Chapter five: Home sweet hogwarts

Mortifera and Draco walked hand in hand as they approached the carriages. Behind her, she heard Ron and Hermione chatting eagerly as Harry, she knew, was weighing the vision they shared. Draco helped her into the carriage shared by Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise. Mortifera watched as Harry and his friends loaded the carriage behind them. Crabbe and Goyle talked about their summer holiday and asked about Blaise's. Mortifera tried to seem interested in everyone's conversation but her mind ventured back to the vision. She knew that if she was what the Death Eaters wanted then there were plenty of ways for them to get to her including those within Slytherin. The thought frightened her. Draco reached over and took her hand. The thought comforted her for the moment.

Harry watched the carriage in front of him. He knew that Mortifera was only doing what she thought best. He knew that she wanted to prevent the events in their shared vision as much as he did, but he felt that she was vulnerable. If Voldemort did want her, which he seemed to very much, that she was easier to get to then him. Perhaps that was the point. Maybe that is what Sirius was warning him of. "Harry," Hermione said pulling him from his thoughts. "You need to tell Dumbledore. He can make sure that we are all protected."

"I agree Harry," Ginny said looking at him with concerned and loving eyes. Harry reached over and took her hand. Ron didn't seem to notice. The carriage came to a halt at the gates. Harry helped Ginny then Luna out of the carriage. He looked at Ginny. Her eyes were sparkling under the moonlight. "Ginny," he began. "If something should happen, promise me that you won't bring the D.A. to get me."

"I can't do that Harry," Ginny she admitted. He pulled her close and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Ron," Hermione said in a whisper as Ron watched his best friend. "Stop staring."

"It's my sister," Ron answered.

"She likes him."

"Yes, but he's not suppose to like her. What happened to him and Cho?"

"Yes, because that ended so well last year," Hermione said stomping off to the Gryffindor table. Harry's smiled faded as he watched Mortifera and Draco take their seats at the Slytherin table. They sat quietly as the new students were sorted into houses. Harry then watched as Dumbledore stood and walked to his podium.

"I would like to welcome all our new students as well as our returning students to another wonderful year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There are a few things to take care of before we begin our wonderful feast. First, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students. Second, I would like to welcome our new potions teacher, Professor Percy Weasley, who will be taking the place of Professor Severus Snape, who will now hold the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts post. I'm sure you will all make Professor Weasley very welcome. Now that all that is out of the way," Dumbledore smiled as he waved his wand. "Let the Feast begin."

Mortifera watched as the food appeared on the table. She watched as Crabbe and Goyle began to fill their plates with piles of food. Everyone looked so carefree. She forced herself to smile and go through the motions. She had made up her mind. She was going to talk to her uncle about her dreams and the vision she shared with Harry.

Harry sat watching Mortifera. "She looks miserable," Hermione said. "Wouldn't you," Ron asked. "I think there's more to it. She's scared. Scared that something bad is going to happen," Harry said. "As much as we find it hard to believe, she loves Draco. She's terrified that something is going to happen to him or us."

"But he's practically a Death Eater," Ron said. Hermione scoffed. "It's true. You've seen him over the past four years. His father is a Death Eater as is his aunt."

"That doesn't make him a Death Eater," Hermione said. Harry interrupted them. "I know she said to stay away but if I can help her, protect her," Harry spoke. Ginny's face went blank. "Ginny," Harry looked at her. "It's not like that with her."

"That's not what it seems," Ginny said quietly. "I mean you are practically running off to save her. She didn't ask for your help."

"I know but there's something about her that's familiar," Harry admitted.

Mortifera couldn't help but feel as if someone was watching her. Her eyes searched the room, finally stopping on the Gryffindor table where Harry sat gazing at her. She focused on the plate in front of her. She poked and prodded at her food. "Fera," Draco said taking her hand. "Are you alright? You've been acting weird since I found you with Potter."

"It's nothing Draco. I just have some things on my mind," she answered looking into his grey eyes. "I think I'm going to retire early tonight."

"But you haven't eaten anything," Draco said taking note that her food was untouched. She hands the plate to Crabbe and Goyle who take it without hesitation. "I'll bring you some desert," Draco said. "That sounds wonderful, Draco," she smiled and kissed him gently before standing up and walking from the room.

Harry sat watching Mortifera. She sat there playing with her food. He noticed her stop when Draco touched her hand. The two talked.

"What are you staring at," Ron asked. The four of them turned to look at Draco and Mortifera. "She looks completely drained," Ron said. "It's like she's not even the same person we met in Diagon Alley."

"I'm sure that the vision she had is just weighing on her deeply. I mean how would you feel if you had a vision that the one person you cared for was about to die to save Harry," Hermione said looking at him with hopeful eyes. "But we don't even know if she would choose Harry over Draco," Ron said. Harry watched as she handed Crabbe and Goyle her plate. Harry looked at his friends and then back to Mortifera. She was walking away from the table. "I'll be right back," he said as he stood up to follow her out of the Great Hall. She was making her way towards the dungeon staircase. "Fera," Harry said drawing her attention to him. She turned and walked back towards him. "Harry," she started. "I thought I explained."

"Yeah, well, I don't really understand it all," he said.

"What's not to understand? If we stay friends, then I'm putting everyone I care for in danger."

"Like I don't bring any of that danger on to my friends? I'm the boy who lived."

"That's the difference. You've lived through three attacks on you by Voldemort. One when you were but a baby. The second two years ago in the Triwizard Tournament. And then last year, when you protected your friends from the Death Eaters. I know that you can protect them Harry. There's no doubting that. But I refuse to be the reason someone dies."

"How do you even know it's true? Your vision could be implanted."

"Like yours were last year," she asked. "How'd you," Harry began. "I have a talent for legilimency as well as occlumency."

"And your visions?"

"I guess my visions are like any seer's. Sometimes they are a dream other times they are, well, you saw."

"How did I see?"

"I think that because you were involved we were able to share the vision."

"And the fact that you can control people's emotions?"

"Muggles call us empaths. It's much like legilimency. I can use it to see a hostile situation and calm it down, like with you and Draco. I don't use it often. I just hate confrontation."

"What other surprises do you hold?"

"I'm decent with non-verbal spells. I'm wicked good at defense. And I was keeper at Durmstrang. I was suppose to be captain this year."

"You are amazing," Harry smiled.

"Of course she is," Draco's voice pulled them from their moment. "She's a Slytherin, Potter."

"She may wear your house colors but she's more then just a Slytherin," Harry said. Mortifera could feel the tension between them.

"You think you know her? After what, one day? I don't like you hanging around and making love sick eyes at my girlfriend," Draco said.

Mortifera's head swam around her. The hatred began to make her head hurt. "Enough," she exclaimed. "Draco, Harry and I are just friends. We were discussing something that happened on the train earlier."

"You have secrets with Potter," Draco said a little hurt. "I will tell you Draco," Mortifera began. "But I need to speak with Uncle Severus before I continue any further. You two have to learn to co-exist. I will not choose between you and Harry, Draco. As I will not choose between, my love for Draco, or a friendship with you Harry. If you two want to keep me in your lives, you have to realize that I come with the other. If you can't do that then I cannot continue being involved in any way with either of you."

Mortifera walked quickly away towards the staircase. Harry looked at Draco. "I don't like you Potter," Draco began. "But I refuse to lose her. So if I have to play nice to keep her then I will. But I'm warning you the moment she's out of earshot things go back to normal."

Mortifera could hear footsteps approaching. "I hate when you do things like that Draco," she said stopping and turning to face him. "You were the only good part about returning here. I gave up so much at Durmstrang."

"What did you give up?"

"Quidditch. I've been keeper there for four years. I was going to be captain this year."

"Well I'm captain here and if you want to play Quidditch then you will."

"It's not just that. Aside for you, Harry is the only friend I have here," she began stepping closer to him. She put her hand on his chest. "And while I would love to spend all my time soaking in the adoration you bestow upon me, I can't. I need friends, Draco. And I'm not sure that the other Slytherin's are so happy to see me."

"I'm not thrilled about you being friends with Potter and his mudblood and bloodtraitor friends, but if it's what will make you happy, then I will endure what ever I must to see that."

She leaned in and kissed him passionately. "How long do you figure before everyone is sent to their common rooms, Mr. Prefect?"

"Half an hour?"

She smiled and lead him to the common room. She knew that when the students were sent to their dormitories that would be her chance to speak with her uncle. Draco took her hand and lead her to the Slytherin Common Room. Mortifera took in everything she had missed about this place. She smiled when she saw the fireplace lit and the leather couch. She quickly made her way towards it and sat down waiting for Draco, who quickly obliged her. "Draco I never wish to hide anything from you," she said as she laid her head on his shoulder. His fingers entangled themselves in her hair. "This has to do with the weirdness since the train doesn't it?"

"Yes," she said looking into his grey eyes. "I want to tell you everything."

"But you need to speak with your uncle first," Draco asked. She nods in confirmation. "You two should be in the Great Hall," Severus's voice echoed from behind them. Mortifera smiled. She knew that her uncle had noticed her leaving. "I needed to be here without everyone in here, Uncle Severus," Mortifera said as she stood up. "Draco perhaps you should report back to the Great Hall," Severus said. Draco didn't hesitate to follow the order. "You need to talk to me," he asked.

"Yes I do."