A/N: Oooh looky, another update :D So, I find it quite interesting how your own anger can inspire you to write a wonderfully vicious fight between two volatile characters. Therefore everyone, you are all forewarned that there is some harsh language in this chapter, not nessicarily too offense, but it definitely might shock the knickers off your granny, he he.
decadentserenity: Aww, I'm sorry my dear :( The length of my chapters does seem to fluctuate somewhat, and really it is not up to me how long they are, the characters seem to decide that all on their own, pesky things that they are. Though hopefully this one might be a bit more to your liking lengthwise, or at least I hope it will, I tend to loose track of how long they get. As for evil cliffies, there isn't really one this time, though there is sure to be more heart-stopping action in the next chapter, so there, I kinda made an evil cliffy :insert evil smirk: Yes Draconis Draco, I could have sworn that I read somewhere in the HP books that that was his full name, but perhaps it was actually a fan fic because it became apparent through the reviews I received that many other people shared your confusion. I guess I've read too many fan fics, sometimes I can't remember what is from the books and what is from the world of ficdom.
LittleMermaid325: No, no my dear, don't worry, I didn't take offense to it at all, I just wanted you to be sure that it was still an integral part of the story... alright, I admit it! It was really just for my own pleasure because I wanted to see them kiss again, tee hee. Well it ended up being 4 in 2 days, well kinda.. its after midnight here, but hey I haven't gone to bed yet so its still yesterday... erm yeah, that makes no sense does it?
fa11enange1: wow, 3am huh? I'm sorry to have kept you up so late, but if it is any consolation, I stayed up almost that late working on it for the past couple nights, thank god its the weekend :)
Severus-Fan: Hello my dear, long time no chat or whatever this constitutes as. I'm glad to see that you're still sticking with story despite my utterly evil long absence, and my penchant for equally evil cliffies. But you know as well as I that I simply can't resist them, I'm so cruel aren't I? Hmm... what kind of cookies? Severus shaped ones? Perhaps with little black gum-drops as buttons, though of course there would end up being more gum-drop than cookie in that case. Maybe chocolate sprinkles instead then?
Moniquee: Ah yes, the waiting is such delicious torture and definitely makes it all the more gratifying when we finally get what we want.
Jinxd n cursed: Well that is an on-going battle I have been partaking in since the beginnings of this story. It is not such an easy feat to keep them completely in character while at the same time getting them to do what I want, because seriously, if they were entirely in character this would not have happened in the first place. Severus would have told Albus to get stuffed and left in a huff to get pissed with his Death Eater buddies at the local pub.
We Are the Walrus: Minature Death Eaters, aren't they cute?
Applekissis: Oh yes, Draco... he he. You know, I was looking at pictures of Draco from the movies to get inspiration for his descriptions while writing this chapter, and I feel utterly scandalous that at the age of 23 I find Tom Felton to be absolutely delicious! Oh the shame of it all, though of course Alan Rickman and Jason Issacs will always take first place in my mind, mmm mmm. Sevvie and Lucius sandwich... ahem, okay moving on :blush:
Okay, well I think that was everybody unless of course someone submits a last minute review, in which case I'm sorry if I leave you out. Well kiddies, I think that I should call it a night now seeing as my knees are screaming bloody murder from sitting curled up in this chair all day and my coordination is starting to lag a little with sleepiness, so please forgive any errors. As I said, much more action and adventure to come next chapter when our delightful couple takes a little detour into the Forbidden Forest on their way back to the castle. Oh yes, and Happy New Year everyone! Here's to hoping that this one will be better than the last :) May winged Sevvies guide you to your rest... okay, I'm just getting silly now so I will say goodnight to everyone and quit while I'm ahead... Enjoy!Fluidly the tall and lithe figure of Draco Malfoy stepped forward, the infamous Malfoy sneer planted firmly upon his long and slender face, his full upper lip drawn back to reveal a glimmer of pristine white teeth while his diamond eyes glinted brilliantly with malice beneath the sleek and graceful arch of a pale brow. Gone was the petulant and spoilt looking child that Hermione had first encountered seven years ago on the Hogwarts Express, in his stead now stood an elegant and refined looking young man, his appearance becoming more and more similar to that of his father as the years passed. No longer was his butter colored hair plastered slick to his skull, now it fell as straight and lustrously as that of his father, cascading freely down to his mid back, devoid of restrictive ribbons or accoutrements, relying entirely upon its shinning softness to draw the fingers of men and women alike. Though his features held the slender and more angular qualities reminiscent of his mother, his expression was undoubtedly a reproduction of his father's down to the almost unperceivable glimmer of malice that shone in his ice blue eyes. Sans the simple Hogwarts uniform, he appeared more as a young gentleman well versed in the ways of high society rather than the spoilt brat still half a year from graduation. As those chilling eyes settled upon Severus his sneer melted into a polite smile as he inclined his head in a bow and said in a cool and even voice that was how one would imagine Lucius' to have been in his youth,
"Professor, it is a pleasure to see you tonight. My father had expressed his concern that you might be unable to attend our little gathering." He watched with schooled discipline as Severus bowed his head in return, Draco's respected teacher and role-model as ever the reserved and stoic figure he had known since his birth. Purposely he let his eyes sweep over Hermione, pausing for the briefest of moments to admire the ravishing view of her décolletage that the impressive dress afforded before turning his attention elsewhere, donning a well-practiced expression of superior boredom, a smug smile clinging to the corners of his mouth as he perceived Hermione's irritated look from the corner of his eye. However, his moment of triumphant pleasure was soon crushed as his father spoke harshly,
"Draconis you forget your manners." Though innocent sounding enough, Lucius' voice was positively dripping with caustic venom, the ferocious threat lying just beneath the surface of his words. Feeling a flood of anger swell up inside him Draco turned slowly to face Hermione, first casting a petulant glance towards his father who simply gave him a warning glare in response, before he turned back to look at her directly, his cool gaze shooting daggers towards her as he ground out between his teeth,
"Granger." He could feel the pressure of his father's disapproving stare weighing upon him heavily but as he saw the look of victory that spread across her not unpleasing features working to only incite his anger all the more, he cared little for the irritation of his father and completely for the need to wipe the smug expression from her pretty face.
"Malfoy" she replied evenly with a considerable amount of forced sweetness, though the swell of glee she felt at his obvious discomfort easily masked the bitterness and fear that hung like a lead weight in her stomach.
With his ever present graceful fluidity Lucius glided past Hermione, his fingers snaking out to run cool leather clad fingers down her spine, sending a shudder rippling through her body and a trembling breath to rush over her lips in a harsh exhalation.
"There now Severus, are you satisfied that your dear little Miss Granger shall be in capable hands?" he drawled darkly as he paused to look Severus challengingly in the eye, his lips drawn up the shadow of a smile. Severus' prickling anger hung in the air like a bitter and metallic taste, choking and nauseating as he glowered at the man now standing beside him. Once in the not so distant past he had revered Lucius, he had looked up to him as he closest friend and confidant, as his dearest companion and guide through life, but now, when he looked at the fair haired man he saw only a bitter, twisted and callous ghost of the friend he had once possessed. No longer did Lucius inspire greatness and pride in him, no longer could he respect the man beside him, no more could he stomach the mere presence of him.
Casting a furtive glance between Hermione and Draco, Serverus perceived the animosity that rippled back and forth between them both. Oh Merlin, there is going to be hell to pay if these two are left alone he thought with a faint hint of amusement at the thought of Hermione once again besting Draco as she had done so many times and in so many ways over the years. And then realization descended upon him with a suffocating clarity, Hermione was completely unarmed save for whatever diminutive physical strength she may possess or wandless magic she had managed to learn, and it was entirely his fault. Out of his own foolhardy stubbornness, his desire to teach the little know-it-all a lesson, he had successfully placed her in more danger than she could ever have done herself. Severus you bloody fool! he growled to himself, you have just sealed her fate because you wanted to make some ridiculous point, you wanted to prove that she was not as talented as everyone has been telling her for years, but you know the truth. She is just as talented, just as smart and courageous as everyone else believes, but how can she possibly defend herself against a ruthless snake like Draco? Reaching out with the invisible searching tendrils of his mind, Severus gently caressed Hermione's thoughts, effortlessly slipping within the warm confines of her mind, listening to her roiling and dizzying thoughts. Oh Merlin, oh Merlin she chanted again and again frantically, the thundering of her heart audible in her ears to both herself and Severus as he coiled around her thoughts. Be brave Hermione, you can do this. You have faced the little ferret a hundred times in the past, he is not so tough without his cronies to stand by him, no here he is as weak and defenseless as ever. Of course, he has a wand and you don't, this is his territory, this is his home, he knows every nook and cranny of this place while you are a stranger here, a lamb amongst the lions. Merlin I'm doomed she thought, her mind racing a thousand miles a minute as the panic that settled heavily upon her chest caused her heart to beat ever faster.
Feeling Hermione's resolve slipping further and further away Severus quickly sprang into action, brushing up against her troubled thoughts he tenderly caressed them as though his fingers could truly delve deep inside her and ease away her tension. Hermione? Listen to me Hermione. You can do this, you have known for years that you are far greater than Draco and all of these Purebloods put together, now I just need you to be brave, just for a little while, and once we have left here you can cry and rage against me to your hearts content, but for now you must be brave. Be my ferocious little lioness, be that strong and powerful woman I know you to be, for me Hermione be the true Gryffindor that lies deep within you he spoke quickly to her, his voice full of urgency and pleading. Stay strong my love and I shall return to you soon he finished passionately before smoothly withdrawing from her mind and turning to face Lucius head-on, his dark eyes gleaming with malice and barely restrained anger.
"Indeed, Miss Granger shall be fine, however I would worry for Draco's safety were I in your place" he replied with silken ease, the corners of his mouth lifting in a smug smile as he cast a brief glance in Hermione's direction and saw the fiery rebellion gleaming in her honeyed gaze, her own lips drawn into a secretive smile as she returned his gaze. Be brave my love he thought once more before he nodded towards Draco who now stood scowling at him, the anger drifting from him in rippling waves, and then with his typical fluid grace turned on his heel and swept away after Lucius, leaving Hermione alone with Draco, though he was beginning to fear more for Draco's safety than hers.
As Severus and Lucius slipped into the quiet darkness of Lucius' office, Hermione stood feeling awkward and apprehensive in the entry way, purposely avoiding Draco's sizzling and angry gaze. Nervously wringing her hands before her, Hermione again and again repeated Severus' words in her mind Stay strong my love and I shall return to you soon, the liquid velvet sound of his voice, even in memory working to soothe her frayed nerves and rebuild her indestructible Gryffindor courage until it was coursing through her veins like wildfire, sweeping away all traces of hesitation that she had previously felt. Feeling her self-confidence washing through her in calming waves, Hermione raised her head defiantly, looking Draco directly in the eye as if challenging him to incite her anger. Of course, Draco being the ever obliging gentleman immediately rose to the occasion. All but gliding across the immaculately polished marble floor with the liquid grace of quicksilver, Draco sidled up to Hermione, staring down the long line of his slender nose at her, his gaze full of superior arrogance.
"Well, well, well…" he crooned in a weak reproduction of his father's silken drawl, "I have to admit that I am surprised to see you here Mudblood" he continued, all but hissing in her ear as he leant close to her, using his advantage of greater height to peer lecherously down into her cleavage, feeling an instant and somewhat irritating physical reaction to the sight before him. "At least now I know why you always received better marks than me in potions, perhaps if I had been sucking his dick I would have gotten higher marks too" he sneered, watching with barely restrained triumph as a deep flush of anger flooded her cheeks. With her eyes flashing a fiery and bright red Hermione rounded on him swiftly, her voice barely more than a vicious whisper as she hissed in reply,
"No Malfoy, you were too busy sucking your father's cock weren't you?" Hermione watched with a faint glimmer of fear taking root in her heart as Draco's undeniably beautiful features twisted into a ferocious sneer, his typically full, almost pouting lips drawn pale and thin as they drew back to reveal his teeth, a low growl rumbling in his throat as he snarled at her. "Did I hit a little too close to home?" she purred with silky ease, her mind screaming at her to quit while she was ahead, though her mouth continued to run away with itself. "Or perhaps you prefer the company of your dimwitted goons? I bet they don't laugh at you when you can't get it up do they? Too scared that you will set your big mean Death Eater daddy on them? Or maybe they enjoy your pathetic fumbling attempts, enjoy laughing at you behind your back, the great and impressive Malfoy who can't even keep it up long enough to last your usual three abysmal thrusts. Am I right Draco?" she continued as she stepped ever closer to him until her breasts were almost brushing against the deep bottle green brocade of his robes.
"You filthy little whore…" he began in a growling hiss, his words forced out between clenched teeth while the muscles in his jaw jumped and twisted beneath his flawless skin. In a single step he closed the small distance between them, the length of his body pressed against hers, the voluminous skirt of her robes enveloping his long and lean legs, the whisper soft caress of the satin against his legs sending a thrilling buzz of arousal racing through his veins, hot on the heels of the blinding fury that was quickly enveloping what small amount of decorum he possessed. "I will teach you a valuable lesson you should have learnt long ago you worthless Mudblood bitch. You will see, I will soon have you screaming for me louder than you ever did for Severus, you will beg me for mercy and then you will beg me to never stop, won't you my little whore?" he hissed, spittle showering Hermione's face as he grasped her chin fiercely and lifted her chin up towards him.
"Are you sure you can keep it up long enough to even undress me Draco?" she replied evenly, her voice cool and emotionless as she stared up into his face, watching his winter storm colored eyes darken all the more as though a thunderstorm were gathering within his gaze.
"What need would I have to undress you when all I plan on doing is finding a much more pleasurable use for that insolent tongue of yours?" Draco purred, for an instant taking on the appearance of his father as memory clouded Hermione's gaze, whisked so quickly back into the frightful dream that her mind continued to sway for a moment or two as the face before her swam into focus. No longer was it the slender and pinched features of Draco Malfoy, now towering above her was the chiseled and angular face of Lucius Malfoy, his cool diamond eyes ten times more frightening that those of his son as he peered down into her panic stricken face.
"Indeed my dear Miss Granger, I shall find exquisite delight in discovering all the wonderful uses of that silver tongue" he said in a voice that was as rich as the darkest chocolate, though just as deadly as a bitter poison. A jarring shake of her shoulders brought Hermione crashing back into reality, her head swimming in a nauseating manner as she struggled to find her footing while Draco continued to shake her violently, his snarling lips barely inches from her own as he said with astounding vehemence,
"Are you paying attention to me you little cunt?" His fingers digging painfully into her bare shoulders, her skin already growing a deep red where his nails began to cut into her tender flesh, his iron grip so strong that she was sure he would crush her collar bone any moment. "How dare you ignore me!" he continued in the same vicious whisper that was more akin to the growl of an animal than human speech. "I will teach you your place" he hissed as he violently clutched her wrist and began dragging her towards the grand staircase, ignoring the few horrified and speculative whispers that floated around them.
In a desperate and somewhat frantic effort Hermione clutched the intricately carved banister, digging her heels into the plush and opulent carpet that covered the steps, her own teeth bared in a ferocious snarl that twisted her normally smooth and welcoming features into a mask of blinding hatred. In a rage Draco whirled around to face her, the sudden movement jarring Hermione's shoulder painfully, though at the moment, the pain only added fuel to the raging fire of her anger, her chest heaving, straining the fabric of her robes as she seethed before him.
"Fuck you Malfoy!" she exclaimed in a violent exhalation between her teeth as she glared up into his contorted face, his usually perfect hair falling wildly into his face, making him appear to be the raving lunatic that she perceived him to truly be.
"That was precisely my plan" he replied smugly as he leant down towards her, his ragged breaths raking across her face, surrounding her with the sickly sweet smell of alcohol, his blonde tresses sliding over her cheeks. Before she could fully comprehend what she was doing and begin to process the consequences of her actions Hermione found herself spitting directly into Draco's face from little more than several inches away. In the brief moment that he floundered in shock, she swiftly pulled her now aching wrist free of his grasp and turned to make a speedy retreat. However, years of playing Seeker for the Slytherin Quidditch team had only helped to hone and improve Draco's already snake-like reflexes. Faster than a rattlesnake striking his hand shot out and caught a great handful of Hermione's wild mane, pulling her to a painfully sudden halt, her strangled cry of pain ringing out in the large room, drawing several gasps from the small crowd that had begun to gather, though as was expected from a gathering of Death Eaters and Voldemorte supports not even one of them made a move to stop the obviously unfair fight, rather each and every one of them continued to look on with baited breath, eager for the sight of blood.
As Draco's free hand rose to lay a vicious strike to Hermione's face a thundering shout rang out in the silence, seeming to cause the walls to tremble beneath the wrath contained in one single word,
"Draconis!" Slowly prying open her eyes Hermione watched in surprise as Draco's hand that had been quickly descending upon her suddenly dropped to his side, the other just as swiftly disentangling itself from her hair, of course not without giving it an entirely unnecessary tug first, several strands of her hair still curled around the fingers that now hung harmlessly at his side. Following his terrified gaze, her eyes settled upon the sight of a veritably seething Lucius Malfoy standing at the foot of the grand staircase, his usually pale and flawless face now as red as the hair of any Weasley, while his hands curled into dangerous fists at his sides. Beside him stood an equally furious and glowering Severus, his coal black eyes glittering with a hint of madness as he pinned a now thoroughly petrified Draco to the spot. Taking his moment of distraction as some kind of mysterious blessing, Hermione began to slowly inch away from Draco, her steps growing swifter as she drew ever closer to the foot of the stairs. Quickly skirting around Lucius who upon closer inspection was actually trembling with his barely controlled rage she immediately flung herself into Severus' waiting arms, her face buried in the crook of his shoulder, his subtle spicy scent working quickly to soothe her frantically beating heart.
"Take me home Severus, please take me away from here" she breathed against his chest as his arms wound defensively around her, one hand curled in the soft mass of her hair while the other tenderly trailed up and down her spine. With a quickly uttered command the house-elf that had taken their cloaks earlier reappeared with a softly resounding pop. After draping Hermione's cloak about her shaking shoulders he donned his own with great speed and was already halfway towards the great oak doors when Lucius accosted them.
"Severus…" he began in a furtive whisper, his own immaculate hair falling into his wild looking eyes while his cheeks still bore the heated flush of fury. Rounding on Lucius with blinding speed and ferociousness Severus hissed in reply,
"You can be sure Lucius that news of this will not end here, I will personally make sure that our Lord hears of this little slip up. I doubt that he will react kindly to such news." Instantly Lucius' face blanched, turning whiter than even Severus' own sallow flesh, his lips moving wordlessly as he fought to muster some kind of response. Before he could find the ability to think, Severus quickly whisked Hermione out of the doors and into the cool night air beyond, leaving Lucius staring and terrified behind him unable to do little more that watch their retreating backs. Drawing Hermione almost painfully tight to his chest he rested his chin upon the nest of her hair, his voice low and tender as he whispered,
"Hush now my love. You are safe, I am here." And with an echoing pop they disappeared from sight.