Someday, I will own something of great value. This will not be Harry Potter, as J K Rowling already owns it.

Christmas Break

Ryua's dreams altered between absolutely horrible, and a warm, comfortable feeling that evaporated far too quickly… either to savor or remember much. Pansy coming to bed woke her up in the middle of a dream about Harry, or Blaise… he seemed to have trouble deciding who he was. Although, I feel fairly content, so… and she was back asleep before she could remember exactly what went on.

Dreams of dark alleys, and dark cloaks… gentle hands and painful shoves… and death no matter who the dream was about. Zabini smashed into a wall, or killed more slowly like she'd have preferred, Harry caught by Pansy, by Crabbe and Goyle, by Lucius, or the Dark Lord… and she of course imagined terrible ways for him to die, hyperactive imagination that she had.

Somehow, according to whatever fate finally decided to like her, she woke up remembering the kiss. As long as she didn't try to remember it, she didn't recall the horrific things that always followed…

So, she had a perfectly cheerful morning, waking up before everyone, having a luxurious hot shower, checking her homework pile and finding it empty… and Cassie was playing with her snake in the common room. She was one of those people who cheered everyone up, and amplified good moods. Who knows what she was doing in Slytherin, but Ryua was glad she was here.

Harry wasn't at breakfast, which was odd considering he had no family to visit, and the train for that hadn't even left yet. You just wanted him to kiss you again… No, I didn't. Go away, little irritating voice.

Of course, the fact that the little irritating voice was right only made it worse.

And then, it sunk in that if Harry, Hermione, and all the Weasleys at the school were home, she'd be going later today too. That nearly killed off her good mood right there. Instead of letting the unfamiliar but wonderful feeling go away, she just ignored the trip as long as possible. She joined Cassie in stuffing Ashley and Pucey full of Belgian waffles and fruit salad, imagined Umbridge choking on a cherry stone, gave Dobby a big Christmas hug and a pair of hot pink knee socks that could probably cover his entire body if he tried hard enough… and even petted Mrs. Norris, whom to her surprise, purred.

All too soon, though, it was time to board the train, with their smaller holiday bags. No point in lugging those massive school trunks when it wasn't necessary. Draco went off with Pansy, probably to try and impress her by terrifying some poor first years. The sad thing was, it would probably work…

So she sat with Ashley and Cassie instead. Mostly, Cassie talked, with Ryua and Ashley throwing in the occasional comment. At least, Ryua thought she was responding to the conversation. How was she to know just how distant her expression was? "Ryua… your response to a threesome of McGonnagall, Crabbe, and Goyle was 'yeah, sounds good…' Are you feeling okay?"

"Huh? Sorry…"

"You do seem a little off in another world…" Ashley said, looking closely at her.

"Really?"

"Yes… what were you thinking about?"

"Nothing," was Ryua's immediate response.

"Right. Sure, we're going to believe that."

Cassie grinned, suddenly looking as evil as a Slytherin is supposed to. "You were out with someone last night. I can tell!"

"No!"

"Deny it all you want… we know the truth!" Cassie crowed. "So… who was it?"

"I wasn't out last night."

"Yes you were, I heard you come in," Ashley said, getting interested in the conversation.

"Come on… admit it…"

"Fine. I did get caught under the one piece of mistletoe Snape missed. Happy?"

"Not yet! You haven't told us who it was!"

"And I won't tell you, either."

"Aww... Meanie!"

"Yeah, I can't believe you've led us on this far…"

"Too bad, I'm not telling." Inside, Ryua sighed a big sigh of resignation. As much as she liked living in that comfortable, happy little dream world, she couldn't stay there. If her friends, who actually liked to see her happy, noticed, than Lucius, who seemed to make it a point of his life to destroy happiness, certainly would. She tried thinking of all the ways she'd thought up to kill Zabini last night, then decided it was still too cheerful. Then, Cassie's suggestion of McGonnagall, Crabbe, and Goyle invaded her mind and drove out any pleasant, happy thoughts… So she was perfectly rational, if a little disgusted by the time they reached the platform.

Lucius hadn't ever looked so happy. He practically strutted around, nose in the air, his highest-quality robes billowing in the crisp December air, eyes bright and glittering with veiled excitement. Narcissa looked terrible, on the other hand. Most would see a pretty, dignified woman. To Ryua, however, the signs of stress showed, the way her robes were a bit looser than before, her hair wasn't nearly as fancy as usual, and the extravagant makeup was there to cover shadowed eyes and pale skin, not a sign that she wanted to look beautiful. Poor mother… this hasn't been an easy time for her.

There was the usual hand on the shoulder from Lucius, and the peck on the cheek from their mother (Not as good as Harry… shut up!) and they were off to the floo platform. Narcissa left immediately for the solarium, Lucius headed for his private study, and the twins were left in the entrance hall. "Yeesh. Have they gotten worse, or is it just me?" Draco asked, looking after his mother's disappearing shadow.

"Yeah. Mother looks exhausted, did you notice?"

"No kidding. Hope he hasn't been too hard on her."

"Sure. This is our father we're talking about…"

"… I suppose." Draco sighed. "How long do you suppose we can just stay in our rooms and avoid him altogether?"

"You, probably as long as you want. He likes you. I, on the other hand, will probably be called down this evening for daring to play Quidditch, and for losing the match against Gryffindor while I'm at it."

"And for trying to curse Pansy… and don't forget about the matching scars across your palms..."

"Thanks for that vote of confidence."

Ryua was wrong. Lucius called them both down that evening. Actually, it was late enough that it could nearly be called morning, and they both stumbled half asleep out of their rooms, clad in pajamas, house robes, and slippers. They were most of the way down the stairs when Draco whispered, "There's someone here."

"Who?" Ryua asked, realizing with a terrible sinking feeling that she'd left her wand on top of her school trunk.

"I have no idea. He's talking with our parents, I think."

Ryua listened, and could hear Lucius' familiar light baritone, an occasional murmured word from Narcissa, and, yes, a new voice. Male, strangely high-pitched… and with the same cold superiority normally filling Lucius' voice. Which was now oddly respectful and even held a touch of flattery.

"Is it the Minister, maybe?" Draco asked, both of them having slowed down to a near-silent crawl.

"I don't know, I don't think so…" Ryua whispered back, reaching the final landing. Half a dozen more steps… "I don't really want to find out, actually…"

"No choice, Father'll come looking for us if we don't…" and they were at the bottom of the stairs anyway. They crossed the hall, and Draco reached for the doorknob. "…Does it feel cold to you, all the sudden?"

"No-yes, actually…" And then, her sleep fogged brain clicked, and she could tell by the look on Draco's face that his did too.

"No. No, it couldn't be. He's still in hiding… he couldn't be here..."

"If he's still in hiding, then he can't do anything, right? Not now, not yet…"

"Not while we'll still be going back to school…"

Ryua bit down on her flow of panicked speech. "We really don't have much of a choice. Might as well open the door, Draco. Present a brave front, and all that."

"Right. Like anyone's going to believe that…" But, he did open the door, and even kept the quiver in his fingers almost unnoticeable.

Well, what do you say to the Dark Lord at two in the morning? Ryua said, keeping her mind busy to avoid the instinctual rush of fear and respect. I mean, most people, they dream of meeting Lords and Kings in their best robes, during a scheduled meeting… and here we are in our pajamas… She bit down a giggle, figuring it wasn't maybe the best course of action considering it would come out as non-stop hysterical giggle.

Next to her, she could feel Draco fighting a similar internal battle to keep his fear at bay. Why doesn't he talk? Why does he just stand there? It's driving me nuts…

"So… these are your children, Lucius? Fine specimens…" he said, turning to face them. White, scaled skin, which looked good on Parsyl and utterly disturbing on this strange, skeletal human figure, slitted red eyes, flat nose, long thin hands holding, of all things, a cup of tea with what appeared to be a honey spoon in it. Ryua forced down another hysterical giggle.

"I'm glad you approve, My Lord," Lucius said, bowing slightly. Narcissa sat, pale and suppressing trembles, her own cup of tea forgotten and cold in her hands.

"A son, I see, he should match your height within a year… good, strong features, plenty of magic. And not as cocky as his father. Maybe you should watch your position, I might decide I like your son better." A high, cold laugh, as he enjoyed what probably seemed like a fantastically good joke to him. Draco stood, eyes just low enough to not make eye contact, somehow managing to look calm and respectful, although Ryua saw his hands knotted up behind him, felt his utter terror. Lucius laughed, although hollowly, and Narcissa managed a grimace that could have been taken for a smile, her hands tightening on her cup of tea.

"And a daughter too, you have been busy. She's much like you, this one…" Ryua felt cold, dry fingers on her chin and jerked away before she fully registered it, glaring up at him before she could repress the reflex. "Hah! This one's got some fire in her. Don't you teach your children to respect their betters?"

"Repeatedly," Lucius said dryly.

Ryua swallowed, and told her irritating little voice to shut up, but instead came out with, "When I meet some, I'll be sure to respect them."

For a split second, she seriously thought she was going to die. The look on his face was beyond doubt, the worst thing she'd ever seen. She forced her hands to relax, preparing for a shield spell. Right, like that'll do any good…And then, his expression changed, becoming less angry, more amused, and anticipatory. Which was worse, much worse than before. "I think I need to teach you the meaning of deference, child." Ryua saw his hand reach for a wand, and she steeled herself, working the first part of her best shield, refusing to look down. And then, just as he was pulling it out…

"No." Came a quiet, almost unfamiliar voice. His hand stopped, and he turned incredulously to stare at Narcissa, who had just uttered the first declarative statement she'd made in years.

"What did you say, woman?" He hissed, eyes narrowing.

She swallowed, and set down her teacup, which was shaking so badly that tea was sloshing out. "No. You will not touch my children."

Lucius was completely floored, along with the twins. They stood there, watching, as the frail, terrified, furious Narcissa stood up and faced down the Dark Lord. Ryua had never seen her stand up to even her children before, and apparently it was new to the Dark Lord as well. "I do not believe it is in any way your choice. Sit down, Narcissa."

"No. You will not touch them." She walked around the low coffee table, and stopped suddenly, blocked by a very basic, very frustrating, invisible wall spell.

His too-thin lips curled back in a sneer. "You don't appear to have any abilities to stop me." He started drawing his wand again, chuckling at her struggles to get through. Ryua took a deep breath, holding her hands ready to finish her shield spell as he turned towards her. "Chastisiae!"

You have got to be joking me. Ryua didn't even bother to block it, just set her jaw and let the three whip marks roll down her back. He was much better at it than Lucius, but still it wasn't very bad. "That's the best you can do?" she said, not even the littlest bit winded.

For one brief moment, it was worth it. The look on his face, when he saw this little fifteen year old girl in fuzzy slippers standing up to him… priceless. Of course, it didn't last long. "Staticsea!"

Ryua threw up the shield, but he just poured enough power into it to shatter the spell. This one was worse, especially on her new welts, and the healing scabs on her hands. Still… nothing she hadn't handled before. She gritted her teeth, hunched her shoulders, and tucked her elbows into her palms. It didn't last too long, and she was staring calmly back up at his face momentarily afterwards. "Shouldn't… have let Lucius curse me… so much." Ryua said, in between breaths. Who ever would have guessed that would do any good? On the other side of the wall, Narcissa redoubled her efforts. She'd seen that particular look on the Dark Lord's face before…

Ryua saw it too, recognized the same level of rage as Lucius had worn so many times… She swallowed so she wouldn't choke, rolled her tongue back so she wouldn't bite through it, and clenched her teeth. "Crucio!"

Author's Note: Hah! Yes, evil cliffee… actually, the chapter was just getting too long so I cut it in half. I'm so glad everyone liked that last chapter, I love getting that much feedback.