Disclaimer ~ Roses are red, violets are blue; I don't own Harry Potter, but
neither do you
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Falling Head Over Heels
The Story of Hermione Granger and
her relationship with Draco Malfoy
By: Befuzzled
Chapter Thirty~ Pawn to E5
"For a shield from the storm
For a friend
For a love to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong
For the will to carry on
For everything you do
For everything's that true
I turn to you"
~Christina Aguilera
The entire room stared blankly at Draco, in a panicked silence, none know quite what to say or what to do.
Rapid emotions were crossing Draco's face, mostly in his eyes. They were splashed with traces and bits of love, fear, anger, sadness, bitterness, warmth, confusion, and most importantly at the time determination. It would be his spirit and his ability to connect with Hermione that would be able to save her. He alone had the knowledge of his household, at least to the point where he was compatible with his own father. He would be the one that would ultimately have to find Hermione and most likely be the one to rescue her, he had to. He wouldn't just be saving her but himself as well.
"Professor?" Draco barely managed out in an odd and strained whisper, "What are you going to do? What can I do? Who knows what they're doing to her, I can feel traces of pain in different spots, but it's been so long since we preformed the necessary spells, I don't know if they're still working." He voice slowly gathered speed and volume while he talked.
"Mr. Malfoy, right now I'm going to need you to concentrate hard on Hermione. Send her what ever feelings of comfort and peace that you can, she'll need all the strength and hope that she can get unfortunately. Mr. Potter, if you would please go retrieve Professor Snape for me and Mr. Weasley if you could send for Professor McGonagall, I'm afraid that we will need all the brain power possible if we are going to bring Miss Granger back unharmed."
Without more questions the two boys immediately rushed out of the room in search of the teachers they were instructed to find, one to the gloomy dungeons, they other to a corridor on the fourth floor. Draco merely acknowledged what Dumbledore had said before setting to his own task of focusing on Hermione. He tried desperately to push aside his own worries and regrets for not sending her back up to the castle before him. He realized even if he had, they had left the train in such a far interval apart that it would not have made much difference. Somebody would still have the ability to capture her.
That was another thing that disturbed him: why would they want Hermione? Did they know what was going on between the two of them? They had been careful hadn't they? Well there was that one kiss after the Concordia Ball, but only a select group of close and confident friends had been witness to that. Did his father know about Hermione quest to find Hermia? Had that triggered him? Would he take Hermione just to make sure the secret that he had had another child let alone a daughter did not get out? Who would want her? Was it Voldemort? Was it some psycho subscriber that was still plotting revenge against her for breaking Harry's heart two years prior? Was it really his father?
So many thoughts were running through his head that he did not notice the return of the other two students or the arrival of the professors. He did not hear Dumbledore relay what he thought had happened and missed the shocked face of Minerva McGonagall or even the slightly hampered face of his potions professor.
He was in fact in such a trance that he had to be jostled out of it by his head of house. "Mr. Malfoy? Draco?"
He shook his head several time regaining his senses of where he was and what was going on around him. "Professors I know you may not approve but I am going after Hermione. I don't care where she is or who has her. She doesn't deserve this and I can't wait for you to fill out a missing person record of the slow ministry officals, too much can happen in that amount of time. If you could arrange for a portkey to Malfoy Manor it would greatly reduce my time but if you cannot, I will be packing a few supplies and I'll be off on my broom. I can sense it they're hurting her, and I need to stop it."
Dumbledore put up a calming hand easily halting the young man's rant. "I understand Mr. Malfoy, but we will not be sending you in there by yourself. I am quite sure Misters Potter and Weasley would not appreciate being left behind, and although you three are some of the best students in this school I must insist that you have adult supervision. I have already summoned a Mr. Black and a Mr. Lupin. Professor Snape will be equipping you with some useful potions and a urgent portkey is being set up right now.
"If you need to get anything from you rooms, such as a certain present, Mr. Potter, I would suggest getting those now, and be quick about it. We will explain the plan as soon as you get back. We will need your full cooperation and support for this."
"Thank you, Professors," Draco said rushed and quickly left out the door not being told twice that he needed to hurry. This was for him as much as it was for Hermione. It was hard living when he knew she was just an owl away, he didn't know if he could live if he could never talk to her again. He didn't even want to think about it, not unless he had to. And right now he didn't have to. He was going to save her, even if he died in the process.
~*~
Hermione cowered unwilling from the figure that now stood in front of her. It wasn't so much that she feared him; no, she had been part of a trio that had taken him down several times. It was the unexpected way that his presence had demanded attention and begged to be looked on. He had managed to attain an aura of sickening power even from his pale and gaunt looking face and his tall lanky frame. She had read about all that he had done before her time and experienced the pain and suffering he inflicted in her own life time. She had been there threw the Philosopher's Stone, she had been the one to discover the basilisk and how he was getting around, she had comforted and consoled Harry after his return when they were fourteen and she had played out her role with the Order in her fifth year.
Oh, yes. Voldemort was indeed back and more cunning and cut-throat then he had ever been. He was a desperate man willing to do whatever necessary to reclaim the power and status that he once had a little less then twenty years ago. He would rise again to be the Dark Lord, he didn't just want to be a chapter in history books, he wanted, craved, to be the past, the present and the future. He knew who his enemies were, he had spent over a year in hiding study them, sending out spies, using Dark Magic, and means necessary to get what he wanted. He felt that he was now ready to strike.
People, the Ministry and Dumbledore, were expecting him to go for a large target like Hogwarts or the Ministry itself. They were anticipating that he would again go after key players in the fight against him, the Minister, Dumbledore, even Harry Potter again. He had wanted to surprise them, to go after a target that had been concealed, hidden beneath the radar, yet undiscovered and unknown to most of the public. He wanted to take out and important figure without letting the other side know just why or what importance this character had in his game his entire set up for the plan he was beginning to put into place. He wanted a thinker, a brilliant mind, anything to take away from the help of the enemy side. He wanted Hermione Granger.
It would be suspected that he had taken the girl because she was friends with Harry Potter, a perfect inside leak if he could get her to talk, and he was a master at getting people to talk. Or it might be presumed that he wanted to get rid of at least one mud blood before he was caught again, they just didn't know that he wasn't planning on getting caught. When he was through with her he would no doubt eventually dispose of her, most of the time once he had extracted all of the information he wanted from them their bodies were no longing able to support themselves, not very suitable for living in. And for the extremely clueless people, it might be thought that the poor girl was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. That was a false statement if he had every made one. The girl's positioning had been perfect on that day. She had made the job of capturing her all that more easy. There was no mess to clean up after, no minds that needed altering, it was perfect.
Yes, this girl in fact would be perfect for in uses. She was bright, un- bashfully so. At the top of her class and proud to show it with the pesky hand always raised in the air. He own death-eater Snape was even forced to admit to the adequate skill she had in each of her classes. And it wasn't just the required classes that some students simply mastered so they could appear smart, no, this girl had taken up every class she could load her schedule with, always wanting to the know more then she did, wanting to measure up.
This girl was timid and shy outside of the classroom, having only a small and select group that she felt she could trust and consider friends. Even then she was guarded with them. They were all borne into the wizarding world and lifestyle, accepted easily with opened arms, well maybe with the exception of the Boy-Who-Lived-to-Annoy-the -Hell-Out-of-Him, but with his status that his mother had manage to pass on to him, he was given allowances and had people justify excuses and reasons for his everyday insolence. Hermione Granger, however, had to prove herself from her Mudblood label.
She was more important to his cause than anyone could even begin to realize. She would be the deciding factor and nobody knew it but him, and by time the other side figured it out it would be to late for them and the girl. It has already been decided and he already has acquired his prize. She would be of great use and benefit him deeply. And imagine, if she lent her knowledge out willingly he might even be able to spare her great mind well as long as she worked for him.
It was rather ironic how much alike they were. Both title with the Mudblood label, him a half blood and her muggle born, both had managed to rise from the taunt to become the best in their year and perhaps the school, maybe even their decade. They both demanded a respect that no one quiet could understand, but yet were forced to supply it when in either of their presence. Of course none of this was essential, consider how much he had in common with Potter.
"Hermione."
She looked confused and startled at the sound of her name coming from his lips but those emotions slowly turn to rage and anger and she peered at the smirk and sly grin that was plastered to his face, like he knew more than she did. It was probably true, but she hated it when people knew more than she did; she had worked so long and hard to achieve the things she already had and this.this creature, was trying to take that all away from her. Needless to say that wasn't going to go over very well.
"As I'm sure you already know, I have discussed with Lucius that you are not permitted to call me that."
He chuckled. She had a lot more wits about her then he had given her credit. She had spunk and a flair that could not be taught no matter how strong or disciplined the attempt. She had her wits about her, and boy would she ever need them.
"You are quite right Miss Granger; forgive me for my lapse of judgment. I was hopping that we could somehow change that arrangement. Perhaps propose a truce?"
"I would rather live in a box with blast-ended skeurts than proposed a truce with you. I have no time for this pointless banter. Just tell me what you want so I can say no and then go home. I have better things to do."
"Miss Granger I would learn to control your tongue if I were you if you look around you are not really in the position to compromise. Now as I was saying Hermione, I have a proposal for you, one that I want you to give a considerable amount of consideration to."
Hermione did keep her mouth closed and he took it as a sign that he was permitted to go on. He outlined his plan to her, never giving out too many details, it was just too risky. He told her of her importance and why he would need her. He specified the different ways he would be able to extract it if she was too stubborn to admit, the least painful of all of course being the truth potion. He made no threats against her family or friends but those thoughts still lingered in the back of her head. She sat stone faced while he talked, something she had acquired from sitting with Draco for hours, only her eyes betraying her revealing her true emotions to the evil being sitting just across from her.
~*~
Draco had to fight to control himself. He was afraid he was going to get lost in his own emotional turmoil, he had learn early in life that he had to control his emotions, be a blank canvass to the outside world, he had to hide away the feelings that some were able to share so openly and publicly for his father, for his own protections in the harms of the outside world. He wasn't supposed to ever have experiences any real emotion like love or hate, indifference was the key to his world. Sure, he was able to have fun, picking on Potter and the gang for the passed for years, he had even had a couple of girlfriends, just flings. He was not supposed to feel anything, it was a weakness, one that would surely ruin him or his family one day and his father had trained him not to let that happen.
Fortunately, Hermione had been able to open up that closed off section of his brain, not to mention his heart. Their relationship had changed drastically in just a few short months, but they had been the best and most life changing thus far in Draco's now seventeen years. He hadn't really been fully satisfied with their relationship. He had wanted to shout it out to the whole world, to tell everyone he had found the one for him, the perfect girl. But alas, with both of their status that would not be a possibility for at least the near future. Their ranks as Slytherin and Gryffindor were enough to tear them apart let alone the difference of their blood, one was pure the other not.
Their relationship had existed though disclosed only to the close friends the intelligent teachers who were able to solve the clues that the couple had mistakenly shown and misplaced. Hermione's parents of course would not care, at least after an explanation of his teen-life crisis and how he had grown and changed from it. Their problem so far had been hiding away from the Slytherins so they could not write to their discriminatory parents. Any leak to his own house and Draco could just as well kiss the relationship goodbye as well as having to fear the high possibility that he may lose Hermione perpetually. His father was known to make harsh and decisive decisions. Draco feared that one might be terminating the threat to the bloodline.
The bloodline, the only thing that really separating Hermione and Himself. If it were not for her muggle heritage they were easily be accepted no matter what house they had landed themselves in at Hogwarts. Draco knew his father would approve, well at least he couldn't find any flaws on the girl that his father might not like. She was beautiful, smart, witty, cunning (a Slytherin trait), not to mention caring and considerate. He has never seen her address an adult as anything without it consisting of a title, well except for Lord Voldemort, he would never be her Lord, she would rather die then have that happen.
And that what he feared the most right now. He knew she would stand up to Voldemort, if that was indeed where she had been taken. She would not release any information about him, Harry, Ron, or anything she knew about that was going on in or of the school.
He had to stop thinking about that. He had to think about the positive at the moment and that was that he was going in after her and he would get there in time and rescue her from any fate that was now planned for her. He wasn't alone either. He had many of her close friends to back him up, people that he had grown to respect through Hermione's accounts and interpretations of each. He knew more of their qualities that he could ever pick up by himself. He knew of Ron's fear of spiders, Harry's weakness against the dementors, and the guilt Sirius felt from the death of the Potters. He knew how he would be able to utilize them on this mission, how they would affect the outcome and what could be done about the blunders they might make.
He knew they had all faced Voldemort before, but they had never had to face him in the Manor. The Manor itself could trap and confine any individual who did not expertly know their way around. He, himself, as a child got lost on several occasions. He was punished severely for his insolence and stupidity; it only helped him to learn faster. He had memorize the locations of all the trap doors, hidden corridors, and he had learned the counter curses and jinxes to many of the spells placed along at random to throw and intruder off their given course. They were simple spells the made you dizzy or confused you but they always managed to do their job.
It was just an added inconvenience that they would have to face Voldemort after winding their way through the inter-workings of his home. He would have to leave the experience in that Department up to Potter. He would guide them to Hermione and hopefully assess her while Potter and Weasley distract the self-named Dark Lord.
"Draco.are you ready?" The question snapped Draco from his own troublesome mind.
"Yes. I don't know about you but from what I know about the Manor, you lot could very well die in there. So here's the plan-"
"Malfoy, we already have a plan," interjected Ron, annoyed, "Haven't you been listening."
"Honestly no. But if you want to get to Hermione as soon as possible you are going to have to listen to me. I can get us through the Manor and its grounds. Hopefully I'll still be able to connect to Hermione and I'll be able to lead us to her. I don't know where exactly she'll be or what type of company she'll be kept in. Potter I'm counting on you and Weasley to distract whoever is in there enough so I can get Hermione out. Once that's done, you can't be showing off, now is not the time to try to kill the Voldemort, he has too many advantages against you. We get in, get the girl and get out, got it?"
"Sure Malfoy."
Dumbledore handed them a phoenix feather, the emergency portkey, "Good luck to you all, use your resources wisely, remember what you have been taught, and please be careful." ~*~
Hermione wasn't quite sure how to respond and react to the self acclaimed 'Lord' in front of her. She knew how powerful he was; what he was able to overcome, who he was able to overthrow and how many people's lives he was able to ruin just at his call. Still, she found that she could not lower the standard of her mind to be humiliated by him. She had not for Draco or any other Slytherin for the six years age had known herself a witch and she was not about to let some snake degrade her.
She fought back, granted it was not much more than a verbal feud, but at least she was not sitting and crying in the corner begging to be freed or taken back home. No, if he was going to get anything from her it would be a struggle and more effort than she knew he gave her credit for. She would put up a fight even if it killed her in the end.
She had more on her mind than just coming up with verbal lashing's though. She had to think about why anybody would want her. There were the obvious reasons about her being Harry Potter's friend, and she was the greater choice over Ron, killing two birds with one stone.kill the mudblood and wound Harry Potter all at the same time. But there had to be more to it than that. And if that was the case, why had she gone uninjured and un- captured for so many years prior? This wasn't logical.
Hermione had to come to terms that this was not some problem that she could find the answer to in a book. She would have to figure this one out on her own; but how?
From the source.
The man who knew what earthly purpose she had for him was standing in the room competing in a verbal sparring match with her at the moment. All she had to do was switch the topic on to one where they could begin to discus her uses. She would have to change from her direct and up front tactics somehow and be coy and submissive, everything about the role of women she hated. She might even have to be seductive to lull him in to a sense of security with her, something her sharp tongue was certainly not accomplishing.
"I'm sorry, but could you just go back to which ever hole you just crawled out of. I'm tired, and this.conversation, is starting to bore me." On cue, Hermione managed to pull off a realistic looking and sounding yawn. Her eyes started to flutter shut as she curled her legs up into her chest on the chair. With another, milder yawn, her eyes closed and she placed her head on the top of her knees.
It wasn't her intention, or the first thought that came to her mind, but it appeared to have worked. Voldemort had not taken his red beady eyes off her as of yet. She was half expecting a blanket to be laid on top of her or the fire to grow spreading more of its heat. Hermione forced herself to relax her breathing into smooth, deep, and even waves of air. She was actually in a state of Meditation - she had blocked out all her emotions and all the things that were going wrong in her life. For the moment she had no desires or wants, she was her own person plan and independent. She was in such a relaxed state that she hadn't prepared herself for the 'Dark Lord's' own reaction.
"Come now, Hermione, we wouldn't want you to get a crook in your neck," he said placidly. Before Hermione could protest that she really was quite comfortable, arms were lifting her out of the chair. Her eyes instinctively opened once more and she caught glimmers of pale blonde hair reflecting in the fire's light. The arms hold her were strong and almost comforting, the person seemed so familiar.
"Draco?" she asked for in a daze. Before, she had been on the verge of sleep, whether it was from the heat of the fire or the exhaustive efforts of just making it through the day she didn't know, but her eyes were getting so heavy again. She tried to think if she had eaten anything since she had been kidnapped, thinking the food could be charmed or poisoned.
She could feel the man's heart beat against her cheek, so soft and steady, the rhythmic pattern pulling her away from consciousness, only broken when he finally spoke in his deep alluring voice.
"Not quite, Miss Granger, although I am quiet impressed that you would think it would be my son of all people carrying you."
Hermione was rather ticked off; she had just removed herself from one battle of wits and did not yet want to be placed in the middle of another. She would actually have to use some of the things she picked up from the younger Malfoy, and the position she found herself in.
"Yes, well we have both spent a lot of time together recently, with Prefect duties and all. He had some wonderful ideas for all the balls we've had this year, did you know?" She was making an attempt to sound coy and innocent and she hoped it was working. She figured the more she complimented Draco the less chance he would have to talk.
"Plus, I didn't really know anyone else had his strong arms; they're so powerful but his hands can be so delicate, for potions that is. He has amazing talents; I can't talk enough about his potion skills, they're supreme, and his skill on a broom, I haven't seen many people fly like him. He tried to teach me once; I'm rather a hopeless cause though. I have a fear of heights; not very convenient for a witch is it, with flying and all."
It had probably not been the smartest idea to admit a fear she had to her kidnapper, but he didn't know that his son had actually cured that fear, just not the fear of being on a piece of wood the size of your thumb that high in the air.
"I see, do you admire the talents of the other Prefects as much as my son's, Miss Granger?" he asked a hint of amusement deep within his voice.
"I would, Sir, if there were many to admire, but you have to consider what houses they come from. From what I've seen and what I've been told the Hufflepuffs are just the leftovers from the other houses. And what is there to admire about the Ravenclaw Prefect, his intelligence, his whole house is known for it but yet the top two students in our year are not from that house. You see, Mr. Malfoy, you son is the real deal, he's got the whole package.the looks, the intelligence, a sense of humor, a mysterious quality, not to mention his good background. Any girl would be extremely blessed to have him. It's a shame I don't meet up to the Malfoy standards, I would certainly love to have a chance at him."
"I see." There was a pause in the conversation as Lucius opened the door to a room. Hermione had watched their path from the dungeons to what she counted as the third floor. She had been awed at the inspiring works of art displayed throughout the corridors and indeed the portraits of what Hermione would only think of the ancestors of the current generations of Malfoys. The room its self was gorgeous, decorated in a combination of burgundy and neutrals beiges.
Malfoy had set Hermione on the comforter of the bed. "Mr. Malfoy I would like to compliment you, your wife, or your decorator on their excellent taste of decoration. This room is simply beautiful. But I'm kind of confused."
"How's that?"
"I thought that I was a prisoner. I mean, you kidnapped me and all, this all turning out to be very "Beauty and the Beast". Why am I not in a cell?"
"Well Miss Granger, you will learn not to take all things at their face value. You have a purpose for Our, My Lord, and it would not do us well to have you unhappy."
Hermione sat pondering for a moment trying to interpret what meanings and clues could possibly be hidden in the context of what he had just said. Were the expecting her to cross over to their side and betray her friends and her school? She wasn't exactly schooled in how to act in situations like these nor did she have a degree in how to act in this social class. She had probably broken all the rules anyway, so in response she settled for a mediocre, "I see."
Hermione fiddled with her tie for a moment before acting brave enough to ask him one final question. "Sir, I know I am probably out of my place in asking this, and you have already done so much for me, but I was wondering if you had a spare night gown and set of pajamas I might be able to borrow for the night. It's just that, I've been wearing these clothes all day and would very much like to at least rinse them out before tomorrow."
Lucius stood contemplating for a moment and then strode over to the wardrobe on the farthest wall; he reached in and pulled out a long and silky green night dress. "I do believe these would fit you," he said handing over the garment to the girl sitting in the middle of the richly decorated bed.
She fingered the material tenderly, "These are lovely, and so extravagant. Are you sure you don't mind me borrowing them?"
"No, nobody was going to be using them anyway. As for tomorrow I will have the house elves stalk the closet with clothes in your size. For now, you might as well change into that, "he said pointing to Japanese curtain placed near the wardrobe. Seeing that he made no movement to leave the room, Hermione graciously picked out the silky material and went behind the curtain. Knowing full well that he could probably see her silhouette through the material, she undressed and redressed as sexually and seductively as possible.
She stepped from behind the material blushing. The gown hugged her curves and dipped low enough that her cleavage hung out. Hermione wasn't quite sure how people managed to sleep in this comfortably but she did have to admit it was more comfortable that what she had on earlier.
"It fits you perfectly," Lucius Malfoy said giving her the once over. 'Now come here and get into bed. From the way you acted in front of My Lord, you must be exhausted; no one has ever fallen asleep in his presence before." He was folding the comforter and remaining blankets back for her.
"I know and would you send my deepest regrets for that, I've been so tired lately and we've just had a break. I would also like to apologize to you for my rude behavior earlier. I was scared and my rude talk was just a defense. Would you forgive me, please," she begged while reaching for his hand as he pulled the covers over her legs.
"Yes, since you asked so nicely. Are you saying you're not scared now?"
"Yes and no. I am no longer afraid of you sir, well you intimidate me still but its not the same. I am worried about what you need me for, but I do believe that you would have killed me already if that was your whole purpose and I do believe that you will kill me no matter what words come out of my mouth if that is what you wish."
"Smart girl."
"Thank you, sir."
Hermione could feel herself getting lost in an easy flow of conversation and this whole innocence thing was less challenging than learning the alphabet. She had to force herself to remember that they were the enemy and she was trying to find someway out, or at least a little more about her purpose here. She was in other mode of reminding herself just this and she was caught off guard by the question that came out of his mouth.
"Hermione, earlier you said you didn't match up to the Malfoy standard why do you say that?"
"Well Sir, from what I have seen from the portraits on the wall, all the Malfoy women are simply beautiful, even their likenesses were eloquent and graceful in their frames. They rank high in the social classes and know how to carry themselves around the elite. And then there is the factor of my muggle parentage. Your line has been pure for so many generations, not likely that I would be made an exception."
He nodded, "well good night Miss Granger, we shall see you in the morning. There will be an outfit waiting for you in the wardrobe."
With his wand he extinguished the flames and left the room, shutting the door.
A/N: Do you like this style of writing? It something new I tried. I know there wasn't much contact between the characters that were commonly seen together but this was another one of those unplanned chapters that just happens to be my longest. Review and tell me if you like this more elaborate form of writing or if you would like me to go back to what I consider choppy writing?
Always looking for ideas.
Falling Head Over Heels
The Story of Hermione Granger and
her relationship with Draco Malfoy
By: Befuzzled
Chapter Thirty~ Pawn to E5
"For a shield from the storm
For a friend
For a love to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong
For the will to carry on
For everything you do
For everything's that true
I turn to you"
~Christina Aguilera
The entire room stared blankly at Draco, in a panicked silence, none know quite what to say or what to do.
Rapid emotions were crossing Draco's face, mostly in his eyes. They were splashed with traces and bits of love, fear, anger, sadness, bitterness, warmth, confusion, and most importantly at the time determination. It would be his spirit and his ability to connect with Hermione that would be able to save her. He alone had the knowledge of his household, at least to the point where he was compatible with his own father. He would be the one that would ultimately have to find Hermione and most likely be the one to rescue her, he had to. He wouldn't just be saving her but himself as well.
"Professor?" Draco barely managed out in an odd and strained whisper, "What are you going to do? What can I do? Who knows what they're doing to her, I can feel traces of pain in different spots, but it's been so long since we preformed the necessary spells, I don't know if they're still working." He voice slowly gathered speed and volume while he talked.
"Mr. Malfoy, right now I'm going to need you to concentrate hard on Hermione. Send her what ever feelings of comfort and peace that you can, she'll need all the strength and hope that she can get unfortunately. Mr. Potter, if you would please go retrieve Professor Snape for me and Mr. Weasley if you could send for Professor McGonagall, I'm afraid that we will need all the brain power possible if we are going to bring Miss Granger back unharmed."
Without more questions the two boys immediately rushed out of the room in search of the teachers they were instructed to find, one to the gloomy dungeons, they other to a corridor on the fourth floor. Draco merely acknowledged what Dumbledore had said before setting to his own task of focusing on Hermione. He tried desperately to push aside his own worries and regrets for not sending her back up to the castle before him. He realized even if he had, they had left the train in such a far interval apart that it would not have made much difference. Somebody would still have the ability to capture her.
That was another thing that disturbed him: why would they want Hermione? Did they know what was going on between the two of them? They had been careful hadn't they? Well there was that one kiss after the Concordia Ball, but only a select group of close and confident friends had been witness to that. Did his father know about Hermione quest to find Hermia? Had that triggered him? Would he take Hermione just to make sure the secret that he had had another child let alone a daughter did not get out? Who would want her? Was it Voldemort? Was it some psycho subscriber that was still plotting revenge against her for breaking Harry's heart two years prior? Was it really his father?
So many thoughts were running through his head that he did not notice the return of the other two students or the arrival of the professors. He did not hear Dumbledore relay what he thought had happened and missed the shocked face of Minerva McGonagall or even the slightly hampered face of his potions professor.
He was in fact in such a trance that he had to be jostled out of it by his head of house. "Mr. Malfoy? Draco?"
He shook his head several time regaining his senses of where he was and what was going on around him. "Professors I know you may not approve but I am going after Hermione. I don't care where she is or who has her. She doesn't deserve this and I can't wait for you to fill out a missing person record of the slow ministry officals, too much can happen in that amount of time. If you could arrange for a portkey to Malfoy Manor it would greatly reduce my time but if you cannot, I will be packing a few supplies and I'll be off on my broom. I can sense it they're hurting her, and I need to stop it."
Dumbledore put up a calming hand easily halting the young man's rant. "I understand Mr. Malfoy, but we will not be sending you in there by yourself. I am quite sure Misters Potter and Weasley would not appreciate being left behind, and although you three are some of the best students in this school I must insist that you have adult supervision. I have already summoned a Mr. Black and a Mr. Lupin. Professor Snape will be equipping you with some useful potions and a urgent portkey is being set up right now.
"If you need to get anything from you rooms, such as a certain present, Mr. Potter, I would suggest getting those now, and be quick about it. We will explain the plan as soon as you get back. We will need your full cooperation and support for this."
"Thank you, Professors," Draco said rushed and quickly left out the door not being told twice that he needed to hurry. This was for him as much as it was for Hermione. It was hard living when he knew she was just an owl away, he didn't know if he could live if he could never talk to her again. He didn't even want to think about it, not unless he had to. And right now he didn't have to. He was going to save her, even if he died in the process.
~*~
Hermione cowered unwilling from the figure that now stood in front of her. It wasn't so much that she feared him; no, she had been part of a trio that had taken him down several times. It was the unexpected way that his presence had demanded attention and begged to be looked on. He had managed to attain an aura of sickening power even from his pale and gaunt looking face and his tall lanky frame. She had read about all that he had done before her time and experienced the pain and suffering he inflicted in her own life time. She had been there threw the Philosopher's Stone, she had been the one to discover the basilisk and how he was getting around, she had comforted and consoled Harry after his return when they were fourteen and she had played out her role with the Order in her fifth year.
Oh, yes. Voldemort was indeed back and more cunning and cut-throat then he had ever been. He was a desperate man willing to do whatever necessary to reclaim the power and status that he once had a little less then twenty years ago. He would rise again to be the Dark Lord, he didn't just want to be a chapter in history books, he wanted, craved, to be the past, the present and the future. He knew who his enemies were, he had spent over a year in hiding study them, sending out spies, using Dark Magic, and means necessary to get what he wanted. He felt that he was now ready to strike.
People, the Ministry and Dumbledore, were expecting him to go for a large target like Hogwarts or the Ministry itself. They were anticipating that he would again go after key players in the fight against him, the Minister, Dumbledore, even Harry Potter again. He had wanted to surprise them, to go after a target that had been concealed, hidden beneath the radar, yet undiscovered and unknown to most of the public. He wanted to take out and important figure without letting the other side know just why or what importance this character had in his game his entire set up for the plan he was beginning to put into place. He wanted a thinker, a brilliant mind, anything to take away from the help of the enemy side. He wanted Hermione Granger.
It would be suspected that he had taken the girl because she was friends with Harry Potter, a perfect inside leak if he could get her to talk, and he was a master at getting people to talk. Or it might be presumed that he wanted to get rid of at least one mud blood before he was caught again, they just didn't know that he wasn't planning on getting caught. When he was through with her he would no doubt eventually dispose of her, most of the time once he had extracted all of the information he wanted from them their bodies were no longing able to support themselves, not very suitable for living in. And for the extremely clueless people, it might be thought that the poor girl was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. That was a false statement if he had every made one. The girl's positioning had been perfect on that day. She had made the job of capturing her all that more easy. There was no mess to clean up after, no minds that needed altering, it was perfect.
Yes, this girl in fact would be perfect for in uses. She was bright, un- bashfully so. At the top of her class and proud to show it with the pesky hand always raised in the air. He own death-eater Snape was even forced to admit to the adequate skill she had in each of her classes. And it wasn't just the required classes that some students simply mastered so they could appear smart, no, this girl had taken up every class she could load her schedule with, always wanting to the know more then she did, wanting to measure up.
This girl was timid and shy outside of the classroom, having only a small and select group that she felt she could trust and consider friends. Even then she was guarded with them. They were all borne into the wizarding world and lifestyle, accepted easily with opened arms, well maybe with the exception of the Boy-Who-Lived-to-Annoy-the -Hell-Out-of-Him, but with his status that his mother had manage to pass on to him, he was given allowances and had people justify excuses and reasons for his everyday insolence. Hermione Granger, however, had to prove herself from her Mudblood label.
She was more important to his cause than anyone could even begin to realize. She would be the deciding factor and nobody knew it but him, and by time the other side figured it out it would be to late for them and the girl. It has already been decided and he already has acquired his prize. She would be of great use and benefit him deeply. And imagine, if she lent her knowledge out willingly he might even be able to spare her great mind well as long as she worked for him.
It was rather ironic how much alike they were. Both title with the Mudblood label, him a half blood and her muggle born, both had managed to rise from the taunt to become the best in their year and perhaps the school, maybe even their decade. They both demanded a respect that no one quiet could understand, but yet were forced to supply it when in either of their presence. Of course none of this was essential, consider how much he had in common with Potter.
"Hermione."
She looked confused and startled at the sound of her name coming from his lips but those emotions slowly turn to rage and anger and she peered at the smirk and sly grin that was plastered to his face, like he knew more than she did. It was probably true, but she hated it when people knew more than she did; she had worked so long and hard to achieve the things she already had and this.this creature, was trying to take that all away from her. Needless to say that wasn't going to go over very well.
"As I'm sure you already know, I have discussed with Lucius that you are not permitted to call me that."
He chuckled. She had a lot more wits about her then he had given her credit. She had spunk and a flair that could not be taught no matter how strong or disciplined the attempt. She had her wits about her, and boy would she ever need them.
"You are quite right Miss Granger; forgive me for my lapse of judgment. I was hopping that we could somehow change that arrangement. Perhaps propose a truce?"
"I would rather live in a box with blast-ended skeurts than proposed a truce with you. I have no time for this pointless banter. Just tell me what you want so I can say no and then go home. I have better things to do."
"Miss Granger I would learn to control your tongue if I were you if you look around you are not really in the position to compromise. Now as I was saying Hermione, I have a proposal for you, one that I want you to give a considerable amount of consideration to."
Hermione did keep her mouth closed and he took it as a sign that he was permitted to go on. He outlined his plan to her, never giving out too many details, it was just too risky. He told her of her importance and why he would need her. He specified the different ways he would be able to extract it if she was too stubborn to admit, the least painful of all of course being the truth potion. He made no threats against her family or friends but those thoughts still lingered in the back of her head. She sat stone faced while he talked, something she had acquired from sitting with Draco for hours, only her eyes betraying her revealing her true emotions to the evil being sitting just across from her.
~*~
Draco had to fight to control himself. He was afraid he was going to get lost in his own emotional turmoil, he had learn early in life that he had to control his emotions, be a blank canvass to the outside world, he had to hide away the feelings that some were able to share so openly and publicly for his father, for his own protections in the harms of the outside world. He wasn't supposed to ever have experiences any real emotion like love or hate, indifference was the key to his world. Sure, he was able to have fun, picking on Potter and the gang for the passed for years, he had even had a couple of girlfriends, just flings. He was not supposed to feel anything, it was a weakness, one that would surely ruin him or his family one day and his father had trained him not to let that happen.
Fortunately, Hermione had been able to open up that closed off section of his brain, not to mention his heart. Their relationship had changed drastically in just a few short months, but they had been the best and most life changing thus far in Draco's now seventeen years. He hadn't really been fully satisfied with their relationship. He had wanted to shout it out to the whole world, to tell everyone he had found the one for him, the perfect girl. But alas, with both of their status that would not be a possibility for at least the near future. Their ranks as Slytherin and Gryffindor were enough to tear them apart let alone the difference of their blood, one was pure the other not.
Their relationship had existed though disclosed only to the close friends the intelligent teachers who were able to solve the clues that the couple had mistakenly shown and misplaced. Hermione's parents of course would not care, at least after an explanation of his teen-life crisis and how he had grown and changed from it. Their problem so far had been hiding away from the Slytherins so they could not write to their discriminatory parents. Any leak to his own house and Draco could just as well kiss the relationship goodbye as well as having to fear the high possibility that he may lose Hermione perpetually. His father was known to make harsh and decisive decisions. Draco feared that one might be terminating the threat to the bloodline.
The bloodline, the only thing that really separating Hermione and Himself. If it were not for her muggle heritage they were easily be accepted no matter what house they had landed themselves in at Hogwarts. Draco knew his father would approve, well at least he couldn't find any flaws on the girl that his father might not like. She was beautiful, smart, witty, cunning (a Slytherin trait), not to mention caring and considerate. He has never seen her address an adult as anything without it consisting of a title, well except for Lord Voldemort, he would never be her Lord, she would rather die then have that happen.
And that what he feared the most right now. He knew she would stand up to Voldemort, if that was indeed where she had been taken. She would not release any information about him, Harry, Ron, or anything she knew about that was going on in or of the school.
He had to stop thinking about that. He had to think about the positive at the moment and that was that he was going in after her and he would get there in time and rescue her from any fate that was now planned for her. He wasn't alone either. He had many of her close friends to back him up, people that he had grown to respect through Hermione's accounts and interpretations of each. He knew more of their qualities that he could ever pick up by himself. He knew of Ron's fear of spiders, Harry's weakness against the dementors, and the guilt Sirius felt from the death of the Potters. He knew how he would be able to utilize them on this mission, how they would affect the outcome and what could be done about the blunders they might make.
He knew they had all faced Voldemort before, but they had never had to face him in the Manor. The Manor itself could trap and confine any individual who did not expertly know their way around. He, himself, as a child got lost on several occasions. He was punished severely for his insolence and stupidity; it only helped him to learn faster. He had memorize the locations of all the trap doors, hidden corridors, and he had learned the counter curses and jinxes to many of the spells placed along at random to throw and intruder off their given course. They were simple spells the made you dizzy or confused you but they always managed to do their job.
It was just an added inconvenience that they would have to face Voldemort after winding their way through the inter-workings of his home. He would have to leave the experience in that Department up to Potter. He would guide them to Hermione and hopefully assess her while Potter and Weasley distract the self-named Dark Lord.
"Draco.are you ready?" The question snapped Draco from his own troublesome mind.
"Yes. I don't know about you but from what I know about the Manor, you lot could very well die in there. So here's the plan-"
"Malfoy, we already have a plan," interjected Ron, annoyed, "Haven't you been listening."
"Honestly no. But if you want to get to Hermione as soon as possible you are going to have to listen to me. I can get us through the Manor and its grounds. Hopefully I'll still be able to connect to Hermione and I'll be able to lead us to her. I don't know where exactly she'll be or what type of company she'll be kept in. Potter I'm counting on you and Weasley to distract whoever is in there enough so I can get Hermione out. Once that's done, you can't be showing off, now is not the time to try to kill the Voldemort, he has too many advantages against you. We get in, get the girl and get out, got it?"
"Sure Malfoy."
Dumbledore handed them a phoenix feather, the emergency portkey, "Good luck to you all, use your resources wisely, remember what you have been taught, and please be careful." ~*~
Hermione wasn't quite sure how to respond and react to the self acclaimed 'Lord' in front of her. She knew how powerful he was; what he was able to overcome, who he was able to overthrow and how many people's lives he was able to ruin just at his call. Still, she found that she could not lower the standard of her mind to be humiliated by him. She had not for Draco or any other Slytherin for the six years age had known herself a witch and she was not about to let some snake degrade her.
She fought back, granted it was not much more than a verbal feud, but at least she was not sitting and crying in the corner begging to be freed or taken back home. No, if he was going to get anything from her it would be a struggle and more effort than she knew he gave her credit for. She would put up a fight even if it killed her in the end.
She had more on her mind than just coming up with verbal lashing's though. She had to think about why anybody would want her. There were the obvious reasons about her being Harry Potter's friend, and she was the greater choice over Ron, killing two birds with one stone.kill the mudblood and wound Harry Potter all at the same time. But there had to be more to it than that. And if that was the case, why had she gone uninjured and un- captured for so many years prior? This wasn't logical.
Hermione had to come to terms that this was not some problem that she could find the answer to in a book. She would have to figure this one out on her own; but how?
From the source.
The man who knew what earthly purpose she had for him was standing in the room competing in a verbal sparring match with her at the moment. All she had to do was switch the topic on to one where they could begin to discus her uses. She would have to change from her direct and up front tactics somehow and be coy and submissive, everything about the role of women she hated. She might even have to be seductive to lull him in to a sense of security with her, something her sharp tongue was certainly not accomplishing.
"I'm sorry, but could you just go back to which ever hole you just crawled out of. I'm tired, and this.conversation, is starting to bore me." On cue, Hermione managed to pull off a realistic looking and sounding yawn. Her eyes started to flutter shut as she curled her legs up into her chest on the chair. With another, milder yawn, her eyes closed and she placed her head on the top of her knees.
It wasn't her intention, or the first thought that came to her mind, but it appeared to have worked. Voldemort had not taken his red beady eyes off her as of yet. She was half expecting a blanket to be laid on top of her or the fire to grow spreading more of its heat. Hermione forced herself to relax her breathing into smooth, deep, and even waves of air. She was actually in a state of Meditation - she had blocked out all her emotions and all the things that were going wrong in her life. For the moment she had no desires or wants, she was her own person plan and independent. She was in such a relaxed state that she hadn't prepared herself for the 'Dark Lord's' own reaction.
"Come now, Hermione, we wouldn't want you to get a crook in your neck," he said placidly. Before Hermione could protest that she really was quite comfortable, arms were lifting her out of the chair. Her eyes instinctively opened once more and she caught glimmers of pale blonde hair reflecting in the fire's light. The arms hold her were strong and almost comforting, the person seemed so familiar.
"Draco?" she asked for in a daze. Before, she had been on the verge of sleep, whether it was from the heat of the fire or the exhaustive efforts of just making it through the day she didn't know, but her eyes were getting so heavy again. She tried to think if she had eaten anything since she had been kidnapped, thinking the food could be charmed or poisoned.
She could feel the man's heart beat against her cheek, so soft and steady, the rhythmic pattern pulling her away from consciousness, only broken when he finally spoke in his deep alluring voice.
"Not quite, Miss Granger, although I am quiet impressed that you would think it would be my son of all people carrying you."
Hermione was rather ticked off; she had just removed herself from one battle of wits and did not yet want to be placed in the middle of another. She would actually have to use some of the things she picked up from the younger Malfoy, and the position she found herself in.
"Yes, well we have both spent a lot of time together recently, with Prefect duties and all. He had some wonderful ideas for all the balls we've had this year, did you know?" She was making an attempt to sound coy and innocent and she hoped it was working. She figured the more she complimented Draco the less chance he would have to talk.
"Plus, I didn't really know anyone else had his strong arms; they're so powerful but his hands can be so delicate, for potions that is. He has amazing talents; I can't talk enough about his potion skills, they're supreme, and his skill on a broom, I haven't seen many people fly like him. He tried to teach me once; I'm rather a hopeless cause though. I have a fear of heights; not very convenient for a witch is it, with flying and all."
It had probably not been the smartest idea to admit a fear she had to her kidnapper, but he didn't know that his son had actually cured that fear, just not the fear of being on a piece of wood the size of your thumb that high in the air.
"I see, do you admire the talents of the other Prefects as much as my son's, Miss Granger?" he asked a hint of amusement deep within his voice.
"I would, Sir, if there were many to admire, but you have to consider what houses they come from. From what I've seen and what I've been told the Hufflepuffs are just the leftovers from the other houses. And what is there to admire about the Ravenclaw Prefect, his intelligence, his whole house is known for it but yet the top two students in our year are not from that house. You see, Mr. Malfoy, you son is the real deal, he's got the whole package.the looks, the intelligence, a sense of humor, a mysterious quality, not to mention his good background. Any girl would be extremely blessed to have him. It's a shame I don't meet up to the Malfoy standards, I would certainly love to have a chance at him."
"I see." There was a pause in the conversation as Lucius opened the door to a room. Hermione had watched their path from the dungeons to what she counted as the third floor. She had been awed at the inspiring works of art displayed throughout the corridors and indeed the portraits of what Hermione would only think of the ancestors of the current generations of Malfoys. The room its self was gorgeous, decorated in a combination of burgundy and neutrals beiges.
Malfoy had set Hermione on the comforter of the bed. "Mr. Malfoy I would like to compliment you, your wife, or your decorator on their excellent taste of decoration. This room is simply beautiful. But I'm kind of confused."
"How's that?"
"I thought that I was a prisoner. I mean, you kidnapped me and all, this all turning out to be very "Beauty and the Beast". Why am I not in a cell?"
"Well Miss Granger, you will learn not to take all things at their face value. You have a purpose for Our, My Lord, and it would not do us well to have you unhappy."
Hermione sat pondering for a moment trying to interpret what meanings and clues could possibly be hidden in the context of what he had just said. Were the expecting her to cross over to their side and betray her friends and her school? She wasn't exactly schooled in how to act in situations like these nor did she have a degree in how to act in this social class. She had probably broken all the rules anyway, so in response she settled for a mediocre, "I see."
Hermione fiddled with her tie for a moment before acting brave enough to ask him one final question. "Sir, I know I am probably out of my place in asking this, and you have already done so much for me, but I was wondering if you had a spare night gown and set of pajamas I might be able to borrow for the night. It's just that, I've been wearing these clothes all day and would very much like to at least rinse them out before tomorrow."
Lucius stood contemplating for a moment and then strode over to the wardrobe on the farthest wall; he reached in and pulled out a long and silky green night dress. "I do believe these would fit you," he said handing over the garment to the girl sitting in the middle of the richly decorated bed.
She fingered the material tenderly, "These are lovely, and so extravagant. Are you sure you don't mind me borrowing them?"
"No, nobody was going to be using them anyway. As for tomorrow I will have the house elves stalk the closet with clothes in your size. For now, you might as well change into that, "he said pointing to Japanese curtain placed near the wardrobe. Seeing that he made no movement to leave the room, Hermione graciously picked out the silky material and went behind the curtain. Knowing full well that he could probably see her silhouette through the material, she undressed and redressed as sexually and seductively as possible.
She stepped from behind the material blushing. The gown hugged her curves and dipped low enough that her cleavage hung out. Hermione wasn't quite sure how people managed to sleep in this comfortably but she did have to admit it was more comfortable that what she had on earlier.
"It fits you perfectly," Lucius Malfoy said giving her the once over. 'Now come here and get into bed. From the way you acted in front of My Lord, you must be exhausted; no one has ever fallen asleep in his presence before." He was folding the comforter and remaining blankets back for her.
"I know and would you send my deepest regrets for that, I've been so tired lately and we've just had a break. I would also like to apologize to you for my rude behavior earlier. I was scared and my rude talk was just a defense. Would you forgive me, please," she begged while reaching for his hand as he pulled the covers over her legs.
"Yes, since you asked so nicely. Are you saying you're not scared now?"
"Yes and no. I am no longer afraid of you sir, well you intimidate me still but its not the same. I am worried about what you need me for, but I do believe that you would have killed me already if that was your whole purpose and I do believe that you will kill me no matter what words come out of my mouth if that is what you wish."
"Smart girl."
"Thank you, sir."
Hermione could feel herself getting lost in an easy flow of conversation and this whole innocence thing was less challenging than learning the alphabet. She had to force herself to remember that they were the enemy and she was trying to find someway out, or at least a little more about her purpose here. She was in other mode of reminding herself just this and she was caught off guard by the question that came out of his mouth.
"Hermione, earlier you said you didn't match up to the Malfoy standard why do you say that?"
"Well Sir, from what I have seen from the portraits on the wall, all the Malfoy women are simply beautiful, even their likenesses were eloquent and graceful in their frames. They rank high in the social classes and know how to carry themselves around the elite. And then there is the factor of my muggle parentage. Your line has been pure for so many generations, not likely that I would be made an exception."
He nodded, "well good night Miss Granger, we shall see you in the morning. There will be an outfit waiting for you in the wardrobe."
With his wand he extinguished the flames and left the room, shutting the door.
A/N: Do you like this style of writing? It something new I tried. I know there wasn't much contact between the characters that were commonly seen together but this was another one of those unplanned chapters that just happens to be my longest. Review and tell me if you like this more elaborate form of writing or if you would like me to go back to what I consider choppy writing?
Always looking for ideas.
