Two of a Kind

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters therein. We do, however, own Persiopeia Black and all other original characters created for this story.

Chapter 14: The Uneasy Truce

Draco's pov

I have never experienced anything quite so strange as what happened between the quad and Pia and me that day. After we all talked, and promised to hex one another occasionally, so we wouldn't fall out of practice, of course. We ate our dinner and shared almost completely civil conversation. Ron, Ginny and Hermione shared stories from their childhoods while Harry, Pia and I listened attentively and somewhat jealously; none of us had had the pleasure of a real childhood.

"Ah, yes, my last Christmas I received luggage. For my trousseau, you understand," Pia said, laughing, "As you could probably tell, Titus had already begun to plan my auction."

Hermione was the first to speak, "At least you know you were expensive!"

They all laughed, but I groaned as I realized the true meaning: It was going to be expensive, very expensive, to break the ties that already bound Pia and me, and I had to have my wits about me. I watched how easily she was fitting in with her new family. I envied her a little bit, having a real family; I was afraid, too. I don't want them to take her away from me, and that was what it looked like.

I couldn't stand that.

"I think I'll take my leave of you all for the evening. I'll be in my rooms later, Pia, should you choose to join me," I said stiffly, kissing her chastely on the cheek before I left. She was slightly startled by my abrupt departure, but I had to get out of there, at least for a while. I could feel her slipping away from me, into the Weasley-Potter nexus, and I couldn't stand to watch it happen.

"Ssure, Draco. I'll be in later," Pia said, confused. I left and she watched me go.

Pia's pov

I knew what was happening as Ron, Ginny and Hermione spoke of their pleasant childhoods; Harry, Draco and I were all jealous, but I think Draco was affected the most. Harry and I always knew we were outsiders, but Draco had never known why his father treated him so cruelly.

After Draco left, the mood in my sitting room dampened considerably. No-one bothered to try to make small talk for a while. Finally, Hermione spoke.

"How are you going to break your engagement, Pia?" Hermione asked gently. She was leaning back into Ron, and we had all pretty much finished our dinner.

"I'm not sure. Three adult, licensed wizards and witches witnessed PP's confession that Zabini is actually the father of her child. Draco is released from his engagement, but neither Zabini nor I are affected by this turn of events; apparently the old bloodlaws allow for a pureblood wizard to have a wife and at least one mistress, so long as both women were pureblooded as well. Both PP and I fit that description, so Zabini is in the clear," I said bitterly. I know she's trying to help, but honestly no-one knows how to kill a mood like Hermione.

"And the fact that he kidnapped you and tried to rape you has no bearing on the matter?" Ginny said, half-rising from her seat in indignation.

"I can clear that up, I think," Harry said, and I shot him a thankful look. "It has something to do with why I'm stuck at the Dursley's for a chunk of the summer: protection. Pia was raised by Titus and Necromana, and therefore that accorded her some protection. I think, by extension, that when they decided who she would marry, some of that protection transferred. In short, she's entrusted to the one person who would see her dead."

Ron piped in at that moment. "Why, Harry, I do believe that was a rather Hermione-like leap of logic."

"Thanks, mate," Harry said, slipping his arm lower around Ginny. Ron saw and growled at his best mate, and Harry immediately relocated his hand.

I nodded. "Something like that. I have a meeting with Snape tomorrow, and that's one of the things we're to talk about. He's going to help me."

Hermione stood up and waited for her friends to do the same. "Pia," she said to me kindly, "We'll help as much as possible. Just let us know, alright? I didn't mean to upset you earlier."

I smiled at her; she was always trying to help. "I know. I guess we're going to be related, too."

Hermione blushed and led Ron out. Harry and Ginny followed, but Ginny unexpectedly hugged me before dashing out.

I arranged my things and smiled at my room before I left for Draco's rooms. It was so nice being part of a family, a real family.

Draco's pov

I waited an interminably long time for Pia to come and find me. I paced around my rooms while I waited, and my impatience was beginning to get the better of me when Pia finally arrived. I stood and waited for her to close the door and face me.

"Draco, I do appreciate the efforts you're making with my ffamily," Pia said, her voice faltering over the new word. Her eyes were somewhat bright, and I could feel her hurt brimming out of them.

"Pia, I am trying, but I can't work miracles. I think we need to take more of our advice from Snape and less from Weasley and the rest," I said, reaching for her. She shook me off and looked at me.

"Draco, I know Snape is your favorite professor, and perhaps the closest thing you have to a father, but I have guardians that can help as well. Can we deal with this in the morning? I'm tired, and I've missed you beside me," Pia said, and she finally melted into my arms, raising her mouth for a kiss.

"For you, I would do anything, make an uneasy truce, do whatever it takes. You are my Pia, and you are worth all of that," I said, kissing her to seal my words.

Later that night, I woke to Pia crying gently into my shoulder. No words were made for the moment a girl realizes she has not only a family that loves her unconditionally, but that a man loves her and her friends love her, so I said nothing as I held her through that long night.