Authors Note: Sorry for the late update, this was actually finished a week ago but my beta had problems with her email hence the longer delay. Anyway enjoy and please let me know what you think.
Chapter 14
Hermione groaned as she began gradually to wake and work her way through the layers of sleep clogging her brain. She could have quite happily slept on, but her stomach, which had remained empty for a good few hours now, gave a protesting rumble. Slowly she opened her eyes, which felt as though they were being weighed down with pound coins, and looked round her.
The room she was in was large and spacious; bright sunlight streamed in through a gap in the cream and lilac curtains. Frowning slightly, Hermione wondered where she was. She was far too tired to even consider panicking, so in an effort to conserve her strength, she tried to think back to the night before. She remembered vaguely dining with Draco Malfoy at the Lock and Key, and then returning to Malfoy Manor with him… now why had she done that? Screwing up her face in concentration, she had an unclear recollection of planning to look at the library… ah yes, that was it! She had hoped to have a good look around the Malfoy library while at the Manor.
Glad that this bit of the puzzle had been sorted out, she sighed into her pillow, still trying to piece together the events of the rest of the evening. She had sat with the Malfoys in their drawing room and had refused coffee; yes she definitely remembered Narcissa Malfoy's barbed remarks when Hermione had refused to drink the beverage. Then Narcissa had swapped cups with her and… She clutched the duvet to her as realisation hit her; she must be at Malfoy Manor!
Slowly and deliberately, she brought her right hand up to feel for the tiny scar on her left arm. Locating it, she pressed it with her index finger while calling Professor Dumbledore's name loudly in her head.
To her intense relief, his voice answered her call a moment later. "Hermione, where are you? Are you all right?"
Trying not to panic now, and also to combat the feeling of sickness that was threatening to choke her, she explained what had happened as succinctly as possible without leaving out anything. "…so you see, I've just woken up, and Professor, I feel awful. It hurts to think, if you know what I mean."
"Hermione, you must remain calm and focused," Dumbledore said in a calm, reassuring voice, "Everything will be all right, I promise. Now, listen to me. Right now, you're in a perfect position to find out some much needed information about the Malfoys. I am sure your feelings of discomfort will pass – no doubt it's the after effects of the sleeping draft Narcissa Malfoy put into your coffee last night. As I was saying, it's vital you go along with the Malfoys' plans for the time being, as they will allow us to gather the information which we desperately need."
"But Professor, what if they want to hurt me?" she argued back as a sharp pain shot through her temples.
"We know they don't want to do that. It is in their interests to keep you alive and well," he replied confidently, "you have no need to fear on that account. Just go along with all they ask of you, and try to remember every conversation, every nuance of expression and so forth – we can never underestimate the details you might pick up. Oh and before I forget, if you do have the chance, ask to look at their library. I don't think your request will look odd, for your love of books is well known."
"Yes, I suppose I can do what you say," Hermione admitted unhappily, "but I'd rather not do this Professor. I've a bad feeling about all this and…"
"My dear, there are plenty of things we would rather not do, especially during war time," he now said, a sharp note entering his otherwise calm voice, " but just think of it as being for the greater good. I understand you are frightened, but just remember: the Malfoys won't hurt you in any way; they can't afford to do so. Now I must go, but do not worry, for you are in no danger."
"Right," she replied disconsolately. In the next moment, Dumbledore had broken the connection between them, leaving her quite alone.
Hermione now felt worse than she had done before consulting Dumbledore. Every instinct within her screamed at her to get out of the Manor as fast as she could, and yet if she gave in to this temptation, she would be letting the Order down. Glancing wildly round the room, she couldn't see her wand anywhere. If she had to stay here, she wanted to at least have her wand to hand. She was now fully awake, but wished that the fuzziness that was making it so hard for her to think would leave her. Carefully, she pushed the duvet back, and swung her legs out of the bed. Immediately, the room began to tilt in the most alarming way, causing Hermione to squeal and hang on to the bedding. Slowly the room stopped revolving round her and she edged to the side of the bed, placing her bare feet on the carpeted floor.
She had to find her wand at all costs.
Stumbling, she swayed for a moment and clutched the bedpost for support. Her eyes stared wildly round the room, but there was no sign of either the clothes she had worn the night before, or her wand. Leaning against the solid bedpost, Hermione tried to sort out her jumbled thoughts. Looking down at herself, she saw that she was clad in a long spaghetti-strapped nightdress. No doubt one of Narcissa's, she thought bitterly.
The sound of the door being pushed open made her look up. A serenely smiling Narcissa Malfoy glided through and shut the door behind her. She walked across the room to where Hermione stood, still holding onto the bedpost to keep herself upright.
"Good morning, my dear," Narcissa cooed, taking Hermione by the arm and forcing her back onto the bed. "I trust you slept well?"
"Erm," Hermione mumbled, "I…that is…."
"Hush now," Narcissa soothed, sitting down beside Hermione's limp form, "Everything's fine. I took the liberty of writing to your parents last night; after all, we wouldn't want them to worry, now would we?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Good, so there's really no need to worry about a single thing," Narcissa continued smoothly. "Just stay here while I sort out something for you to wear. Your dress robes certainly won't do for day wear." So saying she got up, and smiling sweetly, left the room.
Hermione stared quietly at the closed door and wondered vaguely if she could run for it. She had a very bad feeling about all this and wanted to put as much distance as possible between herself and the Malfoys, regardless of whatever the Order wanted. Narcissa still hadn't explained what had transpired the night before, and Hermione doubted she would even do so, if pressed.
In what felt like no time, Narcissa was back carrying something over her arm. "Now, my house elf will bathe you, and once that is done, I will assist you to dress."
"Thanks, but that really isn't necessary," Hermione said, trying to smile, but failing as her facial muscles just wouldn't cooperate.
"No my dear, I insist! After all, you are our guest!" Narcissa clicked her fingers, and a split second later, a house elf wrapped in a tea towel appeared before her.
"Zaki, I want you to bathe Hermione. I will return in twenty minutes, by which time she should be ready."
"Yes Mistress," the house elf bowed, "Zaki always wants to please her Mistress."
"Good, everything is laid out and ready." With these words, Narcissa swept from the room, leaving Hermione and the house elf alone.
"I can bathe myself," Hermione started, but the house elf, clicking her long fingers, caused Hermione to be levitated into the air.
"Zaki is bathing Miss," the house elf said, as she levitated a shocked Hermione into the adjoining bathroom.
Hermione, trying hard to fight the magic with which she had been lifted, spluttered, "Please put me down, I…."
"Miss is sick," the house elf said, as she clicked her fingers once more and the marble claw-footed bath filled instantly with warm scented water, "Miss can not stand by herself so Zaki will help her."
Hermione had no answer to this. The house elf was right – she could not stand unaided. Besides, it seemed far too much trouble to fight with the house elf right now. Blinking, she watched as Zaki maintained the levitation charm to keep Hermione afloat, and bustled around the large bathroom, adding what looked like bubble bath to the hot water and placing other bottles, the contents of which Hermione could only guess at, on the side of the tub. Turning back to Hermione, the house elf proceeded to strip the nightgown off her, making Hermione gasp slightly. She watched mutely as the elf began to smear a thick greenish cream all over her body, but let out an indignant squeak when the elf attempted to coat areas Hermione would rather no one else see – let alone touch.
"Zaki," she squeaked, "Stop. You can't…not there!"
"Zaki has to remove all of Miss's body hair," the elf replied, "Mistress says so."
"Fine," Hermione answered feebly, "but I'll put the cream on those bits myself." With trembling fingers she smeared the cream over her private parts while the house elf watched impassively. "Why do I have to remove all my body hair?" Hermione asked.
"Because Mistress says so," Zaki replied, now levitating Hermione into the bath of steaming hot water.
"But why—"
The house elf began to wash the greeny goo off Hermione and she had to marvel at the ease with which the body hair was removed. If only she had known of this potion before, it would have saved her hours of agony, while her body hair was removed using wax and other depilatory creams.
"Miss must close her eyes," the elf said, as with a flick of one finger she changed the bath water. "Zaki doesn't want the shampoo to hurt Miss's eyes."
Hermione simply nodded and allowed the house elf to massage the shampoo into her hair. This too, was washed out, and then came the conditioner, a rose and jasmine scented concoction, which filled the bathroom with its light fragrance. She leaned against the side of the large marble bath, breathing in the scented steam of the hot water. She couldn't understand why she felt so unwell, tired, and muzzy.
The sound of the house elf putting down yet another bottle, after having scrubbed Hermione from head to toe, made Hermione look up. As she watched passively, Zaki picked up a large bath sheet from where it had been lying over the gleaming towel rail and with another click of her fingers, caused Hermione to rise out of the water and hang limply suspended in mid air as she wrapped the towel tightly about her form.
"Miss is all clean now," Zaki squeaked, levitating Hermione out of the steam-filled bathroom back into the bedroom. Depositing her on the bed, the elf turned away. Just as she did so, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Narcissa entered the room.
"Excellent, excellent," she beamed, looking down at Hermione's prostrate figure on the bed, "now I will help you dress and then you will be ready!"
"Ready?" Hermione echoed, eyeing Narcissa as she bustled round the bed and pulled open the double door wardrobe, "Ready for what?"
Narcissa did not answer, but carried on removing items Hermione could not yet see, from the vast depths of the wardrobe. Finally, she stepped back and pushed the wardrobe doors shut. Turning to face Hermione, she carried a set of delicate silk robes over her arm, which looked as though one tug would rip them in two. They seem to flow out over her arm, weightless and shimmering.
"Zaki," Narcissa barked out, "Unwrap the towel from around Hermione."
In one fluid movement, the bath towel which Hermione had been clutching tightly, unwrapped itself.
"Now my dear, if you could just sit up for me," Narcissa smiled, as she came to stand at the head of the bed.
"I don't understand—" Hermione began, but was shushed by Narcissa, who pulled her gently into a sitting position.
"There is nothing to understand," she placated, while pulling the robes over Hermione's head. "If you could just raise your arms for me…"
Obediently, Hermione raised her arms, while wondering why this was happening. She tried pulling her arms down but to no avail; they stayed where they were as Narcissa slid them into the sleeves of the delicate silk robes.
"There you are!" she smiled, pulling the robes down to cover Hermione completely, "See? That was painless, now was it not?"
"Yes, but I'm not wearing any underwear…" Hermione began hesitantly. Her speech, she realised dimly, seemed a little slurred, as though she hadn't used her tongue in years and the muscles had forgotten how to contract and relax.
"Oh that," Narcissa smiled, "Underclothing is not required while wearing these robes. One might even say that that was the beauty of them."
"No underwear?" Hermione questioned blankly.
"No, not with these robes. Now stand up and let's do something with your lovely long hair." Helping Hermione off the bed, she led her over to the dressing table and pulling out the stool, she pushed Hermione's unresisting form down onto it. "Hmm, I know – I think your hair ought to be left down, as mine was. Yes, that will go very nicely." She started brushing back Hermione's long curly hair and sighed. "You know, this is one of the things I miss most about not having a daughter of my own, the opportunity to pamper and cosset her."
"Right," Hermione muttered. Another wave of unwelcome sickness was rolling over her and it was much easier to agree with Narcissa's inane chatter than attempt to disagree.
Finally, Narcissa was satisfied. Smiling still more broadly, she asked, "Don't you want to look at yourself in the mirror, Hermione?"
Lifting her head, Hermione gazed back at her reflection. Dumbledore had said not to ask too many questions and play along. She could almost hear his voice echoing in her head assuring her that she was helping the Order by pretending to go along with the Malfoys' plans. She stared at her own face; her skin seemed iridescent due to the dazzling pure white of the silk robes. Her hair was gathered into a ponytail at the nape of her neck with a white silk ribbon, and a wreath of jasmine and lavender had been woven into her hair. The whole effect looked charming. She frowned at the face looking back at her, thinking she looked like the sacrificial bride before her doom.
"Do you like it?" Narcissa asked from behind her, "I must say that I think you look absolutely stunning! These robes have been in the Malfoy family for five centuries now."
Hermione stared down at her robes and hesitantly asked, "But… but why am I wearing them? I mean, they must be very valuable… so why… Surely there is something else I can borrow that is less of a family heirloom?"
"Oh no, my dear, these robes are just right for the occasion. They are indeed valuable; there is a lot of meaning attached to these robes. Why, I myself wore them twenty years ago, and I am proud to say they are as beautiful as ever."
Hermione opened her mouth to protest again, but with a small pop, Zaki appeared once more at Narcissa's elbow.
"They is ready mistress," she said in hushed tones, not looking at Hermione.
"Very good," Narcissa dismissed the house elf. Turning to Hermione, she smiled. "Shall we go down?" she asked, taking Hermione's elbow and drawing her to her feet. "Lucius and Draco await us on the patio for mid morning coffee."
Nodding mutely, Hermione allowed herself to be led to the door before a thought occurred to her. "Um, Narcissa, I am not wearing any shoes."
"Oh you don't need shoes," Narcissa said airily, opening the door and shepherding Hermione through it, "it is traditional not to wear shoes with that particular set of robes."
Hermione could feel an uneasy nervousness begin to stir within her. She looked down at the simple silk robes she was wearing and wondered not for the first time as to their significance. As far as she was aware, it was considered the height of rudeness to appear in Wizarding Company not wearing shoes. To her knowledge there was only one occasion a woman was expected to walk barefooted and that was her wedding day. On this day, she had to be dressed simply and wear as few adornments as possible, all her body hair had to be removed and she wasn't even allowed the necessity of undergarments due to the magic that was used to bind her and her future husband together. The bride's robes had to be made of the purest silk and all the old pureblood families had robes that were passed down through the generations, that all new brides marrying into the groom's family had to wear. Mandy had talked of this at great length, while giggling during Hermione's stay with the Brocklehursts. Hermione had listened fascinated as Mandy had recounted all the details of the ceremony.
Slowly, as she walked along beside Narcissa down the richly carpeted corridor, the pieces began to click into place. She glanced once more down at herself and gasped they couldn't be, they just couldn't…
"No," Hermione gasped, trying not to panic as finally the truth of what was about to happen sunk in, "no, I won't…" With a tremendous effort, she wrenched her arm from Narcissa's grip and stumbled back a few steps, staring around her in horror. "You can't do this!" A wave of pain swept through her head but she didn't care, she had to stop this now before it was too late.
She watched as the smile faded from Narcissa's face, her lips pressing together in a thin line. Putting her hand into the pocket of her own light blue robes, she brought out a small vial of purple potion and grasping Hermione roughly by the chin forced her mouth open.
Hermione felt sick, her earlier nausea combined with this suffocating feeling of panic made her want to throw up then and there. She tried in vain to jerk her chin from Narcissa's grasp but the other woman, not hampered by sickness or a searing mind-numbing pain in her head, was much stronger.
"Oh no you don't," she snarled, "we have planned this far too long to let you spoil everything now!"
Tipping two drops of the purple potion onto Hermione's tongue, she released her, placing the vial back into the pocket of her robes.
As soon as the potion touched her tongue, Hermione felt a calm settling over her. She relaxed, wondering why she had been making such a fuss. The pain that had so savagely attacked her temples a moment ago faded, leaving behind it a welcome peace. She didn't object when Narcissa took her arm again, and began leading her down the hall to the staircase. She tried not to stumble on the hem of her robes as they descended, and Narcissa, evidently relieved, smiled broadly once more.
"Where…where are we going?" Hermione asked, in a faint voice.
"Oh, to one of the gardens at the back of the house. You will find it quite delightful there." So saying she led the unresisting Hermione down many more corridors, and finally pushing open a large door, she ushered the younger woman into a large garden.
XoXoXoXo
A huddle of figures stood waiting for them as they made their way over the grass towards them. Hermione could feel the cool grass still wet with dew in places against her bare feet.
She noticed with detached interest that a large circle had been traced in the grass in which Lucius and Draco stood.
"There you are," Lucius smiled jovially, "Draco and I were getting quite worried."
Beside him stood the figure of his son, who like Hermione, was clad in a simple white silk robe, standing barefooted in the soft breeze. Around the two Malfoys stood other figures, whose faces were in shadow. To one side of the circle a fire crackled merrily, the flames dancing in the sunlight. Opposite to the flames stood a crystal bowl full of water.
"Shall we begin then?" said a quiet voice to Hermione's left. A small figure wearing dark robes stepped forward.
"Yes, of course," Lucius replied, stepping back.
"Narcissa, is the bride ready to begin?" the man asked. A ray of sunlight fell onto his face, illuminating it. He was very old, with white hair and a kindly smile. His face was wrinkled and there were lines around his eyes.
"Yes," Narcissa clipped, pushing Hermione forward and stationing herself behind her.
Hermione now stood facing Draco. Narcissa stood behind Hermione, while Lucius stood behind Draco. They were flanked on all sides by the rest of the group, while the old man, who seemed to be presiding over the ceremony, stood at right angles to Hermione and Draco.
The old man produced a wand from the depths of his cloak and began speaking in a deep authoritative voice.
"We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Hermione Jane Granger and Draco Azaleas Malfoy.
"There are many things to say about preparing for marriage. Much Wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way through all paths of Knowledge and Belief. With each union, more Knowledge is gained and more Wisdom is gathered. Though we are unable to give all this Knowledge to these two who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the Knowledge of Love and its strengths, and the anticipation of the Wisdom that comes with time."
The man's voice cut through the silent air and Hermione stood rigid, her body and mind in turmoil. She felt very calm, but at the same time something deep within her was clambering to be heard, a small desperate voice crying out; but even as she tried to acknowledge its presence, the calm feeling swamped it, and she once again returned her attention to the man standing between her and Draco, his wand raised.
"The Law of Life is love unto all beings. Without Love, Life is nothing, without Love, Death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, Initial of Creation, and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in Life, let it be this.
"Marriage is a bond to be entered only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Hermione Jane Granger and Draco Azaleas Malfoy have come here today to be bound together for the rest of their lives in the manner of the ancient cultures and beliefs.
"Others would ask who gives this woman into this commitment, but as a woman is not property to be bought or sold, given and taken, I simply ask if she comes of her own free will, and if she has her family's blessings."
"Hermione Jane Granger, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?"
"Yes, it is true." Hermione heard herself answering, but unable to stop the words coming out of her mouth. She simply stared at the man standing to her left.
"And whose blessings accompany you?" he asked in that calm voice.
"I come with my family's blessings," Hermione once again replied automatically.
"Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say."
Of their own volition her hands reached out to grasp Draco's. His grip was firm as he held her hands within his. Part of her implored her hands to let go of his, to get out of the ceremony, but her hands stayed where they were, her fingers entwined with Draco's.
"Above you are the stars, below you the stones, as time doth pass, remembered like a stone, should your love be firm. Like a star, should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strengths of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but allow for space to grow. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for the natural magic contained in the four elements is with you always.
"Draco Azaleas Malfoy, do you wish to be bound to this woman for the rest of your mortal life, in sickness and health, to cherish and protect her from all that may be harmful, and to be constant to her and her alone?"
"I do!" Draco said in a clear voice, while something within Hermione whimpered piteously.
"Hermione Jane Granger, do you wish to be bound to this man for the rest of your mortal life, to love and be loved by him and him alone, in sickness and health, to be his other half and thus create a bond that can be broken through neither time nor space?"
Hermione opened her mouth, and at the same time made to bite her tongue but without success. She was aware of Narcissa standing rigidly behind her waiting. "I do," she said quietly, while she could feel something in her start to scream.
The old man with a flick of his wand produced a white chord and taking Hermione's and Draco's left hands bound them with one end of the chord, Draco's hand covering Hermione's. Then he proceeded to do the same for their right hands and stepping back carried on
"Then repeat in unison after me:
"I, in the name of the magic given to us by the four elements, that which resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee, and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself."
Hermione could hear herself chanting the words with Draco and wondered vaguely how she had come to know them so well. As they finished speaking, the chord binding her and Draco's hands tightened pulling both teens against each other. Hermione felt as though something within her was being squeezed until there was nothing left. There was a pain in her chest as though her heart was being ripped out of her and she swayed on the spot. She didn't know if she cried out or not, but the feeling of complete emptiness engulfed her, making her unable to see or hear anything. The old man's voice seemed to make no sense as she fought to drag air into her lungs.
"Be with us here, oh Spirits of the Air! With your breath of life, join the bonds between these two and bind them tightly. Be with us here, oh Beings of Fire! Give their love and passion your own all-consuming ardour. Be with us here, oh Beings of Water! Grant these two the deepest of love, richness of body, soul and spirit. Be with us here, oh Spirits of Earth! Let your strength and constancy be theirs for as long as they both shall live."
As the old man's words died away, a new feeling, one of utter rightness began to sweep over Hermione and take the place of the emptiness. It too, engulfed her, and she felt as though she was being reborn from the inside out. She felt happiness, hope, and contentment blossom within her and her earlier pain had totally disappeared. She felt the life pulsing within her and the blood coursing through her veins. Looking down, she saw that the chord which had been cutting into her wrists a moment ago, had turned pure gold, and as she watched, it fell away, freeing her and Draco's hands.
"Congratulations to both of you. You are now bound by the magic of Earth, Fire, Air and Water. Blessings upon you both!" The old man smiled, stepping back and surveying the pale-faced couple standing before him.
Around them, other people began to stir. Narcissa, with a muffled sob, moved around Hermione and pulled both Hermione and Draco into a bone-crushing hug. "Oh congratulations both of you," she gasped through her tears, "this is so wonderful."
"Narcissa, let them both breathe, will you?" a beaming Lucius remonstrated, and he too, hugged an unresisting Hermione and Draco. "They'll both be tired after their ordeal." He continued, looking at the young couple, "The two of you need your rest now."
"Oh yes," a still sobbing Narcissa agreed, "Yes, to your rooms to lie down. That isn't an ordeal to be taken lightly."
People were moving around them, faceless individuals congratulating her and Draco while they stood ashen faced, silent and exhausted.
"I must say," a loud voice declared, "that was some powerful magic that bound them. Did you see the ground around them shimmer? And the air! It was so heavy with magical energy."
"Oh yes," someone else agreed in wonderment, "and the water in the crystal goblet! It lifted! It actually rose into the air before settling back down again. Not to mention the flames of the fire – they actually turned bright gold and sort of fanned out before going back to orange – absolutely fascinating!"
"I've never seen a bonding so powerful before," another voice chimed in, "the match between your son and daughter-in-law Lucius, was certainly approved of by the magic residing in the elements!"
"Thank you very much," Lucius' smug voice now purred.
"Lucius, I hate to interrupt your euphoric state," a mocking voice sneered, "but if those two don't rest now, you won't have a son or daughter-in-law to crow about."
Hermione looked up blearily, she knew that cold sneering voice, it had sneered and docked more points than she cared to remember from Gryffindor during potions lessons – Snape! Focusing on the direction from which his voice had come, she made out his tall greasy-haired figure leaning against a large oak tree sneering at the goings on around him.
"Ah yes," Lucius nodded, "Come on you two, we can celebrate later."
Hermione felt her arm being taken and she was turned towards the house. She leaned against the person supporting her as she moved wearily forward. Trudging back to the house and up the thickly carpeted stairs, she felt bone weary as she walked, and her muscles ached as though she had run ten miles.
Narcissa's voice broke into her thoughts, "Don't worry, it is always like this. The bonding uses primal untainted magic, which is harsh on our energy supply. Well, here we are!"
She pushed open a door and led Hermione into a room. Hermione had not the strength to take in her surroundings, and let out a grateful sigh as Narcissa settled her on the large comfortable bed in the middle of the room. She made short work of stripping off Hermione's robes and pulling a nightdress over her head. In no time, Hermione's hair had had the flowers and silk ribbon removed from it, and she was settled beneath the sheets.
"Now sleep," Narcissa commanded, "you need to get your strength back." Bending down, she kissed Hermione's forehead before tucking the satin sheets round her. Straightening up, Narcissa left the room silently, shutting the door softly behind her.
There was silence once Narcissa had departed and Hermione lay exhausted listening to the chirping of the birds in the trees outside the window. Minutes passed and still sleep did not claim her, her body tired from the rigours of the ceremony, felt limp, but her mind fogged and impaired, struggled to function and throw off the cloaking calm that had been with her most of the morning.
A slight sound in the corner of the room had her turning her head to see what it was but there was nothing there. She lay staring at the corner from which she had heard the sound and there it was again, a faint rustling of a cloak.
"Who's there?" Hermione asked faintly.
For a moment there was no sound, and then suddenly a figure appeared from nowhere; tall, hook-nosed, greasy-haired, Professor Snape stood looking back at her.
"Prof…."
"We have very little time," he interrupted, striding over to her and yanking the sheets of her, "Come on now, I can't be certain when Narcissa or Lucius may come back."
He thrust something into her limp hand and glanced at his watch, "Three, two, one!"
Instantly, she was lifted from the bed as a hook was jerked behind her navel. She thought she heard a scream, but then a kaleidoscope of colours and sounds was rushing past her and the cold air stinging her body through the flimsy nightdress drowned out everything else. Her hand was clutched around whatever it was Snape had put into it and a moment later she hit a solid stone floor and felt her feet give way from beneath her. She hit the floor with a dull thud and knew no more
XoXoXoXo
"Dumbledore, we need to get hold of Dumbledore and fast!"
There were voices, so many of them whispering as Hermione lay there trying to make sense of it all. Where was she? She could hear Mrs Weasley's voice, sharp and fearful, "Oh Merlin, what has happened?"
"Mum, is she ok? Hermione?"
"Shhh, Ginny, she'll be fine, just knocked out by her fall I imagine." Mrs Weasley said in an effort to convince her daughter.
"But where was she?" This was Ron's voice, anxious in its intensity.
"If we knew that, we wouldn't have been so worried, now would we? Oh not again! Remus would you see who that is?" Mrs Weasley's voice sounded almost hysterical now. Hermione wondered vaguely if she was in the Burrow.
The sound of a doorbell clanging somewhere in the distance put pay to this theory. Only one place she knew had such a clanging doorbell, she was in Grimauld Place. She could hear hurried footsteps going to answer the loudly clanging bell. In a moment, however, the footsteps returned, accompanied by another set of footfalls, sharp and rapid.
"Dumbledore, has he been summoned?" Snape's voice broke into the silence.
"Yes," this was Lupin's voice, "and Quentin Trimble too."
"Good. Right, the antidote. I need the antidote."
"Antidote?" came Harry's voice, hesitant and frightened, "Professor, what antidote?"
"An antidote to help Miss Granger, you stupid boy! Now move out of my way. The rest of you leave Miss Granger be. The antidote won't be ready for a while yet, and I don't want her disturbed. Molly, I suggest you put the girl to bed, her body needs the rest!"
"Yes, of course!" Mrs Weasley said. "Ron, could you and Harry…"
There was no need for her to finish her sentence, arms lifted Hermione off the floor and she was hoisted over someone's shoulder. She was carried swiftly up the stairs into one of the bedrooms and deposited onto a bed.
"Right you two, out!"
"But mum…."
"Mrs Weasley, we…" Ron and Harry's voices pleaded.
"I said out!" Mrs Weasley repeated, and grumbling quietly, Ron and Harry exited the room. Hermione, in spite of herself smiled.
"Mum, is she ok?" came Ginny's frightened voice, "she's so pale."
"I don't …I don't know," came the faint, tear-clogged reply. "Come on, let's make her as comfortable as possible, and then hopefully she'll fall a sleep. Soon Professor Snape will have the antidote ready, and then I'm sure she'll be all right." Mrs Weasley sounded as though she was trying to comfort herself, rather than her daughter.
Hermione felt herself being once more tucked into bed, but this time the sheets, rather than being made of satin, comprised of scratchy cotton.
"Stay with her, I need to speak to Remus. I'll tell the boys not to disturb you; I don't want Hermione to be alone."
"Of course," Ginny replied, and Hermione could hear the tremble in her voice.
Mrs Weasley left the room and with a soft click, the door shut behind her, leaving Hermione and Ginny alone.
"I know you're awake," Ginny said, seating herself on Hermione's bed, "Are you ok?" She leaned over and took Hermione's hand in her own as she spoke, squeezing it tightly.
"Yes," Hermione answered faintly, "just tired, so tired and weary."
"Well, you can rest now, and don't worry about a thing; you know this is one of the safest places anywhere," Ginny reassured.
"Yes, good," Hermione muttered, "I… a lot has happened…"
"It's ok," Ginny soothed, "you can tell me later, honestly, just rest now."
Hermione nodded, and as she did so, a wave of tiredness engulfed her and she fell asleep, Ginny sitting beside her, clutching her hand tightly.
XoXoXoXo
Hermione awoke a few hours later. Opening her eyes she saw to her relief that Ginny was still sitting beside her bed reading a book. As Hermione stirred however, she hastily put her book down and asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Hermione answered groggily.
"I'll call Professor Snape and the others, they wanted me to let them know when you woke up, I think Snape has the antidote ready." So saying she got up and hurried from the room. In a moment, however, she was back, followed by a number of people whose faces Hermione could not distinguish.
"Open your mouth, Miss Granger," Snape instructed and obediently Hermione did so. Snape raising a vial, poured its contents into her mouth and she spluttered, while swallowing the foul tasting concoction.
"Was there any need for all of it?" came a familiar surly voice.
"Yes, I don't know how much of the stuff they gave her, and I don't want to take any chances."
Hermione lay quietly grimacing at the after taste the potion had left. Then as though a barrier was being removed, she felt the feeling of calm that she had been experiencing all day, start to lift. The fuzziness that had made it so difficult to think was dispersing and the pain that had been plaguing her temples start to ebb away. She found that she could think more clearly and her mind, which had been suppressed for so long was finally free!
"Ah, it is working," Quentin's voice said as the fuzziness was now gone completely. Hermione began to fit the pieces of the events of the last few hours together. Her eyes widened in horror as the memories resurfaced in her mind, and sitting bolt upright in bed, she opened her mouth and let out a high pitched scream.
She couldn't help herself, she screamed again and again as she realised that thanks to the Malfoys, she was no longer a single woman, but one who was tied for life to someone who right now she hated.
"Noooooo," she screamed, "Noooo, please noooo!"
Tears started pouring from her eyes, splashing down her face as she reflected on the horror of what she had gone through. She was aware of burying her face in Ginny's shoulder and sobbing, as the enormity of what had happened hit her like a tone of bricks.
"Oh god, nooo, it can't be!" she sobbed as Ginny sat stunned, helplessly watching her best friend.
Finally Hermione could scream and cry no more, she lay against Ginny, spent and empty, and the people around her gathered closer in support.
"Oh Hermione," Quentin said, pulling her away from Ginny and hugging her himself, "I am so sorry,…" he fell silent as he knew words could not adequately convey his feelings.
"Hermione, there is no need…." Dumbledore began, patting her shoulder, but Hermione lifting her head from Quentin's shoulder glared angrily at him. The despair that had overwhelmed her earlier was turning into anger before the very person who had advised her to "play along with the Malfoys".
"I think you Professor, have made more than enough false promises for one day, don't you?" She could feel hatred coursing through her as she spoke.
"Miss Granger, will it make you feel any better to know that Draco Malfoy was also under the influence of the Emperius potion?" Snape asked.
"No, it won't," she snarled back.
"I would like to talk to Hermione alone," Quentin broke in, "the rest of you, please leave us!"
"Be reasonable Quentin—" Dumbledore started, but Quentin cut him off.
"But she'll need the support of another woman-" Mrs Weasley protested as Ginny nodded in agreement.
"I need to talk to Hermione alone!" he repeated. Reluctantly, everyone else left the room and finally they were alone.
"Quentin, I—" Hermione started.
"It's ok," he said quietly, "in your position I wouldn't feel any different. All I ask is that you try and see the bigger picture here. I would do anything to undo what has happened, but Dumbledore would insist…."
"That's the problem," Hermione hissed back, "Dumbledore and the Order's insistence. Tell me, did you agree with them that I should stay put when I contacted Dumbledore this morning?"
There was a pause and then Quentin, taking hold of her chin forced her to meet his gaze, "I knew nothing of it until I was summoned here by Remus Lupin three hours ago. Had I known, I would have done everything in my power to get you out of there." Looking into his eyes, Hermione could not doubt the sincerity of his words and finally she looked away.
"Why didn't they tell you?" she asked.
"Because they knew how I would react. Albus Dumbledore is a wise old man. In nine cases out of ten, he can accurately predict what people are going to do, which makes him such a good strategist. There are times however when even he is wrong…"
"And other people have to pay the consequences," Hermione finished bitterly for him, as she pulled her knees up to her chin. With a sigh, she asked, "So who knew of my whereabouts?"
Quentin sighed, "Most of the Order knew that you were involved in a top security mission. What that was, they didn't know."
"So people like Ron and Harry knew that I was in danger then?"
"Yes." Now Quentin wasn't looking at her, preferring to stare at the claw-footed wardrobe in the corner of the room.
"I see," Hermione replied quietly.
There was a knock on the door, and getting up Quentin went to open it.
"Can we see Hermione?" Harry's voice asked from the corridor outside.
"Let them in," Hermione told Quentin calmly.
Stepping aside, Quentin opened the door wide and Ron and Harry entered the room and seated themselves on Hermione's bed.
"I'll be downstairs if you need me, Hermione," Quentin said before leaving the room.
"Are you ok Hermione?" Ron asked, looking closely at her. "You're so pale."
"Would you be ok if you had been administered a potion to suppress your mind and then forced to marry Draco Malfoy?"
"Remus's just told us," Harry spoke quietly, "Hermione I'm sorry, but look, it isn't the end of the world. The Malfoys'll never find you here, Dumbledore's seen to that, so you're ok."
"And how about the times when I may want to leave this place? What then? How about when I start at Stanwick?" she asked, looking Harry straight in the eye.
"Well, I'm sure we can work around it. All I'm saying is that please don't lose heart. Remus and Tonks are looking into whether the marriage can be annulled, but failing this, we'll think of something else," Ron attempted to reassure, trying to give her a hug but she pulled away.
"Well, how blessed I really am!" she said sarcastically, "you know I'm just realising something, which if I'd been less blind, I'd have realised a long while back. In your own way, the Order has used me as much as the Malfoys."
"Now look here!" Ron gasped, turning to her, "I know you're upset and everything, but Hermione, you're unharmed! So what's there to worry about? The Order'll protect you, Harry and me would give our lives to protect you, you know that!"
"Well that didn't do me much good earlier, now did it?" she sneered, feeling a savage pleasure to see them squirm.
"Look," Harry started, "no one's saying for a moment that what happened to you was good, far from it. All that we're saying is that it doesn't have to be as bad as you think. I know it seems like the end of the world at the moment, but it'll get better."
"Thanks for the worldly advice. Tell me Harry, how'd you like it if you'd been forced to marry someone like Pansy Parkinson?"
"Well, it wouldn't be very nice, but I'd cope with it."
The unconvinced look on Harry's face belied his words, and Hermione just laughed bitterly.
"Neither of you went through that ceremony," she said quietly, "you didn't witness the amount of magic – not wand magic but the primal stuff that resides in the elements that was used to bind me to him."
"No, but as I said before," Ron started, "Remus and Tonks…."
"Ron, I don't know how I can put this more plainly – the binding was not a simple signing of the Ministry's wedding registry. The Malfoys used the Elements! The bonding simply cannot be undone!" she explained, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Please leave me now."
"But Hermione we—" Harry started in a choked voice, but she cut him off.
"You heard me Harry, please leave, both of you."
Reluctantly, the duo got to their feet. Although they shot her pleading looks, Hermione ignored them, as they left the room.
Hermione got up and walked over to the window and looked down. The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, and below her, some children played on the weed-strewn grass in the middle of the square in front of Grimauld Place. There was nothing to see but a few dustbins bulging with rubbish. Her mind, however, was in turmoil; no one apart from perhaps Quentin, understood what she had been through, or how it felt to be tied to someone you disliked. What made it worse was that she had no choice in the matter. She needed to do some serious thinking, to revaluate her life and all those in it. Today had been a real eye opener for her, and she was damned if she would let things lie because it suited the Order.
Authors Note: The words used in the marriage ceremony were taken from with a few tucks and tweaks by me.