Chapter 26- What if I win?

Draco couldn't sleep he lay there, his beautiful witch cradled to his chest, wondering if they would live to do this again. He looked towards the large French windows that led out to the balcony outside his room and watched as the sky turned pale lavender heralding the coming of the dawn. If he could he would stay in this room forever but he knew that the wards he had raised to protect them would eventually be broken and they would come for both of them. Still he would let her sleep as long as he could hoping that she would be alert enough to defeat Bellatrix. He knew that he would defend her with his life if he had to.

Draco sighed feeling like a condemned man he watched the sunlight creeping across the carpet as it rose higher in the sky. As quietly as he could he called his personal house elf to bring them breakfast knowing that in all likelihood neither of them would be able to eat it. His was snapped out of his reverie as he heard Hermione begin to stir. Semi- conscious she reached for the space where he had lain next to her and, finding the space empty, she opened her eyes in alarm that he was not there. It was so endearing.

"Draco?" she questioned. He didn't answer preferring instead to move back towards her and take her once more into his arms. Doing so finally broke him, Draco cried huge glistening tears dripped from the end of his nose as he realised that they might not have any future together. All he could do was tighten his hold on her once more; please Merlin, he begged silently, keep her safe. For once it was a selfless request because, although he knew he could not live without her, he would lay down his life today if it came to it.

Hermione knew he was weeping but she wanted to save his pride so she said nothing. They were so young and had so little time together and she knew their time might be at an end. Damn it Hermione, she told herself, you can do this you will triumph-but what then? She suddenly considered. What was it that Voldemort had said? 'If you are victorious you will take Bella's place.' What did that mean? Would she be required to take the mark? Would she be required to take a life? Despair washed over the muggle-born witch. She was caught between a rock and a hard place as the saying went. What were her choices? Lose her life and condemn those she loved or lose her eternal soul?

"Draco," she began turning towards her husband and lover, "What if I win?"

Draco looked at his little witch stunned how had they not have considered this? It was not just that she might need to kill Bellatrix but she might need to be recruited into the ranks of the Death Eaters.

"I'm so sorry," he told her acknowledging what they both now realised was the stark choice before them. "I feel so helpless. I should be able to protect my wife yet there is nothing I can think of to do, other than die in your place, which might save you."

"YOU WILL NOT DIE IN MY PLACE DRACO MALFOY," she told him emphatically, "promise me," she continued her tone more gentle, "promise me you will not do anything foolish, promise."

Draco sighed, he would not promise but he tried to placate her;

"I won't do anything foolish," he told her, it was a Slytherin answer if ever he had given one because he did not think it foolish to save her life.

The sun was fully up now, Draco knew that someone would come to get them soon. When the Dark Lord appeared he would not wait long for his entertainment. It wasn't long before he felt the door shake someone was attempting to break through his protective spells.

"It's time," he told Hermione in a subdued tone. He couldn't wish her luck, he couldn't say a word he knew it would choke him. He watched as Hermione dressed her hands shaking slightly as she buttoned up her shirt. There was slight bruising on her face from contact with the bed post and bite marks on her neck. This was all that was visible from their tryst. Draco knew his own lip was swollen and there was a bite mark on his own neck it would have to be enough to suggest some measure of the expected violence.

"I'm ready," she told him. He nodded as he moved towards the door. Hermione walked out before him trailing a hand behind her. Draco caught it clinging to her fingertips until the very last moment as she passed out of his protection into what could only be described as battle.

The room was dark, almost no light fell on the assembled and masked Death Eaters who formed a tight circle within what must have been the Malfoy's ballroom. Faces were hidden in the shadow of deep cowl hoods, Hermione could not have known friend from foe even if there were a friend amongst them. They parted slightly to allow her and Draco to pass to the centre of the room.

"Good morning Draco," the Dark Lord greeted, "I trust you fully enjoyed my little gift?"

"My Lord," Draco acknowledged with a deep bow. Voldemort paused a moment as if something about the young Slytherin disturbed him but, seemingly dismissing it, he continued with proceedings.

"Well to business, Bellatrix," he paused waiting for the older witch to step forward.

Removing her mask and hood Bellatrix stepped forward from the ranks that closed to fill her space.

"Shall we remind ourselves of the rules," Voldemort stated like some master of ceremonies. Hermione was surprised to hear there were rules. "No one interferes, not even you," he stated moving faster than should have been possible to circle Draco and raise his wand to the young wizard's throat. "Your tender thoughts betray you Draco," he chastised, "I will deal with you later," skeins of rope erupted from his wand, there was a gasp from somewhere amongst the assembled crowd as Draco was bound and gagged before being unceremoniously dumped on the floor.

Fool, Draco cursed to himself; his Godfather would be so disappointed that he had so easily allowed his thoughts to betray him. There was now nothing he could do to help her, nothing.

Hermione felt her ire gather at Draco's treatment, she felt her anger against Voldemort grow and it pulsed through her. Her magic began to sizzle. Like static before a thunder storm she could feel it gathering about her. You will not harm him, she told them all silently her power quietly mounting to a magnitude beyond what she realised she was capable of. The blood magic that linked her to Draco and all the ancestral Malfoys rose up in defence of one of its own.

If anyone else saw it they showed no sign but Draco was in awe. Sparks crackled from the ends of Hermione's hair. He could feel her calling the Malfoy magic to her. The magic throbbed in the air. Bellatrix suddenly looked a little less confident as Voldemort called;

"Begin."

Author's note

A few more chapters yet but we are approaching the point in the prologue where the story began. hope you are enjoying it-please review if you are.