The sun was now casting a warm glow upon the sparkling snow. It's setting
sight- a wonder to behold. Midnight looked away from it, maybe as though
she couldn't bear to look at its beauty. Hurrying down the hallway, her
heels sharply clicking on the smooth polished marble. Drawing up her
flowing robes she hurried towards the staircase. She had seen a carriage
parked in front of the manor. Perhaps it was a visitor- or maybe even...
"Thank you for coming..."
Midnight stopped dead, peering around the wall and down the staircase into the main hall. Mrs. Malfoy was standing there in her usual frippery, looking much happier than Midnight had ever seen.
"It's always a pleasure to be here, truly."
"Blaise?!" Midnight hissed under her breath. Her eyes narrowing evenly as she watched the bustly figure with raven hair approach Narcissa.
"I really must apologize for the abruptness of my request tonight-" she paused, an oily smile on her thin lips. "But I assure you, your presence is greatly welcomed." she finished with a gracious smile. "Dinner will be served very shortly. If you will just follow me..."
Midnight listened with baited breath as the clicking of heels receded into the dining hall. Why was Blaise here... after the Christmas ordeal, Midnight thought that she would have steered clear of the manor. At least for a while. Furrowing her eyebrows slightly she leaned against the wall. There just had to be something afoot...
"Ahhhhh... Miss Riddle. Surprise surprise." Lucius placed a hand on her shoulder, looking down at her with an odd smile. "Dinner's ready. Shall we?" he offered his arm to her- which she took rather coldly. "It might be a very interesting meal..."
~*~
Draco had been forced to spend the entire day in his tower room, left alone to stew over his father's reaction to his weakness for Midnight Riddle.
He leaned against the cold stone window frame; his gray eyes angrily survey the brisk winter sky. Over the years he'd met his father's disapproval before, but this time Lucius was conferring with Voldemort himself. Draco knew his father wanted to show off his son's exceptional talent and skill with potions -- Lucius would want, more than anything, to have his 16 year old son named as the *youngest* Deatheater in wizard history.
The Slytherin subconsciously threaded his fingers through his white blonde hair. The old Draco would relish the challenge - to be equally famous as Potter and his lightning-shaped scar would be oh too good to pass up--
But....
He'd certainly complicated things for his father with Midnight. He relived the memory of making love with her, their bodies entwined as one.... no-- he couldn't get her out of his system. Draco smacked the window ledge and leaned his head against the pane. Of all the girls in the wizarding world, why did he have to fall for Voldemort's daughter?
At six o'clock, Draco was liberated from his locked room for dinner. He was directed to the posh, formal dining room. He'd barely entered through the doorway when, suddenly, a pair of slender arms swept around a hidden corner and encircled him, leaving him breathless. He looked over, expecting to see Midnight...
But it was Blaise Zabini.
"Dracey! Mm! Guess who! " she quipped, pursing her lips to give him a kiss.
He didn't kiss back, no matter how good it felt. Whatever he had with this girl was over now. Draco stared hard at her. "Wha--! Okay Blaise, How'd *you* get here? I have to wonder who could have invited *you*.... cause it *definitely* wasn't ME!"
Draco got his answer when he looked over at the end of the gleaming dining table and saw his mother sitting there watching them with an demure smile. His eyes flashed his displeasure at the situation, which was becoming all too clear.
He turned and faced Blaise with a dull _expression, but the dark-haired girl only smiled prettily up at him. "Mm.. Dinner at the Malfoy's... this is all so *cozy*-- let's sit together, shall we?"
Draco's lips curved downward. "Where's Midi?" he asked his mother.
Narcissa looked up with a lazy expression. "Blaise is our guest *also*, Draco-- and I expect you to treat hear as such."
"I'm sure you do..." Draco slurred.
Narcissa stiffened in her chair. "That will be *enough*" she snapped with a warning glare.
Draco sighed as he felt his insides crumble as Blaise strolled over to the table, brushing up against him and planted herself in Midi's usual seat.
~*~
The evening meal was far from quiet today as Blaise Zabini had joined them. She now sat beside the unusually quiet Draco. Midnight angrily speared her carrots as she sat across from Draco. Just watching Blaise croon over Draco was enough to make her lose her breakfast, lunch and dinner. Still, she tried to keep up her cool exterior since she had noticed Narcissa casting her sidelong glances before smiling and eyeing Draco and Blaise.
'Something's up...' Midnight thought to herself, sipping her pumpkin juice slowly and watching Blaise over the rim of her goblet. 'Blaise... Draco... Narcissa?' Her thoughts were now flowing easily through her mind and at the rate they were connecting with each other; she didn't like what she was already assuming.
"Oh, Midnight! A letter arrived from-" Narcissa suddenly brought up. All eyes turned her way as she continued with her speech. "Oh... which brings me to say... We're having a New Years party!"
Lucius gave his wife an odd look that suggested that he was never in on his wife's plan for this party. However, he soon plastered a knowing expression onto his handsome features and nodded ever so slightly. "Ahh... yes. The party."
"Ooo!" Blaise said happily, looking at Draco. "A party! What fun!!"
Draco frowned and stared, slit-eyed, at his mother when she brought up Krum's letter. He turned to his father with a curious expression, trying to read his face. "Party...? What *is* this?" he muttered.
Narcissa's eyes held a triumphant glow as she reached over and gently stroked her son's hand. "Something *different* this year, Draco darling. Instead of our usual gathering at Uncle Slade's Manor in Hentshire, we'll be taking a cozy number of guests in for a *skiing holiday* and celebrating there. Your father and I have booked the Mertaugh Lodge all to ourselves for the weekend."
Before Draco could say another word, Blaise started bouncing in her seat, pulling on his arm excitedly. "Ooo! I'll get to wear my brand new parka!" she squealed, as she put her arm through Draco's possessively, eyeing Midnight with a spiteful smile. "That ski inn is sooo romantic, Dracey! We can keep each other *warm* by the big fireplace after sloshing through all that snow hmm?"
Lucius watched his son's facial expressions with amusement and quickly excused himself from the room. Draco watched him leave, and quickly turned to Narcissa with a highbrow stare. "I'd like to know what brought this on? Who's on this 'cozy' guest list, mother?" he asked with narrow eyes.
Narcissa leaned against her high back chair, trying hard to act innocent. "Mostly young people... to keep you entertained, Draco love."
"Who?!" he demanded to know.
"If you *insist*" she said tersely. "We've invited Blaise, of course" she beamed ~ and Viktor Krum ~" she paused politely toward Midi. "As well as Midnight ~ along with your father, you and myself."
Draco saw the friendly exchange between his mother and Blaise and suddenly he knew what her conniving plan was...empty-headed Blaise could be easily manipulated to do whatever Narcissa wanted her to do, compared to Midnight ~ who was strong-willed, independent-minded, smart... and in love with her son, and.... losing control of him as he was obviously falling for Voldemort's daughter.
Draco felt a sudden urge to rebel against her ~ but he knew... it would take time.
"When are we leaving?" he asked in a wary tone.
"As soon as Mr. Krum arrives. Your father will be meeting his train in the morning," Narcissa replied, gleefully, looking for Midnight's reaction. "Our house elves are already packing your trunk for you Draco darling."
Draco felt a headache coming on. "I need some air," he said, jerking out of Blaise's tight grip. He stood up and cast his grey eyes over Midnight's strange expression, wondering if she was feeling as tense as he was. He headed for the door, hoping she would follow him so they could talk alone...
Midnight sat through all this fighting the string urge to kick Blaise hard with her long legs as she sat across from the distraught looking Draco. When he glanced at her, she shrugged with a clueless expression. She obviously didn't plan for this to happen! Blaise Zambini was a curvaceous raven-haired bimbo with barely enough brains to fill half an eggshell.
Fuming, she watched Narcissa's disgusting painted lips curve into an oily smile as Draco got up. "I'm not hungry," Midnight snapped, getting up roughly while she turned to follow Draco with a very disgusted expression on her face. The nerve of that wench!! Why did things have to be so complicated...? Was it so wrong to be in love with the most incredible person alive?? They both had shared a night of passion together- claiming each as their own. Ha... Blaise beat that...
"Draco...?" she called, walking out onto the Victorian style back porch, which overlooked the frozen pond and dark forest. "Draco..." Midnight moaned, seeing Draco sitting rigidly on a beautiful bench, staring darkly out at the white landscape.
Sitting down next to him, she tentatively put an arm around HER Dracey, resting her golden head on his shoulder. "Draco... What's happening?" Midnight asked, her eyes showing subtle fear.
Draco shivered in his fur-lined parka and shook his pale head. "What's happening is my mother is into her version of 'matchmaking', and it isn't very funny..."
Midnight pulled her own cloak around herself and peered around at Draco with concerned eyes, "Do you think she suspects..." she trailed off, shivering against a sudden icy blast of wind that chilled her to the bone. "Krum... I haven't seen him in 3 years," Midnight commented, sighing heavily as she sat beside Draco.
The right side of Draco's mouth twitched at the mention of Krum's name. "There's something you ought to know about my mother, Midnight... she's very keen on the gossip mill...and she obviously has been digging and found out you and Mr Fabulous Quidditch were an item while you were attending Durmstrang."
Slumping in her seat she felt horrible now... "Yeah... well the rumor mills tend to rule out the resent day, don't they?" Midnight asked sadly, tentatively crawling onto Draco's lap so she faced him. "We broke up eons ago and we're good pals, nothing more. Narcissa will be very surprised," she stated simply, staring at Draco's lovely features.
"She won't be daunted, Midnight. Her goal is to control *me*...she doesn't like the attention I'm giving you ~ that's why she has Blaise here, don't you know?"
She knew that Blaise had always a thing for Draco- it was just so obvious! "Well I don't like either of them, really," Midnight admitted with a cute pout of her glossy cherry lips.
Draco put his arms around Midnight and stared offwards with a distracted expression. "I'm trying to feel angry, but I'm only numb with pain.... I know my father has something up his sleeve and that's something I'm not sure I can fight..." Draco shook his head and gave her a faint smile. "But at least we'll get to go skiing for the holiday..." he said.
Midnight sighed when Draco held her, but also shook her head when she stared off into the distance. The pervious night may have affected them both emotionally and physically while she knew that Lucius was planning something... She resented the elder Malfoy for troubling Draco so and his attitude towards her earlier that morning... "We'll fight whatever it is together." Midnight said firmly, planting a feather soft kiss across his lips.
Draco let a sigh escape as he returned the kiss, deepening the passion building in him again. She was like the golden snitch... something beautiful and elusive... and something so very important in his life, but he could never tell her... not now...
Midnight wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled against his lips, loving everything about Draco. After sharing last night together... she felt if Draco ever left... she wouldn't survive! "Yup... we'll meet all this together... and we can show Blaise," she winked seductively.
"I'm not worried about Blaise..." Draco said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I'm more worried about Krum and his habit of giving you sexy lingerie as gifts..."
Midnight sighed and rolled her eyes, "It's only because he knows that I like sexy little outfits," she said honestly with a pout. "We're just pals."
Draco snickered to himself. "Pals." he said, trying out the word. "I doubt that, but if you think so ~ okay, Midi."
Playfully slapping Draco's chest she kissed his nose and looked deep into his eyes. She hoped that he knew that she loved him and him alone. "Draco..." she muttered, writhing on his lap.
In spite of the dry cold air, Draco found himself cradling her body as she straddled his lap. "Everything will be alright, love...
Midnight blushed and sighed happily, leaning into his embrace. "I hope it will..." she muttered by his ear. She was just so pensive... "Draco..." she mumbled softly nipping his ear. "I'm going back to my room... why don't you come and sit by the fireplace?" Midnight asked, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously.
Draco smiled at her invitation and nodded, his pale eyes glittering at the idea. He opened the French doors, but just as he re-entered the house, Blaise came bounding up, her lips freshly glossed, hair combed down. "Dracey... there you are! Where have you two been?" she asked, her almond eyes narrowing at Midnight.
"Who wants to know ~ you.... or my mother?" Draco snapped.
Midnight clutched Draco's arm, peering at Blaise with an angry expression. "Draco..." she moaned softly, pulling impatiently at his sleeve.
Blaise walked forward, her bosom heaving against her tiny red dress that clung to her curves. "Where are you two going?" she snapped, playing with the fur around Draco's undone Parka. "Don't you want to come to my room and.. talk Dracey?" Blaise crooned.
"Excuse me, but that is the very *last* thing I would like to do, Miss *Zabini*... so, if you'll just get your sexy little body out of my way..."
"But. But!" Blaise spluttered when Midnight cast her a dark glance, still clutching HER Dracey's arm! "Don't you want to cuddle and hug??" she called desperately after the two who were fast disappearing down the hall.
"I HATE Blaise..." Midnight muttered hotly, walking with deliberate steps towards her room, muttering the password through forced calmness. "Who does she think she is?!" Midnight screamed, stripping out of her cold cloak and heavy sweater and pants, wrapping herself in a soft robe.
Draco sat into a cushioned chair in the corner with a distracted look on his face. He was still trying to thaw from the cold air he'd been exposed to, his mind on everything that his mother was planning, and dreading the consequences...
Pausing as she tied up her hair, she walked over to the squishy chair and sat on the arm of it, watching Draco quietly. "Draco... baby... please relax... you're making me uncomfterable," Midnight admitted, moving him closer to the roaring fireplace.
"Come onto the bed actually, you can lay down under the downy covers and such," Midnight said, changing her mind. It really pained her to see Draco like this... but she supposed this was how he felt when she would space out at school... She sat down on the bed, patting the space beside her. "You should rest somewhere warm... not that drafty tower."
"Warm... yes, well... okay," he muttered and moved to the edge of the bed. It *used* to be his bed, now it was THEIRS. The Slytherin smiled to himself ~ he wasn't complaining. "Thank you, Midi..." he said unbuttoning the top three buttons of his shirt and sliding in between the downy covers.
Midnight smiled at him before settling herself next to him, making sure he had an adequate amount of blankets. She watched him for some time, his eyes gently shut and his breathing regular. He looked so care free when he slept... like an angel... Midnight sighed before her own eyes shut slowly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Early the next morning Midnight awoke to the soft scurrying of feet outside the door. The house elves seemed more active than usual... Mumbling softly she turned around to look at the sleeping face for Draco. Midnight chuckled darkly... Blaise was probably very cranky with the fact that she hadn't gotten any time with Draco the pervious night. "Her loss..." she said softly, letting her lips brush against his before she broke away with a small smile.
Getting up, Midnight went to her usual rose and milk bath, letting the soft water caress her baby soft skin. The winter holiday was going perfectly for her... She had finally found the person she knew that she'd probably be with for the rest of her life... She loved him so much. It was funny though... it took a potion and a night of love making to make her reveal her feelings for Draco.
Walking back into the bedroom she noticed that Draco had woken up and was smiling at her from the bed. "I see you're up..." she cooed softly, smiling as she tied her bathrobe tighter around her slender waist. "Sleep well?" Midnight inquired, sitting at the new vanity that Lucius had given to her not long ago. Combing out her hair with a fine-toothed comb, she watched Draco's reflection in the mirror with dark purple eyes. She knew that today they'd be leaving for their ski trip, which meant that she would be seeing Krum for the first time in several years...
Draco sat up in bed, and watched her primp herself for the trip and his lips curved downward, knowing that today he'd be seeing Krum in a totally different light. No longer was he the brooding Bulgarian Quidditch hero he remembered during the TriWizard Competition at Hogwarts many years ago...he would be the glory pawn in his mother's little game of control, and ~ a rival for Midnight's heart... He stood up and headed to the wardrobe, looking for his favorite ski sweater and softest cords to wear for traveling to the lodge today...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes:
Midi: Hey all you out there!! Or to anyone who is still around LOL! Sooooo sorry this took so dang long. After some mishaps, I found myself lacking a decent co-writer so that stalled me for quite a bit. Now I've found an AWESOME co-writer and she's one TALENTED writer! She wrote pretty much a bit of everyone in this chapter and you can tell she can really write in character!
Of course I will NEVER EVER forget my first co-writer ALEX!!! He was just so amazing and a blast to work with! Everyone give it up for Alex!!!!~
If this comes off as confusing to anyone, may I remind you that the potion was administered on Christmas Eve so it's still the winter break :D OooOooOOoo- Blaise, Draco, Krum and Midi all together for an *awesome* ski trip!! What fun! *cackles!* Poor Midi. what can she do to shake an adoring, sexy Krum?
Debi: Hi ~ I'm Debi, the new co-writer in here, with Midi's blessing (which is a LOT to live up to considering Alex's excellent writing to date), but I will give this my best effort because it's one hell of a storyline.
Draco has, to this point, just begun to realize his love for Midnight, but more so, his individuality... that he has a special sense of power and ambition apart from his parents. His true tests are upon him... and a great challenge for a 16-year-old boy.
"Thank you for coming..."
Midnight stopped dead, peering around the wall and down the staircase into the main hall. Mrs. Malfoy was standing there in her usual frippery, looking much happier than Midnight had ever seen.
"It's always a pleasure to be here, truly."
"Blaise?!" Midnight hissed under her breath. Her eyes narrowing evenly as she watched the bustly figure with raven hair approach Narcissa.
"I really must apologize for the abruptness of my request tonight-" she paused, an oily smile on her thin lips. "But I assure you, your presence is greatly welcomed." she finished with a gracious smile. "Dinner will be served very shortly. If you will just follow me..."
Midnight listened with baited breath as the clicking of heels receded into the dining hall. Why was Blaise here... after the Christmas ordeal, Midnight thought that she would have steered clear of the manor. At least for a while. Furrowing her eyebrows slightly she leaned against the wall. There just had to be something afoot...
"Ahhhhh... Miss Riddle. Surprise surprise." Lucius placed a hand on her shoulder, looking down at her with an odd smile. "Dinner's ready. Shall we?" he offered his arm to her- which she took rather coldly. "It might be a very interesting meal..."
~*~
Draco had been forced to spend the entire day in his tower room, left alone to stew over his father's reaction to his weakness for Midnight Riddle.
He leaned against the cold stone window frame; his gray eyes angrily survey the brisk winter sky. Over the years he'd met his father's disapproval before, but this time Lucius was conferring with Voldemort himself. Draco knew his father wanted to show off his son's exceptional talent and skill with potions -- Lucius would want, more than anything, to have his 16 year old son named as the *youngest* Deatheater in wizard history.
The Slytherin subconsciously threaded his fingers through his white blonde hair. The old Draco would relish the challenge - to be equally famous as Potter and his lightning-shaped scar would be oh too good to pass up--
But....
He'd certainly complicated things for his father with Midnight. He relived the memory of making love with her, their bodies entwined as one.... no-- he couldn't get her out of his system. Draco smacked the window ledge and leaned his head against the pane. Of all the girls in the wizarding world, why did he have to fall for Voldemort's daughter?
At six o'clock, Draco was liberated from his locked room for dinner. He was directed to the posh, formal dining room. He'd barely entered through the doorway when, suddenly, a pair of slender arms swept around a hidden corner and encircled him, leaving him breathless. He looked over, expecting to see Midnight...
But it was Blaise Zabini.
"Dracey! Mm! Guess who! " she quipped, pursing her lips to give him a kiss.
He didn't kiss back, no matter how good it felt. Whatever he had with this girl was over now. Draco stared hard at her. "Wha--! Okay Blaise, How'd *you* get here? I have to wonder who could have invited *you*.... cause it *definitely* wasn't ME!"
Draco got his answer when he looked over at the end of the gleaming dining table and saw his mother sitting there watching them with an demure smile. His eyes flashed his displeasure at the situation, which was becoming all too clear.
He turned and faced Blaise with a dull _expression, but the dark-haired girl only smiled prettily up at him. "Mm.. Dinner at the Malfoy's... this is all so *cozy*-- let's sit together, shall we?"
Draco's lips curved downward. "Where's Midi?" he asked his mother.
Narcissa looked up with a lazy expression. "Blaise is our guest *also*, Draco-- and I expect you to treat hear as such."
"I'm sure you do..." Draco slurred.
Narcissa stiffened in her chair. "That will be *enough*" she snapped with a warning glare.
Draco sighed as he felt his insides crumble as Blaise strolled over to the table, brushing up against him and planted herself in Midi's usual seat.
~*~
The evening meal was far from quiet today as Blaise Zabini had joined them. She now sat beside the unusually quiet Draco. Midnight angrily speared her carrots as she sat across from Draco. Just watching Blaise croon over Draco was enough to make her lose her breakfast, lunch and dinner. Still, she tried to keep up her cool exterior since she had noticed Narcissa casting her sidelong glances before smiling and eyeing Draco and Blaise.
'Something's up...' Midnight thought to herself, sipping her pumpkin juice slowly and watching Blaise over the rim of her goblet. 'Blaise... Draco... Narcissa?' Her thoughts were now flowing easily through her mind and at the rate they were connecting with each other; she didn't like what she was already assuming.
"Oh, Midnight! A letter arrived from-" Narcissa suddenly brought up. All eyes turned her way as she continued with her speech. "Oh... which brings me to say... We're having a New Years party!"
Lucius gave his wife an odd look that suggested that he was never in on his wife's plan for this party. However, he soon plastered a knowing expression onto his handsome features and nodded ever so slightly. "Ahh... yes. The party."
"Ooo!" Blaise said happily, looking at Draco. "A party! What fun!!"
Draco frowned and stared, slit-eyed, at his mother when she brought up Krum's letter. He turned to his father with a curious expression, trying to read his face. "Party...? What *is* this?" he muttered.
Narcissa's eyes held a triumphant glow as she reached over and gently stroked her son's hand. "Something *different* this year, Draco darling. Instead of our usual gathering at Uncle Slade's Manor in Hentshire, we'll be taking a cozy number of guests in for a *skiing holiday* and celebrating there. Your father and I have booked the Mertaugh Lodge all to ourselves for the weekend."
Before Draco could say another word, Blaise started bouncing in her seat, pulling on his arm excitedly. "Ooo! I'll get to wear my brand new parka!" she squealed, as she put her arm through Draco's possessively, eyeing Midnight with a spiteful smile. "That ski inn is sooo romantic, Dracey! We can keep each other *warm* by the big fireplace after sloshing through all that snow hmm?"
Lucius watched his son's facial expressions with amusement and quickly excused himself from the room. Draco watched him leave, and quickly turned to Narcissa with a highbrow stare. "I'd like to know what brought this on? Who's on this 'cozy' guest list, mother?" he asked with narrow eyes.
Narcissa leaned against her high back chair, trying hard to act innocent. "Mostly young people... to keep you entertained, Draco love."
"Who?!" he demanded to know.
"If you *insist*" she said tersely. "We've invited Blaise, of course" she beamed ~ and Viktor Krum ~" she paused politely toward Midi. "As well as Midnight ~ along with your father, you and myself."
Draco saw the friendly exchange between his mother and Blaise and suddenly he knew what her conniving plan was...empty-headed Blaise could be easily manipulated to do whatever Narcissa wanted her to do, compared to Midnight ~ who was strong-willed, independent-minded, smart... and in love with her son, and.... losing control of him as he was obviously falling for Voldemort's daughter.
Draco felt a sudden urge to rebel against her ~ but he knew... it would take time.
"When are we leaving?" he asked in a wary tone.
"As soon as Mr. Krum arrives. Your father will be meeting his train in the morning," Narcissa replied, gleefully, looking for Midnight's reaction. "Our house elves are already packing your trunk for you Draco darling."
Draco felt a headache coming on. "I need some air," he said, jerking out of Blaise's tight grip. He stood up and cast his grey eyes over Midnight's strange expression, wondering if she was feeling as tense as he was. He headed for the door, hoping she would follow him so they could talk alone...
Midnight sat through all this fighting the string urge to kick Blaise hard with her long legs as she sat across from the distraught looking Draco. When he glanced at her, she shrugged with a clueless expression. She obviously didn't plan for this to happen! Blaise Zambini was a curvaceous raven-haired bimbo with barely enough brains to fill half an eggshell.
Fuming, she watched Narcissa's disgusting painted lips curve into an oily smile as Draco got up. "I'm not hungry," Midnight snapped, getting up roughly while she turned to follow Draco with a very disgusted expression on her face. The nerve of that wench!! Why did things have to be so complicated...? Was it so wrong to be in love with the most incredible person alive?? They both had shared a night of passion together- claiming each as their own. Ha... Blaise beat that...
"Draco...?" she called, walking out onto the Victorian style back porch, which overlooked the frozen pond and dark forest. "Draco..." Midnight moaned, seeing Draco sitting rigidly on a beautiful bench, staring darkly out at the white landscape.
Sitting down next to him, she tentatively put an arm around HER Dracey, resting her golden head on his shoulder. "Draco... What's happening?" Midnight asked, her eyes showing subtle fear.
Draco shivered in his fur-lined parka and shook his pale head. "What's happening is my mother is into her version of 'matchmaking', and it isn't very funny..."
Midnight pulled her own cloak around herself and peered around at Draco with concerned eyes, "Do you think she suspects..." she trailed off, shivering against a sudden icy blast of wind that chilled her to the bone. "Krum... I haven't seen him in 3 years," Midnight commented, sighing heavily as she sat beside Draco.
The right side of Draco's mouth twitched at the mention of Krum's name. "There's something you ought to know about my mother, Midnight... she's very keen on the gossip mill...and she obviously has been digging and found out you and Mr Fabulous Quidditch were an item while you were attending Durmstrang."
Slumping in her seat she felt horrible now... "Yeah... well the rumor mills tend to rule out the resent day, don't they?" Midnight asked sadly, tentatively crawling onto Draco's lap so she faced him. "We broke up eons ago and we're good pals, nothing more. Narcissa will be very surprised," she stated simply, staring at Draco's lovely features.
"She won't be daunted, Midnight. Her goal is to control *me*...she doesn't like the attention I'm giving you ~ that's why she has Blaise here, don't you know?"
She knew that Blaise had always a thing for Draco- it was just so obvious! "Well I don't like either of them, really," Midnight admitted with a cute pout of her glossy cherry lips.
Draco put his arms around Midnight and stared offwards with a distracted expression. "I'm trying to feel angry, but I'm only numb with pain.... I know my father has something up his sleeve and that's something I'm not sure I can fight..." Draco shook his head and gave her a faint smile. "But at least we'll get to go skiing for the holiday..." he said.
Midnight sighed when Draco held her, but also shook her head when she stared off into the distance. The pervious night may have affected them both emotionally and physically while she knew that Lucius was planning something... She resented the elder Malfoy for troubling Draco so and his attitude towards her earlier that morning... "We'll fight whatever it is together." Midnight said firmly, planting a feather soft kiss across his lips.
Draco let a sigh escape as he returned the kiss, deepening the passion building in him again. She was like the golden snitch... something beautiful and elusive... and something so very important in his life, but he could never tell her... not now...
Midnight wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled against his lips, loving everything about Draco. After sharing last night together... she felt if Draco ever left... she wouldn't survive! "Yup... we'll meet all this together... and we can show Blaise," she winked seductively.
"I'm not worried about Blaise..." Draco said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I'm more worried about Krum and his habit of giving you sexy lingerie as gifts..."
Midnight sighed and rolled her eyes, "It's only because he knows that I like sexy little outfits," she said honestly with a pout. "We're just pals."
Draco snickered to himself. "Pals." he said, trying out the word. "I doubt that, but if you think so ~ okay, Midi."
Playfully slapping Draco's chest she kissed his nose and looked deep into his eyes. She hoped that he knew that she loved him and him alone. "Draco..." she muttered, writhing on his lap.
In spite of the dry cold air, Draco found himself cradling her body as she straddled his lap. "Everything will be alright, love...
Midnight blushed and sighed happily, leaning into his embrace. "I hope it will..." she muttered by his ear. She was just so pensive... "Draco..." she mumbled softly nipping his ear. "I'm going back to my room... why don't you come and sit by the fireplace?" Midnight asked, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously.
Draco smiled at her invitation and nodded, his pale eyes glittering at the idea. He opened the French doors, but just as he re-entered the house, Blaise came bounding up, her lips freshly glossed, hair combed down. "Dracey... there you are! Where have you two been?" she asked, her almond eyes narrowing at Midnight.
"Who wants to know ~ you.... or my mother?" Draco snapped.
Midnight clutched Draco's arm, peering at Blaise with an angry expression. "Draco..." she moaned softly, pulling impatiently at his sleeve.
Blaise walked forward, her bosom heaving against her tiny red dress that clung to her curves. "Where are you two going?" she snapped, playing with the fur around Draco's undone Parka. "Don't you want to come to my room and.. talk Dracey?" Blaise crooned.
"Excuse me, but that is the very *last* thing I would like to do, Miss *Zabini*... so, if you'll just get your sexy little body out of my way..."
"But. But!" Blaise spluttered when Midnight cast her a dark glance, still clutching HER Dracey's arm! "Don't you want to cuddle and hug??" she called desperately after the two who were fast disappearing down the hall.
"I HATE Blaise..." Midnight muttered hotly, walking with deliberate steps towards her room, muttering the password through forced calmness. "Who does she think she is?!" Midnight screamed, stripping out of her cold cloak and heavy sweater and pants, wrapping herself in a soft robe.
Draco sat into a cushioned chair in the corner with a distracted look on his face. He was still trying to thaw from the cold air he'd been exposed to, his mind on everything that his mother was planning, and dreading the consequences...
Pausing as she tied up her hair, she walked over to the squishy chair and sat on the arm of it, watching Draco quietly. "Draco... baby... please relax... you're making me uncomfterable," Midnight admitted, moving him closer to the roaring fireplace.
"Come onto the bed actually, you can lay down under the downy covers and such," Midnight said, changing her mind. It really pained her to see Draco like this... but she supposed this was how he felt when she would space out at school... She sat down on the bed, patting the space beside her. "You should rest somewhere warm... not that drafty tower."
"Warm... yes, well... okay," he muttered and moved to the edge of the bed. It *used* to be his bed, now it was THEIRS. The Slytherin smiled to himself ~ he wasn't complaining. "Thank you, Midi..." he said unbuttoning the top three buttons of his shirt and sliding in between the downy covers.
Midnight smiled at him before settling herself next to him, making sure he had an adequate amount of blankets. She watched him for some time, his eyes gently shut and his breathing regular. He looked so care free when he slept... like an angel... Midnight sighed before her own eyes shut slowly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Early the next morning Midnight awoke to the soft scurrying of feet outside the door. The house elves seemed more active than usual... Mumbling softly she turned around to look at the sleeping face for Draco. Midnight chuckled darkly... Blaise was probably very cranky with the fact that she hadn't gotten any time with Draco the pervious night. "Her loss..." she said softly, letting her lips brush against his before she broke away with a small smile.
Getting up, Midnight went to her usual rose and milk bath, letting the soft water caress her baby soft skin. The winter holiday was going perfectly for her... She had finally found the person she knew that she'd probably be with for the rest of her life... She loved him so much. It was funny though... it took a potion and a night of love making to make her reveal her feelings for Draco.
Walking back into the bedroom she noticed that Draco had woken up and was smiling at her from the bed. "I see you're up..." she cooed softly, smiling as she tied her bathrobe tighter around her slender waist. "Sleep well?" Midnight inquired, sitting at the new vanity that Lucius had given to her not long ago. Combing out her hair with a fine-toothed comb, she watched Draco's reflection in the mirror with dark purple eyes. She knew that today they'd be leaving for their ski trip, which meant that she would be seeing Krum for the first time in several years...
Draco sat up in bed, and watched her primp herself for the trip and his lips curved downward, knowing that today he'd be seeing Krum in a totally different light. No longer was he the brooding Bulgarian Quidditch hero he remembered during the TriWizard Competition at Hogwarts many years ago...he would be the glory pawn in his mother's little game of control, and ~ a rival for Midnight's heart... He stood up and headed to the wardrobe, looking for his favorite ski sweater and softest cords to wear for traveling to the lodge today...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes:
Midi: Hey all you out there!! Or to anyone who is still around LOL! Sooooo sorry this took so dang long. After some mishaps, I found myself lacking a decent co-writer so that stalled me for quite a bit. Now I've found an AWESOME co-writer and she's one TALENTED writer! She wrote pretty much a bit of everyone in this chapter and you can tell she can really write in character!
Of course I will NEVER EVER forget my first co-writer ALEX!!! He was just so amazing and a blast to work with! Everyone give it up for Alex!!!!~
If this comes off as confusing to anyone, may I remind you that the potion was administered on Christmas Eve so it's still the winter break :D OooOooOOoo- Blaise, Draco, Krum and Midi all together for an *awesome* ski trip!! What fun! *cackles!* Poor Midi. what can she do to shake an adoring, sexy Krum?
Debi: Hi ~ I'm Debi, the new co-writer in here, with Midi's blessing (which is a LOT to live up to considering Alex's excellent writing to date), but I will give this my best effort because it's one hell of a storyline.
Draco has, to this point, just begun to realize his love for Midnight, but more so, his individuality... that he has a special sense of power and ambition apart from his parents. His true tests are upon him... and a great challenge for a 16-year-old boy.