Last Chance To Love
Disclaimer: Characters taken from JKR's Harry Potter © and used in this fanfiction do not belong to me.
Summary: (Not including DH and parts of HBP) Harry is in his sixth year when a transfer from Beauxbatons arrives. She is smart, beautiful and head strong. She is a new challenge, especially since she doesn't treat Harry like any other girl he's ever met……But what happens when Harry has to make a choice, either to love or to fight?
A/N: Hey guys. Had time to write this chapter really quickly, so here. Hope u guys enjoy, its really going to surprise you. But don't worry, all my stories have this little 'deviation'. Hope u enjoy and review pleez :D
Chapter 7: Plan In-Effect
Vera sat in her room and looked at her uniform. The shirt was ripped and her black lace bra could be seen peaking through the hole. Vera sighed. Even though Malfoy was an ass, maybe she shouldn't of left him unconscious. He may have no morals, but she did.
Vera sighed as she flicked her wand on her shirt and whispered 'Reparo'. One single tear fell down her cheek as she thought about what just happened. She'd basically lost Harry, was mauled by Draco and was now on her own in finding Voldermort and avenging her parents.
Out of all of that, losing Harry was the worst part, because she had had real feelings for him, maybe even more then Adam. Vera changed quickly into her pajamas and snuggled into her bed.
Tomorrow would be a better day, she knew it. Maybe tomorrow she'd wake up and realize tonight was just a dream. A really bad dream…….
------------------------------------------------
"And I said she was on her own, and I left." Harry had just relayed his story to Ron and Hermione. Both looked slightly angry at Harry. And Harry knew why.
"I know I was stupid, but I can't do what she's asking me….I've lost so much already for it. Who else do I have to lose before this fight is over?" Harry asked into the room. His back was toward Hermione and Ron, because he didn't want to see their faces.
Hermione stood up and went over to Harry. She looked into his face and smiled a sad smile.
"Harry you have to understand that Vera has lost just as much as you in this fight. She is in the same position as you in her mind…..and think if she had acted that way to you, you would have been angry that she didn't understand, which is what you're doing." Hermione said. Harry looked at her and knew she was right. He should of understood where she was coming from and accepted her, not left her out to dry. Harry felt horrible.
"I see that I was completely wrong Hermione, but I don't even know if Vera will have me now…..not after this. I was just scared that's all." Harry said. Hermione nodded. Ron walked up and patted Harry on the back.
"C'mon mate, it'll be alright, Vera likes you a lot and I bet she'll be running back to you tomorrow." Ron said. Harry nodded and perked up suddenly.
"I wonder what happened to her after I left, maybe I should check out the classroom we had been in." Harry said. Both Hermione and Ron looked at each other for one second before they turned to Harry.
"Do you want us to come with you?" Ron asked. Harry shook his head.
"You guys can hang out here, I'm probably going to go to bed after I check it out, so I'll see you guys tomorrow." Harry smiled.
"Yeah tomorrow. Goodnight Harry." Hermione said.
"Bye." Ron said. And with that Harry left the two of them, who were looking at each other with a smile playing on each other's lips.
Harry quietly made his way down to the classroom on the second floor and found the door ajar. The wall across the room was slightly cracked as if hit with brute force. When Harry went closer to investigate, he found a small Slytherin tie clip which had the letters, D.M.,engraved on it. Harry squeezed the tie clip and then went to the Gryffindor common room. Harry knew who it belonged to and guessed what had happened.
Harry made his way to the common room and went up to his room. He couldn't even sleep as he paced back and forth, thinking of the horrible things that could of happened to Vera because of him. Harry lay down in his bed, but sleep only came when the first rays of light began to glisten on the horizon. And that entire time, Harry didn't let go of the Slytherin tie clip.
------------------------------------------
The next morning was a Sunday and hardly any students were inside the school, all were out and about playing in the snow.
Vera was very quick in leaving the common room. She actually snuck down to the kitchens (which she had found quite early after joining the school) and got an early breakfast alone and went out on the grounds.
Vera wondered around for a little while, watching other people have fun until she settled under the big oak tree to look at students skating over the frozen lake.
Vera sighed, she was all alone again….just like before. Maybe this is how it was always meant to be for her.
As she sat there, Vera thought about what Draco had said, 'you're going to need my help soon'. Vera could still here his voice echoing in her memory, and no matter how much Draco's attitude repulsed her, his kiss had been surprisingly soft. Vera had almost wanted to submit, but Harry was still on her mind.
Vera had heard rumors that Draco's family was close to Voldermort and maybe…..maybe he was the key to getting her close enough to Voldermort for her to kill him. Harry had said she was on her own, so maybe she needed to do this, to finish this horrible war.
Just as Vera resolved that she would use Draco to get to Voldermort, he walked up to her and sat beside her. Vera didn't acknowledge his presence because she could still feel the touch of his hands and lips from the night before. He didn't look at her as he spoke.
"I don't usually do this. Actually I never do this, so feel special but……I'm sorry about yesterday. I had a few too many Firewhiskeys and….well you know the rest." Draco said to her in a less pretentious tone. Silence followed.
"I really am sorry Vera. Really…."Draco looked down as if embarrassed and Vera glanced at him unaffectedly. She even thought to herself, that almost sounded sincere.
"Ok Draco. I accept your apology, but if you ever, do anything remotely close to that again, I won't just leave you unconscious on the floor. It will be something much more painful. Got it?" Vera said quietly. She saw Draco nod from the corner of her eye.
Silence followed again as they sat under the tree. Draco turned to Vera and stared at her. He stared for a long time, and when Vera finally couldn't stand it, she turned to him.
"What?!?!" She asked. Draco smiled.
"You just look beautiful with the snowflakes in your hair." Draco whispered. That caught Vera off guard and she smiled despite herself. But when she realized she'd smiled, she turned away and stopped.
"Thanks….I guess." She replied.
The two sat there, in silence for a long time. They didn't say anything, just sat, as Vera thought about her plan. She needed to get them talking, comfortably.
"Draco, why is it that you are the way you are?" Vera asked. She knocked herself in the head mentally. What kind of question did she just ask him?
"What do you mean?" He asked. He seemed interested in her question.
"Well I mean….the attitude, the rudeness, the air of higher status. All of that, why do you do that?" She waited for his answer.
"I guess it was just how I was raised….to feel superior, but it didn't always work out the way I wanted. Yea I have money and get girls, but the ones I really want…I don't get." He turned to look into her eyes as he said this and Vera turned away.
Vera cleared her throat at Draco's words. Maybe underneath that hard cold exterior, there was an okay guy underneath. Vera flipped her hair out of her face so she could look at Draco. He looked free, as he looked at the lake. He turned and smiled slightly at Vera as she looked at him. She smiled back.
"How about we go get lunch ok?" Vera asked. He nodded and got up. He offered her his hand, and Vera hesitatingly took it. Draco pulled her up until she was almost face to face with him. Vera pulled her hand away and started to walk to the Great Hall. Draco took a deep breath and followed.
---------------------------------------------
The next few days, came with many difficulties. Harry continually wanted a chance to talk to Vera, but she would avoid him. Even in class, she made sure she was last to enter so that she wouldn't sit near Harry. She made sure she coordinated her schedule, so it was opposite of Harry's and if they had a class together, she would sit beside someone early so he couldn't sit beside her.
Harry had told her she was on her own and she understood. She wasn't about to let Harry interfere with her plan. She needed to make Draco trust her completely and if she was seen with Harry, that wouldn't happen.
While Vera was in the library, during her free period, Harry walked into the library and looked around. Vera was so into her book, that she didn't notice Harry until it was too late to leave.
Harry sat down and looked at her wearing her glasses with her hair up. Even then, like the first time he found her in the library, she looked so beautiful. Harry smiled awkwardly at her as she glanced over her book.
Vera's heart still skipped a beat when she glanced at Harry. It was obvious he wanted to talk, but Vera didn't want any such thing.
"Hi." Harry said. Vera just quickly smiled and got back to her book. Harry swallowed and tried again.
"Umm…so how have you been?" He asked. Vera breathed unevenly behind her book and swallowed the pain of the knowledge of what she was about to do.
"Harry, I'm fine. I took your advice and I'm doing things on my own, myway, so if you don't mind I'd like to be alone. Get it?" Vera watched in pain as Harry's face crumbled slightly. He nodded and left, without a backward glance.
Vera ducked behind her book again, but this time not to read it, but to hide the tears she was trying to blink away. She still cared about Harry, and as much as it was hurting him, it was hurting her.
After Vera had studied for that period and gone to the last classes of the day, she went to the Gryffindor common room to drop off her books before dinner started. On her way, Draco caught up with her.
"Vera. I didn't see you except in Potions, where have you been?" Draco asked as he smiled at her. Vera swallowed down the lump she could feel in her throat and smiled back.
"Around. What have you been up to today?" Vera asked. Draco looked a little scared before he pulled her into a nearby classroom and closed the door. Vera was confused.
"Draco, I don't understand why we're in here." Vera said, moving her hand to her wand just in case. Draco moved toward her.
"I wanted to show you to prove what we were talking about in Potions class." Draco whispered. He pulled his sleeve up to reveal the dark mark. Vera gasped, she'd never seen one so close before. Vera moved to touch it. She outlined the markings and the back of the snake. Vera couldn't believe he was part of the Death Eaters now.
"So this means, you are one of them now?" Vera asked. He nodded. Vera just nodded and looked at the mark on his arm. Draco smiled because she didn't judge him. He looked at his watch and pulled her to the door and stopped with it open.
"I'll see you at dinner." And then all of a sudden, he kissed her. It wasn't long, it was just a peck on the lips. It happened so fast that Vera didn't get a chance to react. Unfortunately, as Draco walked away, Hermione saw this kiss and went quickly to the Gryffindor common room.
As Vera walked to the common room, she didn't know what to think about Draco kissing her. He obviously liked her but Vera knew she didn't like him. She just needed him to get close to Voldermort, and no matter what she did with Draco, she knew her feelings would not change. Vera quickly dropped off her bag and went to dinner.
-----------------------------------------------
Draco after leaving Vera's side, was strolling down to the Great Hall when he was grabbed and pushed into a wall. The tip of a wand could be felt on he neck. Draco looked into the face of Harry.
"Malfoy, I know what you did to Vera. I found this at the scene of the crime." Harry said as he pushed the tie clip in Draco's vision.
"I didn't do anything Potter. All I did was give her a taste of a real man." Harry pushed his wand deeper into Draco's neck.
"Don't you ever go near her again. Do you hear me?" Harry said. Draco looked at him.
"Well if she comes to me, I can't help that." Draco replied. Harry just stared at Draco and was about to perform a spell, but he was stopped when he heard someone call his name.
"Harry!" Harry turned his head as Hermione ran up to them. She pulled Harry away and looked at him.
"Its not worth it Harry." Hermione whispered. Draco straightened his shirt and smirked at them.
"Later Potter." Draco walked away as Hermione held Harry back.
"Harry, I saw something just now…something involving Vera and Draco." Hermione said. Harry looked at her.
"What did you see Hermione?" Harry asked. Hermione looked down and took a deep breath. She looked up at Harry and took his hands.
"I saw him kiss her. It was a peck, but it was on the lips and…Vera didn't react to it badly. Maybe she's on his side now. Maybe…." Hermione stopped as she saw the look on Harry's face.
"No, she can't be. She's probably doing this for some reason. I know Vera….she wouldn't." Harry said.
"Hermione, I think I'm going to go back to the common room. I don't feel so hungry anymore." Harry said. Hermione nodded and watched Harry walk down the corridor alone.
----------------------------------------------
After dinner, Vera waited for Draco in the Great Hall. She was standing beside the doors as he exited the Hall. He said goodbye to his friends and went over to her. Draco leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"I have a surprise for you. Come with me." Draco took Vera's hand and she followed him to the seventh floor. There Draco stopped her in the middle of the corridor. Vera watched Draco walk pass a four meter stretch of wall three times and suddenly a door appeared in the wall.
Vera walked to the door slowly, with Draco behind her and opened it. Inside was a large cavern with columns and windows. Items, upon items were stacked in the monstrous room. Vera looked around at all that was there. She was stunned.
"What is this place?" Vera asked. Draco came over and stood beside her.
"Its called the Room of Requirement. Whenever a person needs a room, any kind, the person must only think of that place of need and walk in front of the wall three times and the room will appear. This particular room is a place to hide things. Actually, I found this place because I had been looking for place to hide something and I kind of stumbled upon it after I had forgotten this room's existence." Vera turned at Draco's words and looked at him.
"What were you trying to hide?" Vera asked. Draco looked away. Vera noticed his hesitation, so she did the only thing she could think of doing to get him to answer. She turned his face and kissed him. It was a soft kiss, but it was enough.
"So let me ask that again. What were you trying to hide?" Vera asked as she stroked Draco's face. His eyes were closed as he answered.
"There is an item I have, that I needed in the school. It had a twin and I found its twin in here. Happy?" Draco whispered. Vera smiled and nodded. She pulled away and began to go toward the door, but Draco stopped her.
"Wait…."Draco pulled her back and kissed her. This time Vera let it happen and even though Draco kissed her sweetly, Vera felt nothing for him. She felt numb as his lips caressed hers and when he pulled away, she didn't smile, but turned to the door and walked out with Draco close behind.
They went downstairs and when Vera got to the corridor that led to the Gryffindor common room, she hugged Draco goodnight and left. As Vera walked down the corridor, she thought about what Draco had said, 'There is an item I have, that I needed in the school. It had a twin and I found its twin in here'. Verathought about what that meant. Draco was hiding something important in that room and she knew it could probably lead to Voldermort.
Vera smiled to herself as she said the password and climbed through the portrait hole. She was so caught up in her own thoughts, she didn't notice Harry coming toward her until he stood, blocking the way to her dormitories. Vera looked up at him, annoyed.
"What Harry?" Vera crossed her arms as she looked into his face. Harry wanted to hear it from her, hear that she was seeing Draco.
"What's going on between you and Malfoy?" Harry asked. Vera looked away.
"Nothing." She said. Harry shook his head.
"That's not what I heard." He replied.
"Well you heard wrong. Now please move." She said. Vera tried to go around Harry but he still blocked her path.
"I don't want you to lie to me Vera. What are you doing with Malfoy?" Harry asked.
"What I have to do….what I need to do to find Voldermort because you obviously aren't going to help me. I need Draco to get close to Voldermort so I can destroy him. A long time ago, I promised myself that I wasn't going to let Voldermort get away with Adam and my parents' deaths. And as far as I can tell, this is the only way I can do that….and I will do anything to gain an advantage…even become Draco's girlfriend. Now please, move out of my way." Harry looked at Vera as she shook her head and pushed him out of her way. She ran upstairs, holding back the tears she felt behind her eyelids as Harry stared after her in disbelief.
Harry stood there for a long time, before he went to bed. He was thinking about what Vera had said. She had basically told Harry that if he had agreed to help her, she wouldn't of gone to Draco. He had pushed his girlfriend into his enemy's arms because of his stubbornness.
But as Harry got ready for bed, he also understood that Vera was only with Draco to get close to Voldermort, which meant that he still had a chance. And Harry knew that this time, he was going to take it and not let go. Harry made a promise to himself that he was going to get Vera back, even if it was the last thing he did.
