Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Heart and Soul ❯ Chapter Thirteen ( Chapter 13 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: TassanaBurrfoot 
Plans and Downfall
Non Anime: Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Drama / Hentai / Fantasy / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.30.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 654 | Status: Completed
Plans and Downfall
Non Anime: Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Drama / Hentai / Fantasy / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.30.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 654 | Status: Completed
Heart and Soul
By: Tassana Burrfoot
Chapter Thirteen
Hermione lay comfortably in Draco's arms. She absentmindedly traced circles in his pale, bare chest with her forefinger and sighed contently.
"Satisfied, darling?" he whispered gently in her hair.
She gazed up into his silver eyes and smiled. "I must admit, I am," she answered. "And what about you, Mr. Malfoy? Are you satisfied?"
He gave her his typical smirk. "Actually, I could have another go or two," he confessed. "Feel up to it, Mrs. Malfoy?"
Her heart missed a beat. "Mrs. Malfoy?" she breathed.
He rolled on top of her and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "That's right," he cooed. "You're a Malfoy now. Sounds good, doesn't it? Mrs. Malfoy."
A feeling of elation came upon her as she heard those words. She was a Malfoy. She was married! Married to a man she loved with every beat of her heart. And he was a man, too. He was a dashing, handsome man who had somehow managed to weave his way into her heart and soul. They were married.
At the moment, she didn't care how odd it sounded. Gone were her worries of what would come of this marriage. She simply basked in the glory of it.
She kissed him, letting him feel the love she felt for him. She wondered, briefly, how it could be. She knew wizards and witches married differently than Muggles. At least, that was what he told her. She hoped, however, that it wasn't too different. She still wanted her ceremony. And her honeymoon...
As though he were reading her thoughts, he broke their kiss and rolled off of her. "So, Mrs. Malfoy, where would you like to go for our honeymoon?" he asked, holding her close to his body.
She giggled, "It's your birthday, you pick."
"Well, if that's the case, I say we go to the next Quidditch World Cup," he suggested.
She sat up and stared at him in disbelief. "Draco Malfoy! On our honeymoon?! I think not. You better..."
He laughed as he placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. "I was only joking," he told her. "I wouldn't do that to you. The Quidditch World Cup will have to be a different vacation."
She rolled her eyes. Men and their sports! Deciding to forgive him, she cozied back up to him and sighed, "How about... Egypt? We could visit some of the old pyramids."
"How about not," he retorted, drawing a face. "Too hot and dry. With my skin, I'll burn like a roast on a spit... We could go to China."
"Or even Mexico," she tried.
"Cancun," he added.
She nodded pleasantly. "Cancun sounds wonderful," she agreed.
He sighed, "Too bad we can't go today."
"We can go after the war. After our ceremony," she offered. "We are going to have a ceremony, aren't we?"
"Anything you wish, my dear," he replied. "I'll even let you plan the whole thing, right down to the napkins. Though, I will choose my best mate. That's my one requirement."
She accepted without complaint. She was going to plan her own wedding ceremony! Sure, according to him, they were all ready married. But, she was happy to be able to have the ceremony. She had always wanted to be a blushing bride.
"Hermione, darling," he started, "I need to talk to you about something."
Worried, she sat up and glanced at him. Gone was the laughter she had seen only moments before on his face. He looked tired and forlorn. He sat up next to her and gazed into her honey coloured eyes. Taking her hands into his, he whispered, "I need some assurance from you."
"Assurance?" she questioned. "What kind of assurance?"
He sighed, "You are my wife now. You know that and understand that... I am very near completing my task. I want to know that... that after... I'll still have you."
She freed one hand to touch his cheek. "You not going to lose me, Draco," she promised.
"No, Hermione, listen," he stopped her. "You don't know what I've... done. What I'm doing. What I'm going to do... It's terrible."
His eyes filling with unshed tears, surprising Hermione with their sincerity. Harry had been right. Draco was horribly upset over something. "I'll forgive you," she tried cautiously. "It might be hard for me at first, but I will forgive you."
"You're willing to forgive me, yet you don't know what you are forgiving," he pointed out. "What if what I'm doing involves the death of someone important?"
She gasped. It took her a moment to respond. "Not Harry?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Not Harry," he confirmed.
Had Harry been right all along? Who was Draco's target? "Voldemort is putting you up to this, isn't he?" she questioned. "He want you to kill..."
"Yes," he interrupted. "Yes. That's why it's important for you to succeed. What Potter did to me was an accident. We were dueling. I had started it. Don't continue being angry with him. He needs you, Hermione. I need you. Help him through this war. It's the only way we'll be able to start our lives together.
"No, don't interrupt. Just listen. Once my task is finished and it's revealed to you what I've done, you'll be angry with me. I know this and understand it. I've done some pretty terrible things all ready and for that, I am deeply sorry.
"I can't express to you the amount of regret and guilt I feel. I can't ask for your forgiveness, because you don't know the depths of what you are forgiving. Nor will you know until my deed is done.
"I promise you, Hermione. I will do everything I can to make up for it. Once my parents are safe, I will work my damnedest to make up for it. Not just for them, but for you as well. I love you, Hermione Granger Malfoy."
Tears had fallen from his eyes, leaving small rivers on his cheeks. Hermione, too, had started crying. She didn't know half of what he was talking about, but she knew it wasn't good.
Myrtle appeared at that moment. Hermione kissed Draco gently on the lips. "I will be there for you in the end, no matter what," she promised as she and Myrtle left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione wondered momentarily if she had ever gone a day without crying. She shook her head at the ridiculous notion. Her mind raced through everything that had happened over the course of her final days at Hogwarts. Her last moment with Draco had seemed so brief. So sudden. Then, it seemed as if all of Hell had broken loose.
Harry had barged, unexpectedly, into the Common Room one night after his meeting with Dumbledore. He had given his eerie orders. Confused and terrified, Hermione and Ron had obeyed the moment Harry left.
Hermione had gone into the dungeons with Luna. Neither had know what was going on above them. Their job was to watch Snape's office. However, a panicked Flitwick had come running at top speed into the dungeons. Paying no mind to the two girls, he had gone into Snape's office. Moments later, Snape had emerged and informed the girls about Flitwick's fainting. Neither girls had thought to disobey his orders when he told them to care for the small professor.
It wasn't until later, much later, that Hermione had learned of what happened. It felt as if time had been set to a snail's pace as she listened to everyone's accounts on what had occurred. Death Eaters in Hogwarts. Dumbledore dead...
Shocked was an understatement for the emotions that coursed through her body. She didn't know what hurt worse. Dumbledore was gone. Snape, a trusted teacher, had been fully responsible for the headmaster's death. And Draco...
Her breath caught in her throat as tears poured down her face. She had to know how deeply involved Draco had been. Had to know if he had had any part in all of this. Harry said Draco had been on the tower. Harry would know.
It didn't take her long to find her friend. He was sitting on the stairwell outside their House. He looked tired and in desperate need of a Pepper Up Potion. "Harry?" she called weakly, drawing his attention. "I need to speak with you."
He nodded slowly, as if dazed. "I was wondering when you would show up. You want to know Malfoy's involvement."
She choked on her sob and stammered, "Y-yes."
He sighed, "He was supposed to do it. He had been trying all year. I was right about the necklace and the mead. Malfoy had put Madam Rosemerta under the Imperius Curse. He used coins to send her messages, like we did last year in the D.A. That's where he got the idea from."
Hermione stared at him in disbelief. It had been Draco all along? Draco had...
"Before you judge him, let me finish," Harry said, as if reading her thoughts. "That night in the bathroom will remain forever in my memory. He had been heartbroken, torn. It was as if someone had attempted to strip everything from him. And I'm sure Voldemort had. It is my firm belief that Voldemort was responsible for what happened this past summer. With Draco ending up hurt in your home.
"On the tower, Malfoy was shaken. He could not bring himself to complete the task, to commit murder. I think if we would've had more time, Dumbledore could have persuaded him. Dumbledore had offered him clemency and protection for him and his parents.
"Hermione, I don't think I will ever like Malfoy. To me, he will always symbolize the things I hate. But, I think there still might be a chance for him. He's not evil. There's good in him, Hermione. I saw it up there on the tower. He couldn't do it. Even when the Death Eaters came and started egging him on, he could not do it.
"I know you are heartbroken. In his attempts, he almost killed two people this year. One of those people was Ron. It was a brainless and stupid thing Malfoy did. But, I don't think he meant for anyone to get hurt.
"It's going to take time. We have to find these Horcruxes. And you have to forgive Malfoy. Dumbledore forgave him."
"And Dumbledore also trusted Snape," Hermione snapped. "Look where it got him."
Harry sighed. Hermione could tell he was trying to help her, but she did not want his help. She was hurt. She felt betrayed and heartbroken. How could Draco do this to her? Of all the people in the world, Hermione never expected him to harm those she held dear. After all, he loved her, didn't he?
He had told her he loved her. Had said the words several times. Did he even mean them? Or had he just been using her?
Hermione sank to the floor next to Harry. She allowed him to take her into his arms as she brought her knees up to her chest. She felt dirty and used. She cried as Harry held her, comforted her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Note: Yeah, I know. Depressing, short, and completely lacking in imagination and depth. Especially the last bit. I kinda glazed over Dumbledore's death and all that jazz. And no one knows what Draco was thinking up there on that tower. *Smiles mischievously* But, yeah. I have my reasons for leaving it like this.
By: Tassana Burrfoot
Chapter Thirteen
Hermione lay comfortably in Draco's arms. She absentmindedly traced circles in his pale, bare chest with her forefinger and sighed contently.
"Satisfied, darling?" he whispered gently in her hair.
She gazed up into his silver eyes and smiled. "I must admit, I am," she answered. "And what about you, Mr. Malfoy? Are you satisfied?"
He gave her his typical smirk. "Actually, I could have another go or two," he confessed. "Feel up to it, Mrs. Malfoy?"
Her heart missed a beat. "Mrs. Malfoy?" she breathed.
He rolled on top of her and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "That's right," he cooed. "You're a Malfoy now. Sounds good, doesn't it? Mrs. Malfoy."
A feeling of elation came upon her as she heard those words. She was a Malfoy. She was married! Married to a man she loved with every beat of her heart. And he was a man, too. He was a dashing, handsome man who had somehow managed to weave his way into her heart and soul. They were married.
At the moment, she didn't care how odd it sounded. Gone were her worries of what would come of this marriage. She simply basked in the glory of it.
She kissed him, letting him feel the love she felt for him. She wondered, briefly, how it could be. She knew wizards and witches married differently than Muggles. At least, that was what he told her. She hoped, however, that it wasn't too different. She still wanted her ceremony. And her honeymoon...
As though he were reading her thoughts, he broke their kiss and rolled off of her. "So, Mrs. Malfoy, where would you like to go for our honeymoon?" he asked, holding her close to his body.
She giggled, "It's your birthday, you pick."
"Well, if that's the case, I say we go to the next Quidditch World Cup," he suggested.
She sat up and stared at him in disbelief. "Draco Malfoy! On our honeymoon?! I think not. You better..."
He laughed as he placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. "I was only joking," he told her. "I wouldn't do that to you. The Quidditch World Cup will have to be a different vacation."
She rolled her eyes. Men and their sports! Deciding to forgive him, she cozied back up to him and sighed, "How about... Egypt? We could visit some of the old pyramids."
"How about not," he retorted, drawing a face. "Too hot and dry. With my skin, I'll burn like a roast on a spit... We could go to China."
"Or even Mexico," she tried.
"Cancun," he added.
She nodded pleasantly. "Cancun sounds wonderful," she agreed.
He sighed, "Too bad we can't go today."
"We can go after the war. After our ceremony," she offered. "We are going to have a ceremony, aren't we?"
"Anything you wish, my dear," he replied. "I'll even let you plan the whole thing, right down to the napkins. Though, I will choose my best mate. That's my one requirement."
She accepted without complaint. She was going to plan her own wedding ceremony! Sure, according to him, they were all ready married. But, she was happy to be able to have the ceremony. She had always wanted to be a blushing bride.
"Hermione, darling," he started, "I need to talk to you about something."
Worried, she sat up and glanced at him. Gone was the laughter she had seen only moments before on his face. He looked tired and forlorn. He sat up next to her and gazed into her honey coloured eyes. Taking her hands into his, he whispered, "I need some assurance from you."
"Assurance?" she questioned. "What kind of assurance?"
He sighed, "You are my wife now. You know that and understand that... I am very near completing my task. I want to know that... that after... I'll still have you."
She freed one hand to touch his cheek. "You not going to lose me, Draco," she promised.
"No, Hermione, listen," he stopped her. "You don't know what I've... done. What I'm doing. What I'm going to do... It's terrible."
His eyes filling with unshed tears, surprising Hermione with their sincerity. Harry had been right. Draco was horribly upset over something. "I'll forgive you," she tried cautiously. "It might be hard for me at first, but I will forgive you."
"You're willing to forgive me, yet you don't know what you are forgiving," he pointed out. "What if what I'm doing involves the death of someone important?"
She gasped. It took her a moment to respond. "Not Harry?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Not Harry," he confirmed.
Had Harry been right all along? Who was Draco's target? "Voldemort is putting you up to this, isn't he?" she questioned. "He want you to kill..."
"Yes," he interrupted. "Yes. That's why it's important for you to succeed. What Potter did to me was an accident. We were dueling. I had started it. Don't continue being angry with him. He needs you, Hermione. I need you. Help him through this war. It's the only way we'll be able to start our lives together.
"No, don't interrupt. Just listen. Once my task is finished and it's revealed to you what I've done, you'll be angry with me. I know this and understand it. I've done some pretty terrible things all ready and for that, I am deeply sorry.
"I can't express to you the amount of regret and guilt I feel. I can't ask for your forgiveness, because you don't know the depths of what you are forgiving. Nor will you know until my deed is done.
"I promise you, Hermione. I will do everything I can to make up for it. Once my parents are safe, I will work my damnedest to make up for it. Not just for them, but for you as well. I love you, Hermione Granger Malfoy."
Tears had fallen from his eyes, leaving small rivers on his cheeks. Hermione, too, had started crying. She didn't know half of what he was talking about, but she knew it wasn't good.
Myrtle appeared at that moment. Hermione kissed Draco gently on the lips. "I will be there for you in the end, no matter what," she promised as she and Myrtle left.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione wondered momentarily if she had ever gone a day without crying. She shook her head at the ridiculous notion. Her mind raced through everything that had happened over the course of her final days at Hogwarts. Her last moment with Draco had seemed so brief. So sudden. Then, it seemed as if all of Hell had broken loose.
Harry had barged, unexpectedly, into the Common Room one night after his meeting with Dumbledore. He had given his eerie orders. Confused and terrified, Hermione and Ron had obeyed the moment Harry left.
Hermione had gone into the dungeons with Luna. Neither had know what was going on above them. Their job was to watch Snape's office. However, a panicked Flitwick had come running at top speed into the dungeons. Paying no mind to the two girls, he had gone into Snape's office. Moments later, Snape had emerged and informed the girls about Flitwick's fainting. Neither girls had thought to disobey his orders when he told them to care for the small professor.
It wasn't until later, much later, that Hermione had learned of what happened. It felt as if time had been set to a snail's pace as she listened to everyone's accounts on what had occurred. Death Eaters in Hogwarts. Dumbledore dead...
Shocked was an understatement for the emotions that coursed through her body. She didn't know what hurt worse. Dumbledore was gone. Snape, a trusted teacher, had been fully responsible for the headmaster's death. And Draco...
Her breath caught in her throat as tears poured down her face. She had to know how deeply involved Draco had been. Had to know if he had had any part in all of this. Harry said Draco had been on the tower. Harry would know.
It didn't take her long to find her friend. He was sitting on the stairwell outside their House. He looked tired and in desperate need of a Pepper Up Potion. "Harry?" she called weakly, drawing his attention. "I need to speak with you."
He nodded slowly, as if dazed. "I was wondering when you would show up. You want to know Malfoy's involvement."
She choked on her sob and stammered, "Y-yes."
He sighed, "He was supposed to do it. He had been trying all year. I was right about the necklace and the mead. Malfoy had put Madam Rosemerta under the Imperius Curse. He used coins to send her messages, like we did last year in the D.A. That's where he got the idea from."
Hermione stared at him in disbelief. It had been Draco all along? Draco had...
"Before you judge him, let me finish," Harry said, as if reading her thoughts. "That night in the bathroom will remain forever in my memory. He had been heartbroken, torn. It was as if someone had attempted to strip everything from him. And I'm sure Voldemort had. It is my firm belief that Voldemort was responsible for what happened this past summer. With Draco ending up hurt in your home.
"On the tower, Malfoy was shaken. He could not bring himself to complete the task, to commit murder. I think if we would've had more time, Dumbledore could have persuaded him. Dumbledore had offered him clemency and protection for him and his parents.
"Hermione, I don't think I will ever like Malfoy. To me, he will always symbolize the things I hate. But, I think there still might be a chance for him. He's not evil. There's good in him, Hermione. I saw it up there on the tower. He couldn't do it. Even when the Death Eaters came and started egging him on, he could not do it.
"I know you are heartbroken. In his attempts, he almost killed two people this year. One of those people was Ron. It was a brainless and stupid thing Malfoy did. But, I don't think he meant for anyone to get hurt.
"It's going to take time. We have to find these Horcruxes. And you have to forgive Malfoy. Dumbledore forgave him."
"And Dumbledore also trusted Snape," Hermione snapped. "Look where it got him."
Harry sighed. Hermione could tell he was trying to help her, but she did not want his help. She was hurt. She felt betrayed and heartbroken. How could Draco do this to her? Of all the people in the world, Hermione never expected him to harm those she held dear. After all, he loved her, didn't he?
He had told her he loved her. Had said the words several times. Did he even mean them? Or had he just been using her?
Hermione sank to the floor next to Harry. She allowed him to take her into his arms as she brought her knees up to her chest. She felt dirty and used. She cried as Harry held her, comforted her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's Note: Yeah, I know. Depressing, short, and completely lacking in imagination and depth. Especially the last bit. I kinda glazed over Dumbledore's death and all that jazz. And no one knows what Draco was thinking up there on that tower. *Smiles mischievously* But, yeah. I have my reasons for leaving it like this.