Title: That Lunch in December
Author: Deep-Ware
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all the characters from the book and all the stuff I don't make up :D
Comments: took me a while, but I was working on both this chapter and the next one.....
Chapter Seven: Rings, Paintings and Butterbeer oh my!
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked again, laying a hand on Snape's arm. "Please tell me what it does."
"I- I don't understand why, of all things, he would leave this." Snape muttered to himself, completely ignoring Dumbledore.
"There was a note next to it. Ah! Here it is." Dumbledore handed it over to Snape. The potions master stared blankly at the note, reading it over and over again. Finally, Snape dropped it.
"Bastard." He spat, looking out to the lake.
Turning to look at Dumbledore, Snape said, "I'm sorry Albus, but I must deal with this privately. There is something you still don't know, but I have promised those involved that I would not tell a soul."
"Well, as you probably know by now, promises mean a great deal to me." Dumbledore said, bowing his head shightly at the other man. "Keep your promise. But do tell me this; are you planning on finding Lucius?"
"Yes, actually. It will probably take me two or three days."
"If you must. I shall find a potions master for Monday."
"Thank you."
-- -- --
"Draco! Come here immediately!" Snape roared from the Slytherin common room. He had just stepped in, and was still at the door.
"Coming!" Draco yelled back from the sixth year dormitory. He was still pulling his shirt over his stomach as he rushed down the flights of stairs, and Pansy let out a muffled gasp.
Draco glared at the girl. "Yes Professor?"
"Have you seen this before?" Snape asked as he pulled a beautiful, smooth, round crystal out of his pocket. "Albus gave it to me this morning. He told me Lucius left it at the manor."
Walking closer, Draco squinted at the ball in Snape's hand. It consisted of small specks in many dark colors; maroon, black, purple, pine, navy, and many shades of gray, and on one side was a golden hinge.
"Yeah, I've seen it before. He kept it in a glass container on his desk. So what? Maybe he forgot to pack it." He said, shrugging.
"Do you know what's in here?" he asked but Draco shook his head. Snape looked at the boy and pried his nails into the crevasse. Inside was two beautiful gold rings, each having a jeweled rose perched on top.
"Well, I don't know why. I does belong to you." Snape said as he pulled one out of the case very carefully and shoved it under his grandson's nose. "Look."
Draco took the ring from Snape and gasped. Inscribed on the band were the words "May Love Always Be True – Draco Malfoy".
"It came with this." Snape said gravely. He handed over the note he had just been reading. It read:
May the boy who took my son from me be in good health for all his years. Lucius
"But- he can't really mean?" Draco asked. His vision was blurring as he choked back the tears he dared not shed. Draco was no idiot and had fully understood his father's words the moment he saw them. He had been disowned. He had no family. Except for Snape. 'Snape will look after me. I will get over it and I will not cry.' Draco thought to himself, more to hear himself say it than to actually believe it.
"We need to talk in my office."
"Alright."
As the two Slytherins walked down the halls in silence, Draco thought of all the things he would want to get from his home. 'My private book collection. Sev has some good titles, but nothing I'm crazy about. I also want to keep my...' Draco was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't know where he was going and walked straight into the wall. Snape frowned and pulled the dazed boy into his chambers.
"Do you know anything about these rings?" Snape asked the moment he closed the door.
"Nooooo...." Draco said slowly. He could tell his godfather was very worried which scared him much more than anything else.
"These were supposed to be your wedding rings. Remember the writing? The one you're holding has a quote and your name on it. The other has just the quote. Lucius had always intended to get your wife's name inscribed on the blank ring."
"Oh. Now I know why he sent the rings." Draco said, drooping his head in shame.
"Don't worry."
"But, what did he mean when he said he hopes Ron lives a long, healthy life?" the blonde asked confused.
"The rings are charmed. When both people are wearing them they can, to a degree, feel what the other person feels. It's very subdued though, and only last for a few moments." Snape said.
"So your saying that when me and Ron both wear these, we feel each other's emotions?"
"Vaguely, yes." Snape agreed. "But only if the emotion is strong. If Ron's feeling very happy, you will probably smile."
"And if he's terribly depressed?"
"You won't feel like smiling."
"Can the spell back fire? I mean, what if he dies?" Draco asked. He was terrified of the rings, but felt drawn towards them.
"You'll probably get sick and you might retch. Don't worry, it won't kill you too." Snape assured.
"Well, I sure as hell won't be seen giving him a RING! Is the whole thing charmed?"
"No, just the rose. Why?"
"I have an idea."
-- -- --
"I haven't seen much of you lately. Where do you always go?" Hermione asked her best friend as they made their way to The Three Broomsticks for a drink.
"Umm....I've been studying in the library?" Ron said as he grabbed their drinks and followed Hermione to a quiet table by the window. Unfortunately he somehow made it seem more like a question than an answer.
"Good try Ron, but I'm not that thick."
"Alright. I've been with Draco."
"Malfoy?"
"Hermione, how many Dracos do you think there are in London?"
"Well." She huffed. She took her butterbeer from Ron and stared at the large brown bag slung across his shoulder. "So, what's in the bag?"
"Oh this? Just some stuff I made." Ron said. Hermione looked quite interested so he carefully handed it over. When she opened it her eyes grew wide; inside were five or six beautiful paintings. Three were cottages, one was a horse, and one was the Hogwarts seal. The last one Hermione pulled out made her gasp. It was her cat Crookshanks lounging on a sofa.
"Did y-you really do these?" she whispered.
"Yup. Did all six last month. I wanted to give you Crookshanks for your birthday, but I didn't finish it in time so I got you the necklace instead. I brought the other five to sell but took this one incase anyone really wanted it." Ron told her grinning.
"Excuse me." An older man said as he walked over to their table. "I couldn't help but overhear, and wondered if I could look at the paintings. Do they move? I need a fixed painting for my son's apartment."
"No sir, they don't move."
"Wonderful. Could you pass the white house dear? Thank you." the man carefully took hold of the corners and stared frowning. Ron looked carefully at the man and his jaw dropped when he figured out where he had seen him before. "This is astounding boy. How much?"
"How much is it worth?"
"I'd say around fifteen galleons, but I don't have that much with me." The man said loudly.
"How 'bout this. You can have it for ten sickles if I can have your autograph." Ron bargained. The man laughed and agreed. Signing a paper for Ron and handing over some silver coins, he disappeared into the crowd. Ron seemed to feel very lucky as he looked dumbfounded at the paper in his hand.
Hermione poked Ron in the arm and hissed, "Are you crazy? Didn't you hear him? Fifteen galleons!"
"Hermione, don't you know who that was?!" she shook her head and Ron sighed. "That was George Natip, one of the most famous painters. He's a really tough critic too, so I have to be good for him to even look at my paintings. Besides, he had already done me two favors."
"Two favors? All he did was write his name on a piece of scrap paper and give you some change."
"Actually, he did more than that. Like I said, just coming up to me is an honor. Second, he talked really loud incase other people who know him are in here. Third, my paintings may be good, but they're not worth fifteen galleons. I'd guess about seven only."
"Seven only! Ron, that's still a lot of money for one painting. Especially one made by a sixteen year old."
"Pardon me, but is that cat for sale too?" a burly man with a moustache asked.
"Yes." Hermione said before Ron could deny himself more money. "It's five galleons."
"Five? Are they all that cheap? 'Cause if they are, I'll also take the horse."
"Of course. Here you are." Hermione grinned as the man dropped ten gold pieces into he outstretched hand. Grabbing his purchases, he thanked them and left. Hermione flashed Ron an evil grin as she stole two galleons. "You owe me for the drink." She said and stuffed the rest into his bag along with the other paintings. They both stood and left the building.
-- -- --
A/N: ok...out of good ideas, so I'm just gonna skip the next five and a half months and jump to the last day of school of school.....everyone is getting on the train....
-- -- --
As all the other students bustled happily around them onto the chain, Ron and Draco said their goodbyes.
"I got you something at Hogsmeade." Draco said. He took something out of his trunk and gave it to Ron. It was a small, white box wrapped in lavender ribbon. Taking the box, Ron opened and shut his mouth silently. He undid the beautiful bow and stuffed the ribbon in his pocket. Ron slowly opened the package and gasped.
Inside was a small pewter charm in the shape of a dragon. The dragon's eyes and nostrils were miniscule rubies, its tail spikes were painted with sapphires, and its spine was littered with emeralds. In the center of the dragon's body was a rose. Attached at the bottom was the word "RONALD" in large silver block letters. Ron looked up at Draco, speechless. Never in his life had he ever been given something so beautiful. Draco looked anxious, but Ron didn't know why. He loved the present very much, but not just because it was unspeakably beautiful; he loved it because he loved the boy who had given it to him.
"It's beautiful Draco. Thank you." Ron said when he finally found his voice. Draco smiled at the sincerity in the sixth year's voice. "But, this must be worth a fortune! How did you ever get the money to pay for it?"
Draco's grin widened. He had expected that question to pop up eventually. "But Ron, I didn't have to pay."
"You mean...?"
"No, I didn't steal it. Once again you forget I'm the son of an evil Death Eater!"
"Not anymore, you're not."
"Yes, well, that's not the point. When I came into the shop, the manager almost screamed bloody murder. I suppose he thought I was there to kill him, but when I told him I was only there to buy a charm, he acted like a normal crabby old man. When I found that charm, he told me the price, and hell was it expensive! The charm scratched my hand so I pulled out my wand to clean it. My language wasn't very sweet, so I suppose the manager thought I was angry with him."
"Imagine that!" Ron said in mock surprise.
Sighing, Draco continued. "I know! Who would ever think such a thing?! Anyways, he told me I could have it for free if I got out immediately. I asked him to engrave your name, but he told me I would have to pay. You should have seen his face! All I had to pay for was your name, but it didn't cost much anyways."
"Oh. Well, it's beautiful!"
"I knew you'd love it."
"But I didn't get anything for you!" Ron said frowning. Soon, his face lit up and he rummaged through his trunk. "Here." He said, giving Draco a painting. "I was going to hang it in my room, but you can have it."
The painting was actually five scenes blurred together around the edges. In the top left hand corner was Draco and Snape laughing together on the floor. In the top right was Lucius aiming his wand at Draco, and in the bottom left was Ron and Draco sleeping on Snape's couch. The bottom right scene showed Draco hugging Hermione, and in the center was Draco and Ron, hand in hand, smiling.
It was now Draco's turn to be speechless. The painting was so lifelike that Draco could see every line on his face. "Did you do this?" he whispered to Ron.
"Yeah. It's one of my better ones."
"I'd say so! Ron, this is wonderful. I never knew you could draw so well." Draco said, running his hand over the painting. Ron grinned at the compliment. He had always known he was good, but when Draco said it he felt like a professional.
Putting away their gifts, both boys looked at each other. They might not see the other for a whole three months. After hugging for a long time, Draco waved as Ron boarded the Hogwarts Express. The blonde would be leaving with Snape the next day. When the train was nowhere to be seen, Draco walked over the grounds alone back to the school.
A/N: did you like my joke bout the rings?...drawn towards them...terrified of thoer power....Lord of the Rings.....I'm obsessed.....
Anyways.....two more chaptahs and.... sob ITS OVER! Yes...yes...I added another chapter....the soon to be famous Weasley showdown took up a whole 4 pages! The next update is about Ron's battle at home.....then Draco talks with Snape at the end as a way to set up for the last chapter...
Author: Deep-Ware
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: JK Rowling owns all the characters from the book and all the stuff I don't make up :D
Comments: took me a while, but I was working on both this chapter and the next one.....
Chapter Seven: Rings, Paintings and Butterbeer oh my!
"Severus?" Dumbledore asked again, laying a hand on Snape's arm. "Please tell me what it does."
"I- I don't understand why, of all things, he would leave this." Snape muttered to himself, completely ignoring Dumbledore.
"There was a note next to it. Ah! Here it is." Dumbledore handed it over to Snape. The potions master stared blankly at the note, reading it over and over again. Finally, Snape dropped it.
"Bastard." He spat, looking out to the lake.
Turning to look at Dumbledore, Snape said, "I'm sorry Albus, but I must deal with this privately. There is something you still don't know, but I have promised those involved that I would not tell a soul."
"Well, as you probably know by now, promises mean a great deal to me." Dumbledore said, bowing his head shightly at the other man. "Keep your promise. But do tell me this; are you planning on finding Lucius?"
"Yes, actually. It will probably take me two or three days."
"If you must. I shall find a potions master for Monday."
"Thank you."
-- -- --
"Draco! Come here immediately!" Snape roared from the Slytherin common room. He had just stepped in, and was still at the door.
"Coming!" Draco yelled back from the sixth year dormitory. He was still pulling his shirt over his stomach as he rushed down the flights of stairs, and Pansy let out a muffled gasp.
Draco glared at the girl. "Yes Professor?"
"Have you seen this before?" Snape asked as he pulled a beautiful, smooth, round crystal out of his pocket. "Albus gave it to me this morning. He told me Lucius left it at the manor."
Walking closer, Draco squinted at the ball in Snape's hand. It consisted of small specks in many dark colors; maroon, black, purple, pine, navy, and many shades of gray, and on one side was a golden hinge.
"Yeah, I've seen it before. He kept it in a glass container on his desk. So what? Maybe he forgot to pack it." He said, shrugging.
"Do you know what's in here?" he asked but Draco shook his head. Snape looked at the boy and pried his nails into the crevasse. Inside was two beautiful gold rings, each having a jeweled rose perched on top.
"Well, I don't know why. I does belong to you." Snape said as he pulled one out of the case very carefully and shoved it under his grandson's nose. "Look."
Draco took the ring from Snape and gasped. Inscribed on the band were the words "May Love Always Be True – Draco Malfoy".
"It came with this." Snape said gravely. He handed over the note he had just been reading. It read:
May the boy who took my son from me be in good health for all his years. Lucius
"But- he can't really mean?" Draco asked. His vision was blurring as he choked back the tears he dared not shed. Draco was no idiot and had fully understood his father's words the moment he saw them. He had been disowned. He had no family. Except for Snape. 'Snape will look after me. I will get over it and I will not cry.' Draco thought to himself, more to hear himself say it than to actually believe it.
"We need to talk in my office."
"Alright."
As the two Slytherins walked down the halls in silence, Draco thought of all the things he would want to get from his home. 'My private book collection. Sev has some good titles, but nothing I'm crazy about. I also want to keep my...' Draco was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't know where he was going and walked straight into the wall. Snape frowned and pulled the dazed boy into his chambers.
"Do you know anything about these rings?" Snape asked the moment he closed the door.
"Nooooo...." Draco said slowly. He could tell his godfather was very worried which scared him much more than anything else.
"These were supposed to be your wedding rings. Remember the writing? The one you're holding has a quote and your name on it. The other has just the quote. Lucius had always intended to get your wife's name inscribed on the blank ring."
"Oh. Now I know why he sent the rings." Draco said, drooping his head in shame.
"Don't worry."
"But, what did he mean when he said he hopes Ron lives a long, healthy life?" the blonde asked confused.
"The rings are charmed. When both people are wearing them they can, to a degree, feel what the other person feels. It's very subdued though, and only last for a few moments." Snape said.
"So your saying that when me and Ron both wear these, we feel each other's emotions?"
"Vaguely, yes." Snape agreed. "But only if the emotion is strong. If Ron's feeling very happy, you will probably smile."
"And if he's terribly depressed?"
"You won't feel like smiling."
"Can the spell back fire? I mean, what if he dies?" Draco asked. He was terrified of the rings, but felt drawn towards them.
"You'll probably get sick and you might retch. Don't worry, it won't kill you too." Snape assured.
"Well, I sure as hell won't be seen giving him a RING! Is the whole thing charmed?"
"No, just the rose. Why?"
"I have an idea."
-- -- --
"I haven't seen much of you lately. Where do you always go?" Hermione asked her best friend as they made their way to The Three Broomsticks for a drink.
"Umm....I've been studying in the library?" Ron said as he grabbed their drinks and followed Hermione to a quiet table by the window. Unfortunately he somehow made it seem more like a question than an answer.
"Good try Ron, but I'm not that thick."
"Alright. I've been with Draco."
"Malfoy?"
"Hermione, how many Dracos do you think there are in London?"
"Well." She huffed. She took her butterbeer from Ron and stared at the large brown bag slung across his shoulder. "So, what's in the bag?"
"Oh this? Just some stuff I made." Ron said. Hermione looked quite interested so he carefully handed it over. When she opened it her eyes grew wide; inside were five or six beautiful paintings. Three were cottages, one was a horse, and one was the Hogwarts seal. The last one Hermione pulled out made her gasp. It was her cat Crookshanks lounging on a sofa.
"Did y-you really do these?" she whispered.
"Yup. Did all six last month. I wanted to give you Crookshanks for your birthday, but I didn't finish it in time so I got you the necklace instead. I brought the other five to sell but took this one incase anyone really wanted it." Ron told her grinning.
"Excuse me." An older man said as he walked over to their table. "I couldn't help but overhear, and wondered if I could look at the paintings. Do they move? I need a fixed painting for my son's apartment."
"No sir, they don't move."
"Wonderful. Could you pass the white house dear? Thank you." the man carefully took hold of the corners and stared frowning. Ron looked carefully at the man and his jaw dropped when he figured out where he had seen him before. "This is astounding boy. How much?"
"How much is it worth?"
"I'd say around fifteen galleons, but I don't have that much with me." The man said loudly.
"How 'bout this. You can have it for ten sickles if I can have your autograph." Ron bargained. The man laughed and agreed. Signing a paper for Ron and handing over some silver coins, he disappeared into the crowd. Ron seemed to feel very lucky as he looked dumbfounded at the paper in his hand.
Hermione poked Ron in the arm and hissed, "Are you crazy? Didn't you hear him? Fifteen galleons!"
"Hermione, don't you know who that was?!" she shook her head and Ron sighed. "That was George Natip, one of the most famous painters. He's a really tough critic too, so I have to be good for him to even look at my paintings. Besides, he had already done me two favors."
"Two favors? All he did was write his name on a piece of scrap paper and give you some change."
"Actually, he did more than that. Like I said, just coming up to me is an honor. Second, he talked really loud incase other people who know him are in here. Third, my paintings may be good, but they're not worth fifteen galleons. I'd guess about seven only."
"Seven only! Ron, that's still a lot of money for one painting. Especially one made by a sixteen year old."
"Pardon me, but is that cat for sale too?" a burly man with a moustache asked.
"Yes." Hermione said before Ron could deny himself more money. "It's five galleons."
"Five? Are they all that cheap? 'Cause if they are, I'll also take the horse."
"Of course. Here you are." Hermione grinned as the man dropped ten gold pieces into he outstretched hand. Grabbing his purchases, he thanked them and left. Hermione flashed Ron an evil grin as she stole two galleons. "You owe me for the drink." She said and stuffed the rest into his bag along with the other paintings. They both stood and left the building.
-- -- --
A/N: ok...out of good ideas, so I'm just gonna skip the next five and a half months and jump to the last day of school of school.....everyone is getting on the train....
-- -- --
As all the other students bustled happily around them onto the chain, Ron and Draco said their goodbyes.
"I got you something at Hogsmeade." Draco said. He took something out of his trunk and gave it to Ron. It was a small, white box wrapped in lavender ribbon. Taking the box, Ron opened and shut his mouth silently. He undid the beautiful bow and stuffed the ribbon in his pocket. Ron slowly opened the package and gasped.
Inside was a small pewter charm in the shape of a dragon. The dragon's eyes and nostrils were miniscule rubies, its tail spikes were painted with sapphires, and its spine was littered with emeralds. In the center of the dragon's body was a rose. Attached at the bottom was the word "RONALD" in large silver block letters. Ron looked up at Draco, speechless. Never in his life had he ever been given something so beautiful. Draco looked anxious, but Ron didn't know why. He loved the present very much, but not just because it was unspeakably beautiful; he loved it because he loved the boy who had given it to him.
"It's beautiful Draco. Thank you." Ron said when he finally found his voice. Draco smiled at the sincerity in the sixth year's voice. "But, this must be worth a fortune! How did you ever get the money to pay for it?"
Draco's grin widened. He had expected that question to pop up eventually. "But Ron, I didn't have to pay."
"You mean...?"
"No, I didn't steal it. Once again you forget I'm the son of an evil Death Eater!"
"Not anymore, you're not."
"Yes, well, that's not the point. When I came into the shop, the manager almost screamed bloody murder. I suppose he thought I was there to kill him, but when I told him I was only there to buy a charm, he acted like a normal crabby old man. When I found that charm, he told me the price, and hell was it expensive! The charm scratched my hand so I pulled out my wand to clean it. My language wasn't very sweet, so I suppose the manager thought I was angry with him."
"Imagine that!" Ron said in mock surprise.
Sighing, Draco continued. "I know! Who would ever think such a thing?! Anyways, he told me I could have it for free if I got out immediately. I asked him to engrave your name, but he told me I would have to pay. You should have seen his face! All I had to pay for was your name, but it didn't cost much anyways."
"Oh. Well, it's beautiful!"
"I knew you'd love it."
"But I didn't get anything for you!" Ron said frowning. Soon, his face lit up and he rummaged through his trunk. "Here." He said, giving Draco a painting. "I was going to hang it in my room, but you can have it."
The painting was actually five scenes blurred together around the edges. In the top left hand corner was Draco and Snape laughing together on the floor. In the top right was Lucius aiming his wand at Draco, and in the bottom left was Ron and Draco sleeping on Snape's couch. The bottom right scene showed Draco hugging Hermione, and in the center was Draco and Ron, hand in hand, smiling.
It was now Draco's turn to be speechless. The painting was so lifelike that Draco could see every line on his face. "Did you do this?" he whispered to Ron.
"Yeah. It's one of my better ones."
"I'd say so! Ron, this is wonderful. I never knew you could draw so well." Draco said, running his hand over the painting. Ron grinned at the compliment. He had always known he was good, but when Draco said it he felt like a professional.
Putting away their gifts, both boys looked at each other. They might not see the other for a whole three months. After hugging for a long time, Draco waved as Ron boarded the Hogwarts Express. The blonde would be leaving with Snape the next day. When the train was nowhere to be seen, Draco walked over the grounds alone back to the school.
A/N: did you like my joke bout the rings?...drawn towards them...terrified of thoer power....Lord of the Rings.....I'm obsessed.....
Anyways.....two more chaptahs and.... sob ITS OVER! Yes...yes...I added another chapter....the soon to be famous Weasley showdown took up a whole 4 pages! The next update is about Ron's battle at home.....then Draco talks with Snape at the end as a way to set up for the last chapter...