I loved and the silvery white satin sheets on my bed were shimmering with silver flecks. Even the mirror on my wall was framed in silver. The only contrast in the room was my desk, chairs and bookshelf. They were pure black and made of ebony. Harry's head appeared out of thin air and then the rest of him soon appeared.

Nice room Malfoy. What'd you do, let the Man in the Moon decorate it? he sniped irritably, looking around wonderingly. I was offended. I liked my room and it had me ages to convince my parents that silver and black were an acceptable combo.

I bet that it's better than any room you ever were in with your Muggle family. What did you live in there, an eggshell? Besides, I happen to like silver. I retorted. I walked over to the silver door on the left wall.

This is my bathroom. The round pool is for bathing and the square one for swimming. Soap is in those little scoops in the side of the bath-tub. You might want to freshen up a bit. I suggested tactfully, eyeing him with distaste. His clothes were all crumpled and he looked like he'd been travelling for weeks, not a few days.

Good idea. Hang on, I'll get my spare robes out of my bag. While he was rummaging through his bag, I walked over to my walk-in cupboard since I also wanted to change before my father saw me.

****************

I had been intrigued when I saw Draco's bedroom. I had been expecting black leather, dragon-hide, and Dark Arts artifices or maybe something like a cell. A prison cell preferably. This looked more like an expensive hotel room. Amazing, it looked as if Draco wasn't totally corrupt after all. I found my spare set of robes and turned around to tell Draco only to find him standing in front of a closet that took up an entire side of the wall. My jaw dropped. I could accept the obviously expensive hallway, the marble stairs, the moonbeam decorated room, but there was something wrong in a world where he has enough clothes to fill Ron's room and still have plenty to wear. How come the Malfoys, supporters of Voldemort have so much and the Weasly's, the kindest people I know have so little? Although I'm in love with Draco and not with Ron so it wouldn't really bother me if Ron wasn't my friend, my best friend.

I took a closer look at the clothes. Most of them were robes, in all different colors. A lot of them were black with little flecks of color shimmering shyly in them, like Draco's bed-sheets. There were at least ten that were merely different shades of silver and gray and many more. He also had some clothes like the ones he had conjured up though. The shirts were all made of silk or satin and the trousers of silk, satin or what looked a bit like leather? Even his robes were all made of silk or satin. It would probably look really good on him, all clingy and hinting without revealing but still.......

Good Lord, Malfoy! I snapped, finally finding my voice. Don't you ever wear anything normal like cotton or linen? Everything you own is silk, satin, leather or a combination of the three!

He opened his mouth to retort but then froze, a look of pure fear on his face. He shoved me into the closet roughly and then locked it. I was about scream at him when I heard foot-steps. Must be his father, I thought. I peeked through the slats to see him enter Draco's room and lock the door behind him.

Ah there you are Draco. Did you have any trouble leaving Hogwarts? He drawled in a supercilious voice. He looks a lot like Draco except a bit more mature. They have the same confident way of moving and talking though. I still prefer Draco. His father practically radiates evil.

No sir. Draco replied quickly. His voiced sounded strained all of a sudden, as if he was biting each word in half.

Indeed. Our plans have been changed. Drastically. He emphasized the last word.

Draco said questioningly.

Hermione, the Mudblood' that you delivered to us isn't who we thought she was. Draco's father stopped and then looked around carefully

She is the daughter of Lord Voldemort! I felt the blood rush to my head. I had this absurd urge to burst into laughter. Hermione, Voldemorts' daughter? Ridiculous! Hermione is just too sweet and kind and gentle for that. Lucius has to be lying but why would he lie to his own son? Maybe it's true but I still don't believe it! Draco didn't believe it either.

What? Surely there must be some mistake sir! She can't be HIS daughter, she can't!

THWAK!

Lucius Malfoy backhanded Draco across his face. Draco staggered for a second and then regained his balance. There was an open gash on his cheekbone and the blood was pouring down cleanly. I watched horrified. How could he? Draco is his own son, his own flesh and blood. How could he just strike Draco like that? Why is Draco bleeding, a simple slap shouldn't draw blood? Oh God, Draco. I wanted to step out of the closet and wipe the blood away from his beautiful face but all I could do was stare at Lucius, summing all my hatred all my hatred into my glare. He seemed to feel it because he rubbed his arm as if he felt my glare.

Fool! I never make mistakes! Do not question me! he thundered. Draco bowed his head and looked down at the ground, the blood falling onto the lustrous silver fur carpet.

I apologize sir. I didn't mean to question your judgement. His voice was hollow and it sounded as the words were being said from far away. Apparently his father didn't notice though as he seemed satisfied.

Good. Voldemort had Hermione with a witch by the name of Vanessa De Vere who was killed by Aurors. He placed their child in a Muggle orphanage so that he would be able to reclaim her when he ruled the world. Unfortunately, she was adopted shortly after he lost his powers. Now that he has risen again, he will train his child to follow in his foot-steps so that she will rule after him. She already shows signs of great skill and wisdom. Lucius explained, his voice clipped and strained. He took a deep breath and then continued. Hermione isn't her real name either. Her real name is Maledicta. It is pronounced Mah-led-ICK-tah. It is a Latin name. The English translation is Curse' because she will be a curse upon the world, one of the most powerful Dark rulers ever.

As powerful as Lord Voldemort or Salazar Slytherin?' Draco asked nervously. I couldn't believe this. Hermione was related to Voldemort, she would rule the world and Hermione wasn't even her name! This has to be some really complex plot, it just has to be! Some extremely weird plan to kill me!

Certainly. Her power will be of a different kind though as she is female. It will be more subtle, deceptively delicate. The opposite of the Illusions that you are so fond of. There was a mocking undertone to his voice as he said the last sentence. Draco flushed and stood up straighter.

Yes sir. I will not underestimate her. He promised.

See that you don't. Now, the real question is; how close have the two of you gotten? He asked suddenly.

Draco sounded as confused as I was.

How close have you gotten to her? Did you tell her that you don't care for her or does she still believe that you care for her? Lucius elucidated. As soon as I realized that she was Lord Voldemorts' daughter, I told him that we had brought her here as a surprise. I didn't tell him that she was supposed to be a sacrifice. Does she know that you betrayed her because she seemed to believe that we had brought her here by force because we had known that she was his daughter?

No sir. I didn't tell her the truth. She probably believed your version of events. Draco replied carefully.

Good. Maledicta will either inherit the world from Lord Voldemort or seize it herself and when she does, she will need someone to rule with her.

Draco either was very good at acting dense, or he truly didn't understand what his father was insinuating, I thought wryly to myself. Lucius sighed.

Listen carefully boy. He instructed Draco. I am already indispensable to Lord Voldemort. If you can become as close to Maledicta then she will rely on you to help her when she rules the world. In fact, if you get close enough to her, then she might marry you, linking our bloodline to that of Salazar Slytherins. Lucius started pacing up and down the room.

Draco sounded pretty alarmed and no wonder. His father was deciding his whole future for him already. Besides, I didn't want Draco to marry Hermione/Maledicta and rule the world. How good a world leader can Draco be? He is unreliable, sarcastic, loves fighting, especially with me and..... and...... he just can't rule the world, it wouldn't be right! Besides, Draco's MINE! Not Hermione's or Maledicta's! Draco is MINE!

You heard me. Tonight, the Death Eaters will gather at our house for a soiree during which he will introduce his daughter. I have also invited the most important of our allies. It is vital that you make a good impression. Do you understand me? Lucius snarled, turning abruptly to look at Draco. Draco nodded.

Yes sir. He snapped sharply. He hadn't even made a single move to clean up his cheek.

Wear your black dress tunic/robes with the silver dragon embroidery. No hat. The soiree starts at 8 o'clock. Be there on time. Lucius commanded.

One question sir. Draco called after his father who had already started to walk to the door. He turned, an exasperated look on his face.

What IS it? he snapped irritably.

At Hogwarts, Hermione- sorry Maledicta seemed like such a teachers pet. You know, the perfect prefect. How did you convince her that she would be better suited with us? Draco asked. Lucius smiled scornfully.

Quite easy. At first she did seem to struggle with the idea of being his daughter but after we performed the InnerSoul curse upon her, she was quite willing to join us. You might say that she was begging to join us. There was a hint of smug laughter in his voice.

Sir, I don't recall being told about this InnerSoul curse. What is its function? Draco asked respectfully.

It brings out a persons inner darkness. People are essentially evil, but they spend their whole lives trying to repress their dark sides. We merely control it and let it out only when we want to. Once you invoke the InnerSoul curse, you turn the victim inside out. Everything that they kept hidden will be exposed, including any dark power. The InnerSoul curse also hides whatever they were like on the outside. Basically, the InnerSoul curse reverses the victim; the inside becomes the out side, and the outside becomes the inside. With that, Lucius walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Draco just stood there in the middle of the room. He didn't try to bind up his wound or anything, he just stood there, looking stunned. I could understand his surprise, I didn't believe it either but I wanted out of this closet right now. How can I seduce Draco if I'm stuck in a closet?

Hey Malfoy. I called out softly and when that didn't get any reaction I screamed.
He snapped out of his trance and looked around. As soon as he realized that I was still in the closet, he hurried over and freed me. I stepped out, shaking my head.

Shouldn't you bind up your cheek? It's bleeding pretty badly. Malfoy? Malfoy? MALFOY ARE YOU LISTENING? I protested. He continued to stare out at space.

MALFOY, ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME, YOU GIT! I roared into his ear. He blinked.

What? Of course I'm listening you said something about he finished weakly, looking dazed. I sighed, exasperated. Obviously Malfoy wouldn't be much use. I gently reached out to him and wiped away the blood that was running down his cheek. His skin was so soft, it felt like a mild spring breeze. He turned his head and stared at me, his silver eyes wide with shock and something more than shock, something I couldn't read.

****************

InnerSoul curse. Damn it! My fathers words kept vibrating through my mind, over and over again. Basically, the InnerSoul curse reverses the victim; the inside becomes the out side, and the outside becomes the inside.' What would happen if he tried that on me? I act evil, am nice but have a core of Dark Magic? What am I? Where do my loyalties lie? I came to rescue Hermione but she doesn't need to be rescued. What do I do now? Do I join her, like I was trained to? Or do I try to reverse the curse which is probably impossible anyway?

MALFOY ARE YOU LISTENING, YOU GIT? Harry shrieked. I answered him, my mind still whirling with possibilities. I was thinking really hard but then Harry suddenly *touched* my cheek. I instinctively winced and then looked at him, amazed at the tender, unthinking gesture. He wiped the blood away, the red liquid clinging to his fingers and looked at me with alarm in his eyes. I smiled in what was supposed to be a reassuring manner and pulled my wand out. Seeing it, he relaxed and began talking again.

I dragged the end of my wand through my wound and pulled it out. I watched the blood drip onto the floor and disappear as I waited for the blood to congeal. When it had congealed, I dragged it through my wound again, but this time I started at the opposite edge. I then placed my wand in the exact middle of my wound and held my breath for exactly ten seconds. By the time I released my breath, the wound had disappeared. It was a spell that I had discovered by accident when I was very little.

I had never been able to find it in any of my magic books, Dark or normal and for a while I had thought that I had invented a new spell until I decided that it was such a simple spell, that it didn't need to be written down anywhere. It worked fairly well, the only drawback was that it didn't work on areas of my body that I couldn't reach, like my back for example. Luckily I was very flexible, to the point of being able to cross my legs behind my head.

I examined my hands carefully. The fingers were long and slender. The nails were an even marble hue, tapering to a point at an end. My mothers nails were normal but my fathers were as pointy as my own, that's why a simple slap from him could draw blood.

What do we now? I asked, cutting him off in the middle of a tirade about how my father was a totally murderous evil person and how we had to save Hermione. He gave me an incredulous look.

What are you, crazy? We try to rescue her of course! We'll undo that curse and bring her back to Hogwarts. We can't just leave her here! He shouted. Strangely enough, knowing that she was in danger seemed to have given him extra energy while I felt as if all the energy had been drained from me. I was just so very confused, I couldn't think straight.

Potter wait. We'll go to the soiree and find Hermione. Then we have to undo the curse somehow I guess. It's 5 o'clock now. It starts in 3 hours. You take a wash first and I'll look through my spell books to see if I can find any info about this InnerSoul curse, okay? he nodded and headed off to the bathroom.

I flopped onto my bed. I wish that I could say that I was shocked but I wasn't really. The idea of her being related to Lord Voldemort was weird and finding out that she was actually going to rule the world was also weird but I had been trained to accept the unacceptable. If I could accept abuse, murder and torture, then I shouldn't have any problems with the idea that people aren't who they think they are. After aqll, people are hardly ever what they act like either.

I tapped the bookcase with the very edge of my wand and whispered sinuously Opacitas', the Latin word for darkness. Instantly it changed from black ebony to pure silver and the books changed from harmless school books to forbidden Dark magic books. I took down as many as I could and started searching, closing the bookcase as soon I finished with each book.

2 hours later:

Harry was sprawled out on the white fur rug, reading a book about the variations of the Imperius curse. We hadn't found anything at all about the InnerSoul curse and we were getting pretty fed-up. I glanced at the cloud white grandfather clock that stood in the right hand corner of room and almost jumped out of my skin. I only had an hour to get ready! I had already cleaned up my cheek and taken a wash. I had changed into a black robe with white circular swirls but I would have to change again to get ready for the soiree.

I walked over to my closet and opened it up, looking for my silver dragon tunic. First I pulled out a pair of boot cut black silk trousers, similar to the ones that I had conjured up and then I found the top of my tunic. A tunic is like a pair of trousers with an extra long shirt and belt over the shirt. In my case the entire tunic was made of black silk. The bottom was a normal pair of black silk trousers but the top was anything but normal.

The top was also black silk. It had a button at the end of the sleeves and the sleeves were slashed, showing off the evenly pale skin on my arms. The front had a soft, jagged collar and then it dipped sharply into a V that ended just above my navel, exposing most of my chest. The shirt continued half-way down my thigh and then stopped. The belt I normally wore with it was made of black leather and had a silver buckle. I slung it over my hips and pulled it tight so that the shirt clung to my skin, outlining all my muscles. Normally I fastened the belt at my waist but since this was a special occasion, I let it hang on my hips. I looked at myself in the mirror. It whistled approvingly.

Looking hot Draco! it cat-called. I bowed mockingly and ran a comb through my hair. It began to glitter and fell over my face. Most of the bangs skimmed my cheekbones, but one cut my left eye in half, making me look, according to Pansy at least; ultra-sexy.

Harry slid on his Invisibility cloak and followed me to the top of the staircase. He hadn't bothered dressing up since he argued that he would be invisible anyway. We had had an extremely loud, not to mention long argument about that but he won since he didn't really have anything suitable although I did have a green Slytherin Quidditch robe that would bring out his eyes perfectly. He was however, wearing his boring old school robes...........................such a waste. He had thought that it was a waste to hang around in my bed room and read though, so I'm in no position to talk.

It was now precisely 8:00. I stopped when I reached the banister for my father was standing there, talking to a gorgeous brunette. She had silky golden-brown hair that cascaded half-way down her back, curling inwards at the tips. She had a flawless complexion and a perfect hour glass figure. She wore a yellow-cream silk dress. It had two thread-thin straps and it ended mid-calf. The waist was cinched and embroidered with off-white symbols. Around her slender neck she wore a pearl choker, patterned diamond style. On her slim wrists she had beaten gold cuffs. On her exquisitely shaped feet she had a pair of soft golden shoes, with gentle 4-centimeter heels. Her entire ensemble was faultless tailored; obviously no expense had been spared.

She turned her head to look at me as I approached. I bowed slightly, looking her over as I did so. Her face was a perfect heart-shape. Her lips were full and had a satin sheen. Her ears were slightly pointed in the manner of the High elves. She had high cheekbones and beautifully arched eyebrows. Her nose was more aquiline than roman but definitely beautiful. Her eyes...........they were almond shaped and her eye make-up was impeccable but...........the color of her eyes was strange. They were an intense shade of black, with rich gold flecks blazing vividly. She looked attractive in a sophisticated, yet unearthly way. She radiated power and self-assurance. She would have been beautiful if it hadn't been for her eyes. How could anyone have black and gold eyes? It isn't as if I could talk though; my eyes are silver so they're fairly unusual too. My father cleared his throat.

Draco, I would like you to meet Maledicta. Maledicta, this is my son Draco Malfoy. I believe that you two already have met? He said, keeping his eyes locked me, daring me to step out of line. I concealed my shock. THIS IS HERMIONE! What did they do to her, she looks amazing! Her eyes are creepy though, and the look on her face.....it's as if she's actually evil or something. But her eyes..............her eyes...............they are like something out of a dream......or a night-mare..........

Draco darling, I'm so glad that we could meet again. I was afraid that we might not see each other for quite a while. She said in a sexy, husky voice that was sheer delight to listen to but certainly not how Hermione spoke.

I just couldn't stay away, knowing you would be here. I then lifted her hand to my lips and first kissed the back of it and then kissed her wrist. A pleased smile rippled across her face and then disappeared.

Time for our grand entrance. Come Draco. She beckoned languorously with one hand and I came closer to her. She put her hand on my arm. Just then the lights dimmed. A multi-colored spotlight shone on us, where we were standing at the top of the stair case. My father stepped in front of us.

Dark wizards, witches and allies of Lord Voldemort, I am sure that you are all wondering why I called you here tonight. He called out into the ballroom. Everyone was silent. I am sure that you have all heard the rumors about our Lord Voldemort having a daughter. I'm equally sure that none of you believed them. Nervous laughter. I was seeing first hand the effect my father had on a crowd. They were mesmerized. That is why I take such pride in presenting to you, my son Draco Malfoy and Maledicta Voldemort.

The crowd started muttering uneasily, staring at us as we descended. As soon as we reached the foot of the steps, the orchestra struck up a waltzing tune and I swept Maledicta/Hermione away. She was an excellent dancer, graceful and lissome, a real joy to partner. I was about to reassure her that she shouldn't worry, that Harry and I were here to rescue her when my heart stopped. I had seen a tattoo on her left arm. I swung her around, hoping to get a closer look. It was a skull with a serpent–head protruding out of the mouth. The Dark Mark! Hermione was no more. Instead, I was dancing with Maledicta, a Death Eater and the daughter of Lord Voldemort.

She glanced at me with her beautiful yet luminous eyes. They were actually glowing and a dim light was radiating from them. The light was a bright, burning shade of black and when she turned her eyes on me, it was all I could do to breathe. She looked through me, the gold in her eyes glimmering and shrinking until her eyes were pure black. Then I couldn't breath as those searchlights swept through my soul, binding me to her forever, and forever more.

I instantly knew what I had to do to prove my loyalty to her, for she was my personal queen and I would rather die in her service than live without her ebony eyes. I walked over to the corner of the room where I had agreed to meet Harry, and muttered , to summon up a wind. The Cloak flew off Harry and he stood there exposed to the gaze of every Death-Eater, including Maledicta and my father. I turned to her and instantly I knew that she had known about Harry, known that he was here. Oh well, the sacrifice of one wizard doesn't matter if I can stay with Maledicta. I danced with her, gazing into her eyes while the Death-Eaters took Harry away.

Authors Note: Finished at last! It took me so long because I was busy working on my exams. What'll I do now, any ideas anybody?