Captive Bride

Captive Bride
Chapter 1
It was the beginning of a new year. The 7th year for Harry, Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts, School of Wizardry. The three had grown in the last few years what with the war with Voldemort and the business of growing up. All three were eighteen or close enough in ‘Mione’s Case. She turned eighteen about a month into the school year. Eighteen years was commonly considered the age of consent in the wizardry year.
It been a quiet summer before school started and some of the older members of the Order were quietly getting concerned. Voldemort seem to be planning something very hush-hush and close to his chest but what for sure no one could get close enough to find out. Not even in the inner circle of Death Eaters.
‘Mione was excited to start the new years. She had made Head Girl this year and planned on getting high marks this final year.
“Well we won’t always be fighting Voldemort the rest of our live and even if we did we still have to make a living between attacks. I plan on being an Auror or maybe a teacher when I graduate from school this year. I haven’t decided yet for sure.” I said to Ron and Harry as we continued our conversation from the train ride.
“But they don’t really expect us to really work and fight off attacks?” Ron said in confusion.
“I agree with ‘Mione we need to at least find jobs the will be flexible enough to accommodate the war with. Umm hello can we help you?” Harry quickly changed the subject when he noticed a couple of strangers listening intently to their conversation.
The strangers kept on walking into the Great Hall pretending that they hadn’t been eavesdropping. The three looked at each other and shrugged at the peculiarity of some people, then continued on into the Great Hall themselves for the opening festivities.
***

“Happy Eighteenth Birthday ‘Mione and Happy Halloween.” Ron, Harry and Genny exclaimed when she met them outside the common room. “Ready to go to the village?”
“Sorry, I can’t just yet, I have to do a couple more thing here and then I’ll meet you down there when I’m through. I’ll see you guys later.”
“Alright then we’ll see you later.”
***

It was dark that night and full moon shone eerily down on the people gathered around the bon fire. They stood there silently waiting for the man standing next to the fire to speak. Next to the man there was a covered mound that came to just below his waist.
“The inner circle is all here milord. They await your words,” A short grizzled little man, Peter Pettigrew, quivered anxiously before the silent middle figure.
The man ignored the Pettigrew. “I have seen that the bloodlines need strengthening. Like horses we need to breed in fresh stock. Especially when there isn’t enough pure stock to help strengthen each other without becoming to close in blood relations. Over this next year I’ll be searching for powerful witches with which we can use. I have found the perfect volunteer for the first ‘marriage.” The man smiled sardonically as he looked around at the hooded men stirring uneasily. He continued in his hoarse voiced, “For this witch I need a particularly powerful wizard. This witch will need to be controlled and that is why I have chosen the first among you.
Voldemort lowered his hand to the top of the mound and absently caressed the covering, “Malfoy you are one of my two most powerful followers. I do believe that you will control this witch well.
Malfoy stood there with his arms folded and tucked into the sleeves of his robe. “My lord I have school to teach when I return from here and I can’t very well just bring a wife, that I will have to control, back with me to school unannounced and not have someone make note of it.”
Pulling the cover off of the girl who kneeled wide-eyed and furious unable to move an inch because of a spell.
“Ah I do believe you recognize our first volunteer for marriage. She is quite powerful and quite beautiful. I do not think there should be any hardship to breed her with your child within the next year. Just turned eighteen today I believe and an All Hallows Eve child at that. Young enough to train yet legal enough that no one should take to much notice.”
“But… she is a mudblood My Lord! My line has never had to bare a mudblood. Plus I have a son to continue the work. There never been any squibs in the Malfoy line.” Malfoy protested.
“Do not forget that she must be with child by Christmas, Malfoy. If you can get the job done that is. Ha ha ha.” Chuckled an amused Severus Snape.
Malfoy glared at Snape at his insulting words. “Unlike some families, Malfoys always breed true, powerful and with spares.”
“Enough! The marriage ceremony must take place at midnight tonight while the moon is full. I shall hear of no more excuses. The details you must handle I want results. Do I make myself clear? Malfoy bring her along I do believe that for this ceremony we must go to your ancestral estate. The rest of you prepare yourselves or your sons for the upcoming nuptials.” Sweeping the men with an evil eye he turned and walked towards the horseless carriage waiting on the edge of the clearing. His toady raced ahead to open the carriage door and lower the steps for his master.
Malfoy glared once more at Snape, who smirked back at him. Walking up to the girl he took out his wand, glanced once at her and used a levitation spell to move her immobile body to the carriage. Reaching the carriage he maneuvered the girl inside and as close as possible to his seat, which was across from Voldemort. Once he and Snape were seated and the door closed behind them the carriage moved through the woods, racing north into the night.
***


Behind a tall imposing castle, one could almost think fortress, deep in dark woods, sat a small clearing. Inside that clearing was a well-kept stone circle.
Voldemort turned to the dark man behind him, “I am assuming that there is a reason why you joined us, Snape, considering whom your ancestors were. Prepare the circle I will be waiting in the carriage.”
Malfoy looked at the clearing until he heard the door swing close behind him. With a flick of his wand he levitated the girl to the edge of the circle but not into it. As he followed he unhooked his robe, pausing momentarily to cover the shivering girl and raise the hood to cover her head.
“My lord?” An inquiring high-pitched voice spoke.
Malfoy glanced at the elf that stood in the shadows. “Bring the Sword from my room as well as the goblet and my ring. Prepare the castle I’ll be staying here this weekend it seems.”
“Yes, my lord.” The elf disappeared into the shadows towards the castle.
Snape stepped into the circle, raising his wand and started to prepare for the ceremony. Between each stone on the edge of the outer circle, except at the main entrance, unlit torches appeared. In the inner circle on the smaller stones, which numbered twice as many those in the outer circle, small bowls with scented oil appeared wicks lying at ready. At the alter stone in the center of the circle he apparated an empty silver and gold-trimmed urn which he filled at the small natural spring located at the backside of the alter. The spring flowed around the rock to slowly trickle to the edge of the inner circle to split and circle between the inner and outer circles and disappearing on the far side. On the alter rock next to the urn he caused a pure white cloth to appear. Snape folded it so that it draped the rock to reach just above the stream. Finished for the moment he turned back to the girl who waited at the outer edge of the circle
Reaching the girl he waved his wand causing her to stand on her feet. “Miss Granger it doesn’t matter how you enter the circle but if you wish for some dignity you will walk in through the spring till you reach the center, where you shall kneel on the rock facing me. There you must stay until I say otherwise. Do you understand? At least this way you will be alive.” Stepping back he looked towards the carriage then back at her. He pointed his wand muttered a few words and watched as her clothes under the robe changed to a white gown that wrapped around her with a gold rope crossing across her bosom and waist. Her hair loosened from its ponytail falling down the middle of her back and finally a rare moonstone on a silver chain appeared around her forehead.
Malfoy watched impassively as Snape made the necessary preparations for the ceremony. Thinking of all the times that a Snape has prepared the circle for the joining of the Malfoy family through the ages. Considering that the Snape family was almost as ancient as the Malfoys, whose own lineage disappeared into mist of the Celtic age. That was several years and generations of bonds between the two rivals.
Seeing that Snape was now attending to his “bride” Malfoy changed his immaculate robes one of more ancient meaning in his family. A broad studded belt, knee-high boots, wrist guards and twisted gold and silver armbands topped his leather kilt. Despite what most wizarding family thought of the Malfoys being only concerned with the latest in wizarding fashion, they only followed the fashions in public.
Malfoy apparated a crystal ball to his hand. Peering into the depths he called to his son. “Draco attend me at the circle, immediately.”
“Father? Yes, give me a moment to dress appropriately.” Draco’s voice could be heard answering softly.
“Impressive, I must say. I’ve seen many kinds of ceremonies through the years but yours, I have a feeling, appears to be one of the more ancient Malfoy. Where am I to stand?” Voldemort slowly appeared at their side.
“Since you are not of blood or relation, you may stand outside the water circle. Otherwise I fear our circle may intend you harm. Not many people witness this for a very good reason.” Saying this he gestured to where Voldemort can stand.
Snape raised his hand to stop Pettigrew when he moved to follow. “You will wait at the carriage, Pettigrew.”
“Crack!” Draco appeared into the stillness of the clearing. Tossing his hair over his shoulder he looked towards his father. Pausing only momentarily at the sight of Hermione standing quietly in the flowing gown. He approached his father.
“Father?”
“Apparently I am to marry again, as, will you soon shortly join in my blessed state. As my closest surviving relation I need you to attend to us.” Malfoy drew his son to the side with a meaningful glance towards Snape who was finishing his preparations.
“But Father, I do not understand. After Mother passed on I thought you would never get married again. Let alone to, I assume, a mudblood like Granger. This was not what I thought was planned.” Draco looked with confusion at the bowl of blue dye his father handed to him.
“The Choice was taken from our hands and at this time and due to circumstances traditions must be changed.” Malfoy muttered angrily. “Now lets get this over with.”
“Yes Father.” Draco slowly chanted as he finger painted ancient symbols onto the chest and shoulders of his father. After this he handed the bowl to the waiting house elf and took in return the gold headband, which he placed upon his Father’s brow. Stepping back he held his father sword in his hand as his father buckled the harness around his chest. Seeing the sword settle into place in the harness Draco turned to look at his fellow student. Reaching down he retrieved the blue dye from the elf he walked to Granger.
Taking one last glance to make sure that everyone was ready. He handed the bowl of dye to her. Reaching into the bowl Draco dipped his finger and proceeded to paint a symbol of purity beneath the moonstone.
Before reentering the circle Snape gestured at himself causing his clothes to change also to a leather kilt, knee high boots and two armbands, a knobby staff of oak in his left hand and a wrist guard on his right arm. Taking the last two requested items from the elf he entered the circle, where he walked to the far side behind the alter turning to gesture at Draco to bring the bride forward.
***


'Mione stood there frozen thinking that this couldn’t be happening to her. ‘I had been grabbed when I was on my way to meet Harry, Ron and Genny at the village. Then I find myself in the middle of a Death Eater gathering being literally given away to Malfoy, of all people. Now here I stand at the edge of a circle with Voldemort witnessing my marriage which I had pictured coming about quite differently.
Feeling a hand on her thigh she looked down to see the large eyes of an old elf.
“Don’t you worry my lady. My lord will protect you and keep you safe from harm. Go on he is waiting for you.” Saying that he pushed ‘Mione’s leg causing her to take the first step into the circle the robe falling onto the grass. Crossing into each circle first the torches then the oil flared to life. Startled Mione stopped cold at the feeling grazing across her body from entering the boundaries of the circle. Hands suddenly grasped each arm as Draco appeared at her left and his father at her right. Propelled forward by the strong hands at each arm she quickly approached the alter, standing in the center of the circle.
Reaching the alter rock she was lifted onto the rock kneeling to facing Snape. Malfoy climbed up behind her to kneel behind her, straddling her hips as a knee rested on each side of her. As Snape spoke a few words in an ancient language he took his staff and drove it deep into the soil. Pulling it out he raised it so that both hands could grasp each end he held it out to Mione. Large hands reached around and grabbed her wrists placing them palm up in the middle of the staff. Snape removed his hands and the staff stayed, floating beneath her hands.
“ This is the ancient ceremony of a captured bride. Just as binding as a marriage performed in this day and age, Miss Granger.” Mione heard the voice murmur in her ear. Almost seeming to read her rebellious thoughts of escape that were in her head.
“My son Draco stands behind me as my closest male relation so that incase something happens to me he will be able to take my place and the family honor is protected. Just as I will stand behind him when he marries his bride. Now watch and listen carefully.” Malfoy squeezed her wrists to bring her attention back to what Snape was doing.
Snape reached into the bowl that was still clasped in her hand, dipping his finger he took the bowl out of her hand and traced two symbols on the palm of each hand. Mione eyes widen as she recognized fertility and faithfulness. Snape then reached and picked up a dagger and placed the tip in the middle of each symbol grouping making a small cut deep enough for blood to swell and mingle with the dyed symbols causing them to flare and glow.
Snape then chanted and as Malfoy repeated after him, Snape cut the center of Malfoy hands. As the blood swelled there Mione could read strength and protection written in the palms, flaring to life at the touch of his blood. Snape took Malfoy’s hands and placed them palm to palm with hers, causing them to tingle madly for a moment then the light was gone but the tingling remained, moving up her arms and all through out her body.



end of Chapter 1