Chapter 9: Tough Choices and Living with the Consequences


Jamie hesitated outside the door to her room. She hadn't spoken to Draco since Halloween, except for the argument at the meeting earlier. Taking a deep breath, she gave the unicorn the password and entered the common room, where Draco was waiting patiently for her.

"Draco," Jamie greeted nervously, not coming any further into the room than just inside the doorway. Unfortunately, this allowed Jamie an unobstructed view of Draco's bedroom door. "Is this what you wanted to discuss? You leaving me?" asked Jamie, hurt lacing her voice.

"I'm not leaving you, Love," Draco answered as he walked towards Jamie.

"Don't touch me!" Jamie cried as she moved across the room, preventing Draco from taking her in his arms. "If you're not leaving me than I guess this isn't your trunk sitting outside your door. What more proof do I need that you're leaving me than that?"

"Jamie, I'm not leaving you. I'm doing this to protect you…"

"Protect me?" asked Jamie incredulously. "How are you protecting me by turning to Tom? You know he's after me and that he wants me for his wife, among other things," Jamie finished under her breath.

Draco heard Jamie's last comment, even though it was said with her back turned to him. Turning her back around to face him, he demanded, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"That's none of your business."

"You know what, Jamie; I'm getting really tired of hearing that. Why won't you tell me what's been bothering you so much lately that you've taken to hiding out in the dungeons with Professor Snape?"

"I don't owe you any explanations, Draco, especially now that you're off to do Tom's bidding. You never answered my question, Draco, why are you doing this? And don't tell me it's to protect me because I don't believe that. If you really wanted to protect me, you'd stay here with me."

"If you don't want to believe I'm doing this to protect you, fine, that's your prerogative," snarled Draco as he grabbed Jamie by the arms. He was so angry and annoyed with Jamie at the moment that he never saw the fear and hurt flash in her eyes. "I'm not doing this for you; I'm doing this because of you."

"What?" Jamie asked in disbelief.

"That's right, Jamie, you've forced me to do this, with all your secrets and lies. You are such a tease, you know that? Just when I think I know you and that there is nothing standing in our way, you push me away with one more secret you can't seem to tell me. I tried to help you the other night, after your nightmare, or whatever the hell it was and you run to Professor Snape…"

"Help me? You call demanding answers helping me? Gods, Draco. I had just woken from the worst possible memories and you demand I tell you what happened. You never gave me the opportunity to think, you just kept coming, so, yes, I ran to Severus. He has never demanded answers from me. He's there for me. He cares about my feelings, not satisfying his undying curiosity about memories he has no possible way of understanding. What right did you have to start demanding answers of me?"

"What right did I have? I had every right. Isáwien is my Aunt…A Malfoy to be exact. How the hell would a lowly little Weasel be on a first name basis with a Malfoy three years her senior…"

"So I'm back to being a weasel am I?" asked Jamie, pain, hurt and anger very evident in her voice to any one except Draco. "And as I said before, Malfoy, how I know Isá is none of your business. This is exactly why I haven't told you about the events of my past, the events of the memories that plagued me that night. You can't just demand I give you answers and expect me to give them willingly. I'm not some house-elf you can just order around. You're no better than Lucius and Abraxas, you know that. If you want a doormat you can walk all over for a girlfriend, than I'm sure Pansy will be more than happy to welcome you back with open arms and legs…"

SMACK!

"How dare you compare me to Lucius and Abraxas. I am nothing like my Father or my Grandfather. Don't you ever compare me to them again."

Turning her tear-stained face back to Draco, a hand over her stinging cheek, she spat, "Nothing like them? You could've fooled me, Draco Malfoy," before pushing past him and running from the common room.

"Jamie, wait!" Draco cried out as realization of what he had just done struck him. "Jamie, I'm sorry…"

Jamie ran from the room without stopping when Draco starting apologizing and running after her. Jamie kept running all the way to the South Tower. Esmerelda, who was guarding the door to Isáwien's chambers, opened to allow Jamie entrance when she saw the distraught girl running towards her. She closed just after Jamie passed through, closing before Draco could follow her in.

"Oh Gods, Jyn, what happened?" exclaimed Isáwien, standing up from the couch in front of the fire.

"Dra…Draco…" sobbed Jamie.

"Shh, sit down, Sweetie," continued Isáwien as she pulled Jamie to the couch. "He hit you," she said more as a statement then a question, while she summoned a cold cloth.

Jamie nodded, unable to answer.

"Here, this will help with the stinging," continued Isáwien, handing Jamie the cloth. "Do you want to talk about it, or just sit for a little while?"

"He's…he's leaving me," Jamie sniffed as she held the cloth to her stinging cheek.

"What do you mean, Jyn?" asked Isáwien, knowing she had to get Jamie's take on what was happening.

"He's going with Blaise. He's joining Tom."

"I know, Sweetheart. But that doesn't mean he will leave you for good. He cares for you deeply."

"I want to believe you, Isá, I really do, but he didn't even talk to me. He'd made his decision before I even got to the room. He claims he's doing this to protect me."

Sighing softly, Isáwien nodded. "I know, Jamie, and I know what you are going through, to some degree. But, maybe he is doing what he thinks is best. He's only sixteen. He's not perfect, Love."

"But Isá how is this for the best? I thought he understood that Tom will do whatever he has to in order to get to me. I'm scared, Isá. I love him so much but I'm afraid of what will happen to him under Tom's influence."

"You think Tom will make him hate you?"

"Possibly and don't forget Lucius. He's Tom's right hand. I think they'll use Draco to get to me and in the process destroy the man I love. I can't stand the thought of watching Draco turn into his father."

"Listen to me, Jyn, I know my brother, and if anything he'll accept most anything Draco says that fits his perfect idea of a Malfoy. If Draco were to tell them he had been using you to get at your brother, and you broke up with him because of it, they would believe him. He can convince them that he hates you and they won't do anything. He will be able to hide his true feelings for you from them. Even if they tried to get into his mind, he could hide them. And believe me, Love, Draco will never turn into Lucius. He already taken that path once and he turned from it. He won't go back."

"That may be true, Isá, but he keeps pushing me for answers…answers I want so desperately to give him but can't. Not now. I was ready to tell him everything after we talked, about us, Desi, everything, but now…"

"Love, I think you need to talk to him. He doesn't know about Desi, but he does know something you don't. He might start to put two and two together, given time. He knows I raised Desi, just as Severus did, and he's exceptionally smart. I know you are unsure, but wouldn't it be better knowing you told him than having him figure it out and being more upset that you didn't tell him?"

"But Isá, how can I tell him when he's running off to join Tom? Besides, I don't think he wants to talk to me anymore."

"Oh, Jyn, he can hide the knowledge from Tom. If you don't believe me, ask Severus. He's hidden things from Tom for years. And I'm sure he wants to talk to you. He does love you."

"I said some really horrible things, Isá. I was hurt and frightened. I compared him to Lucius and Abraxas, and then I…I told him that Pansy would be more than happy to accommodate him by opening her arms and legs for him. I didn't know what I was saying. I just wanted to hurt him the way I've been hurt and that's when he hit me. Believe me, Isá; he doesn't want to talk to me. Not now, not ever."

"Well, he probably didn't like hearing himself compared to Lucius and especially Father. But he shouldn't have hit you," Isáwien trailed off as her eyes flashed a brighter shade of purple. "What did he do after he hit you?"

"He said he was nothing like Lucius and Abraxas. I told him I didn't believe him. Can you blame me, he'd just hit me, so I ran. I guess he realized what he did because he tried apologizing but I just kept running. I've lost him, Isá, and it's all my fault. He was the best thing in my life next to Desi, and now I've driven him away for good. I've lost him just like I lose everybody that means anything to me," sobbed Jamie as she failed to hold back a fresh wave of tears.

"That's it, I'm going to give that boy a piece of my mind," Isáwien began standing up and walking out of the room, quickly making her way down to the Great Hall. As she neared the doors they opened on their own, or more likely the magic radiating off her made them open. She would look back and smile as she remembered the looks on everyone's faces as she walked in. Especially Draco's.

"Draconis Abraxas Lucius Malfoy! Get your blasted arse off that seat and outside before I bloody well do it for you!" Isáwien yelled, as Albus sat back down with a smile. He knew better than to interfere when Isáwien Malfoy was angry with someone. Jamie's damage range was usually ten feet. When Isáwien was angry enough, she could go into an Expelling, and they most certainly did not want the room full of students to die. As it was, he could faintly see the purple aura around her; she could go into an Expelling very easily, especially since she was due for one anyway.

Once Draco walked past Isáwien out of the Great Hall; past all of the snickering Slytherins, Isáwien turned and the doors shut behind her. Glaring at him once, she walked past him out of the castle, knowing Draco would follow. Once they were across the grounds, she pivoted and stopped, her robes billowing around her much like Severus' had a tendency to do.

"Who the bloody hell do you think you are, Dra?" Isáwien began as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Do you have any idea what I've been doing for the last hour? I've been listening while my best friend cries her heart out over you. And you know what; I'm almost tempted to bloody well tell her to give up on the two of you. At least then she'd only cry for a few more days, instead of there being the chance that you will do something to make her cry again and again," yelled Isáwien, before turning and sending a strike of bold purple lightning at the nearest tree. "Do you have any idea how much she cares for you?" she asked as she turned back to face him. Shaking her head, she sighed softly before starting to talk again quietly," Blast it, Draco, you're my nephew and I love you, but did you even think before you spoke earlier?"

"Is, she never even gave me a chance to explain before she started accusing me of leaving her."

"Well, did you try explaining why you were doing it?"

"I tried to tell her, Is, but she wouldn't listen. She kept saying I was leaving her for Tom and how he's after her."

"I know, that's what she kept telling me," replied Isáwien as she sat down. "She's terrified she'll lose you; that you will turn into Lucius."

"Is, you know me, you know I would never…" Draco sighed in frustration. "Is, she's hiding something from me. I know she is and I think it has something to do with Tom and that's why she won't tell me anything."

"Dra, I know you would never follow that path again, but as for the other part, if she is hiding something from you, then only she can tell you. You need to talk to her, Dra; she thinks you won't talk to her now. And nothing I said would convince her. Even when I assured her you could hide any feelings you have from Tom, and that you loved her and would do anything to protect her. I think she thinks you hate her."

"I could never hate her, Is, I love her, more than life itself, but she's been so distant and closed off lately. I don't know how to reach her. Every time I try she pulls away or runs to Professor Snape and I get so frustrated. It's like she's afraid of her own shadow or something," finished Draco as he sat down next to his Aunt.

"Dra, she's my best friend and there are things she's told me in complete confidence that I cannot break. But I will say this. Jamie's life has been hell, even more than mine or yours or her brother's or even Severus'. A long time ago she was hurt very badly. And when she had finally dealt with it, the things that have happened this year happened. She isn't scared of her own shadow; she's scared of what the future holds. Her future will be anything but easy, none of us will have an easy time, but Jyn more than anyone will have a rough time. She's meant to kill Tom, for crying out loud, and he wants her for his bride and she knows that. She also knows he will stop at nothing to get her, including hurt you…" Isáwien trailed off.

"But, Is, doesn't she realize that I will do anything and everything I have to in order to keep her safe, even if it means giving up my life?"

"I think that's partially what terrifies her. She didn't say it but if you were to die protecting her…I don't think she could ever forgive herself. I know where she's coming from, and I can tell you it's not a fear easily ratified."

"Is this why she's been pushing me away? Does she think that if I leave her now, that if something were to happen to me it would be easier for her to deal with?"

"I don't know, Dra, this is all a guess on my part and the only thing I can compare it to is myself. I did the same thing to someone a long time ago, but I chose to follow my heart. I think that if you talked to her, explained why you are doing this and that you would never leave her, then she might listen. She will listen to you this time, I'm sure of it. Just don't let her leave. Take whatever she throws at you and don't respond, and most certainly don't hit her again. I'm surprised she didn't throw you across the room," commented Isáwien with a small smile.

"Gods, I still can't believe I hit her. I just got so angry and upset when she compared me to Father and Grandfather and then, when she brought up that pig Pansy, I just couldn't see straight. I should have realized that she was only trying to upset me, to hurt me. I never saw the pain and fear in her eyes until it was too late and she was running out the door. Where is she?"

"My chambers, with Shields; if you're going I'd better come with you to get him."

"Thanks, Is. I think you're right. Jamie and I really do need to talk, even if all she lets me do is apologize."

"You do that and I'll get out of your way and go and see Severus," replied Isáwien, a certain twinkle in her violet eyes at the mention of Severus' name.

"Thanks, Is."

"You're welcome. And Dra, I don't know how much you know, but Jyn doesn't know," Isáwien said softly before standing and walking towards the castle.

Draco rose and followed his Aunt back into the castle, his suspicions about her relationship with his mentor and Head of House being confirmed by the look in her eyes.


"Draconis Abraxas Lucius Malfoy!" Isáwien's voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, causing Draco to drop his fork on his plate and his already pale complexion to pale even further.

"Geez Drac, what did you do this time?" Blaise asked as he watched Isáwien fume in the doorway of the Great Hall. Draco never answered as he rose silently and made his way out of the Great Hall, past his Aunt.

"Draconis?" Harry asked Blaise in disbelief.

"Only his father ever calls him that and only when he's in serious trouble. I've never heard Isáwien use all of his names before. I can only guess what he must have done to piss her off that much."

"So what's your guess?"

"In one word, Harry?" Harry nodded. "Jamie."

"My sister?"

"Yeah, Draco told me just before you got here that he and Jamie had a major fight…"

"A fight?" interrupted Harry, concern showing in his voice.

"He didn't say exactly but his trunk is back in the Slytherin dorms. I'm guessing Jamie didn't take the news all that well and went to Isáwien."

"How exactly does my sister know Draco's Aunt?"

"I don't exactly know, Harry, all I know is what Jamie's told me and that hasn't been a whole lot. I know that she met Isáwien during her first year and that they've been friends ever since. She was devastated when Isáwien left during her second year. Other than that, Jamie's never really said much about her," explained Blaise as he and Harry rose from the Slytherin table and headed out of the Great Hall, where they were joined by Hermione.

"So that's why Jamie wasn't at dinner," commented Harry. Blaise nodded in agreement.

"Harry, where's Jamie? Didn't she show up for dinner?" Hermione asked when she reached the two Slytherins.

Before Harry or Blaise could answer her, Isáwien and Draco entered the castle and made their way through the Entrance Hall on their way to Isáwien's chambers in the South Tower.

"Never mind, I'll just ask Draco if he's seen her."

"'Mione, don't," Blaise said as he took hold of Hermione's arm, preventing her from approaching Draco.

"Blaise?"

"I think Isáwien knows where Jamie is and after her display in the Great Hall a short while ago, I think she's had a little chat with Draco and is taking him to Jamie now. I think we need to just leave them alone for now."

"I think Blaise is right, Hermione," Harry agreed. "Why don't we all head up to the Common Room and spend some time together before Blaise has to return to the Slytherin Dorms."

"Well…" Hermione began, looking back to Draco's retreating form. "Alright, let's go."

The three friends made their way up to the Unicorn Rooms; each worried about their two missing friends, hoping that Draco and Jamie could work out whatever it was that seemed to be tearing them apart.


When Draco and Isáwien returned to her chambers, they found Jamie and Shields together on the couch. The tiger had his head in Jamie's lap, purring, while she stroked his head absentmindedly. Upon seeing his Mistress enter, Shields hopped down from his spot next to Jamie and made his way to Isáwien's side, glaring and growling quietly at Draco as he passed.

"I'll leave you two to talk," Isáwien said as she turned to leave with Shields. "Remember, Dra, take whatever she throws at you and whatever you do, do not get upset and do not let her leave," Isáwien whispered so only Draco could hear.

"Thanks, Is," Draco replied, as his Aunt and her familiar left him alone with Jamie. "Jamie?"

Jamie did not answer or even give any kind of indication that she had heard him. She remained in her spot on the couch, staring into the flames.

"Jamie?" Draco tried again, coming around the couch and kneeling in front of Jamie. He took her chin in his hand and took a good look at her injured cheek. "Gods, Jamie, I'm so sorry, Love. I never meant to hit you. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt you."

Jamie pulled her chin out of Draco's hand and dropped her eyes to her lap, refusing to meet Draco's gaze in any form. Tears began falling silently down her face.

"Jamie, please talk to me," Draco pleaded.

Jamie continued to remain silent, her eyes downcast.

"Jamie, Love, listen to me. I am not and never will be anything like Lucius or Abraxas. Jamie, I watched him turn my mother from a warm and loving person into the cold, emotionless shell she is today. I could never do that to you. I love you too much. My mother used to be just like you. Vibrant, full of life, kind, loving, but then Grandfather died and Lucius became head of the family. Jamie, he beat that out of her. He even went so far as to ban Isáwien and her mother from visiting the manor and Mother and I were forbidden to visit them. Lucius has always been a very strict disciplinarian but things got worse when Grandfather died. That's when he truly started grooming me as his heir. He has this screwed up notion of what the ideal Malfoy heir should be and if I didn't act according to this guideline the punishment was a beating. The severity of the 'disobedience' determined the severity of the beating. Jamie, I've lost count of the number of times he's beaten me into unconsciousness or locked me in the dungeons. I'll be seventeen this Christmas and he still beats me. At least with Harry now in Slytherin, he has one less reason, but that doesn't mean he won't find another excuse. I was second in our class in my O.W.L.s but that wasn't good enough for him. He beat me until I blacked out and then locked me in the dungeon for a week because I let Hermione beat me in O.W.L.s. Jamie, I have spent the last ten years of my life being emotionally, psychologically and physically abused by my father. I could never and will never do to you what my father has done to me and my mother. I love you too much to do that to you. I want a family, a real family. A family that loves and respects one another and I want that family with you."

With still no response from Jamie, Draco continued pouring his heart out. "Jamie, I know you're afraid of what working with Tom will do to me but you have nothing to be afraid of. If my father did anything right, it was teaching me how to hide my true feelings, even under the most extreme tortures. There is no way that Tom will ever learn about my feelings for you. I can fight off Imperius and Lucius has used Cruciatus on me so often that, while it's still extremely painful, I won't give you up. I swear to you, Jamie, your secrets, your life and our future are safe with me. I will never betray you and I will never leave you. By joining the Death Eaters I will be able to help the Light prevent any attacks that Tom may plan and in turn prevent him from hurting you in any way. Jamie, talk to me, please. Yell, scream, rant, rave, do anything, just please say something, anything," Draco pleaded, before sighing in frustration at Jamie's continued silence. Draco stood and prepared to leave, figuring she at least let him say what he had to. He just wished she would say something, anything. He'd prefer it if she was raging at him because at least then she would be talking to him, but her continued silence hurt him more than her harshest words ever could.

"Four years ago," came the quiet, shaky voice that stopped Draco in his tracks.

"What?" Draco asked, as he turned back to the redhead sitting in front of the fire.

"I met Isá four years ago, during my first year," answered Jamie, still barely above a whisper.

Draco returned to his spot in front of Jamie, who still refused to meet his eyes.

"We ran into each other one day in the library and I mean literally ran into each other. It was about halfway through the year. I was shocked to say the least when I learned that not only was she a Slytherin but she was also a Malfoy and that she wanted to be my friend. Me, a lowly little first year Weasley Gryffindor who had absolutely no friends save a Diary. Isá didn't care about that. She was nothing like what I thought a Malfoy to be…"

"You mean she was nothing like me."

Jamie nodded. "I grew to trust her, trust her judgement. I eventually showed her the Diary…Tom's Diary."

"The one Lucius gave you in Diagon Alley."

"Yes. She wrote in it a few times. Told me it made her uncomfortable and that I didn't need it anymore because I had her to talk to now. I tried to get rid of it. I thought I had, until I saw Harry with it one day. I was terrified he'd discover how to work it and learn about everything I'd ever written in it. So, I stole it back from him by breaking into the second year Gryffindor boys' dormitory one day while everyone was out. I thought I'd broken Tom's hold over me the day I tried to destroy the diary. I was wrong. Seriously wrong. Somehow Tom managed to get me to write the final message on the wall and then enter the Chamber…" Jamie's voice began wavering as more tears continued to fall.

"Shh, it's okay, Love. I know what happened in the Chamber. You don't have to tell me."

"But that's just it, Dragon, you don't know. Not everything," Jamie stated, meeting Draco's icy blue gaze for the first time since he had arrived, before walking to the fireplace and staring into the flames, keeping her back turned to Draco for fear of what she would see in his eyes when he learned the truth. "Very few people know the truth about the events in the Chamber of Secrets and those that do are in danger because of it. How can I ask you to take on that kind of responsibility? It's not fair to you."

"No, Jamie, what's not fair to me is not being given the choice of whether I want to take on the responsibility or not. I take it Harry is one of the few people who know the truth?"

"No, he doesn't. Not even the Weasleys know. If they did, I would have been disowned long before now," Jamie said as she turned to finally face Draco.

"Jamie, nothing can be that bad, Love," Draco tried to reassure her as he took Jamie by the arms.

"I was raped, Draco. Tom raped me before Harry got there. He was never going to kill me. I was merely the bait to lure Harry. He was going to kill Harry, take his magic and restore mine before taking me away with him. But as we know, Harry defeated Tom and pulled me from the Chamber."

"So that's what you were crying out about the other night. Why you were apologizing to Is? Jamie, I don't hate you because of this. My Gods, you were only eleven…well, twelve, but still, this wasn't your fault. I could never hate you because of what that bastard did," Draco tried reassuring her as he stepped forward to envelope Jamie in his arms.

"There's more," Jamie said as she sidestepped away from Draco before he could hug her, puzzling him further.

"More? How much more can there be?"

"You know the child your Aunt is raising?" asked Jamie.

"Desi? Is never told me the mother's name, and every time I ask she just says that she can't tell me because it's not her place and that it would put Desi and her mother in serious jeopardy."

"She's right. It would."

"Wait a minute. How do you know Is is looking after a child and that revealing the mother's identity would jeopardize her safety?"

Taking a deep breath and meeting Draco's penetrating gaze, Jamie replied, "Because I'm Desi's mother. Desdemona is my daughter. She was conceived that day in the Chamber of Secrets."

Understanding shone in Draco's icy blue eyes. "Tom's the father."

"Yes, and he doesn't know about Desi. The only people who even know I was pregnant were Isá and Albus. I spent the summer after my first year at St. Mungo's, Albus was working there and, as you know, Isá's mother was dying.

"But I saw you during your second year. You never looked pregnant."

"Wizards' robes can hide quite a lot, Draco, plus I only carried Desi for five months. I gave birth to her on Halloween. Knowing there was no way I could care for an infant and that the Weasleys wouldn't take too kindly to their daughter getting knocked up at eleven and having a daughter at twelve, Isá agreed to raise Desi for me and help keep her from Tom. That nightmare you witnessed Halloween night was all of the memories surrounding the Chamber and Desi's birth coming back to haunt me. Everything, the rape, my pregnancy, giving up my baby and saying goodbye to my daughter and the only real friend I'd ever had. So when you started…"

"When I started demanding answers, you got scared and ran and that's why you've been hiding out from me. You were afraid of how I'd react, weren't you?"

Jamie nodded. "Tom is slowly destroying my life, Draco. He's taking everyone I care about away from me. My parents are dead by his hand, my Godfather blames me because Tom killed them and my daughter is being raised by my best friend. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you as well. Of watching as Tom used Lucius to turn you against me. I know Tom is after me and I know he'll use any means necessary to get me. The thought of him destroying the man I love in pursuit of his goal scares me beyond words. I can't lose you too. I don't know what I would do without you in my life. I'm not whole without you and the thought of you not being there terrifies me. I love you so much…" Jamie was crying freely now, no longer trying to hold the tears back as sobs wracked her body.

Draco pulled Jamie into a fierce embrace. "I love you, Jamie, more than life itself, and I promise you I'll do whatever I have to in order to keep you safe and reunite you with your daughter. You can try to push me away as much as you want but it won't work anymore. I'm not going anywhere. No matter what Tom does to me, I promise you that I will always come home to you. I love you too much to let you go. Your secrets are safe with me. Tom will never know about Desi, I promise you, Love." Draco pulled back from the Jamie slightly, so that he could look in her beautiful sapphire eyes that were shining with tears. "I love you, Jamie-Lynn Potter, never forget that," he finished before leaning down and capturing Jamie's lips in a kiss.


Meanwhile in Severus' chambers…

"What are you thinking, beloved?"

"Hmm?" Isáwien asked, glancing away from the fire. "Oh, forgive me, Severus. I was thinking about the conversation Jyn and I had."

"Where did 'Jyn' come from?" he asked with a smile. The question had been on his mind for some time, since learning of her knowing about Jamie before Jamie herself knew.

"Her name…Jamie-Lynn…Jyn," Isáwien replied, smiling softly. "Well, as much as I would gladly love to stay here with you, I have to take care of something, my love," she continued as she stood up.

"Do I ask what you are going to do?" he asked with one eyebrow raised.

"No worries, dearest, you're no longer my teacher, there's no chance of having to keep me from being punished," she replied as she walked across the room.

"That was hardly the question, Isáwien," he replied dryly as he followed her.

"I know." Her soft voice reached his ears as she stopped suddenly and turned towards him. "Do not worry, my love, I will be fine. I am simply going to take care of a few unfinished things with some old friends," she continued as her hand rested against his cheek.

Smiling softly, he turned his head and kissed her palm. "Well then, have fun, Beloved," he replied softly.

"Don't I always?" she asked with a grin as she kissed him quickly before leaving the room.

Ten minutes later she had managed to find the two she sought, with some help from a few of the resident ghosts and paintings.

"Remus, Sirius, how are you?" she asked with a smile as she walked in the room.

"Isáwien! So good to see you, I'm fine, Sirius here is another matter. Seems he got into a bit of a scuffle and broke some ribs," Remus replied with a smile.

"Really now, how did you do that?" she asked, concerned as she sat down across from them in the empty Great Hall.

"Just a scuffle, nothing of importance," Sirius replied.

"Come on, Paddy old boy, it has to be something. Share with your old friends," Remus replied as he took a drink of his Butterbeer.

"Yes, Sirius, do share," Isáwien replied with a smile.

"It was nothing really," Sirius replied.

"Oh, fine then," Isáwien replied, turning to Remus. "Remus, dear, you won't believe the story I heard today."

"Oh, what was that, my dear lady?" he asked with a smile.

"Well," she began in a conspiratorial tone, "this young girl was attacked by her Godfather."

"No," Remus replied in shock.

"Aye, he claimed he had to make sure it was really her, and not someone pretending to be her. So he followed her around for a whole week."

"Who would do such a thing?" Remus replied, shaking his head in disgust.

Isáwien in turn smiled internally at the slight green shade Sirius was taking. "Well, to make things worse, he didn't attack her as a human either."

"What? He attacked her as an animagus?" Remus asked in shock once more.

"Uh hmm, although he did get quite the surprise when she changed into her own animagus."

"Serves the man right, I hope she beat the daylights out of him."

"Oh no, she only managed to break his ribs. Then some more of them later on when he basically accused her of being the reason her parents died," she replied, sitting back nonchalantly.

"How could someone do that to a child?" Remus asked in surprise as he sat back.

Isáwien nearly grinned as the wheels visibly turned in his head.

"Sirius Orion Black, how could you?" Remus roared as he stood up.

"What was I suppose to do, Remus? She died that night in Godric's Hollow," Sirius replied as he too stood up.

"You don't follow her around like a common criminal, Sirius," Isáwien hissed as she stood as well.

"What do you know of this, Isáwien, really?" Sirius asked as he turned to her.

"I know this, Sirius. Jamie is James and Lily's daughter. And your Goddaughter, and when she needed all the family she can get, you attack her."

"She's supposed to be dead!" Sirius yelled.

"Would you rather that she were dead?" Remus yelled right back.

"No! But I would have liked to have known more. Blast James and his stupid birdie."

"What birdie?" Remus asked

"He was going on and on about a little birdie helping him make a decision. But he wouldn't tell me what it was. I was his best friend for Merlin's sake," Sirius said, shaking his head.

"It doesn't matter now, Sirius, nor does that 'little birdie'. What does matter is how are you going to fix things with your Godchildren," Isáwien replied.

"Both of them?" he asked in shock

"Well, Jamie is partially terrified of you, and partially hates you. And Harry won't do anything to hurt her more than she already has been, so I'm no fortune teller, but if you don't fix things with Jamie, you might see even less of Harry."

"What's a fortune teller?"

"Someone who tells Muggles' futures," Remus explained.

"But you can see the future," Sirius replied, looking back at her.

"I haven't had any visions regarding any of this. If I had I would have come sooner to stop you before you ever attacked her in the first place, you mutt," she growled.

"Umm, Isáwien, please calm down. Your eyes are glowing that strange shade of purple again," Remus replied softly.

"Her eyes are purple," Sirius said, confused.

"Uuggghhhh!" Isáwien gave a strangled cry as she threw her hands in the air and walked away from him, muttering to herself.

"What is she saying?" Sirius asked

"She's saying she can't kill you," Remus replied, glancing at him.

"Oh."

"All right! Right now I am dangerously close to losing it and going into an Expelling so don't say anything, Sirius, unless you want to join James a whole lot sooner," she began as she stalked back towards them.

"Listen up, Sirius, and listen well. Jamie is your Goddaughter whether you like it or not. And you'd better get used to it. And so help me if I hear that she's been crying because of you, I don't care what happens because of your death, I'll kill you myself. And as for her past, it's hers, stay out of it. If she wants to share it, she will when she's ready. Until then, keep your paws away from her! Do I make myself clear? Now then, if I were you, I would work on trying to find common ground with my Goddaughter. Her life is a living hell. She needs all the family she can get. And you better get your blasted arse in line, or so help me I'll put it there for you," she continued glaring at him before turning to Remus with a smile.

"Remus, dear, if you get a chance, come join us for dinner at the house sometime. And can you let Severus know that I'll be out on the grounds, and will need him in about ten minutes, thanks ever so much," she replied with a soft smile before glaring at Sirius once more and pivoting on her heels.

"Well, that could have been worse," Remus mused as they watched her walk out of the hall.

"For you," Sirius replied. "And I used to think Albus was scary."

"We always told you to never make a woman angry," Remus replied with a smile before walking towards the door. "Oh, and Sirius, if I hear you did something like that again, I'll hit you myself. And just to let you know, if I'm not mistaken, Isáwien is currently going through an Expelling, so you might want to start thanking your lucky stars she has such good control," he finished before walking out the door.


When the need for air became too great, Draco reluctantly broke the hold his lips had on Jamie's, never letting go of his hold on the rest of her.

"I miss her so much, Dragon," Jamie said into Draco's shoulder as she clung to him as if her life depended on it.

"I know you do, Love. But you know Dumbledore said you're not to leave the castle grounds. It's for your own safety."

"I know, Dragon. It's also for Desi's safety but…"

"But what, Love?"

"Well, Isá said that there was a way to see her without ever having to leave Hogwarts."

"Really? How?" Draco asked as he steered Jamie back over to the couch.

"She said it was similar to how the two of you communicate in your minds. That I just have to call out to her while she's sleeping."

"You're afraid to try though, aren't you?" asked Draco. Jamie nodded. "Why, Love? I thought you'd be jumping at the chance to see your daughter."

"I am, Dragon. I'm desperate to see my baby but what if she doesn't recognize me? What if she's afraid of me and won't let me in?"

"Of course she'll let you in, Love," Draco soothed as he pulled Jamie close. "She loves you. You're her mother."

"She has a picture of Ginevra Weasley. That's who she thinks her mother is."

"Jamie, Love, yes, you look different but that's not going to change the fact that she loves you. Your love for her is what matters and that's what she'll recognize. You're not Ginevra Weasley anymore, but the only thing that's changed other than your looks is your name. Your aura and everything else about you is still the same. Your love for her hasn't changed and that's why she'll recognize you. From what Is told me about where they're living, Desi would be about nine hours behind us so she should be napping about now. Why don't you try reaching out to her?"

"You'll stay with me?"

"Always," Draco replied with a smile before kissing Jamie's forehead.

"Okay." Jamie lay down on the couch, her head in Draco's lap. She closed her eyes, concentrated solely on the image of her daughter and called out to her with her heart and her mind. /-/Desi? Honey, are you there? It's Mommy./-/

'Mommy?' came a faint reply.

'Yes, Sweetie, it's Mommy. I want to see you.' Jamie soon felt a sensation not that dissimilar to talking via the Floo network. She could still feel Draco running his fingers soothingly through her hair. 'Desi?'

'MOMMY!' cried a raven-haired toddler, running towards Jamie.

Jamie crouched down and caught Desi in her arms. 'I've missed you, Baby. I love you so much.'

'You look diffewent, Mommy. Yous vewy pwetty.'

'Thank you, Baby. Just because I look different doesn't mean I don't love you as much as before. You mean the world to me and I'd be here with you if I could,' Jamie said as she and Desi sat down on the floor of Desi's room.

Desi looked at her mother with confusion. 'But you awe here, Mommy.'

Jamie chuckled softly as she wiped away some stray tears.

'What's wong, Mommy?'

'Nothing, Sweetie.'

'So, why you cwying?'

'I'm crying because I'm happy, Desi.'

'You happy? You don look happy.'

'Of course I'm happy, Sweetie, I'm here with you. Dawn's done a wonderful job with your hair. The blue streaks really match your eyes.'

'Dawn wans pink,' Desi giggled as she played with her hair, 'or was it gween?' Desi shrugged.

'Isá was afraid of that.'

'Where is Isá?'

'She's visiting me for a few days. She'll be home soon.'

'I have to go, Mommy. Dawn coming.'

'Okay, Sweetie. Can I get another hug before you go?'

Desi launched herself into Jamie's arms again. 'I love you, Sweetie, never forget that.'

'Wuv you too, Mommy,' Desi replied as her bedroom began to fade around Jamie.

With a sigh, Jamie's eyes fluttered open, revealing the fireplace in Isáwien's chambers. Draco was still running his fingers through her hair lovingly. "All better, Love?"

"Mmhmm. She's beautiful," Jamie commented as she sat up. "I feel better now that I've seen her."

"Come here," Draco instructed as he lay down on the couch and held out his arms, inviting Jamie to climb in.

Jamie lay down on the couch next to Draco as he wrapped her in his loving embrace. "I love you, Jamie. Desi is safe. Is will do whatever she has to in order to protect her and I will do whatever I have to in order to protect you. I promise that your secrets and your life are safe with me and that I will always come home to you. You're my life. I can't picture my life without you in it."

"I love you, Dragon."

"I love you too, Jamie," Draco replied as he tightened his hold on Jamie.


Meanwhile in the dungeons…

"Severus?" Remus asked as he stuck his head into the Potions Master's office.

"What is it, Lupin?" Severus asked as he looked up from his marking.

"You might want to go for a walk out on the grounds."

"And why would I want to do that, Lupin, when you can see I'm buried in marking."

"Isáwien just chewed Sirius out over his treatment of Jamie and when she left, her eyes were glowing purple. I'm pretty sure she's going through an Expelling as we speak," Remus said as Severus dropped everything and made a beeline for the door. He'd actually stopped listening after Remus mentioned that Isáwien's eyes were glowing.

Severus raced out of the castle, desperate to find Isáwien. He eventually found her lying unconscious in the middle of the Quidditch pitch. He carefully picked her up and carried her back into the castle. As he approached her chambers, Esmerelda, seeing Severus carrying Isáwien's unconscious form, immediately opened, allowing him entrance into Isáwien's chambers.

Severus stopped in his tracks as his eyes fell on the sleeping forms of Draco and Jamie. Severus was pleased to see that they had apparently worked out their differences and that Jamie seemed to be sleeping peacefully for the first time in a long while. In fear of waking the sleeping couple, Severus decided to take Isáwien back to his chambers for the night and left the teenagers sleeping peacefully in each other's arms in front of the dying fire.