Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. If I did I'd be with Draco. All I own is the plot, Callista Everwood and Georgia Walker.
By the way there is swearing in here. Specifically referring to the 'F' word formally known as fuck. :)
This chapter's dedicated to: Tom F. You're far away in London and I miss you! xox
I love you how you're all hitting this story, favourting and alerting it, but would you mind just sending a short, quick review maybe saying: I like it. Or: Nice. It makes me feel good to know people actually appreciate my writing.
Very long chapter!! :D
Callie groaned and slowly opened her eyes reaching her hand up to where she thought Draco would be. But he wasn't. Sitting up she looked around the room and saw no sign of him. All she saw was Blaise rolling in his bed still groaning in pain. A sigh left Callie's mouth as she realised it was all too good to be true.
Of course Draco Malfoy wouldn't sit with her all day. He was a player and it was his job to play. Callie didn't expect him to even want to spend all that time with her. That would just ruin his reputation wouldn't it? Why did she think he'd even bother to stay? He had to satisfy himself. But didn't he care about her? Yes, as a friend...why was she thinking about him like that? What was wrong with her?
Sighing she ran her hand through her hair in high hopes she'd be allowed out soon. Madame Pomfrey entered with a bottle in her hand. It was filled with a hot pink liquid. Callie's eyes widened at the colour praying it wasn't for her. As usual, she was wrong. Madame Pomfrey twisted the cap off and handed it to Callie, "Drink it, all of it."
"But...it looks so gross."
"You drink it and you'll be better within the next couple hours."
A smile grew across Callie's face as she began to gulp down the liquid. After her first swallow she began to cough and gag. Madame Pomfrey handed her a glass of water, "What did you expect, Pumpkin Juice?"
"Well yes, I did."
Callie finished up the revolting pink liquid and sure enough in the next couple hours she was feeling much better. She was no longer sweating, coughing, or sniffling. A large smile grew across her face as she thanked Madame Pomfrey before running out of the hospital wing. She ran up as fast as she could, stated the password and hug attacked Georgia who was standing nearby the fire. Flinching Georgia pulled the arms off from around her neck and turned around to face Callie.
"CALLIE! You're okay!" Georgia grinned as she hugged her friend again.
Callie giggled hugging Georgia back, "I'm so sorry for before."
"Hey, don't worry about it. I know you never meant to hurt me."
"Of course, you're my best friend and always will be."
Callie and Georgia grinned and stood there for at least a few minutes hugging. They pulled away and sat down onto the couch, "Now what's the deal with you and Draco Malfoy, Cal?"
"I don't know exactly. He's nice one minute then mean the next."
"Well that's Malfoy isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, but I was hoping that maybe he could change. I know there's a part of him that wants to. You can see it when he's in his sexy mode."
"Oh well, just be careful Cal, we don't want you to get hurt." Georgia stated.
"Callie nodded, "You guys are great friends, and you know that right?"
Georgia and Hermione beamed before enveloping Callie into a little Callie sandwich. When the girls pulled away Callie groaned in pain. It always seemed to happen at the worst times. Hermione looked at Georgia and Callie, confused. She had no idea what was going on and was feeling very out of the bubble.
"I'm sorry 'mione. I have to go but I...I'll explain everything when I get back."
Callie then rushed out of the room leaving Hermione standing there speechless. Out of the castle and through the gates she went. Disapparating she arrived at the usual graveyard to find a boy with white blond hair talking to The Dark Lord. Sure enough, it was Draco Malfoy. She grabbed the cloak off the statue, put it on and flipped the hood over her head. When she reached The Dark Lord he grinned at her teasingly and pulled her into a grand hug.
"Princess, you look so much better." The Dark Lord stated smiling.
"I feel much better." Callie responded.
"That's good. Surely you know Draco Malfoy." Callie nodded and he continued, "Little Malfoy, this is Princess, as I enjoy calling her. She's here to help you complete your task. If you can't do it then she will."
"You're making a girl watch over me? What the fuck?! I can handle it myself!" Draco shouted.
"Little Malfoy, you do know that this girl is The Dark Lord's favourite and has been since she was three." Aro, one of the Death Eaters piped up.
"She was three? Oh, I...I didn't know." Draco said shocked as he looked over at Callie.
"It's alright. It wasn't really that bad." Callie explained.
"But you had to deal with all this horror at such a young age."
"Yes, but what happened before all this was the worst horror of all."
"What was it?" Draco asked semi-interested as to what could be worse than joining The Dark Lord at the age of three.
The Dark Lord placed his hand on Callie's shoulder reassuringly, "I murdered her mother."
"Oh...I...I'm..." Draco started.
"Don't worry about it. I have to be strong for her and not let her know I'm afraid."
Draco nodded in understanding, "So you're watching over me huh?"
"Yep, I'll be checking in on you every once in a while to make sure you're okay."
"Well uh...thanks I guess..."
"You're welcome Little Malfoy."
Draco rolled his eyes, "What do I call you?"
"Uh... you can call me...Princess, or possibly Your Highness, or maybe Your Majesty, or even Oh Great One."
Draco chuckled, "Sure Princess, well I guess I'll see you around."
Callie nodded and watched him hang his cloak on the statue and disapparate.
"Is there anything else you wish of me My Lord?" Callie asked turning back to The Dark Lord.
"Next time I call you please bring me some chocolate goodies. I miss eating all that delicious stuff."
"Of course My Lord." Callie laughed.
She was pulled into a hug once again then left the graveyard. As she headed back up to the common room she thought about her little encounter with Draco. Did he not recognize her voice? Or did he and he was just pretending he didn't? Shrugging her shoulders Callie stated the password and re-entered the common room once again.
Hermione was standing by the door with her arms crossed, "Talk."
Callie looked over at Georgia for help, but Georgia merely shook her head. Callie had to do this on her own. But once Hermione knew, it was one more person that could help her understand. Sighing Callie pointed to the sofa gesturing for Hermione to sit down. Hermione shook her head.
"You really might want to sit for this." Callie explained.
"No, I'll stand."
"No, seriously Hermione, you're going to want to sit." Georgia exclaimed.
Hermione hesitantly sat down with her arms still crossed glaring at Callie. Callie took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself to tell Hermione in the simplest language.
"Basically I work for someone, who calls me everyone once in a while to do certain tasks. Lately it's been a lot worse, because he's become stronger and more powerful. And because of this power he's had a whole lot more enemies, and it's my job to rid the world of these "enemies." It's cruel but if I don't do it...he'll...he'll kill me." Callie explained.
"What? What kind of job is that, killing people? Come on Callie. You can do better than that."
"I don't have a choice Hermione."
"Yeah, you do, you just say I'm sorry I can't take this job."
"I don't think you understand."
"Then explain it to me."
"I'd rather show you."
Hermione tilted her head to the side in confusion. She had no idea what Callie was talking about. Callie stood up and sat down beside Hermione. Callie's hand was placed on her left sleeve and slowly rolled it up. Hermione looked up at Callie and then back down at her arm. Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her. It was...it was the tattoo. It was the symbol of someone who worked for the Dark Lord.
"You...you work for...Voldemort?"
Callie nodded. Hermione slid away from her and ran her hand through her hair, "Why?"
"He murdered my mother and my father negotiated with Voldemort. They agreed that if I worked for Voldemort until I turned eighteen then my father's life would be spared."
"Callie, that's insane."
"It's really not that bad Hermione."
"Are you kidding?! You're working for The Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."
"I know."
"How are you living like this?" Hermione was furious.
"Like I said, it's really not that bad. I've gotten used to it, and it's not like I'm following him because I want to be on his side. I'm doing it for my father."
Hermione sighed. She didn't expect this at all. What was she meant to say? This was far more than she could handle, it was too much. One of her best friends worked for her enemy, the one thing she could admit she was truly afraid of rather than failing out of school. She stood up and turned away from Callie.
"Is there any way you can stop it before you're eighteen?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know, maybe."
"We're going to figure it out because I can't stand having my best friend following orders from...such a creature."
Callie nodded, "I'm sure it's something quite silly."
Georgia giggled at the thought, "Watch, it is: You must have Draco Malfoy fall in love with you."
Hermione burst into laughter. Callie giggled, but deep down thought that it wouldn't be quite bad. Would it really be that bad to date Malfoy? As long as he was in his sexy mode, it would work out right? Callie had high hopes for this; after all, he was her best friend. A smile grew across her face at the thought.
The only way she'd find out was to try. She had to talk to him. But what was she to say? What if he was in his mean Draco mood? She'd have to deal with it, "Hey guys, I uh...I'm gonna go. I'll be right back okay?"
Her friends nodded and watched her leave. Georgia turned to Hermione and raised her eyebrows, "What do you think that was about?"
"I haven't a clue."
Callie walked down the Grand stairs and out to the courtyard. She had no idea where he would be. Down the hallway she walked in hopes he'd be talking to his friends. He was sitting on the grass with a bunch of girls around him. She stopped in front of him and took a deep breath.
"Can I talk to you?"
"Sure, go ahead." Malfoy responded.
"In private, please."
He sighed, stood up, blew the girls kisses and walked away from them. Callie looked at him quickly then looked away, "I just want to know...what you really think of me."
"What are you talking about Everwood?"
"You called me by my last name. I guess that's my answer then. I'll just go." Callie said as she turned to walk away.
He took hold of her arm and turned her around, "No don't, look, Callie, you're my friend, and you know that right? We just...we can't be seen together. I don't know how many times I have to go through this with you, nothing can ever happen. We were friends once, and we'll remain friends, just as long as we're alone. Okay?"
"We're just friends. Yeah, okay, sure." Callie responded and turned to walk away again.
Once again he turned her back around, "You don't seem too thrilled about that. What is it you were looking for?"
"You know very well what I was looking for. Look, I don't expect you to understand. But I just, I don't know. I thought that maybe you could forget about all the hate we used to have for each other and go back to a time when we were friends."
"I just told you we could be friends."
"You know it's not what I mean. I...I don't want to be just friends."
"Oh Callie...you know we can't. I can't ever be with you romantically, it would never work out. I'd end up breaking your heart and you'd never talk to me again. I can't you lose you as a friend PC."
Callie sighed. She looked at him and thought about her task as it suddenly crossed her mind. How was she meant to go through with it if she was falling for him? She had to make sure he did it. She wanted what was best for him, and this task wasn't it.
"Yeah, okay, sure Prince Draco. I'll see you around, and make sure you do as you're told. I don't want to have to cover up for your mistakes." Callie stated and turned to walk away again.
"Yeah, I'll see you. Wait, what?"
"Don't fuck up Malfoy. I don't want to have to do it. I respect the man too much."
"Don't fuck what up? You're confusing me Everwood."
"You know what you have to do. Please just do it so I don't have to." Callie said quickly and rushed into the castle.
Draco stood there watching her run away. What did she mean? He knew he had a task to complete. He had to murder Albus Dumbledore, but what was she talking about? Surely she didn't know about it. He shrugged and went back to his three girls. They started flirting with him and giggling, asking him what he was thinking about.
That's when it hit him. She was that girl. Princess, she was Callie. Callie was The Dark Lord's favourite. Callista Everwood was the girl who was meant to watch over him. That's why she knew. But why didn't she ever tell him? They'd been friends for so long, yet she never said anything. Why? He had to talk to her. He needed to know the truth.
Once again he stood up and told the girls he'd be right back. He ran into the castle hoping to catch her before she entered the common room. Dashing through the castle and up the Grand stairs he tried desperately to think where the Gryffindor common room was. He looked up at the stairs above him and saw her standing on one, "Callie! How do I get up there?"
Hearing her name being called she looked around then down at Draco Malfoy standing on the Grand stairs, "Stay there, I'll come to you."
He nodded and watched her make her way back down towards him. She was down within a few moments. Her arms were crossed as she stared into his smoky blue eyes.
"When you said to just do it so you wouldn't have to...what were you talking about?" Draco asked.
"What? I don't know what you're talking about."
"Look, Callie, I know you know what I'm talking about. You obviously knew something, so why don't you just tell me what you were referring to."
Callie sighed, she really didn't want to tell him but did she really have a choice? She looked into his eyes. They were dark and emotionless. She had to tell him. He'd find out soon enough anyway, "I don't want to have to kill him okay?!"
"Kill who?"
"The great wizard, it's your job, not mine. Just do it so I don't have to."
"You know about that?"
"Yes, Draco, I do. And I know that if you don't end up doing it, I'm going to have to. And like I said, I can't do it. I respect the man too much."
"How do you know? No one besides the Dark Lord and Professor Snape knows. How do you?"
"Well...you can call me Princess or Your Majesty or even Oh Great One."
Draco tilted his head to the side in confusion. He looked at her and thought about a few hours before when he had heard that. Gazing into her eyes it clicked. She was The Dark Lord's favourite. But why didn't she tell him? Weren't they best friends?
"Why didn't you tell me Cal? Why did you keep it a secret from me? I'm your best friend."
"Well because I...I never found the right time to tell you."
"You could have told me any time. I was always there."
"No, Draco. I couldn't. I never knew when you started serving him and if I told you before...well who knows what you would have thought of me."
"But if you explained it to me, I would have understood."
"I didn't want you to find out like this."
"I know, I know. But it's how it happened, and I'm sorry it had to happen this way." Draco said as he took a step towards her.
She took a step back. There was a part of her that wanted him to take her hand but there was another part that knew it wouldn't be a good idea. Sensing this he took her hand and held it in his, slowly rubbing his fingers across her palm.
"No, Draco, I...we can't do this."
"Do what? Callie, all I'm doing is playing with your hand."
"But it will lead to something more, and like you said earlier, nothing romantic can ever happen between us."
Draco sighed. She was right; he did say that, "Alright fine, we'll just remain secretive friends and enemies in front of everyone else."
Callie's head fell to the side. She didn't want that, and she knew he didn't either. Her hands were stuffed in her cloak pocket as she kept her gaze away from him. The two of them just stood there in silence for a few minutes wondering what to do or say. Callie finally looked up at him with sadness in her eyes as she bit her lip and fidgeted with her feet.
"Callie, don't look at me like that."
"And why not?"
"Because you know I fall for it. Every single time you used to do it, I gave in. I can't give in. I can't do it. I do and my rep goes out the window."
"So that's all you care about now? Whatever happened to my best friend? Where's that Draco? That's the one I want. Not this sick bastard who only gives a shit about his reputation."
"Don't call me that! I'm nice to you!"
"Yeah right, once in a blue moon Draco...you really don't care how you treat me do you?"
"What the fuck are you saying? Of course I care about how I treat you."
"No you don't. One minute you're nice and the next you're shouting at me."
"For the last fucking time I can't be nice to you in public."
"Yes, you can. Screw your reputation Draco. I'M YOUR BLOODY BEST FRIEND!"
Draco mumbled, "Were."
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?" Callie shouted as she pushed him.
"You did not just push me!" He yelled pushing her back.
"You can't push a girl!"
"I can too."
"You know what, I don't care anymore. Obviously I'm not your best friend anymore, so why should I care how you treat me? It's not like you actually like me more than a friend anyway."
"I didn't mean it like that. I meant that since we haven't been friends for so long that..." Callie then cut him off.
"No you really did mean it like that. You just broke my friendship heart. And here," Callie took off the usual four-leaf clover necklace she always wore, "You can have this back. I don't want it anymore."
She placed the necklace in his hand, closed it and ran away. He opened his hand and gazed down at the necklace. He'd given it to her for her 10th birthday and now she'd given it back six years later. She'd always treasured the necklace, never ever took it off. What did it mean? Did this mean it was over? Was their friendship really over? Draco didn't want that. He didn't think he could handle it.
He knew he had to be strong, but after losing his best friend again and this time, really losing her, he didn't know what to do. Closing his hand tightly he held onto the necklace letting his mind wander back to the moment he had given it to her.
The backyard of the Everwood residence was filled with children, food, party games, a bouncy castle, and a clown. Kids were running everywhere, laughing and having fun.
Callie and Draco were bouncing on the bouncy castle together. They were having the time of their lives.
"This is such a fun party PC."
"I know mum really knows how to plan one."
The two kids continued to jump until they were called in for presents and cake. Callie sat down in the centre of all the kids. Each kid held their present in their hand. The presents were passed to Callie and she opened them all with joy. She received stuffed animals, books, puzzles and many other toys.
There was only one person she didn't get a gift from, Draco Malfoy. When the presents were over she pulled him away from the group.
"Why didn't you give me a present PD?"
"I was saving it to give it to you in private."
"Aw, that's so sweet."
Draco nodded and took a small box out of his pocket. He handed it to her with a large smile on his face. She looked down at the small box in her hand. What could it possibly be? Opening it she kept looking up at him. The top came off and in front of her in the small white box was a silver chain with a silver four-leaf-clover pendant on it.
"Do you like it Cal?"
"Like it...I love it Draco!"
Draco smiled as Callie closed the box and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. His arms were around his waist as he lifted her off the ground and spun her in circles. He put her down and looked into her eyes.
"Happy Birthday Callie."
She was so excited when he gave it to her and now she was giving it up within the blink of an eye. She'd given him back the present he'd spent his entire allowance on. He had just lost his best friend over a stupid fight. What was he to do? He could always go and find another girl to be his friend. There were tons of girls who would give up their friends to be his. But did he want that? No. He wanted HIS best friend. He lost her once and then again this time. He didn't want to have to lose her again.
There had to be something he could do. If he went after her he'd just seem like a wimp. He couldn't do that. Still clutching tightly onto the necklace Draco groaned and stormed up to the Slytherin common room. He had Divination next and wasn't anywhere near ready for that. There was no way he was in the mood to listen to some crazy woman talk about something incredibly stupid that was going to happen in his future.
He thought about skipping but then Blaise, Pansy and his three "girlfriends" would be wondering where he was. And surely, they'd be thinking the worst. He sighed, rushed up to the dorms, grabbed his Divination books and dashed out of the common room. Rushing up to the classroom he mumbled to himself.
Taking his usual seat next to Blaise he dropped his books forcefully onto the table. Blaise looked over at his friend slowly and raised his eyebrows, "Dude, what's up with you?"
"Nothing, I'm just not in the mood to hear her nonsense chatter."
Blaise simply nodded. He had to agree with him on that. Professor Trelawney entered the classroom and the class began. Tea leaves were thrown into everyone's cups and their fortunes awaited. Professor Trelawney walked to the back of the classroom and watched as everyone's fortunes came alive. She stopped in front of Draco's table and picked up his cup.
"Oh, that's...that's interesting Mr. Malfoy." Trelawney said.
"Why, what is it professor?"
"It's the two crossing comets. Mr. Zabini, please tell us what this means."
Blaise opened his book and flipped through the pages, finally coming to the page with the two crossing comets on it. He read it aloud, "The two crossing comets symbolize two star-crossed lovers. This is the symbol of forbidden love, one that is frowned upon and sometimes even results in death. Whoever receives this has fallen in love with someone they're not supposed to, whether they know it or not. It is destiny that these two lovers end up together in one way or another. It may result in death but that's up to the lovers to decide."
"What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?!" Draco shouted.
Hope you liked the long chapter, and yes that's a cliffhanger.
-xActDanceWritex