Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize from the books!!!!!
It's my thirteenth chapter!! I only have thirteen reviews!! Sorry for the cliffy people! I just couldn't resist!! :D Don't be too mad!! I'll make this a/n quick so you don't. As I said, I knew who it would be all along, so here you are! Hope it didn't take too long! :)
Chapter 13
"Do you know who they are?"
"Yes, unfortunately I know them both, and I never wanted to know either."
"Who are they, Draco? Are those my parents?"
"Yes, unfortunately for you."
"Who are they and how is she related to me then?"
"Well, they are... your father is Fudge."
"Fudge? Who's that?"
"Cornelius Fudge. He's the Prime Minister, soon to be booted out of the position for stupidity."
"Who's the woman?"
"Well, this isn't easy Erica. That woman is a death eater; in fact, she is one of the dark lord's favorites. That is... she's... her name is... Bellatrix Lestrange."
That name seemed a bit familiar to her but... where had she heard it? "Sounds familiar. How long has she been a death eater?"
"Since before you were probably conceived. Actually, she was probably in Azkaban when you were conceived."
"Okay, I'll ponder that later. How does this make me related to Anna?" Anna had been the teenage girl presented in the third spout of water.
"Well, Bellatrix was Regulus' cousin. Not to mention Sirius' cousin. Sirius and Regulus are brothers. Sirius decided not to join the Dark Lord's death eaters and was shunned by the family. In fact he was Potter's godfather."
"Sirius! Oh Merlin! Could this get any worse? Lestrange just had to be my mother! Of all the odds and purebloods! It had to be that bitch!" Erica had tears streaming down her face.
"May I ask what's wrong?"
"Nothing except the fact that my mother killed Harry's godfather!" She slammed her fist into a tree trunk near her. "Of all the people in the world! Why did I have to be so damned curious Draco? Why did I have to go and ruin it all? Why does anyone choose to be a damn death eater?" She sat on the roots of the tree, her knees curled up, arms resting on her knees, and her face buried in her hands.
Draco sat by her staring into the dark before he said solemnly, "Some people don't choose to be, Erica. They have no choice; their family forces them or threatens them till they give in. Sometimes they resort to physical violence."
"No one can force someone to do anything Draco. It's that person's life to live. No one can take away that privilege. Anyone who lets someone take it has no backbone or faith in him or herself. I feel sorry for anyone who lets Voldemort take away their pride."
He flinched at the Dark Lord's name, "Pity isn't much better. They would rather it be him than the rest of the world. Pureblood families detest pity."
"What about those that care for them? Will they not let someone care? Is that how you are with Anna?"
"Of course I let her care, she's my girlfriend. She has to care."
"But she's a pureblood, does she actually care? Do all purebloods keep themselves from caring Draco? Do you want her to care?"
Draco was silent, his brow was furrowed, "I... I don't know if she truly cares. Most purebloods, that I know, do keep their feelings hidden. Of course I want her to care. I always want my girlfriends to care."
"Can I speak candidly, Draco?"
"Sure."
"Well, Anna threatened me saying that you were hers before you saw her talking to me. She was being a real... Meany. She doesn't like me at all because she's convinced that you still like me. From the impression I got when she was near me, I could feel what she felt, she only likes you for your status."
Draco rubbed his hand over his face, "I should have expected it. Not the first time this has happened. Sometimes I think the family name is cursed. All the pureblood families know my father's status in society and how much power he has. That means that all the teenage girls, in return, know it too. I'm to inherit everything he has done."
Erica looked at him, "I'm sorry."
Draco nodded, "Please, no pity."
"Right. Draco? May I ask you a personal question?"
"Depends. Ask and you might get an answer."
"Will you be joining them?"
Knowing what she meant he looked into her eyes, a frown settled on his face and his eyes were dark. "I don't know yet."
She nodded, "Do you want to?"
"I... no I don't think I do. No, I don't. I can not stand death."
"How are you going to avoid it?"
"I have no idea."
"You should talk to Dumbledore. He can help. He'll protect you. You'll be safe. Don't join their ranks, Draco." Why was she talking to him like this? Was she really beginning to trust him? Did she want to be friends? "You would regret it forever."
"Right, I'll do it tomorrow."
"No, you'll do it now. What if something happens tonight? You need to do it now. If you're afraid of your father, the headmaster will know what to do if he comes for you. As long as you're at Hogwarts you will be safe. You just have to keep any of the Slytherins from knowing, as long as you can at least. Come on," she stood up and offered her hand to him.
"Where are we going?"
"To see Professor Dumbledore. He'll want to know." Draco stood up without taking her hand, "right, protect the old dignity." She was surprised when he stuck out his tongue like a child and she giggled while Malfoy smirked.
=^..^= =^..^= =^..^=
*Back in the common room fifteen minutes after Erica left Dinner*
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room in silence. What had been wrong with Erica? Harry was the only one who knew that Malfoy had told her she was a pureblood. She had seemed upset. She wouldn't let him come with her! He had felt hurt. She should never go through anything alone. He knew that he did, but not her, not Erica. He loved her, and because of that love, he would eventually have to let her go. She wouldn't be alone then, though. She had Hermione and Voula. She will never fully be alone.
They looked around the common room. She wasn't there. Hermione went up to their rooms, "I'll be back in a bit." Hermione was gone for about two minutes when they saw her running down the stairs. "Not there either. Check your room, Harry."
Harry nodded and sprinted up the stairs to his rooms. He scanned the room and pulled back his hangings. Not there. "Where is she?"
Harry ran back down the stairs, his head pounding, "She's not there either! Where can she be?"
"Calm down, Harry. I'm sure she's fine. Maybe she's in the library. Or out walking about the grounds."
"Right. You're right, of course, Hermione. Like always. She's fine. She'll be back in a few hours, maybe."
Ron patted him on the back, "She's fine, mate. Look how good she was a couple hours ago. That charm is hard for even some purebloods."
Harry groaned, remembering how bad she had wanted to believe she was a pureblood. She was probably researching for ways to find her family, of course unless she knew any. He wouldn't be surprised. He should be helping her though. He laughed sarcastically, scaring his two friends. "Malfoy told her earlier that she was a pureblood. I wouldn't be surprised if she was in the library."
Standing up, Harry walked towards the portrait, "Where are you going, Harry?"
"To find Erica."
"We'll come w-."
Hermione cut Ron off, "Alright Harry. We'll see you later."
"Hermione," Hermione whispered into Ron's ear making him blush with what she said, "Right. We'll see you later, Harry."
Harry nodded and walked out.
=^..^= =^..^= =^..^=
Erica and Draco were standing by the gargoyle statue that blocks the stairwell to the Headmaster's office. They had gotten here without being noticed. Erica felt Draco's nervousness beneath his mask of pride. "Don't worry, Draco. It will be fine. Do you perhaps know the password? Last week it was... Tricky Truffles." Nothing happened. "Guess the Professor changed it. What do you think?"
"He usually uses a candy name. Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, no, Chocolate Frogs, nope, Let's see... Lemon Drops?" Nothing. "I'm out of ideas."
"Maybe it's a muggle candy? Nerds? Hershey Chocolate? M & M's? Reeses Peanut Butter Cups?" The Gargoyle jumped aside. "I love Reeses."
"Reeses? What's that?"
"Oh, they are made of chocolate and peanut butter. The best mix of sweets ever. You have to try it."
"I have never had muggle candy other than the Lemon Drops the Headmaster offers when he calls you to his office. My family detests muggles. We never venture into muggle England unless it's absolutely necessary."
"What will you do when the Slytherins find out what you're doing? You will be considered a traitor. What about Anna?"
"I have no idea. I'll be an outcast of all the houses. Slytherins will now be my worst enemies." He reached up to rub his temples, "This is all so complicated. I'll think about the consequences later. Right now I have to go through the actions."
Erica nodded, was she actually respecting Draco? Did she trust him? How could this be? Harry would be even madder than she thought. He might even consider that she was cheating on him if it made him feel better trying to protect her. What would he do when he found out? "Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be. Ladies first," he waved gallantly at the staircase, bowing. Erica just looked at him, hesitating, but then she knew he would not hurt her so close to Dumbledore so she stepped forward. Draco followed and they left to see Albus Dumbledore, the only man standing between Draco and the Death Eater he would have become.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
There you are! Bet you never guessed that her mother would be Bellatrix! Hope this didn't take too long! I love you all! Thank you for reading! I think in the next chap there will be a confrontation between Harry and Erica! That's all you're getting though! I am starting a new fic called Masked Desires ! It involves Severus Snape and a character I made (Elizabeth Conner)! I wrote the first chap last night and don't know much beyond that first chap. Oh well, I hope you enjoyed this chap! My birthday is this Friday!!
Read and Review!
~Esgalhothwen~
It's my thirteenth chapter!! I only have thirteen reviews!! Sorry for the cliffy people! I just couldn't resist!! :D Don't be too mad!! I'll make this a/n quick so you don't. As I said, I knew who it would be all along, so here you are! Hope it didn't take too long! :)
Chapter 13
"Do you know who they are?"
"Yes, unfortunately I know them both, and I never wanted to know either."
"Who are they, Draco? Are those my parents?"
"Yes, unfortunately for you."
"Who are they and how is she related to me then?"
"Well, they are... your father is Fudge."
"Fudge? Who's that?"
"Cornelius Fudge. He's the Prime Minister, soon to be booted out of the position for stupidity."
"Who's the woman?"
"Well, this isn't easy Erica. That woman is a death eater; in fact, she is one of the dark lord's favorites. That is... she's... her name is... Bellatrix Lestrange."
That name seemed a bit familiar to her but... where had she heard it? "Sounds familiar. How long has she been a death eater?"
"Since before you were probably conceived. Actually, she was probably in Azkaban when you were conceived."
"Okay, I'll ponder that later. How does this make me related to Anna?" Anna had been the teenage girl presented in the third spout of water.
"Well, Bellatrix was Regulus' cousin. Not to mention Sirius' cousin. Sirius and Regulus are brothers. Sirius decided not to join the Dark Lord's death eaters and was shunned by the family. In fact he was Potter's godfather."
"Sirius! Oh Merlin! Could this get any worse? Lestrange just had to be my mother! Of all the odds and purebloods! It had to be that bitch!" Erica had tears streaming down her face.
"May I ask what's wrong?"
"Nothing except the fact that my mother killed Harry's godfather!" She slammed her fist into a tree trunk near her. "Of all the people in the world! Why did I have to be so damned curious Draco? Why did I have to go and ruin it all? Why does anyone choose to be a damn death eater?" She sat on the roots of the tree, her knees curled up, arms resting on her knees, and her face buried in her hands.
Draco sat by her staring into the dark before he said solemnly, "Some people don't choose to be, Erica. They have no choice; their family forces them or threatens them till they give in. Sometimes they resort to physical violence."
"No one can force someone to do anything Draco. It's that person's life to live. No one can take away that privilege. Anyone who lets someone take it has no backbone or faith in him or herself. I feel sorry for anyone who lets Voldemort take away their pride."
He flinched at the Dark Lord's name, "Pity isn't much better. They would rather it be him than the rest of the world. Pureblood families detest pity."
"What about those that care for them? Will they not let someone care? Is that how you are with Anna?"
"Of course I let her care, she's my girlfriend. She has to care."
"But she's a pureblood, does she actually care? Do all purebloods keep themselves from caring Draco? Do you want her to care?"
Draco was silent, his brow was furrowed, "I... I don't know if she truly cares. Most purebloods, that I know, do keep their feelings hidden. Of course I want her to care. I always want my girlfriends to care."
"Can I speak candidly, Draco?"
"Sure."
"Well, Anna threatened me saying that you were hers before you saw her talking to me. She was being a real... Meany. She doesn't like me at all because she's convinced that you still like me. From the impression I got when she was near me, I could feel what she felt, she only likes you for your status."
Draco rubbed his hand over his face, "I should have expected it. Not the first time this has happened. Sometimes I think the family name is cursed. All the pureblood families know my father's status in society and how much power he has. That means that all the teenage girls, in return, know it too. I'm to inherit everything he has done."
Erica looked at him, "I'm sorry."
Draco nodded, "Please, no pity."
"Right. Draco? May I ask you a personal question?"
"Depends. Ask and you might get an answer."
"Will you be joining them?"
Knowing what she meant he looked into her eyes, a frown settled on his face and his eyes were dark. "I don't know yet."
She nodded, "Do you want to?"
"I... no I don't think I do. No, I don't. I can not stand death."
"How are you going to avoid it?"
"I have no idea."
"You should talk to Dumbledore. He can help. He'll protect you. You'll be safe. Don't join their ranks, Draco." Why was she talking to him like this? Was she really beginning to trust him? Did she want to be friends? "You would regret it forever."
"Right, I'll do it tomorrow."
"No, you'll do it now. What if something happens tonight? You need to do it now. If you're afraid of your father, the headmaster will know what to do if he comes for you. As long as you're at Hogwarts you will be safe. You just have to keep any of the Slytherins from knowing, as long as you can at least. Come on," she stood up and offered her hand to him.
"Where are we going?"
"To see Professor Dumbledore. He'll want to know." Draco stood up without taking her hand, "right, protect the old dignity." She was surprised when he stuck out his tongue like a child and she giggled while Malfoy smirked.
=^..^= =^..^= =^..^=
*Back in the common room fifteen minutes after Erica left Dinner*
Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked into the Gryffindor common room in silence. What had been wrong with Erica? Harry was the only one who knew that Malfoy had told her she was a pureblood. She had seemed upset. She wouldn't let him come with her! He had felt hurt. She should never go through anything alone. He knew that he did, but not her, not Erica. He loved her, and because of that love, he would eventually have to let her go. She wouldn't be alone then, though. She had Hermione and Voula. She will never fully be alone.
They looked around the common room. She wasn't there. Hermione went up to their rooms, "I'll be back in a bit." Hermione was gone for about two minutes when they saw her running down the stairs. "Not there either. Check your room, Harry."
Harry nodded and sprinted up the stairs to his rooms. He scanned the room and pulled back his hangings. Not there. "Where is she?"
Harry ran back down the stairs, his head pounding, "She's not there either! Where can she be?"
"Calm down, Harry. I'm sure she's fine. Maybe she's in the library. Or out walking about the grounds."
"Right. You're right, of course, Hermione. Like always. She's fine. She'll be back in a few hours, maybe."
Ron patted him on the back, "She's fine, mate. Look how good she was a couple hours ago. That charm is hard for even some purebloods."
Harry groaned, remembering how bad she had wanted to believe she was a pureblood. She was probably researching for ways to find her family, of course unless she knew any. He wouldn't be surprised. He should be helping her though. He laughed sarcastically, scaring his two friends. "Malfoy told her earlier that she was a pureblood. I wouldn't be surprised if she was in the library."
Standing up, Harry walked towards the portrait, "Where are you going, Harry?"
"To find Erica."
"We'll come w-."
Hermione cut Ron off, "Alright Harry. We'll see you later."
"Hermione," Hermione whispered into Ron's ear making him blush with what she said, "Right. We'll see you later, Harry."
Harry nodded and walked out.
=^..^= =^..^= =^..^=
Erica and Draco were standing by the gargoyle statue that blocks the stairwell to the Headmaster's office. They had gotten here without being noticed. Erica felt Draco's nervousness beneath his mask of pride. "Don't worry, Draco. It will be fine. Do you perhaps know the password? Last week it was... Tricky Truffles." Nothing happened. "Guess the Professor changed it. What do you think?"
"He usually uses a candy name. Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, no, Chocolate Frogs, nope, Let's see... Lemon Drops?" Nothing. "I'm out of ideas."
"Maybe it's a muggle candy? Nerds? Hershey Chocolate? M & M's? Reeses Peanut Butter Cups?" The Gargoyle jumped aside. "I love Reeses."
"Reeses? What's that?"
"Oh, they are made of chocolate and peanut butter. The best mix of sweets ever. You have to try it."
"I have never had muggle candy other than the Lemon Drops the Headmaster offers when he calls you to his office. My family detests muggles. We never venture into muggle England unless it's absolutely necessary."
"What will you do when the Slytherins find out what you're doing? You will be considered a traitor. What about Anna?"
"I have no idea. I'll be an outcast of all the houses. Slytherins will now be my worst enemies." He reached up to rub his temples, "This is all so complicated. I'll think about the consequences later. Right now I have to go through the actions."
Erica nodded, was she actually respecting Draco? Did she trust him? How could this be? Harry would be even madder than she thought. He might even consider that she was cheating on him if it made him feel better trying to protect her. What would he do when he found out? "Ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be. Ladies first," he waved gallantly at the staircase, bowing. Erica just looked at him, hesitating, but then she knew he would not hurt her so close to Dumbledore so she stepped forward. Draco followed and they left to see Albus Dumbledore, the only man standing between Draco and the Death Eater he would have become.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
There you are! Bet you never guessed that her mother would be Bellatrix! Hope this didn't take too long! I love you all! Thank you for reading! I think in the next chap there will be a confrontation between Harry and Erica! That's all you're getting though! I am starting a new fic called Masked Desires ! It involves Severus Snape and a character I made (Elizabeth Conner)! I wrote the first chap last night and don't know much beyond that first chap. Oh well, I hope you enjoyed this chap! My birthday is this Friday!!
Read and Review!
~Esgalhothwen~