Author: Daunting Darkness
Disclaimer: Everything that you can identify strongly belongs to J.K. Rowling. This is a non profit story made only for my enjoyment - and hopefully yours as well.
Id like to take this opportunity to quickly inform you of a few things...
1. Updates will depend on how much time life grants me to spend on this story. I have other important commitments that I must attend to before this. But with that said, I will also be trying to make time to get these chapters out to you as quickly as I can. I will post a date at the bottom of every page so you know exactly when the following chapter will be up.
2. I will be keeping Hermione and Draco in character as much as I can - but this is ultimately a Hermione/Draco romance and therefore, for some of you, you will not like how I change them.
3. Please share your ideas and thoughts. I am open to criticism.
Now that the "first chapter processes" are done. Here is...
A Tangled Web
Chapter One: Mental Wraith.
It brings the cold sweat out
Fumbling and chilling, what their all about
When I try to run, they grab me
Within my deceit, their reality
A piercing shriek; a crying sky
No time to gasp let alone ask why
The shadows come, surrounding
My fear alone is mounding; in this, my nightmare
Creatures of amazing concoction
My soul they sell at this inhuman auction
The hidden, darken corners now are visible
Long forgotten fears now are plausible; in this my nightmare
Swallowed up in the sound of my screaming
Oh how I long for the deep sleep dreaming
I cannot cease for the fear of silent nights
I the god of imaginary light.
- Vanessa Carlton (Nightmare) Amy Lee (Evanescence)
o-o-o-o-o
The snake coiled along the muddy terrain. It's fork-like tongue flickering about, collecting data, relying on smell and infrared vision to guide its way around. Its charcoal black with brown, tiger stripes camouflaging well with the dark night and broken branches.
It was not the king of the jungle nor the overlord of the ocean, but it was dangerous - lethal. The ectothermic creature relied heavily on stealth and surprise. And it was soundless when in hunt. The phantom predator.
For weeks it had been regularly patrolling the territory, checking regular nest-sites for new babies and regular sleeping spots for prey. It was as cunning as it was deadly.
Dark, grey eyes were searching for its new victim. It had a scent. A small mammal with large, powerful hind legs came into view. It was clearly unaware of the distant harm coming from behind; for the herbivorous creature continued to eat the bark off a nearby tree. The snake had known that the little hare would be there, it had come out to eat every night at the very same location. A dangerous routine which will ultimately cause the little animal to be the victim for tonight.
The snake was within striking distance. It paused to position itself before lunging forward and sinking it's long, thin fangs into the hares soft neck. The mammal was injected with a hematoxic venum which quickly destroyed the inside tissue which led to massive haemorrhaging. It was soon immobile.
The snake swallowed the animal whole.
Draco Malfoy stood still as the water beaded down his toned torso and back. Sleep lately seemed unwilling to come to him and when it did, he was haunted with nightmares. Nightmares he was unable to comprehend or place together. The dark dreams always held the same objective; kill the prey. It didn't matter which form the villain and victim took, it always remained the same. Kill the prey! But the concept was not foreign to him. For six years hadn't his main goal been to capture, corner and get rid of the "Golden Trio", Potter, Granger and Weasley? And for good reason, he reminded himself darkly. At first he had thought his plaguing nightmares were based around just that; those three irritating Gryffindors. But that theory left as soon as it came. It was ridiculous even contemplating Potter before school resumed.
He took a weary, yet more alive, step out of the shower. The water seeming to have had a calming and energising effect on his tired mind and body.
With a white towel wrapped around his slender waist, he exited the shower room. The cold, tiled floor turning into soft carpet under his feet.
His bedroom was adorned in green and gold. The four poster bed centred in the middle of the room, against the back wall, was the main focal point and with it's emerald sheets and black-trimmed outskirts it became all the more noticeable in the barren room. Apart from the bed, there were a few elegantly crafted and expensive cupboards randomly placed. The room seemly empty within its extensive walls.
Draco dressed himself in a simple black, but exquisite, outfit and ran his fingers through his fine, blond hair. He looked into a mirror placed above a small, wooden table and admired himself. Even with little sleep he still looked good! A smug smile appeared on his handsome face. He lingered there looking at his reflection while contemplating the up coming school year. Hogwarts has been his extended home for six years now, going into the seventh, and even though it hurt him to admit it; he liked the place. Though with it came an endless supply of detestable characters and an unfavourable, Gryffindor loving, faculty; it was a safe haven and leaving seemed almost strange and unwarranted.
The sound of tapping bought him out of his reverie.
In the doorway stood a tiny house-elf with its eyes cast down and its hands fumbling nervously behind its back.
"Well, what do you want?" Draco snapped bitterly. He looked at the creature in disgust as the small elf began to tremble slightly.
"M-Master Lucius w-w-wishes an audience w-with you, sir."
Draco cursed softly then dismissed the elf with an angry scowl. If he had been younger he would have gladly accepted an invitation with his father, but he was no longer the naive little boy he had been. His fathers constant abuse and persisting commands had all but driven away what love or respect that had been there and with it came a impervious hate. But with hate came fear and as much as it agonized Draco to admit; he was afraid of Lucius. Afraid of his growing power and ties with the Dark-Lord, afraid of what damage he could do to his mother, Narcissa, and afraid of the ruthless consequence he, and his mother, would receive should he do anything to dishonour the name Malfoy.
Forgetting the mirror, he exited the room and began to unenthusiastically trudge through the halls of the Malfoy Manor.
The room was still and quiet with the exception of the sound of a scraping quill on parchment. Lucius's blond mane was neatly tied back and away from his face. His head was dipped as his grey eyes looked down at his writing pad. His face wore a mask that rendered his facial features expressionless and in his hand a writing utensil danced gracefully around in circular movements. He looked powerful and composed, intimidating and yet passive. A Malfoy trait - unpredictability.
"Father."
Lucius' head raised slowly and the quill was placed silently onto the wooden table. "Draco," His tone was lifeless and cold. "We leave for Hogwarts in an hour. Be prepared to leave when that time comes. And do not disappoint me this year, son." The acknowledgement was not meant to be a kindly gesture between father and youth. No, it was a reminder of the heritage and prestige that linked with having the name Malfoy. Lucius knew the recipient understood when the boy nodded and turned around to leave. He let him. He would be keeping a close eye on Draco this up coming year, more so then usual. The Dark Lord had great plans for his son. Great and pleasing plans. If carried out right Draco would earn the Dark Lord's respect and many opportunities will be opened up to him. Lucius' mouth opened into a wide, evil grin. Yes, he could see it all now.
They left the mansion in exactly an hour.
Platform Nine and Three Quarters was, as usual, packed with people. The trolley carts, cats and clumps of chattering wizards and witches were impenetrable, and therefore finding a path to the scarlet steam engine was about impossible.
Draco looked outside the window of an empty compartment. He had arrived early, like every other year, and had automatically gone to find a comfortable yet secluded carriage to sit in. He had already changed into his black Hogwarts robes and pinned on his chest was the tiny silver badge declaring him a prefect. Surprisingly, his father seemed quite pleased with the title and mentioned naught of the higher Head Boy status. Draco would have been happier had he bellowed and thrown the Cruciatus curse on him there and then. The behaviour that Lucius had demonstrated was amiss and all the more disturbing.
A few metres beyond, Draco could see the large group of the Weasleys, Granger and Potter. Impulsively he looked away. He hated them! Even looking in their direction made him sick to the stomach and full of contempt. He would enjoy making their last year at Hogwarts hell. He was delighted when they were depressed or injured, and even more so when it was by his hand. Yes, this year he'll strike harder than before and laugh as they tumble down and end up in the dirt, broken. A crooked grin spread across his face - in a resemblance to a madman.
The whistle sounded. His last year at Hogwarts had began.
Reviews:
Pupulupk: Thankyou for your kind words. I'm glad you're willing to jump on the "Tangled Web" ride with me.
Ewagurl4eva: Hehe, when you said: "this is pretty good!! no, actually its not" I was like; Oh no! I've gotten my first flame! But I'm glad it turned out to be a positive review. I hope this chapter didn't disappoint you.
Slyswn28: I thought I'd make the preview stand out - well that was my intention anyway. I'm glad you liked it! thankyou heaps for your kind review.
RisRiss: hehe. No problem. I loved your story "Youth Of A Nation." so thankyou for putting it out there so I could read it. I hope you liked chapter one.
Mionedracoshipper: Mwu hahahaha. You have to be cruel to be kind, sweetie! Loved chapter three from you! You must update. hehe.
The Insane Sisters: I'm glad you were impressed! I hope you were impressed with this chapter too. I'd hate to disappoint you! The attacker may be Lucius... may not be. Mwu hahahaha. Thankyou for your review.
I have school exams next week so please forgive me. Chapter two will be out on the 31st October (two weeks from now).
Please review.