Author's Note: It was in this chapter that I praised Natalie, my lone reviewer for my lone review. I have nothing but love for you.
I have used the fast forward function. Gotta love it.
Chapter 5: To the Malfoy Manor
The Hogwarts Express was coming to a stop. It was officially the Christmas holiday, the time that Cordelia had been dreading. She sat in a compartment with Draco, Crabbe and Goyle. It was amazing that these two were still hanging around Draco after he had attacked them. They were unfazed by it. It was like it never happened. Cordelia assumed that this was because his point had been made and they once again hero-worshipped Draco.
As to the other events of that day, Cordelia tried to pretend that she hadn't kissed Harry. In order to pull that off, she had to distance herself from him. Unfortunately, that meant that she also had to distance herself from Ron and Hermione. It all worked out though because Draco had wanted her to be with him more and more. Hermione and Ron didn't take the distancing as an insult because they just assumed that it was because she was spending more time with Draco. They still talked, just not as often. Harry, on the other hand, took this hard. He knew that she was trying to stay away from him. She told him that nothing would change, but that was before he went and kissed her. That kiss changed everything.
"Are you coming, or are you going to stay on the train for the entire holiday?" Draco's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. He was standing in the doorway holding out his hand waiting for her to take it.
"Can I stay here?" She teased.
"That's an entire world of no. I want to you to be at home with me." He walked over to her and helped her up. Still holding hands, they made their way off of the train and onto the platform. Harry, Ron and Hermione were waiting to say their good-byes. Cordelia turned to go to them, pulling Draco behind her. "You know Father will have a fit if he sees this?" Draco tried to talk himself out of going with her.
"He's already going to have a fit. So what?" She flashed a huge smile and kept walking. Saying good-bye to Hermione and Ron was simple. She hugged them both. But when it came to Harry, she didn't know what to do. His presence still made her uneasy. "Have a good Christmas, Harry" That was all she could do. He nodded and followed Ron. She then turned to Draco. He looked confused.
"Is it just my imagination or was that exchange a little on the weird side?" He raised his eyebrows for effect.
"He and I have a difference of opinion on something. We'll eventually work it out." She shrugged, hoping that her half-truth would convince Draco. It seemed as though it had. They continued walking to the Malfoy limo. When Draco had opened the door, he had expected to see his father but there was his mother instead.
"Hello Mother." He was obviously perplexed. This simple hello also was a 'Why are you here and not Father?' Cordelia got in beside him, also surprised that Narcissa was there.
"Hello Mrs. Malfoy." Narcissa smiled at the girl sitting in front of her. She grew more beautiful every day it seemed--more like her mother every day.
"Hello Draco, Cordelia. I suppose you are wondering why I am here?"
"Well, yes." Draco was still confused, perhaps a bit worried.
"Your father has been called to Russia. Something about work. He won't be back until the day before you return to school." A wave to relief rushed through Cordelia's veins. Narcissa sensed it. "I suppose that makes you more at ease?" She directed the comment to her future daughter-in-law.
"Kind of." Cordelia felt ashamed. "I just wasn't sure how he would act toward me since you know . . . "
"That's understandable. But you'll find that he doesn't care. He was angry to begin with, but for some reason he stopped being so mad about it."
Draco looked at his mother. "Was this change in attitude recent?" His mother just nodded her head. Mother and son both knew something that Cordelia didn't. It bothered her a little, but she was used to the Malfoys keeping secrets from her. She wasn't officially one of them yet. She guessed the need to keep secrets from her was more important since she was working against Voldemort and Lucius was working for him.
The rest of the trip to the manor was spent in silence. Draco was still holding Cordelia's hand. The sight made Narcissa smile. The two of them reminded her a lot of Osiris and Isabella. It wasn't exactly same though. Draco wasn't as evil as Osiris and Cordelia wasn't as good as Isabella. She just hoped that their relationship wouldn't mirror the fated one of Cordelia's parents. If only the young couple knew about the events in the past . . .
Author's Note: I have decided that I am going to change the whole ending of the story from it's original. I never liked how it ended anyways. Now, I am excited.