Draco met Thaana at the base of the steps. She had a slight smirk on her lips and a bounce in her step.
"Ready for breakfast love?" He smiled in reply.
"And what has you so cheerful? Not that I'm complaining."
"What? A girl can't be hungry and ready to sit with her betrothed and a Daily Prophet?" His eyes widened.
"If my lady commands, then to breakfast we must go." We traipsed slowly, but quick enough to be seated well before the morning edition arrived. The owls flew in by the dozens.
"I wonder what drivel the Wizarding World is preaching today dear." Draco unfolded the paper so she could see it from her place leaned against his shoulder. There was a large picture of Luna and I on the front cover. Good to know the Dark Lord's daughters were front page material. I began to read the article itself. Of course, I knew every word, but I had to keep up appearances.
The Daily Prophet welcomes back esteemed seeker of the truth Rita Skeeter from her brief sabbatical. Worry not, beloved readers, she is back with the newest stories from the Wizarding world!
Oh how interesting the world has become in my absence! With the return of the He Who Must Not Be Named all eyes are on The Boy Who Lived. Young Harry Potter has displayed rather interesting reactions to this newest foundation of fame. Also coming to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year are lost heirs Thaana and Serena Riddle, the latest in the prestigious line of Salazar Slytherin. All eyes have focused on our young savior. The results have been less than civil. Students have reported Mr. Potter harassing the young heiress in corridors, attempting to humiliate her in class, and raising discriminatory protests in the Great Hall. This reporter is not entirely shocked. Last year, during the Tri-Wizard Tournament, Mr. Potter seemed emotional and vulnerable. It is not so far a stretch to think that he is lashing out without full cause.
Thaana Riddle has been adjusting quite nicely, it would seem. Her Godmother, the esteemed Narcissa Malfoy, mother of the young woman's betrothed Draco Malfoy, informs this reporter that Thaana is happy with her classes and most of her classmates. I wonder at how Harry Potter, orphaned at only a year old, can look at this girl, who also lost her parents that night, and still find this much anger within. We spoke with Draco Malfoy via floo earlier this week. He is appalled. Multiple times he has had to defend Thaana from the cruelty of Mr. Potter and his friends. Let us remember that Thaana has spent much of her life out of Britain. Hogwarts is welcoming her home with taunts and jabs. The Daily Prophet would like to send its sincerest welcome to Miss Riddle and hopes that she will not hold the actions of few against the Wizarding community.
Thaana looked up at the students around her. Many were sending confused glances between Harry and Thaana. The prior was facing her with a dark look in his eyes and rage on his face. He stood. The She-weasel grabbed his arm and pulled him back down. Thaana finished her breakfast before grabbing her bag and walking towards her first class. Draco took her hand. They were followed by a handful of loyal Slytherins. The hours ticked by. She was walking to lunch, after potions, when it happened. A slicing hex pierced her robes. Draco caught her as she fell, blood dripping onto his clothes.
"Stunning and disarming only! Find who did this! Blaise, get Pomfrey!" He attempted to staunch the bleeding. Severus billowed out of his classroom.
"Who did this?" Draco's eyes darted to where the others were searching. Nott approached.
"No sign of them sir! They escaped. Not sure how, but there's no one there."
"Potter! It's gottta be one of his! Maybe even him! I'm gonna-"
"Draco! There are more important things right now than vengeance." Just then the matron appeared. She levitated Thaana's shaking form hurriedly to the hospital wing.
"Who would do such a thing? In school no less! It's horrid what your generation does to one another." The kindly mediwitch waved her wand in seemingly sporadic gestures. Eventually she turned to the small crowd.
"It was just in time, but she'll be alright. Whoever did this was not just going for a prank. This was done with intent to kill. It was, however, just a tad sloppy. Had this cut been less than three centimeters to the right she likely would have suffered irreparable muscle damage even if she lived. Miss Riddle is extremely , let her sleep for an hour or so and then she can go back to her dorms. I'll write a note excusing her from classes for the day. Am I correct in that you would like to join her, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Definitely." Madam Pomfrey looked down at a piece of parchment. It fizzled and vanished.
"Give her this potion if she is in any pain and some dreamless sleep if she is overly stressed. It does happen occasionally that a wound this close to the spine causes some emotional distress and physical discomfort from the nerve damage repairing itself." Draco nodded.
"Yes ma'am." He pulled up a chair and took her hand, finding comfort in the warmth. It was proof that her blood was still flowing, that she was alive.
In was just over an hour later when her eyes flickered open. The room was bright and they quickly shut again. There was a warm weigh just over her stomach. She turned her head to see platinum hair cast over grey eyes. The thin mouth beneath them moved upward in a smile.
"Glad to see you awake."
"What happened?"
"Someone cast a slicing hex to your back. It messed with some of the nerves in your spine. They've been repaired, but Madam Pomfry gave me some pain potions for you. You're allowed to come back to our dorm when you feel like it, but we've both been excused from classes." She gasped.
"But we could miss so much! And exams are not so far away."
"Love, its not more than a month into the year. And careful, you're sounding oddly like yourself for someone who was just nearly killed." She could hear the unspoken warnings in the simple sentence.
"Who was it?"
"No names yet. They escaped."
"Someone escaped our entire entourage?"
"They were clever. I won't say smart. That's too much praise for the moron who just tried to kill my girlfriend."
"Gods above forbid that a Malfoy compliment the actions of anyone who dares touch what is theirs."
"Well it's not exactly a genius move. Malfoys are extremely territorial. Kind of possessive. Are you sure you want to be with someone so dominating?" He claimed her mouth in a deep kiss. She pulled back a moment for air.
"I don't know. Am I sure?" She smirked at his slightly perturbed expression.
"Say it again." His tone told her exactly what he wanted.
"I'm yours." Their lips met again.
"Again!" One hand gripped his hair, pulling him closer than should be physically possible.
"I, Thaana Riddle, am completely, physically, emotionally, and spiritually yours. Now and forever, Draconis Lucien Malfoy." He smiled.
"Forever."
"Say it back."
"I, Draconis Lucien Malfoy, am completely, physically, emotionally, and spiritually yours, now and forever, Thaana Exiana Riddle."
"Isn't this sweet." A shockingly familiar hiss broke the tender moment. Thaana shot up in bed before crying out in pain softly.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She hissed in perfect Parseltongue.
"Just seeing how you were. After all, we were friends for several years. Such a shame. Slicing hex? Too bad I missed." She glared at the empty air that must be occupied by a cloaked teen.
"Morgana, Come to your Mistress, defend her." A dark blast of fog swept the room. The semi-transparent depiction of the wraith glowed brightly in front of Thaana's bed. There was a rippling laugh echoing in her head.
"It will take more than one overstated ghost to stop me. This is only the beginning."
"Give me my wand, Draco." She sat up again, a bit more slowly. "Homenium revealio." The only light sources were she and Draco.
"What the hell was that?"
"I'll explain later, when Severus, Lucius, or Cissy are here to stop you from being foolish."
"Fortunately the first of those is on his way here now." Black robes billowed as Severus swept into the infirmary.
"Hey Sev."
"How are you?"
"I've been better. But I'll heal."
"I've spoken with the Headmaster, albeit, strongly. You will be visiting the Malfoys with with Draco this weekend. Unfortunately I cannot accompany you, as I am needed here."
"Thank you, Severus."
"Draco, I feel it would be best for you to to retire to your tower for the remainder of the day. The hunt for who did this is still very active.
"Yes sir." He helped her to her feet, supporting her weight as they made the journey back to the head tower.
"One thing is very clear."
"What?" Draco looked at here.
"Potter is on edge." He agreed.
"Mischief managed." She muttered under her breath, laughing darkly.
