DISCLAIMER: I'VE TYPED THIS TOO MANY TIMES-LOOK AT MY OTHER CHAPTERS.
Italicized words are the thoughts of characters unless they are in a letter or used to emphasize a word.
Previously:
"Draco," Hermione said, and Draco turned around. She said Draco, not Malfoy. He thought.
"What?"
"Why did you leave me for Pansy, I want the truth this time. And why did you lie to me about the moonstone powder," Hermione swallowed and whispered, "And why did you tell me you loved me?"
Draco gulped. "Answer to number one: because you are a Mudblood. Number two: because, I didn't lie, I just didn't finish the story completely. When the commoner returned he used the remaining moon powder to seduce the Princess into coming to bed with him. I didn't finish the story for you because at the time, I only wanted to use the first part with you. And number three," Draco paused before he answered her third question. The real reason he said it was because he truly did love her, "because who wouldn't love your body, Granger?"
Hermione's mouth parted slightly. "I wouldn't love it. I hate it matter of fact. I wish it would stop working, so I could just die in all the pain you have caused me," a single tear came down Hermione's cheek as she made up her mind. She would go to Voldermort tonight.
Draco gasped, but then covered it up with a cough. "Your problem, not mine," Draco said as he left the room. He would check on her every 15 minutes now, just to be on the safe side.
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Chapter 12- Turning to the Dark Side
Hermione was ready. She was sick of being depressed, and was even sicker of Draco. She would leave in half an hour. Hermione noticed that Draco was checking on her every 15 minutes, so she would have to leave as soon he checked on her. But how would she get out? She wouldn't be able to disapparate on Hogwarts ground. Hermione would have to distract Draco. She began to think, and finally thought of the perfect plan. She packed all her belongings (spell books, wand and a few change of robes) into her truck, and put an invisibility spell on it. Draco knocked on her door.
"You okay Mudblood?" he asked.
Here we go. "No," Hermione began, and Draco opened the door.
"What's the matter?" Draco asked.
"I skipped dinner tonight, and I am so hungry. I don't think I feel well enough to go ask Dobby for some food though. Do you think you could go to the kitchen and bring me back something?" Hermione gave a fake groan and rolled over on her side.
"Oh, uh," Draco didn't know what to do. Can I leave her quickly? I'll have to go quickly. She did skip dinner though, so she probably isn't lying. "Sure, I guess I can go. I have nothing better to do. But the only reason I'm doing this is because Ginny will hex me if I don't take care of you."
"Whatever Malfoy," Hermione said.
Draco ran out of the room and down the corridor, heading towards the kitchen.
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Hermione levitated her trunk and left her room. She left a piece of paper on her bed, hoping Draco would find it. Hermione ran down the corridor, opposite direction of the kitchen, to the Entrance Hall. She flung open the doors and ran outside. Uh-oh. Do I have to go through the Forbidden Forest? Wait, didn't it say in 'Hogwarts: A History' where the grounds end? Think Hermione, think! Oh now I remember, there should be a path, north of Hagrid's hut, but which way is north? Then she remembered the Four-Point Spell, which would tell her the direction. She took out her wand and muttered "Point Me!" and her wand spun around pointing a little left of Hagrid's hut. She ran over and found a long dirt path. She ran for a while, until she got tired. "Lumos," she said, and her wand lit up. She heard a crunch in the leaves and saw a few spiders crawl across the path. Oh no, not spiders! She ran a little ahead.
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Draco had gotten Hermione a plum pudding and a couple pieces of toast as well as some hot pumpkin juice. He ran back to the Heads room, and went into Hermione's room. It took him a second or two to realize that she was missing. Draco cursed very loudly and noticed the piece of paper on her bed. It smelled like Hermione's perfume. He opened it and read it out loud.
Draco-I am sorry that you had to go down to the kitchen for no reason. It was the only way I could get you out of the room. Please do not come after me; I have gone to fulfil my dreams. Do not worry about me either (I don't even need to say that, do I?) Goodbye, forever.
-Hermione
Draco cursed again. How can she be so stupid if she is the cleverest witch in Hogwarts? Draco knew he had to show Dumbledore. He ran out of the Heads room, and down to the professors' offices.
"Chocolate Frogs," Draco mumbled and the gargoyle that stood guard let Draco though.
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"She is coming my Lord," Lucius told the cloaked figure.
"Good," it hissed, "When will she arrive?"
"It will only be a matter of minutes,"
"Excellent. You shall be rewarded for the service of your house, Lucius,"
"Thank you my Lord, thank you," Lucius got down on his knees and kissed the robes of Voldermort.
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Hermione had come to the end of the path. Now I can disapparate-I should be off Hogwarts grounds now. "MALFOY MANSION!" Hermione said, and there was a loud pop; Hermione Granger was gone.
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Draco ran into Dumbledore's office, and nearly collided with him.
"Draco. Good to see you. What is the reason for this pleasant surprise?" Dumbledore sat down in the chair behind his desk and motioned for Draco to sit down. "Lemon Sherbet?"
Draco took one to be polite. "Professor, Hermione's gone. She's been having dreams- Death Eater dreams. She went to see Voldermort, Professor. Voldermort has been calling her."
"I knew this would happen," Dumbledore said.
"You knew? And you didn't try to stop her?" Draco said angrily.
"You had really hurt her Draco. I can't change people's feelings. Hermione was bound to do this sooner or later."
"I only did that to protect her from my father." Draco said defensively.
"You might have protected her from your father, but you opened her up to someone much more powerful than Lucius," Dumbledore sighed.
"Shouldn't we go and save her then?" Draco asked concerned.
"I'm afraid you are the only one who can save her. You are the one who broke her, and now you have to put her back together."
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Hermione arrived in front of the biggest house she had ever seen. I knew Draco was wealthy- but not this much. Hermione walked up to the front door and knocked on the dragon doorknocker. A house elf answered the door.
"Yes?" it asked.
What do I need? All the dreams said were to come to the mansion, it didn't tell me anything else. "I need you to direct me to the dungeon," Hermione said, suddenly afraid.
The house elf gave a quick nod and motioned for Hermione to follow. "I am Micha. If you need anything, let me know. I am not allowed to go down there without permission, so I will lead you to the staircase, then you are on your own," Micha said.
Hermione swallowed. "On my own?"
"I am afraid so," Micha nodded.
They reached a big oak door and Micha opened it. "Follow the stairs as far as they will go and you will be in the dungeon,"
"Thanks," Hermione mumbled and began to walk down into the cold, dark dungeon.
Everything looked familiar. This is the place in my dreams. Hermione noted. She continued her descend and held very tightly on to the railing. How could Draco live here? I would go bonkers if I stayed here. Hermione reached the last set of stairs and noticed Lucius at the end of the stairway- waiting for her.
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"How do I find her Professor?" Draco asked.
"Did Hermione give any clues to where she was going?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, she didn't." Draco sighed, this would be hard.
"Maybe she left a journal of some sort?" Dumbledore wondered.
"YES! She did keep a journal. I know she wrote about this because I happened to read it one day," Draco said excitedly.
"You read her journal? That is a very rude thing you did, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said.
"Err… I know, but I had to know what was the matter with her," Draco sighed.
"Well, I guess we both are going to have to be rude tonight. Come on Draco. We need to find her journal."
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"We have been expecting you, Miss Granger," Lucius said as Hermione reached the last step of the stairway, "Follow me."
Hermione followed Lucius to a big opening in the dungeon. There was an eerie glow that lit the dungeon. Hermione turned her head slightly and saw the cloaked figure.
"The youngest witch to ever turn to me," Voldermort said.
A look of pure terror illuminated Hermione's face.
"If you are worried about me hurting you, I won't. I was the one who called you here in the first place. Miss Granger, I am very well aware that you have been practicing the Dark Arts. You have been getting strong- very strong. With the proper training you could be second to me,"
Hermione relaxed a bit, but still looked worried.
Voldermort continued, "I will train you. By coming here tonight, you have signed a contract with me. You will stay with me," there was a pause, "forever. Or until your mortal life ends."
Hermione gulped, "Forever? That's a long time."
"Yes, and you will help me rid the world of all muggles and Mudblood," Voldermort looked at her to see her expression.
Hermione stood there, petrified. She whispered, "I am a," she paused, "a Mudblood."
"That is where you are wrong, you were adopted. Your real parents died serving me. They were the most loyal servants I have had in a long time. The Dark Arts run in your blood, Miss Granger. Do you really think if you were a Mudblood that I would have allowed you to begin practice the Dark Arts?"
Hermione heard Lucius gasp. "Yes Lucius, she is a pureblood. You will not harm her with any more of your Mudblood comments," Voldermort said turning back to Hermione, "You have had quite of a shock tonight, I am afraid. Lucius! Give Hermione the nicest room in this mansion- give her, Draco's room."
"Draco's room? Yes, my Lord," Lucius said.
"Place a locking spell on the door, she cannot escape," Voldermort turned to Hermione, "I will call for you tomorrow. You will become a Death Eater."
Oh no! Hermione followed Lucius to Draco's room.
"I should have let you stay with Draco, since you are a pureblood, of the Dark bloodline," Lucius began.
"Excuse me?" Hermione said.
"You didn't know the real reason Draco left you? Ha! It was because of my orders. He did it to protect you," Lucius said.
"Protect me? From who?"
"Me. I would have killed you if you muddled the Malfoy Pureblood line. Here is your room, if you need anything, summon a house elf, there is a bell located on the nightstand," Lucius turned to leave.
"So Draco did love me," Hermione whispered.
"Yes," and Lucius locked the door.
Hermione turned on her stomach and inhaled the sweet scent of Draco- her Draco. She began to cry. If only she knew that Draco still loved her then she would have stayed. Well, it's too late now Hermione. You blew it for yourself. I wonder what my real last name is? Everyone will surprised- I am a Pureblood- and here I had to suffer 6 years being called a Mudblood.
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Draco and Dumbledore went through all the drawers in Hermione's room.
"I think I found it," Draco yelled excitedly.
Dumbledore rushed over and realized that Hermione had put a locking spell on it.
"Shouldn't be to break," Dumbledore mumbled a spell and the journal fell open. He flipped though the pages. "Ah ha! Read this, Draco," Dumbledore handed Draco the journal.
…I've figured out what he is saying to me. I am pretty sure he is speaking in French. He told me to come to a mansion, and when I asked which one he said (this is the really weird part) Malfoy. Draco's mansion. I never knew Voldermort was hiding there. Draco asked me what mansion Voldermort wanted me to come to. How on Earth was I supposed to tell him it was his very own house! Uh-oh Draco's coming to check up on me, again. I think he's worried about me.
3,
Hermione
"She's at my house. This is not good," Draco said, staring dumbstruck at the journal.
"Then that is where you must go," Dumbledore said.
"Right," Draco sounded worried, but his love for Hermione was stronger.
"I will get a carriage ready to take you off grounds, then you may disapparate to your house. Bring with you only your wand and knowledge. Maybe bringing Harry along wouldn't be a bad idea either. He loves Hermione too, and would risk his life for her in a heart beat," Dumbledore said.
"No. This is something only I can fix," Draco said.
"That's right, Draco. Now go, a carriage awaits you," Dumbledore pointed to the door and Draco ran out of sight.
"Good luck Draco. You will need it," Dumbledore said once Draco was out of hearing distance.
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Draco opened the carriage door and got in. He urged the horses to go faster, but they wouldn't. Come on, come on. Faster. When the carriage stopped, Draco got out and noticed footsteps. Hermione's.
"MALFOY MANSION!" there was a loud crack, and Draco Malfoy was gone.
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There was a knock at Hermione's door.
"Yes," she answered in a hiccuped voice.
"Miss? This is Micha. I brought you supper; you must be starving," Micha said.
"Oh, thank you. I am famished," Hermione remembered Draco running to get her something to eat. He really did care, or he wouldn't have gone. A tear ran down Hermione's cheek. She remembered the note she left on the bed. He won't come for me. He would do anything to make me happy, and he won't come.
"Here you are Miss," Micha set a platter down on her bed.
"Micha, how exactly did you get through the door? Lucius put a locking charm on it," Hermione asked.
"House elves can get though any locking charm," Micha said as he turned to leave, "Will you require my assistance later tonight?"
"No, I think I will be fine. Thank you," Hermione lifted up the lid on the platter. The food looked as delicious as it did at Hogwarts.
"I will be up later to clear your dinner," Micha said and left the room.
Hermione barely ate anything even though she was starving. She missed Draco. She missed how she felt in his arms. She lay back down on the bed and began to cry again.
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Draco looked up at the all-too-familiar place. He walked up to the door. The dragon doorknocker was charmed, and recognizing Draco as a Malfoy, swung the door open. Draco walked inside. How can people say 'there is no place like home'? This is not a home, it is only a shelter. Home has love in it. Draco immediately wanted to go to the dungeon. More than anything he wanted to go down and beat the crap out of his father. He hated him. He knew that wasn't the smartest choice, so he decided he would go to his room first.
Draco ran up the many staircases until he reached the 7th floor where is room was located. The door was closed. That's strange, my door is always left open. He moved closer to the door and heard a girl crying. HERMIONE! Draco went over to unlock the door, but realized Lucius had put a locking spell on it.
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Hermione heard someone jimmying with the lock on her door. Lucius. Micha doesn't need to jimmy with it to get in.
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Draco knew his father's spells by heart. He quickly said the password (his father used the same password for all his locking spells) and the door opened.
He saw Hermione sitting on his bed with a tearstained face. She looked as sad as she did when she saw him making out with Pansy.
"Draco," she whispered and ran into his waiting arms.
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A/N: Another cliffhanger! Hehe. I'm sorry. I hoped you liked this chapter- it was a bit longer than some of the other ones. Actually a lot longer- 9 pages! Yes! Okay, well I'll probably have the next chapter posted sometime tomorrow knowing me. Thanks to all who reviewed: Swimgoddess, Carshaa, Voldermortsucks18 (I agree with your penname!) crysty-melody, lovleylady, Sirius-lover4ever, and rogue. You guys truly are the best!
Much love,
Jenn