Dancing With Dragons

SO! I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving (to those it applies too) AND I cannot thank everyone enough for the amazing reviews! They have been making me write faster and they make me feel great. I'm going to start wrapping up the time at Hogwarts in a few more chapters BUT there maybe be a bit more between Hermione and Draco after that... we'll have to wait and see!

Chapter 31: Burn Marks Over My Heart


“Neville I don’t feel so…” Hermione saw black.


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“Hermione?”

The voice echoed and, as if suddenly coming out of a daydream, she realized she was walking down a dark hallway. The realization brought on more awareness; she was cold, very cold. As she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself, she understood why. She was wearing a thin, spaghetti strapped white night gown that pressed tight against her breast and flowed around her legs. She wanted to investigate one of the rooms when she heard her name being shouted from the distance again. She ran towards the noise, feeling the long gown press against her legs. She started feeling warmer and then Malfoy appeared. He was smiling. For once it was warm and she couldn’t help but smiled back.

“Hermione?” Malfoy’s smiling mouth started to form the word when he suddenly dissolved. There was just blackness and she couldn’t open her eyes. She heard voices again but they felt far off. She was swimming in a hazy ether.

“Hermione?”

She wanted to tell that person to shut up but she couldn’t and that made her cognitive of the fact that she felt heavy. So heavy.

“We have to fix her hand. The longer we leave it the worse it will get.”

Was that Neville talking? Why did her body feel like lead sinking to the bottom of the ocean?

Another voice chimed in. “Well the room gave us tons of potions just give her the right one.”

“It’s not that easy...” Some one hissed.

‘No,’ she thought, ‘you cant touch my hand! It hurts so much.’ And then she realized that indeed her hand did hurt, a lot. Actually her whole body hurt. She didn’t want to feel pain anymore. And just when was about to fall back into unconsciousness someone touched her right hand and she woke up screaming.

“Hermione! It’s me, Neville. You’re okay.” She looked up and found Neville’s face close to hers. It was tight with worry. She looked around her surroundings. She wasn’t in a hallway but rather a large room. Larger then she could really take in. There were cots covering the one side. They were filled with the sleeping and those being mended. She recognized most of the people here. She looked back at Neville her face blank. They were in the Room of Requirements. Someone had done an amazing job of turning into a shelter and hospital. She realized this was all really happening but it still didn’t seem real.

“Neville?” Searing pain took her attention away from the scene around her. “My hand. Oh god my hand Neville.”

“Hermione your gonna be alright but I have to brake your fingers.” She started to shake her head back and fourth.

“No. nonononono. There has to be another way.”

“Hermione! If I don’t do this soon your hand might stay like that. I don’t have a potion here to re brake the bones just ones to heal them. I don’t even know if there is such a thing. Even the room has its limits.”

“I don’t understand,” Ginny’s face came into view. “Her hand has only been broken for a couple hours. It shouldn’t have already started healing, right?”

Neville looked like he was trying to swallow down bile.

“How long have I been out?”

“Only about two hours. You fainted outside the RR. You remember everything, right?”

“Yea, I broke my hand not my brain Neville.” She snapped. He ignored her and kept going.

“When I had someone looking over Hermione to make sure there was no internal injuries they noticed something. It looks like her hand is starting to re heal rapidly. By now its already starting to mend. The longer we wait the more it will hurt.”

“How?” Ginny and Hermione both asked.

“I think who ever did this to you purposely put a spell on your hand to speed up the healing rate.” Neville looked sick thinking about it. Hermione suddenly felt sick as well remembering the cold look in her attackers eyes.

“To disfigure me forever,” she whispered pressing back her emotions. “Will I regain the use of my wand hand?” Her words came out bland. She knew she was afraid. But she knew it the way she knew a fact in a book, because she read it and not because she was truly feeling it.

“Of course, if we brake you fingers back into place and then give you the right potion to fix your hand you should be good in a couple of hours.”

“Okay.” She stuck out her hand.

“I’m not going to lie this is going to hurt. I could try to knock you out for this. I might actually be best if we do.” Neville still looked hesitant about it though.

“No. We have too much to do right now.” Neville looked guilty for having thought the same thing. But he was right she’d been sleeping to long already. And even though everything in her life seemed irrelevant and distant she knew she needed to see Malfoy. Needed to sort this chaos out. Figure out a plan now that Professor McGonagall was locked up and the D.A. was in hiding. She couldn’t afford to lose more time. And if she were honest with herself she needed to know if Malfoy was still alive.

“Well can you at least numb it first,” Ginny asked.

“I know the spell but it’s extremely difficult and it can have reverse effects. I’m not a medi wizard.”

“Just break them.” She hissed. Neville called Seamus over.

“My dad is a muggle doctor. I saw him do this a couple times. I’m going to use my wand of course….” But it didn’t make Hermione feel any better.

Ginny knelt beside her. “Grab my hand Hermione. It will be okay.” She looked down at Ginny and tried to smile. It didn’t work.

“Before you do it but up a silencing spell Gin. I don’t want anyone to hear me scream.” Ginny nodded. They gave Hermione something to bite down on and she grabbed Ginny’s hand.

Seamus raised his wand. “Ossis Effergo.” She felt the first finger break. She bit down hard on the plastic piece in her mouth. She tried to scream through her teeth and into the plastic, give it her pain. Snap. The second finger and her vision swam. The third finger the plastic piece fell from her mouth as she screamed out in agony. She could feel that she was crunching Ginny’s finger but she didn’t complain. The pain was unbearable but she was afraid to pass out. What if she lost the chance to talk to Malfoy? She had broken out in a deep cold sweat and her stomach was churning. The fourth finger. Snap. She started to scream but it turned to a chock. She managed to turn her head quickly enough to vomit on the floor. Tears were streaming but they were just an after thought.

Ginny pulled her into a hug. “It’s all done. You did good.” She swallowed the potion to mend her broken hand without a word. She even swallowed the potions to take away shock and pain without much of a fight.

Once the pain medication started to kick in she could talk again. People were still healing and asking questions but Neville and Ginny had been smart enough to put her in the farthest corner. There would be time for their questions later. She knew now that she had to tell Neville, Seamus and Ginny about Malfoy, Pansy and Zabini. She didn’t know where to start but Ginny did.

“What the hell happened back there? How did they get a Ministry decree to legal kidnap me? Why me and just me? How the hell did you find me in time?” Ginny hugged her suddenly. “Merlin Hermione if it wasn’t for you I’d either be dead or being tortured.”

“Ginny they were using you to get to Harry and Ron. Now we know how deeply they run the Ministry. Not that it’s any big surprise. They used the law to try and kidnap you. I’m sure they figured getting someone close to Harry would get him to come out of the wood works. I’m just surprised it took them that long.”

“Yea,” Neville started. “I’m sure it would have worked too. Wait, how did you know all that Hermione? You kept saying good sources and Ginny is in trouble but that was before we found her at the Library.” Ginny’s eyes grew wide and she pulled back to look at Hermione.

“Hermione?” Ginny’s voice held suspicion.

“I have to tell you guys something. I know I should have before but I had to know it wasn’t an ambush before I got everyone involved. It is just that I didn’t expect everything to happen so fast. I thought there was time.”

“Spit it out Hermione.”

She swallowed hard. “Just hear me out first, okay?” No one said anything but she took that as a yes. She delved into the story from the beginning; the letter, the meeting on Quiditch field, the fight, the memories, and Lucius and Amycus showing up at the Head Dorm. They were a good, captive audience. No one said a word until she was done.

“You promised them things I’m not sure we can give Hermione.” Seamus started.

“I know but…”

“No buts Hermione! I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. I’m sick of you not telling me things. It was my life at risk. You had no right!”

“I was planning on tell you but they wanted just me the first time. They trust no one. I was afraid if I initially showed up with everyone they might back out! Plus I wanted to make sure it wasn’t a trap.”

“More the reason that you should have taken us,” Neville voice was stern and angry. “What if it had ended up three against one?!”

“I know but what would happen to all these people if we were all captured. I just needed to be sure. I should have come right to you guys but…”

“But you insist on taking on the whole world by yourself,” Ginny huffed.

“Please don’t me mad at me Ginny. I promise to go straight to you from now on but I wasn’t planning on hiding it from you. I just wanted to get us to a hiding place and then discus things. It doesn’t matter anyway. At the time Professor McGonagall wasn’t locked up. I thought she would be able to handle this all better.”

“Lets just be happy that Ginny didn’t get caught and no one died.” Seamus said. This seemed to sooth Ginny and Neville a bit.

But his comment made Hermione remember something. “Wait, Neville when you found us out front earlier you said some of the students were missing. Where is Luna?”

“She hasn’t come back yet.” Neville tried to advert his eyes that held fear. “But there are a couple students that were fighting with us that didn’t make it back. It doesn’t mean there are hurt or captured. When we were pulling back I think some ran for the dorms.” Hermione looked at Seamus.

“What happened after I left Seam?”

“I don’t know really. After you left to find Ginny, Luna and I took off. We rounded the corner and a few of the Professors and students were still fighting. We had to fight to get through the crowd. We knew you said Neville and Lavender had pulled back so we were trying to head towards the RR, but Luna wanted to make sure the few remaining dueling students knew too. I went one way she went the other. There was still a lot of chaos and then Peter and Susan came running and said Luna had told them she was grabbing Tom and then coming. Said Luna had said to go.” He stopped eyes looking haunted and guilt ridden.

“And…”

Neville picked up. “When Tom got to the RR about fifteen maybe twenty minutes before you did he didn’t have Luna with him. They were running and he lost her. Apparently he thinks she might have gotten wrapped up in the fight along side Professor McGonagall. Snape finally showed up. Looking rather pissed and yelling at a lot of the other Death Eaters. At least that’s what Tom said. Anyway, that’s why we are figuring she got locked up with them.”

“I don’t like it.” Hermione said. Guilt and worry worming it’s way into her gut.

“I’m sorry. I should have watched out better for her.” Seamus looked scared. He was intensely fiddling with a sliver cross that dangled on a link necklace.

“It’s not your fault,” Ginny patted Seamus on the back. “You did the best you could. It’s hard enough looking out for yourself while fighting.” Neville nodded.

Hermione knew the guilt Seamus was feeling well. Like he was letting everyone down. She had felt it before and seen it often enough in Harry’s eyes. “Don’t worry Seamus we all knew what we were getting ourselves into and we all know Luna has a mind of her own. She’s a good fighter.” They all smiled weakly. “Still I’d liked to know if she is okay. And I know how we can find out. Along with some other things. We have a lot to figure out.” She told them how she had to meet Malfoy, Pansy, and Zabini.

“Do you think they will even still help us now. Seeing as we don’t have contact to the Order or any of the Professors.” Seamus said looking worried. It was an odd look for a boy who always seemed playful and aloof.

“I don’t know.” Hermione said honestly. “But I think they will. Malfoy seemed to want to deal with me and well us more they he did with Professor McGonagall anyway. None of them seemed that keen on the idea of having her in the loop but I told them she the real one with access. I don’t think they have any real trust in Professors or any adult for that matter. We will just have to remind them what is at stake and that they are already in to deep.”

“It’s not like we can’t promise them anything!” Ginny started. Hermione thought Ginny was starting to realize what good allied the three could be if they could be trusted. “I mean our word has to be worth something to the Order. We wont be stuck in this room forever.”

“I agree.” Hermione said trying to stay positive even though her body and mind still felt bruised even through the medication.

“How can we be sure that we can trust them?” Seamus said.

“I trust them.” Hermione said and she almost believed it. Ginny gave her a weird look that she was sure said ‘yea well of course you trust Malfoy you’ve fucked him. And look where that has gotten us.’ “I know!” Hermione said more to Ginny’s look then Seamus. “I know that it seems weird but the information they gave me turned out to be true and it saved Ginny’s life. How much more good could they do for us? I’m not saying we march them in here right now but lets at least meet them.”

“Okay.” Neville said getting up.

“Wait. I don’t think we should all four leave. I mean we still need people here to keep the peace. I see a lot of new faces and a lot of people that are going to want answers. Plus, if they see us sneaking off they might think it’s okay to just leave when every they want. I don’t want anyone leaving here.”

“So who should go?” Neville asked.

“Well I’m defiantly going,” Ginny said in a no funny business tone. “Seeing as I’m the one who almost got kidnapped tonight.”

“Okay, fair,” Neville said. “Hermione has to go because they trust her for some reason.”

“I’ll stay,” Seamus sighed. “I seem to have a knack for healing. Must run in the blood. I don’t like their lot anyway. And we all know I’m not very diplomatic. I’ll keep everyone at bay by saying that Ginny and Hermione are still really hurt but get back soon. I’m pretty sure that by tomorrow morning there will be a riot on out hands if we don’t start answering some questions and making plans.”

After Neville and Seamus forced food down Ginny and Hermione’s throats they left.
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The castle was eerily quite almost as if it knew what had taken place and was mourning. They reached the bathrooms without a glitch, which only increased the three’s anxiety. Malfoy, Pansy, and Zabini weren’t there yet.

“Do you think they bailed?” Ginny whispered.

“No, Malfoy said to just wait. He didn’t know when the meeting would be over.” But Hermione’s stomach sank as the time passed and no Malfoy.

“Let’s just hope they’re okay,” she said. “For our sakes,” she quickly added. But she knew it was for her sake too. She thought about a life with no Malfoy. Not just a life without seeing Malfoy or touching Malfoy but of him being gone. Just the thought made something in her chest hurt. She realized, like she had realized before, that a life without Malfoy would be no life at all.

She hated him and the things he had done but she loved him too. Even if she could never really be with Malfoy, never have all things that people who loved each other should have, she needed to know he was out there alive. She needed Malfoy.
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Draco revived his father with Hermione’s kiss still lingering on his lips. He had seen her mangled hand. The sheer panic and fear in her eyes had made something ache inside him. It took all the strength he had not to kick the shit out of his father.

His father looked at him in a daze. “The girl,” he crooked. Draco shook his head. His father slammed his fists down on the stone floor cursing.

“WHAT HAPPENED!?”

“I don’t know. I just found you like this. You lost the blood traitor?” He said in bland voice. His father gave him dark, angry eyes and he realized there would never be any love lost between them. But for his mother’s sake he needed him. A women without a husband or a strong will was just meat to the Death Eaters.

“Don’t you start you ungrateful little shit. Our Lord will have your head for his. This was your mission!”

“You seemed more then please to steal from me until you failed!” Draco shouted back. “You think it will be just my head?”

Lucius was back on his feet face inches away from Draco. “You’re not the son I wanted!” Even though Draco didn’t want to he felt something hurt inside him. He couldn’t believe he had wanted to be like this man and he couldn’t help what came out next.

“That’s okay. You’re never the father I wanted.” Lucius caught Draco’s right cheek with his open palm. It stunk as the pain radiated out to his busted lip.

He pulled his wand. “You don’t have the right to hit me anymore! I’ve always been a loyal son but I’m not yours to bully anymore.”

His father laughed in his face. “You come from me boy. You do what I want when I want. If it wasn’t for you being a lousy son we would be the Lord’s favorites by now. First you make Snape kill Dumbledore for you and now you lose the blood traitor and your precious mudblood girlfriend.”

Malfoy’s eyes grew dark. “That wasn’t my fault.”

“Oh no? Do you think the Lord will ever let you have her now? What is it about her Draco? Do you want to fuck her till she screams.”

Draco saw red. It took all he had not to curse his father. He couldn’t blow his cover. “She is mine to break. That is it.”

“Hmmm I can see why. Such a stubborn bitch. She does need to be broken in like a good horse. I guess your more like me then I thought.” Bile rose in Draco’s mouth.

Suddenly Snape appeared behind Lucius. He always seemed to interrupted tense, private moments for Draco. For once he was grateful.

“Ahhh father and son love. It warms my heart!” Snape’s eyes shined malice. Even in the half light Draco could see the rage and violence in them.

“Headmaster,” Draco said giving the man room and respect. Draco had taken enough beatings for one night. His father was not so respectful. Full of himself he turned on Snape.

“Good to finally see you Snape. You missed all the fun.”

And Snape was on Lucius like that. His movements almost inhumanly fast. His wand digging into the man’s neck. Draco tired not smile at his father’s pain and shock. “Don’t fuck with me tonight Malfoy. You know perfectly well why I was late to your fucking debacle tonight. Don’t think I do not know it was you and Amycus who kept me.” Both Lucius and Draco looked wild at this accusation.

“I..I… I know nothing about that. We were on our way to get you when we found the girl at the Library.”

“AND WHERE IS THE GIRL NOW!”

Draco could see his father’s adam’s apple bob as he swallowed hard trying to choose his next words carefully. Even though Draco hated his father couldn’t help but take some pity on him.

“He was attacked from behind Headmaster while trying to subdue the girl it appears. I found him here unconscious.”

“I don’t believe I was speaking to you DRACO,” Sanpe hissed behind clenched teeth. He suddenly pushed Lucius back as if trying to remove the man from his sight before he did bodily harm to him.

“YOU are a fool Lucius. You will bring the Lord’s wrath on us all. You couldn’t manage to kidnap one little, underage witch. You are pathetic.”

“DON’T speak to me that way Snape. You have no authority.”

“Yet I do Malfoy. As you well know our Lord has other business outside of England. He has left me in charge. I will see to it your failures do not come back on me.” Snape leered at them both his breathing labored.

“But I. This was not just my mission!” Lucius looked to Draco and Draco suddenly regretted feeling bad for his father. He would try to blame his own son for his failures. It was a possible death sentence and he knew it.

“Don’t. I have already questioned many and they saw YOU drag the girl away. Amycus made it clear you seemed hesitate to even give the mission over to Draco. Such a glory hound Lucius. And now it will cost you.” Draco could almost laugh at his father’s shocked eyes. How could his father be so cocky as to think Amycus wouldn’t throw him right under the bus? Amycus would make sure he was not blame. Still Draco felt a little guilt rise because he had purposely destroyed the mission. “ Our Lord is not here to punish you tonight but I have sent word. I cannot pretend this didn’t happen tonight. Go to the potions room. We are gathering for a meeting. Draco and I will meet you there.

Lucius looked at his son as if to ask him why Snape would wish to speak to him alone, but Draco gave him cold eyes. His father walked away without another word.

Snape grabbed his arm still holding rage in his eyes but there was something else. “Draco this bodes well for no one.”

“I know.”

“DO YOU?” Snape shook his head. “Tell me what happened tonight. Every detail.” Draco did as he wished leaving out the part about him being a traitor. “So Amycus and your father came to your room and Amycus said not to bother me?” Draco shook his head. “That arrogant little shit.”

“Snape if I may, what is going on here? I felt something amiss, which is why I insisted on finding you. Then we came across the girl and things grew chaotic from there.”

“Someone put a spell on my door. I didn’t even notice it till I heard the shouts and bangs coming from upstairs. I didn’t expect the decree so soon and I got no message like I asked. I think Amycus and Lucius did this on purpose to keep from getting involved. Neither seems to like how much our Lord trusts me. I think Amycus is wise to the fact that I speak on your behalf and realizes I could be a hindrance to getting what he wants.”

“Not that I don’t think my father is sneaky and glory hungry but he seemed genuine in saying that he was seeking you out tonight. I don’t think my father was involved in that part. No doubt, if he would keep it from anyone it would be me. He loathed to hand over the mission to me.”

“Yes Draco, your farther is extremely jealous of our Lord’s favor to you. He seemed to think your good standing would bode well for him too, but our Lord does not seem to relate you and your father. Lucius is afraid for his own life. I know you did the best you could tonight.” Malfoy felt the tinge of guilt that he had to squelch. He was doing the right thing. “It matters not. The deed has been done. I will try to help keep you alive Draco but you will not go unpunished I’m afraid.”

“I don’t expect I will.” But he felt bile rise. Fear lit his stomach on fire.

“There is one good piece of news.” Though Draco could tell that the supposed happiness of this news did not seem to make Snape happy at all. “We did catch Luna Lovegood. Her father has been the only newspaper source our Lord hasn’t been able to penetrate. It has been most vexing to him. Though Mr. Lovegood’s paper is considered a joke his words are dangerous to us. She might be able to squelch some of our Lord’s anger. She could make for a good ransom. She is a friend of Harry Potter’s, no?”

Draco knew that Snape knew the answer. Still his replied. “Yes. Indeed she is. Good news I suppose.” He tried to sound disdainful of the girl but he really felt sick. He had traded Ginny’s life for Hermione’s and Ginny and accidentally traded her’s for Luna’s. In the end, would all the good he had tired to do really matter? Deep in himself he was selfishly happy the Hermione was alive but he knew this would not end well for anyone. As he trotted to the potions room with Snape in silence he felt sick. He would have to tell Hermione that Luna was gone and he did not relish that fact.
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It had been at least an hour since Ginny, Hermione and Neville had shown up at the abandoned bathroom.

“I think we should leave its not safe to be out here like this,” whined Neville.

“No to so fast Longbottom,” came a deep voice.

“Zabini!” Hermione cried recognizing the voice at once. Zabini chuckled darkly and the whole group spun on him.

“Weasel, Longbottom, Granger so good to see you all.” He sneered but before anyone else could speak Hermione jumped in.

“IS DRACO OKAY?!” Suddenly the three had put aside their hatred for mutual confusion. All eyes were on her. “And Pansy and you too of course.” She tried to sooth over her mistake.

Zabini looked concerned. “They’re as good as they can be considering the circumstances. Pansy and Draco should be here soon. I was sent a head to let you know that the meeting is still on.” She could see the concern is Zabini’s eyes and the moment he realized she could his usual sneer slid into place. “Good of you to still be here Granger. I assume you told everyone what is going on?”

Ginny piped in scornfully. “Of course, obviously that is why we’re here.”

“I’ll let your attitude go Weasel seeing as what you’ve been through.”

Ginny pointed her wand. “You know nothing of what I have been through Zabini.”

Zabini laughed at the same time Hermione said, “Shhh Ginny we are trying to get along.”

Zabini got close to Ginny letting her wand dig into his chest. “Ya Weasel if it wasn’t for us you probably wouldn’t be here.”

Ginny cheeks turned a ruby red color. She looked as if she wanted to fight his statement but couldn’t find the words. There was a quick smoldering heat between the two of them before they backed away from each other.

Hermione, not knowing what to do, started talking again. “Where are Pansy and Draco? What happened after I left? Is Professor McGonagall okay? What about Luna we haven’t see her since the battle?”

“Merlin, Draco was right. You do babble when you’re anxious.”

“I do not. He has no idea what he is talking…”

Neville looked wildly at the three of them. " Am I missing something?”

“Nothing at all Longbottom, right Zabini?” came another masculine voice. This one shot thrills of excitement to Hermione’s core despite her resistance. And a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding released itself. Hearing his voice felt like a tight fist had let go of her fast beating heart.

A shrill female voice came up from behind Malfoy. “Don’t listen to them. You’re missing quite lot. Like a couple thousand brain cells Longbottom.”

“Ha-Ha. I’d take that as an insult if it wasn’t coming from you. Lets just get this done with Hermione.” Neville said looked pissed.

But Hermione wasn’t really listening to the banter because it took all that she had not to jump into Draco’s arms. Still she couldn’t stop herself from stepping closer to him. When she saw his face she gasped. “What happened?” Hermione asked without thinking. Pansy answered for him, looking worse for ware as well.

“We were just lucky HE wasn’t there to night. Of course Snape wasn’t to happy about YOU getting away Weasel.”

“I’d feel like apologizing…if it wasn’t my life at stake,” Ginny said. At first she had sounded snippy but as she got a better look at the group’s faces her toned changed. There was an awkward silence between the group, until finally Hermione spoke up.

“Obviously I told Ginny and Neville what has been going on. Along with Seamus as well,” She added. “What has happened to Professor McGonagall?”

“She is locked up with a couple of the other professors.” Zabini answered.

“Well does our deal still apply then?” Hermione asked worried that Draco would renege on his agreement.

“Of course or we wouldn’t be here.”

“Well, with Professor McGonagall out of the picture we can’t promise much until we can get to the Order, and seeing as how we are under lock down we don’t know when that will be. If you want to back out then we can’t stop you but…”

“NO,” it was Pansy who said this. “We said we would do this and that is how it is going to be.”

“Good to hear. Then the next step is just to figure out what to do next.”

“Well should we tell all the others?” Neville asked.

“NO!” The three Slytherins said at once.

Malfoy clarified, “We can’t trust that many people with our secret. Sorry, but I don’t even like four people knowing. We can’t be sure that on HIS territory one of the wouldn’t get caught and than tell, accidentally I’m sure, someone about us.”

“Well, then I’m not sure how they can help the DA,” Ginny said looking puzzled but understanding.

“The same as if this DA did know about us. We tell you when missions are going on, what is going on in the inner circle, and what is going on at school. You just use that information the best why you can.”

“Spies,” Ginny side wide eyed. “Like in those muggle detective books. Cool.” Hermione shook her head. Neville and Pansy’s eye went wide with confusion. Draco and Zabini laughed. The comment broke some of the tension that had been hanging around them.

“So,” Hermione started when the laughter and confusion had died down and after Ginny had tried to explain to Neville and Pansy what she was talking about to no avail. “What happened at the meeting?”

“HE is actually not even in the country. Gone on a special mission that no one seems to know about. I think he must be looking for something or someone that isn’t Harry, which makes no sense, and I have no idea who or what.” Hermione’s heart speed up. She was hoping HE wasn’t looking for the missing pieces of his black soul, but didn’t speak this fear to anyone else. “Other wise everything is in chaos at the moment. This was HIS big plan to reign in Harry Potter. Snape was left in charge while HE is gone so Snape was responsible for dulling out the punishments tonight. Snape wasn’t happy to say the least.” Malfoy gingerly touched his face. Hermione’s heart panged.

“And what of the students. Any word on Luna?” Hermione asked and the second she saw the look in Malfoy’s eyes she knew the answer. “Nononono.”

“I’m sorry,” he replied softly.

“WHAT?!” Ginny asked.

“Amycus kidnapped the Lovegood girl.” Panic suddenly erupted. Shouts of anger and accusations flew.

“STOP!” Malfoy yelled. “This yelling will get us found and your accusation won’t save her. We tried to do the right thing tonight. We couldn’t foresee them taking Lovegood.”

“THIS IS YOUR FAULT!” Hermione cursed.

“Fine, blame me but I didn’t take her.”

“You mine as well have,” Ginny accused. “We have to do something.”

“Yes. Yes we do. Malfoy, Pansy, Zabini you have to get us in there to rescue Luna. We can’t let her sit in there and rot for ME and Ginny.”

“That is suicide! For all of us.” Pansy sputtered. “How are we suppose to sneak you into the Malfoy manner? You have to have one of these to even make it inside the gate!" Pansy flashed her Dark Mark. "It's Impossible!”

“I don’t care. I wont let her die.” Hermione said and looked at Neville and Ginny for support. They looked daunted but shook their heads. “Plus, maybe we can cause a little trouble.”

“NO!” Draco said. “Pansy is right, it’s too much a risk for all of us. It would be almost impossible for you three to get into the manor undetected!”

“But it’s not for you!” Hermione said.

The six of them started arguing. Malfoy’s side giving reason against and Hermione’s side combating them at every turn. Finally Zabini yelled, “This is ludicrous! If they want to go on a suicide mission let them!”

“See!” Hermione said.

“Enough. I want to talk to Granger alone!”

“Not a chance,” Neville said.

“Why?” Pansy asked.

“Because we are too suspicious all here. And it is getting late. It has been along day and we all need rest. I am hoping one person can be more reasonable than the three.” They all stood there staring. “GO!” Zabini started to lead Pansy out. Hermione looked at Ginny and Neville who looked worried. Ginny look suspicious for other reasons. If this wasn’t such a serious moment she could have laughed.

“I’ll be fine. I wont be more than and hour and it will be good if we split up on the way back. Go take care of the others. He didn’t do all this to kill me, and just me, now.”

Ginny and Neville finally left looking confused and worried. Hermione turned on Malfoy. “You are not going to convince me otherwise. It’s not fair Luna has been kidnapped and probably tortured when it should be me. I wont have it!” She felt herself start to tear up.

“Can I say nothing that will make you change your mind,” Malfoy asked coming closer to her. His smell hit her. Underneath the sweat and blood there was earth and ginger. It was intoxicating.

She just kept shacking her head no. After tonight, the last thing she wanted to do was risk her life and the lives of those around her, but she couldn’t let Luna die for her. Plus, if Harry heard about the capture and the battle at school he and Ron might actually be stupid enough to show up. On that front, she was slightly happy it wasn’t her or Ginny because Harry would play the hero for sure.

Malfoy walked up to her touching her face with his hands. Feeling his warm, smooth skin calmed her and at the same time made her anxious. Her eyes closed but it was no use the tears came. Slowly dripping from under her closed eyelids. “I thought I might lose Ginny tonight. That I might lose you,” she choked.

Malfoy rubbed his thumb over her cheekbone and pulled her battle worn face closer to him, with both hands. “Then don’t do this Granger. I have done everything in my power to keep you from being where Lovegood is, and now you insist I take you there myself?”

Hermione wanted to stand there in his touch forever but hearing those words brought back so much of her anger.

“YOU shouldn’t have traded my life for anyone’s. Not even the most lowly person on the earth! How could you?”

“They would have tortured you Granger. They would have broken YOU! I could not bear to watch it.”

“That is your weakness not mine. I should have been the one. How dare you play God Malfoy with anyone’s life, especially someone I love? Did you think I would bow at your feet and be forever grateful?”

“No,” Malfoy growled. “That is not why I did it. What was I suppose to do? They would have killed you and they would have asked me to do it. You have never seen what it is like Granger. You don’t know what you’re talking about! But I couldn’t let them kidnap the Weasel could I? That is why I am standing here.”

“OH SPARE ME!” Tears were streaming down her face and her body was shaking. “You didn’t have to know what it was like to be a Deatheater. I begged you not to join them Malfoy. Not to do all the evil things you knew they would ask you to do. This is all your fault! Why become one of them and then come back to me for help!”

“I WAS CONFUSED! This is all I have ever been breed for. You do not know what it’s like to be raised a certain why your whole life and than in a couple short months be asked to turn your back on it. Find out it was all a lie! I didn’t think I had a choice. No, I know I didn’t. There would have been no place safe for me. HE became suspicious the second I didn’t join his ranking the moment he offered! And what was I suppose to do? Leave my mother there to rot?!”

Hermione felt pity for him. For his situation. “I just wish there could have been another way. Your putting yourself at risk ever day and I can’t give you the protection you need. I couldn’t save you and now I can’t help you! God dammit Malfoy I can’t seem to be able to help anyone least of all you!”

Malfoy’s eyes softened at her confession. “Yes you can Hermione.” Her name on his lips brought the same emotions and lust it had the first time. Would that ever change? He took her face in his hands again. “Can’t you see it Granger? You really cant, can you? Can’t you see all the good I see in you? The way you risked your life for Ginny tonight was.... I didn’t know that kind of love and loyalty existed before you. You made me as good of a person as I will ever be. Don’t you see? You already have saved me.”

She wanted to speak. His words were so profound and beautiful they seemed to need a reply. They took what little of her hope and love she had left and made it grow again. She wanted to say something, anything to let him know that he had saved her too, but nothing seemed right. And then it didn’t matter because his lips were on hers.

He pressed gently against her lips with his. She could feel her tears from anger, hurt, and love pour and suddenly she didn’t want gentle. She needed him in a way she had never felt before. She needed to feel him the way she could feel the pulse in his lips and in his hands pressed against her face. It let her know that, like him, she was still alive. And she needed more of it.

She pulled him roughly into her. The movement left him surprised and she took the opportunity to attack his mouth. They kissed hard and fast. It was like she couldn’t get enough of him and like she never would.

“Fuck,” his whispered, “we shouldn’t do this here Hermione. It’s too dangerous.”

“I need you,” she whispered in a husky voice, shocking even herself by the amount of lust it held.

“Fuck,” he whispered again against her neck, but this time he didn’t pull away. Instead he suddenly bit hard into her neck. She half groaned, half yelped at the intense pleasure pain of it. She rocked her hips into him and he bit again.

“Ohhh Malfoy.”

That was all it took. With a quick motion he grabbed her arse and pulled her up. Without braking contact with his sweet, swollen lips, which were back to their fierce mission of undoing her, she wrapped her legs around him grinding herself forcefully into him. Feeling his length pressed hard against her made her realize there were just to many layers between them.

“I need you. Need you. Need you. Please” She panted breaking their brutal, overwhelming, breath taking lip contact. Malfoy growled into her neck and slammed them both into the bathroom wall.

The contact with the wall made her feel every bruise on her body, but instead of pain it made her feel more alive. She growled loudly and dug her nails into Malfoy’s back. Malfoy kept her pinned to the wall with his hips, hands squeezing her arse as he grinded himself so hard into her she thought he might press through her. But she wanted to feel that with him in side her.

“Unbutton your shirt,” He panted as he pressed his kisses down the side of her mouth and on to her neck.

“Malfoy I …”

“NOW!” He ordered. The forcefulness sent shocks of pleasure to her core. She feet wetness pool in her already soaking panties. She knew that even though there hadn’t been much foreplay that she would be more than ready for him.

And she didn’t need to be ordered twice. She ripped open the white button up blouse of her school uniform. Buttons scattered on the floor. Both took a look at her plain under wire bra as if were an evil thing. She didn’t want to loose a moment of contact with him so she ripped her bra down to press her large breast out and over. He growled his approved before his mouth pressed against her harden nipples.

The contact wasn’t almost unbearable. Sounds she didn’t know could be made bubbled up and over. She pressed her head hard into the wall mewling.

He massaged her ass hard as he attacked each breast. Just as he had removed himself from one harden numb and his salvia had chilled and evaporated against the cold air he was back for more. One of her hands was digging itself into his should and the other was gripping the sink. She didn’t think she could take anymore. He sucked and licked and bit until she was whimpering.

“Malfoy, Malfoy, Malfoy.”

“That my father’s name.” He growled and bit hard into the soft flesh of her up breast. She shrieked in pain.

“Draco. Draco please.”

“Fuck. I love to hear you beg.” He bit her again. She screamed out in pain. It felt more painful than pleasurable but still she liked it. It made her angry and lust filled. She took her hand off the sink and grabbed Draco’s face to make him look in her eyes.

“Draco Malfoy,” she growled between gritted teeth. “Fuck me. Please fuck me now. I need you.”

Draco’s eyes become hooded with so much lust she become lost in it, consumed by it. He removed one hand from her arse and pushed it between them. Draco slid a single finger into her folds. He hissed with pleasure as he took one smooth glide over her clit. Just the slight caress almost sent her over the edge. She had never been filled with so much need.

“So fucking wet.” And suddenly her panties were gone, but so was his hand. The cool air touching her most sensitive parts made her shiver.

And before she could think her feet were being planted back on the ground. She kept herself pressed against the wall. She wasn’t sure she could walk. Malfoy backed away from her as he raised his wand and a thick blanket appeared on the floor. She understood and she smiled as she bit her lip. His eyes consuming her.
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He had never thought he would touch her again. So sure of it, he had banned all carnal thoughts of her away. How could he have forgotten how amazing, how undoing it was to have her in his hands.

She was the most beautiful, intoxicating creature he had ever seen. That he may ever see. She stood pressed against the wall like it was a raft at sea. Her legs shook slightly as her chest heaved heavy. He had never seen anything so alluring in all his sexcapades. Her hands pressed flat against the wall. Her shirt ripped open displaying her perfect, large breast as they strained over her bra; begging to be tortured some more. Just knowing she was bear underneath her pleaded school uniform skirt made his cock twitch.

Maybe if they had been somewhere else or if it were different circumstances he would tease her until he broke her but he felt a need like he didn’t know existed. He wanted to be buried so deep inside her he didn’t know where he ended and she began.
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Hermione reached to remove her shirt but Draco stopped her. “Don’t. I want you just like that.” She blushed as her heart beat harder in her chest. He held out his hand with that look on his face. That look that a man gets when he knows a woman wants him. She came to him, placing her hand in his.

They didn’t speak until they both were laid down Draco lying over top of her. The blanket felt like a warm, luscious bed and Hermione snuggled closer in as she ran her hands up Draco’s shirt feeling the cool, solidness of her chest.

“Merlin, you beautiful.”

Draco dropped the bottom half of his body against her so that their hips met and a shock shook her. “It’s that my line?” he whispered into her lips. “Beg me Hermione,” Draco panted as her forced her legs open and placed himself between them.

Hermione removed her hands from his chest and caught his face between her hands. “Please Draco.” Her hands slide down his face and neck. “I need…” Her hand hit something as she slid her arms around his neck.

“Oh you still ware this?” She pulled the dragon necklace out and over his shirt. She held it in her palm, rubbing her thumb over it as she relished the feeling of his weight against her. “It’s so warm.”
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Draco hadn’t worn the necklace in some time afraid that it would bring up intense feelings, but that night when they had been waiting for Hermione to arrive with her answer he had found it on the floor of his room, and it had called to him.

“Granger…” But that was all he could get out before she was slamming her lips into his. And he forgot how he wanted to tell her about the necklace. He took one hand to pull himself free. With some difficulty he managed without breaking contact from her amazing, wonton lips. He pressed the tip of himself at her entrance, becoming slick with her juices.

“Draco… I love you,” She hissed eyes staring into his, one hands still wrapped around the necklace as one single tear slipped out. It was almost his undoing.
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He pushed himself inside her and what control Hermione had came crumbling down. Her head flew back as her hand released the necklace and slid into his hair.

He rocked inside her slow and deliberate building her up but never taking her to the edge. She wasn’t sure she could take another moment of him inside her slow and shallow, she needed more. She scratched her nails hard down his back. “D r a c o…”

He growled and pulled out of her. Grabbed both her hips and flipped her over. He didn’t wait for her to adjust he slammed inside of her and she screamed out loud. He took her body hard, fast, and deep. She clawed at the ground, and whimpered as she met his hard thrusts. This was everything she needed. She needed just this side of pain, but still it felt differently than just fucking.

Draco wound his arm across her stomach, a cross her breasts and rested his hand lightly on her neck. Pressing himself into her back until there was no space between them. The warm weight of him heightened her senses. He continued to rock inside her at the most delicious angle as he gripped his hand at her neck slightly more forcefully and he whispered, breath ragged, “I love you too Hermione.”

The angle of him thick and deep inside her, the warmth of his weight, the pressure of his hand, and the words, it all, sent her over the edge. His name rang out echoing in the bathroom. The orgasm hit her like a wayward jinx and all she could do to survive was flow with it. She felt herself suck inwards, Draco tumbling over the edge as she tightened, and then suddenly she exploded outwards. It was only Draco’s hands that kept her in place, knees shaking.

And she felt the most immense wetness pooling and dripping like she had never experienced. She was going to pull away when the second and then third orgasm hit her as Draco rocked inside her with his last strokes. Draco yelled out over top of her still pressed tight to her back. Her eyes closed tight, fingers digging into the blanket as a blinding light filled her closed lids.

And then both collapsed on the floor. When Hermione felt like she was back in her body she realized she felt a burning tingling feeling on her back. Maybe it was an injury she hadn't noticed earlier. Odd. Or maybe it was a love bite. She flipped around to ask Draco if he had bitten her when she saw something unbelievable on Draco’s chest. She couldn’t remember when they had even taken off their shirt. Her bra straps handing over her arms. But there is was...

“Malfoy…”

“It's Draco. And Jesus Granger I don’t think I’ve ever had a girl cum like that all over me.” She blushed, forgetting ehr thoughts, and looked down at Draco’s cock. His semi hardness shined in the light and she remembered how wet she had felt when she came. She blushed harder and went to reach to wipe him off, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her in.

“I love when you blush like that.” He kissed her gently but deep. “But don’t blush over that. Having you cum all over me like that was… amazing.” Slightly hot and slightly embarrassed she pushed him back with her hand.

Malfoy suddenly hissed as if she hurt him. She quickly removed her hand and remembered what she had wanted to say.

“What the…” He started, looking down.

“Malfoy I think thats an imprint of the necklace.” She grasped the necklace. “It feels hot. Hotter than it did before.” She looked into his eyes confused and worried. She placed the necklace over the raw looking burn and gasped.

Malfoy pulled back. “How in Merlin’s green earth could that have happened. I mean I saw it glow once or twice but…”

“Wait! You saw it glow?!”

“Yea. When I came to get you when Amycus tired to… well you know, and the necklace glowed and woke me up.”

Hermione shook her hand and head at his comment. “That makes no sense. Wait, look at my back.”

She turned her back to him and he gasped. She shuddered from fear and lingering lust as he ran his hands over the burning mark she knew must match his own…

“Granger where the hell did you get this…” She turned to look at him again to tell him the story when she realized something. She reached over her shoulder and pressed her hand to the burn, which was beginning to hurt. With the other hand she pressed her palm to Malfoy’s burn. A suddenly electrical shock shook them both.

Her eyes wide, fear and confusion worming its way into her mind even as she felt this warm current between them she said, “Malfoy, there over our hearts…”