A/N Dear readers, hello again. I've decided to continue this as I can take it quite far I believe. If I do I wouldn't mind a beta for this work. More fluffiness after this but this is a serious chapter. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to PM me. As always keep R&R and F&F. New rule, every person who follows or favourites, you leave me a nice, but critical review, I know Dramione isn't for everyone but no flames please. Pretty please with cream and jam on top (I'm British, it is of course going to be a scone). On with the fic then, Chapter 2 of Stella- Trials and Tribulations.
P.S sorry I didn't include this last time- Disclaimer- I do not or will I ever own the rights to Harry Potter, I am not Queen JK but If I was Dramione would be totally canon, I mean come on the chemistry...(Dramione passion over takes me). I only own Stella, Mama Zabini and Bramble (Who's Bramble? Stay tuned till next chap to find out).
Trials and Tribulations
BANG!
A loud crash sounded through the small house, the young couple inside a cosy bed woke up with a startle. The young woman's eyes were wide with fear as she reached for her wand.
"Lumos" Hermione whispered. Draco clutched to her side protectively. They heard Stella's screams caused by the noise.
"I'll go and get her, you check downstairs. I think Theo wasn't alone in his mission" Hermione said to Draco, kissing him on the cheek. She walked onto the landing, Draco went downstairs and Hermione made the quick trip to Stella's room.
Stella wailed in her cot, her tiny fists flailing about as her cheeks were flushed red. Grey eyes flooded with tears.
"Ssshhh, sweetheart" Hermione cooed as she picked up Stella and put her over her shoulder, gently bouncing her daughter. Stella slowly stopped her crying and started to gurgle contentedly.
"Mummy's sorry, did the big noise frighten you sweetie?" She said as she rocked Stella whilst humming.
"But I'm sure the big angry werewolf and snatcher would" said a frighteningly familiar voice behind Hermione. She turned cautiously.
Stood in front of her eyes was Fenrir Greyback, the werewolf death eater that had been at the manor and Scabior, she thought his name was, a Snatcher that reminded her a little of muggle singer Adam Ant who still had on her pink scarf from the day they had been cornered and captured in the Forest of Dean.
"Did you miss us Princess?" Scabior said smiling which showed his yellowing teeth.
"Stay back" she pointed her wand at the two. Scabior cast a quick expelliarmus and her wand was in his hand in a flash.
"Now our Lord doesn't like that you had a spawn with his trusted death eater or that you married said death eater. To make it up to him, he wants to see the child for himself" Scabior explained.
"Where's Draco? Where's my husband?" She asked shakily.
"He's already there" Fenrir said.
"Ok, I just want to negotiate alright" she said. She felt a tight grip on her arm and the tug of apparation.
The Great Hall of Hogwarts once majestic and filled with chatter was silent, deadly silent. All tables and tapestries were gone. The only thing that remained was Dumbledore's chair. Voldemort sat atop the headmaster's chair, a throne to his liking next to him sat Bellatrix and next to her sat Antonin Dolohov already holding a glass of wine in his hand. The remaining Death eaters circled the room around him. Stood in the middle of the circle was a badly beaten and dishevelled Draco Malfoy for once he stood before Voldemort without a wand and in shame. He was in chains and kneeling on the ground.
"Draco!" Hermione yelled out as she tried to rush towards her beaten husband.
"Silence! Mudblood! Fenrir hold her still and bring her forwards" Greyback quickly grabbed Hermione and walked her towards Draco. He dropped her to her knees and shackled her like Draco.
"Bring the child" Voldemort instructed.
"Over my dead body" Draco growled defensively as he shifted closer to Hermione and Stella. Fenrir grabbed Stella out of Hermione's hands roughly and brought her to Voldemort as instructed.
"Get your hands off my daughter!" Draco threatened. Voldemort just laughed as well as the other death eaters.
"You seem to think that you can escape me so simply, Draco. You know I am not soft and if I hear another word out of you I will kill the child" Voldemort said as he held Stella in his snake fingers.
He handed the child to Narcissa who bounced her granddaughter and tried to calm her.
Voldemort spoke loudly, standing to look at the two. His red eyes staring straight into Draco's soul.
"The two knelt before us are traitors, their love is traitorous, by producing a child and they bare the charge of treason and Draco also the betrayal of the oath he took when becoming a death eater. If they are both found guilty, both will die a traitor's death. Burning at the stake. Court will now proceed, please call the first testimony in the Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger- Malfoy case" ordered Voldemort, coldly as he re-took his seat atop his throne. But Draco Malfoy, the death eater's son held his head high and spoke confidently.
"I'm tried for love of Hermione, my crime was love" he said loudly.
"She's a filthy mudblood" yelled a death eater from the circle. Draco's nostrils flared in anger at the man's comment.
"Enough, Adrian Pucey please give your testimony" said Voldemort.
A tall cloaked man stepped forward and knelt before Voldemort briefly showing his respect. He brushed his hood backwards revealing the bitter and ruthless captain that Draco had known in his second year of Hogwarts. His brown eyes looked tired and worn.
"He is a man like any other in this room, the laws of purebloods command him however his heart does not obey these rules. His strength, courage and loyalty do not measure up to the weakness of his spirit. His crimes need no excuses, it is clear that no rules are great enough to stop him from loving a Mudblood. The rules of Death Eater's don't bend for anyone. I say his guilty" Adrian Pucey announced, many death eaters nodding their heads in agreement.
"Next to give his testimony, Blaise Zabini" Voldemort announced. A dark skinned young man stepped forwards, hurt present in his eyes. Blaise and Draco had been friend, brothers even from birth. They had stuck together through thick and thin, Blaise had married and impregnated Luna Lovegood earlier that year and Voldemort had killed her before his very eyes. Draco had helped him to grieve and Hermione had too. Blaise accepted their love fully. He was the godfather of their child.
"I know this man very well, he has always stood beside me through thick and thin. Draco Malfoy has skin as thick as dragon scales and a courage that could be matched to the bravest of lions. He has never shied away from an opportunity to show great chivalry. Often this man had bartered for your respect milord and his service past as a Death Eater should be taken into consideration." He said a tear running down his cheek as he tried to prevent his best friend from being found guilty of treason and ultimately being executed.
"Zabini how can we believe you, when you were married to a blood traitor slut yourself, produced a spawn and your grandmother helped this couple with theirs? You proved yourself to be a traitorous letch!" announced Dolohov harshly.
"I'll always oppose a extremist that ruins so many lives! This couple will destroy you Voldemort" Blaise retorted hissing his words.
"Mr Zabini, you made a very bad mistake by saying that! Avada Kedavra!" Voldemort short a green flash at the young dark skinned man. He fell to the ground dead, his eyes blank and expression devoid of emotion.
Hermione attempted to rush towards his body, she began crying hysterically. Crying his name loudly.
"BLAISE!" She yelled. Draco looked towards Voldemort, hatred present in his eyes at the person that had destroyed his life piece by piece.
"We will discuss this further tomorrow, take them to the manor dungeons. The spawn can go with the girl" Voldemort ordered as he pointed to two death eaters to take them away. Narcissa placed Stella carefully in Hermione's arms.
"I approve of you, I wouldn't have wanted any other to marry my boy. Take care of my granddaughter." Narcissa whispered to Hermione as she handed Stella over.
The tug of apparition signalled Draco and Hermione's new life of imprisonment and uncertain future whether that be life or execution.
A/N Ooooh cliffy! Sorry but I couldn't resist. How was it? As good as the last chap (I keep wanting to say episode)? Please remember to R&R and F&F. Till next time folks.
Rosie xx