For What It's Worth ~hotsleekeyz~
Chapter 7 Start of the End
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Last time on FWIW:
"Don't be such a kid! Come back here and face me. If you want to slap me, fine. Hit me for all I care just don't turn your back on me with matters like that. I can't sacrifice our friendship now Harry!"
Harry stopped and glared back. "Be back to feeling that I don't know how to feel what you do. Be back to your suffering. After all my efforts to admit this to you? Such ingrate! You even chose Malfoy over me! How dare you Granger? I loathe at the thought of being near you again!"
Hermione was taken aback. It was as if it wasn't Harry speaking. "You're not like this Harry!"
"Well now I am. You've made me the creature you see now"
Harry turned his heels and made long strides towards nowhere.
Hermione didn't have the strength to even step backward. She was greatly shocked. Harry hated her and how she hated to think about it!
Harry was already lost from Hermione's sight when she felt someone behind him.
"A few minutes ago, it was Draco Malfoy. Now it's Harry Potter. Why Granger? Can't get enough of the blokes here? You've been twirling us around your thin little fingers so easily"
Hermione turned around and from behind her she saw Malcolm with an evil grin.
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Malcolm didn't take his cunning stare over Hermione's features. He saw in her what he wanted most. Hermione on the other hand grew uncomfortable at once and wanted nothing else than to get out of that place at once. The chilly air and the tension between her and Malcolm threatened her of her safety. Somehow, she felt that it was nothing but danger that hunts her when her DADA teacher was around.
Hermione at once turned around and made wide strides towards the portrait hole---only too late to get away as Malcolm already had his hand tightly clutching Hermione's.
"Let me go Malcolm! You're hurting me!" yelled Hermione who knew well she could still get the situation in her hands. She tried to pull her arm away only to get hurt even more by Malcolm's suffocating grip.
"No Hermione. I won't let you go now"
Without another word, Malcolm pulled Hermione out into the hallways, walking farther away from the Gryffindor dormitory.
"Where are you taking me you bastard?" spat Hermione who was more than furious to get her hands strangle Malcolm to die.
Not looking back at the helpless woman in his grasp. "Somewhere"
"What a nice answer! If you could just let go of me this instant, this wouldn't have to be reported to the headmaster!"
Malcolm stopped, though not letting go of Hermione. "The Headmaster wouldn't know of this Ms. Granger. As such, he wouldn't hear anything about you anymore. . ."
Malcolm started to pull Hermione again down staircases and hallways.
"Stop it you freak! Let me go!"
Hermione's little fist banged on Malcolm's back as the other was in the constraint of Malcolm's.
"Shut up little girl!"
"I am NOT a little girl! Just let go of me!"
Malcolm grew furious at Hermione's screeching voice that he swerved towards Hermione and planted his firm palm on Hermione's cheek. He slapped Hermione effortlessly and Hermione's head threw backwards at the impact. The moment she turned to Malcolm, her eyes were seething in anger and her rage more than wanted to get out.
"Now you've done it!" Hermione motioned to take her wand from inside her robe but only too slow that Malcolm had the chance to stop her before she could successfully take hold of the only thing that could save her at that moment.
The mighty hand that slapped Hermione seconds back planted its knuckles on Hermione's fragile, angelic face. The punch almost knocked out the beautiful student.
"I remember telling you to shut up and now that you've disobeyed your professor, you shall be punished. But first, I need you to go with me. I'm sorry Hermione but I have to do this", mouthed the gorgeous-looking teacher rather smugly and didn't seem to mean his last sentence well.
With one flicker of his fingers, sparks flew from them towards Hermione who was then trying to recover from the assault. In a few seconds, Hermione fell unconscious in Malcolm's arms only to gain himself the famous Malfoy smirk.
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Harry walked in the confines of his silence. . . still in rage, but slightly more calm. He hadn't noticed that he had been walking for some time already, not quite knowing where he was headed.
Harry very much dreaded the fact that he swallowed his pride and after how many years of keeping to himself what he really felt, he only found himself dismissed in a few minutes of revealing his true emotions. He somehow hoped that it was someone else he loved. He hoped that there was no Draco Malfoy. He hoped there was no Professor Malcolm Trent to contend with. He knew well that if he said it sooner, he could have won Hermione. . .
But it was too late.
From afar, footsteps were heard and Harry, who was still disturbed occupied in his thoughts, didn't notice someone coming. A few meters more, and the owner of the footsteps came into view---only that the owner wasn't alone.
Harry noticed that it was Malcolm Trent, the handsome-looking professor who'd won the hearts of many of his students was the one who was to pass by. In the arms of the stunning young man was a slender student, curled in the professor's protective arms.
"Professor, do you need any help? What happened?" asked Harry who didn't recognize who the teacher had carried in his arms.
"Not really Potter. I reckon I could send my student to the infirmary alone. Perhaps you could get going now. Why, it's early! You could still get some rest", replied Malcolm who tried his best to look as if he wasn't bothered.
At that, suspicions grew inside Harry. How was it that his professor was out in the hallways at that time of the day carrying a female student in his arms? "Very well professor. Are you sure you could manage carrying THAT?" asked Harry as he darted his eyes at the student who had her hair covering her face.
"Definitely"
With that, Harry continued walking though what stuck in his mind was the fact that it was dawn and a professor and a student was supposedly together at that time since Malcolm was there to save the lass, if she collapsed or what else.
Malcolm was already out of the castle when slow, disturbing thoughts and images flashed in Harry's mind. . .
//A girl. . . small and slim. . .//
Harry saw exactly how the student looked helpless in Malcolm's arms. And another image flashed in his mind. . .
//Cute auburn curls. . . WAIT! That's Hermione!//
Harry had already his feet switch to the opposite direction when he remembered that he was supposedly mad at her.
//No. I wouldn't help her now. . . that intolerable, ungrateful bitch! I wouldn't waste my time saving her. As if she would care if she knew it was me who saved her. Like, whatever. I always do that. Perhaps this time around I wouldn't play the role I always played and leave it to her one hella piece of her humongous brain! Besides, she's the reason I'm stuck up with my emotions and I don't care about her now especially she's told me she couldn't love me back. Well of course there's a lot more girls out there. . . I guess Ron's right. There really are other beautiful ladies here. . .//
He had his back turned again to his first direction when another part of his mind screamed panicking.
//You can't let her alone with him Harry! Have you forgotten that Malcolm harassed her last night? Malcolm could do anything now that Hermione's unconscious! You could set aside first your hatred and think of Hermione first!. . . oh no Harry, you can't risk it anymore. This has happened once already and she was conscious, only that Malfoy was there to save her. . . but now, Hermione's alone and helpless with Malcolm and Malfoy wouldn't be there to save her in time//
And so Harry turned again and rushed past the hallways towards the infirmary. His mind was still battling with itself but he knew well that he was still a friend to Hermione, no matter what. Perhaps he was just taken aback by the fact Hermione rejected his love after all those time that he kept it to himself. But what won mostly over him was his concern for his friend. Well, yes, he still loved Hermione even if he was hurt but what he wouldn't be able to accept was if he wasn't able to do any thing to save Hermione.
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Hermione slowly opened her eyes and saw the place she was at was all gloomy and dull. Where was she? Her eyes started to roam around and saw nothing familiar. She at last thought of sitting up, only she couldn't. She turned her eyes to her hands and saw that her hands were tied to the posts of a bed---wait, a BED?
"Where am I?" she asked herself though not expecting an answer in return. It would have been better if no one was with her. And lo, what surprised her even more was that she was in a red nightgown---on the bed. . . alone. . . in a place she doesn't know where.
"In the Death Eaters' hide"
A voice came beside her and she saw that there was Malcolm, grinning victoriously at the sight of her helpless on the bed.
"Why did you take me here?" asked Hermione rather furiously.
"I wanted to. Now, is that anything of a problem?" queried Malcolm, trying to appear innocent. He should have been successful with how good-looking he seemed only that there was a plastered grin on his lips.
"Well YES. Now is that good enough for an answer?" Hermione tried to struggle free from the chains attached to her wrists, only to realize they were magical chains.
"Aw, Hermione Granger. Harsh words comes out from your sweet tongue"
Hermione felt shivers down her spine. "Please Malcolm, let me go"
"No"
"Why did you take me here? Give me a definite answer now"
"Honestly, I needed your presence here as I take the power about to invest on me"
"Why me? Why do you need ME here?"
"Because I need to show my Lord that I have woman with me while I take the position"
"Why didn't you take any other woman? Why me of all?"
"Because you are the type who my Lord would want to have after I'm done with her"
"WHAT?"
"Tonight, you are to be my wife and---"
"Oh no I won't! Break it on a stone I will never be your wife!"
"But you will be Hermione. . ." answered Malcolm rather slyly.
"No. I won't allow it. What's marriage without love? What's this foolishness? And who's the Lord you speak of"
"Marriage without love is not what we have here. As such, I do love you. . . now didn't I tell you that? And Hermione, this is not foolishness as you've put it as this determines my position next to my Lord. And lastly, it is Lord Voldemort of which I serve. I do hope you've run out of questions to ask"
Hermione felt fear run through her. She couldn't explain it. She knew she could always face Voldemort without fear whatsoever but why at that time, she feared the bastard more than she feared not getting perfect scores on her exams.
"Malcolm, I'm begging you. Let me go", uttered Hermione as she felt hot tears run over her cold-stricken cheeks.
Malcolm joined her on the bed and wiped Hermione's tears away. "I can't do that Hermione. I've promised my Lord to hand you to him so that I could take what is due me"
"Why me?"
"He wants a mudblood. . . just as he is. . . it's not entirely his decision to take you. Not mine either. It was all my father's plan to have you captured and offered to Lord Voldemort"
"What does your father want with me?"
"I believe he wants you to suffer Hermione. . . I'm really sorry." At that time, Malcolm grew more than serious. What they didn't know was that the Imperius Curse was slowly wearing off him.
"What will happen to me? I thought I'm supposed to be your wife? Why am I supposed to be offered to him?"
"We have to make love in front of him. . . I don't know what to make of that. I don't want to force you either. But you see, last night when we were in my office, something was controlling me. . . I was supposed to do it with you and just get what my Lord needs without having you forced to it. But I never knew you didn't want to do it. I thought you were like the other students who wanted me terribly. And yes, you are to be my wife. . . only tonight. After that, Lord Voldemort is bound to own you. I don't know why"
Hermione tried to read Malcolm's eyes. It was full of sorrow. It was as if he was totally controlled the whole time---wait a minute. . .
"Malcolm, do you by any chance remember having imposed upon by the Imperius Curse?"
"I don't want to think about it Hermione. I've suffered in pain every time my father inflicted it on me. I always tried to fight it off though he's too strong for me"
"So you're just being controlled the whole time?"
"I reckon so"
"Malcolm, there is still time. I bet it's just around midday and we could still get out of here. All you have to do is get me out of these chains then we'll Disapparate. I don't want you to be doing something that's against your will", said Hermione as she tried to mislead Malcolm's partly controlled mind. Hermione saw it in Malcolm's eyes a different artificial glimmer. The Imperius was still in effect.
"How Hermione? I came here not knowing how I did it! I'm not a Death Eater yet!"
"You're not?"
"Well I only realized the moment I saw you at the library that I should have the Dark Mark on my arm if I was a Death Eater, and there's---"
"---there's none?"
"Not exactly. There's a scar on my arm---some areas with different colors. I don't know how I got it. But there's one thing that's most visible. . . it's a snake's eye"
"Then you are a Death Eater!"
"How could that be possible? I was thinking then that I was put into the ceremony without me agreeing so I probably pulled my arm off when they were putting it. I don't really remember anything. The only thing that my father told me was that they erased all my memories because my memories will make me weak. . ."
"Your memories will make you weak because you know your emotions even before they started casting the Imperius on you. Perhaps you were really destined to be on the Dark Side. Malcolm, if you don't mind me asking, where is your mother?"
"She's a slave Hermione. A slave in this castle. I haven't seen her since I was 8"
"Who made her slave?"
"My father. He offered my mother to the Dark Lord"
At that, Hermione grew confused. She felt pity for Malcolm and her hate was subsiding. How could it be? He was the one who harassed her the other night! Though that, Hermione concentrated on getting out of that place with Malcolm's help---which was almost impossible by far their conversation has gone.
"Who is your father?"
Malcolm flinched. "My father is the father of the man you love Hermione. . ." Malcolm stood from where he sat and turned his back on Hermione.
"Draco? You are Lucius' son? You are Draco's brother?"
"Yes Hermione. I am Lucius Malfoy's son. But I'm only Draco's half-brother. We have different mothers, that's why"
"But--- but how did it happen? The Daily Prophet. . . they said that Draco was supposed to be the heir to You-Know-Who's powers. . ."
"You see, father wanted to sue The Daily Prophet for releasing that issue. He bought all the papers he could get and burned them. The Daily Prophet was not-so-accurate about what they wrote. Yes, the firstborn of Lucius Malfoy was to become the heir to the Dark Side. But that isn't Draco, as stated. It's me Hermione. I am Lucius' firstborn only that my mother and father were never wed. That's why I kept my mother's last name"
"Malcolm, I know you don't want to do what we're supposed to do tonight. Now, what I want you to do is to get me out of these chains and we'll figure ways out to escape and then we'll hide. For how long I don't know. Where? I have no idea. What's important now is that we escape from this place before they could impose the Imperius on you again"
"It would be useless Hermione. The moment they'd know we've escaped, my father could easily impose the Imperious on me and we'll end up here once more. It's a waste of time"
"And you will allow THAT to happen? Well for one thing I know how to prevent the Imperius from being imposed on you. I know how to stop it before it could be conjured"
"I know about that one though I never imagined myself doing it. . . Hermione, you will lose most of your magical powers just to conjure that spell. I won't allow it"
"But I have to risk it"
"Why Hermione? Can't you love me enough just as you do Draco? You could marry me tonight and you'll soon learn how to love me back. I'm not pushing it but Hermione, it will be all easier if we stay here and not take some effort to go against my father's plans. All of them---the Death Eaters, my father, Lord Voldemort. . . they're too powerful compared to us two. What can we do against them? You know, if it's just Draco you're thinking of considering what he's done for you, if I was in his shoes I would have done the same of saving you"
"I'm sorry Malcolm but I can't allow this to happen to me. . . and to you. Maybe now Draco couldn't be around to save me and that's why I'm giving the responsibility to you. If you really love me, you'll do this. Now do you?"
"Well---yes, I do"
"Don't worry. I don't care if I lose all my powers on this one. We have to risk it. I could probably gain it back in due time. Now, are you going to help me?"
Malcolm slowly nodded. Deep inside, fear was enveloping his senses. They were going to take a huge risk. Hesitantly, he touched the chains that tied Hermione to the bed and it unlocked itself. Hermione got out from the chains' tight grasps and was able to sit up straight.
Hermione touched Malcolm's hands kindly. "Are you ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"To Disapparate silly!"
"Oh"
"On the count of three. . . one, two, th---"
Bright sparks emitted from behind Malcolm. Lucius had just Apparated behind them.
Hermione continued, "---three!"
Too late, Lucius had Malcolm's robe in his grasp and only Hermione was able to Disapparate.
"You're very stupid Malcolm. Have you forgotten the consequences if you didn't know where you are headed when Disapparating?" threatened the old man with beautiful silver blond hair.
"Oh Merlin! Hermione could be splinced in half!" yelled Malcolm in panic.
Lucius laughed. "Stupid boy. . . no, she will not be sliced in half. That's not how the world works inside this castle. . . as such, she will find herself hastening her verdict. . . I estimate it that by this time, she's found herself where she's supposed to be in tonight. . ."
"In---in Voldemort's chamber?"
*SLAP!*
"How many times do I have to tell you that as long as you're here in his territory, you have to give him respect?"
"My apologies father. My mind was slipping. . ."
"You really are slipping away Malcolm. I never expected that your emotions for that girl is real"
"What's not to love about her?"
Lucius was shocked. "Everything! She's a mudblood Malcolm! You should know well that us purebloods disgrace mudbloods!"
"And don't you ever tell me that I'm losing control of my mind because it's you who has forgotten that my mother is a mudblood as well!"
*SLAP!*
Lucius had already his wand out to impose the Imperius curse on the beautiful man who was thrown onto the floor with the impact of slapping him did. To the young man's surprise, Lucius put his wand back in his robe.
Malcolm asked, "Why don't you do it again Father? Isn't that you want? To keep my mind under your control? Why do you hesitate now?"
Lucius smirked. "I as such didn't hesitate. I just thought that it would be better for you to push through with the ceremony without you being controlled. . . with all your emotions in tact. . . you will be so weak not to save that Mudblood's life!"
"So all these while I really had my own emotions!"
"Well, yes"
"And that means if I wasn't under the Imperius I would have remembered every single memory I had"
"Yes. It was all a lie son. One could never erase memories. They were just blocked out so that you wouldn't be holding on to your emotions. . . of all the love that your mudblood mother gave you. And I've raised Draco perfectly well with that. He never grew up knowing what it is to love"
"You're wrong!"
Lucius got so furious that he grabbed Malcolm from the floor and raised him up by one hand. "I don't like the words running through your mouth. I should have known. . . your mother never taught you enough what it is to respect your elders"
"As such, she taught me not to respect anyone who doesn't deserve it!"
Lucius pushed Malcolm away in disgust. "One more toe out of line Malcolm and you'll see the Mudblood die"
Malcolm was helpless. He couldn't sacrifice Hermione's life now. . . now that he's realized that he could love her even without the Imperius.
~Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns characters, setting, etc. Except: the plot is mine.~
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Do-dee-dum-dum-dum.
Chapter 7! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I'm seeing the whole plot better in my head. I'm taking the opportunity to do the fics as it is vacation and I have the luxury of spending hours in front of my trusty PC.
Thanks to that someone who called my attention on the spelling of the Imperius Curse. I'm sorry, I haven't read the fourth book in a while and I was actually struggling with my mind what the real spelling was. Thanks again!
Tell me what you think of this chapter. Review! Thanks
Chapter 7 Start of the End
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Last time on FWIW:
"Don't be such a kid! Come back here and face me. If you want to slap me, fine. Hit me for all I care just don't turn your back on me with matters like that. I can't sacrifice our friendship now Harry!"
Harry stopped and glared back. "Be back to feeling that I don't know how to feel what you do. Be back to your suffering. After all my efforts to admit this to you? Such ingrate! You even chose Malfoy over me! How dare you Granger? I loathe at the thought of being near you again!"
Hermione was taken aback. It was as if it wasn't Harry speaking. "You're not like this Harry!"
"Well now I am. You've made me the creature you see now"
Harry turned his heels and made long strides towards nowhere.
Hermione didn't have the strength to even step backward. She was greatly shocked. Harry hated her and how she hated to think about it!
Harry was already lost from Hermione's sight when she felt someone behind him.
"A few minutes ago, it was Draco Malfoy. Now it's Harry Potter. Why Granger? Can't get enough of the blokes here? You've been twirling us around your thin little fingers so easily"
Hermione turned around and from behind her she saw Malcolm with an evil grin.
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Malcolm didn't take his cunning stare over Hermione's features. He saw in her what he wanted most. Hermione on the other hand grew uncomfortable at once and wanted nothing else than to get out of that place at once. The chilly air and the tension between her and Malcolm threatened her of her safety. Somehow, she felt that it was nothing but danger that hunts her when her DADA teacher was around.
Hermione at once turned around and made wide strides towards the portrait hole---only too late to get away as Malcolm already had his hand tightly clutching Hermione's.
"Let me go Malcolm! You're hurting me!" yelled Hermione who knew well she could still get the situation in her hands. She tried to pull her arm away only to get hurt even more by Malcolm's suffocating grip.
"No Hermione. I won't let you go now"
Without another word, Malcolm pulled Hermione out into the hallways, walking farther away from the Gryffindor dormitory.
"Where are you taking me you bastard?" spat Hermione who was more than furious to get her hands strangle Malcolm to die.
Not looking back at the helpless woman in his grasp. "Somewhere"
"What a nice answer! If you could just let go of me this instant, this wouldn't have to be reported to the headmaster!"
Malcolm stopped, though not letting go of Hermione. "The Headmaster wouldn't know of this Ms. Granger. As such, he wouldn't hear anything about you anymore. . ."
Malcolm started to pull Hermione again down staircases and hallways.
"Stop it you freak! Let me go!"
Hermione's little fist banged on Malcolm's back as the other was in the constraint of Malcolm's.
"Shut up little girl!"
"I am NOT a little girl! Just let go of me!"
Malcolm grew furious at Hermione's screeching voice that he swerved towards Hermione and planted his firm palm on Hermione's cheek. He slapped Hermione effortlessly and Hermione's head threw backwards at the impact. The moment she turned to Malcolm, her eyes were seething in anger and her rage more than wanted to get out.
"Now you've done it!" Hermione motioned to take her wand from inside her robe but only too slow that Malcolm had the chance to stop her before she could successfully take hold of the only thing that could save her at that moment.
The mighty hand that slapped Hermione seconds back planted its knuckles on Hermione's fragile, angelic face. The punch almost knocked out the beautiful student.
"I remember telling you to shut up and now that you've disobeyed your professor, you shall be punished. But first, I need you to go with me. I'm sorry Hermione but I have to do this", mouthed the gorgeous-looking teacher rather smugly and didn't seem to mean his last sentence well.
With one flicker of his fingers, sparks flew from them towards Hermione who was then trying to recover from the assault. In a few seconds, Hermione fell unconscious in Malcolm's arms only to gain himself the famous Malfoy smirk.
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Harry walked in the confines of his silence. . . still in rage, but slightly more calm. He hadn't noticed that he had been walking for some time already, not quite knowing where he was headed.
Harry very much dreaded the fact that he swallowed his pride and after how many years of keeping to himself what he really felt, he only found himself dismissed in a few minutes of revealing his true emotions. He somehow hoped that it was someone else he loved. He hoped that there was no Draco Malfoy. He hoped there was no Professor Malcolm Trent to contend with. He knew well that if he said it sooner, he could have won Hermione. . .
But it was too late.
From afar, footsteps were heard and Harry, who was still disturbed occupied in his thoughts, didn't notice someone coming. A few meters more, and the owner of the footsteps came into view---only that the owner wasn't alone.
Harry noticed that it was Malcolm Trent, the handsome-looking professor who'd won the hearts of many of his students was the one who was to pass by. In the arms of the stunning young man was a slender student, curled in the professor's protective arms.
"Professor, do you need any help? What happened?" asked Harry who didn't recognize who the teacher had carried in his arms.
"Not really Potter. I reckon I could send my student to the infirmary alone. Perhaps you could get going now. Why, it's early! You could still get some rest", replied Malcolm who tried his best to look as if he wasn't bothered.
At that, suspicions grew inside Harry. How was it that his professor was out in the hallways at that time of the day carrying a female student in his arms? "Very well professor. Are you sure you could manage carrying THAT?" asked Harry as he darted his eyes at the student who had her hair covering her face.
"Definitely"
With that, Harry continued walking though what stuck in his mind was the fact that it was dawn and a professor and a student was supposedly together at that time since Malcolm was there to save the lass, if she collapsed or what else.
Malcolm was already out of the castle when slow, disturbing thoughts and images flashed in Harry's mind. . .
//A girl. . . small and slim. . .//
Harry saw exactly how the student looked helpless in Malcolm's arms. And another image flashed in his mind. . .
//Cute auburn curls. . . WAIT! That's Hermione!//
Harry had already his feet switch to the opposite direction when he remembered that he was supposedly mad at her.
//No. I wouldn't help her now. . . that intolerable, ungrateful bitch! I wouldn't waste my time saving her. As if she would care if she knew it was me who saved her. Like, whatever. I always do that. Perhaps this time around I wouldn't play the role I always played and leave it to her one hella piece of her humongous brain! Besides, she's the reason I'm stuck up with my emotions and I don't care about her now especially she's told me she couldn't love me back. Well of course there's a lot more girls out there. . . I guess Ron's right. There really are other beautiful ladies here. . .//
He had his back turned again to his first direction when another part of his mind screamed panicking.
//You can't let her alone with him Harry! Have you forgotten that Malcolm harassed her last night? Malcolm could do anything now that Hermione's unconscious! You could set aside first your hatred and think of Hermione first!. . . oh no Harry, you can't risk it anymore. This has happened once already and she was conscious, only that Malfoy was there to save her. . . but now, Hermione's alone and helpless with Malcolm and Malfoy wouldn't be there to save her in time//
And so Harry turned again and rushed past the hallways towards the infirmary. His mind was still battling with itself but he knew well that he was still a friend to Hermione, no matter what. Perhaps he was just taken aback by the fact Hermione rejected his love after all those time that he kept it to himself. But what won mostly over him was his concern for his friend. Well, yes, he still loved Hermione even if he was hurt but what he wouldn't be able to accept was if he wasn't able to do any thing to save Hermione.
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Hermione slowly opened her eyes and saw the place she was at was all gloomy and dull. Where was she? Her eyes started to roam around and saw nothing familiar. She at last thought of sitting up, only she couldn't. She turned her eyes to her hands and saw that her hands were tied to the posts of a bed---wait, a BED?
"Where am I?" she asked herself though not expecting an answer in return. It would have been better if no one was with her. And lo, what surprised her even more was that she was in a red nightgown---on the bed. . . alone. . . in a place she doesn't know where.
"In the Death Eaters' hide"
A voice came beside her and she saw that there was Malcolm, grinning victoriously at the sight of her helpless on the bed.
"Why did you take me here?" asked Hermione rather furiously.
"I wanted to. Now, is that anything of a problem?" queried Malcolm, trying to appear innocent. He should have been successful with how good-looking he seemed only that there was a plastered grin on his lips.
"Well YES. Now is that good enough for an answer?" Hermione tried to struggle free from the chains attached to her wrists, only to realize they were magical chains.
"Aw, Hermione Granger. Harsh words comes out from your sweet tongue"
Hermione felt shivers down her spine. "Please Malcolm, let me go"
"No"
"Why did you take me here? Give me a definite answer now"
"Honestly, I needed your presence here as I take the power about to invest on me"
"Why me? Why do you need ME here?"
"Because I need to show my Lord that I have woman with me while I take the position"
"Why didn't you take any other woman? Why me of all?"
"Because you are the type who my Lord would want to have after I'm done with her"
"WHAT?"
"Tonight, you are to be my wife and---"
"Oh no I won't! Break it on a stone I will never be your wife!"
"But you will be Hermione. . ." answered Malcolm rather slyly.
"No. I won't allow it. What's marriage without love? What's this foolishness? And who's the Lord you speak of"
"Marriage without love is not what we have here. As such, I do love you. . . now didn't I tell you that? And Hermione, this is not foolishness as you've put it as this determines my position next to my Lord. And lastly, it is Lord Voldemort of which I serve. I do hope you've run out of questions to ask"
Hermione felt fear run through her. She couldn't explain it. She knew she could always face Voldemort without fear whatsoever but why at that time, she feared the bastard more than she feared not getting perfect scores on her exams.
"Malcolm, I'm begging you. Let me go", uttered Hermione as she felt hot tears run over her cold-stricken cheeks.
Malcolm joined her on the bed and wiped Hermione's tears away. "I can't do that Hermione. I've promised my Lord to hand you to him so that I could take what is due me"
"Why me?"
"He wants a mudblood. . . just as he is. . . it's not entirely his decision to take you. Not mine either. It was all my father's plan to have you captured and offered to Lord Voldemort"
"What does your father want with me?"
"I believe he wants you to suffer Hermione. . . I'm really sorry." At that time, Malcolm grew more than serious. What they didn't know was that the Imperius Curse was slowly wearing off him.
"What will happen to me? I thought I'm supposed to be your wife? Why am I supposed to be offered to him?"
"We have to make love in front of him. . . I don't know what to make of that. I don't want to force you either. But you see, last night when we were in my office, something was controlling me. . . I was supposed to do it with you and just get what my Lord needs without having you forced to it. But I never knew you didn't want to do it. I thought you were like the other students who wanted me terribly. And yes, you are to be my wife. . . only tonight. After that, Lord Voldemort is bound to own you. I don't know why"
Hermione tried to read Malcolm's eyes. It was full of sorrow. It was as if he was totally controlled the whole time---wait a minute. . .
"Malcolm, do you by any chance remember having imposed upon by the Imperius Curse?"
"I don't want to think about it Hermione. I've suffered in pain every time my father inflicted it on me. I always tried to fight it off though he's too strong for me"
"So you're just being controlled the whole time?"
"I reckon so"
"Malcolm, there is still time. I bet it's just around midday and we could still get out of here. All you have to do is get me out of these chains then we'll Disapparate. I don't want you to be doing something that's against your will", said Hermione as she tried to mislead Malcolm's partly controlled mind. Hermione saw it in Malcolm's eyes a different artificial glimmer. The Imperius was still in effect.
"How Hermione? I came here not knowing how I did it! I'm not a Death Eater yet!"
"You're not?"
"Well I only realized the moment I saw you at the library that I should have the Dark Mark on my arm if I was a Death Eater, and there's---"
"---there's none?"
"Not exactly. There's a scar on my arm---some areas with different colors. I don't know how I got it. But there's one thing that's most visible. . . it's a snake's eye"
"Then you are a Death Eater!"
"How could that be possible? I was thinking then that I was put into the ceremony without me agreeing so I probably pulled my arm off when they were putting it. I don't really remember anything. The only thing that my father told me was that they erased all my memories because my memories will make me weak. . ."
"Your memories will make you weak because you know your emotions even before they started casting the Imperius on you. Perhaps you were really destined to be on the Dark Side. Malcolm, if you don't mind me asking, where is your mother?"
"She's a slave Hermione. A slave in this castle. I haven't seen her since I was 8"
"Who made her slave?"
"My father. He offered my mother to the Dark Lord"
At that, Hermione grew confused. She felt pity for Malcolm and her hate was subsiding. How could it be? He was the one who harassed her the other night! Though that, Hermione concentrated on getting out of that place with Malcolm's help---which was almost impossible by far their conversation has gone.
"Who is your father?"
Malcolm flinched. "My father is the father of the man you love Hermione. . ." Malcolm stood from where he sat and turned his back on Hermione.
"Draco? You are Lucius' son? You are Draco's brother?"
"Yes Hermione. I am Lucius Malfoy's son. But I'm only Draco's half-brother. We have different mothers, that's why"
"But--- but how did it happen? The Daily Prophet. . . they said that Draco was supposed to be the heir to You-Know-Who's powers. . ."
"You see, father wanted to sue The Daily Prophet for releasing that issue. He bought all the papers he could get and burned them. The Daily Prophet was not-so-accurate about what they wrote. Yes, the firstborn of Lucius Malfoy was to become the heir to the Dark Side. But that isn't Draco, as stated. It's me Hermione. I am Lucius' firstborn only that my mother and father were never wed. That's why I kept my mother's last name"
"Malcolm, I know you don't want to do what we're supposed to do tonight. Now, what I want you to do is to get me out of these chains and we'll figure ways out to escape and then we'll hide. For how long I don't know. Where? I have no idea. What's important now is that we escape from this place before they could impose the Imperius on you again"
"It would be useless Hermione. The moment they'd know we've escaped, my father could easily impose the Imperious on me and we'll end up here once more. It's a waste of time"
"And you will allow THAT to happen? Well for one thing I know how to prevent the Imperius from being imposed on you. I know how to stop it before it could be conjured"
"I know about that one though I never imagined myself doing it. . . Hermione, you will lose most of your magical powers just to conjure that spell. I won't allow it"
"But I have to risk it"
"Why Hermione? Can't you love me enough just as you do Draco? You could marry me tonight and you'll soon learn how to love me back. I'm not pushing it but Hermione, it will be all easier if we stay here and not take some effort to go against my father's plans. All of them---the Death Eaters, my father, Lord Voldemort. . . they're too powerful compared to us two. What can we do against them? You know, if it's just Draco you're thinking of considering what he's done for you, if I was in his shoes I would have done the same of saving you"
"I'm sorry Malcolm but I can't allow this to happen to me. . . and to you. Maybe now Draco couldn't be around to save me and that's why I'm giving the responsibility to you. If you really love me, you'll do this. Now do you?"
"Well---yes, I do"
"Don't worry. I don't care if I lose all my powers on this one. We have to risk it. I could probably gain it back in due time. Now, are you going to help me?"
Malcolm slowly nodded. Deep inside, fear was enveloping his senses. They were going to take a huge risk. Hesitantly, he touched the chains that tied Hermione to the bed and it unlocked itself. Hermione got out from the chains' tight grasps and was able to sit up straight.
Hermione touched Malcolm's hands kindly. "Are you ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"To Disapparate silly!"
"Oh"
"On the count of three. . . one, two, th---"
Bright sparks emitted from behind Malcolm. Lucius had just Apparated behind them.
Hermione continued, "---three!"
Too late, Lucius had Malcolm's robe in his grasp and only Hermione was able to Disapparate.
"You're very stupid Malcolm. Have you forgotten the consequences if you didn't know where you are headed when Disapparating?" threatened the old man with beautiful silver blond hair.
"Oh Merlin! Hermione could be splinced in half!" yelled Malcolm in panic.
Lucius laughed. "Stupid boy. . . no, she will not be sliced in half. That's not how the world works inside this castle. . . as such, she will find herself hastening her verdict. . . I estimate it that by this time, she's found herself where she's supposed to be in tonight. . ."
"In---in Voldemort's chamber?"
*SLAP!*
"How many times do I have to tell you that as long as you're here in his territory, you have to give him respect?"
"My apologies father. My mind was slipping. . ."
"You really are slipping away Malcolm. I never expected that your emotions for that girl is real"
"What's not to love about her?"
Lucius was shocked. "Everything! She's a mudblood Malcolm! You should know well that us purebloods disgrace mudbloods!"
"And don't you ever tell me that I'm losing control of my mind because it's you who has forgotten that my mother is a mudblood as well!"
*SLAP!*
Lucius had already his wand out to impose the Imperius curse on the beautiful man who was thrown onto the floor with the impact of slapping him did. To the young man's surprise, Lucius put his wand back in his robe.
Malcolm asked, "Why don't you do it again Father? Isn't that you want? To keep my mind under your control? Why do you hesitate now?"
Lucius smirked. "I as such didn't hesitate. I just thought that it would be better for you to push through with the ceremony without you being controlled. . . with all your emotions in tact. . . you will be so weak not to save that Mudblood's life!"
"So all these while I really had my own emotions!"
"Well, yes"
"And that means if I wasn't under the Imperius I would have remembered every single memory I had"
"Yes. It was all a lie son. One could never erase memories. They were just blocked out so that you wouldn't be holding on to your emotions. . . of all the love that your mudblood mother gave you. And I've raised Draco perfectly well with that. He never grew up knowing what it is to love"
"You're wrong!"
Lucius got so furious that he grabbed Malcolm from the floor and raised him up by one hand. "I don't like the words running through your mouth. I should have known. . . your mother never taught you enough what it is to respect your elders"
"As such, she taught me not to respect anyone who doesn't deserve it!"
Lucius pushed Malcolm away in disgust. "One more toe out of line Malcolm and you'll see the Mudblood die"
Malcolm was helpless. He couldn't sacrifice Hermione's life now. . . now that he's realized that he could love her even without the Imperius.
~Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns characters, setting, etc. Except: the plot is mine.~
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Do-dee-dum-dum-dum.
Chapter 7! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I'm seeing the whole plot better in my head. I'm taking the opportunity to do the fics as it is vacation and I have the luxury of spending hours in front of my trusty PC.
Thanks to that someone who called my attention on the spelling of the Imperius Curse. I'm sorry, I haven't read the fourth book in a while and I was actually struggling with my mind what the real spelling was. Thanks again!
Tell me what you think of this chapter. Review! Thanks
