Midnight Skies
by angelbuff4ever
Dreams revealed....
Rain pounded hard against the barren
grounds causing the windows in the lonely hut to rattle and shake.
The wind howled like the lone wolf looking for his mate, as it swept
away traces of all life. Nothing discernible could be seen for miles
on either sides, almost as if this place didn't exist. Inside the
small hut, two figures were sitting around a roaring fire, talking
rapidly about the upcoming mission they were assigned to. This was
their secret meeting place, far out of the way, buried within the
Rain Forests of South America, the one place no one would think to
look for them.
For the last two hours Lucius Malfoy
had been sitting in an old leather chair, sipping brandy, trying to
get his only son, the Malfoy heir to understand the weight of the
current situation. In two months Draco would turn 17 and he would
come into his inheritance as a veela. "Why are you doubting this
boy? It has been this way for centuries, every male born into the
Malfoy line has veela blood in them." Lucius said, aggravation
showing in his words.
Draco sat sullen in the opposing chair,
as he poured himself another drink. The part of him that was still
slightly sober, regretted telling his father about the dreams that
had started last month. If they hadn't seemed so real he would have
just shrugged them off. As he sat there listening to his father talk
about his own experiences, Draco could feel his mind wander back to
the most recent dream.
The air was thick with with the
smell of autumn and moisture clung to the leaves in the forest. Draco
found himself standing in a clear grove nestled deeply in the Dark
Forest. Closing his eyes, Draco took a deep breath and hissed at the
various smells. He could smell the grass and trees surrounding him,
but there was something else, something carrying on the wind that
drove him wild. SHE was here, his mate, his other half. The scent of
vanilla and lavender carried across his nose as he took off towards
the left, following the scent. He could hear feminine giggling,
egging him on almost as if she enjoyed this chase. With his veela
abilities Draco was faster and stronger than he had ever been, and
easily caught up to the girl. She had bushy russet curls that hung
down her back and gorgeous brown eyes but he still couldn't quite
make out who she was.
Approaching silently, like a
panther, Draco stalked his prey, his mate. When he was certain she
didn't know he was there, he sprang wrapping his arms around her
waist and pulling her flush against his half dressed body. "There
now love. Why must you run? I won't hurt you." He could hear
himself saying as he lowered them slowly to the floor of the forest.
Leaves fluttered down on the ground underneath them, making a blanket
of sorts, almost as if they sensed Draco's needs. Smirking he leaned
in and kissed the girl softly, slowly as he nestled himself in the
cradle of her legs. When he was certain the had kissed her
thoroughly, Draco pulled back and realization dawned as he recognized
exactly who his mate was.
Draco fidgeted in his chair as he
shifted his legs to hid his growing erection. Glancing up at his
father he growled at the knowing smirk gracing the elder Malfoy's
features. "Why is this so amusing to you you sodding bastard?"
Draco yelled. Lucius just smiled at his son as he sat his glass down
and squared his shoulders. "I know what it is like Draco. The
dreams are the way that fate tells us who is bound to us. If you
fight it it will only end in pain for you."
Bowing his head Draco refused to meet
his fathers eye's, "Even if my mate is a muggleborn. " His question
was asked so soft that anyone not paying attention wouldn't have
caught it. Sitting back in his chair, Lucius studied the man that his
son had become. "Yes. Even if your mate is Granger. You think I
didn't suspect? Malfoy's only get the best, and face it Draco, she is
the best. She is the smartest witch to be in Hogwarts in a century.
If you wish to claim your inheritance then you will find a way to
make her yours, outside of the veela bond," Lucius responded. He
was his father's son after all and chose to do things the hard way.
Shaking his head, Lucius stared at his heir, his only child, and
prayed silently that he could convince Draco it was better to pursue
his mate now and not fight it. She was his, there was no way around
it, and in time she would realize that."I leave it up to you how
you wish to pursue her, but know this, you are expected to bring her
home with you for the Christmas hols. There will be consequences if
you do not."
Draco stared at his father in shock for
a moment, while his brain tried to process the threat his father just
laid out. "I will do my best father. We had better be getting back
or mother will send the house elves after us again." He didn't want
to also admit it was because he was about to embarrass himself if he
thought about Granger for too much longer.
Lucius smirked slightly as he magiced
everything away and stood slowly, using the power of his height and
stance to intimidate. "You are aware of course, that as a Governor
of the school, I can force the headmaster to make sure that your mate
shared the same classes as you this year. Don't make me take such
drastic measures." Having said that, Lucius aparated home and into
the waiting embrace of his wife.
Draco sat there watching the rain for a
while longer as he contemplated just what his next steps would be. He
needed a plan of attack, perhaps he could get Pansy to help him.
Narcissa had been pacing around the
house as the elves prepared dinner. Lucius and Draco had been gone
for three days and were expected back for dinner tonight. Knowing
better than to ask why they had left, Narcissa had instead sought
about making sure the Manor was spotless for their return. There were
fresh roses on the table that had been hand-picked from her rose
garden. When Lucius had aparated right in front of her, Narcissa had
let out a soft startled sound. She hadn't been expecting him this
early. "My Lord, dinner is almost ready. I wasn't expecting you
home so soon." Lucius wrapped his arm around his wife and kissed
her cheek. "It's ok Cissa, though I feel Draco won't be joining us
for diner. He is still struggling with embracing his veela."
Their reunion was interrupted by their
elf Tippy , "Excuse me, Master and Mistress, but dinner is ready.
Will the young master be joining you?" Smiling softly at the elf
Narcissa responded, "I don't believe he will."
Lucius saw the concern on his wife's
features and lost his smirk. "Cissa, Draco is ok. He just doesn't
realize that even though Hermione Granger is his mate. As long as we
are here, in this house, I will do my best to make him realize that.
In public, well until they are truly together, I am afraid that
appearances must be kept."
Escorting his wife to the dining room,
Lucius and Narcissa enjoyed a wonderful meal. Narcissa resolved
herself to do her best to help her son woe and win over his mate. He
was aware of the way Draco had treated the girl and she felt ashamed.
She didn't share her husband's view on blood ties, but only they
would truly know that.
Lucius also resolved to try to assist
Draco. He knew what it was like to realize that your mate was almost
unattainable. Narcissa had been difficult to get to trust him, to
understand the veela relationship and he knew that Hermione would be
doubly difficult but she would eventually submit.
When dinner had finished, Lucius
escorted his wife up to bed. His last thought before falling to sleep
himself was if his future daughter-in-law realized what was about to
happen to her.
Deciding he couldn't stare at the rain
any longer, Draco aparated back to the manor and stormed his way to
his room. He hated that all of this had been dropped on him. Of
course he knew that the Malfoy's were veela, had been since the
beginning of time, but why did his mate have to be one of the most
annoyingly beautiful women on the planet.
Shedding his clothes, Draco headed into
his en suite bathroom and turned on the shower to cold. Closing his
eyes, he allowed the cold water to pour over his head and across his
sculpted body. Quidditch had been good to him these past years, as
all the girls have said. Replaying the conversation he had with his
father, Draco let out a defeated sigh.
"Why her? Why does my mate have to be
the person I have fancied for years but always knew was out of
reach?" All too soon, his mind was sending replaying all of the
naughty thoughts Draco had envisioned of his fellow prefect and soon
to be Head Girl.
Closing his eyes, Draco gave into
temptation, wrapping his hand around his turgid cock and stroking. He
let the dreams and images fill his mind as he wanked, cuming hard and
screaming Hermione's name. Sinking back against the wall of the
shower, he let out his breath and sighed. If the simple thought of
her brought out that reaction, he knew that more would be unbearable.
Turning off the shower, Draco dried off and let his feet carry
himself back to his room where he sank into the bed, dreaming of
Hermione.
Midnight Skies
Chapter Two: A Day in The Life Of A
Muggle-Born
The minutes seemed to drag on for hours
as Hermione Granger sat in the old barn of her cousin's farm. It
seemed that her punishment for getting caught reading, instead of
watching the tele, Was to do the chores on the farm by herself.
She hated this place, It was where her
parents sent her when they didn't want to deal with her or didn't
know how to deal with her. . Her cousin's were bullies and enjoyed
beating her up, Which was why she usually hid in the roost of the
barn. This time, however, she hadn't been so lucky and they had found
her.
Using one free hand, Hermione wiped a
tear away from her eye with the back of her hand as she went back to
milking the cows. If she had been at school she could have cast as
simple hex, or a charm and stopped all of this. Praying silently that
she could make through the week in tact, Hermione knew that she could
escape back to school. Back to her life where she felt more at ease,
Where She was accepted and not feeling like such an outcast. Back to
people who were more like real family then the lot she had been dealt
in life.
As she milked the cows, Hermione
thought back on the recent dreams she had experienced. They all
seemed to feature Draco and for the life of her she couldn't figure
out why. She hated the way he treated her but she couldn't hate him.
He was gorgeous and sexy and a secret part of her hoped that he would
see her as a female.
Troy and
Mitchell were watching their cousin as she was forced to do their
chores. They knew her secret, that she was a witch but they wouldn't
tell her, it was more fun to call her a freak and play tricks on her.
She was a freak and it was their job to rid their family of freaks.
Moving silently,
Troy and Mitchell were able to sneak up on Hermione without her
noticing. They had come up with a plan of attack. After getting her
in trouble and forcing her to do their chores, she was going to be
their slave.
Laughing
maniacally, Mitchell reached out and shoved Hermione hard onto the
muddy section of the floor. Troy came up behind her, grabbing her
hair and yanking it hard as both boys laughed. "What do we have
here brother?" Mitchell asked. "Our new toy Mitchell, our new toy"
Hermione tried
hard to push herself up off the ground and find a way to escape but
all seemed useless. Cursing softy under her breath Hermione could
hear the voices in her mind griping at her.
'You crazy
girl. What are you doing running?
Your life is
in danger use your magic and bugger the rules against it.'
Praying
that the ministry wouldn't find out, Hermione closed her eyes and
concentrated trying to remember the wand-less magic she had trained
on with Harry. She knew that she would take the risk, she had to
protect herself .
She wasn't quick enough though and Mitchell and Troy managed to
corner her in the darkest corner of the barn. Reaching out, Troy
grabbed her neck and squeezed hard causing Hermione to slowly loose
consciousness as her breath was strangled out of her. Together the
boys tried to abuse her, but it was as if an invisible barrier was
protecting her. They had managed to cut her clothes from her body,
but as they tried to do more that just scrape her with the knife
something was preventing them from their ultimate goal.
As her body slumped to the ground Hermione's last thought was of the
one person she shouldn't be thinking of, Draco. Troy smirked with
glee as he realized that she was unconscious and wouldn't be fighting
them. Mitchell moved in closer and started fondling Hermione as she
laid there when something sent him flying backwards.
Draco had been sleeping soundly when he woke up screaming. If he had
doubted the sincerity of Hermione being his mate, he quickly changed
his mind. He could feel her pain, feel what those little shit's were
doing to her and it angered him. He couldn't just show up and save
her, She didn't know the power she had over him.
Narcissa had been standing at her son's doorway, watching him sleep.
She always thought he looked like an angel in his sleep, which was
different from the little hellion he was in his waking state. When he
woke screaming she approached him slowly. "Draco my son. What is
the matter?"
" There are people hurting her. I need to save her." Was all that
was was muttered from the boy as he tried to stand.
"You will do no such thing. You will not risk your chance at Head
Boy by foolishly rushing off after her. We are Malfoy's and must keep
up appearances. I will take care of this."came the angered voice
of Lucius. He had seen many things in his years as a Death Eater but
he had never admitted to himself that he would have ever seen his
only son be so forceful about someone.
There were things about veela that most people didn't understand or
didn't know existed. Sending his wife a brief nod, Lucius exited the
room and headed to the one place in the manor that apparation was
allowed. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on Hermione and felt
himself transport to her.
Mitchell and Troy were a bit surprised at the turn of events. Every
time they tried to approach Hermione, something sent them flying
backwards. They had known she was a freak but this was starting to
piss them off. "You filthy whore, We don't know what you are
playing at but keep pissing us off and we will kill you" Troy
yelled at her. Mitchell was angry, He had wanted to force her to be
his own personal sex toy, well his and Troy's. He really wanted to
humiliate and use her and put her in her place, Show her that she
was a freak and no one cared about her.
Lucius aparated to the exact spot where his son's mate was and
sneered at the scene before him. There were two boys about Draco's
age trying to molest Hermione, yet something was stopping them.
Approaching silently, Lucius snuck up on the boys. "Well, well,
well, what do we have here?" He asked with a sneer. He wanted to
hear their reactions.
Turning both boys stopped dead in their tracks as they started at
Lucius. "Lord Malfoy to what do we owe the honor?" Neither Troy
nor Mitchell were stupid. They knew who their father's boss was, who
the person was that allowed them to keep the farm.
Lucius, sneer firmly in place approached the shaking boys as he
spoke, his voice deathly calm. "It appears that you have decided to
attack the mudblood after all. How stupid are you boys? Do you know
realize who that is there, laying unconscious on the floor of this
barn?" He was beyond angry, not just at the boys but at the
situation. He knew this family, They were muggles and they were
greedy. One of the reason's why he hated them so.
Troy, being the older and more outspoken of the boys, stood his
ground as he spoke to Lucius. "Our cousin here was being a right
twit. She thought she was better than us and we were only teaching
her a lesson. I hardly see why it matters to you what the hell we do
with our own family." Mitchell stared at his brother like the boy
had just lost his mind. Lucius wasn't the kind of person you spoke to
like that and lived. Was his brother really that stupid?
Lucius stepped just a bit closer and raised his cane, dragging the
serpent head across Troy's cheek as he hissed at the boys. "She is
my son's mate you imbecile. She is better than you, you halfwit."
Without even changing his stance, Lucius pulled his wand. Casting two
crucio's , He left the boys in a pile of pain as he approached
Hermione's limp body.
Taking off his cloak Lucius wrapped it firmly around Hermione as he
picked her up. She had bruises and cuts all over her and for a moment
he couldn't help but look at her with a bit of admiration. He had
seen the boys be ing reppelled by some force, Yet he was allowed to
approach her. He had a sneaking suspicion is was partly his son's
doing. Transporting them both back to the Manor, Lucius called for a
house elf to prepare a room for the girl in Draco's wing.
Narcissa and Draco both knew the moment Lucius had returned. They had
heard his powerful voice ring out across the foyer for one of the
house elves. Smiling down at her son, Narcissa prepared to leave his
room. "I will check on her dear. You just rest."
Tinky appeared and smiled at Narcissa. "This way Mistress, the
young miss will need your help." The elf said as she lead Narcissa
to the room they prepared for Hermione. Lucius was standing in the
room, staring at the still body of Hermione, when Narcissa approached
him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "My darling. What
happened to her?" Casting her gaze at the young woman that was
lying on the bed, Narcissa was struck by how pretty the girl was.
Granted she wasn't gorgeous in the traditional sense but she was
pretty, and she could see why Draco had chosen her. Frowning as she
noticed the bruises marring the girls flesh, Narcissa pulled out her
wand and started casting small healing charms.
Lucius, who had been lost in thought smiled at his wife, kissing her
cheek. "She was attacked by her cousins it seems. One of them must
have strangled her until she lost consciousness, Or so the bruises on
her neck would say. There is something I need to research my dear.
Why don't you head on to sleep? I think we all could use some rest."
He said as he escorted Narcissa out of the room and to their wing of
the house. He had left Tinky with specific instructions to watch the
girl closely and to let him know when she woke.
Draco was restless, his mate was so close, yet so far away. He wanted
so badly to go down the hall to her room and carry her to his bed
and never let her leave. She didn't know she was his mate and Draco
was having a hard time fighting his veela.
Giving in, The veela in Draco took over and walked down the hall,
entering the room that housed his mate. Taking a deep breath, He
smiled as he smelled her scent but then growled when he smelled those
of two other boys. Approaching his sleeping mate he could feel his
anger building as he saw the bruises and scars. Picking her up, He
glared at the house elf that was guarding her and carried her out of
the door and to his room. Setting her gently in the chair, He entered
his en-suite bathroom and started a bath. Hermione was dirty and he
knew that she wouldn't be happy to wake up that way. He was going to
take care of her.
When the water was warm, Draco added some potions that would help her
heal. Picking her up gently, he stripped her and placed her in the
bath water where he bathed her and washed her hair. Once she was
clean he dried her off , And dressed her in a pair of his boxers and
a tank. She looked so amazing in his clothes and the was fighting the
urge to tear them off of her and to take her. Laying her in his bed,
He joined her as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled the covers
up over them. Smiling in his sleep, his face buried in her hair,
Draco drifted off to sleep.
~Author's note~ Let me make
one thing clear. This story is not complaint with HBP or Deathly
Hallows. Characters act the way they do to serve a purpose in the end
of the story. I have corrected some formatting issues with the site and my mac. If you find any please let me know.
I ask that you read this chapter with an open mind.
story.
Chapter Three: When World's Collide
It was a struggle to
watch his mate rest and not try to wake her up. Draco knew that she
would be angry, given her current surroundings. He only hoped that
she didn't retaliate by being physically violent towards him.
Turning, Draco buried his head in Hermione's neck, breathing in her
scent.
Hermione was
dreaming, reliving a past memory from her childhood. Her vision
blurred a moment before becoming clear.
She was in
Florence on one of the many vacations her parents had taken her on.
The door to a large monastery-looking building loomed a kilometer
ahead, standing tall, a stalwart of protection to those inside. Her
parents had left her unaccompanied for the majority of the day,
causing her to wander the streets for hours in the pouring rain,
having been locked out of the house.
At the age of 6,
Hermione had known she was special. Her parents just called her a
child with an overactive imagination. This particular day her father
had surprised her, which had resulted in the toaster being blown up.
She had received a beating, been called a freak and locked out for
the night.
She walked
quietly towards the building, hoping that she wouldn't be rejected
like she had from the other buildings. The wooden door that barred
her entrance was a beautiful mahogany, the knocker a dragon gilded in
gold. On either side of the door two gigantic gargoyles stood watch
warding off evil. Reaching out a shaky hand, Hermione knocked softly
on the door, wiping away her tears.
The door was
opened by a kind, elderly woman who ushered Hermione in from the
rain. "Darling child, what brings you to our doorstep?" the woman
asked, as she led Hermione down several long hallways and into a
sitting room of sorts.
Hermione smiled
weakly at the woman, "I was locked out of my house and it started
raining. None of the other places would let me in without my parents.
I am sorry to bother you." Mrs. Zabini smiled at the young girl,
"My name is Zamora Zabini and I welcome you to my home. Most
muggles mistake it for a monastery."
Hermione relaxed
a bit as she moved closer to the lit fireplace. There was a phrase
that this woman had said that confused her. She had heard it a few
times around town. "What is a muggle? I have heard that phrase
around town."
Zamora stared at
the young witch in front of her, "You are a special child are you
not? Please tell me your name and I promise all you questions will be
answered." Hermione was a bit nervous as she tried to figure out
how this woman knew about her. "My name is Hermione Jean Granger.
My parents tell me that I am a freak, that when I make things move or
explode it is because I am evil." A part of her couldn't believe
she was here pouring her heart out to this woman.
Zamora kept her
smile soft, not wanting to scare the girl with what she was about to
say. This young girl standing in front of her was the one from the
prophecy. "My darling girl do not listed to those muggles. Muggles
are what we call non-magic folk. You my dear are a witch and should
be proud of that. Before you start to argue, only someone that was
magical could have found my house. You may not understand now, but in
a few years all of this would become clear to you. Keep this in mind
young Hermione, there is a prophecy about you, a wonderful prophecy.
I am not the person to tell you about that, you are too young to
understand right now. but there will be a time that it all becomes
clear. A time when you and Draco fulfill the prophecy. Remember
this, you are destined for my great-nephew"
The dream faded out, as Hermione started to wake. She was warm, her
body laying on a soft bed and no the hard ground that she remembered
before loosing consciousness. A small smile graced her face as she
tried to stretch. Something was blocking her, something hard. Her
mind started to panic as she blinked her eyes open. There was a body,
cradling her to it, blonde hair shining in the light coming from the
window. Struggling hard, Hermione tried to pull herself away from
Draco.
Draco woke up to find a struggling Hermione in his arms. Smiling down
at her he loosened his grip."Good Morning." he said softly.
Hermione looked up into his eyes surprised to see a genuine smile on
his face. "Let go of me" she hissed. She was more confused about
what was going on than anything else. Draco released her as he
watched her crawl out of the bed and away from him.
"What am I doing here? How did I end up here?" Hermione asked
Draco as she tried to get out of the room. Draco sighed as he moved
so that he was sitting up but nothing more than that. "There is
much we must talk about. I don't know all the details, I just know
that you are my mate, I felt your pain and my father brought you back
here. You are safe here Hermione just relax. Everything will make
sense in time." Draco replied.
Hermione looked at Draco with big round eyes, she had retained the
word mate and safe. Images of what she had gone through went flashing
through her brain as she gasped for breath. "Mate?!" She yelled,
she had no idea what he was talking about but she really wanted to go
home. "I am a mudblood remember? Why would I be brought here? Why
would I be safe here?"
Draco hated to see her so agitated. "My family we are veela. You
are my mate. If you don't believe me we have a library full of books
that can explain things to you. Why don't I summon one of the
house-elves, they can show you to a spare room. Breakfast should be
ready soon and you are expected downstairs. I cannot begin to
understand how you feel after your ordeal but before your mind goes
that way, I did nothing to you other than lay you in my bed. Think
what you will, I would never do anything to hurt you further"
Hermione looked at Draco aghast as she took in what he was saying.
Why was he talking civil to her? She had expected him to pull his
wand on her immediately but there he was, looking regal and speaking
to her like an equal. She had a lot to research and figure out before
she agreed to anything. She didn't know the Malfoy's well but knew by
societies standards that refusing a meal while in someone else's
house was rude. Making a decision within herself, Hermione set her
jaw and steeled her reserve. "I would like to be shown to a
separate room and please tell your parents that I will join them for
breakfast as soon as I have had a shower and a change of clothes."
It had been almost an hour since Hermione had been shown to her room
in the manor and left to shower and change. Narcissa had made sure to
have a varying selection of robes available for the young witch.
All three of the Malfoy's were seated around the dining table talking
softly as Hermione was shown into the room. Draco stood and pulled
out her chair for her as he took a seat next to her. "How are you
feeling dear?" Narcissa asked gently. Lucius had told her what he
had witnessed.
Hermione managed a small smile as she answered, "I am better, I do
not understand what a Veela mate is however.. Though I have to say,
there is much I must research before I believe it." Lucius raised
an eyebrow at his son as he studied the girl that was to soon be his
daughter-in-law. "Of course Ms. Granger. After breakfast I will
show you where the library is." Lucius said as the food was
delivered.
They all watched in surprise, Hermione had perfect manners, something
rare in someone her age. "I sent a letter to your parents while you
were asleep. I wanted them to know that you were now safe and would
remain with us until school started." Lucius admitted. What he
didn't tell her was that he had received an answering letter.
Breakfast had gone by without much more being said. The food was good
and Hermione ate more than she intended to. Lucius had shown her to
the huge library that sat on the property. It was larger than the one
at Hogwarts and definitely more comfortable. Between every bookshelf
was a leather chair and a table with a lamp for reading. Bookshelves
spanned out in a circle on the bottom floor, and lined wall after
wall on the floor above. "Ms Granger, you will soon discover in
here that instead of searching for the book your looking for just
think about the topic and all of them that match will be brought to
you." had been his parting words.
She found herself drawn to a large, warn, chocolate leather char that
sat next to a gigantic fireplace. Curling up in the chair she took a
moment to process what Lucius had told her. He explained some of what
veela was and how he had been able to save her. He also had told her
that she would be safe here. Deciding that she wanted to read up on
this veela thing, Hermione was soon looking at several books. Delving
in, she started reading thoroughly, tucking certain things away for
later use.
After escorting Hermione to the library, Lucius had bid his wife
goodbye as she left for a shopping trip in Diagon Alley. Calling
Draco to his study, Lucius looked grave as he motioned for his son to
sit. "I wanted to discuss a potential issue that we will need to
deal with. I sent a letter to Hermione's parents and this is what I
got in return." Lucius said as he handed the letter to Draco.
Draco took the letter and was angered by what he read.
Mr.
Malfoy,
We
don't know why you saw fit to interfere with the life of our
daughter but we ask that you stay out of it. She was sent to her
cousin's farm for the fact that like you she is a freak. You have no
idea of the pain and torment that devil child has brought to our
lives.
We
do want to thank you for letting us know that she managed to escape.
It just means that next time we will have to work harder. I don't
recommend you keep her at your home unless you do not fear the Order
of the Black Thorn. She is our property and we demand that you return
her to us or suffer the consequences when she is hunted.
The
Grangers
He couldn't
understand why any parent would choose to do this to their child.
Their actions just reaffirmed his feelings on how inferior muggles
truly were. Right now, he just wanted to go to the library and pull
Hermione into his arm and explain that she didn't have to fear her
parents. "Who is the Order of the Black Thorn father?" Draco
asked.
Lucius snorted,
offended that mere muggles would try to threaten him with an
organization that he ran. "The Order of the Black Thorn is
something I created years ago. The most elite of the Muggle, demonic
and wizarding society would come together. The order were assassins,
thieves, mercenaries. We did the jobs no one knew about, no one
wanted to know about. We are bound by the black tattoo of thorns."
He chuckled softly, "I could use the order to take care of them.
How they found out about it I don't know but that is something that
will be rectified."
Authors Note: I know this chapter is a standalone. I promise the next will get back to the storyline created.
Chapter 4
Will the real Grangers please stand up.....
For the last six years, Jane and Roger Granger had watched their only daughter grow up into a powerful witch. They were so proud of her but at the same time, sad that they had to lie to her. Jane looked out the window of the hovel that they were currently staying in and sighed.
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When she had been born, Jane was loved by her parents, who were magical. She was the youngest of three children, having two older brothers. She was born Persephone Alexis Hart. Her life was perfect until she turned six. Her parents had been expecting her to show her magical abilities just like her brothers. For a while her parents had ignored this, knowing that some children had magic but it wasn't quite strong enough yet to show and hoped that she would get her letter for Hogwarts where she could build and expand on them. At 11 the real shocker came when her brothers got their letters for Hogwarts and hers never came.
The worst fear of any pureblood family is to have a child born a squib, a purely muggle child. Realizing that they couldn't face the shame, Persephone's parents sent her away. Staging an elaborate hoax, they convinced the wizarding world that their only daughter died in a freak accident. At 11 Persephone didn't quite understand what was going on. All her parents told her was that she was going to have to go away for a very long time.
One night in her sleep, she was taken from her bed, a small bag packed and she was sent to an orphanage. It was cold and dank where she was left, but when the owners showed up they saw her and made a place for her. Before dropping her off, her parents obliviated her memories, and replaced them with those of a muggle. Persephone became Jane.
She grew up and found a way to make it to college where she studied to become a dentist. That was where she met Roger Granger. They dated for about two years before they got married. Life for Jane was great. They made it through school successfully and started a small dental business themselves The small business soon took off and the Grangers were well known dentists. Their daughter Hermione Jean was born and they were so happy to have a little girl.
Unbenowst to her mother, Hermione would take after the wizarding side of the family. As Hermione started to show signs of magical abilities, Jane started to remember bits about her childhood. She was afraid to disturb the silence so she even after remembering who she was, she continued to pretend to be muggle for her daughter.
After Hermione went away to school, Jane took her husband aside and told him about her childhood and who she was. Roger was surprised but he loved her no matter what. Things after that were great. They still pretended to be muggle for Hermione, it was how she was raised. Fearing her reaction when she found out that she wasn't entirely muggleborn, Jane and Roger kept their silence.
For six years everything worked according to plan, then something changed. It was the summer before Hermione's last year when her parents were approached. A group calling themselves the Order of the Black Thorn offered them a deal, one they were sure the Granger's wouldn't turn down.
The Black Thorn wanted Jane to reveal her identity, to announce to the world that the power of the Hart family was back. They wanted her to renounce her muggle ways and lend them her daughters powers. It seemed that to a group of assassins Hermione would be a powerful asset. Jane and Roger discussed it but knew they couldn't allow Hermione to get mixed up in dealings like that so they refused. Jane was adamant about not letting anyone control her life or that of her daughter....
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The Order of the Black Thorn was created just after the first fall of Lord Voldemort. Lucius had gotten the idea from a brief encounter in western Asia. He ran across a sect of elite warriors. The purpose of the Black Thorn was to be invisible. They were who you hired if you wanted a job done but wanted no trace for either the Wizard or muggle authorities to find. At first it was just a job, something to occupy the time in between running the various estates and businesses that Malfoy Enterprises ran.
The biggest downside to the Black Thorn was that they would take almost anyone. They didn't recruit, you had to know someone on the inside. The original members were all deatheathers that had free time after Voldemort was killed. It was a way to make some quick cash and to work of some of the aggression that they had. The jobs were actually fairly easy for the most part. People would send them information on a target. A history and a reason why they wanted this person dead or missing. Most of the targets were scrupulous types that no one really would miss.
After a while Lucius got busy and so he left his second in command in charge. Viktor was quiet, he never questioned any orders given. He was more than happy to lead the Black Thorn while Lucius was away. Viktor always reported back to Lucius of any new hits and business they generated.
Viktor had heard of the strength and power of Hermione and it really wasn't too hard to dig up information on her past. With a few weeks work, Viktor was able to discover that one Hermione Granger was in deed a half-blood but also one of the most powerful witches of the time. He decided that the Black Thorn could use someone like her on their side. Since Hermione wasn't of legal age, they approached her parents.
At first they were ignored but the asking soon turned to threats. Realizing that he would have to take matters into his own hands, Viktor arranged for Jane and Roger Granger to be kidnapped. Of course, Hermione and the rest of the world couldn't know what was going on. Being a wizard was sometimes the greatest thing, as it allowed him to procure things easily. Since the Granger's were muggle it was easy to get a group to kidnap them.
For the last two months, the real Grangers had been locked away in a house barely big enough for one, no contact with the outside world. In their place were two Order members and a healthy dose of polyjuice.
Viktor had been surprised when an owl had shown up from Lucius with a letter addressed to the real Grangers. Of course he had read it, had encoded a secret message that he hoped Mr. Malfoy would understand. It took him a moment to think of just how to word it. From everything Viktor had gathered it seemed that the Grangers were very proud of their daughter. He wasn't sure if Lucius would know this or not and he took a gamble with his reply back.
Author's note= I want to say a big thanks to my beta AlexavieraJRaven.
Chapter Five... Roses and Revelations.
Hours ticked by for Hermione as she scoured every inch of the library in Malfoy Manor, searching for anything and everything on veela that she could find. Setting a rather large tome in her lap Hermione stared at the pages as the words started materializing for her:
Veela, while commonly female, can be on rare occasions male. It is usually the father that passes the trait along. There are two types of male veela, full blood and partial.
Full blood male veela have only one mate, one person who balances them out. For most, they discover the identity of their mate during several dreams upon reaching maturity. On rare occasions, if a mate was in danger, a veela would be given knowledge of whom they are to act.
The life of the veela is bound to that of their mate. If the mate is sick, so shall the veela be.
Veela are very protective of their mates, moreso before the bond is finalized.
Male veela have a few rare abilities that aid them in their quest for their better half. To most women a male will smell like their favorite desert, a simple touch would have them melting into his embrace, or a hum in the ear. None of these work on the mate, for her the veela must prove himself.
The male does not get a choice in who the mate is. They are someone who will balance out the veela, in both spirit and power. It would do no good for the veela to be bound to someone weak. They cannot change who they are destined for, as it was written by fate since before either were born.
This apparently seemed to be the same thing that she had been reading on for a while. Her mood was still as dreary as when she started this escapade. If anything made her angry, it was the fact that she had always thought she could control who she was to be with. She wouldn't give Draco the satisfaction yet, of knowing that she was in love with him. If someone had told her a week ago if she thought she would be here, inside the home of notorious Death Eater Lucius Malfoy, with his son telling her that she was destined for him, she would have that person committed. It seemed that nothing, no potion, spell, charm or hex could get her out of being destined for Draco. She only hoped at this point to learn as much as she could to use to get everything she wanted out of this relationship.
With her stomach growling, Hermione decided to read one more passage before going to find food. She would not allow the house elves to wait on her, it would defeat the purpose of S.P.E.W. Turning the page she read on, this passage seeming to be more promising that the last.
The mating ritual of a male veela and his mate is a three day process. It doesn't have to be three consecutive days but each part must be done on a separate day. Any sooner and the veela could risk harming his mate, and that is something they never want to do.
The mating ritual as some would call it is a set of markings, each bound with a release. In order for each marking to take effect, the mate must be aroused. The first mark is placed on the right wrist and sealed with an orgasmic release. The second is at the juncture where the neck meets the shoulder. The third and final mark is close to the sex of the mate. Each of these marks with be small scars that forever will be erogenous zones.
After the first marking, the mate will start to show some veela traits. In a way the veela is transferring a part of themselves. Veelas are sexual creatures, and to thrive they must impart that need to their mate. After the first stage, the mate will have the same inner glow, that the veela had, they would also appear more beautiful to the opposite sex. After the second and third stage, the veela and its mate will become more in touch with each other. They will often share emotions and thoughts. While a veela can manipulate the dreams of its mate to encourage the binding, the after effects of the bonding will be permanent.
Rereading the passage once more, Hermione blushed scarlet. Closing the book she watched as it moved itself back to the shelf. Standing slowly, she stretched out her muscles, hours of sitting in one chair had made her stiff.
Walking out the door she turned and gave the library one last glance. Remembering the path that she had taken when Lucius had led her up there, Hermione found her way into the kitchen.
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After meeting with his father and reading over the note sent by the Granger's, Draco had resolved himself to do everything in his power to protect Hermione. She was his, and he would never let anyone hurt her ever again.
Realizing that he had missed lunch, Draco had wound his way from Lucius' study to the kitchen. Calling for Tippy, Draco asked that she make him some sandwiches for lunch. Taking a seat at the table, he waited for the elf to finish working. The slight noise of footsteps approaching caused Draco to look up and see Hermione enter.
Smiling at her, he used his wand to conjure her a red rose. Standing slowly, he approached. Handing her the rose he stood close her fighting the urge to pull her in his arms. “I trust your foray into the Malfoy Library was effective?â€
Hermione looked up at Draco, her features hard. She may be destined for him, may have secret feelings for him but it doesn't mean that she could easily forgive him for all of the pain he caused her. She had accepted the rose he handed her and was surprised to see that it had no thorns. “Many interesting things were discovered.†she replied almost absently.
Tippy appeared with a smile, “Sandwiches are made master. Would you like them served here or in the gazebo?†Draco smiled at the elf. “In the gazebo please? Hermione do you fancy a picnic on the grounds?†He wanted her to see the whole of their future house.
“Sure. I guess. We have things to talk about though.†She was trying to play down her sudden nervousness. She was going to have to get over having to spend 'quality' time with Draco.
Draco led her through the house and out into the rose garden where his mother's gazebo sat. Pulling out a chair for Hermione he let his fingers trail across her neck and briefly over her shoulder. Hermione stiffened a moment, finding it hard to breath. His simple touch sent shivers of fire and ice down her veins. Hermione made sure to cross her legs as she sat to try to assuage the ache between her legs.
Smirking, Draco took his seat across from her. He knew how his touch had affected her. “I hope sandwiches are ok. I know how much you love turkey and cheese sandwiches.†He knew quite a bit about her, having studied her for years at school. Grabbing a plate Draco started gathering the sandwiches and other food that was spread out on the table.
Hermione looked down at the ground briefly before looking him in the eyes. His piercing silver eyes seemed to bore deep into hers almost as if he was trying to look into her very soul. “How did you know? These are my favorite sandwiches.â€
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The conversation went on for about an hour when Hermione stood and stretched. Draco had offerd to show her more of the house and the stables tomorrow. She had admitted that she liked horses and hoped to get the chance to ride one. As she stood there by the table, Hermione pondered for a moment the fact that they had been able to have conversation with out fighting or name calling.
“If you will excuse me, I need to send an owl to my parents and also my weekly letter to Harry and Ron.†she said as she started heading for the house.
Draco knew he needed to tell her before she got hurt more. Standing up, he approached her quickly and grabbed her gently around the arm, feeling her tense and smelling fear coming off of her. “Hermione I wont hurt you but there is something you need to know.†He knew by telling her this it would hurt her, but if he didn't it would hurt less. “Here I think you need to read this.†He said as he handed her the note from her parents.
Hermione took a relaxing breath when Draco grabbed her. Looking down at her hand where, he had placed the letter she quirked her eyebrow up in a question. Opening it she gasped as she read the words that were written. The handwriting looked just like her father's, but why would they do something like that? She could feel the tears coming down as she stood there frozen in shock. She didn't even notice when Draco pulled her into his arms as she sobbed into his chest.
Draco hated how broken she seemed at that moment, growling he had pulled her into his arms. He needed to comfort her, wanted to make her parents pay. “Everything will be ok Hermione.†He promised as he walked her back into the house.
Hermione felt herself being forced into a chair and a cup of tea pressed into her hands. She had stopped crying a few minutes ago, choosing now to stare off into space.
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Lucius and Narcissa had watched their son escort Hermione out into the rose garden for a picinic lunch and smiled. their only son was happy and that meant so much to them. What tore at both of them was the pain on their future daughter-in-law's face when Draco handed her the note. Lucius felt compelled to comfort the girl as well. No one deserved that from their parents.