Thanks for the reviews. I am currently working on a chapter for 'The Dance of the Mark' for all you fans that might have given up on me. Just takes me some time and a lot has happened. There is much more that happens to Draco and it'll start getting darker and bit scarier pretty soon, intensity is my middle name, don't you know?


Chapter 9: The Making of a Dragon

Mr. Weasley looked through countless clues, but he knew that Hessa had to be with Voldemort. Harry had been distressed the first week and now he was more determined than ever to end this war. But Harry didn't know why exactly she was taken…Mr. Weasley knew and was hesitant to tell any of them aside from McGonagall and Dumbledore. Their spies had confirmed that Hessa had been bound to Draco Malfoy, which caused Mrs. Weasley to become distraught, she looked on her as a daughter and now she was on the wrong side…or perhaps on the right, the way things were looking these days.

He had waited for some signs that her abilities were being used, nothing yet and most likely because she wasn't mature enough just yet. But he knew sooner or later, they would come face-to-face with Hessa and a well trained Conk was not an easy person to get through. They had no choice, everyone had to be prepared, so a meeting was called.

Harry was the first to speak, "is there news?"

"In a way, this concerns Mr. Ollivander and his daughter Hessa…"

Hermione sat up, "did you find them!" Everyone looked ecstatic for a just a moment…

"No, but we know why both of them were taken, especially Hessa."

"We just figured it was because she knew how to make the wands just as well as Ollivander," Ron sat back.

"That's a possibility, but there is much more to Hessa than you all thought, something we had recently discovered, but something we fear that the Death Eaters knew before us. Tell me, has anyone ever heard of a Conk?"

In true nature, Hermione rose her hand as if in class, Ron rolled his eyes and shook his head. Mr. Weasley nodded and smiled, "isn't that a person or creature, I guess that can be bonded to a wizard for a lifetime, their fluids can be used to make the most common potion or spell powerful and they can reflect back spells, things like that. I thought they were extinct?"

"No, they aren't. We thought they were for a while…but then Hessa came along."

Harry rose out of his chair, "WHAT?"

"Hessa is a Conk, Harry. That's why so many wizards took natural interest in her, they didn't know but apparently it's instinct for a wizard to be attracted to a female Conk and visa versa, to see if they are the one she is to bind with. You were no exception."

"Dad, you're getting to something, what is it?" Fred looked at his father in confusion. "That's why they took her…to see if she would be bound to one of THEM?"

"Yes."

Hermione looked down, she already knew the conclusion, "they did, didn't they? They found the one she was to be bound to?"

Mr. Weasley sighed, "yes."

Harry's voice seemed to crack, "who is it?"

"Draco Malfoy."

"BLOODY HELL! Are you kidding dad!" Ron's face turned red.

"No. Our sources say that they are already bound, but her fluids or talents haven't been used yet…but the reason I'm telling you this is to prepare you if you see her on the battlefield. Conks are bound to their masters and must do as they are asked, she'll protect him at all costs, it will be out of instinct…even if she doesn't agree with what they're doing. She may psychically attack you, reflect your spells back at you in order to protect Draco, but I know Hessa, she'll be sorry she has to do it."

"Isn't there a way to break the bloody bond!" George yelled. "We've known her since she was practically a baby, she wouldn't volunteer."

"That's because it's involuntary. No one knows why they are bonded to the wizards they are, they just are, they are generally pure-bloods."

"Well, we're pure-bloods!"

"That doesn't matter."

"They only real way the bond could be broken is if Draco Malfoy dies, but if he dies, she'll automatically go to the next line of family…which would be Lucius and we don't want her to go to Lucius Malfoy."

Harry looked down at the floor, "so there's nothing to be done?"

"Not at this point, our best hope, as far fetched as it is, is that he changes sides."

Hermione put her face in her hands, "I don't believe this…why?"

………………………………………………………………………………

Pansi glared at this 'Conk' that sat next to Draco, "so, this is your little SLAVE?"

"No, this is Hessa, she is a Conk," Draco drawled.

"I can't believe you found one Lucius," Mr. Parkinson stood up and seemed to be examining her. "And to think, she is bound to your son, is she mature yet?"

"Not completely," Lucius also stood up and grabbed Hessa by the arm to further show her off as if she were a collector's item. "But it won't be much longer, one month after her sixteenth birthday, the first cycle of the moon." He put his hand on her chin and lifted her face up, "quite lovely, isn't she?"

"Very, it's such a shame we can't find more of them." Mr. Parkinson leaned over where the ladies could barely hear, but Hessa was aware of what he said that made her blush, "I heard they're excellent lovers, anticipate your needs and all that."

Lucius chuckled, "I sadly wouldn't know, you'll have to ask my son. Although I'm sure he won't answer you, he's very protective of her."

"Ah, young passions, what can one say?"

Hessa felt very uncomfortable and tried to excuse herself, but Lucius wouldn't let her, he even put his hand around her waist, "no, Hessa, stay here with me please."

Draco watched his father and he didn't like where it seemed to be going, his father was forcing Hessa to stay by his side, and they were obviously talking about something that was making her uncomfortable. Narcissa glared at her husband as well, she didn't blame the little girl, he had always been a bit of a pervert and loved control. She was glad when her son approached the older men, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Mrs. Parkinson and my mother would like to converse with Hessa."

The elder Malfoy finally let her go and watched with slight annoyance when Draco kissed her on her forehead, so did Pansi. He sat her down next to his mother and Mrs. Parkinson and they held a polite conversation, which mainly meant that Hessa primarily listened while the older women chatted on, Draco was so thankful that she didn't talk on and on about mindless things. He was annoyed at Pansi for glaring at Hessa half of the time and soon they were in a corner arguing…

"You've been ignoring me the entire time I've been here," Pansi pouted.

"Pansi, I always ignore you when you're here," Draco drawled.

"You didn't ignore me a few weeks ago when you were shagging my brains out. What, did your little slave girl suddenly change your mind?"

"Don't call her that, Pansi. I'm telling you now, you leave her alone. When we marry, you'll have your side of the house and I'll have mine…if you go out of your way to hurt her, I swear I'll crucio you."

"And where will your little Conk be staying?"

"With me, in my bed, as far as I'm concerned, she's my wife, NOT YOU."

………………………………………………………………….

Hessa sat on the edge of the bed, "so, you really have to marry her, don't you?"

"Unfortunately."

"Where will I go during your honeymoon, do I stay here?"

Draco sighed, "yes, it won't be a long one though, we can't really stand each other. Look, I'm sorry we didn't get to see your father after lunch, they came earlier than planned."

Hessa knew he wanted to change the subject, he hated the idea of marrying Pansi, "it's alright, can I see him tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"She doesn't like me, does she?"

"Pansi? No, she doesn't like many females, especially ones that are competition and you're very much competition on every level."

"But how, I haven't done anything to her?"

"My love," he came up to Hessa and caressed her face. "You are beautiful, smart, gentle, unique…you have something she doesn't have, grace. You're a walking piece of art, she can't compare to that and she knows it."

"But I'm not…"

"Look at the way you are dressed, your makeup, your hair," Draco was walking around her, then held her from behind. "And it will be captured when I have a portrait done of you."

"Draco, I love you."

He didn't respond, but held her even harder. Draco couldn't explain it, his heart melted around her and everything he was didn't matter. But it had to be kept hidden because of the Dark Lord, even because of his father. Yet his father could sense it in her, the light, the warmth, it could be the bond that she and Draco had, but it was more, so much more and Draco was afraid because his father was a greedy man and loved anything rare that would give him status. His father looked at Hessa as a collector's item, they all did, that's why he had his hand on her waist…he was planning something. But there was not much he could do now, he had to leave for his training and finish up the rest of the potions he was being fed.

Draco still held onto her and whispered in her ear, "I have to go and do some training, I had the house elves prepare your favorite snack and some tea." She nodded. "Good, I'll be back soon."

Before he left Hessa stopped, "you're hiding something from me, aren't you?" He smiled gently and left, leaving her to sit on the bed and whisper to herself, "what are they really doing to you?" She sensed something in him, his emotional state was the same, he was still gentle to her, but over the course of the time she had been there, Draco had become physically stronger, his body more chiseled, his movements quicker than before.

Laying down, she didn't touch the tea or snack, and fell asleep waiting for him.

…………………………………………………………………………………..

Narcissa awoke her, "dear, we need to put you in your room."

"Oh," Hessa didn't question it because she was so tired, "is Draco alright?"

"He'll be fine, he just wants you in your room for tonight."

Hessa nodded and went to her room, a room she hadn't been in the past few weeks and it felt strange to her. It didn't take her long to fall back asleep soundly…but only to awake a few hours later. Rolling over, the clock said '2 a.m.' and she couldn't remember when she left Draco's room, was it alright if she at least checked on him? But what if he was with…Pansi? Her heart dropped, they had been together before, is that why she couldn't be in his room? Part of her got mad at that and decided to see for herself.

When she came up to his door, Hessa put her ear to it and heard nothing…relief. Her little hand turned the doorknob and pushed it open quietly, there he was, sleeping soundly. Maybe he was just exhausted and she always managed to be such a distraction for him, still, he looked strange somehow…his nails were longer. Curiosity set in and Hessa decided to take a closer look, she approached quietly, trying not to wake him but caressed his leg lightly…he looked so peaceful. Perhaps it was nothing, she was just being paranoid, but Hessa wanted to lay next to him, would he be angry with her if he woke up to find her there? Biting her lip, she thought better of it and shut the door quietly behind her. He was alright…just paranoia that's all, now she could sleep.

Draco's eyes popped open and they were no longer normal eyes, they were that of a dragon, he turned over and sat up, then took a deep breath of the air around him…his mate was here, her scent was even on his clothing. Why did she fucking leave! Draco lept out of bed and came after her.

Hessa walked down the hall to her room and laid down, she had just started to fall asleep when she felt someone crawl into bed with her, it started her, no one was heard coming in. She felt a hand drag her close, "Draco?"

"Yes," he growled. "You smell nice, very, very nice," Draco was actually smelling her and touching her roughly, causing Hessa to giggle. He bit on her neck, causing her to squeak, his hand going up her thigh and starting to tear down her underwear, he was beside her, wanting to take her this way. "You're the one I want, my mate…tell me you're mine," Draco's hand cradled her chin and her neck. "Tell me…"

"I'm yours….," she gasped as he entered her. Draco didn't expect this, the bond that they had was going through even this cold, reptilian form. He had wanted her in her room because he was afraid he would kill her like he was. This potion he was being given was to enhance everything he was and make him the perfect weapon…his target was going to be Harry Potter, not only because he was told, but because Harry Potter was the one man that Hessa would always be weak against and he couldn't have that. This state was not permanent but the overall effects were, strength, stamina, agility, speed and when Hessa was mature, her blood would be used to finish it and it would increase his magical abilities as well. Draco had learned to kill in many ways, to be an assassin, but he was relieved when all he wanted to do with Hessa was mate….so even in this state she was a weakness, he could hardly say the same thing for Pansi.

They had finished making love, Hessa turned over and took her usual place in the nook of his chest while he held her and kissed her. Then he smelled it…another male, his father to be exact, what was his father doing by Hessa's room around 3:30 a.m.? Draco started to narrow his eyes when the handle was jiggled and he heard the whispers of spells being cast against the lock, but Draco was smart and periodically changed the spells in case any of the other Death Eaters got it in their heads to try to enter her room…and apparently his father was one of them.

Lucius needed a wake up call, one that let him know that his son knew the old man's intentions. Draco slid out of bed, not wanting wake Hessa but she moaned at the lack of warmth, he walked up and immediately opened the door and Lucius' face dropped. "Is there something you NEED father?"

Lucius looked at his son's reptilian eyes, "I was checking on Hessa, you weren't in your room…"

"So obviously I would be in Hessa's room…"

"As you are, you are unpredictable and we cannot afford to lose her."

"As you can see, she is fine, our bond stops me from harming her during the potion's first time effects…good thing you didn't come earlier, FATHER."

Lucius scowled, "indeed."