Posted: Jan. 20, 2005

Chapter Fifteen: The Fire: Spark
(Before being Ignited there is always and foremost the Spark)

Draco had driven his stupefied father and his too-calm-for-comfort wife home. He had gotten out of his blood-splattered clothes and then watched as his father was starting to stir from the spell in the living room. Grayson soon came in carrying a smiling Rosalina and handed her over to her father before leaving for his cabin. Angelina was nowhere to be seen; she was in the downstairs bathroom being violently sick.

Lucius started to stretch his body as the last of the spell finally wore off. "She's still very disobedient I see."

"Father, not now I don't want to hear it." A House Elf handed him a warm bottle and he fed Rosalina. "Because if it weren't for her, we both may be dead right now."

"Yes, but maybe she would not of had to do anything, if you weren't a screw up!" Lucius yelled. "If you're going to kill someone, do it right!"

"They had T.A.S. father, what could I have done?"

Lucius looked surprised. "The Attachment of Solum?"

"Yes. Believe me, she would have been dead otherwise."

Lucius shook his head as he took a seat on the couch. "Alright, fine. And I'm not even going to ask how she had mistaken you for me."

"Bad memory charm," he confessed quietly.

"Did you learn anything in school?" Lucius asked and then mumbled something that Draco couldn't quite hear.

"I'm sorry if school wasn't the only thing on my mind," he replied. Rose was starting to fuss in his arms. "You wanted me to take The Mark, though we weren't even loyal to the Dark Lord. You wanted me to take a wife and Pansy was surely out of the question. She only wanted to be with me because of who I was and what that would mean for the status of her family. That and her family was too loyal to the Dark Lord. So then, by my last year I was engaged, before the holiday break, to a girl I barely knew. Plus I was preparing for a war I really didn't want to fight," his voice had been rising throughout the ordeal. "So I'm sorry, that a stupid memory charm, was the least of my worries!"

"Draco!" Angelina yelled. "What the hell is going on?" She walked over to him and took her crying baby who was reaching out for her.

"Nothing!" He allowed Rosalina to be taken out of his arms. "Look we only have a few hours, tops, before the Dark Lord realizes that his Death Eaters aren't coming back," he told her. "I already have you and Rose's bags pack. Rest for a little while, but then I need you to go to the address I told you to go to."

"Fine."

Draco looked to his father and started to say something before being cut off. "Don't worry, boy, I can take care of myself."

Draco nodded and then made his way upstairs where he collapsed on his bed. "Why can't this be easy?"

"Because then you wouldn't learn anything." Draco looked up and saw Angelina walk into the room.

He sat up and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her legs and resting his head against her chest. "I'd die for you."

Angelina ran her finger through his almost shoulder length hair. "Why do you always say that?"

"Because I would."

"But what if I don't want you to die for me?"

"What do you mean?" He looked up at her.

Angelina slid down to her knees in front of him. "What I mean is, I'm not asking you to die for me, because that was never the question. The real question is: will you live for me Draco?" She held him close. "When I killed that man earlier, I wasn't upset because he had died at my hands, but because I could have lost you today. I just keep on thinking, what if I had come too late? What if you were killed today? What if. . ." her voice trailed off. "Draco," she cried softly.

"It's okay baby," he kissed the top of her head, "it's all going to be okay." Angelina began to sob loudly realizing it had been a long time since she had just completely broken down.

Draco had seen tears run down her face before, but he had never had to deal with the sound of her crying. And though the sound made his heart ache, deep down within him, he was happy, because he knew he had something, that none of the men in his family had before him, a wife that cried for him and not because of him. After a few minutes Angelina was able to calm herself down. "You must think me foolish," she said as she wiped away the last of her tears.

"Of course I don't." He pulled her up to him and had her lay down on the bed. Propping himself on his side he took his free hand and caressed her damp face. "You are so beautiful."

Angelina's smile was small. "I don't think you've ever said that to me before." She took his hand and held it close to her chest as she started to massage it.

Draco appreciated the gesture, his hand was quite sore, it had been awhile since he had thrown his dagger with such intensity. "No need in stating the obvious," he replied.

"Doesn't mean it's not nice to hear," she said as she concentrated on his hand.

"You're right," he agreed as he slowly slipped his hand out of hers.

"What?" She looked at him thinking maybe she wasn't doing a good job. She then noticed that familiar look in his eyes, deep and pensive, as if debating something, just like the night he had given her, her new wedding rings.

"Nothing," he then sat up and after a moment said. "Tulip, when this is all over, I want to have more children. I want to have a big family, one full of love, like I didn't have."

Angelina frowned and then sat up. "Aren't you happy with what we have?" she asked.

He turned to her and smiled. "I am, very. I just want to share that. Don't you?"

She rested her head on his shoulder. "Yeah."

"Besides, we still must produce a male heir."

Angelina scoffed quietly to herself and whispered, "Of course."

"You should rest now, I'll wake you later." He went to kiss her forehead, but she pulled away before giving him the chance. He gave her an odd look as she reached for her pillow and rested her head, but said nothing. He shook his head and told himself it didn't mean anything as he leaned over, kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear, before leaving the room. "Sleep well, my flower."

OoOoO

"Tulip," Angelina heard the voice of Draco trying to wake her. "Tulip, wake up." He shook her with one hand.

"What?" She opened her eyes and sat up. Draco was holding Rosalina. He had her bundled up in her winter clothing and a thick coat. He had placed her and his wife's things on the bed next to Angelina while she was sleeping.

"It's time for you and Rose to go. Are you ready?" Draco asked her.

"No, not really." She stood up, feeling a little lightheaded, but showed no signs. "Where exactly are you sending us?"

"Just go to the address. You'll be in good hands."

"Where's your father?"

"Gone." He then sung to his daughter as he waited for Angelina to prepare herself to go. When she was ready, Draco kissed Rosalina and handed her over. He then placed both of his hands on either side on Angelina's face. "Tell me you love me."

"I love you." She didn't make eye contact, but Draco was a little too distracted to notice.

"Good." He then walked away from her. "You remember the address right?" He opened a dresser drawer.

"Yes, you made me memorize it." She walked over to him to see him pulling out what looked like a music box. "Is that the Portkey?" she asked.

Draco nodded his head. "Be careful okay? And hold Rosalina close, the feeling of going through a Portkey isn't pleasant." Angelina nodded and allowed herself to be kissed. "I'll come and check on you as soon as I can." She nodded again, the gentleness in his voice stirred something in her and she found herself fighting back tears. That's when she noticed Draco's own face. "Go, now." He turned away from her, hoping she had not caught his falling tear. When he turned back around they were gone. He wrapped his arms around himself and then for the second time in his life, he prayed for his family.

Angelina soon arrived in a rural area out of a Portkey she couldn't quite manage to see under the snow. With her and her daughter's things floating low towards the ground behind her, she headed, as she was told, to the address Draco had made her memorize.

She could see that it was a one floor tan house as she approached it. The house was also covered in snow and decorated for the holidays. She knocked on the door urgently as Rosalina was starting to cry in her arms. And as the door opened she couldn't believe who she saw. She would have been sure that of all the people on Draco's list that he could have sent her to, he would have been one of the last.

As their eyes met, he pushed his vibrant red hair out of his face. Angelina smiled as she stared into his calm, ocean deep, blue orbs. She meant to say 'hi' but what she said was, "You still have the most beautiful blue eyes."

"Hello, Angelina," he spoke.

"Hello, Percival." And he allowed her to come into his home. Percy, like all of his siblings, shared in having bright red hair, but when it came to eyes, Percy stood alone. Because while the others either had eyes that looked between brown and hazel like their father's, Percy took after their mother and inherited a pair of forget-me-not blue.

Percy was actually the first Weasley that Angelina hadmet when she boarded the train to Hogwarts for her first year. She had beenwalking down the aisle looking for a compartment that wasn't full when she spotted one that only had one boy inside. "Hi. Do you mind if I sit with you? The others seem to be full."

"No, I don't mind, come on in." He told her as he looked up from his book. "I'm Percy Weasley," he said proudly as he offered his hand.

She took it and they shook hands. "Your eyes are really pretty." Percy chuckled as he blushed. Angelina's eyes grew wide. "Did I say that out loud?"

Percy shook his head. "I'm afraid you did Ms. . . I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"Maybe because I didn't throw it," she replied. "It's Angelina. Angelina Johnson." She took a seat across from him and stared out the window for a while before she spoke again. "Are you not well liked?"

"Excuse me?" He looked at her quizzically.

"Well, there must be a reason you were sitting alone?" she said quite rudely.

"I don't think that's any of your business." He went back to his book.

"Is it because you're an only child? Like me," she asked.

"Ha! I wish." He laughed. "I have two older brothers, three younger brothers, and a younger sister."

"Wow, that's a lot of people. You're house must really be fun."

"Fun isn't how I would describe it. More like chaos, if you will." He put his book aside and took off his glasses. "So what's it like to be an only child?"

Angelina shrugged. "It's okay, I guess." Her eyes then snapped up. "Want to play some cards?" she asked excitedly.

"Sure."

Angelina reached for her bag. "They're the muggle kind, is that okay?"

Percy smiled and nodded. "Should we play on the floor?"

And so the two young students played and talked all the way to Hogwarts. "Your siblings sound like very interesting people." Angelina stated as they headed off the train. "Especially those twins."

"Oh, don't worry, you'll meet them soon enough. Did I forget to mention they're in the same year as you?"

"Oh yeah, now I'm excited," she stated sarcastically and Percy laughed. "Are we friends?" she suddenly asked him. Percy looked at her strangely; he had never been asked that question before. "I mean, I don't have a lot of them and. . ." She was unable to finish as a crowd of students pushed through them separating them from each other.

She wasn't able to find him outside as all the first years were being called by a giant of a man. She soon found herself, along with the other first years, in the Great Hall, being sorted into the different houses. When her name was called, she walked up to the Sorting Hat with her head held high. She was under the hat for only a few moments before it yelled out, "Gryffindor!"

She smiled happily and made her way to the Gryffindor table. As she sat to watch the rest of the sorting, she felt someone gently tug at the sleeve of her robe. She turned to have a piece of parchment placed in her hands. She opened the letter and it read, 'I would very much enjoy being your friend.' She looked up and saw Percy down the table smiling, which made her smile too.

OoOoO

As Angelina sat on the couch getting Rosalina out of her coat, she noticed Percy walked with a limp. "Are you injured?"

"What?" he asked, but then realized what she meant. "Oh this," he rubbed his leg, "this is nothing," he told her. "I'll show you to your room when you're ready."

"Thank you, Percy."

"No problem, Lina."

The day was coming to an end and Percy and Angelina rested on the floor in front of the fire. Percy was on his back with a pillow under his head as Rosalina lay sleeping on his chest. Angelina was beside him on her stomach, propped up on her elbows, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. "Honestly, I was surprised when you opened the door."

"Why?"

"Didn't think Draco was fond of you Weasleys."

"That's probably because he doesn't see me as a Weasley. It's been a long time since I've spoken to my family."

Angelina turned from her warm drink and then for the first time noticed his wedding band. "You must think me rude, how is Penelope? Will she be arriving home soon?"

Percy lifted his hand and twirled his wedding band around his finger with his thumb. "I wouldn't know." His expression became sad. "She walked out on me a while back. She said I cared more about work than I did her."

Angelina reached for his hand. "You're still that thirteen year old boy I met, sitting all alone."

"Maybe, but I wasn't alone for long. Now was I?" Percy's smile returned to his face. "Do you know you were my first friend? Outside my family that is."

"I kind of got that. I considered you my first real friend too."

"We had a lot of firsts together, didn't we?"

Angelina stared into the fire as if reminiscing. "Yeah," her voice was low, "you were my first kiss and my first love." She took back her hand and took a hold of her drink. She then blew on it before taking a sip.

"Aren't you forgetting something, Lina?" He asked not looking at her as he pulled Rosalina's thumb out of her mouth and replaced it with a pacifier. "I was definitely more than your first love."

Angelina sighed heavily. "That was a mistake, Percy."

"Maybe, but don't you ever wonder what life would have been like," he stroked the top of Rosalina's head, trying to push down an unruly curl, "if. . . you know. . . we had gone the other way?"

"No," she said without hesitation.

"Eight."

"Huh?"

"If things had gone the other way. . . eight, next month."

She then realized what he meant. "Why are you hurting yourself Percy? It was a mistake. Come on now, who would have believed we were friends, let alone lovers? Besides you were head-over-heels in love with that Clearwater girl then. I was only sixteen and going into my sixth year, you had already graduated and had your life all planned out with Penelope."

"No, no. You know very well I would have left Penelope. I would have stepped up, I would have been a father to my child," he explained. "But you took that away from me Lina and then if that wasn't bad enough, you started dating my brother," he scoffed. "Fred of all people. And you thought people couldn't see us together? Like you cared what people thought anyway."

Angelina's face was cold as she turned to him. "I just didn't want to be a mother and tied down at sixteen, okay? And dating Fred. . . well, if you really want know the truth, it was George I fancied, but Fred asked me out first, so I figured what the hell? Besides, no matter which one I dated, they would have been nothing more than a poor replacement for you."

"So you used Fred?"

Angelina rubbed the bridge of her nose, something hadshe picked up from Draco when he was stressed, before turning back to Percy. "At first yes, to help me get over you and for other reasons, but know that I did grow to love him."

"And me?" Percy looked into her round eyes, which were as dark and rich as the chocolate she held in her hands.

She sighed quietly. "You were my first love, Percy," she stated. "You never really get over those." She smiled warmly as she reached and pushed a stray lock of hair out of his face. She meant to take back her hand, but instead it rested on his cheek. Percy's hand then came up to rest on top of hers. She gasped, yanked away her hand, and cast her eyes downward. "I'm sorry, I- I don't know what came over me."

"It's okay," Percy said as he supported Rosalina's body against him as he sat up. "I'm just going to put her to bed and then head in myself. I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay, good night." Angelina then put her cup aside, laid on her back, and stole the pillow Percy had his head rested on. She sighed as an old feeling returned to her, that one in the pit of her stomach, that feeling that told her, that not all of this would go well. And she hoped, for once, it was wrong.

To Be Continued. . .

Preview of Next Chapter:

Angelina soon found herself kissing him back, until she realized what she was doing, so rather slowly she pulled away from his inviting mouth. "Stop Percy," she shook her head. "No."

Percy was flushed with embarrassment as he nodded in understanding, but it appeared that his hands had a mind of their own as they reached for Angelina once more and pulled her to him.

A/N: They don't seem that farfetched right? I mean come on, think about it. . . why was Percy so determined to keep his relationship with Penelope quiet anyway? And he would have, if it had not been for Ginny.

Anyway, when Fred asked Angelina to the dance in Book Four, there are no indications she can tell them apart, and even if she could, she was sitting across the common room. I've known several pair of twins, and no matter how well you know them, you can't tell them apart from a distance. That's why I think she kind of looked at him for moment, to try to figure out who it was, but then realized it didn't matter.