A/N: Hey everyone! I'm back. Doc Manager on fanfiction informs me that it has been 84 day since I last posted a chapter. I would like to apologise to all. A busy schedule and a riddiculous number of technical difficulties have made it nearly impossible to update this story.
This chapter is fantastically long and will actually be released in two parts. When I wrote it, it came up to over sixty pages on Word. Here are thirty-five pages of that, and expect another update within the week.
Finally, there will be an opportunity for some serious fluff in the upcoming chapters. I would like to extend an invitation to all readers to give me ideas as to with what these fluffy chapters will be filled. I've already had requests for a school dance and a profession of undying love. If there is anything else you would like to read about please review and/or message me with your ideas.
Now on with the show!
The last few days of Christmas break passed much the same way all the others had. I spent all day every day hauled up in Number 12 Grimmauld Place with Scorpius. I was never bored however. Potters and Weasleys popped in and out of the property with as much frequency as they had at the Potter House. James was my constant companion during those last few days. I was always expecting him to grow tired of me, but he never seemed to. We ate breakfast together every morning, then spent the rest of the day wandering from room to room, talking, playing games, and sometimes engaging in intense and involuntary staring contests in which you could've probably cut the sexual tension with a knife.
On those rare occasions when he did step out, (He was allowed to leave the house even if I wasn't. Some nonsense about his life not being in immediate danger blah blah blah…) Albus, Rose, or Lily were always present to keep me company. When I couldn't find one of them, I would simply track down one of the other Weasley cousins who were always hanging around.
The day before term was set to start, the Potters, Scorpius, and I moved back into the Potter House. I was greatly relieved to be free of Grimmauld Place. It had been nice, but at least I could venture outside here. I still wasn't allowed to leave the property but it was better than nothing.
I spent my days wandering about the yard, so relieved to be outside that I didn't even mind the bitter, unforgiving cold. I wrote a few letters, all of which were closely read by a grim-faced auror before being sent off, and dived into the mountain of work I'd been assigned over the break. Time passed quickly in the safe haven of the Potter house, and before I knew it, the time to return to Hogwarts had arrived.
January 2nd brought with it a flurry of activity as Lily, James, Albus, and I tried desperately to track down all our belongings, which had spread far and wide even since we left Grimmauld Place. At ten o' clock I levitated my trunk, my broomstick, and my owl's cage down the stairs and out the door to where James and Albus stood beside expanded trunk of the Potter's car, arguing about the most efficient way to fit all the luggage. I was rolling my eyes and preparing to intervene in the pointless skirmish when Mr. Potter said,
"Vera, before we leave, I'd like to speak with you for a moment."
I pointed to myself questioningly. He nodded so I set down my trunk and followed him into the garage. Much like the burrow, the Potter's garage was charmingly cluttered. There was an empty space big enough for the enchanted car to move in and out, but every other inch of the surroundings contained something. There were old broomsticks and toys lying about, a rusty bicycle, and a great number of boxes and other odd artifacts. On the far wall there was a wood working bench with many muggle tools occupying its surface. Mr. Potter leaned against it and turned to look at me.
"Is everything okay?" I asked nervously.
"Oh yes, everything's is fine. I just wanted to offer you some peace of mind."
"About what?"
"About your family." I gawked at him. He smiled kindly and elaborated,
"Did you know that on the day I destroyed Lord Voldemort, I died?"
"Er…no…" This seemed counter-intuitive, as he was standing before me alive.
"Well I did. And I was brought back. I remember lying on the floor of the Forbidden Forest and Voldemort was telling one of his followers to make sure I was dead. I heard someone approach me and felt her bend down to check my pulse. Now I knew that this person could feel my heart beating, but when she addressed Voldemort, she told him I was dead."
Intrigued I asked, "Who was it?"
"Narcissa Malfoy."
I gaped at him. My grandmother? Mrs. Narcissa I-Can't-Believe-You're-Still-Hanging-Around-With-That-Stupid-Potter-Boy Malfoy? I didn't believe it.
"And do you know why she did it?" Mr. Potter continued, "It wasn't to protect me or to thwart Lord Voldemort, it was so she could save your father. You see, despite all the terrible things the Malfoys have done throughout the years, they have one redeeming quality."
"Er, money?" I quipped.
"No." He chuckled. "Love. The Malfoys love each other above all other things. That's why your father lowered his wand the night Albus Dumbledore was murdered on top of North Tower. It was for the possibility of protecting your grandmother. That's why your grandmother lied to the Dark Lord. So she could find you father. And that's also why I testified in court on the matter of incarcerating Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco. Because if there is one thing Albus Dumbledore, my son's name sake, managed to teach me, it was that a person's ability to love is the greatest skill of all, and that love is the most powerful magic in the world."
These words stuck with me all the way through the car ride to the station. I was still silent as Lily, James, Albus, and I unloaded our luggage and made our way onto the barrier that served as the entrance to Platform 9 ¾.
Mr. and Mrs. Potter bid us adieu just inside the barrier. There were many prolonged hugs and heartfelt I'll-miss-you's before we at last parted company. Albus, James, Lily, and I pulled our trunks toward the scarlet steam engine. Lily went her own way after spotting Lysander and Lorcan lolling against a pillar, and James soon departed as well upon catching sight of some other seventh years. Albus and I continued toward the train and lugged our trunks on board. We made our way down the corridor, glancing into each compartment until we located Alex, Janie, and Mark. The five of us greeted each other warmly as Al and I tucked our luggage into the overhead rack. I dropped into the seat nearest the window while Al settled himself beside the door. Mark leaned over to me as soon as I had gained my seat.
"I read about you in the paper." He informed me.
"Yeah, you and the rest of the wizarding population of the UK apparently..." I muttered darkly.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." He said, leaning back and looking slightly hurt. I instantly regretted my harshness. I reached out and laid a hand lightly on his arm.
"I'm fine. Sorry I snapped at you." The smile returned instantly to his face.
"It's no problem. I'm sure it must be unpleasant to get all that attention. So how was your break?"
We began to chat casually. I'd forgotten how fun Mark was to talk to and I soon found myself longing for the days when we had been close friends...before all the 'I fancy you' stuff had started, of course.
I was so intrigued by our conversation that I almost ignored Janie when she suddenly burst out,
"Vera, it's one o' clock. I need you to come to the bathroom with me."
"Er, I think that's an activity generally performed independently, Janie." I said, startled at her outburst.
"No, I really need you to come with me."
"Er, why?" Asked Al.
"It's a feminine issue." Janie declared confidently. The three males in the compartment instantly paled and threw up their hands up in defeat as the matter was no entirely over their heads. Janie took advantage of their incapacitation to whisk me out of the compartment.
"What are you - "
"Oh shut up. You'll thank me in a second."
The onset confusion that had occurred as a result of her words instantly evaporated when I spotted a tall figure leaning against the wall. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes locked with a pair of lustrous brown ones.
"Hey there." James said, straightening up.
"Hey." I replied. James turned to Janie,
"Thanks Jenine. I owe you one."
I opened my mouth to correct him but Janie interrupted me.
"No problem. Have fun." She gave me an enormous wink before skipping off down the hallway.
"Walk with me?" James asked once Janie had left.
"Of course." We instinctively reached for each other's hands but I pulled away at the last moment, glancing around at the glass fronted compartments. No one was looking. Trying to cover the awkward moment, James began walking, and I scurried to keep up with him.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"You'll see."
We chatted lightly as we wandered down the corridor. I was so engrossed in our conversation that I almost didn't notice when he stopped walking. We had arrived at a sliding door similar to those on the faces of the compartments, but a thick red curtain hung over the glass so it was impossible to see inside. James pulled out his wand and gave it a tricky flick. I heard the click of the lock before he reached forward to yank the door open. I wandered inside. It looked like a storeroom. Cardboard boxes and wooden crates sat in haphazard piles about the small space. There was a silver counter pressed up against the wall with various magical devices lying atop its surface.
"What is this place?" I queried curiously.
"Nothing special. Just where the witch who pushes the trolley keeps the merchandise. I thought it would be a nice place to chat given that we probably shouldn't be seen in public together."
I nodded in agreement and hopped up onto the silver counter, leaning back against the wall. James stood next to me and relaxed against the edge, staring at the opposite wall.
"So how's it going?" I asked casually.
"Oh, not well."
My brow furrowed in concern. "Why's that?"
James gave a heavy sigh. "Well my friends are all furious with me."
"Because?"
"Because of what happened over Christmas with you and Don. They blame me for it. Well they should I suppose. It is my fault."
"That's not fair. It's only half your fault."
He chuckled. "That's enough for them. Don told them all what happened so now Ann-elise and Margaret aren't speaking to me. I don't blame them either. Fletcher and Fred are furious too but not because of what I did to Don, but because it was with you." His shameful eyes traveled away from my face and to the floor.
"So have you been with Rose the last two hours?"
"No she's off with your brother somewhere."
"So what have you been doing then?"
"Oh Levine Bordeaux invited me to sit in her compartment. It was fun, actually. That was of course before she got all of her friends to leave…so I hopped up to come and wait for you."
"You're in very high demand, aren't you?" I commented, both very frustrated and very pleased with this fact. Frustrated because I was imagining the dozens of girls I would have to watch parading around to get his attention, and pleased because he seemed content to spend time exclusively with me.
James chuckled again. "I suppose so. That's one of the reasons Ann-elise and Margaret are so furious with me though. It's not the first time I've attracted the attention of one of my best mates girlfriends."
My heart sank, weighed down by jealousy and an unexpected rush of hurt. I knew the sudden onset of the powerful emotion was not a product of what he had just shared, but rather a concern that had been growing in intensity ever since Christmas. At last I had to voice it. "I see…I'm not going to be your first anything am I?"
His eyes suddenly flitted to mine, and widened at the upset expression he found in them. He stood up straight as if a bolt of electricity had been sent through his spine. He moved to face me but I was now staring at my knees.
"Hey…hey look at me."
I shook my head. I had been the one to ask the question, but now I dearly wished he wouldn't answer it, and that we would return to the light atmosphere we had inhabited just moments ago.
"Alright then, just listen…I'm not going to lie to you. I've been with a lot of girls…and maybe you won't be the first for anything physical but you've already broken down barriers when it comes to emotion. I don't know what it is about you but…I could talk to you for hours. And then when I ran out of things to say, I could stare into your eyes for hours. You're the first girl I've ever had a serious conversation with who wasn't related to me. The first girl who I've never been able to get out of my head. There are so many things that you make me feel and think about that…honest to Merlin terrify me. And I know this all sounds so cliché and I don't expect you to believe me but Vera…with you everything feels like the first time."
He slid his fingers under my chin and brought my eyes up to meet his. I hadn't realised that his face was inches from mine until his breath caressed my cheeks.
"Remember when I first kissed you? If you knew how hard my heart was pounding when I was looking into your eyes a second before you would understand. I don't remember the last time I was nervous to kiss a girl. You're so unusual Vera and you don't even know it."
I didn't speak. I continued to stare into his handsome face. I wanted so badly to believe him, but if I did and he was lying…well I would hardly be first girl to be swayed by honeyed words. But his amber eyes were so open and honest, that I could feel my resolve dissolving like salt into steaming water.
James leaned forward and rested his forehead against mine. "Please say something." He murmured in a pleading, seductive whisper.
"I…" I wasn't sure what to say. "I…want to believe you."
He shifted again so that our eyes were locked. "Then do."
His irises smouldered persuasively. But he could still so easily be lying, couldn't he? At last a memory shifted in the back of my mind. What he'd said about his heart – beating like mad before he'd kissed me. I slid my fingers up to the left side of his chest. I felt a pounding so fast and powerful that it reminded me of the beating hooves of wild horses as they ran. At last I was convinced.
"I…yes…I believe you."
"Thank Merlin." He took my face in his hands and pressed his lips to my forehead. "You had me going mad there for a second."
My giggle finally shattered the tension. I decided to change the subject.
"So how do you know about this place?" I asked curiously.
His eyes suddenly flitted away. "Oh you know, lot's of time spent exploring."
I shook my head in disbelief. "How do you 'explore' so much without getting caught?"
He grinned impishly at me. "I have my ways."
"Will I ever find out what those ways are?"
"All in good time." He kissed my forehead again. His face was still very close to mine, and the temptation to close the distance between our faces was growing, but I fought it. Soon I found my fingers traveling from his chest up to his wavy black locks. We were dangerously close now...
I was equal parts irritated and relieved when the door slid open.
"Er..." Came Alex's voice. I gently pushed James away and slid off of the counter.
"What's up, Alex?" I asked nonchalantly, trying to banish the pink from my cheeks.
"I - er - the prefect meeting is starting in a few minutes. Janie said I could find you here. We should change into our robes."
"Yeah good idea." I replied, "I'll - er - see you later James."
James nodded wordlessly and I followed Alex out of the store room. He waited until we were a good distance away before exclaiming,
"Alright. Tell me everything."
"There's not much to tell." I replied coyly.
"Oh come off it, Vera. When we left for break it looked like James wanted to curse you to death and now I walk in on him looking like he wants to snog you to death. Don't tell me you're going to deprive me of the details."
I sighed, realising Alex wasn't about to let this go. "Fine. But what I tell you can never be repeated to anyone, got it? Not a soul."
I quickly gave him a brief synopsis of the events of the last two weeks. Alex gave a heavy, sarcastic sigh when I finished.
"Well I suppose we all saw this coming so no reason to be surprised."
I made a noise of exasperation. "How did everyone know this was going to happen but me?"
"Oh Vera, love, you're not the only one. Albus didn't appear to know either. How he could miss it though I'll never understand. Men, aye?"
If I rolled my eyes anymore today they were going to get permanently stuck that way.
Albus was fully dressed and tapping his foot impatiently when we returned to the compartment. I pulled my robes on quickly and we set off for the prefect's carriage.
"Where's Roseanne?" I asked as Albus, Alex, and I took our seats amidst the chattering prefects.
"She - er - couldn't be here today." Muttered Rose, who was busy passing out patrol schedules.
"Why not? Where's she gone?" I knew I was toeing the line, but my Gryffindor curiosity was peaked.
"It's not in my authority to tell." Rose replied curtly. Everyone was immediately interested. I exchanged a look with Albus and saw the curiosity in his eyes as well, but he didn't press Rose.
"Alright. Lets get started shall we? I'm Rose Weasley. I've been asked to take over Roseanne's position as Head Girl and I assure you the transition will go off without a hitch." Rose went on to reiterate the duties of a prefect, the updated list of things Filch had banned, the demerit system, blah, blah, blah... I tuned her out fairly early into the lecture; I was too busy puzzling over Roseanne's absence. The prefects dispersed in twos and threes when Rose dismissed them. Albus and I lagged behind, hoping to catch a private word with her.
"Oh what do you two want?" She demanded when she had finished tidying up and turned to find us waiting for her.
"You know what we want." I said.
"Yeah, come on Rosey, spill it."
She rolled her eyes but I detected the faint trace of a smile playing on her lips.
"Alright. No point trying to keep it from you two I suppose. Mind you, I don't know much about it." She added the last part as Al and I gathered around for story time.
"McGonagall told me that Roseanne's family received a threat from that Half-Blood Prince bloke so they went into hiding. That's all I know alright?" My stomach sank. The gossip she had shared hadn't been what I'd expected. I'd thought it would be an amusing tale involving Roseanne commandeering a flying car and driving it into the Whomping Willow, which, legend said, Harry Potter had done in his school days. Instead it was something real, something dangerous. Worse, it was something that also affected me.
"Wait, hold on. Her last name is Pine. Her family aren't dark wizards." I said hedgingly.
"Don't you know her story, Vera? Her mother is Adelaide Pine, maiden-name, Adelaide Macnair Daughter to Walden Macnair."
"But, if they were related to the Macnairs, I'd know them, wouldn't I?"
"No, you wouldn't. Adelaide's family disowned her when Roseanne was sorted into Hufflepuff." Well that certainly sounded like my parent's crowd. It was only the Malfoy money and my grandfather's influence that stopped my parents from being ostracised after I was sorted into Gryffindor. Finding out Roseanne's connection to the dark arts only served to heighten my sense of anxiety. They were moving in, the walls were closing in around me as the Half-Blood Prince and his followers rounded up the few wizards and witches left in the world with a connection to Voldemort. It was only a matter of time before they came for my family. No wonder my parents had run. But why on Earth did they not take Scorpius and me with them?
"Vera, I know what you're thinking and you can stop right now." Said Al.
"You don't know what I'm thinking." I replied evasively.
"Yes I do. You're wondering why your parents didn't take you with them on the run. And you're arriving at the conclusion that they don't love you. But that's not true and you know it."
"Okay we've obviously been spending way too much time together." I said, instead of confirming the truthfulness of his words. There was a moment of silence.
"May I advance a theory?" Rose asked timidly. I raised an eyebrow at her, which she took as a signal to continue. "Well Vera, Hogwarts is famous for being one of the largest safe havens in Britain. It's unplottable, which means it's impossible to locate on a map. It's also surrounded by more than towering walls. There are all sorts of protective enchantments covering every inch of the grounds. Plus, there's a staff of highly trained wizards, including Professor McGonagall. People say she's one of the greatest witches of the century. Not to mention the fact that there will be aurors stationed at school this term. My goodness Vera, being inside Hogwarts is probably the safest place you'll ever be. But your parents can't exactly hang around your school can they? So they had to go on the run, knowing that you and Scorpius would be here and be safe."
"Yeah, yeah you're right." I agreed finally.
Rose grinned in relief. "Good. Now I have to go find James before Levine corners him again. Poor bloke. If only he'd find a steady girl." She looked at me pointedly. I rolled my eyes and she strolled out of the prefects' carriage.
"I think I may vomit." Said Albus.
"Oh shut up you. Now let's get back to the compartment. You owe me a game of exploding snap." The one game of exploding snap turned into several, which turned into a championship in which all five of us competed. The championship took us all the way into Hogsmeade station where Alex emerged the winner just as the driver came on the altovoz to announce our arrival. I pulled my trunk onto the platform after Janie and was casting around for a carriage when a man's voice rang out from behind me.
"Ms. Malfoy?" I jumped and whirled around to face a hulking figure.
"M-Minister. I-er- hi." Both my voice and my brain failed me as I took in the tall, impressive man before me.
"We met at the Potter's Christmas party." Kingsley Shacklebolt held out his hand.
"Yes we did." I replied, shaking his proffered hand.
"Any who," He continued, apparently noticing my inability to speak.
"I have some business to discuss with Minerva and Harry asked me if I'd stop by the station and escort you and your friends up to the castle."
"Oh, I-er-cool." I said.
"So lets find a carriage shall we? Oh, and Albus," he turned to Al, "why don't you join us?"
Mr. Shacklebolt strode off along the platform. After glancing confusedly at Alex, Mark, and Janie, Albus and I hurried after him. People stared unashamedly at the three of us as we made our way toward carriages. Mr. Shacklebolt paused by the front of the carriage and began to move his hand up and down at an angle, as though he was petting something invisible. I briefly thought the Minister had lost his mind before a memory sparked in the back of my mind.
"Thestrals, they're dead smart. They're right beautiful too. If you can't see 'em though, be glad, 'cause it means you're one of the lucky ones. Means you've never had to watch someone die." Hagrid had taught us about thestrals in fifth year. He had explained their various strengths and weaknesses and told us the uses they were put to at Hogwarts, which unfortunately weren't many. One of them, however, was pulling the carriages at the start of every term. I suppose it was silly of me to be surprised that the Minister had seen death. He had been an auror during the Second Great War after all.
Al and I clambered into the carriage after observing this strange spectacle and the minister climbed in shortly after.
"So how was your break?" The minister asked as he settled his robes around himself and the carriage began to move.
"Lovely. Thank you." I replied automatically.
"Good, good. Now Ms. Malfoy, as you may have guessed my visit to Hogwarts isn't just a social visit." I nodded. "We are imposing strict new security standards on the castle for student safety, but the reason I wanted to speak to you specifically is because...well you're in more danger than most of your peers. Even more than the other children whose parents dabbled in the dark arts."
My heart sped up. "Why?"
"Because you've been named as the next victim." My previously racing heart came to a complete stop.
"I...what?"
"Now, Ms. Malfoy," The minister said quickly, obviously reading the panic in my eyes, "There is no need for concern. You're being protected by the entire auror office in one way or another."
"But-but how do you know they're after me?" The minister's face turned suddenly grim. From within his robes he drew a photograph and gave it to me. It depicted a wall covered with peeling cerulean wallpaper. Across it was a message written unmistakably in blood. I squinted my eyes to make out the poem written there,
May the flowers ever bloom,
And may the sun ever shine,
Let the grass overgrow,
Forever and all time.
On board the new regime,
Ye meek, ye old will sing
Sound out my friends
It's just beginning.
I heard Al's sharp intake of breath as he read over my shoulder. I stared up at the minister with blank eyes. Fear. Overwhelming unadulterated terror was rushing through me. My hands turned white as the gripped the photograph harder.
"I wanted to show this to you before the prophet got a hold of it." His brow was furrowed in concern.
"How do you know it's her?" Al cut in.
"Beg your pardon?"
"How do you know they're after her and not her brother or parents?" Al seemed nearly as frightened as I was.
"Oh yes. Well a copy of 'And Then There Were None...' was recovered at the scene. It's a famous play written by this brilliant muggle woman Agatha Christie. The female protagonist is named Vera. It would be a coincidence if we thought for a second that any Macnair would allow anything distinctly muggle into his or her household."
I nodded absently. The concern in the minister's eyes deepened. "Now, Ms. Malfoy, I don't tell you any of this to frighten you but rather to put you on your guard. There are some precautions I will need you to adhere to. They may seem bothersome but I assure they are necessary." I nodded, inviting him to continue. "First, if you are going to leave the castle, you will need to have an adult with you at all times such as a teacher, an auror, etc. Also, I'm very sorry Ms. Malfoy, but you won't be able to visit Hogsmeade until this threat against your life has been pacified. Finally, from what I understand, you're on the Gryffindor Quidditch team?"
"Yes..." I said, dreading where this was going.
"Well I think that, just until we apprehend the Prince, it would be best if you no longer played. It's too exposed you see."
"No." Albus replied before I could. "You can't do that. We need Vera. She one of the best chasers we've had in years."
"Albus, there are more important things in this world than school Quidditch cups-"
"But you can't take away her whole life. If you shut her up in the castle for weeks on end she'll go mad!"
"Albus, I understand-"
"What if we get a teacher to sit in on our practices? Madam Hooch or Professor Velveteen."
The minister stopped to think. "Well, I suppose that would be alright. But I want a written statement from the teacher once he or she consents."
"Of course, sir." I said gratefully.
"Good. Finally, if you receive any more correspondence from your parents, we would appreciate very much if you would share it with us. It would be best if we tracked them down before the Prince did. We can offer them any and every form of protection."
I nodded in reply, now focusing on slowing my emotional whirlwind into a mild tornado.
I was still in a daze when Al and I made our way into the entrance hall several minutes later. I was thinking very deeply. Something I did a lot these days. About my family and the Potters and my other few but dear loved ones. About my own mortality and what it meant. I was afraid to die, I didn't mind admitting it. I knew that being a Gryffindor meant I was supposed to be brave, to be able to stare death in the face without blinking. But I couldn't. I was also thinking about bravery and what it meant. Was bravery the absence of fear, or the ability to face ones own nightmares? I was so ensconced in the recesses of my own mind that I was thoroughly startled when I was suddenly lifted off of my feet and spun around in the air. I screamed and began kicking at my attacker when someone's lips were at my ear whispering a soothing shushing noise. I went limp immediately. My attacker set me back on the ground and turned me to face him. Don's brows were furrowed in concern as he took in my expression.
"Relax, it's just me."
I took a deep, steadying breath."Of course it is. You just startled me, that's all."
Don's grin returned instantly and he bent down to peck my lips. My rigid posture returned. What did he think he was doing?
Before I could articulate a response he slung an arm around my shoulders and began leading me toward the Great Hall. I cast a helpless glance at Albus but he simply shrugged and grimaced.
"So how was the rest of your break?" Don asked, apparently not noticing my extreme discomfort at our close proximity.
"Er...good. Not much to report."
"Yeah I had a pretty peaceful few weeks at home as well."
I dug my heels into the ground when I noticed he was guiding me over towards his friends. He raised an eyebrow at me.
"I promised my friends I'd sit with them. We have to catch up."
"We have to catch up as well though." He reminded me.
"And we definitely will." I promised. "But I did say I would so..."
"Alright, alright. I'll see you later."
I nodded and all but sprinted down the table to drop into the seat next to Alex. "Thank Merlin that's over. Those were the most awkward two minutes of my life."
"Trouble in paradise I gather?" Asked Mark, barely concealing his grin. I glanced at Albus, Janie, and Alex, only now realising that Mark was the only one not briefed on my less than honourable actions over the break.
"That's a bit of an understatement." Al replied. Mark now looked quite intrigued.
"What happ-"
"It's a long story. Tell you later." I said quickly. Mark raised an eyebrow at me but shrugged, apparently satisfied.
Saying I was a nervous wreck during the feast would have been an erroneous understatement. I couldn't focus on Professor McGonagall's opening remarks. My stomach was lurching and my eyes were flitting around anxiously as though looking for escape routes. I finally hopped up near the end of the feast with the excuse of using the bathroom ready on my lips. I ended up making camp in there, waiting for the sounds of the rest of the school heading off to bed to die down and trying to ignore Moaning Myrtle, who had kindly popped into visit me. After I was positive the corridors were empty, I slipped out of the bathroom and crept down a small corridor that I knew would take me to a secret passage leading up to the seventh floor.
I was close to the passage and starting to believe I was home free when a hulking figure suddenly loomed out of the darkness. I jumped and reached for my wand but a strong hand stopped my arm halfway toward my pocket.
"Would you relax? It's just me."
"Goddammit James!" I exclaimed, catching my breath. "Why are you always lurking about?" He shrugged.
"I don't know. It's kind of my thing." I rolled my eyes and continued walking. He hurried to catch up with me and laced his fingers through mine.
"So how'd it go?" He asked casually.
"How'd what go?" I asked, still slightly miffed at his attempt to surprise me.
"I saw you talking to Don before dinner. He looked kinda upset afterward..."
"Oh yeah...that..." I recalled.
"So...?"
I cast my gaze toward the floor. "It - er- didn't come up."
I heard him take a deep breath. "Vera, do you actually want this?"
"Want what?" I asked, off-handedly. James pulled me to a stop and turned me to face him. He held our intertwined hands up to my eye-line and murmured,
"This, you and me." He pressed his lips to the back of my hand.
"Of course I do." I replied, suddenly mesmerised by his intense stare.
"Then why is it that I'm starting to feel like the other woman?"
"I beg your pardon?" I demanded as the spell broke.
"Oh you know. There's always that guy who cheats on his wife and promises his mistress that one day he will leave his wife but he never does and one day she realises that it was only ever about the sex."
I started to giggle. "James, I swear to you, you're not my mistress. I just- I just feel so guilty. I don't want to hurt him any more than I already have."
James groaned exasperatedly, "And what if he ever finds out that you're only staying with him out of guilt? Won't that make him feel even worse? And what if it comes to his attention that this thing between you and me never ended? How do you think he'll feel then?"
I sighed. "I know, I know. You're absolutely right. It's just...well I'm just a coward."
His jaw tightened. "You know what? Yeah you are. And I like you Vera. A lot. But I need to look out for myself as well, and I refuse to be 'the other one' any longer. Because right now, Don isn't the only victim. You're hurting me too by continuing to do this." He pulled his hand sharply from mine. "Call me when you're ready to be with one guy. If you ever are."
James stuffed his hands in his pockets and strode away down the corridor into the shadows.
Shit. I really sucked at this relationship stuff. I sighed, trying to force down the tight knot of anxiety rising from my core up through my throat. I would put this right. Tomorrow. Tomorrow was the day. I just had to grit my teeth and do it. Because no matter what James may believe now, I knew, with every particle of my being, that he was absolutely worth it.
I stayed up late that night, planning the things I would say to Don, the things I would do to somehow lessen the blow. As a result, I didn't slip off to sleep until well into the early hours of the morning. Indeed, the black sky was already turning grey by the time my heavy lids finally closed shut over my eyes. I awoke later with a new resolve. I was going to do it. Unfortunately, I didn't wake of my own accord.
"Oh my God! Vera, you're still asleep? Classes start in ten minutes!"
Janie's shrill, anxious voice wasn't my ideal wake up call, but it knocked me up and out of bed in seconds. I was so distracted as I dressed hurriedly that I didn't even realise my shirt was on backwards until Janie caught me by the collar of it and forced me to look in the mirror.
I didn't have time for breakfast so instead followed an illogically irate Janie to first period Charms. I was thoroughly distracted throughout my first two classes. I was busy running over again and again the things I had rehearsed last night in my mind. Perhaps if I'd been paying closer attention, I would have noticed that almost all of the girls in my year were pointing at me and whispering amongst themselves. I ducked into the bathroom when the lunch bell rang and examined my reflection in the mirror. I ran my fingers through my untamed blonde curls and rubbed at the bruises under my eyes. For only having ten minutes to get ready that morning, I didn't look nearly as bad as I thought. Heartened, I strolled out of the bathroom and down to the Great Hall.
"Vera!" Called a familiar voice. "Vera! Wait up!" I turned to find Janie pushing her way towards me through the crowd fighting to get into the Great Hall. When she reached me, she shoved a rolled up magazine into my hand. I unfurled it curiously and looked at the cover. Witch Weekly. Lovely.
"What do I need with this rubbish?" I asked irritably.
"Page eighteen." Janie said impatiently as someone pushed roughly past her. I did as I was told. When I arrived at the correct page I gasped. A bold black headline declared, 'A Siren's Tale' by (who else?) Clive Tyler. Two images jumped out at me. On the left was a photograph of James and I sitting atop the roof of the Burrow. Our fingers were intertwined and we were staring intently into each other's eyes. On the right was a picture of Albus and I sitting in that muggle diner we had visited in Ottery St. Catchpole. We were leaning toward each other across the table, apparently in deep conversation and my hand was over his. My eyes flew to the article.
When Harry Potter defeated the Dark Lord in 1997, the entire wizarding community wondered allowed, "What next?" What would famous Harry Potter do with the rest of his Dark-Lord-Free life? Several years later, he showed the answer: marriage. And a few years after that: children. Two boys, James and Albus Potter. Two bright, talented, and upstanding young men with nothing but bright futures ahead of them. But could something stand in their way? Or more accurately, someone?
That someone came in the form of one Vera Malfoy, daughter to Draco Malfoy and granddaughter to Lucius Malfoy, both confirmed death eaters. Ms. Malfoy, a pretty and ambitious young woman, has managed to steal the hearts of these two unfortunate young men, and appears to have no intention of giving them back.
"James and Vera have very...passionate relationship." Says self-proclaimed best friend of Ms. Malfoy, Jamie Peterson. "Everyone thinks that he's secretly in love with her." When asked about Ms. Malfoy's relationship with the other Potter boy, Ms. Peterson commented,
"Al and Vera have been close since the moment they met. Everyone also thinks there's something going on between them as well."
But is it entirely Ms. Malfoy's natural charms that have endeared so many admirers to her? As you may have guessed by now, Ms. Malfoy is the granddaughter to Lucius Malfoy, a man made famous by his unwavering support of the Dark Lord during the Second Great War and his unusual affinity for the Imperious Curse (declared illegal by the 1826 Wizengamot Convention). In this case, one begins to wonder whether or not the apple falls far from the tree.
One also begins to wonder if the Potter boys' shared affection for Ms. Malfoy causes friction among the brothers. Indeed, sources inside Hogwarts confirm that the two can frequently be overheard arguing about the young lady. Can Ms. Malfoy find it in herself to drive apart a family as wholesome as the Potters? Admirers can only hope that Albus and James come to their senses before it is too late.
My mouth was entirely open by the time I finished reading. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to laugh or rage around screaming and hexing things. On the one hand, the person described in the article was so unlike me that anyone who knew me would simply scoff. On the other hand, not many people knew me. I was a fairly introverted person and I supposed that, to the untrained eye, these statements could appear true. Plus, the article was published in a widely distributed magazine and being a Malfoy, I didn't have a very good reputation to begin with.
"So what do you think?" Asked Janie over the noise of the crowd, biting her lip nervously. I knew she was afraid I was angry with her. And I was. But I had bigger fish to fry at the moment.
"Vera," It wasn't Janie. This time it was someone behind me. I turned to find Donovan there. This day was just getting better and better. "I need to talk to you." He grunted. I nodded wordlessly and he took my wrist and led me out of the crowd. I glanced back at Janie, who looked even more guilty and nervous than she had just a moment before.
Don pulled me along, seemingly looking for some place private where we could talk. At last he decided on the dungeons and led me down into the dark, torchlit corridor. He released my wrist and turned to face me, taking a deep breath. From the picket of his robes he pulled a copy of Witch Weekly.
"Interesting choice of reading material." I teased. He didn't even crack a smile.
"You lied to me." He stated, tossing the magazine at my feet.
"What are you talking about?" I asked, staring at him confusedly.
"You told me you and Albus were just friends."
After I registered what he had said, I burst out laughing. His brow furrowed in anger.
"We are just friends." I managed to get out through my giggles.
"Not according to that." He pointed to the magazine.
"That," I pointed as well, "is lying. Albus and I have never been more than friends and we never will be."
He relaxed visibly. "Thank Merlin." He reached out and grasped my hand. "And the rest of it is rubbish too?" He said this as though it was a rhetorical question, but the guilt that flooded into my face turned it into a legitimate query. "Isn't it?" He asked.
"I…" What could I say?
"What of it is true?" He demanded, releasing my hand as though it had burned him. When I didn't answer he naturally jumped to a conclusion. "The James part?" A horribly correct conclusion.
"I…" I tried again. Should I lie? Somehow the thought of being dishonest with him again made me sick to my stomach. "I…" Should I tell him the truth? That would hurt him. A lot. But was I hurting him more by continuing to lie to him? "I…yes." I finally choked out. Apparently I had decided on being honest, even though I had never made the conscious decision to be.
A series of expressions flitted across Don's face as he registered my words. "Yes?"
"Yes." I confirmed. His hands furled into fists.
"What part? About him fancying you?"
"Yes." I repeated.
"But you don't feel the same way?" His knuckles turned white when I didn't answer. He sighed and looked down at his feet. "Vera, please just tell me the truth." His voice was so vulnerable and broken that I couldn't stand it.
"I'm sorry." Was all I said.
He sighed again. "Me too. I really wanted it to work out between us."
"So did I." The fact that he wasn't yelling and screaming made me feel even worse. His cold disappointment was more than I could stand. He looked up into my eyes.
"I honestly did love you."
"I don't know how." I replied. He chuckled sadly.
"I think it would be best if we didn't talk for a while."
"If that's what you think is best." My voice was a whisper now.
"Yeah. It's best." He stared into my eyes one more time before saying, "Well, good-bye then, Vera."
All I could do was nod. He leaned forward and pressed his lips gently to my cheek before shoving his hands into his pockets and striding away. When he was gone, I dropped my face into my hands and slid to the floor. I'm an awful person. I decided as my chest compressed painfully. My eyes welled with tears…no. I wasn't allowed to be sad right now. I had hurt Don. He had done nothing to me. No yelling, no harsh words, no angry glances. I didn't deserve to be sad.
I heard footsteps coming down the corridor but I didn't look up. A second later, someone sat down beside me.
"Hey." Came James' familiar voice.
"Hey." I replied, not looking at him.
"I…er…saw Don leaving. He looked pretty beaten up. I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I'm fine." I had to be.
"Did something happen?" He was trying and failing to keep a hopeful tone out of his voice.
"We broke up."
"Ah, I see." He said. Then after a beat, "What, er, brought it on?"
I turned to page eighteen in the magazine and wordlessly passed it to him. He took it and quickly scanned the article. To my surprise, he soon burst into laughter.
"Well Vera," His tone was light and teasing, "Have you imperiused me into liking you recently?" I rolled my eyes at his mirth. "Also, should I be on my toes about you trying to tear my family apart with your seductie talents?"
"Oh shut up." I reprimanded, smacking his arm lightly, "It's not funny."
"I know. I'm sorry. It just doesn't sound like you at all. No one who has ever met you will believe this."
"You'd be surprised what some people will believe." I muttered darkly. James examined my face.
"This is really bothering you, isn't it?" He asked calmly.
"Wouldn't it bother you?" I said earnestly.
"I don't know. Reporters have written so much rubbish about me over the years that it doesn't even phase me anymore."
"Really?"
"Of course. Want to see some?"
"Sure." I replied, suddenly intrigued.
"Follow me." He took my hand and pulled me to my feet then led me off toward Gryffindor tower. Upon arriving at the sparsely populated common room, he glanced around and proceeded to pull me up the stairs to the boys dormitory. I glanced around when we arrived. The room was set up exactly as the girls dormitory was, except it was messier and smelled slightly less favourable.
James bent down beside the second bed from the left and pulled his trunk out from beneath it. He dug around the contents for a few moments before emerging with a small wooden box. He plopped down on his bed and motioned for me to join him. He opened the box and began passing me the scraps of paper from within.
"I've only saved the best ones, mind you. There have been plenty over the years."
I scanned the headlines of the articles. Several jumped out at me, such as: James Potter: The Lost Prince of Russia? and The Pride of the Potter Family, Gay? and James Potter's Alter Ego: Magnus Bowen and best of all James Potter: Heartbreaker, Womaniser...Vampire?
I laughed as I began reading the articles. They seemed like the kinds of stories one would generally find buried within the pages of The Quibbler, but had actually been printed in such publications as Witch Weekly and The Daily Prophet.
"Shouldn't you add this one to your collection?" I asked, referring to the Witch Weekly article still clutched in my hand.
"Nah. I don't think me having feelings for you is very far fetched. Maybe it would fit better in Al's box. It would, wouldn't it?" He finished pointedly.
"Of course." I replied forcefully. He chuckled and replaced the wooden box in his trunk before laying back on his bed. I laid back beside him and stared up at the canopy of his bed.
"So what are you planning on doing now that you're back on the market?" James asked lightly.
"I don't know. I don't think I am back on the market."
"What do you mean?" Genuine concern crept into his voice.
"Well," I dragged the word out dramatically, "I just got out of this relationship but there's this other guy I like. I'm just not sure how long he'll be unspoken for."
James chuckled and slid his fingers into mine. Just as I began to wonder if something more was going to happen, the door opened and in came Fred Weasley. He stopped at the sight of us and muttered,
"Oh sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt..."
"It's okay. You're not interrupting anything." Said James, sitting up and ruffling his hair.
"Seriously?" Fred burst out. "You have a girl in your bed in an empty dormitory and I'm not interrupting anything?" He bent down beside the next bed and started rummaging through his trunk. "I'm not sure I know who you are anymore, mate." He at last emerged with a book and began heading toward the door.
"Fred wait -"
"Save it James. There's no way I can forgive you right now." With that, he mock-stormed from the room.
James and I chuckled as the door slammed shut. He turned to me.
"Perhaps we should snog a bit. Just to make him feel better, you know."
I laughed. "Does this play usually work on girls?"
"Surprisingly yes." James replied.
I laughed again and he joined in. The end of lunch bell at last interrupted our mirth, and I kissed him lightly on the lips before rushing off to third hour.
The rest of the day and the next morning were filled with unexpected bliss. I was still upset about what had happened with Don, but I was so relieved to at last be wholly and completely with James that it couldn't keep me down for long. I wouldn't find out until lunch the next day just how wrong I was.
I was on my way to the Great Hall after second hour when a familiar voice broke me from my thoughts.
"Vera!" Someone called. I turned to see Al sprinting down the corridor toward me.
"Vera! Wait up." I stopped to wait for him. He came to a halt in front of me and bent over with his hands on his knees, panting heavily.
"What's wrong?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"I need your help." He panted.
"With what?" I asked, starting to grow slightly concerned.
"Hold on, this way." He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into an empty classroom nearby.
"Alright. What is it?" I asked once he'd closed the door.
"I need to ask you a favor. A big one."
"Okay. Go on..."
"I need you to agree first."
I raised an eyebrow at him. "That's not happening." I informed him.
"Please! If you do this I will never ask you for anything ever again."
"I doubt that."
"Please Vera! Please. I'll make it worth your while."
I looked into his pleading green eyes and sighed. "Alright fine. What is it?"
I was much too easily swayed and I knew it.
"Thank you sooo much. Alright, now I need you to be open minded about this."
"What is it? Just tell me."
"Okay. I need you to go on a date with Mark."
"What?" I exclaimed. "Why?"
"He did me a big favour. And his only condition was that I get you to go out with him. Just once."
"You mean you wagered me?" I demanded.
"Yes but it was really important."
"What could possibly be so important that you had to trade your best friend?" "I can't tell you."
I bristled, "You can't TELL me?"
Albus shrank back. "I'm sorry but I can't. Please just do this for me." I glared at him furiously. He took my hand and pressed it against his chest. I felt his heart beating beneath my palm.
"Please Vera, please do this for me. It's really important."
I signed. "Fine. What do I have to do?"
"Meet him in the entrance hall at eight o' clock tomorrow night. That's all he told me."
"Alright. Fine. But if I do this will you please stop griping on about you're brother and me?"
"Yes yes of course. Thank you so much." He hugged me tightly and strode from the room.
A/N: I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to review the last chapter: Potterfanatic7 , BlackRose3165 , Forever-Siriusly-Sirius
PLEASE Review :)