A Deal With The Devil

A Deal With The Devil

Chapter 1

"Even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry"

Hermione nervously fidgeted in the back of the elegant horse-drawn carriage, she felt as if she was being led to the gallows. Draco noticed her behavior change almost instantly, and he quickly put his hand over hers to steady it. Gray eyes met brown, and her lip quivered. "Hermione it's going to be alright, I promise." His voice was barely audible over the noise of the horses and the unmistakable crack of a whip in the background. She nodded although she knew it wouldn't.

All too soon for Hermione, the carriage came to an abrupt halt. Draco put his hand out instinctively to prevent her from falling. If she were in brighter spirits perhaps she would have smiled and told him off for being so over-protective, but in the current circumstances she just nodded appreciatively. The driver must have cast a spell, because suddenly the door opened and rot-iron steps appeared. Draco nodded at him and alighted the steps cautiously. He then proffered a hand to his graceful companion. She took it and proceeded down the steps. In the dark it was difficult to focus, but eventually Hermione saw the imposing castle protruding out of the shadows. It took her utmost inner strength not to run back to the carriage, but once she got a hold of herself, she resolutely agreed to continue.

Once they were at the front gate Draco raised his hand to the knocker, but before he had a chance to use it, it was pulled out of his hand as the door creaked open.

They hesitantly stepped inside and Hermione reeled in horror as she realized the paintings in the house were as gruesome as they had been in her nightmares. Her stomach churned as she heard the carriage driving off into the night, her only hope of escape was lost. Draco pretended not to notice her obvious distaste, and led her into what she assumed was one of many sitting rooms. The room was a sight to behold, and she preferred it immensely to the previous one. There were no garish paintings portraying death and murder in this room, that was apparent. Quite the contrary, the walls were painted in pastel blue, and there were flowers garnishing the tables. Draco was relieved that she liked this room he had hoped she would. It had always been his mother's favorite room in the castle, and she would be enjoying it again very soon. Draco glanced apprehensively at the clock on the wall it read five to nine. His parents were due at nine, and Malfoys were never late. She tapped her foot nervously and her gazes never left the clock, tick tock, tick tock, the steady rhythm making her more and more comfortable.

Suddenly the clock chimed loudly and somewhere else in the castle there was the unmistakable boom of a grandfather clock, and the chirp of a cuckoo clock as well. The whole castle seemed to be alive with noise and Hermione brought her hands to her ears. Draco smiled weakly he had forgotten about the master of the castle's infatuation with clocks. Then he sat up with a jolt, the chiming of the clocks meant...

With a loud pop Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy apparated into the room. "Draco darling, how nice to see you," his mother exclaimed kissing him on both cheeks.

"Well son, is this your fiancée I've been hearing so much about?" Hermione shuddered involuntarily as Lucius drew nearer to her. Thankfully he didn't notice, or she wouldn't be there much longer. Over his shoulder Hermione glanced in the mirror, making sure her glamour was still working. To her delight she saw a pale girl with blonde hair and green eyes, quite a good-looking girl at that. Remembering her task, she quickly collected herself and approached Lucius. She gazed meaningfully into his eyes and focused on ot cringing when he kissed her.

"My dear, it's so good to finally meet you!" Hermione liked Narcissa's manner a great deal better. Probably because she wasn't so imposing, when Lucius looked at her, Hermione felt violated.

"You too Mrs. Malfoy, and I love your dress!" The well-rehearsed words came easily to Hermione, for she had spent the last few weeks memorizing them in excruciating detail.

"Oh my goodness, we'll have none of that... er dear, please call me Narcissa!" It was only then that Draco realized he hadn't introduced Hermione properly.

"Oh where are my manners-"

Draco began but his father interrupted with a cold stare and muttered "Indeed."

"Er, this is He-" Hermione gasped and the pretended to cough, and Draco cursed under his breath remembering that from now on she wasn't Hermione she was Tiffany Willowbank. Draco jerked himself from his thoughts when he realized everyone was staring at him expectantly.

"My deepest apologies everyone, I'm a little...fazed today. This is Tiffany Willowbank."

"I don't remember you ever mentioning her when you were at Hogwarts." Lucius had a skeptical tone to his voice.

"She went to Beauxbatons, father."

"Oh indeed, who taught you arithmancy there?" Hermione froze, what was the name of the arithmancy teacher at Beauxbatons? All the studying she did never prepared her for this. She knew the headmistress' name for sure, how could she ever forget Madame Maxime? But never learned about their arithmancy teacher. "Was Lucius just bluffing?" she wondered.

"Um well, this is going back a few years..." Hermione pretended to be racking her brain and finally said, "Nope, sorry Mr. Malfoy, I'm drawing a blank." Realizing that Hermione had a panic-stricken look on her face and no idea what to say, Draco came to her rescue.

"Father, what time shall we expect the master?"

"Our master," Lucius stressed the word our, "Shall come when it pleases him." Draco nodded in assent, then turned to Hermione, "Tiffany darling, why don't you and my mother go freshen up?" Draco figured Narcissa was the best way to go, because then Hermione wouldn't have to answer prodding questions about her background, or rather "Tiffany's" background. Hermione looked at Narcissa hesitantly for approval and Narcissa wordlessly linked arms with her and they strode out of the room.

"So father," Draco searched for a topic of conversation that wasn't too political he hated politics. "What do you think of her?"

"She's..." here Lucius hesitated, not a common occurrence for the elder Malfoy, for he was by nature a very smooth talker. Draco waited patiently, but the silence was deafening. "Obscure," Lucius finished, as usual finding the perfect word. Draco inwardly agreed, Hermione had tried her best but she wasn't very good at improvising. Lucius stood up and strode over to the liquor cabinet, he took out two glasses and poured himself a scotch. He gestured to Draco with an empty glass, but Draco politely declined, "I want to have my wits about me tonight, father."

"That's a good man," Lucius said somewhat affectionately. Draco's lips twisted into a sardonic smile and he silently thought, "If only he knew."

Meanwhile in the next room, Narcissa was chatting gaily about various gossip, and Hermione was surprisingly enjoying it. She never would have thought that the goings on of Voldemort's inner circle would be so laid back. Narcissa touched on several names Hermione knew but for the most part she was in the dark. Of course she knew all about the Lestranges and the Zabinis. But Hermione was shocked when another name slipped out, a very familiar name that shouldn't be mentioned at all in this context. Her face must have registered surprise because Narcissa stopped her rapid talking.

"What's the matter dear? Have I said something offensive?" Hermione looked at Narcissa's face, the lines on her forehead pressed with anxiousness.

"No not at all," Narcissa smiled visibly relieved, " It's just that..." Hermione wasn't sure whether she should voice her thoughts, she contemplated, losing a few precious seconds before continuing, "I wasn't aware the Weasley's were involved." Hermione forced the lump out of her throat and focused on making her expression remain neutral.

"Oh?" Narcissa cocked an eyebrow and Hermione's face fell. "Shit, I've blown it. She's guessed who I am!" Narcissa studied Hermione's face as if she was seeing her for the first time. "I would've thought you would have been informed. Isn't your father a deatheater? Caesar Willowbank?"

"Oh no, he's a distant cousin though, I believe."

"I see." Hermione was furious with herself, she thought she had lost Narcissa's trust.

"So which Weasley has finally seen the light?" Hermione tried to lighten the spirits of the conversation, but she feared it was too late.

"Ron, I think that's his name anyway. I could never remember which redhead was which. He's best friends with the infamous Harry Potter." Narcissa laughed conspiratorially and Hermione felt compelled to join her although she felt as if she was going to be sick.

"Oh you haven't even heard the best part! He's the key man in a plot to do away with Dumbledore's wonder boy and his little mudblood girlfriend, Hermioninny!" Narcissa laughed harder this time and now Hermione was furious but continued laughing, her hands digging into the flesh of her palm. She wanted to scream that it was Hermione not Hermioninny but thankfully refrained.

In a few seconds Draco rushed into the room and announced, "He's here!"

Hermione felt her world spinning but before Narcissa could notice that she was about to faint, Draco was at her side, his arm entwined with hers. "Excited my love?"

"Yes of course," Hermione murmured weakly, her head buried in his robes. They walked arm in arm to into the great hallway of the castle and once again Hermione was forced to look at the atrocious pictures decorating the ghastly room. But the room was nothing compared to what she bore witness to next.

He was scarier than she thought he would be and more human than she'd hoped. He was a solid man without the frail appearance Harry had mentioned in detail. His eyes were in fact true to the rumors though, a dark fiery red. She stood, in what he must have thought to be awe of him, but in reality, was shock. Draco squeezed her arm supportively, and for that she was eternally grateful. He gave her the strength she needed to speak. "Milord," she fell to her knees in mock respect.

"You may stand." Anything that came out of his mouth was an order not a request and she knew enough not to question him. All of the four people abruptly stood. "Lucius, this is your son's fiancée I presume." It was a statement not a question, such men felt themselves above questions. He looked Hermione up and down and obviously liked what he saw for his lips curled in a twisted smile. But then, who could help but like what they saw? Hermione's glamour transformed her into a gorgeous blonde.

Hermione heard Lucius mutter a weak, "Yes."

"So even his right hand man fears him," pondered Hermione. But Hermione would be shocked if anyone didn't fear him, she knew those piercing red eyes would haunt her dreams for quite a while.

"Shall we?" Everyone proceeded directly into the dining room as he said it, almost as if he physically forced them. Appropriately there were five seats at the table and it looked rather ridiculous because there was room for at least thirty more. The room looked almost as vast as the great hall at Hogwarts, but this room held none of its warmth. Hermione sat next to Draco on one side of the table, Lucius and Narcissa sat directly across from them, and the master of the castle sat at its base. The first course was sautéed snail, which Hermione knew as escargot. She nibbled at it politely, although in recent years she had become a vegetarian. Draco glanced at her appreciatively, the last thing he wanted was to give Voldemort a reason to dislike her. As one could tell by the various animal heads mounted on the wall, its master enjoyed meat. A houself appeared with a very expensive looking bottle of wine, red wine, and Hermione winced inwardly. She hated alcohol, she disliked anything that altered her senses. The houself gave her a more than generous portion of it and Hermione took the plunge and hesitantly sipped it. "Do you like it?" All heads turned to Hermione as Voldemort addressed her.

"Yes, Its lovely," the words tumbled out of her mouth easily, for the taste wasn't the reason she disliked wine.

"It's a 1974 Merlot, it costs about $800."

"It truly is divine." Hermione looked in his eyes all the while she was speaking.

"I like a woman that respects money, it went from lovely to divine when you heard the price." Hermione blushed, from the compliment as much as the looks he was giving her.

Draco was thoroughly disgusted, Voldemort was eying Hermione with a disturbing look in his eyes. Draco was grateful, not for the first time, that the man couldn't read minds. If in fact, he could be considered a man. The dinner passed agonizingly slowly with no further conversation. Just as everyone took their last bite of the fantastic apple crumble, Voldemort signaled for attention. "I have an announcement to make, I approve of your son's fiancée, Lucius." At this Hermione sighed, she was very relieved. As was Draco and he gave her arm a light squeeze and shot her a dazzling smile. Hermione realized when he was actually smiling, not smirking, Draco was quite cute. But she pushed those thoughts from her mind as Voldemort continued, "However I have a small request." Lucius and Narcissa shot each other a look, they knew what was coming next. Meanwhile Hermione was looking at Draco in confusion. Draco swallowed hard, he knew what was coming as well, and he knew Hermione would not be pleased. "I'm sure you've already, how shall I put it? Consummated. But I'll have to ask you to do it again, here tonight, just to seal the marriage." Hermione looked at Draco in sheer horror, a look that was not missed by everyone present. He gave her a warning glare and she immediately altered her expression. "Ah so you haven't had sex yet. Draco I'm surprised." Draco realized that is the first time Voldemort had spoken directly to him that night, usually he spoke to him through his father.

Draco managed a laugh and turned to face Hermione, "Tiffany doesn't believe in pre-marital sex, she is saving herself until the wedding night." Hermione smiled at Draco and he gave her a tiny wink, she relaxed, thinking his excuse would suffice for now. But sadly she was mistaken.

"Master, I, I don't know what to say!" Lucius had jumped out of his seat and he now knelt before Voldemort kissing the hem of his robes. Hermione had to stifle a laugh, its not everyday you see a Malfoy kissing someone's hems, even if it was Voldemort.

"I'm not doing this only for you Lucius," Voldemort dismissed him with a wave of his hand, "I'm quite taken with Tiffany here, gorgeous but clever too. It's a good combination with Draco's raw wit and sarcasm. I think your child will make a great heir. You are a pureblood are you not?" He turned to Hermione a stern look in his eye.

"Of, of course," Hermione stammered.

"I would never date anyone that wasn't, much less propose to them!"

"I'm glad of that Draco, I sincerely am. Now I've put you two up a room in the terrace. Have a pleasant night."

Draco collapsed on the bed with a sigh. Hermione hesitantly sat down beside him. "Do we really have to?"

"Are you a virgin?"

"Yes."

"Then yeah we have to."

"But Draco, I'm dating Harry..."

Draco cut her off. "Shhhhh, we have to be quiet."

Hermione nodded and lowered her voice to a whisper, "I like being an auror, and I would do anything to help Dumbledore and the order, you know that. But this...Draco I cant!"

"Hermione, when you agreed to become a spy you knew what it would entail."

"I know I did, but I never thought that this was part of it!"

"Well, when you signed that document you agreed to do whatever it takes to succeed. This is just a stepping-stone on the path to success. Hermione I know you can do this. If it helps, I'm a virgin too."

Hermione looked at him in shock, "You are?"

"Why so surprised?"

"Draco Malfoy is a virgin," Hermione said with a smirk, "I never would've thought."

"So just think of it as practice for Harry," he whispered to Hermione softly, as much as he hated to say it, he knew it would help her.

"Okay."

Draco leaned in close and hesitantly kissed her, he was startled at the soft pliancy of her lips. He had wanted this for so long, although it wasn't the same, because in his dreams it had always been the bushy haired Hermione with the brightest smile. The new Hermione, or Tiffany, was hot for sure. But she wasn't, and to him never could be, the real Hermione. He slid his tongue inside her mouth and she embraced it with her own but he could sense that she wasn't interested. It hurt him more than anything else that he was kissing her and she didn't want him to, but it had to be done. He suddenly broke of the kiss and looked into Hermione's eyes.

"Hermione I have to tell you something."

"What is it, Draco?"

"This, well, it isn't right."

"Of course it isn't!" Hermione's tone was indignant, "But, as you said, it's unavoidable."

"Well Hermione, this may sound stupid, but have you ever used a tampon?"

"Draco!" Hermione blushed and she looked away.

"Have you?"

"Well yes, a few times...why?"

"Well if you've used one then your hymen is broken."

"Which means?"

"Which means that if you were examined one would think you're not a virgin because it's the skin that breaks when you're...deflowered."

"Oh Draco that's wonderful news!" Hermione's smiled brightly, "How did you know all that? I thought I was the muggle expert here!"

"Well let's just say I took muggle studies."

"You didn't!"

"Yeah..."

"Wasn't your father furious?"

"He was at first, but then I explained to him that to know your enemy is an advantage that we've overlooked."

Hermione nodded, as she understood his reasoning, but at the same time she didn't like that Draco included himself when talking about the deatheaters. Her face must have registered these emotions for he quickly added "Not that they're my enemies, but for the sake of the order I have to think like I'm a deatheater or I'll blow my cover."

"I know that better than anyone." Hermione looked downcast, and Draco assumed it was because of missing Harry.

"Hermione, if this is about Harry-"

"Its not!" Hermione yelled loudly, losing control of her emotions. "Im sorry. I didn't mean to yell."

"Its alright Hermione, I know you didn't do it intentionally. But please, tell me...what's wrong?"

"Its about Ron." Hermione gulped, she had tried to push those thoughts form her mind. "You're mother, she said..." Hermione trailed off and Draco waited for her to continue. "She said that Ron was, is, a death eater." Draco's mouth opened and then closed, as he couldn't find any words to say. "I mean, Narcissa obviously trusted me because she told me all of Voldemort's plans..." Hermione still cringed a little when she spoke his name, and it had taken her seventeen years before she could even say it instead of you-know-who. Draco put a comforting hand on her shoulder and then pulled her in close. He rocked his body soothingly and it wasn't long before she drifted off to sleep. A very uncomfortable sleep, with several nightmares involving Voldemort, whereas Draco lay with her on his shoulder for a number of hours before drifting off.

The next morning Hermione awoke to the clink of something banging against a window. She would know that sound anywhere, it was an owl. She jumped out of bed excitedly, awaking Draco in the process. She threw open the window and eagerly untied the parchment from the owl's claws. She ripped open the note and her eyes began scanning the parchment.

Dear Tiffany,

We hope this letter finds you well. The whole gang is having a party to celebrate Josh's birthday and we would love you to join us. The party's taking place in two days, October 10 at 8:00. We're eagerly awaiting you're reply, so write as soon as you can. Good luck with your work assignment. Oh! Bring your charming fiancée Draco. Is he as good-looking as you say he is?

Love always,

Dorothea and Harriet

Hermione jumped up and showed the letter to Draco, who was still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Look it's a note from Dumbledore!"

"It says its from Dorothea and Harriet..."

"Dorothea is Dumbledore and Harriet is obviously Harry!"

"Oh." Draco said unenthusiastically, great the wonder boy sent a letter.

"They want us to tell them all the news and the birthday is an excuse for us to leave in two days."

"Okay, it might work, but you have to convince my parents that you're leaving for a party."

"Will do. But you have to pretend that you want to leave and see Harry too!"

"Alright, but now you have to be Tiffany Willowbank again okay?" Hermione nodded and they walked arm in arm down the staircase and into the hall. In the dining room they found Narcissa and Lucius already at the table. Lucius was reading the Daily Prophet, and Narcissa was devouring the latest issue of Witch Weekly. Hermione smiled to herself, she never would've expected Lucius Malfoy's wife to read fashion magazines. Just then Lucius looked up.

"Ah, here's sleeping beauty and the beast himself!" Lucius winked at Hermione when he said beauty, causing Draco to scowl.

"Father, please spare us it was a long night." Lucius cocked an eyebrow, obviously his idea of sex for the first time didn't cause one to scowl the next morning. Draco catching this, added hastily, "You know how things are, eh pop?"

"No I certainly do not, and don't ever, ever call me pop again. Understood?" Draco nodded meekly and began to find the tablecloth very interesting all of a sudden. "Tiffany how was your experience?"

"I-it..."

"Ah, nothing quite like speechlessness." Hermione smiled and nodded, she had grown to fear this man and definitely knew not to cross him. For the first time Narcissa looked up from the magazine to gush at Hermione.

"Oh Tiffany! That nightgown is simply gorgeous! Is it satin or silk? Can you put it in the washer or does it require spell-cleaning? Did you get it in Diagon Alley? You must tell me! Perhaps we can go shopping together? Would you like that?"

Hermione just gawked at her, she never knew a person could speak so quickly.

"I-"

"She would love to go shopping with you mother," Draco cut Hermione off rudely.

"In fact, didn't you get an owl this morning about a party?"

"Oh yes," Hermione caught onto his train of thought. "Josh's eighteenth birthday party! I almost forgot. I simply have nothing to wear!"

"Oh we can remedy that!" Narcissa beamed at her, "We'll go to Diagon alley first and then perhaps that darling boutique in Knockturn alley. Madame Gulka's store, you know the one!"

Hermione nodded and feigned enthusiasm. Although, under different circumstances shopping with someone as knowledgeable as Narcissa would be fun. But in auror training camp, they warned about making emotional ties with anyone. Your victim, in this case Voldemort (but there was nothing to worry about there), your sources, Lucius and Narcissa, and even your partner. She glanced over at Draco, his blonde hair was falling into his eyes making him seem very attractive, yet vulnerable at the same time. Narcissa was chatting again but Hermione wasn't listening, she had already spotted Voldemort standing in the doorway.

"Leaving so soon?" Hermione wasn't sure if the question was directed at her or Draco so she remained silent.

"Well, we shall be holding the wedding feast here, with your blessing of course."

"Draco, Draco, Draco..." Hermione shuddered as Voldemort spoke his name with a chiding tone. "No, this cant be happening", she thought.

"You can't possibly leave now." Voldemort's words were as cold as ice, "I haven't received my heir."

"Well, surely it can wait a few days..." Draco trailed of seeing the hard expression on Voldemort's face.

"No, it cannot wait Draco. I have bestowed a great honor on you, and I don't think you appreciate it enough. Perhaps a few days in the dungeon can change that."

Hermione's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "Care to join him, my sweet?"

Hermione wondered if being without an ally in this castle was as bad as being locked in a dungeon with Draco. Realizing that she would have more freedom to help Draco if she weren't in the same unfortunate situation, she shook her head. "Good, self-preservation always wins out over love." Hermione looked into Draco's eyes and tried to convey the message that she would never abandon him. He nodded and winked at her as if to insure her that he'd be alright. She never doubted that however, Draco was as tough as nails and they both knew it. "Shall we create an heir ourselves then? Seeing as Draco's proved to be a lying little prick, I don't think I have any other choices. No?" Voldemort laughed his disparaging laugh that he was infamous for, "I didn't think you'd like that idea either Hermione."