THGHPTVD.2...This one is for you. I want to thank you for your long review. Now, many might wonder why I have written to chapters in a day. Well you see, 22 years ago..I was born. So as a birthday gift from me, to you. I have written a second chapter. Plus I'm going back,to work tomorrow. Get in a few as I can. I may even have another one in the works..would you like that?
Draco POV
Weeks turned into months, and it still felt like a knife had been wedged in my heart. I did get a little sick satisfaction when I saw Granger lying on one of the beds...she had been petrified as well. Potter and his little Weasel would glare darkly at me as I would come by everyday. But, other than exchanging sneers and glares...no words were flown. Which I myself found odd, but my sister had rubbed off on me.
"Draco." My father greeted me, when I entered the room.
"Father." I replied incline, this was another thing that Amelia had caused. My father and I, though we had been close; as close as a father and son could be. We never quite bonded on anything. Until now, that is. We talked, we laughed, it seemed a relationship that was supposed to be there had finally properly formed. It grew increasingly since the man had gone to the ministry, raising hell about everything that had happened.
However I didn't quite agree that Hagrid was the blame, I didn't particularly like the half-giant...but he didn't seem the type to hurt muggleborns. I did know that my father had searched for someone to blame. Though getting Dumbledore suspended, that I agreed with. McGonagall took over as deputy Headmistress...and the school ran smoothly. I did have a few questions for the man myself, if he ever came back...all of which were questioning why he sent my sister down to the dungeons in the first place.
"How are your grades coming along?" I heard my father ask.
Meeting his grey eyes that matched my own. "They slipped for a little bit, but I'm picking them back up."
"See that you do." He told me simply, and that was all. "Unfortunately, I must depart...if you don't receive an owl on Wednesday….happy early birthday, my son." Shock filled me, as I watched the man stand to kiss the top of Amelia's head. "I love and miss you, my sweet Princess."
He touched my shoulder, before he left through the floo. "Amelia…." I breathed turning back to her. "I don't know if you can hear me...but you need to come back, and soon." Tears filled my eyes as she didn't move. "Father needs you, mother needs you, Filch, McGonagall, Gemma, Flint, Crabbe, Goyle...we all need you. This school needs you….but I think Snape needs you the most." I whispered, still trying to grasp my head around the last sentence. However after what Rearward had told me a few months ago, I had begun to notice.
The Potions Master was an absolute wreck, no matter how hard he made it to see. The man took points as if they were like candy to a child, and he didn't want any joy to befall on said child. He was angry, though he usually took said anger out on Potter. It wasn't like the boy didn't deserve it, but still….the man was almost violent. Last week for instance, I thought he was going to hex Longbottom...for over mixing a potion.
It was only last night, I had learned why. The man wasn't sleeping…I had tried to sneak in here, and that's when I found him sitting beside my sister. He was trying to communicate with her again, apparently he had been doing this for the past few months.
"Fifty points from Slytherin, Malfoy." He hissed when he saw me. "Get back to you dorm, before I take another fifty."
He only would get worse from here, as I turned to my sister on the bed. "I don't know if you can communicate with him or not…..but either way, you need to return to us."
Leaving the infirmary, I moved to McGonagall's office. I went most days in order to sit with Ghost, the serpent probably didn't even know what was going on; but it was a comfort to take care of him. Still amazes me that a little white snake could have such an impact. He never let anyone but Amelia pick him up however, found that out the hard way. The little devil had sharp fangs that was for damn sure.
"Mr. Malfoy, it's getting close to curfew." McGonagall said, quietly from the doorway.
Thanking McGonagall, I began to make my way. I stopped only to turn towards her. "The castle is hurting…"
"Yes, I hear her crying." McGonagall replied, her hand touching the stones. "And yes, I do actually mean the castle herself."
Nodding softly, I turned to walk down the hall once again. "Professor...before I go...I'm worried about Snape." Why the heck did I just say that? Damn, Amelia you were making me soft..and I loved it.
"Hey, Draco." Gemma greeted me as I walked into the common room. "Catching it a bit close, aren't you?"
Nodding softly, I moved to sit down on the couch. "What do you care?"
She sighed, wrapping her arms around me. "I care a lot, and you know it….Amelia would never forgive me if I left you to wallow in your thoughts."
"Shit." Flint hissed, as he walked in. "How the hell is she gonna feel, when she hears about how many house points..we have lost?"
"Flint, you and I both know..Amelia doesn't care about all that. She cares about actual people." I told him simply, rolling my eyes; before turning to Gemma. "I know, she would tell me to keep my head held high…as if I was a bloody Lion...but I'm not."
Crabbe grinned. "She's the one to smile, and congratulate the other house for winning."
"Purest heart we know." Goyle added.
I looked at them all for a moment, before standing. "Yeah..well we have classes tomorrow..and I'm going to bed."
"Draco, it isn't even ten yet." Blaise replied from his spot of the room.
Rolling my eyes, I continued to my dorm. The best part of being a Slytherin is we didn't have to share bunks, or a giant dorm. We all had individual quarters, but we had to share a lavatory..that was a small price to pay. Laying down, still in my clothes for the day..my head cradled by the pillow. It was there I allowed myself to weep, this was how I fell asleep now. Me, Draco Malfoy, cried myself to sleep, like a pathetic school girl who had just found the guy she was crushing on, snogging another girl.
Monday went by, then Tuesday, and finally Wednesday had arrived. June 5th, I was thirteen...but for Merlin's sake, I didn't want to celebrate. Still, willing myself to get up, and get dressed in my robes.
"Happy birthday, Draco." I heard Gemma speak, as I sat down at the breakfast table.
"No ones going to sing, are they?" I asked, gaining a few chuckles from the table. My gaze moving to the head table, I found McGonagall wasn't there..neither was Professor Sprout. Snape was, and he was sneering at everyone who met his eye. He did give me a slight nod, so guess he wasn't completely mental yet. "Something tells me that Snape is going to be fun today."
"Don't lose any more house points." Flint told me simply, causing me to smirk. "I mean it, currently we are below Hufflepuff...but ahead of Gryffindor."
"Yeah, and with Dumbledore not here...he can't suddenly change the point system." Goyle added.
Crabbe grinned. "I thought Amelia was gonna hex him last year."
"Given the opportunity, I bet she would have." Blaise stated simply, his head going up as if he was Merlin himself with that answer.
Shaking my head, I sighed. "No she wouldn't have, Amelia doesn't use violence..she would only at a last resort..plus she loves this school."
"Loves this school, or does she just love the faculty?" Flint asked.
"Both." Gemma replied simply.
Flint nodded with a smirk, before he looked up. "Well damn, it's time for class."
0.*.0
Amelia POV
Where am I? This was a never-ending question, darkness had seemingly encased itself around me...and I could not crawl out. No idea on how long I had been here, as I couldn't feel anything...except for a knocking every so often..as if someone was trying to get in. Maybe they were coming to rescue me, but I knew better than to hold on to hope.
I feared one answer, of a possibility...and that was..that maybe I was dead. I couldn't remember much, before I was trapped into this black void. I remembered getting a letter from Dumbledore, to take to Snape's office. The torches were lit in the dungeons, and there was water all over the floors...perhaps I fell and bumped my head? Mean, I was startled..when I saw these large yellow eyes looking straight at me from one of the puddles of water. Then...nothing. The eyes were probably a trick of the light, and I probably slipped.
"It's ready!" I suddenly heard a loud shrill cry through my skull. Ready, what was ready? I didn't have to ponder on that for long, as my tongue was suddenly on fire..as an incredibly sweet flavor assaulted the buds on top.
"How long will it take?" Another voice filled my head, and more were starting to fill. It was as if, voices that I had missed..conversations I had no inkling had taken place.
"I love you, Sweet Princess." The voice of Lucius was quite a dominant one, making me look around in confusion. I searched for the man that had taken me in, and in a short time had become my father.
"Miss Swan…" I could hear Snape, repeatedly. He called my name, and I found his presence somehow overcame me...was he the one who had been knocking inside my head? He was a legilimens, so it was possible he was looking for me.
A sound of cracking suddenly filled me head, a cold breeze filled me almost immediately...just like all of my visions from the start to this year. Turning softly, I noticed a crack...almost as if the darkness around me was made of glass. "Professor?" I called, but did not get a reply. Moving softly to the crack, to cold draft began to get stronger as I moved. My hand went up to caress it, out of curiosity only for the crack to grow. A warm light began to shine, brighter and brighter.
"She's moving!" A voice shouted, once the light took hold of me. I moved my head, to try and calm it down.
My eyes focused slowly, before I met the teary eyed gaze of McGonagall. "Professor?"
"Miss Swan, I'm so glad to have you back with us." McGonagall said. "Now, would you like me to fill you in on today's date?"
"It's February...isn't it?" I replied stupidly, and by the looks of sheer sadness..I knew I was dead wrong.
"I'm sorry, Miss Swan... It's June 5th." McGonagall replied.
I shot up..much to everyone's surprise. Looking around, waiting for someone to pull the mickey..but no one did. "Son of a bitch." I uttered without thinking.
"Miss Swan!" McGonagall instinctively chastened.
"Sorry." I said instantly. "Where's Draco….Where is Professor Snape?"
"I believe both are in classrooms." McGonagall replied.
I nodded. "It's Draco's birthday…..can I go to Potions class?"
"Dear, you just woke up...you've been petrified-"
"All the more reasons to see my brother." I told Madam Pomfrey. "Please...all I need is a change of clothes...and Ghost….and of course my Potion supplies."
"Most of your belongings, beyond your sketchbook, are in your room. Your Sketchbook is with Mr. Malfoy Sr." McGonagall replied.
"Daddy?" I asked instantly, earning an array of looks. "Is he here?"
"He visits every evening after work." Madam Pomfrey replied. "He reads to you….even tucked you in."
"What about Professor Snape? Was he here?"
"Every night….how did you know?" Pomfrey asked, her gaze locking the McGonagall's. "Did he talk to you?"
"No...but in the darkness...I could hear knocking, as if someone was trying to get me out." I replied softly. "I only realized it was Professor Snape..when I was waking up."
A hand gently took hold of my chin. "Well child, let us not keep your brother and friends waiting." McGonagall told me, before lightly embracing my form.
She led me up to the tower, where her office was located. Allowing me to dress, and gather everything I needed. "Hello Ghost, did you miss me?" I asked my beautiful serpent who had gotten a bit larger, picking him up without a thought. His body slithering into place around my neck, like a much larger ghady pearl necklace.
Turning to the Professor who stood by the door, she smiled at me warmly. "Professor….do you think the Potions Master...missed me?"
"Shall we go and find out?" She replied happily. "Though there are only a mere 30 minutes left, are you sure you want to go?"
"Yes." I replied instantly, my heart began to beat within my chest. Fear coursing through my veins, as I walked right behind the older woman. My legs felt like they were made of lead, as I moved..almost wishing I could run back to the darkness...would Draco be angry at me? One of the only questions that passed through my head. Did he see my medical state, of me abandoning him? God, I hoped not.
The castle seemed endless, as we went down stairs, and stone corridors. "Ah, Amelia." Looking up I saw it was Nearly Headless Nick. "It is good to see you again, dear child."
"It is nice to see you as well sir." I replied, as McGonagall and I continued. We were silent as we moved together, until we reached the stairs leading to the dungeons. A bit of unease filled me, it wasn't due to my brother, or Snape...it was due to this being the last sights I remembered before the darkness grabbed me by the throat, with an attempt to suffocate me.
My legs continued still, as I heard Snape's voice coming from the classroom. "Mr. Longbottom...are you trying to kill us?" I stifled a laugh. "Ten points from Gryffindor."
"You ready, Amelia?" I looked up to McGonagall, and found a bright smile upon her face.
Nodding my head slowly. "It's time for me to see my brother."
She turned back to the door, motioning for me to hide on the other side of the wall. My eyes strained as I watched her, her delicate but firm hand knocked upon the door. "Professor Snape." Her voice called, as she opened the door.
"What is it McGonagall?" I heard the man question, well more like demand. "I am trying to teach this class something of importance."
I grinned, as the older Lioness nodded in understanding. "Quite, Professor. Forgive me, but I found a student..who is supposed to be in this class.
"Ah, this student better to have a speech ready." Damn, he sounded murderous.
I waited a bit longer, than probably necessary. Slowly however, I began to inch to the entrance. "Forgive me, Professor Snape." I said, when I came in line of his eyesight. He froze, eyebrows going up to his hairline. Three chairs also could be heard drawing back, my lips quivered up into a grin...as I walked into the or class room. "I know I'm quite a bit late...but can I make it up this Saturday?"
"Amelia?!" I heard, looking over I saw my brother. He was out of his seat, staring at me in pure bewilderment...as if he couldn't believe his eyes.
"Hello...Draco...I do believe it is your birthday….brother." As soon as those words left my lips, he was away from his desk..the ingredients and cauldrons upon his desk. His arms flew around me, as soon as he was able. My arms wrapped around him as well, as the tears I had maintained began to fall.
Legs buckled, as we fell to the floor. Arms tightly around one another. "You're okay?" He breathed, and I realized he was crying.
"I'm here…" I replied softly, turning back to Snape, I smiled softly. "Thank you, for letting me return to class."
He blinked, I could see he breathed deeply. "Of course, Miss Swan..though I expect you here on Saturday. To make up what you missed."
"I won't let you down, sir." I replied, while I continued to hold my brother close.
I could feel myself tearing up as I finished this. What a happy birthday gift, to Draco. Anyway, ready for brain teasers?
1) How will Snape react to her on Saturday?
2) In the last chapter, what did Izzy mean about Snape's aura was injured?
3) You excited to see father and daughter reunite?
Nature Faustus