The Daughter and the Heir

The Annunciation

Footsteps. More and more footsteps.

The Death Eaters assembled at the meeting area in the Malfoy Mansion, waiting for an announcement from Voldemort. Some were worried, almost fidgeting on their seats. What could the Dark Lord be up to this time? Who would he kill... again? Whispers and chatters filled the area. Small words and fainted laughs were indistuingished.

Footsteps. More and more footsteps.

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice interrupted the pandemonium declaring the presence of their leader. Everybody took their seats and closed their mouths. A sensible sensation crept inside their stomachs. A hissing sound could be heard from the distance. Bellatrix Lestrange fixed her sleeves. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy placed each hand on their son's lap. This must mean one thing; Lord Voldemort is here.

"Rise, my Death Eaters!" Voldemort ordered. His red eyes were gleaming like sparkling rubies on an eventide. Everyone stood up as commanded. The Dark Lord spoke again, "Tonight, you will meet an important someone." The Death Eaters started whispering to each other again. "Silence!" Bellatrix blared. The unusual noise stopped. "Go on, Master." She said, giving the spotlight back to the Dark Lord. "It's a pleasure for me for you all to meet my daughter... Hermione."

Everyone gasped. Some couldn't even find air. A familiar silhouette emerged from the dark: tall, confident, pale, sleeked brunette hair, a straight-haired girl who was once had curly locks and now... She was wearing a black dress cut an inch above the knee. Draco stared at her, choked. Hermione gave a tempestuous smile.

"Now..." Voldemort started again. "I've kept this secret for a very long period of time. I want you to know that she, my daughter, will be my heir." Hermione tucked her hair that is covering part of her face.

"....but Master, what about Draco?" Lucius protested. Voldemort gave a small laugh. "Oh Lucius... poor you. Well, don't worry. I've also decided that my daughter should marry your son." Malfoy nodded who seemed to agree with the Dark Lord"s decision. "Isn't she a Mudblood?" Lestrange barked in. Almost everyone nodded in agreement. At last their Master spoke, "My daughter is a pureblood! You would face me if you tell such things to Hermione once again!" His tone implied fury.

And before anyone could speak again, Voldemort just vanished out of thin air. Everyone turned their heads towards Hermione. "Well, I guess we need to fix this arrangement with the Dark Lord." Narcissa said to her husband. "Come on everyone. It's over!" Lucius voiced out. The two and the other Death Eaters Disapparated leaving Draco Malfoy and Hermione in the room.

"Grang-" But before Draco could finish it, Hermione already stopped him. "You can't call me that." She said softly, as if trying to hide a confidential story. "I-I... I don't understand. How did... did this.. happen?" Draco is so filled with shock, he couldn't even speak straight. Hermione grabbed his arms and led him into the living room. The two sat down on an old couch, having a safe distance between them.

"So I guess I need to explain everything..." Hermione uttered. Draco looks at her intently, trying to guess between the unspoken words and the air between her teeth. She then started. "The two and me... we were asked by Dumbledore to do a certain task." Draco already knew who those two are, but he just kept his mouth close. "We were on a forest, and well, while I was doing the watch, someone just came from behind me and casted a charm on me." She pursed her lips. "I... just woke up... and I knew I was in a lair. Then I saw him..." Her eyes widen with terror as she mention those words. "Then he told me that I'm his daughter. I'm a pure-blood and my real mother left me when I was still a baby. At first I didn't believe him..." Draco noticed the tears inside her eyes. "but then he told me everything... that I was supposed to be Felicia Riddle. And that he gave me to a Muggle so I could grow up with a family." Hermione started crying. "And... and... now, I'm already here... and he wants me to marry you. I couldn't say no." Draco patted her shoulders. He could understand her very well.

The marriage thing is still a shock to Draco. As he sees Hermione crying a few inches from him, all those memories from the beginning came flashing back in his mind. It all started at Platform 9 3/4 before their 1st year at Hogwarts. His first impression to her was she's a pureblood... who's very "cute". He then developed a little crush on her that time. Later that day when he realized she was a Mudblood who constantly hangs out with Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, it disappointed him... a lot.

The whole train ride, he was imagining her being sorted to Slytherin. They could be close friends... or even best friends if Merlin would make it possible so. But then she got sorted in Gryffindor, with the two guys that he hated the most. After that day, he couldn't get her out of his mind... The little crush that turned into like... that turned into a sort of infatuation... and now, in to love.

They've been quarreling for 7 years in their lives now... and now, they're getting married. It's like drinking a gallon of Felix Felicis and everything just sort of went upwards. In which in this moment, Draco still couldn't believe that he's going to marry his one true love.

"Hermione," She looked up, brushing her tears away. "I need to tell you something." He placed his hand on her shoulder. Draco cleared his throat then said just three words. I love you. But Hermione acted like she didn't hear it. It's all confusing and surprising.

What in the name of Merlin is this? She thought. Is he being serious? Hermione could still remember every single time when the boy infront of him called him a "Mudblood". And it's merely impossible for him to utter those words... but he did. But then it hit her. He must be doing this because I'm the Heir, and he isn't.

Hermione got up and slowly walked away. Draco sat still on the couch, inhaling the air until her smell vanishes like her.

Two can play the game, Draco.