Of Serpent Tongues and Lion Hearts

Chapter 5: "...comfortably... in my bed."

Breakfast was basically the same as other mornings. Draco ate with the Slytherins and tried to read the Daily Prophet. He really did. Crabbe and Goyle were trying to impress their ex-boss by holding spoons with their noses. Needless to say, it didn't work. Emily Wood once again was slobbering all over Draco trying to tell him how their future together could be...and how blue wasn't really her color. And Nemov was in between tasks. He couldn't decide if he wanted to terrorize the Ravenclaws or to imitate Draco, his ultimate personal role model.

It was early Sunday morning and Draco was getting ready to run away from his table without causing a scene. He did quite well until he reached the hallway outside the Great Hall.

"Malfoy!"

He slowly and cautiously turned around; he knew that voice.

"What do you want, Weasley?" Draco answered.

"Oh not much really," Ron said, pretending to be bored, "except for one thing." Now Ron was agitated. "We don't know where Hermione is."

Draco stood lazily and in silence, watching their moves. After all they were four, Ron, Harry, Mandy and Ginny, and no matter how good he was at dueling, he would be outnumbered.

"Sorry, Weasel, but apparently I missed the part where this is my problem."

"Malfoy, don't be a prat! Do you or don't you know where Hermione is?"

Malfoy narrowed his eyes and then gave them an uninterested look.

"Well, last time I saw her she was sleeping comfortably... in my bed," he added with his trademark smirk.

Both boys turned an unflattering shade of red and were about to jump Malfoy if it hadn't been for their girlfriends who hold them back before catastrophe struck.

"I swear on Merlin's wand, Malfoy, if you have done anything to her..." Harry's play-it-calm attitude had drastically changed.

Draco rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you are going to kill me, blah, blah, blah. Really, save it, Potter, I've heard better. And it is quite predictable coming from you. Honestly, the pair of you are so gullible, it's not even funny anymore. She's probably sleeping, wasn't feeling well last night. Coming down with the flu or something. Who knows."

Before any of them could say anything he spun around and headed to the library. After all, there was a bunch of work to do.

********************************

It was past lunch time when he decided to go back to his dorm, but not before stopping in the kitchen to grab some grub for him and the lady in his bed.

He entered his room, and there, still peacefully sleeping, was Hermione Granger. He was hoping with all his might that she would wake up before tomorrow, otherwise he didn't know what he would be using for an excuse. He also noticed how beautiful she looked. It was as if she had charmed him to believe that each day she could only get more beautiful and appealing, especially since she was wrapped in Slytherin colors.

He flopped in the armchair that was beside his bed and next to Hermione. He lifted his feet to rest them in his bed and propped a book open. Not much time had elapsed when she finally woke up. He was too immersed in his book because he didn't notice when she tried to sit down in a very quick move. This proved to be a big mistake since it accompanied her with a tremendous headache and a spinning room.

"Ahh," she whimpered.

He rose up to sit down next to her.

"No, no, no, you need to take it easy. Your body is still trying to make up for all the energy you used on me."

She groaned again as the room slowly came to a halt.

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes, I'm starving." Her eyes were wide as saucers as she asked, "What time is it?"

"Two o' clock."

"What?" she almost yelled, her eyes opening even wider.

"Yes, two p.m., but you haven't slept much though. I reckon you need more rest, but first eat and then you can go back to sleep."

"I'll eat, but I can't go back to sleep. I've lost most of the day. I have loads of work to do," she said restlessly.

"What homework? Didn't you say the other day that you had just finished the homework for the next two weeks?" he asked, confused.

"Well... yeah... but there are still essays to write," Hermione told him seriously. "I wouldn't worry about them. They are not due in a month. I doubt that procrastinating for one day will hurt you."

"But I really..." she quickly protested.

"No. I don't want to hear about it. You are eating and resting for the reminder of the day."

"But..." Hermione tried to protest again.

"No... and that is final!" And it was.

"Okay, okay." She raised her hands in defeat.

"Good. I'll be right back with your food."

Moments later he entered the room with a tray full of so much food it could have easily fed a small battalion. However, that didn't stop her from eating it all; after all, she had not eaten anything since lunch yesterday.

"What are you reading?" she asked in between murdering her steak and gulping her pumpkin juice.

"Potions and Passions, for our potions essay."

"Finding anything helpful?"

"Surprisingly, quite a lot."

"Great! Can I have a look at it," she said exitedly.

"Nope, no homework or reading material for you,Miss. Granger."

"Fine, Professor Malfoy," she said annoyed at the fact she was not able to read.

"That's better... and it's Draco for you."

She chuckled. He smiled.

And according to her, he had the most beautiful smile in the entire universe.

*****************************

One and something month later....

"Very well done job, my child. I knew I could count on you," said a hissy voice accompanied by very irregular snake like red eyes.

"Thank you, Master, I will always be at your service," said the other voice.

Voldemort chuckled slightly.

"Yes, yes, though I wish all of my followers were as loyal and responsible as you are. But if they aren't, well, there's always the Imperio and if that doesn't work Avada will take care of the rest," he added looking around the circle as all of his Death Eaters were forming.

All the Death Eaters lowered their heads, not for shame, but for fear to their Lord.

Voldemort fixed his eyes on a particular Death Eater. Gracefully slithering, he approached a hooded figure.

"Miss Zabini. What have you found out?"

"Master, I've watched him closely as you've ordered me to," said Blaise, raising her head but not quite meeting his stare, while her Death Eater hood slid off her head to reveal her long, straight, dark brown hair with strategically placed blonde chunks. "I am sure that despite his change of attitude and strange behavior, he will be joining us after we finish Hogwarts, Master."

He narrowed his eyes showing doubts about her words.

"You are sure about this?"

"Yes, Master. As sure as you are my one and only Lord, my Master," she stated with such security, such poise, that no one had a doubt she was speaking the truth.

"Very well, Blaise, you've done well. But do not leave anything to chance, do not lose track of him. I want him with us. He's very valuable for the dark side...as well as the light." He added in a whisper, "But he belongs to me!"

"Master, you have nothing to worry about. You have my word that I will not lose track of him. I'll keep a very close watch on his moves and I will keep you informed."

He slightly nodded and gave her a small, sickening smile. A smile that she was used to by now.

She knew his moves very well. She knew him. She wasn't a Zabini for nothing. She was beautiful, elegant, mean, breathtaking, cruel and very, very well feared in the Death Eater community. She was only seventeen, but the girl was a woman by all means. Voldemort was very proud of her, and even though he would not admit it, if someone was to replace him by a coup, it would be her. She was his creation, even though she came voluntarily up to him to join his ranks.

She was ruthless and she did not have a conscience, which made her fearless to many people including her classmates and Death Eaters.

She knew all these. She knew what everyone thought and it only gave her more power, she could always be three steps ahead of everyone else and she loved it. It was a game. And she was always winning.

"We've discussed everything I wanted and I gave out specific instructions of our next move. Everyone better follow my orders. Watch your steps and leave now, do not contact me unless I instruct any of you to do so." And with that threat he left with a swish of his wand.

All the Death Eaters quickly disintegrated the circle and they all left. All except two figures.

"You've done well, Zabini."

Blaise turned around. Her eyes dangerously flashing towards the other hooded figure and slowly she let her dangerous smirk come out and threat without saying a word.

"Well, well if it isn't other than the perfect child."

The other figure only chuckled.

"What's the matter, Zabini? Jealous?"

"HA, you wish!" she said sarcastically yet seriously. "You know no matter what you do, no matter if you lead Voldemort straight into them, ... into him, you'll never be me. You'll never accomplish what I have, and that is eating you alive, isn't it?"

"Don't put yourself in such high standards, Blaise. You are not as good as everyone, including yourself, think you are. You will not be his pet forever," the Death Eater said with much disdain.

"You know what," said Blaise, getting dangerously close, so much that the other Death Eater backed a little and gulped heavily. "You are very right. I won't be forever his pet... but you will never be anything. And there is a big chance that I'll die when this hell breaks loose, but I know that you don't. You think you'll be fine as long as you kiss his arse. Well, a little secret 'sweetie', that, won't stop him from killing you when you finish your mission."

After giving the other Death Eater, and apparently rival, a piece of her mind, she turned around and gracefully left by Apparating, leaving the other Death Eater in pure ire.

**********************************

A beautiful snowy owl flew into the window of his office with an enormous grace. Dumbledore looked up and smiled. He did recognize the owl... but he wondered.

"Ah, Jordan. I thought by now you would have flown to the tropics for some retirement time."

The owl "oohed," shaking his head from side to side implying he hadn't.

"What is this?" asked Dumbledore noticing for the first time the box Jordan was carrying.

Dumbledore opened the box and Jordan "oohed" again. Dumbledore gave him a treat and Jordan patted his hand gently with his beak as a sign of affection and flew away leaving Dumbledore with his thoughts and his box.

Inside the box he found a parchment.

My dear friend Albus:

If you are receiving this letter it means that I'm mediwizardly dead. I instructed Jordan to give you this after my death. I figure now it's a good time to tell you everything. I know I told you part of the story a long time ago, but that was all I told you, part of it. Together with this letter I'm sending you my Pandora. I think it will explain everything that (I know) you've suspected already.

Please be careful, the information that I'm about to disclose to you is very important and delicate as well as dangerous in the wrong hands. Please, also take care of my grandson, he's really a magnificent young man, if his father didn't try to break his spirit every day. Tell Draco that I love him and to be strong... Albus, he'll really need to be strong. Soon.

Yours truly,

William Draco Gabriel Malfoy.

Dumbledore rolled the parchment and wiped a tear that was making its way down his cheek.

He took the small box that was inside the package sitting in his desk. It was (seemingly) clear and as he touched it, the box activated. The box turned a shade of royal blue that seemed to be swirling and orbiting around the box with little stars and moons shining and twinkling. The edges of the box became a brilliant shade of gold and the top of the box showed an inscription.

My name is Pandora. Strange you are to my persona. Not my master you are, nor my enemy, show yourself to me and I shall show you the secret that lies within me.

Dumbledore took out his wand and muttered something under his breath, then gently tapped the box three times.

The box levitated itself in mid air and began revolving and changing to different colors rapidly. The box suddenly came to a stop and opened. A brilliant burst of white light came from the opened Pandora box as a figure grew from it. Only very advanced in dark arts and powerful Wizards were able to do this, for the Pandora (as history has proved) could not only deliver good things, but could unleash terrible things as well. And even those who were advanced in dark arts were not always able to achieve this. Only those who were extremely powerful could. Of course Albus Dumbledore could perform a Pandora.

"Albus, nice to see you again mate!"

"William, William, William," chuckled Dumbledore, "you don't cease to amaze me, even after death."

"Pfff, Albus! Death, such a trite name for something so simple," Willian said, laughing.

"Alas, William."

"Albus, I'm going straight to the point, no use beating around the bush really, not since time is very important matter in our business.

"When I was a boy my father took me to a very secluded place in Sligo, Ireland that only important wizards could see and enter. My father told me that in that little town is Sligo, that seemed to be forgotten to regular wizards and muggles, was a temple that gave the impression to be in ruins, but there were only spells. In this temple laid a prophecy of millenniums. A prophecy so important that could change our lives forever. It could change the future of muggle and wizard world alike. The prophecy was carved and hidden in one of the pillars of that temple and only Malfoy's with the right spell and the chosen one can see it. The chosen one does not need the spell, he can see it without any help, for him the carving in the pillar would appear like if it was never hidden.

"Why the Malfoys, William?" interrupted Albus.

"Because, my dear friend, the chosen one belongs to our family. A Malfoy is part of the prophecy. Now, Albus, listen carefully, because this is the prophecy:

'In the heart of the universe only one truth lies, and that shall be what they make it like. For nor the dragon nor the lioness have the power on themselves, but if one they become forever they will prevail. However the pairing is unlikely for everything is against them and only once shall they be born to save the universe. If one they do not become, the dragon will forever be lost and the serpent and the lion one will never form.'"

"Albus, all my ancestors have traveled to that temple in Ireland to see the wall for themselves, to see if they were the dragon. All Malfoy men have.... all but one."

"Draco," whispered Dumbledore, "but why?"

William smiled.

"Because, my dear friend, he is the one."

"How do you know if he has ever been in the temple?"

"I just know Albus, just like you know everything that occurs here at Hogwarts."

"I see. William, I'm afraid I don't quite understand why Lucius has not taken Draco to the temple if he is the one?"

"Because if Draco is only who Lucius suspects him to be, Draco will be more powerful than any other wizard. If Draco finds the lioness, the dark side will lose him forever, for the lioness is the key to this whole situation, the key to the prophecy. If she doesn't get to him on time.... Albus, I'm afraid that the world as we know it will cease to exist," finished William worried.

Dumbledore had a pensive look on his face.

"This is more grave than I expected it to be. But Draco is not who will defeat the Dark Lord and the Dark world, we already studied the lightning prophecy."

"Indeed, Draco will not defeat the Dark Lord himself. Harry Potter has that task on his shoulders, as the lightning prophecy clearly states, but Draco will play an amazingly important role. Without him, Harry Potter will not succeed. Albus, if the lioness doesn't get to Draco in time the serpent and the lion that the lightning prophecy speaks of will never become one! Draco will join the Dark army because his father has done the impossible to make that so, including killing me. I know Draco feels defeated now, and he will join Voldemort ranks a day after he leaves Hogwarts, but that will only happen if the lioness from the prophecy doesn't get to him. If she doesn't, Draco will become the next Dark Lord. He will be too powerful, he will be consumed into that world because he has nothing else and he will become indestructible, Albus," said William with intense urgency in his voice. "If she doesn't get to him...."

"Don't you worry, silly old man, I have a good hunch that she will," said Dumbledore with his trademark twinkle in his eyes and a wise smile.

"Really? Do you know who she is? Where she is?" asked William hopefully.

Albus Dumbledore smiled at his friend.

"I have a pretty good idea," he said quietly

*************************************

"Hermione," said Harry out of breath flying with his broomstick in front of the bleachers where Hermione sat reading a book. "I had no idea you still had time to come and watch us practice..." Then he looked at the book on her lap. "... or at least pretend to," he said, smiling at her.

Hermione chuckled and turned a little bit red.

"Oh you know me, Harry. And for you and Ron I will make time," said Hermione teasingly.

He smiled and then sat down next to her as the Slytherin Quidditch team entered the Quidditch pitch flying gracefully over the stadium.

Harry stared at them in disbelief.

"Bloody hell," he whispered.

"What's wrong?" asked a concerned Hermione.

"Those Slytherins! They have only gotten better since Draco became captain. I hate to admit it, but ferret boy has gotten more than good at this. He nearly caught the Snitch last year at out last game, remember?"

"Yeah I remember," said Hermione also watching the Slytherins in amazement. They really were good.

They had proved it last year, when in the final game of the season for the House Cup, Malfoy had almost caught the Snitch before Harry, but backed out at the last moment for fear that the dive they both made could kill him. That was the only reason Harry got it--he didn't back out. But of course Malfoy got out of it intact while Harry got out of it with a Snitch in his right hand and a nasty cut in his head.

Hermione knew her share of Quidditch. She didn't hang out with basically the entire Gryffindor Quidditch team for nothing without learning a thing here or there about the brutal but extremely fun game. That's how she knew the Slytherins were not only good, but they would truly give Harry a headache this year.

They both finally woke up from their Slytherin Quidditch team daze and looked at each other. Harry smiled at her and with an older brother tone he asked: "So, how are you?"

"All right, I guess," answered Hermione

"You guess? Shouldn't you know, Miss I-know-everything?"

She chuckled and flushed.

"Well, I am a tad tired. The Head Girl duties are quite time consuming, plus all the classes have suddenly become more demanding now that we are in seventh year. It's like if all of our professors are trying to make us learn what we haven't in six previous years."

Harry laughed warmly. That same laugh that always made her feel safe and loved, the same one that she missed dearly because they were always too busy to actually sit down and have some quality time with her best friend.

Harry chuckled.

"Tell me about it!" he said rhetorically. "Anyways, how's life with Malfoy?"

"Ehhhgh, it's not bad. He's quite nice... deep down, really, really, really DEEP down."

They both laughed, making it echo in the Quidditch pitch from where Draco glanced at them every once in a while.

Jerome Verona, a sixth year Slytherin and one of the beaters of the Quidditch team who hated Potter more than anything, saw them laughing. Paranoically, he thought they were laughing at the Slytherins. He proceeded to beat one of the Bludgers towards their direction... towards her direction. That'll teach Potter not to mess with the Slytherins.

***********************

"...no, just joking, but really, he has been really nice, you know? But don't tell anyone. I'm sure he doesn't want his reputation ruined."

Harry smiled and was about to comment when he hear an all too familiar sound. He turned his head to see what it was, and there he saw the Bludger coming at full speed and force, but the Bludger was not aimed at him, it was aimed at... her. He was about to push her down when...

************************

Draco saw Verona and quickly grabbed the bat from Pucey, the other beater. He speed his broom to the limit (Thank Merlin for Firebolts Xtreme) and halted right in front of Harry and Hermione beating the bludger away from her. Weirdly enough the Bludger was going towards Verona, but unfortunately the kid ducked on time.

Draco's face was pale at first, but once he saw the Bludger did not hit her, his face turned slightly pink/reddish, a very favorable look on him, if you asked Hermione. What?! I didn't think that, I didn't think that! He turned to Verona with anger dressing his face.

"If you ever do that again, Verona, I swear that I will aim the Bludger straight at your forehead... and I won't miss, I promise you!" he yelled at the strawberry blond who seemed to be extremely ashamed, but was rather scared of Draco.

Draco turned around to face Harry and Hermione.

"Hermione," he said warmly, but without changing his blank features. "Potter," he added dryly.

"Sorry about that," he said to her and then quickly fled towards his team.

Hermione smiled shyly and flushed slightly. Her eyes however were dancing and she seemed to be in sort of a daze. Harry was simply speechless and both his eyes seemed to be ready to leave it's sockets.

"That was... well... *ahem*...unexpected. I guess not as deeply down, huh Hermione?" Harry said suspiciously.

"No, I guess not," she responded quietly and turned deeper shade of red.

Harry stared at her with narrowed eyes, as if suspecting something, but he decided to leave it at that. Something in this universe of ours is absolutely, ridiculously, upside down today.

*****************************

"Darling, I will need another dress for the ball."

"Another? Didn't you just spend two months shopping in London, Paris and Milan?" asked a surprised Lucius.

"Well yes, dear, but those clothes are not in season right now, at least not for an event of such importance as this ball is to you," she said, pouting her perfectly shaped red mouth while approaching her husband seductively. "Besides, you do want your wife to look perfect for the occasion, don't you? Remember that the impressions that I've made in past balls have been extremely helpful with your plans. I do not expect this ball to be any different," said the always gracious Narcissa Malfoy to her husband.

Lucius smiled evilly. He was proud of his wife. She wasn't only beautiful, but very cold and gutless. Now if only his son could be like them both. Blasted old fool! He thought of his father. William Malfoy had changed Draco for the worse. He gave the wanker a conscience and a bloody thumping good one at that! But he knew the main danger had passed... after all he had killed his father personally. And now Draco would join them, he knew his heart wasn't with the Dark Lord, but Lucius thought that in time Draco would learn to be loyal to his future and soon to be present and eventually his position as the right hand of the Dark Lord and one day his successor, will grow on him.

"Fine, dear, buy whatever you want. And while you are at it, could you buy Draco those formal black robes you told me you saw in London, and send them to be engraved with the family crest. Oh and could you write him a letter, to see how he's doing?"

Narcissa's face went from pure bliss, to simple disgust.

"What? Why? Why should I be the one writing to him to see how is he doing? That blasted boy gets on my nerves with his irreverence and lack of respect for me!" Narcissa's ears were turning red.

"He's our son, Narcissa. Hearing from you every once in a while will remind him that he IS still a Malfoy. Besides, his irreverence is just a phase. You'll see how that phase passes once he joins us," added Lucius dismisively.

"Your son darling, your son! Remember? I didn't want him in the first place. If it wasn't for you and your stupid prophecy I would have never had that bloody idiot. He almost ruined my figure," she said angrily.

Lucius eyes filled with anger.

"Our son! And it is a very important prophecy. You are a Malfoy too, therefore you should care. That bloody idiot will replace the Dark Lord soon, and after that only Malfoys will rule the world!" Lucius bit off.

Narcissa wrapped her arms around her husband's neck and rubbed herself seductively against his body.

"I'm sorry, dear, I know I'm a Malfoy and I'm proud of it. I just don't like Draco," she whined now. "After all, he hasn't made anything to make us proud of him." Lucius caressed his wife's fair face.

"I know, darling. He is not what I had planned for our son to be and he is a bloody moron, but it is written in the prophecy who he will become. We both know he is the Malfoy the prophecy refers to. Don't worry darling, he will make us proud... we just have to wait a tad longer."

She whined again.

"Patience, my dear, patience."