A/N: super long chappie! covers a lot! have fun

and I'm sorry it took so long see my profile for my rant and excuses

Shout out (note: not plural) at the end.

Disclaimer: I own...Aquila. The alpha and omega. The first and last. The end. No questions asked.

Ch. 4: Confrontation

The rest of the feast was horrendous. Ron had finally turned back up, but refused to speak to Aquila. Harry himself seemed reluctant to really converse with her, spending most of the meal sitting in silence. Only Hermione tried to carry on as normal, but she talked quietly, paying excruciating attention not to mention taboo subjects.

Finally, it was over. Ron excused himself quickly, mumbling that he had to help the first years. Hermione, with a pitying look to Aquila, followed. Harry and Aquila sat in a foreboding silence. Harry watched the crowd disperse absently, not sure whether she should instigate their exit, when he heard a faint clearing of a throat.

He looked over to see Blaise, who was standing behind Aquila. She turned with a smile plastered on her face.

"Hey," he heard Aquila murmur. He noticed the smile didn't quite reach her eyes, making them twinkle like they usually did when she was genuinely happy. Blaise must have noticed this.

"Are you okay?" he asked, sitting beside her.

"What do you mean? I'm fine," she said sweetly; Harry could literally see her straighten and look Blaise in the eye, something she hadn't done since she entered the castle, trying to sell the lie she was telling her forced boyfriend.

Blaise smiled; he had been fooled. "I'm glad. I would hate to see you upset. Especially on the day you found out about our proposed marriage."

"Why would she be happy about that?" Harry asked scathingly. Both Aquila and Blaise fired him a simultaneous look, Blaise's furious, Aquila's pleading.

"Shut it, Potter," Blaise spat. "Didn't your dead mother teach you not to eavesdrop on the conversations of your betters?"

"Blaise," Aquila moaned. The aforementioned seemed pleased with how she said his name for his familiar smirk reappeared as he turned back to the girl.

"Sorry, darling," he apologized. Taking her hand, he pulled her up. "May I walk you to your dorm?"

"Thank you," Aquila said, subdued. He led her out, his arm snaked along her waist. Harry watched them go, wishing he could curse that damned arm off. He gave them a good five minute head start before he got up himself and wondered out, not sure if his feet were pointed toward the Gryffindor common room or elsewhere.

o.O

"Now that we're away from that retarded Pot-head, we can talk freely," Blaise was saying.

"Blaise, please," Aquila moaned again.

"I like it when you say my name like that," his voice husky, stopping in his tracks and pulling her in front of him. She fell into his chest and looked up into his smirking face. She could feel his hardened member against her thigh. She swallowed nervously.

I'll be sure never to say his name again, she made a mental note. Out loud, she whispered, "He's my friend." Blaise let her go but caught her hand before she wandered too far.

"Well, I don't like him and he's not your boyfriend. I am," he said proudly. Aquila smiled in spite of herself at his smugness. "So how do you feel about this whole betrothal thing?"

Aquila hesitated. She got no hints from Blaise as to how she should answer. "Honestly, I still haven't grasped the fact. It just seems so surreal right now," she managed.

"I understand. I can't believe I get to marry the most beautiful girl in Hogwarts," he grinned down at her. "I suppose the feeling's mutual for you."

"Except you're not a girl," Aquila smiled hesitantly. Blaise laughed and tapped the tip of her nose.

"Very true," Blaise accented. "And I'm sure you'll get to verify how much of a man soon, if you know what I mean." Aquila fancied he looked at her hungrily with this comment. Something inside her squirmed involuntarily and all she wanted to do was get away from him.

"This is my stop," Aquila rushed. Thankfully, they were indeed in front of the Fat Lady. Blaise looked disappointed as he leaned in for a kiss. Aquila braced herself as he lightly brushed her lips with his own, breaking apart as quickly as she could. "Er…I'm tired," she explained to his confused face.

"Understandable," Blaise said. He kissed her on the tip of the nose and hugged her instead. Aquila winced as she once again felt him erect against her. Blaise broke away after a bit and smiled. "One last thing." He took her emerald ring from her right hand and placed it on her left ring finger. "I want everyone to know you're taken. I'll get you a proper ring later. For now, keep this on that finger," he commanded. He turned with one more lingering look and retreated.

"What was all that?" the Fat Lady finally spoke. Aquila jumped. "Isn't he a Slytherin?"

"Yeah," Aquila sighed. "I'm dating him."

"No joke," she whistled. "Gryffindor with Slytherin. That's a first. Then again, I always did think you were odd."

"Thanks," Aquila said, unsure. "Look, you and I both know I'm a Gryffindor. Could you let me in? The prefects are mad at me for dating him and didn't tell me the password."

"I can't do that," the Fat Lady said.

"Why?" Aquila pleaded.

"How do I know you won't go blurting the password to your Slytherin boyfriend?" she asked nastily.

"For Merlin's sake, Blaise is not that bad!" she burst. Suddenly, the portrait swung open and Ron's red face showed itself with Hermione's bushy hair and worried face peeping out from behind.

"Ron, I don't care what you have to say about me or Blaise or me becoming my father or whatever the hell is making your face so red. Right now, I just want you to move so I can go upstairs," Aquila said tiredly. Ron stood there, taken aback, the color receding slightly. Finally, Hermione pulled him away and Aquila stepped in.

"Thank you," she murmured. She made straight for the girls' staircase and ascended it. Thankfully, her dorm room was empty as she flopped on her usual bed in the far corner from the window and door. She curled up in a ball and wondered what the hell she was getting into.

o.O

"Where's 'Quil?" Harry asked the second he had entered the common room and found Ron and Hermione trying, once again, to play wizard chess.

"She went straight upstairs," Ron sneered. His knight captured Hermione's bishop and beat it into submission a little harder than necessary. Ron watched it absently. "Good riddance, eh? Why is she dating that Zabini scum anyway? You're so much better for her!"

"Ron!" Hermione said sharply. She looked at Harry quickly before speaking to him. "Why are you looking for her?"

Harry shrugged. "No reason. Blaise kinda dragged her off from me and I was wondering if…"

"She got back without being raped?" Ron said sharply.

"Ron!" Hermione said again. "She looked fine, just a little irked."

"A little!" Ron said indignantly. "She bloody well near bit my head off!"

"What did you do?" Harry asked.

"Nothing! I was about to go get you for a game when 'Quila opened the portrait and just went off on me!" Ron said hotly.

"Did either of you notice that her ring was on her left hand?" Hermione said quietly.

"What ring?" Ron grumbled.

"You know, that emerald one that is usually on her right ring finger? It jumped to her left ring finger," Hermione said.

"Is that supposed to mean something?" Ron asked. "Maybe she felt like wearing it on the other hand."

"Wearing a ring on your left ring finger means you're married, Ron," Hermione informed gently. Ron looked at her in a stupor.

"Right," he fumed, getting up. "I'm going to go talk to her."

"You can't!" Hermione said, looking frightened.

"And why not?" Ron shouted.

"Because boys can't go up the girls' case!"

Ron stopped, his foot hovering over the first step. He lowered it to the ground and sauntered back over to the chess game. "Rook to B3," he said bitterly. The said piece beat down another one of Hermione's pieces. "The second she comes down, then, I'm letting her have it."

"Don't you think she's going through enough?" Hermione said. "I mean, it sounds like she really doesn't want to date him."

"So? Lucius has made Aquila do things before. Why is she giving in now?" Harry said dully.

"From what she said at dinner, she feels like she has no choice this time. Did you hear the bit about him beating her?"

"No," Harry and Ron said quietly.

"I did," Hermione said. "I've suspected it for a while. You remember that bruise she had in Diagon Alley?" The boys nodded.

"She said she fell or something," Ron said.

"I confronted her when you lot when to see Fred and George. She changed her story, but I think she was hiding the truth still." Hermione's voice went low. "Lucius abuses her."

The boys were silent. Ron gave a long, low whistle.

"D'you think we should tell someone?" he asked subdued.

"But who?" Harry asked.

"Dumbledore," Hermione said quickly. "I'm sure he could think of something. She could stay with one of us or at Hogwarts instead of going home."

"Lucius could still hunt her down at Hogwarts. He's a governor," Harry pointed out.

"There's got to be some kind of restraining curse. Dumbledore will know about it," Hermione waved her hand. "I think we should go talk to him tomorrow." The boys nodded silently. "Oh, and I wouldn't mention any of this to Aquila. She obviously didn't want us to know and she'll probably be angry we're stepping in."

"You mean more angry than she is currently?" Ron scathed. "Checkmate."

"So should we do it?" Harry wondered aloud.

"Might as well. Blaise is going to alienate her from us anyway," Ron said bitterly.

"I hate to say it, but Ron's right," Harry agreed.

"The least we can do is see if we can stop Lucius from hurting her any more. Who knows how long this has been going on," Hermione whispered. "Tomorrow, we'll all go see Dumbledore. Oh, and no mentioning this to Aquila."

"Obviously," Ron nodded. "She should start hating us after we call out her father, not because we threatened to."

o.O

As it was, Hermione didn't get a chance to talk to Aquila anymore that night; by the time Hermione had made it upstairs, the Malfoy girl had fallen asleep. The next morning, Aquila's want for conversation didn't change much. As per usual, it fell to Hermione to wake her up.

"Quil?"

"Mmm," Aquila groaned as she rolled over and pulled the covers over her head.

"Hon, you gotta get up."

"I don't wanna."

"Quil, classes start in an hour," Hermione begged, tugging on the blankets.

"Fine," Aquila beat back her covers, rolled onto her back and scrubbed her eyes sleepily.

"You alright?" Hermione asked tentatively.

"I'm fine. Just…bloody…fine," Aquila muttered, sitting up and dragging a hairbrush through her hair. She gathered up her robes and toiletries and padded into the bathroom irritably. Hermione wasn't sure if this attitude was from last night or Aquila's usual hate of mornings. She decided to wait for Aquila and walk to breakfast with her. Maybe Aquila would loosen up once she had some food in her.

Finally, Aquila emerged, fully dressed and ready. "Shall we?" Hermione said in a false bright voice. Aquila looked at her.

"You're still talking to me?" Aquila asked, bitterly.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Hermione laughed nervously. Aquila gave her a reproachful look, gathered up her bookbag, and walked out of the dorm.

"Wait up!" Hermione called after, grabbing her things and running after.

o.O

"Wish Hermione would hurry up. I'm starving."

Harry looked at his watch; he had finally remembered to get it fixed. Ron had been bemoaning his malnutrition for twenty minutes. "Why don't we go on down to the Great Hall? It's not like Hermione won't know where we are."

"Because I want to walk with her," Ron retorted. "However, if she doesn't hurry up…"

"Wait up!" Harry heard Hermione call. He turned to see her running down the stairs after Aquila.

"We're not going anywhere…oh," Ron said, turning as well. He had thought Hermione was talking to him and Harry but, upon seeing Aquila, his tone changed dramatically.

Aquila halted at the foot of the stairs and waited for Hermione to pull up beside her. Then she started off again for the portrait hole, brushing past Harry and Ron without so much as a word of greeting.

"Aren't you going to walk with us?" Hermione asked the retreating brunette. Aquila paused and turned.

"He doesn't want me to," Aquila snapped half-heartedly, nodding to Ron.

"Course he does. Don't you, Ron?" Hermione prompted him, elbowing him in the side.

"Ow – I mean, sure, I want you to walk with us," Ron said, clutching his side. Aquila looked at him doubtfully.

"Please," Harry added. Aquila shifted her gaze to him and seemed to change her mind.

"Alright," Aquila sighed.

"Great," Hermione plastered a grin on her face. She flashed a fleeting 'be nice' look at Ron before climbing out of the portrait. Ron followed, then Harry, and Aquila.

"So your friends don't hate you," the Fat Lady said from behind them.

"Shut it," Hermione commanded. Aquila feigned deafness and kept walking toward the Great Hall. "Hey," Hermione ran up to Aquila and tapped her on the shoulder, "don't let her get to you. After all, what does she know? She's just a painting."

"Right," Harry said, falling in step beside Aquila. Aquila's face contorted into a fleeting smile before dissipating into its emotionless façade that Harry noticed was showing up more and more.

Aquila was silent for most of the rest of the trek. The three tried to engage her in conversation; Hermione even when as far as to bring up Quidditch, but to no avail. Nothing seemed to spark Aquila into being her usual animated self. Ron even almost tried to pick a fight with Aquila, seeing if pissing her off would jump her back to normal. Aquila either stayed silent or agreed with whatever Ron accused or insulted her about. Giving up, the four Gryffindors fell silent until they reached the Entrance Hall.

"There you are, darling," Blaise's deep voice rang out over the vicinity of the entrance. Aquila looked up and smiled; again, Harry noticed the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Blaise strode up and kissed her soundly on the lips, Aquila obliging this time. Harry heard Ron move behind him then Hermione whisper, "No, Ron."

Blaise broke apart, smiling down at her. "You seem better," he said.

"Much," Aquila said.

"And how are you feeling about our betrothal?"

Aquila smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm ecstatic. Father couldn't have chosen a worthier husband for me."

"Wonderful," Blaise growled slightly. "Have you eaten yet?"

"No, I just got up."

"Then will you do me the honor of eating with us?" Blaise asked, bowing slightly.

"Erm…at the Slytherin table?" Aquila asked, looking worried. She glanced quickly at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, not sure what to do.

"Sorry, she's eating with us," Harry stepped up, linking his arm with Aquila's and looking Blaise in the eye.

"Harry," Aquila and Hermione warned him simultaneously.

"Let go of my fiancé, Potter," Blaise spat at Harry, "and I think we should let Aquila decide on her own. How about it, darling?" Blaise's tone became pleasurable again.

"Well, I have to get my schedule…" Aquila said, rubbing her neck nervously.

"One of the Gryffindors can pick that up for you, no doubt," Blaise waved her excuse away.

"Well, then…I suppose I shall eat with you…" Aquila started.

"Excellent," Blaise said. He took her hand and half-dragged her into the Great Hall and over to the Slytherin table. Aquila could feel the eyes on her as she sat down beside Blaise and across from Draco and Pansy.

"Eurgh, what's she doing here?" Pansy scowled at Aquila.

"Shut it, she's my girlfriend, Parkinson," Blaise growled as he piled food on a plate and set in front of Aquila.

"You're dating Gryffindor trash, Zabini?" Pansy howled.

"She's a Malfoy first," Draco butted in. "She can't help that Dumbledore's stupid Sorting Hat malfunctioned."

"And I might be from Gryffindor, but at least I'm not the Slytherin slut," Aquila fired back. Pansy shut up quickly, glaring at Aquila. Crabbe and Goyle guffawed stupidly before Draco commanded them to hush. Pansy turned to Blaise, her tone quaint

"It's just I always saw you dating someone…different than Aquila," she sneered at Aquila, who rolled her eyes bored.

"Well, I've liked her for a while now," Blaise squeezed Aquila's hand affectionately; Aquila smiled in what she hoped was full of love, "and now that our parents have arraigned for us to marry…"

"Oh, she's the anonymous wife to be," Pansy looked slightly disappointed. "I suppose congratulations are in order…"

On command, well-wishings erupted up and down the tableside. "Thank you," Aquila said bashfully. "You know, Draco, you made it sound like Father wanted to find mates for both of us."

Draco blanched slightly. "I did?" he asked.

"Oh, yes. Which brings up the question 'who's the lucky girl for you?'"

A squeal erupted out of Pansy as she gripped Draco's arm in a fit of passion. "You're looking at her!" Pansy said ecstatically. Draco looked slightly constipated as he held back a look of disgust.

Aquila sniggered behind her hand, looking away from her brother and his fiancé. Blaise leaned over and whispered, "You understand how narrowly I escaped marrying that." Aquila nodded, not trusting her voice at the moment.

"Are you okay?" Pansy asked. Aquila nodded. "You're not choking?" Aquila shook her head and, composing herself, sat up and smiled.

"I'm fine," she said.

"Looks like we're going to be sisters!" Pansy squealed again. Aquila heard Blaise groan from beside her.

"Seems that way," Aquila said before leaning over to Blaise. "Thought you had escaped her, eh?" she whispered to him.

"Guess I'll never escape her," Blaise whispered back. Aquila felt his hand graze her thigh. "At least I won't have to deal with her alone."

Aquila grabbed his hand that was slowly inching closer to her torso and kissed him quickly. She felt him smile and let him deepen the kiss. At least he's good at this, Aquila thought.

o.O

"God, they're kissing again."

Harry looked up from his breakfast to see Ron scowling at a kissing Aquila and Blaise. Something in Harry's stomach twisted, making the food in his mouth very unappetizing. He spat it out into a napkin and magicked it away with a tap of his wand.

"Ron, stop staring and eat your breakfast," Hermione sighed, tucking away an omelet.

"How can you eat at a time like this?" Ron exclaimed, taking a bite out of his toast.

"Well, you seem to be having no trouble," Hermione smiled at him. Ron looked down at the crispy bread in his hand and, debating, took another bite.

"Still," he said, spraying crumbs every which way, "someone should put a stop to that. Snogging at breakfast. Honestly."

"We can't interfere with what Aquila does with her boyfriend," Hermione said wisely.

"He's not her bloody boyfriend!" Ron burst. "Harry's supposed to…"

"RON!" Hermione snapped.

"What am I supposed to do?" Harry asked, looking away from the Slytherin table.

"Nothing," Ron and Hermione said innocently.

"Schedules," McGonnagall said, walking up to the three. "Hermione Granger. A full schedule. Very good," Hermione grabbed the parchment from the professor eagerly, "Harry Potter. I spoke with Professor Snape and he has agreed to let you carry on with Potions tentatively. Don't give him reason to kick you out or you will have to switch career choices," she handed him his course selections, "Ron Weasley… speaking of careers, have you yet decided on what you want to do?" she asked the redhead sternly.

"Not really," Ron said softly, holding out a hand for his schedule. McGonnagall frowned and handed him the parchment.

"See that you do," she commanded. "Onward…Aquila Malfoy. Another full load, mostly Curse Breaker classes…hold on," McGonnagall frowned. "Where's Malfoy? Granger?"

"She's at the Slytherin table, Professor," Hermione said absently. "I'll give her her schedule for you."

"I can do no such thing. Each student must only get his or her own schedule. Kindly direct me in her direction."

o.O

Meanwhile, back at the Slytherin table, Snape was handing out his houses' class sheet.

"Crabbe, are you still trying for an O.W.L. in Potions?" Snape sneered down at the sheet.

"Yes, professor," Crabbe grunted. "My mother wants."

"I would advise against it," Snape sneered, "but, then again, I have no say in your class choices. The same goes for you, Goyle," he said, letting their two schedules flutter out on his grip. He took another step forward and shuffled through his stack of parchment.

"Miss Parkinson…very light schedule. Out of curiosity, what are you planning to do after Hogwarts?"

"Stay in the Malfoy manor and run my husband's household," Pansy said proudly, still holding Draco's arm for dear life.

"To each his own, I suppose," Snape muttered, before moving on. "And the future spouse to Miss Parkinson, Mister Malfoy." Snape glanced down and smiled at Draco. "I look forward to seeing you in Potions. You as well, Zabini." He handed the boys their respective parchment. He did a double take and his black eyes landed on Aquila.

"Well, well, what have we here?" he smirked. "Mrs. Zabini. Well, not yet, anyway."

"Right, professor," Blaise piped in, squeezing Aquila's hand.

"And what brings you to the Slytherin table?" Snape asked. "I thought you would be dining with Potter and them."

"I asked her," Blaise said.

"Ah, Potter is not too happy about this…arraignment if memory serves me correctly. I supposed he didn't put up much of a fight. At least, not enough to make you want to eat with him."

"Yes, professor," Aquila spoke up, her jaw set.

"Well, even if you are promised to Blaise, you aren't part of my house. Therefore, I don't have your schedule. Professor McGonnagall?" Snape called across the hall. The noise lessened drastically as McGonnagall raised her head.

"Yes, Severus?" McGonnagall responded curtly.

"I have Aquila Malfoy at my table. Would you happen to have her schedule?"

"Right here," McGonnagall strode over and handed him Aquila's schedule.

"Thank you, Minerva. Any other time, I would have asked for Aquila to leave, but giving the circumstances…I suppose you've heard?"

"No, I haven't."

"She and Zabini are engaged. Just last night, if the rumors are true."

Buzzing cropped up along every student table in the Hall. Aquila closed her eyes and hid her face from the stares. "Well, then," McGonnagall looked taken aback. She gave Aquila a fleeting look of confusion before congratulating her. "Now if you will excuse me, I must attend to the rest of my house."

o.O

"Poor Aquila," Hermione had her mouth covered in shock.

"That git," Ron said poisonously. "That bloody git. What right does Snape have announcing that to the entire school. Tactless, that is."

"What do you know about tact?" Harry said.

"That's beside the point, mate," Ron said. He gave Aquila one last look before bending over his plate again. "So, we're still on for talking to Dumbledore?"

"But we don't know the password to his office," Harry reminded.

"That's why I think it'll be best to wait after Transfiguration and ask McGonnagall for it. She's closest to Dumbledore in rank and we all have Transfiguration before lunch. We'll just stay behind and say we need to speak with him immediately."

"How do we know he isn't gone? Because it seems whenever we really need him, he's away from some odd reason," Ron said.

"Because he's sitting right there," Hermione pointed up to the staff table. Sure enough, the headmaster was tucking away his second bowl of porridge and talking animatedly with little Professor Flitwick.

"Right," Ron said, swallowing and picking up his schedule, "what's first? Ah! Free period! Score!"

"Potions," Harry muttered darkly. "Damn. Might as well get the worst over with, eh?"

"Oh, Harry," Hermione sighed. "Maybe it won't be that bad."

o.O

Hermione was wrong.

Harry and her left the table and, bidding Ron a goodbye, headed down the familiar path to the Potions dungeon without Aquila. However, once they turned the final classroom, the heads of Draco, Blaise, and Aquila became painfully visible.

"Well, well, Saint Potter is deciding to sneak into O.W.L. Potions with his Mudblood girlfriend," Draco sneered, turning to face the two approaching Gryffindors. "Perhaps this class isn't going to be as pleasant – OW!"

Aquila's arm had swung out and punched Draco hard in the arm. "Shut it," she seethed.

"Why do you insist on sticking up for halfbreeds, Quil?" Draco rubbed his sore arm. "You're above them."

"I stick up for them because it's bigoted idiots like yourself that call them Mudbloods! Hermione's gotten better marks than all of us combined since first year. The day you can beat her grades is the day I won't punch you for calling names," Aquila retorted.

Draco was about to retaliate when Snape opened the dungeon door. "Enter," he said in a low hiss. He glared at them all as they passed by him, a sneering look of distaste blessed Harry and Hermione in particular, and shut the door with a loud slam.

There were twelve students in the N.E.W.T class: Draco, Blaise, Nott, Aquila, four Ravenclaws who Harry only knew in passing, Harry, Hermione and Ernie Macmillan. There were three available tables. Immediately, the Ravenclaws claimed one table. The Slytherins took another and Blaise offered a chair to Aquila. She looked hesitantly at Harry, Hermione, and Ernie.

"Thanks for…back there," Hermione said carefully.

"No problem," Aquila nodded.

"Sit with us?" she offered.

"Er…" Aquila looked over her shoulder; Draco was calling her name. "I should probably…sit with Blaise…" she trailed off.

Hermione nodded. "C'mon Hermione," Harry said, a slight bitterness in his tone. Aquila noticed it and looked at him sadly.

"Harry, I don't mean for it to be this way," she sighed.

"If you're going to marry a Slytherin, this is the way it's going to be," Harry said before he could stop himself." Automatically, he wanted to take it back; Aquila looked like she either wanted to cry or punch him like she had her brother. Instead, she straightened and turned to the Slytherins. Sitting down with more force than necessary, she didn't look back for the entire class.

"Now that we have finally decided where to sit, perhaps we can start class," Snape's oily voice drawled from the front of the room. "Most of you deserve to be here. To those of you who managed to…slip through," Snape sneered at Harry, "be warned that this class will be much more advanced than your previous Potions classes. There is neither room nor time for mistakes or mediocrity. And I will not hesitate to ask you to leave if any work, ah…come up short of expectations." He let that sink before pointing his wand to the blackboard. It triplicated and filled itself with miniscule writing. "Your notes on the Draught of Living Death. Copy them and I expect an example by the end of class. Directions are on page 811 of your textbooks."

There was a frantic rush for parchment and quills. Harry was still looked murderously at Snape until Hermione bumped him as she scribbled madly.

"Get a move on," she hissed, looking worried. "You heard McGonnagall, Snape will be looking for any chance to kick you out of his class!"

So, with another venomous look at Snape, he bent over his work, determined to prove himself. That, and he had no idea what else he could do beside be an Auror. People would expect it of him, the chosen one to kill Voldemort.

Something clicked in his mind. He still hadn't told Ron and Hermione about the prophecy. Part of him was itching to tell Hermione right now, but another, larger part told him to wait. And a very small part wanted still wanted to tell Aquila. That can't happen, the annoying voice in the back of the head said. She's betrayed you. She's ditched you. What makes you think she won't run and tell her precious fiancé that Voldemort either has to kill you or you will kill him? Harry clutched his head, trying to shut the voice up.

"Faking a mental breakdown won't get you out of the work," Snape sneered, "although, given your past work, I can see why you might resort to that."

The Slytherin table tittered at that. Aquila turned her head, not enough to look Harry in the eyes, but enough for him to see that Aquila wasn't laughing. Of course, she also didn't stop Blaise and Draco from mimicking him. Harry clenched his jaw.

"I'm fine, Professor," he said, trying to make his voice sound like he was.

o.O

Aquila glanced out of the corner of her eye at Harry as the boy grabbed his head as if in pain. She restrained herself from killing Blaise and Draco as they pretended to faint. Punching her brother could be written off as sibling problem; punching her future husband in class with a teacher present would result in unwanted questioning and punishment. Instead, she walked up to the Potions cabinet and gathered up the ingredients needed for the potion. When she returned to her table, Draco and Blaise had been lazily reprimanded, though no points were taken, and the two has fallen into quiet conversation.

"So what's up with Potter, do you think?" Blaise asked, turning his parchment over and continuing to write.

"Probably tried to revive his Golden Boy status by pretending that his scar hurts again," Draco muttered. "Quil, give me your notes." Draco snatched her filled parchment and tapped it twice with his wand, then touched his own parchment. Handwriting poured over the paper's surface. "Thanks."

"Oi, do mine!" Blaise said, pushing his notes over. Draco did his copying routine again and Blaise grinned. "Thanks mate. Get my ingredients?"

"Quil, go get them," Draco said absently.

"I've got my own potion to worry about, thank you very much," Aquila snapped, her potion already turning clear like the fourth step described.

"Aquila," Draco said threateningly. "Your husband wants something. When your husband wants something, you drop everything and get it. Got it?" Aquila flared her nostrils and, without looking, pointed her wand at the cabinet, muttered a curse and directed the flying ingredients to the boys. "Now was that so hard?" Aquila didn't trust herself, so she stayed silent and turned her full attention to her cauldron. If this was how the rest of her life was going to be, mindlessly following Blaise's orders, she wasn't sure if she was as happy about this arrangement as she thought she would be.

o.O

The rest of the morning was a lot like Potions: Aquila sat with Blaise in every class they shared. The exception was Arithmancy, which only Hermione and Aquila had. Hermione walked behind Aquila, who was being escorted to class by Blaise, staying just within listening distance. From the sound of it, Blaise was desperately trying to get Aquila to skip.

"Blaise, it's my first N.E.W.T. Arithmancy class. I can't ditch it for you."

"It's not like you're ever going to use it once you graduate," Blaise was insisting.

"I might if I become a Curse Breaker."

"Since when have you wanted to be a Curse Breaker? I thought you wanted to write for the Prophet."

Aquila shrugged. "I was talking to Bill Weasley and the career sounded interesting. It had a lot of travel and I like travel."

Blaise took Aquila's chin in his large palm. "We'll travel," he assured her. "We'll travel tons. The second we're married, we'll honeymoon wherever you want. I know how much you like Italy."

"I do," Aquila murmured. Sighing, she looked into Blaise's eyes. "I can't miss this class, darling."

A shadow fleeted over Blaise's eyes; for a second, Hermione was sure he would hit or yell or curse her, but instead he said in a soft voice, "Fine. I'll let you go this time. Give me a kiss."

Aquila obeyed and waved goodbye as Blaise retreated down the hallway. She finally noticed Hermione and Aquila stopped waving and went into the classroom quickly. Hermione trotted after and sat at her customary table beside the window.

"What was all that about?" Hermione asked Aquila.

"Nothing," Aquila said, not bothering to shift her gaze from the window.

"Quil, is Blaise…hurting you?"

That got Aquila's attention. She looked livid. "What goes on between me and my boyfriend is between me and my boyfriend. If I want to discuss anything about it, I will come to you, not the other way around, got it?" she seethed.

"Of course," Hermione said quickly. The girls fell quiet as the professor started class. It was mostly note-taking; while writing and listening, Hermoine would look over periodically at Aquila. Aquila didn't seem as preoccupied with what the teacher was saying. She kept her gaze out the window for most of class, only moving to write a tidbit of information down or look at the professor.

The bell rang and Aquila jumped at the sudden sound. She gathered up her things and walked out of the class. Blaise was there with a greeting and a kiss. She looked over her shoulder at Hermione one last time before walking off with her boyfriend.

o.O

"So she just snapped at you?" Ron asked for the umpteenth time.

"Yeah," Hermione sighed.

They were in Transfiguration and it was near the end of the lesson. Aquila was still avoiding them and sat with Blaise and Draco. Harry looked at her and spoke up.

"I thought she'd at least be somewhat civil toward you," he said. "What'd you say to her?"

"Well," Hermione shifted nervously, "she and Blaise had had a mild row before class and he said, 'I won't make you…this time," and…I might have accused Blaise of abuse."

Ron threw up his hands. "Great. Now both Aquila's husband and her father will be suspected for abuse. Good job, Hermione."

"I panicked!" Hermione squeaked. "I'd like to know what you would have done in that situation, Ron!"

"Well, for one thing…"

"Let's just let this go for now," Harry interrupted before his friends could get into a proper fight. "I have something I need to tell you."

And so, he proceeded to tell them, in a very low voice, about the prophecy. Hermione and Ron took it better than he expected. Of course, that might have been because they were in class and any shouts or tears would bring about unwanted questioning.

"So you have to kill or be killed basically," Ron said in a hollow voice.

"Basically," Harry said.

Hermione was white and her eyes were with fear and watering. "Oh, Harry," she said tearfully.

"It's not that bad, Hermione. Well, I suppose with the possibility of dying it is, but I'm not too worried about it. Dumbledore will probably be doing all he can do and so will the Order and…"

"And us," Ron interrupted him. "Don't forget we'll help you kill Voldemort." Hermione nodded. "But what about Aquila?" he asked after a moment of silence.

Harry sighed. "I don't know about her any more. If she weren't with Blaise and still talking to us, I'd tell her in an instant. But now…"

"That she's apparently switched loyalties to her father's side? I'd be hesitant too," Ron said scathingly.

"Let's go to Transfiguration. The quicker we get there, the quicker it'll be over and we can see Dumbledore," Hermione said rationally. Silently, the three headed toward the classroom. Inside, they took their customary three seats toward the middle of the room. Ordinarily, Aquila would join them, but she was already seated with Blaise by the window on the left side of the room. Harry caught her glance; she looked like she had lost something before she broke the gaze and looked out the window.

The class went by painfully slow. All Harry could think about was the bell ringing and he going to see the headmaster. Every so often, his gaze would stray from the porcupine he was supposed to be transfiguring into a pincushion and settle on Aquila. Her usual bouncy energy and cheerful, sarcastic countenance had been replaced by a blank look of boredom. The smile that lit up her entire face was isolated to just her mouth, making her look forced.

The bell rang, interrupting his thoughts. Aquila jumped and packed up quickly as Blaise tapped his foot idly. He took her hand, gave her a kiss, and the two were one of the first out of the room. Harry watched them go. He was worried. Was Blaise the cause of this transformation? Maybe she didn't love him as much as she was rumored to.

"Harry?" Hermione's voice sounded distant. Harry looked at her and saw that the room was empty. He stood up and walked up to McGonnagall's desk. The professor looked up, her stern look softening slightly.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Erm…we need to talk to the Headmaster, but we don't know the password to his office," Hermione said, getting straight to the point.

"Is it anything I could help you with?" McGonnagall asked.

"Not really," Harry said.

"Very well. Shall I walk you there?"

Harry was about to say that there was no need, he knew where it was, but Hermione spoke first. "Thank you, professor."

The three walked back to their desks and packed up their things. "Why couldn't we just ask for the password? I know where his office is," Harry hissed.

"I know, but she offered. I don't want to raise suspicion," Hermione whispered back, shouldering her bag.

"What does she have to be suspicious about?" Ron asked. Harry shrugged as they followed McGonnagall out of her classroom. The trek to the headmaster's office was quiet and uneventful. They stopped in front of the familiar eagle statue and McGonngall said 'Peppermint Toad'. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stepped onto the stairs that appeared and began to spiral upward. They finally stopped outside a heavy set of double doors. Harry knocked surely and, almost automatically, the headmaster's voice called, "Come in."

The students obeyed and found Dumbledore sitting behind his desk. He looked up and smiled. "I will be with you in a moment. Two seconds before you knocked, I was bombarded with an urgent owl from the Ministry. Allow me to finish a reply. In the meantime," he swirled his wand tip and three cushy chintz chairs appeared opposite him. Harry, Ron, and Hermione took them and watched his quill dance excitedly across the parchment. The headmaster hadn't changed, perhaps he looked slightly older and more worn, but that was it. He still walked with the same swiftness and grace as he crossed the threshold to a window and, tying the reply to an owl's foot, let the bird fly away. Shutting the window, he turned to his guests.

"So…Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Ms. Granger. To what do I owe this pleasant, if unforeseen, visit?" he asked, sitting behind his desk and folding his hands in normal Dumbledore fashion.

"Well, sir…" Hermione shifted nervously; talking to Dumbledore was a lot more difficult than talking to McGonnagall, "we're worried about Aquila."

"Ah, Ms. Malfoy who, if I did not misinterpret the occurrence at breakfast, is currently dating Mr. Zabini," Dumbledore said wisely.

"Yes, she is, but that's not why we're here. Well, not exactly," Hermione said.

"What exactly is concerning you about Ms. Malfoy?"

"We suspect that her father abuses her."

Dumbledore was silent.

"You do understand what a serious accusation you are making toward Aquila's father, Ms. Granger? I am guessing you have evidence to back it up?" Dumbledore commanded more than asked.

"Kind of. She let it slip that if she didn't date Blaise, her father would beat her. And she has a strangely shaped bruise on her jaw that looks like Lucius' ring."

"Mister Malfoy," Dumbledore corrected gently. He looked at Harry and Ron. "You two are oddly silent. Do you share Ms. Granger's opinions?" Ron nodded. Harry sighed. "Harry?" Dumbledore prompted.

"I'm worried about how Blaise is treating Aquila," he blurted. "She won't associate with us and she's…changed. She's not as…Aquila as she normally is."

Dumbledore inclined his head thoughtfully. "Well, as for Aquila not being herself, I can't do much. And in regard to your accusations toward Mister Malfoy, the only thing I can do is question Aquila and see if she admits anything."

"But she won't sir!" Harry yelled. "She won't tell us anything so what makes you think she'll tell you!" Hermione's eyes went wide. Ron looked down at his shoes. "Sorry, sir," Harry apologized lamely.

"Incidentally, my brain malfunctioned and I cannot remember the last thing you said," Dumbledore said. "But rest assured that I will keep your thought in mind and if what you suspect is true I will do everything in my power to keep Aquila away from her father."

"Thank you, sir," Hermione said, standing. Harry and Ron followed suit and the three walked out of his office.

"Well that could have gone better," Ron said as they made their way to the Great Hall for lunch.

"At least Dumbledore is going to talk to Aquila. Maybe he'll be able to get something," Hermione said.

"Doubtful," Harry said venomously.

o.O

A/N: whew! i haven't written that much in a while. hopefully that will keep you satisfied as I'm suffereing writer's block. sry all. reviews might make it better...

sakurachibi: congrats on being my second reviewer! glad you like the story. Not a quick update, but...c'est la vie (don't shoot me if i spelled that wrong!) keep reading

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