~Chapter 4~

It was hard to sleep. She tossed and turned, positioning this way and that way, but to no avail. She just couldn't get comfortable. And it didn't help that her mind wouldn't stop working.

Ren was fast asleep on his back with his tongue lolling out and snoring loudly like a bear. It was the cutest thing Willow had ever seen as she stroked his tummy.

She pushed the covers back, sighing as she stood up, putting a throw rug over her shoulders to keep her warm as she walked out of the room and down to the common room, closing the door quietly behind her.

She grabbed the book she was currently reading that she had left on the fire place as she went out into the halls, using her wand for light.

She liked walking around at night when no one was around, making sure she didn't get caught. It was especially beautiful when it was a full moon. It really lit up Hogwarts and made it look like a mystic haunted castle.

Though that's what it sort of was.

The main reason why she couldn't sleep was because Teddy will be coming tomorrow. She was nervous because she didn't know how he would react to such a big and different place. He didn't leave the house often except to go play at the local park or go out with Willow. What if he got lost and couldn't find his way? It's not easy for a child to adjust to things.

But she was hopeful. Or she had to keep herself hopeful so that she didn't loose her mind with worry. Ted was a smart boy, he would be okay.

And she was a bit excited to be able to teach him a few things about magic. He was already obsessed with reading books about potions and defense spells that she'd find at the library and book stores. She'd feel more at ease if he knew a thing or two about it with all of this anti-climatic war going on.

She had received a letter yesterday that Eliza had taken him already to get his wand. It was really only a practice wand for school, nothing more. He'd be getting his first true wand when he was eleven and starting school at Hogwarts.

That's if there even was a Hogwarts then.

Teddy had written that it was a beautiful wand with red wood bark and unicorn hair as it's core. He seemed very excited to use it, even if he couldn't keep it.

When she came to the Great Hall the four tables were still set up like they are everyday, side by side. She sat in the one that was closest to the windows so that she could turn off the light on her wand and put it down.

She looked at her wand for a second. It was a soft white color, the wood coming from aspen trees. And the inside was made of, not to surprising, dragon scale. Olivander had told her the scale had come from an ancient Japanese dragon. Her wand, in a sense, was old and wise like the Japanese dragon, but transformative and pure like the aspen bark that it's made of.

She set it down on the table gently, giving it one last loving and sentimental look before opening the book on the table.

The book was about the history of dragons. What types there are, how they came to be, what they've done throughout history. There was even a section about famous ones.

One of which was called The Great Black Scar, said to have looked red and black and the only dragon in existence that could speak. He lived for many years in the 12 century, reigning terror everywhere for food, gold, territory. Wherever he went, destruction followed, and he'd leave a large black scar in the earth from is ferocious flames.

Then, one day, he vanished.

Many knights and kings claimed they had killed him, told many stories of what they did and how they had slane him. Some in a cave, some in old castles saving maidens, many said things that didn't make any sense.

No one truly knows what happened to him though. Except for one story that seemed to be the best of them all.

It talks about how he had fallen in love with a young witch that had found him and healed him of his wounds from a fight with another dragon. He had wondered why she would help him even though he was the most feared dragon of them all. And her only response was "Every living being can change." Eventually the young witch was found out and sout after to be killed because of her skills. When he had found out he'd gone to her aid, but was too late. He had found her hung for all too see. And then, he disappeared, some where deep in the mountains, living out his days with no more destruction. To change his ways for the young witch he had fallen in love with.

Though it was just a story.

For some years many scholars tried to find out what had truly happened, but to no conclusion. Eventually everyone gave up and let it be just history.

It was interesting to read. Since her favorite subject is magical creatures she had been reading a lot on them recently. Dragons have become one of her favorite to learn about. When she had brought this up to Hermione, of course, she had had many books to recommend her. This was one of probably over a hundred long list of books.

She opened the book to the section she was currently on; Dragon Healing. Which parts of a Dragon can be used and which Dragon species have been used in the past to do different types of healing. Poison, gashes, venomous bites. Practically everything.

"It's nice, isn't it? To read by moonlight? So very calming."

Willow jumped when she heard the voice and spun around in her seat to see who it was. She let out a heavy breath and laughed nervously when she saw Luna standing there in her pajamas with what looked like cabbage in her hands and a wistful look on her face that she always had.

"Hello Luna. Would you like to join me?"

She nodded smiling, completely unphased by the fact that she was caring a head of cabbage in her hands.

She closed her book and looked pointedly at the cabbage as she sat down, but Luna still didn't seem to notice.

She couldn't help but laugh a little as she asked, "Luna, why are you walking around with a head of cabbage?"

This seemed to bring her back and looked down at it, then leaned over to her as if to tell her a secret and whispered, "There are brefents in my bed. A head of cabbage kept at the end of my bed will keep them away." Then she sat back, looking at the cabbage satisfyingly.

Willow shook her head. "Where did you get it?"

"I got it from the house elves." She said matter of factedly.

Willow smiled and giggled softly. Luna was something else, but that's what made most people like her. She especially did. She was sweet and nice, but incredibly smart in a wistful sort of way.

"I heard that your brother was coming to the school. Is that why you couldn't sleep?" She asked her.

She nodded in response. "Yes, and I hope he will like it here and that people will accept him. He's such a sweet and charming little boy. He'll win even the hardest of hearts over." she said, smiling.

Luna smiled as well. "Well I can't wait to meet him. I could tell him about the nargles." Willow laughed at that, knowing that Teddy would actually be very interested in the subject.

She stood up. "I'm off to bed." she nodded at her as she left. Willow hoped that everyone will react to him being here like Luna.

Willow ran out of the common room, tripping over her feet as she slipped on her school robes.

After having spoken with Luna she had stayed there for a while longer before going back to her room and going to bed. Though of course no one took the time to actually wake her up when classes were supposed to start.

She was panting when she got to potions, no doubt looking like she had just rolled out of bed.

Which is on every level correct.

Everyone stared at her as she walked to the empty seat next to Hermione and collapsed in it. Slughorn seemed to just ignore her and kept on teaching.

"I tried waking you, I swear. But you were sleeping like a sloth." Hermione said, looking at her guiltily.

"And snoring like one," giggled out Parvati, whom she stuck her tongue out at.

"It's alright. Slughorn doesn't seem to care anyway." Willow responded to Hermione as she took out her textbook and parchment paper, taking notes with her quill.

They were learning about potions of poison. So many different types, but Willow couldn't stop thinking about her dragon book. She really wanted to take it out of her bag and read more of it.

After morning classes were finished, they all walked down to the Hall to grab some lunch. She heard a commotion as they walked in. Everyone seemed to be reading the Daily Prophet. As she got close to Ginny she leaned over and looked at the head title and gasped.

More witches and wizards kidnapped

They all looked at each other. She knew what they were all thinking. What was the ministry doing about this? How were they handling all these kidnappings? Were they doing anything at all?

She knew how strong Death Eaters were, but the Ministry was supposed to control these type of things. She wondered if they couldn't because they were engulfed by fear for Voldemort.

She had no doubt it was probably true.

"Those poor families." Hermione whispered. "This needs to stop. Why hasn't the Ministry done anything?"

"Because they are a bunch of spineless woosies that's why." mumbled one of the younger Gryffindor boys she didn't know.

"One of those spineless woosies is my father, so watch your bloody mouth Travis." Ron countered. The boy , Travis, held his head high.

"And why should I? All these people being kidnapped is because the Ministry isn't doing a thing about it. They are spineless and don't know what they are doing, obviously."

"He isn't wrong," Said a Ravenclaw girl that had wandered over, "The Death Eaters are strong and evil, and they are afraid of them and You Know Who. They haven't caught a single one except Malfoy. They aren't doing anything except hiding behind their desks and whining."

Ron looked like he was about to tackle the boy or the girl before Harry whispered something in his hear and tugged him away, Hermione following the boys, trying to avoid a fight breaking out and getting in trouble.

Willow didn't follow them. She turned and walked away as fast as she could. She was nervous when others talked about death eaters around her. She hoped every day no one would find out about who she was.

She reached the Astronomy tower and leaned over the railing, taking a few deep breaths as she closed her eyes, calming her mind. Her father was one of her most darkest secret that very few knew. She didn't associate herself in anyway with him as a person. All he was to her was the man that biologically made her. They shared none of the same values.

Her mother, despite being so kind hearted and loving, had some how fallen for a wicked man. Willow shivered as she remembered him. Even as a little girl, she had been frightened of him. She wondered how her mother had stayed with him for so long.

She sighed and sagged against the railing as she realized that that's who she got it from. Falling in love with the wrong person.

She heard foot steps behind her and whirled around, then sighed. It was only a Hufflepuff boy, though he did look familiar. He smiled at her kindly as he came closer. "Hello there, little Dove."

Willow blushed at the nickname. "Um, hello..."

"Marcus. Marcus Wayfair," he bowed before her elegantly. "At your service little Dove."

She made a face, "Why are you calling me that?"

He smiled as he walked closer, leaning his arms on the railing. "First year, you sat infront of me. You had a tendency to draw doves on every paper of yours during class when you were bored." She flushed, remembering them. She didn't think anyone noticed except Hermione, whom had sat next to her all that year. "And since then I have associated Doves with your exquisite beauty."

She smiled as she turned and looked out on the castle. "Your flatter is nice, but why is it needed?" She was flattered, but she wasn't stupid.

He looked at her as he touched his chest as though he was in pain. "I am hurt, Beauty, that you would suggest such a thing that I am only using flattery to win anything but your heart." Willow couldn't help but laugh.

"What a beautiful sound your laughter is, sweet Dove." Willow rolled her eyes.

"Come on now, spill it Marcus."

He smiled. "You are as smart as you are beautiful." He looked her in the eye. "I need your help with something secret. " He winked at her.

She waited a minute before responding, "Well, are you going to elaborate what you want or am I going to have to guess? Cause that would take hours and some popcorn."

He chuckled. "I am working on a little project for all the houses at the end of the year. Something special for everyone, especially the younger ones, to sort of lighten the mood a bit." Willow raised her eyebrows, intrigued.

"Really? What does it entail?"

"I was definitely thinking chocolate. Maybe some music and games."

"So basically a party?" Marcus nodded.

Willow thought for a moment. "Well we would have to run it by the Professors of course. But Slughorn has parties frequently so I can't see why they'd say no." Willow smiled. "Yes, I will help you."

Marcus smiled wide and bowed again. "Thank you, my lady." Willow giggled lightly. "Meet me back here at 4 on Saturday." She nodded and watched as he walked away.

She bit her lip as she turned and walked away. She was quite excited to work on this project. She wasn't one to hide away her love for giving to people and putting smiles on their faces. She walked to the Great Hall, finding Hermione, Harry, and Ron and told them what had happened.

"He likes you." Hermione immediately blurted out.

Her eyes widened. "No way. That is impossible."

"Are you bloody blind? He remembers you used to draw doves. From 6 years ago." Ron exclaimed. "If that's not proof of someone liking you I dont know what is."

Willow stared pointedly at Hermione before she laughed. "I've heard of him. He seems alright. Not a bad bloke." Harry said in approval. She rolled her eyes, but she was happy he approved.

Ren came scurrying up to her, barking like a mad dog as he stood up on his hind legs and pawed at her. "Oh hello there sweety what are you doing?" He barked in response as Parvati walked out, panting a little, looking aggravated.

"That monster got to my clothes, Will." She stated as she walked over and held up her jumper, torn to shreds.

"Ren, what were you thinking." Willow gasped as she raised him up and made him look at it. He bowed his head, ears flat. "You have toys for that mister. You get to sleep on the floor tonight and no treats either." Ren whined.

Willow looked at Parvati. "I'm so sorry. I have an extra on in my chest you can use and I'll buy you a new one this Christmas." She nodded, scratching Ren behind the ear before sighing and walking away. She put Ren on the floor next to her and took the makeshift harness she had made and put it on him. "No more running off for you today."

"Why do you think he did it." Ron asked.

Willow shrugged. "Out of boredom possibly. Pups don't really understand what things are and aren't a toy until you tell them. Hopefully he'll learn from this one time and wont do it again. I don't need to be buying a million people new jumpers before the semester is over."

They all nodded. "So do you really think the professors will be okay with a party?" Ron asked.

Willow nodded. "I am pretty sure. As long as it is not to crazy and casual it should be fine. I think it would be great with how negative everything seems to be right now. It'd be nice for everyone to have just one fun night where we can forget our troubles and what is really going on outside. Especially for the younger kids."

They all nodded in union in agreement with this.

After classes Willow walked over to Draco with Ren in her arms. Hagrid had already dismissed everyone from class. He looked as he saw her approach and waited for her to catch up to him. She had remembered during class that she had so much homework tonight that she really needed all her concentration on it, and not on the pup.

"Hey Draco can you take Ren tonight? I have homework I need to catch up on and I can't be watching him at the same time as I do it." Draco groaned but took Ren in his arms. She noticed his cheeks seemed to be a little red and his eyes looked tired. She passed it off as case from the cold and school.

"He's in trouble for tearing up Parvati's jumper so don't let him sleep with you and don't give him any special treats. He needs to learn that is not okay."

Draco laughed as he held him up so that he could look at him. "That's my boy. We'll make a wolf out of you yet." Ren wagged his tail.

Willow rolled her eyes. "No you wont, and," she handed him the extra bag she carried. "This is his regular food he eats. Do not spoilt him. He needs to learn what he did was wrong. He can't be running around tearing up people's clothes."

He smiled at her. "Oh come on Will, he's not that bad. He's a wolf, he's supposed to do bad things."

"No he is not. He maybe a wolf, but wolves are fairly smart and should be taught to not do things. Which wont be easy if you let him do what he wants. And it's not easy to take care of him as it is."

He looked at her pointedly. "I can do it just fine. It shouldn't be that hard. He just doesn't view you as his Alpha. "

"Fine," she rolled her eyes and smiled, "Come back to me in the morning and see if you think the same way, Malfoy. Then we will see who is the Alpha or not."

He seemed to stand up higher with the challenge. "Fine. I will see you tomorrow." He turned and walked off as Willow giggled, pride in his stride. She couldn't wait to see him tomorrow.

It was dinner time when Willow walked to the Great Hall. She had gone straight to all her classes then spent her free period in the dormitory making sure she was all caught up on homework so that she wouldn't have to do a thing this weekend. She wanted to have some relaxation until Teddy came down.

She had specifically come down to find Draco. She hadn't seen him when she had gone to their meet up place, nor had she seen him all day. She was a little worried, but she wasn't about to let that show in her face.

She went over and grabbed a roll and a plate of kidney pie as she glanced around the Hall, searching for white hair.

Nothing.

She huffed and decided to try asking the twins to look for him in Slytherine House. She found them as they were walking out, heads bent together as they gossiped.

"Hey girls I need your help." She said as she caught up to them. They turned and walked slower with her.

"What for?" Feline asked.

"I am trying to find Draco-"

"Ooh and why is that? Trying to get some?" Farrah cut in as they both giggled.

Willow rolled her eyes. "No. He has Ren and he was supposed to give him to me this morning. But he never showed. And I haven't seen him all day."

"Are you afraid he might be sacrificing him?" Farrah asked.

"That is something he would do, ya know." Feline responded.

Willow couldn't help but smile, suppressing a laugh. "No I am not worried he is sacrificing Ren. I was just wondering if you could look in your dormitory for me?"

"Oh I don't know, Will. He might kill us. You know how intimidating he can be." Feline said, frowning.

Willow nodded. He was quite intimidating. Farrah spoke up, eye bright with mischief, "He doesn't intimidate you, right? So why don't you just come in and find him?"

Willow looked horrified. "But that is against a school rule!" she exclaimed.

"School rule, shmool wool, they'll never know if you do it really fast. We've been doing it for years." The twins gripped Willow by her hands and pulled her towards the dungeons where the Slytherine dormitory was.

Willow whined a little before sighing, giving in. It really would only be a couple seconds. Nothing would happen.

Hopefully.

When they got to where the entrance was to Slytherine, Willow, just out of common courtesy, covered her ears when they said the password, too which the twins had rolled their eyes at.

They walked in and Feline quickly threw a Slytherine robe over her head so no one really noticed who she was. "Don't need the other students coming at you. We love you, but you're on your own if that happens." Willow smiled as she looked around the room.

Her eyes landed on Blaze in the corner and she pointed him out to them. They all scurried over to him as she adjusted the robe around her. He of all people should know where Draco was.

"Blaaaaaaze, sweetheart," Farrah said teasingly. He chuckled and put down his text book from class.

"Wha-" His eyes widened when he saw Willow as she smiled sheepishly at him. "What are you doing." he whispered as he pulled her close, getting the twins to surround her. "If they see you they will kill you. And if Snape found out." They all shivered at the thought.

"Then help me to make this quick. I am trying to find Draco. Where is he?"

Blaze frowned, "He's been sick all day. He's up in the dorm with a fever. He refused to go to the infirmary so Madam Pomfrey came here to check on him and give him his medicine."

Willow wasn't going to deny it. Her heart filled with worry over him. "Let me go up and see him, Blaze. Now."

Blaze seemed shocked but nodded, helping her get up to the dorm unnoticed.

The twins and Blaze stayed outside to keep an eye out as Willow walked in, dropping the robe to the floor as she looked around the room. It was messy, like any boys room. The Slytherine marking on everything she could see. Until a small ball of fur jumped at her.

Willow giggled lightly as she held Ren in her arms. "Hello sweetheat." She kissed his head as he seemed to smile up at her, his tongue lolling out. "Where's Draco?" She asked him. He jumped from her arms and ran to a bed on the other side of the room, where she could hear heavy breathing.

Slowly, she walked over the bed, and pulled back the curtain gently to see Draco, face red and sweaty with fever, breathing hard and tossing in bed. Ren was beside him, laying his head next to Draco's.

"Oh Draco, why do you push yourself," she whispered as she sat next to him, brushing his hair from his forehead. He kept on thrashing until Willow touched his cheek gently, feeling how feverish he was. "Draco. Draco, it's me." She whispered as she sat closer to him, taking her handkerchief and patting at the sweat on his face.

His eyes popped open wide, as if in fright, then they calmed when he saw it was her. He closed his eyes, pressing his cheek into her palm. "Your hands are cooling to me." She blushed lightly, but ignored it.

Now was not the time for it.

"Have you taken your medicine. Your fever should be down if you were."

He chuckled as he looked at her. "Why don't you feed it to me with a kiss."

Willow sighed. It seems even in sickness he has witty comebacks. "Come, sit up now so that I can give it to you. And change your shirt." She helped him sit up as he groaned. She started to yank up his shirt until she realized what she was doing. She blushed and hesitated for a moment.

No, she thought to herself. You're just helping him. Stop thinking and just do it. She took off his shirt, trying not to look at his broad chest. He was more lean than she remembered him. Muscles where they hadn't been before. She picked up a shirt from a top his chest at the end of the bed and smelt it to make sure it was clean before putting it on him, resisting the urge to run her fingers over his chest.

"Here," she said as she took some of the medicine and held it out to him to drink. He made a disgusted face as he did, clearly hating the taste. She handed him a glass of water. "I'll ask Blaze to grab you some toast to eat before it kicks in and you sleep. You need to eat something to keep your strength up." She stood and tucked him in, like she always did for Teddy or Sammy whenever they were sick.

"You're so beautiful Will," she looked at him in shock when he said that, but his eyes were already closed and he was breathing deeply. She took it as just the fever talking. She brushed the hair back from his face, taking in every way it looked. She resisted the urge to kiss his forehead, or any other part of his body.

She looked to Ren. "Now it is your job to watch him," she whispered. Ren perked up a little like he was listening to her as he laid his head on Draco, keeping him warm. "That's a good boy," she said as she scratched his head. She quickly made Ren a bowl of water and food before leaving, looking at Draco one last time before closing the door behind her.

The twins and Blaze all looked up as she walked out. "He's fine. I just gave him his medicine. Blaze make sure to grab him some toast before going to bed. He really nee-"

"What is she doing here!" shrieked a voice.

Willow looked around to see all the Slytherines watching her.

She had forgotten to put the robe back on.

Well shit.