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Assistant: Title: Columba and Aquila
        Author: Beforetherealbook Beforetherealbook 
        Chapter: 33/48 
        Summary: With Harry dead and Voldemort triumphant after the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione finds herself captured by her childhood enemy.  Now imprisoned and sentenced to death, she is waiting to see Harry and Ron on the other side.At least that's what she thinks.But with Draco Malfoy in charge, things are not always as they seem.  As Draco starts to help her process the things that happened to her, he draws her ever closer until she can no longer stay away.And Draco?  He only cares about keeping his sweet girl with him, through any means necessary - and getting revenge on anybody who has hurt her.Featuring an anxious Hermione Granger and a psycho-simp Draco who helps her heal with gentle touch and by pulling her into the morally grey along with him.
        Contents: Chapter 33: Narcissa
    

    


  

  
  
    
     
  A blonde head was drifting between her legs.  Her heart was pounding as grey eyes flicked up, watching her so intently she felt completely bare.  Then again, she was bare.  She was naked with a man for the first time, and she didn't think anything would relax her except...

  Oh...

  Oh, that was nice.  His tongue was licking her, and his lips were kissing her, and holy mother of God this felt so good she wanted more.

  She arched her back and pushed her hips into his face while he groaned in satisfaction.  He pulled away and started questioning her about whether she had done this on her own while she was away from him.  What a thoroughly ridiculous question, of course she hadn't.  She pushed her hips back toward him, and soon he was satisfied because now he was gripping her thighs roughly and twisting his face against her core to achieve some perfect angle, and then he sucked in her cl@t and...

  Wet.  There was so much wet, and Hermione cried out in relief and also a little frustration. 

  She wanted more, but now he was talking to her again.  

  "I'm going to come inside of you when I f@ck you.  I’m not pulling out.  It will be hot, and I’m going to put my c@m so far up inside of you that you’ll never get it all out."
Hermione wondered if she should be worried about getting pregnant, but she really wasn't.  She could always ask for a potion, and she secretly thought he would be pleased if she told him she was pregnant.  He wouldn’t leave her if there was an accident.  A tiny, wholly irrational part of her was even curious about it.  Would he look at her like she was some kind of goddess?  Would he wrap her in silk and pamper her for nine months?  It was just an idle curiosity, truly.  She had no interest in children any time soon.  Still, there was a part of her that always  wanted to please him when they were like this, even when he hurt her or made her angry.  She craved his praise and filthy words.  She shouldn't want him to come inside of her, but she did.  She really really did.  Maybe it would make her feel complete just like he promised.  
  Surely she wouldn’t get pregnant from just one time.

  She nodded her acceptance, and he looked triumphant.  She knew she had just made him happy.  And because he was so happy, now he was being gentle and caring as he pulled her up on the bed and carefully placed several pillows behind her head just so.  Her virginity was about to be sacrificed for their vow, and she knew Draco was keenly aware of it.  He was taking his time to make sure everything was exactly right for such a monumental event in their lives.  When he pulled back to stare down at her she wondered if it was everything he had imagined.  She certainly hoped it was.  She was naked, wearing only a necklace, her knives, and a ribbon.  They were all things he had given to her.  Every part of her was about to be his: her bravery, her sweetness, her innocence, even her magic.  She could tell he was thinking about it and relishing it.

  “I love you, Hermione.”

  “I love you too.” 

  Then he was instructing her to vanish his clothing, and now his naked skin was on top of hers.  He was so hot he burned, and Hermione found herself leaning into his warmth.  She loved the size of him, the feel of him.  Skin on skin was sensual in a way she had never experienced before.  Everything was perfect until...

  She froze, feeling his hardness in between her legs.  It made her breathless, but not in a good way.  She was gasping for air, she needed help, she needed...

  "Shhh.... I've trained your anxiety to recede a little bit when I do something.  Can I try it?”

  Of course he could try it.  He could try anything if it meant she could finally do this with him.  She might be terrified in that moment, but Draco always took her fear away from her.  It might have been the thing about him that she loved the most.  

  A large, firm hand closed around her throat, and Hermione's pulse jumped for a split second, before settling.

  There.  There it was.  That was the touch she knew, and now she could focus on his fingers tracing her neck and the heat from his body enveloping her, and the softness of the pillows he had tucked reverantly behind her curls.  That hand anchored her, guided her.  If it had been anybody else it would have been debilitating, but this was Draco so it gave her peace.  He might be a murderer, but he murdered for her, and that made the hand on her throat feel safe instead of scary.  Her body relaxed, and before she knew it he was gasping.

  “F@ck you feel amazing,” he said.  It was only now that she realized he had penetrated her, and it didn't hurt.  It didn't hurt at all, even though he was moving a little.  Hermione's entire body relaxed ever so slightly as his hand crept down between them and began to circle her cl@t again.

  Oh that was terribly distracting and lovely and now she was wriggling to feel more... For some reason Draco's teeth were clenching, but she couldn't pay attention to that now.  He was stretching her a bit more, but her attention was on the wonderful things he was doing between her legs.  He flicked her cl@t hard, and there was that familiar jolt of electricity and then...

  "Oh!" 

  She flinched.  She didn't realize he hadn't made it the whole way earlier, but now he certainly had.  That sharp pain was surprising and unpleasant, but now it was settling into a dull and oddly satisfying ache.

  “Good girl,” he breathed.  “That was it.  It’s done, Hermione.  This will never hurt you again… oh f@ck you’re still so tight…”

  This was different.  How could she have thought he was all the way in before?  He hadn't been then, but now he was, and he was starting to lose his self control.  She sensed him teetering, and it was building to something even bigger for her than when he touched her with his hands or tongue.  

  “F@ck me, I want you to come… I want to feel it so badly, please…”

  He was begging her, and that did something to her.  It made her feel powerful to know that she had him at her mercy like this.  She might be the one on the bottom.  He might be the one leading it.  But his desire for her never failed to make her feel wanted, needed.  

  She wanted that moment they were both chasing for herself, but she wanted it for him too.  

  Without further ado he leaned down, and now he was sucking her nipples and oh goodness that felt wonderful.  It was so much sensation, so much build-up.

  “Draco, I…” she gasped.

  “Do it.  Give this to me, please….”

  She was clenching now, so very close to that moment, and then he shifted slightly and hit some part of her deeper, harder than he had ever reached with his hands, and now she was coming and so was he.  It was hot and went on and on and on and...
 Hermione's eyes fluttered open to find her nightgown hitched over her hips, her knickers gone, and Draco's hand closing over one breast while his c@ck was rubbing on her leg.  He had just started to spurt hot all over her thigh."Draco?" she asked in confusion."F@ck," he hissed, and then to her surprise the hand that was on her breast released her and swiped at his sp@nk to push it inside of her.  "Oh!" she cried out, as she instinctively arched back toward him."Take it," he demanded as he swiped more to push it inside of her a second time.  "Take all of it.  I'm never wasting it again.  I'll come on you or in you for the rest of my life.  It’s never going anywhere else, not ever again.”Hermione groaned, and then he did too, as he leaned down and began to suck her neck."What's gotten into you?" she breathed."You," he said simply.  "I woke up and discovered you were having a very nice dream without me.  I couldn't help but join you.”"Join me?”"Mmmm.  Hopefully I didn't give you a headache this time."She furrowed her brown in confusion and then finally turned back to look at him."You did legilimency on me?""I just wanted to see what you were dreaming about that was making you moan like that.  And my darling, it was a fantastic dream.  I got to see our first time together from your perspective.  And I even learned something very, very interesting.""What's that?" she groaned, because now his fingers were teasing her cl@t and rubbing his sticky remnants into it as well."You're not as worried about potential consequences from this sort of thing as I thought you would be.  So with that said..."He collected some that had leaked out and pushed it inside of her for a third time."Draco," she groaned."You want it inside of you, my darling.  You can’t deny it, I just saw every dirty thought in your head.  You’re desperate to hold it inside of you, and I am more than happy to oblige.""You're ridiculous," she tried to say, but the effect was slightly ruined as she began to moan."There she is," he murmured.  "Come for me one more time, little dove.  Then I'm going to lick you clean."It was too much.  His words, his hands, the thing he kept doing to her... She broke again, and then before she knew it he was making good on his promise as his head dipped between her legs, and he began to eat her out with gratuitous use of his tongue."Isn't that weird?" she breathed, but her eyes were rolling back at the feeling.  He was licking her with lazy strokes.  It wasn't enough to make her lose control yet again, but it did feel awfully good, and she wiggled her hips in appreciation.  Draco didn't even lift his head.  "You'll eat it someday too.  It probably has protein in it.  We could make it part of our regular breakfast if you wanted."Hermione was torn between humor and dismay at the things he was saying to her, and she just gave a weak groan as Draco continued his ministrations until he declared her to be all cleaned up.When he finally lifted himself to meet her lips, she sank into the kiss.  It was far lazier than anything they had done last night, but it was truly lovely.At long last he pulled back and propped his head in his hand, staring down at her with a small smile on his face."I should probably take another potion," she said wryly.  "They only last a few hours.""You can call Posy or Poppy for one whenever you wish," he said blithely.  "We are well-stocked.""You don't have another in your nightstand?"He smirked.  "I wasn't expecting you to be up for another round this morning.""In my defense, I had very little to do with it.  You're the one who decided to take care of things against my leg while I was asleep and then push it back inside of me."A satisfied smile flashed on his face briefly before he settled in and started twirling her curls around his fingers.  "I've wanked next to you in bed more times than I can count.  You just caught me this time.  You know you liked it."Hermione's eyebrows flew up at this news, but she supposed it wasn't that surprising.  This was Draco, after all."Mmm," she said noncommittally as she settled in too.  She would call Posy for a potion in a few minutes.  Draco had been right the night before that her period was due soon, so it wasn't urgent. They were silent for a long while as Draco's eyes traced her face and hair, noting the ribbon once more.  He couldn't seem to look away, and Hermione found herself growing a little shy under his gaze."You're always looking at me," she said quietly."Always," he agreed seriously before running his hand under her nightgown so he was gripping her @rs@ and pulling her in once more.  “Merlin, I missed you,” he whispered.Hermione curled into him, feeling fully relaxed for the first time in weeks.  It was a bit different by the light of day, and they still had not really  talked  to each other besides the things they said in the middle of their coupling the previous night.  But Hermione found she had no words for this.  Her wizard – dark and twisted though he was – was hers.  She had done it.  They were tied.  She had barely had time to even  think  about what she was doing, but now that it was over she found she had no regrets.  Their relationship wasn’t perfect, and it probably never would be.  But Nita’s advice from all those months ago floated through her brain.
   Reclaim that control.  Take it for yourself and know that only you can relinquish it.  You are a beautiful, brilliant young woman.  That makes you far more powerful than any man. 
Nita had been talking about s@x, but Hermione realized it applied to the rest of their relationship too.  Draco was controlling, violent toward others, and intently observant.  If she ever left again he would not stop until he brought her home.  He had promised it, and she believed him.  But that didn’t mean he had all the power.  She was one of just a few people who could make him feel guilt.  She could withhold her favor, and he would crumble.  His obsession meant he needed her,  craved  her, and she finally understood just how much leverage that gave her.  It meant she could stop his revenge if she wanted to.  She could demand that he keep no more secrets from her.  That was why she had come back.  It wasn’t just that she loved him, it was that she finally recognized how they fit together.  “I really missed you too,” she said.  “Grimmauld was lonely.”“You met Columba?  And I suppose Aquila was talking to you, since she wasn’t talking to me?”“Yes, but it’s not the same.”“No,” he agreed.“I do love the house,” she said, looking back up at him.  “I love what you did to it.  I never liked it while it was Sirius’s or Harry’s.”He looked pleased.  “I’m glad.  I like taking care of you.”A smile crossed her face.  “Yes, I know you do.”He leaned down and gave her a languid kiss before pulling back and tugging on the marital ribbon she was still wearing.“Yesterday was everything to me,” he murmured, staring at it.  “I’ve been dreaming about it for ages.  And even when things were going well between us, I never really believed…”She smiled again.  “Well I can’t imagine your dreams went exactly like  that.”He gave her a wolfish grin.  “No, I never imagined a one-sided duel for my hand in front of the Dark Lord.  But I enjoyed every moment of that part.  You were so perfect and fierce.  I have never seen anything like it.”Hermione flushed at the praise. “I might have choreographed it,” she confessed.He gave a shout of laughter.  “I should have known.  Well it was utterly brilliant, and then being willing to do that tie with me… do you feel any stronger?”Hermione furrowed her brow as she felt it, and  yes.  There was that well of Draco’s power.  When she focused on it she could find it.  Something about it reminded her of mercury – it was slippery and smooth and dangerous.  She instinctively tugged on it a little, and he gasped.“Too much?” she asked curiously.He just shook his head no, but his eyes were getting dark.  “It’s… intimate.”Hermione released it back to him and said, “Try it on me, then.”He seemed to focus, and then Hermione felt something seem to wrap around inside of her and pull.  It was like fingers snaking around her heart, but it didn’t hurt.  It felt familiar,  right, and she found herself reaching toward him as he did it.  He released it a moment later, eyes huge.“Bl@@dy hell, your magic,” he whispered.“What about it?” asked Hermione.“It’s like… it reminds me of  felix felicis.  It’s light, bubbly, golden,  powerful.  You are  so  powerful, sweet girl.”She raised an eyebrow.  “It could be useful for taking him out.”He nodded.  “It will be.  And now that you’re back, we’ll all go to Nott Castle for the next hunt so you can learn the castle and terrain.  That’s where we’ll have to do it.”“You’re with me then?” she asked.  “You’re going to help me do it?  Even though you’re not at risk of being tied to Astoria any longer?”He sighed, but nodded.  “Yes.  I don’t want you there, but…  yes.”“Why?” she asked.  She knew that he and the others were working to subvert Voldemort, but they had never really talked about this.“It’s the world we both want,” he said simply.  “And it’s the only way for me to be with Hermione Granger in public.  You know how I feel about that now.”Hermione felt a rush of warm pleasure at this and leaned forward to kiss him again.“It won’t be easy,” she warned, as she pulled back.He snorted.  “You don’t have to tell me that.  I’ve spent a lot of time with him.”“But…” she prompted.“But, he can be fooled.  He can be manipulated.  Both of us have done it now.  The mistake Potter made was in failing to plan.  He exposed you all at Gringotts, and then the Dark Lord found him at Hogwarts.  His numbers were superior, and the Order could do nothing but react.  We’ll bide our time a little longer, and this time when the Order comes out from hiding it will be on  our  terms and not his.”“And you think we can do it?”“I think if we put our minds to it, we can do anything.” ****** Hermione and Draco’s lazy morning was interrupted a half hour later by Posy, who came into Draco’s room with a  POP!  and a squeak when she saw the state of them together.  Her long fingers flew to her face to cover her eyes.“Pardon me, Mistress, but the Dark Lord is requesting breakfast with you and Master Draco!”Hermione blinked.  “He’s… what?”“He is staying last night, Mistress,” she said.  “And he is asking to see you both for breakfast.”Hermione looked at Draco nervously who was frowning a little.  “It will be alright.  I’ve dined with him any number of times.  Let’s get you back into your disguise.  Wear something long-sleeved so you can keep your wand on you too, just in case.”Hermione swallowed hard, but nodded, and followed Posy into her room to dress.  Twenty minutes later she was adorned in traditional robes and transfigured as Columba.  Her pendant, knives, and wand were fastened to her, and she slipped on her new ring for good measure.Instantly, she relaxed.“Is this why you gave it to me?” she asked Draco, as he grabbed her hand to lead her through the wards in the wing.  “Yes,” he said.  “I think it’s good to allow yourself to feel your fear when you are in a safe place.  It helps you work through it and process it.  And you know I will always take it from you whenever you give it to me.  But around other Death Eaters or the Dark Lord…”“I have to stay calm, no matter what.”“That's right.  The bond with Theo works well, but it distracts you both whenever one of you siphons from the other.”She twirled the ring on her finger just a little and gripped his hand harder.  “Thank you.  Last night I thought you gave it to me so I would be more willing to accept you…. and sh@g you… at least until you took it off.”He stopped in the middle of the corridor and tilted her chin up.“I knew you accepted me in some way the moment you stepped into that aisle, Hermione.  You would have been a fool to think I was changed, and you’re no fool.”Hermione felt that familiar shudder go through her.“No,” she said.  “I’m no fool.  I knew you wouldn’t be different.”“I don’t plan to keep secrets from you any longer,” he clarified.  “I suppose that  will  be a little different.  But you know the darkest parts of me now, and those won’t change.  I have nothing left to hide from you.  I didn’t have any ulterior motive by giving this to you.  I just wanted to help you manage your anxiety when it’s not safe to do it openly.  You should wear that ring whenever you’re in the presence of Death Eaters who aren’t me, Theo, or Blaise.”Hermione nodded in agreement with this.  He was right, of course.  After her performance the night before, her persona as Columba required confidence.  She could not allow fear to take over.He led her through the corridors and down the stairs.  “Now that we are tied I suppose I can let you out to explore the rest of the Manor,” he commented.  “Though it's best to be disguised whenever you are out of our wing.”Hermione perked up at this.  “I would love that.”Draco smiled a little and tugged her hand harder.  “It can be arranged.  Not today, though.  We need to see what he wants, and then I know you’re eager to see your friends.”Hermione squeezed his hand back to let him know she was pleased.  Before long they were turning the corner to a large gallery, and Draco was pushing open doors to an enormous dining room.  Voldemort was at the head of the table.  Narcissa, Bellatrix, Blaise, Ginny, and Theo were also there.  She took a deep breath and followed Draco, who moved to sit at Voldemort’s right side.  Hermione sat next to him.“Draco,” said Voldemort.  “And Columba.  I’m pleased you could join us.”Hermione met Ginny’s eyes across the table, and she knew they were thinking exactly the same thing.
   We’re having breakfast with Voldemort.  How did we find ourselves here? 
“Of course, my Lord,” said Draco smoothly.  “I’m most pleased you decided to stay the night.”Voldemort nodded and waited until the elves had served everyone before looking between Draco and Blaise thoughtfully.  “It strikes me that both of you have found superior witches with your boons.  Both members of the Sacred Twenty-Eight.  Both reportedly powerful.  Columba, in particular, had impressive magic that was undiscovered until very recently.”Hermione and Ginny both stayed silent.  Draco affected a sincere look, as did Blaise.  Voldemort then turned to Theo.“You, Theodore, have a pureblood boon too, do you not?”“I do, my Lord,” said Theo deferentially.  “And have you evaluated her magic?”“I have, my Lord.  She is exceptional, especially her mind magic.”Voldemort cocked his head and studied Theo.  “Explain.”Theo shrugged.  “She’s a natural occlumens, my Lord.  I’m no legilimens, but Draco has searched her for me and says he has never seen a mind like hers.”“It’s true, my Lord,” said Draco, jumping in.  “Luna Lovegood’s mind is a fascinating place.  I’d wager it would take a skilled legilimens years to learn her organization and extract anything meaningful from her.  She occludes without intent, it is simply the natural state of her.  Even Columba’s occlumency can be cracked.  I’ve never been able to do it very well, but I know you saw enough of her secrets last night to know she spoke the truth.  Columba uses standard techniques though, always visualizing that wretched cauldron bottom.  Her occlumency is strong, but it’s clearly a learned skill, as is mine and most others who practice it.  That is not the case for Miss Lovegood.”Voldemort sat back and seemed to contemplate this.  “I would like to evaluate her mind magic myself,” he said.  “If what you say is true then it is a rare gift indeed.  I was speaking with Bellatrix about this last night, and she raised an excellent point that if Columba’s extraordinary magic went unnoticed due to her position as a boon, what if others have too?  And now you tell me that there is at least one more boon who is magically gifted.  I confess that it… disturbs me.”A slight frisson of fear went through Hermione at this, before her ring rid her of the strongest emotions.  Her mind could still think, though, even if she was calm while she did it.  Would he see them as threats?  Would he try to quash their magic?  She glanced at Draco, and to her surprise he seemed to have a knowing gleam in his eye.  She relaxed infinitesimally. “Yes,” agreed Draco.  “I’m afraid there was so much to do right after the Battle of Hogwarts that there was no time to sufficiently evaluate the boons before they were allotted.  There is no question that all three of us have been lucky to acquire boons who were magically powerful.  In my case, Columba is  far  more powerful than the witch I was planning to tie with.”Voldemort inclined his head.  “Yes.  The Greengrass girl was a severe disappointment.  Theodore is meant to tie with the sister, is he not?”“I am, my Lord,” said Theo.Voldemort frowned.  “She could be evaluated I suppose, but I do not think she will be sufficiently powerful for your line.  The Notts are an old family, and as you are the only one left we must ensure a powerful heir.  It may be better for you to tie with your boon, just as Draco and Blaise have done.”Theo inclined his head, and Hermione thought she caught the ghost of a smile on his face.  “If that is what you wish, my Lord.”Voldemort nodded, his red eyes narrowed in thought.  “Yes, I will confirm her mind magic is as you say, but if so then that is what I wish.  A talent like that should be passed down through a noble line.  I wish to raise the most loyal and magical families of England.  You know that has always been my desire.  You are the future.  Your bloodlines must be filled with extraordinary magic to position yourselves at the helm of my vision.  I fear that some families have feigned loyalty to hide their inadequacies and weak blood from me.  I wish that all boons be evaluated for their power, and those who are worthy should have their family histories examined as well.  We can only use the purebloods for family lines like your own, of course, but there are loyal servants who are not as pure who may be able to settle with a half-blood, if that witch is sufficiently powerful herself.”Hermione’s heart started to pound, and she reached out to Theo.
   Offer to let us girls evaluate them.  Tell him the boons will trust us. 
“You have the right of it, my Lord,” said Theo immediately.  “And I believe that Columba, Ginny, and Luna could be put to good use for this task.  They have been boons themselves, though they will be elevated to wives at some point.  Still, the other boons are likely to trust them enough to show their true abilities.  We may find yet more hidden gems among their ranks.”“I agree,” added Blaise quickly.  “Some of the boons have been traded so often I doubt their masters even realize what treasures they possess.  They are not likely to perform their best if it’s a wizard who evaluates them.”Voldemort inclined his head.  “Very well.  It will be arranged.”“And if any boons are found to be magically superior?” asked Narcissa for the first time.  She looked like she had swallowed a lemon.  “The other wives and daughters may feel threatened, my Lord.  They already find the boons’ existence distasteful.”Voldemort turned a harsh stare at her.  “If they are threatened it is only because  they  are no better than the Greengrasses – trying to pass off a squib as a witch.  Any boons who are tied to one of my followers will not be replaced until we find more traitors who are weak and can fill those spots.  We will not be releasing them all, you know.  And those boons who are not talented will remain as they are, and they can be reallocated among my most loyal servants.  Anyone who does not have a boon who wishes for one can present challenges for them as they have been doing.  In fact, having fewer boons may be preferable because it will give my men something to aspire to.”Narcissa fell silent and straightened up.  “Of course, my Lord,” she said quietly.“Good,” said Voldemort coldly.  “Then it will be arranged.  Miss Black, Miss Weasley, and Miss Lovegood will evaluate them after I have had a chance to examine Miss Lovegood’s mind magic myself.”There were murmurings of agreement to this plan, and breakfast soon wrapped up with Theo leaving to fetch Luna.Draco and Hermione rose to hurry out, but they were stopped by Narcissa’s voice in the gallery.“Draco,” she said sharply.Hermione and Draco turned to find Narcissa staring at them, a mixture of disappointment, fear, and anger on her face.  “Come with me,” she said.  “We have family business to discuss.”Hermione slipped her hand into Draco’s and squeezed.  He hadn’t yet asked how she knew about Astoria, having been too wrapped up in everything else.  But Hermione had a feeling this conversation would finally put all of their cards on the table.They followed Narcissa to a small parlor that Hermione did not recognize.  She noticed there were no portraits, and when they walked in Narcissa waved her wand to seal it and silence it.  Then she turned to them both.“I need a Vow that you will not have children,” she said bluntly.Draco blinked in surprise, but Hermione just pursed her lips.“Mother,” he said.“No, Draco, I must insist.  This is… this is too dangerous,” she said, gesturing between them.  “I know you care for the girl, and I do too.  She is Theo’s sister and the witch who has fascinated you for years.  I do not wish any harm to befall her, truly.  But I will not have a choice if you insist upon reproducing with her!”Draco’s magic went cold, and Hermione stiffened.“And why is that?” he asked quietly in a dangerous voice.“Because your children will be even more mad and dangerous than you are!” she exclaimed.  She was starting to shout.  “I love you Draco!  And I would not wish to deprive you of the witch you care about!  But  surely  you must understand just how dangerous this is!  And if you won’t Vow it, then I will take matters into my own hands!  I’m aware that she is a Black now, but I don’t care about the consequences!”She looked slightly deranged, and Draco made a move to step in front of Hermione, but she put a hand on his arm.“Wait,” she said calmly.  “Let me say something please.”He was tense, much like that night they confronted Snape.  But Hermione knew she needed to step in before either one of them did or said something they couldn’t take back.  Narcissa was being driven by her own fears and paranoia, Hermione understood that now.  She didn’t hate  Hermione.  It was a larger thing, a more insidious thing, that made her afraid.  It wasn’t entirely her fault.Hermione found herself pitying the woman.“Narcissa,” she said, stepping forward as she slipped the ring off of her finger.  “Please put this on for a moment so we can discuss this rationally.”Narcissa frowned at the ring Hermione was holding out.  She heard Draco inhale behind her. “Please,” she added.  “I know what it is like to be afraid.  I understand you were under the thumb of a man who hurt you for years.  You have every right to fear the violence Draco has exhibited toward others, but right now you are letting that fear of Lucius taint the way you see your son.  This ring will help.  I have… I have a lot of anxiety of my own.  Some of it is rational, some of it is not.  This ring helps calm my mind so I am not a victim of my own fear.  That is all.”She glanced back at Draco, and saw that he looked dumbfounded, as though he had never realized that something as simple as a piece of enchanted jewelry could help her.  He then looked almost sad as he stared at Narcissa and nodded in agreement that she should take the ring. “That ring is Hermione’s, but it’s from a set, Mother,” he said.  “The rest of the pieces are in our vault at Gringotts.  I’m sure Father never let you near them because he wanted you to be afraid.  If the ring helps you, I can collect something else from the set that is just yours.  She’s right though… you should put it on right now so we can discuss this rationally.”Narcissa was still looking at them suspiciously, but eventually she plucked the ring from Hermione and slipped it on.  A moment later her expression cleared, and she almost slumped with a soft, “Oh.”Hermione exchanged a glance at Draco, who nodded gratefully.“There,” said Hermione, now feeling her  own  nerves prickle.  “Now we can talk about this without flinging hexes toward one another.  And I have quite a lot to say about it.  The first thing I’d like to say is that I know who Draco is.  I know that his mind is… not always right.  You’re correct that he’s obsessed with me, and some would claim it is madness.  But the thing you must understand is that I’m not only the reason for his madness.  I’m also his cure.”She turned toward Draco and placed her hand on his cheek.  He sighed into it, and closed his eyes for a moment.“See?” she said, looking back at Narcissa, who was now studying them intently.  “I am both.  He says I make him feel, but I know I’m not the only one who can do that.  He cares for you and Theo and Blaise and Nita.  He has even come to care for Ginny and Luna in recent months.  He is not violent toward me the way Lucius was toward you – quite the opposite in fact.  His worst tendencies come out when there is something or someone trying to keep us apart.  But when we are together, he feels and he cares, and he can be the best version of himself.”Narcissa’s eyes were filling with tears as Hermione kissed him, and Draco nuzzled his face into the top of her head.“We need to be together to keep him from spiraling, just like you once told me,” she said simply.  “And efforts to keep us apart will not work, as I proved last night.  As for children, I don't foresee that happening any time soon, but if we ever do then I know to be wary of obsessive tendencies or violent behaviors.  But the Black madness is not always a bad thing, you know.  Columba Black Thackery says she was mad because she continued to forgive her family for treating her poorly.  How is forgiveness and kindness in the face of hostility a bad thing?”Narcissa was looking torn, but Hermione sensed her wavering.“I will not give a Vow to you, but you will give a Vow to me,” continued Hermione.  Privately she couldn’t believe she was about to do this yet  again, but she knew it was the best way forward.Narcissa’s eyes widened.  “Excuse me?”“I said you will give a Vow to me,” said Hermione in the gentlest voice she could manage.  “You will Vow not to interfere in our ability to have children, nor will you harm either one of us or any children we may have.  You will also Vow not to exact revenge on our friends.”“And why would I do that?” she demanded.“Because you owe me a life debt, and this is how you’re going to repay it.”Narcissa went still, and her face paled.“What’s this?” asked Draco, and Hermione turned to find him frowning.Hermione sighed.  “Narcissa was the one who cast the spell on Astoria that caused her to lose her magic.  She thought the Black madness would be diluted if you reproduced with a squib instead of a powerful witch.  The spell was buried in the Black family grimoire.  She owes me a life debt because I did not out her to You-Know-Who last night, and I allowed Astoria to take the fall instead.”Draco’s eyes widened, and he turned to look at Narcissa for confirmation.  The grim look on her face was all he needed.“You did that because you think I’m that mad?” he demanded.Hermione held up a hand to stop him.  “Hush, Draco.  It’s done, and nobody you care about has been harmed by it.  Narcissa has been hurt over and over again, and it is no wonder she feared your violence.  But the fact of the matter is she does owe me a life debt, and this is how I wish to discharge it.  And then as soon as you are able, I want you to find the rest of the jewelry from this set and give her a piece from it to wear.  That sort of fear, Draco… it’s debilitating, as you very well know.”Draco swallowed hard, but nodded.“Are you in agreement?” asked Hermione, now turning to Narcissa.She looked upset, but no longer hysterical.  She was twirling the ring around her finger.  “If Draco agrees to give me another piece from the vault that has these… calming effects… then yes.  I do not think you leave me any choice.”“I’ll do it as soon as you give Hermione her Vow,” said Draco firmly.“Good,” said Hermione.  “Draco, please be our binder.”She walked forward toward Narcissa and clasped her hand.  “I’ll take care of him and any children we have,” she whispered.  “I promise.”Narcissa looked at her, and in that instant her facade fell, and Hermione saw the years of pain, fear and worry as she watched Draco turn into some version of his father and aunt.  It broke her heart.“Thank you,” said Narcissa, as a single tear fell.Draco placed his wand on their joined hands, and Hermione began.“Do you, Narcissa Black Malfoy, agree that you shall never seek to harm, and shall never ask any other person or magical being to harm, the following people: Hermione Jean Granger, Columba Aquila Black, Amalie Beumont, David Michael Granger, Helen Jean Granger, Wendell Damien Wilkins, Monica Renee Wilkins, William Patrick Granger, William Theodore Granger, Andromeda Black Tonks, Theodore Remus Lupin, any current or future member of House Malfoy, any current or future member of House Nott, any current or future member of House Weasley, any current or future member of House Zabini, any current or future member of House Lovegood, any current or future member of the Order of the Phoenix, or any woman who is now or becomes in the future a boon for the Dark Lord or his Death Eaters?”Narcissa stared at her in amazement, but Hermione looked at her sternly.  It was the list of every single person she or Draco had any affection for – all of their names, all of their aliases, all of their family members.  Narcissa was not beyond help, Hermione was sure of it.  But if Narcissa’s mind deteriorated any further, Hermione wanted every person they cared about to be protected.  She glanced at Draco and saw him giving her a shrewd look, but he did not try to stop it.“I do,” said Narcissa.“And do you, Narcissa Black Malfoy, agree that you will never seek to separate Hermione Jean Granger, also known as Columba Aquila Black, from her intended Draco Lucius Malfoy, nor will you seek to separate him from her?”Narcissa slumped a little more.  “I do,” she said.“And do you, Narcissa Black Malfoy, agree that you will never seek to prevent Hermione Jean Granger, also known as Columba Aquila Black, however she is known in the future, from becoming pregnant or bearing children, nor will you seek to prevent Draco Lucius Malfoy from siring children?”Draco’s magic seemed to thicken at this, and Hermione could practically feel his eyes boring into her, but she ignored him, her entire attention on Narcissa.“I do,” she said, gritting her teeth.“And finally, do you, Narcissa Black Malfoy, agree that you will not seek to influence or separate any child of Hermione Jean Granger or Columba Aquila Black, however she is known in the future, from her or from Draco Lucius Malfoy?”“I do,” said Narcissa, looking thoroughly defeated.“Then I, Hermione Jean Granger, also known as Columba Aquila Black, do hereby release you from the life debt that you owe me.  So may it be.”The gold threads sunk into their hands, and Hermione released her.“It will be alright, Narcissa,” she said.  “Truly.”“I sincerely hope so, Miss Granger,” she said quietly as she pulled out her wand and waved it to release the locking and silencing charms on the room.  She walked out without another word.“Hermione,” came Draco’s voice.  He sounded surprisingly emotional.She turned to him and fell into his arms.  “I know, Draco.  But you must forgive her.  She has been hurt so much.”He nodded into the top of her head and sighed deeply.  “Yes.  I was… not as sensitive to it as I ought to have been.  I’m sorry.”Hermione shook her head.  “Don’t be sorry.  Just help her.  Take me back to our wing, and then go to Gringotts for her.  I think… I think she might need that magic even more than I do.  She never had anybody to help her with it, and she lived with it far longer than I did.”Draco pulled back a little and tilted her chin up.  “You’re my sweetest girl, you know that,” he murmured, leaning down to give her a light kiss.  “And brilliant too.  I think you closed every single loophole she could possibly exploit.”Hermione smiled a little at this.  “I was always known for being thorough at Hogwarts.  Snape used to mark me down for it.”Draco snorted in amusement as he grabbed her hand and started pulling her out of the parlor.“Personally, I’m grateful for it.  I don’t wish to send Mother away.”“And now you won’t have to,” said Hermione simply.  “But help her, Draco.  Help her in the way that only you can.” ****** Draco returned within a few hours with Hermione’s ring and reported that he had given his mother a necklace that did the same thing.  She seemed more at peace while wearing it, and Hermione was grateful for it.  With the man who had hurt her so much dead and her son under better control around Hermione, perhaps the necklace would finally give her the mental clarity she needed to begin healing.  Hermione promised herself that she would continue to check in with Narcissa.  The afternoon was spent catching up with her friends, after Luna returned from her examination with Voldemort.“He said my mind is like a prism,” she commented.  “He couldn’t find a thing.  He did give me a terrible headache though, while he tried.”Luna was reclined on Hermione’s chaise lounge with her eyes closed while the other two girls chatted with her.“Read them out loud to me,” said Luna.  “And call Theo for another pain potion, will you, Hermione?  My head feels like it’s being split open.”Hermione did so, and after Theo brought the pain potion by and kissed both Luna and Hermione on the forehead, Ginny and Hermione took turns reading the paper.“The reporters are properly terrified of you,” commented Ginny, after they made it through the very long article about the night before.“Yes, Hermione, that might have been the best press you’ve ever received” agreed Luna.  “You-Know-Who is so thrilled he’s going to let me tie with Theo.  Daphne Greengrass is officially out of the picture.”It was excellent news indeed, and it wasn’t something Hermione had even taken very much time to consider when planning her own tie with Draco.  But it was certainly a nice byproduct of casting the entire Greengrass family into doubt.“This boon examination, though… what should we do about it?” asked Ginny.  “Do you really think we can get some of them out this way?”“We can certainly try,” said Hermione, “and it gave me an idea…”Hermione explained the outlines of a plan at a very high level.“It’s dangerous,” warned Ginny, “but I’ll admit you might be onto something.” ****** Voldemort, now eager to get the examination underway, made it clear that he would be ordering all Death Eaters to Nott Castle for revelry and examination of their boons in the near future.  Hermione, Ginny, and Luna would not have to be smuggled in, at least not at the beginning.“I still want to bring you out for one of the hunts, though,” said Draco seriously a few days later.  “The boons are only supposed to be there for the examination day, but the Death Eaters will be there the entire weekend.”“What will happen to the boons we say are magically superior?”“I’ve offered to house them temporarily at Malfoy Manor while their fates are being determined.  We have the space.  The Dark Lord has agreed to release them to the Manor as soon as the examination is concluded.  He’s aware that it may not be a popular move at first.”It was, Hermione thought, an enormous break, and she was so pleased by it that she didn’t even mind Draco’s insistence that she needed to practice hunting with him in the days leading up to their trip.“I’m not going to kill anything today,” she insisted, as he began to transfigure her into Columba.  “But you can teach me the signals I’m supposed to be following so I can play along.”Soon they were heading down to some fields near the Manor, on the outskirts of the property.  Hermione had flown over it before, but she had never stopped to take a close look.  Draco was looking far too handsome in a dragon leather vest and gauntlet – it was thick enough that her claws wouldn’t pierce him.“It’s pretty straightforward,” he said.  “You start to fly when I launch you, and after you make a kill you bring it back to me for a treat.”“My treat had better be cooked,” was all she said as she transformed into Aquila and hopped to Draco’s outstretched arm.“Merlin, you’re heavy,” he muttered, and she bent down and nipped at his unprotected arm in offense.  “Ouch!  Sh@t, fine, you’re light as a feather.  Now go find a stick or something and bring it back.”He gave his arm a bit of a toss, and Hermione spread her wings, soaring high in the air.  In the distance she could see Blaise in a riding paddock, astride a chestnut Arabian that was jumping fences.  She was clearing them easily — jumping far higher than was necessary — and the horse kept shaking her head as she worried the bit in her mouth.  Hermione chuckled to herself, imagining what Ginny would have to say about wearing a saddle and bridle.She circled the kennel and saw Theo introducing a beautiful dog to the others.  Hermione knew it was Luna.  They seemed cautious, but it was going rather well.  Then Hermione looked down and spotted a stick she could retrieve.  She tucked in her wings and dropped like a rock.  In the distance she could hear Draco whooping at her speed, and she internally grinned to herself.  She would never enjoy flying as a human, but this was  fun.She spread her enormous wings at the last moment to flip upright, and her talons closed around the stick.  A few great flaps later, and she dropped the stick in front of Draco before landing on his outstretched arm.  He had a piece of raw meat in his glove, and she turned her beak up at it.  He just chuckled and tossed it aside.“Fine, I’ll make sure it’s cooked when it’s time to do this for real.  That was brilliant though.  You’re going to be faster than anything else out there.  Let’s go again.”Twice more he sent her to the sky, and they practiced his commands and summons.  Hermione realized he was right that it  was  quite simple, since she could make Aquila follow his orders.  Ginny, and to a lesser extent Luna, had much more difficult tasks.When she finally turned back into Hermione, Draco conjured a blanket and pulled her down onto the field with him.“I think the other raptors will stay away from you,” he said.  “They’re all fairly antisocial, and you’ll be the largest by far.  I know you’ll do great.”“Other than the killing part,” she said, wrinkling her nose.“You can though, right?” he asked with some concern.Hermione sighed and nodded.  “Yes.  I still don’t like blood, but… well, I killed a lot of conjured birds in the Grimmauld Place cellar to practice that routine for You-Know-Who.  It will be easier shielded behind Aquila’s instincts.  She saw a couple rabbits up in the sky and wanted to go for them.  I had to stop her.”Draco nodded and pulled her in.  “Three kills, sweet girl, and I’ll take Arthur off my list.”“You should take him off anyway,” she admonished.  “I did come back for you.”“You did, that’s true, but I’m still me, remember?  And we had a bargain.”“Fine,” she said, with an eye roll.  “Three kills for Arthur.  But only because I love you.”He gave her a pleased grin.  “I love you too, fierce girl.  Just give me three, and he’s all yours.”'
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
User: Summarize the chapter based on the content provided, ensuring to follow the set format and emphasize key aspects within the specified length.
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