Chapter 14

Malinda felt odd walking down the staircase, watching as Alec turned away from the fireplace to look at her, his eyes widening slightly at her formal appearance. It was like being that girl from the movies, the one you envied, the one who got everything she wished for by the end. But Malinda wasn't in a movie, she was just… Malinda.

But the way his eyes crawled up her body made her very core burn. Heat spread through her and she knew she was flushed when she came to the bottom of the stairs, Alec quickly moving to stand there and offer his arm.

"You look beautiful," he murmured.

"Thanks," she took his arm. "You look good in dress robes. No Romeo to send us off this time?"

"I begged David to keep him away at dinner. I knew if he took one look at you tonight, I'd have some serious competition."

Malinda grinned, "A little competition never hurt anyone."

"Maybe I just want to be a little selfish then."

As they crossed the Common Room, the entrance door opened and Draco Malfoy stormed in. The blond stopped abruptly as he caught sight of them, his face tightening painfully for a split second before he wiped his face clear of all expression. His blank expression was forced, too cool, too pale, and he stepped aside, his blue eyes watching them as they passed.

If Alec noticed the waves of fury emanating from the other Slytherin male, he didn't show it. Instead, he drew Malinda closer to him and said politely, "Evening, Malfoy."

Malinda kept her mouth shut, remembering the way Draco had dismissed her that morning in the Great Hall. As the stone door shut behind them, she stood up straighter, determined not to let a certain blond Slytherin ruin her night.

"Everyone's been talking about this party," Alec remarked, still escorting her by the arm. As dinner wrapped up, most of their house walked past them, some gawking at the couple. Pansy walked past them, a smug expression on her pug face. Again, Alec did a remarkable job of ignoring everyone as he continued, "Rumor is a few girls slipped Harry Potter love potions, hoping he'd ask them."

"Oh shit," Malinda stumbled at the mention of love potions.

Thankfully, Alec caught her. "You alright?"

"Y-Yes, bad in heels." Her mind whirled, she had completely forgotten about Ramilda Vane and her love potion. With Draco abandoning his mead assassination attempt, she never considered how the love potion storyline would play out.

Worse, how Ron and Hermoine's relationship would play out. Without Ron's near-death experience, he wouldn't break up with Lavender, accidentally choosing Hermoine. Worry gnawed at her and Malinda realized her night was ruined. She had messed up. How big, was to be seen. But shit, her night was ruined.

"Guess what I'm trying to say," Alec spoke, oblivious to her internal panic. "Is thanks for inviting me."

"You're welcome," she replied, half-heartedly.

When they arrived, Slughorn stood by the entrance to the transformed room dutifully welcoming guests. Drapes and decor made Malinda almost forget they were in the castle, waiters in white uniforms walked about, and well-dressed guests stood about, networking already in full swing. Their host greeted them kindly, Slughorn beaming. "Ms. Selwyn, my prize student, I'm glad to have you here! And I recognize this handsome young man, Mr. James, is it?"

"Jones, sir," Alec shook hands with the professor.

"Ah, yes, Jones," Slughorn was then distracted by his next set of guests. Alec and Malinda moved away, entering the room fully.

"You'd think he would know my name by now," Alec sighed.

"Old man, poor memory?"

"We both know that's a lie but appreciate it anyways. Shall I get us some drinks?"

Malinda smiled, "Sure, thank you."

He left her briefly and Malinda looked about, taking in the faces. Some were fellow students, but most were older wizards and witches, no doubt ex-students and alumni of the infamous Slug Club. She spied Blaise standing in a small group, a Ravenclaw fifth year on his arm. She was beautiful, of course, and she seemed positively thrilled to be at his side, but Blaise looked almost bored. He must've sensed her watching because Blaise turned and caught her gaze. He lifted his glass in a subtle greeting.

Malinda nodded back, grateful for his recognition. She'd been worried that after Hogsmeade, he would ignore her fully. But it seemed she still had a friend left in the young man. She looked around the room some more, finding Harry, Luna and Hermoine standing together. No sign of McLaggen, though he was bound to be here somewhere.

Sure enough, she found him speaking to a group of older wizards a short distance away. It seemed McLaggen was happy to be free of his date for the moment. Not that Hermoine would complain.

Alec returned and offered a glass of bubbly liquid. "Scared Longbottom into giving us the real stuff, not the kid juice."

"Scared him how?"

"Nothing too serious, don't worry," Alec smirked.

"Sometimes I think you're in the wrong house, but then it's times like this I understand why you're a Slytherin," she chuckled before taking a sip. "This is good."

"Better than that ale earlier."

"Don't tell Ab, but agreed."

They stood together, watching the room and then Malinda cleared her throat, "Well, shall we? Guess we better network, never too early to make connections."

They worked their way around the room, meeting all sorts of people. There were wizards and witches of all backgrounds here, some from the Ministry, others in the private business world, and a few from the international wizarding governments. Malinda loved every minute of it, but she occasionally caught herself watching Hermoine. She couldn't shake her guilt of Ron's love potion fiasco. Was Hermoine alright? Had Ron taken the love potion or not? If he had, surely Slughorn would've fixed him up without any poison to derail the situation.

"How about you, Mr. Jones?" A wizard from the Ministry's auror department directed his attention to her date. "A strapping young man like yourself would make a good auror. We could use the new blood."

"It's my hope, sir," Alec nodded. "My OWLs met qualifications, I'm working to ensure my NEWTs do too."

"They will," Malinda jumped in. "Alec's too modest to say but he's in the top ten of our class."

"Impressive. When you have time, drop me an owl and I'll be glad to get you introduced to a few of my colleagues. They'd be more than happy to discuss your future at the department."

And so it went. It was nice too, though Malinda struggled to focus, to forget her troubles. She downed another drink, then another and another. She wasn't drunk, but a buzz had her smiling more easily a couple hours later. She was happy to let Alec do most of the talking, though he made sure to include her in their conversations.

Suddenly, the party was disrupted when Mr. Filch dragged in none other than Draco Malfoy. The Slytherin fought against his hold, demanding, "Take your hands off me, you filthy Squib."

Filch held firmly and offered the student like a prize to the party's host. "Professor Slughorn, sir. I just discovered this boy lurking outside. He claims to have been invited to your party."

Draco found Malinda and met her eyes briefly, before glancing away. "Okay, okay. I was gate-crashing. Happy?"

Snape stepped forward. "I'll escort him out."

Stepping away from Filch, Draco was more than happy to trail behind Snape. "Certainly, Professor."

Anxious to have the party underway again, Slughorn waved his arms and urged, "Alright, everyone. Carry on, carry on."

Alec returned his attention to the witch they'd been speaking with. Watching Snape and Draco disappear, Malinda withdrew her arm from Alec and murmured, "I'll be right back. Loo."

She chased after them, watching as Harry also made his way towards the exit. She slowed down, letting Harry go first and crept behind him. He was so focused on trailing the pair of wizards, he didn't realize Malinda stood just a few feet behind him.

"What are you up to Draco?" Snape's voice was full of warning and impatience.

"Nothing, leave me alone."

The potion master slammed Draco into the wall. "I swore to protect you. I made the Unbreakable Vow."

"I don't need protection. No matter what anyone says."

"You're afraid, Draco. You attempt to conceal it, but it's obvious, let me assist you."

"No, I was chosen. This is my moment."

Malinda tapped Harry on the shoulder and the wizard's reflexes kicked into gear. He spun, wand out and pointed at her throat. She tilted her head and said, "It's not polite to eavesdrop, Harry."

"What's it to you?"

The hostility in his voice stung more than it should've. Of course, he would be unkind to her. To him, she was just another Slytherin, hanging with the worst of their year. To him, she was no friend. But to her, he was a hero and a cherished childhood companion. Malinda side-stepped him, but he kept the wand pointed. "Nothing, but I don't think Professor Snape will appreciate you following him."

"And you'll tell him, I suppose?"

"No, but you should be careful. Conversations taken out of context can be dangerous."

Harry assessed her then lowered his wand. His next question took her by surprise. "Why are you always with Dumbledore and Snape? Why are you meeting with them at night?"

Her buzz was stronger than she supposed because she couldn't help but let it slip. "Watching me on the Marauder's Map are we? Some would call that stalking."

Harry's wand was instantly up again. "How do you know about that?"

"Harry! Stop it!" Hermoine approached them, her hand pushing the wand out of Malinda's face. "What are you doing?"

"She knows about my father's map," Harry accused. "How do you know about it?"

"Oops," Malinda giggled. "Shouldn't have said that."

"A-Are you drunk?" Hermoine gaped.

"Maybe a little. Oops again."

Hermoine frowned. "Should I go get Alec? You should go back to your room and-"

Harry ignored his friend's concern. He glared at Malinda harshly, "Answer my questions."

"Stop spying on me or I'll spy on you," Malinda fired back. "You're not the only one with a map now, Mr. Potter."

"What-"

Hermoine groaned. "Come on, Harry. Leave her alone."

"Yeah, leave me alone," Malinda nodded vigorously.

"Mal?"

Now, Alec had arrived. Concern crossed his features as he took in the scene. "Everything alright? Are they bothering you?"

"I'm fine."

Hermoine tugged at Harry's sleeve. "Come on. Luna will be waiting."

Thankfully, Harry allowed himself to be pulled back to the party. Malinda watched the pair go, somewhat sad that she hadn't been placed in Gryffindor, to play out her childhood daydreams of being a hero with the Golden Trio. Alec took their place and he peered curiously at her, "What's wrong?"

"Drank too much, too quickly," Malinda forced herself to smile. "Have a bit of stomachache."

"Let's go back then, the party should be over soon anyways-"

"No, no," She pushed him towards the party. "You stay. I'll go back on my own."

Alec scoffed. "I'm not going to leave you."

"Yes, you are."

"That would make the worst date in history," he teased. "Come on, I'll walk you back."

"I'm serious, Alec. You should stay. Look at all the people you're meeting, they're highly connected. Tonight could change your life. Go back, keep talking to people! I insist!" Malinda gave him another push. "Besides, I'm going to go straight to bed so it would be a waste of an opportunity."

"But-"

"Alec Jones, I swear I will be furious with you if you don't go back into that party."

He hesitated, "A-Are you sure?"

"Positive." To seal the deal, she gave him a quick peck. "Go, have fun."

The kiss seemed to do the trick. He gave her a smile and turned away. "I'll ask one of the girls to check on you when I get back, alright?"

"I'll probably be snoring, but fine."

He chuckled and went back the way he came.

As soon as he was out of ear shot, a familiar voice offered snide commentary. "Thank you for that pathetic display at young love."

"Well hello to you too, Sevvy."

"Don't call me that."

"Severus then," Malinda walked around the corner to find the potions master leaning against the wall, biding his time. "Harry heard you and Draco. You ought to be more careful. He heard you mention the Vow."

His dark eyes narrowed slightly. "And you ought to know better than to spend time galivanting after a boy. There are more important things at hand."

She crossed her arms defiantly. "Am I not allowed a personal life?"

She heard it as soon as she said it. Her words slurred slightly and instantly, Severus had gripped her chin and sniffed her breath. His tone turned icy cold. "You are drunk."

"Very tipsy," she corrected. "One more drink probably would've done it though."

Severus pinched his pronounced nose. "I will never understand why Merlin sent you, of all people, here."

"Ta-duh," Malinda bowed mockingly. "You're stuck with me. Now, where did Draco go?"

"I suspect he went to the Room of Requirement, why?"

"Well, if you want me to focus on the more important things, then I should go talk to him."

"Not now, you fool! Get back to your common room before I take away fifty points for underage drinking."

Malinda laughed at the empty threat and walked towards the nearest staircase, her heels clicking as she went. "I mean it Selwyn," Snape called. She only waved farewell over her shoulder.

The Room of Requirement was only the next floor up. In the films, Draco had gotten caught by Filch as he went to fiddle with the cabinet. But if he had given up on the impossible task, why had he been near the party? How had the same outcome happened regardless?

She found the blank wall and walked past it three times, thinking of how she needed to speak to Draco. The door appeared and she entered, expecting to find the massive expanse of lost and hidden things.

Instead, she found a grand bedroom. It was more of a hotel suite than a bedroom. It was large, most of the space dedicated to a couch and study area rather than the four-poster bed. Draco Malfoy lay across the couch, his jacket discarded and hair a wreck, as he watched the huge fireplace.

At her arrival, Draco sat up and he spat, "What are you doing here?"

"Could ask you the same thing," she paced the room. "I like what you've done with the place. What did you ask the Room of Requirement for?"

"This is my room. Get out."

"This," she pointed around them in surprise, "This is your room? At Malfoy Manor you mean?"

He nodded and repeated, "Get out."

"I didn't realize you could recreate rooms you know here, neat."

Draco stood, reaching for his jacket. "I came here for a bit of peace. Can't everyone just leave me the fuck alone!?"

Malinda sat down at the desk, admiring the wooden engraving at the center. "What's this?"

When he didn't reply, she studied the image. "Is this your family crest?"

He put the jacket on and cautiously approached. "This was my father's desk, I had it moved in after he-" Draco stopped short. He stared at Malinda and sneered, "Get tired of your party? Where's your date?"

"I wonder if…" Malinda focused hard for a moment and then beamed when a bottle of fire whiskey and two glasses appeared on the desk. "Wicked. Guess the castle doesn't mind serving a couple of underage students. Good to know!"

"What are you doing?"

"Drink with me," she told him, filling the glasses, and offering him one. When Draco didn't take it, she left it on the desk, grabbed her own and the bottle, and walked over the couch. She plopped down and sighed appreciatively, "So comfortable."

Malinda sipped her whiskey, enjoying the burn and extra warmth it brought. She finished her glass in the next few minutes, poured herself some more. A clink of glass told her Draco had finally grabbed his and a few footsteps later, he sat down on the couch too, his body as far away as possible.

"Why are you here?" He asked, suddenly sounding exhausted.

"I heard you and Snape talking," she told him. "Potter followed you both out and I followed him."

Draco inhaled sharply. She nodded, "Yup, he heard about you being chosen, Snape protecting you and the Vow."

"Fan-fucking-tastic," Draco threw his head back and drank his full glass. He grabbed the bottle from Malinda's grasp and refilled it. "Anything else I should know before the Dark Lord has me killed?"

"It happened in the original timeline too. Don't worry, he won't know what to make of us. He may suspect you're a Death Eater, but Ron and Hermoine convince him otherwise."

"Wonderful," he replied sarcastically, taking another deep swig.

Malinda turned to face him fully. "What I can't figure out is why you were there. In the original timeline, you get caught because you come here to work on the cabinet. But obviously that's not the case now. Why were you outside the party?"

He chose to drink instead of answer. She leaned her head on the couch's back, feeling dizzier by the minute. "I'm so tired of this, Draco."

"Tired of what?"

"Tired of trying to have a conversation. Why won't you just talk to me?"

"Talking is an easy way of getting killed."

"I'm not going to kill you, you moron!" She lifted her head again and leaned forward, pleading, "I'm trying to save you! How do I get you to understand that?"

Draco killed his second glass and refilled it again. "Maybe I don't deserve saving."

She recoiled. "Why would you say that?"

"I'm a Death Eater, the son of a Death Eater. My whole life I believed a lie, my whole life I treated people like shit. Now, I'm supposed to kill someone and I would've tried, if you hadn't stopped me," Draco drank heavily again. "So why should I be saved? Go bother someone else, someone more deserving."

"But-"

"You know what," he snapped. "Go save your precious Jones. When the war begins, my side will be coming for him, looking for his filthy muggle father and-"

"So this is what you've been doing? Wallowing in self-pity?"

His eyes flashed. "I'm not wallowing."

"This is literally the definition of wallowing."

"Get out. Go find Jones and go back to your party."

"What is your problem with him?" Malinda pushed. "Just because he's a half-blood you don't-"

"You deserve better!" Draco shouted. "You deserve someone from your class."

"My class?" She said incredulously. "You just admitted that your life has been built on a lie, you know that blood purity is all nonsense-"

"Perhaps the Dark Lord is a hypocrite, but pureblood is still-"

"Still what? Better? Bullshit," Malinda cut him off. "If blood matters so much, then why the fuck are you friends with a dirty blooded shitbag like Blaise?"

"Blaise?" Draco blinked in confusion. "What in Merlin are you talking about? He's like us, he's a pureblood. I thought you two were mates. What-"

"All pretend. I could never be friends with a dark-skinned, black monkey like him," Malinda forced the hateful tone, but internally she cringed. She hated herself for saying the awful words.

Draco stared and stared. He set the fire whiskey down and asked in genuine confusion, "What the fuck did you just call him?"

"He's black Draco," Malinda pressed. "How could you even be friends with someone with dirty skin? Muggles used to know better too. They enslaved his kind, kept them as pets and made them do their dirty work. We've forgotten the truth, that they're nothing more than dirty barbarians! Why-"

"Wait, you don't like Blaise because of his skin?" Draco clarified, still puzzled. "That is the most idiotic thing I've ever heard."

"Why? We've known for hundreds of years that his kind are no better than monkeys and-"

"Who gives a shit if his skin is darker? He was born that way you stupid-" Draco quickly shut his mouth. He stared at her some more than threw the nearly empty bottle at the fireplace. The bottle shattered and he stood, shaking with fury. "I know what you're doing."

"What am I doing?" Malinda stood up slowly. "Tell me, Draco. What am I doing?"

"It's not the same," he whispered.

She took a step closer. "Yes. It's exactly the same."

Draco squeezed his eyes shut. "No, it's not."

"You're right, he was born with his dark skin. We don't choose our skin color," Malinda dared another step closer. Then another and another. Until she was standing right before him. "Just as we don't choose our parents, our blood type or family name. Say it again Draco, who gives a shit?"

Draco kept his eyes closed as Malinda slipped her hands around his torso, pulling him into a tentative hug. Even with heels, he was still taller, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Draco. Ignorance is bliss, but it's time you knew the truth about the world."

His body shook, but this time from grief rather than anger. His limp arms slowly began to move, until he enveloped her, his head resting against hers and she felt his face grow wet. The tears fell into her hair as he cried silently.

"I'm sorry," she whispered and just held him. They stood there for a few minutes, until Malinda strained to keep still in her heels. Whatever charm Daphne had used, it was beginning to wear off and feet began to ache. Gently, she guided them to the couch where Draco collapsed. He moved away from her, wiping at his eyes and turning his head away so she wouldn't see. He didn't move completely away, their legs still touching as they sat together on the sofa.

Malinda waited, wanting him to dictate what happened next. A few minutes later, Draco sniffed and once satisfied that he was presentable again, faced forward. She pretended not to notice his red eyes or flushed skin.

To her surprise, Draco held out his hand and waited. A moment later came the soft pop of magic and a new, filled bottle of fire whiskey appeared. Wordlessly, he reached down and took hold of his glass, filling it again.

Draco downed it. He hissed, the whiskey burning his throat, and he set the empty glass down. He took a deep breath, and his voice was husky as he said, "Tell Dumbledore I'll meet with him."

"Alright."

"I want you there. I don't trust the fool."

She peered curiously at him. "Does that mean you trust me?"

He pressed his lips tightly together, but after a few seconds gave a hesitant nod. Malinda's shoulders sagged, freed from a weight she didn't fully realize she carried. She grabbed her own discarded glass and held it out to Draco. "Thank Merlin for that. This calls for a toast."

Draco filled her glass and she clinked it against his. "To the start of something new, something better. To a better life."

She drank immediately and watched as he considered his glass. Then, he threw his head back and downed it. He hissed again.

Malinda groaned, leaning into the sofa. The whiskey was hitting her full force now. On top of her previous drinks, it was more than enough to make the world spin. "A-Alright," she gulped. "Now I'm proper drunk."

Draco relaxed into the couch too. "I'm not too far behind."

She giggled. "I bet you're a sad drunk."

He glared, "Why would you say that?"

"Angst, wallowing," she shrugged. "It's just a hunch."

"I bet you're the type of drunk who won't shut up. Merlin knows you talk more than enough already sober."

"Someone has to fill the angsty silence you leave behind."

"I am not angsty."

"You are," she held up her fingers, indicating a small amount, "Just a tad. It's okay to admit it."

He ignored her.

Malinda rubbed her temples. "Do you think the room will give us water too? How about a hangover potion?"

At her command, a pitcher of water appeared on the rug below them.

"I love magic," she hummed.

Draco filled their glasses with the clear liquid and roughly pushed one into her hands. He drank his greedily, refilling it and this time, sipping more slowly. He kept his eyes on the fire, almost as if he were afraid to look at her.

She knew, even drunk, that she shouldn't press him anymore, but Malinda couldn't but ask again, "Why were you outside the party?"

"Why does it matter?" he muttered.

"Because I want to know how something happened even when I removed the original cause," she admitted. "Maybe some things are meant to happen, no matter what."

"Why would you say that? What if that means that no matter what, I'm doomed to struggle for years, no matter what you do?"

She rolled her eyes, sipping from her water. "Obviously, that's wrong. You're already leaps and bounds away from your original self. I'm talking about the small details. Maybe some things fate wants to happen anyways. I don't know."

Malinda finished her water and held out her glass. He dutifully filled it. She frowned, "Wait, stop distracting me. Why were you there tonight?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It does, to me."

"Why?"

"Why won't you just tell me?"

"Fine!" Draco snapped, suddenly turning so that he faced her. His blue eyes were unfocused, dazed from the alcohol. "You want to know why I was there?"

She waited.

"Because I wanted to stop you!"

She blinked, "What?"

"I wanted to stop you from going to that stupid party with that bastard!"

Malinda's irritation flared up. "I told you, it doesn't matter if he's a half-blood-"

"I don't care about this blood!" Draco shouted. "I care because he shouldn't be with you!"

Malinda rubbed her temples again. Her head pounded, everything was dizzy, and she was pretty sure she would fall asleep soon if she didn't stand up. "I… I don't understand."

Warm hands enveloped her face, pulling her closer to him. Draco held her, his hold firm but not painful, and he looked at her desperately. "Of course, you don't. Of course."

Slowly, her drunk brain began to process what he was saying. What he was doing. Confusion, horror, fear and a secret excitement began to wash over.

Draco kissed her then, his hold on her loosening until his hands were a gentle caress. His fingers traced across her jawline as his lips moved against hers.

And she was kissing him back, she realized through the dizziness.

Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was this room, or maybe it was Merlin's cruel trick… But if she had felt heat with Alec, then she was burning alive with Draco. Pure fire burned through her and she was moving, pressing herself against him. Draco moaned, automatically moving with her, until she sat securely in his lap. He kissed her hard now, his tongue moving with hers and his hands explored down her neck, her shoulders and further down. His head ducked down, kissing the side of her neck and his hand cupped her left breast, squeezing slightly. Malinda gasped as lust filled her. Yes, she was on fire. She was burning and-

Not an hour ago, she had kissed Alec.

Malinda pushed herself up and away. She landed on the couch and scooted back. "W-We can't," she said hoarsely. "I can't."

Draco was breathing heavily from where he sat. "Why?" He moved towards her. "Because of Jones? Because I'm a Death Eater? Because you've seen my future wife?"

Malinda swallowed hard. "Yes."

He closed the distance between them and took hold of her face again, this time, holding her with such care that she felt like a porcelain doll about to break. Draco's blue eyes searched hers and he whispered, "I don't care."

He kissed her again, slowly and when she didn't stop him, Draco pulled her once more to him.