My Heart Belongs to You
Chapter 9
By Serene Riddle
A/N: Standard disclaimer applies. Please read and review. J Much love to those who have!
A few weeks later, Hermione sat up in the Astronomy Tower, staring at the stars. She was waiting for Draco to come. Supposedly, they had received a letter from the Dark Lord, through Lucius.
Draco strolled in a few minutes later, waving the parchment he held.
"Here it is. Our orders, straight from the big man himself."
Hermione got up and kissed him softly in greeting, eyeing the letter.
"What do we have to do?"
Draco kissed her forehead before speaking. "According to Voldie (A nickname they had for him) we are to capture Potter. Of course, he has thought of a way to do this. We shall 'pretend' that I have 'captured' you, and of course, Potter will come to your rescue.
Hermione thought for a moment. "Can we use Goyle and Crabbe?"
"I don't see why not…What are you thinking, love?"
"I have an idea…."
Over the next few days, Hermione acted normal, maybe even a little too normal. Her housemates began to wonder, full of curiosity to know some gossip. Secretly, she and Draco were finalizing the plans. Lucius had taken their idea to Voldemort, who had approved. Draco and Hermione's books were becoming quite full with their plans. When Draco mentioned getting another set, Hermione just laughed.
The day it was to take place, Hermione continued her 'act', chatting with Ron and Harry about their upcoming Quidditch match, but on the inside, she was a nervous wreck. Would everything go as planned? Would Goyle or Crabbe slip up? There were so many ways to ruin this.
'No. This has to work. It must work.' Hermione thought, cleaning up her Potions area. Glancing over at Draco, she caught his eye. Nodding every so slightly, she waited until Harry and Ron were down the hallways to put on 'the show'. With an inclination of his head to show he understood, Draco pretended to be busy with his own area until she was at the door, then snuck up behind her, grabbing her arm.
"Harr-mph!" Draco put a hand over her mouth. Smirking, they took off. Everything was in place.
Harry sat down a while later, at dinner. Ron sat across from him, as usual, grabbing a roll. Harry looked around.
"Ey, Ron. Have you seen Hermione?"
Ron looked up from buttering his roll. "Not since Potions, why?"
Harry shrugged slightly. "She usually comes to dinner."
"Don't worry mate, she's probably at the library."
"True…" But Harry just couldn't shake off the feeling something was wrong. Very wrong.
Halfway through dinner, a silver falcon glided over to the Gryffindor table, dropping a letter before Harry. It flew back from the direction it came. Harry didn't pay enough attention to notice that it landed on Draco's arm. He was too busy reading the letter.
'Potter,
Missing something dear to you? The Golden Trio down to only two? Come down to the dungeons. We have the little mud blood. You'll come if you want her alive.'
Harry and Ron looked at each other. "Hermione!"
Getting up, both boys ran from the room, much to the curious looks.
"Here they come…" Hermione whispered, being held carefully by Crabbe and Goyle, who were sworn to be A.K-ed if they hurt her. Draco nodded, twirling his wand in his fingers, eyes on the door. He looked quite relaxed leaning against the wall, waiting.
Harry and Ron burst into the room, wands drawn. Harry quickly surveyed the scene. Hermione, eyes wide and frightened, was being held by the two goofs, while Malfoy was leaning against the wall, watching them.
"Give her back Malfoy." Harry hissed.
Draco got up and walked over to Hermione, tipping her head up, then glanced at the two boys.
"Oh, I think not Potter. You see, the Dark Lord has a very strong interest in her."
Hermione glared up at him, playing her part perfectly.
Ron pointed his wand at Draco. "Let her go, ferret."
Harry looked at Draco, deadly calm. "Release Hermione, Malfoy. Unless you want to be hurt."
Draco turned towards them, an arrogant smile on his face. "And what if I don't? I'm not letting her go, you fools."
"Fine then." Harry stated.
The two boys cast the Unforgivable in unison.
"Crucio!"
Draco's eyes widened in horror as the double spell hit him in the chest. He fell to his knees, clutching himself, in pain. Hermione screamed and retched herself from two stooge's grips, running over to Draco.
"Harry! Ron! STOP IT!"
She went in front of Draco, preventing the boys from casting any other spells without hitting her. Harry and Ron stopped their attack in shock and surprise. Hermione kneeled and leaned over Draco, checking him. He was breathing hard, shuddering from the spell. Hermione gently stroked his hair back.
"It'll be okay…I promise."
Taking her wand out of the seam of her skirt, she turned, stood, and pointed it at the boys.
"Mione, what are you doing?" Harry exclaimed.
"Harry, I don't want to do this to you." Hermione said, shakily.
"Mione, have you gone nutters? You're protecting a Malfoy!" Ron yelled.
Hermione's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "You don't understand, do you? I love him."
Harry made a move closer, and Hermione whipped her wand to face him.
"Not another step." She hissed.
He opened his mouth to speak.
"Silenco!" Hermione spoke in a deadly calm voice.
Both boys stood still, shocked and confused.
"Very good, Miss Granger." A voice murmured from the shadows. Hermione came to attention, turning around and kneeling. "Thank you, my lord." She replied quietly. "Sir, may I take care of Draco, now?"
Voldemort smiled at the girl. She had done much more then he had expected. "Yes…Wormtail, take them back to the manor. Give them a room."
"Yes…Yes my lord."
Harry glared at the stuttering man who owed him a life debt. Harry also heard Draco's voice hoarsely ask for Hermione. Hermione had tears in her eyes. "I'm here, love."
She cradled his head on her lap as Wormtail touched them and apperated. Harry caught her look and mouthed words.
'I'm sorry Harry.'
Wormtail left them in one of the many rooms of the Riddle manor. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Hermione gently wiped Draco's forehead with a cool cloth. Draco looked at her with hazy eyes. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"
Hermione smiled and laid her head on his chest. "No, love, I'm fine. Are you sure you're okay?"
Draco ran a hand through Hermione's unruly hair. "I'm okay now…Mione, I know this wasn't the way I planned this, but you know I love you right?"
Hermione lifted her head and looked at him, puzzled. "I know. I love you too."
Draco smiled at her, reaching into his pocket. Taking out a small silver band with a emerald gem, he looked at her.
"Hermione, this is a promise ring…One day, will you marry me?"
Hermione looked at him, shocked. Blinking, she broke out into a smile.
"Of course I will!" She exclaimed.
The door swung open abruptly and Wormtail stormed in. The smirk on his face gave Hermione the chills. Walking over to the bed, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out the door. Draco sat up painfully.
"What are you doing?!"
Hermione struggled against Wormtail. "I'm taking her someplace special…the Dark Lord's orders." Peter said with a smirk, walking out the door with the girl.
Hermione looked back at Draco, fear in her eyes. Because of his wounds, he couldn't go after them.
"No! Hermione!"
The door slammed shut.
Hermione was tossed into a dank cell on the bottom floor of the manor. The door rattled shut, as Peter continued to give her that grin. Hermione shuddered.
"What have I done?! Why am I being put here?!" She cried.
"You never expected the Dark Lord to fully trust you and keep you at his side, did you? You did your part, you stupid mud blood. You're going to rot here for the rest of your life." Peter said, sneering. He took out his wand and muttered a spell. Hermione's eyes widened, then everything went black.
