Heart of A Snake

A/N: Thanks to everyone out there who has been adding the story and leaving me reviews. You're the best!

Disclaimer: JKR owns Harry Potter, not me.

Chapter 34

Hermione woke up the next morning, and noticed immediately that she was in her own room. She frowned, not remembering how she had gotten there. She sat up, and then quickly stretched her arms.

She noticed a note was on her desk. Tentatively, she picked it up and began to read it.

My lovely Hermione,

I imagine that you have slept well, but woke up confused as to why you're in your own room. You fell asleep in my lap in the study last night, and while we had fixed things between us, I wasn't sure if you were ready to sleep in our room again. Not wanting to evoke your anger, I placed you back where you have been residing these past few months. I'm out for the day, but as soon as I return, I want to see you. I've missed you so much these past few weeks, and want to be with you as much as possible. Narcissa needs you for something, so be sure to seek her out today.

I love you Hermione, and I'll return to you soon.

Love, Tom

Hermione grinned, putting the note back on her desk. She silently made her way to the shower, and stepped it, letting the warm water fall over her body. She was used to having the water scorching hot, but knew that wasn't a possibility any longer. She didn't want to raise her blood pressure, temperature, or anything, just in case it could hurt the baby.

She stumbled out of the shower, and quickly got dressed. Muggle clothes once more. She laughed to herself.

She was brushing her teeth when the events of last night came rushing back to her.

"He asked me to marry him..." She mumbled out loud, almost not believing it.

Tom wanted to marry her. Tom, the hypocrite who was all about Pureblood supremacy, wanted to marry a Muggleborn witch.

She inwardly beamed. She was making a difference. By showing him the love that could be found in the world, he was changing who he was.

She gasped as her mark on her shoulder burned. She had almost forgotten that Tom had marked her there, that day in the garden. She was horrified at first, but knew it did have some advantages. The two of them were linked. He could feel her, and she him.

And with the sharp burn, she could tell he was either angry or hurt. More so than he had ever been since she had been captured.

Hermione wondered what could have upset him so. Determined to find Narcissa, she swiftly exited the room and headed towards the parlor.

She entered the parlor, freezing when she saw Narcissa, Pansy, and who she assumed was Pansy's mother.

Narcissa smiled when she saw the young girl. "Hermione, come, join us! We're just discussing Pansy and Draco's wedding."

Pansy threw Hermione a glare that would have killed her if possible.

Hermione shook her head. "Oh no, Narcissa, I don't want to impose."

Mrs. Parkinson grinned slyly. "Oh no, I do insist you join us Ms. Granger."

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. But the surprise gave way to distrust, and her eyes narrowed. "If you insist," she said simply.

"Oh I do." Mrs. Parkinson said.

What is that woman playing at? I have no interest sitting her listening to them blabber on about Draco's wedding. But regardless of her thoughts, Hermione took a seat, knowing it was the proper thing to do.

"I think Draco and I should be married out back in the gardens next spring." Pansy said confidently.

Narcissa shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I think-."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "No, that's where we'll get married."

Narcissa narrowed her eyes. "I'm afraid not. And you shouldn't have interrupted me."

"No! We're getting married in the gardens!" Pansy shouted.

"Silence Pansy," her mother commanded coldly. She turned to Hermione. "What do you think?"

Hermione glanced at Narcissa, who was looking at her expectedly. She gulped. "Well, I think the ballroom would be just fine."

Narcissa smiled smugly and Pansy's mother laughed. Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"What do you think of Draco and Pansy getting married? Are you ecstatic for them? Is there a hint of jealously buried deep in your heart?" Mrs. Parkinson pressed.

Hermione scoffed. "I fail to see what that has to do with anything." Only the Malfoys and Severus knew that Hermione was involved with the Dark Lord. Pansy and her mother were just so ignorant apparently.

"Answer me girl," she commanded.

Hermione cowered under the woman's stare. But a fire burned deep in her heart, and she found her courage. "Well, I have no doubt in my mind that Pansy will be the perfect wife." Mrs. Parkinson smiled smugly. "However, I think Pansy is a cow, and that she is rude beyond belief. So while she may appear the perfect Pureblood wife, she will be a terrible wife to Draco, and a terrible mother to her future children." Hermione stood confidently. "Good day Ms. and Mrs. Parkinson. Narcissa, do come find me when you've finished."

Hermione quickly exited the room, but not before she heard Pansy and her mother both shriek out in anger.

She quickly ran to the library. Once inside, she closed the door and burst into laughter. Doubled over, she continued to laugh, remember Mrs. Parkinson's look of pure horror on her face. She wiped the tears from her eyes, still giggling when she looked up.

Draco was staring at her with concern all over his face.

She burst into laughter once more.

Draco scoffed. "My face isn't that funny looking Granger."

She wiped the tears once more, shaking her head. "Oh no, I just met your future mother in law."

Draco's grin vanished. "Bloody hell, is she still here?"

Hermione shrugged. "Don't know. I just insulted Pansy in front of her. Through every bit of Pureblood standards out the window." She chuckled.

Draco laughed alongside her. "I would have loved to see her mother's face. OH Merlin, she was probably so angry."

Hermione nodded. "It's a good thing I made my escape when I did."

"Why were you with them anyways?" He asked, sitting back down on the couch.

Hermione ran her fingers along the spines of the books. "Don't know really. Her Mum invited me to join them. I'm not too sure what she was playing at though."

Draco nodded. "I think she was trying to embarrass you, or make you jealous. That definitely back fired on her."

Hermione shrugged. "She seems like she's a nasty woman."

Draco nodded. "She is. Pansy gets it all from her."

The door to the library burst open. "Hermione Granger, I have never seen someone say something so barbaric in front of our guests! I am appalled!" Narcissa was red in the face.

Draco had to stifle a laugh. Hermione bit her lip. "Sorry Narcissa."

Narcissa collapsed on the couch. "That woman wanted to hunt you down after your grand exit. It took ages just to calm her down. But she just wouldn't."

"So what did you do mother?" Draco asked, very interested in the conversation.

Narcissa smiled smugly. "I told them to get out, and to come back when they had their emotions under control. I told them they weren't acting like proper Pureblood women by letting their emotions control their actions."

Draco and Hermione burst into laughter once more, and soon, Narcissa joined them.

Narcissa collected herself, and then turned to Hermione. "There's going to be a ball in a few days, held at the Ministry."

Draco and Hermione were both immediately interested.

"The Dark Lord is holding this ball."

Both eyes widened considerably. "Really?" Hermione asked. "Isn't that dangerous?"

Narcissa nodded. "So the two of you will need to be one your toes in case the Order tries something. Members of the Order will be there, so it's important that we're all on our best behavior. It's a charity ball, so we're trying to make people see that despite the war, things have changed."

"So why isn't the war over then?" Draco asked.

His mother sighed. "Too many people are involved into the Dark Arts too deeply. Your father and a few others are trying to sort them out and bring an end to it. But it's proving to be very difficult."

Hermione took in everything that Narcissa said.

"Hermione, you'll be in the most danger." She said sadly.

She nodded in understanding. Draco looked confused.

"Draco, it'll be the first time anyone has seen me and him as an item. I'm a Muggleborn, and he's the most feared man in Europe. The Order feels I've betrayed them." She reasoned.

He nodded. "I'll be sure to stick closely to you."

"This is crucial, and will impact the rest of this war." Narcissa reminded them. She then stood, holding out her hand to Hermione. "We'll have to get you fitted for a dress."