TITLE: The Heir of Snape
AUTHOR NAME: Marlena R. Snape
EMAIL: Bloodflame013aol.com
CATEGORY: Romance
SUB CATEGORY: Angst
RATING: PG- 13 - for language, backstabbing, manipulation, stalking, implied sex down the road, how romantic.
A/N: Again, I own nothing aside from Lena, and other created characters I credit to their original creators. Nero credited to myself, Angel Raye to my close friend Angel, Nicole Azoff to my friend Nicole, and Stephanie Leoncour to my sister Stephanie.
Note: Lyrics to "Don't tell me" later on in the chapter, are credited to Avril Lavigne.
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Chapter Eight: Oblivious Infidelity
Lena sat in the dormitory, Indian style on the edge of her bed as the other girls were fitting into their dresses, fixing their hair, and getting ready for the ball. Angel had chosen emerald silk dress robes, while Nicole was dressing in black satin. Stephanie had decided on red and black robes, while Anna was dressed in a flirty pink colour. Lena was still in a pair of black pants and a black lace up tank top, with skull stockings. She didn't want to get ready for anything.
"Are you wearing that out?" Nicole asked, and Lena slowly shook her head.
"No, but I'm only going with Nero…" She said maliciously, as Stephanie looked confused.
"If you don't want to go, why are you then?" Lena didn't look prepared for the question, as she rested her head on her knee.
"I can't talk about it, Steph. I'm sorry. But if I could, believe ME, I would…"
It was quiet for a few moments after that comment, until there was a knock at the door. Stephanie answered, and it was Draco, dressed in fine black robes, with 2 black roses in his hand.
"Evening, Steph." Draco said, as he side glanced, noticing Lena still there. "Are you all decent? Would it be alright if I-"
"Come on in." Stephanie said, smiling as she allowed him into the dormitory. Draco nodded a thank you to her, as he glanced around.
"You all look very ravishing." He said softly, as he first handed Stephanie one of the roses with a small smirk on his face.
"I couldn't forget about you, luv. After all, you were my original date."
"I still would have loved to gone with you, Draco." She said softly, timidly, as she took the rose from him. "Thank you for remembering me."
"As if it would be another way." Draco said coolly, standing back up right, as he had crouched down. "If you need me, at any time tonight, don't be afraid to call for me."
"I'll be fine. I promise. You just enjoy your night, okay?"
Draco gave a soft nod, as he held out his arm for Stephanie to take. The pair of them left the dormitory, and Lena soon stood up. She placed the rose down on her nightstand, as she went to change into her own outfit for the night. She knew Nero asked her to dress in the robes she was planning on wearing for the ball. He must have been dressing up. But for a date by the lake? That didn't make any sense.
She took a few minutes to prepare, as the other girls left to meet their dates in the common room. As she prepared, her thoughts were running, as usual. Only more so tonight. She didn't really want to do this, she felt as if there was something else in the brew, but, never gave a second thought to it. It was Halloween…the one night she loved but hated, because of all the clairvoyant sensations she received, anyway.
Lena stood before a full length mirror, adjusting the bodice of her dress robes. They were midnight satin, with pale sky blue lace lining and accents. It was one of the most expensive pieces of clothing she had bought since her acceptance into her father's order ceremony. With a wave of her hand, her hair fixed itself, pulling up into a high, tight elegant wrap, as she put a diamond studded choker around her neck. Finalizing it all, with a matching bracelet, she put her hairpiece in, which was sterling silver, emerald, and diamond, a tiara. Proper for a "princess" like herself.
There was no doubt, that the girl looked like absolute royalty, as she made her way out of the dormitory, going into the now empty common room. It was empty, except for one person. In black and green dress robes, single diamond studs in his ears ( opposed to his typical hoop earrings ), his hair fixed perfectly, and a small smirk on his face, was Nero. He stepped closer to her, a piece of crumpled parchment in his hand. With a wave of his opposite hand, the parchment transfigured into a deep red velvet rose tipped with black. Lena smiled, taking it.
"Thank you Nero, that's really, er- sweet of you."
"That's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg girl." He said softly, smiling as he held out his arm for her to take. "I've got this all planned…thanks to a couple friends, I was able to do it in record time."
"Why would you go all out for me? I mean after all, I'm no Stephanie Leoncour."
"That's right. You're Lena Snape. And I like that just fine."
Lena didn't seem to catch the dark meaning behind his words, but judging by the glint in his eye, there was surely hidden innuendo dwelling. She took his arm, as they left the common room, walking out into the silent halls. It was strange for her to know, everybody was in the great hall, enjoying their evening of music, of plain out Hallow's Eve celebration. It actually made her a little sad.
As they walked past the doors to the Great Hall, Nero gave her a small look. She wasn't even looking toward the doors, in fact, if she did, she knew she'd probably break into tears. She was on a pity date with the cousin of the young man she wanted to go with. Her father would be rather disappointed in her choosing Nero over Draco, but she felt as if she was obliged to do something other than go with Draco. After all, she didn't want the threat in the note to come true…that still haunted her like a forsaken ghost.
They didn't go to the lake, though, in fact Nero had other plans for their 'date'. Leading her up to the Astronomy tower, he had a coy smile on his face. Opening the door leading in, she looked around in absolute awe. Set up, was a blanket, with a picnic set up dinner, candles burning brightly, lighting the tower up, and the ceiling seemed to be bewitched, as to show the stars and the moon above in a velvet twilight sky. There was even a pumpkin carved out, with a heart, that when the candle inside flickered, it looked like a burning heart. Was there some secret reference to that, too?
"Nero…this…this is all so lovely…" Lena said softly, as he lead her to her seat, sitting down with her. "I don't know what to say…"
"Say you love it, and that's enough for me." He said, smiling as he poured her a glass of, aged red wine? Where did he get something like that on school grounds? "I hope you don't mind, but in my family, we always drink this on special occasions. And I don't think they get anymore special than a Halloween night picnic…"
"No, that's alright, it's the same in my family." She admitted quietly, taking the glass from him. "Thank you."
"Anytime, Lena."
She took a drink of it, and it was a little stronger than what her father ever served her. After all, her age didn't help matters. She didn't complain, but she wasn't exactly favoring it. He took a drink from his own glass, the look on his face proved he loved every ounce of it's flavor, but he slowly put it down.
"I hope everything is to you liking. I wasn't sure what you liked to eat, so I just had some snack platters made, it's the same thing they were serving for the ball."
"That's perfectly alright." She said, smiling a little as she placed the glass down.
"I had one thing made special for you. I heard you liked strawberries…from a source which I can't repeat…" He smiled wickedly, which caused Lena to laugh a little. "But I asked my mother to make it, she had no problem. Have you ever tried strawberry almond cream tart?"
"That's one of my favourites…my mum makes it for me." Lena said quietly, smiling as he cut her a piece. Handing it to her on a small plate, she giggled. "Thanks…this makes me feel really at home…"
Inside at the ball, Draco was standing by the back wall, as Stephanie danced with Angel, Oliver ( much to many's surprise ), Nicole, Joshua, Anna and Marcus. He wasn't in the mood to, dance. He wasn't even in the mood to be there. He thought, he could slip out unnoticed, but decided against leaving Stephanie without a date. He sighed, quietly, as he crossed his arms, glancing toward Crabbe and Goyle, who stood to his right.
"Pretty sad really, Goyle, Crabbe, that I have to be here like this. I'm not doing anything….why must I stay?"
The pair grunted, whether in disapproval to the unfairity Draco was experiencing, or they ate too much. Again. Draco rolled his eyes, he was completely unimpressed by this. In fact, he was downright enraged.
Over on the other side of the Great Hall, Harry stood with Ron, with Hermione on his arm. He had invited Hermione to the ball, while Ron went with Susan Bones, a same year Hufflepuff student. Harry's attention had mostly stayed on Draco the entire night. Just seeing the miserable attitude plastered all over his usually smug face was a more than welcomed change.
"Is something the matter Harry?" Hermione asked, as Harry turned his attention toward her.
"No, nothing at all."
"Well then, do you want to dance? That is what this ball is for, isn't it?"
Harry smirked softly, and gave a nod. Hermione and Harry stepped out onto the dance floor, and the two started dancing, while Ron and Susan remained talking at their table. As Harry danced with Hermione to a slow song, Harry continued to lock his eyes on Mal- wait a minute. Draco was gone. Where had he got away to?! In the Astronomy Tower, Lena and Nero were still sitting around in the candle light, talking, and enjoying their Halloween. Well, at least Nero was enjoying himself. Save for the desert, Lena was absolutely miserable. She was good enough at masking it, but it would only get worse with the night drawling on.
"Wanna dance?" Nero asked into the quiet, as Lena looked up at him oddly.
"Dance? Here?"
"Sure thing." Nero said with a smile as he held out his hand to her. "Trust me."
Lena looked a little confused, but she took Nero's hand. Did it mean that she trusted him? Or that she was more so curious than anything? He pulled her close, smiling.
"Listen."
Soft music began to fill the astronomy tower, and Lena looked around with a smile. So maybe she didn't mind this much. That was until she felt Nero's hands on the small of her back, holding her in his arms as if there was something between them. She wiggled away from him a little, but he kept his grasp tight on her.
"I do need to breathe, Nero."
"Oh, am I holding to tight?" He asked, as he pushed himself closer to her, smirking softly. "Is that still too close?"
Lena was obviously uncomfortable with the situation, as she pushed Nero away from her. Nero looked taken aback as he tried to mask his smirk, she grabbed the lower part of her skirt so she'd be able to walk easier.
"As dashing as this has been, I'm afraid I have to be going."
Nero stepped in front of her, which shocked her a little. He held her shoulders with either of his hands, smirking a bit.
"Hey, what's the hurry? There's no curfew tonight. Besides, I haven't even given you desert…"
"Desert? Excuse me? What do you call th-"
She was cut off, by Nero crushing his lips against hers forcefully. Lena pulled back quickly, as she stomped her foot onto his foot, causing him to release his grip on her. He went to grab her again, but Lena wound back, punching Nero right in the face, full on! She spit at him, as she looked disgusted.
"What kind of girl do you take me for?! I don't LIKE you that way!"
"It's just a little kiss," Nero grunted out, holding his face. He defined a pretty boy, he hated anyone touching his face, let alone punching him. "Why don't you just let go? What's stopping you anyway? It's just you and me…nobody has to know."
"I thought I liked you, but it was NEVER like that. You don't have a bloody chance with me!"
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You held my hand and walked me home I know
While you gave me that kiss it was something like this it made me go ooh ohh
You wiped my tears, got rid of all my fears, why did you have to go?
Guess it wasn't enough to take up some of my love cause your so hard to trust
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that?
Your the one who gives it all away
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you, this time?
Did you think that I was somethin I was gonna do?
Don't try to tell me what to do,
Don't try to tell me what to say,
Your better off that way.
Don't think that your charm and the fact that your arm is now around my neck
Will get you in my pants I'll have to kick your ass and make you never forget
I'm gonna ask you to stop, thought I liked you a lot, but I'm really upset
Get out of my head get off of my bed yeah that's what I said
Did I not tell you that I'm not like that, your the one who, throws it all away
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you, this time?
Did you think that I was somethin I was gonna do?
Don't try to tell me what to do,
Don't try to tell me what to say,
Your better off that way
This guilt trip that you put me on won't, mess me up but your no wrong
Any thoughts of you and me have gone away
Did you think that I was gonna give it up to you, this time?
Did you think that I was somethin I was gonna do? And cry?
Don't try to tell me what to do,
Don't try to tell me what to say,
Your better off that way
Better off that way
I'm better off alone anyway
Lena ran out of the tower, pulling the tiara from her hair as she was almost in full pledged tears. She couldn't believe she fell for his lies. His deceit. As she ran, she was heading down the dark hallway, her own footsteps echoing back at her. She turned the corner, heading toward the main entrance hall, when she ran into someone. Draco. Her eyes were lined with black running mascara and eyeliner, she had obviously been crying.
Draco didn't even take a moment to ask her what happened. He pulled her to her feet, but all he got was shoved away. Looking perplexed, Draco turned her around.
"What happened?"
"Nothing." Lena snapped at him, covering her eyes. She could feel the makeup running.
"I don't believe you." He said plainly, as he crossed his arms. "I left the ball, because I had a bloody bad feeling. And seeing you like this, just makes me believe my feelings was justified. What…happened…?"
"Nero - I - he…" she stammered, before she was cut off.
"Did he touch you?"
"No…he…he kissed me, and basically tried to get me to give him consent…but…"
"Consent…to what?" Draco said, the radiation of anger growing from him at an alarming rate.
"Nothing Draco, just forget about it okay?"
Draco wasn't forgetting about anything. He walked away from her, with her on his heels. She didn't want this! She wasn't planning on telling anyone about Nero, she didn't want things awkward! Unlucky for Nero though, he had started following her. As Nero got to the corridor Draco was walking down, the two cousins came face to face. Nero looked a little confused by Draco's expression, but his expression was ice cold, solid as a marble statue. Absolutely no emotion.
"Hey, Drake…where's the fi-"
Nero wasn't even able to finish his sentence. Just the nickname use, as if nothing was wrong, floored Draco emotionally. He never was willing to fight over a girl and why he felt different about Lena Snape was beyond him. His fist flew forward, nailing Nero right in the mouth.
"Jesus Christ! That's the SECOND time tonight!"
"No more than you deserve…" Draco hissed, malice and hatred in his voice. "How dare you?"
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Nero yelled defensively, as he noticed Lena behind where Draco stood. "Lena. Look. I was coming to apologize to you. What I did w-"
"Save it for someone who gives a damn, VanBuren…" Draco said harshly, as Lena placed her hand on Draco's shoulder.
"Just stop, okay? My goddess…"
Lena was obviously distraught about the entire thing. She looked between Draco and Nero, not sure what she should say now. She had stopped the fighting, so she thought, but that was until Draco took her arm.
"Come on, we're leaving."
"No." Lena said, yanking her arm out of Draco's grasp. "You aren't my father, Draco. You can't control me. And you…" She glanced toward Nero, disgust still in her eyes. "I thought you would know better than to treat me like the rest of your trashy side projects. I'm Lena Snape, I'm more than that. I'm Slytherin Royalty, you sanctimonious ignoramus…get used to it. Apology NOT accepted."
Lena walked away from Draco and Nero, unmitigated anger speeding up her steps. For a long moment, Nero and Draco just stared each other down. Nero finally cracked a smile as she had turned the corner, looking at Draco like he was crazy.
"You know something, kid, I'm surprised you had the balls to step up to me."
"Don't be so cocky, VanBuren…" Draco said shortly, "I meant everything I said. Unlike you."
"Who said I wasn't sorry? I'm just sorry I didn't get my hand up her skirt right enough. Could you have IMAGINED the drama?"
Nero found it funny, as he laughed, brushing past Draco. Draco was blinded by rage, he had absolutely had it. Nero was heading to the Great Hall where the ball was still going on, while Draco wasn't really in the mood to celebrate anymore. He went outside.
Lena had gone to the Slytherin dormitories, just long enough to change into a pair of black hot pants and a green and black corset, with her cloak. Taking out her broomstick, she walked out. Going to the game room, she took a quaffle, and was heading out to the Quidditch Pitch. After-all, it wasn't even 9 O'clock, and she had some steam to blow off.
Outside, Draco was walking along the path to the courtyard. He heard something above his head, and looked up, seeing Lena with a quaffle. There was only one place she'd be going with that. He wasn't sure if he wanted to go after her…he knew where she was heading, after all. After deciding, Draco detoured from the courtyard to the side alley, heading out to the open school grounds, watching as she flew to the Quidditch Pitch.
She had enchanted the quaffle, so it played back. Lena chucked the ball hard through one of the hoops, and it came back at her. She then swooped down, with the ball under her arm, spiral flipped to where she flew around the hoops, came back to the forefront, and with a volley shot, it went through the middle hoop. Draco was slowly walking out as she flew to the opposite end of the pitch. Coming back, she threw the ball up high, actually dismounted her broom quickly with a slight levitation charm, and batted the quaffle through the hoop, managing to mount her broom again before she fell. Hearing clapping from below, she nearly lost her balance.
"Impressive beyond comprehension, luv. You should try that during a game sometime."
"Thanks."
Lena spoke shortly, she really wasn't in the mood to do much talking. Draco held out his hand, and with a simple accio spell, Draco's broom found its way to him.
"Care for a little one on one?"
"I really couldn't care less, Draco." Lena said, as Draco flew up beside her.
"Something still isn't right."
"I don't want to talk right now."
"I understand." Draco said, "But you're going to have to sooner than later. And I'd prefer it if you found the confidence in me to talk."
"Look Draco." She tossed him the quaffle, flying down to the ground level. Dismounting her broom, she gazed up at him. "I'm not in the mood for this paternal talk okay? If I want one, I'll go find my father in the Great Hall, suit you?"
"My father always did warn me about your type…"
Lena looked a little taken aback. Had he just said 'her type', like it was foul? Wait, what did he mean by HER type? She crossed her eyes, her eyes squinting into an angered glare as she looked up at him.
"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"The type of girl who knows how to tug on the heartstrings, and make you weak. He always warned me not to get too close. There's always a risk of getting hurt. That…is what I mean."
She had clearly made a pre-empt conclusion to his meaning, and Lena then frowned. She turned away from looking at him, and started to walk away, but Draco soon flew down to the ground, dismounted his broom, and walked up behind her. He turned her around, forcing her to face him.
"Don't you get it? Don't you understand?"
"Understand what…the fact you can't stand to get close to me or MY type, because your DADDY advised against it?"
Draco wasn't apt to get angry with her. He knew she'd be able to feel it if he did. He mustered all the calm, and serene thoughts he had in recent memory, to sooth his growing temper.
"What you're lacking to understand, is that I would break my father's advisement for someone like you! There! Is THAT plain enough English for you?!"
"I…"
It was the only word she could manage. His words seemed to slap her in the face again, for being so pre-mature in her conclusions. She turned away from him.
"I? Is that all? After I practically say I think I'm falling for you, I get an I? Fitting…"
"Will you stop already?!" Lena shouted, as she turned toward him. "What you don't understand is this isn't easy for me!"
"Oh. And it's an absolute cinch for me…" Draco retorted sarcastically.
"Don't give me your damned attitude, Malfoy. I'm not in the mood…" Lena managed to rejoinder, before she actually chuckled. "Goddess in fucking heaven, if you knew HALF of what I've been through this year already…"
"Why don't you tell me?!"
"Because I can't!"
"There's a fine line between can't and won't, Lena." Draco said, but he shook his head. "Whenever you think you can trust me, then tell me. Until then, don't bother."
"It's not that I don't trust you!" Lena yelled, slinking to the ground on her knees.
Lena put her head to her knees, taking a few deep breathes. Draco sighed, shaking his head again as he slowly kneeled down beside her. He stroked her hair lightly, and it caused her to look up gently.
"It's just, so complicated…"
"Then take it slow."
Draco coached, and Lena actually moved, resting her head against his chest. Draco's arms snaked around her shoulders, as they laid down on the pitch, gazing up at the stars above their heads.
"Someone keeps leaving me these, absolutely bizarre notes. It has to be a Slytherin, I mean, how else would they have the notes on my bedside table?"
"I'm not sure." Draco said, pondering. "What do the notes say?"
"They threaten me. The first one I got, told me to watch my back and not tell anyone… the second one…" She sighed, closing her eyes. "It was the one that made me say I couldn't go to the ball with you."
"Someone just doesn't want the inevitable to happen." he said with a small smirk, as he ran his hands through her long dark hair. "If people like us got together for anything, it would be an absolute power trip. Two of the most powerful families in the wizarding world, it's probably some filthy mudblood clan trying to prevent it."
"What do you mean, people like us getting together?" She asked, a small, curious smile crossing her face. "Are you inquiring something?"
"Maybe." Draco said, as he cradled her. "We'll just have to see as time goes by. We may not be at the ball, but we're together."
That caused Lena to tense up. She remembered what the note had said, that come November 1rst, Draco wouldn't be in very good condition if she was with him. She frowned, slowly moving to sit up.
"What's the matter?" Draco asked, and Lena sighed.
"I don't want you getting hurt…"
"How? By who?"
"The letter I got, the second one, said not only if I told someone, but if I was with you on Halloween night, that come November 1rst, you wouldn't be in very good health."
"I'll risk it…" Draco said coolly, as he
Lena seemed a little nervous, but as Draco rubbed her shoulders, she seemed to loosen up. After about an hour in the cool night air, Draco and Lena went back inside, only to sit by the fire together. They continued to talk, about their families, secrets, and of course, themselves. It wasn't necessarily an ego-trip, though, as it was all kept to a min.
Around 2 AM, after some of the students had come in from the ball, fatigued and danced out, they went right to their dormitory, proceeding to crash into their beds. Draco lead Lena up to the girl's dormitory, smirking.
"Well, it looks like today I get mine, eh?" he asked, grinning wickedly as Lena tried not to show concern. In fact, over the past 4 or 5 hours, he managed to make her worry slip away.
"Looks like it, Malfoy." She teased, smiling. "Thanks…for…just getting my mind off of things. I hope I proved I trusted you…"
"You did…but I do apologize for pushing you. I just, wanted to help you."
"And you did." Lena said surely, as she leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on his warm cheek. "Goodnight Draco, Happy Halloween."
"Happy Halloween, princess."
She smiled at his term of endearment, as he opened the door for her. Walking into the dormitory, Lena noticed that Nicole and Angel were already in their beds, but Stephanie wasn't there. She was probably out somewhere with Nero. The thought made a shudder shoot down her spine, mild disgust, especially after she knew exactly how Nero really was.
Changing swiftly from her pants and shirt, she slipped into a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt, crawling into her bed. She knew tomorrow, was going to be a trying day. If not, one of the worst. She had broken all of the rules her stalker of sorts, had told her not to. She didn't care right now. Not after the night she had. It was so near perfect…but no wonder it had to end.
[ A/N: Not a cliffy this time, GASP Be amazed! I might be skipping ahead a bit after November 1rst, just so we can get into the real shibby. I hope everyone is still enjoying. ]