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The Joke Book Trap	By : TalisRuadair Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 10791 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Series (1997-2007) and any characters and original locations within the books belong to JK Rowling. I am not making any money from this fiction. Pride and Prejudice belongs to Jane Austen.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Chapter Twelve – Interrupting Ron and Lavender

Theo paced back and forth across the Head’s Common Room. A couple of days had passed since Draco and Hermione disappeared into a work of muggle fiction, and now he was reading about a curse placed upon the Malfoys because of the acts of one Marcus Malfoy hundreds of years earlier. He couldn’t understand how something like that could come out within a joke book. He pinched the bridge of his nose before returning the book to his protective robe pocket and doing what he did best whenever an unanswered question was presented to him. He went to the library. He doubted he’d find any real information within the walls, however the library of Hogwarts had been around well before the curse was placed upon those of bad faith. He opened retrieved the book, opened it to the marked page, and reread the words of Brutus Malfoy’s portrait aloud; “You see she performed a powerful, ancient, wandless, magic that required sacrifice. She could’ve escaped his wand but instead she chose to use her death to make him pay.”

He sighed as he closed the book a second time and returned it to the safety of his robes. He entered the restricted section of the library, as he figured the ancient magic used was probably forgotten, and perhaps located there. He ran his fingers along each of the books’ bindings, while another question filled his mind. He couldn’t help but wonder if the Malfoy’s were aware of the curse? Had they forgotten about it over the years? Were they just so struck by the Dark Arts that they never noticed how things got worse when they loved another person, or was Lucius the first person to love his wife in the family line? Theo sighed as he realized that it was possible, as often as not Malfoy’s participated in the tradition of arranged marriages. He knew that Lucius and Narcissa had left the country because of the bad publicity they were receiving in England, however he had a nagging feeling that he needed to inform them of the curse. He sighed and made note to himself that he needed to contact them as quickly as possible. So, he made his way back to the common room, quickly jotted down the note, and went to find his owl. He knew that his owl Heathcliff would be his best option. He did love the muggle book Wuthering Heights, as it had all of the darkness, horror, and impropriety that any rebelling pure-blood wizard could enjoy.

Draco knew what to expect because of the many times he read the book after leaving Hermione. Something about being away from her just for a few moments within the book left his heart heavy. When she was around, some brightness existed for him that he’d never experienced before. It was as if just being in her presence was almost enough to forgive him of his many sins. He had defended his actions in the letter he wrote to her, however there were still things he did that he would never forgive himself for. He could make the excuses that he was forced to do it, it was under duress, but it didn’t change the fact that he tortured people. He had used, in his opinion, the worst Unforgivable Curse when he tortured other death eaters. Just seeing the person wreathing in pain at his feet was horrible. Many times he’d wake up with sweats, when those images invaded his dreams. The worst nightmares were of Hermione and his mother. In those dreams he was the one causing them pain. He took the place of Bellatrix or Crabbe and Goyle Sr. When he woke up from one of those dreams; he barely made it to the toilet before anything he’d eaten made a late night showing. It was just too much for his mind and body to handle.

In some ways, Draco was relieved to be trapped in the book, as he hadn’t had a night terror since entering the world. It was magical in the sense that he could get lost in the character he was playing. The world was so different from his own that he didn’t have a constant reminder of his past. Even visiting his family home within the book didn’t cause flashbacks. The manor was different; it was lighter, less burdened, and somehow just lovely. None of the dark residue was present, and it seemed like a loving home that he would be proud to live in with Hermione for the rest of his life. He stopped walking around the room and turned to his party. He couldn’t help but mentally sputter over the thoughts he just had. Had he really thought, he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Hermione Granger? He thought about it for a few moments and quickly realized he did. He didn’t know when the change occurred, but he was thinking about a wedded future with her. He quietly excused himself from the She-Weasel’s incessant flirting, and went to his room to retire.

His room was located in the same spot as his bedroom in the manor in his reality. When he opened the doors the previous evening, he was shocked by the lightness of the room. It still had the green and silver striped wall paper, and everything about it was the same, however it was as if the sun shone brighter. There was no reason for Pemberley to seem lighter and more welcoming than his manor. Nothing short of magic could create such a wonderful change. It was as if the Malfoys had aligned themselves with the light side instead of the darkness in which they existed. It was like their home was never overrun with the most despicable characters of the Wizard World and witnessed several heinous acts from torture to murder. He tried to clear his mind as he dressed and climbed into the king sized bed. As soon as his head hit he pillow he drifted off into another night of blissful sleep.

Draco sat down by the river with Mr. Gardiner, Mr. Bingley, and two other gentlemen as they fished. He continued with the idol gentlemanly conversation as they were successful in catching a few fish. When he was informed of the appearance of Hermione and Mrs. Gardner, the party decided to return to the house to join the women. He found Mrs. Gardiner and Hermione sitting next to his sister Georgiana, with Astoria, Umbridge, and the she-Weasel sitting on the couch across from them.

As soon as the redhead noticed their appearance, she started flirting with him, and showing her brother attention as well. Draco felt his blood run cold when he was so rudely reminded of Ronald Weasley when the bint decided to sneer at Hermione but managed to keep her tone civil, “Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the Hertfordshire Militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family.”*

Draco felt the color drain from his face, as he watched Hermione for her response. He wanted to see if she’d betray her true feelings for the thick bloke. He knew in his gut that she must be wishing that Ron was Mr. Darcy and he was playing the horrible character Wickham. She probably thought because of all of his past behavior that he was better suited for such an unfavorable character. Then again Ron was well liked and showing up on several of the covers of Wizarding Magazines because of his contributions to the war. Draco shook his head when he noticed Hermione staring at him. He tried to join the conversation with the other gentlemen as a distraction. After Hermione carefully steered the conversation away from Wickham, she and the other two members of her party were keen on leaving. He attended to their carriage and upon returning to the saloon after they’d left, he found himself in for another fight with the red headed weasel.

She quickly approached him, “How very ill Miss Eliza Bennet looks this morning, Mr. Darcy. I never in my life saw anyone so much altered as she is since the winter. She is gown so brown and coarse! Louisa and I were agreeing that we should not have known her again.”*

He played his cool and aloof persona, “I perceive no other alteration than her being rather tanned, no miraculous consequence of travelling during the summer.”*

The red head began bouncing like a child hopped up on candy, “For my own part, I must confess that I never could see any beauty in her. Her face is too thin; and her features are not at all handsome. Her nose wants character—there is nothing marked in its lines. Her teeth are tolerable, but not out of the common way; and as for her eyes, which have sometimes been called so fine, I could never see anything extraordinary in them. They have a sharp, shrewish look, which I do not like at all; and in her air altogether there is a self-sufficiency without fashion, which is intolerable.”*

Draco remained quiet realizing the words seemed to describe what Hermione looked like as a child. Her teeth were a bit larger until their Forth Year and a mishap with a curse that he may or may not have shot. She always cared more about knowledge and skill than appearance and fashion; however he found that was what made her so unique. She wasn’t shallow and motivated by materialistic wealth like most of the girls that wouldn’t leave him alone in Slytherin.

The redhead continued as her face colored slightly in rage, “I remember, when we first knew her in Hertfordshire, how amazed we all were to find that she was a reputed beauty; and I particularly recollect your saying one night, after they had been dining at Netherfield, ‘She a beauty!—I should as soon call her mother a wit.’ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time."*

Draco knew he had to speak as he didn’t want to deviate from the script with the slag before him. She was already grating on his nerves and he surely hoped that the real girl was nothing like the witless bird before him. “Yes but that was only when I first saw her, for it is many months since I have considered her as one of the handsomest women of my acquaintance.” He then turned and fled the situation like spiders from a basilisk.

Draco went to Lambert to visit Hermione, but her appearance as the servant opened the door betrayed all of her feelings. Her face was red and tear tracks were apparent. She exclaimed, “I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr. Gardiner this moment, on business that cannot be delayed, I have not an instant to lose.”**

He felt his stomach drop as he knew what she was upset about. She must’ve been reliving her sixth year all over again. She was upset that Ron had once again chosen Lavender over her. Of course, she had nothing to worry about in their reality as Lavender was another victim during the Battle of Hogwarts. He didn’t want to concentrate on the blank face that stared back at him before her body was moved to the Great Hall. She was just another person he went to school with that died. The emotions from his musings showed as he grabbed her by the shoulders, “Good God! What is the matter?”** He quickly recollected himself and hid behind the mask. He knew what was wrong and he knew his time with her was ending, but it didn’t matter because he was never going to be good enough for her. “I will not detain you a minute; but let me, or let the servant go after Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. You are not well enough; you cannot go yourself.”**

Her knees seemed to give before she made it to the sofa. She called the servant back and requested he fetch his master and mistress home instantly. Draco couldn’t leave her in that state, “Let me call your maid. Is there nothing you could take to give you present relief? A glass of wine; shall I get you one? You are very ill.”**

Hermione calmed her breathing, “No, I thank you. There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn.”** She managed to lose her composure for a few moments before she continued, “I have just had a letter from Jane, with such dreadful news. It cannot be concealed from anyone. My younger sister has left all her friends—has eloped; has thrown herself into the power of—of Mr. Wickham. They are gone off together from Brighton. You know him too well to doubt the rest. She has no money, no connections, nothing that can tempt him to—she is lost for ever.”**

Draco stood astonished by her emotions. It was only a brief pause before she continued, “When I consider that I might have prevented it! I, who knew what he was. Had I but explained some part of it only—some part of what I learnt, to my own family! Had his character been known, this could not have happened. But it is all—all too late now.”**

Draco wished he knew for certain the true reason for her emotions. He was aware that she knew the book by heart. She knew this scene was coming. He thought she’d have more reaction to confronting his aunt than dealing with the fact that Lavender ran off with Ron, however he stood there with her reacting like a heart broken school girl. He felt himself robotically respond to the situation as his heart broke, she loved the Weasel more than anything, and in that moment Draco realized he didn’t have a chance. “I am grieved indeed; grieved—shocked. But is it certain—absolutely certain?”**

“Oh, yes! They left Brighton together on Sunday night, and were traced almost to London, but not beyond; they are certainly not gone to Scotland.”**

His mouth moved without his notice and the scripting continued to fall out, “And what has been done, what has been attempted, to recover her?”**

“My father is gone to London, and Jane has written to beg my uncle’s immediate assistance; and we shall be off, I hope, in half-an-hour. But nothing can be done—I know very well that nothing can be done. How is such a man to be worked on? How are they even to be discovered? I have not the smallest hope. It is every way horrible!”**

Draco shook his head as he listened to her hopeless words. It was almost as if she was trying to convey something to him underneath the scripting, however he didn’t know what it was. He was afraid to deviate from the Jane Austen’s words. He was afraid of receiving rejection from her a second time. He felt worse than he ever considered possible. His dreams were shattering, wasn’t it just a couple days prior that he’d considered a future with her? He’d thought of marriage and now he was far certain that dream would never happen. Somehow the nightmares of his reality had infiltrated the wonderful world of the book. He was slowly corrupting it and soon it would be as dark as his very soul.

Tears continued to form in her eyes, “When my eyes were opened to his real character—Oh! Had I known what I ought, what I dared to do! But I knew not—I was afraid of doing too much. Wretched, wretched mistake!”**

Draco couldn’t take much more of her emotion, as he was trying to keep himself together. He knew he’d always been selfish. He was spoiled rotten as a child, so it was only to be expected. But even though his heart was breaking with the knowledge that the love he developed for her was unrequited, a bubble of hope grew inside of him. He would survive and find the light within him as long as she was happy. As long as she lived a long and fulfilling life with the Weasel, he could manage. However, he couldn’t do anything about their reality until they finished the story.

Draco found the resolve to make things right and once again spoke with restraint, “I am afraid you have been long desiring my absence, nor have I anything to plead in excuse of my stay, but real, though unavailing concern. Would to Heaven that anything could be either said or done on my part that might offer consolation to such distress! But I will not torment you with vain wishes, which may seem purposely to ask for your thanks. This unfortunate affair will, I fear, prevent my sister’s having the pleasure of seeing you at Pemberley to-day.”**

“Oh, yes. Be so kind as to apologize for us to Miss Darcy. Say that urgent business calls us home immediately. Conceal the unhappy truth as long as it is possible, I know it cannot be long.”**

“I shall keep it secret and again I feel pained by your distress. I wish things will have a better conclusion and that everyone in your family is as well as can be expected.”** He looked at her for one long moment before leaving the room. His spirits were lower than they’d been since she berated him and told him what she really thought of him. He felt as if darkness was surrounding him and soon he’d be nothing more of the person he once was. All because her gold specked brown eyes were concentrated on another unworthy soul.

It took him a bit of time before he was able to make it to London. He had learned a few tracking spells and was able to locate the Inn, Ron and Lavender were staying in. He didn’t think to knock, and in reflection, he probably should’ve warned them before entering. However, as he was stuck in a Regency Era fiction, he didn’t expect to find such lewd actions occurring. He opened the door to find Ron sprawled out on the bed starkers. His alabaster complexion looked even paler against the dirty brown sheets. Ron’s blue eyes were shut and his mouth was twisted into a stupid, pleasure clouded, smile. Lavender’s wavy hair was loose as her head bobbed over his erect penis.

Draco knew the character was supposed to be a virgin, however he could only assume Lavender’s experience seemed to have some influence. Her head came up as her cheeks appeared concave from her sucking, when she reached the top she licked circles around the head before plunging back down. At first Draco was red faced and speechless at the sight before him. He never even considered the two characters could be practicing in such frowned upon acts during their time period. He was also sickened at seeing the ginger nude. He finally cleared his throat and Ron’s eyes snapped open. What little color Ron had, further drained from his face at being caught in such an act.

Draco walked further into the room and picked up one of the blankets strewn on the floor. He tossed it over Ron’s sickening form. Lavender hid under the sheet as well, “Wickham, apparently you and I have quite a few things to discuss. However, you need to understand right now. You will marry Miss Lydia Bennet. You made your decision the moment you took her away from her friend’s home in Brighton. I shall leave the room for a moment but you’re to dress and leave with me.”

He stood in the decorated hall waiting for the ceremony to proceed. He watched as Lavender was escorted down the aisle by her Uncle Mr. Gardiner, as her father had been sent back to Longbourn. He was quite saddened watching the two wed as part of him really wished what he was witnessing was reality. If Ron was really marrying Lavender, then he might have a shot at Hermione; however, since the scene wasn’t real, but only contained within the pages of a novel, no hope existed. A certain brown eyed witch plagued his mind, as he watched the period wedding play out. His heart filled with hope that one day, he’d have a similar wedding to the woman he loved.

His thoughts continued as he stopped concentrating on the scene around him and his mind drifted away. Many Death Eaters didn’t understand the power of love. Draco had to admit that few of his ancestors had ever fallen in love with their wife, as they were products of arranged marriages to insure the blood remained pure. His mother and father got lucky as they grew to love each other over time; however, the war had tested that love. His father was still trying to make it up to his wife and that was part of the reason why they decided to take an extended vacation in France. Draco knew that his mother’s love was what made her lie to the Dark Lord and allowed Harry the element of surprise. His father was little of the man he once was. The war totally broke him and he needed the love of his wife to help him through it.

His grandmother had died in childbirth, leaving his grandfather the only person to raise his father. It wasn’t known if Abraxas loved his wife or if he was relieved to raise his only heir on his own. Draco barely remembered his grandfather because he’d died from Dragon Pox when Draco was still a young child. However, he did find it interesting when he looked at the Malfoy family tree that every generation since Marcus Malfoy only had one son. He couldn’t help but consider it odd that only one child, a son, was born to each generation. His mind snapped back to the scene as the Clergyman announced that the two were husband and wife.

A/N: I am afraid this is a shorter chapter, but then again it didn’t have a two page letter in it. So, does anyone have guesses as to the true reason why Hermione was crying after receiving the letter about Lavender and Ron? I know but I’m not going to tell you.

*All dialogued marked is quoted from chapter *fourty-five and **fourty-six of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice(1813). The scenes are also derived from those chapters. The only things original to me are Draco's thoughts. Also the last two scenes were worked from what was alluded to by the author; however, never was shown to the main character Eliza until Lydia lets Darcy's presence at the wedding slip.
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The Joke Book Trap