Chessie – My kickass beta-reader. Your comments are so helpful…I can't even tell you how much I appreciate this.
Ophelia Winters – Thanks so much for the continued support. :)
dusty.wings – There are Draco soft spots GALORE in this chapter. Read up!
Anonymous – Thanks for reviewing this chapter…your feedback means so much. All I can say is stay tuned to see if Draco is the true prat he is or if he has a nice side. Hope to hear from you again. :)
Death Eater – Hey! You took my advice…so happy that you did. This chapter is jammed pack so read up.
Slytherin Chick – I'm so happy that you decided to post a review. About the harsh one you received…I personally think that the person who left it is a heartless coward. If you want to say mean things, you should at least stand by them and not hide. The coward. Sorry that the jerk hurt your feelings. :( And you're right, I hope I don't come across one any time soon. Hopefully, you'll decide to continue sharing your thoughts with me. :)
Ferret Boy – Pansy, Pansy, Pansy…whatever did become of the shrieking pug? Probably married to Goyle or Crabbe. On second thought, I wouldn't want to wish that kind of misery on anyone. Hopefully, 'Let It Rain' is coming along well. Oh…and Chessie is VERY eager to read it also, after I gave her a glimpse into Draco and Cho's history in the logs.
Pamela Eaton – Did you really cry? Oh my…I'm so touched that you're touched! Personally, the catty/bitch session b/w Blaise and Cho was my favorite. It was so much fun to write. Second, was the madly…deeply 'confession' by Cho and Draco's response to it. LOVE the angst!
nunce – Angst is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Just to let you in on something…there is quite a confession in this chapter, but no snogging. Dammit! Well, you can't always have everything. Anyways, enjoy!
Cho Malfoy – You are special! And the fact that you take time out to actually review my silly fic, makes you even more special in my book! ;) It's my own way of saying 'thanks' to all those who share their insightful feedback with me. As I told Pamela, the catty session was my absolute favorite part of 'Stupid.'
cool nanna – Thanks for the positive criticism and your enthusiasm for this fic. I hope to hear from you again. :)
teenage-dirtbag – The fic is continued! Read up!
Komillia – I'm glad that you can get a real sense of what the setting is like and what the characters are like. I like this version of Cho very much too. Thanks Pamela!
All – So sorry that it took so long to get this chapter up. Hopefully, this extra long chapter will more than make up for it!
Chapter 6 – A Different Malfoy
With closed eyes, Cho unconsciously allowed a small smile to appear. She could sense the steam rise from the drawn bath to cover the mirrors and porcelain sink and tub in a thin layer of dew. She could feel the soft bubbles float lazily around her body to tickle her damp skin. She could smell the clean scent of soap waft through the saturated air to revitalize her senses.
The hot soothing bath provided her a tranquility of mind and body she hadn't felt in a long time. The feeling almost felt foreign to her. She had almost resigned herself to a life full of despair and hopelessness never to feel happiness again. But, there it was. Happiness had prevailed for the moment and she indulgently allowed happiness to prevail over her as well as she reclined in the magnificently lavish claw-foot tub.
She opened her eyes and glanced over to the old grandfather clock that stood proudly in the corner. She shook her head. Only the Malfoys would place such a grand clock in the bath quarters. The hands on the proud clock told her that she had only twenty minutes before her date with a certain Malfoy. A smile appeared on Cho's lips.
Had that chance night not occurred, Cho was certain that despair and hopelessness would have succeeded in dominating the remainder of her days. That night. What a taxing night it had been. She had spent countless hours battling the suspicions, anguish, and hostility that all stemmed from her attempts to try to help.
She knew that Malfoys had a tendency to keep others at bay whenever emotions and feelings were involved. She discovered this when she had tried to befriend Draco at Hogwarts. This time was no different. If anything, this time was more challenging. More challenging because the death of a dear loved one had caused the brick wall to go up. The brick wall had been built well. So well, Cho thought it a miracle when the wall began to buckle. Cho's persistence had paid off. There was work to be done still, but the most difficult part had been overcome.
Again the soft smile appeared. They had met in secret a few times now. The certain objection that would be raised upon the discovery of their newly founded relationship called for the utmost discretion from both parties. However, the containment of their relationship was a small price to pay for each meeting had helped bring Cho a renewed sense of hope and purpose to live.
Cho truly regretted leaving the hot soothing bath, but she knew that she would feel even more regret if she missed the date. Sighing, she lifted herself out of the large tub and slipped into her clothes.
Madame Hinze had brought her a standard mediwitch uniform and robe worn by mediwitches assisting the Dark side. Both the uniform and the robe were very similar to those worn on the Light side except for the fact that they were all black and the robe bore a stitched Dark Mark insignia on the cuff of each sleeve. The old crabby mediwitch had claimed that it was the smallest size she could find. Her search was obviously less than thorough, for both pieces were at least three sizes too big for Cho's petite stature. She honestly didn't mind. The robe and uniform were clean, and the ill-fitting size offered her an excuse to cover up the notorious symbol of Voldemort.
She surveyed the vanity and gave an amused chuckle. During their time at Hogwarts, Cho had always mused how Draco managed to keep his white-blond locks so perfectly slicked-back. The answer now stared back at her in the form of at least a dozen different concoctions and potions all designed to keep hair firmly in place. If the circumstances allowed it, she would have filed these recent findings away for later retribution.
But, as the circumstances didn't allow it, she abandoned the idea and promptly picked up a comb by the nearby mirror and ran it through her hair. She frowned at the amount of hair that she had lost during the time she had starved herself. She examined herself closer in the mirror and ran a hand along her right cheek. Still way too thin. She was certain that she would be berated on this point tonight. She'd been eating for a few weeks now, but it was apparent she wasn't eating enough.
Cho walked back into Draco's adjacent bedroom and set her eyes on the massive oil painting hung beside the bed. She had never really noticed the painting before as it blended seamlessly with the rest of the room's decor. She smiled as she reached it. The painting encased a picture of Malfoy Manor in all its glory. The gifted artist managed to capture every minute detail of the estate and it was a true masterpiece. The Manor was an impressive estate. No wonder Draco had grown up to be the arrogant self-absorbed prat that he was. She couldn't blame him. She knew that if she had been raised in such luxury and privilege, she would probably be just as obnoxious.
It was a shame that it was now the headquarters for the Dark side. Malfoy Manor now housed the most notorious DeathEaters including Voldemort himself. Cho gave a wry smile as she thought of this. All those years that Voldemort had gone into hiding. He was now here. Under the same roof as her. A chill ran down her spine.
Because it was unplottable on a map, Malfoy Manor was the perfect place to house and shield the most hated and feared dark wizard. An awfully proud Draco had revealed this fact to her long ago when she had asked him about his home. It had been one of those rare conversations where Draco had actually revealed anything about his life to her. To Cho, however, it honestly felt more like a one-sided bragging session than a conversation.
Cho shifted her focus back to the painting. The painting actually led to a secret passage that connected all major sleeping quarters of the Manor. It was designed as a discreet way to gather the family in case a threat was made on the Manor. The secret passage eventually lead out to the well-manicured gardens where a timely escape could be made if necessary.
With a slender finger, Cho traced the well-established tall oak tree that framed the left side of the Manor. The painting began to fade away and all but disappeared. Cho stepped into the painting and walked right through it and found herself in a dimly lit passageway. It was only moments now that they would meet again.
A/N: As a special thanks for all my regular reviewers (you know who you are) and their encouraging support, I decided not to make this a cliffie. You can all thank me in your reviews. ;) Okay, now…hang on to your seats. It's going to be one hell of a ride!
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"Cho, I'm so glad you're here with me. I've been anxiously waiting to see you all day."
Cho looked into a pair of warm, sincere, clear blue eyes and smiled, "Mrs. Mal…Narcissa, I feel the same way." Even though they had met a few times now, calling Draco's mum by her first name still made Cho slightly uncomfortable.
Narcissa offered a warm smile in response.
Narcissa Malfoy was truly a beautiful woman. Her hair was more golden than Draco's and appeared like cornsilk effortlessly cascading down to her mid-back. Her eyes were a clear deep blue that radiated a warmth Cho didn't think Malfoys were capable of until now. Her sculpted cheekbones gave her a timeless beauty that any woman would envy. The years had definitely been kind to Narcissa Malfoy and Cho had a feeling that if it had not been for her recent bout of depression, Narcissa would have been that much more stunning.
Cho then noted a change in Narcissa's eyes. Guilt and regret seemed to fill them. "I'm so sorry Cho."
"Sorry? You have nothing to be sorry about," Cho said, wondering why there was a sudden change in Narcissa's mood.
"Yes, I do. I look at you and I no longer see the carefree young woman Draco introduced to me five years ago. This ordeal has taken its toll on you. An awfully heavy toll. I see it in your eyes, Cho." Cho averted her eyes. If the sorrow was there, she didn't want Narcissa to see it. Cho knew that Narcissa didn't mean any harm with her words, but this didn't make it any easier for her to hear them. "I know that you try to hide it, but I still see it. It saddened me when you told me why you were here at Malfoy Manor. And, it's all Draco's fault."
At the mention of Draco being at fault, Cho looked back at Narcissa. She didn't want any resentment to exist between mother and son. They only had each other now. There was no room for resentment if they both hoped to survive this war together. "Narcissa, please don't say that. Besides, you have no idea how much better I'm doing ever since that night."
"Yes…that night." Narcissa's eyes seemed to glaze over as she recalled that night. "Cho, I must apologize again for that night. I must have seemed like a mad woman to you, barging into Draco's room like that in a state of such hysteria."
Cho had to admit to herself that Narcissa's sudden and startling appearance in Draco's room had given her quite a scare. Having been frightened out of her sleep before, Cho thought that it was Blaise again wanting to continue her earlier tirade. But it was soon apparent that it was not Blaise, but Narcissa.
Cho had not seen Draco's mother in five years. The calm elegant countenance that characterized Narcissa was no longer there. Instead, Narcissa's face spoke of an anxiety and grief that had obviously plagued her for quite some time. Upon seeing Cho instead of her son, the anxiety quickly became paranoia. Remembering Draco's earlier revelation about his mother's depression, Cho regarded Narcissa with concern and patience. Cho spent the rest of the night trying to explain and soothe a fearful and worried Narcissa that Draco was indeed all right and that he had merely given up his quarters for herself.
Once Cho had been able to calm Narcissa down, the focus then turned onto Cho herself. Narcissa had so many questions for Cho. Why was she here at Malfoy Manor? Why was she so thin and pale and so weak? Of course, Cho answered all these questions truthfully to Narcissa's dismay. As a result of that night and subsequent ones, the two women learned to trust each other and were able to share such confidences at a time when they both needed it most.
Cho smiled reassuringly, "You don't have to keep on apologizing to me, Narcissa. You dreamt that Draco had died. You wanted to see for yourself that it was just a nightmare and that he was alive and well. If I were in your shoes, I would have done the exact same thing. Please don't think on it for one second longer."
More grief seemed to seize Narcissa and she cast her sad eyes to her hands. "That nightmare had seemed so real. The Lordship had punished Draco for failing him and had my son executed." When Narcissa looked up again Cho could see the pain in her eyes and the worry etched in her forehead, "I would die if anything were to happen to my son. There would no longer be a reason for me to live. Lucius' death was difficult enough. The depression set in almost immediately and I was too weak to fight it."
"But you did fight it. Look at you now. Look how strong you are now. That is what matters," Cho tried to soothe Narcissa's fears.
Narcissa's heavy mood seemed to lighten. "Yes, I am stronger now. Strong for Draco. And I have you to thank, Cho. I couldn't have done it without you."
"Nonsense, it was your love for your son that pulled you through, not me. I did nothing of consequence."
Narcissa began to shake her head, "No Cho. I mean, yes, my love for Draco played a large part, but so did you. Just having you by my side, listening to my concerns, having a good heart nearby has helped me so much. Even with the Malfoy fortune, I could never repay you."
Cho shook her head this time, "You owe me nothing. Besides, you helped me too, you know. You helped me out of my despair. A despair that only helped me welcome death sooner. If you hadn't shown up in Draco's room that night, Merlin knows what would have become of me."
Once Narcissa had retired for the night after their first night together, Cho had made the decision to abandon her mission of trying to help Harry. In her mind, Narcissa needed Cho much more than Harry did. Accordingly, Cho began to eat the food that Madame Hinze would bring each day and had even requested that she be able to take a bath. When Cho learned that she was to bathe in Draco's lavish bath quarters, Cho became uncomfortable with the idea. To this, Madame Hinze rudely remarked, "You silly girl. You are already sleeping in his bed. What difference would it make for you to share his bath too?" However much Cho hated the implications of Madame Hinze's remark, she had to admit that her remark made logical sense.
"Fine then. I won't argue with you anymore. We both helped each other for the better and each owes the other nothing. Agreed?"
"Agreed." For the first time since she had been taken captive, Cho's smile touched her eyes.
"Now that we have that settled, let's eat. I had this food specially prepared. What would you like?"
Cho looked over the selection of food. There were various kinds of breads and cheeses and fresh fruit. "This is too much really. I think I'll just have some of that tea over there."
"You most certainly will not! You will eat. I will not take 'no' for an answer. Now, take this buttered croissant and this Parisian cheese. You'll love it."
"If you insist." Cho took the offered croissant and tore a piece off.
"I do." Narcissa's light expression was then replaced by a serious one. "Now Cho, I want to talk to you about something that I'm afraid you may not want to talk about."
Cho looked at Narcissa with questioning eyes, afraid of what the subject of Narcissa's 'something' might be, but encouraged her to continue all the same.
"I hope I don't offend you or upset you." Narcissa paused for a dramatic effect. "I know that this ordeal that Draco has put you through has been horrible. Unconscionable even. I do not pretend to understand why he is doing this, but I do know that he's not doing this to hurt you."
Cho's eyes tightened at the mention of Draco and there was a long moment before Cho could respond. She wanted to choose her words carefully, "You're right Narcissa. This is not something that I wish to talk about. But, I understand your position. He is your son and you love him. And as his mother, you wish to defend him."
"Cho, I'm not defending him or even condoning what he's done. I just want you to understand that he isn't trying to hurt you. I know he wouldn't."
"Narcissa. You're his mother. You don't see him the way I see him. The way so many see him. The Draco I know hurts and uses people when it is advantageous for him to do so. He cares for no one but himself and his family." Cho could see how upsetting her words were to Narcissa, "I know this is not easy for you to hear and I don't mean to be so harsh, Narcissa, but this is the Draco I know."
"What of the Draco you knew five years ago? I saw how you two were when you were together. He cared for you, Cho. Of that I am certain," Narcissa persisted.
"Then he was able to fool you as he fooled me. Narcissa, there was a time that I believed that he did. I don't anymore. I came to terms with that long ago. The Draco I know now is the same as the Draco I knew then. He hasn't changed," Cho spoke sadly.
"Cho, I may not know of his feelings now, but I am positive that he did care for you." Narcissa paused again before continuing with some trepidation, "And how do you feel, Cho? Even through all the hurt, I can sense that you still have feelings for Draco, don't you?" Narcissa's soft eyes set themselves firmly on Cho's.
Cho again averted her eyes and responded, "Please, Narcissa, I think it best that we move onto a different subject. I don't want to upset you further with what I might say."
"All I ask for is the truth. Your mind may remind you of all the hurt and pain, but your heart may remind you of something else," Narcissa continued with some hope that she might be right.
The truth? Cho didn't know about a lot of things, but she did know that the truth was not what Narcissa wanted to hear. The truth was that she hated Draco Malfoy. Loathed his very existence. He had done nothing but hurt her over and over again. The deceit. The manipulation. The cruelty. There was nothing about Draco Malfoy that she could honestly garner feelings for. The truth was certainly not something Narcissa wanted to hear.
"The truth…the truth is – " Cho started awkwardly but then suddenly stopped.
"Mother?" Draco's muffled voice sounded from the other side of the bedroom door.
Cho's eyes grew wide with panic and she spoke in a hurried whisper, "Narcissa! Draco doesn't know that I'm here with you. He won't be happy if he finds me here."
Narcissa understood the gravity of the situation and whispered back, "I know Cho, don't worry. I can handle my son. Just slip into the bath quarters and stay quiet."
"Mother? Why is your door locked?"
Cho quickly gathered herself and ran into the bath quarters situated in an adjacent room next to the bedroom.
"Alohomora!"
Not even a second had passed after Cho had made herself scarce did Draco open the door and stroll in. Cho didn't have a chance to close the bath door to create a more effective barrier between herself and Draco. Cho spied a tub similar to the one she had bathed in earlier that evening and decided to situate herself there so that she could at least make herself comfortable during Draco's visit with his mum.
"Draco, dear. I didn't expect you this evening. Is something wrong?" Cho could hear Narcissa asking sweetly.
"Mother. Why was the door locked? It's never been before."
"Oh, well, that Hinze woman must have accidentally locked it on her way out. She was in such a hurry earlier today. Honestly, that woman is always running around. She should slow down before she faints from exhaustion."
"Mother, Madame Hinze doesn't have much help here at the Manor and the number of casualties grow steadily each day. But, that is still no excuse for her not giving you all the care and attention you need. I will speak with her."
"You needn't bother Draco. Besides, I'm not particularly fond of her anyhow. The less time she spends with me the better. Now, you never did answer my question. Is something wrong, dear?"
"Does there need to be something wrong for a son to visit his mother? I just wanted to see how you were doing. I'm glad that you're doing better Mother. Never scare me like that ever again. Promise me, Mother."
"My Draco. You are so good to me. Well, as you can clearly see, I'm doing very well indeed. A little birdie told me that you were quite sad to see me depressed. And I hate to see you sad, so I decided to get well. That is all."
"Whatever you say Mother. Just as long as you're all right."
Cho found herself listening intently to the tender exchange between mother and son. Notably absent was the cold apathetic tone Cho was so accustomed to. In its place was a gentle tone full of concern and warmth. Cho had always been intrigued by Narcissa even long before she ever came face to face with the woman. Draco had almost seemed normal and humane during the few occasions he talked of his mother. This fact in and of itself intrigued Cho.
But the gentle tone was not completely foreign to Cho either. Truth be told, Cho herself, had been on the receiving end of that gentle tone Draco now used with Narcissa. She could recall rare moments where Draco was actually very sweet and gentle with her. At the time, the rarity of such moments had vouched for the sincerity of them and Cho had cherished these moments that much more. But the unkind memories had easily eclipsed the kind ones and Cho had almost forgotten that there was indeed a different Malfoy, an affectionate caring one, lurking beneath the lazy smirk, bored drawl, and cold eyes.
"Come. Come here and sit beside me on the bed. I want to see how my little boy has grown into such a handsome man. I do believe you look exactly like your father did when he was your age. So dashing and so handsome. I fell in love with him almost instantly, you know." Cho could detect sadness in Narcissa's voice when she mentioned Lucius.
"Mother, why the tears? You know I can't stand it to see you cry."
"I was just thinking about your Father and how he's no longer here with us." Narcissa's tone then became more urgent. "Draco, I don't want you to end up like him. Dead for a cause that's not worth fighting for! We can leave. You and I. We can leave right now. I have some money from my family's side. We can leave the Manor. Let them have it. All we need is each other," Narcissa's desperate pleas echoed into the bath quarters.
"Mother, I understand that Father's death has caused you great pain. I feel the pain too…everyday. But, we can't leave. Not right now."
"You can't or you won't? I know you don't support that cursed cause of theirs."
"Mother. Listen to what you're saying. You supported the Lordship and the Dark side just as much as Father did. Why denounce them now?"
"The moment your Father fell, I lost all my sense of purpose and I denounced my allegiance to Him. All that we've given up for the Dark side has been in vain. The power and its allure may have blinded me before but I can see clearly now. Do you honestly believe that He will share this power with us? I can no longer stand here and fight for something I no longer believe in. Draco, I know you feel the same way I do. I see the hesitation in your eyes everytime that cursed mark burns."
"Mother, the cause may not mean anything to you, but what of Father's death? Don't you want to avenge his death?"
Cho's heart ached for Narcissa. She understood that her desperate cries were the cries of a mother wanting to save her child. Draco probably didn't understand this though. To him, her irrational cries perhaps sounded like that of a woman still influenced by a sickness that had almost claimed her.
"Not if the cost is your life. Forget Potter. Forget revenge. We can leave this life Draco. We can start a new one. We'll open up a small wizarding shop…a bakery maybe. You'll get married and…and…bear me grandchildren. We'll be a happy family. Imagine Draco. A life full of hope and light. No more darkness. No more bloodshed. No more evil. No more Him."
"Mother, this is the depression talking. We can't just leave." There was a brief moment of silence before Cho heard Draco's voice again, "There will be no marriage and there will be no grandchildren."
"No grandchildren?"
"Mother, grandchildren should be the furthest thing from your mind."
"It's her isn't it?"
"Who? Blaise?"
"She's turning you from the idea of children, isn't she? Curse that woman. I knew I didn't like her! I don't care that she's a Slytherin. Whatever happened to that pretty Ravenclaw you brought home all those years ago? The name escapes me right now…wait…Cho, wasn't it?"
"Excuse me?" The disbelief and shock were evident in Draco's voice.
"That was her name wasn't it? Cho Chang? You adored her. I could tell. For someone with absolutely zero tolerance, you tolerated quite a bit when it came to Cho Chang. Yes…that's what you need. Cho Chang will make everything right. She'll give me all the grandchildren I could ever want."
When Narcissa first started carrying on about her wish to be a grandmother, Cho had smiled in surprise. Her unrelenting focus on the grandchildren reminded Cho of her own mother and how unreasonable her mother could be when it came to certain things. Cho firmly believed that all mothers inherently possessed this irksome knack to be able to drive their children mad with the most absurd ideas. It seemed Narcissa was no different.
But now, at the mention of her own name, Cho wanted to go out there and literally shake some sense into Narcissa, even if it meant discovery by Draco that she and Narcissa had become friends. How could she even suggest that Cho bear her grandchildren? Didn't Narcissa know the state of her and Draco's relationship? Or rather the non-existence of one? The thought of having children with Draco Malfoy absolutely horrified her and she was sure that Draco was beyond horrified. Cho now saw why Narcissa Malfoy was sorted into the Slytherin house. Her cunning was spot on.
"Mother! Are you listening to yourself? Are you completely insane? What would possibly make you think of such a name? Look around, Mother! We are at war. She's on the Light side. I'm on the Dark side. Even if I did adore her, which I most certainly did not, I just can't waltz over there, take her, and force her to have babies for you!" Through the strained voice and words, Cho could tell that Draco was using all the willpower he possessed to keep from losing his temper.
"Why not? I must concede that you are right on not being able to force her to have babies, but I'm absolutely certain that you could very well go over to the Light side and take her if you really wanted to."
"Mother. We are not continuing this ridiculous discussion. The sickness has caused you to go insane."
"I'm perfectly sane, Draco Lucius Malfoy. Deny your feelings as much as you want. They will find their way out sooner or later. Mark my words." Again, Narcissa was using her Slytherin cunning to try and bait her son into revealing his feelings for Cho. In a way, Cho didn't want to hear what Draco had to say. Hearing Draco detest her was not what she wished to hear right now. But then again, Narcissa needed to hear Draco dispel these absurd thoughts from her mind.
"My feelings? Fine Mother, you win. It doesn't really matter anyhow." There was a long silence while Cho bated her breath. "What if I did love her? What if I still do love her? What does it matter now? She's in love with that Potter git, even though she won't admit it."
"She's not Draco. She loves you."
"And how would you happen to know that?" Draco challenged.
"I just do. Call it a mother's instinct."
Laughter rang through both rooms, "Mother's instinct? Okay, Mother, I'll humor you. Let's say that she does love me. Do you want to know why that still wouldn't matter?"
"Why?"
"One, she fights on the Light side. I fight on the Dark side. The Lordship will have her killed for her refusal to pledge allegiance to Him. Two, I will kill her friend, no wait, best friend, Saint Potter. Do you really think she'll want anything to do with me then? And if all that wasn't enough, three, the plain simple fact that she is not good enough for a Malfoy should convince you. Father was right Mother. Father informed me of the grave error I would have made if I continued on with her. I did the right thing ending our relationship when I did. Cho Chang is an inferior that sides with Potter and supports the other side. There was no future five years ago and there is most certainly no future now."
"Your Father. Draco, you know that I loved your Father dearly. But, that doesn't mean he was right on all accounts. I mean…look at the bloody mess he got us into!"
"Banish these foolish notions from your mind, Mother. I'm tired and you must be exhausted. I bid you a good night."
"But Draco – "
"Please drop this, Mother."
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What if I did love her? What if I still do love her? These words echoed again and again in Cho's mind. She couldn't focus on anything but these words. Did love her? Still do love her? So simple yet so complex. Cho couldn't move. Draco's confession had effectively shocked her to the point where she could feel, taste, see, smell, and hear nothing. What if I did love her? What if I still do love her?
When Cho finally looked up, she saw Narcissa's concerned face. Cho didn't know how long Narcissa had been standing there with her hand placed gently on Cho's shoulder.
"He still loves you Cho," was all Narcissa offered.
She could see the hope in Narcissa's eyes. Cho couldn't do this. She couldn't allow herself to get involved with Draco ever again.
Draco had failed. His words only gave Narcissa more hope. It was up to her now. She had to nip this in the bud while she still could. The truth. Her truth. The truth that Narcissa wanted earlier would work perfectly.
Cho shook her head in denial, "You wanted to know the truth, Narcissa? I'll tell you. I don't love Draco. I don't even like Draco. In fact, I hate Draco. I hate him now and I will always hate him. You have no idea how much hurt and suffering I have been through because of him. I'm sorry. I know this is not what you wanted to hear. I'm sorry I had to hurt you."
"Cho, I'm the one that needs to apologize. You poor dear. You are right. He did hurt you. I will probably never fully understand to what extent either. I can't blame you for feeling the way you do. But, I still have hope."
Cho turned unbelieving eyes onto Narcissa, "Hope? I just told you that I would always hate him. There is no hope, Narcissa."
Narcissa's eyes and voice remained calm, "But there is Cho. You see…to hate is to still feel something. As long as it's not indifference…as long as what you feel is not nothing, there is still hope."
Cho shook her head, amazed at how unrelenting Narcissa was, "Narcissa, don't do this to yourself. Don't set yourself up for something that will never happen."
"Cho, I think it's time you retire for the night. You're tired. You need to rest. We'll talk soon. I promise."
Cho nodded. That was the most sensible thing Narcissa had said in a long time. With Narcissa's assistance, Cho climbed out of the tub and both walked over to the matching oil painting in Narcissa's room.
"We'll talk soon, Narcissa." But before Cho stepped through the painting, she turned around and gently pleaded, "Draco and I know that we don't belong to each other. Please respect that."
Narcissa said nothing in response and offered only a kind smile before Cho found herself alone again in the dimly lit passageway.
A/N: Okay, I want to see an HONEST show of
hands of those who thought that Cho had a 'date' with Draco in the first
part. Let me know in your reviews! But, I have to admit that I
wanted to see if I could pull a fast one on you guys! ;) Probably didn't
work though, huh?
SO!
The truth comes out…Draco, Draco, Draco…*shakes head disappointingly at
favorite sexy evil blonde*…blindly listening to Lucius the way he did. I
honestly didn't think that I would reveal his true feelings so soon, but it
just seemed like the right time to do it. And what about Narcissa? I'm DYING to know what you thought of this
chapter. It was quite different from the others. Did you love it, like it, hate it, could
have cared less for it? What? I'm on my knees begging here!
On a side note, I know that the Lucius/Narcissa relationship is only hinted at in my fic, but for any of you who may be interested on how I see this how this relationship works, check out the following fic I found on FA.org. It's called "Fire and Folly" and is written by researchgeek1976 and can be found in the Astronomy Tower section. I think that this fic is really well written and conveys their beautiful relationship as how I would envision it.