Chapter 20:
Three days after the full meeting, Hermione was feeling rather nauseated and had a sneaking suspicion as to what it was. She was curled up on her bed watching the rain flood down the glass windows and douse the world. Her mother had suggested she take a day off from anything and rest, citing that she was overly pale.
Hermione hadn't even had the strength to put up a fight, having been wracked with a migraine the entire night before, flashes of Draco dancing in her brain.
Now as she lay on her bed, praying the pounding would go away, Draco was joined by Pansy and neither looked very averse to their company. Hermione forced her eyes to stay open, leaking tears similar to the rain shimmying down the windows, so that she wouldn't have to see their images on her eyelids. She groaned and clutched her stomach as it heaved and wished she could simply pass out. The two were clearly doing more than talking, although she hadn't felt that piercing pain yet which would mean he was well and truly gone from her.
A few moments later, her mother came in bearing a tray of soup; Hermione caught the smell wafting through the air and promptly heaved over the side of the bed, into the trashcan she had summoned earlier. She whimpered slightly at her shocked mother and proceeded to pass out cold.
Draco felt like throwing up. He had taken Pansy out the night before to dinner and had been in her company ever since. He knew that she was one of the few with the details about security measures for the "Outing" and was determined to get them. If V can do whatever she must for this damned mission, then so the hell can I. Now he was beginning to wonder if it was worth it.
He could feel V's misery within his consciousness, had been able to feel every one of her emotions since she had said she loved him as he walked out after her 'incident.' Apparently her admitting that, had broken her wards down for him. He was not as much a fool and knew that saying that would mean death. Plus if she was really in love with him, she would never act the way she did with the Dark Lord. He got headaches every time she went to Him and he loathed seeing another's hands on her.
He turned back to Pansy who was simply lying on the bed looking at him. He forced himself not to roll his eyes and marveled at how stiff she could be, no matter how often she was taken. He had no intention of actually fucking her, but merely wanted information. Last night she had sucked him off - that being the closest he would let her get - but it had taken him almost three times as long to get hard and come as any time before. Today, he was forcing himself to contemplate touching her and getting her off. He was hoping that it would yield the information he was seeking though.
He had practically shut off all knowledge of his right and left hands and thanked Merlin for the Weasley twins' invention of invisible, non-feeling gloves which he had also placed on his hands. Pansy was moaning slightly and he could tell that she rarely got close to an orgasm with other men. He was whispering quietly, "So how does that feel Pansy? Do you like my fingers in you, giving you pleasure others could only attempt at. Is this what the Dark Lord does with you? Is that why you are in favor? Or out of it, as it were?"
Her eyes flashed and she panted, "Out of favor? Ha! I would hardly need to sell myself like that tramp Lestrange to gain his favor." Draco forced himself to ignore her comment and continued his ministrations as she wheezed, "I am one of His favorites and you know it. Not only do I never have to raid or actually see the filthy Mudbloods out there, He has entrusted me with His security measures for the 'Outing.' Oh Drakieeee that feels wonderfuuuul." She crooned and he attempted to hold back the bile in his throat.
He murmured, "The 'Outing' you say. That's not so hard. Merely a bunch of Death Eaters eating in the restaurant, right?"
She snorted and moaned as her head was flung back, "Hard … ly. He wants three troupes out … in the streets … oh gods! Then, there will … be … Merlin! … the Inner Circle in the restaurant … with four troupes patrolling … Drakieee … the last … three troupes … will be at … Headquarters with the werewolves. Yes, yes, yes, yes Drakieeeeeee." With that she slumped over in a faint and Draco rushed to the bathroom to throw up. When he came back out, Pansy was still on the bed, fast asleep. He left a quick note, saying he had a raid to attend to and flew out of the room.
He couldn't feel V any more at any level and was rather worried. He apparated to the Lestrange Manor from the Parkinson House and practically sprinted to V's room.
He had cut himself off from her, knowing that he was overly emotional about her and that he would have to do something with Pansy. He hoped that if she was already mad at him for ignoring her, perhaps Pansy wouldn't be as bad. He remembered watching her after the meeting …
(Flashback)
He regarded the sleek black dragon flying off into the sky, the slow flapping of wings belying the sadness and weariness of the inner-witch, from within the shadows of the hut.
He watched as she flew towards Hogwarts, gliding in the clear night sky. He envied her the freedom to do so. His animagus was well known and he wasn't at liberty to fly in public areas anymore. He had to stay content with the manor's lawns.
He could feel the weariness and anxiety rolling off the woman above him in waves. He had noticed even as he had insulted her earlier that her eyes were beginning to lose their luster and become somewhat harder and darker.
He knew that she was losing the fight against her inner goodness and that she was forced to harden herself even beyond what she had in Asia. It's one thing to be taught and trained what to do. Its another to be forced into situations where you ultimately want to care, and are forced to retreat into those foreign teachings and trainings.
He too had been having trouble retaining his self control. He knew he had become weaker since he had been home. He was becoming increasingly emotional. Hell, I'm standing outside watching the girl I'm fucking … pathetic. What would my Masters say? I'm losing control of my self due to a distraction. He punched the tree next to him in rage.
His inner battle wore on, but what a distraction! She's so amazing when she takes control like she did tonight. And before with Ginny … gods, it was like she got off on the revenge.
He growled and rubbed his now aching fist. Yes, but she is a distraction. You need to do what you must. She gets in the way of that. Before she came along you knew what your ideals were and you were prepared to kill for them! Now she talks of 'compromise' and 'peace,' an inner voice sneered at him, and you go right along like a good little puppy dog.
But she has a point, he argued. Ultimately if this gives me more power, then why not? She is right …the Dark Lord is insane. Plus he wants her. She. Is. Mine.
He shook his head firmly and glanced back up at the sky in hopes of a last glance at the female dragon, but she had disappeared into the night.
(End Flashback)
As he arrived at the door, he slowed himself down to an even pace, stifling his breathing. However, it picked right back up as the door opened to a frenzy of activity.
He saw a flurry of House Elves popping in and out of the room, while Bellatrix and Rodolphus stood at the foot of the bed holding each others hands. He caught their eyes and asked quietly, "What's wrong?"
He could now feel a faint tremor of V in his consciousness, but couldn't understand why her emotions and thoughts weren't there.
Bella answered wearily, "I was bringing her some soup, since she had a migraine all last night and today; but as I brought the tray in, she whimpered like a hurt puppy and then passed out. She has been unconscious ever since and no one can revive her!" She clutched her husband's hand firmly.
Draco sighed heavily, knowing that it was most likely his fault. He reached out his own mind and pushed at her dormant thoughts. V, wake up babe. Come on, you can do it. You don't need to do this. I'm right here. He could feel her thoughts beginning to swirl and pulled his mind back slightly. Her emotions were beginning to flood his mind and her eyes shot open. She turned her head at him and practically growled.
Without even looking at her parents, she said, "I would advise you leave. Mother, I will speak with you later; but I'm sure neither of you want to witness this."
Draco watched her parents practically fly out the door and blocked the urge to gulp. V's hair was tangled and bushy, swirling around her head. Her eyes were blazing. "V…"
She growled again, and he was sure that had she been in dragon form, she would have breathed fire. "Don't you dare 'V' me. You cheating little ferret!" He felt his face flush and anger begin to rise.
She continued in a husky, furious voice, "You think. I. Wanted. To. Faint?! Damn you and your selfishness. The hell I would ever want to attract attention from a scum like you. Pansy Fucking Parkinson?! At least pick a girl who hasn't ridden every friggen man in Voldemort's ranks."
He snarled at her, "Me, selfish?! You hypocrite! All you ever think about is your damned self and your bloody mission! Am I ever included in your thoughts?! Noooo little Miss Know-it-all can do it all by herself."
He sneered, "You're just ashamed that you can't handle a little pain. Well let me tell you Miss Lestrange, I feel the same damned thing every time you pay a 'visit' to the Dark Lord! So don't even try to gain my pity. I have none for you. And next time, get the facts before accusing someone of something." He turned to walk out the door.
She jumped out of bed, stalked up to him and turned him around. He thought she was going to slap him, but instead he was hit with the most intense migraine and general pain he had ever felt in his life. She sneered, "You feel nothing compared to what I go through. I would never, ever, do anything beyond semi-kiss the Dark Lord. If you really knew me, you would have known that too."
Draco was on his knees at this point, the pain almost too much for him to think, "V … please … gods."
She waved her hand again and the pain receded. She walked back to her window and stood with her back facing him. He stood up shakily and said quietly, "V … I didn't know …"
She murmured so quietly he could barely hear, "Of course you didn't … but that doesn't change that it happened. Please go away Draco. I would like to be alone."
He nodded at her back and opened the door. He said quietly as he pulled the door closed after him, "I got the security measures." He heard a cracked laugh as the door clicked and could feel the waves of sadness that were washing over the young woman inside the room. He heard a broken sob in his own mind, and pushed it to the back.
He had certain people to round up and alert.
Inside the room, V was cackling hysterically. He got the security measures. Hahahahaha. Well whoop-de-fuckin-doo. She began to pace frantically, her strength coming back quickly. She could feel her magic seeping out and made no move to reign it back in.
She summoned tight black leather pants with high-heeled boots overlapping to the knee. She buttoned up her white pirate shirt and placed her black corset over it. She pulled her hair into a tight pony-tail. She was still laughing slightly maniacally. She stalked out of the room, the door crashing as it was flung open into the outer wall.
She knew her eyes were blazing and that she was visibly crackling with power. It's time to take some people down. She strode into the main hall and apparated away with a crack.
She arrived just in time to see Amycus Carrow of her little group looking around anxiously and motioning for Ginny Weasley to follow. She narrowed her eyes, Looks like some weeding needs to be done. I knew I shouldn't have taken them in after the tower thing. She followed the two, slipping in and out of the shadows as they hurried down the hall.
She was able to just slip into the room they had rushed into before the door swung shut and locked of its own accord. The two had their backs turned to her and she crept along the wall into a darkened area of the room.
It seemed to be one of the parlours within the house, situated with a lovely cherry, china cabinet and a few antique chairs and love seat. The two sat in opposing chairs and V watched closely.
Ginny began saying, "So what is this about a new group?"
Amycus looked around before answering, "It's a coalition of Order and Death Eaters. You're whole family is in it."
Ginny grumbled, "Of course they are. And I'll bet I'm target number one?"
He looked at her scornfully, "Hardly, the Order doesn't know that you're even a spy. You think the Dark Lord didn't ensure that the twins wouldn't be able to divulge anything other than what He wanted them to?"
She shrugged, "I wasn't sure. I know that they are being unusually quiet about the whole thing. They haven't said or done anything to me yet, even while I've been in their troupe."
He sneered, "As touching as that is, I thought you would find the organizers of this group particularly interesting."
Both Ginny and V straightened; Ginny nodded quickly and V knew she had to make a move.
Without alerting them to her presence she levitated them and began spinning Ginny like a top. She turned to Amycus and whispered across the room, "Traitor." She felt her magic pulsing once more and let it begin to flow freely. She needed an outlet and if this was the casualty, she found she could live with that.
The man in the air began to swell and spin slightly. He was being cut into shreds, even while breaking into boils. His eyes were popping and his mouth was opened in a silent scream. With a particularly large pulse she let him down to the ground, his body oozing slightly as though he had lost all his bones – which incidentally he has. And won't be able to regrow them for a while.
She glanced to Ginny who was still spinning in the air, neck flopping. V swished her hand and the other woman stopped immediately. V let her fall to the ground in a thump, knowing that at least a few bones and joints would be out of place. She cast a quick series of spells including a memory remover, a fog charm, and a large blast to the middle of the room to make sure it looked like they had been messing with Dark Materials.
She crept out the room silently, ensuring that they would not notice her and called a House-Elf once the door was shut. She said calmly, "I believe that the inhabitants of the room encountered a rather nasty set of curses on a Dark Object … they may need help." The House-Elf nodded and V winked at it, "But do take your time. I shouldn't like to hurry you away from a previous job."
She then flounced down the hallway, anger abated, for now.