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-(So at this time, I would like to tell you all to go to YouTube, yes go there...no seriously click awa- no not right now! Yeesh. Now go to YouTube, search 'The wolf by Fever Ray'. And listen to this song. It was the song I always played in my head when imagining this scene.)-
If the word party was defined, it was grossly understated.
They were on a hill sloping up. It wasn't very steep, but there was a noticeable incline. The only thing that provided light was the moon. They were in an open area, so branches or trees did not filter the light. The clouds seemed to have disappeared as well. Despite having only the moon as their light source, it was bright and luminescent.
There were groups of beings scattered here and there. Large boulders filled the open area, providing seating and tables. The beings sat on top, on the ground against the boulders, or stood, conversing. Most of the beings were laughing, tinkling sounds that carried.
Their manner of dress was more risqué than Draco was used to. Including the guys. The girls flounced around in barely there dresses or strips of fabric that covered the essentials. Most of the males present were without shirts. If they were wearing shirts, the shirts were button up with the top half unbuttoned. They gave him a distinct piratey kind of vibe.
There were a few men there that were dressed like Draco, Blaise, and Potter: all in tuxedos. They were business professional. Draco knew they were someone important.
Draco saw a table filled with food. Most were foods he had never seen before. There was a fountain with a pink liquid flowing out of it that many of the beings there were dipping cups into.
There was a make-shift dance floor where the side of the hill leveled out. Several bodies were swaying to the beat of the music. Others were doing what Draco supposed was dancing. He noticed Granger blush.
As they made their way behind Valerie, several people looked over at them. There were curious stares and double takes. Many of the men gave Granger appreciative glances. Draco snaked an arm around her waist.
She cocked an eyebrow.
"For your protection."
She snorted.
Draco noticed that Thenora and Felix had disappeared and gone their separate ways.
There was a noticeable raise in volume as they walked. People looked at the group and turned to the person next to them and spoke.
Valerie reached a group of men standing in a semi-circle. They were the ones dressed up like Draco. One of the men, a middle aged, salt and pepper haired man, turned to Valerie. A look of disdain passed over his face.
"You're late," he snapped.
Valerie simply stated, "I was held up." She turned her head.
He looked behind Valerie and saw the group of students. His eyebrows raised and a hungry look filled his eyes.
"You brought...humans?" He asked curiously, almost hopefully.
Valerie whipped her head around. "They are my Guard and their consorts. Not to be harmed."
Consorts? Draco looked at Granger to see pink stain her cheeks again. He smirked before he remembered that he was supposed to keep his face impassive.
"Guard?" The man questioned. "You've shown no interest in a Guard before. In fact, you were quite adamant about it. And they smell newly marked."
"It was a recent transaction. And I found that these humans can be quite persuasive."
"Can they?" He gave her an evil smirk.
"I see your powers of subtlety have not improved, Marcus." She said in a dry tone. "You'll have to work on that," she mock whispered.
Marcus's smirk disappeared and he inhaled in anger. His head turned back to the group.
"Only two of the humans have your blood. The others-"
"Are their consorts."
"Not the ones on the end."
Valerie tuned around to face the group. She leaned around Luna to look at Potter and made a beckoning motion with her fingers.
Potter strode forward with Ginny's hand on his arm.
"May I introduce you to Harry Potter," Valerie said.
Murmurs broke out among the crowd that had gathered around them.
"Harry...Potter," Marcus spoke slowly.
Valerie smiled. "Indeed. Mr. Potter has graciously agreed to come tonight to hear our side for the Wizengamot bill."
"The bill has already been passed."
"That isn't stopping you from making a plan to get a repeal. Mr. Potter wants to help in any way he can."
Marcus crossed his arms. "And why would Harry Potter want to help us?"
It was not Valerie, but Potter who spoke. He spoke clearly and professional.
"It's been brought to my attention that the Community and the Ministries do not have the best relationship. I'm hoping that, by being here tonight, I can help bridge the gap between the two worlds."
The hill was silent. The music had ended when it was announced that Harry Potter was here.
Draco sighed on the inside. Typical.
Marcus looked at Potter. "Very well," he said. He turned his gaze back to Valerie. "All of the Council members are meeting right now. I'm sure you can survive a moment away from your Guard." He turned and gestured for the other gentlemen to follow him. One of the men, a younger looking bloke with brown hair walked up to Valerie and offered her his arm. She gave one last glance to Draco, Blaise, and the rest and took the man's arm.
Draco stared after Valerie. So not only was she a magical creature, she was on the Creatures Council she had told him about.
The group was all alone and Draco did not feel safe any longer. All of the beings on the hill were looking at the students. The murmurs had picked up, and Draco caught snippets of conversation.
"-Potter's here-"
"-can smell the Muggle-born-"
"-for a snack-"
Thenora came out of the crowd. "Go back to your partying. They're just humans; you see them all the time." The music picked back up, and the crowd dispersed after a moment.
She pushed Blaise and Luna in one direction, and Draco followed with Granger. They went to the edge of the hill, by a fallen log.
"So that was fun," Blaise said.
Thenora gave Blaise a disapproving look. "These Circles are always anything but fun. Depending on the person. It looks like they'll listen to Valerie's warning though."
"Why would they?" Draco asked.
Thenora looked at each student. "You don't know?" She asked slowly.
Draco shared a look with Blaise. "What should we know?"
"Apparently nothing." Thenora said. Her gaze flickered to something behind Draco, and he turned to see Felix walking over with drinks.
"Here you go."
Draco took one of the silver goblets and looked at the liquid. It was red.
"This isn't-"
"No. Just punch, Malfoy."
"Well, there are Vampires here."
It was true. Of course Draco figured that there would be Vampires, but he had seen a few in the crowd with sharp teeth.
"Yes, but there are separate drinks for them."
There was loud laughter behind Felix, and he turned around.
"Alright. Thenora and I have to go and mingle. Don't talk to anyone."
"Yes, mother," Draco said.
Felix just rolled his eyes and left with Thenora. Thenora turned back. "I wouldn't venture into the woods if I were you. And if you have to go anywhere, do not go alone." She disappeared into the crowd.
There was a moment of silence with the group.
"Ok. So we learned that Valerie's a magical creature." Blaise said.
Draco chuckled. "Yes, but the question is: what kind?"
Blaise pondered that. "Mermaid?"
Potter sighed.
Draco realized that he still had his arm around Granger's waist. He left it there.
Some of the male beings in the area were giving Granger quite the appreciative glance, and Draco did not like it. He pulled her closer. She tensed at first but relaxed after some time.
They had been in the Samhain Circle for about an hour, as far as Draco could figure. He had made conversation with Blaise, while Granger and Lovegood had spoken.
For such a grand deal that Valerie and Felix were making about the event, it was rather boring.
Ok, it wasn't boring; Draco was just bored from standing there.
The party itself was actually wild. He had seen people drinking drinks off of each other, some rather inappropriate dancing, and just all around wild behavior.
"I see you have fared well," said someone behind the teenagers.
Draco turned to see the same young man with brown hair standing there with a smile.
Blaise raised a brow. "Can we help you?"
The man cleared his throat. "Yes. The meeting is over, and I was told to summon the Guard. Ladies, I'm afraid you will need to stay here."
Draco's eyes darted to Granger. She nodded at him, and turned to walk to Luna. Draco caught her arm.
"Stay safe," he murmured. He pressed a kiss into her curls. He ignored Blaise's raised brow and Granger's surprised look and followed behind the man. He didn't miss the small smile the man gave him.
The made their way through the crowd. Several beings threw them seductive smiles, and females danced around them. Draco didn't give anything away. They reached a group of people, with Valerie in the middle. She just raised her eyebrows and said, "Well?" Malfoy and Blaise walked over to her and stood on either side.
A woman in front of Valerie wrinkled her nose. "Purebloods? Really, Valerie?"
"I never said I used them as anything more than a Guard, Plaka."
"Ugh. Still, how can you stand the smell?"
Valerie chuckled. "Well, the blonde one does hang around a Muggle-born."
The group chuckled.
Draco had to fight to keep his resolve. They were insulting him, which he didn't take kindly to, but it was Valerie's obvious insult to Granger. He settled with clenching his fists at his sides.
"Well, that almost makes up for it. I can tell she is his, though. Quite a pity. I could do with a consort," a man to the side said.
Valerie smiled, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
Draco let some of the tension leave him.
It was a face. Draco knew because he had done the same thing for years. He focused more on Valerie.
Others did not notice. They were enjoying the party, but Draco saw.
She had her right arm hanging by her side, but her left arm went behind her back and clutched it. Like she had to fight to keep from smacking everyone. Her stance was rigid; she wasn't comfortable, not here. It wasn't obvious, no, but Draco was the master at putting on a face. He could read it.
He was drawn back to a conversation he had with Blaise once. They were just sitting on the couches, sharing a bottle of Ogden's, while Draco was going over the oddities of the year, and how he was surprised that he had become friends with the American girl. Blaise had just laughed and said, "It's not surprising at all, Draco. I mean, look at her. Really look at her. She's the female version of you."
Draco had looked at Blaise in confusion. Blaise laughed again.
"As much as you try to hide it, you're a tortured soul. Both of you are. You can tell. She probably even has parental issues. Then there's how you both try to act the bravest and scariest, when on the inside, you're both just normal people. You two put on a mask to hide whatever emotion you have."
Draco had just taken another swig of whiskey.
And back in the present, he realized that Blaise was right.
He was drawn from his thoughts when two newcomers strolled up and entered the circle of conversation.
They were both young, but one was maybe Draco's age. The other looked to be in his late twenties.
"James," Valerie said to the older man, "I see you've brought your progeny."
The man grimaced. "Unfortunately. I was hoping he would be exempt, as he is new, but," the man, James, sighed, "you know that no one is exempt. Unless they're imprisoned. And I'm trying to keep Corbin here out of trouble."
Corbin brought his attention to the people at the mention of his name. He glanced at Valerie and made no attempt to disguise his leering.
"And you are?" Corbin asked in a rude tone.
Valerie raised her eyebrows at James. James smacked Corbin over the back of the head.
"I apologize for him. The unfortunate truth of the emerging generations is that the children have no manners. It makes me wish for the 1800s again."
Valerie smiled. "I trust with your guidance, he'll learn."
Corbin scoffed. "Whatever. This place is lame. Why are we even here, James?"
James sighed in irritation. "Because you need to pay Penance, boy."
Corbin rolled his eyes. "That stupid custom? I thought you were joking."
"Penance is not a joke," Valerie said.
Corbin scoffed. "Yeah. I have to come here and give some bitch my-"
James smacked him over the head again. "You will be respectful."
"Why? It's not like she's here."
James raised his eyes to the sky.
Valerie gave Corbin a smile. "Actually..."
Corbin glanced at Valerie and looked her up and down. "You?" He asked in surprise.
"I'm afraid so."
Corbin sneered at her. "Oh. So it's your fault I'm not out there having fun. Instead I have to be here for some bullshit tradition." He walked up until he was in Valerie's face.
"And you're younger than I am. So I don't need to listen to anything you say. James told me all about the political side of things. I could care less." He put a finger under Valerie's chin and raised it.
"In fact, since you took away my Halloween fun, I think it's only fair that you pay Penance to me."
Valerie smirked.
In the next moment, she had Corbin turned around and on his knees with his arm twisted at an uncomfortable angle. Valerie stepped closer from behind so that she could turn Corbin's head to look at her.
"I don't care what you had planned. You may have been able to mouth off in your former life, but not anymore. In fact, if I was staying true to my position, I'd have your tongue cut out. But I'm feeling generous tonight. Let me make one thing clear: you do not disrespect me. Ever. You may not agree with the customs we have, but you will follow them."
She jerked the boy to his feet and shoved him forward.
"Now, if you would like to fight me, be my guest. But I would rather not deprive James of a progeny, especially since you are but a child, and therefore still stupid."
Corbin gave her a glare. James chuckled. "My lady," James bowed away.
The group was silent for a moment.
"I'm surprised your Guard did not step in," Plaka said.
Valerie gave her a stare.
"Well, they know when to keep to themselves."
XXXXX
Felix watched the party's goings-ons with disinterest. The Council's meeting had ended over a little more than five minutes ago, after an hour of being in session. Which could not bode well for anyone.
He had wanted to stay by Hermione, Luna, Zabini, and Malfoy, but he did not want to draw even more attention to them than they already had.
Harry had taken Ginny and they were currently circulating the attendees of the party. Harry would nod his head on occasion when talking to the beings, and Ginny would say a thing or two. It was a good thing that Potter was great at being political, or things would have gone very bad.
Felix was keeping an eye on Hermione and Luna, however, as Lincoln had taken Zabini and Malfoy over to Valerie.
She always hated Samhain. Her first one wasn't so bad, but after, well, it was hard to enjoy things when you had to be an evil bitch. Her words, not his.
Watching her now, he could tell the things being said in the circle of beings were not things she enjoyed. He had chuckled when the punk, who was probably older than Felix himself, had to walk away in shame with his maker chuckling.
"Strange, the dynamic between you two."
Felix jumped in surprise and whirled around.
A woman stood there, with a pale green ball gown and her brown hair cascading down past her shoulders to her hips. There were white gloves on her arms, which she held together in front of her. She was beautiful, probably the most beautiful woman in the world if he were not immune.
"My lady," Felix said, placing his right fist over his heart and bowing.
"Felix." She smiled and said nothing else.
"Erm, is there something I can help you with, my lady?"
"Yes, actually. Your father will not be here tonight, I'm afraid. Something in America he had to take care of. I believe it involved your friend over there," she said, pointing to Valerie.
It was tradition, or more like law, that all magical beings attended Samhain. The only way to get out was to get the Monarch and the Chairmen to agree, and even then, you had an escort of wizard guards. The creatures were drawn to whichever spot was the focal point of magic that year, before migrating back to their original place of origin. Felix had always found it funny how the beings in Samhain wanted to be distinguished between creature and being, but used the term 'creature' with anybody else. Then again, Felix did suppose even the beings were creatures.
That would certainly explain tonight.
"I'm glad you told me. Thank you, my lady."
She bowed her head. "There is another thing, as well."
"Yes?"
She pursed her lips. "I realize that the relationship between Valerie and I is not what it should be, given our positions. I suppose that is more my fault than anything. I was not sure I could trust her, based on her predecessors. I'm looking to fix that. And I know you are close with her."
Felix gave her a suspicious look.
Queen Ariann was not someone to be suspicious of. She was polite and passionate about the Community's cause. She was a great queen. But her sudden interest in fixing the gap between her and Valerie was something he needed to be cautious about.
Valerie had enemies. Enemies that wanted her dead, and if it wasn't for the fact that she was one kick ass wizard, she would be dead already. Marcus had made it clear that he did not approve of Valerie, although that had to do with his jealousy more than it did politics. And Valerie was right. The man was not subtle. When Valerie first gained her position, there had been an attempt by some half-wit Vampire. It ended in a bad way, at least for the Vampire, and Valerie had called Marcus out on it. He had not admitted to it, but he had not denied it either.
Ariann was not the sort to make assassination attempts, but that did not mean she wasn't harmless either.
Ariann's eyes softened. "Felix...," she spoke softly, "I'm trying to help."
She knew of the position Felix was in, and the suspicions he would have. She could not blame him for thinking that way, but manipulation was not what she was trying to pull.
"I think part of the reason that things between the wizards and the Community has gotten so bad is because we are still divided. I'm looking to end that, and I hope it will give us enough push to get the wizards to meet us halfway." She sighed. "If you are not comfortable with speaking with Valerie, than you do not need to. But these are dangerous times, with the Wizarding War being over and all."
Felix sighed and rubbed his eyes.
Arianna looked at him. She narrowed her eyes. "When was the last time you had intimate contact with a human?"
He did not answer right away.
"Felix, as your-"
"Maybe...two weeks."
She inhaled a sharp breath. "Felix, you should not be-"
"I know, I know, but...my other side won't allow me?"
Ariann furrowed her brows. "What do you mean he won't allow you?"
"He just won't go anywhere near them. When I try to, he freaks out and has me run the other way."
She cocked her head to the side and thought about the new information. "Hm. Sounds like you're close to your Veela dream. There have been cases where a Veela's other half does not allow their human side to recharge because they are about to choose the mate."
"Do you think that's what it is?" Felix asked.
"I would imagine. There would be no other reason I can think of."
Felix contemplated that. She was right. There wasn't anything that would explain Veela's sudden disinterest in women.
'I never said I wasn't interested. I just...don't feel like it.'
Felix rolled his eyes.
"We can go talk to Valerie right now, if you'd like. She would need to let her Guard go back to their consorts, however."
Ariann chuckled. "Yes, the Guard and their consorts. Curious, the emotions between them. Usually a Guard will interchange consorts within a weeks' time, but these Guard...their feeling seem genuine. Although it would be foolish to miss the emotional conflict. Shame the Vampires will miss it. It's rather funny."
Felix gave a dry chuckle. "Yes, well, you don't need to be a Veela to tell that Valerie's Guard has issues with their consorts."
XXXXX
Hermione watched as Felix talked to the other woman. She was very beautiful, and obviously a Veela.
She and Luna had sat down on the fallen tree, waiting for something to happen. Malfoy and Blaise had been taken away, leaving Hermione to listen to Luna about Yunkels. She loved Luna, but sometimes...
Hermione sat up a little straighter when she saw Felix and the woman move over to where Malfoy was, by Valerie.
She had seen the altercation and was rather surprised at the violent outburst from Valerie. The only time Hermione had seen Valerie violent was when Harper had attacked her.
Felix spoke to Valerie for a moment before she nodded her head. She said something to the crowd she was with and departed with Malfoy and Blaise in tow. Valerie made her way over to Hermione and Luna.
"I require a word alone with Felix and Arianna. You two can stay here," Valerie said to Malfoy and Blaise.
She swished her wand, and the time showed up on the log.
1:26
Valerie sighed.
"Don't go into the trees," she spoke in a curt manner before walking off into the trees with Felix and the woman, Arianna, following behind.
Hermione noticed that Malfoy was staring after them with narrowed eyes. He looked around at the crowd in the party and started to walk in the direction that the three creatures had disappeared.
"Malfoy!"
He looked back at her.
"You're supposed to stay here," Hermione whispered.
Malfoy grimaced. "You weren't over there. You didn't hear what I did, and I want to know what it is that they are talking about."
He started walking again.
Hermione grabbed his arm. "Did you not hear Valerie? We are supposed to do what we're told."
Malfoy rolled his eyes. "Do you honestly expect them," he gestured to the magical creatures, "to kill us? Much less harm us? Besides, Valerie said that we couldn't be touched."
"That is beside the point, Malfoy. Thenora also told us not to go anywhere alone."
He seemed to think about that for a moment. "Good point."
He wrapped an arm around her waist and started to move forward.
"Wha-? Malfoy!"
Malfoy turned his head to look at Blaise, who was watching in amusement.
"Keep an eye on Lovegood."
Hermione couldn't get out of Malfoy's arm. For starters, she didn't want to cause a scene. Also, he had an iron like grip that was near impossible to move. He steered her through the trees, turning this way and that. Hermione finally gave up on trying to get away.
"Do you even know where you're going, Malfoy?"
"Yes."
Of course he didn't.
Hermione was sure they were lost a few minutes later when they had not found the trio.
"We're lost."
"No we aren't, Granger."
"Okay then where are Valerie and Felix?"
"I don't know, but that doesn't mean we are lost."
Hermione snorted, and Malfoy came to a stop.
"What is your problem?"
Was he serious?
Not only did Hermione have to apparently fear for her life, she also had to do so while looking like some Playwizard model. She was uncomfortable in a dress that showed her cleavage, like this dress was, and to top it all off, Malfoy was here!
She had managed to ignore the issues between her and Malfoy and her emotions because of the situation at hand, but now that they were all alone, it came back.
To say she had been devastated when Malfoy had rejected her would be too easy. Because not only did he reject her, he embarrassed her. And he seemed so nonchalant about the entire thing!
When McGonagall had made her gather up the prefects to help plan the Halloween ball, Hermione had realized how much it hurt just to look at Malfoy. She felt pathetic. She had even let Brown take her place with the excuse that she had no talents with event planning at all. The ball would not have been difficult to plan, not at all. It was the fact that HE was there as well that made her leave. She felt pathetic.
She was letting her emotions, over Malfoy of all people, get to her. And it was interfering with her duties as head girl.
She had managed to distance herself from him, and therefore ignore him, when Ginny had wanted to go dress shopping.
"Oh, come on! You've been moping all over the castle all week, and I don't have a dress!"
"Ginny, it's not that I don't want to go. I'm just really busy with-"
"With what? You shirked your Head Girl responsibilities off on Lavender for the time, and do not sit there and tell me you have homework. Because I know for a fact that you don't!"
Hermione sighed. They had been walking into the Great Hall for lunch at the time. They were early, so there were only a few people in there.
"Gin, I already have a dress. I don't need to go."
That wasn't a lie. She had packed a dress with her, the pink number, for any case such as this. She was glad she had thought ahead.
"Well, you may have a dress, but I don't. And I need your opinion!"
"Take Luna with you for an opinion."
Ginny gave her a glare. "You know as soon as we enter the dress shop that she'll start talking about how the elves made the material from Nargles wings, or something like that. Come on, Hermione, you and I have barely spent any time together this year. Please?"
"Oh, just say yes so I don't have to hear this anymore."
Hermione and Ginny looked over to see Parkinson eating spaghetti.
"Just say yes to the dress shopping, Granger. Save the rest of us some pain."
"Why don't you go dress shopping then?" Hermione shot at her.
Parkinson raised a brow. "Besides the fact that you are Gryffindors, I don't plan to go to the ball."
Ginny gave her a weird look. "What do you mean you don't plan to go to the ball?"
"It's not that hard to figure out, Weasley."
"I meant why, Parkinson."
"It's private," Parkinson shot at her.
"Does it have to do with Ronald?" Hermione asked.
Parkinson jerked her gaze to Hermione. "Why would it have anything to do with him?"
Ginny sighed. "Please. We may be Gryffindor, but we aren't idiots. Most of the time."
Parkinson just looked at them, in a somewhat panicked expression.
Ginny's eyes brightened. "Hey! Why don't you come with us, Parkinson?"
"I never said I was going Ginny." Ginny waved Hermione's comment away.
"Why would I go shopping if I'm not going? Or if I don't like you?"
"Because you want us to talk all about my brother. And lecture Hermione here about Malfoy."
"Ginny!"
"What? She's one of his closest friends! She knows something."
Hermione looked at Parkinson.
"Alright. Say I did know something. What would I get out of it? Besides Granger there agreeing to go so you'd quiet down." Parkinson asked.
"I can help you pick out the perfect dress to snatch Ron's attention," Ginny offered.
Parkinson contemplated that.
"Done."
So they went shopping.
Ginny was trying on the red dress that she had worn tonight when Hermione turned to Parkinson.
"So? Do you, um, know anything?"
Parkinson turned to her and looked at her a moment before sighing.
"I'm a horrible friend for saying it, but Draco can be a bit of a coward, insofar as he won't stand up for himself or others if it will save a fight. I'm not going to use Voldemort as an example because that was a different situation and, well, there were 'extenuating circumstances'. But for example, he never stood up to his father. There was a time that Draco had questioned the whole 'Mudblood' thing; whether or not anyone of that particular blood type was dirty or whatever. But he never said anything to Lucius. Never asked his father why. Because he knew what his father would do, what he would say."
She took a breath and continued. "He blindly followed Lucius. He didn't question it because he wanted to save the fight he knew would come. And in that way, Draco is a coward. It's not that he doesn't like you, Granger, believe me he does. Plenty. He's just afraid."
Ginny had come out then asking about the dress, and any conversation involving her and Malfoy ended.
Hermione looked at Malfoy now.
She could understand being afraid. She wouldn't condemn him entirely, but nor would she excuse him. She knew there were reasons to still be afraid, but things were changing and-
The wind blew, washing over Hermione and Malfoy. She took in a breath and immediately felt woozy. Malfoy caught her.
"Granger?"
She stared at Malfoy.
Although she hated to admit it, he looked wicked handsome in the Muggle suit. His pale blonde hair looked white under the moonlight, and his silver eyes appeared to be churning.
Malfoy was breathing softly, but then he inhaled a sharp breath through his teeth. He was just staring at her.
That warm feeling washed over Hermione again, that feeling from earlier when Malfoy had seen her in the new dress for the first time. It was a tingly feeling, and Hermione knew exactly what it meant.
In hindsight, considering the situation, she should have seen it coming. But she had been so worried about following the warnings Valerie gave them, that she had disregarded the words Thenora had said.
'They go from logical thinking and need to want.'
Malfoy's mouth was on hers, warm and urgent. She was vaguely aware of the tree pressed up against her back, the rough bark digging into her back. Hermione had her hands on his shoulders, urging him closer. She couldn't get close enough to him. He seemed to be thinking along the same lines, for he pressed closer. His hands were placed on the tree, on either side of her. He moved one hand, splaying it over her hip.
His opened his mouth a little more, and Hermione followed suit, allowing his tongue access to hers. He swirled his tongue around hers. She could finally place the taste that was 'Malfoy', a particular minty sort of taste, which she found ironic since mint was considered 'cooling', and Malfoy's kiss was anything BUT cold.
His mouth moved from hers, across her chin and down to her neck. He hitched one of her legs up onto his hip, dragging his hand over the material on her thigh. Hermione had her hands dug into Malfoy's hair, playing with the soft strands.
He moved his mouth down to trail across her collar bone, to the other side of her neck, and up to that tender spot behind her hair. She could feel his excitement through the thin fabric of her dress and she ground against him. He growled.
His hand started to travel up her raised leg, bunching the material up to her hip. He stroked the bared skin, first on her calf, and then slowly he moved up his hand up. He trailed his fingers along the inside of her thigh, making her breathe harder. He moved his touch to the outside of her thigh, continuing up until her was cupping her bare bottom. His hand-
Wait, what?! WHERE THE HELL WAS HER KNICKERS?
This thought snapped Hermione out of whatever lust induced haze that she had. She managed to think enough to where she put her hands on either of Malfoy's shoulders and pushed him back.
"What-" He blinked rapidly and took in his surroundings and the situation.
Granger's leg was hiked up onto his hip, her BARE leg and he stepped back.
Neither said anything.
"Awwww, why stop now? The show was just getting interesting!" Malfoy whipped his head in the direction of the laughing voice to see three figures emerging through the trees.
It was not the three figures Draco was hoping it was.
One was a female, wrapped in a long length of fabric that covered the bare essentials. There was a man who had his arm slung low on the woman's hip. He was just wearing pants. There was another female off to the side behind them, with a dress that looked like it was made out of ropes. They were all laughing.
"Aw, the little human looks frightened," the second woman said to the first. She chuckled. "Don't worry, we aren't here for you."
With inhuman speed, the couple moved forward and restrained Draco before he could act. They knocked him down to his knees, with either one holding an arm. He struggled against their hold, but it was like fighting concrete restraints. They didn't budge.
Granger had not moved, too stunned at everything that just happened in the last thirty seconds to move. Rope woman moved forward, slamming Granger back up against the tree. She had a hand around Granger's throat, immobilizing her.
"You know, little human, I've been smelling you all night. You're a Muggle-born." She smelled Granger's neck. "Oh, you smell divine." She chuckled. "I always found it fucking hilarious how Purebloods considered themselves the top of the pyramid; on top of every other being on this earth." She chuckled again. "The funny thing is, is that they're fucking disgusting as far as flavor goes. All that inbreeding makes for thin, bland blood. Muggle-borns however," she smelled Granger, "Muggle-borns have the best kind of blood out there. Muggles themselves have a particular flavor, but with Muggle-borns having Muggle blood, with a touch of magic..." She licked Granger on the throat. "Positively delicious. Even more so, since you're a virgin."
Granger's eyes widened at the Vampire's discovery.
"What? You think with his," rope woman pointed at Draco, "scent all over you, I couldn't tell? When you are as old as I am, you can tell who the virgins are. How you walk, how you act. I saw you blush when you were called his consort," the woman said in exasperation.
"You're not a very good actress. And it will be my pleasure to drink from you."
Granger gave the woman a defiant look. "Oh, like that's going to make a big difference to me?"
Rope woman gave Granger a sharp toothed smile. "It will when I drain you dry." Granger paled.
Draco, struggling even more now, was smacked across the cheek by one of the Vampires holding him. Stars danced in his vision and he saw black spots. Still, he continued to thrash against his captors.
Another blow, only this one had more strength behind it than the last, and Draco found his cheek lying on the soft grass.
"Draco!"
Rope woman looked at Granger. "You know, maybe we'll drain the Guard out of spite. What do you say to that?" She started to lower her teeth to Granger's neck.
"That depends on who you ask," a voice rang through the trees.
Everyone froze. Rope woman raised her head, and slowly turned it.
Hermione watched as Valerie stood there with disinterest painted across her face. But there was anger to her eyes; inhumanly blue glowing eyes that made Hermione physically cringe.
The Vampires who had had a hold on Malfoy stepped back and turned to face Valerie. She started to walk in at an agonizingly slow pace, her hands behind her back. For the first time that night, Hermione noticed Valerie's shoes - something that seemed too trivial given the current situation -
and wondered how she could still manage to walk in a smooth fashion.
Valerie pursed her lips. "Were my instructions not clear?"
The woman who had struck Malfoy gulped.
"Well?" Valerie stopped a little ways in front of Malfoy's fallen figure.
The woman holding Hermione shoved her aside and sprinted toward the trees. Valerie didn't even move.
"Stop," she said in a bored tone.
The woman in ropes froze.
"Come back here," Valerie spoke.
It was like watching someone Imperiused. The woman did not want to move, and the struggle to keep immobile was plain on her face. Nevertheless, she moved forward all the same to where her companions were standing.
"Good. Now stay."
The woman froze where she was standing.
Valerie looked down at Malfoy and turned him over using her foot. He groaned as he was turned to face up.
"The same goes for you. Your instructions were not that hard to follow, either."
Valerie took out her wand, making the three Vampires in front of her flinch back. Valerie didn't even spare them a glance as she placed the tip of the wand to her finger, and a drop of blood beaded out. She eased down to Malfoy's side and held her finger over his mouth, so that the blood dripped into it.
Malfoy immediately sat up, coughing and spluttering. He sucked air into his lungs and looked around. Comprehension dawned and realization came back. Malfoy picked himself up off of the ground and backed away from Valerie and the Vampires, coming to stand by Hermione. He wrapped a protective arm around her, standing slightly in front of her.
"So? Did I not say that the humans were my Guard?" Valerie asked.
"The men were. You said nothing of the consorts," one of them answered.
"I said, and I do remember, that they were my Guard and their consorts. Not to be harmed."
The couple averted their gaze and the man spoke. "We apologize my lady. We misunderstood. And it is understood that Guards consorts are..."
Valerie raised her chin. "Are...what?"
"Expendable my lady."
"I do not recall that being an official understanding."
"Well, before-"
"Before, yes. But is it not law now, that humans are not to be bitten? That they are not to be drunken from, unless it is their absolute wish?"
The man nodded his head.
Valerie stepped forward into the man's space. "Did she look to be consenting?" Valerie whispered.
"N-no, my lady."
"Hm. So you see, not only did you disobey ME, you were breaking the law."
Valerie stepped back. "You will all be punished. You two," she gestured to the couple, "by the end of the night, you will lose your fangs. If that punishment is not met, well...I suggest you go to Lincoln to have your punishment taken care of. And you will explain your crimes."
The couple nodded and tore off into the night.
Valerie turned to the woman in ropes. "You on the other hand, deserve a much more severe punishment. You were the antagonizer. They were merely following you."
The woman was trembling now.
"The only punishment fit for you is Excommunication."
The woman snapped her head up. She shook her head 'no' rapidly back and forth.
"My lady, I was foolish, I admit. But it was just a mere misunderstanding that I-"
"Save it. You think I care about some bullshit excuse? No. You should have thought about it before you attacked the girl."
Valerie stepped forward
The woman was begging now. "No, please." She was still shaking her head.
Valerie grabbed the woman by the arm, jerked her forward, and opened her mouth wide, showing sharp, pointed fangs. She sank them into the woman's neck.
The woman emitted a blood curdling scream, making Hermione jump. She was holding her breath, too stunned to do anything. Malfoy had tightened his grip on Hermione.
Blood flowed from the woman's neck, over her shoulder and down her back, staining the ropes. After a moment more, Valerie shoved the woman away, causing her to fall to the ground.
Blood covered Valerie's mouth and chin, dripping off onto the Forrest floor. Valerie cocked her head to the side, mouth opened, and made a noise of discomfort as her fangs slowly retracted back into her mouth. She looked down at the weeping woman.
"You will bear those marks as part of your shame and to show the world of your crime. When this barrier is down, you will leave and not return to another Samhain Circle, nor will you come to any event involving the Community. If you disregard this warning, I will kill you. Understood?"
The woman nodded her head, but her crying slowed down, and a look of hate crossed her face.
"You think we accept you as Queen? Do you think you have power?" The woman shook her head. "No, you don't. Your time will come, my lady," she spit the last two words.
Valerie just smirked. "I'm counting on that. Should be a fun day."
The woman gathered herself up off of the ground and ran through the trees.
Valerie looked after her for a moment before turning to look at Hermione and Malfoy. Hermione tensed, ready for an attack, and Malfoy stepped in front of her completely. Valerie rolled her eyes.
"Please. If I wanted to eat you, I would have." She took her wand and swished it, making the blood on her face disappear. Another swish and Valerie was swirling water in her mouth. She spit it out and it was tinted pink.
"Ugh. She needs to eat more vitamin C."
"You're a Vampire," Malfoy spit out.
Valerie raised a brow. "Again, quite obvious at this point."
Malfoy seethed at her, and she just quirked a sarcastic smile.
"Rather anti-climactic, don't you think. Her you've been, trying to figure out exactly what I am. Like you've been expecting I have some big secret, or some big revelation. The strange things that seem to happen when I'm around, all that jazz. Heck, maybe you even thought I was some kind of special creature, like a Fairy/Veela hybrid or something like that. Not that Fairies can procreate with Veelas, but moving on. Maybe I was a mix between all the creatures, or a new kind of creature, one you haven't heard of before? Nope. I'm just...a Vampire. Rather overplayed thanks to the Muggles, but..." She shrugged her shoulders.
"What was that?" Malfoy asked in disgust.
Valerie turned to the empty space behind her, then back to Malfoy.
"That was carrying out the Community Law."
"So, you're an official?" Hermione asked. "Someone important."
"You could say that."
"The woman called you Queen. Queen of what? All the Vampires?" Malfoy asked in disbelief.
Valerie nodded her head, as if it was obvious. "Yep."
Malfoy sneered at her. "So this entire time, you've been a Vampire? And you didn't tell us?"
"Well, it's not exactly something to bring up over breakfast, now is it?" She said dryly.
Malfoy snorted in disgust.
Valerie narrowed her eyes at him. Her eyes had lost the dramatic blue color, and had gone to the normal shade, but now it was starting to change again.
"Should that make any difference, what I am?"
"You're a Vampire. You're not exactly innocent."
Valerie appeared in front of Malfoy's face. He flinched back, bracing his arms over Hermione.
"Oh look. Morality lessons from the Death Eater. Tell me something Draco, have you had to kill anyone? No? Torture them, then?" She asked in a loud whisper.
Malfoy paled and his face hardened. "That was different. I had-"
"You had a choice! That's the difference between you and me. You CHOSE to become a servant to evil. I had my free will taken from me. I didn't get to make the choice."
Malfoy was silent.
"I would have thought, out of everyone, you would be the most understanding."
It was an angry sentence, but Hermione could hear the tinge of despair in Valerie's voice.
"I was dealt a certain hand of cards, cards that I can't exchange. You, on the other hand, have an interchangeable deck. Do you think I like being called evil? A killer? Based on what? Some stereotype that wizards came up with! It's because of ignorance like that, like yours that keeps the two worlds separate. Because wizards think that they can do no wrong."
She grabbed Malfoy's arm, forcing the sleeve up, showing the Dark Mark.
"Well, here's your proof. You human wizards are nothing but hypocritical bastards whose sole focus is themselves. Do you not think that the creatures and beings of the Community aren't affected by your words?"
Valerie dropped Malfoy's arm.
"You may have gotten over your prejudice for Muggle-borns and Muggles, but you are still a very racist, bigoted bastard."
Valerie turned her gaze to Hermione.
"And Zera was right. They don't have to smell the virgin on you to tell. Tonight, Hermione, you are a seductive temptress. You have feminine whiles, use them. Now if you'd like to get back to the clearing, go straight behind you, then angle left."
Valerie flashed from the clearing.
Hermione did not speak, and neither did Malfoy. He still had his arms wrapped around her, and she pried them off. He looked at her.
Hermione gave him a sad look.
"Malfoy...I know. That you're afraid. That you're scared of some things. But that fear should not rule your life." She looked at where Valerie had disappeared. "She was your friend. Yes, a Vampire, but that doesn't change who she is. Felix said to reserve judgment, and I think we can manage that. She just saved our life for the second time tonight, and you can't look past the 'what' of what she is."
Malfoy looked at her, and Hermione took in a deep breath.
"And...I don't think tonight, with, um, earlier...I don't think it should happen again."
He furrowed a brow. "Why not?"
She sighed. "For one, I'm not that kind of girl. I can't do casual...And for a second reason: you need to figure yourself out. I'm not so sure us being involved is a good thing, especially if you can't figure out what you want and who you are."
"So you need a label, Granger, is that it? And I know exactly who I am."
"Yes, I need a label. If that's off putting for you, then so be it. And no. I'm not so sure you know who you are."
She turned and started walking back to the clearing.