Draco Falore

Thanks to:Amichay, Parker, and Sheryll for their quick beta. I take full responsibility for not releasing this earlier, but I have a good excuse :).

Draco had his orders. He was to meet his father in the Slytherin common room in exactly two hours. It wasn't possible to Apparate into Hogwarts, but it was easy enough to use Floo Powder, assuming you had someone on the inside to summon you.

His last two hours with Hermione. Her last two hours on earth. Draco knew exactly how he wanted to spend these two hours. With her.

The Astronomy Tower would be occupied tonight. He had checked it four days ago and discovered a scheduled non-disturbance spell on it. Almost undetectable, unless you knew what to look for. Harry had once shown him the spell to make sure the tower would be available for him, but when Draco had gone to cast it for tonight, he had found that someone had already done so. Of course. He couldn't expect Harry to stay alone on Valentine's Day.

He climbed the stairs to the Divination Tower, taking them two at a time. This wasn't his choice location. The scent there was always too heavy, and the darkness, which soaked the air in romance anywhere else, seemed eerie in there. On the other hand, it could be that he didn't like the Divination Tower simply because Hermione didn't.

But tonight was different. They had to meet, no matter where. He would also need know where Hermione was at any given time in the next two hours. That was what he was told to do, and he was happy to comply with this part of the order. In two hours minus one minute, when he met his father in the Slytherin common room, he would be expected to provide her whereabouts. And he would. He didn't know how he would manage to do so, but he was going to follow his orders to the letter. To the death. To her proven death.

Draco couldn't believe he had wasted a whole minute getting to the Divination Tower. He hastened his steps at the risk of breaking his neck falling down the stairs. He smiled bitterly to himself, wondering if that wouldn't be for the better. But he knew that killing himself wasn't an option. Not even remotely.

Reaching for the doorknob at the top of the flight of stairs, Draco stopped. He slid the sleeve up his stretched left arm and looked at the Dark Mark burned on it. It was dark against his milky flesh, and Draco could feel he was being watched by those who had activated it. He didn't care. He was doing exactly as he was told. There was nothing to fear. Controlling the shiver that had suddenly seized him, he threw open the door.

Hermione's smile shone bright against the darkness of the room. Her hair was collected high on the top of her head, and tendrils of purified copper fell from the bun to her shoulders. Her dress was of a darker shade of copper, and seemed like it was woven with numerous threads of gold. But it hovered about her ankles, too light to have had any kind of metal embedded into the thin cloth. Draco forgot the uneasy feeling he usually had in the Divination class. The heavy sweetness turned to delicate roses in his mind. He crossed the room in two strides and took her in his arms.

'You're glowing,' he said.

Hermione's smile became even more dazzling, if that was possible. 'I asked Harry to cast his replacement for the Cinderella spell on me. Glad you like it.'

Draco's jaw clenched, but he hid the gesture in Hermione's neck. He didn't like the idea of any other boy seeing her like this. Especially Harry. Then again, Harry had other plans for the night, and it was the right time for fairytales. Draco took a step back to admire the girl in his arms. 'You're amazing,' he said.

A pinkish glow appeared on Hermione's cheeks. 'Once a year, I can try to be worthy of my part-Veela boyfriend,' she said. Then, before he could hold her again, she drew a parcel from the nearest table. 'I have something for you. Happy Valentine's Day.'

He looked at it curiously and felt the small package he carried in his own pocket. His silk robe seemed rough under his fingers now that he'd felt Hermione's clothes. He would have given a lot to be able to just take it off, but it wasn't the right time. Hermione would see how black his Dark Mark had become, and be worried; maybe even suspicious. 'What is it?' he asked.

Hermione's smile turned mysterious. 'You'll have to find out for yourself.'

Draco took the parcel from her and shook it, but stopped when he saw Hermione's horrified expression. 'So it's something breakable,' he said. Hermione nodded. 'Maybe I should just open it. This isn't a Zonko's never-ending wrapping paper, is it?'

'You know me better that that.'

Draco removed the cover from the package and looked inside. In the box, lying in a bit of disorder were a circle and ball of clear glass, connected with thin silver threads to a few colourful slices of crystal. Carefully, Draco picked up the loop that was connected to the glass circle and lifted the entire contraption. The thin crystals hung from their threads as if swinging on moonbeams. The glass ball swayed between them, hitting each piece of bright colour in its turn. Every thin slice played a different wonderful note as it was touched, their sounds lingering and combining in perfect harmony. 'I love you,' Hermione's voice melted into the music.

'I love you too,' Draco said, 'but what is this thing?'

Hermione laughed, which made Draco look at her puzzled. 'This is a wind chime,' she said. 'I charmed it to tell you that I love you - just for your ears.'

'It's beautiful,' Draco said, listening to the whisper again before putting it down. 'I have something for you too.' He took the small gift out of his pocket and handed it to her.

Hermione didn't try to guess what it was. Quickly, she tore the wrapping paper off and exposed its content - a fine comb made of platinum and mother of pearl. 'It is so delicate,' she whispered. 'I would never dare comb my bushy hair with it.'

'You are not supposed to,' Draco said, taking it from her hand. 'It is for decoration, like a brooch. And you do not have bushy hair.' He cupped her chin and turned it so that the side of her face was to him. Then, he slid the comb into her hair. Hermione raised her hand to touch it, but Draco stopped her. 'Don't take it off,' he asked, his voice nearly begging. He brought her fingers from her hair to his lips and kissed them gently.

Hermione nodded and threw her head back as Draco moved from her fingers to her arm, to her neck. With his hands tight on her back, he made his way lower. He could feel her rapid pulse on his lips, knowing that his own heart was working to match the pace. Her fingers, which started out in his hair, moved slowly along his shoulders and reached to top button of his robe.

Only after she had unfastened more than half his buttons Draco found the strength to tear himself away from her. 'No,' he said, realising that without meaning to he had loosened the straps on her dress. 'There is nothing I want more, but not tonight.' He began buttoning up his robe.

'Why?' Hermione asked with a frown. She straightened the dress on her shoulders, but did not try to retie the undone straps.

Draco put his hand on her upper arm and said nothing. He just looked at her, his eyes darkened by sadness and desire.

Hermione took a step back, smiling bitterly. 'Is it about your Dark Mark? You don't want me to see it? I know it is there, Draco.' He shook his head, looking down. 'And I know it has become steadily stronger in the last few day. I don't have to see it to feel it working.'

Draco stared at her. He knew she was a brilliant witch, but he had still made the mistake of underestimating her. He admired her courage, deciding to meet with him despite this information.

'How bad is it?' she asked.

'Very.'

She reached for his sleeve, but Draco pulled back. 'Aren't you afraid?'

Hermione raised her head and smiled at him with just as much love as she showed when he had first stepped into the room. She was like the sun, and he was merely warming up in her light. He had to fight the urge to throw himself at her feet and just cry. 'I'm not afraid of you,' she said. 'I refuse to believe that you will ever hurt me. And if you ever do… I would rather die than live with that knowledge.'

Draco shuddered. How relevant her words were. She took his sleeve again and this time he did not resist. But she did not slide it up. Instead, she moved a little closer and took his other hand off his partially buttoned robe. She eased it off his shoulders until it reached his elbows, and then took the final step in exposing the fair skin of his forearm. Skin that was tarnished with a jet-black skull; a snake coming out of it, as black as the Dark Lord's soul.

She did not make a move; did not utter a sound that could betray her feelings. But Draco could see her muscles tensing momentarily. It was worse than she had expected.

Resolutely, as if this was the only way to fight the darkness that was trying to take over him, she pulled at one of the straps of the fine cloth of her dress. Draco took her stiff hand off it and held it to his lips. 'Are you sure?' he asked, warming her fingers with his breath.

Hermione nodded. 'Obviously, there is someone else who wants you. But you are mine to keep, and I am going to prove it.'

Draco knew he would regret this for as long as he lived, but he could not resist her any longer. Eagerly, he pulled on the last of the knots and let her dress drop. Only a thin petticoat separated her fair skin from the crisp night air. His own robe fell to the ground, leaving him standing clad in black silk knickers. He barely managed to mumble a cushioning charm in between kisses, and then he sank to his knees, pulling her down with him.

He didn't know how he was able to hold himself from taking her right then, as she offered herself to him. His body ached for her and he took deeper and deeper breaths, trying to etch her intoxicating scent into his memory, knowing that he would never have a whiff of her again. He felt her ribs creaking under his crushing fingers, but he couldn't let go of her. She didn't try to stir out of his steel grip either. Quite the contrary, she pressed her thighs to his, moving them in slow, torturing circles. Every inch of bare skin was used to increase the sensation, but even with her full weight on him, it was barely enough to satisfy his need to feel her close. He thought he was about to burst with desire for her, and still he held back.

At first, Draco did not know what was the noise that was trying to get his attention. Only when it turned into a horrible racket did he remembered setting up a personal alarm to let him know it was time. Panting heavily, he got up and touched his wand to silence it.

'What are you doing?' Hermione asked, unaware of the alarm, which was only meant for him. Her eyes were wide; her mouth slightly open in an inviting manner, and most of her hair had escaped the nice bun on her head. The only thing that held her hair in some order was the comb he had given her.

'I want to get something from my room first,' he said, taking the invitation of her lips and kissing her at length. He picked his crumpled robe from the floor. 'Please stay here. I'll be back soon. Don't leave.'

Hermione gave him a puzzled look and then shrugged. 'I'll be waiting for you.'

'Thank you,' Draco said, and was gone.

* * * * *

'Right on time,' Lucius said, taking Draco's hand and pulling himself out of the fireplace. 'You seem somewhat tousled. Are you all right?'

'I'm fine,' Draco said, straightening his hair. 'Been a bit busy.'

Lucius smiled. 'Good. It is Valentine's Day after all. No reason to walk around stressed when you can celebrate. Is it that Mudblood again?'

Draco nodded. There was no point in denying it. His father probably knew the answer already.

'Are you ready to take the big step towards our side?'

'Yes, Father,' Draco said, his voice strong and clear. 'I am ready.'

'Good,' Lucius said proudly. 'Where is she?'

'Divination Tower.'

'Good choice; used to be one of my favourite spots back in my school days. Of course, you'll be going to a much better school from now on.'

'Yes, Father.'

Hermione was sitting on the windowsill in her lingerie as they entered the room. She lazily turned her head to the sound of the opening door, the moonlight reflecting on the pearl comb in her hair. She jumped to her feet when she saw Lucius and covered herself with her dress. 'What is going on?' she demanded.

'Nothing that concerns you,' Lucius answered. All Draco could do was watch sadly as her lovely body disappeared into the dress. 'Petrificus totalus,' Lucius added.

Hermione fell to the floor, only one arm inside the dress. Draco wanted to reach out to her, cover her completely, but stopped himself. It didn't matter anyway.

Lucius put a hand on his shoulder. 'You had better get this over with,' he said gently. 'I know it is hard for you. This is why she was chosen. Kill her and prove your loyalty - the sooner, the better. It will not become easier if you wait.'

The full body bind prevented Hermione from speaking, but a single tear rolled down her cheek. Draco kneeled by her side and took her limp hand in his. He pressed it close to his heart, and with his other hand pointed his wand straight at her head.

'Goodbye,' he mouthed, his eyes fixed on hers. Then, more loudly, he spoke the curse he had been preparing to use for several days: 'Avada Kedavra.'

A bright green flash of light left his wand and covered the short distance to her in less than a blink of an eye. White mist rose around them, and when it cleared, Hermione's eyes were closed, her breath gone. Draco let her hand drop and scrambled to his feet.

'Well done,' Lucius said. 'It is all right if you want to say longer goodbyes to her. You can kiss her, or do even more if you'd like. I'm sure she won't mind.'

'No,' Draco said harshly. 'I want to go now.'

'One more thing,' Lucius said, not moving. 'We should make certain that she is dead. You haven't had much practice with the killing curse, and it requites a lot of strength behind it. We need to check that it worked.'

Draco nodded wearily. 'Probatur vita,' he said, pointing his wand at Hermione. A flat, thin surface appeared a few inches over her body. It was of translucent grey matter, and even without the context of the examination spell, it was quite clear that it stood for something dead. Draco lowered his wand and looked at his father.

'Very well,' Lucius said. 'You have just earned yourself a place among great wizards. Now, we can leave.'