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Chapter 5~ Her Truth, His Shock
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Images of his hands worshiping her body, his lips on hers, the intense passion she felt, floated into her mind like a dream. Hermione started waking, believing that it really was a dream. She sighed. I can't have everything now can I? When she fully awoke she was achy in a few places. She tried to get up to work the aches out, but a tight massive arm around her forbade it. She looked over to see a naked Draco and blushed. It wasn't a dream. Now she knew where those aches came from.
She noticed her own nudity and confirmed her suspicions. All of the wonderful memories replayed in her head. All of the times they had worshiped each other, the incredible satisfaction that surged through them, and how many times they told each other that they loved one another. He really did love her. He proved it with the tenderness and careful love he gave her. She nuzzled closer to him and smiled.
Draco sensed her awake, but said nothing. His mind was till on the events of the previous night. She was his now. His and only his. She had praised him in a way he did not expect. She loved his body and took her time exploring it, memorizing it. She gave him the type of fulfillment that he knew no other woman would be able to satisfy. He felt her snuggle closer and decided it was time to get out of bed.
He opened his eyes to find hers closed. He had a mischievous smile on and then surprised her by kissing her deeply. Hermione was shocked, but responded. After they separated, they just looked at each other, smiling like a pair of fools. Finally Draco pulled away and got up to get his towel to shower.
"I'm going to shower 'cause I am hungry. You really gave me workout!" he said grinning.
"Well then, maybe I could give you a bath as well." A mischievous glint in her eyes. Hermione went to get up, but instantly fell back down. Draco worried, ran to her side.
"What's wrong?" His voice full of concern.
Obviously Hermione wasn't aware of how BAD her aches were and WHERE. "I'm…I'm just a little sore that's all. Don't worry about it."
"No. I should worry about it. It was my fault. I am so sorry."
"Really its ok. That bath would me good now."
"So maybe *I* should give *you* a bath." He said with a malicious grin.
After Draco had the water in the tub, he came over and picked Hermione's nude form up and threw her in the tub.
~*~*~*~*~*~
One steamy bubble bath, enticing breakfast, and two more sessions of love making later, Hermione found herself with 5 days until her final year and still no supplies. Her very randy husband was now currently nibbling on her neck. She pulled away to his protest, but she had things to do.
"Draco, do you realize that we are five days away from school and still no supplies?"
Draco was grinning. "Yes. And do you realize wife that you are currently standing there naked, making me want to pounce on you?"
Hermione noted her condition and quickly put on her robe. She knew that if they started again, they wouldn't stop. Draco chuckled as she covered herself. He knew it was true though, they needed to shop for the wretched supplies. He motioned to get up and grabbed his wand; Dumbledore had given them permission to use their wands while in Hogsmeade. He was now clothed in black slacks and a dark green shirt with black dress shoes. Hermione looked him over in approval and flashed him a devious smile. She didn't need her wand, although Draco didn't know she was devilian; Hermione didn't know that Draco figured it out.
She went for her wand and motioned it to change her attire and saw Draco frown. She smiled for she knew what naughty thoughts laid in a Malfoy's mind. She went to look herself in the mirror. Her attire was black jeans with a baby blue v cut shirt; the sleeves were dangling off her shoulders as it is worn loosely. She had black boots and put on her gold necklace that Viktor had given her two years ago; she hoped that Malfoy didn't figure that out.
She brushed her hair and threw it up. All the while Draco was thinking that they would have to go their separate ways to shop; no one could know about their union. This depressed him a bit.
"Draco, we can go now. I'm ready." Draco snapped out of thoughts and looked at the beautiful angel.
"Yeah, but remember we can't go together."
Hermione glanced away and nodded. "I know. We'll meet somewhere secluded. Or maybe just come back here."
Draco smirked and tried to remain focused. Down boy! "Alright then. You first." Hermione nodded and went up to him first and kissed him deeply. Then she gave him a small smile and walked out the door. Draco couldn't help but feel that she wouldn't be coming back. He shrugged off the feeling and followed after her.
~*~*~*~*~
Hermione was walking very slowly because she could still feel Draco's comforting presence behind her somewhere. She went into Flourish and Bott's to pick up the books that were on the list Dumbledore had given her before Draco and her left the school. She looked out of the glass and saw Draco give her a passing glance and then left her sight. She felt another spark of pain in her chest. She ignored it and continued her book search.
She ran into another body when she was reading Advanced Spells for Transfiguration: Level 10. She heard an 'oof' and quickly got up helping the person she knocked down.
She looked at the person and finally registered him as Viktor. Viktor? What in Merlin's name is he doing here? Viktor was checking Hermione out and then a hint of pink touched his cheeks as he realized that Hermione had noticed.
"Vell 'ello Hermioniny. How are you doing?" he asked with his Bulgarian accent crisp and thick.
Hermione mentally smacked herself as she remembered she had put on his necklace.
"Uh nothing just shopping for the last year at school. How are you? I see that you managed to get healed up from the injury you suffered last week from Quidditch."
Viktor had fallen about 50 feet from his broom and had been out cold for a few days. She had been worried, but only for his health.
"What brings you to London Viktor? I thought you might be catching up on your training for the days you missed."
Viktor shrugged and he didn't slouch anymore…
"My manager thought that a few days vacation vould do me good. I agreed. But I believe that I am feeling a tad bit better already."
Hermione blushed and glanced away for a few seconds. Viktor noticed that she looked very good now. She was of age so he could try to court her again. Would she be interested?
"Uh Viktor I have to do more shopping for my supplies so I need to go." She said hoping to get away.
Viktor had other plans though. "Alright I vill go vith you. If that is ok?"
Hermione didn't want to be rude. She hadn't seen the man in two years now hitting three! Maybe it won't be so bad……
"Alright I have to go get some robes now. I out grew my old ones."
"You haff grown Hermioniny….into a beautiful voman." He said smiling.
Hermione blushed and began to walk down the street with him. "Thank you."
~*~*~*~*~*
They walked around the city talking about anything and everything. Hermione felt totally comfortable talking to him. She realized that she liked him a lot….as a friend. Viktor saw that she was obviously not getting his hints so he tried a little harder. He linked his arm with hers; she didn't object. He took this as a good sign. The pair of blue-silver eyes across the street did not.
Hermione noticed that her stomach was grumbling. She looked a little embarrassed at Viktor and he just smiled.
"Maybe you vould like to haff something to eat?"
"Yeah that sure sounds good right now. Where do you have in mind?"
"There is this new restaurant around the corner called The Golden Lion. Vould you like to go there?"
Hermione nodded. They made their way to the restaurant and she looked with wide eyes at the interior of the place. Blue and yellow banners hung at the entrance with tapestries on the walls. You could easily tell that only the aristocratic came here. A host came to them and asked them where they would like to sit.
"A vindow vith a view of the city." Responded Viktor.
"Perhaps outside would be a little more better?" the waiter suggested.
Hermione's eyes sparkled at the mention and Viktor noticed and nodded.
The host led them to a very beautiful area with only white roses. Hermione was a little put out. They didn't have gardenias. The smell of the roses was intoxicating though. They were seated at a little table with a clear and beautiful view of the city. A waiter had come and asked what they wanted.
"I'll have a chicken Caesar salad and a bowl of vegetable beef stew. And to drink, a butter beer please." Hermione said as she had already thought of it.
"Yes mademoiselle. And for you sir?" The waiter eyed Viktor with envy; how could he get such a beautiful girl?
"I vould like the same stew, but vith lean lamb chops on the side. And to drink, a glass of your finest vine."
The waiter nodded and left. He came a second later with their orders piping hot and Hermione and Viktor ate gluttonously. They were still totally unaware of the pair of furious blue-silver eyes looking ready to kill.
After they had finished, they stayed talking a bit more. Hermione was now staring off into the city.
"Its beautiful isn't it?" Hermione said wistfully. Viktor nodded and put his hand over Hermione's left one.
"Yes it is very beautiful."
Hermione looked intensely at him now catching the full meaning of his words. Viktor then took her left hand and kissed it. He noticed for once the enormous diamond on her hand.
"Vat is this for Hermioniny?" he asked with a cocked eyebrow.
"Uh it's a ring." She answered sheepishly.
"Yes, vut vat is it doing on your left hand?"
"It's a gift from my parents for this year. I like to put it on that finger though. Sorry I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression. This might be the reason why no guys have talked to me lately." She said with humor.
Viktor smiled and was relieved, though he didn't show it. They were now sitting so close that Viktor leaned in for the kill. Hermione's breath caught in her throat. Before she could react, he had his lips on hers already. A little spark of electricity came from the kiss but only Viktor felt it, which made him separate.
Hermione was now flushed and got her bag. "Sorry Viktor I have to go." She didn't wait for him to say a thing and just left. As she passed a certain table, she could have sworn that she felt Draco's aura. She shrugged it off and left.
~*~*~*~*~
Draco had first gone to a quidditch shop for he needed to polish for the beginning of the year. He had seen Hermione go into Flourish and Bott's and he passed by the window and glanced at her. She smiled, but quickly returned to her books. Same ol' Hermione.
He had gotten the rest of what he needed and decided to go get Hermione to go back to the hotel for some lunch. He saw her, but not alone. She had just walked out of Flourish and Bott's with some tall older looking man. He looked oddly familiar…..Krum! His eyes narrowed as he saw Krum slither an arm into his WIFE'S arms. The BASTARD! I'LL KILL HIM! Draco decided to follow them and he wound up in a very nice restaurant. He asked for a table outside since that's where Hermione and lover boy were.
Draco saw as they finished their meal. His grew furious as Krum touched Hermione's hand. Draco noticed Krum was inquiring about the ring on Hermione's finger. Draco could tell that she had lied. Krum, being the fool that he is, bought it. Krum was inching his way closer to Hermione's lips and kissed her. Draco's blood ran boiling hot. NOW I AM REALLY GOING TO KILL YOU ASSHOLE! His mind roared. He was about to get up when he saw Hermione walk away from Krum. She hesitated as she passed Draco who was hiding behind a menu, then left.
Draco saw with satisfaction, the sullen look on Krum's face. Draco then left after Hermione. Oh she will pay. I will make her pay. His happy mind thought evilly.
He had followed her down the street and had been hiding in an alley. When she walked by, he grabbed her arm and covered her mouth before she could scream.
"I see how you passed your day my love. Very nice of Mr. Krum to accompany you."
Hermione calmed down as she recognized the voice. He sounded very infuriated and annoyed. She felt him release her and she turned around to see those fiery blue-silver eyes she loved. Though, not now. She was a little frightened of how vexed he seemed.
"Draco please don't get the wrong idea. I saw him in Flourish and Bott's….he invited me to go with him. I haven't seen him in years and nor do I feel attracted to him. Please-"
She was cut short by Draco's pissed off voice. "Yeah I could see how not attracted you were when he kissed you. Listen Hermione I don't ever want to see that happen again. You are mine." Draco said that last part very dangerously. Hermione felt irate. She was NOT a possession he could easily manipulate. She shrugged off his hands and started to leave, but then his stronger hand caught hers. He whirled her around and stared her right in the eye. He put his immensely muscular arms around her so she could not get away.
"Do you know how much I felt like strangling him when he touched your hand? Do you know how much I wanted to Avada him when he kissed you? Merlin woman you drive me insane and you don't even know it. I am so in love with you that when another man touches you, let alone looks at you, it makes me want to pluck out their unworthy eyes."
Hermione was not sure how to react. She did not know that he felt this way. Although she was pretty sure that she would do the same to another witch. His grip on her tightened and brought her closer to him.
"Draco please stop you're hurting me. I told you already. I love YOU. I don't like Viktor or in any sense am attracted to him. You should know that no one could replace you. I am sorry I put you through this, but its not my fault that we can not show our feelings openly." She finished with a tear rolling down her eye. Draco softened his grip, but did not let go.
"I am sorry love, its just that knowing that another man touched you…..it drove me insane! It took all of my resolve not to pounce on him. I am sorry. I am being a jealous husband."
Hermione smiled. "Yes, but its nice to know that you get jealous. It's very flattering. But in your case, dangerous!"
"Hermione you should know that he wants you. He won't give up."
"Yeah, but I got you don't I? So why would I need him?" She said as she kissed him deeply. The pain that she had felt in her chest resided, actually it went away. Almost as if Draco were the cure to her pain, or….maybe he was the cause of it. Could us being apart be making me feel physical pain? She hoped not or else this would be one difficult year.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After the ordeal, they went back to the hotel to sleep and eat. Draco was admiring Hermione as she slept. His thoughts were still on he acted earlier. How could he be that crazy? Did he really feel the urge to kill? Just the thought of another man probably taking her away….it was to painful to imagine. That foreboding feeling of loosing her was still in Draco. He couldn't find a way to get rid of it. That was what caused the jealous outrage. That feeling that something was taking her away. No, not something…..someone.
He felt Hermione stir, which caused him to return to reality. She looked up at him and smiled. When she got a good look at him, she could tell that he had not gotten enough sleep.
"Draco, what is wrong?" She asked with concern as she traced lazy circles on his bare chest.
"Nothing love. I was just thinking of when we go back to Hogwarts….we'll have to be separated and act like we don't love each other. What really worries me though is that I won't have you every night. My poor body will hate me." He said in mock hurt.
Hermione swatted him playfully and chuckled. "You know what? We have to get up. I …..You have to meet my father."
Draco stiffened. So he had to meet the in-laws? Damn. Would they receive them well? Draco chuckled slightly at the surprise face that Hermione would have when she finds out he knew that she was Devilian. He felt warmth leave him and noticed Hermione went to change. So he also got up and followed suit.
When they were nice and dressed, Hermione came up to him and held him around his abdomen. Draco raised an eyebrow in inquiry and saw his wife just give a playful smile.
"Close your eyes." She said softly, but still with much authority. He did as she said and felt her lips descend on his. A warm tickling sensation was around his body and then it quickly passed. He felt Hermione pull away and Draco noticed that they were not in the hotel room, they were in a mansion. Scratch that, a PALACE! He looked in awe as he tried to estimate how big it might be. He knew that she was Devilian, but he thought that her MUGGLE parents might be meeting him.
He felt her take his hand and look up at him with worried eyes. "I know you were probably expecting to be at a muggle home, but….Draco there is something you should know. I am-"
"Devilian. I know Hermione." He said finishing her statement. She faced him with round eyes and suddenly she couldn't find her voice. Draco merely smiled and this pissed her off. Draco noticed that a tapestry that was hanging on a nearby wall caught fire. Hermione cursed and turned to it, raised a finger and water emitted from it. The fire went out and Hermione turned to face her husband.
"How in the hell did you know that?!" she demanded
"I remembered the conversation you had with Dumbledore when you first found out about our nuptials. You said ' I have only known one other devil' so I guessed that was what you were."
Hermione looked at him impressed. "I didn't know I had such a brilliant husband. That kinda turns me on…." She smiled wickedly. Draco wrapped an arm around her waist to bring her closer to his lips. They joined mouths, but as quickly as they had, they broke apart; an "Ahem" was the cause of the separation.
Hermione faced her inquiring looking father sheepishly. Draco also looked rather embarrassed. Hermione took Draco's hand and went up to her father.
"Dad, this is my husband Draco. Draco this is my father Mundus Lumbre (Spanish word for 'fire' :D)"
Draco lifted one shaky hand to greet his inlaw. Mundus shook his hand and felt an odd sense of familiarity. "Nice to meet you Mr…." Mundus didn't know his last name as his daughter forgot that little detail.
"Malfoy. Draco Malfoy, sir." Draco said formally. Mundus tensed at the surname. Lucius Malfoy. Could this be his son? There is quite a resemblance, but not quite like Lucius. Mundus put the thought aside for a moment.
"Please drop the formalities. I am simply Mundus. So I witnessed that the marriage has been going well."
Hermione and Draco blushed. "Yes dad. But I brought him here because it was you orders. What was the reason for this call?" Hermione questioned.
Mundus nodded and now directed his attention to his son-in-law. "Draco try to take off your wedding ring."
Draco looked quizzical and Hermione nudged him to do so. Draco did as told…..but the ring did not. It wouldn't come off! Try and try as he would, he couldn't get the blasted thing off!
"It won't budge. Its stuck!" he said exasperated. Hermione chuckled along with the king.
"I know it doesn't. Mine wouldn't come off either. My poor father tried to help and in return he got electrocuted!" Hermione chuckled at the statement and her father merely smiled….a tight smile. He was a man for Alastor's sake! She didn't have to dub over with mirth.
"Yes anyway. I know why the rings are acting like that. I know of only one scenario where marriage rings do that." Mundus paused unsure if to continue or not. When his daughter's hand gripped her husband's tighter and he squeezed hers, he knew.
"Marriage rings only do that if you find your other half. Your soulmate." Mundus kept his expression neutral and watched what the teenagers' reactions were.
Hermione was first to speak. "That would explain a bundle of things. Tell me, what are some of the characteristics."
Mundus tried to think of as many symptoms as possible. "Well for both of the people, if they do not know how to control their emotions, they can be very impulsive. Jealousy, love, and overreaction to particular situations can cause different emotions." He finished still pensive while Hermione gave Draco a patronizing look. *You did overreact you pompous ass.* She thought as she looked at him. Draco looked at her astonished. Had he just heard her thoughts or did she talk? He didn't see her mouth move. *Although you didn't complain about my ass last night.* He noticed Hermione blush and suddenly it hit Draco. They were telepathic.
Mundus looked at the two teens whose expressions were that of just having seen Alastor.
He raised a brow in query and spoke again to take them out of their daydream.
"Should I continue with the symptoms? There are quite a few more." He said loudly, succeeding in his task.
Draco faced Mundus with questioning eyes and nodded. "Very well. When the two souls have been joined for the first time in marriage, they can acquire the gift of telepathy or a kind of bond between them both. The not so desirable provisions are feeling literal pain if the soul of one cannot feel the other. If away for to long, one can die. But there is no reason to fear that. At least in the mean time…."
Draco had a difficulty processing this. So now he was linked with her. Wow. That explains why he was so jealous and why he had those chest pains. Being away from her had hurt…physically. Now he had her for eternity. Or did he….
*What do you mean by that? Of course you have me love.* She thought out to him in a soothing voice.
Draco didn't respond trying to hide his feeling of foreboding from her.
Hermione could not believe how lucky she was. She had found her mate! The other half of her. Who knew it would be a sly Slytherine. How did her father come to know this? She had received all of the information she needed when she was a baby. So why not this?
"Dad…how do you know all of this and I don't? Should I have received all of this information when I received it?" She asked quizzically and frankly quite stunned at the fact that her father was keeping more than just one secret from her. Did he have more?
Mundus clenched his jaw at that question. Sure there was a logical explanation she had not received that truth. Celesta. How could he tell his daughter that he had killed her mother all because of the father of her husband? He couldn't ruin her life by shattering the love and trust she had in her husband and the love and trust she had in himself. Gods how he missed her. His wife was the only good thing that happened to him, and then came Hermione. She had just gained confidence in him. Mundus couldn't break that. Not now…
"Your mother." It was a simple answer, but the stern and grim look on her father's face told Hermione that now was not the time to talk about it. Draco observed this and said nothing. Apparently Mundus was still feeling a little grievous about his wife. Damn if anything like that happened to Hermione….Now he didn't understand how this man could still live without his other half not being here. Draco shuddered at the thought of not having Hermione with him.
Mundus had a deadpan expression but then changed to one of regal importance. He walked over to a rather large chair and motioned for Hermione and Draco to follow. Hermione looked at the chair in fascination. Why did her father have such a nice chair? It almost looked like a throne.
"Father this is a beautiful chair, but why do have it? It looks like a throne. And you look like a king in it." She said the last part softly so as to signal to her father that it was a compliment.
"Hermione didn't you ever wonder how I got all my wealth? Or why my house is a palace?" Mundus inquired. Hermione shook her head and Mundus smiled.
"Hermione, look at your husband. By marrying him, you have given him a very big power. A power only you have and now share with him."
Hermione and Draco looked at each other and then back at Mundus. He chuckled at the sight of the two teens.
"Hermione you have given Draco the power of royalty. Of being a prince."
Hermione just gaped. She could have sworn her mouth was hitting the floor. How in the world could she do that!? Draco was about along the same line. He was a prince! He was royalty. That meant that Hermione was a princess. He looked over at her and saw that she was racking her brain trying to figure out her father's conundrum. Of all the smarts she possessed, she couldn't figure something as easy as this out. Or maybe she could fathom it.
"Father I have no clue what you are trying to tell me. How, in the name of Dumbldore's beard, could I have the power to turn Draco into a prince?" She asked skeptically.
"Hermione if you can't figure this out, then all of the Underworld will come crashing down on my royal head." Mundus had just given his daughter another clue, which obviously flew over her head.
Draco couldn't take it anymore. "For Merlin's sake. Hermione you are a PRINCESS! Good lord I even figured that before you did!" he said exasperated.
Hermione just gaped at the two men before her. She was a princess? NO FUCKING WAY! Although, that would explain a plethora of things.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Why wouldn't that damn light turn off? It wasn't a light; it was more of slight glow. A hooded figure that often passed through the hallway where the king's old chambers were, always saw this slight glow emanating from the king's old room. It started a while back and now it was completely driving the person bonkers! That's it! The person stepped through the door to be inside a dusty room. A grand bed stood on the east wall from them and a little cradle next to it. They cold tell that the glowing was coming from there. They crept up to it and they saw that in the dusty cradle was a crystal of some sort. It was radiating a light blue and one word was inscribed on it: LIFE. What could this mean? Why is it in the princess' cradle? She died a while ago. More like disappeared. Maybe the Lord will want to see this. They snatched up the crystal and went to find their Lord.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Voldemort didn't know when would be a good time to attack. It's Potter's last year. He has to go out with a big bang. Voldemort clenched his fist. It would be less difficult with the princess at my side. When he revived in power, he knew that the kings would have probably left with the child. Or tried. Before Voldemort was weakened he told his Death Eaters that the only way for the princess to leave was dead. Voldemort of course, did not count on Potter's success. When e was revived two almost three years ago, Snape had told him that he personally had killed and disposed of the princess. If I couldn't have her, now no one will. While lost in his thoughts, Voldemort failed to realize one of his servants stalk up to him.
"My Lord. I did not wish to disturb you, but I would rather not take chances." They said.
Voldemort nodded and motioned for them to continue. "Please Bellatrix, explain yourself." The person took of the hood and Bellatrix Lestrange faced Voldemort.
"Yes Lord. I always pass by the king's old chambers because my own are located down that hallway. Well, every time I passed, I did not notice that the door was ajar. One day about a month ago, I noticed this bright glowing. I ignored it, but in time it got stronger."
Bellatrix went to a pocket on her robes and pulled out a blue glowing crystal that immediately caught Voldemort's attention.
"I decided to know once and for all what the incessant glowing was. I went up to the basinet of the old princess and I found this crystal. Inscribed on it is the word-"
"-Life." Voldemort finished her sentence, completely enthralled in the crystal. Bellatrix was bewildered, but composed herself. "Yes…Lord. May I please ask how you knew that?"
Voldemort, still looking at the crystal, grabbed his wand and summoned it to him. "Easy Bellatrix. I made this crystal. When the princess came here I had this made for…. insurance. Bellatrix…ask of me whatever you wish. You have given me back power."
He waved a hand for her to leave and stared at the crystal even more intensely. "Indeed, I now have complete power."
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Spoiler: They go back to school. Now things will get interesting. Snape must now answer to Voldie and something's up with Prof. McGonagal. How will Hermione react to the news? What about Draco? How will he respond? More to come soon!
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