Seeds of Seduction
Chapter 21: Draco's Revelation
Hermione groaned as she twisted her head away from the bright light shining in her face. Shifting so she was comfortable, she wrapped her arms around the warm figure that lay on top of her. Closing her eyes, she swallowed and relaxed. Basking in the warm air, she erased all thoughts from her mind and dozed.
Draco murmured incoherently as the body under him moved. Opening his eyes blearily, he sat up and moved away. Rubbing his eyes and blinking rapidly, he stood up. Looking around him, he squinted in confusion. It took a few moments for him to realize where he was.
The sun was not glowing brilliantly in the vast blue sky. Wispy clouds floated across the expansive sea of blue. The sand was dry, white, and burning hot under the sun's angry glare. The green and blue waves were crashing gently on the sand. Slowly they built speed as they move towards the shore but then slowly smoothed out washing away particles of sand as they receded back into the endless sea of blue.
Draco sighed as he sat back down upon the warm sand. Looking next to him, he saw the peaceful face of a sleeping Hermione. Smiling softly, he removed a strand of hair that had fallen upon her face. Her hands were resting on her abdomen and her chest rose slightly and fell as she inhaled and exhaled. She looked so angelic without a care in the world as she slept.
Leaning down, Draco kissed her lips before picking her up. Carrying her in his arms, he moved towards the balcony of the restaurant they had dined at the previous night.
"Hmmm," murmured Hermione.
Draco looked down at the fidgeting Hermione.
"Draco.." she murmured
Draco smirked as he carried her over to a table. As he placed upon the glass top, she opened her eyes blearily.
"Draco?" she asked in confusion, "What are you doing here? Where are we?"
"We're at the restaurant," said Draco seating himself at the table.
Just then Draco felt his right arm sear painfully. Jerking, he looked quickly at Hermione to make sure she hadn't noticed anything peculiar with his action. Yawning, he stood up and stretched.
"Well," said Draco swinging his arms, "Look Hermione, I have to go now. Do you want me to drop you home?"
"No thanks," said Hermione sleepily swinging her legs over the table and standing in front of Draco, "I'll get home. Thank you for a wonderful evening."
Standing she pressed her lips to his and nipped his bottom lip. Smiling at him once more, she apparated.
Draco stood rooted at the spot for a few moments smiling to him before apparating.
. & .
Cursing to himself, Draco ran up the dark marble cobblestones. His long trench coat flying behind him, Draco ran a hand through his blond hair. He hadn't taken a shower and he smelled like salt. His white shirt was ripped down the front and traces of red lipstick were remaining. His pants and shoes were covered with sand. He had no answer to why he had stood there for a few moments. Now his "Majesty" would kill him for being late.
"Fuck," muttered Draco as he pushed open the door and ran down the worn and filth covered floors.
His foots creaking on the wood, he sprinted until he caught site of the steel door encrusted with the dark mark. It was the only thing new and sturdy in the Death Eater headquarters. Muttering the password, not even stopping to catch his breath, Draco stood outside the door his chest heaving up and down from the run. His chest felt like it was twisted in knots. His stomach churning his waited with bated breath as the door slowly creaked open.
Lord Voldemort was sitting farthest from him in a chair raised. There was a crimson carpet rolled down the floor until his chair. Death Eaters in dark black velvet cloaks and masks were orderly standing on either side of the carpet. Lord Voldemort appeared to have been waiting for his right hand murderer.
Draco looked around apprehensively as he came into the view of others. Lord Voldemort's eyes were brighter then usual and glittering with anger. Severus whistled softly when he saw Draco. This was not going to be good for the young Death Eater. He twisted his mouth wryly as he saw the Dark Lord finger his wand his eyes burning with fury.
Draco cringed slightly as he became aware of everyone's gaze on him. Most eyes were filled with anger and coldness while some were blank but often he caught the eyes full of pity. Taking a deep breath, he forced his leg upward and started to walk towards his master. The walk seemed like an eternity. The silence pressed upon Draco on all sides.
"My lord," said Draco bending down and kissing his master's shoes.
Straightening up, Draco moved back and cringed as he looked into his master's eyes.
"Draco," said Lord Voldemort silkily, "Where have you been?"
"I was out," stammered Draco equivocally.
"I see," said the Dark Lord coldly, "Where? At a makeup parlor? Is that why you have lipstick down your shirt?"
The Death Eaters snickered but a look filled with anger silenced them. Draco flushed as he pulled his robe around him tighter.
"I thought not," said Voldemort, "CRUCIO!"
Draco yelled and fell to the floor as the curse hit him. It felt as if his body was set on fire. Knives were piercing every inch of his body and his head felt like it was going to burst. Beating the floor, Draco kicked and flailed until the Dark Lord was satisfied.
"I hope that this shall serve as a punishment," hissed the Dark Lord, "Did you good for nothing father teach you nothing?"
Panting, his body aching, Draco stood up wearily wiping the blood from his nose and mouth.
"Perhaps you're not as strong as your father said," said Lord Voldemort standing up. "Perhaps I shall need to assign you a task that shows how much you are loyal to me like I made your father kill your mother."
"What?" said Draco feeling like he had been slapped. "What did you say? My dad killed my mother because YOU made him?"
Feeling like he had been punched in the stomach, Draco turned around and walked shakily towards the door. His mind was spinning. Had his father not killed Narcissa for his own favor?
"Draco," hissed the Dark Lord dangerously, "Come back."
"Fuck off," roared Draco running as fast as his shaky legs would carry him.
Tears fell down his pale and blood stained cheeks as he ran down the paths between the Death Eaters. Pain and anger such as he had never allowed himself to ever feel before erupted throughout his entire body.
"STOP HIM!" roared Voldemort.
A veiled Death Eater stepped up and sent a stunning spell at the fleeing blond. Swearing, Draco turned around deftly and shot a killing curse at the dark haired Death Eater. The next second, Vincent Goyle fell to the ground dead.
His throat choked with sobs, Draco fled the building and apparated. Draco tore off his cloak and shirt and threw them against the wall. Yelling, Draco snatched a glass figurine off the table and threw it at the wall where it shattered into a million fragments.
He gave in. Burying his hands in his hair, he slid down to the carpet and wept. Huge racking sobs shook his physique as he released the emotions he had held in for so many years. Anger at his father and Voldemort and sorrow for his mother's murder flooded his senses. He couldn't do anything and he HATED that feeling of helplessness.
Minutes passed by and Draco simply lay on the floor calm. His chest was covered with his blood and his face was covered in salty tears. He was in for it now. He had killed a fellow Death Eater and turned his back on his master. And he was sure that the reward wouldn't just be a piece of cake. It would involve a lot of pain and blood.
Why had gone off like that? Since when had he become the weak Malfoy that felt emotions besides power and arrogance? When and how had he metamorphosised into this? He had never so much as cried to the extent he had today since he was 6. He hadn't even cried when his dad murdered his mother. For the first time in a while, he felt so alone.
Scrambling up, Draco snatched a parchment and a quill.
Hermione, I need you. Right now.
Roughing attaching it to his owl's leg, he threw him out into the storm and then returned to his place on the sofa. He felt like everything was going to be fine. Suddenly he sat up straight. Why had he called Hermione? He wasn't supposed to be seeing Hermione unless he needed to fuck her and get information. Come to think of it, he hadn't extracted any valuable piece of information from her for 3 weeks. No wonder Voldemort was angry.
But one question was filled his mind. Why had he called Hermione? Why didn't he call a friend such as Blaise to come and comfort him? Why had he called Hermione?
No, it didn't mean anything thought Draco smiling nervously to him. Sure, she was beautiful, smart and witty. Her smile did send tingles down his spine and her laughter made fireworks explode in his stomach. Her presence just lit up his entire room with a light that he had never beheld before. She was his medicine; whenever he needed to feel happier she was always there, ready to comfort him and offer her support and care. He had never met someone like her before.
He loved holding her in his arms. He loved the way her heart would beat fast when he would gently kiss her knowing that he was the only one who could have that effect on her. He adored the soft flesh of her body as he held her close to him in his bed.
Draco groaned and dropped his head in his hands. This wasn't supposed to be happening. It couldn't be happening.
But it was and he knew it.
With every passing second, Draco Damien Malfoy was falling deeply in love with Hermione Jane Granger.
A/N: Hey! Thanks to those who stuck with my story even after I updated after 2 weeks. I really appreciate y'all who do that; it really makes my day. Actually, I would just like to answer one question: I was asked why I made my chapter "short." Personally, I do not feel that my chapters are short. They are the perfect length. I like to keep the chapters between 2,000 to 3,000 words. In my past experiences, chapters longer than that backfire. The read loses interest and too much information is consolidated. In every one of my chapters, a new discovery is made between Draco and Hermione or a new twist within the mission occurs. Of course, I have included some fluff that it necessary with all stories! Anyways, hope y'all keep reading and reviewing because once I get the number of reviews I'm looking for, I'll update! So please do review; you'll get the next chapter faster!
caz-jket: I SO know how you feel. I have Chemistry AP and I HATE it! I mean seriously though, who cares the way periodic elements are arranged and by who!
Next chapter: Meetings; Hermione, Harry, and Ron; Lord Voldemort, Draco, and Severus.