DISCLAIMER: I own this fabulous plot, but unfortunately none of the characters mentioned belong to me.
Author's note: Hey, you guys are still out there. Thank you so much for reviewing again. I was really happy to see that there's still someone interested in this story. Thankyouthankyouthankyou...a big hug goes to all you people who let me know what they think about "And then we were defeated." As I said before, criticism is always welcome.
Oh, yes and if you can't stand my English any longer…then, why don't you volunteer to be my beta?
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And Then We Were Defeated
Chapter 12
A Malfoy?!
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Draco slammed the door to his room shut. This seemed to become a nasty habit of his. After he had locked up Hermione in her guest room, he had retired to let his anger subside and to calm down. How could have everything gone so bloody wrong? He had carefully planned every single detail of this evening and he could still picture how his plan would have worked if Dumbledore hadn't messed it up. Draco had the burning urge to kill someone, to make them pay for it. Now he was stuck with this mudblood as his fiancée, Dumbledore obviously had seen right through his plan and knew what he had intended to do today and worst of all, his father found out about it, too. At the moment there was nothing he could do about it. What would his father do? Perhaps he would be a prisoner in his own house, Lucius would never trust him again, maybe even his life was in danger. Dumbledore would surely do anything to make his life hell as he had done back at Hogwarts. And Voldemort? How would the Dark Lord react? They would probably kill the mudblood Granger next thing in the morning, but this didn't bother him at all, who cared about her anyway. He had to take care of his own safety now, there was no time to think about his beloved fiancée's future.
While Draco was desperately pacing up and down, still having a horrible fume, a pop announced Dobby's arrival and the house-elf informed his master serenely that Draco was expected to come down in the drawing room by the Dark Lord. Dobby disapparated before the young deatheather could do any harm to him and Draco's mood dropped even more. Maybe a Malfoy would have to die today, but sure enough it wouldn't be Lucius. Draco sighed. Whatever was to come, it would happen sooner than he had assumed and even a daring escape wouldn't save him from Voldemort's revenge. At least, death was better than leading a life as their marionette eagerly following any of their orders.
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Hermione stared absent-mindedly in the vanity mirror in the corner of her room. She was still wearing her dressrobes and the looking glass showed a pretty young girl whose eyes were clouded with sorrow and confusion. Every time she recalled those dreadful moments when Lucius Malfoy had pointed his wand at her, ready to kill her on the spot, she went cold and a shiver ran through her body. A few hours ago she had imagined herself being well away from the Manor by now...or at least she would have had a chance to contact Harry and Ron. She hadn't even tried to escape. The moment Lucius had threatened to kill her, she had turned to stone and hadn't been able to move any more. Gone was her Gryffindor pride and she felt more than only humiliated. She was now officially engaged with Draco Malfoy, Voldemort's entire following had witnessed that on her hand was a ring bearing the Malfoy crest and that Draco claimed her to be his bride. And then Dumbledore had come to her rescue. Dumbledore, the least of all people she had expected to see, whom she had wanted to meet and after all it was him who saved her life. Draco, this little deatheater bastard had been waiting for Lucius Malfoy to finish her off, evidently to get rid of his father right after. Hermione felt dizzy. There was no one she could trust and no way to get out of the Manor. She was stuck in this mess for now and there was nothing she could do about it.
Hermione was so absorbed with her thoughts and feelings that she didn't even hear the soft knock on the door. It was only when the door was opened that her gaze wandered to the person standing in the doorway and her eyes widened with surprise as she finally realised who was entering her room.
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The Dark Lord, Lucius Malfoy and to Draco's astonishment even Dumbledore were already assembled in his father's drawing room when he finally entered it. Lucius didn't bother looking at his son and stood stubbornly gazing outside in the pitch black darkness at one of the numerous windows. Voldemort was seated behind his father's desk and Albus Dumbledore was next to him, remaining motionless, his arms folded in front of his chest.
"Well, why don't you come nearer, Draco?" Dumbledore asked and Draco decided that for once, it would be best to follow the old man's suggestion. He walked over to the oak desk and the headmaster motioned him to sit down in one of the two chairs facing the Dark Lord.
Voldemort leaned back in the study's leather chair and smiled. Perfect. He hadn't expected the boy to appear so calm, his face set straight for whatever was to come, but yet Draco couldn't conceal his discomfort from his master's eyes.
"Draco," Dumbledore eventually began to talk to him, " do you have anything to say to us to give an excuse for your behaviour earlier this evening?" Draco didn't answer.
"Well, well, then we, or better, you are stuck with Miss Granger to marry you." Dumbledore chuckled. At this Lucius Malfoy span around. "Never ever in my life I'd agree to this marriage. She is a mudblood! Filth!" before he could go on Dumbledore interrupted him: "You better watch your words, Lucius. I already told you that there's nothing you could do about this engagement."
"I wouldn't bet on that." replied the other mumbling and added louder, so that everyone could hear him "and what about the girl meant to be Draco's bride? Where is she now? I don't see why we shouldn't get rid of the Granger girl and replace her by a decent fiancée."
"Cut it out." the Dark Lord had raised his hand and waved it dismissingly at Lucius Malfoy and Dumbledore. "I actually came to the conclusion that it would be best, and very interesting indeed, to let the young Mr. Malfoy have his will. After all, he has made his choice and if he thinks Miss Granger would be a suitable wife then we should trust his decision."
Draco's mouth fell open. He had expected everything and anything, but certainly not that the Dark Lord would give his consent to this marriage. This was absolutely ridiculous and unbelievable. He and Granger? A mudblood…and now it really looked like they had to marry each other?
"From now on, Miss Granger is to be treated like a born member of the Malfoy family. She is your son's fiancée, Lucius, so you better take good care of her. I don't see why the wedding shouldn't take place in three days from today. Then she'll be an official member of your family and bear your name as well." Voldemort had given these orders smiling and Dumbledore had nodded to confirm his union with the Dark Lord.
Lucius Malfoy seemed to be about to drop dead on the floor and Draco himself looked thunderstruck. Granger – a Malfoy?! And he would have to marry her? His plans had gotten out of his hand and right now Draco had no clue what to do. As Dumbledore had said, he was stuck with Hermione Granger and if he didn't have a brainwave they would be husband and wife in three days.
