Chapter 18
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.
The calm morning sun was rising. The sky was painted a light sky blue with a few random streaks of purple, pale yellow, and pink. A few leaves did a dance in midair framed against the morning sky. Despite the slight breeze blowing a few random leaves with it and rustling trees the room was quiet. Draco, having not slept the whole entire night, sat up watching the calm morning sun rise, deeply reflecting while staring out into the horizon. His mind was elsewhere not quite focusing on what was happening around him. The room was dark and shadowy except for the area where the sunlight poured in through the patio doors. It seemed as though all the feeling within him had left, leaving him numb. There was no anger left to spare, no fear, no remorse. His mind was clouded. He sat on the edge of the bed he shared with Hermione while she softly slept besides him. He did not dare wake her or look at her. Not after last night's incident.
Random visions that fueled his fury flew across his mind. There was a hand running down her chest, a hand that did not belong, and a hand that was not his. A male figure lay atop a struggling Hermione, crushing her delicate figure, caressing and covering every curve on her shapely body. Her beautiful face stained with tears. She was pleading for mercy with her soulful brown eyes but receiving none. This was so distantly familiar to Draco. He felt a soft touch on his back and heard Hermione softly whisper his name. He froze, trying hard not to react to her touch. He wanted to seem distant from her, for her sake.
"Draco." she said making sure she was heard. Hermione came closer wrapping her arms around him and kissing his ear. He did not answer and drew away from her embrace, walking over to the patio door.
"Draco look at me!" the panic in her injured voice was now evident.
"Go back to bed. It is early." He said sounding colder than he intended to. He heard Hermione sigh softly.
"About last night…." She hesitated before she continued. "About it not being the first time you killed a man, did you mean --."
Draco abruptly cut her off knowing she wanted to bring up the topic of the time he had tried and failed miserably to kill his father. Lucius was the last thing he wanted to discuss at the moment. "Pack you bags" he said standing up to dress, still fighting to not make any eye contact with her. "Be ready to leave at half past six. I'll meet you in the alleyway."\
"Where are you going? What are you planning to do?" She inquired getting out of bed to follow him, knowing what his intentions might be. Dread and panic began to fill her. Hermione grabbed his cloak and with ease he pulled away. "Draco you can not keep avoiding me!" Despite her protests he continued out of the room. "Draco come back!" Hermione commanded but her words hit the door as he slammed it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * *
A cloaked figure entered the local Roman precinct building. It was early and the place was empty. It smelled of liquor and the scent of men who had not showered in ages. The place was not well furnished. There were leaks everywhere. A few stray roaches and rats nibbled at the scattered bits of food and glass bottles in each cell.
The overnight guard, the only person there, had not finished his shift as of yet. Although he was not in the best spirits he led the cloaked figure to the man he wanted to see Mr. Granger. He lay in the small cell in a dirty dampen corner mumbling to him self. He asked for some privacy and the guard left with out hesitation.
"Who's there? What do you want?" He rasped standing up, approaching the figure. "Is it time to take me to the big house already? It is about time. I was ---." He stopped short as the hand of the figure in black shot out and circled around his neck, forcefully pulling him closer so that his face was squashed against the steel bars. Draco removed his hood.
"You!" Mr. Granger croaked. He wasted no time trying to get help. "Security!" he screamed but not loud enough to summon the guard but instead causing Draco to add more pressure to his neck.
"Scream again and I'll snap your neck in two and still walk out of this jail house, unharmed and a free man." he said menacingly.
"What do you want?" Mr. Granger struggled to talk. His face no longer showed that disturbing demeanor of a man who was pleased with his unholy work.
"I just want it understood that whatever business you may have with Hermione ends now. Stay very clear of her path. Otherwise you'll have me to answer to."
There was a minute of silence in which Mr. Granger seemed to struggle with words as if not knowing what to say.
"You're just as possessive as I am." A sickening smirk began to spread across his lips. Draco however remained indifferent and nonchalant although the thought disturbed him and made him ponder his actions.
Draco began to smirk and his eyes gleamed with delight. The old man did not know what he was saying. "Tell me, how am I possessive?" Draco asked adding pressure on the man's throat while emphasizing the word "possessive."
Mr. Granger matched Draco's smirk and maniac expressions "I'll tell you, boy. For starters you're bloody angry most of the time and you just would not let anything or anybody stand in your way of getting what you want. Some would say you're just spoiled. I say at this time and point of your life it's not being spoiled anymore. Once you have something you want, my daughter for example, you won't let it go. You can not bear to let her out of your sight as much as out of your grasp. Face it boy. It's the truth." Draco pondered these words and realized mostly it was true. He had no intentions of sharing Hermione with anyone. She was his.
"I would never hurt her like you would." He said his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. Suddenly a rage rushed through him. He hated this man for exposing the truth. He hated him for presenting it to him and making him question himself.
"Silly boy, you don't even know
your own strength."
"I know it well enough to know when I've done enough damage." Draco bit back. He was losing his patience with this man.
"Where did you learn to be so violent?" he questioned Draco, showing a great deal of interest in his past life. "At home, I suppose. Daddy's been teaching you how to be a strong little soldier?"
The topic of home and his father stuck a nerve.
"Do not speak of what you know nothing about." Draco said firmly. He added more pressure to the man throat and not realizing he had done so. Mr. Granger was slowly and painfully running out of air. He began to gasp hopelessly but was determined to continue to talk.
"What's wrong? I hit a soft spot there. Bit sensitive about Daddy. Aren't you?"
"If you want to live to see the light of day again, you would shut your mouth." Draco stared into Mr. Granger's bloodshot eyes and it was then he seemed to understand that Draco was not one to be fooled around with.
"I'll see you in hell boy!!" he finally said as the last of his energy drained.
"Certainly" with that said Draco released Mr. Granger from his vice like grip and watch him slide back to the dirty cell floor with disgust. He walked out of the jail house feeling worse than he did before.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Reluctantly Hermione followed Draco's instructions and was checked out of the hotel by six o'clock sharp. She ate breakfast at a small café and then headed out to the alleyway with their luggage which was minimized to fit in her handbag. Draco was already there when she arrived. He was still determined not to look at her as though he felt his eyes would betray him. They said nothing to each other as they both placed a finger on the portkey that would transport them to New Zealand.
New Zealand was nothing compared to what Hermione expected. This place was beyond real. The sky above her depicted a clash between the fiery depths of hell and the innocent moonlit night sky. A bright red constellation of stars stretched across the violet sky like a hand reaching for something too far away. The clouds opened to reveal the moon shining against an eerie blue sky. In the distance were three visible mountains, the middle one being the tallest. Hermione stood in front of a lake that lay between a forest and a series of cascades, all of which flowed into the lake. The lake was painted azure and amethyst and there were light blue flurries falling over the tall trees. This place was simply surreal.
Hermione turned to Draco, eyes wide with shock. "Where are we?" she wanted to ask but found she was not capable of talking. He gestured to her and started to walk into the forest. It was then that Hermione realized that these light blue flurries falling softly over the forest melted before they could touch the ground. He led her deep into the forest to a cabin, the only sign of human inhabitation. However when they entered she found that it was empty. Hermione enlarged the luggage and levitated then into the closest room, which seemed to be a bedroom. She took it upon herself to look around.
There was one bedroom, which was equipped with a cozy bed and other accessories. It reminded her of her dorm room minus the color pattern. The rest of the house was designed similarly to rooms in Hogwarts. She looked for Draco, wanting an explanation of this place but he was no where to be found.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
Draco lay on the bare floor of the bedroom staring at nothing but concentrating on the visions that flew across his mind for the second time that day.
A heart wrenching
scream filled the room, the sound of a woman in desperate need of a savior. Minutes after
Lucius Malfoy burst into the room, with only black slacks on his long muscular
legs, which hung limply from his waist, dragging a crying Narcissa behind him.
Her hair was tousled and her black lace negligee ripped.
Lucius' hair was equally disheveled and sweat dripped down his hard chest. His
eyes glistened with lust. Lucius forcefully pushed his wife onto the bed,
pinning her down with all his weight. Narcissa struggled to get out of his
grips but she was no match for those toned muscles and heavy legs. There was no
escaping.
Blood pumped in Draco's ears and his temperature rose.
* * * *
There was a hand running down Hermione's chest, a hand that did not belong, and a hand that was not his. A male figure lay atop a struggling Hermione, crushing her delicate figure. Her beautiful face stained with tears. She was pleading for mercy with her soulful brown eyes.
Red flashed before his eyes
* * * * * * * * *
"NO. NO PLEASE NO." His mother pleaded with
Lucius but he only let out a pitiless laugh and continued to slowly run his
tongue and hands up and down her slim body.
"Your mine. I own you," Lucius whispered while ripping her top off,
leaving her bare.
His lungs seemed to contract. His breathing was painful.
* * * * *
A large hand was wrapped around Hermione's neck and a dishelved man lay atop her smiling wickedly whispering "Just like you mother."
* * * * * **
A fierce slap sent Narcissa to the
floor. Lucius stepped over her without a word and left the room leaving behind
a bruised and naked body on the floor raking with sorrowful cries.
Sweat beads began to form on Draco's chest and face, dripping slowly.
* * * * * *
In a bone chilling tone Draco
started, "If you ever....EVER put your filthy hands on me again I'll see
to it that you'll pay, and pay dearly mudblood," as he said this he inched
closer to her face. Hermione's instincts told her to back away, and she
followed them. Draco grabbed her face in his hands and continued. "When
I'm finished with you, you'll beg me to murder you, which I won't hesitate to
do. Granger your just filth on my robes. Learn to respect those superior to
you." He paused searching her face for any sign of emotion. She was
terrified. It was as clear as day.
Draco leaned in towards Hermione's ear. She could feel his hot breath on her
neck. Tightening his grip on Hermione he continued. "In the end what it
all comes down to is that Draco Malfoy is the very definition of pain."
Regret began to plague his mind.
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Scream you little bastard. I know you can't take the
pain." Lucius exclaimed but Draco just sat there sending Lucius death
glares.
When no sound was emitted from Draco, Lucius hurled another curse at Draco but
still no response came from him.
"SCREAM. CALL OUT MY NAME AND BEG FOR MERCY!" Lucius' hot temper got
the best of him. He shook with anger while he approached his son on the floor.
A sickening crack filled the room after Lucius kicked Draco in the abdomen.
Draco took in a sharp breath of air. Lucius smiled wickedly and dragged Draco
out of the room.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione entered the darkened house after a five minute exploration of the woodland area. A few floating candles had been lit and it casted an ethereal glow over the house. Still anxious to find Draco she ventured to search the entire house. She checked the bedroom last and found Draco there unconscious. He lay on the bed looking deadly pale. Sweat on his forehead gleamed in the candle light. His breathing was staggered and he gripped the sheets as though it were a lifesaver. His eyes were twitching madly. Slowly Hermione approached him and reached out to wipe the sweat off of his forehead. She bent over at his side and placed her lips lightly on his whispering "Wake up and come back to me."
In one swift movement Draco grabbed Hermione's hand and pinned her underneath him. There was a dangerous gleam in his eye but soon it disappeared when he saw Hermione. He sighed and released her arms and laid his head on her chest. Hermione began to run her hands through his hair.
"Don't you know you're not supposed to wake a very cautious man when he's sleeping?" He said breathily.
"I had no idea." Hermione answered idly. "You weren't sleeping. It seemed more like you were trapped in a nightmare."
There was a heavy silence in between. He sat up and turned his back on her feeling as though he was not worthy of touching her.
"Draco what is going on with you?" Hermione asked. He heard the irritation creeping into her voice
"Nothing" he replied. "I'm just a bit upset."
"There more to it than that. What is it that you're not telling me?"
"Look Hermione drop it."
"No I will not." she retorted stubbornly. "I just can't." she finished inhaling deeply. Her voice wavered as though she was on the verge of crying.
"It's something I'd rather forget." Draco replied turning around and pulling her closer to him.
"Draco what do you fear most?"
He paused for a moment to think about what he had just envisioned. Many people had pointed it out before but he was too ignorant to see it. He was just at horrible as Lucius. He was controlling, violent, judgmental, possessive, and selfish. It distressed him to think about it.
"Becoming him." he answered Hermione's question. He was not sure she understood.
"You're father, you mean" She corrected him. "You'll never be him."
"If you only saw what I can see then you would understand. It was you who made me see who I truly was…….." Draco trailed off to inhale deeply. "And what I must do to not be who I am destined to be."
Hermione sat up and softly pressed her lips against his kissing him lightly. In a shaky whisper she said "You know what I fear Draco? The end…..our end."
