A/N: Hey guys, here's the next chapter, sorry for the wait. Just got back from watching Wicked. It was AWESOME. I bawled so much at the end. And when the lights blacked out, I immediately stood up, and I was the only one. Heehee...Most people wait a little while before standing, but apparently not me...Ah well, so just wanted to thank all of my lovely reviewer, there's more of you now. Thanks to Penseln, avrilavril, kristanella, timmm, Courtneyfan14, SonsofAnarchyQueen, J-Chan, and DreamingsAReprieve. Thanks so much for all of your feedback. And for those of you who don't really like Atarah's mom, neither do I! But you'll see a bit of her good side in this chapter. And without further ado, here's the story:
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Dumbledore's smile never faltered. It was just as bright as always; it was too bright. More guilt washed over me, and I couldn't help but wonder how he couldn't see through me. Maybe he could, but that doesn't make any sense.
"Of course not, Atarah. I'm glad you changed your mind. Now we need to make plans. You obviously can't go to your house for Christmas, so I'll arrange for you to go to the Burrow." He started making the plans for my protection. Wait..
"Um, w-what's a burrow?" Like as in a burrow in the ground! Dumbledore laughed.
"The Burrow. The Weasley's family home. I'm sure they would be happy to have you." I tried to hold it in, but I couldn't help myself from laughing. Happy? I'm bloody spying on them!
"The Order will always be happy to help those in need." That sobered me up. They would be happy to help me, and I'm repaying them by giving Voldemort their secrets. I was a monster. I nodded, and let Dumbledore continue.
"Anytime spent outside of Hogwarts, including summer, will be spent away from your family. Would that be okay with you, Atarah?" He asked gently, and I returned it with a quick nod. The hardest part would be being away from Draco, but I'm a big girl. I can make it through.
The next thirty minutes were spent deciding where I would go for the next few months. It all made sense, and soon I was sent on my way, and I rushed out of the office gratefully. Draco was leaning against the wall, still waiting for me.
"How did it go?" He asked as he started walking.
"Okay, I guess." I muttered. He rolled his eyes at me.
"So what are the plans for 'your safety'?"
"Well, I'm supposed to go TheBurrow, for Christmas..." I trailed off. Draco tilted his head out of curiosity.
"What's a burrow?" I laughed. Again, Draco and I were so alike. As I thought about it, we were almost exactly the same. Besides both being blonde and in Slytherin, our families were both supporters of Voldemort, and are Death Eaters. Practically twins. Siblings. The only difference is-
"Atarah?" Draco shook me out of my thoughts. Oh yeah...
"The Burrow. The Weasley family home." I explained. His nose wrinkled in disgust and he shook his head.
"I can't believe someone like you, would have to ever step foot in some place like that. It's disgusting." His words were almost offensive.
"Wel-" Opposite sides. Opposite sides. "I-I guess you're right. But you have to do what you have to do, right?" I murmured silently. Draco shrugged and continued walking by my side. I sighed and closed my eyes. Which is not a good idea. I guess I decided to forget that I was walking. Not exactly a good idea to close your eyes while walking.
"Oof!" I exclaimed as I ran into something around the corner, and would have fallen onto the floor had Draco not caught me.
"Watch where you're going, you filthy Mudblood." He spat at Granger, who looked shocked to see me. I widened my eyes at Draco and shook my head slightly at him.
"Sorry, Granger." I dragged Draco away.
"Draco! You're not exactly helping me! I'm supposed to be befriending them!" I tried to remind him. Whether I was defending Granger because of my mission, or because I was starting to like her; was completely irrelevant right now.
"I still don't like the idea of you getting close to Potter. Or anyone in Gryffindor, for that matter..." He muttered, his blonde hair falling out of his gel's hold. I shook my head at him.
"Do you want to get me killed?" I started to walk away, but he didn't follow. I looked over my shoulder at him, only to see him wearing a look a complete and utter shock.
"Atarah, you know I don't. You know better than that. I care about you too much." I froze up instinctively. I still didn't know what the hell I felt towards Draco, and here he was; clearly telling me how he felt. I also didn't want to lead him on if it turns out I didn't feel the same way about him. But why shouldn't I feel that way? He's perfect, right?
But not for me.
"Draco, class is starting."
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Rayanne Manston's POV...
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Rayanne Manston was sitting in her rocking chair in Atarah's old room. Or, Rose's room. Once Atarah had outgrown it, it became her little sisters. The was still a crib in the room, the crib that Rayanne had to search everywhere for. Some were too small, other's not stylish enough. Finally she went to a muggle place, without telling her husband of course, and found the perfect one.
She sat in the rocking chair like she did many years ago, when she would watch over Atarah, and Rose later on. Rocking herself gently, she tried to fight back tears as she remembered the times when she would listen to Atarah telling Rose a story about fairies and unicorns. And she would tell herself that that should be her telling stories. She should have been the mother to Rose, not Atarah.
Losing the battle, a single tear escaped and rolled down her smooth white cheek.
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Draco Malfoy's POV...
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She walked quickly away from me, and I watched her retreating figure silently. She didn't realize that all these years...all these years I've been infatuated with her. Her laugh, her smile, her smirk made my day seem so much better, without her even trying. Of course she didn't realize it. How could she? I've kept it secret, until this morning. I didn't know what came over me, but I just needed to let her know. I needed to. And now, I wasn't sure if it was worth it...What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if she hated me because of it? What would happen then?
I guess I'll find out...
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Atarah's POV...
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I scrambled towards the first class of the day; Potions as usual. I just wanted to get away from Draco, whether he was my best friend or not. He held back for a few seconds, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking...but I quickly continued walking. My life was such a mess right now. I mean, could anyone's get any worse than mine? Well, of course they can, but that's not my point. I suppose I should be grateful. I have more than a lot of others. I was rich. I had good looks. I had an awesome best friend. What more could a teenage girl want?
I was about to sit down in my usual spot in Potions, but I decided instead on a table near the back of the cold and dark room. I rested my head on the wooden table and waited for Snape's lesson to begin. I would start paying attention then. I was actually quite good at Potions. It came naturally, so Snape usually gave me some slack in class. I groaned, but it was muffled by the table. Someone sat in the chair beside me, and assuming it was Draco, I stayed silent.
"Does the table taste good?" It was Harry. I could tell without looking up. A smile crept onto my lips.
"Yum. I just love some wood in the morning! Did you know that it's nutritious? It'll help my poor brain out; you should try it." Harry laughed, and I lifted my head from the table to get a better look at him. He was the same as always. I sighed.
"I'm good. Do you mind me sitting here? I-I, um, know you usually sit with Malfoy...but-" He was stuttering again. It was kind of cute- no, not cute. I just shook my head and smiled.
"No, not at all. It's actually quite nice. I needed a break from him anyways." I said too much. Harry suddenly froze beside me.
"Yeah. About that. I just have to ask you one question, wh-" Potter stopped as Snape glared at him.
"No talking when class has started. Ten points from Gryffindor." People hadn't noticed us before, as they were probably zoning out, but as Snape punished Harry it drew everyone's attention to us. Of course there were stares. Maybe a couple of gasps from the Slytherins. Most of the Gryffindor's were in the D.A. and had already seen us holding hands, but they still had looks of disapproval on their unkind faces.
"And Slytherin. I was talking too, sir." I smirked at Snape as his eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered.
"Yes, I suppose you are...correct, Miss Manston. Now, Potter, can you tell me what the two major ingredients of the Draught of Peace are, or are you unable to even do that?" Snape drawled at him. Harry looked confused, as was everyone else. Snape was being unfair, as we haven't began studying the Draught of Peace yet. I sighed and spoke up, defending Harry yet again.
"The two major ingredients are powdered moonstone and hellebore, professor." I smiled at Harry and he mouthed a thank you in return.
"Correct...though next time I would hope Potter would be able to answer for himself, Miss Manston." He returned to the front of the classroom and our conversation was postponed for now.
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"Harry, no! You're not supposed to add the pomegranate juice until after the salamander's blood!" I quickly grabbed his hand before he could ruin our strengthening solution. He grimaced and put the container of juice down. I shook my head and smiled at him.
"You know, I don't know if anyone's ever been this bad at potions before. Well, besides Ron and Longbottom, that is..." I joked.
"Since when have you and Ron called each other by your first names?" He questioned curiously, probably because the last time he saw us talk to each other was the time I almost punched him. I shrugged.
"He apologized. A four worded one, if I remember correctly. I apologized as well, after that. Mine was longer. And better. Same meaning, though. At least we're civil to each other, right?" I said as I stirred our potion to perfection. Harry shrugged and continued observing my potion skills.
"We need to be partners more often. Maybe then I can actually keep my dreams of being an Auror." I turned to look at him.
"You want to be an Auror?" Interesting. He shrugged once again.
"Yeah, I mean, what else would I do?" I guess that made sense. He is the Boy-Who-Lived after all. I returned to my potion, and lost myself in the dark red.
"What do you want to do? When you're older?" The question caught me by surprise. What did I want to do? I guess I'd never really thought about it before. I suppose I had to get a job sooner or later, right?
"Um...well, I'd never thought about it before. I get Outstandings in every class, so I guess I qualify for anything, I guess." I shrugged while stirring. I had to get Outstandings, or else I would have to face my parent's wraith.
"You get all Outstandings? Wow...I need to study with you. Not even Hermione gets all Outstandings. You actually beat her! Again, I'm studying with you. No questions asked." He laughed, but soon quieted down after Snape sent a glare in our direction. I continued with his question.
"Well, I guess the only thing I would be interested in would be to become a teacher here. It's my home, so I guess it makes sense." That was the only thing I could picture myself doing. I couldn't be an Auror, well...because of my family. You know, the whole Death Eater thing. probably wouldn't be so good...
"You'd make a good teacher. As long as you don't have a melt down and punch one of your students. That'd be bad. Oh, you could be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher! You're awesome at the subject, and technically you're already teaching it. If Umbridge can be a teacher, you can." Harry smiled. he was so swe-no. I sighed. This internal battle was becoming exhausting. There shouldn't bea battle, Atarah...so true.
"What about you?" I prodded him. "You could be a better DADA teacher. You're the bloody Boy-Who-Lived! Have you ever thought about that?" I asked curiously. He could be a good teacher. He grimaced.
"You know, I hate those names." He was frowning; I could see what he meant.
"But other than that, I've never thought about it before. I suppose it could be a possibility; if I even survive the war." I stopped stirring and turned towards him. With my hands on my hips, I frowned at him.
"Harry Something Potter. Don't know you're middle name but still. Don't you dare think like that." I scolded him, and he returned it with a smirk.
"James. My middle name is James. Just asking, but what's yours?" I rolled his eyes at his attempt to change the subject, but answered anyways.
"Lily." Just then it hit me. Lily was his mother's name right? I'm guessing, yes, from Harry's face.
"L-lily?" What's more interesting is his middle name was James and mine was Lily. James and Lily. Hmmm...well, I-I have others. And he doesn't, so it doesn't mean anything. But it was still a weird coincidence.
"Well, I have others, I just use Lily. My full name is Atarah Lily Serena Natalie Manston. I guess my parent wanted to go above and beyond with naming their daughters. Rose had fou-" Bloody hell. I said too much. I quickly picked the spoon back up and continued stirring the red potion. Harry obviously didn't pick up on my unwillingness to share anything about Rose.
"You have a sister? I didn't know that. Rose, you say? How old is she?" I didn't answer, and added another ingredient. He gently held my hand back before I could add more.
"Atarah?" I tried to pull my hand away from his grasp, but he didn't let go. I pulled harder.
"Harry, I need to add this ingredient! Please!" He still didn't let go. His bloody green eyes were full of concern as he stared at me.
"Atarah, are you okay?" His actions were admirable, but he failed to realize that I really did need to fix the potion.
"Harry, please let me go! The potion is GOING TO-" My warning was cut off as the potion exploded. The cauldron and everything exploded. The potion we were making was extremely dangerous, and I expected to be burned alive, but Harry pulled me behind him; shielding me from the blast. I was shocked. But not shocked enough to notice something was deadly wrong. Harry lay on the floor, motionless, his face burned severely. There was a large gash on his cheek where a cauldron fragment must have cut him in the explosion.
I froze for a fraction of a second, before jumping into action. Before anyone had fully registered the fact that an explosion had happened, I was already out the door; dragging Harry with me. Realizing this wasn't working, I cast a levitation spell on him and started running. Running faster than I ever have. Adrenaline rushed through me, and I forced myself not to panic as I headed towards the Hospital Wing. Why did it have to be so bloody far away? What are you doing! Isn't that what Voldemort wanted in the first place? Harry dead? Leave him! The mere thought revolted me. Never. I. Would. Never.
I ran, casting a spell to make me run even faster. Once I finally reached the Hospital Wing, I put Harry down on a bed, staining the white sheets with his blood.
"MADAM POMFREY! HELP ME; PLEASE!" Within two seconds she came barreling out of her office and caught sight of Harry. Immediately she went into action. I was standing by Harry's side, holding onto his hand harder than I thought I could.
"HARRY! Oh, Merlin, Merlin, Merlin! Please!" I screamed at him. I barely noticed Ron and Hermione come up behind me, gasping for breath. I could hear Hermione sobbing, and Ron chocking at the sight of his best friend lying there, not moving, not giving any sign of life.
"Please..." I was sobbing as well.
Madam Pomfrey ignored us, working intently on Harry. It scared me.
"H-he's g-going to be alright, r-right?" Ron's voice cracked. At this point Dumbledore came rushing in with McGonagall and Snape right behind him. Madam Pomfrey turned to us slowly and spoke grimly.
"I don't know."
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A/N: Sooooooo! What do ya think? Suspenseful; what's going to happen next, right? Well, I hope...Anyways! Tell me what you think. In this chapter you got the usual Rayanne's POV, and it showed a little bit of weakness in her. Atarah can kind of relate to her, don't you think, even if she doesn't know it! I added Draco's POV into it as well, don't know how that turned out. Yep, he's definitely going to be a challenge for 'Tara...And of course there's the whole Harry accident. Main part of the chapie, and THERE'S A CLIFFHANGER! Bwahahaha! Lovely evil laugh, don't you think? I say don't you think a lot, don't you think? Lol...so tell me what you think, what you like, what you didn't like, what there should be more of and what should there be less of. I'm open to any suggestions as well. Also any predictions? Go ahead and guess what's going to happen next. I dare you to! Love ya all, my faithful reviewers! o.O