Return to Eden

Return to Eden

Chapter 14: Oh, What A Tangled Web

*The time is nearly here,* he thought as he swept up the staircase in the manor where his stronghold lie. A dark, damp, ghastly place that looked like it had been abandoned for decades. Cobwebs stretched across the walls between the dusty portraits and the steps creaked eerily under his weight.

It was still infinitely better than staying in the woods living off bugs and vermin. His pureblood followers had gotten too comfortable and spoiled in his time away. War wasn't about comfort, it was about death and change.

But, that would all come later.

Now, it was time to gather and see who would serve him the best, who would be willing to lay down their life to support his cause. The last war had taken away many of his most loyal Death Eaters and it would soon be time to see who would be filling their spots in his circle.

Lucius' boy seemed a prime candidate, and he was certain the teenager would do just about anything to win the approval of his notoriously stern father. He had no doubt the boy would be loyal to his crusade. And there was no questioning his importantance. He knew of the old legend.

Then, there was the girl.

Who would have thought that Harry Potter's Mudblood would turn out to be a pureblood and the daughter of one of his late followers? He didn't believe in poetic justice until Lucius told him the news. It was just the thing he'd been looking for to turn the tide his way.

He wanted to meet her as soon as possible, but it wouldn't do to approach her too early. Not if he knew old Dumbledore and his interfering. She would probably be protected by all sorts of enchantments and charms in that infernal school. He would have to wait until she came to him, which Lucius was almost sure that she would.

She seemed to be forming some sort of relationship with the Malfoy boy, and that made him delighted indeed. It would further his plans far more than he could himself. And soon, the two of them both would be coming to meet him. He would show her the kind of life she deserved to have.

He could kill two birds with one stone in convincing her. Not only would he have a loyal follower, but a way to worm into the Potter boy. There was no doubt in his mind that he would try to come after her to save her from herself, and he would be there waiting to see the boy fail.

Yes, Halloween couldn't come soon enough. The boy will take the mark and the girl will be standing beside him, cheering him on. It looked to be a bright future indeed.

*~*~*

It was extremely early in the morning when the Head Boy and Girl boarded the train to go back to Kings Cross. The sun had yet to rise in the sky and the lifting night cast receding shadows through the windows. The air was still quite balmy, but a crisp breeze floated along promising cold days to come.

Hermione sat alone in the compartment across from the one the Heads used. She and Draco were by themselves on the train with the exception of whoever it was that drove and the trolley witch who wouldn't appear until after lunchtime.

For the fifth time, she glanced through her open door and across the walkway to the closed sliding door on the opposite side as if trying to see through it and therefore discern the mood her counterpart was in. It was a hopeless effort since she didn't have x-ray vision anymore than she possessed the ability to fly without a broomstick.

She groaned with feeling and leaped to her feet to close the door and remove the temptation. After pacing the small space for a few moments, she took out the Potions text she had brought with her and settled in for a few hours of reading.

The next time she looked at the window she realized how close they must be getting to Platform 9 3/4. She put her book away and stood facing the door. Smoothing her skirt as she made her way across the hall, Hermione gathered her reserves of courage and went tramping into the Heads compartment. She slammed the door behind her and quickly cast a locking charm.

Draco, who had been fast asleep, sat up startled and took notice of what had made the loud noise. He found himself on the wrong end of the Head Girl's wand and lifted a pale eyebrow in appraisal at her agitated expression.

"We're going to have this out, and now. Before the others board."

He felt the tip of her wand dig into the underside of his chin as his eyebrow lifted to join the other one. Draco studied her face for a brief moment noticing the grimness tinged around the edges with her mouth pulled taut in a way McGonagall would approve of.

"You need to get over yourself, and let it go. I'm not going to do anything, with you or otherwise, until I figure out my life first. If you hadn't noticed, everything for me has changed in a matter of weeks. If I decide anything, I will come to you. Is that clear?"

He nodded slowly keeping his eyes on hers.

"Good. Now, you *will* talk to me, and we *will* get along. I don't want the younger students to think we hate each other, we're supposed to be setting an example for them."

He nodded again. She watched him carefully before retracting her wand and taking the seat across from him.

"Well, that's settled."

Draco rubbed his throat where she had pointed her wand. A small, red spot started to appear on his fair skin.

"You've got some nerve."

She scoffed at him. "I'll take that as a compliment coming from you."

"As you should." He leaned back in his seat and watched the countryside pass by in a blur of blues and greens. "So, what do you think they'll say?"

"Who?"

He snapped his attention back to her and glared fiercely. "You *know* who."

She sighed. "They're going to be upset. I honestly don't know which one will take it worse."

His face melted into incredulity. "What do you mean? They should be *happy* that you're a pureblood now."

She eyed him anxiously. "You just don't understand."

His eyes searched hers for a clue to what she was talking about until realization dawned on him. "Oh." He turned back towards the window. "It's because your father was a Slytherin; because they were friends with *my* parents." He gazed back towards her.

She ducked her head in shame not wanting to meet his eyes. "Do you *know* how much Harry hates your father?"

"Yes. Of course I do. It comes up just about everytime we have a go at each other, but that's between me and Potter. It has nothing to do with you."

Hermione tilted her head back up and locked with his stormy eyes. "Believe it or not, I really like both your mother and your father. They're now my legal guardians, and that's not going to be well-received news by my friends."

He gave a nearly indiscernible nod as his gaze directed back out the window. The rest of the trip passed in comfortable silence between the two until they were stationed at the platform. Hermione quickly put her things away in the Heads compartment before following Draco off the train.

They separated and started gathering students waiting to get on. Trunks, owls, and cats, among other animals, were loaded into the baggage hutch and each student hopped aboard the red steam engine.

Hermione was so engaged in her duty that she didn't notice the older years giving her strange looks when she passed by them. She didn't see Harry, Ron, or Ginny while she helped the younger students and figured they were already in their compartment.

Soon, she was sitting beside Draco in their compartment discussing the large amount of first years there seemed to be this year. They were interrupted by a loud shout, a deafening bang, and an ear-splitting shriek as the compartment door crashed open.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny stood grouped together in the opening with different levels of shock decorating their faces. Neville stood behind them watching with caution, and Luna continued to look far away as if seeing Hermione chatting amicably with her former rival was no more interesting than observing a cloud float by.

"You."

Harry moved towards Hermione with fire in his emerald eyes and his finger pointed. His other hand was clutching The Daily Prophet. Ron was right behind him, his ears quickly turning pink. The other three also moved into the compartment.

"How dare you!" Harry's rage was apparent as he shook the paper in Hermione's face. "You couldn't even tell us?! We had to find out from that damn busybody reporter!"

Hermione bounced to her feet followed shortly by Draco. "What are you talking about, Harry?"

"This!" He threw the paper at her and she deftly caught it. There on the front cover was a picture taken of her sometime at Hogwarts last year paired with Rita Skeeter's article. Her hands began to shake as she skimmed the lines.

She looked up at Draco who shrugged his shoulders. Ron saw this and began to clench his hands into fists. Hermione turned back to her raven-haired friend.

"Harry, I can explain."

"You can explain?!" Harry was having a hard time keeping control of his temper. "Explain that you were staying at the Malfoys?! That Lucius Malfoy, the same person who nearly got Ginny killed and tried to kill of us, is now your legal guardian?! THAT YOUR REAL FATHER WAS A DEATH EATER?!?!"

"It's not like that." Hermione felt her eyes begin to fill with tears. She knew they wouldn't understand. She didn't even understand it herself.

"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT?!" Harry shook off Ron and Ginny's hands as he continued to shout. "MY PARENTS ARE DEAD BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE YOUR FATHER AND MALFOY'S FATHER. HOW DARE YOU STAND THERE AND TRY TO *EXPLAIN* IT!!"

"Harry don't!"

No sooner had the words left Ginny's mouth than Harry had drew back his hand and let it fly full force across Hermione's face.

Complete silence fell upon the compartment's occupants and even Harry himself looked astonished by his action. A grave expression flashed upon his face before he pushed Neville and Luna out of his way and exited the compartment.

Hermione's cheek started to throb and was beginning to turn a violent shade of mauve. Tears were flowing down her face unrelentingly as she collapsed against the cushioned seat.

Ron's anger hadn't abated even after Harry's display.

"So, you're with the ferret now? Are you *fucking* him? He's just using you, you know."

"Ron!" Ginny was appalled with her brother's and Harry's behavior.

"That's enough, Weasel! If you have anything else to say to her, I suggest you wait until we get to Hogwarts." Draco decided to step in and try to sidestep an even bigger catastrophe.

Neville watched the exchange with fearful eyes as Luna began to hum "Weasley Is Our King" under her breath.

"Hermione? Draco?" Blaise entered the compartment and was immediately overcome by the number of people in the small space. "What's going on here?"

"Weasel was just leaving, weren't you?"

"I don't have to go anywhere. You don't own *everything.* I'll stay for as long as I like."

Ginny tried her hand at defusing the situation. "Ron, why don't we just go find Harry?"

Ron didn't even hear her. Neville decided this would be a good time to leave, he had no intention of getting any kind of hex marks. Luna glided over to where Ginny stood and leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"I should have told you about Ronald. After this, much will be changed."

Draco stood fully in front of Hermione as she continued to stare disbelievingly out the window.

"I think you've overstayed your welcome, shlockly prick. Don't let the door hit you on the ass."

Ron gritted his teeth before pulling his wand and pointing it straight at the blonde boy.

"No!" Blaise and Hermione both rushed to stand in front of Draco.

Horrified, Ron took a step back. "So, that's how it is."

Before they could blink, he was out of the compartment and down the hall in the same direction as his best friend.

Ginny watched her brother go with knowing eyes. She turned back to face the first female friend she knew in a horde of brothers. "Hermione, I'm sorry. I - I should go. I'll, uh, talk to you later." With one last glance, she retreated.

Luna let out a dreamy sigh before following after her.

Hermione, Draco and Blaise were the only ones now left in the compartment.

Blaise released the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding and turned to face the Head Boy and Girl. "What happened just now? And what's wrong with your face?"

Hermione winced as her fingers pressed against the fast-forming bruise that stretched from the top of her jaw to the bottom of her cheekbone.

"Potter hit her, and if I see him, I'm going to kill him for it."

"No, Draco. I don't want you to go picking a fight with Harry or Ron. They're going to be looking for it, and it'll get you in trouble."

Draco grudgingly nodded before conjuring up an icepack to place against her face. "What are you doing here anyway Blaise?"

"I came to see you and Hermione, but I think you've had enough visitors for one day. I'll see you both at the feast."

She smiled at them and exited closing the door behind her.

"Well, that was explosive." Draco shifted her where she could lean against him.

"I'll say."

They sat there in silence with her leaning against him, the icepack pressed to her cheek, and he stroked her hair in thought.

The train finally came to a stop in Hogsmeade station and they had, thankfully, received no more visitors. Draco helped Hermione off the train and were met directly by Professor McGonagall.

"Ah, Hermione. Professor Dumbledore wants to see you now. Mr. Malfoy, you can help me get the luggage sorted out."

Hermione gazed at him for a brief moment before she hopped into the waiting carriage and it took her up to the castle. She passed through the Entrance Hall and made her way to Dumbledore's office while contemplating why he wanted to see her. She finally arrived in front of the headmaster's door. She softly rapped on the wooden frame.

"Miss Granger, if that's you, do come in."

"You wanted to see me, Professor?"

"Ah, yes. Won't you have a seat? That's a nasty bruise you have there."

"Yes, I knocked it against my trunk."

Hermione settled into one of the cushioned armchairs in front of the large desk.

"Would you care for a Lifesaver?"

"No, Professor. I'm fine."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and surveyed her over his half-moon spectacles. The twinkle in his eyes had all but faded as he noticed her nervous expression.

"I suppose you are wondering why I wanted to see you." An assenting nod was his answer. "You see, Lucius wants to have you resorted." Her eyes widened to almost comical proportions. "And I think it might be a good idea as well. However, I will leave it up to you to made the decision. Do you want to be resorted?"

"I didn't even know you *could* be resorted. Why would I want to be?"

"Yes, a student, usually in extreme cases such as this, can be resorted. Lucius and myself think it would be wise considering many 'opposing' views in your current house to your newfound status."

Hermione glanced at the floor and considered what the Headmaster was offering before raising her eyes back to his face.

"No, I don't want to be resorted. It would look as if I was running away from everyone else's opinion of me."

"Alright, Miss Granger. That is all. Go enjoy the feast."

She stood and moved towards the door before turning back around. "Professor, do you mind if I just go back to my room?"

"And miss the welcoming feast?"

A crease appeared on Hermione's brow. "It's been a really long day."

"As you wish, but remember your duties in the morning."

"Of course, Professor."

She exited the headmaster's office traveling back down the spiral staircase and out past the gargoyle. Her feet carried her through the deserted corridors and back to the Head Girl dorm. The noise from the Great Hall could be heard echoing against the stones as she escaped into her sanctuary.

She bypassed the common room and went straight to the bedroom. Practically ripping her robes off, she undressed and made ready for bed. After collapsing on the crimson bedsheets, wracking sobs broke through her resolve to not cry again. The dripping wetness began to soak her pillow as she wept and screamed.

She knew she'd been living in denial to think that her friends would accept her after learning about her birth parents, but it didn't make it hurt less. No, the pain still burned her both in her heart and on her cheek, the physical reminder of what Harry thought of her.

While Hermione visited the Headmaster, Draco helped Hagrid round up the first years before grabbing a carriage for himself. The ride to the castle was a lonely one since the Head Girl was no longer with him.

He entered the Great Hall, and, with barely contained boredom, he listened to Dumbledore's beginning of the year speech and watched all the ickle first years get sorted.

After eating an adequate amount of food, he approached Blaise and told her to pass news of the prefect meeting tomorrow around for he was going to bed.

The trek to his dormitory was made in pondering thought over the day's events and tomorrow's classes. As soon as he turned the corner onto the hall that housed his and Hermione's rooms, he was bombarded by the sound of sobbing.

Knowing that she needed time to herself, he tried to ignore it as he settled in for bed. There was nothing he could do about it anyway. *She said she'd come to me, but she's not ready yet.*

After crying herself to sleep, Hermione spent a few hours tossing and turning in restless slumber. A shadowed face passed across her mind before she shot up in bed. Her breathing was heavy and deep and sweat was pooling off her forehead in torrents.

She untangled herself from the covers and rose from the bed. Grabbing her robe and putting on her slippers, she decided a walk was in order to clear her mind of the nightmares that plagued her.

The dark corridors were silent as she tread through them avoiding the shadows cast by torchlight. She passed the fifth floor landing near the prefects' bathroom and started down the steps. She intended to visit the kitchens for a cool glass of milk, but got turned around somewhere near the south 2nd floor stair.

There was a door set back from the wall in a niche, and it seemed to be calling to her, beckoning her. She went to it and entered.

The room itself was unimpressive for it was small and dusty, but a magnificent mirror stood upon clawed feet in the middle. It was ornate with a gold frame and it nearly reached the ceiling. An inscription was engraved across the top. *Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi*

A faint memory niggled at the back of her brain once she read the words. She realized this must be the mirror Harry spoke of, the Mirror of Erised. Scared of what she would see, she slowly moved in front of it.

The image she witnessed made her gasp audibly.

There she was, but older, looking regal in a beautiful white gown with intricate beading. On her head was a golden crown studded with sapphires and diamonds. Next to her stood an older Draco with his arm wrapped around her waist. He was dressed in formal black robes with a blue sash across his chest. They were both smiling happily as if there wasn't a care in the world.

Hermione stumbled back from the the mirror and nearly tripped over herself. She stared at it before taking off towards her room. She decided she needed to sleep more than she thought.

The next day, Hermione woke early. She dressed quickly and trudged down to the kitchens for a spot of breakfast before going about her duties.

Her classes that day consisted of Advanced Charms, Advanced Arithmancy, and Advanced Transfiguration. Luckily, Draco was only in one of her classes. She didn't think she could face him so soon after seeing the projected image in the Mirror of Erised.

She was also avoiding Harry and Ron. During Transfiguration, she opted to sit with Neville who didn't seem too concerned with anything regarding her. Everywhere she went, stares and whispers followed and she figured the news must be all over the school by now. Fortunately, she hadn't run into Parvati or Lavender yet, the self-proclaimed gossip queens of Hogwarts.

After dinner, she strolled down to the prefects' meeting room and was the first to arrive. Soon, Blaise, Draco, and Ginny joined her. The rest of the prefects began trailing in including Ron.

The meeting commenced and they discussed the schedule for patrols, Hogsmeade weekends, and what other events they could hold. Draco and Hermione conducted the meeting in an orderly fashion and authority flowed from both of them.

After Susan Bones pleaded a Potions essay, they decided it was time to pack up. The Head Boy and Girl waited until everyone left before splitting up and starting their rounds.

Hermione creeped down the corridor checking for anything out of the ordinary as thoughts zipped through her mind at a breakneck pace.

She knew she'd always carried an unfathomable attraction to Draco, but to see her with him in the Mirror of Erised. Well, it brought their non-relationship to a whole other level. Maybe she was being stubborn about the whole thing because of her past, all she knew was that she felt tired of fighting it.

It was obvious that Harry held no lost love for her. He had walked around with Ron today just like old times and never once passed his gaze over the bruise that marred her face.

She returned from her perusal and dressed for bed waiting for Draco to arrive. As soon as she heard the door to his common room close, she readied herself. *It's now or never.*

Hermione crossed the meeting room that connected their dorms and softly knocked on the Head Boy door. A moment passed before the door cracked open. Draco stood on the other side in nothing but pajama bottoms and Hermione felt her breath catch in her throat. He widened the crack and silently granted her admission.

She moved into his common room, done in shades of green, before turning to face him. His expression was a mixture of confusion, anxiety, and hope. Seeing his hopefulness, she plunged straight into her exposition.

"I don't know what I feel for you. I don't know if it's love or lust or any other emotion. I do know that I like it when you hold me and I like it when you smile. I like it when you go off into one of your emotional rants and I like it when you look at me, just like you're doing now. I also know that I want you, more than I've wanted anything else before."

Her eyes connected with his stormy gaze and they became clouded with desire as electricity sparked between them.

"I want you to possess me."

Without waiting for another word, Draco grabbed her and crushed his mouth to hers. Their world dwindled down into each other's touch and tongues. Hermione dragged her fingertips across his chest making him moan with want. He lifted her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom, his lips never leaving hers.

Draco and Hermione began to make their way to the bed as their tongues danced together. She snaked her hands around his neck as he gently set her across his bed. He began to slowly free her from the articles of clothing that covered her body from him.

Her own hands were not idle as she slid them down to the waistband of his pajama bottoms. She cupped the large bulge and began to gently massage it. A deep groan sounded from the back of his throat at her ministrations. He moved back from her luscious mouth to take in her lovely form, she now lay below him clad in nothing but undergarments.

He unclasped her bra releasing her pert breasts for his eyes. He trailed kisses down her neck and across her collarbone before taking one of the rosy nubs in his mouth and sucking it between his teeth. Hermione began to writh beneath him at the sensations coursing through her unchecked. She felt like a bundle of nerve endings from his touch.

After giving the other nub the same treatment, his attention diverted southward as he kissed his way down her smooth stomach coming to the last barrier on her body. He curled his fingers in the band and slipped the pink cotton down and off her legs. His own arousal was throbbing at the sight of her nakedness. He pressed gentle butterfly kisses on her inner thigh working his way up to his goal.

Hermione's head flew back and a soft gasp escaped as she saw his blonde head disappear between her thighs and felt his tongue against her most sensitive spot. A low heat started building in her abdomen and spreading throughout her limbs. She knew she'd die if he wasn't inside her soon.

He stood letting his pants fall to the floor as well as the boxers he wore underneath before crawling back up her body slipping his hardness between her thighs. Pressing a delicate kiss on each eyelid, he entered her slowly coming to a stop when he pressed against the barrier that proved her chastity. He gripped her by the waist before pushing past.

Her face contorted with pain as she felt him break through. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she tried to adjust to him. After a few moments, Draco broke the silence, his voice barely controlled.

"Hermione, I *need* to move."

She nodded and he pulled out before pushing back in, slowly at first, but gaining in pace each time he did it. Hermione felt the burning sensation start back up and flow through her to her fingertips and toes. Draco started pounding into her in earnest as he felt his own climax began to build.

Unbidden, it hit her without warning and she started falling into ecstasy as each nerve in her body sparked as she began to tremble. Draco followed her soon after as he came triggered by her tight passage. They both relished in the pleasure before he collapsed on top of her.

After their breathing returned to normal, he shifted to her side pulling out of her warmth and drew her into the circle of his arms. She settled against his chest as they faded into the wondrous afterglow completely fufilled. Hermione soon fell asleep as Draco watched her stroking her hair.

A knock sounded at his door.

With a soft groan, he extracted himself from Hermione and grabbed his robe on the way to the door. He closed the bedroom door behind him before crossing the common room and opening the outside door.

There stood Blaise looking extremely anxious.

"What are you doing here, Blaise?"

She pushed past him and stared at the bedroom door. The look in her eyes was knowing as she turned back to him. "I'm happy for you. Really. You deserve to be with the one you love."

He looked back towards the bedroom where Hermione was sleeping and let a small smile cross his face. Blaise saw this and felt terrible.

"I'm so sorry."

She took a deep breath.

"Draco, I'm pregnant."