This is totally AU, based in Sixth Year after Voldy comes out in the public eye. Hermione finds herself face to face with Voldemort himself! During Christmas break.
The Marraige Contract
Draco looked painfully at the girl on her knees, his expressions hidden from the monster only a few feet from him. Her bushy brown hair fell like a curtain over her face, and she was panting from the cruciato curse. It had been cast on her twice now, in succession. "Ah, ssso you are the little mudblood girl who isss friendsss with Harry Potter? Sssuch a pretty little thing - pity your not at leassst a half-blood, or your life would have been ssspared." said Lord Voldemort, lifting her chin with an icy cold finger to find defiant brown eyes glaring at him.
"Such a fire in thossse lovely eyes. I'll give you a ssssporting chance then - join us, and I'll forgive your a mere muggle. Draco has informed me that your one of the brightessst witches of the century - only second to myself. You would be an invaluable ally - what do you sssay girl? What will you choossse?" he asked, his slitted red eyes gazing down at her.
"Never! I'll never turn my back on Harry!" she cried, and one of the death eaters suddenly swooped over to cover her mouth. "Sir, might I request that I make the contract with her to keep her from Potter?" he said in a shaky voice.
She glanced up sharply at the sound of the junior Malfoy's voice - and noticed that it was quivering, much like the boy himself. Well, he was a young man now, as she was a young woman. After all, they were the same age. He seemed taller now, since the last time she had seen him, and felt her heart beat faster - naturally it was because her very life was on the line, and not because Malfoy was this near to her - wasn't it?
'Stupid girl! Didn't I warn her in our fourth year to keep that bushy head down? I guess she didn't take my meaning of keeping it hidden. . . damn, this is bad - we both may be killed if 'he' is in a bad mood.' he thought with an unsurpressed shudder.
The dark lord looked surprisedly at the young death eater, and then chuckled. "Then you care for her Draco? Ah, but this is touching, your in love with a mudblood?" he said with a strange sounding laugh, a laugh Hermione wished she would never hear again.
"Of course not. . . I was only planning it to help you, master." he said and bowed down low, forcing Hermione to do the same. "Bow." he said in the barest of whispers against her ear. She paused for a moment and bowed low, Draco only applying a little pressure.
The dark lord considered for a moment, looking amused. "Very well. Do whatever you want with the witchling, I may send some instructions along for her to do a few spell work, or some potions - I hear she's as adept and almost as good as Severus." he said with a chuckle, and raised his hand.
This the two took a a cue to rise. "You will have two weeks to prepare before the contract. After that, the ceremony will take place. I wish you. . . good fortune. This child is a little spitfire." he said and waved his hand. "You are. . . dismissed for the time being. Narcissa, you as well, as you will naturally want to assist your child in his own wedding. . . " he said, causing Hermione's eyes to widen, but she didn't get an opportunity to say anything, as she was apparated away from the spot.
