"So do you like me now?" said a voice that was not Natasha's boyfriends. She pulled away.
"Who the hell are you?" she asked, repulsed.
"Ron?" said Ron awkwardly.
"Oh my god! I thought you were Malfoy! I told him to meet me here at eleven. What are you doing here?" Natasha said, trying desperately to change the topic.
"I was going to the kitchen to get some snacks and I heard you so I hid, in case it happened to be Filch." Answered Ron.
"Oh." Natasha said, looking at her feet. Ron smiled and looked her in the eye.
"You liked kissing me didn't you?"
"Well…" Natasha blushed.
"You know you did." Ron brushed his lips against hers then slid his tongue carefully into her mouth. Natasha couldn't help what she did next. She got lost in the passion and she pushed Ron up against the stone wall; her hands flat on his chest; she could feel his heart beating fast as he put his hands on her hips. Their tongues were entwined, and Ron's lips couldn't have been any softer.
"What the fuck?" Natasha heard a loud voice behind them. Ron gave her one last kiss before pushing her away.
Malfoy stood behind them, his eyes wide with either disgust or shock. "What the fuck are you doing?" he said.
"We…umm…we were just…." Natasha was close to tears. It had just really hit her that she cheated on her boyfriend. She had been to taken away by Ron's passionate kiss to really think.
"Yeah you were just kissing. That's all, right? What the hell do you think you're doing you stupid little slut? Yeah and you Weasley! Kissing my girl. Bet you were the one who started it, you little bastard. Well guess what? I'm ending it now you mudblooded bitch! We are over!" Malfoy stormed away, ignoring the tears flowing down Natasha's cheeks. When Malfoy had rounded the corner Ron came over to Natasha and gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm so sorry. I never-" Ron began, but words failed him as he watched Natasha cry. She simply nodded her head meaning that she forgave him. Ron smiled.
"I think that I'm in love with you." He said. Natasha stopped crying for a moment to look at Ron, who was holding her hands. Why is he telling me this now? She thought. My boyfriend just broke up with me and he is laying this on top of me too? Why on earth?
"Ron…I-I can't take this right now." Natasha stammered as she ran from a distressed looking Ron, prying her hands away from his.
Up in her dormitory Natasha let go of her self-control. (not far from real life actually….) She flung herself on her bed and let out painful sobs, her nose running and tears falling from her eyes, soaking her pillow. Natasha and Malfoy had only been apart for maybe twenty minutes and she already missed him, like having a bad stomachache.
"What came over me?" Natasha said angrily aloud. "Why on earth did I kiss Ron? I'm so stupid. Retarded is more like it, no wonder he broke up with me. Dumb me." Then she broke out into more fits of sobs, repeating over and over to herself, "Your so dumb. You don't deserve him."
The next day Natasha woke up and dressed as normal, but there was a pit inside her stomach like lead; heavy and useless. When she went down to the Great Hall she didn't even glance at the Slytherin table. She walked over to Shannon, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Jennifer and sat down next to Ron (who slid immediately over to make a spot for Natasha next to him)
"Hey Tosha! How are you?" Jennifer asked.
"I'm fine." Natasha said tonelessly. Tears were welling up in her eyes. Ron put his arm around her and kissed her cheek softly. Natasha turned and put her head on her shoulder; she needed this empathy right now, in her moment of hurting.
"Look at me." Ron's voice whispered in Natasha's ears. She looked up at him and he whispered again, "If that git doesn't want you anymore, then he's a fool. Forget about him. Can I have you now?" Ron couldn't stop himself. Natasha felt herself nod and then Ron take her into another one of his avid kisses; the room faded away and all she could fell was Ron's hands on her hips, his tongue swimming around her mouth. When Ron pulled away from her, Natasha could see the room come back into view, a bunch of people staring at the pair.
"Carry on! Nothing to look at!" Ron said to the staring people. Natasha smiled feebly.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Shannon asked Natasha concernedly.
"Yes, I'm fine." Natasha forced herself to say.
On the way to Potions after breakfast, Ron walked with Natasha, putting his arm around her hip and kissing her cheek every few minutes. It was making Natasha feel very uncomfortable, but she couldn't bring herself to tell Ron; her feelings kept bottled up inside.
When they got to Snape's dungeon, it made Natasha feel worse. Draco was sitting next to Pansy Parkinson, holding hands with her. He sneered at Natasha as she walked into the room. Hot tears of pain stung Natasha's eyes. She hugged Ron for comfort and he (of course) hugged her back tightly.
"Everyone in their seats!" Snape bellowed as he walked briskly into the room. Natasha sank into the seat next to Ron and watched mournfully as Draco slipped his arm around Pansy.
"Today, class, we will be testing the memory potion that we made earlier this year. I will be setting pairs off to test their potions. Now, the undo spell is Lorena Diestrum. You will perform this after your partner after they drink the concoction. Here are the pairs: Pansy Parkinson and Vincent Crabbe. Gregory Goyle and Hermione Granger. Ron Weasley and Shannon Peters. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Natasha Herring and Draco Malfoy. Susan Barns and Neville Longbottom-" Snape went on but he was cut quite short by the scraping of chairs and shuffling of feet as everyone moved toward their partners. Malfoy's face was red with anger and when he saw Natasha staring at him he gave Pansy a kiss. Natasha looked away and stopped herself from crying. Malfoy walked over carrying his chair.
"Go get the potions, bitch. Now." He ordered Natasha. Ron walked over.
"Don't talk to her that way you stupid git." He seethed at Malfoy.
"Alright." Draco said sarcastically. "Go get the potions please, bitch." Natasha got up and walked over to get the cauldrons while Malfoy and Ron cursed at each other. When she found the correct cauldrons she walked over where Malfoy was sitting and set them on the table.
"Took you long enough. What were you doing? Making out with a few more guys? Slut." Malfoy started on her again. Natasha remained silent.
"You can go first." She said, pointing to her cauldron.
"Yeah fine, whatever." Malfoy picked up a ladle and poured a bit of the grayish liquid into a goblet, then took a drink.
"Eew. This is disgusting. Good work you stupid little-" he was cut off when his eyes rolled back into his head. They opened again and he had the look of utmost confusion on his face.
"Who are you? You're very pretty. Yes, very pretty. Are you a veela?" Draco said and then he looked around the room. "Where are we? Who are all these people?" he rubbed his head, confused. At that moment Snape walked up.
"Doing all right, Mr. Malfoy?" he asked Draco.
"Is that my name? Funny one it is, eh?" Draco broke into hysterical laughter.
"Very good Ms. Herring. Very good indeed." Snape smiled his nasty smile at her then walked over to Neville and Susan. Natasha picked up her wand, pointed it at Malfoy and said in a clear voice, "Lorena Diestrum!" Then Malfoy's eyes rolled back into his head again and then he opened them, this time he looked normal.
"Did it work?" he said rudely. He had been fully restored.
"Yes." Natasha said meekly and she took the same ladle and poured a dollop of Malfoy's purplish potion into her own goblet. After she took a drink, she waited for something to happen. But nothing did.
"Damn it." Malfoy cussed as he picked up his cauldron and walked over to Pansy who gave him an unwanted kiss.
"Hey sweet thang." Ron was back. He gave Natasha a quick kiss and led her out the door.
"Did your potion work?" Ron asked.
"Yeah. Malfoy he was well, delirious and he told me I was very pretty." Natasha choked back a sob.
Ron scowled. "It was your potion that did it. He's not worthy of you. Seriously, I think your way too good for him."
Natasha's Great DepressionOver the next few days, Natasha practically became a mute. She never talked unless spoken to, she didn't protest to Malfoy's snide remarks, and she didn't tell Ron that he made her extremely uncomfortable. Natasha was going through possibly one of the hardest times in her life and without her boyfriend or Ana and Emily it was tough to get through.
At Breakfast the week before Christmas Natasha walked into the Great Hall, greeted by Malfoy's normal, "Hey bitch! I've got a few fellows over here that need to be knocked up. How much do you charge?" and after he was through she blinked back her tears a sat down at the Gryffindor table. Harry and Shannon had grown very worried. Hermione and Jennifer were constantly trying to cheer Natasha up and their tactics weren't working.
"Natasha, can we meet up in the library? We have the morning off; double Transfiguration later." Shannon said gently to Natasha.
"Sure." Natasha answered quietly, looking at the bacon on her plate. Shannon gave Harry an apprehensive look and then continued eating her toast.
Shannon and Natasha walked silently to the library after breakfast. Shannon had asked Harry to do something with Ron so that she could be alone with Natasha. When they reached the library, they found a table in the back of the room t sit down and talk at.
"Natasha, are you okay?" Shannon asked once they had settled.
"Yes. I'm fine." Natasha answered as though she were tone deaf.
"No you're not." Shannon said severely, yet gently. "Ever since you and Malfoy broke up, you have been a wreck! You don't talk to anyone, you eat very little, and you just look so sad all the time. You need to do something. You can't go on like this for much longer."
Natasha shook her head. "I am fine. I don't look that bad do I?"
"Yes you do! Maybe not so much in looks, but your not yourself."
Natasha broke down in silent tears. "I need him Shannon." She said sadly. "I need him. But he hates me now. All her ever says to me is 'Hey bitch. Knock any guys up lately?' and crap like that. He doesn't understand. He didn't even give me a chance to explain. I didn't mean to kiss Ron. I thought it was Draco. Then, after I found out it was Ron, he kissed me. I got lost in the passion Shannon. I couldn't think. I didn't mean to. I am so stupid."
Shannon was at a loss for words, watching Natasha cry. When she finally came to her senses, she told Natasha, "I will talk to him for you. He just might listen. What do you want me to tell him?"
After a few hiccoughs, Natasha managed to say, "Ask him to talk to me at the very least. I want to tell him exactly what happened."
Shannon nodded. "I can do that. You're sure your going to be okay?"
"I think so. I just need time." Natasha wiped her eyes and stood up. Her and Shannon walked quietly out of the library.
At lunch, Shannon saw Malfoy alone at the Slytherin table. This is the perfect time! She thought as she excused herself and walked over to him.
"What do you want?" Malfoy asked crudely when Shannon sat down across from him.
"I don't want to be here as much as you don't want me here, but just listen to me." Shannon said sternly. "You have to talk to Natasha. She is a total wreck and it's all your fault."
"Talk to that slut? No way. I'd rather not." Malfoy said.
"Listen here, Mr. Ego Trip, she is practically starving herself. She doesn't talk to anyone. Her friends have abandoned her, and so have you. She's becoming a mute! Just talk to her. Listen to what she has to say. That's all I am asking." Shannon was getting annoyed.
"Fine. I will talk to the little bitch. I'm not saying I will forgive her or anything." Malfoy said stubbornly.
"Better than nothing." Shannon mumbled as she walked back to the Gryffindor table.
Natasha walked back to the Slytherin common room after dinner feeling very nervous and tense. Just be confident. Talk to him like you used to and everything will go back to normal. It will be just fine, don't worry, she assured herself.
When she reached the patch of bare, damp stonewall she gave the password, (Cornish Pixie) then stepped inside, only to find Draco. Oddly enough he was sitting alone in a chair in the corner of the room. She saw his eyes light up when he saw her but he tried to look as though he was disgusted to see her.
"Your cousin said to let you explain," he started when she had crossed the room and sat down on the window ledge next to him. "Start talking." He finished harshly.
Natasha took a deep breath. "Okay. Do you recall that night, I told you to meet me in front of the statue? At eleven?" Draco nodded. "Well, when I arrived there I saw someone standing by it. I figured it was you, what were the odds of anyone else being there? So, I ran over and started to kiss who I thought was you. Then I found out it was Ron. I explained the situation to him and then he kissed me again." Tears were welling up in her eyes. "I am so sorry. I got lost in that kiss, I couldn't think…I never meant it, I swear." The tears were now falling and Malfoy's eyes flickered sympathetically.
"Well," he began. "I-I don't know what to say. I mean, seeing you suck face (I really wanted to use this!!) with him was like someone ripped out my heart and that hurt me so much, but I think I overreacted." Draco paused for what seemed like hours to Natasha and then stood up and sat next to her. "You know I can't live without you." He said softly, taking her chin in his hand. Natasha looked deep into his eyes. "If you can forgive me for saying all that shit about you, I will forgive you. Even if you don't forgive me, I will forgive you. I can't live without you baby. Take me back?" he gave her a pouty lip and Natasha laughed for the first time in what had to be a week.
"Of course." She said, allowing herself to be pulled into his arms once again, allowing herself to feel the utmost comfort and protection that she loved so dearly, so tenderly.
"I'm so glad to have you back. And on Christmas Eve." Draco said softly, hugging Natasha as though she were leaving forever.
"Is it Christmas already?" Natasha said, surprised. "I haven't done any shopping! Crap-what the hell am I going to do?"
"It's okay, we are allowed to go to Hogsmeade on break, remember?" Draco reassured her. "Go grab your coat and we'll go." But instead of letting Natasha go get ready he only held her tighter.
"Draco!" Natasha said with a laugh. He smiled.
"I want to be with you always." He said and then let his lips meet hers. The couple stood there for a moment, embraced in their kiss. But then Natasha pulled away.
"I love you but really, we need to leave! It's 6:30 and it will take forty-five minutes to get ready and there. Come with me." She said, taking Draco's hand and pulling him up to her dormitory. When they arrived Natasha quickly gathered all of her money into a handbag and then looked sheepishly at her boyfriend.
"I need to change, could you wait outside for a few minutes?" she asked him.
"I won't look!" he buried his head into her pillow and laughed. Natasha smiled.
"You'd better not." She went over to her closet and slowly took off her robe, making sure Draco's eyes were still in the pillow. She turned around and took a look in her closet at what to wear. She shivered, wearing only a bra and underwear was chilly. She looked more hurriedly and then she felt a pair of hands grab her stomach and pull her to their body.
"Your so sexy." Draco looked down at her, smirking evilly.
"You know it!" Natasha joked and quickly grabbed a polo shirt and a pair of tan cords. Malfoy had gone and sat back down on Natasha's bed, grinning wickedly.
"What?" Natasha asked as she fastened her belt.
"I'm just so happy that your back in my life." He got up and walked over to her again, closing his arms around her, his hands pressing against her bare stomach. Natasha looked up at her boyfriend's face, so warm and loving, and smiles wholeheartedly. She turned around, still in his arms and took the back of his neck in her hand. She pulled his head toward her, connecting his lips to hers. She felt him slip his tongue in her mouth, stroking her own tongue as he did. His hand came to her hips, then lower onto her back pants pockets. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her over to her bed.
"We need to leave!" Natasha said laughing. "I love you but we really need to leave!" She got up and pulled her navy blue polo shirt over her head, ruffling her hair as she did.
"Grr…I hate my hair." She said, aggravated. Malfoy came over and smoothed it down.
"It's fine. Your fine. Grab your coat and let's go!" he pretended to be in a great rush. Natasha just giggled and grabbed her pea-coat off her chair and threw it on. Then she grabbed her purse and headed out the door.
"I want to get your parents something too." Natasha said as she and Draco strolled by the many shop windows of the Hogsmeade Village.
"What, may I ask, are you going to buy them?" Draco asked.
Natasha shrugged. "I don't know, what would they like? Candy?"
"Sure, why not? Fizzing Whizzbees are my father's weakness." He replied with a laugh.
When they walked into Honeyduke's there was next to no one in the shop. Just an old woman with her twin sons. ("Can we have that mummy? Oh! I want that box!")
She walked over to the counter where a dumpy sort of woman with black curly hair and bright violet eyes greeted them.
"What can I get you two youngsters?" she said heartily.
"I will take a box of Fizzing Whizzbees please." Said Natasha. "Could you gift wrap it as well? I'm in a great hurry."
"Of course, get this all the time.." the lady said as she picked the box of sweets off a shelf and cut paper and ribbon. "Last minute shopping and such…"
"Thank you! Happy Christmas!" Natasha said after she had received and paid for her purchase.
"Well, Shannon wanted a book…what was it called?" Natasha was talking to herself. "Oh yes, Hogwarts a History the revised version. Hermione's been a great influence on her." She added, rolling her eyes. After that gift had been bought, Natasha and Draco moved on to another store called Magical Treasures, selling lifelike figurines, clocks, and other small decors.
"Look, there's Crabbe and Goyle!" Malfoy said, pointing to his friends who were standing outside Three Broomsticks, sipping butterbeer.
"Go on!" Natasha said, waving Draco off. "I will be out in just a few moments. Wait for me there."
When inside Magical Treasures, Natasha found that it was very entertaining. A cat figurine was licking its fur and when Natasha wandered by, it hissed and spitted, as though it were going to be attacked.
"Nice kitty." Natasha said sweetly, petting its back. The gray striped fur ball purred happily. Jennifer will love this! Natasha thought, thinking of her cousin who collected cat figurines.
When she was done making all her purchases, Natasha walked out to Tree Broomsticks where Malfoy stood waiting.
"Okay, that does it." She said, glancing at her wrapped packages. "Let's get back so I can send owl and hopefully everyone will have theirs in the morning."
"See you guys." Malfoy said to Crabbe and Goyle as he jogged to catch up to Natasha.
After Natasha and Draco had every gift sent out, they went back to the common room and collapsed on the couch. (Yes in each other's arms!! Did you even have to ask??)
When Natasha was half asleep Malfoy glanced at the clock.
"Happy Christmas." He said kissing Natasha on the cheek. She woke immediately.
"Happy Christmas!" she replied excitedly, then stood up.
"Come to my dorm for a sec." She said and then pulled him up by his hands. (Again)
"Okay, close your eyes." She said when they got in. Draco put his hands over his face.
"Okay, open!" Natasha had a present wrapped in red tissue paper with gold stars and a gold ribbon to top.
"For me?" Draco asked.
"Yea, but be careful, it's fragile." She said, hanging him the parcel. He took it then slowly opened it. The red starry paper revealed a black and white photograph framed by a mahogany wood with a carving that read, 'I love you forever.' Smiling, he looked at the picture, which was of him and Natasha kissing.
"I had that Creevy kid take it. When we were outside McGonagall's classroom, remember?" Natasha said, waiting for a reaction. Draco was too involved watching the passion shown in the picture to say anything right then.
"Wow." He said, tearing his eyes away from the photo and laying them on his girlfriend. "Thank you so much."
"It's not much really, but I thought it was special." She replied, feeling proud of herself.
"Okay, now I have to give you your gift." Draco said, grabbing Natasha's hand and walking her to his own dorm. When they got their, he told Natasha to close her eyes before he opened the door, then led her in, telling her not to peek.
"Okay, you can open your eyes now." Natasha heard him say. When she opened them she saw two dozen roses lying on Draco's bed. Next to them was a small square box. Natasha walked over and picked the box up, opening it slowly. Inside she found a silver ring with a large emerald and diamond setting.
Natasha gasped, "Draco, it's so beautiful!"
"It's what I'd like to call a pre-engagement ring. I know we're too young to get married, but I love you so much. It's sort of a promise to get engaged, when we're ready." He explained, slipping it onto her finger. Natasha was taken aback.
"Wow, I don't know what to say!" she said, admiring the beautiful jewel placed on her left hand's ring finger. "I love it so much. Thank you." She grasped the back of her boyfriend's neck and pulled his head toward hers. Their lips met and their tongues danced. Then suddenly he pulled away from her and looked her in the eyes.
"Do you really want to get married? I mean when we're older." He asked seriously.
Natasha shrugged. "I don't know, I mean right now I would love to, but I can't tell what I am going to want that far ahead, you know?"
"Yeah, I understand but I want to marry you, Natasha. I want you to have my children and I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Draco was getting very deep.
"Well at this point so do I. Isn't that enough?" Natasha felt almost as uncomfortable as when Ron was kissing her.
"Yeah," he sighed, "it's going to have to be."
Meanwhile. In the Gryffindor Common Room, Shannon and Harry sat exchanging gifts. Shannon handed him a small box which Harry opened quickly. Resting inside was a replica of a Golden Snitch, only instead of being round it was in the shape of a heart. There was an inscription on the front that read
To Harry,
Even if you don't always catch the Snitch,
you'll always have my heart.
With love,
Shannon
Harry smiled and kissed her, "I love it!" Shannon smiled and concentrated on the object. It rose and then the wings began to flutter. Soon it was flying around the room like the Snitch during a Quidditch game.
"I only have one question, how do I get it back?" he asked.
"Hold out your hand," she shrugged.
"Um, ok," Harry held out his hand the Snitch came to him. "Wow. Thank you so much!"
Shannon smiled, "No problem."
"Okay, now time for your gift. It's not quiet as unique as yours but…" he trailed off, handing her a box wrapped in silver paper. She opened it to find a silver heart shaped locket. Inside was a picture of her and Harry the first day they met. There was also a silver bracelet with tiny silver hearts dangling from it.
"Oh wow, Harry where did you get this picture?" She asked, staring at it.
"Well, you know Mrs. Weasley, she loves to take pictures. I just wrote her about it and she sent it to me."
"It's beautiful Harry, really." She kissed him lovingly.
"Oh and I almost forgot this…" he pulled out another small silver box from beneath his robes. Shannon knew what was inside before she opened. When she carefully pushed open the lid she found a small ring with a ruby shaped heart and a small diamond on either side. "I saw you looking at it when we were at Hogsmeade."
"Oh I love it! But how did you get the money?" she exclaimed.
"Well I just happened to have some sitting around, you know." He shrugged as he placed the ring on her finger. "It's a promise ring. I know I hurt you this year and I promise to never, ever, do it again." Shannon looked close to tears as she hugged him tightly.
"This is the best gift I've ever gotten Harry. How can I ever thank you?"
"I think I know…" he smiled wickedly and began to kiss her.
Christmas Morning
Christmas morning Natasha and Draco walked hand in hand to the Great Hall for breakfast. Right outside the huge doors Natasha saw Ron talking to Parvati Patil. Natasha felt a pit form in her stomach. Crap, I didn't break it off with him!! I will now...
"Hold on." Natasha told Malfoy as she made her way over to Ron. "Can I talk to you alone for just a moment?" she asked Ron.
"Sure." The two walked over to a corner away from Parvati. Before Natasha could start Ron burst into speech.
"I'm so sorry Natasha, but I-I've been cheating on you." He said with a look of utmost guilt on his face. Natasha fought hard to keep a straight face.
"Well, Ron, I have to confess that I've been cheating on you too." Natasha said, struggling not to laugh. "So I think it would be best if we kept our relationship at a friends level, ok?"
Ron nodded. "Alright." He paused for a moment. "Who were you cheating with?"
"Draco. And you?"
"Parvati Patil." He smiled sheepishly. Natasha laughed.
"I see. Well I have to get to breakfast, see you later." She waved him off and returned to Draco, who had a befuddled look about his face.
When she and Draco had entered the Great Hall they barely had to look for a place to sit because it was so empty.
"What'd you say to Weasley?" he asked suspiciously. Natasha grinned.
"Nothing. I just needed to set something straight." She answered. They sat down in the middle of the table and began to eat. This Christmas breakfast was extra special. There were of course bacon, eggs, toast, waffles and other breakfast foods but on top of that there was a large ham, fried potatoes, cranberry sauce, fruitcake, and various other foods. Natasha helped herself to as much food as she could eat before she and Malfoy headed back to the Slytherin dorms.
When back, Natasha told Draco that she needed to take a shower and would be ready in an hour or so. They were going to see Shannon and Harry.
In the shower Natasha thought about what Draco had asked her the previous night. Do you want to marry me? She loved him with all her heart and right now she did want to marry him but later on…..she just didn't know. She let the soft vanilla scented foam run down her face as she closed her eyes tight. She felt a cold breeze sweep her legs. The curtain must've opened. Natasha told herself as she rinsed the soap of her face and turned to shut it. Problem was, there was someone in her way.