cough

looks down

Okay, so now I'm REALLY ashamed... I haven't updated in months and I hate myself for it... I had writer's block, then many issues with myself, then exams etc etc etc... but this morning I decided to give myself a good kick and produced this in two hours... so to say, it must not be very good, since written so fast... and not beta-read since my beta-reader hasn't got her laptop anymore and she cant work properly with her dad whining all the time to know when she's done with the computer ( don't you tell him that Meggie :p)

Anyway... I hope you guys continue to enjoy my story. And if not, well, I guess it's my fault. Read on!

Chapter 5:

Meghan finally got to her feet and grabbed her bag that had fallen on the floor when Draco had launched himself at her. She realized her fingers were trembling and she internally scolded herself for being so scared of him. After all, he was only a bully.

Yes, but a wizard bully, she thought bitterly.

She quickly walked back to the dorm and dropped her books on the floor next to her bed. Approaching her mirror, she scrutinized her face. It was paler than usual, livid. She unbuttoned her shirt a bit and pulled it down to uncover her clavicle. It was purplish. Softly trailing the bruise with her fingers, she recalled Draco's eyes and the way he spat his words.

"You don't even know what you're playing with, you silly little girl. Keep away from that if you want to live, Meggie."

What did that mean? She knew there was a war going on secretly, she knew you don't fool around with magic... But why would she have any problems? She was a normal girl, she had nothing to do with all this. She just happened to have a friend connected to the magic world.

Friend... Her gaze travelled to Alithea's bed. Were they still friends? She doubted it. Draco said she was faking being asleep... and as much as it hurt, it seemed to make sense. But why? Meg was feeling betrayed and abandoned. Had Alithea complained to her brother as he seemed to know about her habit to ask questions?

She had lost friends in the past, because of her neverending curiosity. She knew she tended to cross the limits and she suddenly felt ashamed. She wanted to shake Ali awake and ask for forgiveness and a second chance, but she decided otherwise. She was wounded and angry. She wouldn't talk to Ali anymore. In fact, she wouldn't talk to anybody anymore. She was only bringing trouble and everybody hated her anyway.

She changed in her pyjamas and curled up under her blanket. She was unwanted, so she wouldn't impose. Stay invisible, be forgotten.

A tear strolled down her cheek as she fell asleep quietly.

Alithea's pov

Days have passed since Draco talked to Meg... I know he did because she never talked to me anymore. She completely ignored me, even when we were seated next to each other in class. I feel lonely and depressed, but I know it's the way things have to be. Draco even wanted to use a memory charm on her, but I thought it was unfair. Meg is someone great. Maybe her knowledge will come in useful in the future?

I often leave a book about magic under her pillow. I want her to know that I care and that I regret. In the evening, the book I left on her bed in the morning is under my pillow. I know she hasn't read it. I wish I could sort things out with her... Altough Draco would go ballistic.

The fact that I'm on non-speaking terms with Meg makes me miss my brother even more. He's so far away from me and in such danger. Everyday I dread that something goes wrong on one of his missions. He sends me funny letters to cheer me up. The last pranks played on the Hufflepuff house, the last class that turned in a havoc... I smile a bit when I receive a box of chocolate frogs. But all his efforts don't make up for my pain.

The more we grow up, the harder it becomes. Or maybe it's because danger grows around us. I'm on the edge all the time. Fear of losing him haunts me and I know he's worried on his side. One night I nearly packed my important stuff in my backpack to head for Scotland... But I realised it was impossible... if I came missing, the school would call Father. Besides, I have no way to get to Hogwarts... So instead I wait till Draco's next visit.

One morning, the headmaster strolls into our classroom. I smirk as I see the math teacher frown in annoyance... Our headmaster is known for his long talks and I drop my pen, foreshadowing I wont need it anymore for the rest of the lesson.

"Dear students, you know the school annual field trip is coming up! it will be a week long and your year's destination is Scotland".

My heart jumps when he talks about Scotland... So close to Draco! I know distance is a small matter since he can (illegally) apparate but still... A small smile lingers on my lips till I catch Meg's eyes on me. The uneasy feelings come back quickly. The trip will not be that much fun for both of us since we have no friends and don't even have each other anymore.

As soon as classes are over, I run to my dorm and grab some paper to write to Draco. The trip is in two weeks and though its purpose is "educational" I'm all excited. Smelting's atmosphere is dreadful and a change will be awesome. I open the window and Orion crashes in my face. But as soon as he gets his so-called brains back in action, he twirls in the air and lands next to Meg.

She looks up and smiles as she sees the mischevious owl. I glare at him to get back here this instant but he doesn't seem to care. I don't dare go to Meg and snatch that stupid bird but I know it has to be done. I sigh and throw my letter on my bed before heading toward Orion and Meg. Why oh why did Draco choose that bird?

But Meg ignores me. She grabs the owl and stand up. I see her tie my letter to his leg and sends him through the window without a word. I'm taken aback. She prefers to send my mail instead of even having to face me?

Hogwart's potion room was a mess. Snape was missing and in a student's true fashion, all were goofing around waiting to see if he would pass the door, or if a substitute would, or if they could just continue to blow things up by mixing the wrong ingredients on purpose.

Seamus Finnegan added chopped mandragora in his cauldron and a rainbowish cloud followed the explosion he was expecting. Everybody laughed at his black face. Everybody but Draco Malfoy. He was sitting in the back of the room, sullen and alone. Crabbe and Goyle had been rudely sent to hell along with Pansy who ab-so-lu-te-ly wanted to know what was wrong with her cousin.

He shook his head at Finnegan's antics and sneered at Granger who was glaring at him. He acted tough, but deep down, he was scared of thinking. He knew too well why Snape wasn't here, he had been there to witness it. Voldemort's punishments were always fun when practised on people like his father... but on his teacher and spy friend, it was sheer torture to even have to watch it.

When Snape had dropped to the ground under the Cruciatus, Draco was scared Voldemort had discovered he was a traitor. In fact, it was "only" a mission which had turned wrong but it shook Draco. He had seen dozens of people under Cruciatus and though he had no sympathy for the Death Eaters, each punishment session reminded him of all the innocent people he had seen his father torture.

He had to bite his lip not to show emotion as he recalled the night before they left for school this year. Lucius had been more violent that usual and Alithea had taken it all since Lucius didn't want to hurt Draco too much before he was getting back to Hogwarts. The teenager had listened to his sister's cries for hours, his nails digging in his palms, tearing the skin open. His hands were not truly healed yet... he was opening the wounds on purpose every morning. As a reminder never to give up on the Order of the Phoenix.

please... review? big smile pwease pwease pwease?