Author's Note: What can I say about my absence? Writers bock, college, writing a Sailor Moon story for a friend of mine. Many things have been going on in my life and unfortunately, it took me away from here. However, I am back with cookies and a new chapter. No promises though on continuous updates. I just promise to try to keep them coming as often as I can!
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING! Move on and sue someone who forgets to say this all the time!
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Oliver stood by his window bathed in moonlight; the packet Mags had pushed into his hand was sitting next to his bed. Thoughts flowed through him. He had to protect her. She who could take care of the world, but could not remember to take care of her. She was so used to putting everyone else first. Her words earlier haunted him… 'Die on me and I will never forgive you.' Never was a long time…
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Come on in." he called forgetting momentarily that the person on the other side would need a password to get in.
"Um, genius? I do not know your password." Came Mags' voice through the painting.
He opened it to find her leaning against the wall with a sad smile playing on her lips. Her golden hair tumbling around her shoulders and paperwork in her arms, "We have work to do for the parenting event." She said as she brushed past him and into his room.
"Please come in Mags. Really! I mean it." He said as he closed the door and rolled his eyes. Those same eyes that moments later could not get over the sight she made in her long gown and robe. Her green eyes full of knowledge that she should not have finished off the wounded heroine look she had that night. He walked over to her and quietly took the paper away from her. Putting it off to the side and stroking her cheek.
"We have time later. What is wrong?" he asked with concern.
"What's wrong? What is right? All I wanted was to be left alone! TO live the rest of my life without having to take another's or to just be me. But I can't ever do that! Ever! And then I come here and I meet you. I feel things I have not felt since he died. You make feel alive. And then you go and sign up on the list. Damn you for making the pain come back. How am I supposed to fight when all I can think about if you and if you are okay?"
Her angry sobs tore him up, "Mags, I need to be there. Standing there with you. With everyone. You two are not alone anymore. You have us, and I must say the students of Hogwarts are stronger than you think. I am stronger than you think."
He went to her and pulled her into his arms. She resisted for a moment then gave in to the comfort he offered. If only for a while she did not want to be alone. Her lips met his desperately, wanting to tell him what she couldn't not say in words. As one, they fell back onto his bed.
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Hermione sat in her room looking out the window. Moonlight danced on the water of the lake as tears blurred her vision. All of them were on the list. Every one of her friends was on that damned list. And they were all sure they were doing the right thing. Damn them all the loyal, brave gits that they were!
Draco stood in her doorway watching her with a concerned look in his silvery blue eyes. He watched as the hot tears spilled down her cheeks silently. Gone were the loud sobs of childhood. Replaced by the quiet mourning of deaths that had yet to be, and some that had happened years ago. He went and pulled into his arms.
"I am falling in love with you." She whispered.
"I am already in love with you. We will make it through this. I promise."
"You promise?! Oh, I feel so much better knowing that! Let me run and tell Mags that we have nothing to fear because you PROMISED. The same Michael always promised her the same thing…until he DIED. Or what about everyone else I have had to watch fall in battle. Draco if you die on me…"
She stood and glared at him; hurt, worry, fear, and love were battling her in mind and in her eyes. Tears now dry started up again with renewed vigor.
"I do not plan to die on you Granger. In fact, I was fully planning to not do that until we were in our 90's! I just need to be there and take care of you the same way I am sure Woods is planning to take care of your cousin. You two take care of everyone else that you never take care of yourselves. So we are here to do that." Draco said reaching out for her, but she moved away beyond his reach.
"You think it is that easy? That all you have to do is fight, win, and it ends? IT NEVER ENDS! NEVER! You think it is okay, to live and be happy again and then it happens. If I could find him right now I would battle Voldemort all by myself so no one else would die. Have you ever seen someone die Draco? Have you ever heard them beg you to use dark magic to keep them alive long enough to say good by to their loved ones. And to have to say no only to see them weep as the life pours out? I have. And I will be damned if I have to live through that again." Hermione shouted, her voice breaking and finishing as an anguished whisper.
Draco was suddenly in front of her, kissing the tears from her eyes. She sat there in silence, not moving, just feeling his presence near her. Feeling his warmth seep into her. Making her eyes open to look deep into his and realizing that the world was not ending…at least not yet…
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Oliver traced her soft skin in the flickering candlelight. His lips followed his fingers as Mags moaned under him. Her eyes were half closed as the lay half naked on his bed. They both knew what was going to happen tonight…and they both were determined to enjoy every second. Her fingers danced along his spine; sending shivers of pleasure throughout his body. They kissed softly, savoring the taste and feel of each other.
"I love you…you know that." He whispered in the semi-dark room. He missed the tears that almost spilled over onto her passion flushed cheeks.
"I know, and I hope you know that the feeling is mutual." He whispered before seizing control and rolling them both over, so that she was on top. Her hands stroked his chest and her lips laid a path of hot wet caresses down his body. The air felt cool against his skin. She winked at him as she rose and let the gown slide to a silken pool at her feet. The candlelight made her seem more goddess than human. The light danced on her as she resumed the removal of his pj bottoms. Then her chest brushed against him and he lost all train of thought.
Together they got lost in each other. The world seemed to stop spinning just for them. The touches and the kisses. The sounds and the silence. It was all for them… just for them.
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Draco smiled as he felt Hermione sleep on his chest. Her breath warm and her snuggling up against him was the sweetest feeling ever. Then she grew tense and sat straight up. She turned and looked at him. Her eyes were full of anger, "They are here?"
"Who is here love? I don't understand…" Draco said following her out of the room.
"My ring is tingling, that means danger is near me. Which I will assume means Death Eaters." She said storming to Mags' rooms.
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Mags lay in Oliver's arms. Feeling safe and loved. For the first time since that horrible night… Then she felt it. Her ring tingled on her finger. She grew pale and her eyes went hard.
"Damn them all to hell!" she muttered, slipping out of bed to get her gown and robe.
Oliver looked at her, "What are you talking about?"
"My ring is tingling. That is never good. I have to go find Mione."
Just then, a scream went out from down the hall. Then seconds later someone was pounding on Oliver's door. Mags answered it to find a hysterical Mione on the other side.
"Why the hell weren't you in your room?" she demanded, her eyes losing the terror but not the anger.
"I will assume you felt it too? You know what this means..?"
"Let's go…"
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The two Valkyries awaked Dumbledore. He was surprised to see them dressed all in black and looking angrier than he had ever seen either of them.
"What has happened ladies." He asked fearing the worst.
"There is a small issue. Our rings are tingling. Which means evil is here. Not full scale invasion evil, but still evil. Can you get everyone in one place while we search?" asked Mags with weary eyes.
"I suppose the Great Hall will be the most convenient…" he muttered, "Give us 20 minutes." And with that, he was gone.
Mags and Mione shared a look and went to start in the great hall… Soon it was lit and students were flowing in. They stood all in black in front of the Hall. Mione stepped forward once the door closed signaling everyone was there.
"I hate to say this, you have no idea how much I hate to say this. You all have to stay in here for the night. Our rings are tingling which means evil, which means BIG search. Which will go faster if we are not worried about you all." She looked at Mags, "Did I miss anything?"
"Nope, just everyone stay in here. Head Boy and Head girl are in charge. The professors have offered to help." And with that, they faded from view.
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Mags and Mione took the Dungeons. They were looking everywhere, and getting very disgusted by the filth.
"I know they are Dungeons and all, but really! Soap is a good too!" muttered Mags in disgust.
"Very true but this is Snape's domain..," Mione said with a teasing grin.
"That explains more than you know…"
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Draco was getting antsy. This whole Mione out there hunting for evil without him thing was not working well. In fact, it was driving him nuts. He walked over to Oliver and sat down.
"Think we can get out of here and get to them?" he muttered.
"I wish. I tried the side door already and they are charmed shut." He said under his breath as Harry and Ron came up to them.
"All the secret hallways we know of are locked. We do know they are in the basement though. But that s also where al the unlabeled dots are." Harry said holding out the Marauders map with a sigh.
"S basically we are screwed gentlemen?" Oliver groaned.
"Yup." The other three chorused.
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"Shhh! Look!" whispered Mags suddenly.
Ahead of them was a large cauldron boiling and two hooded men were dealing with it. They exchanged a look and drew their wands. Then the oddest thing happened the whole thing vanished. The two girls exchanged looks and darted back to get Harry's map.
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"Guys since when was there a cauldron and two death Eaters in the Great hall?" asked Harry looking at it as if it was some sort of a dream.
"I dunno, why?" asked Ron, then he looked up, "Holy Cricket! Where did they come from?"
Then the doors opened, Mags, and Mione walked in with wands drawn.
"Aww, look Mags they thought they could find. Isn't that sweet?" Mione said in a cold voice,
"Very. Usually it is hunt, kill, party with these guys. Good to know that they still now a good potion." she said Hopping up on a head table. She looked over at the cauldron and rolled her eyes pointed her wand and mutters something. IT was instantly covered in ice. Mione pointed hers and muttered and it shattered. Then they grinned at each other as the two angry Death Eaters faced them.
"You want Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Duh?" Mags asked.
"I will take tall dark and dumb." She replied aiming her first hex.
"Pardon me, but I am tired so I am going to do this the easy way." Mags said with an apologetic smile.
"And how is that little girl?" hissed the Death Eater.
Mags raised her eyebrows, walked over to him and punched him in the nose, "I am not little! 5'9 is a perfectly average height you troll."
Mione cracked up as she dodged a hex. She glared over her shoulder and hexed him right back, " You know what is sad Mags? They used to take pride in the kill. Now it is all point and mutter." She shook her head in mock sadness.
The student body watched as the two girls easily fought the Death Eaters. However, they seemed to be toying with them more than fighting. Soon they were backed into a corner.
"Now, Mags which one do you think we can trust to take a message back to Big Ugly Snake Guy?" Mione asked tilting her head slightly.
"Say his name reverently you twit!' bellowed a Death Eater.
Her voice grew colder, "Listen to me you little prat. You just volunteered. Tell him that we are back, and anyone who messes with this school, OR ANY STUDENT OR FACULTY MEMBER, is going to go straight to Azkaban." She said aiming her wand…she muttered "Abscedo Voldemort." In a flash of light, he was gone.
"Who are you two?" the second one said in awe, "Your forces will be welcomed when he takes you."
Mags and Mione exchanged a stunned look, "We are the Valkyries."
The Death Eater scoffed, "Those two twits died. Which was really to bad since the rings they had were so very powerful…"
They rolled their eyes and held up the ring for him to see and then said in one loud clear voice, "Abscedo AZKABAN." And he was gone.
"Mione broke the silence, "If we were dead you think there would be a memo or something."
"I told you we should have just gone to live on an island and drank fruity rum drinks in the sand." Mags muttered as the turned to leave.
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AN: I know it has been forever…but writers block on this story line just was hell. Plus I started a Sailor Moon story as a gift for a friend….oh boy! Hope you all like it!