Chapter 4
Draco glanced over at Harry in Herbology. They hadn't spoken since he had kissed him. Draco's stomach twisted into knots as he used a hand shovel to stir his soil. Shea Mui glanced at him with a suspicious expression, but began potting her Root of Gardiana. Pansy looked furious; Draco hadn't spoken to her for a little over a week.
Draco felt Harry's emeralds watching him, but he just stirred the soil some more. At the end of the class, Ron handed him a note with a disgusted look on his face. Draco was about to tear it open when a hand grasped his shoulder. "What?" He snapped, turning around. He didn't know why he was in a bad mood: the plan was working great.
"Draco..." Eve said, hugging her school bag to her chest. She had a faraway look in her dark eyes. His glare softened. "What?" He repeated in a nicer tone. Eve tugged on the sleeve of her black fishnet shirt and sighed. "Did you get a letter from Lucius as well?" She asked quietly. Draco had known this was coming.
"Yes," Draco responded. "I'm told the meeting will be in the ally behind the Shrieking Shack." He shrugged, walking with Eve around the green house. Eve nodded. "Yes, and if I'm late my punishment will be severe." She added, cracking her pale knuckles. Draco nodded. He couldn't even begin to imagine the consequences.
"I get the Mark burned into my flesh," Eve said, slowly twirling around in a circle. Draco paused. "Are you sure you want to do it, Eve?" He asked, smoothing back his blonde hair. Eve stopped twirling and frowned, a black curl dropping in front of her face. "I don't know." She whimpered. "Laura Dirge will be there," She said once again, getting that faraway look in her lonely black eyes. It looked as if evil had taken its toll on poor Eve Studt.
Laura Dirge was one of the most feared death eaters of this time. She worked with Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius, and Voldemort himself. Eve looked like she was about to cry. "It's too late for me to back out now," she choked out. Then she slung her school bag onto her shoulder and headed up to the brightly lit castle.
Draco began pacing around, staring at the setting sun when he remembered the note in his pocket. I wonder what Weasel needs to tell me, he thought blankly as he unfolded the wrinkled parchment. He skimmed the letter quickly, feeling tense.
Malfoy,
Why did you kiss me? I just want to know why. I did not expect it at all. Now I don't know what to think. Could you please clear things up for me?
Harry
Draco was about to crumble the letter, then he just shoved it into the pocket of his robe. He couldn't help the battle raging inside of him at the moment. He didn't want to like Potter at all, but he did. If it weren't for this plan, he wouldn't be working with him. If it weren't for this plan, he would still be able to loath Potter purely. But now - Now he didn't know what he was feeling.
* * *
"I hope you've been studying with your partners thoroughly," Professor Marvos said sternly, passing out an ancient looking worksheet to the class. Harry skimmed the worksheet and rolled his eyes at Ron. This was going to be simple. Once all of the sheets were passed out, and the hour glass was over turned, the pre-test began.
Harry tried to concentrate, but his eyes kept wandering to Malfoy's sleek blonde hair and pointed face. Harry shook his head, trying to clear the memory of Malfoy's lips on his. Must concentrate, Harry thought. His quill moved quickly as he did his best to answer the questions. He knew the answers to all of them.
When the hour glass had emtied and all of the parchment was collected, Professor Marvos glanced around at them all. "Is this your best?" She asked, her eyes scanning the top paper. She looked disappointed. "The only pair who've turned out with excellent scores have been Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. Maybe I should tell your other teachers to pair you two together more often." She said, cocking an eyebrow. Hermione glanced at Harry, a blank look on her face, but she said nothing.
Ron's mouth gapped open. "She's kidding, right?" He whispered furiously. Harry avoided Malfoy's gaze and busied himself with organizing his pencil case. "Mr. Malfoy, a word?" Professor Marvos said, tossing her black silk shawl over her shoulder. The hour glass on the black board shelf emtied and Professor Marvos waved a hand at the class, signaling the end.
Nadia and Hermione left the group, whispering quietly as they hurried in the direction of the library. "Hermione's been acting...odd." Ginny said, walking up to them. Her red hair was pulled into a low ponytail and her Slytherin robes billowed around her as Alice and Luna bounded toward them.
"Hello, Ron!" Alice said, smiling. Ron raised an eyebrow but waved all the same. Morgan glared at Alice and stroked Ron's arm protectivly. Ron kissed her forehead and pulled her away from the corridor. Alice pouted, but Luna ignored her. "Hello, Harry." She said, a faint smile on her lips.
"My friend, Faith Diggory, would really like to meet with you." Luna said simply, her eyes large. Harry froze. "Diggory?" He asked, a numb feeling spreading through him. Luna nodded and pointed down the corridor toward a girl with golden blonde hair and she was smiling in an odd sort of way. Harry allowed Luna to steer him towards her. He had no idea what this was about.
Faith Diggory directed her attention on Harry, and her expression softened. Harry looked at her blankly, not knowing what to do. A single tear slowly slid down her cheek. She didn't bother to wipe at it. "Beware of danger, Harry Potter," Was all she said. She turned and hurried up the staircase. Her words echoed in Harry's head.
"Harry?" Ginny asked, rushing towards him. Adriana was at her side. "Wake up!" Ginny cried, stoking his forehead in a friendly way. She took a small bottle out of her pocket and made him sip some. He sat up after a minute. The hall way was empty except for the three of them. "Are you okay, Harry?" Adriana asked quietly, the panic showing on her face.
"W-what happened?" Harry asked, straightening his glasses. His eyes locked on a pair of silver ones, but when he blinked they were gone. "When Diggory walked away, you just, well - fainted!" Ginny said softly. She helped him to his feet. Dean Thomas peeked from the boys restroom and waved at Ginny, who turned scarlett. Everyone knew that Ginny and Dean were dating these days.
Ginny mumbled something and walked away with Dean towards the main hall. "Harry, are you all right?" Adriana asked, stepping into the light. Her strawberry blonde hair glowed under the torch light and such warmth was etched into her worried face. Harry was just so happy to have a true friend at the moment; he gave her a great hug. She seemed flustered but hugged him as well.
"I'm glad you're okay." She said, smiling. "So am I..." Came a steely voice as Draco stepped out of the shadows, an unreadable expression on his face.
* * *
"Hello, Draco, Eve." Purred a silky female voice. A woman with black hair braided down her back stepped from the shadows. About a dozen more were behind her. Laura Dirge. She had three piercings pierced into her bottom lip, her eyebrow pierced, her nose pierced, and she also had diamond studs glittering in her ears. Her long black cloak billowed as she walked.
"Draco, I am assuming that you've got your part done?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. Draco felt Eve shudder at his side, but she said nothing. Draco nodded. "Yes, I have." He said proudly. A grunt of glee came from one of the shadows and Draco had a feeling it was his father. "Great!" Laura said, clasping her pale hands together. "You've made Potter fall in love with you?" She asked him, staring daggers into his gray eyes. He nodded. "I am pretty sure."
Laura paused. "There is nothing final about 'pretty sure' young Mr. Malfoy." She said sternly. "Anyway, I'll deal with that later. Miss Studt," Laura said, turning her gaze to Eve. "You look alarmingly like your mother!" Laura blurted out. Eve looked down sadly and nodded. "I am aware that you'd like to have the Dark Mark burned upon your skin. You are ready to become a death eater?" Laura's silky voice cooed. Eve nodded, regaining posture. "I'm ready." She said, her voice sounding odd.
"Right then." Laura said, playing with her wand. She thought for a moment, then pulled up Eve's sleeve. "Morsmordreos!" She cried. The spell echoed into the night and a silver light shot from the end of the willow wand. Eve's mouth twisted into a silent scream but as quickly as the light had come, it had died away and Eve fell to the ground. "Is she all right?" Draco asked, gazing down at her. Eve's dull eyes stared up at him, looking even more distant.
Laura shrugged. "She'll be fine. Once the pain dies down." She said with a cruel laugh. A twisted Dark Mark was branded onto Eve's pale skin. Her robe sleeve was still pushed up and the skin around the mark was beginning to turn red.
"Eve, welcome to the Dark side." Lucius Malfoy said, stepping from the shadows. "It is time to review the plan!" He announced. Several death eaters in the shadows cleared their throats as Lucius continued.
"Draco makes Potter fall in love with him," Lucius began, flashing Draco a flustered glance. "Studt kidnaps precious Mudblood Granger. Draco pretends to be revealing the plan and lets it slip that Granger is being held hostage. Potter comes to rescue her, and -" Lucius spat on the dirty ground. "He's dead."
Eve's eyes widened and she stroked the mark on her skin. "I can do it," She said, standing up. Draco felt his chest tighten, but knew he had to do what he was told. He cursed himself; why did he feel like this for Potter?
* * *
Bonnie Kwong, a seventh year Ravenclaw, had handed Harry the reply from Draco. "Draco told me to give this to you, Harry." She had said before walking away to join Cho and Riley O'Leary. Harry unfolded the paper quickly and read it.
Harry,
I don't know what possessed me to do so, but I don't honestly think it was that bad. It really all depends on how you feel.
Draco
Harry shoved the letter in his pocket and paced around the corridor. "Harry!" A voice called from the end of the hall. Hermione came running towards him. "There's a plan! Harry," She said catching her breath. "On the night that both the full moon and the constellation of the Seven Sisters rises, the one who can stop Voldemort will be in mortal peril!" She cried, grapping his hands.
Harry swallowed the lump in his throat. "I'm trying to look through Professor Trelawney's constellation charts so I can find out when this prophecy will take place, but I can't find anything!" Panic was noticable on her face. "Harry," she said finally. "I'm worried."
Harry ran a hand through his untidy hair and stared down at her. He hugged her and stepped back. Now she had another look in her eyes - hurt. "Whats wrong?" He asked. She shivered and managed to say one word. "Malfoy," Was all she said. She turned and ran back down the corridor, her black cloak billowing.
Harry turned around and sure enough, Draco Malfoy was standing there. "Seven Sisters and the full moon?" Harry asked quietly. "Not my idea..." Draco said, moving closer. Harry's brow furrowed. "I don't understand. Why would you want to kill me?" Harry asked. Deep down he knew it was an idiodic question - he was Malfoy.
"I don't. Really. I have to go along with what my father says." Draco sobered. "So, I told Faith Diggory to warn you. And she did. I didn't know you would faint though." Draco said, a light smirk playing on his pointed face. Harry felt hurt ripple through him. "So... you don't like me? It's all a part of this master plan to kill me?" Harry asked.
Gray locked on green.
Draco cleared his throat and moved closer. "No -" He said, his voice sounding odd. "If I don't go with the plan, I can't even begin to imagine the punishment." Draco said slowly. "But I don't know what I'm feeling for you." Harry's breath came out in jagged gasps as Draco moved even closer. Finally, their lips touched.
It didn't feel like Hermione's kiss. No. That had felt forced and uncalled for. This felt right. Draco slid back and smirked. "Well," he said, shaking his head. "I don't really want you to die. You manage to escape anything anyway, so I wouldn't worry about it."
Harry kissed him again and shrugged. "Yes," He said sarcastically. "Thats my favorite hobby."
Draco glanced over at Harry in Herbology. They hadn't spoken since he had kissed him. Draco's stomach twisted into knots as he used a hand shovel to stir his soil. Shea Mui glanced at him with a suspicious expression, but began potting her Root of Gardiana. Pansy looked furious; Draco hadn't spoken to her for a little over a week.
Draco felt Harry's emeralds watching him, but he just stirred the soil some more. At the end of the class, Ron handed him a note with a disgusted look on his face. Draco was about to tear it open when a hand grasped his shoulder. "What?" He snapped, turning around. He didn't know why he was in a bad mood: the plan was working great.
"Draco..." Eve said, hugging her school bag to her chest. She had a faraway look in her dark eyes. His glare softened. "What?" He repeated in a nicer tone. Eve tugged on the sleeve of her black fishnet shirt and sighed. "Did you get a letter from Lucius as well?" She asked quietly. Draco had known this was coming.
"Yes," Draco responded. "I'm told the meeting will be in the ally behind the Shrieking Shack." He shrugged, walking with Eve around the green house. Eve nodded. "Yes, and if I'm late my punishment will be severe." She added, cracking her pale knuckles. Draco nodded. He couldn't even begin to imagine the consequences.
"I get the Mark burned into my flesh," Eve said, slowly twirling around in a circle. Draco paused. "Are you sure you want to do it, Eve?" He asked, smoothing back his blonde hair. Eve stopped twirling and frowned, a black curl dropping in front of her face. "I don't know." She whimpered. "Laura Dirge will be there," She said once again, getting that faraway look in her lonely black eyes. It looked as if evil had taken its toll on poor Eve Studt.
Laura Dirge was one of the most feared death eaters of this time. She worked with Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius, and Voldemort himself. Eve looked like she was about to cry. "It's too late for me to back out now," she choked out. Then she slung her school bag onto her shoulder and headed up to the brightly lit castle.
Draco began pacing around, staring at the setting sun when he remembered the note in his pocket. I wonder what Weasel needs to tell me, he thought blankly as he unfolded the wrinkled parchment. He skimmed the letter quickly, feeling tense.
Malfoy,
Why did you kiss me? I just want to know why. I did not expect it at all. Now I don't know what to think. Could you please clear things up for me?
Harry
Draco was about to crumble the letter, then he just shoved it into the pocket of his robe. He couldn't help the battle raging inside of him at the moment. He didn't want to like Potter at all, but he did. If it weren't for this plan, he wouldn't be working with him. If it weren't for this plan, he would still be able to loath Potter purely. But now - Now he didn't know what he was feeling.
* * *
"I hope you've been studying with your partners thoroughly," Professor Marvos said sternly, passing out an ancient looking worksheet to the class. Harry skimmed the worksheet and rolled his eyes at Ron. This was going to be simple. Once all of the sheets were passed out, and the hour glass was over turned, the pre-test began.
Harry tried to concentrate, but his eyes kept wandering to Malfoy's sleek blonde hair and pointed face. Harry shook his head, trying to clear the memory of Malfoy's lips on his. Must concentrate, Harry thought. His quill moved quickly as he did his best to answer the questions. He knew the answers to all of them.
When the hour glass had emtied and all of the parchment was collected, Professor Marvos glanced around at them all. "Is this your best?" She asked, her eyes scanning the top paper. She looked disappointed. "The only pair who've turned out with excellent scores have been Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. Maybe I should tell your other teachers to pair you two together more often." She said, cocking an eyebrow. Hermione glanced at Harry, a blank look on her face, but she said nothing.
Ron's mouth gapped open. "She's kidding, right?" He whispered furiously. Harry avoided Malfoy's gaze and busied himself with organizing his pencil case. "Mr. Malfoy, a word?" Professor Marvos said, tossing her black silk shawl over her shoulder. The hour glass on the black board shelf emtied and Professor Marvos waved a hand at the class, signaling the end.
Nadia and Hermione left the group, whispering quietly as they hurried in the direction of the library. "Hermione's been acting...odd." Ginny said, walking up to them. Her red hair was pulled into a low ponytail and her Slytherin robes billowed around her as Alice and Luna bounded toward them.
"Hello, Ron!" Alice said, smiling. Ron raised an eyebrow but waved all the same. Morgan glared at Alice and stroked Ron's arm protectivly. Ron kissed her forehead and pulled her away from the corridor. Alice pouted, but Luna ignored her. "Hello, Harry." She said, a faint smile on her lips.
"My friend, Faith Diggory, would really like to meet with you." Luna said simply, her eyes large. Harry froze. "Diggory?" He asked, a numb feeling spreading through him. Luna nodded and pointed down the corridor toward a girl with golden blonde hair and she was smiling in an odd sort of way. Harry allowed Luna to steer him towards her. He had no idea what this was about.
Faith Diggory directed her attention on Harry, and her expression softened. Harry looked at her blankly, not knowing what to do. A single tear slowly slid down her cheek. She didn't bother to wipe at it. "Beware of danger, Harry Potter," Was all she said. She turned and hurried up the staircase. Her words echoed in Harry's head.
"Harry?" Ginny asked, rushing towards him. Adriana was at her side. "Wake up!" Ginny cried, stoking his forehead in a friendly way. She took a small bottle out of her pocket and made him sip some. He sat up after a minute. The hall way was empty except for the three of them. "Are you okay, Harry?" Adriana asked quietly, the panic showing on her face.
"W-what happened?" Harry asked, straightening his glasses. His eyes locked on a pair of silver ones, but when he blinked they were gone. "When Diggory walked away, you just, well - fainted!" Ginny said softly. She helped him to his feet. Dean Thomas peeked from the boys restroom and waved at Ginny, who turned scarlett. Everyone knew that Ginny and Dean were dating these days.
Ginny mumbled something and walked away with Dean towards the main hall. "Harry, are you all right?" Adriana asked, stepping into the light. Her strawberry blonde hair glowed under the torch light and such warmth was etched into her worried face. Harry was just so happy to have a true friend at the moment; he gave her a great hug. She seemed flustered but hugged him as well.
"I'm glad you're okay." She said, smiling. "So am I..." Came a steely voice as Draco stepped out of the shadows, an unreadable expression on his face.
* * *
"Hello, Draco, Eve." Purred a silky female voice. A woman with black hair braided down her back stepped from the shadows. About a dozen more were behind her. Laura Dirge. She had three piercings pierced into her bottom lip, her eyebrow pierced, her nose pierced, and she also had diamond studs glittering in her ears. Her long black cloak billowed as she walked.
"Draco, I am assuming that you've got your part done?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. Draco felt Eve shudder at his side, but she said nothing. Draco nodded. "Yes, I have." He said proudly. A grunt of glee came from one of the shadows and Draco had a feeling it was his father. "Great!" Laura said, clasping her pale hands together. "You've made Potter fall in love with you?" She asked him, staring daggers into his gray eyes. He nodded. "I am pretty sure."
Laura paused. "There is nothing final about 'pretty sure' young Mr. Malfoy." She said sternly. "Anyway, I'll deal with that later. Miss Studt," Laura said, turning her gaze to Eve. "You look alarmingly like your mother!" Laura blurted out. Eve looked down sadly and nodded. "I am aware that you'd like to have the Dark Mark burned upon your skin. You are ready to become a death eater?" Laura's silky voice cooed. Eve nodded, regaining posture. "I'm ready." She said, her voice sounding odd.
"Right then." Laura said, playing with her wand. She thought for a moment, then pulled up Eve's sleeve. "Morsmordreos!" She cried. The spell echoed into the night and a silver light shot from the end of the willow wand. Eve's mouth twisted into a silent scream but as quickly as the light had come, it had died away and Eve fell to the ground. "Is she all right?" Draco asked, gazing down at her. Eve's dull eyes stared up at him, looking even more distant.
Laura shrugged. "She'll be fine. Once the pain dies down." She said with a cruel laugh. A twisted Dark Mark was branded onto Eve's pale skin. Her robe sleeve was still pushed up and the skin around the mark was beginning to turn red.
"Eve, welcome to the Dark side." Lucius Malfoy said, stepping from the shadows. "It is time to review the plan!" He announced. Several death eaters in the shadows cleared their throats as Lucius continued.
"Draco makes Potter fall in love with him," Lucius began, flashing Draco a flustered glance. "Studt kidnaps precious Mudblood Granger. Draco pretends to be revealing the plan and lets it slip that Granger is being held hostage. Potter comes to rescue her, and -" Lucius spat on the dirty ground. "He's dead."
Eve's eyes widened and she stroked the mark on her skin. "I can do it," She said, standing up. Draco felt his chest tighten, but knew he had to do what he was told. He cursed himself; why did he feel like this for Potter?
* * *
Bonnie Kwong, a seventh year Ravenclaw, had handed Harry the reply from Draco. "Draco told me to give this to you, Harry." She had said before walking away to join Cho and Riley O'Leary. Harry unfolded the paper quickly and read it.
Harry,
I don't know what possessed me to do so, but I don't honestly think it was that bad. It really all depends on how you feel.
Draco
Harry shoved the letter in his pocket and paced around the corridor. "Harry!" A voice called from the end of the hall. Hermione came running towards him. "There's a plan! Harry," She said catching her breath. "On the night that both the full moon and the constellation of the Seven Sisters rises, the one who can stop Voldemort will be in mortal peril!" She cried, grapping his hands.
Harry swallowed the lump in his throat. "I'm trying to look through Professor Trelawney's constellation charts so I can find out when this prophecy will take place, but I can't find anything!" Panic was noticable on her face. "Harry," she said finally. "I'm worried."
Harry ran a hand through his untidy hair and stared down at her. He hugged her and stepped back. Now she had another look in her eyes - hurt. "Whats wrong?" He asked. She shivered and managed to say one word. "Malfoy," Was all she said. She turned and ran back down the corridor, her black cloak billowing.
Harry turned around and sure enough, Draco Malfoy was standing there. "Seven Sisters and the full moon?" Harry asked quietly. "Not my idea..." Draco said, moving closer. Harry's brow furrowed. "I don't understand. Why would you want to kill me?" Harry asked. Deep down he knew it was an idiodic question - he was Malfoy.
"I don't. Really. I have to go along with what my father says." Draco sobered. "So, I told Faith Diggory to warn you. And she did. I didn't know you would faint though." Draco said, a light smirk playing on his pointed face. Harry felt hurt ripple through him. "So... you don't like me? It's all a part of this master plan to kill me?" Harry asked.
Gray locked on green.
Draco cleared his throat and moved closer. "No -" He said, his voice sounding odd. "If I don't go with the plan, I can't even begin to imagine the punishment." Draco said slowly. "But I don't know what I'm feeling for you." Harry's breath came out in jagged gasps as Draco moved even closer. Finally, their lips touched.
It didn't feel like Hermione's kiss. No. That had felt forced and uncalled for. This felt right. Draco slid back and smirked. "Well," he said, shaking his head. "I don't really want you to die. You manage to escape anything anyway, so I wouldn't worry about it."
Harry kissed him again and shrugged. "Yes," He said sarcastically. "Thats my favorite hobby."