-Chapter 11-
November soon came, bringing along with it the cold surroundings of winter, and what seemed like in a blink of an eye December came rushing in, and it was the last day of classes before the students would be leaving in the morning for home for the 2 weeks of Christmas Break.
The last 2 months all of Ally's time had been divided between classes, her friends, and finding stolen moments in dark classrooms or broom closets with Draco. That was what her life had become, waiting desperately for that moment when she would be in that dark area, as close as possible to Draco. She never could have predicted being short of breath and flushed beyond belief in those moments of time with Draco Malfoy would be the part of the day she lived for, but that was what had happened, and she wouldn't change it for the world.
"Hermione have you seen my shoe?" a disheveled looking Ally asked, throwing random objects out of her trunk as she dug for her school shoes.
"No I haven't!" Hermione yelled from the bathroom.
The normally tidy 6th Year girls dorm was looking less than fair with clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, and magazines were scattered all around the room. Hermione's side was the only clean section, while Ally, Parvati, and Lavender lacked that clean tidiness that Hermione loved so much.
Lavender was currently hogging the bathroom, which was shockingly very clean besides the scatter of makeup across the counters, while Parvati was down in the common room during Merlin knows what.
"Ally if you would just wake up 10 minutes earlier, you wouldn't have this struggle every morning." Hermione lectured as she organized her books.
Ally whipped her head up from looking under the bed and threw a glare her friend's way, "You're just lucky I get up at the time I do, I actually enjoy my sleep!"
Hermione gave her a knowing look, "Well maybe if you went to bed at a decent hour you could wake up earlier, also you do realize we leave tomorrow morning for home right?" The glare Ally sent her had her shutting up.
"I don't understand where that stupid shoe could be!" she grumbled, looking around at her things.
Hermione pursed her lips, clearly looking irritated.
"Ahh!" Ally shrieked in victory as she found her shoes, before quickly shoving them on and grabbing her book bag, "Ready to go?" she asked, giving her best friend a smirk as she threw her hair in a pony tail.
Hermione looked like she wanted to yell in annoyance, however nodded and followed down the steps. Ron came stumbling down his own just as they made it to the landing.
"I couldn't find my shoe," Ron commented, frowning when Hermione shrieked in annoyance and stormed past the two. "What is her problem today?"
Ally just laughed, ruffling Ron's hair as the duo walked out of the portrait hole, "Oh Ronny pooh, you and I are just too much alike!"
Ron grinned, "Well what can she blame us for?" he asked as they made their way down the stairs, "If anything she should be mad at my Mum and your Dad, after all they made us grow up together!"
"Merlin knows, what did they expect?"
"I rather think Mum wanted us to get married one day," Ron said, shivering in disgust.
"Hey!" All shrieked, swatting him on the head, "I'm not that bad Ronald!"
Ron laughed, ducking another swing, "No I just mean you're like Ginny to me, I can't imagine wanting to date my sister!" he complained, opening the Great Hall door for her.
Ally grinned, ruffling his hair once more, and giving him a kiss on the cheek, "And thank Merlin for that!"
Ron just grinned, sliding into a seat by Hermione as Ally sat on the other side of them.
"Done being mad at us?" she asked Hermione, giving her a knowing smile.
Hermione just gave the two a cool look and poured herself some more pumpkin juice.
Ally's eye inadvertently found themselves scanning the Slytherin table for a certain blonde haired, gray eyed boy, and was surprised to find a pair of those gray orbs meeting her own. Ally felt her heart flutter, and was mortified to feel a blush cross her cheeks.
The smirk she received in response had her blushing more. It still amazed her that no one noticed the small exchanges the two had going on for some time now.
"Are you okay?" Hermione asked, reaching across the table to grip Ally's hand, and breaking her out of her staring contest with Draco.
Blushing even more, Ally sat up straighter, "Yeah."
Hermione frowned, "Are you sur-"
"Attention, Attention."
The hall went silent at the sound of Professor Dumbledore's voice stretching across the hall, the excited chatter of Christmas plans died, and the clinking of silverware and cups stopped instantly, all attention directed to the Headmaster.
He looked slightly like a clown, Ally thought, with his big hat and colorful red dress robes he loved to wear at Christmas, but his expression looked strained, and made Ally sit up straighter to listen.
"A good morning to you all, I know you are all excited to be getting home for Christmas to spend time with your families, however I wanted to make a small announcement this morning." He started his voice light at first. "Tomorrow when you leave, your things will be searched thoroughly, and upon returning to Hogwarts your belongings will be searched, and I feel you deserve to know why." He started, his voice growing more serious as he talked.
Ally spared a moment to frown at both Ron and Hermione, who caught her eyes, both looking as confused as she was. The rest of the Hall was torn between confusion, and shock as the words flew out of Dumbledore's mouth.
"Once there was a young man, quite like you children here, who was a boy at this school here, walked these very halls, ate in this very room, seemed to all the world, a student like many others, his name…Tom Riddle-"
Gasps were heard throughout the room, before whispers started to spread across the hall. Ally stiffened at the mention of Tom's name, she had never heard his name mentioned during a speech or anything else for that matter. The only time she heard Voldemort had been when she, Hermione, and Ron spoke about it or at meetings when the Order was around.
Hermione looked just as confused and serious as Ally felt, emotions flickering across her face at the mention of his name. Her eyes met Ally's and the two seemed to hold a private conversation, both clearly understanding the importance of this speech. If Dumbledore was making a speech about Voldemort, that means something serious was happening, and it was happening fast and now.
Ron gave the two's hands a small squeeze.
"Today of course," Dumbledore continued, "He is known around the world as another name…Lord Voldemort."
More gasps, and a strangled yelp was heard, but Ally couldn't tear her eyes away from Dumbledore.
"Which is why, as I stand this morning looking out at you all, I remember a very sobering fact…"
Ally felt Ron's hand squeeze her harder, but her eyes never left Dumbledore's, who seemed to be looking directly back into hers.
"Every day, every hour, this very minute perhaps, dark forces try to penetrate these castle walls." He spoke, his voice somber, yet strong, "But in the end, the greatest weapon is you-"
Ally swore his eyes met hers when he spoke those words, and her chest compressed with anxiety, stress, but a strange comfort as well.
"Just something to think about." He added, his voice changing greatly into happiness as he spoke his next sentence, "Now eat, and then off to enjoy your last day of classes!"
Ally sat frozen to her seat, even after Dumbledore took his place back in his chair. Ron hadn't let go of she or Hermione's hand, and the silence seemed to stretch across the hall, as quite a few lingering faces turned to stare at Ally, who was still staring at Dumbledore's vacated spot at the podium, she didn't even notice the pair of concerned gray eyes looking over at her.
However the moment passed and everyone went back to conversation, whether it be about the speech, Christmas, or something else entirely, Ally didn't know, but the silence between she and her friends, along with her other friends around her stayed.
Neville, who was sitting on Ally's other side, gave her shoulder a squeeze, "Alright there Ally?" he asked, giving her a strained smile.
Ally moved, her muscles feeling as though she just ran a 5 mile marathon wanted to protest, but she tried to relax, "Y-Yeah Neville."
He smiled, giving her that lopsided smile he had always been so good at.
The tension seemed to break slightly, as their remaining friends started to eat their breakfast again.
Ron gave her one final squeeze before letting go, and returning to his breakfast, but even she noticed how less enthusiastic he was about it compared to every other morning.
Hermione still sat stiff, her face lacking her usual morning delight at the promise of classes, instead she looked somber, and stressed.
Ally took a sip of her coffee, trying to hide her face with it. Truthfully she was scared, Dumbledore's words made her stomach ache terribly, she knew she was to fight, and possibly die, but some days it seemed like a distant memory, and it was the furthest thing from her mind, however it was always there, never leaving.
She was too distracted to eat, her stomach in knots and she felt slightly queasy, that was not what she wanted to hear at breakfast.
Hermione reached across the table, "Do you want to go?"
Ally nodded, her face pale, and her hands shaking slightly as she grabbed her bag and threw it over her shoulder.
She didn't have to stop to see if Hermione and Ron were behind her as they departed, she knew they were, and her mind was scattered with different possibilities in her head that she didn't notice the pair of concerned silver eyes that followed her every movement until she disappeared out of the hall.
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"What are your plans for Christmas Ally?" Seamus asked as Ally, Neville, Ron, and Dean walked towards the exit of the Great Hall.
Ally grinned, the tension from the whole day continued to fade away, and she was starting to feel better as every hour passed.
"I guess spend time with the family, we will probably spend Christmas day with the Weasley's."
Ron grinned, "Yeah I've been waiting all year for Mums Christmas dinner!"
Ally nodded in agreement, "What are you guys doing?"
"Family time," Dean said, "Eating a lot, and being happy I'm not in classes!"
Seamus nodded in agreement, "Exactly what he said!"
"Well I'll be with Gran, we may go visit my Aunt and Uncle in Australia, but we will have to wait and see."
Ally nodded, her eyes catching a movement in a dark corner outside of the hall.
"Hey I forgot something in the library earlier, I'm going to get it, and I'll meet you in the common room?" Ally said, giving the 4 a smile.
The 4 nodded, chatting the rest of the way up the stairs, until their voices suddenly disappeared.
Ally followed the shadow into a dark classroom, where a powerful locking spell was put up, before a pair of strong arms grabbed her and pulled her close, their lips crashing together in a heated kiss.
"I've been waiting to do that all day." He whispered, his voice husky, and slightly breathless once he finally pulled away.
Ally giggled, "I always knew you had the hots for me Malfoy." She teased, kissing him lightly on the lips once again.
Draco grinned against her lips, gripping her waist as he hoisted her up onto a desk and positioned himself between her legs.
"How was your day?" she asked, running a hand through his hair.
"Typical." He snorted, running his hands up her legs, "Beat everybody in everything, tormented some 3rd year Gryffindor's, and even managed to get Weasel a detention."
Ally swatted his arm, "Malfoy you are such an arse!"
Draco smirked, "That's why you like me Potty."
She could feel herself blush as he pulled her in for another heated kiss.
"How will you survive Christmas without me?" Draco teased.
Scoffing, Ally brushed a strand of hair out of her face, "I'll still see you unfortunately, with Order meetings!"
"And here I thought I'd be getting away from you!"
All pinched him under his arm, earning a yelp and a glare directed at her.
"Bloody Hell Scar Head that hurt!"
Ally shrugged, giving him a small grin.
"You alright?" he finally asked, his face looking blank, while his eyes held clear concern in them.
Nodding, Ally ran a hand through his hair, "It is what it is."
Draco just watched her carefully, not saying a word.
"I mean it's not fun, but it is reality." She continued, "Christmas will be a nice break from things…Plus I should get to see this handsome blonde haired kid a few times, so I guess it will be tolerable."
Draco just nodded, knowing she clearly didn't want to discuss how she was really feeling and was trying to change the subject, so he smirked before letting out a chuckle, "Doesn't sound like there is anything to complain about for Precious Potter."
Ally smiled, loving that he knew to let her be when she didn't want to talk about something, never pressing her for information that she wasn't willing to give, so she captured his lips in a kiss, his lips were warm and soft, so perfect.
Their kisses were always warm, always so full of emotions; she was quickly becoming addicted to them.
Pulling away finally, Ally sighed, "I better get back to the common room and pack before Hermione sends an army after me."
Draco rolled his eyes as he helped her off the desk.
Straightening her skirt out, she looked up into those stormy gray eyes she loved so much, "So I will see you in like 2 or 3 days eh?"
Nodding, Draco pulled her in for one last kiss, "Until then Scarhead!" he whispered into her ear, sending Goosebumps up her arms.
Ally scoffed, "You have such a way with words Malfoy!" she said sarcastically.
He kissed her forehead before walking to the door, "And don't you forget it you Prat." He said, turning to walk out the door before stopping, he didn't turn around as he spoke, "I'm always here if you need to talk, or just need someone to listen." He said before disappearing out of the room.
Ally felt her heart melted, it wasn't often that Draco said anything that could be considered mushy. She waited a few minutes before departing herself, just in case anyone happened to be hanging about and saw both of them at the same time, which would be around the school in seconds, and then Ally would have a lot of explaining to do.
"Finally!" Hermione squealed, as Ally entered the common room, "Let's pack!"
"Hey!" Ron yelled in outrage, "We were all supposed to play some wizarding chess and hang by the fire!"
Ally laughed as her two friends threw each other a glare, "Relax guys, we'll go pack and then come back down and do all that!"
And as the two made their way up the stairs to pack and gossip about girl stuff, they heard the boys cheering to Christmas and laughed loudly.
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Ally stood on Platform 9 ¾ with a warm jacket wrapped tightly around her, Sirius had his arm slung around her shoulder, as he chatted animatedly with Bill and Charlie Weasley, and Remus about the latest broom that had just come out.
The trip home had been quick, and Ally only had 5 minutes to spend jammed in a luggage compartment with Draco before having to leave and get back to her friends. He had kissed her with the promise of seeing her in a few days, and Ally already mildly thought about how much she was going to miss him in just those few days.
"I heard it's the fastest in the world right now-" Sirius was saying.
Ally grinned before turning her attention, Hermione had left with her parents, bidding her a goodbye with promises to write every day, and Ron was off trying to find his trunk, Neville, Luna, Dean, and Seamus had left moments ago, and Ally's eyes found that familiar set of blonde hair from a few yards away.
The Malfoy's reeked of sophistication and the Aristocrat charm that the family was known for. Mrs. Malfoy looked elegant and pristine as she stood chatting with the Parkinson family, she held herself with such grace, no slouch in her back, the kind of perfection that James always tried to stress Ally to be. Then Mr. Malfoy looked every bit the Aristocrat he was, standing tall and strong, the leader of the family. Then her eyes rested on Draco who looked like a miniature version of Lucius, except with shorter hair. He looked annoyed at having to stand there, however that was only because she had gotten to know him, to anybody else he looked like the perfect Heir to the Malfoy fortune.
It was funny just how different their families were, yet just the same in ways. Both families held high political power, all were very wealthy, many people wished to be them, and yet the two families didn't get along too well, 'bad blood' was all Ally understood about it. She couldn't understand how the two had come together, but as their eyes met across the platform, and that familiar smirk shinned in his eyes, she knew that whatever it was she thanked Merlin it had happened, because something about that boy had her captivated, and she was clearly addicted to it.
For some reason things just came so easy with her and Draco, and it was the one thing in her life nobody had a say so on, nobody could because they didn't know, and Ally liked holding onto that. Everything in her life was dictated by what somebody else thought or said, this was the one thing she had that was all hers, she didn't have to share it, and didn't have to talk about it, but most importantly, it was safe, and that was something Ally couldn't say about anything else in her life.
"Come on Prongslet!" Sirius said, pulling her along, as Remus wrapped another arm around her shoulder, "Let's get home!"
Ally looked over her shoulder once, and was rewarded with a breathtaking smile from the boy of her every though, before she vanished from the platform, on her way home to her own unique family.