A week later, I sat down at breakfast next to Harry and Ron. Hermoine had come down with a bit of a cold, and was up in the Hospital Wing getting something to fix her stuffed up and rather red nose. If she wasn't so sensitive about it, I would've sang Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer every time she walked into a room.
As I absentmindedly reached for the bacon, the plate disappeared, jerking me from my conversation with Ron about the difference between turkey bacon and regular bacon. "Does that normally happen?" I gasped, pulling my hand quickly away.
"No, not really," Harry shook his head and stared at the spot where the plate had just been. "Maybe something was wrong with that batch."
Without warning, a bowl reappeared in the place of the plate, stuffed to the top with what I would say was by far my favorite food in the entire world. The stuff I had been craving since I left.
Grits.
I screamed with excitement and grabbed the entire bowl. "This is the best day ever!" Without hesitation, I began to shovel the delicious mixture into my mouth. If I didn't know any better, I would say that this was my great granny Fern's recipe. Maybe it was just longing that made me taste the hint of Tabasco sauce.
"My God," Ron stared at me, "You going to let us try some of that?"
"Hell no," I shook my head, "This is all mine."
Ron's jaw dropped before he started to pout his way through his scrambled eggs.
"Come on, Dante," Harry reached for the bowl with his spoon. "Sharing is caring."
"Back off!" I batted his hand away.
"Glad you're enjoying this," Draco's voice whispered in my ear. I turned slightly to face him, and as soon as I got a good look at that smirk I knew that he was the one who had done this for me. As happy as I was, I wanted to punch him. I'm not sure why, but that seemed like a good idea at the moment. Good thing I had some restraint.
"There is one way I'd enjoy it more," I picked up a big spoon full and chucked it right in his face.
Harry and Ron burst out laughing, and I could see Draco's face turning red under the white of the grits. I couldn't help but smirk at him, if he was going to try and win me back, he deserved a little bit of hell from me. At least, that was the way I saw it. What can I say, I'm a southern girl, we got a bit of fire in us.
"Dante," Draco growled, "You could've just said thank you."
"I'm sorry," I giggled, "But I think that was a bit more appropriate."
"You know what," Draco wiped the grits out of his eyes and stared at me, "I'll take that, but I'm not going to give up."
"You should, Malfoy," Harry wrapped an arm around my shoulders, "Because Dante is way too good for the likes of you."
"Oh, and you're my competition?" Draco scowled at him, "I wish you the best of luck, then Potter. But in the end, I'll be the one with Dante. Not you."
With that, Draco turned on his heel and went to the Slytherin table. I watched him from the corner of my eye before turning and letting Harry's arm fall from my shoulders.
"What's his deal?" Ron asked through a mouth stuffed with buttered toast.
"Oh, he's just trying to get with Dante," Harry shrugged. "But she's smart enough not to want him, right?" He gave me a look, one of those skeptical looks like he wasn't really sure I would agree with him.
"Of course," I lied through my teeth, "He's awful."
"Good," Ron grinned, showing massive amounts of grossness between his teeth. I would've thrown up if my constitution was a bit lower. Honestly, I'd seen worse, much worse. "Because Harry here is about ten times the man Draco could ever wish to be."
"Shut up, Ron," Harry hissed, glaring at his best friend. "Its not like I say stuff like that to Hermoine."
"Its not like we're actually dating," I stood up, "I'm going to be late for class, I'll see ya'll later."
I began the long trudge to my first class, stopping every now and then to peek around in the shadows. Only to make sure Draco wasn't following me like the almost creepy stalker he tended to act like. Why must he slither around in the darkness? Had he been so corrupted in seven years. Don't get me wrong, he'd slithered around seven years ago, but not all the damn time. He had loved the sun just as much as I do, despite it burning him several times over that summer.
"Enjoying your day dream?" I turned and saw him sitting on a window ledge, stain glass from the window illuminating his pale skin. I could've died right then and not given a lick about heaven, because I'd already seen something more beautiful.
"I was actually," I shook off my initial shock and turned on my southern attitude. "It was about this boy who was a total sweetheart, but he's changed a lot since that time."
"I haven't changed that much," his face gave away nothing. I figured he was still mad about the grits, but I could've been wrong. He could've been thinking or feeling anything.
"Who said I was talking about you?" I raised my eyebrow at him. "I can read minds," a smile crossed his face. Clearly he was joking. With all the magic we had in our arsenal, it was still impossible to read people's minds. He only wished he could see what I was thinking. "You're welcome for the grits."
"I'm going to be late," I threw my hair over my shoulder, ignoring what he said, and began to finish my walk up the stairs.
"When you get to class, be sure to check your bag," he called.
I turned, but in a flash he was gone. Of course. He just had to be all mysterious and make my heart skip a beat. At least he wasn't jumping out of the shadows this time.
Hermoine was waiting at our normal table, nose a slight shade of pink, but she did look a lot better. I sat next to her and smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"What was it you always say?" she looked at me, her eyes still a little on the swollen side, "Like a cat fish at the bottom of a lake?"
"That'd be it." I laughed. "You look better, though."
"I do?"
"Yes," I reassured her, and went to open my bag. As I did, a bright blue butterfly flew out of it, landing softly on the top of our table. I looked closer and saw black designs on the wings, swirls and circles that were incredibly beautiful. Draco had somehow done this, and I couldn't believe it.
"Wow," Hermoine leaned across the table and stared at the butterfly, "That's amazing. How'd you do that?"
"Good question," I murmured, mesmerized. "This certainly was not in my bag when I packed it."
Hermoine giggled, "Maybe a boy that fancies you transfigured it. Just to make you happy. That'd be so sweet. Would've had to have been someone really smart."
"Who do you think it was?" I humored her, not having any intention of saying that Draco had made me the butterfly. She'd flip her shit and as sick as she was she'd probably start hallucinating.
"I don't know," She grinned, "Must be a good friend of ours."
"You can ask him," I held my finger out to the butterfly, who climbed up and flew directly to my shoulder. "I'd prefer to live in the mystery of it all."

My butterfly, who I decided to name Cassiopeia, followed me around all day. Where ever I went, she floated right behind me and would sit on my shoulder during classes. During potions, I ignored Draco's smug gaze, although I knew he was happy that I let Cass live alongside me.
That night, I took my weekly walk to the Room of Requirement, Cassiopeia flying slowly next to my ear. I wondered if I would have to get a cage for her, maybe I could borrow one of the old ones that Harry used to keep Hedwig in. I had already figured out that she would need sugar water for food, it was just housing I was worried about.
I stood in front of the wall for two minutes thinking my wish, but no door came. Had I gotten lost again? No, pretty sure I hadn't. Thinking the most simple thing I could, I knocked on the wall. Ten seconds later, Draco opened the door.
"What the hell, Draco?" I snapped. It was like he was everywhere I went. Couldn't he get his own life and stop trying to win my approval. This was ridiculous. That seemed pretty valid, until I saw his face. It was red and blotchy, clearly from crying. His eyes were red as well, watering up again. The normally slicked back hair was mussed up and sticking out all over the place. I wished I could have rewound the tape and not snapped at him. Maybe even rewind far enough back that I decided not to come.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, stepping back. "I'll leave you alone."
When I turned, Cassiopeia was floating in front of my face. She flew over my head and onto Draco's nose. I couldn't help but smile a little, and neither could he.
"I didn't get a chance to tell you," Draco held out his finger for Cass to land on. "But this butterfly is supposed to mimic what you want most. It seems that you want to stay here with me."
"I do," I confessed, "You don't look very happy, Draco."
"I'm not happy," he didn't look at me, "Even when I can sit in here alone in the environment that I want most, I can't seem to cheer up."
"Want to talk about it?" I suggested, stepping a little way into the room. I could see a couch and a stone fireplace. The walls were a dark blue and there were stars twinkling on the ceiling. The floor was covered in grass, so I pulled my shoes off and stepped onto the soft ground.
"I'd love to," Draco followed me and plopped down onto the couch. "Where do I begin?"
"Where ever you'd like to," I sat on the arm of the couch and gave him my warmest smile, "I'm the one listening, not telling the story."
"My father is in Azkeban." Draco began. "And my mother has become a servant of the Dark Lord. I feel like my life is hanging in the balance and if I make one wrong step, I'm done for. My mother will die and I will have to be on the run until Potter decides to kill Voldemort. Who knows what will happen to my father." He looked down at the ground, and in the firelight I could see tears springing up in his eyes again. "Everything I'm doing is done with the utmost care, and calling it stressful doesn't even begin to cover it. I don't know how long I can go on like this."
"I had no idea," I stared at him and suddenly felt awful for the way I had been treating him.
"I didn't expect you to know," he shook his head. "I don't talk about it and I'm sure your parents didn't find it very important."
"Probably not, but my parents are butt heads," I said, trying to make a joke, which he didn't seem to find very funny. He kept his head tilted toward the ground. I wanted to badly to reach out and hold him close, at least that would maybe help a little bit. But my pride wouldn't let me do it.
"I'm scared, Dante," he finally said after a few moments of silence. "I'm scared that I will die."
"You're not going to die, Draco," I felt my fist clench before I knew what was going on. "I won't let that happen." If you don't already know, I am fiercely loyal and protective. Apparently, despite all that had happened, I had become protective of Draco. But I guess that wasn't new. I had beaten up a kid or two seven years ago when they had made fun of his accent. But I didn't know that I would still do this.
Draco finally looked up at me, "Seriously?"
"Yeah," I stood up and went to the fireplace. "I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."
"I just thought you hated me, is all." "I don't hate you, Draco,"
I sighed, "I hate what you've become."
"Because of Virgil," Draco whispered, knowing he was treading on dangerous ground.
"Yes, because of Virgil." Nine years ago, my older brother was killed by a dark wizard named Dunn. I was left barely alive, having been tortured. Dunn thought he had killed me as well, but he was wrong. I found him six years later and had him thrown into Azkeban. Virgil had been my best friend, despite the ten year age gap. When he died, a part of me died with him. You could say a part of me snapped and revenge had been my one goal for years. That was, until Draco gave me something else to live for, at least for a short time.
"I want to give all that up," I heard Draco stand and he walked slowly toward me. "I don't want to be dark anymore."
"But you just told me you were afraid to be killed," I turned and stared at him. "If you renounce your ways they will find you and kill you. So its either risk your life for me or live without me." I looked back at the fire, which was warm in the early November chill that filled the castle. "What would be easier for you?"
"Risking my life," he answered immediately. "I've realized that I can't live without you."
Shock filled my body and I stood completely still. Did he really just say he couldn't live without me?
"Plus, if I have you protecting me," he reached out and tilted my chin up, "Nothing and no one can touch me. Am I right?" I didn't answer him. I knew he said he loved me, and that he would change for me. It was something completely different to say he couldn't live without me. That, to me, was much more meaningful and a lot more binding.
"Dante, listen," he dropped his hand and looked right into the fire. "Every minute with you has made me forget my torment. Even all the bad moments when you told me you didn't want me or you were yelling at me, or even throwing grits into my face. You have been the bright light for me. Without you, I am lost."
"Draco," I breathed and shut my eyes. I had no idea I meant that much to him.
"Give it some time," he stepped away from me, "I know that must have been a lot to take in. When you've come to a decision, you know where to find me."
I heard the door open, and he was gone. Cassiopeia floated next to me, and together we stared into the fire.

"Thanksgiving?" Harry stared at me once I had wished him a Happy Thanksgiving. It was then that I remembered, they don't celebrate that in England. Lets just say that I felt really, really smart.
"Sorry," I muttered, sitting down, "I forgot that ya'll don't celebrate American holidays."
"Why don't you explain it," Harry touched my hand gently before moving it away. "Maybe we'd like to celebrate with you."
So I explained, that way back when the Pilgrims and Native Americans came together to share a huge feast and lived happily ever after. Really, that's just the short and sweet, slightly kindergarten version, but I didn't want to get into American history and just confuse them even more.
"Bloody hell," Ron exclaimed, throwing his book onto the coffee table in the common room where we were sitting, "I will celebrate that any day of the year!"
"Of course you would, Ronald," Hermoine roller her eyes and stared down at her study materials. "You eat everything in sight."
Ron shot Hermoine a glare before picking his book back up.
"I think I might make a quick trip to the owlry," I stood up and grabbed my jacket, which was hanging on the side of my book bag. "See if I got anything from my parents. Anyone care to join me?"
They all said no, too much to study for before midterms. I shrugged and went on my merry way. The past two weeks had been rough to say the least. Draco had stopped all attempts to win me over, and had stopped talking to me all together. Not to mention that classes had gotten harder, other than Care of Magical Creatures, which I was passing with flying colors and even helping to teach. I'd be lucky to pass anything else besides that.
When I got to the owlry, I found Mother's owl sitting cooly by one of the many open windows that was letting in the cold wind. I huddle tighter into my newly purchased winter coat, which I had never needed until I moved here. What I wouldn't give for a nice warm breeze of the ocean.
"Acheron," I called, and he flew over onto my arm. He had a nice size letter attached to his leg, which I took and gave him a nice little owl treat.
"Dearest Dante," I whispered out loud as I read Mother's hand writing. "Happy Thanksgiving. I'm sure you're wishing you had a nice big turkey and a bowl full of Uncle Lance's famous mashed potatoes. I am too, but I promise when you come home for holiday we will have a dinner to make up for it.
"I'm glad you are having a good time with your classes, especially your magical creatures class. One step closer to being a Healer. You're going to be the best there is, honey.
"Please send Draco my love as well. I couldn't believe it when you told me that he was at Hogwarts. What a funny coincidence. Also to your friends, Ron, Harry, and Hermoine. They sound very nice. Maybe they would like to come to the Carolinas for a small visit over the break, if they aren't too busy with their plans. We do have our port key to the old house.
"Your father wishes you well and we can not wait to see you. Love always, Mother."
I gave an exasperated sigh and stared out at the castle. A trip to the Carolinas would be amazing, and I would love to have the trio come with me. But it seemed that they were going hunting for Voldemort over break and would probably have no interest in joining me.
I folded the letter and slipped it in my pocket, when I felt a bird nibbling at the claddagh ring.
"Hello there," I knelt down and looked into the eyes of the black owl. It was very pretty, but I did not recognize it. It held out its leg, which had a letter attached to it. "For me?" I untied the small envelope and gave the bird the last treat I had in my pocket. It flew away, back in the direction of the castle.
I opened the note, and read. "Dante, Happy Thanksgiving. If you have interest, I have a little something for you over at the Slytherin common room. Meet me there at 4pm. The password is gaboon viper. Fondly, Draco."
Looking down at my watch, I realized I only had fifteen minutes to get to a place I had only ever passed by twice, and that was when I was lost. I rolled my eyes and ran down the steps, trying not to trip and fall. Finally, a chance to see Draco. I had been hoping for this since the last time we talked. To be honest, I hadn't been sure he had meant what he said. It sure didn't seem like he couldn't live without me, and as soon as my faith was starting to really fade, he was there. The boy sure knew how to make up for lost time.
If it hadn't been for a random Slytherin fourth year I happened to run into, I would've been hopelessly late. After finally getting into the room, I saw all kinds of Slytherins gathered around. This was a bad idea, being as I'm a Griffindor in a room full of people that hated my guts without knowing me. Could get interesting.
"What are you doing in here?" A smug looking girl stepped up to me, puffing out her chest to show off her Slytherin patch.
"I'm meeting someone," I told her, narrowing my eyes.
"Who?"
"Why is it any of your business?" I spat.
"It is my business to know who happens to be a traitor for inviting Griffindor scum to our common room," she nodded her head toward a group of other seventh year students, whose attention was now on me. "He ain't no traitor, he is my friend," I said loud enough for the group to hear.
"We've been friends long before we got separated into houses. Now shove off, because, trust me, you really don't want to start a fight with me."
"I'll start whatever the hell I want to start," the girl screeched.
"Now, Pansy," Draco appeared next to the girl, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Dante is our guest and I invited her. She is right, I have been friends with her for a long time and that extends beyond houses. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Draco," Pansy looked down at the ground, a fierce blush crossing her cheeks. She walked away fast, and the group she had been with started to snicker. It was clear that Draco was the Alpha Dog here, and whatever he said went.
"Sorry about that," Draco smiled at me, "I didn't expect you to be on time."
"You're an ass," I smiled back at him. "Thank you for the note. You're the only one that knew today is a holiday for me."
"It was the least I could do," he took my hand, "Which is why I did even more."
He lead me through the common room and out onto a balcony, which was covered with shiny curtains. Outdoor heaters were set up in the corners, and a little table was in the middle. On the table, was a mini Thanksgiving feast.
"Draco," I gasped, "You shouldn't have."
"Just a taste of home," he pulled out one of the two chairs for me to sit in. "I wouldn't want you to miss out on celebrating your holiday."
"Thank you," I sat and looked over the food. There was a small turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and even a pumpkin pie. He had gone all out, and I couldn't help but wonder where he had gotten all of this.
After a few minutes of putting food on our plates and starting to eat, Draco stopped and asked "What are you most thankful for this year?"
"First off," I looked at him, "I'm thankful to have you."
His eyes brightened and he grinned from ear to ear, "Really? Why's that?"
"Because you keep giving me delicious food." I joked. "Also because you've been very sweet to me despite me torturing you. Only really great people have the ability to put up with that."
"You're worth it," he touched my hand. "I'm thankful to have you."
"Why? You haven't spoken to me in two weeks," I looked away and picked at a bit of stuffing.
"Even from afar you have still brought a bit of sunlight to my dark days," he squeezed my hand.
"You're such a romantic," I felt heat rise on the back of my neck. He had a way of making me blush uncontrollably. The only thing was he couldn't see it so I had that going for me.
"Only for you," he shrugged. "I don't mean to push you, but have you made a decision?"
"I have," I put a piece of turkey in my mouth and chewed slowly, wanting to keep him hanging there for a second. Boy, did he look anxious. "My decision is to be with you."
His eyes went wide and he went to kiss me, but I stopped him. "I want you to know that there is one condition."
"Anything," he whispered, waiting for the opportune moment to grab my face and plant those luscious lips onto mine. Truthfully, I couldn't wait either but I wanted to get this out before any…what do they call it here? Snogging?
"We have to keep this secret," I said, "Not only because you'd be in great danger, but also because of my friends. I want them to accept this but they won't. At the most until school ends, then we can be free to be together and I'll keep you safe from Voldemort."
"I can live with that," he nodded. "Can I kiss you now?"