Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.
Chapter 17: Inner demon
Hours faded into days, days faded into weeks and soon Hogwarts began to empty for the holiday season. Draco and Hermione, who had already packed their things, were the first set of people ready and waiting to leave on that rainy, ice cold morning. They were to use a portkey stationed somewhere faraway from the Hogwarts grounds, as instructed by Dumbledore. Lodging arrangements were already made in New Zealand and Rome.
The morning of their departure, the pair was escorted by Dumbledore himself, outside the school grounds to a carriage that would take them to the portkey. On their way out, Harry and Ron ran across Hermione's mind. She excused herself from Draco and Dumbledore, not telling them exactly where she was going. Then she took off to the Gryffindor common room.
Just as she suspected they would both be in there, playing chess besides the fireplace. Harry sat there concentrating hard while Ron stuffed his mouth with Bertiebot's every flavor beans. She watched his facial expression change from one of pure delight to a sour twisted face as his mouth filled with the taste of earwax. Hermione felt the taste in her mouth also, but hers was the sour taste of remorse. She stood in the shadow, taking in the scenery. If only she had stayed loyal, she would still be apart of that picture, penciled in forever. Their absence from her daily life hurt just as much as she hurt them.
Clearing her throat, she stepped into the light, getting their attention. Ron's chewing ceased and his lazy grin vanished. Harry's features hardened and his green eyes blazed with anger.
"Not going home for the Holiday's?" she inquired stepping closer but still keeping her distance, just incase one of them lost control and attempted to strangle her.
Ron was the one to answer, "No". His voice lacked emotion. "Where are you off to?" He asked eyeing her handbag that was slung over her right shoulder. Harry also eyed the bag, squeezing the chess piece awfully hard.
"I'm going away…….." she trailed off as she hesitated to complete her sentence.
Ron bowed his head and Harry continued to look at her coldly. She was afraid to meet his eyes, afraid of the fright it might instill in her.
"It's with him, isn't it?" Ron spoke up. Hermione simply nodded. By now, Harry looked as though he were ready to take on ten Death eaters and Voldermort single handedly. Her response just gave him more ammo to shoot at her whenever he did speak.
"I would have never thought it'd be you, Hermione. Never in a million years." Ron said the hurt very evident in his voice. He looked like a very confused child who only wanted to hear the answer that would satisfy him. Unfortunately she couldn't give that to him.
"I never thought it would be me either but look where I am now and I'm enjoying it. For once I'm making decisions that don't make any sense to you but they just seem so right. I know this is hard for you to understand but Draco's not as he seems. You're not with him when he's not bad ass Malfoy. I am………and I love him." she finished. Ron's jaw dropped as slowly as he processed the words. Harry flew out of his seat, fuming.
"What'd you say?" he asked threateningly.
"I said I love him." Hermione answered as she stood defiantly in front of him.
"Don't you dare!"
"If you were a real friend you'd understand and respect my decisions."
"You don't know what love is." Harry retorted slowly edging forward making Hermione step back.
"And as if you do!"
These words seemed to strike a nerve. Harry stopped all movement and his eyes widened then he relaxed. Harry began to stare of into a distant place. The silence was overwhelming. What was he thinking? Hermione thought to herself.
"I once did." He finally replied before stepping past her and out the common room. Hermione stood shocked at his actions. She turned to see Ron was just as surprised. She didn't have a clue what Harry's last statement was supposed to mean but she'd rather not think about.
"Ron talk to him, please?" She felt more comfortable around Ron than Harry, she always did.
"I'll try my best, Hermione but I can't say it's going to be exactly easy. He's bloody hard to talk to these days."
Hermione laughed, grateful for Ron's sense of humor. It lightened the heavy presence in the room.
"Hermione I'll tell you this. I don't know what you see in that bloke but whatever makes you happy is good enough for me. I support you." this made Hermione beam. It felt good to have one of her best friends again.
"He's different, that's why. Not your average boyfriend." Hermione added. Ron winced at the term she used for him.
"He's different alright. Sneaky little bugger too." Ron said sourly. Hermione playfully hit him.
"Ron!! I will not have you talk about Malfoy like that in my presence." Hermione said, sounding and looking much like McGonagall. This sent Ron into a fit of laughter.
She continued "He's harmless. I assure you. Look, I'm not asking you two to be best friends. Just be mature and don't be so hostile towards him."
Ron held up his hands in mock victory as he spoke. "Alright, I'm sorry. All I'm saying is be careful."
"Thanks for the concern. I can handle all of it. Listen I've got to run. Enjoy the Holidays."
"I will." He smiled sourly as he watched her leave. "By the way, where are you going?"
"Rome." she said indifferently.
Before she walked out the door Ron called her back "Hey Hermione!"
"Yes."
"Merry Christmas to you…… and Malfoy."
"Thanks." Hermione saw how hard it was for Ron to say that but she appreciated the fact that he started to make his amends. She was one step closer now.
Minutes later she was standing before a smiling Dumbledore and Draco waiting to carry her off on her "dream vacation." As Dumbledore escorted them to their carriage, Draco whispered in her ear. "Why did you run off so quickly?"
"No reason. I just had some gaps to bridge." She left it at that. Draco did not need details and she would feel better knowing he did not know she was trying to make old time enemies civil towards each other.
After bidding farewell and a happy Christmas to the headmaster, Hermione and Draco were taken to their portkey, which was a trodden teddy bear. Both Hermione and Draco placed a finger on the teddy bear's stomach. After counting to three they were jerked forward while wind howled and colors swirled around them and soon their feet hit solid ground once more. They were in a deserted alleyway.
"Where are we? This does not look like Rome." Hermione asked.
"An alleyway in the city. You can't expect us to just appear in daylight in the middle of a large city and not be noticed." Draco replied simply. "Hurry, our hotel is this way." He urged Hermione into the busy central plaza which was deeply influenced by ancient Roman architecture. She was in the heart of Rome where history seemed to come alive.
She followed him wondering how Draco knew how to handle himself in a muggle world being that he's never been in one. He led her to the only modern looking place in the middle of the ancient city. On the top of large golden doors was the name "Hotel De Russie."
As they entered Hermione saw how expensive it must be to stay one night here. The lobby floor was pure white marble and in the farthest corner of the room was the main desk where a tall man in a black suit awaited them.
Before they could reach the main desk, they were greeted by a stout Italian man eager to be of service.
"Hello. Welcome to the Hotel de Russie. I will be happy to escort you to your room as soon as you are checked in." Draco became annoyed with this man who was obviously eyeing Hermione in lustful ways.
"No I think we've got it. Thank you." he said tersely and proceeded to the front desk. Draco walked up to the man and spoke with ease as though he had done this before.
"Good Morning. I believe I made reservations under the name "Malfoy, Mr. Draco Malfoy."
The concierge smiled and replied in a heavy Italian accent. "Oh yes that is right. You and your lovely lady are in The Suite Picasso and I see here that everything is already paid for." He stopped to rummage through the rack of keys behind him then returned to give Draco and Hermione their key. "Enjoy your stay here."
Draco nodded to show his appreciation while Hermione verbalized her thank you, then headed to the elevator. She entered and pressed the button to take them to the sixth floor. Upon entering the suite, Hermione's jaw slackened unlike Draco who didn't seem the least bit impressed by the rich layout of the room. While he went back outside to retrieve the last of their baggage she took in the scenery.
There was a king sized bed near to the sliding doors that led to the patio. Out on the patio, which they did not have to share with anyone else, overlooked a beautiful garden. Inside they had their own living room as well as private bathroom and office. The bathroom was equipped with its own Jacuzzi, shower, and double sink.
Draco reentered the room and plopped onto the bed. He laid back and closed his eyes for a moment, smiling contently.
"This bed is extremely comfortable." He finally said after savoring the moment. Hermione took her spot next to Draco.
"This place is amazing." She said while cuddling with a pillow.
"You deserve every bit of this vacation." Hermione looked past the pillow and at Draco, surprised.
"I never said anything about not deserving it." She retorted so fiercely that she surprised her self at how defensive she could be. This only made Draco laugh.
"You don't have to say anything for me to know. It shows and I don't want you feeling like I'm buying you. Also I'm not doing this out of pity due to your situation." Hermione knew he was referring to what happened to her over the summer. The death, no home to go to, everything was lost. There was no time to start all over again. There would be no picking up of the pieces. What she left behind would stay behind, everything but the memory of her dear mother.
Hermione didn't want to talk after what Draco said. She did not trust herself to speak. It would seem awkward being that he brought up such a touchy subject, but by not speaking she would make Draco think it was still troubling her, which it was not. Her best option was to hide what she was feeling and respond.
"Thanks. Someday I'll be able to repay you." Hermione admitted while staring fixedly down at the crisp white sheets and fiddling with the corners of the pillow. She made sure that her hair fell like a curtain around her face to hide her pained expression.
"You can do it today." Draco said moving closer to her.
"How is that possible?"
"You can teach me a few things. I daresay that I'm ready to open my mind to the world of Muggles. Hermione's head snapped up to look at Draco, who was smiling wickedly. Ideas ran through her head and soon she fell victim to Draco's charming smirk for a twisted smile began to form on her lips as well.
"As you wish." She replied and took Draco's hand in hers and led him out of the room into her world.
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After taking Draco around Rome to the ancient ruins, Hermione was sure he knew enough about muggle history. She successfully introduced Draco to bars, vehicles (which he was severely interested in), and more of the modern muggle world. When the sun began to set the couple returned to their hotel suite.
Draco had convinced Hermione to accompany him to the health spa pool. When she agreed he changed into his black swimming trunks and Hermione into her white, halter bikini. They made their way to the spa which happened to be empty. The spa was just as impressive as every other part of the hotel. It was like kaleidoscope of every shade of blue. As Hermione stepped in she realized that the pool was at least seven feet deep. The heated hydro pool was a relief from the cold tiles.
She turned looking for Draco, but he was nowhere behind her. She felt something pass through her legs and pull her down into the water. Hermione spotted a streak of blonde silver hair and followed him, playfully fighting with him until she ran out of breath. Hermione hurriedly surface and watched Draco do a few laps. He was an excellent swimmer. She was good but not as good as him.
Hermione paddled out and began to float on her back. She immediately slipped into relaxation mode. She was not sure how far she had gotten until she felt Draco gently pull her to him. He began to nibble on her ear as she straddled him.
"People could be watching us." Hermione whispered for only him to hear.
"I don't care." Draco replied shortly and then pulled Hermione into an ecstatic kiss. He kissed her ravenously while his hands wandered up and down her back. Hermione also let her self go and ran her hands through his hair, then down his front. She added pressure to the kiss when Draco touched a sensitive spot on her inner thigh.
As pay back she added pressure with her hip onto his growing erection. As they continued the water seemed to get hotter and they felt their body temperatures rise. Hermione pulled away from the kiss, pink in the face. Draco continued to plant kisses down her neck all the way down to the center of her chest. He felt her shiver under him and his brushed his finger lightly near her womanhood.
Draco brought his lips back up to her neck and sucked at the point about an inch under her ear. Hermione gasped and breathed heavily. Draco moved to the very edge of the pool and sat Hermione on the ground as he moved in closer, now kissing her again on the lips. Small kisses grew more passionate as Draco nibbled on Hermione's bottom lip. She opened her mouth, inviting him for a taste. His tongue snaked its way in and intertwined with hers.
Draco's mind began to fog with images of him and Hermione at the peak of their sexual tryst. Bodies slicked with sweat, moans so load that anyone far away would hear, shivering, faces contorted with ecstasy, fingernail marks on his back where Hermione had dug her fingernails, and the feeling of almost exploding.
He snapped out of his thoughts when Hermione began to shy away she quickly left the pool mumbling something about getting a hair pin for her hair because it was in the way but Draco knew that she was lying. He had almost forgotten about her phobia.
He began to feel guilty. He continued to lead her into something she was afraid of and not thinking about how selfish he was being. It was hard to fight of the temptation. After deciding it would be best to leave Hermione alone for a while, Draco tried to swim his guilt and painful erection off.
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Hermione walked back to the suite. She was upset at herself as well as Draco. "Why couldn't thing go slow?" Hermione questioned herself. She needed time to adjust to this relationship and that was something Draco could not understand. However why was it so difficult for her to get over her phobia? It was holding her back. She wanted to be rid of it and move onward.
Hermione entered the suite and felt a draft in the room which was the result of the patio door being open. The lamp by the bed was on, which she found odd since she thought she had turned it off. The solitary light let off an eerie beam throughout the room. The room was silent except for the rustling of the wind outside. She briefly scanned the room, checking to see if they had been robbed. Even though there was no evidence of a robbery, suspicion roused in her. Suddenly she felt like she should leave and not return alone.
Not bothering to close the other door, she rushed to shut the patio door, anxious to leave. There was a soft click of the room door behind her. The hairs on her skin rose. She stood very still, listening for any noises but she heard none. She thought for a moment she could hear heavy breathing then realized that it was her own. Her pulse raced as adrenaline coursed through her body and her mind screamed "Get out! Leave!"
Hermione locked the patio door, checking twice to be safe. She felt a wisp of air lightly caress her back. It was followed by a low growl which caused her to look up and in front of her she saw the reflection of a man. A man she thought was no longer a threat, her father. On impulse Hermione let out a scream as her father grabbed her and threw her to the floor, crushing her with his weight.
"Thought you lost me?" he said. Hermione fought hard against him as he pinned her hands over head. He put his heavy dirty hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming. She kicked him wildly but that was no use. Fear was pumping in her veins as she contemplated what he would do to her. Hermione hardly noticed that hot tears were running down her cheek. "Wondering how I found you? Well my dear, after a few owls from your friend Ron and I had all the information I needed."
Hermione froze as he said this. Possibly he had been planning this from the day she left. He used Ron; however he was not to blame. She had never told Ron or Harry about her misfortunes over the summer, and now she regretted this.
"But the hotel, how'd you find me in this particular hotel." She asked eyes widening with fright. She stared into the gaunt and filthy face of her father. He looked like a man who had been locked in prison for years; much like Sirius appeared after his escape from Azkaban. His face split into a smile which sickened Hermione. He leaned in closer to her, revealing cracked yellow teeth and said "Anything is possible when you put in the effort."
"I heard about this Malfoy boy you're dating and how …… he likes to keep his guests very comfortable." He said gesturing around the room, clearly trying to prove how extravagant Draco was. "It wasn't hard to put the pieces together and Rome is not that big, my Hermione."
Mr. Granger began to undo his belt, temporarily loosening his vice like grip on her. Hermione's insides convulsed and more tears spilled out of her eyes. Would she be raped then brutally murdered, like her mother? Was her blood to be shed by the hands of the man who had helped to create her? Would she die tonight when freedom and help was right outside of the door? She thought of Draco and a newfound strength ripped though her.
Hermione managed to overthrow her father and headed straight for the door, managing to open it to let out a cry for help. She felt a heavy object hit the side of her head. Her vision blurred as she crashed to the floor. Again she felt a heavy amount of weight atop her and she struggled helplessly to stop her father from hurting her.
"Not this time Hermione. Nothing is going to stop me!" he said. He stared at her a moment longer. For a second she thought she saw a flicker of softness in his eyes but it left the moment she discovered it. He mumbled to him self as he ran his hand down her chest caressing every part of her.
She was able to register "Just like your mother." before he wrapped his fingers around her neck. She scratched hopelessly at the heavy hand around her neck that was squeezing her wind pipe. Hermione's breathing constricted and slowly she was running out of air. Her vision was fading and a black cloud obscured her vision. Her heart pumped madly as thought it would soon burst. The breath of life was leaving her. "This is what it must feel like to be so close to death." She thought.
Suddenly she felt release. The pressure atop her and around her throat had been lifted and she saw the light of day once more. Hermione sucked in a large gulp of air. She heard glass breaking and sat up to see what was happening. Draco was standing over a cowering Mr. Granger, punching him. She watched as Draco repeatedly hit her father repeatedly in his face and heard a few cracks. She was sure he had broken Mr. Grangers jaw and nose.
The other man tried to scramble away from Draco, but he was not fast enough. Draco caught him around the neck, lifted him off the floor and flung him across the room. At this rate Draco would possibly kill him and Hermione did not dare step in his way for she was afraid he would hurt her in blind fury. A bloodstained Mr. Granger fidgeted with the lock on the patio door and tumbled out. Draco followed him, catching him before he could escape. He lifted her father off the ground by the throat and carried him to the balcony.
"Give me a reason and I'll do it." Draco said through clenched teeth. Mr. Granger was trying desperately to show the fear he felt at the moment. He managed to let a grim smile spread across his face, making Draco increase the pressure around his neck. One eye of Mr. Granger's was not blood shot. His feet were hardly touching the floor and he was a well over the balcony edge. This instilled some panic in Hermione and caused her to run out to Draco. She wanted him to release her father, not because she was sympathetic towards him but she did not want Draco to be thrown in jail for her. She could not bear the thought.
"Stay away from her. Do you understand me? Stay the fuck away from her!" He whispered in a deathly voice that chilled Hermione. If there was a night she would learn something about Draco, tonight was it. He was very possessive and anything that was capable of taking happiness away from him had to be rid of. This trait of his could be dangerous to him; it could possibly bring him to his downfall.
"She's mine." Her father managed to choke out. Draco lifted the man higher off the floor and attempting to throw him over the balcony. Sirens approached them and Hermione pleaded with Draco to let him go because she knew of the trouble he could get into. He seemed to not acknowledge her, instead only thinking about the worst type of harm he can inflict possible.
In a matter of seconds, heavy booted Italian police men where in their suite looking at Draco, with blood smeared on his chest and fist, in the process of murdering a bloodstained Mr. Granger. They did not demand an explanation as she suspected they would, instead they slowly took in the scene and realization suddenly dawn upon them. The officer in front swore loudly and pointed at Draco and ordered his men to cuff him.
Draco dropped Mr. Granger and let the police roughly handcuff him with out a word. He looked at Hermione, his face devoid of any emotion, but she saw the rage in his eyes. For a moment she was not capable of talking but she understood what message Draco was trying to get through to her.
"No, it wasn't him." Hermione cried. The head officer who had ordered the arrest turned to her and saw Draco staring intently at her. He observed the welts around her neck also noticing that Draco and Hermione never broke eye contact and frowned. "It was him." She explained pointing to her father, still smiling wickedly at her.
"Madam, you are young and I understand you are scared but do not let this boy abuse you. Its alright he can not hurt you any more. You don't have to lie." Said the head officer to Hermione. Hermione's eyes widened but said nothing due to shock. In the back ground Draco could be heard chuckling softly and mumbling something coherent to "Unbelievable."
When no answer came from Hermione they proceeded to exit. "NO!" she shrieked in horror. "I am not lying. It was him." the men ignored her and continued out of the room with Draco. She ran forward and blocked their way out the door. "I will not allow you to leave with an innocent man." she said firmly
"Damn right it was me." He yelled. "You bitch. You think that you'd get away. I told you Hermione, you're mine and mine only. Didn't she tell you" he looked at Draco who was now being released. "She's used goods, boy!" he laughed manically as the police took him away. She was only left with the head officer, who wanted to question her, to her discomfort. Draco was no where to be seen. After a lengthy discussion with the Roman police, Hermione told her side of the story, about the attempted rape, and the fight between the two men.
She decided it would be better not to press charges. She did not want to draw attention to her self, especially since her stay in Rome was brief. She admitted she would feel much better if he was jus served a very long term in prison. With that said she let the head officer out and closed the door behind her.
She turned to meet Draco, fully dressed, after his short disappearance. She was ready to collapse in his arms and cry. She needed to be comforted but Draco did not seem capable of that at the moment. He had a blank expression on his face but his eyes showed it all. He burned with rage. Hermione gasped at what she saw and let a tear fall from her face. She was scared not only for him but her self.
He approached her and reached out to trace the bruises along her neck. She jumped backward not realizing what she did. She shook with fear and lowered her eyes not wanting to meet his. He took a step back eyeing her carefully.
"So now you're afraid of me?" he whispered in a hushed voice trying to hide the hurt. She did not look at him. "Look at yourself Hermione. You can't even look at me." He said a bit more forcefully. Hermione slowly raised her head to look at him in a defiant way.
"Draco you almost killed a man." she whispered.
"It won't be the first time this has happened Hermione, you know that." Draco voice was firm and it made her quake.
"I don't know how you expect me to feel any better about this situation when I just saw what I saw. Look, I'm scared now that I've seen what type of person you can be. How do I know you won't lose your temper and do that to me one day? The truth is I don't know and it scares me." Hermione trembled as she said this.
Draco took a step towards the door and exited. With his hand still on the door knob his said "I thought you knew me better than that Hermione." And with that he ripped the door open and stormed away.
