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.
A Tangled Web
Chapter Two: Enemies Reunite.
Cannons pound into the night
Angels soar into the sky
The battle rages on
Deliverance unholy one
The seeds of hate fly tonight
Good and evil light the sky
Another vision from inside
I know it's wrong I can't deny
For seven years I have reigned
In this damned and desolate hell
Now I've lived the masters vengeance
It saved me from myself.
Iced Earth - (Pure Evil)
o-o-o-o-o-o
As the train left the station, the Dark Mark imprinted on Draco's forearm burned - reminding him of to whom he belonged too. He cursed his own weakness in allowing his once flawless skin to be marred in such a filthy manner. He pulled up the sleave of his Hogwarts robe, revealing the skull tattoo with the serpent in its mouth, and touched it gingerly. He longed to have it removed, to be able to see his milky complexion bare from the curse placed upon him. But the Dark Mark was a part of him now and only by death could he be freed, and he sure as hell wasn't dying anytime soon.
To Draco, following Voldemort meant slavery, being used and being controlled. He was not a puppet born to be dangled off a few strings. He was a leader, a cunning schemer and a powerful and dangerous pure blood wizard.
With the Dark Lord regaining full power at the end of his sixth year, Draco had little choice but to choose a side he would fight on. The Dark Mark intensified in its heat and he clutched his arm willing the pain to leave. He did not regret his decision though. Dumbledore was a fool whereas Voldemort had seemingly endless possibilities. Look after ones self - a Malfoy priority. The pain subsided into a dull ache and then vanished completely.
Draco looked out the window of his solitary compartment. Resting his head on his palm, he watched the consistent scenery of forestry whirl past as the train moved quickly towards its destination. It was sunny outside, the rays penetrating through the tinted glass and bathing him in it. His black robes slowly warmed up to an uncomfortable temperature and sweat began to form on his brow. But he did not take the dark layer of clothing off. No, black was his colour, along with Slytherin green, and he preferred the look of a good appearance rather than giving in to an uncomfortable situation.
After a moment he ran his fingers through his neat, blond hair and remembered that one obligation of being a prefect meant turning up to the Prefect and Heads meeting held in one of the front compartments of the train. He damned whoever thought of such a gathering and elegantly stood up from his seat.
The white door of the compartment swiftly opened and Draco Malfoy strode contemptuously down the hall.
Hermione had already memorised every textbook on the seventh year book list, not to mention all the surrounding books she could find that branched off the major topics. She had completed the extra homework she had asked the professors for, at the end of year six, and had already completed all her study notes for the up-coming N.E.W.T.S exam. To her, she was neither prepared nor unprepared. In fact she rather thought she had slackened off in the last two years. Ron, she knew, would disagree promptly.
A stray lock of her soft, chestnut hair fell across her face and she automatically placed it behind her ear . She looked over at Harry and Ginny who were sitting on the opposite seat, with their hands intertwined, and smiled. They looked so content and happy. Both of them had been through such traumatic events in their lives, and she could only think that with the war approaching something formidable was bound to happen to them. Harry always seemed to attract dangerous situations while Ginny seemed to put herself in them by following Harry.
"Earth to Hermione."
A hand waved across her vision, breaking her thoughts, followed by a face.
"Is anybody in there? Blimy Harry, I think she's gone!" Ron, who was sitting next to Hermione, looked over to Harry and winked.
Hermione laughed and pushed Ron back into his seat and as far away from her as the structured bench would allow.
"Getting feisty in your old age, eh Mione?" Ron wiggled his eyebrows and grinned.
"Only for you, Ron."
Ron turned back to both Harry and Ginny. "She loves me." he stated simply.
Hermione, at that moment, realised where she was suppose to be. "Harry," she began, but her tiny voice did not penetrate through the commotion. "Harry," She voiced louder. "Prefects meeting, now!" She quickly gathered her materials and strode towards the door. "Ron, Ginny, I'll see you both at the sorting." And with that she left.
Harry nodded in quick understanding then stared lovingly at Ginny; she replied in kind. Slowly they reached forward and there lips locked into an innocent but romantic kiss. "I'll miss you" he stated as he drew away from her and stood.
Ron coughed. "Excuse me for interrupting here, but I think the meeting has already began Harry." He gave the two, mainly focusing on Ginny, a quick glare and motioned towards the door. He did not disapprove of his baby sister going out with Harry. Quite the opposite. Harry needed Ginny to keep him on his toes but also take his mind off the impending war. But watching them show loving affection in his presence was horribly awkward. Besides he also had to let Harry know that he wasn't going to let him hurt his sister. Not that he thought he would.
Harry smiled sheepishly at Ron then glanced back one more time at Ginny before disappearing like Hermione had done just before.
"I do not need you watching over me Ron. I can take care of myself" Her gaze was intense and fiery. Her posture rigid and tense. She was about to explode and Ginny found it hard to keep her temper under control. She loved her brother dearly, but she also wished that he would stay out of her and Harry's relationship. It had nothing to do with him. But no matter how many times she told him that, he would never listen!
"Not now Gin."
They lapsed into a cold silence.
o-o-o-o-o-o
Hermione stood at the doorway to where the prefects were inside waiting for her. She took a nervous breath and prepared herself. She was ready for this. She had battled death eaters, solved puzzles only highly intelligent wizards would be able to comprehend and was best friends with Voldemorts number one target. Addressing a few peers shouldn't have to be complicated, it should be easy, run smoothly and fall into plan.
She noticed Harry behind her and as he squeezed her hand lightly for reassurance she gained some composure. Sharing the head girl position with Harry was something she had dreamt about since she had first introduced herself to him. At first it had been out of a girly crush but now it was purely based on a strong and unbreakable friendship.
Hermione took one glance behind her and with a nod from Harry she opened the carriage door.
Draco raised his head slowly and sneered as his two least favourite people entered the room. One mudblood and one halfblood. He felt like vomiting. How sickening, how revolting, how loathsome. Just being in their presence made him feel dirty and ruined. His face remained composed but inside he was seething. He would kill them both if he had the chance.
The meeting came to a close when they arrived at Hogwarts.
Reviews:
xhanachanx: Glad you liked it. Not sure if you're commenting on the preview chapter or both that and chapter one... but either way, thatnkyou so much!
slyswn28: Thankyou for the well-wishing with my exams. I'm happy to report that I passed everything that I have received back, (though that's only two tests. hehe) When I write it doesn't feel as though I use a lot of discription... but i'm glad you think I do.
mionedracoshipper: I love your story too. Now I wonder if you actually will be the first one to read this chapter. Thankyou for your kind review.
pupulupk: This chapter was a little longer. Hopefully it's more to your liking. :)
M0rbidity: lol! pick all you like. Constructive criticism is very welcome. Maybe Vanessa Carlton took the words from Amy Lee? Anyway I changed the mistakes and put the two names there. Thankyou so much!
scarlet-knight13: lol! A lot of things are happening, and are going to happen, to Draco. I've tried too keep this chapter to the standard of the last. My brains a bit on over load now with all the studying, exams and trying to get this chapter out. But i enjoy it. Thankyou.
The Insane Sisters: hehe... I'm glad you picked up the fact that I researched the information on the snake. :) You're very perceptive! (which is a very good thing to be)... I like it when people pick up mistakes and tell me in a nice way. So thankyou very, very much!
RisRiss: I am officially the worst speller in all of Australia! lol. I cannot even spell crooked (oh dear!). Thankyou for picking up that mistake. I really LOVE your bio (it's a very good read) and all your stories. :)
Mitsuke: Why thankyou, I'll try. lol!
NitenGale: Nope you're right, I cannot give everything away at once. I appreciate the review.
MULTI NoVa: lol! Hermione/Draco comes later, I promise. This is a long story so I didn't want them rushing into a relationship and it becoming unbelievable. hehe. I'll check out that story, thankyou.
Wren Craven: oh WOW - what compliments! Your review was an ego-builder for sure! lol. :D I'm really pleased you liked it so much... very, very pleased. Thankyou SO much. You're stories are awesome... I'm coming to review chapter two - I know I'm slow!
Kaylee-Angel: Happy Halloween! When I read your review i felt so good. I was like; wow, she really likes what I'm doing. I love writing and I'm glad you enjoy reading my work. This chapter has been stressful to right. I studied so hard for my exams and I literally had no brain energy to write. But hopefully it turned out ok. :)
tinkering: Thankyou. I've had a peek at your other stories and they are very good!
FFlyingicedragon: Happy you think so. Thankyou so much for your kind review.
doriansportrait: I'm overjoyed that you like my work and think that I should continue! You're so sweet! Thankyou very much.
my1-and-only: ROTFL! You two are SO funny! you're review was really refreshing to read. I laughed so hard. (in a good way!) hehe. Loving your stories girls. You two rock!
insane story writter: Thankyou very much for the compliment. A cure for writers block is listening to great music. Well it gets me in the mood anyway. hehe. Chapter two was a great read, so thankyou!
CabanaGrrril: Why thankyou! You made me blush. hehe. I love Draco being all cold and selfish. He's my favourite people to write about. He will be thrown around quite a lot in this story, so do Hermione, Harry and Ron. (and a few other characters). hehe. Hope you continue to like this chapter.
Ok, my brain is officially dead. I cannot think any longer. I went well in my exams but I put so much study into it that if I didn't there would be something wrong! Thankyou all for writing such kind reviews. 26, I never imagined I would ever receive that many - even for a whole story! thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!
Sorry for any mistakes. Like this story so far? review. :)
Next chapter: Out 7th November, 2004. (next Sunday).