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Draco's Spirit
Chapter Sixteen
From last time:
"G'night Mione.. Night Manda....Mia..." And that was the last thing I uttered before falling into a pleasant sleep, all nightmares chased away by the friends surrounding me.
Soft voices, getting louder by the second woke me in the morning as they echoed off the dungeon walls. Blearily, I cracked open an eye and surveyed the early morning scene going on.
Beside me, Mia was still sound asleep, her pink hair fluttering with every breath she took. But on my left was a full-blown battle. "Are you mad Hermione? You have to be! Malfoy! MALFOY?" Looks like the Weasel heard the news...
Potter's soft, calming voice entered the fray as he attempted to soothe his hotheaded friend. "What choices Hermione makes are her own decisions Ron. We can't change it. If it is Malfoy... Well, it would have been easier if it was anyone else, but I'll try Mione..."
"HAS THE WHOLE WORLD GONE MAD?" screamed Weasley as Potter and Hermione hugged. "IT'S BLOODY MALFOY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT!"
"What about tall boys?" asked Mandela sleepily, rising in her purple sleeping bag.
"Malfoy," said Potter calmly. "Hermione just announced that she was dating him." I smirked in satisfaction at the anguished howl that escaped Weasley and the giggles from Hermione.
"I know," said Mandela. "Mia and I knew last night."
I decided I had better make my entrance soon before they realized I'd been listening the entire time. "Can someone please shut Weasley up? I'm trying to sleep," I moaned, burying my head into the pillow.
Next thing I knew, a body had landed on top of me and blows began to rain down, myself unable to protect my body from the onslaught. I could only assume it was Weasley, although my dating Hermione shouldn't have made him this angry.
"What is the meaning of this?" came the eerily calm voice of Snape. "Mr. Weasley, please get off of Mr. Malfoy. Thirty points from Gryffindor for attacking a fellow student and a weeks worth of detentions."
"W-WHAT?" yelled Weasley, his voice cracking in his anger. "YOU CAN'T DO THAT! HE STARTED IT!"
"From what I saw Mr. Weasley, Mr. Malfoy was merely sleeping and you attacked him. Report to me at seven tonight. Have a good day." With a smirk, Snape strolled through the other students who were beginning to rise from the loud outburst.
Gingerly, I sat up, moaning slightly at the bruises that adorned my back. "Are you all right Draco? No, of course you're not okay." Gently, Hermione placed one of her slender hands on my shoulder and a soothing coolness seemed to spread through her fingers over the injury.
"Thank you," I said softly, a small smile on my face. With a growl, Weasley rose from the floor and glared down at me.
"I don't know what you're trying to do Malfoy, but believe me... You will get what's coming to you. If I were you, I'd watch my back. As for you Hermione, don't try to talk to me until you get rid of this piece of shit," he said, jerking his head in my direction before sweeping out of the dungeons.
As if on cue, crystal tears welled up in Hermione's eyes and both Potter and I put a hand on her shoulder, surprised to see the other mimicking our action. But I realized that Potter cared for her as well and I for one am going to try to get along with him... For Hermione's sake.
I know she said that she wouldn't be friends with Potter and Weasley if they couldn't accept me, but it didn't mean that Weasley's cruel words hadn't hurt her. Abruptly, I rose to my feet and Potter...no Harry, looked at me quite startled. Without a word, I exited the dungeons in the direction I had seen the Weasel take, anger growing within me.
I was fine with the fact that he hated me and insulted me. But hurting Hermione... That was not acceptable. For the whole five years she'd known him, this being the sixth, they had seemed inseparable. Like friends should be.
Students scattered as they saw me coming, my icy glare seeming to penetrate into their very souls. It seemed as though Dumbledore had proclaimed the school safe if students were walking about, but that fact went fleetingly in one ear and out the other as my rage against Weasley held total control.
After several minutes of stalking down corridors, I was rewarded with the sight of bright red hair ahead of me. Picking up my pace, I had almost reached Weasley when he whirled around, his wand drawn and pointed at me.
"What's the matter Malfoy?" he taunted when my steps forward faltered. "Do I scare you?"
"Hardly Weasley," I spat, drawing my own wand. "But you should be."
"Can you back up your words with an action Malfoy?" he leered.
"Just watch me," I growled. "But before I start hexing you, I want you to understand why I'm doing this. You hurt Hermione, Weasley. And that isn't allowed..."
"How the hell did I hurt her?" he asked, bewilderment across his freckled face. "You're the one she started to date. And knowing you you're just using her."
"I would never do that sort of thing," I hissed, taking a step toward him. "You can insult me all you want Weasley, but words do hurt more than a simple hex. I know you hate me, so it's easy to ignore them. But Hermione... I thought she was your friend Weasley. Friends don't treat each other like that."
"And what would you know about that matter Malfoy? It's not like you have any friends to start comparing mine with."
"I don't?" I questioned, taking another step forward and feeling a strong sense of pleasure when he took one back. "What do you call Mia and Mandela, rocks? I do to have friends Weasley, but I'm not so sure about you anymore."
"What do you mean Malfoy? Get to the point." Good, I could tell he was growing apprehensive now, doubting his decision. The widening of his large blue eyes and the way he kept distancing us as well as his tone of voice, slightly panicky...
"What are all your precious Gryffindor friends going to think of you now Weasley, huh? Will they side with you or Hermione? Hermione of course. You know why?" Darting forward suddenly, I pinned the taller teen up against the rough stone wall. "Because she didn't hurt you. You hurt her."
"I did NOT!" he yelled, shoving me back so I slammed against a wall and he held me against it. "If you hadn't come into her life then none of this would have happened!"
"That's where you're wrong Weasley. I'd like to know where you've been all this time. You were always too busy with other things to even realize that Hermione was gradually starting to drift. Why? Because she wasn't getting the attention she deserved, the sense that she belonged."
"I-" His grip loosened slightly as he tried to contemplate the facts I had just told him. "That's not true!" he snarled, slamming me back again, my head rebounding off the stone. "I'm her friend Malfoy, I would have noticed."
"If you're her friend, then why were you the one to make her cry? That's right Weasley, Hermione's crying because of what you said to her."
"Shut up," he gasped, his brain fighting desperately against the truth. "Shut the hell up Malfoy." A wand was suddenly shoved in front of my face and I drew my head slightly back, once again hitting the stone.
"What are you going to do Weasley? Curse me when I'm completely defenseless? Not very honorable of a Gryffindor." With a snarl, he twisted my right wrist and my wand clattered to the floor. "Now you made me drop my bloody wand Weasley."
But instead of cursing me with his wand, he also let his fall to the floor. I was confused for a split second, that is until his fist collided with my face. Automatically, my nose spurted blood and he hit me again.
I tried to push myself off the wall where I was at his mercy, but his left arm held me completely steady and with his iron grip I had no chance of leaving. Bringing my knee up, I caught him fully in the gut and totally off guard.
He stumbled backwards from me, a murderous gleam in his eyes. With a roar, he charged and tackled me, but I threw him over my head with my legs and he tumbled down the hall for a few feet.
Quickly, he was back on his feet and charging again, fists raised. Nimbly, I dodged but was unprepared for the kick he placed and I flew backwards, crashing against a window. "And I dropped mine too," he snarled, both hands wrapping themselves about my neck and slowly beginning to tighten.
I know that Weasley has a hot temper but I didn't know he was a murderer... Black spots swam in front of my eyes as the grip around my throat continued to constrict my breathing. A warm fuzzy feeling suddenly came over me and then a blast of power.
A loud explosion sounded down the hall and I instinctively closed my eyes. Upon opening them, I was met with the sight of an unconscious Weasley lying in the middle of the floor with broken rubble surrounding him. I myself was surrounded by an odd, shimmering silver light... my energy.
It was at this moment that none other than Professor McGonagall came down the ruined hall, her deep red robes swishing behind her. I gulped and wished that Snape would appear out of nowhere and save me from the transfiguration teacher's wrath.
"Mr. Malfoy," she said curtly, barely restrained anger behind her voice, "What have you done?" Her nostrils flared out and her eyes were sparked with fire. I knew I couldn't say the truth... Like the whole school suddenly needed to know about Weasley and Hermione's fight.
"We'll let the headmaster handle it," said a bright, cheerful voice that was coming towards us. Blinking, I looked up to see a tall teenage girl with dark blue hair standing next to McGonagall. The one and only Sina.
"And you are whom?" asked the older witch, eyes narrowing behind her spectacles.
"I'm Sina," she said brightly, giving me a wink. "Professor Dumbledore requests that both you and Draco come up to his office immediately. We can also bring Mr. Weasley with us so that Professor Dumbledore may work out a suitable punishment."
"Very well then," sniffed McGonagall. She conjured a levitating charm and started down the hall with Weasley. Sina reached down and held out a hand which I took gladly.
"What are you doing here?" I whispered, pulling the girl into a hug. "Is everything all right up there?"
"Fine up there, not down here. And look at you Draco, covered in bruises. Come on, I'm sure Dumblydorr can fix you up!"
"Dumblydorr?" I repeated. She just giggled and pulled me down the hall after her.
Harry POV
"What do you think that was all about?" whispered Hermione. "Who was that girl? She was awfully pretty..."
"Come off it Mione," I said, shifting to my other foot underneath the invisibility cloak. "Maybe it has something to do with this spirit stuff. Are you game?" She nodded and we followed silently.
After Malfoy had left Hermione had started to quiet down and was asking where Draco was. I had run up to my dormitory and gotten my dad's old cloak. We had hurriedly followed Malfoy and found him arguing with Ron and then saw nothing but dust when the whole place exploded. Next thing we knew, we're heading down a hall to Dumbledore's.
I'm starting to gain a new respect for Malfoy. No... If I'm going to be civil to him, it'll be Draco. After hearing how he stood up to Ron like that, I'm quite amazed. He wasn't even the one to start the fight, Ron was.
My blood boiled at the thought of my other best friend. How dare he say that to Hermione, she was only doing what she believed in. Besides the fact I'd seen how he acted with Mia and Mandela. That strange boy too... He was kind and caring, a side I never knew a Malfoy had.
"Peppermint Floss." The stone gargoyles moved to reveal the spiraling staircase which McGonagall started up followed by a floating Ron and then Draco and the blue haired girl, the blond leaning slightly on her for support.
Hermione and I stepped forward and rode up, keeping ourselves far enough away so no one would notice. Entering the office, Ron was placed on a couch that appeared and the girl guided Draco into a large plush chair before taking one for herself. McGonagall emerged from a back room with Dumbledore in tow. The two of us took a spot in the corner and waited patiently for this odd assemble of people to begin.
"Dumblydorr!" exclaimed the teenage girl, leaping up from her seat and giving the aging wizard a hug. "Remember me?" she asked, tilting her head and smiling up at him.
"Angel?" he gasped, eyes lighting up. "Is that really you?"
"Angel?" repeated Draco. "She's more like the devil in disguise."
"Shut up Draco!" exclaimed the girl, her face blowing up in mock anger. "I'll give you devil you insufferable little prat!" The Slytherin merely laughed and smirked at the girl.
"Her name's Sina," he said turning to Dumbledore. "Don't believe a word she says."
"And this is the thanks I get for coming all the way from my office?" Sina exclaimed. "I have important things to do Draco, you know that. I came down here because we have to discuss your task."
"Awww, and here I was thinking you just wanted to see me." Playfully, Sina walked over and smacked him upside the head. "What was that for Sina," he grumbled.
"I'll tell you. Remember the one time, when you came back to the living world, and Dumblydorr came into the hall and told everyone that he'd been told you'd be coming back?" He nodded. "I was that person. All you have to do is dress up in some white garb, attach wings and go into his dreams. Simple. That's why he thinks I'm an angel, you idiot! And where are your two guides? They should have been here by-"
"Here Sina!" exclaimed the bubbly voice of Mia. "Sorry we're late, I got stuck in a sleeping bag!" Mandela, the other new student, rolled her eyes and sat down in a chair next to Draco.
"I think I'd better introduce myself," said Sina, walking up to Dumbledore. "I'm Sina, ruler of Spirit World. Mia and Mandela are two of my colleagues in a way. Mia is normally a ferry guide that collects the dead spirits," Here Mia saluted while my mouth dropped, "And Mandela was assigned to Draco's case when Mia brought him in. I sent them both down here to keep an eye on him."
"I see," said Dumbledore. "Now what have you to tell me about this... errr, situation?"
"First of all," said McGonagall, "I want to get this fight out of the way. Albus, I found Mr. Weasley knocked unconscious in the hall with Mr. Malfoy. I can only assume they had a fight."
Here Sina merely laughed. "It was more than a fight, Professor. But that's not really a problem. No house points should be taken from either side seeing as neither side meant for it to be like that."
"But the whole wall is in shambles!" the teacher exclaimed. "Surely that cannot be merely part of a fight! And it must be repaired!"
"That's the thing I need to talk to you about Dumblydorr," the girl said turning back to Dumbledore. "Draco has unique powers, attacks he uses by controlling his energy. Unfortunately, he hasn't had any training and can't keep them under control. From what I understand, it's based on emotion and the stronger it is, the more powerful attack. Whatever the matter was, Draco obviously just got upset and couldn't control his power anymore. He is completely not at fault."
"So you need a trainer in spiritual energies, do you Mr. Malfoy?" said Dumbledore. "I don't have any experience on the matter, but I'm sure that one of you from Spirit World must."
"I do have someone in mind," Sina said slowly. "Her name is Hoshiko, an old friend of mine."
"Hoshiko!? I know her!" yelled Mia, bouncing out of her chair. "We like grew up together. We did everything with each other... make-up, flying, boys, clothes..."
"My life just got worse," moaned the silver eyed boy, his head in his hands. "If her and Mia get along, I've got big problems..."
"You'll love her Draco!" said the pink haired girl, throwing an arm around Draco's shoulders, forgetting about his injuries. "Besides, she's pretty too!"
"But I already have a perfectly good girlfriend," the blond protested. Beside me, I felt Hermione give a little awww and I felt glad she'd found such an honest boyfriend. "And besides, I am so not dating my trainer! But I do know someone who likes a certain ice demon..."
"I do not!" exclaimed Mandela, cheeks reddening.
"You just admitted you did," he laughed, leaning over and patting her on the knee. "Don't worry, we won't tell him."
"But I don't like him!"
"Do too! Oh wait till Zareh hears about this!" said Mia, hugging herself. "Just kidding Mandela, not a word will escape from this room."
The purple streaked blond muttered something under her breath but couldn't help but smile at her friends antics. "Hey, Mione," I whispered. "Zareh was that one guy we met a few nights ago, remember?" She nodded and focused her attention back on the scene.
Right now, Fawkes had flown over to Draco and was crying softly on his face and neck where dark bruises from Ron's attempt at strangling him had failed. "So exactly why are you here again Sina?" asked Draco absentmindedly stroking the red bird.
"Voldemort will be attacking the castle in four days. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to tell anyone what's going to happen in the future, but I can't let my favorite spirit detective die..." Draco scooted his chair backwards at the look in the ruler's eye.
"Draco, it's your job to help Harry. You have to keep the rest of the death eaters distracted so he can defeat the dark lord. I wouldn't be surprised if Leila and Zareh show up to lend you a hand, they hate him as much as you do."
"Are we allowed to go to Sina?" asked Mia, her eyes wide with excitement.
"No, both of you are to come back with me now. I'll need Mia to help cart away the casualties and I'm not letting you stay here and be in danger Mandela. I think it's time we go... Thank you for your time Professor," said Sina giving a light curtsy. But after that manners faded as she yawned loudly. "This form sure is hard to....keep..."
Before my eyes, the teenager started to shrink until a little girl, no more than eight, lay slumped on the ground, her dark blue hair cascading over her angelic face. Carefully, Draco picked her up and gave her a kiss on top of the child's head.
Mia hugged both of them tightly before taking the girl from his arms. "You be careful, all right?" she whispered, tears filling her large violet eyes. "I don't want to have to take your body away..."
"That goes from me as well," said Mandela, giving Draco a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Watch your back."
"I will," he said softly. "Bye you two, see ya in a few days." The girls nodded and clasped hands, and all three disappeared.
"What just happened?" demanded McGonagall. "You can't apparate out of Hogwarts!"
"They didn't apparate," said Draco calmly. "They used their spirit energy and transported. Don't worry, Death Eaters don't have that." The adults relaxed visibly. Surprisingly, he turned to the corner where Hermione and I were. "Harry, you take Voldemort. Lucius is mine."
Author's Notes:
And this story has been updated! Hoshiko will be coming in... Maybe as a member for the DT! So expect to see more of her! Also like to say that I am now out of therapy and all doctor's visits for my wrist are done! I am free!!!! Hehe
Please leave a review! And if you didn't hear my elephante's plea, please vote for her in the Beauty Contest! Link is below (after Reviewer's Comments!) Link might not work right away. Try back later this evening... Her contest may not have started yet!
Reviewer's Comments:
LishaChan I feel so bad for Snape. He might be getting a little old to be seeing that sort of thing. I would definetley start to accept someone if they saved my life too!
HalownKougra No, nothing to do with the plot. He just saw Mione leaving and decided to follow, that's all. =) I'm glad they got together too, it was about time!
coffeentoffee Thanks Coffee! =) Well, as you can see, I updated both a few days ago and will probably update them again soon. They are my most popular fics after all! =)
NeLLy22 Glad ya did. =) Thanks for the review!
Xw0kenn0wX For some reason, I don't think you finished that review... and though I... That's where you ended. Anyway, I get the jist, you liked the last chapter! =)
BrittneyAnna I'm starting to think it won't take that long... I mean, how long can a battle take??? But I have to finish this up cuz a whole new plot starts with the DT! I considered making it a sequel but decided to just keep it all in this story!
Stormy Skies I'm so glad I finally got to the fluff! Starting to think it might never happen, weren't you? Hehe, well there it was!
BlueBabyAquaGirl That's okay Blue, just glad you're doing so now! =) Reading sounds good. Wish I could do pottery. My lion gargoyle turned out okay in art class but because someone set the kiln to the wrong temp, it lost one of its wings. =( But at least it lived, all the rest, but two others, in my class didn't.
Ryo Akuinenn I would sound good...If my wrist would bend correctly! Gah, it's so frustrating! But I'm getting it! Yes, some people saw today and most of the school will probably see when he uses them in battle. I myself am wondering how they're going to take to the demons...
Dracoismine4eva You posted twice! A lot of people keep doing that... Must be server connection or something...
tyesantye I probably would be too shy as well. I mean, how do you do that when if they reject you your heart breaks.
Darling Love Me too! I can't wait to see them in real action!
buffy the slayer He did! (sort of) Well, he got really angry! =) Hope that's what ya meant!
NitenGale Well, it's here now! I plan on carrying it into the DT too!
Edarcy03 yeah, I know...=) Lifeguard, that sounds like fun! Must get a good tan, ne?
AnimegirlH I pillowfight would have been hilairous! I'm glad they got off easy too! It would have been terrible if they got a huge punishment and were forced to work or live in a cell. How terrible!
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