A/N: hi guys!!! Finally my midterms r over, but more bad news, TERM
PAPERS!! Gasp, the horror! But I still managed to eek out this chapter,
hope u like it!!!! I hope u enjoy reading this as much as I like writing
it!! Oh ya, and I FINALLY put Hagrid in this one, I'm sorry that I forgot
to put in such a lovable character. Here's the latest chapter, for your
reading pleasure, would you like fries with that? Only if u review!!
Chapter Eleven: To Do the Right Thing
Eve was running through the forest wildly, passionately, not caring where she was. She was at first walking to meet her father, but a sudden wave of foreboding overcame her. She felt she was doing something disastrously wrong. She had to turn back, everything depended on it. So she turned, wanting to go back as quickly as possible. She found herself running, it seemed, for her entire existence. Finally, she stopped, and as she looked all around, all she could see was darkness, and shadows of trees. She was hopelessly lost. Her breathing came in erratic gasps. Then a cloaked figure came through the trees. He had found her anyway. Oh God, please help me, she thought.
"Why were you running away, Eve? Come here," the curdling voice said.
"No!! Get away from me, you monster!" She backed away and ran in the other direction, her feet crunching the fallen leaves, the sharp branches and twigs cutting her skin.
"You can't get away! I'm a part of you. It will always be with you, for eternity!" the figure yelled after her. She ran and ran, until she could see the castle again, her window, safety.. Suddenly, Eve stopped, and turned around. She couldn't run away, she had to face him. She raised her arm the same time he raised his wand.
A red blast from the branches hit the cloaked figure, and he groaned. Harry leapt from the branches into view and pointed his wand again.
"Harry, no!! Get back!!" she cried, but in vain. The cloaked figure's wand blasted too quickly. A green beam burst like lightning it and hit Harry. He fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Eve screamed and ran to his side.
"NO!!! No, no, nooooo.." Was all she could say as she saw his lifeless figure. His eyes were frozen open and his mouth was slightly open. He was dead. Eve shook him violently, as if he were merely sleeping and could be woken up. She broke down into tears, and in the background her ears were filled with insane laughter, coming from the cloaked figure. The cackling got louder and louder and when she finally looked up, she saw a ghostly image of her mother.
"Eve, help him," she said faintly.
"I can't.I can't," she cried amidst sobs.
"Yes you can, its not too late."
Eve looked at the body, but realized that it had been Ron all along. If it was Harry, at least it seemed he had somehow morphed into Ron. The laughter stopped, and Eve looked at her mother imploringly.
"Please, Mom, help me. I..I love you. I don't know what to do."
"Yes you do, follow your heart. He is his best friend. Just as his mother was mine. Know your destiny, Eve. Know your destiny."
"No! Don't leave me, please!!!" Eve was shouting as hard as she could, and suddenly a roar of thunder shattered the sky and rain started coming down in torrents. Drenching, freezing rain, so cold it chilled her bones. She felt so utterly alone and all she could do was yell in despair...
Eve woke up yelling, drenched in sweat. Another nightmare, but this one was a thousand times more vivid. This time her mother was so close, as if she could touch her, feel her silky blond hair again, smell her perfume. Her words were still echoing in her mind, " Know your destiny." She got out of bed looked out the window. In her dream her mother was right there, near the clearing of those trees. So close, yet so far. She stuck her nose against the closed windowpane. She opened the window and yelled out to the shining stars, "How am I supposed to know my destiny? I need your help, please! I'm so.so.alone. I wish you were here, Mom. Please come back, please.." But the only reply she got from the endless sky was silence. A feeling of such despondency and hopelessness overwhelmed her that she wasn't able to stand anymore. She crumpled to the floor and wept angrily, bitterly, desolately. She was trembling from her tears, unable to control her breathing. She didn't want to repress her sobs anymore, and a downpour started outside, the raindrops falling with the great intensity. The sky was mourning with her. A strong gust of wind slammed the window shut, and she put her palms and face against the cold glass, her fingers trailing down as she slid down with them in her futility. She didn't see her mother outside in the forest. She would never see her again..
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The next morning Harry and his friends walked down to breakfast, all with their brains still buzzing from last night. He passed by the Slytherin table, Draco staring at them with utter loathing. Harry looked at Eve. She looked terrible, with her eyes baggy and bloodshot, as if she hadn't slept all night. Her face was pale and miserable. She hadn't touched her food. Draco was trying to talk to her gently, rubbing her arms, her cheek, but she wasn't responding. Harry started worrying about how those pictures, articles, and letters had affected her. They all reached their table, but Harry hadn't stopped looking at her. She needed someone. She needed him, because only he would understand. Actually, it was worse for her. He didn't know his parents when they were killed. She knew her mother, very closely. For the first time, she was showing real signs of grief. He walked back over to her and a few heads turned in his direction.
"Eve, are you all right?" he asked. Eve looked up at him, surprised, as if she had never seen him before. Then she shook her head. Her eyes were even more red from close up.
Draco stood up, and even more heads turned. "Potter, what did I tell you yesterday? Go back to where you belong. Stop torturing her," he said, his eyes flashing.
"You can't tell me who not to talk to, Malfoy. I just want to help her," he said.
" I can't help anybody," she murmured, "I don't know my destiny."
"What?" both Harry and Draco asked, but she was silent.
Harry took her hand. His warmth thrilled her.
"I can help you get through this. If you ever need to talk, I'm here," he said.
"She's a big girl. She just had a rough night," Draco said, "She doesn't need your charity or your pity." Now half the Hall was looking at them, including Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape. Not wanting to lose any points or any nerves, Harry walked away and sat down.
"Stop beating yourself up over her, mate. She'll be fine, eventually," Ron said, trying to be reassuring. Hermione had been quite silent. She was probably feeling a little guilty at having so much animosity towards Eve, not knowing that she had any possible connection to Harry's parents. Or did she have a special connection just with Harry?
It wasn't the fact that she hadn't slept that had made Eve in that condition that morning. She felt emotionally drained, and that was more exhausting than anything physical. Everything she had learned in this few weeks, all the radical changes in her life had culminated in that dream. What was even more frustrating was that she had no idea how to decipher its meaning. Harry had come to save her, but somehow her destiny involved Ron? How did he get in all of this? He loved Hermione, it was obvious. What did he have to do with her? All she knew at that moment was that she was seeing Harry more and more differently every day. He was no longer a mysterious figure, or a vague, foggy memory. She began feeling a fondness towards him that seemed very familiar. Probably their old friendship when they were infants was rekindling. He was the only thing in her world that eased her stormy emotions. Whenever she saw him, she never wanted him to leave.
____________________________________________
Wanting to take their minds off all the puzzling events, Harry, Ron, and Hermione starting walking through the grounds of the castle, towards a very comfortable looking, familiar hut near the Forest. A jolly, kindhearted face greeted them.
"Finally! I was beginnin' ter think you forgot about me!" he cried cheerfully. He invited them into his hut, an inviting heat emanating from inside. They walked in and sat in front of the crackling fire, as Hagrid began to make them some tea using an enormous pot.
"So 'ow have you been? Yer can't believe the news I'm hearin' 'bout that girl, the new student. Her father bein' You-Know-Who and all," Hagrid said.
"What else have you heard, Hagrid?" Ron asked, hoping for another absentminded tidbit of information that Hagrid was inclined to reveal sometimes.
"Nuthin' you don't know already. But you stay away from her, you do. Especially, you, 'Arry. She's dangerous, she is. Yeh don't know if all she's doin' is obeyin' her father. I saw yer this morning, 'Arry. What were yeh sayin' to her, holdin her hand?"
Harry leaned forward, and said quite seriously, " I got a bone to pick with you and everyone else, Hagrid. Why didn't anyone tell me my mum was an Auror. Or, that my dad was Minister of Magic?"
Hagrid's smile vanished and he became silent. "Who told yeh that?" he asked.
" I saw the old Daily Prophet articles," he said, slightly evasively.
"Well, 'Arry, it was mostly Dumbledore's idea. He didn't want yeh growin' up all big-headed. Same reason he sent u to live with those muggles."
"But why didn't anyone tell me my first year?" By the look on his face, Hagrid looked as if he'd give up another dragon before he'd tell Harry.
"Look, Hagrid. I know all about it. I know that my parents were close with Eve's mother. Best friends, in fact. I know that we knew each other when we were babies. But how come no one told me?"
Hagrid looked absolutely shocked by all he was hearing. "Who told yeh all this? Yeh couldn' have seen all that in those blasted articles!" he cried. " It was her, wasn' it? Yeh've got nuthin ter do with her, 'Arry!"
"Hagrid, I believe her. So just answer my question," Harry's voice was very firm.
" I guess Dumbledore reckoned that if you knew you had some connection with You-Know-Who's daughter, it would be too much to handle, too confusing." He continued, "I'm not even quite sure, but I never question the man, Dumbledore."
"So I have to go talk to him?" Harry asked.
" I guess. But stay here a little longer, 'Arry. Yeh just came, an' yeh haven't visited me in a while," Hagrid answered. He desperately wanted to change the subject. Luckily, Hermione did it for him.
" Have you had any luckwith Madame Maxime and the Giants? Have you heard anything about Sirius, Hagrid?"
" Sirius is planning to visit me quite soon. He wants to keep an eye out for all of you. He's right, yeh've already gotten into too much," Hagrid said, "And as fer the Giants, we've managed ter keep 'em at bay so far, but every day they get more and more restless. I try not to think about 'em, they worry me too much," he answered.
"Why should I stay away from her, Hagrid? If she's so dangerous, why does Dumbledore let her inside the school?" Harry asked.
"Well, he also let that lunatic in as Mad Eye Moody, didn' he? The man can't know everything."
"But he knows her background, but he hasn't warned me or anything. Has he ever said she's dangerous, Hagrid?" Harry continued.
"It doesn' matter! She might be good now, but she could start listenin' ter her father any minute she chooses! If yeh know what's good fer yeh, stay away from her."
"Alright, Hagrid. We'll see. You told Hermione to stay away from Victor Krum, because you thought he was dangerous. Well look at him, now. He's s spy whose on our side, risking his life." Hermione knodded, she did accept that, but she did feel slight doubts as to Eve's goodness. She was the only one who saw her conversation with her father. The horribly persuasive effect he had on her. She made a mental note to tell Harry this later. Not in front of Hagrid.
"That's different. He didn' have it in his blood! I shouldn' tell yer this, but I hear things. From Dumbledore. About how she's got birthmarks. They always mean trouble." Hagrid said defensively.
Harry raised his eyebows. "What about this? Does THIS mean I'm evil?" he said, raising his bangs to reveal his scar. Hagrid waved his hand impatiently.
"You were given that. She was born with it. That means there's..stuff.that's written in her destiny. Its written in the stars or summat."
"Stuff like what?"
"I dunno, but its not good. I can feel it in me bones, 'Arry. I have VERY bad feelings about that girl. She has the Dark Mark on her arm, for God's sake!"
"She does?!" Hermione cried. Hagrid slumped back in embarrassment.
"I shouldn'a told yeh that," he said sheepishly.
" How do you know that? When did she get it?" Ron asked.
"Accordin' ter Dumbledore, she's had it all her life, like 'Arry. A memento from her dad. That means she can always be called upon by him, know when he wants her. If the spell on it is strong enough, he can even control her, I've heard Snape say." Hagrid said all this rather unwillingly, but Harry could tell he was telling him to keep him safe. Indeed, he didn't know about any of this, and it made him curious about her. He needed to do some more pondering on all of this.
"I think we have to go now, Hagrid. Thanks for the tea," he said, although he had barely sipped it.
"Yeah, and for the. other information," Ron said, with a wink.
They all got up and Hagrid saw them to the door, with his great dog, Fang, playfully licking their ankles. Harry bent over and scratched his ears before he left.
They got out of the hut and noticed that the sun had set. The edge of the forest near the hut was eerie in the dark, and the air had gotten chilly. The trio walked together toward the castle, and as soon as they were away from earshot, Hermione said, " Harry, the other night You-Know-Who told Eve to meet him tomorrow night. They might have changed plans, since she knows I was there, but be careful, alright? He might still be lurking around here."
"Dear God. Sirius should be coming around soon. Should I write and tell him?" Harry asked, worried.
" That'll make him come faster, Harry, so he can protect you or something." Ron said.
"I think we should have a talk with Dumbledore first. He doesn't know about all this. We need his advice." The ever sensible Hermione said.
"I guess," Harry answered.
"Let's go right now," she said.
" What's the rush? Is there something else you haven't told us about Eve's encounter with her father? Are you that worried?" Ron said.
"No, it's just that I have a thirty foot long paper to do on advanced Transfiguration tomorrow night, so I don't want to be busy," she chuckled. Ron smiled and rolled his eyes.
" Hey, I thought we made, you know..plans," he said with a sneaky grin.
" Yeah, so I wanna finish it early," Hermione giggled, and Ron put his arm around her affectionately. Harry shook his head. Here he was, wondering about everyone's safety, but the only things these two can do is act like lovebirds. Oh well. He was enormously happy for them, though. He wished he would soon have something like what they had. He thought he had it with Cho, but it was not meant to be. He hoped he'd find his own soulmate soon. Then a mischievous voice in his head said, ' What if you've already have?'
_____________________________________
Eve took out a piece of parchment and laid it on her desk. She hunted around for a quill. "Where's that damn quill you gave me as a present?" she asked out loud.
"Don't worry, it's right here," came Draco's silky voice. He handed her the quill and an ink bottle from his pocket. He smiled at her, "Why are you so worried?"
"This is my first letter to him, that's all. You know I need to tell him to meet me another time. Hermione saw me," she said.
"Goddamn Gryffindors, thinking they're so self-rightous. There's always one trying to save the world. Its disgusting," Draco said.
"What's wrong with saving the world?"
"Because everybody knows its much more fun taking over it," Draco said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, but in the movies the villain always gets defeated," Eve said.
"Not this time. This isn't a crappy muggle movie," Draco said with a grin.
"Then what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off getting some Death- Eater training?" she said mockingly.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not training to be your father's pawn in his own game. I want to be more than a lackey, a follower. That doesn't make me any better than those idiots Crabbe and Goyle. Or my own father," he said, quite sincerely.
" So lemme get this straight. You don't wanna be on the good side, but you're also against the bad guys?"
"I wanna create my own 'side,' because I don't belong to any. I wanna be my own master," Draco said.
"I think you and I are very alike," Eve said with a smile. Draco walked over and sat next to her near her desk.
" Well, until we figure out where we belong, or make a place ourselves, you'd better write that bloody letter," he said, staring deep into her eyes. Clouds again. Dammit, Eve thought. But she did feel herself blushing a bit. His face was so close to hers. She cleared her throat and turned away from him, starting her letter:
Dear father,
Unfortunately, I cannot meet with you tomorrow. Please send me back Zenith with an another date. Dumbledore has many spies lurking around and one of them discovered me talking with you. Do not be alarmed, as Dumbledore still trusts me. I have my ways with him. Send me a reply as soon as possible, but do not be near Hogwarts tomorrow night. They might be expecting you. Sincerely, your daughter, Eve
" 'Sincerely?' " Draco asked.
"What's wrong with that?"
"You're his daughter. You're probably the only one who doesn't have to be formal with him." He said.
" I guess it might be better if I change it." But she couldn't say "love" because she certainly didn't mean it or show it to him that night. With a wave of her hand, her closing changed to : Forever your daughter, Eve. That was the one thing she knew for sure. Draco shrugged, but she whistled to Zenith, who seemed excited to finale be of service and visit his old master. He flew off with long strokes of his beating wings after she tied her note to his leg. Eve sighed.
"What's wrong?"
] " I'm just terrified. I still don't know if I'm doing the right thing, meeting him."
"Potter isn't getting to you with his charms, is he?"
"No way! We just used to be friends a very long time ago, and I guess the friendship is rekindling."
"And not anything else?" Draco said, raising a thin eyebrow questioningly.
"I'm positive." She couldn't tell anyone if she liked Harry. And that was a big IF. Even if she did like him, her father would kill him in an instant if he found out.
"If you don't like him, well then prove it."
"How?" she asked, smiling.
"Kiss me," Draco said, a seductive grin creeping across his lips.
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A/N: hehe, I LOVE cliffhangers, I love torturing my readers. Anywayz, REVIEW!!! I'm getting discouraged!! Anywayz, tell me what you think. If you like it, tell me so ill write faster. If u don't tell me so I can improve it!! I'll appreciate it and if u leave ur email ill email u back whenevr I update!! Lotsa love!!
Chapter Eleven: To Do the Right Thing
Eve was running through the forest wildly, passionately, not caring where she was. She was at first walking to meet her father, but a sudden wave of foreboding overcame her. She felt she was doing something disastrously wrong. She had to turn back, everything depended on it. So she turned, wanting to go back as quickly as possible. She found herself running, it seemed, for her entire existence. Finally, she stopped, and as she looked all around, all she could see was darkness, and shadows of trees. She was hopelessly lost. Her breathing came in erratic gasps. Then a cloaked figure came through the trees. He had found her anyway. Oh God, please help me, she thought.
"Why were you running away, Eve? Come here," the curdling voice said.
"No!! Get away from me, you monster!" She backed away and ran in the other direction, her feet crunching the fallen leaves, the sharp branches and twigs cutting her skin.
"You can't get away! I'm a part of you. It will always be with you, for eternity!" the figure yelled after her. She ran and ran, until she could see the castle again, her window, safety.. Suddenly, Eve stopped, and turned around. She couldn't run away, she had to face him. She raised her arm the same time he raised his wand.
A red blast from the branches hit the cloaked figure, and he groaned. Harry leapt from the branches into view and pointed his wand again.
"Harry, no!! Get back!!" she cried, but in vain. The cloaked figure's wand blasted too quickly. A green beam burst like lightning it and hit Harry. He fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Eve screamed and ran to his side.
"NO!!! No, no, nooooo.." Was all she could say as she saw his lifeless figure. His eyes were frozen open and his mouth was slightly open. He was dead. Eve shook him violently, as if he were merely sleeping and could be woken up. She broke down into tears, and in the background her ears were filled with insane laughter, coming from the cloaked figure. The cackling got louder and louder and when she finally looked up, she saw a ghostly image of her mother.
"Eve, help him," she said faintly.
"I can't.I can't," she cried amidst sobs.
"Yes you can, its not too late."
Eve looked at the body, but realized that it had been Ron all along. If it was Harry, at least it seemed he had somehow morphed into Ron. The laughter stopped, and Eve looked at her mother imploringly.
"Please, Mom, help me. I..I love you. I don't know what to do."
"Yes you do, follow your heart. He is his best friend. Just as his mother was mine. Know your destiny, Eve. Know your destiny."
"No! Don't leave me, please!!!" Eve was shouting as hard as she could, and suddenly a roar of thunder shattered the sky and rain started coming down in torrents. Drenching, freezing rain, so cold it chilled her bones. She felt so utterly alone and all she could do was yell in despair...
Eve woke up yelling, drenched in sweat. Another nightmare, but this one was a thousand times more vivid. This time her mother was so close, as if she could touch her, feel her silky blond hair again, smell her perfume. Her words were still echoing in her mind, " Know your destiny." She got out of bed looked out the window. In her dream her mother was right there, near the clearing of those trees. So close, yet so far. She stuck her nose against the closed windowpane. She opened the window and yelled out to the shining stars, "How am I supposed to know my destiny? I need your help, please! I'm so.so.alone. I wish you were here, Mom. Please come back, please.." But the only reply she got from the endless sky was silence. A feeling of such despondency and hopelessness overwhelmed her that she wasn't able to stand anymore. She crumpled to the floor and wept angrily, bitterly, desolately. She was trembling from her tears, unable to control her breathing. She didn't want to repress her sobs anymore, and a downpour started outside, the raindrops falling with the great intensity. The sky was mourning with her. A strong gust of wind slammed the window shut, and she put her palms and face against the cold glass, her fingers trailing down as she slid down with them in her futility. She didn't see her mother outside in the forest. She would never see her again..
________________________________________
The next morning Harry and his friends walked down to breakfast, all with their brains still buzzing from last night. He passed by the Slytherin table, Draco staring at them with utter loathing. Harry looked at Eve. She looked terrible, with her eyes baggy and bloodshot, as if she hadn't slept all night. Her face was pale and miserable. She hadn't touched her food. Draco was trying to talk to her gently, rubbing her arms, her cheek, but she wasn't responding. Harry started worrying about how those pictures, articles, and letters had affected her. They all reached their table, but Harry hadn't stopped looking at her. She needed someone. She needed him, because only he would understand. Actually, it was worse for her. He didn't know his parents when they were killed. She knew her mother, very closely. For the first time, she was showing real signs of grief. He walked back over to her and a few heads turned in his direction.
"Eve, are you all right?" he asked. Eve looked up at him, surprised, as if she had never seen him before. Then she shook her head. Her eyes were even more red from close up.
Draco stood up, and even more heads turned. "Potter, what did I tell you yesterday? Go back to where you belong. Stop torturing her," he said, his eyes flashing.
"You can't tell me who not to talk to, Malfoy. I just want to help her," he said.
" I can't help anybody," she murmured, "I don't know my destiny."
"What?" both Harry and Draco asked, but she was silent.
Harry took her hand. His warmth thrilled her.
"I can help you get through this. If you ever need to talk, I'm here," he said.
"She's a big girl. She just had a rough night," Draco said, "She doesn't need your charity or your pity." Now half the Hall was looking at them, including Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape. Not wanting to lose any points or any nerves, Harry walked away and sat down.
"Stop beating yourself up over her, mate. She'll be fine, eventually," Ron said, trying to be reassuring. Hermione had been quite silent. She was probably feeling a little guilty at having so much animosity towards Eve, not knowing that she had any possible connection to Harry's parents. Or did she have a special connection just with Harry?
It wasn't the fact that she hadn't slept that had made Eve in that condition that morning. She felt emotionally drained, and that was more exhausting than anything physical. Everything she had learned in this few weeks, all the radical changes in her life had culminated in that dream. What was even more frustrating was that she had no idea how to decipher its meaning. Harry had come to save her, but somehow her destiny involved Ron? How did he get in all of this? He loved Hermione, it was obvious. What did he have to do with her? All she knew at that moment was that she was seeing Harry more and more differently every day. He was no longer a mysterious figure, or a vague, foggy memory. She began feeling a fondness towards him that seemed very familiar. Probably their old friendship when they were infants was rekindling. He was the only thing in her world that eased her stormy emotions. Whenever she saw him, she never wanted him to leave.
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Wanting to take their minds off all the puzzling events, Harry, Ron, and Hermione starting walking through the grounds of the castle, towards a very comfortable looking, familiar hut near the Forest. A jolly, kindhearted face greeted them.
"Finally! I was beginnin' ter think you forgot about me!" he cried cheerfully. He invited them into his hut, an inviting heat emanating from inside. They walked in and sat in front of the crackling fire, as Hagrid began to make them some tea using an enormous pot.
"So 'ow have you been? Yer can't believe the news I'm hearin' 'bout that girl, the new student. Her father bein' You-Know-Who and all," Hagrid said.
"What else have you heard, Hagrid?" Ron asked, hoping for another absentminded tidbit of information that Hagrid was inclined to reveal sometimes.
"Nuthin' you don't know already. But you stay away from her, you do. Especially, you, 'Arry. She's dangerous, she is. Yeh don't know if all she's doin' is obeyin' her father. I saw yer this morning, 'Arry. What were yeh sayin' to her, holdin her hand?"
Harry leaned forward, and said quite seriously, " I got a bone to pick with you and everyone else, Hagrid. Why didn't anyone tell me my mum was an Auror. Or, that my dad was Minister of Magic?"
Hagrid's smile vanished and he became silent. "Who told yeh that?" he asked.
" I saw the old Daily Prophet articles," he said, slightly evasively.
"Well, 'Arry, it was mostly Dumbledore's idea. He didn't want yeh growin' up all big-headed. Same reason he sent u to live with those muggles."
"But why didn't anyone tell me my first year?" By the look on his face, Hagrid looked as if he'd give up another dragon before he'd tell Harry.
"Look, Hagrid. I know all about it. I know that my parents were close with Eve's mother. Best friends, in fact. I know that we knew each other when we were babies. But how come no one told me?"
Hagrid looked absolutely shocked by all he was hearing. "Who told yeh all this? Yeh couldn' have seen all that in those blasted articles!" he cried. " It was her, wasn' it? Yeh've got nuthin ter do with her, 'Arry!"
"Hagrid, I believe her. So just answer my question," Harry's voice was very firm.
" I guess Dumbledore reckoned that if you knew you had some connection with You-Know-Who's daughter, it would be too much to handle, too confusing." He continued, "I'm not even quite sure, but I never question the man, Dumbledore."
"So I have to go talk to him?" Harry asked.
" I guess. But stay here a little longer, 'Arry. Yeh just came, an' yeh haven't visited me in a while," Hagrid answered. He desperately wanted to change the subject. Luckily, Hermione did it for him.
" Have you had any luckwith Madame Maxime and the Giants? Have you heard anything about Sirius, Hagrid?"
" Sirius is planning to visit me quite soon. He wants to keep an eye out for all of you. He's right, yeh've already gotten into too much," Hagrid said, "And as fer the Giants, we've managed ter keep 'em at bay so far, but every day they get more and more restless. I try not to think about 'em, they worry me too much," he answered.
"Why should I stay away from her, Hagrid? If she's so dangerous, why does Dumbledore let her inside the school?" Harry asked.
"Well, he also let that lunatic in as Mad Eye Moody, didn' he? The man can't know everything."
"But he knows her background, but he hasn't warned me or anything. Has he ever said she's dangerous, Hagrid?" Harry continued.
"It doesn' matter! She might be good now, but she could start listenin' ter her father any minute she chooses! If yeh know what's good fer yeh, stay away from her."
"Alright, Hagrid. We'll see. You told Hermione to stay away from Victor Krum, because you thought he was dangerous. Well look at him, now. He's s spy whose on our side, risking his life." Hermione knodded, she did accept that, but she did feel slight doubts as to Eve's goodness. She was the only one who saw her conversation with her father. The horribly persuasive effect he had on her. She made a mental note to tell Harry this later. Not in front of Hagrid.
"That's different. He didn' have it in his blood! I shouldn' tell yer this, but I hear things. From Dumbledore. About how she's got birthmarks. They always mean trouble." Hagrid said defensively.
Harry raised his eyebows. "What about this? Does THIS mean I'm evil?" he said, raising his bangs to reveal his scar. Hagrid waved his hand impatiently.
"You were given that. She was born with it. That means there's..stuff.that's written in her destiny. Its written in the stars or summat."
"Stuff like what?"
"I dunno, but its not good. I can feel it in me bones, 'Arry. I have VERY bad feelings about that girl. She has the Dark Mark on her arm, for God's sake!"
"She does?!" Hermione cried. Hagrid slumped back in embarrassment.
"I shouldn'a told yeh that," he said sheepishly.
" How do you know that? When did she get it?" Ron asked.
"Accordin' ter Dumbledore, she's had it all her life, like 'Arry. A memento from her dad. That means she can always be called upon by him, know when he wants her. If the spell on it is strong enough, he can even control her, I've heard Snape say." Hagrid said all this rather unwillingly, but Harry could tell he was telling him to keep him safe. Indeed, he didn't know about any of this, and it made him curious about her. He needed to do some more pondering on all of this.
"I think we have to go now, Hagrid. Thanks for the tea," he said, although he had barely sipped it.
"Yeah, and for the. other information," Ron said, with a wink.
They all got up and Hagrid saw them to the door, with his great dog, Fang, playfully licking their ankles. Harry bent over and scratched his ears before he left.
They got out of the hut and noticed that the sun had set. The edge of the forest near the hut was eerie in the dark, and the air had gotten chilly. The trio walked together toward the castle, and as soon as they were away from earshot, Hermione said, " Harry, the other night You-Know-Who told Eve to meet him tomorrow night. They might have changed plans, since she knows I was there, but be careful, alright? He might still be lurking around here."
"Dear God. Sirius should be coming around soon. Should I write and tell him?" Harry asked, worried.
" That'll make him come faster, Harry, so he can protect you or something." Ron said.
"I think we should have a talk with Dumbledore first. He doesn't know about all this. We need his advice." The ever sensible Hermione said.
"I guess," Harry answered.
"Let's go right now," she said.
" What's the rush? Is there something else you haven't told us about Eve's encounter with her father? Are you that worried?" Ron said.
"No, it's just that I have a thirty foot long paper to do on advanced Transfiguration tomorrow night, so I don't want to be busy," she chuckled. Ron smiled and rolled his eyes.
" Hey, I thought we made, you know..plans," he said with a sneaky grin.
" Yeah, so I wanna finish it early," Hermione giggled, and Ron put his arm around her affectionately. Harry shook his head. Here he was, wondering about everyone's safety, but the only things these two can do is act like lovebirds. Oh well. He was enormously happy for them, though. He wished he would soon have something like what they had. He thought he had it with Cho, but it was not meant to be. He hoped he'd find his own soulmate soon. Then a mischievous voice in his head said, ' What if you've already have?'
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Eve took out a piece of parchment and laid it on her desk. She hunted around for a quill. "Where's that damn quill you gave me as a present?" she asked out loud.
"Don't worry, it's right here," came Draco's silky voice. He handed her the quill and an ink bottle from his pocket. He smiled at her, "Why are you so worried?"
"This is my first letter to him, that's all. You know I need to tell him to meet me another time. Hermione saw me," she said.
"Goddamn Gryffindors, thinking they're so self-rightous. There's always one trying to save the world. Its disgusting," Draco said.
"What's wrong with saving the world?"
"Because everybody knows its much more fun taking over it," Draco said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, but in the movies the villain always gets defeated," Eve said.
"Not this time. This isn't a crappy muggle movie," Draco said with a grin.
"Then what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be off getting some Death- Eater training?" she said mockingly.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not training to be your father's pawn in his own game. I want to be more than a lackey, a follower. That doesn't make me any better than those idiots Crabbe and Goyle. Or my own father," he said, quite sincerely.
" So lemme get this straight. You don't wanna be on the good side, but you're also against the bad guys?"
"I wanna create my own 'side,' because I don't belong to any. I wanna be my own master," Draco said.
"I think you and I are very alike," Eve said with a smile. Draco walked over and sat next to her near her desk.
" Well, until we figure out where we belong, or make a place ourselves, you'd better write that bloody letter," he said, staring deep into her eyes. Clouds again. Dammit, Eve thought. But she did feel herself blushing a bit. His face was so close to hers. She cleared her throat and turned away from him, starting her letter:
Dear father,
Unfortunately, I cannot meet with you tomorrow. Please send me back Zenith with an another date. Dumbledore has many spies lurking around and one of them discovered me talking with you. Do not be alarmed, as Dumbledore still trusts me. I have my ways with him. Send me a reply as soon as possible, but do not be near Hogwarts tomorrow night. They might be expecting you. Sincerely, your daughter, Eve
" 'Sincerely?' " Draco asked.
"What's wrong with that?"
"You're his daughter. You're probably the only one who doesn't have to be formal with him." He said.
" I guess it might be better if I change it." But she couldn't say "love" because she certainly didn't mean it or show it to him that night. With a wave of her hand, her closing changed to : Forever your daughter, Eve. That was the one thing she knew for sure. Draco shrugged, but she whistled to Zenith, who seemed excited to finale be of service and visit his old master. He flew off with long strokes of his beating wings after she tied her note to his leg. Eve sighed.
"What's wrong?"
] " I'm just terrified. I still don't know if I'm doing the right thing, meeting him."
"Potter isn't getting to you with his charms, is he?"
"No way! We just used to be friends a very long time ago, and I guess the friendship is rekindling."
"And not anything else?" Draco said, raising a thin eyebrow questioningly.
"I'm positive." She couldn't tell anyone if she liked Harry. And that was a big IF. Even if she did like him, her father would kill him in an instant if he found out.
"If you don't like him, well then prove it."
"How?" she asked, smiling.
"Kiss me," Draco said, a seductive grin creeping across his lips.
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A/N: hehe, I LOVE cliffhangers, I love torturing my readers. Anywayz, REVIEW!!! I'm getting discouraged!! Anywayz, tell me what you think. If you like it, tell me so ill write faster. If u don't tell me so I can improve it!! I'll appreciate it and if u leave ur email ill email u back whenevr I update!! Lotsa love!!