Chapter 14: Hiding a sharp knife of curiosity, behind their gentle looking eyes.

A/N: You won't believe me when I say that this story is almost coming to an end, but it is. There will be a squeal (more on that in the final chapter). So for now, thanks for the reviews, ads, favs, and the support…also sorry this took a while to get out. I've been reading fanfictions because I can, ahaha :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

The weeks flew by and soon April was creeping up with more confusion. Crystal still hadn't had the courage to talk to Draco. The good news was she was finally able to look at him. It was a step up, but not at the same time. She knew Draco wanted it, but it was ultimately the parents who decide in the end, so she couldn't stay mad at him forever. Crystal would at least try by hanging out every Friday, but now instead of laughing and enjoying themselves it now became Draco talking aimlessly hoping for a reaction out of Crystal.

Crystal never gave him that reaction. She was too confused and too frustrated. What was getting even worse was Fred and George were getting pretty close to wanting to quit school. That was leaving Crystal feeling even more alone. She had been spending more and more time with Neville to fill the void that would be there once the twins left.

She didn't want to hang out with the trio because she was sick of the pleading she would receive when she would, from her brother and Draco, not the trio. The trio loved her company. She still did homework with them on occasion, but lately she had been slipping in school. Crystal had been exhausted and feeling sick as of late. Even her potions grade was slipping. She just didn't know what to do with herself anymore. And she hated herself for it. She hated it even more when she was around Hermione.

"Crystal! Don't add that just yet!" Hermione breathed down her neck for the fifth time this potions class. Neville and Hermione had switched spot for the time being, both had agreed she needed to get out of this slump she was in before she destructed her perfect grades. She was second next to Hermione and as of late that hasn't been the case.

"What? Oh sorry" Crystal apologized once more and let out a heavy sigh. "I'll get it together promise." But she said that every class.

Hermione furrowed her brows and rested a hand on her shoulder. "I know Crystal, I know." She said while shaking her head. But Hermione didn't know what to do any better than anyone else. She just wishes Crystal would talk it over with Draco, instead of being mute around him. That would surely solve something! But everyone knew she wouldn't. Everyone could see how angry and frustrated she's been.

Crystal frowned at her potion, it was supposed to be a beautiful green, but hers looked more like bile than anything. Surely this would get her another D for dreadful. She knew she could save it by changing a couple more ingredients, but what was the point? Her life was getting laid out for her. This was her last line of freedom, to be a giant screw up in school. Was that really it though? No, she just didn't feel like giving up. This had to have been what it was like for her mother. She was no longer mad at her mother for giving up hope, but then again at least she is friends with Draco. That didn't matter though did it? He still went behind her back to make sure she was safe. She should feel appreciative for that, but she didn't. She was enraged at him. Why does everyone believe she needs protecting? Was she really that weak and fragile?

"Miss Nott" She was deep in thought and didn't hear Professor Snape approach. By the time she noticed him he had repeated her name four times before it clicked he was there. "Not only have you lost the ability to listen but you've also gained a habit for being disrespectful." His voice wasn't cold like when he scolded Harry it was more like concern. Crystal furrowed her brow and listened now feeling worse than she had before, especially at his strange tone. "Perhaps you could find it in your precious time to serve detention tonight at five o' clock." And with that Professor Snape snapped away and announced class was over and to bring their potions up whether they were done or not.

Crystal let out a groan and instead of putting her potion in a vile, she banged her head down on her desk. The gesture alone earned her several sympathy looks from her Slyhterin brother and 'friend' Draco. But all her Gryffindor's did more than give her sympathy. Harry smiled wearily and bottled up her potion, while Hermione packed up her things and cleaned up. Neville put a gentle hand on her shoulder and helped her up.

"Come on, I've had detention with Snape loads of time, you'll be fine." Neville whispered as he held on to Crystal tightly and lead her out of the dungeon towards their next class.

"Nevs" Crystal whined "I know, it's not that…I just" She shook her head and looked around with heavy eyes.

"I know, but you need to be strong." Neville said, even though these words never worked on her. It wasn't what she wanted to hear. She had heard it all before. None of it was comforting, none of it was helpful. What she wanted was…Draco's side of the story. But he never explained it and she was too furious to ask.

DADA dragged on, but afterwards Crystal knew she had to go to her detention with Snape so she didn't complain at all. Neville and Harry both were supportive enough. Harry took her bag to dinner and said Hermione would put it in her room, where as Neville walked her all the way to the dungeons. He gave her one last hug before he left her to Snape for good.

She knocked gingerly but that was all it took, Snape ripped the door open to his office at once. The minute she was in and seated he slammed the door with a swish of his wand, and swished it once more for reasons Crystal didn't know, and he then sat across from her looking not angry but concern. He eyed her for a moment as his dark onyx eyes attempted to read her beautiful blue ones. After a moment or two he seemed to give up and waved his wand once more summing sandwiches.

"Eat" He commanded. Crystal blinked a bit but didn't grab a sandwich like she was told. She wasn't sure what Snape was getting at. This was a detention not a dinner or a date. "Look the weight you're pulling in right now, you'll be dead by the time you get home. Now don't make me repeat myself, Eat."

And she didn't need to be told twice, not with that tone. She nodded and grabbed one and stared at Snape waiting for her punishment. Surely she was not brought here to eat sandwiches.

"I can already guess what's bothering you. I'd rather get straight to the point Miss Nott." Snape said quickly and sharply. His eyes were still boring down into Crystal and conveying some sort of feeling. "You are just as stubborn as your mother" he said suddenly and shook his head. Crystal wanted to question, but she held her silence as she nibbled more of her sandwich. "Look, you shouldn't be mad at Mr. Malfoy. This has all been a plan."

"A plan, sir?" Crystal asked timidly as she stared up at the potion's master.

"Yes, the Dark Lord has plans for you and Draco to be sort of" Snape paused and thought of how best to word it. "A poster boy and girl, an example so to speak for the future" He paused again. Crystal wasn't sure what he meant by this, so Crystal waited. "The Dark Lord plans to take over the ministry and when he does you and Draco will be a model of how purebloods should be. Perfect, pure, and proper" Snape drawled on and Crystal listened with wide eyes. "The Order is pleased that it is you. Dumbledore and I have told them much about you and with you on our side it will help the war greatly. You need to be the Gryffindor we all know you to be and do this with honor."

Crystal swallowed. She was needed, she had a job to do. "Yes, sir" She nodded curtly.

"I expect you from now onto do your part and do not blame Mr. Malfoy. He is willing to follow the Dark Lord plans, the question is are you? Because if you aren't we can put you into hiding, the choice is yours." Professor Snape questioned sternly as he looked down on her. She had been looking so fragile lately. He knew she had been skipping meals, Malfoy had told him so. And it wasn't just that he noticed she wasn't at meals. He also noticed her grades slipping, he knew he had to say something, do something. Her mother didn't want her to fall into the same fate and Snape wasn't about to let her.

Crystal let her lips form into a smile. "Of course I'm ready." She set down her sandwich and got up. "I've been foolish and now I am ready." She added before she turned to leave.

"You don't have to if you don't want too, but you will really be helping the Order." Snape said softly as she put her hand on the door handle.

"I know, I want too" Crystal gave Snape one last look before she headed out for the Slyhterin common room to wait for Draco to return for dinner.

It wasn't an easy wait. Her mind was drifting between thoughts and her eyes were drifting up in hopes he was coming. But it never was him, it was always another cold staring Slytherin. And they stared and stared, but no one acknowledged her until Pansy finally came along.

"What are you doing here you filthy mudblood lover?" Pansy cooed in a sickly evil voice as her friends came around her for support.

"Waiting for Draco, is that a problem?" Crystal said calmly as she got off of the wall she was leaning against and grinned.

"He's not yours you know, so I don't see why you are bothering. He will never love you." Pansy said while her girls giggled around her.

"He's not yours either, so I could say the same thing." Crystal shrugged and wondered how Pansy didn't know of the betrothal, or if she did maybe she was ignoring it.

"The difference between you and me though, is I'm not a dirty mudblood lover." Pansy puffed out her chest proudly at Crystal, who merely looked bored.

"The way you talk about mudblood's you would think you'd be in love with them." Crystal let out a small laugh as Pansy dropped her pride and looked deflated.

Narrowing her eyes, Pansy pulled out her wand. "You are such a bitch you know that? That's why Draco will never, ever love you." Pansy said as if that would hurt Crystal.

"I don't need Draco to love me Pansy, I'm betrothed to him." Crystal knew she shouldn't have said it. She knew was she crossing the line. And she regretted it the moment she did because Pansy swished her wand faster than Crystal could react, since she wasn't prepared. Cringing Crystal waited for the spell, but it never came.

"Pansy, leave now" Command a cold harsh voice. Crystal looked up to see Draco standing in front of blocking Pansy from view.

"Draaco, she was being mean and telling lies! She said that you and her are betrothed." Pansy cried as she threw her arms around Draco, who wouldn't hear or have any of this.

Draco pushed past Pansy and grabbed Crystals arm and pulled her up to his dorm without looking back. This is what her behavior was all about this whole time. The betrothal, Crystal blamed him for that. She had finally come to terms with it. Or had Snape told her what was expected of her? Draco couldn't help but wonder about the change of heart and what she was doing here waiting. Was she finally ready to talk?

They had finally made it into the dorms and Crystal had already settled herself on Draco's bed. "I'm sorry Draco." Crystal said with her eyes now shinning with tears.

Draco himself could start crying as well. It was the first time he had heard her say his name it weeks. He almost didn't know how to respond to it. It was so sweet and yet comforting. He couldn't help but smile as he sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. "It's okay, I should have prepared you better. I tried believe me I did." He said warmly.

"I know Draco, I'm just stubborn." Crystal shrugged and leaned in closer feeling Draco's warmth at once. "So Pansy didn't know at all?" she asked finally.

"No, the only people who know are you and your brother." Draco said while lightly stroking her hair.

"And Fred, George, Hermione, Ron, Harry, and Neville" Crystal said while not looking and Draco. She didn't know how he would take it if all her Gryffindor friends knew. She assumed he wouldn't take it well at all, but she wanted to be fair with him. She had to be. They were in this together, no matter what their feelings were. Crystal knew Draco cared for her a lot, as for her, she cared for him but she wasn't sure yet, it was all so confusing. Though the other night did she not say 'I love you' clearly to Draco?

"You told them?" Draco said his voice slightly slipping into anger but still remaining sweet.

"Not really, Fred and George read the letter and told everyone. I didn't find out till the first morning I missed breakfast and my morning Charms." Crystal said recalling what happened clearly.

"No one is supposed to know until your party, Miss Nott." Draco pulled away and poked her playfully in the nose.

"I know and I don't care." Crystal shrugged and threw herself back on the bed. "Pansy was annoying, can you blame me at all?" Crystal asked as she turned over towards Draco.

"No, I suppose I can't. But you really pushed her you know." Draco leaned back and joined Crystal in looking up at the banister of the bed. "She was about to use the Cruciatus curse on you."

"Oh like I haven't felt that one before" Crystal rolled her eyes. She honestly wasn't afraid of Pansy, let alone what Pansy could do. "And just because you came in and used a shield charm does not make you my knight in shinny armor." Crystal teased.

"I think it does, you obviously needed saving." Draco smirked as he turned and face Crystal. She was looking right at him with intense eyes of love. Draco couldn't help but reach forward and cup her face in his hand. "I love you." He whispered softly before he pulled her into a soft gentle kiss.

Crystal heart seemed to form butterflies all around it the minute her lips locked with Draco's. She felt her lips yearn for more as she pressed for her soft lips forward as if begging for more. But Draco wouldn't let her. He pulled away with a grin and just stared into her eyes waiting for her words. But she didn't say anything, she stared forward with confidence and love. She was trying to express she wanted one more kiss, but she wasn't going to give in. She turned away and looked out the window to watch the night sky form.

"You said it before, why can't you say it now?" Draco questioned in a light tone. He knew she would come around and if it wouldn't be now during school she would at home. There's no way she wouldn't be able to at home, away from her friends. All the balls, social gatherings, and images she had to uphold, it would be like their childhood all over again. She'd be in Draco's arms safe and at home.

"Simple" Crystal smirked and looked away from the window back to Draco. "Malfoy's can't always get what they want!" She laughed as she got up at ran for the door. Draco was already on her heels and started chasing her out of the dorm all the way down to the common room. Once they got in the common room they both started walking fast and acting dignified, to uphold the image, but as soon as they left the common room they broke into a run once more. Once he was in arms reached he grabbed her and spun her around holding her in a tight hug.

"I told you, Malfoy's get what they want. Don't believe otherwise." He whispered in her ear sending a small shiver down her spin.

Slowly she turned around and looked Draco straight in the eyes. "I love you too" She said with a grin, but as she said it, her mind had drifted off elsewhere, she noticed her pocked feeling warm and had reached into grab the fake galleon.

"That's more like it." Draco smiled as he planted a small kiss on her forehead, not even noticing how distracted Crystal was.

"Draco?" Crystal asked gingerly as she held the galleon tight wondering when the next DA meeting was. It wasn't that she didn't want to be around Draco right now, it's just the curiosity was flowing through her and she couldn't pull it out in front of him. He would ask too many questions and no doubt tell Umbrigde.

"Yes, love" He smiled and tucked some of her hair behind her ear admiring her in every way.

"Can I go do my homework? I have some catching up to do." Crystal asked hopeful. It was true, she really did, but now she just wanted to know about the galleon. And in a way she wanted to get back to the common room.

"Of course" Draco smiled as he ruffled her hair. "Can we plan on Sunday? I'd love to spend time with you again." Draco asked. It was Friday, but she wanted to do homework, who was he to stop her?

"I'll think about it." Crystal teased with a sly grin.

"Do I need to repeat myself?" Draco asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Probably not, I'm sure I can find a way to make an appearance. Or not, I might stand you up." Crystal shrugged and turned to leave, but Draco wouldn't let her. He grabbed her and waited for her to agree "Alright alright" Crystal quickly pecked his cheek and headed up for the common room.

Crystal was glad she went back to the common room. It was time well spent with her friends. It was the first time in a long time she had actually let herself go and had some fun. She ended up sitting with Harry, Ron, and Hermione talking about the next DA meeting. They talked and talked until about one in the morning, when they finally went to bed. But Saturday Crystal spent the whole day doing homework Neville and Sunday as promised was spent with Draco. She was surprised at how much fun her and Draco had just talking and going through their homework together. It seemed even the simplest of things was just right for them. It didn't matter as long as they were together everything was perfect, perfect for the time being.

Monday night's DA meeting came to a crashing end that no one believed would happen. Umbrige found them and Dumbledore's army was exposed. Along with the exposure went Crystal's freedom.

She was found red-handed with Potter and crew. Umbridge had insisted she come to Dumbledore's office with the rest, but Draco had convinced her else wise. It was mistake one for Crystal. She knew that the minute Draco's eyes locked with her and he pulled her down to the dungeons. Crystal knew her heart was sinking with every step she took. But there was nothing she could do. Nothing at all, except for to sit back and listen to everything Draco and Theodore told her to do. And everything they told her to do was nothing she wanted to do to. The only time Crystal was allowed in the dorm was to sleep and even that was becoming iffy. The Slyhterin's had slowly started taking over her life more and more. She felt so, dead. The only thing she could muse herself with was the fact that a firework she had created had made its way into the Slytherin common room at one point and was constantly going off saying "Slytherin's blow". But even that began to pain her because she started to miss her friends more and more.

It's not that the Slytherin's weren't great company but rather, they were just too much. They were so scripted. The way they acted had all been from etiquette training. The only time she didn't have to be so stiff was when she was alone with Draco. But even that was beginning to feel strained. She no longer knew how to act to him knowing that they were to be married. She felt like she had to be everything. And deep down inside, she knew nothing should change, but she couldn't help it. It just happened.

She had been feeling particularly dead once May was starting to close in. Everything seemed so helpless and Draco decided he did not want to witness her being so melodramatic anymore. He was sick of her behavior. He had to do something. He left his Herbology class early and waited for her outside of her last class of the day.

"Harry" Draco heard Crystal say with a light giggle. He watched as she held onto his arm and continued to giggle. "I can't, really." She said lightly, still carrying on obviously not noticing Draco. "But maybe tonight, once I get back we can ha-" She stopped and her face fell. She had seen Draco and almost immediately along with her face dropping, her hands pulled away from Harry as if he was on fire and she stood firm. "Draco" she said stiffly as Harry reached for his wand.

"Sweetheart that's no way to greet me" Draco sighed. He wanted her to go back to how they had been. But there was a fat chance there. He hoped that if he didn't hack at Potter and her other filthy friends in front of her he would be safe, but that wasn't working either. Tonight he was going to change that. She was his after all. His to love. Not Potter, not Longbottom, nor those damn Weasley twins, his.

"Sorry" Crystal smiled in a sickly false way as she reached out and lightly kissed Draco's cheek, making Harry tense up next to her. "I'll see you later" She turned to Harry and said with pained eyes. Harry nodded and knew he should listen, so he left and walked with Hermione and Ron instead. As much as Crystal didn't want Harry to go, she knew what she had to do. Though she found it a lot harder to do now that Dumbledore was gone, she felt like her mission no longer mattered.

Regardless Crystal took her place and stood firm attempting to keep her promise to herself. She had to save Draco.

Slowly Crystal turned back to Draco who was offering a warm arm to her. She took it but not with as much desire as Draco had hoped. Her arm was barely gripping him and showed how little she cared. She desired nothing more than to be back holding Harry's. But she would never say that. She had a name to uphold. Even if the rumors were already flying and she had gotten a huge tease from Fred and George. And the teases from Fred, Crystal didn't like at all. They seemed so evil and like he actually meant it. She tired ignoring them, but it wasn't easy. She had to let the rumors go. Any pureblood would.

"Mind if it's just you and I for dinner?" Draco asked as he attempted to pull her closer. He, despite having her company, felt lonely all the time. It's all because she felt so distant. She had gone back to her shell and he was beginning to think it was a bad idea to force her into staying away from her friends. She was so much better when she was free.

Crystal narrowed her eyes. She hadn't had much alone time with Draco, let alone eating alone with him. She wasn't sure what he was playing at but she nodded and followed him none the less. Draco let out a sigh of relief. She had agreed to it and that's all that matters. He let a soft smile trace his lips as he led her to her favorite deserted classroom.

As for Crystal, her lips were far from a smile. Her face rather was formed into a deep scowl as she moved one foot in front of the other. Her body seemed heavy as she followed Draco. She knew where he was taking her and deep inside she was kicking herself for showing him that room. The room her and the twins held dear. The please where thoughts and dreams were formed far away from the dark life she knows as pureblood society.

But her face quickly changed the minute Draco opened the door. Her shoulders fell and feet moved in a light manner as her eyes scanned the room. Draco really had gone all out. Laid in the middle of the room was a table with a silk green table cloth, covered with foods that Crystal favored, and beautiful candles. Oh the candles and fairy lights are what caught Crystal's eyes. He had closed all the windows and simply light the room with the fairy lights that had floated around at darted at their pleasure through the candles that filled the room. And to top it off, there on one of the beautiful chairs was an elegant box.

Crystal stared quizzically at Draco, who nodded and urged her forward to grab the box.

"Oh Draco…I" Crystal started to gush, wondering what she did to deserve this. Her eyes started to water, she had been awful to him as of recently. And being here let her know, things weren't different, if anything they were better. They would still be Crissy and Draco. They would always be Crystal and Draco. That would never change, just in the future it would be Mister and Mrs Malfoy. A title Crystal could live with.

As Crystal reached for the box, tears slowly escaped her lids as her lips formed into a smile.

"Go on" Draco urged with a smile as he rested on a hand on the crook of her back. He knew at that moment things would be alright, just maybe this once things would go his way.

"Draco…" Crystal whispered with wide eyes as she realized what was in the box. Draco on the other hand kept watching her closely, she seemed so full of emotions as her hands traced over the delicate goblin made bracelet. The bracelet to Crystal was perfect. She had owned several goblin made jewelry, so this didn't faze her in the slightest, no it was how well Draco knew her.

He had it especially made for her. He wanted the chain to be perfect. And it was, to him at least. He had the lace for the charm bracelet to be lined with foliage, something only a goblin could do, and then a perfect little charm in a heart shaped form. But not just any heart, on one side it held the Malfoy crest and on the other the Nott crest. He wanted it to symbolize the friendship they had held as children and friendship they'd have as adults.

Crystal stared at it knowing Draco did this, she could see his idea's through and through. She turned and smiled at him with tears shinnying down her cheeks. Looking as beautiful as ever she gave a sigh "Thank you Draco" She whispered.

"Anything for my princess" Draco reached forward and pulled out the bracelet and gently put it on her wrist before pulling her into a hug. "I love you" Draco whispered into her ear as he stroked her hair pulling her closer.

"I love you too" Crystal whispered back as she pushed away and let Draco usher her into her seat. "This is wonderful." Crystal commented as she stared around and started to pile some food onto her plate.

"You've been down lately, I had to do something." Draco shrugged and acted as if this simple act of kindness was nothing.

But it wasn't a simple act of kindness. It was an act of love. An act of love that shook Crystal to her core, an act that made her long for Draco in a way she never thought possible. Right now, her heart was beating fasting, her fingers were yearning to hold Draco's, and he mind was longing to hold him. She knew, what she had been denying to her friends for so long was that she loved him.

"I haven't been down" Crystal rolled her eyes, even if her heart was screaming in joy. "Just been avoiding you" She shrugged throwing him a playful eye as she cut her chicken.

"You had every right too." Draco sighed heavily as he dropped his fork and knife. "Your father found out, he's not pleased. He's ready to have you homed schooled, as is the Dark Lord."

Crystal's eyes widened, but her voice didn't falter at all. "Why? I hardly did anything wrong." She knew that wasn't true though. She just wanted to fight and she wanted to say something.

"Hardly did anything wrong?" Draco rolled his eyes slightly, but caught himself. He stayed calm, but his hands were twitching. "You were with the enemy, helping out. One more move like this and you will be force home and tortured like old times." Draco felt the memories flood in, but he tried to push them back as he went back to his food. He couldn't look at Crystal, if he did surely the memories wouldn't stop coming then.

"You worry too much." Crystal said as she mused herself by pushing her carrots around on the plate. She knew he was right. She knew she shouldn't be this way. She should obey, so she could help the order. But she was young and just wanted to be like everyone else.

"Only because you don't worry at all" Draco smiled up at her and knew he had made the right decision taking her here. She looked beautiful and carefree, like old times.