Chapter 9

It was the following day after the task. I was sat on my bed trying to write a letter, it was surprisingly hard to do. I dearly hoped I would get permission, I would be truly upset if theu said I couldn't go,

I

Dear Molly and Arthur,

Here's the letter I promised I'd write. How are you? Just to let you know I survived the task, it was as fun as swimming in a freezing lake could be. I'm winning the tournament at the moment, Harry would have won but he tried to rescue all the hostages - I'm sure you'll read about it in the Prophet this morning.

I met Montague's mother yesterday. I told you about his father in my last letter, she's just as lovely. So polite and friendly; it was only because of their generosity giving me the potion that I survived the task yesterday. They have invited me to spend some of the summer with them, the first three weeks. I said I'd check with you first. Can I please go? It would be lovely to spend time getting to know his family better and I promise I'll be careful,

All my love,

Kirsty.

/I

I received the reply three days later at the breakfast table, after opening it excitedly I scanned its contents.

"That from your foster parents?" asked Draco lazily.

I nodded, "yes, I had to ask them if I could go to Montague's in the summer."

"Why do you still live with them?"

"They're not that bad Draco, they're like an extended family," I replied, continuing to read the note.

He huffed unbelievingly before turning to speak with Krum.

"Is that your answer?" asked Montague from behind me. He had placed his hands on my shoulders as was scanning the parchment with his eyes, "I'm surprised they're letting you come actually. Wouldn't think they'd let you mix with us lot. I'll write to my parents later and tell them."

I turned and smiled at him, "morning love. How are you?"

"Hungry," was all he replied as he sat next to me and grabbed a slice of bacon.

March had finally decided to arrive and with it the next Hogsmeade trip of the year. Hogsmeade was the nearby wizarding village and everyone from third year up was allowed to go.

Pansy and I would be going round the village with Draco and Montague, as a kind of double date thing. We had spent the last hour getting ready, or at least Pansy had, I had been ready about twenty minutes ago.

I was wearing a set of pale pink robes, with a white shirt and blue jeans underneath. My hair had been spelled straight with a few ringlets framing my face. Around my neck was the necklace Montague has given me for Christmas and the locket Harry had given me. Around my wrist was a chain of diamond hearts, joined by white gold strands that Montague had given to me as a Valentines present. I also occasionally wore the bracelet Draco had given me for Christmas as he was my best friend in the Slytherin house.

"You ready to go yet Pansy?" I asked for the hundredth time.

Thankfully, this time I heard an affirmative and she quickly dragged me down the stairs. I was glad when my world finally stopped flying past me.

"Morning love," whispered Montague, pecking me on the lips, "Sleep well?"

I nodded, "Very well thank you. Looking forward to today?"

"Only because it involves spending the entire day with you," he told me, "I was never one for shopping."

I grinned happily, "of course Love. Is there any places you need to go this morning?"

He nodded, "I promised my friends I'd get them some stuff from Honeydukes, they have no reason to go down. I also need some new quills and ink. Father shall also be meeting us for lunch in the Bronze Dragon, of course Draco and Pansy have also been invited along as well."

"Yes," continued Draco proudly, "my father shall also be there. He is looking forward to meeting you Kirsty."

I smiled politely. Meeting Lucius Malfoy? The infamous supposedly ex death eater? Wasn't so sure about that, but that wasn't something I could change. This was what my life would be like if I continued to be in love with Montague, I would be forced to tiptoe around the edge of dark magic. All I could do was make sure I didn't get my fingers burnt…

So far the morning had gone reasonably well. Hadn't seen Harry all morning, he'd been shooting me shifty looks since I told him about going to Montague's over the summer, I'd talk to him later. Meanwhile, the four of us had visited nearly every shop in Hogsmeade - mainly with mine and Pansy's insistence.

Us two girls had assisted with Draco's first purchase - his mother's birthday gift. Montague was carrying a large Honeydukes bag - full of sweets of every flavour - plus many other bags full of stationary, plus some of my own purchases - he was such a gentleman. My ears had also been graced with a new pair of earrings to go with the jewellery set that Montague had brought me. I had tried not to let him pay for it - but he insisted.

We arrived at the Bronze Dragon just before one. It was one of the posh restaurants in the town. When we entered we were greeted by a smartly dressed doorman, dressed in a set of black dress robes, who took our coats and bags before showing us to the table. I gratefully accepted the seat Montague pulled out for me and gave his father a polite greeting. Then I turned to Malfoy senior.

I had met the man only once before. We had only had enough time for a quick polite greeting and the Quidditch world cup. His hair, the same pale blonde as his son's, was flowing past his shoulders in a straight, dignified manner. On his face was fixed a small polite smile and I studied him politely, in the same interested manner he studied me.

"Miss Potter," greeted his polite, slippery voice, "it's so good to see you again."

"And yourself Mr Malfoy," I replied carefully, "I trust you are well?"

"Of course, I hear you've been very busy since our last meeting," he commented, his grey eyes flickering towards Montague as he spoke. I assumed he wasn't just talking about the tournament.

"Yes sir, I have."

Lunch was served soon after. My plate was filled with a pasta dish, mixed with pieces of sausages and herbs. I ate it with care, attempting to show that I did indeed have table manners. The conversation continued at a slow, comfortable place - but I kept my wits about me.

"So, Miss Potter," began Lucious, "How does you bother fair?"

I paused, I knew he'd come up at some point, "he is well, thank you."

"How does he view your relationship with Mr Grey?"

The entire table now had their eyes on me, I was fighting the blush that was threatening to rise, "I haven't spoke with him much recently, but I believe him to be comfortable with it."

Needless to say, I was pleased when I finally reached the safety of the castle. The others decided that they would drop off the bags in their dormitories and Montague agreed to place mine up there, I needed to find my brother. While my boyfriend tried to convince me it would all be better if he attended the conversation, I told him not to worry so much about me and walked in the direction of the Griffindor common room.

"Excuse me," I greeted the portrait the guarded the entrance, "do you know if my brother's in there?"

The large lady in a pink dress nodded to me, "he has only just arrived. Wait a moment."

She disappeared for a few moments before returning as Harry slipped through from behind her.

"What do you want?" he asked, trying to avoid eye contact.

"To talk to you!" I exclaimed, "You've been avoiding me ever since the second task!"

He shook his head and tried to deny it.

"Harry, can you please just tell me what's wrong? You are the most important person in my life, I don't want us to fall out."

He sighed and beckoned for me to follow him up the corridor. After a few minutes we settled ourselves on a small window seat and both stared intently out of the window as I waited for him to speak,

"I went to see Padfoot today," he muttered, "he's living up in cave in Hogmeade."

He went to see our Godfather and didn't tell me? I felt slightly put out, "You've been in contact with him?"

Harry nodded, "He's been writing to me."

"Then why not to me?" I asked.

"He's been asking about you," commented Harry, "he doesn't approve of your relationship with Montague though. Say's he's too old."

"Because he's too old? Or because he's a Slytherin?" I hissed, "He doesn't like me either, does he? He's never liked me since he found out my house. What would mum and dad say? Instead of looking after us he's picking favourites and on the run from the ministry!"

"Well, it's not his fault," growled Harry.

"I want to Harry, I want to have a relationship with my Godfather, I just don't believe he wants one with me!"

A/N: Not really any cliffys at the moment. Hope you like the story so far though….the next instalment will be along shortly…..

TBC…..