Sorry for takin soooo long to update...but so much has been happening...I'm about to go on my High School's Senior trip to Florida...I actually leave Tuesday the 14th...so I wont be back until saturday night...late...so no updates until after that...but this should tide you over...lol

Disclaimer: Not mine...but I want the dress...lol

Seventeen Candles

Hermione's lips were torn from his as her head snapped to the doorway of the billiards room. There in the doorway stood a very shocked looking woman. She was thin and pale, her eyes sunken into her head. They were the darkest eyes Hermione had ever gazed into. Shadowed by all the horrible things she'd done and seen. Her brown hair was pulled back in an elegant twist. Her bony hands balled into fists as recognition flashed through her eyes.

"Get your filthy disgusting hands off of my nephew." The woman said her voice gruff and deadly serious.

"Aunt Bellatrix wait a moment."

"How could you let that filth touch you Draco?" Bellatrix demanded in her growl.

"Ah Bellatrix you've arrived." Said the Dark Lord as he entered the house through the door just past the doorway.

Draco jumped to his feet as Voldemort appeared. Both he his Aunt and Uncle all bowed to the man as he entered the room. He walked over and sat himself down in a chair motioning for everyone to join him. Draco motioned for Hermione to follow him and they sat down together on a small sofa. Bellatrix shot Hermione a death glare as she gracefully placed herself in a chair on Voldemort's left-hand side. Lucius was on his right and her husband Rodolphus said there as well.

"Master why is that vermin sitting beside my nephew? I thought she was supposed to be killed this year in your plans?"

Bellatrix was one of the few people that the Dark Lord let speak to him like that. He just looked at her a moment before smirking. Hermione felt her stomach drop down to her toes at that and she shifted slightly closer to Malfoy. He looked over at her and saw that she was almost curled up beside him. Had her feet not been planted solidly on the floor she would have brought her knees to her chest in the fetal position. She was terrified.

"She is Draco's fiancee." Everyone saw Bellatrix's mouth open wide her eyes becoming wide, their bleakness striking Hermione's heart with even more hysterical fear. She looked like she was on the verge of tears and Draco knew why.

Hermione was currently in the presence of the Dark Lord who hated her and her kind beyond anything in the world. His father had disliked her since his first year when she became the top in the class, never giving up the spot, and also the fact that she was a Mudblood didn't help matters. But now his Aunt, the escaped Death Eater from Azkaban who had killed Harry Potter's godfather Sirius Black only two years prior. She was in a room surrounded by the most deadly people in the world, and she was defenseless, and she was weak. Draco shivered at the thought of himself being in her place.

"It was discovered that she was the girl from the prophecy Bellatrix. They will be married in two days time and will soon produce a son." Voldemort said looking over at Draco. His stare told Draco that he had better get a move on with the baby situation. Again Draco shivered but for a different reason.

"With that filth?" Bellatrix said in utter surprise.

She looked over to where Draco and Hermione were sitting watching the whole thing. She could tell Hermione was afraid. It brought a smile to her face and brought the evil glint into her eye. Hermione saw the look and knew that it couldn't signal anything positive. She was sure that at some point soon she would be alone with Bellatrix. She would face the wrath of the woman who killed Sirius. She would surely be murderous.

"Yes Bellatrix. Before their first anniversary they will produce a son. But enough about that. I believe you are the first of the guests."

"Guests my Lord?" Draco asked suddenly.

"Of course for your party. You have become a full wizard Draco my boy. You will be honoured today." Voldemort said as he rose once more. "Now Bellatrix Rodolphus please accompany Lucius and I to the back garden." He inclined his head toward Draco and Hermione who were both standing as everyone started out.

"She didn't look pleased to see me."

"That's because she wasn't. Aunt Bellatrix is worse than my father when it comes to Muggleborns." Draco said starting back over toward the pool table.

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"For saying Muggleborns instead of Mudblood." Hermione said as Draco turned to look at her.

There was a long pause that was only filled by the sounds of billiard balls smacking into one another. Draco was quite good and sunk nearly every ball on the first shot. She just watched as yet another, ball fell into the corner pocket. Her eyes followed his hands as they positioned themselves on the stick. Those hands had been touching her earlier. They had sent shivers through her a pleasant yet frightening experience.

Hermione couldn't understand why Voldemort was rushing things. She didn't want to rush it. She would rather have it happen when they were ready if she had to do it at all. As the eight ball fell into the middle left pocket Hermione looked up at Draco's face.

"You're quite good." She said softly.

"Thanks."

He walked about the table pulling the balls out and tossing them toward the center. She helped him handing over the only ball that he had hit toward that hole, the number one. Their fingers brushed each other's as she handed the ball over.

Draco placed the ball in the triangle with the others. But he stared at it. Was it only coincidence that that ball happened to be the one that fell into the hole before her? The black number on the ball and the bright color were all that he saw as his mind unfocused and his thoughts took over. Hermione seemed to notice that he was thinking about something important.

She watched him wondering what it was that he was thinking so hard about. Could it be her? Or was it what they had been doing before Bellatrix arrived?

'He's probably just as confused as me about us. Well there really isn't any us. It's more of what's happening between us. We need to figure out what to do about it. If we just continue to let Voldemort force us together we might do something we're not ready to do yet.'

Hermione knew that neither of them would ever really be ready to do that. Neither wanted to be with the other intimately yet soon enough they would have to be. She dreaded the thought as she looked up and saw Draco had placed his stick on the table and was walking to the stool he had been sitting at before.

"Who do you think will be coming to the party?" Hermione asked walking over to lean on the bar beside his stool.

Draco lifted his eyes to hers. They stared at each other for a moment. Draco was fighting the urge to kiss her again and was winning. The Dark Lord understood that he didn't want to rush things but he was telling Draco that he wouldn't wait much longer. He was speaking to Draco using his thoughts. They echoed through Draco's mind, the Dark Lord's voice clear yet foreign.

"Probably my entire family, all my friends and their families. It's a big thing to turn seventeen in the wizard world. It means you're a fully-fledged wizard. It also means that I can be given my mark in the spring."

"You're going to get the Dark Mark." She said breathlessly. He nodded silently. "But you cant. You're too young to become a Death Eater."

"No one's too young. When he wants us he takes us. But normally he waits a few more years, however I am to take my father's place as first minister. My father's moving up to general or something like that."

"So I'll be the wife of the first minister to Voldemort." Hermione said in a stunned tone almost as if she were trying to convince herself.

"It's not as bad as it sounds. I'm like a confidant."

"Do you have to kill anyone?" she asked.

"Not unless he tells me to. I will be the one sending people on missions, not going on them."

"And what of me? Will I be involved with anything?"

"Well seeing as you should be pregnant by then I would hope not. If you are involved in anything that means things aren't going as he planned, and that's bad."

At the mention of being pregnant Hermione looked down at her stomach. Her fingers lightly touched the material of her shirt that clung to her flat stomach. She tried to envision herself with a large round tummy. She just couldn't see it.

Draco reached out a hand and touched her stomach as well. His hand rested lightly atop her own the warmth both confusing and comforting her. She looked up at his face wishing that he wasn't the one touching her. She wished that it was someone who she could enjoy being with. She tried to picture another face, but none seemed to work.

"Don't be afraid Granger." Draco said softly. Hermione nodded slightly.

"What's happening between us Draco?" she asked her voice barely audible.

"I don't know Granger." He said. She had expected him to become defensive and declare that there was nothing between them, that there wasn't even a them. But he hadn't.

A few hours went by as Hermione and Draco went back to the library where they both curled up on separate couches and read. They were so engrossed in their own books that they completely forgot that the other was even in the room. The room was quiet except for the ruffle of paper as one turned a page. But at one point Draco was pulled from his book by sounds coming from another area of the house.

The book sank into his lap as his head turned toward the door. Hermione had peered over her book at the door as well having heard the sound. There was silence again and both Draco and Hermione waited a moment before raising their books to begin reading again.

A few more moments of silence filtered through the room but no matter how hard he tried Draco could no longer concentrate on the book. All he kept thinking about was the sound that he had heard. As he thought he heard it again. It was a strange almost muffled roar. It would get louder and louder than suddenly disappear completely.

"What is that?" and Draco looked up to see Hermione looking at him.

"I'm not sure." He said.

"It sounds like voices, lots of them."

"It must be the party. Some more guests must have arrived. We will probably be sent for soon."

"Shouldn't we go and at least get changed, it might be special dress." Hermione said placing the bookmark in her book. She looked anxious and a little frightened.

"Just sit still and relax. Everything is fine." He said. "When they send for us we'll ask what we should be wearing. Then I'll change you and myself, now that I can do magic."

She rolled her eyes at that little add on at the end. She knew that he was just trying to rube it in that he was older than she was and that he had his wand. She would have to get him back for that one. But she did as he said and relaxed beginning to enjoy the book once more.

It was only a few minutes however of relaxation. There was a knock at the door that made both Draco and Hermione look up. The person didn't wait to be invited in but just opened the door. It was Lucius, not who Draco was expecting.

"Everyone's arrived. It's time for you to come to your party." Lucius said not noticing Hermione on the couch. She was so small now that her legs were pulled under her. She was watching the father and son as they spoke to one another.

"Yes father."

"And Granger you will come too. Keep her close Draco, there are many enemies of her out there."

'Everyone out there is and enemy. Everyone in here is an enemy…at least I think.' Hermione thought in her head as she stood from the couch placing the book on the sofa.

"Are there any special dress requirements father?"

"Dress robes." Lucius said before turning and leaving the two.

"He was wearing dress robes?" Hermione asked Draco as her turned and took his wand from his pocket.

"He always wears dress robes."

Draco waved his wand and his normal muggle clothes changed into long black elegant silk dress robes. They shimmered slightly in the dim light of the library. Hermione thought he looked like a dark angel, but once she realized what she thought she scolded herself.

His hair contrasted well with the dark clothes that he wore. His pale skin looked paler yet there was an undeniable attractiveness about him. Hermione looked him once up and down before her eyes settled on his lips. They were pink and the only other vivid point besides his hair and icy eyes.

"Now it's your turn." He said waving his wand in a soft slow swish.

Hermione could feel the clothes on her body changing. They grew tighter in some areas and looser in others. She looked down and saw she was wearing robes that she would never wear normally. They were black satin, the softest she'd ever felt. The top of the dress was a black corset. It was embroidered with red designs, elegantly done. It laced up her back with red ribbon and tied in a droopy red bow in the back. The skirt was long and black. The same red designs were embroidered all around the bottom of the skirt. Hermione even noticed that her hair was pulled up in a bun with pieces sticking out in all directions. The dress was strapless but Hermione looked up to see Draco holding a sheer hooded cover up and the most surprised expression.

Draco couldn't believe it. He had thought about a dress and hair and things but everything that he had been thinking hadn't looked like that. It was truly a creature of beauty standing timidly before him, looking frightened and nervous.

'No, she's just Granger. There's nothing beautiful about a stuck up know-it-all Gryffindor Mudblood.' Draco thought horribly though he couldn't really convince himself.

Goose bumps appeared all over Hermione's visible body. Her eyes flicked nervously from the ground to Draco's eyes then back to the ground again. She wanted him to say something, anything.

"Come on Granger." He said struggling to make sure that his voice sounded normal. He was quite surprised at himself that he had.

Hermione started forward her head bowed. Draco held out the cover up as Hermione neared him. She slipped one pale silky skinned arm on to the first sleeve and started on the second one. As he arm went through the sleeve Draco turned her around to face her. She stiffened as he reached his arms around her head and pulled the hood up over her hair shielding her arms. He then started to button the cover up.

He started down by her hips slowly making his way up. She felt his fingers sometimes lightly brush against her robes. When they reached her chest she held her breath. When the last one was buttoned Hermione looked up at him her bottom lip trembling slightly.

"Why am I wearing this if we're only going to the other side of the house?" she asked as Draco's hands lingered between them, closer to her.

"Because it is a tradition within the Death Eaters. When the females wear dress robes they wear these sheer things until the Dark Lord permits them to take it off. It's to show respect for him and to show that he has the power. All the other women will be wearing them."

Hermione said nothing as his hand smoothed a ruffle in the sheer cover on her shoulder, or at least she thought it was because of a ruffle. His head inclined slightly his lips barely brushing her own. It was the sweetest thing Hermione had ever experienced and it was from the foulest boy she'd ever met. It made her crave more.

But it was not to be as Draco turned away and started for the door. He had taken her hand without her notice and she was following along just slightly behind him. When she realized what was happening she tightened her grip on his hand slightly and was surprised to feel his grip tighten as well. He was holding her hand protectively, almost as if the devil himself would have to pry it from her.

It took less time than Hermione had anticipated for them to reach the area of the party. Hermione knew it was the area where the party was being held because of all the noise. A house elf had seen them coming from up the hall and quickly scurried inside. The noise promptly ceased as they stopped before the doors.

"The doors will open and we'll be announced. Don't be afraid Granger, as long as you hold my hand nothing will happen to you. They won't say a word with me there." Draco said softly from the corner of his mouth. "And don't speak. You cant speak until you have taken the cover off, understand?"

Hermione nodded and Draco gave her what Hermione thought might have been a smile. As she was examining the facial expression in her mind the double doors before them flew open.

Draco gave her hand a quick squeeze as they stepped forward.

"I give you the guest of honour Draco Malfoy and his fiancee Hermione Granger." Called a voice above the crowd.

Everyone was looking at them. Hermione could barely see them through the sheer black but she could just feel their eyes on her, glaring with enough force that if looks could kill she'd have been dead long ago. She moved closer to Draco gripping his hand almost as if afraid they would pull her away just so they could hurt her.

Draco tried to calm her by stroking her hand lightly with his thumb. He led them both into the large ballroom being surrounded on every side by the mass of people. Hermione kept her eyes on the floor not looking up at anyone at all. She kept her mouth shut like Draco had instructed trusting that he was right.

Draco kept her pulled close to him to be sure that they weren't separated. As they passed by people the men all congratulated him and wished him a happy birthday. He smiled and nodded but kept on his way to the high table where the Dark Lord waited.

They finally reached it and Draco positioned himself beside the Dark Lord. The man beside him was smiling. Draco would have normally felt nervous at seeing his true smile but for some reason he didn't he was excited. He couldn't wait to find out what was in store for him.

"Congratulations Draco for becoming both a man and a full grown wizard." As he finished everyone clapped. "Now dinner will be served. Ladies you may take your seats."

Draco pulled out the chair beside his and Hermione sat. She looked out and saw all the covers. It was a mass of black. There were bits of color underneath the covers but it was dulled tremendously. Hermione couldn't tell who was who. She saw the men still standing.

Voldemort slowly took his seat. Hermione watched as he sat all the men in the room sat as well. They all had to wait for him to sit while he gave the women permission to do things. He really did have them under his thumbs.

There was a very extravagant meal. It was six courses starting off with a light salad. Then came a very rich meaty soup and some bread. After that was many fancy French dishes that Hermione could neither pronounce nor remember. The final course was the desert. It was wheeled out on a large silver cart.

It was a large chocolate cake with candles poking out of the top. There were seventeen, and as the cake stopped before Draco the lights all around dimmed. The only real light was coming from the cake. Draco's smile was wide as his eyes flickered from staring at the fire. To Hermione he looked so young and innocent as he stared into those candles.

A chorus of Happy Birthday rang out through the entire room. Hermione was smiling as she noticed all the Death Eaters singing. Even though they were horrible and cruel they were still able to treat people this way. It was strange because for the first time Hermione realized that Death Eaters were people just like her with everyday lives. They just happened to do such unforgivable things. It was so different yet not.

When it was over the cake was served, after of course Draco blew out the candles using his wand. Everyone was eating their cake and the men were talking. The women were still quiet not yet told to take off the covers. Hermione was frustrated with it because it made it much harder to move her arms to reach for things. And she couldn't tell someone to pass something or get up to get it so she had to reach for it.

When everyone was finished, things took a different turn. Voldemort stood again and everyone else rose as well. Hermione felt Draco's arm beside hers his hand ready to grab if they were instructed to move. She was glad to have him beside her for without him she would surely be in much more trouble.

"Now I think it's time for the guest of honour and his fiancee to share the very first dance of the evening. Gentlemen remove your ladies covers."

Draco turned to Hermione. His wand in his hand he slid it down her front. All the buttons undid themselves. Draco took the material in his hand and pushed back the hood. Hermione turned around and he slid the cover from her arms freeing her of its sheer sleeves. Neither however had noticed that none of the others had moved. They were all watching Draco and Hermione as he took the cover off and draped it over the back of her chair.

The people looking up and seeing Hermione for the first time must have been astonished at her beauty. She looked even more radiant in the dim lights of the ballroom. Her dress fit her magnificently. She looked more beautiful than any other woman in the room did. Even the Dark Lord seemed surprised at her appearance.

Draco not noticing all the stares started over to the dance floor to do just what the Dark Lord had said they should. He turned toward Hermione looking down into her face. She was completely entranced. Her eyes were focused on his and only his. It was no one else was in the room.

Draco's hand snaked about her waist pulling her body very close to his. The music began and they danced. Other couples joined after watching them for a moment or two. Hermione felt for some reason deep within her that what they were doing was right. She felt like she was supposed to be in his arms. She couldn't deny the feeling, but she wasn't sure if she was the one producing it or if Voldemort was. That was one of the things her and Draco would have to work out.

When the song ended Draco bowed slightly to Hermione. She smiled slightly as he lifted his head. He held out his hand and she slid hers into it. They walked from the dance floor and headed over to where Draco's friends were all standing.

"So happy birthday then." Blaise said smiling.

"Thanks. It was quite a surprise. I didn't think that they would do all this." Draco said moving his fingers about.

Hermione thought that he wanted her to let go, but then she realized that he was just trying to change the way they held hands. His fingers laced between hers. With that single gesture, Hermione felt that same feeling she had on the dance floor. The feeling that she was right where she was supposed to be. She knew then that it wasn't a feeling produced by Voldemort. She knew it was that real thing. She was beginning to have feelings for Draco Malfoy.

All right...so another chapeter up...oh and thank you Computer Boy for answering my question...that was actually a neat story...but I like all kinds of stories...lol...all right...Florida here I come...lol Bye for now...review as well...oh and you can check out my myspace in my profile if you want...lol...