Chapter Four: "If that is the Dark Lord's wish -" - Part two


Draco opened his eyes and faced the familiar iron gate. They Apparated in front of his house, the Malfoy Manor.

"Everyone is waiting for you," said Bellatrix, smiling madly.

He didn’t say anything, because he knew what "everyone" meant. They got inside and went to the drawing room, where about twenty Death Eaters were, including his father. He noticed that his mother was not there.

"Draco," said a voice from a corner of the room. It was the Dark Lord. "Thank you, Bella," he said slowly, and fixed his snake-like eyes on Draco. "I am glad you decided to come."

"I can’t say I had a choice," he said, throwing a disgusted look at Bellatrix.

Augustus Rockwood and Thorfinn Rowle muttered something. Of course, how could he talk like that to their Master?

"Maybe I should leave you continue your lovely meeting. I’m sure someone will let me know if you decide what to do with me," he added, getting out of the drawing room. He walked along a long hall, full of old family portraits, and went to his bedroom. It was a large room with massive furniture, everything decorated in silver and green. He lay down on his bed and closed his eyes. It was almost dark outside, but he didn’t want to sleep. He stood there for a few hours, barely moving, until he heard some noise. He guessed the Death Eaters had left, so that must have been his parents, arguing. Without thinking, he stood up and carefully got out of his room. The noises came from the library.

"How could you agree?" Said a woman’s voice, his mother’s. "He is our son, Lucius, our only son."

What was she talking about?

"If that is the Dark Lord’s wish -"

"How dare you? I will never let that happen."

"Darling, you do not want to be part of this."

"Don’t you call me darling. Throw me in the dungeons if you don’t want me to be part of your plan with your Dark Lord. You know it will be useless when Draco is going to be seventeen -"

What was she talking about?

He went back to his bedroom and waited there, until they finished arguing. There was a powerful sound, which must have been his father leaving the library. He found out that he was right when he got back to there.

"Draco -" started Narcissa. "I didn’t even get the chance to see you -"

"It’s okay, mother," he said slowly, sitting next to her. "I heard you earlier. What were you talking about? What plan?"

"Oh, Draco -"

Not knowing what to say, he embraced her.

"Well, isn’t that lovely," said a cold voice. It was Lucius Malfoy. "Draco, why don’t you come with me?"

Draco looked from his mother to his father for a few moments, then stood up and walked after Lucius. It looked like he didn’t want to go somewhere; he just wanted to keep his son away from his mother.

"Draco -" Lucius hissed, placing his left hand on his shoulder. "You know your mother had never liked the Dark Lord -"

"You’re saying you don’t mind him using our house as his Headquarters?"

Lucius surely didn’t expect to hear that. Didn’t want to hear that. Not coming out of his son’s mouth, at least. "Maybe you should go and sleep. You will be needing your energy tomorrow. The Dark Lord wishes to see you."

"Tomorrow?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star Child

great post i can't wait for more

Chapter Four: "If that is the Dark Lord's wish -" - Part three


"Hermione, you can’t just go -" tried Mrs. Granger to say.

"Mom, you know I can put a Memory Charm on you, don’t you?"

Mrs. Granger was speechless. "I’m sorry," added Hermione. "Please, I promise you I will be fine. I’ll... send you an owl when I’ll find Draco."

That didn’t seem to help her calm down. "Be careful," she finally said, because she knew Hermione would go anyway. It would have been pointless to argue.

Hermione hugged her mother and left the house. Once she was outside, she took out her wand and a bus appeared.

"Hello," said a voice. "My name is Stan Shunpike. Welcome to the Knight Bus, the bus for emergencies, homeless wizards or -"

"Hello, Stan," interrupted Hermione, smiling.

* * *

Draco had a dreamless night. In fact, he couldn’t sleep at all. He just couldn’t stop thinking about what his father had told him the day before. The Dark Lord wishes to see you.

He quickly got dressed up and took a look at himself in the mirror. His skin looked even paler than it used to, if that was possible. Small, dark circles had appeared around his eyes; that was the result of a bad night. He got used to the comfortable bedroom from Hermione’s house. Hermione. What would she say if she knew he was going to see the Dark Lord? And who knows what he is going to try to convince him to do.

There was a knock at the door. "Draco?" His father said, poking his head in. "Coming?"

Draco was still looking at his reflection in the mirror. He turned around and faced his father.

They went to the drawing room, and Draco noticed that someone was there, waiting.

"Lucius, leave us alone," said the hissing voice.

"Of course, my Master."

Draco looked curiously from his father to the Dark Lord. "Is he under the Imperius Curse?" He asked, looking amazed.

"Obedient, is he not?" Voldemort said, looking at the boy. "No, not yet," he added. "I suppose he just loves serving me."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Why did you want to see me?"

"Show me your arm. Your left arm."

Draco held out his left arm. He knew it was useless to refuse.

Five long, cold fingers touched the delicate skin of his arm. "This may hurt a little," he said, and murmured something Draco couldn’t understand, but guessed what it might be.

A blade of pain shot through Draco. He felt not only his arm, but his whole body burning. He screamed helplessly and could feel the pain racing up his veins, threatening to stop his heart.

It stopped.

Draco lay still, his eyes closed, waiting. When the pain did not return, he opened his eyes slowly, his body now aching all over and his arm still burning. He turned it, knowing already what he would see, burned into the skin of his forearm. The skull with the same empty eye sockets and the snake, curling around it.

The Dark Mark.

"I hope you don’t expect me to be one of your minions now," said Draco, finally finding his voice after a few minutes of silence.

"I do not expect that. I want to treat you like an equal."

Draco actually laughed in his face. "I see that I amuse you," said Voldemort.

"How couldn’t you amuse me?" Draco asked, still laughing. "I can’t believe you actually think I’m going to join you and your Death-Club. And I hope you do realize I’m here just because your favourite Bella didn’t give me another option."

Chapter Four: "If that is the Dark Lord's wish -" - Part four


The Knight Bus arrived at its destination; Wiltshire. Hermione tried to remember Draco’s instructions to his house he had once explained to her. She couldn’t just use a map, because the Malfoy Manor was unplottable.

It was still dark outside, but early enough for a few old, pale looking people to be awake and watch her. It felt weird, being watched, but she tried to imagine Draco next to her, telling her how to get into his house, if she ever wanted or needed to. This was meant to be a joke but, in the end, it seemed useful.

Hermione was suddenly face-to-face with a big, iron gate. She whispered a spell, like Draco taught her, and it seemed to work. She quietly got in and put the spell back on the gate.

"Ouch!" She muttered, after she had accidentally scratched her face in a deadly-looking plant.

She stopped and glanced around. There seemed to be only one lit room. She got closer and, to her relief, it was Draco’s room.

"Draco!" Hermione whispered, but he didn’t hear. She gently hit the window with her fingertips and she could see him shudder. He stood up quickly and walked to the window. His face had brightened up in a way she had never seen before, the moment he had seen Hermione standing outside. He opened the window and helped her get in.

"I asked you not to -" he tried to say, but Hermione was already hugging him, barely letting him breathe. It felt good, feeling her warm body wrapped around his cold one, feeling her face buried in his strong chest once again. "Happy to see you too," he said, carefully wrapping his own arms around her, leaning down and burying his face in her hair.

"Well, you look different," Hermione said suddenly. He was wearing a black suit, one that Hermione didn’t see before. She also noticed the dark circles around his tired eyes, which made him look older. His silvery hair looked messy and suddenly reminded her of someone. Yes, he looked like Harry, somehow. She gazed into his grey eyes. They showed kindness now. This wasn’t the Draco she knew anymore. But she liked this one.

"Look who’s talking," he laughed. "What happened to your face?"

"Just met your adorable garden."

"Do you want me to heal the scratches?"

"Oh, it’s okay. I’ll heal them myself," she said, looking at herself in the mirror. "But thank you," she added, looking at Draco’s reflected form.

He suddenly felt his left forearm hurting, and Hermione noticed that.

"What's wrong with it?" She asked concerned, and Draco wished he could hide his arm. She took it and wanted to pull up his sleeve. He didn't try to make a stand against her will. "Hermione, don't -" he tried to say, but it was too late. She simply froze. "What did he do to you?" Hermione said with a trembling voice, looking at the black snake as it was curling around the skull.

"It’s -"

Nothing, he wanted to say. He tried to look away, ashamed, but Hermione was already looking at him. "Why didn’t you tell me when I got here -"

"Tell you what, Hermione?" Draco interrupted in a cool voice. "That he burned the Dark Mark on my forearm?"

The girl didn’t continue; he was right. "I’m sorry," he added. "This definitely wasn’t one of the best days I’ve ever had."

"Do you think we can get out of here?" Hermione spoke after a few moments.

He smiled at her. "We can try."

They went to the window. Draco was the first one to go out and he gently helped Hermione. It was a good thing his room was not upstairs. They made their way through the deadly-looking plants, but a dark figure with silvery hair, just like Draco’s, was looking down at them, standing in front of the iron gate.

"Draco, you did not tell me we had guests," he said playfully, looking disdainful at his son. "Who is she?" Lucius asked, now looking at Hermione.

He didn’t recognize her? "This is Astoria Greengrass."

"Ah, the Greengrass family, yes," said Lucius thoughtfully, talking to himself. "Slytherin as well, am I correct?" he added, pleased.

"Yes, you are," said Hermione, playing along with whatever Draco had started. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Draco told me a lot about you."

"Did he? Good things, I hope," he said, looking at his son. "Anyway, what were you two doing here? And why didn’t you tell me she was here?"

"She just -"

"I was just passing by, Sir, and I wanted to see Draco," said Hermione quickly. She was a pretty good liar. "I hope I didn’t -"

"And I believe Draco told you about our small New Year’s party?" Lucius interrupted, ignoring her. "It is more like a ball. You could stay over; it is tomorrow night, after all."

"But I don’t have anything to wear -"

"That won’t be a problem," he interrupted her again. "Narcissa could give you a nice dress and everything you need. What do you say?"

"I don’t kn-"

"Draco, go and see if your mother has a dress for Miss Greengrass. I will show her a bedroom."

SPOILER!!:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Star Child

Oh my gosh!!! I can't wait for the next post...Hermione and Draco together at a ball...I am very happy. PAMS!!!!

Hehe I'm glad if you're happy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisan

Oh I hope you describe her dress well! Because I imagine it very detailed and the way that you describe it is crucial to the picture in our heads. It's a great story so far!

I'm afraid that you'll have to wait a little more for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred is awesome

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! I love how Draco turns out to be a good guy!

Too bad he isn't like that in the books.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoseMalfoy

ooh great chapter!! I loved it! So they don't know its hermione.. interesting, can't wait for the ball!
PAMS!

Aww thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashfig

*New Reader!

I just read the entire thing at once haha. At first I was a little (very) uncomfortable with the new and improved Malfoy, but I got used to it and towards the end I was cheering for him! I like this a lot! PAMS

Hehe I'm glad you liked it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by emerald0200

I like stories about Draco. Mainly because there's something about this bad guy image that makes me hope that he turns out to be good after all. I love the beginning of your story. Off to read more of it. x

Thank you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubygirl98

Go draco <3
why dose he have to be so good looking ?
dont we just all love the books. and the movies

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicolestrange

whoa
amazing story!! please continue writing, you're very talented!
I was amazed by the fact draco called her astoria greengrass

Thank you! As for the Astoria thing... I thought it would be fun, since she's his wife in the end.

Chapter Five: "I love you too, silly." - Part one


"I hope you like this bedroom," said Lucius when they entered a cold room, with massive furniture, just like the whole house was full of.

"It is..." Hermione spoke all of a sudden, not exactly sure how to go on, "impressive."

She cautiously entered the room after Lucius, almost expecting it to be a trap. But nothing happened. "Have a seat," he said, making himself comfortable on a pretty uncomfortable looking armchair. She sat down, but didn’t say anything.

They simply stood there, until they heard a gentle knock at the door. A tall, dark figure came in. It was Draco.

"Did Narcissa find a dress?" Lucius asked, without looking at his son.

"She said it would be better if... Astoria was there, to see what could look better on her," the silvery haired boy said, rather talking to his feet than to his father.

"Ah, you are right. I trust you will show Miss Greengrass the way."

Draco nodded and took Hermione’s hand, holding it tightly into his. "What are we going to do?" He whispered, shaking, but calm as well, still looking down.

"Don’t worry. We’ll play along until that party and maybe we will be able to sneak out then."

"With all the Death Eaters there? With Snape there? He’ll recognize you."

Hermione didn’t know what to say. After a few moments, they got into a big bedroom, where Narcissa was waiting.

"Mother, this is -"

"Hermione Granger. It is a pleasure to meet you," interrupted Narcissa, looking at Hermione.

Their mouths fell open. "How did you know?" Draco asked, trying to recover from the shock.

"I met the real Astoria not a long time ago and I assumed this was Hermione, from what you have told me some time ago. But don’t worry. Let’s find you a dress."

"You told her about me?" Hermione whispered.

"I… did," Draco said, almost turning red as he was trying to look anywhere, except for her eyes.

Hermione walked closer to Narcissa. She took a look back at Draco, who stood propped to a wall, with his arms crossed. She turned her head back to his mother, who was already looking for a dress.

"Do you have any favourite colour?" Narcissa asked, still looking for a dress.

"Not really..." she said unsure.

"Of course she does." It was Draco. They both turned around to look at him. "Red, isn’t it? I noticed you wear a lot of red clothes, and not just because of your uniform. And they look pretty nice on you too."

There was a kind smile on Narcissa’s face, looking at their faces turn pink. But she didn’t say anything, just looked in her closet. She took out a long, dark red silk dress and gave it to Hermione.

"I will be back," Narcissa said, but she just wanted to leave them alone. "You go and change and we will see if it looks good on you," she added, and disappeared behind the door.

"The bathroom is over there," said Draco, looking at the opposite side of the room.

A few minutes passed and Hermione was still in the bathroom. "Are you still in there?" Draco asked, laughing. "How is it?"

"I’m here. It is..." she said and then opened the door.

"Beautiful," he finished for her.