CHAPTER 19
The two teams came out onto the field. Draco shook hands with the Ravenclaw captain. On the whistle, fourteen players shot up into the air. Draco couldn't help but smile as he noticed that the other seeker was still riding a Nimbus 2000.
"This will be no challenge," he thought as he began darting around searching for the snitch. The other seeker was desperately trying to tail him, but was failing miserably.
Five minutes later, the score was 30-10 Slytherin. Draco saw the snitch by the Slytherin stands and the Ravenclaw seeker already heading toward it. Draco went into a dive and had soon caught up with and passed him.
The whole crowd was shocked at how fast Draco was moving. No one except the Slytherins knew that he had the newest broom. Within seconds, Draco had the snitch clutched tightly in his hand. As soon as he landed, Hermione was there to greet him with a hug and a quick kiss.
"Told you I wouldn't lose," he whispered in her ear.
"I knew you wouldn't. I just wanted to be positive that you would," she answered.
One of the Slytherin chasers yelled, "PARTY! COMMON ROOM! NOW!"
All the Slytherins cheered and headed quickly back to the castle. Draco and Hermione went up quickly to their common room to put on muggle clothes, and then headed down to the dungeons.
When they finally arrived, they were greeted with cheers and hugs. Well Draco was at least, but Hermione didn't mind. Pansy walked up to him and whispered, "I'll be waiting for you in my dorm."
Draco rolled his eyes, and once Pansy was up the stairs he yelled, "Crabbe, Pansy wants you in her room!" He watched Crabbe jump up and run up the stairs faster than he had ever moved.
"What was that all about?" Hermione asked Draco.
"Pansy wanted me to go upstairs to her room, so I sent her the next best thing." He smirked.
Hermione laughed as they headed toward Elana, Cephius, Blaise, and Jeremiah (Blaise's new boyfriend). They started talking about the game. They laughed at the other seeker's face when Draco passed him, it was very funny.
Ten minutes later, Jake, a sixth year, who was notorious for getting drunk came in with cases and cases of beer.
"Fizz Wizz for everyone!" he called out.
Everyone got up and crowded around him so they could get a can. There was a can for everybody and tons of extras were left over. Draco and Hermione only had one can each, but other people had two and three and were running around like morons and some blacked out.
"Does Snape ever come in here and break up parties?" Hermione asked nervously.
"No. He knows what goes on, but doesn't really care. As long as nobody else finds out, we're fine," Draco answered. "And no one ever finds out."
"Where'd Cephius, Elana, Blaise, and Jeremiah go?"
"If I had a guess, they went upstairs. Probably doing, well you know what they're probably doing." Draco smirked once again.
"Yes I do. They're doing something that we're not gunna think about doing until we get out of school."
Draco nodded. "I know that. And I would never make you do something that you're not ready for. I respect your decision."
Hermione rested her head on Draco's shoulder. "What time is it?"
"Eight. Why?"
"We missed dinner," she stated.
"But we had a load of junk and candy, so I'm not really hungry."
"You wanna go back to the common room?" Hermione asked. "This place is starting to give me a headache. I can't even think."
"Alright, let's get out of here."
Draco and Hermione went back to their common room. Hermione had a fever, and she felt really sick.
"Want me to take you down to Madame Pomfrey?" Draco asked.
"No! She'll figure out that we've been drinking, and she'll think that I'm drunk even though I'm not. I should just lie down. I'll be fine tomorrow."
Draco took her up to his room and laid her down on his bed. She fell asleep quickly. He sat down on a chair and started to read.
"Draco!" Hermione shot up after a half hour.
"What is it?" he asked putting his book down and sitting down next to her on the bed.
"I got scared. I had a nightmare, and since you've been sleeping with me, I haven't had any."
"Hermione, shh, it's okay. I was just reading. I can't sleep yet, it's too early for me to go to bed."
Hermione was shaking madly in his arms. "I'm sorry. I just thought something terrible happened to you."
"What was your dream about?" he asked calmly stroking her cheek.
"I dreamt that my father took you away from me and locked me in a room without my wand. When you came back, you were all bloody and beaten, and you could hardly walk. You said, 'I love you 'Mione' and then you fell and died." Silent tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"'Mione, it was just a dream. I will never let anyone take me away from you."
He held her in his arms for what seemed like hours. Eventually she fell asleep, and realizing this, Draco did too. ~ The weeks passed quickly, and soon it was the day before Valentine's Day. Draco received an owl from Lucius. It said:
Draco and Hermione, Tomorrow after that dance, I will be taking You to the Dark Lord's palace. He wishes To talk to you both about "family matter" As he puts it. I will be there at midnight. Make sure that you are alone in your common Room. Tell absolutely no one about this. It Is one secret that must even be kept from your Other Death Eater friends. Remember to be In your common room at the stroke of midnight.
Lucius
Hermione looked worried. "What if that dream that I had a few weeks ago is a premonition?" she asked.
"I'm sure it wasn't. It's probably just coincidence. Everything will be perfectly fine. Ol' Voldie wouldn't kill me anyway. He wants his heir, doesn't he? And who else in this world is as smart and handsome and adorable and loving and as great a person as me?" he said grinning. ~ The next evening, Draco and Hermione were getting ready for the dance. Since they were so incredibly in love, they decided to show their support for this oh so wonderful holiday and wore black.
"Well everyone will be able to find us." Hermione smirked as they were heading toward the Great Hall.
"That's what I'm planning for. Everyone's gunna be so happy, and then they'll see us and probably say some stupid shit about the way we're dressed. And then I'll do what I'm best at." Draco smirked at Hermione and went on. "I'll tell them off in the rudest way I can think of."
Just before they walked into the Great Hall, Hermione pulled Draco to the side and kissed him.
"Ready?" she asked when they came apart.
"I was born ready," he answered.
They walked into the disgustingly decorated Great Hall. It had little Cupids and red hearts all over the walls. They tables and chairs were all pink and red. The teachers were even wearing all sorts of red, pink, and purple dress robes. Everyone seemed to love this holiday.
"This holiday is way overrated," Draco muttered as he swept Hermione onto the dance floor.
"It really is. People are all cheery and lovey-dovey, it makes me sick."
"Hermione, we probably make people sick everyday with our incredible public display of affection."
"Probably, but that's their problem. At least we don't need a special day to show each other how we really feel."
"Aren't we feeling a bit hypocritical today?" Draco smirked down at her.
"Maybe," Hermione answered.
"Black, Granger?" came Ron's voice. "How can you wear black on a day like today? Are you fucked up or something?"
"Maroon, Weasel? How can you wear the same women's robes to every dance?" Draco retaliated.
"These are not women's robes," Ron said. He was infuriated.
"Oh, gee, sorry I forgot. You're too pour to buy any good quality robes, so you just have to get the cheapest in the shop."
"Shut up Malfoy or I'll-"
"Good evening Professor Snape. How lovely it is to see you," Hermione said brightly.
Ron quickly walked to the other side of the room to meet up with Harry, Ginny, and Lavender.
"Professor Snape isn't there, is he," Draco said. It was more of a comment than a question.
"Nope, but I didn't want my ex-best friend to get all bloodied up. Plus, I don't want any of his pathetic blood on my robes."
Draco smiled as they continued dancing. People commented on their choice of clothing all night, but they didn't mind. They didn't leave the dance floor until a quarter to twelve when they headed back up to their common room.
Just as he stated in the letter, Lucius appeared at the window at the stroke of midnight. "Get your broom," he commanded Draco.
Draco did as he was told, and the three headed out on their journey to Voldemort's palace.
Draco followed Lucius. It was dawn before they had seen anything that even resembled a palace. They soon landed in front of the door. Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and they followed Lucius to a bedroom.
"Get your rest. We'll wake you up when he is ready for you," Lucius informed them.
Draco nodded and watched his father retreat.
"Draco, this is the room in my dream," Hermione whispered.
"Hermione, don't worry about it. He's not gunna kill me. I promise. Let's just get some sleep." He took off his robe and threw it over a chair. Hermione did the same and climbed into the bed next to him. Draco held her very close to him. Even though he didn't act it, he was kind of getting freaked out. As tired as he was, he couldn't get to sleep. All he could do was watch Hermione sleeping peacefully in his arms. ~ A few hours later, Lucius came in. "He wishes to see you, Draco."
"What about Hermione? I don't wanna just leave her here," he answered.
"He said he wanted you only. Leave her. She'll still be asleep when you return. Don't worry about it."
Draco got up and put his robes back over his clothes. He kissed Hermione's forehead softly then followed Lucius out. They walked up and down staircases and halls for what seemed like forever.
"What does he want with me?" Draco asked.
"Only to make sure that you are fit for his daughter."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"How the fuck should I know? I'm under strict orders to bring you to him."
"I don't really care what he wants. I hate leaving Hermione like this. She doesn't sleep well and she's gunna freak out when she wakes up and sees that I'm not there."
"Don't worry about it," Lucius said again.
"How can you say that? I love her and I hate seeing her distraught. She means the world to me and I don't want her to get hurt."
Lucius didn't answer; he just opened a door and threw Draco inside. "Don't disappoint me," he whispered harshly as he slammed the door shut.
"You look tired, Draco," Voldemort commented.
"I didn't sleep. I was worried about Hermione," Draco said.
"And why's that?" Voldemort asked.
"Because I love her, number one and I have every right to be worried. And also because she had a dream that we came here and I was murdered."
"Well I don't think that you are going to die today. I'm just simply making sure that you know what to do when I die. I will be the one who dies this weekend. I can feel it. I'm old and I'm weak. Support for me is growing thin. You must carry out my legacy along with Hermione and the child. What I told your father about seeing if you were right for my daughter, that was just bullshit. I know that you love her and will be the perfect husband. Do you know what you will be doing when you take my place?"
"Yes my Lord."
"And what is that?"
"I will kill every mudblood and mudblood-lover. They are all filth and don't deserve to live," Draco answered.
"That's right. However, you will have the Death Eaters killed them, you will just guide them in the right direction, and if you feel the need, you can kill. You and Hermione must stay out of sight. You cannot let a soul know that you are the ones that have taken my place. You may go now."
"Yes my Lord." Draco bowed deeply and left the room. Instead of walking down to his room, Draco apparated. Hermione was pacing around, talking to herself, and she looked a mess.
"Draco!" she screamed throwing her arms around him. "Oh my God you don't know how worried I was. Why'd you leave? Why'd you do that? You could've at least woken me up!"
"'Mione, I'm sorry. I didn't wanna leave you. My father made me. He told me not to wake you. I didn't wanna leave you, I knew you would freak out." Draco held her close to him. "I love you, Hermione," he whispered.
"I love you too."
After a while of just sitting and holding each other, Hermione said, "So what do we do? Do we just wait here for them to tell us when we can leave?"
"I guess. When do we eat though? I'm so hungry."
Right then, Lucius walked in. "Follow me. We're gunna have lunch."
Hermione and Draco wore their muggle clothes; they had decided to leave their robes in the room.
"Father, when do we get to go back?" asked Draco. "People are gunna get worried when we don't turn up for meals or anything."
"Don't worry about it. They'll spread rumors, but those will eventually die down."
"We'd have to eat sometime. And people just don't go at it for two days straight. That is horribly wrong and disgusting."
"Whatever floats your boat."
Hermione had to stifle a laugh and ended up coughing a few times instead. Draco looked down and smiled. She smiled back and mouthed the word, "Sorry."
He just shrugged as if to say, "Don't worry about it." Then he looked at his father's back and rolled his eyes at him.
After a while, they ended up in a large dining room much like the one in the Malfoy Manor. Voldemort was at the head of the table and Lucius sat down next to him. Draco and Hermione sat down next to each other a little farther along.
The food appeared on the table, and Lucius, Draco, and Hermione began eating, but Voldemort touched nothing. After a while, he spoke. "This is the last time you will ever see me alive. I am going to my room to die alone, just like I lived alone. Good bye." With that, he disapparated back to his room.
The two teams came out onto the field. Draco shook hands with the Ravenclaw captain. On the whistle, fourteen players shot up into the air. Draco couldn't help but smile as he noticed that the other seeker was still riding a Nimbus 2000.
"This will be no challenge," he thought as he began darting around searching for the snitch. The other seeker was desperately trying to tail him, but was failing miserably.
Five minutes later, the score was 30-10 Slytherin. Draco saw the snitch by the Slytherin stands and the Ravenclaw seeker already heading toward it. Draco went into a dive and had soon caught up with and passed him.
The whole crowd was shocked at how fast Draco was moving. No one except the Slytherins knew that he had the newest broom. Within seconds, Draco had the snitch clutched tightly in his hand. As soon as he landed, Hermione was there to greet him with a hug and a quick kiss.
"Told you I wouldn't lose," he whispered in her ear.
"I knew you wouldn't. I just wanted to be positive that you would," she answered.
One of the Slytherin chasers yelled, "PARTY! COMMON ROOM! NOW!"
All the Slytherins cheered and headed quickly back to the castle. Draco and Hermione went up quickly to their common room to put on muggle clothes, and then headed down to the dungeons.
When they finally arrived, they were greeted with cheers and hugs. Well Draco was at least, but Hermione didn't mind. Pansy walked up to him and whispered, "I'll be waiting for you in my dorm."
Draco rolled his eyes, and once Pansy was up the stairs he yelled, "Crabbe, Pansy wants you in her room!" He watched Crabbe jump up and run up the stairs faster than he had ever moved.
"What was that all about?" Hermione asked Draco.
"Pansy wanted me to go upstairs to her room, so I sent her the next best thing." He smirked.
Hermione laughed as they headed toward Elana, Cephius, Blaise, and Jeremiah (Blaise's new boyfriend). They started talking about the game. They laughed at the other seeker's face when Draco passed him, it was very funny.
Ten minutes later, Jake, a sixth year, who was notorious for getting drunk came in with cases and cases of beer.
"Fizz Wizz for everyone!" he called out.
Everyone got up and crowded around him so they could get a can. There was a can for everybody and tons of extras were left over. Draco and Hermione only had one can each, but other people had two and three and were running around like morons and some blacked out.
"Does Snape ever come in here and break up parties?" Hermione asked nervously.
"No. He knows what goes on, but doesn't really care. As long as nobody else finds out, we're fine," Draco answered. "And no one ever finds out."
"Where'd Cephius, Elana, Blaise, and Jeremiah go?"
"If I had a guess, they went upstairs. Probably doing, well you know what they're probably doing." Draco smirked once again.
"Yes I do. They're doing something that we're not gunna think about doing until we get out of school."
Draco nodded. "I know that. And I would never make you do something that you're not ready for. I respect your decision."
Hermione rested her head on Draco's shoulder. "What time is it?"
"Eight. Why?"
"We missed dinner," she stated.
"But we had a load of junk and candy, so I'm not really hungry."
"You wanna go back to the common room?" Hermione asked. "This place is starting to give me a headache. I can't even think."
"Alright, let's get out of here."
Draco and Hermione went back to their common room. Hermione had a fever, and she felt really sick.
"Want me to take you down to Madame Pomfrey?" Draco asked.
"No! She'll figure out that we've been drinking, and she'll think that I'm drunk even though I'm not. I should just lie down. I'll be fine tomorrow."
Draco took her up to his room and laid her down on his bed. She fell asleep quickly. He sat down on a chair and started to read.
"Draco!" Hermione shot up after a half hour.
"What is it?" he asked putting his book down and sitting down next to her on the bed.
"I got scared. I had a nightmare, and since you've been sleeping with me, I haven't had any."
"Hermione, shh, it's okay. I was just reading. I can't sleep yet, it's too early for me to go to bed."
Hermione was shaking madly in his arms. "I'm sorry. I just thought something terrible happened to you."
"What was your dream about?" he asked calmly stroking her cheek.
"I dreamt that my father took you away from me and locked me in a room without my wand. When you came back, you were all bloody and beaten, and you could hardly walk. You said, 'I love you 'Mione' and then you fell and died." Silent tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"'Mione, it was just a dream. I will never let anyone take me away from you."
He held her in his arms for what seemed like hours. Eventually she fell asleep, and realizing this, Draco did too. ~ The weeks passed quickly, and soon it was the day before Valentine's Day. Draco received an owl from Lucius. It said:
Draco and Hermione, Tomorrow after that dance, I will be taking You to the Dark Lord's palace. He wishes To talk to you both about "family matter" As he puts it. I will be there at midnight. Make sure that you are alone in your common Room. Tell absolutely no one about this. It Is one secret that must even be kept from your Other Death Eater friends. Remember to be In your common room at the stroke of midnight.
Lucius
Hermione looked worried. "What if that dream that I had a few weeks ago is a premonition?" she asked.
"I'm sure it wasn't. It's probably just coincidence. Everything will be perfectly fine. Ol' Voldie wouldn't kill me anyway. He wants his heir, doesn't he? And who else in this world is as smart and handsome and adorable and loving and as great a person as me?" he said grinning. ~ The next evening, Draco and Hermione were getting ready for the dance. Since they were so incredibly in love, they decided to show their support for this oh so wonderful holiday and wore black.
"Well everyone will be able to find us." Hermione smirked as they were heading toward the Great Hall.
"That's what I'm planning for. Everyone's gunna be so happy, and then they'll see us and probably say some stupid shit about the way we're dressed. And then I'll do what I'm best at." Draco smirked at Hermione and went on. "I'll tell them off in the rudest way I can think of."
Just before they walked into the Great Hall, Hermione pulled Draco to the side and kissed him.
"Ready?" she asked when they came apart.
"I was born ready," he answered.
They walked into the disgustingly decorated Great Hall. It had little Cupids and red hearts all over the walls. They tables and chairs were all pink and red. The teachers were even wearing all sorts of red, pink, and purple dress robes. Everyone seemed to love this holiday.
"This holiday is way overrated," Draco muttered as he swept Hermione onto the dance floor.
"It really is. People are all cheery and lovey-dovey, it makes me sick."
"Hermione, we probably make people sick everyday with our incredible public display of affection."
"Probably, but that's their problem. At least we don't need a special day to show each other how we really feel."
"Aren't we feeling a bit hypocritical today?" Draco smirked down at her.
"Maybe," Hermione answered.
"Black, Granger?" came Ron's voice. "How can you wear black on a day like today? Are you fucked up or something?"
"Maroon, Weasel? How can you wear the same women's robes to every dance?" Draco retaliated.
"These are not women's robes," Ron said. He was infuriated.
"Oh, gee, sorry I forgot. You're too pour to buy any good quality robes, so you just have to get the cheapest in the shop."
"Shut up Malfoy or I'll-"
"Good evening Professor Snape. How lovely it is to see you," Hermione said brightly.
Ron quickly walked to the other side of the room to meet up with Harry, Ginny, and Lavender.
"Professor Snape isn't there, is he," Draco said. It was more of a comment than a question.
"Nope, but I didn't want my ex-best friend to get all bloodied up. Plus, I don't want any of his pathetic blood on my robes."
Draco smiled as they continued dancing. People commented on their choice of clothing all night, but they didn't mind. They didn't leave the dance floor until a quarter to twelve when they headed back up to their common room.
Just as he stated in the letter, Lucius appeared at the window at the stroke of midnight. "Get your broom," he commanded Draco.
Draco did as he was told, and the three headed out on their journey to Voldemort's palace.
Draco followed Lucius. It was dawn before they had seen anything that even resembled a palace. They soon landed in front of the door. Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and they followed Lucius to a bedroom.
"Get your rest. We'll wake you up when he is ready for you," Lucius informed them.
Draco nodded and watched his father retreat.
"Draco, this is the room in my dream," Hermione whispered.
"Hermione, don't worry about it. He's not gunna kill me. I promise. Let's just get some sleep." He took off his robe and threw it over a chair. Hermione did the same and climbed into the bed next to him. Draco held her very close to him. Even though he didn't act it, he was kind of getting freaked out. As tired as he was, he couldn't get to sleep. All he could do was watch Hermione sleeping peacefully in his arms. ~ A few hours later, Lucius came in. "He wishes to see you, Draco."
"What about Hermione? I don't wanna just leave her here," he answered.
"He said he wanted you only. Leave her. She'll still be asleep when you return. Don't worry about it."
Draco got up and put his robes back over his clothes. He kissed Hermione's forehead softly then followed Lucius out. They walked up and down staircases and halls for what seemed like forever.
"What does he want with me?" Draco asked.
"Only to make sure that you are fit for his daughter."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"How the fuck should I know? I'm under strict orders to bring you to him."
"I don't really care what he wants. I hate leaving Hermione like this. She doesn't sleep well and she's gunna freak out when she wakes up and sees that I'm not there."
"Don't worry about it," Lucius said again.
"How can you say that? I love her and I hate seeing her distraught. She means the world to me and I don't want her to get hurt."
Lucius didn't answer; he just opened a door and threw Draco inside. "Don't disappoint me," he whispered harshly as he slammed the door shut.
"You look tired, Draco," Voldemort commented.
"I didn't sleep. I was worried about Hermione," Draco said.
"And why's that?" Voldemort asked.
"Because I love her, number one and I have every right to be worried. And also because she had a dream that we came here and I was murdered."
"Well I don't think that you are going to die today. I'm just simply making sure that you know what to do when I die. I will be the one who dies this weekend. I can feel it. I'm old and I'm weak. Support for me is growing thin. You must carry out my legacy along with Hermione and the child. What I told your father about seeing if you were right for my daughter, that was just bullshit. I know that you love her and will be the perfect husband. Do you know what you will be doing when you take my place?"
"Yes my Lord."
"And what is that?"
"I will kill every mudblood and mudblood-lover. They are all filth and don't deserve to live," Draco answered.
"That's right. However, you will have the Death Eaters killed them, you will just guide them in the right direction, and if you feel the need, you can kill. You and Hermione must stay out of sight. You cannot let a soul know that you are the ones that have taken my place. You may go now."
"Yes my Lord." Draco bowed deeply and left the room. Instead of walking down to his room, Draco apparated. Hermione was pacing around, talking to herself, and she looked a mess.
"Draco!" she screamed throwing her arms around him. "Oh my God you don't know how worried I was. Why'd you leave? Why'd you do that? You could've at least woken me up!"
"'Mione, I'm sorry. I didn't wanna leave you. My father made me. He told me not to wake you. I didn't wanna leave you, I knew you would freak out." Draco held her close to him. "I love you, Hermione," he whispered.
"I love you too."
After a while of just sitting and holding each other, Hermione said, "So what do we do? Do we just wait here for them to tell us when we can leave?"
"I guess. When do we eat though? I'm so hungry."
Right then, Lucius walked in. "Follow me. We're gunna have lunch."
Hermione and Draco wore their muggle clothes; they had decided to leave their robes in the room.
"Father, when do we get to go back?" asked Draco. "People are gunna get worried when we don't turn up for meals or anything."
"Don't worry about it. They'll spread rumors, but those will eventually die down."
"We'd have to eat sometime. And people just don't go at it for two days straight. That is horribly wrong and disgusting."
"Whatever floats your boat."
Hermione had to stifle a laugh and ended up coughing a few times instead. Draco looked down and smiled. She smiled back and mouthed the word, "Sorry."
He just shrugged as if to say, "Don't worry about it." Then he looked at his father's back and rolled his eyes at him.
After a while, they ended up in a large dining room much like the one in the Malfoy Manor. Voldemort was at the head of the table and Lucius sat down next to him. Draco and Hermione sat down next to each other a little farther along.
The food appeared on the table, and Lucius, Draco, and Hermione began eating, but Voldemort touched nothing. After a while, he spoke. "This is the last time you will ever see me alive. I am going to my room to die alone, just like I lived alone. Good bye." With that, he disapparated back to his room.