Chapter Seven: Love is in the Air

Harry sat at the breakfast table diligently watching the door. He knew that Mortifera had spoken with Draco last night. He needed to know that she was alright. As if on cue, Mortifera and Draco walked into the Great Hall arm in arm. Draco looked in his direction kissed Mortifera gently then walked to the Slytherin table. Mortifera walked cheerfully towards Harry. "Good morning Harry," she smiled sitting down across from him. "Morning, Fera," he smiled. "So everything went alright last night?"

"As well as expected, I suppose. I told him about the vision, though I left out the part about Bellatrix."

They sat in silence for a moment. "So, you and Draco have the same schedule?"

"Yes," Harry says.

"Do you think you could do me a favor?"

"Anything."

"Keep an eye on him for me. I can't be with him every moment of the day, but I want to keep him safe and out of the grip of any Death Eater."

"Draco isn't going to like that."

"I'm not saying you have to follow him around, just let me know if he seems to be in trouble that's all."

"I'll do my best," he smiled.

"Harry, I heard an interesting rumor."

"What was that?"

"That you were the leader of an underground Defense Against the Dark Arts club," she said coolly as she traced her finger on the table.

"Yeah, last year. But there's really no need for it now is there? We're allowed to do magic again."

"But still," she began. "There are those that could use the practice and it sounds like fun."

"You want to join Dumbledore's Army?"

"Yes," she said. "I suppose I do."

"Let me talk to the others and I'll let you know."

"Thanks Harry."

Mortifera stood up and walked to Draco. Harry sat there in disbelief as Hermione, Ginny, and Ron walked up.

"Harry," Ginny asked in a quiet concerned voice. "Are you alright?"

"Mortifera just asked to join the D.A."

"Are you serious," Hermione asked.

"Yes. I suppose it only makes sense if she thinks she has to face off against him. I'd want to be prepared even if it was only to die in the fight."

"We hadn't even discussed the D.A. Are we going back to it," Ron asked.

"I don't know. The whole point was to be able to learn spells in case we had to fight, but now, we can use magic in the classrooms again."

"Yes," Ginny began. "But it would be nice to have an area to practice in. Luna was asking about it as well."

"We'll call a meeting this weekend at the Hog's Head Inn."

Mortifera smiled as she sat with Draco enjoying every moment they had together. The moment was made sweeter as she knew that her chance to make friends would come with the reformation of Dumbledore's Army. Though her initial thought was to stay clear from Harry, she and Draco had made a plan to keep both of them safe. She knew that time drew close to her first class and she'd be parted from him for hours at times. She drew comfort in the fact that Harry would share classes with him this year as each year before. She watched as the table filled with students who had overslept. "Draco," she said looking at him. "Will you walk me to class?"

"Of course," Draco obliged as he took her hand. They walked out of the Great Hall. Mortifera waved off the entourage that seemed to follow them around. She wanted to enjoy her moments with Draco without an audience. "You have a free period, don't you," she asked.

"Yes," Draco answered looking at her. "I was going to schedule try outs for Quidditch."

"That sounds perfect," she said smiling.

"Why do you sound so happy about that?"

"It will just make me feel better knowing that you are safe."

"You're worried about your vision?"

"Yes," she said in a bit of a shock. "I don't ever want to lose you, Draco. And I never want to have to choose between your life and Harry's."

Draco looked a little disappointed. "You think I would choose Harry don't you?"

"He is the 'chosen one' isn't he? The one that can save us all from the Dark Lord?"

"Draco," she said as they stopped in front of the Transfiguration class room. "I don't know what I would do if I had to choose. I would probably sacrifice myself before I chose either of you."

"Don't say that," he said looking down. "It's the truth," she said. "Will you wait for me after class?"

"Yes," he smiled. She kissed him gently before entering the room. Katie Bell sat in the middle of the class. Mortifera had always liked Katie. "Hello, Katie," she said as she approached her.

"Hello, Fera," Katie smiled. "Mind if I sit with you," Mortifera asked looking around the class. All the Slytherin girls had been glaring at her since she walked into the class. "Slytherin not as welcoming as you remember?"

"Quite welcoming," Mortifera joked. Katie smiled and moved her books.

Harry walked to the Gryffindor Common Room with Ron and Ginny. Harry smiled at Ginny as she sat next to him. "We need to talk," Ron said looking at them seriously. "What's wrong Ron," Ginny asked. "You two!"

"What," they asked in unison. "Ginny you've been in love with Harry since you were 10! And Harry, I know you care for Ginny! I don't want to see you two snogging every chance you get, but I can't stand watching you two flirt blindly. If you like my sister that much just have at it already," Ron steamed.

"Charming, Ron," Ginny said.

"I'm going to patrol for exactly 15 minutes," Ron said as he walked out of the room leaving the two of them standing there. Harry looks at Ginny. "Have you loved me since you were ten?"

"Yes," she smiled. "I was so jealous last year of Cho. You have no clue how bad I wanted to hex her."

Harry smiles. "It's so cute when you're jealous."

"Do you care for me?"

"Yes," Harry smiled. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. The moment lingered before they pulled apart. Ginny broke the silence. "The D.A.?"

"What about it?"

"Let's give it another go," she smiled. "I'm sure Dumbledore will gladly allow us to start it back, like a dueling club."

"If everyone wants to after the meeting then I'll gladly start it up again."

They smiled as they sat there staring at one another. "Pathetic," Ron said when he returned. "You two have probably spent that last fifteen minutes sitting like that haven't you."

"Ron, we best get going. We have Defense against the Dark Arts now. See you after class," he asked Ginny.

"Of course," she smiled as he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. Harry and Ron walked quickly towards the class room on the first floor.

Mortifera waited patiently for the bell to chime to signal the end of class. While she loved Transfiguration, she desperately wanted to see Draco. She tried to listen to McGonagall speak. She watched as those around her took notes. The bell finally chimed and Mortifera grabbed her things and ran out of the classroom right into Draco's arms. "You have Defense," she asked.

"Yeah," he smiled as he took her books from her. He could be such a gentleman. Most people don't see this side of him, she thought to herself. It made her smile. As the rounded the corner, Harry and Ron walked down the stairs towards them. "Hello, Harry. Ron," she smiled. "Where you headed?"

"Defense," Harry smiled. "How wonderful," she replied as they walked beside her. Draco didn't like the attention that the two Gryffindor boys gave to Mortifera. "Would you stop gawking at her, Weasle. She's not one of your shinny toys," he said in anger.

"I'm not gawking," Ron said in defense.

"Oh no," Draco continued. "Why are you drooling like a mutt at dinner time then?"

Draco took Mortifera's hand and led her away from the two of them. "Draco," she said a little upset. "What's wrong?"

"I hate the way the boys in this school act towards you. Even Crabbe and Goyle do it."

"Are you jealous, Draco," she asked.

"I can't help it. You're so beautiful and kind."

"You are so cute when you are jealous," she smiled and kissed him. "I have a class of my own to get to now. See you in the common room after class?"

"Definitely," he smiled.