CHAPTER 6

WHERE ARE MY DRAGONS?

HERMIONE

Hermione's head pounded as she woke up, her body felt like she'd been thrown off her dragon one too many times. Her vision blurred from whatever had rendered her unconscious, she blinked her big brown eyes, adjusting to the dim light of her chambers. "Rhako?" She called out, giving her eyes time to adjust. Her vision was still quite blurry as she looked around noticing this wasn't her chambers. It was cold here, bled dark magic. Where was she? She desperately tried to move, but her attempts yielded failure. She tried looking at her arms noticing nothing was there. Panic knotted in her stomach realizing she was magically bound… but how?

As her vision came to her eyes widened in horror as she took in her surroundings. The iron throne sat mere inches from her body, dark magic coating it. Refusing to believe her sights Hermione tightly squeezed her eyes shut.

"This isn't real, it's not real, it's not real."

Slowly opening her eyes, tears began coating her cheeks, it was real, very real. The iron throne loomed before her, a cruel reminder of what her mother died for and what she was so eager to gain. Her birthright mere inches away as she was bound, unable to seize it. "Rhako…" she called to him, again no response. Dread lingered onto Hermione's face, where were her dragons? Her wand? And her Rhako?

Her heart pounding in her chest, "Seraphus?" Hermione's voice echoed throughout the throne room, but there was no response, not even a sign from her dragon. Panic rose within her as she struggled against the magically restraints, she felt sick as bile crept into her throat.

The sound of heavy, deliberate steps caught her attention causing an eerie feeling to settle in the air. A shiver ran down her spine as she called out his name, "Rhako… is that you?" her voice trembled, the sound echoing off the walls. The heavy steps had stopped and there was no reply, only steady drips of rainwater hitting against the grand building.

A deep voice suddenly cut through the silence, sending chills down her spine. In moments like this she'd call for her dragon, dracarys would roll off her tongue and engulf her captor into flames but her child was not here.

"Hello, Mudblood." the word dripped from his lips with ease, that word, 'mudblood' sent a surge of anger through her heart. Looking away from the throne, Hermione's eyes snapped up, finding her gaze met in his icy blue eyes. His pale blonde hair was perfectly slicked back, creating a polished look. His armored vest perfectly crafted to his body as a golden cloak flowed behind, and he exuded an air of arrogance as he stood towering over her.

"Malfoy…" Hermione sneered, staring in the eyes of her childhood bully, her enemy, the man she'd fought on the opposite side of battlefield. "What have you done?! How did I get here?" Hermione wriggled, straining against the invisible restraints.

Malfoy's lip curled down in disgust at the sight of her, his eyes glinting with dark pleasure. "Mmm are you accusing me of something mudblood." Emphasizing his last word as he crouched down beside her letting his lips meet her ear. "I have done nothing. I am merely following orders." his disgust turned into a sinister smile "You're in for a surprise."

Malfoy's words echoed through Hermione's mind as he threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The silence between them was thick with tension, only broken by the sound of Malfoy's footsteps and her silent protest. Weak and helpless Hermione folded over Malfoy's shoulder as he made his way to the floo entrance. Dropping a handful of floo powder, with a firm voice Malfoy called out, "Malfoy Manor."

As the green flames subsided, they were standing in the opulent drawing room of the Malfoy Manor. Hermione felt the wind leave her lungs as Malfoy carelessly dropped her to the floor before leaving the room. The sight of the manor racked Hermione's mind with anxiety, she'd always associated the Manor with danger and darkness after her encounter with Bellatrix. Her mind continued to whirl causing anger to boil through her blood, she couldn't hold back the tears that streamed down her face. She had no wand, no dragons, and she couldn't understand how she'd gotten here.

"WHERE ARE MY DRAGONS!" Hermione screamed as the anger took control of her. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU ONCE I AM OUT OF HERE MALFOY. GIVE ME MY CHILDREN!" She continued screaming until her voice went hoarse. Her screams quickly turned into sobs as her mind whirled back to how she was trapped here, restrained within the manor of her enemy and no idea how it'd happened.

"They'll come for you Ashara. Rhako, Unsullied, Dorthaki, and Seraphus, They'll come for me."

Sobs echoed throughout the Malfoy Manor, her heart crushing with fear. "They would come for me, wouldn't they?" She whispered to herself, her voice breaking with every word. Surely Rhako would gather the unsullied and dothraki, and ride on the back of Seraphus to rescue her. She remembered falling asleep in his arms last night before ending up here but her mind refused to let her believe he betrayed her. Not after everything he'd sworn to her, after they had surrendered to their growing passion and she had surrendered to his embrace. the enemies he'd killed for her, the battles he'd fought alongside her army.

"It can't be him. He knelt for me, acknowledging me as his Khaleesi, his queen. He'd protected me, pledged his life and sword to me. He swore his heart to me." She sobbed as she talked to herself, her voice filled with disbelief. "It can't be Rhako… It just can't"

Her sobs came to an abrupt end as the door of the drawing room violently opened, and she was met with the gaze of her captor once more. His icy gaze bore into her soul as his face turned to a scowl, "For salazar's fucking sake, will you shut your filthy mouth?" Malfoy's words were as cold as the floor she'd been lying on, but Hermione refused to be belittled. She was Ashara Targaryen, she had fire running through her veins.

"I am going to kill you," she seethed, her voice laced with hate. "I will have my dragon burn you alive, Malfoy. LET ME GO NOW!" Malfoy let out a malicious chuckle, relishing in the anger he'd caused her.

"There's my brave little gryffindor," his voice was sarcastic, with his usual arrogant ass face. "As much as I'd like to see a mudblood try to kill me, it'll have to wait until your surprise." He hissed, a sinister glint in his eyes.

"Sod off with the surprise Malfoy, Let me go!"

"I'm afraid that won't happen mudblood but you'll love it. I swear it." Malfoy slowly opened the door, Hermione's heart pounded in her chest as she felt the room spin around her. Confusion clouded her mind as she struggled to comprehend what was happening right in front of her. Her big brown doe eyes filled with tears as he ran to her side, Rhako met her gaze, his expression looked terrified yet there had been a glint of malice dancing in his beautiful brown eyes.

"Ashara, my beautiful Khaleesi. I have come for you." The lie rolled off his tongue as he planted a kiss on her forehead. Malfoy's laughter mocked in the background before Rhako turned to join him. Betrayal clung to Hermione like a suffocating shroud, threatening to consume her completely.

"I got her good. Ah, Khaleesi, I've come for you. Think I'll need to burn my lips after that one mate." Rhako mocked

"Take it off, why don't you." Malfoy said, extending his hand to Rhako. What more could there be? Hermione thought to herself, watching as Rhako handed Malfoy a pendant from his neck. She watched in horror as his dark complexion paled, his long braid became short silky black curls and his once bearded face now was sculpted and bare. His dothraki attire turned death eater, as he donned a black cloak and king's landing armor.

Bile rose in Hermione's chest, she felt ill. It was as if a dagger pierced her heart, she wanted to cry but she couldn't. Instead she grew angry as Theodore fucking Nott stood looming over her with Malfoy, "Rha… THEODORE?" she yelled, pain etched into her features "How could you..?"

"Boohoo, how could you?" Theo mocked, reveling in the chaos "Theo in the flesh and blood, good to be back."

Anger took over Hermione as she thrashed against her restraints. "I WILL KILL YOU BOTH!"

"Fiesty little mudblood, isn't she?" Theo laughed, turning to Malfoy "You should see her with that Dragon. Well mate I'll leave her to you, got to go scrub my lips and try to find my wife now."

The room was silenced with tension and betrayal at the final words before Theodore made his exit, Hermione's anger outweighed the pain that was revealed on her face. She wanted to scream, cry, and hurt the two men before her.

"Betrayal, my dear mudblood, burns hotter than any dragon's fire," Malfoy said calmly, breaking the silence as he walked closer to Hermione.

"Stay the fuck away from me." Hermione sneered, trying to force her way back only to end up pinned by a desk.

"I've got to get into the filthy little brain of yours." Malfoy smirked, pulling out his wand as he leaned down towards her "and you're already bound, the perfect opportunity."

Hermione's eyes widened as Malfoy's Invasive presence tore through her mind. The searing pain in her mind caused a gut-wrenching scream to escape her amidst the violent onslaught of Malfoy's legilimency. The pain surged through her, her body thrashing against the restraints as he delved deeper through her mind. Her occlumency would only hold for so long, she hadn't practiced since she was in Hogwarts. Minutes felt like hours as Malfoy dragged her through her memories, she could tell he was fueled by determination. "WHERE IS IT MUDBLOOD?" His words roared through the chaos in her mind, each word was like a surge of torment that ripped through her consciousness. "HOW WAS THE FIRST DRAGON BORN!" He was seething with frustration, a low growl reverberated within her mind.

Hermione's silent protest was becoming overwhelming, drowning in the assault. "Make no mistake, mudblood, I will go through your mind everyday if I must, I will tear through every thought until I find out how to hatch the eggs."

Agony flared within her, as abruptly as it began, Malfoy violently exited her mind and walked out the door. Hermione had been left bound and crumpled on the floor, gasping for air as salty tears streamed down her cheeks. She wasn't sure if Malfoy was going to return, she feared letting her guard down but her eyes grew heavy and darkness welcomed her with open arms.

PANSY

Pansy laid in her cell, she had become a mere shell of her former self at least from what she could remember. She hadn't really remembered what she once looked like or what she once wore before her capture. The only clothing she'd had on her body were a dirty white tank top coated in filth and dried blood and her knickers.

Where are my pants? Pansy constantly questioned herself unsure as to what happened to them.

Her body bore deep, vivid hues of purple bruises, intertwined with dark crimson lacerations, creating a painful mosaic of injury across her skin. Her cheeks were adorned by residue from the tears forming dried crust against her pale skin, signifying the lack of sunlight. Matts formed in her once luscious black hair. her mind finally gave way, protecting itself slowly, forgetting the horrors that happened within her cell. She gave in letting her memories slowly fade, she'd forgotten how she looked, who she once was and how she sounded. Pansy hadn't known how long she'd been here. Days, weeks, perhaps months? She felt forgotten by everyone, left to wilt away in her solitude.

Her eyes slowly opened, her body weak and trembling as she heard boots echoing through the corridor. As Flint strolled to her cell fear overcame and she cowered against the wall, shaking her head silently pleading for him to leave.

"Please no, leave me here." The pleads silently filled her head, Pansy hadn't forgotten him. Hadn't forgotten the torture he inflicted on her. She wanted to scream, cry, and fight back but here she was chained by silence and body weak.

"Get up, Parkinson!" growled Flint, his usual maliciousness laced with an undertone of apathy. "No need to worry, I don't want you the Dark Lord does." Pansy stayed cowered in the corner, eyes wide with fear. The thought of being brought to Voldemort paralyzed her with fear.

"Why me? Why does he want me? Just leave me."

Flint, undeterred by the lack of cooperation, yanked a fistful of her hair causing Pansy to open her mouth trying to force out an inaudible yelp. Dragging her through the corridor Flint was uncaring if he had been causing her any pain, yet she didn't care, the pain had become her solace, a companion in her world of detachment. He led her to the throne room, dropping her infront of him. Pansy's mind whirled, trying to remember anything that could help her understand why she was being summoned. She didn't know why she was imprisoned by him, so the thought of being summoned before him confused her even more.

The sight of Voldemort made Pansy's heart sink, she felt bile rise to her throat. His red eyes bore into her, his bone white skin sent chills down her spine, how could her heart not sink at the sight of him. He was truly a menacing figure adorned by the darkness.

"Theodore has completed his mission." Voldemort hissed, his words sending a surge of confusion through Pansy.

"Who is Theodore? and what mission had he completed to grant her release?" Was Pansy supposed to know who this was? Had he been on a mission for her? Was he the reason she was in this place?

"You may return home, Parkinson." He continued, his lack of compassion was highlighted by his sinister grin. Voldemort drew his hand out his long boney fingers guiding Pansy to come closer. Her eyes widened in disbelief as he performed a spell and the chains of silence that had bound her for so long began to shatter.

Pansy let her eyes meet Voldemort's, her eyebrows furrowed as she opened her mouth to speak. She slowly began trying to form a word. "Wh-Theo." Her mouth snapped shut just as quickly as it had opened. Frustration began to etch deep into her features as she was unable to comprehend not being able to speak. "Ho…me" her words came out in stutters, incoherent. Why couldn't she fucking speak?

Voldemort looked at her in astonishment as he pressed his wand into her temple, searing through her memories. Pansy let out a loud scream as she dropped to the ground. "Astounding," He hissed, "She seems to have no recollection of nearly anything." His words seemed almost joyful at the revelation of Pansy's weakened state. His joy quickly turned into fury "FLINT!" He roared, sending a ringing pain throughout Pansy's ears. "You have fried Parkinson's brain." She watched as Flint stood before Voldemort stoic. "Parkinson was one of my top death eaters, and you have fried her brain. She has hardly any recollection of the past." Slight fear tinged within Pansy, she was a death eater?

"I-I'm sorry my lord."

Voldemort's face turned to a scowl, "Do you have any idea what losing more soldiers can do to my reign? How is she to be put back on the battlefield if she doesn't know who she is anymore?" His anger fueled gaze locked onto Flint's "I told you to remind her, not torture. Nonetheless this method of torture can be a great asset to me, you won't be killed today. Now show Parkinson out." Voldemort erupted into black smoke just as fast as she had been thrown out of the castle.

As Pansy slowly made her way back to her feet she stumbled out of the castle, the crisp breeze and fresh air hitting her face. She'd hoped for sunlight but she was left once again in the dark, rain droplets began to fall on her face fusing with her tears. She was finally free from the darkness that had consumed her for so long yet left in darkness once more, unsure where home was. She stood in the bitter cold as the rain pelleted against her body, wrapping her arms around herself trying to get warmth within her. She was left in the cold dark rain in nothing except a shirt resembling that of rags and no shoes.

With no idea of where to go Pansy began walking, stumbling through the cold rain her teeth and body shivered uncontrollably, the mixture of tears and rain blurred her vision as she struggled to make sense of her mind, trying to remember even the slightest event that occurred before she ended up a prisoner.

"Who is Theodore?" Pansy thought to herself, her thoughts whirled throughout her head. "Why did his mission save me? What use was I to him?" Each question jabbed her mind painfully. "Was I really a death eater?" It was unbelievable she couldn't imagine herself fighting for the very man that had her imprisoned and tortured.

The ragged shirt she wore clung to her skin as the rain relentlessly beat down on her. She hugged herself in a desperate attempt to gain warmth, it felt like hours had passed since she started walking and her feet paid tribute to that. Blood pooled at her feet, with each step pain surged through her body and tiny rocks slicked her bare feet. Choked sobs escaped her mouth, she hated them. The death eaters, Voldemort, and whoever this Theodore was. After all, wasn't he the reason she had been captured?

Pansy's walk quickly faltered as she stood in front of a building, she wasn't sure why this place had seemed so familiar to her. The stone building was quite old, the weathered and worn stones were a visible indicator. Over the rickety wooden door hung a crooked sign.

"The Leaky Cauldron? Have I been here?"

It was as if the building had been calling to her, it was all too familiar Pansy felt a sense of unease being her though but why? She quickly limped to the door, she pressed her face against the old glass trying to see inside, nothing seemed to be visible. She began banging in hopes someone would hear her pleas, they had been left unanswered again.

"Please someone help me." Pansy sobbed to herself, the sound of her sobs were drowned out by the storm.

Thud

The sound made Pansy's mouth shut, the unease formed a knot in her stomach. She wasn't safe here, she had to go.

Thud

Panic consumed her as she pushed her pained body from the door and started running. Adrenaline coursed through her body, but her movements were still too slow and labored. Her pain intensified as she noticed more and more blood pooling at the soles of her feet from tiny rocks slicing them with each movement.

The sound of wet footsteps grew faster echoing on the pavement. Pansy glanced back trying to make out who it was but the person was lost in the storm's view.

"PANSY?" His voice was loud, almost that of a roar but it was pained, sympathetic even. It seemed like he was calling for her. "PLEASE JUST STOP!" The voice tinged with sorrow breaking after each word. Yet she didn't stop, fear overcame her, she didn't want to be taken back.

"It could all be a trick, keep running" a searing pain shot through Pansy's head as images played of her, in this exact location being taken away. Her mind was keeping her safe. So she ran, her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to run faster, her breaths coming in ragged. The thuds grew closer as her body went weak dropping to the ground, she couldn't. She just couldn't run anymore, her body was too weak, too bloodied, too tired to move anymore. She laid on the cold pavement shivering in pain, sending a gut wrenching scream into the air.

She was so fucking tired, she let her eyes close for a moment letting the pain sear her body as she tried to find solace on the ground like she had once before.

And that's how he found her.