Chapter 8: Restrained
The guests would be arriving soon. Draco double checked himself in the mirror and headed down the stairs to the foyer. Just as Draco arrived at the greeting room the door bell rang. He snapped his fingers for the house elf.
"Greet our guests." The house elf nodded and opened the door.
The first to arrive were Blaise and Pansy.
"Zabini," Draco gave the man a firm handshake and greeted his friend. "Pansy, you look ravishing, as always." He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"You're always the charmer Draco. How have you been?" Pansy gushed.
"I've been better. Still looking for the mudblood, as I'm sure Blaise has told you about."
She scoffed. "That's all he ever talks about. Mudblood this, resistance that! Frankly, I'm getting sick of hearing about it."
"Well don't be too hard on him. We'll get her."
"I've heard that before." Draco chuckled at his old schoolmate.
"You guys can wait in there if you'd like. You're the first ones here." Draco gestured to the sitting room. They nodded at his hospitality and left to sit down.
A few minutes passed by and the door rang again. The house elf answered it cordially and let the guests in. This time is was Nott, Flint, Goyle, and Crabbe. The men shook hands and gave each other cold greetings before departing to the sitting room.
Next came the Greengrass sisters along with Bulstrode and Davis. He greeted the women as warmly as he could and they also parted to the sitting room.
The last guests had yet arrived. Draco paced nervously around the foyer until finally the door bell rang. When the house elf opened the door, Draco was greeted by a pair of red eyes.
"Draco, it's good to see you my son." Draco bowed to his lord and kissed his hand.
"And you my lord, it's an honor to have you here as my guest."
"Yes, it's a shame your parents couldn't still be with us. They would be very proud of you."
"Thank you, sir."
"Draco." Severus Snape nodded to his old student.
"Awe! Draco! My dear sweet nephew!" The dark hair woman took him into an embrace. "Killed anyone important lately?"
Draco struggled to not roll his eyes to his crazy aunt.
"Never without you Aunt Bellatrix."
"Of course not, wouldn't want me to miss out on all the fun!" She cackled at her own humor and strode into the sitting room with the others to bother someone else.
Draco surveyed he room. Everyone was wearing formal attire with their hair nicely done, except for his aunt. Her hair was always in frizzy disarray. Her dark eyes covered in a dark shadow to make her look crazier, if that was possible. He honestly didn't know how she survived the rest of the war. Azkaban really took a toll on her sanity.
Everyone was quietly looking around the room, nervously twittering their thumbs. They glanced at Lord Voldemort once in a while to make sure he wasn't about to curse them. The Dark Lord looked very pleased at their gestures as he talked to Severus.
Severus didn't look afraid at all to talk to the Dark Lord. Draco admired and detested the man for it. Draco knew that his old don didn't care for the Dark Lord and his tyranny, but he tolerated it like he was his best mate or something. Perhaps he just didn't have the gall to stand up to the old fool, but then again. Nobody did. Not even himself.
One day. Draco thought.
Slowly the others started conversation after becoming more comfortable with the presence of their ruler. Yet the room still seemed serious and uncomfortable. This was not at all what he thought the world would be like without Potter. Where was the fun in everyone being in fear of Voldemort? Even his most trusted Deatheaters were scared of his wrath.
Draco was pulled out of his trance when a house elf tugged on his robes. He looked down at the disgusting creature. It shied away at his look and whispered that dinner was ready to be served.
Draco's mood immediately improved.
Let's see how our little Italian will handle the presence of Voldemort, shall we?
Draco cleared his throat to get the attention of his guests.
"If we could all follow me to the dining room, dinner will be served."
Some nodded and others chatted about how hungry they were, but most quietly followed him to the dining room. After they took their seats and were settle in, the chatter stopped as the door opened to reveal their food and the person carrying it.
All eyes were on the girl with the dark hair. She gracefully carried all the dishes to each guest, starting first with salads. The women at the table eyed her as though the servant should be ashamed to wear such fine clothing. The men eyed her like she was a piece of meat.
Draco felt a little protective as he saw this. Only once had he ever shared his servants with other men and it didn't turn out well at all. He would have to be sure keep an eye on her later when the firewhiskey was rolling.
The guests were actually very patient with the lonely servant as she went one by one to serve their first round of food, whether it was because of intrigue or politeness, Draco didn't know.
Finally the silence was broken by the Dark Lord.
"Well, Draco, it seems your new servant has entranced us all." The young woman looked as if she hadn't even heard the comment and continued to serve the guests, slowly making her way to Voldemort. Every eye was on the girl who seemed as if she had no care in the world except to serve exquisite meals to such important people.
Hermione approached Voldemort. She hadn't felt this nervous in a long time. Her hand gripped the knife under the dinner plate tightly. Just one hard stab and it would all be over. She no longer cared about the consequences, and seeing that she couldn't use magic, muggle means seemed to be the best way to kill Voldemort. Hermione could fill her heart pounding as she reached him.
Then, she did it.
She screamed and put all the force she could muster into the shaft of the knife, driving it into the heart of the most feared wizard in the world. Everyone eye's went wide. It all seemed to happen in slow motion.
Voldemort yelled out in pain and slumped in his seat.
Stupefy! Rang out in the small dining room. Hermione closed her eyes satisfied with the work and prepared to take the blow.
Voldemort reached for her wrists, effectively stopping her work. This snapped Hermione out of her daydream. She felt stupid for even thinking of trying to kill Voldemort. She was sure he was smart enough to have protection against anyone who wanted to harm him, muggle or wizard.
She wanted to cringe away from the man. His hands were cold and clammy. She saw Draco clench his fists and watching the interaction as if he were forcing himself to stay put and clamp his mouth shut.
"You must tell me your name." Voldemort hissed.
"My name is Velia, sir."
"A beautiful name for such a beautiful woman." He looked her chest up and down with his red eyes and brought a finger to her breast and slowly slipped his fingers through her dress and fondled them. "Thank you, Velia, for the salad, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass." The Dark Lord released her wrist and pulled his hand away, allowing her to get back to her job. Draco let out a breath. He didn't like the way things were going so far, not one bit.
After all the salads were handed out to the guests, save the Dark Lord's, Hermione began to fill their glasses with wine. She struggled to keep her heart from racing when she got to Voldemort again. The way he had looked at her with his red eyes gave her more than just the chills.
The man was evil.
Hermione looked at her second bracelet loathingly. It was keeping her from practicing magic. Luckily the appearance charm she had placed on herself couldn't be lifted until she ended it herself, even if her magic was restrained by the bracelet.
The girl was sure she had enough hatred in her bones to kill Voldemort through a killing curse, wand or not. He was repulsive and vile. Hermione wanted nothing more than to fulfill Harry's promise, but she knew tonight was not the night to do so.
Just as Hermione filled the last wine glass a cough interrupted the deathly silence.
"I say we make a toast!" Bellatrix screeched. "To defeating the Boy-who-wouldn't-die! To enslaving mudbloods and traitors! And to our beloved Dark Lord! Without you my dreams truly would have never came true!" Her eyes glossed with honor.
"The Dark Lord!" Everyone cheered and drank their wine.
Hermione wished more than anything that she had her wand out to kill Voldemort. She knew that if she could just do that one last task she could die in peace, even if she were tortured to death by the other Deatheaters in the room.
Draco watched his servant serve his guests their meal and continue to keep their wine glasses full. He saw the glimpse of fear on her face for only a moment when she neared Lord Voldemort, but there was something else there.
Hate, perhaps.
The others in the room were surprisingly cordial towards her, besides a few snide remarks here and there. The conversation at the table went back to work once again. Voldemort seemed just as obsessed to find Granger as he was, only it was a different kind of obsession. His obsession was about gaining even more powerful to become invincible. Draco was obsessed with finding his old schoolmate and making a conquest out of it, maybe even more.
For such an evil self-assured wizard, Draco thought the man was almost fearful of losing his notoriety among the world.
"Nott, tell me again how you failed to capture the mudblood the night of Potters death."
Nott visibly shuddered under the gaze of his lord.
"I—she—I didn't think she was that important, being a mudblood and all."
"Of course she's important! You imbecile! Letting her get past your grip could be our very downfall! Even now as we speak the resistance is growing stronger through her leadership!" The red-eyed man hissed. "Crucio!"
Nott screamed in pain as he fell out of his chair, nearly taking his food with him. Bellatrix cackled at his pain and scooted a bit closer to Voldemort.
"And wasn't it Crabbe and Goyle who let that traitorous red head slip past them and kill dear beloved Nagini?" Bellatrix added, further incensing the Dark Lord.
Voldemort rounded on the two men after taking off the curse from Nott. He didn't even give them a chance to prove their innocence before they too took the Cruciatus Curse. Food bellowed out of their over-filled mouths as they screamed and choked through the pain. Bellatrix looked very pleased.
"And my poor dear cousin Drakey has yet to find the mudblood like he said he'd do month ago! If he'd found her the resistance wouldn't even be around!"
Draco clenched his jaw prepared for the onslaught of Voldemort's wand. The screaming stopped as Voldemort's attention was then drawn towards the last Malfoy.
"My lord, if I may, it seems we have been foiled." Snape interjected. "The leader to the resistance has been confirmed. She's an imposter calling herself Hermione Granger. The real mudblood is still out there hiding. She's smart and knows better than to prance about giving her position away. It seems Miss Lestrange mislead us on her location."
Bellatrix seethed in her seat and searched for excuses.
"Ha! I led us astray! If it hadn't of been for you and your double crossing ways we would have known Potter and his mudblood were coming that night!"
"Enough!" Voldemort yelled.
The room immediately quieted.
"We are here to have a celebratory dinner for the downfall of yet another clan of resistance. We will not speak of your failures, lest you wish to anger me more." Voldemort hissed in his deadly calm voice. "Now finish your dinner."
They finished their meal in silence. Nott, Crabbe, and Goyle all moved their utensils shakily to their mouths barely tasting the delicious meal.
The last course was dessert. The elves had prepared a special mousse. It was Voldemort's favorite, or so the house elves had said. When Hermione laid the dessert plate in front of Voldemort, his face twitched into the most evil smiled she had ever seen. He immediately picked up his fork and shoved the food in his mouth.
Hermione stared, disgusted at the slop around his mouth as he ravenously ate the mousse. The others spared glances, but dared not to look for too long, afraid to catch his demonic eyes. Once she had served all of the guests, Voldemort had already finished his off. He looked at her pointedly and she brought another plate to him and refilled his glass.
"Draco, how did you find out about my favorite dessert? It was very thoughtful of you. You will most definitely be rewarded for your efforts in the future." The Dark Lord looked up to the blond and smiled at him before digging in to his second plate of dessert.
To say the room was shocked by the display would be an understatement. They had never seen their leader so happy, not even when the great Harry Potter was slain. He looked like a schoolboy who had finally gotten to open his Christmas presents after waiting all morning for his parent to awake.
"Severus told me how much you enjoyed raspberry mousse so I took it upon myself to have my house elves make it for you."
"It is quite delicious."
"Thank you, sir."
Once dessert was finished Hermione began to clear off the table. As she rounded the last side, stacking plates as tall as her arms allowed, she felt an intense pain in her arm. Hermione hissed and grabbed her arm making the plates fall to the floor.
Food was everywhere, including all over her dress.
"You clumsy little fool!" Astoria screeched. "You've soiled the ends of my dress! Why, I should, I should just tear you to pieces for that!"
Astoria leapt from her seat and pulled her wand out on the helpless servant. Hermione backed away from the anger-struck woman. Pansy sniggered loudly at her housemate just as Astoria opened her mouth.
"Well what are you laughing about Pansy?" She rounded on her.
"It's just that you're, well, somehow you've managed to soil the buttock of your dress." Astoria's face reddened.
Hermione looked at the offended dress. What was once a perfectly white gown was now covered in red mousse. It looked as though she were being visited by her monthly friend. The rest of the faces around the table smirked and let out bits of laughs. Even Daphne, Astoria's own blood relative, let out a snicker at the sight.
"You!" Astoria screeched and pointed her finger at the servant. "You did this to me! You ruined my Dulche and Gavanna!"
"Actually it's Dolce and Gabbana, sis."
"I don't give a flying fuck what it is! I'll kill her!" Astoria once again rounded on the servant with her wand.
"Enough of this Astoria. Evanesco. " Hermione looked up to see Draco standing, his wand pointed to Astoria. "Now, I believe we were about to head to the library."
Everyone stood up from the fiasco and muttered to their partner about the incident. Astoria was still in fumes about her dress, even though it was now just as good as new. Hermione kept her position until the room was clear.
Just as she bent down to pick up her plate a voice whispered in her ear.
"Damn those sharp pains. They made you drop everything and soil your pretty dress. What a shame." Pansy whispered in her high girlish voice. "I guess you'll have to change back into the rags of clothes you deserve, just like the house elves. You being a slave and all, it's really not your place to be wearing such fine clothing anyway."
Then she giggled. It was sweet and sick, much like Professor Umbridge. Hermione gasped, appalled at the act. She was about to give the girl a piece of her mind, but bit down on her tongue to keep her from retaliating
"Ta ta." With a sweep of her long trained dress she was gone.
Once Pansy disappeared behind the door Hermione looked around to be sure everyone was gone. After she was sure it was all clear she began to pick up the broken pieces of glass and porcelain. So far the night had not turned out well at all.
She could still see the threatening glares of Astoria, but what bothered her the most was not Astoria's looks, nor Voldemort's caress, but the way Draco had saved her by pushing his guests into the next room.
She saw the look on his face when the Dark Lord violated her body. He was fuming.
Well, that's what he deserves for putting me in such a sleazy dress!
It was a little scary to see how possessive he was being. He had actually protected her against his own girlfriend, of all people.
Just as she had finished picking up all the pieces on the floor a house elf popped in to help with the rest of the plates. They worked in silence, as they always did. The house elves rarely spoke to her. It was as if they were forbidden to talk with her. She was destined to be alone and mute. Hermione sighed at this thought.
"He wants you to serve firewhiskey, now." The house elf finally spoke.
"But I can't possibly go back with this mess all over me." The girl gestured to the leftover mousse on her dress.
The house elf snapped his fingers and the mess was instantly gone. He shoved a few bottles of firewhiskey in her hands and hurried out of sight. Hermione adjusted the bottles in her hands and took off for the library. She would have to be more careful around Malfoy's guests.
Just as Hermione arrived in the library, she walked in on Voldemort bidding a good night to his loyal followers. As he approached her, he scanned her up and down with his red eyes and left the room. Bellatrix followed soon after. She flat out ignored the servant. Hermione sighed inwardly. Her chance had come and gone to fulfill Harry's promise. Would there ever be another time to kill the Dark Lord?
As Hermione walked into the room she saw what normally went in the Slytherin house at Hogwarts. They each gathered in their own groups and talked in whispered voices. Hermione quietly went about her job and filled their empty glasses as quick as she could taking special caution around the women. There was no doubt in Hermione's mind that Pansy was brewing something up. Perhaps, another injury to spill the firewhiskey on Astoria, or some other helpless victim that Hermione didn't care to be cornered by a wand with. But hours waged on and the most action Hermione had was to fill and constantly refill the glasses of the deatheaters. Slowly, some of them began to leave. It must have been past midnight by now, but she continued filling glasses. The talk became louder while the guests became more intoxicated. Hermione was still on edge about the next prank she was sure to be the butt of.
The only ones left now were Pansy, Astoria, Severus, Zabini, Nott, and Malfoy, of course. They all formed one group. Pansy had herself slung around Blaise, whispering in his ear every now and then. He smiled coyly every time she did. Hermione was glad the girl was too occupied with her fiancée to care about her. It was better that she went unnoticed after all.
Astoria was making attempts at catching Draco's affections. She wasn't making much progress, as Draco had to constantly shove her off of him. He looked very annoyed. Nott and Severus were mostly quiet. Hermione watched to proceedings from a distance, keeping an eye out on all the drinks. Finally, the guests started waving and hugging their goodbyes.
Nott was first to exit, then Severus and soon after Blaise and Pansy left the room. Hermione was now left to watch Astoria and Draco say their goodbyes, or rather Astoria's attempts to seduce Draco into letting her stay the night.
Astoria pressed her breasts up against Draco and wrapped her arms around his neck. "So, Draco, I was thinking, since it's been forever when I last stayed the night, that tonight would be the perfect opportunity to, umm, catch up with each other. What do you think?"
"Not tonight Astoria." Draco said coldly, prying her hands off his neck.
"Why?"
"I'm just not in the mood, okay?"
"No, it's not okay! What the hell is wrong with you Draco? We could barely keep our hands off each other back in Hogwarts and now suddenly you refuse to sleep with me! It's her isn't it?" Astoria pointed her fingers to Hermione. "You've been fucking her so you don't want me anymore."
"That's not it at all Astoria." Malfoy's face was very void of emotions, as well as his voice. "In fact, I've been meaning to break things off for awhile. I've just been too busy to contact you."
Astoria's face went red with anger.
"Well how about I get rid of the problem then?" The black haired girl pulled her wand out and pointed it at the servant. Hermione immediately backed away from the tip of the wand. "With her out of the way you wouldn't have any problems sleeping with me. Avada Kedavra!"
"Protego!" Draco yelled. Hermione saw her short life flash in front of her. Malfoy just saved her life. "You need to leave. Now." He spoke in a dead calm voice.
"I never thought I'd see the day Draco Malfoy would save a filthy halfbreed servant. I guess the world really has gone mad. You're pathetic Malfoy."
Astoria slapped him and stormed out of the room slamming the door behind her. Hermione waited in silence for Malfoy's orders while Draco stared blankly into the fire. Finally, Hermione broke the silence.
"Thank you." She whispered.
Malfoy looked over to her.
"She's probably gone by now. Go to my room and wait for me there."
"Yes, sir." She sat the bottles down on the desk and made her way out of the door.
Hermione thought she was alone when Snape walked up to her in the dark hallway. He stopped her and pushed her to the side.
"Ah, Velia, you are quite the little actress, but I wonder how Draco would feel if he knew how close to his obsession he was all along. Maybe if I slipped a hint to him we could all live in peace without the Dark Lord wasting our efforts on finding you."
"I don't know what you're talking about sir."
"Please, Miss Granger, a good teacher knows his students no matter where they are, even if they are concealed."
Hermione gasped as she watched her old professor saunter way, his cloak billowed behind his steps.
He knew.