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The Dare	By : Tassanaburrfoot Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 82898 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 11
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter. Don't own any of the characters. Am not making a profit.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
Life in the Manor before the banquet had been hectic. Hermione and the two Ravenclaws had thought they would get a chance to relax, maybe catch up on homework, but it didn’t really happen. Narcissa brought them from one boutique to another looking for the perfect outfits. Every day there seemed to be a different task to be completed. They shopped for shoes and dresses and jewelry and makeup and… “When am I ever going to wear a Downbrim bow sun hat? Or even a mostly solid gold purse? Sweet Merlin!” Hermione breathed as she threw the items on the bed she shared with Draco.

Padma winced as she sat down on one of the armchairs in Hermione’s room and took off one of her shoes to rub her foot. “Oi. Walking those streets in high heels… I don’t know how Cissy does it,” she groaned as she peeled her other shoe off to give the foot it had been attached to the same attention.

“Cushioning charms,” Hermione answered. “She’s already attempted to teach them to me.”

“Attempted?”

The Muggle born nodded. “I already knew them, of course. They’re in the Standard Book of Spells Grade 2. But still...”

Padma groaned again, letting herself fall against the back of the chair. “Leave it to you to remember a spell we learned in our second year. I’ll be lucky if I am able to retain the information from this year.”

The bushy haired witch sniffed. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Padma. You’re one of the brightest Ravenclaws of our year, if not the brightest.”

“Well, it’s not exactly easy when I have you to compete with, is it?” the Indian girl retorted. “Blaise reckoned the other day that he and I would’ve made Head Boy and Girl if not for you and Draco.”

“I wonder where the boys disappeared to,” Luna said curiously as she sat pristinely on one of the chairs. “I do hope they aren’t getting into any mischief.”

Padma and Hermione both looked at her in disbelief. Of course the boys were getting into mischief. They were Slytherin Princes, after all.

(II)(II)

“How exactly will we convince the girls to drink this stuff, Father?” Draco asked as he wrinkled his nose in disgust. He stirred the concoction in his cauldron again and lowered the temperature. “It smells like cow dung.”

“Keep stirring, Draco,” Lucius said as he walked up to his son’s cauldron to check it. “You’ll be able to add the lacewing flies soon enough and then it will change its scent and colour.”

“Are you sure about that?” Blaise asked as he stirred his own potion. “What is this supposed to do anyway?”

The older Slytherin waved a hand in the air. “It will help them to relax and become more agreeable. Once they’ve taken this potion, convincing them to bind will be easy. After this is brewed, we can start on the actual binding potion. Have each of you managed to get a bit of blood from your respective girls?”

Theodore gave the man a bored look. “It’s not exactly a simple task to ask my girlfriend to bleed into a tube for me, especially if I have no answers for her questions,” he drawled. He made a face when his cauldron bubbled. “Ugh! It’s disgusting!” Pinching his nose shut, Theodore leaned back as he continued to stir. His voice came out nasally as he growled, “How much longer?”

Lucius looked up at the timepiece on the mantel. “One minute,” he said. “Then add the lacewing flies and simmer for fifteen minutes.”

“I have an idea,” Blaise said as he slowed down his stirring. “Why don’t we get some firewhiskey and a few glasses charmed to automatically fill themselves? That would be so much quicker and require less work on our part.”

“Once the potion is brewed,” Lucius explained through clenched teeth, “it will be quicker than liquor and far more agreeable. Not to mention that there are no side effects, unlike alcohol, and they remain completely aware of what they are doing. This isn’t meant to drug or intoxicate them. Simply to sway them to your liking.”

“But Padma isn’t going to argue with me,” Blaise pointed out. “Once I explain to her that this will keep my mother off her arse…”

“It’s also the first part of the binding,” Lucius continued as though he hadn’t heard Blaise. “They have to drink this and you have to be the one to brew it and give it to them.”

“How many parts are there?” Theodore asked curiously as he looked up.

“Add the lacewing flies,” Lucius told them. He gave them a moment to do as he asked. “Now, stir it well and lower the temperature enough so it simmers. You’ll begin to smell something much more pleasant than cow shit.”

Draco twitched his nose as he added the flies, but said nothing for the moment. Once he had the cauldron simmering, he sat down on his stool. “Do we stir it at any point?” he questioned.

Lucius shook his head. “Not until the 15 minutes is up. If you stir it too soon, it can ruin the effects of the potion.” He sat upon the stool next to his son and sighed as the other two boys joined them. “There are three parts to this spell,” he explained. “The first part is having the girls take this potion. Once that is done, you will have to brew another potion that will include a bit of blood from yourself and some from your significant other. Be careful that you don’t mix them up as that could be quite disastrous. This second potion must be split between the both of you and you must drink it at precisely the same time.”

Draco frowned. “And the third part?”

The older Slytherin gave his son a wicked smile. “Well, that part is much more pleasant,” he told the boys. “You must swallow one another’s fluids during the height of ecstasy.”

“Swallow one another’s… You mean she has to give me a blow job?” Theodore asked. “I thought the binding required actual coitus.”

Lucius shrugged. “It can,” he admitted. “And it usually does, but it’s not a requirement. If the two of you were to engage in a sixty-nine and you both got off at the same time, that would work as well.”

“But if we wanted to, we could simply just have sex?” Draco prodded, trying to ensure he heard correctly.

“Perhaps Zabini can, yes, but the second potion will take away any sort of birth protection she may have taken,” Lucius explained. “While it doesn’t guarantee that she will become pregnant, there is always the chance that she may. There has to be that chance if you decide to engage in intercourse.”

“It’s about the absorption of fluids,” Blaise reasoned to which the patron nodded.

“Once this is complete, all you have to say is, ‘We are one.’ And the two of you will be bound to one another for all time,” Lucius told them. “But there are consequences to this.”

“There always are,” Theo said as he checked his nails.

“While her death may not outright kill you, it will lead to your death,” Lucius said. “This is old magic, ancient magic. This sort of thing hasn’t been done since the time of Septimus Malfoy, my grandfather, and perhaps long before even he was ever thought of. It is dark magic, too, as many believe it to be barbaric in practice.”

“So, why are we doing this again?” Blaise inquired.

Draco smirked. “Because, what better way to bind your witch to you?” he offered. “Once it is done, she’ll never leave you. In fact, she can’t. And, since it’s both a series of potions and blood magic, there is no counter for it.”

Lucius nodded in agreement. “What’s more, it won’t stop you from sleeping with another if you should choose, but it will prevent pregnancy with someone else. In other words, if, for example, Blaise were to decide to have a night on the town, he wouldn’t have to worry about forgetting to bring a birth protection potion. And vice versa if Padma were to decide the same.”

“Is that how you’re able to sleep around?” Theo asked. At Lucius’s hardened look, the raven haired boy shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve heard stories,” he admitted. “The infamous Sex God known as Lucius Malfoy.” He had affected a stance of power as he said those words, puffing out his chest and deepening his voice. “The man all the girls cream over.”

“Ugh,” Draco groaned, dropping his head into his hands. “Please, Nott. I’m already having nightmares about Greengrass. Don’t make it worse.”

Theodore smirked happily. “Yes, well, think of it this way: once Hermione’s taken that potion, if you can convince her to do it, then she could very happily bed your father without a care in the world.”

The blond’s head snapped up and he snarled at his friend, “Don’t even joke about that, you knob! I will hunt anyone down and gut them if they even think – “

“Pipe down, Draco,” Lucius scolded. “How old are you? We’ve had this discussion before, have we not? It’s settled and done, so drop it.”

Grumbling, Draco returned to his seat. As the minutes passed by, something in Hermione’s speech about house elf rights resonated in Draco’s mind for a moment and he voiced his concerns aloud, “This potion we’re making. You said it works quicker than liquor. Is it a mind control type of thing?”

Lucius shook his head. “No. It simply eases the mind and heart, opening them up to what it is they truly desire,” he told the boy. “It is like alcohol, but without the side effects and, as I said before, she will be completely aware of what it is she is doing.”

“But she won’t fight it,” Draco stated.

“Of course not,” the older wizard said. He glanced up at the clock and his eyes lit up. “Ah, they’re done. Now, you need to stir the potion three times clockwise and two times counterclock wise. Do this for two minutes and add a bit of powdered unicorn horn as you do it.”

“How much is a bit?” Theo asked.

“No more than a pinch,” Lucius answered.

As the boys did as they were told, they heard the echoing sound of Hermione’s voice from the top of the stair, “Hello?” she called down.

“Shit!” Draco hissed.

Lucius held up his hand. “Keep stirring,” he told his son. “I will go take care of Miss Granger. Once your two minutes are up, your potion should turn a pale bluish color with a pink ring around it. When you see that happening, kill the fire and pour the potion into your container. I’ll be back.”

With a quick sweep of his robes, Lucius left the room and walked down the hall right as Hermione stepped onto the bottom step. “Miss Granger,” he greeted politely.

The girl looked relieved as he stepped up to her. “Mr. Malfoy, I was wondering if you have happened to see Draco or Theo and Blaise?” she questioned.

He gave her a kind smile, something he had been doing a lot lately. Despite what he had said in the lab, Lucius could see his fantasy flashing before his eyes. He could almost imagine pinning the girl against the corridor wall and tasting the soft skin of her supple neck. But these were dangerous thoughts, particularly when they were so close to completing the binding. Patience, Lucius, he told himself. His eyes sparkled as he gave her a slight nod of his head.

“Oh, yes, my pet. Draco and his friends have been helping me tidy up the lab a bit,” he explained. “With the festivities fast approaching, as well as the arrival of your parents in two days’ time, I wanted to make sure everything was in its proper place before we received guests.”

The bushy haired vixen of his dreams brightened at that and gave him a beaming smile. “Oh!” she said, breathlessly. “Would you like some more help? We have just returned from that shopping trip your wife brought us on and I think we could all use a change of scenery.”

Lucius’s smile broadened, flashing his teeth. “Thank you, my dear, but it really isn’t necessary,” he told her. “The boys are about done and should be returning to you ladies in a matter of moments. Just in time for supper, in fact. Why don’t the three of you sit down for a bit? If I know my wife as well as I do, your feet are no doubt killing you.”

The girl blushed prettily and bowed her head. “Thank you, sir,” she said. “I’ll see you at supper then?”

He nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”

Throwing him a smile, Hermione turned and started back up the stairs, but stopped midway and looked at him curiously. “Is that honeysuckle that I smell?” she asked.

“Ah, yes,” he confirmed. “It helps to keep the more noxious smells at bay.”

She nodded her acceptance of his words and turned back around, heading up the rest of the way up the stairs. He watched her as she left, letting the move of her hips sear itself into his mind. He would play with those images later on in his own personal thoughts. Perhaps paying a visit with Miss Greengrass should be in order. But then, he had promised the girl he’d find her a husband.

A smirk played on his lips. “My compensation for my time,” he reasoned as he turned back to the lab. He reentered in time to see the boys bottling up their brews.

Yes. Things were going according to plan perfectly.

(III)(III)

“Harry!” Hermione hollered as she jogged across the foyer and threw her arms around her best friend’s neck.

The bespectacled boy let out a breath as they collided and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Hey, Hermione,” he greeted.

They pulled away from one another and the Muggle born exchanged a hug with Ginny. “We are all in Draco’s suite,” she explained to them. “Lucius and Narcissa had to leave for a bit, but they’ll be back in a few hours. Come with me and I’ll help you get settled in.”

“Are you sure this is alright?” Ginny asked as she and Harry followed Hermione up the stairs. “I mean you don’t think Mr. or Mrs. Malfoy would be upset if we showed up unannounced?”

“My parents already know you are on your way, Ginger,” Draco answered from the top of the stairs.

She stared at the Slytherin for a moment as if she didn’t quite recognize him. Shaking her head, she glanced about the hall. “You have a beautiful home, Malfoy,” she praised. “I’m almost afraid to touch anything in case it might shatter.”

Tucking Hermione’s hand into his elbow, the blond wizard laughed. “I doubt you’d break anything. My mother has spells over most of the more valuable things. She’s been prepping for this week for over two months now.”

Ginny gave him a weak smile. “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” she murmured. Then she brightened, “So, Hermione, how has it been so far?”

“Torturous,” the Muggle born replied with wide eyes and a groan. “Cissy has taken the girls and I out almost every day to try to find the right outfit for Sunday. It’s utterly mad!”

“Cissy?” Harry asked, tilting his head curiously.

The bushy haired girl sighed. “Narcissa,” she corrected. “She likes it when I call her by that. Honestly, I think it makes her feel younger? Or maybe like she’s part of the group?”

“Like sisters,” Draco clarified. When the Gryffindors looked at him, he elaborated, “Her sisters used to call her that, from what I’ve been told. Father has used the name in the past as well, but I believe her sisters and her close friends have always been the ones to use it the most.”

He opened the door to his suite and, as they entered, they found the two Ravenclaws and Slytherins sitting comfortably around the fireplace, playing a game of Exploding Snap. Well, Blaise, Theo, and Padma were playing. Luna sat there idly humming to herself as she watched them. She was the first to notice them. “Hello, Harry. Ginny.”

The others looked up as Ginny smiled at the blonde girl kindly. “Hello, Luna.”

“Alright there, Potter?” Blaise asked as he placed another card on the table. The other two groaned and he grinned.

“Swell,” Harry answered. He glanced at Hermione.

“Oh!” she gasped, shaking herself out of her thoughts. “Over here,” she said, tugging on Ginny’s sleeve. “Mr. Malfoy had a spare room made up for you two to stay in.”

“Us two? You mean as in, together?” Ginny asked staring at the witch in amazement.

Hermione grinned. “Oh yes,” she said with a giggle. “They aren’t strangers to couples sleeping together. Remember what I had told you about the night Daphne died and what Cissy and I found out?”

“Do you still think it was Zabini’s mum?” Harry questioned as he put his sack on the bed and took off his traveling robes.

The Muggle born frowned. “I don’t know. I do think it certainly could be as she did have a motive for it,” she told him as she watched Ginny mimic his movements, taking off her robes.

Hermione showed them the closet. “I’ll let you two get settled, then…” she started, but Ginny stopped her.

“No, stay, please?” the ginger asked. “I haven’t seen you in a week and I need some girl time.”

The bushy haired girl smiled as she watched Harry open his sack and take out some of the clothing he had brought. “So, have you learned anything else?”

Hermione sighed. “Only that Blaise’s mum is livid that he married. Of course, Padma is so lovely, as you both know, but I think she imagined that he would attempt to pursue me. I still haven’t spoken to Mr. Malfoy about the block. I wanted to wait until Remus got here, but now I’m thinking that won’t be until Sunday,” she commented, frowning.

“You call his mother ‘Cissy’ and his father ‘Mr. Malfoy’,” Ginny teased. “Reason?”

The older witch rolled her eyes. “I told you that she prefers being called that by me. As for him, well… He’s told me countless times to call him Lucius. In fact, he corrects me nearly every time, but… I don’t know. Something about calling him by his first name unsettles me,” she told them as she sat on the bed.

The room was relatively modest, decorated in warm, homey colours with a single vase sitting atop the dresser with a bouquet of red and yellow roses. Hermione smile fondly at the bouquet. That must have been Narcissa’s personal touch.

“So are you excited about Sunday?” Ginny asked, joining her friend on the bed.

“Nervous,” the Muggle born answered honestly. “It feels strange in a way, Gin. I mean not long ago, I wouldn’t have given him a second glance and now, we’re talking about marriage and a future together.”

Harry looked at his friend in concern. “You don’t have to go through with this, you know,” he assured her. “You can tell him that it’s too quick or that you aren’t ready.”

Hermione shook her head. “No. I do want to marry him. And he’s already agreed to wait until after we finish Hogwarts,” she said. “It is going rather fast, though. But then, so much is going on. Have you learned anything new about the horcruxes?”

Harry groaned. “Dumbledore keeps talking about how much Voldemort was obsessed with the school and the people who had founded it. He was really proud of being Slytherin’s descendent, I think. He’s been trying to hunt down memories of Voldemort to see if we can get any clues. Already, we’ve learned that Voldemort’s mother had owned a locket that had been an heirloom. When she and her husband departed, she ended up having the sell the locket for food.”

“So a locket, too,” Hermione concluded. She frowned. “And I remember Draco mentioned a cup in his aunt’s vault. Helga Hufflepuff’s cup?”

The raven haired boy nodded. “It would make sense with Dumbledore’s theory. A cup, a locket… And then the diary and ring that have both already been destroyed. So… three more. Dumbledore and I have some more memories to sift through. I’m certain the answers lie within those.”

She nodded, her eyebrow furrowing in a way when she was thinking. “First we need to find the locket. I think Draco can get the cup with ease, being that he is Bellatrix’s heir and her husband had no others chosen.”

“First, you have an announcement to make,” Harry pointed out. He gave her a wiry grin, but it fell after a moment. “Have you given any more thought about that block Remus was talking about?”

The brunette rolled her eyes, but gave a short nod. “I have,” she told him. “That’s why I need to speak with Remus the moment I see him on Sunday.”

Ginny’s eyes widened. “You’re going to talk to him about it on Sunday? Merlin, Hermione, why haven’t you spoken to him sooner? The Malfoy’s have a floo here, don’t they?”

“Yeah, in Mr. Malfoy’s study,” the witch replied with a shudder. “And I don’t fancy going in there if I can help it.”

“Why not?” Harry asked, tucking the last of his clothing in a drawer.

Hermione’s cheeks flushed as her eyes widened. “Well…”

“I’ve heard that people don’t usually go in there,” Ginny commented as she let herself fall on the bed. “That there was something there that frightened most people. Honestly, I’ve never really bought into rumours, especially not sense dating Harry. Merlin knows the tripe people spread about him is mostly entirely ridiculous.”

Hermione shook her head slowly. “Some rumours aren’t so ludicrous,” she pointed out softly.

The ginger shot up and stared at her friend in wonder. “You mean his study is really set up with BDSM gear?” she asked with wide eyes.

The red in her cheeks darkened as Hermione gave a small shrug. “Well, maybe slightly exaggerated,” she stated.

Now the young witch looked eager. “Have you ever been in there? Oh, Hermione, tell me that he hasn’t coaxed you into doing anything scandalous. I’ve heard he can be quite the snake with the way he convinces young girls…”

“Ginerva Weasley!” Hermione reprimanded, looking at her in shock. “Merlin! No. He’s never attempted anything of the sort with me, so you can put that thought right out of your head!”

“Oh, good,” Harry commented. “I was about to lose my lunch.”

The girl shrugged. “I’ve also heard that he tattooed it so that it looked like a snake,” she stated, giving her friend a sly grin. “You don’t think he has…”

With the way Hermione knew she was blushing, she wouldn’t need to wear makeup come Sunday. She folded her arms indignantly. “Even if he did, I’d never know,” she told them. “I’ve never asked and I’ve never seen it. And you are disgusting, Ginerva, for even thinking I ever would.”

The ginger laughed. “Oh, come off it, Hermione. I’m just taking the mickey out on you. Sixteen years living with six brothers has that sort of effect on a girl, you know? Especially when two of those brothers are Fred and George.”

Hermione rubbed her face with her hand and sighed. “I swear, this family is going to be the death of me,” she stated.

“Seriously, though,” Ginny said as her laughter fell. “You should talk to Draco about contacting Remus before then. No one is going to want to do business while there’s a party going on. Not to mention, the sooner it’s done, the better.”

The brunette looked forlornly at her friend. “I’ve just been hoping someone else would be able to show some sort of proof that I am not the only heir. It seems so unlikely, doesn’t it? Merlin lived so long ago. For all we know, we could all be a descendent of his in some way, shape, or form.”

“Don’t even joke about that,” Harry told her. “Thoughts like that can get you into trouble quicker than Malfoy can lose the Snitch.”

“I heard that,” Draco growled as he leaned against the doorframe. “And I’ll have you know, Potter, that in all other matches I’ve been in, I’ve caught the Snitch with no problem.”

“So, you’re admitting that I’m actually better than you at Quidditch?” Harry asked.

The Slytherin’s eyes narrowed. “Supper will be ready shortly, Hermione,” he said, looking at his fiancée. “We should let Potter and Ginger get ready as we both know that Father hates us to be late.”

Hermione nodded. “Of course,” she agreed. “Oh, Draco, do you think we could invite Remus over for supper tonight? I’d like to speak to him and your father about my inheritance.” She glanced at her friends as she stood up and smiled at them. “I’ll let you two get ready. We’ll be in the sitting room when you’re done. I am so happy to have you both here.”

(IV)(IV)

The meal had been just as delicious as was to be expected. Hermione had convinced Lucius Malfoy to invite Remus and Tonks, and for Ginny, it actually felt a bit like eating at Grimmauld Place, only much more spacious. She leaned towards Hermione and whispered, “I need to use the loo.”

“Oh!” Hermione gasped as she dabbed her lips. She blushed slightly in embarrassment. “Oh, uh…” She glanced across the table to Narcissa. “Um, Cissy, would you mind showing Ginny to the ladies’ room?”

Ginny straightened up and stared at her friend. “What’s wrong with you showing me?” she asked indignantly.

“The Manor doesn’t care for strangers traversing its’ corridors unaccompanied,” Draco replied. “I can take her, if you like. I have to go as well anyway.”

Narcissa smiled at her son sweetly. “Oh, that is so kind of you, darling,” she praised.

Ginny glanced at Hermione nervously, but the Muggle born didn’t seem concerned. A huge part of her wanted to yell at Hermione about the dangers of her being alone with Draco. In fact, she was tempted to ask Harry to tag along as well, but she knew that would draw suspicion. As she glanced around the table at the others, she knew that she had to keep her mouth shut. “Do you need to go, too, Harry?” she chanced asking.

He looked at her in concern as he set down his drink. “I’m alright. Why?”

Ginny pressed her lips together and shook her head. Giving him a reassuring smile, she replied, “No reason. Just wanted to know if you needed to go as well.”

She placed her napkin and fork on her plate and stood up. Pushing her chair back in place, she turned to see Draco already waiting for her. Ginny could feel her smile faltering, but she sighed as she followed him out.

They followed along a long, lengthy corridor. After a while, she began to wonder just were the bathroom was. Surely, it wasn’t this far from the dining room given that people usually had to go after finishing a meal. She had been watching the blond Pureblood since they had left the dining hall, but had still managed to be caught off guard as he slowed down a bit to walk beside her.

“I need you to do something for me,” he told her, though he kept his eyes forward.

She glared at him. “I’m already keeping your secrets,” she hissed. “Isn’t that enough?”

He glanced at her, then, and stopped. Grabbing her arm, he turned her to look at him. “There’s more,” he said softly.

She huffed. “Of course there’s more! Well, I’m not doing it!” she snarled. “I’m keeping my word, not giving her any reason to not like you and even praising your relationship.”

He dipped his head in a nod as he pressed her into the wall. “How would you like to make a deal?” he commented.

“No!” she yelled. “I’m not making any deals with you, you disgusting, conniving…”

“Listen!” he snapped, pressing up against her. She could feel every hard muscle in his torso. “A year and two months from now, Hermione and I are going to be planning our wedding. Shortly after, I hope the gods will bless us with a child. In the meantime, I need some assurance that she won’t leave me.”

“She’s not going to leave you,” the ginger haired girl answered as he cupped her cheek. “If you do anything, though, I am going to scream.”

“Go ahead,” he offered. “No one’s going to hear you. The echoes of this hall do not work with Silencing Charms.”

How the bloody hell did he manage to cast a spell without her knowing? She glared at him petulantly. “What do you want, Malfoy?”

“Tonight, I intend to introduce the idea of binding to her,” he told her simply. “I want you to convince her that it is the smartest thing to do. My hope is that we’ll be able to complete our binding before returning to school, maybe even before the party if I can swing it.”

Binding. It was an old idea. Something that hadn’t been done in many, many years from what Ginny knew. But she knew it was something many old Pureblood families did to ensure their bloodlines were carried through without fear of illegitimate children. It also meant that Hermione would be bound to Malfoy until the day either one of them died. There would be no way out for the Muggle born, even if the relationship turned sour, which Ginny had a feeling it was going to.”

“I won’t,” she proclaimed.

He simply smiled as he pressed his body more firmly into her. She could literally feel his excitement at her refusal and it sickened her. “I had a feeling you would say that,” he whispered with a smirk. “What if I told you that in doing this, I will also help you get out of your vow? You still won’t be able to tell anyone that you made the vow with me, of course.”

“You’re lying,” she growled. “You can’t break an Unbreakable Vow.”

“You’re right. You cannot,” he commented. “But I can. If you do this. Help me convince Hermione to take the first potion and ensure the binding between us, then after we marry and she gives birth with our first child, I’ll come clean. I won’t tell her of your involvement, unless you want me to. But I’ll confess everything else.”

She glared at him as she thought about it. He jerked his hips and pressed his hard-on more firmly against her. “Tick, tock, Ginger. We don’t have time to wait for you to think it through,” he whispered as he pressed his lips against her cheek.

Ginny set her jaw. “You think you have everything under your control, but Hermione is smart. The moment you mention binding to her, she’ll look it up.”

“By then it’ll be too late,” he reasoned. “I have the necessary potions made. All I need is her consent to take the first one. After that, she won’t fight it. Come now, Ginger. Don’t you want her to be happy and well cared for? You know I’m the best person for her. She’ll never want for anything.”

“Of course she won’t,” she hissed. “She’s an heiress, remember? Merlin’s heiress. She has more money than…”

“Then you’ll ever have in your lifetime,” he finished for her. “She’ll also have someone to help her through all of the bullshit that comes with her new status. Just the first potion, Ginger. Talk her into taking the first potion and I’ll handle the rest.”

“Malfoy…”

She gasped when he slammed into her again. They were both still fully clothed, but the implication was still there. “Say you’ll do it, Ginger,” he hissed. “Do it and I swear I’ll come clean.”

“Make an Unbreakable Vow,” she replied as she pulled her head away from him. “And release me. I wasn’t joking when I said I need to use the loo and if we don’t get to it soon, you’ll have a bigger mess to clean up.”

He looked down at her, his glittering silver eyes boring into her own as he reached out with his left hand and turned to knob she hadn’t seen before. The door popped open and he raised an eyebrow at her. “What do you know?” he whispered. “There it is.”

She slipped out from under him and into the room. As she turned to slam the door shut, he stopped her, slithering into the room himself. “Wha - ?!”

He waved a hand around the room. “You can take the left toilet and I’ll take the right,” he told her as the door to the room clicked shut.

Ginny glanced around and saw that it was an elaborate bathroom. Twin white marble sinks lined up perfectly with large, lighted mirrors. On each side, there was a door that she assumed led to the actual toilets. There really wasn’t much room for anything else, though she supposed that if they had wanted, the Malfoys could have easily made it into a full service bathroom.

She took the door to the left and shut herself in with the toilet. To her relief, the door was as long as the wall, so, unlike Hogwarts restrooms, he wouldn’t be able to peek in at her. “Don’t try to leave without me,” his muffled voice warned her. “I wasn’t joking when I said strangers cannot wander these halls. It could take us weeks to find you and by then, you could very well be dead of starvation.”

She scoffed, did her business, and left the toilet to wash her hands. He rejoined her a moment later before glancing at her. “So? What do you say?” he asked as she dried her hands.

“I say you still need me,” she countered. “And given everything you’ve done; a simple confession isn’t going to be enough.” She kept thinking long and hard about what she was going to press him with. “I need assurance, Malfoy. I don’t want to learn that I’ve knowingly led my best friend into an abusive relationship. You’ll be good to her. You won’t hurt her; you won’t cheat on her. You’ll treat her with the respect that she deserves. I know the rumours of your father and I don’t want her to end up in the same position your mother is in.”

“You have my word,” he told her.

“Your word means shit to me, Malfoy,” she hissed. “I want an Unbreakable Vow that you won’t hurt her, that you won’t cheat on her, and that you will treat her with the respect, kindness, and love that she deserves.”

He frowned. “We need a third person,” he told her. “Otherwise…”

“Then we can do it in your suite in front of everyone,” she spat. “As soon as you’ve made that Vow, I will start working to convince her to take your stupid potion. And you still have to come clean when you said you would.”

“Alright,” he agreed. “We’ll do it after supper. Blaise, Theo, and I have to head out for a bit anyway to get fitted for our robes. You can talk to her then. Her and the other two girls.”

“Other two…” her eyes widened as he opened the door. “No!” she hissed. “Luna and Padma, too?”

He gave her a cocky smile. “What? Not up for the challenge?”

(V)(V)

“You want to put the block up?” Remus asked as he cut into his steak. “Are you certain, Hermione?”

The Muggle born sighed. “After these past couple of months? Yes, please,” she answered. “While I hate that I could be keeping someone else from their rightful inheritance, all these people are driving me mad. Hopefully, it will quell the majority of the people pursuing me. And Sunday should take care of another large portion of them.”

“It will certainly take care of a lot of your headache,” Lucius commented as he dipped his spoon in his bowl of ice cream. “Although, if you had made this decision in the beginning, you could have curtailed it all before it even began,” he added as he looked at her pointedly.

“I thought I had a handle on it,” she confessed. “I’m still wrapping my mind around the fact that I inherited anything at all. It’s been thousands of years since Merlin has been alive and yet, here we are having this conversation.”

Draco glanced at her. “If we weren’t the ones discussing it, it probably would have ended up being our children,” he surmised. “It’s luck that we’ve managed to find this out before they would have to deal with it.”

“So, you’ll take care of it, won’t you, Remus?” Hermione pressed, her spoon of ice cream suspended in mid-air.

The wolf stared at her for a moment before nodding his head. “Of course.”

(VI)(VI)

Hermione stared at the bluish potion in her hand, her frown deepening. “Binding…” she breathed, turning the vial in her hand in thought.

“It really isn’t as bad as you think,” Ginny told her as she lounged on the couch.

“There are many old Pureblood families that do it,” Draco added, his eyes focused on Hermione, watching her reactions carefully.

The Muggle born glanced up at him and tilted her head. “But I’m not a Pureblood,” she pointed out. “If this does what you say it does, you’ll be stuck with me for life. Are you sure that’s something you want?”

His smile was easy and natural as he leaned back against his chair. “Princess, I’m already stuck with you for life, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be,” he told her.

“But this opens the door for cheating, doesn’t it?” she asked, glancing at Ginny.

The ginger opened her mouth to answer, but it was the blond who spoke up, “I have no interest in other women. However, if you’d like, I’ll make the Vow.”

Ginny stared at the Slytherin with narrow eyes. How slick was he! She snapped her mouth shut and sat up, watching him. “Do it now,” she said as she continued to watch him. “In front of everyone. Make the Vow to Hermione.”

The Muggle born looked at her friend in confusion and turned her attention back to Draco. “I don’t think that will be necessary,” she started, but Harry stood up.

“No, I want to see him do it,” he said as he pushed up his glasses and took out his wand. “I’ll start you off.”

Draco smirked as he stood up as well and held out his hand to Hermione. Hesitant, Hermione placed her hand in his and gasped as he pulled her up. Grasping her arm in the traditional stance, he nodded his head to Harry and stared at the girl. “I’ll do this, princess,” he promised her. “Like the potion, it’s binding, but I have no intention of ever going anywhere.”

Hermione glanced at the others in the room. Theo held up his glass in a pseudo cheer and she let her eyes rest on Draco. Never had she seen his gaze as intense as in this moment as Harry held his wand above their hold.

“I, Draco Malfoy, swear to you, Hermione Granger, that I will never have sex with, or otherwise be intimate with, another woman,” he said without hesitation. A long, golden thread slithered from Harry’s wand and wrapped itself around their arms. Hermione hissed at the heated burn she felt as it was absorbed by her skin.

“I, Draco Malfoy, vow to you, Hermione Granger, that I will never physically harm you,” he continued and another thread fell from Harry’s wand. “And finally. I, Draco Malfoy, swear to you, Hermione Granger, that I will always love and respect you. That I will show kindness to you even in the face of our disagreements.” His eyes flashed as the last thread disappeared after wrapping itself around them.

“So it be said, so shall it be done,” Blaise commented as he toasted the couple and took a sip of his own glass.

Draco gently released her arm, though he continued to watch her. “So, princess?” he inquired. “Will you consent to this binding now?”

Her gaze dropped back to the vial that was still clutched in her hand. “I need to research this,” she said softly.

“I’ve already told you all you need to know,” he drawled. “It’s tradition within Pureblood culture. All the old families do it.”

“My parents never did it,” Padma pointed out, though she had already taken the potion that Blaise had offered her.

“Your parents are also more modernized,” Blaise told her, kissing her cheek.

Hermione looked at her betrothed curiously. “Have your parents gone this route, Draco?”

“Yes,” he answered with such certainty that she believed him.

She turned to Ginny. “What of your mum and dad?” she asked.

“My parents aren’t really part of the norm,” the red head stated. “At the same time, they don’t have nearly as much at stake, do they?”

The older witch looked at her friend curiously. “What do you mean?”

“Well, our family has never been particularly rich,” Ginny told her friend. “Ministry jobs don’t really pay much when you’re working at the lower end of things. While I do believe there was some money somewhere in the past, it was gone long before my dad was ever born. Something like a binding really only matters in the higher class, where wealth and privilege can lead to poor judgement and greedy fingers.” She moved a bit to give Harry room to sit and continued on. “You know how life is like among the Muggles. Imagine if this were the Muggle world. You and Draco marry and years later some woman comes up claiming her son, who just so happens to have platinum hair and grey eyes, is one of Draco’s bastards. As a Muggle, there isn’t much you can do save a paternity test, right? Well, here in the Wizarding world, this binding protects you even further. Even if Draco were to bed another, which he’s already made the Vow that he wouldn’t, no woman can falsely claim that their child belongs to him.”

Hermione straightened. She didn’t particularly like the idea of Draco sleeping with another woman. “How so?” she asked.

“Because his sperm won’t work,” Ginny explained. “The binding creates a barrier between the sperm meant for reproduction and the fluids that are just for getting it off, if you get my meaning. And even if the sperm were to bypassed that layer of protection, it will be killed in a since of naturally producing spermicide.”

Harry rubbed his forehead. “And how will his body know the difference between Hermione and another woman?” he asked.

“Memories,” Draco answered lazily. “Hermione’s body, her scent, her touch… the sound of her voice… My body will automatically be in tuned with her. Just as she will be with me.” He looked at his betrothed. “It’ll also protect you from the fate of an illegitimate child if you were to be raped.”

“I won’t get raped,” she argued. “Why would I have to fear getting raped?”

“Because you’re the heiress of Merlin,” Blaise answered. “And you’re Draco’s betrothed. If a guy thinks he can rape you, he will try it. And we’re already dealing with this bullshit with Astoria. I, personally, don’t fancy the idea of worrying over you, too.”

“Hermione has an entire House full of people who would fight against anyone who even attempts to harm her,” Harry growled.

Theodore tilted his head. “You mean the same House who is also home to McLaggen and some other blokes who are trying to convince her to marry them so they can cash in on her inheritance? Honestly, Potter. I don’t doubt Hermione’s abilities, or the abilities of those sworn to protect her, but you aren’t some knight in shining armour. Even in our modern age, rape is still very much alive and kicking and the moment we choose to believe that it can’t happen to us, it will. What Draco is simply trying to do is add another layer of protection. Something that those fucking predators won’t expect. Hell, after talking with Draco over it, I’m even convinced to have Luna take the damn potion and bind with her. As men, it is our duty to protect our women from any and all harm,” he stated as he pulled said girl closer to him.

She gazed at him serenely. “That is so kind of you,” she said sweetly. “That you would want to protect me in such a way.”

“I’ll always do everything I can to protect you, love,” he told her as he threaded his fingers between hers. “I don’t ever want to lose you.”

Hermione’s eyes met Draco’s again. She understood where he was coming from, though she didn’t really agree with it all. Surely she didn’t need to go to this extremely to protect herself from rape? But then she remembered Astoria and the nightmare the poor girl was going through. Her thoughts floated to Draco’s Vow as well. He was willing to do everything he could for her.

Biting her lower lip, she uncorked the vial and held it up to her nose. “Honeysuckle,” she commented. Why was that smell so familiar? Blinking, she took a deep breath. “I suppose it won’t hurt, after all, you’ve done so much for me already.”

Draco gave her a kind smile as she tipped the vial back and drank the potion. His eyes widened as he could feel victory wash over him. They were almost there.
Author's Note: O.O
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The Dare