Made of You Part 3
A/N: Okay guys, slight changes on the setting of this story. Instead of
making it a one year time lapse since everyone graduated from
Hogwarts, I'm going to make it five. In other words, it has actually
been 5 years, not 1 since Harry and friends graduated. That would
make them 22 or 23 instead of 18. This applies starting from part 1
of the story. I did this because there will be more adult events
occurring in the story and 18 seems too young for them. Sorry for the
inconvenience. Bear with me. Thanks a bundle! =)
Disclaimers: I don't own any of these characters in the below story, except
for Carol Jacobs.
"What's up with you Hermione, you seem so down today." Carol Jacobs, editor for the London Times and also Hermione's best friend sat down next to Hermione in the cafeteria. "Geez, you look like you haven't slept for days. And this is a cafeteria; you should be eating. What're you doing, just sitting here all by yourself and sulking? You look as if your pet skunk just died."
Hermione had to smile at that. If she was ever in a bad mood, there was always good, dependable Carol to cheer her up. That was part of the reason why they were best friends. It seemed that Hermione was never cheerful anymore, not since Hogwarts. Forcing herself not to think about her past anymore, Hermione leaned forward and embraced Carol, surprising both Carol and herself.
The pretty, petite blond was caught off guard by her friend's sudden show of affection. "Hermie, what was that for? Your mood sure is weird today. First you look like it's the end of the world, and now you hug me like I just saved it. What's with you today?"
"Oh nothing, can't a gal appreciate her best friend once in a while?" Hermione was very grateful for a friend like Carol, especially at that moment. Having her around made Hermione feel better already. "Anyway, what did you want to tell me? I mean there is a reason why you came down to look for me in the first place, isn't there? Its not even time for your lunch break yet."
"Yup, right as always, Hermie." Seeing that Hermione was out of her black mood, Carol decided to tell her friend the news. "As you know, there's going to be a costume ball at the Harding's Ballroom this Friday night. Anyway, I was informed that you and I were invited to it on behalf of the London Times. Of course, we'll be going there on official business. You know Craig wants the whole scoop on everything the next day. What's better than getting two very gossipy girls to go dig the dirt for him?"
With that, the two erupted into a fit of giggles. It took them a while to settle down. Personally, Hermione wasn't really interested in going to some lame costume ball, but she was desperate to form a distraction so she wouldn't have to dwell on her dark thoughts anymore. "Well, count me in then. After all, there's nothing better than getting the dirtiest dish on England's most respected nobles."
"I agree a hundred percent. And hey, maybe you'll even meet the man of your dreams while you're there."
"No Carol, I don't think so," said Hermione, sobering up suddenly. "Maybe for you, but not for me." She knew that Carol was only trying to help. After all, her love life had been a disaster for the past five years. Her friend had tried to set her up with various guys, none to which suited her tastes. But that was because none of them was him.
"Oh Hermie, can't you ever be optimistic like me? It wouldn't hurt to expect the unexpected once in a while. After all," she said winking, "it's a costume ball. And like they say, anything can happen."
***********************
Draco paced back and forth restlessly. How in hell was he ever going to get Hermione? The first step to his plan was to get a hold of her. However, once he did that, Draco would not be handing her over to Voldemort. Instead, he would be using Hermione as bait for both Voldemort and Potter. He would tempt Voldemort by telling him that she was the key to defeating Potter, and at the same time, threaten Potter with the chance that her life may be jeopardized. When he had both men where he wanted them, it would be like killing two birds with one stone.
The only question now was, how in the world would he get Hermione to do what he wanted her to do willingly? He was not going to use violence as a tool. He was not like Lucius. Ever since Draco could remember, his father had abused his mother in order to keep her in check. He still remembered that time, at the age of six, when he had accidentally seen Lucius raping his unwilling mother in their bedroom. It seemed that his father had forgotten to close the door, and Draco had seen through the crack exactly what his father was doing to his mother. Even now, he could hear her anguished cries of pain and protest, and Lucius' laugh of pure scorn. He beat her until she submitted to his will. Closing his eyes, Draco tried to block out the image of his beautiful mother lying under his father, eyes closed, a look of torment on her tear-stricken face as she painfully endured her husband's abuse.
Part of the reason Draco had acted the way he did was because he had never forgotten how he came to be born. He realized that he was not born out of love, but out of abusive rape. To him, that was as good as being the dirtiest lowlife. After seeing his mother's violent abuse by his father, Draco had become withdrawn from everyone and everything for the next four year. During those four years, he slowly turned from an innocent boy to a bitter, cruel one. His despised his mother for being weak. He despised his father for being cruel. But most of all, he despised Voldemort for making his father the way he was. For even at such a young age, knew that it was under Voldemort's influence that Lucius became the cruel man that he was. That was the main reason why he wanted to destroy Voldemort. However, throughout all of this, Draco had promised himself that he would never harm a woman the way his father had, no matter who the woman happened to be. Even if was Hermione Granger, he thought to himself.
That thought immediately snapped him out of his horrific past. "Damn it," he said to the empty room, "how the hell am I going to get Hermione Granger to trust me?" He surveyed his room blankly, lost in thought, until his eyes came upon the day's London Times. The front page headline caught his eye.
First Ever Costume Ball at Harding House, it read. Draco quickly scanned the rest of the article, suddenly eager. His mind was racing with possible ideas. A costume ball in London was always considered a big event, especially if it was for charity. All kinds of people would be attending, muggles, witches, wizards, everyone. And no doubt, members of the press also. If he was right, a certain renowned reporter and columnist from the London Times was going to be there. And smiling, Draco planned ahead for the costume ball he wasn't going to miss for his life.
At last, the third part is done. Well, what do you think? I'm seriously considering putting Draco with Hermione. When you guys review this, please tell me whom you prefer with Herm, Harry or Draco. Also, tell me what you would like to see in the next chapter. I need some feedback, ppl! J