CHAPTER TWENTY THREE- Responsibility
Narcissa was beaming as the party was being cleaned up. "I don't think our own wedding was so successful, Lucius!" Narcissa said. After throwing the party of the year her spirits were high and joyful.
"It was quite the event," Lucius said agreeing with is wife. He pretended to listen to her talk about what a hit the wedding was but his attention was on his son. Draco and Hermione were on opposite sides of the pavilion and not speaking to each other now that there was no one to fool.
"Let's go inside my dear, shall we?" Lucius said leading Narcissa in. He called out to Draco and his wife to join them inside. They were all warm again in the living room where Snape was waiting.
"Did you speak to him?" Lucius whispered to Snape. "I did. Where is Bellatrix?" Snape asked. "My sister-in-law has other matters to attend to now," Lucius replied.
Snape was relieved that Bellatrix was gone, she would only make this part of the night more difficult. "Narcissa, she is looking rather tired, why don't you take Hermione upstairs?" Lucius said to his wife giving her a knowing look.
The happiness seemed to deflate from Narcissa as she realized what must happen next. Snape had prepared Lucius and her on how the night must follow and she would have to do her best to carry out the plans.
"Come along, Hermione. You do look rather tired," she said to her new daughter-in-law. Hermione was intelligent enough to know that they had something up their sleeves. Slightly panicked she followed her mother-in-law upstairs.
"My room isn't on this floor," she said to Narcissa who continued climbing stairs and passing Hermione's bedroom. "We are going to Draco's room," said Narcissa. Hermione planted her feet and did not follow her.
"Come with me now or I will have Lucius and Snape bring you up," she warned Hermione. Picking up her dress once more and biting her lip she followed Narcissa. Hermione had never been this far into the manor.
Walking into Draco's room was something Hermione hoped she wouldn't have to do. It was twice the size as her bedroom on the second floor and deep mahogany furniture suited Draco's personality.
The room was warm with a glowing fire and decorated in green and silver. His window gave a beautiful view of the night sky and the moonlight pouring in. It surprised Hermione to see so many books.
"Give me your wand please," Narcissa asked. "My wand? Why would I give you my wand!?" Hermione shrieked. Magic was the only power she had greater than Draco. "You two are much too sharp for your own good. No magic on this night," she explained.
"You cannot have my wand," Hermione said firmly. "Do you want to see your parents tomorrow before your honeymoon or not?" Narcissa said losing patience. "I can make it so you won't see them again until your hair has turned grey!" Narcissa threatened.
Hermione knew she was right and it hurt her intensely. Not knowing what kind of condition they were in or if her parents were harmed made Hermione hand over her wand. "Good, you have made the right choice," Naricssa said shutting the door behind Hermione.
A soft "click" told her that Naricssa had locked her in Draco's bedroom. Panicking she took off her uncomfortable shoes and ran to Draco's bathroom. Perhaps he had a razor in his shaving kit she could arm herself with since she no longer had a wand.
Frantically turning the doorknob she found that it was locked. Clearly the adults had put more thought into this than Hermione originally considered. As Hermione searched his room the men downstairs were just as unhappy.
"You're both mad if you think I'm giving you my wand," Draco said to his father and Snape who had just asked him to surrender his wand. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way," warned Lucius.
"You and Hermione are beyond clever, we can't have you tampering with this," Snape said. "Or killing each other," Lucius said under his breath. Malfoy pulled his wand out of his pocket and threw it at his father.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?" Lucius said bending down to collect the wand. "Draco, he will be here all night to ensure you do your duties. Remember that," his father added. Lucius worried what would happen to his son if Voldemort were unhappy in his performance.
"We'll take you to her," Snape said walking away. He wanted to see Hermione one last time before Draco touched her. "I'd rather do this alone with my son," said Lucius. Peeved but understanding Snape sat down and watched the Malfoy men go upstairs.
Once they reached Draco's bedroom his father said, "Remember what I told you? Look at this as a reward. A wife is yours in every way… And remember Draco, he is watching."
Lucius unlocked the door, shoved Draco inside and locked it back up behind him.