PREFACE
There is a very short list of things I could do, that would shock even my twin brother. Stripping down to my skivvies and running around the black lake, shouting "I am the Kraken of the sea!" at the top of my lungs, isn't even on there. He knows that given the right amount of motivation... and the right amount of fire whiskey, it's possible. Nay, probable.
But one of the most improbable things, aside from joining the death eaters themselves, would probably be falling for one.
But as he leaned in to kiss me, I couldn't bring myself to care. The castle could catch fire and I wouldn't care. I wouldn't even notice.
Chapter 1:
Jo's house was huge. I had been staying with her, while her parents were out of town, for the past week. God knows that they would have had a heart attack, in unison, if they ever knew a Potter was staying in their home. And not as a prisoner in their (surprisingly large) dungeon.
Even though I had been here for some time I was still getting completely turned around at every corner.
I opened the nearest door. "Another bedroom? Really? Who the heck needs that many?" I said to no one in particular, going for another door.
"who put's a broom cupboard in the middle of a hallway!" I shut the second door, none to gently, and stalked to where I thought the expansive cloth covered staircase would be.
When I reached the bottom of the banister, I sighed, feeling ridiculous for about the 20th time that week. "Marco!" I shouted, hoping Jo could hear me.
After a pause, I heard a "Polo" come from somewhere to the right side of the emerald green stairs.
"ugh," I whined, looking at the black marble floor for a moment, then headed toward the voice.
"Marco!" I questioned, once I was in an unknown hallway on the second floor.
I heard the ghost of a chuckle, followed by, "Polo!"
Great. At least one of us was amused. And now I had another floor to climb. Oh, joy.
Sigh.
At least I sort of knew the layout of the third floor. Jo basically had it to herself. The hall in this wing of the Manor was very bare. the walls were dotted with empty blocks where she had removed portraits of past family members, and their disapproving scows. I didn't blame her. Serious would have done the same thing, if he could have gotten away with it. And since her pureblood parents couldn't give two garden gnomes about what their blood traitor daughter did, it was quite easy.
"There are too many stairs in this place." I muttered, a little out of breath. Walking into Jo's purple and black room. I spotted her sitting at her vanity with a quill poised in her hand. she glanced up from her writting with a raised eyebrow and a patronizing smirk.
"I got lost again." I said simply, by way of explanation, as I flopped face first onto her big puffy bed.
It was amazing how someone could have everything and nothing at the same time. she could have anything she wanted. Where ever, when ever. But when it came down to it she had no one. Except maybe Blaise and pathetic little me, and wasn't that a slightly depressing thought. Sometimes, I really hated her parents for being so uncaring towards they're only daughter and my best friend. How could they not see how great she was? It was their loss, I guess.
"What are you writing?" I asked her, my voice slightly muffled by the comforter. She didn't answer right away, so I glanced at her.
"A letter to Blaise." She replied somewhat quietly
"Joan Warwick, was that a blush I just saw?" I teased, sitting up.
"Of course not. You must be seeing things." She teased back. But smiled to take the slight sting from her words. "What where you looking for down there?" She said. To change the subject, I'm sure.
I sighed in resignation. "The kitchen... I never found it." I admitted with averted eyes.
She smiles, "well good." now it was my turn to raise a questioning eyebrow. How would my not eating be a good thing? It was actually a very bad thing, seeing as I got quite cross when I haven't eaten for a while, and considering the fact that she was the nearest person to me at the moment, she had reason to worry about her bodily safety and or sanity.
"Blaise wants to meet us in town for a late lunch." she explained. "Would you like to come?"
I opened my mouth to say 'yes, of course'. But there was something that made me pause. She had that, I'm-up-to-something-you-won't-like look, in her eyes. and I suddenly thought of what it might be.
My eyes became accusing "Will you-know-who be there?"
She rolled her eyes but there was guilt there to. "I'm pretty sure Blaise doesn't keep company with Lord Voldemort, Annie."
"Oh, don't act coy with me. You know what I meant" I glared. "Will Malfoy be there or not?"
"It's a ... possibility?" She said sheepishly. I took that as a yes.
"Ugh" I huffed as I back-flopped onto her bed once again, shoving a pillow in my face. I heard her hop off her chair and pounce onto the bed landing next to me
"Oh, come on Annie! Please?" She begged. "Can't you two be civil to each other for just an hour or two? I haven't seen Blaise all summer."
I knew I couldn't say no to her. As much as I wanted to. But the reason I had been dreading, and maybe looking forward to, the moment Draco and I finally saw each other again; was that I didn't know what to do. Our last year had been strange at best. With one or two almost kisses, one real one, and a moment I didn't know what to make of, but was fully grateful for.
FLASHBACK
It was the night of the last task. Harry was in the maze with the other champions. Jo, Hermione, Ron and I sat waiting in the stands. Hoping nothing bad would happen to him, and trying to joke around to ease the tension.
It felt like an eternity. And in the pit of my stomach, I knew that something bad was going to happen tonight. All that was left to decide, was how horrible it would be.
'Would my brother be wounded? Most likely, if the past was an indicator.
Would he be attacked? It's a possibility.
Is this the night he'll finally be taken from me? for good this time? God I hoped not. I don't think I'll be able to survive that.'
The trumpets sound and everyone cheers. Someone must have come out. Please let it be Harry, I prayed to any god that would listen.
And it was.
Maybe I'm wrong this time. Maybe things haven't gone dreadfully sideways, like they always do.
But then I heard a scream. why is someone screaming? Was Harry Okay? I shoved people aside to see.
Yes it was Harry. But why was he hunched over Cedric like that. Oh God, Cedric's not moving. I looked back at Jo but she was in Blaise's arms, turned away from the sight. Hermione was crying on Ron's shoulder.
Now I shoved in earnest, trying to get to my crying brother. But as I broke free of the crowd, I saw Professor Moody leading him away.
And there I was. standing in the grass surrounded by over a thousand people and feeling more alone than ever. looking at a distraught father crying over his dead son.
The scene alone was enough to bring me to silent tears. but that could so easily have been my brother. It was probably meant to be him in the first place.
'Harry needs me.' Is all I can think.
I tear my eyes away from the heartbreaking scene and run in the direction Moody has taken him.
Without the lights of the quidditch pitch, the grounds were especially dark. The quiet was only broken by the sound of my shoes thumping on the gravel path. Squinting through the darkness, looking in every direction in an attempt to see them.
I slip on the pebbles and pitch forward, landing awkwardly on my ankle. Causing me to cry out in pain.
I hadn't heard him following, but he was suddenly there. skidding to a halt and kneeling next to me. I heard his heavy breath.
"Annie?" his voice was so soft. I've never heard him use that tone, the one of worry and compassion. So far from his usual snarky and sarcastic self.
Uncertainly, Draco reached his hand out. As if I was a skidish horse who might attack if he made any sudden movements. But the second I felt his warm hand on my shoulder, I lost whatever control I had kept intact. my body trembled with unshed tears.
I didn't want to be the strong one anymore. Why couldn't someone be there for me for a change?
"It could have been him...it could have been Harry." I whisper in a quiet, broken voice.
That was all the permission he needed. He pulled me into his arms while I cried. After a moment he tentatively stroked my hair, like you would a child. When I didn't stop him, he continued. Probably surprised that I hadn't slapped him across the face yet. I was surprised that he had even done it, but not unpleasantly so.
"But it wasn't." he whispered back.
"I can't...loose him too...I can't." I cried into his chest.
"Sshhh, it'll be alright." he said with such sincerity, that I almost believed him. But I knew he was lying. He knew he was lying. But I let him anyway.
I breathed him in, a mix of sweetly scented cologne and teenage boy. We stayed together until the teachers came out. Me, quietly crying my eyes out in his surprisingly warm arms. Him, stroking my hair and hushing me. His chin resting atop my head.
END FLASHBACK
I still remember how it felt when he carried me back to the castle.
I still remember the confused and somewhat shocked looks on some of the professors faces when he insisted on carrying me and my twisted ankle himself.
I also remembered that Draco hadn't talked to me for the rest of the school year, and that he hadn't bothered to try and contact me over summer break. Not one scrap of paper. Not one small inked word. Absolutely nothing.
Not that I cared.
But how exactly am I suppose to feel about the situation? angry? Thankful? Hungry? well, yes I am pretty hungry.
But how I'm suppose to act, is the question.
One day, he's comforting me, letting me ruin what was no doubt an expensive shirt, with my tears. The next he doesn't utter a word to me, let alone a complete sentence.
Boy's were indeed confusing creatures. Maybe we could study them in Hagrid's class. I bet it would be a smash hit with the ladies. Surely I am not the only 15 year old girl who is baffled by them.
What on earth was I going to say to that boy?
Mental sigh.
I new I had to get this over with.
Yes it was going to be a bit awkward. But what can you do? I was going to see him sometime or another and at least this way I would be far away from my moody, depressed, judgmental brother.
"Fine. I'll go with you." I said in resignation.
"Yay! Annie, you won't be sorry." she squealed in a very un-Jo-like fashion.
Funny, I already am.
A/N: Yay! I'm finally done with the first chapter! this is my first time so please be gentle :)
I'd love to read your feed back so please don't be shy.
I own nothing. Our favorite characters and the amazing world that all this takes place in was dreamed up by our beloved J.K Rowling. And I'd like to thank HogwartsIsMyHome for giving me the idea and letting me continue with Annie's story instead of killing her off in a fun and creative way :)
R&R please 3