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Chapter 7:
Almost Losing It
Zeta threw herself onto the bed, tears still rolling down her face. She had prayed, and hoped and wished, she would never return to this terrible place, no longer be haunted my Draco's face, but she was. The sorting hat had once again decided upon Slytherin. Not having the energy to change out of her robes, Zeta fell asleep tears staining her pillow.
She woke up the next morning, wanting to just sneak into the Gryfindor common room, and act like she had been there forever, but knew she couldn't. Someone was bound to notice.
Zeta slowly changed into a new clean robes, instead of wearing the ones she had worn to bed, after her shower, and walked down to the common room, expecting to see Draco, so that he could annoy her, but to her surprise he was no where to be seen.
Hoping for the best (he had fallen off a cliff) Zeta climbed out of the cold common room, and walked down the hall she had seen only a few hours before. Her first class was Potions with the Gryfindors, and then it was to the greenhouse with the Hufflepuffs. Then was lunch, and then Defense Against the Dark Arts. Then she had Transfiguration with the Gyrfindors again, and then dinner. Warily, hoping that she did not see Draco, Zeta made her way to Potions. She walked into the dungeon, and saw only a few people there. The classroom slowly started to fill up, and Draco was no where to be seen. Zeta sighed a breath of relief when Hermione took a seat next to her.
"Harry and Ron have to talk about manly stuff." Hermione snorted, looking behind her with a giggle, as a man with a hooked nose, and disgustingly greasy hair walked in. This must have been Snape.
"Welcome to your Potions Level Seven..." Snape continued in a boring, drawling tone, much like Malfoy's, explaining to rules, as Hermione was the only one who actually copied them down. The bell rang a while later as she stood up to go to Herbology. She walked out of the dungeon, and was caught by Harry. He held her hand.
"Do you mind if I walk you to class?" He asked, as Zeta eyed him playfully.
"Aren't you going to be late for your next class?" She asked, looking him over.
"I don't care. I hate Trelawney anyway, and she hates me." He said with a laugh, "And besides, I don't think that old bat would know if I was there or not." Zeta laughed quietly, as Harry and her walked out into the bright sunlight.
"It's a beautiful day." Zeta said looking at the grass around her, "It's a shame you have to be in that dark tower with all the curtains drawn, burning up, studying stupid love destiny's."
"So I see you have already met Trelawney?" Harry asked with a laugh.
"Of course, it was a terrible experience." Zeta said, trying to laugh about it, but it was not easy. Divination had been quite disturbing.
"What, you didn't get paired with Draco again did you?" Harry asked, laughing again.
"Oh..." Zeta bit her lip, "No..." She laughed, and was relieved they had reached the greenhouse.
"Well, I'll see you later." He said letting go, and walking back to the castle. She watched him leave, and at the door he turned, and waved to her, she waved back. Zeta walked into the greenhouse, and was once again surprised to see Draco no where.
In fact, the rest of the day went like that, Draco was nowhere to be seen. In any of her classes, he wasn't there. Not that this annoyed her or anything, but if he had been shipped to a different school, she had hoped he at least had the to decency to give her her ring back.
But, no she never did get it back. Draco was nowhere for the next three month's and Zeta did not know why. She looked for him, asked around, and finally got a rumor he was shipped to a more contained wizarding school, all boys. Ha, that would serve him right. Those three month's were the best she had ever had. Harry walked her to each class, and would walk her to her common room every night after dinner. It was wonderful, and the best part, there was no one nagging her about it.
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Zeta sat in Divination one day, at the end of November, and felt ready to faint, for the heat of the room was getting to her head. Trelawney was explaining something, that didn't make much sense, but for some reason was resounding in Zeta's mind, echoing back.
"As you all know, at this point, we are studying Love Destiny's," She told them, pushing her glasses up her nose, "But I thought for today, we would study something connected to Love Destiny's." Trelawney looked at all of them, as Pansy snickered about something.
Zeta rolled her eyes, and continued to listen to Trelawney, vaugely wondering what her next assignment was, so she could get it over, and go to bed.
"Love Past's are also very important your destiny of love..." Trelawney looked around at them, hoping for at least one to be excited.
"What are Love Past's supposed to show us?" Pansy asked, her annoyingly high-pitched voice ringing in Zeta's head.
"Very good question Ms. Parkinson..." Trelawney told her, trying to hold back her excitement that someone was interested, "Love Past's are a very good way to show what a person has been through in love." A small murmur from the room, "Which can give a further explanation of the destiny." Zeta sighed, knowing this was going to be boring. Her past would show her a boy, that faceless boy she used to play with, every year, and yet, she could not make out who he was. Every night, in every dream, that faceless boy was there, and every night Zeta would feel on the break of finding out who he was, and then it was over. The boy would then be gone.
"Arwin and..." Zeta was pulled back as she heard her name being called, "Parkinson." She looked up at her professor in horror, the words of protest getting stuck in her throat. This had to be a curse!
Pansy smiled, her made-up plump red lips twisting into an insane, ugly grin. Zeta tried not to laugh at how stupid she looked. Her pale face looked very pug-like, and those lips, those large plump lips that were very over-sized. Her blonde fat curls hung around her face, as she stood up, letting her hand lay on Goyle's leg for far to long. Pansy made her way over to the table Zeta sat at, and sat down.
"Let's make one thing straight." Pansy told her, her voice like nails on a chalkboard, "I want an A, and if I don't get it..." She smiled slyly, and traced a figure-eight on the table, "Let's just say..." Pansy looked up suddenly, "There will be conscequences..." Zeta rolled her eyes.
"Don't you-!" Pansy began.
"Just..." Zeta cut in quickly, on the verge of furry, "Don't talk... It's annoying..." Pansy opened and closed her mouth, lost for words of insult, but nothing came out.
"Thank you..." Zeta told her, letting her sentence trail off. She looked into the crystal ball, as Pansy shot her an icy looked, crossing her arms.
"Now, please turn to page 659 in your Divination book," Trelawney began. "Here you will find a list of what all the meanings of what you will see." Pansy slammed her book on the table, as the crystal ball swirled.
"Please begin..." Trelawney told them, as she swept across the room, dragging her scarf behind her. She hummed a little tune, that reminded Zeta of something that she couldn't grasp.
"You can go first." Zeta told Pansy, looking up at her coldly from her book.
"Fine." She told. "Well I see a harp, and thats it." She looked up.
"Well, it just means that you've..." Zeta stiffled a laugh with a cough, "gotten around." Pansy looked up, acting like it didn't annoy her at all. She smiled streching her lips wide across her face.
"Your turn."
Zeta rolled her eyes, once again, showing her annoyance. She looked into the ball and stared, searching for an answer. She got lost in the swirls, the air moving around, as though it was a liquid. It completely absorbed her, she was lost in it. The rememberance of things past flooded into her mind. She could not see them, but in her head she could feel them.
Slowly an image could be seen, a dark hooded figure, that had a presense of evil.
"I see a dark figure." Zeta told Pansy, tearing her eyes away from the churning darkness. Pansy's curls fell around her face as she flipped continuosly through the pages.
"That's not in here." She told her, still flipping. "Zeta don't lie, it's not like I care anyway. Let me guess you got the harp as well."
"This isn't a joke Pansy." Zeta stood up, her voice rising, "It's what I saw."
"What did you see darling?" Trelawney asked, slowly making her way towards them. An air of evil filled the space.
"I saw a dark hooded figure." Her professor stopped shortly, and stared in disbelief.
"Come again?" She asked, as the entire room went silent.
"A dark hooded figure." Zeta told her once again, her face beginning to redden with nervousness.
"What does it mean professor?" A girl asked from the other side of the room, as no one else spoke.
"Well," Trelawney cleared her throat, "That would mean Obliviate. The memory erasing charm."
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Zeta sat at the Slytherin Dining table in the Great Hall, unable the eat. Trelawney's words still echoed in her head, the class's gasp when they heard her, never leaving. What had it meant? What was she supposed to do now? She didn't know who to go to. Her mother? But what would she know? Harry? He wouldn't be able to help. Hermione? She would give a long lecture, and recommend a book. Dumbledore? No, he would be too hard to talk to.
Pansy slid down the table bench, until she was sitting directly across from Zeta. She had put her hair up, and had reddened her lips. She still looked terrible.
"So..." She began, getting on Zeta's nerves, "Who did it?"
"Did what?" Zeta asked irritably, taking out her Care of Magical Creatures book.
"Erased your memory, the whole school is dying to know.." Pansy told her, acting as if they were best friends chatting about some juicy gossip.
"Well, that was an unintelligent question..." Zeta told her, opening her book. Suddenly the book started to snap at her, as she realized she had turned to the dreaded page 385. It turned its way to Pansy. It bit the air rapidly as Pansy shrieked , pulling away from the table. She slid off the bench behind her, bringing a plate of food with her. The crash was in an instant. Pansy hit the floor in one moment, and the next, she was covered in food. Zeta grabbed her book, and closed it quickly, trying to hold back a wild wave of laughter. She threw the book in her bag, and turned around the leave.
"You freak!" Pansy's high-pitched voice made Zeta turn on her heels.
"A freak? Why in the world would I be a freak?" Zeta asked as Pansy stood up, wiping carrots off her chest, by now the entire Hall was watching.
"You can't even remember what happened in the past, which would make you a Memory..." She flung a piece of food off her hand, "Loss..." She did it again, "Freak..."
"Well, I must not be a freak enough then..." Zeta shot back angrily, pulling her Care of Magical Creatures book out again.
"Why?" Pansy asked, picking carrots out of her hair.
"I seem to remember enough that I don't like you." Zeta threw open her book to page 385 and it began to snap once again. Pansy jumped back, screaming as the Hall broke into laughter. Zeta closed the book and looked at back at Pansy.
"You've got a little bit of carrot in your hair there..." Zeta told as she turned on her heels walking out the Great Hall.
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She shook in angry clutching her Care of Magical Creatures book to her chest, as Zeta made her way to the Slytherin common room.
"Zeta!" She could hear a pair of feet running up behind her, as she turned quickly. Harry was smiling jogging up to her.
"Very nice.." He told her, once they were walking in step, "Very, very nice..."
"Oh," Zeta told him, realizing her finger had still marked the page. She quickly pulled it out, as Harry grabbed her hand. "Thanks, I guess..."
They walked hand and hand down the corridor until they got to the point where both had to go seperate ways. Zeta turned to Harry, about the pull her hand away.
"Wait, Zeta I have a surprise.." Harry told, leading her in the opposite direction. Zeta followed, wondering where they were going, and hoping it was something she would like. She suddenly realized it was their 3 month anniversary. Surprisingly enough, this whole fling with Harry was quite bizzare. She was not perfect, in any way, shape, or form, but for some reason, Harry was attracted to her. This was all some kind of dream, it had to be, for this was not something normal, or ordinary. This was extrodinary.
Harry lead her up a stair case, as she felt the cold night air sting her face. Zeta wondered where they were going. She walked onto the top of the roof and wrapped her cloak closer around. Harry put his hands on her shoulders, trying to warm her up.
"I wanted to tell you how much I loved you..." He began looking up. The millions of stars shown brightly in the clear winter sky.
"So I tried to write it..." He laughed as Zeta stared at the stars. Each of them with their own life and story, "I tried to say it." It was extrodinary how many there were, "I tried to count it..." They were all so bright, "But I didn't have enough object to count." They were wonderful. "So I came out here, and decided that if I could live forever, I'd tell you I love you on every one of these stars..." Zeta looked at him in shock as he smiled, proud for coming up with the idea all by himself.
"Harry!" Zeta told him with a smile, beginning to melt.
"I love you too.." She whispered in his ear, as she pulled back and kissed him on the lips. She looked back up at the stars and knew she was going to remember this night for the rest of her life.
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Zeta laid in bed one night, unable to sleep, and decided it may be easier to try to write her potions essay. She got out of bed, changed into her school blouse and skirt, threw on a robe, swung her bag over her shoulder, and walked down the stairs. She thought she would stay up until breakfast working on it. Zeta looked into the common room, empty. She quickly looked at her watch, and saw it was one in the morning. Zeta knew she shouldn't but if she stayed in bed, she would get no sleep. She walked out of the common room, and began the quest to the library.
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Zeta made her way down the hallway, hoping not to meet up with Filch or Peeves, which would only make things worse. She warily walked down to the library, groping in the darkness, hoping not to run into anyone. She began to quicken her pace, feeling uneasy, and ran head on into someone. She looked up, but in the darkness could not see who it was. They heard foot steps coming down the hall, as the person grabbed her, and covered her mouth. They quickly threw her into any empty room, she fell to the floor. Fearing for the worst, Zeta could not help but wonder who this was. Her mind began to race, and her heartbeat quicken. What if it was Voldermort, or Snape? What if it was a deatheater, coming to kill her and the rest of the school?
"Lumos," she heard the person say, and in an instant she recognized the voice. A second later she could see his face. Zeta was surprised to see him, thinking he was gone forever, but oh no, he was back. Zeta quickly stood up, and walked over to the door, trying to get away from him as fast as possible.
"You walk out that door," Malfoy began breathing heavily, "And Filch will catch you in a second, he patrols this hallway for the next two hours."
"What?" Zeta asked in disbelief.
"If you don't believe me, look for yourself." Malfoy told her, and Zeta looked out the tiny window on the door, and saw Filch, pacing back and forth. She sighed, and slid down the door, holding her forehead in her hands.
"Draco Malfoy, if I have to spend the next two hours with you, you are to not lay a hand on me." Draco laughed, and walked over to her.
"I just saved you from a detention, and this is how you thank me?" Draco asked, beginning to pace in front of her.
"You do not deserve thanks." She hissed at him, "And how are you here anyway? I thought you were shipped to a different school or something." Zeta looked at him, and he laughed.
"My father convinced Dumbledore I had to come back here." He looked at her, "I heard you have been up to a lot since I was gone."
"Like what?"
"Dating the Boy Who Lived, for one thing." He looked at her, and she looked back in disbelief.
"How did you-?" But Draco cut her off.
"I told you, you never know who is watching." He shot her a menacing glance. "And it was all your fault I went to that stupid school in the first place. But don't worry," Zeta looked at him, "I learned my lesson. No snogging with you in front of everyone ever again."
"Draco Malfoy, I was not snogging with you. If anything you were the one who kissed me, remember?" Zeta stood up, and walked over to a desk, "And you are never to do that again."
"Oh yes I can," He walked over to her, and laid his hand on her thy, and began to slowly move it up her skirt, "You still have to regret something." He smiled at her evilly, and she pushed his hand away.
"Draco, I don't know if this is the time at night you get very excited, but if it is, I would rather have detention." Zeta shot at him, hoping he would just leave her alone.
"Oh, I highly doubt that." He looked at her and walked back to the door. He pulled out his wand, and quickly put a spell on the door, so the room looked dark in the window, and he conjured up some candles.
"Mood lighting." He said as he pocketed his wand again.
"For whatever you have planned, I will not particpate." She told him, standing.
"Arwin..." Draco began, walking behind her, moving closer, so he was right behind, whispering quietly into her ear, his hands gently placed on her arms. "No one will find out...and you'll have your ring back." Zeta could feel his breath on her neck as he whispered softly to her. She did not know what to do. Draco was trying to provoke her, and she did not know to believe him or not. He slowly took of her robe, and she was in her skirt and blouse. Wonderful Zeta, you've gotten yourself into this situation, now get out...
Draco put his hands on her waste, as she still tried to make her decision. He unfolded her arms from their crossed position, and she let them fall to her sides. He began to kiss her on the neck again, kissing her on the shoulder at first, and moving slowly up her neck, kissing slowly, and passionately. Zeta could feel herself quickly falling into his trap. Slowly convincing herself to go for the regret, and get Draco Malfoy. Her eyelids slid closed, and she breathed in quickly trying to steady it. Her body rose and fell as Draco continued to kiss her, behind her ear, and on her neck.
"Come on Arwin..." He whispered in her ear quietly, his lips caressing her neck, "Just one time..." Zeta made up her mind. She turned around, and looked him in the eyes. They took control of her again, his beautiful gray eyes, that hpynotized her, made her mind go crazy. She swung her arm around his neck, kissing him passionately, opening her mouth. Draco's tounge entered it, as she wanted, and he kissed her back. Zeta could feel the blood rush throughout her body, and she put her other arm around his neck. The exhiliration was incredible. She continued to kiss him, roughly now, as he picked her up, and carried her to a desk. He set her down, and began to unbutton her top, still kissing her on the neck, as Zeta closed her eyes taking in his wonderful scent, and the touch of his lips. They brushed slowly on her neck, and continued to provoke her. Telling her to let everything go. He finished undoing her shirt, and threw it off. Zeta could feel the cold night air on her body, as Draco's breathing sent a chill up her spine. He began to kiss her neck, and her chest, continuing to make Zeta feel wonderful. He continued up her neck.
"Love's destiny..." He whispered into her ear, as Zeta looked up, closing her eyes. She inhaled the air around her, as it stung her lungs, and she let her chest fall, exhaling. Love's destiny, kept repeating itself in her mind as she suddenly stopped. She looked at Draco, who continued to kiss her, as she felt the guilt, falling over her entire body.
She pushed him away.
He looked at her utterly shocked, hunger still in his eyes. Zeta got off the desk, and walked to where her blouse was, she quickly put it on, not saying a word. She picked up her robe threw it on, along with her bag, a tear falling down her cheek.
"Slut..." He hissed at her, and she turned around, staring at him, the hatred flowing back, yet the regret coming stronger. "You'll never get your bloody ring back, if I have anything to say about it." Zeta looked at him, trying to steady her breathing, a large wave of sobs coming on.
"Keep it." She told him, not able to think straight. "I don't care anymore." She said to him, struggling with her words. She turned around and left.
Draco ran to the door, and saw her walk right up the Filch, as he grabbed her arm, leading her to his office. Draco looked out the door, and began to laugh to himself, for it was just what he wanted, she had finally given in.