Chapter Forty:

(A/N. Hey I'll take a while to load next chapter so be patient and enjoy this! SO sorry for the badness of the cliffy! I promise I will update ASAP!!!! Okay??? Love all of you reviewers!)

The stones were cold under his hand as he ran it over the wall as he walked back to his room, the green gem on his hand glittering. He stepped into the Slytherin common room and several people looked up, envy and desire in their greedy eyes. Draco ignored them all, what were they to him but his father's servants? He stepped into his room and was about to lie on the bed when suddenly he saw an envelope on the bedside table. He frowned and walked over to it. His name was scratched across the front of the envelope. He carefully slit it open and pulled out the letter.

Dear Draco,     

I received the most intriguing news just a few days ago from your friend Pansy Parkinson. You see she was kind enough to bring to my attention your relationship with the mudblood that I was forced to accept into my house this summer. Not only did you humiliate me by giving that muggle lover you have as a headmaster a reason to punish you, now I find you are consorting with that disgusting creature. Moreover, I find that that wench has made you believe that you want to be on the side of light. Don't you see, Boy? They will never accept you, but now, it no longer matters. I will have my way no matter what.  You will become a Death Eater and the Dark Lord's heir, or your precious mudblood will die.

Lucius Malfoy                                    

The letter fluttered down from between Draco's open fingers. He withed it fall feeling a strange detachment. He did not doubt his father's words. He had Hermione and he wouldn't hesitate to kill her if he didn't get what he wanted. A deep anger as cold as a glacier filled him. He turned away, grabbed his Flash 3000 broomstick, and then he strode out the door making Pansy go crashing into the floor when she crossed his way. He yanked her up and dragged her outside, the ugly girl whimpering the whole time. When they were outside the common room, Draco turned to stare at her.

"I just got a letter from my father. It seems I have a spy in my midst." He snarled, his voice an icy glacier, and then he closed the gap between them. "If anything happens to Hermione because of you. I swear I will torture you and kill you. Do you understand?" he growled and she nodded mutely. He turned and stormed away. He stalked through the corridors, a furious, wild figure that made everyone that encountered him scramble out of his way. Finally, he reached Dumbledore's office. He spat out the password and flew up the steps. He paused right outside the office to make sure there was no one there, when he strode in when he heard no noises. He walked up to the cabinet where Dumbledore kept Veraciel. He reached inside, put up the cover, and pulled out the sword. It rumbled pleasantly and it brought a cold smile to Draco's face.

"Reducio." Draco said and the sword shrunk to the size of a pen. Draco stuck it in his pocket and stared at his reflection in the sword's glass case. "I'm not a boy anymore."

The iron chains were cutting into Hermione's slender wrists and she gritted her teeth to control the pain. She glared at Lucius who ignored her and continued to talk to the Death Eaters around him. As they passed Hermione, they bent to spit on her or curse at her. Tears spilt freely from her eyes. Half of her wanted Draco to storm in and save her, but the other half prayed that he would stay away and save his soul if not her life. So it was that half of her rejoiced when Draco apparated into the room a smirk on his handsome face, the other part of her despaired.

"Father, was that letter, really necessary? Do you really think I would be…how did you put it? Oh, yes 'consorting'." Draco said and there was a murmur of agreement from around the room.

"Drop the act, Draco. I know the truth." Lucius snarled. Draco raised one pale eyebrow at his father.

"Do you? Because Parkinson told you? Please. She's just jealous that this mudblood got Head Girl." Draco said nonchalantly.

"Very well." A sibilant voice said and the most feared wizard in all of history stepped into the room. "Then where is the sacrifice I asked you to bring?"

"Harry Potter has a lot of protection at school and he doesn't trust me. Therefore, since my father was kind enough to bring Miss Granger here, I think she should be the sacrifice. She is one of the most powerful witches at school." Draco said calmly his hands in his pockets. Hermione couldn't tell if this was an act. Her hand flew to her throat where it hit the beautiful necklace Draco had given her for her birthday. She smiled inwardly. She would trust in Draco's love.

"But I thought you were in love with her." Lucius said, his voice carrying above all others.

"In love with her? Hardly."

"She believes you to be in love with her. She said it to me on our way here and she is in love with you." Lucius snarled his eyes narrowing.

"She would, wouldn't she? I am the most charming person at school. I must admit I did have an interest in her, but it was a trifle thing of no importance." Draco said and shared a smirk with the crowd of Death Eaters and they chuckled indulgently.

"If you have settled all your problems, then may we begin this ceremony?" Voldemort said mockingly. Lucius blushed.

"Yes, of course Master." He said and bowed. Voldemort nodded, gathered up his robes, and walked away. The other Death Eaters followed him out. Draco sneered at his father before swaggering away. Lucius leaned down and grabbed Hermione, dragging her away.