A/N: OK, this chapter was GIGANTIC before I even sent it to my beta, and then when I got it back I added even MORE. Needless to say, when it was like 27 pages on font 12, I decided I better cut it in half and make 2 chapters, the day of the wedding, and then later that night. I've got the next one all ready to go, but I won't post it till I get reviews! So you better tell me what you think damn it! Muahahaha!
Also, personally I think these 2 chapters are harsh and sad, there are lots of unhappy realizations and turn of events… but I don't want to bum everyone out now do I? For all of you D/Hr lovers or HP pervs out there I hope the chapter after the next makes my story a little less sad to read!
Anyways, REVIEW PLEASE!
… … …
"I'm up, I'm up…" said Hermione groggily, swatting away the probing pokes of Bubsy.
"Hurry miss, lots to do, must get up!" she squeaked with a little jump, then she ran to the window and pulled open the drapes, hoping the penetrating sunlight would make Hermione perk up.
"It's so early…" Hermione said in the middle of a yawn.
"Master Malfoy would like a word Miss Hermione, come with me I'll take you," she squealed, gently tugging on Hermione's arm.
"But I'm in only a nightdress…" Hermione protested.
"Never mind Miss Hermione, we must go," she insisted.
… … …
Draco was waking on his own the same time Bubsy was collecting Hermione. Not that itwas that hard, since he had slept so fitfully the entire night anyways.
He was still very tired when he woke, yes, but he still didn't know whether or not he officially woke in a foul mood. The dreams he was having, even though they were interrupted by stress and anxiety that stopped his slumber nearly ever few hours, were filled with a girl…
They were kissing passionately, they're hands roaming up and down each others backs and necks, her legs would wrap around him and she would kiss him most playfully. However, an extremely odd element of the dream was that her face was a mystery to him, he couldn't register who the beautiful lady was… yet he couldn't help but feel within himself he knew who it was without a doubt, and that he knew her very well. Also, the dream had an intense rushing feel to it, like something was going to come and take her away, leaving Draco devastatingly sad. The fear that something was coming made Draco so distracted that he would occasionally wake up with an intense feeling of dread and look around his room in a sleepy daze. Nothing was there. And when he slowly laid his head back down to sleep again, her presence would flood the back of his eyelids and a happy passionate feeling would swirl once again in his chest.
Another thing that unsettled Draco's nerves a bit was that the dream never seemed to progress. Not that he didn't mind kissing this girl for endless hours, but it felt as if he was suspended in a timeless space, that the thing that was coming for her would also be there, but never come about, and that his dream self would never acknowledge who she really was. They hadn't even gotten to the pinnacle of their love fest yet and Draco was already overcome with an intense pleasurable tingling feeling all over him. Just holding the girl in his arms and kissing her made him so happy and content, as if he had obtained something he had been trying his whole life to get, but never thought he would!
But as the dream continued on throughout the night and Draco never seemed to get any further with the girl than that, his body began to ache with anticipation and desire… he wanted her so bad. As it neared to time to wake, Draco did one last aggressive toss in his sleep; he was clutching his pillows and subtly kicking his feet.
Draco rolled her over so she was beneath him, "Baby…" he said huskily to the girl wrapped around him passionately kissing his neck and tonguing at his earlobe, he was still unable to see her face… He kissed her neck then whispered softly in her ear, "Let me make love to you…"
The last thing Draco remembered before his clock went off was the girl's smiling satisfied face before the dream disappeared in a flash and his eyes opened.
He lay still in his bed for a moment because he definitely needed to get it together. While the good feeling of the dream still lingered around him, the last second of the dream was burning into his consciousness; now that he was fully awake and the image was so fresh in his memory he knew it was undoubtedly Hermione's face.
Not that he was that surprised.
In fact, he was even wondering if he had had that dream before. It seemed so familiar… but dreams in their nature are so random in their consistency and being able to remember them that there is no way of telling for sure. There was just no denying it; he yearned badly to have her. He was even fantasizing uncontrollably of the pleasure he so desperately craved from her.
Now a subconscious choice, does he get out of bed in a good mood because that's how he feels while he's dreaming… or does he let the utter and terrible frustration of knowing he truly wants Hermione's body so badly but can't ever get her ruin his whole temperament? After all, not getting what he wants was a very new concept for Draco to try and understand.
In the end he just sighed and couldn't believe he was actually getting married in just a few hours.
… … …
Bubsy led her to Lucius' office, but left her just outside of it. In fact, she scurried away in a hurry looking quite concerned, like a scared dog trotting away, its tail between its legs and pointed ears flattened down. Hermione guessed she didn't fancy actually encountering Lucius and was eager to get away. Hermione knew the feeling well.
She approached the door, it was slightly ajar and she heard voices…
"Yes well she'll stay till December I'd imagine, till the very end, until it's absolutely official."
'Until what is official?' Hermione thought, pausing outside the room, 'The wedding is official after today… what is in December?' She remained on the other side of the room, listening in.
"And then what's to become of her?" asked a deep scratchy voice.
"I do not know, whatever the Dark Lord tells me to do with her," answered Lucius.
"Perhaps I'll see if my son would like her…" the voice went on faintly…
'Who is that? I know that voice…' Hermione wondered, leaning towards the door to hear better, her hand pressed flat against it.
"…I think the Dark Lord would allow it don't you think?"
Lucius chuckled, "Perhaps, you'll have to see, in the mean time I better go…"
Hermione sensed Lucius was about to say goodbye, possibly say the persons name in doing so... She leaned in closer, desperate to overhear… her hand pushed on the door and unluckily for her the door creaked.
Lucius face snapped towards the door. Hermione saw it through the crack and decided to pretend she was just abruptly entering. She could tell he was standing by the fireplace, talking by floo just as she suspected.
She opened the door all the way now, wanting to get further into the room so she could see the fireplace at a better angle, trying to catch a glimpse of the head before it would disappear. Unfortunately Lucius looked back at the fireplace and gave a curt nod, and Hermione heard the crackling pop.
Just as she would have been able to see who it was, the head was gone.
Lucius stared at her intently, his stern face appeared to be quite pleased, perhaps he was in a good mood.
"Do come in," he said pleasantly.
Hermione stepped further into the room as Lucius walked away from the fireplace and opened the small section of his floor to ceiling window. Four different owls flew in. Hermione recognized the tags on two of them to be of the Ministry's, the other two however, looked personal.
He nonchalantly removed the scrolls from the owls and read through them quickly, as if he did this everyday, "Been to my office before?" he asked calmly, still reading one of the letters.
Hermione looked at him uncomfortably, "Uh, no, you've never asked me here before."
"I know I've never asked you," said Lucius briskly, rolling back up the letter and looking up at her, "I asked you if you've been here before."
She glanced quickly to the hidden filing cabinet, scared for a moment, but seeing she left no sign of entering it. "No," said Hermione firmly.
Suddenly is dawned on her. The book Lucius had had face down on his desk, "Slytherins and their Success"… she had touched it hadn't she! Did she turn it back to its original page! She couldn't be sure…
'Bloody brilliant work Hermione!' she thought critically of her spy skills. 'Now Lucius suspects-'just then the biggest black crow Hermione had ever seen came zipping in through the open window so abruptly it interrupted Hermione's thoughts and caused her to jump from surprise.
He was an inky black, with black eyes that reflected his surrounding within them like a creepy dark mirror. In his talons, were numerous scrolls getting crushed in his claws. There were also broken brown and tan feathers stuck between his bird toes, as if he had been squabbling with other Owls. He looked at Hermione and cawed menacingly. He spread out his large wings and shook them as Lucius approached.
He looked at the bird lovingly and stroked it on its head, disgusting Hermione that anyone would regard such a dirty, mean bird fondly. He removed the numerous letters from its grasp. He shifted through them and smirked, walking back towards the fireplace. Hermione watched as he began to feed each letter to the fire one by one without even opening them, wondering why he didn't read them… she looked at the letters closely, trying to make out the return addresses.
Her stomach gave a sharp painful jolt as the light from the fire lit up the writing on the front. Did that one just say "Lee Jordan"?
Why would Lee Jordan be writing the Malfoy's?
She continued to stare, squinting into the bright light right before the parchment of the next letter crumpled up and turned to ash before her eyes.
'"Colin Creevey"?' she thought she read, '"Dean Thomas"? Gryffindors? But why…'
Oliver Wood, she continued to read, Ernie Mcmillian even! Oliver once more and then Colin again as well! No! Why would such people ever write to Lucius!
And then, she finally caught a glimpse of who they were addressed to as the flickering flames lit up all of the words; herself. The letters were to her, not to Lucius.
Lucius had be intercepting her mail and burning it.
Her friends were worried about her, worried about what they had been hearing; wanting to hear from Hermione herself if she truly was going to marry Malfoy because it was just so unbelievable. Hermione's lips quivered as she thought longingly of her friends, how sweet of them it was to worry, to try so desperately to get a hold of her, to not fall for the lies like everyone else until they heard it from her. In an instant anger filled her body as she watched Lucius to continue burning them. She hated him, so very much.
"How does your muggle world handle fire?" asked Lucius suddenly.
"Fire?" Hermione repeated harshly, surprised, confused and still very angry.
"When buildings burn down…" Lucius embellished his question vaguely, glancing at her briefly, seeing the look of hatred on her face.
Hermione knew he had showed her her letters intentionally, to get a rise out of her. She would not give him the pleasure of doing what he wanted, which was to get angry.
"Your kind doesn't have the smothering curse… which instantly puts out any blaze; tell me, do they really douse everything in hose water?"
"Yes, they do," Hermione answered awkwardly, "…Well the fire department comes and does it," she was suppressing the rage he obviously wanted to bring out of her "and then an ambulance or something if someone is injured…"
Lucius looked up at her, as if he wanted her to go on, "Fascinating!" he said condescendingly, slowly feeding the flames another one of Hermione's letters right in front of her, knowing how nice it would be for her to read the comforting concerned words of a friend, and evilly enjoying stripping her of that comfort, "Please, tell me more."
"Then I suppose the police try and figure out what started the fire in the first place," she went on in annoyance.
"They usually figure it out don't they?" said Lucius.
"Most of them time I would suspect, yes," said Hermione, wondering what he was getting at.
"…like whether it started because of a candle or …arson?" said Lucius, staring at the flames, slightly smiling.
Hermione didn't respond.
"You know what they can't detect, those muggle police?" Lucius asked inquisitively.
Hermione still did not answer; she sensed Lucius had horrible intentions when he requested she come see him.
"Fires started by magic," he said conclusively in answer to his own question.
Hermione looked him in his dull gray eyes. She thought immediately of her home in muggle England… her parents…
He tossed the last of the letters into the fire all at once and smirked. "Today is very important Hermione, as I'm sure you're aware. You'll be watched very, very closely."
Hermione pressed her lips firmly together, restraining herself. This whole spectacle was to scare her into behaving. She managed a weak nod, avoiding his gaze.
"However, it is not just today that it is important," Lucius added.
Hermione was slightly surprised.
"The next few weeks, months even, are extremely imperative. I'm counting on you and Draco to be very, very, very convincing, especially in front of my coworkers and the public eye. Be good Granger, and the Dark Lord may even regard you fondly. He may even spare your life, which, I can assure you, will be a rare reward given to someone of your heritage."
A feeling like no other overcame Hermione, the vague sensation of horror, fearing a world that may someday exist. A world where she may be the last muggle alive. Spared by the man responsible for the muggle annihilation himself because she played some terrifyingly important role in its manifestation!
There was a soft rap on the door.
Hermione and Lucius both turned to look. It was Sarah.
"Narcissa needs Hermione now," she said softly.
"Remember what I've said," said Lucius coolly. Shaking, Hermione turned away from his horrible face and left with Sarah.
"Are you alright?" asked Sarah as she led Hermione slowly down the hall.
Hermione walked with her eyes downcast to the carpet and did not reply. She could not reply, she just felt too helpless to do anything.
"Hermione…?"asked Sarah again, this time putting a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Hermione finally lifted her head. "What is that smell?" she quickly asked, now suddenly aware of a pungent stinging odor in the hall.
Sarah smiled, "That cat of yours, he scratched himself free and has been pissing all over hell ever since. Lucius can't catch him, it's fantastic."
Hermione grinned as her heart swelled. Crookshanks was okay after all! She knew he could take care of himself. "That's my boy," she uttered as they descended down the staircase.
… … …
The sticky brown muck gurgled and bubbled around Hermione. She was in a tub of cool clammy mud. Narcissa had insisted, claiming an herbal renewal ritual was custom to every Malfoy bride.
"You can't just not do it," Narcissa had shrieked and whined after Hermione's reactionary protest, "Besides, you'll look so beautiful afterward, and you'll feel good too. I never felt better after mine!"
Hermione looked apprehensively at the tub of wet dirt. On the counter behind it was an array of different potions Narcissa was planning on applying to Hermione. After some thought she decided she didn't need a whining Narcissa adding to her headache and low spirits. She thought it best to just to do as Narcissa said, no matter how revolting.
Much to her surprise, the mud actually felt quite good. She hummed softly and squished it between her toes as she suspected she smelled the presence of those skin nurturing plants Professor Sprout would mention in class from time to time. Her hair dangled over the edge of the tub, a house-elf massaging god knows what into it, while four other elves had both her hands, filing away and rubbing sweet oils into her skin.
Hermione heard the soft giggle of Sarah, who had returned with a bundle of white towels and thin white house dress.
"Quit laughing," said Hermione smiling, "and come over here and scratch my nose for me."
Sarah only laughed harder but did as Hermione asked.
"Ah, thank you so much," she said.
"Nervous?" Sarah asked.
Hermione thought for a second, "I was this morning, but now… not so much actually." The relaxing odors and essences of the plants were beginning to take their soothing effect on her, and secretly Hermione was thankful. They really had calmed her down. She hadn't a worry in the world really.
"Well that's good," said Sarah, "Now close your eyes, you need some purifying tea leaves on them for three minutes."
Hermione did as she was told, feeling quite silly since now she truly was a very helpless girl stuck in some mud, but it was pleasant enough that she let it go. "Ugh," she said, "these things smell like Trelawney…"
Sarah laughed and suddenly Hermione was giggling hysterically.
"Oh my, these odors are making me light headed… goodness, I feel stoned or something…"
Sarah only laughed harder, "It does smell really good in here," she said.
"Oh yeah, get down close to this stuff and breath it in for half an hour straight!" said Hermione.
"Hey! Guess what?" said Sarah excitedly, now
rubbing a cream onto the skin of her face, "You get to meet my dad! He's
coming to the wedding!"
"Really?" said Hermione, "Terrific!
When did you find out?"
"Well it's been in the works for a while now, but he's finally been convinced to come."
"Convinced?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah, well…" Sarah said, her tone turning grimmer, "He was nervous about seeing old Ministry members he used to work with, but he got over it."
Hermione didn't fully understand, but didn't want to upset Sarah again by prying out information about her father. "Well I bet he didn't want to miss his only nephew's wedding day! Not to mention seeing you!" said Hermione.
Sarah scoffed. "Yeah I'm sure he can't wait to see me," she drawled sarcastically.
"What? I thought you were happy about him coming!" said Hermione.
"Yeah, until I remember what a negligent jerk he was when he visited last year, he spent the whole time with Lucius and ministry workers! I thought we'd spend the holidays together, just us! He ruined my whole Christmas andNew Years! I'm just scared he won't have anytime for me again, it looks like Lucius wants him to get together with old coworkers this time too!"
Hermione could tell Sarah was more hurt than angry and felt much sympathy for the girl, but she couldn't help but think it was extremely odd that Lucius would appear to want to "go out with the boys" so to speak with a brother he didn't even seem to like and said brother's old colleagues… but that didn't matter right then, all she wanted to do was cheer up Sarah.
"Oh Sarah," she said, "You said yourself that it was Lucius who was hogging him and that he seemed miserable. I bet he was miserable because he'd much rather be spending time with you! Which is exactly what he'll do this time! Besides if it makes you feel any better… I didn't even have a New Year's either, I was too busy planning for a mission I was just going to get captured in any way!"
Sarah smiled at Hermione, she had just cracked a joke about the most horrible thing that had every happened to her just to make her feel better, so she knew she better cheer up, "You're right," she said kindly, "I should just forget about that whole weird getting together with old Counters thing…"
"I agree," said Hermione proud she had helped, "Besides, I think it's great! I'll have someone I'm actually looking forward to meeting today."
Sarah laughed again, "Oh c'mon, it won't be that bad. Narcissa's gotten an orchestra! And surely the food will be delicious!"
"Sorry Sarah," said Hermione, "but there is no dinner in the world delicious enough to marry Malfoy for."
The two laughed again as the house-elves finished with her nails.
"I've laid out a trail of towels," explained Sarah, "You need to walk over to the shower and rinse everything off now. When you're done rub the stuff in this vial all over you."
"What is it?"
"Who knows, but it smells nice," she said laughing, "anyways, you relax, I've got to go lay out your dress…"
"Bye Sarah," Hermione said as she slipped deeper back into the tub, shutting her eyes and inhaling deeply.
'Relax,' she thought to herself… but she was finding that doing so was a bit harder than before. Suddenly all she could think of was the holidays… that Christmas she had spent with Harry… and the hectic all-nighters of mission planning that followed the next week in preparation of Brusto's party… Brusto's party… what had happened with Harry that night? She needed to know or else she'd go insane. But then again… it was hard to hold onto a thought, the smells really were making her quite sleepy…
… … …
"Lucius!" Narcissa cried out shrilly as she blared down the hall to his office, "Lucius!"
"What is it women?" roared Lucius, sticking his head out the door "I was just flooing with the hotel; we still need to set up the honeymoon portkey!"
"Well there may not be a bride to take to the hotel!" raved Narcissa looking furious, "That slayer man, he took her! Out to the woods! Insisted on her help!"
"What!" he exclaimed in surprise, "That's very unnecessary!"
… … …
Hermione jumped down from Proctor's steed, her white dainty house dress and hair blowing delicately in the wind while she removed the pages of her journal from a saddlebag.
"We must hurry," said Proctor, "She didn't seem too happy."
"Maybe if you hadn't showed up so unexpectedly I could've had a diversion set up!" said Hermione quite snappily.
Proctor frowned at her, "Hey," he said defensively, "things have been crazy lately; we must get things done right when opportunity presents itself…"
"Seems like shoddy planning to me…" Hermione in her fowl mood was mumbling to herself, "You'd think someone in the Order would have enough brains to realize how dangerous poorly planned missions can be…"
They went down the same ravine as before and Ron appeared out of the abandoned shack, however this time Hermione did not want to hug. The very sight of him made the hazy euphoria of the mud bath linger away.
She wasn't going to waste any time. She was sick of the all the wondering constantly eating away at her. She stormed up to Ron, "Is Harry with you?" she asked forcefully.
Instantly she became light headed, she probably wasn't supposed to be exerting herself, emotionally or physically, since she had all those wonky herbs in her system, but instead she just shook off the dizziness, denying that she even felt funny.
"No," said Ron, "He-" then his eyes widened, "Hermione…. You look amazing… absolutely gorgeous."
It was true, her skin glowed most beautifully and her hair was so light, long and curly it flowed with her every movement. Her sparkling youthful face and mesmerizing brown eyes stared intently at Ron.
"Never mind that now Ron," said Hermione earnestly, "I need you to tell me about Harry."
Ron looked at Hermione intently, "Ok Hermione," he said softly, "I will tell you, but first we need our mission debriefing."
Hermione rolled her eyes, 'Sure. Now the Order wanted to go by the book…'
"Tonks will be at the ceremony disguised as someone else, ready to protect you from whatever may happen directly after you're officially married, we can't tell who she'll be unfortunately, there's not supposed to be any interaction between you tw-" Ron began.
But Hermione was already shaking her head, "Nothing is going to happen right after," she interrupted, "The wedding was never planned for something to happen this day at this time Ron. I just over heard Lucius speaking with someone about how I'm somehow needed until DECEMBER! Now honestly," she said, growing more frantic, "I'm so sorry but I just don't think I can take it here for that-"
But Ron didn't look too shocked at her news, causing Hermione to slowly stop what she was saying and watch his expression angrily. The Order must have already suspected the same thing.
Why would they place Tonks in the ceremony if they already knew it was unlikely that she'd even be needed! Why wasn't the Order telling her everything!
Ron could tell by Hermione's pissed off expression that she was far more intuitive than the Order gave her credit for… "I'm sorry Hermione," said Ron, picking up where she trailed off, "Tonks is really stationed there just in case… I tried to hint before to you that you'd be here awhile after the wedding… I mean there's really nothing significantly large that Voldemort could do JUST as you're married… it's pretty easy to see that you're needed for more subtly secretive purpose. You're probably doing something for him so small that you don't even realize you're doing it…"
"I'm doing everything I possible can to not be an aid to Voldemort's progression Ronald! It's a tad difficult to not help him when you can't even get away from him!" she barked angrily.
"I know, I know Hermione," said Ron, "I wasn't implying that you were a willing participant, and I'm sorry! It's hard I know, but we really appreciate you spying for us, and we really need your inside perspective so we can figure out what he's up to before he's finished," he shook his head in annoyance, "Anyways, we've digressed, so December is significant you say? What the bloody hell is supposed to happen in December? Is there anything else you've found?"
Hermione shoved the excerpts of her recordings into Ron's hand. "This is from his office, which I think he knows I've been in, as well as some maps and schematics should you guys need to infiltrate the house… say, to maybe rescue me or something… that'd sure be swell…."
Ron said nothing to this, shifted through the map pages and looked down at the fake documents and signatures, "They get more and more real looking," he observed.
"Yeah," said Hermione, "Like someone has been practicing."
"Well they're bloody good now," added Ron, "If I didn't know better I'd think this one was authentic!"
"That's the point," said Hermione, "The goblins have already thought the money was real. And now their bribing people at the ministry left and right, probably for help in this forgery."
"But these documents are petty memos and letterheads," said Ron, "I mean… they don't mean anything."
"Yes, but they can probably create something more important, like fake announcements or, or, or a law or something."
"But no one would ever believe in a fake law, not with Fudge around," said Ron, "What are they playing at?"
"I don't know Ron!" said Hermione irritably, "that's why I'm giving them to you to take to Dumbledore. Now, what happened the night I was captured? I want you to tell me!"
"Hermione, Ronald," said Proctor suddenly, "I think someone is coming."
Ron nodded briefly to Proctor but quickly turned his attention back to Hermione, "Ok Hermione, but first I have to tell you something," he said, "Tonight at the wedding you'll see someone who'll make you upset but don't do anything radical, you're going to see Brus-"
"I don't care which idiot shows up tonight Ronald! I can handle the bloody wedding!" cried Hermione, looking frantically up the ravine for a sign of Lucius as Hannibal was looking as well, being particularly nervous that Ron was still there. He had dumped out a satchel filled with gray dust and drove a stake into the pile, faking a vampire's death…
"DID HARRY GO AFTER BELLATRIX OR NOT!" cried Hermione. She was surprised at herself for yelling, but was overcome by her intense anticipation for Ron's answer; she was unaware of the dangerously intense beating of her heart.
Ron's eyes looked heavy with remorse and worry, "Yes," he said softly.
Instantly her body turned ice cold. Hermione could not believe her ears.
"He did go after her," Ron went on, "but it's not what you th-"
The rest of Ron's words got drowned out by Proctor, who was earnestly telling Ron to go, because the pounding of horse hooves could be heard approaching fast, "Disapparate!" he cried to Ron, interrupting him.
But it didn't matter what Ron was going to say anyway, because it wouldn't be heard. Hermione had already turned away and began to run up the ravine. She was so shocked she didn't know what she was doing. Her head was woozy and her hands were shaking, all she knew was that she had to get away from Ron just then; she couldn't handle what he was telling her.
There was no way she wanted to believe.
She was growing weaker and weaker by the second, barely making it to the top of the steep hill when Lucius Malfoy skidded to a halt, the massive horse nearly plowing into her. It was all just too much.
Hermione fainted.
Proctor stood over the pile of gray dust he had set up. He looked reproachfully up at Lucius and shrugged his shoulders, "Got him," he said, gesturing to the staged vampire death.
… … …
"The fool!" Lucius roared, "Can you imagine if something had happened to you!"
Hermione said nothing to his angry ravings as she rode back with him. She was still a little lightheaded and the rocky movement of the horse did nothing to settle the uneasiness of her stomach. She could see the house looming closer in the distance. She was angry Lucius saw her faint. Hermione Granger is no distressed damsel! She didn't need him seeing her in a moment of weakness, and she never would have fainted if it wasn't for that stupid mud bath making her woozy…
Proctor had been paid, with no tip, and left in the other direction. Hermione could still hear Ron's weakly spoken "yes" in her ears. Yes, Harry had gone after Bellatrix Lestrange when he was supposed to be protecting her.
He had sworn to Dumbledore he wouldn't and he did. Even worse, he was unsuccessful, much like Lupin said he would be, and cost Hermione the mission. He had gotten her captured.
It was all his fault.
And now look where she was, a prisoner and a pawn in the hands of Malfoys and the Dark Lord.
Lucius took her straight to the house instead of the stable, "Go get your hair done," he said strictly, letting Hermione slip off before he turned and galloped back.
Narcissa came running out, "Ah!" she screamed, "I can't believe that man! I don't care if he did kill that Vampire finally, you shouldn't be exposed to fearful situations, or any emotional situations for that matter! The effects of the mud bath have made you to weak in that regard!"
"No really?" Hermione mumbled groggily.
… … …
"Come in," said Draco.
Lucius opened the door as Draco was standing in front of a mirror, straightening his tie. "Good Merlin," said Lucius, "Malfoy's look damn good in tuxedos."
Draco furrowed his brow, disappointed by the fact that he had been thinking the exact same thing just seconds before.
"Almost ready?" asked Lucius.
"Almost," Draco replied unemotionally.
Lucius put his hand on Draco's shoulder, "Draco, son, why the long face?"
Draco scoffed internally, it humored him so when his father would randomly pretend to be nurturing. He knew Lucius wasn't truly worried about him, even though it was obvious he was miserable, but more concerned about his ability to act convincing for the ceremony in a little bit. "What long face?" he said, giving a half smile.
Lucius scowled a bit. "We're going to be rewarded for this you know," he reminded him.
"I know," said Draco dryly, "You've told me." He turned away from the mirror and went to go put on his shoes.
Draco was quite sorry looking and Lucius knew he must be dreading the wedding, even though he was completely oblivious to the complicated thoughts Draco had been having towards Hermione. Never-the-less he insisted that a Malfoy, having power and riches beyond comprehension, should enjoy life, especially after working so hard for its rewards.
"I'll think of something," said Lucius, causing Draco to look back at him oddly, "Something that will cheer you up, you'll see. You've got 10 minutes," then he turned and left the room.
"Yeah," said Draco coldly, "think of something else to buy me."
… … …
Hermione stood stiffly just before the entrance of the aisle as the guests filed in from another entrance, her stomach turning more and more knots with each passing second.
Her dress was astonishingly beautiful, and she attempted to express her amazement to Sarah, who had designed it, but all her words came out soft and weak. She was so drained off all strength and emotion... she stood there like an empty shell, waiting for the marriage she didn't fully believe was happening to start.
She was a devastatingly beautiful shell though. Hermione still glowed with beauty beneath the five fluffy layers of her dress's skirt, the top layer being a sheer flimsy netting with shimmering diamonds interwoven in it. Her torso was wrapped elegantly with a soft silky fabric that shined in the light and snuggly squeezed her, showing off her classic figure. To add some accent since the dress was strapless, a single diamond dangled just above her supple cleavage. Her hair was up and her long curly eyelashes narrowly missed brushing her sheer white vale. She held in front of her a pretty and large bouquet of flowers, and if on any other occasion she would have felt like the most beautiful woman in the world.
However, despite the remaining glow and softness of her skin and her beautifully made up face, hair and dress, Hermione was expressionless, her facial color porcelain. Behind her alluring eyes was worry and dread. Her only thoughts were of what Harry had done to her, and what Lucius would do to her family if she didn't appease him. Hermione was certain she had never felt as miserable in her life.
She thought longingly of a few hours ago, when she was in the mud bath as it took its calming effect on her and she couldn't believe Narcissa had to talk her into it. Now, she would do almost anything to feel that carefree and content again.
Her stomach did another horrible flip as the masses of people instantly stop dead in their chatter as the sound of "Here comes the Bride" filled the chapel of the massive and extravagant church. She began to feel lightheaded again as a nice looking wizard posing as a substitute father figure took her arm in his and began to lead her down the isle, Sarah right behind her, holding her train. All the faces turned to look at her, either smiling warmly or smirking smugly. The ceiling was a hundred feet high and priceless stained glass went all the way up. She got so woozy she began to feel outside of herself, floating up above the entire audience, watching the beautiful girl walk towards the tall broad-shouldered blond at the end of the road. Everything felt very unreal. She stopped at his side.
Draco lifted up her vale and the priest started speaking, but Hermione couldn't comprehend how long he spoke or even what he said, he sounded far away and echo-like. She slowly turned to look at Draco. He looked just as stiff and porcelain as she.
'The only person in the entire world who remotely knows how I feel right is Draco Malfoy,' she thought glumly of the irony as the Priest went on with his cute little speech about love and life and how marriage means teamwork and read from scripture… blah blah blah… She was looking him in his stormy silver eyes, losing herself in their depth. By some miracle she responded when the Priest requested her hand.
She watched as he wrapped Draco and her hands together in a silky scarf, somehow representing unity, still thinking of his eyes and how they looked at her.
As if a nudge back into reality, she realized if she had been looking into Draco's eyes that means he was looking back into hers. Was he lost in her honey-brown eyes much like she was in his? 'What,' she wondered, 'could he possibly be thinking while doing so?' For all she knew he was practically high from a mud bath too…
She looked at him for what felt like the first time, since she was more aware than ever now. Wondering what Draco was thinking had definitely cleared her mind of Lucius or Harry, and she marveled at how natural and stunning he looked in a tuxedo. Awakening to reality even more now she was aware of the strength and warmth of Draco's hand on hers as they were wrapped together in a scarf.
The priest had paused in his sermon and unwrapped the scarf.
"Now," he said softly, "Do you, Draco Malfoy, take Hermione, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, till death do you part?"
Draco was looking only into Hermione's eyes, "I do," he said clearly.
"And now," said the Priest, turning towards Hermione, "Do you, Hermione Granger, take Draco, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, till death do you part?"
Hermione was looking back at Draco, still astonished by his unceasing eye connection. She swallowed softly, "I do," she said gently; amazed she didn't feel nearly as nauseous as she thought she would.
"You may now kiss the Bride," said the Priest with a smile.
Suddenly Hermione DID feel nervous.
But it was brief and not even close to miserable. Draco placed his hand on the crook of her neck and cheek, leaned in and pressed his lips onto hers, both of them slightly puckered. As quick as it came her nervousness was mysteriously gone.
It was over in less then three seconds but it was miraculously long enough to twinge, plausibly even twinkle a bit and for Hermione to notice the warmth of Draco's lips and for Draco, the softness of hers.
They pulled their heads back as the happy bells were cued and the guests in the seat stood up with applause, watching the doves that were released in awe and soft laughter, the children blowing fountains of bubbles.
Hermione couldn't be sure, but she thought she saw Draco look back into her eyes for the briefest of seconds before turning, taking her arm in his, and walking quickly back down the isle, running from the cheers and shower of bubbles.