Chapter 10
Hades
Dinner. I'd gone through all of my classes without a peep from Draco. He didn't even tell me after where we were studying. I figured he'd decided not to tutor me after all and Snape would be having a talk with me about one of the other students taking over but Snape said nothing.
I took the last bite of my dinner and reached for my water glass. As I took a drink I noticed that every student on my half of the table was staring at me. I laid my glass back down and stared back at them questioningly. A girl sitting a couple of feet down from me motioned her head upward and I looked behind me.
Draco was standing there in his Slytherin uniform staring down at me as if I were an ant to be stepped on. The expression on his face was so judging that I was scared to ask what he wanted. He looked thoroughly disgusted with me. I finally gulped down the bite of food in my mouth.
"Hagrid's hut, 7:30, don't be late."
My lips clamped together as I felt I'd burst into tears and I had been crying enough lately to fill the Nile. A simple nod was all I could give and I felt that was all he wanted. He turned and left at an angered speed with his cloak lagging behind like a dog at his heels. I reunited with my dinner noticing that all of the eyes were still on me then a gush of questions came flooding toward me and I was suddenly the most popular girl at the table.
"Is it a date?" one girl said.
"He's dreamy." said another girl and I felt a pang of possessiveness.
"I wish he were taking me to Hagrid's hut." another girl exclaimed.
"It's not like that." I said. "He's tutoring me per Snape."
"Oh." they all huffed at once. I shrugged then laughed to myself at their disappointment.
"Either way, what I wouldn't give to be you right now." the first girl said. And the other girls sighed in agreement. They had no idea what they were wishing. He was angry with me and this evening would definitely not be enjoyable. This wouldn't be anything like a date.
I sat on the stairs of Hagrid's little house at seven twenty nine. No sign of Draco. So much for not being late. I rested my head on my hands and let out a whimper. Seven thirty came and went, seven forty-five. Eight, I wasn't waiting any longer. I picked up my bag, throwing it over my shoulder, and started back to the school.
"Where are you going?"
"To bed." I said, not looking back.
"We have a tutor session, Persy." I spun around.
"One you're a half hour late for!"
"I had something delivered and it showed up early. I couldn't get away any sooner or I would have been here." He came to me and placed a bag in my hand.
"What's this?"
"We're going into the Forbidden Forest."
"What? Snape said no forbidden areas."
"Sweet Persy…" he said. "Snape gave me permission."
"What are we doing?"
"You'll see." He slid his hand in mine and pulled me behind him. "Persy?"
"Yes?"
"Stay close." I clasped his hand tighter and he responded by squeezing mine.
Once we arrived at the forest he sat down one of the bags and rummaged through it pulling out random items and sitting them on the ground. After a few minutes he pulled out small object resembling a crossbow and a gun then threw everything else back in the bag and tossed it over his shoulder.
"It's just in case we run into any trouble. Tranquilizers work against creatures that magic doesn't." He handed me a flute like object and a small bag of darts. "Don't look at me like that. Snape lent me the weapons. He thinks you need to be taught about the dark arts as well as defense and I agree." We headed in a ways. I looked at the bag of darts and went to place them in my pocket.
"NO!" He lunged at me and snatched them out of my hand. "On second thought you take the tranquilizer." The little gun was placed in my hand but I still didn't understand his reaction. They were only darts.
"Why can't I have the darts?" He forced me into a kiss and his heat was fantastic against the cold night wind. Don't stop. He pulled away and I was sorely disappointed. I knew he could see it for he stepped forward and kissed me again though a lighter kiss than before.
"They are poison. If one prick hits you you're dead before you can say Pomfrey." He took my hand again and guided me into the forest.
"Where are we going?"
"To talk to the centaurs."
"Why would we want to do that?"
"You ask too many questions."
"So? I'm curious. It may be dangerous." He turned around slowly and embraced me.
"I wouldn't let anything happen to you."
"I lo-" I began.
"Don't."
"Goddamn it! Let me say it!"
"Lower your voice."
"Well I mean it and you won't let me say it. That's worse than me not letting you touch me."
"Do you real-" I kissed him. For the first time I initiated it and his reaction I never would have expected. He dropped his bags to the ground and lifted me in his arms immediately then carried me to a tree and sat me on my feet. He walked away. He was walking away! And then he rummaged through his bag pulling out a blanket.
My eyes widened. What was he expecting me to do? He spread the blanket over a pile of leaves and picked me up again.
"What-" He laid me on the blanket, hovered over me eyeing me like a wolf, then kissed me passionately. His hand shot to my thigh and the other under me to the small of my back.
"Persephone…" he said between kisses.
"Draco?" I questioned.
"Say it." He let go of my leg and I lay freely on the blanket with his grey eyes staring down at me. Those cold eyes seemed now to have a bit of warmth. Platinum locks hung from his face and I was in that moment completely in love.
"I love you." I said. He buried his face in my neck dwelling there for a while and worked his way down my chest. His gentle but strong grip pulled me over him as he flipped onto his back. I giggled.
"My dark venus." he said.
"Hades." He grinned wildly and I thought at that moment that he resembled a devil. His arms slid around my waist and pulled me down to him.
"Accepted entrance to my underworld?" I laughed and kissed him softly.
"Not quite yet." He frowned and was gorgeous even then. "I'm not even your girlfriend." I climbed off of him and fixed my clothing.
"Yes you are." He sat up and pulled me close again. "As of now."
"Aren't you going to ask me?"
"No." His lips met mine and he pushed me back down on the blanket. I'd never known so much passion in one person.
"This isn't the right place for this…" I said as he laid me back against the blanket and laughed.
"I'm not planning to shag you. You're far too prideful for that." He kissed me gently.
"Then why the blanket?"
"I thought it would be nice to have some alone time without the bickering get your mind off of him… before I show you…. Nevermind." He shook his head and lay down beside me.
"He's not on my mind…" I lay in his arms and he held me protectively while we talked randomly about the past six years at Hogwarts. I'd never felt so close to someone, like I belonged exactly where I was at exactly that moment.
"When did you decide you loved me?" I asked. I kissed his cheek wantonly.
"It wasn't a decision. I always liked you but it wasn't until I realized there was someone else on my turf that I came to terms with how I felt. That's only one part of it. The other you'll learn about soon." He ran his fingers through my hair.
"I see."
"And that day you said you hated me. Many people have said that to me but I never cared until it came from you." He gave me a quick but soft kiss. "I'm sorry for the way I've treated you in the past. I promise to never treat you badly again." I snuggled into his arms and drifted a bit as if the air wasn't cold at all.
"Students shouldn't be out this late!"
I sat up quickly. Draco jumped in front of me and threw one hand behind him in reassurance that I was there.
"Persephone's all grown up!" There was a large Centaur standing over us. He resembled Firenze but had fiery red hair. "You look distraught." He laughed a booming haughty laugh. "Don't worry I'm not going to tell anyone."
"Givesh?" said Draco.
"Yes, and I believe you came to talk with me about something. Draco? Yes that's you're name, the captor of our dear Persephone. Maybe we should call you Hades." He laughed again.
"How do you know me?" I said.
"Why your father rescued me in Germany and brought me here. Last time I saw you your mother was still coddling you in her arms. You've grown into quite a beautiful young woman." He nodded at Draco. "And caught the eye of a few young boys."
Draco moved backward and slid his arms around me. He sneered at the comment from Givesh and I wanted to be lying back on that blanket with him, talking the night away.
"Excuse me if I offend, let me rephrase. You've lasso'd the heart of a young man." He laughed that hearty laugh again. "Well come on then, I have quite a bit to say."
Draco gathered the blanket and stuffed it back in his bag which he then threw over his shoulder and I grabbed my bags as well. When I came up beside him I noticed a knowing smirk on his face.
"What?"
"I love you, that's all."
"Uh huh, what's that look about?"
"I can't bask in your presence?"
"Fine. But you know something I don't."
"Maybe." His free hand rubbed my back then slipped around my waist.
Givesh took us to a small clearing with a few stumps of fallen over trees. One was large enough for Draco and I to sit together and we did, his arm never left my waist. I shivered and he pulled me closer.
"I understand your parents split quite a while ago." said Givesh.
"Yes. Mother is in London and father, he went back to Germany."
"The last time I met with your parents they gave me something to hold until you were sixteen. You are sixteen now aren't you?"
"Of course I am!"
"I'm only making sure. I don't want to give it to you too early."
Draco smirked again. What was he hiding? I was becoming increasingly curious with every second that passed.
"You seem curious as to what your boyfriend knows. I assure you it is nothing bad." A blond girl came running out of the trees, she was the height of a small child but with a fully developed womanly body and she carried a box in her hands. "Thank you Ali." he said as he took the box from her. She scurried back into the trees. "Ali is a pixie, in case you were wondering." I smiled as I watched after her. "Now back to the subject at hand. Draco here only knows because he received something similar to this over Christmas. All pureblood witches and wizards do. Boys at 17 and girls at 16. It's tradition."
Draco reached over and opened my hands palms facing up and Givesh pulled a round object from the box letting it go just above my hands. It spun and changed colors. It kind of reminded me of those glossy garden balls that old ladies place on their lawn.
"It's called the Sphere of Influence." said Givesh.
"It's a bit like the sorting hat." added Draco.
"The young man is right, except this doesn't sort you into a house but a life path."
The ball brightened before my eyes then shot out a beam of white light almost blinding me. Suddenly I was in a dream-like state. I saw myself a little older sitting in the grass of a garden by a large manor house and there were two platinum-haired little girls fluttering around me. I was laughing and singing a song I remembered from when I was a child. A lullaby my mother used to sing to me.
A tall, athletic looking boy strode toward me, no older than thirteen and I could swear it was Draco but my view was changed quickly as a taller man joined the boy. Tall, handsome, platinum hair. It was Draco! His smile charmed the entire garden as he bent down to kiss my lips.
Then, then a flash before my eyes. Pansy with her dark straight-cut hair and pruny face stood glaring at me and Neville was behind her grinning evilly. The white light flashed again and the sphere disappeared into the night air leaving Draco, Givesh, and I in darkness.
"You've seen your future Persephone. It is up to you how it unfolds. If you desire this future then the people who appeared before you need to be dealt with." Draco rose and I followed.
"Thank you Givesh. I will take the advice you've given me."
"Take the advice of the Sphere. It has never been incorrect." I gathered my things and Draco and I began to leave. "And Persephone, learn to trust." I nodded and left him.
Draco and I emerged from the forest. The night was eerily silent and I felt utterly alone until I felt his warmth behind me.
"Do you want to know what I saw in my sphere?" he said.
"If it has influence on what I saw then no I don't. I don't want to risk what I had in that vision."
"Understandable."
"I need to get to bed. I'll see you tomorrow."
"My Persy." His hand cupped my chin and I kissed him then silently entered the castle making my way to my comfortable bed.
That night I dreamt of the little girls dancing around me and the tall Draco look-alike. They were my children I was sure. Scorpius, that's the name the boy told me. His name was Scorpius. And the twin girls were Hydra and Capra.
I didn't want to lose that future and the sphere had told me in a roundabout way that Neville and Pansy would play a factor in whether or not that premonition came true.
It was evening, after classes but before dinner. I sat on my bed with Draco's head in my lap lovingly running my fingers through his hair and he cuddled against it like an attention starved cat.
"Are you sure you don't want to hear about my vision?" he asked.
"I'm sure."
"You know I never fixed the cabinet," he said as he stared off. "I don't want that path." His hand slipped in mine and his grey eyes stared up at me.
"But your family?"
"I've spoken with Dumbledore and my parents are under strong surveillance. They are safe for now."
"Draco. I know it isn't the path you want but if it does come down to it and you must repair the cabinet I won't stop you. Family is important."
"It's nice to hear you say that but I won't be helping Voldemort anymore."
"You've changed." I leaned down and kissed his forehead.
"I've had the influence of an intelligent and beautiful girl." He sat up slowly and kissed me. "I rather like being a not-so-bad guy." I laughed. "What? Don't you think it fits?"
"Of course, but don't lose the Draco I love."
"I'll always be me; cruel, miserable, insufferable Hades."
"But my Hades."
"Mhmm…" He lay back down and pulled my hand back to his hair of which I resumed stroking.
I became increasingly worried about the premonition that the Sphere of Influence gave me. What did I need to prevent to have the life that had been shown to me? Avoiding Neville became the normal routine for a while. With all of the drama I had had with Draco recently I didn't want to risk anything in our relationship. It was too new, too fresh, and it felt like a rose petal that could be crushed with the slightest touch.
Draco would ask me quite a few times if I wanted to hear his premonition but I always refused. He seemed to really want to tell me but I wouldn't have it. He said that it had a lot to do with where we were at the moment but I always shooed the subject away.
"Are you sure you don't want to know?" He said as we walked down the hall together. His arm was wrapped tightly around my waist.
"I'm sure."
I saw a scowl form on his face. Why was it so important to tell me? He knew I didn't want a distraction yet he was so determined.
"I'll let you know when I'm ready."
He nodded and left me at my muggle studies class. I could hear him after a few seconds laughing with his friends and making some comment about Neville; same Draco different day.
That evening I made myself comfortable in potions class knowing that there wouldn't be any teasing unless it came from Pansy and I was sure Draco wouldn't let it go too far. Slughorn personally came to my table before class started to tell me that my work was improving. I was elated; nothing could ruin my day then.
I felt a hand rest on my shoulder and turned around viewing Neville before he sat down beside me. Well I couldn't really avoid him during class now could I? What was I worried about anyway? He'd always been kind why wouldn't he be now?
"Hey Persy."
"Hello Neville." I replied.
"I haven't seen you in potions in a few days. Everything all right?" He glanced at Draco then back at me. "He hasn't been teasing you has he?"
"No. Of course not." I then realized I hadn't told him I was with Draco. I couldn't very well tell him in the middle of class so I forced a smile to give him a hint I didn't want to talk about it. He returned my smile but gave me that blank stare again. I panicked suddenly because I knew what he was about to do. He kissed me and I pushed him off immediately.
"Neville no!" All eyes were staring at us suddenly and Draco's were angry. It was very rare his eyes showed any emotion but right then he reminded me of a demon.
"I love you Persy. Why not kiss you?" Neville said. I noticed his hands were holding mine but I couldn't move. My mouth opened but nothing came out. What could I say? I didn't want to break his heart right there in front of the entire class. I heard a few giggles from around us and one in particular, that was Pansy.
"The misfits are in love!" I heard her say; abhorrent creature that she was.
"Shut your fat trap Pansy." Draco said. A screech exhaled from her that could make the ears bleed. He was at our table now and Neville was on the floor literally petrified. 'Petrificus Totalus' was all I had heard before Neville clunked over. Then my hand was clasped and I was dragged out of the room and down the hall.
"Slow down!" I said. And his grasp was hurting my hand. "That hurts!" He took an immediate left and turning the corner he pushed me against the wall. "What is wrong with you?!"
"What were you doing?!"
"What? What are you talking about? He kissed me I didn't kiss him!"
"What's the difference?"
"Draco, I pushed him off of me as soon as he did it and afterward I was so shocked I couldn't move or I would have." He kissed me suddenly and I melted against him as if nothing had happened.
"I love you." I said. He kissed me again.
"Let's skip our last class. We'll practice a few curses by the lake. I want to be alone with you." His eyes searched mine. I couldn't say no to him, not anymore. I rested my head on his chest.
"I'll go anywhere with you." I replied. He whisked me away without another word.
The lake; my safe spot; I suspected it was now his safe spot too. We sat down under the willow tree and practiced different techniques on rocks and a few fish, which I felt bad about. He laughed at me for this and I replied with a comment on respect for life.
"I'm guessing that's your mother talking."
"Yeah. If she hadn't been so opposed I'd be at Durmstrang right now."
"My father wanted me to go there but mother wouldn't have it. She's a bit clingy as you could say." That made me giggle. Mrs. Malfoy was clingy? Draco was a mama's boy? The giggle turned into a full fledged laugh. "Shut up! I'm not a mama's boy."
"Invading my thoughts again?"
"I want to invade every part of you." He smirked and looked me up and down.
"Draco!" I yelled. He winked at me and began to undress. "What are you doing?"
"Going for a swim." He pulled his sweater over his shoulders and I viewed his beautiful body once again. "Coming?"
"But the water is freezing!" I shivered thinking about it.
"I'll fix that." He used a hot air charm causing the water to steam. "How about now?"
"Aren't there dangerous creatures in there?"
"Stop making excuses." He approached me and started removing my clothes. Before I knew it I was in the warm water with him and he had me in a full on make-out session. What had started as a fight over Neville turned into a very romantic and sensual evening.
That night I lay in bed thinking about him. His body, his mind, his heart, he wasn't as evil as I thought he was. Well, scratch that, he was to everyone else but he'd changed toward me. I didn't know how our future would turn out but at the moment it looked promising.
I drifted most of the night, hovering just above sleep, and I dreamt of Draco and me sitting in the garden by that beautiful manor house. It had to be Malfoy Manor. He was holding me while the twin girls played a game in front of us then everything turned dark; he was gone, the girls were gone, the garden was gone. I was alone in the dark surrounded by nothingness. Panic set in as I felt around and found nothing.
Neville appeared in the darkness and professed his love. He kissed me hard and passionate like Draco had so many times. It wasn't a kiss I believed Neville could give. His embrace was tight and unforgiving and I felt violated, forced, coerced, and betrayed.
A shrill laugh flew through the darkness and hit my ears. Pansy. What was she doing here? She walked up behind Neville, pulled him around, and kissed him. They both looked back at me evilly and snickered.
"They're both mine now." She laughed again. "You should have picked Neville, Draco doesn't love you he loves me." The hateful couple disappeared and I was once again alone in the dark until a light appeared before me and grew bigger and bigger until I was standing in the back of a musty classroom.
The room was full of students and definitely a magic school but it wasn't Hogwarts. At the front of the class was a skinny, pale, shell of a woman. Her wire rimmed glasses hung over her nose and her sandy, streaked hair was pulled back into a bun. It was me! Oh I looked so unhappy.
"I don't want to end up this way." I said to myself. The future me looked up from her desk.
"Choose the one you love." she said.
I woke up sweating and kicked the covers off. Glancing out the window I realized that it was morning. I dressed for my usual routine and made my way to breakfast. It was an uneventful breakfast to be sure. I didn't speak to anyone or eat much for that matter. The dream I'd had was bothering me. What could Neville and Pansy possibly do to sabotage my future?
The day was a beautiful one and I decided to go for a walk between classes. I roamed around with my thoughts in the clouds for a bit not realizing what time it was. When I finally came out of my thoughts I realized I was late for potions.
After a long running session I burst in the doors of the classroom.
"You're late Miss Moonbeam." said Slughorn.
"Yes sir. I'm sorry sir." I replied.
"Don't let it happen again." He said.
"I surely won't sir."
"Sir, sir. Aren't we little miss suck-up today?" Pansy was taunting me again and Draco wasn't there. Where was he? He wouldn't just skip a class for no reason. "Wondering where Drakey is?" She cackled. "He's on an errand for me. Seems I lost my necklace and he's searching the school. Such a sweetheart he is." I stiffened and she giggled. "I think I'll marry him someday."
I was going to rise out of my seat and pummel her. That vile excuse for a witch; oh I wanted to use the cruciatus on her right then and there, strangle her even. She knew Draco and I were in a relationship and she was deliberately using her placement in the same house to her advantage.
"I doubt he'd be able to stand all of the whining." I threw a sarcastic smile at her. I wished her necklace was cursed. Then maybe she'd die some horrible death.
Then again, if Draco wasn't out finding a necklace for her then where could he be? I hadn't seen him at all since the night before. What if he was looking for it? What if she'd convinced him that she was the right one for him? Oh god what if this whole time he was playing a joke on me? My stomach twisted and I felt ill suddenly. The last thing I remembered was falling onto the cold floor, hearing Slughorn's voice, and everything going black.
"Wake up dear." I heard a sweet voice through the void of nothingness that surrounded me. "Come. Wake up." Was it Pomfrey? I didn't know but I didn't want to see. The only thing on my mind was that Draco did not love me. I wanted to stay in that void, stay in the realm of the nothing. Draco was off looking for Pansy's necklace while I was unconscious. Dread washed over me. I'd given my heart to him and he didn't love me. That's what my dream had said. 'He doesn't love you he loves me.'
"Persy." Two strong hands grasped my left. They were soft hands. I could feel metal against one of my fingers; his ring. Oh please be Draco!
"Draco?" I whimpered and felt lips on mine before I could manage to say anything else.
"Now, now, save that for later." said Pomfrey.
"Must I?" I asked and she laughed.
"Yes. You gave us all quite a scare; fell right to the floor in the middle of class and fainted!" She shooed Draco away from the bed and went through her usual procedures. "Do you remember what happened before you fainted?"
"Sort of." I glanced at Draco dejectedly.
"Well?" she urged.
"Pansy was taunting me as usual. She said some hurtful things then I found myself suddenly ill and that's all I remember." I didn't look at him again but kept my gaze on the white sheets ahead of me.
"And where were you Mr. Malfoy, during this taunting session?" She sounded strict suddenly and I wondered what his answer would be. He'd been on his hands and knees looking for Pansy Parkinson's necklace is where he'd been.
"I was in Dumbledore's office being lectured for petrifying Longbottom." I could feel his gaze on me. "Actually, I arrived just after it happened." His hand rested on my shoulder and I wanted to yank it off. Lies. They were lies. "As soon as I walked in I saw her on the floor." His hand squeezed. "Slughorn was babbling about something but I moved past him, picked her up, and brought her here."
"That's quite enough Mr. Malfoy." said Pomfrey. She turned to me and patted my hands. "You get a bit of rest and you'll be right as rain in no time." She smiled and stood. "And be a bit more careful; don't let yourself get so upset."
She left Draco and I there; I didn't want to look at him. My eyes closed and I felt his kiss on my hand. I made it a point not to respond and fell into a comfortable sleep.
I sat in the library the next day by myself. I didn't need him to study with me; I didn't need anyone for that matter. My thoughts fell into my schoolwork and I seemed to forget everything going on around me. I was in another world; so much that I didn't feel him sit down beside me.
"You're avoiding me." Draco said.
"Perceptive." I replied without looking up.
"Why?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"No. Do you expect me to read your mind?"
"Isn't that what you're good at?"
"Not when emotions cloud the issue." His hand rested on my back.
"You lied!" I burst out and he jumped backward.
"What in the bloody hell are you talking about?!" he asked.
"You said you were in Dumbledore's office. You weren't. You were searching the school for Pansy's necklace!" I shuffled books into my bag shakily. I was so angry I swear I could've Avada Kedavra'd him right there. "Like a good little servant!"
"Don't you ever call me a servant!" He leapt from his chair and towered over me. I was suddenly scared. His figure was intimidating and extremely condescending when he was angered. I felt as though I were a bug about to be squashed under the aristocrat's ego. Though, I had to pretend I didn't feel that way. I had to stand my ground so I jumped to my feet as well.
"Then what shall I call you? A cockroach? A player? A filthy no-good liar? I refuse to waste my time on someone who runs to his ex-girlfriend whenever she calls."
"Wasting time? Is that what you think we are? A waste of time?"
"Sometimes I'm not sure."
"Alright." He shifted.
I stared him in the eyes and for the first time I felt as though I'd broken a heart; and my heart ached. Was I wrong?
"I don't understand…" He added.
"What?"
"Why do you always believe what Pansy tells you?"
"I-"
"Let me finish. You get to bitch and whine and yell at me about how horrible a person I am so I think I'll take my turn."
I gulped.
"Pansy hates you. It is a simple fact that she doesn't want us to be together." He took my sack from my grip and started filling it with the rest of my belongings. "She is quite talented at storytelling and deception and gets angry whenever someone else has something she wants." He threw my sack over his shoulder as I hadn't moved since he began talking. "I know her well and I know when she is toying with someone, which is what she's doing with you." Draco grabbed my hand and led me out of the library. I didn't resist because I wasn't sure what he'd do if I made him any angrier.
He stopped just outside of the library and turned on me and kissed me hard. I'd been taken off guard so I didn't know how to react. I didn't even kiss back which obviously had angered him more. His grip was becoming painful and I thought I would let out a cry soon if he didn't loosen. Then his face hovered close to mine.
"I may be a cockroach, I've been called that numerous times." He waved his free hand as if he were referring to an object. "I may have been a player in the past, but what guy isn't?" I winced and he must have noticed for he released my arm. "I may be a lot of things but one thing I am not is a liar. Not when it comes to you."
I clamped my teeth together; I was going to be sick again. No Persy you can't faint again. You are stronger than that.
"If you really feel you are wasting your time with me then I can't change that. You're insecure, which is understandable with our past, but I'm not going to keep trying to redeem myself because you have an overactive imagination. Trust me or don't. I'm damned sick of the drama."
At that exact moment I felt like he'd ripped my heart out, thrown it against the wall, and jumped up and down on it. I couldn't even think of a way to respond.
"I'm going to tell you my vision from the sphere right now whether you want me to or not."
"I don't-"
"Don't. I don't want to hear you object again and if you do I'm leaving you right here right now and never speaking to you again."
I turned my back to him and fixed my gaze on the floor. If he saw me cry right then he'd yell at me for that too. My eyes watered. My face ached from holding in the sob. I held my breath until it was impossible to hold it any longer then let out an agonizing silent cry. I wouldn't let him hear me, he'd leave and never come back if he heard me.
"Oh come now, don't cry. It wasn't my intention-"
"Tough shit!" I answered as I let out a small whimper and I felt as though he moved closer then moved away again. "Get on with it then."
"Persy…" He was silent for a moment. "You know I couldn't just leave- I'm only angry-"
"Just tell me and get it over with."
"I would like to tell you somewhere I bit more private."
His arm slid around me and I was guided to a small room, it looked like a cleaning closet. It was probably something the elves used since I didn't know one witch that cleaned by hand.
I sat down on a random box and he leaned against the door as he closed it.
"Christmas day. This is this past Christmas break. Father took me into his study, pulled out a brown leather box and explained to me the Sphere of Influence." He was silent then resumed. "The first thing I saw after the lights was you. You were sitting radiantly on a window-seat in the parlor at Malfoy Manor…. and you were… pregnant."
My heart skipped. Pregnant? I sniffed as tears streamed over my nose and attempted to wipe them away. My eyes wandered over the many awkward objects as I tried to avoid my thoughts.
"You turned to me and said "Scorpius. I want to name him Scorpius, a constellation like his father." My head fell into my hands and I began to sob. I felt his body move hastily across the room before he embraced me. He was so warm, so comforting then he spoke. "I'm not sure how relevant this is now Persy, but I've always had feelings for you. Even before the sphere."
"Dra-"
"I'm not finished." His free hand was running through my hair now. "Then Neville appeared, grabbed you, and whisked you away. He said you loved him, not me, that I didn't deserve you." He was silent again. "He was right. I don't."
"That's not true." I said still holding my head in my hands.
"It is." I felt him kiss the back of my neck and I wanted to be in bed with him, holding him. "On with the story. You disappeared with him and Pansy appeared and clung to me saying I was a Slytherin and cruel like her, that you would never have me." He paused. "Funny, she said those exact words when I broke up with her, adding that it would be a disgrace to my family if I were with a Ravenclaw."
"So then why are you with me?"
"I love you obviously. You really are thick sometimes for such a smart girl."
I elbowed him playfully.
"And abusive."
I laughed a little.
"Anyway, after my experience with the sphere my father found out I had been teasing you for 6 years and he was beyond angry, he was venomous. You must understand that The Sphere Of Influence is extremely important to the adult lives of pureblood witches and wizards. It is like our family wizard hat."
"So you're with me because your dad kicked your ass?"
"No!" He pulled my face to his and kissed me. "My father and the sphere of course, made me realize the mistakes I was making. Though I have to be honest Persy, I wouldn't have let you be with anyone else either way, I've loved you since the day I met you and I always knew you'd be the one I married even if I had to force you."
"You couldn't force me."
"You want to bet? You forget who I am and where I come from dear."
He pulled me into his arms and kissed my neck, collarbone, lower.
Our relationship was already a rocky one. That made me wonder if we'd actually make it to the vision I'd had. Then his words came back to me and I thought about everything he had said. He always had feelings for me? Then why was he so cruel for so long? Not that it really mattered, he loved me now.