Chapter 2: What to do
Recap: "Draco…, please tilt you head a bit, so I can have access to the lock on your neck."
Blinkingly, he obliged. As he bent his head, she came closer.
No sooner had he done so, his metal collar fell on the ground with a clang.
He now officially, sealed through blood and magic, belonged to a young women he had yet to know the name of, and will do her every whim.
At least that's what he expected. Silly Malfoy. Life will never be that Dull!
Right now, Draco, the former Slytherin prince was walking side by side with his new master, or in this case, mistress. He had been very surprised at the scene before they left the empty office.
Flashback
They were nearing the door of the empty office, Hermione, wondered why Draco placed such distance between them.
Perhaps it was some rule of some sort.
"Why don't you walk by my side, Draco?" as she asked him, she turned her head a bit to glance at him.
Malfoy, not at all expecting this sudden question nearly halted in his tracks; good this his legs decided to move without his thinking.
Draco, thinking that it would be best to answer as quickly as possible, did so.
"Forgive me, mistress, I am not allowed to walk side by side with my master; it is a show of disrespect, unless my master tells me to do so."
Draco's eyes were downcast, his own statement reminded him of his other former masters, his rank, and stature in his past.
Hermione, sensing the sudden change of emotion, warmly eyed Malfoy in the corners of her eyes. She frowned. She could fell his sadness. Hermione was feeling something strange at the moment. She suddenly felt what Malfoy could be feeling right this very moment. Homesick. She felt like she was lost; not knowing where she should go. Somber. She felt like crying out at the depths of sadness and grief that flowed through her.
Struggling with her emotions, yet again. Hermione banished the thoughts and feelings, doing her best to smile brightly. Turning to Draco she flashed in what she hoped was a heart melting smile, in hopes of cheering him up.
Malfoy, sensing that his mistress turned to face him, turned his face towards her. Since he was slightly at Hermione's behind right, he turned his head to his left.
Confusion and happiness exploded within him. He felt happiness because of her smile, but also confusion because of it.
Upon seeing her smile it seemed like a ray of sunlight penetrated his grave thoughts.
Halting them both, Hermione turned to face Malfoy fully, still with that bright smile.
"There a change in plans."
Hermione, somewhat pleased to see the confusion in Malfoy's face, smiled even wider.
Draco, on the other hand was utterly confused at his master's movements. 'Plans? My master is definitely different compared to my other masters.'
"Plan, Mistress? What is that suppose to mean, if Mistress does not mind my asking."
"Yep, plans, Malfoy dear."
Draco was shocked by the endearment, especially by his new mistress, whom he at first thought was quite stern and strict. Hermione failed to noticed the endearment that slipped by, but he just seemed so innocent, it made her feel, dare she think it, a slight giddy?
Clearing her throat and mind, she gained the stance of a teacher instructing her student, a pose she used many times on the boys and now to tell him what is expected of him.
"…Draco, I need you to listen very attentively."
Watching and listening with alert eyes and stance, he nodded.
"Yes, Mistress."
'Good. I shall not tolerate this undignified manner of his speaking. Let's begin… MERLIN! I'm worse then Snape!' She thought.
"Draco, from now one, you will have every right as a free person, ok? You see, I would willingly free you this very moment, but it says here," she waved the thick folder of his statistics and terms of agreement to him; she completely ignored the shocked look in his eyes as she continued, "You'll have to 'work' for me for some time. I think it's called a time-limit… I wasn't able to read it properly."
She paused to look Draco in the eyes. She was please to see his shocked expression.
Draco's POV:
I… I can't believe it.
After the time-limit, I may be granted freedom, and not only that, while in the long run, I am granted the permission to exercise the rights of a free man!
I may be just dreaming.
None the less, even if I am granted permission to be 'free' while still being a slave, I shall oblige myself to the duty of following her orders.
Watching mistress smile up at me in such a way made my heart happy.
Right. I know it sounds bloody corny, but… it can't be helped, really – that's what I'm really. This I vow, during and after my enslavement, I shall render myself under Mistress's services.
"And that means, you get to walk by me and many other things. I promise you, I will set you free, but just please, let's be friends, and I want to ask you something, ok?"
"Yes mistress, anything."
"Don't call me 'mistress', Draco, call me… Hermione."
She nearly flinched at her own name, but relaxed when she was confusion etched on Draco's face. She'd have to explain to him later, as a matter of fact she'd have a lot of explaining to do and not just to him.
"Yes… Hermione."
End of Flashback
The duo walked thought the streets finally getting back to Diagon Alley. Hermione, thinking of Malfoy's…. no, Draco's current state, she thought of going for food first, before shopping for some clothes for Draco, since his clothes right now… weren't exactly- presentable.
"Draco, you don't mind if I call you that or would you prefer Malfoy?" she asked.
Draco was surprised, why … Hermione can call him anything she wanted!
"Draco is fine, Hermione."
Hermione noticed that many people were staring at them, shacking her head slightly she sighed before looking over the Draco.
"Draco, let's eat first, ok? I'm hungry." She told him, giving him a gentle smile. Draco returned it with a small smile of his own and nodded.
At that, Hermione reached for his hand, gentle grasping it, then lead him on a fast pace all the way to a nice café.
When they arrived there, a young witch, who look very flirtatious and wild, waited on them. Hermione and Draco were thinking of what to order, at least he was. Draco was unfamiliar with the food served here, he was usually given no choice on what to eat and was not told on what they were, although they all looked very delicious.
In the end, Hermione settled for a Strawberry crab crape, while Draco settle for the Spaghetti spiders. He hoed it wasn't real spider (use of magic or not), for the wizarding world was know for crazy things like that and he never tried any type of muggle food before. Besides, he thought he really could stomach he's food coming a live on him at the moment, even if it was just a chocolate frog. After while through, he had decided that it was worth the risk and made that his finally choice. They called on the young witch.
Realizing that she was being called on the table with a very handsome man, she started to overly swing her hips, and put up- what others may call it- a seductive air.
She can and directed all her attention at Draco.
"Yes, Sir? May I help you, sir- in more ways than one, I hope?"
All Hermione did was raise a haughty eyebrow at the waitress, although she was feeling rather irritated that the women was flirting with Draco, and completely ignoring her. She made a mental note never to bring Harry and Ron here, Merlin knows what would happen. She did her best not to show, but her body become rigid and tense- an obvious sign, at least to Draco, that she was not please- at all.
To Draco, there was not much different on the topic of current feelings. He was also very irritated. The waitress actually had that gull to ignore his mistress and even show improper behavior before the clients…or customers- of the restaurant!
All right, maybe the women did not know that Hermione was his mistress, but such ignorance paid to Her was very impolite.
Draco started to get dizzy from the women's perfume. Normally, well the old Draco would love this attention after all he put up with Pansy Parkinson constantly drooling of him, but now the attention just made him very uncomfortable.
Hermione decided to let Draco deal with this twit- she, herself had more important things to think about then to ponder on this insolent whelp. Before Hermione closed her eyes to allow herself to concentrate and block out the sounds of the restaurant and annoying waitress, she caught sight of Draco's eyes glancing at herself, maybe trying to figure out what his new mistress would like him to do.
The ignorant women kept prattling on and on, flirting with Draco, though he remained silent and unresponsive.
As Draco caught sight of Hermione's closing eyes, he already knew what to do.
His former masters and mistresses did this when they wanted to think, or when they wanted him to do whatever it is they wanted him to do. Taking control of the reigns that Hermione silently handed to him, he worked is silken sensuous voice. Looking at the waitress's nametag, he called her name and effectively shut her up.
"Miss Celianus," he glanced at her before continuing "did I pronounce that right?"
Said women nodded slowly, entranced with his deep smooth voice. Hermione cracked an eye open once she heard Draco's voice. She wanted to see what he would do, though at first, she was rather roused from her train of thoughts when she had heard such a rich voice.
Draco looked at Hermione and smiled a smile that only Hermione would see.
"Will you please allow US to give you OUR orders?"
Clam, even, and precise. It was bitter without having to be. Giving the young women embarrassment at her sudden realization of her useless prattling, and flirting. She had been talking on and on, without giving them any chance to cut in, or give their order.
She blushed a reddish hue, giving sadistic pleasure to both, Draco and Hermione. Nodding hastily, she replied in a voice that could easily tell two certain astute observers that the owner of that voice was very much embarrassed and is trying to hide this fact by a show of jutting up her chin.
"Yes, Sir. I am very sorry. May… may I take your order, sir?"
Draco mentally sighed, noticing that once again the waitress only addressed himself and not Hermione as well, this was becoming quite bothersome.
"Yes, you may. OUR orders are these: for me, I will have the spaghetti spiders and for my superior," turning to Hermione with as much a humble and modest countenance as possible.
"Hermione what would you like?"
"Just a Strawberry Crab crap, please"
Celianus, noticing for the first time that the handsome young man was not alone and turned her head to a beautiful young woman beside him. Her eyes widened a bit. What if she had offended this beautiful young lady, whom she had been ignoring?
What if this beautiful young lady is the love of the handsome young man? She, or they, might be so offended, that they will not eat here any longer… But wait, she thought. The handsome man mentioned 'superior friend' in reference to the pretty lady.
What could that mean? Ah! Maybe…they worked at the Ministry of Magic? Celianus thought that maybe she's ask them later.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she jotted down the orders, said a thank-you, and made a humble, modest walk to the counter.
She just noticed that many young men and young men were eyeing the handsome couple from whom she just waited on.
Draco was very satisfied and proud at the fact that he was able to please his master, friends. He could tell that Hermione was a somewhat dominate girl, strong, confident, and firm. Like Granger, he mused.
Hermione felt better that the women was finally gone with their orders. She was starting to grate horribly on her nerves. She was afraid she'd have to hex her just to get their orders! How ridicules!
She turned to Draco and smiled.
"Well done Draco! She was really annoying."
Draco gave a small smile and bowed his head, showing respect to Hermione.
Finally, the food came, all not and steamy. Celianus stood there, watching them eat. She was quite stunned that these two people had absolutely wonderful etiquette and manners.
Once in a while, Hermione would frown because, slowly, Celianus would inch to them and stare at them. It perturbed her a bit, that the waitress' gaze was intent and –dare she say- pursuant. It seemed as if she was looking for something.
Bloody Hell, Hermione thought. She wanted to talk to Draco! Oh well, must wait for some other time, she guessed.
Draco also noticed that the Celianus women was STILL standing there- staring at them. He ignored her, since it did not seem to bother Hermione. He continued to eat, whilst thinking of what kind of mistress Hermione was.
Hermione on the other hand was thinking of what to tell the boys when they got back to the Leaky Cauldron.
Hermione's POV:
Ok… What to do? Humph.
What will I tell Harry and Ron!
Oh, hi boys! I brought someone to stay with us today. It's Draco Malfoy, you remember him, right? He's been picking on us since 1st year… he was being sold as a slave and I thought that it was SUCH a horrible thing, so I brought him, of course. Isn't it wonderful! I intend to set him free as soon as the time limit wears off! Until then we all get to become REALLY good friends!
(Hermione noticeably smiles a small smile and then does a little frown at her own sense of humor.)
Ack. I sound so stupid- too perky and eager.
What if Harry and Ron want to use him? …Exact revenge for all the years of trouble he's caused us? sigh I still have to get in contact with Dumbledore about this! I hope I won't be in too much trouble for participating in an illegal exchange…
I should read the records and send them to Dumbledore, I wonder what he'll do… Will Draco be allowed back in school? ...
Just as soon as she finished her train of thought, Hermione noticed that the both of them were finished eating. She immediately asked of the bill, paid for it, and left holding Draco's hand, ignoring Celianus' pleads to pause a while and talk to her.
Draco noticed that Hermione lead them into a store, a male clothing store.
"Hermione why are we here?" he asked, easily catching the attention of many young women and the young men they were coupled with. His voice was smooth, even and well pronounced, no emotion could be read (even if his tone and voice was not cold, it merely suggested that he was curious and at the same time at the brink of boredom).
Hermione, taking off the muggle cap on her head which she didn't notice that was there the entire time faced Draco, her beautiful face and silky alburn hair fully exposed to the entire wizarding world.
This time, the attention of the people around them was directed to Hermione. Her voice also caught their attention. Smooth, be quid sweetness, and youthly refined.
"To get you clothes, of course. You didn't exactly bring your wardrobe with you now did you?"
She was defiantly the object of envy to the witches around her, for she was the one to dress a not handsome, but gorgeous young man. After her responds, she grabbed his hand and seemingly flew to another rack hidden behind. She got Draco to try on many clothes, all were perfect on him. They were there at the counter, going to pay of the clothes, when all of a sudden, Draco chuckled. Hermione raids an amused eyebrow and the corner of the right side of her lips raised up into a little smile.
"Pray tell what is so funny, Draco."
Draco gazed down on Hermione and smiled.
"Nothing, Hermione."
Hermione felt like she was being teased, and yet, she enjoyed it. She tired to get it out of him, but couldn't. He was really trying to tease her.
When it was their turn in line to pay, the 'cahier' women eyeing Draco, in a not so subtle manner. Occasional brushing of fingers with Draco and shoulder leaning, the women flirted. 'Ugh! The woman had to be at least 5 years older then Draco!' Hermione all but shouted in her mind.
Feeling uncomfortable at being openly flirted with in an extremely public place, he ignored her and started to talk to Hermione.
Hermione was thankful, for some unknown reason, for the fact that Draco's ignoring of the lady. All the while she was examining a pretty bead necklace when Draco cut in.
"Would you like to know why I snickered some earlier."
A soft look in his eyes directed to her. The witch cashier was irritated that he ignored her and thought that the attention that Hermione received was very blessed.
Hermione whirled around at the mere mention. With anticipating eyes, she nodded. Draco smiled, nearly making the girls eyeing him, melt.
"Well, it's like this-"
But before Draco could continue, some young man walked over to them and flirted openly, loudly even, with Hermione.
This of course angered him to no end. HE was ITERRUPTED WHILE SPEAKING! Not that it wasn't unheard of any more, but still it was very… vexing. The young teenage whelp was practically smothering Hermione with things that should make her blush. He didn't like the thought of Hermione blushing for this some guy- he didn't understand why he felt this way, but it was clear to him that neither he nor Hermione liked this wizard at all.
Granted Hermione was not really blushing; she was not a shy girl, but it made her quite uncomfortable, it made her blood rush in her veins, making her hear pound very fast. She did not want to do anything to this guy, she just felt like taking some action… not just hexing him, but she felt like pounding the young man before her into a bloody heap of flesh and bones. A reaction that could be drawn to the conclusion that she wasn't use to being flirted with, especially so obnoxiously.
"Hi there!" the young man said. He was handsome, any one could give him that… he was a foreigner, but nothing like Victor Krum… and he was most certainly not Hermione's type! She did not make an effort to respond. She merely nodded her head in greeting to him. The man however, seem to have taking it as some good sign for he just continued to flirt.
"Hi I'm Faust, Faust VonWolfgang the IV, I'm a foreigner here… Would you like to show me around? Don't worry, I'm VERY good company. I won't bore you and I'll sure that we both have a good time. wink"
He flashed her a rather leery grin. While this "Faust" person was talking, Hermione's eyes continued to narrow. She immediately transformed into an icicle queen. Her very voice was clipped and cold.
Draco, sensing the tension decided to intervene.
"Ah, I'm sorry sir, but my friend has already things panned for today."
Draco wanted to play the part of the avenging hero. He did this many times with his former masters, whenever they were in some conference of another.
It was as plain as day that under the casual invention to Kagome, there were other intentions, unwanted intentions. The guy was a horny pervert. It was obvious just by observing his behavior.
As soon as the man heard Draco's statement, his playboy charm dropped and tuned bad boy.
"Look, excuse me, SIR, but I asked the pretty lady, not the pretty boy."
The last part was said under his breath, but it still reached Draco's ears. All Draco did was frown, in a haughty indifferent manner. He did not want to humiliate his mistress/ friend.
Hermione, getting irritated will all of this, realized that she still had to owl Dumbledore and the Ministry about the slave trader. She immediately dampened the spirits of the man, with sadistic pleasure.
"Excuse me, Mr. VonWolfgang, right? But if you would be polite enough to let us go with you having to control ourselves from hurting you, please do. We're in quite a hurry."
She turned her back, grabbed Draco's hand and walked calmly out of the store with purchases in hand. Draco was rather startled at his mistress' actions. She morphed from an amiable lady into an intimidating young woman. Somewhere in the back of his mind a voice whispered that it was a trait of a certain hostile Griffindor girl.
Soon they were in front of the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione was slightly hesitant which created confusion in Draco.
'Oh… I'm in for it now. I hope the boys will understand!' Hermione thought as they came upon the entrance door.
Hey DigiFox86 here, I'm still getting the hang of posting so some of you totally need to chill out alright? I am a newbie, so chill-ax. So everyone else thank you for reading my story and please review, but be nice at least for my own insanity- thank you! I really hope that you appreciate this chapter, cause I had to take my time at WORK to type this up to get it to you, cause I know some of you e-mailed me and I did possible to get it to you at sometime in the middle of October, so BAM! That's done.
NOTE: I don't own HP and the 1st 3 chapters of 'The Broken' are not all mine so please give it up for LeSinner who was awesome enough to let me take the idea into the world of Harry Potter!