Disclaimer: read previous chapters.
Chapter Eleven
Winter Revelations
A lone quill in the middle of commotion scratched against parchment, scribbling furiously about the Vampire Hunts before hunting Vampires had been outlawed by the British Ministry of Magic. A small, innocent yawn escaped the writer as she spared a glance towards the rest of the occupants in the common room who all suddenly lit up with joy and ran out of the common room leaving Star in complete silence. Shrugging sadly she turned back to her essay, which depressed her even more because she still had to finish her potions project that evening and write a page of parchment's worth of information on her potion.
She gasped when a cloth came around her eyes to blind her, "Shhh, it's just me."
"Draco Malfoy just what do you think you're doing?" she asked hoping she sounded more reprimanding then tired.
He laughed at her attempt to pull the blindfold from her eyes as he tied it snugly, "I, my dear, am taking you somewhere for a surprise and away from your work for a bit."
"No! You can't! I have so much work to do, Draco. If I don't get it don-" Her whining was silenced by a long, drugging kiss from the blonde. She lost in the end, as she was so susceptible to his charms and kisses. Star tried desperately to keep her sense of direction as her captor led her dizzily through the school; a long creaking noise and a sudden blast of frosty air told her they were outside. But she didn't hear the shouts from other students she expected, so she wondered where they were outside.
"Can I open my eyes now??"
"Not yet…just a bit more. Oh wait how inconsiderate of me!"
Star stopped shivering when she felt the warmth of his cloak enfold her, she whispered quietly, "You didn't have to do that."
His response was merely to plant feathery kisses along her neck taking pleasure in the soft noises of delight he was eliciting from her. He watched her soft mouth; fascinated when she pouted when he stopped his assault. Taking her hand once more in his the young Slytherin led her towards the hill overlooking the lake. He didn't notice a pair of emerald eyes watching him intently through the glass. Harry watched with every bit of curiosity, the couple that made there way through the falling of the first snow. He didn't understand anything it seemed anymore. Draco was evil; everyone knew that, it was an accepted fact around the school. And yet one of the nicest, everything but evil, girls was madly in love with him doing whatever it was he wished. Draco had always done everything he could, this year included, to torment Harry and his friends. It was strange to see him so carefree with a girl. Especially a girl, since his 5th year Draco had been well known as a man who didn't care who he slept with as long as she was wearing a skirt and was relatively pretty. Harry knew it was a great disappointment to many of the 7th year students throughout the school that Star has ultimately fallen for Draco, but she seemed happy. Sighing he turned back to Ron and Hermoine, who to his disgust, he found them snogging on the bed…. his bed no less.
"Come find me when you two are finished," he murmured leaving the room. It was time for him to see the real Draco Malfoy.
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A soft gasp escaped Star's lips as she beheld the sight in front of her. In the short time since she had left her homework, the mountains surrounding the castle were topped off with the purest snow she had ever scene. And the snow flakes simply continued to fall around them, looking back proved that Draco had used a heating charm to blast through the snow so she wouldn't figure out that it was snowing. The lake was slightly iced over and the cascading snow made everything look blurry with an eerie, fantasy like quality.
"It beautiful…. the first snow, that's my surprise isn't it?" she smiled at his thoughtfulness.
"Part of it, yes."
She turned and faced him, looking at him. She would never tire of looking at his gorgeous face, he'd grown up far to fast in his family and it showed on his stone-carved face. His gray-blue eyes met hers, "And no I'm not going to tell you what the rest of the surprise is. You'll just have to wait until we leave for the holidays."
Her sound of dislike for his revelation was quieted by a quick, chaste, but loving kiss. Draco backed away warily as he broke the kiss seeing her look of "wide-eyed" innocence. While he always loved her smile, and always became quickly entranced by the way her eyes dance when she was happy…. such a beautiful pair of windows, bright blue eyes that danced with happiness, her eyes held such strength and beauty and love…love only for him…. and cold, wet…. cold? wet?
Draco blinked rapidly and found himself looking up at the woman who held his heart. Apparently, in his entrancement, Star had tripped him sending him into a bank of snow. She'd always have the advantage over him; he'd always drown in her eyes allowing her to have her way with him. Smiling mischievously, he launched himself at Star tackling her into the snow pinning her to the ground. Laughter erupted from the both of them, Draco broke the eye contact momentarily only to look up and see Potter. Almost by instinct, anger welled up inside him but instead of the hateful reaction he expected, Potter just stood there watching intently as if reading the event he saw taking place. For the first time since their very first meeting in Diagon Alley, Harry Potter truly smiled at Draco…in friendship. Draco watched him curiously before hesitantly returning the gesture.
"You decide to be friends with him now?"
Looking down told him Star had witnessed the passing of anger between the two men, "Perhaps…I don't know."
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"Please bring up one vial of your project with the parchment containing the properties, uses, and instructions for your potions."
Star smiled as Rabekuh silently slid in front of her holding her vial precariously. It had been the object of many discussions to what potion Rabekuh had chosen to do. She had kept it very secret. Proudly the silver-streaked Gryffindor handed her project to Professor Snape, who in turn glanced at the vial briefly before doing a double take at the vial, "Is this what I think it is, Ms. Delacour?"
"Yes, Professor Snape. With all the trimmings," Rabekuh smiled one of her secretive smiles again and winked at Star as she glided back to her seat taking the gazes of many male students along with her. It took a few moments for Professor Snape to realize that there were still students waiting in line to hand in their projects. Blinking once or twice he resumed his "teacher mode" and took the remaining projects, but his attention was riveted on the parchment that Rabekuh had handed in with her vial, he stared at it in almost disbelief.
Walking out of the classroom, Star ran to catch up with Rabekuh, "What was that all about??"
" 'e's probably jus' surprised abou' my projec'."
"Which was?"
"A Metamorphosis Potion."
Star stopped dead in her tracks and stared, "A Meta-…..," she whistled low, "I can't even do that one…How'd you mange that?"
" Veree meticulously. 'Ow abou' yours?"
"A level 12 Strengthening Potion."
" Veree complicated."
"Yeah, but yours…wow."
"Why, Thank you veree much, Sta'hr. Now, come. We've got to go get ready for the ball tonight."
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Draco paced nervously in the common room his black velvet dress robes fluttering behind him tracing his footsteps. Crabbe and Goyle had already left, but Blaise and his date stood waiting with Draco, though they were sitting on one of the plush green couches by the fireplace. The door to the girls' dorm opened and a girl walked down her robes obviously charmed with a Changeling Charm as they changed colors fluidly as she walked. Draco faced her automatically his heart dropping slightly.
"Good evening, Draco."
"Evening Rabekuh…um…is Star coming down soon?"
Rabekuh smiled and Draco suddenly realized what was different about her. Her normally exquisite black hair with the brilliant silver streaks was gone; her long hair was now a cream color with fiery red and ice blue streaks through out it and it was done up in an intricate obi bun. He had to admit she looked beautiful with the new look, realizing she must have done it with the rest of her potions project.
"She'll be down in jus' a momen'. Sta'hr is trying to decide what to change," offering a comforting smile she quickly left the common room in hopes to meet her beau.
Watching her leave, the young Malfoy took up his memorized path around the common room floor. Soft footfalls came not five minutes later descending down the stone staircase to the girls' dorm. Looking up his pale eyes took in the radiant sight before him. In long robes of a striking forest green that accented her golden-red hair that flowed down around her shoulders perfectly. Her small feet were clad in black, spiked heels that and had straps that wound up her calves. He couldn't decide whether sexy or stunning described her better. Her usual but enticing smile of innocence played across her face when she saw Draco's reaction to her. Star had wanted to look perfect for him and had obviously succeeded. Placing her small hand in his larger one, she watched his eyes take in every detail and trying to figure out what was different.
"Are you two ready now?" Draco heard Blaise's impatient voice sound from behind him. He bowed dramatically and wound Star's hand through his arm together the four walked down to the Great Hall. As the music reached their ears, Draco really didn't care about eating at the moment. Instead he moved fluidly with Star to the dance floor, and with a flourish spun her into his arms and they glided across the floor, in-between other couples, in perfect harmony with the music.
"There's something different…I know there is. But I just can't place it," he whispered his voice taking on a husky quality.
Star blushed with no apparent reason except for the way he spoke to her, "My only hint is that it's one of your favorite features."
He automatically looked into her ocean blue eyes…except they weren't ocean blue anymore. Much like the Changeling Charm Rabekuh had put on her robes (which were now a lucid, fiery red), Star's subtle but powerful change had been to have her eyes flow through every color under the sun. A pair of lavender eyes looked back at him as they fluidly changed to a deep amethyst on their color bound journey. Draco smiled, whiled he loved the change, he would be glad when she decided to change them back to the comforting blue he was always entranced by. She would have to wait until more of the potion could be made but he didn't care.
"Do you like it?"
"Very much…but I have to admit, I miss the blue…I could drown in those blue eyes forever and never care."
His words caused her to smile and her love for him to radiate from her. Rabekuh looked up from dancing with Fred to smile at her friend. It was nice to see her so unbelievably happy, especially since she knew of the horrors Star kept locked up so tightly inside. And she knew she was the only one who knew. Sensing her discomfort Fred watched the distress cross Rabekuh's face. Raising his hand to halt the music he led her to the middle of the dance floor in front of everyone.
Fred faced her and with a very loud voice so everyone could hear, "Miss Delacour may I have the pleasure of asking you a very important question?"
Rabekuh looked around at the staring faces around them, "…Oui." Her eyes went wide as he knelt down on one knee, "Will you do me the great honor of being my bride?"
Cheers and yells erupted from the student body and then silence as they awaited the answer. Rabekuh look over at Star obviously so shocked she didn't know what to do. With a reassuring smile from her best friend the Gryffindor turned confidently to her love, smiled at him, "Oui…I will be your bride, Fred Weasley."
The dancing went on deep into the night until the teachers finally called it a night
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Lucius Malfoy waited patiently at Platform 9 ¾ for his son and their guest to arrive. The holidays would be a time to remember, especially if his son had completed his task. Seeing the scarlet engine pull steady to a halt in front of him, his half smile grew wider at he welcoming sight of his son and the girl he knew would be an important part of his family.
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"She's with the Malfoy's for the holidays, professor. And the other is with the Weasley's since the announcement at the Yule Ball." "We must have her on our side." "We will…and Rabekuh Delacour must be the one to help with that…or we'll lose them both."
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HA:Why is Sat important ot Lucius? Why is Rabekuh important to turning Star to one side or the other? And what horrors does Star hold in her heart?
I will have to do the Dark Revel in the next chapter as this one is far too long and I ran out of time to continue writing. I will hopefully post when I return from my camping trip. PLease Read and REview...I like rEviews.