Notes: Woot! Two chapters in like, two days xDD I'm on a roll~ I didn't think this would be ready until later, but I was wrong! I didn't get my friend (and/or possibly my friend's friend?) to spellcheck it this time cause I really wanted to post it~ I REALLY like this chapter, even though not much happens overall. I hope you guys like it too~
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Harry Potter, that right belongs to J. K. Rowling~
You may not like my actions,
but just know that my actions
always have a purpose. And
right now, my actions are for you
-anonymous
Chapter 8: Consequences
Harry stared at Elizabeth in disbelief after she had finished her tirade, and she cleared her throat nervously. He then looked quickly back and forth between Draco and her, his eyes filled with confusion. Finally he stopped on her, their eyes locking. His eyes were firm, and she knew that this was him trying to decide whether he believed her or not.
"Are you positive about him, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth nodded with vigor, fear still creeping its way around her heart. What if he didn't believe her? She would need to get proof, she would need...
"Absolutely." she said with absolute conviction. Harry sighed and looked away from her once more, his eyes spaced out in the far recesses of his mind. Elizabeth wished, not for the first time, that she knew Occlumency.
"I'm going to need some time to think about it..." he muttered, and the conversation was instantly over.
Elizabeth sank down into her seat, heart heavy, and gears whirring. She was now wishing that she had never opened her big fat mouth in the first place. Sure, there was an unspoken agreement that she and Harry were practically buddies now, but she had exposed Draco's secret in the process.
Her eyes scanned the room, never resting on one place for too long, until her green orbs landed on Draco Malfoy. Her gaze instantly softened as she saw him trying not laugh as he and Parvati continued transfiguring each others clothes. To laugh would be to ruin his reputation.
Elizabeth felt guilt wash over her, gnawing at her conscience. "You shouldn't have told Harry!" it said. "Draco trusted you, and you betrayed his secret. He'll never forgive you."
"I know," she thought. "I know! I know! I KNOW!" Elizabeth only realized that she had shouted her thoughts aloud when the entire class quieted, and all eyes were on her. She flushed and sank farther down into her seat, while Harry mumbled, "Nothing to see here." Draco was sending her messages with his eyes: Are you okay? What's wrong? Why do you look completely miserable? Did everything go alright with Harry?
"If only you knew..." Elizabeth mumbled.
Are you okay? No she wasn't okay. She had just managed to, within fifteen minutes, spill a life's worth of secrets about another person, secrets that she had been forbidden from uttering to anyone but her or Draco!
What's wrong? She had betrayed him, and now she was afraid that she would lose his trust for ever. Furthermore, she didn't even know if Harry had believed her, let alone how he would act on his belief or disbelief.
Why do you look completely miserable? She didn't want to, but she knew she would have to tell him what she'd done. Not only to sate the guilt bubbling within her, but because it was the right thing to do.
Did everything go alright with Harry? She laughed to herself. Yes, everything had gone fine, if fine meant that she had no idea how Harry would react. Not to mention the personal risks she had given herself by telling Harry everything. She didn't want him to pity Draco, but she had told him everything, even her fears(which had been pretty much confirmed) that Lucius had been abusive toward Draco ever since the poor boy had been born.
Elizabeth slammed her forehead against the desk, causing Harry to start. She ignored her brother, her thoughts a mess of worries, doubts, and nagging consciences. She promised herself that if she had completely messed things up for her, Draco, and the Golden Trio, that she would hunt down a Time Turner and stop herself from every coming to this class today in the first place.
Some hours later around the time that most people were already in bed, Harry sat alone in the common room, his mouth set in a straight line. He was waiting for Ron and Hermione who had promised to meet him here after they did... something. They had been very vague about what exactly it was they needed to do before they could all talk together. Harry shook his head in bitter amusement. His two best friends had finally decided to give it a go, and here he was making a decision that could ruin them.
He had thought for a long time after Elizabeth had revealed the secret to Draco's behavior toward the Golden Trio since day one. Harry had always wondered what exactly made Malfoy act the way he did, and know he knew. Elizabeth hadn't been certain, but from what she knew and pieced together, she had told him that Draco was being beaten by his father, Lucius Malfoy, the sole reason for Draco's pureblood views in the first place.
Harry knew it was possible. Lucius was an impossibly evil man, second by only a little to Voldemort himself. Lucius was also unwaveringly loyal to the man who beat him out for Most Evil Wizard of the Present Day. Harry was sure that if it came to it, Lucius would murder his own family to please the man he called the Dark Lord. Harry chuckled, wondering if Lucius knew that Voldemort was a half blood.
The portrait of the fat lady swung inward, and Ron and Hermione came through, Hermione giggling girlishly at something Ron had said. Harry blanched, wondering if he and Ginny had looked like that when they were still in their we-just-started-dating-and-it's-still-just-a-crush stage. He hoped not.
Hermione plopped down beside him in one of the comfortable armchairs provided in the common room, her face still lit with joy.
"Hullo, Harry! Sorry that took so long, we were...occupied."
She glanced at Ron who had taken a seat next to Harry on the couch, and let out a high-pitched giggle when Ron winked at her. It took all of Harry's willpower not to make gagging motions. Since when had Hermione become such a girl? Right. Since she and Ron started dating. Harry wondered if it were sinful for him to wish that they would break up, or at least get past this stage quickly, but then shoved the thought aside guiltily.
He still wasn't sure if he and Ginny had acted this way, and until he was, he wouldn't judge anyone.
"So you wanted to talk to us, mate? What about?"
Harry looked at Ron and then Hermione, the smile on his face forced.
"I was partnered with Elizabeth in Transfiguration class today, and we...talked. I think we're on good terms now, and I'd even go as far as to call us friends."
Hermione half squealed in delight before leaping up from her seat and wrapping her arms around Harry's neck, hugging him tightly. Harry smiled, and out of the corner of his eye, noticed Ron's eyes narrowed slightly in jealousy. He brushed it off as newly dating insecurity and hugged Hermione back. Finally she pulled away and smiled at him brightly.
"I'm so glad Harry, you two shouldn't have to fight all the time because you're in different houses, you are siblings." Her words felt bitter at the end and Harry chuckled before ruffling her hair.
"You don't have anything to worry about Hermione, you'll always be like a sister to me to, you always have been." he sent a pointed look at Ron as he said this, reassuring his friend that there was nothing to worry about in the Harry+Hermione=equals more than VERY deep friendship. Ron flushed, embarrassed by Harry's obvious notice of his jealousy.
Hermione, oblivious to interactions of her best friend and boyfriend smiled widely and turned to Ron.
"Isn't it wonderful, Ron? Harry and Elizabeth are friends now!"
Ron crossed his arms and sulked down into the cushion, successfully hiding his flushed face. "I guess..." he mumbled an Hermione frowned, pointing a chastising finger at him.
"You aren't still upset at her for defeating Harry at the dueling club meeting are you? Come now Ron, that's childish!" his eyes flashed even though he was used to being called childish and immature by just about everyone.
"It's not that," he whined, "She's in Slytherin, and even before that, she sided with Malfoy at the train station!"
Hermione shook her head at him, disappointment obvious in her eyes.
"So what if she's in Slytherin? This years Head Boy also happens to be a Slytherin It's time we let that petty hatred go Ronald, there's a war coming on the horizon! We need all the help we can get!"
Ron looked uncomfortable in the accusation spotlight.
"I know that, but Malfoy!"
Hermione opened her mouth as if she was about to defend the cocky blond Slytherin, but then shut it again, obviously coming up with nothing to defend him with. Harry took this as his opportunity to jump into the conversation.
"Actually guys, that's what I really wanted to talk about."
Ron and Hermione turned to him, confusion etched on their faces.
"What do you mean, Harry?" Hermione questioned, and Harry took a deep breath.
"Well, while Elizabeth and I were talking she told me some things, that, based on the sincerity in her voice and the large possibility that they could be true, I have decided to believe, perhaps against my better knowledge."
Ron looked completely lost while Hermione was hanging onto Harry's every word from the red armchair that she had returned to. Harry glanced at both of them nervously, ready for them to blow up at him after he spoke his next words.
"According to Elizabeth, Draco Malfoy is only pretending to be the ungodly prat that we know. Apparently, he believed in pureblood values up until the day he came to Hogwarts and met an incredibly gifted and intelligent muggleborn." Hermione flushed upon hearing this, but did not cut in as Harry continued to speak.
"Elizabeth told me that after that, he reconsidered his father's views, which have been forced on him since he was old enough to understand, and found that Lucius was wrong. He continues to be who his father wants him to be, but he hates playing the evil Slytherin. However, if Draco doesn't act like the perfect little pureblood git, his life could be in danger."
Harry paused, letting the information sink in for a moment, and before either of his friends could burst out, he spoke again.
"After consideration, I've decided to believe Elizabeth's story. If it's true, Draco needs to continue being known for the reputation he has, but I'm going to try to help him however I can, possibly a truce under the ruse that I'm tired of our childish rivalry. I'm not going to force either of you to follow me on this, but I am firm set in my decision in this situation."
Both of his friends looked completely gobsmacked, and it was Hermione who was first to recover. She jumped up from her position in the chair and moved to stand in front of him, hands on her hips.
"This is not funny at all, Harry James Potter! Stop joking!"
Harry did not crack at a grin, simply remained where he was.
"I'm being dead serious, 'Mione."
Her gaze softened at the use of his nickname for her, and she looked at him pleadingly. "Are you sure Harry, absolutely sure? This could just be a Slytherin ploy to get you to trust them, and then they can turn on us. I wouldn't put it past them!"
Harry put a hand out to stabilize her arms which were now flailing around.
"Hermione, I know this is something really big, and I wouldn't believe this if anyone else had told me. But it was Elizabeth, my sister. When she was done speaking, I thought the same thing at first, that it was all a trap. I asked her if she was completely positive and she looked in my eyes and told me, "Absolutely." The look in her eyes when she said that, I knew she was speaking the truth. By believing her, and trying to do something about it, is my way of telling her that I trust her, and that I'm a trustworthy brother."
Hermione had tears in her eyes from the sincere tone he was using, and the passionate emotion in his voice.
"Harry, you love your sister. You really love your sister, I can see it in your eyes, and I'm so happy for you. But I can't get over the fact that this is probably a ploy! Think rationally Harry-"
"I AM THINKING RATIONALLY!"
He hadn't meant to shout at her, but it just came out. He was getting annoyed by her insistence that this was all a ruse. Hermione flinched backwards, and Ron sat straight upright, his eyes glinting darkly.
"Don't you yell at her! She hasn't done anything!" he shouted back, standing as if to face Harry, but Hermione stopped him with a hand on his chest.
"Stop it Ron!"
Ron glared at her.
"He just yelled at you, and you expect me to just let it go?"
Hermione looked at him softly, imploringly.
"Yes Ron, yes I do."
He mumbled something incoherent and fell back against the couch. Harry stood standing in front of Hermione, hundreds of apologies flashing through his eyes.
" 'Mione, I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have yelled. I told you that I wasn't expecting you two to follow me just because I'm me, you need to decide for yourselves, but you have to understand. You weren't there, you didn't see her eyes. If she had been lying, I would have known. Those eyes couldn't lie."
He placed a hand on Hermione's shoulder and she looked up at him.
"I'm not saying that she was lying, but what if he was lying to her?"
"Then we were both tricked. I'm going to do this, whether you're with me or not. It will be lonely without you two, but I'm going to try and make a truce with Draco Malfoy. Are you with me or not? That's all I need to know."
Hermione sniffed, and looked at Ron, then at Harry, then at Ron again.
"Oh Harry, I'll always be with you. Even if your decisions may be sort of rash sometimes, things have always worked out, and I'm going to believe that things will work out here. I'm with you on this."
Harry's face morphed into instant relief and hugged her, burrowing his face in the crook of her neck.
"Thank you, thank you so much Hermione."
she smiled and stroked his hair.
"No problem Harry, you always have us, you know that."
"OH I DON'T THINK SO!"
Both Harry and Hermione's eyes shot up, Harry banging his head on Hermione's chin the process. Ron was standing beside them, his eyes filled with cobalt fury, his teeth grinding in rage.
"Do you two hear yourselves? Hello, this is Malfoy. Draco Malfoy! He's been an evil little prick to us since First Year! Hermione, he's called you a mudblood on numerous occasions, and Harry, he's insulted you and your parents non-stop since he couldn't make "friends" with you before the sorting. "I think I can pick my friends for myself," remember that Harry? That was when you pretty much vowed not to be friends with him. Ever! And now you want to go and make peace with him?"
It sounded as if it burned Ron's tongue to say the words. Harry's eyes were downcast and emotionless. For a second it almost seemed like he was going to listen to Ron. Then he glanced up, his eyes unwavering.
"I'm sorry Ron, but if we can't forgive and forget we might as well be as bad as Voldemort and his Death Eaters. It's not like I'm forgiving Draco for all the things he's done, but if he's stuck in a hard place and wants to get out, if he doesn't want to be the way he is, I'm not going to just ignore it."
Ron sputtered in rage, obviously feeling betrayed. He turned pleadingly to Hermione.
"Hermione? Babe? Come on, you're with me right? Remember all the horrible names that retched git has called you! And how he cursed your teeth! Remember?"
Hermione's eyes were wide, her brain for once no help to her. She was torn between her best friend and possibly doing what was right, or the one she "loved" and leaving someone who was suffering to suffer on his own. Her eyes automatically teared up as she reached a decision and she stepped toward Harry. She could never leave someone in need.
"I'm sorry too Ron, but Malfoy doesn't need our hate, he might possibly even need our help!"
Ron felt his heart break. His supposed "best friend" and his girlfriend were taking the side of the person who had been their enemy for seven years. He glared at both of them, fury blazing in his eye.
"Then there is no us in this situation. I will not make a truce with Draco Malfoy, and I refused to help his sorry ass. As far as I'm concerned, he deserves it. Oh, and Hermione, we're over!"
He spun on his heel and stomped from the common room, feet thudding against the stairs as he climbed up to dormitories. Hermione instantly burst into tears, falling against Harry, how supported her. Harry stroked her hair, watching the spot where his possibly ex-best friend has just disappeared, and repeated over and over again, "I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry. He'll come around. He'll definitely come around, he always does."
He wasn't sure if the last part was more to convince Hermione or himself. (1)
At the same time that Harry was sitting in his common room waiting for Hermione and Ron, Elizabeth stood outside of the Slytherin Common Room, alone in a dark dungeon hallway standing in front of a blank wall. She was shifting back and forth on the balls of her feet, her nerves in full swing. Any Slytherin beside herself, Blaise, or Draco would have said that she was acting like a simpering Hufflepuff, but she didn't care.
She had gone to Blaise, wanting to confide in him(seeing as he was a very good friend of Draco(and herself) and would have insight about how to approach the situation of telling Draco), but knew she should talk to Draco first. So she asked where he would be. Blaise automatically replied "the Slytherin Common Room" and Elizabeth had sulkily made her way down to the dungeons after thanking him for his help. Now she was standing here, trying to work up the nerve to go inside.
With a large gulp of air she let out a hasty, "Pureblood" and after a moment, the door to the common room slid open with the slight scraping of rock against rock. Elizabeth slid inside, glancing around in search of Draco's pale blond hair.
Finally, she saw it, but upon second glance she realized that it was underneath a head of black hair. Elizabeth gasped as she saw Pansy Parkinson smothering Draco. He was trying-and failing-to shove her off, while the oblivious and completely infatuated girl tried to nuzzle him. He attempted to communicate with her, but she wouldn't have any of that, and continued her assault.
Elizabeth rushed over, her nervousness momentarily forgotten, and threw the unfortunate girl to the floor, her eyes filled with disgust and-not that she would admit it-jealousy.
"Are you deaf you stupid wench? He said get off! Can't you see that he isn't interested! Now get away, I need to talk to him!" Pansy jumped up, sticking her nose in the air snootily.
"Whatever, Potter. Just because your jealous about the relationship Drakie and I have."
Elizabeth scoffed and had to keep herself from socking the girl in the face.
"Just keep telling yourself that, sweetie~ In the meantime, I don't know if you realized, that while you were enjoying molesting him, he was trying to push you off! You must be fatter than I thought under all that trampy clothing. I didn't know you were smart enough to do a slimming charm!" she replied in a sickly sweet voice, her eyes flashing dangerously to show her true intentions.
Pansy, looking like she was about to cry, started stuttering, looking for a comeback. Elizabeth sneered, and glared at the girl.
"Just go, Parkinson!"
That sent Pansy scurrying to the dormitories and Elizabeth smirked. Nobody messed with her Draco-wait, her Draco? She quickly shook the thought from her mind, and turned to Draco who was smirking up at her.
"Very nice, Potter, I didn't know you had it in you. Looks like you really were meant to be in Slytherin, huh?"
Elizabeth's face broke into a smile and she fell into his lap, hugging him affectionately and placing her head in the crook of his neck.
"She was bothering you, I wasn't going to just let her keep at it! It was a little too much PDA for my tastes, thank you very much. You're not angry are you?"
He shook his head and chuckled, his neck vibrating against her forehead.
"Angry, why would I be angry after that display? You got rid of the pest! I wouldn't get angry at you for doing me a favor like that."
Elizabeth stiffened, her brain back on track once more. She still had to tell Draco about telling Harry. She pulled away from him, scooting over to sit next to him, her back stiff. He gave her a confused look and waved a hand in front of her face.
"Hello? Lizzy? Anybody home? What's wrong?"
She turned to him, her mouth set in a tight smile.
"Nothing, nothing, everything perfect!"
He didn't seem to believe her, but changed the subject. However, his subject change only brought their conversation closer to a place that Elizabeth really didn't want to go.
"So how'd it go with your brother in Transfiguration? You looked down right miserable afterword; what happened?"
Elizabeth shut her eyes and slid sideways, falling so that her head was laying in his lap. She clutched her hands together like a little child and shook her head.
"I don't want to tell you-"
"You don't have to tell me-"
"Yes I do!" she half shouted as she sat up. He backed away on the couch a little bit, hands held up defensively. Elizabeth would have laughed at his vulnerability, seeing as it was the exact opposite behavior of the Draco Malfoy that the Golden Trio had "known" for so long, but she was in no position to laugh at him right now, seeing as seconds later he would be raging at her.
"Calm down Elizabeth, I was just trying to make sure you knew that you didn't have to tell me anything."
She nodded rapidly, her eyes scanning the common room. it was empty-thank god-and would probably remain empty seeing as most people were already asleep.
"No, you want to hear this, trust me. I'm just afraid of how you're going to react!"
Draco's eyes were flicking across her features, trying to figure out what she could possibly be about to tell him.
"Elizabeth, what's going on? You're not acting like yourself!"
His voice was filled with worry and concern, and she immediately felt even more guilty than she already did. His surprisingly warm hand gripped hers, trying to be reassuring, but it only brought on an urge to cry. She didn't have time to cry now, she needed to tell him this.
Trying to procrastinate, her eyes studied the pattern on the couch, a mess of swirling silver thread embedded in forest green fabric. It was beautiful and mysterious, a never ending maze of lines that she couldn't follow. Fed up with the impossible silver tracks, she looked up, her guilt filled green eyes meeting his worried silver ones. Gulping, she started, her voice no more than a whisper.
"Things went really well with Harry, I'd even go so far as to call us friends. He definitely doesn't hate me. But while we were talking, an opportunity came up, and I just couldn't not say anything and..." the tears were coming now as she remembered how she had given in to her Slytherin side, forgetting the feelings of Draco and everyone else and saying things only to benefit her own wants. She tightened her grip on Draco's hand, feeling a tear slide down her cheek.
"I told him Draco. I told him EVERYTHING! Even the things that I wasn't certain of, assumptions I made!" her voice was a strangled cry, and she wasn't even sure if Draco had understood what she was talking about. He was so silent, so unmoving. He was just too lifeless, like the calm ocean before a storm comes.
She knew, she knew he was furious. He was trying to suppress his rage, for her, and that fact made her want to cry even more than the two tears that had managed to escape from her eyes.
When he finally spoke, it sounded as if he didn't believe what he was saying. "Everything?"
She nodded almost painfully. The guilt pulsing through her veins had decided that she needed to be punished, and was biting at her arms and legs, repeating over and over "You're a traitor. A traitor. You betrayed him!" She wanted to scream "I KNOW!" but her eyes were focused on Draco, waiting for his reaction.
His shoulders were shaking slightly, and she flinched, waiting for his outburst. It came within seconds, like an exploding volcano, and she knew that she deserved this.
"Elizabeth... WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"
He was seething with uncontainable rage, and she knew it was from anger, disbelief, betrayal and fright. She cowered away from him, rubbing her red eyes.
"I'm sorry, Draco, I'm so sorry! I knew you wouldn't like it, but it felt like the perfect time! I know I shouldn't have done it, but I did! And I can't take it back now!"
He stood, pacing across the expensive fit-for-royalty rug, hands clasped behind his back. He refused to look at her, his eyes narrowed and glaring straight ahead of him.
"Were you even thinking when you told him? Did you stop for a moment and wonder to yourself how I would feel? How I would react? I trusted you!"
Elizabeth remained on the couch, sitting with her hands in her lap. She felt like a disobedient child who was being lectured by their parent.
"No, I wasn't thinking about that...I was just thinking- No, I wasn't thinking! Alright? I wasn't thinking at all! And I know that you trusted me, I know that I betrayed your trust with everything I have, and I'm sorry! I'm so sorry that I've told your secret and possibly put you in danger! That's not what I wanted! I just want you to be happy, I hate that you have to hide yourself for your stupid jack ass of a father! He can burn in hell for all I care!"
She stood now, facing him where he stood.
"But I refuse to take my actions back until I see how things play out! If at the end of this, people are dead and you and Harry are still enemies, fine, just fine! Then I'll find a time turner and stop myself from ever saying anything! But for now, all I have are my apologies, and if that's not good enough, then I guess you aren't a very good best friend are you? Yes I betrayed you, but I did it because I want this stupid Slytherin/Gryffindor rivalry to stop! you and Harry are roll models, you're seventh years, yet you continue to act like two year old fighting over a toy! Grow up!"
She was panting, her eyes staring into him, pleading her case with every ounce of her being. He still refused to meet her eyes, and she felt a heart grow along her crack.
"Did he believe you?"
She stepped backward, his question not at all what she expected. Recovering quickly, she frowned.
"I'm not sure. He said he needed to think about it, and then we stopped talking."
Suddenly she was being enveloped in a warm hug, his arms encasing her against his body, his nose in her hair seeing as she was shorter than he was.
"Elizabeth Potter, what am I going to do with you? You may have just royally screwed things up."
She sighed into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his midsection.
"I really am sorry."
"I know."
There was probably more that he wanted to say; and there were things that she couldn't manage to get out either. But for now, that was enough.
1: This is against my normal policy, but I feel the need to a put a note in about this little section. I myself DO NOT hate Ron Weasley, I just don't like him with Hermione Granger(I'm more of a Ron/Pansy or a Ron/Lavender fan myself) and I still haven't quite decided what's going to happen with dear Ronniekinz. But you have no need to worry(if you were), nothing bad will happen to poor Ron. I hate the fics where he ends up being secretly a Death Eater or some rubbish like that. that is NOT happening in this story! However, there will probably be a little Ron bashing in later chapters. So I'll say sorry in advance to any Ron fans out there.
Notes: OOOU! Dramatic chapter! I was gonna leave it at the end, let you think that Draco remained pissed at her, but I just couldn't do that, it would hurt ME too much xD There, I'm being nice and filling in my cliff hanger from the last chapter, you should all thank me~ don't worry, you don't have to~~ HOWEVER, I would love it if you told me what you thought of the chapter in a, review, hmmm? I think that's a wonderful idea! Yupper doodles, reviews would make me absolutely happy~~~ Even though it's summer, reviews=inspiration~ the more reviews i get, the more likely i am to update faster! (though you most likely won't be getting an update for a couple days cause I'm going to visit my cousins this weekend~ they "don't believe" in having a computer. I'm trying to change their point of view on that one xD)
REVIEW PLEASE~
Love, Snowflake~
