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Chapter 2: Her Own Beginning

Sunlight glinted in her eyes as she woke to find her ever-close vampire at her side in the bed. A smile lit her honey eyes as she brushed a hand gently against his forehead, she knew he wasn't asleep, but knew he liked to pretend to tease her in the mornings. It was odd how beautiful the day was after a storm like last night's, but to her it made perfect sense, after every storm there is a serenity that can't be passed up. It was on days like these she cherished her time with those she loved. SOmething had come across him last night, not just his attempt at seducing her but after she had tried to calm him. She recalled how he had went tiff during their kiss, dragging her into his chest with a growl, like he was protecting her, in her mind she knew he had heard a thought he didn't particularly appreciate. Concern marred her brow, as she remembered how he had carried her to bed still growling and stayed with her wrapped in his arms all night. Something was rotten in the state of Denmark, she concluded in a very shakespearean terms, and she planned on dragging the information out of him.

First to get Draco up and about, he tended to be very lazy when they were in bed together on Sunday mornings. "Draco..." she called and silver flickered up to tawny orbs. "Come on.. I want to get up and you are weighing me down to the bed." she motioned to his stationary, strong as steel grip he had on her waist. His answering grumbling was something she had come to expect from the moody immortal. With eyes like those of last night's storm clouds he removed himself from the bed. She noticed his wary glances towards her, like he was afraid of what he find. Last night, she realized, he was guilty about last night, and thought she might fear or hate him. Being one of his last attachments to this world, she knew a rejection from her would end his life, just as she knew he was slowly dying the more he prolonged their mating. Slipping silent feet to cold hardwood floors to wrap her arms around him, "Draco... I'm not mad, or scared, and I love you more than is possible in one life. Don't turn away form me, neither of us are to blame for the events that occurred."

A soft breeze blew in from the balcony door he had left open, the smell after the rain mixed with her scent of tea rose. His mind searched for those that threatened his mate, he had searched all night, and had came to the conclusion that both had left campus. He didn't understand why they had came and then left without attempting what he had known they came to do. Though, maybe, he should be grateful his kitten had not had to face such evil after being half seduced by one she should be able to trust to have self-control. Guilt ran deep through him as her arms stayed around him, even when he knew they were becoming quite chilled. "I am to blame... I could not control myself... I almost brought you into my world against your will..."

A small sigh escaped her lips and he could only imagine her eyes rolling, "Draco Lucius Malfoy, you are such a dolt! The whole school, students and faculty combined, can see how much I want to be a part of your world! Why is it you keep denying me the one step I can make into being with you eternally?" she had released him in her tirade to come stand before him, arms akimbo. "Is it that you don't really want me as a mate? Or... or ... WHAT!?" she was furious, he could see from the way her cheeks flushed and breathing escalated that she wasn't going to take him changing subjects or lightly brushing the matter off. "One more thing... what is it you heard that made you so protective last night?"

His limbs froze up at this, his eyes were wide, and she knew he had ceased breathing, she was one of the few who could take him by surprise. "What do you mean, I was just in a mood, and you know I very much want you as my mate, I just can't take your life from you." his eyes were back at quicksilver, having been fully awakened by her sudden curiosity. The rise of one eyebrow, which reminded him of himself, put both pride and suspicion in him, and informed him, she wasn't going to take that as an answer. "We'll talk about this later, ok? Look it's beautiful outside, i know you love these types of days. Hermione turned to look out the window to be graced with a beautiful view over the lake and grounds. Her heart warmed and slowly she calmed down, besides he'd have to tell her sooner or later, sooner preferably.

A knock at the door distracted them, and Hermione went to get it but Draco was much quicker, his mind filled of Dolohov or Bellatrix standing there wands at the ready, to strike his beloved down before she could react. Rolling her eyes as she decided to just take her time as she descended the stairs, he probably already knew who it was, what they wanted, and how to deal with it, so why even hurry. Draco was relieved to search the minds outside the door to find the school's two luckiest bumbling idiots, "Potter, Weasley." he greeted as he let them in, "The girls let your leashes this far?" his smirked at his own joke and the two turned red in the face ready to retort when his lovely mate made her entrance.

"I see yours is obviously not that long either, Malfoy." Harry jibed as he took in the sight of a girl he regarded as a sister, which is the only reason Draco wouldn't be demanding Hermione to go back up and change while gouging the two males eyes out. "'Mione! We heard about your mission, and we refuse to allow you to go to some vampire school in the middle of nowhere in the United States! It's too far from us, too dangerous, and well... it's with Malfoy!" he informed the girl in a righteous fury as he ticked of the reason on one hand while another flung out to point accusingly at said partner.

Hermione went to sit on the arm rest of the comfy chair Draco sat in before the fire, who then placed a hand on her crossed legs. His eyes just daring the two male counterparts of the Golden trio to say something to him about it. "First of all, it is my mission, next the United States is just as safe as Britain, and if anything it's wizarding communities much more occupied than our own. Lastly, if you had forgotten, Draco is my mate and much more capable of protecting me than anyone else, as well as being my usual partner in any mission I have gone on since he joined the order. We work well together, and only he and I could accomplish what this mission wants as being the only ones of a vampiric nature." she wasn't in the mood to deal with both Draco's fickle nature this morning and her two best friend's overbearing attitudes. A hand went to her head, she practically feel the headache coming on, right behind her eyes, then her mate's hand slipped up to the opposite temple and she felt the simple healing magic he used to ease her mind.

"'Mione..." Ron whined as he looked at her, "You're not like him are you now?"

A laugh escaped her lips at the irony, "No, unfortunately I'm not as of yet. Though Draco has been issued a deadline, that I must be one by the end of the week so that I may go on the mission safely." Draco's unhappy growl at the thought brought a pout to her lips, "He's being stubborn, spouting off reasons for me to remain mortal, like not wanting to end my life, me not being ready, wanting me to experience more mortal things." she looked pointedly at the blonde as he stood to grab a decanter of fire whiskey from the fireplace mantle, and poured a liberal amounted into a tumbler. "It's a bit early to be drinking." she chided as she took the tumbler from him to set it on the coffee table in front of them.

The sighs of relief from the two traitorous friends aggravated Hermione and brought a bit of a smug pride to Draco. "Seems this is one of the few subject me, Pothead, and Weaselbee agree on." his smirk made Hermione to forget he was made of stone and just bloody his lip, see how much he'd smirk after that. "I'd still smirk... probably more so to be honest, but it would break your wrist and fingers and force me to feel guilty at not stopping you." he told her proving he was reading her thoughts, not even occulmency could keep him from sifting through others minds, making him irreplaceable to the Order. Ron and harry were used to this, and had come used to the feel of another presence in their heads even with their barriers up, knowing it was Draco. "Keep out of this you two, the mission is set for a reason, we need my kinds help and Dumbledore knows they can't say no to us, we're just that persistently annoying about getting our way."

"That's because you're spoiled, I'm just fighting for what's best and good." Hermione told him before trudging up the stairs, "And don't touch that fire whiskey!"

A pale hand stopped three inches from a full tumbler with a disappointed groan, "You two might as well go gather the others, she has quite a day planned out for us." Draco turned to see Ron making a motion like flicking a whip that drew a growl and hard shove from Draco, "Go on get out before I beat your faces in." Chuckles erupted from them all, an old joke between the boys, who would have thought after the missions they'd been on since before school started would bring them to being like brothers. Running a hand through platinum strands he leaned back on a closed door just as his little mate traipsed down the stairs in nothing but stilettos, a garter and barely there green lace panties, all in Slytherin green. His moan escaped his lips, this was torture, she was trying to seduce him now. "What are you doing, kitten?"

A smirk that could only belong to a Malfoy was on her face as she strutted over before him. Bending down tantalizing low, she kissed him, biting his bottom lip gently then moving up his jaw until he had taken his earlobe between her lips to whisper huskily, "I plan on doing you..." Another groan escaped him, and he finally admitted to himself, he was only human as he swiftly picked up his little kitten and carried her up to her bed, simultaneously as she kicked off her heels and he ripped off the garter. Pressing her to the bed gently, his mouth began to ravage her mouth and neck. Then remembering her lack of such experiences changed to tenderness as he moved lower to her collarbone. Laving a tongue across her shoulder and down the valley of her bosom. A contented sigh slipped through her lips as he paid attention to each globe equally. Her ands soon removed his pants along with his boxers, so that they were on even ground as he tore the lace from her body. "Are you willing to claim me not only as yours but for your kind?" she breathed softly against his neck along with her kisses.

For a minute he paused in his ministrations, then finally realizing, that he was the one who had not been ready, she knew all the details and facts, while he had feared them. Laying a gentle cool hand against her breast above her heart, he met her gaze. "I love you... remember me through the pain, I will never leave your side." It was then she knew, she would have her eternity with the one she loved. Now the tenderness became passion as he kissed her thighs, her hips, forcing her to writhe beneath him, begging for a release that she was unaware of needing before. She could feel his signature smirk just above her center as he licked slowly down until he found the first taste of her, nothing could convince him that there was anything greater than her in that moment. Part of being mates was that the pleasure bounced back between them, he could feel her pleasure, new what to do and where to do it, and it pleased him as much as it did her, wave after wave bouncing against them. He began concentrating on her center, showing her how a mouth could do a much more intimate kiss than that of the french on her lips. Soon his fingers joined the fray, and he realized just how virgin she was, his mind was connected tightly with hers, so tightly their minds were practically one. Finally he worked them to a peak, as a scream ripped from her throat she fell over her first edge.

Nothing, she was sure could ever be better than what she had just experienced. This is what she had waited for, to go untouched for so long as worth it when she was in the hands of such an attentive lover. Gripping his wrist she flipped him over and showed him the same attention he had shown her. Kissing his collarbone then sliding a warm tongue over his nipples, dragging out a lusty moan as she trailed her mouth down his stomach to his hip bones, and her hands up his thighs. Her eyes flickered up to find his closed with his head thrown back. As she stroked him, she was shocked to find so much pleasure rolling through her, even as she exchanged her hand for her mouth, her own eyes rolled back as his did. Draco knew he had to stop her, if he didn't he would be finished for the night, so slipping a gentle hand on the back of her neck he pulled her away to drag her up to him, settling his lips on her own as he rolled them over. his body and lips actually seemed to be warmer than his usual iciness. Forehead pressed to forehead, he was breathing hard, she could tell he was restraining himself on her part and thus she arched her hips up so that she touched him. The tension seemed to fall away from him as he slowly eased into her, meeting that thin barrier and puling back, she cried out as he plunged in, not only breaking her barrier but sinking his fangs into her neck. A soothing sense of his own controlled pleasure as he stopped within to let her adjust, as tears spilled from her eyes. With a short nod, he continued, it hurt at first but soon she was experiencing her pleasure not just his.

The blood that dribbled down her neck from his first bite, was to enticing for him not to lick off. He prided himself at his endurance, but knew with her, it was practically lost on the first plunge. Hermione felt something building in her again, screams tore from her throat and begged for anything, something only this immortal could give to her. Walls contracting around him, as she took the dive over into euphoria, forced Draco to join her as he emptied himself inside her. His own guttural cry as he rolled so he'd fall at her side was just as animal as he was. So he was sinking his fangs into her neck again, drinking her in, and he knew it was something oddly pleasurable as the intimate act they had just performed.

In her mind Hermione felt as the poison slipped through her, the excruciating pain and fiery feel was enough to make her doubt her own sanity at wanting this. Hope beyond hope, she willed herself to survive, for Draco, for her friends, and for the wizarding world. Unlike Draco she had no dark magic running through her to help her survive, she was actually the best in the school at the opposite white or light magic, as she knew dark was at times called black magic. The white magic was no help against this poison though, nothing could have prepared her for the heat as all her blood was drained away or tainted by the poison. Repressed shudders, she had to keep from screaming or showing her lover she was in agony, otherwise he would be guilt-ridden. She refused to be a source for his guilt. Her hands itched to claw at her back as it seemed a million small matches had been lit against it. A light burst across her eyelids, her only thoughts were to survival and Draco. Forcing what little healing magic in her to ease the pain, she let a cry slip past her lips as it finally burned through her heart. An icy hand slipped over her, but she would not be defeated by death, so she stood at his door that Gryffindor bravery held her high. Slipping past an unwelcome mat, she opened her eyes to a world she had never known existed.

The eyes were scarlet, but they could see so much better than fuzzy, foggy mortals ones she had been looking through up until now. Body temperature met that of the man who laid next to her, and then she felt so many emotions that it almost swallowed her whole. "Draco..." she felt her chest was heavy, and knew she had discovered her gift, was this how Draco felt at first that a million thought flooded his mind. Unintentionally she reached out and soothed her mate, drawing away his worry and fear into herself. "Draco... I can feel them..." It was then that an understanding lit his eyes, his mate was something rare, of course he would be drawn to something like her, Malfoy's had an eye for the best. Beautiful was the only thing he apply to her, he hair had taken on this golden sheen among the coffee curls, and her eyes were the purest flaxen color, once the scarlet receded, he was sure anything Gringott's had in their vaults could never compare, her body was pale, he would miss her honeyed skin with it's beautiful blushing. Tracing a gentle hand down the column of her throat, he knew she had solved many of his problems without meaning to, Dolohov and his aunt would be highly upset to find her in this form, or had their master called them away thinking she would be more useful like this, probably wanting to utilize any gifts she and himself had. A soft curse escaped his lips as he felt her once again pull his worry and fear away, she was an empath, so precious few had the talent for healing the hurts of the soul as well as the body.

Distress seemed to crease along her forehead, as she didn't understand what her gift was or how to handle it, "Calm, Hermione, breathe in and out gently. Slowly now use your mind like scissors to cut away the links you have attached to others." she concentrated on his words, slowly feeling her chest lighten until only her link with him survived, "You must let me go as well, my love, protect your heart, you will harm yourself as you are not experienced with your gift, but I will find someone to help you." A knock downstairs reminded him that they had plans for the day, and her friends would surely notice her changes. His fear and worry stayed this time and he knew she had let go of their link, it was odd to lose that warmth against his heart.

Taking a considerable breath, Hermione languidly rose from the bed and pulled on some clothes, "I am yours, just as you are mine. They will be happy for us, just as I would be happy for any of them." He loved the sound of calling her truly his. Wanted nothing more than to drag her back into bed and not let her out for weeks on end.

Before she could descend the stairs he leaped to her side offering his wrist, "Here, it's not the best but I still have blood that runs through me, take from me so you will not be tempted to take from your friends." Fangs pierced his wrist and a weak-kneed feeling gripped as he realized just how intimate this simple act could be. As she drew away he kissed her licking the last drops from her lips, and almost conceded to his wish of taking her to bed for weeks. Another knock reminded him of their other responsibilities in this world, so as he turned to dress, she went down to greet their guests. His trousers were just being buttoned when he heard her scream, a chill settled in his heart. Forgetting anything else he was at her side in seconds, to find two very muggle looking adult dead on their doorstep.

"My... my parents..."

Amata Mercy

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