Title: Shattered Dreams (04/?)
Author name: Meri015
Author email: Kagome014@yahoo.com
Category: Mystery
Sub Category: Action/Adventure
Keywords: Trio Draco Original Character Shinma demons
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Adriana has been missing for years and only now has she come back to the wizarding world, with one catch, she has no memory. Brought to Hogwarts she is painstakingly regaining her memory. However her past is starting to catch up with her, for how long can she deny that she is a Shinma, a half demon, half god creature? With the aid of the brilliant Hermione and the famous Harry Potter and sidekick Ron, she is desperately trying to find out who she really is. It doesn't help that the Shinma part of her has a mind, and an agenda, all of her own and who has her sights set on one Draco Malfoy.
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Kyuuketski Miyu characters are the property of their corresponding owners/designers.
Author notes: As always thanks to my betas (fefi and adelphie) for their help. Slash is implied in certain parts, can't say you're not warned. So don't flame me saying I didn't warn you, it's your own fault for not reading the author's notes, not mine. Marcus Flint had to stay back yet again; he's just not very bright. (The quote used is from Tomodachi and written by Iwasato Yuuho and sung by Sakamoto Ma'aya.)
~*~
Fushigi na sekai sono hitomi ni utsushiteru you na sonna kigashita.
Hanareba nare ni naru sukoshi mae ni tsugeta negai wasurenai de iru kara.
Tooku temo anata ni maketaku ha nainda itsu made mo futari ha RAIBARU.
I felt like our eyes reflect a wondrous world.
I told you only a little while ago, even if we get torn apart, I won't forget our dreams, so
even though I'm far away from you, I don't want to give up. Even though we've always been rivals.
~*~
"Meosamashide, Western Shinma." a voice whispered in my ear. I bolted upright, gasping for breath. I filled my lungs with blessed night air. I threw the covers off and raced for the bathroom. The air was chilly, but not enough to stop the fear-sweat from trickling steadily down my body. I looked at myself in the mirror. My black hair was slick with sweat, and it was sticking out at weird angles. White hair emitted from my temples and faded back to black. My eyes were a light purple and the irises were dilated. I looked at my hands; my nails were at least an inch long.
"What is wrong with me?" I whispered. "I ache all over, especially my back." I tried to massage it, but it only intensified the pain. "Arg," my hands came back with red-black blood on them. I raced back to my bed and grabbed a towel and a bar of soap from my dresser. I glanced at the clock quickly, 5:52.
I took a long shower and when I came out I was back to normal. No more pain or weird colored hair and eyes. I was back to being normal, well as normal as I ever got, being a witch and all. I pulled on an emerald colored lace up shirt and jeans. I also laced up flat-soled, leather boots. They were perfect for sneaking around in for they muffled sound. I packed my bag up and exited the portrait hole. The Fat Lady yelled at me for waking her up, but I had turned the corner by the time she had fully opened her eyes. I padded softly down the corridor trying to find a way to reach the kitchen. I was famished and I didn't believe I could wait until breakfast. However, it appeared that after walking aimlessly for ages that I would never find it so I gave up and made my way back to the dinning hall. I sat down and took out my homework that would be due later on in the week. I finished and still no one was down yet, so I opened my Defense against the Dark Arts textbook.
"Hermione said that we are having Remus Lupin as our Professor in the Defense against the Dark Arts class. She said he was a werewolf, I wonder if that is true." I spent the rest of my time reading up on werewolves until Hermione hurried in. "I'm here, Hermione," I said glancing up.
"What is with you and your disappearing act?! You're up to something, I just know it." Hermione panted.
"I couldn't sleep so I went and tried to find the kitchen to get something to eat, but I couldn't find it. So I came down here to read and do some homework. I'm sorry if you think that." I gazed at her steadily and waited for her reply.
"Fine, don't tell me." she said finally.
"There is nothing to tell, really." I moved my books off the table and allowed her a place to sit.
"For your sake, I hope you are not lying to me. So about that assignment for History…"
Shortly, the room was roaring as chatter and laughter filled the hall. Soon enough a multitude of owls swooped down with the post. I watched as a snowy owl descended to perch on Draco's shoulder. He reached up and plucked the letter free from the ebony ribbon. He unfurled it with delicate fingers that deftly fed the owl from his breakfast plate while reading the letter. The owl, sensing he was finished, took off. I watched as Draco unclipped a suspiciously familiar ebony rose that was attached to his post. I suddenly was over taken by a violent urge to do something…vengeful. No words could describe the feeling, besides the emotions felt tainted in a way. Luckily it passed as quickly as it had come. When I looked up again, there was no evidence that Draco had ever been sent a rose. Something, I knew, which was not a good thing not to be known.
~*~
I entered the classroom with Hermione at my side. The class was quickly filing in. Everyone, including the Slytherins, seemed eager to get the class underway. They talked in hushed, excited whispers to each other.
I overheard one student say to another, "I wonder if we have to battle Bogarts again this year. That was so scary having it turn into what you most fear! I had nightmares for weeks after about mummies!" I turned away. 'I wonder what I fear most in the world. Whatever it is, I'm sure it is something more terrifying than a mere mummy!' Suddenly the class fell silent as the professor rushed in carrying a brief case.
"Sorry for being late. I had to get some last minute supplies and permission from Dumbledore first before I could do this lesson today." At this last comment, the class broke out in furious chatter about what the professor needed permission to do. "Silence please. Before we do anything can anyone tell me what they know concerning Shinma?" At this I froze. 'Shinma? I could not have heard correctly. Please, let it not be Shinma.' Hermione's hand shot up and Lupin called on her.
"Shinma are demons who pray on humans and steal their souls."
"Thank you Hermione for telling us that wonderful myth."
"Myth, Professor?"
"Yes, it is a common myth. Would you all take note of this; Shinma are not demons. They were not born in hell, and therefore do not live there. They are easily grouped with demons because of the fact that they are shape shifters. Very much like Animagi. They conceal themselves and pass as humans, but that is not their true form. No two Shinma look the same. They are like humans in that aspect."
"Another common misconception is that Shinma pray on humans. This is not entirely true, but it has some fact in it. Most Shinma simply need humans for energy, and rarely will they corrupt or steal souls. Today, I have been given permission to show you photographs of known Shinma. I have gotten their permission to show them to you. First, I must stress that Shinma are human beings and should not be discriminated just because they are different. As some of you may know, Shinma in our community are hated and attempts have been made on their lives numerous times. So please keep an open mind. Now if you would follow me…" We followed Lupin out of the classroom and down the corridor to an un-used classroom. We were directed to sit on the floor as Lupin strode over to a piece of equipment.
"What is that?" I hissed to Hermione.
"An old film projector. It's a muggle invention." I nodded and we waited for Lupin to take up his lecture from where he had left off.
"Now we shall watch a film on Shinma where you shall see their human and Shinma forms, I expect you all to take notes."
~*~
"That was enlightening! I feel sorry for Shinma, always being discriminated. Now I feel guilty about what I said earlier!"
"Don't sweat it, Hermione. I'm sure the Shinma understand. What class do we have now?"
"Herbology. Now where did Ron and Harry run off to?" she looked behind us at the empty classroom. I saw Ron walk by the doorway.
"They're still in there I guess." We waited, and watched the doorway, hoping that they'd hurry up. I then saw Draco move into sight followed closely by Ron, fists raised. "They're fighting Malfoy!" I cried. I raced to the classroom, Hermione behind me. Ron had Draco on the ground and was brutally punching him in the stomach.
"Ron Weasley, stop this instant!" Hermione ordered. Ron ignored her and went back to hitting Draco even harder, if that was possible. Harry just stood by, watching with a look of worry on his face. I sighed and dove into the fray. I grabbed Ron and tried to haul him off of Draco. I took a break and looked up. Hermione was talking hurriedly to Harry; it sounded to me as if she was giving him quite an earful. 'Must assume that I'll take care of them both. Figures.'
I dived back in to try once more to stop them. I gasped as I was hit in the face with someone's elbow. The blow had connected with my nose and I felt blood dribbling from it. "Oh, that's it you two!" I whipped out my wand. "Veto Contactus!" The boys sprang apart and hit opposite walls. I was furious with them. "You idiots! Why the hell are you fighting?! And which one of you pathetic morons hit me?!" I shrieked. "Spill, or I'll force one of you to confess as to why you were fighting!"
"I didn't do anything. He jumped me." Draco smirked at Ron who looked murderous.
"Don't give me that crap, you filthy liar! Now one of you tell me the truth or you'll regret it. I'm itching to try out some new hexes and curses I read about. Now spill!" Hermione and Harry both looked at me, looks of shock mirrored on both their faces.
"I-I started it." sputtered Ron.
"Thank you for your honesty Ron. You're free to go." Ron got up and ran over to Hermione and Harry. "As for you Malfoy, I don't want to see you anywhere near Ron. You understand?" he nodded. "Get out of my sight." He too got up slowly, clutching his stomach and left the room. I sat down heavily. Hermione rushed to my side.
"Never imagined you as the type to yell or threaten." commented Hermione.
"I don't. I just lost it I guess." I started to shiver. "I-I've never hurt anyone before. I'm so sorry Ron. Did I hurt you with that spell?" I asked, tears prickling in my eyes. "I was just so worried and furious with you two."
"Here, Adri," I felt someone pry my fingers away and press a handkerchief into my hand. I wiped away my blood. "Don't feel bad, I deserved it. We should go to lunch now, so come on." I stood up with Hermione at my side.
"Is it because of," she trailed off.
"Yes," I lied. 'Let her believe what she wants. I can't possibly tell her the real reason I got so livid. How could I explain to her that my other side was taking over?'
~*~
"Are you serious? Quiet Adri exploded?" Seamus asked Ginny.
"Yeah, that's what Harry told me."
"Where is Adri, Hermione, and Ron anyway?"
"They went to get cleaned up by Hermione. I wonder who will fix Malfoy up? From what Harry told me, he got beat up pretty badly." Ginny giggled at the thought of Crabbe and Goyle attempting to heal Draco. Ginny glanced over at the Slytherin table. There sat Draco with what looked like a black eye blooming on his left eye and sporting a split lip as well. 'Way to go Ron!' she silently cheered. Ron sat down next to her and reached for a sandwich. "Where's Adri?"
"She is up in the common room. She claims to feel guilty for hitting me with a spell to separate Malfoy and I." Ron said wistfully. Ginny made a face at him.
"I don't see why she should feel bad. You could use some sense knocked into you." Ron playfully hit her in the arm.
"Not funny Ginny."
"Did you tell Adri the real reason why you were fighting?" asked Harry.
"No, and I lied and good thing too. She wasn't very happy with one of the reasons I gave her of why I hit Malfoy. It seems like she is defending the git! She automatically took his side when I told her!"
"I'm sure she was just angry that you attacked him over something as petty as what happened in study."
"Doesn't it bother you, what was said about us?" he asked blushing.
"No. It's not true, so why should it bother you?" responded Harry. Ron grimaced and looked away. Ginny sat watching the exchange in silence. 'Ron can be so thick sometimes, he never realizes his real motives behind his actions. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to read his emotions, as clear as day from his actions. And I wonder what he is lying about. What ever it is, it can't be good.' She sighed resignedly and went back to talking with Seamus and left Ron to his own problems.
"Ron, being unfaithful so soon?" Fred yelled from down the table a ways. Ron's head snapped up from staring dejectedly at his plate to focus on Fred.
"What did you just say?" he asked in a chilly voice. Fred froze, his mouth still open in shock. He had never heard Ron speak like that before in his life.
"Give it up Ron, we know why Dumbledore called you up to his office." George said in place of his twin.
Ron paled as Seamus asked, "What did he do?"
"Well," George began teasingly, "Ron was caught snogging a girl in the Astronomy Tower." There were many cries of astonishment and surprise. Ron began to slide down his seat in embarrassment.
"And now it seems he's flirting with Adri, what a faithful boyfriend!" Fred chimed in.
"Leave off, Fred." Harry quietly said. Fred, at the tone of his voice, quieted down. 'Interesting indeed,' thought Ginny.
~*~
I walked beside Hermione, avoiding Ron's gaze. I still felt guilty for hurting him with that spell. Also for losing my temper and lashing out like that. It was embarrassing now to even glance at him. We arrived at the greenhouse for herbology with Hufflepuff. Professor Sprout instructed us in how to tend to some rather nasty looking vines. I tried to get Hermione to come work with me but Ron beat me to it.
"Adri, would you help me with this vine?" Ron asked. I lowered my head and stared at the ground and gave a mumbled yes. I followed him over to a rather dejected looking vine in the corner of the house. "Listen Adri, you have to believe me. You should not be feeling guilty at all for what you thought you did wrong. You did the right thing, breaking up our fight like you did. I lose it whenever Malfoy is concerned, and I'm glad that you came along. So no hard feelings, okay? I got what I deserved." I sighed in relief.
"If you say so. Now I believe that we had better get working on this vine before Sprout comes over. She won't be very happy to see us not working. Why don't you go get the supplies and I'll look up in the text book what exactly this plant is."
"It's a fire vein. Very deadly if you get pricked by those thorns. It pumps poison into your blood stream. The result is you feel like you are getting burned alive from the inside."
"Hello to you too, Jemson. Thank you for that very enlightening conversation. Now if you wouldn't mind, I must get back to reading up on this, fire vein was it?" I answered coldly. Ron took the chance to scamper off for supplies casting a look at Jemson as he passed.
"Just wanted you to watch out. Not many people realize that the plant has retractable thorns until they are actually pricked by them. Wouldn't want you to get hurt."
"Oh no, of course not, because my life means soo much to you. Now thank you Jemson." I said harshly. He raised his hands in a defensive gesture and walked away.
"I was only trying to help," he said loftily. I shivered. I didn't like Jemson one bit. There was just that something about him. Maybe it was the predatory, feral look in his blue eyes. Or the way he always popped up whenever something nasty happened or just came by to add his two cents. Ron brought me out of my dark thoughts when he came back with the supplies in hand.
"It was nice of him to warn us about the plant."
"Yes, it was." I forced a smile. "Now why don't we get pruning?"
We worked carefully for some time before I put down the gardening shears.
"Think we've done all the pruning we can?" Ron asked after some time. "Yes, we should probably go get Professor Sprout to help us drain the poison." Ron followed me as we searched for Sprout; she was helping some Hufflepuffs when we walked over. "Professor Sprout? Would you supervise and help us drain the vine?"
"Sure, just let me finish up with them first." We waited for her by our plant.
"You think what Jemson said was true? About it being very deadly, possibly lethal?" I said nervously.
"I think he was just pulling your leg. I mean Sprout wouldn't let us work with lethal plants, would she?"
"I don't know, you tell me. You've known her longer than I have." As if on cue, Sprout appeared.
"I couldn't help but over hear your conversation. And yes, it is true that fire veins are lethal. But since I will be supervising there should be no incidents. Weren't you listening at the beginning of class?" We both shifted from foot to foot. Each of us, it appeared, had been caught up in our own thoughts. "Well, pay attention next time, okay?" We nodded and watched as she showed us what to do. "Why don't you try Ron?" He walked up to the plant with dragon hide gloves on. He tickled the underside of a stem and watched as thorns appeared. Ron took the offered bucket and pressed the thorns against the side and let the venom slide in. He was on the sixth thorn when I saw something slide around his shoulders.
"Adri, that's not funny." he said without looking behind him, still concentrating on the work at hand.
"I'm not doing anything." I answered in a shaky voice. Ron looked at his shoulder. The vine had wrapped a tendril firmly around his shoulders.
"Um, Professor, is it supposed to be doing this?" he asked, keeping his voice steady.
"Well, usually they only do that to people they feel comfortable around. I've only known it to do this to two people; Professor Dumbledore and myself. It will not hurt you, just go back to draining it again." He did as she instructed and the vine only tightened it's grip and slide over more of him.
"Professor,"
"I shall try to remove it so just keep still." She placed her hands on one of the tendrils and tried to lift it away from him. It nudged her hand away and went back to hanging onto his arm.
"Adriana, would you please take this bucket from me?" I took it from Ron's hands and backed away to a relatively safe distance from the plant. He put his palm up for the vine to crawl onto letting it travel up his arm and when it was settled he began to rub the main stem of the plant with his bare hands. It began to break free of its pot. "Professor Sprout, what should I do?"
"I think the only way to get it off you is to re-pot it, otherwise I fear it won't let me go."
"I think you're right. Adriana would you assist me? Ron would you gently coax it into this pot?" He nodded and stroked the main stem into the pot and let it wind off his arm. It took time but it eventually wound itself back into its new pot. "Well, class is over. Please read pages 612 to 710 for next Thursday and write an essay twelve inches in length on the reading, along with an open response on what you have witnessed and learned today." She yelled as the students filed out noisily. Harry and Hermione rushed over bursting with questions.
"Adri will tell you all the details. I have to quickly go wash up. I'll meet you in study and tell Madam Pince I'll be late for class." Ron yelled as he ran off, ignoring our calls to come back. I took the chance to go back and retrieve the plant I had requested from Professor Sprout.
~*~
"Adri, what are you doing back here?" Shiina asked from perched atop the canopy of my bed.
"What does it look like? I'm re-settling my plant." I answer nonchalantly.
"I know that! But it doesn't look normal…"
"It's a special rose bush that I bought from Professor Sprout. You'll just have to learn to live with it around, and if I were you I'd stay as far away from it as possible; it can be poisonous."
"What?! No way am I living with a killer weed!" she cried indignantly.
"Live with it. We'll talk about it later because I have to get to class now. Have fun!" I raced for the door after setting the plant down on my bedside table.
"Hmf, figures she'd become attached to a killer weed. It would be just her style to attract beautiful, but deadly creatures." commented Shiina to herself before I closed the door.
"How right you are, Shiina." I said under my breath as I leaned against the closed door.
~*~
"Snape is going to fry us! Harry, why did you have to help her? It wasn't your fault her bag split open!"
"Adri, I just helped her, unlike cold, indifferent you. Besides, Snape will "fry" us for being late or for being early. So don't fret over it!"
"I wonder where Ron had to go to so early this morning." commented Hermione pensively ignoring our argument.
"I think he had to report to Dumbledore again. I saw him receive an owl last night, and I recognized it as a school owl. So it's most likely Dumbledore, I mean who else would use a school owl to send post?"
"You're probably right," Hermione said as she pushed open the dungeon door. As soon as I walked in a sense of foreboding fell heavily upon me. It didn't take a Cassandra to prophesize that something bad would befall me in this room. I shivered. "Something wrong Adri?" I shook my head and Hermione walked to her seat.
"Harry, where should I sit? Do you have assigned seats in here?"
"We usually pick our seats and partners but sometimes Snape chooses them for us. So just find an empty seat." Harry walked over to a seat in the corner and placed his bag on the seat next to him. 'He must be waiting for Ron to join him.' Interpreting the signal, I sat down in the only other empty seat, next to the sniveling Neville.
"'lo Adri." I stared at him coldly until he quivered and turned away, all thoughts of conversation forgotten. 'That's better. I can never think with him babbling on like he does.' I was about to break out my homework in transfiguration when Snape stormed in, banging the iron and wood door against the wall. He unceremoniously threw his bag on his desk and turned to face the class. The atmosphere had gotten drastically colder now that Snape's presence was felt. I stared at him; there was something about him that told me we had met before. However, the memory eluded me and I was left with an unexplainable sense of deja vu.
"Hopefully today you bunch of spineless sissies will actually be able to concoct a semi-edible potion," he said as a way of greeting. "Longbottom," he let the name roll off his tongue languidly as Neville froze, and had a look on his face in the likeness of a deer caught in the headlights. "Name a potion that makes the drinker appear to be dead."
"I-I-I don't know, Sir."
"I-I-I don't know, Sir." mimicked Snape. "It was in the reading assigned to you over the summer break! Or did you slack off as usual and decide to just excuse yourself by saying, "I don't know, Sir?" Neville had scarlet and looked even more frightened. "Can anyone tell me what it is? How about you, Ms. Kaitou." he asked in the same silky voice.
"It is called Draught of the Living Dead. It is most commonly associated with Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet where a Muggle used the potion to appear dead." Snape seemed to be in shock for a milli-second before he snapped to attention.
"And what ingredients are in the draft?"
"Asphodel in an infusion of wormwood. It is noted if too much is consumed it can be fatal."
"Don't be smart with me."
"Am I not correct?"
"Ten points from Gryffindor for your insolence." I smirked. "What is so funny, Ms. Kaitou. Care to share it with the class?"
"It just strikes me as ironic, this potion you chose."
He raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Well, what you assigned for us to read was all centered on the play Romeo and Juliet by the muggle writer William Shakespeare. The Draft of the Living Dead, different herb uses, how to treat wounds inflicted by swords or daggers with healing potions. It appears that you are a bit of a romantic." he gazed at me baffled once again. I continued to smirk.
"Is she crazy, baiting the Potions Master like that?"
"Are you sure the Sorting Hat didn't screw up?"
"Never thought a Gryffindor would engage in a verbal battle with Snape!" and other such comments flew across the room.
"However, this does not reflect on you, Professor. I looked up the curriculum requirements and it appears that you had no say in this matter. I was just wondering at your taste."
"It seems you are quite knowledgeable in this area. Would you care to concoct us a Draught of the Living Dead to prove that you are not simply trying to inflate your own ego further than it already is. You will also be drinking your own potion, so keep in mind the consequences if you fail." It was now his turn to smirk. I turned to Hermione who was sitting closest to me. Her mouth was open in shock.
"Hermione may I borrow some supplies from you, please?
"Are you crazy?! Fighting with Snape!? If it was one of us he would have taken a hundred points away from Gryffindor!"
"Don't worry Hermione. What's the worst that could happen?"
"Famous last words," she muttered. I collected the ingredients and took them up to Snape who had pulled a desk out and placed a cauldron on top of it. For once the Slytherins and Gryffindors were silent, waiting anxiously in anticipation.
"Begin," was all Snape said. He backed away with a smug smile on his face. 'You're wrong Hermione. He is punishing me more than taking away a hundred points from Gryffindor. He's going to force me to eat my own words.' I put the cauldron over the flame and measured out the required amount of water and sat and waited for the water to boil. When it did, I added the measured amount of asphodel and stirred it in. Then quickly threw in the wormwood. If they did not start to fuse together soon then my potion would surely fail. I waited in tense silence and stirred, praying that it would work. I stirred one last time, gave a silent prayer and said, "It is ready,"
"Then by all means, prepare to drink it." Snape said from where he stood at my side, peering over my shoulder. "You know you brought this upon yourself, Adrianna." he whispered in my ear.
"I know. But now I really know where I remember you from."
"Was it worth the price you are going to pay?"
"Yes,"
"I hope you remember that as you feel your life force slipping away as you fully realize the price for what you have done." he backed away and addressed the class. "I want a space cleared and someone's robe laid out. Move it!" he barked. The Slytherins raced to do his bidding, sliding desks out of the way. No one was very eager to lay their cloak down. Finally Draco, exasperated, threw his down. I took the vial of potion in hand and awaited Snape's instructions
"Now class, gather around as we watch to see if Ms. Kaitou brewed her potion correctly." I stood by Draco's cloak. "Well, what are you waiting for girl, drink!" I sat down, took a deep breath, and raised the vial to my lips. I drank the entire potion in one gulp and I felt it wind its way slowly down my throat. It tasted remotely of strawberries but left me with a bitter after taste, one that tasted remotely of regret. Or that is what I imagined regret would taste like. I felt as if little fingers were clawing at my eyelids forcing them closed. In the next second they flew open as I felt the cold seep through my entire body. I felt my eyes slip closed as I lost control of my body.
I slid into someone's arms and thought, 'Who would have guessed I'd ever drink this again in my life? Funny, how I remember it now.' Those were the last fragments of thought I had before I felt my mind go blank.
Echoes of surprise and fear resounded as the class watched as Adriana passed out. Draco had caught her as she fell and had his hand pressed against her throat, checking for a pulse.
"You will find no pulse Mr. Malfoy. Weren't you paying attention during my lecture? The draught makes the drinker appear dead, meaning you will be unable to detect a pulse, or breath. If the potion was brewed properly she will awaken in 48 hours. If not, she will be in her grave at this time in two days." Draco looked at the Potion Master in shock, as did every other student. They had known him to be mean and cruel but he never went so far as to attempt to kill a student before. Snape stared back at them with eyes like steel, unflinching and ruthless. Ron sent daggers at Malfoy as he noted that he held Adri a little too close, not the way a Slytherin should be acting, especially Malfoy.
"Malfoy, get your hands off her." Ron hissed. "Or do you forget what Adri said to you?" Malfoy eyed him for a moment then answered,
"She can't hurt me if she's 'dead', weasel." he spat out the word dead and Ron stepped back, suddenly wary of Draco. Draco gave him a baleful look and stood up, Adri in his hands. "Professor Snape, with your permission I would like to take her to the hospital wing." Snape waved a hand in dismissal and went back to lecturing the class still standing around where Adri had lain. Draco noted that Ron had sidled next to Harry and the Mudblood and he was whispering in Harry's ear, still watching Draco out of the corner of his eye. "I'm not going to rape her, Weasley." Draco mouthed and smirked as Ron looked as if he was ready to come out and punch him again. Weasley didn't look too convinced to Draco, but he shrugged, it was not like Weasley would have the guts to stop him from taking her to the hospital wing. He was walking out of the classroom when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around slowly to come face to face with Harry.
"If you do anything to her, Malfoy…" he warned in a dangerous voice.
"What is with you Gryffindor's and your little group protection? I'm not going to do anything to her! Besides, she's a Gryffindor and who would ever want to get involved with them?" Harry looked wounded and gazed at Draco with pensive eyes. "Harry," Draco began. But Harry had already turned his back on Draco and walked back into the classroom, closing the door in Draco's face. Draco struggled for a moment then turned away and began the long walk up to the Infirmary.
~*~
"Malfoy!" upon hearing his name, Draco spun around and saw Marcus Flint calling for him from the common room entrance.
"What?" he snapped. Flint beckoned to follow him and with a sigh Draco walked over to him.
"I heard about what happened in Potions." he commented after they had been walking awhile.
Draco paused, "What's it to you, Flint?"
"A Gryffindor, Malfoy. That's what's bothering me."
"She should have been in Slytherin."
"I know. I've been saying that that hat has been biased towards us Slytherins. I spelled a Hufflepuff's bag to split open today and the only people who were in the corridor were Potter, the Mudblood and Kaitou. I hid and watched. And get this, Kaitou refused to help Potter with the bag. She argued with him over it after he had fixed it. I thought Gryffindors were suppose to help people, not look down at them in disgust."
"I've noticed it too. So are you saying you're making an exception to the rule?"
"Perhaps,"
"What's the catch Flint?"
"You make sure you knock Potter off his broom the next time we play Gryffindor in a Quidditch match." Draco paled. He didn't let his emotions show on his face but Flint knew that his two sides were battling it out. "Which is more important to you Draco? I can help you or destroy you, and you know that, don't you?" Draco gave him a look of pure hate. Flint noticed that he had never looked at Potter like that, even when they were first years together. It made him a little nervous but Flint was a man of business. "What will it be, Draco? The girl who you obviously care for or your past?"
"Adri," he spat and turned on his heel and stormed away. Flint smiled. 'Oh Draco, you're so easy to manipulate. And everyone gives you credit for being the best at it. If they only knew that you'd crack because of the pettiest thing-love.'
~*~
"You're not dead yet."
"Heh, disappointed?" the Harpy asked sounding rather mournful.
"No. I've come to ask what you foresaw for my future. I know you didn't make that comment based on nothing."
"How do you know that I do not lie to you for sport?"
"I know you, you wouldn't do that."
"Child, you knew me for only a century. Did you ever stop to think about what I became in the rest?"
"It passed through my mind at one point. However, I must know, what do you see for me?"
"Death."
"Of course, this body is only mortal. Now stop beating around the bush woman, and answer my question truthfully."
"You might join our ranks soon."
"It'll be that bad?"
"Yes, your death will be no small matter. It will be enough to secure you a position as a harpy. If you have the strength, and the vengeance that is. And if, being the key word."
"So my fate still holds me in its death grip?"
"Sadly, yes."
"I don't think I shall find him this time, the one who bestowed on me this blessing and this curse. If I do, I'll give him this fate of mine, an eye for an eye is only fair."
"Oh, how I pity your lover."
"Damare! He deserves no ones pity for what he did to me!"
"He did what he did to save you. Why can't you see that?"
"To save me? He made me what I am! He gave me this form and the fate attached with it!"
"He gave you a body and a life, can't you be grateful wench?"
"Never! Not until he says it."
"Says what?"
"Shut up!"
The figure fled the scene; tears welling in her violet eyes as the creening of a Harpy filled the air.
~*~
A/N: You all best be happy. I wasn't going to add in that Harpy conversation, but I felt nice at the time I wrote it. So don't disappoint me by not reviewing. I'm so evil, ne? I also promise chp. 5 to be posted soon in compensation for how long it took to post this. Sound good? Glad to hear it.
Foreign words translations:
Meosamashide-Wake up, open your eyes, awaken
Damare-shut up
Western Shinma-Shinma from the west (America and/or Europe)
Shiina-a name, pronounced she-na (na as in naughty)
Author name: Meri015
Author email: Kagome014@yahoo.com
Category: Mystery
Sub Category: Action/Adventure
Keywords: Trio Draco Original Character Shinma demons
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Adriana has been missing for years and only now has she come back to the wizarding world, with one catch, she has no memory. Brought to Hogwarts she is painstakingly regaining her memory. However her past is starting to catch up with her, for how long can she deny that she is a Shinma, a half demon, half god creature? With the aid of the brilliant Hermione and the famous Harry Potter and sidekick Ron, she is desperately trying to find out who she really is. It doesn't help that the Shinma part of her has a mind, and an agenda, all of her own and who has her sights set on one Draco Malfoy.
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Kyuuketski Miyu characters are the property of their corresponding owners/designers.
Author notes: As always thanks to my betas (fefi and adelphie) for their help. Slash is implied in certain parts, can't say you're not warned. So don't flame me saying I didn't warn you, it's your own fault for not reading the author's notes, not mine. Marcus Flint had to stay back yet again; he's just not very bright. (The quote used is from Tomodachi and written by Iwasato Yuuho and sung by Sakamoto Ma'aya.)
~*~
Fushigi na sekai sono hitomi ni utsushiteru you na sonna kigashita.
Hanareba nare ni naru sukoshi mae ni tsugeta negai wasurenai de iru kara.
Tooku temo anata ni maketaku ha nainda itsu made mo futari ha RAIBARU.
I felt like our eyes reflect a wondrous world.
I told you only a little while ago, even if we get torn apart, I won't forget our dreams, so
even though I'm far away from you, I don't want to give up. Even though we've always been rivals.
~*~
"Meosamashide, Western Shinma." a voice whispered in my ear. I bolted upright, gasping for breath. I filled my lungs with blessed night air. I threw the covers off and raced for the bathroom. The air was chilly, but not enough to stop the fear-sweat from trickling steadily down my body. I looked at myself in the mirror. My black hair was slick with sweat, and it was sticking out at weird angles. White hair emitted from my temples and faded back to black. My eyes were a light purple and the irises were dilated. I looked at my hands; my nails were at least an inch long.
"What is wrong with me?" I whispered. "I ache all over, especially my back." I tried to massage it, but it only intensified the pain. "Arg," my hands came back with red-black blood on them. I raced back to my bed and grabbed a towel and a bar of soap from my dresser. I glanced at the clock quickly, 5:52.
I took a long shower and when I came out I was back to normal. No more pain or weird colored hair and eyes. I was back to being normal, well as normal as I ever got, being a witch and all. I pulled on an emerald colored lace up shirt and jeans. I also laced up flat-soled, leather boots. They were perfect for sneaking around in for they muffled sound. I packed my bag up and exited the portrait hole. The Fat Lady yelled at me for waking her up, but I had turned the corner by the time she had fully opened her eyes. I padded softly down the corridor trying to find a way to reach the kitchen. I was famished and I didn't believe I could wait until breakfast. However, it appeared that after walking aimlessly for ages that I would never find it so I gave up and made my way back to the dinning hall. I sat down and took out my homework that would be due later on in the week. I finished and still no one was down yet, so I opened my Defense against the Dark Arts textbook.
"Hermione said that we are having Remus Lupin as our Professor in the Defense against the Dark Arts class. She said he was a werewolf, I wonder if that is true." I spent the rest of my time reading up on werewolves until Hermione hurried in. "I'm here, Hermione," I said glancing up.
"What is with you and your disappearing act?! You're up to something, I just know it." Hermione panted.
"I couldn't sleep so I went and tried to find the kitchen to get something to eat, but I couldn't find it. So I came down here to read and do some homework. I'm sorry if you think that." I gazed at her steadily and waited for her reply.
"Fine, don't tell me." she said finally.
"There is nothing to tell, really." I moved my books off the table and allowed her a place to sit.
"For your sake, I hope you are not lying to me. So about that assignment for History…"
Shortly, the room was roaring as chatter and laughter filled the hall. Soon enough a multitude of owls swooped down with the post. I watched as a snowy owl descended to perch on Draco's shoulder. He reached up and plucked the letter free from the ebony ribbon. He unfurled it with delicate fingers that deftly fed the owl from his breakfast plate while reading the letter. The owl, sensing he was finished, took off. I watched as Draco unclipped a suspiciously familiar ebony rose that was attached to his post. I suddenly was over taken by a violent urge to do something…vengeful. No words could describe the feeling, besides the emotions felt tainted in a way. Luckily it passed as quickly as it had come. When I looked up again, there was no evidence that Draco had ever been sent a rose. Something, I knew, which was not a good thing not to be known.
~*~
I entered the classroom with Hermione at my side. The class was quickly filing in. Everyone, including the Slytherins, seemed eager to get the class underway. They talked in hushed, excited whispers to each other.
I overheard one student say to another, "I wonder if we have to battle Bogarts again this year. That was so scary having it turn into what you most fear! I had nightmares for weeks after about mummies!" I turned away. 'I wonder what I fear most in the world. Whatever it is, I'm sure it is something more terrifying than a mere mummy!' Suddenly the class fell silent as the professor rushed in carrying a brief case.
"Sorry for being late. I had to get some last minute supplies and permission from Dumbledore first before I could do this lesson today." At this last comment, the class broke out in furious chatter about what the professor needed permission to do. "Silence please. Before we do anything can anyone tell me what they know concerning Shinma?" At this I froze. 'Shinma? I could not have heard correctly. Please, let it not be Shinma.' Hermione's hand shot up and Lupin called on her.
"Shinma are demons who pray on humans and steal their souls."
"Thank you Hermione for telling us that wonderful myth."
"Myth, Professor?"
"Yes, it is a common myth. Would you all take note of this; Shinma are not demons. They were not born in hell, and therefore do not live there. They are easily grouped with demons because of the fact that they are shape shifters. Very much like Animagi. They conceal themselves and pass as humans, but that is not their true form. No two Shinma look the same. They are like humans in that aspect."
"Another common misconception is that Shinma pray on humans. This is not entirely true, but it has some fact in it. Most Shinma simply need humans for energy, and rarely will they corrupt or steal souls. Today, I have been given permission to show you photographs of known Shinma. I have gotten their permission to show them to you. First, I must stress that Shinma are human beings and should not be discriminated just because they are different. As some of you may know, Shinma in our community are hated and attempts have been made on their lives numerous times. So please keep an open mind. Now if you would follow me…" We followed Lupin out of the classroom and down the corridor to an un-used classroom. We were directed to sit on the floor as Lupin strode over to a piece of equipment.
"What is that?" I hissed to Hermione.
"An old film projector. It's a muggle invention." I nodded and we waited for Lupin to take up his lecture from where he had left off.
"Now we shall watch a film on Shinma where you shall see their human and Shinma forms, I expect you all to take notes."
~*~
"That was enlightening! I feel sorry for Shinma, always being discriminated. Now I feel guilty about what I said earlier!"
"Don't sweat it, Hermione. I'm sure the Shinma understand. What class do we have now?"
"Herbology. Now where did Ron and Harry run off to?" she looked behind us at the empty classroom. I saw Ron walk by the doorway.
"They're still in there I guess." We waited, and watched the doorway, hoping that they'd hurry up. I then saw Draco move into sight followed closely by Ron, fists raised. "They're fighting Malfoy!" I cried. I raced to the classroom, Hermione behind me. Ron had Draco on the ground and was brutally punching him in the stomach.
"Ron Weasley, stop this instant!" Hermione ordered. Ron ignored her and went back to hitting Draco even harder, if that was possible. Harry just stood by, watching with a look of worry on his face. I sighed and dove into the fray. I grabbed Ron and tried to haul him off of Draco. I took a break and looked up. Hermione was talking hurriedly to Harry; it sounded to me as if she was giving him quite an earful. 'Must assume that I'll take care of them both. Figures.'
I dived back in to try once more to stop them. I gasped as I was hit in the face with someone's elbow. The blow had connected with my nose and I felt blood dribbling from it. "Oh, that's it you two!" I whipped out my wand. "Veto Contactus!" The boys sprang apart and hit opposite walls. I was furious with them. "You idiots! Why the hell are you fighting?! And which one of you pathetic morons hit me?!" I shrieked. "Spill, or I'll force one of you to confess as to why you were fighting!"
"I didn't do anything. He jumped me." Draco smirked at Ron who looked murderous.
"Don't give me that crap, you filthy liar! Now one of you tell me the truth or you'll regret it. I'm itching to try out some new hexes and curses I read about. Now spill!" Hermione and Harry both looked at me, looks of shock mirrored on both their faces.
"I-I started it." sputtered Ron.
"Thank you for your honesty Ron. You're free to go." Ron got up and ran over to Hermione and Harry. "As for you Malfoy, I don't want to see you anywhere near Ron. You understand?" he nodded. "Get out of my sight." He too got up slowly, clutching his stomach and left the room. I sat down heavily. Hermione rushed to my side.
"Never imagined you as the type to yell or threaten." commented Hermione.
"I don't. I just lost it I guess." I started to shiver. "I-I've never hurt anyone before. I'm so sorry Ron. Did I hurt you with that spell?" I asked, tears prickling in my eyes. "I was just so worried and furious with you two."
"Here, Adri," I felt someone pry my fingers away and press a handkerchief into my hand. I wiped away my blood. "Don't feel bad, I deserved it. We should go to lunch now, so come on." I stood up with Hermione at my side.
"Is it because of," she trailed off.
"Yes," I lied. 'Let her believe what she wants. I can't possibly tell her the real reason I got so livid. How could I explain to her that my other side was taking over?'
~*~
"Are you serious? Quiet Adri exploded?" Seamus asked Ginny.
"Yeah, that's what Harry told me."
"Where is Adri, Hermione, and Ron anyway?"
"They went to get cleaned up by Hermione. I wonder who will fix Malfoy up? From what Harry told me, he got beat up pretty badly." Ginny giggled at the thought of Crabbe and Goyle attempting to heal Draco. Ginny glanced over at the Slytherin table. There sat Draco with what looked like a black eye blooming on his left eye and sporting a split lip as well. 'Way to go Ron!' she silently cheered. Ron sat down next to her and reached for a sandwich. "Where's Adri?"
"She is up in the common room. She claims to feel guilty for hitting me with a spell to separate Malfoy and I." Ron said wistfully. Ginny made a face at him.
"I don't see why she should feel bad. You could use some sense knocked into you." Ron playfully hit her in the arm.
"Not funny Ginny."
"Did you tell Adri the real reason why you were fighting?" asked Harry.
"No, and I lied and good thing too. She wasn't very happy with one of the reasons I gave her of why I hit Malfoy. It seems like she is defending the git! She automatically took his side when I told her!"
"I'm sure she was just angry that you attacked him over something as petty as what happened in study."
"Doesn't it bother you, what was said about us?" he asked blushing.
"No. It's not true, so why should it bother you?" responded Harry. Ron grimaced and looked away. Ginny sat watching the exchange in silence. 'Ron can be so thick sometimes, he never realizes his real motives behind his actions. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to read his emotions, as clear as day from his actions. And I wonder what he is lying about. What ever it is, it can't be good.' She sighed resignedly and went back to talking with Seamus and left Ron to his own problems.
"Ron, being unfaithful so soon?" Fred yelled from down the table a ways. Ron's head snapped up from staring dejectedly at his plate to focus on Fred.
"What did you just say?" he asked in a chilly voice. Fred froze, his mouth still open in shock. He had never heard Ron speak like that before in his life.
"Give it up Ron, we know why Dumbledore called you up to his office." George said in place of his twin.
Ron paled as Seamus asked, "What did he do?"
"Well," George began teasingly, "Ron was caught snogging a girl in the Astronomy Tower." There were many cries of astonishment and surprise. Ron began to slide down his seat in embarrassment.
"And now it seems he's flirting with Adri, what a faithful boyfriend!" Fred chimed in.
"Leave off, Fred." Harry quietly said. Fred, at the tone of his voice, quieted down. 'Interesting indeed,' thought Ginny.
~*~
I walked beside Hermione, avoiding Ron's gaze. I still felt guilty for hurting him with that spell. Also for losing my temper and lashing out like that. It was embarrassing now to even glance at him. We arrived at the greenhouse for herbology with Hufflepuff. Professor Sprout instructed us in how to tend to some rather nasty looking vines. I tried to get Hermione to come work with me but Ron beat me to it.
"Adri, would you help me with this vine?" Ron asked. I lowered my head and stared at the ground and gave a mumbled yes. I followed him over to a rather dejected looking vine in the corner of the house. "Listen Adri, you have to believe me. You should not be feeling guilty at all for what you thought you did wrong. You did the right thing, breaking up our fight like you did. I lose it whenever Malfoy is concerned, and I'm glad that you came along. So no hard feelings, okay? I got what I deserved." I sighed in relief.
"If you say so. Now I believe that we had better get working on this vine before Sprout comes over. She won't be very happy to see us not working. Why don't you go get the supplies and I'll look up in the text book what exactly this plant is."
"It's a fire vein. Very deadly if you get pricked by those thorns. It pumps poison into your blood stream. The result is you feel like you are getting burned alive from the inside."
"Hello to you too, Jemson. Thank you for that very enlightening conversation. Now if you wouldn't mind, I must get back to reading up on this, fire vein was it?" I answered coldly. Ron took the chance to scamper off for supplies casting a look at Jemson as he passed.
"Just wanted you to watch out. Not many people realize that the plant has retractable thorns until they are actually pricked by them. Wouldn't want you to get hurt."
"Oh no, of course not, because my life means soo much to you. Now thank you Jemson." I said harshly. He raised his hands in a defensive gesture and walked away.
"I was only trying to help," he said loftily. I shivered. I didn't like Jemson one bit. There was just that something about him. Maybe it was the predatory, feral look in his blue eyes. Or the way he always popped up whenever something nasty happened or just came by to add his two cents. Ron brought me out of my dark thoughts when he came back with the supplies in hand.
"It was nice of him to warn us about the plant."
"Yes, it was." I forced a smile. "Now why don't we get pruning?"
We worked carefully for some time before I put down the gardening shears.
"Think we've done all the pruning we can?" Ron asked after some time. "Yes, we should probably go get Professor Sprout to help us drain the poison." Ron followed me as we searched for Sprout; she was helping some Hufflepuffs when we walked over. "Professor Sprout? Would you supervise and help us drain the vine?"
"Sure, just let me finish up with them first." We waited for her by our plant.
"You think what Jemson said was true? About it being very deadly, possibly lethal?" I said nervously.
"I think he was just pulling your leg. I mean Sprout wouldn't let us work with lethal plants, would she?"
"I don't know, you tell me. You've known her longer than I have." As if on cue, Sprout appeared.
"I couldn't help but over hear your conversation. And yes, it is true that fire veins are lethal. But since I will be supervising there should be no incidents. Weren't you listening at the beginning of class?" We both shifted from foot to foot. Each of us, it appeared, had been caught up in our own thoughts. "Well, pay attention next time, okay?" We nodded and watched as she showed us what to do. "Why don't you try Ron?" He walked up to the plant with dragon hide gloves on. He tickled the underside of a stem and watched as thorns appeared. Ron took the offered bucket and pressed the thorns against the side and let the venom slide in. He was on the sixth thorn when I saw something slide around his shoulders.
"Adri, that's not funny." he said without looking behind him, still concentrating on the work at hand.
"I'm not doing anything." I answered in a shaky voice. Ron looked at his shoulder. The vine had wrapped a tendril firmly around his shoulders.
"Um, Professor, is it supposed to be doing this?" he asked, keeping his voice steady.
"Well, usually they only do that to people they feel comfortable around. I've only known it to do this to two people; Professor Dumbledore and myself. It will not hurt you, just go back to draining it again." He did as she instructed and the vine only tightened it's grip and slide over more of him.
"Professor,"
"I shall try to remove it so just keep still." She placed her hands on one of the tendrils and tried to lift it away from him. It nudged her hand away and went back to hanging onto his arm.
"Adriana, would you please take this bucket from me?" I took it from Ron's hands and backed away to a relatively safe distance from the plant. He put his palm up for the vine to crawl onto letting it travel up his arm and when it was settled he began to rub the main stem of the plant with his bare hands. It began to break free of its pot. "Professor Sprout, what should I do?"
"I think the only way to get it off you is to re-pot it, otherwise I fear it won't let me go."
"I think you're right. Adriana would you assist me? Ron would you gently coax it into this pot?" He nodded and stroked the main stem into the pot and let it wind off his arm. It took time but it eventually wound itself back into its new pot. "Well, class is over. Please read pages 612 to 710 for next Thursday and write an essay twelve inches in length on the reading, along with an open response on what you have witnessed and learned today." She yelled as the students filed out noisily. Harry and Hermione rushed over bursting with questions.
"Adri will tell you all the details. I have to quickly go wash up. I'll meet you in study and tell Madam Pince I'll be late for class." Ron yelled as he ran off, ignoring our calls to come back. I took the chance to go back and retrieve the plant I had requested from Professor Sprout.
~*~
"Adri, what are you doing back here?" Shiina asked from perched atop the canopy of my bed.
"What does it look like? I'm re-settling my plant." I answer nonchalantly.
"I know that! But it doesn't look normal…"
"It's a special rose bush that I bought from Professor Sprout. You'll just have to learn to live with it around, and if I were you I'd stay as far away from it as possible; it can be poisonous."
"What?! No way am I living with a killer weed!" she cried indignantly.
"Live with it. We'll talk about it later because I have to get to class now. Have fun!" I raced for the door after setting the plant down on my bedside table.
"Hmf, figures she'd become attached to a killer weed. It would be just her style to attract beautiful, but deadly creatures." commented Shiina to herself before I closed the door.
"How right you are, Shiina." I said under my breath as I leaned against the closed door.
~*~
"Snape is going to fry us! Harry, why did you have to help her? It wasn't your fault her bag split open!"
"Adri, I just helped her, unlike cold, indifferent you. Besides, Snape will "fry" us for being late or for being early. So don't fret over it!"
"I wonder where Ron had to go to so early this morning." commented Hermione pensively ignoring our argument.
"I think he had to report to Dumbledore again. I saw him receive an owl last night, and I recognized it as a school owl. So it's most likely Dumbledore, I mean who else would use a school owl to send post?"
"You're probably right," Hermione said as she pushed open the dungeon door. As soon as I walked in a sense of foreboding fell heavily upon me. It didn't take a Cassandra to prophesize that something bad would befall me in this room. I shivered. "Something wrong Adri?" I shook my head and Hermione walked to her seat.
"Harry, where should I sit? Do you have assigned seats in here?"
"We usually pick our seats and partners but sometimes Snape chooses them for us. So just find an empty seat." Harry walked over to a seat in the corner and placed his bag on the seat next to him. 'He must be waiting for Ron to join him.' Interpreting the signal, I sat down in the only other empty seat, next to the sniveling Neville.
"'lo Adri." I stared at him coldly until he quivered and turned away, all thoughts of conversation forgotten. 'That's better. I can never think with him babbling on like he does.' I was about to break out my homework in transfiguration when Snape stormed in, banging the iron and wood door against the wall. He unceremoniously threw his bag on his desk and turned to face the class. The atmosphere had gotten drastically colder now that Snape's presence was felt. I stared at him; there was something about him that told me we had met before. However, the memory eluded me and I was left with an unexplainable sense of deja vu.
"Hopefully today you bunch of spineless sissies will actually be able to concoct a semi-edible potion," he said as a way of greeting. "Longbottom," he let the name roll off his tongue languidly as Neville froze, and had a look on his face in the likeness of a deer caught in the headlights. "Name a potion that makes the drinker appear to be dead."
"I-I-I don't know, Sir."
"I-I-I don't know, Sir." mimicked Snape. "It was in the reading assigned to you over the summer break! Or did you slack off as usual and decide to just excuse yourself by saying, "I don't know, Sir?" Neville had scarlet and looked even more frightened. "Can anyone tell me what it is? How about you, Ms. Kaitou." he asked in the same silky voice.
"It is called Draught of the Living Dead. It is most commonly associated with Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet where a Muggle used the potion to appear dead." Snape seemed to be in shock for a milli-second before he snapped to attention.
"And what ingredients are in the draft?"
"Asphodel in an infusion of wormwood. It is noted if too much is consumed it can be fatal."
"Don't be smart with me."
"Am I not correct?"
"Ten points from Gryffindor for your insolence." I smirked. "What is so funny, Ms. Kaitou. Care to share it with the class?"
"It just strikes me as ironic, this potion you chose."
He raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"Well, what you assigned for us to read was all centered on the play Romeo and Juliet by the muggle writer William Shakespeare. The Draft of the Living Dead, different herb uses, how to treat wounds inflicted by swords or daggers with healing potions. It appears that you are a bit of a romantic." he gazed at me baffled once again. I continued to smirk.
"Is she crazy, baiting the Potions Master like that?"
"Are you sure the Sorting Hat didn't screw up?"
"Never thought a Gryffindor would engage in a verbal battle with Snape!" and other such comments flew across the room.
"However, this does not reflect on you, Professor. I looked up the curriculum requirements and it appears that you had no say in this matter. I was just wondering at your taste."
"It seems you are quite knowledgeable in this area. Would you care to concoct us a Draught of the Living Dead to prove that you are not simply trying to inflate your own ego further than it already is. You will also be drinking your own potion, so keep in mind the consequences if you fail." It was now his turn to smirk. I turned to Hermione who was sitting closest to me. Her mouth was open in shock.
"Hermione may I borrow some supplies from you, please?
"Are you crazy?! Fighting with Snape!? If it was one of us he would have taken a hundred points away from Gryffindor!"
"Don't worry Hermione. What's the worst that could happen?"
"Famous last words," she muttered. I collected the ingredients and took them up to Snape who had pulled a desk out and placed a cauldron on top of it. For once the Slytherins and Gryffindors were silent, waiting anxiously in anticipation.
"Begin," was all Snape said. He backed away with a smug smile on his face. 'You're wrong Hermione. He is punishing me more than taking away a hundred points from Gryffindor. He's going to force me to eat my own words.' I put the cauldron over the flame and measured out the required amount of water and sat and waited for the water to boil. When it did, I added the measured amount of asphodel and stirred it in. Then quickly threw in the wormwood. If they did not start to fuse together soon then my potion would surely fail. I waited in tense silence and stirred, praying that it would work. I stirred one last time, gave a silent prayer and said, "It is ready,"
"Then by all means, prepare to drink it." Snape said from where he stood at my side, peering over my shoulder. "You know you brought this upon yourself, Adrianna." he whispered in my ear.
"I know. But now I really know where I remember you from."
"Was it worth the price you are going to pay?"
"Yes,"
"I hope you remember that as you feel your life force slipping away as you fully realize the price for what you have done." he backed away and addressed the class. "I want a space cleared and someone's robe laid out. Move it!" he barked. The Slytherins raced to do his bidding, sliding desks out of the way. No one was very eager to lay their cloak down. Finally Draco, exasperated, threw his down. I took the vial of potion in hand and awaited Snape's instructions
"Now class, gather around as we watch to see if Ms. Kaitou brewed her potion correctly." I stood by Draco's cloak. "Well, what are you waiting for girl, drink!" I sat down, took a deep breath, and raised the vial to my lips. I drank the entire potion in one gulp and I felt it wind its way slowly down my throat. It tasted remotely of strawberries but left me with a bitter after taste, one that tasted remotely of regret. Or that is what I imagined regret would taste like. I felt as if little fingers were clawing at my eyelids forcing them closed. In the next second they flew open as I felt the cold seep through my entire body. I felt my eyes slip closed as I lost control of my body.
I slid into someone's arms and thought, 'Who would have guessed I'd ever drink this again in my life? Funny, how I remember it now.' Those were the last fragments of thought I had before I felt my mind go blank.
Echoes of surprise and fear resounded as the class watched as Adriana passed out. Draco had caught her as she fell and had his hand pressed against her throat, checking for a pulse.
"You will find no pulse Mr. Malfoy. Weren't you paying attention during my lecture? The draught makes the drinker appear dead, meaning you will be unable to detect a pulse, or breath. If the potion was brewed properly she will awaken in 48 hours. If not, she will be in her grave at this time in two days." Draco looked at the Potion Master in shock, as did every other student. They had known him to be mean and cruel but he never went so far as to attempt to kill a student before. Snape stared back at them with eyes like steel, unflinching and ruthless. Ron sent daggers at Malfoy as he noted that he held Adri a little too close, not the way a Slytherin should be acting, especially Malfoy.
"Malfoy, get your hands off her." Ron hissed. "Or do you forget what Adri said to you?" Malfoy eyed him for a moment then answered,
"She can't hurt me if she's 'dead', weasel." he spat out the word dead and Ron stepped back, suddenly wary of Draco. Draco gave him a baleful look and stood up, Adri in his hands. "Professor Snape, with your permission I would like to take her to the hospital wing." Snape waved a hand in dismissal and went back to lecturing the class still standing around where Adri had lain. Draco noted that Ron had sidled next to Harry and the Mudblood and he was whispering in Harry's ear, still watching Draco out of the corner of his eye. "I'm not going to rape her, Weasley." Draco mouthed and smirked as Ron looked as if he was ready to come out and punch him again. Weasley didn't look too convinced to Draco, but he shrugged, it was not like Weasley would have the guts to stop him from taking her to the hospital wing. He was walking out of the classroom when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around slowly to come face to face with Harry.
"If you do anything to her, Malfoy…" he warned in a dangerous voice.
"What is with you Gryffindor's and your little group protection? I'm not going to do anything to her! Besides, she's a Gryffindor and who would ever want to get involved with them?" Harry looked wounded and gazed at Draco with pensive eyes. "Harry," Draco began. But Harry had already turned his back on Draco and walked back into the classroom, closing the door in Draco's face. Draco struggled for a moment then turned away and began the long walk up to the Infirmary.
~*~
"Malfoy!" upon hearing his name, Draco spun around and saw Marcus Flint calling for him from the common room entrance.
"What?" he snapped. Flint beckoned to follow him and with a sigh Draco walked over to him.
"I heard about what happened in Potions." he commented after they had been walking awhile.
Draco paused, "What's it to you, Flint?"
"A Gryffindor, Malfoy. That's what's bothering me."
"She should have been in Slytherin."
"I know. I've been saying that that hat has been biased towards us Slytherins. I spelled a Hufflepuff's bag to split open today and the only people who were in the corridor were Potter, the Mudblood and Kaitou. I hid and watched. And get this, Kaitou refused to help Potter with the bag. She argued with him over it after he had fixed it. I thought Gryffindors were suppose to help people, not look down at them in disgust."
"I've noticed it too. So are you saying you're making an exception to the rule?"
"Perhaps,"
"What's the catch Flint?"
"You make sure you knock Potter off his broom the next time we play Gryffindor in a Quidditch match." Draco paled. He didn't let his emotions show on his face but Flint knew that his two sides were battling it out. "Which is more important to you Draco? I can help you or destroy you, and you know that, don't you?" Draco gave him a look of pure hate. Flint noticed that he had never looked at Potter like that, even when they were first years together. It made him a little nervous but Flint was a man of business. "What will it be, Draco? The girl who you obviously care for or your past?"
"Adri," he spat and turned on his heel and stormed away. Flint smiled. 'Oh Draco, you're so easy to manipulate. And everyone gives you credit for being the best at it. If they only knew that you'd crack because of the pettiest thing-love.'
~*~
"You're not dead yet."
"Heh, disappointed?" the Harpy asked sounding rather mournful.
"No. I've come to ask what you foresaw for my future. I know you didn't make that comment based on nothing."
"How do you know that I do not lie to you for sport?"
"I know you, you wouldn't do that."
"Child, you knew me for only a century. Did you ever stop to think about what I became in the rest?"
"It passed through my mind at one point. However, I must know, what do you see for me?"
"Death."
"Of course, this body is only mortal. Now stop beating around the bush woman, and answer my question truthfully."
"You might join our ranks soon."
"It'll be that bad?"
"Yes, your death will be no small matter. It will be enough to secure you a position as a harpy. If you have the strength, and the vengeance that is. And if, being the key word."
"So my fate still holds me in its death grip?"
"Sadly, yes."
"I don't think I shall find him this time, the one who bestowed on me this blessing and this curse. If I do, I'll give him this fate of mine, an eye for an eye is only fair."
"Oh, how I pity your lover."
"Damare! He deserves no ones pity for what he did to me!"
"He did what he did to save you. Why can't you see that?"
"To save me? He made me what I am! He gave me this form and the fate attached with it!"
"He gave you a body and a life, can't you be grateful wench?"
"Never! Not until he says it."
"Says what?"
"Shut up!"
The figure fled the scene; tears welling in her violet eyes as the creening of a Harpy filled the air.
~*~
A/N: You all best be happy. I wasn't going to add in that Harpy conversation, but I felt nice at the time I wrote it. So don't disappoint me by not reviewing. I'm so evil, ne? I also promise chp. 5 to be posted soon in compensation for how long it took to post this. Sound good? Glad to hear it.
Foreign words translations:
Meosamashide-Wake up, open your eyes, awaken
Damare-shut up
Western Shinma-Shinma from the west (America and/or Europe)
Shiina-a name, pronounced she-na (na as in naughty)
