Inordinate Love

End of August (Flashback)

"Decisions are the hardest thing to make, especially when it is a choice between where you should be and where you want to be."

One week before school.

Draco:

"The girl, Harry Potter's prized mudblood..." She spat, "She has to die; she deserves to die." She was closer to me now. "Kill her, Draco." Bellatrix's voice was maniacal and it rang through my ears. She moved closer to me, putting her mouth up to my ear, making a small chill run down my spine. "Do it, Draco." She said it in an eerie tone while slowly spinning her wand in one hand. I didn't speak; instead, I looked down and thought to myself. Granger? I don't like the filthy little mudblood, but I don't hate anyone enough to kill them. I can't kill her, but if I don't kill her, he's going to kill me.

"I'll do it." I hesitated in my response. He wants me to kill her because he knows that without her, the other two idiots would be clueless. They wouldn't last two days without her and with her gone, Potter would be an easier target to get to. She was their brain; they would be lost without her and that would be an advantage for the dark lord.

"Please Lucius..." My mother was pleading. She was tired; she hated this just as much as the order did. "There has to be another way!" She was trying her hardest to save me from them, but she was no match for two of Voldemort's most loyal deatheaters. "No Cissy!" Bellatrix shouted as she made her way over to me. My father took out his wand from his cloaked pocket. "It must be done, Cissa." Bellatrix stepped back, with her arm ready to take mine. I was to do this; if not, she would. "Let's do it. Let's make an unbreakable vow," she hummed.

Do I want to put my life in jeopardy? No.

I don't want to kill anyone.

I wasn't cut out for this, but none of this was my decision; it had to be done.

So I agreed.

"I will do it; I will kill the poor mudblood Granger." I paused for a long moment as I reached my arm out to connect it with hers. My father was muttering the spell, and I was losing myself in my own thoughts. If I don't follow through, well, we know what happens then. How am I supposed to approach her? I did not exactly love the idea; I had to do it, so I will.

Draco, do not! Fall in love with Hermione Granger.