What I've become

Chapter 16
1
Returning to his private chambers, Lucius placed his letter to Hermione in the top draw of his desk and took his seat before unscrewing a bottle of firewhiskey and pouring himself a generous amount and taking a long grateful gulp.
A sudden loud pop made him jump; spilling some of the precious liquid down him, the source of the noise became apparent when Axel shuffled into sight.

“Damn it Axel how many times do I have to tell you not to pop straight into my chambers,” Lucius snarled placing his glass upon the desk and rubbing the wet patch upon his travelling cloak.
“I is sorry master…but it is mistress Narcissa sir, she is ill,” Axel said anxiously dancing on the spot.
“What is wrong with her?” Lucius asked rising from his seat and moving round his desk to stand before Axel.
“She is having white foam coming out of mistress’s mouth and when Axel is trying to help, she is pushing Axel away,” Axel explained, Lucius sighed then strode from the room without another word.

2

Hermione paced her room over and over, her mind filled with her predicament, wondering how she was going to get out of this one without help, she did not rely much on Harry and Ron coming to her aid. Half sighing and half sobbing she flopped down upon the bed as she passed.
Her mind felt heavy and tired. Her body dirty and broken. Glancing at the bathroom door she could just see the edge of the pearly bath tub which enticed her, looking down at herself she realized she had been wearing the same clothes for twenty-four hours.
Getting up she went back into the bathroom making an effort not to look into the mirror this time and turned the diamond taps on the bath so hot and cold water gushed into the bathtub. Unzipping her dress she let it slid to the floor and proceeded to remove her underwear before stepping into the bath.
Sliding into the hot water Hermione felt every muscle chant their thanks. Moaning she slid further into the bath so only her face broke the surface. The image in the mirror flashed before her again and fear gripped her heart, glancing at the mirror her whole body shivered making the water ripple, closing her eyes she forced herself to relax back into the water and began to wash herself.

3

“Narcissa, calm yourself!” Lucius shouted, holding his wife’s arms down with incredible force as she thrashed about upon her bed with white foam bubbling from her gaping mouth.
“Axel…go to my chambers…in my desk there is a potion, bring it to me…go now!” Lucius snapped, sweat breaking out upon his face from the effort of holding down Narcissa.
Axel popped out of the room instantly leaving Lucius to battle with his wife who was now trying to throw Lucius of her by bucking her hips.
Narcissa’s eyes flew open suddenly, staring right back at Lucius and without warning began to scream with what was clearly pain and her hands attempted to claw at Lucius’s face.
“Axel, hurry up!” Lucius roared, with a pop Axel reappeared and rushed to the bed, “Pour it into her mouth” Lucius shouted over Narcissa’s screams and pressed his whole body down upon her to hold her still as Axel uncorked the veil and poured it into Narcissa’s parted lips.
Narcissa choked and spluttered as the potion cut of her scream, a few seconds later her body lay still upon the bed, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

Panting Lucius released her arms to reveal deep bruises where his hands had been clamped, climbing of the bed he stood beside Axel, Narcissa’s eyes remained open staring at the ceiling with a vacant expression, “Narcissa can you hear me?” Lucius asked, but his wives face remained the same.
“From now on I want you to remain with her at all times and alert me to any change” Lucius ordered.
“What is Axel to do about young miss sir…Axel was just taking her, her supper,” Axel squeaked.
“Miss Granger is no longer your concern…I will be taking charge of her from now on,” Lucius said turning his back on the elf and his wife and striding from the room.

4

With regret Hermione climbed out of the bath, when it had grown cold, which started to empty itself instantly.
Spying a stack of towels she wrapped one round her naked body and used another to rub thought her wet hair, stopping at the mirror she lowered the towel and stared at her reflection, and as she watched, it changed, although she could feel her damp hair sticking to her face and throat her reflection showed it dry and combed out into stylish waves.
Hermione’s heart jumped into her throat where it pounded with fear, “who or what are you?” she asked with a shaky voice, her reflection merely smiled at her.
Hermione raised her hand and placed it upon the mirror and her reflection mimicked her as it should so there fingers were tips to tips, a strange feeling spread from Hermione’s finger tips and began to spread down her arm, her reflection continued to smile, her eyes a glowing green.
The strange feeling continued to spread throughout Hermione’s body and her breathing increased until with a small scream she jerked her hand away as thought burnt and looking at her hand she noticed it was slightly red, looking back at the mirror her reflection had returned back to normal although her eyes still remained green.
Taking a deep shaky breath Hermione moved for the door not taking her eyes of the mirror until she made it out of the door and slammed it shut.
Resting her back against the door Hermione took a few deep breaths to calm herself, running her fingers thought her hair she hissed in pain as her burnt hand made contact with wet hair.
“What’s happening?” she whispered aloud to herself wondering if the thing in the mirror was why Lucius had imprisoned her, moving forward a draft caught her legs making her remember her clothes that she had left in the bathroom.
Hermione looked over her shoulder at the bathroom door, “there’s no way I’m going back in there,” she muttered looking round the room her eyes fell on the handsome double wardrobes and remembering Lucius words she went to it and pulled open the heavy doors to reveal an array of clothes, all of them fancy.
Raking thought them Hermione chose a purple velvet dress that trailed the floor when she put it on, with rippling fabric that hung from the arms, as she was smoothing the dress down with her fingertips there came a knock.
Hermione’s head whipped round and she stared at the bathroom door, for one heart stopping moment she believed the knock had come from within, but with a second louder knock she realized it was the main door.
Apprehensively Hermione walked to the door and pressed her ear against the cold wood.
“May I come in?” Lucius asked on the other side making Hermione jump back from the door and narrow her eyes in confusion.
“Y…yes,” she stammered, the door opened and Lucius came in, Hermione backed away instinctively, “I’m glad to see you’re using your facilities” Lucius said taking in Hermione’s damp hair and attire.
“You look very nice,” he said with a nod, Hermione turned slightly red and quickly averted Lucius’s gaze. “I was coming with your supper, but I thought you might Like to dine downstairs…with me.” Lucius said.
“You…you mean I can leave the room?” Hermione asked uncertainly.
“Yes…I would like you to join me” Lucius said simply than turned and left the room leaving the door open.
Hermione stood rooted to the spot for a moment or two before following Lucius out of the door and into a long hallway that was lit by candles that hung from the walls, Lucius was at the end of the hallway waiting for Hermione to join him.
As she made her way over to him Hermione passed many other doors and portraits and silently wondered how large the manor really was.
“This way,” Lucius said when she had reached him, Lucius led her down another hallway that twisted and turned with Hermione close behind him admiring the walls of there art work.
After awhile they arrived at a large staircase that Hermione recognized as the entrance hallway, reaching the dinner hall Lucius guided Hermione to her seat which was next to his at the head of the table.
When Lucius had taken his seat he turned to Hermione, “Would you like something to drink?” he asked
“Is there anything in it this time?” Hermione shot back unwillingly,
Lucius chuckled. “No, it’s perfectly safe I assure you”.
“Grubbs!” Lucius shouted and with a pop a house elf Hermione had not seen before appeared in the room, slightly taller than Axel but less well kept.
Grubbs carried a tray that held a bottle of wine and two crystal glasses and placed them on the table, “I will pour them…start serving dinner,” Lucius ordered and with a bow the elf disappeared.
“I thought you might feel better if we were drinking from the same bottle,” Lucius said with a small smile he uncorked the bottle and filled his glass then pushed the bottle and the other glass at Hermione.
“You may pour your own if it makes you feel safer,” Lucius said still smiling, Hermione gave Lucius a dark look knowing that in some way he was mocking her, Pulling the bottle to her Hermione poured a good measure of the liquid into her glass.
Glaring at Lucius and without waiting for him to drink first to make sure it was safe she downed the glass and then proceed to pour a second, sipping a little of this one then placing it back on the table and looking back at Lucius.
Hermione was surprised to see his smile widen with what seemed like satisfaction, “There is something in it, isn’t there?” Hermione said biting her lower lip looking worried.
“No, it’s perfectly safe like I promised,” Lucius said taking a long gulp of his own wine, “Then why are you smiling?” Hermione asked irritably.
“I’m smiling because even though you assume you’re a prisoner here you still show wild defiance,” Lucius said his smile spreading to show white teeth, Hermione blushed and looked away unsure what to say and was relived when a loud popping sound announced Grubbs reappearance with the starter for dinner.
Grubbs placed a plate in front of Lucius first then served Hermione, bowing he left the room leaving them alone.
Lucius and Hermione ate in silence occasionally reaching for there wine and catching each others eye, once they had finished the starter Grubbs returned with the main course and a second bottle of wine.
Once alone again Hermione plucked up enough courage to talk, “Where’s Axel?” she asked, Lucius looked up from his food.
“He is attending other matters for me, I have many house elves.” Lucius replied as he poured himself the last bit of wine in the first bottle, and then pushed the new one at Hermione.
Taking the bottle Hermione refilled her glass before starting her food, chewing slowly her mind began to wonder, she was confused about many things. Why did Lucius imprison her, why did she feel so angry all the time, why was her eyes changing colour and her reflection doing things she did not do, but what confused her most was how Lucius had brought her down to dinner and answering her questions without pause.
Thinking of this Hermione stopped eating to ask the question that had been bugging here since she had awoke that morning.
“The night I woke up and felt a presence in my bedroom…that was you wasn’t it?” Hermione asked catching Lucius of guard who stopped mid chew, swallowing quickly he looked directly at Hermione.
“Yes…It was,” he replied watching Hermione closely for her reaction.
“Why?” Hermione asked her face relaxed and imploring.
“Because I was watching you,” Lucius said reaching for his wine and taking a drink.
“But why would you be watching me…and don’t say it’s because you think there’s something more to me…I’ve heard that before I need answers,” Hermione said her voice stern and her eyes narrowing.
“I was watching you to see if you really did have powers that you didn’t know of.” Lucius explained, Hermione’s face fell.
“But I don’t, and even if I did why would you care?” Hermione said her voice rising.
“You do….and I have my own reasons to care,” Lucius replied vaguely his attention going back to his food; Hermione stared at him in amazement and absentmindedly took a sip of her wine.
Dinner continued, then desert arrived, along with a third bottle of wine, Hermione started to feel the affects of all the wine she had consumed as her mind became relaxed and sleepy.
Scooping the last spoonful of dessert into her mouth Hermione licked her lips appreciatively and sipped the last of her wine.
“Are you full?” Lucius asked, Hermione looked his way and nodded.
“Here have more wine,” Lucius said pushing the new wine bottle at Hermione, one side of her told her she had, had enough and another said drink more might as well, reaching she grabbed the bottle and filled her glass.
“When can I go home?” Hermione asked her mind fuzzy with wine; Lucius had just finished his food and was now sipping his wine staring across the room.
“I told you I would let you go if my suspicions turned out to be wrong,” Lucius reminded her.
“I can tell you you’re wrong right now,” Hermione cried.
“No, I am right.” Lucius said sternly, Hermione fell silent at his words and absentmindedly drank her wine.
Once the third bottle had been consumed in silence, Lucius announced that it was time for bed and led Hermione from the dinner hall to her room.
Once there Hermione entered her room and turned to Lucius with a look confusion upon her oval face, “Goodnight.” Lucius said and began to close the door.
“Ok prove it!” Hermione shrieked near to anger, Lucius pushed the door back open.
“Prove what?” he asked mockingly.
“That I have these great powers you speak of,” Hermione replied darkly, flinging her arms out in front of herself.
“To prove that you must be angry,” Lucius explained.
“So….make me angry….just prove it!” Hermione snapped her confidence doubled with alcohol, Lucius came back into the room, closing the door behind him before going to Hermione and standing in front of her.
Hermione stood her ground bravely glaring up at Lucius her small frame swaying slightly with the affects of alcohol, without warning Lucius raised his hand and struck Hermione with enough force to knock her to the bed.
“What the hell did you do that for?” Hermione cried in pain clutching her cheek.
“You told me to make you angry,” Lucius replied moving towards the bed, Hermione scrambled to the other side of the bed and stood up.
“Stay away from me!” Hermione shouted defensively, Lucius laughed.
“Or what……what can you do?” He asked mockingly. “You have no wand, I do….therefore I am in control not you.” Lucius said simply, pulling his wand out and tapping it upon his hand.
Hermione glared at him with defiance.
“Do you really want to know why you’re here?” Lucius asked sitting upon the bed facing Hermione who nodded, her hand still upon her cheek.
“When we were in the Department of Mysteries all them years ago I found a sphere that foretold of a prophecy….About you and the Dark Lord,” Lucius said, Hermione’s face fell in disbelief.
“It said you would bring him to full power,” Lucius finished; Hermione shook her head from side to side swiftly.
“You’re lying, I would never…” Hermione snapped, Lucius shook his head also.
“I also discovered the birthmark at the back of your neck,” Lucius said calmly.
“What’s my birthmark got to do with this?” Hermione exclaimed.
“It has everything to do with this…after seeing the mark I remembered an old legend my grandfather used to tell me when I was a child, then I ooked it up.” Lucius said watching Hermione as she began to pace in front of the window her hands curling into fists.
“You are her Hermione, like it or not, it’s your destiny,” Lucius said simply, Hermione let out and angry sigh and turned to face Lucius.
“You’re crazy, why the hell would this girl choose to be reborn in me?” Hermione asked standing her ground before Lucius.
“I admit her chosen shell is well…unusual, but she chose you,” Lucius replied his eyes on Hermione’s as she glared at him with her blazing green eyes.
“I’m not her; get that into your head.” Hermione snarled though her clenched teeth and advancing on Lucius in a threatening manner.
“You are,” Lucius said getting to his feet as Hermione drew close to him.
“I want to go home, now…pretty soon Harry and the order will realize I’m missing and come find me,” Hermione said only half believing her own words.
“You know as well as I do that, that’s not true,” Lucius said snidely, Hermione stopped in front of him and with a cry lashed out at Lucius but her nails barley caught his cheek.
“Pathetic!” Lucius sneered striking out with his own hand and catching Hermione’s opposite cheek. “Pathetic,” Lucius said again, watching Hermione’s face which was half turned away from him from the slap.
Hermione remembered the horrible dream where all her loved ones hurled abuse at her calling her pathetic, and when she shouted they had shattered into pieces.
How when she had become upset or angry things tendered to shatter after having a blinding pain in her head, she could feel the pain now building up along with the anger.
“Learn to control it,” a seductive voice whispered in her brain, taking a deep breath she turned her face back to Lucius her nostrils flaring with anger, focusing on Lucius with a look of utter loathing.
“I’m not pathetic,” Hermione whispered letting the anger and pain build up, lowering her arms to either side of her hips with her palms turned towards Lucius she directed all her anger at Lucius and screamed as the pain in her skull tore thought her whole body.
Lucius felt his feet leave the ground as he sailed though the air backwards and slammed into the far wall as he hits the ground again he hears an explosion of glass and a loud thud.
He instinctively coved his face with his arms as he was showered with broken glass leaving deep welts in there wake as they struck him.
Getting shakily to his feet Lucius looked upon the wreckage before him, the large windows had exploded inwards with so much force that large chunks of glass jutted from the walls.
The window frame was burnt black and the curtains hung in ruined tatters from a broken pole, the bed had been over turned and peppered with chunks of glass.
Hermione lay among the mess clearly unconscious or dead, Lucius rushed to her side and was amazed to find her alive and unscratched, in fact not a single piece of glass lay closer than five centimetres away as if she had been protected from a force field.
“Amazing” Lucius muttered.
Lifting the unconscious Hermione into his arms he carried her into the hallway and into a room a few doors down where he laid her down upon the bed, now in the light he noticed for the first time that she is bleed slightly from the nose, using the hem of his cloak Lucius wiped away the slow trickle of blood from her cheek.

5

Hermione came round an hour later; Lucius who had been keeping watch on her from a bedside chair went to her side.
“Hermione…can you hear me?” he asked leaning over her, Hermione blinked a few times and tried to sit up before Lucius pushed her back down.
“Don’t overdo it,” Lucius said gently.
“I’m ok to sit up,” Hermione replied, her voice dreamy, Lucius removed his restraining hand and allowed her to sit up.
“Are you ok?” Lucius asked again, Hermione nods once lazily.
“You sure?” he asked noting Hermione’s dazed expression and dreamy voice.
“I just feel sleepy,” Hermione mumbled her head falling forward onto Lucius shoulder.
“Hermione,” Lucius said softly rubbing the side of her face gently, Hermione’s eyes fluttered open again and she looked up at Lucius with her head still upon his shoulder. “Do you remember what happened?” Lucius asked. Hermione’s eyes widened slowly as she remembered what she did, moving slowly she lifted her head from Lucius shoulder. “Do you believe me now?” Lucius asked, Hermione swallowed and sighed before nodding. “I must admit I didn’t think you would be able to control it so quickly.”
“I didn’t control it, I collapsed,” Hermione mumbled sleepily.
“I believe that would have been expected,” Lucius said softly.
“I just remember feeling so angry…and wanting to….to hurt you,” Hermione moaned her head falling back upon her pillow.
“You’re tired…you need your rest, and I will keep watch over you,” Lucius said as he pulled the covers over Hermione whose eyes kept closing.
Lucius dimed the lights using his wand and returned to his chair, Hermione rolled onto her side to face Lucius.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Hermione mumbled smiling dazedly.
“You have had quiet an ordeal, and you’re drunk.” Lucius replied brushing her words aside.
Hermione shook her head from side to side laughing slightly, “No I mean it!” she said, Lucius reached out and brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek and rubbed her cheek softly with his thumb making Hermione close her eyes once again.
Lucius continued to trace her face with his finger tips until sure she had gone back to sleep before getting to his feet, carful not to make any noise he headed for the door.
“Don’t leave,” Hermione mumbled from behind him, Lucius turned.
“I’m just going to restore your bedroom, I will return shortly,” Lucius said.
“No don’t leave me alone,” Hermione wined, her voice fearful.
“Ok….I’ll stay,” Lucius whispered calmly as he returned to the chair and sat down, Hermione reached out and placed her hand upon the arm of the chair, Lucius took it into his own and traced his fingers round the back of it.
He noticed Hermione smile and close her eyes again with a look of contentment upon her angelic face, Lucius leaned back in his chair his hand still wrapped round Hermione’s and found himself drifting of also.