Pawn | Write about a character being manipulated.
For: Zivandre
Voldemort/Hermione
Romance/Horror
Notes: Historical!AU Arranged Marriage!AU Muggle!AU. In other words, this is a non-magic, fic bitches. Buckle up and Prepare for ENJOYMENT. MWUAHAHAHHAHAHAAA!
Beta'd By: Emy, Jas
Word Count:
"But if I know you, I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once
The way you did once upon a dream"
Once Upon A Dream- Lana Del Rey
i.
Hermione sighed as reclined in her chair, eyes locked onto the chessboard in front of her. She only had a knight, six pawns, her king, and a bishop left.
"You're almost out of moves, Princess," her opponent hissed, drawing the words out as though he was tasting them, He moved a rook to take out her knight and leaned forward to rest his elbows on the edge of the table before cocking his head to the side mockingly. "How can you expect to be a Queen by my side, when you can barely keep up with me in a game of chess?"
"Sometimes, my Lord, you have to make sacrifices," Hermione smirked as she moved her pawn one space down, reaching the edge of the board, "in order to gain an advantage that blinds your enemy."
Her pawn was now a queen, and she had cornered his king with her bishop and her new piece.
"Checkmate."
ii.
"Hermione Granger, Princess of France!" the page shouted her name out into the room of dancing people, and the brunette scoffed under her breath as everyone turned to look at her. She knew that most people had no clue who she was — but the word 'Princess' had gotten their attention. Her dress caressed the stairs as she made her way down to the ballroom floor, eyes scanning the crowd for the man she was to meet tonight. A speck of black weaving his way through the dancing puppets caught her attention, and she turned to look at it, only to be swept away into a waltz.
"Severus."
The man smirked before dipping her gently. "My Lady, your husband-to-be is over by the feast enjoying the wine of flattery."
"Well then," Hermione murmured back, looking up into her handler's eyes through her eyelashes. "I should draw him away from temptation."
He pulled her back up, and they danced their way towards the edge of the room. Other dancers moved out of their way as they passed, jaws dropping in awe and jealousy of the grace these two people were emanating.
"Has he spotted us yet?" Her back was facing the crowd, and she smiled softly as she caught the eye of a blonde man in the corner.
"He has yet to take his gaze from you. Since the moment you were announced, his eyes were locked on you." A chuckle ran through Severus' chest and Hermione let a smirk cross her lips.
"Perfect. Are you ready to enact phase two?"
The two stopped dancing when they reached the edge of the dancing herd, and Severus took a step away from her to bow over her hand, placing a delicate kiss on her first knuckle before disappearing into the crowd once more.
"Your dancing skills are quite astounding, my Lady." A voice as sweet as chocolate spoke from behind her, and it took all her willpower to not smirk.
"Lord Voldemort," Hermione turned on her heel and curtsied, making sure that her gaze never left his, "it was an honor to be invited."
iii.
"My Lord, are you sure she is the one you wish to marry?" Abraxas' brow furrowed as he asked his question, setting his wine glass down.
"You dare question your King?" Voldemort raised an eyebrow at his advisor, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I know what I'm doing Abraxas. Hermione Granger is smart enough to be a competent Queen, and weak-willed enough to bow to my lead. She is the perfect pawn. My perfect pawn."
iv.
Hermione glared down at the lace gown laid out on her bed. This was part of the plan, something that needed to be done in order to secure her place on the throne, and yet she was struggling to push past the disgust she felt.
"Why should I have to dress myself up for a man I do not love? It's undignifying." The brunette huffed before turning to her lady-in-waiting. "Luna, do I have to wear this one?"
"It's either this one, or you go naked, Your Highness." Luna giggled the words, her blue eyes dancing with merriment. "I think you'll like it. There may not be much there, but it does give you a rather… sharp look."
"Oh? I do love making a point." Hermione sighed before removing her robe and stretching out her naked arms. "Very well. Adorn me with this contraption!"
Their laughter filled the room as their shadows danced on the far wall.
v.
"Oh, Voldemort," Hermione sighed the words, leaning back against his chest as the curtains were drawn around them. She rolled her shoulder back, tilting her head to the side. A hiss escaped from his lips, and his hands immediately began to tug at her gown.
"This contraption looks perfect on you, but I'm growing tired of the jewel holders stabbing me every time I get close to you." The words were whispered against the bare skin of her shoulder, and Hermione closed her eyes.
She would survive this, and she would come out on top.
vi.
Hermione awoke to the sun on her back, and a dead man in her arms. Her screams rang through the castle, and when servants and guards busted down the door, it was to the sight of her sobbing over the corpse of her husband, duvet clutched to her naked breast.
vii.
The funeral for King Voldemort of Marvolo took place three days later. The cause of death was ruled as a brain bleed. Queen Hermione was seen laying a bouquet of white and purple roses on his casket. His tombstone read: Checkmate, my Love - my Lord.
