Warning: There are spoilers of the 6th book in this chapter, so if you haven't read it yet...first of all- what's wrong with you? second of all, i guess this will spoil it. hence the words spoilers. haha. :)
Chapter Six
"Hey Wood, we have a bone to pick with you," I heard George call out to Oliver. I crept closer to the door to hear better.
"Can I help you fine gentlemen?" I heard Wood reply.
"We have a question," this time it was Harry's voice. I know eavesdropping is wrong, but more than likely this conversation was about me.
"I'm listening." I heard a note of sarcasm in Wood's voice.
"We want you to stay away from Jenna." That's not a question you morons…
"That's not a question."
"All right, what would you say if we asked you to stay away from Jenna?"
"There you are lads. I'd say no."
"Why not?" Harry's angry voice.
"Because you haven't given me a valid reason for your request."
"We just…" Are at a loss for words? Why do they want him to stay away from me?
"It's my opinion that you two are jealous of this newly formed friendship I have with Miss Atkins." I heard him stand. Leave it to Wood to irritate them more with his air of superiorority.
"You never liked her before," George said. "We're just trying to win her back and we don't need you in the way."
"You really think I'm competition?" Wood laughed. "What you two have is a school boy crush, and I take no part in that. I'm no threat."
"You are if she falls for you," Harry answered quietly.
"I have no interest in Jenna. Who she falls for is her own problem." I heard him leave and I backed against the wall so that he wouldn't see me. I felt strangely disappointed. I didn't like Wood, did I?
"That's not possible," I laughed to myself. And then I felt anger. I sat back down in the chair by Draco.
"What's wrong love?" he'd woken up.
"They're acting like I'm some piece of property," I fumed. "I'm a person with feelings, not a trophy."
"Well I for one think you're a splendid person," Draco grinned. I threw a towel at him.
"You're motives are the same as theirs," I glared. "And don't even try denying it Malfoy." I stormed out the room, throwing a glare at Harry and George who were still in the next room.
"You think she heard us?" Harry whispered.
"I think she did," I spat back over my shoulder. I heard them stumbling off the floor.
"Jenna, let us explain," George skidded to a halt beside me. I stopped, narrowing my eyes at him.
"Go ahead and try," I said venomously.
"Oh wow," Harry stepped back as I turned my glare towards him.
"Are you going to explain or am I wasting my time?" George looked at Harry and Harry looked away.
"We just…um…well…"
"Just decided I'm some piece of property? That I don't have a decision about who I end up with? What makes you think I want to be with either of you?" Harry opened his mouth but I kept going.
"George, I know you care, but this isn't how you prove it. I shouldn't be treated as a trophy in a contest!." He looked at his feet.
"And you Harry!" I rounded on the black haired boy. "Of all people, I can't believe you would treat me like this! I expected better of you! I expected respect, and for you to stick up for me! I'm completely ashamed and disappointed, something I never expected to be when it came to you." Guilty expressions adorned both boys' faces.
"I hope you realize you both lost me," I said quietly, walking away.
I heard a knock on my door.
"Go away," I sobbed. I was hurting deep inside.
"Jenna, it's me," came Draco's voice. I opened the door.
"What are you doing out of bed?" I snapped, pulling him inside and forcing him down on my bed.
"Feisty, I like it," he waggled his eyebrows.
"Oh shove it up your-"
"Now, no naughty language," he winked.
"Don't make me hurt you," I threatened.
"Really Jenna, I'm already suffering, you wouldn't make it worse, would you?"
"Do you really want to find out?"
"On second thought, no." I sighed and sat down next to him.
"So what are you doing here?" I asked.
"I came to make sure you're ok," he replied, looking at me concernedly. "I heard all the shouting. They weren't treating you right. Can I curse them?" I burst out laughing.
"No, you cannot curse them," I giggled. "But thanks anyway." He casually put his arm around me.
"So what's my standing in this so called contest that they shouldn't be having?" he grinned. I shoved him, smiling none-the-less.
"Better than theirs are right now," I answered, leaning against him.
"Now that I can live with," Draco smirked.
"You are so full of yourself."
"I can't help it, it's genetic." I rolled my eyes.
"Would you call me pathetic if I admitted to missing you?"
"Seems like every guy I meet tells me that," I sighed. "Oh Draco, I didn't mean to make you sound unimportant. Thanks. I've missed you too, I really have."
"You know, Jenna, I believe in being honest with you. The only reason those two are fighting so hard for you is because it's impossible to fall out of love with you."
"Don't say that…"
"But it's true. And you know I can't lie to you."
"You're not making this any easier for me Draco," I sat up.
"I'm sorry Jenna, but I had to say it," he looked distressed. "I know it's hard for you, but you have three guys vying for your attention, not to mention I think Wood's lying, and well…can you really go on without choosing anyone?" I stood up and walked to the other side of the room.
"But think of the conflicts if I do choose someone," I whispered. "Draco, my heart's being pulled in too many directions. I don't know how I feel about any of you anymore. I mean, I love you all, but…"
"You don't have to make a decision right now Jenna," he wrapped his arms around my waist and held me close. "I'm just saying eventually you will have to, whether it be one of us or none of us." I breathed in his familiar cologne, my heart racing.
"Maybe you should go," I whispered. He leaned down and gently kissed my neck.
"But I don't want to leave," he said silkily in my ear.
"Draco," I whimpered. "Please." He dropped his arms and stepped back.
"Only for you Jenna." He bowed and left. I let out the breath I had subconsciously been holding. He always had such an effect on me.
"Can I help you?" Draco looked up from the book he was reading.
"I'm worried about you," I answered. "You haven't been yourself lately."
"How I act is none of your concern," he said sharply, gaze dropping back to his book. I tugged it out of his hands and closed it.
"Draco, what's going on?" Silence fell between us as our eyes locked.
"I can't tell you Jenna," he said quietly. "I can't tell anyone."
"Since when have I just been anyone to you?" A smile tugged at his lips.
"Missing me since I haven't been obnoxiously bugging you?" he asked.
"Why do you think I was concerned?" I smirked. My smile fell. "You're distressed. I can see it in your eyes. You haven't even been insulting Harry. Draco, I'm here for you, you know that. I'm your friend."
"If you knew what I had to do, you wouldn't want to be my friend," he said, getting up and walking past me.
"After the things you've already done, what could make me dislike you that much?" I called. He stopped, turning slowly. His eyes were glazed with sadness and there were dark circles underneath.
"Jenna," he whispered, walking forward. His hand cupped my chin, bringing my lips an inch from his. "You're all I have left. I can't lose you." He closed the remaining gap, his kiss sending sparks through my body. Draco slowly pulled away, looking at me before turning to leave again.
"Then don't let me lose you either," I whispered, knowing he heard, but he didn't react.
I sighed at the memory of our first kiss. I'd broken through his outer wall, gotten to know the real Draco. He'd changed a lot in the 6th year, for just reasons. After all, he was supposed to kill Dumbledore. But he couldn't do it, because Draco isn't a killer. His father may be, but he isn't. His father was the reason for the wall he had. His father made him afraid of knowing people, truly knowing them. So he stuck with the friends who had less than one brain put together.
"You haven't told Harry yet have you," Draco smirked. I looked away.
"I can't tell him," I answered. "He just…wouldn't understand."
"But I thought you said no one understands you like him," He mocked.
"Oh shut it Draco." He kissed my cheek.
"I'll be nice," he grinned. I sighed, leaning against him.
"I wish I could tell him, but people just wouldn't understand," I explained.
"Because I'm me," He answered my unspoken thoughts.
"Well…yes. At least I know the truth though, right?" I looked up into his silver eyes. Most people said gray, I said silver. It sounds nicer.
"That's all that matters to me," he smiled, leaning down to kiss me.
We'd kept our relationship secret. It was just easier that way. But I slipped up when Harry attacked him with that curse that made him bleed.
"What the hell did you do to him!" I screamed, Hermione and Nicole holding me back from attacking Harry.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"What did you to Draco," I breathed. "You tried to kill him!"
"I didn't!" He yelled back. "I didn't know what the curse did."
"You shouldn't have used it then!"
"Why are you so upset! He's fine!"
"He could have died Harry!"
"Jenna! He's fine! What is your problem?" I fought violently against Hermione and Nicole. I broke down sobbing.
"You're dating Malfoy aren't you," Harry said. I looked up, hate coursing through my body.
"I'm never going to forgive you for this Potter," I whispered. "Never." I ran out of the common room, tears flowing unchecked down my cheeks.
"I have to get out of here," I whispered to myself. "I can't be around them right now." I threw my stuff back in my suitcase.
"Where are you going Jenna?" Hermione asked.
"Back to America," I answered. "I can't deal with this anymore." I picked up my bags running out through the cave tunnels. Outside, I apparated back to the restaurant.
"Stacy," I called, stopping. It was eerily quiet. Stacy was always here, even when the restaurant was closed. But it was Friday, the restaurant should be open.
"Stacy?" I said, my voice shaking. Something was terribly wrong. I heard a thumping noise coming from the back. Pulling out my wand, I quietly headed in the direction of the noise. Opening the door to the break room, I saw Stacy tied to a chair, mouth gagged, eyes wide. I ran in, relieving her of the cloth that was stuffed in her mouth.
"Jenna, it's a trap!" she screamed. "Behind you!" I whirled around and found myself face to face with Him.
"Hello Jenna," he hissed. "Long time no see. I've missed you dreadfully." My breath came in shallow gasps. Long cords shot out of his wand and bound around me. I fought them to no avail.
"I suppose you heard that Mr. Potter is dead?" he said lazily. "So tragic, but at least there's nothing to stop me now. He was such a nuisance. Now my dear, what shall we do with your friend?" He smiled toothily, evily.
"Avada Kedavra!" Green light shot out and Stacy's head fell to the side.
"No!" I screamed, tears springing to my eyes. Voldemort laughed manically.
"Even in pain you're extraordinarily beautiful," he drew a cold finger across my cheek. I turned away.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on killing you," he smirked. "You're too important of a pawn. Too many people would be willing to give their lives for you. Including a certain ex death eater of mine. Mr. Malfoy junior? Surely you remember him." I glared.
"Now now," Voldemort tsked at me. "That's not a nice face to make. Ah, they're hiding in a cave. Well then, I suppose I won't be able to get there without a secret keeper, but I'm quite sure that there are spies who will report of your kidnap." I never learned occlumency. Now I wish I had.
"You're going to kill all of them aren't you," I whispered.
"Yes, I am, I won't deny you that," he smiled. "Miss Jenna, I thank you for being of such help." He stood, twirling his wand around his fingers.
"Let's return to my headquarters."
"Don't you mean evil lair," I spat.
"Please, that term is overused and only for pathetic criminals. I, my dead, am a Dark Lord, not a petty thief." With a snap of Voldemort's fingers, we were in a dimly lit chamber.
"Your quarters," he bowed, the cords disappearing. His robes twisted around him and he disappeared.
"What have I done," I whispered into the empty room.
