Disclaimer: The only thing I own is the entire Monogatari family, their friends, and their stories.
A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! Don't forget the poll on my profile page about this story! Oddly, for a while Ayame and Draco were tied (I won't tell you for what place). Lol.
Also, my LJ (link on my profile page) now has a trailer of sorts for the real story of the family and the prologue for Kuro's story. Please check it out...you don't have to have an account to comment!
Chapter 14
Unwilling and Unwanted
He watched her from the Slytherin table slowly attempt to eat some food, though it was not very much. His eyes shifted up to the Head Table where his father watched her from the higher vantage point and then back to Hermione. His mind was still up on the tower and the answer that was left hanging…the answer that needn't be said out loud because Draco knew Kuro was the one.
His father had yet to figure that out. But there was much about his father he had yet to figure out either. His gaze fell up on the Head Table. His father sat there as if he were one of them…one of the good guys, but most of Draco's life was spent with his father on the other side of the proverbial line. True, his mother's death had sent something through his father…created a reawakening of sorts, but a reawakening of what…or who exactly?
Draco didn't even know.
What Draco knew was that something was different about all of them. What was different about his father, he was sure went much deeper than what the Order could see…what Hermione could see.
His father's eyes rested on Hermione, watching her with a glint of something unfamiliar to Draco in his eyes.
He would need to watch out for her…keep on eye on her…make sure she was safe. He was still trying to figure out why his father had Kuro imprisoned in the dungeon cells of Malfoy Manor. It made no sense…the Ministry would not have approved of that and what reason did the Ministry have to arrest him anyway? What had Kuro done? Draco could think of nothing. He had witnessed much, but none of it seemed harmful or dangerous toward Hermione. None of it seemed illegal, even by muggle standards…except maybe stalking, but Hermione had not complained.
It was like he was always trying to protect her.
Protect her from what?
From the Death Eaters that left Kuro's side?
From his father?
What did Kuro know about his father that created such an intense desire to watch her…to keep her safe…to protect her from the very person Severus had assigned to do just that?
The doors to the Great Hall opened and there was a burst of loud shouts and cheers. The Gryffindor Quidditch team entered, basking in the glory of their fame as at least three houses cheered for them…for their victory on the Quidditch field. Harry Potter was in the lead, leading his team to their house table with a cocky smile and a glance around at all the smiling cheering faces.
Draco noticed.
He noticed when Potter's eyes landed on Hermione's that his smile faltered. He knew something was wrong despite her cheers for him…for her house.
Perhaps it was time to speak to Potter. Perhaps it was time to set aside his differences with Potter and talk to him…for Hermione's sake.
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Harry was walking through the corridors toward Gryffindor tower. Breakfast was over at least thirty minutes ago and Harry was on his way to check that the team was indeed in the common room awaiting directions to head to the Quidditch pitch. The game wasn't for another hour though.
His hands in his pockets, he walked on not expecting Draco to step out of nowhere, cutting off his path. Harry glared at him only for a moment before making a move to go around him.
"Hey, Potter," Draco called.
Harry stopped and turned back around to face the Slytherin.
"What is it, Malfoy?"
Draco quirked an eyebrow as if Harry should know it was important if he was calling Harry out. Honestly, Draco could go his whole life without being chummy with Potter. That should have been a clue.
"A word, Potter. I only need to have a word with you and to show you something that might pique your interest."
Harry observed the blond boy, thinking about the Quidditch game coming up in an hour against the Slytherin team and wondering if this was nothing more than a trick.
"No thanks, Malfoy," Harry said as his eyes landed on the smirk that almost always graced Draco's lips.
Harry turned to leave. Draco allowed him to take two steps before he said anything.
"You sure, Potter? It's about Granger."
Draco smiled, pleased with himself as Harry came to an immediate halt and turned around. He walked toward Draco and stopped before entering the Room of Requirement.
"If this is a trick, Malfoy, I promise you only one of us is leaving this room and it won't be you."
Draco nodded his head slightly as if to say he understood the conditions, but his smirk never left keeping Harry on edge. The room was pretty bare. It seemed to be a room of mirrors…a circular room of mirrors reminding Harry of a fun house. In the middle of the room sat a round table with a pensieve sitting in the middle of the table. Harry turned a circle looking around at the mirrors and then to Draco.
"You expect me to turn my back on you and dive into this pensieve? You said this was about Hermione."
Draco pulled his hands out of his pockets and showed that he held no wand.
"My wand is in the inside of my cloak. You are welcome to take it," Draco said hating the words as they left his mouth, but willing to do anything if it was for Hermione.
Harry looked at him warily before taking his own wand out and saying, "expelliarmus."
Draco's wand flew from the inside of his cloak and into Harry's waiting hand.
"Now, I'm completely unarmed," Draco said.
"So then what is it?"
"Just snap your wand up…just a flick at the wrist and say 'animus.' What the pensieve holds will be reflected in the mirrors."
Harry snapped his wand movement…just a flick at the wrist and said the words. He had to admit he was impressed with that bit of information. That was something they didn't learn in charms. But then, no one ever claimed Draco to be stupid. He became distracted by the images in the mirrors though.
The first images danced in the mirror like a movie being played out for Harry. Hermione was frantic…standing in her room at the summer house and swearing someone had been there…someone had been in her room and that she could feel him. That alone concerned Harry. Had she gone through that fear alone? Draco hugged her…he offered comfort. Harry shifted uncomfortably.
The next image that appeared in the mirror next to the first was of Draco and Hermione back to back in front of the large windows…both wondering aloud where Lucius had disappeared to…where he had gone.
The image faded.
The next mirror was showing the beach party. Draco was walking off to get drinks when Hermione felt something. Harry could tell by the way her back stiffened. No one around her seemed to notice though…just her. Harry saw it though. The difference. When she turned and saw him…saw who Harry knew to be Kuro, her face changed…she seemed relaxed and unafraid. She began to move toward him and the image faded, the next one coming quickly in the next mirror.
The victory party…Hermione in his arms…in Kuro's arms. It was like looking at a different Hermione…a Hermione that was…
Harry shook that thought from his mind. She didn't even look like that when she thought she was in love with Ron. Her face glowed and nothing seemed to exist. Rather quickly the image flashed away and was replaced by Kuro shoving her behind him…protecting her from those coming for him. The image faded.
In the next mirror was Draco leading Hermione down into the dungeons of Malfoy Manor…taking their time as the horrid memories of her personal experience in the house and the dungeons during the war were sure to overpower her. Harry saw the cell come into view…the cell that held someone hidden in the dark…broken. Hermione ran forward and he knew…it was Kuro. Her hands were wrapped around the bars of the cell as if trying desperately to reach him when the image slowly faded and the next one arrived.
Hermione was crying over the body of Severus Snape and Lucius had an odd smile on his face. The image immediately faded to be replaced by Draco and Hermione on the tower and the conversation…with the question that was never answered…the answer left hanging, but clear.
When that image faded Harry turned to look at Draco.
"I thought he was the one they were protecting her from," Harry said.
"Initially he was," Draco said with a shrug. "I don't know when they stopped going after Kuro, but it hasn't stopped Father and as you saw…some things just don't add up."
Harry nodded and tossed Draco his wand. Draco nodded his thank you and pocketed his wand. Harry stared at the now blank mirrors as if he could still see the images.
"He's been protecting her all this time…from an enemy we do not know," Harry said with a question ring to his tone.
"Brilliant deduction, Potter," Draco said with enough sarcasm to last days.
Harry gave him a withering look, but could not dismiss the fact that Draco and Hermione had become close…close enough that he willingly came to Harry when his worries about Hermione got to be too much. Harry took a deep sigh and looked at Draco.
"And what exactly is it you propose we do?"
Draco smiled as if that was the question he was waiting for.
"My information tells me the schism in the Death Eaters have separated the Lestrange brothers."
"So," Harry said getting bored quickly.
"So," Draco said rolling his eyes. "Rodolphus has stayed with Kuro. I can easily contact him…he's not as slow as he always led his brother to believe."
Harry looked at Draco warily.
"And why will you do that?"
Draco rolled his eyes again.
"Really, Potter! How did you defeat the Dark Lord?"
Harry took a step forward as if going to attack Draco.
"Because," Draco said rather loudly. "I fear Hermione does indeed need protecting…here at Hogwarts and I want to help…I will help. If that means joining Kuro and his bunch, then so be it."
"Why are you telling me this," Harry asked seriously thinking of turning Draco into the Order.
"I know you've been worried about Hermione," Draco said. "You've seen the evidence, you know what is wrong…you know he is protecting her. I'm telling you all this so you are given the option to join with me…to help protect her…from anyone."
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"Congratulations on the Gryffindor win, Potter," McGonagall said in a rather stern voice indicating how unhappy she was with the current situation.
She held out the jar of floo powder to him and he took a pinch with a smile as if hoping to make McGonagall feel better about it. It was difficult for her to keep her angry façade up when she was jumping in joy on the inside at the Gryffindor win and the earnings she won because she has never doubted the house that she was most connected with.
"Number Twelve Grimmauld Place," Harry said clearly as he tossed the floo powder into the flames.
When Harry stepped out of the fire, he heard the clinking of a tea cup being set in its saucer and looked up to see Remus rising from his seat at the table. He welcomed Harry with a big fatherly hug and quickly offered him a seat and a cup of tea, joking about it being Harry's house anyway. Kreacher arrived quickly enough having heard his Master's voice and did not waste time cooking a full meal for Harry's brief stay.
The weather outside was chilly and the stew was warm. Harry had to fight the desire to just lay his head down and go to sleep as he ate. He glanced over the table at Remus waiting for him to say something…anything. Harry had just spent the past half hour rehashing the entire conversation and memories he saw in the Room of Requirement. Remus glanced up from his spoon at Harry and smiled slightly at the anxious look on the young man's face.
"What do you plan to do, Harry?"
Harry wasn't expecting that.
"What? What about Malfoy running off to join some band of Death Eaters?"
Remus took a deep sigh, patted the corners of his mouth with his napkin and placed the napkin on the table.
"Harry," Remus said. "Draco is correct. Kuro and his bunch are not the bad guys."
Harry moved to say something, to protest, his mouth open about to speak, but Remus held his hand up to silence him.
"Even with the Death Eaters that remained by his side. The ones that did stay by him were the ones that always walked the line anyway…not sure they wanted to follow a mad man. Don't get me wrong, Kuro has his moments…"
"You speak as if you know from experience," Harry said.
Remus cleared his throat and took a sip of his butterbeer. He shrugged slightly as if not really wanting to answer, but allowing Harry to believe what he wanted.
"I thought Kuro was the reason she needed a guard," Harry said, searching desperately for some reason for it to not be true.
"At first, he was the threat we feared," Remus said. "After all, Voldemort left word that this vampire was to take over and complete what he had started. And he was no ordinary vampire. He had his own agenda, however. That is what separated the Death Eaters."
"Then who is it? Who is after her," Harry asked.
Remus shrugged again.
"Kuro and his men know. They haven't divulged that information yet stating it may be dangerous for Hermione to do so this quickly. Just know, Harry, someone is always watching her."
"Lucius Malfoy you mean?"
Remus shook his head.
"No, Harry…not Lucius Malfoy. Someone…else."
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Harry had a lot to think about. Hermione was still cleaning up from the party Gryffindor Tower had after their win when Harry returned. She refused to just leave it for the house elves…a fact that created unattractive snarls of disgust in Lucius Malfoy, but Hermione just seemed to blow it all off as Lucius being Lucius. She went as far as to roll her eyes at his behavior.
Lucius sat in a corner of the room with a book where he could still keep an eye on Hermione. He didn't need to watch her continuously that much Harry knew. She had the bracelet after all, but still…when they were in the common room that was what he did. Remus' words echoed in his mind. Someone other than Lucius was always with her…that would be the wavering dot he saw on the Marauder's Map. That meant that right now…as he looked at the map with its wavering dot, a vampire hovered about in the common room…chosen to be her protector.
As Harry thought about it…as he watched Hermione running about the common room, he couldn't help but want to be one of them, one of those who wanted to protect Hermione. She was one of his best friends after all. How could he let Draco of all people take that stand and not him?
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Kuro stood there, looking from one to the other as if looking for the weak link…the one not worthy. Rodolphus had vouched for the blond one, Draco Malfoy and the boy seemed eager enough to do whatever was necessary to ensure the safety of his friend. It was the dark haired boy he was unsure of. He claimed to be Harry Potter, but there was no telling. He could be anyone with a splash of Polyjuice Potion. He stared at the boy, making him nervous by the second.
Ayame suddenly stepped forward, stepping up behind Kuro and whispering in his ear, eyes never leaving Harry. He wondered if this was the one always watching Hermione. Kuro nodded.
"Very well," he said.
Suddenly there was a loud thump outside the room they were in. A little bit behind Kuro, Chi took a deep breath, nostrils flaring in upset as he stepped forward, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"Who brought Chloe here?"
It was then that Harry realized how deceiving Chi's appearance was. He looked like the bookworm, someone Hermione would love to study with. When he suddenly got angry at the sound…the flaring nostrils…the fire in his eyes…the fangs though not large like horrid vampire stories, but enough to be noticed by someone looking…he was frightening. Harry wondered if he might be the one to fear.
One corner of Ayame's mouth turned up in a smirk as he turned to look at Chi.
"Rui sent her with some papers and books for my studying," Kuro said rather quietly.
Chi did not look happy as the dark haired girl entered the room, arm full of books. Ayame looked to Chi disapprovingly before stepping forward and relieving the small young woman of her burden.
"Thank you, Chloe," Kuro said with a slight bow.
She smiled brightly and then her blue eyes shifted to Chi who continued to scowl.
"There were others that could have delivered those," Chi said making it clear to her she was not wanted.
"You are welcome to stay the evening and venture back tomorrow," Kuro said ignoring Chi's little mood.
"Arigatou," she said with a slight bow.
Chi cringed slightly at her pronunciation, but said nothing. Her blue eyes landed on Draco though. Ayame's eyebrows went up in amusement when Draco smiled brightly at her and she began to blush. Chi noticed as well. He couldn't be sure why, but he suddenly wanted her out of the room…now. With a pointed glare toward Draco, Chi grabbed Chloe's arm and pulled her from the room.
"I'll show you your room, Chloe-chan."
His words were forced, as if it took every ounce of his effort to remain calm. Once Chi had Chloe out of the room, Kuro turned toward the two boys.
"First thing you need to understand in joining me," he said looking between the two. "My first priority is Hermione…"
"KURO!" Ayame stepped forward anger clear on his face. "That is bordering on blasphemous!"
Kuro looked at Ayame over the top of his eyes. Draco and Harry looked at each other. The only thing they understood was the tone of anger in the two vampire's voices and the passion that danced in their eyes. Their words were in Japanese and though Draco and Harry didn't understand what was being said the staccato sound of their language brought to an extreme volume…deepening their voices made it clear. They were arguing.
"Kuro, you are the future king! You cannot put a girl…an ordinary girl before the land…before the people…before the curse!"
"She is my first priority, Ayame! Without her…I am nothing!"
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She sat at her usual table in the library, chin resting in the palm of her hand and elbow resting on the table. Lucius sat across from her, hair tied back in a black ribbon. Hermione was in another world. Her eyes rested on Lucius, barely noticing the way his hair fell down his back or the way his eyebrow quirked up in curiosity at her sudden interest in his presence. She was feeling the distance though…the distance between her and Kuro. She remembered the flood of relief she felt when she saw Kuro in the Malfoy Manor dungeon prison cell…the relief that sent her rushing forward…she remembered his arms wrapping around her and pulling her to him when she offered herself to him…her blood.
Lucius closed the book he was reading and placed it quietly on the table. He began looking around as if to make sure no one had turned the corner to notice them there in that little nook of the library. He leaned forward, arms resting on the table, drawing closer to Hermione. There was something in that far away look on her face, in her eyes. Never had he seen anything so dark and yet seem to glow at the same time. He saw it now, in her eyes though.
His plan had worked.
Hermione Granger was solely dependent on having him around…nearby at all times. There were occasions he could not be there, but then she would seek out his son…a Malfoy in name and blood, a worthy substitute when Lucius was unable to accommodate the dependency that was too easy to form in her. It pulled him to her…her vulnerability…seeing the bookworm…the Hermione Granger broken and so needy for him that it stirred emotions others might argue were inappropriate. He didn't care though. She was his.
He stopped nose to nose with her.
"Miss Granger," he said.
She blinked as if coming back from some far away place. When she noticed Lucius and how unusually close he was to her, her eyes widened in shock. She moved her mouth to say something, to question him, to say anything, but Lucius only smirked and turned his head slightly…eyes flicking down to her lips as if in warning of what he was about to do.
Ayame remained silent through most of his watch of Hermione, especially when Lucius was around. Yes, when she was alone she would often say things to Ayame…trying to entice him into conversation not caring that he found her not worth the effort Kuro put forth in her safety. She was just an ordinary girl. The more he listened to her soft words, the more he watched her, the more he saw how alone she had slowly become, the more he watched others tease her when she was alone, the more he felt protective of her.
He would never admit it.
He would never say it out loud.
This was the one Kuro chose. If Kuro got his way, she was the next Princess…the future Queen, but more than that she was the key to their cure. She was the answer to the family's curse. It didn't matter if he actually liked Hermione or not. All that mattered was, despite his disapproval with Kuro's choice, Kuro seemed to love her and care for her enough to do what was necessary to make sure she was safe. That was enough to make him protect her.
Seeing Lucius Malfoy leaning toward her…about to kiss her, sent a shot of anger fueled by adrenaline through Ayame. He pushed his hair out of his face as he took the mere two large steps it took for him to be at Lucius' side. With one swift movement of his leg, Ayame's foot made contact with the legs of Lucius' chair sending the blond haired man falling unceremoniously at what Lucius was sure to feel was an inopportune time. Lucius's chin first hit the table with a loud thunk before he fell backward, taking the chair with him. Hermione gasped in shock; covering her mouth with both her hands she stood up and looked down at Lucius on the other side of the table. Ayame noticed her eyes drift up to him. Ayame had a smirk of his own as he looked down at the wizard's crumpled unconscious form.
Hermione was still standing there when Ayame stepped over to her, standing beside her, yet facing her. His hands in his pockets, he leaned down so that he could whisper in her ear, but her hair proved to be in the way. He pulled his hand out of his pocket and gently brushed the hair back, resting his hand on the back of her neck…not tightly…not as if to not allow her to move, but very gently, his thumb moving slightly caressing her skin. He felt Hermione shiver slightly and smiled to himself. His eyes drifted down to her neck where the evidence of his nephew's presence still lingered. He took the other hand out of his pocket and with one finger he barely caressed the marred area that would soon heal nearly completely.
"Mi-chan," he whispered. "You are not alone. That ordinary man is not the only one in your life. Others watch you…others protect you…even if unwillingly."
Hermione closed her eyes, trying to snap herself out of the affect Ayame's hands had on her…the memory of Kuro they brought. At his words, she slapped his hands off her.
"Kuro wants me protected not you."
As she slapped his hand away she turned with her words and placing her hands on his chest, she shoved him away.
"If you hate it so much then leave."
He stumbled back slightly.
"I don't need your protection anyway! I can take care of myself, thanks!"
It happened rather quickly. Ayame stepped back toward her, grabbing her by the back of her neck and pulling her flush against his body as his other arm wrapped around her waist as if to make sure she couldn't leave. She struggled for only a short time, but while she did Ayame closed his eyes for only a minute taking in a deep breath. When she stopped her movements rather suddenly, Ayame still did not let go, but leaned down slightly to whisper into her ear.
"Baka. He will come for you soon, Mi-chan. And when he does, I will be there in the same house," he said softly, pausing and taking in a deep breath as if smelling her before continuing. "Protecting you…always watching."
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Chi stepped forward, excitement on his face and glee shining in his eyes as he watched Ayame fall to the ground at the impact of Kuro's fist. Kuro hovered over Ayame as he slowly pushed himself off the ground and back up onto his feet. The area at the corner of his eye was already turning colors.
"Feel better," Ayame asked as he stood, looking at Kuro with a smirk on his face.
Kuro yelled out in rage as his fist flew forward again, knocking Ayame down again. Ayame got back up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Are you done yet," Ayame asked with a smirk still on his face.
Kuro's anger was boiling. He wanted to pound Ayame…anything to punish him for laying a hand on Hermione. Kuro didn't move though…his body shaking with still unreleased rage.
"Don't worry," Ayame said. "Mi-chan can think of no one but you."
"Mi-chan," Kuro asked.
Ayame looked up at him and smiled.
"Mi-chan," he said. "Besides, I'm not the one that tried kissing her."
Kuro looked at Ayame with a new anger welling up. He quickly turned to Chi who still looked overly delighted at the fighting and the hint of more to come.
"We leave tonight," Kuro said. "Call the others…make sure Rodolphus is there…we go get her tonight…she will be sleeping in her bed here tonight."
Kuro took three long strides to the door to leave to prepare when he stopped at the door and turned back around looking between the two.
"Stop anyone and anything that gets in your way."
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"Do we have to leave?"
Lucius looked down at Hermione. She seemed so small lately. Perhaps she wasn't eating well enough? Perhaps it was psychological and she just didn't appear very big because she wasn't acting like the know-it-all she normally would act like in classes. Who knew?
"Yes, Miss Granger. We have to leave. That mad vampire is coming for you."
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her along behind him, crossing the grounds of Hogwarts toward the gates where they would disapparate from. Her cloak hood up on her head, hid the tears that were welling up in her eyes, casting her face in even more darkness than what the night did. She glanced back at the castle.
Kuro was coming for her.
He was on his way to the castle and she was leaving the castle.
He would look for her…desperately…and not find her.
She turned back around as Lucius pulled her passed the gates and wrapping an arm around her they disapparated…as far away from Kuro as they could get.
A/N: Don't forget to review….ah and the next chapter? Well that will contain Hermione's stay at Lucius' place…and all of what that entails…lol.