Disclaimer: This story is based on the characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

The Serpent's Pet

By: Crystal Megan

A/N: [Draco/Cho] One meeting in the cabin of the Hogwarts Express leads to a day in Hogsmeade to a night at the Astronomy Tower to more; all through the way, the two use each other to get what they want. . .But what if they start wanting each other in the end?

Ch. 3: Horror, Curses, Killings, and A Proposal

"Where?" I asked, and started to get out of my seat.

"It's an ambush…" Draco said, and didn't make any movement or signs of worry.

"What?" I asked, and turned my head in his direction.

"I was going to explain before we were rudely interrupted," Draco drawled, and then slammed the carriage door on Hermione's face, and locking it.

"What is the meaning of this?" I demanded angrily.

I was too shocked about the matter to worry about Hermione, and everything was passing me by like a dream, only I could not wake up.  And how I so deeply wanted to wake up in my four-poster bed dressed in bronze, and midnight blue, in the seventh year Ravenclaw girl's Dormitory.

"Calm down, I can't stand hysterics," Draco said.

I sat back down, and tried taking long, and slow breaths to ease my anger.

"Now I have a proposal.  I was initiated as a Death Eater last year, in my fifth year, when the Ministry finally announced the Dark Lord was back.  So I know what they're doing, my fellow Death Eaters, and I know Hogwarts is being attacked at this very second by giants, dementors, werewolves, and Dark Arts creatures you would never want to encounter in your life.  But I'm not here to explain to you about the plan, but an offer to save your life," Draco said lazily, and crossed his leg over his other one in the male fashion.

"What's the catch?" I replied emotionlessly.

Draco smiled evilly, and leered at me.  His eyes had never left mine, and this look of hunger in them, and in his face, as he stared at me.  My mother had warned me about this.  She told me about different meanings, and faces when a boy looks at a young lady like me.  I knew this wasn't a good look coming from Draco Malfoy, and I prayed silently that I was mistaken.  But sadly, I was a Ravenclaw, and therefore, I rarely miscalculated something, or thought a wrong fact.

"I believe you know the answer, so I will not explain to you what I want from you in return."

My mouth dropped from shock from having my thoughts confirmed.  "I will do no such thing!"

But my voice didn't sound convincing, and I could hear screams coming now as I head carriage doors opening, and slamming.  I knew they'd get to this one eventually, but wouldn't it be best to die than be the mistress of Draco Malfoy?  But I didn't want to die.  Cedric's death was enough for me; I didn't want to have to see any more.  And Draco was offering me this.  I only needed to bed him when he desired me.

I swallowed inaudibly, and closed my ears, while trying to block out the screams, and the noise.  This was important.  And if I screwed up…I could die, or make a large web full of tangles for others.

"I want more than my life to be saved," I said, and had concluded my thoughts, now waiting for Draco's answer, so to start demanding my price.

"What else?"

"Not what, who.  I want Harry to be protected from the Death Eaters, and I want you to never kill, or torture him.  Only help him."  My throat was itchy now, and scratchy, with a large bump forming.  I hoped it would end, because I didn't know how long I could last without crying.

Draco raised an eyebrow, and smirked.  "Agreed.  Once I save your life you will be in Wizard's debt, a magical contract that you cannot break.  You will have no choice but to do what you agreed, too.  And I will follow your agreements."

I nodded, and I noticed I had been holding my breath all this time.  I let the old air escape from my lungs, and breathed again.

"Now we must move quickly," Draco said, and he gracefully stood, and grabbed me.  It was unexpected to be carried but I didn't say anything, and opened the door so we could escape.

Draco jumped down from the carriage, and landed softly.

I turned my head to where the screams were coming from, and saw students in chains.  The Gryffindors under one of the Unforgivable Curses, and were screaming with pain while the others sobbed, all except the Slytherins, which I noticed were not in chains, but were being given masks, while some just stood, and looking relaxed at their surroundings.

"What are they doing?" I asked.

"The Slytherins are either Death Eaters like me, or they're too young to serve the Dark Lord.  The Gryffindors will suffer the most; they'll be the ones held hostages.  The Ravenclaws will be sent to Durmstrang.  But with the promise they'll become Death Eaters once they graduate…Wizard's Debt."

I couldn't help but let out a sob as I saw some first year Gryffindors step forward bravely, and probably resist, and be killed under the killing curse.

Draco held me tighter in his arms oddly enough, and the summoned his broom, like Harry had done in the Triwizard Tournament.  His brand new broom raced from the woods discreetly, close to the ground.  Draco hopped the broom with me in his arms, and I moved to sit in front of him.

I heard Draco mumble a spell, and it stirred my curiosity.

"What's that for?" I asked.

"Invisibility," he replied, and then pushed off the ground so we soared in the night sky, and then I silently cried from the view off all the dead, and dying students, the green lights that were flashing, and the screaming that was filling the cold air.

This was morning madness, no, morning horror.

Ok, let me know what you think!  10 reviews please!