CHAPTER 25
The next weeks went by peacefully. He was a very strict teacher and not liked very much, but he was fair. Most of the Slytherins loved him, or pretended that they did. It was the night before the first Hogsmeade weekend when the unexpected happened.
Kaden had been pondering his new feelings for a certain divination professor. She was beautiful, that was without a doubt. She got along great with Luci and would watch her when no one else could. Kaden had found himself, many times, looking at her soft lips and wondering what it would feel like to kiss her. He rolled his eyes and cursed himself before going to his liquor cabinet.
He spent the next two hours drinking away his thoughts of Trinity. But it didn't work that well. He was completely pissed by the time he decided to go to bed. He walked into his bedroom to discover her couldn't sleep once he lied down. He was happy that Albus was watching Luci tonight. It would be embarrassing for his daughter to see him drunk.
He was almost asleep when the clock struck midnight. The chimes of the grandfather clock bothered him so badly that there was no chance of sleep. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. When he removed his hands and looked towards the door he screamed.
Standing in the doorway was…Hermione. He clutched his chest and drew his wand with his other hand. He aimed it at the figure. "Whoever the hell thought THIS would be funny has gone TOO FAR! You shall be expelled within a second…and if you are a member of MY house…"
Hermione's rich laughter filled the room. She walked towards her husband and stood before him. Kaden could sort of see through her. He screamed again. "KADEN!"
Kaden looked at her in astonishment and she giggled. "Kaden, I need to talk to you."
"But…but you are dead! It…it can't be you."
"Love, it is me. I came to talk to you. Why did you get drunk tonight? There is no use in lying, I know everything that has happened, and I have been watching you."
Kaden looked at her guiltily. "I am sorry….so sorry, it's just….I can't help it! I am drawn to her! I have betrayed you…please…forgive me."
Hermione rolled her eyes and placed her hands on his shoulder. He shivered. "Kaden, love, I came to tell you to take the chance. You need her! She cares for you and you care for her. Luci loves her and she will make a good mother, Luci needs one. Felicia isn't here to help her anymore."
Kaden broke down in tears. "But I am married to you!"
Hermione smiled. "You WERE married to me. I told you I would be watching you and I have, but you don't have to worry about betraying me. If I didn't want you together I wouldn't have sent her to you."
"What?" Hermione smiled and put a finger to her lips. "It's our little secret. I sent her to you. I saw that you were perfect for each other. You need someone…she is the one for you!"
"But…I can't just…"
A single transparent tear rolled down Hermione's cheek. "Kaden, you have to let me go. I will ALWAYS be here…"
"I WILL NEVER STOP LOVING YOU!"
"You don't have to, baby, you just have to learn to love more than just me. You have to live. Don't let me hold you back, you have my permission!"
"Hermione, I just…I can't."
Hermione sneered. "You can and you will, Kaden Xavier Malfoy, I have put a message in her head, tomorrow she will come on to you, if you do not seize the change I will hate you for the rest of my death and that is a LONG time. And I will CERTAINLY never visit you again. In fact, I will demand that in my next life I never even meet you, and I CAN do that."
"How did you do this?"
"Uhm…Melinda Potter told Lily who told Narcissa who told me how to do this. I can only visit like this a certain about of times though and only in emergencies. You BETTER do this, I am wasting one of my visits to be here and you had BETTER heed my advice."
Kaden nodded. "Can…can I just…can I just hold you, for tonight?" Hermione smiled and lied down. He pulled her into his arms and closed his eyes. He kissed her neck and said, "I love you."
*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning Kaden woke with a splitting headache. He sat up and remembered the night before. He almost cried when he realized it must have all been a dream. He then noticed a note written in smoke above his head. "You have to learn to let go of those you love. Please do as I asked. I know you love me and I know you love her. Tell her. I will always love you- Hermione."
Kaden smiled and nodded his head. "I will, Hermione."
Kaden smiled when he remembered that there was going to be a Hogsmeade weekend. He ran down to the Great Hall, Luci had stayed with Albus and Minerva last night. He went through the doors to see a few students, Severus, Trinity, and Fleur to be the only occupants. He went to the head table and took his seat between Trinity and Severus. Severus smiled at him and greeted him. Kaden smiled back.
He remembered that Trinity would make the move so he didn't do anything. When he was done he walked out of the hall, fully aware of the beautiful woman following him. He was about to say the password to his rooms when she called his name. "Professor Malfoy?"
Kaden rolled his eyes. "That will never do, call me Kaden. What can I do for you?"
"Okay, call me Trinity. I actually wanted to speak to you, it is important. Can we use your rooms?"
Kaden nodded and said the password before stepping out of the way and letting her enter first. He offered her a seat and went and sat on the couch. To his surprise (well not really) she sat down right next to him.
She sighed. "Kaden, it is about ummm…I know that you loved you wife and I know you still mourn her death. But well I have a feeling there is something I should tell you and something I must do. First I am going to tell you that I have never been very shy so don't think that I am possessed when I tell you that I think I am in love with you and kiss you."
His eyes widened. He really hadn't expected that approach. She smiled and leaned in. "Kaden, I think I am in love with you. Will you have me?" She then grabbed the sides of his head and pulled him to her in a hungry kiss. Kaden laughed as he heard giggling in his head, it sounded like Hermione. He kissed back.
She pulled away and smiled. "Wow, that was…wonderful."
"I'LL SAY!" Said a voice from behind them. Kaden and Trinity turned to be faced with Severus Snape and Fleur Delacour, both with grins on their faces. Trinity blushed to the color of a tomato.
*~*~*~*~*~*
The next months passed quietly. Kaden and Trinity had gotten much closer and had become official. Luci took the news very well. Everyone thought it was great.
The New Year started and soon it was Valentine's Day. Kaden woke up quickly and looked around. He gasped when the door opened and Trinity walked in carrying a large tray of his favorite breakfast foods, fruit, and juices. He sat up and she set it in his lap. She leaned in and kissed him softly. She sat next to him and started to heat things up. Kaden moaned. "What if Luci walks in?" Trinity smiled into the kiss. "She is with Albus this morning." Kaden just nodded.
"You know it is Hogsmeade Weekend right?"
Trinity smiled. "Yes, and I made reservations for us at that Valentine's Day restaurant, I wanted to take Luci out this afternoon. All of us are going to go out for lunch. Me, you, Albus, Minerva, Severus, Fleur, Luci, I think dad and Draco might stop by too. Anyway, I think I might spill breakfast if we keep progressing like this so we should stop." Trinity frowned and pulled back.
"Wanting food more than me now!" Kaden smiled and nodded, jokingly. It earned him a punch in the arm.
"Ouch, what do you have? Brass knuckles?" Trinity smiled and shook her head...
"It isn't my fault if you are a pansy."
"But you like flowers don't you?"
"Uhm…I LOVE pansies." She leaned in and kissed him again. Kaden chuckled. "I knew I would get you under my finger."
Trinity pulled away. "That, Mr. Malfoy, is going to stop you from getting any more kisses for the rest of the morning, and you will have to wait until tonight to get your present."
Kaden smiled. "You were going to wait until tonight to get yours anyway." Kaden's smile widened as he pictured the small box containing the engagement ring in his trunk.
"That's fine. Now, I let you sleep late, it is ten already! We are leaving here in two hours to meet the rest at the Three Broomsticks. Get up and get ready!"
Kaden nodded and got out of bed quickly. "Ma'am, yes, ma'am."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Two hours later, Kaden and Trinity walked into the Three Broomsticks. Kaden smiled and walked to the big table set in the middle of the room. The students inside looked at them as if it wasn't allowed for teachers to meet each other and have fun. Kaden snorted. Some of his Slytherins walked by and waved at him and he nodded back. Severus grinned.
"I have heard that you are more strict than even I? Must you always try to out-do me?" Severus asked, smiling sarcastically.
"Yes." Kaden replied. "Anyway, where are Trinity, Minerva and Albus? And have you heard from dad or Draco?"
Severus shook his head. "I haven't heard from them. I think that Draco is busy at work. He has been very busy lately trying to find any scoop on Voldemort. And your father is, according to him, enjoying a nice peaceful weekend. Personally, I think he had found a Valentine. I could be wrong though."
Kaden smiled. "Yes, he had mentioned seeing a very "interesting" lady around the ministry to Draco, my dear brother says. Apparently, the woman is interested in dear ol' dad."
Severus smiled. "It is about time he got over Narcissa. I am happy her has decided to move on."
Kaden nodded. Severus looked at Trinity and smiled. "I am happy you have moved on, also, Kaden. Trinity is perfect for you, my friend."
Kaden smiled. "I do believe you are right."
Fleur and Trinity gave each other knowing looks. They both had suspicions that the two men would propose soon. Severus and Kaden were interrupted from their talk when the door opened and three people came in. Albus and Minerva were holding each of Luci's hands, swinging her. She giggled when they let her down. "That was fun!" She then saw Kaden. "DADDY!" She ran to him and plopped herself into his lap.
"Hello, sweetie, have you had a nice Valentine's Day?"
Luci nodded. "Yes, sir, Uncle Albus and Aunt Minnie bought me candy and chocolate at Zonkos! It was so creamy and it turned me into a BIRD!"
Kaden smiled. "Wow. That's nice. Come on and let's sit down. Thanks for watching her Albus, Minerva." Albus smiled. "Anytime, Kaden. She is like one of my own." Minerva nodded her agreement.
The group was eating peacefully when and explosion rang out. Screams were heard and Kaden jumped up with the others, except for Luci, at his side. Minerva had Luci pulled against her body. Kaden turned to her as a figure in death eater robes passed by the window.
"Minerva, get Luci back to Hogwarts, there is a passage way through the Shrieking Shack and one in the basement of Honeydukes, please be careful. Minerva nodded and picked Luci up before drawing her wand and running out the back exit.
Kaden ran out the front and started fighting with his friends at his side. He suddenly saw blonde hair and turned to see his brother with his wand aimed at him. Kaden felt betrayal course through his brains before Draco screamed, "KADEN DUCK!"
Kaden ducked and Draco's curse shot over his head at the death eater who had been sneaking up on him. Draco ran up to him. "You thought I would BETRAY you! Damnit, Kade, I love you! Now fight like hell!" He rolled his eyes and ran off to Fleur who was being cornered. Kaden felt pathetic for a moment before hearing a scream, Luci's.
Kaden listened to the screams and turned a corner to see Minerva on the ground, dead. Luci was up against the wall about to be cornered. Kaden shouted "STUPEFY!" One of the death eater's advancing on his daughter dropped to the ground. Kaden looked at the face, the hood had fallen off, and it was Bellatrix Lestrange, the only other danger to Kaden than Ginny and Voldemort. "At least Ginny isn't here."
"What? You didn't want to invite me to the party? I am hurt." A voice said.
And invisibility cloak was thrown off and Ginny had Luci's shoulder. "Happy birthday, from Lord Voldemort and me, Kaden, Harry, who ever you are." She then apparated away with Luci.
Soon popping sounds were heard all around. The death eaters had left. Kaden fell to his knees and started to scream. "BRING HER BACK! BRING HER BACK!"
Albus, Severus, Fleur, Draco, and Trinity walked around the corner to see Kaden on the ground at the head of Minerva's body with an unconscious Bellatrix feel away, there was no Luci.
Albus walked up to his dead wife and lifted her head into his lap. The twinkle was gone and they suspected it would be a while before they saw it again. Severus and Fleur went and tied Bellatrix up. Trinity and Draco walked to Kaden. Draco lifted him and the two sandwiched him into a hug. He cried into their shoulders. He then straightened up. He pulled a box out of his pocket and turned to Trinity. He dropped to one knee.
"Trinity, I was going to give this to you tonight, but…will you marry me? I just want to ask incase I do not return. I am going to get my daughter back tonight, or die trying." Kaden said, void of emotion.
Trinity nodded and kissed him as he placed the ring on her finger. He then let out a smile that didn't reach his eyes and ran towards Hogwarts.
*~*~*~*~*~*
End of that chapter! Okay here are the results to the House Competition so far!
The teams:
Slytherin: Firefaerie23, Sugarhigh Yuna, Slythcat19
Gryffindor: Mr. Happy Java Man, Charmed88
Ravenclaw: Lady Melime Alasse, Jamie
Hufflepuff: Starangel2106
The people not smart enough to follow directions a list a house (j/k) Please add your house!:
Russell, Texasjeanette, Nida1, JeniBlack, MP4
The Awards:
Firefaerie23- 10
Texasjeanette-15
SugarHigh Yuna- 10
Lady Melime Alasse- 30 *You were the high scorer, I hope I am not THAT predictable*
Nida1- 15
Mr. Happy Java Man- 20
Charmed88- 20
JeniBlack- 15
Jamie-15
Russell-15
Starangel206- 20
Slythcat19-10
MP4-5
AND THE HOUSE SCORES:
1st- Ravenclaw- 45 Points! (Lady Melime- you did fantastically! 30 points!)
2nd-Gryffindor- 40 Points!
3rd- Slytherin- 30 Points! (U HAD THE MOST PEOPLE! My own house in 3rd! I am horrified! PICK IT UP! Hehe…I am like Snape!)
4th- Hufflepuff- 20 Points! (Nice job for only one person!)
The Hermione Granger Award:
Individual Best Student: Lady Melime Alasse
Okay, here are the questions for this week. ALSO PLEASE enter your first and second choice so that I can ALMOST guarantee you a spot. It goes in order of review, first review gets first slot. There are 5 people on each team. REMEMBER to enter your HOUSE when you answer questions!
QUESTIONS:
1) Who is the lady that has been occupying Lucius's time?
2) Will Kaden save Luci tonight? (in their time, of course.)
3) What will cause the *twinkle* to return?
4) Who will replace Minerva?
5) How will Kaden use his weapon?
Goodluck! And remember to tell me what you like and don't like about the story. Constructive criticism in appreciated but not flames!
