Posted: Feb. 1, 2005

Chapter Sixteen: To Keep - To Break

Lord Voldemort sat on his throne with one leg tucked under himself, leaning on his left armrest with his chin in his hand looking down at one of his Death Eaters. "So you're telling me, that thirteen of you couldn't bring me one man?"

"Like you said yourself my Lord, he's the best," Draco explained.

"Yet he kept you alive?" Voldemort's young face looked at him suspiciously.

Draco shrugged. "What can I say; my father is more sentimental than I once thought."

Ginny, who was sitting in her throne next to Voldermort spoke up. "And yourself, Malfoy, you just watched him escape?"

"I'm afraid I did. Like I said before my Lady, he stupefied me first before killing the others." Draco avoided making eye contact with Ginny. "I thought he was just saving me for last, but after killing the others, he just looked at me like I betrayed him."

Ginny noticed Draco's lack of eye contact, but he had never made a lot of eye contact with her before, even in school. It was his way of denying his attraction to her. But after he had stopped dating Pansy in the beginning of his last year of school, he no longer saw the need in avoiding his desires for her.

Then during that holiday break, Ginny learned of his engagement to Angelina Johnson, and when he came back to school he had started avoiding her again. But their separation didn't last long, because after school ended he came back to her, even though by that time she was with Voldemort again. But denying Draco, after she had already had him, was something she couldn't seem to stop herself for doing, even though she loved Voldemort and couldn't care less about Draco.

"You're dismissed, Malfoy," Voldemort told him. Draco lowered his head in a bow and existed from the throne room. "What do you think, love?"

"I think he's lying," she told him. "To protect his father."

"As do I," he agreed. "Should we have him killed?"

"No," Ginny said a little too quickly for Voldemort's comfort. "I mean not yet anyway. I want Lucius first. So I think we should have someone keep an eye on Draco. If we wait long enough he'll lead us to Lucius. Then as you promised me, I want to watch him die."

Voldemort reached out and took Ginny's hand; he then brought it to his lips and kissed it. "Whatever you wish, love."

Ginny smiled. "You spoil me, Tom."

"As a Queen should be."

OoOoO

Rosalina cried as she flared her plump arms splashing water, from the sink she was sitting in, all over her mother as she tried to bathe her. "I'm guessing she doesn't like baths," Percy commented from a safe distance at the kitchen table.

"No, that's not it." Angelina washed the soap off of Rosalina. "She's just missing her father. She's never gone this long without seeing him before."

"How about you?" Percy asked, just trying to make conversation. "What's the longest you've ever been away from Malfoy?"

"Since we've been married?" Angelina let out the water in the sink. "I would say, a little over five months, but that was only because of school." She lifted her daughter out of the sink and headed towards the guest bedroom she had settled into over the last two weeks. "Calm down, Rose." Who was still fussing as she got her dressed.

"Quite a handful isn't she?" Percy asked, leaning on the door frame.

"Would you expect anything less from a Malfoy?" Angelina asked with a smile. She dressed Rosalina in a cute red and green outfit. She was planning on taking some pictures and sending them to Draco, knowing that he was missing them as much as they were missing him.

"Do you know your daughter's wardrobe is more expensive than this house?"

Angelina laughed. "Yeah, I did." Knowing that the clothes packed were only a small faction of the ones that were left at home. "Draco has very expensive taste. He's buys most of Rose's clothes." She then added, "And the majority of mine."

"He doesn't even let you pick out your own clothes?" Percy asked in disbelief.

Angelina turned her focus to him. "You make it sound like a bad thing."

"Come on now, Lina, doesn't that sound a bit controlling to you?"

She shrugged. "I just always thought of it as cute."

"Malfoy? Doing something cute?" Percy shuddered. "Scary." He smiled as he left before Angelina could throw something at him.

"Come on, babe," she tied a bib around Rosalina's neck, "let's go get you something to eat." Then as Angelina walked back to the kitchen she started to wonder about Percy's words. Was Draco controlling? Was she giving in to him slowly as the years went on? Was she really becoming one of those wives who husbands said, 'Jump' and she answered with, 'How high?' and if so, why did it take her so long to notice?

"Percy." She joined him in the living room, he was watching TV. Angelina had spoken to Draco about getting a TV once, because she often got bored in the house, but he told her it was stupid Muggle invention that only existed to rot the brain. A week after that, Draco had found her job application for Gringotts. He tore it up in front of her and told her that her only job was to raise his child and be an obedient wife."Were you playing or do you really think that Draco may-" There came a knock at the door.

"Hold that thought," he told her as he went to answer it and found a postman waiting there. "That's strange," he said after he had closed the door. "It's for you."

"I got mail, through the Muggle post?" Angelina watched as Percy put her package on the table. Then handed Rosalina over to him so she could she what it was.

"Yes, sometimes it's faster than sending an owl." Percy watched as Angelina's face lit up when she realized who it was from. As if anyone else knows she's here, he thought shaking his head.

"It's from Draco." She tore open the post box to find the present she had been shaking under the tree just a few weeks ago. She put it close to her ear and shook it once more. "What do you think? Should I wait till Christmas?" she asked Percy.

He shrugged. "I would, but that's me."

Angelina smiled at him. She then tore the wrapping off the box and next the tape that sealed it. She giggled as she took out a teddy bear dressed like an angel. "He got me the bear." She held it tightly as she thought about the first time she had seen it.

She and Draco had gone Christmas shopping for Rosalina when they discovered this new toy store. As they passed the window to enter through the doors Angelina noticed this amazing arrangement of teddy bears. So as they were looking for something for their daughter, Angelina's eyes kept wandering back to the display of bears, especially the one dressed like an angel with a golden halo around its head.

"See something you like for yourself?" Draco had asked after a few moments. She shook her head no. "Good," he walked away from her to look at something that had caught his eye, "proper grown women don't need toys." The comment had hurt her, but she smiled and went on about her business.

Angelina then reached for the card, that was still inside the box, it read: For a marriage that has never been described as 'Proper', but always full of love.

She looked at her bear once more and realized that it didn't have the golden halo she had seen it with in the store. Instead the halo was green and handed painted on it were tulips that spelled out the words, 'Little Angel' which was the meaning of her name.

"Lina?" Percy called. "You were saying something before. What was it?"

Angelina just smiled at her bear. "Nothing." She shook her head. "Just a silly thought."

OoOoO

Draco couldn't sleep, he was tossing and turning, it was just too warm for his taste as he kicked off his sheets to the floor. He was wearing nothing more than a pair of boxers that Angelina had bought him. "Just so when we're in public and I'm stripping you down in my mind's eye, I don't have to guess between boxers, briefs, or commando," was what she jokingly said to him that day.

Draco groaned as he looked at the clock on the night stand, it was nearly three thirty in the morning on December thirty-first. "Ahhh!" He threw Angelina's pillow across the room in frustration. He thought it strange that he could never remember their anniversary, for some reason he always thought it was January first. It figured that the first time he remembered the right day it would be the first time he had to go without her.

He looked at the little date in the corner of the alarm clock; it was mocking him, taunting him really. He just wanted to slam it up against the wall and watch it break into a million pieces. He sat up knowing sleep was defiantly not on the list for this early morning. He turned on a light and reached inside the night stand drawer.

He pulled out a packet of photos that Angelina had sent him and flipped through them. He smiled at the photo where his wife winked and blew him a kiss. She was dressed in a red and green outfit that matched their daughter's. He was so happy the day the pictures had arrived, he was missing his family more than he should have allowed himself, but he just couldn't help it. So he decided he would surprise his wife and go to Percy's the next morning.

When he chose Percy to look after his family, it wasn't for his own comfort, but for Angelina's. That and he knew the possibly of Fred coming around was next to none. He had seen the way Fred looked at his brother in disgust. He didn't know what their deal was and honestly he didn't care. All that mattered was that Angelina felt safe. And so he chose her a fellow former Gryffindor and was glad he had accepted to help.

It was about ten in the morning when Draco arrived at Percy's. Percy, with a slight hesitation, let him in and then headed towards the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the three of them.

Draco headed down the hall to the guest room and tried to open the door, but it was locked. He pulled out his wand and used a simple spell to unlock it, but strangely it didn't work, so he used a more powerful one and then he heard the click of the lock. He went inside and first checked on his daughter who was sleeping peacefully.

He then turned to Angelina who had a troubled expression on her face as she slept. Draco kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed with her. "Angelina," he softly called. "Angelina, wake up." He snaked his arm around her waist and then gave her a kiss on her cheek.

All of sudden, Angelina jumped and yelled, "Stop Percy. No!" Her hand then immediately went to her forehead and her eyes were bloodshot, clear signs to Draco that she had been drinking. He had never approved of her drinking, she had a tendency to go overboard with it and he often had to stop her before she did.

And then he noticed something odd as her hand was on her forehead. There was a slight discoloration on her wrist. "Tulip?" Angelina's face was full of surprise as her eyes now focused on her husband.

"Draco!" she said excitedly and wrapped her arms around him. "I've missed you so much. Is it safe to come home yet?"

"Tulip," Draco pushed her away slightly. "Why did you think I was Weasley?" Draco watched as Angelina's eyes looked towards the bedroom door and then shook her head. "Did something happen?" Draco asked with concern. "Something I should know about?"

"No," she said calmly, but a bit too quickly.

Draco could sense something wasn't right as he thought, Why did she yell out like that? She couldn't possibly be afraid of. . . "Did Weasley touch you?" He asked angrily and started to rise out of bed. "If he has, I swear I'll kill him this day."

"No. Heavens no!" Angelina shook her head feverishly. "It was just a bad dream, love, honest." She pulled him back to her. "Percy has been a perfect host."

"Are you sure?" he asked looking at her wrist. Angelina nodded her head. Draco forced a believable smile; something told him this went beyond a bad dream, but he would give his wife the benefit of the doubt. "Look at me, jumping to conclusions. See how crazy I go without you?" he asked as he and his wife embraced. "Besides, Weasley wouldn't know what do with a woman even if he had an instruction manual."

"Yeah," Angelina said too softly to hear as she reveled being in Draco's arms. She then closed her eyes as she remembered the night before, wishing it would all just fade away.

"Just one kiss," Percy had said to her as they sat like they did every night in front of the fire. "To celebrate the new year." His smile was sweet. "What harm could come from one kiss?" he had asked.

So Angelina shrugged and agreed, Yeah, what harm? And the kiss was harmless. It was sweet, shy, and childlike, just like the first kiss they had ever shared. And maybe it would have stopped at one kiss, if they hadn't spent the last few hours drinking a couple bottles of champagne and firewhiskey in celebration.

So maybe it was the high level of alcohol or the soft music playing in the background or maybe, more than likely, the fact that they were both still very attracted to each other, because the moment their lips touched a flash of past delight resurfaced in their heads.

And Percy realized he wanted more than a memory, he wanted to feel the way he did back when they were together and so he kissed her again, but this time with more purpose. 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. He fell back onto the floor as he firmly held Angelina pressed against his body.

Angelina struggled to get out of his bear like grip. Percy only chuckled softly. "You're not even trying, Lina," he teased.

"Percy, let go," she demanded.

And he did what was requested of him, but Angelina stayed right where she was. In fact, a smile threaten her features as she stared into his blue eyes, licking her lips, wanting more. And so she closed her eyes and once again her lips found Percy's which were as firm as his grip had been, but as gentle as anything she could imagine.

Her hands soon found his soft red hair as she felt his hands once again find her body. She moaned in pleasure as he stroked her back and gradually work his way down to her butt which he eagerly began to squeeze. "Lina," he panted as she broke the kiss and straddled him. His hands then began moving up her smooth thighs, lifting her green nightgown.

Angelina could now feel the bulge in his pants as it was pressed up between her legs. "Well, hello there big boy. Are you ready to come out and play?" She reached down and snapped the band of his pajamas.

Percy brought her back down to him and they rolled over on the floor, placing him on top. "Come on, Lina, you know I'm always up for a good time." Angelina giggled as Percy sat on his knees and reached under her gown where he pulled off, or more like tore off, her blue cotton panties. He then threw them over his shoulder with a wicked smile on his face. A smile that Angelina knew only appeared when he was having fun, so it was quite rare to see.

Being a little tipsy, he was a little clumsy with his pajama bottoms before successfully taking them off. He then mounted Angelina and she took a hold of either side of his face as they began kissing again. "This isn't how you like it and this isn't how I want it," she told him huskily into his ear after a moment.

Angelina was referring to their position. Percy always liked to be on the bottom; he liked being dominated over, which Angelina never quite understood. Percy was the kind of person who liked to be in control in everything that he did, but in bed it was different, he liked to be ordered around, taking the submissive role.

Percy chuckled and that smile reappeared on his face. "Then tell me what you want," he said between kisses. "Tell me what you need." He then sat up pulling Angelina with him. "Tell me if you want it on the floor or if you want to take this to the bedroom." He began kissing several parts of her face and neck. Angelina closed her eyes and tilted her head back.

Then suddenly she thought, You're actually thinking about it, aren't you?

She then proceeded to answer herself, I've already gone this far. Why not?

Why not! How about Draco?

Angelina rolled her eyes. What about him?

You promised him no more affairs!

Do you forget he made me that same promise? Angelina was tired of lying to herself. But I know he was with someone else. I could sense it. Damn that, I could smell it!

You're overreacting.

Bull-

Draco loves you! Besides, what if he didn't do anything wrong and he finds out about you and Percy? You know very well he won't forgive another betrayal. Angelina wasn't as drunk as she thought she was, because this conversation in her head was very clear. He may not stop at Percy.

And you call that love? If you do, then I don't understand. Am I just suppose to spend the rest of my life. . . afraid. . . of my husband?

No, you're just suppose to live the life you've chosen.

I didn't choose this life!

Yes, you did, when you made the choice to stay. Not because you were afraid of him or even his father, but because you love him. Now come on! Are you really ready to throw that away?

Angelina sighed. "Percy," she said slowly. "I need - oh, hmm. . ." she moaned with the touch of his hand moving up and then beyond her thigh. "I need you to. . ." she gasped loudly as she felt Percy's finger and then another slip inside of her.

Percy then brought his face close to hers, his breath suductive on her lips as he purred, "Go on, Lina, tell me."

"Percy," she murmured, closing her eyes before letting the gap between their lips disappear. Angelina savored his taste as their tongues dance a dance once thought forgotten. Why did I leave this man? she thought as she ran one hand up his chest while the other combed through his hair.

Still kissing, Percy brought up his free hand to meet Angelina's. At his movement, Angelina opened her eyes and caught sight of Percy's wedding band. She closed her eyes again, trying to imagine that they were still teenagers back at Hogwarts, but couldn't as she finally, but slowly, broke the kiss. She then saw her own wedding ring, the one Draco had given her. "Percy," she whispered.

With a playful smirk coming back to his face he looked to her. "Have you made up you mind?" he asked her.

"Yes," she shallowed hard, reaching down for his hand and removing it from her body. "I need you to stop."

Percy slightly pulled away a bit confused as he looked at her. "Stop?"

She shook her head. "I can't do this," she simply stated. "Besides, we've both had way too much to drink. We'll only regret it in the morning, so let's just stop." She took a moment to pull down her nightgown and cover herself. She then started to get up, but as soon as she did, she was roughly pulled back down to the floor. "Hey!"

"Why do you always toy with me?" Percy asked in a sudden burst of anger, his eyes becoming ice cold.

"Let me go." He was holding her wrists tightly, pinning her to the floor.

"Why was I never good enough for you!" he yelled. "What made Fred better than me! Why did you kill my child!" he then breathed heavily as he stared at Angelina, waiting for her response. He then leaned down, placing himself in between her legs before nestling his face against her neck before whispering in her ear. "Why won't you answer me Lina? Hmm? Why?" he asked in agony before roughly crushing his lips against hers.

Angelina fought underneath him as she struggled to get up. "Percy, stop!" she yelled when his mouth left hers.

"You used to ask for me to give to you rough. Don't you remember, Lina? Don't you remember how good we used to make each other feel?" Angelina began to breath heavily, not believing this was happening. There was no way he could be capable of this. "Dammit, Lina!" he yelled when she once again gave him no response, pulling her from the ground and pushing her back down. "Answer me!"

"Stop it, Percy!" she cried loudly, refusing the urge to tell him he was hurting her. "Get off!" She struggled once again.

"Just calm down!" he shouted. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said calmly.

"Then get off." Her eyes began to water. "Because I swear to God, if you don't . . ."

Percy straightened himself back up and looked at Angelina's distraught face beneath him. He sulked as he backed away from her, mentally cursing himself for his uncharacteristic behavior as she sat up. He then said gently, "Lina, I didn't mean to-"

"Don't," she interrupted him as she closed her eyes tightly and held herself. "Percy. . ." she said slowly. "I'm sorry."

"What?" If Percy thought he was confused before. "Lina, no. You're not the one that-"

"Percy, please," she cut him off again, but this time looked at him. "I know back then, that I hurt you and badly. It's just, it got to a point where I couldn't handle being runner up to Clearwater anymore." She shook her head. "Then when I got pregnant, it was just too much for me. You don't know how ashamed I felt about myself and how ashamed I still feel. It was just easier to pretend it didn't happen, which meant pretending we never happened and for that I am sorry."

She wiped away her tears. "And then when I arrived back at school the next year, I just clanged on to Fred and George for dear life. I fancied George because he never judged me, never took anything too seriously, and always had my back, even if it went against the grain. But then I fell for Fred, and he was everything you weren't and I loved him for it. He was this open book who was willing and ready for me to read. And being with him, made me realize just how messed up we were."

"I loved you, Lina," was Percy's only response.

"Yes, but not enough." She rose from the floor and walked passed Percy.

"And Malfoy?" he called after her. "You're telling me that you would rather be with someone him than me?"

She turned around. "Yes."

"Why? I bet he hasn't even told you he loves you."

"You're right, he hasn't, but he shows me through what he does. And that's more than you ever did." She turned back around.

Percy picked himself up off the floor. And gently grabbed Angelina's arm and turned her to him. "Then let me show you tonight." He put his hand on her hip, gradually guiding her towards the wall. "I was only a boy then, but let me show you the man I've become." He caressed her face.

Angelina stared into his eyes, she so tempted. She then sighed taking his hand in her own and kissing his palm. She then lowered his hand as she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but no." She explained, "I just can't break another promise to my husband." Draco and Angelina had made a lot of rules and promises when it came to each other and together they had broken a lot of them. But Angelina was determined to keep one, this one. She then slipped away from her former lover's touch. "Happy New Year, Percival."

Percy was dumbfounded as he let her slip away, for the second time in his life. "Happy New Year, Angelina," he replied bitterly and then watched her walk down the hallway towards her room. He then heard the click of the lock.

And now Angelina was back in Draco's arms and she was glad that she had had enough restraint to stop herself from doing something she knew she would have surely regretted. "I've missed you, Draco."

"I've missed you, too."

And then a horrifying thought crossed Angelina's mind which made her hang on even tighter to Draco. You were able to resist temptation of the one you considered your first love, but what if it had been the one you still find yourself secretly thinking about, the one you still consider the love of your life? What if it had been the Weasley you know you couldn't resist? What if it had been Fred?

"Tulip, what's wrong? You're shaking."

To Be Continued. . .

Preview of the Next Chapter:

Draco removed the hand holding down Percy and replaced it with a knee. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a balled up piece of blue fabric. Percy looked at it for a moment and then a dawning look slowly appeared on his face. They were Angelina's cotton panties. "Yeah, I found these in the living room under the chair. Care to explain?"

A/N: Random thought: When the hell are they going to fix Review History? Oh and remind me never to write a chapter this long again.