The beginning of some Dramione, enjoy!

But at the same time, let's not forget about Bellatrix and Tom, they play a big part in this story ;)

Bellatrix

Summer Progress. My grandmother used to sit me on her knee and tell me stories of the Summer Progress during the days that a Slytherin king and queen ruled England. I remember how her eyes would cloud over when she talked of the fun and excitement that she had had.

Now it is finally my turn to go on the Summer Progress, but everything is different. I feel no joy in my heart and I hardly even talk. The chatter and outbreak of laughter around me make me dig my fingernails into my riding reins and a scowl is a permanent fixture on my face. Every day is something like a fresh round of torture.

One day, (I have lost count of the days I have spent with people whom I cannot put up with) as we are riding with our huge entourage, I think I catch a glimpse of him. Tom Riddle.

Is it just a trick of my eyes? I wonder at first. It is a chance too good to be true, and I do not want to get my hopes up only to have them come crashing down on me again.

No, it is indeed Tom Riddle. I feel a kind of stirring in my chest that I have not felt for an unimaginably long time. I can feel my lips curving up into a smile, and the stiff bonds of my face are broken as I experience the first real joy I have felt since before my marriage.

His silky dark brown hair, the shape of his neck, his broad, strong shoulders, the muscles rippling in his calves...I remember them all so well.

But what is Tom Riddle, a stable boy belonging to the House of Slytherin doing on a horse, surrounded by adoring ladies from the House of Gryffindor? It makes no sense at all.

I ride alongside my husband in silence, trying my best to act like nothing is out of the ordinary even though waves of jealousy and disbelief are rippling through me.

That evening before dinner, I meet Tom on the staircase leading down to the Great Hall of one of the magnificent estates we are at.

"Your Grace," Tom says, avoiding my eyes. "I am glad to be able to make your honoured acquaintance again."

His formality pains my heart, but what can I do?

"I see you are well-liked among the Gryffindor ladies," I note icily. "Where has your loyalty to the House of Slytherin gone? Where is your pride of serving our house? Why do allow the the scum of the House of Gryffindor to enjoy your company?" I choke on my words.

I see a shadow of pain pass across Tom's features. "Bellatrix, dear Bellatrix," he murmurs softly. My raw emotions have at long last broken through his cold, formal mask.

"Bellatrix..." he says hesitantly. "I no longer serve the House of Slytherin..."

Words fail me in my moment of complete horror. No...no...I think repeatedly, clutching the wall behind me in my distress.

"I am sorry, so sorry..." Tom continues, the distress on my face mirrored in his.

"And why is that so?" When I finally find my voice again, I hear that is cold.

Tom flinches at the ice in my voice but he explains, "I am sorry to tell you this, Bellatrix, but my previous master, your father, treated me badly ever since you married the duke. I would be beaten and humiliated for any tiny mistake that I made. Sometimes, I would be beaten for no reason at all. It was a miserable existence, I would be covered in new wounds every day." Tom looks at me with pleading eyes, almost as though he is begging me to sympathise with his traitorous decision.

"Continue," I say, my voice hard.

Tom swallows. "Then one day, a lord from the Gryffindor court came to your father's estate on official business. He saw how unhappy I was and offered me a place at the queen's court as a servant in return for telling him all I knew about the affairs of your father's household. It was an offer too good to resist. The next thing I knew, I was at the queen's court. Her lords were deeply appreciative of what I told them, and to reward me, they advised the queen to place me high in her favour."

I am sure my horror is written all over my face. The Tom I knew would not betray the Slytherin house. I stare at the Tom in front of me, barely recognising him, my mind repeating the same words over and over again: no...no...no...

Draco

I am trying to find my way to the Great Hall, cursing fluently under my breath. I have yet to familiarise myself with the maze of corridors and staircases in this estate.

"Damn damn damn," I say angrily, balling my hands into fists. I will no doubt be late to dinner yet again and be forced to enter the Great Hall with the scornful eyes of the Gryffindor lords and ladies on me.

I close my eyes and take deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. It will do me no good if anyone sees me in this state.

"Are you trying to find your way to the Great Hall, Duke Malfoy?" a sweet voice asks me, making my eyes spring open.

It takes me a moment to register who the owner of the voice is, and when I finally do, I sweep her a deep bow, feeling my cheeks reddening.

"Yes, Your Grace. The layout of this estate can be rather...confusing," I say to the Queen of England.

She gives a tinkly little laugh. "Ah, I understand. When I first came here, I used to get lost several times a day!" Her voice reminds me of warm honey, sweet and comforting.

I dare myself to look closely at her. Up close, I have to admit that she is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. She looks like an angel from a painting, above us mortal beings. I see a little hint of colour in her cheeks. Is it her rouge or a blush? I wonder.

I catch myself staring at her perfectly shaped lips and check myself.

She is the Queen of England, and of the House of Gryffindor, I tell myself sternly. And you are a married man, Draco.

"Would you be so kind as to escort me to the Great Hall, Duke Malfoy? I can show you the way." the queen says almost shyly.

Behind her, her ladies-in-waiting are making noises of disbelief but the queen ignores them. Her eyes are fixated on me, waiting for my response.

"Yes, yes of course, I would be honoured, Your Grace," I say quickly. And truly, I feel honoured and lucky.

The queen tucks her slender fingers into the crook of my elbow and we begin walking. There is a surprising intimacy between us as she guides me to the Great Hall.

We are both aware that we are going against the very tradition in England by walking side by side into the Great Hall. It has been unheard of for a rival lord to escort the queen anywhere.

But somehow, we have chosen to ignore that age-old tradition. The queen keeps up a string of chatter all the way to dinner and to my amazement, I find that I am enjoying her company immensely.

Our behaviour is wrong in every aspect, but right now, I could care less.

Right before me make our entrance into the Great Hall, the queen whispers to me, "In private, call me Hermione."

Have some butterbeer while waiting for the next chapter! Reviews, rare and precious they are, I'll definitely appreciate them :)