Summary: Angelina and Draco have made a deal- one that has brought them
together, in a combined effort to destroy Gryffindor house. The unlikely
team, however, discover the tip of an iceberg that has the potential to
devastate the entire wizarding world.
Disclaimer: DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE PAIRING OF ANGELINA AND DRACO. I don't want to receive flames only because of that reason. Constructive criticism is always welcomed, and even respected (because it helps me to write better). The main character's used in this story are NOT mine (if they were I'd have a castle in Scotland). They belong to the extremely clever, talented, and much adored J.K. Rowling.
Authors Note: This is an idea I've been working on since the summer. The thought came about because I imagined something a little different from the norm. Though Draco/Ginny fanfiction are my favourite, I was readily becoming tired of only slight variations of the same plot- the plot being- of course- how Ginny and Draco get together. So, since Draco is my favourite person in fanfiction, I decided to keep him and think of an unusual person to pair him with... hence Angelina/Draco. I know Angelina is two years older than Draco in the actual book, but- for the purposes of this story- I've made them the same age (17). On a side- I really hope you enjoy the story! (*blah blah blah* = italics)
AN2: I'm really sorry about how long it took to update this chapter. If I may explain to you though, there were two very important and reasonable explanations as to why it took me so long to respond. 1) I had college applications to finish (pray that I get into my three first choices!) 2) I completely changed the direction of this part. So although I already wrote quite a few scenes, this one chapter was altered drastically and I had to find a way for it to come smoothly back in to what I've already written.
Rating: I'm posting in both the PG-13 and R divisions. I am doing this only because I've found that, sometimes when author's post in the R section they get fewer reviews than if they had posted in the PG-13 section. Ahhh... and here I am sounding arrogant- as if I expect a hoard of reviews as soon as I upload. What can I say? I'm human, so positive feedback is always nice; but if no one reviews, it's okay, because reviews are not my only incentive for continuing this story. I email the chapters privately to my friends who tell me they're intrigued. So I'll maintain writing it, even if it fails here.
This story has a few... words. So be cautious. I'm depicting their dialogue in a way normal 17 years olds talk. I'm 17 so I know. I'm not a curse- aholic, but I swear from time to time. Don't be shocked and amazed when someone says... the f word *gasp*.
Enjoy! Reviews are (like Kiana says) welcomed, loved, and adored.
*Chapter Three*
The remainder of the day passed by uneventful. My classes were quiet, with no more arched eyebrows and untactful comments from anyone. I familiarized myself with the Slytherin's and assembled quietly with them at lunch and dinner.
Soon it came to be around 11 p.m. and I was sitting in the Gryffindor common room, waiting patiently on a plush chair as I received every type of insult that could stream out of Parvati's mouth. She was sitting with Lavender, Ginny, and Hermione, directly across the room from me. Hermione and Ginny appeared as though they didn't want to listen, but had nothing better to do.
"That bitch. She's probably fucking Malfoy senseless, why the hell else would he take such a sudden interest in her. They're probably plotting the ruin of Gryffindor house."
I smiled at that. And you'll be the first to go down.
"Look at what she did to you, to us, to all of us, and I'm not talking about that half failed attempt yesterday to excommunicate herself from us."
I turned my head so quickly I almost got whiplash. What was she talking about? I didn't do anything to them, yet. How could someone so bold facedly lie?
I would have heard what she had to say next but a rap at the door interrupted.
Why does he have such bad timing?
Feeling multiple eyes on me, I quickly made my way to the door.
And there he was, looking like Lucipher's son with a black expensive sweater, matching expensive looking black pants and boots, and a wicked smile to complete his attire.
I rolled my eyes at him. "Malfoy, you certainly pick a weird time to hold a meeting."
"It's not like I wasn't expected" his eyebrow lifted as he held out his hand "Shall we then? There are things that have to be done."
I gazed at him speculatively "Where?"
Draco produced one of his smirks.
"The Astronomy tower of course." He placed his hand easily on my waist. "Do you have the bag?"
Though he appeared cold, his touch warmed my body.
"Yes. Let's go." Turning away, I had no way of noticing the spiteful color that rose in the depths of Parvati's irises.
"So finally I witness it with my own eyes" Parvati stood and spoke loudly, capturing the attention of everyone in the common room.
"It's a Friday night, it would only make sense that you two would run off and do the vertical dance."
Tired of her and her trash talking, I started to yell.
"What is wrong with you? Are you really that much of a ponce that you can't even say the word sex?" I took a threatening step back inside the common room. "And so what if Draco and I are having sex, is that any of your business-no. So shut up and sit down and do the whole world a favor by never opening that lying mouth of yours again."
I turned around and slammed the door before she could respond.
Draco was quietly waiting for me with a look of approval on his face. "Feel better?"
I nodded "Much."
"Let's go then" he said.
I felt forty minutes worth of pent up tension behind to unwind itself. Lifting my shoulders up, back, and down, I pursed my lips into what couldn't exactly be called a smile, but what wasn't quite a frown either. Maybe it was more like a display of relief I silently figured. Shrugging to myself I bopped my head, indicating a forward direction.
"Lead the way."
************************************************************************
We had been walking side by side in silence for about ten minutes, Draco slightly in the lead.
He stopped and took out his wand, whispering "Lumos."
From his light I could see that this was the unauthorized section of the tower. "Draco what are we doing here?" I shivered. "It's cold and uncomfortable, not to mention dangerous, let's go somewhere else."
I could see a few of his golden strands from the illuminated wand tip.
His voice sounded concentrated. "The only dangerous thing here is me, and we're not leaving yet."
I could hear him chanting a mixture of complicated words in hushed tones. After a few seconds a door appeared where there was none.
"Follow me."
I walked in and the door disappeared behind us.
"Now this is privacy" he quipped. His carelessly disarming eyes casually swept over the interior of the stone structure.
I glanced around unsure, but decided upon a moment's inspection that it seemed clean enough.
I sighed a bit sullenly and took out my blanket. "As crazy as it sounds, I trust your judgment, *so*" I scooted over on the blanket stretching awkwardly "I'll stay."
"I'm *so* glad you decided." His voice was dry.
He sat down beside me. "Engorgio" he murmured. Or at least it sounded as if he did. A bag that had obviously been on his back came into view. From it, he took out his own blanket, a stack of paper, containers, and bottled liquids.
"First, the real work."
I watched closely, amazed that Draco was actually copying today's assignment quickly and accurately. I guess I really never realized how smart he was. Not just street smart or word smart, but real intelligence.
As he finished the delicate procedures of his work, I dimly noticed that his already severe eyes gained even more intensity as the lighted pupils enjoyed the undertakings being reflected in their depths. His vision corresponded quietly with mine. "Now observe and repeat."
I picked up one of the liquids and awkwardly tried to duplicate each move he was making.
"No Johnson, you're doing it all wrong" His voice sounded as irritated as his face looked. He reached over with those deceptively soft looking hands, as if to grab something from me. "You're not even holding the container right."
I pulled back out of his reach, annoyed at his annoyance with me. "I told you I wasn't good in potions. I don't understand why you agreed with Snape's decision to make us class partners when you could have easily asked and gotten someone else." I took out a band and drew my hair back so that I could have a proper go at him without having to persistently flick it.
"Where's the challenge in that, pray tell?" He moved closer to me making a couple of dry leaves whisper calmly against the cold stone. His tilted eyes quirked even further, dragging the faint lines of his brow together. "Where's the excitement?"
Offended, I inched even closer to speak in his face as haughtily as I could manage. "Is that all I am?" My voice grew louder with each utterance. "A challenge that excites you?" As the words left my lips I knew I had left myself completely exposed for all jokes correlated with sex.
His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Instead his eyes dropped with an unhurried purpose, to the area of my mouth. Then his gaze rose to meet mine. He had a roguish gleam in his eye, and I could literally see temptation cross his vision. Then he shook his head, loosening the short- lived tangles of his fine hair. "It would be best if I let that one slide before things get" he lightly traced my lips with finger pads that were surprisingly firm and warm "out of hand."
My mind came up blank as I tried to think of a fitting response. I realized with a harsh sort of keenness that if he wanted to lay me down right there and run his hands against my knickers, I would have probably let him. It would have been an easy enough seduction routine followed by the quick shag. Thankfully for my pride and stateliness, he leaned back and began to stir the contents of his potion together.
As he intoned a few phrases, I took the time to properly scrutinize his face. He had well defined features, but the plains where his cheeks resided, weren't overly sharp. He also had no indications of laughter in the corners of his eyes and mouth. Instead there were only prominent hints of mischievousness and wit that graced the area.
It was, however, only upon even closer inspection that I came to a startling conclusion.
"Draco Malfoy you are *the* biggest male tart I have ever come across." I saw- just barely- his eyes glaze with amusement as he digested what I said.
His hands paused in movement and one silver coloured eyebrow rose in an almost humourously delicate way. "What?"
I glanced heavenward. "Do you really need me to repeat myself?" Shifting slightly I reiterated slowly. "I said, quite clearly I might add, that you are the biggest tart- flirt - whatever you want to call it- there is."
His response was accented by a lazy drawl that cut each word into clear and concise phrases that fell lightly against the still air. "Of course I am the biggest, do you expect me to deny that simple truth?" The contours of his face shifted and it seemed as though he was going to let me in on the miracle cure for cancer. "As a gesture of my generosity and because you are sitting right here realizing- a bit late I must say- the greatness of me, I find it my duty to make it plain so that you understand that I am also the best." The never fading mischief returned to the outer layer of his eyes. "The biggest *and* the best." He paused to make sure I didn't miss the gleam that edged beneath the surface of his gaze. "Take *that* statement however you want to."
I had no choice but to lose the battle and lower my eyes under his distinctly intractable ones. Heat cornered itself in my cheeks and neck as I absorbed the pointed innuendo. Why does he always have such clever responses? Even more mind boggling to me was how he achieved the wit and the punch in the same breath?
Then a thought reentered the forefront of my mind.
I sat up excitedly. "Speaking of the best, Lavender said that" I held up my hand parallel to my head "wait, wait, wait- get this. *Dean Thomas*- was the best she'd ever had, and apparently she knows what the best is because she's been around the block more than a time or two... to quote her." I stared at Draco for a quick second, my eyes dancing. I noticed that his eyes were glazed over by moisture caused by laughter tightly held in check.
With an extremely swift feeling of momentary subtraction from my surroundings, I got a fleeting chance to sit back and formally realize that a month ago I would never have been sharing gossip with a Slytherin, much less have that Slytherin be none other than Draco Malfoy. Yet here we were, sharing a laugh over a former acquaintance and present housemates' sexual excursions.
"Thomas is the best Lavender Brown has ever had?" His eyebrows rose slightly, then dropped. He looked at me almost seriously. "Figures I guess. They're both Gryffindor's."
He said the word as if it were the vilest disease a person could have.
I pouted my lips mockingly and folded my arms. "I'm Gryffindor too."
"So the sorting hat makes a few mistakes. It merely stands to reason that only one perfect thing can be on Hogwarts grounds." He put his hand up as my mouth opened. "That perfect *thing* you're wondering about is really in fact a perfect *person*, and that perfect person would be me.
I rolled my eyes disbelievingly- but before I could respond, there was a ground shaking quake that rippled through the shaky foundation of the tower.
I froze instantaneously, my body waiting for something to come crashing down and hit it. Afraid of speaking too loudly and shifting the already unsteady building I whispered "What in Merlock's name was that?"
Draco's demeanor appeared at ease, but his eyes were opened a quarter fraction wider than normal. He too whispered. "I'm not sure."
This isn't good my mind reasoned. I knew something had to be really off for Draco to admit that he was unsure of a situation.
I watched him carefully as he stood up on the balls of his feet in two quick self contained movements. He walked around slowly, squinting as if trying to see outside of the tower and into the walls of the rest of the school. He stopped his strides. "Hogwarts has never had an earthquake. It would be really strange for the school to start having one now... a million years after its creation."
I was still paralyzed from fear and adrenaline to properly register his sarcasm. "How do you know it was all of Hogwarts and not just underneath this particular tower?"
His questioning gaze stilled and caught mine telling me silently that my question was ridiculous. I looked away feeling flushed.
I heard, however, the various scrapes and scratches of his movements as he gathered his discarded materials. After collecting them, he moved over to the stone walls and again started murmuring the unchanged chants of before, and like earlier, the same door appeared.
"What are you doing?" I asked looking at his proffered hand as though it were contaminated with the ecoli bacteria.
He stared at me with impatient eyes. "Well unless you plan on *guessing* what happened, we should probably leave here so we can find out what happened."
I thought about the words that were coming out of his mouth and deemed them as rational. I looked around for a few seconds and then leaned over slowly, gathering my own supplies. After I collected two remaining bottles, I grasped his hand in mine.
He waited for me to step out and closed the invisible passageway behind me. I didn't know why stepping outside of the confinements of that secluded space made me increasingly nervous, but my legs continued to lead me- against the good judgment of my heart- as we silently made our way back to our respective common rooms.
Disclaimer: DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE PAIRING OF ANGELINA AND DRACO. I don't want to receive flames only because of that reason. Constructive criticism is always welcomed, and even respected (because it helps me to write better). The main character's used in this story are NOT mine (if they were I'd have a castle in Scotland). They belong to the extremely clever, talented, and much adored J.K. Rowling.
Authors Note: This is an idea I've been working on since the summer. The thought came about because I imagined something a little different from the norm. Though Draco/Ginny fanfiction are my favourite, I was readily becoming tired of only slight variations of the same plot- the plot being- of course- how Ginny and Draco get together. So, since Draco is my favourite person in fanfiction, I decided to keep him and think of an unusual person to pair him with... hence Angelina/Draco. I know Angelina is two years older than Draco in the actual book, but- for the purposes of this story- I've made them the same age (17). On a side- I really hope you enjoy the story! (*blah blah blah* = italics)
AN2: I'm really sorry about how long it took to update this chapter. If I may explain to you though, there were two very important and reasonable explanations as to why it took me so long to respond. 1) I had college applications to finish (pray that I get into my three first choices!) 2) I completely changed the direction of this part. So although I already wrote quite a few scenes, this one chapter was altered drastically and I had to find a way for it to come smoothly back in to what I've already written.
Rating: I'm posting in both the PG-13 and R divisions. I am doing this only because I've found that, sometimes when author's post in the R section they get fewer reviews than if they had posted in the PG-13 section. Ahhh... and here I am sounding arrogant- as if I expect a hoard of reviews as soon as I upload. What can I say? I'm human, so positive feedback is always nice; but if no one reviews, it's okay, because reviews are not my only incentive for continuing this story. I email the chapters privately to my friends who tell me they're intrigued. So I'll maintain writing it, even if it fails here.
This story has a few... words. So be cautious. I'm depicting their dialogue in a way normal 17 years olds talk. I'm 17 so I know. I'm not a curse- aholic, but I swear from time to time. Don't be shocked and amazed when someone says... the f word *gasp*.
Enjoy! Reviews are (like Kiana says) welcomed, loved, and adored.
*Chapter Three*
The remainder of the day passed by uneventful. My classes were quiet, with no more arched eyebrows and untactful comments from anyone. I familiarized myself with the Slytherin's and assembled quietly with them at lunch and dinner.
Soon it came to be around 11 p.m. and I was sitting in the Gryffindor common room, waiting patiently on a plush chair as I received every type of insult that could stream out of Parvati's mouth. She was sitting with Lavender, Ginny, and Hermione, directly across the room from me. Hermione and Ginny appeared as though they didn't want to listen, but had nothing better to do.
"That bitch. She's probably fucking Malfoy senseless, why the hell else would he take such a sudden interest in her. They're probably plotting the ruin of Gryffindor house."
I smiled at that. And you'll be the first to go down.
"Look at what she did to you, to us, to all of us, and I'm not talking about that half failed attempt yesterday to excommunicate herself from us."
I turned my head so quickly I almost got whiplash. What was she talking about? I didn't do anything to them, yet. How could someone so bold facedly lie?
I would have heard what she had to say next but a rap at the door interrupted.
Why does he have such bad timing?
Feeling multiple eyes on me, I quickly made my way to the door.
And there he was, looking like Lucipher's son with a black expensive sweater, matching expensive looking black pants and boots, and a wicked smile to complete his attire.
I rolled my eyes at him. "Malfoy, you certainly pick a weird time to hold a meeting."
"It's not like I wasn't expected" his eyebrow lifted as he held out his hand "Shall we then? There are things that have to be done."
I gazed at him speculatively "Where?"
Draco produced one of his smirks.
"The Astronomy tower of course." He placed his hand easily on my waist. "Do you have the bag?"
Though he appeared cold, his touch warmed my body.
"Yes. Let's go." Turning away, I had no way of noticing the spiteful color that rose in the depths of Parvati's irises.
"So finally I witness it with my own eyes" Parvati stood and spoke loudly, capturing the attention of everyone in the common room.
"It's a Friday night, it would only make sense that you two would run off and do the vertical dance."
Tired of her and her trash talking, I started to yell.
"What is wrong with you? Are you really that much of a ponce that you can't even say the word sex?" I took a threatening step back inside the common room. "And so what if Draco and I are having sex, is that any of your business-no. So shut up and sit down and do the whole world a favor by never opening that lying mouth of yours again."
I turned around and slammed the door before she could respond.
Draco was quietly waiting for me with a look of approval on his face. "Feel better?"
I nodded "Much."
"Let's go then" he said.
I felt forty minutes worth of pent up tension behind to unwind itself. Lifting my shoulders up, back, and down, I pursed my lips into what couldn't exactly be called a smile, but what wasn't quite a frown either. Maybe it was more like a display of relief I silently figured. Shrugging to myself I bopped my head, indicating a forward direction.
"Lead the way."
************************************************************************
We had been walking side by side in silence for about ten minutes, Draco slightly in the lead.
He stopped and took out his wand, whispering "Lumos."
From his light I could see that this was the unauthorized section of the tower. "Draco what are we doing here?" I shivered. "It's cold and uncomfortable, not to mention dangerous, let's go somewhere else."
I could see a few of his golden strands from the illuminated wand tip.
His voice sounded concentrated. "The only dangerous thing here is me, and we're not leaving yet."
I could hear him chanting a mixture of complicated words in hushed tones. After a few seconds a door appeared where there was none.
"Follow me."
I walked in and the door disappeared behind us.
"Now this is privacy" he quipped. His carelessly disarming eyes casually swept over the interior of the stone structure.
I glanced around unsure, but decided upon a moment's inspection that it seemed clean enough.
I sighed a bit sullenly and took out my blanket. "As crazy as it sounds, I trust your judgment, *so*" I scooted over on the blanket stretching awkwardly "I'll stay."
"I'm *so* glad you decided." His voice was dry.
He sat down beside me. "Engorgio" he murmured. Or at least it sounded as if he did. A bag that had obviously been on his back came into view. From it, he took out his own blanket, a stack of paper, containers, and bottled liquids.
"First, the real work."
I watched closely, amazed that Draco was actually copying today's assignment quickly and accurately. I guess I really never realized how smart he was. Not just street smart or word smart, but real intelligence.
As he finished the delicate procedures of his work, I dimly noticed that his already severe eyes gained even more intensity as the lighted pupils enjoyed the undertakings being reflected in their depths. His vision corresponded quietly with mine. "Now observe and repeat."
I picked up one of the liquids and awkwardly tried to duplicate each move he was making.
"No Johnson, you're doing it all wrong" His voice sounded as irritated as his face looked. He reached over with those deceptively soft looking hands, as if to grab something from me. "You're not even holding the container right."
I pulled back out of his reach, annoyed at his annoyance with me. "I told you I wasn't good in potions. I don't understand why you agreed with Snape's decision to make us class partners when you could have easily asked and gotten someone else." I took out a band and drew my hair back so that I could have a proper go at him without having to persistently flick it.
"Where's the challenge in that, pray tell?" He moved closer to me making a couple of dry leaves whisper calmly against the cold stone. His tilted eyes quirked even further, dragging the faint lines of his brow together. "Where's the excitement?"
Offended, I inched even closer to speak in his face as haughtily as I could manage. "Is that all I am?" My voice grew louder with each utterance. "A challenge that excites you?" As the words left my lips I knew I had left myself completely exposed for all jokes correlated with sex.
His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Instead his eyes dropped with an unhurried purpose, to the area of my mouth. Then his gaze rose to meet mine. He had a roguish gleam in his eye, and I could literally see temptation cross his vision. Then he shook his head, loosening the short- lived tangles of his fine hair. "It would be best if I let that one slide before things get" he lightly traced my lips with finger pads that were surprisingly firm and warm "out of hand."
My mind came up blank as I tried to think of a fitting response. I realized with a harsh sort of keenness that if he wanted to lay me down right there and run his hands against my knickers, I would have probably let him. It would have been an easy enough seduction routine followed by the quick shag. Thankfully for my pride and stateliness, he leaned back and began to stir the contents of his potion together.
As he intoned a few phrases, I took the time to properly scrutinize his face. He had well defined features, but the plains where his cheeks resided, weren't overly sharp. He also had no indications of laughter in the corners of his eyes and mouth. Instead there were only prominent hints of mischievousness and wit that graced the area.
It was, however, only upon even closer inspection that I came to a startling conclusion.
"Draco Malfoy you are *the* biggest male tart I have ever come across." I saw- just barely- his eyes glaze with amusement as he digested what I said.
His hands paused in movement and one silver coloured eyebrow rose in an almost humourously delicate way. "What?"
I glanced heavenward. "Do you really need me to repeat myself?" Shifting slightly I reiterated slowly. "I said, quite clearly I might add, that you are the biggest tart- flirt - whatever you want to call it- there is."
His response was accented by a lazy drawl that cut each word into clear and concise phrases that fell lightly against the still air. "Of course I am the biggest, do you expect me to deny that simple truth?" The contours of his face shifted and it seemed as though he was going to let me in on the miracle cure for cancer. "As a gesture of my generosity and because you are sitting right here realizing- a bit late I must say- the greatness of me, I find it my duty to make it plain so that you understand that I am also the best." The never fading mischief returned to the outer layer of his eyes. "The biggest *and* the best." He paused to make sure I didn't miss the gleam that edged beneath the surface of his gaze. "Take *that* statement however you want to."
I had no choice but to lose the battle and lower my eyes under his distinctly intractable ones. Heat cornered itself in my cheeks and neck as I absorbed the pointed innuendo. Why does he always have such clever responses? Even more mind boggling to me was how he achieved the wit and the punch in the same breath?
Then a thought reentered the forefront of my mind.
I sat up excitedly. "Speaking of the best, Lavender said that" I held up my hand parallel to my head "wait, wait, wait- get this. *Dean Thomas*- was the best she'd ever had, and apparently she knows what the best is because she's been around the block more than a time or two... to quote her." I stared at Draco for a quick second, my eyes dancing. I noticed that his eyes were glazed over by moisture caused by laughter tightly held in check.
With an extremely swift feeling of momentary subtraction from my surroundings, I got a fleeting chance to sit back and formally realize that a month ago I would never have been sharing gossip with a Slytherin, much less have that Slytherin be none other than Draco Malfoy. Yet here we were, sharing a laugh over a former acquaintance and present housemates' sexual excursions.
"Thomas is the best Lavender Brown has ever had?" His eyebrows rose slightly, then dropped. He looked at me almost seriously. "Figures I guess. They're both Gryffindor's."
He said the word as if it were the vilest disease a person could have.
I pouted my lips mockingly and folded my arms. "I'm Gryffindor too."
"So the sorting hat makes a few mistakes. It merely stands to reason that only one perfect thing can be on Hogwarts grounds." He put his hand up as my mouth opened. "That perfect *thing* you're wondering about is really in fact a perfect *person*, and that perfect person would be me.
I rolled my eyes disbelievingly- but before I could respond, there was a ground shaking quake that rippled through the shaky foundation of the tower.
I froze instantaneously, my body waiting for something to come crashing down and hit it. Afraid of speaking too loudly and shifting the already unsteady building I whispered "What in Merlock's name was that?"
Draco's demeanor appeared at ease, but his eyes were opened a quarter fraction wider than normal. He too whispered. "I'm not sure."
This isn't good my mind reasoned. I knew something had to be really off for Draco to admit that he was unsure of a situation.
I watched him carefully as he stood up on the balls of his feet in two quick self contained movements. He walked around slowly, squinting as if trying to see outside of the tower and into the walls of the rest of the school. He stopped his strides. "Hogwarts has never had an earthquake. It would be really strange for the school to start having one now... a million years after its creation."
I was still paralyzed from fear and adrenaline to properly register his sarcasm. "How do you know it was all of Hogwarts and not just underneath this particular tower?"
His questioning gaze stilled and caught mine telling me silently that my question was ridiculous. I looked away feeling flushed.
I heard, however, the various scrapes and scratches of his movements as he gathered his discarded materials. After collecting them, he moved over to the stone walls and again started murmuring the unchanged chants of before, and like earlier, the same door appeared.
"What are you doing?" I asked looking at his proffered hand as though it were contaminated with the ecoli bacteria.
He stared at me with impatient eyes. "Well unless you plan on *guessing* what happened, we should probably leave here so we can find out what happened."
I thought about the words that were coming out of his mouth and deemed them as rational. I looked around for a few seconds and then leaned over slowly, gathering my own supplies. After I collected two remaining bottles, I grasped his hand in mine.
He waited for me to step out and closed the invisible passageway behind me. I didn't know why stepping outside of the confinements of that secluded space made me increasingly nervous, but my legs continued to lead me- against the good judgment of my heart- as we silently made our way back to our respective common rooms.