The Quill of Amor
Chapter 21
All too soon the Christmas holidays were over and Orion and Draco had to go back to Hogwarts again. It was both with sadness and relief that Draco boarded the train. It was a relief because then he could finally get a break from his mother, who constantly pestered him about the wedding planning, which only took time away from his private time with Orion at the cottage. On the other hand, Draco was glad to see the old Narcissa with a spark in her eyes even if she did go a bit overboard on times. It saddened him that they had to go back to school again, because he wouldn't get as much time alone with his fiancé once the exams started up, and with it all the studying that would occupy the 5th and 7th years.
After a long goodbye with his mother at the platform, Draco and Orion were finally able to meet up with their friends on the train. After looking through several compartments they finally saw Blaise sitting on the lap of, to their surprise, George Weasley.
Draco couldn't help but grin at his friends antics. Trust Blaise to hook up with a teacher. He thought to himself while shaking his head.
"Blaise, Weasley, I trust you had a great Christmas?" Draco asked while lifting his and Orion's trunks up.
"We sure did, thank you for asking. And you?" Blaise grinned at Draco while caressing George's hand.
"We had the best Christmas, didn't we Orion?" Draco asked looking back towards Orion who had a shocked expression on his face. When he didn't say anything Draco walked over to him "Orion?"
"Huh, what?" Orion asked bewildered snapping his head to look at Draco.
"Aren't you going to tell them about our news?" Draco asked pulling his fiancé down next to him.
"Shouldn't they tell us theirs first?"
"Well isn't it obvious?" Blaise said proudly.
Orion mumbled something incoherent and pulled Draco onto his lap.
"So your news?" Blaise asked confused.
"Go ahead and tell them then" Orion said silently and turned to look out the window.
Draco looked confused at his fiancé who now tried to ignore everyone in the compartment.
"Uhm, we got engaged." He told them when Orion still didn't look at them.
What's wrong love? Draco asked through the mental link.
I don't want to talk about it. Orion knew he sounded childish even through his mental voice.
Are you sure? We can find another compartment and talk. Draco's mental voice was drenched with worry and concern. Orion rolled his eyes before answering.
I'm sure, please don't push me.
Okay. But won't you promise to talk to me later? I don't like seeing you like this. Draco was pleading with him with his eyes.
If it's still bothering me later I promise I will talk to you about it, just let me think for now. Orion glared at Draco this time trying to get his point across.
Okay. Draco sighed sounding hurt. Orion sighed he didn't like upsetting his fiancé.
It's not that I don't want to talk to you; it's that you won't like what I'm thinking. Orion finally stated after a moment.
It's him then. You told me you didn't have any regrets! Draco glared daggers at George who looked extremely befuddled by the assault. Both he and Blaise were looking at the couple oddly because they had tried several times to congratulate them and had gotten no response.
I don't have any regrets. I just feel used. It's stupid, forget I said anything. Orion turned to look out the window again in frustration.
But you didn't want him, and he obviously has moved on. What's to feel used about? Draco was desperate to know what was going on in the brunettes head so that he could help him in any way possible, but it annoyed him to no end when Orion hid in his shell and refused to let him help.
He told me he was in love with me and he had been for a long time. Either he lied to me or I'm just really easy to get over. Or maybe in my transition to Orion I lost every last piece of who I used to be. I just don't know what to think. Orion sighed finally giving in to Draco's probing.
Well, I can't answer that for you, you have to talk to him about that. Draco pondered for a moment even after he had responded. Wondering if he really wanted his fiancé to talk to the red head about anything at all.
I don't want to. I have you now, and if I'm good enough for you then that's all that matters. Draco could tell Orion's attempts at sounding cheerful were false.
Good enough? Love you're everything to me. Draco smiled reassuringly taking Orion's hand in his own squeezing it gently.
Are you sure? Draco knew what this was about now. It was Orion's insecurities rising up. He was worried about Draco deciding he wasn't good enough. He almost laughed.
Would I be wearing you ring otherwise?
No I guess not. I love you. Orion offered a weak smile and pulled Draco snugly against him burying his nose into the crook of Draco's neck.
And I you. Draco settled back against Orion's chest and finally looked at the other two occupants of the compartment.
"Are you two okay?" Blaise asked.
"Yeah, we're fine why?" Draco responded.
"Um, you told us you were engaged then just kind of went into your own little worlds." Blaise still looked confused.
"Yeah it's a funny story actually, we both bought rings and proposed to one another for Christmas and Orion surprised me with a little cottage to live in once we're out of school." Draco was trying everything in his power to take Blaise's thoughts away from Orion's strange behaviour.
"Wow Orion did you really?" George spoke up.
"Yeah I didn't figure either one of us would be happy living with our parents. It kind of kills the mood to have a parental figure knocking on the door every time you're alone." Orion answered simply before going back to staring out the window.
Draco didn't miss the look George gave Orion either. Even Weasley could tell something wasn't right.
Dinner in the great hall seemed to cheer Orion up. Both Draco and he were questioned multiple times about their rings and by the end of dinner everyone in school had heard of their engagement. Several people from all different houses approached them to congratulate them but just as many looked murderous.
The one person Draco worried about the most was being extremely quiet about the whole thing. Pansy had taken the news pleasantly and had offered her congratulations on the arrangement and hadn't said another peep.
The biggest problem with that though was she was a Slytherin and Slytherins were the most dangerous when they were quiet. He didn't want to upset Orion's good mood again so he didn't voice his concerns.
After the first few days back at school everything settled down and seeing Blaise with George wasn't a shock any more. Orion had started the Slytherin team practising several nights a week and Draco's head boy duties were taking up more time. That coupled with the amount of homework the teachers were handing out to prepare the seventh years for their NEWTS, was making it very difficult to find time to spend with each other. Even weekends offered little relief.
"I hate this!" Orion exclaimed climbing into bed one night.
"Excuse me?" Draco sputtered looking away from his transfiguration book. "I really hope you don't mean us." He raised up an eyebrow.
"No, no of course not love. How busy our schedules have gotten between my quidditch, your head boy duties and trying to study for these bloody exams I feel like the only time we see each other is right before bed." Orion ran his hand through his hair.
"Oh, but isn't that the most important part of the day anyway?" Draco smirked. He knew how Orion was feeling though, he had been feeling the strain too.
"I think I'm going to resign from the team. Blaise can have the captaincy." Orion sighed.
"Don't be daft! You can't quit now, not when Slytherin is about to get the cup for the first time since St. Potter played for Gryffindor." Draco smirked before laying his book aside to rub Orion's shoulders. "Think about it this way; it's only a couple of rough months, and then we'll have the rest of our lives together. And besides we get to learn how to miss each other - that makes seeing you in the evening so much more special."
"I know, it's just frustrating. I got spoiled spending every waking moment with you at the cottage over break." Orion groaned into Draco's touch
"That wasn't being spoiled that was preparing you for after the wedding. We'll be back to that soon enough." Draco smirked.
"How about Saturday after the game we lock ourselves in our room and we don't come out till Monday for classes." Orion suggested stretching out.
"I would love that, but I have meetings with the professors and then the prefects and you have training with Sirius." Draco sighed. The next few months were going to kill them.
"Sure ruin my fantasies Dray." Orion mumbled burying his face in his pillow.
"Why not, you already ruined mine for the night with all of your blabbering." Draco teased.
"Oh shut up and come here." Orion growled pulling Draco to him and extinguishing the light.
Saturday arrived and though it was chilly it was a brilliant sunny day and flying conditions were perfect. The Slytherin team had been having private practices several nights a week for almost a month since school had resumed so no one knew what they had up their sleeves.
Draco arrived on the pitch early to choose a good seat looking forward to watching Orion in the air as he always did. As other students began to arrive word floated through the stadium that there was a talent scout from the Ireland National team present somewhere to watch the game.
Finally the fourth year student of whom Draco didn't know started the commentary by announcing the players from Slytherin.
"Hello everyone, what a glorious day it is for the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin. And here comes the players from Slytherin, give it up for Theodore Nott as keeper, Tabitha Riley, Isabella Rose and Blaise Zabini as chasers, Anthony Scott and Joshua Price as beaters and last but not least Orion Black as seeker and captain." Over the loud cheering for the now rather popular Slytherin team, Draco blocked out the names of the Gryffindor players as they were called out onto the field, when his attention was turned to Orion.
Orion looked more at ease on his broom than Draco had ever seen him. He flew out onto the pitch and did a few loops before spiralling downward to shake the opposing team captain's hand, much to the loud cheering from the crowd. On the whistle Orion was back in the air again looking for the snitch.
Gryffindor scored first, but the chaser who had managed the goal was to busy with their victory dance to notice the bludger flying in their direction and the girl was knocked from her broom. Blaise took possession of the quaffle and had made it half way across the field before he was blocked by two of the Gryffindor chasers. Riley and Rose were trying to escape two bludgers and Blaise wasn't able to pass to them. Orion came up out of in between all of them snatching the quaffle from Blaise's hands. He had to spin upside down gripping the broom with his legs to avoid a bludger. He easily tossed the quaffle over the Gryffindor keepers head through the hoop and spun back up right making a sharp turn and jetting back to the other side of the pitch. The game went on like this for a while and Draco was mesmerized by Orion's flying. He was like a moving work of art almost. The score was now 80 to Slytherin and 50 to Gryffindor. Slytherins goals were mostly scored by Blaise often with the help of Orion who distracted the Gryffindors. Draco couldn't help but laugh when he saw Orion yelling at Theodore Nott, their keeper, to get his act together, and again at "hot shot" who spent more time showing off to the crowd than shooting bludgers at the Gryffindor chasers. After this the game got more smooth and Slytherin scored a couple more times. Draco spotted a glint of gold close to the ground by the Gryffindor goal post and apparently Orion saw it too because he had leaned forward on his broom and was jetting towards it so fast he was barely more than a blur. The snitch flitted further up into the air and Orion was getting closer but the Gryffindor seeker had finally seen it too. The Gryffindor seeker was a little closer, but Orion was faster. As both seekers approached the snitch it looked like they were playing a game of chicken; neither one willing to pull up or swerve. The challenge of not hitting one another seemed to over take the Gryffindor players thoughts because he took his eyes away from the snitch and watched Orion instead, seeing what he would do.
Just as the two were about to collide Orion manoeuvred so that his feet were on the handle of the broom and he jumped over the Gryffindor player catching the snitch in mid air, then caught the handle of his broom with the other hand swinging himself back up onto it in one swift movement. As he caught the snitch all the Slytherins in the crowd roared in victory. Draco cheered louder than he ever had at a quidditch match, not concerned with how ridiculous he looked jumping up and down with the rest of his house. When he saw the players flying towards the ground he rushed down onto the field with the rest of Slytherin house and pulled his fiancé to him for a kiss. They couldn't steal much time together though because the whole house wanted to congratulate him.
"I'll see you later love." Draco called out as Orion was hefted onto the shoulders of the rest of the team.
Draco had finished everything on his head boy check list and Orion was still nowhere to be seen. Draco had even gone to their room to check and see if he was there. It never took this long for him to shower and get back to their room. There would be a party in the common room tonight and Orion always liked to make an appearance to those.
Pounding footsteps echoed down the hall Draco was in and Draco turned around ready to give a detention to whoever rounded the corner. To his surprise it was Orion. The brunette didn't even slow down when he saw Draco instead he slammed into him picking up and swinging him in a circle.
"Draco! You'll never believe this. I've been offered a position on the Ireland Quidditch team. They want me to be their seeker!" Orion exclaimed excitedly.
"Really? That's great love." Draco gasped he was still being squeezed tightly.
"Yeah there's just one thing though." Orion put Draco down and looked guiltily at him.
"What do you mean?" Draco asked he didn't like that look.
"I'll have to go away for two weeks to training camp." Orion stated quickly.
"But, what about the wedding? It's not on the same time right?" Draco's heart rate increased. He couldn't take this opportunity away from Orion but what if the two overlapped?
"No I leave next week." Orion looked down to the floor refusing to meet Draco's eyes.
"During school?" Draco made sure he had heard right.
"Yeah."
"And it's what you really want?" He had heard properly, Orion was going to run off for two weeks missing school right before exams.
"More than anything. I've dreamed of this since I was eleven." Orion was getting excited again.
"Then I guess I'll have to be patient and wait for you to come back to me. I'm really proud of you!" Draco really was happy for him but he had force the smile on his face. He didn't like the idea of being apart for that long. Orion must have sensed something wrong.
"Are you sure? I can tell them I can't do it. Or wait another year."
"Are you daft? Of course you shouldn't recline, and especially not because of me, I'll just have to be patient and trust you." Draco replied trying a little harder for a genuine smile.
"It's just two weeks I'll be back before you know it. "Orion picked Draco up spinning him around again "This is the second greatest thing that ever happened to me."
"Oh really? And what's the greatest then?" Draco asked with a smirk.
"You of course. Do you really have to ask?." Orion grinned.
"I was just checking." Draco chuckled.
"I'll miss you while I'm gone." Orion sighed wrapping his arms around Draco's waist.
"Good thing we share a mental link isn't it." Draco figured it would be obvious as to how they would stay in touch.
"We've never tried it over long distances though. Do you think it will work?" Orion asked biting his lip.
"Don't know, guess we'll just have to wait and see." Draco shrugged.
It didn't take long for the whole school to know that Orion had been offered a position on the Ireland quidditch team and that he would be away training for two weeks. In the week that followed all the teachers had made sure to give out as much homework to Orion as possible so he wouldn't miss out too much while being away. Draco found himself constantly trying to cheer up a rather irritated and sour Orion as his free time had once again become more limited. As the time came for Orion to leave it had been quite an intense goodbye between the two soul mates. At once when Orion was gone Draco felt like he was missing something of himself and walked around the castle in a horrible mood. Blaise constantly teased the blond about it, which often resulted in curses being thrown right back at him. Soon enough Blaise got the hint and stopped the teasing. Draco had a suspicion that Weasley was to blame for Blaise's new "mature" attitude, at times at least. Draco and Orion quickly found out that their mind links indeed worked over long distances and used these every time they could get away with it. As such Blaise constantly found the blond with a far away look in his eyes, and often not able to get in contact with him at these times. As the first week went on and the two boys got more lonely, Draco was pleased when his fiancé introduced him to "mind-sex" something the Muggles apparently did all the time on the telephone, which Draco hadn't got a clue was. Nevertheless he loved it. It made the lonely nights more bearable.
One night in the end of the second week Orion had been gone, Draco was sitting alone in his room when someone knocked on his painting. Draco got up reluctantly, irritated at being interrupted in his homework, and opened the painting. Outside stood a nervous looking Pansy.
"What do you want Pansy?" Draco said more irritated now.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you Draco, but I would really like to talk to you and apologize for my bad behaviour this year." Pansy said with downcast eyes, nervously wringing her hands as she waited for his reply.
"Really now? I find that hard to believe" Draco answered in a sneer.
"Please Draco, I'm really sorry for my dreadful actions, please allow me to explain. I have to get this off my chest." She said now with tears in her eyes.
Draco contemplated the sincerity in Pansy's words but reluctantly agreed to at least hear her out. "Okay come in then, but I won't give you more than ten minutes."
"Thank you" She said when he let her in. "I would really like to apologize for all the things I've done. It was never my intention to hurt either you or Orion. Ever since I was little I've been told that you and I were meant to be together and I guess it got to my head and I fell in love with you. I was really hurt when you rejected me time and time again. I never imagined that you would choose someone else. I really hope that you can forgive me and… and Orion too." The last sentenced was stammered out while a tear ran down her cheek.
Draco didn't know how he should react to her confession, but at last nodded slowly to accept the apology. This seemed to lighten Pansy's mood a bit.
"I would really like us to be able to be friends again Draco, I even brought us some butterbeers to enjoy as friends." She said a bit more happy at the prospect of Draco possibly forgiving her.
"You really mean it, don't you?" Draco asked looking the girl over.
"Yes Draco, I really hate the way we are now."
"I hate it too. But this will only work if Orion can forgive you too." Draco said sternly.
Pansy nodded eagerly. "Of course, I'll apologize to him too when he get's back." She said while handing one of the butterbeers to Draco.
"Friends?" She asked in cheer when Draco took the bottle.
"Yeah okay." Draco said clinking their bottles together and drinking with her.
When he swallowed he noticed the smirk on Pansy's face and utter look of victory. Before he could react, his mind seemed to fog over and he could only see Pansy. It was like his mind decided that this was the girl of his dreams, like he had been waiting all of his life for her. Without second thought he was all over her kissing her passionately. Not long after he threw her on the bed and the passion threw all other thoughts away from him. Only she existed in this moment and he was eager to prove his affections towards her in the best way possible. He didn't register the worried thoughts from Orion over the mind link, the only thing repeated in his mind was Pansy!
Draco woke up to the loud crash of the painting being thrown off the hinges by an irate Orion. When he looked into Orion's eyes his mind seemed to come to itself again and the horrible truth about what had just happened came crashing down on him making him hyperventilate. He slowly looked over at Pansy lying next to him with a smug look on her face.
"Morning love." She said.
Draco got absolutely disgusted with himself for what he had done. "Ugh! Get off of me you bitch." He yelled and pushed her off the bed.
Orion looked at the two so furious that he was shaking. "Not only are you cheating on me, but you were desperate enough to do it with that pug faced mutt! It's been less than two fucking weeks Draco!" He yelled at the blond, blood flowing to his cheeks in anger.
"No! It wasn't like that. She drugged me with love potion. I swear, you know I love you" Draco pleaded, tears starting to flow down his cheeks.
Orion ignored Draco and picked Pansy up off the floor shoving her into the wall and pressing his wand to her throat. "And you, you fucking whore why are you still in my sight?" he said through clenched teeth.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, you would be put straight to Azkaban. Don't you know it's illegal to curse a pregnant woman? You know I could be right now and then Draco will have to marry me if I am." She said with a smirk.
Orion dropped her in a heap on the floor as if she had burned him. "You know, it makes me want to vomit just looking at either one of you." He said looking to the floor while taking off his ring and throwing it at Draco.
"No please... I can prove it. You can test the bottle for love potion.. and…" Draco gulped. "…my memory in a p-pensieve... Please believe me" The tears now streaming down his face.
"Does any of that matter now? If she's pregnant then it makes no difference! You were dumb enough to trust her! If you were hurting that badly for company I could have come back." Orion argued.
"I would never marry her even if she was. I'd rather die than losing you. Please look me in the eyes and see the truth, you know I can't lie to you. I love YOU! I would never ever do this..." Draco looked at Pansy. "And YOU, I fucking don't care to be sent to Azkaban you deserve to die for this - Avada K..."
Before Draco could utter the last part of the killing curse, Orion stepped in front of a wide eyed Pansy. "What would a life in Azkaban do for our relationship?"
"Well you don't seem to think we have one anymore. If I don't have you then my life is ruined anyhow. Please move away." Draco said with hurt in his voice.
"If you kill her then there is no chance that we will have one, but if it's what you want to do I'll move. You'll be able to find me in Dumbledore's office. Whatever your choice bring the trash with you." Orion stepped away after placing his ring back on his finger and strode out the door.
Draco was in shock. The only thing that came to his mind was that Orion had put his ring back on, and that there possibly was a chance he could be forgiven. He slowly looked over at Pansy who was lying on the floor crying, looking horrified at Draco. He slowly lowered his wand.
"You aren't even worth it. Get dressed bitch, I'm leaving this up for the Headmaster." He said while getting dressed.
He had to threaten the reluctant girl all the way up to the Headmasters office. When they arrived and opened the door, Draco looked straight to Orion.
"Orion." He cried out finally breaking down in emotional stress and fainted.