Lustful Intentions

By: Le Noir de Adhara

.L.u.S.t.

There will be two people different in every aspect. Those two people will bear a prodigy in the true world, and in doing so, prevent any others with the Dark dream. The woman, born on the nineteenth day of the ninth month of the seventy-ninth year, and the man, born on the fifth day of the sixth month of the eightieth year, both on the twentieth century will unite and animosity will cease. They are the true lovers.

Ginny rolled her eyes. She believed that this was a prophecy, all right. It was as much a prophecy as a squash. How on earth Draco believed it, she didn't know.

She had gotten the full story out of Blaise, and how he had teamed up with Jerrica to create the false prophecy that would spur Draco into action. She had also learned of Malfoy's vow to make Hermione pay for a punch she had delivered him in their third year. It was sad, really, his thirst for revenge.

Ginny had considered telling Harry, but she had decided to postpone that until she talked to Hermione. She had also thought about telling Hermione, but she wasn't sure what the older woman's relationship was like with the Slytherin, so she couldn't decide until she talked to her.

That was why they were meeting for dinner tonight at the Weasleys'. All the family would be there, Remus and Tonks were going to be there, and Fred wanted to bring his girlfriend to meet the family. Somehow Ginny got the impression that he was serious about her. Under that façade, Ginny planned on cornering Hermione and making spill all about the relationship.

Of course, that kind of statement was always doomed to be easier said than done.

Laughter filled the kitchen of our favorite matriarch that evening at the Burrow. Bill and Fleur had just told the latest story of their son Jack, and how he had almost Vanished Daddy's wand. Both parents were proud of him.

So far, Ginny had been unable to corner Hermione. She had had to help her mother in the kitchen, and Hermione was talking with Remus about something or other that Ginny was willing to bet her entire fortune (well, Harry's, actually) that that conversation had something to do with academics.

Ginny and Hermione had exchanged a brief greeting before Mrs. Weasley called her daughter in. Both had promised to converse later. Later came when everyone was seated at the long table halfway during the meal. Harry was seated on his wife's left, and Ginny had maneuvered it so Hermione sat on her right. Talk about Quidditch occupied most everyone, so Ginny took that miracle space of time to converse with Hermione.

"And you're fine, aren't you? I know you're scheduled to come in next Tuesday, but I can't help but worry. I've known you for a while, Gin."

"I'm perfectly fine," Ginny smiled. "I'm more concerned about you and Malfoy. Is he treating you well?"

"Yes; sometimes I'm convinced that he thinks me a princess." Hermione rolled her eyes as she lifted her glass. "We're supposed to go out to dinner this Saturday. Did you know he's an Occlumens?"

"No, I didn't." Ginny looked shocked.

"Oh, he is. He's been teaching me bits and pieces here and there."

"Hermione, are you sure that's entirely safe?"

"I know so. This might seem crazy, but I trust him. Oh, I had my doubts," Hermione added hastily, upon seeing Ginny's dubious look, "but he's let me into his mind, let me explore his memories. He's good, Ginny. He may not know how to show his emotions, but I know he's sincere."

Ginny stared. She couldn't believe this. Hermione sounded as if she had fallen in love with the Slytherin. "Hermione, what are your feelings for him?" Ginny questioned slowly.

Hermione looked into her drink. "Well, compassion, obviously. I care for him. Honestly, Ginny, I'm not sure."

"You want to know what I think?" asked Ginny. Upon Hermione's nod, she continued, "I think you're in love with him."

Hermione looked shocked, rigid, hurt even, Ginny noted. She was sure her own face had a grim tone to it. And that moment, Ginny knew what she had to do. "Hermione, I'm happy for you, if you are."

Hermione shook her head, "I'm not in love with him. That's impossible."

Ginny looked in to Hermione's eyes. What her friend claimed, and what she really felt were two different things, Ginny realized. Whatever Hermione said, it was true that she was in love with Draco Malfoy.

"Okay, Hermione. I just wanted to check."

"Hey, has anyone heard about Neville Longbottom?" Ron asked the room, thus effectively terminating Ginny and Hermione's conversation.

Elsewhere in Malfoy Manor, Draco was pacing the floor, once again. He had done this particular activity many a sleepless night in which he would worry about his situation with Hermione.

Take his feelings, for example. He recognized lust, easily enough. But there were times when they went out somewhere when unknown feelings bubbled inside of him. He never could put a name to them, but he knew what they felt like. They felt warm, as if his heart was filled with something. Every time this happened, he felt confused. All his life he had been trained to contain his emotions, kill his compassion. He had needed to to bully others. It was what had led him to becoming a Death Eater.

Draco poured a shot of whiskey. Normally he didn't drink, but he felt as if he would drown without it at the moment. He swallowed the contents in one gulp and then, on impulse, he threw the glass into the fire roaring in front of him. Heavily breathing, he stared at the flames in horror. Something had to give before he totally went crazy.

Looking at the mantle to his parents' wedding photo, he suddenly knew what he had to do. It was perfect. After all, who was better to ask than Jerrica the Misguided? Draco knew of no others as adept as her at reading the lam and analyzing the tea leaves.

.L.u.S.t.

We seem to be going around in circles with Jerrica, don't we? And yet, I can't help but sense that she has a lot more to do with this situation than just predicting a prophecy.

Now, before I reply to a few people, I have a question that I need you to answer. Do you feel that I am going at the right tempo for this story, or do I need to speed/slow things down?

To Everyone who commented about me and the hurricane: I am out of power, there is no school for the rest of this weekend. I had my first hot shower this evening at the troop where my dad works. It's extremely hot, but there is good news. I might have power sometime tomorrow. I know Simpson (the place that my school is located in) got power tonight.

Natyslacks: Oh, yes, something is brewing.

Silenthandmaiden: I'm not aware (figuratively, of course) that he does know that they caught on fire. We'll certainly find out his reaction to that (and a little bit more) in the next chapter. I think it's safe to say that we find out that he does not know that he loves her in this chapter, because those emotions he feels are foreign to him and so he cannot name them as such. Good question, I hope that this clears it up without giving too much away.

Hatusu: You don't think that's a nice touch, Jerrica thinking that Muggles try to pick her brain using satellites and neon blue bubblegum! I do. Yes, I do believe it's established that Jerrica is indeed a fraud. When Draco meets her (for the first time, I might add; you'll see), you'll see more into her persona and all that mess. I think you'll like the next chapter. I'll try to write it tonight and post it after this, since I'm so excited about it.

Le Noir de Adhara

P.S. The paragraph on top was the prophecy. If you have any questions about the information used, ask away!