Seeds of Seduction

Chapter 18: Second Murder

The next few day passed by slowly. Hermione was often alone in the manor as the Weasleys were still grieving over the betrayal of their son. Harry was often with Ginny in their bedroom comforting her. As a result, Hermione spent the next days with Draco exercising and enjoying each other's company during lunches or romantic dinners.

For an unfathomable reason that Hermione couldn't decipher, she wasn't ecstatic about the fact that Ron was now single. Had Ron broken up with Lavender months ago, she'd be jumping and squealing with excitement. But now, she was strangely indifferent. It felt weird but she simply pushed aside the thought as if it was nothing. But there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that wouldn't leave and she had no idea what it meant.

. & .

Hermione sighed happily as she strolled through the snow covered cobblestone streets of Diagon Alley. It was the 5th of the New Year. Pausing to look into a new store housing jewelry and silverware, Hermione admired a diamond hanging from a silver chain. Fingering the diamond hanging at her throat that Draco had given her, she simply smiled and walked past the store. For the next hour, she meandered down the street pausing to examine objects of interest but buying nothing.

Shivering, Hermione looked at her watch. It was half past 10. The sky had turned black and stars were scattered across the sky. The snow had started falling in small particles and the streets were deserted. Hermione glanced around her nervously. There was only she and a man on the streets. Hermione swallowed as she saw his gaze loiter on her for more than it made her comfortable. Turning around, she walked quickly away in the direction of the Leaky Cauldron. There was bound to be a crowd there.

A few steps away, Hermione glanced back and her eyes grew wide when she saw that the man was missing. Practically running to the pub, Hermione didn't stop until she was safely inside the bar. Sure enough, it was crowded with witches thought most were wizards. Loosening her scarf as the temperature had shot up at least 40 degrees, Hermione removed her coat and scarf. Balancing a gillywater and her clothes in her hands, she carefully made her way up the winding steps hoping to find a room of her own where she could read.

Suddenly, her breath caught in her throat as she caught sight of a familiar looking brunette in the room next to her. She was wearing a pair of fishnet stockings and a leather shirt that could pass as a belt and a strip of cloth over her chest. Hermione stared in shock and disgust as Lavender yanked off the towel of the man in her room and pushed him on the bed.

Fury was building through Hermione's body. This was the final straw. No one messed with Ron's feelings and got away with it. Not if she could help it. She had had enough. Quietly running to the room 10 rooms away, she took off her boots leaving her in a red spaghetti strap and a skintight pair of black jeans. Locking the door, she tiptoed into her room.

Grimacing, she ducked into the bathroom, which was conveniently right next to the door. Hermione swore under her breath as she heard Lavender moan and the man grunt. Feeling sick, Hermione closed her eyes praying that the bile in her throat wouldn't come pouring out. Crouching behind the door, Hermione waited patiently. Half an hour passed. Then an hour. Hermione swore; she felt like beating the floor with her fists.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lavender and the "idiot" got off the bed.

"I need water," said Lavender sliding off the bed.

"Oh shit," Hermione thought.

Quickly, she stood up and slid under the counter space. She was sure no one would be able to see her here. Just as she slid under, Lavender's feet slid in followed by another and slightly bigger feet. Hermione peeked out curious to see who the man was and recognized him as a Slytherin who used to go to her school. Finally, Lavender finished her water and then turned back to him.

Finally, Hermione heard footsteps approaching the door. Praying that it was actually over, Hermione grabbed her wand. Luckily for her, her prayers had been answered. Lavender pulled on a thin robe and lay down on the couch. Creeping around the counter, Hermione Accio-ed Lavender's wand to her and threw it into the bathroom. Standing up in one fluid motion, Hermione shut the door and then pointed her wand at Lavender.

"Who is it?" asked Lavender boredly, "Oh it's you. What do you want?"

"To get revenge for Ron," answered Hermione her eyes burning with unspoken anger.

"Oh really," said Lavender loftily tossing her magazine on the couch, "Why? Because he's fucking me and not you."

"No," said Hermione and to her surprise she felt no surge of jealously coursing through her body, "Give it up. We saw you with Percy. We know you're a Death Eater. You messed with the wrong man. You're going to pay."

"Oh really," said Lavender getting up.

"Yes," said Hermione.

"What makes you say that?" asked Lavender turning away and walking towards her bed.

"Because you're too fucking stupid to know anything," snarled Hermione.

The next second, Lavender turned around. Hermione gasped as she felt what seemed like a stream of metal hit her abdomen. Yelling, she fell against the wall. Gasping, she looked at her hand. It was covered with blood. Closing her eyes, her fingers became limp and her mind went fuzzy. Her wand fell uselessly by her side. Lavender laughed evilly at the sight.

"That was the wrong thing to say. Thought a Mudblood would recognize bullets," cackled Lavender, "See you around if we do."

Lavender came close and raised her hand intending to perform the wand less curse. Hermione wasn't about to give up without a fight. Yelling she lifted her leg and kicked one smooth leg. Yelling, Lavender kicked her foot into Hermione's stomach causing her to spit and vomit blood. Swearing Lavender continued kicking until Hermione felt her mind so hazy. There was only one way where she could live. Hermione lifted her wand mustering all the strength she had left. Pointing it at Lavender's back, she muttered the two fateful words.

Tears left Hermione's eyes as she grasped the wall and pulled herself up. Stumbling across the room, she managed to leave the room without being noticed. Blood flowed from the wound on her stomach, she collapsed against the wall. She wasn't going to make it. Her heart was beating widely against her chest. She couldn't die. Not now when she was so close. She couldn't; not if she couldn't help it. Hermione inched along the floor desperate to get to her room when she felt a pair of strong arms pick her up. Forcing her eyes open, Hermione found herself staring into a pair of familiar eyes.

"Help me," she gasped.

"You'll be fine. I'm here now," reassured the familiar voice kissing her cheek.

Hermione smiled briefly before passing out.

. & .

Hermione moaned as she came around. She felt as if people were playing drums on her head. Groaning, she pushed herself up and winced a stinging sensation overtook her stomach. Glancing down, she pulled up the thin white cloth of her robe and saw the cut that Lavender had made.

"Take it easy," said a soft voice to her right.

Hermione looked and smiled when she saw the comforting smile of Draco. Her eyes were sagging and his gray eyes looked tired. Hermione immediately felt guilty for making him stay up all night because of her stupidity,

"Were you the one who found me?" she asked softly.

"Yes," answered Draco getting up and coming to her side. "What happened Hermione? Whoever hurt you will get hell from me."

Hermione closed her eyes as she kissed her forehead lovingly. Gently she moved back the covers and gingerly pushed up her shirt so he could heal her cut. Hermione relaxed when she felt his soft and smooth fingers on her stomach. She giggled but immediately stopped as a tinge of pain shot through her body. Wincing, she waited patiently until he had helped her sit up.

"What happened?" asked Draco again his gray eyes burning momentarily.

"Nothing," said Hermione vaguely turning away but Draco yanked her chin back.

"What do you mean nothing?" asked Draco harshly, "You were lying there bleeding to death and you tell me that nothing happened? You don't expect me to believe that do you?"

Hermione sighed and nodded defeated.

"I saw Lavender with another man," she started. "I threatened to tell Ron so she shot me in the stomach. She was going to kill me Draco! I didn't know what to do! I killed her Draco! They're going to kill me for this! I know it! I didn't know what else I could o.k….I mean she was kicking me in my stomach. Oh Draco."

Hermione buried her face into Draco's chest. Breathing his usual scent, she immediately calmed down. Hermione smiled; she should have been an actress. Draco rocked her back and forth and kissed her head. He pulled Hermione gently so she was on him comfortably.

"It's going to be OK baby," he murmured, "You did it in self defense. You'll be fine honey. Everything will be Ok, I promise you."

Sighing, Hermione closed her eyes and relaxed. Within minutes, she had fallen asleep. Draco leaned his head on hers. He yawned and shook his head. He had been awake all night watching Hermione toss and turn. She would break into fits of yelling and whimpering. She would only calm down when he touched her to kissed her cheek. These last weeks had been a dream. Everything seemed so surreal to him as he thought about it. He never thought that he would ever have a heart to stay up an entire night to care for someone. Hermione had been the very last on his list. Until he had gotten to know her.

She had changed him with her wit, her charm, and her wholesomeness. She had brought back the happiness and the joys that his father had snatched. Smiling softly, Draco closed his eyes. Within minutes he was asleep.

Please Review! A/N: Thanks for all the beautiful reviews! They are much appreciated as usual! Just letting y'all know, it's going to be my birthday on Tuesday the 18th and I won't be able to update until after that! But by Saturday for sure.