Chapter Ten: The Longest Night
The day's shadows had lengthened and dissolved by the time Madam Pomfrey opened the door to the hospital wing, clucking her tongue like a chicken and shaking her head. "Poor thing, poor, poor thing. . ." she stated. Anaral and Draco jumped up immediately and Blackie raised his head.
"Alysia is going to be alright," Madam Pomfrey stated for the benefit of all who were within hearing range. "I've mended the bones in her arm and given her a sleeping draught. She won't wake up until late tomorrow morning, and that's the way it should be. She'll be able to answer all of your questions at that time, but I don't want you waking her before then. Not even you," she finished, nodding at someone behind the queue. All three turned around to see Professor Dumbledore smiling mildly.
"As I expected and hoped for, Poppy. You've done a fine job. But my business is not with the young Miss Karadhras. It is with the young Mr. Malfoy," Professor Dumbledore turned twinkling eyes on Draco who looked visibly more nervous. Anaral managed a slightly patronizing smile in Draco's direction as he shuffled off after Dumbledore. She subconsciously reached down and scratched behind Blackie's ears.
"Poppy, do you mind if Blackie and I wait in the hospital wing for Alysia to wake up?" Madam Pomfrey nodded and followed Anaral and the black dog inside.
***
Draco followed Professor Dumbledore down long corridors to a grand gargoyle at the end of a hallway. "Fizzing Whizzbee," he told the gargoyle, which moved aside, revealing a staircase. Draco followed Professor Dumbledore up the staircase to what he recognized as the headmaster's office. Decked with paintings of headmasters past (most of whom were sleeping), the office was truly a sight to behold. Draco could only wonder what Professor Dumbledore had to say to him. The old headmaster indicated that Draco should take a seat, which he did, nervously as if sitting on a pincushion. Rather than lecturing him immediately or bombarding him with questions, Professor Dumbledore surprised Draco by offering him a chocolate frog. Draco looked at him strangely.
"You can't very well expect to have a peaceful night with an empty stomach," the old professor explained. "No, then? Very well." He put the chocolate frogs away. Draco looked ready to run at any moment. "You needn't look so terrified."
"I'm not terrified," Draco retorted. "What do you want?"
"I wanted to inquire about your relationship with Miss Karadhras," Professor Dumbledore answered. "What are your feelings towards her?"
Draco blinked, taken aback by Professor Dumbledore's question. "I. . .I care about her very much," he finally answered.
"That much is obvious. Not many persons would kidnap someone for her own safety," Professor Dumbledore stated nonchalantly.
"How did you. . .?"
"At Hogwart's, Mr. Malfoy, walls have ears and eyes," Professor Dumbledore answered. Draco could only stare at him. "My question is with regards to the extent of that care." When Draco didn't respond, Professor Dumbledore looked at him seriously. "You may not realize it now, Mr. Malfoy, but the relationship you have with Miss Karadhras will affect your future, more than you can ever know. Cherish it and nourish it like you would a beloved flower."
"Is that all?" Draco asked, standing.
"Almost." Professor Dumbledore also stood and walked over to a chest of drawers in the corner of the room that Draco hadn't noticed before. He stared at it for a moment, then opened the top drawer and took out a long, slender, black box. Looking at the box with a satisfied smile, he handed it to Draco. "And here is your Christmas present for Miss Karadhras."
Draco gave Professor Dumbledore a questioning look as he opened the box. Inside was a thin silver chain with a single pendant hanging from it. The pendant was simply a silver infinity symbol wrapped around a red and green stone. Draco stared at it in awe.
"What is this?" he finally asked.
"It is called the Unity Amulet. It is several thousand years old," Professor Dumbledore answered, but did not give any other information. "Go ahead. Pick it up." Draco picked the necklace up and watched as the red and green stones began to hum and eventually faded from red and green to blinding white. Soon it was glowing so brightly that he had to drop it back in the box, where the bright whiteness faded back to red and green. Draco was amazed.
"What does it mean?" he asked.
"That is not for you to know yet," Professor Dumbledore replied, smiling at Draco, who looked cross again. He closed the box and put it in his pocket.
"Thank you, sir," he said quietly, and left Professor Dumbledore's office.
***
"I knew that boy would try to hurt her!"
Anaral stared at her husband as he paced by the foot of Alysia's bed. She had just told him what Draco said earlier that afternoon.
"Sirius, I don't think Draco was trying to hurt Alysia. I think he was trying to help her," Anaral pointed out. "He's not his father."
"Why did he kidnap her then?" Sirius hissed.
"He doesn't see it as kidnapping her. He sees it as rescuing her. Especially after the echidna got in that night. . .I understand what he was thinking," Anaral explained. "Can't you?"
Sirius crossed his arms over his chest scowling, but Anaral managed a small smile. "Alysia has a good head on her shoulders. I think we can trust her judgment," she added, walking over to him and taking his hands. "And I don't think Draco is anything at all like Lucius."
"You don't?" he asked. Anaral smiled and shook her head. Sirius leaned forward and kissed her gently. "I love you, and I trust your judgment."
Anaral giggled like a schoolgirl. "I love you, too. I think I'm going to head for the kitchen and see if I can scrounge up some sort of snack. Do you want to come?"
Sirius shook his head. "I'd rather stay here. But if you could bring me something back?"
Anaral smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "But to put my mind at ease, be Blackie for now, okay?" she suggested. Sirius complied, turning silently into the large black dog. Still smiling, Anaral slipped out of the hospital wing. She hadn't been gone more than five minutes when Draco Malfoy sauntered into the wing. He froze and backed away upon seeing Blackie.
"Oh. . .hi, Blackie," he chuckled nervously. "Mind if I. . .ah. . .have a seat?" Blackie was glaring at him as he gingerly sat on the chair next to Alysia's bed. He still glanced at the dog warily as he began to talk to the sleeping Alysia.
"Your dog. . .he's pretty protective of you, isn't he?" Draco stated, taking Alysia's hand in his. "My father did this to you. I know he did. But how? I thought you were safe there." He sighed heavily, rubbing his thumb on the back of her hand. "Well, I suppose you're safe now. And sleeping like an angel." He leaned down and kissed her hand. Blackie began to growl, and Draco glanced at him.
"She's a big girl, Blackie. She can take care of herself," he stated. "You needn't growl at me."
Blackie ignored this and growled even more, baring his teeth.
"Alright! You win! No more kissing!" Draco conceded, dropping Alysia's hand. "Did you know her father's Sirius Black? Probably."
Blackie cocked his head at Draco in utter confusion.
"You know, coming from anyone else, I wouldn't believe that man was anything but guilty. But Alysia's not the lying type, you know? If she says it, it must be true," Draco paused, contemplating. "I wonder if he's as great a person as Alysia and her mother are. Did you ever know him?" He laughed. "Not like you can answer me or anything."
On the contrary, Blackie barked and wagged his tail. Draco could have sworn the dog was smiling.
***
Down in the kitchen, Anaral had run into more than just house elves.
"Yes, Alysia will be fine," she assured Harry, Ron and Hermione who, they assured her, were simply hungry for a midnight snack. "If you want, you can come wait in the hospital wing with me and Blackie. She should be waking up by morning."
"If we're not intruding," Hermione nodded, ever polite. Harry and Ron were already on their way.
"Now, I have to warn you," Anaral said in a soft voice as they hurried through the halls, "Draco Malfoy will probably be there. I'll tell him this as well, but there will not be any mudslinging. Understand?"
The three nodded as they approached the hospital wing. It was near midnight already and the hospital wing was silent as death. Harry, Ron and Hermione followed Anaral to Alysia's bed, not sure what to expect. They were more than a little surprised to see a very familiar black dog panting contentedly as Draco Malfoy scratched behind his ears. Draco was watching Alysia for any signs of being awake and looked up only briefly when the four entered the area. Anaral whispered something to him and, though looking malcontent with the idea, he nodded. Planting a light kiss on Alysia's forehead, he swept out of the room before anyone could say anything. The second he was out of hearing range, the dog transformed into a smiling Sirius Black.
"Sometimes, dear," he said, planting a sweet kiss on Anaral's temple, "I love it when you are right." Anaral stifled a laugh and kissed him back on the cheek.
"So do I," she admitted. "What caused this change of heart?"
"Someone thinks very highly of both you and Alysia, and wondered aloud if I was as 'great a person,'" Sirius explained with a laugh. He sobered, looking at Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Madam Pomfrey says that she'll be alright. At least physically. . .I don't want to know what kind of emotional damage has been done here."
"Well, at least she's on the mend," Harry commented, trying to keep his voice bright. Hermione looked forlornly at Alysia's arm, still bound to a splint with bright purple strips of cloth.
"Her bones are all mended; the splint's just there to keep her from accidentally hurting it again while they're still new," Anaral explained.
"Did you ever find out where she went?" Ron asked. Anaral pressed her lips together and shook her head. It wasn't a lie, after all-Draco had not told her where he had taken Alysia.
"We think Draco had a hand in it," Hermione announced, the other two nodding.
"What makes you think that?" Sirius sat down in the chair beside Alysia's bed and looked at Hermione quizzically. "I know the four of you haven't ever gotten along that well, but do you really think he'd kidnap someone, especially Alysia?"
"Well. . .yes." Ron was nodding vigorously, as was Hermione, but Harry looked doubtful and finally shook his head.
"No. He may be a slimy git, but Alysia said he cared about her. . .I think she was telling the truth." Harry shrugged. "I could be wrong, but I don't think Draco wants to hurt Alysia."
Ron looked like he was about to protest, but Sirius spoke up again. "I'm inclined to agree with you, Harry. His father may be a Death Eater, but he is not his father."
"Close enough!" Ron exclaimed. "He'd try to kill us if he had the chance!"
"Shh," Anaral said, soothingly. "Now is not the time for this."
***
Draco waited in the hall for the "terrible trio" to leave the hospital wing. He couldn't help wishing they'd never come and interrupted his private time with Alysia-and Blackie. Even so, it gave him time to think. Would he honestly believe Alysia if she told him that her father was innocent? Or would he convince himself that she was simply delusional, that she was denying the facts because she loved her father? Yet Alysia didn't seem the type of person who would let her caring for someone get in the way of the truth. She'd already called him on several very true things that in other relationships had been ignored.
Not ready to accept this fact yet, Draco took the Unity Amulet out of his pocket and stared at it, mesmerized. He had never seen a prettier piece of jewelry, nor one that he wanted Alysia to have more than this. By his calculations, the Christmas Holiday would begin in just a few more days. He wondered if Alysia and her family would be staying at Hogwart's, and if so, should he? It would be the next thing he asked Professor Karadhras. Because, he realized, wherever Alysia was, he wanted to be.
What was it, anyway, that made her so much more special than the rest of the world? Why did he even care? She was the daughter of a Mudblood and a (supposed) murderer. So why her? Why Alysia Karadhras? He was so lost in thought that when the Gryffindor three came sauntering out of the hospital wing, he barely noticed. Seeing them just as they were leaving the area, giving him odd looks. It was too late to make any sort of remark, but, strangely, Draco wasn't in the mood to make any sort of remarks. He just watched them go then stood and made his way back into the hospital wing. Approaching the curtained-off area that held Alysia's bed, he could have sworn he heard Professor Karadhras talking to a man, but when he came in, she was alone with Alysia and Blackie.
"She should be waking up soon, now, Draco," Professor Karadhras said, reassuringly.
"I know," Draco answered. "Professor Karadhras, are you and Alysia going to stay at Hogwart's for the Christmas holiday?"
Professor Karadhras shook her head. "No. We're going home. We have several 'relatives' who spend Christmas with us every year, and I don't think Professor Dumbledore would appreciate all of them here," she laughed. "You're more than welcome to join us if you like."
To Draco, this was both a good and a bad idea. More than anything, he wanted to be with Alysia for Christmas, and yet, at the same time, he had spent the last two Christmases helping Griffin and Zel to celebrate and avoiding his father. A thought occurred to him. Why not bring Griffin and Zel with him to Alysia's house? He was about to open his mouth and ask Professor Karadhras, when Alysia gave a gentle sigh and opened her eyes. "Mmm. . .Draco?" she asked sleepily.
"Aly!" he exclaimed, immediately taking her hand and kissing it. "Are you alright? Who did this?"
She didn't answer, but looked at her mother. "Mum. . .is Dad. . .?" she trailed off and spotted Blackie with a smile and a yawn. "That was a very strong sleeping draught Madam Pomfrey gave me. I feel like I could sleep another week or so!"
"Alysia, sweetheart, what happened?" Professor Karadhras asked, putting her hand on her daughter's shoulder. Blackie whined worriedly.
Alysia's eyes got a faraway look. "Griffin and Zel and I went down to the kitchen to have a midnight snack. They sneaked away when I wasn't looking. Lucius came in and found me."
"Damn him!" Draco shouted, but Professor Karadhras hushed him.
"What happened next, Alysia?"
Alysia furrowed her brow as if it was hard to remember. "He brought me up to a tower. Said that I was a 'valuable commodity.' I didn't ask him what he meant. I didn't need to. He started asking me questions, like if I knew where Dad was and something about some amulet. I didn't know what he was talking about and said so, but he wasn't satisfied. He grabbed my arm and twisted it hard, and he hit me a couple times. I don't remember. I passed out after a while. When I woke up, he was still there, telling me that he'd be bringing me to Voldemort at nightfall. And then he left. I suppose he thought I was trapped."
She sighed heavily. "I knew I had to get out. So I transformed into my falcon form. My wing was broken, so I wasn't sure how I would fly out of there. But I knew I should try. And then. . ." she looked at Draco, "two of your eagle owls reached the window. They said they sensed I was in danger and came to help me escape. I passed out moments after we left. . .and now I am here."
"And you're alright," Professor Karadhras added with a grateful sigh.
"And just in time for Christmas!" Everyone looked up to see Professor Dumbledore smiling at the scene. "Miss Karadhras, you needn't repeat the story of your ordeal for me. I heard it all."
"Is something going to be done this time, Professor, or shall we all sit back and watch?" Professor Karadhras asked, a little coldly.
"Anaral, if there was anything I could do, I would be doing it. Unfortunately, Lucius Malfoy is paying off nearly every person who could send him to Azkaban. Right now, the best I can do is tell you to simply enjoy your Christmas." Professor Karadhras dropped her gaze crossly. "I assume the old crowd will be there?"
Professor Karadhras looked up again. "We're planning on it."
"Send them my best wishes." With that, he was gone. Alysia smiled happily.
"Christmas is nearly here, isn't it?" She stretched her arms over her head. "Oh, I do love Christmas."
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A/N: Finally, I've reached Christmas! I love Christmas. I also love other people's perspectives, but I think it's time for Alysia again. Don't expect much excitement next chapter, unless you consider Christmas to be terribly exciting. We will, however, learn a bit more about how Alysia grew up.
Thanks for the reviews! Keep it up. . .they make me smile! :)
The day's shadows had lengthened and dissolved by the time Madam Pomfrey opened the door to the hospital wing, clucking her tongue like a chicken and shaking her head. "Poor thing, poor, poor thing. . ." she stated. Anaral and Draco jumped up immediately and Blackie raised his head.
"Alysia is going to be alright," Madam Pomfrey stated for the benefit of all who were within hearing range. "I've mended the bones in her arm and given her a sleeping draught. She won't wake up until late tomorrow morning, and that's the way it should be. She'll be able to answer all of your questions at that time, but I don't want you waking her before then. Not even you," she finished, nodding at someone behind the queue. All three turned around to see Professor Dumbledore smiling mildly.
"As I expected and hoped for, Poppy. You've done a fine job. But my business is not with the young Miss Karadhras. It is with the young Mr. Malfoy," Professor Dumbledore turned twinkling eyes on Draco who looked visibly more nervous. Anaral managed a slightly patronizing smile in Draco's direction as he shuffled off after Dumbledore. She subconsciously reached down and scratched behind Blackie's ears.
"Poppy, do you mind if Blackie and I wait in the hospital wing for Alysia to wake up?" Madam Pomfrey nodded and followed Anaral and the black dog inside.
***
Draco followed Professor Dumbledore down long corridors to a grand gargoyle at the end of a hallway. "Fizzing Whizzbee," he told the gargoyle, which moved aside, revealing a staircase. Draco followed Professor Dumbledore up the staircase to what he recognized as the headmaster's office. Decked with paintings of headmasters past (most of whom were sleeping), the office was truly a sight to behold. Draco could only wonder what Professor Dumbledore had to say to him. The old headmaster indicated that Draco should take a seat, which he did, nervously as if sitting on a pincushion. Rather than lecturing him immediately or bombarding him with questions, Professor Dumbledore surprised Draco by offering him a chocolate frog. Draco looked at him strangely.
"You can't very well expect to have a peaceful night with an empty stomach," the old professor explained. "No, then? Very well." He put the chocolate frogs away. Draco looked ready to run at any moment. "You needn't look so terrified."
"I'm not terrified," Draco retorted. "What do you want?"
"I wanted to inquire about your relationship with Miss Karadhras," Professor Dumbledore answered. "What are your feelings towards her?"
Draco blinked, taken aback by Professor Dumbledore's question. "I. . .I care about her very much," he finally answered.
"That much is obvious. Not many persons would kidnap someone for her own safety," Professor Dumbledore stated nonchalantly.
"How did you. . .?"
"At Hogwart's, Mr. Malfoy, walls have ears and eyes," Professor Dumbledore answered. Draco could only stare at him. "My question is with regards to the extent of that care." When Draco didn't respond, Professor Dumbledore looked at him seriously. "You may not realize it now, Mr. Malfoy, but the relationship you have with Miss Karadhras will affect your future, more than you can ever know. Cherish it and nourish it like you would a beloved flower."
"Is that all?" Draco asked, standing.
"Almost." Professor Dumbledore also stood and walked over to a chest of drawers in the corner of the room that Draco hadn't noticed before. He stared at it for a moment, then opened the top drawer and took out a long, slender, black box. Looking at the box with a satisfied smile, he handed it to Draco. "And here is your Christmas present for Miss Karadhras."
Draco gave Professor Dumbledore a questioning look as he opened the box. Inside was a thin silver chain with a single pendant hanging from it. The pendant was simply a silver infinity symbol wrapped around a red and green stone. Draco stared at it in awe.
"What is this?" he finally asked.
"It is called the Unity Amulet. It is several thousand years old," Professor Dumbledore answered, but did not give any other information. "Go ahead. Pick it up." Draco picked the necklace up and watched as the red and green stones began to hum and eventually faded from red and green to blinding white. Soon it was glowing so brightly that he had to drop it back in the box, where the bright whiteness faded back to red and green. Draco was amazed.
"What does it mean?" he asked.
"That is not for you to know yet," Professor Dumbledore replied, smiling at Draco, who looked cross again. He closed the box and put it in his pocket.
"Thank you, sir," he said quietly, and left Professor Dumbledore's office.
***
"I knew that boy would try to hurt her!"
Anaral stared at her husband as he paced by the foot of Alysia's bed. She had just told him what Draco said earlier that afternoon.
"Sirius, I don't think Draco was trying to hurt Alysia. I think he was trying to help her," Anaral pointed out. "He's not his father."
"Why did he kidnap her then?" Sirius hissed.
"He doesn't see it as kidnapping her. He sees it as rescuing her. Especially after the echidna got in that night. . .I understand what he was thinking," Anaral explained. "Can't you?"
Sirius crossed his arms over his chest scowling, but Anaral managed a small smile. "Alysia has a good head on her shoulders. I think we can trust her judgment," she added, walking over to him and taking his hands. "And I don't think Draco is anything at all like Lucius."
"You don't?" he asked. Anaral smiled and shook her head. Sirius leaned forward and kissed her gently. "I love you, and I trust your judgment."
Anaral giggled like a schoolgirl. "I love you, too. I think I'm going to head for the kitchen and see if I can scrounge up some sort of snack. Do you want to come?"
Sirius shook his head. "I'd rather stay here. But if you could bring me something back?"
Anaral smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "But to put my mind at ease, be Blackie for now, okay?" she suggested. Sirius complied, turning silently into the large black dog. Still smiling, Anaral slipped out of the hospital wing. She hadn't been gone more than five minutes when Draco Malfoy sauntered into the wing. He froze and backed away upon seeing Blackie.
"Oh. . .hi, Blackie," he chuckled nervously. "Mind if I. . .ah. . .have a seat?" Blackie was glaring at him as he gingerly sat on the chair next to Alysia's bed. He still glanced at the dog warily as he began to talk to the sleeping Alysia.
"Your dog. . .he's pretty protective of you, isn't he?" Draco stated, taking Alysia's hand in his. "My father did this to you. I know he did. But how? I thought you were safe there." He sighed heavily, rubbing his thumb on the back of her hand. "Well, I suppose you're safe now. And sleeping like an angel." He leaned down and kissed her hand. Blackie began to growl, and Draco glanced at him.
"She's a big girl, Blackie. She can take care of herself," he stated. "You needn't growl at me."
Blackie ignored this and growled even more, baring his teeth.
"Alright! You win! No more kissing!" Draco conceded, dropping Alysia's hand. "Did you know her father's Sirius Black? Probably."
Blackie cocked his head at Draco in utter confusion.
"You know, coming from anyone else, I wouldn't believe that man was anything but guilty. But Alysia's not the lying type, you know? If she says it, it must be true," Draco paused, contemplating. "I wonder if he's as great a person as Alysia and her mother are. Did you ever know him?" He laughed. "Not like you can answer me or anything."
On the contrary, Blackie barked and wagged his tail. Draco could have sworn the dog was smiling.
***
Down in the kitchen, Anaral had run into more than just house elves.
"Yes, Alysia will be fine," she assured Harry, Ron and Hermione who, they assured her, were simply hungry for a midnight snack. "If you want, you can come wait in the hospital wing with me and Blackie. She should be waking up by morning."
"If we're not intruding," Hermione nodded, ever polite. Harry and Ron were already on their way.
"Now, I have to warn you," Anaral said in a soft voice as they hurried through the halls, "Draco Malfoy will probably be there. I'll tell him this as well, but there will not be any mudslinging. Understand?"
The three nodded as they approached the hospital wing. It was near midnight already and the hospital wing was silent as death. Harry, Ron and Hermione followed Anaral to Alysia's bed, not sure what to expect. They were more than a little surprised to see a very familiar black dog panting contentedly as Draco Malfoy scratched behind his ears. Draco was watching Alysia for any signs of being awake and looked up only briefly when the four entered the area. Anaral whispered something to him and, though looking malcontent with the idea, he nodded. Planting a light kiss on Alysia's forehead, he swept out of the room before anyone could say anything. The second he was out of hearing range, the dog transformed into a smiling Sirius Black.
"Sometimes, dear," he said, planting a sweet kiss on Anaral's temple, "I love it when you are right." Anaral stifled a laugh and kissed him back on the cheek.
"So do I," she admitted. "What caused this change of heart?"
"Someone thinks very highly of both you and Alysia, and wondered aloud if I was as 'great a person,'" Sirius explained with a laugh. He sobered, looking at Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Madam Pomfrey says that she'll be alright. At least physically. . .I don't want to know what kind of emotional damage has been done here."
"Well, at least she's on the mend," Harry commented, trying to keep his voice bright. Hermione looked forlornly at Alysia's arm, still bound to a splint with bright purple strips of cloth.
"Her bones are all mended; the splint's just there to keep her from accidentally hurting it again while they're still new," Anaral explained.
"Did you ever find out where she went?" Ron asked. Anaral pressed her lips together and shook her head. It wasn't a lie, after all-Draco had not told her where he had taken Alysia.
"We think Draco had a hand in it," Hermione announced, the other two nodding.
"What makes you think that?" Sirius sat down in the chair beside Alysia's bed and looked at Hermione quizzically. "I know the four of you haven't ever gotten along that well, but do you really think he'd kidnap someone, especially Alysia?"
"Well. . .yes." Ron was nodding vigorously, as was Hermione, but Harry looked doubtful and finally shook his head.
"No. He may be a slimy git, but Alysia said he cared about her. . .I think she was telling the truth." Harry shrugged. "I could be wrong, but I don't think Draco wants to hurt Alysia."
Ron looked like he was about to protest, but Sirius spoke up again. "I'm inclined to agree with you, Harry. His father may be a Death Eater, but he is not his father."
"Close enough!" Ron exclaimed. "He'd try to kill us if he had the chance!"
"Shh," Anaral said, soothingly. "Now is not the time for this."
***
Draco waited in the hall for the "terrible trio" to leave the hospital wing. He couldn't help wishing they'd never come and interrupted his private time with Alysia-and Blackie. Even so, it gave him time to think. Would he honestly believe Alysia if she told him that her father was innocent? Or would he convince himself that she was simply delusional, that she was denying the facts because she loved her father? Yet Alysia didn't seem the type of person who would let her caring for someone get in the way of the truth. She'd already called him on several very true things that in other relationships had been ignored.
Not ready to accept this fact yet, Draco took the Unity Amulet out of his pocket and stared at it, mesmerized. He had never seen a prettier piece of jewelry, nor one that he wanted Alysia to have more than this. By his calculations, the Christmas Holiday would begin in just a few more days. He wondered if Alysia and her family would be staying at Hogwart's, and if so, should he? It would be the next thing he asked Professor Karadhras. Because, he realized, wherever Alysia was, he wanted to be.
What was it, anyway, that made her so much more special than the rest of the world? Why did he even care? She was the daughter of a Mudblood and a (supposed) murderer. So why her? Why Alysia Karadhras? He was so lost in thought that when the Gryffindor three came sauntering out of the hospital wing, he barely noticed. Seeing them just as they were leaving the area, giving him odd looks. It was too late to make any sort of remark, but, strangely, Draco wasn't in the mood to make any sort of remarks. He just watched them go then stood and made his way back into the hospital wing. Approaching the curtained-off area that held Alysia's bed, he could have sworn he heard Professor Karadhras talking to a man, but when he came in, she was alone with Alysia and Blackie.
"She should be waking up soon, now, Draco," Professor Karadhras said, reassuringly.
"I know," Draco answered. "Professor Karadhras, are you and Alysia going to stay at Hogwart's for the Christmas holiday?"
Professor Karadhras shook her head. "No. We're going home. We have several 'relatives' who spend Christmas with us every year, and I don't think Professor Dumbledore would appreciate all of them here," she laughed. "You're more than welcome to join us if you like."
To Draco, this was both a good and a bad idea. More than anything, he wanted to be with Alysia for Christmas, and yet, at the same time, he had spent the last two Christmases helping Griffin and Zel to celebrate and avoiding his father. A thought occurred to him. Why not bring Griffin and Zel with him to Alysia's house? He was about to open his mouth and ask Professor Karadhras, when Alysia gave a gentle sigh and opened her eyes. "Mmm. . .Draco?" she asked sleepily.
"Aly!" he exclaimed, immediately taking her hand and kissing it. "Are you alright? Who did this?"
She didn't answer, but looked at her mother. "Mum. . .is Dad. . .?" she trailed off and spotted Blackie with a smile and a yawn. "That was a very strong sleeping draught Madam Pomfrey gave me. I feel like I could sleep another week or so!"
"Alysia, sweetheart, what happened?" Professor Karadhras asked, putting her hand on her daughter's shoulder. Blackie whined worriedly.
Alysia's eyes got a faraway look. "Griffin and Zel and I went down to the kitchen to have a midnight snack. They sneaked away when I wasn't looking. Lucius came in and found me."
"Damn him!" Draco shouted, but Professor Karadhras hushed him.
"What happened next, Alysia?"
Alysia furrowed her brow as if it was hard to remember. "He brought me up to a tower. Said that I was a 'valuable commodity.' I didn't ask him what he meant. I didn't need to. He started asking me questions, like if I knew where Dad was and something about some amulet. I didn't know what he was talking about and said so, but he wasn't satisfied. He grabbed my arm and twisted it hard, and he hit me a couple times. I don't remember. I passed out after a while. When I woke up, he was still there, telling me that he'd be bringing me to Voldemort at nightfall. And then he left. I suppose he thought I was trapped."
She sighed heavily. "I knew I had to get out. So I transformed into my falcon form. My wing was broken, so I wasn't sure how I would fly out of there. But I knew I should try. And then. . ." she looked at Draco, "two of your eagle owls reached the window. They said they sensed I was in danger and came to help me escape. I passed out moments after we left. . .and now I am here."
"And you're alright," Professor Karadhras added with a grateful sigh.
"And just in time for Christmas!" Everyone looked up to see Professor Dumbledore smiling at the scene. "Miss Karadhras, you needn't repeat the story of your ordeal for me. I heard it all."
"Is something going to be done this time, Professor, or shall we all sit back and watch?" Professor Karadhras asked, a little coldly.
"Anaral, if there was anything I could do, I would be doing it. Unfortunately, Lucius Malfoy is paying off nearly every person who could send him to Azkaban. Right now, the best I can do is tell you to simply enjoy your Christmas." Professor Karadhras dropped her gaze crossly. "I assume the old crowd will be there?"
Professor Karadhras looked up again. "We're planning on it."
"Send them my best wishes." With that, he was gone. Alysia smiled happily.
"Christmas is nearly here, isn't it?" She stretched her arms over her head. "Oh, I do love Christmas."
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A/N: Finally, I've reached Christmas! I love Christmas. I also love other people's perspectives, but I think it's time for Alysia again. Don't expect much excitement next chapter, unless you consider Christmas to be terribly exciting. We will, however, learn a bit more about how Alysia grew up.
Thanks for the reviews! Keep it up. . .they make me smile! :)
