Chapter Seven: Pain

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Disclaimer: I understand the legal reason for putting these in everything that we write, but is it really that necessary? I think that both you and I know that I am neither J.K. Rollings NOR Warner Bros. If so, I'd be rolling in cash by now. And I'm not.

Um. Please continue.

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I had never known bliss before. It was an emotion that was merely a word to me, much like love had been, much like happiness had been. Now, with Gemini, I know all three of these in great amounts. It's enough to make me stare off into nowhere, smiling and thinking of her.

Gods, I'm such a sap these days. My father would've hated it. Pardon me if I smile.

New Years was a great celebration, all and all. I think that my fellow Slytherins are finally beginning to notice that my affections – if that is what they were - have strayed away from Pansy. I mean, gods, I've only hung out with Potter and Weasley and Granger for three days in a row – willingly! I guess I never noticed how truly dense my house really is.

It's not to say that I have completely buried the hatchet with Weasley and Potter. I mean, I still hate the Golden Child, and I'm not too overly fond of the boy who dated Gemini for two years. What I can't deny is that Weasley plays a mean game of Chess. Malfoy's are born strategists and planners, but as far as Weasley plays, we are almost evenly matched. Potter, the blasted saint he's reputed be, has a wonderfully wicked sense of sarcasm and humour. As for Granger, I think that I really didn't like her because she is highest in our class, and I felt that I had to beat her. That idea doesn't bother me anymore, so I have the suspicion that it was a notion bourn of my father. Besides, I'm still better at potions than she is. Slightly, yes, but I still have the satisfaction of near perfection.

Classes have started again, with no unusual disruptions or mishaps. Well…I can't really say that.

In herbology the other day, I was paired up with a Slytherin fifth year that had dark features and an even darker background. His mother and father are two death eaters that were friends of my father's. They were in hiding now, but they had always managed to keep the lord of Malfoy manor perfectly informed on the matters of the dark wizards.

"I don't know who you are trying to kid around, Malfoy, but He wouldn't like it if he heard about it." Felix Zachary was the fifth year's name.

"I haven't the faintest notion what you're talking about." I retorted.

Zachary snorted. "Stuff it, Malfoy. This Gryffindor girl? You hanging around the Boy Who Lived? When He hears about it, He'll either come and set you straight, or He'll get rid of you."

"He's dead, Zachary. I can do what I bloody well please."

Zachary growled and I suddenly wondered if rejecting his words were such a prudent idea. Even though he was a year younger than I was, he was taller, stronger and all-around bigger than I am. The image of me squirming on the ground, while he milled his foot into my face suddenly appeared in my vision.

"Blood is binding, Malfoy, and he has a little bit of yours." Zachary was almost snarling at me, throwing my own words unknowingly into my face. "He has the blood of many, and as long as there are hundreds of us still loyal to him, he will live again and again."

I vaguely noted that this was going to be quite a pain in the ass for Potter, in the future.

"Malfoy…you better be listening to me."

"I am, Zachary, and I can only say this;" I don't know what possessed me. Perhaps being free of one's father made you suddenly reckless or something. "I will see the third rising of Voldemort, and I will be there to turn my back on him."

I don't know what part of what I said made Zachary shut up, but he did. I was left alone to my thoughts, and he was left to his.

My days of happy-go-luck attitude were many, and I barely noticed as the weeks flew by. Quidditch was heaven, Gemini was paradise, and my house hated me. All right, so maybe the last one doesn't sound too great, but I finally realized what my house was; dark wizards, evil and unpleasant, unified by their hate for everything. I'm not saying that I'm still not pleasant to anyone, but I'm actually getting hi's in the hallways of the castles. The Ravenclaw's are a little more cautious, but they don't sneer at me so much. And it's not to say that I like everyone and everything, that I like all the Gryffindors (I still can't stand some of them, though I find Weasley brothers quite amusing) and that I want to grow up and be an Auror for the Ministry. No. I'm still me, dammit, but I've just learned to like, to smile, to love.

Valentine's day is coming, and I can't help but quiver in anticipation. I plan to sweep Gemini off her feet, and still make the girls of Hogwarts sigh with envy. (See – not all goody-two-shoes.) To complete this, I even asked Potter for a favour. Yes, I know, but this is for Gemini. I'd walk down the Great Hall in nothing but my knickers for her. Say…what a delicious idea…ah…never mind… The only let down of this period of time was certain happenings that made me realize how the defenceless must feel.

When I entered the Slytherin commons room the day before Valentine's Day, I didn't even see the several people hiding in the shadows. The only thing that I knew was that there were several of them, robes hiding their identities. A kick behind my knees brought me to the floor, hands holding my arms behind me.

"This will teach you to turn your back on us," came a deep voice to my left. Someone punched me in the gut, knocking the breath from my lungs. Another hit the side of my head, nearly blinding me. I actually saw stars.

I don't know how long they kept at it, but by the time they were done, my senses were reeling, I could barely thing, and I had to bite clear through my lip to keep from yelling. It was a futile victory, but one that I relished none-the-less.

They dumped me on my bed in the dorms, pulling the curtain mercifully closed. There, I curled into a tight ball, gasping into my pillows and dragging silk sheets over my bruised body. Limbs throbbing and muscles screaming, I fell into a troubled sleep, images of Gemini being next taunting me.

Though marks were left where clothes could hide them, I had been trashed thoroughly, and found not the strength to attend classes. The next day I spent the long hours planning for the evening, and healing what bruises I found with an intermediate healing charm. I knew nothing that was any more advanced. It was Valentine's Day, and I wanted nothing to ruin it for Gemini and myself. I could ponder revenge later when I was in top form.

Slowly I climbed the hill leading to a tree by the lake. I was still aching, but I would break every bone in my body before appearing weak before Gemini. I knew that sometime during the day, a hundred doves had appeared and showered her with red roses. Also, I knew that a centaur had entered the Great Hall at noon to recite some rather lovely poetry and give her an invitation to a private picnic on the grounds. Normally it would be hard to even talk to a centaur, with them dribbling astrological nonsense and such, but despite what people may think, I am rather good with divination. I actually understand what the heck they're talking about.

I grinned at her saucily when she arrived, holding up two glasses and a bottle of red wine. Harry had gotten a bottle for me, escaping to Hogsmeade on a super secret run a few nights before. Bless him for that. Gemini was more affectionate than usual, showering me with thank-yous for a most memorable Valentine's. We ate the picnic dinner I collected from the kitchens, and sat comfortable in the starlight and moonlight of the early dusk. There were slower, lingering kisses, and gentle caresses, but caught up in the moment, I couldn't help but restrain a wince as Gemini ran her fingers over a bruise that I had managed to miss.

Frowning, she lifted my shirt, seeing the purpling flesh on my side. "Where did you get that?" She asked with concern.

I pushed away her hands, drawing my shirt back down. "It's nothing-I was being clumsy."

"You're anything but clumsy." She replied, smoothing a stray lock of hair away from my eyes. "Why weren't you in classes today?"

I shrugged. "I was planning surprises for you." I leaned in to kiss her again. "You did like them, right?"

"Yes, of course, but..." She pulled back from my advances. "Is there something that you aren't telling me?"

I shot her what I hoped was a reassuring smile. "Would I lie to you?"

Gemini hesitated. "No…I guess not."

A pang resonated in my heart as I held her. It wasn't the fact that I was lying to her, but rather the fact that she had hesitated when I asked her…

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Draco, absently whistling to himself, strode down the hallway. He had just come from the library, after acquiring help from Hermione with transfiguration homework. It was getting increasingly easier to ask for help from people.

The flapping of a wall banner warned him of a presence, but Draco was knocked to the ground none-the-less. Instinctively lashing back with a kick, he was rewarded with a low grunt of pain.

A hand grabbed hold of his shirt collar jerking him to his feet. Draco came face-to-face with Nicolas Markstone of the Slytherin Quidditch Team. 

"What do you want, Markstone?" Draco demanded.

Markstone sneered at him.  "Give up the Gryffindor, Malfoy."

"Never."

"Stubborn ass." The stronger boy dropped him. "The team and I have unanimously agreed."

"On what?"

"You're off the team."

"What?" Draco exclaimed, eyes wide. "Who's your new seeker, then?"

"Jackson Lockwood."

"Lockwood?" Draco said incredulously. "The guy couldn't catch gnomes, let alone the snitch!"

"He's loyal to the team." Markstone said sharply. "Unlike you. We already warned you, Malfoy." He turned and disappeared into the shadows. "It was your call."

Draco's hands fisted in the rug on the floor. He was off the team. No more Quidditch games. He was off the bloody team.

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Things for Draco are getting darker, now that he has 'switched sides.' He sees why life is so hard for the good guys, and how hard things are when you have no one to fight for you, and you have to roll with the punches yourself.

Poor Draco.

Oh, as well, I have a Valentine's Day fic posted called Aphrodisiac. It's a yaoi (guy/guy) of Draco and Harry. I hope that you check it out!

OracleVortex

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