Chapter Ten: Gryffindor vs. Slytherin

The Common Room was unusually loud as Mortifera made her way from her dormitory. Silence fell as she entered the room. Draco rushed to her side before anyone could comment to her. Tonight was the Halloween Feast and in just three days time she would make her debut as Slytherin's Keeper. She was nervous enough to be facing off against her new friend in Gryffindor that she didn't need the abuse she knew Pansy was preparing for her. "If we lose, we know she threw the game," Pansy said as she and Draco walked past them. "There's more then just one player on the Quidditch pitch, Pansy," Mortifera said in a whisper. "Yes, but you're the only one that's friends with the Gryffindor scum."

"Lovely Pansy and you wonder why boys don't like you," she smiled as she walked with Draco to the Great Hall. The room was covered in bats and pumpkins. Everyone was talking and enjoying themselves. This would probably be the last friendly day she would have before the Quidditch Match. She smiled as she walked towards Harry. She had become good friends with most the members of the D.A. over the past month. "Hello, Harry," she smiled. Draco stood there looking impatient. He too had enjoyed his time in the D.A. though he wouldn't admit it to anyone but her. "Hello, Fera," Harry smiled. "I suppose this may be the last time we get to chat before our match on Saturday."

"Yes, I suppose so. I want to say good luck. I know you're a wicked good seeker, but I've been practicing with Draco. His mum is coming as is my dad, so no hard feelings right?"

Harry smiled. "Yeah, no hard feelings. Especially if we win."

"See you on the pitch then Harry," she smiled. She loved that she could joke around with him and she knew that her father would be there to see her dressed in her Slytherin Green Quidditch Robes that Draco had bought especially for her. She knew what it meant to Draco to have Narcissa there. "You miss her don't you," Mortifera asked as they walked to their house table. "She's my mother, of course I miss her. Don't you miss your dad?"

"Yes," she said quietly. "Do you remember your mum," Draco asked taking notice that she was running her fingers over the Slytherin crest necklace that had belonged to her mother. "Yes, and no. I remember certain things and then there are things I think I made up."

"Like what?"

"I always dream that my mother has green eyes like mine, but in the photos her eyes are brown. My dad use to say it was me searching for my traits in her."

"I'm sorry, Fera," he said wrapping his arm around her. "I know that you don't like to talk about it, I shouldn't have brought it up."

"No Draco," she began. "Honestly, I'm fine. I mean I was only 5 when she died."

Mortifera watched as everyone enjoyed their feast. She stared across the hall at Harry and her other friends as they laughed and talked. Suddenly, the room felt a little dizzy to her. "Draco," she said looking into his grey eyes. "I need some air," she started to stand up but before she could get far, Draco took her hand. "Are you alright? You don't look to well."

"Help me outside," she asked. Draco obliged and helped her to a bench right outside of the door. He sat beside her and ran his fingers through her hair as he did, the room began to spin.

"You're a very hard person to get a hold of, Miss Acerabus," Voldemort's voice filled her head. In an instant she knew she was in a vision. She looked around. Everyone was there as before, except Harry. She looked frantically around then saw Harry lying on the ground beside her. She sprinted to him and fell to her knees. "Harry," Ginny yelled trying to fight her way free of the Death Eater holding her. "It's alright, Ginny," she said as she kneeled next to Harry. "He's still alive."

Mortifera watched as Voldemort advanced towards her. "Let them go," she pleaded. "I know what you want!"

"It was only a matter of time. So I'm guessing you know what happens next."

"You aren't going to kill anyone today," she said arrogantly.

"Aren't I," he asked.

"I won't let you kill them," she yelled at him.

"It seems we are at a cross roads then aren't we? Would you sacrifice them for let's say, your precious Draco?"

As if on cue, Draco was pulled forward by Bellatrix. A hand grasped her shoulder pulling her from the vision. Draco stared at her as Snape tried to get her attention. "Fera, look at me," Snape said, but she couldn't take her eyes off of Draco.

"You saw it, didn't you," she asked. "Yes," he said solemnly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"She's your blood," she said. "This is very dangerous, Mortifera," Severus said in a strict tone. "You think I don't know that," she said. "I'm trying to control them. I'm trying to hold them at bay. It's getting harder. They are getting stronger."

"It was so real," Draco finally spoke. "I could see it all and then I felt myself begin drug forward."

"Perhaps it would be best if you didn't play on Saturday," Snape said.

"What? No, Uncle Severus. I have to play. Father's coming to watch me. I haven't seen him in such a long time. If I don't play," she trailed off.

"It was all you could do to get out of the Great Hall," Snape said.

"I have to play," she said in a pleading voice.

"Sir, if I may," Draco said looking from Snape to me. "Fera, I know how much this game means to you, but your uncle may be right."

"Don't take this away from me," she pleaded. "Alright," Draco caved. "But if you aren't feeling up to it Saturday you will let me know and I'll put Bletchley in as Keeper and Urquhart in as a Chaser!"

"Thank you," she smiled. "Draco," Snape began. "Help Fera back to the Common Room. She's going to need a few days rest."

Harry watched as Draco escorted Mortifera to the dungeons. "Sorry, Professor, but is she alright?"

"She's fine Potter," he said as he headed back inside the Great Hall. Mortifera sat on the couch staring at Draco. "Are you alright," she asked. "It's not going to happen," he said. "We have a plan. We stick together, no matter what."

She nodded. "Christmas Holiday is coming up and I've got reservations made," he said caressing her hair. "Have you spoken to Snape about it yet?"

"No," she sighed. "He's becoming excessively protective."

"He has every right to. I worry about you to you know."

"I do, Draco. And I'm terrified that a Death Eater is going to get their hands on you at any moment. And I feel so dreadful," she said putting her head in her hands.

"Do your visions always drain you like this," he asked. "It's not the vision I feel dreadful about," she began. "I was so worried about you. Please don't hate me Draco."

"What is it, Fera?"

"There's all sorts of opportunities for the Death Eaters here in Slytherin. I wanted to protect you. Who would stop them if they used any of us? I asked Harry to keep a watch on you. Let me know if there was any danger."

Draco sat there in disbelief. "Potter? You asked Potter to babysit me?"

"Yes," she said. "Do you hate me?"

"No," he said. "I've done the same thing. Potter and I don't get alone, but you care about him and when you aren't with me, you're with him."

Mortifera laughed. "What a pair we make," she smiled. "The King of Slytherin and his Queen," Draco said before kissing her. "You should rest though," Draco said pulling back from the kiss. "Yes, my lord," she said in a mocking tone. Mortifera watched as Draco walked away towards the boys' dormitory. She lay down on the couch and stared in his direction. Only moments passed before Draco re-emerged with a pillow and blankets. "You might as well just move your things into the common room," he smiled.

"Yes, but it's the common room. Too many people who might nick my things," she smiled. "After all this is Slytherin."

"Have you slept in your bed once this year?"

"Nope, and I don't really plan to."

"What about your trunk and everything?"

"Protected," she smiled. "I'm brilliant with charms."

"You promise the first sign of a vision or if you don't feel up to it on Saturday you will let me know," he asked in a worried tone. "I promise Draco," she smiled as she drifted to sleep. She'd been in and out over the past couple days. She probably would have slept through Quidditch had it not been for the roar of the Slytherins in the common room.

"Morning," Draco said as she sat up. Pansy scoffed as she walked by. "What's her problem," Mortifera asked. "She doesn't know how you do it," Draco smiled.

"Do what?"

"Wake up as perfect as you are when you go to bed," Draco said placing a kiss on her cheek. "Get dress and meet me back down here. We'll walk to breakfast together," he said smiling at her. She quickly jumped up and took off to her dormitory to get dressed. She smiled as she ran her fingers over her Quidditch robe. Slowly she put it on enjoying each moment she had alone to watch herself. She pulled her long black hair back and stared into the mirror. She smiled before meeting Draco back in the common room. "You look amazing in your gear," he said kissing her. "How about some breakfast?"

"Sure," she smiled as they walked arm in arm out of the Common Room. The school was filled with students wearing shirts supporting the house they were cheering for. She followed Draco into the Great Hall. She watched as Crabbe and Goyle stuffed their faces as usual while she herself only ate a few pieces of toast and drank a glass of Orange Juice. She could feel the nerves inside her building. "Are you alright," Draco asked taking note of the worried expression on her face. "Nervous that's all," she replied with a faint smile.

"You're brilliant on the Quidditch pitch! Why are you nervous?"

"Well," she began. "My father's coming to watch me. He hasn't been to a game in 3 years. Secondly, we're playing Gryffindor. What if we lose? Everyone will blame me!"

"Hey," Draco said looking into her eyes. "Don't think like that. We're going to win."

She smiled at his confidence. "Let's go win a Quidditch game," she smiled as she stood up and headed to the Quidditch pitch.

The crowd roared as time neared. Harry stood looking at his team. "Alright," he smiled. "We have a tough game today against Slytherin. All I ask is that you go out there and try your best."

Ginny smiled at him as he turned to face the entry. He heard Lee Jordan announce them and he led his team to the pitch. He looked across the field to see the Slytherins emerge from their entry. His eyes followed Mortifera who walked diligently behind Draco. The players took their positions with Ginny Weasley and Miles Bletchley in the the pitch. "I want a good clean game," she said before tossing the Quaffle in the air. Ginny Weasley had the ball before Bletchley could think. Mortifera admired Ginny. She was brave and fast. She kept her eye on the ball as it passed between Ginny, Katie, and Dean Thomas. They were advancing fast towards her. Ginny was back in control of the ball and was heading her way. A smile crossed her face she knew that while Ginny was fast, she was just a bit quicker. Ginny tossed the Quaffle in her direction, but Mortifera caught it and passed it off to Bletchley. She was starting to feel really good up there. She wondered if her father was having as much fun as she was. Her eyes searched the stands. Narcissa Malfoy sat next to Snape but her father was no where to be seen. She focused back on the game. Mortifera watched as Ron let four Quaffles in putting their score to 40 points. The game was going by fast as Draco was closing in on the snitch. Suddenly, the pitch began to spin. Not now, she thought to herself but it was too late. Mortifera heard Bellatrix's voice. "Sir, we have her father."

Bellatrix pulled her father forward then tossed him to the ground in front of Voldemort.

"Alexander Acerabus," Voldemort began. "You have eluded me for months. But now, here you are. Where is she?"

"I do not know," my father said.

"Liar," Voldemort hissed. He stared at her father for a moment or two. "There are ways to find out," he said as he smiled at Bellatrix. "Crucio," Bellatrix said in joy as her father lay there screaming in pain. "I have not forgot, Alexander, how you once served me. You were a good servant. Now I will ask you again, tell me where the girl is and you will be free," Voldemort said.

Alec stared up at him. "You will have to kill me."

Voldemort stepped forward and placed his hand on Alec's head. He pulled back after a minute with a smile. "Have it your way," Voldemort said raising his wand. "Avada Kedavra!"

A green light emulated from the wand and her father lay there dead. "Hogwarts. She's at Hogwarts," he smiled. Everything went black. "Fera," she heard Draco's voice calling to her in the darkness. Slowly she opened her eyes to see Draco, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione and her uncle all surrounding her. "You gave us quite a fright," Snape said looking at her. "What happened," she asked looking from face to face.

"You fell," Harry said. "Draco grabbed you before you hit the ground."

"And the game," she said looking at Draco. "Does it matter," Draco said looking at her in disappointment.

"I'm so sorry, Draco," she said with remorse.

"Actually," Ginny began. "You won. Draco had the snitch right before you fell."

"Why don't we all let her get some rest," Madam Pomfrey said turning the Gryffindors towards the door. "What did you see," Snape asked. "My father. He didn't come did he?"

"No, Fera. Alec wasn't here," Snape said.

"I haven't heard from him in a week, Uncle Severus."

"I'm sure he's fine."

"My vision," she said softly. Her voice begin to break. "He's dead."

"You can't be sure of it," Draco said in a questioning manner.

"I saw it. Bellatrix. Crucio. Then Voldemort. Voldemort killed my father."

Draco wrapped his arms around her as she cried. "I'll alert the Order at once," Severus said. "They know, Uncle Severus. They know I'm here."

It was her worst fear. The Death Eaters who had searched for her, now knew where she was. "Don't worry, Fera. Hogwarts is the safest place for you right now," Severus said.