Disclaimer: JKR owns everything, and I don't.

Chapter 14: Revelations

December descended upon Hogwarts in a flurry of cold, biting winds. Snow enveloped the Quidditch Pitch and a thick crust of ice gleamed on the lake. Lucretia took another bite of her bacon and tried to block out the noise around her. Intently, she continued to study the five pages of Ancient Runes' notes in front of her. Across from her, Aurelia was quizzing Blaise on the same subject. Pansy, Draco, and Zara sat further down the table, deep in conversation with Theo Nott and Daphne Greengrass. To Lucretia's right, Alexander and Cassius were discussing Quidditch tactics.

A flurry of wings interrupted Lucretia's reviewing, and she looked up to see her Father's eagle owl, Euripides, gazing at her. She took the letter, eager for the news of home. Nicking a slice of bacon, Euripides hooted softly and took off out of The Great Hall.

Dearest Lucretia,

I was thrilled to hear from your Potion's Master, Professor Snape, that you are doing exceedingly well in your classes. Your Mother, bless her soul, would have been very proud. I know you will continue to uphold the Davenport name at Hogwarts.

Business has kept me very busy. Caries has redone the South Parlor again and we have just received news that she is expecting. You will have a new brother or sister next summer. Speaking of children, your brother Adolphus' wife, Camille, gave birth to twins yesterday. Callisto and Cassandra are both beautiful and healthy.

Damon, Julia, and their son, Corvus will be spending the Yule with Caries and I. They were sorry to hear of your absence, but look forward to seeing you at the Annual Malfoy New Year's Eve Ball.

Lucretia paused. What in Hades is Father talking about…her absence during the Yule holidays? As much as I detest Caries I don't plan on spending Christmas at Hogwarts!

Personally, I was very pleased to hear that you would be spending the holidays with the Montagues. Antares and Lavinia Montague are excellent, respectable Purebloods. An alliance with their family would be most agreeable. I hope you will treat young Alexander with every kindness and be sure to thank them for their generous hospitality.

I will see you at the Malfoys. Have a pleasant Yule.

Orion

Lucretia stared at the parchment in shock. You have to be kidding me! How dare he? That sneaky git!

"Everything okay, luv?" Alexander inquired noticing the frown marring Lucretia's features.

Lucretia glanced up at his smug expression, fury brewing in her chest. "You bastard," she spat. Incensed, she grabbed her things and throwing Alexander a murderous glare, she stalked out of The Great Hall. Angry tears welled up in her eyes as she slipped into classroom eleven to hide. Merlin's beard, she wanted to throttle Alexander!

"You know, I really didn't appreciate your choice of language," Alexander said as he sauntered into the classroom, casually brushing his dark hair out of his eyes.

Lucretia sat at an empty desk, clenching her hands. "Well, I really don't appreciate you going behind my back and asking my Father to have me stay with you during the holidays! You could have at least asked me first!"

"I didn't ask him."

"What?"

"I had my Father ask him. I don't know your Father. It would have been impertinent for me to write to him," Alexander answered in a bemused tone.

"Impertinent! Arrgh!" she roared. This was too much. He was trying to take too much control of her life. It wasn't to be born! Lucretia stood up and paced the length of the classroom, her mind racing. Turning, she pointed her wand at Alexander's chest and stalked towards him. That's it…this has gone far enough! "What did you do? What spell did you place on me?"

Alexander raised a single eyebrow at her questions, a sly smile playing on his lips. Will she ever learn? Oh well, bring it on Lucretia. "Whatever are you talking about, luv?"

"I asked you a question, Alexander! What spell did you fucking place on me?" she shouted enraged. I'll wipe that smug smile off your aristocratic face!

"You sound like a filthy mudblood when you swear Lucretia. I would appreciate if you would act your station."

"Fuck off Alexander! I want to know right now what you did to me! I deserve to know!" Pure rage coursed through her veins and Lucretia smacked him hard across the face.

Oh that won't do at all. Alexander grabbed her harshly by the wrist and pushed her roughly away from him. "I don't think you need to worry about that. We were meant for each other Lucretia! Whatever I do is only for your protection," he replied dangerously.

"So help me, if I have to hex you Alexander to get a straight answer, I will!"

Alexander remained nonplussed. "Be my guest."

Don't believe I'm serious…fine, you leave me no choice. "Crucio!" Lucretia shrieked. As soon as the word left her lips, pain ripped through her body like a thousand hot knives stabbing her. Her wand clattered to the ground as she screamed in agony. With the drop of her wand, the spell released and she crouched, trying to catch her breath.

"Interesting side effect," Alexander commented as he plucked her wand from the floor. Stupid witch! Fingering it, he added, "I told you we were bound, Lucretia. You cannot use your wand against me, nor can I use mine against you."

Lucretia's mind tried to digest this information and a curious thought popped into her head. "You can't kill me then," she blurted out, her eyes narrowed in sadistic amusement. "All that talk of murdering me if I betray you, and your wand won't allow it." Laughter bubbled up from her throat.

The musical notes of her laughter enraged him. Grabbing her roughly by the shoulders, Alexander growled, "The killing curse will end the binding, Lucretia. Be assured, if I choose to kill you, I can, and nothing will stop me!"

She gazed up at Alexander in pure wonderment. "How do you know I won't kill you first?" she whispered.

"It may come to that my dear, but we'll cross that bridge later." Alexander handed her wand back to her and headed towards the door. Pausing mid-stride, he looked back at her, his eyes raking in her beauty. It would be a pity to have to kill her. She's such a fun, little plaything. I'll be a Hufflepuff if any witch will push me around though. She better behave, or so help me… "You might want to hurry up or you'll be late for your exam," he said with a smug smile.

hr

"That was an interesting display at breakfast," Aurelia commented, brushing her golden hair back behind her ears.

"Yes, indeed. I'm sure Montague will have already addressed the issue," Cassius said, a sarcastic grin on his face. "I don't envy Lucretia right now. Listen, my parents have asked for you to stay at Longfield Park during the Yule break."

Aurelia paused, drinking in the invitation. Cassius' parents must approve of her if they were asking her to stay at their home. "Do you want me to go?" she asked coyly.

"Of course. I will have to work a couple of days at my Father's office, but that will give you time to get to know my Mother better."

"You'll have to work?" she pouted.

"Just a few days and I have a couple of night time meetings I have to attend. Other than that, I will spend the rest of my time spoiling you." Cassius gave her a quick kiss on the nose. His Father had written last week to let him know that he agreed with Cassius' choice of a bride and that he would begin negotiations with Aurelia's Father, Ethan, for her hand. If everything went to plan, Cassius intended to propose before the Malfoy's Ball, so they could announce their engagement that night. His Mother would plan an Easter wedding and upon graduation, Cassius would inherit the Ballantine fortune.

"So, you'll come, right?"

"I'd love to."

hr

"Will I see you tonight?" Draco asked, retying his school tie.

"Can't. I have a DA meeting tonight," Ginevra answered as she buttoned her skirt. Draco had practically molested her in the hallway before dragging her into a nearby broom closet.

"Another DA meeting? Damn, Potter's really serious about this shite!"

"I know. Between Quidditch and this, I barely have any free time," she muttered, pulling her jumper of her head. Ginny felt Draco's arms wrap around her waist and pull her close. He nuzzled her neck, the light stubble on his face tickling her.

"I'm really proud of you, Ginevra," he whispered in her ear. "I know how maddening it must be for you to spend time with them, and all the information you provide me with, I truly appreciate."

Her heart soared. She placed a soft kiss on his lips and answered softly, "I know." She sighed wearily. "I can't wait till we can leave this place behind and just be together."

"Me too." Draco closed his eyes and internally wished that this would come true. The redheaded temptress in his arms had charmed her way into his heart. He would give his soul to the Dark Lord for an eternity with her.

"Promise me Draco. Promise me we will always be together," she whispered, a note of hysteria entering her voice.

He smoothed back her auburn hair and kissed her cheek. "We'll always be together, Ginevra. I promise."

hr

"He's gotten too close to her."

"If I'm not mistaken, that was the whole idea, Pans," Blaise drawled. He sat at his desk, quill in hand, drafting a letter to his Uncle Jeran.

Pansy took a long sip from the china tea cup. "I think he's falling for her, Blaise."

"This is Dray we're talking about…remember, the ice prince."

"Well, obviously fire and ice doesn't mix," she answered in a frustrated voice. Getting up from her spot in front of the fire, she made her way over to Blaise's desk. Pushing a pile of parchment out of the way, she hopped up on the desk, and crossed her long, pale legs. "I'm serious Blaise. I really think she's gotten to him. If he fucks up the plan, we're screwed! The Dark Lord doesn't take kindly to mishandled tasks," she shivered, envisioning the snarling face of Lord Voldemort.

"It won't come to that Pansy." Blaise looked at her, a serious expression on his face. "Draco knows what he has to do. He swore his allegiance to the Dark Lord, the same as you and me. He will fulfill his task."

"And if he can't?"

"Then I will."