Chapter 6-
Lilly dreamt.
Harry was close to her, caressing her, loving her. She leant in to him, blending into him as much as she could. His aftershave smelt slightly different from usual… Sharper, spicier… she liked it a lot better than the one he usually wore. He smiled down at her, and there was no need for words. Suddenly, Harry's eyes saddened. He pushed her away… there was a flash of terrible green light… Harry was falling, falling… High pitched laughter resounded from somewhere.
She woke up sweating, terrified for a moment that it hadn't been a dream. Then she saw Draco… and screamed. It was only a short scream, because she quickly got control of herself but seeing Draco first thing upon waking up had been a bit of a fright.
"Hey- shut up, Lilly," Draco said, amused and not making her name sound like an insult for once.
"God you gave me a start," she said, a smile curving her pretty lips. "Where am I…?"
"Don't you remember?" Draco asked surprised. "You came running to the room of requirement…"
"Oh yes," Lilly said, memories flooding back to her. "After Dumbledore said that… that I might have to kill someone."
Draco's face darkened. "We have to talk about that," he murmured.
"What's to talk about?" she snapped. "I'm not killing anyone. Ever."
"Lilly, you have to listen to me. If they get the chance, the Death Eaters will kill you. Voldemort, given the chance, would kill you. There is no way that we can win against the Dark Side if we do not kill some of their numbers. Death Eaters will not feel pity for you; neither should you for them…" He smiled the terrible smile that took all light out of the air and gave nothing back. "I should know; I was raised by one. Death Eaters are killing innocent people. You would not be doing that- if they are caught alive Lilly, they would probably be sentenced to death anyway or Azkaban, which is worse."
"I don't want to kill anyone," Lilly said, lip trembling. "I'm seventeen… I'm not meant to know how to kill someone."
Draco sighed. "You mightn't even have to kill them," he said as gently as he knew. "Just as long as you know, as long as you can- can be able to save yourself and others if need be, then you'd be safe."
"Malfoy," she said quietly. "I think I've handled this rather well. I've just been told that I am expected to fight in a war and that pretty much the whole future of civilization rests upon me. I've agreed to take dueling lessons. I've agreed to spend more time with you, and that's saying something. But I'm not going to learn how to ruthlessly murder someone."
Draco rested his head on his hands, some locks falling into his eyes and Lilly felt a sudden strange temptation to brush them away rise in her. She folded her hands in her lap. "Things are changing," he said quietly. "I've got a feeling we're going to be made to grow up a lot faster then we should be-"
"I'm grown up," Lilly interrupted indignantly.
"You're very mature," Draco acknowledged.
Did he just pay me a compliment? she wondered, before realizing he was still speaking.
"But your reluctance to kill showed that you're not grown up yet. Neither am I. Neither is Potter, neither is your brother, neither is the Mud- er, Granger." he corrected himself at her glare.
Lilly suddenly understood what he meant. She nodded slowly.
"You don't have to learn to kill. But you're going to have to learn a few nasty curses."
"I know a few already," Lilly grinned.
"I know." he smiled wryly, remembering an incident two years ago. "Actually Lilly, that reminds me of something. In Umbridge's office, two years ago, remember? You were going to use that curse on me- the one I heard almost killed Granger in the department of mysteries. But you didn't. Why not?"
Lilly froze, remembering the event.
FlashbackTime seemed to slow down. She was aware of Neville punching his fist in the air as he pulled off a curse and spells banged and cracked and (often) narrowly missed her. But it did not seem important to her. All she saw was him. His face was abnormally flushed in the excitement of the fight and his hair flicked in all directions as he swiveled, casting curse after curse in a desperate attempt to turn the odds. She almost felt sorry for him; except for maybe Pansy Parkinson he was the only good dueler on the Inquisitorial team. He had stopped wearing the gel, she noted. His hair seemed lighter without it.
She almost giggled watching him. He was laughing, a smile setting light upon his face. She did not know that his smile was only like this because he hadn't realised he was smiling; otherwise it would be dark and foreboding.
Does he only ever laugh happily in a fight? she wondered. Then her fighting instincts kicked in.
"Hey Malfoy," she called.
He turned and faced her and a strange look came over his face but before she could recognize it it was replaced with a cold, calculating glare.
He raised his wand and called out an unknown curse but Lilly nimbly dodged it. Opening her mouth and beginning to utter the first syllable of the dreaded curse, she started to slash her wand down as required when she met his gaze. There was fear in his eyes; he knew what the curse was. She stopped and let her wand fall to her side; the spell fizzled to nothing.
Knowing she still had to eliminate him from the battle, she cast a quick Bat Bogey Hex. That should keep him occupied, she thought grimly- but she was still grinning at the look that had passed between them.
Even as she joined Harry in the Forbidden Forest, she still had a lovely feeling in her stomach.
Like she had a bit of a crush.
End Flashback
"I don't know… I guess you were losing so badly I wanted to give you a bit of a chance," she said vaguely, knowing the lie sounded hollow.
Draco nodded, but there was an amused look in his eyes.
"Have… have you heard from Dumbledore?" Lilly asked.
"He sent an owl while you were sleeping. Our first lesson is tonight, at seven. Here."
"Tonight?" Lilly gasped.
"He seemed to think it was a good idea to get started ASAP," Draco explained.
"Oh. What time is it?"
"The castle clock struck half six just before you woke, so I'd say we have about a quarter of an hour till he joins us."
"Is he- is he going to teach us The Unforgivable Curses?"
"I… I think so. But you don't have to learn the killing curse, Lilly, I won't let him teach you that," his voice was suddenly fierce… Lilly felt warm and protected.
"Thanks… Draco."
His mouth didn't twitch but his eyes seemed to light up at her calling him by his first name.
They sat in comfortable silence. They seemed to follow a pattern; for two minutes Lilly would completely avoid Draco's eyes, staring out the window while he took the chance to study her and then they would swap.
Eventually, Dumbledore knocked and swept into the room. Lilly and Draco slid off the window sill and stood awkwardly in front of him, while Dumbledore observed them dryly.
"Er, Professor?" Lilly finally murmured. "I- I'm sorry for my actions earlier. It was all…" she hesitated. "A bit much."
Dumbledore smiled sadly at her. "I completely understand, Ms Lilly. But have you had adequate time to think over my words?"
Lilly nodded. "I have, Professor. But… but I still don't want to learn how to kill someone. I'll learn all you want, just not that. Please understand…"
Unconsciously, Draco stepped up to stand by Lilly, subtly showing his support for her. "That will be fine Ms Lilly," Dumbledore said smoothly. "And what are your thoughts on the matter, Mr Malfoy?"
"Sir, I don't want to kill anyone. But I think that I should learn the spell in case there is no other alternative in battle. You mentioned that Lilly and I would work together during fighting, so it makes sense if one of us is able to kill."
Dumbledore nodded gravely. "There is one other thing. I am sorry I have to bring this up, Draco, but I must ask where your loyalties lie."
Draco's eyes flashed dangerously. "My loyalties remain the same as they have ever been. Pity nobody's bothered to ask me what that was."
"I'm asking you now, Mr Malfoy."
Draco glared at the headmaster. He did not reply in words, instead rolling up a sleeve and showing a pale, unblemished arm. "Answer enough for you?" he said quietly.
Dumbledore nodded, unwanted sympathy showing on his face.
"We should begin," he said.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I want you to work as a team. Together, you must be able to bring down a great number of Death Eaters and be able to also distract Voldemort. I think that the way to make this war work is for you two to control his complete attention, giving Harry a chance at killing him. Only united can we win. That means, that one lesson a week Mr Potter, Ms Granger and Mr Weasley will be joining you so that you learn to work together."
Draco grimaced. Dumbledore ignored him.
"On Thursday nights, such as tonight, you will learn to move as a quick, accomplished team. You will both be taught to Apparate, along with all other members of the DA."
Lilly's eyes lit up. It seemed there would be good sides to this after all.
"I am also going to give you unlimited passes to the restricted section. You will be expected to train an extra three nights a week when you're not being taught. I know this might seem harsh, but it's better than being killed."
"You will also attend lessons once a week with Professor Snape. These lessons will go for two hours and will be divided into two parts. In the first half, you will learn to brew a series of deadly poisons. These are in case you are taken alive-"
Lilly interrupted. "You wish us to kill ourselves should we be taken captive?"
Dumbledore's eyes widened. "Good God no. I wish for you to be able to get out of there if your wands have been taken. As I was saying, in the second half you will be taught Occlumency."
Lilly and Draco exchanged a quick glance. "Do you understand?"
They nodded. "Any questions?"
There was a pause, and then Lilly spoke shyly. "Please sir, only it's a dreadful amount of work and it's Draco's NEWT year…"
"Of course. I will speak to your teachers about homework…" his eyes twinkled. "Sometimes I find teachers give homework more for quantity rather then quality. So I will speak to them about getting less work, although they will expect that your lesser amount of work be up to a higher standard. Also, I will speak to Professor Ellis about you two not attending Defense Against the Dark Arts as I think you will be doing more then enough, and perhaps to Severus about you missing one double potions lesson. Mr Malfoy, I will organize for you to undertake a different NEWTs exam, going more with the things you learn this year. Will that be sufficient?"
Lilly smiled. "Yes Professor. Thank you."
"Well, we better get started then."
They began simply. Dumbledore taught them how to block and particularly with Lilly he went over again and again the shield charm. Although she was pretty good at it, she could only hold it for a few seconds before holes began appearing in it. Draco got it pretty much straight away, although he would often lose his concentration after a minute, causing it to evaporate. Dumbledore was insistent about them learning to hold it for five minutes- quite a feat! By the time Lilly had managed it she was perspiring from the effort.
He revised their skills of simple defensive and attacking spells, and found that they were well ahead of their year level. He knew that Lilly had been part of the DA, but he wondered how Draco had become so good so quickly. He didn't think that Lucius seemed quite the teaching persona, but there was a dark mystery in Draco's eyes that defied him from asking.
The two hours dragged on, and when Lilly was finally allowed to leave she was exhausted. She wandered up to the astronomy tower, wanting some cool air when she found herself to her surprise joined by Draco Malfoy.
"What did you think of that?" he asked.
"Frankly," she replied honestly. "I don't know how I'm going to cope. I'm so tired… and I was unconscious for three days!"
"We'll probably get used to it," he said levelly. "Our bodies will adjust. I expect you'll feel tired for a week or so and then get on top of it. Good about missing out on Defense against Dark Arts though, hey?"
Ginny grinned. "You bet! I wonder if Harry and Ron and 'Mione got off it too."
"Probably didn't think to ask," he said coldly. She noticed that whenever he was relaxed any mention of "the trio" would be sure to bring him back to his usual self.
"Draco… Are you and Pansy going out?"
He looked at her amused. "No. We're just friends."
"Very close friends," she said suspiciously. "And what about the Yule Ball?"
"I took her as a friend!" he insisted.
"She called you 'Drakie'."
"That was annoying. But I didn't think you would be one to criticize a crush."
"What d'you mean?"
"What about your first year? At least Parkinson could talk to me without dropping something," he smiled as Lilly turned red. "She had the same kind of crush as you had on Potter."
"A big one then," muttered Lilly.
Draco stiffened. "Yes. Luckily, she grew out of hers."
Lilly glared at him. "Was that an insult Malfoy?"
"Of course not," he smiled innocently.
"Draco?" she said hesitantly. "Are we… still enemies?"
His demeanor became thoughtful. "I don't think so," he said slowly. "I don't think you get told that only united will you bring down the Dark Side without becoming…" he grimaced. "You know. I've never really been into the "F" word."
Lilly grinned. "So I'm privileged then."
"Yes. But don't go telling people or you'll be a privileged corpse."
She laughed, then yawned and apologized.
"You better go to bed."
"Yeah. Things sure change in a day, hey?"
"I suppose. Goodnight Lilly."
"Night." She stood uncomfortably for a moment, unsure of whether to hug him or just leave. Feeling foolish, she held out her hand to shake his. He took it gently, but instead of shaking brushed his lips on her hand.
They were standing too close for only recently reformed enemies, she realised. She could smell his aftershave; he hadn't let go of her hand. Finally, she pulled it away, and left with a small glance over her shoulder at him. He was staring into the starry night.
It was only as she reached the Gryffindor common room that she realized that Draco smelt exactly like Harry had in her dream.
Draco entered the common room late that night, at half past one in the morning. Only Pansy Parkinson was left, reading a new book. She looked up when he arrived.
"You're up late."
"I got plenty of sleep in the coma." he almost smiled.
"Where've you been? I didn't see you at dinner."
"I had to see Dumbledore… I ran into the Lilly on the way."
Pansy sneered. "Why are you telling me this, Malfoy? You think I care about her?"
"I'm telling you because we… Oh, fuck it. I guess I better start at the beginning."
He sat down and told her everything, leaving out the bit where he had watched Lilly sleeping on the windowsill for an hour and a half.
"So you and the Lilly have to work together?"
He nodded. She laughed. "You poor bastard."
He felt a sudden rush of rage. "Goodnight Parkinson," he said coldly, standing and heading up to the boys dormitory.
Pansy looked at the mirror on the wall. "He couldn't be," she said firmly.
"If you say so dear," it sang back.