She & Him

Part 19: Morte Regno

Standing in front of a Tailor's mirror in Diagon Alley, I look at my appearance closely. Black from head to toe: this suit resembling everything I used to be- I brush my hand through my platinum blonde hair and glare into my silver eyes. I stare so long that I barely notice her arms wrapping around my left and slightly peeking her face around my shoulder to look at me in the mirror.

"You look...like the past." She meekly says and I close my eyes slightly and look myself over in the mirror a few moments more before turn to her and holding her close. Yesterday was a disaster on my grounds. She and I haven't discussed anything yet- especially after volunteering my life to help the Ministry. Harry briefed me on everything about Morte Regno- Death's Kindom- as Synard so aptly named his legion. We spent all night going over my backstory about what happened after Voldemort died and why I am risking freedom to join his forces.

The whole time Hermione just lingered in the corner of the room- unwillingly to take part in this 'mistake'- as she calls it.

Ron was dismissed from her home as well as put on suspension for attack an unarmed person- who was not doing anything dangerous or illegal.

"Did you find everything I needed?" I ask- ignoring her previous comment.

"Mmm...I believe so." Walking away from me, she goes to a velvet couch and opens a big black satchel. "Health potions- as well as your curses, your robes, a portkey, and...and your mask."

She shakes slightly as I walk over and reach in the bag. Pulling out my long forgotten Death Eater mask, I hold the cold shiny metal piece in my hand and loom down into it before sliding it on my face. I feel a surge of energy and I feel as if I can't breathe from the binding evil that harbors inside the metal catacomb. Pulling it off my face quickly, the air returns to my lungs and I feel faint. Dropping it back to the satchel, I sit on the couch and run my hands over my face and through my hair. There's dark magic running through that mask. The longer you wear it- the more likely you are to turn towards the dark magic and evil of the world. Voldemort had them made that way for a reason. To cloud your judgement and follow blindly. To make you believe in the cause before you.

"Are you alright? Draco...you don't have to do this." She forces herself to stand in between my legs and she forces me to look up at her. The deep red dress she's wearing is gorgeous and compliments her beauty perfectly. I place my hands on her hips and pull her to me, so my face lays against her flat stomach.

"Promise me something."

"Alright."

"Promise me that no matter what happens...you will stay in London- safe and out of harms way." My voice wavers slightly and she pushes her hands through my hair and cups the base of my head, just above the nape of my neck.

"Draco- you don't have to..." I wrap my arms fully around her and I squeeze her tight to me.

"Promise me. Promise me you will stay as far away from all of it. No matter what! I need you to promise me, Hermione. If anything happens...to me...I need you to promise me that you will stay safe here in London." I feel her body shake slightly and it goes quiet for a long time.

"I promise...I don't want too...but I promise." Looking up at her, I feel that sickness wash over me like it had every other time the Death Eaters called upon me.

"Thank you." I say quietly and stand up. "Did...did you find me a wand?"

"I did. I obtained it through unconventional ways, but I think it will work very well for you." Reaching down in the satchel, she hands me a black wand box- but it isn't the normal cardboard box you'd get at Ollivander's. No this box is made of black tungsten. As I'm about to open it, she pushes the lid down and sits besides me. "Listen to me. This wand...it isn't your normal wand that just anyone can wield. This wand was made by a very creative, very intelligent wizard, who has ways of obtaining cores you couldn't even imagine having. Because of the ability to craft such...unique and special wands- you must know that this wand will not only amplify your magic...but bind to you stronger than any other wand you could ever own."