Chapter Seventeen
Yay, we broke a hundred reviews! Awesome... Thanks everyone :o) I want to announce the opening of a Harry Potter fanfiction archieve (that took forever to make, so visit, please?) : http://www.angelfire.com/wizard/hpfanfic0/ . It's not very extensive at all at the moment, but with your suggestions, help, and ideas, it could quickly become one of the most complete Harry Potter fanfction databases on the web. Feel free to suggest a link (please?)... It'll help us out a great deal.
Thanks again!!
Aimée
I didn't see Draco that night, nor the night after. After waking up to an empty flat for the second time since Ethan's unexpected visit, the emptiness of the home nagged me constantly with worry as a constant companion. I tried desperately to take my mind off of what could have become of him, but it was all in vain.
Had he heard Ethan and I's argument? Did he think I didn't love him? He couldn't have been more wrong – I loved him so much it should have been illegal, but even then that wouldn't have stopped me from being with him. I knew it was selfish of me, to try to have the best of two worlds, but I saw no other alternative.
It was either live my life with Draco and have my family shun me, or to lose Draco and gain my family and a wife I wasn't so sure I was ready for. Cassandra was an exact duplicate of a reporter I had the misfortune of meeting once or twice before, by the name of Rita Skeeter. I saw the good in Cassandra, however, even though I wasn't quite sure if she truly loved me.
She loved my fame, my fortune, and my status, of course – but to love the true me was something I was sure only Draco was capable of, something no mere human could even attempt. Draco wasn't mere or ordinary by any standards – he was my beacon of hope, there to guide me home if needed be. This was the time, but I was far too reluctant to give up my family all because of a prejudice against Draco and I.
Ethan was right; I was hurting Draco and I needed to stop. I wanted to see him again so badly I considered contacting Remus to see if he had known where Draco was – a danger upon itself with the fact if something had happened to him, it would start a panic bigger than he would have wanted.
Cassandra came to me the third night with a secretive smile and a bottom of wine, determined to prove her love to me. We had a romantic dinner, complete with a candle, and afterwards spent the evening in front of the fire, talking in hushed tones of the marriage we were both anticipating – she with joy and I with confusion.
"Who are you planning on having as the best man? You still haven't asked anyone, Harry, and you know I want this wedding to be as quick and as pain free as possible."
Her knees were drawn up to her chest and her head was in my lap while my fingers absentmindedly ran through her hair as she asked this question, one of which I wasn't sure of the answer as of yet.
"I want Draco," I said quietly, "to be Best Man – but I'm not too sure he'll agree. Ron would accept, of course, but I don't think he'd be too thrilled to leave Hermione with Elizabeth for too long."
Elizabeth was Hermione and Ron's two week old daughter, and my Goddaughter. With flaming red hair and mischievous brown eyes, there was no mistaking her – she was most definitely a Weasley.
"My brother would be glad to fill in the position if you can't find anyone," she offered sweetly, running her carefully manicured hand up and down my thigh. "That is, if you don't mind."
I sighed, "It's fine, if I can't find anyone. I'm not so sure Draco will agree, really, and I don't want to trouble Ron anymore than I have to."
"Harry, dear," she spoke almost harshly, "What is this little obsession with Draco you have? I understand he's your best friend and all, but… You talk about him constantly, and he looked as if you betrayed him when you announced our engagement."
I was startled by her question and didn't quite know how to answer. Instead, I said the first thing that came to mind.
"Haven't you read my autobiography?"
She laughed, "You mean you have a biography out at twenty one years old? Insane, darling…"
"I do," I spoke firmly, removing my hands from her hair and crossing my hairs, eyes locked onto the fire, "And there's quite a few details I'm sure you'd be interested in. I have a copy – would you like to read it?"
"Now?" she asked, slightly surprised, "Of all times? Couldn't I just take it home and read it then?"
"If you insist," I answered, my voice low. I felt her sit up and inch her way towards me, hands setting themselves on my chest, and finally her lips next to mine.
"Do you want me?"
I smirked, "What ever do you mean by that, Cassandra?"
"Why do you call me Cassandra?" she pouted, "Why not Cass, or Cassie even?"
"Because you haven't asked me to," I answered rather pointedly.
"Isn't that the point of pet names?" she inquired, "To not have to ask? To be affectionately called something by your mate?"
"I suppose," I replied, acutely aware of her lips, barely an inch away. I could feel her hot breath on my face, and I was eternally grateful she had brushed her teeth that evening after dinner.
"I'm going to kiss you now," she murmured, giving me a moment to reply.
"If you want," I said carelessly, eyes still focused on the dancing orange flames two meters in front of me. She pressed her lips against mine, cutting off my line of vision to the fire, and ran her hands up and down my chest and crawling into my lap.
A moment later, I heard a loud cough come from in front of me, and without warning I pushed Cassandra off of me. There in the fire was Remus' head, raising his eyebrow and tutting discouragingly.
"Harry, may I have a word with you at the Manor? I believe there's a few things we need to discuss."
I glanced over towards Cassandra, who rolled her eyes and reluctantly nodded, then turned back to Remus, who was glaring towards her.
"Of course – I'll meet you in the drawing room?"
He nodded, and with a burst of flames, was gone. I quickly bid Cassandra goodbye, making sure she was on her way out, and Apparated to the Malfoy's drawing room.
As the walls of the drawing room surrounded me, there was one thing blatantly clear about the discussion Remus wanted to have with me.
There, each sitting on a sofa or armchair, were Remus, my Mum, and –
Draco.
I've lost my faith in everything
I couldn't believe in anything
Until I put my faith in you
Is it a sin is it a crime
To worship somebody all of the time
Anytime, I would do anything for you
I found my heaven right here with you
Believe in me forever, I believe in you
Not just on Sunday, I love you every day and
I fall to my knees every night I pray since
You've come and saved me for all eternity
In the name of the Father and the Son
You are my religion
I wasn't looking for a miracle
Didn't think that love was possible
But your love has made me whole
And I pray that this will never end
You are my lover, my best friend
You took me in and saved my soul
I found my heaven right here with you
Believe in me forever, I believe in you
Not just on Sunday, I love you every day and
I fall to my knees every night I pray since
You've come and saved me for all eternity
In the name of the Father and the Son
You are my religion
Forgive me for the things that I have done
In the name of the Father and the Son
You are my religion*
*Firehouse, My Religion
(And don't forget, http://www.angelfire.com/wizard/hpfanfic0/)
Yay, we broke a hundred reviews! Awesome... Thanks everyone :o) I want to announce the opening of a Harry Potter fanfiction archieve (that took forever to make, so visit, please?) : http://www.angelfire.com/wizard/hpfanfic0/ . It's not very extensive at all at the moment, but with your suggestions, help, and ideas, it could quickly become one of the most complete Harry Potter fanfction databases on the web. Feel free to suggest a link (please?)... It'll help us out a great deal.
Thanks again!!
Aimée
I didn't see Draco that night, nor the night after. After waking up to an empty flat for the second time since Ethan's unexpected visit, the emptiness of the home nagged me constantly with worry as a constant companion. I tried desperately to take my mind off of what could have become of him, but it was all in vain.
Had he heard Ethan and I's argument? Did he think I didn't love him? He couldn't have been more wrong – I loved him so much it should have been illegal, but even then that wouldn't have stopped me from being with him. I knew it was selfish of me, to try to have the best of two worlds, but I saw no other alternative.
It was either live my life with Draco and have my family shun me, or to lose Draco and gain my family and a wife I wasn't so sure I was ready for. Cassandra was an exact duplicate of a reporter I had the misfortune of meeting once or twice before, by the name of Rita Skeeter. I saw the good in Cassandra, however, even though I wasn't quite sure if she truly loved me.
She loved my fame, my fortune, and my status, of course – but to love the true me was something I was sure only Draco was capable of, something no mere human could even attempt. Draco wasn't mere or ordinary by any standards – he was my beacon of hope, there to guide me home if needed be. This was the time, but I was far too reluctant to give up my family all because of a prejudice against Draco and I.
Ethan was right; I was hurting Draco and I needed to stop. I wanted to see him again so badly I considered contacting Remus to see if he had known where Draco was – a danger upon itself with the fact if something had happened to him, it would start a panic bigger than he would have wanted.
Cassandra came to me the third night with a secretive smile and a bottom of wine, determined to prove her love to me. We had a romantic dinner, complete with a candle, and afterwards spent the evening in front of the fire, talking in hushed tones of the marriage we were both anticipating – she with joy and I with confusion.
"Who are you planning on having as the best man? You still haven't asked anyone, Harry, and you know I want this wedding to be as quick and as pain free as possible."
Her knees were drawn up to her chest and her head was in my lap while my fingers absentmindedly ran through her hair as she asked this question, one of which I wasn't sure of the answer as of yet.
"I want Draco," I said quietly, "to be Best Man – but I'm not too sure he'll agree. Ron would accept, of course, but I don't think he'd be too thrilled to leave Hermione with Elizabeth for too long."
Elizabeth was Hermione and Ron's two week old daughter, and my Goddaughter. With flaming red hair and mischievous brown eyes, there was no mistaking her – she was most definitely a Weasley.
"My brother would be glad to fill in the position if you can't find anyone," she offered sweetly, running her carefully manicured hand up and down my thigh. "That is, if you don't mind."
I sighed, "It's fine, if I can't find anyone. I'm not so sure Draco will agree, really, and I don't want to trouble Ron anymore than I have to."
"Harry, dear," she spoke almost harshly, "What is this little obsession with Draco you have? I understand he's your best friend and all, but… You talk about him constantly, and he looked as if you betrayed him when you announced our engagement."
I was startled by her question and didn't quite know how to answer. Instead, I said the first thing that came to mind.
"Haven't you read my autobiography?"
She laughed, "You mean you have a biography out at twenty one years old? Insane, darling…"
"I do," I spoke firmly, removing my hands from her hair and crossing my hairs, eyes locked onto the fire, "And there's quite a few details I'm sure you'd be interested in. I have a copy – would you like to read it?"
"Now?" she asked, slightly surprised, "Of all times? Couldn't I just take it home and read it then?"
"If you insist," I answered, my voice low. I felt her sit up and inch her way towards me, hands setting themselves on my chest, and finally her lips next to mine.
"Do you want me?"
I smirked, "What ever do you mean by that, Cassandra?"
"Why do you call me Cassandra?" she pouted, "Why not Cass, or Cassie even?"
"Because you haven't asked me to," I answered rather pointedly.
"Isn't that the point of pet names?" she inquired, "To not have to ask? To be affectionately called something by your mate?"
"I suppose," I replied, acutely aware of her lips, barely an inch away. I could feel her hot breath on my face, and I was eternally grateful she had brushed her teeth that evening after dinner.
"I'm going to kiss you now," she murmured, giving me a moment to reply.
"If you want," I said carelessly, eyes still focused on the dancing orange flames two meters in front of me. She pressed her lips against mine, cutting off my line of vision to the fire, and ran her hands up and down my chest and crawling into my lap.
A moment later, I heard a loud cough come from in front of me, and without warning I pushed Cassandra off of me. There in the fire was Remus' head, raising his eyebrow and tutting discouragingly.
"Harry, may I have a word with you at the Manor? I believe there's a few things we need to discuss."
I glanced over towards Cassandra, who rolled her eyes and reluctantly nodded, then turned back to Remus, who was glaring towards her.
"Of course – I'll meet you in the drawing room?"
He nodded, and with a burst of flames, was gone. I quickly bid Cassandra goodbye, making sure she was on her way out, and Apparated to the Malfoy's drawing room.
As the walls of the drawing room surrounded me, there was one thing blatantly clear about the discussion Remus wanted to have with me.
There, each sitting on a sofa or armchair, were Remus, my Mum, and –
Draco.
I've lost my faith in everything
I couldn't believe in anything
Until I put my faith in you
Is it a sin is it a crime
To worship somebody all of the time
Anytime, I would do anything for you
I found my heaven right here with you
Believe in me forever, I believe in you
Not just on Sunday, I love you every day and
I fall to my knees every night I pray since
You've come and saved me for all eternity
In the name of the Father and the Son
You are my religion
I wasn't looking for a miracle
Didn't think that love was possible
But your love has made me whole
And I pray that this will never end
You are my lover, my best friend
You took me in and saved my soul
I found my heaven right here with you
Believe in me forever, I believe in you
Not just on Sunday, I love you every day and
I fall to my knees every night I pray since
You've come and saved me for all eternity
In the name of the Father and the Son
You are my religion
Forgive me for the things that I have done
In the name of the Father and the Son
You are my religion*
*Firehouse, My Religion
(And don't forget, http://www.angelfire.com/wizard/hpfanfic0/)