Chapter 7- Hermione's Birthday
Every morning without a doubt Hermione would wake up with a small bouquet of forget-me-not on her bedside table, but today this small bouquet of forget-me-not was replaced by a spectacular display of a forget-me-nots inside an extravaganza jade made vase. Next to the vase Hermione noticed there was a note sitting on top of a long royal dark green velvet box wrapped with a silver star pattern ribbon. There was just a simple congratulations line written in a beautiful elegant handwriting " Happy Birthday" in the centre of the note. She picked up the velvet box and opened it. She was astonished by the sight of this phenomenal quill made with soft white swan feather, an optical grade pure red fluorite stone embedded on the platinum made tip. She hold the quill in her hand, it was so delicate and light, she knew this quill was expensive because she had previously stopped a millions time admiring its beauty outside the display window of Magnificent Quill & Ink. Questions and questions circulating her mind, after all who was this anonymous person who has been sending her favourite flowers everyday and lavished her birthday with such a thoughtful and exquisite gift. She carefully placed the swan quill back into the box, saving the quill to use on a really special occasion.
Looking at the hands of the clock, it is showing the time now is six fifteen. It reminded her she has precisely half an hour to get ready and headed to the International Apparation Point. Today she has a dental appointment with the parents who no longer remembered her in Brisbane at four thirty in Australia. It became a tradition for her to begin her birthday in Australia spending it at her parent's dental practise. Although it was a short half an hour appointment but she cherished every seconds of it. After all there was no better way to spend her birthday with, than the people who brought her to this extraordinary world. She went into her bathroom had a quick hot steamy shower, brushed her teeth thoroughly making sure her parents would be please when they examined it. She put her wizard cloak over her muggle clothing, took a quick stop at the flowers and inhaled the sweet floral scent before she left her apartment looking forward to see her parents again.
A
A
It was a hot summer day, Harlena Harrison an old lady at the age of 71 trimming the lovely poppy flowers blossoming in her little backyard garden. She has been growing yellow and red poppy in her garden for more than 20 years, wiping off the salty sweat dripping down from her forehead, she noticed the summer sun has projected two shadows onto the flowerbed in front of her. Harlena turned her back slowly, she saw two tall figures dressed in long dark black robe, their face were hiding behind a grey mask, both of the figures were holding a wooden stick inside their hand firmly. She was surprised by this sudden unexpected strangers appearance and before she could scream for help, the two figures have grabbed her by each of her side forcefully and apparated at the front door of the Malfoy's Manor. Leaving no chance for her neighbours to hear her cry of help before she disappeared from the muggle world.
Harlena was shocked her eyes wide opened, crying for help, struggled to free herself from the two mystery strangers who had captured and brought her to this strange place. The Manor in front of her was massive, built like an early 17th century French castle except it was all black and felt so lifeless. She was scared for her life, she knew nothing about the magic world she believed she is in right now. One of her capturer has casted what appeared to be a spell and had her levitated above the ground. Her body was paralysed, floating in mid-air following behind the footsteps of her capturers involuntary into the manor down the long never-ending corridor. The echo from her cry of help had drawn one of the portrait's attention.
"Harlena, what are you doing here?" Abraxas Malfoy shouted, surprised by the sight of a screaming Harlena strived to get her feet back on the ground away from the death eaters .
"Who are you? Why do you know my name? Help me please!" Harlena pleading for help, she was confused how a painting portrait could move and talk. She would not believe she was asking help from a talking portrait of a man she had never met in her life.
"Keep quiet muggle!" said one of the death eaters and he silenced Harlena with a simple silienco charm. "Yalaxy, I think you should inform the dark lord that our guest has arrived and the recognition from Abraxas Malfoy. Strange isn't it how could a pureblood wizard knows a muggle?"
"I am sure the dark lord would find this news rather amusing, maybe there is an interesting story behind it, we shall see." Said Yalaxy, with a visible smug smile he then departed the party and head to find the dark lord.
Lying in his king-size four-poster bed on top of his emerald coloured luxurious 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton bed cover, Draco has been hiding from the world for the past week. He blamed himself for the capture of Hermione, he will never forget the moment when Hermione mouthed, "stick with the plan", and the image has been haunting and replaying in his every night dream. Over the week, he had witnessed the insane torture Hermione suffered from his aunt Bellatrix and the rest of the death eaters. They have tortured her like a pig for slaughter, they didn't treat her like she was a human being at the slightest.
He had reported back to the order straight after the capture of Hermione at his place with the lilac purple bead bag Hermione has managed to pass onto his possession before they discovered by the death eaters. Unfortunately Hermione has casted such an efficacious security charm on her bead bag it refused to open to anyone in The Order, to their disappointment without Hermione no one would be able to take the horcrux out and destroyed it. A gentle knock on the door, Draco quickly hides the bead bag he has been holding onto away, into the false bottom he built inside his bedside table. The bead bag has helped to sooth Draco's sanity this days, it reminded him he has to save Hermione from hell, it reminded him there was a horcrux they have to destroy and defeating Lord Voldemort was the only solution to end all of these.
"Draco, Rowle and Yalaxy have brought in Granger's grandmother. They are taking her to the dungeon as we speak. Come the dark lord need us to be there." His mother's Narcissa Malfoy voice came behind the closed door.
"I will be right out." Draco replied. He left his room following his mother together amble their way down to the cold dark dungeon, worried what would possibly happen next.
Walking into the dungeon, Hermione still sitting on the icy cold floor with her back resting against the wall. Her arms were held above her head locked by a heavy metal chain. Fresh and old bloodstains spread across her robe, her hair dangled in front of her forehead covering her pale white face smeared with dirt and blood. Her eyes were shut but still breathing steadily. Draco could not bear the sight of Hermione, he wished he could have switch position with her. Across the room, Draco has spot an old women dress in muggle outfit screaming soundlessly with tears bawling out from her eyes filled with terrify expression. Standing next to her was Crabbe, Goyle, Yalaxy and a few other death eaters. The Malfoy was inevitably worried and confused when Rodolphus walked in with Abraxas Malfoy's portrait levitated behind him. No sooner, their leader Lord Voldemort strolled into the room with Bellatrix standing on his right side joined the group.
"Mudblood, wake up! We have a surprise for you!" Bellatrix kicked at Hermione's rib, she let out a soft moan from the sudden pain.
Nothing shocked Hermione more when she saw the grandmother she hasn't seen since she was 7, holding onto the ground by two death eaters in front of her when she opened her eyes. It was truly indeed a surprise.
"Silence, all of you! As you may all be curious we are join by a special guest today. May I introduce all of you to Miss Harlena Harrison, a muggle grandmother to our mudblood witch here." Said Lord Voldemort in his soft yet cunning voice. "And Lucius isn't a surprise that your own father a pureblood wizard happens to know Harlena, a muggle here? I am sure all of us here are more than eager to find out the story there."
The Malfoys were stunted, with a vacant expression on their face. None of them know why Abraxas would possibly know Hermione's grandmother. The death eaters began to whisper among themselves all finding the current scene un-doubtfully chucklesome.
"Since Abraxas Malfoy refused to cooperate with us. Allow me to break into the mind of this filthy muggle granny. Legilimens!" Lord Voldemort casts the spell ended with a cold laugh that you would feel chill in your spine. Harlena unable to defend herself against magic. Her memory projected across the room like a movie playing in the theatre.
It was during the first wizarding war. Abraxas Malfoy found Harlena Harrison lying on the floor in her bedroom just behind the door. Her eyes wide open with an empty expression. He quickly lifted the body bind curse off Harlena. She flunked her arms around Abraxas, unable to withheld her emotions, tears started to roll out from her eyes like a waterfall damping onto Abraxas's robe, soaking wet.
"Abraxas! Grindelwald came tonight! He threatened to kill my family until my father agrees to join his side. My father must have body bind me with a non-verbal Petrificus Totalus before I could leave my room to his aid." Almost choking on her tears, Harlena continued. " I could hear everything. My father refused to provide his service and Grindelwald killed my family one by one in front of him with no mercy, he killed every last one included my dad. I tried to lift off the body bind curse but I couldn't. They are all dead now!" Abraxas stroking her long soft golden brown hair, his head rested against her, his other hand gently patting her back soothing her fragile emotional body. Harlena knew she is now safe inside Abraxas's arm, the man who was always been there for her, the man who have stole her heart 5 years ago. "Never for once my family had begged for mercy from him, they faced their death like a knight walking into a war with bravery and pride." Her sobbing slowly conversed to a soft weeping, she rested her eyelids and fall asleep peacefully inside his embrace.
Abraxas carried the unconscious Harlena in his arm over to her bed and placed her head gently on the pillow, frighten to wake her up, He grabbed the vintage rose duvets and covered her over the shoulder to keep her warm. Planting a light kiss on Harlena forehead, he sat quietly at the end of her bed, his body leaning forward with his elbows resting on his lap and his face buried in his palms, deep thoughts have occupied his mind. He knew Grindelwald would eventually come back and hunt down Harlena. The Malfoy was a big supporter of Grindelwald complete opposite to her family, its unlikely he could hide her at the Malfoy manor she would not be welcome there. She has no relatives left here, the wizarding world was no longer a safe place for her. But he needed to protect her. He found himself sitting up closer to her, the tip of his fingers running along from her cheekbone down to her chin in slow motion, finally rested on her natural rouge lips. Admiring the most beautiful human being god had created. They have been secret lovers for almost 5 years, with the Malfoys being one of the biggest supporter in dark art, both family held deep prejudice to each other. If Harlena's father ever found out about their love, he was confident her father would do anything in the world to prevent their relationship to blossom. Abraxas knew there was no one else in the world he loved more except the woman sleeping graciously in front of him, his love to her is eternal and he needs her to know that.
"How was your rest, my Angel?" said Abraxas. Harlena woke up, opened her sleepy eyes and pleased to greet by his handsome face and she returned him with a charming smile.
"I am feeling better now. Thanks for being here and not leaving me." Harlena leaned her body to rest on his chest, her ear just above where his heart locates, hearing his slowly increasing heartbeats.
"Harlena, I need you to look at me and listen to me carefully." Said Abraxas. Harlena could hear the serious tone behind his voice.
"Abraxas, what is it?" confused as she was, intuition told her something bad is about to happen.
"Harlena, I need you to know I love you because you have completed my soul. I would love nothing else than to have you by my side for the rest my life. My love to you will be eternal and shall never rest. So please forgive me for what am I about to do. For I can not bear the pain of what would possibly happen to you when your life is at danger." Abraxas said with tears running down his cheek as he hold up his wand ready to cast the most heart breaking spell he ever had to perform in his life.
"Abraxas!" Harlena's voice faded as she tried to reach for her wand but it was too late.
"Oblivate." Abraxas casted the spell, in his mind he prayed for her forgiveness. The spell had removed all the memories Harlena has in the magic world, she no longer remembered her as a sole survivor of one of the oldest, reputable wizard family Harrisa, happy memories at school or the horror memory of her family's death and she would never remember a man who love her to the moon and back, the love of her life Abraxas Malfoy. He has modified her memory, She is now Harlena Harrison a muggle grew up as an orphan in a small town near London called Haslemere.
"Harlena, no matter who enters your life in the future, my love to you will always be more than any of them." Abraxas whispered in her ears as he placed the comatose Harlena onto the bed in her new home he had set up for her in the muggle world.
The projected memory slowly faded when it reached a diary entry of Harlena. She wrote " I saw the same man every year on my birthday. It has been more than 20 years. I would never forget his signature platinum blood hair, a fine looking feature and an odd taste in fashion. I don't know why but he always looked at me in the most sorrowful way a man could give a woman."
Harlena with her memory restored looked into the portrait of Abraxas, the man who once shone like the brightest star in her universe. She wanted to say something to him but nothing came out from her mouth. She was overwhelmed with the memories and the sight of her granddaughter's strangled body leaning against the wall with blood smeared over her, nothing was worst than watching your grandchild suffering in pain than them being dead.
"Harlena, not a day after I have oblivate your memory, you are always the first and last thought of my everyday." Said Abraxas shredded with tears, never in his life he would thought Harlena would remember him for who he was. Pity Lord Voldemort was planning to kill her, orelse he might actually owe him a big thank you.
"Now while congratulations is in order on the reconciliation of this long lost love and the return of a pureblood witch back into our world. Lets not forget, Miss Granger our now half-blood witch. The reason your grandmother has been brought to here with us today. Answer me, why did The Order sent you into the manor?" Lord Voldemort raising his yew made wand ready to cast his favourite spell.
Hermione holding her heads up with pride, refused to provide Lord Voldemort's question with an answer. From the moment she volunteered for the task, she has made a promise to herself. The Gryffindor Princess would not kneel down for Lord Voldemort, she did not care how much torture they would put her through, and she would rather die with dignity than to give in to them.
"Very well then. Although I do not wish to waste any drop of magical blood, especially the pure ones. I regret to say its time for Miss Granger here to learn a lesson, what happens when you defy the Dark Lord." Lord Voldemort turned to Harlena, " Any last word my dear witch?"
" Hermione I am so proud to have you as my grandchild. I didn't have my chance to fight against the dark side but I know being the brightest child, you would be able to put an end to this. Stay strong child, you will always have my love. I have faith in you." Harlena stood up strong with poise, ready to meet her fate without a single fear in her eyes. "Abraxas, there are no words to describe my love for you. I shall join you now and our love will continue in the other world forever and ever."
"Its funny how people always talks about love, and its always love brought death upon them." Lord Voldemort let out a cruel laugh echo around the room, without a second thought. "Avada Kedavra"
Hermione screamed as Lord Voldemort merciless spell hit her grandmother. Harlena's body fell graciously and lie motionless on the floor, the smile on her lifeless body only reassure her grandmother has faced death like a friend, she was happy now she can reunite with Abraxas. Hermione wished she could hold her grandmother's body in her arm and cry like there was no tomorrow, unfortunately the heavy metal chain around her wrist had prevented it. She has seen numerous of death during the war but this was the first time, she saw someone she loved a family die in front of her. The pain was unbearable, it hurts more than being burnt by fire or stabbed by thousands of knife.
"Don't worry Miss Granger, the dark lord does have mercy and he is more than happy to let you join your pathetic grandmother." Said Lord Voldemort. To everyone's surprise especially the Malfoys. Draco walked out with his arms open, putting himself between Hermione and Lord Voldemort.
"My Lord, I do not see it wise to dismiss Miss Granger for now." Said Draco calmly. He has always been afraid of Lord Voldemort but his hidden love for Hermione has given him courage.
"Enlighten me Draco." Lord Voldemort was astounded, no death eaters has ever stood up to him like this not even his most loyal servants who have served him for years and decades.
"Miss Granger is our best chance to lure Harry Potter into the manor. No doubt Harry Potter would risk his life to come to Miss Granger's rescue. Its just a matter of time." Draco replied, he tried to remain a steady tone and avoided any eye contact with the dark lord.
"Lucius, you should be proud of your son. As always the one who comes up with word of wisdom." Said Lord Voldemort before he exited the room followed by the rest of the death eaters. Draco waited till the dungeon was completely deserted before he rushed to Hermione side.
"Granger, are you alright?" Draco asked as he was wiping the tears off Hermione's cheek with his thumb, tucking her hair behind her ears so he could see her face. He casted a spell and release Hermione's wrist from the chain. " Granger, look at me and speak to me!"
"Why did you save my life? I am not afraid of death. Why don't you let me join my grandmother?" Hermione sobbing, unable to get over the agony from her grandmother's recent death. She couldn't remember when was the last time she felt pain like this nor she had cried like a breaking dam before.
"Granger, your grandmother did not just sacrifice her life so you can join her soon after. Remember she told you to stay strong and have faith in you." Said Draco, comforting people was not his strength but he hate to see her crying like this. He could not imagine the pain she has just been through. "Your parents, I am sure you would love to see them again after the war right? Granger, there are still a lot of people in the world who loves you and care for you. Don't forget about them. So I intend to keep you alive as long as I live." He didn't know why, but he has pulled Hermione's fragile body into his arms, holding her hands with his thumb rubbing her knuckles soothing her sense.
" I have tried to stay strong all these time, but its so much harder than I thought. People who loved me are so far away from me, I am all alone here by myself." Said Hermione, staring at her tiny hand held inside Draco's palm.
"Hermione, I care about you a lot, you still got me here." The word left his mouth before he could stop it, his hand holding onto hers tightly. Hermione shocked from his words looked up at his face.
"What do you mean? Did you just call me Hermione?" for the first time in 8 years ever since they met outside the great hall of Hogwarts, Draco has called Hermione by her first name. Not Granger, not The Gryffindor Princess, not filthy mudblood, but Hermione. She looked up, her eyes matches to his eyes, seeking for confirmation.
"Yes I just did." Said Draco, a bit embarrassed he wasn't sure if Hermione was fine for him to call her by her first name.
"Can you call me Hermione again please?" said Hermione, as she saw the confuse look on Draco face. " It just ever since my imprisonment, people only called me Granger, mudblood, dirty blood you know the list. Just hearing someone call me Hermione really comforts me and allows me to dream there is still hope." Even with the blood smeared across her face, you could see a rush of redness surfacing on her pale face.
"I am going to put the metal cuff back on you because I have to go now before anyone raise any suspicions. I want you to remember what ever happen please do not loose faith and stay strong, live and fight for the people who loves you." Said Draco before he leaned in and placed a kiss on her forehead and whispered "Hermione." Softly into her ear.
A
A
Sitting in the waiting room of her parent's dental practise, Hermione reading a newspaper article with a headline "Queensland tradie found giant thirsty python lurking in toilets". The thought of seeing a snake inside your toilet bowl when you have the urge to go to the loo was quite disturbing, She couldn't help to think how funny if only Harry still possessed his Parseltongue ability, he might be able to tell the snake toilet bowls weren't exactly a quality water source. Her name was called by the receptionist, before she moved on to the next article on "Frog struck down by lightening!" What is up with this country, which seems to like having animals on their newspapers headlines she thought as she entered the room where her parents were waiting for her.
"Happy Birthday! Hermione!" Monica and Wendell Wilkins greeted Hermione with a warm friendly hug. "How have you been?" said Monica.
" Thank you so much, Monica. I have been well just busy with work and moving into a new apartment." Said Hermione, moving her way to the white dental chair in front of her, the hug from her parents was the best birthday present she could ask for.
" That's good to hear! I hope you like your new place! Now lets get you comfortable and we shall proceed!" said Wendell Wilkins as he put his mask over his mouth and placed the mouth mirror inside Hermione now wide opened mouth.
The dental check up didn't take long as Hermione always took good care of her teeth. But since she was the last appointment before they close, Hermione was lucky enough to spend a fair amount of time chatting to her parents before she departed back to London. She told her parents about her new apartment, her recent pay rise and her housewarming party and possible secret admirer that send her flowers. Even though her poor parents did not have any memories of her being their daughter, the thought they still have the updates of her life comforts her.
Hermione spend the rest of her birthday at work followed by dinner with her friends. She received a new leather designer office bag from Blaise and Ron, a wand cleaning kit from Harry and Luna, A day spa visit at Pamper & Pamper from Ginny, gift voucher for Flourish & Blotts from Neville and finally a free year of subscription of National Alchemy & Arithmancy from Manuel and Jacqueline. She adored the presents from her friends and couldn't wait to visit Pamper & Pamper with Ginny but none of the presents were as thoughtful as the swan quill she received this morning. They sang happy birthday to her and wish her to find a new boyfriend in the upcoming year.
Walking into the lobby of her building, she was glad she had brought an umbrella with her. The heavy rain was splattering over the ground like a water balloon burst opened in the sky, her birthday presents were safe inside her briefcase enchanted with an undetectable extension charm but the rain has soaked through her cloak, it was dripping forming a small water poodle where she was standing and her hair were dampened by the ice cold water drops. Casted a quick drying spell on her wet cloak, a shower was what she needed right now. Walking up the spiral staircase, she realised she had clumsily left her umbrella downstairs near the gate when she was drying herself. Descend her way back to the lobby she saw the very same figure she seen last Saturday a tall lean body build guy in a black well- tailored suit and the signature platinum blood hair in a slick back style, he was holding her umbrella examining it wondering who was the owner.
"Um, Hi sorry but the umbrella you are holding is mine, I accidentally left it there." Said Hermione with an apologetic smile to the guy downstairs in the black suit.
The melodic voice coming from above had Draco raised his head up, there she was the girl of his dream, even she was wearing a simple black cloak with her curly brown hair damped tied back and a caramel leather mary jane heel. In his mind she was like a glowing angel floating down towards to him from the sky. He could feel his heartbeat increasing rapidly, the nerve had him gripping the umbrella firming, his body stiffed up like a statue as he watched her slowly approaching him.
"My apology, here is your umbrella, back to its lovely owner." Draco graciously handed over the umbrella to Hermione made a small bow like a gentleman would return a handkerchief to a lady.
"Ah thanks, it is my fault really." Said Hermione blushing. She couldn't believe the man standing in front of her was Draco Malfoy.
She often fantasised about their first proper encounter, except this was not how she have imagined meeting him. Holding her hand out for her umbrella, she was so nervous she had grabbed his hand instead of her umbrella. Hermione felt an instant goose-bump and sparks shooting out from the end of her fingertip, twinkling butterflies in her stomach. With his eyes locking into her eyes deeply, it was almost like their eyes were speaking to each other, a total moment of silence admiration. A desire rose from the bottom from Hermione's heart, urging her to lean forward for a kiss. To her disappointment, just when she was about to stand on her tippy toe and reach for that kissable lips.
"Well, Miss Granger I must wished you a goodnight and bid you farewell." Draco bided Hermione goodnight masking his uneasiness behind his wickedly good looking face. Leaving Hermione looking puzzled standing alone in the middle of the lobby confounded and perplexed, her umbrella still tightly holding in her hands.
Honestly, I have really enjoyed writing this chapter. And I really love the gift Draco has chosen for Hermione, it took me a long time to think about being Draco it has to be something antiquity and sentiment, I want to stay away from books and jewellery so I think a swan quill is quite appropriate. and couldn't wait to a write a chapter where she could use it :D
I am sorry about the way I ended the part where Draco and Hermione finally speak to each other in the present time. But the story is getting a bit long and I thought its best if I leave their interaction develop on the next chapter haha.
Coming up Next, Hermione could no longer resist and picked up her courage, this Sat she had decided its time to stop this hard to get mind game, instead of her sitting at her usual spot she walked to the empty seat opposite him with her coffee and there is where everything begins. Also, The Order had finally come up with a plan and sent Tonks in for Hermione rescue!
Thank you so much for reading this chapter! And thank you for the new followers and favourites!