Never Lose Me
Chapter Twenty-One: Intentions
A/N: Yet again, I do not own J.K. Rowling's marvelous story and characters. The only character I own is Rhane (pronounced 'Rain') The story's a bit twisted, to warn you-and kinda long. Or at least, it will be. I hope. lol^_^ Please review, and if you must criticize, do it CONSTRUCTIVELY, k? Nothing like, 'oh, Snape's ICKY, no girl would ever go after him.' Or anything like that, k? K. ^_^ Papa Roach is very inspiring, especially the new cd..^_____^ Oh, yes, and in this fic, Draco isn't exactly EVIL, per say.just very, very disturbed, twisted, obsessed and sadistic. ^_^. ^_^'^_^YES it's disturbing, and YES it'll probably get worse.^_^' Please don't review and tell me I'm sick or anything for any of these chapters- after all, it would seem quite silly to have Draco be sadistic and all and not try anything like that on Rhane, you know. Besides, if you've gotten this far, you must not really mind disturbingness. ^_^ Oh, and all poems in these stories, I wrote. (My Creative Writing teacher tells me my poetry is 'gothic'..) ^_^ O_o Whee, I love writing about characters with MPD!! ((Multiple Personality Disorder))^__________^ Eeeps. Sorry bout not writing- --I was putting up Christmas things this weekend, as well as attending the play Arsenic and Old Lace.^_^ And visiting.^_^
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'Predictions and Prosecutions, When can I ever wash my hands of this? Lies and Destructions, With my feelings something is amiss.
Blood and Darkness, Why do you claim to love me? Confusion and Mess, I don't understand why a foot ahead of me I cannot see.
Chaos and Emotion, What is the matter with my heart? Pity and Fun, I've got a strange feeling that I don't even want to start.
Who is telling lies here, who is the innocent in this tangled web of life? Who should run and who should fall? Why does it always seem that someone feels full of strife? Why do I feel like I haven't opened my eyes to it all? What is it that makes me wonder why you want ME as a wife? What is it that keeps me sane, keeps me from letting myself fall? I don't know myself anymore.
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Rhane stared, unfocused, at the ceiling for several moments before remembering that she was at school, and should be getting up and dressing, preferably right away. Leaping from her warm, cozy bed, she shivered as her feet hit the cold floor. Dressing quickly, Rhane pulled on her uniform and robe, brushing her hair as well as she could manage and pulling it back. The Gryffindor girl grabbed her back of books-and sketchbook-and all but ran from the room, running smack into Draco, dropping all of her things as she fell to the floor.
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Draco looked quite startled, still wincing from the pain of such impact against his still-tender, bruised skin. After he managed to bring himself back out of the pain, he extended a hand to Rhane, in order to help her to her feet. 'Whatever was she doing, leaving with such haste? I am merely here to make sure that foolish idiot who is---stalking her, or whatever- doesn't show up or leave her anything else in the halls. I have a RIGHT to be here, and she runs right into me! Ah, well, I can escort her to our class, then, I suppose.'
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Rhane stared for a moment at the slim, fragile, pale hand extended towards her, then slowly took it. 'His hand even has scars.' She realized, with a bit of puzzlement and curiosity. 'Whatever would have made them? Surely not a whip---a knife or some blade, perhaps?' The thought of that sort of torture-abuse made her shiver and wince inside, almost feeling the edge of such a thing sliding across her own flesh, her vivid imagination well at work. 'And his hands are so terribly warm, as well. I suppose he is still sick, as well, then. I pity him when he is being so---so---.' Her mind, however, was not allowed to think anymore, as Draco drew her up and yet did not release her hand. Finally, after several moments of standing there, Rhane realized the Slytherin still held her hand and pulled away, mumbling about 'getting her books and bag from the ground.' Once they were gathered, she made sure to hold the sketchbook in one hand and the bag of schoolbooks in the other, so that neither hand was free. This did not, however, save her from Draco's hooking his arm in hers, and proceeding to lead her to class in this manner. 'Oh, dear---what shall people think? What shall SNAPE think? Oh, this is not any good, I know it isn't---.'
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Although the entrance to the classroom did inspire a flurry of whispers and a worried look from the Professor aimed at Rhane, the day seemed to be going well. Rhane spent several classes searching the students with her eyes, looking for someone who might be the mystery boy who sent her letters and gifts. By noon, she had almost given up. Then Rhane walked into her dead-end hall. ************************************************************************
There, on the wall, two letters were taped-one in a green envelope, the other in a black one. Rhane stared. She walked up to the wall and took down both letters, noticing that the black one had already been opened, which caused her skin to pale to almost white. Draco, then, had read the letter as he'd said he would do, if given the opportunity. The girl dreaded to read the jealous Slytherin boy's letter, but knew that she would, once the mystery letter was read. So thinking, Rhane opened the black envelope and pulled out the letter on its black paper.
*** Rhane, dearest of all that is dear, *** I hope you realize that my intentions are good, I do love you, though we may or may not have ever met. I cannot say that I like the company you keep-Draco and the Potions Master, whom I was warned of long ago-but I know you have no choice. You will love me as I do you, if only you solve the mystery, if only you realize who I am. Here is a little clue-meet me by the gardens at midnight, perhaps I will even let you see me. Perhaps you will just hear my voice and have only a small clue to use in your hunt. We shall see, won't we? *** The one who loves you with everything in him, to his very bones. ***
Rhane shivered slightly-should she go? Perhaps she had better read Draco's letter. Rhane broke the seal quickly and pulled out the letter within, with its elegant handwriting that she recognized as the Slytherin's instantly.
*** Rhane *** I read the letter, and urge you not to go. You know nothing of this person, it could be anyone, it could be someone---someone even worse than ME. I know I am not anyone to listen to, with the way I treat you, but please, allow me to go, to see who this is. Please. *** Draco ***
Her skin truly had gone white now-the color of a fresh bedsheet, the white of the purest of snows. Rhane was unconsciously clenching the letters so tightly that her knuckles were white as well, and mumbling under her breath. Her mind was ticking incredibly fast, as she tried to discern what she should do. 'Draco shouldn't go-he might become involved in a wizard duel or a brute fight, and then---he's in no shape for such a thing! He would be killed! But---why does that worry me so? If he is killed, is not that one problem-one OBSTACLE- removed from my blissful union with Severus? I do not---I do not understand WHAT is wrong with me, but Draco simply CANNOT go alone. But it is no use telling HIM that, prideful creature that he is! I shall have to follow in secret---oh, this is a FINE mess.'
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Draco stood up and walked slowly, with all silence, from the Slytherin Common Room fifteen minutes before midnight. He found his way to the gardens immediately and called out his challenge. "YOU! Where are you? I challenge you to come out, and show yourself!" His voice was strong, yet soft at the same time, and he was surprised at the speedy response, from right nearby.
"Why, Draco, where is Rhane? I NEVER asked YOU to come, I am sure. Just Rhane---only Rhane. Why are YOU here? A face appeared before him, pale and cold as ice. He knew the face, and cursed bitterly inside.
"Come on, then, what do YOU want? A fight?" He forced himself to sound dangerous, which wasn't hard, for though he knew he was in no shape to fight, Draco was enraged and upset at this particular turn of events. After all-he might have been friends with this particular pillar of society, had the strange nobleman not suddenly gone into a reclusive state that involved a lot of masochistic tendencies, as well as a few other tendencies Draco had refused to be involved in.
"Perhaps I do, though you look as though I shall win this fight, so I won't consider it a fair enough one to win Rhane with. Perhaps that fight shall be later, yes, old friend?"
Draco winced. "Perhaps. Name your battle."
The purring, dark voice whispered as if considering the matter. "Hmmmm--- wizard's duel or physical brawl? Hmm-hmmm-hmm---I take physical brawl, if it's all the same." Suddenly, without warning, that other, tall, lithe form was right next to Draco, one hand around the Slytherin's throat.
"Hmmm-it looks as if you have bruises, Draco. I never knew you were into that sort of thing, or I'd have never made that other sort of offer. Two masochists make poor friends, though I'd have guessed you a sadist----or are you sadomasochistic?" His voice was taunting, a hidden hint of mirth within. Holding Draco up by his throat, he proceeded to hit him repeatedly about the shoulders and chest, causing gurgles of pain. Laughing with a hint of glee, he looked straight into the boy's silvery eyes with his own dark violet ones. "Well, well. Perhaps this is too easy. Is this too easy?" Draco, of course, could not respond, but he tried to reach the other boy's throat with his hands, weakly clawing the air.
A voice shattered the silence, breaking the night into a billion pieces. The other boy, startled, dropped Draco, looking around. "Dear, dear---the lovely Rhane has arrived---to rescue you? I think not. Ah, well, she has anyways. I will not let her see me yet, certainly not let her see me inflicting pain on you, worthless though you are. I love her, too, you know, and I intend to win her. I will not be as foolish as you." He vanished into the shadows, the blackness of his clothing blending easily into the hues of midnight.
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Within a few moments, Rhane was standing, then kneeling, over Draco's limp, gasping body. His neck had a bruise very much like a handprint around it, and several wounds and welts had reopened and were bleeding. Rhane stared in shock, even more stunned at the tears forming in her eyes. 'This is all my fault.' Carfully, she tried to lift Draco into a sitting position, and noticed his mouth was slightly bloody-had he coughed up blood? That was not a good sign, she knew. Yet---it was too late at night to bring him to Madame Pomfrey. Sighing, Rhane managed to stand supporting Draco, and slowly steered his battered self into Hogwarts, to the dead-end hallway she normally inhabited at lunch.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner---you have been terribly hurt, all for me." Her conscience would not permit her to think of all the times HE had hurt HER. "I-I'll see what I can do. Wait right here." 'As if he's going anywhere anytime soon. His collarbone looks fractured.' 'I know.' The Gryffindor knew her face was white as a sheet, and so didn't waste any time explaining anything to the Fat Lady, hoping her expression was enough. It was. She gathered to large down comforters and a soft down pillow, as well as a bottle of anti-pain potion and a bottle of cold water. So armed, she made her way back to the hallway, and with the no-nonsense air of a nurse or a mother, she lay one blanket down and helped him to his feet and back down to lay on it, covered him with the other, and placed the pillow under his head. Once this was accomplished, Rhane forced a dose of the potion down his throat as well as some of the water. Finally, he fell asleep--- the potion had helped that a bit, as well---and Rhane, sighing, allowed herself to do the same, sitting up against the wall next to him.
Author's Note: Sorry if it's short. Did you like it?^_^oooh, a bit more is now known about the stalker!lol^_^ Yes, there are some very interesting hints in this chapter.^_^ Hope you enjoy!^_^
Chapter Twenty-One: Intentions
A/N: Yet again, I do not own J.K. Rowling's marvelous story and characters. The only character I own is Rhane (pronounced 'Rain') The story's a bit twisted, to warn you-and kinda long. Or at least, it will be. I hope. lol^_^ Please review, and if you must criticize, do it CONSTRUCTIVELY, k? Nothing like, 'oh, Snape's ICKY, no girl would ever go after him.' Or anything like that, k? K. ^_^ Papa Roach is very inspiring, especially the new cd..^_____^ Oh, yes, and in this fic, Draco isn't exactly EVIL, per say.just very, very disturbed, twisted, obsessed and sadistic. ^_^. ^_^'^_^YES it's disturbing, and YES it'll probably get worse.^_^' Please don't review and tell me I'm sick or anything for any of these chapters- after all, it would seem quite silly to have Draco be sadistic and all and not try anything like that on Rhane, you know. Besides, if you've gotten this far, you must not really mind disturbingness. ^_^ Oh, and all poems in these stories, I wrote. (My Creative Writing teacher tells me my poetry is 'gothic'..) ^_^ O_o Whee, I love writing about characters with MPD!! ((Multiple Personality Disorder))^__________^ Eeeps. Sorry bout not writing- --I was putting up Christmas things this weekend, as well as attending the play Arsenic and Old Lace.^_^ And visiting.^_^
************************************************************************
'Predictions and Prosecutions, When can I ever wash my hands of this? Lies and Destructions, With my feelings something is amiss.
Blood and Darkness, Why do you claim to love me? Confusion and Mess, I don't understand why a foot ahead of me I cannot see.
Chaos and Emotion, What is the matter with my heart? Pity and Fun, I've got a strange feeling that I don't even want to start.
Who is telling lies here, who is the innocent in this tangled web of life? Who should run and who should fall? Why does it always seem that someone feels full of strife? Why do I feel like I haven't opened my eyes to it all? What is it that makes me wonder why you want ME as a wife? What is it that keeps me sane, keeps me from letting myself fall? I don't know myself anymore.
************************************************************************
Rhane stared, unfocused, at the ceiling for several moments before remembering that she was at school, and should be getting up and dressing, preferably right away. Leaping from her warm, cozy bed, she shivered as her feet hit the cold floor. Dressing quickly, Rhane pulled on her uniform and robe, brushing her hair as well as she could manage and pulling it back. The Gryffindor girl grabbed her back of books-and sketchbook-and all but ran from the room, running smack into Draco, dropping all of her things as she fell to the floor.
************************************************************************
Draco looked quite startled, still wincing from the pain of such impact against his still-tender, bruised skin. After he managed to bring himself back out of the pain, he extended a hand to Rhane, in order to help her to her feet. 'Whatever was she doing, leaving with such haste? I am merely here to make sure that foolish idiot who is---stalking her, or whatever- doesn't show up or leave her anything else in the halls. I have a RIGHT to be here, and she runs right into me! Ah, well, I can escort her to our class, then, I suppose.'
************************************************************************
Rhane stared for a moment at the slim, fragile, pale hand extended towards her, then slowly took it. 'His hand even has scars.' She realized, with a bit of puzzlement and curiosity. 'Whatever would have made them? Surely not a whip---a knife or some blade, perhaps?' The thought of that sort of torture-abuse made her shiver and wince inside, almost feeling the edge of such a thing sliding across her own flesh, her vivid imagination well at work. 'And his hands are so terribly warm, as well. I suppose he is still sick, as well, then. I pity him when he is being so---so---.' Her mind, however, was not allowed to think anymore, as Draco drew her up and yet did not release her hand. Finally, after several moments of standing there, Rhane realized the Slytherin still held her hand and pulled away, mumbling about 'getting her books and bag from the ground.' Once they were gathered, she made sure to hold the sketchbook in one hand and the bag of schoolbooks in the other, so that neither hand was free. This did not, however, save her from Draco's hooking his arm in hers, and proceeding to lead her to class in this manner. 'Oh, dear---what shall people think? What shall SNAPE think? Oh, this is not any good, I know it isn't---.'
************************************************************************
Although the entrance to the classroom did inspire a flurry of whispers and a worried look from the Professor aimed at Rhane, the day seemed to be going well. Rhane spent several classes searching the students with her eyes, looking for someone who might be the mystery boy who sent her letters and gifts. By noon, she had almost given up. Then Rhane walked into her dead-end hall. ************************************************************************
There, on the wall, two letters were taped-one in a green envelope, the other in a black one. Rhane stared. She walked up to the wall and took down both letters, noticing that the black one had already been opened, which caused her skin to pale to almost white. Draco, then, had read the letter as he'd said he would do, if given the opportunity. The girl dreaded to read the jealous Slytherin boy's letter, but knew that she would, once the mystery letter was read. So thinking, Rhane opened the black envelope and pulled out the letter on its black paper.
*** Rhane, dearest of all that is dear, *** I hope you realize that my intentions are good, I do love you, though we may or may not have ever met. I cannot say that I like the company you keep-Draco and the Potions Master, whom I was warned of long ago-but I know you have no choice. You will love me as I do you, if only you solve the mystery, if only you realize who I am. Here is a little clue-meet me by the gardens at midnight, perhaps I will even let you see me. Perhaps you will just hear my voice and have only a small clue to use in your hunt. We shall see, won't we? *** The one who loves you with everything in him, to his very bones. ***
Rhane shivered slightly-should she go? Perhaps she had better read Draco's letter. Rhane broke the seal quickly and pulled out the letter within, with its elegant handwriting that she recognized as the Slytherin's instantly.
*** Rhane *** I read the letter, and urge you not to go. You know nothing of this person, it could be anyone, it could be someone---someone even worse than ME. I know I am not anyone to listen to, with the way I treat you, but please, allow me to go, to see who this is. Please. *** Draco ***
Her skin truly had gone white now-the color of a fresh bedsheet, the white of the purest of snows. Rhane was unconsciously clenching the letters so tightly that her knuckles were white as well, and mumbling under her breath. Her mind was ticking incredibly fast, as she tried to discern what she should do. 'Draco shouldn't go-he might become involved in a wizard duel or a brute fight, and then---he's in no shape for such a thing! He would be killed! But---why does that worry me so? If he is killed, is not that one problem-one OBSTACLE- removed from my blissful union with Severus? I do not---I do not understand WHAT is wrong with me, but Draco simply CANNOT go alone. But it is no use telling HIM that, prideful creature that he is! I shall have to follow in secret---oh, this is a FINE mess.'
************************************************************************
Draco stood up and walked slowly, with all silence, from the Slytherin Common Room fifteen minutes before midnight. He found his way to the gardens immediately and called out his challenge. "YOU! Where are you? I challenge you to come out, and show yourself!" His voice was strong, yet soft at the same time, and he was surprised at the speedy response, from right nearby.
"Why, Draco, where is Rhane? I NEVER asked YOU to come, I am sure. Just Rhane---only Rhane. Why are YOU here? A face appeared before him, pale and cold as ice. He knew the face, and cursed bitterly inside.
"Come on, then, what do YOU want? A fight?" He forced himself to sound dangerous, which wasn't hard, for though he knew he was in no shape to fight, Draco was enraged and upset at this particular turn of events. After all-he might have been friends with this particular pillar of society, had the strange nobleman not suddenly gone into a reclusive state that involved a lot of masochistic tendencies, as well as a few other tendencies Draco had refused to be involved in.
"Perhaps I do, though you look as though I shall win this fight, so I won't consider it a fair enough one to win Rhane with. Perhaps that fight shall be later, yes, old friend?"
Draco winced. "Perhaps. Name your battle."
The purring, dark voice whispered as if considering the matter. "Hmmmm--- wizard's duel or physical brawl? Hmm-hmmm-hmm---I take physical brawl, if it's all the same." Suddenly, without warning, that other, tall, lithe form was right next to Draco, one hand around the Slytherin's throat.
"Hmmm-it looks as if you have bruises, Draco. I never knew you were into that sort of thing, or I'd have never made that other sort of offer. Two masochists make poor friends, though I'd have guessed you a sadist----or are you sadomasochistic?" His voice was taunting, a hidden hint of mirth within. Holding Draco up by his throat, he proceeded to hit him repeatedly about the shoulders and chest, causing gurgles of pain. Laughing with a hint of glee, he looked straight into the boy's silvery eyes with his own dark violet ones. "Well, well. Perhaps this is too easy. Is this too easy?" Draco, of course, could not respond, but he tried to reach the other boy's throat with his hands, weakly clawing the air.
A voice shattered the silence, breaking the night into a billion pieces. The other boy, startled, dropped Draco, looking around. "Dear, dear---the lovely Rhane has arrived---to rescue you? I think not. Ah, well, she has anyways. I will not let her see me yet, certainly not let her see me inflicting pain on you, worthless though you are. I love her, too, you know, and I intend to win her. I will not be as foolish as you." He vanished into the shadows, the blackness of his clothing blending easily into the hues of midnight.
************************************************************************
Within a few moments, Rhane was standing, then kneeling, over Draco's limp, gasping body. His neck had a bruise very much like a handprint around it, and several wounds and welts had reopened and were bleeding. Rhane stared in shock, even more stunned at the tears forming in her eyes. 'This is all my fault.' Carfully, she tried to lift Draco into a sitting position, and noticed his mouth was slightly bloody-had he coughed up blood? That was not a good sign, she knew. Yet---it was too late at night to bring him to Madame Pomfrey. Sighing, Rhane managed to stand supporting Draco, and slowly steered his battered self into Hogwarts, to the dead-end hallway she normally inhabited at lunch.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner---you have been terribly hurt, all for me." Her conscience would not permit her to think of all the times HE had hurt HER. "I-I'll see what I can do. Wait right here." 'As if he's going anywhere anytime soon. His collarbone looks fractured.' 'I know.' The Gryffindor knew her face was white as a sheet, and so didn't waste any time explaining anything to the Fat Lady, hoping her expression was enough. It was. She gathered to large down comforters and a soft down pillow, as well as a bottle of anti-pain potion and a bottle of cold water. So armed, she made her way back to the hallway, and with the no-nonsense air of a nurse or a mother, she lay one blanket down and helped him to his feet and back down to lay on it, covered him with the other, and placed the pillow under his head. Once this was accomplished, Rhane forced a dose of the potion down his throat as well as some of the water. Finally, he fell asleep--- the potion had helped that a bit, as well---and Rhane, sighing, allowed herself to do the same, sitting up against the wall next to him.
Author's Note: Sorry if it's short. Did you like it?^_^oooh, a bit more is now known about the stalker!lol^_^ Yes, there are some very interesting hints in this chapter.^_^ Hope you enjoy!^_^