Chap. 45 The Ceremony

Draco sat in his room. He had one more night of peace before he went to his Dark Mark inauguration. Draco wished with all his might that he was in a horrible nightmare. He would soon wake up and realize his father was still away on business, and Hermione loved him, and the Dark Mark was only a threat. He closed his eyes and laid down in his bed, hoping when he opened his eyes it would still be Wednesday. Not Thursday.

'It is Wednesday.' He told himself, closing his eyes.

A few seconds later he opened them and he knew it was Thursday. Hermione was the only happiness in his life, nothing else had mattered. Now she was gone. Soon he would be a death eater obeying Voldemort and his father against his will. He would be a outcast at school and would fail classes because he would not be scared of his father's wrath… there was nothing he could do to worsen his life. Hermione fucked that up for me. He thought to himself. After he thought it however, he regretted it. He still loved her and shouldn't even think so harshly about her.

He kicked his bedpost and threw a pillow at his lamp, sending it crashing onto to the floor.

Why did everything in his life have to go so wrong? He remembered back a few months ago when he asked himself the exact opposite. How could Hermione make him feel so right? He knew he and Hermione's beautiful relationship was too good to be true.

Suddenly, in the middle of his sorrowful thinking, Narcissa gracefully ran into his room.

'Are you okay, baby?' Narcissa asked her son. 'I heard something break.'

She then saw the lamp, and pillow.

'What happened? Is something wrong?'

'I'm fine mother.' He stated firmly, turning away from her.

'Draco, I'm your mother, you can tell me. Are you frightened about the ceremony tomorrow, is that what is bothering you?'

'Yes, that's it.' Draco lied. Well he didn't really lie, he was frightened and it was one of the things making him mad…just not the main thing.

Narcissa's face fell and she walked over to the side of his bed.

'You're my little boy, I'd do anything for you, you do know that don't you?'

'I know, mother. But I'm not going to ask you to do anything. I'm weak, it's not your fault I can't stand up to him.'

'You are anything but weak, Draco. You are so strong, and brave, but your father is power hungry and he becomes scary when he doesn't get something he wants. No one will blame you for going through with the ceremony.'

'I'll blame myself.' He said. And Hermione.

'You are so unlike your father, Draco. It's refreshing.' She grinned.

He laughed at his mother's comment.

She leaned over and moved some hair from his face and kissed his forehead.

'Is that all that was bothering you?'

He hesitated, but then said, 'Yes.'

'All right, well get a good rest…you'll need your strength tomorrow.'

Narcissa then left Draco alone. He felt a little better. His mother was the only other person he loved in this world. But of course, because Draco's life if forever cursed, hell entered his room not two seconds later.

'Good evening, father.' Draco spat as Lucius walked in.

'Are you ready for tomorrow?'

'And how, do you suggest, I get ready?' Draco asked.

'Get rid of any doubt about the Dark Side you may have, and get sleep.'

'I have many doubts. I don't want this. I am only doing this so you do not torment me at school about it…besides going to the Dark Side might be uplifting compared to my already shitty life.'

'Stop complaining you ungrateful piece of shit. You have everything. A good house, gold, a faithful Lord and the Malfoy blood.'

'Yeah…that's the world's happiness in a sentence…' Draco muttered.

'Stop grumbling like an insolent little boy. Grow up.' Lucius demanded, then left angrily.

Draco growled low to himself.

'I fucking hate him, Voldemort, and my life in general.' He stated to himself.

He then thought of something. Being a death eater would be a life of eternal obedience to someone whom he doesn't even respect let alone want to worship. The love of his life shattered his heart. His father hates him and just keeps him around because he's his only heir and Voldemort's favorite for some reason. His mother his submissive and can't help him either. School will be a nightmare, and so will everyone there. There was nothing on this world for him.

Why go on in this stupid, fucking world when I can rid myself of all this anger and hate?

Draco decided he was going to go through with the ceremony, and then rid himself of this world. That way his father will be happy for a few precious hours and then his world with shatter, just like Draco's.

Draco then brought back an old smirk that hadn't formed on his face in a few months. A smirk that meant he was going to hurt someone and be very proud of it.

-

Hermione went down stairs for dinner. Hermione still felt sick and hadn't eaten since that day Draco came over. Tomorrow was the day of Draco's inauguration and she felt useless, there was nothing she could do to help. She couldn't go to him and he wouldn't come to her. And what made things worse is that her family had no idea what happened between her, Draco and Jess, so they didn't know not to talk about them.

'Hermione, it's your favorite tonight! Roasted chicken.' Anne said smiling.

'Thanks mum.'

'Oh, sweetie, Jess called while you were sleeping. He wants you to call him back.'

'Okay.' Hermione replied. She was not going to call him back. Not anytime soon at least. She would repair that friendship, but not now, there was too much on her mind.

'Have you heard from Draco?' Krista asked as she entered the room.

'Yes.' Hermione responded, trying to uphold a calm face, 'He's doing fine. His mother was happy to see him.'

'That's good.' Anne smiled. 'All right everyone, take a seat.'

Bradin sensed sadness in Hermione. He told himself he was going to talk to her about it tomorrow.

During dinner, Hermione ate some potatoes and a few bites of chicken. Then she excused herself and went to take a bath.

She sat in the warm bubbly water and cried. Draco was her first real boyfriend, her first real kiss, her first time having sex, her first love. She didn't want anyone else. She didn't want Ron, she didn't want Viktor, she didn't want Seamus, she didn't want Harry, she didn't want Jess… she needed Draco. How could she get him back? What could she do to show him, to prove to him that she loved him and only him and that she was sorry for her sin?

Hermione got out of the bed and put on a white robe. She walked to her room and kneeled down next to her bed.

'Mookie I need your help.'

'Yes, Hermione?' He asked, stepping out from under the bed.

'What should I do? Draco knows Jess kissed me, but he also knows I kissed back. He's going through a really rough time right now and that was the last thing he needed. He doesn't think I love him anymore, what can I do?'

'It's Christmas soon. Get him a Christmas present that will show him that you love him still.'

'Like what?'

'I cannot tell someone what to do when it comes to feelings and describing feelings. That is self-will and want.'

'All right…thanks. I am going to get some sleep. I'll shop tomorrow.' Hermione sighed.

Hermione then crawled into bed and fell asleep after many hours of thinking. She knew what to get Draco.

-

Friday: The Day of the Dark Mark Inauguration

Lucius told Draco that he had to be ready by 7 o'clock sharp. He and Lucius would be apparating to a secret location where Voldemort and the rest of the death eaters would be.

Draco lazily walked around his room, getting ready. He finally found his dark black robes and trudged down stairs. Lucius was speaking with Narcissa in the kitchen, Draco waited outside.

'Narcissa stop badgering me.' Lucius snapped.

'He's my son, too. And I love him. He doesn't want to be a death eater, Lucius. Can't you see that? He desperately just wants to grow up into a normal man. Let him live his childhood in peace!'

'He's not longer a child, Narcissa. Stop pretending like he's your baby, he's 18. And he will become loyal to the Dark Lord.'

'It's not fair, Lucius. Be a caring father to him for once in your life!' She cried.

Draco heard the sound of flesh against flesh. He knew what Lucius just did.

'That'll teach you to be silent. Submit to your husband, and go tell your worthless son it's time to go.'

'He's not worthless. He's smart and popular and –'

'Just. Go. Get. Him. Or do you want to be hit again?'

Narcissa obediently began to walk out of the kitchen. Draco quickly took a few steps away.

'Oh, Draco! You gave me a fright!'

'Mother, don't let him treat you like that.'

'Stop fussing over me, Draco. I'm fine, your father says it's time for you to go.'

Draco nodded, then Lucius walked out of the kitchen, cane clicking against the floors as he took his strong steps.

'Oh good. You are already down here.' Lucius said to him.

'Yes, I am ready to go.'

'Good bye, Narcissa. When Draco comes home, he'll be a new man.' Lucius smiled, with a slight appearance of being proud.

Narcissa nodded and moved next to Draco and hugged him.

'Be strong.' She whispered.

Draco stepped away from her and put on a dark, heavy winter cape.

'See you later, mother.' Draco said, then apparated away from the Malfoy Manor.

-

Hermione was getting ready, quickly throwing on her clothes and put her hair up. She was about to run down stairs and then remembered it was Friday. Draco's Ceremony.

She took a deep breath and took a moment of silence and spoke to God.

Please, please help and protect Draco. Help him tonight, please help him have strength and don't let him be hurt. Please, dear Lord, let him realize I love him.

Then Hermione ran down stairs.

'Mum, I'm going out to get Draco's present.'

'Oh! What a coincidence, I think this package addressed to you, is his present for you!'

Hermione suddenly remembered that Draco said he had gotten her a present and would send it via muggle mail.

'Oh, thanks. I'll open it in the car. Bye mum.'

Hermione took the small package and ran to her car. She turned on the ignition and then sat inside, slowly opening the gift.

After she took the brown wrapping off, a red velvet box sat in her small hands. There was also a note.

My dearest Hermione, Happy Christmas! I love you so much, and I hope you like this gift. My mother and I took a quick trip to London's uptown and picked this out. I saw it and I knew you had to have it. I love you, baby. I always will. Remember, you are the love of my life, you are my life, and I thank you for that. Love Always, Draco

Hermione wiped a few stray tears, then opened the small box. Inside was a ring, made of white gold. It had four jewels embedded in it. Two large rubies placed next to two small emeralds. She knew it symbolized them. On the inside of the ring it was engraved, I'll Always Love You, And You'll Always Be Mine.

Hermione slipped it on her ring finger, it was a Cinderella fit.

She cried softly. "You'll always be mine". It was a lie. He was no longer hers, and he didn't want her.

'I love Draco.' She said proudly, 'And I am not going to lose him this easily.'

She then backed out of her driveway and headed to find Draco's gift.

-

Lucius and Draco entered Voldemort's lair. The room was dark, except for the red candles that lit the eerie room. There was a dark, stone throne with a hooded man sitting in it…Voldemort. At least twenty other hooded men surrounded the throne…death eaters.

'Luciussss and young Draco. Welcome.' Voldemort hissed.

Lucius pushed Draco ahead of him. Draco walked boldly up to Voldemort's throne and stood defiantly in front of him. He then felt a hit from his father's cane on his upper back.

Draco whipped around.

'Bow to your Lord!' Lucius snapped.

Draco growled, 'He's not my lord,' softly under his breath. He then made the smallest bow physically possible.

'Your very resistant I see. Very brave of your son, Lucius…or perhaps very foolish.'

'I'm sorry, my Lord, he is hesitant.'

'We'll change that.'

Voldemort got up and nearly floated to Draco.

'Power,' Voldemort began, as he held out his hand, a flame dancing in it, 'is a great blessing. Everyone wants power, and joining me would give you plenty of it.'

'I don't need power.'

'What do you need? What do you desire?'

'I want to leave and live a normal life.' Draco replied boldly.

'As soon as you feel the power, you'll never want to turn back.' Voldemort stated. He then muttered something in Latin to Draco. Draco glowed deep red for a few seconds, then appeared back to normal.

'What the fuck just happened?' Draco asked.

'I gave you some of my power…test it out.' Voldemort ordered.

Draco raised his hand and held it out, then a large serpent slithered from the palm of his hand.

Many death eaters began to talk amongst themselves.

'A snake? Interesting choice for someone who doesn't like the idea of the Dark Side... it was a snake that was the cause of the fall of mankind you know.'

Draco looked up and snapped his hand back to his side. Voldemort pointed to the snake and it disappeared.

'It just happens to be my favorite animal. A true Slytherin doesn't always have to be a wannabe death eater.'

'Did the power excite you?' Voldemort asked.

Draco didn't answer.

Voldemort smiled evilly.

'I take that as a yes. Let's move on with the ceremony, shall we?'

-

Hermione went to Diagon Alley and found exactly what she wanted for Draco. She had it wrapped and returned home. She ran to her room and looked on the calendar. Three days until Christmas, five days until school. She couldn't wait that long, she had to give it to him soon. Tonight, if possible. She knew it was risky but she had to go to Malfoy Manor.

-

The ceremony lasted for about an hour. Lucius brought Draco home, Draco was exhausted. Draco fought, but the curses of twenty death eaters, his father, and Voldemort was too much for him.

Narcissa ran downstairs when she heard them.

'Draco!'

Lucius grinned, his hand firmly gripped on Draco's shoulder.

Narcissa looked at Draco, feeling horribly, she prayed Draco wouldn't get the mark, but because of the way Draco was tenderly holding his arm, she knew he had it.

'You've had a long night, go to your room.' Lucius ordered.

Draco dragged himself up the stairs, Narcissa began to follow him.

'No. Leave him.' Lucius demanded Narcissa.

'He's hurt.'

'He'll deal with it like a man.' Lucius snapped.

-

Draco opened his door, and stumbled into his room.

He collapsed onto the floor. He lifted his robe off his shoulders and gazed at his scar. Voldemort branded him with his seal, and it hurt like hell. More pain than his father had ever caused him.

Draco stood up and leaned against the door. His legs were weak, some death eaters sent knives into his calves to hold him still, while they branded him. They magically cleaned the wound, but it still hurt like hell to walk on.

Draco tilted his head back, and winced in pain. He gripped his arm as tears fell from his eyes, the brand was burning.

He knew he could stop his pain. He slid to the floor and slowly crawled to his bedside. He opened his table drawer and pulled out a small knife. He sat against the side of his bed, and pressed the blade against the soft skin of his wrist. He began to press firmly, but then he saw his mother. He knew this would kill her. Hermione also flashed before his eyes. No matter how much he wanted to hate her, he didn't. He loved her, and he knew she would blame his suicide on herself. He cried out in agony and dropped the blade.

Draco felt so sick. Suddenly he heard a soft voice.

A/N: Next Chapter coming VERY soon!