We Held Hands

07

Round Two

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Previously…

"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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NO ONE'S POV

For the last few weeks of November, Isis had been quite alone at the Slytherin common room. Everyone noticed this. Pansy had that smug smile on her face while the others can't quite grasp the meaning of why they haven't seen Draco Malfoy and Isis Black together. What was more; the Slytherins often found their housemate take a seat beside none other than the Golden Trio at the Great Hall. It brought a new fire of rumors around the school. But Isis couldn't care less. Theodore Nott had tried to ask his friend, Draco Malfoy but the Slytherins had found him at the hospital wing with a broken jaw after that. At some point, almost everyone at Hogwarts was shocked when there was a time when they saw Hogwarts resident know-it-all Hermione Granger giggling away with Isis Black. At the school library clutching a very… odd book. To think, they've been fierce rivals at the start of the school terms.

But still, on the outside world, Isis couldn't care less. On the inside it wasn't the same.

Isis gracefully took a seat beside Hermione and gave her the book she had borrowed. "There you go, the story line was fantastic but, well, the author was too pessimistic."

"That's Shakespeare to you, then." Hermione replied, taking some treacle tarts. "Here, want some?"

"Oh my… how did you guess that I love these stuff?" Isis smiled and took some. "Oh hello there guys." She greeted at Harry and Ron. Only the Golden Trio had made friends with Isis. The rest of the Gryffindors had their doubts and couldn't grasp the thought of a Slytherin eating with them at the Gryffindor table.

"Ah, well. Harry likes those and he influenced Ron and me. So we're giving you the obsession disease we had with this stuff." Hermione shrugged as she put away the borrowed book, an old copy of the Shakespearean play: 'Romeo and Juliet'.

"Really? And just when I thought I'd escape my fondness with…" Isis stopped. She wouldn't dare bring that one up. "Ah… chocolate frogs."

Hermione raised her left eyebrow. "You stopped for a moment there. A hesitation. Come on, Isis. We won't spill." She smiled.

Isis immediately cast a queer look at the boys and hesitantly whispered to her… "Vodka." And Hermione's eyebrows were now so near her hairline, it was impossible. Harry and Ron, however, didn't have the privilege of hearing this new founding of their best friend. "Sorry guys. Just between me and Hermione." Isis smiled.

"Oh, don't mention it. We've got Quidditch chats to annoy her endlessly." Harry's boyish smile came to full view. It was like an influence Ron had on him. It was insane. "Well, Defense this morning, guys. I think we do want to continue watching that duel last time."

"Oh, and please next time, we have to watch the final moments. Okay?" Ron said, having finished his final helpings of roasted chicken.

"Sure, sure." Hermione and Isis sang in unison. Both smiled at each other and the four went straight to the first class. They were unaware of a seething rage that has fueled in the midst of the rumor engaged Slytherins.

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Draco's POV

Everyone went inside the Defense Room and waited in frustrated anticipation for the second round of the dueling competition. They would do as what they had done last lesson although, now they weren't allowed to use unfriendly curses, just mild and tricky ones. That would do. Draco thought, a cruel smile spreading across his aristocratic visage. He had been wanting to have a go at Potter ever since that day when he saw him and Isis walking by and pass him the next day Granger made truce with his (supposedly) friend. He had been doing some researches and he can't help try one. Eventually, Theodore Nott appeared one time asking those stupid questions and… Well, a practice would do me good. Nott deserves it. Draco smirked. Yes, too bad I can't use it on Potter. Maybe next time. Next time.

"Alright gather around, you lot." Professor Chaffconham. "Well, as unfortunate for me to tell you, after three-days of the dueling competition, we're going to have a joint classes with Care for Magical Creatures." There were obvious protests that scattered around the room but the Defense professor never wavered his momentum. "Now, now. This is for you, unfortunate. But for me, I digress. See, Professor McGonagall gave me a telling about dueling and well, I quote 'It wouldn't do to just get stuck with duel. Maybe have a go with creatures.' I'm afraid dueling would resume next year. Eh? Nevertheless, either I bring in the creature." Professor Chaffconham's eyes twinkled. "How I wish to see her face when she sees him again! Oh, she'll instantaneously revoke that it was her idea to bring in creatures." Now, the professor seemed to be talking to himself, unaware that the class had heard him. "Right. Well, move along, to your dueling partners then! The best duelers would end up at the podium." The professor waved his wand and came to their full view the Podium that Hermione Granger and Isis Black had dueled.

Draco took his place, facing Harry, with a manic glint in his eyes. Determination stuck to him, he held a strong stance all the while thinking of one thing, defeat Potter. He knew that Isis would end up as one of the best duelers so; it's up to him to throw his anger and use it to some good cause.

"On the count of three…" Professor Chaffconham signaled, his peculiarly violet shaded wand waved and instantly translucent domes appeared around each platform of the student duelers. "Now, to make sure that you won't use curses, I've conjured these domes. The curses would bounce back so, it's your own fault if the curse you released should ever rebound back to you, neat eh?" Weirdo, as usual. Draco rolled his eyes, no chance of sneaking that curse I gave to Nott. No go at all. "Okay, on count of three… One. Two… Three!"

Instantly, various shades of reds, yellows, whites, and blues lighted the Defense Room. Professor Chaffconham walked along surveying his students. But Draco took no notice that the professor was casting a calculating look straight at him All Draco had in mind at that moment was one thing: Defeat Harry-Bloody-Potter!

"Protego!" Both Harry and Draco had shouted.

"Condenseo Protego!" Draco shouted. There is no way I'm going to let any of those blasted spells to hit me. Not today, not ever.

"Constructum Protego!" Harry continued. "Protego! Protego!" Multiplying his defenses three times. Let's see if a guaranteed thick shield is better than that. Draco thought. He smirked.

"You know Potter, I never thought you'd take too much of a precaution. I'm honored." Draco started.

"If it's you I'm dealing with, I have to be sure I can't be outwitted by a Slytherin, even if it is a ferret." Harry countered. That does it.

"Imago!" Think of this as a way to annoy you more. Draco smirked. "Imago! Imago!" And out came three Draco's. "Run!"

Four Dracos are now seen running around, encircling Harry Potter, all of them holding a wand, all of them with that trademark smirk, all of them with those cold eyes filled with wild determination. Let's see if you can find out who I am among these. Draco thought to himself, careful not to be noticed and blending perfectly and in harmony with his clones.

"Damn." Harry cursed. He looked sideways, left and right. All he could see was a face of Draco Malfoy.

"Annoyed aren't you?" All four Malfoys told him. All three Malfoys opened their mouth and Harry felt the worse, four spells, and one target. This is bad. For him, it will be dire. "Levicorpus!"

Instantaneously, Harry was levitated by his toes, his robes revealing black trousers. "Well, I guess I'd have to take off those awful looking pants now, eh, Potter? Our audience is quite annoyed with it, you see. Accio Trous-"

But the victim, Harry, already knew this. He had seen this before and he felt as though he is being played with karma. But, he had reminded himself, that he may be his father's son but he didn't do that before. Harry pointed his wand at himself and said "Latesco!" Instantly, the hovering Harry Potter was nowhere to be seen. He felt Draco's Summoning spell being deflected.

Before it could hit Draco, however, he shouted "Finite!" Saving him the trouble of embarrassing himself by pulling out his own pants. "Damn. You can't hide Potter! Appareo!" Instantly, Harry came visible again but this time, he was ready and took aim at Draco.

"Caeco!" Harry shouted and Draco's eyes went black out. He couldn't see. Draco had no choice so he muttered the spell he had always counted on. "Repulsu." A Reflecting spell.

He felt Harry move towards Draco who maintained a proud upright stand. "Well, now, you wouldn't hex me or put a spell on me because as you can see… Oh wait, you can't. Stupefy!"

Potter, I may be blind now but still your presence sores my eyes. Draco was annoyed but didn't bother to speak. Nevertheless he gave Harry a triumphant and bragging smirk for Draco felt the Stunning spell reflect and bounce back to the conjurer. Like music to his ears, Draco heard a shocked oof! that Harry had emitted. He tumbled and was Stunned. Draco smiled to himself. And behold my success. Draco said to himself. "Finite Incantatem!" He felt the Blinding Spell waste away and then, his vision came back. The Translucent Dome slowly faded and Draco saw that other students who had stunned one another were now revived and they had been watching his and Harry's duel. Disappointment was evident in their faces. Well, well. You didn't hope for me to win did you?

"Very good. Mister Malfoy! That puts you straight to the Podium, it may seem. Where did you get that… what is it? The spell that makes the Shield increased its power?" Professor Chaffconham rather greeted Draco with so much enthusiasm, he could've preferred to be the one Stunned in the end, but I digress. Professor Chaffconham has resorted to pat Draco's shoulders like any Uncle would do to his favorite nephew. And it annoys me. Draco rolled his eyes but he was at least satisfied. At the Podium. He smirked. He does not need to know I used the Reflecting Spell. "It was… I read it one time at the library."

"Very well, resourceful, combining it with Protego. Off you go to the Podium then." The Defense Professor continued, "We'll be waiting for Miss Granger and Miss Black. They're having quite a battle there. You should watch it."

Draco walked with swelling pride towards the Podium. All the while, he had his eyes to the ongoing battle. Between Hermione Granger and Isis Black. These past few days, Draco didn't dare approach Isis at the Slytherin table. He evaded her at all cost. And seeing as Isis took that hint, she always went to the Gryffindor table as often as she can. Draco watched as Hermione released a Binding spell towards Isis but turned around and dodged it. Her hair seemed to have been enchanted because not single strand of hair had strayed and touched the spell as it whizzed pass her. When she had turned and stood upright again, Draco saw something fiery about those brown eyes of hers but couldn't quite place it. He took a deep breath. It was taking so much of him every time he watches Isis whirl around. That hair does things to my mind and every time she stops… those eyes. Draco groaned in frustration. He can't really be a friend of someone who associates with Gryffindors. His pride wouldn't let him. He watched the duel more closely and was surprised and annoyed to see that both girls were smiling at each other. They're playing. They weren't dueling. They're playing and showing off spells they can use! This further annoyed Draco. He narrowed his eyes and watched as Isis flicked her left hand in rhythm together with her right hand, which held her wand. That was strange… why would Isis use her left hand? That's completely pointless. But it seemed like it did the work, Hermione stumbled and a second jet of half red and white jet soar to her and hit her. Petrificus partialitus, Half-Body Bind. Draco thought. Clever. He saw Hermione's hands strapped. He noticed that Hermione too, has been Disarmed. How did Isis disarm her if she had just released a spell? Could she have conjured two spells at the same time? Impossible. The duel was finished. Isis won. Draco will have Isis as his opponent. Draco smiled.

Now, Isis, why did you choose them over me? I'll find out soon. Draco thought to himself. He took his place at the other side of the Podium as Isis began to walk towards it. Towards him.

"Draco." Isis greeted. She tried to smile but it seemed to fail to touch Draco at all.

"Black." Draco retorted. His gray eyes penetrated to Isis' very being.

"Yeah, do just that Draco. You know, next time I see you, I'm just going by 'Malfoy'." Isis' face had darkened. She frowned at this new conversation.

"Well you know me. I've just come to regard you as someone… as someone… someone that I've met." Draco said. He didn't like much to say those things to her but his pride was getting the better of him.

"Draco, you know as well as I do that I didn't choose. I gave you my word." Isis began. She never did mind what anyone thought.

"Yeah? So, you didn't choose. What am I, delusional or just plain stupid? Think of it this way Isis, when you accepted that Mudblood's offer, that was the moment when you chose them." Draco said, and he positioned himself, ready for the duel. "Now, move and let's begin." The Podium begins to feel the duelers inside of it take their position and immediately, it started to activate. Translucent Dome climbed upward until it finally concealed the two inside. No one can hear what the two were talking about. Only them.

"Well, what are you waiting for, Draco?" Isis said. She never could've believed that here she was and her first friend at Hogwarts has turned his back on her.

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Isis' POV

"I was waiting for you to start but seeing as you couldn't…" Draco continued. "Expelliarmus." He said calmly, subtly. As if he didn't want Isis' small frame to bounce off and hit the Dome. "Petrificus partialitus."

"Why this, Draco? Why not hex me, or something of those tricks…" Isis began. But she was cut off.

"I wanted to know why you didn't attack." Draco said. His cold eyes penetrating Isis' warm ones. "I wanted to know why you chose them over me. I wanted to know why you didn't tell me anything about you at all, why you were transferred here.""But, you could just ask me." Isis said. But, I still… won't be telling you the whole truth. Not now. Draco was approaching still and he stopped in front of her, mere inches away from her, just a hand's reach.

"I prefer to use the Truth spell on you, the mild one with no torture, of course." Draco said, seeing as Isis's face had shown a terrified look. No! Not those! Please, not Veritas! Please… She knew about the three spells.

"Why use the Truth spell on me?" Isis asked. He can't just use the spell even if it is the first one. She might appear! She might appear!

"I wouldn't want doubts now, would I?" Draco continued. "This isn't Veritas, just the mild one. Verax."

Blue sparks gently emitted from Draco's wand and touched Isis. Isis felt the light sensation hitting her; the almost familiar feeling of release. She felt the magic ignite to her heart and the spell was finally activated. No… go away. Don't appear.

"Tell me, why did you let me strike you first." Draco asked.

"B-Because… I didn't w-want to hit you." Draco raised his perfect blond right eyebrow.

'Hello there, Isis. Is this young man bothering you? I can take care of him. You can, actually but seeing as you didn't want to hit him. Maybe I could… ah, appear just for a teensy second?' That voice inside her mind spoke again. And it frightened Isis.

"B-because I felt angry at you f-for all of this." Isis hated the feeling of being forced to tell the truth. She didn't like that, so she had her eyes closed. No, I won't let you. Don't go out. Stay. Don't appear! You'll only hurt people!

"Why were you angry at me?" Draco asked. Both students were unaware that the Truth spell had activated the second stage of the Podium. A black, massive, ancient cabinet appeared out of nowhere inside the Podium. But Draco hadn't seen it, for it appeared right behind him. Isis hadn't seen it, for she had her eyes firmly closed.

"B-because, you were s-supposed to be my f-friend and understand. I thought that it isn't m-my concern that you and Harry are r-rivals. B-because… You know I remained ignorant, and will remain ignorant of this b-bigotry that the Slytherins have p-put up with." Isis said. I can't breathe! This wasn't supposed to happen. No, no, no… She was having a breakdown. She feared the Truth spells, may it be Verax, Veridicius or Veritas. She might appear!

"Look at me, Isis. Why did you choose to be friends with them instead of me?" Draco said. Isis looked at Draco and saw the cabinet. Isis' eyes widened. "Veridicius!"

"Because I didn't choose them. I chose you!" Isis breathed out. Isis tried to control the spell that was put to her but it was of no use. She tried to control it. This was the second level of the Truth Spell. She might appear! I must stop her! "I chose you, alright. I didn't choose them. I chose you but you went distant on me!" Isis felt her breathe wavering. She can't breathe much longer. Don't come out… don't! Isis looked pleadingly at Draco, she could see his face, and it was absolutely unreadable. However, something had taken Isis' attention, the Black Cabinet. And it's door swung open. Isis gasped. Out came an uncanny image of Isis. Only, instead of those warm brown orbs, the girl's eyes seemed to be changing from distant crystalline blue, to haunting jade green, to a deep black and finally a terrifying blood red orbs. Her eyes seemed to be changing per nanosecond.

Eris. It was Isis last thought. Other than that, all hell was about to break loose. She tried to scream but she found herself whispering in terror.

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Draco's POV

"Draco… Eris. Behind you! Run. Don't look back!"

"Hello there, Isis. Nice to see you. Anyone you want me to finish, I would pleasurably oblige." Eris' haunting voice serenaded Draco's ears. He whipped around and saw another Isis. But, the girl started to change. It was a boggart. Draco thought. Why would Isis be afraid of herself? He looked back at Isis and found her starting to sob. Isis was breaking down. She didn't notice that it was a boggart but she continued.

"Go away, Draco! Go away! She's not safe! We're not safe! Please go away! Hide." Isis was beginning to sob. Draco hadn't seen Isis cry, just this once. What to do… What to do… Draco panicked. Nothing to do, and startled to see Isis being frightened to herself, Draco stepped aside. The boggart assumed the place in front of Isis and it returned to the shape uncannily like Isis'. It began to talk again and this puzzled Draco even more.

"Remember the days when they tortured you? They wouldn't let you out. They wouldn't release you from their bind. They made you make me. I should be thankful of them but I saw you, I felt you. I am you. And I don't ever want to see me suffering. But oh my… look." She surveyed Isis and gave Draco a scathing look, a murderous look. Draco immediately noticed her eyes. And realized, it is not Isis. Draco thought. The boggart isn't portraying Isis but somebody else. But it still mentions herself as Isis.

"Eris… Go… Back… Inside me... Never go… Out... Again..." Isis gasped out. She was running out of breath. "The spell… it's weakening… me." Isis said, her voice seemed too distant. Isis closed her eyes and concentrated. Slowly but surely she raised both her hands. "I have to… burn that cabinet. Either that, or I… should destroy it."

How did she do that? The truth spells and the bind were hard to fight. Draco's eyes widened as he noticed Isis raise her right and left hand and without wand, directed it towards the cabinet where the boggart came.

"Incendio!" Isis' voice seemed foreign to Draco. Flares of fire burned the cabinet but still, Eris remained. "No! Why won't you go? Relego! No! Go away! Leave!"

I have to end this, she can't breathe. Draco saw the futile attempt of Isis and decided to help her. He waved his wand an out came a small Grecian vault.

"Riddikulus!" Crack!

Oh no, I won't let you reveal what I fear. Draco drew his wand quick to its direction. "Alohomora! Relego!" The boggart zoomed back to the open vault. "Colloportus!" Draco sighed. It's over. It's done. What have I done? "It's over Isis." Draco saw her crying in front of him. Isis felt a hand gently touch her shoulders but she shrugged it off and winced.

"Thank you but will you please leave?" Isis said.

"I can't the dome's still up." Draco said. Having nothing else to say.

"Vaescere… Vanui." Isis muttered and the Dome shattered like glasses. Draco was expecting the shard to fall towards them but he felt nothing at all. And what greeted them was a sight to remember.

A frantic Professor Chaffconham. A shocked Hermione Granger. A curious Harry Potter. Frightened Class. Enraged Professor McGonagall. And to sum them all up, Professor Dumbledore white with fright.

"Mister Malfoy, kindly escort Miss Black to the hospital wing and have her administered with a Dreamless Potion by Madam Pomfrey. Professors, back to the Staff room." Professor Dumbledore's voice was chillingly calm. Draco notice Professor Chaffconham's mouth open to speak but Dumbledore continued, "And no, Joshua, you cannot visit Isis or go with them. Go to the Room. Harry, please follow me. The rest of you, class dismissed."

Before Draco could exit the Defense room whilst carrying a sobbing, almost unconscious Isis Black, he heard Professor McGonagall shout at the Defense teacher.

"I TOLD YOU NOT TO USE THAT ANYMORE! LOOK WHAT HAS HAPPENED TODAY! ISIS MAY AS WELL SUFFER HER TAUNTINGS AGAIN AND I'D BLAME YOU IF ONE OF THE STUDENTS ARE KILLED, INJURED OR WAS SENT TO ST. MUNGO'S TO BE TREATED BY MIND HEALERS!"

"I thought Professor Dumbledore had her leave Isis in peace?" For once, Professor Chaffconham's voice wasn't the usual jubilant one. It was cold, distant, and lifeless.

"I'm afraid not, Joshua. Isis is still in danger of committing and fulfilling the Prophecy. Let's not hope Lord Voldemort wouldn't sense Eris' awakening."

"Wait, don't tell me there's another Prophecy? And what does that bastard have to do with this, with her?" Harry said, his voice showing so much pain it felt odd to Draco to feel pity for him. He shrugged it away and walked towards the stairs straight to the Hospital Wing. Before he could turn the corner however, he heard Harry Potter shout.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE AND THAT GIRL IS THE SAME!"

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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: Hey, some action eh? If you're STILL confused, review, send me a message! I would be delighted to answer and read reviews!

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. Oh, and PLEASE, PLEASE REVEW!