Over and Over

Disclaimer: Since I forgot to do this last chapter, so here it is. You all know the drill. I don’t own Harry Potter or the awesome song. They both belong to their respective creators. I make no money from this story.

A/N: I have to say that I’m overwhelmed by the response that I’ve had to this story. Thanks to everyone that reviewed and favorited this story. It really makes me feel special when I log in and see how many people are enjoying what I create. I hope to be able to write for a living someday and not only for just fun. Your encouragement gives me hope that someday my dream will come true. Now, mushiness aside, here’s the next installment.

Over and Over Chapter 2


'Over and over, over and over'
'You make me fall for you'
'You don’t even try'


I sent my patronus to Blaise immediately, detailing to him what I needed. I needed someone to preside over the vow to make it a binding agreement. I wanted to do it now, tonight, before Granger had time to think of a way to get out of it. I knew, given time, she would eventually find some way around our agreement. This would seal the deal.


After she made the vow, I would go with her to Dumbledore. I felt like a giant weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I knew that what I was doing was an automatic death sentence should I be caught by the Dark Lord. But it was worth it. She was worth it. She proved that the Dark Lord’s propaganda was wrong.


I pulled her close to me and wrapped my arms around her, burying my face in her wild, toffee colored curls. I inhaled deeply, savoring her proximity. Her lithe form pressed against me deliciously. She didn’t reciprocate my affections but she didn’t pull away from me either. She rested passively in my arms as we waited for Blaise.


I felt a little guilty about asking her to take the vow in exchange for information that could very well bring an end to the Dark Lord, but I didn’t regret it. I love her and I would have her by any and all means necessary. If that meant I had to play on her weaknesses, then so be it. I knew, that deep down inside, she must have some kind of feelings for me. I don’t think she would agree to take the vow otherwise.


Blaise’s patronus came pouncing into the room. “I’ll be there in a moment, Draco,” the black panther growled. I rather admired his patronus. Mine was extremely embarrassing. I still had nightmares about being trapped as a ferret in Crabbe’s pants.


I shuddered at the memory and the horrible images it invoked. Then I turned to my love. “Hermione, can you please open the door so that Blaise can come in?” I waited for her to argue or flat out refuse, knowing that without a binder we couldn’t complete the vow. But she managed to surprise me once again. She remained silent, merely waving her hand. The power wafted around us as the wards shifted again. I wondered just how powerful she really was. I had a feeling that I had only seen the tip of the ice burg.


Blaise walked in a few minutes later. He merely raised an eyebrow and nodded his head in approval. After confessing my feelings to Granger, I had confided in Blaise and asked for his advice on how to win Hermione’s heart. Of course, I took the Slytherin approach but honestly it was what I was best at.


“Draco, Hermione,” he greeted amiably.


“Blaise,” I returned.


Hermione pulled away from me. “Well, let’s do this. It’s getting late and we still have to meet with Dumbledore,” Hermione stated.


I turned and faced her properly and grasped her arm as Blaise recited the vow.


“Do you, Hermione Jean Granger, swear to pledge your hand in marriage to Draco Abraxas Malfoy after the defeat of the Dark Lord?”


“I will,” she vowed softly. Her face was calm but her eyes blazed with an emotion that I couldn’t name.


“Do you swear to uphold the duties entailed with being the next Lady Malfoy to the best of your ability?” Blaise continued. The magic wove itself around me, snaking from her arm to mine. The power coming from it felt intoxicating.


“I will,” she answered.


“Do you swear to remain faithful and loyal to Draco Abraxas Malfoy until death do you part?” Blaise finished.


Hermione quirked her lips and said, “I will as long as he remains faithful to me.”


Sneaky little minx! Changing the vow like that. Not that I minded. I only wanted her and would never stray outside our marriage. My mother suffered unbearably because of my father’s infidelity. I would never subject Hermione to such treatment. But it was done. Her words sealed the deal. Hermione Granger was mine at last.


'So many thoughts I can’t get out of my head'


I felt positively giddy as we ascended the spiraling staircase to Dumbledore’s office. I had finally gotten the one thing that I wanted more than anything else in the world. The unattainable Hermione Granger was mine at last.


Of course, I was worried about what was going to happen next. There wasn’t any going back from this. Not that I wanted to follow the Dark Lord any more. He was nothing more than a power-hungry, blood-thirsty halfblood. According to his doctrine, he wasn’t fit to be in the wizarding world. I was anxious about my mother. I knew she would support my decision. She had pleaded with me not to join the Dark Lord in the first place, even though she knew if I refused she would die. She would rather die than to have me in such danger. I just hoped that Dumbledore could get her out of the Manor tonight. Every minute that went by, her situation became more perilous.


Then, of course, I was troubled over Hermione’s role in the war. I knew she was deeply involved in the Order of the Phoenix. I knew she would be in the thick of things when the proverbial shit hit the fan. I would never be able to convince her to stay in the background, to let others take the risk. That wasn’t who she was. I just wanted her safe. I couldn’t even contemplate something happening to her. She was the third most wanted person on the Dark Lord’s hit list, right behind Potter and Dumbledore. She was in danger, even now.


We stepped into Dumbledore’s office. I looked around in fascination. I’d never been in here before. There was all sorts of gadgets and gizmos that I didn’t have a name for. Portraits of all the former Headmasters lined the walls. Dumbledore cleared his throat and stood as we approached his desk.


“Ahhh…. Young Master Malfoy and Miss Granger. What a pleasant surprise….” The way his eyes twinkled knowingly behind his glasses made me think it wasn’t a surprise at all. “Please. Have a seat.” He gestured to two squashy chairs in front of the desk.


As we settled into them he said, “Would either of you care for a lemon drop?”


“No thank you,” Hermione said.


What in Merlin’s beard was a lemon drop? I eyes the bowl critically before I finally reached out and took one of the light yellow candies. I placed it in my mouth and was surprised by the burst of flavor on my tongue. It was quite good.


Dumbledore pooped one into his mouth and sat behind the desk. “So… what brings you two students to my office so late at night?” he questioned merrily.


Hermione looked at me and nodded for her to go ahead and answer. She faced the Headmaster. “Draco, has information for the Order of the Phoenix. He…, he doesn’t want to be a Death Eater any more.”


Dumbledore’s face was the picture of calm as he listened to Hermione. “Ahhh….” he said at last. “I know of your task, Draco, and I have to say that I’m most pleased that you’ve decided on this course of action. It takes great courage and extreme fortitude to go against your friends and family.”


He knew! He knew and wasn’t doing anything to stop me! Dumbledore was certainly a strange man. He seemed to know about everything before it even happened. Hopefully he could do something to help my mother. “Sir, before we do anything, I need to get my mother out of the manor. She isn’t safe there. The Dark Lord will kill her once he learns of what I have done.”


Dumbledore nodded his head in understanding. “Tom doesn’t have it in his nature to be forgiving, even if it’s for his own followers. Do not worry, son. We will make her safe. She can stay at the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. It’s unpalatable and protected by the ‘fidelis’ charm, for which I am the secret keeper. We’ll floo her tonight. We should also take care of your mark.”


“My mark?” I questioned hesitantly.


Dumbledore smiled and answered, “Yes. It burns when Voldemort calls, doesn’t it?”


I flinched when he said his name. The terror that the man inspired in me knew know bounds. He was so evil, so powerful. This was the first time that I was openly defying him. “Yes, it burns horribly and the longer you wait to answer, the worse it hurts.”


Dumbledore nodded knowingly. Was there anything that he didn’t already know? “Hold out your arm, Draco.”


I shuddered as he uttered those words. The Dark Lord had said the same thing when he gave me the mark. I unbuttoned my sleeve and rolled it to my elbow, exposing the mass of black scarring my pale flesh. Dumbledore grasped my arm and said, “I can’t remove the mark, Draco. It will fade after Voldemort is killed. I can, however, negate the burn associated with his summons. It will tingle and glow when he calls. You must also know that after this you can’t apparate. He can cast a spell that will bring you to him, no matter what your original destination was. You may still side-along, but never on your own. Do you understand?”


“I understand, sir,” I whispered as I stifled another shudder. I could never even imagine in my worst nightmares what the Dark Lord would do to me if I was captured after betraying him.


Dumbledore moved his wand over my arm and said, “Exstinguo incendia.”


I shivered uncomfortably. It felt like my arm was being doused in ice cold water starting at my shoulder and trickling down my arm.


“There, at least now it won’t hurt when he calls for you. And make no mistake, son, he will call. I must implore you not to answer. It won’t end well if you do,” he instructed.


“I understand, sir. Have no worry, I won’t be answering to him ever again. I never wanted to in the first place.”


“Ahh… yes,” he mused. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? The sacrifices that we are willing to make for those that we love.”


I was starting to really question my opinion of the old man. Before, I thought that he was an eccentric, old fool. But now, I could only feel that the man was a genius. He seemed to know everything. I don’t know how I ever thought I would be able to complete my mission right under his nose without him finding out.


Dumbledore stood. “Come, we must floo your mother. I hope she is alone this evening.”


Hermione and I followed behind Dumbledore’s swirling robes. I glanced down at the girl beside me. She was being unusually quiet. Her face was blank and her eyes were distant, as she was lost in thought. She should be happy. She got what she wanted and I got what I wanted. It was a fair exchange.


We descended into the dungeons and I could only wonder why we came here. He gestured for us to enter Professor Snape’s office and I began to panic slightly. Dumbledore followed us and lit the fireplace with a wave of his hand. I didn’t want to betray my Godfather but I had to warn the Headmaster. “Why are we in Professor Snape’s office? I blurted out. “You do know that he is a Death Eater, right?”


Dumbledore chuckled as my Godfather answered silkily, “That I am, Mister Malfoy. Ten points to Slytherin for your outstanding skills of observation. I’m also a member of the Order of the Phoenix. You can’t just floo your manor in the middle of the school year. What if your father is around? It will be far less suspicious if I make the call. I am your Godfather and Professor, after all.”


I merely nodded as I took in this bit of information. Professor Snape was a traitor, a double agent if you will. My respect for him grew immensely. It took guts to do what he was doing. I watched as he entered the fireplace and disappeared. I prayed to whatever Gods were listening that my father wasn’t there.


While we waited, Dumbledore said, “I understand congratulations are in order. I must say, this will go a long way in reuniting our world once we dispose of Voldemort.”


Hermione paled slightly at his words. I was confused. “Congratulations for what?”


Dumbledore laughed as Hermione answered, “He’s talking about our impending nuptials, Draco.”


How in the bloody hell did he know that? Hermione just took the vow an hour ago. Other than Blaise, no one else knew. I began to wonder if he didn’t know everything that occurred within the castle walls. He probably even knew that I made her take the vow.


I said, “Thank you, Professor. We intend to marry after the conclusion of the war.”


His piercing blue eyes danced as he replied, “Yes, I’m sure it will be a momentous occasion. It will be just what this world needs to bridge the gap of hate that has settled on all of us.”


Our conversation halted abruptly as The fireplace flashed green and my mother stepped into the room followed by Professor Snape. She cast a quick ‘scourgify’ and moved gracefully across the small office. She put her thin arms around me, hugging me tightly.


“Draco, I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am to be able to call you my son,” she said.


She looked up at me and I could see the tears shining in her eyes. “Mother, you know I didn’t ever want to join him. I did it for you. Now, I’m doing this for us, for our future. I don’t want the next generation of Malfoy’s to exist under a blood-thirsty tyrant.”


My mother smiled, the first genuine smile that I had seen in years. It made her look ten years younger. Then she turned to Hermione. “I don’t believe we’ve met. Draco, aren’t you going to introduce your friend?”


I smirked inwardly. My mother was going to be so surprised. “Forgive me, mother. Hermione, this is my mother, Narcissa Malfoy. Mother, this is my fiancé, Hermione Granger.”


My mother’s eyes widened and the smile on her face broadened. She was beaming. “Fiancé…When did this happen?”


It made me feel so good to see my mother so happy. Her eyes were sparkling as she questioned me. “Tonight. We’ve decided to be married after the war.”


Hermione smiled slightly as my mother started ranting about wedding plans. Luckily, Professor Snape interrupted her before she really got going. “Narcissa, as giddy as you may be thinking about your future grandchildren, I think it would be prudent if we get you to safety as soon as possible.”


She nodded her head. “Of course, Severus. You are right, as always. Hermione, dear, we’ll talk later.”


“Alright, Mrs. Malfoy,” she answered a little reluctantly.


“Please, dear, call me Narcissa. You’re going to be family soon.”


“Okay, if you insist,” she answered.


My mother kissed my cheek and disappeared into the flames with my Godfather.


“Now, it’s late. It’s far past curfew. We’ll meet tomorrow and iron out the details, Draco. For now, I think a good night’s sleep is in order. Don’t worry about lessons tomorrow. Today has been a very long day,” Dumbledore announced.


“Thank you, sir. I can’t begin to express how much I appreciate what you have done for me,” I said sincerely. I could have never imagined someone willing to help a Death Eater. I was supposed to kill him and he knew it and he still helped me.


He waved his hand dismissively. “Not at all, my dear boy. You are much too young to have such a burden placed upon you. You all are.”


“Goodnight, Professor. We’ll see you tomorrow,” I said.


“Goodnight, Mister Malfoy. Miss Granger.”


“Goodnight, Professor Dumbledore,” Hermione said as we departed.


We walked in silence from Snape’s office. Hermione was oddly distant. I squeezed her hand. She didn’t even look at me.


“You’re mad at me, aren’t you?” I questioned uneasily. I didn’t want her to be angry with me. I had come to rely on her. She was my anchor and the thought of her not speaking to me terrified me. Maybe I had really messed up. Maybe I was being too selfish.


“I’m a little angry, yes. Confused. Overwhelmed. I still don’t understand. Why me?’ she whispered. “You could have any witch you want.”


I pulled her to a stop. “Hermione, I’ve told you. I want you. I love you. Only you. You are my other half. I can’t live without you. Everyday that passes is harder than the one before it. My whole life has been nothing more than a cloud of darkness. I don’t want to be in the dark any longer. You are the light. And like a moth drawn to a flame, I gravitate toward you.”


She sighed quietly, “I guess I just don’t see what you see. I’m plain and boring. I’m barely even passable in the looks department.”


I shushed her immediately. “You don’t see yourself for what you really are. You are anything but plain. You are beautiful, inside and out.”


I crushed my lips to hers, cutting off her protests. I wanted to show her exactly how I felt. I sucked her lower lip into my mouth and bit her gently. She gasped and I took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. I poured every ounce of love I had into that one kiss, like it was my last chance to show her what she meant to me. She was special. I would love and cherish her always. I molded my body against her, pushing my leg between her thighs. She moaned and I swallowed a groan as my pants tightened.


I pulled away from her lips as she gasped for air. I kissed my way along her jaw and down her neck. “Do…you…understand?” I said between kisses. “You are good and pure, beautiful beyond words. You are everything I want. Everything I need.”


And she really was. With her by my side I felt that I could face anything. Even the wrath of Voldemort when the time came.

End Note: So, lovelies, what did you think? By the way, Dumbledore’s spell was Latin for ‘put out the fire.’ Thank goodness for online translators. My Latin is seriously rusty. Please be sure to review. Only one more chapter left, which is written. I only have to type it. ; )