Chapter 4: The Beauty Within
A/N thanks to all who reviewed. I'm finally FREE! So yay! I can finally start writing this bloody thing again. And know what? I've never read any other ships other than d/hr... Enjoy!
So I fall
I don't wanna feel this small
You know I just can't handle this
Handle this at all
And I'll just fall
I'll let my heartbeat drop
I falter as the music stops
And you watch me as stall
And wonder when I fall
The ride there made Draco queasy. The carriage was spacious and the horses were quick, but the roads were horribly uneven. Carefully, he rested his head against the carriage, wondering where the hell they were headed. This King…Titan was it? Sounded like a bastard. I mean. For Merlin's sake the man beheaded people for being late! Wait, why was he even thinking of this? He should've been plotting a way to get out of here. Although it would certainly help if he knew where the bloody hell he was. What had happened? All he could remember was being bulldozed by the Longbottom fool and then crushing Granger on the way down.
Wonder how the Mudblood is? Hope I gave her a nice big shiner…
"Draco, wake up son we've arrived" said the countess gently nudging him.
Holding on to the side of his spinning head, Draco slowly reopened his eyes and turned to face the tall, frail, youthful blonde woman who somewhat resembled his real mother. Kallianeira gave her son a gentle smile, and gestured towards the carriage window.
Draco leaned over and peered out the window and gasped. The only words that he could think of at the moment were:
Holy Shit
The castle was massive. At least three times the size of Hogwarts and twice the size of the Malfoy Manor. The stone walls were miles high with four turrets on each corner. Scattered about were long rose vines crawling up the walls. There were oil lamps set around the castle illuminating the vastness of the grounds. As they neared the building, the floor became notably smoother. It looked enchantingly mesmerizing. Like something from a fairytale. The carriage suddenly stopped, jerking an unaware Draco onto all fours.
Somewhere above him he could hear Phaeton chortling. He made a mental note to give the guy a good kick in the arse when he had a chance. Slowly, he crawled his way back up as the carriage door opened.
"Good Evening Contessa Kallianeira," said the doorman taking his mother's hand and helping her out.
The three boys hopped out behind her accordingly. When they reached the grand castle doors, the man knocked exactly twice before they opened. Draco stepped in immediately after Prometheus, eager to get a glimpse of the interior.
If he thought the outside was anything, the inside was infinitely more magnificent. Towering off-white Corinthian Roman Columns flanked the entrance. The floor was a cold, hard Caribbean marble. Fanning out just metres before the doors was a grand marble staircase with a mahogany banister that led up to a second floor. Several torches lined the walls revealing various hallways and doors that led to an endless number of rooms. Hanging from the middle of the foyer was an enormous, sparkling crystal chandelier containing what must have been a thousand little candles within. Right in the center of the entrance was a grand ivory fountain with a statue of the Greek Goddess Hera in the center with her palms open to the ceiling and her elbows crooked. The sparkling water arched from one palm to the other. There were a number of painted portraits hung about the walls, each with a different person. Some depicted religious moments in history, some had pictures of what must have been both Greek and Roman gods and goddesses; Draco could never tell the difference.
Merlin, I'd give up the manor in a second if could have this place…
"May I have your attention please" came an imperious voice, interrupting his mental exploration of the palace.
Draco looked around for the source of the sound. A man clad in a royal blue and gold stood at the top of the stairs. Next to him were four young gentlemen all dressed formally, standing so straight you'd think they'd had sticks shoved up their—
The man cleared his throat audibly, "Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, May I present to you: Lady Erida."
A short and rather stout looking girl with a sheet of wavy golden hair, no older than 14 stepped out from the corner. She paused next to the announcer smiling. Erida, Draco noticed was not exactly pretty. Her body had yet to develop and her dress was a shimmering lilac that didn't compliment her skin tone the least bit.
As the girl reached the bottom of the steps in the arm of one of the gentlemen, she curtseyed to each of the boys individually and each of them took her hand gently kissing it. As she reached Draco, he reluctantly took her pudgy hand. The announcer began once more.
"Lady Invidia."
A tall, somewhat gangly looking blonde turned the corner. She was horribly thin and her cheekbones stuck out noticeably through her pale, almost transparent skin. When she reached the bottom, she followed the actions of her sister.
Draco groaned silently, how many more times was he going to have to do this? And how much more uglier could they get…
"Lady Thaleia Aphrodite"
Now this sister, she looked nothing like the others, the only thing she had in common with them were her vivid cobalt-blue eyes. Her hair was waist length and a mystifying ebony. Although her skin was a pale, milky white, it seemed to suit her perfectly. She donned a dress of deep plum.
The silver-gray eyes were unable to peel themselves away from the dark-haired beauty. He couldn't wait to greet her. She went through each boy, he was the last. It seemed an eternity before she reached him, but when she did, he found himself unable to release her hand. Her eyes seemed to capture his, and draw out his soul.
"And last, but certainly not least, Princess Artemis Hermione Granger."
Draco's heart stopped and he abruptly dropped Thaleia's hand.
Did he just say…?
But all thoughts were wiped from his mind as the girl rounded the corner. There was only one word to describe her.
Beautiful.
Her long, auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her honey-chocolate eyes seemed to glisten as the candlelight illuminated her figure. The girl's complexion seemed to glow. She was radiant, she was stunning, she was breath-taking, she was…
"Granger" he breathed inaudibly.
.:::.
Hermione carefully made her way down gripping firmly on to her escort for fear of tumbling down the marble steps. She looked down to the four figures before her as she reached the bottom. The escort led her to their guests.
Countess Kallianeira gave the girl a warm smile and she curtseyed briefly moving on to the first boy.
Hermione's eyes widened.
RON!
"Lord Phaeton" he introduced himself, taking her hand in his sweaty one and kissing it.
Hermione frowned for a moment. He didn't recognize her…
Not Ron…
The next boy,
HARRY!
"Lord Prometheus" he said curtly taking her hand like his brother had.
Giving a sigh, she carried on to the next boy. She had to look up at him as he towered at least three inches above her.
"Ferret" she gasped.
The silver-haired boy stared back at her in astonishment. She knew who he was! But what did that mean? He froze for a moment, both entranced by her beauty and the fact that she knew who he was.
When the hell had Mudblood become so beautiful?
"Ugh" Draco grunted as his brother jabbed him in the ribs.
"Introduce yourself you fool!" Prometheus hissed.
Draco stalled for a moment, trying to remember what the countess had called him earlier…
"L-lord …..Adonis Draco Malfoy" he blurted out.
Hermione gazed into his eyes momentarily as if trying to tell him something. But perhaps he was just in his mind because she simply curtseyed and proceeded back to her handsome escort.
The announcer descended the steps and began leading them down the corridor to the dining hall.
.:::.
Servants were lined up against the wall, heads held up high awaiting their arrival. Each servant led one guest to a seat and set their napkins out.
The dining table was somewhere between 15 to 20 feet long, and about ten feet wide. A scarlet tablecloth with lace fringes lay atop with several different pieces of cutlery set out on each side on the silver plates. Matching silver goblets with either rubies or emeralds were placed directly on the plates with pearl white napkins beneath. Above it all, was another chandelier, although not as big as the one from the grand entrance, it was equally as exquisite.
The tantalizing aroma of dinner wafted towards Draco whose stomach was aching for food. He licked his lips hungrily. Luckily, the sounding of trumpets preceded the King and Queen's arrival and therefore dinner would be served shortly.
King Titan VI was a pompous man who sported far too many rings on his chubby fingers and chains around his neck. His face was plump and rosy, reminding Draco a little of Father Christmas.
Ha, what a difference between the two, one brings you presents, and the other whips off your head
His wife, Queen Arachne-Ophelia looked every bit as pompous as her husband. She wore a blinding golden dress with a matching shawl and if possible, even more jewelry than the King. Her hair was a corn-coloured blonde that blended into her dress as it tumbled down her broad and exposed shoulders.
"A cordial welcome to Contessa Kallianeira and the young Lords! May your visit be short of nothing pleasurable!" The king beamed raising his goblet filled with wine.
The others followed him and raised their cups, and applauding politely.
The King promptly took his seat at the head of the table. His wife and daughters sat on one side of the table, while the Malfoys sat on the other.
The pale-skinned boy noticed that when everyone took a drink of their wine, Granger merely brought it up to her lips not consuming any of the liquid. He smirked slightly at this. Although still under aged, Lucius had still allowed him to drink during the important events so he was quite used to drinking the sweet, yet tart liquid. Taking in a mouthful, the substance immediately warmed his insides with a gentle tingling sensation.
King Titan rose once more bearing a large grin and clapped his hands, "Let the dinner commence!"
.:::.
Hermione couldn't wait to eat; she was ravenous not having eaten since her meager lunch of mince pie which she had mostly given up to Ron.
One by one, the servants brought them their courses. First, was a rich, velvety tasting cream of broccoli soup, served cold. Unsure of which spoon to use, she looked over to Thaleia who sat next to her and followed to girls lead.
Next, was a delectable roasted quail which preceded the main course, grilled scallop and steamed lobster with a side of blanched string beans and carrots. As dinner progressed, everyone ate to their heart's content. There was a short break from the savoury food as dessert was being brought out. It was then when Hermione suddenly felt a tug at the hem of her skirt.
.:::.
Accustomed to having such rich and exquisite food, Draco ate heartily not bothering to think about what it was. All through dinner, an annoying thought nagged at his brain.
She knew me!
Then again, everyone seemed to, but it was the way she said it, the look of surprise in her eyes that brought her to his attention.
Maybe she knows what's going on…
He was her only hope at returning to the future. Mudblood or not, he had to take a chance.
Again and again, he tried unsuccessfully to gain her attention but she was too occupied with making small talk with everyone but him. Finally, during the short break between dinner and dessert, he purposely dropped his napkin, hoping desperately that he wouldn't have his head chopped off for it.
Ducking under the table, he crawled around in search of the Mudblood.
Oh the irony, me a Pureblood, down on my knees, searching for a Mudblood…
A very beautiful Mudblood.
Shut up.
You know she is.
Shut up!
Fine, deny it, you'll come to your sense some time…
Draco fumed, he was arguing with himself! Over a Mudblood! "I'm going out of my mind" he muttered. Spying what appeared to be a bottle green skirt; he awkwardly crawled over and tugged on it a few times, praying desperately that this was the Mudblood from Hogwarts.
Finally, Hermione took notice and peeked beneath the table at what could possibly be pulling so irritatingly at her dress.
"Granger, it's me" he hissed, straining his neck to look up at her.
The girl gasped as she saw the familiar platinum-haired boy. She promptly dropped her napkin, excused herself and dove beneath the table.
Her heart swelled in excitement, was it really him? Was it really Draco Malfoy? The ferret boy she knew and loved? Wait, no, knew, just knew.
"Mal-…A-Adonis?" she asked cautiously as she moved into a more comfortable position.
The boy shook his head, "it's me, just Malfoy."
"Okay, please tell me you're as completely lost as I am," she said desperately.
"No, actually, in my spare time I enjoy frequent trips back to god knows where with no bloody clue how to get back" he spat, sarcasm dripping from his words.
A slight frown crossed the girl's features. Neither of them spoke for a moment. Draco took that moment to admire his highly polished boots.
Great, just my luck, stuck in some freak time warp with ferret boy. Hundreds of years back in time and he hasn't changed the least bit.
"What are we going to do then?" she finally asked.
Draco shifted his position a bit before replying, "No idea, but three minutes is a suspiciously long time to be under a table…Meet me by the staircase after they serve dessert."
Hermione gave a quick nod and scampered back up to her chair.
"Hard time finding your napkin?" Invidia sneered as her sister finally emerged.
Merlin, she looks like the feminine version of ferret face.
"No, actually I was looking for your brain, no luck!" she replied earnestly.
The blonde stared at her in utter perplexity with her mouth hanging open.
Hermione smirked at the girl doing an astoundingly skilled imitation of Malfoy before turning her attention to her mouth-watering Key-Lime pie.
.:::.
Biting into his forkful of pie thoughtfully, Draco's gaze drifted unconsciously towards the two beauties that were situated across from him. They both looked so similar, yet so different. It was like looking at day and night, and trying to compare them. One dark, one light. Intriguingly captivating.
Too bad they're Mudbloods; well, at least Granger is.
Draco took another bite of his pie as he glanced up again at the Gryffindor girl. Now that he really saw her, he realized he had never really looked at her. His eyes narrowed as he watched her familiar movements. There was nothing special about this girl. She was just as she had been back at Hogwarts. Draco had reasoned with himself that the only reason she had seemed so beautiful before was before she was a familiar face. He had been relieved to see her. That was all.
.:::.
Hermione scurried down the carpeted hallway, attempting to hold up her dress with her hands, wishing she could take off the blasted uncomfortable shoes upon her feet. She reached the stairwell in due time. Malfoy was nowhere to be seen. The princess paced in small circles waiting warning, for the second time in one day, a firm hand clamped around her mouth, grabbed her roughly around the waist and hauled her into an empty study.
Panicking, she attempted to knee her attacker in the groin. She would have succeeded if he hadn't noticed and hastily dropped her hard on the floor.
"Oof" she grunted, hurriedly trying to get back upon her feet.
Third time today…bloody hell
"What do you think you're playing at trying to harm my family jewels like that, Mudblood?!" her attacker's voice hissed familiarly from above her.
Hermione's head jerked up, she recognized the voice! A feeling of heartening relief washed over her.
"Ferret!" she cried in relief.
Unfortunately, same person too…
"Watch your filthy mouth, Granger" he spat, dusting off non-existent dirt from his tunic.
Cautiously, the Princess stood back up, leveling herself with Malfoy. A vague feeling of imperialness pricked at her.
"You're talking to a Princess here, Malfoy, I'd be careful if were you," she said with a hint of arrogance.
Draco snorted loudly as she crossed her arms in an attempt to look regal. "Well, then lucky for you, you're not me."
Throwing a deadly honey-eyed glare at his silver eyes, she sauntered across the room, itching to give him a kick while she did.
Okay okay Hermione, that was uncalled for…try, the nice approach.
"Alright Malfoy, you win this round. Now please, can we try to figure out a way to get out of this place?" she pleaded.
A thoughtful expression came across his face as Draco hoisted himself upon a desk and stared up at the ceiling.
I could make this easy on her, it probably would be a lot easier if we weren't bickering so frequently…but where's the fun in that now?
"Let me think…hmmm…how about, no?" he drawled.
"Are you telling me you don't want to leave this bloody place?!" she cried incredulously.
Why? Why was he trying to make this hard on her?! On both of them!
"No, I never said that, we don't have to try and find a way out, you do, just give me a call when you're done" he smirked.
Hermione nearly burst."What the bloody hell is wrong with you?! I can't do this alone!" she screamed, half pleading.
Draco chuckled at this, "Has anyone ever told you how ridiculous you look when you're angry? Actually, you always look ridiculous, never mind."
She glared furiously at him. How could he be acting like this when they were both in such a predicament!?
"And if you want my help, it's going to take a little…no…make it a lot of grovelling" he informed her.
"What makes you think you can do this without my help?" she retorted.
"And what makes you think I can't" he shot back, flipping through a few books atop the desk.
"Because you can't!" she declared.
…or can he? You never know
No, actually, I do, if he knew a way out, he'd have left me behind eons ago
Good point, so what now?
I am NOT going to beg him!
Yes you will
NO I WON'T
What else are you going to do then?
I don't know, but it's NOT going to involve any GROVELLING
Fine, do it the hard way, your funeral
ARGH look what ferret boy's doing to me! I'M ARGUING WITH MYSELF!
She stopped and rubbed her temple for a moment, trying to calm herself.
"Malfoy, we both know if you knew how to get out of here, you'd have ditched me right off the bat" she said pointedly.
Draco shut the book, "Ah, good point."
"So will you help then?" she tried, desperately hoping he wouldn't make this tough on her.
"Work with a Mudblood? I think not" he replied indignantly.
Hermione screamed in fury as she childlishly stomped her foot.
Suddenly, a book came soaring from out of the blue and smacked Draco right between the eyes.
"Augh! " he hollered, and grasped his throbbing face, howling in pain.
"Serves you right" she hissed, then without a second glance, she stormed out, slamming the door soundly behind her.
Yes, she's right you know, does serve you right for being such a bastard.
Do you never shut up?
No, do you?
SHUT UP!
If you can't I can't
Draco groaned, and rubbed the sore spot tenderly, "what the bloody hell am I going to do now?"
.:::.
Headmaster Dumbledore looked grim as he reread the results of the potion.
No Nightshade…
There was no antidote for Somnio Eternus even he, the order of Merlin first class, supreme Mugwump could think of no simple way out of this dilemma. Dumbledore paced endlessly around his office as the greasy-haired professor sat in the chair before his desk looking nonchalant, but with a glint of determination in his unblinking beetle-black eyes.
The old wizard paused for a moment.
"What I don't understand," he began, "Is how fairy magic got into the potion."
Snape flinched slightly as the elderly man's frozen ice-blue eyes seemed to bore into his, as if searching his soul. Was he suspecting him? "I don't know."
The old man lowered his eyes, and intertwined his frail-looking fingers in deep thought.
"Who were the students nearest to the two?" he asked suddenly.
Pausing a moment before replying, Snape searched his memory, "Vincent Crabbe and Neville Longbottom."
Dumbledore nodded then promptly strode across to the fireside. Picking up a handful of brilliant green powder, he thrust it into the fire and stuck his head in.
"Professor Flitwick" he cried enunciating each letter clearly.
.:::.
"Now remember class, swish right, and twirl thrice clockwise." The tiny professor stood atop a stack of text books as he instructed the class. "Repeat after me, Addo Vita."
The class chanted after him, "Addo Vita."
"Addo Veeta" Ron recited, flicking his wand. "ADDO VEETA" he repeated, this time louder. His Chudley Cannons' action figure remained inanimate. "It's not working! Why won't it work? Why won't it work!" he bellowed, hurling his action figure across the room in a fit of rage.
Harry looked glum, "Hermione would know..." he muttered, prodding his decapitated figure of Viktor Krum with the end of his wand.
The red-head gave a heaving sigh, "she'll be okay…we can go see her…later…right?"
Jaded eyes shut tightly, "I know Ron…but I still miss her."
"We all do, Addo VITA" Ron attempted once more on Harry's plastic figure. At once, the figurine arose looking surly and irritated.
"Well done Mr. Weasley", the professor praised, "five points to Gryffindor."
With one swift move, he flung the miniature Quidditch player across the room, but even that didn't make Ron feel any better.
.:::.
"Come on Neville, at least attempt the spell!" said Seamus prodding the shell of a boy next to him.
"Leave me alone Seamus," he grunted bringing his head into the crook of his arm, "Just leave me alone."
Seamus shook his head.
"Give him some time," Parvati whispered as she brought her doll to life.
"Neville, Neville?" came a voice.
WHY? WHY WON'T EVERYONE JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?
"I said leave me al-" he broke off as he looked up to face his professor."Sorry professor, I thought you were someone else" he murmured sheepishly.
The professor gave the boy an apprehensive smile. "No worries Mr. Longbottom, the headmaster would like to talk to you, you're excused from the rest of the class, please take your things."
Neville nodded and wordlessly proceeded to Dumbledore's office.
He stood in front of the Gargoyle for a while, thinking before he attempted the password.
Was he going to be expelled now? He probably deserved, he'd killed Hermione after all…and Malfoy, but he didn't matter. At long last, after all his screw ups during the years, he'd finally be expelled, Grams was going to slaughter him when he got home…if he didn't do it himself first.
"Lemon drops?" he tried.
Nothing.
Neville shifted nervously, the Gargoyle statue unnerved him.
"Um, levitating sherbet balls? Fizzing Whizzbees, Jelly Slugs, Cockroach Clusters…Bernie Botts every flavored beans?" he was running out of ideas, "Pepper Imps!"
A grinding sound indicated that he'd correctly guessed the password and the statue began to move. Tentatively, he stepped onto the revolving staircase, dreading his arrival.
"Come in," Neville heard the headmaster's voice call from inside as he had reached his destination.
The pudgy boy heaved open the doors and shuffled in.
"Welcome Mr. Longbottom, take a seat" The professor gestured towards the chair next to the one occupied by Snape.
Not wasting anytime, the boy sat down, shifting his seat farther away from the potions master and prepared himself.
"Do you think you can remember the exact events of yesterday's potions class?" the professor asked.
Neville looked up wide-eyed in surprise, "you're not going to expel me?" he blurted.
Dumbledore chuckled softly, "No, of course not boy, it wasn't your fault!"
"But- but it was!" he protested, "I knocked into them! I killed them!"
The headmaster shook his head, "No, no my dear boy, you most certainly did not kill them! They're merely in a deep slumber."
Neville stared at the old wizard, "They're alive? They're—they're just asleep!?" he exclaimed.
The headmaster nodded.
"So…so…Why can't you wake them up?" he asked feeling slightly better.
"Did professor Snape not explain to you the effects of Somnio Eternus?" Dumbledore asked.
Neville gave him a sheepish look, "Kind of…but I can't really remember..."
Professor Snape smirked.
"Well, in essence, it's….an eternal slumber. But you're not simply asleep, in your mind, you're transported to a place in time, and it's like a dream." Dumbledore explained steepling his long fragile fingers.
"But Professor Snape said it was only a part of the potion! He said…something about…it only lasting…an hour or...or something…" Neville exclaimed, twisting his fingers trying to remember the instructions.
"With Nightshade yes, but that unfortunately, was the ingredient missing…" said the headmaster.
Solemnly, Neville nodded, "So…there's no way of bringing them…back?" he whispered quietly.
"But Alas, there may be, this is why I brought you here. Once again, could you describe to us the exact events of that day?" Dumbledore asked.
Neville nodded eagerly, "Well, I was partnered with Malfoy, and Hermione and Crabbe were beside us." He began, "Um, then…Malfoy got mad at me and did most of the potion by himself." He gave a quick glance at the potions master and continued, "then…then…he asked me for the…the Nightshade, I turned to get it and when I turned back Malfoy was hovering over Hermione's unattended cauldron and dusting his robes off in it. I saw some…sort of sparkly stuff fall into it…but I don't know what…" he paused to think for a moment, "Then…I tried to hand him the Nightshade, but, I…tripped on…on his stool, and knocked him over…and that's all I saw before I hit the ground…"
The headmaster looked in deep thought.
"Sparkly stuff….the fairy powder! But how did Mr. Malfoy come to have fairy powder on his robes?" said Dumbledore with a questioning look on his face.
Neville shrugged.
"Does it matter?" Professor Snape questioned.
Dumbledore shook his head, "No, no at least not at the present, but this could be the solution…"
"How?" asked Neville, "Fairy magic only…interlinks spells…doesn't it?"
"Yes, spells, potions, thoughts…and even dreams, but it also behaves as a counteraction to the potion, along with other effects too…" said Dumbledore pacing again."Thank you for your assistance Mr. Longbottom, you may leave now" he said gesturing towards the exit without glancing up from his thoughts.
Neville nodded and silently left the way he came in.
.:::.
Heaving a deep sigh, Hermione collapsed spinelessly onto her silk covered bed, kicking off her painful slippers.
Damn that Malfoy, curse him to hell!
Unconsciously, she ran her delicate fingers over the smooth, intricate floral designs that were etched into her head board.
What am I going to do...
You yelled at him, go apologize
Me? Apologize to that git? Not in this lifetime
Fine, it's your choice, I don't see any other way
Since when did I pick up the annoying habit of talking to myself?
Since always
"Shut up!" she hissed aloud, then as realization sunk in, she slapped her palm to her forehead.
The girl groaned in disbelief at herself "I'm going insane…telling myself to shut up…"
There's no use in just laying here you know
"Fine fine, I'll go I'll go" she grumbled.
With a final sigh, Hermione hoisted herself from the bed, and left her room.
Review! CC always welcomed for improvement of course! Stay tuned for the next chapter! Where something happens...
And, Something Corporate Lyrics - Fall. Absolutely love it.
