A Touch Of Destiny Chapter 14: Cruel Intentions EDITED, a harry potter fanfic

Hey guys – just a warning about this chapter, there is some sensitive material in it – mainly attempted rape. Don't like, don't read, but there are a few reasons why my story is rated M.

XXX

"So I said 'No Idon't want the dress owl-ordered, I want it now.But of course the saleslady at Enchanting Fashions was soooo incompetent. . ." Gwen made a dismissive noise and waved her hand. "I asked her, 'Do I look like the kind of girl who waits around for a week when I have better things to do?"

Fred grunted noncommittally and took another shot of Firewhiskey. The warmth of the liquor was finally loosening him up a bit but it would take a few more shots before he would be able to handle Gwen's ramblings. And a few more after that before he could handle seeing Claire. With George,he growled. He motioned the barkeep for another one, barely noticing that Gwen had gone on.

". . .So of course my father had a few choice words with her superior. He's very influential - Fred are you even listening to me?"

Fred looked over to see Gwen with a peeved glare aimed at him. "Of course I am. Sorry Gwen," he said, trying to placate her.

Gwen looked pleased. "Good, well, as I was saying -"

"Finally!" A flash of long red hair whipped by Fred and he looked to see his slightly buzzed sister leap on the two people who had just come in the club. "I'm so glad you made it!"

"Thanks Ginny," Claire said laughing, prying the girl off her. "You look good!"

"What this old thing?" Ginny grinned jokingly, fingering the strap on her sparkly green tank top. She winked. "And you look awesome as well."

Ginny moved out of the way and Fred almost inhaled his shot of Firewhiskey. Bloody hell. . . he thought.

He loved the whole girl-next-door persona she gave off, but this. . .he had trouble keeping his eyes away from that luscious view of cleavage that the tank top gave. Not enough to be skanky, but enough to set his imagination wild. Red is a damn good color on her,he thought dazedly. It wasn't just red. It was sinful red. His eyes freely roamed her sun-kissed skin, smooth as silk, on her long neck, her smooth stomach, down to her waist. . .that George's arm was so casually thrown around. Suddenly his blood burned for an entirely different reason.

"Well well well," Gwen drawled. "Looks like Mary-Sue decided to stop playing house. Just be careful. I hear public indecency tickets are quite expensive these days."

Claire raised an eyebrow. "Big words there Gwen. Did you pay big galleons for those too, or did you spend all of it on that floatation device you call a chest?"

George sprayed half the group with butterbeer as he roared with laughter. Ginny looked as if she could burst with pride, and Hermione, Harry, and Ron were all laughing as well. Fred tried desperately to cover up his laughter with a wild cough, which turned into loud hiccoughs as Gwen turned purple with rage. Merlin, his timid little rose had grown quite the backbone.

"Why you little -" Gwen growled.

"Ah ah ah," Claire tutted. "We wouldn't want you to pop anything." She grinned as the entire crowd fell into giggles once more. She grabbed George's arm. "Let's dance," she said.

"You don't have to convince me, love," George said grinning. Fred wasn't laughing anymore. He watched as they disappeared into the sea of people.

Hermione watched Fred's reaction and felt a little sorry for him. She went over to him. "It's your own fault you know," she said quietly.

"Hmm?" Fred snapped his attention away from Claire and his brother reluctantly. "Oh," he said. "I know." He smiled wryly. "George said as much the same thing." He shrugged. "Can't say I blame him."

Hermione cocked her head to one side. "It's just a bit strange. I've seen you and George go after girls for years. I've just never seen you get this jealous."

Fred frowned. "Yeah, well, maybe this time is different."

Hermione laughed a little. "Of course it is." Her smile widened. "You've never been in love before."

Fred's eyes snapped up to hers. "You don't know what you're talking about." It came out a bit forced and Fred knew it.

Hermione shook her head. "Don't even try to hide it. I went through the same thing with Ron you know."

Fred didn't say anything. Hermione leaned in to whisper in his ear. "You could always cut in, you know."

Fred smiled a bit. Now there was an idea. He chanced a glance over at Gwen, who looked miffed at being neglected again. He saw Dean, Seamus, and Neville walk in and breathed a sigh of relief. Here was his escape.

"Hey mates," he called, waving them over. They waved back and walked over.

"Hey Fred," Seamus said. "How are ya?"

"Not too bad," Fred said. "You guys remember Gwen?" The 3 nodded as each of their gazes landed immediately on her chest that Gwen tried extra hard to show off. She preened when they immediately greeted her enthusiastically.

Fred was glad that Parvati, Lavender, and Luna were elsewhere, he really didn't want to be the cause of a female hissy fit. The 3 girls hated Gwen and would blow a gasket if they saw their boyfriends anywhere near her. When Gwen and the others were distracted in conversation, he stood up, and purposefully strode over to where Claire and George were dancing on the floor.

"Can I cut in?" he said, smoothly grasping Claire's hand gently from where it lay on George's arm.

Claire was startled by his sudden appearance. She was even more startled and a little frightened by the intensity of his eyes as he looked at her. George looked at her for her approval and she nodded slightly. George smiled and threw up his hands in a mocking sign of surrender. He threw Fred a look she couldn't quite interpret as he melted back into the crowd. Without saying anything Fred slowly took her in his arms and they started to sway back and forth.

"Are you having a good time?" Fred said. He said it right in her ear since the music was too loud to talk normally. She nodded mutely. The feel of his hands on her bare skin made it so she couldn't think of an intelligible sentence to form.

"Um, yes," she said. "I've never really done anything like this, so I suppose it's a new experience for me."

Fred smiled and Claire couldn't help but melt a little. "It doesn't show. You fit in just fine."

Claire laughed a little. "Good to know." A new song started up, this one still as upbeat as the last one, but somehow more sensual and Fred pulled her even closer to him and Claire prayed that he didn't feel the slight shiver that ran through her body. "Now we're talking," he said, almost to himself.

You Know I Don't know what it is

but something about you is so irresistible

Don't you try and tell me that he's not my type

To Hide what I feel inside

When he makes me weak with desire

I Know that I'm supposed to make him wait

Let him think I like the chase but I cant

stop fanning the fire, I Know I meant

to say No

They danced with the upbeat tempo, but so close together that they could feel each curve of each other's bodies. Fred had to restrain himself from burying his face in her hair. She smelled incredible. She smelled like roses as usual, but she had on a perfume too. Light, but musky. It made him think of dark, sultry, moonlit nights, candlelight, and bed sheets. He gritted his teeth as soon as the image came to him. Merlin, don't torture yourself more than you have to,he thought to himself.

She looked up at him and their eyes locked. They kept dancing, not even thinking about how close their bodies were, it came so natural. Their rhythm was perfectly synchronized as if they had been doing this for years.

But he's irresistible

up close and personal

now inescapable

I can hardly breathe, more than just

physical deeper than spiritual

his ways are powerful

and irresistible to me (yeah yeah, I can hardly breathe)

Dont you think I'm trying to tell my heart whats right

That I should really say goodnight

But I cant stop myself from falling (falling)

Maybe I'll tell him that i feel the same

that I dont want to play no game (No)

Cuz when I Feel his arms wrapped around me

I know meant to say No (I Meant To Say No...)

Claire couldn't help but relate perfectly to the song. Fred looked unbelievably handsome in a sexy brown button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up slightly, revealing his muscled biceps and the color set off his warm brown eyes perfectly. She had noticed his jeans before, how they hung lightly on his hips and made his butt look fabulous.

Oh Merlin,she groaned to herself. You totally just admitted you were checking out his butt!Fred seemed to notice her perusal of him and he grinned devilishly.

"Like what you see?" he said and Claire was thankful that it was too dark to see her scalded cheeks.

"Of course," she said, recovering herself. She grinned impishly and decided to play with him a bit. "How about you? Like what yousee?"

Fred chuckled a bit darkly and Claire shivered. "Understatement of the year," he murmured. He finally gave into his urge and nuzzled his nose on her neck. Claire was glad he was holding her or her knees would have buckled from under her. "You look incredible," he whispered in her ear.

Claire bit her lip and Fred swallowed a groan. Merlin, she looked sexy when she did that. "Thank you," she said smiling.

They continued dancing and Claire was overtaken by the feelings and sensations coursing through her body. Feelings only he could invoke. She knew by the look in his eyes that he felt the same.

"Fred what's happening with us?" she almost whispered.

"You feel it too don't you?" Fred murmured into her ear. He pulled back to look at her. "It's how it is with us. I don't know what it is. All I know is that I've never felt this way. The way you look, the way you smell. . ." he ran his thumb across her bottom lip. "The way you taste." He leaned down again. "I know you feel it too, Claire. It's undeniable." He smiled a bit wryly. "You have no idea what you do to me." They danced closer, and Claire's hip suddenly met his and she gasped as she felt exactlyhow she affected him.

"I think I have an idea," she said, hoping to hold back the moan that threatened to escape her.

But He's Irresistible (Irresistible)

Now inescapable

I can hardly breathe ( I can hardly breathe)

more than just physical

deeper than spiritual (oh oh yeah)

His ways are powerful

Irresistible to me

Cant You see whenever he's close to me

I really find it hard to breathe

Hes so irresistible

baby you know its more than just spritual

His kisses are powerful

As they danced, they moved closer and closer together, if that was even possible. Fred knew she could feel the effects she had on his body. He wondered if it would scare her away, but she smiled slightly and kept dancing with him. She didn't even flinch away when one hand moved almost subconsciously to her butt, his other hand drawing small circles on her bare waist. If anything, she moved closer to him, both arms thrown around his neck, holding on to him as if he would disappear.

Their breathing came out heavier and heavier as the other dancers moved with the music as well. Not that they were aware of anyone else in the room.

Holding her like this was driving Fred mad. He could feel her desire just as heavily as he could feel his own. Merlin I want her,he thought torturously. He had thought of her sexually before of course, ever since his mad attraction to her first started. But this was almost insane. Her eyes locked on his again and once again Fred could feel himself falling into those brilliant violet orbs. But it's so much more than that. So much more. . .

He's so Irresistible (yeah yeah)

Up close and personal (oh yeah)

Now inescapable I can hardly breathe (I can hardly breath)

More than just physical (oh yeah)

Deeper than Spiritual

His ways are powerful

Irresistible to me

He's Irresistible (yeah yeah)

up close and personal (irresistible to me)

I can hardly breathe

more than just physical

deeper than spritual

His ways are powerful

Irresistible To Me...

The song ended almost abruptly starting into a faster, almost rock song. They pulled away, both breathing heavily. The spell was broken rudely and they looked away slightly.

"Umm," said Claire. "I think I'm going to grab a drink." Fred nodded, trying to get his breathing back under control. He watched her walk quickly to the bar.

You bloody, sodding idiot,he scolded himself. You were acting like some randy teenager.

He followed her back to the bar. He needed something cold to drink. And preferably alcoholic.

XXX

In a forgotten corner of the club, Gwen was seething. That little slag! Her and Fred were practically having sex in the middle of the dance floor! She watched as the song ended, and they pulled away, their faces flushed, chests heaving. Claire said something to Fred and dashed off, leaving Fred looking dazed. Gwen had never made Fred look like that and it infuriated her.

What was happening here? She was used to having most of the male population in the palm of her hand. But now, 2 years later, apparently all of London had gone mad.

And all because of that little tramp,she muttered. Who the hell was that Bella girl anyway? She hadn't gone to Hogwarts, and she would bet her designer purse that she hadn't gone to Beauxbatons either. Gwen knew most of the Beauxbatons students and she sure as hell didn't remember some mousy little nobody. But she wasa nobody, and was easily overlooked, she supposed.

Not as overlooked as you would think,Gwen mused as she noticed Claire chatting with Dean, Neville, and Seamus. There was something very different about that girl. Something that almost scared her. She had an aura to her, a certain power that radiated from her. Something not quite human. . .

"Jealousy eez not a flattering trait, Gwendolyn," a cool voice said from behind her. Her lips curved into a slow smile as she turned to greet the person behind her.

"Well, well, well," she said. "I'm surprised to see you here. Not exactly your type of scene."

The man chuckled darkly. "I have my reasons," he said. He grinned. "As do you." His eyes flickered to Fred. "You want him."

Gwen shrugged. "I suppose he's handsome. It's no fun when they're not eating out of the palm of your hand, however."

The man chuckled again and Gwen shivered. Merlin, she could feel the danger radiating from him and it turned her on like none other. "My dear Gwendolyn, you were sorted into the wrong house at Hogwarts. You would have made a wonderful Slytherin."

Gwen snorted. She had heard that before.

The man smirked. "I believe we can help each other."

Gwen turned her attention back to him and couldn't help the malicious smile that curved her lips.

XXX

Claire sucked down her third rum and coke, fully aware of the slightly stunned looks that her friends were giving her.

"Merlin, that girl can drink," Ron muttered and Claire frowned. Great,she mused wryly. Now I look like a lush.

"I jus' needed summin cold to drink," she muttered, wincing as she noticed the slurring in her voice. Ron and Harry both chuckled.

Ginny grinned cheekily. "I'd say after that little performance you'd need a cold shower." Claire glared at her friend, who only grinned wider.

"Oh don't tease her," Hermione scolded gently.

"Thank you Hermione," Claire said.

"After all, who would blame the girl after that erotic tango?" Claire groaned and put her head in her hands.

"Oi!" Ron bellowed. "You mind? That's my brother!"

"I'm not daft, Ron, I know that, and you know I didn't mean anything by it." She poked him in the chest. "It's just a casual observation. I'm just saying that I can't blame Claire for being hot for one of you Weasley men." She grinned over at Claire. "It happens to the best of us."

"Ok, stop!" Claire laughed, throwing up her hands in surrender. "You four," she glared at Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione. "Are ridiculous."

"But we're right aren't we?" Harry said grinning.

Claire smiled. "Maybe." She shrugged. "But I don't know. . ."

"Just go for it," Ginny said. "He's crazy about you!"

"Yes, but there's so much going on," Claire said. She was starting to sound like an old broken muggle record. . .only believing what she was saying less and less.

She looked down and breathed out a sigh. "I'm scared," she murmured.

Her four friends smiled empathetically at each other. Hermione came up and looped her arm through Claire's.

"Trust me, Claire, I know it's scary. But you just have to take that leap of faith, and trust that they'll catch you." She smiled lovingly at Ron, and he winked at her. "When they do, it makes it all so completely worth it."

Claire thought about what her friend was saying. Was she brave enough?

"Maybe," she murmured finally. "Anyway, I've got to go use the loo -" she stood up then swayed a little as little black dots swam in front of her eyes. Harry and Ron both grabbed an arm to steady her.

"You alright?" Ron said, concerned.

"Yes," Claire giggled. "Bit of a head rush. I shouldn't have had that third drink."

"Do you want someone to go with you?" Harry asked, still holding her arm.

Claire waved him off. "No, I'll be alright. I'll just be back in a moment."

Claire weaved her way through the crowd, stumbling a bit.

Well, those drinks suddenly hit me all at once, didn't they?she thought vaguely.

She finally made it to the back hallway where the bathrooms were and frowned at the sign on the ladies room.

Out of order?she thought, irritated. Well that's just bloody wonderful.She peered down the hallway where there were a few more doors, mostly likely used for storage or office space, she supposed.

"Well there's got to be another loo around here somewhere," she muttered. She noticed one door was slightly ajar. She looked inside, seeing nothing but darkness.

"Hello?" she called. "Is there anybody -oof!" she grunted as she felt a pair of hands shove her from behind and she tumbled none too gracefully into the room. The door slammed behind her and she was met with complete darkness.

What the bloody hell. . .?she wondered, trying to clear the alcohol fumes from her head so she could get her bearings. She felt her way to the door again and turned the knob. It was locked. She swallowed hard. What was going on?

She felt around her hair, looking for a bobby pin she could use to pick the lock. She froze in terror as she heard a smooth voice behind her.

"Ah my beautiful Bella." A wand tip was lit and Claire let out a small scream as she looked up into the sinister face of Jacques Malfoy. "We are alone at last."

XXX

Fred let out a mournful sigh as he stirred his drink with his finger. He was really getting ridiculous.

Just tell her how you feel, you cowardly git,he thought to himself.

Yeah, that will do a lot of good, he scoffed. "So Princess, I know you rule an entire magical world and could fry my nether regions with a lightning bolt, but you have no idea how much I want to throw you down and shag you senseless." Yeah that would go over really well.

Not that part,a little voice in his head tutted. The other part. The part where you finally admit that you love her.

Fred froze as this admitted revelation came to him. He had no time to ponder it deeper when Ginny suddenly launched herself at him.

"Fred, we need your help!" she said, looking frantic.

"Ginny?" Fred asked, frowning. "What's wrong?"

"We can't find Claire!" Ginny was tugging on his arm.

Fred's heart rate sped up as he looked around the club, searching for that wavy brown hair.

"What do you mean, you can't find her? She was just with you."

"Yes but she went to go use the loo. I went to follow her because she was a bit drunk, except there is an out of order sign on it. I've looked in the crowd and she's nowhere to be found."

"That's odd," Luna said from where she was sitting next to Neville at the bar. She frowned. "I just used that loo just before Claire did. It worked just fine."

Fred felt a panic start to rise from within him. Something was not right. Harry and Ron came up to them, Charlie, George, and Bill right behind them.

"She's not outside either," Ron said. He looked worried. "Something isn't right."

"Ok, let's split up," Bill said. "Look in the crowd, check the loos, everywhere you can think."

Fred was in a panicked haze. "Come on Fred," Charlie said. "She'll be fine, I promise."

Fred could only nod mutely as he scanned the crowd.

Claire,he thought frantically. Where are you?

XXX

"Wh-what are you doing here?" Claire stuttered. "Let me out. P-please."

"Not yet, ma cherie," he crooned as he flattened her against the door and sniffed her neck. Claire shivered in revulsion. She pushed against him but she may as well be pushing a brick wall.

"I don't know what it eez about you," he murmured in her ear. "I have not been able to get you out of my head. Ever seence I first saw you wiz those Weasleys." He said the name with disgust. "Zat one twin, the way you two dance around each other, eet eez disgusting," he spat. "Be wiz me, ma cherie, and you would want for nuzing. Be wiz a real man."

"Fred is more of a man than you will ever be," Claire said harshly. She yelped as Jacques grabbed her throat and held her against the door.

"Wrong answer, my dear," he murmured, his eyes glittering dangerously.

"Remember, I can take you here wiz or wizout your permission. You can make eet easier on boz of us if you just complied." He leered at her. "I can make it worth your while."

Terror and revulsion ripped through Claire and she fought against him, kicking him in the shin. He barely winced as he pinned her with his body against the door. She opened her mouth to scream but he muttered a quick charm and Claire suddenly found she couldn't speak.

"Well then," Jacques said slowly. "I suppose that eez your answer." He shrugged. "No matter. I quite enjoy a struggle actually. Makes eet so passionate." He leered again. "But I find I am disappointed I had to silence you." He nuzzled her neck. "Another time, I will enjoy your screams."

Claire fruitlessly fought against him as hard as she could. She let out a silent sob when she heard the fabric rip on her shirt. She kicked and struggled and Jacques slapped her hard and threw her to the ground. Her jaw ached from his slap and she shivered in disgust, feeling bile rise up in her throat as she felt his cold, greedy hands on her chest, arms, and hips.

Merlin help me,she thought feverishly as she kicked and struggled, feeling the alcohol rage through her system, making her off balance and dizzy, her captor's hands pining her to the ground. Please let someone find me in time.

XXX

They had searched the entire club and there was still no sign of Claire. Fred was sick with worry.

Where the hell could she be?he thought frantically.

"This is all my fault," Ginny said from beside him and she put her head in her hands. Harry put his arms around her.

"No it's not Gin," he said, kissing his girlfriend on the head. "We had no idea she would disappear like this."

"Yes but we knew she was drinking. I should have gone with her to the loo." Ginny looked miserable.

"Blaming ourselves is not going to help us find her," Bill said, trying to make his sister feel better.

"Hey what's back there, in the back of the club? I don't think we looked there." Ron was peering to the back of the club.

Fred whipped his head around and saw a dark hallway near the loos. How could they have missed those?

"Storage maybe," Charlie said, shrugging. "Let's take a look." The group started back to the hallway and Fred suddenly found his way blocked by Gwen.

"Come dance with me, Fred." She smiled and tugged on his arm. Fred shook her arm away.

"Not now Gwen, there are more pressing matters. We can't find Cla-" Ginny kicked him and he quickly corrected himself. "Bella. We can't find Bella."

Gwen looked at him suspiciously after his little slip of the tongue, then looked irritated. "Who cares? She probably went home early." She giggled. "That little girl can't handle her alcohol." She tugged on his arm again. "Come on Freddy," she crooned. "You haven't danced with me all night."

Thank Merlin for that,Fred thought, shaking off her grip again. "No Gwen! Get the hint!" He pushed ahead of her, hearing George chuckling behind him.

Gwen looked peeved for a moment, then her eyes widened as she saw where they were headed. Oh shit,she thought, frantically scrambling after them. If they find her he'll be furious!

Fred saw a hallway full of doors. "You guys check these rooms. Maybe she's in here somewhere." Everyone set to work at checking the various storage rooms. Fred himself tried a doorknob and found it locked. He whipped out his wand to perform an unlocking charm when Gwen suddenly launched herself in front of him, blocking the door.

"No you can't!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"Gwen, what the hell are you doing!" Fred said, trying to move her out of the way. "Move!"

"She's not in here, I already checked." Gwen's eyes shifted slightly and Fred could tell she was lying.

"You didn't even know she was missing until a few minutes ago. What the hell are you playing at?"

Gwen opened her mouth, trying desperately to find something to say, when they all heard a thump against the door. Fred and the others froze, their wands aimed at the door.

"Gwen, move." Fred's tone left no room for argument and Gwen reluctantly moved out of the way. Fred pointed his wand on the lock.

"Alohamora"he muttered hearing the click of the lock, he opened the door.

There was a scuffle in the darkness and Fred flipped on the light. What he saw next had him so blinded with rage and disgust that he shook from it. Claire was on the ground, her red shirt ripped, her hair mussed, and her eyes wide with terror and tears. There was a bruise forming on her jaw and her arms were pinned on the ground by none other than Jacques Malfoy as he lay on top of her.

"You!" Fred snarled and without thinking, launched himself at the blonde rat. He pried Jacques off Claire, and she scrambled away. Fred threw his wand to the ground and punched Jacques as hard as he could, catching the man off guard. Before he could stop himself, he was throwing one punch after another, throwing his whole body into it, rage like he had never known infusing his entire being.

"YOU SICK - TWISTED - SON - OF A BITCH -!" he yelled, enunciating each word with a kick or a punch. "HOW DARE YOU EVEN THINKABOUT TOUCHING HER!" He lifted his fist to punch him again but was pried off him by his brothers.

"LET ME GO!" he yelled, struggling against their grip. It took Charlie, Bill, and Ron to hold him back. "I'M GOING TO RIP HIM APART!"

"Stop it Fred!" Bill grunted, trying to get his furious younger brother under control. "He's not worth it!"

"I DON'T CARE!" Fred exclaimed, still struggling. "HE TOUCHED MYGIRL, TRIED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER, AND FOR THAT I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!"

"No Fred, don't!" Claire yelled tearfully. She finally had her voice back, thanks to a counter spell performed by Hermione.

Fred froze, turning to her. She looked so vulnerable and scared sitting there on the floor, Ginny's arms around her protectively, Harry's jacket covering her exposed chest. He ran over to her.

"Are you alright?" he said, his voice quivering as he examined her. "Are you hurt? Did he -" he trailed off, afraid to even say it.

Claire shook her head quickly. "No," she said. "You found me in time." More tears gathered in her eyes and Fred enveloped her in his arms. Claire snuggled herself as close as she could get to him, trying to stop herself from trembling.

Meanwhile, Jacques was struggling to his feet, and Harry and Ron immediately pointed their wands on him. Blood was trickling from his nose, his eye already getting purple, and his perfectly groomed hair was a mess. His eyes glittered in rage and to everyone's shock he turned to Gwen, who was in the back of the room, looking fearful.

"You stupid bitch!" he exclaimed, glaring at her. "You said you would distract them!"

Everyone froze at this and turned to Gwen, who had turned a sickly shade of green. Fred stood up slowly and walked over to Gwen. She gulped at the look of rage in his eyes.

"You?" Fred said, quietly. "You did this?"

"I- I don't know what you mean," Gwen said quietly.

"DID YOU HELP MALFOY GET TO HER?" he bellowed and Gwen flinched. She was silent for a moment, then looked up, steel in her eyes.

"Yes," she said firmly. "Yes I did. I put the out of order sign on the loo when I saw her walking back there, and then I pushed her in here. She deserved it. I won't be sorry about it."

Fred felt his fist clench and tried to tamp down his rage. I will not punch a girl, I will not punch a girl, I will not punch a girl,he chanted in his head.

"Why?" he growled.

Gwen glared. "Because she's a little slag who suddenly gets all the attention. And for what? I can't think of anything. But you can't seem to stay the hell away from her."

"So this was all about jealousy and your petty insecurities?" Fred spat out venomously. Gwen didn't say anything.

"Get the hell out of here," he growled.

"What?" Gwen said, affronted.

"You heard me," Fred said, his voice leaving no room for argument. "I don't ever want to see you again. Get out."

For a moment, Gwen looked like she was going to start to cry and then she swallowed and let her fury show in her eyes. She looked him dead in the eyes.

"You're going to regret this Fred Weasley," she said.

"I highly doubt that," Fred said, chuckling darkly.

"Oh, but you will," Gwen said. She smiled maliciously. "Because I'm not as stupid as everyone else is." She glanced over at Claire. "She didn't go to Beaubaxton's, and she's no long-term friend of the family. So who the hell is she?" she shook her head. "I've tried to put my finger on it and I can't figure it out, but I have one guess."

"And what is that?" Fred said, fear trickling into his mind.

Gwen smiled slyly. "I would guess," she said slowly. "That she's something not quite human. Those purple eyes, that aura around her. . ." she tilted her head to the side and pretended to look thoughtful. "In fact, she looks almost. . . fae. But that can't be possible, now can it?"

Jacques was sitting on the ground trying to bend his nose back into the correct position, but froze when he heard this. Something not quite human. . .looks almost fae. . .Something like recognition trickled through him, and he looked at the girl again. That long brown hair, those violet eyes. . .

He gasped as a memory slammed into his mind.

FLASHBACK~~~~~~~~~~

"Please, stop hurting me!" the girl screamed as she struggled against the chains. "I'm telling you I don't know anything!"

Jacques ran his finger down the girls cheek and looked into her brilliant violet orbs, reveling in the fear he saw in them. "I'm afraid that's not good enough,ma cherie."

She was so beautiful, but he would not lower himself to takingher, this half-blood. The very thought disgusted him. He looked over at his Master. At a nod from the Dark Lord, he drew his wand on her again.

"Crucio!" The half-blood screamed again, her dark brown hair falling in front of her face, as she convulsed with pain. He smiled again, relishing the sounds of her screams. . .

Jacques shook his head, the fumes finally clear as he finally saw Claire for the first time. His eyes widened in shock.

"It's you!" He leaped to his feet and Harry and Ron immediately held onto him. "You stupid fae bitch! We will have you!"

The last thing Malfoy saw was a fist looming in his face and then heard a crunch as it connected with his nose that he had just tried to reposition. He fell on the ground, darkness creeping around him and heard a voice from above him.

"Obliviate!"

XXX

Claire looked at Jacques unconscious form on the ground. She was so shocked, she could barely think.

"Oh my God, he remembered me," she whispered shakily, her hands coming to her mouth.

"Not for long he won't," Harry said, dragging Jacques limp body none too gently over to the side of room. He nodded to Ron. "We can perform a couple more memory spells on him."

"Yeah, by the time we're done with him, he won't even remember how to piss properly," Ron said, chuckling darkly.

Hermione frowned. "Is that legal?"

Harry shrugged. "What the Ministry doesn't know won't hurt them," he said easily. "After we've wiped his memory, we'll bring him in."

They all heard a thump and turned around to find Ginny standing over an unconscious Gwen.

"What did you do?" Harry asked.

"Oh, she was slinking her way out the door so I stunned her. We should probably modify her memory too. She knows about Claire."

"Good idea," Harry said, grinning at his girlfriend. He glanced over at Claire, who was still too pale for his liking and staring at Jacques body in what appeared to be shock.

"Claire, are you alright?" George asked. "Fred, maybe you should take her outside."

Fred nodded and bent down to take her hand but she flinched away as if he was poisonous.

"No, please," she whimpered. "Nobody touch me." She struggled to her feet, looking green. "I - I've got to get out of here." And with that she bolted out of the room.

"Claire, wait!" Fred called, running after her. He followed her out the back door.

He found her on her hands and knees on the grass, retching. His heart twisted. He knelt down beside her, holding her hair back as she emptied her stomach. After a moment, she quieted and Fred conjured up a glass of water and handed it to her. She took it gratefully, looking embarrassed.

"I'm sorry about that," she said, her eyes downcast.

"Don't be sorry," Fred said, soothingly. "Don't be sorry about any of it." He sighed. "Its me that should be sorry. I should have looked after you, I should have made sure you weren't in that situation to begin with. I -" he stopped as Claire put a finger over his lips.

"No, don't say that. It's not your fault." She stroked his cheek, her hand shaking. She looked down, as if afraid to meet his eyes.

"Fred?" she murmured.

"Hmm?" Fred murmured back.

"Will you please just hold me for a moment?" She said the words so quietly that Fred almost thought he imagined them. But she snuggled into his embrace and he wrapped his arms around her, savoring her.

"Of course," he whispered, kissing the top of her head. "I'll hold you for as long as you want."

In that case, never let go, Claire thought to herself. She sighed. But it could never be.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," she whispered.

Fred froze, certain that he was imagining things that time. He pulled back and looked at her serious face. His heart sped up.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"After the wedding," she said. She looked down, playing with a bit of grass. "I'm leaving. Uncle Albus is setting me up somewhere."

"But that's not necessary!" Fred exclaimed, panicking. No, no, no, no. She couldn't leave now.

Claire shook her head and looked up at him. "It is necessary. I'm putting all of you in danger. Tonight was a perfect example. This is my fight. I need to do it alone."

"No you don't, Claire," Fred said frantically. "Please," he whispered. "Please don't go."

Claire looked up at him tearfully. "Give me one good reason why I should stay."

Fred couldn't say anything. Claire smiled sadly. "That's what I thought." She sighed. "I should go." She picked herself up and went back inside.

Fred sat on the grass. He sighed and looked up at the night sky, feeling his heart break.

"Because I love you," he whispered.

XXXXXX

Wow this chapter was hard to write! I'm so sorry I took so long, but I hope it was worth it : ) Tell me what you think, leave your lovely reviews, it makes me so happy!

The song they danced to in the club was Jessica Simpson's "Irresistible"