The Order Of The Serpent

Chapter 55

As time went on, more and more students disappeared from Hogwarts. The Order tried to find out what happened to them, but ever so often they drew a blank. They could only hope that those people went into hiding and weren't captured by Death Eaters.

Draco managed to stay at school during Christmas break and he spent a lovely dinner with Hermione and his friends, followed by a wild New Year's party a few days later.

When Easter break arrived, they weren't as lucky. The Dark Lord grew restless and summoned all Death Eaters to Malfoy Manor, including Draco. He didn't dare to leave Hermione at Hogwarts with his friends. As if she would have let him leave her behind anyway...

Hermione didn't see much of him and when she asked what he'd been doing, he answered a little evasive at times. She knew something was amiss, but she decided not to press for information. She figured Voldemort threatened him or something and she trusted Draco to tell her when he was ready, but she kept a close eye on him to be sure.

A few days later she found him writing at his desk. He didn't notice her and she watched him quietly from the doorway. Whatever he was writing seemed to be hard, because there was a whole pile of crumpled parchment next to him and he was raking his fingers through his hair quite often.

She'd learned that the more he played with his hair, the more difficult he found something. Suddenly he cursed and dropped his quill.

"What's wrong?", she asked, stepping into the room.

He turned around to her. If she'd startled him, it didn't show.

"I'm being summoned", he answered, pressing his palm to his Dark Mark. "He's angry. Very angry... I need to hurry."

Hastily he folded the parchment he was writing on and put it in his pocket. He threw the crumpled ones in the fire and after giving her a quick kiss, he left his quarters, leaving her alone once more.

Hermione frowned and looked into the fireplace. She noticed one of the pages had fallen next to the burning embers and picked it up.

Dear Astoria,

I'm glad you are doing well. Be sure to stay away from the Manor for now, it isn't safe for you to visit me.

I leave the decorations for our wedding entirely in your capable hands. I trust my future wife...

Hermione felt the floor shift under her feet. Deathly pale she sat down at the desk, where she still was when Draco returned.

"I'm glad I got out of there", he said tiredly. "Several Death Eaters got punished for our failures, including Father. The Dark Lord left after that in a fury and ... Hermione, are you okay?"

He eyed her pale complexion. Dread pooled in the base of his stomach as she slowly turned away from the window and towards him.

"Draco", she croaked and he cringed at the hurt shimmering through, "Care to explain this?"

She held out the piece of parchment to him.

"My parents arranged a marriage for me", he sighed after seeing what it was.

"They're forcing you to marry Astoria?", she asked, not able to veil the hope in her voice.

"Not exactly...", he answered, scratching his head.

Hermione waited for him to explain.

"In pureblood tradition, parents arrange marriages for their children", he elaborated, "But the parties in question have the right to accept or decline the arrangement made by their parents."