Chapter 3: No Longer Beating Inside
MALFOY MANOR: 1 WEEK LATER
"Huh..."Was all that Hermione could muster to say. She opened her eyes, to an at first blurry vision and moved her head around and realized that she was lying in a pool of dark-green, dirty, mucky water that was on the floor.The water gave off a strong stench of something rancid, that it almost made Hermione vomit. Her entire body was soaking in the puddle of filth. Her hair, in particular was drenched in it. She tried moving away from it, but realized that her hands and legs wore very heavy metal bolts that were attached to the floor. Her hands, which were bolted quite uncomfortably over her head, she felt were dirty and she also felt something hard was caked on her fingers. Her legs were sore, and her ankles,she could feel were dripping with blood. She was still dressed in her clothes that she had on before, a pair of jeans with a white tank-top shirt with a sweater that was zipped up to the top, but that was no longer the case. In fact, she didnt even have her sweater on, nor her shoes or socks. Hermione continued to inspect her body more and realized that the only reason she could hardly speak was because she was gagged, with a very scratchy cloth that itched her tongue and cut into her lips and the sides of her mouth. Hermione closed her eyes in agony and began to cry silent tears. Her memory flooding back to her with every tear, that escaped her eyes.
As her memories became more clearer, her tears and wails became stronger. It wasnt until she heard loud footsteps approaching that she stopped screaming. The door of the cellar opened almost suddenly, flooding the room in a eerie orange light into the dark room. Hermiones eyes were not accustomed to the light, so she looked away as the outline of the person came nearer. She felt the person standing right above her, but didnt look. Partially because of the light that hurt her eyes so, partially because she didnt want to see the person she thought it might be.
The person squatted down, avoiding the puddle of muck that Hermione was laying in. "Mudblood..." The voice said, evilly whispering, into Hermiones right ear. She didnt need to turn her head around to confirm who the voice was. Draco Malfoy looked back at the door, and motioned with his head to Crabbe and Goyle to shut it closed. Even after the door was closed, Hermione still didnt turn around, as hot tears wanted to pour down her face. 'No', she thought to herself, 'No, I wont give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry...No, I must stay strong'. Before Draco could turn Hermiones head around, she flung it herself around very rapidly, that even surprised Draco for a minute. He regained himself instantly, and met with Hermiones brown eyes, that were noticeably red and puffy from crying. Draco, looked at her big eyes and frowned slightly at himself. He couldnt explain it, but he liked looking into them. It made him feel warm and secure. Hermione on the other hand, was looking at Draco with a look of clear, undisguised hate and revulsion.
She looked into his cold silvery-gray eyes, with one intent and one intent only. As soon as the opportunity came, she would kill him. As she looked into his eyes, she had a sudden urge to tear into his flesh, and break him apart piece by piece. She wanted to inflict as much pain on him, as he had done to her. They held their gaze for minutes, each with their own purpose, until finally Draco looked away and stood up. Hermione however, never took her eyes off of him. She expected that he wanted something from her, and that was the reason of his intentions in the first place. But she had already decided, that she wouldnt give in, not without a fight.
"Well Mudblood, how cruel is life."Draco said sneering into the darkness. Hermione just stared at him,wanting with every fiber of her being to curse him until his platinum-blonde hair was blown off his scalp. Draco continued by saying, " Do you realize the predicament that you are in?" Draco, leaned down again, this time directly above Hermiones head, inches away from her mouth. "Tsk, tsk...well have to do something about this gag, or else well never have a decent conversation." He held his wand up,centimeters from the gag in her mouth and said,"Diffindo". As soon as the piece of cloth, broke into two parts, and landed with a delicate glop onto the wet puddle, Hermione seized the opportunity and spit into Dracos face. Draco stood back up, abruptly shouting, while wiping his face with a handkerchief in one of the pockets inside his robe. "YOU BITCH", he said loudly. Hermione felt a weak smile creep up on her face. Draco strided over to her, and pulled her hair off the floor with a very painful tug. Hermione yepled in pain."You mudblood whore! Im going to rip out every single strand of hair off your head,until every vein in your scalp bleeds.!", Draco threatened. He was loosing his patience and fast, he was loosing it so quickly that he forgot why he was sent here in the first place.
Slowly, realizing her purpose as well as the reason as to why he was sent into the cellar in the first place, he let go of her. He quickly pointed his wand to bolts that were holding her securely to the floor. With a metallic clunk, Hermione was freed. Her first instinct was to jump at his throat, but as she was about to get up, a sharp pain flowed through her body,especially her wrists and ankles."H..h.o...wwaw." was all she could say as she pulled her legs together closer to her body in a ball positin and fell limply to her left side. She brought her hands down in front of her eyes. As she caressed them within eyesight, she realized that the substance that she was feeling earlier that she felt was 'caked' onto her hands, was really dried blood. She tried speaking again, but this time nothing but an audible gasp escaped her lips that sounded like she was searching for breath. Finally, after a few minutes of Hermione trying to fix her throat so she could talk, she said, "How long have I been unconscious?" The way in which Hermione said this wasnt harsh or hoarse at all, but in almost a breathless way, as if even uttering a simple word was too painful to do.
Draco looked at her, with a gaze that was borderline shock and amazement."So you know that you were unconscious?" He asked, his voice slightly amused.
"Yes..how could I not? Especially, when it was you, who did it to me." This time, Hermione said this with a evil tone that didnt accomodate well with her angelic features. Draco sneered at her. "Well well, Mudblood, clever until the end arent you? You were out cold for a week. Nevertheless, we didnt worry, we still had fun with you". Hermione felt a pang of fear inside the pit of her stomach, but buried it away quickly to say,"And speaking of endings, when exactly will mine be?" her voice quivering more than she wanted it to. At this, Draco laughed rather rudely and said, "What a coincidence, that brings me to why I am here." He strode over to Hermione and hoistened her. Hermione was trembling all over, as she felt her arms and legs weaken. Draco was holding tightly onto her bare dirty arm, and Hermione was dripping with green water from head to toe. Draco could feel Hermione shaking under his grip and Hermione knew this. She tried to stop, and control her nerves but couldnt and it showed.
Draco laughed at her fear and said, rather malisciously, "The Dark Lord wants to see you...Now". With a swift tug he pulled her out of the cellar, as the door creaked open from the outside by Goyle. Hermione was suddenly engulfed by light. It burned her eyes to see such brightness so much that she fell spectacurlary into Draco, who caught her immediatley. She was only in his arms for a few seconds, until she realized what was going on and she pulled away abruptly. She was going to run, and make a break for it, until she felt a sharp blow hit her in the head. She was on the floor, with her eyes closed, and saw white lights popping under eyelids,as she heard rapturous laughing surrounding her. She opened her eyes, rather painfully, and put both of her hands to her head to try and stop the pain. As she tried to stand up, a pale hand came in contact with her collarbone and pushed her back down. Almost at once, Hermione felt a something enclose around her neck, and a heavy weight being added to her shoulders. Draco, with a huge evil smile on his face, lifted her up and said, "For precaution of course..so you dont try and scamper off." Hermione looked down, as her eyes became accustomed to the light, and realized that a huge metal collar, the same kind that was binding her to the floor just minutes ago, was now choking loosely at her throat. A chain leading from it, making it look like a dog leash, was in none other than Dracos pale warm hands. He smiled viciously at her, and said almost as vicious,"Follow me, doggy." Crabbe and Goyle couldnt supress their laughter as they walked down a stone corrider with torches lighting their path, Draco in front, Hermione in the middle, and Crabbe and Goyle bringing up the rear. They would turn occasionally sometimes, and at these times, Draco would tug rather hard around Hermiones collar, making deep red rings around her throat. Twice Hermione was in danger of falling but she never gave him the satisfaction of seeing her fall. Instead, she held her head high and marched onward.
Finally, they stopped in front of a staircase and as they walked down the wide stairs, Hermione noticed her three captors stiffen, almost in fear, as to what to come in the door that was visible in front of them. As they reached the landing, and were inches from the door, Hermione noticed a man in a dark cloak, like the ones, Crabbe,Goyle and Draco had on, but his hood was up. "You may enter." The Death Eater said, and Hermione could make out an outline of a male who was smirking almost seductively at her. They entered the room, and Hermione felt her heart swimming upward towards her throat. It was a vast chamber surrounded with wall to wall black, except the center of the circle which was bathed in clear, translucent light. All the Death Eaters, and what Hermione could tell was more than what the Order ever thought there was, were in the outside of the stream of light. As soon as Draco,his cronies and Hermione walked in, all talk that was going on was silenced. All eyes were on her. But Hermione didnt give a damn what the other Death Eaters were doing, she was more preoccupied, in looking for their leader, and to Hermiones astonishment he was nowhere to be seen...
Draco gave a sudden painful tug at the end of her collar, making Hermione stumble slightly clumsily into the center stage of the crowd, into the light. The only other person in the light was Draco, who threw her rather hard to the floor with a sudden jerk of the chain. Everybody laughed. "Is that anyway to treat our guest?" A cold voice echoed through the room, even though it was said in a whisper. Every Death Eater stopped, and bowed including Draco. Hermione, who was already sprawled out on the floor in front of Draco, couldnt help but gulp audibly as the most evil and fearsome creature, that she had helped for seven years get rid of, glided rather smoothly toward her. As he stepped right in front of Hermione, she could see the hem of his robes. All the Death Eaters stood up and resumed their normal standing position. Voldemort stared evilly and gave Hermione a grin that made her stomach do flip-flops and made Hermione seriously consider fainting.
"My dear child..."Voldemort said, loudly and some of the Death Eaters laughed. "My dear, dear child..Do you have any idea why you are here?" Hermione,whose body was still laying on the floor, but whose head was up, because of Draco who had stood making her head follow suit, was surprised at Voldemorts question. In truth, she never even considered the possibility, that the reason that Voldemort did not have her murdered before now, never struck her mind. In fact, she found it rather odd, that he didnt do away with her back at HQ and had sent Malfoy to kidnap her...
Voldemort was staring at her, with a evil grin on his face, clearly enjoying Hermiones look of confusion. Hermione, determined not to give up, racked through her brain for all the possibilities. Perhaps, for bait, but since Harry was already dead, than he wouldnt need Hermione unless he wanted all of the Order dead. But since he apparently knew where the coordinates of HQ, than he wouldnt need bait. Maybe he needed her for something else, something that only she could do or fufill...
As soon as Hermione thought of the word 'fufill' Dumbledores words raced across her brain. A look of dread was noticeable on her face, because Voldemort said,"Ah, I guess you have figured out your purpose, Mudblood." Voldemort grinned again, and the Death Eaters laughed. "You know, I cant wait until my son is born, to especially know that he will have not only my powers, but the brain of a highly powerful and intelligent witch, even if she is nothing but a filthy piece-of-trash mudblood." He said this last line, dripping with venom. All the Death Eaters laughed high and piercing laughs.
Hermione wasnt paying attention to the Death Eaters high enjoyment on her expense, she was more preoccupied with trying to register what Voldemort just said.
'A son...no...Im the muggleborn...Im the muggleborn who must give birth to Voldemorts heir,' was all Hermione could think. Her body all of a sudden became colder and her face paler. "NO!" Hermione screamed suddenly, shaking the entire room, and knocking the Death Eaters laughter out of there. There was a harsh silence that followed, as no one dared to move. Hermione continued, unshaken,"I WILL NEVER GIVE BIRTH TO YOUR BASTARD! I WILL NEVER GIVE BIRTH TO THE WIZARD THAT MUST SUCCEED YOU, AND BRING MORE CHAOS TO OUR WORLD, NEVER DO YOU HEAR ME? NEVER!" No one said a word, as all eyes were on Voldemort.
With one swift move of his wand he uttered the words, "Crucio" and Hermione felt herself in the most immense pain ever imaginable. After the pain had stopped, she found herself,at Voldemorts feet with Draco above her, staring down horrorstruck at her. Everyone in the room was laughing again. Voldemort kneeled down to Hermiones level and everyone stopped. Apparently, no one was used to their lord bending down, to his captives. He placed a bony finger to her face, and she winced at his touch. "You are in no position, to dictate whether or not you shall do something." He said rather coldly."Besides, I know of your purity." He said this last line rather seriously, as if that was the most important thing of all.
Hermione was not sure what he meant by 'purity' until it her. Voldemort knew of her being a virgin. Hermione all of a sudden remembered, fighting all the urges that she and Ron had while they were dating and engaged so that they could both experience that tumultous and sensual experience together on their wedding night.
Two hot tears,began to drip down her face. Ron was gone and she knew that they would never embark on that wonderful night together..ever. A sudden hot new rage boiled inside of her as she looked up at Voldemort who was still staring face to face with her. An idea suddenly fluttered her mind. "Im not pure." she whispered. She could feel Draco slightly loosen the chain and Voldemort was now looking directly into her eyes. "What do you mean?" A voice amidst the audience of Death Eaters said, and Hermione recognized immediatley who it was. None other than Lucious Malfoy, now stepped into the center of the room, his robe bathed in light now, as he took off his hood revealing the trademark Malfoy features.
"I mean," began Hermione who was nerved by Voldemort looking directly into her eyes, that she now looked down at the floor,"that I am not a virgin." There was a lot of murmuring following this,until Lucious spoke directly to his Lord saying,"Sire, you know perfectly well that the prophecy cannot be completed unless the muggleborn is chaste." Lucious Malfoy said this rather delicately as to not offend his master, but to also show his deep and angry sentiments. Hermione all of a sudden felt a long bony finger,press under her chin turing her gaze upward. She locked onto Voldemorts cold, red,snake-like eyes for what seemed like hours. Everyone was silent. Finally, Voldemort said,"She lies...she is pure, she is a virgin and she will give birth to my heir." He said this in a tone that clearly settled the matter, and Hermione could feel tears starting to accumulate in her eye ducts. She lost her only hope. Voldemort stood up and for the first time gazed toward Draco.
"You have accepted the duties, as male vessel, and Ill ask you again, now in front of your...counterpart in this arrangement, Do you accept all responsibilities that comes with this honor?"Voldemort directed seriously yet grinned towards Hermione when he said counterpart. Hermione winced and closed her eyes.'How can this be happeneing? Please, let him say no, let him say no!"But to Hermiones utter dissapointment and dreadful reality, Malfoy instead answered,rather automatically,"Yes, My lord I accept with full recognition in what my part entails, and of the certain inconviences that may cross my path, but nevertheless I will not stir, I accept with great honor,my position as your pureblood vessel." These words stung at Hermiones heart, which was lodged somwhere between her throat and stomach, rather hard. It stung in her ears, and made her eyes burn with tears, that were just aching to flow.
Voldemort nodded acknowledly."Take her to a more suitable location, and please get her washed, even the usual stench of mudblood isnt this overbearing."He said rather venomously. Just as Draco was about to tug Hermione to signal her to get up, a sudden outbreak hushed up all plans to move out of the chamber. The Death Eater that Hermione saw guarding the door when she first walked in, threw himself onto the floor in front of Voldemort and inches away from Hermione. His hood, was blown back as he did this, and Hermione noticed him to be Blaise Zabini, a Slytherin boy at Hogwarts that was in her and Dracos year. He was one of Dracos comrades and allies.
"My Lord, please I beg of you let me do the honor of being your chosen vessel. I am as pure as any Malfoy and I am willing to be with the Mudblood, unlike Malfoy, who considers this a chore, that you ordered him to do," Blaise said, pleadingly. For a moment, Hermione and Blaises eyes met and Hermione suddenly saw, that Blaise actually cared for her. Voldemort,on the other hand was looking at Zabini with such a pure, loathesome look that Hermione feared for his life,even if he was her enemy. "Leave, everyone, Zabini and I have a matter to discuss" Almost at once there was a swish of cloaks and the Death Eaters were gone apparating to wherever their desination was. Draco tugged on Hermiones collar and made her stand up rather reluctantly, as she wanted to see what would happen to the man she suddenly realized actually cared what happens to her.
Draco, lead by Lucious Malfoy, climbed up the stairs and walked staright ahead, Hermione after him, slightly wincing now and then by the sharp tup from Draco. They reached a door, and stepped onto a handsomely-polished floor, and Hermione found herself in the most beautiful hallway ever imaginable. Lucious turned sharpy to the left, while Draco lead Hermione to the right. Hermione didnt know why but she sensed that Draco was slightly mad at what just happened with Zabini, and if she didnt know any better, she would have thought that Draco didnt like the idea of Zabini wanting his noble job at being the man who would impregante Hermione with Voldemorts heir.Hermione quickly knocked that idea out of her head as they reached a door, and Draco lead Hermione inside.
"This is your room." Draco said rather lazily. Hermione stood in awe at the beautiful work that was put into her room. In the middle of the room, was a bed with green covers and right behind that to the left side were a pair of double-doors furnished with green covers, that undoubtly lead to a balcony. In fact, everything from her 2 couches and 1 armchair, to the carpet on the floor either had some green or black intricated into or on them, or had the Malfoy crest on it. Even her own doors, to enter her step-in wardrobe wore the chiseled into Malfoy seal.
"The reason why it is in green and black is because those are my familys colors." Draco said rather unenthusiastlcly.
"You state the obvious."Hermione said rolling her eyes. Her anger was back with a full-fledge force and she wasnt going to remain quiet anymore. "Well, are you blind? Are you going to unshackle me or not?" Hermione, said hands on her hips. Draco glared at her, smirked at the way she was standing then walked over to her, and to Hermiones astonishment, he gently took the collar of, and rubbed the skin that was now bruised red from him tugging her, and nearly choking her.
Hermione stood there,flabbergasted at what he was doing until she came to her senses and slapped him hard across the face saying,"You are never, EVER, going to touch me again, do you hear?" Draco, rubbed the spot where she just him, and with a great lunge and a look of anger and excitement across his face, he grabbed her shoulders and pushed her so hard she collided with the bed. He then threw her rather savagely,onto the bed. Draco lay on top of her, pinning her. Malfoy, grabbed ahold of her arms, and pinned them with his own. They stared face to face like that, for some time. Hermione, didnt know what was going on. She wanted to tear him apart, but apparently, all he wanted was...well...to put it simply...her.
Suddenly, Hermione remembered Ron, and the tears that were aching to spill forth in the chamber, came now. Draco, was amazed at this sudden change of emotion, that he was so shocked, that he abruptly, got off of her, and slid off the bed. He was just about to exit the room, when"Why me...why out of all the young muggleborn witches out there, did Voldemort pick me?" Her tears were streaming off of her face and onto the bed, where she still lay flat,in riverfuls.
"Voldemort wasnt the only person that picked you, to be the muggleborn vessel." This shocked Hermione. It was the first time Draco ever called her muggleborn, or even acknowledged her as such. He always called her 'Mudblood'.She pulled herself up, still sitting on the bed.
"Who was it then...Zabini?" Hermione asked honestly. In truth, she did think that Zabini must have recomended her, since back in the chamber he was so keen to be her counterpart. Draco whirled around very fast in an angry whirl and answered rather harshly,"NO, sorry to disappoint your fantasy on that!" He sneered at her, and was at the threshold, when Hermione asked,somewhat reluctantly,dreading the answer,"Who then?"
Draco, didnt look back her as he said,"Me",very softly.Then Draco turned around and said in a gentle voice that was not his nature,"Do you miss him?" Hermione knew that he was referring to Ron and she said, through sobs of tears,"Without him, I feel like my heart is no longer beating inside." "I see",Draco said in a very hard voice, and with that he walked out and magicked the door shut, and said through it,"Youll meet my mother in the morning. The House-elf will be along shortly to keep an eye on you and help you administer the bath." Hermione heard him walk swiftly away from the room. She leaned back, and grabbed a pillow and started crying hard, wishing that Harry was alive,that he was back at HQ organizing a rescue mission for her, and that Ron was there beside her, whispering to her that everything was going to be alright.