Draco's Point of View
It was Christmas. Better known as the worst day of the year. Every Christmas he visited us and every Christmas I wanted to cower in terror. This year was even worse. Unlike before, when I worried endlessly that he was going to uncover some hidden flaw in me now I had actually done something. Instead of focusing all my efforts into repairing the vanishing cabinet, I had been with his daughter! The daughter that he still had no idea where she was. And I sure as hell wasn't going to tell him.
I wore my best dress robes, as did my parents, and we sat in complete silence at our massive dining table. The house had already been decorated by the elves, giving the cold halls a cheery look. It was nice, even if it was a false happiness.
"Don't speak unless spoken to." My father whispered to my left. His eyes were empty and he held his hands on his lap. My mother looked nervous, and tried to grasp his hand but he didn't respond. Eventually she gave up and took a few deep breaths. My chest tightened. He was almost here.
Whatever happened, I had to protect my thoughts. I couldn't let him see her. I couldn't let him know that I knew who she was; that I had kissed her! I was very much regretting not staying with her for the holidays. No matter what occurred in the next hour, I had one goal: protect Grace.
I finally had something I wanted; and not just wanted, but loved. It was terrifying at first. Having someone who could hurt me with mere words just because of how much I cared for them. Love was a weakness. So said my father. But the overwhelming force that is Grace could not be fought off for long. I let myself love her. Realizing this, I knew I would do anything to keep her safe. No one was stealing away my precious friend. Not Potter, not my wretched family, nor hers as long as I had anything to say about it.
There was a tap on the door. Just a soft knock, nothing more. But in that instant I sat up perfectly straight, with my hand resting on my wand, and two house elves hurried down the long hallway to open the grand door.
He walked slowly down the corridor, making his way to the dining room where we sat waiting. A shiver ran up my spine as I made out the noise of a snake slithering against the tile. Nagini.
As Voldemort entered the room, my father stood. "Welcome, my lord." He said with a slight bow.
Voldemort inclined his head and said, "Lucius! The pleasure is mine. Narcissa, great to see you again." His gaze rested on me. "Draco my boy. How lovely you could join us."
I bowed, trying to control the fear and rage that burned my throat. My father sat down once again, and the dark lord took the seat across from him. The huge snake slowly made its way up it's master's chair and left it's head resting on his shoulder. It flicked it's tongue out occasionally and I could have sworn it whispered something to him every now and again. It gave me a shaky feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Voldemort stared at me intently, but after I met his eyes once, I kept them on my lap for the rest of the evening. He had Grace's eyes. I couldn't look at that.
They talked about inconsequential things for awhile along with various plans for how to dispose of the Order of the Phoenix one by one. Meanwhile, I focused my thoughts on a scrap of song lyrics that I kept repeating over and over again. I was pretty sure I would sense it if he tried to read my mind, but I wasn't taking any chances and the song kept my thoughts safely away from Grace.
But eventually, just like I knew it would, Voldemort's attention passed from my father and settled onto me. I repeated the song lyrics faster.
"Draco." He began. "How is school?"
"Very good sir." I answered smoothly, despite my frayed nerves.
He nodded. "I hear old Professor Slughorn has returned. He was a favorite teacher of mine you know. How do you like him?"
"He's an excellent teacher. I've learned quite a bit."
He chuckled, and the sound rose goosebumps on my arm. The snake seemed to be enjoying itself as well, which only added to the terror.
"You can learn quite a bit more from him if you ask the right questions." He said. I wasn't sure what he meant but I did not ask. The sooner he got bored of me the better.
"Now Draco, about the Vanishing Cabinet..." He said, a bit of steel entering his voice. My mother's eyes darted nervously between him and myself.
I remained composed. "It's almost complete." I lied. In all honesty, after the day-no, the moment- that I realized that I loved Grace, I had given it up. How could I help complete a plan that would put her in harm's way?
"Splendid!" He crooned, looking like he might clap like a small child would have. "The plan is very much underway. When the cabinet is finished, most likely in 3 months, my Death Eaters will enter the sister cabinet, and then one by one infiltrate the school. Nothing will stop us. Dumbledore will fall, and Hogwarts will be mine. To raise the next generation of witches and wizards as I see fit."
I shuddered. My father had seen fit to raising me that way as well. To despise muggles and mudbloods. To recognize that we are the divine species and should be treated accordingly. Raised on hatred and fear instead of love and family. The day I could move out would be a blessing.
"Once Hogwarts is under our control, the rest is easy. The ministry...and then the entire community. I'm proud of you Draco." He said. My father looked like he might start dancing, he looked so happy. Why was it that only when Voldemort gave me praise that my father was proud of me? That was why I tried so hard to please him. Just to earn that one look of pride from my father. Not anymore.
My mother twisted her hands nervously. "Will that be all my lord?" She asked quietly. My father shot her a dirty look.
The dark lord smiled. "Not quite Narcissa, I'm sorry to be intruding so long as it is."
"It is no bother at all my lord." My father countered.
"Thank you Lucius. There is one more thing I wanted to discuss with your boy."
I gulped and forced myself to meet his eyes. "Yes?" I asked calmly.
"Draco," he began. "I hear a lot of things you know, a lot about Hogwarts in particular. But some seem a bit more far fetched than others. Pray tell me, whether it is true or not that there is a new student at Hogwarts this year? And I don't mean a first year of course." He said almost sweetly. I froze, and chanted the lyrics even faster in my head.
Lie Draco lie.
"Is there?" I asked innocently. "If there is a new student, he or she is not in my year. At least as far I know."
"The student could be Gryffindor," My father chimed in. "Draco doesn't associate with those students."
Voldemort's expression tightened, as though some emotion was burning behind the placid mask. The snake seemed to say something to him again, and he nodded slightly in return. I hoped my eyes weren't betraying the very unstable emotions raging inside my head.
"Hm. Perhaps a rumor was all it was then." He murmured and looked as though he was about to leave. Just before he could stand however, an owl swooped over head and dropped a letter on my lap. The owl was unfamiliar; stark white except for a few black spots. Curious, I picked up the letter and examined it.
"Draco don't be rude." My father snapped. "Wait until our company has left."
"No, by all means! Read it!" Voldemort commanded. "In fact, how about I read it for you?" With a flick of his wand, the letter had flown from my hand and landed in his outstretched one. Oh no. I prayed to god that this was simply a report card or maybe a returned assignment. Anything but-
"Dear Draco," Voldemort read aloud in a slightly taunting voice. "Merry Christmas to you as well, I miss you just as much."
Oh no. Oh god. Oh my fucking god this was not happening to me. I tried to say something but it got caught in my throat and came out sounding like a strangled cry.
"Snape has already given me detention. On Christmas. We really get along so well..." Voldemort's voice was getting angrier as he read farther, but he kept going at the same slow pace.
Grace. Everything was over. My fault. I needed to do something. I needed to rip that letter from his hands and burn it. I needed to throw myself in front of her, to save her from his wrath.
"You would be happy to know that I forced Harry," Voldemort snarled. "to cut down a tree and haul it all the way back to castle. He looked like he might die from the effort. Anyway, please come home soon. Iloveyou."
No. Stop. His twisted voice contorted her sweet words and turned them into a growl. He was no longer reading but was glaring up at me from where he sat. The snake hissed at me, showing it's fangs. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe.
"Yours always," He paused and then smiled at me. The kind of smile that a lion would wear before it tore into it's prey's throat. "Grace."
I swallowed. And slowly stood up, the chair creaking against the tile, making a screeching noise that broke the silence. He stood as well, facing me. Still wearing that horrid smile, he pulled his wand from his pocket. My parents stared at me, horrorstruck; their expressions mirroring one another.
I drew my wand as well, as though to fight him.
"Draco." He hissed. "You are a liar. And a coward."
"My lord!" My mother practically screamed, jumping to her feet.
He whipped his wand toward her. "SIT DOWN." He snarled. "You you..." He sputtered, turning his wand back on me. "How dare you touch her! SHE. IS. MINE!" He pulled his arm back, ready to send a spell.
I dove to the side, landing on my shoulder hard. Pain rippled through me but I paid it no mind. I rolled over quickly, dodging a flash of green light. My mother screamed again. I needed to get out of here. I pushed myself to my feet quickly, ducking under another flying curse.
Sprinting out of the dining room, I flew down the halls heading for the fireplace in my room. Cursing the fact that I couldn't apparate yet, all the while. I could hear him following me, roaring and knocking my mother's precious vases over all the while.
"Turn around and fight me like a man Draco!" He screamed. I kept running. I passed the hallway fireplace and grabbed a handful of Floo Powder off of the mantle. Keeping it grasped tightly in my fist, I tore down the next corridor, making my way closer and closer to my room. Almost there.
Another green curse shot into the wall right next to my head. I gasped and my feet flew faster, my heels pounding against the stone floor, muffled by Voldemort's wild yells.
"I'll kill you! And Severus will be joining you soon after you filthy traitors!" He roared, sending another spell much too near my head.
I reached my room and yanked open the door, slamming it behind me as soon as I entered. I had already placed many charms on my door, meant to keep my father out when he was drinking. It would only open to those with no ill intentions. I could only hope that they would slow down the raging man behind me.
I sprinted over to the fireplace, tossing the powder in. I jumped in right after it shouting the first thing that came to mind. "The Gryffindor Common Room!"
The last thing I saw was my door flying open, but by then I was gone, darkness pressing up all against me, hurtling me toward Hogwarts. Toward her.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Grace's Point of View. Earlier that day...
"Well?" I asked. "How do you feel?"
Harry's eyes glazed over and a stupid smile crossed his face. "I feel great. Really brilliant." He smiled at me dumbly, looking completely and utterly high on the liquid luck.
I giggled. "Do you remember what you have to do now that you're all lucked up?"
He nodded. "I'm going to go see Hagrid." He started for the door, whistling as he went.
"What? Harry you have to get Slughorn's memory!" I reminded him, stepping in his path so he couldn't leave. He placed his hands on both sides of my face and stared at me with those sad green eyes of his.
"Grace," He drawled, still smiling. "I know you'll miss me. But I have to go. And Hagrid's just feels like the place to be tonight! You know what I mean?" He released my face and walked around me, and right out the door. I groaned.
If he had just wasted the only chance we had of getting this memory, I wouldn't need Draco's anger. I would murder him myself.
With a sigh, I realized the only thing to do now was to wait. I sat down at the desk in the corner of the room that was often used by Gryffindor students to do homework, or occasionally snog on. I would be doing neither, but writing a letter instead. I pulled a scrap of parchment from the pile on the desk and found one of Hermione's pens lying on the floor. With a dab in some ink, I began writing back to Draco.
Dear Draco,
Merry Christmas to you as well. I miss you just as much. Snape has already given me detention. On Christmas. We really get along so well... You would be happy to know that I forced Harry to cut down a tree and haul it all the way back to castle. He looked like he might die from the effort. Anyway, please come home soon. I love you.
Yours Always, Grace
Perfect.
I sealed the envelope. I really did miss him terribly. Yes, Draco was overprotective, jealous, and crazy some times but I really did love him. I often found myself entertaining thoughts that I haven't had since I was a little girl. The dream of a perfect wedding, buying our own home, raising children. Well that was thinking a little too far ahead, I admitted with a blush, but I couldn't stop the image from reappearing in my thoughts.
Draco holding a tiny, blonde of course, baby in his arms. My baby. Grinning from ear to ear, finally all the pain gone from his face and for once looking truly happy. I wanted that.
How I wished that my life could be simple. That my father was anything but what he was, a muggle even, so long as he wasn't this monster. The monster that allowed his love for his daughter to turn into obsession, so strong that he had sent all of his death eaters to kill the people who had ever harmed her, along with some innocents as well. The monster that would never allow me to marry. For I was always to be his. His little girl; forever.
I hated him. But I loved him also. How can a girl not love her father? Even when he's the most terrible person to walk this earth. Even when he's a monster.
I rose from the desk and exited the common room, heading for the owlery. I figured that while Harry was so whacked out of his mind, he wouldn't mind if I used Hedwig to send my letter. This made me smile. Harry Potter's owl, visiting the Malfoy's.
I stepped outside the castle, and the cold air nipped at my face. I walked quickly, making my way up the steep steps toward the owlery, my red and gold scarf wrapped tightly around my neck, attempting to shield out the bitter wind.
I stepped into the small room at the top of a hill, and was greeted by the hoots and calls of the many birds. I spotted Hedwig easily, as most of the owls were brown.
"Hey there." I said sweetly, patting Harry's owl softly on the head. She chirped softly, turning her head from side to side, eyeing me cautiously. I handed her the letter, which she took with a snap in her beak.
"Take this to Draco Malfoy, alright Hedwig?" She hooted and then took off immediately, soaring away from the school. She flew fast; I expected the letter would arrive very soon. I watched her fly and wondered for a moment what it would be like to join her.
I stayed up in the owlery, watching the birds come and go for what must have been the good part of an hour. When I eventually decided to leave, the sun was setting in the distance, causing the snow to sparkle with evening colors.
As I turned around to leave the bird's home, I ran into a little creature, a house elf in fact.
He shivered in the cold, switching his weight from one foot to the other, hopping in the snow.
"Oh!" I exclaimed. "Take my scarf!" He tried to protest, but I wrapped the scarf firmly around his tiny body before he could push me off. Eventually he gave in and held the scarf around himself.
"Misses. My name is Vurney. Master wants you." He squeaked, staring up at me with large brown eyes.
"Hello Vurney." I said warmly. "Who is your master?"
"Mr. Malfoy miss."
My eyebrows rose. "Draco?" I asked. I didn't know he had his own house elves. And what did he mean Draco wanted me?
"Yes misses. Come quickly. Master is not good." He pulled on my hand, and we started walking briskly back into the school and eventually up the stairs toward the Gryffindor common room.
"What are we doing here?" I asked, my brow furrowing in confusion. "I don't understand."
"Go in misses. He is there. Go." Vurney gave me a small push toward the fat lady portrait. I pushed the door open hesitantly, still completely confused as to why he would be here.
I stepped in, and froze. My Draco was curled up on the couch, staring into the fireplace blankly. He did not look up as I entered, but remained lying down on the couch.
"Draco." I cried, walking over to him. He still did not respond so I sat on the couch, taking his head onto my lap. He made a soft noise.
"Draco." I murmured again, one of my hands running through his hair and the other rubbing his back comfortingly. "Talk to me. Please."
His vacant stare, and his dead eyes were frightening me extremely.
"He knows Grace. He knows."
...
DRAMA. arrgg hope you liked it as much as I did!
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