Disclaimer: now really, do I need to write this? Don't sue me; I'm merely playing with someone else's toys. the only person that can really sue me is J.K. herself, and i doubt she'll ever read this...
Yes, I do realize that the plot following the forced marriage!Draco and Hermione storyline is a tad bit overused (biggest understatement of the century, might I add..) but however it makes a nice plot, clichéd though it might be. And plus is convenient for me. )
Cookies for all reviewers! And I mean it. Also, please, if you flame me, make sure it's CONSTRUCTIVE, not just the incomprehensible and downright insulting rants I see so many people writing these days.
chapter 1
"What do you mean, 'I'm not sure about this'?! That family is rich, I tell you! They invite you over, and now you're telling me that you're having second thoughts?!" Ginny Weasley sat up in her seat, her face set in a mask of fury. Hermione calmly flicked her wand, piling her robes into her trunk in neat, even stacks.
"I never mentioned that I'm having second thoughts; I just merely mentioned that I hate the idea of going to dinner parties and balls. It's ludicrous how these so called "Purebloods" like to spend their time. No offense," Hermione quickly added, glancing at her best friend.
"None taken." Unperturbed, Ginny sat back in her chair again. "So you're still going?"
"Yes, I suppose. Hannah Abbot has been a good friend of mine ever since we graduated from Hogwarts. At least her family isn't so bigoted and close-minded like some I can name." she shook out her dress robes and carefully folded them. "It would be nice if I met her brother; I've heard so much about him," she added. Ginny raised an eyebrow.
"Honestly Ginny, get your mind out of the gutter! Not every female wants a boyfriend you know," Hermione said, irritated. She jabbed her wand at the stack of clothing, shrinking them so that they'd fit perfectly into the trunk. Ginny sighed.
"Hermione, I must say that there's something wrong with you. What girl wouldn't want a boyfriend?"
"Think about it. Do I really need one?" Hermione closed the suitcase, snapping the buckles so that they locked, holding the trunk closed. "All I want to do in life really is to-"
"Spend your life with your nose buried in some book," interrupted Ginny. "Personally, I'm glad for this trip you're taking; it might draw you out of your shell. You need to get out more." She grabbed a clipboard that was resting on a nearby table. "Wait; wait. Before you go, I'll need to check your luggage."
"My luggage?"
"Nine sets of regular daytime robes?"
"Uuh… check..?" Ginny made a tick on the parchment.
"Three sets of stunningly beautiful dress robes?"
" 'Stunningly beautiful'?"
"Just shush and tell me if you have it or not."
"Check?" Another tick.
"Toothbrush?"
"Check." Tick.
And on and on it went. Finally, Ginny reached the end of the list.
"Amazingly sexy lingerie?"
"Ginny, I'm not sure 'amazingly sexy' fits me."
"I'll take that as a check." She ticked off the last item on the list. Hermione let out an exasperated sigh and glanced at her watch.
"I've got to get going now. Hannah mentioned meeting me at the Leaky Cauldron around nine." She turned around and opened the door.
"Wait a minute." A stern-faced Ginny grabbed Hermione's arm, whirling her around. "Now you listen to me. You are going to enjoy yourself, you hear me?"
"Yes, Ginny." Hermione smiled in spite of herself. "See you in a few weeks. Make sure you feed Crookshanks!" Ginny waved a hand at her.
"I'll be seeing you soon, so take care!"
Hermione stepped out of the room carrying her trunk and with a loud crack, apparated away.
Somewhere miles and miles away from where Ginny and Hermione were, a lone figure sat in a darkened room. Staring out of a partially curtained window, he stroked the scaly, triangular head of a giant snake that was coiled in his lap. After a moment of thought, he turned his head to the door.
"Bring Lucius to me," he said in a low voice. The sentry standing guard outside murmured a word of compliance and went to fetch his comrade. After a few minutes, an aristocratic blonde man stepped over the threshold.
"You called, my Lord?"
"I did." The figure continued to stroke the snake's head for a few moments. Then, suddenly, he spoke. "How old is your son now, Lucius?"
"Draco turned twenty two last month, my Lord."
"I see." Another pause. "Well, now I have a task for you. Do you think that you can carry it out?"
"Of course. Whatever you ask of me shall be so." Lucius inclined his head.
"Such loyalty from my followers…" hissed the figure narrowed his red eyes. "…Well now. Listen carefully, if you will." He beckoned at the silver-haired man. "This is what you must do."
"Master?"
"Are you willing to sacrifice anything and anyone for our purpose?"
"Yes, Master. Anything you desire from me you shall have."
"Very good. And what would you say, perchance, if I said that I required your son?"
"I would let you have him. My first and foremost duty is to follow your orders." Lord Voldemort laughed softly.
"Yes indeed, Lucius. Hear me now." He paused, letting the snake slither out of his lap. "A prophecy was made at some time; whether it be two hours ago or two years ago is of no pertinence to you. However, suffice to say I need a child. A very special child. One that only your son can sire, and one that must be mothered by a very powerful witch."
"That's easy enough, my Lord." Another quiet chuckle interrupted him.
"Have I said that was all? You must listen more closely."
"I apologize for my rude interruption; please continue." Lucius bowed his head in apology.
"He must be bound to this woman. Bound I say, by the laws of matrimony."
"Will the Parkinson girl do, my Lord? Her family has been courting Draco about marriage for years now and they are a good, strong Pureblood family."
"My dear Lucius. Did I say that I wanted a lack-wit? That girl can barely cast the simplest of hexes. The child they will produce will not be nearly as strong as I need."
"Then who?" Voldemort crooked one long finger, indicating that Lucius should step closer. He did, and bent his head to his lord. Voldemort whispered something into his ear, and Lucius immediately straightened with a horrified expression on his face.
"But my Lord! It is positively repulsive! My son married to a- a-"
"Mudblood?" Voldemort laughed, an eerie sound that resonated through the bare room. "Mudblood she may be, but powerful witch she is."
"But-"
"Are you saying that you cannot follow these simple orders?" The narrowed red slits flared open, striking Lucius with the full power of Voldemort's fury. Frightened at the look in his master's eyes, Lucius hurried to cover his blunder.
"No, no, master. I shall do as you say. But what if Draco objects?"
"Let him object. Is his opinion worth more than mine?"
"Not at all, not at all."
"Make sure you do this correctly. If necessary, you may use the potions that have been brewed in the potions room to achieve your goal."
"Yes, Master."
"Now leave me."
Without another word, Lucius bowed and backed out of the room.
Hermione appeared on a muggle street with a little pop, dragging her trunk behind her. Hastily, she tucked her wand away and walked briskly towards the dingy little pub in front, lugging her baggage with both hands. Everywhere muggles bustled about, rudely shunting her left and right. They did not take notice of the brown-haired witch as they hurried down the sidewalk.
"Oof!" Hermione gasped as she accidentally dropped the trunk.
"Miss, would you like some help?" Turning around, she saw a young boy at the doorstep.
"Yes, please," she panted. The boy moved over to one side of the trunk, lifting it up and motioning that she should pick up the other side. She grasped the leather handle and lifted. She made her way to the steps, waddling rather ungracefully as she struggled to keep the trunk up. As soon as they made it inside, the boy set down the trunk.
"You can take care of it here; the Delusion charm should keep the muggles from seeing anything."
"Thank you." she smiled gratefully. Then, whipping out her wand, she pointed it at her trunk and with a muttered charm, cast a Levitation spell. She sighed with relief.
"Hermione!" Tom, the ever cheerful bartender, waved from behind the counter. "Would you like a room? We have a few available; a few people had to cancel their reservations at the last minute."
"No thanks; I'm waiting for someone." She went over and plunked herself down on a stool. "In the meantime, do you suppose you can whip up a gillywater for me?"
"No problem. You want lemon or lime?"
"Lemon will do, thank you." she pulled out a small pouch of money and laid a few sickles on the table. Deftly, Tom scooped them up with his hand and flicked them at a cash register, which opened its drawer automatically with a small ding to receive the money.
Idly, Hermione's eyes began to rove around the pub. At this hour in the morning, not many people were up and about. The fire was put out, and all was quiet. She pulled out a thick book and slammed it on the counter, opening it up to the middle.
"Still at it with the books, ey?" Tom grinned his toothless grin as he grabbed a bottle of lemon juice and squirted a bit into her gillywater. "What you readin' now?
"The Workings of the Wizarding Mind: a Guide To Occlumency and Legilimency," answered Hermione. Tom whistled.
"Crazy stuff, that." He stuck a little parasol into her drink and slid it across to her. "Here's your drink."
"Thanks again." she picked it up. "Cheers." Engrossed with her book, she put the straw to her mouth and gave it a few good chews before she drank. Chew. Sip. Chew. Sip. Chew. Sip.
"Um… Tom?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think you can get me another straw?" he laughed and flipped her one from a stack on the shelf. Before she could thank him again, she heard someone call her name.
"HERMIONEEEE!!" Hermione choked on her drink, splattering a few drops on her book.
"Hannah!" she got up to greet her friend. Rushing towards the bar, Hannah grabbed Hermione and pulled her into a hug.
"It's been so long! I haven't seen you in ages!" Hannah pulled away, beaming. "How's work?"
"It's perfect. I have a good income, and I love research."
"That's wonderful to hear." Then she noticed the luggage. "Ah, yes! Are you ready to go?"
"Ready as ever." Hermione downed the last of her gillywater. She set the empty glass on the counter and left a couple of knuts on the table as a tip. "Thank you, Tom." She closed her book and put it in her bag.
"My god, that is a big book. What have you been doing with yourself lately?"
"Oh… You know. The usual." Hermione waved her hand vaguely and then pulled out her wand. "Ready to go?" she grabbed her trunk.
"Yep." Opening her Josule designer handbag, Hannah pulled out her wand as well. "On the count of three. One, two, three." With a loud crack, the two vanished.
Well? Review please