Chapter 24: Destination….the Horizon
A/N: Hey excuse the corniness but I just want you to keep these lyrics in mind when you read this chapter.
Anywhere"
Dear my love, haven't you wanted to be with me
And dear my love, haven't you longed to be free
I can't keep pretending that I don't even know you
And at sweet night, you are my own
Take my hand
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name
I have dreamt of a place for you and I
No one knows who we are there
All I want is to give my life only to you
I've dreamt so long I cannot dream anymore
Let's run away, I'll take you there
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the mornings light
We'll be half way to anywhere
Where no one needs a reason
Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you
Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you now
- Evanescence
Hitting the solid grimy brick floor of the all too familiar dungeon in the Malfoy manner made Draco realize that he had reached his destination. Tonight he hoped would be the last night he would ever have to set foot in this dungeon. Too many horrible memories resided within the walls of this dungeon as well as this house. Draco could swear that he could still hear the whips crack the air and then split his skin. Then again it could be his own imagination taking him back through time.
Although he did not want to, Draco had to handcuff Hermione to the wall. He had to make sure that he covered his path well. Draco knew Lucius too well to make this mistake. Every detail mattered and anything left out raised suspicion.
With much difficulty Draco raised Hermione's sleeping form and locked her hands in the handcuffs attached to the wall. Before Draco could actually walk away from Hermione's sleeping body he took a minute to examine her….just be alone even though she was not aware. She looked especially beautiful tonight. She hardly wore any make up with the exception of cherry lipstick. Hermione had found a clever way to calm her frizzy cinnamon hair and pull it back into a sleek elegant bun. That just proved she was a natural beauty. Before heading out to look for Lucius, Draco planted a kiss onto Hermione forehead. Then finally gaining the strength to leave her, Draco retreated out the door feeling forlorn.
After stepping out of the dungeon and into the east wing of the Manor, Draco could hear the movement and chatter coming from the dining hall. From the door way he could see that the dining hall was packed, considering the fact that the initiation was in thirty minutes. New as well as old Death Eaters raided the Hall. Male and females graced each other's presence in the name of Lord Voldemort, who seemed not to be present yet. The population of Death Eaters intrigued Draco. He had not known there were so many of them. However, as much Death Eaters as there were, there was bound to be double the amount of Aurors around to help slay them all.
It was a lavish event indeed. Lucius had taken advantage of the situation and made the most of his riches. Tonight was not another Christmas ball at the manor. Tonight was a special event for Lucius. He had been planning this for years. That meant that everything was overdone. The food was prepared days in advance and the menu consisted of every type of meat, dessert, and drink possible. There were elves popping in and out of the hall, wearing a cape with the Malfoy family crest stitched on them, eager to serve any one they could. It was very obvious the interior decorating was done by Lucius himself because the color scheme matched the colors of Slytherin: green table cloths, silver utensils, and the traditional dress for everyone attending the party: black. The entertainment was a muggle man being transformed into a ferret and then being turned back only to be beaten till he passed out. Draco felt his heart jump to his throat as he thought of the "entertainment" Hermione would be tonight.
Draco shifted through the crowd, stopping briefly to give his salutations to notable families he had known ever since he was old enough to say their names. The Zabinis, Goyle, and Crabbe families were all present, smiling proudly as their son's were to be inducted tonight. He spot Parkinson's mother in the far left corner of the room, entertaining a crowd of five women hungry for gossip. One of them was a natural blond in an emerald gown, his mother. A wave of relief spread through him when he saw his mother. She was the only thing that reassured him that in the midst of all these people he was not the only stranger.
He watched on as Parkinson spat gossip onto the table for the other four women to swallow and spread the news. He watched how his mother skillfully acted as though she actually cared about these witches Parkinson was bashing at the moment. It was easy for her after all her years of practicing the art of pretending to be happy. All she had to do was put on a smile and laugh loudly when necessary and she would have them all fooled. No one knew her secret.
Draco walked over to the women and respectfully bid each one goodnight. The moment Narcissa spotted him her eyes lit up brightly. The expression was such a change from what he observed earlier.
"Draco." She said interrupting Parkinson. The other woman's face hardened and her eyes narrowed in disgust. She did not adjust well to having all the attention redirected somewhere else. Narcissa walked over to her son and kissed him on his forehead. It was the formal thing to do. She had to remember that she was still in the midst of people who judge her every move. Already she could feel Parkinson, Bellatrix, and Goyle watching her for the slightest slip up.
"Oh how wonderful to see you again Draco!" Parkinson shot out of her seat and advanced on Draco pulling him into a kiss. "Such a debonair young man, you are. I can't wait to see the day you ask my daughter for her hand in marriage." Her tone fell into a slightly seductive tone Pansy liked to use when she trying to convince him to sleep with her. She lingered in front of Draco a second too long, waiting for an answer. Bellatrix broke the silence.
"Yes a fine boy you are. Your Mother and Father must be so proud of you. Isn't that right Narcissa?" Bellatrix turned to her sister, cocking an eyebrow. Before Narcissa could respond Mrs. Goyle put her say in.
"Well of course she is. Look at him. He's perfect. He does well in school, he's an avid sportsman, and he's respectful and on top of all that he's the most handsome thing you've ever seen." She finished by taking a swig of her red wine then continued in a croaky voice. "My son doesn't even come close to being handsome."
"He gets his looks from Lucius." Bellatrix continued. "I can not even spot even the slightest bit of Narcissa in the boy's face. Your father is quite the handsome man. Be proud that you have a man like him around."
Bellatrix's last statement made Draco's blood boil. His patience with her was hanging on a very thin thread. "Well yes I am grateful. I have no reason not to be" Draco lied easily. Bellatrix seemed convinced as she let her thin lips spread into a smile.
"Well ladies. I'll be on my way now." Narcissa excused herself and led Draco out of the room. Before she was even two steps away she could hear them whispering. There was no doubt they were criticizing her and not Draco.
Narcissa led Draco out of the Dining Hall taking careful steps. She did not want to be spotted by anyone who would cross her path, especially Lucius. All she needed was a moment alone with Draco and Lucius would try his best to stop her from having a private moment with her son. Narcissa let a sigh of relief out when she saw that they were nearing the door and there was no sign of Lucius.
Once out of the dining hall Narcissa quickened her steps, turning around every so often just to check that Draco was still in stride with her. She was sure not to break into a run until she was out of site. The sense of urgency was building up inside of her. Narcissa was running out of time. She could feel Lucius searching for them.
Once in her room she locked the room door and placed a silencing charm on the room. She needed to feel secure; anybody could have followed them and could be listening outside of that door.
"How are you? Are you well, are you getting enough sleep, how were the N.E.W.T's?" a string of questions flew from her mouth in a hurried and breathy voice. Narcissa asked every normal question that a mother should ask but steered clear of the question she really wanted to ask. Draco had to stop his mother as she was already breathing irregularly.
"All is well Mother. I'm fine. I'll be fine." He said smiling for his mother to see that nothing troubled him. Draco was speaking so calmly that it surprised Narcissa, who was on the verge of a fit. She held on to Draco's shoulders tightly enough for her crimson colored nails to leave an impression on his skin. The other had lain on her heaving chest. She looked up at him with worried eyes. She just wanted to know that he was alright…. That was all she wanted.
"Why are you here, Draco? I thought you told me you were not going through with this." Narcissia's voice dropped an octave, the way it always did when she was ready to scold him.
"I am not going through with the induction. I just have to work some things out before I leave." He tried to keep details away from her as much as possible. He did not want to distress her.
"Leave. Where are you going?" Narcissa exclaimed. Her eyes widened and blazed with alarm. That was the worst thing her son could do to her, leave. There was no telling when she would see him ever again.
"I do not know yet but I am not going alone."
"Who are you going with?" Narcissa tried to calm herself down. Her blood pressure was slowly rising.
"Hermione, mother"
"How do you expect to pull this off? Draco I'm afraid. What if you get caught? I can not phantom what your father would do to you. He might be heartless enough to have them kill you. Oh if Merlin had any mercy at all he would not let them catch you. It would destroy me Draco." Narcissa spoke passionately, tears welling up in her eyes.
"They will not catch me. I'll see to it that we escape." Draco said, still trying to calm his hysterical mother down. He had not seen her lose her motherly calm demeanor ever. She was a frightening site. Narcissa let go of Draco and ran to her bay windows, peeping through the curtains.
"Just take the girl now and run. Leave…. I'll help you." Narcissa said running from the window to Draco. She was desperate, Draco could see that.
"No, not yet." He said firmly and from his tone Narcissa could tell he would not be swayed from his stance. She stood for a dwindling moment, finally inhaling enough air to satisfy her lungs. She released it with a body shattering sigh and the stubborn tears followed.
"I do not want you to go, Draco" Narcissa ran her hand along Draco smooth face. She was picturing him as the ages passed, from a newborn, then to a boy, then his adolescent years, and now finally he was a man. She had lived to see him reach manhood. It was all that any mother could ask for. It was times like these that she was grateful to Lucius. He had torched and broken Draco's spirit, but he still had some heart left in him to spare her son's life on occasions when he could have ended it all. "Lord knows when I'll see you again." She whispered for only her self and Draco to hear.
"Do not worry. I'll take care of myself and find someway to contact you without drawing attention to myself." That was all that Narcissa wanted to hear. Draco looked longingly at his mother as he prepared himself to never see her face again. This was all coming to an end for Narcissa, a painful end. She never thought that Draco would have to be ripped away from her like this. She thought she would live to see him produce grandchildren and marry the woman of his dreams and live as freely as he wanted. She had hoped that Voldemort would perish in enough time for Draco to start his life in a new light. Draco would have that chance, but unfortunately she would not get to see the start of it. He would have to do it in secrecy and ban even her from it.
Lucius' booming voice broke the silence in the room. It echoed from downstairs and traveled all the way to Draco and Narcissa. Narcissa jumped slightly and Draco clenched his fist. Lucius began calling loudly for Draco again and his footsteps thumped the stairs. It seemed to make every thing shake. Narcissa flashed Draco a look of anxiety. It was their time to part.
"Goodnight Mother." Draco said in a hurried whisper. He began retreating out of the room with Narcissa trailing behind him. Stubbornly, she would not let go of his shirt.
"Be careful Draco and please promise me before you go anywhere please see Dumbledore. If I can't protect you he's the next person who can. Please go see him. He'll be able to help you." Narcissa said in attempt to gain some more time with him
"I will" Draco responded distractedly. His mind was on Lucius. Before he could open the door to leave, Narcissa jumped in front and slammed it shut. She stood in front of the door, creating a human barricade of her own.
"Promise me." She said trying to sound stern despite her wavering voice.
"I Promise." Draco agreed. With that said Narcissa lunged at Draco and pulling him closer to her. She took the time to smooth his hair and kiss his forehead multiple times. He was finally leaving her…..this last minute would always be memorable.
"I love you." she heard Draco whisper into her bosom and she let a chuckle out in between a heavy sob.
"Nothing changes. I love you even more than I did a moment ago." Narcissa said, finally letting Draco go. She watched him walk away until even his shadow was not visible to her.
Draco raced down the spiral staircase before Lucius could come completely upstairs. He managed to catch Lucius at the base of the staircase.
"Father." Draco said slightly out of breath. Lucius eyed him with one eyebrow lifted an inch.
"You were upstairs of all places, Draco?" Lucius said clicking his tongue afterwards and retreating down the remainder of the stairs. He prompted Draco to follow him.
"I was in my room. I just wanted to be away from the crowd for a little while." Draco lied smoothly.
Lucius stopped and turned around to face his son in mid stride. There was a smirk on his face, which made Draco feel uneasy. He knew something. "Really, that's all. It seems as though you are not the only one trying to seek some refuge in their room to escape the crowd. I noticed that your mother has also disappeared. Do you want to explain that?" he finished with a wide smile. Draco challenged it with a sneer and eyes that said "Of course that's all you're good for, spying on mother and me."
"Mother was not feeling too well. She left for a minute to rest her head." Draco lied biting back the resentment.
"Oh pity." Lucius said sarcastically continuing his journey. "She'll miss the beginning of the initiation." Draco's feet stopped him in mid stride that moment, considering the fact that everything inside off him came to a halt as well. His brain playfully sang "It is time Draco." If his heart was still pumping blood it would have been racing uncontrollably. The blood in his veins froze over making the red and blue outline his skin. He felt the blood in his face slowly drain under his skin. The room was suddenly very cold. Draco quickly snapped out of his trance before Lucius could catch him in his worst state of being.
Draco continued to follow Lucius into the Dining Hall. He could not bring him self to ask questions, afraid of the information his wavering croaky voice would give Lucius. It was time, his time. He had been waiting for this day for years. He had imagined how it would begin and dreaded the ending of it all. When he was younger he would play the initiation over and over in his head, the whole entire process. At the time he had no idea he would be trying to escape with Hermione by his side. He had to get himself together for the both of them. He could not falter tonight. The littlest thing could tragically end it all.
Lucius led Draco up to the door of the Dining Hall. The room was very dark except the green glow the acid green Death Mark was casting over the entire room from where it hovered. Standing in the back Draco was able to take in the whole entire scenery. Groups of people were congregated in each corner of the room. It was hard for him to identify people being that everyone was hooded, including the women. Everyone had scattered from the middle of the room and they seemed to be clinging to the wall like there was sometime of unbelievable fear instilled in them. Draco looked forward and saw what the source of fear was.
There he was sitting in a green velvet high backed chair with the Death Mark floating above him, Lord Voldemort. At the moment all he seemed like was a body form under black cloth. There was no part of him visible except his piercing crimson eyes that bore right through Draco. The room was completely silent except for heavy ragged breathing of Voldemort.
"Come here, all of you." He said sounding much stronger than he looked. His voice echoed through out the room, leaving an eerie silence. The shuffling of feet broke the silence. Several hooded figures flocked to Voldemort and bowed at his feet. Draco looked on, unaware of the fact that he was supposed to be one of the death eaters at his feet. The site sickened him. How could a room full of purebloods let them selves stoop to such a level. He had more pride than that and not because he was simply a Malfoy, he had found his own pride that did not originate from him namesake. He would not bow to this creature, this horrible excuse for a wizard. He would be damned he would show the creature that he feared him.
Lucius painfully jabbed Draco in the ribs, indicating him to move forward. Every eye in the room was on him. Of all the death eaters being inducted he was the most important. The future of the Death Eater operation was in his hands. Draco pulled his hood over his head and moved forward. When he arrived in front of the wizard, Draco stood his ground refusing to get on his knees. He knew it was not smart of him but his pride would not let him bend his knees.
His action started a wave of whispers that traveled around the room in a millisecond. Voldemort kept his eyes on Draco and did not utter a word. Although it was not visible to anyone else, Draco could see the crimson slits narrow slightly. They were burning into him, setting everything inside of him on fire. The longer he stared at Voldemort the more the invisible heat charred his interior. "This must be some form of torture." Draco thought to himself. As hard as Draco tried to avert his eyes elsewhere, he could not. He was glued on the red in front of him. Slowly his knees were weakening and bending. There was a dead weight atop him causing his knees to bend. Draco could still feel the last inkling of pride holding on and resisting. He was losing grip of his own actions. Then finally after biting back the pain for too long the pain was lifted.
"Do we need any more convincing?" Voldemort asked directing his question towards Draco. Draco stared at the man regretting he had let the man make him sweat. He hated that someone had power over him.
"No my lord." Draco spat, trying not to let the disgust seep in his voice as to avoid upsetting Voldemort. He could do terrible things wand less and there were so few things Draco could do to protect him self, even with a wand. Draco finally allowed him self the humility and bowed down to the man.
"You!" Voldemort pointed his scaly bony slender finger at the person who kneeled directly in front of him. Draco could see his finger from here, it was discolored like he had been thrown into a raging fire and kept there long enough to smolder it. The finger nail was long and so sharp that it could be his personal dagger. Draco shivered at the thought of how many innocent necks had been sliced by that index finger nail.
"Rise and take your hood off. I want to see your face." Voldemort ordered.
The clocked figure rose, obviously trembling. With a shaky hand the figure lifted the hood off. It was Blaise. It surprised Draco to see Blaise so shaken up. He was one of the most fearless people he knew. Draco wondered if Voldemort could make Blaise tremble like a frightened child then what affect would he have on him.
"What is your name?" Voldemort asked in a slight hiss.
"Blaise, My Lord. My name is Blaise." By now it was obvious that Blaise had swallowed some of his fear. He spoke with a voice that was considerably steady. Draco could still identify the slight tremble. Voldemort outstretched his bony finger and curled it towards him, indicating for Blaise to come forward. Hesitantly, Blaise stepped forward, taking tiny steps. His eyes were downcast, fixed on his shoes. He did not dare meet the eyes of his mater. It was disrespectful.
Voldemort raised both his hands from the arm rests and placed them on either side of Blaise's face. The instant Voldemort put his hands on him a shudder ran up and down Blaise's spine. Even under the black cloak Draco could see Blaise was trembling again. Voldemort took a while to examine his face. He turned it side to side, lifted his chin up and down, and ran his filthy finger on the his jaw line before saying "You are strong enough, physically and mentally. Not as strong as I would like but that is my goal: to build on you, make you stronger, wiser and I can guarantee that you'll be faithful to your lord because you fear me." With that said Voldemort let go Blaise who shakily rose and slowly his way to the other side of Voldemort.
The number of future death eaters who went up for inspection and approval quickly diminished and Voldemort was getting down to the last few who were left. Voldemort subjected Crabbe, Goyle, Avery, and Nott to the same type of scrutiny then dismissing them after voicing their strengths, flaws, and how useful they would be to his operation. It sickened Draco to see his peer's tremble and whimper the way they did when Voldemort touched them. If there was anything he hated more was weakness. That was something he was determined not to show anyone, especially Voldemort.
Draco was the last person to undergo this inspection process. He had to prepare himself for anything. He could only depend on his physical strength and instincts, and wit. If he needed to defend himself magic would not be useful. After Voldemort sent Goyle away, Draco approached the wizard.
A moment passed in which Voldemort did nothing and then suddenly as if on impulse he swiftly reached out and tried to grab Draco by the neck but Draco was much faster. Before his scaly hand could wrap itself around Draco's throat he reclined his neck, successfully putting a two inch gap between them. It was done with so much speed and force that Voldemort was only able to leave five slits, which now seeped with blood, where his fingernails had brushed Draco's neck.
In response to this Voldemort reclined back into his chair and folded his hands in his lap, as if waiting patiently for something. "Let me establish something Draco." He started in a deadly but calm tone of voice. It chilled Draco to hear the man address him in such a way. "I do not like to be fooled with."
"I can say same the same on my behalf." Draco replied boldly. His response sent a few hisses of fear and disbelief around the room. They were amazed at his resistance.
"He's quick witted and sharp with his tongue, all good qualities." Voldemort said to no one in particular. He spoke so softly that no one in a one foot radius could hear him, except for Draco. Under that hood Draco could picture Voldemort's disfigured face contorted in amusement.
"Tell me something I do not know about you, boy" Voldemort whispered eagerly. He slowly moving himself forward in his seat until he was seated at the edge of the high backed chair and gripping the arm rests so tightly he left indents. He was hungry for information.
"I don't like taking orders from any one" Draco replied hardly expecting the reaction he got from Voldemort. He thought he would have been killed on the spot but apparently that was not the case. Voldemort threw his head back and let go a shrill laugh that resonated through out the room but did not cover all the gasps and Lucius angry hissing at his son. Draco easily blocked Lucius' voice but it was Voldemort's maniac laughter that was beating on his ear drum.
"He's stubborn too!" Voldemort yelled after his laughing ceased.
"You have nerve Draco." Voldemort continued sliding back into his chair. "Perhaps you will serve me well or serve well against me?" As he questioned Draco, his tone darkened. This only fed Draco's nerve.
"Do you find me threatening?" Draco was the one being amused now. He heard shuffling next to him and turned to see Lucius being restrained from hitting Draco. Voldemort ignored the scene Lucius was making. He had his own increasing anger to deal with. The boy was daring, very brave indeed. Draco could not place where his nerve was coming from but he could not control it. The anger he felt for the man fueled him. It was all personal, he hated Voldemort for the things he made his father do to him. Because of him and his sick cause he was born. If he never existed he would never have to feel that pain that he had felt for his entire life span. It was too much. There was nothing more they could do to him to make him hurt.
"You like to challenge authority, I admire that." Voldemort spoke after taking a moment to calm him self. "It's a pity I might have to kill you before I actually put you to good use if you keep that up." And with a wave of his hand he dismissed Draco. Draco walked away seething with anger. A death threat, how dare he. Voldemort did not even deserve life.
"My new Death Eaters come." He called and everyone flocked to the center of the dining hall. The circle of people enclosed around them. "Remove your hoods. Turn and face your parents." Everyone immediately obeyed. Voldemort, with the assistance of Wormtail, rose from his seat.
"Look at the new generation of Death Eaters." Voldemort's booming voice announced. It was a simple statement but it left everyone in awe. A ring of applause filled the room, followed by loud hooting and screams of joy. It was a true celebration. They all had made it thus far; they had proved their loyalty to everyone. Now it was time to make it official. They would have to be branded, the last and most dreaded step. The death mark would be placed on their skin and from this point on call them for the evil duties they had signed up for since birth.
"Go thank your parents for all that they have done. They have made you great powerful strong young wizards and you will help the Lord Voldemort prevail." The man spoke until his voice got hoarse. At that very moment Lucius and Draco made eye contact. There was movement all around them, women hugging their sons, men patting their sons on their backs for coming so far. No one seemed to notice Draco and Lucius had not approached each other. They stood far apart but held eye contact. Lucius' jaw was set as well as Draco's. It was their way of trying to prevent themselves from belting out curses at one another. He should be proud like every other father in the room, but Draco would always find a way to disappoint him. A sneer slowly crept on his lips and then swiftly Lucius turned his back on Draco. It did not bother him. He had already turned his back on his father.
Rapidly Hermione's slumber was coming to an end. She was spiraling through realms of dreams she had never visited before. It was hard for her to leave wherever she was. It seemed like a hundred years she had spent in peace, nothing to trouble her, no worries at all. However nothing good lasts and therefore she found herself falling right back into the harsh realm of reality.
Hermione opened her eyes but her vision was blurred. She tried to bring her hand to rub her eyes and then realized there was something coming holding her back. She felt the touch of the cold metal against her wrist and ankles and realization dawned on her. She was hoisted up onto a wall in an unknown place. Hermione began thrashing madly, hoping somehow to break the chains so she could escape from this prison.
She was very uneasy about being in this dungeon like room with no idea of how she got here and why she was here. Her memory would only permit her to remember up until Draco kissed her. She remembered the kiss well and everything that led up to it. She was discussing what she and Draco would do after graduation. It was a good feeling knowing she had a second chance with Draco and that the future for them seemed bright. That was her last comforting thought before she fell into this deep slumber. She had fallen into a deep dark mental abyss while she was still in the arms of Draco.
Hermione looked around the dungeon and felt sick at the amount of filth she was surrounded by. The floor was dusty and looked like it had never been mopped. The shackles appeared to be rusting but Hermione noticed the walls were the same rust color. However the rust color on the walls seemed as though it had been splattered from something else.
Panicking Hermione began yelling loudly for help. She hoped that any soul was in close range to hear her. She lost all hope after screaming for over ten minutes and still no response. It was not surprising. These walls were soundproof. Anything could happen in here and no one above wherever she was would ever know. She tried one last time still hoping some how she would be heard and rescued. It never crossed her mind her noise might bring unwanted attention. The only response was the clinking of her bondage. She was wand less, tired, and locked away in some odd dungeon with no way out. Who would do this to her?
The thought played in the back of her head but she kept pushing the idea away. Draco… is what her mind continued to repeat. She stormed her mind for other solutions, Draco would not do that to her. Nothing she came up with made sense they were desperate answers to her questions. Hermione slowly gave up and the more she lost her will to find a way to escape the louder her mind yelled his name. Could she deny it any longer?
Why would he do that to her, Hermione thought. It was not possible. He was just talking to her almost an hour ago in the Forbidden Forest. "Yes Hermione but then you do not remember ever leaving the forest, do you?" her mind teased. It was true that she had fallen into unconsciousness before she left the forest and now here she was. Every argument she could come up to protect Draco with, her mind came up with a valid reason why she was wrong.
She gave up and let her head slump into her chest. She focused her eyes on the floor and watched how the tears falling from her eyes felt to the floor and splashed in all direction, coating the filth. Hermione focused on the rusty color on the floor and noticed how her tears had started to make it run, like dried paint when it is replenished with a drop of water. It seeped in the cracks and spread out in all directions. Realization slowly dawned on Hermione.
The rust color was surely not oxidation, Hermione concluded. She brought the metal handcuff to her nostril. The familiar coppery scent of blood invaded her senses. She was locked in a dungeon with blood splattered everywhere. The Hermione tried to make the connection. Blood…..dungeon. The image she had seen in the Draco's Pensive flashed before her. Draco handcuffed to the wall, bloody and battered, a whip splitting his skin send blood everywhere. Hermione was reliving his experience and she was destined for the same fate.
She was lying to herself all along. She was ready to accept the fact that Draco had brought her to the Malfoy manner and locked her into this dungeon. It was a trap. She should have known he would do this to her. She wanted to hate him, but all she could do was let her self feel disappointed and betrayed. She wanted to believe that he would not do that to her. Then she should have learned. Draco always proved her wrong.
A hush fell over the crowd as Voldemort struggled to stand again. He let out a hacking cough before calling Blaise forward. The crowd of new and old death eaters scattered to let Blaise through the middle. Blaise walked forward timidly, taking the tiniest steps instead of his usual long leg strides, as though he was not prepared for his fate. Even in the dark Draco could see the beads of sweat on his brow and rolling down his temple. He was as deathly pale as if he had just had an evening rendezvous with death. Of course Draco was the only one looking that hard.
Voldemort did not waste time. It only took a few moments for him to grab Blaise, adjust his wand on his forearm and recite the incantation. The extremely loud yelling that Blaise emitted broke the eerie silence in the room. It made everyone in the room cringe, even Draco. He watched on as his fellow Slytherins was being branded and scarred for life. Draco was not sure how he would handle this newfound pain, would he buckle under the pressure like Blaise or would he be able to with stand it like all the other times he had resisted the urge to give up?
Hermione now dawned on Draco's mind. She was still in hanging in the dungeon. Now would be a good time for him to escape. He could disappear in the crowd and leave unnoticed. Draco followed his instincts, pulled his hood over his head and calmly like a regular member of the party, slipped out. Hopefully he left unnoticed.
Once outside of the dining hall, Draco broke into a slight jog. The adrenaline was pumping through his system and his mind was screaming commands at him. He did not consider the time he had left. He just wanted to get out with Hermione and get out fast. When he was almost out of site, a figure cloaked in black grabbed him. The touch was not comparable to a man's and his thoughts were confirmed when the figure took of their hood and long raven black hair fell from underneath. It was Pansy, eyes narrowed and ready to fight
"You're leaving."
"Do not touch me." Draco said deadly serious trying to release himself from Pansy's tight grip. Her long painted fingernails were ripping into the thin layer of his robes and bruising his skin.
"Now I can't touch you. Am I that filthy? As far as I'm concerned Granger is the filthy one but you'd do anything for filth like her, right?" Pansy spat, her voice wavering.
"I always knew it. I always knew you'd leave, you son of bitch." Pansy whispered in a deadly tone. "You can tell Lucius all that you want but you're not fooling me. You think that you've got everybody convinced you're the perfect son and that you actually want to join Daddy on the Dark Side. Bullshit. I've seen enough at Hogwarts to confirm my suspicions." The icy whisper did not last. Soon Pansy was yelling loudly. She was easily creating a scene. Draco was fondling his wand in his pocket ready to hex her at anytime.
Eventually Draco was able to release himself from Pansy and took a step back. He made sure there was foot of space in between them. All Draco had to do was run around the bend and down the hall to the east end and then he would be free. However life was not that kind to him. Pansy, as usual, was a blockade that prevented him from going where he wanted to be. Tonight she stood in between him and his freedom
"Pansy, do me a favor and take your ranting the other way. You are creating a scene and I simply have no time for it." Draco said as calmly as possible although his patience was running out, rapidly.
The most Pansy could do was smile, a wicked smile. She revealed a lot to Draco with that smile. "I can do a lot worse Draco." She dropped her voice to a whisper.
"I can do a lot worse!" This time Pansy made sure she yelled loudly enough for anyone in a two mile radius to hear her. She had every intention to punish Draco tonight. Instantly after Pansy pranced on Draco and began beating her fist on his face. Almost as if it was a reflex, Draco slapped Pansy sending her flying into a wall.
The slap hushed her for a moment as she slid down the wall, blood seeping from a crack in her lip. The copper taste of it alarmed her taste buds and caused her vocal chords to react, letting out a shrill scream. Draco's initial instinct was to silence her magically; however he had no time for it. Pansy's noise brought some visitors from the dining hall. The door to the hall creaked open about an inch but Draco did not wait to see who it would open to reveal and he sped off on the path he had intended to take earlier.
It only took a few minutes of running for Draco to reach the Dungeon. He was relieved to see Hermione already conscious but unfortunately raging. If he had the time he would have actually left her locked up until he could calm her down. Rough but swiftly Draco unlocked Hermione and threw her over his shoulder. He was ready to apparate out of the Manor and in the Forbidden Forest but Hermione refused to go anywhere.
Every time Draco would try to grab her she would rip her hand away from him. "I trusted you!" she yelled still trying to dodge him. "I trusted you and you do it all over again!"
"Hermione, Please I'll explain later." Draco pleaded fighting to hold her closer.
"No don't! I'll do with out an explanation. I think I have you figured out now."
"Hermione we do not have the time. We have to leave." Saying this was a mistake as a look of pure disbelief crossed Hermione's face. It would be extra hard to convince her to follow him now.
"I'm not going anywhere with you anymore Draco. Who knows where you're going to take me and lock me up this time?" She spat it so fiercely making sure her words sliced Draco.
"We can't stay here. Someone is ……" Draco found himself yelling with the same force but no sound coming from his mouth. Draco almost did not want to look up because he knew what would greet him. Slowly he averted his eyes from Hermione to the identical solid icy blue eyes of his father. Gravity let his heart loose and it plunged into the depths of disappointment.
"Someone is what?" Hermione questioned noticing Draco's loss of voice. The gap of silence that was meant for Draco response was filled with Lucius' crude laughter. Hermione turned around to find Lucius leaning casually on the wall behind them tossing his wand in the air idly.
"Draco you have done well. You actually kept your word." Lucius spoke to his son, smiling wickedly. Hermione's eyebrows knitted together, an obvious sign of confusion.
"You have no idea why you're here, Ms. Granger?" Lucius asked incredulously, as if the thought was that farfetched. Hermione could only nod to indicate that she was not in the know; being that her throat was suddenly very dry.
"Well I suppose I should do the honors, seeing as you can't really articulate yourself well Draco." Lucius said sarcastically, following up with a wicked laugh.
Turning to Hermione Lucius began "You are here serving the purpose of a sacrifice, my darling." That one statement made Hermione's knees buckle. She grabbed onto Draco for support. She turned to Draco, trembling.
"Is that true?" Hermione asked afraid to hear the response. Draco nodded and mouthed "but" however Hermione did not catch that part. Hermione let out a shattering sigh and tumbled backward away from Draco, tears slipping out her eyes.
"You meant to have me killed? All this time you had been planning it?" She asked in a meek tone. Hermione had gone very pale, pale enough so that Draco could clearly see the veins in her temple.
This time it was Lucius who spoke. "Afraid so my dear, you were only meant to be used not loved, however…." Lucius trailed off leaving both Hermione and Draco in suspense. He dropped the "however" in such a dark tone it scared them both. He was no longer smiling and laughing. "Up until recently I believed the same. Draco has done enough to prove that he had no intention to forsake you. He was willing to screw me over for you. Don't worry your pretty self, he definitely loves you……." there was a painfully long pause. Hermione was still hanging onto Lucius' last words and Draco was preparing himself for battle. "He will have to pay for that." Lucius finished, pulling out his wand throwing a hex at Draco. Simultaneously Draco pulls out his own wand and mouthed the incantation for ending the Silencing charm, while dodging the curse.
A span of five minutes followed with non stop wand play between Draco and his father. If there was one thing Draco was most intent on doing tonight was hurting Lucius. He did not wish to kill the man just put him through some extreme physical pain in anyway possible. Maybe it would make up for the emotional and physical pain he put Draco through since birth.
Draco finally gained enough air in his lungs to breathe "Expelliarmus", knocking Lucius' wand across the room. He threw his own aside and rapidly advanced on his prey. Lucius was a match for Draco when it came to physical strength but that did not stop him from beating his fist on the man's pallid face. Hermione stood on the side observing Draco. The rage was familiar to her. She had seen that side of him once before, when he almost murdered her father. It was frightening to come in contact with the same blank expression but eyes full of overwhelming fury and hate.
"You ruined my life for me. What else do you want from me?" Draco screamed through clenched teeth taking a death grip on Lucius' neck. As the color left Lucius face, Draco grew redder. He was squeezing Lucius' neck so hard his own hand began to tremble. Draco brought his mouth to Lucius' ear and screamed loudly into it "I think its time I had my freedom!"
Lucius hissed something incoherent to Hermione before knocking Draco off him. He sucked in a large quantity of much needed air and all the color rushed back into his face. The impact sent Draco across the room and knocked a shiny object to the other side of the dungeon. It was something Hermione had never seen before but from the looks on Draco and Lucius' face they both knew exactly what it was.
The scramble began for the dagger, Cleopatra's needle. Draco's eyes darted from the dagger to Lucius' hungry eyes. Although there was no light the three gems lined up vertically sparkled maliciously in between the carving of the two snakes intertwining their bodies with each other. The blade was clean as if it had never been stained by a drop of blood. Clearly ancient Malfoy's had found a better use for this priceless treasure other than spilling blood with it. Tonight Draco and Lucius would break tradition and be the first to kill with the dangerous item. They both knew what could be done with it and they both had intentions to fulfill its purpose. The question of who would perish by Cleopatra's needle still remained, father of son?
The panic that was slowly building in Draco now reached it ultimate high as he saw Lucius drawing closer to the dagger. Draco himself was still a few feet away from it and Lucius was a mere inches. Instinct would make the decision for Draco right now. The best he could do was hurl him self on top of Lucius and fight, which would put some distance between them and the dagger.
Lucius' continued to throw his fists and legs at Draco, but at the moment he could not concentrate on the squirming man underneath him. He now focused on the knife, never taking his eyes off of it. Grabbing the knife was a priority, next to getting out. All he wanted was to get out. He did not want to kill Lucius no matter how much he hated him. That was the only thought still reminding him that he was still human. All he wanted was freedom.
Draco timed and paced himself and when the opportune moment came, he pounced off of Lucius and successfully grabbed hold of Cleopatra's needle. "Run, Hermione." He screamed with all the breath left in him and Hermione did not wait to obey. Lucius now turned his attention to Hermione who was taking off towards the dungeon door. In blind fury Draco began to charge at Lucius. Lucius began to make a futile attempt to escape and scrambled towards the dungeon door. Soon it would be both he and Hermione fighting to make an exit.
Lucius reached the door but surprisingly he did not grab for the knob. Instead he grabbed for Hermione pulling her towards his chest and turning towards Draco. It all happened in a split second. In a matter of seconds the dagger had found itself lodged in the stomach of its victim. It had satisfied its thirst to rip flesh and expel the venom residing inside of it. If the impact of the thrust did not kill the venom surely would.
Lucius' laugh now rang through the room, his cold, cruel, haunting laugh. "How could he laugh on the brink of death?" Draco questioned.
Draco looked at the knife. It had lodged itself it self in between crimson fabric that did not belong to Lucius' robes. Draco's hand began to tremble violently as he let the truth set in. He slowly brought his eyes, now clouding over with tears, to the beautiful eyes of Hermione. They were bright and glassy as she let the tears build up. Her soft coral lips were parted slightly as she let the breath of life leave her. It was his hand that thrust the knife into her. He had killed her.
A/N: Extremely long chapter. One more left and I'll try not to be too long with that one. I hope I didn't upset anybody with my ending, well that part of the ending. It's not really over……yet
