Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter world, including Hogwarts, Draco and Ginny. I do own the plot to this, and some of this characters I own as well, but nothing else.
Author's Note: The fifth chapter! Sorry for the long wait, it's been hard to write, somewhat. And this chapter was ready to go about a week ago, but my internet did not want to open or for any reason, so I had to draw it back a little and yesterday (August third) something disastrous happened, I decided to write the 6th chapter but then I named the chapters alike! I put the IWU5 in both of them! So… sadly… this chapter was erased and I've had to start it up from scratch. Alas, it is not as good as it was the first time around… uu; -lesigh- Awesome response, guys! KTHX. Read on!
For the readers: On another note, just found a story named "From a Weasley to a Malfoy" I'm… surprised by the similarity of it to my MtaM story… But I shall not jump to conclusions yet. Check my blog for a more expressive opinion on this matter, as I'd rather not express it here, don't know if the mods would approve. I'm rather put off by it, to say the least. I do assure you guys, MtaM was posted first in and in , so I have not plagiarized that author's work. It just amazes me that it is so similar. I don't know if that author took ideas from my story or if it is pure coincidence (though I highly doubt that). If you want to know more on the matter, go to my blog, link on my author's page and on my bio. The entry's subject is "…" UPDATE: The situation has been resolved, thankfully.
It Wasn't Unexpected
Summary: SEQUEL TO MARRIAGE TO A MALFOY Krystal and Michael are in their 5th year at Hogwarts and they still are as "polite" as they ever were to one another. Being in different Houses does not help the situation, but maybe Christmas can. R&R please!
Chapter Five:
Christmas at the Burrow
Part I- Near the Fireplace
He laughed gleefully as his niece attached herself to his middle, hugging him tightly. He ruffled her hair playfully and she looked up, contemplating his face. His mop of ginger hair was still as dull as always, lying on top of his head with curious uniformity. His blue eyes glinted with the jovial shine that he would always undoubtedly possess and his freckles were spread across his face, giving the round shape of his cheeks an almost boyish quality that the years simply could not take away.
Ron Weasley had not changed much.
"Uncle Ron!" squealed Krystal as he ruffled her hair, she let go of him and he smirked playfully at her. "Don't mess my hair up! I spent hours on the mirror doing it!" she said grinning. He patted her shoulder.
"And I suppose you think that that statement must mean something to me?" he asked, playfully threatening to ruffle her hair again, as she was smoothing it out. She squeaked and dodged, laughing. "Ok, ok, I'll leave your hair alone… for now."
"Thank you, Uncle Ron," she said politely and slightly out of breath from laughing. Her expression changed immediately as she forced her uncle Ron to sit beside her in the blanket that was spread out on the grass. "So how have you been feeling?" she asked, eyeing him with some concern.
"Ah, I've been alright, Krys, don't worry. Hey, I haven't forgotten anything in fifteen years now." He smiled at her and she raised her eyebrows. True, the accident with the Death Eaters that time had left his memory damaged permanently and if it wasn't for the protection and for the caring of – dare he say it – Narcissa Malfoy he would probably be still as bad as he had been.
"Anything? And what about the time when you locked yourself in the bathroom and could not come out because you couldn't remember the spell you had put and, even more, could not remember the basic finishing incantation." She crossed her arms, overlooking at him.
Ron put his arms up in surrender. "Okay, okay, I get your point. Yes, I've been alright, Princess Krystal," he taunted and she cracked a small smile at him. Out of all her uncles and aunts (and Holy Spirit of Merlin, she had a lot!) Ron was her favorite. He was the "cool" uncle for her. Besides he was the only person who could control her tantrums; he even set foot in Malfoy Manor a couple of times, even though he despised the place, only to tend to a call from Ginny because Krystal was getting out of control.
He would always be nice and kind to her and would always, always give her some candy so she could keep in her secret stash in her room. And tonight was no exception. Sooner than she thought, she had a bag of Sugar Quills clutched in her hand before Luna Lovegood (Ron's current moved-in girlfriend) dragged him away to the group of adults. Shortly after, two of her cousins, Alexandra and Rachel dragged Krystal with them.
The Burrow was packed with running machines of destruction, which squealed and yelled and cried and screamed and ran around chasing each other and tripping each other and doing all that fun stuff. The reunion was being held in the backyard and some tables were in the middle, already messy because they had already ate a wonderful feast prepared by the Weasley women, including Luna and Hermione, the latter not actually being a Weasley per se, but she and Harry were always considered part of the family.
The crowd was divided into four groups.
The first group was the adults; chattering away by the edge of the yard, drinking mullet mead and discussing the joys (and pains) of parenthood. Some of them were worse than the children, as they relived – very vividly, mind you – their Hogwarts years, the pranks and everything of their childhood and teenage years.
The second group consisted of the screaming, thundering, yelling, laughing, squealing machines that were the infants and the toddlers. There were very few in this group, compared to the others, but they were the loudest of all of the groups. The parents had these under constant watch as they were a danger even to themselves. Marina, Jane, Ormand and Wilson were in this group.
The third group was the pre-teens. They were those ranging from their first to their fourth year at Hogwarts. They most likely talked about who was who at school and about the new levels of magic that they were learning. They looked upon the second group with a slight pity, but to the fourth group with aspiration.
And the fourth group consisted of the young adults and this was the largest group after the adults, of course. They ranged from their fifth to post-Hogwarts, the oldest being about 18 or 19 years old. They talked about O.W.L.s, N.E.W.T.s and any other kind of magical placement exams that they were subjected to at school and outside school. Krystal and Michael were both in this group.
It was no surprise when her cousins had dragged her that they were undoubtedly going to have the famed 'girl talk'. So, after talking about jewelry, clothing, gorgeous singers and make-up, the topic inevitably touched boys.
"So Krystal, what about you and Michael?" asked Alexandra, leaning against the side of the house, smiling.
"Blah, you guys know I can't stand him. Thank Merlin he isn't in my same house." Krystal smiled at her cousins, who exchanged a look and a nod. Krystal raised and eyebrow, crossing her arms on her chest. 'What, what is it?"
"Nothing, Krys-" started Alexandra but Rachel interrupted her.
"Is it true you two kissed at Hogsmeade?" Rachel asked so only Alexandra and Krystal could hear; anticipation all over her face. Krystal burst out laughing.
"Oh please, who told you that ridiculous statement?" she said, waving a derisive hand and laughing still, her shoulders shaking slightly. Alexandra and Rachel exchanged a knowing smile, and then both crossed their arms with smirks.
"We saw you." They still stared at Krystal who stopped short of laughing and raised her eyebrows. She was about to say something when her Grandmother Molly came rushing to them three.
"Come on, girls. It's time for the present exchange!" she said joyfully and the girls chattered away. Whew, thought Krystal relieved, that was a close one.
From the distance, she spotted Michael, who stared back at her for a minute and then turned round to remain talking with the boys. Krystal shook her head to snap herself out and rushed after Alexandra and Rachel.
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After the present exchange, Krystal was sitting in front of the fireplace, watching as the flames licked the logs which were consumed by the crackling flare. Everyone was outside but her, marveling upon their presents, chatting about, drinking eggnog and singing muggle Christmas Carols that the few muggleborns or half-muggles of the family showed them.
She had received tons of great gifts from her aunts and cousins, just little details, the kind that you are supposed to cherish forever and ever, you know. Were she considerably younger, she would have thrown them in the garbage, but she had learned that some things were better than luxuries. Boy… was that hard to accept.
One of the gifts she had most enjoyed was one from her younger cousins; the little girl had given her a custom made picture frame, which Krystal found utterly adorable. She was planning on using it too. She knew for certain that she had a picture of Winnie, Mariana, Malcolm and her somewhere on her nightstand that she was oh-so-desperate to find a frame for. And this one suited it perfectly.
Krystal dully noted that she and Michael had not exchanged presents, let alone spoken to each other in the entire night. She supposed she shouldn't be surprised, I mean, come on, it wasn't like she missed him!
The gift she had bought for him lay concealed inside her pocket and she purposely thought of giving it to his sisters so that they could so kindly forward it to him. Yeah, that was what she would do.
At the sound of a door closing, she looked back and caught Michael Potter coming out of the bathroom, zipping up his pants. She turned around quickly and stretched her hands so that she could warm them on the fire, trying not to make any sounds and to be as still as possible. Unbothered, say you, to his presence, which, by the way, would surely be leaving any time soon.
"If it isn't the ice princess warming herself at the fire. What a lovely sight." His voice grew louder and that could only mean he was coming towards her. She groaned.
"What do you want Potter? Don't you have someone else to annoy? The yard is full of blithering kiddies for you to bother. They would be more than happy to be annoyed by someone such as yourself," she said coolly, not turning around to see him. She hoped that with that he would go away, but instead he sat on his knees right next to her.
"It's cold, so I want to warm up, and besides, we haven't exchanged our presents, Malfoy. What very best time than to do it now?" He smiled that charming smile of his, but she paid no mind to it.
"I didn't buy you a present," she lied, sticking her nose in the air and looking resolutely at the fire. Michael laughed lightly and he scooted closer to the fire, but not as close as so it would burn his outstretched fingers. "But if you bought one for me, do give it… if you want to… whatever."
After a small silence, she saw with the corner of her eye as he put his hand inside his pocket and retrieved a small, odd-shaped package from within. He got his wand out and pointed it at the object, levitating it above her head; she followed the object with her gaze. "Tell it to open," he said and she only understood it vaguely, as she was transfixed with the odd-shaped parcel.
"What?"
"Just tell it to open."
"Potter, I don't have time for this." She sighed, at his silence she added, "Fine… open." Before her eyes the package had begun unwrapping its blue ribbons and then the silver satin cloth that was around it. A shower of glitter stars fell on her and she closed her eyes to prevent them from falling into her sockets. When she opened her eyes, she eyed the object. It was – "Oh, very funny, Potter." She shook her head unbelievingly and eyed him with distrust.
It was mistletoe, for Merlin's sake!
He was smirking now, puckering his lips jokingly. "Mistletoe rule, Malfoy, you have to kiss me." He puckered his lips even more.
"I don't have to do anything," she said, turning to look at the fire again, holding herself from positively strangling him right now. What on earth was he playing at? The nerve of him!
Part II- Under the Mistletoe
She stared at him with unmoving scorn, trying with all her might not to jinx that bloody smirk right off his face. The nerve of him, to play such a joke on her when she was absolutely in no mood for anything of the sort whatsoever. He was just so… so… despicable!
Though she kept on in her silent, glaring stance, he kept his smirk, as if daring her to accept that offer that hovered some two feet above her head. She felt a small star-shaped glitter fall on her open palm; it was light blue with the edges carefully colored in silver. She stared at that small glitter with her gray, cold eyes and marveled upon the silence that now reigned on the room, thankfully.
Too soon had she thought that, for the silence was broken almost instantly.
"Christmas Spirit Malfoy. Come off your cloud for once. You know you want to." Again with that annoying smirk! Why was he so filled with mirth?! But she stared at him with some confusion, carefully mixed with anger because, as she came to find out whilst glaring at him, she came to realize that he was indeed right. She did want to. But she would never admit that to him, not when she had such a hard time admitting it to herself.
"Sod off, Potter," she said, letting the small glitter fall out of her hand. But, fine, if he had had the nerve to come up with such a low proposition, she supposed she had the guts t come through with said proposition. After all, it was Christmas, and didn't Christmas consist majorly of charity work? She laughed internally at that assumption and Michael raised an eyebrow whilst looking at the sudden look of her face.
He was enjoying it so much, to see her internal struggle against his proposition. Pure mirth on his features, he was having fun torturing her like that. It was too funny to watch her change of expressions, but he really paid no mind to this, funny as it was. He was now too busy looking at his fingernails to notice anything else. Still staring at his fingers, he spoke, "I'm only joki-" he started, but he was caught off guard by surprise, as Krystal had chosen that exact moment to lean forward and press her lips to his gently.
If he had been thinking of something in particular, he had forgotten it for at that exact moment all he could think of was the gentle pressure of her silky lips against his own. They were so warm, humid and so soft to him that he completely forgot about the warmth of the fire, the cold of the room and could only concentrate on her.
She tasted exotic. It was a mingled taste of watermelon and blueberries that lingered in her lips so strongly that he found himself completely smitten to her charm and positively aching with the need to kiss her deeper. And he was about to do that too, but she was already pulling back and what seemed like forever were only seconds. However, he did not want it to end so soon, so he cupped the back of her head with a hand, feeling her soft hair between his fingers and pulled her face closer again.
He felt her gasp and tense up a little, and her hands came up to his chest gingerly, pushing back lightly, but with no considerable force. Her efforts grew slightly weaker and one of her hand slid its way across his shoulder. He snaked a hand around her waist and attempted to bring her closer, but she pulled back instantly, sitting back on her heels and fumbling with a necklace she had on. Her cheeks began to flush violently, her freckles beginning to show at an amazing face against her pale face.
He stared at her. She stared at him. Both were too breathless to speak a word, and she was panting a little, a drop of sweat condensed out of her hair and began to trickle down her forehead before freezing and crystallizing on the middle of her brow. She picked it off easily and distractedly. Michael bit his lip, still savoring the taste of her, so unknown to him.
He couldn't say that this girl was the best kisser of his life, out of all the girls he had kissed, because he was sure that there had to be at least one girl that kissed better/ But she had the lingering taste that the others had only left in his mouth – or not left at all – for seconds at the most. It had been almost five minutes since they had kissed – nay, since she kissed him – and her taste still lingered in his mouth.
The silence was deafening now. Krystal only wanted to stand up and leave towards the crowd gathered outside, but then again, she wanted to be alone, and she was almost certain that some part of her wanted to remain in this room with him, sitting in front of the dying fire and kneeling under that mistletoe.
She looked at him once more before standing up and brushing her skirt. She cleared her throat and turned on her heel. "Wait," he said and she stopped in her tracks, turning around to look at him.
He was standing up and brushing his clothes off, he stalked to her and stood in front of her. "Why did you kiss me, Malfoy?"
"Same reason you kissed me on Hogsmeade, to bother you." Her cool character was coming on again and she was slowly loosing patience at the adorable look he had on his face; confusion mixed with surprise.
"I see…" he tilted his head at her. He raised a hand and hesitated before lowering down again. "I–uh–um…" he shrugged it off and ran a hand thrown his auburn messy hair. "Never mind then,"
"I won't," she said and then turned away once more, but his hand grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him once more. She stared at him with skepticism. "What-?" she started but he shushed her and she complied, out of curiosity, or so she thought to herself.
He cupped her face with one hand and her eyes almost fluttered closed as he rubbed the back of his knuckles gently against her cheek in the most gentle manner she had ever seen from him.
"Michael, what are you doing?" she breathed. He froze for a moment… She had said his name.
---Don't forget to check and keep track of my blog because there'll be quite a bit of important info in there and you guys can comment in a more direct way there. It also states every time I update and it has the story mapped out as well as some other tidbits important to the MtaM series storyline---
Author's Note: Review, please! So sorry for the lateness of the chapter, I had it written, I really did! But I was too lazy to pass it over to the computer. You see that's the bad thing about type-writing it in a… well… typewriter. Then comes the part where I have to write it on the computer. It somehow seemed longer in the type-writer. Also, this chapter has actually two chapters, but as they were so very short, I saw it fit to make it one whole chapter. So that brings down the story, as I think it now will only have 9 chapters. The lateness is also because of the reason in the first Author's Note above.
Next chapter: Krystal and Michael will talk. She still hasn't given him his present, and, nope, he hasn't given her the present yet, though I wouldn't mind Michael to kiss me… damn. Anyway, getting a little too carried away here. –teehee-
Don't forget to leave me a nice juicy review, whether it is to insult me for making you guys wait so long or to simply say: "HI!".
-Blue