Chapter 9

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all that it entails belong to JK Rowling, except for Miss Leila Mae Potter.

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Draco walked into his room without even looking back at Leila. He closed his door and leaned against it; scrunching his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. He knew that he was in far over his head and wanted for just a moment to avoid the situation. Suddenly, he heard the slamming of a door, which he knew to be the door to the room Leila was now expected to occupy. He groaned and walked for the straight-backed chair near the window. Draco knew that she wouldn't take being held captive well; but he somehow wished that something of what they once shared could be rekindled. He had spent every day since that blasted night on the Astronomy Tower thinking of her. He truly loved her, but now doubts plagued him of whether or not she felt anything for him. It was going to be hard having to put up with Leila, especially in such close quarters; but that was all part of the Dark Lord's plan. The Dark Lord knew of his weakness for Leila and he expected something to happen between the former couple. If anything happened, it would only add further humiliation to him and his parents who prided themselves on blood purity. No matter what he felt for Leila, it didn't really seem to matter. She would never accept him for the monster he had become; but maybe with time she could grow to feel something for him again. Draco never had any intentions farther than snogging Leila, yet here he was contemplating how to move forward with her. Honestly, he wasn't even sure what he wanted; well, he wanted things to go back to normal, but that wasn't likely to happen any time soon.

Draco glanced over at Leila's handbag which he had earlier placed on his bedside table. He had briefly looked at some of its contents earlier until Leila had awoken; but he found himself drawn to it again. What other secrets did her handbag contain? Draco slowly reached over and grabbed the bag. He pulled out his photograph album and placed it in its proper place in the drawer of his bedside table. He tossed his Quidditch jersey onto his bed and continued to dig. Soon, he pulled out another photograph album; only this one was of Leila's parents: James and Lily Potter. Draco had never taken the time to examine a picture of the Potters before so he examined a young James and Lily Potter thoroughly. He instantly noticed the similarities between Leila and her mother. Draco had heard much hearsay from people that knew the Potters that Leila strongly resembled her mother while Scarhead resembled their father; and he from what he could see those people were right. A slight surge of guilt plagued him because he knew that this was Leila's personal belonging; but she had taken his, so wasn't it only right that he could look through hers? He flipped through a few more pages before discarding the album and returning the handbag.

Draco's hand plunged again into Leila's handbag and pulled out a book titled Secrets of the Darkest Art. He confusedly stared at the book in front of him. Why would Leila have such a book? He had never known her to be a witch of Dark magic; she'd always been on the side for the light. Hadn't she just the previous school year attempted to get him to change his allegiance and take safety from the Order of the Phoenix? But what could be the meaning of such a book? Draco noticed a piece of parchment shoved in the book and opened to the page; but he didn't get a chance to examine the page because his forearm burned once more. Draco gritted his teeth in pain, and shoved the parchment with Leila's scrawl in his drawer before shoving the book back in Leila's handbag. He carefully set Leila's handbag back on his bedside table before exiting his bedroom for his sitting room. Once in the sitting room, Leila's head peeked out from behind her door.

"I want my bag," Leila hissed.

"I've got other things to do than to deal with your childish whining," Draco said coldly.

"Arse!" Leila shouted.

"Obviously, haven't heard that one before," Draco muttered.

"Where are you going?" Leila questioned.

"To see the Dark Lord," Draco answered.

"For what?" Leila sneered.

"That's what I'm going to find out," Draco replied.

Leila narrowed her eyes at Draco and slammed the door once more. She slid down the door and onto the floor fuming with mixed emotions. She had already cried her bit over this damn prophecy and she was tired of crying; but she was mad that she was stuck here with Draco. Even being in Slytherin Leila hadn't had to spend this much time with him against her will; she had at least been able to escape him for the comforts of her brother or Daphne Greengrass, when they were still friends. Leila stared at the wall straight-ahead and wondered how much time had passed since Malfoy had forcibly taken her from the comforts of the Burrow. She knew a fair amount of time had passed because her stomach grumbled as the sun began to peak over the horizon. She walked to the window to watch as the sunrise danced freely across the sky; to watch the morning overtake the darkness. She hoped that Harry was safe, no matter how many unanswered questions she had for her brother. This second prophecy was unsettling to her the more she thought of it. Was she really expected to be the one to hand her brother, the only true family she had left in the world, over to Lord Voldemort?

Leila aimlessly walked around the room, examining what was to be her prison. She really should be grateful that she wasn't in some rotting cellar; but one could really enjoy extravagance while being held against his or her will. With the light from the dawn creeping into the room, she noticed that the room was elegantly decorated: a chandelier hung from the ceiling, a vanity with a mirror graced one wall while a giant wardrobe was placed beside it. Leila had to admit that Draco's mum did have decent taste; but that didn't mean she wanted to be held captive in this room. She walked over to the vanity and glanced at her reflection in the mirror: she looked dreadful. Her hair was matted and messy, dark circles were beginning to form around her eyes, her cheek was bruised, and her new dress robes were tattered. She looked like a sorry mess. Leila sat before the vanity wondering Harry's fate. Had Voldemort called Draco downstairs to tell him that there was no need to keep her alive because Harry was dead? Perhaps, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were being tortured downstairs at this very second while she sat in the comforts of this room. She sat staring at the door, listening for Draco's return.

Leila didn't know how long she waited for Draco to come back or how many times her stomach grumbled before she finally heard the clicking sound from the door. She stumbled from the vanity's bench to the door. She flung the door open to find Draco headed for the loveseat before the fireplace. He didn't even turn around to see her, so she nervously walked closer to him. She strategized in her mind ways to get information out of her former boyfriend; but nothing seemed plausible. Leila stood directly behind him and gulped as she took a breath while attempting to formulate words. But Draco seemed to know what she was going to ask, so he answered her unspoken question without even turning to face her.

"They escaped," Draco said.

"What?" Leila gasped.

"Your brother, Weasley, and Granger escaped," Draco spoke.

"How do you know?" Leila asked.

"The taboo curse was triggered at someplace called Luchino Caffe in London. Dolohov and Rowle tracked them down, but their memories were obliviated," Draco answered.

"If their memories were wiped then how do you know it was them?" Leila questioned.

"I don't owe you any more information. You can choose to believe it or not. The choice is yours," Draco drawled.

"Thank you," Leila mumbled.

"You should get some sleep Leila," Draco sighed.

Draco kept his gaze on the dying embers in the fireplace, not giving Leila any attention. Leila stared at him, wondering if there was anything else she should say; but then, what does one say to the person who captured her? Leila turned slightly around before looking back to the pale boy dressed in black.

"What about you?" Leila questioned.

"What about me? Are you concerned?" Draco asked.

"No, of course not," Leila muttered.

Leila scowled at him and walked back to what she considered to be her cell. The daylight spilled into the room from the window, so she pulled the draperies shut to be surrounded by the darkness. She crawled into bed determined not to fall asleep; but with her body being overtired and overexerted, Leila quickly fell asleep. She slept restlessly, screaming and crying through her slumber; with nightmares of Harry dying plaguing her. In every dream she betrayed her brother to Voldemort and the look of betrayal in his eyes pained her. At her screams and cries, Draco would silently walk into the room to check on her; but Leila was always trapped asleep in her nightmares.

When Leila finally awoke, she was drenched in sweat and her throat seared. What time was it? How long had she slept? Leila walked slowly over to the draperies and thrust them open. The sun was beginning to set; but her body didn't feel as though it had gotten that much sleep. Her stomach growled and her throat was dry: she was hungry and thirsty. Perhaps Draco had a hidden stash of food somewhere. She walked slowly to the door attempting to move quietly so that she wouldn't be noticed; but Draco immediately noticed her entrance into the sitting room. He quickly stood up and walked to meet her.

"You're awake; you must be hungry," Draco said.

Leila firmly set her jaw and stance as Draco came up to her. He grabbed her by the arm and led her to a table with two chairs set near the tall windows in the sitting room. Leila reluctantly followed him across the room. He pulled out a chair for her to sit, so she did. Draco snapped his fingers twice and almost instantly, a house elf appeared. The house elf wore a towel; much like the one Dobby had once been forced to wear. It bowed low, awaiting Draco's bidding.

"Bring Leila some food now," Draco firmly commanded.

The house elf bowed once more and instantly disappeared. Leila looked at the place where the house elf once stood in confusion.

"I thought Dobby was your house elf," Leila commented.

"Dobby was one of our house elves," Draco responded.

Suddenly, a plate of food and a goblet full of pumpkin juice appeared before Leila. Well, technically it didn't appear out of nowhere; she knew that food couldn't be produced out of thin air because of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. The food obviously had already been prepared, which she was certain by a house elf. The plate had a chicken leg, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a buttered dinner roll. Leila looked at the dinner but made no motion to eat it. Draco looked at her quizzically but Leila simply sat there. Her stomach growled once more causing her to bite her lip.

"Well are you going to eat or not?" Draco asked.

"I haven't decided yet," Leila retorted.

"It's not poisoned if that's what you think. Just eat, you haven't had anything since you've arrived here," Draco said.

"Maybe I don't want to," Leila responded.

"Is this how Scarhead would want you to act: to starve yourself?" Draco questioned.

"You don't have any right to speak about my brother!" Leila hissed.

"Then eat," Draco commanded.

"Don't tell me what to do," Leila hissed.

Draco looked at her with an eyebrow cocked and sat down at the table in the chair across from her. Leila responded by grabbing the chicken leg with her hand and roughly tearing a piece off the leg with her teeth. She looked at Draco coldly as she chewed the chicken. If he was disgusted with her lack of manners, his expression didn't show it. Leila continued to eat in a barbaric manner: she smacked her food as she ate and she slurped as she drank; but she still wasn't getting a reaction out of Draco. When Leila had finished her chicken, roll, and some of her mashed potatoes; she slammed her goblet of pumpkin juice onto the table causing some to spill onto the table.

"Aren't you going to comment on my lack of propriety?" Leila questioned.

"You're doing this on purpose so there isn't much of a point," Draco shrugged.

Leila pushed her chair away from the table causing the dishes to crash to the floor. Mashed potatoes flung in every direction. Some even splattered onto Draco's black suit; but Leila stomped across the sitting room headed for her room.

"Leila, wait! There are some things we need to discuss," Draco called to her.

She froze where she stood and turned to face Draco, who was still seated at the table. He was wiping the potatoes off his suit, with his gaze on her.

"Discuss means that I get an opinion in the matter. I highly doubt my opinion matters much," Leila hissed.

"Fine, I have some things I need to tell you. Firstly, you should freshen-up; there is a bathroom attached to your room. Secondly, if you need anything just snap your fingers twice and a house elf should be at your service," Draco said.

"For anything?" Leila asked.

"They've all been told that under no circumstances are they to help you out of this room. So don't even bother trying," Draco answered.

"Damnit," Leila muttered.

"And thirdly, I know it's a bit belated; but happy birthday, Leila," Draco said.

Leila responded by turning her back to Draco and walking to her room. She shut the door, leaned against it, and looked around the room for the bathroom Draco had mentioned. Her eyes scanned the room until she spotted another door which she immediately walked toward. Leila twisted the handle and walked into the attached room. Every piece of the bathroom was porcelain. The toilet, sink, and tub were sparkling white porcelain, with silver accessories. She ran her hands over the large tub; a nice warm bath would feel good. She turned and looked in the mirror over the sink; and a bath would help her dismal appearance, not that she was trying to impress anyone.

She turned the handles and hot water gushed from the tap. Bubbles foamed in the tub as Leila undressed and slipped in. The hot water soothed her aching body. She plunged her head under the water and breathed out all her air; before popping back up, gasping for air. She coughed at the bit of water and bubbles she had inhaled. She then moved to rest her head on the back of the tub while she allowed the rest of her body to soak in the water. A few tears slipped from her eyes as she thought about Harry which she roughly wiped away. Leila didn't have a clue as to what she was supposed to do. Harry was always there telling her what to do, building her up, and encouraging her; but now she was without him and stuck with Draco Malfoy. She soaked in the tub until the water cooled and the bubbles almost disappeared. When she stood up, she grabbed the emerald green silk bathrobe which was hanging beside the tub and wrapped herself in it. Her hair she left dripping wet and her tattered dress she left discarded on the tiled floor as she walked back into her bedroom.

Leila once more moved to the window and stared into the distance. The stars were beginning to paint the night's sky and the moon peered out from behind the clouds. She carefully sat on the window seat and scrunched at her wet hair. She needed her handbag, but Draco had taken that. Her handbag had her essential belongings beside her wand, which she didn't know where it was at the moment. With determination, Leila tip-toed across the room and opened her door. She looked out into the sitting room to find it empty, only a gentle roaring fire in the fireplace. She then looked to Draco's door, which was open. Leila's eyes widened before she quietly shifted across the sitting room. With still not a sign of Draco, Leila peeked into his room. She couldn't see him in their either, so Leila stepped across the threshold into his room.

She was surprised to find how normal Draco's room looked. Obviously, it had spoiled rich teenage wizard feeling to it; but nothing that gave away he was a follower of Lord Voldemort. He didn't have anything Dark visible in his room. Instead, he had Slytherin banners and pendants, a poster of his favorite Quidditch team, and pictures gracing his wall. He too had a large four-poster bed with emerald green hangings; but she spotted his Quidditch jersey on his bed. He had gone through her bag again. Leila hoped that he hadn't looked through her things too much. If Draco figured out what some of those things were in her bag, she and Harry could both be in even more danger. Leila squinted her eyes in hopes of finding her handbag, which she found on his bedside table. Leila looked around to make sure no one was watching, before she took off for her handbag; but she tripped over the foot of the straight-backed chair beside the table and her wet hair slapped her in the face.

"Damnit," Leila muttered.

"What exactly do you think you're doing?" Draco asked.

"Damnit," Leila muttered again.

Leila quickly turned around to find Draco watching her. His eyes focused on her bare legs because her dress had bunched up higher than usual from her fall. She blushed at his gaze, but then stood up and properly situated her bathrobe. Her eyes narrowed at Draco whose cheeks were tinged slightly pink. He cleared his throat before walking a few steps closer, so instinctively she lunged for her handbag.

"I just came for what is mine," Leila retorted.

She clutched her handbag close to herself, but Draco quickly snatched the bag away from her. He held the bag over her head, too high for a person of her stature to reach. Leila angrily placed her hands on her hips.

"Give me my bag, or-or…" Leila began.

"Or what?" Draco questioned.

"Or I'll scream," Leila threatened.

Draco merely shrugged his shoulders causing Leila to look at him with a disgusted look. She inhaled deeply and screamed as loud and for as long as she could. Draco squirmed slightly but made no motion to give Leila her bag back. When she had finished screaming, Leila made to kick him in the shin; but Draco quickly moved out of the line of fire. Leila mustered a cold sneer and stomped her feet.

"Give me my bag back! You already have what is yours!" Leila shouted.

"Where did you get my things?" Draco asked.

"I don't have to tell you," Leila seethed.

"Even if it meant getting your precious handbag back?" Draco questioned.

Draco held the bag out in front of her which she attempted to grab but he quickly pulled it out of her reach. Leila stood on her tippy-toes but she still was nowhere close to grasping her bag. Under her breath she cursed at her genetics and lack of height.

"Ah-ah-ah, answer the question," Draco said.

"I went back to the Slytherin dungeon and took them," Leila muttered.

"What did you all take?" Draco asked.

"Your Quidditch jersey and your photograph album, that's all," Leila mumbled.

"Why?" Draco questioned.

"I don't know! I just did!" Leila shouted.

Draco nodded as if he understood; but Leila didn't know what meaning he could get out of her statement. Leila held her hand out for him to place her handbag in, but he simply chuckled.

"I'm not done with my questions yet," Draco said.

"I'm not playing this game, Malfoy," Leila hissed.

"Fine, only one more question?" Draco asked.

"Will you give me my handbag then?" Leila asked.

"Last question, I promise," Draco said.

"Your promises don't mean much to me," Leila muttered.

Draco's eyes narrowed at Leila, causing her gaze to turn to the floor. She knew that had probably stung him, but it was the truth. She wasn't going to play nice with someone who had the nerve to betray her time and time again.

"Fine no more questions," Draco sneered.

"My bag?" Leila questioned.

"I have one final condition before I turn it back over to you," Draco said.

"And what would that be?" Leila asked rolling her eyes.

"You give me one kiss and I'll give you your bag back," Draco replied.

"I have a boyfriend you disgusting prat!" Leila hissed.

Leila stomped at the ground and pouted like a child to which Draco responded by smirking.

"It's just one kiss Leila. It doesn't even have to mean anything," Draco quipped.

A kiss always means something. Leila thought. She did enjoy kissing Fred, but there was something intoxicating about Draco's kisses. She didn't know what it was; but she didn't trust herself to stay under control. It was exactly what he wanted. He wanted her to give in; but she desperately wanted her handbag. Her mind raced and her heart flopped, with this decision. One kiss for her bag or no kiss and no bag. Perhaps she had gained more self-control over the summer. Maybe she could control her senses or at least she hoped she could.

"One kiss," Leila muttered.

Draco nodded as Leila hesitantly walked forward. She mentally talked prepared herself, telling herself that one kiss would be worth it for her handbag. Her handbag which contained her clothes, Fred's music box, her photograph album, the Horcrux books, the Chocolate Frog cards…Leila stopped just in front of Draco. He watched her intently as she exhaled deeply. Leila licked her lips and tightly closed her eyes. Only one kiss she told herself. When she opened her eyes she looked right into Draco's and placed her hands on his shoulders. She pulled herself up to meet him. Leila gently pecked his lips, but his lips caught hers. They remained for a brief second until Leila pushed him away. Draco handed her handbag back to her and she headed for the door. Leila's hands instantly flew to her lips and she slightly quivered. She had forgotten the safety she had once felt with Draco, but those memories instantly flooded back to her.

Leila was no more than a few feet away from Draco when she instantly turned around and flung herself at him, dropping her handbag to the floor. If he was surprised by her action he didn't show it, instead he gracefully caught her as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Their lips hungrily met, causing to Draco to moan at the unexpected affection. He tightly wrapped his arms around her not wanting to let her go. Leila's hand tangled thought his hair with every heated kiss. They both gasped and broke for air; neither exactly sure what was happening. Draco gazed into Leila's eyes before moving in for another kiss. His lips fought for dominance, but soon Leila's senses overtook her and she pushed him away once more.

"Fred," Leila whispered.

"What?" Draco asked.

"Just put me down, you got what you wanted," Leila hissed.

Draco attempted to gently set her down, but she practically jumped from his embrace causing her to fall in a heap to the floor. He tried to help her up, but Leila brushed away his attempts. Leila roughly picked up her handbag and ran from Draco's room. Tears streamed from her eyes and blurred her vision. She ran into an armchair in the sitting room, but kept running until she was safe in her room. She slammed the door hard and screamed.

"Must you always scream and yell?" a voice asked.

Leila froze and her eyes widened. She quickly scanned the room for the person whom the voice belonged to; but she found no one. She flew to the floor and checked under the bed for the culprit.

"You're not very intelligent for being a Slytherin," the voice said.

"Who's there?" Leila questioned.

"Look up you foolish girl," the voice said.

Leila crawled out from under the bed and looked to the ceiling. She only found the chandelier dangling. She stared up at the ceiling quizzically.

"Not there, over here," the voice said again.

Leila looked to where the voice was coming from: the portrait above the fireplace. Phineas Nigellus Black was a former Slytherin headmaster at Hogwarts. He also happened to be a part of the Black family tree, which Draco was also a member of because of his mother. Leila sat on the end of her bed with her arms folded across her chest while watching Phineas Nigellus.

"What are you doing here?" Leila questioned.

"This happens to be my portrait you stupid girl," Phineas Nigellus answered.

"I'm not stupid, I was second in my class at Hogwarts," Leila hissed.

"Behind a Mudblood," Phineas Nigellus scoffed.

"She has a name, its Hermione and she happens to be my friend," Leila sneered.

"Hermione…Hermione…where have I heard that name?" Phineas questioned.

Leila rolled her eyes and jumped off her bed. She headed for her bathroom once more. She needed to change and she certainly wasn't changing with that creep in the room. Leila opened the bathroom door when Phineas Nigellus spoke to her again.

"I know! I was in my portrait at Grimmauld Place," Phineas said.

"We stayed there with the Order of the Phoenix a couple of years back. Congratulations on remembering," Leila said sarcastically.

"No, no. I heard the name this morning. There was a boy yelling for her. He was yelling for her and a boy named Harry," Phineas responded.

"Are you certain? He was calling for Harry and Hermione?" Leila asked curiously.

Still clutching her handbag, Leila stepped back out into the bedroom. Phineas Nigellus smirked at her. He had something she wanted and it wasn't going to be easy to get it out of him. Leila walked until she stood before the portrait again and was staring up at him.

"Are you going to answer my question?" Leila asked.

"Well, I could be mistaken. Maybe his name was Henry or Harold," Phineas Nigellus began.

"Fine, how about a different question: are you sure there were three of them?" Leila asked.

"Two maybe three or four; I can't be certain…" Phineas said.

"Are-are they safe?" Leila asked.

"I haven't actually seen the visitors; but now it's my turn for a question. Why aren't you with them?" Phineas asked.

"It's complicated," Leila answered.

"Have you turned to our noble cause?" Phineas asked.

"That's disgusting. I will never fight for a cause which attempts to kill my brother," Leila spat.

"Even if you are to be the one to turn him over?" Phineas smirked.

"How do you know about that?" Leila shouted.

"I hear things," Phineas shrugged.

"Well, hear this: get out! Leave!" Leila screamed.

"Never in all my years have I seen such dishonor from a Slytherin. You should be ashamed of yourself. Just see if I ever come back while you're still here," Phineas hissed.

"Fine! Leave!" Leila shouted.

Phineas Nigellus walked away leaving behind a black portrait. Leila stomped over to the window seat and sat down to stare into the darkness. She let her shot conversation with Phineas Nigellus replay in her mind. No matter how much the former headmaster upset her, she did find out something good. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were safe. They were safe at number 12 Grimmauld Place, at least for now. What if Snape went back there? The night Dumbledore died, everyone who had been told of Number 12 Grimmauld Place in turn became a Secret Keeper; Snape included. Snape could give them away; but another what-if plagued Leila. What if Harry found out her whereabouts? Granted, it was a long shot; but what if Phineas Nigellus told them that she was at Malfoy Manor? Could Ron and Hermione keep Harry from storming the place and attempting her rescue? But her feelings were more complicated than keeping her brother safe.

Leila quickly grabbed some pajamas out of her handbag and changed. She then double-checked the contents of her bag. All that was missing from her mental checklist was Draco's Quidditch jersey and his photograph album. She could live without those. She was actually rather relieved to be rid of them, seeing as she was stuck with him. Leila pulled out the music box Fred had given her, twisted the key so it would play, and began to cry. She cheated on Fred. Fred loved her and wanted nothing but the best for her; yet she betrayed him. She betrayed him for a snogging session with Draco. Leila was confused as her heart raged between Draco and Fred. She couldn't go back to Draco, not after everything he had done; but she couldn't exactly be with Fred either. She wanted to erase that stupid kiss with Draco; to somehow go back in time and tell herself not to give into him. But that wasn't all she wanted; she wanted to not be captive, she wanted her parents alive and a normal life, and she wanted what she couldn't possibly have. Leila plopped onto her bed and closed her eyes, wishing that she would wake up from the nightmare that was her life.