We Held Hands
06
Truce
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Previously…
"Hermione won! And the stage Joshua used didn't activated at its second and third level!" Professor McGonagall muttered the last sentences looking sideways at Professor Chaffconham, who was animatedly talking with Professor Trelawney.
"That's great!" Professor Dumbledore said, absently picking up the Lemon Drop and smiling as he looked at his students.
"Yes, a victory for Gryffindor at the practice duel, you know?" Professor McGonagall said. "Sybill here said Isis would win. But well, I think her Inner Eye must've been worn out now."
"No, Minerva. Sybill is doing great as our Diviner." Albus looked sideways at his Deputy Headmistress. His eyes twinkling as if he had something else in mind.
"Well, whatever do you mean by that, Albus?"
"Miss Isis won Round One." The Headmaster said.
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Isis' POV
Hmmm… This is nice. Isis thought. It was Halloween and she has the whole day to herself. Draco went to Quidditch practice and pretty much other Slytherins are out watching them. I still got to finish that essay of Trelawney's. Gosh, even I don't want to take Divinations. Like it or not, Professor Dumbeldore had insisted Isis to take up the woolly subject as she so put it. She didn't mind much the Seers back at home but Professor Trelawney tends to exaggerate things. Broaden your minds children! Don't be consumed by the fog of the outer world, search your inner eye! Well, the thing is, with all the smoke of her incense I can't even see anything with my eye. And it's not everyday when your Divinations Professor shrieked so loud and 'predicted' that a Basilisk would eat you before leaving the school. Isis shrugged and continued her way to the library to search more about Prophecies. One thing that bothered her is that why of all the topics she has to have it's this. I could always switch but I think Trelawney would notice. With a sigh of defeat, she plopped herself unto a comfortable sofa Wingardium leviosad some books she beside her on a bookshelf. Divinations pretty much annoyed her than any subject. After levitating some books, she took one and began to read. 'Seers and what they See'. 'Trelawney to tell the Tale'. Wait, Professor Trelawney's ancestor is the celebrated Seer? How can that-Isis stopped. What the--? Do my eyes deceive me or is that…? It can't be. Isis blinked and reopened her eyes only to see herself-well, an older version of herself-in one of the tattered books she has collected. She picked it up and turned over the book and read:
Aereia: The mystery of the hidden land (Prophecy)
What could've been an advanced research was now the typical time reading in the library. Isis had immediately set down other books concerning Prophecies and started to read the rather unusual book. Pretty unusual really, because of the fact that her visage was plastered at the back of the book.
Of all the mysteries magic had solved, Aereia is one of those remains that still thwarted even the spirits of the most knowledgeable and gifted Witches and Wizards. Aereia is most commonly heard as a bedtime story or folklore for most Wizarding families that have children to tuck in for bed. Known for its fanciful and elaborate story pattern, most experts believed that somewhere between time and space, this perplexing place might surely exist. No one has ever sited Aereia after over a thousand years. The four Founders of Hogwarts however, miraculously discovered the only information that was left of it.
Aereia: The bedtime Story...10
The mystery left incomplete...54
Clues and Analyses...98
Prophecy left unfulfilled...216
Possibilities...289
Four Founders...300
The Promise...320
Eternity...350
I----oirmagicke...400
Isis squinted on the last part. Apparently, someone had accidentally smudged the last part. She looked up and her eyes wondered the library, searching for the librarian. Madam Pince was ever so amiable to her when she first visited the library two days after she got to Hogwarts. Always beside her, on the first few days that Isis lingered on the library, she knew the librarian was watching over her. Probably checking if one of her precious books is the one she was reading. Isis found her assisting none other than Hermione Granger. Isis groaned. I should just take this one and come back later for another copy. She thought about it. She was never the one who avoids people but… Isis fixed her things and stood up, holding carefully the book she was about to borrow. It was as if she was holding something precious. Delicate. Fragile. Strong. Important. She doesn't know if it was she or it was the book that made her hold it as it is. She looked at her destination and made a determined walk towards it. Okay, just a quick conversation. Imagine she wasn't even there. Yeah, that's it. Ahead, she watched as Hermione Granger looked her way and gave Isis one of those I'm-not-the-one-who-loses! look.
"Yes, Miss Black. Is there anything that I might do for you?" Madam Pince asked with fondness for the girl. She was holding what looked like a magnifying glass and was about to hand it to Hermione when Isis came.
"Oh, uhm. Yes. I was wondering whether I could borrow this?" Isis held out the book. She saw a waver from the librarian's eyes but she was really imagining it, was she? There was a very long silence before the librarian spoke.
"You may. As long as you treat that book with utmost care. It's the only one in the whole world." Madam Pince said, finally handing the magnifying glass to Hermione, who in turn, had given a beady eye on the book Isis held.
"But… Only one in the world? Are you sure Madam Pince? I mean, there's a smudge here---" Isis opened the book and pointed the smeared part. "There. Are you quite sure Ma'am?"
"Yes very much. I should go to Albus and give him a proper telling. I told him many times not to bring books while eating sweets. Off you go then, if that is all." Madam Pince said. Yeah, don't ever ruin Madam Pince's books, even the Headmaster of Hogwarts aren't safe. Isis thought. She made one final glance at Hermione and noticed that she was still looking longingly at the book. Well, by the fact that it is only ONE-OF-A-KIND…
"You may have it after I'm finished with it, Hermione." Isis smiled and she went out of the library while tucking the book safely in her arms. She'll probably give Draco a visit at the Quidditch Field while they practice. Isis knew Hermione wouldn't reply but it was something. A truce is what I would really want. Isis said to herself as she made her way to the Quidditch Pitch.
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Draco's POV
Alright, part of the plan… Draco reminded himself. Quidditch practice was halfway over and soon Gryffindors would take their claim at the Pitch but never did once Draco waste any time while having Practice with his Slytherin Team. Something inside Draco seemed to have twinkled and he almost looked proud of his team. Well, it's not everyday that you get to be the Captain of the Slytherin Quidditch Team. Draco thought of all those times he took practice at the Manor. I think we can really beat them this year. Draco thought.
"Okay, team. Go for plan five and we'd go straight to plan seven. Vaisey, careful on those Bludgers and remember to go to straight up and pull back down. We'd like to see you try a hoop from above and then straight shot. Urquhart, make sure that when Vaisey tries to shoot, keep your eyes open and try to block her, okay? Hawkshead formation after that. Harper, do try to stay behind Vaisey would you? I know you're a Seeker reserve but I'm betting Chaser would do you good." Draco instructed. Slytherin Team was pretty at ease because it wasn't everyday that Draco Malfoy wasn't like that. Even Harper gave an odd look at his Captain because he didn't know if he would really accept that one as a complement. It really is rare to hear a Malfoy give away a complement. "What? You want to be back at the reserve? I'll let you." Now that's a Malfoy.
Everyone flew out great. Draco himself for once didn't need to keep a watchful eyes on them and concentrated on finding the Snitch. He'd like to try a Wronski Feint really but he can't do that at the Manor. Mother was always watching. Draco sighed.
Flashback
"Draco dear, come here please." Draco's mother, Narcissa Black Malfoy was sitting on one of the verandas that overlooked the Quidditch Pitch. She wore a simple but classical black, silver and green robes with red rubies for rose embroidery near the neck. Fir for a landlady of the Malfoy Manor. She looked like every royal do. It complemented her body perfectly. Narcissa Malfoy was in no other words, gorgeous. Even age couldn't touch Draco's mother. But, by what has happened today… "That was great…you know, your father was once on the team. Did I ever tell you that? Maybe when your father comes home, I'll tell him you'd been practicing and maybe he'd join you sometime. Go along then, I'll just be right here." Narcissa Malfoy sat back in total ease.
But Draco looked at his mother's eyes. Empty. His heart clenched. His eyebrows furrowed. He can't do anything really. After that Boy Wonder caused his father's arrest his mother had started to be like that all afternoon. Nevertheless, Draco zoomed back to the Quidditch Pitch and swore to god (whoever his god might be) that he'd master every technique he knew. And defeat Potter. It was Draco's final thought.
End Flashback
Draco, who was on his broom-the Nimbus 2001, frowned. It had been weeks, months since his father was taken back to Azkaban. He himself was there to witness his father being bought by the prison guards to the gates towards the Dementor-manifested Prison. He had seen his mother crying, rather silently. He saw the look on her mother's eyes, those blue-crystalline orbs filled with tears, but they showed no emotions, they were completely blank. After the doors closed, he then only realized that, his mother had fainted. It was in that afternoon when her mother started to act like that. As if his father hadn't been dragged back to the hellhole that was Azkaban.
It was always as though his father had just left on a business trip. It was as if his father was on vacation. That's how his mother had taken the incident. But every time Draco looked into his mother's eyes, he felt something he cannot help be surprised to feel. He's insides were hurting. His heart. At first, Draco had always believed he didn't have to depend on a heart. That was how his father had thought him. But now…
"Draco, watch out!" someone had shouted at the background and thankfully, Draco swerved sideways, causing him to dodge a dashing Bludger that was sure to knock the air out of his windpipe. Draco looked around and then he had spotted the person.
Isis.
Well, I think I'll try that Wronski, eh? Draco felt like a hawk already. He could just see Vaisey and Urquhart in a good battle for scoring so he kept looking for the snitch and then found it. In perfect position, he thought. Just behind Isis. Smirking, he made a rather… dangerous dive.
Almost instantly, he could've been hit by the same Bludger if didn't took the chance to make a move. He dove straight, facing the ground, 90 degrees and is claiming speed. He was at least from a 80 feet high and was not only 10 feet… 8 feet… He was gaining speed. He didn't realize that his Team had stopped to practice and watched their Captain do his thing. He gripped his broom tight and when he smelled a whiff of greeny-grass he made for a stop and almost-almost-crashed to the ground. But Draco didn't stopped at all. He changed direction and turned around. This time facing the sky, 90 degrees and then stopping instantaneously turning to right and flying straight towards Isis.
He saw Isis' eyes widened as he approached her. He could've really crashed to her but, expertly, even by the usual Malfoy standards back then, Draco instantaneously stopped in a halt. Almost crashing down at Isis, he gently held out his hands and reached for the snitch just one and a half inches away from the back of her left ear.
"Well, that was close, wasn't it?" Draco smirked at his… friend? For this year, he wasn't expecting to have the company of the likes of Isis Black. But Draco found himself almost comfortable when he's with her. As if he could be himself. Plus the obnoxious part. Draco heard clapping from behind and when he turned his broom, he saw nothing but cheers and admiration from his Team. Teammates. Something he hadn't seen before.
"Well, would you care explain how come you didn't tell me you'd be doing that?" Isis raised her right eyebrow. Draco turned his broom again and got off it. He looked back at Isis and smiled. A genuine smile.
Well, there's always a first for everything. "You been to the library, then?" Draco asked.
As if it wasn't that obvious. "Yep" Isis continued, "So, still having Quidditch Practice?" She jerked her head back to the Slytherins.
Oh… great. "Uhm… right. Wait here." Draco got back on his broom and flew towards them. "Guys, that was err-"
"Well, if it wasn't for this-Isis Black-is it? If it wasn't for her, you couldn't do that, could you?" Nott asked. He was one of the Beaters and Draco knows what to do to him.
To hell with it, why does he care? "Nott, what did I tell you about controlling that outlandish arms of yours? You almost knocked the wind out of me!" Draco spat. "And by the look of it, you practice. Practice more so you won't confuse who to hit." Very Malfoy advice. "You're dismissed."
"What about us?" Blaise Zabini said.
"Well, what about you? I say stick your butts on the broom for this week and we'll all make sure Gryffindor eats our dust. Dismissed." Draco said to the others. He caught Blaise smirk but never did mind it.
"Hey, Draco, meet you back at the Common Room?" He called out. "Or would you--?" Blaise raised his right eyebrow and looked at Isis, who was busy reading a very old, tattered and ancient book.
"Shut it."
"Whatever you say. Your highness, Slytherin Prince." Blaise bowed half his body and flew straight back to the Locker Room, following the others.
Draco shrugged, he felt flushed. Surely….? Never mind. He held those back and returned to the usual Malfoy composure. He flew back towards Isis and climbed down from his broom. "So, anything interesting in there?"
"Nope, just my face plastered at the back of the book." He heard from behind the large black and silver leather bound book. At first Draco would just consider it as a mere joke. But seeing as this….
"Bloody H… I mean. It isn't you, isn't it?" Draco asked. "May I--?"
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Isis' POV
Isis raised her right eyebrow at Draco but shrugged and handed him the book. "Oh, here. Careful, I just managed to get this off the clutches of the Librarian. She says it's the only one in the world!"
"Really? I was borrowing Moste Pontente Potions in my Fourth Year and I swear, she wouldn't let me have it." Draco held the book and examined the facial features. "It's you! But, how?"
"I don't know. Now, come on, before Gryffindors come in." Isis said, retrieving the book from Draco. He didn't go to the locker room. He had his own room and his own bedroom in a shared dormitory so either of the two, he can stay.
"Budge up, ferret, Gryffindor's coming." Ron started. Isis was right; Gryffindor Team is on their way. Harry and Ginny was way behind the group so they didn't mind at all what Ron would do. It was Hermione who was on his side, a book tucked at her arms. Ancient Runes, I presume. Isis thought. Maybe I should answer mine too, it might be hard.
"I don't follow a Weasley command. So you might as well step aside." Draco drawled. What is it with Draco and that Gryffindor? Isis refused to think Draco is so biased about those things; there must be something behind all those rivalry.
"Now, stop it-"
"Hey, Draco, you shouldn't just-"
Both Hermione and Isis retorted respectively. They both looked at each other. Isis, now in turn, was shocked. Had Hermione really smiled at me?
"Truce." Hermione whispered. She smiled at Isis. Isis smiled too. She had another friend. It was a really wonderful day. But it turned to fantastic.
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Draco's POV
"I don't follow a Weasley command. So you might as well step aside." Draco drawled. How dare that imbecile goodie-goodie-two-shoes Mudblood lover of a Gryffindor command a Malfoy? Especially me? Draco felt Isis shift and he looked sideways at her. He noticed Isis cast a curious stare from her. Maybe some other time, a discussion is deemed necessary, she doesn't know of us obviously.
"Now, stop it-"
"Hey, Draco, you shouldn't just-"
Both Hermione and Isis retorted respectively. They both looked at each other. Isis, now in turn, was shocked. It's would be tad good if Isis would just hex that Mudblood to oblivion, another wise move for the sake of all Pureblooded.
"Truce." Hermione whispered.
But Draco had heard it. Truce? As in Ceasefire? Peace? What has happened when I'm gone? Draco saw Hermione's face and was bowled over. She smiled at Isis. But there was more then that. Isis smiled too. It was a smile worth remembering, really If it wasn't the fact that the receiver was one hateful Mudblood. Did that just happen? Draco doesn't know why but surely he has a say on this.
"What do you mean by that, Granger?" Draco drawled. He folded his arms and seemed to be trying to shield the way for the Gryffindors towards the Quidditch Pitch.
"What do you mean by what, Malfoy?" Hermione retorted. She had her two best friends beside her, who were also shocked but nevertheless happy, about what the Know-It-All had done.
"Don't fool me, for I cannot be fooled." Draco said with indignation. "What do you mean by truce? With Isis. What do you mean by that."
"Well, I can't really fool you but seeing as you cannot grasp the meaning of a very simple word, let me explain. Truce is peace. Peace is Truce. Is that quite clear to you yet?" Hermione folded her arms too, aware that this is going to be a long argument.
"Now, wait just a minute here." Isis put her feet on this one. She had to. "Draco, for one thing, please let me have some friends from other houses." She looked at Draco with her own indignation to match his. But…. Draco tried to speak but Isis beat him to it. "I know, don't argue. Whatever it is that has happened between you guys is none of my concern. I have just arrived at this establishment for mere months while you've been together for years. I think I have a right to make new acquaintances. Right?"
"Isis, are you seriously considering their friendship… over mine?" Draco bore his eyes to Isis' chocolate brown ones. There was a flicker of hurt and anger in those eyes of Isis.
"Is that your ultimatum? I won't choose. But I accept the truce from Miss Granger… Hermione?" Isis questioned the girl.
This isn't supposed to be happening. Draco thought. I have to think of something. "You wouldn't choose? Well, it's me or them."
"I give you an answer: No, I won't choose." Isis looked for a moment at Draco as though pleading to reconsider his thought about this but Draco was adamant. He cannot have a friend whose friends with Potter. He can't. And he wouldn't.
"Hermione would do, Isis. I do hope you visit the Gryffindor table if you can." Hermione said. She smiled at Isis. "Do you mind?"
Lost for words, I'll have my say on this. Draco glared at the resident Know-It-All and the perpetual annoyance and bane of his existence. "Yes I do. But why waste my time with useless people such as yourselves?"
And that was how Draco Malfoy left the building, with a disappointed Isis behind.
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Author's Note: This fanfic is inspired to my latest dream that has pushed me to the front of the computer screen and made me type it with enthusiasm…
Author's Note 2: Argh, I was supposed to lengthen the library scene and seeing as… Yawn Gotta sleep. I just got that idea of a name this morning so I was pretty excited typing chap 6. Pretty fast on having a Truce eh? Well, this is Hermione Granger and Isis Black people. Thought they argue at classes, they made a strong bond of friendship in a way they respected each other every time they were each other's opponents.
Hehe, I'm not complaining on that one!
PLEASE READ AND REVIEW! So it might shut those plot bunnies for other fanfictions in my mind. OH AND PLEASE READ MY OTHER FANFICS! - E-mail me if you want to ask some questions regarding this fanfiction or any other fanfiction of mine.