Thank you for the reviews. Please keep reviewing as they make me smile :o)
I'm so glad you are all still enjoying the story.
Juxtaposed: Yes, of course you can kill her. Lol. Actually I'm at a loose end about what to do with her at the end of the story so suggestions of anyone will be considered.
Miss Rhapsody: I love Six Pence. And I figured Dumbledore can fix anything so I might as well have him save the day :o)
Spaced Out Space Cadet: Thank you for the ace review. Yes, Pansy has now forgotten about Hermione's' marking.
Kou Shun'u: Thank you for the review. I agree with you. More soon, promise.
Dracohermioneluver: Glad you liked that Chapter. I thought it was about time the houses had a fight.
Sorry this wasn't posted up when I said it would be (i.e. Sat night). I had MASSIVE problems with the family computer and as mine's not connected to the internet I didn't have anyway of uploading anything so I'm sorry you have had to wait. I'll try and get the next one up A.S.A.P. But as my computer at home is still broken and I'm uploading this from college, I don't know when that will be. Sorry :o(
The story's getting a little darker now so just incase it gets taken down (again.as apparently that's what the problem was last time), the story is still available on fanfics' sister site www.adultfanfiction.net I apologise to those of you who don't like the darkness of Draco's background but I felt it had to be added to make the story progress so please don't hate me for it. It's been done because I feel no-one is born evil, they are made that way, so I felt that I should explain why Draco, Narcissa and Lucius are the way they are. I hope it works OK. Enjoy!!!
Chapter 10-Sex, Lies and the Malfoys
Draco, I feel that it is time for you to visit me at the Manor. We have much to discuss and they are items which I do not wish for us to converse over through letter for fear of interception. We do however have another important issue to consider at the moment. I know that you are aware of what I speak and I hope, for you sake, that you have a reasonable excuse for your behaviour or I will be most displeased. You will be at the Manor tomorrow at seven o'clock, and not a minute later. Your mother sends you her love, Father
Draco read and re-read the letter, a scowl across his handsome face. He crumpled the letter in his fist and stared across the Great Hall, seeing Hermione joking with Harry and Ron, shaking her long dark curls as she laughed at something Ron had done.
"Great." He muttered, "Bloody brilliant."
He was not at all looking forward to tomorrow evening. He sighed and forced back into the conversation at the Slytherin table.
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The rest of that day and the next passed by in a mixture of lessons, Head Boy duties and meetings about the Yule ball; a combination of things which Draco found incredibly tedious but had to subject himself to anyway.
It was soon 6:57, and he was emerging out of the fireplace of the large living room in Malfoy Manor, shaking soot from his robes. His father stood tall and elegant before him, eyeing Draco with a look that said all it had to.
Lucius was angry, Draco could see it. Even though he kept his composure, his fathers' cold blue eyes were full of a dark fury that Draco had seen often in his lifetime.
Draco stood before his father like a soldier before a general;
"Father, I ."
The back of Malfoy Seniors hand flew out and made harsh contact with Dracos' left cheek. Draco flinched at the impact but kept his composure, remaining where he stood. Draco refused to call out as his cheek stung: He was used to these beatings at the hand of his father. They did not come often but Lucius Malfoy was a man with a short temper and no remorse, and he was the sort to take it out on those closest to him.
"You are disgrace to the Malfoy name." His father was currently yelling into hiss face, "What were you doing shagging that filthy little Mudblood?! Did you enjoy it?! Are you proud?!"
Draco clenched his fists; he wanted to defend Hermione but instead he knew what he must do. He laughed coldly and stared his father in the eye.
"Father, do you really think I enjoyed screwing that Mudblood whore?! I'd rather be a Gryffindor than disgrace our family name by having feelings for that stuck up know-it-all."
"Well then why do it Draco?!" Yelled his father.
"To gain the silly whore's trust." Draco replied simply, "Those bloody Gryffindors are fool enough to believe anything anyone tells them if they are nice enough, so I was simply especially nice in order to increase her trust. The plan would never work without it."
"You lie." Lucius spat.
"No father, I do not." Replied Draco, blocking his mind at the same time, and not a moment too soon.
"Legilimens!" Lucius yelled, pointing his wand at his son. Draco refused to cry out at his father viciously searched his mind. He blocked out all visions of Hermione; of their passionate embraces and kisses. Instead he showed his father fictional memories that he had created, of him laughing with the Slytherins at Hermione's stupidity to trust him.
He found it easy enough to block his father from his thoughts; having been trained by his father in the arts of both Occlumency and Legilimency it wasn't so hard to know how to block the mind searching-spell. In fact he was surprised when his father stopped, admitting he was satisfied with what he had seen-it appeared to have been too easy, but he wasn't going to protest.
"Now," Began Lucius, "onto more important matters: Seeing as how you have already succeeded in gaining the trust of the Mudblood, we should now focus our attentions onto how we are going to use that trust in order to rid ourselves of the little bitch."
Draco controlled his anger as his father spat out obscenities when referring to Hermione.
"How do you propose we do that Father?!" He asked.
His Father began to pace, taping his wand on the palm of his hand as he went.
"I have given the matter much thought and I feel that the best time for us to strike will be around mid-February." He paused, obviously waiting for Draco to ask a question so he could elaborate more. Draco did as he was supposed to:
"Why then Father?!" He asked.
"It gives us a guaranteed safety. If we strike too early and your trust with the whore is not developed enough then we will fail and be unable to try again. If we strike too early and succeed in killing the bitch then it gives the Dark Lord time to find a replacement-an event which we certainly do not want to occur. By striking too early we also risk being discovered. By attacking in a few months time, before the Dark Lord's own attack then he will not suspect. Then after the battle, when he has won, we will be safe and he will no longer care as he will have won without the Mudblood's power."
Draco stared at his Father -he had certainly given this plan a lot of thought.
"It's brilliant Father: but what about the actual events of the plan?!"
"I am coming to that." His Father yelled, turning on Draco, his hand raised once more, but this time he did not strike. "Now, as I was saying, we will attack at about Mid-February, around the time of St. Valentine's Day. You will call the mudblood here to the Manor, under the pretence of a romantic evening alone. You will tell her that you will meet her here and you will wait with me until she arrives here alone. On her arrival we will attack. With any luck she will be killed instantly and no more hassle shall be made. However, should she wish to duel then common courtesy says we must."
Draco held back a disgusted snort at his Fathers' comment-even when planning a murder he still tried to uphold the honours of old.
"Father, your plan is perfect; it will go off without a single hitch."
"I know. I was always good at planning a good murder." His Father replied, "Well my Dragon how about a Brandy and Cigar to celebrate out imminent victory?!"
Draco inwardly shuddered-he hated cigars. Even his Fathers' which were the best Gold could buy.
"Sounds good." He lied, following his Father into the Smoking Room.
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It was late when Draco returned to the castle and he immediately went to his rooms and wrote a letter to Dumbledore, informing him of Lucius' plans. Draco summoned his Eagle Owl and attached the letter to its' leg, before watching it fly into the sky. He sat on the window ledge for a long time after the Owl had been engulfed by the velvet sheets of night, and eventually he made his way to one of the large armchairs. There he sat, watching the flames perform their dance, he felt his eyes grow heavy as he fell into a daydream;
A young Draco stares in horror and begins to sob from his position on the Great Stairs, as he observes Lucius hit Narcissa with the back of his hand. The young woman does not fight back, she simply takes the beatings. When it is over Lucius apparates away and Narcissa makes her way over to her young child, and taking him in her arms she whispers to him;
"It is OK, my little Dragon. It will all be OK-Daddy is just upset." She begins to sob and although still talking, it is to herself more than it is to the young wizard in her arms, but Draco listens intently; "Yes, he is angry. And I will take the beatings for you my precious little Dragon. He will not harm you whilst I am around." She sobs some more and begins to sing softly;
"Teresa says the sky's on fire, nobody seems to see, Teresa says she no desire, to be what you want her to be. Teresa knows that you're a liar, why won't you just let her be? Teresa you can spend some time with me."
The memory change, Draco had broken an expensive item of his Fathers' whilst playing on his broom and Lucius was mad. As usual, his Father had turned on Narcissa, but now Narcissa was yelling back. Draco was about8 or 9, and he was watching the proceedings as his Father, taken aback by Narcissa's sudden found courage, turned to look at Draco who was hunched and crying in the corner.
Lucius strolled toward his son, glancing back to his wife, this would normally be the point where she would stop him, to prevent their son any harm.
The first time his Father's hand had struck him Draco had cried endlessly and looked toward his Mother for help, but none ever came; She had become cruel and cold-an equal to Lucius, and would no longer take any beatings for Draco.
He was 10. He had been backhanded for not learning the family motto in Latin quick enough. But Draco had learnt not to cry. This did not stop the beatings but it made them fewer.
Draco once asked his Father why he beat him when he was incapable of learning things correctly first time, to which his Father had replied that it was a way of ensuring you to be the best Malfoy you could, meaning you should be string and cruel in order to uphold the ancient family name.. It was how Lucius had learned and it was how Draco would learn. Draco had never asked for further elaboration.
The most ancient and noble show no weakness, for it is them who strike fear into the hearts of others.
Draco recited the family motto softly to himself as he watched the dying embers in the fire fade to burnt oranges and reds. A tear rolled down his cheekbone.
"What does it mean?!" A voice asked, and Draco turned to see Hermione standing at the door. He had no idea how long she'd been there, he hadn't heard a thing.
"What?!" He asked, confused.
"Whatever it was you just said, what does it mean?! It's some form of Latin, I can tell, but I do not speak it."
"It's ancient Latin...the language of the Ancients." He turned back to watch the fire.
"Are you OK?!" Hermione pressed.
Draco didn't respond, he simply thought about his past and the childhood he had missed out on. He felt a pair of arms slither around his neck, and lips fasten on his neck, kissing away the remains of the single tear that had fallen. He pulled Hermione down to him and she held him close.
Draco closed his eyes, savouring the warmth and love that was so pure. And for him.
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The next day was Saturday, and Draco awoke to find he and Hermione were still wrapped in each others' arms in front of the fire. He looked up and saw she was smiling at him:
"How are you feeling?!"
"Better...sorry about last night." He replied, feeling stupid about the way he'd reacted to the memories: It was all in the past...well, most of it.
"Hey, it's OK...really. Um...what was wrong?!"
Draco was silent at first; He wasn't overly fond of the prospect of telling Hermione about his Father, but as he looked at her open, honest eyes he knew that she would understand, and maybe it would make him feel better about the whole situation. He sighed and told her everything; his Mother and Father, the family motto and how he had had to live his life by it, the trauma and misspent youth. All of it.
"Oh Gods." Hermione gasped when he had finished, "You poor thing; I had no idea. I just though you were cruel and evil, but you were indoctrinated by your Father."
"Well when you are raised to believe only one way is right then that is what you genuinely believe, so to say it was completely my parents' fault would be a lie."
"At least you don't have to take it any more."
Draco gulped slightly and told her about the events of the night before.
"He hit you?!" Hermione gasped again, "But he can't do that!" You don't have to put up with it anymore; you should have hit him back or at least defended yourself."
"That's just the point though Hermione; until all this is over I DO have to take it. You don't know my Father like I do. To retaliate or stand up for myself would be more than everything's worth; you, the mission, my life. It is all meaningless to him."
"But he wouldn't hurt his own son."
"Of course he would!" Draco felt his temper rising at the injustice of his Father's loyalty to his family, "He doesn't give a flying fuck for anyone but himself."
Hermione sighed and held him close once more. Draco felt his anger ebbing away and, comforted by the closeness he wriggled so her warmth could surround him.
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That evening, whilst Draco and Hermione lay in bed, wrapped in each others arms, an owl arrived from Dumbledore. The owl swooped out of the fireplace and onto the foot of the bed. Draco took the letter and laughed as he read the address:
Mr D. Malfoy and Miss H. Granger The Bed Head Boys' Quarters
Hermione smiled to as she saw the script:
"Nothing escapes him does it." She laughed, and Draco smiled back as he read the letter.
"We should get up. There's a meeting of The Order in half an hour at Grimmauld Place." He said, "Oh, and apparently Dumbledore says we are not to be caught in this position by any members of staff or school." He laughed again, knowing that Dumbledore wasn't overly bothered but had to warn them...just in case.
"We can't get ready AND get up to Dumbledores' office to apparate out in that time; his office is at the other end of the castle." "I could." Said Draco, "But as you're a girl and take about three hours to get one shoe on Dumbledore will lower the apparation wards for us so we can go directly for here to Grimmauld Place."
Hermione looked relieved, but then, realising what he had said, she grabbed the nearest and biggest pillow and hit him over the head with it.
"Cheeky." She laughed, before jumping out of bed in just her underwear, "Well, I'm off for a quick shower then." She planted a soft kiss on Dracos' nose and he watched her red, lace clad figure slink its' way over to bathroom. He sighed-he was happy.
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Thirty minutes later they were sat in the kitchen of Twelve Grimmauld Place, the other members of The Order listened intently as Draco recalled the previous nights' meeting with his Father. He spoke not of the physical abuse or of the discussion about his 'encounter' with Hermione, only of Lucius' plans for Hemriones' disposal.
"So what are we going to do?!" Lupin asked once Draco had finished talking.
"I say we burst in there and zap the bastard." Yelled Ron, banging his fist on the table.
"No," replied Dumbledore, "We must be subtle abut our movements. If Lucius suspects anything-and he may-then our chances at saving Hermione will be all but lost. Unlike Voldemort Lucius is capable of seeing beyond what is in front of him-he is no fool to arrogance."
"May I make a suggestion?!" Piped up Tonks, from her position, cross legged on the floor.
"Of course you may Nymphadora. Please, go ahead." Smiled Dumbledore, either not noticing or ignoring Tonks' shudder at being called by her first name, but she continued:
"Why not let Draco and Hermione?! It's deceptively simple; the last thing Lucius will be suspecting is his own son to duel against him when it comes down to it. If anything he will expect Draco to join him by his side, against anything and everything else, and he won't suspect Hermione knowing anything at all, considering the opinion he has of her."
Dumbledore listened intently before turning to Hermione and Draco;
"What do you think?! Are you prepared to duel against Lucius?! He is your father Draco."
"Unfortunately he is," replied Draco, "but I'll fight him if I have to."
"They won't stand a chance against Malfoy-he's one of the best duellers our century has seen-everyone knows that. He'll use Dark Magic against them and then where would they be?!"
Dumbledore wheeled around and stared at Mundungus Fletcher-the cause of the outburst.
"I am well aware of Mr Malfoys' capabilities and preferred methods, having taught him for seven years and faced him in battle various times. But, Mundungus, I am also very much aware of the capabilities of Draco and Hermione, and I can ensure you that they are more than capable of duelling against him if the time comes. Draco has not only been taught by myself and the staff at Hogwarts, but also by his Father, and Hermione is the most competent witch I have ever known. I have faith in both of them to do what's right by them."
Mundungus said no more.
"Miss Granger, is the plan to your suiting?!"
"Yes sir, it is fine. I'm sure it will not come to anything as drastic as duelling against Mr Malfoy, but I will ensure I am prepared."
"Very good." Came Dumbledore's response, "Now, onto other important matters: it is time for us to begin planning our counter attack against Voldemort. I feel that the best thing for us to do is to defend rather than attack."
"Here here." Called Bill Weasley.
"Is there any way we can get more Aurors helping us?!" Asked Harry.
"Already on it." Came Kingsleys' deep voice from the shadows at the back, ""They are with us all the way"
"As I knew they would be." Smiled Dumbledore.
"So the best we can do is defend the castle and duel against the Death Eaters, keeping them away from Harry whilst he duels with Voldemort, cross our fingers and hope for the best." Asked Fred Weasley.
"Yes Mr Weasley that is all we can do."
The room soon fell into small conversations amongst the members of The Order. Draco noticed that Hermione was engrossed in a conversation with Fred and George about their latest venture in their Joke Shop; she was giving them both disapproving looks whilst trying to hold back a slight smile. He made his way over to Dumbledore who was pouring over a large map, covered in squiggles and moving lines. Dumbledore looked up;
"Yes Mr Malfoy?!"
"I was just wondering sir, um...could I have a word?!"
"Of course. Am I right in assuming that this word would be about Miss Granger?!"
"Yes sir. I meant to talk to you earlier about it but various...events got in the way. Um...at out marking Hermione seemed to gain all this power form somewhere, it took over her, as though she was possessed or something, and I was wondering if you knew what it was and if we could..."
"If we could use it to our advantage?!"
Draco nodded.
"Indeed Mr Malfoy, I have my suspicions where the power comes from, but that is all they are-suspicions. As for if we ourselves can control the power to assist us in the battle, that I am even less sure about. Indeed if this possession is of a nature that Hermione can learn to control then it may be a most valuable asset to us. However, if it either uncontrollable or a possession sourced form the Dark Arts then it will need to be expelled from her body as soon as possible."
"I understand. Thank you sir."
"You're welcome Draco."
Draco returned to Hermione, fingers crossed they would be able to manage whatever it was controlling her when the time came.
Juxtaposed: Yes, of course you can kill her. Lol. Actually I'm at a loose end about what to do with her at the end of the story so suggestions of anyone will be considered.
Miss Rhapsody: I love Six Pence. And I figured Dumbledore can fix anything so I might as well have him save the day :o)
Spaced Out Space Cadet: Thank you for the ace review. Yes, Pansy has now forgotten about Hermione's' marking.
Kou Shun'u: Thank you for the review. I agree with you. More soon, promise.
Dracohermioneluver: Glad you liked that Chapter. I thought it was about time the houses had a fight.
Sorry this wasn't posted up when I said it would be (i.e. Sat night). I had MASSIVE problems with the family computer and as mine's not connected to the internet I didn't have anyway of uploading anything so I'm sorry you have had to wait. I'll try and get the next one up A.S.A.P. But as my computer at home is still broken and I'm uploading this from college, I don't know when that will be. Sorry :o(
The story's getting a little darker now so just incase it gets taken down (again.as apparently that's what the problem was last time), the story is still available on fanfics' sister site www.adultfanfiction.net I apologise to those of you who don't like the darkness of Draco's background but I felt it had to be added to make the story progress so please don't hate me for it. It's been done because I feel no-one is born evil, they are made that way, so I felt that I should explain why Draco, Narcissa and Lucius are the way they are. I hope it works OK. Enjoy!!!
Chapter 10-Sex, Lies and the Malfoys
Draco, I feel that it is time for you to visit me at the Manor. We have much to discuss and they are items which I do not wish for us to converse over through letter for fear of interception. We do however have another important issue to consider at the moment. I know that you are aware of what I speak and I hope, for you sake, that you have a reasonable excuse for your behaviour or I will be most displeased. You will be at the Manor tomorrow at seven o'clock, and not a minute later. Your mother sends you her love, Father
Draco read and re-read the letter, a scowl across his handsome face. He crumpled the letter in his fist and stared across the Great Hall, seeing Hermione joking with Harry and Ron, shaking her long dark curls as she laughed at something Ron had done.
"Great." He muttered, "Bloody brilliant."
He was not at all looking forward to tomorrow evening. He sighed and forced back into the conversation at the Slytherin table.
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The rest of that day and the next passed by in a mixture of lessons, Head Boy duties and meetings about the Yule ball; a combination of things which Draco found incredibly tedious but had to subject himself to anyway.
It was soon 6:57, and he was emerging out of the fireplace of the large living room in Malfoy Manor, shaking soot from his robes. His father stood tall and elegant before him, eyeing Draco with a look that said all it had to.
Lucius was angry, Draco could see it. Even though he kept his composure, his fathers' cold blue eyes were full of a dark fury that Draco had seen often in his lifetime.
Draco stood before his father like a soldier before a general;
"Father, I ."
The back of Malfoy Seniors hand flew out and made harsh contact with Dracos' left cheek. Draco flinched at the impact but kept his composure, remaining where he stood. Draco refused to call out as his cheek stung: He was used to these beatings at the hand of his father. They did not come often but Lucius Malfoy was a man with a short temper and no remorse, and he was the sort to take it out on those closest to him.
"You are disgrace to the Malfoy name." His father was currently yelling into hiss face, "What were you doing shagging that filthy little Mudblood?! Did you enjoy it?! Are you proud?!"
Draco clenched his fists; he wanted to defend Hermione but instead he knew what he must do. He laughed coldly and stared his father in the eye.
"Father, do you really think I enjoyed screwing that Mudblood whore?! I'd rather be a Gryffindor than disgrace our family name by having feelings for that stuck up know-it-all."
"Well then why do it Draco?!" Yelled his father.
"To gain the silly whore's trust." Draco replied simply, "Those bloody Gryffindors are fool enough to believe anything anyone tells them if they are nice enough, so I was simply especially nice in order to increase her trust. The plan would never work without it."
"You lie." Lucius spat.
"No father, I do not." Replied Draco, blocking his mind at the same time, and not a moment too soon.
"Legilimens!" Lucius yelled, pointing his wand at his son. Draco refused to cry out at his father viciously searched his mind. He blocked out all visions of Hermione; of their passionate embraces and kisses. Instead he showed his father fictional memories that he had created, of him laughing with the Slytherins at Hermione's stupidity to trust him.
He found it easy enough to block his father from his thoughts; having been trained by his father in the arts of both Occlumency and Legilimency it wasn't so hard to know how to block the mind searching-spell. In fact he was surprised when his father stopped, admitting he was satisfied with what he had seen-it appeared to have been too easy, but he wasn't going to protest.
"Now," Began Lucius, "onto more important matters: Seeing as how you have already succeeded in gaining the trust of the Mudblood, we should now focus our attentions onto how we are going to use that trust in order to rid ourselves of the little bitch."
Draco controlled his anger as his father spat out obscenities when referring to Hermione.
"How do you propose we do that Father?!" He asked.
His Father began to pace, taping his wand on the palm of his hand as he went.
"I have given the matter much thought and I feel that the best time for us to strike will be around mid-February." He paused, obviously waiting for Draco to ask a question so he could elaborate more. Draco did as he was supposed to:
"Why then Father?!" He asked.
"It gives us a guaranteed safety. If we strike too early and your trust with the whore is not developed enough then we will fail and be unable to try again. If we strike too early and succeed in killing the bitch then it gives the Dark Lord time to find a replacement-an event which we certainly do not want to occur. By striking too early we also risk being discovered. By attacking in a few months time, before the Dark Lord's own attack then he will not suspect. Then after the battle, when he has won, we will be safe and he will no longer care as he will have won without the Mudblood's power."
Draco stared at his Father -he had certainly given this plan a lot of thought.
"It's brilliant Father: but what about the actual events of the plan?!"
"I am coming to that." His Father yelled, turning on Draco, his hand raised once more, but this time he did not strike. "Now, as I was saying, we will attack at about Mid-February, around the time of St. Valentine's Day. You will call the mudblood here to the Manor, under the pretence of a romantic evening alone. You will tell her that you will meet her here and you will wait with me until she arrives here alone. On her arrival we will attack. With any luck she will be killed instantly and no more hassle shall be made. However, should she wish to duel then common courtesy says we must."
Draco held back a disgusted snort at his Fathers' comment-even when planning a murder he still tried to uphold the honours of old.
"Father, your plan is perfect; it will go off without a single hitch."
"I know. I was always good at planning a good murder." His Father replied, "Well my Dragon how about a Brandy and Cigar to celebrate out imminent victory?!"
Draco inwardly shuddered-he hated cigars. Even his Fathers' which were the best Gold could buy.
"Sounds good." He lied, following his Father into the Smoking Room.
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It was late when Draco returned to the castle and he immediately went to his rooms and wrote a letter to Dumbledore, informing him of Lucius' plans. Draco summoned his Eagle Owl and attached the letter to its' leg, before watching it fly into the sky. He sat on the window ledge for a long time after the Owl had been engulfed by the velvet sheets of night, and eventually he made his way to one of the large armchairs. There he sat, watching the flames perform their dance, he felt his eyes grow heavy as he fell into a daydream;
A young Draco stares in horror and begins to sob from his position on the Great Stairs, as he observes Lucius hit Narcissa with the back of his hand. The young woman does not fight back, she simply takes the beatings. When it is over Lucius apparates away and Narcissa makes her way over to her young child, and taking him in her arms she whispers to him;
"It is OK, my little Dragon. It will all be OK-Daddy is just upset." She begins to sob and although still talking, it is to herself more than it is to the young wizard in her arms, but Draco listens intently; "Yes, he is angry. And I will take the beatings for you my precious little Dragon. He will not harm you whilst I am around." She sobs some more and begins to sing softly;
"Teresa says the sky's on fire, nobody seems to see, Teresa says she no desire, to be what you want her to be. Teresa knows that you're a liar, why won't you just let her be? Teresa you can spend some time with me."
The memory change, Draco had broken an expensive item of his Fathers' whilst playing on his broom and Lucius was mad. As usual, his Father had turned on Narcissa, but now Narcissa was yelling back. Draco was about8 or 9, and he was watching the proceedings as his Father, taken aback by Narcissa's sudden found courage, turned to look at Draco who was hunched and crying in the corner.
Lucius strolled toward his son, glancing back to his wife, this would normally be the point where she would stop him, to prevent their son any harm.
The first time his Father's hand had struck him Draco had cried endlessly and looked toward his Mother for help, but none ever came; She had become cruel and cold-an equal to Lucius, and would no longer take any beatings for Draco.
He was 10. He had been backhanded for not learning the family motto in Latin quick enough. But Draco had learnt not to cry. This did not stop the beatings but it made them fewer.
Draco once asked his Father why he beat him when he was incapable of learning things correctly first time, to which his Father had replied that it was a way of ensuring you to be the best Malfoy you could, meaning you should be string and cruel in order to uphold the ancient family name.. It was how Lucius had learned and it was how Draco would learn. Draco had never asked for further elaboration.
The most ancient and noble show no weakness, for it is them who strike fear into the hearts of others.
Draco recited the family motto softly to himself as he watched the dying embers in the fire fade to burnt oranges and reds. A tear rolled down his cheekbone.
"What does it mean?!" A voice asked, and Draco turned to see Hermione standing at the door. He had no idea how long she'd been there, he hadn't heard a thing.
"What?!" He asked, confused.
"Whatever it was you just said, what does it mean?! It's some form of Latin, I can tell, but I do not speak it."
"It's ancient Latin...the language of the Ancients." He turned back to watch the fire.
"Are you OK?!" Hermione pressed.
Draco didn't respond, he simply thought about his past and the childhood he had missed out on. He felt a pair of arms slither around his neck, and lips fasten on his neck, kissing away the remains of the single tear that had fallen. He pulled Hermione down to him and she held him close.
Draco closed his eyes, savouring the warmth and love that was so pure. And for him.
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The next day was Saturday, and Draco awoke to find he and Hermione were still wrapped in each others' arms in front of the fire. He looked up and saw she was smiling at him:
"How are you feeling?!"
"Better...sorry about last night." He replied, feeling stupid about the way he'd reacted to the memories: It was all in the past...well, most of it.
"Hey, it's OK...really. Um...what was wrong?!"
Draco was silent at first; He wasn't overly fond of the prospect of telling Hermione about his Father, but as he looked at her open, honest eyes he knew that she would understand, and maybe it would make him feel better about the whole situation. He sighed and told her everything; his Mother and Father, the family motto and how he had had to live his life by it, the trauma and misspent youth. All of it.
"Oh Gods." Hermione gasped when he had finished, "You poor thing; I had no idea. I just though you were cruel and evil, but you were indoctrinated by your Father."
"Well when you are raised to believe only one way is right then that is what you genuinely believe, so to say it was completely my parents' fault would be a lie."
"At least you don't have to take it any more."
Draco gulped slightly and told her about the events of the night before.
"He hit you?!" Hermione gasped again, "But he can't do that!" You don't have to put up with it anymore; you should have hit him back or at least defended yourself."
"That's just the point though Hermione; until all this is over I DO have to take it. You don't know my Father like I do. To retaliate or stand up for myself would be more than everything's worth; you, the mission, my life. It is all meaningless to him."
"But he wouldn't hurt his own son."
"Of course he would!" Draco felt his temper rising at the injustice of his Father's loyalty to his family, "He doesn't give a flying fuck for anyone but himself."
Hermione sighed and held him close once more. Draco felt his anger ebbing away and, comforted by the closeness he wriggled so her warmth could surround him.
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That evening, whilst Draco and Hermione lay in bed, wrapped in each others arms, an owl arrived from Dumbledore. The owl swooped out of the fireplace and onto the foot of the bed. Draco took the letter and laughed as he read the address:
Mr D. Malfoy and Miss H. Granger The Bed Head Boys' Quarters
Hermione smiled to as she saw the script:
"Nothing escapes him does it." She laughed, and Draco smiled back as he read the letter.
"We should get up. There's a meeting of The Order in half an hour at Grimmauld Place." He said, "Oh, and apparently Dumbledore says we are not to be caught in this position by any members of staff or school." He laughed again, knowing that Dumbledore wasn't overly bothered but had to warn them...just in case.
"We can't get ready AND get up to Dumbledores' office to apparate out in that time; his office is at the other end of the castle." "I could." Said Draco, "But as you're a girl and take about three hours to get one shoe on Dumbledore will lower the apparation wards for us so we can go directly for here to Grimmauld Place."
Hermione looked relieved, but then, realising what he had said, she grabbed the nearest and biggest pillow and hit him over the head with it.
"Cheeky." She laughed, before jumping out of bed in just her underwear, "Well, I'm off for a quick shower then." She planted a soft kiss on Dracos' nose and he watched her red, lace clad figure slink its' way over to bathroom. He sighed-he was happy.
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Thirty minutes later they were sat in the kitchen of Twelve Grimmauld Place, the other members of The Order listened intently as Draco recalled the previous nights' meeting with his Father. He spoke not of the physical abuse or of the discussion about his 'encounter' with Hermione, only of Lucius' plans for Hemriones' disposal.
"So what are we going to do?!" Lupin asked once Draco had finished talking.
"I say we burst in there and zap the bastard." Yelled Ron, banging his fist on the table.
"No," replied Dumbledore, "We must be subtle abut our movements. If Lucius suspects anything-and he may-then our chances at saving Hermione will be all but lost. Unlike Voldemort Lucius is capable of seeing beyond what is in front of him-he is no fool to arrogance."
"May I make a suggestion?!" Piped up Tonks, from her position, cross legged on the floor.
"Of course you may Nymphadora. Please, go ahead." Smiled Dumbledore, either not noticing or ignoring Tonks' shudder at being called by her first name, but she continued:
"Why not let Draco and Hermione?! It's deceptively simple; the last thing Lucius will be suspecting is his own son to duel against him when it comes down to it. If anything he will expect Draco to join him by his side, against anything and everything else, and he won't suspect Hermione knowing anything at all, considering the opinion he has of her."
Dumbledore listened intently before turning to Hermione and Draco;
"What do you think?! Are you prepared to duel against Lucius?! He is your father Draco."
"Unfortunately he is," replied Draco, "but I'll fight him if I have to."
"They won't stand a chance against Malfoy-he's one of the best duellers our century has seen-everyone knows that. He'll use Dark Magic against them and then where would they be?!"
Dumbledore wheeled around and stared at Mundungus Fletcher-the cause of the outburst.
"I am well aware of Mr Malfoys' capabilities and preferred methods, having taught him for seven years and faced him in battle various times. But, Mundungus, I am also very much aware of the capabilities of Draco and Hermione, and I can ensure you that they are more than capable of duelling against him if the time comes. Draco has not only been taught by myself and the staff at Hogwarts, but also by his Father, and Hermione is the most competent witch I have ever known. I have faith in both of them to do what's right by them."
Mundungus said no more.
"Miss Granger, is the plan to your suiting?!"
"Yes sir, it is fine. I'm sure it will not come to anything as drastic as duelling against Mr Malfoy, but I will ensure I am prepared."
"Very good." Came Dumbledore's response, "Now, onto other important matters: it is time for us to begin planning our counter attack against Voldemort. I feel that the best thing for us to do is to defend rather than attack."
"Here here." Called Bill Weasley.
"Is there any way we can get more Aurors helping us?!" Asked Harry.
"Already on it." Came Kingsleys' deep voice from the shadows at the back, ""They are with us all the way"
"As I knew they would be." Smiled Dumbledore.
"So the best we can do is defend the castle and duel against the Death Eaters, keeping them away from Harry whilst he duels with Voldemort, cross our fingers and hope for the best." Asked Fred Weasley.
"Yes Mr Weasley that is all we can do."
The room soon fell into small conversations amongst the members of The Order. Draco noticed that Hermione was engrossed in a conversation with Fred and George about their latest venture in their Joke Shop; she was giving them both disapproving looks whilst trying to hold back a slight smile. He made his way over to Dumbledore who was pouring over a large map, covered in squiggles and moving lines. Dumbledore looked up;
"Yes Mr Malfoy?!"
"I was just wondering sir, um...could I have a word?!"
"Of course. Am I right in assuming that this word would be about Miss Granger?!"
"Yes sir. I meant to talk to you earlier about it but various...events got in the way. Um...at out marking Hermione seemed to gain all this power form somewhere, it took over her, as though she was possessed or something, and I was wondering if you knew what it was and if we could..."
"If we could use it to our advantage?!"
Draco nodded.
"Indeed Mr Malfoy, I have my suspicions where the power comes from, but that is all they are-suspicions. As for if we ourselves can control the power to assist us in the battle, that I am even less sure about. Indeed if this possession is of a nature that Hermione can learn to control then it may be a most valuable asset to us. However, if it either uncontrollable or a possession sourced form the Dark Arts then it will need to be expelled from her body as soon as possible."
"I understand. Thank you sir."
"You're welcome Draco."
Draco returned to Hermione, fingers crossed they would be able to manage whatever it was controlling her when the time came.