Chained To You
A/N- Here is Chapter Two of this story. I would like to thank my beta reader "..." for reviewing both the first chapter and this one. I also appreciate the reviews. For those who may not understand the story, please visit Fan Fiction and search for the story or author named Danish Girl. The title of the story is "Unbelievably."
Chapter Two: The duel and questioning
Hermione glanced furiously at Malfoy, her heart racing as an unsettling chill slithered down her spine. The ground beneath her feet drew her attention—its surface was marred with the remnants of old blast marks, now more captivating than ever in her moment of dread.
Professor Grind's voice faded into the background as Hermione struggled to focus, her mind preoccupied with the weight of her secret about the bracelet. She stole a look at Malfoy, only to find a shadow stretching over her, darkening the patch of ground she found so fascinating. She instinctively looked up, her breath hitching in her throat as she met his piercing gaze.
In a swift move that caught her off guard, Draco grabbed her wrist, pressing his hand firmly over her mouth to silence any protest. With a surprising degree of strength, he maneuvered them around the corner, drawing them into a concealed alcove shielded from prying eyes.
He shoved Hermione's rigid form against the cold stone wall, his body hovering over hers as he held her there. She felt an undeniable wave of fear radiating from her, and her instincts kicked in as she fought against his grip, desperate for escape.
"Granger, I want to know about that bracelet," he demanded, his voice low and commanding, before finally lifting his hand from her mouth.
Freedom rushed in as her lips parted, and her voice tumbled out in a hurried torrent. She relayed everything she could remember from their earlier encounter. Draco's expression sharpened as her words spilled forth, and his narrowed eyes reflected growing irritation.
A jolt of disgust coursed through him at the thought of a Mudblood being linked to him in any way, even if the order came from the Dark Lord himself. He took a step back, scrutinizing Hermione, and noticed the fear still etched across her features. Despite the grim reality of what he was involved in, he couldn't shake the notion that the other version of himself was arrogant and cruel. With a pang of introspection, he realized that if he had the power, he wouldn't resort to a curse to bind anyone to him, especially not someone like her. "Granger…"
Hermione lifted her gaze to meet his, a mix of fear and simmering anger flickering in her eyes. As she attempted to step forward, Draco swiftly halted her with a firm gesture. "Malfoy… stop," she pleaded, her voice steady despite the chaos in her heart.
"Granger… I'll find a way to remove this," he whispered, his tone low and urgent, before striding away from her. Hermione stared at the spot he had just vacated, a wave of shock washing over her. She had never anticipated that Draco Malfoy, of all people, would consider such a thing. It dawned on her that he, too, seemed burdened by the weight of the enchanted bracelet shackling their destinies together.
"Why?" Hermione asked, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with disbelief and curiosity.
Draco paused, glancing back at her with a glimmer of conflict in his eyes. "Why, you ask? For one, I don't want you to be tied to me more than I am to you. Secondly, the other me… well, let's say he's a complete jerk. I even want you to be wary of me, but…" He faltered, a storm of emotions flickering across his face before he shook his head firmly. "Never mind," he muttered and stormed off toward their classmates, leaving Hermione standing there, her mind racing.
With a deep breath, she emerged from her hiding place, her heart pounding as she glanced at Harry and Ron, who were deeply engrossed in their conversations with their partners. Hermione took a moment to gather herself before turning back to see Draco. He stood there, his posture tense, his head bowed in what almost seemed like resignation. Instinctively, she mirrored his gesture, lowering her head as their strange connection lingered in the air between them.
As the class gradually drew to a close, Hermione found her thoughts consumed by Draco's enigmatic words. She longed to decode the layers of his character, to understand why he seemed so different from the persona she had always known. It was bewildering—she had always assumed he would revel in the control the bracelet granted him. Perhaps this Draco was not the same as the one she had built in her mind, the one who thrived on power and superiority. Maybe, just maybe, this was a side of him she had never encountered before.
After finishing her classes and diligently completing her homework, Hermione knew she had to focus on her latest obsession: the ancient book that had drawn her in. Today marked the beginning of Ancient Runes, a subject she was eager to delve into. Thankfully, her classroom was primarily free of Slytherin students, apart from one, the enigmatic Blaise Zabini. She was keenly aware that he had noticed the mysterious bracelet she wore and had developed a curiosity to learn more about it.
As Hermione scanned the room, searching for familiar faces, she didn't spot Zabini right away. However, her gaze landed on Susan Bones, who was comfortably settled at one of the wooden tables, her book perched open in front of her. Hermione hurried over, excitement bubbling within her, but paused momentarily as she caught sight of Zabini strolling through the doorway, his tall frame cutting through the light from the overhead windows.
"Hermione, how are you?" Susan asked, setting her book aside and offering a warm smile. Her hazel eyes sparkled with friendliness.
Returning the smile, Hermione replied, "I'm fine," albeit with a hint of distraction. Her mind was partly occupied with thoughts of the bracelet.
As the classroom settled into an anticipatory hush, Professor Bathsheba Babbling entered, her vibrant presence illuminating the space. She wore an array of flowing robes, and her curly hair was a lively cascade around her shoulders. Hermione didn't know the professor well, but she had learned a few things: Bathsheba was a half-blood with a depth of knowledge in the ancient scripts they would study. She was known for her kindness, having parents who were still around to support her, and a life marked by never marrying. Nevertheless, she was a proud mother of two: a son named Luke and a daughter named Lucy, both of whom had already graduated from Hogwarts, leaving behind fond memories that lingered for students like Hermione.
Professor Babbling stood at the front of the classroom, her presence radiating a sense of warmth and wisdom. Her connection to the Order of the Phoenix during the first war was a fact known to few, and it painted a more intricate picture of the woman who often seemed unassuming. Hermione gazed at her, intrigued, wishing she could learn more about the enigmatic professor.
"Turn to page three hundred and fifty-seven," Professor Babbling announced, her voice smooth yet authoritative, as she cast a gentle smile over her students, her eyes sparkling with knowledge.
Hermione obeyed, her fingers deftly flipping through the pages of her thick textbook until she reached the designated spot. The title jumped out at her: *Incan Runes and How to Understand Them*. A thrill raced through her as she absorbed the contents of the chapter, anticipation bubbling within her for the explanations that would soon follow.
As the lesson progressed, time slipped by unnoticed, and soon, an hour had passed. With a flurry of motion, Hermione stuffed her belongings into her bag, urgency coursing through her as she charged toward the door. She was completely unaware that Blaise Zabini lingered just outside, waiting for her to emerge. The bustling corridors beyond buzzed with life, but her momentary distraction left her oblivious to the student who had been hoping to catch her attention.
Blaise
Blaise leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on Hermione Granger, who was sitting at her desk, absorbed in her notes. It was hard to ignore the sparkle of the bracelet that adorned her wrist—its bold lettering proclaimed, "Property of Draco Malfoy." Curiosity gnawed at him, and a question lingered at the edge of his mind: Why would Granger, a muggle-born witch known for her intellect and independence, wear such an audacious piece of jewelry?
As the class drew to a close, the sound of the teacher's voice faded into the background of Blaise's thoughts. A wicked grin spread across his face as he realized he had to uncover the story behind that bracelet. He watched as students began to gather their belongings, eager to head to their next lesson. Granger, in her usual hurried manner, darted toward the door, and without a moment's hesitation, Blaise sprang to his feet, determination fueling his steps.
He maneuvered through the crowd of students, but rather than following the crowded path, he opted for a shortcut down an empty corridor. The wood-panelled walls of the Hogwarts castle seemed to close in on him as he quickened his pace, his pulse quickening with each stride. Just as he rounded a corner, he collided with Granger, their bodies meeting with a soft thud.
He took a moment to relish the unexpected encounter, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips when he noticed the deserted corridor around them. The solitude provided the perfect opportunity for him to corner her with his questions.
Hermione
As Hermione hurried through the bustling corridors of Hogwarts, she unexpectedly collided with someone, causing her bag to slip from her grasp and tumble to the floor with a dull thud. Instinctively, she began to fall backwards, but before she could hit the ground, she felt a pair of strong arms encircle her waist, steadying her. With a soft sigh of relief, she glanced up to thank her saviour, only to find herself staring into Blaise Zabini's smirking face.
"Hello, Granger. Now you have some explaining to do about that bracelet," Blaise said, his voice low and teasing, as he pulled her closer.
A mixture of surprise and irritation bubbled within her. Hermione pursed her lips, her eyes narrowing, and hissed in response, trying to wriggle free from his hold. "Zabini! Let me go!" she insisted, her voice rising slightly in frustration.
"Let me think on it…" he replied thoughtfully, a glint of mischief in his icy blue eyes. He tilted his head slightly, feigning deep contemplation, while his arms remained firmly around her. "No, not until you tell me about that bracelet."
Hermione's heart raced as she met his gaze, pushing against his chest in an attempt to create some distance between them. The truth was, she didn't know much about Blaise Zabini beyond the surface: a Slytherin known for his sophisticated charm and Italian looks, he was infamous for his string of short-lived relationships, where he'd charm a girl only to leave her in a matter of weeks. The thought sent a flicker of annoyance through her. She couldn't help but contemplate the irony of being trapped by someone like him.
Glancing up, Hermione caught the playful twist of his lips, and for a moment, she was caught off guard by the intensity of his gaze. "Like what you see, Granger?" he taunted, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Her cheeks flushed with anger, and she shot him an intense glare. "Let me go now or else!" she snapped, her voice steady but her heart pounding.
Blaise chuckled softly, shaking his head in defiance. "No," he replied once more, the playful smile never leaving his face. The tension between them hung heavy in the air, each unspoken challenge swirling around them like a storm waiting to break.
Draco
Draco stepped out of the classroom, the noise of students bustling around him fading slightly as he made his way toward his charms class, where the Hufflepuffs would join him. His mind was preoccupied with the conversation he'd had earlier with Hermione Granger in their Defensive Against the Dark Arts class. She had imparted some information he knew would be critical for him to explore further. He felt a mix of determination and uncertainty—he was going to have to delve into the matter and figure out a plan of action.
As he continued down the corridor, Draco glanced around at his classmates, their faces a blur of familiar expressions. His slate-grey eyes caught sight of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, who were directing furious glares at him. He smirked, amused that they were practically seething yet had chosen not to confront him. Perhaps they were finally understanding that he had no involvement in whatever incident revolved around the bracelet and the other Malfoy.
He watched as Potter and Weasley turned sharply into a courtyard, their figures disappearing from his line of sight. Without bothering to dwell on them any longer, Draco resumed his path to charms class. Suddenly, he caught a fragment of Granger's voice, raised in annoyance, floating through the air like an echo. Curious about the commotion, he slowed his stride and followed the sound, unsure of what he might find.
As he rounded a corner, the scene before him came into focus. There stood Hermione, held tightly by Blaise Zabini, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. Draco's heart sank. "Just fucking great," he thought, irritation bubbling inside him. Blaise had been seated next to Granger in potions class earlier, and now here he was, taking advantage of the moment. Draco knew he had to act fast. The last thing he needed was for the situation to escalate, especially with Granger caught in the middle.
Hermione
"Blaise, let Granger go, and let's get to class." The commanding tone of Draco Malfoy echoed through the corridor, reverberating off the stone walls. Hermione felt her body tense at the sound of his voice, a mixture of relief and anxiety washing over her. She turned to glance back, her heart quickening as she spotted Malfoy standing a short distance away, his expression set in a hard glare.
"Draco. I want Granger…" Blaise Zabini began, his tone defiant, unwilling to back down.
"Blaise! Let Granger go now!" Malfoy insisted this time, his voice raised, commanding, and urgent. The authority behind his words left no room for argument.
At that moment, Blaise's grip on Hermione loosened completely, as if he finally understood the seriousness of Malfoy's tone. She felt the tension dissipate as she slipped away from his hold. Turning her gaze to Malfoy, she searched his face for reassurance but saw only determination. Her eyes narrowed for a brief moment, a mix of gratitude and frustration swirling within her. As tears began to well up, shimmering like glass, she quickly blinked them away, not wanting to show any sign of vulnerability.
With a nod of acknowledgment towards him, Hermione seized her bag from the ground where it had fallen, her fingers fumbling slightly as adrenaline coursed through her veins. Without wasting another moment, she turned and dashed towards the courtyard, her footsteps echoing in the otherwise quiet hall, leaving behind the tension-filled encounter and hoping to escape into the normalcy of her class.
Author's Note: I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! I can't wait to share the next one with you all. Stay tuned for more adventures! Until next time, take care and see you soon!