Chapter 3
"I have to. I can. I will not betray my mother, I will not betray my father. Otherwise, I'll put the whole family in danger. I have to, I have to..." the girl went down the stairs to the great hall for the reception and repeated the words like a mantra. My arms and legs were shaking. She even seemed to turn pale.
Guests have already gathered on the ground floor of the house. They were still just arriving and chatting cheerfully, as if today was some kind of holiday or someone's birthday. They were all looking at Hermione, their eyes sparkling. Everyone knew that today would be something special.
Classical music was playing in the main hall, and there were wide tables with a variety of drinks and snacks. Someone was already dancing, someone preferred to stand aside.
Gold specks of dust flew everywhere in the form of jewelry, and candles hovered along with chandeliers under the ceiling. Hermione liked them so much at Hogwarts that Lucius arranged exactly the same ones in the main hall of the manor.
For the first time, pity for herself and her life entered her heart. How is Draco coping? How does he live with this label now? It's already August, and he only got it in July. So little time has passed.
"Hermione!" someone called out to her as soon as the girl entered the hall. "You're so beautiful today! Oh, Merlin, you have no idea" it was Pansy. A mutual friend of Draco and Hermione. The girl herself was wearing a floor-length black silk dress, with black long gloves and high heels.
"Thanks, Pansy. It's good to see you," Malfoy hugged Parkinson. "Wonderful outfit."
"Thanks. How are you doing? So many people gathered," Pansy looked around. "You're so pale…"
"Nothing, it could have been better. Please don't blame me for what's about to happen. Tears were rolling down her cheek. No one should have seen her like this.
Hermione quickly wiped away her tears and raised her head. She's the boss here, she has to look the part. Malfoy was looking at her intently with his piercing cold gaze, and Hermione was involuntarily embarrassed and looked away.
"The blond ferret…"
"About the ferret," the guy came closer and leaned in, whispering in Hermione's ear. "So are you now."
"Did I say that out loud?"
"You're thinking faster than you're talking," he gently stroked her cheek with his finger, as if trying to calm her down.
She closed her eyes, feeling his warmth.
"I'm sorry," Draco whispered and disappeared into the crowd.
"Hermione, you definitely need something to drink," Pansy said and took her friend's hand. The girls came to a table with a black tablecloth on which there were glasses. Taking one with a red liquid, Parkinson added the contents of another glass, already white. "Here, try it."
"What is it?" Hermione hesitantly took the drink from her friend's hand and sniffed it. It smells…
"Pomegranate juice plus gin."
Malfoy grins and drinks a little from his glass. It tastes very cloying and sour. The girl's cheekbones are cramping, and this makes her clench her teeth.
She is surrounded by loneliness, while others are having fun on the dance floor, they do not notice her, because everyone is on their own here. They spend their time for their own pleasure. Only devoted friends will sit next to her, asking what happened.
It would seem that nothing special is happening, but Hermione stealthily watches Draco, who is dancing with Astoria, and this attracts her attention. His hands touch her waist and pull her closer. She wraps her arms around his neck. They continue to dance, and not a drop of emotion is visible on their faces. She doesn't even feel their attraction to each other. But it still scares her and hurts her, plunging her into despondency.
The girl returns to the drinks table and drinks half a glass of wine. She wants more, but someone is talking to her.
"Shall we dance?" A familiar voice says, and then she turns around. "Sorry, no," she replies sullenly to Draco and is about to move away from the table somewhere far away.
"Come on, let's go," he says and insists on his own.
"Okay, just once," Hermione says, inhaling, and puts the glass on the table, which immediately cleared and filled with a new drink.
Malfoy takes her by the hand and leads her out to everyone.
"Relax," the blond man says, approaching and putting his hands on her waist.
His touch made her uncomfortable, but she tried not to show it and smiled at him. The Malfoys danced slowly from side to side, looking into each other's eyes and smiling, lifting the corners of their lips. The fake smile turned into a real one, and she forgot about what everyone was here for. She closed her eyes, enjoying this moment, and felt good around him. The music didn't stop, but on the contrary, and she liked it even more. The sadness passed, and joy came in its place.
"I've been watching you all evening," Draco said.
Suddenly the light became darker than usual. The girl rubbed her eyes, looking around. She was nervously clutching the hem of her dress. A noise like thunder attracted attention. The crystal chandeliers trembled, and it became so cold, as if someone had let a draft into the room. Suddenly, clapping started. The death Eaters appeared one after another.
Antonin Dolokhov, August Rookwood, Nott Sr., Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange and many others whom Hermione did not know yet.
"Welcome, my lord."
"Glad to meet you, my Lord."
Greetings were heard everywhere in honor of their master. The Dark Lord stepped onto the stage to greet everyone in the audience. Narcissa immediately approached the children. The woman put her arm around their shoulders and pushed them closer to everyone.
"Greetings, my friends. We are gathered here today to welcome another loyal comrade into our ranks. And it's none other than Miss Hermione Malfoy.
The guests began to whisper. It seems that even though they knew about this ceremony, they still doubted the choice of their lord.
"Miss Malfoy," Voldemort looked at the girl. "And you're getting prettier every time... let's start!" The Dark Lord held out his hand, beckoning the girl to him.
Hermione came closer on wobbly legs. Without hesitating for a second, the lord took her hand, brought his wand to his left forearm, pronounced a spell and the words of the oath.
"Do you swear, Hermione Malfoy, to be completely devoted to me?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear to be as cruel as circumstances require?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear never to betray your family by word or action?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear to honor your supporters as yourself? For they are your brothers today and forever.
"I swear," it seemed like one word, but it cut right through her heart. My soul was trembling with fear, and my eyes were dark with pain. A bloody mark appeared on his hand, which immediately merged into one general pattern — a dark mark.
Aunt Bellatrix was the first to applaud. She was most pleased that Hermione had agreed to murder and revenge. If the Dark Lord allows, she will personally take care of the training and preparation of the girl.
"Go on, my friends! Have fun!" The Dark Lord shouted and apparated.
Narcissa immediately ran up, followed by Draco.
"Mom..." was all the girl could say. Nausea and chills appeared all over her body, flies in her eyes, and she fell into Draco's arms. And then darkness.