Dark: 10th piece. Enjoy & plz review.
Summary/Disclaimer: check the prologue.
Italics – thoughts
"..." – speaking
Chapter 10... Punishments
"Damn, he's heavy..." lowering him to the ground, Ten looked up at her friend. "His room or the Infirmary?"
"He just fainted; I don't think he's in a very good shape. Infirmary." Pointing her wand at him (not that she needed, but since she was far too nervous...), Iris easily levitated him.
After being shooed away by Madam Pomfrey for about half an hour, the black haired girl started pacing. "What's taking her so long? It's just a bloody diagnosis! What if he-"
"Whoa, slow down!" at seeing her friend like that, the other witch got up, holding her shoulders. "And calm down! He won't die on us. He won't, Iris. I know that for sure." Giving up a small supportive smile, she added, "He loves you way too much to do it."
At that time, the door opened.
"He's going to be fine." Madam Pomfrey put a rest to both girls' fears.
"What did he have anyway? He seemed pretty beaten up."
The mediwitch nodded gravely, "Indeed. He had a few problems at breathing. But now he's ok. He was hit with the Cruciatus Curse, far more times than the ones I want to count."
As Iris looked away, her eyes reflecting hurt, Ten frowned, nodding.
"May we see him?"
"He's sleeping now, but yes, you may. Please be quiet. He needs as much rest as he can." As they walked closer to where the young boy was lying down, Madam Pomfrey's voice slowly lowered, "Mr. Malfoy doesn't have any serious injuries, but the Cruciatus curse creates pain in every fibber of your body, meaning that, right now, practically all of his muscles are aching, reason for his pain."
Both Ten and Iris sat down on the bed beside his. Right now, he looked ok, even though they knew he wasn't.
"Think Lucius did it?"
"Who else? Voldemort? I doubt he cares all that much for minimal things like these."
Tensing up as she heard the name, Iris nodded, "I suppose so." One of her hands fisted the mattress, "I told him not to go... I knew something like this would happen.. What if he-"
"Don't you start with the 'what if's' all over again, what's done is done, past is past. There's nothing you can do to change that." Looking at her sideways, the heiress smiled, "Everything will turn out just fine, you'll see."
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The next day was Saturday, practically nothing to do, yet it wasn't the first or second time that the other Slytherin's, namely girls, asked where Draco was. To Iris. And just why the hell should I know! Was the thing she wanted the most to scream at them, yet she kept biting her tongue, saying calmly that she had no clue. Though the others looked at her for a while longer, almost as if they knew she was lying. Not that the black haired witch cared about what they thought.
Her patience (or lack of) let her wait until the early afternoon. Until then, she finished her homework and walked about the lake. Not a total waste of time, but she wanted to be beside him. Though if someone else discovered she had a soft spot for him... Well, she tried not to think of that chance.
Walking casually over to the Hospital Wing, Iris smiled sadly at Madam Pomfrey before finally settling on the fluffy chair beside Draco's bed.
The blond was still fast asleep, looking ever so peaceful. It made her remember the morning before, when she found him in her bed. But she knew better. As soon as he woke up, he'd be in pain. Madam Pomfrey's pain soothing charms only worked for one thing at a time.
Sighing quietly, she crossed her arms on the side of his bed, resting her head on top of them. After a few minutes, her mind started to wander, her thoughts slowly dissipating. In his presence, it was the only time she allowed her mind to rest, her defences to lower ever so lightly. The calm environment only made her fall asleep faster.
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His pale eyes finally opened, as he let out a low groan. What had started as a bearable head ache felt like he had trained Quidditch for two whole weeks non-stop. Just breathing was a hard enough task, as the normally comfy covers hugged his sore chest too tightly.
Tiredly, Draco tried to lift one of his arms. Only to find a slight resistance to the simple movement. Turning his head sideways slowly, his eyes set on Iris, sleeping near his arm and forbidding it to move, since she was on top of the blankets. She seemed to be in a light sleep, her eyelashes grazing her pale cheek bones.
Smiling ever so lightly, he slowly sat up, grimacing at the soreness he still felt. The movement seemed to wake up the sleeping witch, who muttered something under her breath before she finally decided to open her eyes lazily.
As soon as her eyes focused on him, Iris immediately sat up straight. "Draco.. You ok? Do you need anything?"
"I'm fine, thanks. Don't worry." Assuming a more serious expression, the boy quietened his voice, "Iris... As you should know, this was my father's doing."
The concern shining in her silvery eyes soon changed to a cold glint, "I'll have my and your own revenge on him for that, when the right time comes."
Draco rolled his eyes, a sudden urgency adding on his voice, "I could care less about that. But I don't want you or Ten to be alone in any circumstances. No matter what. Promise me that?"
"Why the sudden talk about that?" she was confused, he could tell.
"Promise me or not?"
"Draco-"
"Just promise me you won't!" this time, his voice had risen.
"I-I promise." It was more by intimidation at the suddenness of that, Iris still wanted to know his reasons, "But-"
"Good." Slowly, his eyes looked up to meet hers, "I don't want you to be afraid of all this. The War is almost here. But maybe the real danger, for you, doesn't come from that."
"The situation itself doesn't scare me, but right now you do." Frowning, she still didn't know what he was hinting at.
"Lucius wants you dead, Iris! He wants me to marry Parkinson; you're getting in his way. What better way to get you away from me than hurting someone you care about? Or maybe even hurting you? I don't want that to happen." His eyes softened, "And I feel like that because I love you."
"I love you too." Letting out a tear fall, the witch hugged him, not tightly, even if that was her will. "Wonder what will happen to us in the next few days now that your father knows, huh..."
"It'll be ok. I promise."
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Yet another boring class of Double Potions.
This time, Professor Snape had let them work on a personal and individual project. Though the result had to be a "useful brewed potion", as he had said, while looking (more like glaring) at poor Neville.
The thing was, having to choose among so many potions, neither Ten or Harry knew which to do.
"I'll just do a dreamless draught and get over it."
"Hmm..." the heiress kept searching through the Potions book, "I want something more complicated... A challenge. Dreamless potions I already did some other times."
Preparing his own cauldron, the green eyed boy looked over at her in amusement, "So what will you do?"
"Polyjuice potion. I've never done that before." Grinning lightly, one long black coloured nail ran over the ingredients and instructions.
"If you say so."
"I say so." Getting up, she went to retrieve the necessary ingredients. Since she'd pass over Iris and Draco's table, she took the chance, "And what will you two brew?"
"A relaxation potion. I'm needing one anyway." Saying that with only the arrogance a Malfoy possessed, the blond boy made both females chuckle.
"Oh right... Poor you. Being a prefect and a Quidditch player is bad for you." Making an extravagant movement with her hand, Iris faked a sad expression.
"That's Quidditch captain to you." He frowned, arms crossed over his chest, "What are you doing anyway?"
"Yeah. You didn't say yet. And before you say the same to me, I'll do Polyjuice potion." Looking down at her side suddenly, Ten ruffled Draco's hair, chuckling.
"Well, I'm searching. I want a strong poisoning potion. For Parkinson, you know."
"What!" Draco looked over at her oddly, while Ten did her best to keep her snickers quiet.
"That's what gave me the idea- Yes! This one's perrrrrfect." Chuckling evilly to herself, Iris put her book away.
"Which one?"
"Nuh huh. You'll see..." She seemed very proud of herself, which made Ten grin conspiratorially and Draco quirk an eyebrow. "In a few days' time."
"Ok.. I'll have to continue my own potion, so if you two lovebirds don't mind." At the look of their faces, the blue eyed witch was sure they would say something, if they weren't in a class. She sat back in her seat beside Harry. "This Potion class will end up on being quite amusing after all."
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The few days had finally passed and now it was lunch time. As usual, the Great Hall was full of students.
At the Slytherin table, the Quidditch team was gathered. Later in the afternoon there would be a training session, and Draco wasn't about to waste any chances of discussing their current strategy.
Half way through lunch, Pansy Parkinson suddenly got up, one hand over her mouth. Quickly forgetting about everything else, she got up, exiting the room. Not five seconds after, Iris cracked up laughing.
"Alright, what was the potion?" Draco rubbed his eyes, a hint of a smile escaping him.
"A choking one!"
"Will she be ok?" Calub, one of the Chasers present, asked suddenly.
"I guess so. It's just a prank really." The black haired witch shrugged.
"Aww... If she died, we wouldn't have to worry with her again. Heck, she might be just annoying, sure, but if she has any qualities it's her determination." He made a face, "Don't want to remember all the times she-"
"Shut up, Loic. I'm sure the ladies and the rest of us don't want to hear about that bitch's attempts." Picking up his goblet, Draco glared at Loic Calub.
"And you, I'm sure you don't need to swear because of her." Iris spoke up, looking at him through her loose locks. At his request, and much to her annoyance, she decided to say yes.
"Perhaps." Finishing with the rest of his drink, he got up. "'k, Slytherin's. Divination now, then practise."
Nodding, most of them got up.
Looking over at her untouched goblet, Iris also got up, even if she would have Muggle Studies instead of Divination. She didn't know if Pansy had put something there. Better not to risk it. Though if she didn't put it there... where did she put the potion she was making?
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Dismounting from her broom, Ten laid down on the fluffy grass as the boys entered the changing rooms. She had to wait for them to hurry up before she entered, so resting here instead near the door and hear them talk about their own business or stay here in silence and enjoy the few last rays of sun was the same. Though more quiet. Divinations had been boring, as it always was. But as usual, it made her laugh.
««Flashback»»
Since her best friend had simply refused to accept lessons with Professor Trelawney no matter what, saying that she knew the bug eyed witch already; Ten opted to sit beside Draco instead.
Looking at the tea cups in front of them and then at each other, they both snickered.
"Let's see what kind of curse I will end up having today.""Hu huh. And what will be the horrible way I'll die in the next following days along with Harry."
"Good, good, class..." glancing over at an empty seat in the Gryffindor's part of the room, Professor Trelawney nodded her head sadly, "Yes, I already knew Mr. Finnegan wouldn't be here-" Right after that, the door opened, Seamus entering.
"Sorry I'm late, Professor." The boy grinned carelessly as he sat down on his seat, making the class chuckle yet again.
"-Because he would arrive late."
"I bet the excuse of today would be because he was sick." Draco muttered, resting his chin in his hand, his face set in a bored expression.
"Yup." Chuckling, the heiress adopted the same pose, "But you should at least pretend you're interested." At Trelawney's request, everyone poured some tea in their cups. She stirred a bit before taking a small gulp. "Jasmine. Not that bad."
"Whatever.. Don't really care if she notices I'm not in the least interested." An amused glint shined in his eyes as he calmly sipped his own tea.
Once they finished, they switched the cups.
"Ok, so if you put the cup this way, it might seem a four pointed star, and that's having luck or something good will happen. But in this other way might be this symbol here that says something terrible will happen." Snickering to himself, the blond put down the cup. "What about you?"
"Well, according to this, you'll have a love problem or something of the sort, if this thingy here does seem like an arrow. If not, and just seems like a... a bow or something, can't really say... you'll have to make a decision that will change your life..." looking up at him, the blue eyed girl shrugged.
"That last one might be true." Not giving it much thought, the boy shrugged.
"Don't take such a serious matter in such a light way." Taking the chance of talking about this, the talk with her grandfather came to her mind's eye, "Draco.. We were wondering..."
Her voice had quietened suddenly, which made him frown lightly. The way she said 'we' made him on guard, "About?"
She noticed the slight change on the mood of the conversation, "There was another attack on muggles."
"My father was there, if you want to know." Turning his eyes away from her, he let out an annoyed sigh.
"I didn't. But as I was saying, me and Grandfather talked about it, right after you went to see Iris that other night. It's getting too frequent and too dangerous not only for muggles but for the families of muggle borns." Finally being able to meet his eyes, she tried her luck, "And the solution we found to stop that was to know where they would strike again. Which would require a spy. And the most viable source we have is you. Though if you don't want to-"
"I will. I was hoping to stay here this Christmas with you guys. But I'll go home, try to see what I can come up with." Even as he said it, Draco didn't seem very happy with the idea. Only a few more words were exchanged after that.
««End Flashback»»
Ten still knew he wasn't happy about the whole idea, however he knew it was necessary. She suspected it was because of that their practise was a bit longer than usual, not to mention harsher. Not that she was complaining, her muscles were. Her eyes opened as she felt a slight weight on her stomach. Once her hues focused on the darker environment, she made out the outline of her captain, looking down at her.
"Ask someone to put you that. It'll help." She looked down to see what he was talking about. A small bottle was lying on her stomach. She got up, taking his outstretched hand.
"What is it?"
"My project on Potions. It's not completed yet, but even as it is now, it still does its job." Shrugging casually, Draco started to make his way back, "They're all gone; you can go get changed now."
"Thanks." Just before she entered the changing rooms, the girl turned back to look at him again, "Draco." He also turned, waiting, "You're not mad at me for what I said before, are you?"
Making his way back towards her, she noticed the soft smile on his lips. "I can't get mad at you. Not really. The idea doesn't please me, that's true, but I've no reason to be blaming it all on you." Just like that last time they met in a similar situation, the boy hugged her briefly. "But I do ask myself why is it so hard to betray someone who has always used me."
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A soft sound woke her up. A lock being unlocked.
Iris didn't mean to fall asleep. When the Slytherin Quidditch team had finally arrived to have dinner, she was almost finishing hers and soon after, she left. Overcame by her boredom she must've fallen asleep on one of the two fluffy couches her private dorm offered. Opening her eyes slowly, she looked around.
There were no lights on, no nothing, only the shine of the moonlight which wasn't all that much. The door of her balcony was indeed slightly ajar, but she didn't saw anyone. Lifting an eyebrow, she sat up. Still no one in sight. But I heard something, I know I did. Her heart beat quickened as adrenaline flowed through her veins. She was aware there was someone else there with her, but whoever it was, had good defences against her mind probing powers. Though, it couldn't be Ten, she'd have recognized her by now. Slowly, she got up.
Taking a few steps towards the balcony, she tried to calm down her breathing. Memories were assaulting her, making her remember the dark dungeons of Malfoy Manor, not a place she was fond of.
Two strong arms circled her waist, pulling her roughly against a masculine chest. For brief horrid seconds, her breathing hitched in her throat, fear haunting her eyes, but then she felt his scent. His familiar scent. Sighing audibly, she let her weight rest against him. "Don't do that!"
Draco chuckled at her annoyed, but relieved tone. "Calm down. Did you really think someone could've entered here just like that?"
"You did, Einstein..."
"Yes, but I'm not a simple someone." He picked her up, heading towards the bed, "Or am I?"
"You're a simple boy. Just like I am a simple girl." She was a bit tense in his arms, but made no move to get away.
"Simple? You're nothing but simple. You're a mystery to many; no one knows who or what you really are. You aren't a Seer, no. Your powers allow you telekinesis and mind reading. Perhaps even mind controlling, who knows. And you're far from a simple everyday witch. Wandless spells are as easy and as basic as breathing to you. Not even you are aware of all the abilities and possibilities your gift has."
Her eyes widened, "How do you know all that?"
"My father has a large library back at the Manor. But better than that, it's updated. It wasn't hard to find a book on wizards and mages with unnatural powers, in where you came. Along with Potter and Ten." His lips held a small smirk, "No need to hide anything from me; it's next to impossible."
"Being as arrogant as you, that's impossible." Her silver hues rolled. As she felt his hands unbuttoning her blouse, her eyes widened. "Hey, what do you think you're doing!"
"Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you or do whatever you think I'll do. Just take off your clothes." Reaching down to his pocket, Draco took out a small vial, "It'll be worth it."
Quirking an eyebrow at the weird request, the girl hesitated.
He sighed, taking off his own tie and shirt, his jumper long forgotten on top of his own bed, "I'm not asking you to be naked, Iris, only on your underwear."
"What's that?"
"A little something that will help you relax. Lay on your stomach." Again, he made a move to take off her clothes, but Iris simply laid down on her stomach, fully clothed.
"Ok, I'm on my stomach." Her reply was light toned, happy... mocking, playful.
The blond growled quietly. Waving his hand in her direction, she was suddenly in only her black lace underwear, much to his pleasure. A smirk curved his features.
As soon as she felt slightly colder than normal, her silver hues opened. Realizing what he had done. "Draco!" she quickly pulled the sheets around her, away from his stare, a deep blush on her cheeks.
"Will you stop making a fuss out of it? It's not as if I didn't see a woman naked before..." he knelt on the bed after discarding his trousers. "Just relax."
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She entered casually in the empty golden and scarlet common room. Being a prefect sure has its perks once in a while...
Staying still for a few more moments, Ten finally allowed herself to move. She wasn't in a friendly territory, far from it. But at this time, almost half an hour after curfew, no one was there. She headed towards the boys' staircase, looking up. There wasn't a single torch lit, but her sight was good enough. Once at the top, her cerulean eyes looked over at the doors. First year, second year... Quidditch Captain, Harry Potter. Bingo. Passing a hand over the handle, she smiled at hearing the soft click that said it had opened.
As quietly as she could, the heiress closed the door behind her after she entered. Strangely enough for a boy his age, the room wasn't really a mess, just the occasional shirt here and there. Walking up to his bed, she leaned over him, another smile on her lips as she saw him, fast asleep.
Gently, she shook his shoulder. Those emerald green orbs slowly fluttered open as the boy slowly focused on her.
Harry quickly sat up, pulling on his glasses, blinking a couple of times, "Ten? What are you doing here? And how-?"
"I'm a prefect, remember? Have access to all common rooms' passwords." Her smile grew to a light grin as she leaned in to peck his lips.
His turn to smile, "And what did you come here for?"
Reaching out for her pocket, the girl took out the small bottle of potion, placing it on the bedside table. "Just thought I'd show up. Ever since that time on the Room of Requirement, we hadn't a good time together."
"And who am I to refuse that." Holding her smaller hand in his, he moved slightly to let her sit beside him.
"Yup." Glancing over at two candles, one on each side of the room, they soon lit up. "Now that's better. Enough for us to see something at least." Picking up the vial again, she glanced at it before turning to look at the boy looking at her in curiosity, "What do you say to a back massage?"
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Another pleasurable moan escaped her parted lips. Iris was in heaven, that was the only thought that registered in her mind.
Draco's hands were kneading her shoulders, not gently, but not harshly, placing the occasional kiss on the back of her neck. Or maybe just a bit harshly, but it still felt good.
She had long forgotten she was only in underwear, and didn't even notice as he unsnapped her bra to continue massaging the skin there. By now, she only allowed herself to feel, her nerve endings tingling with every movement he made.
The blond boy looming over her was downright smirking with pride. At first, she hadn't liked it in the least, the potion was cold as ice, he knew. But after a while, that fact seemed to be gone from her mind, starting to be switched for soft sighs. Indeed, the idea of doing the potion had been good. Even if the initial idea was convince her to use it on him. He wasn't kidding when he said he needed the relaxing lotion.
His hands stopped their motion. It was tiring him out, even if he did enjoy seeing the normally haughty witch writhing.
"Why... stop?" the breathy whisper made him look back at her, the smirk returning. Her eyes were dark from the small bit he could see of them, half lidded. Her cheeks still held the rosy blush, though Draco was sure it was for different reasons now.
"As much as I'd like to say I'm not, I'm just a simple mortal human. And because of that reality, I do get tired." He cracked his knuckles, resting down beside her in a similar fashion, one hand holding his cheek. "And what about you, feeling better or what?"
"Better?" the girl looked over at him as if he was crazy, "Better! I feel like I have no bones!" her head fell back on her pillow, a lazy smile on her lips, "Never felt this good in my whole puny life..."
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"A back massage?" the Boy-Who-Lived tilted his head to the side, "You sure you don't mind that?"
"Course not. If you promise to do the same to me, that is." Ten chuckled while tugging on his shirt, "Take it off and I'll start."
Harry did so easily, lying down on his stomach. Taking off the lid of the vial, the heiress poured a bit of the slick lotion into the palm of her hand. Strangely, it was quite cool to the touch, making a small shiver ran down her spine. Rubbing it in both her hands, she touched his shoulders lightly.
The coldness from the cream made him stiff for a moment, not having expected it. But as her motions got more secure and kneaded his muscles with a bit more pressure, he soon forgot the initial surprise as his eyes drifted close. Changing positions ever so slightly, the boy let a satisfied sigh escape his lips.
"May I guess it feels good?" her voice was close, just beside his ear.
"Feels excellent..." he whispered quietly.
"Glad it does. If you died, or if this had a strange effect or something, I wouldn't try it obviously." The voice that had created a pleasant warmth just a few seconds ago vanished at the playful, but mocking tone.
"Hey! Would you really let me die like that?"
"Well, the potion is from Malfoy. He gave it to me earlier today." The girl cheerily replied.
"Great..." he rolled his eyes, "But I bet if he knew that the potion was being used on me, he would've done something to it."
"Didn't we agree that we wouldn't talk about him when we were together?" her hands gave a tight squeeze to his shoulders, making him flinch ever so slightly, "We do have different opinions on him."
"You bet we do. He's a-"
"Harry, you're talking about my best friend's boyfriend and my team captain." She gave him another harsher knead.
"Ok, ok... I'll shut up about him."
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"An' what 'bout you? Want one too?"
Draco had to fight back a snicker. Iris's voice was drawling, much like his normally was, though not by her own will. She sounded more like she was drunk. "You sure you don't want to sleep instead? Besides, I haven't got much more of the potion; the rest is back in my room."
"So? We jus' need to s'mmon it..." she mumbled, as if it was pretty obvious, still lying down on her bed, her eyes closed in a most satisfied way.
He quirked an eyebrow, "And do you really think my room doesn't have a counter spell against Summoning ones?"
In response, she blinked innocently a couple of times, "Uhh... You do?"
"Wouldn't enjoy anyone taking anything that's mine, right?" the blond suddenly remembered something, "Unless you want to come over to my room..."
At that mention, her seemingly drunken stupor vanished. Or at least, her eyes were no longer cloudy and bright as they were last time he saw them before they drifted close. The bluish orbs were wide and alert, just the emotions she let him see were showing, "You serious?" absently, she snapped back her brassier.
"Sure. You want me to carry you over there?"
"Ah no, I'm fine..." slowly, she got to her feet, smirking proudly, which made him struggle to keep from grinning at how childish she seemed right then. Kneeling, she picked up her shirt, only buttoning two or three buttons. He followed her as she opened the door to the balcony, crossing it and entering his own room for the first time.
Like her own, the colours of green and silver with the usual black furniture and black silk covers of the bed stood at attention. Though, the room was larger than hers. A private connecting bathroom was on the left side and right in front of her, an ajar door led to another division.
"Pff, thought so. Slytherin Prefect, Quidditch captain of the team... Has its advantages, doesn't it?" an amused smirk lit her features, as he smirked back.
"It's the only thing I thank my father, really. That, and my broom."
Walking up to the door, she opened it all the way, revealing something that made her remind a small living room, three couches, a large desk and a book-shelf practically full of various books. To one corner, the blazing fireplace sent a warm light over the room.
"Does the lady approve?" his voice sounded from right behind her.
"Hm.. You'll just have to find out, won't you?" snapping her fingers, his shirt fell to the floor, leaving him bare from the waist up.
His eyebrow lifted, "And what exactly are you thinking?"
Not giving him a response, she laid down comfortably on his bed, patting the place beside her. Her eyes warm, a mysterious spark in them, the numbness from before seemed to be gone, replaced by total calmness. Her hair was all around her, spread out, the only thing that made him know that was the red tips glinting through the mixture of the black satin bed and the black strands. Making sure to keep the inside of his left arm out of sight, Draco walked over to her. Kneeling just beside her on the bed, his lips were tickling her earlobe as they moved, "Iris Koltchak, I-"
A loud booming voice suddenly cut his own sentence, "Draco! Where are you, boy?"
Both their eyes widened.
"Is that-?"
His hand quickly covered her mouth, "Whatever you hear, whatever happens, don't move, and don't make a sound. You will stay here. If you care for me at all, you'll do this. Promise me." Under his hand, she nodded curtly. In his eyes, there was a slight fear, which made her wonder what exactly was happening. The voice was surely his father's, she was sure about that, but what would he need to talk about with Draco right now?
Quickly fastening a cloak around his neck to cover his chest, the boy turned around one last time, one finger pressing into his lips, telling her to be quiet. Straightening up to his full height, the usual swagger on his steps, he stepped through the door, "Hello, father." Stopping a few feet away from the fireplace where his father's head could be seen within the now green flames, he waited.
The way he said it, so detached, so cold, made her once warm blood run cold.
"With each visit, you take more and more time to answer, Draco. You're forgetting who you're dealing with." Looking over at his only son, Lucius Malfoy continued, "But surely, you should have something to report by now, do you not?"
"No, father. Quidditch and my studies have kept me busy. But I can assure you, Potter has done nothing for now."
Slowly, Lucius nodded, "Not only him. What about the rest of the... Golden Trio?" a light sneer was on his lips at the last two words.
"Weasel is still an idiot for all I know and the Mudblood's still the usual bookworm." Casually, elegantly, he shrugged.
"And I see that that the usual bookworm still surpasses you in every class..." a glare was sent his way. "Not only she, but a certain granddaughter of a certain Dumbledore."
"At Charms and History of Magic, father. And Arithmancy. Other than that, we're quite levelled." He prayed that nothing more was said about Ten. Iris was listening to every word; if his father said anything about certain other things...
"I'm sure you are. Last Saturday, back in the Quidditch game, Slytherin versus Ravenclaw. You and her were quite... close, weren't you?" the glare intensified.
His eyes gave nothing away, while a drop of cold sweat rolled down his temple. He hadn't even thought about his father; they had won after almost three hours of both Seekers fighting over the Snitch. While he had shaken hands with the rest of his team mates, he finally reached to the heiress. Instead of a simple hand shake, they had hugged, congratulating and grinning at each other. Not once had he thought about his father watching. His cold voice snapped him back to reality again.
"The Dark Lord won't like that in the least if he finds out, boy. You know what you're in for. The mission he assigned you to do isn't that complicated. Just do it and be done with it, we have more to think about than that so called pure blood that seems more like a Muggle. You are also aware of what will happen if you fail, are you not?"
"Yes, father." He tried not to think of what he would have to explain to Iris after this, his reply mechanical.
"Very well. To whom does your loyalty lay, Draco?"
Dread spread through him like wild fire as he heard those words. It was a mistake having brought her to his room, now he knew. And he knew he would pay dearly for it. "To the Dark Lord. And his followers."
"I bid you goodnight, Draco. Do not forget, he is waiting." With a last smirk, the flames returned to their normal colour, his face vanishing.
His fingernails dug deeply into his palms. He couldn't care less if he was really bleeding. Draco didn't hear any noise coming from the other division. It could be a bad sign or a good sign.
Once he opened the door, he knew the answer.
She was gone. A single piece of parchment was on his bed. Sighing, the blond moved closer.
Liar.
It was the single word written in a blood red colour. His hand covered his eyes. How will I explain it to her now?
…TBC…