* * * *
Six days later, Glory found herself dressed in the striped robes of the Quidditch referee and standing on the field, a whistle in her mouth. The box containing the Quaffle, the Bludgers and the Snitch was at her feet, ready to be kicked open. Both teams were in the air already and Glory watched them carefully. When Harry and the captain of the Slytherin team had shaken hands they had squeezed a little too tightly for her comfort. She had no doubt the match would turn dirty once they were all in the air.
Glory caught sight of Lupin and Lucius, both nodding to her, both urging her on. She had voiced concerns about the game only the day before, but both of them had talked her out of them, saying she was being ridiculous.
Glory quickly brought the whistle to her mouth and blew hard, signalling the start of the game. She released the balls from the box, then kicked up off the ground and soared into the air to join the action. A bludger whizzed past her in pursuit of a Gryffindor chaser, narrowly missing striking Glory's head. She frowned, then turned to see a Slytherin beater smiling at her. Obviously he had aimed the Bludger in her direction, but Glory brushed it off and turned her attention back to the game.
Gryffindor was already ahead by twenty points and the Slytherin team didn't seem to be taking it very well. Glory could see Harry zooming around the field, trying to keep ahead of a Slytherin player who seemed determined to knock him off his broom. The Gryffindor keeper, a girl named Alyssa Richardson, was busy dodging the bludgers that kept coming in her direction while trying to protect the hoops on her end of the field at the same time.
Glory frowned, then turned her gaze toward the Gryffindor chasers, who were being pursued fiercely by the Slytherin team. Her eyes locked on to them just in time to see Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin seeker, grab the end of one of the brooms.
Her whistle blasted and she called, "Penalty to Gryffindor."
Two minutes later, another ten points had been added to Gryffindor's score. Draco Malfoy was staring at her contemptuously, his pale eyes narrowed in a gaze that reminded Glory of his father. She shivered under his icy stare, but pushed her broom through the rushing wind to continue watching the game.
It moved on quickly, Slytherin quickly scored twenty points before Gryffindor scored another ten. It was easy to see why the two teams hated each other, they played dirty and Glory only caught half of the underhanded stunts she was sure both teams were pulling. Her whistle shrilled time and again, awarding penalties to both sides and the game went on for close to an hour, neither seeker was able to catch the Snitch in that time.
Glory flew higher, watching Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy closely. They seemed to hate each other more than anyone on the team and she didn't trust them to play nice if they were out of her view. The black hair and blonde hair contrasted so sharply that she didn't need to look hard to find them. They were above her, side by side, bearing down on the Snitch that was apparently nearby.
Glory moved downward slightly to get out of their way and she saw Draco's broom shift, changing his path. Harry remained on the path he had chosen, zooming straight toward the Snitch that was now fluttering about three feet away from Glory's head. Harry's hand reached out, quivering slightly as it came closer and closer to the Golden Snitch.
Glory dropped downward, moving even further out of Draco's way, but he shifted his broom once more. Her brow creased in confusion and she stared at him, trying to read the flashing look in his eyes. She understood his intention a moment too late, but still vainly tried to move out of the way.
Draco crashed into her with an intense speed, his own broom splintering with the impact. Glory felt her broom crack beneath her and she gasped, then desperately tried to grab something to hold onto. Draco's body slammed into hers, cracking her ribs with the force and shattering his broom completely. He cried out slightly, but still pushed his arms forward, throwing Glory off her broom.
She grabbed again, trying to find anything that would keep her in the air. If she couldn't find anything to hold onto she would plummet to the ground below, probably killing herself. Her hand clamped onto something soft, but she felt it rip in her grasp and she began to fall, a piece of Draco's robe still fluttering in her hand. She could see the Slytherin seeker above her, falling to the ground as she did, waving his arms desperately in the air.
The wind rushed past her, throwing her robes into a swirl around her and screaming fiercely in her ears. Glory had no idea how far she would fall, but she knew the impact would break what bones hadn't been broken in the crash, possibly killing her instantly. Her eyes closed against the grey sky and an unbidden thought ran through her mind.
*At least Voldemort won't be able to use me.*
She smiled slightly, knowing then that everything would be okay if she died. Lucius would mourn, but he would move on . . . he always did. Remus would miss her, but he would get over it, he had in the past. Life would go on and she would no longer be an unwilling threat to the world.
Glory braced herself, tightening her muscles the way she knew she shouldn't. It would hurt more if she tightened her body, but the movement came anyway. She waited for her body to shatter against the ground and for her heart to stop. But slowly, the wind around her lessened, no longer howling in her ears. She tensed more, then cried out slightly when her body came to a soft rest on the ground. Her hands pressed into the damp grass and her head was gently lowered to the field.
Draco was lowered to the ground beside her, just as gently, though he was on his feet in an instant. His eyes narrowed in the direction of the stands as Lucius and Lupin walked toward them with Dumbledore not far behind.
"Are you okay?" Lucius asked, bending slightly.
Glory grimaced. "I'm pretty sure my ribs are broken, but I'm alive."
"You can thank Lupin for that charm," Lucius said. "He thought quickly. Quicker than I did."
Glory smiled gently in Lupin's direction as he bent to check on her ribs. While he busied himself trying to bind them so they could move her without much pain, Lucius stood and looked at his son. His eyes were narrowed and his gaze looked deadly.
"What the hell was that?"
Draco stared at him defiantly. "I hit her. It's nothing."
Lucius advanced on him. "It's not nothing. You hit her on purpose. You could have both been killed."
"Maybe that's what I wanted," Draco growled. The crowd around them gasped and began to murmur as he rolled his eyes. "Oh come on. Wouldn't we all be better off if she was dead?"
Dumbledore glanced at him warningly and shook his head. "The world would not be better off if Professor Beckwith died." His gaze softened. "You're only sixteen, Draco, what reason could you possibly have to want to die?"
"I'd rather die than see her with my father," he spat viciously.
Lucius's eyes widened.
"What?" Draco asked. "You thought I didn't know? I'm not stupid and I'm not a child anymore." His lower lip quivered slightly. "Mum hasn't even been buried for a year and you've already moved on. It's disgusting."
"You don't know what you're saying," Lucius began, moving toward his son.
"Yes I do!" Draco shouted. "You think I give a damn about this stupid Quidditch match or my classes? I don't care! All I know is that my family has been ripped apart because of two people. Mum's dead because of Voldemort and now I'm losing you to her," he said, glaring at Glory. "I can't do much about the Dark Lord, but I can get rid of her."
"You can't get rid of anyone," Dumbledore said softly. "Whatever happens between your father and Professor Beckwith doesn't mean you'll lose him."
Draco stared at them, hatred burning in his eyes. "You don't understand, do you? Not a single person here understands."
"No, boy," Lupin said sharply. "It's you who doesn't understand."
Glory frowned as he stood up, his hands shaking angrily.
"You're too young, you don't know anything about love," he said. "People fall in love and there's nothing you can do about it but be happy for them. Your mother is dead, I get that. I know it must be hard on you, but you cannot take your frustrations out on other people." He glared at Draco for a moment longer, then turned to help Glory up.
Draco watched them go, waiting as the crowd dispersed, knowing they were murmuring about him as they walked away. Soon enough, only he and Lucius remained on the Quidditch field, each lost in their own thoughts about what he had just happened.
"You could have killed yourself," Lucius's voice broke through the silence. "You could have killed her."
"I know," Draco murmured.
"Why?"
"I hate her," he said, only half as convincingly as he had said it moments ago.
"No you don't," Lucius murmured.
"Then I hate you."
"You're a terrible liar."
Draco looked up to catch his father's gaze, hating that he was so near tears in front of him. His father had always taught him to be strong, don't cry, don't show emotions . . . it was the way of the Death Eaters. He swiped angrily at his face as a tear spilled from his eye and trickled down his cheek.
"Draco," his father said softly, taking a step forward. "What is it?"
"I miss mum," he whispered. "And I miss you."
"I'm here," Lucius said. "I can't bring your mother back, but I've always been here."
Draco shook his head. "No, you haven't. You've been far too preoccupied with redeeming yourself and with Professor Beckwith."
"I love her," he offered simply.
Draco's eyes widened. "What?"
"I love Glory," Lucius repeated.
"No."
"I'm sorry, Draco, but it's true."
"No, Gods . . . I knew this would happen. This is why I tried to get rid of her."
Lucius sighed. "It doesn't mean you're any less my son."
"Maybe not," Draco said, "but it means I get lost in the shuffle of a new romance. I might still be your son, but I'll always be in the way."
Lucius's eyes fixed on Draco's. "You will not be in the way."
Draco held his father's gaze steadily. "Do you promise?"
"I promise."
"If you break that promise, I'll leave Hogwarts," Draco threatened. "I'll go far away where you can never find me."
Lucius nodded. "Fair enough."
Draco lowered his eyes slowly. "I guess I should go see Professor Dumbledore regarding my punishment."
Lucius nodded, then squeezed his son's shoulder. "That's probably a good idea."
They walked toward the school in silence, Draco contemplating what he could possibly say to his father or to Glory to make things better. He had tried to kill her, a simple apology probably wasn't the best road to take.
"Tell her I'm sorry," he said anyway, ignoring his thoughts. "I still don't like her, but I'm sorry."
Lucius glanced down at his son and nodded. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have pushed you so hard to become like me."
Draco shrugged. "It was all I knew . . . it was all anyone knew."
"Still, I am sorry."
Draco let himself break into a half smile. "It's okay, dad. I'm okay."
* * * *
"I felt her." The words washed over the dark room, bringing smiles to the faces of the remaining Death Eaters.
Voldemort opened his red eyes and smiled. "I felt her in the air. She is definitely at Hogwarts." He gazed across the room and his eyes fell on Daphne, standing at attention and ready to serve.
"You will go now," he said. "You will bring her back to me."
Daphne lowered her head. "Of course, my Lord."
"What about Lucius Malfoy, my Lord?" Tina asked loudly.
Voldemort's gaze snapped to her and he smiled again. "He's there with her," he said in a low voice. "Daphne will bring him back, under the Imperius curse if she has to. His betrayal will not go unnoticed. I will kill him just like I killed his wife."
* * * *
Six days later, Glory found herself dressed in the striped robes of the Quidditch referee and standing on the field, a whistle in her mouth. The box containing the Quaffle, the Bludgers and the Snitch was at her feet, ready to be kicked open. Both teams were in the air already and Glory watched them carefully. When Harry and the captain of the Slytherin team had shaken hands they had squeezed a little too tightly for her comfort. She had no doubt the match would turn dirty once they were all in the air.
Glory caught sight of Lupin and Lucius, both nodding to her, both urging her on. She had voiced concerns about the game only the day before, but both of them had talked her out of them, saying she was being ridiculous.
Glory quickly brought the whistle to her mouth and blew hard, signalling the start of the game. She released the balls from the box, then kicked up off the ground and soared into the air to join the action. A bludger whizzed past her in pursuit of a Gryffindor chaser, narrowly missing striking Glory's head. She frowned, then turned to see a Slytherin beater smiling at her. Obviously he had aimed the Bludger in her direction, but Glory brushed it off and turned her attention back to the game.
Gryffindor was already ahead by twenty points and the Slytherin team didn't seem to be taking it very well. Glory could see Harry zooming around the field, trying to keep ahead of a Slytherin player who seemed determined to knock him off his broom. The Gryffindor keeper, a girl named Alyssa Richardson, was busy dodging the bludgers that kept coming in her direction while trying to protect the hoops on her end of the field at the same time.
Glory frowned, then turned her gaze toward the Gryffindor chasers, who were being pursued fiercely by the Slytherin team. Her eyes locked on to them just in time to see Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin seeker, grab the end of one of the brooms.
Her whistle blasted and she called, "Penalty to Gryffindor."
Two minutes later, another ten points had been added to Gryffindor's score. Draco Malfoy was staring at her contemptuously, his pale eyes narrowed in a gaze that reminded Glory of his father. She shivered under his icy stare, but pushed her broom through the rushing wind to continue watching the game.
It moved on quickly, Slytherin quickly scored twenty points before Gryffindor scored another ten. It was easy to see why the two teams hated each other, they played dirty and Glory only caught half of the underhanded stunts she was sure both teams were pulling. Her whistle shrilled time and again, awarding penalties to both sides and the game went on for close to an hour, neither seeker was able to catch the Snitch in that time.
Glory flew higher, watching Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy closely. They seemed to hate each other more than anyone on the team and she didn't trust them to play nice if they were out of her view. The black hair and blonde hair contrasted so sharply that she didn't need to look hard to find them. They were above her, side by side, bearing down on the Snitch that was apparently nearby.
Glory moved downward slightly to get out of their way and she saw Draco's broom shift, changing his path. Harry remained on the path he had chosen, zooming straight toward the Snitch that was now fluttering about three feet away from Glory's head. Harry's hand reached out, quivering slightly as it came closer and closer to the Golden Snitch.
Glory dropped downward, moving even further out of Draco's way, but he shifted his broom once more. Her brow creased in confusion and she stared at him, trying to read the flashing look in his eyes. She understood his intention a moment too late, but still vainly tried to move out of the way.
Draco crashed into her with an intense speed, his own broom splintering with the impact. Glory felt her broom crack beneath her and she gasped, then desperately tried to grab something to hold onto. Draco's body slammed into hers, cracking her ribs with the force and shattering his broom completely. He cried out slightly, but still pushed his arms forward, throwing Glory off her broom.
She grabbed again, trying to find anything that would keep her in the air. If she couldn't find anything to hold onto she would plummet to the ground below, probably killing herself. Her hand clamped onto something soft, but she felt it rip in her grasp and she began to fall, a piece of Draco's robe still fluttering in her hand. She could see the Slytherin seeker above her, falling to the ground as she did, waving his arms desperately in the air.
The wind rushed past her, throwing her robes into a swirl around her and screaming fiercely in her ears. Glory had no idea how far she would fall, but she knew the impact would break what bones hadn't been broken in the crash, possibly killing her instantly. Her eyes closed against the grey sky and an unbidden thought ran through her mind.
*At least Voldemort won't be able to use me.*
She smiled slightly, knowing then that everything would be okay if she died. Lucius would mourn, but he would move on . . . he always did. Remus would miss her, but he would get over it, he had in the past. Life would go on and she would no longer be an unwilling threat to the world.
Glory braced herself, tightening her muscles the way she knew she shouldn't. It would hurt more if she tightened her body, but the movement came anyway. She waited for her body to shatter against the ground and for her heart to stop. But slowly, the wind around her lessened, no longer howling in her ears. She tensed more, then cried out slightly when her body came to a soft rest on the ground. Her hands pressed into the damp grass and her head was gently lowered to the field.
Draco was lowered to the ground beside her, just as gently, though he was on his feet in an instant. His eyes narrowed in the direction of the stands as Lucius and Lupin walked toward them with Dumbledore not far behind.
"Are you okay?" Lucius asked, bending slightly.
Glory grimaced. "I'm pretty sure my ribs are broken, but I'm alive."
"You can thank Lupin for that charm," Lucius said. "He thought quickly. Quicker than I did."
Glory smiled gently in Lupin's direction as he bent to check on her ribs. While he busied himself trying to bind them so they could move her without much pain, Lucius stood and looked at his son. His eyes were narrowed and his gaze looked deadly.
"What the hell was that?"
Draco stared at him defiantly. "I hit her. It's nothing."
Lucius advanced on him. "It's not nothing. You hit her on purpose. You could have both been killed."
"Maybe that's what I wanted," Draco growled. The crowd around them gasped and began to murmur as he rolled his eyes. "Oh come on. Wouldn't we all be better off if she was dead?"
Dumbledore glanced at him warningly and shook his head. "The world would not be better off if Professor Beckwith died." His gaze softened. "You're only sixteen, Draco, what reason could you possibly have to want to die?"
"I'd rather die than see her with my father," he spat viciously.
Lucius's eyes widened.
"What?" Draco asked. "You thought I didn't know? I'm not stupid and I'm not a child anymore." His lower lip quivered slightly. "Mum hasn't even been buried for a year and you've already moved on. It's disgusting."
"You don't know what you're saying," Lucius began, moving toward his son.
"Yes I do!" Draco shouted. "You think I give a damn about this stupid Quidditch match or my classes? I don't care! All I know is that my family has been ripped apart because of two people. Mum's dead because of Voldemort and now I'm losing you to her," he said, glaring at Glory. "I can't do much about the Dark Lord, but I can get rid of her."
"You can't get rid of anyone," Dumbledore said softly. "Whatever happens between your father and Professor Beckwith doesn't mean you'll lose him."
Draco stared at them, hatred burning in his eyes. "You don't understand, do you? Not a single person here understands."
"No, boy," Lupin said sharply. "It's you who doesn't understand."
Glory frowned as he stood up, his hands shaking angrily.
"You're too young, you don't know anything about love," he said. "People fall in love and there's nothing you can do about it but be happy for them. Your mother is dead, I get that. I know it must be hard on you, but you cannot take your frustrations out on other people." He glared at Draco for a moment longer, then turned to help Glory up.
Draco watched them go, waiting as the crowd dispersed, knowing they were murmuring about him as they walked away. Soon enough, only he and Lucius remained on the Quidditch field, each lost in their own thoughts about what he had just happened.
"You could have killed yourself," Lucius's voice broke through the silence. "You could have killed her."
"I know," Draco murmured.
"Why?"
"I hate her," he said, only half as convincingly as he had said it moments ago.
"No you don't," Lucius murmured.
"Then I hate you."
"You're a terrible liar."
Draco looked up to catch his father's gaze, hating that he was so near tears in front of him. His father had always taught him to be strong, don't cry, don't show emotions . . . it was the way of the Death Eaters. He swiped angrily at his face as a tear spilled from his eye and trickled down his cheek.
"Draco," his father said softly, taking a step forward. "What is it?"
"I miss mum," he whispered. "And I miss you."
"I'm here," Lucius said. "I can't bring your mother back, but I've always been here."
Draco shook his head. "No, you haven't. You've been far too preoccupied with redeeming yourself and with Professor Beckwith."
"I love her," he offered simply.
Draco's eyes widened. "What?"
"I love Glory," Lucius repeated.
"No."
"I'm sorry, Draco, but it's true."
"No, Gods . . . I knew this would happen. This is why I tried to get rid of her."
Lucius sighed. "It doesn't mean you're any less my son."
"Maybe not," Draco said, "but it means I get lost in the shuffle of a new romance. I might still be your son, but I'll always be in the way."
Lucius's eyes fixed on Draco's. "You will not be in the way."
Draco held his father's gaze steadily. "Do you promise?"
"I promise."
"If you break that promise, I'll leave Hogwarts," Draco threatened. "I'll go far away where you can never find me."
Lucius nodded. "Fair enough."
Draco lowered his eyes slowly. "I guess I should go see Professor Dumbledore regarding my punishment."
Lucius nodded, then squeezed his son's shoulder. "That's probably a good idea."
They walked toward the school in silence, Draco contemplating what he could possibly say to his father or to Glory to make things better. He had tried to kill her, a simple apology probably wasn't the best road to take.
"Tell her I'm sorry," he said anyway, ignoring his thoughts. "I still don't like her, but I'm sorry."
Lucius glanced down at his son and nodded. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have pushed you so hard to become like me."
Draco shrugged. "It was all I knew . . . it was all anyone knew."
"Still, I am sorry."
Draco let himself break into a half smile. "It's okay, dad. I'm okay."
* * * *
"I felt her." The words washed over the dark room, bringing smiles to the faces of the remaining Death Eaters.
Voldemort opened his red eyes and smiled. "I felt her in the air. She is definitely at Hogwarts." He gazed across the room and his eyes fell on Daphne, standing at attention and ready to serve.
"You will go now," he said. "You will bring her back to me."
Daphne lowered her head. "Of course, my Lord."
"What about Lucius Malfoy, my Lord?" Tina asked loudly.
Voldemort's gaze snapped to her and he smiled again. "He's there with her," he said in a low voice. "Daphne will bring him back, under the Imperius curse if she has to. His betrayal will not go unnoticed. I will kill him just like I killed his wife."
* * * *