"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
A/N: I was browsing msn spaces and I found a profile that had quotes of the day, and I read this one and thought that it had everything to do with this story… hahaha… I don't know what it has to do with Draco being so completely into himself it's not funny, nor the fact that I am about to work a few miracles with Hermione actually letting him stay at her house… anyway, you shall find out ) thanks for reading, and I am still terribly surprised at the wonderful feed back I have received I have responded to them all so if you are interested check out the review page )… chapter 3 here we come!
Chapter 3
My father's office doors automatically opened to reveal the same house elf who had found me out on the grounds screaming my beautiful head off, pulling with him my trunk and other various bags behind him. That thing was my death wish; I could almost see it smirking under his obvious fear.
I grasped the arms of the chair, which I now occupied, harder than I had ever gripped anything in my life. I heard the crack of the timber and I let go instantly, not willing to destroy something so expensive and elegant because I could not contain my anger and therefore, not be a real Malfoy.
A real Malfoy could mask all his real feelings behind an expression of mutual interest. I wanted to do that now, but as I watched my father rise from his chair behind his scary looking desk I could not even begin to try and hide my emotions.
So it comes as no surprise that I let my emotions take hold of me for this one moment and said "I'm not ready father! You would be so cruel as to throw your only son out on his assignment without first letting him brace himself for what was to come?" I regretted it the moment I had let the sentences pass my lips. I had pleaded to my father! But not really pleaded. I don't plea, I demand. The only reason why it came out sounding like a plea was because I couldn't for the life of me control myself, I was shocked, appalled and scared. Not that I would ever admit that to anyone else but myself, but I was in fact scared. This assignment could be the end of me, for more reasons then having to put up with Hermione Granger for a year and having her drool over me. Yuck. Ew. Simple. But the one thing that scared me the most was failure. I didn't want to fail, didn't want to die at the hands of anyone for supposedly not fulfilling requirements. I was not going to let that happen, so I had better get tougher. Or I was a goner.
"Oh Draco, you have so much to learn. For one, you must never show such weakness to me," My father raised his hand and open palmed slapped me across the face. I forced the Malfoy smirk upon my lips however much anger now boiled in my veins. I could feel my face immediately bruising from the slap. But unfortunately he was not done with me as he took a deep breath and continued "Another thing, how many times do I have to tell you to never plea in my presence," the hand came back across my face, back handing me. "And lastly, this is to make Granger give you sympathy." He pulled back his fist letting it spring back, aiming for my perfect nose. I dodged it, what else could I do? I liked my nose the way it was thank you, I did not want it disfigured for any reason.
My father's face blanched. I savored the moment, letting a victorious smirk appear on my lips. Seeker reflexes should forever be worshipped in my mind. But it was that one savored moment that was my downfall. Thinking my father would give up on me, I relaxed and did not foretell the series of blows that now attacked me. I heard my nose emit an echoing crack, along with my jaw bone, and could feel my eye swell to three times its usual size.
I groaned, holding my precious face in my hands. Oh god no, my face! My face was mush!
"Get out of my sight." Lucius ordered, sounding very much like myself ordering House Elves about. But I was no House Elf. I was a god damn person, a Malfoy and his son!
How could he do this to his only son, I ask you? I had to get out of there before I unleashed my anger upon a man that would not think twice about killing me on the spot. And I really did not want to die. I rose from the chair and nodded to my father and grabbed my bags.
"Good bye father, you bitch" I said, smiling through my pain. I knew it would tick him off, and that was the only reason I did it. I turned on the spot and Disapparated out of that shit hole, hoping to never return. I mean, death is better than going back there if I were to be very truthful. However frightening and unpredictable death was to be for me, it was better than ever coming into contact with that man I unfortunately had to call father.
I appeared in the nearest place I had knowledge of, The Leaky Cauldron. I needed money, quick. I didn't have the guts to look into a mirror and see what my father had done to me. But I knew the time would come soon, and if I didn't have the guts to do that then how the hell was I to follow through with my orders.
I looked at the grimy looking door handle and sighed with disgust. Don't these people clean anything! I pulled a satin handkerchief from my pocket and opened the door with that there was no way I would be touching something that obviously neglected anytime soon. Oh wait, in less than an hour I was to be surrounded by things that disgusting. A Mudblood's house. I couldn't stop myself shuddering visibly.
Successfully opening the grimy door without my flawless skin coming into contact with it, I entered the pub, held my breath and walked as quickly as I possibly could to the back garden, if you could call it a garden.
Tapping the bricks in the customary manner of entry, I stepped back letting the archway reveal the entrance to Diagon Alley. The sun was just beginning to set as I set out for the practically glowing white building in the distance. I was proud to say that I did not have to change my direction once, witches and wizards of all ages gave me a wide berth so I could walk straight to the building.
Entering, I walked up to the nearest counter which was currently occupied by an elderly witch pouring out countless sparking gems upon the counter for the repulsive looking goblin to weigh them with an ancient set of scales. The witch being a little too enthusiastic with her bag pouring, let a few gems fall to her feet and right into my awaiting hands. I pocketed the expensive gems before she even realized what had happened. That will teach her to be more careful.
I am impatient by nature. I expect everyone to hold onto every word I say as though it were the air they breathe. I was sick of waiting; I needed to get out of there. Put my own plan to action. I let out a long winded sigh, enjoying the sound echoing off the stone walls and high ceiling just to meet my ears again and again. Oh, it was music to my ears.
This loud sigh did exactly what I had intended it to do. The witch turned abruptly to face me, and recognized me immediately. I always enjoyed the reaction my appearance has on other magical folk, but since I was currently a little worst for wear it had much more of a drastic effect. She screamed with surprise, jumping from the counter and my way mumbling under her breath "Oh gosh, it's a Malfoy!"
I smirked in her direction and marched up to the counter, where an extremely confused goblin was now eying the elderly witch skeptically.
I cleared my throat "Take me to the Malfoy Vault."
The goblin turned to me, eying me suspiciously. But it had no need for that. No other witch or wizard would ever attempt to access the Malfoy vault if they didn't want to be executed on the spot. It was Malfoy custom. What can I say? I didn't make up the rules, nor the rumors.
"Certainly, Mr. Malfoy, please follow me."
Twenty minutes later I emerged from Gringotts weighed down with my family's gold. I would never get sick of the weight of a full money bag nor the merry chime the coins engaged themselves in as I walk with the bag hanging from my belt.
Walking back to the entrance, I again opened the back door to the Leaky Cauldron and approached the bar. The Inn Keeper, Tom thankfully turned to me immediately, I had had my share of waiting today and if I had to wait for a pick-me-up there was going to be a whole lot of trouble for these seemingly innocent pub patrons.
"What will it be, Master Malfoy?" Tom enquired. He eyed my bruises and broken face but said nothing of it. I wanted his sympathy, but then again, to have people coo over me and attend to my wounds was time wasting and frankly, irritating.
"Double Fire Whiskey." I stated throwing him three bronze Knuts in his direction knowing that this was far below the usual price of the drink I had requested. But I had the power of blood, and if he was a smart bar tender he would not argue.
Tom forced a toothless grin and began making my drink. Smart little bar tender he was.
He slid the drink towards me, and I downed it in one gulp. I returned the glass, raising a finger in the form of a request for another. But this time I didn't even give him any payment, I wanted to test him. It had always been my favorite pass time.
I smirk my customary Malfoy smirk when he slid yet another drink in my direction without complaint. I threw back my head and downed the contents. Heaving myself to my feet, I left the bar without another word. I had done my best to ignore the continuous stares of the other patrons, but it was a terrible feeling that I had just shown society my worst. I mean, I was beaten, battered and bruised. Not to mention, broken in more then one way.
Out on the street, I pulled out my wand, the Knight Bus appearing instantly. I pushed past that stupid man called… uh…no, it's not important I guess. What is important is that he lost his balance and fell to the bus floor, looking up at me with a glazed smile "Good evenin', Mr. Malfoy. Where to?"
I sat down beside a window and said simply "Hermione Granger's residence."
He looked at me with surprise as he picked himself up off the floor. He asked "What choo goin there for?"
I glared at him "None of your business. Just take me there." I threw a single Sickle in his direction, which the stupid git didn't even manage to catch.
"Of course, anything for you Mr. Malfoy –"
"Geez, just get going!" I interrupted, dismissing him from my sight.
Every witch and wizard is my slave. I know this to be the truth because where ever I go they are just down right happy to cater to my every need. But I knew it wasn't going to be that way with Granger. She was forever going against all my orders. When ever I tell her to rot in hell, she stares at me and bites back a retort when any other person in her shoes would dig their way there themselves. I never understood it.
The bus lurched forward immediately, and all I could see was blurred London lighting up the sky above.
The Knight Bus stopped abruptly and I was pleased to admit that I was the only one still sitting in their initial place. Some other travelers had been thrown from their chairs and were now lying on the bus floor groaning curses and in pain.
I stepped over these fallen people and disembarked the Bus. It was terribly crammed into that small place. Strangers coughing and breathing on me repeatedly, I thought I was going to faint just from being in such confined space with obviously sick and disfigured people.
My bags were brought to my feet by Stan himself. So I remembered his name, so what? If I stare at someone long enough I can find out their name. Doesn't mean I am going to remember it, he isn't worthy of my memories. Neither is Granger, but unfortunately she was forever in my nightmares.
I picked up my bags with ease, and turned. It was now quite dark and gloomy. The street light was flickering and making a lot of unnecessary noise in the form of an irritating buzzing sound. Someone fix that thing! Shaking my head and trying to put the buzzing from my mind, I turned my head and gazed up at the house I was now to approach and enter.
It was a small house, a card board box compared to the Malfoy Manor. But I had to admit it did have some surprising elegance. Not that I will point this out to myself but I noticed the healthy rose garden that looked like it would be a beautiful sight in it's blooming season, the verandah that rounded the house giving it a little more individuality compared to the surrounding identical units.
I exhaled deeply, feeling my face carefully. I knew I was a sight to behold, but I need a story as well. A patriotic story, and since that idiot Dumbledore was off the map I had a chance at been able to deceive the entire Order of The Phoenix. I could barely contain my excitement however pissed off I was to actually be doing something for Voldemort, I hadn't even been given the Dark Mark yet, not that I was looking forward to that thing tainting my skin. But I guess if I did something to deserve it, my father may actually let me run free for a while. Then pull me back with the line that was always hooked painfully into my flesh when I ran a little too far.
The house looked to be empty as I walked slowly up the stairs. I had to duck my head a little as I came under cover, obviously this house was not used to catering to a person of my height.
I stared at the door. Should I knock? No, of course not, Malfoys never knock. That is a sure sign of being inferior if you knock upon the door, it calls out to the person that you are unsure whether or not you're allowed to enter. I, being a Malfoy, have been taught that no door is ever left un open to me, so with this in mind I used my faithful satin handkerchief once again and opened the front door.
I walked through the dark house, adding a limp so that it looked I was worse for wear than what I looked. Shattered glass was covering every surface, every step I took a renouncing crunch echoed in the silence as I walked upon the glass. There were gaping holes on the walls where portraits once hung, just for the portrait to be splayed on the ground just below its hanging position.
I turned into the lounge room and found what I was looking for. Hermione was curled up in a ball, her hair was an out of control mass upon her head. She was shuddering continuously. It was a painful sight to see considering she was not paying me an ounce of attention.
Gathering some air into my lungs, and constricting them tightly I prepared myself for the fall.
I took another few steps, dragging a leg behind me as much as I possibly could. I cursed myself for even thinking the words I was about to croaked out "Hermione, help me…" I then fell to the glass strewn floor, not caring I had just cracked my ribs from the awkward angle I fell, nor move from the sheer pain of it. All I cared about was that Hermione's head had sprung from its place in her hands and her eyes at last focused on me, giving me the attention I wanted. I had said her name; I had broken all my own personal rules about treating Mudbloods like human beings. I had broken all of it, but it was all worth it, or at least I thought because the plan was now set in motion.
I was an awesome actor! I knew that now! Someone give me an award! You haven't seen the last of me!
A/N: So yes… here is the end of the 3rd chapter… things will start picking up now that Draco has finally come face to face with his conquest ) thanks for reading and I would really like to hear from you in a review!