A/N: So, how is everyone? Having a good time? Ok, I just have one thing to say, and it's IMPORTANT Remember in the last chapter when I told you to pay attention to the dates? Well, I suppose I should have told you straight out. And, if you dont know now, you might get confused. So, The thing with the dates:
In the last chapter, when Draco reached Angelina's house- in the same city where Hermione lived- it was June 5. Meaning, he would go to her house the following day- the 6th.
But, in that same chapter, I changed the perspective to Neville, when he eavesdropped on Hermione talking toHarry and Ron. They sightedland- the city where Hermione lived. But the date wasJune 8th.
SOOOOO, thatmeans that when Draco looks for Hemrione at her house, she won't be there!-
Well, thats all,I'll leave you to your reading. No need to babble, and besides, I wanna get this out, ASAP. Thanks to all my reviewers! I'll leave you personal thanks next chapter, I PROMISE.
Well, nothing more to sayy, except, Happy Reading!
Love ya.
Tastetherain
Disclaimer: Me no own Harry Potter.
Chapter 18: You Can't Choose Your Family
Saturday, June 6 -Ginny –Granger Household
Ginny rushed down the hallway, wringing her hands together. Conflicting thoughts rushed through her mind. Hope, confusion, and terror wound its way down her spine. The walk to the main hall seemed interminable, which was not a good thing. It gave her a chance to think- and a chance to remember.
Frowning, her hand ran instinctively to her stomach. The scar burned with a fury. It was warning her. It was telling her something. But for the life of her, she couldn't figure out what. Since that long ago day when her brother fought her love (now her husband), the scar placed there had been a sort of warning instinct to her. But it was ever so vague.
All she knew now, was that there was a man standing outside, asking for Hermione. And, no, not just any man. A particular man. Such a particular man as to send her in a flurry to find Mrs. Granger.
Ginny turned another corner and cursed as she sped to nearly a run. A few passing servants gave her odd looks, but none of that mattered. Finally, she reached the telltale door, and knocked tentatively. She had to seem calm. If Mr. Granger found this "particular" man outside, all hell would break loose. No, it had to be Mrs. Granger. She would know better what to do.
"Yes? Who is it?" The kind woman's voice filtered through the door, and Ginny breathed a sigh of relief to know she was there.
"It's Ginny, Ma'am. There's a man outside asking for… Ms. Granger." Everything went still on the other side of the closed door. There hadn't been much noise before, but now it was as if time had stopped.
The door swung open slowly. "And who, may I ask, is it?" A single brown eye stared cautiously through the crack opening.
"That, Ma'am, is something you'll have to see for yourself." There was a staring match, as if Mrs. Granger were sizing Ginny up. Normally, someone asking for Hermione wouldn't be such a big ordeal, but the mere fact that Ginny had told the Woman of the household before the Man- meant a lot. And, another thing- she hadn't used Hermione's first name.
Finally, with surprising speed, and stealth, Mrs. Granger swung the door open all the way, and brushed past Ginny. She sped her way down the hall, trying hard not to run, but still moving at an incredible rate. Ginny rushed to keep up. What will she do? Surely she wont send him away immediately. Oh, I hope I sent for the right person.
Ginny was back now, to wringing her hands. She said a silent prayer along with a side note of gratitude. Ever since she'd heard about Hermione's disappearance, she had been staying with the Grangers, hoping together to learn more. It had been a tough couple of weeks, waiting for more updates from Harry and Ron. And, aside from that, she had been away fro0m her husband for a while.
Him being a former pirate, whereas Hermione had been captured by his old crew- well, she didn't think the Grangers would be too enthusiastic to welcome him into their household.
And, if she hadn't been there, and happened to answer the door when that man came by… It went without saying, he'd probably be dead already. Mr. Granger was on a rampage to find his daughter and kill whoever had taken her from him.
Ginny's frown deepened. What could he possibly want with Hermione? Why is he here? Why now?
Mrs. Grange turned another corner, and the front door came into view. She tore it open and stepped outside, head swiveling to find the man who had raised such an alarm in Ginny.
"Err… hello?" His voice came out of a shadow, startling both women. Slowly he steeped into the sunlight, and Ginny caught her breath. He was handsome- surely, but it was the desperate look in his eyes that held her. It was longing and lonely, and it burned with an unimaginable amount of hope. But hope for what? Hermione? Why?
"You… you're…" Mrs. Granger looked the man up and down, disbelief clear in her eyes.
"I'm Draco Malfoy, Ma'am. And, I'm here for Hermione."
Monday, June 8 -Hermione –The Gryffindor
She was dreaming. She could feel it the way you would a ghost. Cold, otherworldly, and with a full layering of fright.
Colors swiveled in the air around her. They made random images in her mind. They churned like a rainbow in a mixing pot. First two lions, then a sword, then a cloud, and now a book. The books pages flipped opened, and blew along an invisible wind to become a paper boat. That boat traveled on creamy blue waves, only to soar into an eagle. Its wings flapped powerfully, until it fell into darkness.
She couldn't make sense of what she was seeing. She couldn't put a name to the emotions flooding her. And, before she knew it, she was screaming something. But, she didn't mean to scream. Her mouth opened involuntarily, as if it wasn't hers anymore. She brought a hand up to feel it, and was rewarded only with her lips- continuing to flap open and closed.
But, she couldn't hear what she was yelling. Neither could she feel her throat vibrate with sound.
And then, the colors reformed and became a serpent. A rainbow serpent that shifted in the chasm of blackness around her. It hissed and twisted around itself. And, then. It flew straight at her. Straight into her opening mouth. And, suddenly, she couldn't breathe.
Her heart pounded wildly, and she could feel the serpent-thing pour through her veins. But- it wasn't terrible. It wasn't unbearable. Instead of pain, she felt a strange warmth spread through her, where she hadn't even known she was cold. Her alien mouth quirked itself into a smile, and the blackness around her morphed.
It was as if she could see it for the first time. There were stars. There were moons. It was the night sky- no longer an unknown black shroud. She giggled, and she could feel the sound. She could hear the sound. And, she knew- she hadn't heard such a thing in so long.
Hermione spun in a circle. She knew this was a dream, but it was as if it didn't matter. She felt free, open. Her heart was filled with that strange warmth. But, as all things, it didn't last.
In the sky of twinkling lights, a black hole formed. It sucked in stars, moons. And, it threatened to take her with it. The winds tore at her, and her body went cold- almost numb.
It wasn't until she tried to scream that she knew the serpent had gone. It was pulled out through her chest, writhing in torment as the black hole closed behind it. Closed- taking all hope, light, and love with it.
But, worse than the feeling of sudden loneliness that engulfed her- was the guilt. She had let the serpent speed away. She had watched it go. She might as well have pushed it away herself. She hadn't fought to keep it, and now it was gone- lost in a world she didn't know how to find.
Hermione curled up in a ball, and ignored all thought, all reason. She didn't bother to see the tiny pricks of light- the lions, the eagle. She ignored them as they prodded at her to wake up, as they tried to whisper happy things in her ears. She didn't want to hear it. She just wanted to curl up and die.
Hermione barely noticed as the dream turned to reality. She was still curled up in a frightened ball, trying to will the world away. Only, now, the two lions weren't there to help her- they were preparing to dock the ship. And, the eagle. She doubted she'd see that part of her ever again. She was lost, now that her serpent, her Draco, was swallowed by the cruel black hole of life.
Saturday, June 6 -Ginny –Granger Household
There was a long silence in which Ginny worried that Mrs. Granger would faint from shock. Then, that shock turned to a bitter hatred. Her voice took on a cold edge. She had not forgotten what this man had done to her daughter. But the main question on her mind was- If this man had captured Hermione, then why was he looking for her? She hadn't come back yet, so where could she be?
"Come to the back, boy, I won't have the whole neighborhood see a traitor standing at my doorstep."
Ginny watched as Draco winced at the rude 'boy' that plunged like a sword through the air. But, inside, she was merely glad the woman was giving him a chance, before turning him into the authorities.
All three of them went out to the back gardens, and the servants were dismissed. They were forced to swear on their lives that they would not breathe a word of their visitor to Mr. Granger. All of them left solemly holding their right hand over their hearts and repeating words of loyalty.
For another five minutes there was silence outside, as Mrs. Granger scanned the windows of the house, positioning them with as much cover as possible. Finaly, a small bench was chosen, in the shade of a low-branched apple tree. They sat down.
"Mrs. Gr-" Draco attempted to explain himself, but was cut off immediately by a red faced, but relatively calm, Mrs. Granger.
"No, boy. I will be doing the talking here. I will ask the questions, and you will answer. Only then will you be aloud to speak freely. Agreed?"
There was a short stare-down in which the woman won. The woman always wins, but that was beside the point. Mrs. Granger gathered herself to ask the question she had been waiting desperately for an answer to.
"Where is my daughter?"
Saturday, June 6 -Draco –Granger Household
He was taken aback by her words, 'Where is my daughter?'. Well, she should be here, shouldn't she? I mean, where else could she be? He'd been sure to put on as much speed as possible, and gotten here as fast as his sails would take him. But now he finds that she's not even here?
"But… but, Ma'am, she should be here with you, shouldn't she? Hermione was restored to… the Gryffindor, less than a week ago. She-"
Wait! Draco thought. But.. O lord. Maybe I got here a little TOO fast. Maybe we beat her here. We hadn't bothered to make port on the way, and maybe they just haven't made this far yet.
He hung his head, and could see both women boring holes into his head with their frustrated stares. "It seems," he began, managing to hold his curses back. "that we beat the Gryffindor here. Hermione, Harry and their crew should be here within the next few days…"
Inside his heart broke. He wouldn't be able to see her then. At least not yet. He had been so ready, too!. He needed just one more chance to look upon her face. And, now he would have to wait again. How could the world be so bitterly unfair?
"On your very soul you had better be telling the truth." Her eyes pierced through him. Draco was a tough pirate. He had endured many things, but the wrath of this particular woman made him gulp in anxiety.
"I swear I'm telling the truth." He stood up, the weight of disappointment falling heavily on his shoulders. "I'll be back in a couple of days, then. Thanks for seeing me." Draco turned to go, but didn't make it far. Mrs. Grangers steely voice stopped him cold.
"I'm not done, so you can just sit back down." He did. "Now, I know exactly who you are and what you do. I know that you kidnapped my daughter, but I don't know why or what happened there. And, you're not leaving this house until I do." Pause. "Do you understand?"
Draco obediently nodded, but his pride was beginning to take a beating. "Where, then, do you want me to start?"
"At the beginning. Why did you kidnap her?"
Draco slumped on the bench. This would be a long story, and a hard one to get through. And, looking into the two women's eyes, he knew he wouldn't escape from telling it. Taking a deep breathe, and exhaling a long sigh, he began, "Well, I guess it wasn't really my doing. The fact that she was kidnapped, I mean. My crew had decided…"
The story did take a long time to tell, but his audience was good to him. They hung on to his every word. They never interrupted, and found themselves believing him. It was strange, but when they looked into his eyes as he talked, they saw the only proof they knew they needed. From when Hermione fought off Pansy, to when Draco kissed her. They believed all of it, without a doubt.
The sun climbed higher in the sky until it was directly overhead. But still he pushed on. And, as the end came in sight, and he wrapped up with explaining what had brought him here, both woman were clutching their hearts, caught up in the romance of it. Even Mrs. Granger had softened.
Draco sighed, having finally finished it all. "So, will you let me see her? I… I have to see her again. Just once, and if she rejects me, I'll never bother any of you again."
Ginny smiled, and placed a kind hand on his shoulder. "As her very best friend, I'll certainly allow it." They both turned anxiously to Mrs. Granger. The woman seemed to be thinking it over. Whether he was a nice man, or an honest one, he was still a pirate. And, as a mother, that was a hard thing for her to look over.
But nevertheless, she nodded.
"Thank you. Both of you" All three of them stared ahead, sitting by each other on the bench. They looked up at the sky, at the clouds, at the beauty of life.
They were all focused on that direction as the shadows around them thickened. Draco noticed it first, and went stiff as a forceful baritone spoke. "Draco Malfoy, you are under arrest on the charges of piracy and kidnapping. Please come with us." Draco's head swiveled, and he threw a cold, blue gaze on them. Slowly, he stood to face them, and the two women followed suit.
Five men in matching blue uniforms followed his every movement with keen eyes, and had a hand placed carefully over the hilt of their swords. Another man stood with them. And, by the enraged expression on his face, Draco guessed it to be the Man of the house- Mr. Granger.
"No! You can't arrest him. He means no harm here." Cried Ginny. Mrs. Granger didn't speak, but was waging a silent war with her husband.
"I'm, sorry miss, but he's still coming with us." The man in front advanced, but found that the bench was between them. Light glanced off his shoulders, showing him to be a ranking lieutenant. Draco's mind worked quickly. He couldn't be caught. Not now. But without his sword, he was not only defenseless, but outnumbered. If he could only take one of theirs from them. A rough idea formed in his mind.
"Ok, I'll go quietly." He took a step up onto the bench, then rested his other foot on its back rest. Before jumping over, he paused, collecting himself.
And, then he was on the other side. But, pretending to trip, he rammed into the lieutenant, nearly knocking him to the ground. With that man between him and the others, he reached for the sword in the man's belt. Taking a firm hold, he pulled it out, and using the hilt, knocked the befuddled lieutenant over the head. He fell unconscious, and all eyes fell on Draco.
"Don't do this. Just come with us. You don't have to make this difficult." Called another officer.
"Oh yes, I do" Draco took up a fighting stance as all but the officers moved safely away. "You have no idea."
With that, he charged, parrying one of the swords coming to him, then shoving the man down. He didn't want to kill any of them. They were just doing their jobs.
Another sword threatened to tear across his throat, but leaning back, it was avoided. He kicked the hand that wielded it, and metal clanged on the floor as it fell. The four men advanced on him, having the mere advantage of numbers. Soon his back was pressed hard against the bench. These men are well-trained fighters, he thought as a sharp edge pierced his skin. I'll have to run if I want get out of here in one piece.
One man lunged full fore towards him, blade outstretched, but Draco managed to avoid it. As the missed blow sent the man flying forward, Draco grabbed him by his shoulders and placed him in front, as a human shield. The officers backed off slightly, unsure.
He used that to his advantage, and flung the man forward, knocking down the others. Draco did a flip through the air, over their fallen bodies, and cleared the tangle by only a few inches.
Without turning back to see whether they were up again, Draco headed out the garden gate, and back into the street. Soon, footsteps were heard behind him. Draco turned a corner, then another, in hopes that he would loose them. But, soon he was lost again. Those men knew these streets well. But he had no idea where he was going.
"Down here! This way! Don't loose him!" Their voices were close, too close.
Draco tuned another corner, and saw a fist coming straight for his head. He was going too fast, and couldn't stop. The fist knocked him backwards, and everything went black.
Owwwwwwwww. His head was on fire. It was splitting apart. It hurt. Draco opened his eyes, and saw nothing. Great, I'm dead. But there were voices, and the pain was too real. He wasn't dead.
Draco blinked and saw there were shadows in the darkness. Turning his head, he realized he was on the floor in a dark room. Slowly, and carefully, he sat up, holding his forehead against the pain. He could feel an unforgiving bruise forming there. Damn.
"So, how does it feel?"
Draco froze. He knew that voice. He knew it well, but… he couldn't place it. The very sound of it inspired a kind of fear and fury beyond any he had felt before. Who-?
"How does it feel to be thrown in a pitiless dank hole, with no way out? How does it feel… son?"
Draco's eyes widened. He stared across the iron bars to cell beside him. He looked straight into the eyes of… his father.
A/N: Oooooo, cliffhanger? Sorry, but I couldn't resist.
Just one thing to say, and that is- PLEASE REVIEW!
I only have a few chapters left, and I want all the reviews I can get. Yes, I AM being greedy, and I'm sorry. But, the reviews you give me can be advice, comments, or suggestions. DON'T be afraid to tell em ANYTHING. I'm open to any ideas, or requests, and I like it also if you just want to say 'hi good job', or even 'hi, i didn't like it'.
PLEASE! -tear tear tear- please?
Tastetherain
