The dark lord was not happy. He wouldn't be happy regardless until Harry Potter was dead but today it could be said that he was more angry than usual. Lucius Malfoy, once one of his favorites, dedicated death eater and gifted front man, was slipping in his usefulness. He had failed to rein in his daughter, whom he knew, for whatever strange reasons, had genuine feelings for Harry Potter. This would have to be corrected, hence why he sought to put her under the tutelage of Bellatrix Lestrange. Her mind and heart would be broken and if necessary she would be put under the Imperio. Such a shame though, he mused. To break one so young. One who had shown so much promise in the past.
"My Lord, you have called for me" came the drawling voice of Severus Snape, who entered Voldemort's throne room and kneeled instantly. Riddle hid his contempt behind a smile, "ahh yes Severus. What news do you bring me from Hogwarts? Ohh and you may rise" he adds as an afterthought which allowed the potions master to rise to his feet, beginning to speak. "My Lord, Dumbledore and his order are still seeking to find our base while also pondering how to protect Diagon Alley and Hogwarts specifically. Other than that my Lord nothing of such significance has occurred" the man finishes.
A moment of silence passes before Voldemort speaks, a hiss sneaking into his voice. "And what of potential recruits?" He asks simply. It was a known fact that Voldemort was in constant need of new witches and wizards dedicated to his cause. The trials that dotted the oath of becoming a death eater were…..dangerous to say the least and many did not make the cut. Some even had the audacity to flee after being subjected to one of Voldemort's crucios. They were quickly hunted down and brought back for entertainment purposes. Most were fed to Voldemort's allies within the vampire ranks.
Severus quickly averts his eyes and begins to speak. "Nott, Crabbe, Goyle and Zabini. They are all 7th years my Lord. They show promise. I've cased the witches and found none that share our sympathies enough to join our ranks" he says simply. This is the part of his duplicitous act that he hated the most. Handing over young men and women to the dark lord. In fact he had been present when Lucius had his own daughter marked. He could sense that Dramoria wanted no part of this war, but she did it to please her father. Poor girl. Her father would never be happy with her. Her greatest and most unforgivable crime had been to be born a girl.
"Ahh yes. Young Theodore. I've promised Dramoria to him. It shall teach her a lesson in…...well let's suffice to say she shall learn a lesson of some sort" the dark lord chuckles to himself before he stands, Nagini instantly coiling herself out from under his chair and following him as he walks towards an adjacent door. "Ohh and Severus, you shall bring Dramoria to me after she arrives at home. I wish to speak with her" Riddle drawls with a gleaming smile. "I hope that doesn't prove to be too much for you my friend" he says before exiting the dark room, leaving Severus alone with his thoughts. How was he to save Dramoria from this?
Hogwarts
The mood is festive and happy, after all most students are heading home. Even Harry had been offered a chance to spend the winter break at the burrow. The offer came from Ginny, who batted her eyes playfully and gently touched his shoulder. He couldn't let on that he knew what she had done to him. After all, if he did he would have to report how and why he came to know and the last thing he wanted to do was to out Malfoy and destroy whatever they had going. So once again Harry would be spending Christmas at Hogwarts. This got him many pitying looks but if Harry were to be honest with himself he would have to say that Hogwarts was more of a home to him than anywhere else.
The dorms were already empty and cold, many students already being picked up via their parents who preferred to see their children quicker by apparition. Hermione had been the only one who had come to say goodbye and even then there was a rush of apology. With the war going on it was so important for them all to be with the family and Hermione was no different. A quick hug and a peck on the cheek and she was off, leaving him alone in the Gryffindor common room, nothing but the crackling of the fireplace breaking the silence.
He smiles to himself and slips on his robes, wanting to go for a walk.
For some reason Malfoy hadn't come to see him, and that got him nervous. Did he do something to anger her? Or maybe it was all just a game. Harry didn't want to start worrying though. After all, it seemed that whatever he and Malfoy had was too passionate to just die out without a whimper. He was walking through the third floors West wing when he felt a tap on his shoulder. This sent him into instantly defense mode and he turned, wand in hand ready to meet whichever foe was after him this time. Instead of gnashing teeth or a wicked grin he came face to face with the pale eyes of the one girl who had preoccupied his mind nearly all day.
"Bloody hell Dramoria" he says letting out a breath of air and putting his wand back in his robes. "You can't sneak up on me like that" he said with a light laugh. She looks completely unfazed and just quirks a perfectly manicured brow. "Apparently not Potter. Scared of the Boogeyman?" She teases lightly poking him in the sides. He deftly avoids her fingers and catches her arms in his hands pulling her close, almost nose to nose. "I thought I wouldn't get a chance to say goodbye" he says simply, his breath tickling against her lips. A blush quickly spreads across Malfoy's face, as if trying to avoid the leap she felt in her heart. "You're lucky I love you Potter" she says in her mind before lightly pecking Harry's lips. "I wouldn't leave without a goodbye" she says simply, moving herself even closer into Harry.
"I wish we could spend Christmas together. Why are you still here anyway?" He asks inquisitively as he notices that Dramoria seems a little….off. She however shrugs. "My father will fetch me in a little bit I suppose. He insists on taking the floo during the holidays. Says it's unbecoming for a Malfoy to take the train more than they have to". It's her dismissive tone of voice that gives it away to him. She's not excited about going home. "Hmm well your dad is a bit of a Ponce" he says simply to which he gets a thwack on the chest for. "Easy Potter. A ponce he may be but he's still my father. And the man you might have to ask an important question of someday" she says teasingly making it Harry's turn to blush.
"I've got you a little present" he says, trying to distract her from his embarrassment and her smirk turns to a frown of worry. "Ohh Harry, I didn't have time to get you anything. Please don't" she says apologizing. It was one of the first times Harry had seen Malfoy act unselfishly, and that made him want to give his present to her even more. "Well it's actually something I made, but I really think you'll like it" he says taking the small box hidden in his robes and handing it to his girlfriend. She looked almost on the verge of tears but she quickly wiped them away and smiled as she began to open it. After finally getting the last string off a beautiful and long piece of purple silk fell out which left Me for a little confused. She smiled however at Harry, even though she didn't get it. "Thank you Harry. I love it" she coos to which he laughs and shakes his head.
"Put it over your shoulders love. You'll see." He said to which Malfoy nodded and draped the cloth around her. It was only a second later that she realized she had completely disappeared below the neck, leaving the impression of just a head. She gasped and turned around, looking for herself in a way that made Harry snicker. She gently reached up with her unseen arms and pulled the cloth off, revealing herself again. She looked at Harry, shock and bewilderment in her eyes. "Harry what is this?" She asked in a state of confusion. "It's called an invisibility cloak. My dad left me his so I kind of reverse engineered one for you. Do you like it?" He asks before receiving his answer in the form of Malfoy throwing herself into his arms and almost smothering his face in kisses. "Thank you Harry. I love it. Thank you so much" she said repeatedly, cuddling into him as much as she could. She had never quite gotten a gift like this before. Her mother would sew her things and she loved that but everything else she received was bought in a store. To have something gifted to her that took effort to make meant the world and the fact that it came from Harry…..
"I love you Harry James Potter" she whispered into his ear as she held onto him, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. "I love you too Dramoria. Hey how did you know my middle name?" He asks teasingly to which she rolls her eyes. "Some of us happen to pay attention Potter" she teases lightly. "Suppose that's true. I can be a little obtuse" he says, finding it easier to agree with his girlfriend and move on. "What about you? What's your middle name?" He asks teasingly as he kisses her forehead. "Hyacinth" comes the quiet and embarrassed response.
"I like it. It's cute" he says, rubbing her back gently. "You better get going love. It's almost ten which means your dad will be at the floo soon or waiting" he whispers into her ear just at the same time Nearly Headless Nick enters through the wall. "Ahh Ms. Dramoria, your father is….ohh am I interrupting something?" He asks teasingly to which Dramoria blushes and shoots out of Harry's arms, straightening her robes as she does. "No, no Nick. You are not. And if you tell anyone I'll make you fully headless" she says flustered beyond belief as she picks up her present, repacking it in the box. Harry just smiles and rolls his eyes watching his girlfriend. "Well, anyways, Merry Christmas Dramoria" he says lightly to which she stands up and despite her blush, kisses him passionately on the lips. "Merry Christmas Harry" she says before rushing off down the hall, thoroughly embarrassed due to the ghosts presence.
Harry watches her until she is out of his sight and smiles, his hand going to his lips to feel where she kissed him. "Well lad, seems like i just met the future " comes Nick's voice, the ghost floating slightly next to Harry before he elbows him, his arm moving right through the young man instead. "Sorry lad, easy to forget sometimes you know?" He says with a light before phasing back into the wall leaving Harry with his thoughts. ? It was too early to tell but…..maybe. It was with these happy thoughts that Harry headed back towards his dorm.
Dramoria however, was ecstatic. Over the moon. Not even the prospect of her father's disappointed glare could ruin her day. Harry had given her the best present of her life. He had told her he loved it. These two things were enough to make her forget everything. The dark mark on her arm, the war, her father, Voldemort. None of that mattered right now. She just wished she could be there with Harry on Christmas. It was then that she thought about how future Christmases might be. Harry may have to be at Hogwarts this Christmas but when he came of age he would undoubtedly inherit a series of large homes. No reason she couldn't join him for a Christmas celebration. Of course she'd have to deal with the Weasleys and Granger but she would do nearly anything for Harry. Plus the thought of welcoming Ginny Weasley into Harry's home while on his arm was certainly one she could look forward too.
Not to mention what would come in later years. Between marriage and children Dramoria promised herself that she would never let Harry spend another Christmas alone. After the war, after he defeated Voldemort, for she was sure he would win now, they would have a happy life where he could sit back and let her steer for a change. The dark mark on her arm, while a temporary obstacle, could even work to his advantage. He may be angry at first but surely he saw that she loved him and was undoubtedly on his side? This played over agonizingly in her head but in the end she decided that even Potter would see the value in having his own personal spy.
She out these thoughts to rest once more, her mind focused on Christmas future. Messy haired, pale eyed children clutching at presents and rushing about the house with their new toys while she laid on the couch with her husband just watching them enjoy their holiday. Yes, this would be the dream that got her through what would be another cold holiday at Malfoy Manor.
(Please let me know what you think)