Disclaimer: I only own things that you have not heard or seen!! :p The
rest belongs to the genius J.K. Rowling!!
Draco and Harry: Are you saying that we don't belong to you!?! *Smiling brightly*
Esgal: This is my imagination, boys... She just loaned you to me. *Smirk* Now let the people read!
Chapter 14
Harry was out of breath when he arrived at the statue of the gargoyle, his thoughts running rampant. 'they couldn't have gotten her, they couldn't be at Hogwarts. Where is she? Could they? No, not unless she left the grounds.' "Lemon Drops! Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans! M & M's! Why did he have to change the pass-". He had just thrown up his arms when the statue moved aside. He froze, completely shocked, "That couldn't be th-"
He stopped talking when he noticed two sets of legs coming down the stairs. 'Erica and Draco!? What the-!'
"Harry!" Erica ran and hugged him, "What are you doing here, love?"
"What did he do to you? Why were you in Dumbledore's office with Malfoy?"
"Calm down Harry," she said rubbing his arm in a comforting gesture, "he didn't do anything. We were talking to Dumbledore. I'm fine."
"But why were you up there with... with... that!?"
"He was helping me Harry... I just helped him."
"What? What are you talking about? You helped my enemy?! If you needed help why did you not come to me? Why did you go to my enemy?!"
"Harry, he isn't an enemy anymore... he's on our side. You may be seeing a lot more of him now that he will be a Slytherin outcast."
"What the bloody hell are you talking about!?" Harry was being a little slow on the uptake.
"Chill, Potter. What she's trying to get through to your peanut brain is that I don't want to be a bloody death-eater," he said calmly.
Erica knew that if Draco had been any other way she probably would have fainted again. But he was standing there, his calm overriding the anger and confusion of Harry.
"You're going to trust him?!" he yelled at her. She couldn't help but cringe at the malice in his voice.
Erica slowly backed up towards Draco. She didn't want to feel the anger like she the first day she had met him. Harry was too close at ridding the feeling of Draco's composure. She needed to be closer to the Slytherin, not that she liked the idea. "I trusted him before, Harry. He didn't lead me astray and I'm an empath if you remember. They tend to be great judges of character from what I recall from my readings."
Harry ignored that last part, "Before? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Earlier tonight... we... he did a spell to show me my family." Harry was silent.
"He what!? Again, I ask, YOU ARE TRUSTING THIS GIT?! IT COULD BE A TRICK!" Erica was now standing to the right of Draco.
Dam, Harry was such a powerful wizard. Erica placed a hand on her forehead; she now had a throbbing headache. It was last time all over again. "Can you stop yelling at me Harry!?" She reached to her left for something to hold her up as she staggered, feeling dizzy, only to grasp Draco's shoulder. Draco, seeing her severe imbalance, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
Erica was more stable this close to him. Draco moved to let her go but she refused to let him, knowing it would just reoccur if he did. His eyebrows raised with a smirk.
Erica rolled her eyes, "I'm an empath, dummy, and Harry's anger was overpowering your tranquility. I just need your calmness." Draco nodded. "Aren't you going to ask of my parents, Harry?" Harry was glaring at Draco. He didn't like Malfoy so close to his girlfriend.
"Let go of her, Malfoy."
Draco smirked and looked at Erica, "I cant do that until you calm down a bit, Potter."
"I said get your arm off of my girl."
"Do you really want her in the hospital wing again? If I let go of her, that's what will happen."
"Are you threatening her?" he growled.
"No, potter. Your girlfriend, here, is being overwhelmed by anger again, and it's not mine."
Harry suddenly realizing what was going on tried to calm his nerves.
"Occlumency, Harry," Erica's voice was a bit weak with this reminder, he noticed. Oh gods, what had he been doing? He knew Erica would never do anything to him. Why was he so nervous of her being around Malfoy?
There was no need for him to do Occlumency, as the anger was gone when he looked at her in her weakened condition. Had he done that to her? His malice was being replaced with guilt and worry. Harry watched as Erica extracted herself from Draco's arms and pulled him, Harry, into an embrace. "I'm sorry, Erica. I didn't mean to. I wouldn't blame you if you never-"
"Shush, Harry. Please forget about all of that. Just give me a chance to give you all the facts."
"Ok, let's go up to the common room. We can-"
"Draco has to be there. He's part of this too and I don't know if I want to leave him with the Slytherins." Harry grimaced at the thought of a civil conversation with Malfoy.
"It's not like I'm a pet, Erica. You don't have to protect me."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"I know, I was joking. Now, where will we go? I will have a few things to eventually add about your odd family."
"Your family? Who are they Erica? Do we know them?"
Draco answered for him, "Yes we know many of them, some better than others. Now, may we go somewhere where we wont be overheard rather that in the corridor. I think that more than enough people have overheard your little lovers' spat." Erica blushed, lover? She had not thought about Harry that way. Yes she loved him, but...
Erica spoke up, "I know where we can go. The meeting place, Harry."
Harry lifted a quizzical brow, "are you sure? Change?" They didn't want Draco to know of the D.A. that would have been too much to deal with in this one bloody day. All they would have to do was change their requirements.
"Of course. We don't want to be overheard. Oh, and it has to be comfy and warm. A few rejuvenation potions wouldn't be bad either," she said with a yawn and rubbed her eyes.
"All right let's go," Harry grabbed her hand and they all walked through the halls in silence, afraid to attract attention. What would people think? Draco was walking with two Gryffindors! What could be worse?
Erica stumbled once and Harry stopped, "What?" she asked looking at him.
He didn't reply, he just bent down and scooped her into his arms, like he would have a child with her legs draped over his arm, and kissed her on the forehead before they continued down the hall. Erica snuggled closer to his chest listening to the beating of his heart. It was such a comforting sound. She didn't know she had fallen asleep until she felt Harry transfer her to Draco's arms, not wanting to place her on the floor. Erica murmured something but went right back to sleep cuddling close to Draco not knowing that it wasn't Harry.
He had to go through the steps to see the room be what he wanted. Harry walked past the familiar bit of wall three times while concentrating on what they needed. A highly polished door appeared in the space that had, just moments before, been empty. Harry walked back over to Draco and retrieved his love, "You first, Malfoy. Go on."
Draco was just staring at the door. "Where the hell did that come from Potter? Do you expect me to trust that this is not some stunt to get me killed?"
"What are you afraid Malfoy? Just go. I did nothing."
"You first, I insist."
"Quit being so bloody paranoid. Fine, we will go in first but you better follow right behind."
Draco nodded and Harry walked into the room. The first thing he noticed was the large overstuffed maroon couches and loveseats all facing one another. On one wall was a small bookcase with a few books. In front of the couches was a large wooden oak coffee table. He looked at the wall the couches were facing, the same wall that the door was on, and saw a large stone fireplace that had a small box on it. He placed Erica down on the couch furthest from the door.
After seeing that she was not going to wake, he ventured to the back of the room. He had only seen half of the room. To the far right hand corner of the room was a large built in fountain. He hadn't asked for that, but he had said that they needed tranquility. He listened to the trickle of the running water then turned to the left side of the room. There was a chessboard, a small kitchen was added to the wall with a bar separating it from the rest of the room. Behind the couches, there was a small dining table with three seats. Harry noticed a door on the wall opposite the bookcase and walked to it, pushing it open. "I guess this should really be called the Rooms of Requirement," it was a bathroom equipped with a bathtub, toilet, and a sink with a marble countertop. There were a few towels hung on the rack beside the door.
Harry jumped as his shoulder was rammed into the rack. "What the hell Malfoy?" Draco had pushed him out of the doorway. 'Least it's not bad enough to make me see Pomfrey,' he thought, 'I've had enough of that hospital wing in the last five years. I've probably been in there more than Neville.'
"Can you get out, Potter. I need to use the bathroom and, even though I know you would like to watch, I don't fancy you in here while I'm doing it."
Harry did not respond but shot Draco a glare before he walked out and the Slytherin slammed the door. Harry looked to Erica. "Harry?" He practically ran to the girl. He saw her try and stand up. She was falling... he jumped and caught her a second before her head would have hit the coffee table. He restlessly checked her for injuries. Nothing.
The Gryffindor let out a breath he did not know he had been holding.
She had only fainted. What was wrong with him that this fall had frightened him more than his fights with Voldemort ever had? He was supposed to be a 'brave gryffindor'. He wasn't supposed to ever be afraid. The wizarding world relied on him for the end of the Dark Lord. If he were afraid he would be dead before the end of the war. If he died there would be no end.
Dieing didn't seem like such a bad prospect a month ago when he was at the Dursleys, but that was before he had met Erica. Now, he didn't want to die. How strange that such a girl could have such an affect on him. He had never felt this way about Cho. Why should this be different? 'You're more comfortable around Erica. Cho was just lust,' he answered his questions silently. He only dreaded that he was destined to be alone and what he would have to do about their relationship in the future. 'But that's a long time away, Harry,' he said to himself, 'not yet.'
"I need a potion to give her energy," he said. Glancing at the coffee table, he saw a vial of a violet substance. He drew his wand, pointing it at her heart, "Enervate." Harry watched as her eyes fluttered open.
The muscular Gryffindor placed a soft kiss to her lips, "Hey, here, drink this. Then we can talk."
He held the vial to her pursed lips, helping her down the foul smelling liquid. Seeing her grimace he gave a small laugh, still feeling guilty, "You don't have to like it."
"Now you sound like Madam Pomfrey." The potion was working quickly. She was feeling energetic, "Thanks."
"Ok, sorry about earlier."
"Don't worry about it. We need to talk about my family, Harry."
"Alright. Who... who are they?"
"Just one thing... promise me you won't hate me. Certain people... well... they're not the best of sorts. I wouldn't be able to stand it if you were to hate me. I love you, really I do, Harry. Please, never hate me. Promise me that."
"I could never hate you, Erica. How could you even think that? I love you."
"I know... it's just... you don't like my parents much..."
"Whomever they are, I can't dislike them that much, can I?"
Erica smirked, "Oh, how little you know Harry. You hate my mother with all your heart and my father wasn't all too kind to you last year, from what you our friends have told me."
"Can you just tell me who you're related to, please?"
"My father... is Cornelius Fudge. My... my...," she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She was going to say her mother but changed her mind, "My cousin is Anna Black... well... she's actually more like a second cousin, I think."
"Do you know who your mum is?"
Erica grimaced, she had been hoping he would not mention her mother, and put her face in her hands. "Yes. She's done worse to you than anyone ever has, love."
"Who is it? It's not that Skeeter woman is it?"
"No," Erica mumbled something impossible to hear.
"Who?"
"Bellatrix Lestrange."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Remember to read and review please!!! It helps sooo much!
~Esgalhothwen of the Fey~
Draco and Harry: Are you saying that we don't belong to you!?! *Smiling brightly*
Esgal: This is my imagination, boys... She just loaned you to me. *Smirk* Now let the people read!
Chapter 14
Harry was out of breath when he arrived at the statue of the gargoyle, his thoughts running rampant. 'they couldn't have gotten her, they couldn't be at Hogwarts. Where is she? Could they? No, not unless she left the grounds.' "Lemon Drops! Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans! M & M's! Why did he have to change the pass-". He had just thrown up his arms when the statue moved aside. He froze, completely shocked, "That couldn't be th-"
He stopped talking when he noticed two sets of legs coming down the stairs. 'Erica and Draco!? What the-!'
"Harry!" Erica ran and hugged him, "What are you doing here, love?"
"What did he do to you? Why were you in Dumbledore's office with Malfoy?"
"Calm down Harry," she said rubbing his arm in a comforting gesture, "he didn't do anything. We were talking to Dumbledore. I'm fine."
"But why were you up there with... with... that!?"
"He was helping me Harry... I just helped him."
"What? What are you talking about? You helped my enemy?! If you needed help why did you not come to me? Why did you go to my enemy?!"
"Harry, he isn't an enemy anymore... he's on our side. You may be seeing a lot more of him now that he will be a Slytherin outcast."
"What the bloody hell are you talking about!?" Harry was being a little slow on the uptake.
"Chill, Potter. What she's trying to get through to your peanut brain is that I don't want to be a bloody death-eater," he said calmly.
Erica knew that if Draco had been any other way she probably would have fainted again. But he was standing there, his calm overriding the anger and confusion of Harry.
"You're going to trust him?!" he yelled at her. She couldn't help but cringe at the malice in his voice.
Erica slowly backed up towards Draco. She didn't want to feel the anger like she the first day she had met him. Harry was too close at ridding the feeling of Draco's composure. She needed to be closer to the Slytherin, not that she liked the idea. "I trusted him before, Harry. He didn't lead me astray and I'm an empath if you remember. They tend to be great judges of character from what I recall from my readings."
Harry ignored that last part, "Before? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Earlier tonight... we... he did a spell to show me my family." Harry was silent.
"He what!? Again, I ask, YOU ARE TRUSTING THIS GIT?! IT COULD BE A TRICK!" Erica was now standing to the right of Draco.
Dam, Harry was such a powerful wizard. Erica placed a hand on her forehead; she now had a throbbing headache. It was last time all over again. "Can you stop yelling at me Harry!?" She reached to her left for something to hold her up as she staggered, feeling dizzy, only to grasp Draco's shoulder. Draco, seeing her severe imbalance, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
Erica was more stable this close to him. Draco moved to let her go but she refused to let him, knowing it would just reoccur if he did. His eyebrows raised with a smirk.
Erica rolled her eyes, "I'm an empath, dummy, and Harry's anger was overpowering your tranquility. I just need your calmness." Draco nodded. "Aren't you going to ask of my parents, Harry?" Harry was glaring at Draco. He didn't like Malfoy so close to his girlfriend.
"Let go of her, Malfoy."
Draco smirked and looked at Erica, "I cant do that until you calm down a bit, Potter."
"I said get your arm off of my girl."
"Do you really want her in the hospital wing again? If I let go of her, that's what will happen."
"Are you threatening her?" he growled.
"No, potter. Your girlfriend, here, is being overwhelmed by anger again, and it's not mine."
Harry suddenly realizing what was going on tried to calm his nerves.
"Occlumency, Harry," Erica's voice was a bit weak with this reminder, he noticed. Oh gods, what had he been doing? He knew Erica would never do anything to him. Why was he so nervous of her being around Malfoy?
There was no need for him to do Occlumency, as the anger was gone when he looked at her in her weakened condition. Had he done that to her? His malice was being replaced with guilt and worry. Harry watched as Erica extracted herself from Draco's arms and pulled him, Harry, into an embrace. "I'm sorry, Erica. I didn't mean to. I wouldn't blame you if you never-"
"Shush, Harry. Please forget about all of that. Just give me a chance to give you all the facts."
"Ok, let's go up to the common room. We can-"
"Draco has to be there. He's part of this too and I don't know if I want to leave him with the Slytherins." Harry grimaced at the thought of a civil conversation with Malfoy.
"It's not like I'm a pet, Erica. You don't have to protect me."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"I know, I was joking. Now, where will we go? I will have a few things to eventually add about your odd family."
"Your family? Who are they Erica? Do we know them?"
Draco answered for him, "Yes we know many of them, some better than others. Now, may we go somewhere where we wont be overheard rather that in the corridor. I think that more than enough people have overheard your little lovers' spat." Erica blushed, lover? She had not thought about Harry that way. Yes she loved him, but...
Erica spoke up, "I know where we can go. The meeting place, Harry."
Harry lifted a quizzical brow, "are you sure? Change?" They didn't want Draco to know of the D.A. that would have been too much to deal with in this one bloody day. All they would have to do was change their requirements.
"Of course. We don't want to be overheard. Oh, and it has to be comfy and warm. A few rejuvenation potions wouldn't be bad either," she said with a yawn and rubbed her eyes.
"All right let's go," Harry grabbed her hand and they all walked through the halls in silence, afraid to attract attention. What would people think? Draco was walking with two Gryffindors! What could be worse?
Erica stumbled once and Harry stopped, "What?" she asked looking at him.
He didn't reply, he just bent down and scooped her into his arms, like he would have a child with her legs draped over his arm, and kissed her on the forehead before they continued down the hall. Erica snuggled closer to his chest listening to the beating of his heart. It was such a comforting sound. She didn't know she had fallen asleep until she felt Harry transfer her to Draco's arms, not wanting to place her on the floor. Erica murmured something but went right back to sleep cuddling close to Draco not knowing that it wasn't Harry.
He had to go through the steps to see the room be what he wanted. Harry walked past the familiar bit of wall three times while concentrating on what they needed. A highly polished door appeared in the space that had, just moments before, been empty. Harry walked back over to Draco and retrieved his love, "You first, Malfoy. Go on."
Draco was just staring at the door. "Where the hell did that come from Potter? Do you expect me to trust that this is not some stunt to get me killed?"
"What are you afraid Malfoy? Just go. I did nothing."
"You first, I insist."
"Quit being so bloody paranoid. Fine, we will go in first but you better follow right behind."
Draco nodded and Harry walked into the room. The first thing he noticed was the large overstuffed maroon couches and loveseats all facing one another. On one wall was a small bookcase with a few books. In front of the couches was a large wooden oak coffee table. He looked at the wall the couches were facing, the same wall that the door was on, and saw a large stone fireplace that had a small box on it. He placed Erica down on the couch furthest from the door.
After seeing that she was not going to wake, he ventured to the back of the room. He had only seen half of the room. To the far right hand corner of the room was a large built in fountain. He hadn't asked for that, but he had said that they needed tranquility. He listened to the trickle of the running water then turned to the left side of the room. There was a chessboard, a small kitchen was added to the wall with a bar separating it from the rest of the room. Behind the couches, there was a small dining table with three seats. Harry noticed a door on the wall opposite the bookcase and walked to it, pushing it open. "I guess this should really be called the Rooms of Requirement," it was a bathroom equipped with a bathtub, toilet, and a sink with a marble countertop. There were a few towels hung on the rack beside the door.
Harry jumped as his shoulder was rammed into the rack. "What the hell Malfoy?" Draco had pushed him out of the doorway. 'Least it's not bad enough to make me see Pomfrey,' he thought, 'I've had enough of that hospital wing in the last five years. I've probably been in there more than Neville.'
"Can you get out, Potter. I need to use the bathroom and, even though I know you would like to watch, I don't fancy you in here while I'm doing it."
Harry did not respond but shot Draco a glare before he walked out and the Slytherin slammed the door. Harry looked to Erica. "Harry?" He practically ran to the girl. He saw her try and stand up. She was falling... he jumped and caught her a second before her head would have hit the coffee table. He restlessly checked her for injuries. Nothing.
The Gryffindor let out a breath he did not know he had been holding.
She had only fainted. What was wrong with him that this fall had frightened him more than his fights with Voldemort ever had? He was supposed to be a 'brave gryffindor'. He wasn't supposed to ever be afraid. The wizarding world relied on him for the end of the Dark Lord. If he were afraid he would be dead before the end of the war. If he died there would be no end.
Dieing didn't seem like such a bad prospect a month ago when he was at the Dursleys, but that was before he had met Erica. Now, he didn't want to die. How strange that such a girl could have such an affect on him. He had never felt this way about Cho. Why should this be different? 'You're more comfortable around Erica. Cho was just lust,' he answered his questions silently. He only dreaded that he was destined to be alone and what he would have to do about their relationship in the future. 'But that's a long time away, Harry,' he said to himself, 'not yet.'
"I need a potion to give her energy," he said. Glancing at the coffee table, he saw a vial of a violet substance. He drew his wand, pointing it at her heart, "Enervate." Harry watched as her eyes fluttered open.
The muscular Gryffindor placed a soft kiss to her lips, "Hey, here, drink this. Then we can talk."
He held the vial to her pursed lips, helping her down the foul smelling liquid. Seeing her grimace he gave a small laugh, still feeling guilty, "You don't have to like it."
"Now you sound like Madam Pomfrey." The potion was working quickly. She was feeling energetic, "Thanks."
"Ok, sorry about earlier."
"Don't worry about it. We need to talk about my family, Harry."
"Alright. Who... who are they?"
"Just one thing... promise me you won't hate me. Certain people... well... they're not the best of sorts. I wouldn't be able to stand it if you were to hate me. I love you, really I do, Harry. Please, never hate me. Promise me that."
"I could never hate you, Erica. How could you even think that? I love you."
"I know... it's just... you don't like my parents much..."
"Whomever they are, I can't dislike them that much, can I?"
Erica smirked, "Oh, how little you know Harry. You hate my mother with all your heart and my father wasn't all too kind to you last year, from what you our friends have told me."
"Can you just tell me who you're related to, please?"
"My father... is Cornelius Fudge. My... my...," she took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She was going to say her mother but changed her mind, "My cousin is Anna Black... well... she's actually more like a second cousin, I think."
"Do you know who your mum is?"
Erica grimaced, she had been hoping he would not mention her mother, and put her face in her hands. "Yes. She's done worse to you than anyone ever has, love."
"Who is it? It's not that Skeeter woman is it?"
"No," Erica mumbled something impossible to hear.
"Who?"
"Bellatrix Lestrange."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*
Remember to read and review please!!! It helps sooo much!
~Esgalhothwen of the Fey~