Author's Note; Thank you so much to everyone who has read and/or reviewed
up to here. This is just to let you all know that the next Chapter will be
slightly delayed as I am taking part in a DM/HG fanfic exchange and only
have to weeks to get my entry completed (and it's quite a long fic I have
planned). Unfortunately this means that all the readers of this story have
to wait, for which I can't apologise enough and I hope you can all be
patient and forgive me :o) (Although on the upside it means there will be
another DM/HG fanfic for you to read). Sorry again, Slytherin Spirit.
Chapter 17-Killing for Survival
Draco stared at the closed door that Hermione had just walked out of. He was in shock, he couldn't believe it; she'd gone, left him and it was entirely his own fault. If he hadn't been such an idiot she would probably still be here and all would be well with the world. His insides ached. Now he had nothing. He was alone; she was all he had in the world, all he had ever loved, all he had ever wanted and now she was gone because of some stupid bet that he'd been to macho to turn down. He couldn't breathe properly. His head was spinning and the room was blurring in and out of focus. He sat down on the couch, his head in his hands, his eyes closed, picturing her face. He could feel his heart breaking yet he could not cry; the pain was overwhelming and it made every bone in his body ache and cry for the warmth he had felt only minutes previously when she had been here. But now she wasn't and all he wanted to do was die.
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Draco's depression lasted for many days; every time he saw Hermione he would look away, not wanting to meet her eyes. Although he had no fear of doing that as she would determinedly turn her gaze from him whenever they were in the same room. To make matters ten times worse it appeared to Draco that she had begun a flirting session with Blaise in front of him on purpose, just as a constant reminder as to how stupid he was. Draco would sit in potions watching Blaise flash her a smile and wincing whenever she returned it, flicking her hair over her shoulder in that way that Draco found so irresistible. Yet he could do nothing.
He had offered Blaise the 200 Galleons, saying that he was bored with the challenge and if Blaise wanted the money he could take it, but Blaise had refused saying that no gentleman withdrew from a bet. His response had forced Draco to agree and re-swear that he was trying his best to bed Hermione.
The week after Hermione had walked out and left him, Draco received a message from Voldemort, calling an emergency revel; he said that the reason was urgent and everyone was to attend, no excuses. Draco sighed and tossed the letter into the fire before changing into black dress robes and heading up to Dumbledore's office.
The last thing he needed right now was to watch Hermione flirt her way around the Death Eaters in some skimpy outfit that left little, or more likely, nothing, to the imagination. He was right with the latter, and nearly keeled over on the spot when he saw Hermione's latest attire; she was stood standing perfectly naturally, discussing the N.E.W.T curriculum with Dumbledore and Snape, whilst wearing little more than her underwear. Her outfit was a black, strapless bra and matching thong with a long sleeveless dress over the top. It fell beautifully off her frame, and the usual slit from hem to hip was on her left hand side, displaying her Dark Mark but the slit was not really necessary considering the rest of the dress; it was all but completely invisible, made of only a single layer of thin black chiffon. Draco also noted there was a complete lack of shoes and she stood, barefoot at her natural height of a petite five feet two inches. She wore only black eyeliner and looked the perfection of natural beauty.
He forced himself to look away and instead tune into what was actually being said. Dumbledore was talking;
"...I also hear that there may be new Death Eaters joining the ranks tonight. Rumours tell me there is another under age follower, like yourselves, however I have as yet been unable to locate any details, but I'd be wary as it is likely to be someone from this school; most likely a Slytherin."
"Aren't they always." Snape muttered to no-one in particular. He'd been in a foul mood lately and had been taking it out on anybody who crossed his path in a way that displeased him.
Dumbledore chose to ignore the potions master comment and waved his arms, lowering the wards around the school. Draco, Snape and Hermione apparated with out a word.
------------------------------------------------ There was already a mass of Death Eaters in the ballroom of Malfoy Manor when the three spies apparated before the Dark Lord and knelt before him. Hermione stood between the two men, her head only reaching their chests as she stood at her natural height. She stared sternly ahead as they rose from their kneeling positions; she would not acknowledge Draco.
"Ah you are here at last." Voldemort smiled, offering Hermione his long, white hand. She took it and stood next to him, his right hand witch. "The others wanted to begin but I refused to start without you here My Raven. I feel you should...welcome our new comrades."
"My Lord I hope you realise that I am not simply a trophy which you may pass amongst whomever you wish."
"Dear Raven, I do not think that. I merely wish for you to do as you please."
"Then I will hold my judgement until I view our new companions, and if one takes my fancy then I may have some fun."
"Very well." Voldemort replied, smiling down at his favourite. "Bring in the new!" He bellowed, and the great doors were flung open.
Peter Pettigrew entered, closely followed by five potential Death Eaters, one of which was Blaise Zabini. Draco groaned; this was not a good sign.
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named looked at Hermione;
"Do any of them enchant you My Raven?"
"There is only one amongst them who may continue to hold my attention My Lord."
"Young Zabini?"
"That is correct My Lord, although I must ask, why has Mr Zabini been permitted to join us? He is still at Hogwarts and is only just 17."
"Indeed Raven, he is not as powerful as you or Mr Malfoy which was why the two of you were allowed into my faction, yet Mr Zabini's family have shown me great loyalty over they years and as they lost their eldest son to you in September I felt there was no better way to repay their loss than by allowing their youngest to be marked. There is one other reason; numbers. Although our victory is imminent we may still benefit by taking all the hands we can."
"Thank you for telling me My Lord." Hermione responded, her eyes locking with Blaise's. She smiled at him seductively and in that moment Draco noticed two things. One was that Blaise's eyes widened in shock as he saw Hermione standing proudly, and all but naked, next to the man who would soon be his new master. Also, Hermione's eyes, full of lust as she looked at the new blood, were also beginning to fill with flame and a slight green glow clung to her skin like a fine mist, making her shimmer in the dim light of the ballroom.
Blaise Zabini was the Slytherin Goalkeeper and the many practices over the years had blessed him with a lean and muscular body. His physique was strong, tall and sexy, his dark blonde hair long and spiky and his eyes were such a deep blue they were purple.
Right now those eyes were on Hermione in a look that fought between hatred, confusion and lust. He wanted her.
The initiation began.
One after the other the new blood came forward to repeat the oath that Draco felt he had said in another lifetime. It felt like decades had passed since he had stood before the Dark Lord, exposing his young flesh and repeating the promise of a Death Eater. Once each one had been marked they joined the other followers around the ballroom. As Blaise took his mark he did not flinch as Voldemort's wand tip burned the tender flesh on the inside of his right arm. He bowed before his master once the Dark Mark blazed like fire on his skin.
"Stand!" Voldemort commanded. Blaise did so and stood with the collection of Death Eaters. The Dark Lord continued; "Although I now have five new, faithful followers, they are not the main reason I called you all together. It seems that Dumblewit and that bloody Order of the Phoenix he's reassembled have somehow become aware f our plans to attack Hogwarts." A murmur rippled around the room in waves, like a pebble dropped into smooth, clear water. "Now, due to this complication I have changed the plans for our attack. I have decided that a battle will probably be our best move now that that crazy old man knows of our original plans. I have concluded that a battle in Hogsmeade is our best chance at surprising the batty fool. We will take Hogsmeade over a few nights, moving in a few at a time until we occupy every home and shop in there, all inhabitants will be killed of course. The ancient idiot is bound to catch on sooner or later, and when he does Hogsmeade will be our battleground. We will crush Bumblemore and his pathetic cronies into the ground. Any questions?"
All the Death Eaters remained quiet.
"I thought not. Now onto serious matters; tell me, which of you good for nothing, spineless, weak, pathetic inbreds had the audacity and stupidity to think they could pass information along to eh other side without my finding out?"
Again no-one spoke.
"Come along now, speak up as one of you must know something; the powers of deduction say so."
There was more silence until MacNair suddenly called out;
"I bet it was filthy little Mudblood, either her or Malfoy and Snape. They are the only ones who have constant contact with both Dumbledore and our plans. They may not be in The Order but I bet they know its plans, what with her being in the same school as Potter and being close to Dumbledore."
Voldemort turned to Hermione, Draco and Snape.
"Is this true my Raven?" He interrogated.
Hermione fluttered her eyelashes innocently.
"Which part My Lord?" She asked sweetly.
"Any of it?"
"Well, My Lord it is true that I do attend the same school as Potter" she spat his name as if saying it hurt, "and that I have a constant interaction with Dumbledore, but that, My Lord, is as far as the relationships go. I do not and have never spoken of your plans to anyone other than those in the room now."
Draco could feel Voldemort searching not only her minds but also Snape's and his own. He quickly shut off all thought of The Order and was able to stop Voldemort's penetration.
"You are sure My Raven?"
"My Lord, I can not believe you are entertaining such a thought. Haven't we been loyal and faithful for you? Have we ever given you reason to doubt us?" She looked up at their Lord, once again fluttering her long, dark eyelashes and pouting slightly. "MacNair's accusation is absurd." She lowered her voice to a sexy whisper and added, "Maybe it is he who has betrayed your trust and has something to hide so he tries to shift the blame onto us."
"I am sorry My Raven for accusing you in such a way. I apologise."
Hermione smiled and Draco couldn't help but marvel at the shift of power that always took place when Hermione turned on the charm and sex appeal. Voldemort turned to the rest of the Death Eaters.
"Well, it seems My Raven has her own theory as to who has let our plans slip to the enemy." He looked at Hermione, "The floor is yours my dear."
Hermione entered the throng of Death Eaters, her skin still glowing faintly and emerged with an angry looking MacNair.
"I think MacNair, that it is you who has told The Order of our plans, and so are simply attempting to shift the blame onto a supposed easier target, i.e. Me; the Mudblood. However, you doubt both my power and position here; they are bigger and more important than you own and I strongly suggest that you apologise not only to me but also to Mr Malfoy and Mr Snape."
MacNair spat at her. Hermione gracefully dodged the phlegm, an increasing look of anger upon her face. She looked at Voldemort, pleading;
"You think he is the one?" He asked.
"I do My Lord."
"Then you may proceed as you see fit." He answered.
MacNair began to protest but Hermione swiftly kicked him in the stomach;
"You will speak when spoken to." She spat at him. The helpless Death Eater fell quiet, all too aware of the fate that awaited him.
Hermione was now smiling gleefully but did not see MacNair flick his wand and mutter quietly. The spells disarmed her and cast the Crucio curse upon her in quick succession. Hermione writhed, cursed and screamed under the unforgivable.
"You bastard." She whispered dangerously as the curse ended its torment upon her body. She summoned MacNair's wand with a simple beckoning of her hand. She caught the slim, wooden stick and tossed it to Snape, instructing him not to let it go under any circumstances.
"Ah well, at least we are more evenly matched now." She smiled wickedly before sending a Crucio curse hurtling straight for him. The older wizard wriggled and danced under the power of the curse before falling still and twitching slightly, "Oops," Hermione giggled, "I guess not."
MacNair moved to break through the Death Eaters who now encircled the duelling pair, but they did not move; any blood spill was better than none at all. The defeated wizard turned around, only to come face to face with a very angry Hermione.
Suddenly the faint glow around her body grew to magnificent proportions, engulfing every part of her being in electric green. Hermione grabbed MacNair by the scruff of his robes and threw him around her so he landed on his knees. She then straddled the kneeling Death Eater, looking straight down on him, staring him straight in the eye and baring her teeth menacingly.
"Game's over." She promised, releasing the frightened man from her grasp. Again he attempted to break the Death Eater circle, and again they defied him.
A chilling wind began to rise within the circle, swooping around the witch and whipping her hair and robes into a frenzy. She laughed into it; a cold laugh which hurt the ears of those who heard it.
Hermione raised her glowing hands to the heavens and the green power crackled around her. Jade lightening cracked through the air and Hermione caught it between her two hands, moulding it into a small ball of power. She then threw the sphere of magic at the cowering MacNair. He opened his mouth to scream, but the sound never emerged as he fell to the floor.
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The gathered Death Eaters stared at where MacNair had fallen; there wad nothing but ash there. Their eyes fixed on Hermione; they filled with fear, anger and confusion at the immense power that had just been displayed before them. Hermione too stared at the ashes; she wore a look of surprise and horror, but only for a moment. Soon the pure and true emotions were masked, replaced with a look of triumph and contempt at the ashes that had seconds before been her accuser.
Gracefully she turned to Voldemort;
"If you please My Lord, I wish to retire to a private room."
"Certainly My Raven. Will you be taking anyone with you?"
Surprisingly Hermione strolled over to Draco and linked her arms with his. The Dark Lord smiled and Draco turned to go, but she had not finished selecting yet. Slowly, seductively Hermi0one made her way to Blaise Zabini. He placed a hand on her waist, a smirk playing on his lips. Draco opened his mouth to protest before realising; she was a free woman, if she wanted to see them both in private then that was fair enough.
Hermione led Draco and Blaise to one of the studies on the fourth floor. The three entered and Hermione closed the door behind them, casting an advanced locking spell and silencing spell so they could not be heard. She then turned heatedly to the Slytherins;
"So, this bet you two have made."
Blaise looked unfazed by the angry lioness in front of him;
"What of it?"
"Call it off." Hermione commanded.
"No way love, I've got 200 Galleons riding on this bet, all it needs is for me to be riding you."
Hermione walked over to Blaise and slapped him sharply across the right cheek.
"Call it off now." She demanded.
"Hermione back down." Draco whispered, pulling down her raised arm to prevent her from striking out again.
"Why should I? I do not appreciate being bet on like some race horse. I demand you to call of the bet now."
"We can't." Blaise said angrily.
"And why not?"
"Because a gentleman never goes back on his word."
"You are no more a gentlemen than I am a dancing bear therefore you have no reason to not call off this bet."
There was silence in the room before Blaise suddenly leapt at Hermione, pushing her against the wall.
"Well if the labels don't apply and I'm not gentleman then you're no witch, which means I can have my way with you, get my 200 Galleons and a good fuck."
Blaise's eyes flashed with lust and greed as he ripped the dress from Hermione's body and began an attempt to violate her body.
"Petrificus Totalus." Draco yelled, throwing the spell at Blaise who fell onto the floor unmoving.
Hermione gasped and ran from the room. Draco made to follow but decided to first attend to Blaise. He stood over the other Slytherin, deciding what to do.
"Obliviate." He whispered, following it up with "Impregulia."
Draco then removed the body binding curse and helped Blaise up from the floor.
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Half an hour later Blaise was in the arms of some young Death Eater he'd just met, and Draco was searching the Manor for Hermione. He eventually found her in one of the many bedrooms. She was curled on the bed.
"What happened?" She asked.
"I wiped his memory and made up a new one. I made him think that I had slept with you first so had won the bet."
"What about the money?"
"I took it."
"Draco; that's not right."
"Neither was him attacking you." Draco replied bluntly. "Now get some sleep. I told Voldemort that you felt slightly exhausted after blasting MacNair and wanted to rest tonight. He believed me and told me to look after you. Talk about favouritism; if anyone else asked to be excused due to tiredness he'd have their head on a plate before you could say Quidditch."
Hermione smiled a response but her eyelids were already slowly closing.
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When Draco awoke the next morning Hermione lay still on the bed, her eyes closed and her breaths steady. Draco gently walked over to the bed and stroked her cheek to wake her. She fluttered her eyelashes before opening her large eyes.
"'Mi," Draco ventured, "We've got to leave soon."
"Oh." She answered almost mechanically, getting out of the bed and beginning to dress.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Um...last night, Voldemort probed me to find out if we had reported to The Order, but I managed to block him somehow."
"It was me; well, the Gods. Oddly enough it was the Dark Ones, I don't understand them. Sometimes they help me, dong as I ask yet at other times they overrun me and I can't do anything to stop them."
"But what about Voldemort; how did he not find out MacNair was innocent; he must have searched his mind as well."
"He did, but I built a wall around MacNair's mind. I filled it full of false memories of The Order and him spying for them. Well, I say me, but again the Gods helped me. Their presence is beginning to make my mind ache; they seem to be here all the time."
Draco nodded, not sure of how to respond;
"There was something else too..." he said.
"We aren't back together Draco; you saved me from Blaise, that's all."
"But why can't we be together?"
"Because I'm not myself at the moment. I know you were under the truth spell therefore you could not have lied. What I said about you blocking the spell was bullshit to avoid this conversation. I don't want to be with you because I don't want to hurt you. It feels like the Gods are taking over me in preparation for something, and I don't want to risk hurting you."
"This is hurting me 'Mi." Draco explained.
"I'm sorry, but this is the way it has to be." Hermione muttered. "Until I'm ready. Maybe, eventually, when all this is over and if the gods decide to leave me alone, maybe then it could work."
Draco nodded, silently and they said no more.
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Author's note; I had two ideas for this Chapter, one ever the cynic and one sticking to morals, but I couldn't decide which one I liked best so I typed both up. The other version of this Chapter is posted on www.adultfanfiction.net if you want to read it (WARNING; Threesome).
Raine Malfoy; You hate Granger and enjoyed her pain but have to be nice? Lol, that made me smile. Don't be nice though, let it all out :o) Thanks for reviewing, and I'm pleased you liked it.
dracohermioneluver; There you are; technically they aren't mad at each other any more. I'm sorry the last Chapter was depressing. Hope you enjoyed this one.
Ghypscee, feltons-no.1-dominatrix, Mialana, HnDluver, Keliyon; Thank you very much, hope you liked this Chapter, I'll get some blasting, ass kicking and light stuff in eventually as it is getting a bit angst ridden.
Miss Rhapsody; Thank you, I'm very happy you liked the way that last Chapter was written and though I'd got the anguish right.
KatD; The struggle in Hermione will eventually climax one way or another as will her relationship with Draco, I just hope you will enjoy it when it eventually gets here.
InsanitySquirrel321; Ha ha, love your response :o) Thanks for reviewing. Maybe I'll get them back together...although you may place your bets according to the fact it is a DM/HG fanfic, hope that makes you feel better :o)
Chapter 17-Killing for Survival
Draco stared at the closed door that Hermione had just walked out of. He was in shock, he couldn't believe it; she'd gone, left him and it was entirely his own fault. If he hadn't been such an idiot she would probably still be here and all would be well with the world. His insides ached. Now he had nothing. He was alone; she was all he had in the world, all he had ever loved, all he had ever wanted and now she was gone because of some stupid bet that he'd been to macho to turn down. He couldn't breathe properly. His head was spinning and the room was blurring in and out of focus. He sat down on the couch, his head in his hands, his eyes closed, picturing her face. He could feel his heart breaking yet he could not cry; the pain was overwhelming and it made every bone in his body ache and cry for the warmth he had felt only minutes previously when she had been here. But now she wasn't and all he wanted to do was die.
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Draco's depression lasted for many days; every time he saw Hermione he would look away, not wanting to meet her eyes. Although he had no fear of doing that as she would determinedly turn her gaze from him whenever they were in the same room. To make matters ten times worse it appeared to Draco that she had begun a flirting session with Blaise in front of him on purpose, just as a constant reminder as to how stupid he was. Draco would sit in potions watching Blaise flash her a smile and wincing whenever she returned it, flicking her hair over her shoulder in that way that Draco found so irresistible. Yet he could do nothing.
He had offered Blaise the 200 Galleons, saying that he was bored with the challenge and if Blaise wanted the money he could take it, but Blaise had refused saying that no gentleman withdrew from a bet. His response had forced Draco to agree and re-swear that he was trying his best to bed Hermione.
The week after Hermione had walked out and left him, Draco received a message from Voldemort, calling an emergency revel; he said that the reason was urgent and everyone was to attend, no excuses. Draco sighed and tossed the letter into the fire before changing into black dress robes and heading up to Dumbledore's office.
The last thing he needed right now was to watch Hermione flirt her way around the Death Eaters in some skimpy outfit that left little, or more likely, nothing, to the imagination. He was right with the latter, and nearly keeled over on the spot when he saw Hermione's latest attire; she was stood standing perfectly naturally, discussing the N.E.W.T curriculum with Dumbledore and Snape, whilst wearing little more than her underwear. Her outfit was a black, strapless bra and matching thong with a long sleeveless dress over the top. It fell beautifully off her frame, and the usual slit from hem to hip was on her left hand side, displaying her Dark Mark but the slit was not really necessary considering the rest of the dress; it was all but completely invisible, made of only a single layer of thin black chiffon. Draco also noted there was a complete lack of shoes and she stood, barefoot at her natural height of a petite five feet two inches. She wore only black eyeliner and looked the perfection of natural beauty.
He forced himself to look away and instead tune into what was actually being said. Dumbledore was talking;
"...I also hear that there may be new Death Eaters joining the ranks tonight. Rumours tell me there is another under age follower, like yourselves, however I have as yet been unable to locate any details, but I'd be wary as it is likely to be someone from this school; most likely a Slytherin."
"Aren't they always." Snape muttered to no-one in particular. He'd been in a foul mood lately and had been taking it out on anybody who crossed his path in a way that displeased him.
Dumbledore chose to ignore the potions master comment and waved his arms, lowering the wards around the school. Draco, Snape and Hermione apparated with out a word.
------------------------------------------------ There was already a mass of Death Eaters in the ballroom of Malfoy Manor when the three spies apparated before the Dark Lord and knelt before him. Hermione stood between the two men, her head only reaching their chests as she stood at her natural height. She stared sternly ahead as they rose from their kneeling positions; she would not acknowledge Draco.
"Ah you are here at last." Voldemort smiled, offering Hermione his long, white hand. She took it and stood next to him, his right hand witch. "The others wanted to begin but I refused to start without you here My Raven. I feel you should...welcome our new comrades."
"My Lord I hope you realise that I am not simply a trophy which you may pass amongst whomever you wish."
"Dear Raven, I do not think that. I merely wish for you to do as you please."
"Then I will hold my judgement until I view our new companions, and if one takes my fancy then I may have some fun."
"Very well." Voldemort replied, smiling down at his favourite. "Bring in the new!" He bellowed, and the great doors were flung open.
Peter Pettigrew entered, closely followed by five potential Death Eaters, one of which was Blaise Zabini. Draco groaned; this was not a good sign.
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named looked at Hermione;
"Do any of them enchant you My Raven?"
"There is only one amongst them who may continue to hold my attention My Lord."
"Young Zabini?"
"That is correct My Lord, although I must ask, why has Mr Zabini been permitted to join us? He is still at Hogwarts and is only just 17."
"Indeed Raven, he is not as powerful as you or Mr Malfoy which was why the two of you were allowed into my faction, yet Mr Zabini's family have shown me great loyalty over they years and as they lost their eldest son to you in September I felt there was no better way to repay their loss than by allowing their youngest to be marked. There is one other reason; numbers. Although our victory is imminent we may still benefit by taking all the hands we can."
"Thank you for telling me My Lord." Hermione responded, her eyes locking with Blaise's. She smiled at him seductively and in that moment Draco noticed two things. One was that Blaise's eyes widened in shock as he saw Hermione standing proudly, and all but naked, next to the man who would soon be his new master. Also, Hermione's eyes, full of lust as she looked at the new blood, were also beginning to fill with flame and a slight green glow clung to her skin like a fine mist, making her shimmer in the dim light of the ballroom.
Blaise Zabini was the Slytherin Goalkeeper and the many practices over the years had blessed him with a lean and muscular body. His physique was strong, tall and sexy, his dark blonde hair long and spiky and his eyes were such a deep blue they were purple.
Right now those eyes were on Hermione in a look that fought between hatred, confusion and lust. He wanted her.
The initiation began.
One after the other the new blood came forward to repeat the oath that Draco felt he had said in another lifetime. It felt like decades had passed since he had stood before the Dark Lord, exposing his young flesh and repeating the promise of a Death Eater. Once each one had been marked they joined the other followers around the ballroom. As Blaise took his mark he did not flinch as Voldemort's wand tip burned the tender flesh on the inside of his right arm. He bowed before his master once the Dark Mark blazed like fire on his skin.
"Stand!" Voldemort commanded. Blaise did so and stood with the collection of Death Eaters. The Dark Lord continued; "Although I now have five new, faithful followers, they are not the main reason I called you all together. It seems that Dumblewit and that bloody Order of the Phoenix he's reassembled have somehow become aware f our plans to attack Hogwarts." A murmur rippled around the room in waves, like a pebble dropped into smooth, clear water. "Now, due to this complication I have changed the plans for our attack. I have decided that a battle will probably be our best move now that that crazy old man knows of our original plans. I have concluded that a battle in Hogsmeade is our best chance at surprising the batty fool. We will take Hogsmeade over a few nights, moving in a few at a time until we occupy every home and shop in there, all inhabitants will be killed of course. The ancient idiot is bound to catch on sooner or later, and when he does Hogsmeade will be our battleground. We will crush Bumblemore and his pathetic cronies into the ground. Any questions?"
All the Death Eaters remained quiet.
"I thought not. Now onto serious matters; tell me, which of you good for nothing, spineless, weak, pathetic inbreds had the audacity and stupidity to think they could pass information along to eh other side without my finding out?"
Again no-one spoke.
"Come along now, speak up as one of you must know something; the powers of deduction say so."
There was more silence until MacNair suddenly called out;
"I bet it was filthy little Mudblood, either her or Malfoy and Snape. They are the only ones who have constant contact with both Dumbledore and our plans. They may not be in The Order but I bet they know its plans, what with her being in the same school as Potter and being close to Dumbledore."
Voldemort turned to Hermione, Draco and Snape.
"Is this true my Raven?" He interrogated.
Hermione fluttered her eyelashes innocently.
"Which part My Lord?" She asked sweetly.
"Any of it?"
"Well, My Lord it is true that I do attend the same school as Potter" she spat his name as if saying it hurt, "and that I have a constant interaction with Dumbledore, but that, My Lord, is as far as the relationships go. I do not and have never spoken of your plans to anyone other than those in the room now."
Draco could feel Voldemort searching not only her minds but also Snape's and his own. He quickly shut off all thought of The Order and was able to stop Voldemort's penetration.
"You are sure My Raven?"
"My Lord, I can not believe you are entertaining such a thought. Haven't we been loyal and faithful for you? Have we ever given you reason to doubt us?" She looked up at their Lord, once again fluttering her long, dark eyelashes and pouting slightly. "MacNair's accusation is absurd." She lowered her voice to a sexy whisper and added, "Maybe it is he who has betrayed your trust and has something to hide so he tries to shift the blame onto us."
"I am sorry My Raven for accusing you in such a way. I apologise."
Hermione smiled and Draco couldn't help but marvel at the shift of power that always took place when Hermione turned on the charm and sex appeal. Voldemort turned to the rest of the Death Eaters.
"Well, it seems My Raven has her own theory as to who has let our plans slip to the enemy." He looked at Hermione, "The floor is yours my dear."
Hermione entered the throng of Death Eaters, her skin still glowing faintly and emerged with an angry looking MacNair.
"I think MacNair, that it is you who has told The Order of our plans, and so are simply attempting to shift the blame onto a supposed easier target, i.e. Me; the Mudblood. However, you doubt both my power and position here; they are bigger and more important than you own and I strongly suggest that you apologise not only to me but also to Mr Malfoy and Mr Snape."
MacNair spat at her. Hermione gracefully dodged the phlegm, an increasing look of anger upon her face. She looked at Voldemort, pleading;
"You think he is the one?" He asked.
"I do My Lord."
"Then you may proceed as you see fit." He answered.
MacNair began to protest but Hermione swiftly kicked him in the stomach;
"You will speak when spoken to." She spat at him. The helpless Death Eater fell quiet, all too aware of the fate that awaited him.
Hermione was now smiling gleefully but did not see MacNair flick his wand and mutter quietly. The spells disarmed her and cast the Crucio curse upon her in quick succession. Hermione writhed, cursed and screamed under the unforgivable.
"You bastard." She whispered dangerously as the curse ended its torment upon her body. She summoned MacNair's wand with a simple beckoning of her hand. She caught the slim, wooden stick and tossed it to Snape, instructing him not to let it go under any circumstances.
"Ah well, at least we are more evenly matched now." She smiled wickedly before sending a Crucio curse hurtling straight for him. The older wizard wriggled and danced under the power of the curse before falling still and twitching slightly, "Oops," Hermione giggled, "I guess not."
MacNair moved to break through the Death Eaters who now encircled the duelling pair, but they did not move; any blood spill was better than none at all. The defeated wizard turned around, only to come face to face with a very angry Hermione.
Suddenly the faint glow around her body grew to magnificent proportions, engulfing every part of her being in electric green. Hermione grabbed MacNair by the scruff of his robes and threw him around her so he landed on his knees. She then straddled the kneeling Death Eater, looking straight down on him, staring him straight in the eye and baring her teeth menacingly.
"Game's over." She promised, releasing the frightened man from her grasp. Again he attempted to break the Death Eater circle, and again they defied him.
A chilling wind began to rise within the circle, swooping around the witch and whipping her hair and robes into a frenzy. She laughed into it; a cold laugh which hurt the ears of those who heard it.
Hermione raised her glowing hands to the heavens and the green power crackled around her. Jade lightening cracked through the air and Hermione caught it between her two hands, moulding it into a small ball of power. She then threw the sphere of magic at the cowering MacNair. He opened his mouth to scream, but the sound never emerged as he fell to the floor.
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The gathered Death Eaters stared at where MacNair had fallen; there wad nothing but ash there. Their eyes fixed on Hermione; they filled with fear, anger and confusion at the immense power that had just been displayed before them. Hermione too stared at the ashes; she wore a look of surprise and horror, but only for a moment. Soon the pure and true emotions were masked, replaced with a look of triumph and contempt at the ashes that had seconds before been her accuser.
Gracefully she turned to Voldemort;
"If you please My Lord, I wish to retire to a private room."
"Certainly My Raven. Will you be taking anyone with you?"
Surprisingly Hermione strolled over to Draco and linked her arms with his. The Dark Lord smiled and Draco turned to go, but she had not finished selecting yet. Slowly, seductively Hermi0one made her way to Blaise Zabini. He placed a hand on her waist, a smirk playing on his lips. Draco opened his mouth to protest before realising; she was a free woman, if she wanted to see them both in private then that was fair enough.
Hermione led Draco and Blaise to one of the studies on the fourth floor. The three entered and Hermione closed the door behind them, casting an advanced locking spell and silencing spell so they could not be heard. She then turned heatedly to the Slytherins;
"So, this bet you two have made."
Blaise looked unfazed by the angry lioness in front of him;
"What of it?"
"Call it off." Hermione commanded.
"No way love, I've got 200 Galleons riding on this bet, all it needs is for me to be riding you."
Hermione walked over to Blaise and slapped him sharply across the right cheek.
"Call it off now." She demanded.
"Hermione back down." Draco whispered, pulling down her raised arm to prevent her from striking out again.
"Why should I? I do not appreciate being bet on like some race horse. I demand you to call of the bet now."
"We can't." Blaise said angrily.
"And why not?"
"Because a gentleman never goes back on his word."
"You are no more a gentlemen than I am a dancing bear therefore you have no reason to not call off this bet."
There was silence in the room before Blaise suddenly leapt at Hermione, pushing her against the wall.
"Well if the labels don't apply and I'm not gentleman then you're no witch, which means I can have my way with you, get my 200 Galleons and a good fuck."
Blaise's eyes flashed with lust and greed as he ripped the dress from Hermione's body and began an attempt to violate her body.
"Petrificus Totalus." Draco yelled, throwing the spell at Blaise who fell onto the floor unmoving.
Hermione gasped and ran from the room. Draco made to follow but decided to first attend to Blaise. He stood over the other Slytherin, deciding what to do.
"Obliviate." He whispered, following it up with "Impregulia."
Draco then removed the body binding curse and helped Blaise up from the floor.
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Half an hour later Blaise was in the arms of some young Death Eater he'd just met, and Draco was searching the Manor for Hermione. He eventually found her in one of the many bedrooms. She was curled on the bed.
"What happened?" She asked.
"I wiped his memory and made up a new one. I made him think that I had slept with you first so had won the bet."
"What about the money?"
"I took it."
"Draco; that's not right."
"Neither was him attacking you." Draco replied bluntly. "Now get some sleep. I told Voldemort that you felt slightly exhausted after blasting MacNair and wanted to rest tonight. He believed me and told me to look after you. Talk about favouritism; if anyone else asked to be excused due to tiredness he'd have their head on a plate before you could say Quidditch."
Hermione smiled a response but her eyelids were already slowly closing.
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When Draco awoke the next morning Hermione lay still on the bed, her eyes closed and her breaths steady. Draco gently walked over to the bed and stroked her cheek to wake her. She fluttered her eyelashes before opening her large eyes.
"'Mi," Draco ventured, "We've got to leave soon."
"Oh." She answered almost mechanically, getting out of the bed and beginning to dress.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Um...last night, Voldemort probed me to find out if we had reported to The Order, but I managed to block him somehow."
"It was me; well, the Gods. Oddly enough it was the Dark Ones, I don't understand them. Sometimes they help me, dong as I ask yet at other times they overrun me and I can't do anything to stop them."
"But what about Voldemort; how did he not find out MacNair was innocent; he must have searched his mind as well."
"He did, but I built a wall around MacNair's mind. I filled it full of false memories of The Order and him spying for them. Well, I say me, but again the Gods helped me. Their presence is beginning to make my mind ache; they seem to be here all the time."
Draco nodded, not sure of how to respond;
"There was something else too..." he said.
"We aren't back together Draco; you saved me from Blaise, that's all."
"But why can't we be together?"
"Because I'm not myself at the moment. I know you were under the truth spell therefore you could not have lied. What I said about you blocking the spell was bullshit to avoid this conversation. I don't want to be with you because I don't want to hurt you. It feels like the Gods are taking over me in preparation for something, and I don't want to risk hurting you."
"This is hurting me 'Mi." Draco explained.
"I'm sorry, but this is the way it has to be." Hermione muttered. "Until I'm ready. Maybe, eventually, when all this is over and if the gods decide to leave me alone, maybe then it could work."
Draco nodded, silently and they said no more.
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Author's note; I had two ideas for this Chapter, one ever the cynic and one sticking to morals, but I couldn't decide which one I liked best so I typed both up. The other version of this Chapter is posted on www.adultfanfiction.net if you want to read it (WARNING; Threesome).
Raine Malfoy; You hate Granger and enjoyed her pain but have to be nice? Lol, that made me smile. Don't be nice though, let it all out :o) Thanks for reviewing, and I'm pleased you liked it.
dracohermioneluver; There you are; technically they aren't mad at each other any more. I'm sorry the last Chapter was depressing. Hope you enjoyed this one.
Ghypscee, feltons-no.1-dominatrix, Mialana, HnDluver, Keliyon; Thank you very much, hope you liked this Chapter, I'll get some blasting, ass kicking and light stuff in eventually as it is getting a bit angst ridden.
Miss Rhapsody; Thank you, I'm very happy you liked the way that last Chapter was written and though I'd got the anguish right.
KatD; The struggle in Hermione will eventually climax one way or another as will her relationship with Draco, I just hope you will enjoy it when it eventually gets here.
InsanitySquirrel321; Ha ha, love your response :o) Thanks for reviewing. Maybe I'll get them back together...although you may place your bets according to the fact it is a DM/HG fanfic, hope that makes you feel better :o)