Can't think of anything to put here, so all I can say is review please!

Chapter 7: Remembering (or lack thereof)

There once was a big black hole in the ground

One day,

Someone threw a rock in it

The end

——

The first thing I was aware of was the lap of water against my skin. And then my name being cried, over and over again. I opened my eyes to see grey ones staring at me intently. "Shikyo, thank Merlin you're alright!" I tried to sit up, but I fell backwards coughing. Draco gained a worried look.

"Don't worry; I just breathed in some water" I looked at my surroundings and realized where I was laying. I smirked at Draco "Seems you got over your embarrassment while I was unconscious"

Draco looked shocked "That's the first thing that comes to your mind? You don't wonder why you suddenly fell unconscious, but that I'm able to overcome my embarrassment when I'm worried about someone?"

"You were worried about me?" I put a girlish tint to my voice

"Merlin, can't you be serious about anything?!" he shouted, shoving me out of his lap and rising out of the water. I leaned on my elbows and watched him grab a towel and storm out of the bathroom. I heard another door slam. He was leaving. Why does that bother me?

I jumped out of the water and ran into the room I had made; he wasn't there. I spun to the dorm room door, which flung itself open for me, and sprinted through it. I glanced over the room and found Draco sitting on his bed, half-dressed and drying his hair with a towel, or at least he was until his head snapped over to me when the door closed. He glared "Put some clothes on"

I cast a drying charm and summoned underclothes and a long black shirt onto me before joining him on the bed "Can't you put clothes on like a normal person? It's not that hard." Draco complained

"But I'm not a normal person" I said. Draco turned to face me when he heard the faint melancholy note in my voice. I leaned against the wall and pulled my knees under my chin "I'm not a normal anything."

"Shikyo…?"

"You know, sometimes I truly wish that my parents were of the same race, if only so I can point at someone and say 'I'm the same as them'" I was slipping; I shouldn't be telling him this, but I felt like I needed to explain. Why? Why him? Why does this human make me uncertain of my tactics? "None of my closest friends, even An—er, Blaise, can I say are the same as me. The things that happen to me, no one knows what it feels like; to feel like your body is being ripped apart, and then your soul and conscience being torn to pieces when people call you a monster, a freak, an abomination" I paused, not accepting the threat of tears. I whispered "And when you know they're right, it makes it even worse. I should not be here, Draco. Opposing forces aren't meant to merge together; it disrupts things. That's what I do. I disrupt the flow of life. I know this, and I accept it.

"That's why I never act serious in front of people. What's the point? If I am going to unbalance things anyway why try to fight it? I'm sorry that I wasn't serious back there, but considering everything I've been through falling unconscious for a few minutes doesn't really bother me." I moved my arms to cover my face when I was finally overwhelmed by the awkward and unfamiliar feeling of sadness. That's it, I'm done; I have nothing more to say. I felt the bed shift and an arm slip around my shoulder.

"Stop it; it's weird to see you like this." He sounded nervous "I don't really know you, but from what I've seen and heard you're anything but a freak. You do throw things off-balance, but not in a bad way. It's more like you…put things in a different light. You aren't afraid to say what you think or defend your views. But you also know discretion. You know when to shut up and when to observe, and not to push certain subjects with certain people. People tend to open up around you, like Blaise did. And I have a feeling that you had something to do with my father changing as well. How can you be a monster if you do all of these good things? You're a great person, and you should never doubt that. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool."

I pondered what he said "You thought of all that just now, huh?"

"I am a Malfoy; we thrive on words and compliments. But everything I said about you was the untarnished truth."

"That's kind of you to say" I told him, leaning into his side "But one person's opinion doesn't change much."

"It's not just my opinion! Blaise and the other Slytherins have a good opinion of you as well. Even a few of the more intelligent Gryffindors still like you. That's more than a fourth of the school standing by you!"

"What about the other three-fourths?" I asked cynically.

"They'll come to you once they realize what they're missing. Are you better now?"

I looked up at him from my position in his arm. An idea popped into my head "I'm fine. Thank you, Draco." I pulled myself up and moved my lips to his, trying to keep from grinning. I waited for his response, which was at first a stunned look, and then he leaned forward into the kiss. I opened my mouth to him and he soon followed suit. It was meant to be a simple thank you kiss (although I'm probably the only person to use a kiss as a thank you), but I think it turned into more than that. We explored the layout of the other's mouth until he pulled away for air.

"That was…different" I said. I had never had a kiss like that, but I don't know what was different about it...

"……aaaaaaaaaah!" Draco's voice got higher and louder as he held that sound, his face now cherry red. He scooted away from me to the other side of the bed. He looked horrified; that's slightly insulting "What was I doing? I didn't mean to…aaaaaah!"

This response wasn't unexpected. I smirked "You seemed pretty into it; how could you not know what you were doing?"

"I-I don't know! My body just moved on its own!" he seemed very distraught by this fact. He pulled anxiously at his hair.

"Oh right, you're a Veela. That must have been what was different; I've never kissed a Veela before" I reasoned.

"I'm not a Veela" he said pouted "I'm only half"

I smiled at him "That's nice; you get the benefits of both the Veelas and humans" I paused "If there are any benefits to being human"

"What does being part Veela have to do with my body moving on its own?"

"When in a possibly…physical situation a Veela's body does what the mind desires the most" I smirked at Draco "Even if the mind itself doesn't consciously know."

"T-then what I w-want is…?" he stuttered. Hmm, maybe I'll ease his mind.

I shrugged "Maybe you were just curious as to what my kiss would be like. Or, if you've never kissed anyone before, what a kiss is like"

He pouted "I've kissed before, but it felt nothing like that."

"I don't know whether to be honored or insulted. Oh well, doesn't really matter, I don't have time to think about it anyway." I got off the bed and spelled a pair of black jeans to me. While I was putting them on (yes, I do listen to people's requests on occasion) I asked Draco "Do you want to come with me?"

Draco frowned "Where are you going? We don't have any classes until tomorrow—hey! Are you going to just drop that kiss?!"

"I don't have any classes till tomorrow, but I have to help the Potions master clean out the potions closet as punishment for traumatizing you," I pointed an accusing finger at Draco "and on the subject of the kiss…well, it really had no meaning. Just a thank you for being so optimistic towards my existence" I grabbed my cloak off the table where I had dropped it earlier "So are you coming?"

Draco mulled it over for half a second and then said "Sure; I don't have any plans anyway" He went over to a tall cabinet and pulled out a silk grey shirt

"You wear way to much silk" I told him

He shrugged "Maybe, but it's comfortable, so I wear it" he pulled out a cloak and slipped it over his shoulders "Shall we go?"

"Ladies first" I gestured to door mockingly. He scowled half-heartedly and headed out the door.

——

I hummed a tune as Draco led me to the Potions classroom.

"Honestly, if I didn't come with you, you would have wandered all over the school before you got there" Draco complained about a foot in front of me. He had discovered my lack of a sense of direction.

"I would have gotten there eventually, though. If you didn't come with me I could have just flirted with some girl to show me the way."

"At least I found something you're not good at." Draco muttered

I smirked at him "Maybe, but once I know the way I'll never forget it. Aren't I amazing?"

"Amazingly freakish" he bit his lip the instant it came out "…sorry"

I smiled at him "It's okay; you didn't mean it as a way to dis me; you were just playing along." He gave me a look "What?"

"I never thought I'd hear the word 'dis' come out of your mouth"

I crept closer and leaned over so I was breathing in his ear "A lot of things come out of my mouth" Draco darted away from me, fighting a blush. I laughed "Calm down, rich boy. I wouldn't make a move on you where people could interrupt."

He didn't come any closer "Is that supposed to comfort me?!"

"Oh, you are too much fun, rich boy!" I told him.

"Stop calling me ri—" Draco was cut off when we turned a corner and he rammed into someone "Hey! Watch where you're…" Draco's face paled when he looked up at the man he had run into "Professor Snape…I apologize! I'm very sorry!" Snape?

"Don't grovel, Malfoy. It's unbecoming" the man said.

The man had his back to me (don't ask how I got there), and didn't know I was there. I caught Draco's attention "Severus Snape?" I mouthed and Draco made a barely perceivable nod. I grinned wickedly and Draco's face paled even more.

"What are you looking at Malfoy?" before Severus could turn around I jumped onto his back and wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck.

"Hello, Uncle Severus!" I cried gleefully.

"Who the hell are you!?" he shouted "Get off me this instant!"

I tightened my grip "Oh Uncle Sevie, I'm so hurt! You don't remember me? Everyone seems to have forgotten that I exist!"

Severus stopped struggling "Shikyo? Li'l Shikyo?"

"Bingo!" I shouted as slid off of him "Long time no see, Uncle Sevie!"

Draco looked from Severus to me, a look of horror back on his face "Y-you mean…you're her…" he seemed unable to finish a sentence.

"Yes, Malfoy, Shikyo is my brother's son—well, technically daughter as well—which makes me her uncle. It's not as inconceivable as you seem to think it is."

"Yeah" I agreed. I stood perfectly straight and then mimicked the way Severus was standing "Don't you see the resemblance?" I received a whack on the head from Severus

"If you are quite finished, then I'll take you to my rooms to give you a proper welcome."

"Why can't you welcome me here?" I pouted

Severus gave me a pained look "Please Shikyo; I have an image to keep up here"

"The only image people seem to be able to think of is one with a bad attitude" I muttered before grabbing Draco by the hand and holding it in the air "I'll go if I can take Draco" I told Severus.

He sighed "All right" he turned to Draco and gave him a dark smile "If you tell anyone of the events that take place in my rooms I will make your life a living hell, Slytherin or not" he turned and walked down the corridor.

——

"Here we are" said Severus

I looked over the room; there were desks, cauldrons, a chalkboard…"Looks like a classroom to me"

"That's because it is a classroom. My rooms are through the door over there" he pointed to a door on the right wall, in between a pair of shelves filled with potion bottles.

"Where's the potions closet?" I asked, looking over the classroom for another door.

Severus raised an eyebrow "Why do want to know where that is?"

"Well, I'm actually supposed to be helping you clean it out as punishment for something I did…" I said sheepishly

Severus snorted and guided Draco and me into his rooms "My closets are always clean; dust interferes with the potions effects, and I never keep anything I don't need"

The door closed and I asked crossly "Do I get welcomed properly now?"

Severus smiled warmly at me and pulled me into a hug "It's been too long, Li'l Shikyo!" his voice lost the cool sliminess it held when speaking in the hall. He pulled away and examined me "You've grown so much; I bet you're breathtaking as a girl"

"I'm not breathtaking right now?"

He smirked "You're very handsome"

"You should see him without a shirt" I turned slightly wide-eyed to see a red-faced Draco with his hand clamped over his mouth

"I find it rather insulting that one of my students has seen you bare-chested before I have" Severus commented.

I gave Draco another curious look before I told Severus "You're the only uncle who would say that"

He shrugged "I'm a very special uncle. Now let's see how you've developed over the last half-decade"

"Pervert" I said before I slipped my cloak and shirt off, revealing lightly muscled arms and torso. Severus circled me, examining my body structure from the waist up.

"You Changed recently…" he murmured.

"Today actually" Draco said, glaring at me "In my dorm room; scared the shit out of me"

"Really?" Severus sounded amused "I wish I could have seen that. You should get some exercise in today, or your muscles will start to cramp. Madame Hooch may be able to give you some help with that; she's the Quidditch referee and is more or less the most physically adept teacher at Hogwarts"

"Alright" I said as I bent to pick up my clothes "So what have you been up to since I last saw you?"

Severus wandered to a chair and sat, gesturing to two other chairs for Draco and I "There hasn't been much; I'm a teacher and my life is rather boring, except when Potter gets himself into life-threatening situations"

"So Tom is finally getting interested in Harry. It's about time; Tom's a nice guy but he really needs to work on his social skills"

Severus looked surprised "How did you know that? You're usually a little out of touch with anything that doesn't affect you"

"Who's Tom?" Draco interjected

"Keep up, rich boy. Tom is Voldemort; I thought you knew that"

Draco gawked at me "You've met Voldemort?" he whispered.

"Don't whisper; there's no point when it's only us three here" Severus said "And is it really that surprising that she's met Voldemort? She is a close relative of mine after all, and you know that I'm a Death Eater"

"Yeah but…" Draco looked at me "Is there anything you haven't done?"

"Sure there has" I told him "Sleep with a man over fifty for example…"

"That isn't what he meant and you know it" Severus sighed and turned to Draco "You know that animals mature faster than humans do, correct? Shikyo is of the Animalia race so she was able to understand the things that happened around her at around half a year old. She could speak two languages fluently at a year, and she matured in other ways faster than humans as well"

"Did you think that I might not want him to know this?" I asked Severus

"Do you mind?"

"Not really, but it would have been nice if you had asked"

Severus rolled his eyes and continued explaining to Draco "Tom Riddle was a close friend of Shikyo's parents, so even after her parents died he would come and visit her often. That is how she came to know him. Mentally she's the age of at least twenty year old"

"Yes! And if you dare to tell Harry I'll rip you limb from limb! Muahahahaha!" I said in a mock evil voice "You should consider yourself lucky that you know more about this than Harry does"

"What does Potter have to do with any of this?"

I rose out of my chair "Maybe I'll tell you someday. See you later, Uncle Sevie; I have to go see this Madame Hooch."

Severus looked disappointed "You're leaving already? You weren't here for very long"

I patted him on the head "I'll be back tomorrow; I'm taking your class with Draco" This didn't seem to make Severus any happier.

He stood and wrapped me in another hug "You're a very mean person, you know that?"

"I do and I thrive on it" I said, returning the hug. Draco stood off to the side looking uncomfortable, so I cut off the hug and joined him by the door "Don't get jealous, Draco dear. I'll give you a hug too if you want one…" I slipped my arms around his waist and rested my chin on his shoulder. I could feel his skin heat up before he jumped out of my grip and slipped out the door. I chuckled as I watched him go.

"You've become much more flirtatious than you used to be" Severus commented

"He's just so much fun to tease; I can't resist"

"Is it really just teasing?" I raised an eyebrow at him, and he gave me a small smile "Madame Hooch should be near the Quidditch field; Malfoy can take you there. Goodbye, Lil' Shikyo"

"Goodbye, Uncle Sevie" I hesitantly walked out the door and joined Draco, who was leaning against the wall outside the classroom. "Come on, Mr. Guide! Show me to the Quidditch field!"

——

The cool wind whipped my hair around and the emerald grass brushed against my jeans. Draco, Madame Hooch, and I were gathered at the Quidditch field and Madame Hooch was explaining the rules of Quidditch. I didn't really see the point (I have seen the game played before) but I played along for Hooch's sake. I had tuned her out when she started describing the different players and balls and their roles. I was drawn back to the conversation by a question.

"What position would you like?" Madame Hooch asked.

I blinked "Position?"

"Yes, I just spent the better part of the last ten minutes telling you about the positions. I'll ask again; what position would you like?"

I looked at the primitive Beater clubs with contempt "Uh, none? I don't really want to play. The only reason I'm here is because Uncle Sevie told me to stretch myself out"

"'Uncle Sevie'? You couldn't possibly mean Severus"

I nodded "Yes, I do mean Severus. He's my uncle, and thus I gave him a nickname"

Madame Hooch appeared to be trying desperately to hold down her laughter "I'm going to give him so much shit about that" she straightened her features again "None-the-less, you still need to pick a position. Quidditch is a great way to stretch and loosen your muscles. We could have a practice game if Malfoy joined us"

"Sure. I'd never pass up a chance to play Quidditch" Draco smirked at me "Don't expect me to go easy on you just because you've never played"

I smirked back "I wouldn't have it any other way, but I must warn you; I don't take to losing very well"

"Please be civilized you two" Madame Hooch lifted up the three brooms she had brought with us to the field. She gave both Draco and I a broom each "I'm assuming you know how to use a broom, Miss…may I call you Shikyo?"

I smiled "I know my last name is a bit long. Shikyo is fine. And yes, I wouldn't be much of a wizard if I couldn't use a broom."

Hooch nodded "Good. You two get into the air and on my mark I will release the Bludgers and Snitch"

From what I know of practice games, I guess that since we have three players that Draco and I will play as Seekers and Madame Hooch will be a Beater. We won't use the Quaffle. Instead of guarding one of us against the Bludgers, Madame Hooch will knock them towards both of us. The area that the Snitch and Bludgers move in is also decreased to accommodate the number of players.

Draco and I launched ourselves into the air and floated while we waited for Madame Hooch to release the balls. I messed with my gloves while I watched her. She appeared to be releasing the Bludgers first; that would distract us from seeing where the Snitch headed. I smirked. That wouldn't work with me; I may not have played Quidditch before, but I knew enough about the tactics from watching the sport and listening in on students talking about it.

Hooch finally released the Bludgers and they shot out at Draco and I. Draco immediately flew away from our place in the air. Both of the pieces of iron aimed at me and I still didn't move. I was watching Hooch release the Snitch painstakingly slow. My eyes flickered between the Bludgers and Hooch, waiting until the last minute to move. I had to hope Hooch would release the Snitch before the Bludgers got to me; if I got hit by one of those iron balls it would leave a nasty bruise at least. At last the glitter of the Snitch came into view. I flattened myself down on my broom and dived straight between the incoming Bludgers, which couldn't turn sharp enough to hit me. I felt the calm of flying wash over me as the wind whipped my face and neck, and my muscles loosened subconsciously. I savored the ecstasy of flight for a moment before I brought my attention back to the game.

The Snitch didn't stay still for long; it started to dash around in quick jerky movements before it chose a direction and flew along that path. The path it chose was up. I snapped my broom up so I was vertical in the air to avoid getting a bruising smack in the jaw from the Snitch, and then had to flip again so I was upside down to avoid being hit by a Bludger. I quickly straightened myself and rose to follow the Snitch. I flew high into the air until I could see most of the field well. I searched for Draco first, as well as keeping an eye out for Bludgers, and found him racing along below me chasing something. I dove to his level and brought myself up beside him, keeping up with his speed. My eyes searched the area before us until I saw the golden glint of the Snitch "Here we go!" I sang and sped up closer to the Snitch.

"Hey!" Draco's voice rang behind me and I grinned. I told him I didn't take to losing. I heard the thud of wood on metal and dodged the incoming Bludger that had been hit by Madame Hooch. I gained on the Snitch and stretched out my arm and my fingertips grazed the gold sphere before pain sprouted in my side. I flinched and my broom slowed, allowing the Snitch to get away. Cramps don't usually bother me but I hadn't been expecting the sudden pain, so it was enough to distract me from the Bludger that came speeding at me before it was too late. The iron rammed into my stomach, knocking me off of the broom and into a free-fall. I would have enjoyed the sensation of falling, if it hadn't been for the bruising circle on my stomach and dramatically increased pain of the cramp in my side. I took a shallow breath and called the broom to me, instantly putting a death-grip on the wood when it hit my hand.

I slipped onto the broom, stopping my free-fall. I sat on the broom and took deep breaths.

Draco shot over to my side "Are you okay?"

"Yeah" I gasped "Just a little…trouble breathing…" I noticed out of the corner of my eye Madame Hooch calling over the Bludgers and locking them up. She caught one, but then…

"Loose Bludger!" Hooch screamed.

"What?" Draco and I turned towards Hooch just in time to see a Bludger charging at us with unusual speed. Correction: charging at me with unusual speed. It was easy to tell where the iron sphere was headed. I honestly didn't feel like moving, so instead said "Omnis Exigo"

The effect of my spell was not as potent as I had hoped. Instead of ending the spells cast on the Bludger and the ball falling to the ground, it swerved just in time to hit Draco with a sickening crunch. Fortunately, Draco didn't fall off his broom. Unfortunately, where the Bludger had hit his arm the limb bent at an unnatural angle.

"Shit!" I hissed "I swear, that was not on purpose!"

Draco just glared at me and flew down to the ground, where he landed unsteadily on his feet. Madame Hooch was by his side in an instant and gripped his not broken arm to steady him. They had a tiny conversation and then Madame Hooch pulled Draco towards Hogwarts Castle. This was one of those times when I questioned the usefulness of the anti-apparation ward that covered Hogwarts. Honestly, if someone was dying on the opposite side of the school of the infirmary what would they do?

I suddenly recalled the impotent effect of my spell on the Bludger and glanced around for the iron ball. It was nowhere to be seen, and that didn't comfort me at all. I flew toward the castle, into which Madame Hooch and Draco had already disappeared, and got as far away from the Quidditch field as I could.

——

What do you think? I wasn't too sure about the beginning, but I just kind of had to put it in there. Don't ask why.

I said that I would try to make up not updating in a while, and I am! Two posts in one day! Well, it's 10:00 at night so I don't know how many of you will actually be reading this but oh well. Most of my friends stay up way past 12 reading fanfiction so it's not really that late for me…

REVIEW!!