Draco ran down the thin paths as fast as he could. Trees flew by as he flew across well groomed gardens and manicured bushes. A curse blasted a hole in the ground as he past it.
He ran a corner and hopped over a small wall. He paused for a moment, looking back at the place he had called him home before disappearing with a small crack.
He appeared instantly before an enormous door of a manor. He dazedly grasped at the knocker, letting it fall. He stood gasping for air for what seemed like an eternity before he heard the sounds of movement from inside.
The door was opened by a young woman in a black gown covering her from shoulder to feet. Green gems sparkled at her ears and throat.
"Rose?" he whispered before collapsing onto the floor. The last thing he saw was horror in those green eyes.
Draco woke in a small plain bedroom with the sun filtering in through a window. He lay there for a few moments, just remembering. He shook his head jerkily, trying to erase the thoughts.
He stood slowly stretching before walking to the window. He was wearing pajamas, so some one must have taken care of him. That was further proved by the fact that he hurt way less then he probably should have.
The window opened onto a large field. Around twenty feet in front of him were two figured in loose black pants and tighter fitting black shirts. They stood only about six paces apart. Draco frowned in confusion as they bowed, never taking their eyes off one another.
Suddenly they flew at each other. Punches, kicks, and blocks flew like a well choreographed dance. Draco could only stare in amazement. Each blow looked like would have devastating effect, but neither seemed to slow.
He squinted, trying to see their faces. The man of the pair had his back to Draco so that was impossible, but the girl.
"Rose?" he whispered. It certainly looked like her, well at least her face. Her hair though, was pitch black, matching the color of the strangers. He couldn't see why she would dye it, her hair was beautiful.
Finally he broke out of his revelries to see the man lunge forward and instantly pin Rose to the ground. His long black hair still blocked his face from view. They lay there for a long while breathing heavily. He watched, fury growing in his chest as the man raised a hand to brush her cheek. He spun away and stormed across the room, unable to watch anymore.
"What the hell is she doing? She can't just go around kissing men! It's disgusting." Jealousy swamped the blonde making him feel almost sick. He threw himself onto his bed just as the door creaked open. Draco sat up and watched as a small house elf entered cautiously.
"Hullo Sir. Would you like anything for breakfast?" Draco blinked at the elves perfect grammar. That was odd.
"I…no thank you, I'm not hungry. I do need to speak to the master of the house though, Mr. Severus Snape…" Wait! What was Rose doing here? And who was…
"Of course Sir. The master and mistress have just returned indoors. I can take you to them at once." Draco nodded and followed the elf down a series of hallways that he couldn't remember if he tried. The elf finally stopped at one room and knocked gently on the door. At the brisk 'come in' he waved Draco into the small room.
"So if you raise your elbow just an inch higher your power will double." He watched as Snape pulled Rose's arm into the said position standing close behind her. Both wore black.
'Rose was with HIM' His mind clamored in hundreds of directions before he stomped down control and turned to his hosts.
"Excuse me?" Draco asked calmly, the complete opposite of how he was feeling. Both heads turned sharply.
"If you will excuse me," Rose spun and walked briskly out the door. Severus Snape turned towards him jumping strait to business.
"Mr. Malfoy. May I enquire as to why you appeared on my doorstep last night?" he stood exactly as he did in class when he was giving a pop quiz. Perhaps he was.
"My father discovered I was spying in them. I couldn't think of anywhere else to go. I apologize for intruding on your privacy, and I can leave immediately if that is what you wish," he replied. 'There what do you think of THAT old man!'
"No, that won't be necessary. We have plenty of room here, where as headquarters is…rather full at the present moment. But I would suggest that we contact Dumbledore as soon as possible if your father is looking for you."
"Yes, I quite agree." 'Stupid twit.'
"Good. You may stay here as long as you need, but," Snape looked darkly down at him. "-you will stay away from Rose." With that he swept out of the room. Draco glared at his back.
Two weeks. He had lived in this house for two weeks today, and he still hadn't seen Rose again. The house was insanely large, so he supposed it only made sense, but it still bothered him.
With a dramatic sigh he flopped down on his bed. He had screwed up royally. He had watched the movies (not that his father EVER knew that) and read some of the books. In situations like this, the girl always found out. He should have told her. He should have…
He sat up at the sound of voices coming down the corridor. Dumbledore had mentioned coming to check in on him sometime today, so maybe it was him. He slipped out his door and walked calmly towards the sound. He tried to yell out as he was suddenly yanked off his feet and into a nearby closet. His attempt failed as there was a hand pressed up against his mouth.
"Do not make a sound," came the low voice of his captor. Draco remained perfectly silent hearing the urgency in the command. The voices faded slowly before the hands finally released him.
"Go to your room quickly. Your father is here." Draco went pale. He slid back out the closet door and ran to his room, never looking behind him. He shut the door behind him. He spun on his heel, his heart racing when he heard his father's voice behind him.
In his mirror was a miniature picture of his father and Snape in the dining room. He watched as the figures discussed his disappearance calmly while drinking small cups of tea slowly. He could watch their conversation!
He swallowed sharply as Rose entered the room. What was she doing? Hs father would kill her!
"My Lord Malfoy." She bobbed a graceful curtsy.
"Marina, my dove, how good of you to join us," Snape murmured as Mr. Malfoy sauntered over to the black clad beauty. He trailed a hand along her cheek.
"You grow more beautiful every time I see you my dear." Draco blinked He didn't know it was Rose. And he was flirting with her. He felt fury rise up once again in his chest.
"My lord is too kind." Rose sat gracefully on a bench, blushing.
"I cannot stay long, but I do wish for your help in finding my son." He spat out the word as he turned to Snape, like it was something distasteful.
"Of course, old friend," Snape replied calmly, standing to see him out.
"And Marina, I do hope that you can visit the manor soon. My wife is away next week, but I'm sure we can find something to…amuse you." Rose ducked her head.
"Of course I would be honored Mr. Malfoy." Rose was flushed yet again.
"Please, Lucius," he replied smoothly.
"Lucius," she replied dutifully. He turned and walked out the door.
Draco sat in stunned silence. His father had just made a very…disturbing offer to the sister of the boy his Lord hated most. But they hadn't called her Rose…They had called her Marina. What was going on?
He continued to watch as Severus stood and yanked the girl into his arms, hugging her tightly.
"You will not be going to that monster's house," he heard the man mutter as the picture faded. At least they agreed on one thing…
Draco walked back towards his suite still shaking his head from Dumbledore's last visit. That man had the oddest ways of getting to his point.
Still in a slight revelry he opened a door to his left and slipped into it without looking. As he shut it behind him he frowned at the strange music flouting through the room. He turned to face the rest of the space, looking for his source before he realized that this was not his room.
In the center of the sparsely furnished room was a large wooden box. A girl seemed to be playing the black and white buttons along one edge of it.
"Rose," he whispered. Rose spun to face him, nearly tipping off the bench she sat on. The music cut off immediately. Electricity cracked throughout the room as their eyes met.
It disappeared as quickly as the music when Rose stood suddenly and headed towards a door in the back of the room. He ran forward and grabbed her arm, stopping her retreat.
"Rose, please stop," he begged.
"Why, Mr. Malfoy?" Her voice was so cold his didn't reply for a long moment. He wasn't used to hearing her speak like that anymore, never mind towards him.
"Rose, I'm sorry." She spun towards him, her green eyes flashing.
"I don't care! Damn it! Why are you still doing this? Did she offer you more money?" Rose's voice cracked, her unemotional mask breaking into pieces. He swallowed at the pain and humiliation that poured from her gaze.
"No! Rose, I don't care about the money! I care about you," he pleaded, his eyes begging her to listen.
"You lied to me. You said there was no game. You said…" her voice cracked again as she fought to keep reign on her emotions. "You lied to me. Why should I believe you now?"
"How can I prove it?" he dropped to his knees, still gasping her hand. "I…" he faltered, before taking a deep breath and continuing. "Rose. I love you. Please believe me." He saw her gasp slightly at his declaration.
"I don't know if I can ever trust you Draco Malfoy," she whispered, pulling her hand away from him and walking out the door. He watched her as she disappeared again.
"I'm so sorry."
The next day Draco slid out of his room and ran directly into Snape.
"Malfoy," he snarled, grabbing the young man's collar. "I fed you, clothed you, and protected you from that imbecile you call father and with only one rule. You broke that. Do you not realize how badly you have hurt her? I swear, if I see her crying over you one more time I will floo you right to your father, damn the order." Anger radiated out from the older mans body.
"I understand sir." Draco fumed as he walked away. Do you really think she's better off with you, you old coot?
Draco slid into the dining hall at dinner time to be met with the image of a flashing head of red hair, sitting across from Snape at the long table.
"Mr. Malfoy," Snape said standing. From his calm demeanor it was impossible to tell that the man had been furious beyond belief this afternoon. Draco stared at the red head. She hadn't run out of the room yet…should he leave? Snape's voice cut through his thoughts. "I'd like to introduce you to someone." Draco frowned looking around the room. There was no one else here…"This is my wife, Aria." The woman at the table turned gracefully to face him.
Draco blinked. True the woman looked remarkably like Rose, but she was no t her. This woman was much older. He shook himself out of his revelry realizing she had spoken.
"I said," she repeated, smiling slightly. "Hello. I hope that you've settled in well?"
"Oh. Yes. I have."
"That's good." Severus glanced at the clock and stood again, having finished his meal while the two exchanged pleasantries.
"I must go. I'll see you tonight." Draco watched as Snape smiled gently at his wife before nodding curtly to him and walking out the door.
"See you tonight love," she replied. Aria watched Snape as he walked out the door. "Now, Mr. Malfoy. What is this about you and Rose?"
Ohhhh And the plot (wait theres a plot?) thickens. What misconseptions are flying through this chapter...a couple actually. But you'll see. So I know this chap took a loooong time, but i've been busy. But here it is and it isn't tooo short. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, tell me. The more reveiws i get the faster i update.
Thanks again to my two reoccuring reveiwers, I love you both! Tell me what you thought! And i thnk I've decided to extend this story...once again ducks flying fruit So it probably won't be resolved for a while. I've decided to take the ending from my old Draco/Rose story(which if you would like to read, just tell me and i'll either post it or send it to you) and use it for this one. I don't like that story, and i didn't like this ending, soooo i figured I'd mix the two:)
Oh, and have you ever noticed that the new exchange students at hogwards are always "americans" and not canadians? That really bothers me. So i think i'm gonna start a story about a girl from canada going to hogwarts...i'm thinking during the marauders times. I've never tried a maraders story, but i'd like to. Tell me if that seems like a good idea.
And heres a contest for you all. If you can
guess(relitively close) what the ending of this story will entale or
ANY important things that will happen in the near future, I promise to
get a chapter out that day that i get that reveiw
So until next time, keep fit and have fun!
Aevum