These characters aren't mine, sadly, and I make no profit from Harry Potter. I cry out to the stars, "If only, if only."

Chapter 20: What Happened in the Forbidden Forest

Diina woke up and saw Harry asleep in a chair next to her bed. A glance at her watch told her it was nine o'clock, and another glance out the window told her it was night. She sat up and saw that Harry's left hand was resting on her bed. Taking his hand in hers, she softly called to him until he awoke.

"So you finally woke up," he whispered with a yawn.

"How long was I asleep?" Diina asked.

"About six hours," Harry replied.

After Madam Pomfrey had looked her over and proclaimed her good to go, Harry escorted Diina down to Slytherin. She had an arm around his shoulders and he had an arm around her waist to support her because her legs trembled so badly. At Slytherin, he reluctantly handed her over to Draco.

As Draco and Diina made their way across the common room, Diina's legs gave out. She grabbed the neck of his robes to keep from falling and discovered a love bite on his neck.

"Who gave you that?" asked Diina. "It looks awful. You can tell she broke the skin. You should see Madam Pomfrey before it gets infected."

"It's fine," he replied.

"No, it's not. Seriously, who gave you that?"

"I don't think you'll like the answer."

"Stop thinking and just answer."

"Fine," Draco snapped. "You gave it to me Diina."

"That's absolutely ridiculous," said Diina. "I would never get close enough to do that."

"You certainly got close enough in the Forbidden Forest. And before you ask, yes, I know what happened in the Forbidden Forest those two days that you can't remember."

"Really?" Diina said skeptically. "Enlighten me then."

"You won't be able to handle it."

"Don't tell me what I can and cannot handle."

"You were escorted from the forest to Malfoy Manor on December 25th by a few Deatheaters. On December 26th, you proved yourself worthy of being Voldemort's heir by killig two Aurors. And on the afternoon of December 27th, I had my way with you before taking you back to the Forbidden Forest," Draco told her.

"You're lying," she whispered, tears in her eyes.

"If you want proof, I could always describe the strawberry-shaped birthmark under your left breast. Well, it looked like a strawberry to me, anyway." Draco dropped her onto the couch. "I could take you through her afternoon together step by step, if you wish."

Diina was still weak from her concussion. If he tried anything, she would be unable to defend herself. He got on top of her and gently kissed her forehead as he undid her Quidditch robes.

"BONZAI!" Sue yelled, leaping out of the shadows and landing on Draco's back.

"YIP!" Mince barked, leaping after Sue. As soon as she landed, Mince did her best to lick Draco's face, wagging her tail with joy.

"Hiya Diina! I brought your broom," Sue said, holding Diina's broom in the air triumphantly. "During the game, I stole a broom from Madam Hooch's office (it was the perfect time; she wasn't there) so I could watch you play. I flewed to the pitch and saw that Bludger hit you, then Harry caught you but your broom was falling. So I decided to catch it so it wouldn't hit the ground and smash into pieces."

"I'm sure my broom thanks you and thinks you're a great hero," Diina replied. "And I might feel the same way if you weren't helping Draco make a lasting impression on me—literally."

"Huh?" Sue asked. Then it dawned on her that she was squishing Draco into Diina. "Oops. Sorry." She climbed off him.

"I didn't mind," Draco mumbled.

"Well of course you didn't," Diina retorted. "You weren't the one on the bottom being crushed beneath the combined weight of Sue and yourself."

"By the by, I think you asked for this, Draco," Sue said, pulling a small box out of her pocket as Draco got off of Diina.

"Sue, I told you I didn't ever want to see that again," snapped Diina.

"Um...okay...uh, Diina, close your eyes for a minute, 'kay?" Sue stood between Diina and the box to ensure that Diina wouldn't have to see the box. "Here you go, Draco. Wrap it in different paper of something so Diina won't recognize it."

"I heard that Sue," Diina said, sitting up on the couch and grabbing for Sue's throat to choke the demon. Diina found Mince in her hands. How did Sue do that? One minute she's right in front of me, and the next, she's gone and left the dog in her place.

(Sue was currently running around the room, dancing, singing, and breaking things.)

Draco took Mince out a bewildered Diina's hands and placed the pup in her lap. Then he took her hands in his. "I'm sorry I only sent it to you. I should have done it in person," he said, kneeling in front of her. "Diina Michelle Riddle, will you marry me?" He held out the open box to her. She knew that inside was a necklace with a black rose (the Malfoy family insignia). The bud of the rose was obsidian, and the stem was made of a deep green emerald. The charm hung on a silver chain. It was the tradition Malfoy engagement gift. He'd told her that in the note that had come with the gift.

Somehow, this isn't how I pictured this. Sue running around being destructive, a warm, fuzzy, cuddly puppy in my lap," Diina thought. I pictured it with just me and my boyfriend. Maybe after a romantic candlelight dinner. Harry's eyes look so perfect in that vision. If Harry proposed, I'd say "yes" in an instant. I'd thought I'd feel that way with Draco, but I'm just not sure. Harry's shy, innocent, and sweet, not to mention good-looking. Draco is charming, bold, experienced, and drop-dead gorgeous.