Chapter 19

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, it all belongs to JK Rowling…I'm merely an obsessed fan with ideas stuck in my head.

… … … … … …

Leila broke the kiss with Draco and rested her head on his chest. Draco then rested his chin on the top of her head. She stared out into the starry night sky from the Astronomy Tower.

"You're short." Draco mumbled.

"Got a problem with that?" Leila teased.

Draco chuckled and held her tighter. Leila sighed in his arms. She was happy and content in his arms. Never in her life would she have guessed that this is where she would be. If someone would have told her first year that she would be in love with Draco Malfoy, she would have laughed in their face. But now, being with Draco seemed so right, no matter what her head was screaming. Leila entwined her hand in his and slightly pulled back.

"Walk me back to the common room?" Leila asked.

Draco nodded and led her down the stairs. Once they were out of the Astronomy Tower, they headed for the main staircase. Suddenly, Draco held his hand up to Leila, motioning her to stop.

"What is it?" Leila whispered.

"Listen." Draco whispered.

Leila could hear sniffling and chirping.

"What the…" Leila began.

"Sh!" Draco commanded.

Draco held her back with his arm. Leila rolled her eyes and continued to listen. Granger was crying! And she was talking with Harry.

"C'mon." Draco said.

Draco grabbed her hand and led her a different direction, but she couldn't help but be curious. What could Granger possibly be crying about? She was tempted to turn around and see. Draco must have sensed this, so he gripped her hand tighter. They were almost to the Slytherin common room when Draco stopped in an abandoned corridor.

"We should probably say goodnight here." Draco said.

"Goodnight." Leila smirked.

Leila placed her hands on Draco's shoulders and stood up on her tippy toes. She gently pressed her lips onto his. He placed his hands on her waist to steady her. Leila smiled.

"I. Love. You." Leila mumbled in between kisses.

Draco's kisses intensified. They became more heated and passionate. He backed her up into the wall. Leila's cheeks began to flush and she became rather warm. She wanted to take Draco's jacket off, but she didn't want to give him the wrong impression. She may love him, but she was not ready for that kind of relationship. Draco began to nuzzle on her neck.

"Draco." Leila mumbled.

Draco didn't respond. Leila placed both her arms on his chest and gave a firm shove backwards. His eyes widened in shock, but was instantly replaced by his usual façade.

"Draco, I'm sorry." Leila sighed.

"It's fine." Draco muttered.

"Apparently not." Leila said.

"Really, I have things I need to do." Draco said.

"Are you sure?" Leila asked.

Draco kissed the top of her head and mumbled something she couldn't understand. He then turned to walk away. Leila started back for the common room, but remembered she was still wearing his jacket. She turned around to see him walking fast. No one was around.

"Draco." Leila called after him.

He instantly turned around and gave her a quizzical look.

"I think you're forgetting something." Leila said.

She took his jacket off and held it out for him to grab. As she was taking the jacket off, the Marauders Map fell from her pocket. Draco walked back and took his jacket.

"What's that?" Draco asked pointing.

"What's what?" Leila asked.

"That." Draco said.

Leila looked to the floor and found the Marauders Map was the item he was wondering about.

"Oh this? It's just some old parchment. Nothing important." Leila said.

Draco nodded at her answer. Leila looked into Draco's icy eyes.

"I love you." Leila said.

She quickly kissed his cheek and turned around to leave. Giving him no time to respond, but Leila could have sworn she heard him whisper an "I love you too." She was almost to the common room when she noticed her necklace dangling in the candle light. She quickly tucked the necklace, with Draco's ring, down her shirt and walked into the common room. Once inside the common room, she went straight for her room. She quickly changed into her pajamas and crawled into bed. Her thoughts were centered on Draco. For once, she actually felt content with her life. Draco seemed to fill the empty void inside her. The empty void left by the loss of her parents, Cedric, and Sirius. She fell asleep thinking of him.

During the night she began to dream, a different kind of dream she hadn't had for months.

"He should consider it an honor, Cissy." A woman hissed.

"But he's only a boy, Bella." Another woman cried.

"The Dark Lord…" the voice trailed off.

The scene changed and became a bit brighter. A tall dark cabinet was the focal piece. On the cabinet was a hand. A hand with an emerald ring. The hand looked so familiar. The scene was rather hushed and looked vaguely familiar. Suddenly, she was staring into those familiar icy eyes.

Leila instantly awoke, clutching Draco's ring. Was Draco really one of them? Leila examined his ring. The ring was exactly the same as the ring in both of her dreams. And the scene she had last seen, she had been on the outside looking in. Draco, the boy she loved was…She wouldn't allow herself to go any further. It was only a dream. Maybe her dream didn't mean anything. She desperately didn't want it to mean anything. Things were finally going right. Leila sighed, rested her head back on the pillow, and went back to sleep.

Thursday morning, the day before Slughorn's party, rolled around and Leila headed down to the Great Hall. She ignored the glares from the Slytherin table and took a seat at the Gryffindor table. She sat down next to Ginny who was sitting with Hermione.

"Pass me the Pixie Puffs." Leila said.

Ginny handed her the box of cereal and Leila poured herself a bowl. Leila silently ate her cereal. She looked at the Slytherin table and saw Draco sitting with Crabbe and Goyle. This was one of the times he had actually managed to show up to breakfast. She smiled to herself.

"Leila." Ginny said.

"Hmm…what?" Leila said.

"Who are we smiling at?" Ginny asked.

"No one. Just thinking." Leila said.

"Well, since you're thinking, who are you going with to Slughorn's party?" Ginny asked.

"I wasn't planning on taking anyone." Leila said.

"It's highly recommended." Hermione added.

"Who are you taking then?" Leila asked.

Hermione didn't answer her because at that moment Lavender Brown squealed in delight at the sight of Ron entering the Great Hall with Harry. Hermione's expression looked rather hurt. Leila almost felt bad for her.

"Apparently, you're not going with Ron." Leila said.

"I've made other arrangements." Hermione commented.

"Who?" Ginny asked.

"It's a surprise." Hermione said.

"C'mon give me a hint." Ginny begged.

"I'm not saying anymore." Hermione said.

Harry took a seat next to Hermione. Ron sat on the other side of Leila. Leila smiled at Ron and playfully smacked his arm. Ron simply rolled his eyes. Leila felt a tapping on her shoulder.

"Eh-hem." Lavender cleared her throat.

"Catching a cold, Brown?" Leila asked.

Lavender rolled her eyes and pushed Leila into Ginny. She then squeezed in between Ron and Leila and clung to Ron's arm.

"Since when have they been an item?" Leila whispered into Ginny's ear.

"Since after Ron snogged her after the Qudditch match." Ginny whispered back.

"How did I miss this?" Leila asked.

"Dunno maybe because you're in Slytherin and have we haven't seen you practically all week." Ginny smiled.

"She's awfully clingy." Leila commented.

"Tell me about it." Ginny said.

Both Hermione and Harry remained rather silent. When it was time to go to Ancient Runes, Hermione roughly grabbed her bag and huffed out of the Great Hall.

The entire day seemed to drag. All Ron seemed to talk about was Lavender and all Hermione seemed to gripe about was Lavender. Leila felt if she heard one more word from or about Lavender Brown she might explode. Supper was a rather dull event. She sat with Harry and Hermione. The conversation was lacking, which Leila was thankful for. Because that meant she didn't have to hear more about Ron and Lavender. Ron walked over to where they were sitting, Lavender clinging to his arm. Hermione instantly stood up and left, Harry followed after her.

"What's with her?" Ron asked.

"Erm…she just remembered about a book she needed to get." Leila lied.

"Oh, well, Leila?" Ron asked.

"Yes?" Leila asked.

"Can I ask you a question?" Ron asked.

"You just did." Leila commented.

"You know what I mean." Ron groaned.

"Fine, what do you want?" Leila asked.

"It's more of a favor really." Ron said.

"Just spit it out, will you." Leila said.

"Could you patrol for me tonight?" Ron asked.

"I'm not sure Malfoy will go for that…" Leila began.

"No, I meant can you patrol for me with Hermione?' Ron asked.

"What's so important that you can't?" Leila asked.

"Erm…" Ron began tilting his head toward Lavender.

"Fine…but you're lucky I like you and you owe me." Leila sighed.

Lavender glared at her. Leila just ignored her.

"Thanks Leila, you're the best!" Ron exclaimed.

Ron ruffled Leila's hair and walked away with Lavender. Leila pushed her hair back in place and sighed. It looked like she was in for a night of quality time with Granger. Leila left the Great Hall in search of Granger. It wasn't that hard to figure out where she went, the one place Ron would never step foot in without her, the library.

When Leila got to the library, the place was pretty full with people studying. She found Hermione and Harry at a table near the back of the library. Leila slid down in the seat next to Harry.

"What did Ronald want?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, you know." Leila said.

"No, I don't know. That's why I asked." Hermione said.

"Erm, it appears that I'll be patrolling with you tonight." Leila said.

"What?" Hermione gasped.

"I knew you'd take this well." Leila muttered.

"He has some nerve." Hermione said.

Hermione pushed herself up and grabbed a stack of books.

"Hermione." Harry called after her.

Both Harry and Leila stood up and followed Hermione. Hermione was putting books away back onto the shelves.

"Ron's being an idiot, you know how he is." Leila said.

"He's at perfect liberty to kiss whoever he likes. I couldn't really care less. Can we change the subject?" Hermione said.

"Erm…so, Slughorn's Christmas party?" Leila suggested.

"Was I under the impression he and I would be attending Slughorn's Christmas party? Yes. Now, given the circumstances, I've had to make other arrangements." Hermione continued.

"Way to change the subject back." Leila commented.

"Have you?" Harry asked.

"Yes, why?" Hermione said.

"I just thought, seeing as neither of us can go with who we'd really like to…we should go together, as friends." Harry said.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Hermione asked.

"Who are you going with?" Harry asked.

"Um, it's a surprise. Anyway, it's you we have to worry about. You can't just take anyone." Hermione said.

"What about me?" Leila asked.

"You, we'll worry about later. Right now it's Harry we have to be concerned about." Hermione said.

"Why?' Harry asked.

"See that girl over there?" Hermione asked.

Hermione moved and angled her body so that Harry could look at the girl without being too obvious. Leila didn't recognize the dark-haired girl, but from her uniform she could tell that the girl was in Gryffindor.

"Who is she?" Leila asked.

"That's Romilda Vane. Apparently, she's trying to smuggle Harry a love potion." Hermione said.

"Really?" Harry asked.

Harry's jaw dropped as he looked over to where Romilda was sitting.

"Hey, she's only interested in you because she thinks you're the Chosen One." Hermione snapped.

"But I am the Chosen One." Harry responded smirking.

Hermione crinkled her nose and smacked Harry across the head with parchment. Leila snorted.

"Ok, sorry, um kidding." Harry said.

"Sure you were." Leila smiled.

"I'll take someone I like. Someone cool." Harry said.

"My answer's no." Leila said.

"What?" Harry asked confusedly.

"I know you like me and I'm really cool, but don't even bother asking me. That would just be creepy." Leila teased.

"And on that note, we should go patrol." Hermione rolled her eyes.

Hermione headed for the exit and Leila turned to follow her, but stopped midstep and turned to her brother.

"Don't go taking any love potions while I'm not around." Leila smirked.

"Shut up." Harry said.

Leila smirked again and followed Hermione out the library. Most of the patrol was in silence. Leila could tell by the look on Hermione's face that she was thinking about Ron.

"You want to talk about it?" Leila asked.

"Talk about what?" Hermione asked.

"Well, obviously something's bothering you and if I had to place my bet it would be on Ron." Leila said.

Hermione remained silent.

"Fine, we won't talk about it then. But if you want my opinion, which you probably don't…I don't see Ron and Lavender as some epic romance. They'll fizzle out eventually." Leila said.

When the patrol ended, Leila headed back to the Slytherin common room. She was almost there when she was dragged into an empty corridor.

"We really have to stop meeting like this." Leila smiled.

"Have you been avoiding me?" Draco asked seriously.

"What? Of course not!" Leila said.

"Did you even mean it?" Draco hissed.

"Mean what?" Leila asked.

"What…what you told me last night." Draco stammered.

"That I love you? Of course I meant it." Leila argued.

"You've been avoiding me. I haven't seen you all day." Draco said.

"Technically, you have seen me. We just haven't spent any time together." Leila said.

"So you're admitting it then." Draco said.

"I wasn't avoiding you. I was patrolling with Granger because Ron bailed on her." Leila said.

"Oh. I…I…thought that maybe you changed your mind." Draco said.

Leila's thoughts instantly returned to the dream she had the night before. She tried to push her dream aside and focus on the here and now.

"I meant it when I said that I love you. I can't ever remember feeling this way about anyone else." Leila said.

"Not even Diggory?" Draco asked.

"That was only a crush. It was nothing compared to what we have now." Leila said.

"Good." Draco said.

"I'm sorry I gave you the wrong impression, however can I make this up to you?" Leila smirked.

"I have an idea." Draco smirked back.

Next thing she knew, Leila was in Draco's arms kissing him. The couple was eventually broken up because they heard someone coming down the corridor. Draco accidentally bit her lip as he broke away. Leila's fingers flew to her lips, where blood was already beginning to trickle.

"That hurt." Leila hissed.

"I didn't do it on purpose." Draco hissed back.

"That wasn't an apology." Leila said.

Leila looked to make sure the coast was clear before going any closer to Draco. Draco was standing across the hallway with his arms folded across his chest.

"Does it hurt?" Draco asked.

"It's not that bad. I've had worse experiences, but you don't know the guy." Leila said.

"Oh really." Draco replied.

"My lip got stuck in his braces. Talk about embarrassing and awkward." Leila said.

"Braces?" Draco asked.

"Erm…a Muggle contraption used to straighten teeth. They're usually metal and they stay on the teeth until they're straight." Leila said.

"You snogged a Muggle? When?" Draco asked.

"Does it really matter? But it was summer before last." Leila said.

"How many guys have you snogged?" Draco asked.

"Don't even go there with me, Draco Malfoy." Leila nearly shouted, shaking her finger.

"Don't turn this around on me, we were talking about you." Draco retorted.

"Ugh, you're so frustrating." Leila hissed.

"And you're not?" Draco quipped.

"Can we not fight tonight, please? We always fight and I just want to have a nice night, or what's left of it, with you." Leila said.

Draco shrugged his shoulders and Leila placed a hand on his cheek.

"Besides, I need you to help me solve my dilemma, but we should probably solve it elsewhere." Leila said.

Draco nodded and they walked to an empty classroom. He locked the door and put a silencing charm up.

"So what is this dilemma?" Draco asked.

"Well, you know how I'm part of the Slug Club…" Leila began.

Draco's face turned into a scowl.

"Don't be like that. It's not like I really want to be in it anyways." Leila said.

"Whatever." Draco muttered.

"Anyways, his Christmas party is coming up and we're supposed to bring a date." Leila said.

"Well, you're not going to." Draco said.

"But I'm supposed to. As much as I'd like to bring you, you and I both know that I can't. So I'm giving you input in my choosing process." Leila said.

"I don't like this. I don't like some other guy going to some stupid party with my girlfriend." Draco scowled.

"I don't like this any better than you do. But, I was kinda thinking about Ron. He's not going with Granger because he's dating Lavender. He's my friend, but he's also taken. Practically a win-win situation." Leila said.

"Absolutely not!" Draco shouted.

"Why not?" Leila asked.

"I've seen the way he looks at you sometimes…" Draco began.

"Ew. That's disgusting." Leila said.

"Well he does." Draco said.

"No, he doesn't; but that's beside the point. So then who are you suggesting?" Leila asked.

"I dunno, someone more Slytherin." Draco groaned.

"I'm not going with Zabini." Leila added.

"Good, I don't want you to go with him. He wouldn't keep his hands off you." Draco said.

"There's got to be somebody you don't feel threatened by, who isn't in Slytherin." Leila said.

"I don't feel threatened and there's nothing wrong with our House." Draco hissed.

"I don't trust any of the guys in our House, but whatever, pick somebody." Leila said.

Draco thought about it for a few minutes, which seemed like an eternity to Leila.

"Longbottom." Draco drawled.

"What?" Leila asked.

"Longbottom, you can go with Longbottom." Draco said hesitantly.

"That's actually a really good idea. Neville's nothing more than a friend and it will get him out of serving drinks." Leila said.

"I still don't like this." Draco said.

"It's Neville, you have nothing to worry about." Leila said.

The next morning came and Leila was determined to ask Neville. She waited for him at the Gryffindor table with Ginny. Neville walked into the Great Hall and Leila waved him over. He took a seat next to Leila and Ginny stared at them confusedly.

"How are you doing, Neville?" Leila asked.

"Erm…well, I guess." Neville said.

"That's good." Leila said.

Neville nodded and reached for a box of cereal. Leila began to feel nervous. She had never had to ask a guy out while dating another guy before. She hoped that this would be the only time.

"Neville, can I ask a favor of you?" Leila asked nervously.

"Um, sure." Neville said.

"Would you be willing to go to Slughorn's party with me? It will get you out of having to serve drinks and…" Leila rambled.

"Leila, I'll go." Neville smiled.

"Just as friends though." Leila added.

"Just as friends." Neville agreed.

"Good." Leila sighed.

Neville went back to eating his cereal as if the whole conversation didn't even phase him. Leila shook her head and found Ginny staring at her. Leila rolled her eyes and continued eating her breakfast.

Leila determined that Neville would go down with Harry and she'd meet up with them. It was almost eight o'clock when Leila headed to the meeting spot. She donned a dark green knee-length and left her hair down, but let it hang in loose curls. She met up with the boys; both of them looked rather dashing.

"So Harry, where's your date?" Leila asked.

"Behind you." Harry said pointing.

Leila turned around to see Luna Lovegood walking toward them in a rather eccentric looking dress.

"Interesting choice." Leila whispered.

The four of them headed for Slughorn's office, Harry and Luna leading them. Neville and Leila hung back away.

"I wanted to thank you for inviting me." Neville said.

"It's not a problem, besides; you're the only person worth bringing." Leila smiled.

When they entered Slughorn's office, they were immediately greeted by him. Leila managed to squeeze out of the conversation and dragged Neville with her. Slughorn seemed rather keen on introducing Harry to one of his former colleagues, something Leila had no interest in. Leila spotted Ginny with Dean and walked over to talk with them. Leila mingled for a while and eventually had to pull her brother away from Slughorn.

"Thanks, I owe you." Harry said.

"You already owe me for the rest of your life." Leila smiled.

"Is that Hermione?" Harry asked.

Leila turned around to find Hermione escaping behind a curtain.

"It appears to be, but the question is who is she hiding from?" Leila said.

"What makes you think she's hiding?" Harry asked.

"I'm a girl, I know these types of things." Leila said.

"Well, seeing as you're a girl you probably understand these things better and should go talk to her." Harry said.

"Not my job, it's yours." Leila said.

Leila gently shoved Harry toward Hermione and went to go get some punch. She was met by Cormac McLaggen. He was standing awkwardly with two glasses of punch.

"Have you seen Granger?" Cormac asked.

"As in Hermione Granger?" Leila asked.

"Yes." Cormac said.

"What do you need her for?" Leila asked.

"She happens to be my date." Cormac said.

Leila snorted and began to laugh.

"You've got to be kidding me. She came with you!" Leila laughed.

Cormac rolled his eyes and walked away. Leila continued to laugh. Of all the people Granger could ask, she asked Cormac McLaggen! Leila understood that this would probably piss Ron off the most. Leila moved to walk back over to Neville. On her way over, she was almost run over by Filch dragging Draco in by the ear.

"Get your hand off me you filthy squib." Draco hissed.

Filch stopped with Draco almost right in front of her. Leila saw Draco look her over and she blushed at his gaze.

"Professor Slughorn, sir. I discovered this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims to have been invited to your party." Filch said.

"All right, I wasn't invited! I was gatecrashing, happy?" Draco hissed.

"I'll escort him out." Professor Snape drawled.

"That's all right, Severus. It's Christmas, and it's not a crime to want to come a party. Just this once, you may stay Draco." Professor Slughorn said.

"I'd like a word with Mr. Malfoy." Snape drawled.

"Oh, now, Severus, it's Christmas. Don't be too hard…" Professor Slughorn began.

"I'm his Head of House, and I shall decide how hard or otherwise to be. Come along Mr. Malfoy." Snape drawled.

"Certainly, Professor." Draco sneered.

Professor Snape and Draco left the party. A few moments later, she watched her brother sneak out after them.

"Harry." Leila muttered under her breath.

Leila quickly followed behind Harry. She hoped that he wasn't going to do anything irrational. Harry was walking really fast and Leila was having a hard time keeping up. But he stopped suddenly, causing Leila to run into him.

"Bloody hell." Leila groaned.

"Sh!" Harry shushed.

Leila listened to what her brother was listening to.

"Maybe I did hex that Bell girl. Maybe I didn't. What's it to you?" Draco hissed.

"You cannot afford mistakes, Draco, because if you are expelled…" Snape began.

"Who suspects me…Don't look at me like that! I know what you're doing. I'm not stupid. I can stop you!" Draco said angrily.

"Ah…Auntie Bella has been teaching you Occlumency, I see. What thoughts are you trying to conceal from your master, Draco?" Snape asked.

"I'm not trying to conceal anything from him, I just don't want you butting in!" Draco hissed.

"I swore to protect you! I made the Unbreakable Vow!" Snape hissed.

"I don't need your protection. I was chosen for this. Out of all others. Me. And I won't fail him." Draco hissed.

Leila's face paled. Draco really was…Leila's hand threw to her throat. Leila quickly ran to the nearest bathroom and locked herself in a stall. She could feel her throat begin to choke up and tears in her eyes that threatened to spill. She needed somewhere alone to think, because she had a lot to think about.