A Deadly Gift of the Damned

Darkness. Silence. Deafening silence. She walked forward, arms outstretched, fear in her mind—in her heart. It was too quiet. Too unsettling. Where was the light at the end of the tunnel she had always heard about? Where was the salvation? Not present. Not there. This wasn't right. There was something too familiar about it. Too eerie.

Then there was a scream. A piercing scream. It was so close—so near—the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. A cold hand gripped her arm. Another, grasping her face firmly. She was jerked to the right, where frozen breath brushed over her ear. A whisper. The words completely unheard, but their meaning utterly understood. "I am in control." It said. "I have the power." A shock of ice cold fear ran down her spine. "You'll never succeed. This world is mine…"

Hermione woke up screaming. Iced sweat covered her body from head to toe. Beside her stood Draco, his eyes wide with worry. Her small hand was in his, the palm faced upwards with his lips lightly skimming over it. She looked over and nearly screamed again. She could feel her heart beat in her temples, stoking a headache like no other. She breathed deeply, and wrapped her hands around his broad shoulders where she buried her head and started to cry.

Draco held her against his bare chest. He knew what she was going through. She was being tormented by the ancient spirit within her. The goddess was deep in her mind with no where to go. No where to surface and breathe the air of reality. Dreams were as close as it could get. And Hermione had been given this deadly gift of the damned whether she wanted it or not. Even if she didn't wanted to own up to the responsibility that came with the title. The name. The holy descendent of Zeus. The Enchantress.

She was the future. She was the past. She was a queen—a leader. The only one who could defend the realm of Earth. So every little torturous moment had to be endured. He wasn't to interfere. He wasn't even supposed to comfort her. She had to come to the realization herself. She needed to find the truth. Despite how much he cared for her—how much he loved her—he was helpless with her in his arms. He had to resist his urge to tell her everything.

"Draco…Oh, Draco. I'm so scared," she sobbed into his shoulder. He didn't know how long they sat there; how long she cried; how long the rain outside pounded against the cabin. But eventually she fell into a dreamless sleep. He laid her back in bed and tucked her in. He kissed her lightly on each cheek, and then on her forehead.

"In due time, darling, " he whispered softly. "In due time. You will understand why you must go through every horrible pain that arises alone. But as a gift to you, I give you a blessing." He touched two fingers to his temple, then to his lips. "May the gods be with you and your troubled mind. And also shall I." He placed the two fingers to her lips and smiled. "Dasha Leora Aleka Melinda Stacia (A/N: It's long, I know but it has to be), once known as Hermione Granger, I give you my heart. Keep it with you for I shall always seek it." Draco leaned forward and stared at her beautiful face. "I seal my blessing with a kiss that will forever be yours."

With that his lips met hers. Gentle. Delicate. A light blossomed between them a vibrant red, then faded as he pulled away. "Good night my angel, sleep well."­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Hermione stared at his placid face. He had once been so mean—so completely self absorbed. How could someone change so much? Yesterday had been amazing. Sure, they hadn't done anything that she could brag to Natalie about, but she had had so much fun it didn't really matter. They had wrestled in the pool, had a picnic on the beach, and even went snorkeling. However, for the majority of the day they had talked. Their conversation lasted for hours into the early morning. The only reason they had stopped was because Draco's eyelids had become increasingly heavy and his words were slurred. Hermione had been in such awe of how deep Draco really was. He had a thought about everything and for each thought, a story to tell. Some of them were a little…risqué but never-the-less interesting. There was just something about him that intrigued her.

Draco's eyes fluttered and opened. He stared directly into her own and smirked. "What? Couldn't stay away?" Hermione tried to look annoyed at his comment but failed miserably. He just laughed and sat up. "Nice attempt." Hermione grumbled but smiled despite of herself.

He rose from the bed and stretched. Hermione, seizing the moment, launched onto his back and held fast. Draco let out a yelp of surprise and spun around landing stomach down on the bed with her on top of him. "Are you try to scare the shit out of me!"

Hermione grinned and rolled him over so she now sat on his stomach. He looked up at her and his eyes began to change. Little ocean blue specks flicked across them. Hermione tilted her head to the side. "What does that mean?"

Draco crinkled his nose in stupor. "What does what mean?"

"Your grey-blue eyes." Hermione's grin twisted into a smug look as she slid down his body. She squeezed herself against him so she could feel everything beneath his soft green and black boxers. He let out a gasp. "I know what the blue means. But the grey…" She kissed his chest lightly. His muscles tensed at her touch. "…I'm not so sure about." Draco stared into her eyes. Could he tell her? Could he really say that it meant love? No, he couldn't. Maybe later. But not now. Not yet. She had too much going on to deal with that.

"Well, that's for me to know." He sat up and pulled each of her legs around him. "And you to find out." He skimmed his lips over hers and they slightly parted asking for him to kiss her. He let out a hot breath and she sighed. "Have I told you how sexy you look in those pajamas? If I could call them that…" He ran his fingertips over her bare thighs bringing goose bumps to her skin. She was wearing almost non existent silk shorts and a skimpy, see-through top that exposed everything except her breasts. "But they'd look even sexier strewn across my floor."

Hermione leaned forwards attacking his lips. Something about him today was so irresistible. Maybe it was the way his eyes stared so hungrily into hers. Or the way his fingers sent chills through her body. Or maybe even the untamed, blonde locks that hung around his handsome face. But now matter what it was, she wanted him.

Her kiss shot through him like bolts of lightning. He flipped her over so she was under him—so he could be in control. He placed a kiss gently on her cheek; then her shoulder. He pulled down each thin strap of her top while he trailed kisses down her neck. "Malfoy?" He tensed. She still called him by his last name. It hurt, but he had never made any acknowledgement towards her first name.

"Ya?" He looked down at her and saw a humorous smile on her face.

"If you don't hurry someone might show up again." She laughed lightly and he smirked.

"Let them try to stop me."

POP! Draco froze. He knew that sound. Someone was in the house. Aparating. He hated that word. "Mr. Malfoy? Miss Erasmus?" A stern voice echoed through the house. Both of them recognized the person immediately. "It's Evette dragon boy, now get your ass out here."

Draco looked at Hermione with hopelessness. She sighed and got up. She pulled on a pair of his sweatpants and said, "I think Merlin doesn't want us to have sex." She let out a laugh and walked into the living to greet the prissy bitch that she hated so much with a smile.

Draco frowned and ran a hand through his hair. "It's more like the gods don't want us to."

"She's suffering Selena! Please, you know how I feel about her. You know how much it hurts for me to see her go through this! How can I not comfort her?" Draco was so frustrated. Evette had sent him to stay with Selena until that night when Hermione was to meet her mother for the first time. Selena was like a mom to him, but at this very second he wanted to nothing else but scream and complain at her. "How can you make me sit by knowing that there is something that can calm her unsettled mind? Don't you love her! Don't you give a damn!"

Selena's face did not change. She didn't even flinch at his harsh words. She just turned her head towards him. Draco's frown deepened. "I just feel so alone."

Selena reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "Draco, I know I may not be the easiest person to understand. I've been married to my husband 23 years and he has yet to put a method to my madness. But it is a part of my being and my nature. I am sorry that you have to see her suffer but I'm not sorry about the position you are in." She removed her hand and walked over to her desk. A marble slate sat upon it with ancient markings engraved in gold. She drew her fingers across the symbols and sighed. "You were born to train her and protect her. The gods have chosen you and only you. No one else can follow your footsteps. You and Hermione both. If you want to think of it as being alone you can. But if you stand alone weakness will overcome you. If you two stand together, you will be invincible."

She turned and stared directly into his dark brown eyes. "Don't be afraid young Draco. Love is the strongest bond you can have. Never hold back with her. Never give up. At times she will scare you, but don't run away. She needs you more than you'll ever know."

"Are you sure I look okay? It's not too much?" Hermione played with her amazingly calm curls. She glanced out the tinted window of the limousine and sighed nervously.

"You look fine. Calm down." Draco patted her gently on the knee. Normally he'd say something more along the lines of "You look fucking sexy, but you'd look even better naked, on my bed, and screaming my name" but his mind was somewhere else. He felt…Damnit, he didn't know how he felt. Selena's words had left him confused and troubled. He needed the night to think but there was no time for that. Somehow he had to get by tonight smiling and looking like he was having a good time. Or at least as good as Hermione made the evening. She was a very strong-minded woman and tonight's little confrontation was making him uneasy.

"Hello? Are you even listening to me?" Hermione's hand waved in front of his face.

"Huh?" Draco looked towards her. "Oh, you were talking?" Hermione growled and leaned back in her seat, arms crossed over her chest and a pout set to her lips. Draco smiled. She looked so cute like that he couldn't help it.

She glared at him with a mix of anger, frustration, and panic. "What are you smiling at?"

"How absolutely amazing you look." Hermione's face turned a light pink and she smiled lightly at him. She couldn't believe how sweet he seemed right now. He wasn't being sexual at all. Though part of her missed it, another part adored it. What was up with him? It almost seemed as if he liked her.

Hermione felt the car stop and the driver leave his seat. She turned towards Draco with frightened eyes as the little bit of courage she had possessed disappeared. "I can't do this. I can't do this."

He grabbed her hand gently and entwined his fingers with hers. He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her cheek and smiled. "Yes you can."

Hermione's fears disappeared completely. He was just so genuinely kind she couldn't help but be in awe. Just his smile convinced her. Draco seemed so sure of her that all she could do was join him as he climbed out of the car. His hand never left hers as they entered the building and glided into the main hall. Two grand oak doors stood before the two, but she never noticed them. She didn't notice them swing open, or feel the hundreds of eyes on her. Judging her. Studying her. All she saw was Draco. All she heard was her heart beat grow louder every time her hazel eyes met his grey ones. All she smelt was his vanilla musk cologne. All she felt was love. But all good things end eventually and sadly for Hermione it was sooner than she had hoped.

He stopped at the bottom of a grand staircase and smiled gently. She smiled back. "Are you ready?" Hermione frowned. Then reality came back to her. As her eyes swept the room her legs grew weak. Her grip on Draco's hand tightened and her breathing stopped.

"There are so many people and they are all staring at us." Draco glanced over at her shook his head.

"Not us, you." Hermione's eyes grew wide. "I'm not the newly discovered heir to the Erasmus's fortune. I'm not the daughter of the most powerful witch in the world. You are. It's all you." Draco looked up the staircase and then back at Hermione. "Here she comes."

Hermione looked up and saw her enter. Selena's honey brown hair was done up neatly with little tendrils of curls hanging down around her neck. She was wearing a white dress that hugged her waist and then fanned out down towards the floor creating a perfect half circle. She walked down the stairs slowly, taking each step with a grace that Hermione could never even imagine possessing. Anger began to develop within her and something in the back of her head told her to start yelling. Their eyes locked and almost immediately words began to slide over her mind.

"Don't believe that voice in your mind, Hermione. It plays tricks on you. I'm here for good. I bring no hard feelings. Nor do I bring regret. Only a hidden love for my first born child. I don't seek it from you, but I do wish for you to understand. Not now, but in time you will."

Hermione was dazed and puzzled. She was just so…kind. Something about her set a peace over her anger and she just smiled. As Selena reached the bottom of the stairs she looked towards Hermione and stuck out her hand. "Come now. It's time to show the wizarding word my beautiful daughter." Hermione didn't even hesitate. She took her hand and they walked into the mass of people leaving Draco at the base of the stairs a little stunned. Sure he knew Selena had an amazing affect on people, but this was way too bizarre.

Hermione stared at Selena as she glided through the crowd. She greeted almost everyone and seemed to actually care about them. Her personality was happy and laughter filled but Hermione could tell there was something else hidden beneath each smile—each laugh. She was holding back. Hermione wasn't sure exactly what, but she was going to find out.

As the crowd grew thinner, so did Hermione's patience. She wanted to—needed to talk to Selena. Not only that, but she missed Draco terribly. Sure, she knew that he was just there for support but his hand just felt so comforting in hers that it really didn't matter.

Twenty minutes passed and Hermione spotted Draco off in the distance. He was standing under a red and gold painted door way and didn't seem too interested in the situation around him. His arms were crossed over his muscular chest and his back was leaned against the wall. She tried to get his attention by waving but all it seemed to do was draw more eyes to her and make her feel more embarrassed.

She had given up until she felt another light nudge in the back her conscience. Though startled, this time she tried to capture it instead of letting it control her. It was fast but she was faster. She caught the end of it and flung it from herself towards Draco in a long wiry thread. It reached him and lightly coiled around his wrist. With her mind she tugged back gently moving her head along with it. Draco's head turned towards her immediately and his eyes widened. He quickly began to head towards her through the crowd. Within seconds he reached her, but did not take her hand as quickly as she had hoped.

He stood before Selena and smiled genuinely. "Draco darling, what brings you into the ballroom tonight?" Draco winked out of the corner of his eye at Hermione who discretely licked her lips back.

"I would very much like to dance with Miss Erasmus, if you please." He reached his hand out towards Hermione's, captured it and brought it to his lips. Hermione blushed and Selena smiled.

"Go right ahead my dear." She turned away and continued to talk. Draco slipped his hand around Hermione's waste and pulled her close to him. Hermione smirked as his hand began to slip down to her ass. Draco was back but before he could go much further than her lower back Selena's voice was heard over the noise. "Watch you hand child. Just because she is almost of age, doesn't mean I won't protect her from men like you." Draco laughed lightly and led her to the center of the floor where he spun her around in circle. He glanced towards to the orchestra and nodded. The song ended and a slow one began.

Draco stared into her eyes and cocked an eyebrow. "Do you know the waltz, Mademoiselle?" Hermione giggled.

"No, Monsieur, I don't believe I do. Do you plan to teach me?" Draco pulled her towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder. Capturing the other one with his own he smirked.

"Maybe. We'll find out, won't we?" Hermione couldn't believe what was going on. She was at a beautiful ball, in a gorgeous dress, with the one and only Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin prince and sex god, who was flirting the hell out of her. What a way to start over. "Just follow me. Let me lead."

He led her to the left and spun her gracefully. Each of their steps were together and synchronized creating an amazingly beautiful harmony. People stopped and stared. The lights dimmed and a spot light was sent down on them. Neither of them noticed however. They were in their own world. Together they skimmed across the floor, hand in hand, hazel eyes with grey ones. They moved in spirals that no one could follow but them. The song ended and he leaned her back into a dip. When he pulled her back up everyone began to applaud.

"Bow, they're clapping for you." Draco bowed, and smirked at Hermione. Despite being embarrassed she curtsied and tried to keep a calm smile on her face. Just as she did, the spot light caught on a certain little jewel on her left ring finger and sprayed the entire audience with flicks of colored light. Scattered gasps ensued through the crowd. Draco looked up and frowned. "Hermione, I think you should head to bed. It's getting late and you'll need your rest for tomorrow." He glanced at Selena and tried to pull her off the dance floor.

Hermione frowned and looked around. A hush had taken over as whispers made their way towards Selena. In under a minute Draco and Hermione saw Mrs. Erasmus go rigged and slowly turn around. Her eyes were dark and fierce, despite the placidness of her face. She hastened toward the two and announced to the entire crowd, "Well, I believe that is enough excitement for the evening. Have a good night, and farewell to you all." Her hands pressed on Hermione and Draco's back harshly as she pushed them towards the exit. "Follow me" was all she said before she led them out the oak doors, down a marble corridor, and into a magnificently beautiful room.

Selena turned towards them. Hermione could feel anger radiating from her body. But unlike she suspected it wasn't aimed towards her person. It was directed towards the man standing beside her. "May I have a word with you?" Her voice was harsh. Hermione couldn't believe this woman was the one she had been with several minutes ago. She seemed too tense. Something seriously must have gone wrong.

"Are you sure you want to do this here?" Draco eyed towards Hermione. Selena looked towards her, and then back at him.

"She needs to hear this just as much as you do." She turned towards Hermione. "I think you should sit down dear." Hermione walked over to the black leather sofa in the center of the room but did not sit. She was a little too out of sorts to do so.

Selena walked up to Draco and grabbed him roughly by the ear. She dragged him over to a chair across from Hermione and pushed him down onto it. "What have you done Draco? Why does she have a wedding ring on her finger?" Draco let out a sigh.

"Is that what you're so upset about? It's nothing but a way to get Hermione out of an undesirable situation with her ex-boyfriend." Selena didn't appear satisfied.

"You don't know the severity of what you've done, do you? Haven't I read you those scrolls? Tserz and Ijahey?" Hermione was beyond out of sorts by now. She was more along the lines of uncomfortable, unhappy, and completely confused. Those words sounded too much like the ones that had so often been in her wildest dreams.

"Not yet. You decided to tell her a month before we had planned! I didn't have time to get to them." Draco was extremely frustrated. He was trying to figure out what he was missing in all of this. What didn't he know about the ancient scrolls that could be so important? He hadn't seen Selena this upset before.

"We had to do this! Her birthday is in December! It's already October 1st, and she hasn't begun her training. We can't just let her be renewed when she knows nothing about the Gsai of Kosmo!" Selena crinkled her forward and put her hands over her face. "But that is not the point here. What I'm trying to tell you, is that Tserz and Ijahey talk about wedding rituals. They specifically mention about her…" She looked towards Hermione uneasily. "…predicament. You felt what she did out there! She hasn't even gone through the kiju yet! And because of that there are certain guidelines that come into play that Zeus himself would see to if he could."

"Selena, just say what you brought us hear to say." He stood up and looked her directly in the eyes. Hermione just stared in utter disarray. What could be worse than not knowing anything about herself? Selena took in a deep breath and sighed. After glancing over at Hermione once more she looked back at Draco.

"By ancient code of King Zeus and ancient scrolls of Queen Hera, the chosen protector of their hands, and the chosen queen of Kosmo, is to be married on the last night of her celebration renewal ceremony."

Draco flinched. "So she has to find a husband in two months?"

Selena caressed her temples and sighed again. "Once she enters an uhior, or engagement in the last six months of her first life, she is there on bound to it."

Hermione stopped breathing. "So that means…" Her eyes widened. Draco's body grew stiff and his eyes went dark brown.

"On the eve of the last day in your ceremony, you will be married…to Draco."

"Shit."