Disclaimer: Come on people, if you've gotten this far then you should know the drill by now.
Author's Note: Here it is all. I think you're all going to hate the twist, but tough cookies.
I'll try to get the next chapter out yet this week.
Sorry I didn't post earlier today-- but might I add, it's still Sunday my time, so I did post when I promised.. But I was at my grandparents earlier, so I couldn't do anything about it. I'm glad I finally got it out, though. Now I have all of the angry reviews to look forward to tomorrow morning.
Lo26: Then this cliffy is going to make you extra nuts. Thanks!
kt: Flattery will get you.. everywhere. Thanks!
FourteenBalloons: Didn't I ever tell you who I based her on? :=P Thanks!
asphyxiation1013: I'm glad you're glad I guess. Thanks.
fortunecookiesandplasticwands: I'm glad you like it. I reviewed your story, 'tis good. Don't let other people stop you from writing it, or I'll have to come after you with a pitchfork and torch. Thanks!
Imigo: Sully means Dark Eyes. Didn't I include that in one of my author's notes? :=P Anyways, I'm glad you like the story so much, and I hope it continues to meet to your expectations. Thanks!
wingsofwax: Dray-g-on. I don't know if that answers your question, but I was to lazy to look up those little pronunciation characters. And I hope that most of the chapters are longer than the last, but some of the earlier ones may not be. I hope this one is, however. Thanks!
AJ586: You mean post sooner than before, not review? Alright, I tried. Did I succeed? Thanks!
Airea Llewellyn: Here you go. I don't think it answers either of your questions, though. Thanks!
eviltreespirit: Err, I just did? Thanks!
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Past, Present, and Future.
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Part Thirty-Three: Explanations Delivered
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It was three A.M. in the morning, and instead of sleeping, Draco was sitting in front of a polished oak desk surrounded by the head of his house, the headmaster, and his Transfiguration professor, though where she came from, he still wasn't sure.
"I don't know how to start.." Said Draco with a defeated sigh, staring intently at his nails as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.
"Then start at the beginning," said the Headmaster softly, pausing for a moment before finishing with, "But before that, cocoa anyone?"
Draco shook his head, not looking up, but imagining the other's were doing the same.
"Very well, continue then, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco cleared his throat, slowly saying, "Okay then.. Well.." He paused, trying to arrange the words in his head so that they didn't sound as silly as they did currently. Finally, he decided with, "Mydedfrendhscumbacfomthededtohauntmendpotterherehsbenhelpingso--"
"Take a breath, Mr. Malfoy," instructed the headmaster, peering over his spectacles at him with amusement, "And try again."
"Oh. Sorry.. Nervous habit." He gave the headmaster a weak smile, "Guess the therapy didn't work, huh?"
The Headmaster smiled slightly under his beard and nodded for him to continue. I really need to learn how to stall more efficiently..
Draco closed his eyes and sighed, knowing in full that there wasn't a way to get out of this. Slowly, he told his tale from the point of his interrupted sleep, to the point where Potter fainted, leaving out the kiss of course and other flirtatious gestures. Every now and then he caught a glimpse of Potter, who was staring at an interesting piece of lint intently, each time failing to meet his gaze.
Nearly an hour later, Draco was finished with his tale and an awkward silence was blanketing the group of Professors.
The Slytherin risked a glance at the raven-haired Gryffindor sitting beside him to find that the Gryffindor was now studying him intently. When their eyes meant, he smirked. Draco gave him a curious glance, a shiver running down his spine. Somehow, he felt as if that gesture had a hidden meaning to it.
He slowly turned away, his blood still running cold, and he studied the oak desk intently as if he would find all of his answers there. It was then, that he was interrupted by the Headmaster's soft voice.
"Draco, may I ask why you didn't come to one of us before? Such as your Godfather? This Sully may very well be seriously after your life."
Draco didn't look up, but instead shrugged, "I don't know."
"But you saw fit to go to.. Potter, here?" Asked his godfather, speaking up for the first time in a long while. His distaste for the Gryffindor was apparent in his voice.
Again, Draco shrugged, inwardly twitching at the tone of his Godfather's voice, "Well, he just sort of.. found out.. on his own. I didn't deliberately confide in him.."
"P--"
"Severus," warned Dumbledore softly. "I really don't think that is the problem here," He paused, directing his eyes to Harry for the first time and said, "Tell me Harry, you have been studying apparitions, what do you think of Sully?
He cleared his throat slightly, and out of the corner of Draco's eyes he could see the quick movement of his arm as he pushed his glasses up. Slowly he said, "She didn't look like any of the text-book cases that I've learned about. She didn't have the golden glow like the advanced astral or illusion form, nor did she have the normal transparency of a regular ghost."
"Did she look solid?"
"Yes and no. I couldn't see through her, precisely, but at the same time I could make out different colors behind her, only they were very dull."
The Headmaster mumbled something inaudible under his breath, before saying, "How did she create the storm?"
"With a chant."
"Did you catch any of it?"
"I wasn't precisely in the listening mood, if you know what I mean," replied Harry softly, the slightest trace of anger in his voice. Draco looked up and arched an eyebrow at the boy.
Harry, however, did not meet his gaze.
"Yes, of course..." He paused, suddenly saying, "Tell me, Harry, was she hovering?"
"No."
"I see.." The Headmaster leaned backwards in his chair, sighing softly and entwining his fingers in his great beard.
An awkward silence began to blanket the room, when the doors of the office burst open. Everyone turned, their eyes lining on a very distraught looking Madame Pomfrey.
"Albus," She panted, "Albus, Mr. Malfoy is missing."
The Headmaster smiled slightly, "I know Poppy. He's right here." He motioned to the chair in front of him, and Poppy looked past Severus to spy the familiar blonde hair. At first, to Draco, she looked relieved, but that was quickly replaced by anger.
She stiffened, her eyes darting from Draco to Dumbledore.
"I trust you will deal with his punishment and send him back afterwards?"
"Yes, Poppy, of course."
"Good," She sniffed, "Then I'll be returning to my quarters.."
"Of course," Replied Dumbledore softly, "Don't let us keep you."
A few moments later Madame Pomfrey turned and left, the door clicking softly behind her. A tense moment passed before the Headmaster's soft chuckling rang through out his office and he said to himself, "I really must remember to send her a gift basket for the trouble she's put through.."
Draco arched an eyebrow, turning around fully in his seat. Slowly, the Headmaster addressed him again. "How's your arm doing, by the way, Mr. Malfoy?"
He glanced down at his cast, the white tissue ripped in various places and showing purple-tinted skin. "I didn't even remember it was broken," he mumbled softly.
"Yes, shock will do that to you.."
He nodded slightly, looking back up at the Headmaster and softly asking, "Do you know what she is?"
"I have my suspicions, but as of now, no, I do not."
He swallowed, afraid that was going to be the answer. Lowering his eyes to the floor, Draco sighed.
"Rest assured, Mr. Malfoy, I will find out."
Somehow, the way the Headmaster said it, it gave Draco little comfort. Suddenly he lifted his head and asked in a rush, "What about my Mother?"
"Sully said she's dead.."
The Headmaster nodded shortly, addressing the Potion's master standing protectively behind Draco, "Severus, please send an owl to the lady Malfoy as soon as possible, won't you?"
Snape opened his mouth as if to protest, but instead nodded and turned on his heel, his cloak swishing and brushing the back of Draco's neck as he made his way to the door.
Dumbledore turned to Draco again and said, "I'm sorry I cannot truthfully say that she is not."
Draco nodded slightly, his eyes lowered to the floor again.
"What about the Ministry?" Asked McGonagall softly and suddenly, Draco barely registering the fact that it was the first time she spoke since entering the room.
"For right now, I think it is better that they are not involved in the affairs of this school. Not yet, anyhow. If Sully is what I suspect she is, this could be a very valuable opportunity."
Yeah, someone's trying to kill me and it's suddenly a valuable opportunity..
"Albus, I must protest."
The Headmaster nodded, "Your disagreement is noted, Minerva. Now, please gather the staff as soon as possible and strengthen the wards, will you not?"
"Of course. I still think you should tell the Ministry, though," Said the Transfiguration Professor stiffly, turning on her heel much like Snape.
Soon after the click of the door could be heard, at which point the Headmaster turned to Draco again and softly said, "Now, I think we have put Poppy through enough tonight and should return you to her care. I'll arrange for a house elf to clean your bedroom in the morning, and considering I believe Poppy will want to keep you for a bit longer, and run some more tests based on this information, I don't think that will be a problem. Now, go, sleep. Both of you. I believe all of us have a very long day ahead.."
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Part Thirty-Four: Distraught Nurses
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Out of the Headmaster's view, Draco raised his good arm and stretched leisurely, his damp pajama top clinging to his body and raising with his movements. He was all to aware of his pale skin showing, and he glanced at his walking companion, lowering his arm and hastily smoothing his pajama top.
The raven-haired-boy, however, did not notice as he was to intent on staring at the stairway they were climbing, as if it were the most important thing in the world. Neither of them had spoken since leaving the Headmaster's office, and Draco welcomed the silence. He wasn't sure what to say after previous events.
In a mere matter of days, Draco found his life not only being turned upside down, but being shook for all it was worth. Before, Draco was happy-- he had a mother, and a father, and despite rather openly said rumors, his good health and a rather normal life. But now, Draco wasn't even sure what happy meant.
Was it a tingling sensation that ran through one's entire body, making them want to jump from shere excitement? Was it a nauseating sensation in one's stomach that made them afraid of being so strangely content they were going to burst?
If it were the last, maybe Draco knew it after all.
Suddenly, Draco was pulled from that thought trail, at which point he silently thanked what ever Gods were watching, as the clambering noise of a stairway shifting sounded about him. Luckily, it was the stairway above.
When the sound faded and they neared another stairway, Draco was able to return to his thoughts. However, he didn't want to, so instead he tried to focus on each step he took. For a short while it worked, but before he knew it, he was thinking again and couldn't help himself as he accidentally said aloud, "Are you--"
Luckily he caught himself in mid-sentence and was able to stop. Not so luckily, the two words uttered had not escaped the Gryffindor's hearing.
"Am I what?"
He sighed, defeated, and said, "Are you alright? You fainted earlier.."
"Oh, yeah. Yeah, I am," Said the Gryffindor softly.
The two traveled in a tense silence for a few moments before Harry asked, "Did I leave my cloak in the hospital wing?"
Draco jumped slightly at the sudden question, taking a moment to figure out what the Gryffindor was referring to, before replying with a soft, "I think so.. Why?"
"I.. just didn't want to loose it, is all.."
"Oh. Right.." He paused before continuing with, "Maybe I should give it to you tomorrow? I mean.. Madame Pomfrey is probably still up and.."
"Oh, sure. Tomorrow."
"Yeah," Said Draco, risking another glance of the Gryffindor and fighting the notion that he was concerned or worried about his weird behavior.
Before Draco knew it, he was standing in front of the infirmary stairway. He stopped, Harry doing the same, and turned to the Gryffindor.
"Well, g'night," Said Draco, clearly uncomfortable. Walking with the Gryffindor alone wasn't so bad, as Draco had something to occupy his mind, but now, standing here, well, still and all, made him nervous. Was the Gryffindor going to kiss him again?
Part of him hoped he would, whilst the other part was disgusted.
"G'night," was Harry's only soft reply. They stood there for a moment longer, both staring awkwardly at each other, before Draco sighed inwardly and turned, making his way up the stairway and fighting the urge to look back.
I will not look back. I will not look back. I will not..
The sounds of Harry's footsteps retreating never came to Draco as he opened the door and entered the hospital wing, soon bombarded by a still-distraught-though-trying-to-hide-it nurse.
He never heard Harry's departing footsteps, as Harry didn't even move until the Slytherin was far from view, safe in the sterile infirmary. The Gryffindor just stood there in the hallway, his eyes never leaving the doorway in which the Slytherin just vanished through. A haunting smile consumed his features, and a sudden, soft wind traveled through the corridors, idly playing with his dark tresses and smuggling the torch's flames. In the company of the darkness, Harry's eyes smoked ebony. .
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5 Reviews = Next 2 parts.